(Flashbacks: Hollow's POV)
Finding her
Hunger. That's what I remember feeling the most in my life, or rather my afterlife. I can't remember how I died or even when, I just remember wanting to see my family. To tell them all the things I wanted to but never had the chance. I remember eating people with chains on their chests, monsters with holes in their bodies, I was hungry and wanted that burning pain to end. When I finally found my family... I almost felt satisfied. I held on to enough of myself to avoid thinking of them as food, but I couldn't help but think of how tasty my sister would be before becoming disgusted with myself. I didn't struggle with that problem for long, when I watched them all die in an accident. It was hard to believe, one day they were laughing, praying that I find rest, and the next they were gone.
I drifted around for years, most of my memories fading with the need to feed my endless hunger. I started caring less and less as I never felt satisfied no matter who or what I devoured, the clear vision of my sister's disappointment in me slowly fading as she herself faded in my mind. Souls, Hollows, Shinigami, plenty of Shinigami hunting me and calling me the 'Static Shark'. It made no difference, I was hungry for them all. That stopped when I found her.
I was following a particularly delicious scent, charging my electrical power to stun and devour whatever it was, only to freeze when I found her. She looked so much like my sister I swore that it was her living in the flesh again. She was practicing archery with this glowing bow and she smelled so tasty, but I wasn't hungry. I... I just wanted to talk to her. Protect her. Love her. Be a sister again.
Meeting her
I was watching her for a long time, staying at a distance and always out of her sight. I had barely eaten anything but the occasional Hollow but I didn't care. I was watching over her, making sure she stayed safe. I always tried to look out for my baby sister, but I failed her when I died. Now I had a second chance and I wasn't going to blow it, not again. I only wished I could have reach out, to say 'hi' and 'let's be friends', to be able to laugh and play with her. One day, luck seemed to be on my side while I was trying to find a quick snack.
The pain of hunger was so distracting that I had to leave my sentry post to try and sate it, going to places I once avoided out of fear because of the power that I sensed and realization that the beings there knew when I was there. I saw them watching me from the corner of their eyes, daring me to take a step further than where I was. I was drifting near one such place, a shabby little shop somewhere in the city, when I heard someone wearing a bucket hat and wooden clog shoes talking about a prototype body. One that was supposed to suppress all Reishi and be virtually untraceable by almost any means. I sounded almost too good to be true but I didn't care. Moving with all the electrical power in my being to be like lightning, I stole a mannequin figure that he left out of his shop one day. Gut instinct told me that it was the body I was looking for.
I took it with me, deep into a forest, and studied it for hours, trying to figure out how to put my large shark form into a small human sized body. Suddenly, solely by accident and poking it, I was absorbed into the body. The next instant, I realized that it worked and had a human body! Sure I was naked but I didn't care! I was human again and that meant I could finally meet that girl in person. After spending another few hours trying to figure out how to exit my new body, I succeeded and went to a clothing store to pick out an outfit. Stole several different sizes because I had forgotten what my sizes were, but I succeeded with a dark blue shirt and jeans. I found a pond and looked into my reflection, seeing my dark skin, green eyes,and gray hair. I could say that I dyed my hair, but I was as I remembered being.
I decided to make my move the very next day, finding her near a bakery. I took a few calming breaths and joined her, asking about what her favorite baked goods were. She told me that she's never been to that bakery before and I suggested that we try it out together. It was the first time I had eaten in three days and the first time in years that eating gave me a sense of satisfaction. We talked, we laughed, we had a good time, but she eventually had to go home. She wanted to exchange numbers but I didn't have a phone, so she just gave me hers and said to meet at the arcade if I wanted to hang out tomorrow. I finally had a name for the person I was watching over, Masaki Kurosaki.
Befriending her
I had taken on the name of Mira, my own name just a faded memory, and had been using that in my time with Masaki. Months passing by so easily, just the two of us hanging out and having fun. I learned that she lost her family to when she was younger, taken in by the Ishida family with the intention of marrying her to the son of the family. She didn't mind but it didn't seem like it was going to be a loving marriage. I thought about talking to her about it but she found a way to deflect the conversation as we went into an arcade. I wanted to think of something to tell her, talk to her about it, find any shred of advice that might be able to help, be a supportive sister, but what advice could I have? I was the last person that should be telling her how to live her life when I've been spending most of my afterlife watching her.
Instead I talked to her about how she would prefer her future husband, and future family, to be like. Someone that played off her playful personality, someone that was willing to laugh with her, someone that she could tease, someone that could actually feel alive with her. I told her that given enough time and she could make her husband just as cheery as her, it was hard to hate someone like Masaki Kurosaki and her children would be just as delightful. The next thing she said proved to me that Masaki was a being full of love and joy that makes everyone around her smile.
"Especially if they have their aunt Mira stopping by!" I was stunned when she said that, felt like my heart was in my chest and beating with life again. Could I be part of a family again? Could I have the privilege of being an aunt? It was everything I wanted. I was so busy trying to think about if I deserved this that I didn't notice Masaki dragging me into a photo booth and begin posing with her. I swore to myself that no matter what I would always be with my sister.
Leaving her
I remembered the rain, the pounding pellets of water as I ran to that shop I stole my body from. I was so hungry that I left Karakura in the search for prey, something removing all the sufficient souls and Hollows to sate my hunger that I needed to hunt somewhere else. I was gone for just three days when I felt something wrong in the air, something that happened to Masaki. I rushed as much as I possibly could, flying like lightning to reach her, praying that she was alright. I promised that I would protect her, that I'd keep her safe, and nothing scared me worse than thinking I failed her. I clutched the pendant on my chest, a small thing that held a picture of the two of us making a heart with our hands, and prayed to whatever god was listening that Masaki was safe. The man in the hat and clogs was at the entrance, looking directly at me.
He told me that he knew the entire time what I was, where I was, what I was doing, and he used me to test out an experimental Gigai, the body I was using. I was his guinea pig but I didn't care, I had to see if Masaki was safe. He stopped me by say telling me that I was the last person she needed, that she was attacked by a Hollow and just barely survived, and that if I was to spend any more time with her than she might be vulnerable again. My presence as a Hollow might affect her again and it might just kill her. He also told me that he needed to rewrite Masaki's memories of me as well, since she knew I was the Hollow watching her as well. I... I lost a sister yet again. I dropped to my knees, not sure if the wetness on my face was the rain or my tears.
He said he needed my body back, to study the data for another Gigai model, and that I had a choice. I could stay and let him put me down so I wouldn't have to suffer, or I could run. I ejected myself from body and ran, taking only that small picture pendant with me. I remembered the pain of that chain on my chest eating itself away, I remembered promising that I would rather die than let Masaki get hurt if I could prevent it, losing my sister again hurt worse than my transformation into a Hollow. And I would suffer it again and again for eternity if it meant Masaki was safe.
(End Flashback: Former Night Raid base, With Ichigo)
"I wandered about Hueco Mundo for a while," Mira kept telling Ichigo her story, rubbing her pendant, "lost myself to the 'eat or be eaten' mindset and fully gave in to my instincts. I just ate and ate, trying to forget my pain, but it backfired. I became a Gillian and never lost myself, held on to my identity long into my transformation into an Adjuchas. Eventually I tried running from Hueco Mundo and found myself in this world, rich in Hollows and souls. Eventually I became this and I stopped being hungry. At some point, I just started repressing my memories and wandered about. One day, I found a familiar scent."
"And thus you found me." Ichigo concluded while Mira hugged her knees. They were on the roof of the Night Raid base where they spent hours listening to Mira's story after Ichigo told her about his relation to 'her' Masaki and asked for her story. "Becoming a Vasto Lorde in about twenty years... that's an impressive accomplishment." Mira smiled sadly.
"I'm glad to hear Masaki's doing good, but it's probably for the best that I don't go back." Mira looked at her clawed hand, thinking of all the souls she had devoured in her attempt to run from her pain. "I'm a Hollow and Soul Reapers kill Hollows." She rose to her feet and spread her arms out, waiting for her coming execution. "I won't fight. I've been running from my sorrows for too long. I'm... I'm tired." Ichigo never once reached for either of his Zanpakuto and instead brought out an Asuachi.
"I won't be taking your life, nor will I be your judge." Ichigo said, making Mira slightly disappointed, before finding the hilt of the Asuachi pointed at her. "Times have changed Mira, and I need your help. Afterward you can face my mother for yourself, she'll be your judge." She was about to open her mouth to protest, but Ichigo stopped her. "The Hollow in her is gone. Now, it's just Masaki. If you really want to end it, let it be by her hand. After you apologize to her for your sins." The look in Ichigo's eyes was the same steely resolve she saw in Masaki's on occasion. The boy may not be as cheerful as Masaki, but he definitely had her fire.
"Very well." She said as she took the sword. "What must I do?"
(Neutral Meeting Ground)
It was noon the very next day when Makoto got a letter from the Revolutionary army declaring the intent of the leaders to sit down and negotiate. The meeting ground would be in the previous Night Raid hideout before Stylish's sneak attack force them to relocate, the only place that was out of the way with fitting accommodations for their meeting. With the child emperor were generals Budo and Najenda, acting as advisers and guards while Chouri remained in the capital and tried to clean up the mess that was the governing body of the Empire. Now here Makoto sat with people that were once his enemies and now his hopeful allies. He could only pray things worked out in his favor, for the sake of the Empire.
"This meeting is now come to order," The Lord of the Path of Peace declared, serving as mediator for this event, "may calm heads guide our actions here today." The Lord arrived with an entourage of his followers shortly after the mass execution of the corrupted officials and helped with keeping the peace as several system were in disarray as a result of said executions. They may have been corrupt, but it left several gaps that needed filling and some positions still hadn't gotten suitable replacements.
"I'm only going to say this once Makoto," a tanned, scarred, and grizzled man in armor told Makoto with steel in his voice, "the ONLY reason we're even bothering with this is because we all know how vile Honest was. You were his puppet and the instrument of so much death." Makoto was prepared for the hate, but to hear it so openly reminded him of just how badly he failed his people. "If you think you can buy us off with high positions and forget your sins then you're no different than-!"
"What truly bears the blame for the act of killing?" Najenda cooly interrupted, lighting a cigarette and releasing a puff of smoke. "Does one blame the knife that cut a throat or was stabbed into a back? Does one blame the gun that shot a bullet into a head? Does the soldier bear the blame for the orders of a general? You said so yourself, his majesty was a puppet. A puppet that is now free. Doesn't that mean he deserves another chance?" The man actually glared at Najenda, but his tongue was stilled.
"Of course it does." A fair skinned man with gray hair side, looking far more sympathetic to the young monarch. "Makoto may have ordered the executions, but anyone could see that it was always to please Honest, who kept him under the delusion of being a good ruler. My main concern is if he really is free and not being manipulated again or have we all forgotten the existence of the Shinigami Najenda reported to us?" The man looked to his associates, demanding an answer.
"Yes, the Soul Reaper," a red haired woman with glasses said, "the one that appeared, bested the strongest people of the Empire, and shortly after his appearance the Empire started to see a change. Chances are that everything that has happened can be linked back to that Reaper, so do we have the pleasure of his company? For that matter, where is Esdeath?"
"Since you know about Ichigo, you should know that this cult that seeks to conquer our world are his enemies." Makoto said, speaking up for the first time in the meeting. "General Esdeath and Ichigo are preparing for war."
(Under the Palace)
"So, are you all sure about this?" Esdeath asked as the forces of Night Raid and the Jaegers stood before her. "You can still back out." She was supposed to play the role of the kind leader that wouldn't pressure the troops until Ichigo returned from aiding his latest Arrancar's transformation. At her side was Akame who made her decision final yesterday and Kurome who instantly joined her older sister the moment she came down to the underground base while the rest of the Teigu users still had their options.
"I thank you for everything you've done for us general, but I'm done." Bols said as he set his flamethrower Teigu down. "The only thing that kept me in the service was the idea that I was helping and protecting the people. But... now I don't know if I've done anything but cause pain and suffering." The masked man reached for his mask and pulled it off, revealing spiky blonde hair and blue eyes on a handsome face. "Unless absolutely necessary, I'm done with killing." He placed his mask on Rubicante's fuel tank. "I just thought I should tell you in person." He turned and began to leave. "I think I'll open a restaurant when the war is over. Come find me and we'll all celebrate."
"BOLS!" Wave yelled out, making the man turn his head. "Thank you for being my friend and comrade! I'll come by every day I can!" The rest of the Jaegers agreed with the sentiment, making Bols shed a few tears at the feeling of acceptance. "As for me," Wave continued as he walked to Kurome's side, "I'm sticking with you, partner." He told the girl with a confident smile, reaching for her hand before Akame pulled her sister away with a glare that said 'mine'.
"Well, this looks fun so I'm definitely in!" Leone said with a smile. "I was only ever in this for the fighting anyway, so a new challenge is welcome!" She looked to Esdeath with a more predatory gaze. "Though, I did want to try fighting you once... before realizing how scary you are."
"Don't worry, you'll have a chance in training." Esdeath returned the smirk before turning back to rest of the undecided group. "Anyone else want to back out?" Run stepped forward with a determined look set upon his face. "Yes Run?"
"When I was a civilian I was a teacher," he told everyone, "and I took great pride in my students. Then one day I found them, all of them, raped and murdered, but my village buried that incident because they didn't want anything to tarnish their 'good' reputation. Everything I've done was to hunt that bastard clown down." He pulled out a wanted poster of the clown that was with Syura. Everyone from that incident that joined the Quincy had a wanted poster. "I want to watch him get dragged into Hell."
"And after that?" Ichigo asked as he appeared, having finished his part in transforming Mira. "What about after you get your wish?" Run gave a sad smile.
"You can-"
"Go back to being a teacher." Ichigo interrupted him. "You're not making a deal with the devil, you just want justice to be done. When that is done, go back to being a teacher." Run was surprised but smiled and nodded, joining the other members of the future Shinigami. "Tatsumi, now's your choice on whether you continue the fight or not. Mine and Chelsea aren't going to cut it." Ichigo said, infuriating Mine while Chelsea glared at Ichigo.
"What do you mean 'aren't going to cut it'?!" Mine roared. "I'm just as dedicated to saving this-" Everyone was silenced when Ichigo unleashed his Reiatsu, reminding them of what kind of power Ichigo has.
"Do I have your attention? Good. The reason why I'm cutting you two out of the running is because even the assassins of the Shinigami need more strength than either of you two. That position will be filled by Mez and Suzuka because training you two up to par would take too much time that I don't have." Esdeath looked to the two girls that were furious at the claim, but facing the kind of power Ichigo had didn't leave them the ability to argue. "You're abilities may be useful on the Living front, but you'd just be a liability fighting against Quincy."
"That's not to say that the Empire won't have need of your services." Esdeath spoke up when Ichigo dispelled his Reiatsu. "Assassins will always be needed, though any affiliation with the Empire will be denied. But I'm sure we can find something for you to do."
"If they can sing and dance then they can be idols." Everyone looked to Ichigo, confused. "Female song and dance artists, really popular where I'm from. Look, they can try to boost morale and... whatever else it is that they want, and use that cover to continue their assassinations."
"There are always going to be people that need to be removed." Esdeath continued, now in familiar territory of killing troublesome people. "Especially in the delicate future the Empire has." She then turned to Tatsumi. "And what about you, Tatsumi?" Tatsumi looked down and thought about his decision.
"I came to the Capital to join the military and send money back to my village. I joined Night Raid after seeing how corrupt the Empire was and wanted to try and fix it. Now that the Empire is changing, I might go through with my original plan to become an officer of the military... but I can't just do nothing with this new enemy threatening the peace!" He looked back to Ichigo and Esdeath. "I'm-!"
"I'll talk to Budo. See if he won't take you on as an apprentice when this is all over." Esdeath suddenly said, completely ruining the mood. "Welcome to our team, try not to die." Tatsumi did an impression of a goldfish for a while before Leone pulled her to their side. "Wasn't there one more member of Night Raid?"
"Lubbock's dedicated to Najenda." Akame answered the general. "The moment he found out about Najenda's return to being a general, he threw himself into lightening her workload.... I haven't seen him since yesterday."
"Okay then." Ichigo said before clapping. "Let the torture/training begin."
(Back at the negotiating table)
"There's still a lot of damage from the war and corruption that still affects the Empire." The armored man continued. "We sent a few spies and scouts to examine the damage from when the Soul Reaper fought: the capital with minimal damage, the northern territory which now has a ravine in place of much of the forest and two hills, this very location which is almost as bad as the north, the capital again with one of the Jaegers, but the worst was at Kyoroch. We got a report that the Shinigami fought a Quincy in that area and the result was described as 'if every Teigu user had an all out brawl'. But that was between just two fighters, what are you or the Shinigami expecting from us?"
"I doubt anyone less than an experienced Teigu user would be sufficient for aiding in the fight against the Quincy, and even then it depends on the Teigu in question." Makoto answered, thinking about the little information Ichigo gave him about his scale of battle. "Anyone lacking in physical ability would probably be a liability to him."
"Example," Najenda took over, "Mine is an excellent sniper and skilled with Pumpkin, but is one of the physically weaker members of Night Raid so Ichigo would rather see her put to use elsewhere. Tatsumi is one of the least experienced Teigu users but has an astounding growth rate, so he's a likely recruit."
"So no, we won't be taking anymore to be part of the 'Spirit Battles' as one might say," Makoto continued, "but that doesn't change the current needs of the military. We need to re-establish our security and build enough for a relief unit in case the fights get a little out of hand. But none are more important right now than scouts and spies."
"I imagine that they would be dedicated to the Quincy front?" The woman asked, getting nods from the Empire leaders. "We know the threat they represent so finding them is our first priority. We need to know what they are planning."
(Quincy Base)
"Yes... this one will do nicely." Dorothea, now in a Quincy styled lab coat, smiled as she observed her latest creation, a human soldier that was mixed with an insect Danger Beast, locked in a glass tank with a bunch of tubes pumping a foul red ooze into the monster within. "Now, what should I experiment with next?" Her hands cackled with electrical energy as she combed through a list of Danger Beasts, walking past row after row of giant glass tubes holding a different abomination of nature. She giggled to herself, looking at the dozens of incubation chambers holding a Chimera of her design and the hundreds more that have yet to be put to use. "Oh... this is annoying." She sighed, noticing a problem in one of the supply reports.
"What is?" Enshin, now wearing more white as well, asked as he met up with his comrade.
"Well Enshin, according to these latest reports, I'm starting to run low on feed." Dorothea sighed. "I didn't think I used THAT many people as feed for my creations. What gluttonous babies they are."
"Lord Gilgamesh did give you a thousand person limit from our own forces. Can't be going through all of the cannon fodder to feed these things now can we?" The pirate smirked while Dorothea looked to her hands.
"I suppose my new Schrift, the Alchemy, made me a little excited." She looked at her hands, an ever shifting transmutation circle on the back turning to the different elements. "So many things I could do in such a short amount of time, all the experiments that I didn't think I could get to for so long. Now my only limitation is my lack of supplies. Food for my creations, materials to work with, if I had these then I could accomplish a hundred fold what I did these last two days!"
"That's why his highness allowed you to attain a Schrift, but maybe you can help me get one too?" The man suggested, getting Dorothea to raise an eyebrow. "I was a pirate before Syura recruited me, remember? I may have been the pillage and rape sort, but I suppose I can restrain myself to gathering your materials?" The alchemist thought for a moment before nodding, beginning their walk to Giligamesh's throne room. "By the way, do they need to be alive?"
"Just fresh."