Cause for Training

The next day arrived and Ichigo, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, and Ishida went to school. What they didn't know was that Xavier was high in the sky, flying as a falcon.

Although, he thought, Rukia most likely knows that I'm here. He landed in a tree on the school yard. It was still morning and it wasn't time for lunch yet.

"I wonder when we will get to see that Bount bastard again?" Xavier thought quietly.

"Who knows," Yoruichi's cat voice said calmly. Xavier looked over at her in her cat form.

"When did you get here?"

"Just now."

"How did you. . .never mind."

"Find you?"

"Yeah. But I already know the answer so don't bother to answer." They both stared at the school.

"How long do you plan to stay here?" she asked breaking the silence.

"I want to keep a watchful eye on them," he replied seriously, "you never know when the Bounts will strike again."

"I know. That is why I want you to come back to Urahara's shop as soon as possible."

"Why Yoruichi?"

"I have some training for you to do."

"Training?"

"Yes. Training to learn flash step." Xavier looked at her in shock.

"I can learn flash step?"

"Of course you can. So can Ken. Long ago, both Fire Knights and Soul Shifters learned flash step to fight each other better."

"Okay," Xavier said seriously, "why were the Fire Knights and Soul Shifters fighting so long ago? I would like to know this Yoruichi."

"I'm sorry but I can't tell you. Most likely Head Captain Yamamoto would be able to tell you though."

"Great," he said with a sigh, "I have to talk to the guy that will send me back to the world of the living."

"Well," she stated, "you can just go back into hiding at Kukaku's place."

"Yeah. Wait! You knew that I was there?"

"Yup."

"Then I didn't do a great job of hiding."

"Actually, you did. She just told me is all." Xavier looked concerned.

"What exactly did she tell you?"

"Nothing too in detail."

"That's good. But to go back on the subject of flash step, who would be teaching me?"

"Me." Xavier looked at her and then hugged her with his wings.

"."

"Alright already," she complained, "let me go." Xavier did as he was asked.

"Sorry about that. I got a little excited."

"I can tell. So, when do you want to start?"

"Later today."

"Why not now?"

"Because," he started but was interrupted by a school's bell. Soon students came out to enjoy the sun shine. Rukia and Orihime sat with some of their friends while Ichigo was resting underneath a tree. Ishida was reading a book under the tree where Yoruichi was with Xavier. Chad stood by two of his friends, Keigo and Mizuiro.

"You were saying," Yoruichi whispered.

"The Bounts could strike today," Xavier whispered, "I just want to be prepared."

"They can handle it."

"I know but extra help doesn't hurt."

"You worry about them too much." Xavier grinned.

"I guess I like having friends again." Yoruichi looked concerned.

"What do you mean?" Suddenly, Xavier looked over towards Ichigo to see him running off with Chad, Rukia, and Orihime.

"A tale for another time," he said as he spread his wings and took to the sky. He followed them to the loading docks of a store. There he soon saw a familiar face.

It's that Bount from last night, he thought. A wide grin grew on his face; however, this faded when he saw two uniforms on the ground with dust around them. The Bount had in his hands, a young woman in fancy clothes.

"You bastard!" Ichigo shouted.

"And I was just about to get some dessert," the Bount said with delight in his voice.

Disgusting freak, Xavier thought, on a more positive note, at least he's not sparkling in the sun light.

"They aren't just lives to be thrown away!" Ichigo shouted angrily.

"Oh I know," the Bount said seriously, "but after what your friend did to me last night, I needed to heal. While natural healing would have been fine, this way of healing doesn't take up much time."

"How could you?" Orihime asked in a terrified voice.

"It is very simple my dear," the Bount said with a sly smile, "I can give you a demonstration if you like." Orihime looked terrified. Chad quickly stepped in front of her.

"You leave her alone," Ichigo said as he grabbed the hilt of his Zanpakuto, "not just Orihime. But that woman too."

"I can't," the Bount said with a evil smile, "I haven't had my fill."

"THEN FILL THIS!" Xavier's voice shouted. The Bount looks up to see Xavier falling towards him.

"SHIT!" the Bount screamed as he jumped out of the way. Xavier hit the surface and large dust cloud formed where he landed.

"Xavier!" Chad shouted.

"Oh my goodness," Kurodo said in shock, "why on Earth would he do such a thing?"

"Indeed," the Bount said seriously, "did he think the same thing would work twice?"

"No," Xavier's voice said calmly, "I didn't." The Bount looked shocked as the dust cloud cleared. There was Xavier, standing in a crater that he had made, looking completely fine.

"You should be flat as a pancake!" the Bount shouted.

"Yeah," Xavier said with a smile, "a normal human would be. Obviously, I'm not a normal human."

"But you are no Soul Reaper either," the Bount stated.

"True. Ichigo over there has the role filled up nicely."

"Thanks," Ichigo said with a smile.

"Then what are you?" the Bount asked curiously. Xavier smiled.

"What am I?" he asked, "why I'm the one who is going to kill you." The Bount started to laugh.

"Kill me?" he asked, "you think you can kill Ryo Utagawa of the Bounts?"

"No," Xavier stated, "I don't want to kill Ryo Utagawa of the Bounts. Wait, are you him?" Everyone looked shocked that he said that.

"Is this really how he acts?" Lirin asked in shock.

"Trust me," Ichigo stated, "you get use to it."

"Well Ichigo," Chad said seriously, "I still haven't gotten use to it."

"I have," Orihime said with a smile.

"Well I for one don't see how you can Orihime," Kurodo said seriously, "I mean after all, his behavior is completely irrational and childish. Maybe if he stopped dyeing his hair that strange color-" Suddenly, Xavier rushed over to Kurodo and started stomping him into the ground.

"I warned you yesterday," Orihime stated, "that you can't mention his hair at all."

"Or else this happens," Ichigo said while looking at Xavier's violent display.

"Yeah," Rukia stated, "I would hate for that to happen to me." After a few more seconds of stomping, he stopped and walked towards the Bount named Ryo.

"Sorry about that," he apologized, "but lets get back on subject. You know, me killing you and all."

"You really think that you can kill me?" Ryo asked in shock.

"Let me think," Xavier said while rubbing his chin, "yeah I do." It was then that Xavier noticed the gold snake around his neck.

"Your confidence is impressive," Ryo said with a dark tone.

"But it won't help you win," the snake said with a hiss.

"Now that is neat," Xavier stated, "your pet can talk."

"Frieda isn't a pet," Ryo stated, "in fact she is my doll."

"Your face is a doll," Xavier said with a chuckle.

"I will not be mocked by the likes of you!" Ryo shouted, "Frieda!"

"Of course," the snake hissed and turned into a whip. Ryo started to lash the area around him, making dashes in the ground.

He's not that accurate with that thing, Xavier thought, I'm right in front of him. Wait! He quickly rushed at the Bount and tried to punch him. However, Frieda turned herself into a shield and blocked the blow.

"I know what those attacks were for," he said seriously.

"Do you now?" Ryo asked. Suddenly, gray snakes came up from the marks that the whip made. Xavier quickly jumped back towards the group.

"I knew it," he said with a smile, "when that snake doll thing of yours makes those marks, she can summon snakes from them."

"You haven't figured it out all of it," Ryo said full of confidence.

"But you see," Xavier said with a smile, "I did."

"What are you talking about?" Orihime asked nervously.

"Yeah," Ishida's voice said from behind them. The group turned around to see Ishida.

"Why are you here?" Chad asked.

"Yeah," Ichigo stated, "you need to get out of here."

"Ichigo is right," Rukia agreed, "you need to leave."

"I can't do that," Ishida replied, "but what were you talking about Xavier?"

"Last night," Xavier explained, "something grazed my cheek. It looked like it came from that broken pipe but I know it wasn't. It came from one of your snakes. And you weren't touching it. So, my guess is that you can turn certain items into snakes with just a thought. Like rope, pipes, rail guards, stuff like that."

"Well well well," Ryo said with a smile, "I'm impressed that you learned that in a short time."

"What can I say," Xavier stated, "I'm very observant." The snakes charged towards the group. Ichigo quickly took out his Zanpakuto and started to slash at them. Chad morphed his arm and commenced to pummel the snakes. Orihime used a combination of her shield and then her one and only attack to kill some snakes. Rukia blast some with some of her kido skills. Xavier stayed back to guard Ishida.

I want in on the fighting, he thought sadly, Ishida, you owe me one big time.

"I don't need you to guard me," Ishida said rudely.

"This coming from the one who doesn't have any powers," Xavier said without thinking. He quickly covered his mouth.

"Oh," Ryo said with a spark of joy in his voice, "he doesn't have any powers." He looked at Ishida with hunger in his eyes.

"Xavier!" Ichigo shouted angrily.

"Sorry," Xavier apologized, "it slipped." Ryo continued to look at Ishida. Soon, a wicked smile grew on his face.

"I see," he stated, "that's what you are. To think, I would find a Quincy here." Everyone gasped a little.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who is observant," Xavier said with a smile.

"Indeed," Ryo replied. Xavier looked around and saw that Chad and Orihime were gone.

What are they up to? he wondered. He then saw them behind Ryo; however, he could also tell that Ryo knew they were there.

A sneak attack from behind, Ryo thought, time to even the odds. He lashed his whip at a rail guard and it turned into a large gray snake. It wrapped around the unconscious woman and stood up.

"You bastard!" Ichigo shouted, "she has nothing to do with this!"

"I'm just trying to even the odds," Ryo replied, "five on one isn't really fair. Neither really is five on two but it will have to do."

"Oh please," Xavier complained, "you need to count your pet snake too."

"Frieda isn't a pet," Ryo said angrily.

"Hold it!" Ishida shouted. Everyone turned towards him.

"What is it?" Ryo asked.

"I'm the one you want," Ishida said seriously, "so take me."

"You would take the woman's place?" Ryo asked curiously.

"Don't do it," Ichigo pleaded, "it's a trap."

"That may be," Ishida replied, "however, I must do what I can to save her."

"How noble of you," Ryo stated, "it must be that Quincy honor of yours. Very well. It's a deal." Ishida walked forward and the snake holding on to the woman let her go, and wrapped itself around Ishida. Ichigo pulled the woman away and put her in a safe place. Then, the snake slammed Ishida into the ground. Everyone gasped in shock, and some blood started to flow onto the ground.

"YOU BASTARD!" Ichigo shouted, "ISN'T SUCKING OUT HIS SOUL GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!"

"Sometimes I like to play with my food," Ryo said as the snake raised Ishida off the ground. Ryo put his finger on Ishida's blood, and pulled it away. He then started to lick it like reptile. Suddenly, spirit pressure shot through the area violently. Everyone turned towards the source which was Xavier.

What in the world? Rukia thought.

"YOU DISGUSTING FUCKING BASTARD!" he shouted. He pulled out his book and opened it to a page that seemed to be random. He then started to morph into a mongoose-human hybrid.

"What the hell?" Ryo said in shock. Faster than Ryo could react, Xavier slashed apart the snake holding Ishida. He fell to the ground, but before he hit the ground, Xavier caught him.

What the hell is he? Ryo thought in confusion. Xavier gently placed Ishida on the floor and turned towards Ryo with a growl.

"HE'S A MONGOOSE!" Frieda shouted.

"What?" Ryo shouted back, "how can that be? He looks nothing like a. . .okay, I do some similarities. How did you do that?"

"I don't need to answer to you," Xavier said with a serious tone. He rushed towards Ryo at high speeds. Frieda quickly turned into a shield to block the attack. Xavier scratched the shield greatly and Frieda shouted in pain.

"Damn it," Ryo cursed. Before Xavier could attack again, fires surrounded them all. They looked on top of the loading truck to see the Bount woman from yesterday with Ishida in her arms.

"It's that Bount woman from yesterday," Ichigo stated, "what are you doing here?"

"Give us back Ishida," Orihime pleaded. She then left with Ishida.

"Damn it," Ichigo cursed, "we need to go after her. Lirin, she's still close by right?"

"Yeah," Lirin replied, "we can still go after her."

"That's good," Ichigo said with a rushed tone, "let's go." Suddenly, the group was surrounded by snakes. They looked towards Ryo who looked extremely upset.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, "but I'm afraid I'm out of patience with you all."

"Then move," Xavier said seriously.

"No."

"Fine," Xavier stated, "but I gave you the chance." He rushed towards Ryo and slashed at him with his claws. Some snakes rose up and formed a wall to block the attack. The snakes were slashed to ribbons and fell in to the ground in pieces of concrete. Xavier then slashed at Ryo with his other claw, but the same thing happen again. When the snakes dissolved, Frieda's tail had transform into a sword. Ryo slashed at Xavier and landed a direct hit on his chest. He fell back with a gash on his chest.

"Xavier!" Ichigo shouted. Ryo was ready to make the final blow when Ichigo flash stepped and block the attack. He pushed Ryo back, and jumped in front of Xavier. Chad launched his energy blast at Ryo, but he dodged it with ease. Suddenly, bullets came flying in and wiped out all of the snakes. A large dust cloud formed from the shots fired. The group turned around to see Ururu, Jinta, and Tessai standing on top of a fence.

"Nice shooting Ururu," Jinta said with a smile.

"Thanks," Ururu replied.

"Tessai," Orihime said happily, "Ururu, Jinta, we are so glad to see you guys." Xavier made it to his feet, with blood coming out of his wound. He morphed back into a human. The dust cloud cleared away and Ryo was no longer there. Once the area was clear, everyone focused their attention on Xavier.

"You okay?" Chad asked curiously.

"You aren't the only one who can take a hit," Xavier replied with a smile. Tessai walked over to him.

"We need to get you back to the shop so I can treat you," he stated.

"That would be a big help," Xavier replied.

"What?" Lirin asked curiously, "no funny comment?"

"I'm injured," Xavier replied seriously.

"Which is why I'm going to carry you," Tessai said seriously. He put Xavier over his shoulder and ran off with him.

"WOULD YOU PUT ME DOWN!" the group heard Xavier shout, "I'M FREAKING INJURED AND MY WOUND IS PRESSING AGAINST YOUR SHOULDER! IT FUCKING HURTS!"

"WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!" Tessai shouted back. Ichigo and the others felt a sweat drop coming down their heads.

WwwwwwW

Once they made it back to the shop, it didn't take Tessai long to dress Xavier's wound.

"There you go," Tessai said as he started to pack up his medical supplies.

"Next time," Xavier said with a serious face, "don't carry me like that when my wound was on my chest."

"I'll try to remember that." Tessai bowed and left the room. No sooner did he leave the room, Yoruichi walked in. She was in her human form.

"Looks like your opponent got you good," she said seriously.

"He got lucky," Xavier stated, "but he won't be lucky next time."

"Why is that?" Xavier smiled.

"Is that training offer still available?"

"Yes."

"I think I'll take you up on that offer if you don't mind." Yoruichi smiled.

"I don't."

End of Chapter

Xavier is going to learn flash step and Ishida has been kidnapped.

What will happen in the next chapter of. . . .

Unforeseen Problems

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