The Fiff Chapa, right here for you all. I will say, right off the bat, that this chapter is a little shorter than the last couple, but it's what I intended. Everything that needed to be said was said and done, and it turned out a little shorter than the others. So, if that disappoints you, sorry.
Anyways, here we go with the Review Corner, as usual.
Lazruth:Yes, Yes. Aizen is a dick, but that's why he's such a good villain.
Grinja:Glad to see you caught the reference, haha. You'll see more of Harribel in this chapter.
darkmachines:Hm, Grimmjow's fraccion? Maybe, I dunno. *Shrug* Just wait and see what happens, you might be satisfied with the result.
sjknight:Thanks for the comment. No, Harribel is not going into the harem. Isn't Loly, Menoly, Apacci, Sun-Sun, and Mila-Rose enough? ... or is it not? 0_o
BrazeRancor:I do as well, thanks.
icewolves:Well, it's not 3 A.M. but here you go!
VampireNecromancer:Writing out Aizen's thoughts sounds like a good idea, but I may not be able to do it... at least without making it sound cheesy.
Nightkill:Glad you think so :)
Kaiser969:Yesh, Yesh he is.
ASR-Ahsoka Dawn:Thank you, person I don't know! :D Stark is one of my favorite Espada too, so I'm happy to say he'll play a big part in this story.
marc:*Stutters out* I-I I'll t-try! D-dont y-yell at me*Winces*
God:It would be better, wouldn't it*smirk*
Sentiment Remains:I was hoping to surprise everyone with a shot of angst and a 180 of the pairing development. I bet it gave some people whiplash
Seiei:You did not have to wait long, that is for sure. XD Thanks for your comment, I love IchigoxFemale Arrancar Pairings too.
And that will wrap up today's Review Corner. Please Read and Review *Stops and thinks* ... I got nothing
Betareadeded by Lazruth! Thanks a bunch, yo.
(Las Noches)
Apacci, Mila-Rose, and Sun-Sun followed Harribel wordlessely to the Primera's palace. When Harribel didn't use a Sonido to speed things up and settled for walking, they could tell she was thinking carefully of whatever she was going to say to Stark. The three fraccion weren't scared of the Primera, far from it. Harribel liked to visit him for idle chats every now and then, giving them time to talk with him briefly. He was surprisingly intelligent and pleasant to be around when he wasn't asleep. The three girls, and Harribel, could say they were friends with Stark and Lilynette, his own fraccion. They were curious as to how Apacci's recent story had led Harribel to want to go see him. Only when they reached the palace did Sun-Sun speak up.
"Harribel-sama, may I ask why we are visiting the Primera's Palace?"
"There is something I wish to discuss with Stark-san."
After a few seconds of silence, it was clear they weren't going to be getting anymore details on the matter, so they left it at that and followed her silently again. The four women entered the palace and silently appreciated the sudden shade from las Noches's artificial sun. It was quiet inside, as it usually was. The only sound coming from their footsteps as they walked across the tile. For a while, it was the only noise, when a new voice spoke up.
"Ha! I thought I sensed someone enter the palace. Good to see you Harribel-sama, Deer-san, Snake-san, Gorilla-san."
The voice belonged to none other than Lilynette, Stark's only fraccion. The tercera and her fraccion turned to their right and saw her standing there, one hand on her hip, a happy grin on her face.
Lilynette was a rather child-like arrancar, appearing to be rather young. She stood a little shorter than Apacci and was very small in general. This didn't stop her, however, from wearing her choice of clothing. She wore a small, sleeveless, vest that just wrapped around and covered her breasts, leaving her stomach, hips, and shoulders bare. The only thing covering her modesty was a pair of briefs that only did just that, the pair being small. She wore a pair of boots that reached all the way up mid-thigh, leaving the skin in-between her waist and thigh bare. What remained of her mask rested on the top of her head as a upper half of a skull, flattening her golden-blond hair. There was one horn still on the fragment, and you could see the stub of where another used to be.
Harribel greeted the girl with a nod. "Hello again, Lilynette. Is Stark-?"
"He's up in his room. I woke him up when I sensed you coming. Don't worry about him falling back asleep. I made sure he wouldn't feel like sleeping for the next hour at least." Lilynette said this with a toothy grin and a peace sign with her free hand. Harribel nodded at the young girl and walked past her, walking up the stairs to reach Stark's room. When she left, Lilynette was alone with Apacci, Sun-Sun, and Mila-Rose.
Mila-Rose spoke up with a growl. "Hey, how come I'm the only one that's not called by what I am?"
Lilynette laughed and pointed at Mila-Rose with both her pointy fingers and an even bigger grin. "You are called what ya are! You're like a gorilla, all tall and muscle-y, and you got a low voice. Like a Gorilla!"
A tick mark appeared on Mila-Rose's forehead. She pointed at Lilynette and yelled out. "Listen you! I'm a Lioness!"
Lilynette began jumping up and down, switching from landing on her left and right foot. One hand reached up to scratch the top of her head, the other, her side. "Oog! Oog!"
A dangerous smirk appeared on Mila-Rose's face, another tick-mark showing.
"You're dead, you little brat!"
When Mila-Rose began to chase Lilynette around the room the large room, Lilynette laughing and tossing back raspberries, Apacci turned to Sun-Sun, who looked exasperated at the other two. "What do you think Harribel-sama wants to see Stark-sama about?"
Sun-Sun held her sleeve up to cover her mouth in a contemplative manner, her brows furrowed. After a few seconds, "I don't know. I imagine it must be important though."
They left it at that, settling for watching Mila-Rose chase Lilynette around the room.
(Stark's Room)
When Harribel reached Stark's room, the first thing she saw was the Primera lying halfway off of his bed, face-down. Both of his hands covered his groin. His whole body was shaking. Harribel easily guessed how Lilynette had woken him up.
"Harribel-san." Stark wheezed out, sitting himself up on the bed. He wiped some sweat off of his brow.
"What... can I do for you?"
"There is something I must discuss with you." Harribel told him, staring at him intently. Stark adjusted his posture to sit up straightly, giving her his full attention. At this, Harribel started. "Do you know of the pair of Numeros known as Loly and Menoly?"
Stark scratched his cheek with a gloved hand with a blank look. "I only know their names. Lilynette has mentioned them a couple times these past few days."
"Recent events have come to my attention that involve the two young ladies. I feel that you need to know one or two things about them, as the topic I wish to discuss stems from it."
Stark said nothing as Harribel began telling him what Apacci had told her. How Loly and Menoly had been sneaking out of Las Noches to see a human, who was actually a shinigami. While it was curious to Stark, he made no visible reaction and listened intently. When Harribel came to the point when Aizen ordered the two girls to go into the World of the Living to kill him, Stark frowned. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.
When Harribel finished the story about the two girls, she said, "Now, please listen closely to what I have to say."
(Karakura Town)
Ichigo walked home, in the dark, with slumped shoulders and a crestfallen expression. He felt terrible. What had just happened replayed over and over again in his head. Hollows or not, the two girls he felt the most for were almost killed, and were afraid of him. Menoly could be dead right now, given her wound and how it was bleeding. The thought made him stop abruptley and clench his fists. Of course, the same thought made his sadness grow into anger. Anger at his hollow.
The bastard had left him alone ever since the fight with Byakuya, but it was obvious he was just waiting for the right moment to come back. He chose a perfect time to do so, too. Ichigo didn't care that he might be dead if his Hollow hadn't intervened, at the cost of Loly and Menoly's lives, it was too much. He concluded that neither of the girls would be coming back to Karakura Town, for obvious reasons. They'd be avoiding him like the plague. Ichigo had to try and get to them, somehow. He needed to see them and tell them... what? It didn't matter right now. He needed to see them as soon as possible. Urahara would probably know how he could do it as well.
Ichigo looked up again, though this time, his eyes shown with determination. He knew what he had to do. He needed to get stronger. Figuring out how to deal with his Hollow would be the first step, something that almost made him excited. Excited at the chance to put the Hollow in it's place.
It was settled. He'd tame his hollow, train hard, grow stronger, and then go to Hueco Mundo, to Loly and Menoly. He'd get to them and set things right.
(Las Noches/Stark's Room)
Stark sighed and scratched his head as Harribel finished. He had expected Harribel to come to him with this, especially after what she had told him of the two Numeros. It still didn't completly hide his surprise at Harribel still suggesting it to him.
"Why'd you come to me with this? You know Aizen would have you executed if this got out."
"I've told you this because I know you. You and I share similar beliefs and opinions on right and wrong. I also believe you've wanted to do this for a while, but wouldn't act alone." Harribel told him, standing just as motionless as she had the entire time. That was one thing about Harribel, Starrk noted, that when she had something to say, she'd say it as bluntly as possible, getting her point across and not fearing the consequences. It would've annoyed him, if he wasn't the same way. He layed back on his bed, covering his eyes with one arm.
"Let me sleep on it."
Harribel nodded, but already knew what the Primera's answer was, which pleased her. She turned and left his room, leaving Stark to his thoughts and sleep. She re-entered the large room she had left her Fraccion in and made for the exit, not even glancing at them. "Come, Ladies."
Apacci and Sun-Sun followed her right away with a simultaneous, "Yes Ma'am."
Mila-Rose had to pry herself from her scratch fight with Lilynette, who stuck her tongue out triumphantly at Mila-Rose, who, in turn, pointed back and said, "I'll be back for you, ya brat!"
"Oog!"
"Grr."
"Mila-Rose!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Harribel, along with her fraccion exited the palace, back out into the dunes of Las Noches. When Harribel used a sonido to travel back to her own palace, the fraccion followed her with sonidos of their own. Arriving at their palace, Harribel turned to address them.
"Ladies, please have a seat. There is something I must discuss with you."
(Karakura High/The Next Day)
"There's "Hei" as in "Flat-Footed", the "Ko" from Imoko Onono, that old politician, "Shin" and "Ko as Cod Roe."
The next day, at school, everyone gave a Ichigo a wide berth. He looked angry, silently fuming at his desk. Most students just avoided him, but his closer friends wanted to know why he was acting like this. The ones who could see it saw that Ichigo was clenching his Deputy Badge tightly, holding it out in front of him. None tried to approach him, though, for fear of setting him off. If they had just asked Orihime, they would have found out, because she knew exactly what happened, being there when it occurred the previous night.
"Shinji Hirako! Nice to meet you."
"Um, thank you Shinji. It's backwards." The teacher said with a sweatdrop and a gesture of her hand upon seeing Shinji's illustration of his name.
"I know. Pretty good huh? One of my talents is reversing things."
"Well, alright then. Take a seat in the empty desk. Next to Ichigo Kurosaki."
Shinji did as he was told and, with a care-free expression, set his stuff down on the desk. He looked to his left at Ichigo and said, "Hi there! Guess we're neighbors, hope we can be friends."
There was no reply from Ichigo, however, who was still in a rather bad mood. If it weren't for his Deputy Badge going off with a cry of, "HOLLOW!", Ichigo would have remained motionless and staring forward, off into space. He stood up quickly, announcing he had to use the restroom. When the teacher dismissed him, dejectedly, he left class quickly. Shinji only stood there next to his new desk with a surprised expression.
Chad spoke up to cover for Ichigo and to try and reassure Shinji. "Don't take it personally. Ichigo just hasn't been himself today."
A sly smirk surfaced on Shinji's face. "Ya don't say? Ms. Ochi, I've got to use the restroom!"
"What? Already? Fine, just hurry up!"
Shinji left the class right away. Chad watched him leave with narrowed eyes.
(Not far from School)
Ichigo brought out Zangetsu with a glare. He charged forward and jumped into the air, intending to end this quickly. The pig-like hollow took a swipe at Ichigo with one of it's hooves but it was blocked by the massive sword. Ichigo ended the duel with a horizontal slice to the Hollow's mask. The Hollow cried out in pain and began to fade away. Ichigo landed on the ground and sheathed Zangetsu. Ichigo had to admit to himself that killing the Hollow had made him feel a little better.
"Your attack was sloppy. Your defense, shaky. Looks like something's troublin' you, friend."
Ichigo turned around quickly and blinked when he saw Shinji there, standing with an amused smirk.
"Sh-Shinji?" Ichigo was about to ask how Shinji could see him, but stopped when he saw what Shinji was carrying at his side. "Is that a zanpakuto?"
Shinji brought the blade up for Ichigo to see.
"This? Of course it is. I imagine you must be quite confused. Here, this should answer any questions you should have." Shinji brought his hand up to his face and gathered reiatsu. Ichigo was shocked to see a Hollow mask appear in Shini's hand, covering half of his face.
"Ah, now you get it. I'm an ex-shinigami that crossed over into the realm of Hollows. I'm a Vaizard, Ichigo. You're just like me, and I'm just like you."
"A Vaizard? You have... hollow powers?"
Shinji nodded, dispersing the mask. "Yes, all of the Vaizards do. It's what we are. We're a cross between Shinigami and Hollows."
"What do you want with me?"
At Ichigo's question, Shinji sighed in a over-dramatic way.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to recruit you into our group."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes and reached back to grip Zangetsu's hilt. "Why would I do that?"
"To save yourself. You must be able to feel it. The Hollow inside you trying to claw it's way out, slowly taking over? We can teach you how to control it and use it's power." Shinji finished with that same, all-knowing, smirk on his face. What surprised him, was the fact that Ichigo seemed to be considering it. From what he knew, Shinji was sure he'd have to pester him about it for a while before he even considered.
Ichigo looked down at the ground, his face scrunched up in thought.
(Flashback)
Ichigo held his hand out, shaking at the sight, and took a step forward. Though, it hurt him to see Loly crawl, or try to crawl, away from him frantically. She yelled at him fearfully, 'G-Get away from us! You monster!'
Menoly only sat there, her eyes widened fearfully. She was almost hyperventilating.
(Flashback End)
The memory was imprinted in his mind, and he knew it'd be that way for a long time. His Hollow did that to them, against Ichigo's will. Loly and Menoly had almost been killed, and it was because he couldn't control his Hollow. It made him sick. With that, he made his decision.
Ichigo looked back up at Shinji. "Fine. If you can teach me to control my Hollow, I'll join you guys."
Shinji blinked in surprise. That was easy. He regained composure and said, "Right then. After school, I can take you to our-."
He was cut off by Ichigo, who had a very serious expression on his face. "Let's go now."
Shinji examined Ichigo for a couple seconds, before he answered, "If you say so. Follow me."
'Get ready, Hollow. Your days of tormenting me are coming to a close.'
(The Vaizard Warehouse)
Shinji had led Ichigo through Karakura Town. The trip was uneventful, neither of them talking to each other. Shinji would've tried to start a conversation, but Ichigo's expression clearly said he only had one thing on his mind.
Learning how to control his Hollow.
Anything that Shinji would say would, most likely, be ignored until Ichigo got what he came for. They both stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse. Ichigo looked confused at the location and was about to ask if this was the place but, when a massive force-field rose up from the ground and boxed in the warehouse, he didn't need an answer from Shinji.
"I'll introduce you to the others before we begin. You will, after all, be spending a lot of time here." Shinji told him as the door leading inside was opened. They both walked inside and the door was closed behind them. The place was pretty destroyed, rubble all over the place. Ichigo could see what used to be entire floors, now broken off. The warehouse itself was lit dimly, the only light coming form the several broken windows around the warehouse. Ichigo stopped examining the area when he saw movement.
Standing a few meters in front of them was an odd assortment of individuals. They each had a zanpakuto at their side and looked at him with their own expressions. Some interested, some not caring, a couple neutral. Shinji spoke up, pointing to the group.
"These are your fellow Vaizard, Ichigo. From left-to-right, Kensei Mugurama, Lisa Yadomaru, Hacigen Ushoda, or Hachi, Hiyori Sarugaki, Love Aikawa, Mashiro Kuna, Rojuro Otoribashi, though we just call him Rose."
Each of them gave their own form of greetings but stayed quiet all-together. Shinji turned back to Ichigo and began to speak seriously. "Ok, Ichigo. We'll get started right away with teaching you how to control your hollow."
Suddenly, the short blonde girl, Hiyori, spoke up at this. "Wait! What? Just like that? We don't even know if he's worth anything!"
Shinji sighed and looked at Hiyori with a annoyed expression. "Is this really necessary?"
"Yeah, it is! He looks like a total wimp! I don't want to be seen in the same room as him!"
Ichigo narrowed his eyes at Hiyori, slowly losing patience. When Hiyori saw him glaring at her, she seemed to only get angrier and reached back for her zanpakuto with a glare of her own. Shinji told everyone else to step back and give the two some space. When they did, a hollow mask began forming on the side of Hiyori's head. When it fully materialized, she ordered, "Alright, Hollowfy Kurosaki!"
Ichigo only held his posture and glare. He said, "No."
"You coward." Hiyori growled out at him. Ichigo shook his head.
"That's not it. I came here to learn how to control my hollow. Not to prove myself to some spoiled brat."
This only made Hiyori angrier, as she ground her teeth. She reached up and pulled the mask over her face, her reiatsu rising as she did so. She turned around to face the other Vaizards and spoke, her voice changing due to the Hollowfication. "That's it! I'm going to kill him! Sorry Shin-!"
Suddenly, she jerked forward as she felt an open hand push the back of her head forward. Hiyori was slammed down, face-first, into the concrete below her. Her mask cracked at the impact. All the other Vaizard's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden appearance of a Hollowfyed Ichigo. Shinji even more so. Up to this point, Ichigo had gone against what any intel they had on him said. When Hiyori tried to reach back and crawl at the hand that was still on her, pushing her harder into the ground, the other Vaizards acted. Less than a second later, Hiyori was free from Ichigo's grasp and Ichigo himself was pinned down by the rest of the Vaizards, all their zanpakutos drawn and on him, all of them glaring down at him.
Shinji cracked Ichigo's mask with the tip of his zanpakuto. Ichigo gasped out as he regained control of himself. He had to stop and think at what had just happened. He had just given into the Hollow, willingly, to prove a point. Just a few seconds ago, it seemed necessary, but at being under the control of the sinister being again and the way everyone seemed to be glaring at him, especially Hiyori, who was currently panting up on the second floor, staring down at him, half-glaring and half-staring at him in fear, it made him think. Was he really that determined to get this thing controlled.
'Yes, I am.' Ichigo thought to himself. He looked up at Shinji again., who shouldered his zanpakuto.
"Enough, Ichigo. Are you satisfied, Hiyori?" At the lack of response from the blond, he turned back to Ichigo. "Well, it would seem that you want to get started right away, eh? Usually, we'd put you through a pre-training session, but I can see that it would be a waste of time. So, let's get started."
The rest of the Vaizards withdrew their zanpakuto one after the other. When they were all off of him, Ichigo stood up, rolling his wrists.
"But, before we begin, I must say you don't seem particularly afraid of your Inner Hollow as much as I thought you would."
Ichigo stared at Shinji with a determined look. "I was afraid of my Hollow, but not anymore. I'm fed up with him. Figured it was time to show the bastard who's boss."
Shinji smirked. "You seem determined, I'll give you that. Good, but you'll need more than willpower and drive to defeat your hollow."
Suddenly, Shinji brought his hand and stopped it in front of Ichigo's face. Ichigo looked confused, before he collapsed. Unconscious. Love grabbed Ichigo by the back of his robe and brought him up to carry him over his shoulder. Shinji gestured them to follow him. They all went downstairs into the massive training room below.
"Hachi, give me a two layered fault-force field."
"Yes, Sir."
(Ichigo's Mindscape)
Ichigo glared at his Hollow from across the skyscraper. The Hollow was seated, giving Ichigo a threatening smirk.
"Hey, King. It's been a while." The Hollow said, standing up. Ichigo gave no response and only continued to glared at his Hollow, who chuckled. "You look angry, King. How come?"
Again, no answer. Ichigo reached back and grasped Zangetsu's hilt.
"Oh? Just wanna get right to the killing, then? Fine by me. Means I don't have to hear you bitch at me."
Ichigo unsheathed Zangetsu, the wrapping unraveling itself from the blade. "You hurt Loly and Menoly. You almost killed them."
His Hollow only smirked evilly. "Oh yeah, I did, didn't I? Don't worry, I wasn't going to kill them. Well... not before I had a little fun with them. I do love my girls broken and unwilling, ya know?"
Ichigo's reiatsu flared violently, cracking the skyscraper below them. Pieces of glass and concrete that was separated from the building slowly disintegrated under the pressure. The Hollow's eyes widened ever so slightly, a lone drop of sweat trickling down his forehead. Ichigo swung Zangetsu out in front of him to point it at the Hollow, the reiatsu it oozed cutting the ground below it, following it's arc.
"I'm going to kill you."
And with that, Ichigo shunpo'd in front of the Hollow, swinging Zangetsu down with a powerful swing. His Hollow blocked the strike with his own zanpakuto, an evil grin on his face. Ichigo seemed to be slowly overpowering him, and before he could completely do so, the Hollow pushed Ichigo back, swinging his zanpakuto at him in an attempt to cut him in the side. Ichigo jumped back and landed a few meters away. The air was thick with killing intent, something that managed to impress the Hollow. He smirked and brought his Zangetsu up in front of him in a defensive stance.
"There might be hope for you after all."
(End of Chapter/Auturor's Nose)
And there ya go. Again, it's a little short, maybe, but I like it. Gives you somethin' to think about, with Harribel and Stark, as well as how much Ichigo is determined to get Loly and Menoly back. Who, by the way, will be in the next chapter, I promise you.
I will say it was enjoyable to write out Lilynette. She's cute, I must admit. I hope I portrayed her character well, Stark's too. They're both going to be playing a major part in this story, so I need to know if that is the Lilynette and Stark you guys want to see in the future. And now, for the musical piece.
MUSICAL INSPIRATION FOR THIS CHAPTER;
BAND:Avenged Sevenfold
Song:So Far Away
How do I live without the ones I love? Time still turns the pages of the book it's burned. Place and time always on my mind. I have so much to say but you're So Far Away.
That will wrap things up for today. Please read and review. Constructive Criticism is welcome, but flamers will be hunted down and beaten up by me personally, I assure you.
*stops and thinks, snaps fingers* Cause if you flame, I will hunt you down without mercy, hunt you down All Nightmare Long