Just some introductions before some of the major plots kick in. One of which will lead to one of the first of the major fights.
I don't own Utena or Bleach.
The sun was high above the sky in the city of Karakura Town.
As usual, the streets were live with people. People were walking from work and school. Cars filled the streets with traffic. Shopping centers were busy with customers.
And a young dark-skinned girl wandered within the alleyways. Along the way, she turned to see her companion, a small purple monkey, beside her.
Their names were Anthy Himemiya and Chu-Chu. This was their second or third month since they left for the outside world. It was Anthy's decision. Ever since that day, after the duel between her brother and her savior, she chose to leave. It was to leave everything behind: Her title as the Rose Bride, the abusive relationship with her incestful brother, her incalculable duration of time staying at their Academy, her role as a Witch, and the Swords of Hate. All of that was now gone for her. What was left for her were traces of the savior she knew. That's what kept her going. That's one of many reasons why she left the past as past. That's why she left Ohtori Academy.
And that's why she came here to Karakura Town as she said to her companion, "You still feel it, can't you?"
"Chu." her pet said. That was the only word the earringed monkey could say. Even so, Anthy was able to understand her. In a way at least.
Anthy knew Chu-chu was agreeing with her. They've been feeling some kind of spiritual presence since they arrived in Karakura Town. Sometimes, it felt heavier. Sometimes, it felt smaller. But it was still felt in the entire area.
That was a sign, she thought, that would help her find her savior.
As she walked slowly down the alley, the spiritual presence became heavier again. Only this time, it was at a certain direction, focused to her left. She was coming to a break in the alleyway when they felt the concentration of pressure. It was obvious logic, whatever she was feeling must be coming from that direction. Maybe she'll find that savior again here. That, of course, excited her. Yet, she remained calm as she made the turn.
Instead, the two saw a small building that looked like a runoff shop. Above had the words "Urahara Shop" in Kanji. There was a vehicle parked next to it and the doors were open. Hardly anyone was there, unlike most places in the town.
Anthy looked around to see her surroundings. Everything was still quiet and the pressure felt concentrated at the shop. This was probably it, she thought as she walked inside.
As she entered through the traditional Japanese doors, she looked around to see sets of candy lined on the shelves and walls. Anthy and Chu-chu wandered through one of the aisles, observing the empty shop. There was no one else but them.
That is until someone spoke behind them, "You must be lost."
At first, Anthy jumped as she turned around with her pet. It truly was a voice she never heard, yet it sounded friendly. She saw a blonde man with a white and green striped hat that covered his eyes. He wore a ragged kimono, held a cane in his right hand, and his left one was buried deep into his pocket. He had a friendly smile , so he didn't look threatening.
The blonde man continued, "Is there something I can help you with, miss?"
Anthy had many questions she wanted to ask, including about the pressure she felt. "Yes, actually. I came here to find someone. I thought she'd be here."
The blonde man just gave smile. "I don't know how much I can do, miss. Usually, we don't get that many customers here. As you can see, it's pretty run down."
The hatter turned around. "Well, if that's what you're looking for, then that's all I can say."
"Actually," Anthy said, which got the man's attention. "I've been feeling some kind of pressure here."
The hatter turned back to Anthy. "Pressure?"
"Yes," Anthy continued. "I felt some kind of pressure or energy coming from here. And not just any kind of pressure, it's as if something...magical was creating it. I thought it might be a clue."
The blonde hatter gave a smile and giggle. Anthy gave a confused look.
"Funny," he said. "I thought I'd never have someone track me that way. Usually, that kind of pressure is untraceable to normal humans."
"Normal humans?"
"But you're different if you can trace that kind of signature." the hatter continued. "I'd like to know more."
"Who are you?"
The blonde man giggled. "My, my. Quite rude of me not to introduce myself." He put his cane up and started swinging it. "I'm Kisuke Urahara. Just a normal candy shop owner."
"I...don't buy it." Anthy said.
"Hm, I thought you wouldn't." Urahara stopped swinging his cane and placed it onto the ground. He took a fan from his left hand and put it over his face. "And who would you be?"
"Anthy, Anthy Himemiya." She looked at her pet. "And this is Chu-Chu."
"Chu," the monkey replied.
Urahara gave a small laugh. "Please to meet you, Anthy."
Anthy also gave a short smile.
Their conversation was interrupted when a loud roar was heard. Both Anthy and Chu-Chu were frightened by this unexpected sound. They also widened their eyes a little.
Kisuke only gave a concerned face. "Another one? Must be Jinta and Ururu again."
"Jinta and Ururu?"
Urahara opened up the door and revealed a massive creature outside. The monster was humanoid looking and completely black. It had a white mask for a face. Circling it was a red-orange spiky-haired boy charging at the creature with a large club. Aside from him was a black haired girl with pigtails carrying long object wrapped in cloth, which fired multiple bolts at the monster.
The creature responded with a loud scream that shook even Anthy and Chu-chu. The two kids were pushed back and landed on their backs with their weapons. The creature advanced towards its opponents as they struggled to get up.
The fight was interrupted when Uharaha took out a sword from his cane. He shouted, "Scream! Benehime!" Crimson red energy shot from the cane sword and towards the creature. It was struck and split in half easily, then dissolved into nothingness. The whole fight over within those few seconds.
The reception was not well received by one of its challengers. "Hey, we were in the middle of a fight! Don't interrupt!"
"Jinta…" the girl said in a shy tone.
Urahara took the complaint lightly as he put his right hand behind his head and giggled. "Sorry, but there wasn't any other easy way. You don't want our home destroyed, do you?"
"Whatever," Jinta said.
The complaint never touched Anthy and Chu-chu. However, they were more concerned with what they just saw. "Excuse me, Urahara. But, what was that?"
Urahara turned around, "Oh, that creature? You sure you haven't seen it?"
"No," she paused, remembering the feeling she had during the fight. "But the energy it gave off. It feels so familiar."
"It's called a Hollow." Urahara replied.
"A Hollow?"
"It should be frequent for someone to find such beings. They often go after those with the spiritual abilities you and I have."
"Sorry," Anthy said. "This is my first time seeing such a beast. I mean- I've seen other beasts and I felt energies similar to that before, but never like this."
Urahara just smiled "If that's the case," He adjusted his hat. "Then maybe I can help you out."
He called out to the two children, "Jinta! Ururu! I think that's enough fighting Hollows for now. Come in and we'll have some lunch!"
"Fine," Jinta said with a disappointed look. He and the girl, who was very likely Ururu, came back into the shop.
Urahara turned back to his guests. "Would you care to join us? At the same time, you can tell us more about who you are."
Anthy just nodded. "Sure."
Her pet cried out, "Chu"
The skies were a clear blue, the lands were barren, and there was hardly any sound. There was hardly anyone around at all.
All except a woman who was resting on the ground, a woman named Utena. She had pink hair and was dressed in a male uniform. She laid there for a while, unable to move, let alone awake.
That was until now, when she opened her eyes slowly to the clear skies. She bent upward and shook her head. She looked around to see the barren wastelands. She continued to shake her head.
All she knew was what happened before. The time when she fought against the fallen Prince, the same one who saved her lead started her journey. Then a lot happened afterward: being stabbed by the Rose Bride, which she is unsure that she's still there, opening up the Rose Gate, the Swords of Hate coming after her, then disappearing from the scene. And now she was here, in a strange deserted place unknown to her.
"What happened?" Utena asked herself as she got up. "It's as if I'm in the middle of nowhere."
Suddenly, she heard a noise. It sounded like something of low-frequency like a distorted bass drum. What was alarming was that it was coming from behind.
"Would you want me to help you with that?" a high-pitched voice came from the same direction.
Utena jerked around in shock, but she saw nothing. Before she completely see who it was, she heard the same drum-like noise. She stood there for a moment. It all happened so quickly and spoken so close, it was frightening. Furthermore, the voice didn't sound like anything human. And even if it was human, it sounded much like a child. These thoughts pricked her brain by the second.
If only I had something to protect myself, Utena thought. I would be fine, in case this turned into bad news. If only she had her soul sword, but that was lost back in her last duel. She cursed that thought. If only he didn't choose to break it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by another drum noise. This time, it was to the right of where her body was facing. She looked forward and saw a white figure looking away. The figure had a white dress garb that covered most of its body. Even the head was covered by frills. Utena could see something cylindrical above the dress, protected by something also white. Aside from that, she could only see its black shoes. It was hard to tell whether it was male or female.
"If that's the case," the figure now spoke in a dark voice. "Follow me."
Utena was freaked out even more. First it tries speaks behind her, then it reveals itself as a completely dress figure, now it changes voices. She couldn't move.
"What's wrong?" the figure asked in its light voice. "Is something bothering you?"
Utena wanted to say yes. This was completely weird and unwelcoming of her. She was also weary if the figure really was trying to help or if this was a trap. Yet again, it wasn't like she had any other choice.
She shook her head. Though still cautious, she took her first steps towards the white figure.
"Very well." the figure spoke in its dark voice as it also started walking. "Come, then."