Struggling with the Inner Hollow

Normal….

Everything around him was normal. The early morning jogs… The training with the kendo swords… The cold shower… The deliciously made breakfast Yuzu made… The walk to school and class… Everything was normal. Ryuji was… relaxed, in a very long time. He was chilling off in his seat while waiting for his brother to arrive. After Ichigo had arrived, Tatsuki reminded him that he had, yet again, forgotten to complete his assignment.

"Don't blame me if you didn't finish it in time!", Tatsuki told Ichigo.

"I know.", Ichigo replied.

"Well, that's fine. Anyways, things will get troublesome afterward if you take too many breaks… What's that?", Tatsuki told Ichigo before asking him about the protection charm sewed into his shirt.

"This…", Ichigo starts before explaining how Isshin sewed the charm onto his uniform.

"So… That's how he ended up with that on his uniform.", Ryuji stated with a smirk, masking his laughter.

"I knew that without even asking.", Tatsuki told the Kurosaki twins.

"How did you know?", Ichigo asked in surprise.

"It's obvious! Who else besides your father would do such a thing?", Tatsuki stated with a straight face.

"Heh?", Ichigo stood baffled at the blunt truth of Tatsuki.

"Anyway, that's not what I was talking about. I was asking about the skull!", Tatsuki said as she pointed to the Substitute Shinigami Badge that Ichigo had hung on the shirt.

'She can see it?! She's spiritually realised!', Ryuji inferred as his eyebrows shrunk to make a serious face.

"Oh, this? This is… Umm… A Shinigam- No… I bought this last time… Tatsuki… you can see this?", Ichigo babbled on what excuse he could give before asking her in shock after noticing that Tatsuki can see that.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?", Tatsuki asked before the teacher came in, started the class, and let Ichigo leave to take care of the hollow that had arrived.

'It is his day of killing hollows…', Ryuji thought as he sat in place and thought about Tatsuki being a spiritually aware human.

The next day at School,

"Please come in!", The teacher called the new student in.

The new student walked inside the room.

He had brown eyes and jaw-length blonde hair with a straight cut and many of his facial expressions reveal his upper teeth. He wore a standard Karakura school uniform, shirt and tie, supplemented by a newsboy cap and long-coat. He appeared to have a round ring pierced in the middle of his tongue.

The new student wrote his name on the board before beginning his introduction.

"Shin from 'Genuine Sadist' with Ko from 'karashi metaiko' and Hira from 'lecherous' and Ko from 'Ono no Imoko' makes… Hirako Shinji! Pleased to meet you-", The new student's introduction was interrupted by the teacher.

"Hey! Hiraki, it's backwards!", The teacher told him.

"Isn't it a great thing? I'm very good at writing things backwards!", Hirako told her.

'Who is this guy? His reiatsu… It's so familiar.', Ryuji thought to himself as he saw the whole day unfold.

"Let's be friends!", Shinji told Ichigo as he sat next to him.

Later, Urahara's shop,

"Woah! That was dangerous!", Kisuke said as he dodged a slash to his chest.

"Hah!", Ryuji yelled as he swung his Zanpakuto at Kisuke again.

"Heg!", Kisuke blocked the swing with his blade.

"Grrrr!", Ryuji growled as he put more strength onto his blade.

"Calm down, Kurosak- Woah!", Kisuke told Ryuji before backing off after Ryuji's blade began cutting through his.

"Raaaar!", Ryuji roared as he swung his blade, shooting a large stream of lightning towards Kisuke.

"Scream, Benihime!", Kisuke called out as he formed a hexagon-shaped crimson barrier in front of the blade to block the stream.

"Rrrrrrraaaaaahhhhhhhh!", Ryuji roared out as the lightning around him converged on the blade, making it a blade covered in lightning.

"Scream, Benihime!", Kisuke yelled as he fired particularly strong and destructive crimson-colored energy blasts in the arc of the sword's swing.

"Rakurai!", Ryuji swung his blade again, shooting a larger and more destructive stream of lightning at Kisuke.

As the two attacks collided, the whole underground they were in shook at the impact. The blast was so large that the shop shook like it would in an earthquake. Dust and sand flew around the place due to the sheer power of the blast. When the dust cleared after some time, Ryuji and Kisuke were crossing blades at a standstill.

"Tch!", Ryuji's lips twitched as pushed more force onto his blade.

"Ngh!", Kisuke held his blade steady.

"What do you think you are doing?", Yoruichi asked in rage.

"Blowing off some steam…", Ryuji replied, retracting his blade.

"I don't know about the steam part but… we did blow things off.", Kisuke commented, looking at the aftermath of their battle.

"Duly noted. Now, is there a problem?", Ryuji asked Yoruichi.

"Yes… You and your innate obsession with wanting to fight people. When did you become Kenpachi 2.0?", Yoruichi asked Ryuji.

"I'm not obsessed.", Ryuji said with an eye-roll.

"Considering today is the 6th day you've had me fight you in the evening during this week, I'd say you are.", Kisuke told Ryuji.

"Alright fine… If you don't to be my sparring partner, I get it. I'll ask Ichigo from now on.", Ryuji said as he turned around to leave.

"You know Ichigo is struggling… With his inner hollow.", Yoruichi said in a subtle tone.

"…", Ryuji stopped at the mention of that.

"Just like you are…", Kisuke stated.

"Hmmmnnnn….", Ryuji took a deep breath before turning around and facing them.

"Let's have a beverage as we talk.", Kisuke told the two.

Upstairs,

"So… What's going on?", Yoruichi asked Ryuji.

"It's… My inner hollow… It has been awake… Even since the training in Soul Society.", Ryuji told the two

"How awake?", Kisuke asked Ryuji seriously.

"It's… filling up my mind. Talking to me, teasing me… Pulling me to my inner world and torturing me by showing visions of it taking me over.", Ryuji replied to him.

"When did you notice this exactly?", Yoruichi asked Ryuji.

" It started with my training with Captain Kyouraku…", Ryuji said as he began narrating the incident.

*Flashback*

Squad – 8 Training Grounds

"You're doing good!", Shunsui said with a smile as he dodged the slash directed at his chest.

"Thanks!", Ryuji said as he swung his wooden blade again.

"Hmm.", Shunsui brought the two wooden blades he held to a cross and blocked Ryuji's swing.

"Hep!", Ryuji backed off a bit, put the blade in the backhand, and blocked Shunsui's double swing.

"Oh… You blocked it? Where did you learn to swing like that?", Shunsui asked Ryuji in amusement.

"Someone who I knew…", Ryuji answered, the memory of Senjumaru making his mood a little sour.

"Well… Whoever taught you, he/she did a very good job.", Shunsui stated as he withdrew his blade, catching the shift in Ryuji's mood.

"…Thanks.", Ryuji replied with a shrug.

"But… Your movements have dulled compared to when we fought last time.", Shunsui stated, shocking Ryuji.

"What?!", Ryuji asked Shunsui.

"Your movements… have slowed down. The power in it is less and also… your body isn't able to move as much as before.",

"….", Ryuji's eyes widened as he realized that he could feel his body not moving as much as he wanted.

"Don't worry… That can be dealt with by training.", Shunsui told Ryuji.

"Music to my ears.", Ryuji replied with a sigh.

"Well… Shall we resume?", Shunsui asked as he pointed his blades at Ryuji.

"Bring it!", Ryuji replied with a smirk as he held his blade firmly.

"Pardon the interruption…", A feminine voice interrupted the two, making them turn their attention to the woman.

"Captain Unohana… What brought you to the training grounds?", Shunsui asked with a smile.

"Forgive my interruption… But it is time for Kurosaki Ryuji-san's medicine.", Retsu said with a serious face.

"Well… Let's continue this later.", Shunsui told Ryuji before taking off from the grounds.

"Can't I do the medicine an hour later?", Ryuji asked with a sigh.

"You are still recovering from the exhaustion and injuries. Each hour of rest you get now is another hour of work you can do later.", Retsu told him with a stern tone.

"Alright then…", Ryuji replied to her before placing the sword in the rack.

"Please follow me.", Retsu told him as she took off with Ryuji following her.

Squad – 3 Barracks, Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho

The room assigned to Ryuji was quite simple. It had a small bed, a study table, and a couch for visitors to sit on. Though he was not here most of the time, Ryuji had grown fond of the room for some reason. Isane stood near the bed, the medicine ready in her hand.

"Ara Isane… You're early as usual.", Retsu said with a smile as she entered with Ryuji.

"Yeah…", Isane replied, eyeing Ryuji walking and lying on his bed.

"Well… Shall we start the treatment?", Retsu asked the two, making Isane blush and Ryuji turn his head away.

Isane, with her cheeks rose red, began undoing the top part of Ryuji's Shihakusho. His toned body with well-defined abs revealed itself to Isane. Isane took in a short breath at the sight of Ryuji. Ryuji, on the other hand, was having difficulties as well. Isane's breasts, usually concealed by her Shihakusho and Obi, revealed themselves due to her bending over him. He tried hard not to look but found his eyes glued to them juggling in front of him.

'Seems like you are enjoying yourself there Ryuji…', The voice of his inner hollow got to him.

'What the?!', Ryuji thought to himself as small black cloud-like structures began clouding his vision.

'You're acting awfully cocky huh?!', Hollow Ryuji stated, manifesting himself as Ryuji with a half mask and yellow eyes.

'Get out of my head!', Ryuji growled in frustration.

'Why are you holding back? She's obviously wanting you to ravage her. Just do it! Release your desires!', The hollow told him as he began circling Ryuji.

'Shut up!', Ryuji growled again.

'Do you think you can restrain me like this forever? Just a little longer… and I will swallow you up and you will cease to exist.' ', Hollow told Ryuji before dispersing itself and forming as a mask over Ryuji's face.

'No… Stop! Aghhh!', Ryuji growled out when overwhelmed.

Ryuji-kun! Ryuji-kun! RYUJI-KUN!

"….", Ryuji had zero response, lacing concern on the faces of Retsu and Isane.

"Ryuji-kun…", Retsu asked in doubt as she had her hands fastened on her Zanpakuto.

"Hmm…Hmm-mmm!", Ryuji let out a small laugh.

"Get away! Isane!", Retsu warned as she backed off with Isane.

"Captain… What happened?!", Isane asked in shock.

"I don't know… But Ryuji-kun is not the same.", Retsu said as he saw Ryuji get off the bed.

"Hello Ladies…", Ryuji said with a sinister smirk, a hollow mask dawning the left eye.

"A hollow mask?! No way!", Isane said in shock.

"What's going on here?", Shunsui asked the two as he arrived.

"That…", Retsu said as she pointed to Ryuji with her eyes wide open.

"Ryuji-kun?! With a Hollow mask?!", Shunsui asked in shock as well.

"Captain Kyoraku Shunsui! Shall we restart the fight?", Hollow Ryuji asked as he summoned his Zanpakuto.

"Tch.", Shunsui pulled out his twin Zanpakuto, activating Shikai at will.

"Open Your Eyes, Raijin Kurogetsu!", Hollow mask Ryuji activated Shikai.

"Shall we assist you in battle?", Isane asked Shunsui.

"No… Captain Unohana you should go and make sure other patients don't suffer due to this fight. I'll try and take this to the training grounds.", Shunsui said before flashing away.

"Heh!", Hollow Ryuji blocked the slash that came to his left after Shunsui flashed there.

'This battle form… It's more refined and aggressive than usual, Shunsui thought to himself before getting punched away.

"Ryuji… You newbie! Can't you see? You're healing and battle movements have been slowed down by your own raging Reiatsu.", Hollow Ryuji stated, shocking Shunsui.

'That's why he couldn't fight like before.', Shunsui realized at Hollow Ryuji's words.

"I can feel the strain you put in every muscle of your body. So, I'll show you… How I make use of this Shikai.", Hollow Ryuji said as he slashed at Shunsui's right.

"Gah!", Shunsui blocked the slash and grunted as he felt the power behind the slash to be gigantic.

"Hmph!", Hollow Ryuji flashed away and appeared behind Shunsui.

"What?!", Shunsui asked in shock.

"HAHAHAH!", Hollow Ryuji let out a psycho laugh as dark purple-hued lightning surrounded his blade.

"Huh?!", Shunsui noticed it in shock.

"Heyeah!", Hollow Ryuji slashed at Shunsui's direction, sending a large torrent of dark purple lightning toward him.

"Dark Rakurai?!", Shunsui spelled out in shock as he dodged the attack.

"HAHAHAHAH!", Hollow Ryuji flashed next to him and slashed at Shunsui again.

"Damn!", Shunsui brought his blades up in defense.

The attack ended up injuring Shunsui but the damage was controlled by Shunsui's timely use of Irooni to defend himself. Hollow Ryuji stood before Shunsui with more psycho laughter and began charging up lightning onto his blade. The weather around them began changing… Where was once a blue sky with white clouds… There was now a dark one with clouds slightly lighter in tone. There were sparks around those clouds, seething to be unleashed.

"That twisted Reiatsu… That white mask… What are you?", Shunsui asked as he stood with his eyes wide.

"Who cares! As soon as I'm done with you, you're going to di- disappear", Hollow Ryuji's words were interrupted by Ryuji's voice.

"Huh?!", Shunsui looked at the hollow in shock as he recognized Ryuji's voice.

"Ugh! Gah!", Hollow Ryuji began struggling as his own left hand began ripping off the mask.

"I don't need you! Stop coming in my way!", Ryuji yelled from inside the Hollow.

"You're the one in my way! I was about to kill him!", Hollow Ryuji yelled back as he struggled against the mask being removed.

"Give me back my body!", Ryuji growled out as he ripped the mask off his face, making the hollow disappear.

"….", Shunsui stood there in shock, looking at what went on while panting.

"hah….hah….hah…. Cup of Tea?", Ryuji panted a bit from exhaustion before asking Shunsui.

"Yeah…", Shunsui replied with a short breath.

*flashback ends*

"…and that's what happened.", Ryuji ended the narration.

"….", Yoruichi and Kisuke looked at Ryuji in complete shock.

"Really? Is this that shoc- That Reiatsu!", Ryuji began talking before noticing a twisted hollow Reiatsu in town.

"That is…", Kisuke said as he noticed it too.

"Ichigo!", Ryuji took off as he noticed Ichigo's Reiatsu as well.

"Ryuji!", Yoruichi yelled after the running Ryuji.

"Go after him! I'll be with you in a bit.", Kisuke told Yoruichi before taking off in another direction.

"Okay…", Yoruichi replied as she began chasing Ryuji.

Time-skip, In the middle of town,

"Hirako! Who are you?! Why do you have a Zanpakuto?!", Ichigo asked Shinji, who was crossing blades with him.

"Shh… Stay quiet. Guys with Reiatsu like yours attract a lot of attention.", Shinji told Ichigo with a shush.

"Hey… Mind taking your blade off of him.", Ryuji asked Shinji, standing behind him.

"Huh?!", Shinji's eyes dilated in shock before he retreated from Ichigo.

'I couldn't sense his presence at all!', Shinji thought to himself.

"Are you alright?", Ryuji asked Ichigo in concern.

"I'm fine…Thanks. But, we have to deal with him.", Ichigo replied to Ryuji, pointing Zangetsu at Shinji.

"Hirako Shinji… Who are you?", Ryuji asked Shinji in a serious voice.

"Why are you both concerned with who I am? Well, I guess it can't be helped.", Shinji commented before summoning… a hollow mask in his left hand.

'No way?!', Ryuji and Ichigo thought in unison as their eyes dilated.

"Take a good look… What's this?", Shinji asked as partially wore that mask.

"A hollow mask-?!", Ichigo said in shock.

"That's right… A Zanpakuto and a Hollow mask… Now you get it? I'm a Shinigami who has crossed over to the realm of hollows. I told you… 'Let's be friends'…", Shinjo told the brothers before reminding them about his words in class.

"….", Ryuji stood there without a word.

"I'm with the Vizards. I'm the same as you. Come with us… Ichigo. You shouldn't be on that side.", Shinji said, extending an invitation to the 'Vizards'.

'That Reiatsu! It's… awfully familiar. There is a hollow-like Reiatsu near it. Tch! I'll deal with Hirako later.', Ryuji thought to himself as he sensed two new Reiatsu and flashed off in that direction.

"Ryuji?! What happened?!", Ichigo asked before feeling the Reiatsu himself.

On the ground,

"Remember this… You can never judge the strength of a Shinigami with the size of their Zanpakuto. Unless you've learned that, don't talk to me about Shinigami, Kid.", Isshin said as he sheathed his Zanpakuto, after defeating the Arrancar Grand Fisher.

"I-Impossible!", Grand Fisher said before disintegrating into ashes.

"….", Isshin began walking away from there, with Kon staring at him in shock.

"Did you get what you wanted? Your revenge…", Kisuke asked as he walked towards Isshin.

"You came… Urahara.", Isshin said as he looked at Kisuke.

"It's been a while, Isshin-san.", Kisuke said as he adjusted his hat.

"Those clothes look good on you…", A voice came out of nowhere, shocking the two.

"Huh?! Ryuji?!", Isshin asked in shock as he found out that it was Ryuji.

"Father… We need to talk.", Ryuji told Isshin, leaving no room for anything else.

End of Chapter.