Chapter 12

As soon as Brans woke up, he felt extremely tired, his body in a great deal of pain, however, he was a smart hollow and he didn't know where he was and what had happened. Therefore, as soon as he woke up, he didn't move and instead used his eyes to survey his surroundings. At least one advantage of still being an Adjuchas was the mask on his face. Even for a Shinigami, one would not know if a hollow with a mask was awake or not. They simply had no eye-lids to blink.

Still, if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that he had managed to get away.

The room he was currently in had no roof, only four walls that covered him on either side, yet that alone was enough for him to confirm something. He was back in Hueco Mundo, the moon in the sky, and the feel of the environment was uncanny.

Then why hadn't he been eaten?

He held no notions of how life was like for hollows outside of his King's domain. It was a world of eat or be eaten, and with his condition he wouldn't have been surprised if he woke up within the consciousness of another hollow. Clearly, this was not the case.

Even as he lay motionless, he couldn't feel his arms, let alone work up enough energy from his legs to carry himself out of here. Still, he didn't remember four walls around him before he passed out, so he must have had been moved.

"I know you're awake hollow," a clear voice spoke before a hollow appeared at the entrance of the room.

"You're lucky Lord Baraggan has spared your life," the hollow sneered before tossing the remains of another hollow before speaking again. "Eat."

He was stunned for a moment. "Baraggan?" He ended up saying.

The hollow didn't answer, and instead turned to leave without another word.

He didn't call after him, nor did he even move for that matter, too caught up in his own disbelief. Of all the hollows, he knew that would have helped him in his situation, Baraggan was definitely not one of them. In fact, he considered Baraggan far too dangerous to even approach.

Noticing that the hollow had left, it was only then that he decided to prop his body up. Some of his wounds spouted blood, but he knew that as long as he could consume some spiritual energy, the self-healing that all hollows possessed would immediately begin the process of recovery.

He had lost his arms which made balancing a tad harder in a sitting position, but at least he had his wings to act as propping stands.

He grimaced. That Shinigami was ruthless.

The amount of spiritual energy required for a hollow to recover one's arms was exponential, and thus most hollows would have no chance to recover, and instead had a higher probability of getting consumed and assimilated by another. However, He didn't worry about that particular matter. After all, what was spiritual energy when his homeland was literally drowned in it in the form of swords and weapons?

Staring at the offered remains of food the hollow had given him, his eyes turned disdainful. There was no point in eating another hollow for power. To him, all that would entail was having another consciousness in his soul fighting for dominance like many of the other hollows in Hueco Mundo and the Menos Forest. It was entirely ineffective and would only serve to hinder him. Besides, the swords in his King's domain were far more effective, looking just alone at the number of Adjuchas and new Vasto Lordes in the territory.

It was natural that he didn't even bother eating. Instead, he pulled from the meager amounts of spiritual energy he had been able to gather while he was asleep and forced it down to his legs. With the power provided, he staggered onto his feet and made his way out of the room.

He had never been to Baraggan's Kingdom, and as such was unfamiliar with the structures of the area. It was like a large maze with open rooms and tall spiralling spires with small pathways that bridged the gap between them. Internally, he was criticizing the surroundings as he went since nothing in his mind could ever compete with his home.

He quickened his pace.

How long had he been incapacitated for?

It was the only question running through his mind. Thinking clearly, from what he remembered of that Shinigami, Kisuke Urahara, he would not let Silent go if she was discovered. And that reason alone was more than enough for him to strain himself to report back to his King.

Still, he suddenly froze in his wandering when he stumbled upon a court of hollows, more importantly when his eyes landed on a figure siting on a throne of bones.

"Ah, the little bird has woken up," Baraggan spoke.

"Baraggan," he addressed curtly with only a slight nod to show some respect to a hollow of Baraggan's power. However, he would never bow to someone other than his King,

Baraggan took note of this and only grunted. "You belittle me over that silent idler you call a King?"

He didn't respond, and just stared indifferently. Live or die, it was Baraggan's choice, and the fact that Baraggan had already once allowed him to live meant that he wouldn't kill him now.

Baraggan crossed his arms and stared before he let out a breath. "Your loyalty is admirable," he spoke.

He once again didn't say anything, but he completely understood what Baraggan had meant. If it was any lesser hollow, they would have long since bowed and did their utmost to please Baraggan to increase their chances of survival, yet he was different.

"Go then, and tell that King of yours that he owes this mighty one a favour," Baraggan said as he directed the hollows in his court to part like the red sea.

A path out of Baraggan's domain was opened before him, with rows of hungry hollows aligning either side. Yet none dared attack him for Baraggan had allowed him to go, and Baraggan's word was law.

He stumbled forward, but immediately caught himself. Thinking about the distance from his location back to the King's domain, a shudder traveled down his back. He really didn't know if his body could hold out, and even when Baraggan had noticed, the prideful King never said anything about it.

His will and devotion was his only motivation.

He steeled himself before he gave one last look at Baraggan who sat leaning his head on the back of his hand.

A moment passed, and then two, before he spoke to Baraggan. "You have my thanks," he said quietly.

Limping, he walked out of Baraggan's Kingdom with only a single goal in mind.

He needed to return home.

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Shirou sighed as he tried to communicate with the Zanpakuto spirits Kyoka had told him resided within his inner world. The results however, were once again the same.

No matter how hard he tried, nothing seemed to work. The only spirits he could currently communicate with was Kyoka Suigetsu who chose not to respond, and Gae Bolg who's only concern seemed to be when the next fight came. In short, neither of the two were being helpful.

As for Kyoka's lack of response, it may very well be due to one matter that greatly confused her. He was a hollow, yet he still possessed an inner world.

Inner worlds were spaces within one's soul that for Shinigami, housed their Zanpakuto spirits. Hollows just didn't have it, and instead possessed an emptiness in their souls caused by the termination of their soul chains, anchors that had once tied them to their physical bodies. However, he alone seemed to possess an inner world. It was a testament to the spirits he seemingly held within him.

"Are you alright?" Nel asked.

"I'm fine," he spoke. "I was just thinking about a few things."

Nel nodded before she began to explain the purpose of her visit.

After Harribel had a discussion with Nel, she had then since become accepted by the rest. Today, she was currently present do to matters regarding living arrangements. After all, she and her group were the newest hollows to settle in, and were now in need of a place to stay within the region without disrupting anyone else.

Harribel and her group had laid claim to the South, Starrk and Lilynette to the North, and the East and West were inhabited by the other hollows.

"I see," he said as he pondered silently to himself. "Starrk and Lilynette live in a large area, and I'm sure Lilynette wouldn't mind having more company nearby."

Nel smiled. "That could work then," she said.

"Now all you have to do is ask them," he spoke.

"Right now?" Nel raised a brow.

"Yes, well, Starrk is right there," he pointed out.

Starrk was motionless, lying down on the sand by a large boulder. If he wasn't pointed out, it would have had been hard for anyone to have taken notice of him since he was also suppressing his spiritual energy.

"Well Starrk?" He asked.

"I don't care as long as she can distract Lilynette," Starrk said.

"You're hiding away from her, again, aren't you?" He inquired.

Starrk didn't answer, but at least he had consented to Nel and her group's presence in his area.

"Pesche," Nel called to her friend.

Of her companions, the only one who had accompanied her today was Pesche since Dodochakka and Bawabawa were busy looking for other places.

"Yes?" Pesche asked.

"I need you to find Dodochakka and Bawabawa, and tell them to move to the north," Nel said.

Pesche quickly agreed, and with a nod, he soon left.

Nel then turned her attention back to him. "Thank you," she spoke.

He accepted her thanks, and went back to what he was doing before, trying to communicate with his Zanpakuto spirits, however, he spotted something in the distance. The places he normally spent his time at were all highly elevated. This was in part due to his duty of warding off dangerous hollows before they could enter the land near him, and disrupt those using him for shelter. As such, vantage points were a must. In this case, he spotted a figure in the distance.

The figure was in a sorry state. Wounds covered the figure's body from head-to-toe, and even then, most of them were bleeding from over exertion.

Brans?

He stepped forward and appeared by Brans's side within a single bound. His facial expression promptly turned blank. Not only was Brans injured, but he had also lost his arms, and appeared to be fading in and out from consciousness.

"Brans?" He spoke. The last he remembered seeing Brans was when he had asked him to watch over Silent.

His eyes narrowed. If Brans was like this, then what of Silent?

Brans stared up at him with tired eyes, before recognition dawned. "I-I have failed you," he spoke with a wheeze of his breath.

"What happened?" He asked as he supported Brans. He knew that something was wrong when he had heard no word about Silent's situation. With Brans's personality, he would have had reported back to him within a week at most.

Brans tried to speak, yet his body began to strain under the burden of his long journey from Baraggan's Kingdom. Therefore, he only spoke the words that were most relevant. "Human world…Shinigami…Kis..uke…Urahara…Silent…Dan..ger."

With that said, Brans fell silent as he coughed out blood and fainted.

"Shirou?" Nel asked from the side as she and Starrk arrived.

He didn't respond straight away, and instead handed Brans over to Nel. "Take him back and let him rest," he spoke.

Nel nodded, but didn't leave as she was curious of something.

Starrk was the one who voiced his opinion. "Will you need help?" He asked.

Instead of answering, he raised his arm, and cut open a large Gargantia with a flick of his hand.

"I'm going to the human world to search for Silent," he said, placing his arms back by his side before walking towards the void. "I would appreciate help in finding her."

"In that case, I should give you some advice," A voice spoke.

He paused in his steps, Nel suddenly glaring as she recognized the sound of the voice. Only Starrk gave no outward reactions aside from straightening his back, but even then, it was hard to tell with him. It was either the voice had caught him off guard, or Lilynette was nearby.

Still, the crux of the matter was the appearance of a certain Soul Reaper.

Aizen Sousuke.

"Aizen," Nel spoke cordially. "Did you not remember your own promises?"

She was referring to what Aizen had agreed to the last time he had left. Specifically, how he was to notify others of his presence.

Aizen smiled knowingly. "Is that not exactly what I have done?" He reasoned. After all, no one else knew that he had arrived at this location in Hueco Mundo. His appearance in front of Shirou was his first in a while, so it could be said that he was indeed living up to his promises.

Nel looked like she swallowed a bitter pill, but nonetheless, she had no words to refute Aizen's reasoning.

"And what advice do you have to give?" He asked a tad impatiently.

Only he knew that the longer he waited, the worse the situation could become in the human world.

Kisuke Urahara.

He clenched his fists. Naturally, when Aizen had first told him of this name, he had felt nothing of it, but he supposed that was his mistake, and Brans was the one who suffered for it.

Brans was strong, yet even someone of his strength was defeated. Based on the wounds, his impression of Kisuke Urahara only grew worse. After all, someone like him could tell that the injuries inflicted weren't fatal, but rather to inflict the most pain.

"It's fairly obvious what this Kisuke had in mind," Kyoka suddenly spoke from within his inner world. "He wanted this Brans character to flee. Why else would he wound him yet not kill him, or question him?"

His body tensed after hearing Kyoka's words, and soon after, his gaze landed on Aizen.

"Speak," he spoke, his words sounding like a command in his haste.

Aizen thought nothing of it, and wiped the sand off of his Hakama.

"The Soul Society has people from the Twelfth Division in charge of technology and spiritual tool development monitoring the presence of hollows within the human world," Aizen said as he pushed up his glasses. "Should an Adjuchas level hollow appear, Shinigami can be immediately notified and dispatched. Now what do you think would be the appropriate response if a Vasto Lorde level hollow appeared?"

Aizen didn't give anyone the chance to speak as he continued. "Not only would the Soul Society deploy Captain level Shinigami like myself, but if more than one Vasto Lorde level hollow appeared, they could even deploy full divisions. That is after all how devastating a Vasto Lorde's power can be. That's where I can come in and intervene," he said.

"And how would you do that?" He asked, the gargantia closing behind him.

"I can send you all quietly one by one to the human world so that the Shinigami will not detect the presence of a Gargantia. From there, it's up to you to mask your own spiritual energy," Aizen explained.

"And why should we trust you?" Nel asked as she shifted Brans's weight on her shoulder to alleviate some of the discomfort in her position. "You are a Shinigami yourself. Is this not just some plan of yours to hinder our strength and deal with us one by one?"

Aizen laughed good naturedly. "You would be correct in your caution, but I assure you, I do not hold the Soul Society in a very high regard. Why else would I be in Hueco Mundo?" He said.

The words Aizen spoke caused a fleeting look of surprise to flash across Nel's face, but she was quick to hide such things. "Pretty words are all you are," she said while turning her gaze away.

Thinking on the content of Aizen's words, everything said did seem plausible. As for whether or not he trusted the man, did he even have any other choice at the moment?

"Go on," he said, turning his body to fully face Aizen.

"Gladly," Aizen said before he placed a hand within his Hakama and pulled out a box containing a black orb. "I'd like you all to turn your attention to this device I have created. It will be able to send you right to the human world without triggering the alarm system the Twelfth Division has meticulously set up. Of course, it will take me a few moments to construct it up accordingly."

"That doesn't matter," he spoke. "I'm more concerned about where this device of yours will open up at."

Aizen nodded.

"True, I do recall you saying you were going to look for someone in the human world. No problems, it shouldn't matter much as long as I set the device up where this friend of yours opened up their gargantia," Aizen explained.

Gargantias were tunnels between dimensions, and very often, one would leave a trail behind after opening one as it takes time for the holes in the dimension to mend.

"Then I will have to trouble you," he said thankfully.

"The pleasure's mine," Aizen said cordially. "You need only show me the way."

"Well then, if things are like this then I'll take this guy back for now." Starrk said as he yawned, and then turned to Nel before he took Brans off her shoulders. "Call me when you need me. I'll be taking a nap while I wait for this guy to wake up."

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Everything appeared to be moving accordingly.

Aizen stared off at the lands around him as the Vasto of White led him towards a specific location.

What caught Aizen's attention the most however, was the simple realization that he could not spot a single Gillian level hollow or lower within this land of swords he was walking through. It was absurd, bordering on incredible. With the way he knew how Hueco Mundo functioned through his own research, there was little to no means for such a land like the Vasto of White's to exist.

Take for example the Menos Forest. The hollows there all varied in power levels, strengths and intelligence. However, none but a few of them were in the same state of evolution. After all, the stronger a hollow in the Menos Forest was, the greater their need to feed on others. This need would drive them to further acts of cannibalism, thus reducing the potential of other hollows reaching the same level.

"Is this the place?" He asked as the Vasto of White stopped near a small ridge.

Before the Vasto of White could speak however, he was interrupted as a child-like hollow he hadn't seen in his last visit suddenly appeared.

"Shirou!" The child-like hollow exclaimed. "Have you seen Starrk? I swear he's hiding from me," she pouted.

So, his name was Shirou? He noted it down for later use.

Shirou sighed before opening his mouth. "Now's not the time Lilynette," he spoke.

Lilynette frowned before her gaze landed on him. "What are you doing her?" Her voice sounded accussing.

He felt his brow twitch. Ignorant child.

"Lilynette," Shirou warned.

clicking her tongue, Lilynette backed off and decided to watch from a distance. Shirou then prompted him to begin constructing his device.

The device he was constructing currently had no name, but it didn't really matter. All that did, was the device's function. Unlike a Garganta which proceeded to literally tear a hole between dimensions, this device utilized aspects of what Shinigami's used in their own dimensional crossings called Senkaimon.

The Senkaimon that the Shinigami used were pre-made dimensional holes, which was why when they opened they did not disrupt the dimensions and form fissures and cracks in the human world. Naturally, for something pre-made, each Shinigami required a guide in the form of a hell butterfly to avoid the counter measures the Soul Society had taken to prevent others from using their same passage way. The passage itself was called the Dangai, and the counter measure was called the Kōtotsu.

Still, the aspect his device took from the Senkaimon was the utilization of a pre-existing tear. Which is why he had used his words to instruct Shirou to bring him back to where a gargantia was originally opened.

As he worked, he didn't realize until later that the noise he was creating to set up the device had brought him to the attention of the other hollows passing by. However, one word from Shirou was enough to keep them quiet and at bay.

Soon, Lilynette got bored with just watching and decided to inspect everything herself, her presence going unnoticed due to the importance of the situation. Besides, to her, inspecting was far better than staring at sand. Eventually, she became transfixed on the black orb like object being emitted from the device.

"It's done," he spoke, getting Shirou's attention.

Shirou nodded before stepping forward. "Thank you," he said.

The other hollows around seemed to have conflicted expressions flash across their faces, but he supposed it was natural. Shirou was their leader, and a hollow himself, yet here he was thanking a Shinigami.

"I know I didn't misjudge you. Elusive and cunning," Nel spoke with a frown. She had followed closely behind him ever since Starrk had left. "But your current behaviour is making me think otherwise."

He only smiled on her commentary, not willing to divulge or admit anything.

Shirou was more straight-to-the-point. "How does it work?" He asked.

Perfect, he thought to himself before explaining.

The device was set up in a small formation shaped like an upright square window. Metal widgets were spread evenly across the surface, and in the middle, was a small condensed pool of spiritual energy to act as a power source. To use it, one would only need to activate it through the orb-like activation switch, and the device would naturally draw the person in.

"Then I'll be going first," Shirou said as he stepped forward.

"Of course," he agreed.

However, at that moment, everyone just froze.

Because the first to go was coincidently someone that no one had expected.

"Huh? Eh?" Lilynette starred in befuddlement as the hand she had used to touch the black orb began to pull her body towards the center of the sphere. "W-Wait hold on!" She yelled trying to force herself out.

Meanwhile, everyone else including Shirou was staring at her incredulously.

Even he appeared to be a tad taken aback as he had planned for the first individual to go through the gate to be a Vasto Lorde. Preferably Shirou, but his plans would have been fine as long as he was able to send a hollow even remotely strong enough through the dimensions. But this? He immediately began to rework his plans to salvage everything. At least he could rely on Gin Ichimaru, one of his most trusted subordinates, to send a Gillian across.

"S-Starrk you idiot!" Lilynette yelled as the orb expanded and her body was nearly completely enveloped. "W-Where are you when I need you!"

And with that, Lilynette disappeared.

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A week had passed since Silent had returned back to where Ishida was training.

In the past few days, she had also been training with him. Nonetheless, everything Ishida would teach her were things she seemed naturally able to do on instinct alone. Things like forming a bow in her hand, gathering spiritual energy from the environment, and creating spiritual arrows to fire at targets, all were completed with little effort.

It was a fact that only served to make Ishida train even harder, yet today something just seemed off about him. Not once did he smile during his training, and instead he was palming an object he kept concealed in his hand.

Still, she was thinking about other matters. Over the course of the week, she had been constantly returning to that particular clinic, and each time she felt more and more confused with herself. For personal matters, she avoided looking at anyone else who came into the house ever since the first time she had taken a good look at that orange-haired youth. It felt as if something was clawing at her from the inside, an unbearable pain spreading across her body, only made worse when she had once spotted him in the city in a black hakama wielding a giant sword.

It was then that she decided not look at anyone else within the house-clinic for fear of even greater pain.

She didn't realize it, but her hands were trembling. There was just something about this city, and the people who lived within it. She felt lost, unsure of what to do, and that uncertainty is what clouded her judgment.

What was right and what was wrong?

She knew that she should have returned back to Hueco Mundo long ago, and yet her she was anxiously waiting for Ishida to finish his day's training just so that she could once again sneak out.

Karakura.

This place, this town, it seemed to hold something dear to her, a deep desire engraved even within her own consciousness. Even if she wanted to return to Hueco Mundo, she knew that unless she solved her problems now, she would only end up coming back to this town again. Besides, if she returned, she wouldn't even know the next time she would be able to come back to the human world.

"Remember, stay here for now, especially today," Ishida warned just before he left.

She remained still, not promising anything since she already had plans to leave.

Frowning, Ishida didn't say another word before leaving in a certain direction.

Waiting a couple minutes, she then promptly left in the direction of the town.

Only two things were going through her mind at that moments. Two choices to be exact. Either go back to the clinic again, or travel through town. Both options were compelling to her as no matter how many times she visited the clinic, she'd never get tired of just looking at it. As for the town, wandering around always brought her a sense of familiarity.

However, two or three hours later, she could do neither as she spotted an abnormality in the distance.

A hollow?

She wasn't sure because she was used to seeing only Adjuchas-level hollows or higher back at Hueco Mundo within the Hill of Swords. Still, it had a mask over its face, and that was more than enough of an indication.

She steadied her breath and formed a bow in the manor Ishida had taught her. She didn't know if she was a hollow or not, but the point was, she didn't feel any guilt as she let loose a spiritual arrow. Perhaps, if she was killing a fellow hollow in the King's domain she would hesitate, but she had heard stories from her friends about the other hollows living outside the King's domain.

The arrow soared across the air before instantly piercing through the hollow in her sights. Moments later, the energy within the arrow burst, and rendered the target into nothing, its screams quickly dying out as the human it held in its hand fell back towards the ground.

Still, she didn't pay much attention to it anymore, but rather her eyes widened as she looked at a sky completely filled with them.

What was going on?

She had been in Karakura Town for the better part of a few weeks now, and she'd never encountered other hollows. Yet today, so many of them were present.

Currently in the course of her wanderings, she found herself in one of Karakura's busiest streets, the shopping district. Many people were walking down and about, others entering shops, and some just standing idle and talking with friends. That's not what she cared about or focused on however. The hollows around and infesting the place was what drew her concern.

There were too many hollows in the area, and even if they weren't attacking anyone yet, all it would take was a single step from some of the larger ones to end a life. Thus, it was too dangerous to keep them here.

She sucked in a breath before firing an arrow potent in spiritual energy. The arrow itself was like a beacon that drew all of the hollows attention. Subsequently, all their gazes landed on her still holding her bow in hand.

A shiver ran down her back staring at the sheer number of them, but she didn't hesitate when it came to finding a more isolated fighting ground.

Drawing them away from the people at the shopping center, she ended up at a soccer field adjacent to a kids middle-school. Apart from a few kids she could vaguely see running in the field, no one else seemed to be in the area. Still, she didn't want to risk fighting here.

Wait?

She narrowed her eyes, spotting a hollow in the middle of the field about to attack the group of kids.

Damn it.

She pulled up her bow to shoot the hollow down, but was instead forced to fire at the horde at her back as some of the faster one's drew too close. Each shot fired ended a hollow's life.

Sweat dripped down her brow, as exhaustion began to take its toll on her. She didn't know how many hollows she'd already killed, but their number just didn't seem to be ending. Even worse, she couldn't get away from the area as she had been completely surrounded. Still, what concerned her the most, was that she had lost track of the hollow on the ground within all the commotion.

Were the children safe?

She didn't know.

Suddenly, spittle flew as a hollow unexpectedly blindsided her, and sent her flying towards the grounds of the soccer field.

With a crash, she quickly realized that she'd unexpectedly landed on someone.

It was a tall and well built man who appeared to be of hispanic descent. He had shoulder length brown hair which was curly at the ends, and bangs that covered the majority of his face aside from his nose and chin. What surprised her however, was the abnormality of his arm. It seemed to be completely in cased in a black armour of some kind. The only other thing that she quickly took note of was that the man was hurt, blood running down from his head and staining his clothes.

"Are you alright?" The man asked through laboured breath.

She nodded, but her attention was elsewhere on the Hollows hovering just above them. This was why she didn't notice the only other person nearby: A black-haired girl in a T-shirt with a singlet over top. Her face was square with a narrowed chin, and she didn't appear to be any older than fifteen.

If one looked closer at the scene, they would have been able to see that the black-haired girl seemed to have completely froze; her eyes widening in disbelief as a hand came to rest in front of her mouth.

Still, all of this went unnoticed.

"You are the one all these guys are chasing?" The man asked.

Once again, she absently nodded her head. She had been able to lead all these hollows to chase after her due to the purity of the spiritual energy she had within her. Still, there was no way she would get others involved. Which was why,

She pushed away from the man and promptly left as she reformed her bow, the hollows quickly chasing hot on her heels.

By that time, the man noticed that the black-haired girl had collapsed onto her knees and moved to help her; yet the black-haired girl swatted the man's hands away before wordlessly staggering to her feet and giving chase.

Back with Silent, she had reached the forest where she had first met Ishida. In fact, it was one of Ishida's training grounds.

Hiding within the trees, she then began to shoot her arrows, killing hollow after hollow. At times, they would draw close to her, but this was precisely why she had chosen this area. Maneuvering around their strikes, she disappeared into the foliage and resumed her onslaught of arrows.

At Hueco Mundo, her sparring partners normally involved Adjuchas level hollows. Therefore, when she isolated these regular hollows within the forest, it was relatively easy to defeat even their large numbers from a distance. True she could have done it anywhere with her strength, but then she would risk the danger of getting blindsided once again.

Looking across the trees, her expression lightened.

For some reason the hollow's numbers seemed to have dwindled from the last time she took notice. Soon after, none were left as she shot forth her last arrow.

In that moment, she blinked her eyes, spotting something on a distant branch of a tree.

How odd, it was that black cat she had seen before. Thinking clearly on the matter, she actually had been seeing this cat a lot in the previous weeks since she's been exploring Karakura town. Often following her at times before quietly slinking away when she wasn't paying attention. Yet what was it doing here?

Currently, it had used her moment of pause to walk up to her, brushing up against her legs while meowing, its fur feeling quite smooth. She knelt down and began to pet it, letting out a laugh when the cat rolled onto its back and insisted on it's stomach getting a rub. Sadly, she shook her head to show that she didn't have the time.

Many hollows were still present in the town, and it would be best to eliminate them before they devoured anymore humans. However,

The cat meowed once more before standing up on its feet and swishing its tail. It soon began to walk in a certain direction, pausing at it turned and looked at her.

Did it want her to follow?

She shook her head, and walked away back towards Karakura town.

Now wasn't the time.

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Short Story Idea by Archer McMuffin: The Daily Life of a Reluctant King, Part 1.

In the Vasto of White's domain, there were no set rules, but there had always been some sort of underlying pact between the hollows of Adjuchas level.

Hollows who had recently evolved from Adjuchas to Vasto Lordes were still in the know while other Vasto Lordes like Starrk and Harribel were kept in the dark about this growing secret society and its policies.

The growing fanatical devotion to one being, and the emergence of a possessiveness that even the leaders of the society did not know about. Then again, most hollows had lost any notion of emotion long ago after their human counter parts met with death. Therefore, the feeling of possession was not something they knew, yet that didn't mean that they didn't act on it.

It was why on this day, Shirou felt a cold chill travel down his back as he stared at the three newest Vasto Lordes approaching him.

Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci.

Normally, this trio of hollows would never so casually approach him when they were Adjuchas, but now they had become Vasto Lordes.

Since he never placed any sort of rules in the land he protected, the hollows within had made their own. One of them being that one was not worthy to approach him unless they were qualified enough. Naturally, it was why none of the hollows in his domain raised a fuss when either Starrk or Harribel came to speak with him. Other than Brans who was well respected, no other Adjuchas dared approach lightly in fear of some sort of retaliation by the rest.

What kind of retaliation and who headed it, he didn't know, but it was a matter that he had never questioned,

But it was also a matter that he had taken for granted. Recently Starrk had been coming to find refuge from Lilynette, but Lilynette would often follow and instigate Starrk to spar with him. This was evident from the massive explosions of numerous ceros, and the destroyed land. Based on this recent activity, he concluded that the three approaching him were going to ask him for a similar matter.

Apacci strode forward, looking confident, yet Mila Rose blocked her, and they both immediately began arguing. Sung-Sun then took the lead, only for the other two to grab her by the shoulders and force her back.

Cursing and butting heads with each other, the three somehow arrived fifteen-feet away from him at the same time, yet before they could even speak, a brat showed up and ruined everything.

"Oi Shirou, you said you'd hang out with me today," Lilynette called from the distance as she crossed her arms and absently kicked the ground. "Starrk's still being an ass."

"Tough luck, we were here first!" Apacci quickly argued, crossing her arms.

"Indeed," Sung-Sun spoke with a flourish of her hair. "In which case, a child like you serves no purpose aside from being an annoyance." She then made shoo-shoo gestures.

Lilynette's lip twitched before she erupted with an explosion of profanities. "You all, who do you think you are!" She yelled. "I've been here the longest, so that makes me more important than all of you."

Mila Rose grunted before saying, "words of a brat."

Lilynette growled, pouncing straight at Mila Rose who simply held her off at arms-length.

"See," Mila Rose laughed. "A simple brat."

"You think he'd rather spend his time with you?" Lilynette argued.

"Of course not. He'd rather spend time with lady than a brute," Sung-Sun said evenly.

"Then tough shit bitches, you can leave now," Apacci said smugly, leaving behind a trail of dust as she took the initiative.

The others blinked, then Mila Rose and Sung-Sun cursed under their breath before following. Lilynette was close behind, but by the time she reached everyone they were already less than five feet away from Shirou.

"That's enough!" Lilynette yelled before glaring in the distance. "Starrk help me!" She demanded.

In the distance, Starrk was just picking at his ear, and ignored her.

"I'll remember this," Lilynette muttered before turning her attention back on the competition. "Why don't all of you just leave already? Shirou would rather be with me."

"He wouldn't want to be in the presence of someone who irritates him," Mila Rose spoke, turning her head towards Lilynette.

"Then who would he pick? Obviously, it would still be me," Lilynettes spoke confidently.

"He'd never choose a brat; therefore, he'd choose me," Mila Rose spoke.

"How funny, you?" Sung-Sun muffled her laughter. "I'm the better option."

Apacci clicked her tongue. "A lying snake? Not a chance. At least I'm honest with myself."

Silence.

Their inquiring gazes then all turned towards him who had been slowly trying to slip away.

Well damn.

He composed himself, forcing his body to remain still under their gazes. "Well uhm," he racked his head for something to say. Instead, someone else spoke on his behalf.

"What is going on here?" A calm voice echoed before a figure appeared.

"L-Lady Harribel," the three bowed, Lilynette didn't even bother, instead she gave Harribel the stink eye thinking she was trying to interfere as well.

"Harribel," he spoke with obvious relief in his voice.

Finally, someone he could rely on.

Harribel stared at the four in front of her with a discerning eye. She had just returned from self training out in Hueco Mundo as it was the best way to increase her combat experience. After all, if she really had any phrase to best describe this land littered with swords, it would be 'Peaceful.' No hollows besides Vasto Lordes would dare invade due to the numerous Adjuchas and other Vasto Lordes spread out within the King's domain.

"Would anyone like to explain?" She asked while staring at Sung-Sun.

Scratching her head, Sung-Sun then began to explain. After watching Starrk battle with Shirou in recent days, Mila Rose had gotten the idea that they themselves would be able to spar and grow stronger through combat experience.

Listening, Harribel nodded her head, but she was more surprised about another matter. Shirou sparred with Starrk while she was away? If she had known that she could have sparred with Shirou, it would have had saved her the trouble of training outside. Still, she could understand the crux of the current problem.

There was only one of Shirou, and four of them. Therefore, they had to decide amongst themselves who Shirou would spar with.

She kept silent, pondering over the problem until an unexpected sentence filtered through her ears.

"But obviously, he'd choose you."

Something just shattered inside Shirou's mind, an unknown feeling of trepidation welling up from within him as he discreetly stared at Harribel.

She was blank for a moment, before a complex expression surfaced on her face, causing her to glance his way. Coughing into her hand, she turned back to face the four and probed "is that so?"

"Kill me now."