NIGHTMARES
Tamotsu awoke when he heard the screaming. He was staying at Urahara's shop for a while for seeking out the Reincarnates along with Rangiku, and it seemed now that he had chosen correctly. Running through the halls, he entered Naomi's room. She was crying, being held by Rangiku.
"Bad dreams," Rangiku said. "She's exhausted but doesn't seem to want to sleep. This seems to happen a lot when she does, it would seem."
Finding the strength to pull away from Rangiku for a moment, Naomi looked at Tamotsu. Her tears caused the makeup on her eyes to smear. "Tamotsu…" she said, almost in a whisper. "You will… protect me?"
Taken back by the question, Tamotsu thought a moment on how he could answer the girl's question. Taking a deep breath, he answered. "Yes. I will protect you." Naomi was obviously scared deeply by something, but she rarely spoke. He would have to connect with her if he were to find out what she was so afraid of. "I promise you, I will do all that I can to protect you."
Naomi nodded, indicating that she understood. Tamotsu left and Rangiku stood to leave but was halted when Naomi held her hand tightly.
"You don't want me to go?" Rangiku asked. Naomi shook her head. "Okay. I'll stay here with you tonight. No more bad dreams. You need to rest. You're safe with us." Naomi nodded and slowly drifted to sleep again in Rangiku's arms.
Masao was standing in the hallway when Tamotsu passed. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Naomi had a bad dream," Tamotsu answered. "She's fine, and Rangiku's probably going to spend the rest of the night in there with her."
"Must have been one hell of a nightmare for her to scream like that. Guess it'll take time for all of us to figure things out." With nothing more to say, Masao returned to his room. It was true. There were many things for them to get used to. He couldn't blame the girl. Remembering his own death had caused him, a grown man, to break down. He could only imagine the impact it would have on a teenage girl.
Tamotsu was unable to sleep again. Too many thoughts were racing through his mind. He had to be calm, and calm was something that seemed to come rarely these past days. It was barely midnight, but he no longer felt tired. And he couldn't just sit around doing nothing. Sitting up, he made his way to another room. Urahara and Yoruichi were sitting at a table drinking some type of tea. He decided to join them.
"Ah, Tamotsu," Urahara said. "Decided to stay up as well, did you?"
Tamotsu sat down between the two former Shinigami. "I'm getting a bit overwhelmed here," he said. "Its kind of difficult for me to know what my life was like before my memories and powers returned."
"You're taking the world on your shoulders," Yoruichi said. "You keep viewing this as your responsibility and yours alone. We're here to assist you any time you need us, you can't be afraid to ask. Even Naomi asked if you would protect her, and that's the most she's talked her entire time here."
"I suppose you're right. Maybe I am being too hard on myself. This is just such a unique thing I've been assigned to do."
"We're all here for you, just ask and we'll see what we can do." Yoruichi smiled. "You've got two former Captains ready to help."
"Thank you, I appreciate it." Feeling a bit better, Tamotsu returned to his room. At least he didn't have to go about this alone.
TRAINING
The next morning, Tamotsu and Masao were un the underground training area. Tamotsu had changed into Shinigami form, Lucky in his body watching from the sidelines. He was accompanied by the other Mod Souls in their human Gigai with Naomi, Rangiku and Hinohebi watching.
Masao had been equipped with a sword, Tamotsu using his Zanpakuto. It was in its sealed form, as Tamotsu had asked Hinohebi to do this for the purpose of training Masao. She reluctantly agreed, preferring to be with him. But this was something he said he had to do on his own.
Tamotsu swung down, Masao blocking the strike then counterattacking to which Tamotsu parried and spun. This training was for him as well, since he hadn't fought with a sword for some time. He did some training while studying martial arts, but had become rusty and that was mostly for show. This time, they were training for actual combat.
Masao used an aggressive form. Being from the Second Division, his technique was aimed toward working his way into the opponent's weaker spots and striking the vital areas. Quick jabs and thrusts constituted the majority of his methods. Tamotsu fought differently. As in his fight with Tatsuki, he favored a more defensive method. Blocking the majority of the strikes and then striking when the opportunity presented itself.
Three more jabs from Masao, all of which Tamotsu blocked. Bringing his sword up for a power strike, Masao realized his mistake as Tamotsu came in with a thrust and rested the blade next to Masao's neck. That round over, they jumped back.
"Wow," Ririn said. "They've been going at it straight for almost ten minutes. Is this really going to help Masao regain his powers?"
"I believe he is trying the same technique he used with Tatsuki," Urahara said. "Trying to bring him to the breaking point and then pushing beyond in an attempt to jump start Masao's powers."
"Will it work?"
"Its hard to say. We haven't exactly been able to study this before."
Tamotsu brought up his sword in a defensive starting stance, then lowered it. "This isn't working," he said. "We're pushing you physically, but you need that emotional boost as well. Ririn. Could you change the setting for us?"
"Huh?" Ririn looked confused. "Yes, I can do that I suppose. What would you like me to do?"
Tamotsu thought for a moment. "A forest setting. With Hollows. Kurodo, come here a moment?"
Kurodo approached Tamotsu and they exchanged a few words which the others could not hear. "You want me to what?" Kurodo asked.
"I believe it's the only way for this to work." Tamotsu nodded to Ririn, who nodded in return. The training area simmered like a dissolving illusion, then appeared in a forest at night. The howls of Hollows filled the air. Out of the woodwork, several Hollows appeared and attacked Masao.
"What the hell are you thinking, Tamotsu?" Masao cried out. Dividing his attention, Masao was taken back by shock and anger at the masses of Hollows that were now flowing out of the forest. Swinging wildly, his focus lost, he slew several Hollows. But for every one he cut down, two more appeared.
A flurry appeared before him and began to slay the Hollows one after another. He couldn't make out the shape until it stopped. It was Captain Soi Fon! "What are you doing just standing there?" Soi Fon asked. "Have you lost your nerve? This is a battle! Don't lose your focus!"
With Masao's guard down, Tamotsu attacked again. Taking the offensive, Tamotsu struck again and again. Masao seemed to be losing his nerve, but Tamotsu believed that he had to push him to the threshold of what he could handle in order to regain his powers.
Two more Hollows appeared. Masao diverted his attention and struck at them, turning his back to Tamotsu in the process. Tamotsu struck again, to which Masao barely managed to dodge.
"You fool!" Soi Fon cried. "Your opponent is Tamotsu! Stay focused on the task at hand!"
On the sidelines, Naomi drew closer and pulled Rangiku's arm around her. "Don't worry," Rangiku said. "This is all an illusion. The only thing that is real is Tamotsu and Masao." Naomi looked at Rangiku questioningly. She nodded, indicating that she understood. Her grip loosened, but she kept Rangiku's arm around her shoulder.
"Focus, Masao!" Soi Fon cried out, almost to the point of yelling. "Your mission is to fight Tamotsu!"
"I'm trying, Captain!" Masao yelled. His eyes were wide, beads of sweat were forming over his brow. A Hollow appeared out of the woods and opened its mouth. Red energy formed as it charged its Cero. "No. No! NO!" Masao screamed and braced himself. A burst of purple energy erupted from him as he screamed. Wind raced through the training area, then the light and wind faded.
When Masao opened his eyes, everything had returned to normal. He was still in his human form. He had felt the release of energy, but that was all it had been. He hadn't regained his Shinigami powers yet.
Tamotsu sighed. "That was close," Tamotsu said. "But rather than forging yourself into a warrior, you froze. That's enough for today." Sheathing his zanpakuto, he passed Masao who was still breathing heavily while on his hands and knees. "We'll try again tomorrow."
"Master, do you think it wise to push the poor man so hard?" Lucky asked. "Truth be told, I do not believe the man capable of sustaining an emotional strain such as that again."
"I don't know how else to do it, Lucky," Tamotsu responded. "I'm trying to replicate the emotional strain and exhaustion I felt when I regained my powers. Something's still missing. I have to find out what that is." Tamotsu stepped into his body. There was the standard flash of light, then Tamotsu spit out the green pill and placed it into the stuffed owl. "I'm going to lie down for a bit. Let me know if anything happens." With that, Tamotsu began climbing the ladder leading back to the main level of the shop.
Masao still stooped on his hands and knees breathing heavily. He had frozen. He had freaked out and frozen. He had to overcome that fear. He realized now that the whole ordeal had been an illusion. The only real threat was Tamotsu's attacks. He had felt the outburst of energy. He was close to regaining his powers, but he would have to push himself further. Not today, though. He'd had enough for today.
Soi Fon landed next to Masao, then transformed into Kurodo. "I do have to apologize for what I had to put you through," Kurodo said. "It wasn't my idea."
"It's all right, Kurodo," Masao replied. "I know what he was trying to do. I understand his motives, but its difficult. I suppose regaining that lost power isn't as easy as I thought it would be."
FACING THE PAST
Tamotsu sat down and sighed. There was something he was missing. Something that he did that he hadn't made Masao do yet. He had been both physically and emotionally strained, but there was something else.
"You're being hard on yourself," Yoruichi said. Tamotsu looked up. She was in her cat form again. "It is a difficult thing trying to regain a power thought lost. Especially with so little knowledge on the topic."
"I regained all of my memories of a Shinigami," Tamotsu responded. "I remember everything. All the hardships I faced and the problems caused by me being unable to control my own reiatsu. For forty years I struggled to stay admitted into the Academy. I don't know how many times I had almost been kicked out."
"Forty years, you say?" Yoruichi sat and looked Tamotsu in the eye. "I haven't heard much of you, Tamotsu Toshiyuki. Other than you are Rangiku's younger brother. Or were, I suppose. This situation of yours presents some problems. So tell me. What was your experience in the Academy? Why were you kept as a student?"
Tamotsu sighed. "When I first entered, I was quite pathetic. Due to the seal that had been placed on me to suppress my reiatsu, my reflexes were weak. I had agility, but couldn't sustain fights. Everything moved too fast for me to react to. I was unable to perform Shunpo, or even stand in the air. I still can't do that. The only thing I was any good at was performing Kido spells."
"And why was that?"
"I don't know. I suppose it was an easy escape for my reiatsu out of my body. After seven years, when everyone else was graduating, I was still only able to perform Kido. I failed the tests and was going to be released."
"I see. So what changed? Why did they keep you?"
"I felt lonely. Desperate even. I had a dream that night. I was in a desert. I heard a woman's voice. She said I was not alone and that she would protect me if I asked her. The next morning, I found the zanpakuto lying next to me. It was like it had been left there for me. I took it with me when I went to see the instructors. When they discovered I'd had a zanpakuto manifest itself to me, they decided to let me stay. But it was still hard."
"That zanpakuto. It was Hinohebi, I presume?"
"Yes. That was the only time I heard her voice while I was in the Academy. The years following was the same. I couldn't perform well physically, but always excelled in Kido. The instructors actually took me out and placed me into a specialized class. Year after year I learned, by the time I graduated I had mastered the majority of the numbered Kido spells."
Yoruichi listened intently to the story. "Forty years is a long time. Tell me. What made it so you were finally able to graduate?"
Tamotsu sighed. "His name was Fumio Tanaka. He befriended me in my classes. He refused to graduate early despite encouragement by the instructors. We became the best of friends. He helped me. Thanks to him, I was able to graduate after three additional years. Soon after, Hinohebi manifest herself again. It was during a battle against Hollows. I saw Fumio with his incredible technique, myself only barely managing to keep off the hordes of Hollows that kept coming. Because of my poor reflexes, I just swung the sword wildly and managed to slay several. No form. Just luck."
Tamotsu began to get emotional. Yoruichi remained silent to show respect. "It was then I heard her name. After that, fighting became easy. My reflexes were still slow, but Hinohebi adjusted for that. I swung the whip, she aimed. I got promoted to Third Seat by Captain Hitsugaya. I suppose Fumio was jealous of me. I don't know the details, but he started distancing himself not only from me but from everyone. Somehow, he had gained access to Hollow powers. It corrupted him. Took him over. Fighting him was the second time I had ever used Bankai. The seal was broken and my power flowed freely."
Tears formed in Tamotsu's eyes as he continued. "We fought. I killed him. After that, my power still tried to escape. My body couldn't handle it. I died that night. I died in Rangiku's arms. I had loved her, but didn't know why. It was only recently I found out she was my sister." Unable to hold back the emotional strain, Tamotsu broke down and the tears flowed freely.
"I thank you, Tamotsu," Yoruichi said. "I know that must have been difficult for you. I know I can't compare to what you and the other Reincarnates must have experienced. But if you need anything, even someone to talk to, you can always turn to us." Standing up, the cat Yoruichi exited Tamotsu's room. Looking up, Tamotsu noticed Naomi looking at him. It looked like she was about to cry as well.
"You died… to protect," Naomi said. "Always protect." Turning away, the girl walked on.
I died to protect the people I loved, Tamotsu thought. To protect.
POWER TO PROTECT
The Hollow sniffed the air. It was getting dark. It didn't matter if it were day or night. There were more souls to choose from during the day, but the tastier ones came out at night. And it smelled some that would be wonderful. Several of them, all together. And if it took the chance just right, they could all be for its consumption.
Naomi sat in front of Urahara's shop. There was too much tension inside and she didn't like it. Both Tamotsu and Masao seemed to be having trouble accepting the truth behind their deaths. But death was something she had lived with a long time. It seemed to follow her everywhere. Close friends and even family had died. She thought now it was because her reiatsu attracted the Hollows and her family got in the way. To escape, she had adopted a dark place as her refuge.
Yoruichi, still in her cat form, approached Naomi. "You feel the tension too, don't you?" Yoruichi asked. Naomi said nothing, but picked the cat up and began petting it. "I can't be like this all the time. You know that."
Naomi stopped stoking the cat's back long enough to hold it close in an embrace, then looked into Yoruichi's eyes. She nodded slowly, indicating that she understood.
"Still just a child." Yoruichi smiled.
A sudden burst of reiatsu shattered the calm mood. Yoruichi recognized the type of reiatsu immediately. Seconds later, the rest of the group exited the shop. They looked as the Hollow turned a corner and stared at them.
"Everybody, back inside!" Yoruichi called as she jumped down to the ground. "I'll handle this."
Naomi shook her head. Racing out, she stepped in front of Yoruichi and spread her arms to block the Hollow.
"Naomi, what are you doing?" Yoruichi cried. "Get inside, you can't do anything!"
Naomi shook her head and stood firm as the Hollow approached. "Naomi, get back here!" Rangiku said.
"No, wait," Tamotsu responded. "Yoruichi. Stay in that form. Nobody interfere."
"Kiyoshi! You can't be serious!"
"Trust me! Stay ready, but don't do anything unless I say. Understood?" Reluctantly, everyone nodded. Come on, Tamotsu thought. This has to work.
The Hollow approached and looked down at Naomi. It was three times her height, even while hunched over. It walked on its knuckles like a gorilla, staring at her with glowing yellow eyes from behind a bone-white mask. It stopped in front of Naomi, who hadn't moved from her spot.
"You smell good, human," the Hollow said. "But the cat behind you smells better!" With a quick movement, the Hollow hit Naomi and sent her sprawling onto the ground.
"Naomi!" Rangiku cried out simultaneously with Yoruichi. They began to move toward Naomi but were stopped by Tamotsu.
"Everyone stay put!" Tamotsu cried.
"Are you crazy?" Rangiku asked, almost yelling. "She's hurt!"
"Not yet!" Tamotsu stared intently as Naomi struggled to stand. Obviously discouraged, Yoruichi listened and stood her ground but ready to attack if the Hollow advanced much further. Naomi lifted her head, several scratches covered her face. Come on, Naomi, Tamotsu thought. You can do this!
Naomi looked at the Hollow, slowly approaching Yoruichi's position. "Kitty," she said, still in her small soft voice. "No. NO!"
With that final shout, an incredible burst of red energy erupted into the air in the area surrounding Naomi. The reiatsu level jumped, and it seemed like someone else was standing in the same spot as her.
Tamotsu had been wrong this whole time. To protect. That was the key. Pushing the physical and emotional limitations weren't the right way to regain the Shinigami Powers. It was the will and desire to protect. That's the thought he had when he regained his powers. And this was the thought Naomi had now. She had to protect.
The energy dissipated and Naomi stood in her Shinigami form. Instead of the standard bottom, she wore a short skirt and wore an obi decorated with a pink Camillia flower. She drew her zanpakuto, which seemed more like a dagger than a sword.
The Hollow laughed. "What do you intend to do with that?" the Hollow bellowed. "That wouldn't even break my skin!"
Naomi took a stance, bringing her left arm across her body and placing the zanpakuto at an opposite angle, forming a cross. "Defend, Shirrudo no Kusabana," she said. The zanpakuto glowed bright red and extended outward. When the light faded, a shield had formed over her left forearm. It was circular with twelve black flowers on the outer portion, and a thirteenth in the center.
The Hollow lunged at Yoruichi, but was suddenly blocked by Naomi's shield.
"Was that Shunpo?" Rangiku asked. "Could she really use Shunpo that soon after regaining her powers?"
The force of the Hollow's impact against the shield caused ripples of energy to burst from the shield. It would seem that the impact should have caused Naomi to be sent flying again, but she stood her ground and didn't move. When the energy faded, three of the flowers on the shield were glowing bright red.
Naomi looked over the top of her shield and glared at the Hollow. "Kusabana Taihou," she said. The center flower glowed brightly as the others faded. The Hollow's eyes grew wide and a burst of energy erupted from the center of the shield. The light faded and the Hollow stood motionless. It remained that way for several seconds and then dissolved into the air. Naomi stood and the zanpakuto returned to normal. She sheathed it turned to Yoruichi. Yoruichi looked up at Naomi, but didn't have time to react before she was picked up and hugged tightly.
"Kitty!" Naomi squealed with delight.
"I told you before, I am not really a kitty!" Yoruichi yelled. "I am the former Captain of the Second Division! I am the daughter of a Noble Family!"
Naomi didn't care. She had saved the kitty from the Hollow and regained her powers. That was all that mattered.
"Oh, I've had enough," Yoruichi said. With a burst of smoke and mist, she transformed into her human self. Naomi looked up into Yoruichi's yellow eyes after the transformation with surprise for a moment. With a sound of obvious disappointment she let go, turned around and folded her arm and refused to pay any attention to the woman that was now before her.
Masao approached Tamotsu. "I don't understand," he said. "I was pushed a lot further and harder than she was. What was the difference between us, Tamotsu?"
Tamotsu smiled. "I thought if I could push you beyond your physical and emotional limit then you could regain your powers. I was wrong. The desire to protect is the key. The desire to protect your friends. Your family. To perform your duty. I realize now that was what was going on when I regained my powers. I wanted to protect. We just need to find what you wish to protect. Then, your powers will return as well."
Masao nodded. He understood what Tamotsu had meant. He knew why he was pushed so hard. But he had to overcome his fears in order to have the courage to protect. He needed the desire to protect. The only thing was, he didn't want to protect. That wasn't why he wanted his powers back. He had been abandoned and betrayed. He would play their game for now, but his goal was not the same as the others.