Let's Start Easy [Shiori]

She stepped out of the Garganta wondering where it was that she would end up, only to find herself inside another giant sandbox. The desert scenery was getting really tiresome, did these people enjoy feeling the sand between there toes or something? If so, why not just go to a secluded beach or something?

At least this one has sunlight, she thought to herself. Her head spun slowly as she took in her new surroundings and honestly there wasn't much to it. It was just as drab as the one before, nothing but sand as far as the eyes could see. She turned once she heard Hidane speaking up again, something about his sandals being left in Hueco Mundo. The eye patched shinigami, vizard, or whatever the hell she was right now stared at him with slight disbelief. She wasn't sure she could trust this man with her life, but she really didn't have much of a choice. He seemed to know what was going on where as she had no idea at all.

He continued on speaking after he took a seat, making himself comfortable, explaining to Shiori he would answer any questions she had as best as he could, though they were more than likely running short on time. She didn't like the idea of being a ticking time bomb at all. Not having control over herself and her own actions was a rather frightening prospect to the female warrior. With no idea of when she would snap, or how long the episode would last, she didn't exactly feel like she should be out running around. Hell, even as they spoke she didn't feel quite herself. She could feel the presence of another lurking just beneath the surface, honestly it creeped her out.

"My name is Shiori. Shiori Sasaki." She stood there for a moment, looking at him realizing how awkward her current position was before deciding it might be best to sit as well. So she did so, resting her own zanpakuto across her lap as she pondered what to ask the man. Well, first things first. "Is there any way to get rid of the infection all together?" If she could remove it, then she could go back to the Kidoshu and everything would be fine. Though if it were that simple, wouldn't the captains of the Gotei simply remove it themselves? Still it didn't matter, she needed to actually hear it out loud before she gave up hope.

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And there it was, the answer she knew was coming but dreaded. There was no known cure for Hollowfication, which meant there was no way for her to go back. Would it be better to end her life? But she had so much left to do, she wasn't ready to give up, over something like this. If she couldn't handle this how was she to grow into any type of a real warrior, a real person? She couldn't just put her head down in the sand, that wasn't acceptable. It was risky, but she would have to take this on and try to beat it. Though before she dove into it, she needed to know just what exactly she was getting into.

"Well one more question. What should I be expecting, if I should go through with this?"

Her mind was racing, she wasn't sure what would happen to her if she went through with this. Would she even be the same person anymore? What if things didn't go well? She'd just become a hollow, the very thing she'd spent her entire time as a Shinigami hunting until she made it to the Kidoshu. Would she be able to live like that? Hell, again, would it even really be her anymore?

"What exactly is it that I'll be doing?"

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She nodded as she listened to him speak, telling her about what was to come, how to handle it, even encouraging her which is more than what she had expected from him. Hidane seemed as though he genuinely wanted to help her through this and that was more than enough to quell the storm raging in her mind. For what may be the first time since she woke up she showed some indication that she was nervous about the entire situation as a long sigh of relief left her. Hidane's reassurance was helping to calm her and allowed her to relax some, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. Yes, she knew there were risks to doing this, but none bigger than not doing it at all. Any reiatsu she had been holding back subconsciously would now leave her body at a normal level.

"Right so I basically just have to kill her," she said as Hidane got to his feet and proceeded to walk over to her. She didn't bother standing as he approached, more so she thought about the best way to approach this situation. She had no idea what her hollow was capable of, though she didn't normally enter a battle with such handy information either way. She looked down at her zanpakuto, this time she didn't have the luxury of her shikai. Though she supposed she could since she knew the name, but she hadn't used it yet. So she wasn't sure what exactly it was that this sword could do.

"No use worrying about it now, I guess I'll just have to trust you." This statement was kept low and soft spoken, as if her zanpakuto spirit were actually present and right beside her to be the only one to hear her. Her gaze now filled with resolve and determination, rose to meet Hidane's, "Ok, let's get started then."

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She watched as he placed his palm in her face at first she wondered what he was doing, slightly confused she made to ask what was the point of this. It was at that moment the feeling hit, the haziness as if she'd been drugged or had way too much to drink. Her energy felt like it was being sapped away from her, she could hear laughter in her mind, a dark presence waiting for her. She tried to fight it, the sluggishness, the feeling of being drowned in a sea of clouds, but to no avail. It wasn't long before she went under and all she see was the palm of Hidane's hand before she finally succumbed to sleep.

INNER WORLD

Shiori opened her eyes to see a new world before her, one open and wide as far as the eyes could see. And she, she was above everything, suspended in the air upon a floating island, the only connection to what seemed the rest of the mainland were four chains that travelled downwards. She looked around, finding herself standing on top of a building in the middle of the island. It seemed to be the tallest there.

"Well finally you showed up. Now we can get to sorting out the rooming situation here."

Shiori turned to see Lajja standing behind her, golden locks flowing as if the wind were blowing through them. Well clearly she had seen this coming, it was odd how the Zanpakuto knew so much, but then again this was there domain. "Yeah, let's see if we can't get things going in our direction." Shiori turned her head in the direction she heard another voice coming from, close by a citadel. There she was, the hollow living within her soul. "Well you don't have to ask me more than once."

She didn't wait, Shiori entered her step immediately and as soon as she exited her zanpakuto had been drawn swinging downwards in her left hand from the right. In her current position, if the hollow didn't dodge or block it somehow Shiori would simply end up beheading her. Which for Shiori, would be a blessing if it happened. She really didn't want to drag this out. The sooner she got her own body under control, the better.

OUTSIDE WORLD

Only a few moments has passed, but still Shiori remained where she was, not a single movement made. Her reiatsu wasn't even flaring, if anything it was almost nonexistent. To some she would probably seem like she asleep, or even dead.

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The hollow was quick, launching her defence and attack seamlessly, one after the other. It took Shiori by surprise, but she supposed Hidane had never said this was going to be an easy fight. As the hand came towards her she opened her lips speaking quickly, "Bakudo #39 Enkosen" The gold shield started its formation at her chest expanding at half bala speed. Luckily she had noticed the hollows target because of how straightforward the attack was, if she had started the kido anywhere elae on her body she may have not made it in time to block the deadly claws that aimed to rip her heart out. By now the hollow had taken it's eyes off Shiori for a second which was more than enough for her at this range.

"Hadō #33, Sōkatsui." The blue fames erupted from her hand holding onto the hilt of her zanpakuto already aimed in the general direction of the hollow who was right in front of Shiori, they shot out at her at half bala speed ready to engulf her. She had heard what she mentioned about Lajja, and she wouldn't let that go so easily. Not to mention she talked about her past partner whom she didn't even know. "I don't want to her you calling anyone a newbie, when you literally just got here."

--Outside World--

Inside the battle raged on, but outside was calmer than one would expect. Shiori's body simply laid there in the same condition then like a weak heartbeat her reiatsu started to pulse. The dust around her swirled slightly at first, this would probably be the first sign to anyone on the outside that the battle within had begun. Slowly over time her reiatsu increased in pressure to the point that the gentle wind from before was more like a tornado now. Dust flew all around her hiding her from sight for a moment. All that would be heard was a strange hissing noise until the cloud of dust finally disappeared to reveal Shiori standing with her head down. A moment passed, one that seemed like forever then suddenly she raise her head to reveal her masked face. A feral howl ripped from her chest before she rushed Dane with her full physical speed tearing the ground beneath her feet as she basically glided over the earth towards. She would go for a wide swing from her right aimed at his neck, though at the last second she would disappear into a shunpo. When she exited she was low and to his right with her zanpaktou pointing to her left and driving towards Hidane in her right hand, all intentions to run him through. Her left at the same time had attempted to grab on to his right leg so he couldn't move meanwhile she attempted to step on his foot with her left and put her weight down on it in even further of an attempt to hold him in place.

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While it hadn't been a direct blow she managed to damage the hollow some and was quite elated about that, though she didn't allow it to show on her face. She was about to make her next move, wanting to end this quickly while the hollow was weakened only to watch as the burns seemed to disappear.

High speed regeneration?! she thought to herself in surprise.

Of course, why wouldn't this hollow have access to power like that. She should've known it wouldn't have been that easy. Shiori quickly stood to her feet taking up her stance once again with her zanpakuto in a high guard and her left side forward as she squared and made herself a smaller target. The hollow was jumping up and down like a wild animal, hell she seemed to be enjoying this and Shiori wasn't sure why. This was literally a fight for their lives, who would be in control. How could the thought of possibly being subjugated for the rest of your life even be remotely exciting to anyone? The hollow landed on all fours and her tail swept over top of her head quickly, releasing a barrage of bala at the shinigami. Shiori didn't move out of the way but instead stood there deflecting each bala that was in range of hitting her with her zanpakuto. She was focused on defending against the bala so she hadn't noticed the hollows movements until she was already behind her swinging down with her sword. Now she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, or so it seemed anyways. She entered a flash step of her own, narrowly escaping the blade edge that aimed to split her in two along with the deadly burst of energy that came after.

Even a cero?! She exited her step to the left of the hollow, her own left hand already thrusting forward as she spoke "Hadō #29, Hokoshō" The lance formed in the left heading towards the hollow intending to run her through with it. Surely she couldn't simply heal from being impaled. "You shut your mouth! You just got here, you don't know anything about me! I didn't get rid of anyone, and the only person I plan on ridding myself of, IS YOU!"

Off to the side Lajja stood watching intently, her arms crossed under her bosom. She had no inclination to get involved unless she was called for by Shiori, who seemed to be trying to do this on her own. Were they truly partners? Or was she still holding onto some hope of finding her old zanpakuto again. Clearly it was a sore subject for her and Lajja could understand that, but she didn't care much for this sappy and pathetic excuse of a shinigami for her partner. She was either ready to move on or not, and she had a feeling that Shiori wouldn't make it through this trial without her.

---Outside World---

Her movements stopped and a kick landed squarely on the side of her face sending her back a good 10 meters. The masked shinigami seemed to bounce like a rag doll before one hand seemed to literally grasp the earth and stop her dead in her tracks just before she pushed herself up and high into the air. From the position she was in the fake sun would be behind her, hopefully hiding her movements from the man below not that she was thinking this deeply, most of her movements simply being out of instinct. She let loose a barrage of bala before entering another step and reappearing behind the man. If the wall of bala did it's job and distracted him, perfect. A soft hiss left the mouth piece of her mask as her sword rose up quickly, looking to lop off Hidane's right arm.

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Again the Hollows speed allowed her to dodge Shiori's attack as pivoted out of the way, jumping back at the same time. What shocked Shiori though was the sight of the hollow releasing hold of her zanpakuto, reaching out with her right hand to grab hold of the kido that would have simply passed by her. What the hell was she doing? Was she insane? Shiori watched as the kido forced its way pass the hollow, whom was now trying to stop herself from being dragged away with the spell. Well Shiori wasn't about to waste this chance. She began running towards the hollow with intentions of taking advantage of her current situation when she realized what Kasha, as she called herself, was trying to do. The shinigami began to push off towards the side just as Kasha completed her turn and threw the kido which narrowly missed Shiori, barely clipping her right arm, taking a sleeve with it and leaving a thin red line of blood as evidence of her wound.

This hollows fighting style was crazy. She was highly unpredictable, reckless with herself and most of all, she seemed to be having fun with this. She was enjoying it way too much. As she stepped back towards her sword, Shiori noticed something about it. It was the exact same weapon that she held in her hand. "Why do you have Lajja in your hands?" The question was posed to the hollow, but the shinigami had turned to face her zanpakuto spirit. The blonde simply looked at the shinigami with a blank expressionless face, "She's a part of you, you both have access to my powers, of course only you can unlock them."

They both did? Why, she was a hollow, how could a hollow wield a zanpakuto? She turned back to face Kasha, her jaw clenched tight in anger. "And unlock them I will," she said to herself. She pointed her hand in the hollows direction as her reiatsu slowly began to swell and as if she knew them all along, the words to her swords power came to her mind. "Fill and overflow, Lajja Gauri."

"About time," At that moment the blonde disappeared turning into an torrent of crimson reiryoku that surrounded Shiori hiding her from sight. When the reiryoku dispersed revealing the shinigami she stood there with not one, but two zanpakuto in hand linked together by a chain at each hilt. She looked at both blades for but a moment, admiring their beauty. But only for a moment, her eyes quickly returned to the hollow she was fighting. "No, I'm nothing like you and I will prove it." She took up her stance with her left foot forward and her left hand out in front of her and bent at the elbow a little with the blade hovering around the height of her chest. Her right hand was pulled further back and in a high guard. She wouldn't get dragged into the hollows pace, she'd let her make the first move this time and go from there. As much as she wanted this to be over with, she couldn't very well just run into it without a plan, it obviously wasn't going to be that easy.

---Outside World---

Outside in the real world, Shiori's body was pretty much getting manhandled as Hidane dodged her sword strike while simultaneously landing a solid blow in her mid section. Air left the masked shinigami's body in a rush, leaving her breathless, there was even a bit of blood that came up. There was also the audible crack of a rib or two breaking under the impact of the blow which sent her flying about 30 meters away. before she could regain control of herself there Hidane was again above her in the air cracking his foot against the back of her head sending her downwards into the ground. Before she could even attempt to get up she felt a sharp pang of pain in both hands causing an animalistic howl of pain to leave her mouth. She wriggled and thrashed around on the ground attempting to free herself to no avail. With no other options left the hollowfied girl pulled back as hard as she could standing at the same time, literally ripping her hands away from the zanpakuto. Blood spurted out of both halves of her hands before suddenly some white looking substance erupted from them and covered the wounds. It continued to move, spreading around both her hands making them a dark charcoal black and clawed. She reached down and picked up her own zanpakuto as her reiatsu slowly swelled and her image became hidden from sight by red reiryoku. Out of the reiyoku five bala fired in Hidane's direction and Shiori entered a step, when she exited she took a swing at him, though she was a bit farther than the last time she approached. The blade was connected to a chain from which Shiori swung it towards the vizards neck, intending to decapitate him.

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As she spoke, Kasha spoke, as her reiatsu grew, so did Kasha's. It seemed like forever but really it was just a small moment. She had forgotten this feeling, somehow she felt complete. She missed this. Now, it's time to get down to work. No partner of mine loses, especially under my watch.

Shiori smiled as she took up her stance and relaxed, waiting for the hollow to attack. One red eye kept a close watch upon the chain blade now spinning over Kasha's head she was ready for anything that came her way. Kasha then proceeded to throw her zanpakuto at Shiori causing her to step slightly to the right to move out of the way while she used the flat left side of her own zanpakuto to push Kasha's attack away from her. At the moment she noticed that Kasha had entered a step and did her best to keep track of her with her reiatsu. She had to admit that the hollow was slightly faster than her but she could still keep up slightly. As the hollow exited her step she grabbed onto the chain of her weapon and swung the back blade towards Shiori's left side.

Her right wrist turned in such a way that her blade covered her midsection, stopping the attack she then angled her sword so that Kasha's would simply slide off hers. Pivoting on her left foot, she turned quickly swinging with her right aiming to cut off the hollows head once again.

---Outside World---

The masked Shiori in reality had once again managed to carry out her attack but with no fruition. Hidane again once stumped her plans to end his life as he came back with his own counter after blocking her shikai with his bare hand. He began charging a cero in her face but that didn't matter to the mindless monster who simply entered a step to dodge the attack. However what she didn't do was release her zanpakuto. If Hidane hadn't noticed it before, he would now, the chain connecting the blade in his hand to another which was now being driven down towards the top of his head with a red ball of energy charged on the tip of it. A howl left her lips as she went in for the kill once more, the cero firing as she attempted to wipe out Hidane, whom was now masked as well.

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Kasha rolled underneath the swinging blade, avoiding the loss of her head. As Shiori continued to spin away from the hollow she did her best to keep her eyes on her more sadistic half. She pushed off with her right foot adding to her momentum, as she turned she noted the balled up form Kasha had. The shinigami brought her left hand up with the flat of her blade guarding her chin, just in time to stop the brunt of the kick that followed immediately after. At the same time Shiori lashed out with her own right foot, intending to kick Kasha in the face. Regardless if she landed the kick or not Shiori would speak up immediately afterwards. "Bakudo #57 Kitai Rakka." The small sphere of reiryoku would form above them before quickly bursting into what seemed like petals. She'd see just how quick this damned cat could be now, if she could move at all after this that it.

---Outside World---

Again the vizard had managed to dodge her attempts at ending his life. While the current Shiori didn't seem to be one of sense, she was growing annoyed and frustrated that the prey before her wouldn't fall. As the vizard released her blade and rolled out of the way to dodge her cero the hollowfied Shiori yanked on the chain pulling her weapon back into her hand and rolled so that she was facing the direction Hidane had retreated towards, she waved zanpakuto at him releasing a barrage of bala about 20 strong as she did so, not wanting to give him anytime to catch his breath. She would land on her feet, getting ready to follow up whether or not she hit him with the bala. Though should he still dodge her attack with the sonido and appear before her, the minute he tapped her a series of bala would be fired upwards into his chin from a newly formed tail protruding from beneath her legs. Regardless if she managed to render him unconscious or not with this attack she would fall victim to his bindngs and fall to the ground, wriggling and trying to free herself.

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