Hollow King Chapter Nineteen

The Mission

The great Tite Kubo owns Bleach.

Kurotsuchi looked over the damaged device with his usual scowl on his face. Gondra waited eagerly for the mad scientist's thoughts on if the iPod could be repaired or not.

"You say Zaraki did this?" Kurotsuchi asked, not taking his gold eyes off the MP3 player.

"Yeah, he sliced through it when we where fighting. I forgot it was even on me at the time." Gondra replied, shaking his head.

"Why would humans call this thing an eye pod? It doesn't have a single eye on it. And it's not very pod like." Kurotsuchi commented as he turned the device in his hand.

"And I'd like to keep it that way. You spy on me enough as it is." Gondra retorted, referring to the mecha hell butterflies that would watch him from time to time.

"Just making observations in case there are any violent changes in your powers. You've read the scroll so you know what I'm talking about." Mayuri stated finally turning to look at Gondra.

"Yeah, I've read it. But you can see from my fight with Captain Zaraki that I'm still in perfect control of my inner hollow. So can you fix the damn thing or not?" Gondra stated then asked.

"I'll see what I can do. Now leave. I have much research to follow." Kurotsuchi commented, gesturing at the door with his long finger nail.

"Thanks professor." Gondra stated as he started to walk away.

"One more thing." Mayuri added.

"Yeah?" Gondra asked.

"From watching the fight, I have gathered that your inner hollow has seemed to evolve from a Gillian to an Adjuchas level menos. Just thought you should know." Mayuri stated.

"Interesting... Thanks for telling me. Later then." Gondra stated as he turned around to leave, waving back at Mayuri.

"Did you get all that, Tyler?" Gondra asked.

"Loud and clear, Jack. Hey Sunaryu! Guess what? I leveled up! Cue the Final Fantasy music!" Tyler called out.

As soon as Gondra exited the Squad Twelve compound a hell butterfly fluttered over to him. It relayed a message for him to report to the Captain's Hall, to speak with Captain General Yamamoto.

"Oh, great. What does that old captain want?" Gondra thought to himself.

XXXXX

As Gondra entered the main hall, he noticed several familiar faces, as well as the captain general. Gondra looked around taking note that Kenpachi was there, along with Isane, Shunsui, and Nemu. Isane and Nemu smiled at him as Kyoraku tipped his straw hat in his direction and Kenpachi gave him a nod. As Gondra stepped forward, Yamamoto spoke up,

"Welcome, Fourth Seat Durden. You're probably wondering what this is all about so I will get right down to explaining it. Your sparing matches with Third Seat Madarame and Captain Zaraki have become the talk of the Sereitei, even reaching my ears. What you accomplished was no small feat by any means. Under the strong recommendations of two lieutenants and two captains, I have decided to deploy you on a special mission. On completion of this mission you will be promoted to a higher seat."

"And what is this mission, Sir?" Gondra asked.

"There have been recent sightings of arrancar in the Rukongai. You are to lead a small platoon of shinigami ranked under you on a search and destroy mission. If you encounter the arrancar threat, you are to engage and defeat them. I cannot turn a blind eye to Aizen's activities. Do you accept the mission?"

After looking at the encouraging faces of his friends, Gondra only had one answer.

"Yes, sir. I accept." he replied.

"Very well. You are dismissed." Yamamoto stated before tapping his staff.

XXXXX

Outside of the main hall, Gondra turned to look at the four shinigami that had recommended him for the mission.

"I guess I'd be a real ass if I didn't say thanks." Gondra stated, scratching the back of his head.

"It's all good, man. Just don't get yourself killed on this mission." Zaraki stated.

"I think you'll do great. I believe in you, Gondra." Isane chimed in.

"Thanks, babe. You're the best." Gondra stated as he put an arm around his girlfriend's waist. "So Nemu, how did you find out about my fight with Captain Zaraki?"

"I watched the vid that Mayuri-sama recorded. I came here in his place to recommend you." Nemu stated.

"Cool. Tell him thanks for me when he's not too busy." Gondra replied.

"I bet nothing can take that guy away from his research once he gets into it." Kyoraku commented.

"That creep really needs ta' get out more." Kenpachi added. Nemu looked down with a some what sad look on her face.

"It's okay, Nemu. I'll take your dad out for drinks again sometime." Gondra stated, trying to cheer her up. Nemu looked up at Gondra with a small smile on her face.

"That would be nice. He does speak fondly of those, what do you call them? Margaritas?" Nemu commented.

"Yeah. A drink sounds like a good idea." Kyoraku added.

"A drink always sounds good for you, man." Kenpachi commented with a laugh.

XXXXX

A week passed and Gondra was ready for the mission. He wasn't at a hundred percent yet but he felt confident that he could take on anything that would be thrown at him. Gondra walked to the Sereitei gate with Isane, to find several shinigami waiting for him. He flicked his half finished cigarette away and looked the group over slowly. They all looked pretty green to him. There were four in all. Each one from a different division.

"So, they sent me one from seven, one from two, one from six, and one from twelve." Gondra thought to himself as he studied there division badges.

"So, what seat are all of you?" Gondra asked the platoon.

"We are all fifth seat, sir." the tall thin shinigami with short black hair from Squad Six answered.

"Mr Durden, sir, we all heard about your fight with Captain Zaraki. It's an honor to be working under you." the petite girl from Squad two commented. Gondra took a closer look at her. He noticed her shoulder length blue hair, and a lightning bolt tattooed on her right cheek. He cringed inwardly at the wild look of a fan girl evident in her bright green eyes. Her enthusiasm towards Gondra earned her a death glare from Isane.

"As you all know, I'm from Squad Eleven. We don't use formalities when addressing each other so feel free to just call me Gondra." Gondra stated.

"Yes, sir." the group replied.

"So, what are all your names?" Gondra asked.

"I'm Shina." The squad two girl answered.

"My name is Naito." said the man from Squad Six.

"I am Suika. It is nice to meet you." the shy looking woman with glasses from Squad Twelve stated.

"I guess that just leaves me. I'm Karyu." the indifferent looking guy with mid-length blond hair from Squad Seven said lastly.

"Oh, you're from Captain Komamura's division. Out of all your Captain's, hes the only one I haven't met. What's he like?" Gondra asked.

"He's real loyal to the captain commander for one. He's a great leader. And well, he has the head of a dog or a wolf or something." Karyu answered, muttering the last part.

"Guess he'd be easy to spot in a crowd." Gondra thought to himself.

"Kyahahaha! Good one Jack." Tyler laughed.

"I gather that you all know the mission, so let's move out!" Gondra commanded.

"Yes, sir!" the group replied.

Before leaving, Gondra turned to Isane to say goodbye. She pulled him in for a passionate kiss. Gondra was taken a little off guard by her action, but returned the kiss and was happy his stitches were removed the day before. Isane broke the kiss to look Gondra in the eyes.

"I don't know why, but I feel like things are about to change. Promise me that you'll come back." Isane pleaded, the look of worry in her eyes.

"I promise. I'll see you soon Isane." Gondra replied with a reassuring tone in his voice.

"Okay. Good luck then." Isane stated with a warm smile.

"I won't need it but thanks." Gondra assured her, with a nod before turning back to his platoon.

Everyone had turned around to give the couple some privacy. Everyone but Shina, who had a look of anger and jealousy on her face. Gondra walked past her, paying no mind to her obvious crush and leading the group out the gate.

"God, am I really that popular now?" Gondra thought.

"Guess you've turned into a real ladies man, huh Jack?"

XXXXX

The five shinigami moved quickly through the Rukongai, stopping now and then to rest and gather information on the arrancar attacks. Gondra let the team split up to cover more ground and told them to meet him at an old inn in the Zaraki district, one of his old haunts back before he became a shinigami.

Gondra entered the bar to greet an old friend. The barkeep looked up as Gondra sat down on an old stool, the same one he would always sit at.

"Gondra? Is that you? Well, I'll be damned. You became a shinigami after all." Barkeep commented as he set a glass of sake in front of him. Gondra grabbed the glass and gulped the contents down.

"So, what seat are you?" the bearded man asked.

"Fourth seat of Division Eleven." Gondra answered as he set the glass down.

"Eleven huh? That's a good fit for you. I said that you reminded me of captain Zaraki after all. So, what brings you to this dreary place?"

"I'm hunting arrancar. Heard any rumors about some creeps dressed in white with mask fragments attached to their faces?" Gondra asked as the barkeep pored him another glass.

"I've heard some talk about that lot patrolling the outskirts, causing all sorts of hell. A settlement northeast of here was completely destroyed by them recently. They're probably still there, the bastards. Like we don't have enough problems as it is." the old man grumbled. Suddenly, Shina burst in the bar. She eagerly looked around until she spotted Gondra. With s squeal of joy, she ran up to him and jumped up on the next stool over.

"Hey Gondra, I haven't had any luck finding the arrancar so I thought I'd spend time with you." she chimed in an enthusiastic tone. Gondra rolled his eyes and started to down another glass of sake.

"I can't believe this bubble head is a fifth seat of Squad Two. They're known for their discipline and reconnaissance skills for chris-sake. Soifon must hate her." Gondra thought to himself.

"This your girlfriend?" the barkeep asked, causing Gondra to spit out some sake and Shina to squeal with joy again.

"No. just a fan girl." Gondra replied, causing Shina to pout. "My girlfriend's back at the Sereitei . She's the Lieutenant of Squad Four." Gondra stated as he lit up a cigarette and and looked at Shina.

"I gathered some info on the arrancar's whereabouts. Go tell the others to meet me here." Gondra ordered her.

"Ye.. yes sir." Shina replied before leaping off her stool and leaving.

"She probably wanted you to buy her a drink." the barkeep stated.

"Maybe after the missions complete. I can't have her getting too attached to me. Isane wouldn't like that." Gondra stated as he took a picture out of his kimono and showed it to the old man. It was a photo of him and Isane on there first date. Rukia had taken the photo with the camera in her soul pager and had given it to him before she and Renji went to Hueco Mundo to aid Ichigo.

"She's a looker, that one. Good for you for landing such a nice fish." the old barkeep complemented.

Gondra laughed to himself, remembering how much Isane hated anything that had to do with fish. By the time Gondra finished his smoke, Shina had returned with the rest of the platoon. Gondra turned around in his stool to address the party.

"Any leads?" he asked.

"I have heard rumors from the locals about figures in white carrying zanpakutos. They all seem to be coming from the same location." Naito replied in a calm, even tone.

"He must take after Byakuya." Gondra thought to himself.

"I heard they've been killing people and taking their clothes. I bet they were trying to blend into the populous. Ya know, like sleeper cells." Karyu added.

"From my leads, I have gathered that we are dealing with four or five individuals." Suika spoke after the others as she adjusted her glasses nervously.

"Alright. Good job everyone. I found out where they're hiding out, so that's where we'll head at noon tomorrow. For now, we'll set up our base here." Gondra ordered.

"Yes, sir!" the group replied. Gondra was starting to like the sound of their reply. Gondra turned back around to face the barkeep and asked, "You got room for five, gramps?'

"For you, yeah. I have about four rooms ready for guests. Two of you will have to share a room though."

"I'll bunk with you Gondra!" Shina cried out with enthusiasm as she raised her arm.

"I don't think so. You all get up there and decide amongst yourselves. Just leave the most quiet one for me." Gondra replied.

"What are you gonna' do sir?" Karyu asked.

"I'm going to have another drink."

Something was wearing on Gondra's mind. He didn't know what but it was bugging the hell out of him.

XXXXX

That night, Gondra sat cross-legged in his bed with his zanpakuto lying across his lap. His eyes were closed and he was deep in thought. With no effort at all, he entered his soul scape to greet his zanpakuto and inner hollow. The song Attack by 30 Seconds To Mars was playing.

"Hey Jack. Good of you to stop by." Tyler called over from where he lay on a withered tree branch.

"Whats up?" Sunaryu asked, leaning on the same tree.

"Just wanted to hang." Gondra replied with a sad shrug. In response, Sunaryu pushed off the tree and walked over to him.

"What's really up?" she asked.

"I feel like somethings about to happen. Something really bad."

"Hey Sunaryu, if Jack's this worried about the fight, why don't you teach him bankai already?" Tyler asked.

"Sorry, Gondra, but you're not ready yet. It might take too big of a toll on you." she stated, placing a comforting hand on Gondra's shoulder.

"It's okay. I'm not sure I'm ready for it either. If I had one and people find out, I might be promoted and transferred out of Squad Eleven." Gondra stated.

"That reminds me. Didn't that old fart Yamamoto say you'd be promoted on the completion of this mission your on? Last time I checked, all the higher seats in Squad Eleven are taken. Sounds like you're screwed Jack." Tyler stated still lying on the tree branch, looking up at the blue sky.

"If it comes to that, I'll just decline the offer. Division Eleven is the only place for me. They're my family now." Gondra answered confidently.

"Sounds like a plan, Jack. I like that squad, too. But it would be nice to be promoted though. By the way, it seems you have a visitor." Tyler stated as he finally turned his head to face Gondra, giving him a toothy grin.

Back in his room, Gondra opened his eyes to find Shina sitting on his bed, her face mere inches from his. Her kimono and lips both parted a little. Her eyes closed. Gondra blinked several times before screaming,

"GET THE FUCK OUTA' MY ROOM, SHINA!"

Shina opened her eyes, shot off the bed, closed her night robes and ran out of the room, all at the same time.

"Nice going, Jack. You coulda' had her. I think ya made her cry, too." Tyler laughed.

"Isane's the only girl I need. And I thought you liked Rangiku, Tyler."

"Oh yeah! I want to pull on that gold chain between her tits with me teeth." Tyler mused.

"On that note, I'm going to bed." Gondra said with sarcastic enthusiasm as he fell back on the mattress and shut his eyes.

Hey guys. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. The second half was real easy to write. It just sorta flowed, ya know? Hope you guys enjoyed Gondra repeatedly shooting down his fan girl and Tyler just being Tyler. If anyone wants to join the I love Tyler club, feel free. I created it on my forum.

PS I'm known as SpinalWinter on Xbox live and Twitter if anyone wants to friend or follow me. On Myspace, I'm known as both names. I'll post some sketches on my page for this fic too.

Sandragon out.