Chapter 11
Sai stepped out of the senkaimon (1), her Hell's Butterfly fluttering in front of her. It was night, and there was a full moon illuminating the city before her. "So this is the Substitute Soul Reaper's home," she said, running along across the thin air. Her sword was sheathed at her waist and a silver gentei reiin (2) in the shape the summer snowflake (3) graced her right cheek. She closed her eyes and felt the reiatsu around her.
There! Her blue eyes snapped open and she used shunpo to speed along. She skidded to a halt in front of a shop with a sign that read "Urahara Shoten." She rapped twice on the doors and waited as she heard footsteps come down the hallway.
A man with blonde hair and a green-and-white striped hat opened the door. "Ah, Iratsuku-fukutaichou," he said. "Come in. We've been expecting you."
"Thank you," Sai said, slipping off her sandals as she entered the store.
"Follow me," the man said, "I'll lead you to where we're meeting. My name is Urahara Kisuke."
"Of course," said Sai. "I know who you are."
"I imagine," Kisuke said before opening a shoji screen door. "Ladies first."
Sai stepped into the room and faces turned towards her. She recognized her subordinate Kuchiki Rukia, and the 3rd and 5th seats of 11th Division. She inclined her head at Matsumoto, Hitsugaya, and Renji. She bowed and said, "Iratsuku Sai, 13th Division's Vice Captain."
"Hey Iratsuku," Renji said.
Sai smiled and turned to Ichigo. "Kurosaki-san," she said, bowing. "It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
"Sure, whatever," said Ichigo. Sai sat down around the table.
"So, I know why I was called down here," Sai said. "I would like to know what our situation is."
"We believe the remaining Espada are planning to attack us again," Hitsugaya said.
"Espada," Sai growled, her blue eyes narrowing. "I see." She withdrew a small notebook from within her uniform and began to take information down. "How many Espada are we down to?"
"Six." It was Kisuke Urahara that spoke this time. "Five, not including the 10th Espada, Yammi, whose current position is unknown."
"So who's remaining?" Sai asked, taking careful notes.
"The sixth, fourth, third, second, and first Espada," Hitsugaya said. "As of the moment, we have names for them all. The sixth Espada is the blue haired one which Kurosaki fought. His name is Grimmjow."
"The fourth is Ulquiorra," Ichigo supplied.
"The third is a woman called Halibel," Matsumoto said.
"And the segunda (4) and primera (5) Espada are Barragan Luisenbarn and Stark." Urahara finished.
"Quite a list," Sai said, sighing. "At least it's not all ten. Where are we to begin?"
"There hasn't been much activity for a few days," Urahara said, "so at the moment, we have no leads."
"I see," said Sai, running a hand through her hair. She shook her head and sighed. "I think we should go back to where we are all lodged at and wait for the Espada to make their move. I've got direct contact to the Soul Society 24/7 and send backup if needed."
"Well, I think that settles it," Urahara said brightly, snapping his fan closed. "Iratsuku-san, you'll be staying here at the Shoten for the duration of your mission. You can work for your food."
Sai sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you now, I'm not an idiot, and I'd much rather do paperwork then manual labor. Plus, isn't that what you have Abarai-san for?" She gave Renji a slap on the back. Renji growled something inaudible.
Urahara smiled. "Of course! I'd never dream of making a girl work!"
"Liar," Rukia muttered under her breathe.
"Anyway," Kisuke said, "this meeting is over. You all can go back to your lodgings." There was much to do as everyone got up, retrieved their shoes and left. "Iratsuku-kun, this way please." Urahara said cheerfully, flashing his fan in front of his face.
"That's 'Iratsuku-san' to you Urahara," Sai said shortly.
"Fine then, Iratsuku-san," Urahara said playfully, emphasizing the honorific, "you're gigai is in my office." He led her down a hallway and into a room that looked more like a laboratory then an office.
He pointed at the suspended body on the far wall. "There it is." He took it down and handed it to her. "You've used gigai's before, yes?"
Sai nodded. "Good. There are some clothes for you on the desk over there. I'll leave until you get dressed, as I have no intention of learning your cup size. Come out when you're ready."
"You'd better not peak Geta-Boshi (6)," Sai growled as the scientist left the room, flushing slightly at his perverted comment. She heard his laughter as the door closed.
She rolled her eyes and let her reiatsu flow into the gigai. Its features slowly changed to hers and she let her spirit particles mix with that of the gigai until her body was fully merged with it. She quickly put on the clothes- undergarments, a traffic-cone orange t-shirt and black hoodie along with black track pants and socks. She picked up the no-heel flats and rolled her eyes at the clothing. She opened the door and left the room.
"Ah Iratsuku-san, you're ready." Urahara turned from where he stood with his back to the door.
Sai sighed at the obvious statement but bit back a sarcastic retort. "Can you show me where I can dump my stuff that I left back in that meeting room?"
Kisuke nodded. "But of course!" He led her back to the room that the meeting had been in and she grabbed the bag she had left there. "What's in that bag anyhow?"
"Some things to document the mission, an Arrancar finding device, and other trade secrets," Sai replied in a rather bored tone. "Nothing you'd find interesting, Urahara-san."
"Oh contraire," Urahara said slyly, but let the issue pass.
"So what will I be doing besides paperwork?" Sai asked as she followed her boarder through the hallway. "You'd be surprised to know I am a very fast worker."
"So Ukitake-taichou says," Kisuke agreed. "We'll be putting that to the test, along with a special skill I've been informed you have. Also, if you have any bright ideas I'd be more then happy to hear them."
Sai sighed. "When I heard you were the captain of 12-Bantai that had betrayed the Seireitei, I never imagined you'd turn out to be a goofy, store owner."
"Never judge a book by its cover," Urahara said cheerfully. He stopped in front of a set of wooden sliding doors. "This is one of our guest bedrooms, and it's the one you'll be staying in." Kisuke pulled the doors open. Inside was a fairly plain room with a futon, coffee table, and several windows. There was a small TV as well.
"Thank you very much," Sai appreciatively, walking into the room carefully set her bag down on the tatami mat floor. "It's nice of you to give me lodgings as nice as these."
"When you are ready come and join us down in the training room. I want to test your abilities. I heard you can perform Bankai."
Sai looked up from her bag. "I'll spar with you, and I'll show you some of my moves, but I won't go into Bankai just for you. It is only to be used for battle."
Kisuke closed his eyes then opened them again. "I can respect that. Come out when your ready, Iratsuku-kun."
Sai's eyebrow twitched and she hurled her Soul pager at her, but he closed the door and it bounced off the door. "Damn perverted shopkeeper," she growled. She opened the bedroll and set it out before flopping down upon it. "This visit better not last to long."
Vocabulary/Terms:
senkaimon - lit. World Penetration Gate
gentei reiin – A spirit restriction seal worn by captains and vice-captains somewhere on their bodies when then enter the World of the Living (i.e. Human World). It can restrict the spiritual energy of a shinigami up to 80 percent. Its release is "gentei kaijo" (restriction release). For reference of the power, look at Bleach vol. 24, chapter 209 – 210, pg. 78 – 105
the 13th Division's flower is the summer snowflake. For reference, look at Kaien Shiba's lieutenants badge
segunda - 2nd
primera - 1st
Geta-Boshi - Sandal Hat
A/N: Oh my le 'effing GASP!!! It's a CHAPTER!!! Lookit that!!!
Well, yeah um.... Toast kinda.... well um.... IT'S URAHARA'S FAULT!!!!! ::points at Urahara muse:: It's HIS fault!!! It's ALL his fault!!! He decided to be evil, but I conquered him and bring you this new chapter, a bit later then I had hoped but, HEY, it's NOT FEBRUARY YET!!!!
Speaking of February, I'm going to be attending Katsucon as Ukitake. :) If your going, I hope to see you there. x) I'm making Ukitake's shikai swords, which is fun!!!
So Chapter 12 won't be out until after katsucon (which is February 13-15) as I don't have time to write much with all the prep for Katsu and the fact my dad limited my computer hours! :(
I will see you next chapter!!!
-Toasty and her Myriad of Magical Muses
P.S. Bleach does nto belong to me. Sai DOES belong to me, as does Erekiteru.