26 Hollow Moon

WARNING: The following chapter contains graphic depictions of violence and emotional abuse. Reader discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please know you are not alone. Reach out for help. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, visit their website, or go to your local police station for immediate support and resources. Remember, you deserve to be safe and heard. —Takahashi-dono.

• • •

A full moon's light carved harsh stripes through the dusty kitchen window, illuminating the remnants of a forgotten celebration. Silas peered out to look at its shining radiance. The more he stared, the more he felt as if he could hold it in the palm of his hand. Extending his hand out to do so, he imagined what holding this world's moon felt like, standing at the pinnacle of the world as an apex predator.

'This world is only an imaginative tale cut from a piece of fabric called prosaic... I care not for anyone here, nor do I have any ambition, save to completely tear this world asunder. And when I do, I shall surely return home, knowing that my purpose has been fulfilled.'

Silas's thoughts were swarming with the idea that he had to destroy this world in order to be saved. There was no logic behind it, yet he was faithful. Upon coming to terms with things long ago, now was the time he would prove himself; now was the time to exercise his role as a villain.

An empty saké bottle fell from the table, sprawling toward Silas's feet. When he looked, Isshin had just woken up. "Is that my sweet boy finally home?"

Silas remained silent. Isshin got up and walked forward without any good balance. He looked at Silas and gave him a warm smile, stating that he loved him. Silas continued to stare with a lack of expression.

"Oh yeah. The school called, saying you—" Isshin stopped mid-sentence when he felt an awful pain coming from his belly. Looking down, his face was stunned to see that he had been stabbed with a kitchen knife. "I… chi… go."

There wasn't a single ounce of burden from having stabbed one of Bleach's favorite characters. To Silas, it was no different than carving into a Hollow. He slowly let go of the handle and looked at his hand, saying, "Your body is just a Gigai's. Have you ever considered what would happen if a former Soul Reaper died in a Gigai?"

In that instant, Silas grabbed Isshin's face and cast a spell to erase his memories. Completed, he slowly knelt down to rest Isshin's body on the kitchen floor. The man's eyes were devoid of any light. And in a few moments, he would die.

Silas then looked up, only to see Yuzu standing in the doorway. He had long felt her presence coming down the steps. And when she saw him and her father, an ere silence plagued the room. Yuzu's shocked and confused face couldn't make sense of things.

Standing back up, Silas ripped out the kitchen knife from Isshin's belly. He gradually tapped on the edge of the blade, causing blood to drop on the floor. Drip, drip, drip. Fear had woven into Yuzu's limbs like a tangled knot. Her face reflected the terror so viscerally that it felt like a living thing.

"Don't think of screaming," Silas's voice rasped, each word scraping across her already-numb nerves. He stalked closer, his every step a rhythmic hammer blow against her resolve. Yuzu, frozen, could only stare with wide, horrified eyes.

"If I know your character well, you're thinking why have I done this horrible act?" Silas coldly said, his gaze lingering on her trembling form. His hand, as white as bone in the moonlight then lashed out. Yuzu, too slow, was pinned to the wall, letting out a guttural groan. She finally found her voice, desiring to scream. But the moment that faint tone wished to holler out, Silas covered her mouth. "I thought if a night like this ever came, it would be hard on me since you almost reminded me of her. But when I look into your eyes, all I see is a hollow moon."

In that moment, Yuzu Kurosaki had died.1

Silas walked over to Isshin. The father of the household was still barely holding on. It was like he was trying to find his purpose for living despite having his memories erased. Perhaps if he had his Soul Reaper powers, he would have been more of a challenge. Yet Silas had no plans of showing these people any mercy.

There was no smile, no laughter—just predatorial instinct to eliminate unneeded cattle.

While Karin was still asleep, Silas spent the time creating alibis. Slaughtering a household was one thing, but leaving evidence behind was foolish. He managed to find large trash bags big enough to discard the bodies. Afterwards, he prepared a note for anyone who might desire to come knocking on the door or seek medical treatment at the clinic.

At best, a missing report for the Kurosaki family wouldn't be filed for at least another week. This was roughly the same time the Soul Society arc lasted. And it was also enough time for Silas to abandon his identity as Ichigo in the world of the living.

All that was left was Karin.

Silas walked up the stairs, knife in hand. Once he reached her room, he cracked it open. The little girl had been sound asleep. Some time ago, when Fishbone D attacked, she wished for him to live a happy life. Such a plea would never work on a man like Silas.

By the time she felt something by her bedside, she arose, only to see her "brother" sitting on the edge. He had his elbows resting on his legs, and his hands were over his mouth.

"Ichigo, is that you?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. "What're ya doing up this late?"

Silas's eyes darted toward her. He hadn't said a word, causing her to feel a tad uncomfortable. "Come on," she said. "Say something. You're acting weird."

"Such a pathetic excuse for a character. Tell me, thing, did you honestly expect your life to hold any meaning to me?" With a shocking twist, Silas flung Yuzu across the room, her small body slamming into the wall with a sickening crack. The jolt woke her right up. "I only waited this long to see if some force, some evil power out there, would stop me from doing this."

Blood mixed with saliva drooled out of Karin's mouth. She was then brought to her feet by her dark locks. Silas, devoid of any sincerity, said in a cold tone, "But now I understand my true purpose."

Karin closed her eyes, tears blurring her vision, wishing it was all just a nightmare. Her time in this world was short-lived, with only the sight of her own brothers cold gaze piercing her heart.

• • •

The night was still young. Silas had wasted no time ridding the house of any criminal activity. He had burned what he could, thrown away what was useless, and faked as much evidence as possible to bid him time. As he left the home, he left behind a note that read, 'Enjoying a family vacation for the summer. Leave all packages on the doorstep.'

The moon shone coldly on the shattered remnants of a home, bearing silent witness to the dark deeds enacted within its walls. This was no longer a haven but a tomb, haunted by the promise of a coming storm.