Hey Guys, just a little Reminder, Anything that's italics is a flashback and something bold and italics means its either being said in unison or it an important moment for the characters and the plot. Enjoy! :)
As everyone made their way down to the underground training area, the majority of the group stayed silent except for Orihime who was very friendly toward the strange American. Nate kindly answered her simple questions about where he was from (America), his age (21) and of course his powers which he didn't get to answer since she got distracted.
"WOW! I had no idea this huge space was underneath Mr. Kisuke's store!" The young highschool girl expressed loudly getting an unusual face from both Ichigo and Nate. "It's cool! It's like a secret base!"
Nate watched who he recognized as Tessai thank Orihime in a manner that surprised him before turning away. He could still feel the nosy stares of both Ichigo and Uryū as he looked around the familiar looking base but tried to ignore them.
Luckily, before the two unsure teens could do or say anything to the strange American, their attention shifted to Kisuke, who was clapping his hands together.
"Okay, okay Kiddies! Pay attention please!" The shop owner shouted in a sing song like tune before he brought his arm out quickly snapping. "And away we go!"
The group watched as suddenly the air grew heavy and a distant rumbling grew louder as four pillars appeared just behind the now serious Kisuke. Taken back by the sudden appearance of the four large pillars the rag-tag group just stared at the man in awe as he began to explain.
"All right. This gate leads to the Soul Society. The Senkaimon, or known as the Tunnel World Gate." Urahara disclosed before he focused his gaze on the entire group.
"Now please listen carefully. I'm about to tell you how to pass through it without dying."
The air filled quickly with a tense pause before Kisuke spoke up again but his tone changed once more, "But first let's fix two things…"
Two thuds echoed as both the shinigami boys' bodies collided with the rock ground resulting in the three others to gock at them in awe. The orange haired teen's shocked gaze quickly darted to Nate,who just watched him amused.
"Wait-You're a shinigami too?!" Ichigo cried out, completely taken back by this sudden revelation.
A small chuckle came from Nate as he shrugged his shoulder shyly, "Yeah couldn't you tell?"
"Trust me, Ichigo won't of figured it if it stared him in the face." The Quincy mumbled loudly cause the boy in question to shoot him a glare.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean, Uryū?"
Nate watched as the two started to shout insults back and forth at each other very loudly, almost drowning out the sudden shout from behind the group.
"Shit! Please don't tell me I'm late!" A familiar female voice called out from over at the entrance of the training area.
Urahara's gaze flashed to approaching figure, who seemed like she discombobulated and just rolled out of bed.
"Well, there you are Ms. Nicolo. I was wondering where you ran off to." The shop owner stated the woman's name deliberately, making the American shinigami's heart jump at the sound of it .
"Kisuke you knew I was-Nicolo?" Sam stopped as she took notice of the second shinigami, whose back was to her and stood a few feet away from Kisuke. She frowned at the stranger repeating her name once more...the shinigami's voice sounded oddly familiar to her.
"Yeah, Nicolo is my/your last name."
The two recounted in unison as the shinigami quickly turned around to face the young woman.
Sam's eyes widen as she felt her knees shake slightly at the sight infront of her, her heart giving a jump as Nate's did as well.
"Sam…?"
"Nate..?"
There in front of both the strangers stood the one they had promised to get back home to.
Bodies soon collided as both the young man and woman ran into each other's arms and held each other tightly.
"Oh my god, Sam. It's really you. You're really here." Nate whispered into Sam's neck who clung to him tightly as she repressed a sob.
Sam nodded her head quickly refusing to open her eyes or let go of him in fear that he'd vanished from underneath her.
"Please tell me this is real. Please tell me you're really here." The young woman quietly begged as she pulled back, opening her eyes to see the face of the one she loved up close.
A warm hand fell on Sam's cheek as the shinigami cradled her face and nodded reassuringly.
"Yeah, I'm really here, Sam. I just can't believe you are."
Sam gave a tearful chuckle and pressed her lips to his passionately,both sharing a single thought.
'Thank god I'm not alone anymore.'
As the two pulled away from their kiss, a shout came from the peanut gallery.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" Ichigo cried out, bring the couple's attention back to them.
"What does it look like, Strawberry?" Sam remarked, quickly regaining her composure and sending a small glare at the orange haired shinigami.
Ichigo just began to stumbled over his words, while Nate chuckled softly, his gaze not leaving Sam.
"Well I think what Ichigo means is, who exactly are you?" The quiet question coming from Chad who had been silent up to this point.
"Oh...Well Im Sam Nicolo, I am a Quincy and was invited to help you guys with this mission by Kisuke." Sam declared, getting shocked faces from a larger portion of the group.
"Wait! You're a Quincy?!" Uryū uttered out in shock at the young woman's impossible statement.
The Quincy woman nodded, forming her bow in her right hand and showing it as proof to the shocked teen. "Yep, see. Quincy."
"Wow, so you are just like Uryū!" Orihime piped in, awe in her tone while Sam dispersed her Reishi bow.
The American Quincy nodded giving the high school girl a smile, "Yeah I guess you can say that, uhh- I'm sorry what's your name?"
Orihime blinked in surprise before breaking into a huge grin, bowing slightly, "My name is Orihime Inoue! This is Chad, the one in the white is Uryū and the other boy dressed as shinigami is Ichigo."
Sam nodded and gave a wave to both of the high schoolers she didn't know before glancing at Ichigo.
"Nice to see you again, Strawberry."
The orange haired shinigami shot an annoyed look at the female Quincy before looking away. "Yeah yeah, whatever Freckles."
Surprised at the random nickname, Sam just shrugged and glanced back at Nate who still had his arms around her waist. Questions ran through both their heads but before anyone else could speak Kisuke interjected.
"Well now that everyone is finally here I will explain the gate."
Silence passed through the group as they hung onto every word Kisuke said. All the information about the trip to the Soul Society was new to the group excluding the two foreigners who just act like they both didn't know a thing. Honestly Sam was paying attention a bit more since she wasn't as well versed in the show's details like Nate. So when she heard that the time limit to make it through was only four minutes, her heart dropped and grasped Nate's hand tighter. The Quincy woman's mind raced as she tried to think how in the world they could make it through the gate safely.
"Go forward." A familiar voice spoke up from behind the group making all heads turn to see the approaching cat.
"Mr. Yoruichi!" Orihime cried out in surprise as she saw the approaching feline.
Yoruichi's gaze fell onto the rag-tag group before drawing to a stop at the couple. It seemed Kisuke was right about those two, the feline quickly thought before continuing.
"Didn't I tell you? The heart and the soul are connected. The state of the heart is crucial. The will to go forward will be your guide." The feline glance at each member of the group as she spoke, "Have no doubt. Have no fear. Do not stop. Do not look back. Do not think of those you are leaving go forward. Those who can do that, follow me."
Heaviness hung in the air as the group tried to process what the feline said except for one.
"You're preaching to the choir! The moment we came here, all of our minds were made up!" Ichigo expressed stepping forward in front of the group.
Yoruichi glanced back at the confident Shinigami boy, her golden gaze focusing on Ichigo.
"Just so you understand,boy...if you lose you will never return to this world."
"Then I'll have to win!" The orange-haired teen responded back instantly without hesitation.
The feline's gaze narrowed at him before darting to the rest of the group, "Exactly."
The six kids and the feline stood in front of the four pillars gate as Kisuke stood by the one side,his gaze fixed on the group.
"Are you ready? Run in as soon as it opens."
The group gave a collect nod as the shop owner along with Tessai began to open the gate. A bright light flashed and distorted shout came from Urahara signaling time for the group to make a run for it. A quick shuffle of feet and the group stumbled into the gate, making their way for the Soul Society.
Well it looks like the big secret that Sam and Nate not only know each other but are in a relationship is finally revealed but be honest did any of you guys figure it out or not see it coming? I hope it wasnt too obvious and dont think its going to become super sappy and cliche cause I promise it will not. Both Sam and Nate will be developed as their own character and only certain moments focusing on their relationship. Also from this point on you will see either small or large changes in the plot caused by Sam's and Nate's interaction in this world. If you catch them all I will give you guys my love and a virtual cookie! See you guys next time!
~SQ