I bring you all another chapter. If you're getting sick of the intro stuff, don't worry, the game starts in the next chapter, and then the fun really begins. :) Thank you's go out to everyone - readers, reviewers, favoriters, etc. Hope you're enjoying it so far, and stay tuned, because the fun is just getting started!
Reviews are welcome, but if you criticize, please be nice. I don't take well to flames, pretty though they are.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its characters, but I did come up with the witty banter. (Well, most of it. Anything else can be credited to my lovely beta Barbellenel. Love ya!)
-Chapter 10-
The locker room door burst open as Team Chappy entered the rink area and took in the sight. Isshin was nice to them and quickly zambonied the ice after he got the scoreboard and timer running. After thanking him for giving them fresh ice, Kira and Ishida, as customary with normal hockey games, went out onto the ice and skated around a bit to get used to the feel of it fresh. The Yukies were already waiting at their entry gate, ready to start the fun.
As they walked out, Yoruichi leaned over to Urahara.
"Kisuke, what are Captain Unohana and her subordinate doing here?"
"I believe they're here to cheer on Isane."
"That's nice of her. Kind of surprising that she got time off to come, though."
Team Chappy reached their entry gate. Ichigo turned to look at Renji, whose sadistic grin practically screamed, "I'm gonna beat your ass." Ichigo gave him a "Just try it" smirk in response, and together they opened their gates, allowing the teams access to the ice.
After skating around and getting their ice legs back, both "captains" called their teams together. Kira and Ishida brought them to the middle of the rink.
"Alright, everyone," Ishida started, "as you all know, this is not an ordinary hockey game, so we won't be following some standard procedures like normal games. However, basic game play is the same, aside from some extra changes."
Kira began pacing. "Zanpakutous and other personal weapons will be used instead of hockey sticks, unless someone doesn't carry any such weapon. Hockey sticks will be used then. Also, Shinigami may use their shikai and kidou, but bankai is off limits. Anyone not a Shinigami may use their powers as well. Lastly, no one may pass the puck to themselves by flash stepping." Once he finished, he turned around.
Renji caught a glimpse of Kira's back and was stunned. "Izuru, I don't know whether to laugh or feel betrayed due to the fact that 'Soul Candy' is written on your back. I'm guessing the other one matches my ass, so either you betrayed our team or you gave a pathetic attempt at making yourself look good."
Kira's cheeks reddened slightly, but he held his head high and gave no response.
Ishida sighed. So that's what that was about earlier…
Kira continued. "Following along with the modified rules, we have changed the penalties a bit too. We have added two penalties, one being 'improper use of powers.' If you misuse your powers or zanpakutou in a way that gives your team an unfair advantage, you will be penalized. Also, take care to watch your mouth." He shot a glare at Renji. "Mouthing off to us and getting into fights will earn you a major penalty."
"Now, just so we have names down, let's have the captains of each team introduce their team members. Smaller team goes first," Ishida stated.
Ichigo sighed. "This is pointless, but whatever. I'm Ichigo, and my team members are Orihime, Chad, Urahara, Yoruichi, Jinta, Ururu, my sister Karin, and Don Kanonji, though Kanonji's more of a mascot than anything else."
Before Kanonji could protest, Renji stepped up. "I'm Renji, and this is Isane, Hinamori, Hisagi, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Hitsugaya, Rangiku, Captain Zaraki, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Rukia, and Jidanbou."
"Okay, good. Is there anything else that needs to be brought up?" Kira asked.
Ichigo was about to speak up when Ishida cut him off. "One last thing, we figured out that the best way to set this up is to have lines of three, so that two people will be extra on each team. Hopefully you all planned accordingly."
Ichigo, who had planned on talking about that exact same idea, deflated.
"If there's nothing else, then let's start this up," Kira proclaimed.
Suddenly a senkaimon gate appeared in the bleachers, gaining everyone's attention. Out like a cannonball shot the pink-haired Yachiru, who waved to her captain once she located him.
"Sorry it took so long! I brought some friends along with me!"
Right on cue, out of the gate filed Captain Soifon, Captain Ukitake, and third seats Sentarou and Kiyone, who plopped down on the bench next to Captain Unohana and Hanatarou.
"Now the fun can officially begin!" Yachiru exclaimed.
"One, two, three, GO ISANE!!" Captain Unohana, Hanatarou, and Kiyone cheered.
"Looks like Isane has a little fan club," Urahara muttered to Yoruichi.
"We're the smaller team. We need the support, so why do they get a cheering section and we don't?" she asked.
"We do have a cheering section," Urahara countered. "Look."
Off by himself on the other side of the bleachers sat Tessai, looking down proudly at his boss.
Yoruichi cocked an eyebrow at Urahara. "One man. That's our cheering section?"
Her question was immediately answered as Tessai yelled an "Urahara" chant that echoed through the arena. "U-ra-ha-ra, U-ra-ha-ra!" Once her eyes returned to their sockets, Yoruichi gave an impressed nod.
"Alright, now that everyone's settled, let's get this game started so we can win," Ichigo smirked.
"What's the winner get? Candy?" Yachiru yelled from the bleachers.
"Nope, just the satisfaction of being right," Renji answered, grinning smugly at Ichigo.
"Okay, everyone but the first line from each team and the goalies, go to your benches!" Ishida ordered.
Jidanbou and Chad went to their goalie boxes while Ichigo, Orihime, Don Kanonji, Renji, Rukia, and Zaraki gathered around Kira. Ichigo and Renji happily went into the first face-off, with their teammates forming a triangle behind them, ready for action.
"Last chance to back down, Renji. We won't go easy on you," Ichigo warned.
"You better put up a fight, or else beating you will be way too easy," boasted Renji. He released Zabimaru, showing that he was ready to go.
Kira looked up at the announcer's box, where he got the okay from Isshin. With both captains raring to go, he looked to both of them, looked at their teammates, pulled back slightly, and then threw the puck down fiercely right as the fifteen minute countdown started. Let the game begin…
If you haven't figured it out by now, this is going to be a very unorthodox hockey game, so please don't be mad if it doesn't follow the rules. :) Keep an eye out for the beginning of the game - it'll be coming soon.