Fight fire with fire (to survive a zombie apocalypse)

I have no idea how I ended up where I am today…

    Since the virus’ outbreak a few months ago, things got out of control really fast. A couple of months went by without even realising it. During this time I managed to escape from infested malls, survive attacks as I traveled from one place to another, killed zombies, sometimes with my bare hands, and helped to build a fort which later became our new town. Somehow I became one of the most important people here. I mean, yes my raids are always successful, I usually come back with a lot of food, or supplies of any sort and I rarely lose any men, hell, I even bring back new survivors sometimes, but I think it's more due to luck rather than my skills really. But people here seem to think I exude confidence and bring some hope for a brighter future. If this keeps them sane and happy, it's all that matters to me. 

When I, with a little group of survivors I met along the way, found this warehouse at first, it was the perfect safe spot to hide but we quickly realised it could become more than that and we turned it into something better, bigger, and even safer. Soon, more joined us. We found weapons or created some, we had supplies in here and easy access to other places through tunnels free from zombies. Obviously, we have to travel further now but we are more organised, more prepared and more armed. I even brought trust with another community not too far from here. They are travelers, merchants, dealers of any sort. We have established rules between our two communities to exchange goods and information to live in peace. Things are looking good for us. I mean, not as bad as it could have been.

This morning, I decided to go visit the Store, as we call it, to get more supplies, especially some weapons, before a big upcoming raid. One of the women in our town is about to give birth and we need to go to the closest hospital to get some medical supplies even the travelers don't have. I took a couple of men with me and we walked for a few hours, stopping from time to time to recharge. We only ran into a couple of zombies on the way. It looks like the area is getting cleaner by the day. We arrive at the Store and as the guys there see me, they call out for their leader. They know who I am, they know only their boss is to deal with me. 

My men wander around, looking at some treasures the Store offers, chatting with the others, offering food in exchange for some alcohol.

“Guys,” I yell out to catch their attention, “don't overdo it, we're not staying here and I need you sharp for the next trip!”

They acknowledge my warning like an order then return to their deals.

As I wait for the leader, I see a group of four strangers entering the Store. My eyes narrow. I have never seen these guys before. They're not with us or with the Store. Are they lost survivors who have just found their way to civilisation or are they from a community further away? They look pretty clean and healthy. There's no way they were alone in an infected area, especially considering they don't seem to carry any weapon. I keep an eye on them until Jax shows up.

“Yo! Angie!”

I roll my eyes. I hate that stupid nickname.

“I don't know how many times I'll have to say this but my name is Chloe.”

“Yeah, but you look so much like an angel, I can't call you anything else!” he teases me.

We have this discussion every time we see each other. I know he means well so I let it go. Plus, we have a very fragile relationship. Better not ruin this by correcting this very tall, very tough, very war chief-like guy. He's not hurting anyone. And, yes, next to him and his skin as black as night, I do look like an angel with my very fair skin and my light blue eyes, but it's not like I chose to look like that.

“What can I do for you this time, Angie?”

I give him the list of what we need.

“Whoa, that's a lot. It's not going to be cheap.”

“Name your price.”

“You're going to the hospital, right? We could use some stuff from there.”

“Of course. We'll bring anything you need here on the way back. Why do you guys never go there anyway?”

“Are you kidding? Even my best guys don't go near the hospital. That's where it started. It's completely infested. Too dangerous even for us. Even if the treasures we can find there are worth their weight in gold, so many have tried and never came back, it's now a red zone we don't want to approach.”

“I get it, believe me.”

“Why are YOU going?”

“Pregnant woman expecting soon,” I just say.

“Well, that's very brave of you. But you do understand I will need to have a little something in advance. I don't mean to bring you bad luck but there's so little chance you or any of your men will come back…”

“Not a problem,” I cut him off as I drop a bag of supplies on his bench. “Hope that's enough to start with.”

“You're a good woman, you know that? I'd love to make you one of mine one of these days.”

He winks at me with a twisted smile. I'm not sure if he's teasing me again or if he's actually serious. He does have a harem of helpless girls following him around for protection and in exchange, they give him anything he asks of them.

“I'm good, but thanks for the offer.”

Before he goes to the back of his warehouse, I see him eying the newcomers.

“Who are they?” I whisper, my gaze following his.

“Never saw them before. But I don't like their faces.”

He says that with a serious, almost challenging tone. His deep, low voice is enough to give me chills.

He turns around and, with one of his large hands, moves the curtain from his path to get in the back of the warehouse where he keeps all the most precious merchandise.

I go back to my contemplation of the four new guys. Two women and two men. They don't look like warriors with these slender frames but if they have made it this far on their own, they're probably worth something. I take a few steps to get a closer look when I see one of Jax's guys picking up a fight with one of them.

“Were you never taught to ask permission before touching what isn't yours?”

    Everyone in the Store is very mercenary-looking and very territorial. They usually risk their lives to get things during their distant raids and it comes with a high price. They punish thieves very severely. And this one particularly, Diego, is known for his aggressivity. He's basically a wild beast and he's definitely not the type you want to mess with. I gulp, feeling sorry for the new guy. But he doesn't seem to grasp the situation. He looks up, his eyes peering into Diego's soul. 

    “I think what you meant to say is “may I help you kind stranger?” isn't it?”

My heart skips a bit. Not only because I fear a fight might explode in a second, but also, something weird caught my attention. I can be mistaken but I am pretty sure I saw his eyes glow red as he said that. Diego excuses himself and turns away. What just happened?

I look at the stranger, not believing what I just witnessed. He must feel my insistent gaze on him because the man turns around to face me. I lower my face immediately but he definitely saw me. I look up once more and I realise he's coming toward me now. I'm afraid I may have crossed a line not minding my own business but as he gets closer, he gives me a genuine smile. His eyes are so tender.

“You seem to have dropped something,” he tells me pointing to the radio on the floor.

“Oh thanks, my community would have killed me if I had lost that.” I chuckle, picking up the precious object to replace it in my backpack. “Hey, are you guys from a community nearby? I've never seen you around.”

As I engage the conversation, his three friends almost run to the rescue. But before they can even answer my questions, the guy in front of me stops them simply by raising his hand.

“Yes, we are. Our... “community” is not nearby, per se, but close enough, I guess.”

He grins again. Man, this guy emanates some serious Latino charm with his big brown eyes and slightly tanned skin. And his hair looks so silky I want to run my hand in it. I shake my head to try to focus.

“I presume you’re the leader,” I ask him to confirm what I suspect.

“He's our king, you pretentious peasant!” One of the girls spits at me.

My eyes widened. I don't know if I'm more shocked by her tone or the fact they call this guy their king. What are these people? A cult of some sort?

The “king” turns to the girl with a voracious glare and the girl lowers her head with shame.

“Excuse Melinda,” the king says as he faces me again with an apologetic look. “She doesn't have very good manners when it comes to strangers.”

I try to smile it off but I simply nod awkwardly.

“I'm sorry I completely forgot to introduce myself. I'm Alexander. This is Martin, Gabriella, and Melinda. We have never come this far before, that's the reason you have never seen us around.  I heard you were going to the hospital for a raid, I suppose to get medical supplies. Maybe we can assist you?”

“Are you offering to come with us on this infested hell-mouth? Why would you do that?”

“Well for starters, we also could use some of the treasures the hospital offers. If we go together we would have more chances to survive, don't you think?”

I narrow my eyebrows. I feel like this guy is hiding something.

“Actually,” I correct him, “this place is crowded with zombies, so it's best to use stealth rather than numbers on missions like that.”

“We are very skilled in combat but also incredibly sneaky. We would be an incredible help.”

Before I can think this over, Jax is back with my merch.

“There you go, Angie!” He announces proudly.

I move away from the little group of weirdos but I gesture to Jax to keep quiet with a finger gently pressed on my lips. He interrogates me with a curious look so I point to the group behind me with the top of my head. He peers at them for a second then comes back to me. His eyes lock with mine but his ears are focused on them.

“Why did you tell her that? Why should we help them?” One of the girls asks.

“Would you be foolish enough to discuss your king's order?” Alexander answers.

Woah, arrogant much?

“I'm sorry my lord, this won't happen again. I know all your actions will lead us to greatness.” 

Jax makes a funny face, between surprise and mockery, one of his eyebrows much higher than the other. I try not to burst into laughter. 

“I promise to you, I will explain myself when the time comes,” I hear Alexander continue. “For now, please trust me. This Angie is our answer, so whatever the cost we need to protect her.”

I roll my eyes not knowing if I'm more concerned about them thinking I'm some kind of God sent, or annoyed that my nickname is now catching up.

Jax puffs. I give him my angriest look but somehow it's nice to see him look so human. He usually keeps this scary poker face on, maybe we all do nowadays, but he looks almost fun and kind like that.

I focus my attention on the goods he brought over and test all the weapons before calling my men over so each of them can equip themselves. Then I turn to Alexander again. If I don't include them in our group, I fear they'll follow us anyway. It might be best to keep an eye on them by having them close by.

“Fine, you four can come too. But don't get in our way.”

Alexander bows slightly to show me he accepts my conditions and thanks me for letting them join us.

I offer them some weapons but they refuse. I shrug, not wanting to know why they're acting suicidal, and glance at Jax.

“You have a list of things you need from there?”

“Nothing specific. It's at your own appreciation. Really anything you can think is valuable somehow, either to trade or to use for our own squads.”

I keep eye contact with him for a moment. This man is a mystery to me. I can't seem to figure him out. Is he a tyrant, chief of the mercenaries, with the heart of a pirate and the twisted mind of a selfish man, or a highly educated and gentle person who cares about his team and plans ahead in an incredibly enlightened way?

I nod to his request, hoping I won't disappoint him. Then I lead my men and the four additions to our group outside.

“I hope you brought your own provisions,” I mention to Alexander as we all walk out of the Store, “cause we have nothing to spare.”

“Don't worry about our meals,” he reassures me, “we can find food on the way. It's one of our strong suits.”

The corner of his lips curls up but this time, his grin gives me chills. As we all reach the sunlight, I realise I may have made a mistake taking these guys with us. They don't exude trust. But what is done is done. I guess it won't harm to have some extra hands to help out at the hospital. I just hope they won't be a burden.

The little group spends the rest of the day walking, and getting to know each other. I gladly correct the newcomers giving them my real name to make sure that "Angie" nickname won't stick. Before night falls, we stop to set camp. As always, we find a safe spot that zombies can't access, usually abandoned cars we can lock or worse come to worse, a tree. On the road to the hospital, there are plenty of old vehicles so we have no problem getting into an actual campervan with enough room for everyone. I volunteer to take the first watch of the night but Alexander insists on staying up with me. His friends, or royal subjects, seem concerned but let him do as he asks.

We both sit by the back window, keeping a sharp eye and ear out. Once everyone is asleep, Alexander gets closer to me and whispers as he leans toward me, his shoulder almost touching mine.

“Good job out there,” he congratulates me.

He's probably talking about the group of zombies we fought in the afternoon. To be honest, we barely did anything since he and the three others took them all bare-handed without a single drop of sweat! I'm used to incredible fighters but these guys are on another level!

“What's your secret?” I ask, going straight to the point.

He smiles in the dark, his handsome face very close to mine.

“If I tell you, you won't believe me!”

“Try me!”

“We are vampires,” he simply drops.

I peer into his eyes to look for any sign of amusement after his joke. He's dead serious.

“Is that how you survived the zombie apocalypse?”

“You don't seem surprised to hear about our nature nor do you look doubtful,” he says with a satisfied grin.

I chuckle.

“We are surrounded by freaking zombies. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised to run into a werewolf!”

“Werewolves are instinct in this part of the world, but I get your point.”

Again, I expect him to laugh at this joke but he's very serious about that too.

“Were you expecting me to ask you for some proof?” I wonder out loud.

Before he can even answer, his eyes turn with the same bright glowing red I saw at the Store and his teeth grow, canines coming out of his lips making his face look like one of a dangerous predator. My heart skips a bit but I don't bulge. I've seen much more terrifying things than this. He stays like that for just a second then changes back to normal.

“Did you guys tag along to drink our blood?” I ask him with no fear in my tone.

“I would never feed on you,” he immediately corrects me with a slightly offended tone. “As I said before, I can sense our paths were meant to cross to lead us to our salvation, and I will give my life to protect yours. Your blood was marked as sacred when I declared so. No one would dare try to drink a single drop of your blood.”

He knew I was eavesdropping back at the Store. I can't help but smirk.

“Why is that? Why do you think I, a complete stranger, would help you and your people when you could destroy us all, just the way zombies can?”

“Are you comparing us to these errors of nature?”

“How are you different? You feed on us too, don't you?”

“We are different because we are much more clever than them, or even you for that matter.”

My eyebrows skyrocket.

“I mean, we know what's good for us and we can work toward a mutual goal if that brings survival and peace.”

He got me there. Humans are definitely not the best at working together. Most of us are selfish and greedy, we don't often see the big picture and some can even lose focus when something shiny comes along.

“Why don't you and your community come and live with us?” I suddenly offer.

My words came out before I could even think about it. I probably look as surprised by my own proposition as he does.

“I thought you said we weren't any better than those milky-eyed monsters?”

“I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to offend you. The truth is, we could definitely use the extra strength your kind could offer. And think about it, you guys would have a supply of food as payment. As long as you can control yourselves and don't kill any of us, for everyone's benefit, we could live in harmony and provide help to each other in our own ways.”

He moves back, his eyes glancing at the ceiling and his fingers running along his perfectly drawn chin, as he's considering the option.

“I'm sure some of you won't be happy about living with us, but we live with our own food too, we raise animals and feed off them with parsimony to survive in these crazy times. And we would welcome you warmly. None of you would have to take part in our town's active life unless you wanted to and we would only ask to help with defence around our borders and during raids.”

He turns his gaze to me.

“I don't think I have ever encountered someone as selfless, brave, and wise as you are, Miss Chloe,” he smiles.

I'm glad the dark around us covers the blush of my reddening cheeks.

“And do not worry about others, if I order my people to live peacefully with yours, they will do as I ask without questioning my words.”

Must be nice to be king, I think to myself.

“I'll give you my answer after our little mission to the hospital, but I can already tell you it sounds to me like a great opportunity for both our people so chances are pretty good.”

“You're not as bad as I thought,” I tease him, bumping my shoulder into his.

“You thought I was bad?” he looks offended.

“Well, not bad, but I had the feeling you were hiding something.”

“Technically I was so I won't hold that against you!”

He winks at me and my cheeks heat up again.

“Now you should rest up,” he advises me. “We can talk some more about all this later, but in the meantime, sleep, you'll need your energy tomorrow. I can take it from here.”

BLEACH fanfiction - part 5

During my time in the real world, I realise Aizen's experiments finally caught up with me. I pay a little visit to the vizards to ask for their help as I feel like I'm turning into a hollow even though my shinigami powers are gone.

I tell them I have very few memories of my time there but I'm sure that whatever he did to me finally kicked in. They decide to train me just like they did with Ichigo just in case I'm right. Turns out, I am. Except I'm like an incredibly better version than they are. I'm stronger, faster, and much more in touch with my dark side. On top of everything, I feel hungry when I'm around them and realise I can eat them in order to absorb their powers just like hollows do. I'm like a version 2.0 of what they are. Somehow they manage to keep me under control and I gain full power of my new skills thanks to their training.

I train with Hiyori at first then with Shinji a lot. Little by little, after training with each of them, I find myself training with Kensei a lot. 

He has a style of combat that suits me and I feel connected to him more than the others somehow (little do I know why since he hasn’t told me yet he used to be the captain of the 9^th squad just like I was). I find my place with them and create a deep bond with all of them. I spend most of my free time training with them or hanging out and I learn more and more about them and their past. Kensei and I even become inseparable. The tie I have now with them has become as strong if not even stronger than the one I had with my friends in Gotei 13.

Everything is going great until one day I lose complete control of the hollow inside me and start attacking them to swallow them whole. They fight back for a while but it's getting dangerous for them. Before they get to their last resort and imprison me until I regain consciousness (if I can), Kensei calls my name just when I'm about to eat the mask of his former vice-captain. His voice gets through me. By calling my name softly over and over, he finally reaches my soul not completely absorbed by the hollow. I open my human eyes just in time and stop myself from eating her.

Shinji seems intrigued by what just happened. He tells me I may have actually been released on purpose at Hueco Mundo to be sent here to eat them all because they are a threat to Aizen and his plans but it looks like I have a trigger to turn back.

His theory is that, even though I was released intentionally, it was just too early as Aizen's plan was for me to turn at Las Noches for the first time under his observation so he could be the first one to talk to me making his voice a trigger. That way, it would turn whatever he would say to me into an order I couldn't refuse to obey. Since Kensei was the one I was training with when I actually turned fully for the first time, it makes sense that he's now the one in possession of this trigger. He then smiles with his usual smirk.
“It's either that or you've fallen in love with him.”
I'm blushing so hard it feels like my face is on fire. He seems to have seen right through me before I could even realise what I was feeling. I know Shinji is teasing me but he's telling the truth and I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it, let alone talk about it. I get lost in deep, troubling feelings. And just as I thought I had a handle on my inner hollow, I turn back into the unstoppable monster I just was. 

Testing his theory, Shinji asks Kensei to tell me to stop but since I'm now aware of his power over me, I decide to take a desperate measure. I pierce my rib cage with my right hand and take my own heart out leaving a black hole just like a real hollow. Kensei's words still reach me like Aizen's would but the fact I don't feel anything for him any more gives me a certain free will whether to follow the order or not. The others panic seeing I'm uncontrollable.

Losing my humanity that way creates a connection in my brain and makes me remember the way Aizen tortured me in order to get control of my hollow self.
He was using his illusion power to make me believe I was witnessing terrible tortures on the people I loved. He would make me watch them die over and over and over again in horrible scenarios. He needed me to turn and if I didn't, he would cut, burn, shoot, or kill Kenpachi, Yachiru, Yumichika or Ikkaku. Under the flow of my tears, I repeated:
“I can’t!” I would repeat between my tears. “I would if I could but I can’t control it. Please stop!”
“I'll stop when you turn.”

Aizen always had that calm, peaceful face even when he was smiling like a sadistic monster.
“I can't. I told you I can't. Please let them go! Stop hurting them. They have nothing to do with this.”
“Turn and they'll be free.”
“I CAN'T!!!”
“So I can't release them... Then after they die, I’ll kill them some more.”

 
All the pain from this terrible memory just comes back and I lose control of my anger. At this moment, I feel Aizen's reiatsu in the real world. I leave with all my rage and decide to make him pay for turning me into this monster. When I get there, the fight has already started. One of the 4 pillars is down. The captains are fighting the Espada. I take the opportunity no one is looking in the ring of fire where Aizen is locked to get in and confront him. Little did I know I had a backup switch and Aizen's voice can still control me even though he wasn't there for my first transformation. Actually, the fact that I ripped my own heart out gives him free access to my powers and the fact I'm no longer a shinigami makes me a lethal weapon. He laughs at my stupidity. Then he tells me to start the white Web prison process.
 
When he did his experiments on me, Aizen managed to extract my bankai and turn it into a trans-dimensional prison where I can lock souls up wherever they are just the way I'd use my bankai on them. He multiplied this process so I can get up to 6 people in at the same time. They can't get out or use their reiatsu until I'm dead (or until Aizen tells me to stop...). If they try to free themselves and somehow succeed, I die. Also, he ordered me not to kill myself and put Tousen (who I thought I killed but it was actually just one of Aizen's illusions) in charge of my protection. The souls I lock up are decided, depending on their connection with me.
As soon as the order is out, I get the 6 of the strongest people I love the most locked in my bankai. Each of them separately in their own cell of nothingness. A fraction of my subconscious stays with them mainly to explain what's going on but also make sure they're not trying to escape. I decide to take this opportunity to have a one on one chat with the people I love most.  That also means these guys are out of the fight for the time being... I make up my mind. I'll say my goodbyes to all those who are the dearest to me then kill myself.
 

I find myself alone with my 2 best friends, each of them in their own separate bubble, they can’t see each other but I can see both of them separately but simultaneously. I explain the situation and tell them about my plan. In order to let them be part of the fight asap, I have to kill myself. 
Yumichika looks puzzled.
“I thought you couldn't do that.”
“Aizen may be smart,” I smile, “but I'm just a first experiment he didn't have the time to complete.”
 
“You're going to give up?” asks Ikkaku.
“I'm not.” I contradict. “Dying is the way I'll win this fight.”
 
Yumichika looks gloomy.
“Isn't there another option?”
“I've been through all the options and trust me, this is the way I'll win. This is the way we all win.”
 
Ikkaku stops me.
“What does Kenpachi has to say about that?”
“Pretty much the same thing I told you guys. This is my last fight. I'm going to die but I'm not losing. I'm dying with a laugh. This is my big triumph.”
 
When they finally accept my decision, we take the very limited time we have left to say our goodbyes.
 
 

I sit down on the emptiness of the bubble cell. Yumichika lies down next to me, his head resting on my lap. We talk about everything we won't be able to discuss any longer after this. I braid his hair on the side creating a hairstyle I know he'll keep afterward. Then we start talking seriously about his power.
“You should at least come clean to Ikkaku! You know he would never judge you and he will always accept you the way you are.”
He sighs.
“This is the way for you to reach the real beauty your potential is thriving for.” I say with a smile.
He looks up and I wink at him. He offers me a gentle laugh and closes his eyes. I finish his new hairstyle in silence. Then I feel it's almost time. We get up and I say goodbye. He holds me tight. Without even looking, I can feel his smile fading away.
“Don’t frown,” I say, “or your beautiful face will wrinkle.”
He laughs again and looks fondly at me. I remind him not to look down on his own power and promise him that, whenever he'll smile, I'll smile right by his side. I kiss his cheek softly and slowly disappear.
 
 

Ikkaku and I sit face to face and discuss my plan, the battle against Aizen, the fights we just witnessed, etc... I tell him off for not using his bankai by pride against the arrancar.
“ Your mission was to protect the pillar and by not using your full power you put everyone else in danger!”
“I know, I screwed up…”
“Look, I know what your pride means to you, believe me, but there are some battles within yourself you shouldn't be afraid to back down from. You’re strong enough to work this out and sometimes pride isn't what it looks like.”
He gets up. Noticing he seems upset about something else, I get up to and face him, forcing him to stop. I ask him what's troubling him. He thinks for a minute and starts blushing.
“I’m going to miss the crap out of you…”
I laugh but stop suddenly when he hugs me. Shocked by his gesture, I open my eyes wide but embrace the moment and hug him back. He steps back after a few seconds and looks deep into my eyes.
 “I’m proud of having fought by your side.”
“You have no idea how much I understand!” I smile, my eyes filling up with tears. “Always remember that whenever you'll fight, I'll always be fighting with you.”
Then I slowly disappear.
 
 

After I explain where he is and what’s going on, Hisagi sits. I sit too, my back against his.
“I'm so sorry you’re about to lose another captain. But I know you can make it through this difficult situation.”
I mention his tattoo and tell him I met someone with the same on their chest.
“Who was it?”

He sounds very interested so I tell him the whole story of what happened to me, how I became a hollow and how I heard the Vizards also became hollows before me.
“Kensei and the others trained me and I developed a deep relationship with them.”
Hisagi seems fascinated by my story. He tells me his tattoo comes from Kensei as he admired him.
“I always admired him after he saved me when I was a kid.”

As we both reminisce, we start feeling nostalgic and I tell him I don't want to feel sad for my last moment with him so I change the subject and start talking about his power.
“As my last advise to you as your captain, please make peace with your zanpakutou and start embracing your full strength. The only way for you to control it, is to understand it and accept it the way it is.”
 I hold his hand in mine.
“Whenever you feel uncertain, remember that I'll be right by your side to give you the confidence you need to believe in yourself and in your zanpakutou.” I kiss his forehead and dematerialize. 
 
 

After discussing the plan of my death in order to win this fight and take back their place in that battle against Aizen, Kenpachi turns his back at me. I know he's just avoiding to meet my eyes until I go. I get close to him and raise my hand to his back but I let go before I even touched him. I tell him I know what he's doing and I respect him and his decision but I remind him this is the last moment we'll ever going to see each other. I tell him no one is around to see or hear us. I ask him to carefully consider what he's going to do and say because if he doesn't do it right, he'll regret it forever and this will haunt him.
He suddenly turns around and holds me tight with all the passion he usually puts in a fight. I'm a bit surprised he actually listened to me for once but glad he came to his senses and I hug him back. When he lets go of me, he looks at me in such a tender way, I barely recognise him.
“I’m proud of you,” he says. “I’m proud I had the chance to be your captain and your friend. I’m proud you gave me the chance to share a part of your life with me. I’m proud of your last fight and the way you leave this world with a laugh.”
“ I'm happy with the way it ends for me,” I tell him. “I'm happy I got to say goodbye to the ones I love most and I'm relieved you gave me a proper goodbye. I feel lucky I was able to share my life with the man I respect and admire like a god.
We stare at each other in silence for a while.
“Please remember that whenever you will hold your zanpakutou, I'll turn my eyes towards you and watch your fights. Please make sure to keep an eye on the others for me. And since I can’t ask her in person, make sure you ask Yachiru to keep taking good care of you.
Then I start to disappear. Before I'm completely gone, I see him smile at me so I smile back and vanish.
 
 

Kensei looks around him, trying to figure out what’s going on.
“Where am I?”
“In my bankai.” I answer.
“Interesting!” He smiles.
Once again, I explain the situation.
“At least I’m stuck here with you.” he says and winks at me.
I blush and smile.
“And it looks like you’re back to your normal self.” He adds.
“Yeah, looks like my hollow form is on the outside, trapped by Aizen’s leach.”
“That’s a relief!”
I smile again then start feeling guilty.
“Look, I’m sorry about ripping my heart out earlier. I think the hollow inside me heard when Shinji pointed out that your voice was the trigger because I had feelings for you. It probably thought it would free me from your grip and looks like it did.
Kensei doesn’t answer. He looks sad and that’s an emotion I have never seen on his face. I decide to tell him my plan to free everyone in my bankai by dying. Again, he doesn’t say anything. When I’m about to ask him what he’s thinking, he runs towards me so quickly, I don’t have time to gasp when he hugs me. He holds me so tightly, pressing my head against his chest. He runs his hand through my hair and kisses the top of my head.
- I’m going to miss you, he whispers.
I had no idea he was the emotional type but his words warm my heart and I hug him back, enjoying this moment until I slowly fade from his tight grip.
 
 
“You have got to be kidding me!” I say when I realise who is standing right in front of me.
“What’s happening?” asks Grimmjow when he understands he’s stuck in my bankai with me.
“What on earth are you doing here?” I ask, refusing to admit the reason for his presence in the web.
“Beats me!”
I roll my eyes and explain the situation once more.
“No idea why you of all people showed up!”
“Come on, you have to admit you and I had some good time back in Hueco Mundo!”
He winks at me with a grin. I want to slap his perfectly shaped face but I just smile instead.
“Anyway, now I guess you’ll just have to wait until I die do be released.”
“That’s kind of a bummer,” he says to my surprise. “I was hoping we'd get to fight side by side again.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“I guess I’ll make the best of this little time we have left…”
He steps forward me. I step back. I don’t know what he means by that and what he’s planning on doing.
“Relax, I’m not going to bite you!”
He moves again to come closer then hugs me. Shocked by his behavior, I just stand there, unable to do anything.
“But you know, I have a feeling we’ll see each other again somehow. I have the feeling you’ll need me again!”
“Shut up!” I laugh, hugging him back.
He moves back and punches my shoulder gently.

Before I know it, I disappear as my physical body is dying in the real world.