A/N: I do not own Bleach... KT does,
But I own Arashi Kanari, 'Spadonari metaura', Vienta Tormenta, Tormenta- Licores más Finos, and the 11th division's initiation of an officer and their storyline...
Please enjoy the ride and provide Reviews...
Hey Guys I also will take anonymous reviews too…
Happy Holidays 2008, Le Rukia
Chapter 11: Mission: Secure the Outlands ?
On the Road - Reader's POV
Kanari walks out, she's pissed, and would not say why.
She was not talking…
She just grabbed her pack and stormed off
Hisagi, Masaru are now walking out with Mari, as she is going over a few things…..
Mari looks at them saying, "Please...remember you must call me by my surname... Kohaku and Kanari by Arashi"
As Kanari stalks by, Hisagi and Masaru look at each other than at Kanari concerned ….
Mari just raises an eye and walked behind her…
She walked for twenty minutes then stops and releases a long breath and turns to Hisagi, her voice is almost back to normal, it has an edge to it that indicated that it could quickly convert back to anger.
He can see she is trying to calm down…
Kanari… Looking at the three, bows saying, "I apologize for my rude behavior"
Now looking at Mari she says, "Kohaku, you brought them up to speed on our customs,"
Mari replies," yes Arashi"
She then looks to Hisagi, thankful he had not say anything but judging from the look into his eyes she knew they would have to talk later, she says, "I assume you have a route you would like to take…".
He walks to the side of the road lays the map on a nearby rock.
He starts to walk through the route, he is pointing at the map saying, "presently we are here one mile from the Rukongai border just before the outlands desert…As you are aware the outlands are divided into quarters….from reading your backgrounds Kohaku you are from these this two territories and Arashi you are from these two territories" …
They both nod in agreement….
Hisagi continues saying, "there is only one area affected."
He looks at Arashi as he points to an area on the map saying, "sector 4 which is your territory Arashi."
Kohaku looks at Hisagi and Masaru saying, "an outbreak of Hollow attacks in that area?"…
Kohaku gives a serious look to Arashi, then both look to Hisagi saying, "Are you sure?"
Arashi does not react, she is quietly listening as Hisagi continues saying, "A report came down that several of the villagers have been killed, over the last 4 weeks, the hollows are said to attack at random, But they are concentrating somewhere around here, near this canyon"
Kanari is thankful for the glasses, he does not see her eyes change to Icy Teal, but he is standing close enough to feel her tense up.
Arashi has not said anything, she is deep in thought.
The area he points to the map it is her home...
After she left for the academy, she would come back when she could, to her home that she had built for herself in that canyon to be alone and rest.
Last year she came home and found a woman name Alisa and children from the streets, living there.
She would not throw them out, instead she adopted them and helped to build up the structure to house them all.
She promised them that she would help them move to Rukongai, where it is safer.
The last time she visited, she left a level 10 barrier to protect them from the gangs that would enslave them.
It had been about 6 weeks since she had been to sector 4, and she was due a visit.
Hollow attacks there did not make sense and that low level barrier would not attract hollows something else is going on but what?
Arashi, looks to Hisagi, saying "Shuhei , as you have pointed out, I do come from that area, can I take the liberty to make some changes to your route."
He looks at her and saying, "Go ahead"
Then Arashi breathes deeply and saying, "The political climate in the outlands is different depending on where it is you go….That sector is very dangerous, not because of hollows, but because of those who wish to see the Shinigami fall from power."
Hisagi and Masaru look at her with disbelief, while Kohaku just nods in agreement.
She takes a drawing chalk out of her bag and continues speaking saying, "We need to be careful as we go….. These changes will help to avoid, unnecessary encounters with the territorial leaders."
Masaru says, "Kanari"
Mari turns and Slaps him hard, knocking him on the ground saying, "You must never call Arashi that….. If anyone finds out that you have women travelling with you and they are Shinigami women." her eyes got big and chilling... she then says, "If you do it again I will kill you myself"
Hisagi is standing behind Kanari watching, he notices her face is very intense as she quietly plots out the course.
He is impressed, but he senses a strong hesitation in her.
She completes the modifications to the course; she then looks up to him, for his approval to begin; he says, "Arashi tells us what you have"
She starts speaking as she stands saying, "We will need supplies….It has been 6 weeks since I last visited."
Hisagi glances at her; he did not know she had been going back to the outlands, She is still speaking saying, "so what I last delivered is probably exhausted by now... It will take 3 hours; that includes (2) 10 minute stops …here and here and to purchase supplies here."
She continues saying, "This time of year we do get flash flooding so we must pay attention to the sky… … do not use Shunpo or release your Zanpakutō, unless it truly is a Hollow… those are considered Shinigami traits, and we will be spotted by the nomads in the desert."
As she gives Hisagi the map back she says, "In your packages we gave you additional knives to carry….Conceal them and keep them close to you….One other thing"
She looks at them without emotion saying, "if it looks like it will kill you….. It will kill you…. so stay alert"
She nods to Mari…
Mari grabs Masaru and walks a head
She still felt something did not seem right.…
Arashi and Hisagi walk together, her face is looking straight ahead, but she is thinking, 'she must not hurry; she must enter into sector 4..as if everything is normal, she will say these three are traitors she has befriended.'
Without even looking to Hisagi she says, "Ask your questions….I will answer what you ask, but I will not speak of what was said in the 9th Gardens"
Hisagi appreciates her directness, he replies by saying, "ok what is going on… you are hiding something"
She replies, saying, "I am not hiding anything; I am however, confused about this mission…In the 4th sector the population is sparse… it is spread out...As you know Hollows attack in a concentrated area of high spiritual power…. …. Hollows...They attack in sectors 1, 2 and 3 ….because they are closer to Rukongai and Sentiei where the greatest spiritual powers reside….Sector 4...That is not the case...it is the furthermost away…mountainous and not many people live there... especially with high spiritual powers … So... there are rare hollow attacks there, and to concentrate it that canyon …. Something does not seem right."
As they walk he says "are you sure about there's nothing in the canyon that would attract the Hollows."
She once again tenses up…
Hisagi is getting irritated, he snaps at her saying, "Arashi what is it you not telling me."
His voice causes shivers to go through her…she continued to walk, but she starts to talk her voice is shaky, as she says, "Alisa and the children live in the canyon …. Over the last year we built up the house on one the cliffs in the canyon… the last time I went back, I came through the village, and I overheard the men talk about the girls that live there, they must have seen then in canyon playing."
She is still walking, her voice is strained….
Hisagi just walks and listens …..
As she says, "Alisa and I sat down with all the children and reemphasized the dangers …. before I left; I put a small barrier around it to hide them from outsiders, I am glad I did because as I went through the village, one of the brothel owners confronted me about the girls, I told him they were not for sale."
She goes on to say, "I probably have a stressful relationship with them now, but it did not matter because I hidden them, where they would not find them."
She is still looking straight and walking saying, "I was supposed to return 2 weeks later but, everything in my life went crazy."
He is looking at her, confused he does not know whether to shake her, for putting herself in danger by going back into the outlands without him, or taking her in his arms and hold her close and tell he is proud of her for her courage…
but she is now disguised as a boy, and if he tried to touched her as his lover she may try to kill him, and if she didn't Kohaku definitely would so he just rubs his head and continued to listen, as she says, "My plan, was I would save and buy a house in Rukongai for them, where they would be safer"
She has a weak smile on her face…as she says…"So yesterday….. I took all of my savings and bet on Spadonari and I to defeat the 11th and calm my seat"
He looks at her, he can tell from the grin on her face she is thinking back to her initiation. She continues saying, "I had already spoken with my Taicho, as we walked from central 46 and requested time off for Kohaku and myself to go the outlands today after collecting my winnings and of course purchasing the house….but fate would have it that I am on this mission with you, going to the same destination."
He finally spoke up saying, "Did you buy a house."
She looks at him, with a smile saying, " Yes; it is on a quiet street in town… I hope they will like it"
He looks at her says, "I know they will"
They continue walking
As they are walking again he starts to rubs his head, he is now looking sideways at her trying not to sound distributed as he quietly says, so only she can hear …. "I am proud of you, and you are very capable as a warrior from the 11th"
Hearing those words Kanari stops and is now quietly stand face to face looking at him as, he continues speaking still low voice saying, "Do you really think I would just let you go to the outlands alone with Kohaku."
She laughs, as she tilts down her glasses showing him her eyes they are teal/hazel, then whispers, "I love you too, but that is a conversation for another time."
She pulls her glasses back up over her eyes ,as she turns calling to Masaru and Kohaku for them to wait, they continue walking and talking this time about Sake.
He just looks at her with amazement.
The Outlands
It has been 2.5 hours since the group had left the Rukongai border, they have just collected supplies from the store Arashi had selected and are about to leave.
Dai, the shop keeper, had been Arashi's friend for years, he pulls the young man aside saying, "Arashi-Kun, we need to speak in private."
They walk in the back room.
Hisagi stands close and listens, as he says, "Arashi-Kun, you must careful, they know there are women in your compound, and they are now watching you."
Arashi replies her tone is sounds of exhaustion saying, "Yes I know they have been watching for over hour."
Dai continues saying, "They know someone who has put a black magic barrier around an area of the canyon."
He is looking around as if to make sure no one is listening saying, "I heard they sent word to the Shinigami that we were under attack by Hollows; they think if they get a Shinigami here, then they will force them to break the barrier."
Hisagi grins...
Arashi is pissed;
Her reisatu shoots up, causing Kohaku and Masaru to return into the store, Hisagi signals them to stand with him in the shadows.
Her voice is raises as she replies saying, "All this for what….. DAI…...Why are they so persistent for my compound, and there are no women of age there… they are just children."
He replies arrogantly saying, "Arashi-Kun they don't want the children."
She looks at him, if her glasses were off her face he would see the color icy teal as she says, "What do they want...Huh … do they want Alisa… she is at least 250 years of age."
Dai's tone is still arrogant. He is toying with her, as he says, "No Arashi-Kun that is not what they want."
Arashi-Kun physically attacks the man, she slams him against the wall hard in her hand is one of her spare knives, it is placed at his throat…
Hisagi moves slightly only to have Kohaku motions him to stand quiet...
Arashi with a knife comfortably at Dai's throat says, "Stop playing with me old man, my blade will taste your blood ….. I don't know what you are talking about…now talk….. I am tired of your games."
Hisagi is not shaking his head grinning thinking note to self, that girl has a temper.
Dai his voice and attitude have been properly adjusted says, "Alright put the knife away Arashi and I will tell you."
Arashi steps back from the old man, Dai feeling safer then says, "they want Kanari."
Arashi stopped cold in her tracks, as Dai continues to speak saying, "Since you left...they have been looking for her…they don't know where you hidden her… but they want her."
Kohaku and Masaru look over at Hisagi, his face is emotionless as He still listens, but he lets his reisatu raise enough to let Arashi know he is listening.
He is thinking this extremely changes things,
Arashi turns around and faces Dai saying with irritation, "Kanari is gone... I would not have her come back, why else would I have sent her away."
Dai continues, after feeling the knife at his throat before he is scared, his voice is shaking bad, as he says, "Arashi-Kun ….they told me to tell you when you came, that they have Yuri, and they would exchange Yuri and leave you and the others in peace; for Kanari… you have 2 week to get her back here… they know she of age to serve in the brothel… the leader has already paid to be her first."
Arashi, still has the knife in her hands, playing with it, as if she wants to kill him, her voice is cold she says, "Do you know if they have touched Yuri."
Dai is now trembling, saying "The owner gave his word that Yuri would not be deflowered if Kanari is delivered in 2 weeks… if she is not turned over to them... They would deflower Yuri and make it public for all to see."
She throws the knife into the wall inches from his ear saying, "I want to see Yuri….. 2 hours… in front of the brothel…. at that time I will tell them my answer."
He stands there shaking as she approaches and slowly pulls the knife out of the wall saying, "what about the Shinigami they sent for... How did they send word to them…?"
Dai replies saying, "I heard someone from the Shinigami came here asking questions and they showed him the barrier… he said that he could not break the barrier, but he would go and report Hollow activity and they would send a powerful Shinigami that could break the barrier for them…. They are watching for him now…but they said if you were to show up first and agree to show Kanari …they would turn the Shinigami away."
Hisagi is furious, as he signals Kohaku and Masaru to move back outside...
So many thoughts are going through Hisagi's head... from the mission he thought he was on, to the fact that if she did not get assigned to this mission, she would have walked into this situation alone.
He is now thinking about what was said about the Shinigami that visited and the barrier.
It was already proven she is the only one that can break her barriers….someone in Soul Society planned this…..
He now stands there thinking, 'What the Hell is going on …was this another test…. These people don't have any idea …. She could have killed them …, she is not alone, and I could have killed them'
Now thinking about the situation he remembers, if a Shinigami were to kill innocent people that would go against the laws of the Soul Society, and they will be severally punished by death…..
UGH …
He needed to stay focused and regroup quickly before everything got out of hand...and he had 2 hours to do it…
He is leaning against the store wall, when he hears Kazeshini say, "Calm yourself … there is a plan"
Hisagi breathes deeply as he stands straight and walks out of the store.
Arashi talking to Dai as they walk out of the store says, "Tell them old man, 2 hours… if I see any of their men near my compound… I will kill them."
Hisagi doesn't look at them as they walk out of the store but his body language, tells her… he was heard everything
They get into Dai's wagon, the ride is short and quiet. He takes them to the edge of the canyon... and unloads to the supplies... She looks at Dai who is now preparing to leave…he nods and she says nothing….
They each grab a package and bag and start down the canyon, she stops and opens a small portion of the barrier revealing a path it has steps which lead down to a small house with a porch.
On the porch is a woman who looks to be 50 years of age sitting a rocking chair reading to 6 children (age range for 6 – 12) gathered at her feet.
She looks up and calls out, "Arashi"
The children all jump up and rushing up the steps,. Happily screaming, "Arashi... what did you bring"
Arashi drops her bags and hugs them all…
She tells they take the stuff into the house, as she leads her group down to house, she hugs Alisa who urges them all to come into the house.
The house is a good size it has 3 bedrooms, front room, a bath and kitchen, in the back if the house there is a several trails, .leading to different areas outside.
Kanari, introduces everyone..
When she introduces Hisagi, Alisa looks at him grinning saying, "well this is a surprise; I did not think I would be meeting you until we moved to Rukongai."
She walks away giggling…
He looks at Arashi with an amused look, she says, "don't ask"
Arashi says to Alisa who is still giggling, "Cut it out"
She then tells the children to unpack the supplies…while they talk to Alisa…
They are in the front room, Alisa tells everyone to sit, while the children are in the kitchen, she walks into the kitchen to get them some refreshments but as she passes, Kanari, she takes her glasses off, saying. "Here you are yourself" and walks into the kitchen, she returns with cup of sake for them shutting the door to the kitchen…
Kanari says, "Yuri"
Alisa says while serving everyone Sake, "that old man told you… humm I knew he would."
Kanari looks to Alisa saying, "Ok Alisa…. What happen….how did they take Yuri."
Alisa, looks over at Kanari saying, "Is that what he told you... they took Yuri…. They did not take Yuri … she left on her own... she said she rather life in a Brothel then live there lock up like a bird in a cage."
Kanari does not look surprised..
She looks disgusted….
Alisa goes on to say, "Yuri left shortly after you left… then she came back to the house, bragging about living in the brothel a better place… she attempted to bring others though the barrier, but the barrier would not let them pass… I had not seen Yuri since and that was 3 weeks ago."
Alisa looking at her with a serious expression says, "Kanari She told them everything... So if they saw Arashi-Kun they know you are back."
Kanari, her eyes are a sad darkest blue, you could tell there are a lot of thoughts running though her head, she tells Alisa all that Dai told her, and in 2 hours Arashi-kun would appear before the Brothel and give them his decision…
She then stands saying, "Alisa please show our guest a place to rest themselves; come for me 30 minutes before the appointed time."
Then she quietly walks into the kitchen and out the back of the house…..
Hisagi looks at her, stands , Alisa put her hand up then looks into his eyes as if reading his heart, she smiles, and then she allows him to pass.
He follows her, he get to the outer door there are several paths, he looks confused, as to where Kanari disappeared too…
Aimi the youngest, who is watching him takes his hand and walks him to the beginning of a path and points, she giggles then runs back into the house.
As he walks up he sees Kanari is standing in a clearing she has materialized Spadonari.
She looks like she is dancing with her, swinging around her body.
Her movements are once again graceful and deadly.
She is talking to Spadonari, .thanking her for remaining quiet through all that as happened.
As she swings her sword, Kanari's eyes are still a darkest blue but now tears are rolling down her face…..she was betrayed and hurt…
He steps out, as she finished her dance.
He has drawn, but has not released Kazeshini, he is still in katana form,
Hisagi is swinging Kazeshini saying, "Come Kana... Dance with me."
She looks at him, as she takes her stance...
They started slow then moved faster, metal to metal...Sparks are flying …
She would attack; he would block, and counter.
She was good, but he was better…
At last he saw his opening, she lunge at him and he rolled out of it grabbing her arm, making her go in to a spin which when she came out of it she was against his chest.
He reached down and passionately kissed her...
As she welcomed his kiss she dematerializes Spadonari and lets her arms fall around his neck,
She teased him by opening and closing her mouth playing hide and seek with her tongue in his mouth, this drove him crazy, not to be out done, he slowly slid his lips to her jaw line using his tongue to flicker her skin slowly tasting her toward her earlobe she moaned by the second moan he quickly captured her mouth and her tongue.
He wanted to do this all day, she tasted wonderful sweet like the sake they just drank, and he wanted more of her.
From behind them the heard, someone clear their throat, they look up to see Alisa, with an arched eye looking at them with an all knowing grin…..
She says, "Arashi it is time"
He is still holding her as he looks into her teal/Hazel eyes, saying "what are you planning?"
They are walking back to the house arm in arm as she says, "I think we will let Masaru be Arashi today... and we will bring Kanari back in 2 weeks."
Hisagi adds saying, "during which we will send Mari back and report to our Taichos and the Sotachio what has happen await his orders… so what do you want to do about Yuri."
She looks at him her eyes are turning aquamarine. Saying, "as for Yuri... I have every intention of dealing with her later, but …. Masaru will prove to them that Arashi is a Man; therefore it will question Yuri's allegations to them, so she will have her own problems to deal with."
Kanari looks into Hisagi's eyes saying, "Plus it should make them rethink what they are doing… if he is attacked, he may have to kill one or two… he is 4th seat he should not be hurt easily…he can do hand to hand… right."
Hisagi nods yes…
She stops in front of the door and looks at Hisagi her eyes are hazel, as she says, "I am however, worried. This was a test, but I do not think it was for me... since Mari and I were just added to this mission and no one knew we were planning to come to the outlands except my Taicho and he would not tell anyone…..So it is you they were after"
He looks at her thinking, as she continues her eyes never leaving his, as she says, "If they had told you why they wanted the barrier broken. They wanted me. What would you have done."
He looks at her now understanding her meaning… he would have killed them, all of them…to include innocent people and he would be punished…he closes his eyes and kisses her forehead…as he says, " we need to be careful."
Now looking into her teal/hazel eyes he says, "We will get through this" …then he kisses passionately her again.
Hisagi is still concerned but he clears those thoughts from his mind, as he pushes her from him...he is now grinning as he says. "After all of this is over… I have every intention on finding a way… where we will stop being interrupted."
She finally laughs as they walk into the house…
Sentiei – Readers POV
At that same time one a Taicho, is sitting at his desk, still wondering how Kanari and Mari got assigned to the outlands Mission…. He then decides he has enough time to take another approach to get what he wants…. So he will quietly wait…
There are four other Taichos working in their divisions each are thinking about the 4th seat of the 11th Division…..
Only one however, is wondering whether or not Arashi Kanari has successfully impacted the outlands mission, as they had planned.
A/N
Happy New Year...
Enjoy and please provide reviews...
LR
