A/N:
Mother tongue isn't English. Inform me about any major mistakes if there is, what lazy bastard I am. As always I hope they wont distract your reading experience.
"Thoughts"
"Zangetsu"
"Hollow"
War after the war: Chapter 15
Next day a new Educational Decree had been published.
"ORDER FROM MINISTRY OF MAGIC.
High-Inquisitor Dolores Jane Umbridge has been promoted as a new Headmaster of Hogwarts replacing Albus Dumbledore."
Posters had been spread through the whole school, and everyone seemed to know what had happened back then. Only topic of discussion was Dumbledore's escape.
"What? Ichigo has been promoted as Deputy Headmaster? Why?" Renji frowned. They had been discussing about new changes in school when Umbridge was promoted as Headmaster. She had acted fast. Newest annunciation surprised Soul Reapers.
They had spotted new Educational Decree which demoted MacGongall from her Headmistress position and promoted Ichigo as a new Deputy Headmaster giving him more rights.
"Renji, don't you get it?" Rukia hit him to arm: "She seems to think that Ichigo is much more reliable than MacGongall who took Dumbledore's side."
Those who were in Dumbledore's Army but didn't know Ichigo like Harry, Ron and Hermione, started to think that he had changed sides. Well, Ichigo couldn't complain. He got bigger office and more free-time since he didn't teach any subject and now he didn't need to watch after students.
That meant that he finally could visit one snake-like man.
"Eeh, I haven't even kept any contact with him. But I want to see what kind of people he got from the Azkaban."
"Of course. I want to check are they any fun! It will be boring to kill them if they are just wussies…" Shiro chirped. Ichigo sighed mentally.
"But what are you going to do with them?" Zangetsu asked with his normal monotone voice.
"I don't care if they don't keep their part of the deal. I never expected much but with these changes there's no need. And I somehow get a feeling that we don't need to do anything with Dolores…"
"GET A GRIP KING! Don't you dare start using first name of that frog-woman! It creeps me out…"
"…I have spent too much time with her."
When it got darker and Ichigo was sure nobody would miss him, he took a Senkaimon to very familiar mansion.
He walked straight to dining room where Voldemort and his little helpers spent their time.
"Oh! Ichigo… It has been a while, hasn't it?" Voldemort smiled when everyone turned to look at newcomer. Ichigo let his gaze wander through Death Eaters, trying to remember new faces.
Those Death Eaters were just pawns for killing. They didn't have higher purpose like Lucius who had his job in Ministry as a spy.
"We all should congratulate you." Voldemort said, catching Ichigo's interest: "For your new position as Deputy Headmaster."
Some Death Eaters who hadn't heard about that, lifted their eyebrows: Why was the Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts here? All Voldemort had told them was that he was the guy who helped them to get out.
"Oh, so you have already heard about that? Who do you have in the school beside me?" Ichigo tilted his head, hoping that he had proved his trustworthiness already. Earlier Voldemort wasn't eager to tell him anything.
"I think that you are ready to hear that. Actually, I think that you know each other already." he waved at the other side of room where Severus Snape appeared from the doors: "You wanted to see me, Lord?" he stopped in his tracks when he saw Ichigo standing next to table. Soul Reaper was still tilting his head and had an amused smile on his face. Severus kept his face expressionless as always, but he remembered time when Voldemort had told him about another source of information.
Flashback:
"Oh, I have forgotten to tell you, Severus" Voldemort said quietly when he and black haired man had been left alone after meeting: "I have another friend in Hogwarts with you."
Severus was shocked but kept his composure: "Really? Who is this informant, if I may ask?"
"You will know it from his hair color. If I say orange, does it resemble anyone you know?"
Severus would have paled if he wasn't white already. A face popped in his mind immediately but he couldn't believe it. He? Really?
"Ahh, I see. Has he showed any reliability yet?" Severus asked carefully.
"Well, how do you think we would have broken Azkaban so easily without any help?"
Flashback ends:
So it was true. It really was one of those Soul Reapers whom Potter and Dumbledore trusted blindly. First those weird masked creatures and then this. What will happen next?
"Oh, so it's you Severus", Ichigo waved his hand, smiling at the same time but his eyes were cold: "Never thought I would meet you here."
Snape didn't answer, he just walked closer the table.
"I haven't seen you in a while, Ichigo, what brings you here today?" Voldemort turned to look at Soul Reaper. Ichigo closed his eyes and shrugged: "I just wanted to see who I exactly got out from that prison."
"I see…"
Severus had a dilemma. First, he had seen how friendly Ichigo was with Dolores Umbridge, and now he was chatting with Voldemort like they were old friends. Whose side he was on actually?
"But about the thing we were discussing earlier, have you thought about it, Ichigo?" Voldemort leaned to table and aimed his slit eyes straight to Soul Reaper.
Snape lifted his eyebrow and Ichigo frowned. Slowly, he walked to other side of table: "Like I said before…" Ichigo reclined against table: "I won't do it."
Voldemort narrowed his eyes: "Why?" Dark Lord had suggested Ichigo that he should take that tattoo what proved Death Eaters loyalty.
Tension rose quickly and Death Eaters glanced Voldemort and Ichigo who squeezed his eyes shut: "Have you totally forgotten", he breathed: "Why I am here in the first place?"
Severus and other Death Eaters flinched at tone.
"I am not one of your lackeys!" he opened eyes and they were golden-black once again. Severus was the only one who shocked about that since others had seen it before when they were at Azkaban.
Ichigo stood up and grinned: "You really think that there is some way to control me with fear like you do with others?" He spread his hand to sides and took a step back. Shiro was totally in control now.
"WATCH HOW YOU TALK TO ME!" Voldemort spat: "WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE HERE?"
Ichigo buried his face to a hand. It was silent for a while but then everybody could hear quiet laughter. It was insane and the look on his grin matched it perfectly when Ichigo lowered his hand.
"Have you forgotten our deal? It's your turn now! And if you dear to break your promise", he swiped a finger in front of his neck as clear sign: "I will make sure that I am the one who does it."
Everybody just stared at him. Even Voldemort didn't say anything. Pressure, what he had felt, was so dark and evil that even he had shivered. That power exceeded normal humans or wizards. That evilness felt same as those creatures he had summoned to help him.
"If you don't have anything to say, I will take my leave." Ichigo gave a slight mocking bow and walked out.
A day after that meeting Ichigo decided to visit Severus and headed to dungeons. He needed to ask few things.
"You have explaining too, Ichigo." Zangetsu noted when he started to walk down stairs which led to classroom.
"I guess. Shiro's show might have scared him."
"Aww, but I did my best! And besides, that pride of yours is ridiculous. You were pissed at his words before I was in control!"
"I know. That's why I think that it's better that I explain it."
"Are you going to tell about me?"
"No way! He would think that I have some kind of personality disorder! I just say that it was because I needed to scare them a bit. Of course after I have confirmed which side he belongs to."
Lessons had just ended and Ichigo felt only Severus' presence in classroom.
"Severus, I need to talk to you." Ichigo walked silently in the room, closing door behind him. Black haired man was good with hiding his expressions, but Ichigo noticed him flinching when he heard Ichigo.
"You really scared shit out of him!"
"Che, he is just a wussy like everyone else…"
Severus closed a book he was reading and turned to Soul Reaper. Ichigo sighed: "I go straight to the point: Are you with Voldemort or with Dumbledore? And you can be honest with me. You know, human matters: No right to interfere. I just need to know."
You couldn't see what Snape was thinking. After a while he answered: "With Dumbledore."
Ichigo relieved and smiled.
"You?"
The orange-head lifted his hands up as sign of peace: "With Dumbledore and others of course. That's my job."
"Why I haven't heard about this?" Severus asked with monotone voice.
"Well, I am doing this alone, you are the first person who have discovered me." Ichigo grinned: "But I never would have thought that you are doing double-agent's job as well."
"What you are doing isn't really same what I am", Severus noted: "Usually you act that you are friends with everyone." Ichigo looked dumbfounded but then he realized: "You mean that threat?"
"Yes…" he gaped at Soul Reaper for a while: "Could you… Explain a bit?"
Ichigo sat down: "You mean the eyes?"
"Yes, and other things too."
"Ah…" Ichigo rubbed his eyes: "Well, let's say that it's one power of mine. You know that I am not ordinary human." Understanding rose on Severus' face: "Can others do that as well?"
Ichigo shook his head: "No… It's just me. Let's say that I am not an ordinary Soul Reaper either. But that thing you can keep secret." he held one finger in the front of mouth.
"Sure." Severus turned away and started to check out bottles he had in closet: "I just thought that it was similar with those monsters Dark Lord uses."
That caught Ichigo's attention. He stood up and walked next to Snape: "Can you tell me about those things?"
Ichigo had escaped to roofs for rest of day. He spent there many hours thinking about what Severus had told him. Things were surely getting more serious.
He should inform others too.
After when he was sure that lessons were over, Ichigo called to Rukia's spirit phone and called them to visit his office later. He would make sure that Argus Filch wouldn't be in the way.
Ichigo went other side of castle and jumped in his office through the window. In couple hours they would arrive.
Soul Reaper finished his paperwork which had been piling since he hadn't had time to do his Shinigami duties for a while. Then he heard a knock from the door.
"Come in."
"It's us Ichigo." Rukia came in first. Renji, Hitsugaya and Matsumoto came next. After them were Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"So you came too?" Ichigo lifted his eyebrows.
"Of course! We want to hear what is going on as well!" Harry said and other two were nodding next to him. Ichigo half-smiled: "Fine. It is good you to hear too."
"Let's see…" Ichigo sat down behind his desk: "It has been confirmed that Voldemort is using Hollows."
Soul Reapers paled significantly. Ron asked quietly: "Those soul-things you kill and purify?"
"Yes, he has discovered a way to summon them from the Hueco Mundo. Hollows realm", he added for Harry, Ron and Hermione who nodded.
"For now there isn't immediate danger. Those Hollows are still weak, but what if he summons Vasto Lorde? We are fucked." Ichigo grimaced.
"What is Vasto Lorde?" Hermione asked and Rukia explained: "It's a Hollow which has devoured a lot other souls and gained power and intelligence. They wouldn't listen to demands of human."
"That's right. I don't care even if it kills them, but if that kind of creature is roaming around, there will be unnecessary casualties." Hitsugaya said: "It's no good, but how did you find out?"
"It's not important", Ichigo waved his hand: "We just had some research with Severus."
"What should we do now, Kurosaki? Have any ideas?" Hitsugaya frowned: "As Captains we should report this to higher-ups immediately."
Ichigo stared white-haired Captain blankly: "Maybe. Are you aware what will happen then?"
Hitsugaya froze. Then he relaxed and sighed: "I know."
"What? What? Tell us too!" Harry demanded. It didn't seem to be clear to Matsumoto, Renji and Rukia either.
Ichigo and Hitsugaya glanced around.
"Fine… This is supposed to be classified information, shared only with Captains." Hitsugaya warned and Ichigo nodded. Young-looking Captain turned around: "If Hollow-like actions were detected, Head-Captain would send… auxiliary troops for us to clean the mess."
"Wouldn't that be a good thing?" Hermione wondered.
"Cleaning up…" Ichigo started and everyone turned to look at him: "Would mean disposing all the evidence."
Everyone's eyes widened.
"That would mean hell a lot causalities." Ichigo finished: "They wouldn't check who they slaughter."
Hitsugaya sighed: "I guess that we need to take care of this on our own."
Later that day Harry got in trouble after looking in Snape's forbidden memories. He got thrown out from the Occlumency classes. Harry didn't tell anyone what he had seen but Hermione didn't approve that he wasn't going to lessons anymore. She kept nagging about it though Harry didn't listen at all. Everything he was thinking what he had seen. How his dad had bullied Snape like black-haired man had always told him.
It was Easter Holidays but they didn't have time to relax since exams were coming closer and closer. Hermione built their schedules and she really didn't leave them any free-time.
Above all of that, Harry wanted to speak with Sirius. But he knew that it was impossible. He happened to mention it to Ginny, who actually knew a way to do it.
Umbridge's office. Her hearth wasn't under guarding so it would be the only way.
They made up a plan with others who would be glad to help and Harry really made it to office. When he got connection to 12 Grimmauld Place, Lupin and Sirius came to hearth: "Harry? What is it?"
"Are you in trouble?"
Harry shook his head: "No… I just wanted to ask few things about my… dad." Sirius and Lupin surprised and glanced each other.
At the same time Ichigo was wondering what they were doing. One part of castle had been turned into swamp and there was huge chaos. Umbridge was scolding Weasley twins who had been caught red-handed.
That wasn't all. Weasley twins had decided that they didn't have any reason to stay at the school anymore and left school permanently with magnificent fireworks show. That gave even more work for Umbridge. It was fun to see Umbridge and Filch running around after fireworks which seemed just increase all the time.
Ichigo announced that exams had been postponed because the events and tried to calm down Umbridge. It was in vain though.
Next days were one big chaos as well. People had continued same way as Fred and George, and Peeves was helping too. He was the master of vandalism.
Filch was the only one who was helping Umbridge with maintaining order, but he wasn't very successful. Even teachers didn't care what was happening and Ichigo was indifferent. His popularity among students had risen after he had loudly announced his opinion about the situation to Umbridge in the Great Hall during dinner:
Umbridge had stopped Ichigo when he was leaving Great Hall, asking softly: "Why I haven't seen you helping Filch with students? We need to punish criminals."
Ichigo had turned to her and looked down since she was much shorter. Students were listening sharply: "I have no reason for that. I am Deputy Headmaster, my job isn't to punish students. You should be fine with yourself, Headmistress." he smiled: "Besides, isn't it much more interesting this way?"
Then Ichigo had turned around and walked off leaving Umbridge standing there dumbfounded. Students who had been sitting next to doors swore that he had grinned and winked at them.
The fact that Umbridge's mascot had turned against her, spread through the school within couple days. People didn't avoid him like before, but for Ichigo, this just brought more trouble…
"Ichigo… I want to confirm one thing." Umbridge sat behind a desk in her office, smiling sweetly at Ichigo who had been called over to visit.
"What is it?"
"I have heard some… disturbing news about you. Students are talking that you are working against me, and Ministry. They think that you are getting closer to them."
Ichigo lifted his eyebrows with bored expression: "Do you really believe what kids are talking?"
Umbridge leaned backwards and sighed worriedly: "But I really want to confirm that man as great as you, wouldn't be straying from the right path." she said softly.
Ichigo smiled. He had been prepared for this situation: "Well, when students think that… How did you describe it? Ah, That I'm getting closer to them, it just helps me with my work."
Umbridge still didn't get what he was after. Ichigo leaned forward, using her first name: "Dolores. If people think that I am in their side, they will let their guard down."
She thought a while and chuckled: "That's right… I never thought it that way. Fine, you are free to go."
When Ichigo closed office's door, Umbridge let her fake smile drop off. She stared at the spot where the orange-head had just sat: "I never thought you to be so clever, Ichigo. I think that I need to keep an eye on you too."
Afterwards Ichigo bumped to group of students. Harry, Ron and Hermione were waiting for class in the corridor with Seamus and Neville.
"Oh, hey Ichigo!" Hermione greeted. Ichigo rubbed his eyes: "Heya, waiting for the class?"
"Yeah, you seem to be concerned about something?" Harry asked.
"Don't even mention it. Keeping our Headmistress happy takes more than you think." Ichigo stretched his arms: "Hard to keep everyone happy at the same time. Oh well, take care." he left them when Professor Flitwick appeared.
Harry, Ron and Hermione went to see Hagrid afterwards. They told him the warning what Firenze had given them.
"Firenze and his stupid warnings! I know what I am doing!" Hagrid fumed when they walked through the woods. He wanted to show something to the Golden Trio. They had been walking in Forbidden Forest for a while and light disappeared behind of huge trees, leaving them in darkness from time to time.
"Hagrid, are we there soon?" Hermione asked when she almost tripped.
"Soon. Be patient." Hagrid had it easy since he was so big-sized. Small branches didn't slow him down.
It wasn't long before they realized what had caused all Hagrid's injuries and what Firenze had meant with his warning. A giant. Hagrid had brought him to the Forbidden Forest after he had been negotiating with giants about upcoming war.
"You see…" Hagrid's voice trembled: "He is my half-brother."
He suspected that he would get fired from his job and wanted Harry, Ron and Hermione take care of the giant.
"His name is Grawp." Hagrid said proudly but then his face saddened: "He was left alone by my mother as well because he is small for a giant! Only 16 feet tall you see!"
"Yeah! That's really small!" Hermione said hysterically.
Their happy meeting with giant was almost over when screeching scream echoed around the forest. Hagrid stood up quickly and glanced around. Even Grawp had stopped and stayed quiet.
"What was that?" Ron sounded like he was going to cry. Whole forest had gone silent.
"I don't know." Hagrid answered: "I have heard it couple times before but this time it came closer."
"Shouldn't we leave?" Hermione gulped: "Now?"
Hagrid waved his hand silencing her.
"We don't have time. Whatever it is, it's coming this way."
Trees started falling down, and a scream scared group of birds nearby. Ground jolted every time when that creature stepped closer. Last trees fell down between them and revealed something group hadn't ever seen.
It was totally white, and resembled gorilla's and human's hybrid. The weirdest thing was a mask it was wearing. Mask resembled distantly human's skull and monster itself was even bigger than Grawp.
"What's that?!" Ron screamed. Hermione was as surprised as them. It was the first time she didn't know creature they saw.
Monster stopped, and looked down, spotting them. Everyone froze. It glanced at giant once and then charged straight to Harry, Ron and Hermione who were the closest persons there. Creature was faster than you would think and they didn't have time to pull wands out.
"Run!" Hagrid yelled, but they didn't have time for that.
Monster opened its huge mouth just before it hit them. Harry, Ron, Hermione flew on the ground but the impact wasn't as hard as they had imagined. Not at all.
All of them lied on the ground, covering themselves with their arms. After few seconds they carefully peeked at monster to figure out what had happened.
"Are you okay?"
Monster hadn't disappeared anywhere, but one orange-head had shoved them aside just in time.
"Y-yeah…" Harry stood up with others. When Hermione got up she covered her mouth with hands and screamed: "Ichigo!"
Harry, Ron and Hagrid turned to look at Soul Reaper who had just jerked himself free from creature's mouth. He was bleeding baldy and robe had totally been torn from his chest. Around the back you could see bite wounds which were so deep that Harry was sure that they went through. He felt dizzy.
"Don't worry, it's nothing." Ichigo didn't take his eyes from the monster what had withdrawn away to wait chance to attack.
"Stay back."
Monster charged second time, even faster than the last time. But it couldn't do anything against Ichigo even if he was wounded. Whole fight was over after few seconds when Ichigo cut its mask.
Ichigo sheathed his sword and turned to look at the others. He frowned worriedly and walked closer to them: "Are you really okay? You look so pale… I never would have thought that Hollows would appear in a place like this!"
"T-that was a Hollow?" Ron's eyes widened.
"Yeah." Ichigo nodded and coughed up some blood.
Hermione who still had her hands over her mouth yelled: "We need to get you to Madam Pomfrey immediately!"
Ichigo scowled: "I said it's nothing. I feel a bit dizzy though." and he slumped on the ground to sit down. Hagrid walked next to him: "What are you talking about? You are bleeding to death!"
"Nah…" Ichigo wiped some blood off and showed how bleeding had already stopped: "I won't die that easily. But good thing I made here in time since this would have definitely killed you all."
"By the way", Ichigo pointed at Grawp: "What's that?"
They bandaged Ichigo up in Hagrid's house before going back to castle. Ichigo helped Harry, Ron and Hermione to get to Gryffindor Tower and then left to his office. When he got there, Ichigo ripped the bandages off. Hermione had demanded that Ichigo needs to be bandaged even if it was in vain.
"Silly girl", he chuckled before slumping to bed. Just before he fell asleep, Shiro whispered something. Ichigo blinked and scowled:
"What did you say? I was almost asleep!"
"Ehm…" hollow cleared his throat: "My throat hurts!"
Ichigo opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
"Why do you sound even more distorted than usually?" he asked out loud and materialized Shiro next to him. Ichigo sat up and turned to gape at the hollow. He didn't know what to say.
"What the hell are you staring at?! I am feeling awful…" Shiro whined with his rough voice. He was sweating and usually white cheeks were red. He coughed few times before continuing: "My head is spinning and I can't breathe!"
Zangetsu whispered something to Ichigo. Ichigo frowned and then a grin spread to his face. Shiro scowled at the Shinigami: "What's so funny! I might be dying!"
Ichigo chuckled: "No you are not! Finally some consequences from your swimming trip in my head!"
Hollow looked dumbfounded and then grasped Ichigo's shoulders, shaking him: "EHH WHAT? So you are saying that YOU ARE THE ONE WHO MADE ME FEEL LIKE THIS?"
Ichigo laughed even harder: "Eheheh… No! I am not!" he swiped tears from eyes: "You caught flu! I can't believe that it's possible for you to get flu in my head!"
Shiro let go Ichigo's shoulders and froze:
"Wait, what?"
Exams finally continued in the next day. Ichigo didn't see others within next days because everyone was busy and he had his own problems as well. Umbridge called him to visit during Astronomy exams.
"What do you mean that now we go to arrest Rubeus Hargrid?" Ichigo blinked. He couldn't predict this one.
"It has been decided. You know how dangerous those half-breeds can be!"
"Why I haven't heard about it?" Ichigo wondered. Whole thing sounded like something what Voldemort would say. Only purebloods… What is so amazing with them? Usually the thoroughbred dogs have more illnesses than mongrels.
"Because you didn't need to know." Umbridge said with her sweetest voice and Ichigo scowled. Where did he go wrong to deserve this treatment?
"You see, Ichigo", she leaned forwards: "You are too clever for your own good. I have often seen you chatting with that half-giant and I am worried that you don't approve this decision."
"So you don't trust me." Ichigo simply stated.
Umbridge stared him a while. Then she stood up: "Well, are you coming with us or not?"
At the same time, in a dining room at huge mansion.
Voldemort sat at his usual spot, thinking. He had a flawless plan for Harry Potter to get Sphere of the Prophecy. It was too dangerous for him to go in to Ministry and others couldn't touch the Sphere.
The only problem was one orange-haired man who had been interfering. He had to admit himself that it was a mistake to try to ally with him. But Voldemort was going to be successful and he had a plan already.
"Are the decoys ready?" he asked from Peter Pettigrew and rat-like man nodded eagerly: "Yes they are, Master."
"Good. Just wait my sign."
Hitsugaya shivered noticeably. Matsumoto lifted her eyebrows: "Is everything alright, Captain?"
He frowned and watched out of window: "I don't know. I just get a feeling that something isn't right."
Rukia looked at them worriedly while playing Wizard's Chess. They all were skipping the exams since it was impossible to pass them. Exams contained so much theoretical information they hadn't ever heard. Fortunately it wasn't so important to get O.W.L.s.
Ichigo walked through the yard following Umbridge and some guys from the Ministry she had called to help. Soul Reaper really didn't want to be involved but this way he could help Hagrid to escape. He just didn't know how to do that.
Ichigo waited in shadows when Umbridge knocked hut's door. Fang barked few times before Hagrid appeared to the door: "Professor Umbridge? What is it in this time of evening?"
"It has been decided that you must be sent to Azkaban." Umbridge said with her sweetest voice: "We have been lucky since there aren't any casualties yet." Ichigo frowned. How could she!
"Eh? What do you mean with casualties?" Hagrid asked in confusion before realizing: "You…" he narrowed his eyes to Umbridge who was still smiling at him.
"OUCH!" one wizard yelled when Hagrid shoved him onto ground. Ichigo grimaced when they shot red spells towards half-giant, but fortunately they bound off from him.
Somehow Hagrid managed to escape to the Forbidden Forest and Ichigo sighed from relief. Umbridge was furious at other wizards since they couldn't stop him. Soul Reaper left the hut silently so Umbridge wouldn't notice him and disappeared to the woods like Hagrid.
Ichigo sprinted towards Hagrid's spiritual pressure which was easy to recognize. He weaved between huge trees till he caught half-giant. Hagrid had ran all way to deepest part of the forest and then sat down to think what to do next.
Ichigo noticed how many spiders were around. Some of them were even bigger than his hand. Ichigo hadn't ever been fond of spiders and he shivered a bit.
When Ichigo stepped closer half-giant, Hagrid turned to look at him: "Oh it's just you… I thought that they went after me."
Ichigo chuckled: "You ran with such speed that anyone else wouldn't be able to track you down."
Hagrid grinned. He looked much healthier than before and Ichigo wondered if Grawp had really stopped hitting him. Hagrid patted a spot next to him: "Sit down. There is no need for you to stand."
Ichigo glanced at the spot where Hagrid's hand was. There was so many spiders that they would have probably engulfed him if he was to sit down. Hell, he didn't even touch the ground right now because the spiders.
Hagrid noticed that and pointed at Ichigo's feet. He just shrugged: "Magic trick. I'm too tired to explain how spirit particles work."
Bearded man nodded slowly and then gave out a laugh: "Because the spiders you don't need to do that. They are friends!" It was true that small spiders avoided Hagrid almost honorably: "Oh, I would like you to see my oldest friend in here!" and he pointed at some kind of cave where all spiders were going to.
"Eh okay…" Ichigo said carefully as Hagrid stood up and started stride to the hole: "Come on!"
Ichigo jumped after him, and amazingly, all spiders avoided him when he landed. Ichigo noticed that they passed even bigger spiders which were size of cows. They resembled dogs that follow their master and Hagrid smiled at the creatures. When they reached the cave's entrance, Hagrid yelled: "ARAGOG!" Ichigo wondered that who could really live in a place like that.
It was quiet for a while and Hagrid was going to call again: "ARA…"
"I heard you already Hagrid…" rumbling voice cut him. Ichigo's eyes widened when huge, white spider climbed up from the hole. It was easily as big as a small truck.
"I am not young anymore and I might be blind, but my hearing is still in perfect condition."
"I'm sorry", Hagrid scratched his head: "I just wanted to say good-byes for a while and introduce one person to you."
"I know…" Aragog looked at Ichigo with his milk-white eyes: "I wouldn't miss scent of a Soul Reaper."
Ichigo was startled about the comment: "How did you know what I am?"
"That aura of death can't come from anything else."
Hagrid lifted other eyebrow at Ichigo. He didn't know what to think. Ichigo smiled sadly: "Is that why other spiders are avoiding me?"
"My children wouldn't let anyone else to come here beside Hagrid", Aragog started: "But they wouldn't touch something what would kill them."
"I see…"
In the end Ichigo offered to make a Senkaimon for Hagrid, but half-giant wanted to travel on foot. He said that there were some things he still wanted to do in the Forest before leaving.
Ichigo waved at bearded man who disappeared to Forest before his spirit-phone rang. He snapped the phone open just to see that Hitsugaya was calling. Ichigo didn't have time to say anything before he heard Toshiro's low voice:
"Come back to school. Now. Harry and others have disappeared."
Hope you enjoyed.