A Hollow Surprise

"Huh? What for?"

Naturally, Shinji protested my request. Showing your Zanpakutō in the midst of battle was necessary, but to show someone simply because they asked? It was like asking someone to strip naked in the street because you wanted to see if they had any scars.

"No reason in particular," I replied, releasing my grip on the end of the scabbard.

"Nuh-uh. 'Course there's a reason. Even if you're an Arrancar, ain't no one going about asking things like that."

"That's true. It was just a spur of the moment request. Still, I'd appreciate it."

That was a lie.

While not necessary, it would help prove one of my many theories. It could technically be anyone, I simply wanted to test it on him. His Zanpakutō was interesting, after all.

"You'd appreciate it? Is that right?"

"Captain… Why not just show him?" Mom interjected, pleading her case from behind Shinji's back.

Seinosuke also added, "might we hurry this along? I'm a little tired."

"Yeah, yeah… You Fourth-Division boys are always tired and whatnot!"

"Actually… Captain—"

"Well, technically I'm no longer a member of the Fourth-Division, Captain-Hirako," Seinosuke chuckled, speaking over Momo in a sarcastic tone.

Shinji grimaced, his eyebrows furrowing as he listened to Seinosuke ramble on, his witty remarks striking Shinji like bullets. While I could accept some banter, Seinosuke did seem a little rude.

With Seinosuke finishing his little attack on him, Shinji spoke up. "You just wanna see my Zanpakutō, then? Why?"

"No reason, really," I said. "I've just heard so much about the notorious hollowfied-Soul-Reaper—Leader of the Visored, Hirako Shinji. I wanted to see the very blade that challenged Sōsuke Aizen."

Lying, once again. It'd come to me naturally once more. In pursuit of freedom, was I really willing to stoop this low in order to return home? Apparently, I was. It didn't feel right, though.

While not a religious person, I still believed lying to be bad. Especially if it was unnecessary. This situation was a little odd, though. I'd likely be capable of achieving what I wanted without lying, but I didn't. Was it out of my desire to return home, or was I simply being impatient? I was against the clock, but even then, I had time to sit down and laugh.

Why was I lying?

While thinking to myself, Shinji unsheathed his Zanpakutō, leaning it against his shoulder. "Ain't many Arrancar ever spoke to me, ya'know?"

He wore a smile on his face, as if he'd just suddenly realized he was a well-known figure. As some of Sōsuke Aizen's failed attempts, the Visored were somewhat popular among the Arrancar. Nelliel had mentioned her curiosity, intrigued by him attacking Aizen head on. Naturally, Grimmjow despised Hirako Shinji.

I got a good look at his sword, glancing up and down at the hilt and tsuba, observing every minute detail about. Enough that I wouldn't forget.

"Perfect," I said. "That's all. Thank You very much."

With that, Seinosuke whisked me away, ditching both Shinji and Momo as we headed towards the Aristocratic district. Shinji wore a dumbfounded expression as we left, his shoulder slumping as we picked up speed.

There weren't many Soul-Reapers I'd have had a chance to do something like that. It wasn't necessary, only a precaution in case my plan backfired. I'd have sufficed seeing Shunsui Kyōraku's Zanpakutō, but this was a step above. At least for my task at hand. It'd make my life much, much easier if I managed to pull it off.

Naturally, it was all a theory though. A complete shot in the dark.

Whether or not any of my plans worked were entirely up to chance, in all honesty. Retrieving certain pieces would suffice, but to actually pull it all off, well, that'd probably be impossible.

Regardless, I felt confident in myself. For the first time in a while, I knew things would work out. How couldn't they? What could possibly stop me now?

"Seinosuke," I said. "What's living in the Soul-Society like?"

We were still running alongside each other, our respective movement technique whisking us along the tiles of the Seireitei, slowly closing in on the Aristocratic District, it's outer district now in view.

There were large, ornate buildings decorated with golden engravings and silver-lined dragons hanging from their pyramid-style roofs. Many of the buildings in this area hadn't been touched, their delicate appearance still mostly intact. That said, there were one or two with large cracks running along their surface.

"From personal experience, or are you asking in general?"

"Personal," I quickly responded.

"Hmm… Well, before leaving the Fourth-Division, rather miserable, if I'm being honest." He replied, his voice low and sullen. He didn't seem to be lying.

"How come?"

"The pay was awful, and don't even get me started on the living condi—Ah, I misspoke. Forgive me."

He quickly cut himself off, realizing he might have uttered something rude. It wasn't rude, at least I didn't think it was. He was being honest, and that was all I'd asked of him.

"Don't be. Hueco Mundo is miserable, but it is what it is. What's it like now? Living here, I mean."

He coughed, clearing his throat before carrying on. "Ha. Well, this entire mess has nullified much of my work in the Aristocratic District, but it's not without its benefits. I met a friend not long ago."

"Ah. That's good. Friends are definitely good," I replied.

"Indeed… Speaking of which, I hope you don't mind my asking, but what was the name of your friend? That Captain had cut us short."

"Oh, that's right. I'd forgotten as well. You were asking about who'd saved me in my past."

"Yes. You'd mentioned that back in the First-Division's barracks. I'd love to hear, I may even know them."

A smile crept up my face.

"Tsunayashiro Tokinada."