As they were patrolling around for hollows who got close to the Seireitei, Ikkaku and Yumichika darted towards the source where they sensed the reiatsu was coming from. It led them to a cave. As they stepped closer towards the entrance, strangely enough there was purple crystals scattered throughout the area. Suddenly, the crystal began to glow, illuminating the darkness of the cavern. It was pulsating as if almost alive.
"Okay, that's not strange at all. Although, they are beautiful, I'd have to admit." Yumichika murmured.
"Come on! Let's go check it out!" Ikkaku told him. Yumichika frowned as Ikkaku and him continued follow the light. At least he didn't have to use kido as a light source, but Yumichika couldn't help but think that these lights were somehow leading him and Ikkaku to something. This had better not be a trap.
As they got closer, Ikkaku and Yumichika saw that there was something inside the large crystal. It was a woman trapped inside. She was perfectly preserved and showed no signs of aging as if frozen in time.
"Who do you think she is?" Yumichika asked.
Suddenly, Ikkaku and Yumichika saw the woman's eyes flash open as she awakened, glowing vibrantly purple. The two soul reapers felt an immense spiritual pressure being released, nearly pushing the two of them to the ground. Ikkaku and Yumichika struggled to keep on their feet as they fought against the high spiritual pressure.
"Whoever she is...she's strong!" Ikkaku smirked. "I was hoping for a fight!"
"Looks like we might be getting one." Yumichika replied. Then the crystal began to crack, splitting diagonally from top to bottom and completely shattered. The woman suspended in the air above Yumichika and Ikkaku before she collapsed to the ground, falling onto her knees. Ikkaku and Yumichika got a better look at her as she was now freed from the crystal. She had long fiery red hair tied up in a ponytail, pale pristine skin but a small, faded scar underneath her chin, wearing a kimono similar fashion to theirs but outdated. She opened her eyes again, revealing emerald-green colored. She saw two men, bald headed man with red marks on the corners of his dark eyes. The other had short dark hair, wisteria colored eyes with two feathers on his right upper and lower lashes. She stared at Yumichika and Ikkaku standing in front of her before her eyes widen a moment. The woman quickly placed her hand on her zanpakuto quickly drawing it out.
Yumichika and Ikkaku kept their hands on their zanpakuto, readying themselves.
"Liberate, bright fang from the sea! Hebimaru!" The woman shouted and beams of purple lights sprouted from her sword, heading towards the two soul reapers. Yumichika and Ikkaku quickly pulled out theirs until they saw the lights flew past. Missing them? The two turned around confused and their eyes widen in surprise to see that the woman was not attacking them but struck a strange shadow like creature.
"What the hell is that!?" Ikkaku exclaimed.
"Is it a hollow? I've never seen one like this before..." Yumichika wondered as well. The creature let out a hollow like shriek in pain before it lunged at the three soul reapers. Ikkaku and Yumichika quickly flash stepped out of the way, dodging the creature's claws. The woman flash stepped out of the way as well, but just barely the creature as it slammed down to the ground. Ikkaku and Yumichika quickly released their zanpakutos into their Shikai forms, transforming their swords into a four sickle blade and a spear staff.
"I'll hold them off! You get that woman out of here!" Ikkaku shouted. Ikkaku charged at the hollow and started to clash with it. Yumichika tried to help him but was smacked back. He was knocked back, landing next to the woman. Yumichika stood up about to charge again when the woman stopped him.
"He has no chance at beating it." She told him. Yumichika turned back towards Ikkaku as he fought against the shadow hollow, striking at it with his sword. It barely did anything. The hollow smacked Ikkaku away. Ikkaku crashed against the cave wall and fell to the ground with a plop. "Ikkaku!"
"Listen to me..." The woman grabbed Yumichika's hand, and he turned back to her. "If we're to have a chance at beating this thing. You have to trust me. I'm your only chance."
"What are you saying?"
"I know this is going to sound weird, I need you to come closer." She spoke. Yumichika stared at her for a moment, pondering on whether he should trust her or not. He slowly bent down on one knee, leaning in closer. The woman smiled and reached up placing her hand on Yumichika's cheek. "Perfect. Just like that. You may feel weak in the legs at first but it'll pass." She leaned closer to Yumichika. Yumichika's eyes widen as he saw her drew closer and he felt her lips press against his. Ikkaku groaned as he got up. He felt blood run down from his eyebrow when the creature scratched him and wiped it off.
"Hey! Yumichika! What's going on over there!?" Ikkaku shouted. Ikkaku turned his head to see what was taking his friend so long. Ikkaku's eyes widen when he saw Yumichika and the woman, kissing?
"Are you serious!? Stop fooling around!" Ikkaku shouted in disbelief. Then he saw Yumichika collapse on the ground. "Yumichika!" The woman stood up, facing towards Ikkaku and the shadow hollow, walking over towards them.
"Hey! You! What did you do to him!?" Ikkaku demanded. The woman walked passed him, narrowing her eyes on the hollow.
"I only borrowed a little bit of his spiritual pressure. He'll be fine." She told Ikkaku. She smirked a dangerous grin. "In fact, I feel great! He gave me just the kick I need!" Within a blink of an eye, Ikkaku saw her quickly flash stepped, disappearing, then reappeared above the shadow hollow's head. She held her sword high above her head then released it into it's shikai state. The sword transformed into a pole like double edge blade and she drove it down. The blade burrowed straight down into the shadow hollow, emitting a purple light. The shadow hollow let out an ear-piercing shriek as it was engulfed within the light, dissolving into pieces as it was defeated.
The woman landed on the ground and turned to Ikkaku and Yumichika, who was struggling to stand up. She sheathed her sword and walked over to them, helping Yumichika up. "Sorry, about that. I couldn't help myself. You looked delicious."
"Who are you!?" Ikkaku shouted as well as Yumichika, as he pushed himself away from her.
"I'm Akari. Akari Agawa." She introduced herself to them. "Who are you two?"
"Ikkaku Madarame." Ikkaku told her.
"Yumichika Ayasegawa." Yumichika told her. "We're from Squad 11." Akari gave them a confused look for a second. Squad 11? But the squads haven't been formed, at least not yet. She laughed but decided to play along.
"Then answer me this; when you found me did you happen to find another body as well. Probably a few feet further away?"
"No? You were the only one here." Yumichika said confused.
"Why?" Ikkaku asked Akari, wondering as well by what she meant. Akari frowned.
"Damn. All that for nothing. He must have gotten away. Which means, I don't have much time left." She hissed, muttering to herself. Before she forgot that Ikkaku and Yumichika were still there. "I know that you two have many questions-"
"A lot actually!" Ikkaku shouted when Akari interrupted him.
"Anyways, I'll explain everything once were back to the castle." She told them.
"Castle?" Yumichika asked her.
"Yeah, castle. You know, the shinigami headquarters, the Seireitei? I can't wait to see it when it's finally finished being built! And we better hurry too. There might be quincies around as well." Yumichika and Ikkaku looked at each other confused before turning back to Akari.
"Just how long were you in there?" Ikkaku asked her.
"I don't know. A few weeks, give or take?"
"I hate break to you but there aren't any quincies left, well except for one. All the quincies were wiped out, nearly almost 1000 years ago." Yumichika told her. Akari's eyes widen in shock. She shook her head.
"No-No, no no! That can't be! I was just here a few days ago." She started to panic.
"I don't know what to say but, It's the truth." Ikkaku told her. If 1000 years really had passed, then everything, everyone, she knew was gone. Please, let her father still be alive. He has to be. As much as she wished it to be, it was very little hope that he was. The shadow hallows, who knows how far they have spread... She failed. Everyone was in danger. The Seireitei was in danger.
"You have to take to me to the Seireitei." She told them. "Please, it's important."
"Okay, we will." Yumichika told her. "But you have to explain everything." Akari nodded, smiling.
"I will. Thank you."