Chapter 2 "Become A Monster"

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

"To protect something you must know why you protect it and what it needs protecting from. Put yourself in its shoes and learn what it is really feeling, what it safe guards, and what it bottles up inside. You mirror it….You model it….Then you will know what it truly needs to be protected from and how to do it. To Protect A Monster you must Become A Monster."

-400roc aka Me

Inner World

"Shiro what do you want" Ichigo asked somewhat annoyed wanting a well-deserved rest.

"Ichigo our hollow abilities are holding off the infection, but barely the due to our ability to regenerate at high speeds. But somethings off it doesn't feel right. Be careful avoid using your powers. It's working at a high rate and I don't know if it can handle that much strain." Shiro said in monotone voice

"That's new you worrying about me and what's with the voice you're not worried are you. "Ichigo said a smirk apparent on his face.

"Shut up and get out of hear these kids need your help." Shiro said before Ichigo awakened in on the bus next Saeko. She noticed she was awake and said "Oh your up you gave Takeshi quite a shock"

"Yea I ain't dying anytime soon" Ichigo responds but before he could continue a certain person stood up and started talking.

"I assume you are the leader" asked not noticing she was asleep.

A frown formed on Rei's face.

Before she could respond Ichigo stood and said.

"I am the Leader and Takashi over there is my Lieutenant" Ichigo stated while pointing to Takashi.

"Why have a second in command" countered trying to earn some sort of leadership and control.

Rei's hands balled into a fist almost drawing blood.

"Their many reasons. For example, I allows less stress, divided workload and history can tell us what happens if we put the power in one man's hand. You're a teacher you should know better." Ichigo Finished. Next I boy stood up obliviously with face and angered was and said.

"I don't mind you being a leader, but I can't stand him being in any type if power" the boy yelled at Takashi.

All Rei could see was black.

"Dude I don't even know you" Takashi. Rei obliviously hand enough stood up and headed to the door.

"Where are you going Rei" a short thin black haired boy with glasses asked.

"Hirano I understand your concern, but I can't be here with That Man" Rei said before Ichigo stopped her.

"Let Go" she said, but Ichigo didn't.

"Rei look at me" he said, she didn't.

"LOOK at me" he yelled and the. She looked.

"Listen don't care what problem you have with the guy, but I will not let you put yourself in danger because of our lack of emotional control. "He yelled and then Rei exploded.

"I give a SHIT I didn't decide to follow you." And with that she got off.

"Goddammit Rei" Takeshi followed after her.

"Aren't we going to stop her?!"Saya yelled.

"Let Takeshi handle it he knows her best" Khota assured her.

"Shut up fatass" She retorted. Khota deflated in response

Outside Bus

"Rei you need to realistic about this. The bus is our best" Takeshi stated following her out of the vehicle.

There was a roar in the distance.

"Shut up he has ruined everything in my life and I will not just sit there like a nice little girl. Like I have for months while a piece of scum like him survives!" Rei scream back at him.

"Rei you need to calm down" Takeshi tried to speak, but was cut off.

"Don't tell me to calm down you just don't understand what that son of a bitch has put me through!" Rei yelled right back at him.

The sound got louder as an object speed toward them.

"Rei please just listen to me" Takeshi attempted again to reach her. It once again failed.

"Just shut up…..I'm tired of listening and I'm tired of waiting." Rei yelled temper only rising.

By the time they noticed it. It was heading straight for them.

"Rei!" was all Takeshi could yell over the sound of metal against concrete and pavement, and the screech and bang of ignited combustible fluids accompanied by a roaring fire after.

All this was topped off with a low but loud moan.

"Dammit" was all Ichigo and Tatsuki could as they ran out to assess the damage.

"Takeshi are you ok" Saeko called out from behind. Seeming to have followed them out there.

Sadly her voice plus the explosions lured out the flaming dead or the former occupants of the runaway bus.

"We are fine meet at the Police on the other side of the highway" he called out from behind the wreckage.

"What time?" she asked.

"7:00 if not now then tomorrow same time" he yelled before heading off.

"Alright let's get moving we have a date" Ichigo said with a smirk.

"That was super cheesy" Tatsuki responded with a deadpanned face.

"Always the one to ruin it for me" was all he said as they all headed to the bus.

'Quite the interesting group of friends' Saeko thought quickly following behind.

Highway Hours Later

They were on a highway when Shizuka walked up to Ichigo and said.

"I mean strength in numbers right, but Shido was starting to creep me out." she asked and Ichigos head hanged low.

"Yeah, All the preaching a was literally going to strangle him from that alone. Plus he is an asshole."

"Ichigo are you sure that your fine after the fight at the school." She asked words laced with suspicion.

"I swear I am alright" was all she got. Her brows furrowed a frown although rare graced her face. She was skeptical.

"With that many. I doubt it, but you aren't showing in signs of a fever."

"Shizuka if it worries that much the moment we meet up with rei and Takeshi and we are someplace safe. I'll you give me a checkup." he stated nonchalant shown all over his face. Shizuka nodded in confirmation 'His expression may say otherwise. But I know somethins up' that thought played over and over in her mind during their walk.

'Feels like a hawk is watching me' he thought avoiding the gaze of Shizuka.

"You have to be sharp to be a nurse Ichigo" she answered reading his mind.

"And people call you a ditz" he said sheepishly as the gaze and frown increased from the comment.

"Not funny Ichi..." She started but was cut off by Khota.

"Ichigo is that what I think it is" Khota yelled his otaku nature taking over.

"But wait Ichigo I wasn't finished..."Shizuka could not finish as he ran up to Kohta.

In front of them was a dead police corpse.

"You guys aren't serious" Saya said with a disgusted tone.

"Scavenging is essential for survival" Saeko simple put.

"Don't Encourage them" Was all she got back.

"Aww man nothing not even extra bullets." Khota whined in disappointment.

"Knowing the gun nut you are. I should have guessed it would be the first thing you looked for." Ichigo said seeing the empty holster around the policeman's waist. Ichigo has gotten to know the Kohta, Saya, Shizuka, and more about Saeko on the way here, allowing a bond to form strengthening the group. They entered keep moving forward on their trek to the highway. They were close.

'Ichigo keep your guard that police corpse was fresh meaning the person could still be nearby' His hollow cut in.

'I know already' he snapped back. The hollow predication proved true as they were blocked by a group of men. The man had a cocky look in his face as he said.

"Gives us all you got and we won't blow you all blow away. Simple sweat and to the point." The man said as others popped up gun trained on them. It was police issue. The man continued.

"You see the thing is that we been watching you guys for some time and have concluded that you your group human resource are useless, so we'll rob you all and have are way with your women." He stated in a matter of fact manner.

"Really" Tatsuki spat.

"We are evenly numbered and the only advantage you have is that one gun" Uryu jumped in analyzing the situation.

"Yeah…I don't want to hear it so shut the Fuck up and..." The man could finish as his head fell to the ground.

"What happ..." Another started before being bisected in two. The same fate be fell the other bandits. In the center stood a girl in a schoolgirl uniform with a diamond shaped white mask. Red eyes glaring and glowing through it.

'Lisa?' Ichigo thought before the women charge only giving him enough time to block. Khota aimed his weapon and fired which was only blocked by the masked women. She rushed him with unimaginable speed. The others were in shock they couldn't reacted. Ichigo pushed her off and raised his sword.

"Khota focus!" Ichigo yelled.

'Her movements are eradicated and random. Like an animal, it's totally berserk… she's just like a HOLLOW, but more importantly, how can people see her and why is she hollowfied' Ichigo contemplated as he blocked another attack. Ichigo responded with a downward slash. She blocked with her right forearm blood gushing out, but that's when Ichigo saw it.

….the bite mark.

Lisa then grabbed the blade a responded with a head butts giving distance between the two. Ichigo no longer battled Lisa he battled an animal with no regard for its wellbeing… a hollow.

'Damn! I got to take this somewhere else' Ichigo thought, before turning to Takeshi and yelled.

"Chad get everyone moving I'll handle this!"

"We won't leave you. This chick is going kill you." Tatsuki yelled back.

"GO. She is no match for you. Besides I don't die easy." be responded before dodging a blade. Everyone began to run ahead Ichigo covering their escape.

"That's means you to Saeko" he added only getting a frown.

"Don't give me that. I never break a promise. I'll return" He said with a smile.

Saeko followed the others never once looking back.

Now they were alone.

"Lisa this ain't you" he yelled block a slash then returning with force. He got a feral growl in response. She went for a stabbed barely missing getting caught in his armpit. He swung at her face cracking the mask. She was dazed and Ichigo took chance. He swung his sword in wide arc enough force to take off a head. But against a person with Lisa's skill was only to get distance.

"Don't make me do this" he yelled. His response was silence.

Raaaaaaaaargh. The girl howled as the mask shattered. Its place was a blank face, a twisted smile, and dark red eyes.

"Tis quite the scrap. I mean if it were really really me and not that bug. It would be true entertainment" the shell of a women stated to herself.

"What do you mean! Where's Lisa" he asked.

"Oh Lisa! Yeah she's around not here though well not speaking to you at least. It's nice to stretch once and awhile. Sadly this stupid bug only leaves bumbling mess. Not even the grace or ferocity of a wild animal. " she said in her ramblings.

"Typical of a hollow. No sense. But answer my questions! Where Lisa is and what do you mean bug." Ichigo shot back patience's waning.

"You are reaching Lisa Yadomaru. She's not here at the moment. Leave a message after the beep…..BEEP. HeheheheHAHAHA. Now to your next question…You'll learn. But till then I see you around. I know where you're are heading. We'll meet again"Lisa said before she disappeared.

"First zombies, now cryptic hollows." He sighed before running off after his friends.

"Khota catch!" Takeshi yelled from the cycle as he throw a police issue revolver.

'Now let's have some fun.' Khota grinned as blasted away Zombie after Zombie. The team worked at top efficiency leaving a path of blood and gore in their wake as the combined might of wood, steel, and lead tore through the horde.

"Grab own!" Takeshi called as she reached out creating a devastating combo ripping through the dead. Takeshi may not know it but it was almost second nature. He called out orders like a drill sergeant oil to a well-honed machine. With one stroke Chad sliced through zombies while Tatsuki bashed them in covering his back. Uryu skewered many with one arrow providing ranged support, and Rei skillfully blew through the dead. In mere moments it was over.

"Well look how came back" they heard from behind them a torn up Ichigo looking worse for wear.

"You look like shit. How did it go" Uryu asked rhetorically.

"You knew how it went." Ichigo quickly retorted.

"It was rhetorical" he stated in a matter of fact manner.

"You know what I don't care. Anyone up for a break?" Ichigo said fatigue coming over him.

"Yep"

"Most certainly"

"Oh yeah"

"Sure"

"Nap Time!"

To be continued.

A/N I am not dead hurray. Anyway all my stories are going into rewrite… well some are, but let's get to the meet I have a poll about what story I should focus on. And its no surprise this one's first. But you get to votes because I'll be working on first and second. Get 4 chapters out for first. 3 out for second. Third and fourth will get one to 2. And last will get one after everything else. In recap and summary use the damn poll.