"How are we gonna get there?"
Rins voice came over the radio. "Through the desert, of course!"
Rukia sighed. "We all know that. The only question is if they will have some way of seeing us."
Rins nodded. "True. There isn't much cover, either. This is going to be tough..."
Sakura's voice came on, sounding panicked. "What are those things?"
Rukia's eyes widened. "What things? Where?"
"Two hairy, masked things. About 12 meters due north."
Rukia raised the binoculars Sakura gave her. It can't be... Ai-
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
Rukia's thoughts were interrupted as a hollow suddenly appeared behind her. She drew her sword just in time to block the hollow's claws. The surprised screams she heard over her radio told her that Rins and Sakura had shared a similar experience.
Sakura's question could just barely be heard over the hollow's roar. "What the hell is this thing?!"
"It's a hollow!" Rukia jumped out of the way of her assailant's swinging claw. "From their appearance, I'd say we have already been spotted!"
Rins' voice came on. "What do we do?!"
Rukia blocked the hollow's third swing, then spun around it's arm to the outside. She jumped over it's back and swung down on it's head. With a pained roar, the hollow lunged into the air and ran away. "I say we don't have much choice... We have to go into the desert."
"What?!" Sakura's reply was muted by the sound of her attacker's pained roar.
"I agree with Rukia-san. We have- ugh!"
"Rins? Rins, are you all right?!"
Gunshots came over the radio. "I'm... fine. Damn! This thing won't die!"
"On the count of three, we run into the desert!"
"If you say so..." Sakura's hesitation was clear, but then none of them wanted to go into the desert.
"One... Three!"
"What happened to two?!"
"Just run!"
7 - Broken Mask and Full Metal
"Ya wanted me?"
"Yes... I want a second opinion. Take a look at this."
"Ooh... It's not like ya ta ask someone else fa help."
The man in the ornate chair laughed to himself. "I'm not asking for help. I'm asking for verification."
"Ain't they the same thing?"
"Just take a look and tell me what you see."
The man made a great show of struggle. "Hm... I see... Sum sand... The night sky... That peculiar crescent moon we're always stuck wit... And... Oh! I see what yer talkin' about! It looks we're bein' invaded."
"Heh. Look closer. That is not the case. These three women are simply on a reconnaissance mission. However, we could be discovered if we do not move quickly. I trust you know what to do."
The man smiled widely. "Yes... I'm just serprised that you asked me ta do it..."
"I could send someone else."
"You're very cruel, Aizen-taichou."
The smiling man left, leaving Aizen to watch the women run across the desert of Hueco Mundo.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I can't believe I agreed to this."
"Relax, Ichigo-san... We're almost there."
"Actually guys, we are there."
Ichigo smiled wide. "Really?"
"Yep! All we have to do is go inside and order it."
"Then go on!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'm going to get it?"
"You're the one who wants it!"
"You're the ones who owe me!"
"I nominate Ichigo-san!"
Ichigo glared at Train. "Bastard."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ichigo found himself in line behind a short guy with long blond hair tied into a ponytail and, what appeared to be a suit of armor. Ichigo found himself wondering what he had done to deserve this.
"What can I get ya, little guy?"
The... kid? Yeah, the kid slammed his hands on the counter. "Little?!"
"Oh... Ed... Calm down..."
Ichigo looked around for the source of the slightly whiny voice.
The little guy spun and confronted the suit of armor. "Al! How can you just sit by and watch as she calls me little?!"
"But you are little, big brother..."
Ichigo's eyes widened as he realized the whiny voice was coming from the suit of armor.
"Ahh! Everyone's against me! Next thing I know, some stupid blond ninja in orange will call me tiny!" Ed turned back to the lady behind the counter. "I'll have an Ultimate Ramen!"
"'K. It'll be out in a sec, but..."
"But, what?"
"Are you sure you can eat it all? It might be a little much for a little guy like you."
Ed threw his arms up and prepared to jump over the counter to attack the woman. Al grabbed Ed and pulled his brother away from the counter. "I'm sorry about my big brother! He doesn't like being called little. We'll just wait over here."
Ichigo stepped up to the counter before the lady could respond to the suit of armor. "One Ultimate Ramen."
"What can I get ya today, hun?"
Ichigo's eye twitched. "One. Ultimate. Ramen."
"What'll you have?"
Ichigo could feel his whole body starting to shake. "An Ulitmate Ramen."
"Here's a menu if you aren't sure."
Ichigo had a barely controllable urge to hit the woman. "I know what I want."
"Oh. Well then, what'll you have?"
Ichigo wanted to rip his own hair out.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I wonder what's taking him so long?"
"You wanna find out?"
"I like the way you think, Naruto-kun. I don't know why Ichigo-san doesn't like you."
Train and Naruto made their way to the double doors of the restaurant. Naruto put on a dramatic voice just before they opened the doors. "Once we open these doors, there's no going back."
"Ooh, I quite agree. But let's go in anyway."
Naruto stared at Train, dumbfounded. Was Train really so stupid, or-
"Are you coming?"
Naruto looked up and found the doors already open and Train already inside. "Yeah! Wait up!"
They passed through the doors and the peace and quiet of the outside was broken.
"I want an Ulitmate Ramen, dammit!"
"You want an Ultimate Ramen, dammit what?"
"You crazy loon. I would like an Ultimate Ramen, please."
"Was that so hard? It'll be- Oh..."
"What?"
"It appears that those two gentlemen got the last one."
"WHAT?!" Ichigo spun around to see Naruto running towards Ed and Al. "You mean, this tiny man with a ponytail got my life's dream?!"
Ed looked up. "I knew it! I told you a stupid blond ninja in orange would call me little and short and tiny and minuscule!"
Ichigo laughed. "I don't think Naruto even knows the word minuscule."
"And... You only said a stupid blond ninja in orange would call you tiny!"
"Enough of the "stupid blond ninja" stuff! You stole my ramen! Prepare to die! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Ed looked on with mild amusement as Naruto started spinning the air in Naruto's hand. "Rasengan!"
Ed's eyes widened as Naruto charged at him with spiraling air in his hand. He clapped his hands together and hit the table. Electricity crackled and the table was mostly transformed into a wooden barrier.
Naruto hit it head on and started breaking through. Ed, seeing that his barrier was failing leaned back on his chair and placed his feet on the base of the wooden table. He kicked off just as Naruto broke through. Naruto flew harmlessly over him and Ed waved with a smug smile on his face. He knew Naruto couldn't redirect himself. Naruto glared as he flew past Ed. Ed sat up just in time to see Naruto crash into the wall.
The woman behind the counter came up to them, carrying a tray with a large bowl on it. "Here's your Ultimate Ramen, son. Enjoy." Ed took the tray and the woman walked back to the counter.
"Thanks." Ed took the chopsticks and started eating. Suddenly, Naruto burst out of the wall, another Rasengan in his hand.
"Get your hands off of my ramen, you bastard!"
TO BE CONTINUED...
I hope you continue to read. There is all sorts of wacky stuff ahead. Remember, it's not the story's fault it took so long.
Also, I don't own Bleach, Black Cat, Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist, or any of the other anime in this story.
