Hey peeps! I wanted to finish this chapter as quickly as possible because I'm working in stage crew for the school musical and I'll be busy for the rest of the month, so consider this a filler chapter. Anyway, this chapter is going to be focused on Topaz so it's going to be from her point of view until I give Moon a turn. Other chapters will be this way as well in the future so keep watch of who you're reading about.
On another note: happy one year anniversary for Breaking into Bleach! I'm so glad you guys stuck around for me and this story! A year ago when I first posted this, I was afraid no one would read it. You guys have really given me a self confidence boost and for that I say: VIRTUAL COOKIES FOR ALL!
I don't own Bleach.
Reviews:
Dark709 – I can't wait for everyone to see what the bankai's will look like (even though Topaz's may be a bit obvious).
Yumi sawamura – omg your reviews always make me smile! Moon's bankai is going to be amazing; I just know everyone's going to be impressed. While Topaz's still needs a final name, Moon's is good to go.
Over the next few hours, Topaz and Moon worked with their individual zanpakutou as they trained to obtain their bankai. As Sandā no kage had warned, Topaz was being pushed far past her normal limits. Upon finding their own private training spot in the large underground area, Sandā no kage had immediately turned her blade on Topaz. The girl had barely avoided the attack before lightning struck where she stood.
"In order to obtain bankai, you must face off against me using all your abilities. I will be testing your every move to see if you are worthy of unlocking my true abilities." The zanpakutou spirit explained seriously before continuing her assault. Time seemed to pass by slowly as the two clashed. Topaz had used nearly every ability she had learned from Sandā no kage but it was futile as the spirit merely countered with the same attack. She was breathing heavily, her uniform was torn up and her skin was covered in cuts and burn marks from the lightning that was shot at her. Readying a kido spell in her hands, Topaz charged at her zanpakutou spirit once more with a battle cry. She quickly shot the spell before grabbing her sword and swinging it at her opponents open side. Sandā no kage's armor protected her from most of the attack but Topaz could see that she was weakening. Topaz continued a series of attacks against Sandā no kage, who was countering with her own sword and lightning.
"Hado 33: Sokatsui!" Topaz shouted as a pale blue fire burst from her hand. Sandā no kage grunted from being hit head on and dropped her guard slightly. With the open shot, Topaz quickly shot forward and prepared to land the finishing strike. Just as she was about to hit her mark, familiar golden armor blocked the swords path causing her eyes to widen in shock.
"That is enough Topaz.' Sandā no kage's voice was now calmer than before, as it was when the two first met long ago. 'I believe we are done for the day."
"What do you mean? I almost had you." Topaz said, slightly upset at ending the fight.
Sandā no kage smirked and stood at her full height before continuing. "We have been fighting for more than ten hours and you can hardly stand on your own two feet. We will end this for today." She said before disappearing into her inner world. Upon her leave Topaz let out a large sigh and fought the urge to fall onto the floor.
"If I fall now I'll never get back up." She told herself. Making her way out of the destroyed area, Topaz slowly found her way to the healing pool she saw on the way to her training spot. Seeing no one else there she stripped off her ruined uniform and set foot in the healing water. Wincing from the heat as she sat on the bottom, she relaxed and allowed the pool to do its work, letting out a loud sigh of relief as she felt her burns and scratches begin to heal.
She than closed her eyes and allowed her senses to scan the area. She felt Ichigo's immense spiritual pressure fighting at good distance away with Yoruichi's nearby him. He's starting already? Just what time is it? I can never tell anymore.
"Got any room for another?" A familiar voice asked breaking Topaz out of her concentration. She opened her eyes and saw Moon approaching the spring, completely covered in scrapes and dirt.
"Come on in. You sure look like you took a beating." She said looking the other way as Moon stripped.
"I did.' She said as she settled next to her friend. 'Kyōki can be brutal when she needs to be. I swore she nearly killed me at least twice during our battle." Moon slid down until only her nose and upper head was showing above the water, her long hair now floating above the water.
Topaz smiled. "That looks kind of emo with your white hair." She laughed. Moon only gave a tired glare. Topaz eventually sank down and imitated Moon as the two closed their eyes and relaxed in silence. It wasn't long before they felt the water ripple and the splash of someone getting in. Topaz cracked an eye open to see Ichigo fully immerged in the water. Thank God I opened my eyes when I did. If I opened it sooner…chills ran up her spine at the thought. She was only 17 and Moon turned 18 a few weeks before they appeared in this world and they still believed they were nowhere near ready for any "bring the boy home to meet the parents" thing.
"What's with this hot spring?" Ichigo's voice broke Topaz out of her thoughts and seemed to wake up Moon as well. "My scars are healing like crazy."
"It's the water." Topaz's voice caused Ichigo to notice the girls in the spring with him and have his face redden quickly. "It has healing properties in it. I don't fully understand it myself but as long as it heals my wounds I'm ok with it."
"I-I didn't know you two were in here. Sorry, I'll get out." Ichigo stuttered as he started to stand up.
"Just sit down Ichigo. You're already in here and besides, I don't need to see things that I don't need to." Topaz said with a sharp look.
Ichigo sat back down and gazed down at the water. It was quiet for a few moments before Ichigo spoke up. "What do you think will happen if I drink it?"
They shrugged. "Why don't you find out?" Moon said lifting her head from the water. Ichigo only smiled like an idiot as he cupped his hands and brought some of the spring water to his mouth.
"Hey Ichigo." Yoruichi called over from the side. "How's the water? Everything alright?" Ichigo let out a few muffled sounds and signaled with his hand he was ok. With his back to her, he didn't notice the grin that grew on Yoruichi's face. "Nice huh? Glad to hear it. In fact it sounds so good I think I'll join you." At that, Ichigo did a spit take as Yoruichi began to drop her pants. The girls, to avoid being harassed as well, simply watched Ichigo's reactions.
"A-are you nuts? What are you doing?" He screamed turning his head only to turn back quickly.
The tan woman giggled. "Why? What do you mean? Is something wrong?"
"Yeah something's wrong! You just took your pants off!"
"Come on loosen up Ichigo. You already have Moon and Topaz in there with you so what's another girl gonna do?" She laughed.
"Cut it out will yeah? Stop making fun of me. No wait! Don't come in!" Ichigo panicked.
"I don't know what you're getting so worked up about." Yoruichi asked as she began to swim around in her cat form leaving Ichigo only to stare in stunned silence. "What? A little disappointed? Come on be honest. You are aren't you, you little pervert." She joked.
Ichigo glared down that the cat. "I am going to drown you." He threatened with a growl. Not even two seconds later he was hit in the head with a small pebble.
"Drown the cat and I drown you." Moon threatened with murder in her eyes. It was quiet as Moon slowly reached to pick up the cat and place her at her side. Her hand slowly reached out of the water and began to pet Yoruichi's fur.
Ichigo broke the silence a few minutes later. "Hey this place looks kind of familiar."
"What do you mean?" Yoruichi wondered.
"I've been thinking about it for a while now and I finally realized what it reminds me of. It looks like the training room underneath under Urahara's shop."
"You picked up on that huh? We tried to model that place after this one when we built it."
"You built this place?" Ichigo asked as he looked around.
"Yeah. When Kisuke and I were kids we needed a place to play so we snuck off and built this place. it was our own secret hideout." Yoruichi responded. She pushed Moon's hand off her back and stretched in the water.
"Secret hideout? This place is huge! How did you ever manage to keep it a secret?" He wondered. Feeling stiff, Topaz began to stretch in her spot and let out a large silent yawn.
Yoruichi sighed. "It's a very long story. Back when the two of us were kids we used to play here almost every day. When we got older he joined the 13 Court Guard Squads and I joined the Stealth Force, but we'd still come here to hone our skills." While Ichigo wasn't looking Yoruichi snuck back to her human form and put her finger to her lips signaling the girls to keep quiet.
Ichigo's head suddenly snapped up. "Wait a minute Yoruichi, you mean you two used to-" At that moment his eyes turned towards the three women and saw, once again, Yoruichi naked and Topaz stretching, accidently revealing her chest. "GAH!" He fell back with a shout and turned away with a large blush on his face. "You scared the hell out of me! Can't you even cross your legs?!"
"I always get the same reaction." Yoruichi said with a cat like smile on her face.
"And it only gets funnier." Moon added as she laughed. Topaz sunk back into the water as she laughed at his embarrassment.
This is great. Topaz thought to herself. If only it was like this all the time. Yet…The smile disappeared from her face. I just can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen soon.
Sorry guys. This is all I have time for cause I wanted to post this chapter today. I really appreciate all you guys for following, favoriting, and commenting on this story. I love you all and don't forget to check my page for summaries of future stories!