Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach just the idea for this story. I also don't own any of the song mentioned in this chapter cause if I did I would be filthy rich (O_O)
A/N: Alright if you want me to fix something in the story you need to let me know ASAP through a review. I would really like to hear opinions of the story from people. (gets on knees) Please review. Pretty, pretty, please? (does Chappy voice) Pwetty, Pwetty pwease? I won't strop until you do. (continues In the background with the Chappy voice)
Chapter 7
"Hey wake up, freeloader", a voice shouted.
"Shut up Jinta I got to sleep late so leave it be for awhile" I said in a muffled voice cause of the pillow.
Jinta walked out of the room and I heard him talking to someone but couldn't tell who it was. Not too long after he came back.
"Yoruichi says that if you don't get up shes gonna pull you outta bed and hang you upside down and use as a punching bag", he said confidently.
"Yeah I'd like to see her try".
"I heard that", Yoruichi said and grabbed my ankles.
As soon as she touched me she dropped my legs.
"What the hell was that for!?" she yelled.
"Told you", I said, "Now if you don't mind I would like to sleep".
"Ururu can you get Justin outta bed?"
"Sure thing Ms. Yoruichi", Ururu said as she walked in the room.
"Fine I'm getting up", I yelled, "Just let me wake up some more. I'll be out in a minute".
"Alright just be ready lo leave in five minutes".
"I can't I gotta stay here. Urahara left me in charge of the shop".
"Really? Urahara really must think highly of you to leave you in charge".
"Technically, he told me to watch Jinta and Ururu as well".
"Good cause I was planning on taking them too".
"Now you've got me interested. I'll be up as soon as I can".
Yoruichi left the room and I got up.
You know you should really hurry up because your just sitting there is wasting time.
Sorry Tempest I just need some time to my own thoughts without anyone looking at them with me.
Alright...Hey you stupid hollow that means you too.
Aw your no fun Tempest...You're not even curious?
Of course I am but he can get rid of us...remember?
You gotta point...
Tempest and my hollow walked to the other side of my inner world and started to have a conversation.
I sat there deep in my own thoughts thinking over why I decided to stay when I had the opportunity to go back to my real home. I sat there for all of three minutes and heard a knock on the door.
"Hey Justin come on", I heard Yoruichi say from the other side of the door, "We're gonna be late if you don't hurry up".
"Yeah, sorry", I said as I opened the door, "Let's go I'm a bit curious as to where were going".
"It's a surprise".
A surprise? Damn this curiosity of mine.
"At least I'm not a cat or this would be the death of me", I muttered under my breath.
"What?"
"Nothing".
We stepped outside and Jinta and Ururu were waiting.
"Now can we go?" Jinta asked.
"Yes Jinta", Yoruichi said, "Now we can go".
We started out for where ever we were going. I just followed Yoruichi seeing as she knew where we were going. We walked for about a half hour before Yoruichi stopped in front of a pizza place.
"Pizza?" I said with surprise "We went for pizza?"
"Yep, I thought that since you've been keeping up with your training that I might as well treat you to something".
"You've been watching haven't you?"
"Yeah I have. Your fighting style is very interesting to me. How did you develop it?"
"Well since were getting pizza I'll tell you over pizza and a strawberry sundae".
"You got it", Yoruichi said and walked into the pizza place.
How did she know that I liked pizza anyway?
That's a bit obvious isn't it?, Tempest asked.
No its not.
You TALK in your sleep!, my hollow yelled at me.
Can it asshole. Your such a jerk you know that, Tempest yelled and silenced him.
Alright cool it you two.
"Hey are you coming, Freeloader?" Jinta asked from the door.
"Yeah sorry I just was thinking about something".
"It seems like you do a lot of that".
I ignored his comment and walked past him into the pizza place. I found Yoruichi and sat down.
"I already ordered hope you don't mind", she said as I sat down.
"No thats fine", I replied and laid my head on the table.
Yoruichi leaned over.
"You know you seem a little down", she whispered in my ear.
"Don't worry about it", I said, "I'm fine"
"Alright but remember what I said last time".
"Yeah I'll remember".
Not to long after the pizza came and we started eating.
"Alright, Justin, now that the pizzas here you told me that you would tell how you developed your style".
"Right, I was developed originally as a way to get out my anger but eventually became a skill that I can use to defend myself against multiple styles of martial arts. You see I researched the different kinds of martial arts and I developed a style that was sort of a mix of everything".
"So you developed it for anger management and it became some thing else".
"Yeah pretty much. But the thing is I want to be able to fight without relying on my brute strength all the time".
"That I can help with", Yoruichi said, " I can teach you to use shunko".
"That would be a great help".
After the conversation the waiter brought four strawberry sundaes to the table.
"Its been a while since I've had a sundae like this", I said with a little bit of pain in my voice.
Yoruichi looked a me and started to say something but then stopped once I took a bite of the sundae. I ate the sundae in silence while Jinta and Yoruichi had a small conversation.
How could I have thought that I could eat this without having any remorse.
Whatcha talking about kid? My hollow asked.
Let me talk to him about since you don't know how to be nice about anything, Tempest said.
Fine just let me know what he says afterwards, the hollow said and disappeared to the other side of my inner world.
Tempest turned back to me and sat down.
So what are you talking about?
Well I don't really want to talk about it but since you asked. The last time I ate a strawberry sundae I had been eating it when I found out about my friends death. I stopped eating them because of it and now since I'm having fun I nearly forgot but since I have it I might as well eat it, right?
If it hurts you that much you really shouldn't eat it.
Yeah but Yoruichi went through all this trouble to do this for me.
Exactly but she didn't know so who cares if you don't eat it?
I do. I've always made a habit of not throwing my food away.
Well then finish it. Just remember that you need to have fun and you can't stop doing something because you got hurt emotionally while doing that thing. Do you think that if you always stopped doing something because of another thing you could just shut out the feelings? It doesn't work that way cause if it did then nothing would ever get done and the world wouldn't progress.
Your right thanks Tempest.
No problem just don't always get yourself down.
"Hey Justin are you alright?"
"Um.. yeah I'm fine. I was just thinking about something. Sorry about not being too into this, Yoruichi".
"Not feeling well?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now".
"Alright I'll let it go then. For now".
I finished my sundae then got up and stepped outside.
"Excuse me Mr. Moocher, are you sure your alright?", Ururu said.
"I'm fine Ururu. Go back inside".
Ururu went back inside.
About twenty minutes later Yoruichi and the two kids came out.
"Hey Justin. Were going, come on".
"Alright, Yoruichi".
We went back to the shop. Ururu and Jinta went inside and I started to follow. Yoruichi stopped and grabbed my arm.
"You know you still look kinda down. Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"Maybe later but not right now".
"I have nothing to do for the rest of the day so why don't we talk about it?"
"Like I said maybe later".
"Alright I'll just hang around until then. Oh and just to let you know I can already tell when you delve into your inner world and talk to your zanpakuto and hollow".
"I thought that you could and I've been trying to suppress my reiatsu when I do because I noticed that it flares up when I drop into my inner world".
"That's how I can tell".
"Oh I didn't think of that".
"Don't worry about it though its natural to try and suppress your reiatsu".
Thank goodness she hasn't noticed. Although I still can't believe she hasn't seeing as I've tried to show her so many times. But then again maybe she has noticed! Why am I trying so hard to hide my feelings? Oh well forget it.
Yoruichi let go of my arm and I walked inside. I headed to my room and threw myself on the bed.
Was it really a good idea to get a limiter before coming here? Especially since I'm not really part of any of the Divisions? Oh well at least Captain-Commander Yamamoto was nice enough to fulfill my request.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Justin, its John can I come in?"
"No go away!"
"Alright but I'm coming back later".
"Fine whatever, who cares. Just leave me alone".
John walked back towards the front of the shop.
"Hey Yoruichi did something happen today?" he asked.
"Not that I can tell. But he's been kinda down since we went and got pizza".
"Yeah that's definitely not like him he loves pizza".
"I'll try and find out what's going on but I'm not going to push him any more right now since I've already asked him about it".
--Back in the room--
I've lain here long enough. I guess I should get up and do something.
I got up and walked to the door. I put my hand on the door knob and stopped. I stood there for a few minutes then came back to my senses and opened the door. I walked to the front of the shop and Yoruichi had her head lying on the table I walked over to her and noticed that she was asleep.
She must have gotten bored or something. I shouldn't but Urahara has some sake around here somewhere.
"Don't go looking for the sake".
""Aw damn you were awake?"
"Nope but I'm a light sleeper".
"That figures. But how did you know I was after the sake?"
"You had a look of curiousness on your face".
"Damn you can read body language well".
"Of course it's just something that has always been easy for me".
Great she's probably noticed then. Damn it oh well since she hasn't said anything about it she still may have not.
"Got something on your mind?"
"Not really".
"Don't wanna talk about it?"
"No! Damn it I wish people would just understand that this is how I deal with my problems!"
"I get it but that's not very good for your sanity".
"Since when did you become a psychiatrist? Just leave me alone".
Before she could say anything I dropped a note that I didn't think I would have to use as I flash stepped to the roof and then away from the area totally.
Yoruichi picked up the note and read it
The note said: "Take care of the kids and the shop. I went somewhere where I can think".
"Man he sure has a short fuse".
"Who's got a short fuse?" Ichigo asked as he walked in.
"Justin does. Unfortunately for him that's not a good thing especially when he has to control a hollow as well as an over bearing zanpakuto".
"He's got a hollow too?"
"Oops I guess I let that one slip I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. But I'm surprised that you hadn't noticed".
"As am I", Uryu said as he walked in.
"So what's with all people coming here? You guys should know that Urahara isn't even here".
"I came because I thought that I could get a little more information out of him about his powers", Uryu said before Ichigo could even open his mouth.
"Yeah well he's not here", Yoruichi said, "Thanks for coming though… I want you to tail him and see if you can find out where he's going and what he's doing".
"Why don't you just follow him yourself Yoruichi?" Ichigo asked.
"He knows my reiatsu pattern to well so He could tell its me. And Ichigo this job is better suited for Uryu".
"W-why?" Uryu asked in surprise.
"Well you can mask your reiatsu right?"
"Yeah but...."
"He can't know that your following him or else he may attack you".
"Why would he attack Uryu?" Ichigo asked.
"He seems like he just wants to be left alone but I can't help but wonder what would happen to him if we do leave him alone".
"I see your worried about him" a voice said and Yoruichi jumped.
"Urahara! I thought you were gonna be gone for at least another day".
"I was but something didn't seem right so I came back. I guess I was right in coming back", Urahara said as he walked in and sat down, "So why are you so worried about him anyway he can take care of himself?"
"Thats none of your business" Yoruichi said with a bit of a tremble in her voice.
"Right. So why don't since I'm home you go after him yourself?"
"Alright fine I guess it would do me some good to remember how to mask my reiatsu".
"Why don't you just use your cat form, he hasn't seen it has he?"
"I don't think he has so I might as well. But I won't be able to catch up with him if I am a cat the entire time".
"So Ichigo can carry you at least half way then".
"W-why me hat n' clogs?" Ichigo asked.
"Cause I just got home and I don't want to anyway".
"Fine".
Yoruichi changed into her cat form and Ichigo picked her up and walked outside.
"Alright which way Yoruichi?" Ichigo asked with a bit of distaste on his voice.
"Head east for awhile and I'll tell you when to put me down".
Ichigo flashed stepped off towards the east.
After about an hour of running Ichigo stopped.
"I guess I didn't have to tell you to stop", Yoruichi said.
"Yeah well I'm tired let it go" Ichigo snapped.
"Whoa you don't have to bite my head off. I just meant that I was gonna head out on my own to find Justin".
"Fine I'm gonna rest here and then head back to Hat n' Clogs' place".
"Right have fun" Yoruichi said as she started off.
"I was just about to say the same thing myself".
"Hey" Uryu called.
"Uryu whats up?" Ichigo said.
"Somethings not right he took some of his extra clothes with him".
Yoruichi stopped.
"But Uryu he didn't have any extra clothes with him", she said.
"Urahara got him some and I made him some. And some of them are gone".
"Great, that means he was planning on being gone for awhile" Ichigo said.
"Yeah and I should have noticed this awhile ago but he's running slower than he did in Soul Society".
"Slower? Is that possible?" Uryu asked.
"Yes. There is a special limiter that will not only decrease the reiatsu given off and used but it also limits the speed of the Shinigami using the limiter".
"But how would he have gotten a hold of a limiter like that?" Ichigo asked.
"There's only one Division that actually uses it and it happens to be the First Division when Captain Yamamoto fights in the World of the Living. But that hasn't been for a very long time so I'm surprised that it was still available".
"Of course it's still available it has to be for emergencies" a new voice chimed in.
"D-dad?" Ichigo said then noticed the Shinigami robes, "Your a Shinigami!? How long..."
"Don't interrupt, Ichigo", Yoruichi said, "I was wondering when you would use your powers again, Isshin, please continue".
"Hm... lets see the only way for this kid to actually have the limiter would be for him to have asked Captain Yamamoto for the limiter directly".
"But why would he need the limiter?" Uryu asked.
"Just his reiatsu itself could tear apart Karakura Town", Yoruichi said.
"I thought that he was strong but not that strong!" Uryu gasped.
"Too many different people with this high of a reiatsu just makes for a good target", I said from a tree, "You guys didn't really do a good job of hiding your reiatsu".
"Justin how long have you been there?" Yoruichi said.
"Long enough to hear about how you think I got the limiter. Which by the way when Mr. Kurosaki said that I asked Yamamoto-taichou for the limiter he hit the nail right on the head".
"So your using honorifics now?" Urahara asked as he walked up.
"Just when I feel like it".
"I see. I think that we should leave Justin and the cute little kitty alone right now".
"Urahara, did you just call me cute and little!?" Yoruichi yelled.
"Sorry I forgot. It won't happen again".
"It better not".
Urahara, Isshin, Uryu, and Ichigo left me and Yoruichi alone in the alcove.
"Justin?" Yoruichi said after five minutes of silence.
"What?" I replied.
"What are you running from?"
"I'm not running from anything. Why can't people understand that?"
"Well technically right now I'm a cat".
"Whatever, you know what I mean".
"Your right. I'm sorry. Well if your not running from anything then what is going on in your head? Something is obviously bothering you".
"I still don't want to talk about it just let it go".
"And like I said before I'm not going to leave you alone until you tell me".
"Why do you even care about it? I haven't known for a month and you act like your my freaking lover or something!"
"Why!? Why!? Because maybe you need it. Didn't you ever think about that!"
"Yoruichi...." I muttered and then rose my voice, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you it's just that over this past month I've been thinking about someone and a promise that I made to them. A promise that I can't even keep anymore".
Yoruichi calmed down and looked over at me and noticed tears welling up in my eyes.
"Justin, don't cry. I just can't stand it when people yell at me".
Yoruichi walked behind me and transformed back into her human form. She grabbed me from behind and hugged me. At first I hadn't noticed that she had transformed back but when I did I grabbed her hands.
"Yoruichi behind the tree thats right behind us theres a bag of clothes. I would really appreciate it if you would put on and outfit please".
"Fine. I'll be back".
She walked behind the tree and found the bag of clothes.
That was close I'm glad that I brought those clothes with me. If I hadn't I probably would have said something that would have earned me a slap.
"Is this better?"
I turned and saw that she had put on a pair of the cargo pants that I had and a black t-shirt that Urahara had got for me.
"Yeah thats better. Thank you".
"Your welcome. Now would you please tell me whats that was about?"
"I'd rather not".
"Alright".
I walked up to Yoruichi's side and lifted my hand to her shoulder.
"You know I never told you back in Soul Society but you really are a very comforting person. But somethings just need to be left alone".
Comforting? Did he just say I'm comforting?, Yoruichi thought.
"I'm not ready to come back quite yet. So if you could just head back I'll follow when I am", I continued, "It won't be too long but it won't be today".
I lightly kissed her on the cheek and flash stepped away from her.
So that's why he's a little bit different around me, Yoruichi said to herself, When you come back I'm gonna use this against you.
Yoruichi flash stepped all the way back to Urahara's place and walked in.
"Ah Yoruichi your back. How did it go?" Urahara asked.
"He'll be back when he wants too", she replied.
"So how long do you think that will be?"
"Who knows from what he said it could be tomorrow or sometime within the next week. He told me that he wouldn't be coming back today at least but he would be back soon".
"So what do we...", Urahara started to say but Yoruichi wasn't listening and walked right by him.
"I'm gonna just wait until he comes back I'm going to go to sleep", she said, "And don't bother me until he comes back".
"Hm...that a new one for you".
"What a new one?"
"You don't wanna be bothered until he comes back. Did something happen between you two?"
"No and if something did happen I would tell you".
"Aw why not?"
"Because your perverted mind would twist it and tell everyone you know".
"I would never".
"Yes you would don't lie".
Before Urahara could say anything Yoruichi flash stepped to her room and shut the door.
Geez that guy sure can pry. One of these days he'll regret ever prying into Justin's business, we all will if Justin gets out of control.
Yoruichi walked to her bed and laid down.
Justin's right why do I care so much? Maybe it's just my nature. But then again I've never really cared much for anyone before. Ugh, all of this is exhausting.
Yoruichi stared at the ceiling until she fell asleep.
--In the main room--
"Urahara are you here?" Isshin said as he stood at the door of the shop.
Urahara got up and Isshin in.
"Ah I was wondering when you would get here".
"I came as soon as I noticed Yoruichi was back but that's kinda hard to do when my son has such a high reiatsu. Anyway what did Yoruichi say about Justin?"
"She said he'd be back when he wanted too".
"Really? Interesting. You know Ichigo said something about her asking Uryu to follow Justin".
"Yeah that got me interested too. It seems that she's got someone to care for".
"But why is the thing?"
"Who knows maybe one of these days we'll find out".
There was a knock on the door.
"Come on in it's open" Urahara called out.
Luke and John walked in and stood next to Isshin.
"How are you Mr. Kurosaki?" Luke asked Isshin.
"I'm fine but a I'm bit worried for Yoruichi she seems a bit different but I can't tell how and neither can Urahara".
"Hey Luke is that Ichigo's dad?" John asked.
"Yes John thats a bit obvious isn't it?"
"Right my bad".
"So Luke, John what brings you boys here at this time of night?" Urahara said to break the silence.
"Well Justin was supposed to hang with us tonight but he never showed up", Luke answered.
"Yeah, he's kinda got something on his mind and won't talk to anyone about it and he left town to deal with it. I don't even know when he'll be back either".
"Oh well thats unfortunate".
"Will you let us know when he gets back?" John asked.
"Of course".
"Thanks. Come on Luke I wanna get some sleep before school tomorrow".
"Right come on".
"Hey when did you guys get a place?"
"Yesterday afternoon", Luke said, "Yoruichi was supposed to surprise Justin and bring him to the house but they never came like I said".
"Alright see you tomorrow then".
"Yeah goodnight Urahara" Luke and John said almost simultaneously.
"Goodnight Isshin".
"Goodnight boys. Well Urahara I guess I should be off then".
Urahara nodded, "Yeah you should get home you got kids to take care of. Oh you know you should stop by for some sake sometime".
"I may just take you up on that offer one of these days".
Isshin left and headed home.
I guess I should go check on Yoruichi, Urahara thought, she seemed like she just wanted to think but I should still check.
Urahara walked to Yoruichi's door knocked and opened the door enough too she if she was alright.
Good she's asleep thats one less thing I have to worry about.
As he was about to shut the door he noticed an object resting on the bed next to Yoruichi's head. He tiptoed over to the bed and noticed that it was a wrapped gift.
Well I wonder who left this here, he thought when sensed a flash step and walked to the window. Urahara looked out the window and saw no one but still gripped Benihime in a defensive manner.
"Urahara what are you doing in my room?" Yoruichi asked.
"Sorry I thought I should check on you and I sensed something outside so I just went to the nearest window which just happened to be yours".
"Right... are you satisfied with what you saw?"
"No because I think Justin left you something and then left".
Yoruichi looked down and saw the gift I had left for and she picked it up. Under it was a card that when she saw it she picked it up. She opened the card and read it to herself.
Yoruichi if I decide not to come back promise that you'll think of me and remember to tell my brother that I'm sorry if I don't come back.
Yoruichi opened the gift to find a picture of me framed in the best frame that I could buy. Yoruichi began to look of into space forgetting the Urahara was still in the room.
"Yoruichi are you alright?" he asked.
"He might not come back Urahara".
"Did something happen between you and Justin?"
"No but I think he really hopes that something would happen".
"Well I think that you should go after him if he doesn't come back".
"Why bother?"
"I read the card. He wants you to come after him Yoruichi".
"But what if he doesn't? Can you guarantee that he won't hurt me?"
"Yeah I can. The tone of the card when he asked you to remember him said 'I don't want to hurt your feelings' and 'Don't hate me'. So he wouldn't even think about it".
"Alright if he doesn't come back within the next month then I'll go after him".
"Good to hear. Just don't get used to this little pep talk stuff. It probably won't happen again".
"Yeah I know you Urahara".
"Thats good", Urahara said as he walked out of the room.
Justin what going on in your mind? Why can't you just let it out? Oh well I should get more sleep.
Yoruichi laid back down and went back to sleep.
--20 miles away--
Yoruichi, I don't know what you think about me right now but what I'm doing is the best for me right now.
I was sitting in a tree no far from where I had kissed Yoruichi. Even though the tree wasn't very comfortable I ended up falling asleep.
"So what do you think?"
"Eh, who cares love is crap anyway"
"No it's not it's nice even though it can be boring at times".
"Will you two shut up!?" I shouted.
Wait a minute why the hell are they...
"So you wanna know why were not sounding like we're in your head?", Tempest asked.
"Yeah that would be nice", I replied.
"Welcome to your Inner World", my Hollow sneered.
"What the hell am I doing here?"
"Tempest pulled you in here so she could talk to you" my Hollow replied.
"Don't put this all on me asshole you had to help get him here remember?" Tempest said as she hit the Hollow on the back of the head.
"Damn it woman, I'm sorry geez".
"You'd better be".
"Hey, You know I would like to get some sleep before the morning", I interrupted.
"Sorry" they both said simultaneously.
"Now what is it that you wanna say Tempest?" I asked.
"Right um... I don't know how to put this but..." Tempest started
"Oh for crying out loud you take forever. Justin tell Yoruichi how you feel or I'll take over and kill her first".
"How will you do that I thought that you and Tempest were pretty much equal", I said.
"Your love gives me strength, Justin", Tempest said with a shiver in her voice, "If you hold it back from someone then you'll lose strength when I do".
"Then I take over and you'll cease to exist!" my Hollow shouted in glee.
"I'm tired do you think you guys could let me sleep?"
"Sure you'll need it", Tempest said then turned to my Hollow, "Release your part of the seal so I can release my part".
"Alright" he said and released the seal.
"Good night Justin" I heard Tempest say before they disappeared from my sight.
I was able to get five hours of sleep before a local officer came and made me leave. I decided that I would wait until the sun came up before heading back to Urahara's.