Chapter 7: New Roommates
The rest of the school day dragged on, with Ichigo doing his best to ignore the constant voice of the Hollow in the back of his mind.
"So, King... you gonna pick one or both?" the Hollow chuckled as Ichigo tried to focus on math problems that suddenly seemed impossible to solve.
"Shut up," Ichigo growled internally.
"Aw, c'mon. You've been thinking about it, haven't you? Rukia and Momo—one fiery and sharp, the other sweet and sad. You could comfort one and get punched by the other. I gotta admit, King, your taste ain't bad."
Ichigo could feel his face heating up, and he buried his head further into his hands, pretending to be bored. Rukia, sitting nearby, caught his discomfort out of the corner of her eye and gave him a curious look.
"You better keep it together, King," the Hollow continued gleefully. "Imagine them both in your room, sleeping right next to you—one night, Rukia snuggles a little too close, or maybe Hinamori…"
Ichigo slammed his notebook shut, gritting his teeth. "Stop. Talking."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Ichigo practically bolted from his seat, eager to escape both his Hollow's relentless teasing and the tension building inside him.
--
Sorting Out Accommodations
After school, the group gathered outside Ichigo's house to figure out where everyone would stay. Toshiro crossed his arms, his expression stern as he took charge.
"We'll need to stay spread out," the young captain said. "We'll each take different locations around the town to keep watch for any spiritual disturbances. This way, we can react to any threats Aizen sends our way."
Ikkaku grinned. "I call dibs on the loudest part of town! Somewhere I can keep busy."
"You mean somewhere you can pick fights," Yumichika chimed in dryly, adjusting his scarf.
"Fine, I'll stay with you. Someone has to keep you in check."
Renji scratched the back of his head, glancing toward Toshiro. "I'll take the edge of town, wherever's quietest. Might give me a chance to think."
Toshiro gave a brief nod. "I'll stay near the school. If anything happens, I'll be closest to Ichigo."As everyone began sorting themselves out, Rukia nudged Momo and stepped forward.
"Ichigo," Rukia said with a smirk that made his stomach flip, "Momo and I will stay with you."
Ichigo blinked. "Wait, what?"Rukia gave him a casual shrug.
"I've stayed with you before, and no one batted an eye. If Momo poses as my sister, we can easily blend in. Makes the most sense, doesn't it?"
Momo's cheeks turned pink, but she nodded quickly. "I-I don't mind… if it's okay with you, Ichigo."
Ichigo opened his mouth to protest, but the Hollow jumped in gleefully. "Lucky you, King! Two girls under your roof—one sad and vulnerable, the other bossy as hell. What could go wrong?"
"Stop talking!" Ichigo thought furiously, his face burning with embarrassment. Rukia raised an eyebrow at his hesitation.
"Problem?" Ichigo gritted his teeth and shook his head.
"No… fine. Whatever."
The Hollow snickered inside his head. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
--
The Group Settles In
As the sun set and the group split off to their various locations, Ichigo trudged home with Rukia and Momo following close behind. His nerves were on edge—not just because of the strange arrangement, but because he couldn't shake the feeling that the Hollow was right.
Once inside, Rukia set down her things like she owned the place. "We'll take your sisters' old room. That okay?"
Ichigo gave a stiff nod. "Yeah, sure…"
Momo glanced at him nervously, her hands twisting together. "Thank you, Ichigo. I'll do my best not to be a bother."
"You're no bother," Rukia said, looping an arm around her friend's shoulders. "And besides, Ichigo's used to housing Soul Reapers by now. Right, Ichigo?"
Ichigo gave a noncommittal grunt, trying to keep his mind from spiraling. As the girls moved toward the spare room, the Hollow's voice rang in his mind, smug and amused.
"You're doomed, King. Two girls under your roof—and both of them looking at you like you're the knight in shining armor. This is gonna be a long night."
Ichigo groaned and flopped onto the couch, praying for patience. This was only the beginning, and he could already tell it was going to be an exhausting few days.
--
As soon as Ichigo opened the front door to his house, he was greeted with a flying kick to the ribs.
"YOU'RE LATE!" Isshin Kurosaki shouted as his foot connected with his son, sending Ichigo stumbling backward.
"What the hell, old man?!" Ichigo coughed, rubbing his side.Isshin landed gracefully, hands on his hips.
"How dare you come home so late without a proper greeting for your father?! A true man—" His tirade stopped mid-sentence the moment his eyes landed on Rukia and Momo standing behind Ichigo. For a brief second, the former captain of Squad 10 went deadly silent.
Then, with a sparkle in his eye and an exaggerated gasp of excitement, Isshin clapped his hands together. "Ichigo! You dog! You've brought home two lovely young ladies!"
"It's not what it looks like!" Ichigo yelled, panic rising in his voice.
Rukia smirked. "Actually, it's exactly what it looks like."
Momo blushed furiously, trying to make herself smaller. "P-Please don't misunderstand!"
Ignoring both of them, Isshin struck a triumphant pose and flashed a big thumbs-up.
"You've done it, my boy! My dream of grandchildren is finally within reach!" Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?! What the hell are you talking about, old man?!"
Before Ichigo could stop him, Isshin spun around dramatically and sprinted into the house. "Masaki!" he called out, addressing the massive poster of his deceased wife hanging on the wall. "Did you hear that? Our son's future is secure! Soon, we'll have grandchildren running through this house!"
Ichigo stood frozen, a mixture of horror and exhaustion washing over him. Rukia chuckled quietly beside him.
"You really do have an odd family."
"You have no idea," Ichigo muttered.
--
Dinner Chaos
Dinner that evening was anything but peaceful. Yuzu cheerfully set out food for everyone, while Karin sat at the table, grinning mischievously as she took every opportunity to tease Ichigo about bringing two girls home.
"So, which one's your girlfriend, Ichi-nii?" Karin asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Ichigo shot her a glare. "Neither."
Yuzu giggled, serving rice to Rukia and Momo. "Are you two staying over tonight? I can set up the spare room for you!"
"That would be wonderful," Momo answered softly, trying to avoid meeting anyone's eyes. "I don't want to be a burden."
Rukia gave a playful smirk. "Oh, we're no burden. Ichigo's lucky to have us."
Karin leaned forward, her grin widening. "Maybe they should sleep in your room, Ichi-nii. Keep an eye on you."
Ichigo's hand clenched around his chopsticks. "Why are you all ganging up on me?"
Isshin waved dramatically, beaming from the head of the table. "Because this is a monumental moment! My son, not only bringing home one girl, but two!" He clapped a hand over his chest as if moved to tears. "I've never been prouder."
Ichigo's temper reached its limit. "Would all of you shut up already?!" he shouted, slamming his chopsticks onto the table.
Everyone fell silent for a moment, watching as Ichigo leaned back, rubbing his face in frustration. The combination of his family's antics, the Hollow's constant taunts, and the stress of his new responsibilities was too much for him to handle.
"I just need a break," he muttered, standing up abruptly. "I'll be back later."
"Ichi-nii—" Yuzu started to say, but Ichigo was already out the door.
--
A Walk in the Night
Ichigo stepped into the cool night air, taking a deep breath as he walked down the street, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The Hollow was waiting, of course, eager to capitalize on his frustration.
"You know, King," it whispered in a teasing voice, "you could have just leaned into it. Rukia and Momo—both in your house, both looking up to you." Ichigo groaned.
"Not now."
"Oh, c'mon! You could've kissed them goodbye before storming out. Imagine the look on Rukia's face if you did that." The Hollow laughed darkly. "Or better yet… Momo. The sad ones are always the sweetest when you hold them."
"I swear to God, shut up," Ichigo muttered aloud, clenching his fists as he walked faster, trying to escape the thoughts swirling in his head.
But no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, the truth was starting to creep in. The Hollow was right, in a way. He was holding himself back. Not just with his emotions but with everything—his relationships, his power, his desires. He'd been bottling up everything for so long that it was starting to crack.
And the Hollow loved every moment of it.
--
On the other side of Karakura Town, the sky ripped open, a black void materializing in the sky as the Garganta yawned wide. Out of the darkness, a group of Arrancar stepped forward, led by one with vivid blue hair, his wild grin illuminated by the eerie glow of the open portal. He stretched his arms behind his head as he surveyed the quiet town below, his sharp eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"This is the place," he muttered to himself, cracking his neck before addressing his subordinates. "Listen up. Spread out and find the one Yammy ran from. That bastard's still licking his wounds, so I'll clean up his mess and get all the credit."
The blue-haired Arrancar sneered, his confidence brimming. "You see any Soul Reapers? Kill 'em."
With that, his underlings nodded and scattered into the town, their spiritual pressures flickering in various directions as they moved to hunt. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, however, remained behind, descending slowly to the ground below. His grin widened.
"Time to finish off that weakling and show Lord Aizen what real strength looks like."
--
Ichigo's Encounter with Grimmjow
Ichigo had finally calmed down after his walk, trying to push aside the hollow's constant taunting and his family's teasing from earlier. As he walked back toward his house, his senses suddenly went on high alert. A chilling spiritual pressure surged through the air, thick with malicious intent. His eyes snapped upward, locking onto the figure descending from the sky.
"What the hell…?" Ichigo muttered, instinctively reaching for his zanpakuto. He could feel the power radiating from the figure, more intense than anything he'd faced recently. This was different. This wasn't like the Hollows or even the weaker Arrancar he'd faced before.
As the figure landed in front of him, the ground cracked under his feet. The man before him stood tall, his blue hair wild and untamed, his presence radiating arrogance.
"You're the one Yammy ran from, huh?" Grimmjow said with a wicked grin, cracking his knuckles. "Pathetic."
Ichigo gripped Zangetsu tighter. "Who the hell are you?"
Grimmjow scoffed. "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. I'm an Espada, one of Aizen's top guys." His grin widened as he took a step forward, his spiritual pressure spiking again. "And I'm here to kill you."
Before Ichigo could react, Grimmjow was on him in an instant, his fist slamming into Ichigo's face with brutal force. Ichigo barely had time to block with his sword, but the impact still sent him skidding back, his feet digging into the ground.
"Damn, he's fast," Ichigo thought, shaking off the daze as he readied himself for the next attack.
Grimmjow didn't give him time to recover. He appeared again, this time aiming a kick at Ichigo's side. Ichigo managed to dodge just in time, swinging Zangetsu down toward Grimmjow's leg. The blade connected, and for a moment, Ichigo thought he'd managed to land a hit. But the next second, Grimmjow twisted his body midair, dodging the full force of the blow and countering with a powerful backhand.
Ichigo flew back, hitting the ground hard. He wiped the blood from his mouth, breathing heavily. "This guy… he's no joke."
--
The Soul Reapers Feel the Pressure
Across town, the Soul Reapers stationed in the human world felt the sudden surge of spiritual pressure. Renji, Toshiro, Ikkaku, and Yumichika all froze mid-conversation, their faces turning serious.
"That reiatsu…" Toshiro said, eyes narrowing. "It's an Arrancar. A powerful one."
Renji clenched his fists, already knowing who was in trouble. "Ichigo."
Without another word, they all took off in the direction of the spiritual energy, splitting up to cover more ground. If there were more Arrancar like this one, the town was in serious danger.
--
Momo's Arrival
Back at the fight, Ichigo was struggling. No matter how fast he moved, Grimmjow was faster, stronger. Every time Ichigo tried to counter, Grimmjow blocked or dodged with ease, taunting him with every step.
"This is what Yammy was afraid of? You're barely worth my time!" Grimmjow sneered, landing another blow that sent Ichigo crashing into a nearby wall.
Ichigo gritted his teeth, struggling to stand. He knew he had to tap into his Hollow power to have a chance against this guy, but after what had happened during the training with the Visoreds, he was hesitant. The Hollow was dangerous, unpredictable. But right now, he didn't have much of a choice.
Just as Ichigo started to consider pulling out his Hollow mask, he heard a familiar voice.
"Ichigo!"
Momo Hinamori appeared, flash-stepping into the battlefield. Her face was a mixture of determination and concern as she placed herself between Ichigo and Grimmjow. "Are you okay?!"
Ichigo's eyes widened. "Hinamori? What are you doing here?!"
Before she could answer, Grimmjow let out a low chuckle. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked at the new arrival. "More Soul Reapers to kill, huh? Fine by me."
Ichigo struggled to his feet. "You need to get out of here, Momo. This guy isn't like the others."
Momo shook her head. "I'm not leaving you to fight him alone. We'll take him down together."
Ichigo wanted to protest, but before he could, Grimmjow moved again, this time aiming for both of them.
"Too slow!" Grimmjow sneered as he raised his hand, preparing to fire a Cero directly at them.
Ichigo's instincts kicked in. Without thinking, he grabbed Momo and jumped out of the way just in time, the blast of spiritual energy missing them by inches and hitting the ground with a devastating explosion.
Momo looked up at Ichigo, shocked by the close call. "You saved me…"
Ichigo grit his teeth. "Of course I did. Now let's take this guy down."
--
Ichigo's Hollow Awakens
As the dust settled from Grimmjow's Cero blast, Ichigo could feel the Hollow inside him stir, whispering dark thoughts into his mind. He knew what it wanted—it wanted out, wanted control, and the more Grimmjow pushed him, the harder it became to resist.
"You know you can't beat him without me, King," the Hollow taunted, its voice echoing in his mind. "Let me take over. Just for a little while. I'll show you what real power feels like."
Ichigo's hand hovered near his mask, doubt and fear swirling inside him. But then he glanced at Momo, her determination despite the danger, and he realized he couldn't afford to hold back.
"Alright," Ichigo muttered under his breath, summoning the mask. "Let's do this."
The moment the Hollow mask formed over his face, his reiatsu spiked, and his speed and strength multiplied. Grimmjow's eyes narrowed as he felt the change in Ichigo.
"So, you've got a mask too, huh?" Grimmjow grinned, a wild look in his eyes. "Now this is gonna be fun."
--
The air crackled with tension as Ichigo clashed once more with Grimmjow, their swords ringing out through the battlefield. But this time, Ichigo had given in. The Hollow mask covered his face, its presence twisting his reiatsu into something darker, more menacing. With his new power, he dodged Grimmjow's attacks with ease, each move sharper and more precise than before.
Grimmjow, sensing the shift, let out a crazed laugh. "Finally! Now we're talking!" He swung his blade with wild abandon, eager for the fight to intensify.
Ichigo's attacks came faster, more violent, each strike pushing Grimmjow further back. The blue-haired Espada was grinning like a madman, thrilled to have found a worthy opponent.
But then, out of the corner of his eye, Ichigo saw Momo. She stood frozen, her eyes wide with horror as she stared at him—no, not at him, but at the Hollow mask covering his face.
Her expression was filled with shock and… fear.
"Ichigo…" Momo whispered, her voice trembling. She took a step back, instinctively clutching her zanpakuto, as if unsure whether she was still safe in his presence.
Ichigo's heart sank. She's scared of me.
The Hollow inside him, sensing Momo's fear, let in a quiet voice. "Well, looks like we really fucked up this time, huh, King?"
Ichigo's grip on Zangetsu faltered for a split second, the realization hitting him hard. The mask began to crack, the weight of Momo's terrified gaze causing him to lose focus. As the mask dissolved from his face, the Hollow's voice echoed in his mind, "We scared her. Maybe she doesn't see you as a hero anymore."
Grimmjow, noticing the change in Ichigo's demeanor, raised his sword for another attack, but before he could strike, a dark voice cut through the battlefield.
"That's enough, Grimmjow."
Out of nowhere, Kaname Tōsen, the blind former captain of Squad 9, appeared, his figure materializing out of the shadows. He radiated authority, his hand gripping the hilt of his zanpakuto, ready to intervene if necessary.
Grimmjow glared at Tōsen, his grin fading slightly. "Tōsen? What the hell are you doing here?"
Tōsen's voice was cold as he stepped forward. "You've disobeyed orders, Grimmjow. Lord Aizen didn't send you here to act recklessly. We've gathered the information we need. It's time to return."
Grimmjow's eyes narrowed, his body tense. "Tch, this isn't over, Soul Reaper," he spat at Ichigo before lowering his sword, his gaze filled with fury. He took one last glance at Ichigo's fading Hollow mask before turning to Tōsen. "Fine, whatever. We'll finish this later."
With a sharp movement, Grimmjow and Tōsen vanished, leaving Ichigo and Momo standing alone in the wreckage of the battlefield.
--
The battlefield fell silent as Grimmjow and Tōsen vanished, leaving only the lingering tension in the air. Ichigo stood still, his breath ragged, feeling the familiar weight of his Hollow's presence shift in his mind. As the mask dissolved from his face, his heart sank at the sight of Momo's terrified expression.
She stood frozen, her hands trembling as they gripped her zanpakuto, her wide eyes locked on where the mask had been just moments before. She wasn't looking at him like a friend, not like she had before—she looked at him with fear, and that hit him harder than any blow Grimmjow had landed.
Inside, the Hollow stirred, uneasy. "She's scared of us, King," it muttered, not with mockery or amusement, but with frustration. "She wasn't supposed to be scared. That's not what we wanted."
Ichigo swallowed hard, guilt clawing at his chest. "I know," he whispered in his mind.
The Hollow's voice simmered, its usual smugness gone. "I just wanted to help... wanted to keep them safe. We weren't supposed to make her look at us like that."
Ichigo clenched his fists, his knuckles white. He could feel the Hollow's conflicted emotions bleeding into his own—anger at himself, regret for losing control, and a strange sense of sorrow that surprised him. The Hollow wasn't just a monster, not entirely. It wanted to protect, just in its own reckless way.
Momo's voice was soft but carried the weight of her fear. "Ichigo… What was that mask? That wasn't—"
"It's me," Ichigo interrupted quietly. "Or… part of me." He couldn't look her in the eye, ashamed of what he'd become, and what it had cost him.
Momo stared at him, her hands still gripping her zanpakuto tightly, though she didn't take another step back. "That power… it's not like a Soul Reaper's." Her voice trembled with confusion and unease.
Inside, the Hollow's frustration deepened. "We scared her. We really messed this up." There was no anger in its voice, only regret. "I thought she'd understand. She shouldn't have to be scared of us, not after everything."
Ichigo exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself. "I didn't mean for you to see it. I'm sorry, Momo." His voice was quiet but honest.
Before either of them could say more, Renji, Toshiro, Ikkaku, and Yumichika arrived, their spiritual pressures swirling in the air as they landed.
Renji's eyes immediately zeroed in on the tension between Ichigo and Momo. "Oi, what the hell happened? We felt that reiatsu spike. Was that an Arrancar?"
Ichigo gave a small nod, avoiding Momo's gaze. "Yeah. His name was Grimmjow. He was strong."
Toshiro narrowed his eyes. "That confirms the worst. Aizen's not just sending scouts—he's making moves."
Renji noticed Momo's strange expression and looked between her and Ichigo, concern growing in his eyes. "You okay, Momo? What's going on?"
Momo quickly shook her head, forcing a small, unconvincing smile. "It's nothing. We're just… lucky Ichigo was here." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her real emotions.
Inside Ichigo's mind, the Hollow stirred again. "See? She's still scared." There was a deep sadness in the words, an odd sense of guilt that mirrored Ichigo's own. "That's not what we wanted, King."
Ichigo clenched his jaw, forcing the Hollow's voice to the back of his mind. Not now. He needed to focus on the bigger threat—Aizen and the Arrancar.
--
As the group began discussing the next steps, Ichigo stood silently, his thoughts tangled. His mind replayed the moment Momo looked at him with fear, and the Hollow's regret echoed in his head. For once, the Hollow hadn't tried to mock him or push him further.
It was just as hurt by Momo's fear as he was.
"We've got to do better," the Hollow whispered, almost pleading. "We can't let this happen again."
Ichigo's heart sank as he glanced at Momo, who avoided his gaze. The damage was done, and he wasn't sure how to repair it.
But one thing was clear—he needed to control the Hollow inside him. Not just for himself, but for the people around him, the ones he cared about.
He couldn't let the Hollow take over again, not like that.
And this time, the Hollow seemed to agree.