I apologise for not updating lately. I had a brief writer's bloc after the last chapter but all is well for now. Anyway here's the next chapter - enjoy!

Episode 27: Break

A huge part of my soul felt like it had been ejected from my body. I feel lightweight, almost empty. However I must try and concentrate. The substitute seems to have absorbed all the hollows I've previously consumed. He's been living inside my body like a parasite this entire time.

Now I remember the strange white arms that regenerated previously. They are identical to his own. So it was him who provided the extra strength. He was that voice that urged me to live until now. He was using me to gain his own power.

"Ichigo Kurosaki...YOU BASTARD!" My behaviour becomes irrational and I charge blindly with my claws bared. He gives me the same expressionless stance before he disappears in a blaze of Sonido.

"What?" I feel a swift breeze of air on my back and I narrowly avoid decapitation by this strong substitute hollow. I turn and duck another strike and miss a sweeping kick from below. I'm barely able to avoid his strikes and eventually he grabs my neck with one hand. I wheeze as he digs his black fingernails into my soft flesh.

"BANZAI!" Shrieker intervenes but ends up sliced across his midsection.

He took out Shrieker...in just one blow...

My vision becomes blurry. I weakly raise my arm but he breaks it like a twig. I want to scream but my windpipe is being restricted. I raise my other arm and try to mouth the words of my final attack.

"Jucio...cero" It's much weaker than usual but it's enough to make him loosen grip of my neck. As descend to the ground darkness sweeps over the land. My vision fades and I feel no more pain. Perhaps this really is the end...The judgment has been placed on me...

A green blur swoops over my small window of vision before I lose conciousness...

I awakwen into a cramped world. This space is highly restrictive and I feel claustrophobic. I try to break free but it's too elastic, like a steel silk. I try to pry the strange cocoon open with my claws but their useless. In fact I can't feel claws anymore...I try and scream but my voice is gone. I want to sob but my tears have dried up. All I can do is sit out my final day of hell.

Rebirth...

A small light pierces my vision and I keenly reach for it. Desperately clawing the hole until I can reach the outside world. I'm finally free!

However the light was misleading as I've returned to a cold and dark room. My hands slap the ground. Wait a minute...hands! Skin? Soft supple flesh...This cannot be...However the reflection through the tiled floor confirms that...

"I'm...human..." I run my hand down my cheek to be sure I'm not dreaming. Some bandages still cover most of my head and body but I'm sure that most of what I see is the form I bestowed before this transformation into the eternal night. Although I'm in a strange place I can console with myself that I feel and appear the way I should.

"You seem satisfied at your makeover...Banzai Benendes...or should I say Steven Benson." A soothing voice comes from the shadows. A cloaked figure stands forward.

"Yes...um...thank you..." I say in humility.

"I'm amazed at the outcome myself..." Another voice comes forward. "Normally his type don't resemble humans."

Wait a minute...

"Will he prove to be useful for our goal?" A third more deep toned voice calls out.

"Of course our new recruit will be most useful..." The cloaked figure fully reveals himself to be a humble man wearing thick square glasses. He offers a hand and smiles. "Let me introduce myself as your father...Sosuke Aizen."

"Did you...rescue me?" I ask shivering.

"One of my subordinates brought you here...for now I we should help you out of your dressings."

"Um...thanks..." I notice a young female with part of her face concealed in white carrying a long mirror with floral edges. I watch in the mirror as she slowly unravels the remainder of my human form. I wince when I notice a small hole in my chest. What could that be doing there?

As she reaches the head it seems a lot heavier than usual. Slowly hard white material is revealed. A bony mask covers a cross shape over my face, but most of my true face is visible. Reality hits me as I realise I haven't quite returned to full humanity but something possibly greater.

Aizen appears behind me "What do you think...About being an Arrancar?"

I smile creeps us one side of my face. "I like it..."

A new lease of life...A chance to start fresh perhaps? Although my soul is still hollow I can't help but feel a part of me has returned. Should I be indebted to these savioiurs...or cautious? I must wait until the next chapter to be sure...