18th August 2011
A/N: So its been a long time again. This chapter has been very hard to finish, so there are bits I think that could do with a lot improvement. Please bear with me.
Previously:
Sirius looked up. He hadn't heard that howl for a long time. It was Mooney!
"Wow!" Ichigo exclaimed. Sirius let out a long howl in reply. "Hey Sirius were are you going?" He continued as he ran away and bounded of the edge of the building.
They saw the shinigami look at the wolf, she had ran off towards the where she heard Sirius howl.
"Ula?" her Shinigami questioned as he chased after her. "What's wrong?"
Sirius stopped when he heard the voice and a huge wolf bounded around the corner into him. He fond himself pinned to the floor with the wolf licking at his face.
"Padfoot?" said the man behind the female wolf.
"Remus?"
Chapter 10: The Dementors Secret.
"Remus?" Sirius thought. "That definitely sounded like Moony." Maybe he was just imagining things, why on Earth would Remus be in Soul Society. Urahara said that wizards don't come here.
The wolf laughed at Sirius as he forced her off him and he bounded towards the man. He bowled the shinigami over, just as Ula the wolf had done to him mere moments ago.
"Arrggghhh, Sirius get off!" The man said. He certainly resembled Remus Lupin, but he was something different about him. He looked healthy.
Sirius wagged his tail and started to slobber over his long lost friend.
"Ewww," said Renji from behind as he and Ichigo finally caught up. "Dog slobber."
"Remus honey," said Tonks as she and the others arrived. "What's wro…" she stopped mid word when she saw the dog that had he husband pinned to the floor.
"Snuffles?" another feminine voice said from behind the metamorphagi. Sirius flinched at the name his godson used so many times before.
"Hermione," he thought. Examining the small crowd he realised that these strange shinigami were all wizards of the light.
"Fred, Neville, Luna, Ginny and Tonks," he thought again. "What's going on?"
"Sirius is that really you?" Remus said from beneath him. Sirius jumped up and nodded. During himself off Remus sat up.
"How are you here?"
"He came with me," Ichigo said.
"I don't understand either," Renji whispered. "How do they know the Grim Shadow?"
Ichigo shrugged.
Hermione frowned.
"Sirius Orion Black! You turn to normal and explain right now," she sternly threatened. "Or I'll hex you so hard you'll be seeing stars for months."
"Eeep," he thought as immediately turned to his human form.
"Keep your socks on!" Sirius exclaimed in horror. The witch smiled before giving him a running hug. Sirius beamed and patted her on the shoulder. "But I don't think I'm the only one who has some explaining to do," he said glancing at his best friend.
Matsumoto stood next to Fred in confusion.
"How do you know the Grim Shadow?" she whispered.
"Remus went to school with him," Fred replied. "They were best friends"
"Oh," she replied.
"He also was known as an escaped convict, put into prison for mass murder. He managed to get into my brother's and Neville's dormitory and threatened him with a knife."
"What!" she harshly whispered back. "Tell me your kidding!"
Neville smiled as he listened in, Matsumoto really wasn't being as quiet as she hoped. He felt that he needed to tell her the truth.
"No that happened," Neville grinned at Matsumoto. "Fred seems to have forgotten to mention that Sirius was in fact innocent and was trying to prove his innocence by killing Ron's rat, who happened to be Peter Pettigrew."
"Oh," she said before turning to whine at her boyfriend. "Fred why would you do that to me? I was beginning to worry."
"Sorry love," the twin grinned. "But you looks so pretty when you pout."
"Idiot, now I'm confused," she replied.
"Me too!" Renji said. "What the heck is going on?"
The wizards laughed and Sirius, who had managed to get Hermione to stop hugging him, spoke up.
"Maybe I should start from the beginning." Sirius told his tale, once again. He was becoming rather bored telling his story to everyone, but it was necessary. In return Remus told him about how they became shinigami when they died and that they've been fighting dementors since.
Sirius frowned; there was something that Remus was not telling him.
"What happened after we met in limbo?"
Remus grimaced as the other wizards looked to the ground.
"Remus, what happened?" Sirius repeated.
"The darkness fell on the wizarding world," Luna informed Sirius, being the only one to have the courage to speak up.
"Voldemort killed Harry and them the fighting started again," Hermione said. "Those of the light who survived fled from Hogwarts and Voldemort left with his Death Eaters. No one has been to Hogwarts since, not even to retrieve the bodies."
"No one?" Ichigo asked.
"Why haven't you gone back?" Sirius demanded. "Surely you could have gone back."
"That was not part of our orders," Remus replied solemnly.
"Coward," Sirius said.
"We didn't have much choice, either follow Gotei 13's orders or be thrown in jail."
"But," Sirius started.
"What do you expect anyway?" Ginny said. "All we would find is the castle ruins and bodies. I personally don't want to find out what has become of my body, or my parents, my brothers, my friends… my boyfriend …" She trailed off.
"Oh," Sirius said. "Ginny I'm sorry."
"It's O.K.," she replied. Neville tapped his watch at the group.
"The Captain Commander is waiting for us."
"O.K. Neville," Remus replied as Tonks took his hand. "Sirius this shouldn't take long. We'll find you when we've finished."
"See you later," Sirius tried to smile, but his eyes betrayed him.
Remus grinned sympathetically before he and his wife headed off. Hermione gave him a quick hug before following, Neville, Luna and Ginny not far behind.
"We can talk later," Fred, said to his girlfriend. "I think Toshiro needs your help dealing with Momo first." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
Ichigo, Renji and Sirius watched as the shinigami left to their meeting. When they were out of sight, Renji turned and smiled at Sirius.
"So this is your human form?" he asked.
"Yep," Sirius replied.
"Any chance you can show me some of you tricks?" Renji questioned.
"Nope," Sirius said. "I'm going back to my nap. Come on Ichigo."
He trotted off back to the rooftops as Padfoot.
"He does have a point," Ichigo said as he went to follow Sirius. "We best rest while we can."
"But," Renji added.
"Leave it out Renji, he's just found out that his whole world is practically in ruins and his friend he thought was dead just left with only a brief explanation." Ichigo scolded. "Leave him be."
Renji grunted at the substitute shinigami, he did have a point. It was one more day until the Captain got out of hospital. Then the division would have to get back to work, he better make the most of it.
Sighing Rangiku took another sip of her saké as she watched her captain do his paperwork at his desk.
"Captain?" she asked innocently.
"Yes Matsumoto?"
"Have you seen Momo yet today?"
"No I haven't Matsumoto."
"Do you want to go now?"
"Not now I'm busy."
The lieutenant frowned. If she didn't get Toshiro to open up soon, he was going to have a breakdown.
"I'm sure the paperwork can wait Captain," she pressed.
"Matsumoto, just because you feel the need to once again avoid your responsibility, does not mean I will!"
"Captain!"
"Matsumoto if you're so eager to go to the hospital, go by yourself!"
"You do realize that the Captain Commander put us on leave for R&R, for at least a few more days. You're still healing."
"I don't need a break," Hitsugaya retorted.
"Everyone needs a break once in a while."
"Matsumoto you're overstepping your boundaries!"
Matsumoto was getting upset, she was trying to help her captain and he wasn't having any of it.
"How can I be overstepping my boundaries? I'm trying to help you Captain."
"Excuse me?" Hitsugaya replied with gritted teeth.
"Momo nearly died and you've shut yourself in this office, it's not healthy."
Hitsugaya scoffed.
"How would you know Matsumoto?"
"Your not the only one to have lost something to the hands of that manipulative bastard Aizen!"
That was it for Matsumoto; she couldn't stand being around her Captain when he was being more emotionally distant than normal.
Toshiro on the other hand, just sat in shock at his Lieutenants outburst. He couldn't believe how selfish he was being.
"Matsumoto I'm sorry," he said trying to avoid her gaze.
"Look I've got to go," she said as she hurried out of the room. "I can't do this right now."
Finally the pointless meeting was over and Fred began to head straight towards Division 10's head office. Rangiku said that she would be trying to cheer up her captain who was wallowing in the endless paperwork that the division seemed to get.
The redhead was looking forward to the next couple of days. He hasn't been able spend much time with his girlfriend recently. The Captain Commander seemed to have them on the mortal plain more often these days. If only he knew why the number of dementors was increasing, maybe they could then sort out the problem quicker.
It was a shame about Gin though. Matsumoto was still attached to her childhood friend and she is devastated now that he is gone. At the very least he could be there for he for a couple of days. Its just annoying that he couldn't be there longer. He just hoped that the dementors stay quiet for the next few days and then he won't have to leave before his days off are over.
Fred ad just made it to the Division 10 gate and was interrupted by one of the unranked shinigami on guard.
"Um, Weasley-san," he said. "Vice Captain Matsumoto has just left."
Fred paused in mid-step.
"Okay," he looked at the guard who shifted uncomfortably. "Well where did she say she was going?"
"I don't know sir," he replied. "She ran out looking quite distressed. I think she was working with the Captain before she left."
"I'll ask him then," Fred told the shinigami. "Thanks."
Angry at himself for leaving his girlfriend's side at her time of need he stormed to the Captain's office. If Toshiro did anything to hurt Rangiku he'd make the Captain regret it.
Once finally at the door he took a deep breath to calm down before peeking in. Hitsugaya was sat at his desk staring absent-mindedly at a half empty cup of Saké on the coffee table. Fred noticed the guilty look on the kid's face and decided to step in.
"Is there a reason that my girlfriend was seen leaving here looking rather upset?" he said at the doorway, causing Hitsugaya to jump and look up.
"Weasley," he said stoically. "You do not talk to a Captain like that. I expect to be treated with proper respect and that means you knock."
Fred didn't care. He'd never treated his teachers at Hogwarts with proper respect, so why should he do it here? Not that most of the teachers minded, that was just the way the twins acted. They knew that there was no reason to worry, because when they were both serious and polite that was when you should worry.
"Toshiro why did you upset Matsumoto?" He asked sternly.
"I don't know, she wanted me to come and see Momo with her," he replied. "But I said I had to work and she got angry saying she was trying to help… I tried to apologise but she stormed out."
Fred took a good look at the captain and sighed. He could tell that Toshiro was really sorry for upsetting Rangiku, but he couldn't leave it like this. Matsumoto was right an the captain needed to get out of the office and sort himself out.
"Well?" Fred said.
"What? Look I'm sorry but go away Matsumoto isn't here."
"Come on!" Fred grabbed the small boy by the arm and dragged him out of the office.
"Oi! What are you doing? Unhand me!"
"We're going out."
How dare you. I'll have you reported for this!"
"Look you upset my girlfriend and you ARE going to make it up to her. Might as well kill two birds with one stone and take you to see Momo as well. Report me if you want but I don't care."
Hitsugaya looked up to the twin in despair and noted the glint of mischief in his eyes. It made him shudder. Looks like there was not stopping him.
They found Matsumoto in the hospital checking up on Momo's condition. She was silently sat next to her bed, with her back to the door.
Upon hearing the approaching footsteps she looked over her shoulder to see if it was a medic to check on the patient, but instead she saw the tall figure of Fred Weasley at the doorway. Her eyes were red from crying but she smiled warmly at him.
"Fred," she said softly.
"Hey," the replied with a cheeky grin. "How is she?"
"She's stable," Matsumoto said. " But the doctors won't say anything else."
"Oh," Fred's face fell. "Well I've got someone who needs to talk to you." He pulled the Captain through the doorway. Toshiro did not very pleased at being dragged but his expression became unreadable when he saw Momo and his Lieutenant.
"What do you have to say?" Fred prompted.
"I'm sorry I was so insensitive and I'm sorry for shouting at you when you were only trying to help. I realise that I shouldn't work myself too hard, however it is the only way I can keep my mind of what happened." The captain said.
His speech sounded rehearsed and Matsumoto suspected her boyfriend had something to do with it.
"And," Fred pushed the smaller boy forward.
"I'm sorry that Gin betrayed you. No-one deserved that."
Rangiku smiled softly, her captain looked truly uncomfortable where he stood. Fred always had the talent of bring the child out of Hitsugaya more than anyone else in Gotei 13.
"Thank you Taicho,' she smiled. "I'm sorry for overreacting."
"This doesn't get you out of doing your paperwork," Toshiro added stubbornly. Matsumoto and Fred tried to stifle their laughter at the comment but failed miserably and Hitsugaya scowled.
"She'll be right on it," Fred said. "But first we're gong to catch up a little. We'll leave you alone with Momo-chan and find Captain Unohana for you."
"Thank you Weasley-san," Hitsugaya said.
"No problem," he grabbed Matsumoto's hand and lead her out of the room. They walked in silence down the corridor looking for the 4th Division's captain. They found her in her office and told her that Captain Hitsugaya was there and she left immediately to find him.
"Thank-you," Rangiku said as she rested her head on Fred's shoulder. They had no left the hospital and were heading down the street. "People seem to forget that he's still a little kid. You always know what to do."
"Well when you grow up with six siblings you can pick these things up."
"Yes but no-one has the guts to treat the Captain like that.
"The kid puts too much weight on his shoulders sometimes. I've seen it before and that much pressure on someone so young never leads anywhere good. Someone has to do it."
"Your right," she replied. "I do try and get him to loosen up but he never seems to listen."
"I know," he leaned down to kiss her. "And don't you ever stop. I couldn't bear it if you were as grouchy as he is all the time."
She smiled brightly and nodded.
"So what did the Captain Commander have to say?"
"Oh nothing much. We've basically got to keep doing what we've always done."
"That seems anticlimactic."
"Yeah and we were busy tacking the dementors since they were all on the move."
"Well it seems a bit pointless that you were summoned back to Soul Society," Rangiku frowned.
"Not really," Fred said. "Remus found Sirius and besides I couldn't do this if I was away." He pulled her into a heated kiss. Matsumoto let out a slight whimper before smiling and deepening the kiss and wrapping her arms around his neck.
It felt like time itself had stopped for the couple and they ignored the looks that they were getting from the passers by. However, it wasn't last when a loud ringing came out of Fred's pocket.
"Shit!" he exclaimed. "I was hoping to spend at least a couple of days with you before we got a signal."
Matsumoto pouted. This was really bad timing.
Fred pulled the offending item out of his pocket and paled when he looked at the screen.
"What's wrong?"
"We have a problem," Fred said as he showed her the monitor. It showed many white and red lights and they were all converging to the same area.
"There us high activity in on are. The dementors and hollows seem to be all congregating in one area and their spiritual is rising," he said.
"Do you know why?"
"No," he said. "I'm really sorry but I have to go."
"That's Okay."
"I just wish I could have spent more time with you. I missed you."
"I missed you too," she smiled. "Go. The quicker you kick those dementors butts the quicker you get back."
"Thank you," Fred kissed her goodbye. "I love you." Within moments he was gone and his silver patronus' were heading off in various directions. Matsumoto put her fingers on her lips and smiled sadly.
"I love you too."
Renji had grown bored waiting around on the rooftops so he managed to nag Ichigo to go and find his friends. Ichigo didn't really want to leave Sirius but he seemed content on sunbathing for the time being so they left him to it.
Ichigo was on edge and he jumped as one of the strange shinigami ran towards the two of them waving. The streets were still very busy and Ichigo was still trying to avoid the unwanted attention of some of the shinigami that were still trying to challenge him to a duel. He was lucky that Kenpachi hadn't found him yet today, but he still wouldn't put it past the man to appear out of nowhere. Now he was stuck standing in the streets and anyone could see him.
"Hey Abarai," the brunette said. "I'm assuming that this is the famous Ichigo?"
"Yep."
"Hi," she smiled. "Sorry we didn't get to talk before, I'm Hermione Granger. I'm a witch."
"Um, Hi," Ichigo replied. "Kurosaki Ichigo, nice to meet you. It must have been nice to meet up with Sirius after such a long time."
"Yeah, its nice to see that at least someone is safe in this rotten war," Hermione said leaving them to stand uncomfortably in silence.
"So Granger," Renji smiled trying to dissipate the tension. "How's life in your special squad?"
"Not good," she frowned. "The dementors suddenly started heading north. They had been wandering across Australia for 2 years now and we have no idea what has got them to change their course. We assume that it must have been a surge of power because from Ula's report, Voldemort is heading east. I have a feeling they are being attracted by the same thing."
"That can't be good. Now with Aizen's threat we may have too much to handle."
"Indeed," she paused. "Oh by the way, congratulations on getting promoted Lieutenant," Hermione smiled slyly.
Renji blushed, "Uhh yeah thanks."
"Yeah the word on the street is that he's also obtained Bankai," a feminine voice commented from behind.
Abarai Renji froze in fear as Tonks appeared behind them with Ginny in tow. If there was one person that unsettled Renji, it was Nymphadora Tonks.
"Looks like you'll be getting some new tattoos," she carried on. "I wonder if there is anywhere he can fit them." If Renji could have blushed any more he would have at the metamorphagi's suggestive tone.
"Oh leave him be Tonks." Hermione scolded. "You're a married woman."
"But its so fun to tease him." Her hair colour changed to a sad grey as she pouted at the brunette.
"Don't mind her," Hermione added to Ichigo. "This is Tonks and the red head next to her is Ginny. Girls this is Ichigo."
"Hi, nice to meet you," Ichigo sheepishly smiled.
"Likewise," Ginny said as she shook his hand. "I'm Ginny Weasley. You'll probably see my brother around too. He's a bit of a trouble maker and I think that he has his sights set on you for his next prank."
"Is he the one dating Matsumoto Rangiku?"
"Yeah, that's the one," giggling at her brother's choice in women before looking up to find Ichigo staring at her. "What? Is there something on me?"
Ichigo jumped slightly, "Sorry I've just never met anyone with the same hair colour before."
Ginny blinked in surprise at the question and she heard Hermione and Tonks sniggering in the background. She gave them a quick glare before turning back to Ichigo.
"Really? Oh well my whole family had ginger hair; it's a bit of a Weasley curse. Both my parents and my six brothers are the same."
"Six brothers?"
"Yeah I'm the baby sister of six brothers," she paused. "Well at least that was the case before I died."
"You remember your past life," Ichigo was shocked. The Souls in Soul Society often forget their past life, since time goes much slower here.
"Sure, we've only been dead since 1998," Ginny, said. "I mean that is less time than Sirius has been dead."
"I still thought it was kind of a taboo to talk about things like that."
"Not really, just no-one does," Ginny grimaced. "Its not nice to talk about what we have lost."
"Oh sorry," Ichigo apologized.
"Its O.K. It helps when you have friends that know you and what you've been through." Ichigo smiled Ginny was right, when his friends understood what he was going through it got a little easier, even though the fight in soul society was still pretty difficult. He was about to ask a bit more about the world Ginny came from when he noticed Orihime waving at him from a distance with Chad and Ishida.
"Kurosaki-kun!" She exclaimed as they headed towards them. Ichigo smiled warmly and waved back.
"Are they your friends from Earth?" Ginny asked noting the substitute shinigami's reaction to the newcomers.
"Yeah," Ichigo started before hearing a disturbance behind him. The group of shinigami turned to find Fred Weasley heading towards them dragging a very agitated Captain behind him.
"Fred Weasley! Let go of Captain Hitsugaya at once!" Hermione yelled as they got closer, sounding a lot like a certain Mrs. Weasley.
"No can do Hermione," he smirked. "Captain has someone he needs to talk to!"
Within moments they had rushed passed the group and headed past Inoue and the others.
"So that was your brother."
"Yep," Ginny replied.
"I think he's pissed off Toshiro," Ichigo added as his friends arrived. They looked a bit taken back by Fred's blatant disregard for authority figures.
"Kurosaki, why was that shinigami dragging Captain Hitsugaya?" Ishida enquired.
"Dunno."
"That's just Fred for you. He treats everyone as equals. He's always trying to cheer people up," Ginny shrugged her shoulders.
"So guy's," Ichigo turned to his friends. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."
"Well Yachiru-chan invited me over to make dinner for division 11," Inoue smiled brightly. "She told me to bring you guys but I couldn't find you so I only brought Sado-kun and Ishida-kun."
Ichigo peered over to Chad and Ishida, they looked very pale and he had to suppress a grin.
"I was about to serve the main course but Captain Kenpachi had disappeared with Ikkaku and Yumichika," she added. "So now we're looking for them!"
"Oh really?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow at his friends. He could tell that the Quincy was very relieved to be free of Inoue's cooking for the time being and Chad did not very well at all. Tonks and Ginny giggled.
"Yes I really have no idea where they could have gone," the perplexed girl added when the Captain appeared behind her. Ichigo froze when Kenpachi stopped and saw Ichigo. The man grinned evilly, but he hadn't noticed Inoue yet as she had her back to the man. Renji and Hermione had noticed Ichigo's reaction to the appearance of the man and the Gryffindor couldn't help but giggle.
"So Inoue, what kind of things did you have planned for the main course?" Hermione questioned.
"Oh well their kitchens were really badly stocked so I just had to make do, but Yachiru helped me with the main and the dessert and she was really upset when they all disappeared," Inoue frowned. "It would be a shame for it to go cold before we find them."
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that Inoue I know some good warming spells and they should be as good as new."
"Really?" Inoue shouted. "That would be great! I'm sorry I don't know your name."
Kenpachi finally stopped looking at Ichigo when he heard Inoue shout and his face fell. Tonks and Ginny had also noticed what was going on and they giggled.
"I'm sorry, my name is Hermione Granger," she extended her hand out to the human. "I'm a friend of Sirius. Its nice to meet you."
Ichigo gathered his confidence,
"Apparently Hermione, Ginny and Tonks are all in a squad that are all wizards," he said as he glared smugly at the Captain. He wouldn't dare attack Ichigo if Inoue were around because she would drag him back to the dinner they were having. It was pathetic that he was more afraid of the girl than the powerful shinigami, but then again he could never say no to Yachiru and she would be equally upset if he were cruel to Inoue. The two seemed to have bonded after Yachiru's initial jealousy. Instead Kenpachi opted for trying to sneak away before the girl noticed his presence.
"Wow really?" Orihime beamed. She noticed that Ichigo was staring at something behind her and she looked around. Kenpachi was already gone, but Chad and Ishida were still looking a bit pale. "Hey are you guys okay?"
They nodded slightly but she frowned.
"So Hermione you weren't talking about Kido when you were talking about helping out Inoue," Ishida tried to distract the girl.
"Oh no," Hermione said. "Kido only is very good for fighting and healing, but magic can help in everyday life."
"How do you know the Grimm Shadow?" Chad asked.
"Sirius?" Hermione frowned.
"Sirius is a wizard just like us," Tonks said. "He got stuck in Hueco Mundo in 1996 and we thought him dead."
"That's terrible," Inoue said. "Hey what's that?" she asked as she pointed at a silvery animal running towards the group.
"That's Fred's Patronus," Tonks said.
"Do you think he mistook Captain Hitsugaya's icy demeanour for a dementor attack? " Ginny said causing Tonks to giggle. The Patronus arrived and Fred's voice,
"Looks like we've got an emergency of the greatest order folks. We've got dementors and hollows having a little party in Karakura Town, Japan. Get to gate 12 immediately."
"What!" Ichigo said.
"We've got to go," Hermione said. "I'm sorry."
"No wait," Ichigo said. "Karakura Town is our home town, we're coming with you."
Hermione went to protest but when she saw the resolve on each of the ryoka's faces, she sighed in defeat.
"Fine, I'll let Fred know your coming," Hermione set off her Patronus to Fred as they headed off to Gate 12.
Neville sighed as he and Luna sat down in their barrack in division 13. They didn't have a specific division but Captain Ukitake had allowed them to stay whenever they were in Soul Society. They barely stayed for more than a couple of days at a time but it was appreciated.
"I know Sirius is innocent and all but I still find it disconcerting meeting an ex-convict," Neville said.
"We met him in the department of mysteries before he fell into the veil," Luna replied. "Stop being so intolerant."
"Sorry," he replied scratching the back of his head.
"Remus is happy," Luna replied.
"Well sure he was," Neville replied. "But didn't you think it was a bit weird? I mean it wasn't exactly the most emotional reunion most would expect."
"Really?" Luna said as she returned to her usual absent-minded tone. "I thought that they were truly happy to see each other. After all, they have both been through a lot and they will need each other to get through what is to come."
Neville sighed; Luna knew what was going to happen. He could still remember what she said as they got ready to leave Australia.
"I don't suppose your going to tell me what is to come?"
"All is going to change," Luna replied.
"I don't think I can handle any more change," Neville shivered. Although his strength and confidence has soared since his time at Hogwarts he still took a while to adjust to his new life.
"Without change the wars will not end Neville," Luna replied. "Besides just because I said everything is changing doesn't mean that its something you're not familiar with."
"Which would be?"
"Well I can't tell you," Luna replied with a wicked grin. "I can't tell you what will happen in the future. That could disrupt the whole balance of time and space."
"Is there anything that you can tell me?"
"For Aizen's war to end, there will have to be unity on both sides."
"What?" Neville questioned. "How…?"
However Neville was interrupted by Fred's Patronus heading towards them.
"Looks like we've got an emergency of the greatest order folks. We've got dementors and hollows having a little party in Karakura Town, Japan. Get to gate 12 immediately." The silvery figure disintegrated into the air.
"Well come on then Neville lets go!" Luna said. The Gryffindor nodded and they set off.
Neville's frustration was mounted. With things going the way they were, will either war come to an end?
Padfoot sighed as he shifted onto his back. As soon as the sun's warmth hit the dog's belly he let out a breath of contentment. Although he did wish that Ichigo and Abarai hadn't left a couple of minutes ago as he already missed Ichigo scratching his ears. He found it soothing and it kept his mind off more pressing matters, like the return of Remus.
"Its better I take a nap," he thought, as his eyes got heavier. "Naps are good." After a few minutes dozing he felt a familiar feline presence coming in his direction. One eyes slowly inched open to find the cat looking at him in curiosity, but this didn't deter him and he closed his eye to resume his nap with a slight grin on his face.
"You know, real dogs don't grin," Yoruichi said. "Some would consider that quite a talent." This of course made the dog's grin to widen.
"You seem awfully relaxed Sirius," she continued. "Ichigo told me what happened. It must have been quite a shock."
"Great, so much for taking my mind off it," Sirius thought as he raised his head and gave her a stern look to indicate that he wasn't ready to talk yet. Rolling to his side he stretched his legs before trying to get comfortable once more.
Yoruichi was worried as she watched the grim evade her. It was obvious that he was agitated even though he didn't want to show it. She curled up next to him and decided that a nap was not such a bad idea. That's what cats do best after all. Sirius let out another contented sigh.
"I just hope Soifon doesn't see us," she thought before slowly loosing consciousness under the warm sun.
10 Minutes later:
"Well that something you don't see everyday."
The cat and dog jumped as someone spoke from behind them. Remus Lupin was stood grinning at the couple with Ula sat behind him.
"I knew you had a soft spot for cats Sirius. You seemed awfully fond of Professor McGonagall when we were at school."
Sirius flinched away from Yoruichi and got up to stare at the werewolf, whereas Yoruichi slowly stretched before standing to look at Remus.
"You must be Remus Lupin," she said.
"Yoruichi-sama," Remus smiled at the cat.
"What did the Captain-Commander say?" Sirius asked as he changed back into his human form.
"We are to keep pursing dementors but we can have a few days leave before we return," Remus said as they went to sit at the edge of the building. "Fred is keeping an eye on the situation just in case we have to leave sooner."
"Okay," Sirius replied.
They sat in silence not knowing where to start. Not wanting to intrude on such a personal moment Yoruichi went to Remus' wolf and curled up by her feet. Taking a big yawn she went back to sleep. The men chuckled as the wolf stared in shock at the boldness of the cat, she didn't know whether to growl or curl up with it. However, after noting Yoruichi's spiritual pressure she settled with curling up with the cat, whilst listening to Remus and Sirius catch up.
"So what's with the wolf?" Sirius asked.
"She's Moony!" Remus simply stated as he took in the look of shock in his friend's face. "Okay so she's not technically Moony but she's my Zanpakuto. When we died in the battle out Zanpakuto instantly materialised. However, unlike Tonks and the rest my Zanpakuto took the form of my werewolf."
Sirius frowned. "That still doesn't explain why he's sat over there right now."
The wolf growled from its resting place.
"Okay, first he is a she called Ula. She does not appreciate being assumed male. Secondly, you know that zanpakuto are part of your soul right?"
"Yep," Sirius smiled. "I was there when Ichigo was being trained by Urahara and Yoruichi."
"In most cases it is more of a manifestation from your soul, but in my case it was different. My soul had two entities, Remus and Moony. It is a bit like when people have Schizophrenia, so since my body didn't need to develop a new persona, the werewolf part of me became my zanpakuto."
"But I thought you were constantly fighting the werewolf. That's why werewolves are so violent during the transformation during full moon."
"Sirius, you of all people know that isn't true. When you and the Marauders transformed into animals Moony was soothed. Having a pack was all I needed to act like a normal wolf and not a man-eating monster. What people don't know is that it's the human part of the werewolf that makes it the monster not he wolf. The werewolf virus reacts so severely with the human's antibodies it creates a huge amount of pain during the transformations, which cause the violence.
"The perception that wolves are bloodthirsty monsters is a misconception. The human side is also why werewolves like Greyback are much more violent than I ever was. It was his choices as a human that made him so dangerous," Sirius smiled sympathetically to Remus before the werewolf carried on. "So to answer your first question. The reason why she's corporeal is because she's in her Bankai form," Remus smiled. "Well, its part of my Bankai. Since Ula was with me for so long during my life, she can come out as a separate force. It's great. She often goes out on reconnaissance missions alone to check up on the order of the phoenix as the follow Voldemort on his warpath."
"Wow, that's impressive," Sirius said. "So I'm guessing it's a bit like those Visored who have hollow powers separate from their zanpakuto, or the Arrancar."
"Kind of," Remus smiled. "Except my 'two powers' the wolf and the zanpakuto are one in the same."
Remus turned to Sirius.
"How did you know about the Visored?"
"I'm staying with Urahara Moony. In exchange for all my information on Aizen he told me the circumstances of his banishment. That Aizen is a nasty piece of work. You?"
"We've met up with them a couple of times," Lupin replied. "Without the Soul Society knowing of course. Fred likes to trade with them. It's a shame that Gotei 13 hasn't come begging for their help. They're all very powerful considering they are all Captain and Vice Captain strength."
"Both sides have too much pride for that," Sirius said. "Anyway Bankai in six years! That's amazing Remus."
"More like six months," Lupin smirked. "Like I said I have a special connection with Ula, it didn't take long to control Bankai. I'm sure our magic helps as well, Tonks, Fred and Ginny have also obtained Bankai."
"And the others?"
"They're getting there. I think Neville is nearly there. I think Hermione is too distracted so she hasn't managed it, I don't think she expected the battle to end like it did, she really worried about Ron. Once she gets her resolve sorted out she'll manage it easily."
"Well she was more a bookish person than a doing person," Sirius added.
"Yeah I guess so. Luna on the other hand… well I don't know about her. Her Shikai is so good anyway I can't image the power she would yield if she obtained Bankai. Knowing her she already has released her Bankai and is just not telling us."
Sirius laughed. That did sound a lot like Miss Lovegood.
"What's her Shikai?"
"Sybill can predict the future. When in battle she can predict the opponent's intentions and react accordingly. It's really just an amplified version of her sight."
"She has the sight?"
"Yep."
"You know Moony you never did say how you all became shinigami," Sirius stated as though the question had been burning on his tongue for a long time.
Remus smiled.
"We are not so sure ourselves. However it is believed our magic fluctuated when we died and wanted to keep fighting. We didn't want to give up and now we can carry on fighting the war in our own way."
The two paused to watch Fred drag Captain Hitsugaya down the street.
"Is he allowed to do that?" Sirius questioned.
"Since when has something like that stopped Fred Weasley?"
"True. There was a time when we were like that too."
"No you and James were like that, I just tagged along for the ride."
"Says the brains for our most elaborate pranks," Sirius reminisced.
"Yes but I, unlike you, never got caught and if it wasn't for me you and James would have never done any of your school work."
Sirius scoffed as the Redhead and Captain disappeared in the direction of the hospital.
"Fred's just what Captain Hitsugaya needs to loosen up a little," Remus replied. "He's just a child but he never lets his guard down and it's not healthy."
"That's the problem with being forced to grow up too quickly," Sirius replied. "He saw it with Harry. I'm sure Fred knows what he's doing."
"Yeah the twins were always there for Harry," Lupin smiled sadly. "They had strange ways of getting their point across."
The mention of Harry caused the marauders to sit in silence. After a few minutes Ula whined and Yoruichi opened an eye in worry.
"What is the situation in the war Remmy?" Padfoot asked seriously breaking the two out of their reverie. Remus sighed deeply.
"After the battle of Hogwarts Voldemort has been on a rampage. He's taken over all the wizarding ministries in Europe and Asia. He still has Bella and Lucius by his side, but Mrs. Malfoy and Draco joined the order just after the battle of Hogwarts. McNair was killed by the order in France. Crabbe and Goyle senior were taken out in India."
"Oh lovely Bellatrix, how I would love to be the one to take her out," Sirius sneered.
"You'll have to wait in line, she killed Hermione and Ginny not long after that. Not to mention Molly Weasley when she went on a rampage after killing Ginny."
"Molly? Is she here in Soul Society?" Sirius asked.
"No, she like all the others who died went through wizarding limbo," Remus replied. "We still don't really know what happens to a wizard's soul when they die."
"And after the battle?"
"There have been very few fatalities in the light since the battle, but the main problem is the increase in Death Eaters. Their numbers have increased substantially. I have a feeling quite a few of them are under the imperious curse.
"The muggles have no idea what's going on. They're blaming it on muggle terrorists, but even they can't explain the Dark Mark that looms over each attack site."
"Why won't the Soul Society let you interfere with the fighting?" Sirius asked.
"Because its not their fight. Its ridiculous, but a soul reaper's job is preserving the balance between life and death. If we go killing Death Eaters when they are not a threat to the Soul Society would disrupt the balance and cause chaos."
"Like the balance isn't already screwed up with all Aizen's experiments," Sirius scoffed. "I guess you at least get to kick some dementor arse."
"And Hollow," Remus added.
"Yeah!" Sirius exclaimed. He liked the idea of his best friend exterminating all that the creatures that have made his life hell during his life. "I wonder what dementors taste like?"
"Urgh Sirius that's disgusting!" Remus scolded.
"What," Sirius whined pulling the puppy-dog face. "I can't help that the only source of food I've had for the last eight years or so is Hollow meat. Urahara says that I have to wean myself off hollow meat slowly or my spiritual pressure will become unstable. I'm sure dementor meat isn't much different."
"I don't think dementors have much meat on them at all, and I'm sure its going to be pretty rotten."
"True … They're all bony and such. Though it would be a nice bit of revenge after what the dementors put me though in Azkaban."
"Sirius, revenge can take you to dark places!"
"Do you think that any more wizards will become shinigami like you?" Sirius ignored Remus' scolding. The werewolf paused.
"I suppose it's possible, it hasn't happened yet," he said looking towards his feet.
"Would it be a bad thing?" Sirius asked as he picked up his friend s hesitance.
"No but…"
"But what Remus? Wouldn't it be better for the order to continue fighting when they die? Merlin knows you could use the help."
"What if it's a Death Eater?" Remus exclaimed. "Or someone we love, like one of the Weasleys or Luna's dad or Teddy?"
Sirius blanched.
"I don't think accept the death of my son, Merlin Sirius I worry every day that my son is in the war. He's only seven and if Voldemort gets to him I doubt he would survive," Remus said as he broke down into tears.
"Remus I'm sure Andromeda and the rest of the order are keeping him safe," Sirius tried to reassure his friend.
"Sirius I can't loose him. I don't want him to die like James and Lily did. I don't want to feel the devastation I felt when they died and when I thought I had lost you as well to Azkaban. When I thought you had betrayed them I was heartbroken," Remus said between sobs. "And then when I got you back you went through the veil, I had never felt so alone."
Sirius put his arm around his friends shoulder and looked at him seriously.
"Remus you were never alone, you had the order and Harry… Even I could see that Tonks was there for you."
"Merlin, I missed you so much Sirius."
Sirius faltered.
"Everything went to pieces when you died. Harry fell to pieces and went so far into himself that if it wasn't for Ginny I doubt he would have come out of it. Then Dumbledore died and Harry went on the run with Ron and Hermione. Do you know what I tired to do? I tired to go with him. I finally wasn't alone, Dora and I were happily married but the moment I found out she was pregnant I bolted."
"Oh Remus," Sirius said.
"I was so afraid that I had spread the werewolf curse onto my unborn child that I was prepared to leave Tonks on her own," Remus paused to wipe away some tears before grinning slightly. "But Harry knocked some sense into me. You would have been proud of him, Sirius."
"I always will be, and I'm sure Lily and James would be too," Sirius smiled. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Remus sighed. "I guess I needed to get some things off my chest."
"Even the strongest people need someone to talk to Remus," Sirius said. "What are friends for?"
"I'm glad your back Sirius," Lupin thanked.
"Yeah me too," he replied. "I never thought I'd miss sunlight like I did."
"I feel so selfish, here I am ranting about all my troubles when you were stuck in Hueco Mundo for so long."
"It wasn't so bad. Being a wizard animagus with slowly increasing spiritual pressure does have its advantages."
"It must have been lonely," Remus said.
"I guess, but I'm well practised from Azkaban," Sirius replied. "I did have a bit of a breakdown when I got all my memories back the night of Hogwarts battle, but I did also meet a shinigami friend that was also stuck there."
"I'm sorry Sirius."
"What for?" Sirius asked. "Look I was telling the truth about your son. He'll be Okay."
"Yeah I guess, but its still frightening."
"Well that's war Remus."
Suddenly they were interrupted by a silvery glow moving towards them at an extraordinary pace. A Patronus stopped in front of them and spoke in Fred's voice.
"Remus we've got a horde of dementors and hollows causing havoc in Karakura town. It seems the dementors have finally found what they are looking for. We're meeting with the ryoka at gate 12 ASAP."
All had arrived at gate 12 within minutes. The Wizards, humans, a dog and, surprisingly, a certain goddess of flash in human form.
"What's the situation?" Remus asked Fred in an authoritative tone. The twin pulled out a strange device, which looked like a cross between a global satellite navigation device and a 1950's radio. After a brief study Fred grimaced.
"Well we've got lots of dementors which have high spiritual pressure within a place called Karakura town," he started. Ichigo and his friends paled. "There strength seems to be increasing but I don't think that they are attacking the civilians (yet) as many weak hollow signatures seem to be disappearing. They are mainly localized around the parkland."
"That's where that Menos Grande was," Ishida grimaced; he was very worried now that his powers had disappeared.
"Well how do we kill them?" Ichigo demanded, but the wizards just glanced impatiently at the forceful teen.
"The usual slice and dice," Tonks told Ichigo. "But be careful if they get hold of you they have a nasty habit of sucking out your soul."
"Like hollows then?"
"No not really," Luna added. "The dementors devour your soul, leaving your soul chain still attached. It doesn't kill you, it just leaves you a shell of a being."
"Thank-you Luna," Remus repressed a sigh. "Right lets get going."
"But what about Rukia?" Inoue stated. "We haven't said goodbye."
"She'll understand," Ichigo reassured her. "I'm sure we'll meet up again when she's recovered. Lets go." He headed towards the open gate only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
It was Yoruichi. She stepped forward and blocked the gate before entering. She knew that most of the humans were in no fit state for fighting.
"Inoue, Ishida and Sado," she said. "I want you to go straight to Urahara's, you are still in no state to fight these dementors. We'll all meet up there afterwards. Is that clear?"
"But," Orihime started.
"Inoue-san," Ishida interrupted. "We'll only get in the way. Besides your healing skils will come in use later." The girl's eyes went all watery but she nodded nonetheless.
"Right lets get going," Remus said as he lead them all through the gate.
Once out of the gate everyone was hit with silence. It was dusk in Karakura town and there wasn't a person in sight.
"I thought you said we were going to the park," Ichigo griped.
"I thought the town was riddled with these things?" Ishida added.
"And here I thought I told you, Sado and Inoue were to go straight to Urahara's," Yoruichi scolded.
"Oh yeah, right," Ishida scowled and went off after Chad and Orihime who had already set off.
Fred frowned and brought out yet another gadget from his pockets. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at this, wondering where he fit all these instruments. Did he have bottomless pockets? The truth was that the prankster had learnt to charm his pockets with and undetectable extension charm long before he died.
The invention in his hand was a portable radar that looked like it had been assembled with parts form a scrapheap. Fred turned it on and tuned it by pressing a few buttons.
"Yeah it looks like they are all in the general vicinity of the park. However I think a few are heading towards us at speed. I can't tell if it is hollow or dementor." However Fred's question was answered when the group felt a huge wave of spiritual pressure that chilled them to the bone.
"What the heck is that?" Ichigo had never felt so hopeless in his life. "Hollows don't have spiritual pressure like that!"
"That would be because it is a dementor," Neville said. "They feed off happiness, leaving you an empty shell of despair."
Just beyond the tree line there was a black haze descending. The air condensed into mist and it began to advance towards the shinigami. Behind the familiar screech of hollows could be heard and Remus grimaced.
"Looks like the hollows are being attracted be the spiritual pressure of the dementors," he turned to the screeching.
"And vice versa," his wife added.
Fred suppressed a groan when his radar stopped working properly, but he began to hit the side of it to get the screen to start working again. Once the screen got back working again he yelped. The number of hostiles had multiplied.
Noticing the readings on the screen Yoruichi spoke up.
"Look those hollows don't seem to be that powerful. Ichigo, Sirius and I will go and finish them up while you take on the dementors. We'll meet up at Urahara's once everything is exterminated."
"Okay," Remus nodded.
The dementors had now emerged from the woodland and headed towards them. The wizards pulled out their wands throwing the strongest patronus' they could muster before heading in to slice them down.
Sirius padded towards Yoruichi. She had already turned back to her human form and out some clothes on. It wasn't long before the hollows also began to appear in their line of vision. The trio grinned and set to neutralise the hollows.
"So what's the damage?" Sirius asked Urahara when he entered with Ichigo and his friends. Remus and the rest of the wizards had arrived back minutes ago to see the results of Urahara's experiments. The dementors had been more of a problem than anticipated, so when Yoruichi, Sirius and Ichigo had finished fighting off the hollows they went to help the wizards. Yoruichi was fascinated when they finished off one of the dementors and had brought it in for Kisuke to examine.
It had been half an hour and they all congregated back in the shop's main room for the results.
Fred looked down to his parchment.
"There were 23 dementors in total. Ten were Level 1 and 13 were level 2. It looks like you got the last of them Ichigo," Fred said as he relayed the situation to the new arrivals. "Tessai managed to use some advanced Kido to contain a level 2 dementor and Urahara has just finished examining it."
"Never seen those level twos before," Sirius grimaced. "What's with that?"
"That's just it," Hermione said. "They started changing just after the Hogwarts battle. It wasn't until after our training that their evolution began to accelerate. They are becoming more hollow like every time we see them."
"Do you know what's causing it?" Ishida questioned.
"No," Hermione replied. "We have no idea. It's not Voldemort's doing. If anything its like their magic is being slowly seeping away."
"Did you find out anything Urahara-san?" Luna asked dreamily.
"Tessai and I have managed to experiment on the dementor that Sirius helped us catch," he started. "I do believe that Miss Granger is right in this matter. They are slowly transforming in to hollow like beings. As we know, wizards created dementors by breeding hollows and wraiths. This made them less powerful and easier to manipulate and to do wizards bidding. However dementors are reverting back to their hollow state. However, due to their wraith blood they are stronger that the average hollow, nor are they as easily to dispose of."
"Your telling me," Sirius said with a shudder. "They still have the ability to suck away all happiness."
"Indeed," Urahara said. "It seems Voldemort still has a bit of control over them. However, I believe he is well aware that his control is slipping and is not merely observing them. I fear that the wizard is on his way here as wee speak due to their sudden movement to Japan."
"What do you think caused their transformation?" Tonks asked.
"Well I wouldn't put it past Aizen and his experiments, but due to some of my own experiments I fear I have come to a more problematic conclusion. I believe that the changes started straight after your transformation to shinigami. The fluctuation between magic and spiritual pressure must have had an effect on the dementor's balance between hollow and wraith."
"So your blaming this dementor epidemic on us?" Ginny scoffed.
"If only that was the case Miss Weasley. However the dementors are much more responsive to hollow spiritual pressure than shinigami," Urahara replied. "Which means that a wizard has turned into a hollow. By the way the dementors are growing in strength and numbers, I believe the hollow is getting stronger."
"Now much stronger?" Remus asked.
"Captain strength, but most probably stronger."