The Second Generation

[Luhy]

(This is a story I wrote about me and several members from BleachForums... so far it's my most popular and most loved story, so I thought I'd share it here XP)

Part 1: The Welcoming

*Twenty years have come and gone... Twenty years since the beginning of Aizen's reign... The heros of Soul Society had fallen one by one to Aizen and his top two espada, and ever since, the real world has been blanketed by darkness... The new generation was born in a world of complete darkness, day and night, ruled by Hollows... The Soul Society was destroyed, the few survivors are stationed around Karakura Town, forming a resistance*

Luhy: *sitting up on a rooftop... listening to the cries of Hollows echoing from every direction* It's just useless...
Mel: How can you say that!? It was you who always told us we need to never give up! We need to get stronger so we can stand a chance in this world!
Luhy: *standing up and turning around* What world!?
Mel: *silently staring back* The world you promised us all... That you saw in your dreams... With a shining sun and people smiling...
Luhy: *looking off the rooftop at Shdo, Kawazoe, Couch, and the Shinigami refugees* You're right... *pulling out his Zanpakutou from behind his back* We're only getting started... *he starts to Shunpo towards the cries of the Hollow, continuing the slaughter*

*Yachiru, Yoruichi and Neriel were all able to survive the war... Yachirus fun-loving spirit died as she grew up in a world of darkness... always remembering Kenchans smile as he took his last breath... seeing her squad bloody and dismembered when she looked for survivors... she's now the head of the front-line of the resistance... Yoruichi has trained us all, the new generation, and taught us about the war, every last detail... Nel escaped because of Ichigo, who gave his last effort to stop Halibel from finishing her by giving himself to his inner Hollow*

Shdo: *pulling out both of his Zanpakutous from the cross-sheaths on his back* Where's Luhy going?... he can't think he's gonna start without me, can he!?
Kawazoe: I guess we have to then, huh? *sliding his blade out from his waists sheath, at least a good 5 feet long, Shunpoing a further distance than Shdo*
Couch: Are you okay Mel? *her hand on her hilt as she stops, just before joining in*
Mel: Yeah... It was just something he said... I'm fine Couch, let's go! *un-latching her double-sided blade from her back, giving it a quick twirl*
Couch: Right... *not trusting that Mel is fine, but accepting it for now as she pulls out her short blade, almost a katana, Shunpoing almost twice as far as everyone with each step*

*The new generation of Shinigami make childsplay out of the Gillian and low-level Arrancar... Everyday there seems to be more... The sun never shines, the birds never chirp... The buildings collapse, the survivors diminish... There used to be many more...*

Kawazoe: It appears we have a guest guys... Split! Naigatama! (two words, meaning, a type of dual-bladed halberd, and a cat with a bladed tail) *stabbing his blade into the concrete ground as it reforms into a thin pole-arm, the blade split into into a V-shape*
Shdo: I can't sense anything... *swinging his blades around as he slices the arms off an 8-armed Arrancar* Is it an Adjuchas?
Couch: Nu-uh...
Mel: It's an... It's what Yachiru and Yoruichi told us about... It's...
Luhy: An espada...

*A portal opens... from the darkness steps forth a figure... the remaining Arrancar and Gillian scatter from the battlefield as the group looks on...*

Kawazoe: Privaron Espada maybe?...
Couch: *opening her eyes wide as she recalls the descriptions of these figures* N...no... Kawa... that's...
Mel: *barely making out their shapes off in the distance* Schiffer, Ulquiorra... and... Jiggsawjuggs, Gumjoy...
Grimmjow: Grimmjow, Jaggerjack, damnit!
Ulquiorra: *taking a step forward* To this point, Aizen-sama has ignored your existance... You show no threat to Aizen-samas power, but to eliminate all hope, we were sent to-
Shdo: Crumble, sabi-no-shu! *Shdo releases his shikai, his blade covers in veins of rust, the second blade disappearing into dust as he Shunpos at the enemy, slicing at Ulquiorra*
Everyone: Shdo! *blood splatters on the ground as he stumbles and slides across the ground*
Ulquiorra: *looking at Shdo on the ground as he grits his teeth, forcing himself to stand as his chest is cut open, Ulquiorra fingertips dripping with blood as he looks at his hand* Foolish...
Kawazoe: Damnit Shdo! *twirling his blade and Flash Stepping to his side as he holds the blade of his weapon in front of Shdos body, the pole at least 13 feet tall as tips of the "V" touch the ground... Kawa starts to heal Shdo, holding onto his weapon with one hand*

*Grimmjow just watches Ulquiorra... knowing that he hasn't left Aizen-samas main hallway, hardly moving, for almost twenty years since the slaughter... Ulquiorra was responsible for single-handedly slaughtering hundreds of thousands, the genocide of Soul Society, while Aizen took care of the remaining Captains with Gin and Tousen*

Yachiru: Picking on the defenseless again, huh Ulquiorra? *appearing behind him with her Zanpakutou at his neck* Luhy, you and Mel are with me... Couch, Kawa and Shdo, you take Grimmjow...

*blood spurts, coating the streets, leaking down the bars of the sewer... the clanging of a Zanpakutou hits the ground*

Part 2: Familiar Visitors

Shdo: Damnit! *spitting blood as it runs down his chin, gritting his teeth*
Grimmjow: You think you're hot stuff don't you, Shinigami? *pulling his Zanpakutou out of Shdos shoulder, letting it spurt again*
Kawazoe: You coward, attacking the injured!
Grimmjow: Coward!? Attacking before your enemy draws it's cowardice! *pointing his blade at Kawa*
Couch: *Flash-stepping to Grimmjows side as she stands in the way of his blade, pulling his hand away and pointing her katana between his eyes* Don't forget we outnumber you, Hollow!

*Ulquiorra is staring at the ground, Yachiru never letting her guard down... she's grown into a shadow of her fomer self physcially... her hair resembling a pink version of Renjis hair when he lets it hang down long, two pigtails of thin hair going over each shoulder... she's filled out as well... and her face is scarred pretty badly... one of her eyes is pure white, probably blind from being injured in a fight, her skin is also much darker...*

Yachiru: Move an inch Ulquiorra... Just move one inch...
Ulquiorra: *he raises his eyes from the ground and blood droplets dripping from his fingers... his head not moving yet* One in-
Yachiru: *tearing her blade across his neck as he Sonidos behind her, his blood spraying her face with small droplets* How!?
Ulquiorra: -ch... *he kicks Yachiru with incredible force, sending her whole body into a ruined building, a huge cloud of smoke forming as the remainder of the building crumbles and falls over her*
Mel: Lady Kusajishi! *rushing over and tossing the cement chunks miles into the distance as she searches for her mentor* Speak to me!

*a burst of Pink reiatsu spirals up into the sky, rocks and hunks of cement fly across the ground, crashing into the other buildings... Yachiru stands tall, lifting her Zanpakutou into the air*

Yachiru: Echo! Yama-biko! (A creature of Japanese folklore that creates sound waves and vibrations said to move mountains... it's also the name of the fastest bullet train in Japan) *her Zanpakutou glows pink as waves of pink reiatsu consume the atmosphere, a piercing scream shrieks, causing everyone on both sides to go near deaf as she Flash-Steps to Ulquiorra, swinging at him as he blocks her attack with him forearm*
Ulquiorra: You have been... *his feet sinking into the cement* hiding power...
Yachiru: More than you know... don't take us lightly! *her white eye turns pink as her reiatsu waves explode, shooting into the sky*
Ulquiorra: Interesting... *looking at his forearm as the blade starts to pierce the hollow skin on his fore-arm, a droplet of blood dripping down his arm* Open... Shiro-bozo... (face-less white ghost)
Yachiru: *her eyes grow wider as her reiatsu waves swirl faster with every syllable Ulquiorra mumbles* No! *she feels her blade sinking into his arm*

*Ulquiorras body turns completely white with Hollow skin... the only part not covered is his face, which is a bare white with white eyes... the black lines down his eyes still there... no mouth or nose on his face... he looks at his arm, his wrist and hand severed off as he watches blood spurt off... his fingers on his one hand tipped with jagged claws*

Ulquiorra: *staring at Yachiru now as he raises his hand at her, charging a Cero*
Yachiru: Uh! Ban...kai! *her blade is now gone... just a glow of concentrated reiatsu takes the place where the blade once was* Come on, Arrancar!
Luhy: Yachiru! Don't be so brave! *rushing at Ulquiorra from behind* Rise, Hotokemurakumo! (roughly meaning a weapon that has killed its owner) *his Zanpakutou turns a pale white, his hand melting with the hilt of his blade, making it unable to let go* Come to life, Hotokemurakumo! *he explodes with speed as his white reiatsu crashes against Yachirus, sandwhiching Ulquiorra as he starts to take his swing at the back of Ulquiorras head*
Ulquiorra: *rearing his arm back as he points it at Luhy, ready to release his Cero*
Yachiru: You fool! *she Shunpos in the way of the blast, taking it instantly in the chest as blood splatters the floor*
Luhy: Yachiru!!! *catching her with his one available arm* Mel... please try to heal Yachiru...

*The violent world this generation was born in, has caused the members of the resistance to be very well-rounded... It's not uncommon for a Shinigami to know how to heal and fight at the level of a seated officer... as well as other techniques...*

Couch: I wouldn't expect any less, Jiggsaw~
Grimmjow: *snarling at Couch* You'll be first to die, woman... *he pulls his arm towards him, moving his head to avoid her katana as he knees her in the stomach, causing her to spit blood*
Kawazoe: Attacking women are we?! *using his polearm to thrust himself, as if pole-vaulting, towards Grimmjow, thrusting his blade at Grimmjow*
Grimmjow: *blocking the attack at the bottom of his V-shaped blade his sword, both blades at each side of his head* You think such a bulky weapon could hurt an Espada?
Kawazoe: Who said I was trying to stab you?...
Grimmjow: *his eyes squint a bit* Huh?...
Kawazoe: Bite, Naigatama! *his pole-arm closes shut, snapping against Grimmjows neck as he Sonidos behind Kawazoe, his stoneskin torn as he bleeds from both sides of his neck*

Grimmjow: You think you're slick, Shinigami? *piercing his blade through Kawazoes stomach*
Kawazoe: Eugh! *spitting blood as Grimmjow twists the blade before dropping his polearm, grasping the blade as his hands bleed to keep his still* Couch!
Grimmjow: *struggling to free his blade, looking over to see where couch was nursing her stomach* Where did you go, woman?
Couch: I thought I was first to die? *forming a Vaizard mask on her face, the design looking similar to the butterfly Soi Fons Tsuzumebachi makes on her enemies body as her katana turns dark purple, gleaming as she stabs it into Grimmjows spine*

Grimmjow: *feeling this reiatsu... remembering Ichigo all those years back...* How!?... *turning around and taking a swipe as Couch re-appears behind him with every swing he takes*
Couch: You can't catch me... Speed is my specialty... This fight is already over Jiggsaw... *she kicks Grimmjow between the legs, sending him racing into the air*
Grimmjow: Damnit... *readying a Cero at Couch as he sees another flashback... remembering how he was plummeting to the ground as he was about to shoot a Cero at Ichigo*

Couch: *appearing above Grimmjow as she smashes her heel into his face, shattering his nose and sending him back to earth* I'm sorry, but you won't get to fight back...
Grimmjow: Roar, Pan-
Couch: What did I just say sweety? *appearing at his face as she grabs the collar of his jacket and thrusts her katana into his chest... her mask cracks... shattering*
Grimmjow: ...ha...hahahaha!...ahaha! *ripping the katana out of his chest and wiping his face as he charges at Couch, slicing her down her torso as she crashes into the concrete below* You know I really hate that ability... looks like I was right afterall... you 'are' first to die, woman! *aiming a fresh Cero at her motionless bloody heap of a body*

Part 3: Shattered Promises

Luhy: Fade to white...Hotokemurakumo~ *raising his blade as surrounding reiatsu from the atmosphere and his body feed into the blade of his Zanpakutou, weakening him and making himself pant as Ulquiorra watches, slightly confused by the display... he charges at Ulquiorra, swinging wildly as Ulquiorra blocks every attack with his one hand*
Mel: Luhy! What are you doing!? *focused on healing Yachiru as she hears the clashing of blades and claws*
Luhy: I'm alright Mel... *his Zanpakutou cracking as he starts to swing harder... almost aiming for Ulquiorras hand for him to defend on purpose*

*a chunk of metal hits the concrete, making a small echo... Yachiru and Mel both open their eyes wide as they look over... a pool of blood where Luhy and Ulquiorra were standing... but no bodies...
everything is white... theres no ground, no sky, no scenery...*

Luhy: Do you like it? This is your new home, Arrancar... *smiling at the beast before him... knowing full-well he isn't strong enough to win...* You seem puzzled... *Shunpoing at Ulqiorra*
Ulquiorra: ... *grabbing the re-assebled blade as he realizes it's not attatched to the Shinigamis opposite arm... maybe some kind of parallel dimension... he pulls Luhy in and lets go of the blade, slashing his back and knocking him to the ground as he steps on him, digging the talons on his feet into his back as he tries to charge a Cero... but nothing happens...*
Luhy: Buh... *gritting his teeth as blood escapes from between them* You don't get it? I linked my soul to my Zanpakutou... then killed her... *inhaling as he tastes his own blood, smiling as he looks at the blood spurts on the non-existant floor* so she sent whoever she was touching... me and you... to a little time-out to think about what we've done...
Ulquiorra: ...*the claws on his fingers extend, like jagged hunting knives as he starts stabbing Luhy like a machine-gun, all whilst wondering if succeeding in killing him will trap him here forever*...

Mel: Yachiru-san... where... where did they go?
Yachiru: *nearly fully healed as she stands up, looking up into the sky* I can't sense either of them... I can't sense Couch either...
Mel: Couch!...

Luhy: Bankai... *coughing blood as his body spasms from the blood loss*
Ulquiorra: ...*he stumbles back, digging his claw into the emptiness to stop from sliding as he tears the floor... the air pressure sucking him in as he looks down to see the battle-field they left behind*
Luhy: *his entire torso, shoulder and arm is covered in a white, resembling Chads Arm of the Devil... the armor on his back extends, giving him a long tail, tipped with a spiked ball... his Zanpakutou is gone, but in its place, he regains double all of the reiatsu he and his Zanpakutou lost from their Shikai* I don't think you'll be going anywhere...
Ulquiorra: ...*slicing at the ground as he rips a very messy hole in the dimension*
Luhy: *racing at Ulquiorra as he shoves his armored hand into his face, throwing him back* Nu-uh!
Ulquiorra: ...*pulling reiatsu from the hole, he starts to charge a Cero*
Luhy: You're stuck here with me! *not giving him a moments rest, he Shunpos behind Ulquiorra, bashing his heel into the back of his neck, knocking him down as his tail follows, crashing into the ground and ripping another hole in the dimension as Ulquiorra Sonidos away, back to digging his hole*
Ulquiorra: ...*finally breaking through as he escapes back, falling back to earth as he lands on his feet, making a nice little crater in the concrete below as he feels his reiatsu returning to him*
Luhy: (Damnit... if he stood up here I could have won...) *suddenly realizing he might be going for Yachiru, who's probably still wounded* Ulquiorra! *racing after him, Shunpoing out of the hole in the dimension*
Ulquiorra: ...*ready for the Shinigami, he releases a Grand Cero, shattering his chest armor and sending him several blocks away to crash into the cornerstone of a shop*

*The sound of Gillians echo Karakura Town... everything that was once so peaceful... has become such a hell on earth... clinging to life... Couch watches the grains of asphalt crumble over her hand, hardly able to move*

Shdo: *sliding his Zanpakutou through Grimmjows Hollow-hole as he tears it up his body, up towards his chest* Don't tell me you forgot about our date *blowing a kiss to mock Grimmjow as the arrancars torso is covered with veins of rust, his stoneskin diminishing as Shdo carries his blade more easily up his body*

Grimmjow: *spitting blood* Roar... Pantera! *Grimmjow turns around and kicks Shdo with his spiked foot, cutting his chest before breaking the Zanpakutou in half, leaving the bladed part still in his chest* You don't know who you're messing with do you?... *staggering as his body spams from the loss of blood all three Shinigami have inflicted on him*
Shdo: Damnit... *looking at the hilt of his blade on the floor behind Grimmjow*
Grimmjow: You don't still think you can win do you?! I hate when lowly Shinigami think they have a chance against me... I'm the strongest Espada! *Sonidoing at Shdo and stabbing his hand through his stomach*
Shdo: *spitting blood in Grimmjows face* You think this is all there is of the resistance?

???: Heads up, Arrancar!
Grimmjow: *opening his eyes wide as something pierces his shoulder, blood spurting out* Who?... Damnit!

Part 4: Payback

*Luhy remains motionless off in the distance, buried under ruins of the shop he crashed into... Where is this world he promised everyone? Is it worth all of their lives?... It's all your fault... Couch stirs, rolling onto her back as she opens one eye, fragments of her mask on her face still, mixed with blood... Uquiorra burns his severed wrist with a Bala to stop the bleeding... his talons echo through the streets as he steps in blood and on concrete... walking towards Mel and Yachiru*

Mel: Luhy! *opening her eyes wide as his reiatsu fades*
Yachiru: He's gone...
Ulquiorra: ...*shooting a Bala at Yachiru*
Yachiru: Ban...kai... *a swift swirl of reiatsu fills the sky as she deflects the Bala with her weapon* It's over, Ulquiorra... *she Shunpos behind Ulquiorra, thrusting her Zanpakutou at him*
Ulquiorra: ...*his eyes open wide, shocked by the burst of speed as he barely escapes in time, his shoulder-blade sliced like butter as he turns and fires a Bala at Yachiru*
Yachiru: *her white eye turning pink again as she crushes the Bala in her fist, Shunpoing to Ulquiorra as she kicks him in the collar-bone, sending him flying back* Don't expect mercy... *she whispers as the Arrancars body is sent flying*
Mel: From any of us! Feast, Myobubaku! (A fox spirit that has devoted itself to devouring nightmares to protect people in their sleep) *she tears her Zanpakutou from the sheath as it gleams a pale green, her back, fore-arms, and top of her head covered in a fur outfit, fangs hanging over the top of her head as her reiatsu takes the shape of a Fox, opening its mouth and biting down on Ulquiorra as she stabs him through the back* Don't think your soul can be brought back ever again, being defeated by my shikai... *with a stern look on her face as she twists the blade, Ulquiorras body disappearing as his eyes turn black*

*A bright light gleams, causing Shdo to cover his eyes as he struggles to breathe... Grimmjow is in a wild rage, his body wracked with blood... his nose broken, a broken blade through his chest, infecting him, and now an arrow stuck in his other shoulder... Lightning cracks as rain starts to fall... Soaking and weighing down Couch as she struggles to get to her hands and knees, staring down at the raindrops exploding on the crumbled asphalt...*

Grey: There are more than just Shinigami in Karakura Town... *pulling back another arrow*
Grimmjow: *pulling the arrow out of his chest as he drips blood down his chin* Quin..cy!.. Why won't you all die?! *Sonidoing behind Grey and swiping at him* Where do you all come frooooom!? *howling as he deafens everyone* I won't be defeated by babies!
Grey: Seems like you're the one *pulling out a second bow* that's being a crybaby... *he starts to fire a barrage of arrows from each bow, controling the reiatsu without needing his other hand to pull back the arrows*
Grimmjow: *opening his eyes as he Sonidos about, able to escape the barrage for now as Grey is recovering from the defeaning cry* I'll end this now!... *he starts charging a Grand Cero as he Sonidos about*
Grey: *opening his eyes wide* What did you say?... *panicing, never having heard of such a technique as he holds his bows together... the near-by buildings crumbling as he absorbs the reiatsu from the entire atmosphere... planning to blast one huge arrow against the Grand Cero*

*An explosion of reiatsu and Cero collides, causing the rain to get blown away, creating the illusion that it stopped for a moment before splashing down like a blanket*

Grimmjow: Impossible!... What the hell?...
Kawazoe: Forgot about me did you? I'm hurt... *dripping blood from his wound as he stands behind Grimmjow... his pole-arm now split into 3-blades instead of two in the shape of a holy-cross* Your little Ceros strength was cut in half... thanks to-
Grimmjow: *Sonido'ing behind Kawa as he palm-thrusts him down into the street* I'm fed up... with all of these little tricks... *breathing heavily as blood and rain drip off of him* You're all dead... *firing a barrage of Bala at Grey, Sonido'ing where Grey Flash-Steps and stabs his hand through his stomach* You lose... *breathing through his teeth as blood spatters from his mouth onto Greys face*

*Grimmjow is on his last legs... ready to collapse from the immense blood-loss and overworking his body... Couch is staggering, behind Grimmjow as she holds her hand to her face, forming her Vaizard mask as he turns arounds and sees her... she suddenly loses focus and the reiatsu shatters*

Grimmjow: They're still breathing... looks like you'll be first afterall... *he Sonido's in front of her, lifting her by her neck as she grabs his hand with her steely fingers*
Couch: Damnit... *gritting her teeth as she squints, trying to kick at him as he tightens his grip*
Grimmjow: This is fun... I'm gonna enjoy hearing your neck snap... *crushing his fingers around her neck even tighter*

*Birds chirping... Sunday morning breakfast... Goofing off at school... Raising a family... It's all worth fighting for isn't it?... Such a dark, bleak, shallow world we live in where all that's known is pain and fighting... It's worth sacrificing for... blood sprays Couchs face as she collapses to her knees...*

Luhy: I don't think so... *Grimmjows head falls to the ground, his maniacal smile still on his face as his eyes close and his body disappears...* Couch! *kneeling down and holding her head up*

*I can see the sunshine... I can feel the warmth... We can do it... Some day down the road, we'll take this world back... together... The rain cascades down the fallen Shinigamis bodies... rain dripping from Luhys face onto Couchs... Yachiru and Mel arrive on the scene, healing and applying first-aid... More blood... Blood spraying the faces of Luhy and Couch as something pierces through his back and into her stomach*

Part 5: Promises Of A New Tomorrow

???: Luuuuuhy!~... Luhy! Wake up! You'll be late!

*The sun is gleaming through the window, brighter than anything we could have imagined... A sparrows song is heard from outside, and theres a familiar chatter in the hallway*

Mel: *stuffing yesterdays socks into Luhys mouth* Get up!
Luhy: *opening his eyes wide as he rolls over into the wall, spitting them out and burning his eyes by looking directly into the sunlight* Gah! Bleh! Why did you have to wake me up like that!? *still tasting the sock on his tongue*
Mel: It's really beautiful... *staring with a small smile on her face as she gazes through the window*
Luhy: Mmmhm... It feels like it's a dream everyday... *squinting as he watches the sunlight paint the outline of his legs* ...Guuuuh! I can still taste the sock! *brushing his tongue on his pillow*

*The door swings open, stopping with a creak as some familiar faces walk in... The second generation of Shinigami have lived through the Age Of The Hollow, and restored the real world to what it was always meant to be... Soul Society is slowly being rebuilt; Much of the rubble and debris is gone, and new buildings are going up... Grey is living at the outskirts of Karakura Town, training his adopted daughter, a young blue-haired nerdy child, the ways of the Quincy... Giving his race a future... The Shinigami have been living in an upper-class house they've fixed up a bit... belonging to a Shinigami refugee... but today, they're returning to their true home, to establish a new Gotei under Yoruichi-samas leadership*

Shdo: Can you stop fooling around with each other for a few hours? Today we're going back to Seireitei with Yachiru! *shaking his head*
Shinikage: Guuuuys, we're gonna be late! *rushing in after Shdo, bumping into Shdo and knocking him over* Oops!
Shdo: Baka! *pouncing Shini as they wrestle each other down*
Kawazoe: *standing at the doorway* So you hit women now too?
Shdo: Women? Shini is a woman? *his hands pinning down his shoulders as he looks down*
Shinikage: *blowing a kiss up at Shdo before bursting out laughing* Haha!
Mel: Yup! Shini is my little sister! I injected him with hormones last time we went to the abandonned hospital for supplies! *grinning*
Shdo: Eeew! *getting up and leaving Shini on the ground* I'll be downstairs!
Kawazoe: *his arms crossed as he follows* Same...
Mel: I'll go down too... Hurry up okay Luhy?
Shinikage: Buh... Don't leave me with him! *racing after her*
Luhy: What's that supposed to mean!?... I guess it's time to head out... *crawling out of bed as he yawns and stretches, watching everyone scurry out*

*The group meets up with Yachiru at the ruins of Uraharas shop, everyone rushing in, excited to take their first trip to this new world... Kawa and Shdo are still pushing each other, usually resulting in Shdo getting too aggressive and Mel needing to break them up... Everyone follows Yachiru inside, waiting at the portal as they notice, not everyone is here...*

Luhy: Couch... What happened that day?... *feeling for the scar on his stomach* Why did this have to happen?...

*Thunder cracks, echoes of Gillian ring through the streets... The only sounds that can be heard is the booming of thunder, the rain falling on the concrete, and the sound of two Shinigami gasping for air...*

Couch: *her eyes opening wide before losing some focus* Luhy...
Luhy: Couch! *his body spasming as he struggles to not spit blood on her... some strange blade linking their bodies together*
???: How sweet...
Mel: You monster! Bankai! *her cape molds to her body tighter as her fingernails turn into claws, her teeth get longer, and her pupils dialate, making her appear to be half fox... pale green reiatsu swirling her incredibly fast as the edges of her sword is coated with fangs along the edges* Leave them alone! *swinging at the new foe*
???: Hahaha! *blocking Mels attack with the side of his palm as she begins an assault, ultimately causing his hand to drip a single drop of blood* How did Shinigami like yourselves defeat Privaron Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer and Grimmjow Jaggerjack?... *still fighting off Mels attacks with only his hand* This is shameful...
Kawazoe: Privaron... Espada?... *opening his eyes wide as he struggles with his wound, slowly trying to heal himself as Yachiru tends to Shdo*
???: Do you seriously think the ranks will remain the same forever? That last batch was a disgrace... never proven moreso having died to your hands... I am Revan Daidarabotchi (meaning, a great giant, said to have created a lot of the geographical features in Japan)... Espada numero Diez (10)

*Luhy nurses Couch, trying to keep her breathing as he opens his mouth to try to call for Yachiru or even Kawa to come help her... The only thing escaping his mouth being blood as his body shakes, frozen from shock from the blood-loss*

Mel: Wheres your number then? *continuing her assault* You don't have one!
Revan: I do... but it's embarassing... *taking a deeper breath as Mels attacks start to get stronger, causing his hand to bleed regularly now*
Mel: Liar!
Revan: Well stop hitting me and I'll prove it!...
Mel: Hmph... *holding her sword readily as she lays off for a moment*
Revan: *turning around and pulling down his pants a bit* It's on my-
Mel: What the! You pervert! *charging him, attacking again*
Revan: *stumbling* It's on my lower thigh! It's not my fault it was put there! *tripping over nothing as Mel cuts his left butt-cheek*
Mel: You mean your butt! No one wants to see that! *drawing in reiatsu and releasing a massive blast, the size of a Cero, resembling a Fox head at Revan*
Revan: *getting knocked down as he lifts up his pants, a cut above his eye and across his chest* Okay then... No more games...

*A cloud of green and grey smoke rises from behind Revan, as thanks to Mels attack... he releases his Zanpakutou... growing to the size of a Gillian, but losing his weapon as he starts to charge a Cero*

Part 6: Stolen Hope

*Theres a solid ground... but how can that be? We're standing in the middle of the sky... Birds fly underneath, clouds float by, and the sun is shining brightly... This should be a perfect world... but something is missing*

Couch: How much longer do I have to stay here Luhy?...

*Couch is sitting on her knees as she looks down below at the bright new world... gazing at the blooming trees and the sunlight gleaming off the rooftops*

Luhy: Not much longer... *holding her hand tightly with both of his*
Couch: Luhy... You never explained it all... How did I end up here?

*Shdo and Shini start fighting again, arguing over who's fault it was that they lost track of Luhy... Kawa crosses his arms and leans against the portal as Yachiru yells at him... Mel is just smiling at them all, realizing what a wonderful world they've built...*

Luhy: Don't worry... I know... how to get you out okay?

*Under the cover clouds and rain, the sky is almost pitch black... The only light coming from Mels reiatsu and Revans Cero he's charging, and the reflection in the rain-drops and puddles formed in the craters created from attacks*

Mel: Oh no you don't! *pulling more reiatsu from the atmosphere as she blasts another explosion of reiatsu at Revan, shaped like a fox head*
Revan: *catching it in his other hand, shoving his elbow back a bit as his hand steams* That won't work any longer...
Mel: *Shunpoing behind him and throwing her sword his back*
Revan: *his eyes open wide, surprised that she would throw her weapon as he was caught off-guard, ignoring the small blade as he aims his Cero at the wounded Shinigami pair* It won't do you any-
Mel: Show your teeth! Myobubaku!
Revan: *exhaling a spray of blood as spikes fly out from around the ring of his waist, the spikes on Mels blade having extended* Damnit! *finishing his Cero, in spite of taking heavy damage* Die! *firing it at Mel who tries to Shunpo out of the way, taking a non-direct hit as shes sent head-first through a department store window*

*Kawa, while wounded, is helping hold down Shdo as Yachiru finishes up healing him and moves on to Kawa*

Shdo: Enough, I'm fine! *getting up and snapping his back* Feels good picking on women huh? *Shunpoing up to Revans face as he tries to swing at him*
Revan: Insect! *leaning his head back to dodge the blows*
Shdo: Don't leave yourself so open... *holding his sword upside-down as he dives at Revans exposed collar, ready to thrust his blade into him*
Revan: *Sonido'ing behind Shdo* You think this large body can't move, do you? *kicking Shdo with his entire foot as he sends him into the air*

*Shdos wound opens again, his stomach bleeding as he realizes the strength of this Arrancar... his shikai won't do very much against an enemy this large, especially since his body is his real weapon... The rain continues to downpour over the battlefield*

Shdo: ...Bankai... *the unconscious reiatsu he emits causes any rain to evaporate before touching him as his entire body is encased with a solid layer of obsidian* Your body is your weapon? Well so is mine...
Revan: Amusing... *smiling as he opens his palm and fires off a barrage of Bala at the Shinigami*
Shdo: *Shunpo'ing passed every blast as he charges at Revan* Number ten... that means you're the weakest... and I'll be damned... *reaching Revans body as he punches him just below the ribcage, sending him soaring into the air* If I can be beaten by the weakest!
Revan: You talk too much, Shinigami... *firing more Bala shots off, some reaching Shdo, but weakening before they reach him, letting him knock them away* What the?...
Shdo: It's too bad you don't study your enemies anymore... *kicking Revan in the gut* You would know what you're dealing with... don't think I'm gonna explain it all to you *Shunpo'ing behind him as he starts to fly up even higher again, meeting his spine with his elbow* like all those other fools!

*The Arrancar and Shinigami clash in the sky above... The rain is falling harder as Kawa convinces Yachiru to help Couch and Luhy first... Couchs eyes grow dull and her skin turns pale as Yachiru explains that shes lost too much blood... To keep her alive, the only option would be to stop time, but that's impossible!?*

Luhy: I know... what to do... *setting Couchs head down gently on the crumbled wet asphalt as he staggers to his feet, nearly falling over as he bleeds through both sides of his body* Bankai...

*A loud snap is heard... chips of metal shatter the asphalt as a spurt of blood coats it all... Everything turns white... Luhy destroyed his zanpakutou without first going into shikai, not giving it time to gain any reiatsu as he betrays it... Sending himself and Couch to the empty dimension... when she's released, she'll be right back where she was... A bloody mess that can't be saved in time before she dies*

Couch: Luhy! How am I fine?... *reaching for her non-existant wounds*

To be continued...

[Shdo]

THEY BANNED ME! the damn bastards banned me!!! any way you know what i think...i want to be alive again...

[Luhy]

Part 7: Dear Memories

*The moonlight has faded, and since the sun never shines over Karakura Town any longer, the sky is pitch black... The only light comes from the ocassional lightning bolt and the light eminating from the reiatsu of the fighters and Yachirus healing...*

Shdo: *kicking Revan in the stomach as Revans feet dig into the concrete* Espada? You're a joke!
Revan: *Sonido'ing behind Shdo as he tries to stomp on Shdo* Do you seriously think...
Shdo: *Shunpoing back behind him again as he kicks Reven in the back of the head, dropping him to one knee* That you're weak? I do...
Revan: That a lowly Shinigami could defeat me?! *he sees where Shdo is about to Shunpo, catching him and grabbing him in his massive fist*
Shdo: *struggling to not give in, keeping his body sharp as Revans hand starts to bleed* Who says I'm a Shinigami?...
Revan: *opening his eyes wide* What... are you?... *lowering his guard from the surprise*
Shdo: *ripping the fingers off of Revans hand as he flies towards him and slices his arm through his throat* A second generation Shinigami... *laughing* You can't sense our true power anymore... you need a new technique, Hollow...
Revan: Bas...tard!... *charging a Cero*
Shdo: *Shunpoing onto Revans body* that's insulting... you already lost...

*Blood sprays everywhere, disintegrating before touching Shdos obsidian body... Luhy and Couch have disappeared, leaving Yachiru and the others a bit bewildered... Grey has disappeared before allowing himself to be healed, too proud to accept any form of help from a Shinigami... Couch opens her eyes to see a room of all white... A familiar reiatsu... but it can't be can it?... Maybe she died afterall... A Hollow with enormous wings and the lower half of a Lion, fully wrapped in Hollow-skin, is holding her in its arms... Is she being taken to Hell? The creature sets her down gently, it's red pupils shiver as it gazes at her*

Couch: Where... am I? *feeling the solid ground in the completely white, never-ending room*
???: Are you feeling okay?... *the creature turns away, not facing her as its back paws twitch a bit, as if it's learning to walk*
Couch: Who are you?... where am I?!... *getting a little worried and frustrated*
Luhy: It's me Couch... Luhy...
Couch: Luhy!... *opening her eyes wide as she recognizes the reiatsu* how?... you... why did I sense a Hollow when I first saw you Luhy?... *a bit concerned*
Luhy: Haven't you ever wondered about the Hollow-skin on my back Couch?... *turning back to look at her eye to eye*

*There was sunlight... A fake immitation, but it was a warm memory... Old-man Urahara had allowed the children to train in the sunlight of his underground training center... As a present for all their hard work they were allowed to play for a few weeks and just be the children that they were*

Mel: You're it! *tagging Couch on her back as Couch tries to dodge*
Couch: Aww! Cheater! *chasing Mel around a boulder*
Kawa: *materializing his Zanpakutou into a small two-tailed tiger* Naigatama, play Hide And Seek with me and Shdo okay? we're hiding right now though, so shhhh kay?
Naigatama: Mew! *crawling onto Kawas face toppling him over as he stuffs her under his shirt, sneaking back into the little hole he found*
Shdo: *laying on top of a little plateu* pff... Hide and Seek... I'm gonna take a nap... *leaving Kawa with Naigatama hiding by themselves*
Couch: Mel?... where did you go! *running around a cliff* Mellllllllllll! Oof!

*Couch trips over something big and soft, her eyes tearing up as she whimpers, frustrated over not being able to find Mel and now for scraping her knee on the rocky ground*

Couch: Ooowie! *sniffles*
Luhy: Oof... Are you okay Couch? I didn't think anyone was over here... *helping her up so that they're both sitting with their knees at their chest* Are you crying?
Couch: *wiping her eyes* N...no! Only babies cry! *wiping the dirt off her knee* You're a baby!
Luhy: I'm no baby! *turning from concerned to angry*

*The children fight, wrestling in the dirt and getting scraped up as they play off in the distance from everyone else... They both go to wash up at the waterfall, facing away from each other as they both blush*

Couch: ...Luhy... *staring at his back like shes seen a ghost*
Luhy: Couch?... *sarcastically as he pats his shirt down on the outside of the spring*
Couch: What's that on your back? *dragging her fingertip up what looks like a spine on the outside of Luhys back*
Luhy: *jumping out of the spring as she touches his sensitive birth-mark* Couch!
Couch: Oooh! I saw your butt! *blushing as she laughs*
Luhy: You perv! *covering himself with his damp clothes* It's just a birthmark!
Couch: Sure it is! *splashing water at him* Tell me what it is!

*The children play for days... enjoying their last days of sunlight to their fullest... Urahara must have known his days were numbered, so he wanted the children to know what happiness truly was... Soon after Aizen sent several of his top espada to assassinate Urahara, the last true threat to him... as well as destroy his underground training area and shop*

Couch: Yeah... your birth mark?...
Luhy: Yachiru told me a story... My real name is Luhy DiVola Oderschank... Neliel Tu Oderschank the arrancar was my mother...
Couch: I thought you showed me all your abilities?... *staring at the monstrous form before her*
Luhy: I did... this is new... my Hotokemurakumo was too weak to bring you here... so I gave him my body so he had enough strength to bring you here... you'll be safe as long as you're here... If i sent you back, you'll bleed to death in seconds... *looking at the floor as he closes his eyes* I'm gonna ask Yachiru to take us to Soul Society... Lady Unohana is supposed to be hiding out with a few other survivors underground with the Shiba clan... If anyone can save you once you're released from here in time, it's her...
Couch: Luhy... please don't leave me here all alone...

Part 8: Yesterday's Foes

*We're back to present time... Yachiru has her arms crossed, waiting for the missing member of their party to show up she raises an eyebrow to Mel, hinting for her to go look for Luhy... Mel needs to shield her eyes as she steps outside, the sun blinding her... Living in darkness so long had adapted the Shinigamis eye-sight, making them sensitive to the brightness of the sun... Grinning as she feels the sunlight on her face, she sees Luhy sitting off to the side and makes her way over to him*

Luhy: *closing his eyes as wraps his palms around the back of his neck, his head hanging low* ...I promise...
Mel: *putting her hand softly on Luhy's back* Luhy...
Luhy: *opening his eyes slowly* It's my fault... I didn't protect her...
Mel: Stop it... *pausing as she lifts Luhy's head up to look at her* We all did the best we could... and we won!... *gulping* We'll find Unohana and she'll save Couch, got it?
Luhy: *giving Mel a half-smile* You're right... let's get moving...

*Mel pulls Kawa and Shdo by the ear, breaking up their fight as Yachiru opens the portal to Soul Society... Everyone makes their way through the seemingly endless tunnel, heading towards the light as they make their way into Inner Rukongai... The once bustling upper-class area of Rukongai seems like nothing more than an abandonned ghost town... Doors, windows, random debris scattered... The gates of the Seireitei are collapsed in a lot of sections*

Yachiru: *feeling her heart sink as a wave of nostalgia hits her... her home destroyed... everything she once loved...* W-we might as well get going... Last I heard from Yoruichi, Unohana was with the Shiba clan in an old underground shelter...
Kawa: *putting his hand on Yachirus shoulder* Yachiru-
Yachiru: *turning around suddenly as her white eye glows pink for a moment, her reiatsu fluctuating as it knocks Kawa down onto his bum* S...sorry... *helping him up* I'll... be ok...

*Concerned for Yachirus well-being, but worried about upsetting her, everyone walks behind her keeping to themselves... Except of course for Shdo who keeps a half-frustrated smirk on his face, kicking rocks and other debris as they walk through Rukongai and through the wood-lands... A strong gust of wind blows, giving Yachiru a chill down her spine as they get to the deepest section of the woods... Nostalgia hits Yachiru again... A familiar reiatsu... She grabs the hilt of her Zanpakutou as everyone stops short behind her, wondering what could be wrong as Yachiru turns and points her blade at the group*

Part 9: Reminiscence

*Something has obvious caught Yachirus attention... Living in such a dark world causes you to be able to sense danger far more acutely than Shinigami from the past would have... There's a defeaning silence... Every blade of grass swaying in the gently breeze can be heard...*

Yachiru: *turning her head to the side, making a half frown* It's gone...
Kawa: Just what was that? *nervous and curious at the same time*
Yachiru: It's gone... don't worry

*The group travels through the blooming wood-lands~ Walking over stones to cross a small stream, listening to the songs of birds, and being stalked by a very well-hidden reiatsu...*

Shdo: That's gonna have to be it, isn't it? *gesturing towards a particularly messy patch of grass*
Yachiru: mmm... *wordlessly brushing some of the grass aside with her foot, revealing a circular steel door buried under the grass*
Mel: Woohoo! We found it! *smiling a bit*
Yachiru: *looking around nervously, almost knowing that they're being watched as she presses the hilt of her Zanpakutou into a small slot, recognizing her weapon as the shaft opens up* Let's go

*The Shinigami slide down the chute one by one, all of whom land on their feet except Shdo of course, who impatiently jumped in seconds after Kawa, landing on him... Yachiru feels her heart racing a bit, sure that she's making a mistake as she jumps in last*

Isane: Yachiru-san! *rushing to her as she brushes grass from her uniform* Are you alright? Can I get you anything?
Yachiru: *giving her a half-smile* I'm fine Isane... we're here to pay Unohana a visit, is she decent?
Isane: Oh, she's just having some tea! I'll bring you all some as well~

*Isane Kotetsu leads Yachiru and the others down a very long well-lit hallway... Quite similar to the other hideouts of the Shiba clan, though the lighting and architecture seems to remain the same... Finally, they reach a sliding door as Isane let's them in, rushing off to another room to brew some more tea for company of guests... Unohana isn't well... She was never by any means a weak woman, but the years upon years of bloodshed has never caused her to exhaust herself so much... Lately she has been ill, needing almost constant rest as Isane devotes herself to caring for her, still calling her Captain, even though such titles seem meaningless these days*

Unohana: *smiling brightly as little Yachiru brings her friends over for a playdate* Welcome... it's been so long since we've had any visitors besides Lady Yoruichi... please, sit~
Shdo: On what? *looking around the empty room... not much besides a table and a small carpet*
Mel: Shdo! *looking at him angrily as she whispers*
Kawa: Guys... *sitting down at the table and folding his legs, setting the example as everyone follows*
Luhy: ...*silently joining in*

*After a few moments of pleasantries and introductions, Isane brings in some more tea for everyone... Without being given the circumstances, you would think this was a high school re-union or something based on the conversations*

Kawa: Lady Unohana... *barely speaking as he looks at the ripples in his un-sipped cup of tea*
Unohana: *hearing the un-steadiness in his voice as she looks over with concern* Yes dear?
Kawa: We've actually come to ask a favor-
Yachiru: *slapping him as she reaches across the table* Don't be so blunt and rude! You're the guest!
Kawa: Well every moment we're here is another moment she's trapped up there! *raising his voice* Luhy, tell her!
Luhy: ...*closing his eyes as he feels his heart throbbing* It was no ones fault... but those are the circumstances... *looking over at Unohana* One of our own was moments from death... so I sent her temporarily to another realm inside the real world... we need you to come back with us...
Unohana: ...*her jaw moving, but unable to speak any words*
Isane Kotetsu: Lady Unohana... was there for the Great Genocide... she-

*Unohana asks Isane sweetly to stop, as she stares down at the corner of the table before standing up slowly, taking the blanket off of her shoulders and lap as she begins to tell the story...*

Unohana: During this Great Genocide... the skies were just turning black... the sun was just starting to fade... and Aizen sent his most loyal of pets, Ulquiorra, followed by the most vicious Arrancar and Hollows he could find, to eradicate life in the real world and Soul Society... I watched... for years as we slowly lost so many... so many I knew so well... trying to save them but just watching as life escaped from their eyes...

*Unohana trembles a bit as Isane, concerned, rushes over to comfort and help her stand*

Isane: Lady Unohana isn't well... *helping her back down as she wraps her in her blanket once more* she saw a lot of bloodshed during those times... we both did... she shielded me from seeing those who I knew well from dying... the real world holds a lot of painful memories for her... when we returned to Soul Society, it was only after failing our mission... we couldn't protect the last remaing heros...
Unohana: We watched...
Isane: Lady Unohana...
Unohana: *smiling half-heartedly at Isane as she continues* We watched as many heros fell... the Kurosaki family all slaughtered after Ichigo Kurosaki was defeated by his own lust for power... turning himself into a Hollow and suffering his death to Aizens hand... Rukia Kuchiki fell with Byakuya and Renji to the espada in Heuco Mundo... *she almost breaks down, recalling the tears and pain on Rukias face* Many others...
Yachiru: You don't have to... *comforting her along with Isane*
Unohana: You're right... stories can be saved for another day... Isane, go get Lady Kukkaku to prepare the portal...

Part 10: Second Chance

*A wave of excitement takes away the concern and worries of everyone in the room as the sliding door opens... Kukkaku Shiba has been listening in on the conversation the entire time, standing before everyone and gesturing with her hand to the room across from them... Somehow, she was able to get a new arm, new tattoos covering the old scars... And a new, longer hairstyle as well*

Kukkaku: You bow when you pass the hostess, you ungrateful little boy! *she yells as she whacks Shdo over the back of the head as he's first to walk across the hall*
Shdo: Well how the heck am I supposed to know who you are!?
Kukkaku: Don't raise your voice to me! Do you have any idea-

*Unohana walks passed, putting her hand on Kukkakus shoulder as she smiles at her, as if smiling at her own daughter being her own silly self*

Kukkaku: I hate when you do that... *shaking her head with a grin as she follows her, fixing the blanket on her shoulders as she follows*
Mel: *whispering to Luhy* I thought she was younger... wasn't she younger?
Luhy: I thought so too... maybe getting sick makes Shinigami age or something?

*Mel and Luhy trade theories as Kukkaku and Isane set up the portal... Kawa watches as they set up, interested in how it works, as Shdo observes everyone... Still a little angry about Kukkakus assumption of him... As the portal opens, everyone slowly makes their way back into the real world, coming out at Uraharas shop and making their way to where Couchs body was last... Unohana trembles at the sight of sunlight as Isane holds her steady*

Unohana: Oh dear... what does this mean? Sunlight?... Is Aizen?...
Yachiru: Not quite... the darkness was set in place by Ulquiorra...
Unohana: *still surprised* So that's how your friend was hurt?... *taking Isanes arm as they continue to the crater*

*There isn't a single cloud in the sky... Not a single bird has flown by... The only company Couch has had has been herself and the warm sun she still thinks of as a stranger...*

Isane: *taking the blankey off her shoulders* Go ahead Captain...
Unohana: *without hesitation, drawing her Zanpakutou* Bankai...
Yachiru: Go get her Luhy...
Luhy: Hotokemurakumo, take us home...

*A green mist shrouds the area from Unohanas Bankai, as Luhy releases his shikai as well...*

Couch: Am I gonna die Luhy?... please just tell me...
Luhy: You're gonna live Couch... we brought someone... believe me okay? *holding her hand with both of his* I'm taking you back now...
Couch: Wait! Luhy...

*Back down below, Unohana is aware that the one she needs to heal is going to appear with only seconds to heal her before she bleeds to death... Her Bankai is released... Several Mantas, Eels, Jellyfish, and other creatures surround her, all of which only with one eye, and all of which, different shades of green*

Unohana: Purify the flesh, Mikazuki!

*A blinding green and white light continues to grow from the center of the crater, Unohana pressing her hands on the strangers wound as she focuses intensely, feeling the skin mending and the blood disappearing... The light starts to fade... Flickering before disappearing completely, along with the creatures of her Bankai... Something startles Unohana as she quivers*

Unohana: You!... You! *calling out to the Shinigami in front of her as Couch looks up at her*
Couch: *regaining consciousness* Mmmh...
Unohana: You were supposed to die long ago!
Couch: *looking up at the stranger, bewildered* What?...

Part 11: The Red Horizon

*The sun is starting to set, bathing Karakura Town in a beautiful orange tint... Unohanas shadow covers Couch as she sits up in the crater, slowly making her way to her feet, wobbling a bit... Everyone looks on with concern... What did Unohana mean?*

Couch: Do I know you?... *her head tilting slightly to the side, confused*
Unohana: No my dear... *reaching out to Couch as she strokes her cheek* but I know you... I know all about you... you see dear, back before the Age Of Darkness, I knew your parents...

*Up to this point, most of the resistance was raised by the last remaining Shinigami refugees from Soul Society... Their parents, either slaughtered, or died in their youth...*

Couch: You knew my parents!? *her focus on Unohanas eyes and her muscles clenched*
Unohana: I didn't know them very well... but your father was Urahara Kisuke... he used to be Captain of the fifth squad before Aizen Sousuke surpassed him...
Couch: *opening her eyes wide, recalling all the smiles and extra attention he gave her as a child...* And my mother?...
Unohana: Lady Yoruichi...

*Everyone looks stunned... Questions racing through their heads... The most predominant being, why has Yoruichi kept this such a secret, and does she even care about her daughter?...*

Couch: H...Wh...I... *stuttering as she looks up at Unohana*
Unohana: It's a long story dear... You see, Lady Yoruichi knew that if anyone knew she had-

*Unohanas pupils shrink, her gaze lost as her blood spatters on Couchs face and clothing, leaving her frozen in shock...*

Isane: LADY UNOHANA!!!

*She rushes to her wounded Captain as she sees her body fall apart... collapsing as she falls to her knees, in tears and shock as her heart feels like it weighs ten tons... falling to her side as she covers her eyes, weeping and unable to bring herself to look at her dismembered Captain*

???: My appologies... I'm just following my ord-
Isane: *opening her eyes wide as she streams tears, trembling* Whoever you are... you've just commited suicide... I won't forgive you for what you've done!

*Isane charges at the outline of the figure in the distance, running towards the sunset as the orange sparkle outlines the figure*

???: ...*disappearing*
Isane: *drawing her Zanpakutou as she swings at the thin air, tears dripping from her face* Where are you!? Show yourself coward!

*The figure appears behind Couch, wrapping its steely claw-like fingers on her shoulder as she remains frozen, her face still unwiped from the spattered with blood...*

???: You are now a threat to Aizen-sama... I'm sorry my child...

Part 12: Mother May I?

*Unohanas warm remains lay scattered in the crater where Couchs life once hung in the balance... Long steely white fingers grasp Couchs shoulder as time comes to a standstill... Everyone shunpos towards the white creature as it, turns its back to them all, clapsing its other hand gently on Couchs bicep, all of the Shinigami running into some kind of invisible wall, closing over Isane as well...*

Kawa: Oof! *slamming face first into the wall*
Shdo: Haha! Oh my god that was great! *laughing hysterically as Kawa nurses his jaw*
Kawa: Shut up! If you weren't so slow you would have too!
Shdo: What's that supposed to mean!?
Mel: *pulling them apart by the ears again* Focus boys...
Luhy: Rrrrgh! *ramming himself into the wall before trying to feel around for a ceiling*
Isane: *weeping off on her own as Mel Shunpos over to comfort her* Unohana...

*The creature appears in front of the cage, its eight-inch fingers wrapping a tighter grip around Couchs arms as her face remains pale and lifeless, frozen with horror and mental shock*

Popi: Forgive me, I should introduce myself before claiming the life of your friend... Cinco(5) Espada, Popi Achhonne (meaning, a walking skeleton)

*The Arrancar releases Couch, reaching for its Zanpakutou as it stares at the caged Shinigami... It's eye-sockets empty, having no eyes, as it's body resembles more of a hollow than a real Arrancar... His hollow hole is also much larger than it should be... Taking up almost it's entire chest... The bottom of his jaw coated with fangs, as if he should have two mouths... As he grabs for the hilt of his weapon, suddenly he smacks into the wall*

Yoruichi: Claiming who's life? *with a stern look on her face as she twists the boney arm of the Espada, pressing him against the wall*
Popi: Maybe Aizen-sama will raise my rank if I can bring him the heads of mother and daughter... *cackling eerily as he turns around, snapping his arm out of place and then back in place, as well as his wrist as he grabs Yoruichis arm*
Yoruichi: *smiling as she just watches* Aizen has become so desperate since losing the Hougyoku that he has to resort to using ordinary Hollow as Arrancars?
Couch: Yoru...ichi... *whispering as she gazes up at her*
Popi: I take that as a compliment...

*Yoruichi Flash-steps behind the Espada as it rips off its own arm, extending it like a sword as he grabs her throat when she re-appears with the un-attatched arm... Couch, regaining her composure as her friends call to her, draws her Zanpakutou*

Yoruichi: You really are a fool... *standing strong as she stares into the Arrancars face*
Popi: And why would that be? *tightening his grip as Yoruichi squints, closing one eye and grasping her hands around his fingers*
Couch: Repent, Kiyohime! (A woman who transformed into a serpent-demon out of rage of an un-requited love) Because you-

*Couch's Zanpakutou turns into a small purple katana, the hilt tipped with a spike as well... She Flash-steps, just like her mother taught her how all those years ago, as she thrusts her blade at the Hollow, who releases Yoruichi and vanishes*

Popi: Forgot about you?... Or maybe I just knew you were too weak, physically and mentally to challenge me... *re-appearing behind Couch as he kicks her in her lower back into Yoruichis arms*
Yoruichi: *staring at her enemy as she catches and releases Couch, never looking at her* You have a lot of confidence for being nothing more than a Hollow given power so recklessly...
Popi: Reckless... I can show you reckless... *reaching for his Zanpakutou as both women try to stop him* Tremble, Onryou~

*A white mist surrounds the Arrancars face as two red eyes appear inside its skull*

Yoruichi: *wasting no time as she throws bindings at the Espadas legs, keeping him still* Couch, attack!
Popi: Hahahaha!
Couch: Crash, Raiju! (A beast that falls to earth inside of a lightning bolt)

*A blast of thunder strikes down on Popi, sending chunks of concrete flying as a new crater forms... Yoruichi and Couch look puzzled as nothing but a pile of bones remains...*

Popi: *in an echo* You cannot defeat what isn't there... Hahahah! *he cackles as his body reforms where the lightning struck... the final bones from his ribcage cutting Yoruichis back as they come back to him*
Yoruichi: What a cowardly way to fight...
Popi: Perhaps this could be why I'm an espada, don't you think? *he cackles as he fires off bones from his torso and arms at the two ladies, pinning Yoruichi to the ground and sending two bones through each of Couchs feet, rooting her to the street*
Couch: Aaaah! *blood spurting from her feet*

*The en-caged Shinigami are repeatedly trying to find a new way to break this barrier... Shdo has gone Bankai and is trying to physically break though... Kawa has materialized his spirit and has her trying to dig underneath... Mel is attacking it with reiatsu... And Luhy keeps disappearing into another dimension, trying to find a way to skip through this barrier, but it appears inside of his dimension as well...*

Couch: Bankai!...

*A series of lightning bolts strikes Couch, the bones piercing her feet shatter... Her Zanpakutou grows into a Sai, glowing a light shade of purple*

Couch: Feast on his bones, Raijukurama!

*Couch calls out as she Flash-Steps behind her enemy, swinging at him as he disappears... Every offense movement she makes causing another lightning bolt to strike down and explode the concrete below... A single drop of blood drips off the tip of her Sai as she realizes she injured her opponent...*

Popi: Very good... but I'm insulted to bleed for a creature so weak... it ends now...
Yoruichi: Couch!
Popi: *pulling out a long bone-whip from his back... resembline a spinal cord as he Sonido's behind her* You will be punished! *whipping Couch as her back is cut deeply*
Couch: *Flash-stepping away only to crash into Popi* How?...
Popi: How?... How can Sonido be faster than Flash-Step? *slapping her with the back of his hand as she spits blood and starts to fall back to earth*
Couch: Hmmph... *reaching her hand over her face as she starts to draw her mask*

*The espada stops her, wrapping his long steely fingers around her face as he speeds up her decent... slamming her back into the bloody crater of Unohanas remains*

Popi: This crater is familiar to you isn't it?... you were meant to die here my child... and die here you shall... *he stands up, holding her down with his foot as he rears back his whip*
Yoruichi: Flash Cry! *she thunders, as the bones pinning her down shatter from the sudden burst of kidou*
Popi: *turning his head back* You-
Yoruichi: *She pierces her arm through his upper chest* Lost...

*The espada collapses... Almost falling on Couch as its body disintigrates mid-fall... Shdo falls over, stumbling, as he was about to try to tackle the wall again... Kawa immediately teases him and gets attacked for it...*

Couch: Y...Yoruichi... *looking up at her, hurt and betrayed*
Yoruichi: *closing her eyes as she kneels down and puts a hand on Couchs cheek, opening her eyes and smiling down at her* I'm sorry it's been a secret... Your father was the first known and most powerful Vaizard... being a second generation Vaizard, and the child of two former Captains means you have a lot of power deep inside of you to find... soon enough you'll be stronger than either of us ever was... enemies will come for you soon, knowing that now you've become aware...

*With just that, Yoruichi disappears, her reiatsu almost untraceable within seconds... Over time, her speed definitely has not suffered... The group recovers and decides to head back to Shinis mansion... Kawa has decided to stay behind with Isane and help her bury her passed Captain, and escort her home... Shdo decided to change his plans halfway home... Going for a walk through the more ruined portions of Karakura Town... The sun has set now, and night has fallen*

Shdo: No matter how much harder I train... people like her are just stronger because of blood! It's not fair! where is my inner hollow! show yourself! *he roars as he punches the side of a building, cutting his knuckles as he caves in a wall*

*Something is growling from inside the building... The dust starts to clear*

[Luhy]

Part 13: Beauty And The Beast

*The last few bricks fall as the smoke starts to clear・Shdo draws his Zanpakutou and points it outward as a he痴 tackled down by a furry beast・A small puppy!*

Shdo: You idiot・I almost cut you in half! *bumping into the brick wall behind him as he starts to sink down, sitting on the ground*
Puppy: Rrrup! *licking at Shdos face*
Shdo: *pulling the puppy off of him as he sets him down* Shoo! It痴 dark out, don稚 you have a home?!
Puppy: Rrrrooo! *butting Shdos foot playfully as he wags his tail*
Shdo: You池e really nuts, you know that? *reaching down to scratch the puppy behind the ears and on the top of the head*
Puppy: Awooo! *jumping on Shdos leg*
Shdo: You don稚 know where you come from either do you?・Well you can stay with me for a while・*picking up the puppy and cradling it like a baby in one arm as he scratches its head*

*Shdos Zanpakutou slowly tips over in its sheath, pushing a wooden crate and falling onto the concrete floor of the alley・The first stars are starting to show up in the night sky, as public power lines haven稚 been restored yet・Another growling is heard・Both Shdo and the puppy痴 stomachs growl as he sets him down and they start to head back to the only home Shdo knows・

Shdo: I guess I should name you huh? *looking at the brick shavings and broken glass along the lining of the alley as he thinks* Any ideas?
Puppy: Brrruh! *wagging his tail as Shdo looks down at him*
Shdo: Well let's see... you're small... tan colored... you like when people give you attention...
Puppy: Burk! Burk! Burk! *barking angrily as he walks backwards, stepping away from Shdo*

*The wall explodes, forcing Shdo into the wall as a huge puff of smoke covers the alley... Shdo coughs from having the wind knocked out of him as well as from the dust... A lound ringing in his ears as he looks over to see the puppys mouth opening, obviously still barking... His head turns back to the wall as three arrows are shot at him before he even finishes turning... One at each side of his head and one between his legs*

Shdo: Grey!?
???: Nu...

*A small girl steps forth, dressed in a little pink skirt... Long golden locks... White stockings with cute little black shoes with buckles and a big bow in her hair as she aims her bright red Quincy bow at Shdos face*

???: *aiming a big red arrow at Shdo* Whut awe you doin' hewe?
Shdo: ...*getting up*
???: *shooting an arrow into Shdos shoulder, pinning him into the wall* Stawp mooving!
Shdo: What the heck is wrong with you?! Are you crazy? *breaking the arrow as he pulls himself out of the wall*
???: You dawnt listin! *shooting a barrage of arrows, piercing his hands and both shoulders against the wall, painting the broken glass and brick shavings below him with fresh blood* Whut awe you doin' in da Quinsee wuins!?
Shdo: Wuins?... Ruins?... Quincy's live here?...
Puppy: Rauraooo! *running over to Shdo and jumping up on her leg*
???: Eevee! Get away fwom him! Come! *tapping her foot down on the broken tiled floor*

*Eevee, the puppy, stands between the two of them, unsure of who to go to as Shdo lay against the wall bloody, and his owner holding a bow to him...*

Shdo: Well... *getting up as he rips free of the arrows, causing himself to spurt blood* As lovely as it was meeting you...
???: Hay! *shooting another arrow*
Shdo: *catching the arrow* That's really getting annoying little one... just who are you?...
Nina Ishida: Neenuh Issidah... my daddy is Gwey Wyuuken!
Shdo: Your daddy?... isn't that guy like 16 years old?...
Nina: I wus an owphen...
Shdo: As heartbreaking as that is, I'll be heading out...
Nina: Wait! *shooting him in the shoulder again*
Shdo: *Shunpoing to Nina as he lifts her by her wrists* That's getting very annoying! What's your problem with me?! *shaking her as he grits his teeth, trying not to scream*

*A green arrow flies through Shdo's stomach... Dropping Nina as Eevee runs over to lick her face... A spurt of blood landing on the both of them as Shdo spits some blood to the side*

Shdo: *breaking the arrow off* And who the hell are you?! *looking up, still not turning around*

Part 14: Whispers

Grey: So you lay your hands on little girls now, do you?
Nina: Big buwwy!
Shdo: You're raising quite a little brat, you know that?

*Shdo fully turns around, his thumb in the hilt of his Zanpakutou, staring at the Quincy as he shakes his head... Nina scrambles away with Eevee, heading back to her quarters as Grey raises his bow again*

Grey: Shinigami... *snarling as he draws spirit particles from the chipped bricks, aiming at Shdo*
Shdo: So you want this child to grow up with no one afterall? I see... *drawing his Zanpakutou as he takes a swing at Grey, who Hirenkyakus behind him, releasing an arrow*
Grey: Too slow Shinigami...
Shdo: *barely deflecting the arrow with the edge of his blade* What did you say?

*Grey and Shdo go at it for a while... Grey is able to land a couple arrows in Shdos limbs, piercing him but unable to do very much damage, as his arrows are very thin... Somwhere between a needle and a nail...*

Shdo: You're really getting on my nerves little man... I know how Quincies fight... and you've found the worst possible enemy...
Grey: And why is that? *still not even breathing hard as he continues firing arrows from a distance*
Shdo: crumble, sabi-no-shu!
Grey: As if I haven't seen a shikai before... *firing another arrow*
Shdo: *holding his Zanpakutou steady as the arrow disappears on contacy*
Grey: *opening his eyes wide* What did you do?...

*Shdo walks over to the wall, dragging his blade around all corners of the room as he ignores the Quincy, causing the building to rot quicky, crumbling, as it forces Grey to retreat to the alley*

Grey: That was dumb... now you have no where to run *holding his bow up one again... the spirit particles he draws from the building fading before his bow gathers them*
Shdo: *Shunpo'ing to Grey as he slashes his chest* I think you need to run... Quincy *mocking him*

*The green reiatsu Grey was drawing fades and dissipates into the atmosphere as it's replaced with a splash of ruby-red blood... Hirenkyaku'ing down the alley as he starts to piece together exactly what just happened... Everything Shdos blade touches... Must somehow be preventing him from drawing reiatsu... Grey removes his glove (The Sanrei glove was what Uryuu used to gain a huge burst of power before losing his Quincy powers "permanently") and throws a silver tube into the air... everything in a ten-foot radius, walls, bricks, and everything in-between disappearing as Grey glows green... blasting the silver tube with an arrow as it flashes, blinding Shdo as he Hirenkyakus down to the ground and fires a barrage at Shdo...*

Shdo: *throwing up blood as he falls to one knee, gritting his teeth as he drools blood* That's a mistake... Bankai...

*Shdo's body covers with obsidian glass as everything in a ten-foot radius decays and dissipates just the same...*

Grey: So reckless... rather than utilize the spirit particles, you just destroy... pathetic! *drawing spirit particles at an incredible speed from every direction behind himself as he fires dozens of large arrows*
Shdo: Hakaisha! *a cloud of dust envelops Shdo as he fires a ball of energy at Grey, consuming the arrows and eating at the walls and street as it flies down the alley*
Grey: Cheap trick... meaningless...

*Grey fires arrows all over the alley, covering the walls as Shdo stays ready to blast away whatever threat comes at him... Grey tosses several silver tubes into the air as he aims up at them at the same time as Shdo does*

Shdo: Don't think I can fall for that twice... Hakaisha!
Grey: *Hirenkyaku'ing behind Shdo* Fall for what? *releasing a very thick arrow through Shdo's stomach, breaking his en-shelled body and shattering it as he collapses*

*All that can be seen is red... Pillars of flame, blurried vision... It must be 130 degrees here! The ground is roasting... Shdo gets up and hovers above the ground, wondering where he is as the ground shakes... A large mountain of Obsidian Glass rising up, gleaming, as ash and rust slide down it... An echoing voice booms*

???: You seek power...Shdo: *breathing heavily, hardly able to focus in this unbareable zone* I do! I'll do anything Sabi-no-shu!...
???: Who?... Oh, maybe I am...

*The mountain of molded glass cracks as a reverse-image of Shdo flies out at him as pierces him through the stomach, ramming him into the ground as the heat burns his wound, sealing it over his back*

Shdo: Gaaah! *struggling as he bleeds violently, trying to push this copy image off of him*
???: Take it... Accept the pain and only then can you understand who I am...Shdo: *his eyes tearing as he starts to go numb, the burn eating at his flesh* Who are you!?
???: I'm your pain! who else?! *smiling wide as he plays with the sword, causing Shdo to spit more blood*
Shdo: *closing his eyes as he swallows the blood* I don't give a hell, I need more power, just get this over with!
???: Giving in so easily? You can't stand seeing Couch or Luhy have so much power... when they suffer so much less than you don't you? *cackling wildly*
Shdo: *nearly fainting as his body goes numb, his skin peeling off* Yes...
???: Then my power is yours! *tearing the sword out of Shdos back as he faints*

*Nina hides in the cellar with Eevee, petting and comforting her as she suddenly starts barking wildly... Asking her what's wrong as she paws at the celler door, growling... Shdo stands up, his face covered in a nearly pure black Vaizard mask*

Shdo: ...*catching the arrow and snapping it to pieces*
Grey: Impossible! I released my Sanrei Glove! what the hell did you do to yourself?! *his heart beating furiously*
Shdo: I told you, you picked the wrong enemy Quincy... *he Shunpo's behind Grey as he kicks him in the gut, breaking several ribs as he sends him through the crumbling brick wall*
Grey: *struggling to breathe as he tries to form a new bow, squirming as he collapses* Damnit...
Shdo: You still think you're stronger than me? *holding a huge hunk of wall over Grey*

*The cellar door opens, Nina had decided to let Eevee out when she sensed her fathers reiatsu fade... Eevee runs up to Shdo, wagging her tail and barking at the same time as he drops the hunk of wall behind him and falls back, sitting on it as his mask breaks... Eevee runs a few steps back as a cloud of dust settles from the wall and runs over to poke and prod at Shdo with her nose as Nina rushes to help Grey*

Part 15: Accept It

*The wind howls against the window as Kawa stares out into the night sky... He was watching a little boy feed a stray cat, but they're both long gone at this point... Kawa had a really nice night walking Isane home... She opened up to him a lot, and he's been thinking about going to live in Soul Society with her and keep her company... Shdo... His reiatsu is fading...*

Nina: Daddy! Awe you okay?! *gasping at the large opened wound*
Grey: ...*not speaking, keeping his remaining strength as he hands Nina a silver tube*

*Nina takes her time to examine the tube before remembering what exactly it was for... She opens it up and pours the contents over his wound and goes for help after laying her shawl over his chest... Shdo is holding chips of his mask in his open palm... Breathing slowly as he stares blankly at the puppy wagging her tail and barking awkwardly at him*

Shdo: Shut up already! *letting the mask chips fall out of his open hand*
Eevee: Arrrrooo! *sticking her butt in the air, as if ready to pounce or play*
Shdo: You're hopeless... *laying against the rock as he recovers from the many wounds on his body*

*Eevee nudges his leg a few times... Getting frustrated before she picks up the largest piece of mask she can find and climbs up on Shdos chest, wanting to show it to him as she falls down on the broken tiles... As if someone pulled a table-cloth from underneath her... Shdo being the tablecloth... Shdo wakes up several hours later, latched to what could only be described as an operating table...*

???: I think he's waking up...
???: He is? Should we sedate him?...
???: Yea... I'll do it...

*One of the blurry figures injects something into Shdos neck, making him black out once more... Once more, everything goes red... Not here again, this place is unbearable... Pillars of flame shoot into the air... The ground is molten rock, glowing from the heat... Everything is an incredible blur for the temperature...*

Shdo: You're not really Sabi-no-shu are you?... *Trying to stand strong, nearly fainting from the temperature alone*
???: Of course I am! *stabbing a blade through Shdos stomach from behind*
Shdo: Dammit, haven't I been stabbed enough lately!... *spitting blood as he grabs the blade... watching his hands and body slowly cover with webs of rust*
???: Let it consume you... Give in... Don't fight it! You want to be stronger! *The booming voice echoes*

*Shdo lets the rust cover his whole body... Feeling as if his whole body is under a powerful numbing anasthesia*

???: Are we ready yet? We've got about two hours of anasthesia in him... Uryu?...

*Blood sprays onto the unknown figure... Quincies... Shdo takes out both men... Everything feels like a dream... Blurry and skipping random moments completely... More blood... Grey was being healed by several Quincy women... No survivors...*

Kawa: Shdo... What did you do?... *astonished by the amount of blood dripping off his hands and weapon*
Shdo: Having a little fun, nothing wrong with that!
*Shdo has become a full-hollow... His mask is now a part of his face, his spine is covered in spikes, his eyes are a deathyl black and red... He crushes his Zanpakutous hilt in his hand, cutting into his own hand as he points his claw-like fingers at Kawa*

Shdo: I'll make you have fun with me! *drawing reiatsu for a Cero*
Kawa: Cero! *opening his eyes wide* Split, Naigatama! *Kawa Shunpo's behind Shdo and thrusts his pole-arm at him* Snap him in two!
Shdo: *cackling as he turns around, speeding up the rate that he draws reiatsu* You're too weak now!

*Kawazoes' Naigatama is unable to close around Shdo's neck... Kawa realizes he's gonna need to go Bankai to even keep up... The cero blast hits him at nearly point-blank as his body lay motionless against a book shelf and a shattered lamp... Shdo makes his way back home... Looking for someone to play with of course...*

Mel: Luhy, I told you to take the trash out didn't I? Grrr! *tying the garbage bag*
Luhy: What? *calling from the other room, pretending he didn't hear*
Mel: I said-

*The front of the house explodes... The front door, the cornerstone... All of the windows are blown out and the second floor starts to crumble and fall out onto the street... Mel, Luhy, and Shini scramble to their feet*

Shinikage: My house! Who would do this! *utterly confused by the reiatsu he feels as he rushes to the front of the house*
Shdo: I'm the strongest now... *standing over Luhy as he stares down at the weakling scrambling just to stand up*

Part 16: Paint It Black

Mel: Shdo... *standing at the archway to the living room, covering her ears as she hears an echoing ring*
Shdo: Pathetic! *kicking Luhy in the stomach across the room*
Luhy: Egh!... *nursing his side as he forces himself to stand up, concerned that Shdo might turn on Mel if he doesn't* Bastard...
Shdo: About time... Use your true power Luhy... You know what will happen if you don't... *catching Luhy off-guard as he appears behind him and palm-thrusts him in the back, releasing a Bala at the same time*

*Luhy braces himself as he crashes through the wall into the bathroom... Tiles and shampoo shelves falling on his head as awkwardly giggles in pain for some strange reason, grinning as the bottle of shampoo falls on his head in such a serious moment, spittling a string of blood and mucus into the tub*

Shdo: You're as crazy as me! This might be fun afterall... Mel: ...Ban...kai... Show your teeth, Myobaku!

*Mel covers her arms, back, and top of her head with a thick fox hide... Fangs and eyes on the top of her head, claws on her knuckles, and furr covering the hilt of her Zanpakutou as it eminates a pale green light*

Mel: Shdo, stop it now! I know you can hear me... *Shunpo'ing in front of him* Don't you remember helping me train... Remember the first time I released my Bankai? It was because of you!
Shdo: ... *Staring blankly ahead at Luhy, watching him get up as broken tiles fall from the bathroom wall*
Mel: Shdo, stop it! *shoving him with her free hand as he gets to the doorway*

*Shdo takes a few steps to the side, almost tripping as his claw-covered feet scrape at the carpeted floor... Mel, opens her eyes wide, worried about how Shdo will react as she prepares herself to counter-attack... Shini watches from a safe point behind the kitchen counter in the next room... Wondering what he can do to possibly help...*

Luhy: Fade to white...Hotokemurakumo~ *he Shunpo's in front of Shdo, putting his free hand on Shdo's hollow-skin covered chest, leaning forward as if he's about to fall over* Don't think about it... Don't even dare... *Luhy pants heavily as his reiatsu draws into his Zanpakutou, lifting it slowly, pointed out to the side*
Shdo: What is this? You're not taking me seriously are you? I'm not that Shdo anymore... *picking Luhy up by his throat as he slams him into the wall* I'm stronger than you! *tossing him backwards as Luhy's body breaks the sofa in half*
Mel: You monster!... Myobaku, Have your fill!

*She points her Zanpakutou at Shdo as the walls, ceiling, and floor spiral around her in a tornado of reiatsu, destroying the remains of the house as the reiatsu forms into a massive Fox made entirely of reiatsu as its jaw drops like a snake, diving at Shdo... A huge cloud of smoke rises as Mel pants, clearly having lost a lot of strength from that attack as Shini wonders if his insurance will cover Shinigami battles... And of course, about his friends safety too!... The smoke starts to clear... Mel's sharpened, fox-like senses hears several drops of blood spatter on the ground amonst the crashing of debris as she turns around, raising her Zanpakutou horizontally*

Shdo: Baka! *dropping his heel as she defends, crushing her under his force as she retreats*
Mel: How!? *shocked that he's still standing... only a few cuts on his body that have already regenerated...*

*Shdo continues to aggressively pursue Mel... Thanks solely to her increased senses, she's able to keep up long enough to see his attacks and evade most of them... Shdo finally is able to catch her, taking her Zanpakutou to his shoulder as he holds her against the wall, charging a Cero with his mouth towards her face as his skin closes over her weapon... Shdo's back is torn open, blood pouring onto the bare floor as he releases Mel...*

Luhy: You left me alone far too long...

Part 17: Collision Course

*Shdo has Mel pinned against the wall, ready to release his Cero at point-blank range to her face as something strikes his back... Blood sprays on the torn up flooring and Luhy as Shdos bleeds heavily, regenerating quickly as the creature behind him stands confidently without readying himself for a defense... Luhy's lower half is equal to a lion's body as well as his head... still possessing a humanoid torso and arms, although his entire body is covered in layers of Hollow-skin... His spine is exceptionally rigid as a long tail extends from it, tipped with a spiked ball... His pupils are enlarged like an animal, a shiny deep red*

Luhy: You won't touch her again... *taking a step forward as the weight of his paws make the foundation of the house tremble*
Shdo: Haha! Finally! The real Luhy shows himself... *turning around slowly*

*As Shdo tries to turn around Luhy jumps up on his hind-legs, easily clearing eleven feet in height as he crashes down, swiping at him as he sends him through the damaged front wall, into the street... Luhy charges and pounces at Shdo as he roars, his fangs gleaming as he pushes Shdo into the ground, cracking the street as he holds him down with his weight and starts to charge a Cero with each hand*

Shdo: Hahahaha! This is great! You think because you're working with your spirit and inner hollow that you've already won, don't you!?
Luhy: Don't kid yourself! *Roaring again at Shdos face, so loud that by the time Mel gets to the doorway she has to hang on to not get sent back from the shockwave*
Shdo: You don't have the guts... *grabbing one of Luhy's paws as he starts to lift him off of his body, charging a Cero against his paw as well*
Mel: Luhy!... Stop!... *screaming as she scrambles back to her feet*

*Luhy turns around to look at Mel as Shdo throws him into the building, blasting his Cero into Luhy's paw at the same time... The Cero blasts Luhy had ready fire off into the air, the impact from releasing them keeping him from getting sent too far into the air... Luhy's blood splashes down like buckets of water in a trail from the street to the floor in front of Mel moments after he crashes*

Shdo: Can't regenerate can you? Ahahaha! Still think you're so mighty!? *getting up as he walks up the steps and passes right by a motionless Mel who's staring at the puddles of blood*
Luhy: Rrrrgh... *getting up slowly onto three paws as he grabs onto the wall, having trouble supporting himself as he smacks his tail into the ground as an anchor*
Mel: Shdo... Shdo, stop it! *Shunpo'ing in front of him* Leave him alone... he's your friend!

*Luhy continuously smacks his tail into the trembling foundation of the mansion to keep himself standing as he realizes he won't be able to use his front right paw anymore... The foundation is shaking wildly now as Shini grabs some valuables and brings them outside, feeling slightly guilty but knowing he won't be able to contribute... Creaking and Cracking is heard as the kitchen caves in and crashes into the sub-cellar*

Mel: Shdo... we care about you! we need you! please stop before it's too late...
Shdo: ...*staring at the kitchen collapsing and Luhy struggling to stand* ...Lies! *Shdo raises his hand, around to smack Mel away as something freezes his movements*
Eevee: Brrrup! Berrrk! Gurrrrrrg! *barking and growling at Shdo from the stoop behind him*
Shdo: ...*feeling his heart race* I told you not to follow me!

*Shdo turns to face Eevee as he opens his palm to release a Bala at the helpless puppy as she wags her tail... Eevee stops wagging as she sits down, looking up at Shdo curiously as he holds out his other hand to keep Mel from interfering... Luhy aims a Bala blast at Shdo's arm as he drools blood through his fangs... Both of them release their blasts...*

Part 18: With Death Comes New Life

*A massive explosion consumes the front of the house, causing the second floor to cave in on top of everyone as a cloud of dust and smoke fills the air... Shdos bloodied body lay on top of the sub-cellar, his body fell through the crumbled foundation...*

Eevee: Brrrooo... *her ears and tail hanging low as she looks down the hole to see his motionless body*

*Mel helps lift the debris off Luhy and helps him out... His body has reverted to its normal spirit form as he breathes slowly...*

Mel: Luhy... You did it... Shdo is... Shdo... is...
???: Dead...

*A glowing figure stands behind Mel as it puts its hand on her shoulder gently, hardly touching her at all*

Mel: *stumbling as she covers Luhy's body* Who are you?!

*The figure falls to its knees, weak and weary as its glow dissipates, revealing a nude woman as Mel opens her eyes wide in shock... Shini watches from the distance as he takes a pic with his camera phone... Mel quickly tells Luhy to take off his torn shirt and wraps it around this mysterious female, rubbing her shoulders to get her blood moving*

???: Thank you... *she smiles at Mel*
Mel: You're welcome... but... can you tell us, who are you?... *she takes some of the hair out of this girls face*
???: Well... I've been called Eevee for a long time now... I didn't really like it much though...
Mel: Whoa... *falling back on her butt as she looks at the girl curiously* The... puppy?... You're an animal?... *amazed at how normal she looks*... well you should have a name you love...
Luv: How about Luv then? I like how that sounds! *smiling wide as she starts to wiggle, resembling a dog wagging its tail*

*Mel notices Shini taking pics with his phone and dives over the countertop at him, wrestling the phone from him as Luhy stares down at Shdo's body wordlessly, finally looking up at Luv after Mel jumps at Shini*

Luhy: Well... *nursing his arm and giving Luv a half-smile* we can't just leave you like this~
Luv: Why not? *standing up as she looks at herself in the torn top, nothing covering her lower-half*
Luhy: Hey! *taking a step back and turning around as he smacks his face into the wall* Because you're half naked!
Mel: Luhy! Don't look at her! *yelling as she pins Shini down*
Luhy: I'm not, I swear! I didn't see a thing!
Mel: Suuuure! *throwing Shini's cell phone at Luhy*

*Shini dives for his phone as Mel tackles him down by grabbing his ankles, tripping him as he nearly falls into the hole in the living room floor... Luhy brings Luv a towel from the remains of the bathroom for her lower half as he brings down an outfit from Mel's damaged dresser... Kawa was healed by a myserious figure who left him as soon as they had appeared, seeming to him as if it was a guardian angel... He makes his way home later that night in time for Shdo's burial... The group had decided to bury him in the back of Uraharas shop, holding a long ceremony... As everyone cries, Luv wiggles happily giggling*

Kawa: What's wrong with you! *his eyes welled-up with tears as he grabs Luv, shaking her a bit* Don't you know what just happened!?
Mel: Kawa! *grabbing Kawas arms as she keeps him from shaking her*
Kawa: He was our family! We grew up with him! Who are you to smile and laugh at a time like this!?
Luhy: Kawa... *putting his hands on Kawas shoulder and fore-arm, taking them off of Luv gently* Luv has the right idea... *lifting his head as a tear drips off his chin* We're supposed to remember the good memories... not the bad...
Luv: Mmmhm! *smiling wide again* He was fun! *taking Kawas hands as she jumps up and down with them*

*Kawa stares at Luv curiously as his empty look turns into a smile, seeing things her way... The group gathers whatever valuables they can salvage and heads to set up in Uraharas abandonned shop as they find the lights are on... Two shadows are cast from a doorway as Mel looks inside*

Part 19: Friend or Foe?

*A light tapping is heard from inside the shop as Mel grasps the doorway and slides it open slowly, trying to make as little sound as possible as she hooks her thumb around the hilt of her Zanpakutou... There's a familiar voice coming from inside as Mel feels herself pushed inside, nearly tripping as Luv excitedly tries to look inside*

???: Who's there?
???: Hmm?...

*The shadows cast from the figures both stand up, one of them reaching for a weapon or something in their pocket*

Mel: Couch! *feeling her anxiety fade as her face brightens up, rushing and tackling her with a hug*
Couch: Oof! *smiling awkwardly as she pats Mel on her back* I wasn't gone that long...
Yoruichi: Sorry, I took her here last night to talk... *giving Mel a half-smile as she folds her arms*

*After losing Shdo, the rest of the group has felt a greater appreciation for those close to them. Mel had been worrying about Couch in the back of her mind ever since his passing. Kawa makes his way into the back room, getting some tea-bags while Luhy leans against the wall, cracking a smile.*

Luhy: Ahhh! Hey! *nursing his injured arm that he's had wrapped against his chest since the last battle*
Luv: Oops! *having rushed through the rooms to explore as she bumped into Luhy*
Couch: Mm, who is she? *looking up at this stranger interacting with her friend*
Mel: Oh, that's Eev... er... Luv... *giggling a bit*

*Kawa brings out come tea and everyone sits, legs folded or on their knees, around the table. The group catches up... Couch learns about Shdo's passing and about the newcomer to their group, Luv. Shini had decided to rebuild his family's home and is currently working on finding a crew to work on it. Yoruichi had given them all residence here in the shop, as well as given them the surprise of the underground training grounds re-built... An old friend of Yoruichi's had helped, and is currently awaiting to see Mel... Mel takes her time and nods to Yoruichi as she heads downstairs, her mind racing with who could possibly want to see her, of all people...*

Mel: Hello?... *releasing her last finger from the ladder as she pushes a pebble with the tip of her foot... a rush of nostalgia and emotions overcomes her as she feels her heart beating a little faster* Is someone there?...
???: Melissa Komamura...
Mel: Who's there?... *her eyes open wide as she feels the grains of rock and sand crunch under her feet* What did you call me?...

*An immense shadow consumes the small shadow Mel casts as she draws her Zanpakutou, turning to face this creature that she, of all people, couldn't even sense*

[Luhy]

Part 20: Again, For The First Time

*Kawa starts to wash out the cups and dishes, scrubbing to get the rings out the bottom of the tea cups as Yoruichi helps him dry them off... Luv is trying to help Luhy feel better after hurting his arm, getting very close to him as he falls back into a closet, knocking down crates of various items, including gikon pills, silver tubes, sheaths, Zanpakutous of various sizes, hats, sandals, pillows, chairs, stuffed animals, and a prostetic arm fall out and landing on Luhy...*

Luhy: Ahh! *covering his head as he's showered with random junk*
Luv: Ooooh! What's this?! Candy! *grabbing several Gikon Pills as Luhy pounces and stops her hand*
Luhy: That's not candy, and never ever eat more than one! *feeling his heart sink*
Luv: But I want one!

*Luhy and Luv argue over random pieces of junk as Luv explores the pile, ocassionally pinching Luhy's bottom or teasing him, ultimately chasing him around the shop for a long period of time.*

Mel: *feeling a hand hold her hand against the hilt of her sword, keeping her from drawing it* Who are you?...
Komamura: We've never had the pleasure of meeting before... Komamura, Sajin... Your uncle... *he releases her hand and lets her turn*
Mel: My... Uncle?... *opening her eyes wide as she's astonished by the humanoid canine in front of her*
Komamura: It's not entirely a shock is it?... *sitting himself down in the dirt in front of her, sitting Indian-style* Please sit with me a while...
Mel: How... *never taking her eyes off his face*
Komamura: How do I look like this?... It's... Long ago, I was a temple guardian along with your, and my, father... We were in charge of protecting different items withint the temple, and one day after decades had passed, my father had turned his sword on us both... We had to choose whether to slay him, or allow him to steal the items we swore on our lives to protect... We chose to get out of his way, and in exchange for our lives, we pledged undying loyalty to our sensei... To label us as his loyal guardians he cursed us with the body you see before you... It was thanks to this form we were able to track... and kill our father...

*Mel sits quietly, becoming more and more comfortable as she listens to the story told by her supposed relative, finally sitting down the way he is, holding her hands together stretched out between her legs... A gently wind blows passed, catching Mel's attention as she realizes there had never been wind before down here... Komamura stands up as the breeze blows passed... His snout scarred, unable to regrow whiskers on one side, wearing a very dull black and red set of Samurai armor... He opens his eyes for the first time, revealing his large animalistic pupils as the ground rumbles, breaking as land shifts and rocks explode in all directions, his Bankai standing up along with him... Mel scrambles to her feet and draws her Zanpakutou nervously*

Komamura: I want to see how strong you've become... I know from Yoruichi that you haven't realized your true power... I wish to teach it to you... *gracefully making a small circle with his sword, pointing it out to the right, as the statue mimics his movements, showing Mel what it can do without explaining it* Use your Bankai, Mel...

*Mel swallows her breath and grits her teeth as she holds her Zanpakutou with both hands, pointing it diagonally towards her opponent... In the back of her head, wondering exactly how he was able to use his Bankai without a word, or even touching his Zanpakutou...*

Mel: *giving her blade a quick twirl as her body becomes covered in a mantle of fur and fangs with every letter of the word she mutters* Bankai!~

*Komamura charges at Mel, taking a vertical swing at her as she blocks, sensing the statue mimicing the attack as she rolls out of the way. Dust and smoke settle as Mel Shunpo's behind Komamura, startled that he's no longer there as both a thin glistening blade, and massive stone sword rest in the air just an inch from neck*

Komamura: You're not quite there yet... *withdrawing his blade as the spirit of his Zanpakutou returns*
Mel: H...Wh... *opening her eyes wide, realizing she could have just lost her life and astonished that... she just couldn't sense his movements... and the fact that he knew where she was going...*
Komamura: If you wish, I'd like to train you here...

*The smoke starts to clear as if it were a dissipating fog... The voice of a very young girl cries out for help as a Hollow screams... The familiar song of the Gillian armies echoing through the streets of Karakura Town as the mantis-like claw of a Hollow crashes down into a rusted old station wagon, painting the sidewalk with broken glass*

Mel: Luhy! *holding her stuffed bear against her chest as Luhy pulled her out of the way*
Luhy: Mel, go hide inside that store! *he yells as he pulls out his Zanpakutou, nearly the size of his entire body*
Mel: *clenching her bear tighter as she watches, frozen* ...Luhy!...

*Young Luhy battles with the Hollow, able to cut off one of its claws before the Hollow grows impatient and charge, pinning him down as it raises its claw, ready to impale him...*

Mel: Luhy no!!! *dropping her teddy as she watches the spiked arm fly through the stomach of little boy, watching him cry out in agony*

*Another gentle breeze glides across the rocky plain of the underground training ground as Komamura puts his hand on Mels shoulder as she turns around to face him*

Mel: Please... Help me get stronger... *gulping as she looks up at him*

Part 21: Imposter

*Komamura decides to teach Mel about her unique abilities to sense. He teaches her how to use her five senses and her ability to sense reiatsu the way a fox would, and not the way a Shinigami would. As their training progresses, she's able to see Komamura move during his Sonido, as well as feel his presence, on ocassion, before he even stops moving.*

Luhy: What are you doing with that?!
Luv: It's cool, don't you think? *smiling as she chases Luhy around with the fake arm, trying to poke his butt with it*
Luhy: Luv! Are you nuts? *bumping into the wall and running upstairs as he tries to swat it away*
Luv: Please, you know you want it! *she continues to chase him, laughing as she pokes the finger of the prostetic arm at every hole on his body*

*Luv and Luhy run up and down the stairs, around the shop, and in and out each window as she chases him. Eventually she gives up and turns on Kawa with the fake arm, Luhy still running laps around the shop, too scared to turn back*

Komamura: I'm sure you always knew you were different, haven't you? *gazing down at her*
Mel: Sort of... I always thought I was just good at sensing reiatsu though...
Komamura: You have the same gift your Uncle and I have, with none of the weaknesses... *a portal starts to open behind him*
Mel: Weaknesses... *her speech slowls down as she notices the twitching of Komamuras ear*
Komamura: I want you to come back to Soul Society with me... for your training... will you agree to that? *almost nervous in his speech*
Mel: I... for how long?... *worrying about how abrubt Komamura is being as well as her friends and not wanting to be so far from them*
Komamura: You must, you have incredible abilities you need to master if you wish to prevent another Age Of Darkness, come, now! *he raises his voice as he holds out his hand to her, his ear twitching again as he looks up*

*Blue-fire crash-down... A Shinigami? A blast of blue flame hits where Komamura stood as he escapes into the portal... Yoruichi must have sensed something was off, or came to check up on them at just the right moment... whatever the case, she scared off this imposter...*

Yoruichi: Mayuri Kurotsuchi... *she snarls as she stares at the steam lifting off the rocky plain*
Mel: ...Who? *nervously*
Yoruichi: He changed his appearance and disguised his reiatsu... Mayuri was a Captain of the 13 Protection Squads... After discovering the bodies of his former self as well as the first Nemu, his wife, he did many tests... After losing his origional body and the first Nemu, he created a carbon-copy and used her memories, but she was never the same person... So he treated her like garbage, since he always resented this creation he had made in many ways... Mayuri just went mad after losing Soul Society and all of his research and test subjects, as well as the bodies of both Nemu's, making it impossible for him to study them... *she finally turns to look at Mel* That wasn't Sajin Komamura... That was Mayuri... Clearly he must think he can use you for some kind of experiment, but now that we've blown his cover, next time he might try to use force...

*Yoruichi and Mel head up the ladder back into the house slowly... Nothing felt quite right all of that time... How did Mayuri know so much about her abilities? Why was there a breeze down there in that room? Why does he want her... Thoughts and fears race through Mels mind as she walks slowly up the stairs to her room, planning to collapse on her bed and rest*

Luhy: Get it away from me! *running through Mels room and jumping out her window*
Mel: ...*silent as she lays on her bed, staring at the ceiling*
Luv: Come on! You know you want me to, stop running! *she throws the arm out the window first before jumping after him*

*A pool of blood leaks out from under the small boy in Karakura Town... The blood spreads all the way to Mels fallen Teddy-bear, reaching its foot as she starts to cry, watching helplessy...*

Luhy: M...M... *throwing up some blood as he tries to push the Hollows claw off of him* Mel run!...
Mel: ...*staring at him as she picks up her Teddy* No!... Noooo!!! *she screams as she closes her eyes*

*Feeling as if she's in a dream, Mel drops to her knees, holding her Teddy against her chest tightly... Everything feels warm... It's as if the world has come to a standstill... Every drop of blood hitting the pavement, every cry from Luhy and the Hollow, the smell of blood, asphalt, even cake from the shop down the street... She can sense it all at once... The dream is over... But why isn't she waking? Why aren't you waking up!?*

Luhy: Why aren't you waking up!? *crying over her as he lays down on the sidewalk next to her, exhausted from crying for so long*
Mel: ...*opening her eyes barely to see a little boy crying next to her* Are you okay?...
Luhy: Mel! *turning his head to wipe his eyes, hoping she doesn't see* I was so worried, what happened to you? Did you save me?
Mel: Mel?... *she looks around, seeing nothing but this little boy and a stuffed Teddy, staring at the unusually familiar Teddy-bear as she speaks* Who's Mel?...
Luhy: Don't play like that! You're Melisa! You were adopted by Urahara last year and we've been best friends ever since! You don't remember me? *looking at her with concern*
Mel: I... I don't remember anything...

*The two children sit for a while, mostly in silence... Mel describes her last dream... Luhy tells her everything he knows about her and her Teddy-bear she never let's go of... Urahara finds the two children not long after and brings them home for dinner, baths, and bed-time*

Mel: It's still there... *thumbing at the dry patch on the foot of her Teddy-bear from the blood so long ago...*
Luhy: I still remember that day... *holding himself up on her window with his arms crossed* You still don't remember anything before that day do you?...
Mel: ...*giving her bear a hug as she presses her face against it* No... Not a thing...
Luhy: ...*slightly hurt* It's okay Mel... (one day she'll remember our promise...)
Mel: Hey... Luhy?...
Luv: Oh no you don't! You're playing with me, not Mel! *pulling him out the window by his foot*

*Luhy crashes down and falls on the pointed fingers of the plastic arm as he cries out... Mel looks out the window, laughing as Luv continues to torture him and chase him around the shop... She lays back down on her bed and holds her Teddy close, like she used to so many years ago as she starts to fall asleep...*

Part 22: Shooting Star

Couch: What the heck is going on out there? *curious about the commotion and screaming out behind the shop*
Kawa: I don't know, but I'm sure Luv is involved... I'm gonna retire for the night... *his voice lowers as he finishes straightening up and sets up his sleeping bag in the eating room*
Yoruichi: ...*grinning as she shakes her head a bit before following behind Couch, heading to see what was going on*

*Luhy pulls the prostetic hand out of his butt and shakes it angrily at Luv, yelling at her while she teases him about how she's sorry for being so rough and if Luhy wanted her to be gentle, he only needed to ask. Yoruichi stares at the arm intently for a bit before walking over slowly, taking it gently from Luhy's hand as the laughing and yelling stops*

Luv: Mmm... Is that yours? *watching Yoruichi curiously*
Yoruichi: ...*smiling* Not mine, but I know who this once belonged to...
Kawa: My mothers... *his voice calls from the doorway*
Couch: Didn't you say you weren't going to sleep?
Kawa: Yep, but curiousity hit when I saw Yoruichi-san head outside too...
Luv: What happened to your mom?

*The sounds of crickets fill the night as the two children lay in their beds upstairs in the make-shift bedroom Urahara made them out of his attic... The two children often stood up late at night, reminiscing about the days events and about what they plan to do tomorrow... Today of course, the subject would be about days passed*

Luhy: ...*staring out into the starry night sky as he tries not to look at Mel directly* Do you... Remember me at all?
Mel: I don't know... I think I do... You seem nice... *watching Luhy stare out into the night sky* Where's our mom?
Luhy: Our mom?... *worrying about upsetting her... but giving her the truth anyway* Urahara adopted us...
Mel: Adopted? *poking at the eye of her Teddy-bear*
Luhy: Mmmhm... I've been here ever since I can remember... Urahara brought you here last year right after my eighth birthday...
Mel: How old am I?
Luhy: We didn't know... But we picked out a birthday for you... The same week as mine, so it would be easier to celebrate...
Mel: Ooh... Do I... Lose my memory a lot Luhy? *kicking off her covers as she crawls out of bed and sits on her knees by the window with Luhy*
Luhy: ...*watching a shooting star* Make a wish!
Mel: Mmm, Okay!

*The two children close their eyes, thoughts running through their heads about what to wish for*

Luhy: What did you wish?
Mel: I can't tell you! *patting her hand against his shoulder, as if mimicing a shove*
Luhy: Why not? I wished you would get your memory back...
Mel: ...*looking down as she notices Luhy's hand on hers* Um
Luhy: Sorry! *holding his hands against his knees*

*Mel rolls over in her bed, looking out the window as everyone is gathered around, probably telling some kind of story... Her room hasn't changed much... Most of the same junk that was in there back when she first came to live here... Luhy wanted to tell her something that night, but what was it?... She keeps her eyes fixed on him as he falls over... Luv must be teasing him again... She smiles slightly as she looks out of the familiar window frame into the night sky, watching a shooting star pass as she feels her heart sink... A hand covers her mouth and another around her stomach as she opens her eyes wide*

Part 23: Sewing The Seeds

*A horrid odor fills Mel's nostrils, similar to battery acid or gasoline... Something in injected into her neck... Her friends are only a few feet away, but she's unable to call them... Just watch as their blurry outlines grow out of focus... Mel awakens a certain amount of time later, her wrists, ankles, and neck held down against a freezing cold table by metallic latches... The hardened slime still covers her mouth, making it impossible for her to speak*

Mel: ...*fighting to open her eyes as she comes out of unconsciousness... her body is shivering and she's bleeding and bandaged on all of her limbs as well as her stomach*
Mayuri: You're awakening already, interesting... Your regenerative abilities seem to be stronger than your uncles... Such a pity his body gave out in the middle of one of my experiments...
Mel: ...*opening her eyes widely now from Mayuri's words, her eyes sharpened and focused on his disgusting face as she struggles, hardly moving whatsoever under the restraints*
Mayuri: Oh come now! Don't fight! If you lose your energy how will I be able to test the limits of what a body with your DNA can take?... Nemu!
Nemu: Yes, Captain... *she carries over a tray with several autopsy tools, including a hand-saw, several vices used to keep a large hole opened wide, and a collection of scalpels and drills*
Mel: ...*she starts to feel faint... looking into Nemu's regretful eyes for a moment as her energy fades a bit*
Nemu: Are sure it's time to start Captain?... She looks pale...

*Mel looks up at the ceiling, wondering what she could have done to deserve this... Was being born with such gifts reason enough to be tortured and experimented on? She was just starting to learn what she was truly capable of as well... Was it all so that she could experience every sound and sensation of this torture that much more clearly?... She closes her eyes and gulps, waiting for the pain to begin...*

Luhy: Do you remember our promise?
Mel: ...*turning to look at him, still smiling from the shooting star* What did we promise?
Luhy: The first night you came here was a lot like tonight... Urahara and some others were lighting fireworks in the back, and we were up here watching because we were punished... It was my fault though, because I convinced you to come with me and see what he keeps in his secret room...
Mel: ...*smiling a bit more*

*A loud slap brings Mel back to reality as she sees Nemu holding her hand to her cheek, wiping a trace of blood from her lip as she appologizes to this monster... Mayuri has modified his face to include two long horns as well as what appears to be cables connecting from the back of his head to his lower back*

Mayuri: Let's see if you're anything like that overgrown mutt of an Uncle of yours! *cackling as he fiddles through a drawer, injecting Mel with some anasthesia* Don't think this is out of mercy in any way... I want to see how well your body and your organs regenerate, but I don't want you to die from the shock... yet...
Nemu: ...*looking down at Mel and seeing the fear and confusion in her eyes*...

*The little boy from so long ago describes to her all of the fireworks Urahara had made... Even though they were punished, they were still allowed to watch the display, which could be argued is even more fun, since they had an elevated view. Little Luhy is drawing a circle with his fingertip against the wooden floor as he tells the story, clearly trying to drag things on for some reason as she listens on*

Luhy: At first, he set off a lot of sparklers all around the fence... Then he started to light bottle-rockets, and when they exploded, they covered the sky with reds, yellows, and blue... He had a few big fire-crackers that looked like tree-trunks, and when he lit those, it looked like a giant Hollow floated into the sky and exploded into sparklers!
Mel: It sounds like it was a lot of fun... *looking outside the window again, trying to picture it all*
Luhy: Later that night when it was all over, we were laying in our beds talking for a while...
Mel: About what?
Luhy: About the day we met. You said you had no memory of where you were from, or how you got here... You just knew Urahara found you crying and alone and cheered you up and took you in...
Mel: ...*listening intently to little Luhy*...

*Mayuri wipes the hand-saw with some kind of disinfectant as he tells Nemu to undress her... Mel snaps back to reality and blushes, looking up Nemu's scarred face, painted with fear as she pleads to her with her eyes...*

Nemu: Yes, Captain... *Nemu injects something into the slime on Mel's face, hardening it and causing it to crack, quickly hitting a switch under the table, freeing Mel from the latches and handing her her Zanpakutou*
Mayuri: Nemu! *he yells as he throws a scalpel at her hand, pinning it to the surgical table as he draws his Zanpakutou* Rip, Ashisogi Jizo! *quicly stabbing it into Mels shoulder, pinning her to the table as well before she can move*
Mel: ...*reaching to rip the crystallized slime off her mouth with her other arm as her arm stops moving suddenly*
Mayuri: "Why can't I move my arm!?" *mocking Mel* My Ashisogi Jizo poisons and paralyzes all of your fore-limbs... but luckily... not your nerve endings! *laughing wildly as he twists the blade in Mels shoulder, causing her to bleed profusely*

*Mel feels her heart sink as she feels utterly helpless... Ashamed to look at Nemu for helping her, and failing to escape in time... Ashamed that she's about to be a test subject, tortured until her last breath for this mad-man's experiments...*

Luhy: Urahara said you blacked out again today... *looking at her with concern*
Mel: I... blacked out?... *poking Luhy's finger with hers against the wood floor*
Luhy: Everytime it happens, you lose your memory too he thinks... I made you a promise that night, that no matter how hopeless things might seem, or how alone you feel, even if you forget everyone a thousand times, that we'll always be friends...
Mel: I like that promise... *smiling at him as she grabs her Teddy*

*The front door of Mayuri's lab breaks open as a puff of dust rises, causing Mel to turn her head towards Mayuri as she squints her eyes... A clang of metal echoes in Mels head as she starts to black out, opening her eyes to see a certain someone relentlessly attacking this demon of a scientist*

Part 24: Wake Up

*Mel starts to close her eyes, falling back into her dreamlike state as her last glimpse of reality is that of dark green reiatsu filling the room… The blurry figure and Mayuri cry out in agonizing pain as Mel falls asleep from weakness*

Kawa: Kukkaku Shiba…
Luv: Huh? *ripping out blades of grass as she looks up at Kawa*
Kawa: Kukkaku Shiba was my mother… that prosthetic arm belonged to her long ago *giving Luv a half-smirk*
Couch: But we saw her not long ago, she had two normal arms didn’t she? *squinting a bit*
Yoruichi: For a while now she has had two arms now, yes. But that wasn’t always the case… She had her arm restored by a very special human known as Inoue Orihime when we were in control of the Hougyoku… Her powers were incredible at that time, but we were tricked in the end…
Couch: Tricked how?
Yoruichi: …*turning and looking at the light creeping outside from the doorway* That’s a story for another day…

*The group heads inside slowly… Luhy is last to get up, pulling the plastic arm out of his butt as Luv pounces him, pleading with him to leave it in as he fights to keep her off of him… Mel fights with her dreams, trying to wake up as she holds on to that one night she has started to remember…*

Mel: …*staring at Luhy from her little bed* Luhy…
Luhy: …*rolling over* Mmmh?
Mel: Will you always…
Luhy: Always what? *wiping one of his eyes*
Mel: Always be there when I wake up?…

*Mel looks away, embarrassed and feeling vulnerable after losing her memory… She looks up for a moment, her eyes welled up with tears, afraid of always losing her memory and being alone as she sees Luhy looking down at her*

Luhy: … *taking her teddy-bear and wiping her eyes with it as she blushes*

*Mayuri’s lab is in ruins… The stone walls, the metallic apparatuses, the machinery… All reduced to scraps and rubble… Mayuri and Nemu have escaped after Mayuri stabbed each of them with his Zanpakutou, allowing them to turn into a puddle of slime and get away… Mel starts to regain her consciousness, fighting to open her eyes*

???: Mel… Mel?…

*Droplets of blood drip onto her cheek… She definitely recognizes this voice, but it sounds so far away… A single tear drops on her cheek amongst the trickling of blood as she hears a loud thud… After finally regaining her composure, she wipes the layer of dust off her limbs as she dips her feet off the examining table, feeling something soft and wet with her feet*

Mel: …*looking down at the bloody body as she pokes it with her toe* So familiar…
???: …
Mel: Luhy! Luhy! How did you find me!? *turning him over and starting to heal him* What happened to you Luhy? Don’t die!

*Mel rolls over onto her side as little Luhy rubs her back, comforting her as she falls asleep*

Luhy: It’s a promise…

*Mel pauses for a moment as she finally sees the last part of that night… Feeling her heart sink as she realizes Luhy kept the promise and found her somehow… Footsteps are heard as Mel looks up to see Couch and Yoruichi… She continues to heal Luhy*

Mel: I don’t know what happened! *not knowing what to say*
Couch: Just try to heal him…
Yoruichi: …*speechless as she looks at the widespread ruin… stretching as far as the eye can see*

*Mel continues to heal the motionless body as her pant legs soak up blood… Luv and Kawa get there moments later… Luv stops near Couch and Yoruichi, while Kawa slides on his knees into the blood and starts to help heal without even thinking…*

Luv: …*whispering* What happened?…
Couch: We don’t know…
Yoruichi: Mel’s powers awakened again…

*Everyone else looks up at Yoruichi… Mel continues to focus on healing Luhy, but still trying to pay attention…*

Yoruichi: Urahara told me about her blackouts… Up until now, she has lost all her memory every time it has happened… I don’t know what’s different this time, but she seems to remember everything…
Luv: Why does she black out?…
Yoruichi: Her true power awakens… and takes over while she’s unconscious…
Couch: You mean Mel did all of this?… *looking at the endless dust and rubble over the horizon*

*Mel’s eyes start to well with tears as she hears that she’s the reason why this happened to Luhy… Her fingertips shake as the light from her healing suddenly grows from the outline of Luhy’s body to filling the entire atmosphere and sky above*

Part 25: Fallacy Of Heart

*There was always an uneasy feeling in the back of her head. Momo Hinamori knew that choosing this life would prove difficult, b