The Shifting Sands

I See Clearly
was as it normally was, quiet yet dangerous at the same time. Hollows of all types loomed out of sight, feasting and hunting where the eternal sun did not shine. The sands stretched on far beyond what the eye could see, their pale white color and smooth texture made it look like a blank canvas. Dotting this "canvas" were many tragic sights, fallen corpses and dead trees. One sight stuck out among the white sands and scenes of death, a small cave that coughed out smoke like a chimney.

Inside, a pale skinned figure wearing elegantly colored garbs appeared to be "meditating". His eyes were shut as he sat before a small fire that let loose plumes of purple-colored smoke. His name was Aragonés, a former and currently an exiled Arrancar. His seclusion to this cave was not a forced one, Aragonés had chose the cave for it's solidarity and peaceful nature. He needed to concentrate if he wanted to see his visions...

Since as long as he could remember, Aragonés could foretell the future. At first he would be plagued with terrible headaches and flashes of what was to come. Since those days he had grown, his powers had developed into something much greater.

In his state of meditation, Aragonés began to be flooded by images and sounds of the future. The visions were unsettling, most of the time he simply saw replays of the same image over and over again... but this time he was witnessing something new.

He saw a man with a dark power inside of him and a man in an iron mask. Aragonés saw Hollows in the thousands, screaming and wailing as they were sliced down by a man with silver-hair. He had never seen these faces before... they intrigued him.

He saw something else...something that made an emotionless man such as himself cringe. A being of epic proportion towered over the countless Hollows and the three men. It had the same dark power as the first man, but was far superior then him. Aragonés had never seen such a being, he was unsure what to make of the visions or of the threat these men faced.

The fact of the matter is that these three had something to do with Aragonés and he was curious as to find out what their role was in it all.

Deal with the Devil
In contrast to the silence that had fallen on, was bustling this time of the day. People moved about hastily, some going to work and some going to the store; some might have even been going for a midday stroll. Shopkeepers haggled and police officers were scolding hoodlums. All was normal this day and Akechi took note of it.

Peddling his Noodle Cart down the street, he was hard at work scoping out a position to dock and open for the Lunch Rush.

"Akechi-san!" called a voice, feminine in nature.

Catching his attention, Akechi quickly spun around to see a young woman waving at him. Proceeding to run up to him, Akechi staggered a bit as he gave her a bow. "Hana-san, good morning," he muttered, stuttering over his words. "The usual?" he asked, tapping the side of his cart.

"You know it!" she said with delight.

Exchanging conversation with Hana, Akechi proceeded to pull aside and set up his shop. It was obvious he had a crush on her yet he did not attempt to ask her out nor did he attempt to convey his feelings to her. It was a mystery.

Pouring an order of noodles into a plastic bowl, Akechi handed the meal to Hana who bowed back in thanks. "This one's one me Hana," Akechi said, cleaning his hands with a rag. "Consider it a gift." he said with a laugh.

"I appreciate it," Hana said, giving a smile to Akechi. "Have a good day Akechi-san!" she said before returning to her job.

Akechi sat, slumped over staring in the direction she left from. His case was unique, he was unable to have a relationship and as much as it hurt him that he couldn't, he pressed on day by day.

"Mr. Noodle Cart owner!" called another voice.

It didn't surprise Akechi to see this face, it was one of his regulars. "G'morning Gatsu, the usual?" he called back.

Gatsu had a look of delight. "You got it Mr. Noodle Cart owner!" Gatsu said. He obviously didn't know Akechi's real name, even though it had been reiterated to him time and time again.

Akechi proceeded to prepare two orders, one with Hot Sauce and one without. Everyday Gatsu ordered for two but only came by himself. "So Gatsu... I'm curious," he said, handing the white-haired teen his orders after they were finally complete. "Whose the other bowl for?" he finished.

"Nii-sama!" he called, handing Akechi the money and going on his merry way with his order.

Akechi couldn't help but chuckle. Something about that kid was really friendly and it was good that he had a brother in his life that he respected greatly. Everybody needs somebody.

Then it hit him; the words he said to himself had stung like snake bit. "''Everybody needs somebody'"". Then who did he have?