Hollow HEART

Note:

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

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"To take back what was lost, Blood, flesh, bone, and something more."

The Hueco Mundo at this moment evoked a sense of peace. Thus, aside from the sound of the sand being swept by the wind, there was only silence. A single animal was in this silent desert. It had the form of a small dog, with a hollow mask and soft brown fur.

"Its name was Kukkapuuro."

Kukkapuuro had lost almost all its memories. It only knew that it was a hollow and that this was Hueco Mundo. Its name, "Kukkapuuro," and the act of rubbing its forehead with its paw, scratching behind its ear, were the only important memories it had, etched deeply into its consciousness.

In a world full of reishi like Hueco Mundo, a small hollow like him only needed to breathe to survive and would eventually become prey to other hollows. Kukkapuuro was at the very bottom of the food chain. But it was able to survive entirely because it stayed beside someone very strong.

Kukkapuuro looked at this being it followed and thought:

"I think this person must be very important."

Since the steps of this person were very large, he always walked a great distance ahead, constantly forcing Kukkapuuro to chase his enormous shadow. He always looked at Kukkapuuro with an impatient murmur, refusing to even give him a name. He never petted him or shared food with him (not that the little hollow dog needed it). Even so, he never killed Kukkapuuro. In the end, he never abandoned Kukkapuuro either, even though, in the end, the little hollow seemed to irritate him by always chasing him and calling for his attention.

"You're a persistent little thing, aren't you? Little dog," said the large, rumbling voice of the great being.

Hearing the words directed at him, Kukkapuuro stopped and barked in surprise. This was the first time the giant had spoken to him beyond grumbles and irritated murmurs.

"Surprised? Don't be, you've been following me for so long, like an annoying fly, it'd be strange if I didn't notice you… what bad luck."

The giant grumbled as he slightly leaned his massive body toward Kukkapuuro, extending one of his large hands toward the little creature.

"WOOF!" Kukkapuuro barked in surprise and curiosity. Despite the giant's size, which would probably scare off or even make other beings flee, he knew that the giant had no ill intentions in his sudden movement. If he wanted the Hollow dog dead, he could simply swing his massive hands, and surely the shockwave would kill him effortlessly.

For this reason, Kukkapuuro didn't fear when he was carefully grabbed by the enormous hollow's palm. He simply sat while tilting his head in curiosity and barked, wagging his tail, as he was lifted up to be face-to-face with the terrifying visage of the giant hollow.

They locked eyes for a moment… until—

"GURAHAHAHHAHAAH! How brave, little dog! Even in the hands that could crush you like a bug, you don't whimper or scream, you just bark in joy and loyalty! So confident in a master you don't even know yet… I like that… I won't deny it anymore… Kukkapuuro, you are now my little servant. As long as you live in my shadow, no harm shall come to you! This is my promise, my vow! As the one who will be at the top of the food chain, the CERO, the one who will never be harmed! I take you as my protected servant! The Fracción of YAMMY LLARGO!"

Words that could be interpreted as arrogant and mad by others only went in one ear and out the other for Kukkapuuro. He didn't care for status or oaths, as long as he was alive and out of danger, he was content. The little hollow dog was a simple being to his master.

"Master… I liked that word… I really knew it! You were someone important, Lord Yammy! My master!"

While his thoughts were cheerful and satisfied, he barked in agreement to his Master, Yammy. Kukkapuuro, in his simple mind, decided. He would follow his master wherever he went, always protected in his shadow. After all, he needed very little to be sustained.

"Just walking in your enormous and protected shadow is enough for me, Master Yammy."

Even though he couldn't express himself in coherent words, his barks conveyed his joy—

"WOOF WOOF!"

"GURAHAHHAAH"

And so, in the cold, empty desert of Hueco Mundo, master and servant laughed in harmony, a joy, the joy of not being alone.

"To take back what was lost, Blood, flesh, bone, and a Heart."