Hello and welcome to Still Waters, a sister story to Escaping Umbra. Hopefully I don't reach too far or commit any major blunders by trying to run two stories in the same timeline. Anyways, it's time for that wonderful, wonderful disclaimer.
TheMysticalFett: Hey Tite-san
Tite Kubo: Yes?
TheMysticalFett: Can I have Bleach?
Tite Kubo: Are you an accomplished mangaka who has run his story for years?
TheMysticalFett: No, but I've managed to get story three chapters.
Tite Kubo: And that took over a year. So no.
Before the story begins a big thank you to blue-hart for putting up the gentle giant challenge as well as acting as an excellent sounding board for all my crazy ideas. Now without further rambling let the tale begin.
The quiet, still night was disturbed by a dark shape sprinting across a cracked asphalt road and ducking into a nearby alley.
"Has anything changed Watcher?" The masked individual asked into a dark earpiece.
"No, the bodyguards are still on the perimeter. There are only two in the foyer now. So far the target is still with his escort for the evening." A calm voice replied, followed swiftly by the sound of clicking keys. "I'd suggest using the bathroom for infiltration."
"I will, thank you again for the help." The figure replied before sliding behind the shadow of a nearby vehicle. With a deep breathe, the figure relaxed before disappearing into the umbra.
Images flew around the person, a dizzying blur of locales and perspectives. Stepping through the shadows was always a headache inducing task. Too long, and the risk of truly crippling migraines or worse became a real and present danger. Still, the rush at having the power to go wherever there was a shadow was truly amazing. Smiling behind the mask, the individual stepped through a tangle of images and out into a expensive and well decorated bathroom.
Snorting, the intruder shook their head at the marble counters and walk in shower that was larger than some apartments. Money and greed didn't really change wherever you went. There was always the ridiculous displays of wealth, inane hobbies, and senseless spending. It made what would come next easier.
Quietly creeping out of the bathroom, the intruder made their way towards the opulent bed and the bodies contained within. Pausing for a moment, the assassin contemplated the best method to proceed before remembering what the contract had stated.
Withdrawing a slim stiletto, the criminal slid up to the bed. Quiet as the encroaching night they stabbed the blade into the closed right eye of the escort. The woman, a beautiful brunette who couldn't have been older than twenty four jerked twice before going still. Any hopes or dreams she had were now as distant as the life she had once possessed.
The motion caused the main target, a middle aged man, to begin stirring. Slowly and methodically the individual drew a second blade before slashing the weapon violently across the man's throat. What happened next was as pitiful as it was final. That man was brutally thrust into wakefulness only to clutch at his ruined throat, uselessly trying to prevent his lifeblood from flowing away.
His terrified eyes accused the assassin who had stolen his chance at life, and even now passively watched him. Frustrated tears gathered at the corners of the dying man's eyes. He had so much to live for, so much to still do...
A few final gurgles later, the man joined his escort in the afterlife. Apathetic to the scene before them, the individual touched a finger to the earpiece once more. "The target is deceased. Proceeding with the message."
The earpiece beeped twice in reply, before the assassin grasped another blade and grimly went to work on the corpse. This was just one more part in a routine assassination.
" The contract is completed, and the proof has been left in the specified file directory." The assassin replied over a phone. With a few clicks a banking account was brought on screen. Several seconds later a notice of an impending deposit appeared.
"A pleasure doing business with you. You know how to contact me if you need any more of my services." The individual spoke once more before ending the call. Standing, the assassin tossed the phone into a basket labeled "Used"
Groaning loudly, the individual stretched before reaching up and pulling off the mask, revealing an alluring woman underneath. Rolling her shoulders in an effort to relax she began calmly strolling down a nearby hallway.
Quietly stepping into her bathroom, the woman efficiently began to shed her gear and clothing, revealing more of her tawny skin with each item shed. Neatly folding every item of clothing and arranging the various pieces of equipment, the beautiful assassin ensured everything was in its place. Nodding in satisfaction the assassin sat down and lazily drew the water required for a bath before slowly slipping in.
Enjoying her bath the assassin reflected on her day. What she did was distasteful but still a service that was paid for, well paid for. Her target had been an arms dealer who had angered his masters and paid the final price. Unprompted her hand slowly drifted up to the back of her neck to touch a small scar. The procedure to remove what it been implanted had cost nearly a fortune but the freedom it afforded her was more than worth it. Being tied to that monster of a man was nothing she wanted part of. She knew beneath his smile and lunatic behavior something more terrible than any demon lurked.
A nearby ringing distracted the olive skinned woman from her dark thoughts. She paused her ruminations and grabbed the phone before answering. "This is Sorceress."
"How did the rest of the mission go?" A serious voice inquired.
"It proceeded as planned babe." She replied. "Apart from a little bit of thrashing everything was within parameters. Also the money will go to you as soon as I'm out of the bath."
The phone was silent for a moment before the speaker on other end replied. "Would you like to come over?"
The assassin thought about it for a moment and then replied. "Not today. I'm tired out from the work and I'm planning to just go to bed. How about tomorrow first thing in the afternoon?"
"That would work. Also several Sekirei have been hanging around my location. Can we relocate tomorrow." The caller inquired. "I'd rather not be unwilling winged by a suboptimal Ashikabi. At this stage it could prove to be fatal in the long run."
The assassin nodded before replying. "Do you already have a place in mind?"
There was a quiet for a moment before Watcher responded. "I have two places I'm considering. One is in the north near Sekirei Zero One. The second is near the center of Shinto Teito. Both have their risks with single digit Sekirei nearby. However the second location is in Shinto Teito University and should offer me the anonymity I require."
Frowning the svelte woman pondered the two locations before replying. "I dislike the thought of you being so close to MBI headquarters but the University should be vast enough to hide your location. Once we moved you in in remember to keep me on speed dial."
Her caller replied with a faint tone of amusement. "As you say Mistress."
As she began to splutter at the off-color comment the call disconnected. Smiling ruefully the assassin shook her head before relaxing into the bath. Despite everything that could happen, life was still good at the moment.
"The next station is Ueno" A bland prerecorded voice spoke over the train speaker system. The voice repeated the message in English before the train slowly ground to a halt and its doors slid open.
Slowly Sado Yasutora opened his eyes before gathering his guitar and the two bags that had all of his belongings. He then gently made his way through the doors. Four hours on the JR line had been an exercise in patience and ignoring the ever present stares. His mind wandered for a moment as he stood on the train platform.
Karin and Yuzu were about to start their third year of lower secondary school along with Ururu who had been sent to school by a giggling Urahura. Isshin was still as crazy as ever and had successfully got in over six fights with Ichigo while he was there. His best friend had been upbeat for the most part but was still hurting about what had happened with Yhwach and Uryu.
He'd stayed for the better part of a week but he was about to start his first year of university next month. There were several things he still needed to do before starting classes. He was living in an apartment he'd managed to rent right off campus. However the payments had cut into his limited cash and he'd needed to get a job performing night construction work. The hours were long and the pay not the greatest, but it still paid his bills and allowed him to have his solitude.
Clearing his mind, Sado made his way into the train station. Instinctively fellow commuters parted around the gentle giant not wanting to be run over. He slowly made his way down the stairs and through the turnstile. Shinto Teito was once again drizzling ever so slowly and Yasutora merely strode out into it.
The decision not to go to Karakura University was actually quite simple in the end. Ever since the end of the Thousand Blood War, something had been restless within him. He felt the urge to see new things and to push himself past his limits in a new battlefield. However loyal as he was to Ichigo, he needed to sate his inner hollow's lust for carnage. Thankfully both of them understood the battle lust and were acutely aware of what it required.
He had applied to Shinto Teito University in an effort to join their music program and as an attempt to get out of Karakura. No matter what had happened, Yasutora had faithfully practiced on his bass guitar every day. The effort was vindicated when he received a prompt letter of acceptance into STU. He'd shown the letter to Ichigo and his family, and promptly suffered through Yuzu's mothering as well as Isshin's antics crying at the loss of "His Beloved Nephew". Predictably before he had even finished his over-the-top tirade he was sent flying courtesy of his son.
The rest of the evening had been pleasant, filled with simple conversation and laughter. Sado knew he would miss this in the coming days, and so he savored it like a fine wine. Eventually the two girls excused themselves to go to bed, and Isshin broke out the sake before pouring each of the boys a glass. Instantly Yasutora felt the solemnity hanging in the air.
The tired ex-captain stared straight at Sado and quietly spoke. "I only have two pieces of advice for you before you leave. First, never give up on your passions. They'll keep you afloat during the harsh seas of life. Finally, if you find someone to love, love them with all of your heart. Show them what they mean to you and do whatever it takes to keep them happy and loved. Do this and one day you will be able to leave this world with far fewer regrets than I."
Somberly, Yasutora nodded. "I will Kurosaki-san."
After that Isshin had quickly brightened and began a ridiculous drinking contest the two young men. The liquor had flown like a water, quickly smashing through any chance of sobriety for them. All that Sado remembered was the three of them holding each other and singing the Japanese national anthem as it had come on TV. Everything past that point was black.
He been woken up first thing in the morning by Karin, who had roughly nudged him to wakefulness with her foot. Quietly grunting at the awakening, he'd blinked and stared at the table above them. Contemplating how he gotten under the table, he was unpleasantly surprised that he could not remember. He'd extricated himself but managed to smash his forehead on the way out. Instantly his head decided to remind him of the hangover he had in addition to banging his head.
Groaning, he'd rested on the floor and quietly remarked to Karin. "Too much liquor."
She'd huffed at him and gently bopped him on his head. "You're a moron for drinking that much."
Staring down at him a soft look entered her eye. She'd gently clasped his face between her small hand, before staring directly into his eyes and quietly whispering. "Me and Yuzu are going to miss you, and so will Ichigo. Don't go doing anything stupid in Shinto Teito, because we want our brother back. Don't go disappear on us you hear."
With that, the normally stoic girl lost her composure and swiftly buried her head in the crook of Sado's shoulder while quietly sobbing. Stunned, the gentle giant could only quietly enclose her within his embrace. The two stayed like for the better part of an half an hour even after her sobs subsided. Finally, Sado looked down at the young woman and quietly spoke in his deep rumbling tone. "I'll come back, I promise."
Eyes puffy from crying and hair in a mess from bed, Karin still managed a beautiful smile. Yasutora felt his ribs creak as she fiercely hugged him without a word. With a final squeeze she'd let go of the Fullbringer, before handing him a glass of water and two aspirin. With a smile that was quickly recovering confidence she addressed her surrogate brother. "I think you need this."
Smiling gratefully, Sado took the offered items and quickly ingested them. He may have kept pace with Isshin but he would rather avoid having more of a monster hangover
The rest the morning was spent recovering from the vicious side effects of the drinking the night before, complete with Yuzu once more mothering the three men. Even as the pounding in his head subsided, the massive Fullbringer felt a smile curled on his lips and contentment coiling around his heart.
After a full morning breakfast Yasutora left the correct Kurosaki household. This time the waterworks came predictably from Yuzu who had been trying her hardest to keep her composure. Without saying a single word, the gentle giant had knelt down and opened his arms. Crying freely Yuzu threw herself at him and then stared directly at him. "I'm going to miss you so much."
Once more, Yasutora felt his heart clench in the bittersweet feeling. Holding the young woman close, he quietly replied. " I'll be back soon Yuzu. Take care of Ichigo while I'm gone."
Tears flowing down her face the youngest Kurosaki had managed a wobbly nod before squeezing him tight again. Gently, Sado rubbed a calming circle on the girl's back with a massive hand to reassure her. Yuzu eventually let go and took a step back, straining to keep a tear free face. With a steady nod to he Yasutora continued his goodbyes to the rest of the Kurosaki household.
He'd finally walked away from the house later that morning after the goodbyes had concluded. However, an irritated shout had stopped him in his tracks. Ichigo, his friend of many years stood in the doorway of clinic with a fierce look on his face. A crushing wave of pressure instantly dropped onto Yasutora's shoulders, doing its best to push him into the ground.
The Fullbringer unleashed his own spiritual pressure and eased the strain on his body. He then crooked an eyebrow at his friend.
The godlike being who was his friend had smiled before hollering at him without care for his surroundings. "You'd better get stronger Chad. You've been with me for years now. And I've always taken your strength for granted. But I want to see how strong you get on your own. Next time we meet I'm going to want to see what you can do, and I'm not going to take it easy on you. Do you think you become strong enough to defend your nakama on your own,."
Adrenaline shot through the musician at his friend's comment. Something important was happening and he wasn't going to fail what it was now. "I do Ichigo."
Bowling deep from within himself Sado flared his spirit pressure briefly pushing down towards Ichigo. Determined not to show how much the effort cost him, he had gently clasped his necklace before clasping it in his fist. Purposefully he pointed his fist towards his friend. "Six months. Six months Ichigo. I swear on this coin given to me by my grandfather Oscar Joaquin de la Rosa, that I will give you a fight you have never seen before. I will show you the strength to protect all our nakama, "
Instinctively the massive man spun on his heel and began to walk away. His blood was roaring within his veins in the determination the likes of which he had never known. He had six months to become stronger, to answer a ridiculous challenge out of nowhere from his best friend. The challenge was sudden, the idea itself was ludicrous, but for the first time since Ywhach Yasutora felt a drive that had been sorely lacking.
He packed up that night before getting on the JR line, a journey which had led to this point where he was walking through the streets of Shinto Teito towards the apartment he had reserved. Knowing that he had a good walk in front of him, Yasutora gripped his bags tighter and began walking. He was now a time limit. He had six months to be strong enough to beat someone who killed God.
Sitting in an high-tech and important office, a white-haired man gazed out upon the city giggling. Whimsically spinning in his chair the the head of MBI, Hiroto Minaka tossed a glowing crystal from hand-to-hand. Stopping, the owner of Shinto Teito, and one of if not the most powerful men on the planet strode up to the window before speaking. "Yes, almost time, almost time."
He shot a casual glance over his shoulder, reviewing the documentation called up on his computer screen. If everything went well what happened next would simply be marvelous for the game and for what he had planned.
Grinning, the CEO walked back to his desk and gently laid the crystal on it. The city was far too regular for his tastes and Minaka had several plans on how to fix that. Starting right about now.
With a devious grin he pushed the speaker icon on his desk. "Please contact the Discipline Squad. I have a very important briefing for our special Sekirei."
Thanks to everyone for reading, and feel free to favorite, follow, or review. Should you choose to flame I will store it away for a cold night when I need to warm myself. Thanks again.
P.S. RIP Iwata. We will miss you.