SPOILER: Click to show

Takes place when Yoshiya gets home after his exit in An Ambitious Game.

He threw open the door.

“Ahoy Yggdrasil, Daddy is home!”

His surge of emotion was riding, carrying him until he got home. And then. Nothing. His task complete, he fell into pure depression. He had barely locked the door behind him when he collapsed on the floor, laying there, weeping, exhausted.
A small noise emanated from near his right ear. A small furry thing head butted his right cheek.

“Heh. I suppose you’ll be wanting food.”

He sighed and pushed away the rug hanging on the side of the stairs and descended the ladder into the cave he had dug out there. Having lived in the same abode for nearly a millennium, he had time to carve it out. He used it for several purposes. Down there were several notes, logs, books, observations from his life. His old uniforms. The cold and darkness of the cave mirrored Yoshiya’s mood. As such he also spent those times when he felt cold and dark down there. But, though he was cold and dark, that is not what he was there for.

He was there for fish. The cold meant that the cave was also his larder. A small assortment of salted meats were stored in this cavern. He picked two fish out and ascended the ladder, then the stairs to his upper floor. It was an oddity, having the fireplace upstairs, but it kept the bed warm.

Yoshiya put the fish on the fire, then ascended the roof access ladder to knock open the trapdoor. Whilst there was a chimney, the room still got too warm. More ventilation helped.

That task done, he went downstairs to fetch dishes.

Between the running and flying for her life, the young hollow was getting really tired, her wings sore from the flight from the second district. She had to find a place to rest, but the only problem was that the dragon was in the middle of the residential district of Rukongai, the one place the dragon tried her best to avoid.

Kurai let out a small whine as her eyes roamed over the buildings, searching for a roof to land upon. Her wings were starting to feel really heavy, like weights had been tied to the tips of each wing. Oh, how easy it would be to just let her wings stop beating. It would save the shinigami from hunting her down, that was for sure, and put an end to her fear of never finding that one thing to make her feel whole.

Before the hollow committed to letting herself fall, her nose caught the scent of her favorite meal, fish. The scent gave her that last bit of strength to find the source of the smell. Thanks to her trusty snout, Kurai had quickly found the house, landing upon the roof of none other than Yoshiya, claws scraping against the building as she landed. Hopefully, no one would notice the noise.

She just needed to rest, and find some food, for a little bit, catch her breath before continuing her way back to the wastelands. Kurai sat back on her haunches, shaking her head as she tucked her wings against her back. Just a small stop, she promised herself.

Yoshiya had collected the dishes and ascended the stairs. A plate, knife and fork for himself and a cat bowl for the little lady. Setting them on his desk, the bearded fiend removed then folded his cloak, setting it upon his dresser. His gloves and boots soon followed.

And so he sat on his bed and poked the fish with his staff, the scent of the seafood wafting up his chimney.

Oh, how wonderful the smell of cooked fish smelled! Why didn't the reptilian think of it before?! Because she was trying to keep a low profile, that's why.

Kurai crept closer to the opening in the building, nose snuffling for the location of the meal, stomach growling fiercely.

"Maybe Kurai can just sneak in real quick and head back out," the young hollow foolishly thought. She had the hardest time learning when to just leave things be.

"Ah! I knew I had forgotten something!"

Yoshiya had forgotten to get drinks. To this end he returned downstairs, to fill a cup and bowl with water. The cup for himself, the bowl for the little lady. He dipped them into his water barrel, still unaware of the beast lurking above.

Poking her head into the opening, crimson orbs searched the room, they finally resting upon the fire that housed the fish. She was about to have second thoughts about entering the house when her stomach assaulted her with growls. If she didn't try, the dragon could go weeks without seeing another meal, and she wasn't too keen on that idea.

Slipping the rest of her body through the trapdoor, getting caught momentarily where her wings connected to her back. The hollow let out a grunt as she wiggled, the desperation for food not letting her give up. Finally getting her chest through the opening, there was no stopping the dragon from tumbling the rest of the way down, an audible thump resounding as she hit the floor, followed by another grunt.

"Nng, Kurai needs to be more careful," The hollow spoke as she shook herself, "And probably need to lose some weight. Now, where did Kurai see those yummy looking fishies?"

Yes. Audible. Very audible.

And even if Yoshiya were deaf, he would have felt the house shake from the impact. His blood went cold as he rushed upstairs to see what had happened.

Things could barely be worse. A large hollow stood in his upstairs. His staff lay behind her. He would have to improvise.

His eyes darted around the room. The best chance he would have would be the two one and a half foot wooden stakes holding the fish by the fire. But grabbing it would be to expose himself to the beast's attack.

He would have to take a risk.

Yoshiya tossed the water bowl at the intruder, praying it would slow her enough to grab the armaments, then leapt for the fire, hoping to take out the stakes.

If successful he would throw the fish off onto the floor and brandish the wood at the Hollow, waiting for an opening to strike.

And then all hell broke loose, for a really hairy man had appeared! To shocked at seeing the man, Kurai couldn't avoid the dish that sailed right for her face. As the bowl made contact with her face, which was thankfully covered with a bone mask, the dragon would let out a yelp, her clawed digits reaching up to grasp the area that was so rudely attacked by dishware.

Fear coursed through her veins, the adrenaline returning from her earlier encounter with danger. "Please, mister hairy man, don't hurt Kurai. Kurai was just hungry and smelled the nice fishies that were in the fire." As she spoke large tears started to well in her eyes.

"Crocodile tears"

Yoshiya wasn't taken in by this deception. Even if she were honest, it wasn't worth the risk. He kept his stance, ready to strike...

If that hadn't had happened.

For there were three beings in the room. A Rukon, a Hollow, and a cat. A cat who was not blinded by the years of hate which consumed Yoshiya. A cat who was his ever loyal foil through life, his eternal companion.

A cat who had enough of this stand-off.

Lady Yggdrasil rubbed herself against Yoshiya's legs then darted over to pick up one of the discarded fish in her jaw. The nimble feline would then drop it in-front of the intruder, presenting it as a peace offering before the dragon, before giving Kurai's legs the same treatment as she had Yoshiya's.

The dragon sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her clawed hand, a giggle emitting from her maw as the kitty rubbed against her legs. The cat reminded the dragon of the little deer she kept at home. Kurai leaned down and nuzzled the cat, more giggles escaping her mouth.

"Kitty reminds Kurai of Cheema, all cuddly." At the name of her pet, the hollow would quickly sit up, crimson eyes locking onto the hairy man, eyes starting to water once again, "Please, don't hurt Kurai. Cheema needs Kurai in order to survive and Kurai doesn't want Cheema to die!"

Speechless. He was flabbergasted. Was this possible? A non-hostile Hollow? One who did not want to harm Yoshiya or Yggdrasil? The man shrugged and put down the stakes.

"This could be an interesting study, but she seems relatively unintelligent. I'll need to find a common language with which to communicate with her."

"Don't worry Kurai," he said, in a sing-song sort of voice. "[/color]Mister Hairy Man won't hurt Kurai. But didn't anyone tell Kurai it was bad to come into Rukons's houses and steal their fishies?[/color]"

It was a busy evening. First the meeting with Sengoku and now this. He would sleep well tonight.

The dragon would frown. This was the second time someone thought it would be funny to mock the way she spoke. Petting Yggdrasil, Kurai would mumble, "Kurai doesn't appreciate how Hairy man is speaking to her. Kurai can understand what Hairy man says just fine."

Kurai took a deep breath, the scent of fish reminding her why she had broken into the man's house, eyes moving down to the fish at her feet, "Kurai didn't mean to enter uninvited. Kurai smelled the fish and was really hungry. Kurai didn't get any food earlier because she was attacked not very long ago. Please don't tell anyone Kurai was here."

And he had goofed.

"I apologise profusely milady," he said, with a bow,"for any offence I may have caused you."

However, he did have a plan B on how to connect with her.

"I presume that single fish won't be enough for you, will it? If you so desire, I could offer you more and we could chat while they cook. That is, unless you want something other than fish."

If Kurai had ears like a dog, her ears would have swiveled forward before laying against her neck, but alas, she did not. Instead the dragon narrowed her eyes, "And what, exactly, does Hairy man have beside fish? Is it just as yummy as fish, because Kurai tried something called candy and it was weird."

The hollow absently rubbed at her mask as she lowered herself to lay on the floor, tail flicking to and fro, "If hairy man doesn't mind Kurai asking, what is hairy man's name? Kurai feels a bit... hmm, what's the word.... at a disadvantage knowing that hairy man know Kurai's name."

The man narrowed his eyes in return, speaking slow and coldly.

"I'm sorry, Ms Kurai, but we just met, and I don't trust you enough yet. But, if you want to name me something, then you can call me that. As for the food situation," more warmth coming to his voice as he spoke on the matter of consumables, "Whilst I don't have much in the way of confectionery, I can provide beef or pork, maybe with some carrot or potato if you are so inclined."

Actually, how would he serve it? He doubted that her claws could use a knife and fork. But would she be offended if he used one of Yggdrasil's dishes? He hadn't read any books on how to be a good host for a beast Hollow.

The hollow let out a huff of air, a spout of smoke rolling out of her nostrils, "Whatever hairy man says. Kurai would still prefer calling hairy man a name instead of hairy man, however." Kurai clicked her claws against the wooden floor, her mind turning over her thoughts, "What about giving Kurai a last name. Kurai could give hers in exchange, if hairy man wants? No one knows Kurai's last name." She hoped that this would get the man to tell her a name.

Her eyes moved to the fish at her feet the cat had given her, she sniffing at it before looking up at the man, "Kurai can have this, right?" Before Yoshiya could reply, however, the hollows stomach would release another grumbling growl, Kurai embarrassingly placing her head in her paws. Even though she was in the second district for quite a while, she hadn't had any luck finding any food due to the winter weather.

"Kurai would like meat, just meat, please."

Yoshiya groaned.

"My dear lady, I am not going to give you my name. But, if you don't mind using a false name, you can call me Kouhei. I apologise, but I generally don't give out my name, even to fellow Rukons. I pray you will accept my distrust."

And now melancholy was flowing back over him. He wasn't a great person, was he?

"Not now, Yoshiya."

He was right, now was not the time to contemplate his pitiful own existence

"I'll go cook some pork chops. And yes, my friend here has granted you that fish, you may have it." He watched as his companion tucked into the other fish. "How much meat will you be wanting?"

She was a big beast. Thankfully Yoshiya was frugal and did have sufficient stores...

Sitting up and grabbing the cooked fish in her maw, the hollow ate the fish in one bite, her tongue flicking out to clean her lips. Shuffling her wings before replacing them firmly behind her back, Kurai tilted her head to the side, a smile on her face, "Thank you, Kou-chii. If Kou-chii is going to make more food, Kurai will eat whatever Kou-chii will allot for Kurai."

Without further ado, the hollow would bring her tail in front of her, grooming the furred end. Before too long, Kurai would finally notice the newly healed scar on her tail from her earlier encounter with trouble. She would let out a gasp, completely shocked at the flaw.

"You are a polite creature. I am always glad to meet someone with such manner. I apologise I haven't been a great host so far."

So far he had threatened the Hollow, insulted her and then kept secrets from. He probably deserved to be eaten anyway. No, he definitely deserved it.

Regardless, he was about to descend the stairs, when he heard the gasp.

"What's wrong Kurai?" he said, with some concern.

Red eyes boring into the scar, the hollow let out a small whisper, her speech reverting to first person, "Someone.... Someone cut my tail." Kurai stared at her tail a moment longer before standing up abruptly and pacing from where she was previously seated to the fireplace, her mind deep in thought.

She was confronted by three figures earlier that night. Ryuu, the dark haired shinigami, and the really big scary shinigami. Kurai instantly threw out Ryuu as the perpetrator, being that she felt that she trusted him. That could only lead to one of the shinigami. The only one that got close enough was the taller of the shinigami, but when did it happen?

She let out another gasp, "It was when I ran away from the stream! That blonde shinigami was the one that cut my tail!" Kurai stopped her pacing, letting out a growl as she slammed her fore-paw against the floor, "If only I wasn't so afraid and fought back."

Yoshiya looked at her, then stumbled back as she approached his position. Not because he was afraid of intentional harm, but he didn't want his feet trodden on.

"If you want to, milady, then you can tell me all about it over supper."

He really hoped she would, she would likely have some very interesting data. Hopefully. Either way, he went down to his larder, leaving the cat and the dragon alone.

Yggdrasil was agile enough to flee if necessary, he hoped. He hoped. No! It wouldn't be necessary, would it?

Kurai barely heard the words of the man, nodding in response as she sat back on her haunches next to the fire, her tail violently lashing from side to side. She needed to get strong, to become what Ryuu and Shi were. Maybe she could ask Kou-chii to help train her to get stronger.

Kou-chii, did look a bit old though... But that also meant that he could have experience in fights as well, "And that would be all the better. Now I just need to grow stronger and become what they are. Hey, Kou-chii ca-...."

The hollow turned to see that the only one left in the room was herself and the cat. "Hmm, I guess I can wait to ask."

Yoshiya, was not there, because he was in his cellar, once again looking for food.

"Now, the pork, where is it? I think I left it..."

DUNK!

Yoshiya hit his head on something.

"AHA!"

The man had espied a leg of lamb.

"That will do perfectly. Should take a while to cook that! I'll have plenty of time to converse!"

He took the lamb up the ladder to the kitchen and slung it in a pot, before filling it with water.

Upstairs he would hook it over the fire and leave it on the boil.

"Sorry, I couldn't find pork, but I have lamb, I hope that will suffice. But, whilst we wait, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself and how you got that scar."

The elderly Rukon went and sat on his bed, awaiting the tale.

Kurai's tail lashing had slowed to just the tip of her tail twitching every so often, the fur being more animate. Upon hearing the footsteps of the man returning, Kurai's ruby eyes would glance over her shoulder, a small smile forming on her reptilian lips, "I'm fine with it as long as it's meat."

She would return her gaze to the fire for a few seconds before turning her body to face the man, eyes focusing on his, "I had made my weekly journey to the second district of Rukongai, because it's where I can easily get a meal. I don't really like fighting or getting hurt so I take the risk of venturing so deep into Rukongai, but only at night, for the sun hurts my eyes and makes me really hot." The hollow settled down on the floor, her tail wrapping around her body. "I was alone as I tried to find fish when Ryuu found me. We were talking calmly like we hollows do, I almost getting him to help me catch some food. However, that was interrupted by this really big looking shinigami with dark hair."

The hollow shifted uncomfortably, her eyes looking down at her claws, "that wasn't the worst of it, for an even bigger and scarier shinigami appeared right next to the first! I tired to reason with them, saying that I would leave with no trouble, but the first shinigami told the second one to kill me. I, naturally, ran for my life because Neene always told me to run when trouble was a foot. It must have been when I was running away that the really big shinigami cut my tail, leaving it all ugly now."

Shifting her weight once again the hollow would get up, starting to pace once again. "I ran and ran for what seemed like forever when I tripped and landed right into a tree. Too scared to just roll over and die, I found a really big tree and climbed to the tippy top of it, but alas, the shinigami had found me. I tried to reason with him again but he continued to come after me, so I jumped from the tree and flew away to, well, to here."

Finished with her story the hollow would stop in front of the man, giving him a short nod as she said, "And that is my story so far."

Yoshiya gazed at the maw of the Adjuchas, listening intently to the story, the only other noise being the bubbling of the lamb.

Thankfully, despite her pacing the lady hadn't disturbed any objects in the small room whilst pacing.

He did have some points to press, most notably who Ryuu and Neene were, but honestly, sympathy was required. Unfortunately it was not his forte. Should he offer her a hug?

"It sounds as if you've had a rough time recently," said the man, reclining slightly. "How are you holding up?"

She did look tired.

Finally thinking about how she was holding up, the hollow would let out a small whine, her speech returning to third person, "Kurai is really scared and misses Neene. Kurai only wanted some nice fishies to fill her tummy. If Neene would still be alive, Kurai would be pretty like her and strong and able to defend herself."

The hollow lowered herself to the ground once again, placing her head in her paws as she let out another whine, "If only Neene didn't die."

It was pitiful, to see the great beast blubbering on his floor. "Maybe I should..."

He tentatively reached out a hand and petted the dragon on her head. Hopefully it wasn't an error. He would be ready to apologise if so.

Yoshiya clutched his chest, he was still unwell.

"Why don't you tell me more about Neene?"

More data was always useful.

The dragon felt comfort at the patting, she nuzzling her head against the man's palm. It felt nice to feel this emotion, her mother had rarely shown affection towards her. Noticing the old man clutch at his chest, however, gave her some worry. "Is Kou-chii okay? Kou-chii looks like he's hurting."

Her concern for the man would quickly fade when he asked about her mother. Frowning slightly, the hollow nodded, "Neene was Kurai's... umm, Kurai doesn't know the word, Kurai had always called Neene Neene. Neene was the first thing Kurai saw. Kurai loved Neene a lot."

The hollow closed her eyes, smiling as she recalled the details of the larger dragon, "Neene had pretty green eyes, and scales that looked like fire, kinda like Kurai's eyes. She was much bigger than Kurai, and really strong. Neene taught Kurai how to run from danger... But, the last time Kurai saw Neene, Kurai didn't run.." The hollow sniffled, tail curling around herself snugly, "A mean hollow confronted Neene and Kurai and Neene fought with the hollow. She told Kurai to run, but Kurai wanted to help her. Kurai only got in the way."

The man sat there, silent, stroking the Hollow. He had spent nearly a millenium studying the Shinigami. Another he spent as a Rukon. Perhaps he should study the Hollow.

But...could he survive there? The wastelands were rough, to be sure, and dangerous. No place for a cat.

The hollow would let out a pitiful sigh, nose taking in the scent of the area. She shuffled her wings once again as she sat up, her sad demeanor quickly evaporating, for she wasn't a hollow to dwell on sad things for long. She would nuzzle the hand of Yoshiya, much like a dog, a grin on her face.

"Is the food almost done? The fishy was good, but Kurai is still hungry."