Piercing Light

By: Arctic Leopard

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. The majority of characters in this story do not belong to me. They are the property of Shonen Jump and Tite Kubo. I repeat I do not own Bleach or anything associated with it. I swear if you say anything I'll send Unohana after you. And believe me no one wants that.

Arthur Notes: "Normal Talking", Thoughts, Dreams, "Special"

Revival Arc, Chapter One

As Sensoji Minato was walking back to his apartment after finishing his classes for the day he decided to stop by the book store and pick up the latest issue of Weekly Jump. After leaving the store Minato promptly started to read the magazine. Walking through the business district it seemed to be just another busy day. When the ground suddenly shook all of the people came to a stop. Several moments later the ground shook again. Everyone assumed that these were just tremors, which were normal for this area. But Minato looked on as he saw what the true source of the shaking was.

Standing there in absolute shock he couldn't believe what he was seeing. It appeared to a battle between a young women dressed in a black kimono and what seemed to be a large monster with a white mask. The woman was wielding a katana as she jumped through the air to avoid her enemy. Her long blue hair was a contrasted to the black garments that she was wearing. The way she handled her weapon it was easy to tell that this warrior was highly skilled at using a sword.

The more amazing thing than the battle that was taking place in front of him was the fact that he seemed to be the only one that noticed what was happening. The two were fighting in the middle of a busy street and yet no one seemed to notice them.

What's going on here? He watched as people walked by the confrontation without even making the slightest gesture of acknowledgment that they were there. Are they real? Of course they're real; I can feel a strong aura coming from both of them. Then why isn't anyone else paying any attention to them. As Minato's mind raced looking for an answer he finally came to a conclusion that made sense.

"You can see them can't you?" A voice spoke from behind him interrupting his train of thought. When he turned around there was a man wearing a stripped hat with a cane. The man lifted his cane up and pointed towards the struggle. "You're able to see them aren't you?"

Minato looked back to the women fighting with the creature then looked back at the man and nodded his head. "Do you have any idea what you are witnessing right now?"

He took a few moments to think about it. "They're spirits aren't they?"

The strange man smiled as he heard Minato's reply. "Yes, but they're also much more than just spirits. Let me introduce myself then I'll try to explain as much as possible. My name is Urahara Kisuke, I'm a local shop owner, and everyone just calls me Urahara."

Minato could feel that there was more to this than just a simple explanation and this man seemed to be capable of giving him the answers he wanted. "So what's happening right now? It seems that they are almost on an equal level but the girl has a slight advantage and should win eventfully."

Urahara was a little impressed with his insight into the situation. "Come back to my shop with me and we can talk there."

He started to walk away leaving Minato behind. As he thought about this again he continued to watch the battle. Things were weird enough already but it was too late to just turn back now. I guess there's no other choice but to follow him. Leaving the fight behind Minato started to follow Mr. Urahara.

********

How long has it been? Time seems to be at a standstill here. Where am I, what is this place? There's nothing but silences in this world. I'm unable to see anything but light. I can't even feel my own body. Am I dead now? Is this what happens when you die as a Shinigami? No, something just doesn't feel right, but maybe this is for the best.

********

Urahara could tell that there was something about this young man, most people wouldn't be able to gain some sort of understanding in such a short time. "What you were witnessing was a clash between a Shinigami and a Hollow, a Menos Grande to be precise." As they walked along Urahara thought that he'd try to answer some of the questions that young man probably had.

"A Hollow," Minato remembered hearing that term before but he couldn't remember where.

"Yes, spirits are separated into two main categories, Pluses and Hollows. Pluses are the normal spirits that have been separated from their bodies. Usually Pluses are peaceful spirits and won't harm anyone but sometimes Pluses end up turning into Hollows because they develop a feeling of emptiness within. Hollows feed on souls with strong spiritual energy, whether they're dead or alive." That term Hollow seemed so familiar but he couldn't think of where he heard it from.

Suddenly Urahara stopped, "Well it looks like we're finally here."

The two of them now stood in front of a small shop. On the outside it just appeared to be just like any other shop. The only odd thing about it was that it was out of the way and was not that easy to find.

"If you wish to learn more please come inside." Looking back he could tell that they were far away from where the battle had taking place. But now Minato could feel that there was only one aura remaining and it was the young women's.

Amazing his ability to sense individual reiatsu is already at a high level. I can sense that his own reiatsu is enormous, yet he's masterfully controlling it and it seems like he doesn't even realize it.

"Pardon me for asking but can you please tell me your name?"

So much had happen that Minato forgot to properly introduce himself. "I'm so sorry, how rude of me. My name is Sensoji Minato."

Now that the introductions were out of the way it was time to get down to business. "It's nice to meet you Minato-san, now please come in. I'll have Tessai make us some tea." Of course they were going to need lots of tea because there was a lot to discuss.

As they entered the small shop Minato took off his shoes and looked around. The store was dimly lit which made it a little hard to see.

"Come in, take a seat in here." Urahara showed him into the dining room.

Sitting down Minato started to try and process some of the information that had already been revealed to him. He still wasn't too sure if he could actually trust Urahara yet. All he could do was wait and hear everything that this strange man had to say before making any judgments. There were too many questions that needed to be answered that he couldn't afford to turn away any possible counsel.

A few short minutes later Urahara entered into the room and took a seat right across form him. "The tea should be here shortly. Until then I'll try to explain some more about what is going on." Kisuke paused for a brief moment, "Okay, now where was I? That's right I was telling you about Pluses and Hollows."

Urahara continued explaining the differences between the two kinds of spirits. Until he was sure that Minato had a complete understanding of the subject. Then he started to explain the situation that was now unfolding in the Soul Society. It was all little overwhelming for Minato at first but he had a strange feeling that what Kisuke was true. It was almost as if something deep inside him was confirming everything he said.

But there was also a sense that he was hiding something. For now Minato was going to let it go because there're other things to worry about. Just a few moments ago Tessai had brought some tea into the room and set it down on the table. Minato took a few drinks from his cup before he started to talk.

"So let me get this straight, less than two years ago three Soul Society captains betrayed the Soul Society. And their names were Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin and Tousen Kaname." Urahara nodded in acknowledgement. The young teenager was still trying to sort everything out. "Before they could be captured the three traitors escaped to Hueco Mundo and allied themselves with the Hollows." How can two sides that were sworn to fight each other all of a sudden become allies?

"Power," Minato looked at the strange shopkeeper. "Both sides sought power, that's what allowed them to ally with each other. And one was willing to use the other to gain what they desired." For some reason Minato wasn't surprised, all of this was starting to get to him. "Like I said before last winter Aizen returned with a small army of Arrancar and Espada will to do anything for him. Thus the winter war began. But now that war has gone on for nearly a year."

It was pretty unbelievable to imagine such a war going on unnoticed by almost everyone is this world. He was sure that the effects of such a conflict would have been detected by now.

"Okay, so why am I all of a sudden able to see these spirits?"

"I believe that you've always been able to see them. It's just that you probably never realized it until now."

What Urahara said caused Minato to think back to all of the times he felt strange energies surrounding him. It all started to make sense now. For the longest time Minato could feel presences of spirits around him but he never allowed himself to truly see them.

I guess I've been running from the truth long enough now, haven't I? "So, what does this have to do with me then?"

"I sense that you have the power to somehow return the advantage back to our side. Because at this rate the Soul Society will not be able to last another year. Your power is starting to awaken and I wish to draw it out so you can us it to aid us." Kisuke tried to put it as clearly as possible.

It sounded like such an enormous task that Minato had doubts whether he would really be any help. Today started out to be just another normal day and now he was being asked to throw himself into the middle of an on-going spiritual war. There was no way that he'd be able to make such a decision right now at the moment.

"Do I have some time to think about this?"

Urahara nodded, "Yes you do. But I'd prefer if you didn't take longer than 24 hours. Time is crucial and the level you must reach usually takes several hundred years to obtain."

Minato fully understood the urgency of the situation. "I understand Urahara-san. I'll give you my answer before the end of tomorrow. Now if you'll excuse me I believe I should be heading home." There was so much that he needed to think about.

Urahara escorted the young man outside and watched as he walked away. He knew that he couldn't force Minato into making his decision. For now the shop keeper had to hope that he would make the right judgment on his own. There would be no point in training him if he wasn't doing it of his own free will.

"Manager, do you think that young Minato will choose to fight?" Tessai stood next to his long time friend and watched Minato's figure slowly disappeared into the distance.

"Hmm, I really couldn't tell you. I guess we'll just have to wait and see." It was getting late and Urahara was starting to get hungry. "Well there's no sense worrying about it now. So let's go eat dinner."

End Chapter One