Ch9

As he sat in a meditative position Netto reached in the depths of his mind. A familiar presence brushed up against his, it was powerful yet strangely familiar.

Who are you? He called out to the figure in the distance, he still couldn't tell who it was but its form was getting clearer.

A chuckled reverberated throughout his head. When really need me I'll show myself to you. In the mean time continue training yourself to be worthy to wield my power.

The presence left his head and he woke up. He was in his Shinigami form on his bed, his zanpakuto standing upright between his legs as Toshiro watched him.

"Anything new?" the white haired boy asked.

He sighed. "He said he'll come when I truly need it to come."

Toshiro frowned. "Some spirits are stubborn. Don't worry in you'll get it."

"So I've told," he sighed. "Well I'll just keep practicing then."

"I'll be back when I can," Toshiro said as he opened the window to his balcony.

"Hey Toshiro we should hang out sometime," he said.

The white haired boy looked surprise but nodded. "Sure when I'm free."

He smiled at him and watched as the Shinigami leave his room. You seem like cool. I know you are definitely stricter than me or most people I know but it would be cool if we could be good friends again.

After a quick rest he quickly got ready for the day. "Netto-kun how's your friend?" Rockman asked.

"He's alright," he said. "He is busy with his own things but I'm glad he can help me train."

Rockman nodded, the sincerity in his eyes was all he needed to know that his navi trusted him. Personally he didn't bother telling his parents about Toshiro, they would just roll their eyes and think he was making things up again.

As he headed to school he saw his neighbor run up to him. "Netto!" Meiru said with a wide grin on her face.

"Hey Meiru-chan," he said.

"Did you do today's homework?" She asked as they walked to school.

He nodded. "Yeah I managed to."

"Are you ok? You seem a bit tired," Meiru said.

"N-No I'm fine," he said. "Why do you ask?"

His friend raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. Something seems off about you. You've always been busy we hardly have a chance to hang out."

"S-Sorry," he said. "I've been busy with various things."

"Like what?" Meiru asked.

He laughed awkwardly. "I've been trying to exercise more."

"Oh that's nice," Meiru said though he could tell by her gaze that she didn't fully believe him.

He managed to change the subject as their other friends arrived. A part of him felt bad about hiding his Shinigami training but he highly doubted that they would believe him if he told them the truth.

As he proceeded throughout the school day a small sense of unease washed over him. He found himself constantly looking over his shoulders and around him.

It wasn't till school ended and he was heading home did he notice it. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a familiar masked robed figure stare at him, the hairs on his neck stood as he looked at it.

Who is that? Is it a spirit or a hollow? Looking at the figure a shiver went down his spine, whatever it was it was not friendly. The way it at him and Meiru made was nothing short of malice.

"Netto-kun what are you looking at?" Meiru asked, her voice snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh nothing," he said quickly.

Meiru frowned. "Is something wrong you've been acting weird all day?"

"Oh just tired," he said with a nervous laugh.

"Well. I'm going with Yaito's place did you want to come?" Meiru asked.

"Sorry I have to run an errand for my dad." He said. "If I finish it early I'll see if I can stop by."

"Well ok come by if you can," Meiru said.

He gave her a small smile before heading home. "Neto-kun what's wrong?" Rockman asked.

"I have a bad feeling about something," he said. That figure gave off some really bad vibes, and whatever it was it was malicious.

"Is it a spirit?" Rockman asked.

"Maybe. I don't know for sure but I'm going to find out," he said as he ran home. A part of him wanted to run to Urahara's shop but that was too far.

Rushing into his house he locked the door his heart racing in his chest as he raced up stairs. He quickly sat his PET down. "Netto-kun be safe," Rockman said.

He gave his navi a small smile. "I will don't worry."

Taking a deep breath he grabbed the medallion Yoruichi gave him and after he lay down on the bed he pressed it against his chest.

As soon as he was in his spirit form, he exited his room through the balcony. Landing on the ground outside he headed down the street where he didn't have to run far to see the creature.

He stopped as it stared at Yaito's mansion. "H-Hey who are you?" he asked.

The creature stood still and slowly turned to face him. Upon closer inspection it wore a chipped bone mask that concealed a face he could not make out. The eye that he saw was dull and showed nothing but contempt.

"Why?" It rasped.

Standing his ground he looked it over. "Are you a spirit? I can get you help if you need it?"

The creature just stood and faced Yaito's mansion before laughing. "You have everything? I have nothing."

"Wh-What are you talking about?" he asked.

The creature laughed manically before extending a hand. "I'll everything you have one way or another."

His eyes widened as a red blast of energy flew from the creature's hand. He leaped out of the way and nearly avoided getting hurt. "Who are you?"

The creature laughed. "I think you have more important things to worry about." It snapped its fingers and a large hollow emerged from the trees. It pointed to Yaito's mansion. "Destroy them."

The hollow roared as it charged at the mansion. "NO!" He yelled but it was too late, the creature leaped off into the air as the hollow attacked the mansion.

Damn it. He swore as he drew his sword. His body worked on it as he charged at the hollow and swung at it.

The creature only turned to him and swatted him to the side as if he were a fly. He swore as he got up and saw the creature charge at Yaito's mansion. I have to stop that thing before it gets to them.

His heart raced in his chest as he charged at it. However, by that time the hollow had charged into the mansion blowing it up as it broke through.

Oh no. Yaito Meiru please be safe. He raced into the wreckage of the mansion, he could hear Meiru and Yaito scream as a pair of maids pulled them to safety. They couldn't see the hollow or how its eyes were trained on them.

He leaped in between them gripping his zanpakuto. Please give me the strength to save them. The hollow looked at him through its mask and grinned. It let out a roar before charging at him.

He swung his sword and met the hollow's fist. The impact sent shivers down his body and nearly knocked the blade out of his hand. He swung again, his zanpakuto made impact with its arm but barely grazed it.

Please give me the strength to defeat. He barely dodged its fist. Swinging his sword he blocked its other fist but fell to his knees. He coughed up blood, his body shook as he looked at the hollow, there was no turning back he had to defeat it here.

The hollow roared and punched him. His eyes widened as he flew against the wall. Gripping his zanpakuto he tried to stand only to be held down by the hollow.

His body shook as the hollow opened its mouth. He tried to struggle, but the hollow held him tightly.

No I don't want to die here. I want to save them. He gripped his zanpakuto while a familiar presence entered his mind. "Sh-Shine brightly Taiyo!"

A power of energy surged through him as his sword glowed brightly. The hollow recoiled and howled in pain as a bright light and flames lit up the area.

He winced, warm feeling spread throughout his body. This power is exhilarating. Looking down at his zanpakuto his eyes widened as he saw that the blade was now a beam of light with dancing flames at its side.

Holding it up he looked at the beam of light a smile spread across his face as he gripped it tightly.

The hollow growled at him and held its bleeding arm. It let out a roar and charged at him.

"Oh no you don't!" He swung the blade, and a wave of light flew from his zanpakuto and hit the hollow right in the mask. The hollow screamed as it was disintegrated.

Breathing a sigh of relief he fell to his knees gripping his sword. His vision blurred as he tried to get up. The masked figure appeared in front of him as he passed out, the last thing he heard was Toshiro calling his name as a wall of ice appeared in front of him.

Toshiro gripped his zanpakuto and glared at the robed figure in front of him. Netto be safe. He had gotten here as fast as he could and found his friend unconscious. "Who are you?" he growled as he assumed a fighting stance.

The figure laughed. "Foolish Shinigami."

Netto please be ok. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see his unconscious friend lying on the ground. I'll avenge you here and now.

The air around him became cold as he charged at the robed figure. A sword met his zanpakuto and the two exchanged blows. His brow furrowed as he realized this thing was managing to keep up with him.

He swung his blade and the robed figure dodged it and leaped back. "Foolish Shinigami, I'll make sure you perish. Cero!"

His eyes widened as a wave of red energy hit him. Shit. He quickly activated his shikai and slammed his blade into the ground summoning a wall of ice to block the attack.

A large explosion rocked the area. He swore as he swung his sword and sent a wave of ice at the figure but the robed figure merely turned around and ran.

Damn it I thinks things are getting more complicated. He sheathed his sword and quickly went over to Netto. After checking his vitals he breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."

Netto's mind was spinning as he found himself in the darkness. Suddenly above him he saw a bright light form.

He winced as the light took the shape of a long bright dragon surrounded by a sea of bright white flames. "T-Taiyo?" The name came to his head, it mean sun in Japanese and for a creature this bright it was a good name.

The dragon nodded. "Nice to finally meet you in person."

He smiled at it. "Thanks for helping out."

"Keep training hard. You'll have many more challenges up ahead," Taiyo said before disappearing into his mind.

When he woke up he found himself on a futon in Urahara's place. "Wh-What am I doing here?"

"You were out for a few hours," Yoruichi said by his side.

He sat up. "My friends are they ok?"

"They're fine," Toshiro said. The white haired boy was sipping tea his face calm as snow. "They weren't harmed but police think it was a gas leak."

"That's good," he said breathing a sigh of relief he picked up his zanpakuto. "I figured out its name."

Yoruichi nodded. "Please tell us what happened."

He nodded and explained everything from the masked kid to the hollow attack. Toshiro's brow furrowed but neither he nor his teacher spoke.

"What was the masked thing?" he asked.

Toshiro frowned. "I have my theories but I'll have to investigate more." The white haired boy stood up. "Sorry to say this but your fight caught the attention of the Soul Society, I suggest hanging low for a bit."

"Fine," he muttered as he looked at his Zanpakuto in his hand. I won't let anyone hurt them. With that he closed his eyes and went back to sleep