I like drinking and Tite Kubo owns bleach.

Hollow King

Chapter Nine

The Date

A few nights later, Gondra tossed and turned in his sleep, having one strange dream. He had had a rough day beforehand, hunting the many hollows of Karakura Town. He dreamed that a Gillian hollow was standing over his apartment complex as if it was waiting for something. It's giant black cloak blew wildly in the wind and a huge cleaver on its back shone brightly in the moonlight. Gondra noticed something different about it's mask. Instead of the generic long nose, Slipknot looking mask most of the Gillians had, this one wore the mask of the Dragon of Avarice. His and Tyler's mask. Just as the giant was about to fire off a cero blast, Gondra shot up in bed, snapping out of his nightmare.

"I guess that's what I get for sleeping in the bed I died in." he thought to himself as he rubbed his face, trying to wake up completely. "Hey Jack."

"Tyler! Did you give me that dream?" he growled. "Not me Jack, but I got something to tell you. Ya know that punk Ichigo? He's got a hollow in him, too."

"What? Really?" Gondra exclaimed in surprise. "That's right but I don't think they get along too well. They don't have an understanding like we do."

"And how do you know all this?" "I talked to him. We can communicate without you two even knowing."

"Thanks for the info, Tyler. That's all good to know." "Anytime Jack. And good for you to arrange this outing with that Rukia chick. You know what they say...all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Kyahahahaha!"

Gondra looked at his digital clock to see it was almost noon. So with a stretch and a yawn, he slid out of bed and threw on a pair of shorts. As he exited his room he saw that Isane was already up and about, reading one of his many mangas.

"Sleep well?" Gondra asked. Isane looked at the floor, shaking her head as she replied,

"Not really. I had a bad dream."

Just then Gondra had a thought. What if they had the same dream? Could it be possible that they were connected to that extent? That they had some sort of subconscious bond?

"What about?" Gondra asked with genuine curiosity. After a moments hesitation, Isane finally answered,

"Fish crackers..."

"Fish crackers?" We have just lost cabin pressure. What a ridiculous thing to have a nightmare about, Gondra thought to himself as Isane looked away in embarrassment.

"Its okay...really...I don't think you should worry about fish anything." Gondra stated, in a reassuring way as he rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you." Isane said closing the book she was reading and turning to look up at him.

"So, we have a big night tonight, don't we?" he said. Isane nodded looking excited and a little nervous.

"I got a great dress for the occasion. It'll look great with these." she replied, turning her head to one side and showing Gondra the skull bead that she looped through her braid.

"Wow! That looks great." said Gondra with a grin. The night ahead looked promising. Gondra and Rukia had made plans for a double date at a great bar. Gondra would go with Isane and Rukia would go with Ichigo.

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That night the four met up outside of the Element Pub, Gondra's favorite bar. He was wearing sun glasses, a pair of faded black jeans with a wallet chain, flip flops, a Nine Inch Nails t-shirt and an open black button up shirt over that. Isane was dressed to match him perfectly with a black choker, dark gray heels, knee high fishnet stockings and a black sleeveless dress that had a mini skirt and a zipper down the front, that was pulled down just a little revealing her caller bone. Gondra loved Isane's new look and could tell that his dark side was rubbing off on her.

"You look awesome." Gondra admired in amazement. She looked hot, he thought, as Ichigo and Rukia walked up to the couple.

"Hey there. Glad you two agreed to this double date." Gondra commented. Ichigo looked shocked.

"A date? What the hell, Rukia? You said it was just going to be a get-together!"

"She told me you were on board with it. Don't be such a stick in the mud. We came here to have fun, didn't we? So don't be such a tight ass and go with the flow." Gondra stated as he walked over to Ichigo and giving him a friendly slap on the back. Ichigo saw the smile Rukia was giving him and let out a content sigh.

"Fine... so how do we get in?"

"Leave that to me." Gondra stated as he walked with the other three into the pub. The bartender gave the four a glance and walked up them. He was of average height; a thin guy, in his mid-twenties with spiky silver hair, a large tattoo on his left arm and glasses.

"Sorry kids, if I don't see some ID, you'll have to leave." Gondra stepped up to the man and took off his sunglasses.

"Irving, its me." Irving studied Gondra's face and with a look of surprise he exclaimed,

"Gondra! Holy shit, man! It is you! I thought you were dead!" He gave Gondra a quick hug.

"I was...so to speak. These guys are with me. You think we can get a table?"

"No problem, man. Tell ya what...first round's on me." he insisted. Gondra thanked Irving and picked out a table near the balcony for the group to sit at.

"So what will you guys be having?" Gondra asked with his trademark Kenpachi-like grin.

"I don't care. Anything, I guess." Ichigo stated with the usual scowl on his face.

"Why don't you order the first round for us, Gondra?" Rukia suggested after smacking Ichigo on the back of the head, and giving Gondra a smile. Gondra looked at Isane and she nodded in agreement, saying,

"Sure! Thats a great idea." As Gondra walked to the bar he tried to think of a good drink for everyone.

"Hmm...lets see. They're all probably lightweights so nothing too strong tasting. But I'm not much of a beer drinker. I know! Hey, Irving! Four Captain and Cokes."

"You got it, Chief." he said easily. Gondra returned to the table and noticed Isane turning her attention to him as he sat down. As the waitress sat a glass in front of each of them, Ichigo looked at the drink suspiciously.

"I think you'll like this stuff Ichigo. Try some first then I'll tell ya what it is." Ichigo looked at Gondra then back at the glass, picking it up and taking a small sip through the straw.

"It's not bad. What is it?" Ichigo asked.

"It's spiced rum mixed with cola." Gondra explained. After a few more drinks, the four got to talking. They talked about all sorts of things. Their varied tastes in music, the Soul Society, their zanpakutos and everything in between. Throughout the conversation with Ichigo and Rukia, Gondra couldn't help but notice that Isane kept staring over at him for long periods of time. Rukia seemed to notice this, too.

"I think it's time for you boys to go take a little walk. Me and Isane need to talk about something in private." With a nod from Gondra and a annoyed grunt from Ichigo, the two men walked out to the balcony. Gondra paused along the way to order four bottles of sake.

Rukia gave Isane a look and asked her,

"So, how long?"

"How long what?" Isane asked in surprise after finishing her drink.

"Don't play innocent with me. I know you like him. The question is how long?" Isane looked down at her glass, half full of melted ice as she spoke,

"Ever since I met him."

"Wow, have you kissed him yet?" Rukia asked, excitedly. Isane blushed before answering,

"Yes...I have." Rukia looked ecstatic.

"Way to go, Isane. Good for you." As Isane smiled, the waitress placed four bottles of sake and four cups on the table.

Ichigo and Gondra glanced over at the two girls from the balcony.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Ichigo asked.

"Beats me." Gondra stated as he leaned against the railing, lighting up a cigarette.

"You know, that's really bad for you." Ichigo warned, as he watched Gondra smoking.

"What can it do? I'm already dead." Gondra said with a laugh. "Want one?"

"I'll pass. It's bad enough that I'm drinking. If my Dad finds out that I've been smoking too, he'll try and kill me." Ichigo chuckled.

"So, if you don't mind me asking...how long have you had that hollow in you?" Gondra asked quietly after a moment of silence. Ichigo turned to Gondra with a look of shock on his face.

"It's okay. I'll let you in on a little secret. I have one, too." Gondra stated as he allowed his eyes to briefly shine bright amber-colored, over the top of his sunglasses. Ichigo settled back down as he spoke,

"It was right before I went to save Rukia. I needed to get my Shinigami powers back and it was the only way. How 'bout you?"

"When I died. I ripped out my own chain of fate to save myself from a hollow." Gondra explained. Ichigo tried to hide his look of surprise at Gondra's statement.

"You should go see the Vizards. They could help you learn to control it." Ichigo offered.

"I'll think about it but really I think I'm okay. Me and my evil twin have an understanding."

"I got something I want to ask you, Gondra."

"Fire away." Gondra stated, after exhaling a large cloud of smoke.

"Do you remember things about yourself from back when you were alive?" Ichigo asked. Gondra thought about the question for a moment before answering.

"Parts of it. Maybe it has something to do with my hollow. You know what they say about death...on a long enough time line, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero."

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Gondra and Ichigo walked back to the table to find two empty sake bottles and a drunk Rukia. She pushed a drunk Isane up onto the karaoke stage and handed her a microphone.

"I think its about time I take Rukia home. Here, this is for the drinks," Ichigo stated as he handed Gondra some money and grabbed Rukia by the hand. He led the giggling girl out the door of the bar. Gondra turned, watching Isane as she began to sing the song, "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf. Gondra sat at the bar with one of the bottles of sake as he listened to his angel sing. She hit every key perfectly, even the screaming parts. As Gondra sat there and sipped his sake, he realized how much he liked the girl.

After Isane finished singing and Gondra had finished the bottle of sake, he grabbed the other bottle that Ichigo left behind. He paid the tab and walked to the door with a drunk Isane under his arm. When they went to leave, they found a thuggish looking guy was leaning against the door, blocking their exit. Gondra glared at the guy through his drunken haze.

"Problem?" he snapped.

"Oh, no problem at all. I was just watching your girl sing back there. Hey girly, why don't you come back with me? Let's see what else you can do with that mouth." the man sneered. Isane clung to Gondra's arm for security and looked on the verge of tears. In one fluid motion, Gondra removed his sunglasses and reeled his head back. He slammed it against the bastard's face, sending him down the bar steps and on to the sidewalk below. Irving glanced out the door at the twitching body of the thug.

"Damn, Gondra. I think you put that guy into a coma." he commented.

"Serves the fucker right. You ready to go, Isane?" Gondra growled, walking down the steps and making sure to step on the offender's head as he passed. Isane giggled at how protective Gondra acted as she walked after him, stepping on the unconscious punk's crotch.

Gondra and Isane stumbled drunkenly into his apartment and sat down on the couch. As Gondra removed his sunglasses, their eyes met. They sat there for a while, looking longingly into each others eyes before they moved in for a long and passionate kiss. Isane unzipped her dress down to her abdomen revealing some awesome cleavage then climbed onto Gondra's lap, straddling his hips and wrapping her arms around his neck. She opened her mouth further, inviting his tongue in. Gondra accepted her invitation, deepening the kiss as each of their tongues struggled for dominance. Isane moaned in pleasure as Gondra bunched her skirt up in his hands, groping her ass.

"That was some great singing back there."

"Shut up and kiss me." she ordered him. Gondra did what he was told, again locking lips with Isane. He then broke the kiss, brushing his lips down her cheek and nibbling on her neck and collarbone. His kiss caused her to moan a little louder. He then trailed one of his hands down her exposed chest. He brushed his fingertips in between her breasts, causing her to shudder. Gondra wanted to take his actions further but felt that he shouldn't take advantage of her drunken state. They kissed for a while longer until he began to feel drowsy.

"I think we should get some rest." he whispered.

"But what if I have another nightmare?" she objected, worriedly.

"You can sleep in my bed, just in case."

"Okay." Isane chimed with a drunken smile. The two collapsed onto Gondra's bed and proceeded to black out.

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Hope you all liked the chapter. You know what to do. No lemon yet but bear with me. I'm planning to put the first one in a later chapter. Thanks for reading.

-Sandragon out.