Chapter 29: Don't Fear The Reaper Side 1

(You know, no matter how hard I try to keep from making some sort of grammar or dialogue mistake, I always find at least one in the previous chapter. I fucking hate myself for that. But there's no point in self-pity, especially when I'm giving you guys another chapter. There's not much else to say other than I hope you enjoy it.)

The first thing Yukio heard as he regained consciousness was the sound of the heart monitor connected to him. He didn't open his eyes right away but rather let the rhythmic beeping of the monitor reassure him that he was still alive. Once he was satisfied with that reality, he slowly opened his eyes, turning away from the bright light overhead. His vision cleared and he looked up to see it was in fact a hospital light. By this point, he became aware of more sounds occurring around him such as the ringing of a phone in the other room and the voices of two nurses chatting as they walked down the hallway, their heels clacking against the marble floor. He couldn't make out what they were talking about but another voice, one much closer than they were, made its words known at once.

"Well, well, well, look who's finally awake."

Yukio turned his head to the right and saw none other than the Quincy who had helped Ichigo during the final battle with Xcution. Yukio recalled digging some dirt on him soon after that incident and recalled his name as Uryu Ishida. Slowly, he sat up in his bed, causing the covers to fall to his waist and reveal the bloodied bandages that now adorned his torso. "I-I see." He whispered as he stared down at his injuries. "I'm still alive."

"You should count yourself extremely lucky to have been found by your men when you were," Uryu said. "There were reports of a giant crash and the sound of screaming coming from inside that building and what do those people find once they enter? They find you, slumped against the remaining leg of what looked to be a giant platform." Uryu paused to adjust his glasses. "I must admit, it was touch and go at one point. You had lost a lot of blood." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sewing needle. "Luckily for you, I'm an expert tailor and I've recently been applying my knowledge of sewing to stitches on the human body. Rest assured, you'll be just fine."

"I see," Yukio replied. "I suppose I should thank you, especially after all we've put you through." His eyes darkened. "What...What about Riruka? Is she here too?"

Uryu shook his head. "She's currently at Urahara Shop, resting from similar injuries. Once she's recovered enough, I'll bring her over to see you."

"Is that so?" Yukio faintly smiled. "That's...a relief." He groaned as he felt his wound ache and decided to slip back under the covers. "I...I suppose you'll want to know exactly how we ended up this way."

"Riruka already filled us in on the basics," Uryu replied. "We know about Michael Myers and how you were trying to destroy him. However, she couldn't give a clear answer as to why you needed to kill him. She says there's a mental block that keeps her from remembering your organization's past with Michael. I was hoping that perhaps you could shed some more light on this situation."

Yukio groaned. "What a pain. Michael. It hurts to even hear that name, let alone try to think back."

Uryu walked up to Yukio's bedside and started undoing his bandages. "So I take it that means you have a mental block as well."

Yukio nodded weakly. "I'm afraid all I can tell you is that we attempted to investigate Michael for ourselves back in America. Had to be about 10 to 11 years ago. I can't really say for sure. It's so foggy."

Once Uryu had removed the bloody bandages and tossed them in the trash, he washed the remaining blood off of Yukio's wounds. "You can't recall anything more specific than that? Nothing about Michael himself?"

"Only that he's pure evil," Yukio answered. "And now that he's here in Karakura Town, there's more than likely going to be far more bloodshed." He looked away as Uryu replaced his bandages. It was clear that behind his calm demeanor, Yukio felt great shame for what he had set in motion in his attempt to destroy Michael. Uryu was caught between wanting to feel pity and wanting to further add to discomfort as punishment for letting it happen, for letting this monster of a man loose on the unsuspecting people of Karakura Town. With a heavy sigh, Uryu chose neither and finished up with the bandages. "We'll need to talk later but for right now, you should rest."

Yukio said nothing, instead nodding weakly once again with his face still away from Uryu. The Quincy removed his gloves, stared out the window as the morning sun rose, and left the room.

Somewhere on the opposite side of town, within the confines of an abandoned warehouse, one of many in the district actually, Michael Myers rose from another dreamless sleep. He still wore his mask and along with his knife, he now had an assortment of different blades and weapons sitting next to him, all commandeered from the gang he had slaughtered the other day. He had already gotten great use out of them as evidenced by the vagabond currently hanging from the pillar next to him and his loot. The poor bastard's stomach had been impaled with three different blades and the sockets where his eyes once rested birthed streaks of blood that have long since dried.

Michael slowly rose to his feet, grabbed one of the blades next to him, and marched toward the exit. Once outside, he decided to take a look around the area to see how much of it would be useful as a hiding place. It was still a long time until Halloween after all, a long time before the fun could really begin. Yet, even now, Michael could feel it returning, the hidden voice within his mind that always made sure he got his way. Anyone that had tried to stop him in the past was long gone now and so he looked forward to an uninterrupted night of slaughter. Michael took a look at one of his new knives, his pale mask reflected in the stainless steel. Yes, things never changed for Michael. He always got his way. And this time would be no different.

As he continued to trek down the vast array of buildings left to rot by society, three Hollows watched from the rooftop of the tallest one.

"What a delicious smell!" The smallest one said. "He's just oozing with spiritual energy!"

"I know!" The medium-sized one agreed. "You don't suppose he's a Shinigami in a Gigai, do you?"

"Of course not!" The smaller one said. "We've been stalking him for hours now! If he was a Shinigami, he definitely would have noticed us by now." The Hollow turned its attention back to the masked man walking away. "He's just a normal human with high spiritual pressure. Perfect for the plucking!"

"I don't know, guys." The biggest one, it's masked formed like a pillar with its eyes on either side. "Something seems off about this human."

"What are you talking about, King?" The smallest Hollow, a lizard-looking creature, complained. "You're really going to turn your nose away at an easy meal?"

"That's just it, I don't think he'll be as easy a meal as you guys are making him out to be," King said. Within his mind, however, he was assessing the situation far more differently. "Is this the guy that the boss was talking about? The human made of pure evil?"

"Aww, you're just trying to scare us so you can have him all to yourself." The medium-sized Hollow, a four-legged monstrosity that looked like a cross between a jack rabbit and an antelope, retorted. "Well, it's not gonna work! If you won't make a move with us, we're going on our own!"

"Yeah," the smallest Hollow agreed. "And don't expect us to save you a piece either!" With this, the two Hollows jumped onto the next rooftop and followed Michael, leaving their friend behind. He watched as the two separated and walked, moving from rooftop to rooftop, their hungry eyes ever trained on Michael. The human just continued to walk down the alleyways, only taking his eyes off the path in front of him when he was met with an intersecting path. It wasn't long before he found himself between the two ravenous Hollows, each standing on the building opposite of the other, each drooling with anticipation of the soul they were about to devour. The lizard Hollow opened his mouth and allowed his purple elongated tongue to droop down near Michael, the resulting saliva pooling directly underneath. His partner, on the other hand, willed the nubs next to his ears to curl into an impressive set of antlers, each end dripping with poison. Even if one attack somehow failed, the other one was sure to land. There was no escape for the lowly human named Michael Myers, the Hollows had him right where they wanted him.

And yet, neither of them made a move.

Each Hollow blamed the other and only bit their tongue at the risk of alerting their prey. They both waited on those rooftops as Michael passed them by, each waiting for the other to make a move and mentally berating them for letting their prey just waltz right out of their trap. But deep within their souls, aching in the holes where their hearts once were, both Hollows knew the reason why the other didn't attack. The same reason why they themselves failed to strike the final blow.

Fear.

Being creatures of instinct, both of the Hollows were already well aware of how black, how evil the Reiryoku emanating from him was. Just being in the presence of this human's Reiatsu was like being encompassed in the shadow of an unimaginable monster. Not even the strongest Hollows they ever encountered in Hueco Mundo gave off such a sheer radiance of malice. Due to hunger and perhaps just the tiniest bit of pride, the two Hollows had fought to ignore this simple fact but now, as they stood just feet away from the man with the knife, they could deny the truth no longer.

"On second thought...perhaps...he's too easy..." The lizard Hollow said to himself.

"I agree," The deer-like Hollow replied. "Let's go look for food elsewhere."

"Sounds good!" With this, the two Hollows turned around, opened Gargantas, and jumped right in, leaving their friend behind to continue observing Michael.

Of course, King was well aware of how dangerous Michael was and never intended to get anywhere close to him. As he watched his comrades flee with their tails between their legs, however, he became convinced that Michael was more than just a very unnerving human. He was the one his boss wanted. The one he preached about.

"I need to tell him right away," He said as he turned around and opened his own Garganta. Before stepping in, however, he couldn't help but take one last look at Michael. "It's amazing," He mused. "To think an ordinary human like that could wield such terrifying power." He stepped inside the Garganta and vanished leaving Michael alone to ponder just what those masked creatures wanted with him in the first place.

Jamie was back in the dark corridor again, back in that same paper-thin dress and back to running away from the ever-encroaching shadows. She violently shook her head back and forth, desperate for a way out of this nightmare. The dim lights above her began to flicker, disorienting her and forcing her to slow down lest she trip. As she fought against her aching head and the flashes of light, he accidentally turned around and caught a glimpse of him.

The man in the white mask.

"Oh God no!" Jamie cried as she turned to run once more. She didn't get much farther before realizing another shape approaching her from the darkness. The man was now in front of her.

"No!" She turned again to see the first man already closing in. In her desperation, Jamie tried to flee to her left, forgetting in her fear that there was only the wall of the corridor. She smashed against it and slid down, tears trickling down her cheeks and a quiet "please" leaving her mouth again and again as she slid down and reluctantly faced her attackers.

The two men in masks appeared before her side by side but only for a second before the flickering of the lights above caused them both to vanish. Jamie was left watching an awful dance of light and darkness as she waited for death to come, sitting in a forming puddle of her own sweat and her vision growing blurry from the rapid-fire assault of the flickering lights. It was only right as Jamie dared to harbor the tiniest shred of hope that she was safe that the man, now whole again, reappeared and struck her with his knife.

She awoke screaming and that screaming turned into an ugly coughing fit that forced her back to her pillow. Her throat was sore so for a brief moment, she considered that perhaps she was choking to death. As she continued to cough, the curtain to her left open as the nurse and Yumi rushed to her side, the former carrying a tray of tiny cups of water, a few of which spilled as she came to a stop near her patient. "Oh dear!" She grabbed one of the cups and handed it to Jamie. "Drink dear, Drink! Before you cough up a lung!"

Jamie, still not entirely sure what was going on, reached for one of the cups, knocking two more over in the process and down the contents within a second. She coughed a little more but as the water soothed the burning in her throat, this lessoned and Jamie was able to help herself to another cup. The nurse sighed in relief and patted Jamie's back as she sat up to drink the water. "There. Is that better?"

Jamie nodded as she set the empty cup aside and looked around the room. It didn't take her long until she realized she was in the infirmary, the events before she lost consciousness slowly coming back to her. "W-What happened to me?" She asked as she rubbed her head.

"You had a total freak out in the hallway is what happened!" Yumi blurted out, her eyes teary with worry. "We had to drag you to the nurse's office! I thought you were gonna die!"

"W-We?"

At that moment, a new face emerged from the curtains. The warm freckled face of top student Carrie White. "Is everything alright?"

The nurse nodded, "Yes deary, our little patient has just woken up."

Carrie turned her blue gaze toward Jamie and smiled. "I'm glad." She walked up to Jamie. "Are you feeling alright?"

Jamie wasn't sure how to respond. To think she was helped into the nurse's bed by one of the top students of the Academy. Part of her found it embarrassing and as she felt her face beginning to heat up, she quickly responded so as to change the subject in her mind. "I-I'm good! I-I-I just have a headache is all."

Carrie's soft expression faltered a little as if she could tell that there was more on Jamie's mind than she let on. Nonetheless, she nodded with a sharp. "Don't worry." The nurse will take care of it."

"That's right," The nurse agreed as she walked up to Jamie and felt her forehead. "Now you didn't get too hurt from falling down but if it's all the same, I'd like you to stay here for a while, just so we know this won't happen again so easily."

"Alright," Jamie said uneasily. Her stomach was starting to cramp up as well but she decided not to say anything.

"Then it's settled," Yumi said as she clapped her hands together "I'll go get your things!"

"Wait Yumi! That's not-

But the plucky girl with golden curls was already rushing out the door toward her and Jamie's room, engendering the nurse and Carrie to laugh and Jamie to groan in second-hand embarrassment

"Well, I better get you some more water," The nurse said as she went about picking up the fallen and crushed cups. "Carrie dear," She turned to the top student. "Could you please wipe up the water on the floor? Someone could slip."

Carrie nodded." Of course."

The nurse nodded back and disappeared behind the curtain as Carrie grabbed a rag from the table opposite of Jamie's bed and began cleaning the floor.

"I'm sorry," Jamie whispered sheepishly, fighting the urge to hide her face under the covers. "The top student of the academy shouldn't be cleaning after my mess."

To Jamie's surprise, Carrie's reaction was to utter an embarrassed chuckle of her own. "I'm hardly the top student." She said, "I'm just one of the lucky ones to get my Shikai before graduation."

Jamie sat up again, intrigued. "So the rumors are true huh? You achieved Shikai?"

Carrie nodded. "It's really no big deal. There was an incident with a training mission we were on see, we got attacked by a powerful Hollow, and in the heat of the moment, well I guess that's when my Zanpakuto came through for me."

"I see," Jamie thought back to her own Zanpakuto and her numerous attempts to communicate with it. All of which had been thwarted by that damned man in the mask.

"It could have happened to anyone really," Carrie continued as she cleaned the last of the water off the floor. "I just happened to be at the right place at the right time." She walked over to a bucket and wrung the water out of the rag. "Well, you know what they say, Power comes in response to a need, not a desire."

"In response to a need?" Jamie slunk back as she thought that over. Of course, such words didn't hold much credence for her. She just wanted to think of something, anything that would keep her mind off that horrible pale face, the one that could now very well be loose in the World of the Living as a Surrassha. But Carrie was able to see past Jamie's facade of wellness, feel the horrible fear lurking just underneath the surface. She dried her hands, considered if perhaps she should leave well enough alone, and, after recalling a certain lieutenant who refused to do just that when helping her, decided to push forward.

"S-So...they said you fainted because of the poster hanging in the hallway?"

Jamie looked at Carrie with an expression of utter terror, confirming for the strawberry-blonde all that she needed to know.

"It means something to you, doesn't it?"

"I...I..." Jamie's lips quivered as she wasn't sure how to respond to such words. She really didn't want to think about the man in the mask again but at the same time, she couldn't feel any malice or mockery in Carrie's voice. Just genuine concern for a fellow student. "M-Maybe. I...Yes..." She whispered as she could feel herself tearing up. "I-I know it's stupid but I think...I think that man in the poster is the one who killed me, who sent me here. I..." She tried to say more but stopped as she suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around her.

"You don't have to say anymore," Carrie whispered in her ear, her own voice sounding remorseful. "I didn't mean to reopen old wounds. It's just...I know what it's like to be haunted by the past." She thought back to that night in the World of the Living when she awakened her old power and used it against the monster that at one point in time had been her mother. "I could see from that look in your eyes that that's what you were going through. I've been there."

Jamie, initially surprised by the hug, whimpered and sank into it. Somehow, as if the fact was being ingrained into her own soul, her own mind, she could tell that Carrie meant every word she said. "What kind of monster would have destroyed someone like her," Jamie thought. "What kind of demon?" She shook her head and sank her face into Carrie's shoulder as the strawberry blonde held her close. After what seemed like hours, she finally summoned up the courage to ask a question she already knew the answer to. "That man...he's still in the World of the Living right?"

Carrie nodded. "From what I've heard his name is Michael Myers. They say he's an American Surrassha who's somehow ended up in Karakura Town. They're sending a group of Captain-Class Shinigami to the World of the Living tonight to investigate."

"Michael Myers," Jamie felt a sick sense of nostalgia inside her. That name meant something to her, she knew it. But exactly for what reason, she didn't know. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall any memory that could link her to that man named Michael Myers. It was as if they simply weren't there anymore. "He's a Surrassha? But that means,"

Carrie nodded again. "He's taken a lot of lives in the World of the Living, probably yours as well." She moved away from Jamie. and sighed. "But they're gonna get him. These are Captain-Class Shinigami after all and they're teaming up with that Ichigo kid that's helped a lot in the past. They'll stop him."

"I believe you," Jamie said, only realizing how bluntly she was lying not only to Carrie but to herself. "If he was just an ordinary killer, just a random psycho, I know it wouldn't have affected me as badly as it has." She thought. "But there's something more to this Michael person. The fact he's been labeled a Surrassha confirms it! I have to find out what my connection is with that monster! I have to-" Jamie's train of thought was broken as Carrie's hands gently pressed her down against the bed.

"You've had a lot of excitement for one day," she said with a warm smile. "You should rest." Carrie walked to the curtain and lifted it open. As she stepped outside, she turned around and gave one last glance toward Jamie. "And listen, I know it's hard right now but you've made it this far, haven't you?"

Jamie turned toward Carrie as she felt another strange feeling of a message being imprinted on her soul. A message that she would be alright.

"We all have our demons to face, and that can be terrifying but once you renew your resolve and face them, you'll find there was a light hidden within all that darkness all along."

Carrie's mouth never moved. Jamie never heard her voice. Yet somehow, that message, that simple message found itself in her head. She was so astounded that she hardly registered Carrie stepping behind the curtains and her footsteps growing faint as she left the nurse's office.

"Face...my demons?" Jamie laid back down and looked up at the blank ceiling above her head. Over and over again, the message Carrie somehow willed into her mind repeated itself but so too did the image on the poster. The man in the white mask Jamie now knew as Michael Myers. "He's never going to stop is he?" She thought. "As long as I live in this second life, he'll be with me, haunting me, tormenting me, keeping away from a peaceful existence. It'll never stop! Not unless I..."

"We all have our demons to face...renew your resolve and face them, you'll find there was a light hidden within that darkness..."

"A light..." Jamie thought back to her dream of running through that endless corridor, trying in vain to find an exit, the outside...The light. "It'll never stop unless I stop it myself!" She came to realize. "Until I stop him myself! And it has to be me! Otherwise, he'll come back again!" She sat up one more time, a look of determination upon her face. "I have to be the one to destroy him! It's the only way I'll ever be free! The only way I'll save what's left of my past!" She stared at her hand and clenched it into a fist, swallowing her fear the best she could. "That settles it. Tonight, I'm going to the World of the Living!"

The Forest of Menos was always a place of shelter for lesser Hollows. Even before Aizen's reign began, lower-class Hollows would sink under the sands of Hueco Mundo and hide amongst the quartz trees when larger hungier Hollows appeared in the area. Usually, these pitiful creatures were too small for the gargantuan Menos that called this place home to take notice. During Aizen's rule, there was a select group of Adjuchas who were appointed Guardians of this bleak realm. They were all defeated soundly by Ichigo and his friends some time ago with the help of a mysterious Shinigami named Ashido Kano whose fate, to this day, remains a mystery.

Nowadays, under the rule of Tia Harribel, numerous Hollows have taken up permanent residence within the Forest of Menos, all with a desire for things to remain the way they have for millions of years and as such, stand opposed to Harribel's attempts to cultivate a peaceful kingdom. This, of course, has led to several groups or colonies of Hollows forming mini-kingdoms of their own, all with the ultimate goal of eventually growing strong enough to dethrone Harribel and establish their own will upon the sands of Hueco Mundo. To date, none of these groups have grown strong enough to safely declare themselves rulers of the forest. But at this particular moment in time, one of the groups closest to that goal sat in the middle of a clearing in the forest. Their leader stood in front of his men, his inky black back to them as he stared out into the infinite trees and waited for his scout to return.

He didn't have to wait long either. At once, a Garganta opened in the middle of the field, causing every Hollow lying about to raise their head in curiosity. The pillar-masked Hollow known only by his comrades as King stepped out of the Garganta, stepped toward his leader, and bowed. "Lord Samhain, I have returned."

"Indeed, you have." Samhain said without so much as looking back. "What news have you brought now? Hopefully, some clues about our person of interest."

"Even better!" King announced. "He found him! The human named Michael Myers!"

Samhain turned one eye toward his subordinate, a faint light within the dark confines of a bird-like skull. "What?"

"He's in Karakura Town as we speak!" King continued. "He was just as you said, Lord Samhain. The aura of his Reiatsu alone was seeping with evil. I could hardly get close."

"I see..." Samhain turned back toward the endless forest. "Finally," He thought. "After all this time, we've finally found him."

Just then, another Garganta opened behind King. From it's maw jumped a small kangaroo-like Hollow. "Hopper here!" She proclaimed in far too bubbly a voice for a being such as herself. "Ready for duty."

"Ah, Hopper," Samhain said. "What news do you bring of Soul Society?"

"Ok! You didn't hear it from me but," Hopper jumped to her leader and whispered into where his ears once rested. "Word of the vine is that they're sending a couple of Captain-class Shinigami to Karakura Town to investigate something called a Surrassha! Seems like a pretty big deal."

Samhain growled quietly. "A Surrassha? They must be talking about Michael! Damn those Shinigami! They'll ruin everything!" Samhain forced himself to breathe in and out, knowing that anger would not serve him well. "Oh well. I suppose there's only one thing to do." He turned to King and said. "Go Get Grunter!"

"Lord?"

"We are going to intercept the Shinigami's little trip to Karakura Town!" Samhain said before turning back to the forest. "Michael depends on it!"

It was another day as usual for the bulk of Karakura Town's student body. The class went on as they usually did. Typical conversations between friends occurred and, as the lunch bell rang, the students herded over to the cafeteria. They stood in line, collected their meals, paid the fees, and went to sit and eat at one of the many tables within the confines of the cafeteria.

All except for Ichigo Kurosaki.

Holding his tray against himself, Ichigo sighed as he made his way toward the hallways that led to the rooftop of the school. The sound of casual conversation, laughter, and even the occasional shout of surprise failed to make itself known to Ichigo at all for his mind was a million miles away. In his head, he could still see the news report from last night discussing the horrific murders that had taken place under the bridge where he and Rukia had rescued Riruka. The police had no suspects in mind at the moment but Ichigo knew who was responsible. The same monster that had left Riruka for dead in the first place.

Michael Myers.

As he made his way to the rooftop, Ichigo kept replaying the news broadcast as well as Kisuke's words again and again.

"Local Gang Found Slaughtered Underneath the Bridge!"

"It's as if we're looking at articles from two different histories,"

"How is that possible?" Ichigo thought. "How can so many lives just be swept under the rug like that? Is Michael responsible somehow?" Over and over again, he mauled over the confusing nature of the articles involving the Surrassha. This apparent diverge of timelines as well as the grisly nature of the sins Michael committed disturbed the orange-haired boy, even more so in knowing that this monster was in his town. He bit into his sandwich and felt nothing, no flavor or texture. He hardly even felt it going down his throat. "Just what the hell is going on?"

"Hey Ichigo! Hello!?"

"Huh?" Ichigo looked up from his tray to see three familiar faces standing before him. Keigo, Mizuiro, and Tatsuki. "Oh. Hey guys."

"Hey guys!?" Keigo cried out. "That's it! That's all you have to say after brushing us off like we were garbage left on the side of the road?" The brown-haired high schooler broke down in tears as he turned away from Ichigo, his face buried in his hands.

"Um...Did I say something wrong?"

Mizurio held up his hands in defense. "Oh uh! Of course not!"

Tatsuki growled as he clenched her fist and slammed it onto Keigo's skull. "Shut up already, you idiot!" Once she was certain that Keigo wouldn't be getting up for at least the next couple of minutes, she sighed. "Sorry about that, Ichigo. Keigo's just upset because he invited you over to our table but you didn't answer."

"He did?" Ichigo asked.

Tatsuki blinked. "You mean you seriously didn't hear him? He only shook the rafters with that screechy voice of his!"

"My voice is not screechy," Keigo muttered with his face still pressed against the roof.

Ichigo shrugged. "Sorry guys. Guess I need to be more careful." He took another bite of his sandwich, expecting his friends to take their seats and join him. As he munched through another tasteless bite, however, they remained standing, all eyes on him and all with a hint of concern. "What?"

"What's wrong Ichigo?" Mizuiro asked.

"What do you mean, Mizuiro?" Ichigo swallowed his mouthful. "I'm fine."

Tatsuki growled again and stomped toward Ichigo. "Don't give us that crap! You really think we can't see that stupid look on your face!?" She knelt on one knee so her gaze was more to Ichigo's level. "And not just your face either! I've seen the look on Orihime's face as well. And you know something, she spewed the exact same bullshit you're spewing right now! I let it go with her because I know how sensitive she can be but you're not getting off the hook that easy! We know there's something going on with you guys and we're not just gonna turn a blind eye to it!"

"Tatsuki," Ichigo said softly.

"Don't forget, we know about all this Shinigami crap now!" She continued. "You don't have to hide it from us anymore!"

"Tatsuki's right!" Keigo suddenly jumped up, his vigor apparently restored. "We're your friends, aren't we? And friends should let friends in!"

"Keigo," Ichigo looked down at his tray for a moment. carefully considering if he should explain the Michael situation. "It's not like they're giving much of a choice, right?" He thought with a bit of dry humor. "If nothing else, at least it might put them at ease." With this, Ichigo sighed and set his tray down. "Alright,"

Keigo suddenly jumped back, clearly taken by surprise by Ichigo's sudden acceptance of his and his friend's request. "Huh? R-Really?"

Ichigo nodded. "I'll fill you guys in. But I gotta warn you, it's not an easy situation to explain."

"We got time," Tatsuki said as she sat down on the pavement in front of Ichigo. Mizurio followed suit and after waiting for Keigo to do the same, he grabbed the brown-haired boy by the arm and pulled him down as well. Ichigo cleared his throat and began explaining. He explained not only the situation with Michael but with the Surrassha in general He talked about the struggle with Freddy and Jason and how the Soul Society was reinventing itself to prepare for whatever might come next. With all this said, he did leave out one detail, the articles discussing Michael conflicting with each other time-wise. All pondering on that fact did was give him a headache and he figured he neededn't burden them with it.

Especially when they seemed burdened enough by what he did tell them.

"WHAT!?" Keigo started to panic. "You mean one of those Surrassha guys is running around here in Karakura Town?"

"That's a disturbing thought." Mizurio. "But given that news report about the gang under the bridge, it doesn't look like we have much choice other than to accept it.

"You said that the Shinigami formed a new group to combat these guys right?" Tatsuki asked. "What are they gonna do about it?"

"I'm not sure but Kisuke already told them what he knows." Ichigo replied. "With any luck, someone should be here soon."

"Meanwhile, that maniac is still on the loose!" Keigo cried. "This is terrible! We have to do something! We hav-

Tatsuki silenced Keigo with another smash of her fist. "Ichigo just got through telling you that they're sending people over so calm down already!"She waited for him to stop twitching and turned to Ichigo. "Why didn't you tell us about this stuff sooner, Ichigo?"

"I'm sorry," Ichigo replied. "I guess I just didn't want any of you to worry."

"To be fair, Ichigo," Mizurio placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "We have to deal with the fact that our town is a hot spot for Hollows on a daily basis. Knowing a serial killer's running around isn't comforting but it's hardly something we can't handle."

"Yeah right!" Keigo shouted from the ground. "Are you forgetting that this serial killer is supernatural?" We're doomed."

"Cut it out, will ya!?" Tatsuki gave Keigo a good kick in the pants right as the bell rang. Ichigo got up, tossed his uneaten food in the trash can right beside the entrance, and opened the door. "Don't worry about it, okay guys. Just leave everything to us." And with that and a reassuring smile, he left.

"Leave everything to us?" Tatsuki groaned. "How annoying! He's leaving us out of the loop again!"

"Well, it's not like he doesn't have his reasons." Mizurio said as he helped Kiego to his feet. "It's not like we have any special powers to fight someone like Orihime or Chad do. We're just normal human beings."

Tatsuki growled. "That doesn't give Ichigo the right to just brush us off again!" She clenched her fist. "Every time there's a new threat, he and the others just go off and leave us behind like we're nothing. I-I can't stand it!"

"But what we can do?" Keigo asked as he rubbed his head. "It's not like we can take on this Michael guy by ourselves."

"Maybe not," Tatsuki agreed. "But that doesn't mean we can't help somehow." She tapped her chin as she thought of a plan. "I got it! We should look for this manic ourselves!"

"Excuse me?" Both Mizurio and Keigo said in response.

"We can track down this asshole ourselves and once we find him, we'll call Ichigo and the others." Tatsuki explained. "I know it's not the most solid plan but we can't just sit around and do nothing about this!"

"Are you sure about that?" Keigo said. "I mean, Ichigo said it himself. They're sending some of those Shinigami guys this way to take care of the problem. There's no need for us to get involved." He chuckled nervously, sweat dotting his skin, while Mizurio took on a thoughtful expression.

"You know something, you might be right Tatsuki."

"Huh!?" Keigo freaked out.

"I mean, obviously we need to leave this guy for Ichigo and the others to take care of but while they're waiting for that backup, he's probably out there right now taking more life as we speak. If we found him now, it'd save a lot of trouble down the road."

"Then it's settled. After school, we'll conduct a search party for that Myers bastard!" Tatsuki smiled. "And then Ichigo will have to realize we're not just helpless little kids he's got to protect!" He held out her hand and Miziruo placed his on top. Keigo gasped as he realized what they were doing and froze in terror as they turned their gazes on him.

"What?" But I-" Keigo sighed as he placed his hand on Mizurio's. "At least he can't be as bad as that Aizen guy right?"

Tatsuki nodded. With their plan set in motion, the three high schoolers lifted their hands with a thrust.

It was evening in the Seireitei and before the great Senkaimon stood Yoruichi, Toshiro, and Byakuya. Rangiku and Renji also stood behind their Captains as the Kido Corps prepared to open the gate.

"Do you think this guy has any connection with the other two who came before him?" Renji whispered to his fellow lieutenant.

"I don't know," Rangiku replied. "And if I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, I sure hope not. Last thing we need is discovering that these freaks are huddled up somewhere together sharing trade secrets about us."

Renji nodded in agreement.

"I can't believe it," Toshiro muttered. "Another Surrassha to deal with so soon and one brought in by those damned Fullbringers as well! Just what the hell were they thinking?"

"From what I heard, they brought Myers here with the intention of destroying him." Byakuya answered. "They have no desire for revenge against Ichigo Kurosaki or us."

"And yet, they've created quite a mess for us to clean up," Toshiro growled. "They should have just destroyed him in America and be done with it."

"I agree."

Yoruichi sighed. "Maybe I should have let Soifon come along with me after all." She shook her head, disappointed with herself. "No, no. She's got her hands full as it is. Besides, I can take care of this loser myself. Still, there is the matter of that girl." The heiress of the Shihouin clan moved her glance behind her. Within the shadows of the Seireitei's hallways, hiding behind a wall, was a young girl. Her Reiatsu was too weak to be even a basic-level Shinigami but too strong to be just a normal soul, leaving Yoruichi with the conclusion that she was a student of the Academy.

"She's been hiding behind that wall since we got here." Yoruichi thought with a chuckle. "Poor thing probably doesn't even realize I'm on to her. If the others weren't so tense about this Myers situation, they'd probably sniff her out as well. Still, what is an academy student doing here of all places? Is she trying to see us off? As Yoruichi continued to ponder this girl's intentions, she had thoughts of her own.

"So that's what a Senkaimon looks like up close." Jamie pondered. "It's so big!" She noticed Yoruichi moving her head and with a frightened squeak, ducked behind the wall, clutching her sword close. "Dammit! I'm getting too careless!" Jamie looked down at her sword, recalling how she snuck out of the nurse's office and out of the Academy as soon as Yumi had brought her weapon to her. Guilt wrapped around her heart like a thorny vine. "I can't help feeling like I'm betraying Yumi by doing this. Hell, even if I survive I'll have to be super lucky to get anything less than expulsion for this." Jamie sighed as she recalled Carrie's words, or rather, the message she heard within herself in Carrie's voice. "But if I don't do this, I'll never know peace. I have to discover what my connection is with Michael Myers, even at the cost of my own life!" Slowly, she lifted her head and peeked over the side of the wall. All five of the Captain- class Shinigami were facing away and the doors of the Senkaimon were opening.

"It's opening!" Jamie gasped. "Ok, now all I have to do is wait for the Captains and Lieutenants to cross and then-

And then the air trembled. Before the Senkaimon a large black maw opened, quickly engulfing the gate behind it and blocking it from Jamie's view.

"Huh?"

As the black-haired academy student watched in shock and fear, the maw continued to grow in front of the Captains and Lieutenant until it stood several feet higher than them. Breaking into a cold sweat, Jamie felt herself back away, her lips quivering and her skin forming goosebumps against the oppressive chill this maw seemed to produce. "What is that thing? I've never seen anything like it before!"

But the Shinigami before her had. They knew exactly what it was.

"A Garganta?" Renji cried.

"What's one doing here in the middle of the Seireitei?" Rangiku asked.

"Shit! Something's coming out!" Yoruichi braced herself for a fight, only to be forced into the air by the sudden emergence of a Gillian's head. "A Menos?"

The swordfished-headed monster stared at Yoruichi as she flew through the air and opened its jaws, ready to blast her with its dark red Cero.

"Shit!"

Just then, the Menos was decapitated by a cloud of pink sword shards. The shards quickly retreated back to their master, Byakua Kuchiki and swirled, ready to make their next move on his command. Yoruichi landed safely on one of the surrounding buildings, wiping a bead of sweat away from her brow. "Whew! Thanks for the save, Byakuya-boy!"

"How many times have I told you not to call me that," Byakuya said. He intended to berate Yoruichi further about her little pet names for him but was stopped by the sound of several roars coming from the Garganta. "That wasn't the only one!"

"Aye. Then I guess we better start taking this seriously." Yoruichi sighed as she entered Shunko, her orange jacket ripping apart from the sheer power erupting from her shoulders and back. By then, Toshiro and the lieutenants had activated their Shikais and prepared for battle.

"Do you think that Michael guy has anything to do with this?" Rangiku asked Renji.

"I don't know but if he's anything like that Krueger bastard, then this headache's only just beginning!" Renji growled right before he jumped out of the way of a Meno's foot as it left the Garganta. Once on his feet, Renji leaped in the air and wrapped Zabimaru around the monster's waist. "Take this!" With a single pull, Renji bisected the Menos which let out a mournful roar as both halves of it fell to the ground.

Jamie was knocked off her feet by the force of the impact and sent flying several feet away from the battle. She only stopped because of a wall behind her which she collided with. She slumped to the ground and, after considering whether to get up or lay low, she decided on the former and forced herself back up. "S..So this is what a real battle looks like," She thought tearfully. "It's horrifying! W...What am I doing here?"

"Well well well, what do we have here?"

Jamie froze as she realized she was in someone's shadow. It didn't look human with the rabbit-like ears protruding from its head and the voice didn't sound the least bit familiar or comforting. Trembling slightly, Jamie turned her head and found herself face to face with a Hollow.

"Hey there! The name's Hopper! Really swell to meet ya!" The Hollow said. "I can tell from your clothes that you're a student from that academy right? Wonder what you're doing out here?"

"A...A Hollow?" Jamie turned herself over and started to crawl away. "An actual Hollow!"

Hopper scratched the bottom of her mask for a bit before shrugging. "Well, it doesn't matter. I'm pretty hungry right now so if you don't mind, I'm gonna eat you now!"

"E..Eat me!?" Jamie remembered she had her sword and held it in front of her. "B-Back off! I'm warning you!"

Hopper burst into a fit of laughter. "Hahaha! You really think you can do anything to me with that sword of yours? I mean, look at you, you're shaking like a leaf!"

Jamie gulped as she looked down at herself and realized the Hollow was right. Her entire body was trembling uncontrollably and she could feel the hilt of her sword slipping through her sweaty hands. With a whine, she tightened her grip and pointed the blade at Hopper who only responded by laughing even harder.

"Haha! It's so cute when they're scared beyond rational thought like this!" She took a step closer. "Makes me want to...take a bite!" Hopper leaped toward Jamie, her small mouth suddenly expanding into a gaping maw, not unlike the Garganta that birthed the Menos.

"No!" Jamie cried as she shielded herself from the darkness inside the Hollow. "Don't!" She felt a rush of air and the sensation of the ground disappearing beneath her. "This is it," She thought. "I'm dead again, this time for good. And I never even got close to Michael. Dammit! Dammit! Huh?" As she was cursing herself, Jamie suddenly realized she could still think. She could feel the night air smash into her face, the wind roaring in her ears. Slowly, she opened her eyes just as Yoruichi landed on the building overlooking where Hopper still stood, the dark-haired Academy student in her arms.

"Hey kid! You alright?" She asked.

"Uh...Y-Yes! Thank you!" Jamie said, painfully aware of her face heating up. Whether it was from the fact that she had to be rescued like a typical damsel in distress or because of the beratement that was sure to follow once everything was over, she wasn't sure.

Yourichi grinned. "You know, I knew you were hiding behind that wall over there.

Jamie's face flushed even brighter. "I-I'm sorry! I-I...I just..."

"You can explain yourself later," Yoruichi said as she let Jamie down. "Right now, you need to find somewhere safe while we take care of these intruders."

"R-Right," Jamie responded, even as a part of herself wanted to stay and help. That part was forced into shameful silence as she remembered how she was just about to be devoured by a Hollow while pleading for her life. The same Hollow that now stared at them from the floor.

"Hey!" Hopper growled. "Don't you know it's rude to steal another person's meal!"

"Oh so it's a meal you want huh?" Yoruichi held out her palm and pointed it at the Hollow. "Than eat this! Hado #63! Raikoho!" Upon these words being uttered, a blast of lightning-like energy shot from Yoruichi's palm and flew toward the Hollow. Rather than trying to dodge the rapidly incoming attack, however, Hopper just smiled and opened her mouth, allowing the energy to fall into the gaping maw. She closed it with a cat-like smile. "My, my, How spicy." She uttered a burp. "Definitely would have preferred that girl."

Both Yoruichi and Jamie gasped. "S-She ate the Hado?"

"That's right!" Hopper exclaimed. "It's my special ability! I can eat pretty much anything! Poison! Acid! Kido spells!" She burst into laughter once more. "I can even eat that weird stuff you Shinigami put around your Seireitei!"

Yoruichi stiffened. "The Seireiheki!"

"That's right!" Hopper giggled. "Ate a huge hole in it and allowed my friends to come in, all so we could open that Garganta and keep you from interfering with our Lord's plans."

"What plans?" Yoruichi asked.

Hopper shrugged. "I don't know. But it has something to do with that Michael fellow you guys want to kill. So sorry but we can't let you through!" With this, Hopper suddenly lunged at the two women on the rooftop. Yoruichi used Shunko to escape but not before pushing Jamie out of the way of the Hollow's gaping maw. The dark-haired girl rolled to the edge of the rooftop and coughed as she picked herself back up, just in time to see Hopper standing before her.

"Hmmm...what to do, what to do?" Hopper rubbed her chin. "Do I eat this little morsel not or go after the big game?" No sooner had she finished that another Raikoho exploded right next to her, nearly knocking her off her feet. "Wha-

"Hey loser!" Yoruichi called out from another rooftop. "You gonna go after the small fry like a coward or are you brave enough to come after the real prize?" She stuck her tongue out as she finished her sentence.

"Guess that makes my choice clear. " Hopper turned around and rushed toward Yoruichi, leaving a bewildered Jamie by herself.

"She...She's going after the Captain-class Shinigami..." Jamie forced herself to her feet. "I have to get out of here! I have to..." Her mind trailed off as she caught sight of the Senkaimon, no longer obscured by the Garganta. In the midst of the battle with the Menos and the smaller Hollows leading them, and the Kido corps slaughtered, the gate was completely ignored by both parties. Jamie stared at it as she remembered the man in the mask, the man whose face she saw in her dreams and in every shadow of the waking world, even in the maw of that Hollow that almost devoured.

"I...I'll never be free as long as he's alive..." Jamie thought. Her entire body shook in fear. "But then again, I could barely fend off that Hollow! Can I really do it? Do I even have any chance?" Suddenly, an agonized scream from above tore Jamie out of her stupor and she looked up to see Renji falling toward the ground, blood flowing freely from his right shoulder. Above him was a dark-red blast of energy, a Cero that could have only come from a Menos. Sure enough, Jamie suddenly found herself in the shadow of the colossal monster, its beady eyes and pointed nose looking down at her with alien curiosity. Slowly, the creature opened its mouth and from the darkness inside, another dark-red blast of energy readied itself to take form.

"Oh God!" Jamie tried to jump out of the way, only to realize fearfully that she was too terror-struck to move. "Come on!" She mentally told herself. "You're gonna die! Move! Move!"

Using every ounce of willpower she had, Jamie finally jumped just as the Menos unleashed its attack. The force of the blast sent Jamie flying forward, near the black body of the beast. Without thinking, she drew her sword and took a swipe at its side, leaving a small but painful cut. The Menos cried out and slowly turned to the girl as she landed on the ground. She tried to reclaim her footing but tripped and ended up rolling once again.

"There!" She thought as she propped herself back up with her sword. "Now maybe that thing will leave the Lieutenant alone long enough for him to recover." The shadow of the Menos fell over her and she looked up to see it preparing another Cero. "Oh shit!" She turned and jumped out of the way as the monster unleashed the Cero. Once again, she was sent flying forward by the force of the blast, toward the Senkaimon. "There! If I can just-

The sound of a pained roar and cracking ice broke Jamie's train of thought. Looking up, she saw that Captain Hitsugaya had sliced into the monster's neck while it was distracted by her. The Menos screamed as the entire left side of its face froze solid. Then the ice broke apart, taking half of the Meno's head with it. As the creature fell defeated and Jamie stopped herself with her sword again, Toshiro rushed toward her. "What are you doing here?" He demanded.

"C-Captain Hitsugaya!" Jamie squeaked. "I-I can explain!"

Toshiro shook his head with an annoyed growl as he grabbed Jamie's wrist. "I'm taking you back to the Academy right now! You can explain yourself there!"

"B-But what about the battle?" Jamie asked as Toshiro pulled her forward.

"The Menos have been dealt with as have the commanding Hollows."

Jamie gasped and looked around. She had been so focused on her own survival and on getting to the Senkaimon that she had failed to realize that the Menos that was attacking her was the last one. Behind Toshiro, she could see the injured but alive Renji leaning on his captain's shoulder, and to her right, she caught sight of the moment Yoruichi decapitated Hopper with a single kick in midair. Around her, she could see particles of ash slowly gather toward Lieutenant Masumoto as she approached her Captain. "All the Hollows have been eliminated, Captain."

"Good," Toshiro said. "I want two reports sent to Squads 4 and 2 respectively, one requesting medical aid and one for a sweep of the Seireiheki."

Right Captain," Rangiku said as she took out two Jigokucho. Toshiro turned his attention back to Jamie and pulled her closer. "You're coming back to the academy!" He repeated.

"Wait!" Jamie said as she was pulled away from the Seikaimon. "Hold on!"

"No arguments," Toshiro said. "You should just count yourself lucky you didn't get killed in the crossfire."

"Wait a minute!" Jamie turned toward the Seikaimon, only a few feet behind her. "So close." She thought. "I was so close. And now, after everything, that's it?" Jamie remembered the fear she felt as she was attacked by the Hollow, the same fear she felt when she saw the man in the mask The man she knew would never let her live in peace as long as he continued to breathe. With a sharp inhale, Jamie cried "No!" as she pulled herself from Toshiro's grasp.

All the Shinigami stared at her in surprise with Toshiro still holding his hand up. "What?"

"I...I..." Jamie felt her courage waver as she realized she was about to argue with a Captain of the Gotei 13. "Forget Michael, I can kiss my future in the Seireitei goodbye after this! Is it really worth it?" But deep in her heart, she already knew the answer. She knew no position in the Gotei 13 would be worth it if she had Michael's shadow looming over her. And so, with every bit of courage she had, she continued. "I...I have to come with you!"

"What!?" Toshiro repeated. "Are you crazy!?"

"I know how it sounds!" Jamie said. "I'm just an Academy student after all but...but...I..I've seen that man in my head long before he came to Karakura Town! He's been plaguing me ever since I came to the Soul Society!"

"A-Are you saying this guy killed you?" Rangiku asked.

"I-I don't know for sure." Jamie sniffed. "But I know he had something to do with my death."

Byakuya approached Jamie, Renji still resting on his shoulder. "I understand," He said. "It must ache your soul to know the monster that killed you is still loose in the world of the living. But if what you say is true, that is all the more reason for you to stay in Soul Society where you can share what you know with Squad 12 along with the rest of his victims."

Jamie broke into tears. "You don't understand! I don't have anything to tell them! My mind...my memories from the World of the Living are all broken. I can only recall bits and pieces of them."

"Then how can you be sure it was Michael Myers that killed you?" Toshiro asked.

"Because I see him in my dreams!" Jamie shouted. "My nightmares! I see him every time I try to perform Jinzen and every time I see even a little bit of darkness I see that face! That mask!" She felt the dreadful tickle of her tears merging into one over his chin as they fell to the earth. "I don't know how but that bastard did more than just take my life. He destroyed it first! I know it!" Jamie wept bitterly, unable to continue.

"Oh you poor thing," Rangiku said as she approached Jamie and suddenly wrapped her arms around her. Jamie stiffened as she felt herself pressed into Rangiku's bosom but didn't fight it. Once she felt the Lieutenant's hand rubbing her back, she started crying again and buried her face into Rangiku. "Shh. Just let it all out."

Toshiro sighed as he turned to Byakuya. "What should we do about this?"

"I'm afraid I cannot answer." The Squad 6 Captain replied. "If what the girl is saying is true, there's no guarantee that Michael's other victims will have their memories intact either. This could be quite troublesome for the mission going forward. I think we should-

As Byakuya was speaking, the ground began to tremble. All the Shinigami grunted with effort to stay on their feet with Rangiku holding Jamie close and Yorichi jumping down with the others. "What's happening?" She asked. "Is another Garganta opening up?"

"No!" Toshiro shouted as he stared at the swirling vortex forming in the ground, breaking the sidewalk into pieces and sucking them in as it grew. "Whatever this is is coming from underground?"

Suddenly, from the vortex, the pillar-shaped head of a Hollow popped out. "Finally," He said. "I thought you would never finish charging that useless power of yours!"

"Shut up, will ya?" A second Hollow complained as it rose out of the ground behind his comrade. "Besides, if my power was that useless, then Lord Samhain wouldn't have asked for me to be here, would he?"

"Just shut up and seal the gate!" The first Hollow demanded.

"Whatever," The second Hollow jumped out of the ground and landed beside the giant hole he had come from. He looked like a bipedal turtle with a strange symbol on his stomach.

"Seal the gate?" Jamie turned toward the Senkaimon. "Did he say he was going to seal it? No!" Jamie looked back to Rangiku and noticed the two Jigokucho flying next to her. "It's now or never!" Jamie suddenly grabbed one of the Jigokucho, backed out of Rangiku's grasp, and made a break for the gate.

"Hold on!" Toshiro shouted after her as he prepared to flash-step toward the gate. Before he could give chase, however, he felt a harsh light burn the skin of his arm. The marking on the turtle Hollow's belly was glowing a brilliant red-orange. "Ultimate Seal!" He shouted as, with a grunt, he shot a copy of the symbol toward the Senkaimon.

"I'm sorry!" Jamie cried as he jumped into the Senkaimon. "I promise I'll accept whatever punishment I get after this without complaint but I have to do this!" As soon as Jamie vanished into the darkness of the Dangai, the seal landed on the entrance, forcing the doors of the Senkaimon to close before its shimmer engulfed them completely.

"What?" Toshiro growled as he turned to the Hollow. "What have you done to the Senkaimon!?"

"What did ya think I did, ya idiot?" The turtle Hollow laughed. "I used my Ultimate Seal on it. For the next 24 hours, you guys ain't going nowhere!"

"What!?" Toshiro uttered.

"Shit!" Renji cursed as she forced himself away from his Captain. "This just keeps getting worse and worse.

"Hahaha!" The turtle continued his tirade of mocking laughter. "That's right! And now that you can't go anywhere, me and my partner here are going to devour you one by one, right King...King.?" The Hollow looked around for his pillar-headed ally only to find nothing but a gaping hole in the ground. "King!" He panicked as he realized he couldn't feel King's presence anywhere nor any presence of a Garganta being opened. Realizing he had been abandoned in the midst of five Captain class Shinigami, all Grunter could think was but a single word.

"Shit!"

Riruka was tossing and turning again. Sweat soaked her blanket and clothes, sticking to her like tape and adding to her discomfort. It had been like this ever since she woke up in Urahara Shop and while she was grateful for not having to recover in the street, it still didn't make the experience any easier.

Nor did it abate the nightmares she kept having of the old man.

She saw him again as she opened her eyes and tried to get up to grab a drink of water. Gasping, she shrank back and held the covers over herself., her only shield against the ancient invader. "Go away!" She cried. "Why won't you leave me alone?"

"You unleashed the Evil!" The man croaked, his eyes as wild and insane as ever. "He's here! Here in this town! You've brought Death to this town!"

"Go away!" Riruka pleaded as she trembled. "Please...Please go away..."

"You don't understand what you've done, Child!" The old man cried, weeping as bitterly as Riruka was which, of course, served to disturb the young Fullbringer even more. "You think he'll just stop here? That he'll just be content with killing a few here and there and then he'll stop?" The old man shook his head. "He'll never stop. It'll never be enough for him and now that you've broken the seal, soon he'll become too powerful for even the Shinigami to stop! You have to end the Evil now! You have to-

At once, a green veil shot up from the ground between the old man and Riruka, startling the both of them. The veil rose as high as the old man and extended into a ring that surrounded him, shrinking and forcing his limbs to his side. "W-What's this?" He asked. "What are you doing to me, Child!?"

Riruka shook her head. "I'm not doing anything!"

"Yeah, that ring would be my doing. My bad."

Riruka and the old man gasped as Kisuke casually walked into the room, twirling his cane around. In his other hand, he held a sheet of paper. "Sorry about the inconvenience but I just couldn't sit back and let you continue to bother someone who's currently in recovery." He walked up to the old man and looked at the paper in his hand. "Now if you need someone to talk to about Michael Myers, I'm all ears." Kisuke continued as he studied the paper and the picture of the old man on it closely. "I'm especially interested in that seal you've been talking about so how about it? Would you mind having a little chat with me," Kisuke lowered the paper and faced the old man. "Dr. Samuel Loomis."

(Sorry if it feels like the story is going a little fast. I just didn't think it'd be realistic for Jamie to be comatose in the infirmary for a few days among other things. On the bright side, next chapter will reveal quite a bit about the Michael situation including the nature of his Fullbring! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and if you did, let me know via review! Until next time, Chibi out!)