A powerful force sent Hozumi flying away from the Gates of Hell as they faded, along with his consciousness "I have...to stay.....awake" His hair wavered in the wind as he went flying towards the large group of Kushanada. His strength had all been taken from him when he put his hands through the Gates. The skin on his arms were mostly missing, blood pouring out of his arms. The Kushanada all reached out towards him, all aiming to grab him. Lucy jumped towards him, extending her arm out towards him [b]"Bakudo 9 Horin![/b] The rope extended out and wrapped around Hozumi. Lucy smiled and yanked Hozumi. Before she could pull him in more, a Kushanada appeared from below, its mouth wide open. With one large chomp, it closed its mouth and swallowed Hozumi whole. Lucys eyes opened wide [b]"HOZUMI!!!!![/b] [i]This warmth...where have I felt this before[/i] ------ -About 6 Months Earlier- [u]Forest Of Menos[/u] Hozumi was in a massive crimson space, nothing around him but the color crimson and bubbles. Hozumi was once again a child, his small body in the massive ocean of nothing. Hozumi didn't know what was going on, but couldn't help feeling content despite having no idea where he was. He felt warm, both outside and inside [i]It feels so warm...am I dying again? No, it feels different. It feels good, it feels as if...as if I'm back in my mothers womb. I wish I could stay here forever[/i] [b][i]Are you sure child? If it is your wish, then I can give you this warmth forever. However, are you willing to do this? Do you think this warmth comes from nothing? Do you think this massive crimson pool comes from nothing? Something cannot come from nothing boy. The warmth you feel comes from the dead bodies which will die in the future. This ocean is filled with the blood of those you let down, close ones and innocent humans. Are you truly selfish enough to let all of that happen, just for your own nostalgia desires? You are no longer a baby. You belong in the world, not in this illusion of safety[/b][/i] [i]....I don't know...I don't know what to do! I'm just a kid, how am I supposed to do anything![/i] [b][i]But why are you weak? Because that is what you are told? Because you were raised to believe that children will always be hopelessly weak? The only thing is making you weak is yourself boy. Perhaps you should stay here, maybe the world would be better off without a whiny child like you. Who does nothing but complain and blame others for his own weakness. It probably would be better off if you just die now. Who cares if everyone dies kekeke...[/b][/i] Hozumi gritted his teeth "Shut up!" He yelled out loud "You're wrong! I'm not weak!" He clenched his fist, remembering the words of his father "I'm strong" A massive grin formed in the liquid [b]"Then prove it"[/b] A massive, skeletal like finger formed in thin air. It moved forward, placing its very tip on Hozumi's forehead [b]"Prove me wrong child"[/b] Hozumi began to release a massive amount of his reiatsu, changing the color of the crimson color into the color of his reiatsu "I will! I'll prove it right now!!!" The massive grin chuckled as Hozumi continued to release his reiatsu. Suddenly, something ticked in his head. [i]Ahh, what is this feeling...its so weird...its like everything is coming to me all at once[/i] His eyes began to intensely glow as the entire realm began to shake. "I'll kill you and anything that gets in my way! Whether it's Hueco Mundo, the Spirit King or even death itself!" The massive grin bursted into laughter [b]"Finally!! I have waited many years for you boy! More than you can imagine! Now go and get strong, because I look forward to that day! The day when the child becomes a man!"[/b] The voice yelled, once again bursting into laughter. The laughter began to echo out as another voice began to go through his ears. A massive white orb formed deep within the black ocean, growing into the size of a planet. It engulfed Hozumi, his body sinking into the white orb as he stared in awe. [b]"HOZUMIIIIII!!!!!"[/b] Hozumi's eyes slowly opened, feeling nothing around him but the wind. His clothes and hair wavered in the wind. "What the" He said, having no recollection of what happened. He looked around, only seeing a blur. It took him a second to realize that he was freefalling, but for how long [b]"HOZUMI!! YOU MORON, LOOK UP!!"[/b] Hozumi moved his head to look up the massive pit. Lucy was a distance away, falling down towards him at the same speed. [i]Thats right! I was fighting that hollow and chased it until...that man came...no that monster. And then...mom![/i] He looked both below and above him, but no sight of his mother [b]"HEY YOU IDIOT! HOW LONG ARE YOU JUST GONNA DAZE OUT FOR!"[/b] Lucy's yell shook Hozumi out of his trance. There was nothing he could do now and had to regroup with Lucy. But how. At the speed he was falling, grabbing onto the walls could be fatal. He moved his body and opened up his arms, using his clothes to gain some wind resistance. It was strange, but Hozumi was calm. It was as if he knew what to do. His speed began to slow down, Lucy catching up in no time. She extended her hand out to him [b]"Hozumi, grab on!"[/b] Quickly extending his hand, he grabbed onto Lucy as they locked arms. They pulled themselves together as Hozumi tightly grabbed Lucy. She smiled and patted his head as they kept on freefalling [b]"Don't worry, its going to be fine now that I'm here"[/b] Hozumi shook his head "No...[i]he's[/i] coming" They both looked up, the small dot of light now covered in a veil of darkness. The same being that brought Hozumi in the pit was now flying towards them with tremendous speeds. Lucy gritted her teeth [b]"Shit this isn't good, even in his weakened state, he's still tremoundsly powerful What can I do"[/b] Hozumi looked down at the bottom of the pit, as if he could see something in the pitch dark. He looked back up at Lucy "We can only go down" Lucy looked at Hozumi, surprised. She surprised at both his answer and how calm he was. But the look in his eyes, it was strange. She smiled, an old memory coming back into her head "Just trust me and everything will be fine, I'll protect you" Hozumi said with a smile. The nostalgia nearly made Lucy cry. The same thing had been told to her decades ago, by the same child's father. She nodded [b]"What should I do?"[/b] He looked up at the being who was gaining more and more speed, but luckily the length of this pit was immeasurable. "Point one of your arms up and cast Hado 58. The speed should speed us up enough to reach it" [b]"Reach what?"[/b] "Our only hope, now hurry!" Lucy smiled and nodded, aiming her palm into the air above [b]"Hado 58 Tenran!"[/b] Lucy fired off a tornado from her palm, increasing their speed as they plummeted downwards. But it wasn't enough, the being was still catching up. It would only be minutes before it caught up. Hozumi quickly grabbed her arm which casted the kido as his eyes began to glow. Lucy's eyes were wide, in awe as she witnessed the child manipulate her own kido through her body. He channeled his reiatsu into her Kido, the magnitude of the Tenran significantly increasing along with their speed "Here it comes!" [b]"Here what comes?"[/b] Lucy asked, slightly worried. Hozumi laughed nervously "Actually, I don't know" Lucy's eyes widened [b]"W-WHAT?! DAMMIT, WHY DID I LISTEN TO YOU!"[/b] Hozumi laughed, despite the situation they were in. Suddenly, sparks of red lightning began to surround their body. The lightning tore their body apart, piece by piece. But yet, no pain could be felt "Here we go!!" Soon after, the amount of lightning significantly increased until nothing but darkness was left. Meanwhile, above the massive hole, the giant trees had collapsed to cover the hole and made a ruin around it. Hozumi came flying out of thin air as he body was one once again. He plummeted, but this time in a massive new world. This world, however was disturbing. Its very essence sent chills down Hozumi's spine as he could feel as if the place was trying to consume him. Lucy came out of thin air as well, slightly above Hozumi. She looked around. This place may of been foreign to Hozumi, but it wasn't to her. It was home. [u][b]Hell[/b][/u] Hozumi plummeted downwards, not sure what was going on. All he knew was that he would die if he hit the ground at this speed. Lucy took a deep breath, facing reality. As much as she didn't want to be there, she was. But that didn't matter, she had to protect Hozumi. From her finger tips, Bakudo 4 Hainawa extended and wrapped around Hozumi's leg. She yanked him towards her, wrapping her arms around him once again as they fell. They were in the same predicament, but this time they weren't as hopeless. She swiped her hand, a blue disc made of reishi forming below them. She landed on it, the disc cracking from the pressure. They floated downwards towards the ground [b]"Damn, I guess that hole really did lead to Hell. Now what"[/b] She sighed to herself, Hozumi hugging her tightly and looking around. The blue disc which they floated on began to slowly lower down, until it finally hit the ground. Lucy looked at Hozumi and smiled [b]"See nothing to worry abou-"[/b] Her eyes quickly widened as she tossed Hozumi to the side. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes wide. A black beam pierced her chest, blood coming out her mouth. Her body dropped to the ground, a faint black smoke coming out of the hole. Hozumi turned, his teeth sharpened. He knew what it was, the same monster that sent them down the hole [hider=Being] [img=http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130706031138/bleachfanfiction/images/b/bb/VastoArrancar1.jpg] [/hider] He sat on a rock, his smile grim and twisted, yet his eyes emotionless. [b][u]"Welcome young child, to my domain. Her death was inevitable the instant she entered Hell."[/b][/u] Hozumi ran at him "Liar!! She's not dead!!!" He jumped in the air and kicked towards the mans face. But instead, Hozumi was sent flying back and covered in lightning, not even able to touch the being. He crashed next to Lucy, tears coming out of his eyes "Lucy, please wake up" [b][u]"Didn't you hear me? She's dead. But don't worry, she'll be back. This is Hell afterall. After a few decades of torture, she'll be back"[/b][/u] He said with a raised eyebrow as Hozumi got on his knees next to her. The rocks around him began to levitate as his spiritual pressure began to increase. "No, she's not gonna die. I won't allow it!" He put his mouth over the wound and sucked out the black smoke from the wound. The being grabbed the back of Hozumi's head and pulled him away from Lucy's body. [b]"[u]Fool, you would of died if you kept on doing that. And I can't have you die, your body is important to me"[/b][/u] Hozumi turned his head towards the being and spewed out the black smoke from his mouth, engulfing it. The being tossed Hozumi into a rock, his body stuck. Hozumi coughed out a large amount of black blood as tears began to come out of his in large quantities. The being chuckled [b]"[u]I told you it was dangerous. Its a miracle you didn't die"[/b][/u] As he finished speaking a massive electrical beam came from his side and hit him, generating a massive explosion and powerful winds. Lucy was standing, heavily panting with her palm pointing at the being. She grinned [b]"He's weak"[/b] The being came out of the smoke and appeared in front of Lucy, his palm smashing her head into the ground. Her pupils dilated, before fading slightly to show she had passed out. [b]"[u]Stay down for good"[/b][/u] His eyes began to glow as he prepared to fire off a beam to kill her. Out of the blue, a random foot came from the being's right and hit him in the face, sending the being crashing through multiple mountains. An old man with messy black hair, a white rob and 5'oclock beard appeared. He was scratching his chin "She's right, you've grown weak...Tartaros" The being appeared behind the old man. Its expression was once again emotionless and his body unscathed despite the destruction dealt on the surrounding lands. [b][u]"Is that so? Why don't I show you the power that gave me the right to rule Hell"[/b][/u] The old man smirked "Its been overdue hasn't it" Suddenly, a massive dome of energy formed as the two connected blows. That was the last thing Hozumi had saw, before his consciousness faded. - 1 Day Later - Hozumi's eyes slowly opened, seeing the same old man heavily panting as he leaned against a wall. His left arm was missing and blood was dripping down all over his face. The old man coughed out blood, dropping down to his knees. Hozumi tried to get up but winced at the pain. The old man turned to Hozumi and chuckled [u]"To think you're awake after one day...amazingg"[/u] The old man said as he collapsed to the ground, blood pouring out of his left arm. Hozumi got up, ignoring the pain and going up to the old man "Old man, you can't die" Hozumi said as he placed his arms on him "I won't let you" A blue glow surrounded the old man as Hozumi's hair began to rise. The blue glow intensified at the open wound as it began to cauterize. The bleeding eventually stopped, Hozumi sighing in relief after he had closed the wound. "Wait" He looked at his eyes, surprised "How did I do that?" He asked to himself, not even thinking about it. He just knew what to do, it was strange. He looked around in the small cave, seeing a sleeping Lucy and the knocked out, beat up Old Man. Hozumi sat down and leaned his back against the walls "Not again" Once again, he was alone. No one to help him in this foreign land. He began to cry as he dropped his head on his knees, glaring at the ground as tears came out of his eyes. He couldn't stop crying, as much as he hated to cry. But he just felt so helpless. So weak and minuscule. All he wanted to do was go home. Suddenly, he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders. He looked up, teary eyed, to see Lucy smiling down at him. Her body was weak at the moment, but her smile reassured him that everything would be fine. He put his head on her chest as he began to cry without holding back "I want to go home!" He said as his cried. Lucy just smiled, patting his head [b]"There there Hozumi. Let it all out. I'll always be here. Together, we'll get out of here"[/b] She said as Hozumi did nothing but cry his heart out - 1 Day Later - The two woke up, Hozumi's head resting on Lucy's lap. The two looked around, wondering where the old man went. [u]"Finally you're awake"[/u] The old man said, drinking out of a cup with his left arm. Hozumi's eyes nearly popped out of his head "W-wait huh?! Your arm was missing just yesterday! But now, it's there?!"[/u] Lucy was just as confused, but remained silent. The old man chuckled, putting the stone cup down on the floor by a fire which formed as he put the cup down [u]"This isn't exactly my arm. I borrowed it:[/u] The old man said, with a mischievous smile. Hozumi's eye twitched "How do you just borrow an arm?! Its not like they came out of thin air!" [u]"Well its simple...."[/u] The old man took a pause, taking a sip of his drink and setting it back down. He looked back up at Hozumi [u]"I borrowed it"[/u] "How, what, huh?!" The old man chuckled at the baffled Hozumi [u]"Why don't you open your eyes and think logically. Your pretty lady friend has already figured it out, haven't you?"[/u] The old man asked with a raised eyebrow. Lucy scratched her red cheeks and nodded [b]"You used Seido, correct?"[/u] The old man smiled and nodded [u]"Correct, but how did you know? Less than a handful amount of people know of the techniques, and even less call it by Seido"[/u] [b]"Well I was taught it by my former sensei, Jyu Viole Grace. But he's known to be called Lessa"[/b] The old man's eyes widened [u]"That crazy coot actually took a student?! BUAHAHAHA!! I'll believe it the day his son shows up in front of me!"[/u] "........................" The old man raised an eyebrow [u]"What is it?"[/u] Hozumi spoke up "I'm his son" The old man turned to Hozumi, his expression serious [u]"I don't care if you're just a boy. I'll chop you in two if you use that man's name in vain"[/u] Hozumi looked into the old man's eyes, his expression serious "He is my father" The old man eyed Hozumi suspciously [u]"I'll be the judge of that"[/u] Hozumi and the Old Man sat down, legs crossed and facing each other. The Old Man had his eyes closed, speaking in an unknown language. Hozumi sat down patiently, staring at the Old Man. Lucy watched from the entrance of the cave, arms crossed and leaning against the walls [b][i]He's so calm, I guess letting all of that out made him feel better. Maybe, this old man should be the one teaching him...not me[/b][/i] The Old Man opened his eyes, a bright blue glow coming out of them. All features of his eyes were gone and were replace with a bright blue glow. Suddenly, he fired off a ray from them which shun onto Hozumi. Hozumi's shadow was different from before. Both an outline of Aya and Viole were standing behind him, their backs turned towards Hozumi. Viole's shadowy figure turned around, his ripple like eyes glaring into the Old Man's. Then an apparation of Viole's eyes came towards the Old Man and pass him, sending the Old Man flying and flipping back. He landed on his feet and skidded to a stop. He glared at Hozumi as both of his parent's faded away [u]"By god, you weren't lying....haha...hahaha....BUAHAHAHAHA!!!! THAT OLD COOT WOULD GO OFF AND KNOCK UP A DEMON! TO THINK, A CHILD LIKE YOU IS OUR LAST HOPE!"[/u] Hozumi stared at the old man, confused and off put "Uhh, so what does that mean?" The Old Man grinned [u]"Boy, would you like to become greater than your father?"[/u] Hozumi's eyes lit up "Is that possible?" The Old Man chuckled [u]"Boy, if you set your aim on it, there's nothing you can't accomplish. Whats your name?"[/u] "Hozumi Indra Oda!" Hozumi said as he sat upright [u]"And what about yours girly?"[/u] The Old Man asked Lucy, who was about to leave the cave. She rubbed the back of her head [b]"Does that really matter[/b] The Old Man nodded [u]"Of course, as of today, you are now both my students. Rest, you're gonna need it for tomorrow"[/u] He said with a wide grin. The two gulped, not sure what to expect - The Next Day - "Gaah...dammit....aahh...some help....please?" Hozumi said, holding onto the edge of a cliff for dear life. Attached to his legs were 2 large rocks, dangling in the air and adding weight to his body. The Old Man sat down on the edge of the cliff, drinking out a stone cup. He raised an eyebrow [u]"Help? Why do you deserve help when you don't even know the 3 most important things in life. Whether its every day life or fighting"[/u] Hozumi was drenched in sweat, his arms shaking "Uhhh...is it fight hard, never give up and kill?" The old man whipped the top of Hozumi's head three times, leaving a bump as Hozumi resisted to touch it. His eyes watered from the pain "Uhh...is it never give your opponent the chance to att-" The Old Man struck his head again "Gaah! How am I supposed to know when you never told me?!" The old man raised an eyebrow and looked at Hozumi. A few seconds later, he whipped the top of his head again [u]"My my, your head really is THAT thick"[/u] Hozumi scowled the Old Man, causing him to whip Hozumi in the head again "Owww!! What was that for?!" The Old Man took a sip [u]"I didn't like the look in your eyes"[/u] "Thats so stup-" The Old Man raised an eyebrow [i]Fricking Old Man, I'll get you back for this[/i] The Old Man whipped his head again "Yeow!! I didn't even say anything!" [u]"I know...but I could tell you were spiting me in your thoughts"[/u] Hozumi's eyes widened, not speaking since it was true. "W-why isn't Lucy doing this?" The Old Man chuckled [u]"She's already done the basics, plus what she's doing is much worse compared to your regime. Don't worry though, you'll be joining her soon"[/u] He said, with a mischievous grin. Hozumi gulped and muttered under his breath "Crazy old man" The old Man whipped Hozumi's head again [u]"I heard that"[/u] Hozumi bit his tounge, his eyes getting watery once again. The Old Man sighed, standing up and grabbing Hozumi's shoulder. He lifted him up, slicing through the ropes with his finger tips and tossing Hozumi on the flatside of the cliff. Hozumi lied down, panting heavily and covered in sweat [u]"I should might as well tell you, you'll never get it on your own. The 3 most important things in life is...breathing properly, eating properly and walking properly. I suppose sleeping properly could count, but it doesn't matter as much for now"[/u] Hozumi's eye twitched "You're kidding me right?" THe Old Man whipped the top of Hozumi's head [u]"I've never been more seriously in my life"[/u] The Old Man stood up, dusting off his white coat [u]"And we have to change your clothes. I can't train you with such dirty clothes"[/u] Hozumi loked at his clothes "But" THe Old Man looked down at Hozumi, his eyes cold [u]"Hozumi...you can only move on if you let go of the ties which connected you to your past. If you cannot do that, then I cannot train you. Make your choice Hozumi"[/u] Hozumi looked down, his eyes full of sorrow "I don't know" The Old man kicked Hozumi, sending him flipping across the cliff top [u]"Do you think your opponent will give you time to think!! Make the choice Hozumi!![/u] The Old man appeared to the right of Hozumi, kicking him again and sending him skidding towards the edge. Hozumi barely stopped, standing up and panting. The Old Man walked towards him [u]"There's no point of having that blood in your veins if you can't put it to use"[/u] He said with a cold expression, appearing behind Hozumi and slapping his head into the ground. Hozumi coughed out a mix of spit and blood. The Old Man grabbed and lifted Hozumi by his hair. Hozumi turned, his eyes that of a wild animal and his teeth sharpened. He sent a kick towards the Old Man's arm, the Old Man letting go and jumping over Hozumi and landing a small distance away. He smirked. Hozumi ran towards him "I CHOOSE BOTH!!" He sent a flurry of punches and kicks, each aiming for a vital pressure point. The Old Man grinned, slapping each of Hozumi's attacks like nothing as the two fought on the top of the cliff. Hozumi sent a punch towards the Old Man's face. But before it could land. the Old man caught it [u]"Let us see if your answer will be the same...in 3 months"[/u] He said, kicking him in the stomach and knocking him out [u]"There will be a day Hozumi...when you can only choose one. When that day comes...I hope you choose the right thing"[/u] He said, looking out at Hell as a terribely hot wind passed [hider=Graphic content, read at own risk >.<] Hozumi woke up in a large field of black cherry blossom trees. He got up, rubbing his eyes "Hmm? Where am I" He said, looking around confused. He walked until he felt a familiar reiatsu. His face grew a large grin as he began to run towards the source. On the horizon was a figure, growing in detail as Hozumi got ckoser. It was Aya, dressed in a pure white kimono. She turned, her eyes darkened but a smile on her face. He jumped into her arms, hugging her "Mommy!!!! I was so scared, I was having a bad nightmare. You were in it and a strange lady snd monster. It was so scary but I feel better now...." He noticed how strange it was for her to be silent. He looked up in her eyes, but onky saw darkness. He fell back and crawled backwards away from her. "M-mommy? Whays wrong?" A massive grin formed on her face, reaching up to her eyes as blood began to trinkle out of her eyes and mouth. Her neck extended out over Hozumi as her neck twisted in a circle "You left me Hozumi, whats wrong with you? How could you leave me?" It said in a demonic and twisted tone. Hozumi watched in horror as the monster that looked like his mother. He got up and ran away with all his might as the monster laughed "Go on Hozumi, run like you always do!" He ran with no place in mind, crashing into a tall figure and falling on the ground. He looked up to see his aunt Chie and uncle Fumio "Uncle Cherry! Something is wrong with mommy! Come help! " He said as he grabbed Fumios hand and tried to run back towards his mother. But instead, he was pulled up into the air and felt two hands wrap around his neck. They began to choke him as he looked in the empty eyes of hus aunt and uncle. He struggled to speak but couldnt as the two began to laugh. Aya came from behind, her body drastically changed. Her body was twisted and distorted as they all began to speak in unison "Its all your fault, its all your fsukt, its all your fault" Hozumi was struggling to get out of the grip, tears going down his eyes and blood coming out of his nose snd mouth "M-mommy p-please dont" The being twisted its head upside down, a loud snap echoing. They all kept the grin the entire time "Mommy? Theres no mommy here...ONLY DEATH!!!" The three of them began began to bite, chew, gnaw snd claw Hozumi's body all at once as he screamed at the top of his lungs. They all snickered as they chewed and chewed on his body all at once. [/hider] "AHHHHHHH!!!!" Hozumi woke up screaming and covered in sweat. He was panting heavily as Lucy ran towards him and hugged him [b]"Hozumi its fine, it was just a bad dream"[/b] Hozumi hugged her, his body shaking in fear "I-it felt so real" [b]"I know....it always does" [i]This isnt good, a child shouldn't have to experience these nightmares....stay strong Hozumi[/i][/b] She said, rubbing Hozumi's head to relax. His body still shook violently "Sooo on the first night, a pebble falls to the earth from somewhere Sooo on the second night, The pebble's children hold hands and sketch a waltz" Lucy's voice was soothing and peaceful, perhaps the only serene and incorruptible thing in the entire Hell hole. Hozumis shaking slowed down as he partially moved his head up to look at Lucy. She was staring out of the entrance of the cave, her emerald green eyes letting out a slight sparkle. "Sooo on the third night, The children of the waltz cause ripples on the face of the world on the fourth night, the children of the waves spray the shore" Hozumos shaking stopped, Lucy's beautiful voice taming his wild mind and causing him only to focus on the words she sang. "Sooo on the fifth night, thos shards strike the face of the earth over and over on the sixth night, those signals bring travelers together" The song made him forget about his pains, his worries and his thoughts. He forgot that he was in Hell for the time she sang. It felt as if he was back home, when he used to sleep in the arms of his mother. He knew there was a chance he may never experience such a thing again, but he had to fight crying. Right now, her song was all that mattered to him, the shaking stopping as a result. Lucy smiled, happy to feel him calm at last "So...on the seventh night, a weightless ship races to the sky on the eighth morning, a song from somewhere reaches my earss Well then...a song that has recorded everything echoes to the new sky"