Ch13

The cold wind of the sky brushed past Netto as he overlooked his hometown. Alright no time to lose. As much as he wanted to reunite with his friends and family he had a mission to do right now. "Rangiku have you found the hollow?"

The blonde girl looked at the rows of buildings in the distance. "No but it was reported near this area."

"Lets go and find it," he said gripping his zanpakuto tightly.

Rangiku nodded and lead the way. "How does it feel to be home?"

He grinned at her. "Alright. Will you guys miss me up there?"

"Of course we will," Rangiku said with a pout. "Who will accompany me at night when I'm all alone?"

"Well you can always come to visit me," he said.

It had been a few months since he started training with Yoruichi and Toshiro. While he was glad for the experience he had to return to his life and find whatever was hunting his family.

Rangiku smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

His eyes widened as he saw a large figure emerge in the distance. "Rangiku watch out!"

The blonde snapped her head as a hollow emerged from the shadows and lunged at her. Rangiku managed to jump out of the way in time as they both drew their weapons.

The hollow was as tall as a small house with large fists and a white mask. "Netto-kun be careful," Rangiku said as he stepped in front of her.

"Don't' worry we'll take it down together," he said. Taking a deep breath he gripped his zanpakuto tightly as the hollow charged at him. "Shine brightly Taiyo!"

The bright light made the hollow recoil and stumble back but it quickly shook its head and charged at him. Swinging his blade be threw a wave of light at it only for his attack to be blocked by the hollow's arm. Blood sprayed from the wound as the hollow roared in pain and charged at him.

He and Rangiku both dodged the attack as smoke and gravel went up in the air. "Rangiku can you distract it?"

The blonde nodded. "Fine but be careful."

He grinned. "I always am."

Rangiku charged at the hollow with her zanpakuto. Despite appearing lazy she was quite the fighter. Her blade flung through the air with precision as it blocked the hollows attacks and inflicted light cuts on its arm.

Alright here I go. Taking a deep breath he gripped his zanpakuto tightly and he sent a wave of light at the hollow knocking it off of its balance before charging at it.

The hollow roared in agony as it through a trash can at him, he swung his blade and broke it with a ray of light. Rangiku tried to distract it and go for its mask but the hollow managed to keep its distance from her before slamming its fist into her throwing her back.

"Rangiku!" he quickly helped her out. "You ok?"

She nodded. "Thanks This thing is a pest."

"I'll try to go for the mask. Can you distract it?" He asked.

Rangiku nodded. "Sounds good. Lets go."

The hollow roared and charged at them. Rangiku moved quickly to intercept it and blocked its attack.

Lets end this. Taking a deep breath he gripped his blade tightly. As the hollow got up he swung his blade sending a wave of light at its white mask. The attack made contact with the hollow's white mask splitting it in half. The creature roared in pain as it disintegrated.

"Good job," Rangiku said as she sheathed her sword.

He deactivated his shikai and put his zanpakuto away. "Thanks. Lets check if there are any others around here."

Rangiku nodded. With that they toured the city from the rooftops searching for any hollow activity. "So any plans with you and captain?"

He scratched his head. "I plan on introducing him to my family, they all thought I was crazy when I was younger."

Rangiku laughed. "That sounds fun." The blonde looked up at the sky with a melancholy look. "I'm glad you both are friends, he really does need to learn how to relax a bit more."

"Yeah I can see that," he said. "In private he is more flexible but I know he has to be firm since he is a captain."

"It isn't an easy job," Rangiku said. "But he does his best. There is no one like him."

"That's true," he said as he looked up at the sky.

But in general I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. He was still careful not to press Toshiro when it came to his own duties as captain but he was glad that he was flexible enough to watch over him.

He and Rangiku landed on a deserted street and began to walk down it scanning the area for any potential hollows. "Hey Netto-kun what are your parents like?" Rangiku asked.

He scratched his head. "Oh they don't believe in the world of spirits and Shinigami." He looked up at the moon and frowned. As much as he wished he could share with them this cool world he knew they wouldn't like it that much.

"But you know I think of showing them Toshiro in his gigai form," he said with a grin. So far they only had met in secret and played soccer.

Rangiku laughed. "That sounds fun."

He looked at the blonde and met her gaze. Rangiku was pretty fun despite having her own serious side. "You know Toshiro is lucky to have you."

Rangiku smiled at him. "We've known each other for a while." The blonde looked up at the moon. "It isn't easy being a captain but I try to help him with what I can. Mainly to make him loosen up a bit."

He laughed. "Sounds good. I'll do my best to help him too, we are friends after all."

Rangiku smiled at him and to his surprise she pulled him into her bosom for a hug. He let out a yelp but hugged her back. I could get used to this.

Toshiro walked along the streets with Netto in his gigai. It was interesting seeing the modern world and how different it was from the traditions of the Soul Society.

"Come on my dad works here," Netto said as he lead him to a large building with the words Scilab on it.

"He's a scientist right?" He asked as they entered a large reception area.

Netto nodded. "Yeah. I recommend not talking about Shinigami around him, he thought I was crazy when I would mention you."

"I see," he said as he followed Netto into a large corridor. Well I'll do my best to give him a nice shock.

Despite knowing that most normal humans can't see Shinigami a part of him found it amusing when they found out the truth, especially those that praised rationality over everything.

Netto led him into a large room with a bunch of scientists wearing white goats. "Hey dad!"

A middle aged man with short brown hair turned to them. "Hello Netto is this a new friend of yours?"

Looking closely he could see the similarities between him and his son. Like Netto Dr. Hikari had the same hair and eye color.

Netto grinned. "Yeah this is my friend Toshiro."

"Nice to meet," he said with a bow.

Dr. Hikari looked at him his jaw dropped. "T-Toshiro?"

"Yeah I knew him when I was younger," Netto said with a grin.

Oh boy this is awkward. He nodded keeping his cool, Dr. Hikari looked like he wanted to faint. Well Netto did say that his parents thought he was crazy.

"Well um nice to meet you Toshiro," Dr. Hikari said with a nervous grin.

"Likewise," he said politely. "Your son speaks highly of you."

Dr. Hikari nodded and quickly composed himself. "That's good to hear. He also spoke highly of you."

That's good to know. His insides fluttered a bit, not many people stood up for him in life and saw him as a friend. Despite being totally different he was glad to have Netto's friendship.

"Come on Toshiro let me show you around," Netto said.

The two excused themselves as his friend showed him around the building. "So what kind of work does he do now?" He asked.

"He mainly works on improving the internet," Netto said as they passed a room full of computers. "Scilab is the greatest research facility in the country." His friend paused as he looked out the window, a shadow crossed his face. "My dad works tirelessly here but he always has my family in mind. After all, my navi Rockman was created here."

"I see," he said as he noticed his friend's melancholy face. Looking out the window he watched the various crowds of people.

"Hey Toshiro look up there," Netto said pointing in the air.

Looking up his eyes widened as he saw a robed figure in the sky. "Get back!"

He pulled Netto away as a large explosion hit the building. Damn it not here.

"Come on lets get to a safe room," Netto said as they ran through the hall as another blast hit the building. Sirens blared as people ran throughout the building screaming.

What's it doing here? He had little time to think as Netto pulled him into a safe room and locked the door. "Are you ready?"

Netto looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Lets stop this thing."

They both used their talismans to eject their souls from their bodies and quickly left the room.

"Why would it attack here?" Netto asked as they made their way through the destroyed building.

"It may be after you," he said. Or after your family.

Gripping his zanpakuto he drew it as they entered the main research room. Netto's father and the other scientists had already evacuated leaving only the destroyed laboratory and the robed figure.

"Die all of you," The figure seethed.

"Hey!" Netto yelled gripping his sword.

The figure turned around and removed his hood. His eyes widened as he saw the face. It was Netto's face, except paler and had a white bone mask. No. His body shook as he stared at. It's not hollow it's an arrancar.

"Wh-Who are you?" Netto asked looking at the boy with the same face as him.

The arrancar laughed. "Long time no see brother."

Brother. He looked at Netto, the color from his face was drained as his body shook. His friend tried to say something but no words wouldn't come out of his mouth. Oh boy. He had heard of instances where hollow remembered some parts of their lives on Earth.

"S-S-Saito," Netto said hoarsely.

"Oh your remembered?" The arrancar said clapping his hands. "Oh how great it must be to be alive and well." Saito's eyes were as cold as ice. "It's a shame that I could never experience what you have."

Netto opened his mouth but he quickly stepped in front of him. "Netto this being is dangerous, it will not hesitate to kill you." His friend looked him, his body shaking but he slowly nodded.

He stepped forward gripping his zanpakuto tightly. "Whatever you want it ends here."

Saito chuckled his gaze hard as ice. "Try to stop me Shinigami."

"Sit upon the frozen heavens Hyornimaru!" He unleashed a torrent of ice at the arrancar who drew his sword and cut through it easily.

"You'll have to do better than that," Saito said pointing his sword at Netto. "I'll tear your life apart."

"Look out!" He yelled as he blocked the attack. Saito was quick and swung his sword with mad precision but he managed to keep up. "Netto I could really use your help."

Netto nodded his body shaking as he came up to assist him. He sent another wave of ice at Saito who easily broke through the attack. Netto charged and tried to land a hit but his body was shaking as the two exchanged blows.

"You are so weak how could live?" Saito mocked. "How could a weakling like you live?"

The arrancar kicked Netto sending him flying against the wall.

"Netto!" He quickly ran to him as the hollow raised its hand.

"Cero!" Saito said as a beam of energy came at him.

He slammed his sword into the ground and summoned a wall of ice. The impact of the attack caused and explosion that destroyed his wall of ice. e he

"Stay down this enemy is too strong for you," he said as he got up.

Netto looked up. "But-"

"Stay down!" he said as he looked the arrancar in the eyes. "Don't worry I'll take care of this thing."

Saito laughed. "Try if you can."

He gripped his zanpakuto and was about to charge at the arrancar when a flash occurred in front of him.

The arrancar's eyes widened as he was slashed across the arm. Saito swore as Tadashi Hikari appeared his zanpakuto drawn.

"Sorry but I can't let you do that," Tadashi said as he swung his blade at the arrancar.

He went to assist him, Saito swore as he tried to block their attacks. I'll send you back to the afterlife.

Swinging his sword he sent a wave of ice at Saito who jumped back and broke the ice with his sword. The arrancar swore. "I'll be back."

He lunged at the arrancar just as Saito disappeared into a shadow. "Damn it." Turning around he saw Netto get up his face shaken. "You ok?"

"I don't know," Netto said softly clearing a tear from his face. "I honestly don't know."

"We'll talk later," Tadashi said. "Go to your father and make sure everyone is safe."