Degeneration of a Soul

The second last chapter. I finally got my muse. This is undoubtedly the longest chapter in the story so far. Thanks for the reviews while I was away they're very much appreciated! ^_^

Chapter 9

Re-establishment of a Soul

Ichigo skidded to a halt before the Chamber doors. Unohana and Byakuya were outside. “We need to move Hitsugaya. The Hollow is coming for him.” He said hurriedly.

Byakuya nodded his head and moved into the Chamber. The mist looked to be clearing now, which meant Hitsugaya was awake. Ichigo felt the Hollow’s reiatsu slowly edging closer. “I-Unohana-san, he doesn’t have a lot of time.”

She nodded gravely in agreement and she too moved inside. Ichigo made to move forward but he was unsuspectingly pinned to the wall. He looked down into the bloodshot eyes of Momo Hinamori. “Hinamori-chan, what are you doing here?” Unohana asked.

“I’m here to kill Tou-chan.” She said squeezing Ichigo’s neck tighter.

Ichigo really didn’t want to hurt the girl. He had heard about how much she had been hurting after Aizen’s betrayal. But, what else could he do? “I don’t, really, wanna hurt you.” He said between gasps for air. “But, he was your friend.” He gripped her wrist tightly.

“Let him go Hinamori-chan.” Unohana ordered. When the girl didn’t respond Unohana rolled her eyes in annoyance. Moving forward she hit the girl none too gently on the throat making her gasp for air. Ichigo stepped away from her immediately but also kept a safe distance from Unohana. By now Byakuya was at her side again. “Please, look after Hinamori while I explain to Ichigo what’s going on…something I should have done earlier.”

Byakuya sighed. Unohana was not easy to deal with when angered. He consented without argument.

Unohana motioned for Ichigo to follow. “The Hollow’s name has been discovered to be Degenero. As you know he regenerates, and does so after he snares a being with mild to high reiatsu. He takes it from them and regenerates himself.” Ichigo nodded. “He attacks couples.” Ichigo gave her a hard look. “Hitsugaya should know why now. The point is Kurosaki-kun…I don’t know who can save him. I don’t know who he loves, be it a parent-like figure, a sibling, a lover…”

Ichigo didn’t know why, but his heart began to race. Is that why he had seen Hitsugaya’s reflection in the mirror? Had he been trying to reach out to him while waking up? “Unohana…” She looked at him. He had finally begun to realize what she meant.

“Yes?” She asked as they continued onto the bridge.

“You mean like love-love, right? Not that cheap shit.”

Unohana snorted at his vulgarity. “You are correct.”

“You…you knew…”

Unohana folded her hands together. “While short in our task of finding out how to save him…it is often good to observe everything in such a small window of chaos. Sometimes love can come in an instant, or be something that has grown over time.” She said knowingly. “I hardly know you Kurosaki-kun. But I know Hitsugaya-taicho’s condition, and it lessened when you were nearby. Although it was small, he’s still alive.”

“That could have been your treatment, or Orihime’s!” He defended.

“Sometimes we have to believe in destiny.” Unohana said.

*

Rukia panted heavily as she leaned on her sword. The Hollow massed before her again and she grunted in exhaustion. If it had been any normal battle she wouldn’t have been so tired. But here, they had to not only defend themselves; they had to make sure that the Hollow didn’t touch them. Ikkaku made ready to attack again. Rukia grinded her teeth together angered. How much had they caused Hitsugaya’s body to deteriorate? They were so close to the 4th division now. The Hollow laughed darkly, seeming to know where they were.

“We’re so close now Shinigami. I’m so close to my prey, won’t you step aside? I want to take the last of that pitiful excuse of a sack of emotions.” Rukia flared with anger.

“You are not getting past me.” She grounded out.

“He’s coming apart Shinigami. Will you let him suffer more by letting me become injured?” Rukia flinched. The Hollow had finally stung her. She was killing Hitsugaya. “You and the baldy are in the way.”

A vein popped out on Ikkaku’s head. “Why everyone picks at my head I’ll never know. But I dislike it the most when a Hollow does it!” Ikkaku made to attack but was beaten to it by his taicho. Ikkaku’s eyes widened in fear. ‘Kenpachi just might make this worse.’ He hated to admit it but the outcome didn’t look so good. Before his depressing thoughts could continue a Menos’ foot came crashing down in the area. With them distracted Ikkaku noticed the regenerative Hollow making it’s way to the 4th division. “Rukia! Go warn them!” He shouted.

“Hai!” She answered and went for Hitsugaya and the others.

*

Ichigo stepped onto the Bridge carefully. It’s metal was thin and the mist was still slowly ebbing away. “Toshiro!” He called out as he slowly made his way through the mist. He could feel the moisture collecting on his face and hands. He could hear the faint sounds of voices. He could make out the words sometimes. He recognized the Hollows voice, Unohana’s and Hitsugaya’s. There were men and women he didn’t recognize. Unohana had said he might hear the lingering voices of the memories. “Toshiro!”

Hitsugaya was numb from the pain. He could no longer feel his left side and the numbing feeling was spreading quickly. Then he heard a voice. He thought he imagined it, or it was still the memories. But then he heard it again and he tried to call out but it came out as a croak of pain. Soon though warm hands had touched his shoulder and his cheek, and he blearily looked up. It was him. “Kurosaki…”

Ichigo let a small smile grace his features. But it quickly faded when he saw the full extent of the degeneration. “You don’t look so good.”

“Understatement of the century I’m sure…” Hitsugaya wheezed.

“I’m going to get you out of here.” Ichigo promised.

“And go where, Kurosaki…I know I don’t have much longer.” Hitsugaya said sounding resigned.

Ichigo had the nerve to smack him, it probably wouldn’t help. “I’m going to get you out. It’s not like you can resist much anyway.” He said with a weak grin.

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes. Damn Kurosaki for saying that at a time like this. He felt an explosion of the Hollow’s reiatsu and with whatever strength he could muster he pushed Kurosaki to the Bridge as a tentacle slashed through the railings above them. Ichigo thanked him quietly before picking him up.

“Oh-ho…what is this?” Degenero had clung to the siding of the Bridge. “Do my eyes deceive me?”

“Stay back!” Ichigo warned.

Degenero let out a long bark of cold laughter. It grated on their ears. Unohana had made her way up in no time. “More pests, how many more of you are going to get in my way?” He asked annoyed. “Seems like you had a lot of people who don’t want you to die boy-taicho.”

“Of course we don’t want him to die.” Ichigo snarled.

Hitsugaya felt a sudden warmth but it quickly faded. What was that?

“But none of them are melting you, are they boy?” Hitsugaya gasped inaudibly. “None of them, can save you. Come to me, let me take away your pain.”

Hitsugaya shut his eyes tight. So many times he wanted to succumb to the pain and disperse. He wanted to die so many times. He could have, but there was something in him that continued to thrive. Perhaps it was that hope that kept him going. He did have many people in his life…but not the one he wanted. The one that made him feel alive. And that ones heat was currently permeating his body, making him feel more awake and alive than he had in a long time. “I’m not ready to die.” Hitsugaya said tired.

Ichigo couldn’t help but smirk. He noticed Unohana’s smug look as well. Degenero however was most displeased. “He won’t be able to save you!” Unohana unsheathed her zanpakuto just in time. Ichigo glanced at her. She nodded and he leapt back down to the main floor. Hitsugaya had gripped his kimono tightly as they raced out of the room. Hinamori and Byakuya were no where to be found. Ichigo picked up the pace and jumped onto the 4th Division wall-top. “There are Menos helping him…” Hitsugaya whispered. Ichigo looked back as he felt Degenero was once again moving. “We need to lead him away from inhabited places.” Hitsugaya said trying to quell the pain.

Ichigo looked down at the small weakened body and swallowed hard. His grip on Toshiro tightened. “Ichigo.” Rukia called out as she landed next to him. “Hitsugaya-taicho,” she said breathlessly. “Where is it?”

“Unohana is taking care of it right now.” Ichigo said.

“You should hurry then. I’ll try and hold him off too.” She said and turned towards the Hollows reiatsu.

“Be careful Kuchiki-san.” Hitsugaya said painfully.

She smiled and nodded. “Get well,” she said quickly then went inside.

Hitsugaya curled up as he felt more of his reiatsu being taken away. By now they were well away from Seireitei. Ichigo’s hold on him tightened. “There’s a Menos coming. We don’t have a lot of time.” He said as he landed near the execution grounds.

Hitsugaya shut his eyes tight and clenched his teeth together. “Kurosaki…you should be helping them out.” He said.

Ichigo gave him an incredulous look. “You’re dying, wasting away and you want me to leave?”

“I know, I said I didn’t want to die. But if I can protect this place, I’d be willing to let go.” Hitsugaya said sorrowfully.

His eyes were vacant. It was almost as if Hitsugaya couldn’t see anymore. Ichigo dropped his head and went down on one knee. Hitsugaya yelped in surprise at the sudden movement. Ichigo folded his arms around the smaller man. “I’m not willing to let go.” Hitsugaya looked up quickly. Ichigo had a serene smile which steadily broke into a grin. He took out Zangetsu and left Hitsugaya’s side. Degenero laughed above them.

“So this is where you were hiding?!” He snarled as he plummeted forward towards them.
Hitsugaya made to move but he then realized he had lost some of his right leg. He looked to Ichigo again as he deflected one of Degenero’s attacks. Hitsugaya bit his lip hard. “Kurosaki…” He whispered.

“I’m right here.” The orange-haired teen said as he stepped back. “Not goin’ anywhere either…”

“Che, no one is really fighting.” Degenero muttered annoyed. “They’re protecting you, boy-taicho, who are they waiting for I wonder?”

Ichigo’s grip on Zangetsu tightened.

“I can swallow him up any time, orange-top. I can consume him and use him to defeat you. Believe me when I say I would come out the victor.” Degenero laughed.

Ichigo shook his head. “I will never let that happen.”

Hitsugaya’s heart raced. He closed his eyes as the warmth once again washed over him. Was this what he was waiting for? The Hollows laughter filled his ears though and he looked over at them. Two Menos loomed over them. Ichigo had glanced back briefly at him. The Menos prepared cero and Degenero whipped past Ichigo towards Hitsugaya. Before Hitsugaya could blink the whole area erupted and blew around, he felt the ground beginning to cave under him. He could hear Ichigo barely over the loud sound of the cero blasts. He blacked out for a second. Coming to he found Degenero above him frozen. Snow whipped past his cheek and he looked for the source. He saw sakura petals drown the Menos. Were the Kuchiki siblings here? He could no longer feel the lower half of his body.

“That was foolish of you, boy-taicho…” Hitsugaya looked up weakly at Degenero.

“What?”

Degenero laughed. “You attacked me. You and your zanpakuto resonated.” Hitsugaya’s hand twitched and he felt the familiar material of his sword. “I’ve never seen that happen before.” Degenero laughed brokenly. “I knew you would last long…I didn’t think you’d last this long.”

Hitsugaya, through much effort, managed to pull himself out from under Degenero. He was completely encased in ice. “Well…I guess if just means I have a lot of people…to care about.” Hitsugaya wheezed.

Degenero hummed in thought. “Well, it was interesting, but this only means you’re going to waste yourself away.”

“I’d rather let myself fade away then be used by you anyway.” Hitsugaya gasped in pain as he edged away further. He looked around. Byakuya was indeed fighting one of the Menos. He spotted Ichigo making his way over to them. Hitsugaya collapsed as pain flushed through him. Particles slowly began making their way into the sky.
The Hollow laughed mockingly. “I knew either way you would die.” Hitsugaya’s could barely breathe, but he still tried to get up. “What’re you doing?” Hitsugaya didn’t reply and leaned tiredly against his arm. His last limb began to steadily fade away and he nearly collapsed. He shook his head as the pain ripped through him and he choked on a sob.

Looking past Degenero Hitsugaya could see Ichigo almost to them. He smiles brightly when they meet eyes. “I was so stupid…” He said tears rolling down his cheeks. His lip trembled. “I guess sometimes it takes the end of your life to realize, just how much you want to love someone.”

“Toshiro!”

Degenero scoffed. “You-.”

“I’m sorry for you Degenero. I know, how much it feels to have someone you love treat you like you’re the scum of the earth.” Hitsugaya said and collapsed once more to the ground. “It hurts…but…nothing hurts more than not being able to tell the person you love, just how much you’ve come to love them.”

Degenero fell silent and the ice fell away. Ichigo’s blade ripped through his body and he split in half. His body pieced back together though. Ichigo fell to Hitsugaya’s side and touched his cheek. “Toshiro…”

“The pain is almost gone.” Hitsugaya whispered.

Ichigo felt anguish and it showed clear as day on his face. “I can’t let you go…”

“I really think…I could have opened up to you Kurosaki…Ichigo…”

“We have all the time after this!” Behind him Degenero was completely encased in a whirl of cheery blossoms. Ichigo cradled the remains of Hitsugaya in his arms. Blood ruptured from the snowy haired mans mouth. “You can’t die Toshiro.” He whispered brokenly. The Hollow’s howls of pain berated on his ears and he held onto Hitsugaya tighter as the particles released faster. “You can’t vanish…”

Hitsugaya, barely able to focus, looked up at Ichigo’s face. “Ichigo…” His breathless voice died on Ichigo’s lips. A rough tug pulled through what remained of him. Red light flared everywhere and a massive amount of energy released into the sky, and everything fell silent.

...

Frozen-Wings