Chapter 10: Vault of Secrets
*Okay a few things, first I'm (yet again) disappointed in the amount of reviews. Second school has been a major pain in my ass! Don't get me started. Third karma is out to get me again because I have a long weekend with no homework and I feel another cold coming on.
Naoko: I'll say it again, we need to perform a sacrifice.
Me: Fine...but no one in your family.
Naoko: Damn. Alright I'll need rope, a red apple and someone to start a spit fire.
Me: Please review guys...pretty please?
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach just the OC's*
Night's familiar cloak of darkness covered the still Seireitei. It was not peaceful for such peace was balanced on a razors edge and it was about to fall. Two lone figures, lieutenants, made their way swiftly to the deserted Senkimon Gate. Or at least they would have made it if not for the appearance of the Third Division's captain.
"Kira what the Hell are you doing?" Flynn cried. "Get Hinamori back to her cell, that's an order."
"Sorry, but I'm not taking orders from you anymore." Kira hissed as he drew out his sword.
"Kira, think about what you're doing. You're making a mistake." Flynn tried to reason as his hand gripped the hilt of his own sword.
"I know exactly what I'm doing and I'm not going to let you stop us. Show yourself, Wabisuke." Kira said solemnly.
His blade glowed and cracked to form its bent hook shape. Flynn sighed; he really didn't want to fight his lieutenant. Ever since he became a captain Flynn has done whatever he could to befriend Izuru. Looks like all my attempts at friendship were in vain.
He drew at his sword, "Saisir et coupe."
The blade emitted a grassy green glow before splitting into seven longer, limp blades. Flynn pulled his arm up and brought it down quickly. The blades swung with his arm towards Kira but he dodged it. The lieutenant struck the captain's arm with the blade, which because of its special abilities doubled the weight of Flynn's arm.
"Byakurai!" Kira cried.
The pale blue lightening struck Flynn square on his side, sending him flying and leaving him with a nasty bleeding burn. But he pushed himself up despite the screaming wound. Think man c'mon. There's gotta be a spell I can use to just tie him up or something. Flynn, like Renji and Ichigo, was not the best or brightest when it came to using Kido. Not able to come up with anything Flynn settled on his usual alternative: fight using his sword and pray for a miracle.
Kira came at him again and Flynn flicked his arm to raise his blades. Metal against metal struck, bright sparks glittered off their blades.
"Kira please stop! We're friends, teammates I don't want to hurt you. I'm your captain listen to me." Flynn argued.
"You neither are nor were you ever my captain! You're just some imprudent foreigner!" Kira flash-stepped closer to Flynn, "HadÅ #6 Sakura bakudan shotto!"
Aw crap... That was all Flynn could think of as the sizable ball of pink and red energy hit him square in the chest. The shot sent him flying backwards and slammed hard onto the ground. His energy nearly sapped and losing consciousness Flynn collapsed.
"Alright Hinamori open the gate so we can get out of here." Kira ordered.
Hinamori had already commenced the opening of the gate when Matsumoto and Hitsugaya appeared. Both looked stunned and hurt.
"Flynn!" Matsumoto cried as she ran to his side.
Hitsugaya held his sword at the ready. "Both of you, back away from the gate now!"
"Sorry Shiro but we have to do this." Hinamori said sweetly.
"Momo please...don't..." He pleaded.
But both lieutenants had slipped through the immense closing doors.
At the very western part of China a pair of glowing sliding doors appeared out of thin air. Out stepped Izuru Kira and Momo Hinamori. The thick wilderness of the sparsely populated part of China gave them a good cover. Three black cloaked figures emerged from the woods to greet them.
"Lieutenant Izuru Kira and Lieutenant Momo Hinamori, it's a pleasure to meet you both." Said one of the cloaked figures.
The figure pulled back his hood to reveal his face. A pale man with steel silver hair and bronze eyes, his face held that same type of charismatic charm as Aizen's had. The two others were a curvy blonde haired woman and a skinny fellow with a teal colored spiked Mohawk.
"The Royal Knights welcome you." The bronze eyed man said.
Back in the lovely small Mexican town, Flor Roja a busty restless red head tossed around in her hotel bed. Orihime was suffering a bothersome bout of insomnia. The pestering feeling of sleep eluding her could be attributed to the romantic bond developing between Chad and Isane. Not that Orihime was jealous of either of them; she just wishes she could have that bond with Ichigo.
But his heart was slowly falling into Rukia's grasp instead of hers. Orihime's heart wanted no needed someone to love it. But who?
A dim light bulb went off in her head. She knew exactly who would love her whether she loved him back or not. Someone who also had recently become royalty.
Quietly Orihime took the hotel phone and slipped outside, so as not to disturb Isane. She made herself comfy and dialed.
Evening had settled over the small German Quincy city. The group was scattered about the mansion each preoccupied with their own activities. Rukia and Angelica were busy drawing together, turns out both have a lack of talent and an unhealthy obsession over rabbits.
Renji, Ichigo and Oliver were sharing sparring and sword techniques. Oliver taught them fencing, while the boys taught Oliver kendo.
Nemu and Uryu were nestled in the library perusing through the vast collection of books. The volumes were also in various languages including Japanese.
James and Naoko were meandering through the hallways of the vast mansion. The pair passed by a study when the phone on the desk went off. The two exchanged looks and Naoko answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Naoko is that you?" Orihime said in their native tongue.
"Hey, Orihime." Naoko said grudgingly.
"Um...is Uryu around, I wanted to talk to him." She asked quietly.
Naoko bit her lip and resisted the urge to slam the phone back on the cradle.
"James, go get my brother and tell him a friend of ours wants to talk to him." Naoko asked him.
James nodded and left. He reappeared quickly with Uryu following him. Naoko thrust the phone into her brother's hands.
"The red head wants to talk to you." Naoko snapped. "Come on James."
"Coming love." The sandy blonde chirped.
After the couple departed Uryu sat down before speaking.
"Orihime are you there?"
"Oh, uh yeah I'm here. So...how are you? How's Germany?" She asked.
"I'm fine. It's lovely here, cold but nice. How about you?"
"Good, good. It's really warm and sunny which is great. There are also so many new foods to try here, it's great." Orihime said quickly.
"That's good to hear."
"So...have you and Nemu been having a good time?" Orihime asked gently. She had her suspicions that Uryu was falling for Nemu, who in Orihime's eyes was an artificially created being, a robot, a tool nothing more.
"Yeah we have. We're both enjoying ourselves." Uryu said softly. A warm pink blush crept across his cheeks when Nemu came to mind. Her enchanting emerald eyes, ink black hair flowing around her, and her gentle touch and voice.
A surprising surge of bitterness swept through Orihime. She knew that tone that was the tone of someone falling in love. She was fully aware of Uryu's crush on her but she turned a blind eye so she could focus on Ichigo. But now that Ichigo had set his sights on someone else, she decided to settle for her back up love to be.
Meanwhile, since Uryu hadn't returned in a while Nemu began to worry a bit so she set off to find him. She crept quietly through the halls, carefully stretching out her senses to pick up his reiatsu. She found him in the study and could hear him talking. She peaked to see he was on the phone, with her enhanced hearing Nemu was able to hear both sides of the conversation.
"Oh, I'm surprised Nemu's able to enjoy anything. I-I mean it's just that she's not really a Soul Reaper right? N-No what I mean is..." Orihime stuttered.
"Wait. What do you mean not really a Soul Reaper?" Uryu questioned.
"Well, she was artificially created by that creepy clown like captain. I mean she's the combination of a fake soul and a fake body. I don't mean to sound mean or anything but isn't pretty much just a living doll?" Orihime said with a thin tone of bitterness.
"That may be true but Nemu can think and feel for herself. She's no one's doll." Uryu protested. Why did Orihime even call me in the first place? I thought she'd want to speak with Ichigo not me. "Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
"Um...no I guess not." She said, sounding defeated.
"Alright then, good-bye Orihime I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip." Uryu said a tad curtly.
"Yeah, I will. Oh, Uryu I love you." Orihime quickly hung up after her false confession.
Uryu still sat in the plush leather chair with his mouth agape. Nemu's hand flew to her open mouth to stifle any sound. She quickly walked down the hall and kept walking at that pace until she bumped into Rukia.
"Oh, hey Nemu are you alright?" The petite Reaper asked. Nemu looked like she was about to break down and cry.
She straightened herself up, "Why bother asking if I'm alright? I'm just some emotionless doll!"
"What? You're not a doll. Are you sure your fine? What's wrong?" Rukia was beginning to worry.
"Nothing! Nothing is wrong!" Nemu snapped. It was quite odd to see her of all people become angry or snaps at someone.
"Nemu, if something's bothering you, please tell me." Rukia said gently.
"Who or what would count as a 'real' Soul Reaper?" Nemu asked worriedly.
Rukia thought this over for a moment, "Well I guess someone who's died or someone with a soul. I've never really thought about it. Why?"
"I-It's just...what if I'm not an actual legitimate Soul Reaper. What if I'm just some useless doll?" Her voice grew very quiet.
"Well you have a zanpaktuo don't you? The fact that you have one and can use it proves you have soul of your own. And just because you were made differently doesn't mean you're anything less then what you are. You are a Soul Reaper." Rukia said with confidence.
Nemu smiled gently, "Yes, I suppose your right."
The clock struck midnight and like clockwork Oliver Twitterson was up and fixing himself a midnight snack. A small plate of cookies and a mug of tea. He was about to retire back to his room when he noticed a glowing light coming from the parlor.
He slowly nudged the door open and peered inside. He caught sight of Nemu sitting on the couch in front of a smoldering bright fire. Oliver walked in and took a seat near her. Nemu didn't even jump at his sudden appearance.
"What's wrong there dear? Can't sleep?" He asked.
"No, I couldn't."
Oliver noticed tear streaks that ran down her eyes. Glittering trails of congealed sadness carved down her cheeks.
"Something bothering you?" He asked.
Nemu rubbed the tears away with the sleeve of her robe. "No nothing is bothering me."
Oliver grabbed a cookie and dunked it in the tea before slipping it into his mouth.
"Now that's a load of rubbish darling. What's on your mind?" He slowly prodded.
"Have you ever liked someone perhaps love them but to find out someone else loves them?" Nemu asked her voice cracking.
Oliver nodded his head like a wise old sage. "Personally I haven't really been there but I do have close friends who have. So do I need to ask who the bloke is that has captured your heart?"
Nemu looked away.
"Uryu huh? So who's the other girl?"
"Her name's Orihime and Uryu used to hold affections towards her and I heard them talking and I heard her say I love you to him."
"And what did he say?"
"Nothing. He didn't say anything."
Oliver nodded again and ate the last cookie on the plate and drained the last of his tea. "I think the best thing you can do, is find out how he feels about you. But try to do it in a subtle way got it? And remember if he doesn't like you there are thousands of guys out there. He's not the only one."
Nemu began to feel better, "That is true, thank you for the advice."
"Sure thing love."
The next morning Nemu rapped on the door to Rukia's room. The violet eyed midget opened and looked a tad surprised to see Nemu there.
"Can I help you?" Rukia asked curiously.
"I wanted to thank for your advice the other night and to apologize for snapping at you." Nemu responded.
"Its okay and you're welcomed for the advice. I'm glad I could help."
Suddenly both women noticed Naoko coming out of her room, gripping the strange silver key. She looked excited and riled up about something.
"Guys you won't believe what we found in the parlor room, c'mon!" Naoko beckoned as she raced past them.
With their curiosities peaked the girls dashed after her.
Everyone had gathered inside the parlor room and was crowded around a large wood and metal door set in the floor. It had been hidden under the thick Persian rug; Naoko noticed an odd hollow sound when she had walked over it earlier. She now knelt in front of the door and slipped the key in the matching key hole. She licked her lips in apprehension and gave the key a sharp twist.
Tumblers and locking mechanisms could be heard as they released their hold. Ichigo and Renji bent down and gripped the ringed handle.
"Moment of truth." Ichigo muttered before he and Renji heaved the door open.
The group was blasted with a wave of musty and dusty air. They looked down to see a finely carved stone spiral staircase leading down into the unknown inky depths.
"Bloody Hell." Oliver whispered in disbelief.
"What are all waiting for? Go grab some flashlights or torches or something and let's check it out." Angelica barked to the gaping group.
In a few moments the teens found themselves slowly descending deeper down. They traveled in single file with flashlights in hand.
"I feel like I'm in some sort of medieval castle." Said Ichigo.
"Or better yet a dungeon." Renji added.
While everyone was still so amazed by the discovery Naoko was trying not to hyperventilate and pass out. She did not do well in small spaces.
James gently touched her shoulder, "Are you alright love?"
"Yes, it's just...small spaces aren't...really my thing." Panic creeping on her voice.
"Just stay calm and focus on taking each step, this has got lead out somewhere."
Naoko nodded and focused on her steps.
James turned out to be correct and the staircase led to a very large storeroom. Oliver and the guys noticed a few torches on the walls. He grabbed a couple and tossed it to the other fellas.
"Good thing I always keep a pack of matches with me." Oliver chirped as he struck one and lit a torch.
The torch light was much more sufficient than the flashlights. They could now see the rows and rows of lined and packed shelves. Books, tomes, scrolls all stuffed and orderly packed into the shelves. Chests and trunks of all sizes lined up and stacked against the walls. Cobwebs and dust hung heavily on everything.
Naoko picked up a silvery and dusty object and blew the dust off. She held in her hand a silver Quincy cross.
"Guys..." Naoko cried.
The others began shuffling through the treasure. Uryu and Nemu found the texts were in dozens of languages but had list and detailed descriptions on everything dealing with the Quincy, from lore to manuals to history. Rukia and Angelica opened a few of the trunks to find different Quincy uniforms some plain others very elaborate that even Uryu had pay respects to the craftsman. The other boys found trinkets, weapons and gadgets that were for Quincy use.
"Good Lord, I do believe we've stumbled onto a Quincy storehouse or rather treasure trove." Oliver exclaimed.
"This-This is incredible." Uryu gapped.
Naoko was giddy and giggling with amazement and excitement. "Talk about finding more about our culture. We hit the jackpot."
Ichigo had his attention drawn to Naoko's sudden and rare bouts of utter happiness and was not watching where he was going until his head lightly hit something.
"What the-?" He lifted his torch to see what he bumped into. His heart paused, breath caught in his chest and his eyes doubled in size.
"Guys, you're gonna want to see this!"
The others gathered to where he was and followed his petrified gaze.
"Good God Almighty!" Oliver screamed.
"Dear mother of God!" Angelica whispered.
Rukia looked like she was going to faint, Nemu, who had quite a many things in her life, looked utterly disturbed while Naoko was trying to repress a scream.
"What...the Hell?" Uryu stuttered.
"That's just...just..." Renji couldn't complete his train of thought.
James's face took on a ghostly shade of white at the sight.
Dangling above them was a pair of decayed skeleton hung up by their necks. Their cloths were moth eaten, torn, dusty and splotched with dried aged blood. All their hair, their eyes, noses and skin completely gone. But the most disturbing part was the Quincy crosses that hung from their necks and inscribed on those crosses was the Royal Family crest.
*What a spooky end eh? Anyway this is a long chapter with a lot of stuff in it. It's just that I really didn't want to split this chapter up. The next is where things take an epic adventurous turn. Thank you Riia I do know what its like to be stuck in a creative rut and I'll try to keep going.
Please review while I recover from my cold and this recent dump of snow we got here in Minnesota. Honestly just when I could start wearing my sneakers again and put my boots away. Really Mother Nature? Really?
Naoko: Okay I've got everything set up. So who are we sacrificing?
Gin: How 'bout Aizen? No-No wait Szayel? Or Mayrui?
Naoko: Aren't you supposed to be dead?
Gin: *shrugs* the physics of canonical material doesn't really apply to fanfiction.
Naoko: That's true.
Me: Please review folks while go curl up somewhere. I apologize if any of the characters seemed OOC and Sakura bakuden shotto means cherry bomb shot.*