The sensation came hard. A dark reiatsu which had become all too familiar. A Hollow had appeared. And it was strong. Naomi and Takeo ran side by side then performed several Shunpo jumps. A few moments later they were joined by another Shinigami Reincarnate. Eiji Ikeda was a former member of the Seventh Division under Captain Komamura and joined soon after the formation of the Fourteenth Division.
"Looks like we'll need everyone to deal with this," Eiji said. The trio moved quickly toward the cemetery. This was the first Hollow in a while they had to deal with, but none of them had been out of practice.
By the time they arrived there were already three other Reincarnates from the squad fighting. Manami Ito swung her zanpakuto in a fierce flurry, fighting off the many tentacles of the Hollow from the while Kyo Ojima and Shiro Ageda offered her support from the sides.
"About damn time you showed up!" Kyo said.
Takeo pulled his dual-bladed zanpakuto from behind him and sliced down the tentacles extended toward the trio. They snapped back and the Hollow howled in pain and fury, its three-story mass shaking the ground as is readjusted its position to view the newcomers.
Naomi pulled her small blade from the back of the teddy bear she had attached to her sash and placed it in front of her left forearm. "Defend," she whispered. "Shirrudo no Kusabana." The blade glowed a bright pink and extended outward to form a shield. Twelve black flowers lined the outer edge of the shield with a larger one identical in design was in the center.
Howling once again, the Hollow whipped two of its tentacles across at Naomi. They bounced off the shield and two of the flowers began to glow pink. Frustrated, the Hollow whipped again, then a third time. With each successive hit, the flowers around the shield began to glow brighter.
"Kusabana Taihou," Naomi said. The glowing light from the outer flowers flowed into the center and a burst of pink energy fired from her shield and struck the Hollow in the chest. The Hollow rebounded and struggled to remain upright.
Kyo and Shiro used the opportunity of the Hollow's distraction to jump and each of them hacked off two more tentacles before returning to the ground. The Hollow stared at the group of Shinigami on the ground and opened its mouth. Red energy formed into a ball and a second later was released into the Hollow's energy attack.
There wasn't much the majority of the group could do against the Cero so they jumped out of the way. Naomi and Takeo stayed put, each of them raising their zanpakuto into a defensive position. The Cero was wide enough to strike the two Shinigami evenly, but it was thanks to the abilities of their zanpakuto they were unharmed.
Naomi's zanpakuto absorbed enemy attacks, both physical and energy, and used that stored energy to either redirect as an attack or to heal wounds. Takeo's zanpakuto took reishi-based attacks and converted it into physical energy for his own attacks.
Both Shinigami remained motionless as the wave of crimson energy washed over them, putting their complete trust in their zanpakutos. When the energy faded, four of the flowers on Naomi's shield shone brightly and Takeo's blade glowed red with power.
Jumping up, Takeo cleared the way as Naomi fired the stored energy. The Hollow staggered, this blast being much more powerful than the previous one. While the Hollow regained its balance Takeo performed Shunpo and performed a flurry of swipes, each of them slicing through the beast like a hot knife through butter.
The Hollow uttered one more cry, then dissolved into nothing. Takeo landed gracefully next to Naomi and the other four Shinigami gathered around.
"Wow, that was incredible!" Eiji said. "You two really have that combo down!"
Takeo nodded solemnly as Naomi shyly turned away.
The sound of panting turned everyone's attention to a pathway. Running as fast as he could, Tamotsu Toshiyuki approached. Whip wrapped around his shoulder and yellow-lined Captain's Haori did little to impress the group.
"Aw, don't tell me I missed it," Tamotsu said as he stopped in front of the other Reincarnates.
"We just finished right before you showed up," Manami said.
"Oh. Well, then. Good job everyone." Breathing heavily for a moment, Tamotsu turned and began walking in the opposite direction.
When Tamotsu was a good distance away, Shiro leaned in and whispered to the group. "Could someone please remind me why he's our Captain? I mean, seriously. He's the only one here that can't use Shunpo and he seems pretty distant from all of us."
"I know what you mean," Kyo remarked. "Takeo would make a better Captain any day."
Takeo's eyes narrowed and he pointed an accusing finger at Kyo.
"Don't judge him," Naomi said softly. "Tamotsu is stronger than all of us."
Manami let out a laugh. "Really?" she said. "I don't know about that. Until he proves it I'll keep my mouth shut and follow him just because Captain Commander said so."
Tamotsu walked slowly, his hands shaking and his breath coming out ragged and irregular. He looked down at the bracers on his forearms and noticed they had begun to peel back.
"No," he said, rubbing them back down. "No, you need to stay there."
Tamotsu continued walking slowly, the shadows behind him moving. Soon, they took on the forms of Hollows. Many small, a few medium sized. They closed in, walking on the ground and climbing on the walls. Some of them floated in the air, either flying or standing on planes of reishi.
Coming to a halt, Tamotsu gasped and gripped his chest. Looking at the bracers he noticed a steady stream of blue particle energy escaping from them. "Oh, no," he said. "Not now."
The sound of a Hollow's laughter turned Tamotsu's attention from the bracers, even though he did not look behind him to the direction of the sound. "Oh, you are a special one," the Hollow said. "You smell so delicious. And that reiatsu already leaking from your body... I can taste it. A wonderful appetizer. A hundred of us can feast upon you for some time."
"You can talk," Tamotsu said. "That is rare among Hollows."
"I have survived many attacks by Shinigami. I have eaten two already. And you will be the best one yet."
Tamotsu turned around slowly, sweat pouring from his brow. For the first time he could see the number of Hollows behind him. It seemed as if the entire alley was filled with glowing red eyes. In the lead was one Hollow not any bigger than he was. The scratches on its mask told that it had seen several battles and was hardened by them.
"Normally I would have a conversation with you," Tamotsu said, his body beginning to glow. "But I don't think that'll be possible."
"No," the Hollow responded. "We shall enjoy your screams. Speak your last words."
Tamotsu closed his eyes, tears leaking from his eyed. "I'm sorry," he said. Opening his eyes, his entire body was suddenly enveloped in a bright blue glow that lit the alley like a noon day sun. A blast of energy shot outward with hurricane force winds, dissolving every Hollow in the area. Sensing all the Hollows were gone, Tamotsu then directed the burst of energy upward into a pillar that shot into the sky.
Naomi walked next to Manami and suddenly both of them stopped as they felt an incredible burst of reiatsu. Looking toward the city they could see a bright pillar of blue light that increased in intensity for several moments before slowly fading.
"What was that?" Manami asked. "That's got to be one of the most powerful reiatsu signatures I've ever felt!"
Naomi turned away, her face frowning. She hugged herself tightly and closed her eyes.
"Well, who was it? Surely you know."
Naomi stayed silent for a moment longer, then answered in a voice barely audible. "Tamotsu..."
"You mean that was from Captain Toshiyuki?!"
Naomi nodded slowly, then lifted her head. Her eyes were sorrowful as a tear rolled down her cheek.
NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR
Yeah, I know its still going kind of slow and the chapters are short right now. Things will be picking up soon, I promise.