Chapter 21: The Animal I've Become
"You okay Ania?" Mitch asked as he bent over her battered and bruised body "Well what the hell do you think genius?" she barked up at him as he smiled "At least you're still yourself". He helped her standing back up as she pushed him off "Don't worry I can walk" taking one step forward her legs gave way as she went to fall over but a hand caught her mid-air. "That's a rather funny way of walking, don't worry I can carry you it doesn't bother me" Mitch said picking her up and swinging her over his back in one fluid motion before he began the long trek back to Seireitei to get her all healed back up.
"Just what exactly happened to you back there?" Ania asked as she lay slumped over Mitch's back her head resting on his shoulder "That would be my inner hollow, I don't exactly know what created him but during a dark point in my life he just appeared and attempted to take control of my body. With some help from some friends of mine I subdued him in combat and chained him deep down inside my subconscious and that's how I received my vizard form".
"So then why did he re surface suddenly if you subdued him?" Mitch's head slumped down slightly "When an inner hollow is defeated it isn't totally gone you merely contain it, over the years I grew complacent in keeping him chained up and today after releasing a huge amount of reiatsu to escape from that dome he used that chance to strike and take over my body. Look Ania…. I'm sorry that I couldn't control him and you got hurt as a result… I'm truly sorry" Mitch said as Ania simply laughed "Wow this is a first for you apologizing for something. Look don't worry about it I got some training out of it I guess so don't let it weigh on your mind to much" she said slapping him playfully over the head "Alright thanks I guess".
They both arrived back at the gates of Seireitei with Ania fast asleep on Mitch's back from the long trek home. Walking in through the front door of the 4th squad barracks the medics took her from him and immediately set about healing her injuries. Content to see Ania getting the attention she needed he went to leave only to feel a hand land on his shoulder "Ummm Mitch I think we should look at your injuries" a woman's voice said as Mitch spun around to face the girl who was a foot taller than he was with long sky blue hair.
"Isane don't worry about me these are merely flesh wounds I think your squad should just stick to looking after Ania alright" and with that he walked out of the barracks while Isane went to go after him but her Captain placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let him go even though his wounds are bad he doesn't want anyone to be distracted away from healing Ania so let's respect his decision."
Walking away from the 4th squad barracks Mitch was lost in thought "How after all these years could I slip up so badly, looks like I'll need to take a few days off to head back to Urahara's shop and subdue my inner hollow all over again". He recalled that last time it wasn't an easy event and this time would be no different either.
Night fell on Seireitei as Mitch arrived at the Senkai gate which lead to Urahara's shack as he took a quick glance back towards the capital "Let's hope they don't miss me for the few days I'll be done" he thought to himself stepping into the darkness of the gate as it opened before it promptly slammed shut behind him.