Don't Own Bleach
It was the last day of school before Summer Vacation and it was a very subdued affair, Ichigo was staring out the window after noticing nobody was effected by Rukia's sudden and unexplained absence, it was as if she'd never been here. It soured his already foul mood.
Utsumi was in the back of the class, head on his desk, he wasn't tired, he just wanted to get out of there. He needed to get out of there, hoping that he doesn't have to go back there again. Ichigo can look after himself, I don't have to babysit him anymore. There wasn't any reason he was needed to be there anymore. He got up and ran out of the class.
Orhime and Chad kept their heads down and got on with whatever task the teacher had set, if only to keep up appearances. Their minds were on the very near future and what is expected of them. What they have to do is unknown to them, but they are willing to do anything to help Ichigo. While training, they were told that what they would have to do in the Soul Society would be to protect their friends and loved ones. They understood the implications of that statement and accepted it.
The clearing was peaceful, the wind whistled through the trees gently and the stream trickled through softly. Uryu had trained himself ever since the Hollow Bait incident, his desire to prove to the Shinigami that Quincies are better that them spurred him on as he shot arrow after arrow downstream. That had been weeks ago now. Now, he placed a box on the boulder next to the stream. It was a small wooden box with small lock.
Uryu flipped the lock and opened the lid. He sensed it's power as soon as the lid was opened but a crack. The Sanrei Shuto. It was white as most Quincy items of clothing, with a blue cross design stretching from finger tips to all the way down the forearm. The standard Quincy design. He touched the glove with the tips of his fingers with a reverence. He picked it up carefully remembering that his Grandfather had given it to him.
His Grandfather had trained him. Ever since he first saw Hollows, his Grandfather had trained him. First it was a way to rebel against his father, who turned away from being a Quincy. Then it became away to spend time with his Grandfather, after he died he was angry. Angry at his father and at the Shinigami, so being a Quincy became his way of venting his anger at the both and channel it against Hollows.
Uryu put on the glove. The Quincy's arrows are released in the name of Justice he heard his Grandfather's voice echo in his mind. He knew what he had to do, he would have to grit his teeth, hold his breath and do it. Help Ichigo, a Shinigami, to rescue Rukia. He imprisonment is wrong, he knew what she did. She gave her powers to Ichigo to help protect his family. How was that wrong? he thought bitterly.
The glove was snug. He materialized his bow. It felt totally foreign to him. It was that much stronger, he could feel the power in the bow as he fired each shot. As each arrow fired straight he caught movement in the trees and aimed his bow, "Come on out, I know you're there." He ordered.
Utsumi walked out of the trees to the all familiar creek still in his school uniform. "We didn't see you in school today. Orihime was worried." He said in way of explaining why he was there.
Uryu relaxed his bow arm, "I'm fine, I told her I needed to train alone."
The look on Utsumi's face was one of understanding, "I understand and you chose a good spot for it." he said knowingly. He had come here to speak with his Zanpakuto when he first arrived in the World of The Living,
Not knowing what he was on about, Uryu asked, "What do you mean?" a look of confusion on his face.
Utsumi walked further in and sat on a large rock. He looked around and started feeling nostalgic about this place, "You know I'm a Shinigami." He said, seeing Uryu nod he continued, "I first came here about 100 years ago. I was alone, I found this place and it gave me peace. The solitude of it, it allows you to gather your thoughts. So tell me, what are you thinking of doing?" he asked.
Why am I here? He couldn't allow Ichigo to win. After the Menos Grande incident, Uryu had vowed to never again lose against a Shinigami, but the night Rukia was taken, he was easily taken out by the red-haired Shinigami. "If Ichigo is going to the Soul Society, then I'll have to go." he said, hiding his real reason for going. That he needs to go, to restore the honor of the Quincy after his multiple defeats against the Shinigami that took Rukia away and Ichigio.
Taking his answer at face value, Utsumi nodded. Before he turned to leave, he said, "We'll be leaving a week from today. Be at Urahara's shop at 12.30 to begin preparations."
Uryu nodded, "I'll be there." He said as he returned to firing arrows down stream.
He left the Quincy without another word. He meandered slowly back to Urahara's Shop, knowing that he would only be watching Urahara and Ichigo fight. He knew Ichigo was powerful, he could feel it after he knocked off Urahara's hat. The power of that attack was scary. That's not to say he couldn't put Ichigo down if it came down to it, but it would be one hell of a fight. The question remains though, what was that Hollow mask he came out with. I don't know what it was, but I have no doubt that it will rear its ugly head again.
Utsumi was wondering aimlessly around Karakura Town, he decided against going back to the shop. He found himself leaning on a railing, high enough to see over Karakura Town. This town has been his home for the last hundred years. Ever since he had come back from the Soul Society, this had been his home. He may have traveled, but this was where he met Yoruichi and his friends, Kisuke and Tessai. They may have their disagreements and petty squabbles but they were friends, or even his family. Utsumi would do anything for family, they want him to go with Ichigo to save Rukia, then that is what he will do. They helped him in his time of need, more than he could ever have asked. This is just the start for him in making things even with them. He could sense her arriving, her faint Reiatsu, "Tatsuki, what are you doing here?" He asked .
She didn't look affronted, she took the question in stride, as she did with most things, "Well Orihime went off with Chad somewhere and I was just wondering around and found myself here. What are you doing here besides doing your usual looking out to the distance brooding thing?" she joked, joining him, leaning back on the rail casually.
Utsumi nodded, knowing that they were off training with Yoruichi somewhere, I hope they don't destroy another building he prayed. "Nothing, just thinking." he said, "Any plans for the Summer?" He asked, swiftly changing the subject.
Her big brown eyes lit up, "I've got a Karate Championship which you know I'm gonna win." she said excitedly practicing her Karate as a form of demonstration. "What about you?"
He smirked slightly, he knew of her skills at Karate, she'd give any number of Shinigami a fight he thought almost proud of his friend's ability. "I know you will." He smiled, "I'm going away to visit some friends of mine." He said vaguely.
She gave a small smile, she'd never heard him talk about his friends from before he was in Karakura town, "What are they like? Your friends?" she asked, trying to get information out of him.
He looked out over the Karakura skyline, "They are... different. Their culture, their way of living, it's all very..." he stopped trying to think of a word to describe the Soul Society other than 'different'.
She noticed him shut down, so she finished his sentence, "Different?" she asked for confirmation. Seeing him nod, she continued, "I'm sure you'll be fine. It'll be like getting into a sparring session after not practicing for a while. It'll take a time to get going but once you do, it'll be like you never left. Just come back? I don't know who else I could vent to about Chizuru about." She said jokingly. She looked at her watch, "Ah shoot, I gotta go, but have a good time!" She called out while walking away.
Utsumi looked at her retreating form and yelled out, "Good luck in your tournament. Tatsuki." He saw her turn around and give him a look of 'I don't need luck', He smiled at her confidence, wishing he was confident in his upcoming trials in the Soul Society. He pushed himself off of the rail and headed back to the store to get some sleep, bringing the day he returns to the Soul Society one day closer.