I'm glad you all enjoyed the last chapter x3! Thank you all for the lovely reviews! Oh and…I just went back and re-read the last chapter… DX arg! So many typos! And I forgot to mention Francis when they went through Urahara's shop OTL. You'll have to forgive me, and feel free to mention if I lose track of a character or two, I haven't worked with this many characters…like…ever…in one story. TwT Some may have bigger roles than others, just fyi…Also, I was asked if certain characters would be involved later on…as much as I would like to say yes, I'm sort of working with characters I'm reasonably familiar with. Only just recently did I learn a bit more about Switzerland and um…shoot…the girl he's always with (can't even pronounce it right DX much less spell it *more fail*). Though of course, I will be having the other two Baltic's but apart from that, I can't really make any promises. Though I may toss in a cameo or two :D.


Chapter Eleven: Storm Clouds

The reconstruction was going much smoother than expected, Alfred was shouting orders as usual, most of which were just ridiculous and as such were promptly ignored by the majority of his companions, much to his dismay. Arthur was bickering with Francis, mostly accusing him of flirting with the female soul reapers, and was easily countered by the other insisting that he was jealous and that to remedy the problem they should get married. This notion was promptly, if not violently, turned down. Heracles had a shovel in hand and was working on filling a wheel-barrel with excess dirt and rock, Yao was along side him doing similar work but the two did not interact. The Greek was used to this sort of work so he did it at a diligent yet laid back pace, all the while trying hard not to have any sort of interaction with his companions…not that he didn't like them, he just wasn't one to get in the middle of a confrontation. He'd already forgotten why he'd volunteered, it may have had to do with that certain bastard coming back from a long mission…yes, he would say that was the reason.

Matthew, Ivan, and Toris were busy as well, though it seemed that the shorter two were doing most of the work while Ivan was busy counting nails and casting a watchful glance over at the two every now and then. It wouldn't be long now before they would all take a short break; it seemed it would be a much needed break since it looked like the soul reapers were getting testy with each other as well.

And that time couldn't have come any sooner. A few of the other captains had come by to see how the progress was going; among them were Captains Hitsugaya, Kuchiki, Shunsui, and Unahana. Matthew seemed quite pleased by seeing the other fourth division captain and quickly made his way over. The two struck up a conversation almost instantly. Captain Kuchiki kept his distance and just watched he still did not approve of their being there; however, he did agree that they should stick to their own business.

Captains Shunsui and Hitsugaya had taken up standing with Captain Ukitake and were carrying on a casual conversation. All the while, the other Allied 13 members had started in on their own conversations. Alfred, Arthur, and Francis were either talking or bickering about something, Ivan and Toris were talking as well, and Heracles had found a nice shaded spot to take a nap.

"So, what can you tell us about them?" Captain Hitsugaya asked while folding his arms and watching the others closely. Both Ukitake and Shunsui couldn't help but smile, the smaller captain seemed to catch on to their amusement and frowned, "What?"

"Why don't you tell us?" The eighth division captain suggested with his slightly arrogant yet knowing smile. The snowy haired boy just stared at the other for a long while before closing his eyes and sighing. When his teal eyes opened once again, they had narrowed…

"I think they pose a definite threat," he stated flatly, "Which is why I think it's best we try and stay on their good side. If what they say is true, about how they protect humans as a whole…then if they're not around there's a good chance that we'd be in some serious trouble."

"Hmmm, that is true…"

The three of them watched as Alfred and the others conversed amongst themselves and a few younger soul reapers. It was at that time that Ukitake noticed that Ivan was walking towards them, the one that had accompanied him was with Yao it seemed. Casting a pleasant smile towards the Russian, who in turn returned the smile with one of his own. This one actually seemed honest enough, though an odd sort of chill seemed to ripple through all three captains.

"Hello my friends!" the Russian greeted whole heartedly, only to be given odd looks. Blinking, and then chuckling, "So sorry, I was forgetting that you do not speak Russian."

"Hmmm…" Hitsugaya frowned slightly, though it seemed more like a disapproving pout than anything else.

"Can we help you with something Captain Braginski?" Ukitake asked.

"Ivan."

"Pardon?"

"My name, it is Ivan." His smile seemed to grow just a bit more, "Soul reapers are very formal, da?"

Captains Ukitake and Shunsui couldn't help but find this rather amusing. This Ivan really did have a certain child like quality about him, but as both of them knew…a child is like a coin, they have two sides. This couldn't be more true than with this very being. However, before either of them could respond, Ivan shuddered and gripped his chest.

"Ivan? Are you alright? Is it the wound?" Ukitake stepped forward quickly, only to be stopped by his friend.

"Look…" Shunsui motioned towards the others, they too had the same look on their faces as Ivan. Confused, the three took a single step back, "Something tells me, this could be trouble…"

Hitsugaya put his hand on his sword, he would be ready for anything, however, before he could draw, Ivan lurched forward and grabbed him by the arm, "The boss…chooses you…"

"W-What? Let go!"

"Nyet…the Mother Land is under attack…" Ivan stated, all child-like features gone and a new more serious one replacing it. Alfred and the others had gathered around them by now, naturally, Alfred was the first to step forward.

"Ivan, is it a shadow? What's going on?"

"Nyet…" Ivan smiled, "It is Gilbert…"

This seemed to stun everybody, however, the soul reapers were more concerned about the larger nation's hold on one of their own.

"You know as well as I do that they can't help us with this sort of thing…" Arthur then cut in, "Ivan, let him go, we'll all go back and sort this out."

Ivan was silent, he then let the smaller captain go before turning, "Da…Perhaps I…over reacted…" his smile returned, but it was still not the same as before, "You all stay here and finish up, I will go and deal with the little one, da?"

None of them really liked the sound of that, but they knew that unless they themselves were being threatened, than it would only cause more trouble if they interfered. That's just how it was, things were different when they involved the soul reapers, but when it was one of their own attacking them, then that nation alone would be the only one justified to strike back. There wasn't a doubt in any one of their minds, this was a shadows doing, though what was most disturbing was the fact that it got to Gilbert.

"Ivan, perhaps Toris and I should come with you, aru…" Yao suggested briefly, though was quickly silenced with a single look.

"It is jus t an upstart little shadow, I put him in place once, da?" Ivan tugged at his scarf, "I can do it again…"


TwT That was really hard to write for some odd reason. I'd start then stop and then start and stop again. I almost didn't have it ready for today…that's probably why it's so short D:. I'm sorry! But it does cover a bit point that's going to band everybody together 8D! w00t!

Aaaand, I know I didn't follow up on the whole thing with Gilbert TwT I'm sorry…my brain is a little broken at the moment. Maybe some reviews will inspire me a little? QwQ

Naw…well yes…but still, I've just hit a smaaaaall snag, that every fanfic writer hits at least once…writers block. Only, I know what I want to do, I'm just not entirely sure how to get there yet DX…

Also, the whole title thing 8D, I feel special for that…you know how when snow storms (or rain storms) are coming in and the clouds get really dark and stuff. That's sort of like how Ivan is right now :3

1500 words even!!