Scratch Memory! Break the Lock

Title: Scratch Memory! Break the Lock
Chapter: 2
Author: Merci
Pairing: Chad/Nova
Rating: R
Source: Bleach
Wordcount: 4, 318
Summary: Nova finds things awkward in his human body when he returnes to Chad's apartment and there is only one place for them to sleep. His quiet with Chad is interrupted when the Hollow returns, revealing more about Nova's past and forcing him into action.

Warnings: Yaoi (male/male relations), violence, angst.
Notes: I thought I had more to say to this, but I don’t. I’ve been referring to the Hollow as “it” throughout this story, and so… when he takes possession here, I refer to the person he’s possessed as it as well. I tried it the other way, but this just seemed more fitting for it. I’m sorry for any inconsistency if I switched to “he” rather than “it”. It was unintentional.

Also, the Nova's brother bit still feels strange, but I'm sticking to my guns. Creative license and all that.

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Scratch Memory! Break the Lock
Chapter 2

Back in the shop, Urahara had withdrawn Nova’s gikon pill from the plush form and hooked it up to a machine.

Chad sat close by, watching intently as the pill rested on a tiny sensor pad attached to a machine, which then scanned it and spat out a printout of codes. Ichigo and the others waited patiently around the table, watching the eccentric shopkeeper as he hummed and hawed over the results.

“So, what is it?” Ichigo finally asked, making no effort to hide his irritation.

“Ah, this is very interesting!” Urahara said, withdrawing the pill from the machine and holding it up. “You share something with this Hollow, Nova. He can teleport as well.” He paused as he looked at the plush turtle and his hand tightened on the pill. “Perhaps you should use your other body. It has more power for teleporting, and I have a feeling you’ll need it.”

He trotted down the hall to his storage room where Nova, Cloud, and Ririn’s human bodies were carefully laid out and stored on small, hard beds.

Nova observed all this from within his pill-form, unable to really see, but sensing everything nonetheless. He could feel his lips as Urahara set him against his gigai’s mouth, and then he was inside, settling somewhere within the form as everything exploded into focus and he took control.

He opened his eyes – seeing things much differently than he could with button eyes – and looked to Urahara. Everything was clearer, his powers were stronger, and he could sense the auras of Chad and everyone in the next room.

Hopping off the bed, he accompanied Urahara back to the other room. Everyone was still sitting around the table when they entered, waiting for the next plan of action. Nova instinctively turned to Chad, feeling a pang of connection as their eyes met and his pulse sped up.

Everyone looked tired; Orihime yawned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she tried to stay awake, while Ichigo rested his elbow on the table, while cradling his head in his hand; conserving his energy for the sake of consciousness.

Chad’s shoulders sagged a bit, showing his exhaustion as well, and Nova moved towards him, instinct telling him to get closer.

“I suppose you should all take a break and go home for sleep.” Urahara turned to Ichigo, “Don’t you have school tomorrow, anyway?”

“Eh, this is more important,” Ichigo waved off the question with a shake of his head. “This Hollow,” he looked pointedly at Rukia, “has already killed too many people.”

“Now that we know what we’re looking for it should be easier to catch him. Especially with Nova being able to sense greater distances,” Urahara said, his hat casting a shadow over his eyes. “You’re no good if you’re all falling-down tired. Go sleep.” He received grumbles of agreeance from the group and Orihime seemed to brighten at the thought of her bed.

“Well, if you’re kicking us out, then I’m going home,” Ichigo grumbled as he stood. His body might have been lying empty and quiet in his room, but it wasn’t getting any rest, and his soul was weary with countless hours of reaping that day.

“I should probably fix Cloud and Ririn up with the same modifications,” Urahara said absently, looking at the rabbit purse and stuffed bird that remained. “Since there are no more Bounto for you to sense…” he picked up Cloud, inspecting the rabbit purse as it flopped its ears about in nervous excitement.

Nova watched this, feeling somewhat glad they could still be of use as Urahara inspected his friends. He nodded at Cloud and Ririn before turning to Chad, who seemed to brighten when their eyes met. His aura simmered for a moment before returning to its usual calm and Nova tilted his head. Ready to go?

Chad nodded and led the way out of the shop. “I still need to talk to him about your nightmares,” he said as the night air hit them and Nova fell into step with him as they walked back to his place.

“Ah,” Nova sighed, remembering the awful feeling his dreams stirred… and then there was the strange thing the Hollow had said to him. “We can worry about them later,” he shut his eyes tightly for a moment. There were more important things to worry about.

He heard the taller man grumble unbelievingly at that, but the rest of their trip back was cloaked in contented silence. Nova stretched his legs, enjoying how comfortable it was to be in his flesh gigai again. He could walk beside Chad as an equal without needing to be carried, even though he did enjoy being close to the other man and riding on his shoulder.


When they reached their destination, a new quandary presented itself: neither of them had considered the sleeping arrangements in Chad’s tiny apartment. As a stuffed toy it was easy to curl up for the night on a pillow or shelf. In his human body, however, Nova found his eyes drawn to the bed and the comfort it offered. He thought of what it would be like, snuggled under the covers and pressed tight against Chad, like he had been as a toy, but something about it left him feeling… apprehensive. As Chad dug about in the closet, he reconsidered his options and decided on being apart from the other man. As much as he’d enjoy being close to him, he couldn’t trust his flesh gigai to hide his reactions properly.

Chad reappeared from his closet, having finally located the pillow he’d set aside for guests, still in the package. He obviously didn’t have many friends spend the night.

“It’s okay,” Nova said, finding a comfortable place on the floor and leaning against the wall. Really, his bed in Urahara’s shop was just as hard as the floor, he was used to sleeping that way, and he didn’t want to be a bother.

Chad looked at him, and then at the bed. “You should take it, then,” he tightened his grip on the pillow. “You’re my guest, I should take the floor.”

The option of sharing the bed seemed to hang unspoken between them. Nova could have been quite comfortable if he curled up on one side of the large futon mattress, leaving the rest to his friend. Chad’s bed was large enough for two, but neither suggested it. Chad seemed mysteriously nervous by the idea, and Nova was anxious about the fear of his nightmares returning. What if he lashed out at Chad in his sleep? His face felt hot under his hood and he quickly looked away. Was that the only reason?

“Is it because…?” Chad shifted uncomfortably, seeming to understand something Nova didn’t grasp. “Ah… I wouldn’t…” he trailed off, his aura taking on a nervous vibration.

It was an odd sensation and Nova looked to his friend. Their comfortable silence was somehow broken; there were no wordless glances between them, no understanding of what the other thought. Chad just turned away and went into the bathroom, leaving Nova to figure things out on his own.

The mod-soul sat on the edge of the bed, contemplating the patch of floor he’d staked out for the night. Really, what was so great about a soft bed anyways? He leaned back, his hand sinking into the soft padding that warmed his skin. It invited him in, seducing him with comfort. Being in a human body was so different from a plush one that simply was comfort. His current body was soft and hard, delicate in some respects, and resilient in others. He furrowed his brows; it still needed sleep, and he understood that comfort aided in that. Perhaps he could trust himself to sleep with Chad…

Something fluttered before his vision and he looked towards the bathroom for the source. Chad was just finishing his evening routine, and there was nothing else in the tiny apartment, apart from shadows and quiet.

Nova rose, feeling something looming over him, though, he couldn’t pinpoint the source. Maybe it was his own apprehension? He shook his head. The sound of the water running seemed to linger in his ears, even as he went into the bathroom.

Chad had changed into his own sleep-wear of loose pants and nothing else. He watched Nova through the mirror as he gargled and placed his toothbrush in a cup on the counter, indicating the toothbrush and pajamas he’d set aside for Nova. He almost looked embarrassed as he turned to leave, his eyes avoiding Nova’s aqua gaze, which followed him out of the room and to the futon.

Nova quickly changed, removing his leather clothing and neatly folding it before slipping into the cotton pajamas that were a size too big for him. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror; his slack expression looked back at him. He rolled up the cuffs on his sleeves and quickly prepared for bed. He turned off the light behind him and quietly carried his clothing out into the dark room where Chad waited.

Chad’s back was toward him as he lay on the bed, uncharacteristically silent. It wasn’t something Nova could read well, and he set his clothing beside the mattress, contemplating the floor once more. Well, the offer had been made… and it was so easy to just lift the covers and climb under. He watched Chad as he pushed his feet under the blankets, settling down onto the mattress and trying to take up as little room as possible. He trusted Chad and enjoyed being close to him. Nova exhaled lightly, rationalizing that sleep was the perfect time to be close to the other man.

He sank into comfort, basking in the heat that surrounded him. He could sense Chad beside him, feel his aura burning with nervous tension that seemed to pique Nova’s sense of danger. “Chad?” he touched his friend’s shoulder. Did he feel the Hollow? Nova couldn’t sense anything, beyond the strange pang that reverberated in the dimensions he couldn’t touch.

“It’s nothing.” Chad said in a voice that sounded so tiny Nova wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly.

“Ah,” he sighed, keeping his hand on the strong shoulder. Chad was projecting wildly, his aura vibrating in some awful rhythm. “Thank you,” he said, finally turning away. He rolled onto his side and tried to make himself comfortable; ignoring the strange feeling that only grew with their silence.

Nova’s stomach picked up on the feeling and tightened with unknown nervousness. He liked Chad a lot, but did being this close to him cause such nervousness? His eyes drifted shut, staring off into blackness as he tried to distract himself and his mind wandered. The Hollow’s words echoed in his mind. How did it know him? He’d only really fought Bounto until that point…

“Nova…” Chad’s voice rumbled in the quiet, drifting on nothing that echoed with his vibrating aura. “You can… feel me?”

“Yes,” Nova exhaled. “The sensation hit him head-on, and he exhaled slowly. He wanted to move closer, but something inside him stopped him from getting close.

“…it’s just because I…” Chad stuttered, butchering the silence between them with the avalanche of rejected words that made up a confession.

The heat between them seemed to grow.

Nova felt his heart beating wildly in his chest as his mind raked over what the other man could mean. “I… I’m glad we were paired together,” he stuttered, turning to look at him in the darkness. If he were to share a bed with anyone else… he couldn’t imagine sharing it with anyone but Chad. He curled his toes, inhaling sharply. There were too many words between them, and not enough silence… or action.

Chad shifted to face him. His dark eyes were glued to Nova’s body, while his dark hair fell off to the side.

Nova reached over, absently brushing it aside to see him more clearly. It felt like such a natural action, though, the moment they touched, he felt electricity spark between them.

Chad’s attention shot up and their gazes locked as he pressed closer to the mod-soul. His body vibrated with a delicious aura; both uncertain and needy.

Nova shifted to face the other man. He had never done anything like this before, but he knew what he wanted – Urahara had at been sure to program him with that level of understanding, at least. He opened himself up to Chad, his breathing teetering on nerves and excitement as he exhaled slowly.

Chad’s touch was nervous as he lightly ran his fingers across Nova’s cheek. His touch bridged the heat between them, meshing their auras in a display of unlocked need as they pressed their bodies together. He swallowed thickly, his eyes seeming to waver for a moment, asking if this was really okay.

Nova blinked, looking at Chad with new eyes. He could feel it so clearly, this understanding between them. Had it always been there? Finding comfort in each other’s presence – was that enough?

The moment teetered on forever until Chad tilted his head oh-so slightly and they drew together, their husky breaths meshing in a chaste kiss.

Nova’s mind reeled at the contact and he lightly touched Chad’s naked chest. The contact was electric and delicious. He’d never felt anything like it in his short life, but it was addictive. How could he stop?

Chad was the only person he truly felt a connection with. He inhaled sharply, desperate for air as they broke apart. He lay panting beside Chad, their legs somehow entwined and his fingers absently ran along Chad’s hot skin. He couldn’t put his thoughts into words, or even grasp his emotions at the moment, but one look from Chad told him words were unnecessary.

He exhaled slowly, his mouth toying with a smile. Perhaps he could just let go… just let himself feel. Whatever lay outside those walls – Ichigo, the Hollows, Aizen – could wait. He wanted to explore the feelings that welled up inside him, and the only one he trusted was in front of him.

A small grunt rumbled within Chad’s throat and he moved forward, pressing his mouth against Nova’s as he stole another kiss. It was deeper than before, and Nova found his tongue venturing forward to lap at Chad’s lips. His throat tightened when he felt Chad’s tongue meet his and they slowly moved against each other, stroking and teasing as the kiss deepened further.

Nova was in heaven. His eyes drifted shut, just as he caught a shadow flash out of the corner of his eye. What was--? He inhaled deeply as he reached up, digging his fingers through Chad’s dark hair. He couldn’t think straight as he pulled tightly on the dark curls that tangled around his fingers. Chad’s hands were like fire on his skin and he pressed up into that touch, just as his warning systems blared loud in his mind.

His eyes snapped open and he broke the kiss, jerking away in time to see a gateway tear open above them. He tightened his hold on Chad as he felt a familiar terror welling within him; all pleasant feelings were obliterated when he saw the Hollow looming above them, its yellow eyes boring into him.

Choking smoke spilled past it as it perched at the edge of the gateway, its Hollow mask bore a twisted grimace cut from jagged bone. Its yellow, soulless eyes flashed as it looked from Chad to Nova and its gurgling laughter filled their ears.

“Ah, found you,” it nearly purred, hopping down and slamming into the floor at the bottom of the futon. “I lost you the first time, but I won’t be so impatient this time.”

It looked back to Chad. “Hii hii hii, but I’ll still use your friend… just like before,” he loomed dangerously close, “for old time’s sake.”

“Shut up, what are you talking about?!” Chad shouted, hopping to his feet. His arm solidified into a weapon in seconds, his fist burning with raw power, ready to punch the Hollow into bits. “We’ve never seen you before tonight.”

“Hii hii hii!” The Hollow’s voice reverberated across the room, triggering something deep within Nova’s soul. “It’s… not true.” He said it more to himself, but Chad looked at him suddenly.

“What, you’ve fought him before?” he turned back to the Hollow. “Stay away; I won’t let you touch him.”

“Hii hii, it’s too late for that,” it inhaled, seeming to relish the feeling as his hooved feet dug into the floor. “We met many years ago. You were in a different body then, but your soul is the same.” Its tongue slithered between his bone lips as it drew closer to Nova’s face.

Chad stepped in and punched it back, sending the Hollow back a few feet as its hooves dug into the flooring. He quickly pulled Nova from the bed and pushed him behind his own solid frame. He glanced over his shoulder, sharing a look with the mod-soul that said he’d protect him.

The Hollow’s laughter seemed to pierce the moment, drawing their attention back. “Yes, you’ve been modified a little, but I’d recognize you anywhere. So delicious, you were fun to kill.”

Chad moved without warning, punching the Hollow again and unleashing an energy blast that exploded around his room.

The Hollow moved around the explosion in a flash of blue, safely transporting around the explosion that took out the wall behind him. “Is it really okay for you to do that here?” it gurgled.

Nova couldn’t look away and the voice echoed within him like his nightmare. “You… killed me? When?”

“Hii!” the Hollow purred on a liquid breath. “It was a long time ago. There was some army going about, killing everyone they ran into. Entire villages… there were so many souls for me to eat, and all I had to do was follow the trail of bodies.” He licked his lips as he looked back to Chad.

“I thought I’d eaten my fill, but then I found two little souls the army had overlooked! Two boys hiding under the town bridge. They were so pathetic; knee-deep in mud, while the river was coloured red with blood,” he laughed, the sound echoing like a drowning beast. “It was a rare opportunity for me. I could play with them for a bit – terrified souls always taste better than defiant ones.”

“You ate us--?”

“If he’d eaten your soul, you wouldn’t be here now…” Chad said, placing a strong hand on Nova’s shoulder. “He’s lying.”

“Hii hii hii, he knows I’m not.” The Hollow cocked its head to the side, “Nova, was it? I never did learn your name, even after I ate your brother.”

“My bro--?”

“Do you want to see how I did it last time?” the Hollow took a step forward, its small frame seeming to grow into shadow, filling the room. He moved like liquid darkness and latched onto Chad’s arm.

Chad pushed Nova back as it seemed to consume him, his dark eyes squeezed shut as he doubled over and he was filled with a terrible aura that burned Nova’s sensors.

“What did you do?” Nova gasped, taking a step back as Chad turned to him, his dark eyes blazing yellow and his right arm sizzled with the surge of reiatsu.

“He’s a powerful one,” the Hollow chuckled through Chad’s voice. “It’ll be easy to kill you this time. Not as pathetic as last time.”

“Chad, don’t--!” Nova tried to cry, but it was too late and he dove out of the way at the last second, as Chad unleashed a powerful blast that broke the wall behind him. This was bad. He raced on fear and adrenaline as he barely escaped the next two attacks. He could easily teleport away, maybe go for help, but he didn’t want to leave Chad alone… with that thing in him. He looked back to Chad’s tall form lurching forward as the Hollow tried to manipulate his body.

It tightened Chad’s fist, glancing up at Nova with a dangerous glance. “You look confused,” it rasped, its head falling to the side. “This won’t be any fun if you don’t try to fight back.” It shot forward, punching a hole in the wall beside Nova’s head. “Do something… or I’ll kill him.” It charged an attack, its fist burning with powerful reiatsu as it turned on Chad’s body, pressing its knuckles to Chad’s throat.

Nova’s eyes burned as he watched the horror unfold before him. It was as if Chad was a gigai worn by some monster. His aura flared with the Hollow’s reiatsu, overwhelming Chad’s control. Nova had to think quick! Teleporting behind him, he climbed onto Chad’s back and wrapped an arm around his neck and squeezed. If the Hollow was manipulating Chad like a gigai, perhaps it couldn’t move if Chad’s body was unconscious.

“Hii hii hii!” Chad swung back, elbowing Nova in the face and slamming him against the wall. It rushed up on Nova, planting its knee between his legs and lifting him high on the wall.

Nova struggled, though, his head was dazed and his vision was full of the swirling image of Chad’s burning yellow eyes. He could feel the Hollow’s tongue leech out of Chad’s mouth, long and inhuman as it dragged across his cheek. He shuddered and twisting away. “If you want me, then leave Chad alone.”

“Ehhh,” the Hollow purred, distorting Chad’s voice. It seemed to contemplate Chad’s armoured fist. “Maybe this isn’t the place to do this. How about I make this interesting for you, then?” Its eyes cut to Nova, holding his gaze as its tongue slithered out and licked along his arm, burning as it trailed through the sizzling reiatsu. It licked Chad’s fingers and smoke steamed around its cold features.

Nova felt weak in the knees. There was nothing of Chad in that empty gaze.

He pulled his tongue away from his fist, smoking and blackened. “This body hurt me earlier… If you want to stop me from hurting him in return, guess where I’m going. If you can’t stop me, then I’ll kill and eat the both of you.” It chuckled as its yellow eyes flickered and a dimensional rift opened behind it.

Nova watched, powerless to stop Chad from disappearing into the gateway. The last thing he saw was Chad’s alien face staring out at him, blind and unfeeling. Their silence was empty and void, as alien as the Hollow possessing his body.

Nova sprang forward, just as the dimension snapped shut. He jammed his fingers into the healing rift, trying to pry it open, but it snapped shut, searing his fingertips. He stared at the empty space for a moment, feeling the anxiety churning within him. He held no power over the Hollow’s dimensional realm.

He squeezed his eyes shut, desperately raking over the layers of reality he could feel, looking for some hint of where the Hollow had taken Chad.

His body throbbed with exertion as he tensed up, his toes curling into the flooring, but no matter what layer of reality he peeled back, it all felt the same. He couldn’t chase after them.

He looked around the room, seeing the broken walls and furniture that now littered the place. Everything had been so neat before, but now…

He closed his eyes, feeling something welling inside him that he couldn’t control. The long pajama sleeves covered his shaking hands as he tightened his fists. It was unfair! How could he know where the Hollow had gone?

His body began to shake as he felt as if he’d explode. The feeling that welled up inside him burned and he clenched his teeth and dropped to his knees.

This… this just… he shook his head, trying to clear the overwhelming sensation. It clawed at his throat, blowing his lungs up with anguish that filled through his mouth. It parted his lips and unleashed the scream that filled him. It tore through his lips, filling his ears with noise that just wouldn’t stop.

He fell forward, bracing himself on the ground and squeezed his eyes shut. His mouth hung open as the sound escaped him. His mind flashed with memories of the Hollow and he couldn’t turn them off.

He wouldn’t turn them off.

He couldn’t see it before, but he’d known it was there. His fear was strong, and he’d seen the Hollow possess his brother – use his brother to hold him under.

His throat felt raw as he gasped for breath. It seared as it went in, mixing about in his lungs and he screamed again. His mouth unleashed an audible wave of poisoned anger that sounded foreign to his ears.

It sizzled in his eardrums as he remembered his nightmare. It was his subconscious warning him that—

The stray thought was like a blade, cutting his voice and silencing the scream into nothing.

He exhaled, regaining his composure as the answer formed in his mind. He didn’t need to think, or make a rescue plan – he needed to move. Rage had seized him and wouldn’t leave – not until he faced that damned Hollow and… he couldn’t conceive of what he would do to it. He only knew he couldn’t hold back once he started.

He couldn’t waste another second. Chad’s life was at stake, and he would show the Hollow it had fucked with the wrong mod-soul.

His clothing sat dark and mute in the shadows, but he found them easily enough. With several fluid movements, Nova changed and zipped up his regular clothing. He secured the hood over his face and tore into his dimension.

He left Chad’s destroyed room to the sound of his neighbours knocking at the door, urgently curious about the noise.