CHAPTER 23: Sacrifice

A/N: No chappies until Sunday. I'mma touch some grass.

In a blur of motion, Kazuya materialized beside the battered Dordoni, his fingers clutching the defeated warrior's hair with a firm grip. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "That was one hell of a battle," he said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Please don't try to take anyone's freedom in the next life. It's the worst thing you can do to a person, well, besides some messed-up stuff like making them watch Boku no Pico or a thousand episodes of One Piece."

With a weak, raspy chuckle, blood flecked Dordoni's lips as he coughed. "You've bested me, Niño. But beware... Baraggan approaches. Devour me, Niño. Inherit my Reiryoku, and become stronger."

Kazuya's gaze bore into Dordoni, his thoughts racing. Although he had lived in Hueco Mundo for a month, he had never consumed Hollow's flesh aka soul. The sheer magnitude of Dordoni's Reiatsu tempted him.

"You goaded me into ending your life," he whispered. "What was your endgame, Dordoni? Why were you so desperate to die?"

Dordoni's killing intent was far from genuine like Cirucci. She truly wanted him dead while Dordoni pretended to have malicious intent for him. He could have taken Mila Rose and Apacci hostages if he was so eager to kill him.

He was as honorable and chivalrous as a princess's ideal knight in shining armor.

"Sacrifice nurtures..." Dordoni squeezed out and reached for something in the distance. "Don't let it be in vain… Kill Baraggan or he will kill you… become a demon, Niño."

Kazuya paused and intently gazed at Dordoni. He recalled Dordoni's role in the story — Dordoni taught Ichigo about the brutality of Hollows through twisted choices then he sacrificed himself to buy time for Ichigo.

'His Aspect of Death has to be Sacrifice like Harribel.'

The revelation dawned on Kazuya, but it was too late. Dordoni's Zanpakutō was completely broken unlike Cirucci, his body shattered beyond repair. Even if he survived, he would never regain his former strength, let alone surpass it.

Kazuya clenched his fists. "That's stupid... I will kill Baraggan for my own desires. You don't have to tell me that… let me put you out of your suffering."

Using Oppression, he accelerated Dordoni's heartbeat. Thump. Thump. Thump. Dordoni's heart crumbled under the pressure and ceased functioning altogether. Yet, Dordoni's eyes remained open, fear and terror etched into them, even as a brave smile graced his lips.

'Motherfucker will give me nightmares.'

Kazuya gently lowered Dordoni's eyelids and heaved a sigh of relief. "It's over."

"For now," whispered Harribel as she silently landed beside him, taking his hand and squeezing it with comforting warmth. "Are you tired?"

"A little."

Harribel led Kazuya away from Dordoni's lifeless form and had him sit by the entrance of a nearby cave. "Baraggan will keep hunting us down... I'll be with you, no matter what... we'll fight him together."

Kazuya would be over the moon if she didn't utter those words with the tender, motherly look in her eyes. "Harribel."

She looked at him, her eyes reflecting happiness. She seemed glad that he emerged from the encounter relatively unscathed. He couldn't bring himself to shatter her happiness with his questions. With a sigh, he raised his head to the ever-so-close moon of Hueco Mundo.

"Thank you for having my back."

Harribel could tell that he had something on his mind. She chose not to pursue the matter and followed his gaze, admiring the lonely moon in the sky. "You are my family, Kazuya… You, Apacci, Mila Rose, Sung-Sun — you all give me hope in this world. That we, Hollows, can coexist peacefully without sacrificing each other for selfish gains."

She dreamed of making Hueco Mundo a utopia of peace. But her power was severely lacking to achieve even a fraction of her dream.

"Without everyone, I would have given up hope… I will protect my family, with my life if I must."

"You are unsalvageable, Harribel." He sighed and used Oppression to revert his body back to its original state. Freed from extra dense muscles, he rested his head on her lap. "I'll get some sleep."

He was too tired to be having an argument.

She chuckled and gently stroked his hair. "Sleep well..."

In the silence, she considered his words. He wasn't entirely wrong in calling her unsalvageable. Everything in this world came at a price. Her life was too small of a cost for the safety of her 'family.'

After all, protecting someone wasn't just helping them survive. It means giving them a place to belong. Giving them a place where they could feel safe and free.

***

As Kazuya entered his sanctuary, he discovered an astonishing scene. Mila Rose paced around with her breasts bouncing with each step. The dark-skinned beauty stopped abruptly in front of him, placing a hand on her curvaceous hip. Kazuya's eyes traced the captivating details of her body: her rosy-hued nipples, the Hollow Hole just above her navel, her sculpted abdominal muscles beneath, and the enticing slit between her legs.

Her Resurrección form gave her a lewd armor, a luxury her normal Arrancar form lacked. Apart from the three-sectioned crown on her head and her white necklace, she was practically nude.

Kazuya shook his head. "Lord, have mercy."

"Stop staring so rudely, Skull." Mila Rose covered her crotch with one hand and covered her breasts with the other, a disapproving frown creasing her brow. "Since you've observed so thoroughly, share your thoughts. This is my normal, unreleased form. Do you find it better than my Adjuchas form?"

She sought his approval, even though she felt confident in her Arrancar form. It enabled her to achieve so much more with significantly less exertion. Her combat prowess had skyrocketed beyond her wildest expectations.

"It's way better, if you ask me." He took off his shirt and tossed it at her. "Don't run around naked. My heart can't handle it."

Prior to his Hollow transformation, he had an impressive muscular build. His physique had further developed after a month of rigorous training, allowing him to stride confidently in only his jeans.

"Pervert." Mila Rose grinned and sniffed his shirt, her nose wrinkling. "It reeks of blood… Thanks, though. I appreciate it."

She donned the shirt, concealing her ample chest. The shirt extended just enough to cover her most intimate area. Despite her statuesque height of 177 cm, she appeared small in comparison to him. After all, he towered at an impressive 6'4" (192 cm).

The difference in their height allowed her to wear his shirt as an impromptu dress, the material draping gracefully over her curves. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a burst of Reiatsu, purging the bloodstains from the fabric with immaculate control of her Reiryoku. Her Resurrección didn't give her any special ability. However, becoming an Arrancar improved her base strength and Reiryoku control.

A/N: Shark mommy will protect her children.

***

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