A/N: Someone joins the Straw Hats in this chapter... Hopefully you'll like who it is...
Chapter 26: Someone to Count on
In the Soul Society, at the 3rd Division Training Ground. Achika looked at her targets, which were dangling on stings hung on a tree. She unsheathed her Zanpakuto.
"Shine your light! Tsuki no Usagi!" called out Achika.
The Zanpakuto turned into the pair of twin Chakram, "Action!" she called, both of them began to glow and she tossed them at the targets… both of them hit the targets… all 7 targets and she caught them.
"Still not good enough…" she mumbled.
"What's not good enough?" came a voice that made her jump, he turned around and saw Aya.
"Oh, hey Aya." Said Achika.
"You know you should really tell someone about that Zanpakuto of yours… two weapons in one… You know how rare that is right? You'd get a promotion easy…" said Aya.
"I know… I just don't feel like I deserve it… not yet…" said Achika.
"So what you're training for?" asked Aya.
"I'm training to get my revenge on that girl… Nami" said Achika.
"Really… she's one of the weaker Straw Hats… right?" asked Aya.
"I know… but I was beaten badly… I can't believe it… how badly I was beaten…" muttered Achika, "Beaten by a fairy… it wasn't like I was beaten by one of that crew Devil Fruit eater's… I was beaten by one of that crew's normal humans…"
"Why don't you come relax… I'm planning to use Yachiru's tunnels and go into Captain Kuchiki's house! Want to come?" asked Aya.
"No thanks… I'm not a Captain Kuchiki fan… I'm more of a Toshiro fan…" said Achika with a shrug.
"But he's like 10…" said Aya who then shoo her head, "You shouldn't want revenge… you had a mission and you failed… no one else want revenge in the group that went with you."
"What about Zori?" asked Achika.
"Zori doesn't count." Said Aya, "We all know that he's not there all the way…"
"Don't you want Revenge on the Straw Hats." Said Achika.
"Hey! I just want to avenge Captain Kuchiki's face! That's a completely different thing!" said Aya.
"Didn't they embarrass you?" asked Achika.
"Not really… I had no idea what I was getting into… I mean… come on, how was I supposed to know that the Hana Hana Fruit is one of the more powerful Devil Fruits… and the user became spiritually aware." Said Aya.
"So that's what you got beat by… lucky you… at least you retained some dignity." Said Aya who began to walk away.
Elsewhere in the 13 Division Barracks, several Soul Reapers were drinking sake… lots and lots of sake… these Soul Reapers were actually quite young in comparison to others… the oldest died during Gold Roger reign as Pirate King.
"You know… back in the day Gold Roger was… king… and everyone accepted it… when he wasn't cool anymore… so they executed him." Said one of the Soul Repapers.
Yes… those wondering… it was possible for Soul Repapers to get drunk… and all but one of them was really, really shit-faced.
"You know… when I was pirate… you can't just run up to Enies Lobby… and wreck the place… there's things… someone has to do!" said another drunk Soul Reaper.
"You were a Pirate?" asked another Soul Reaper, "I was a Marine."
The former marine tried to punch the former pirate in the face… but missed and landed on his face.
That's when the one who wasn't drunk got up and began to walk away… this one was the only woman in the group.
"Hey! Why haven't you joined us!" yelled the drunken Marine getting up.
"Sorry… I'm not in the mood today." Said the female soul reaper.
"That's okay B… you can join us next time!" said the soul reaper who was a pirate during Gold Roger's time.
The female soul Reaper sighed and thought, "I made my choice… after all. That's the reason why I became a Soul Reaper… to watch over them."
Meanwhile on the Thousand Sunny they had docked on another island.
"Hey Rukia… want to go shopping?" asked Nami.
"Can't… I have to watch over Zoro." Said Rukia, "Let's just say someone's still depressed."
Both turned to Kon who was in the fetal position… who kept muttering things about his bounty.
"Kon still hasn't gotten over it… has he?" asked Nami.
"No." said Rukia.
Sometime later, Rukia and Zoro were walking down the street… while arguing.
"This way!" said Rukia.
"I know where I'm going!" yelled Zoro.
"No you don't!" yelled Rukia.
"I do!" yelled Zoro.
"Well isn't it Bunny Lover and The Pirate Hunter." Said a voice.
Both of them turned around and saw Kisuke.
"What is it Urahara?" asked Rukia raising an eyebrow.
"Just wanted to coagulate you for getting a bounty." Said Kisuke, "Also I was wondering where you docked. I wanted to talk to Yoruichi about something."
"That's okay…" said another voice they turned to see it was Yoruichi, "I was following the whole time… I thought you might want to congratulate Rukia on her bounty."
"Is that so." Said Kisuke with a smirk, "It was great seeing you."
Kisuke and Yoruichi left.
"That was weird." Said Zoro.
"Yeah…" said Rukia with a nod.
Elsewhere in town, Nami was walking all alone when a voice called out, "So there you are… I was hopping I'd find you."
Nami turned around and saw Achika.
"Your one of those Soul Reapers that tired to arrest a while back right?" asked Nami, "You're the one that fought me."
"I wasn't' sure if you'd remember me." Said Achika with a smirk.
Nami sighed, "You want to fight me… right?" she asked.
Nami sighed… she knew she really didn't have a choice… Achika would attack her if she tried to leave… At least Rainbow would probably be counted on.
"Fine…" sighed Nami.
Achika smirked, "Let's go somewhere private."
Little did they know was that someone was watching them.
Elsewhere, Kisuke and Yoruichi were talking at the shop.
"Eventually you're going to have to come clean." Said Yoruichi.
Kisuke sighed, "I know… right now their protecting Rukia because she's their friend… but…" he said.
"Well its not that they're not going to protect you… but I can imagine what's going to happen when they find out." Said Yoruichi who began to laugh.
Kisuke sighed, "I think it's best to still wait to tell them… not until he makes another move."
Yoruichi nodded in agreement.
Back with Nami, Nami took out the Perfect Clima Tact. Which began to glow and took the shape the 7 Mystical Weather Sprits.
"Her again! Oh man! I really hope we all get to fight this time!" yelled Electra.
"My guess is that she'll anger Rainbow again…" whispered Snowy as quietly as she could as to not upset Rainbow.
"I figured your tricks this time!" said Achika unsheathing her Zanpakuto, "Shine your light! Tsuki no Usagi!"
Once again the sword turned into twin Chakram, "Last time you didn't see what I was callable of… this time you will!" she said, "Action!"
The two chakram began to glow, she tossed it at Rainbow which she her and sent her flying into a nearby by wall.
"Cloudy!" said Nami knowing that Cloudy was mainly defensive, "Can you see if she's all right?"
"Huh?" asked Cloudy who then realized what happened, "Oh no! Rainbow."
That's when Cloudy went to see if Rainbow was okay.
"You don't know much about my power do you?" asked Nami.
"Other than the psycho Fairy… then know…" said Achika blinking, "Then that just makes this more interesting."
"So it's time to work on those combinations we've been working on, right?" asked Sunny with a smirk.
Nami nodded, "Sunny Heat Stroke! Windy! Gusting Force!"
The two aimed their powers at the exact same spot… Windy's wind hit Sunny's flames which made the fire stronger, Achika's eyes went wide but she disappeared and reappeared right beside the flames.
"So you have elemental abilities… who would have thought." Said Achika.
Nami gritted her teeth, "Rainy! Pouring Flood! Electra Lighting Bolt!" Once again the two attacks merged… this time Achika didn't dodge, the water mixed with electricity hit her… she fell on her.
"That was interesting." Said Achika as she fell unto her knees, "But I'm not giving up! Action!"
She once again tossed her chakram at the fairies… hitting all of them this time… they all landed in the same part and reverted into the full Clima Tact.
"Oh no…" said Nami.
That's when Achika managed to put on the same red glove that Rukia had, "Normally the enemies we after are Soul Reapers or dead… so sorry… looks like you have to die twice!"
She ran towards Nami and faced Nami outside her of body… she was still attached to it by the chain of fate so she wasn't dead… however she wasn't used to being outside her body.
"I can't move…" said Nami.
"That's right… you're not a Soul Reaper and your not used to being outside your body… it's a shame." Said Achika with an evil smirk.
Nami stared at Achika… as Achika was about to aim for her chain of fate…
"Stop right there!" yelled a voice… it was a voice that Nami never thought she would hear again…
"It can be." Said Nami she turned around and gasped… it was indeed who she thought it was…
"Belle Mere." She said with a hint of fear.
That's right… it was indeed Belle Mere… Nami's adoptive mother, who died years before. Shortly after her death, she was fortunately had a Soul Burial less than a month later… against her will (she felt like she had to watch over Nami after her deal with Arlong) however, she found out that she had enough spiritual power to become a Soul Reaper. She was admitted into the academy and after 6 seemingly long years she was admitted to the 13th Division, fortunately her captain was kind enough to let her to patrol Commi Island since it was a relatively quiet island in terms of Hollows, where she watched over Nojiko and occasionally Nami when she was on the island/ working for Arlong.
Belle Mere looked at Nami and smiled, "Don't worry Nami. I'm on your side… I would never take you or your crew into custody."
Nami looked at her and knew right away she was telling the truth.
"Who are you! And are you helping her!" yelled Achika.
"Sorry… but that's none of your business." Said Belle Mere.
"Either way… I know your still a green horn… you've haven't been a Soul Reaper for long. Have you… I can tell you haven't obtained Shikai yet." Said Achika with an evil smirk.
Achika gritted her teeth… she was about to do something when she found she couldn't move, "What the…" she muttered, "I can't move!"
"You can't move because of the electricity." Said Nami, "It's a delayed reaction. Electra told me so herself… that it if isn't enough ti destroy the opponent then it has enough power to paralyze it later."
"Damn, it figures something like that would happen." Said Achika, "I don't know when… but I'll get you next time."
Achika ran off, so she could find a safe place to open the gate to the Soul Society.
There was a silence between mother and daughter…
"We should really get you back into your body since your still technically alive." Said Belle Mere.
Nami nodded with a small laugh.
Not too far away, Zoro and Rukia were still lost.
"I keep telling you that I know where we're going on!" yelled Rukia.
"Oh really?" asked Zoro.
"We passed by three different taverns and you kept going the wrong way!" yelled Rukia.
"Why didn't you tell me!" yelled Zoro.
"Because you kept going the wrong way!" yelled Rukia.
That's when both of them stopped when they saw Nami talking to Belle Mere.
"That woman…" growled Zoro.
Rukia sighed, tu on her glove and Zoro out of his body… Zoro ran towards Nami.
"Oh great…" said Rukia staring at Zoro body.
She sighed and picked up the heavy body.
Belle Mere and Nami were talking.
"I was on patrol that day… I saw everything." Said Belle Mere who then smiled, "I have to admit… that captain of yours is amazing."
Nami smiled, "Your right he is."
"Nami." Yelled Zoro running towards them.
Nami turned around and yelled out, "Where have you been!"
"What?" asked Zoro with a sweat drop as he stopped.
"You know you should get the facts strait." Said Nami, "She's on our side."
Zoro raised an eyebrow, "What?" he asked.
That's when Rukia showed up, with Zoro's body, "Next time I'm getting a Gigai… I'm making sure it has muscles.." she muttered.
Rukia then noticed Belle Mere, "I know you…" she said.
"You do?" asked Nami surprised.
"We're in the same division." Said Belle Mere, "But we never really talked."
"She's one of last year's recruitments… she has a tendency… to drink heavily with other members of her gradating class and remember the good old days when she was alive." Said Rukia.
Everyone sweat dropped when they heard that one.
"Belle Mere…" sighed Nami.
"I think she's even gotten drunk with a few of the Lieutenants as well." Said Rukia with a sweat drop.
"I'm just drinking buddies with Rangiku." Said Belle Mere.
"Have you become an alcoholic?" asked Nami.
"A little…" sighed Belle Mere.
Both Zoro and Rukia exchanged glances, "You two know each other." Asked Rukia.
"Nami is my daughter." Said Belle Mere.
"Aren't you an orphan?" asked Zoro.
That earned him a punch in the face from Belle Mere.
"Idiot…" said Rukia.
Belle Mere sighed, "Looks like that girl is going to inform everyone about me." She said.
"So what are you going to do?" asked Nami.
"Do you think your captain would want another Soul Reaper on Board?" asked Belle Mere with a smirk.
"I think he will." Said Nami with a smirk.
"Okay… this is getting a lot more complicated." Said Rukia.
Meanwhile with Kenpachi…
Kenpachi and Yachiru stood in the middle of a desert.
"I don't think the Straw Hats are anywhere nearby." Said Kenpachi.
That's when a giant lizard popped out of the sand… Kenpachi smiled evilly.
"Are you going to kill it Kenny?" asked Yachiru.
"What do you think?" asked Yachiru.
Yachiru watched at Kenny slaughtered the giant lizard… better known as a Sandora Lizard… which meant they were in Alabasta… as least their in the Grand Line.
Next Time: The Straw Hats adjust to Belle Mere joining them. Meanwhile with Belle Mere joining the Straw Hats, the Soul Society makes a drastic decision when it comes to the capture of the Crew... what is it? Find out next time!