Degeneration of a Soul

So school was nasty this year. Sorry for not updating, hopefully now that I have time I will be able to update more during this summer. Again I apologize for the long wait here is chapter 6 and as always I apologize for any typos.

Chapter 6

The Destruction of the Hollow?

Yachiru laughed in delight as Kenpachi came to an abrupt halt. “Do you sense him Ken-chan?” She asked and looked about.

“He’s nearby.” Kenpachi said a wicked grin spreading across his lips.

“Let’s go and get him Ken-chan!” She cheered.

Ikkaku and Yumichika too sensed the hollow, but it was weird as to how close to Rukongai it was, and no one noticed. “I wonder if he took out other Shinigami…maybe that’s why Hitsugaya has been degeneratin’ and we haven’t got any word about it.” Ikkaku mused balancing his zanpakuto over his shoulder.

“That isn’t a good thing.” Yumichika said thoughtfully. “Maybe by using Hitsugaya’s reiatsu he is also able to mask his own.”

“He’s a nasty Hollow hurting little Shiro-chan! We need to get him soon Ken-chan!” Yachiru cheered patting him on the shoulder. Glancing in his direction when he made no motion to move Yachiru looked out.

He snorted in amusement. “This Hollow, has had a little too much fun without me, and it’s really beginning to pester me.” He grinned viciously. “And he’s causing some major problems, an annoying pest…”

“Bugs should be squashed.” Yachiru muttered.

Ikkaku and Yumichika sweat-dropped. Only their taicho and fukutaicho could be so violent, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Keep up or be left behind.” Kenpachi called as he raced in the direction of the Hollow.

“Oi! I want to slice this bastard open!” Ikkaku hollered taking after them.

Yumichika held his ground for a few seconds. He couldn’t help the nagging feeling in his gut that maybe, just maybe, they were actually doing the wrong thing. Fixing his collar he too sped after the reiatsu and it wasn’t long until they found it. Kenpachi was already engaged in battle. Ikkaku was standing waiting for a chance to break into combat, knowing Kenpachi, he would probably not get the chance. “Get him Ken-chan!” Yachiru hollered from Yumichika’s side enthusiastically.

Kenpachi sliced through the Hollow with surprising ease. He nearly stumbled when he landed on his feet. He turned quickly to watch the Hollow beginning to disintegrate into millions of pieces of Reiatsu. He sneered lightly at the shortness of the battle. He disliked those kinds of fights. “This Hollow was causing problems?” He wondered out loud, and balanced his sword on his shoulder. All different kinds of reiatsu began to flare. Yachiru danced before the lights enjoying the sight. Kenpachi however turned to Soul Society and scoffed. “Yumichika! Report back to the higher ups, tell them we’re finished. Yachiru and I will be back later.”

Yumichika nodded and took off. Ikkaku trudged over a sneer on his face. “Hitsugaya taicho…was taken down by this piece of crap?” He asked and crossed his arms.

Kenpachi sheathed his blade again. “Ikkaku, search the area and make sure the reiatsu isn’t going anywhere in particular.” Ikkaku nodded and sped off.

It was pitch black when they finally left the area. Yachiru had fallen asleep on Kenpachi’s shoulder. Ikkaku couldn’t blame her, it was time they got some rest. What worried him the most was Kenpachi’s demeanor, it seemed like he was expecting to still be attacked. Ikkaku rolled his eyes. That’s how his taicho always was.

*

Hitsugaya slowly woke up. He drifted slowly to his feet and stretched languidly. He felt like he had been asleep for days. Suddenly becoming fully awake he looked at his body. Everything was normal. Holding his hand up to the light he almost smiled. Walking out into the fresh air he noticed people scurrying on with their daily activities. He looked back into the chamber and slowly turned away. He hoped he would never have to step foot in there again. “Taicho!”

“Ah!” He yelled as arms tightened around him. “Matsumoto! Let me go.” He demanded.

Matsumoto’s teary eyes closed tightly, she didn’t let go. “I almost lost you Taicho!” She wailed and he sighed heavily.

“Shouldn’t you be a little easier on me then? I did just get up.” He mumbled.

“Yes, please let go of my patient, Matsumoto-fukutaicho.” Unohana said sternly. “Please inform Kuchiki-taicho that Hitsugaya-taicho is fit for speaking.” Matsumoto nodded and took off. Unohana smiled and looked down at Hitsugaya. “How do you feel?”

“Hungry…” Unohana laughed and led him down the hall to a place where he could eat.

*

Byakuya surveyed the area bit by bit. As far as he could tell, there was no evidence of the Hollow’s reiatsu. Renji was looking around the site where Kenpachi had delivered the final blow. Whether or not it was fatal, was all up in the air. Renji appeared next to him after a while and he inquired with his gaze his opinion. “I don’t know.” Renji answered honestly. “A hollow like that wouldn’t just vanish in’ta thin air.”

Byakuya silently agreed. “There are still traces of reiatsu around the area. We’ll have to head back and see Hitsugaya’s condition to make a proper report.”

“I guess checkin’ on the little girl wouldn’t be a bad idea either.” Renji said.

“Let’s go.” Was all Byakuya said and he vanished.

Renji took one last look before following.

*

Back in Seireitei Byakuya rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. They had to go back and survey the area again tomorrow, the 1st wouldn’t allow them to just go on assumptions. He knew it was better that way, but he didn’t agree with it. Looking up when a knock came upon his door he answered for them to enter. Surprised when Hitsugaya entered he sat up straighter. “Are you fit to be walking around?”

“I don’t need that from you.” Hitsugaya answered coldly. “Are you sure you found nothing?”

Byakuya ignored the cold reply. “Personally, I don’t know what to say about it being gone or not. Just because you’ve been incapacitated and out of commission however, I don’t see the right you have to nag to me about this.”

Hitsugaya slumped against his door, which surprised him. “I know that…it’s not like he’s ripping you apart piece by piece though is it?”

Byakuya apologized quietly. “What’s wrong?”

“Why is the ryoka crew here?”

“Unohana figured it would be better to have their help as well.” He said and pointed to the seat in front of him. Hitsugaya pretty much collapsed thankful for the seat. “You should still be resting.”

“No, I need to…I need to talk to someone, not a blockhead either.” Hitsugaya said softly.

Byakuya cleared his throat. “Not that I have a problem…but, wouldn’t there be someone else more suited.”

“Yeah, maybe, but you know what’s going on. I don’t want a whole bunch of people in on this.” Byakuya nodded in understanding. “Um…” Hitsugaya hesitated. Byakuya knew he would have to be patient, his younger comrade hardly opened up to anyone. “I think it’s attacked a taicho-or at least a fukutaicho before me. I don’t know. I’ve been having these weird dreams too…”

Byakuya’s brow rose in interest. “Do they pertain to the topic you’ve been avoiding to announce?”

“Possibly…”

“A relationship of intimacy.” Byakuya said knowingly.

Hitsugaya met Byakuya’s gaze sharply. “How’d you find that out?”

‘So it’s true.’ He thought to himself. “It was a notable subject Unohana brought up after she had read the reports. Out of all the victims, they all had strong reiatsu, and a lover or person whom the individual loved dearly. I can understand why you didn’t want to share this.”

Hitsugaya had looked away during Byakuya’s explanation.

Byakuya eyed the smaller taicho silently. Before speaking he looked at his papers laid out on his desk. “So now the question is, are you going to reveal to this other person how you feel, or tell them how important they are, or will you wither away and remain a temporary supply for the Hollow?” Hitsugaya remained silent. “Toshiro,” Hitsugaya looked up, “the reason the little girl is still alive is because of her mother. May I ask what relationship you’d have with the person?”

Hitsugaya sighed heavily, “I don’t know-.”

“I think you do. Now it’s up to you, do you want to live or do you want to continue helping the enemy?”

*

Hitsugaya appeared to be back to normal. Unohana had even discontinued watching over him. Things were still busy as Hollows continued to a nuisance as usual. Byakuya had found himself once more bogged down with work. Ichigo and Orihime were leaving in a few days; they were still ‘sight-seeing’. He didn’t know what was so interesting to see. Dropping the papers on to his desk Byakuya walked over to the back of his office. Opening the door he stepped out into the fresh air. Still there was a nagging in the back of his mind.

Hitsugaya hadn’t spoken to him in nearly a week. Not that he was surprised. It wasn’t like they were going to be good buddies after all of this. It worried him however…Hitsugaya was closing himself off, reverting back to his old self like nothing had happened. Deeming he had wasted enough time Byakuya turned back to his work. There wasn’t any point thinking about things like that. Hitsugaya was fine. They could go back to their separate divisions and feign ignorance once more to each other.

*

Hitsugaya walked slowly to his division’s residence. There was a little more paperwork due about his incident that he had to finish. It was annoying how much paperwork he had to do. “Taicho! Wait for me!” Called out Matsumoto. The woman hadn’t left him alone since he was released from Unohana’s care. He wondered if it was because the 4th division captain wanted her to keep tabs on his condition.

He stopped and faced her, “what…why do you have sake?”

“I thought we could celebrate. Wouldn’t it be fun taicho?” She asked excited.

“Since when have I been the captain that knows how to have fun?” He grumbled quietly.

Matsumoto rolled her eyes but followed him as he walked into the division barracks. “You’re loads more fun than most others.”

“Oh yeah, like I would believe that…why don’t you go find Shuuhei and Kira? Aren’t they your regular party ‘buddies’?”

“Now I know you’re being mean. What’s wrong with having a drink with your fukutaicho every once in a while?” She asked as they wandered into his office.

“Do I look like I want to have a drink?”

Matsumoto smirked, looked him up and down, and nodded. “Why yes, I do believe you look like you need one.”

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes. “Fine, one.”

Matsumoto stilled in shock. He never agreed to have a drink with her ever. Either she was lucky, he was in a bad mood, or he really needed a drink. She doubted the last one. “Alright!” She set down some glasses and poured each of them a drink. “Cheers to you on your recovery taicho!”

*

Hitsugaya slouched back on to his chair as he looked over his completed report. Matsumoto had gotten him to drink more than he intended. She was passed out on the matts. He couldn’t remember when Kira, Shuuhei, or Renji had come, but they were all passed out on the floor. He could honestly say he was glad at least someone thought of him as a human being. Stacking his report he sighed. He had to deliver it in the morning. Slowly getting up out of his chair he made to wake the others. Before he could touch Renji’s shoulder he watched in horror as his hand began disintegrating. “No…”

“Ha ha, look at you. Thought you were rid of me did you?” Hitsugaya looked around and came face to face with the Hollow. Horror stricken he tried to turn back to the others but only found darkness. “I think it’s about time I told you my name, considering you’ve lasted this long.”

“Why don’t you just take away my reiatsu now?” Hitsugaya asked. “What are you waiting for?”

“Oh-ho, have you become so distraught? Do you want to die, boy-taicho?” The hollow cackled. His tentacles ripped through the air and clasped tightly onto Hitsugaya’s body. “Have you told that person yet? How much your body craves them?” Hitsugaya felt sick as the tentacles rubbed over his body. “Have you told them how much your soul wants to kindle with theirs, boy-taicho?! You will never escape me. I will slowly take away your power, your life, and leave you begging for death over and over!”

Hitsugaya felt an emptiness building up inside and he could feel the Hollow breaking him apart slowly, piece by piece. “Let me go…”

“But I’ve haven’t got my fill of you yet. The names Degenero boy-taicho, you’ll be screaming in pain again soon.”

*

Hitsugaya jolted awake, still collapsed against his desk. He looked over the others who were still passed out. Looking at his hand he found everything fine. ‘Was it a…bad dream?’ He thought to himself. Slowly getting to his feet he felt dizzy and nearly fell back to his seat. “Damn it Matsumoto…” He cursed under his breath.

'Listen up boy-taichou; only when you realize who kindles that ice-encased heart will you be free of my curse.'

Hitsugaya violently lurched forward as blood splashed on to his desk.

‘Just a little present from me,’ laughed Degenero.

Hitsugaya fell off his chair, his vision blotchy. He could barely hold on to his consciousness. “Matsu…moto…” He wheezed. Trying to catch his breath he shouted, “Matsumoto!” Then his body slumped weakly to the floor and his vision darkened. He didn’t know if he reached her or if anyone heard him at all.

Matsumoto was at her taicho’s side in seconds. “Hitsugaya…” She murmured as she quickly checked his pulse. “Renji! Get up we need to get him back to Unohana.” The red head sluggishly got up but quickly sobered.

“Is he…”

“I can feel a pulse but we need to hurry.” She ordered and he nodded. He picked him up and used shunpo to get to the 4th division barracks as fast as he could. “Isane!” Matsumoto called as she spotted Unohana’s fukutaicho. “Is Unohana-taicho here?”

The taller woman frowned. “She’s currently away…is it Hitsugaya?” She asked indicating him with a nod of her head. “Bring him to the Chamber again. Unohana will be back shortly I hope.”

“Thank you Isane.” Matsumoto quickly bowed her head and followed after Renji. “Renji I’ll go and get Orihime.”

“Hurry.” He shouted after her.

*

Sweat rolled down Orihime’s face as she tried desperately to heal Hitsugaya, but she didn’t know where the blood was coming from. “It’s not going well.” She said.
Renji continued to pace. Matsumoto sat patiently beside Orihime and Ichigo had gone to get Byakuya. A sudden cold wave knocked the two women back. Renji turned quickly to Hitsugaya only to find ice forming around him. “Hitsugaya-taicho!” He tried to move forward but Hitsugaya screamed in pain and more ice flew around the room. Renji decided it was best to keep his distance. However he wanted to know where the ice was coming from. Hitsugaya’s zanpakuto was still silent and in the 10th’s office.
Hitsugaya continued to arch and writhe in pain as whatever was happening to him continued. He wasn’t disintegrating, that much Renji could tell. Then what was going on? The door behind him opened sharply and both Unohana and Byakuya stepped into the office followed by Ichigo and Isane. Unohana frowned and Byakuya shook his head. This really wasn’t going to end until Hitsugaya was dead. “We need to move him, he needs to see the past.” Unohana said to Byakuya.

“Perhaps this will open his eyes.” He added consenting to her idea.

“Ichigo-kun, will you help Renji bring him to the Bridge?” Ichigo looked at her confused. “This is the last thing we can do. Hitsugaya needs to have his eyes opened for him, for he will not open them himself.”

Renji clenched his fist tightly. What was she talking about? Shaking off the confusion he and Ichigo helped Hitsugaya stand. He fell silently between them as he lost consciousness. Unohana quickly checked his vitals and led the way.
“Unohana-taicho, what’s the Bridge?” Ichigo asked.

“It’s the Bridge of Reminiscence, it unlocks memories. I’m hoping this will help Hitsugaya, he may be able to look into the past of the Hollows victims, and learn what it is he has to do.” She answered and opening the door to the Chamber of Regeneration. “Take him up there and then come down immediately.” She pointed to a thin bridge surrounded by mist which rested above the Chamber. “And hurry up.” Both nodded and took Hitsugaya up. Byakuya came to stand next to her. “I’m beginning to lose my patience with him.”

“That’s what happens when you meet someone like Hitsugaya. He’s closed himself off Unohana, you know that better than anyone. If this doesn’t help…drastic measures will have to be taken.”

Matsumoto looked at the two captains. “What do you mean drastic measures?”

“We’ll either have to use Hitsugaya as bait to lure the Hollow, which may end of killing him, or forcing him to do what he needs to do to live.” Unohana said angrily. “It’s his decision after this.”


4 chapters left...Until later days