A Little Peace, pt 2

[Shoshi Ana]

And stopped when Nel grabbed her and told her not to move. She struggled though against Nel’s grasp before looking over to keep an eye on it. She understood what Nel was saying but Ichigo needed help, then again she wouldn’t be much help if to Ichigo if she and Nel were dead now. The moment though Nel let her go she was off again heading towards Ichigo though she didn’t stop when she reached him and instead grabbed Ukei’s robes pulling him closer to her “You jack ass you couldn’t have done that before! You couldn’t have helped Ichigo before then, you couldn’t have gotten out of your cell before any of this, you just sat by until the last minute, is that what you do!” she shouted at him, she wanted to hit him but didn’t simply letting him go and turned to Ichigo.

“Yea I’m ok… I found Nel” she said walking over to Ichigo worried. She blamed herself for this, she should have stayed and fought alongside Ichigo, she should have said no to making a portal and stopped them all from coming here, they should have brought more, they could have done this with more and Ichigo she was sure would not be in this situation, if only she’d thought about this more. She was a bit worried about Ichigo’s joy in this though, she understood he would be happy but she was worried, she knew it was part of who he was so without it what would that do to him? She didn’t like the Hollow and she always said it was not Ichigo, it was something else, she stood by that but she did know it was a part of him.

“So… what does this mean for Ichigo then?” she asked glancing to Ukei before Nel and then back to Ichigo grabbing his hand “Let me see how bad the wound is Ichigo… do you feel ok… are you doing ok… how do you feel?” she asked bombarding him with questions “I should have been here sooner, I should have stayed and helped you… if only me and Nel had gotten here earlier” she said angry at herself

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

Ukei was immediatly seized by Ana and he frowned wondering what she was about to say to him but he listened and then looked down a little ''True...i could of busted out of that cell at anytime...but Ichigo can handle himself just fine...in fact im confident he could of beaten that guy...but when i discovered he could take his hollow power i thought...'' he began before he tried to escape Ana tight grip. ''I thought...that if i left it to Ichigo he may lose his hollow for good...i didnt know if that was what he wanted...so i waited and let Ichigo decide for himself....and by his reaction he would of liked to have rid of him...its a power you resent yet weild...you cant eve get rid of him i wanted you to know that'' he said towards Ichigo. ''O apologise though...i wished i had acted sooner now...you seem disappointed on the news'' he said.

Ichigo paused before he breathed out and looked off ''It doesnt matter....i should of known'' he said before he looked to Ana as she said she had found Nel he smiled a little before he looked around and see her she waved ''Nel!'' Ichigo began before he looked towards Ana as she gripped his hand and fired questions at him ''Oh...umm...i think im ok i dunno what that thing did to me...but i feel weird'' he shrugged he felt a little of his balance maybe it was just the effects of it he wasnt sure but he lifted his other hand and looked to his palm for a moment before he clentched it up into a fist and shook his head ''He's still there...'' he began he could still feel his hollow's presence for sure so why hadnt it worked. He guessed it was because of what Ukei said his hollow was part of him now. Ichigo glanced back to Ana as she seemed to of blamed herself he looked at her not saying anything ''Hey dont worry...im not hurt you had to get Nel out of there'' he reassured her.

Ukei nodded towards Ichigo then heard Ana ''Well it just means that you and your hollow are already one...Ichigo is hollow, the hollow is Ichigo is all the same thing and one being...your power and his have weilded together now'' Ukei said. Ichigo gave a sigh ''Im ok with that...when you said i may of lost him a tiny part of me was thinking about if i could still protect people without the extra help...i guess i just still havent accepted he'll always be there yet...i will eventually'' Ichigo said. ''So we know one thing...these guys arent anything we've seen before...and they hate hollows'' he ended.

[Shoshi Ana]

Ana simply grumbled to herself letting Ukei go, she didn’t have time to listen to him, she was still mad at him something terrible could have happened to them all and Ukei just wanted to test Ichigo, the bloody fool. And didn’t Ukei say something about them or Soul Society possibly needing Ichigo’s Hollow and then he was willing to just give it up. He was confusing her and she didn’t like it one bit as she glanced to Nel before back to Ichigo.

Ichigo said he thought he was ok, since when did he actually use his brain. She let his hand go and frowned a little at him, what did he mean he felt weird “What do you mean?” she asked curious and concerned, maybe Isshin or Urahara could help him out with whatever it was going on with him at the moment. She walked around him to make sure he wasn’t hurt badly. Hearing Ichigo say his Hollow was still there made her frown a little but in some way she was also glad but she didn’t know why exactly. “I know… but that doesn’t excuse not being able to help you” she said shaking her head and folded her arms like she was trying to think of something.

“Just because they have wielded power doesn’t make them the same” Ana mumbled to herself, she didn’t see Ichigo as the Hollow or the other way around, they were opposites, they weren’t the same even though in some way they were the same as confusing as that was. She shook her head “They eat Hollows… I’m guessing it’s why they are so strong… I’d also say it’s why they didn’t know who I was at first or what I was before it slowly clicked in their brains… it also explains why they liked to kill and seeked power…” she added before she widened her eyes and looked to Nel “Oh no… I mean I’m not saying you’re all like that… no way… you’re not… you’re far from it, I’d never say you were like that, I mean you’re strong and all but not mean and you don’t kill…” she added, well her friend she didn’t kill she had no idea if Nel did actually kill anyone, she didn’t want to know. Ana lowered her hands and sighed. “It doesn’t though tell us what they are or what they truly want” she stated glancing to Ichigo to make sure he really was ok.

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

Ukei looked off a little perhaps he was questionning his actions but he had orders, ones he must stick too infact ones he shouldnt really be made clear so he kept quiet after he had directly apologised to Ichigo. Nel eyed up Ukei a little ''So your that other shinigami'' she began but she still kept an eye on him like she didnt trust him much. Ukei just frowned a little to her so she was the hollow girl Ichigo had so desperatly wanted to save ''Indeed'' he only spoke to her.

Ichigo nodded towards Ana ''Yeah, im ok...but i mean i dunno like my senses have been knocked out or something'' he said to her why did he feel unbalanced he stayed upright at least unless he just suddenly collapsed but he felt alright for the time being. ''Just a few scratches is all'' he added before he glanced to Nel ''Its really good to see you again'' he said to her she just smiled ''Of course it is...but im more worried about what happened to you that strange light he used...ive seen it before and its had devestatng effects on the Espada....maybe your shinigami powers or the fact your human has prevented your hollow from being taken'' she wondered. Ichigo shrugged ''I dunno but im glad that guy's gone'' he replied.

''Thats correct'' Ukei began ''They seem to be of something entirly different...i wonder why they choose hollows though'' he said. ''But we should get your wounds patched up Ichigo stop your bleeding at least...'' he said to him. Ichigo nodded before he unraveled some bandages from Zangetsu and where he had some more serious bleeding he wrapped it up tight for now so he could carry on. Nel smiled towards Ana as she explained that she didnt direct her words towards her ''Its alright...im not exsaclty an Espada anymore i was replaced by someone else'' she sighed. ''But ive been in a child form for so long i cant remember what ive done before'' she said.

''They want Yamamoto maybe'' Ichigo suddenly said as he finished sorting out his bandaging ''Its gotta be linked somehow right...'' he said. ''Maybe there's much stronger versions of these guys...they took the head captain in order to throw their weight around....if you say you need my hollow to take these guys down well maybe you know now that its not a hollow you need...because they'll just take it....we just need shinigami humans anyone to take them down'' he added and then put Zangetsu back over his shoulder he looked to Ana seeing the look she gave him was she worried still maybe he should have an inner visit to his hollow personally see what was going on with him and if he was effected in anyway.

''We should keep moving they'll be out here after us pretty soon you know'' Ukei suddenly said as he pointed over to the underground cave's entrance.

[Shoshi Ana]

Ana simply looked between Ukei and Nel hoping the two would not fight or anything like that, there had been enough of that already for the day hopefully everyone could get along just long enough for them to work together to find some answers, this all still seemed confusing to Ana. Ana nodded her head though to Ichigo and smirked “When did you ever have any sense?” she asked sarcastically, she couldn’t help herself though but was worried she just tried to hide it best she could… worrying was not something she was good at hiding but she was getting better at it she was certain of that, of course she hoped Nels’ words were right/ “Well let’s hope that’s the reason hey”.

“Hollow’s are stronger right?” she asked shrugging her shoulders “I mean some of them are stronger than other species for example” she cleared up but frowned why Hollows indeed? She looked to Ichigo’s wounds, she knew Orihime would come in handy here but they couldn’t rely on her to always be around, it would be a good test when you thought about it. “If you need to rest Ichigo just say so ok… you’re no good to us dead” she added before she glanced to Nel and winked “Being a kid aint so bad” she stated, Nel was lucky enough to be a kid again though, she did find it amazing how Nel could change her form easily enough… or it seemed easy.

The idea that these guys wanted Yamamoto was concerning indeed. “It is a possibility… or they know what this new energy is… and are trying to become stronger to live through the coming storm?” she added “We’ll find out one way or another, we have to help in any way we can to get the old man back” she said a littler determined but heard Ukei say they should move so she nodded her head “We should try find some cover… take a closer look at Ichigo’s wounds and try prevent any infection that might start and I suppose we could all use a little rest too” she added, after all they all had weaknesses and they all needed rest plus she didn’t want Ichigo passing out on them or his wound getting any worse, the fact his senses were mucking up was enough to concern Ana as it was. “Nel do you know where we are? Where the nearest building might be… if so please lead the way”

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

Ukei and Nel kept their distance or the odd look at one another before they concentrated on what was being said trying to make sense of all this situation. There was nothing more natural and instinctivly right for them to battle she was a hollow he was a Shinigami it was how things worked. But they were trying hard not to launch into an argument or a fight for the sake of Hueco Mundo and Soul Society it seemed both areas were being attacked maybe it was time they put instinct aside to protect their worlds perhaps.

Ichigo's jaw dropped a little hearing Ana's comment ''Oh thats it! you've done it now ill show you who hasnt got any sense bitch!'' he suddenly began before Nel frowned ''Ichigo'' she said and shook her head. Ichigo paused before he sighed ''Sorry...'' he ended quickly oh man how he'd wanna continue there but his head hurt and he probably couldnt punch straight right now, not that he ever gonna do that to Ana.

Ukei nodded ''Yeah, a hollow has many levels...ordinary hollows have evolved so much since the begining now there is Arrancars and Menos and Espada who all excell normal hollow'' he said. ''But we dont know if there just devouring hollows or storing them or using them for their own devices'' he added ''We have to figure that out...unless they need to feed off hollow for some reason'' he said. He then looked toIchigo and agreed with Ana ''Yeah, shes right...we could all do with a break for now'' he said. ''You ok walking?'' he asked Ichigo ''Fine!'' he quickly answered him as he looked to Nel. She smiled ''I know of places...but i dont know if they've been detroyed.....we can just look anyway'' she said and then turned and scanned the area trying to remember whereabouts they were right now. ''Ah this way!'' she said gesturing them to all follow her.

Ukei walked fowards but made sure to keep back he wanted to keep his eye on Ichigo as he was complaning of feeling different than normal he observed Ichigo's reaitsu silently ''Hmmm'' wa all he said. ''Can you perform Kido Ichigo?'' he asked him as Ichigo walked forwards but he seemed a little slow ''Hm? kido'' he began ''No im a substitute do i look like i would know...ive never learned from Soul Society'' he said. ''Your reiatsu seems elevated for someone who isnt in a battle right now i just wondered if you could control it so you can lower it'' he said. ''It is low! isnt it?'' Ichigo questionned was he not even aware of his own reaitsu anymore he wondered. ''You need to speak with Zangetsu get the low down on whats going on'' Ukei said.

''Here we are!'' Nel suddenly said as she looked up at a tall building that was once a tower block where some Espada hid out. It looked damaged in fact it looked like something had been hit by an attack perviously ''I dont know how stable it is but it will have to do...the next building is Las Noches and its just as damaged'' Nel said.

[Shoshi Ana]

Ana was just mucking around with Ichigo, she couldn’t help it, he’d said the words and her brain had just acted with her mouth speaking the words before she could stop herself, she did find it amusing until she snapped at her… well that was Ichigo. She frowned at him, why did he always have to call her that. She was going to slap him over the back of the head and retort but she heard Nel say something followed by Ichigo and frowned even more before poking her tongue out at his back.

There was a smile that came to her face when Ukei agreed to they needed rest, she knew she could do with some but she mainly wanted it so none of them would collapse and risk everyone getting caught again, she didn’t think they’d get lucky twice in one day. Not when her and Ichigo were around one another, they were always drawing in trouble.

She followed Nel without a problem keeping up with her trying to process everything that had happened today, so much had happened as she looked back on it all though she couldn’t make much sense out of it all probably because she was feeling tired and worn out. She’d been in the sun back home and now it was night time here it was confusing her, had that much time already passed, probably. Ana glanced back to make sure Ukei and Ichigo were ok, they were keeping up at least though mumbling something to one another, she frowned a little but ignored it for the moment. If it was important she was sure they’d speak up.

Ana frowned “We’re not going there” she said not very pleased with that idea, she’d been there once, not again, never ever again if she could help it. “This place will do just fine Nel… thankyou” she added walking through the door and looked around. “I’ll see if I can find some water or something to clean out Ichigo’s wounds” she added not worried about her own, he had a bigger problem here so he was her main concern, they all were and they’d need to be careful not to cause any damage to the building so it wouldn’t fall down on them.

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

Nel smiled ''Oh good'' she said and she too walked inside she glanced to Ichigo and Ukei discussing someone ''Hurry up you two'' she said as she walked in. Ichigo nodded ''Be right there Nel'' he said then looked to Ukei. ''You think its seperated my reiatsu from me or something?'' he asked Ukei who tapped his chin in thought ''Im not sure...but somethings up with your reaitsu and you need to sort it out...you seem a bit dizzy almost...it may be because you've been dis-orientated by that beam and its effected your reiatsu too...but lose anymore blood and that wont help your dizziness'' he told Ichigo before the two of them walked into the building.

Nel looked around the place it was a little ruined but still some shelter and something to keep them hidden for a while at least. She looked to Ana hearing she was off to find water to aid with Ichigo's injuries she nodded. Ukei looked to Nel then to Ichigo ''Wait here....i'd like to take a look around if you dont mind'' he said. Ichigo nodded ''Fine just dont go causing havoc'' he replied before he took his zanpakuto off and set it aside he held his hand up and looked to the black cross like markings on his wrist from his fullbring ability man did that come in useful too but he still needed to discuss things with Zangetsu something was definalty not feeling the same had his hollow taken some kind of damage he thought he'd show himself oh right Ichigo could stop him from doing that now.

Nel approched Ichigo ''Its been a while since i see you last....you havent change'' she said Ichigo only smirked a little ''Of course i didnt...im still me afterall'' he said to her. ''Im glad we did decide to come here i had no idea you were locked up in that place...'' he said. ''They almost stripped me of my power'' Nel said. Ichigo looked shocked oh that made sense so thats why they were in Hueco Mundo where else was there a place filled with hollows. ''Makes sense'' Ichigo said.

Ukei had gone to inspect the area he noticed some stairs he looked up knowing the structure of the building further up wasnt so good so he'd go as far as he could before it got dangerous.

[Shoshi Ana]

Ana looked around the place… it seemed ok other than the random rubble and despite the creepy vibe she got from it but other than that is was an alright building so long as it didn’t collapse on them they should be fine. It’s not like Ana expected anything to come looking for them here but alas you could never be too certain with these things.

She’d been walking around for what seemed like an hour or so but was only a few minutes before she stumbled upon a room and smiled. Yea there was a sink! She looked around the room, was all clear before she walked over and turned the tap but nothing came out as she sighed and turned the tap off leaving the room looking for the next room with a tap that would hopefully work and she found one before hunting a bucket down and a cloth.

Walking back to them spotting Ichigo and Nel… where was Ukei? “Got some water” she said putting the bucket down beside Ichigo and glanced to the two “You guys ok?” she asked them both and picked the cloth up squeezing the water out of it “Alright Ichigo let’s see these wounds of yours” she added before looking around, she’d have thought Ukei would have come back from wherever he was looking, maybe he was watching out front “Where is Ukei?” she asked looking back to Ichigo he hadn’t gone off to get himself into trouble now had he?

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

''So really you guys came along at a good time'' Nel said and smiled towards Ichigo who couldnt beleive Nel had almost lost her hollow like abilities what would she of become just a outcast left on the sands to die by these guys anything could of come along and devour her she wouldnt be able to defend herself, that made Ichigo scowl. ''Its ok...im safe now see'' Nel suddenly said Ichigo nodded ''Uh...yeah..now you are'' he replied before he heard Ana.

They both nodded when she asked them how they were doing before she had aked Ichigo reguarding his wounds. He looked down he wasnt even sure where but he just looked to the one that was causing him the most trouble. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a huge gash in the top of his shoulder he didnt even remember getting it but man it sure hurt. But he turned his attention to his chest where that white beam had hit him it had left no trace or anything to show he had been hit he had been punctured through the chest before he almost died from it so he would know if he had been wounded there but nothing. Ukei was right he'd need to speak with Zangetsu on this strange feeling he was having.

Ichigo then frowned looking up ''Oh he went off to investigate or so he said...'' he began answering Ana's question. What he thought he would find Ichigo didnt know but he left it up to Ukei unless there was something in this building then they were in trouble.

Ukei was inspecting the building looking around and making his way up towards the top if he could but he doubted it. He looked up seeing the roof of the building was missing destruction had set in and there wasnt really much keep this building safe but it would do. Whatever had gone on in here had been a serious struggle perhaps one of those strange hollow stealing guys trying to capture some Arrancar and battling to avoid it. Ukei had even spotted blood so perhaps these Arrancar werent so lucky.