A/N: Surprised? Haha me too =P On Sunday, my mum told me we are going to visit my grandparents and will be staying there for a few days. I'm not sure if they have internet so to be on the safe side, i wrote a chapter and posted it today. Enjoy!
Chapter 14 – Back to Business
"These three days passed in a blink of an eye," Satsuki sighed and looked at the black bird resting on her knee. The black bird looked like a fluffy ball and the ends of its wings were white. She reached out to stoke its head with her finger, "You really don't need to be that happy TenTen."
The black bird flew off Satsuki's knee and circled the space beside her. A second later, the bird transformed into the black-haired girl, also known as Kurayami no Tenshi.
"But we are going to fight Leila soon," TenTen replied. "These past few days were a bore. I don't get why you like the human lifestyle, Satsuki-sama. A;; you do is sleep, eat and go to school."
"I'm sure I did more things than that."
The zanpakutou didn't reply, instead she looked up at the moon shining brightly above them. "How long has it been since we last sat on the roof and admired the moon like this?"
"Around a month, I think."
Kurayami no Tenshi was quiet for a moment, then, "Is it me or is something missing?"
Satsuki looked around and frowned, "I don't think so. Maybe it's just because we're on a roof of a house in the Human World instead of sitting on the roof of the Yamane Family Manor… Ah! I know what's wrong. Usually when we are admiring the moon, either Byakuya or Rukia would accompany us."
"Those times were the best, us all sitting on the roof and chatting all night. Those times are placed second best on my list of 'The best things of my life."
"Stop talking in past tense. Even though Rukia is probably really angry at me right now, she will calm down eventually and we will resume our nightly moon admiring. On a different note, I am rather curious as what is placed first on that list."
"Well, two things are tied with first place, one of them is being your zanpakutou, Satsuki-sama," TenTen smiled brightly.
"Isn't that the same for every zanpakutou?"
TenTen shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not. Anyway, the second thing that is also placed first in my heart is fighting!"
"Why am I not surprised?" Satsuki asked at the sky.
TenTen laughed but then she soon turned serious, "Ne, Satsuki-sama, how are you going to tell the others that you have already regained your memories and were pretending you haven't for last few days?"
Satsuki sighed miserably, "To be honest, I don't know yet. But no one would be happy to find out that they've been lied to."
"You got that right," a familiar voice muttered.
Satsuki and TenTen turned to see Rukia climbing up to the roof. She stood there glaring at the two girls.
If looks could kill…Satsuki thought in her head and shuddered.
"Uh…hi, Rukia-sama, say hello to Sode no Shirayuki for me, bye!" And with that, Kurayami no Tenshi's form faded as she returned to Satsuki's inner world.
I'll cheer for you from here, Satsuki-sama. Good luck dealing with the ice-queen! TenTen's voice rang out in Satsuki's head.
Traitor, Satsuki grumbled at her zanpakutou in her mind. Then, with a small smile, turned to Rukia and said, "Good evening, Rukia, I understand you are very angry at me-"
"So you were lying to all of us this whole time?" Rukia interrupted with a tone of disappointment.
"Not the whole time, I only regained my memories three days ago."
"Why didn't you tell us straight away?"
"Well…" Satsuki's voice trailed off and she fiddled with her long hair sheepishly.
"You're being selfish, Satsuki-nee-chan."
Satsuki remained quiet. She couldn't defend herself because what Rukia said was right. "I know," she said so quietly.
Rukia continued talking as if she didn't hear her, "For the past few days, you've only been thinking about yourself; pretending that you haven't regained your memories in order to not fight. Have you forgotten the ways of the Gotei 13?"
"To give one's life to destroy evil…" Satsuki recited.
"That's right, Nee-chan. And what have you been doing the past few days? Nothing! You're dislike for violence is not an excuse to run away from battle. If I haven't found out that you were lying to us tonight, you probably would have continued to pretend, wouldn't you? You always say you hate violence, but the truth is you're actually afraid of fighting. You're parents died because they lost to hollows so now you're afraid of fighting them because there's a chance you'll end up like them."
Satsuki's eyes widened but she didn't say anything.
Rukia-sama is right, Satsuki-sama. To say the truth, I've always known you were afraid to fight. You say you sealed most of my powers away because you didn't want to use such destructive powers against your enemies but the truth is that you are afraid that if everyone finds out about your true powers, you'll be forced by the others to participate in every battle.
"You're right," Satsuki said quietly to both Rukia and TenTen.
"That's enough, Rukia. Is that the way to talk to your elder?" a male voice said.
Satsuki and Rukia turned to see that Byakuya had climbed up to the roof without them realising and was staring at Rukia with cold eyes.
"It's ok. Rukia is right, Byakuya. I've been cowardly all this time. I'm sure Kaa-sama and Tou-sama are disappointed in my actions," Satsuki said. She stood up, "In this state I'm in, I'm probably not even qualified to be called a shinigami. I need to get rid of this irrational fear of fighting as soon as possible and go deal with Leila. But first I should probably go confess to the people downstairs." She took a step forward, stopped and laughed shakily, "Wow, I can't believe I'm this nervous about facing a couple of human teenagers."
Satsuki jumped of the roof and landed stealthily on the ground. As soon as her feet touched the ground, a black bird appeared beside her and landed on her shoulder. She stroked the bird's head and after taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she opened the door and stepped inside. She found the four teenagers and one Espada in the living room, watching TV. She sat down, cleared her throat and start at them intently, "I have an announcement to make."
"What? You got your memories back?" Ichigo joked, still staring at the TV.
"Eh? How'd you know?" Satsuki gasped, not realising that Ichigo was joking.
Every head, except for Ulquiorra's, turned to stare at Satsuki.
"No way," Ichigo exclaimed with widened eyes. "How did you get it back?"
"Wait, a few hours ago, Yamane-san went to her room and now she just came in from the front door," Ishida looked at Satsuki, "For all we know, she might be Leila in disguise. How can we be sure she is the real Satsuki Yamane?"
The others now looked at Satsuki with suspicion. Satsuki looked back at them with a surprised expression.
"You have my word she is the real Satsuki Yamane," Byakuya stepped into the room with Rukia following behind. He sat down beside Satsuki and Rukia sat next to him.
"Satsuki-nee-chan jumped off the roof," Rukia tried to explain.
"What were you doing on the roof?"Ichigo asked feeling more confused.
"Admiring the moon," Satsuki said. "Anyway, about what I was saying, you guys don't seem very angry at me."
"Why would we be angry that you got your memories back, Satsuki-chan?" Orihime asked.
"Actually, I got my memories back three days ago," Satsuki admitted.
"Say what? And you're only telling us this now, why?" Ichigo yelled.
I told you they would get angry, Satsuki said to TenTen in her head. "Well… I'm only telling you this now because…"
Sensing Satsuki's discomfort Byakuya said, "She has her own reasons."
"At least tell us how you got your memories back," Ichigo said.
"TenTen thought up a plan to trick Leila into giving me a chance to wish for my memories back," Satsuki answered.
"Who's TenTen?" Orihime asked.
"TenTen is my zanpakutou. Her full name is Kurayami no Tenshi, but that name is too long so I nicknamed her TenTen instead."
"TenTen is a cute name," Orihime said with a smile.
I like her, TenTen said to Satsuki.
Satsuki laughed, "TenTen appears to have taken a liking to you."
Orihime smiled wider but then sighed, "It would be wonderful if I could meet her. It's a pity only the zanpakutou's master can see them."
Can I change into my human form? TenTen said excitedly.
I suppose there's no harm in letting them see you. Satsuki answered in her head. "You're looking at her right now," She said to Orihime.
Orihime looked at Satsuki with a confused expression. The black bird jumped off Satsuki's shoulder and landed on the floor beside Satsuki. A moment later, the black bird was gone, replaced by a black-haired girl wearing a black kimono.
"I completely forgot there was this possibility," Rukia slapped her forehead.
"Oh yea, she fits what Leila said perfectly; black-haired girl wearing a black kimono." Ichigo pointed at TenTen.
"It is rude to point, you know," TenTen frowned at the orange-haired boy and then turned to Orihime. Holding out her hand, TenTen smiled at Orihime, "Nice to meet you Orihime-chan."
Orihime's eyes widened and she shook TenTen's hand excitedly, "That was so cool! It was kind of weird that the bird started following Satsuki-chan three days back but we never thought that the black bird was Satsuki-chan's zanpakutou! Is it alright if I call you TenTen?"
"Of course you can call me TenTen," the zanpakutou replied.
"So…You people really aren't angry at me?" Satsuki asked quietly.
The humans looked at each other and then shook their heads simultaneously.
"Everyone has their own problems. We all know you don't like violence, so we can kind of understand why you didn't want to tell us the truth straight away," Ichigo shrugged.
"Never knew you were capable of saying stuff like this," Satsuki said looking at Ichigo.
"What did you say, woman?" Ichigo yelled.
Satsuki frowned at him, "Is that the way to treat your elder?"
"I know about all that shinigami ages crap. Even if you divide your age by 10…" Ichigo started.
"I'd still be older than you," Satsuki finished for him.
"Say what?" Ichigo said startled.
"I'd still be older than you by at least 3 human years." Satsuki replied calmly.
Ichigo pointed at Rukia and then at Satsuki, "If Rukia is the same age as me and then Satsuki is three years older…Holy crap! You're 180 years old?"
Satsuki nodded proudly, "I don't look it, do I?"
'You're old," Ichigo laughed.
Satsuki threw a cushion at him. Ichigo caught it skilfully and was going to throw it back at her when a beeping sound stopped his movements.
"Yes! A hollow," TenTen jumped up excitedly. "I bags this hollow, c'mon Satsuki-sama, let's go! This is a great way of getting rid of your fear…uh…dislike of violence."
TenTen pulled her master out the door and the rest soon follow them outside.
"TenTen, stop, wait for me to get out of this Gigai and then we'll go deal with the hollow," Satsuki took off her earring that was shaped like an azure-coloured marigold and pressed it onto her forehead. Immediately her soul was separated from the Gigai.
Satsuki stretched happily, "It feels so good to be out of that Gigai. The Gigai was so bothersome, it restricted my movements so much it nearly drove me crazy. TenTen, come back to my inner world. You're wasting our powers by maintaining you form." TenTen nodded and her form faded. After stretching a bit more Satsuki asked Rukia where the hollow's location was and started running toward it.
"Is Nee-chan going to be alright?" Rukia asked her brother worriedly while staring at Satsuki.
Byakuya was quiet for a moment and just when Rukia thought he wasn't going to reply, Byakuya said, "Satsuki is a strong fighter, both physically and emotionally." With that he started walking, leaving Rukia behind.
"Oi, stop spacing out," Ichigo flicked Rukia's forehead and earning a glare from her.
"I was thinking," Rukia muttered while rubbing her forehead. She started running after Satsuki and Ichigo fell in step with her. "Ichigo, can you help me with something?"
"Uh, sure…"
"Help me get rid of Satsuki Nee-chan's fear…I mean…dislike of fighting."
"You should hire a counsellor or something."
Rukia glared at Ichigo again, "Be serious."
"You're the one that wanted me to help."
Rukia stopped and Ichigo saw that they were already at the location shown on the Denreishinki. It was a shopping district. Ichigo realised they were the last ones to arrive. Thankfully, the shops were all closed so there weren't any civilians around.
"If you dare interfere, I will kill you," Satsuki said pulling out her sword.
Ichigo laughed, "As if I would stay on the sidelines."
Satsuki looked at him coldly, "What I have just said wasn't a cheap threat. You WILL die if you get into contact with my power."
Ichigo ignored her and took a forward step. Immediately, a wave of pink formed a wall in front of him. "Do as she says," said the calm but menacing voice of Byakuya. Rukia grabbed Ichigo's sleeve and pulled him back.
"How about I give you another reason? By how you fought the hollows that were in the park three days ago, if I let you deal with the hollows here, you'll tear this place up."
Ichigo huffed and sat down.
"Good boy," Satsuki smiled.
A deafening howl rang out as more than five hollows suddenly ran toward Satsuki, attracted to her by her overwhelmingly large amount of reiatsu.
We don't have a lot of power to waste. TenTen reminded Satsuki.
I know, I guess I have no choice but to use Tenshi no Chiri.
And no time for that act that you always do.
Piercing my heart and having wings sprout out my back looked cool. Satsuki protested. All the characters who have special powers in manga always do an awesome pose when unleashing their powers, so why can't I?
No time. Now hurry up and deal with those hollows with the REAL Tenshi no Chiri, I need exercise.
Very well, Satsuki huffed.
She held out her zanpakutou, "Kanae, Kurayami no Tenshi."
The thin sword turned into dust, joined together and formed a set of black wings on Satsuki's back. She flapped her wings and took off, flying over the hollows and showering them with fine, black dust.
The hollows froze and after a moment howled in unison and disappeared.
The time between when the dust landed on them and when the hollows died was too long. You've gotten rusty with your zanpakutou skills.
I know, Satsuki muttered while frowning. It'll get back to normal soon; it's just been too long since I used our real powers. Satsuki wiped the frown off her face as she landed near Ichigo.
"See, strawberry-san, I didn't even damage a single brick of this shopping district." Satsuki frowned and looked to her left, "I knew it was too easy."
What Satsuki saw was a hollow slightly larger than the average human. "Arrancar," Rukia widened her eyes.
Satsuki nodded, "I'll be right back."
A slight breeze blew past Ichigo and Rukia as Satsuki used Shunpo to get near the enemy. Satsuki held out her hand and a couple of feathers flew into her hand, forming a sharp, black katana. The Arrancar raised his hand to block the sword that was being swung toward him. He managed to stop the sword for a second but as Satsuki applied more pressure his arm was cut clean off.
The enemy yelled in pain but Satsuki ignored him. She flicked her sword and his other arm was also cut off.
Hurry up and finish him off, Satsuki-sama, I've no interest in weaklings like him.
Satsuki was used to her zanpakutou's impatience so she only smiled. She flicked her sword twice and a large X formed on the Arrancar's torso. Blood spurted out of the Arrancar's body as he fell to his knees and landed face first onto the ground. A second later, his body disappeared.
Satsuki turned and walked toward her friends. "I just remembered something really important that I need to tell you." She sat down and looked at each of them, "I'm afraid that another war between the Espada and the shinigami will start soon."
"What?" Ichigo exclaimed.
"When I looked through Leila's head, I found out that she wants to continue what Aizen was doing before. Right now, she's creating new Arrancars and Espada to help her break Aizen out."
"Does Soutaichou know?" Rukia asked.
Satsuki nodded and looked at Ulquiorra, "Leila wanted you and the other Espada to go back to Hueco Mundo so that she you can help her break Aizen out. You could say she wanted to recruit you because you participated in the Winter War and have more experience in fighting shinigami than her."
Satsuki looked at everyone's dismayed expression and then said, "There is one way to stop another Winter War from happening. That way is to find Leila as soon as possible and defeat her before things get out of hand."
"She's a very strong enemy, though," Rukia said while thinking back to the four-against-one battle they had lost to a few days ago.
"I'll be the one dealing with Leila," Satsuki said, "You guys will be responsible of getting rid of the new Arrancar and Espada. We'll meet at Kisuke Urahara's shop in a week."
"Why in a week, can't we go now?" Ichigo asked.
"You can but I wouldn't recommend it, though," Satsuki said standing up. "Don't you people need to prepare, like, training or something? To tell you the truth, I need to train."
"But you were perfect," Orihime disagreed.
Satsuki shook her head, "I've gone rusty. I need to take the seal off and start from step one again."
Rukia looked at Satsuki, "You really want to get rid of your fear, I mean, dislike of fighting, don't you? Are you sure you want to take the seal off?"
Satsuki nodded with a determined expression and then looked at the group, "So, anyone who wants to go defeat Leila with me meet at Urahara's shop in a week. Train hard you guys, because I am. Bye-bye!" And with that she disappeared, using Shunpo.
2 minutes later, Satsuki stopped outside a Japanese-styled shop. A black cat came out from somewhere and walked toward Satsuki. Satsuki kneeled down and patted the cat's head, "Hello, Yoruichi-dono."
"Long time no see," Yoruichi responded and walked inside the shop with Satsuki following her. "Kisuke, someone is here to see you!"
The hat-wearing shopkeeper called Urahara Kisuke walked out from somewhere inside the shop and recognised Satsuki immediately. "Hello Satsuki Yamane-Hime." Urahara smiled at Satsuki.
Satsuki nodded and smiled back, "Two days ago, I called you and told you what was going to happen."
Urahara nodded, "The second Winter War might be coming."
"Correct. I'm not at my best at the moment so I need to train before we go deal with Leila."
"You've already told me on the phone the day before yesterday. You need my underground training area starting from today, right?"
"I'm just checking if you remember what I said."
"Of course I would remember. Do you want me to prepare a Garganta?"
Satsuki nodded again. "I would like to start my training as soon as possible, so can you please show me to the training area now?"
Urahara nodded and motioned for her to follow him. They walked into one of the many rooms of the shop and Urahara opened up a section of the floor. Satsuki thanked him and climbed down into the vast training area hidden under the shop.
She walked around a bit, absorbing her surrounds. So TenTen, where would you like to train? Here or my inner world?
We'll start with three days in the inner world and then the last four days in the underground training area.
Ok, Satsuki closed her eyes and meditated.
End note: Hope you liked this chapter. I'm sorry if it seems rushed but I wrote this very quickly in case I ran out of time. _ During this school holiday, I will be ignoring my one chapter a week rule because I have tonnes of free time. That means, if I get lots of inspiration I might post more than one chapter a week...hopefully...Until next time! ^^