The next day, the Sailor Scouts were gathered at Usagi's house, chatting idly about the events of the day before. Needless to say, the bunch were put into a state of quiet unease as they discussed. "That creature yesterday… We've never seen anything like it. And that orange haired boy… Why couldn't any of you see him before you were attacked. It's all very strange…" Rei said, shaking her head in disapproval at the whole thing.
"That guy better get here quickly. I'm sure we all have plenty of questions for him." She said, gaining nodding agreements of everyone else.
As if on queue, a strong rapping knock on the front door garnered the whole groups attention as Usagi jumped up to answer it. "I've got it!" she called shrilly, yanking the door open quickly to reveal Ichigo standing in the doorway, hand still raised in a Knocking posture.
He was dressed much differently than the day before, casual, normal clothes. Though the scowl he wore on his brow remained the same. Perhaps that was just the way his face was. Though, it was now much more apparent- as he was no longer in ridiculous looking clothes- that he was rather majestic. In a brooding, doesn't care for the company of teen girls, I wanna punch something, kinda way.
"May I come in?" He asked after a moment or so of awkwardly standing before them. He seemed polite enough, at least.
Usagi had prepared a nice meal for the guests. She had put out ramen, sushi, boiled corn on the cob, and pocky, the staples of every Japanese household. Not only that, she had brewed a steaming pot of earl grey tea. Which was her favorite. She dreamed of someday traveling to london because she loved earl grey tea so much.
"Right!" Usagi said, "Now that you're here we can finally dig in!" Without any further words Usagi began to eat with vengeance.
"Usagi you baka!" Rei chastised, "you're eating all the food before we have the chance! And also we're supposed to talk about things too!"
"Oh, right!" Usagi said with a nervous yet humble giggle.
"So," Minako asked, staring at him with an unnerving amount of concentration, "what are you?"
Ichigo tried to remember which one she was, Sailor Venus, he reminded himself. Indeed she was appropriately named after the goddess of love because she looked glorious with her blazing blonde hair flowing smoothly down her back.
"I am a shinigami," Ichigo answered, returning Minako's measured glance, "I protect the world from monsters called Hollows."
"Is that what attacked the other day?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
Ichigo nodded grimly, "aye. It was."
"Now tell me about yourselves," Ichigo said, he had, of course, heard of the Sailor Scouts. Everyone on earth had. But he had thought they were a little like Unicorns, no more than mythical creatures, stories told to little kids when they were afraid. And yet, here they were sitting majestically in front of him, he had seen them all transform, and fight right before his eyes. There was no disputing this fact. It was a fact.
"we're sailor scouts," Usagi said simply, unsure of what else to say.
"Well, that's nice and all. But I'd figured as much. Everyone's heard of you in some shape or form." Ichigo said, having sat in an armchair near by. He didn't seem all too interested in the food Usagi had prepared.
"How about some simple introductions first? I honestly don't know who any of you are." He said, sitting forward so he was on the front of his seat. "I'll start, I guess. The name's Ichigo Kurosaki." He introduced in a most simplistic fashion. "I've got two younger sisters and we live with our father." He said, spouting off age and grade right after. He looked expectantly to his counterparts, wishing to learn who they were a bit better.
Usagi began, "My name is Usagi Tsukino I am also Sailor Moon and Princess Serentiy of the moon people!"
Rei went next, she had piercing black hair that went down her back like an ocean, "My name is Rei Hino. I am Sailor Mars."
Then Minako, the one with the magnificent blonde hair, "I am Minako Aino. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am sailor Venus."
Ami answered, "I am Ami Makoto I am sailor Mercury." Ichigo had heard that name before. He thought hard and realized that she had received mild fame in Tokyo for being really smart.
The tall one answered his question next, "I am Makoto Hino, otherwise called Sailor Jupiter."
The little one who had been very quiet up until this point and had bright pink hair and pink eyes answered next in a very high pitched voice that could also probably double as a dog whistle, "Konichiwa! I am Chibiusa, as a sailor scout I am Sailor Chibi Moon!"
That just left two girls who looked several years older than the rest of the sailor scouts.
The one with short blonde hair answered first, "I am Haruka Tenuo and also I am Sailor Uranus."
The girl with glorious blue-green hair answered next, "And I am Sailor Neptune. My name is Mihiru Kaiou." She had a soft and soothing voice, like the ocean on a calm day.
"Alright, introductions over… Let's get right to the chase, shall we? You all now know of a completely different world- a totally new enemy… and lately, they've been different. Stronger. Somethings happening, and we definitely need all the help we can find. It seems to me that you have enough power to help us fight these new Hollows." Ichigo said, looking to each of the girls individually.
"If you're willing to help, I have a friend who's worked with… special case hollow fighting. We should talk to him if you're interested." He said, getting right to the point.
Mako raised all of her eyebrows in surprise, "there are more of you then?"
Ichigo nodded his head smoothly, "yes, there are many more. We are many. We are legion."
Ichigo then told them all about how the little shinigami boys and girls were trained from a very young age in order to become powerful warriors.
"Wow," Usagi said, "And I thought we got started on the fighting thing young."
Usagi met the eyes of all her beloved friends asking silently if they could trust this strange boy with the citrus colored hair. Usagi had fought many battles with these girls. They were practically her family. Especially since her family had largely disappeared from her life after season one.
Each girl showed that they trusted Usagi, as their leader, to make the right decision. She then turned to Haruka and Mihiru, who although were not official members of the team, did seem largely capable of making intelligent decisions. Neither of them raised objections. And Usagi felt no ill will from Ichigo either. "Very well," Usagi said, "we will help you defeat these...hollows..."
"Glad to hear it." Ichigo said in a huff as he pushed himself up from the chair, running a strong, calloused hand through his short zesty hair, ruffling the spiky appearance some. It seemed he almost took on the appearance of an unbridled mustang, with the amount of masculinity that just flowed off him. Yet one could almost tell… that outer wall of hard, muscular defense… given even the lightest of caresses, would open and reveal a warm and gentle nougat-y center just looking for someone to simply be himself with.
With a swift clearing of his throat, Ichigo pulled himself from a momentary retrieve, shaking the odd thoughts away. "Anyways… It's hardly past noon… so we should make a stop to my friend, Urahara's house. I'm sure he'd like to speak with you all." Ichigo said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Not too far from here, actually."
"Well what are we waiting for then?" Chibiusa asked, literally bouncing out of her chair, "Let's go meet this Urahara fella!"
They all piled out of the house and walked in a single file line following Ichigo, like baby ducklings following their beloved mother. Indeed, it was only a fifteen minute walk to the man's house.
Ichigo boldly knocked on the door, which was oak and had a beautiful finish on it. Several moments later a girl with deep violet eyes the color of purple mountains majesty and glorious silver hair opened the door. Ichigo had never seen this girl before and wondered who she could be. The girl looked at him, her eyes penetrating his soul. Before he could wonder more about this she started talking, "Can I help you?" she asked curiosity filling her voice which was pleasant sounding enough.
"yeah," Ichigo began, "Is Urahara here? We need to talk."
