Hollow Hero

by DarkPhoenixKing

Hundreds of years after a tragedy that never should have happened. A young Izuku Midoriya finds himself on a path haunted by love, loss, and the roars of creatures beyond the mortal coil. Let us see if he can become... the Hollow Hero.

6. Empty Whispers

The next month was rough for everyone. Izuku was distant, again. Hollow attacks were on the rise, but the Hunter was nowhere to be seen. It was eerie just how quiet Musutafu was without him, and suddenly the three reapers found themselves the only line of defense left. The trio of girls knew something was bothering Izuku, and Ibara seemed to believe it was the revelation that the monster that killed his father might be the hollow he had learned so much from, but only Pony knew the truth, and she was the one who was worried the most. As a result Pony had the other two stay behind while she snapped him out of his funk. Since Izuku refused to give her a chance any other way, Pony decided to play dirty and talk to Itsuka.

His students noticed the subtle shift in their master's mood as well. He was just as kind and informative, but also sad and withdrawn. His fire still burned, but it was smaller and flickering. When Itsuka came in with a mischievous grin, they were hopeful. If anyone could get him back to his usual inferno it was her, so they were shocked when they heard her declare, "Midoriya-dono, you have a new challenger. Get ready."

Izuku groaned, "I'm not in the mood, Itsuka. Can I just defer to my best student?"

That's when they saw a short horned blond walk in wearing a white gai, and an angry look, "No, you can not. Izuku Midoriya, I challenge you specifically. I'm not leaving until you fight me."

Itsuka chuckled, "You heard her Izu. I don't know what you did, but this little blondie has a bone to pick with you."

Izuku sighed, "Fine. You win Tsunotori." The students moved aside to make room, and watched as their sensei and the challenger got into position. With Itsuka as referee, they began the fight, but much to the students surprise, the blonde wasn't using a normal boken.

Instead, she had a pair of incredibly short knife-like wooden blades, and Izuku never closed his eyes. Never before had they seen anyone push their sensei much less make him get truly serious, but Izuku fought in silence. No tips, comments, or hints, only an intense duel between two serious combatants that caught even Itsuka off guard. Strike after strike, block after block, they weaved a dance of skill with a growing smile on each of their lips, until Izuku finally managed to defeat Pony. Knocking her blades aside, Izuku managed to drive Pony to the ground, but she didn't seem angry or bothered. Instead there was something similar to excitement in her eyes. When he reached down to help her up, Pony accepted, but didn't stop as she didn't just stand back up. Everyone watched as the blonde kept moving until she collided with Izuku's face in an intense kiss that made everyone freeze, except Izuku. He seemed to melt in pleasure. A new kind of hunger burning in his heart.

When they separated, Pony smiled, "You won the spar, but I won a greater prize. Talk to me, please. Stop shutting me out."

Itsuka stomped over, "GET OUT! HOW DARE YOU PHYSICALLY ASSAULT ONE OF OUR INSTRUCTORS IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS NOT THE DEAL, YOU CRAZY BIT-"

Izuku held up a hand, and Itsuka felt the room suddenly get warmer, "Itsuka, I would be very careful what you call her. She didn't assault me. She was just giving me a reward for winning. One I happily accept."

Itsuka looked shocked and confused, so Pony spoke up, "Izu was being an evasive ass, and refused to talk to me about what was wrong, so as his girlfriend… I took drastic measures. Sorry, I didn't tell you everything, but I needed to convince you to let me do this, and I didn't want you to think I was just a crazy stalker or something."

Izuku smiled, and pulled Pony close, "Crazy, yes. Stalker, no. Thank you, my ram. I needed that." Getting a devious look, Izuku smirked at Itsuka, "How about this? Why don't you two spar next? I think it will help you two get on the same page."

Itsuka scoffed, "Why would I do that? Didn't she just declare herself your girlfriend? Are you really that big of an ass that you want me to kick her out?"

Izuku actually laughed at that, "Suki, that's only if you win, and I honestly don't think you will."

Pony sighed, "Now, Izu. I don't want to embarrass your big sister in her own dojo. That would be rude, and a terrible first impression."

Itsuka's eye twitched, "Ok, half-pint. You've got your match, but when you lose I want you to stay away from MY dojo, and MY Izuku. I don't care how good you are with a blade, nobody's taking my little bro away from me without a fight."

Taking Itsuka's previous position, Izuku declared, "Now I want a clean match. No hair pulling, or eye gouging, but quirks are allowed. Now, FIGHT!"

Pony took the offensive first with a powerful right straight, but Itsuka weaved around it. Preparing a counter punch to Pony's stomach, Itsuka tried to take the initiative, but Pony managed to twist and turn it into the faintest of glancing blows. Continuing the twist, Pony managed to land a roundhouse kick to Itsuka's side, but like the glancing blow she received it didn't amount to much. Pony smiled, "Your form is great, Kendo-chan, but you need to relax." Itsuka lip started to twitch in annoyance, and she rushed toward Pony with a flurry of punches that Pony seemed to effortlessly weave around, until Itsuka smirked, her stance gave a slight shift, and a jab that Pony thought she dodged suddenly slammed into her hip as the fist grew massive out of nowhere.

As Pony pulled herself shakily up from the floor, Itsuka smirked, "How was that? Still want to tease and make jokes? Izuku might be too nice to tell you to leave, but I will. If you can't even land a solid hit, you should get lost, and stop playing with his heart."

Pony took a deep breath and shifted her stance, "Maybe you're right. He is too good for me, but I won't stop fighting. I've been thinking about it all month, and I finally got my priorities straightened out. I… I love him, and I'm going to fight for him. I won't be stopped. I'll get stronger until I can stand on equal ground with him, and then I'll go even further. I'm not good enough now, but I'll get there… or die trying!"

As the two young women charged to continue their match, Kamakiri snuck over to talk to Izuku while he kept an eye on the match, and found his sensei smiling. Kamakiri had spent twice a week for the last month with the green teen, and had fought him quite a few times, but never once had he seen Izuku look so… pleased… excited… overjoyed? Kamakiri wasn't sure what to call it, but it made the mantis almost jealous. Hearing his student scoff, Izuku spoke without shifting his focus, "Yes, Kama-san? You know I encourage questions. Sometimes we both learn something from the conversation."

Kamakiri rolled his eyes, "I never took you as the two timing sort."

Izuku's face soured, "I'm going to act like you didn't just imply that I was anything but faithful."

Kamakiri growled, "Act any way you like. We both know I'm not strong enough to stop you, but we also know you can't keep it up anymore now that your girlfriends know about each other."

Izuku let out a long breath, "Kendo and I are not together. Was there a time, years ago when we tried it out, yes, but we agreed we weren't what each other wanted. I'm a one woman man and so is she."

Kamakiri scoffed again, "Then why is she so invested in your love life? Because this whole sibling thing is ridiculous, and you're not fooling anyone, cheater."

Izuku grumbled, "You have no idea what you're talking about, and I'd stop prying if you don't want to find out just how many laps I can make you run. Itsuka will never be interested in me like that, now drop it!"

Suddenly they heard a roar as Pony ducked under an enlarged punch and managed to send a strong uppercut directly into Itsuka's jaw, lifting her off the ground. Even as she fell, Pony could tell Itsuka was still very conscious and only momentarily stunned. Knowing she would recover quickly, Pony followed up by driving Itsuka into the mat with a palm strike to her sternum. Itsuka tried to roll away, but Pony continued to press with stomping kicks. Seeing an opening, Itsuka swept Pony's other leg, and quickly pinned the smaller girl beneath her. Looking up, Pony saw something she didn't expect. Itsuka's eyes were starting to blow out, and she was starting to breathe heavier… and it wasn't from being out of breath. Itsuka's pin wasn't as sturdy as her previous attacks, so Pony was able to flip the pin and end up on top, but that seemed to only make the situation worse. Itsuka was almost vibrating and her eyes pleaded as she whispered too quietly for anyone but Pony and Izuku to hear, "Do it. Take whatever you want… take me… claim your prize."

And that's when Izuku called the match. Like a bubble, Itsuka seemed to snap out of her heated trance and tried to look away in shame, but Pony continued to hold her with a look of understanding. Seeing the situation, Izuku cleared the room and locked it making sure that nobody could see or interrupt the three. Only then did Pony release Itsuka, who just crawled away hugging herself in shame, but then she felt Izuku's warm comforting presence, his arms open… an invitation. An Invitation that Itsuka took as she let her strong demeanor drop and cried, begging Izuku to forgive her, but Izuku just held her rubbed circles on Itsuka's back. With a nonjudgmental smile, Izuku comforted her, "It's ok, Suki. I still don't judge you for what you like, and honestly I can't blame you. Pony might be small, but she's strong and beautiful. She managed to bulldoze her way into my heart, so I'd be a hypocrite if I got mad. I'm sorry for tempting you like that."

Pony walked closer, but didn't crowd them as she sighed, "I'm not mad either. I'll admit I'm surprised, but I think I understand. It's hard being strong, being responsible, in control all the time, and stuck in a cage of others' needs. Sometimes… you just wish someone else would take control, and free you from that cage."

Itsuka shuddered, "I'm the strongest girl in my school. Have been for most of my life. I-I love getting stronger. Pushing myself past my limits is a rush, but because of that… I'm not desirable. I couldn't care less what boys think, but other girls… I'm either a brute or a freak. Even the other gym rats like me don't find me appealing. I'm just a trainer, a big sister, or someone to confide in, but I can't tell anyone about… this. I'm sorry Tsunotori-chan. I couldn't help it. I-I want… but it has to be real. If I don't fight back it just feels cheap and dirty, and then you actually did it and…" Itsuka shuddered again, "What's wrong with me? Why can't I just be normal?"

That's when Itsuka found herself sandwiched between Izuku and Pony in a tight embrace. Pony gave her a stern but tender look,"Kendo-chan, Itsuka, there's nothing wrong with you. You're strong, smart, and beautiful… just like me." Pony winked, and started to smile, "So what if you like what you like. It doesn't make you any less normal. I might not be your soulmate, but she's out there, and I'm going to tell you a secret… I know at least twenty women stronger than me back home. You will find her, the one who will love you, and be just as happy as you to make your fantasies come true. You just need to be patient. I never thought I'd find my person, but then I met Izuku, and everything just clicked. Until you find her, I'll train with you to get even stronger, but I'm never going to be who you're looking for, ok?"

Itsuka nodded, and sniffled, "Izuku, you'd better treat this girl right, or I'm going to find a way to beat you up. Am I clear?"

Izuku sighed, "Don't worry Suki. I'd die for her. Anything for my ram."

Itsuka scoffed, "As if. Nobody is that strong… well maybe All Might or Stars n' Stripes, but their heroes." Itsuka wiped her face to remove as much evidence as possible of her breakdown, and gave Izuku a stern look, "The Yuuei entrance exam is in eleven months. You'd better train hard little bro. Failure is not the Battle Fist way."

The three teens stood up, and Izuku chuckled, "That's right, Suki-neesan, and Yuuei is home to some of the strongest up and comers in the country. I'm sure you'll find a cute girl to step on you there."

Itsuka blushed, "SHUT UP! I'm not a pervert… but thanks Izu. You're a great guy."

Pony winked at Itsuka as she grabbed Izuku and held him close, "Mine! You said I could take him if I won. I'll share, but he's my Izu now."

Itsuka laughed, "Well you better keep your guard up than. If you slip, and I beat you, I'll take him back. Now come on you little spit fire, I have a mini fridge in the girls locker room that's only for female staff, and I figure I owe my future sister in law a cold sweet tea or bottle of water after that spar."

Pony blushed and looked away with a smile, "Quick. Izuku help, she's trying to offer me a drink and get me naked. Save me, I'm too cute for my own good! She'll surely have her way with me!"

Izuku chuckled, "Can I watch? That sounds like a once in a lifetime show, my feisty ram."

Itsuka rolled her eyes, "Pair a perverts, both of ya. Last time I try to be nice." All the same, Pony followed Itsuka into the ladies locker room like nothing happened.

Izuku went to get himself cleaned up, and smiled until he heard a voice in his head, "You're lucky to have them, pup. Love them while you can. Life is short for some, and you never know when it can end." Izuku scowled and got ready for school.

Over the next week, Izuku slowly stopped running away from the reaper trio, and they started hanging out more. Izuku still disappeared constantly, but the trio finally figured out why he did so. Izuku had a half-dozen part time jobs on top of helping numerous spirits with unfinished business in exchange for bank account numbers. Was it moral, no, but when confronted about it Izuku rolled his eyes, "The dead have no way to access the money they leave behind, and I only empty the accounts of those without living relatives. I'm not a monster, and sometimes unfinished business can get expensive. Case in point, I met a woman who couldn't move on until she knew her orphan daughter would be taken care of. I set up an anonymous trust to make sure she had a home, food, and the possibility of going to college. None of that was cheap, so if I have to transfer a few thousand yen from some cheapskate that thought their money would keep them warm, I'll do it."

That's also how his deal with Detective Tsukauchi came to light, and why Izuku spent so much time doing less than heroic work. Izuku worked as an informant thanks to his unexpected friendship with a known villain, Kendo Rappa. Izuku had met him by chance when he was jogging around one morning when he was ten. Izuku thought the man was going to get jumped, so he jumped them instead… and won. Rappa had found the situation hilarious, and offered him a job. Izuku liked the man if he was being honest, but having a detective around to help vouch for Izuku when he tried to enter Yuuei was very valuable. Unfortunately, Tsukauchi needed his help with a different matter at that moment. A number of teens were going missing in his area, and the police couldn't figure out how or why, but the fact that a majority were teen girls didn't fill the detective with any good feelings.

Given that Pony refused to stay away, and actively started helping Izuku on some of his jobs (in order to spend more time with her boyfriend), she ended up taking on a new persona as well, Lady Ram, Entei's number two. Pony was apprehensive about it at first, but hiding behind the ram skull mask was oddly empowering. Sure it wasn't a real hollow mask, and Ibara was enraged the first time she saw it, but once they explained, Ibara allowed it as a 'training opportunity' and 'providing Izuku with valuable backup'. What Ibara wasn't willing to accept was how often Pony ended up staying the night with Izuku. It was all innocent, and more often than not Pony just ended up napping on his chest after a long job, but regardless of whether it was on Inko's couch or not, Ibara wasn't happy.

Currently, they were trying a different plan to track down what was going on with the missing teens. Reiko and Pony were playing the role of normal 'vulnerable' teens hanging out at different ends of the local mall with Ibara and Izuku watching their backs from above. In theory they fit the pattern, but neither Izuku nor Ibara liked it. That was how both greenette's ended up spending four hours just watching and waiting as their 'victim' went about and had fun. There had been a point where both girls met up and walked into a particular store that made Ibara seeth and Izuku blush. The store in question was one of the numerous clothing stores, but this one had a lingerie section in the back. As a result, not only were both greenette's subjected to watching the others try on admittedly cute outfits, but Izuku had to try incredibly hard not to get a nosebleed at Pony in a number of more risky pieces. More than once, Izuku saw Reiko look back and blush in the direction of Ibara, but not once did his cousin seem to share his troubles with desire.

After a while, the duo separated to return to their 'vulnerable solo excursions', but not before buying a few new outfits much to Ibara's frustration. Reiko went to start her favorite pastime of people watching and checking for new additions to her growing library. Pony on the other hand flitted about like a honey bee, training gear, shiny accessories, blades and blade care products, and manga. It was an eclectic ride, but it only made Izuku smile. He loved the adorable little whirlwind, and wouldn't change a thing about her.

The foursome were preparing to call it quits and try again another day, when a dark-haired boy suddenly grabbed Reiko, but he looked terrified, "Yanagi! Thank Kami! You have to help me. Something's after me and it just keeps coming! I hear it slithering in the dark! Please, Yanagi, you gotta help me!"

It took a second for Reiko to identify the boy, but then she saw past the eyebags and disheveled clothes and tilted her head, "Diechi?"

Unfortunately, that's when things went to hell. From out of a few shadows tentacles with snake-like heads came sticking out catching Diechi in one of their fangs while another coiled around Reiko. Ibara tried to attack, and managed to sever a few tentacles, but she was quickly overwhelmed and forced to watch as Reiko was dragged away into a shadow. The act of severing the tentacles seemed to hurt the hollow though because it roared in pain causing Pony and Izuku to hear along with everyone else in the mall, resulting in a stampede. Izuku tried to get to Pony, but she yelled for him to save Reiko first, and while he hated it… he did as he was told. Rushing to Ibara, Izuku managed to fight back the tentacles before they could kill or capture her as well, but then they all seemed to retreat leaving both reapers growling.

Ibara grabbed Izuku by the collar, "Where were you? I know a hollow of that level shouldn't have been a problem for you, so why didn't you save her? You didn't even release your zanpakuto!"

Izuku scowled but spoke in an icy, even tone, "Be happy I didn't, cousin. If I had, every soul in this mall, including you, would have been cremated. Do not lecture or question me, Ibara. You have no idea what I'm capable of, and you have no right to judge. You're supposed to be a seated officer! Why didn't you stop it yourself?" Izuku let out a calming breath, "This doesn't matter. Reiko is gone. We need to reunite with Pony and come up with a plan to save our book worm." Ibara nodded after calming down as well.

Together they tried to find Pony, but she had disappeared as well. Much to Ibara's horror… Izuku didn't take the news well. Once more, Ibara felt the ungodly heavy pressure of Izuku's spirit, but this time it was so much worse. Flames licked at his feet turning the concrete and asphalt beneath to molten tar and slag even as emerald lightning arched up and down his arms begging for release. Rocketing up, Ibara watched as he seemed to explode with a crack of thunder and at the highest point of his jump… it was like a second sun just sprang into existence. An emerald ball of flaming death, but then it condensed. From that distance Ibara couldn't see it as Izuku drew it all back in his sclera pitch black as he swore… whomever this hollow was, he was going to enjoy feeling its bones crunch for touching his Ram.

Elsewhere, Pony and Ibara found themselves wrapped in shadows and unable to separate from their gigai. Neither was hurt, but it infuriated the shorter girl that she had been rendered so weak. Reiko reminded her that they would be fine and that Izuku and Ibara would be there soon to kill this hollow degenerate, but it only helped so much.

Then they heard laughter and an octopus-like hollow with dozens of those snake- like tentacles rose from the dark, "Neither of you tasty morsels are going to escape me again. Now that I've taken care of Diechi, nobody will be able to stop me from having my fun." The Snakedapuss licked its lips and leered at Reiko, "You little Yanagi have been on my list for a long time. I'll enjoy exploring every inch of your pale body, maybe I'll even show you what you missed out on when you rejected me, before I take my time eating you as slowly as possible. I so enjoy hearing my prey moan in ecstasy just before their souls become mine to play with."

Pony stepped in front of her now deeply terrified friend, and seethed, "I think not you slimy prick. You're dead. As soon as Izuku gets here he'll-"

Pony was slapped across the face by a tentacle and sent flying onto a wall, "DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT THAT OVER INFLATED TOOL, YOU SLUT. IF MY MASTER DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE PLANS FOR YOU I WOULD BE VIOLATING YOUR EVERY ORIFICE OUT OF SPITE ALONE. COMPARED TO YOU, YANAGI IS IN FOR HEAVEN. I KNOW WHAT HE PLANS TO DO WITH YOU, AND YOU'LL WISH I HAD KEPT YOU BY THE TIME HE'S DONE. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT LITTLE UPSTART FINALLY GET WHAT HE DESERVES AS HE WATCHES YOU BEG FOR DEATH. MINOWRATH WILL HAVE HIS REVENGE AND I CAN'T WAIT." The Snakedapuss spews a cloud of sickly yellow smoke into the room, and soon both girls were forced back into unconsciousness. Their final thoughts, a silent prayer that their teammates would save them… before anything else could happen.

Once Izuku calmed down and returned to Ibara with a look of regret for his outburst, they got to work. Ibara revealed a secret she had come up with when they had been alone the night before. It wasn't uncommon to place tracking seals on prisoners of the Gotei, just on the off chance someone actually figured out a way to escape. With this idea in mind, Reiko had volunteered to let Ibara temporarily place one on her just in case they were separated, and since they didn't know how the girls were being kidnapped, Ibara agreed. Her seal wouldn't be anywhere near as potent as what squad two used, but it would hopefully be enough.

Tracking the seal ended up taking a few hours, and by the time they got close to the small abandoned warehouse it brought them to it was getting late. Ibara could sense the presences of at least two hollows, but for Izuku… this place both revolted him and made his hollow salivate. The despair, pain, and sadness present around this place was pungent enough that he had started smelling it from blocks away, but with Ibara present he had to keep his hollow impulses suppressed.

Creeping closer, Izuku tried to separate off, but Ibara wouldn't have it. In her mind it would take both of them to take out the hollow from the mall, and whoever the other hollow was… it felt even stronger. Once inside, they suddenly heard the doors slam shut and cover themselves in inky black shadows to prevent anyone from escaping. From all around them came a laughing voice that Izuku swore he had heard before.

Welcome little reapers to my playground of moans and screams. Don't worry, once I've finished my business with Midoriya, I'm sure you and I can find our own enjoyment lady shinigami. But until then… enjoy a little time with my harem. They'll be happy to get you all warm and loose for me.

The hollow laughed, but Izuku hissed, "Tokomichi, what happened to you? I knew you were a bit of a pervert… but this is a couple dozen levels beyond deprived. Not to mention, Diechi was your best friend. How could you toy with him like that?"

From out of the shadows came a half dozen pale doll-like figures in torn and tattered clothes. Every one of them was female, but it was impossible to tell who they once were due to the masks that had been forced onto them. Every last one displaying a twisted look of euphoric bliss. They attacked in a feral twisted mockery of ballet, but as they fought… the voice returned.

Tokomichi is gone. I have been reborn as the Defiler. My master saved me from that torment. I am no longer an errand boy for a rich prick, scrounging off of his scraps like a parasite. I can have whoever I want whenever I want. He chuckles. And at this moment I'm hungry for a sweet little nerd. I don't usually wait this long to sample my meals, but I wanted you to hear her beg. Hear her moan, and know you're powerless to stop me. Oh how I wish I could taste your whore, but she is not mine to have. Hurry hurry reapers or there won't be much left of little Yanagi to save. He laughed even harder before falling silent.

Ibara's face darkened and she made a whipping motion with her zanpakuto, "Fu shinkō-sha o basseyo, Tsuru no kogo! (Punish the faithless, Vine Empress!)" In a flash of green light and an explosion of rose petals Ibara's blade became a cat-o-nine-tails with a grip made of sturdy bark and nine red thorn covered green vine tails. Now that her blade was released, Ibara became a whirling blade of devastation using one hand to fire kido spells and the other to whip back attacks. Her every strike was punctuated with a prayer for the victims and an oath to bring them the peace they were denied.

Izuku wanted to help, but with the situation as dire as it was he had to make a choice, and after Ibara gave him a nod, he ran deeper into the warehouse and up a flight of stairs. Hopefully he'd luck out and find his friend and girlfriend soon, otherwise he might burn down Kyoto out of frustration. As he prepared to come around a corner, Izuku suddenly felt a heavy hoofed foot slam into his abdomen and send him through the wall.

Looking down from the new hole in the second floor and smirking at Izuku was a buff man in a white shihakusko. If not for the single bull horn mask piece on his head and the bone nose ring he might have passed for a soul reaper, but Izuku could feel his hollow reiatsu. He wasn't sure what or who the guy was, but he clearly wasn't any average hollow or reaper. The man laughed, and it sounded familiar to Izuku, "Hello again Entei. It's nice to finally see you face to face, but my boss wants you out of the way, and I'm happy to oblige. This time you'll be the one with a busted neck!"

Inside, Ibara had just finished purifying Defiler's poor victims, when the beast himself appeared from out of a dark corner on the ceiling, "That wasn't very nice! Now I'll have to create another harem to meet my needs. Well at least I'll have a solid start, once I strip you and little Yanagi here of your wills to fight."

Ibara scowled, "Let my friend go, you disgusting pervert! Do so, and maybe the Soul King will take pity on your blackened soul."

Defiler laughed, "I don't think so." Much to her horror, Defiler extended his tongue and licked Yanagi's cheek, making her shutter and whimper in disgust, "I knew she would be sweet, but I didn't expect this. So much repressed longing, sadness, and pain. It's positively addicting. I can't wait until I can play with you both. Maybe I'll take turns… make each of you watch as I have my fun. Really drive home the horror and guilt." Defiler's eyes flashed and he let out a perverse growl, "I'm salivating already."

Ibara reacted quickly as a pair of tentacles tried to sneak up on her and immobilize her. Bringing her Tsuru no kogo down, the thorns cut deep and flayed bits of reiatsu off of the tentacles making them recoil. With her other hand, Ibara cast another spell that fired a blast of light in an attempt to push them back further, but she missed. Not that it mattered, the flash had been enough to banish the shadows for an instant, and in the instant whatever the hollow had been using to allow his tentacles to extend through the darkness came to an end causing them to be severed anyway.

As the hollow roared in rage, Ibara took the opportunity to prepare her counter attack. With a small prayer, Ibara slammed her Tsuru no kogo into the ground and cried out, "Kuiaratame no muchiuchi! (Repentant Lashes!)" All around the room thorned vines burst from the floor and lashed at not only the hollow, but also his tentacles. Rushing forward, and leaving her weapon anchored to the floor, Ibara managed to catch Yanagi before she could hit the ground.

Defiler screams in rage and pain, "YOU BITCH. I OFFER YOU PLEASURE AND YOU GIVE ME PAIN! FORGET THE NICETIES, I'M GOING TO SWALLOW YOUR SOUL WHOLE!"

He lumbered forward on the stumps of his regenerating tentacles, but before he could attack both girls let out a shout, "Shakkaho!" From their palms came two fireballs that swirled into one large fireball just before it slammed into Defiler's mask, shattering it and causing the hollow to stumble back in pain. From behind him, formed a pair of skeletal doors that opened allowing him to tumble inside before the doors slammed shut once more and evaporated.

Outside, Izuku was leading the odd hollow man as far away as he could from the others. The whole way, he was forced to endure jabs at his 'cowardice', how 'pathetic' he was, or the odd comment about how he would finally get to claim 'the little filly' and 'show her what a real man looks like'. Izuku ignored it all, until he deemed they were far enough away, and he suddenly turned while forming his hollow mask. Izuku used the hollows last comment to pinpoint a direction, and with both blades drawn he rushed forward.

The hollow laughed, "Finally! I thought you'd never stop running like a bitch." Drawing his own blade the hollow roared, "Pisotearlos planos, Martillo de buey! (Stomp them flat, Ox Hammer!)"

Izuku tried to push through, but found himself stopped by a pair of hammer-like fists, and as he looked into the now masked face of his opponent he scoffed, "Minotaurous, I should have known."

He laughed, "Actually it's Minowrath now. You snapped my neck, but my new boss saved me. Made me stronger than ever, so now I can return the favor. Can't turn your whore into a brood mare anymore, but don't worry… I fuck her into paste for you later, so she won't miss you long."

Izuku growled, and returned his hollow zanpakuto to its sheath. Before Minowrath could make a snide comment, Izuku made his remaining blade burst into emerald fire, "Tsuki ni hoeyo, -en tei. (Howl at the moon, Flame Emperor.)"

Suddenly an emerald nodochi poked out of the flames and Minowrath felt a deep gash burn across his chest making the bull groan in pain. Around them the buildings began to scorch and melt while the ground grew jagged from repeated hammer blows. Minowrath got lucky and scored a heavy blow to Izuku's face and arm, shattering his mask and breaking his arm, but Minowrath was in far worse condition. One of his arms now lay on the asphalt, abandoned and discarded, while his midsection was crisscrossed with burning cuts and deep gashes.

Just as both combatants were preparing to unleash finishing blows, a black and purple smokey warp opened behind Minowrath and he growled, "Dammit! Fuck! You get to live a little longer, but don't let it go to your head before I can rip it off and mount it on my wall! I'll be back and next time, you're dead!" Minowrath stepped back through the warp, and it disappeared leaving Izuku to rage for half a moment before he remembered something more important was at stake than his pride… Pony.

Stopping only long enough to scoop up his trophy, Minowrath's severed arm, and reseal his blade, Izuku rushed back to the warehouse as fast as he could without hollowfying. He was happy to see Reiko unharmed, even if she was clinging to Ibara like a lifeline. Not long after, they managed to find Pony, still napping away in a corner much to Izuku's relief.

The whole way back to the girls apartment, Izuku never let Pony out of his arms. While usually he would make an excuse to flee before the trio needed to report in, this time he stayed. His arms protectively wrapped around Pony's waist as he just held her. He had come so close to losing her, but that was over now. His love was safe. Ibara wanted to try to force them apart at least long enough to give their report, but Izuku wasn't having it, and soon the seated officer found herself unable to get within arms reach of the two without getting burned. For Pony it felt like a spring day, but Izuku made his position clear, and he was more than willing to be a child about it.

Reiko just sighed in surrender and set up the call to their squad three handler. After a few moments the screen connected, and a different woman answered, "This is squad three, seat thirteen, Tamashi Urada. How may I be of assistance?" Noticing the cuddling duo, Urada tilted her head, but didn't comment.

Before Ibara could respond Izuku spoke up, "My name is Izuku Seikaran'na. Myself and Squad six, seat Eighteen, Ibara Shiozaki have a report to give. I understand my status as a non-placed reaper may cause issues, but this report is too important to stand on ceremony."

Urada tensed and sat straighter before nodding, "I understand Seikaran'na-sama. I will receive your report and pass it along to my Captain. Beyond that, I'm afraid that is all I can do."

Izuku nodded, and the others just continued to gape at Izuku. For them it became a certainty, Ibara was no longer their leader. She had been completely supplanted by the young man before them… a captain in all but name. He described how one of his contacts had reached out about a string of missing girls, and how he had agreed to look into it given it was in the same city as the recent sighting of Minowrath. He disclosed the pertinent details about their plan to draw out the ones responsible and how it had failed. Feeling him start to get emotional, Pony took his hand to steady him, and Izuku gave her hand a squeeze in thanks.

"After that, Shiozaki-san and I followed their back up plan to a warehouse. I will be informing the living police of its location after this briefing, so that we can prevent any further interference from them while my team investigates further. Inside we were attacked by a half dozen hollow-like beings under the control of an octopus-like hollow of upper menos or lower Adjuntas strength. It implied they were the remains of the hollows other victims, but that cannot be confirmed. Given the circumstances, I left Shiozaki to handle our first contacts while I looked for their boss and/or our allies. I will leave the details of what happened after to Shiozaki. While I was searching, I ran into another hollow-like being that identified itself as Minowrath."

That caused everyone to look at Izuku with baited breath until Urada interjected, "Seikaran'na-sama, if you could describe him this could be a huge break!"

Izuku sighed, "About six feet pre-transformation and another half a foot post, two sixty pre and three forty post in terms of visible weight. The part that bothers me is that in his first form most of his mask was missing with only a single horn and his nose ring remaining. He had a zanpakuto that he released, and once he did his mask reformed. He fought with powerful gauntlets that seemed able to shake the earth."

Urada paled, "Not that I'm doubting you, sir, but that is an extreme claim. Do you have any proof?"

Izuku reached down and held out the severed arm, "I managed to take this during the resulting fight. He broke mine, but I figured that squad twelve may be able to use this to track him, so I scooped it up. He escaped through some kind of warp related quirk, so I'm assuming he has living allies. No further details at this time. If the situation changes, I will submit an addendum or further report with said updates. Seeing as that completes my account I will make that call, if this bastard is really getting living support, I have to make sure to steer the living authorities away. This is Gotei business and they are unprepared for this level of danger."

Urada bowed her head, "Of course sir. Proceed as intended. Once I am done receiving Shiozaki-san's account I will pass this along immediately to the captain. I believe Yanagi-san can handle sending us the evidence. On behalf of Soul Society, thank you for your diligence."

Izuku nodded, and began to walk to Pony's room. Pony of course helped support him and guided him until the door was firmly shut. Once it was, Pony gave Izuku a hard glare and asked, "How much of that was bullshit?"

Izuku held up a finger for patience while he made his call, "Tsukauchi, its Entei. I'm going to send you an address linked to the missing girl case. The perpetrator is gone, but the girls are all deceased, remains lost. It appears Minotaurous isn't as dead as we thought, and he has a new boss. I almost had him, but he had help escaping. Some misty black portal quirk, I don't know. Regardless, there shouldn't be any more missing girls for the time being, but whomever that assholes new boss is has to be strong. Mino seems devoted, and he nearly kicked my ass. This case is now black taped, unless you want a bloodbath on your hands. Fucker broke my arm, so I'll be dark for at least a week. Call if you need clarification. Over and out."

Izuku hung up the phone, and groaned before giving Pony a sad look, "I told them both what they needed to hear, but this is a shit show. I'm sorry, my ram. I failed you today."

Pony let out a groan, before returning to Izuku's lap and snuggling up to him, "No you didn't. It was just bad luck, but… Izuku… I want you to train me. I need to get stronger, and training with you is my best shot."

Izuku held her close, "Fine. I'll do what I can, but I don't know how much I can help."

Pony gave him a kiss, "Does this mean I can finally see your sword unsealed?"

Izuku rolled his eyes, but after a moment he sighed, "Entei is fickle and doesn't feel like it yet."

Pony winked, "What if that's not the sword I'm talking about?"

Izuku blushed, "Now hold on, little ram! I'm not saying no, but-"

"You haven't really fought with Lobo since that day on the roof. I know it's… awkward, but he's a part of you too," whispered Pony. She gave him another wink, "You didn't think I was implying anything dirty, did you? I'll have to know my parents raised a lady… you're going to have to try a lot harder if you want me to even consider anything lewd."

Izuku smirked, "I could always just propose."

Pony blushed and gaped, "Not funny!" Pony pouted, but they continued to snuggle. For right now, it's all either really wanted.

An hour later, Ibara stormed into the room prepared to lecture, but just found the two holding each other close. Reiko let out a jealous sigh behind her, "They're really cute together. We should let them sleep. You heard Soul Society. They're pissed that we don't have any results to show."

Ibara sighed, "They've cut our support. Starting tomorrow we'll be on our own until we can show results or are recalled. They set us up with backgrounds, but that's it. We'll have to find a new place to live by the end of the week, and jobs to pay for food. I fear we may be in trouble, Rei."

Reiko gave Ibara a hug, "We'll talk to Izuku in the morning. I'm sure he'll know what to do. He won't let us flounder, but are you really ok with this? Him stepping up and leading us like earlier…"

Ibara smiled warmly, "My cousin is a gift from the Soul King. I had my concerns, but I trust him to lead us, so no. I'm fine with this change, and once we've killed that wolf, we can all go back to the Gotei together. With strength like his he'll quickly be named a lieutenant or captain, and I love my squad, but… I may put in for a transfer to where they place him. He's one of the only family members I have left, and Soul King willing, I intend to do all I can to protect him."

Reiko smiled, "Maybe I'll join you then. I've enjoyed my time with him. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he never lies to me or misleads me. He's a good friend and I'm happy to have him to depend on." Both girls walked out of the room, allowing the sleeping duo to keep sleeping, unaware of the trials to come.