Chapter 8: Eighth Decibel

And that was how we met Emilou Apacci.

I wish. We were still just lazing around the home having done nothing since Mila's eyes had opened to the truth.

I, for one had found a particularly nice rock to moonbathe on. Franceska had rolled onto her side and stayed there like some fat mutant cat. Our Lady meanwhile was chipping away at the exterior of our house. For what purpose was beyond me. Did mold grow on it?

Did mold actually grow in Hueco Mundo?

I opened my eyes and looked at Mila.

Yes, yes it did.

"Hey Mila, are you going to laze around all day there? You're in my sight." It's not an unreasonable demand. I was in front of the door and Mila was facing our home. Wasn't a good look.

"Well what else am I supposed to do? I don't see you doing anything, at least I'm looking at something interesting."

"Our home being remodeled? I guess, but one mountain looks the same as another."

She huffed and stopped talking.

...sigh. For Harribels sake.

"Why are you watching her carve the house apart Mila? You must be really bored to think that that's something interesting."

"Well what else am I supposed to look at?"

I couldn't help but sigh. "My beads perhaps? We should also really watch for our more inferior...brethren." I took a moment to recover from that disgusting reminder. "Our inferiors would ruin everything Her Majesty has just worked on...rude little shits." Painful to admit, but I was connected to a bunch of craven weaklings that became irrational in the face of Her Majesty.

Franceska looked surprised. "Huh, had no idea you were capable of that sort of language. So, are you still determined to put Lady Harribel on Baraggans throne?"

"Yes." I gave her a look. My voice broadcasting my sheer offence. "You can't want an ancient skeleton on that can you? He turns into a fat man!"

"R-really?! Ahah-ahaha-ahahaha!" She continued guffawing for a fair bit. "Ah, now it makes sense. Yeah that would be pretty disgusting, but there's gotta be another reason for it right?" I get the impression that she gave me a look, but I could literally see nothing on her face change due to that freakish face, poor girl.

"Of course. Baraggan Louisenbarn, Second Espada...nothing succeeds at making me grit my teeth more than that. The thought that Baraggan gets to boss around Lady Harribel makes me vomit. The thought of Aizen betraying Harribel makes me want to jump down someone's throat and cut away at the insides with my mask as I pull the rest of me into their throat." I was longer than an entire family and could smash an entire building with my face. Give me enough time and I could do all that and more.

Why didn't I?

Oh, I never got that mad before.

At least I could do it though, I'd remember that for the next time someone woke us for an outing.

"I can't say I don't see your point, but you've got to calm down and think things through. He's ruler for a reason, he's stronger that Harribel, and I don't want to say it but it's the truth."

"Hm, for how long Mila?"

"I don't know. Until we get Apacci I suppose, but even then he's not going to be easy to depose. And we do want him to live right? It'd make resisting Aizens objections to dying even easier."

"Hmm...up until Aizen hypnotizes him."

Everything was blissfully silent for a while. "Ahh...shit. Do we just let him die?"

I tilted my head to the side in thought. "Preferable. But we'll have to run it by our Mistress first. Will you remind me or tell her yourself?"

"Ah, I'll do it myself. Lazy snake."

"Thank you. I'm a lizard, so from time to time I've got to do this."

"Y'know Sung-Sun, I'm pretty sure that's not how things work."

"Then why are you on your side like a cow?"

"OK, I know I'm supposed to be offended but you're not exactly proving me wrong."

I huffed. "Well I suppose I could go to the trouble of proving myself right. Maybe when I feel like it."

"You really are that lazy huh? Well," She pulled herself up. "Guess I'll tell her about Baraggan then."

"You know I didn't mean right now right? I was going to do it when she finally finished working."

"Oh." She flopped right down again. "Guess I'll sit down then."

"Lay down is the correct term...I think. Personally I can't wait for Emilou to come already. Then she could help Lady Harribel."

"Yeah, her body built for work?"

"Not much else she's good for I guess. Certainly better suited for this kind of work than I am. Though you're probably better at it."

"Yeah? Well...I ain't doing that kinda work."

"Yes well, that's why we're here lazing about isn't it?"

"Well I wouldn't call it that necessarily. No need to use such strong language to describe taking a break right?"

"Hmm...you're right. That Apacci has hotblood anyway. A practical learner, so I'm sure she'll be restless enough to act as a pack mule."

"Elk or deer right? Well whatever, you know anyone else that...'restless'?"

"No. But I suppose there'll be plenty once Her Majesty assumes the position that's rightfully hers."

"Hm, how are you going to do that? We'll be doing it together, which will automatically have Hollows running towards the hills or trying to userp us because we did it as a group."

"Hmph, the unwilling will run with all of us not there to contain them and the brown nosers will attempt to depose Lady Harribel once we overthrow Baraggan. Throw a harder puzzle at me Mila." I took on a lecturers tone. "Hollows will be reborn and given a job, and the resistance will face my tender mercies."

I could read her surprise from over here. "You really are that angry huh?"

"No...just irritated. Her Majesty is living art and a merciful ruler beyond what they deserve. If they really want to punishment so badly then I'll just hand them over to some sadist. The mind of treacherous leeches are too below me to consider."

She sat up to face me. "Do you really not understand that some Hollows would just object to someone ruling them? Even now Baraggan faces resistance from time to time. Well, runners mostly."

"That's no excuse. It's just another automaton acting out. I guess life would be boring without the occasional bout of bloodsports, but I won't bother to understand why worms bite humans. Their mind is too alien for me to understand, so I won't make the attempt. Don't pretend you're some bleeding heart that wants to understand why dogs are attacking you. There are only four smart people in this world Mila. And sad as I am to say it, that number may soon be reduced to three."

"You really don't understand why Hollows would have such a problem with it huh? Lady Harribel would never accept keeping them in line with such brutality."

"Fine, I'll destroy your two points. First off, why are you here?" She stayed silent. "Thought so. And secondly, the bloodsports need only be proposed. If it all comes to fruition then it will all be in place to be done. I'll reassure Lady Harribel that it's just for show and that the image will deter rebellion."

"Well...what are these bloodsports?"

"Colosseum for one. They'll be kept for as long as they have to. And anyone sentenced to death will be publicly displayed. And it won't be an execution at all." I could see her head perk up in interest. "Apacci will take out all her anger on them until they die. If she leaves their wounds hanging out in the open until she remembers them then that's that. No matter what they're not going to die in a day." Apacci would keep careful track of how many she had left and genuinely wonder if she had the time to take out of her schedule to go to therapy.

Ah Apacci. I'm beginning to love you. Something I should probably stop doing right this instant.

"Hmm...you think that'll work?"

"Of course! We'll keep the Eighth Espada if we can. First we'll have to determine his abilities and then decide whether or not to keep him based on risk. For the truly worst scum of them all we'll impale them on a landmark and occasionally quench their thirst. Of course, the drink will be full of experimental insects and debris. Rule by horror Franceska. Not fear, like that Baraggan. It will be a Lovecraftian nightmare for all who slander her."

"Oh yeah? And what if someone says I'm prettier than Lady Harribel huh?!"

"You can get away from my face you know that Mila?" She backed off. "Thank you, now they're wrong-"

"What are you trying to say!?"

"-But that's all they'll be." I suppose I could hold my tongue. It was okay to be body conscious when you looked like that. No need to retort I suppose...

"Hmph! I'll show you once I become a Vasto Lorde! Then you'll become a bit more cautious when talking about beauty."

"Yes, yes, and you'll get all the virgin men you could ever want."

"Ugh, I don't want men Sung-Sun."

Gotcha.

"Oh really? So you prefer the feminine persuasion? I'm the same." I said it just as I saw her move in reaction. "Although...I get the feeling that we might prefer them for a different reason..."

"Huh? What are you saying?"

"You never did explain why a female tiger has a mane..."

"Well-that's-"

"A lot of stuttering?"

"That's none of you're damn business!"

"Hey I don't mind." She turned around in a huff and I let the silence stew for one minute.

"Hey Rose...why don't you come over here? I actually am cold blooded now. So why don't you solve that better than this rock?"

"Huh? I thought you didn't want hair all over you or something? Wait! You're not gonna fondle me to find out more about me are you?!"

"Hm. Me and what appendage?" I smiled for effect.

"I don't trust this."

"Well, to be perfectly honest I still don't want to be flea ridden, but I am testing how good your taste in women is."

"So that's what this is about. And it's a little infuriating that I can't tell if you're jealous of me or what."

"Jealous of what Mila? Lady Harribels body? I'm glad you explained the real reason you were looking where you were prior."

It took her a while but she gasped in realization. "Sung-Sun you-!"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tattle."

"No, Sung-Sun!-"

"Oh relax. What's a bit of gossip? I think I know exactly what you're staring at. I do prefer the feminine after all. Art lays with art."

"But!-"

"Oh relax. What am I going to do with that information anyway?" She eventually calmed down after a while. She really is antsy about all this intimate stuff isn't she? "You think Emilou has an eye for art like us two?"

"Huh? Well you haven't exactly told me anything about her, and I don't care either."

"How droll, she's not the best looking, but I'm beginning to admire her for her dedication to Lady Harribel. Something I should probably stop really soon."

"Hm, speaking of Emilou...how do you know all this? No one could ever have an ability to see the future. Not even a Shinigami, and they're weaker than a Vasto Lorde so that they can have a stronger gimmick. So how?"

I replied.

Uhh...give me a second.

"I dreamed it all up. You, Baraggan, everyone and everything."

"But how?"

I hanged my head. "I don't know the how of it, but it's not an ability I have."

"So you were just granted it? By the Soul King?" A sliver of disbelief was present. Mostly because none of us had answers.

"No. I plan to kill him too."

"Oh wow, you were serious about that?"

"I guess I could suck him dry."

"But what about seeing the future again?! Don't you think it'd be handy to be able to do that again?!"

"Calm down you wild monkey." I closed my eyes and got back to moonbathing. "Just use the Hōgyoku."

"What?! What'll that do!"

"It grants wishes. Kind of, just keep quiet so I can-"

"Are you?!-Master Harribel!"

"Wha-Mila! Tell her that one thing!" She already started climbing the green tinted mountain.

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

"Yes Mila, I've been told it's capable of granting wishes. But it's also extremely limited in regards to that, so being able to see the future is a big question. The bigger question however is how we could even get our hands on it."

"But Lady Harribel! We could-"

I ignored the conversation and continued crushing the rock dust that fell in our home. Not much of it but I could crush whatever there was.

"Yes-"

Better not waste Harribels time and make her think she has to do this herself. It would also be a shame to witness an eyesore.

"I see what you're saying but-"

At least The body helped a lot. Just slithering over it destroyed it, which was fairly neat I suppose.

"Hm...perhaps you're right. Sung-Sun, what do you think?"

"Huh? Ah, sorry Lady Harribel. I was-" Not going to tell Mila what I was just doing if I had anything to say about it. "Too busy to listen." A bow of the head.

"Grr, Sung-Sun what are you thinking?-" Mila's admonishment was expected, as was Lady Harribel interrupting her.

"We were just discussing the Hōgyoku and any possible plans there could be with it."

"Hmm...well, I don't know where it is at all times or even how to use it. Aizen does merge with it to become part Hollow and still gets to use Kidō. He probably wishes for constant transformation. Happens three times I believe, and the Hōgyoku turns on him once Ichigo deals enough damage. So if you can transform three times then I imagine seeing the future is possible." I never did get to telling Mila that Aizen merged with it did he?

"It sounds as if it might be possible. Three transformations...we'll have to head it off before he can ever merge with it then. When does he by the way?"

"In Fake Karuka My Lady."

"Shit! Well? Do we have a plan for that? Juggling all those Captains and ourselves who might get put under his Zanpakutō?" No one spoke after Milas outburst.

Not a word from any of us for a long time till I broke the silence.

"Mmgh. We'll make it through this Mila, Lady Harribel already came up with a plan to procure power. We'll make a plan when more of the future becomes known to us."

"But-"

"Where did that courage from before go when you emboldened us about real Karuka? Mila, I want to tell you there's a way to nullify it but I can't. All I can tell you is that you're failing in your duties to Lady Harribel. We know plenty enough already don't you think? We'll become more powerful than we were intended to be, that alone is a sign we can do this, that our destiny this time is to triumph unblemished." I elegantly swung my head to the side, beads tinkling as I did so. "We're already warned about the future. Did you get this far because destiny held your hand Mila? Did you mean to insinuate that none of us got here through our own power and skill?"

"..." She gave me a look. A focused one. A look that I found myself appreciating.

"Lady Harribel could douse a volcano with a bucket of water, I can pave the road to the future, you can do just as well as us. I wouldn't let some no name rookie serve Lady Harribel. We have the time to develop the techniques, the time to think around our five senses. I've already proved I've got a sixth haven't I? And we can snatch the Hōgyoku if we need to."

"Ye-yeah, you're right..."

"Yes, look ashamed as you ought to. Letting a little toothpick and a ghost stop you from serving Lady Harribel. It's not even the length or width of our Master's sword. If things become so difficult then learn how to sense the Hōgyoku instead. It's all five senses, not the spiritual kind though."

Lady Harribel turned to me. "You believe he can't interfere with spiritual sensing? It's odd how none of his opponents thought to do so if that's the case. But I suppose he is a Captain, the pressure he could force probably makes it unfeasible. Or perhaps he's just good enough to hide it. If he mastered all four possible means of combat for a Shinigami then he's likely to have also mastered the ways of the Second Division. He clearly seeks perfection, so I'm going to guess he can replace any Captain of any Squad and improve upon it. Well...we'll figure it out as we go along."

Mila finally seemed to gather her courage. "A-alright. Yeah, I suppose I'll do that."

Oh for God's- "Ugh, don't bother. We'll all evolve and get a leg up in every regard. No one ever heard of a Hollow learning Cero before they became a Menos class."

"First you tell me to learn and then you admonish me for doing it. Make your mind up Cyan." I couldn't help the sigh that passed through my mouth.

"We're creatures of instinct Mila. Don't be as thick headed as Apacci though."

"Hmph!" She swung her head upwards to glare and growl at me, like she always does. "Then why are we getting her if she's that stupid?"

"Because we owe it to her Mila." We turned towards Lady Harribel as she started to speak. "She doesn't deserve to die just because she follows her instincts too strongly. She can be taught to ignore them like all of us here can, but instinct can be a good thing at times as we all know-"

God help me but I could only hear; "We can't erase her just because she has a skull thicker than your thighs Mila."

"So for that reason we'll find her and offer her a place with us, and if she rejects it and goes her own way, then so be it."

"Yeah Mila, we can't kill her because she's got a skull as thick as those thighs of yours."

Oh, did that feel good.

"Hey! Are you trying to call me fat!?"

"What does it sound like?"

"It sounds like I oughta' teach you a lesson in respect!"

"And how are you going to do that?"

"Well I'm gonna beat you and-"

Oh here we go. Tier closed her eyes. Why does Sung-Sun keep doing this? She knows the future so why does she keep this up? Well...whatever. Although, isn't this a house on fire saying? I get the feeling they're going to snap and finally butt heads. Well...coming to blows is inevitable once they become Vasto Lordes. Although Sung-Sun was right about Hollows Vasto Lordes do need to train to fully utilize their powers. But still...is it enough?"

Tier opened her eyes to see her comrades butting heads.

She promptly closed them and decided to ignore it as best she could.

"You trashy little harlot!" Cyan.

"You're the biggest whore around here! Who're you trying to call trashy!?" Franceska.

Perhaps it'd be better to wonder where they came from by language alone? No. Too easy, that wouldn't distract her.

"You loathsome slu-!"

What would it be like with Emilou here? Hopefully she could balance the interactions between these two, rather than putting fuel in the fire. That would be-

"RRRAGHH!"

"Stop you two."

"Okay..." She could hear the sulking that was going on by the tone of voice.

Hmm...perhaps it'd be better if Apacci didn't have spunk. The sheer amount of arguments would be insane.

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

Omake, turn on!

"Hm?" I looked down to the child in rags on our doorstep in Hueco Mundo. "And what are you doing here little girl?" Cracked mask, looked like a child, so probably an Arrancar. If extremely weak.

"Uhh, I'm just looking for-" I picked her up by her rags. Lady Harribel might be pleased with a surrogate child. If not, I'd foist her off on Emilou. "Huh?"

"Shush now child. You're new aunt has work to be doing."

"Huh? But Ichtisygo-"

"We're going to his town so you can live with him for a minute, so just sit tight and keep quiet like all good little girls okay? And don't tug on my clothing. Especially the sleeves."

In Karuka...

"Hey! You there! What are you doing carrying that child!?" A concerned silver haired man who I wanted to call Akihiko yelled at me.

"Juushiro, do you not see that cracked mask? She is an Arrancar, not an infant."

"But Captain Yamamoto!-"

"Why do you care so much about her anyway? Finders keepers."

"But that's not your child! You just said so!"

Ugh. Getting an earache from all this. "Fine, if you care that much..." I started to crouch and hurled her as far as I could.

"What!-" I saw him reappear at the child that kept making stupid noises next to my ear. "You can't throw OR hold children like that! What are you thinking!?"

"Well what if I throw him?" I pointed at his bratty looking child with the sword. "Will you still complain then?"

The silver haired brat spoke up. "Please leave me out of this stupidity."

"Yes!"

That was when the kid became a little angry rather than exasperated. "Captain Juushiro, did you just seriously call me a child?" A rebellious teenager?

"Now Toshiro, I know you may not like what I'm about to say-"

"I don't like what you're saying right now!"

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

Post Script...Well...that's all stockpiled chapters.

Expect the next update next year. Or month.

So I'm seeing people start to appreciate the CyanTier. Excellent! Now you all know how I feel! You will know the way!

Guest/Hallow: I'm quite happy you were so passionate about this story. Not that sure I'll be able to deliver on it though, but I'll do my best. By the way, am I missing out on anything if I don't watch Ranma? I read the manga and now I'm missing out on some anime only episodes but I'm not sure if I should watch the rest of it.

I do have more chapters but those are basically in a different world at this point. Scrapping the useless parts and keeping the good stuff is going to take a while. I am a little sorry that this is your last update for a while since it's so short, but I think I do well under pressure, so now the cooker should be on and I'll match it's pace. Hopefully. While I'm taking time why don't you check out my Favourite and Followed stories?

Guess I'll see you in...I don't know. Probably a month if I assume the best.