Before he knew it, the demon-monster glowed red and stopped moving. Seito had to thank goodness that Haruka was there. If she hadn’t stopped it, it would have attacked him immediately. He couldn’t be scrambling about as he decided what to do. Yet, it seemed that the girl was having trouble keeping it in place. [i]Is it really that strong?[/i] Seito thought. [i]All I know is that I have to deal a blow to its neck, and it should be gone for.[/i]

The older Shinigami shot forward with all of the speed he could muster, raising his blade over his head and crying out as he swung the sword down on the beast’s neck with all of his strength. The blade sunk into the flesh of the thing, but not into its neck. It had moved. He had been too late. He stared at the wound he had inflicted on the Hollow’s shoulder, surprised. [i]Hell, this thing [b]is[/b] strong.[/i] he pulled the blade from its shoulder, making it roar in pain. He dodged the Hollow’s attempt at grasping his leg with its ugly hand, and landed softly on the ground.

[b]”Hmm.”[/b] Seito muttered as he stared at the monster. It looked over at him and rushed toward him, growling and shrieking. [b]”Even though this thing is ugly as hell, it sure is strong.”[/b] [i]And is it getting faster, or is it just me?[/i]

Seito leapt out of the Hollow’s path, laughing as he thought that he had once again escaped the monster’s grip. But something clamped around his leg. He looked down to see the Hollow’s hand tighten around his leg, but before he could react, he was flung across the parking lot and through the wall of an abandoned building. Seito felt his body scream with pain and blood begin to well in his mouth as he laid in the rubble. [i]Okay… I think I was getting a bit too cocky there…[/i] he coughed, muffling the sound with his arm. Pain razed up the side of his body. [i]This sucks…[/i]