“Broken Innocence” Chapter 3
Ichigo and Rukia arrived at the scene where the Hollow was attacking. The location was one that Ichigo knew well from shopping trips with his younger sisters: the mall. With the time being so early, the mall was not even open to the public yet. Ichigo did not let that bother him as he kicked the door open. Rukia led the way after that, guiding Ichigo to the food court. There was the Hollow, a large, fat creature resembling a dog with a white mask on its face.
“It figures that this one would be in the food court,” joked Ichigo. “Let’s get this over with.”
Not too far away, a boy was watching the event. This boy was the one who brought the Hollow there… to an enclosed area with little outside interference in order for Ichigo’s strength to be gauged. He did not intend to reveal himself to Ichigo at that time. He was there merely to observe. After all, that is what the Grand Fisher had told him last night.
‘Just watch and do not get involved, tell me what you saw,’ was what he said to the boy. He had anxiously released his power that night to show that he was ready, the same burst that Ichigo and Rukia had felt. Despite his eagerness, the boy, named Hideo by his recently deceased parents, did as he was instructed. Ichigo drew his massive zanpaku-to and charged at the canine monster…
The Hollow jumped aside, dodging Ichigo’s hit completely. It went to the side and Ichigo looked at it, not being scared at all. He slashed back at the monster, trying to kill it quickly.
“TIME TO PAY!” he yelled.
Landing the zanpaku-to onto the beast’s leg, Ichigo was surprised. It turns out that the beast had jumped and avoided the majority of the attack.
“Do you think you could kill me that easily, boy? I would never let you kill me so fast. Do not try to play with me,” the Hollow responded.
Ichigo growled and swung his zanpaku-to again, becoming very frustrated as he did so. The Hollow jumped around, dodging each attack quickly. Nothing that our hero did could hurt the beast at all. Nonetheless, the Hollow leaped into the air and came right at Ichigo.
Ichigo responded by jumping up too, trying to stab it deeply. Determination and hatred were both in his eyes as the attack went forward. Unfortunately, things were not about to go his way.
“JUMP BACK ICHIGO! YOU FOOL, HE’S TRICKING YOU!” Rukia yelled.
It was too late. The Hollow moved in and grabbed Ichigo’s arms before he could bring the weapon down. Then, it threw Ichigo to the ground, slamming him hard against the floor.
“ICHIGO!” Rukia yelled.
“I’m…fine…” Ichigo responded.
Rukia shook her head and suddenly felt a strong spiritual energy nearby. She looked and saw the little boy next to the Hollow. A strong aura was emitting from his body.
“What is this? Why do I feel this strong spiritual energy? What is up with that boy?” she thought.
Suddenly, Ichigo began to rise, causing her attention to divert back to him. Her eyes turned back to where he was and could see the Hollow laughing and waiting.
“Be careful Ichigo. Don’t rush into this,” Rukia told him.
“Heh-heh. Relax. It’s me we’re talking about,” Ichigo said.
“That is why I worry,” Rukia put her hand over her face in frustration.
Ichigo laughed and got up. The Hollow looked at him with amusement, happy that the fight would go on.
“What are you smiling about, Hollow?” Ichigo asked.
“I'm smiling because I think it's good that you got back up. Now all I have to do is kill you and your little girlfriend there,” the Hollow responded.
Rukia glared at it with disgust. Turning her eyes on Ichigo, many thoughts ran through her head. She thought about the battle as well as the boy. Her mind was full.
“What does this Hollow want? Why is this boy here?” She wondered.
Meanwhile, Ichigo screamed to the monster, “I’m gonna kill you!” He jumped and cutting the Hollow down its chest. As the two continued exchanging blows, Rukia's attention shifted to the silent onlooker. A strong spiritual power was being emanate from the boy. She felt strangely drawn to him.
She walked towards the boy she said, “What’s your name? Where do you come from?” Rukia tried to be as gentle as possible, yet also attempted to get answers from him.
“That you will never find out,” Hideo said.
“Tell me what is going on here please.” Rukia requested.
“I have a message for you. You are weaker than ever before and neither you nor that Ichigo Kurosaki can stop the ultimate one. That is all I can say,” Hideo said, refusing to give any more information away.
“WHO ARE YOU?” Rukia asked angrily and lifted the kid up, holding him by the shirt.
Just then, the Hollow jumped towards them and she dropped the kid, leaping backwards to avoid them. Ichigo was down on the ground, far from where she was.
“Time to die, Rukia!” the Hollow screamed and went at her.
Right as he did so, Ichigo leapt up. The monster saw him coming and threw him towards a window nearby. His body flew and went through the window, causing much glass to shatter. Before he fall to the ground below, a hand grabbed his arm.
“Ichigo, hang on! I’ll pull you in!” Rukia yelled.
“LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!” Ichigo said, hanging onto her hand.
The Hollow was prepared to grab and eat them. Hideo watched and wondered if he really had much to say to the Grand Fisher. With Ichigo out of the picture, the enemy’s worries would be reduced.
Without warning, a loud clang echoed through the mall a girl appeared, holding her zanpaku-to right in front of the Hollow’s mouth. She smiled and her beautiful, brown hair blew in the wind. Her tall body stood strong and she continued to hold the Hollow back easily.
“WHAT THE? WHO ARE YOU?!” the Hollow asked.
”None of your business,” another girl appeared.
The second girl, a tall, black haired, Japanese woman, arrived and looked at the Hollow calmly. Both of the newcomers showed the Hollow no fear.
Broken Innocence Chapter 4