Shadow Reapers

Sure, I can post now and I should have time for one or two more posts before I go to Greece as long as I don't get hijacked by my friends. And who did you have in mind for Kestrel to fall in love with?

Kestrel

"Then I should go find Kai and Audra. They'll probably think I'm trying to get rid of Kon," Kestrel joked as she laughed lightly and twirled a strand of hair about her fingers. It's getting too long, she thought, but how am I supposed to make time for anything as mundane as a hair-cut these days?

Ichidan laughed along with Kestrel, waving a brief goodbye as, inside the backpack, Kon grumbled to himself:

"Talking about me as if I'm a thing to be passed around... I've been good haven't I?" This last part was clearly addressed to Kestrel and as she set off in the direction of Kai's aura she replied,

"Oh yes, good as gold but Kai might need your help and..." Kestrel fell silent as she stared into the distance and then she began to run.

"Hey, hey, ouch! Slow down alright, I can't stay on my feet!" Kon complained. Kestrel didn't reply. She didn't even waste her breath telling him to be quiet as she tore past people, drawing attention to herself and the talking back-pack.

"There's a hollow on the move," Kestrel said, "It could be him and if it is, Kai needs to know as soon as possible."

(I've got an idea, but he hasn't shown up in the storybook yet. I'll give you a hint for when he does: he has red hair.)

Kai and Audra were playing a shooting game at the arcade and they had just finished beating the last level. The scores came up and Audra's was significantly higher. She pointed the gun at Kai and pretended to shoot him. "Take that!"

"How did that happen?" Kai asked. "I killed more guys than you!"

"Yeah, but all my kills were head-shots!" Audra loved playing video games with Kai, it was the only time he ever let his competitive side show. She loved seeing that look on his face, the one that says, How did I lose against a girl!?

Kai reached into his pocket for more change as he said, "Best two out of three!"

"What, we're going to beat the whole game again?"

He smiled. "You bet."

Audra's cell phone rang before Kai put the coins into the game. She answered it. "Hello?"

"Audra, it's Kes." Her voice sounded tired in the receiver, as if she was running.

"What's wrong?"

"I sense a Hollow coming your way. Take Kai and get out of there!"

"Okay, we'll meet you at Urahara's."

"There's no time, the Hollow will get to you two before you guys get there! There's a park nearby, we'll meet up there."

"Alright, we're on our way." Audra closed her phone and faced Kai. "We've got trouble. Kes says there's a Hollow coming our way."

"That's bad, without Ichidan or Kon I have no way of transforming."

She nodded. "I know. Kestrel is going to meet us at a nearby park. Kon's with her, remember?"

"Right, let's go." Kai and Audra left the arcade as discretely as they could, careful not to attract too much attention to themselves.

(By the way, near the end of the battle with this Hollow he's going to get away. I need him alive for something else much later in the story. Also, if someone wants to make him appear, this new Hollow is going to be looking like a giant lizard.)

Audra

We found Kestrel in the park, just as she'd said. Kon was in her backpack, eyes studying everything.

"Kes!" I called as we drew next to her. "Where'd you see it last?"

"About six blocks that way," she gestured to the north. "It's coming fast."

"Great!" Kai hissed. "Where's Ichidan? Or, how do we get the pill out of the lion?"

"Very good question," I added as my gaze settled on something in the distance. It was drawing closer and closer, steadily becoming a giant lizard. I saw the mask on its face, heard it roar. "Shit! It's here! Now, what do we do?!"

Kestrel

Kes shrugged the backpack from her shoulders and opened it up, pulling Kon out quickly.

"Hey, hey, watch the tail!" Kon complained, "And if it's all the same by you, I'd rather stay in the backpack until Ichidan gets here."

"I don't know," Kai replied to Audra.

"He's not coming," Kes said to Kon, staring at the teddy lion intently. She could see the little green pill inside the lion but... how to get it out?

"Maybe we should run," Audra suggested.

"How do you mean he's not coming? Then where is he?" Kon demanded. Kestrel pointed absently in the direction they had come from. He hadn't moved from the school. Of course not. How could he have realised how imminent the danger was. Kes looked more closely at the lion and shook him a little. This time Kon did not complain. She concentrated. The pill wobbled a little. But how to get it out? How to actually get it out?

"How did you put it in him?" Kestrel asked, glancing briefly at Kai before back at the pill.

"We put it in his mouth," Kai replied. Kestrel turned Kon upside down.

"Hey, what are you..." She concentrated on the pill. It slipped a little again. And then the hollow attacked.

(I hate it when this happens, I post right after someone else posts and I have to edit mine! lol)

Everyone was thrown off their feet by the sudden shock wave of the Hollow's attack. Kon fell out of Kestrel's hands and bounced lightly on the ground and squeaked each time he did. When the dust cleared they could see the Hollow. It was black with two blue stripes running down each side of its lizard shaped body. It's long tail was like a whip as it moved back and forth int the air. Its eyes glowed with an eerie red light behind its white mask.

The Hollow began to laugh. No, it was more like a cackle, an evil cackle that sent shivers down everyone's spines. Then it jumped and hooked its tail onto a nearby lamppost so it was now hanging upside down. "I've found you! I've found you! You two had me put in jail, but now I can kill you! I couldn't kill you back then but I can kill you now!" It cackled with demented delight.

"Dammit!" Kai shouted, "we don't have time for this!" Kai grabbed Kon and shoved his hand down the lion's throat. The little toy lion squirmed and gagged as his hand wriggled around looking for the pill. When he finally found it he pulled it out of the stuffed animal and swallowed it.

Kai's spiritual body separated from his body in a flash of blue light. He turned to his physical body that was now occupied by Kon and said, "Kon, get Audra and Kes out of here!"

"Uhh... right!" Kon quickly stuffed the empty toy lion that used to be his body into Kestrel's backpack before grabbing both their hands and pulling them away from the fight. "Let's go!"

"You can't leave!" The Hollow pounced off the street lamp toward Audra, Kestrel and Kon. Kai jumped in its path and cut it across the chest. The Hollow let out a shriek before retreating to a safe distance from Kai's sword.

Kai looked over his shoulder and shouted, "Get Ichidan, tell him what's going on!"

**What do you mean by he's gonna get away? Kai loses the battle?!**

Audra

I looked over my shoulder; Kai was fighting hard, for his life, for our lives, for our future together. He needed help, and Ichidan was the only one who could do anything. Kai had said specifically to get Ichidan.

We needed to get him fast, as in, now. Kon was leading us toward the school, but not fast enough. I was basically jogging as we fled.

"Kon, let go," I instructed.

"Why? You're not going back! That's insane!"

"No, I'm not going back! I'm going to get Ichidan!"

"We're on the way, now!"

"I can go three times as fast on my own! Now, let the fuck go!"

I jerked free of his grip and bolted, stretching as far as I could as I quickly gained momentum and speed. I flew through the crowd, leaping between passerby as they jumped out of my way. It was a long run. How many blocks did she say? Six? At this rate, I could go about four before getting tired...I hated sprints!

But I was almost there. I could see the school ahead. I pushed myself faster, farther, ignoring the pain in my sides and legs, my gasping breath, my blurring eyesight. Shit, I was doing it again! I was running myself out!

I saw Ichidan sitting on the steps, reading something. I jumped the curb, and began to slow down as I staggered to him, finally letting my knees buckle from the effort. I collapsed onto the pavement, rolling across it as Ichidan shot to his feet. "Audra?"

"Help...Kai..." I panted, hissing at the pain of my screaming lungs, exhausted legs, scraped up arms, hands, and busted knees. "It's...him...The one...Shit!"

He came over to me as Kon and Kes finally appeared, panting just as hard as I was, and ran over.

(No, when Kai is about to win the Hollow makes a run for it and gets away. I need him to introduce a future plot. So technically Kai doesn't lose.)

Ichidan lifted Audra into his arms and sat her on the steps. "What does she mean, the one?" he asked Kestrel.

"I think it's the Hollow of Eric Fleming," she said. "Kai needs your help, now!"

Ichidan nodded before turning to Kon. "Kon, stay here and protect Kes and Audra with your life."

The mod-soul nodded. "Right."

With that Ichidan was off. He looked at his hand as he ran and wondered, What's wrong with my body? He opened and closed his hand and found it stiff. It's been like this ever since Urahara gave me this gigai. My powers should have returned by now, why haven't they?

_________________

"You can't escape! I'm going to kill you and then I'm going to kill your friends!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Kai ran up to the Hollow and swung his Zanpakutou. the creature jumped back and wrapped its tail around a nearby tree. He chased after it again but it leaped into another tree. "Stop running away!" Kai yelled. In a wave of frustration he leaped after the Hollow only to have its tail slam into his stomach and tossing him to the ground.

As Kai sat up he saw the Hollow falling toward him. he rolled out of the way just in time to avoid being crushed. He quickly rolled to his feet and swung his sword at the creature. The hollow whipped around and grabbed his Zanpakutou with its teeth. They then began to push against each other in a contest of strength to see who would lose their footing first.

As Kai pushed he thought, Is this really Eric Fleming? I've never encountered a hollow this strong and quick before.

The hollow laughed through its teeth. "I'm going to have fun killing you!" It suddenly jerked its head to the left, pulling Kai along with it. The hollow let go and Kai was thrown into a tree. His back slammed painfully against the bark.

He tried his best to shrug off the pain but it took a lot of effort. This one's a tough one alright. I'd better find a way to get through its defences before it's too late...

Audra

I shakily pulled off my overshirt, leaving me in just a pair of blue-jean bermudas and my white tank top. I hissed as I gingerly began to wipe at my cuts, yelping when I passed over a particularly rough patch on my knee, gravel pulling free of my flesh.

"Those look bad," Kon muttered as he continued to look around for any sign of the Hollow.

"Sh..." I bit back a cuss as Kes sat beside me and took the shirt from my hands, using touch to find my injuries and clean them. "Don't worry, Kon. I've had worse...much worse."

"If you say so."

--------------

Meanwhile, Ichidan continued to run down the street, confused as to why he had not regained his own powers yet. What could have happened? What was wrong with the temporary body?

He arrived at the park to see Kai battling with more desperation than usual. Could it be possible that the Hollow was almost too strong for him? Would they be able to defeat it and live?

No use worrying now. Ichidan rushed in to help Kai.

Kai ran up to the Hollow again, sword in hand. The creature moved to the side around his attack before spinning its body. Kai managed to lift his arm in time to shield himself from most of the attack from the tail but the force of it sent him soaring through the air once again. The Hollow was already charging him by the time he hit the ground giving him no time to compose himself. It let out another cackle as it leaped forward.

"Destruction Art 33: Blue Fire!"

A stream of blue flames slammed into the Hollow's side throwing it off course. It slammed into one of the nearby trees and knocked it over. Ichidan came into view, running over to Kai and helping him to his feet. "Are you alright?"

Kai wiped some blood off his face from a cut he had received during the battle and said, "Just peachy, now why don't we hurry up and kill this thing before it bruises me up some more?"

The Hollow rolled to its feet and glared at the two men. "Why are you making this so difficult? All I want to do is finish what I started three years ago!"

"Finish what you started?" Kai asked, his voice filled his rage. "You've been killing innocent people for your own pleasure!"

"Yes, and I enjoy every second of it!" The Hollow cackled again. "It doesn't matter though. If I can't kill you know I can always come back later. Besides, I can always kill her first." Its body suddenly melted into shadows and disappeared.

A wave of pure fear washed over Kai's body as he realized who the Hollow was talking about when it said her. "...Audra."

Audra

I saw Raven tense. Kon grew still as well, and I knew something was wrong.

"Kes?" I asked, trying to follow her gaze. What did she see or sense?

"The Hollow...it escaped!" she gasped. Kon and I both grew still. Then, that meant...

A heavy impact shook us all. We looked directly in front us of to see the Hollow of Eric Fleming there, right in front of us. It cackled as it pointed its tail at me. "Found you, wench! Now, your friend will know what it's like to lose someone!" It lashed out, ready to tear into us.

Despite my condition, I got up and took Raven's hand, leading her away as Kon began to fight.

Kon grabbed its tail as it tried to get past him and go after Kes and Audra. "Oh no you don't!" He spun the Hollow around and around in the air before throwing it onto the pavement. The ground shook and cracked under its weight. It quickly got back up and lashed out at Kon, throwing him against the stone wall of the nearby building. The Hollow didn't waste any time, as soon as Kon was out of the way it went after Kes and Audra.

_______________

The two girls found a large nature reserved park not to far from the college. After running for a bit they thought it was safe to stop and take a breather in front of a pond. "Do you think Kon will be okay?" Kestrel asked.

"Of course he will," Audra reassured her.

Their hearts skipped a beat when they felt the ground rumble under their feet. They looked at the pond by their feet to see the water ripple after each rumble. Then, of the surface of the water they saw the Hollow's reflection behind their own.

"You can't get away this time!"

***Ooh, you're asking for it! You're gonna love this!***

Audra

I grabbed a small rock and threw it at the Hollow, screaming at Kestrel. "Get out of here! It wants me!"

"But - "

"Go get Kai! Or Ichidan! Somebody!" With that said, I took off across the grass, in the opposite direction that Kestrel was going. I knew there was no way I would escape; I didn't have Kai's superhuman strength or speed, and I was hurt. I had no chance...

I just have to stay alive! I HAVE to live!

"Come here, girl!" I squealed in terror as the Hollow wrapped its tail around me waist, constricting me as if held me in front of its face. "You'll be too easy, so I'll have fun with you! This is for what you and your friend did to me!"

"You did it yourself, bastard!"

I screamed as it flung me; I broke through a tree and rolled across the ground. It picked me up again and threw me again, beating into me. I gritted my teeth as I felt ribs crack against the pressure, muscles in my knees and elbows bruising as they broke the impacts, and my head aching after taking a hard hit.

"Say goodbye!"

I sat up and moved just in time; the tip of his tail pierced my right shoulder, rather than my heart. Thank God. But, God, did it hurt! My whole arm went numb before it began to burn.

"Fuck...you..."


**Give Kai a reason to get pissed off. lol**

The Hollow stared at her with pure delight. In a cackling voice it said, "Don't you get it? You've lost! Your friends can't help you now, and neither can your boyfriend! Once I kill you and devour your soul I'll do the same to him!" It opened its mouth and began to move its head closer to Audra. Saliva dripped from its mouth as it began to close in to sink its teeth into her flesh.

A rock suddenly struck the creature in the head diverting its attention. It turned its head and saw Kestrel. She had another rock in her hand that she threw at the creature's face. "Leave her alone!"

The Hollow used its tail, still pierced through Audra's shoulder, to lift her up and toss her out of the way. It approached Kestrel, its tail aiming to do the same to her what it had done to Audra. "You're annoying." Someone appeared and sent a devastating kick to the Hollow's face, causing its mask to crack slightly. It cried out in pain as it backed away. The one who had saved Kestrel was Kon. "You again!? You use his body, but you are not him! Why do you interfere!?"

"Because nothing you can do to me will be worse than what Kai will do if I let you hurt Audra!"

"Kon, Audra's hurt!" Kestrel said.

Kon turned and saw Audra sitting against a tree. His expression quickly turned into shock when he saw what condition she was in. "Oh no! She's really hurt! KAI IS GOING TO KILL ME!!!"

"Stay out of my way!" The Hollow jumped forward to attack Kon and Kestrel.

Audra

Everything was a blur, literally. I couldn't see, couldn't hear...all I knew was that I was in serious trouble. I had a hole in my shoulder, I was bleeding profusely, I had broken bones, I had a concussion, and I was a target. I had to hold on, though, to stay alive...

Kai... My thoughts strayed to him, to his arms around me. I smiled as I shifted, easing my weakening body out of the way. Kon continued to fight. Kestrel came over to me, but I couldn't hear her. All I knew was she was with me, trying to help me.

"K-Kes..." I gasped as my body continued to burn. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe...

I didn't hear what she said. I passed out.

(Ah man, did I forget to post? Sorry about that.)

"Audra? Audra!?" Kes shook her gently trying to get her to open her eyes. It was no use, she was out. Kestrel gently lay her body on the grass and placed a finger on her neck. A pulse, she's still alive. Kestrel looked toward the battle and saw Kon fending off the Hollow. Splashes of blue and green flowed in her vision as the two entities clashed.

Even with Kon protecting them it was still too dangerous here. She had to get Audra away from here, so once the Hollow's attention was diverted enough she lifted Audra's body onto her back and began carrying her away.

Unfortunately her attempt of a stealthy retreat was in vain as the Hollow caught her in the act. "You're not going anywhere!" It completely ignored Kon and charged Kestrel. It was moving too fast for even Kon to stop in time. The Hollow lept into the air and descended upon her.

Kestrel jumped out of the way, with Audra still on her back, in time to avoid being crushed. With the Hollow so close she could see the curves and crevices on its mask in its aura as it turned to face them. It let out its eerie howl before lunging toward the two of them with bared teeth. Kestrel screamed.

Her senses were suddenly blinded by a bright red aura. She focused her sight so she could make out the defined outline of the owner of the aura. But she didn't have to, because she already knew who that was.

"Kai!"