Standard Disclaimers Apply. I only own the original characters, ie: Maaku, Dan, Kurisu, etc… I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I had fun writing it.
Hazardous Dealings
Chapter 1: The Arrival
The clearing was bright and sunny as the man appeared silently in the center, deftly landing on his feet. Hmm, he thought looking around, listening to a chirp of a bird off to his left. My flash step is getting rusty if those two can keep up with me. He gave a half glance over his shoulder at the two things that had been sent to trail him.
Chuckling to himself he gazed around the clearing and found that there was a third one of the things in the brush off to his right. Shaking his head once in exasperation, he ruffled his short spiky brown hair. Well, I got to get rid of them sooner or later, might as well be now so we can get this show on the road.
"Oy! You there, yea you! In the bushes, come on out." He said, rolling up the sleeves to his white long sleeve haori. "And you two that have been following me, get out here too!" He yelled and waited a long moment as nothing happened. A minute went by, and none of his pursuers came out of their cover. Scowling in annoyance, he began muttering to himself about having to go in after them. Flicking his katana out of its sheath with his finger, he grabbed its hilt with his right hand.
Suddenly there were three simultaneous explosions which sent dirt clods and vegetation high into the air. When the dust settled, the man was standing in the same spot, sheathing his sword in one fluid movement.
"Damn arrancars." He muttered as he walked a few steps forward and disappeared, leaving the clearing silent, and empty.
An hour later, the scene of the battle was found by a passing patrol of men clad in black, who had been sent to investigate the disturbance.
Dozens of miles away in a secluded area, a man stood staring at the setting sun. His brown hair was slicked back and his black sun glasses hid his eyes. His sword was hanging from his back under his white haori. Yawning once, he looked behind him and waited.
Seconds later a figure appeared and landed softly on one foot. Regaining his balance he looked at the man in front of him.
"You're late Dan." The first man said to the other who grinned back.
"Ran into some trouble." Dan said shrugging in his white haori.
"Strength?" The man returned, never taking his eyes off Dan.
"Three arrancars, no complications at all." Dan replied
"And is the area secure?"
"As secure as it can be without the rest of Squad Zero being here. Come on, when's the last time I let you down Maaku?"
"Well-" Maaku started.
Dan rolled his eyes and laughed, "That doesn't count, how many times do I have to tell you, it wasn't my fault."
"So the fact that my store house of sake was raided while you were on guard duty wasn't your fault, how?" Maaku asked raising a single eyebrow at his subordinate.
"Er- well. Um..." Dan said scratching his head and looking anywhere but at Maaku.
Sighing once Maaku looked back at the sunset and shrugged, "No matter, I'm still waiting to hear that full story at some point." Dan coughed once and scratched his head.
"So... should I give the all clear?" Dan asked changing the subject, and looked back at Maaku. His comrade closed his eyes, thinking for several seconds before he opened them again.
"Yes. But stay on guard we may have some uninvited guests show up." Maaku said glancing at his subordinate.
"Are we talking about the punishment force, Ban, or those damn arrancars?" Dan asked looking at his commander.
"Any of them, but I'm really not in the mood to deal with Soi Fon right now. I think its best that we head straight for the head captain and bypass all the other trigger happy captains."
"Back in the day I believe you would fall under that category" Dan said rolling up his haori.
Chuckling softly Maaku looked back to see Dan grab his sword out of its sheath and raise it perpendicular from his body.
"The sky's fire is bright as day, as the rain hammers down on the plains, dust flies into the swirling void: Bakudo 115 Severing Vortex!"
In front of Dan a large black gate appeared, towering over even his tall frame. Sheathing his sword calmly, Dan took off his haori and threw it at the gate. He watched the haori disappear through it and smiled.
"Message sent. They should be here shortly." Dan said as the black gate abruptly shattered and disappeared.
"Good, the sooner we get to the Seireitei the better." Maaku replied not turning around.
"Indeed." Came a female voice from behind Dan, making him jump out of his skin.
"Holy crap!" Dan yelled comically as he danced away from the woman behind him.
"And what's this about not wanting to deal with me Maaku?" The woman said as Dan reached Maaku and turned around to see the woman with her arms crossed. Her short dark brown hair went down to her shoulders, which framed her beautiful, yet serious face.
"I was wondering when you were going to come out. Actually I was hoping the others would get here first and I would avoid having to talk with you so soon." Maaku said without turning around.
"I see. How long did you know I was there?"
"Long enough Soi Fon." Maaku responded, finally turning around to view the Captain of Squad 2 of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Quiet ensued as Maaku and Soi Fon watched each other closely.
"Been a long time Maaku." She said softly.
"I know." He responded, standing stoically next to Dan. "How did you find us?"
"How do I always find you?" Soi Fon said, looking pointedly at Dan.
"Dan, spiritual pressure" Maaku said rolling his eyes.
"Oh whoops." Dan said sheepishly, "Sorry."
"Not quite what I meant and you know it." Soi Fon said. Maaku looked down at the ground and chuckled.
"It's good to see you haven't changed too much. How have you been Soi Fon?"
"How do you think I've been?" Soi Fon asked.
"Um, I think this is my cue to leave. Or are you going to need me for this?" Dan said slowly edging away from the two other people in the clearing.
"Leave!" Soi Fon and Maaku said in chorus.
"Right!" Dan said and flash stepped out of the clearing.
Several seconds past and Maaku looked back at Soi Fon.
"I assume you aren't here for a vacation or to apologize, so why are you here?" Soi Fon asked icily.
"I need to talk with the head captain, it's a matter extreme importance" Maaku said simply.
"I see." She responded.
Nothing was said for what seemed like an eternity, "You okay?" Maaku asked softly.
"Do you think I'm okay? You left so suddenly... and didn't even say goodbye." She responded harshly.
"It wasn't my fault-" A loud crack split the air as Soi Fon's hand connected with Maaku's right cheek. Wincing, Maaku rubbed his cheek and looked back at Soi Fon to see her back to him.
"If that's all you can say after a century of being away then I don't want to hear it." She responded quietly, "I'll let the head captain know you are coming." She said disappearing into the forest.
"Soi Fon." Maaku said quietly.
"HAHAHA! Looks like she showed you who's boss." Dan laughed rolling on the ground pointing at Maaku. Maaku growled at his subordinate.
"If you value your life I would stop laughing." Maaku said, his voice was soft and deadly.
Dan's laughter ceased instantly as he straightened up and watched his Captain closely. "Seems like you two got a history you weren't telling me about."
Maaku watched where Soi Fon had departed and sighed.
"Something like that." Maaku responded and turned away. "They're here"
Dan looked around suddenly serious. "Senkaimon gate at six o'clock." He reported, "Every soul reaper and arrancar within a hundred miles now knows where to find us."
"Yea, what's the good news?" Maaku said as he watched the gate in front of them open.
"Indeed we need to move fast. Lieutenant Dan, I thought you secured the area." A man from behind them asked.
"I know that voice. Oh crap its Ban. And as a side note, I did secure the area." Dan said swiveling around to gaze at the newest member in the clearing. He was about the same height as Dan with black eyes and matching hair to boot. His attire mirrored that of Maaku's and Dan's except for one difference: the royal seal of the king's guard was present next to his Squad Zero emblem.
"You know I hate it when you do that Ban." Maaku said without turning around.
Ignoring Maaku for the moment, Ban stared down Dan who took a step backwards from him. "I gave you specific orders to secure the area and you missed four arrancars. Any other day I would kill you where you stand for failing on a mission of this importance."
"Chill it Ban." A man said appearing from the Senkaimon gate. The man finished stepping through the gate and viewed the situation in front of him.
"Yes sir! I'm going to finish what he started." Ban told the man and disappeared abruptly. Dan turned to view the newest arrival and tossed a half salute to his old friend. Standing slightly shorter than him, the man's brown hair had streaks of silver through out. His blue eyes viewed the entire scene carefully, not missing a single detail.
"Did you have to bring Ban?" Dan asked annoyed.
"So Maaku, how is she doing?" The man asked walking away from the gate, ignoring Dan's question.
"Do you see a butterfly on him at all? " came Dan's snipe from the corner of the clearing. "And you didn't answer my question…"
Maaku and the new man ignored Dan's remark as they watched each other. Sighing, he chuckled softly and walked over to him.
"Why, do you always try to interfere with my personal life Kurisu?"
"Interfere?" Kurisu asked, cocking his head to one side, then shrugged. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Right, so I'll assume it wasn't you that told her where I was." Maaku said sarcastically to a sheepish looking Kurisu. Sighing once, Maaku looked away from his friend and shook his head. "She's doing better and worse than I thought she would be. It was a brief conversation, but I'm going to have to talk to her about everything once we get to the Seireitei. Especially after our last visit, when I didn't get a chance to even say hello to her… but that's not important right now. We've got a mission to complete." Kurisu nodded and looked at a small black insect hovering over his shoulder.
"The area is secure, send her highness through." Kurisu reported to the little black butterfly.
"Understood, she's en route." Came the response from the butterfly. Turning around the three men in the clearing watched the gate and waited.
"Oh and I believe this is yours Dan." Kurisu said and took a white object from underneath his arm and tossed it to Dan.
"Hey! Awesome. So about Ban…" Dan said catching his haori and began to put it back on. Kurisu gave Dan a look that spoke volumes, and Dan didn't mention Ban again. Several more seconds past before two men appeared through the gate wearing dark black shihakusho. However, the groups attention was on the person who entered through the gate into the clearing after them.
Standing there was a young woman, slightly shorter than Kurisu. Her blonde hair was cut short, barely long enough to reach her shoulders. She wore a black kimono with a white haori covering most of her garment. On the back of the haori, instead of the usual squad number, was the seal of the royal family. Her silver eyes gazed at the five men with interest, as she cocked her head to the side she smiled.
"Why are we just standing here?" She asked looking at the group. "After all, our mission won't complete itself." Ban suddenly reappeared in the clearing.
"She's right, we need to move." Kurisu agreed looking at everyone, then focused on Ban. "I see you are no worse for wear."
"It appears Aizen only sent scouts, they weren't meant to stop us." Ban informed the group.
"A test probably, to see how much we've improved since he saw us last." Maaku said calmly.
"I'd be glad to show him." Dan said cracking his knuckles.
"In due time, if it comes to that. But first we need to get to the Seireitei. Ginji, Ban, Shido, go on ahead." Kurisu ordered looking at the three other Royal guardsmen. The three men nodded and disappeared suddenly.
"Kurisu, we have multiple garganta gates opening in your area," came a voice from the small butterfly.
"Of course," Dan said slapping his forehead.
"Well, it looks like it didn't take Aizen long to assess our abilities." Maaku commented.
"Just like Aizen. He almost gives you a run for your money Kurisu." Dan said giving his friend a side long glance.
"If you say so." Kurisu responded shrugging. He turned to the woman and bowed. "As you said Princess, we should get going before our company arrives. Maaku take point, Dan and I will bring up the rear. Princess, after you." Kurisu said as Maaku flash stepped out of the clearing. A moment later the remaining three disappeared as well. The only sign that they had been there was the Senkaimon gate. A second after the group left the clearing the gate disappeared, leaving no trace that the party had ever been there.
And so ends Chapter one! Thank you for reading! Please give feedback on what can be improved or changed! Chapter two is coming soon!