Destructive Recovery Chapter 10: Being stalked, a bleach fanfic

A/N- I gotta admit Im having fun messing with Ichi-chans sanity lol ^.^

Chp # 10- Being stalked

He could feel it, it was there right now trailing him like it had been for last few days. Ichigo knew it was there, it didn't matter if he was the only who ever saw it in the act.

That little white creature was following him. Ichigo tried his best to clear his mind and think rationally. Rangiku had come to him about an hour ago an told him to come to tenth in a little while, after the captains meeting today. Which Ichigo was currently on the way to. He was walking down one of the open halls in his division, minding his own business when that feeling came over him.

The feeling of little tiny yellow eyes following him, those little tiny feet padding silently after him. He couldn't really explain it, there was no reitsu behind him, no sign of another soul....but it was there. This feeling of paranoia had began to plague him ever since that mouse had started stalking him. Now Ichigo Kurosaki wasn't stupid like everyone sometimes thought, dense definitely but not stupid. He knew how the idea that a mouse was stalking him sounded, absolutely insane.

But than even if no one else saw it, it still doesn't change the fact he did. The orange haired captain whirled around sharply, he held his breath slightly at seeing its round little form hault as he had stopped. His amber brown eyes narrowed at it glaring, it stared right back at him. The small creatures whiskers moving about as its little nose collected nearby scents.

Ichigo just continued to look at the tiny vermin.....and stared, for a long time. And the little mouse stared right back.

" Would you stop following me ! Your making look like a freaking nut job ! Dammit " he raised his voice at the mouse. The little creature just cocked its head to the side, as if it didn't understand.

This only further infuriated Ichigo. " You little bastard I KNOW you can understand me ! Im warning to quit trailing me or Im going to start laying mouse traps all over the division ! " he theartened.

A passing squad member watched the exchange from a distance, clearly worried about her captains sanity.

The rather new member decided she really didn't want to be apart of her captains hallucinations and slowly walked away.

The mouse it seemed either didn't understand his threat or wasn't worried because it continued sitting there looking cute, with its stark white fur and twitchy nose.

What really pissed him off is the mouse had shown itself to practically all of his division, but no one ever saw it in the act of following him. Like it was choosing to mock his sanity. Hell his division had seen the creature so often they deciede to name it, according to his beloved wife the mouse was called Chappy. And to make matters worse Rukia had told him NOT to harm squad fives new mascot. According to her Chappy was a very good mouse.

Chappy would appear in the cornors when a division member was feeling down and cheer them up with its cuteness, or most commonly it would come during trianing sessions. And Chappy never left any holes in the wall or got into any of the food, or even defecated in the division. Ichigo had tried in vain to tell Rukia those things are exactly what made the mouse suspicious.

It didn't ACT like a mouse. It mostly appeared to the division during their training practices, and wacthed them...closely like it was scoping out the divisions power. But Rukia just dismissed his perfectly plausible explanation.....it was so strange.

Meanwhile the staring contest continued.

High above him Ichigo didn't even realize a pair of eyes watching his insanity with curiosity. Tain had thought he finally escaped the captain, since he was last almost discovered.

So when he heard yelling that sounded alot like the captains, he logically asumed Ichigo was yelling at HIM.

Tain was surprised that he was actually seeing one of the now famous bouts of captain Kurosaki's insanity. " Well what do yea know. He really does think theres a mouse stalking him. " Tain muttered to himself lazily. So far he had heard the captain both adress and threaten air, because that's all that Ichigo was facing. There really wasn't a mouse there, unless of course it was a phantom rodent.

After a while Tain heard more of Ichigo's delusional argument with the imaginary creature. " Look you little fur ball, I don't care if the division likes you. " his voice wasn't exactly yelling but it also wasn't quiet, so Tain could hear him pretty well. " That's not a reason to follow me ! "

The sun glasses wearing shinigami blanched.......He's talking...to the imaginary mouse. Wow the captain really IS loseing it

Tain decided it was rather pathetic seeing the famous Ichigo Kurosaki in this state. And up until this moment the new Shinigami had alot respect for the famous Ichigo Kurosaki. And if Tain wanted to save what ever little respect for the berry head he had left he had to call the captain on his insanity issue.

" Captain Kurosaki could you stop talking to animals that aren't there, that way I can continue to sleep " Tain called out making sure his voice was loud enough to be carried to Ichigo.

Ichigo immediately turned to face the sudden voice.

Ichigo spotted a lone Shinigami, lying on his front head proped up with his hands, looking right at him. Ichigo was more than startled he didn't even sense this guy. And he had been here the whole freaking time, listening to Ichigo argue with a creature no one else could see .

Ichigo scowled before shunpoeing up to the roof beside the man that called out to him. Ichigo now beside the division member looked down on his still lying form. Tain turned around so he was lying on his back, able to see the captains permanently scowling face looking at him. Most new division members would be rather intimidated by the scowl Ichigo was giving him, but just he shrugged it off.

The brown haired soul returned Ichigo's scowl with loop sided smile. " Hello captain sir. Enoying this fine day ? " Tain inquired voice sounding bored and light.

Ichigo's eyes narrowed at this guy, the captain couldn't believe that he couldn't sense this man at all. Sure he wasn't known for his ability with searching out and identifying reitsu but he knew enough.

" Who the hell are you and what are you doing up here " Ichigo wasn't in the greatest mood after his arguement with that cocky little rodent. Tains smile vanished and his mouth turned into a wavering little frown....like a child about to cry and his voice matched. " Captain Im so hurt that you don't know my name " he cried dramactically. Ichigo scoffed at the man.

" Start talking " Ichigo demanded.

Tains smile slowly crept back onto his hidden features. " Alright Im Tain of squad five....unseated. And I was currently ignoring all my squad duties and sleeping on this roof, before your loud delusional arguement awoke me from fitful slumber " the young looking shinigami answered his captain with no malice at all.

Ichigo looked like was just slapped in the face. Tain just looked at his captain critically trying to figure out why ichigo'd face turned so suddenly. " Don't worry captain sir, I promise I won't tell anyone of your developing insanity. You know, that your actually conversing with the alleged stalking mouse " his smile never left. But Tains smile was much different than the late Gin Ichimaru. Gins was really creepy, like supremely creepy. It made practically everyone uncomfortable.

Tains neerly constant smile, was just that, a smile. It didn't have a double meaning like Gins, it wasn't creepy, just there.

Ichigo meanwhile couldn't believe this new information. This guy Tain...was unseated, there was no way he couldn't be. There is just no way someone as weak as an unseated officer would be able to hide there presence from a captain class. Not only that but this guy had the guts to openly admit to his own captain that he was blatantly ignoring work in favour of sleeping.

Well..at least he's honest Ichigo argued with himself.

" Tain right, look just get to work dammit " Ichigo ordered, Ichigo did not want Rukia to find out that division members were slacking. Hell this guy was slacking even worse than Rangiku. At least she showed up, than left. Tain who was still lying on his back looking up at Ichigo didn't respond meerly faced his captain. Unfortunately for Ichigo Tains face couldn't be read. After all most of his face was covered by those ridiculously big sunglasses.

After a few more minutes Ichigo got annoyed. " Look quit freaking staring at me "

" Umm captain, correct me if Im wrong...but isn't there a meeting going on now? " Tain inquired attaching a yawn to the end of his sentence.

Ichigo's whole face fell, as he absorbed the much lower ranking shinigami's words. How long had that summons been now. About 20 or so minutes sounded right..... Ichigo didn't even adress the man, Tain as he shunpoed as quickly as he was able the first division.

Tain just smiled after him, watching him disppear. After he was sure his captain was long gone Tain looked down at the spot where Ichigo was yelling at the mouse. And smile fell from his face, the truth was he knew his captain wasn't crazy. There on the ground looking straight up at him was a little white mouse. Even though Tain could also see it, didn't mean he was going to broadcast it. Besides its more fun lettting the captain think he's crazy he thought joyously, before shunpoeing off to find a new place to sleep.

Even though this issue was a days old already, he couldn't let it go.

Mainly because Toushiro found himself bent over scrubing this immpossible stain, no matter what cleaning solution he used it wouldn't come out. So yeah he was still upset with the women who caused this, added to the fact that she hadn't been into work since than, and she should be the one doing this not him.

Little did Rangiku know, that the stain was still there, she thought it would be safe to return now. So she strolled into the office casually of course. But stopped dead when she the massive black stain still embedded in the wooden floor. Toushiro senseing her turned deathly slowly to face her, sending a infamous glare which was only intensified by the dull look in his eyes.

She gulped nervously " Hello Captain, I see that little ol' mess of mine is still there ".

He didn't say anything in response just turned his glare to the stain, as if he glared at it long enough it would disapear.

Normally this kind of silence would be bad, however there was no cold chill in the room, no temperature drop. That ment she was pretty much off the hook even he was obviously supremely annoyed. So the busty women sat on the sofa and watched him scrub the floor furiously. It was the perfect time to get her problems off her abnormally large chest.

" So, Captain I met this guy at Teddies yesterday " she started.

" Matsumoto I already told you a multitude of times Im not going ' whack ' the bar folk that hit on you " his voice was a monotone.

Rangiku just blinked...she doesn't ask him to take care of that many bar folk, when they won't stop harrassing her....does she. The exubrent blonde choose to just shrug that off for now.

" No, no captain this ones not on the hit list...yet. Anywho it's odd he says he's in Ichigo-kuns squad, but I never heard of him. And I went through the records this morning and apparently theres' no such shinigami. I was hoping you could help me captain " She explained.

While he continues his rough scrubbing motions he sighed in defeat " What's his name? "

" He didn't give me a last name, but his first name his Tain...he was really strange, he wore these HUGE sun glasses. Im not kidding they were so big they covered half his face.....I wonder if he's blind, next time I see him I'll have to ask. "

Rangiku waited for a few moments for a response, but when none came she looked over at him. Toushiro was frozen in place, not literally but he was so still you would think he was. " Captain? You okay...did you get that stain? " She asked, curious if he finally defeated the evil stain that wouldn't disappear. But that theory proved false.

.........." Tain "............His voice was quiet like he was contemplating something.

Ichigo was racing as fast as he possibly could, he was in for it now. He was late...that was understatement.

It toke about 5 minutes for him to reach the door, he let out a long breath, and the door flew open for him. A line of very irritated captains was looking right at him, the head captain sitting in his chair while the rest were lined up in two parrallel lines infront of him towards each sides. The entire meeting hall was unusually silent as Ichigo strolled in, he looked at each captain none looked all that pleased.

The captains had been stressed with these pranks and they were all stretched a little thin.

" Captain Kurosaki, would you like to enlighten us as to why you decieded to be over 20 minutes late to the meeting " Yammamoto's voice was harsh and stern as it always was, but Ichigo could hear the old man was not happy. Ichigo knew he had to rectify the situation...but what could he say ' sorry sir I was arueing with this mouse that's been stalking me' he knew that wouldn't go well.

" Well sir you see umm....someone had been following me and I was trying to lose them. I guess I forgot about the meeting. Than I found one of my division members who was completely blowing off work and well yeah..that's the story " Ichigo replied knowing his answer was rather weak but praying the other captains left it alone.

Yamamoto raised an ancient brow in question " Oh really this stalker than...who is it captain Kurosaki "

Shit ! He knows Ichigo thought angrily. The strawberry didn't answer. Ichigo wasn't a liar so from this point on he coudln't say anything that wouldn't reveal his sliping sanity. Yamamoto opened his tiny eyes looking right at the captain of fifth " Ichigo Kurosaki you will stay behinde after this meeting is adjourned take your place ". Ichigo nodded stiffly and stode at the end of the nearest line beside Kanna.

He didn't know whether to relieved or nervous, he was not looking forward to a private meeting with the head captain.

" Now we have dissussed each divisions issues involving the strange happenings as of late, however no suggestion of how to solve this issue had been mentioned " Yamamoto got the meeting back on track. " I say we find the bastard and kill him...I volunteer " Zaraki stated smiling that animalistic smile of his.

" That's a wonderful idea ! " Kanna said sarcastically , than she added in an irritated tone " accept who-ever is doing this is so adapt at hiding their reistu that we can't even locate them ! " she was clearly annoyed by the lumbering giants one minded focus. None of the others would voice it but they all silently agreed with her. Zaraki just glared at her, while she returned the gesture. This is so stupid! Dammit why am I so pissed all of the sudden . Its all Ichigo's fault as soon as he entered I started feeling like this she thought angrily while glancing at Ichigo.

All of the other captains were experincing similar emotions, they all looked strained. And Going completely unoticed was the little white mouse sitting on Ichigo's shoulder, its eyes glowing with amuesment as it watched it's handy work unfold.

Ichigo was the only one who was unaffected by the demonic presence on his shoulder, the only ones who's thoughts were currently free and normal. Even the head captain looked more agitated . Something Kanna had said had struck something in Ichigo... the prankster was able to completely hide themselves absolutely unoticable. His thoughts immidately difted back to just a few minutes ago meeting Tain.

He recalled that he a captain wasn't even able to detect that man.

Rangiku blinked a few times " Do you know him captain? " she inquired.

He shoke his head slowly " The name is framilliar to me, that's all ".

Rangiku wanted to sigh, he was withdrawing again. She had been so exactically happy that he had opened up to her, even if it wasn't very much. He was stateing what she already knew to be the truth, but it was a start. And now he seemed determined to keep everyone away again, something she didn't want.

" Well anyway he's very strange captain. But for some reason I can't bring myself to dislike him, he's a whats the word.....charming. I thought I should come to you. Because theres something about him, I don't what but...I sense extreme power from him. Captain he was able to completely hide his reitsu, it was like he wasn't

even there " she explained.

He didn't know why that mans name sounded so framilliar but it did. And it was eating at him now, even Hyourinmaru was restless. " Matsumoto if you have suspisions on this man, than act on them. Your a vice-captain, and if you think there's something this man is hiding than find out what it is " his voice was quiet as he said it, not even looking at her instead his vision focused on the paperwork.

Rangiku thought about it for a moment... He was right of course, she decieded as soon as she was able to she would blow of work and attempt to find him

-----------------------captains meeting-------------------------------

Ichigo couldn't believe how down hill this was turning there were arguements breaking out between the captains like wildfires, it seemed they were all in a foul mood even the ever gentle Unohana. Ichigo didn't want to bring this up however because he didn't want a room full of hostile ellite shinigami more annoyed with him.

" This is fun, they're all so easy to get rilled up...not like that little dragon "

Ichigo nearly had a heart attack as he sharply turned his head to see that little mouse sitting on his shoulder. He wanted to shout at it, but kept his mouth shut, it had just suddenly appeared out of no where. The liitle demon easily read his thoghts " That's not true Ichigo-chan I was here from the beginning, infact right after you left that man Tain back at your division. He's funny I like him..maybe I'll play with him later. "

What that's not possible I..Damn why the hell are you following me. What to want? Ichigo demanded inwardly, he knew if he spoke aloud than his cover would be only response he got was a small girlish giggle, he confirmed it was definitely female. Than the demons first sentence came back to him and he paled. What the hell, why are you messing with all the captains and what do you mean by their easier than the little dragon ? He demanded

" Wow I've been in and out of your head for a while now, but I didn't know you could be this dense "

Ichigo was getting angier and angier at this little paracite. " Yes that's right anger, hate. despair , pain its what I thrive on. Keep letting those things consume you. Besides its exactly how it sounds....Its so easy to control them once there angry." the creature had an odd tone while saying the last part.

Ichigo suddenly understood...he was standing in a room full of pretty pissed off captains...." Shit " he said out loud.

" swearing isn't very becoming Ichigo-chan, now if you'll excuse me theres a whole room full of captains who's mental health I haven't tampered with yet " and it just disappeared just like that. Ichigo couldn't feel it at all. He looked over the room frantically

The vice-captain of tenth division had once agin left while she was supposed to be working, but that wasn't knew for her. She had waited until a pre-planned accident in the kitchen occurred that required the captains attention before making a break for it.

Rangiku was currently sneaking around the fifth division in hopes to find Tain, before he found her. But so far she couldn't find him at all, he was either not here or had no reitsu which would be impossble. He wouldn't have even made it into the shinigami academy.

" Damn where are you " she cursed quietly.

" Who you looking for Rangiku-san? "

The sudden voice startled her so bad she swore she visibly jumped and let out a squeak of surprise. The vice-captain turned swiftly to come face to fave with Tains smiling face.

" Holy crap don't scare me like that! Jeeze your as bad as captain. I was so startled by breasts almost hit me, than I would fall over face first and they would smother me to death " she exclaimed rather dramactically. Tain just looked at her, his secret face still smiling.

" Well maybe you should talk to them. I mean if your female parts hate you enough to consciously try to murder you than you three might want to have a sit down. " He joked with her.

Rangiku smiled at him. " No we always get into arguements when ever we talk " she replied, since they were casually talking about her breasts she expected him to be looking at her famous girls. But once again he proved to have more honor than even Renji because he still looking at her face.

He laughed lightly at her comment " Is that so, maybe you should find someone else to converse with than " he suggested

It seemed he was extremely easy for her to talk with, because the words were free flowng from her mouth now. " You offering hun "

He didn't miss a beat " only if you want ".

" Well in that case maybe I am. " she replied right back, she was having fun. But she hasn't forgotten why she searched him out. She had to deverge useful information from him, because she knew that he knew something about was going on. And even if he didn't he was still rather suspicious.

" In that case let the interrogation begin " he annouced jovially.

" Alright than you have to have heard about whats been going on latly. What do you make of it ? " she inquired getting sraight to the point. His mouth remained upturned in that small little smile of his. " Well to be honset I disagree with everyone here in soul socirty " he stated vaguly while walking forward. Rangiku quickly matched his stride.

" What do you mean" " she asked, slightly confused. " I mean that half the shinigmai think its a prankster, the other half think its some kind of vengeful force. " he glanced at Rangiku while saying the next part " Than there are those who think it's evil ".

Rangiku had to mask her shock, it was like he knew what she had thoughtt of the demon...but that just wasn't possible. " Than if you don't think any of those what is your opinion? "

Tain raised his head to the sky looking upwards at the swirling clouds. " Its definitely not a prankster who-ever these souls are they seem to have some kind of agenda where as a prankster is all about fun. To be honset it seems like their testing us. To me it's almost to obvious. I mean nothing catosrophic has happened. They haven't hurt anyone. Its like their setting the higher ups against each other." he replied his voice for once serious in sound.

Rangiku could only stare wide eyes at him...how the hell did he come to that conclusion it was the least likely, though pluasible she had to admit. But something in that sentence bothered her.

" Tain you said they...but there's only one "

He only continued smiling at her, as if he knew something the rest of soul society didn't. " Rangiku-san..I doubt one being alone can pop up in all the places this alleged prankster has, with out there being an accomplise of some sort. But..than this is my belief just as you asked right. "

Thinking back on it, the demon has appeared all over the divisions at time intervals much to fast, even at the same time.

All the sudden he haulted abruptly, his stance ridgid.

Rangiku looked over at him, " Tain...whats wrong? " she questioned.

" Quickly Rangiku-san we have to get to the first division court yard ! " he exclamied his voice suddenly suonding very alarmed, it complelty threw her off. The busty blonde was about to protest when she felt it. A flurry of rietsu's blowing up like a bomb, all of the captains. she felt all of them mingling into one. Kanna, Zaraki, Ichigo even Unohana and Ukitake all their reitsu was spiked way up. The dense reitsu was so heavy so powerful that all the shinigami around them were colasping where they stood.

And in the middle of the shinigmi reitsu she felt two not one very dark energy signals. And together both her and Tain went as fast they could to the first division.

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A/N- Yay we're moving along ^.^- any questions ask and i'll try to clear them up as long as they don't give away the story.

A million thanks to : ToushirouLover , funnyjunkie , FallenHope-Angel