A few days before…
Ever since she was a child, Tatsuki Arisawa had been haunted by an uncanny sensitivity to the spirit realm. In silent ancient temples or blood-streaked battlefields, she would occasionally glimpse ethereal shadows or feel bone-chilling cold drafts. She had learned to dismiss these supernatural incidents, fearing mockery or disbelief from others.
However, these mystical encounters intensified with the demise of her grandmother, a spiritualist who whispered tales of spectral beings, otherworldly realms, and guardians of souls. Despite her skepticism, Tatsuki couldn't help but be drawn into these enthralling tales, wondering if perhaps they held a grain of truth.
The strangeness escalated further when Tatsuki began to be plagued by a recurrent dream. For two days with the same dream, she would find herself standing beside a still pond, shrouded in mist, a vortex in its center pulling everything towards it with an unstoppable force. Each dream was punctuated by the chilling, disembodied laughter of a child.
Fatigue began to creep over Tatsuki as the weight of these visions pressed upon her. Like a moth to a flame, she found herself inexplicably drawn to the park, especially after her dojo sessions. The pull felt inescapable.
One eerily foggy evening, Karakura Town lay blanketed in an almost tangible mist. After a particularly intense dojo session, Tatsuki found herself wandering into the park, driven by an irresistible urge.
After those dreams, this park feels so creepy, even when kids are playing in it, which is probably more creepy, Tatsuki thought to herself
Tatsuki blinked, the pale glow of moonlight illuminating Hana's innocent visage, her Neighbors daughter. The stillness of the night was only interrupted by the gentle ripples in the pond and the soft giggle that Hana emitted. The girl's cherubic face was tilted downwards, her large eyes capturing her reflection, engaged in what seemed like a whispered conversation.
"Hana?" Tatsuki questioned tentatively, her voice a gentle murmur in the quiet of the night.
The child looked up, her innocent eyes shimmering with a strange mixture of mischief and something deeper, more enigmatic. "Oh, hi, Miss Tatsuki! I was just talking to my friend," she said, her small finger pointing towards the water.
Tatsuki squinted, trying to discern any other reflection, but all she saw was the mirror image of Hana, albeit slightly distorted by the water's movement. "Your friend?" Tatsuki inquired, her voice tinged with confusion.
Hana nodded vigorously, her ponytail bouncing with the motion. "Yes! She's right there," she replied, her voice filled with certainty. "She tells me stories."
The tranquility of the moment was eerie, sending chills down Tatsuki's spine. She attempted to brush away the unsettling feeling, mustering a forced smile. "Well, it's getting late. You should probably head home, Hana."
Hana's laughter tinkled in the air once more. "Okay, Miss Tatsuki! Goodnight," she chirped, waving her tiny hand.
Tatsuki nodded, quickening her pace as she walked away from the pond. However, the weight of the scene lingered, pressing heavily upon her heart. The sound of Hana's laughter, once sweet, now seemed almost haunting. An indescribable dread curled around Tatsuki's thoughts, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had just witnessed something far more mysterious than a child's playful imagination.
Relax, it's nothing, right?, Tatsuki tried to console herself trying to be rational.
The next evening, as Tatsuki trudged through the park, a dense fog swallowed all visibility. The chill was palpable, like invisible fingers brushing against her skin. Amidst the oppressive silence, she heard the unmistakable giggles of a child. She moved cautiously toward the sound, only to find Hana again. But this time, something was terribly amiss. The water reflected a twisted, monstrous image, a grotesque parody of the innocent child standing beside it which triggered uncanny valley within Tatsuki.
The tranquil surface of the pond had long since betrayed its serenity, revealing instead a monstrous secret. From its depths, a creature, terrifying, blurred like a nightmare willed into existence. Crafted from shards of iridescent glass and ensconced in the inky veil of night, it shimmered with an eerie luminescence. But what truly paralyzed Tatsuki with terror was the glimmering behemoth that she realized it was. As if fashioned from shattered glass and shadows, it shimmered, revealing a ghastly chain tethering it to the water's depth
Tatsuki's eyes widened, her heartbeat thundering in her ears as the chain, with a force that defied comprehension, lashed out towards the unsuspecting Hana. Time seemed to slow, each second an agonizing eternity as the young girl remained oblivious to her impending fate.
"No!" Tatsuki's voice was a raw scream, every ounce of her martial training propelling her forward. The distance closed in a heartbeat, and with a powerful sweep of her arm, she pulled Hana away. But victory was short-lived. The chain, missing its intended target, slashed past, leaving an icy trail of searing pain on Tatsuki's skin which caused her to cry out in pain. The cold seemed to penetrate her very soul, the burning sensation a stark reminder of the close call.
Enraged, the creature let out a shriek that pierced the air, a cacophony of fury and frustration. Its malicious gaze locked onto Tatsuki. Every shadowed contour of its form oozed malevolence. Even with her formidable training, she felt like a mere mortal standing before an ancient god of wrath. Each dodge, each evasive maneuver was met with a relentless assault that threatened to crush her spirit.
"I won't let you have her!" Tatsuki yelled defiantly, clutching Hana closer, feeling the child's heart race against her own.
The girl's eyes, wide with terror, looked up to her savior, tears streaking her dirt-smudged face. "Tatsuki... I'm scared," Hana whispered, her voice quivering.
"Just hold on, Hana. I won't let it hurt you," Tatsuki murmured, trying to instill confidence, though doubt gnawed at her.
But the creature was far from done. With a deafening roar, another chain shot forth, its trajectory unmistakably aimed at Tatsuki. The metallic links coiled around her arm with such ferocity that she felt the sting of its cold embrace bite into her flesh. Blood dripped onto the ground, as she broke free from its hold, painting a stark contrast against the pale earth.
Despair began to cloud Tatsuki's vision. With the weight of the chain and the overwhelming force of the beast, hope seemed to be a distant memory. She focused on the beasts glimmering appearance which seemed to shift between color and transparent, showing glimpses of the creatures true nature. A beast with a white mask and a hole in its chest big enough for a beach ball to fit in. She tightened her grip on Hana, determined to protect the child, even if it meant facing the end together.
Tatsuki's heartbeat resonated like a war drum, every beat echoing the dire stakes of the moment. The gleaming chain of the creature arced through the fog-laden air, its trajectory deadly and unwavering. The malevolent glint of its metallic surface was a chilling harbinger of doom, each link reflecting Tatsuki's horrified expression.
Just as the chain was about to close its icy grip, a blur of orange and black intersected its path. The unmistakable clang of steel met the chain in a symphony of defiance. Ichigo, with his trademark scowl and oversized Zanpakuto, became the bulwark against the creature's onslaught. From the periphery, Rukia's voice, clear and commanding, cut through the air. "Bakudo No. 61: Rikujokoro!" Six pillars of light materialized, binding the creature and halting its advance.
"Ichigo?! Rukia?! What?" Tatsuki exclaimed with immense confusion as she was just saved by her best friend and the new girl at school.
"Get that girl to safety!" Ichigo shouted, drawing his oversized Zanpakuto. Tatsuki, recognizing Ichigo's voice but bewildered by his Shinigami form, hesitated for a moment before nodding, pulling Hana with her as they retreated.
The hollow roared and broke free from its Kido binding shackles with a burst of its spiritual pressure. The hollow swung its chains wildly hitting Ichigo and Rukia causing cold burns on their skin. The hollow reacted again immediately and swung its chains towards Ichigo. Ichigo clashed with the Hollow, his sword meeting its chain in a series of sparks and clangs. Rukia, meanwhile, chanted another Kido spell, which launched balls of red fire toward the Hollow, causing it to turn its attention toward a Rukia which, allowing Ichigo to strike. However, the Hollow was persistent. It retaliated, knocking Ichigo aside with a powerful swipe of its tail bone-like tail.
Tatsuki navigated the smoke and debris-laden battlefield, her every step weighted with urgency. As they reached a makeshift sanctuary, Tatsuki bent down, locking eyes with the terrified child. "Hana, take this," she whispered, pressing a beaded bracelet into the young girl's hand. The beads, warmed by Tatsuki's touch, seemed to pulse with a protective aura. "This will keep you safe, so don't be scared. Remember, always keep it close. I'll be back, just stay here and don't move, Okay?"
The little girl took the bracelet into her hands with tears in her eyes and nodded her head "Okay Miss Tatsuki"
The roar of battle called her back. The protective facade masking her own fears faded, replaced by a fierce determination. Tatsuki couldn't stand idly by. With a rallying cry, she lunged back into the fray. Her fists, driven by the combined force of fear and adrenaline, struck the creature. With a guttural cry, fists clenched, she channeled every ounce of her training into a powerful assault. Landing a flurry of blows on the creature, she grabbed onto the chain, her fingers immediately scorched by its icy malevolence. With a Herculean effort that she found deep within her, she heaved, sending the beast spiraling upwards.
Above, the moonlight bathed Ichigo in a celestial glow. With a fierce battle cry, his Zanpakuto swung with a blinding speed, its edge finding its mark on the creature. A blinding light erupted, and in that ephemeral moment, the creature was no more, its remnants dissipating to the shadows purifying the souls which made up the hollow's body. The night, once filled with terror, now echoed with the triumphant cries of victory.
The dust settled on the battlefield as Tatsuki's chest heaved, her breath coming in ragged gulps. The pain in her wounds stung, each cut reminding her of the battle they just fought. The night's stillness was broken by hurried footsteps. Ichigo and Rukia rushed to her side, concern evident in their eyes.
"Tatsuki! Are you alright?" Ichigo asked, his voice laced with worry.
Through gritted teeth, Tatsuki replied, "I need to get to Hana." The determination in her voice was palpable.
Both Ichigo and Rukia exchanged a glance that carried more weight than words. Ichigo nodded, "Let's go."
The quietude of the park was interrupted by the whimpering sound of a little girl. Hana sat huddled, clutching the bracelet Tatsuki had given her tightly against her chest. The glint of the beads reflected the moonlight, but the fear in her eyes seemed to absorb all light around her. The moment Tatsuki approached, Hana launched herself into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's okay, Hana. I've got you," Tatsuki whispered softly, her voice a soothing balm over the child's distress.
As the two embraced, Rukia approached, her expression a mix of sympathy and resolution. "Don't worry, little one," she said, gently touching Hana's tear-streaked face. "You'll be just fine."
Before Tatsuki could protest, Rukia pressed a small device to Hana's temple. The child's eyes fluttered shut, her body going limp in Tatsuki's arms. Shocked, Tatsuki exclaimed, "Rukia! What did you do?"
Rukia looked at her somberly. "I've erased her memories of the Hollows. It's better this way. She'll wake up to a life untouched by tonight's horrors. She'll have different memories in place that make entire sense to her."
"Oh… Okay, let's go and bring her back to her parents." Tatsuki replied, not knowing how to feel about Rukia's ability to erase people's memories.
They walked in solemn silence to Hana's house, the front porch light a beacon in the night's darkness. Handing over the sleeping child, Tatsuki assured the worried parents, "She fell asleep while playing outside."
With relieved gratitude, Hana's parents thanked Tatsuki and retreated inside, leaving the trio bathed in the glow of the streetlight.
As they started their walk back, Tatsuki shot a piercing glance at the two. "Are you going to wipe my memory too?"
Ichigo, taken aback, paused. "I'm sorry, Tatsuki," he began.
Gritting her teeth, Tatsuki cut him off, "Just promise me one thing. You'll tell me about this someday."
With a smile and a hint of sadness in his eyes, Ichigo replied, "One day, Tatsuki."
You better, Tatsuki thought as she saw Rukia approach her, knowing full well what was going to happen.
Without another word, Rukia raised the device towards Tatsuki, who succumbed to its effect, collapsing gently into unconsciousness. Ichigo, ever the protector, scooped her up, then jumping toward Tatsuki's house to her bedroom window. He slipped in the room without making a sound after opening the window, he placing her gently onto her bed then swiftly left as he came. The night outside bore silent witness as Ichigo and Rukia disappeared into its depths, leaving behind a town at peace, if only for the night. Unbeknownst to both soul reapers, is that the battle Tatsuki had with the hollow will forever be etched into her soul.