Bleached Vampire
Chapter 26: Picking up the Pieces
"So let me get everything straight now," Gin said to everyone in the room. Currently he was sitting down in a chair in his club with not only his members but of the rest of the new students as well. It was late in the day and after the whole fight with the (hopefully) former Student Police force. Whether that group would actually disband and stay that way was something that Gin hoped for, but there were always the hard cases.
The two new 'teachers' were called to meet with the Chairman so it was left to the others to fill him in on everything that was going on. Gin may act a little like he wasn't all that smart, but in fact he was very perceptive. If the whole walking and talking lion doll that called itself 'Kon' was anything to go by. He knew something strange was going on. The strange attacks, monster sightings and other things, and how his club had suddenly stopped their investigation into these events.
If there was one thing he knew it was that his members would not let any story go, the events of last year showed him that. But to find out about evil spiritual creatures attacking the school and that there were humans of all things within this group that was something he didn't expect. Of course saying things like 'human' might not be a total fit, as no normal human could pull off the things he had seen.
Gin sighed as he tried to wrap his head around it all. "So basically, with these things going around attacking the school, you lot are here to prevent that and kind of got caught up in the whole thing with the Student Police."
"Pretty much," Rukia nodded her head.
Gin sighed again as he ran his hand over his face. "Well what's done is done, not that I blame you for keeping this secret, although I do feel a bit hurt that my own club was keeping secrets from me." Gin put on a mock hurt expression at this point. "When did my beloved group turn into such deceiving individuals?"
"Knock it off," Mizore stated. "Being like this doesn't suit a pervert like you."
Gin shrugged it off with a smile, "Well at any rate, I guess we'll have to come up with a reason to explain everything. Already I bet the rumours of what happened with the Student Police are most likely spreading. I guess we could say that Ichigo and the others are just some type of rare yokai, not many would know about shinigami correct?"
"It seemed that only a few knew about us," Rukia nodded from what their leader spoke of.
"One of them was a Necromancer…" Uryu spoke up for the first time since the battle. The boy had been very quiet as of late, something unlike him.
"What, seriously?" Renji was surprised to hear that. "I thought they all died out."
"Wait, you know about something like this?" Ichigo asked if he hadn't heard that correctly.
Renji got an anger mark on his face as he glared at Ichigo. "What is that supposed to mean? I did study my ass off when I was in the academy you know." Although what he didn't mention was that he had to because it was the only way he could pass the exams. All the physical skills he was great on, the book stuff and the Kido…not so much. "I remember reading about them, they were a threat to souls because they captured them, some even used them as a power source for their abilities."
"They're black magic workers," Ruby said in a dark tone. "There are certain forbidden arts in the magic world. Blood magic, necromancy, demonology, and a few others. Those that practice such things are not welcomed among others. Even half-yokai like us witches; we distance ourselves from those that use the dark arts."
"Well that's something we'll have to deal with for another time," Gin went back to the original topic. "I'm sure we'll come up with a story for Monday's addition, which means that I'll want to see something tomorrow, and yes, I know it's a day off but we got a lot of work to do." Getting up and took one last look at everyone. "I'll support you guys when I can, also Ichigo. I hope you can make good on that claim you made because although I despised them, they did keep the peace, if only through fear."
"I meant what I said," Ichigo told him.
Gin only smiled and nodded his head before leaving the room.
Kurumu sighed, "There is so much work to do." The young girl whined. "Not only this but I got those special lessons."
"Lessons?" Tsukune asked.
"Yep," Kurumu looked over to Orihime. "Remember, tomorrow will be your first flying lessons so meet me on top of the girl's dorm at ten."
"On top of the building?" Orihime asked confused. By this time she had managed to figure out how to get rid of her wings, again, something Kurumu had helped her on the way back to the school.
"Of course, how else are you going to learn to fly? We could try the cliffs if you're more comfortable with all the water being under you." Kurumu said with a shrug.
"Wait a minute!" Ichigo shot up from his chair. "You're not planning on her flying that high up right off the bat are you?"
Kurumu gave him a stern glare, "This is my territory, and does anyone else have wings that allow them to fly?" Ruby held up her hand. "Don't you have work for the school to do though?"
"Oh right," Ruby sighed she wanted to help out a bit more. Then again her magical crow based wings were different and she used multiple wings. Kurumu was a much better fit given both she and Orihime had only two wings each.
Kurumu continued on, "Anyway, you can't learn to fly unless it's high up. That's how I learned and if you're worried she'll fall, I'm fast enough to catch her. If that's not enough, then just sit and watch then."
"Fine," Ichigo said crossing his arms. He didn't like the idea of Orihime learning to fly and could fall that would kill her if she hit the ground hard enough. So he planned to have his badge on hand just in case.
"If that's everything I think we're done here," Uryu said as he quickly left the room. Everyone wasn't sure what was going on with the Quincy but it had been a long day and they were all tired. So they all started to file out of the room, either on their own or in pairs.
Two people however were left alone in the room, they beings Moka and Tsukune. Both teens shared a look before both blushing and looking away. Tsukune knew that he had to say something to her, the elephant was in the room and he had to say something. Truth was, on the way here his mind had been thinking all about the kiss, well kisses. The passionate one when he had his ghoul powers had taken over, his face heated up as those memories came back. Then there was the second kiss with Inner Moka which turned into his first kiss with Outer Moka.
The feel on their lips against his was one of the most amazing things he had ever felt. He had never really had any experience with girls before coming to this school, and then he got swamped with them. But although he cared for the girls deeply, they were his important people, Moka had always been something slightly special to him. He felt things with her that he just didn't for the other girls, he didn't want to hurt them but he knew that he would be forced to make a choice.
Looking at Moka, how she was acting all shy and how cute she was made him smile. This Moka was so kind with a large heart, someone soft and gentle. The other Moka, was someone amazing, strong and fierce but also he had seen her more gentle side that she kept hidden.
"Um…" Moka started unsure of what to do. She was so embarrassed, why had her other self had done that? Although she would be lying if she said that she had hated the kiss, in fact she had dreams of finally working up the nerve to kiss Tsukune. If only it had been her choice but the feel of him against her, his lips on hers, it had been just as good as she had dreamt about. She couldn't look him in the face as she felt her face burning.
She looked at her feet as she saw her finger tips poking each other. "A-about the…k-kiss…"
Tsukune gave a nervous laugh as he scratched the back of his head. "Y-yeah...well…I enjoyed it."
Moka looked up a little as she smiled, "I, I liked it too."
There was a quiet moment before Tsukune knew that he had to finally tell her his feelings. He had liked her since the first day they met, and his feelings had only grown as he got to know her. It was now or never, but that still meant he was very nervous about this.
"Moka-san," Tsukune swallowed trying to get his emotions straight. "You should know that, ever since the first day that we met, I've liked you."
There he had finally said it, he had finally started to tell her his true feelings.
Moka blushed as she felt her heart skipping in her chest, to actually hear him say that to her, she had always wanted to have a moment together where they could finally tell each other how they felt. He had taken the first step so she felt like it was her turn to do the same. Slowly she stepped towards him, her nerves were running all over the place but she had to do this.
"I've liked Tsukune from that first day too," Moka blushed as she started her own confession. "You were my first real friend and you accepted me for what I was. You're the first human to ever do that, you always come to help me and rescue me, even when you knew you couldn't stand up against other yokai you tried."
"You're very special to me," She looked down feeling her whole face heat up in embarrassment. "To both of us I think." Moka knew that if possible her other self would kill her for saying that, but Moka knew that the feelings she had for Tsukune were shared by her other side. It was just that her other self was more guarded about it, but she could tell.
"R-really?" Tsukune blushed and smiled at that. To him both sides of the girl were important and both were Moka to him. He just thought of them as different sides to the same person. "Well, you're both important to me Moka, and I promise that I'll always be there for both of you."
Moka felt like her heart was about to burst, she couldn't take it any longer as she threw herself at Tsukune holding on to him as she called out his name. Tsukune soon hugged the girl back but then realized how close she was. He quickly closed his eyes getting ready for the sharp teeth to sink into his neck, she always did this when they were this close. A few heartbeats went by and he slowly opened his eyes.
There was no sharp but quick pain in his neck, of the feel of her mouth there. In fact she was nuzzling his shoulder murmuring something softly. Tsukune smiled as she held the girl (well half of her) that he liked in his arms. He wondered if he could have moments like this with Inner Moka as well, well, maybe he decided. It depended on the mood she was in after all.
Outside the room and who had been listening to the entire thing was Mizore. She had noticed that they had stayed behind so of course she wanted to spy on them. Now she wished she hadn't. She her had back against the wall her face shadowed as her hand gripped the front of her shirt. Although she had been healed from her injuries from the battle, what she was feeling now made her wish for those injuries.
She quickly moved away, she didn't want to be around there anymore.
Mizore walked to the entrance of the school not sure where to go now, she felt so lost and alone. She hadn't felt like this since she started school here, she never wanted to feel like this again but she felt like she was right back to where she started. Sitting on the steps she pulled her legs to her chest not sure what to do.
Suddenly someone sat down next to her as she looked over and was surprised to see Kurumu there. Her rival and friend looked at her with understanding.
"Come on, time for some girl time." She said softly, she waited for an answer but Mizore just looked back down. "With ice cream?"
"Okay." Mizore loved sweet and cold things after all.
Eventually the girls found their way to Mizore's room they were currently sitting at her small round table both with a bowl of ice cream. They hadn't really said a word to each other Kurumu was just waiting for Mizore to settling into the knowledge that Tsukune was out of their reach. Kurumu remembered how hard this was on her so she hoped that she knew what she was doing.
"Sucks huh?" Kurumu said as Mizore looked up. "All that time and effort and neither of us got him." Kurumu gave a sad smile to the other girl.
Mizore looked down as she played with what was left of her ice cream with her spoon.
"I know it hurts," Kurumu said honestly. "When I figured out that I couldn't win his heart, I actually wanted to die, nearly did too." She noticed Mizore looking up surprised so Kurumu went on to elaborate. "Back when Moka and me were thrown off the cliff, he jumped to save Moka. There were only two choices and he chose Moka. That's when I knew she would always be first in his heart. I was in the water and I couldn't move, but I didn't care. I wanted the blackness to just swallow me up."
Kurumu laughed, "God that was really stupid. I didn't even think how sad that would make others, I was just thinking of myself. Yeah I was in pain, the same you're in right now, but I got help to get over it."
Kurumu leaned back as she looked up at the ceiling. "But you know I came to realize something. Tsukune will always be my first love, but just because someone is your first love doesn't mean that he'll be my only love or my last love. You just got to open yourself up to new possibilities, you never know, you might be surprised."
Mizore stared at Kurumu, in fact it was starting to make the succubus a little uncomfortable. "So that's why you gave up on him. You also seemed to be happier lately."
Kurumu blushed a bit.
"You found someone already?"
"Well...kind of," Kurumu said looking away. "I found a really nice guy but I don't think he sees me as more than a friend, at least not yet. But I'm working on it."
Mizore thought long and hard about who it could be. "Oh...the nerd boy."
An anger mark appeared on her head as she glared at the girl. "Uryu is not a nerd!"
For a moment Mizore felt a bit like smiling, it was nice to see that Kurumu could move on but she needed some time first. But the talk was helpful and in a way, it was nice to have her friend talk to her like this. In a way they were no longer rivals in love but it was still fun to tease the big busted girl.
"Kurumu...thanks." Mizore finally said.
Kurumu calmed down, "No problem."
The girls stayed together for a bit before Kurumu had to leave, there was something else she needed to look in on. Mizore cleaned up as she fell, back first, onto her bed and looked up at the ceiling. She still felt horrible but not as bad as she had been earlier. It would be extremely hard to see Tsukune tomorrow and even the day after that. She had no idea how long this would take her, she just hoped that she could move on like Kurumu.
The only real solace she had was that, although she as in pain, she wasn't alone anymore. Kurumu helping her out showed her that she at least still had good friends, something she hadn't had when she got to this school.
Placing her hands on her stomach, she felt something in her pocket as she reached in and pulled out a tie? Confused she looked at it, it was a school tie but she didn't own any. Well actually she most likely did but she never wore them so it was most likely in buried somewhere. Finally she remembered that it had been Chad that had given it to her. In fact he had wrapped up her injured hand in that.
Toying with it she looked at it, she would have to give it back to him later.
Thinking about the large gentle giant of a boy made her think about him. He was a very kind person, in a way his heart reminded her about a lot of Tsukune. Only he was more willing to fight and could fight back. He was also very strange, his appearance was so exotic. Mizore had noticed several people giving him strange looks because of his size and skin color, others were more curious looks as well. Mizore had even noticed a few girls shyly looking at him when he wasn't looking.
Feeling the tie in her hand she remembered how gentle his hands were when he placed this on. Even without powers his hands could most likely crush her own hand but he had been very delicate and his hands had been nicely warm too. It was odd how a woman of the snow and ice liked warm hands.
Just got to open yourself up to new possibilities.
Kurumu's words came back to Mizore's mind as those words made her think. She shook her head, it was too soon to think about anything like that. She needed to get over the pain she was feeling in her heart at least for the moment. Not long after that she started to fall asleep in her bed with her hand closed around Chad's tie as she slipped off to sleep for that night.
-School Grounds-
Rukia and Renji were slowly walking together, it was a comfortable silence between them. They had been close friends for so long they could feel each other's mood by just being close together.
"So what do you think of these events?" Rukia asked him.
Renji sighed, "I don't like the idea of the report but what can we do? They already seemed to know about us, at least part of the school does. We'll just have to limit it, maybe the rumours will be the worst we'll deal with after all but I can't see the Captain-Commander being happy."
"You think he'll pull us out?" Rukia knew that normally humans weren't supposed to know about shinigami, hence the need for memory erasing units like she used before.
"Doubt it," Renji shrugged, "We were asked to come here plus if there is one thing yokai know, it's how to keep a secret, they have been from humans for a long time now. There might be a little trouble but nothing other than being yelled at I guess. Although I don't want to go through that, I've heard the old man angry and I don't like thinking of being on the other end of that."
"Well it's not like it's your fault," Rukia crossed her arms.
"I'm the most senior member here, Ichigo isn't even an official member, the others are only allies. You and me, we have to take responsibility and since I out rank you, I'm the one that's most likely going to get an ear full."
"Well I'm not going to let you take it alone, I was here longer and so I share the blame for anything about being exposed happens." Rukia said stubbornly although on the inside she too didn't want to get yelled at by that man. Truth was, she was kind of scare of the old commander, he was the oldest and most powerful shinigami ever, his body full of old battle scars, and when he got angry…Rukia didn't like to think about it.
Renji smiled down at his shorter life long friend, "Glad to know you got my back then, I'll need it."
Rukia smiled up at him, "Of course, we've always been there for the other and we always will."
Renji nodded. "You got that right."
Rukia felt better hearing him say that, sure they had their ups and their downs, but in the end she knew that he could always count on him. He had been there to help in her rescue at her execution. Okay sure, he had been there with her brother to bring her in, not that she knew it wasn't coming, she had broken the law. He had come to visit her while she was in her first cell too. Looking back on it, she knew she had been cold to him, how could she not under the circumstances and they got into an argument.
But looking back, it was nice of him to even show up for her. She knew that in his own way he had been trying to help. Then later he had run off with her in his arms as he tried to get her away from the execution sight. Being there in his arms, it felt safe. She tried not to blush at the implication of that, the truth was that Renji always made her feel more stable. Ever since they were kids they had relayed on each other, then they had joined the academy together. She had helped him with his homework and he had helped her with her sword skills.
It seemed that every time they were apart, fate would always place them back together again like with this current mission. She liked the thought of that, life without Renji could get boring, dull and even lonely at times. Maybe that's why she hung out with Ichigo so much when she was in the human world, Ichigo reminded her very much of Renji and of someone else important to her.
Little did the two know that a few eyes were on them, from the corner of the building three heads peered out from around the edge. At the bottom was Yukari with her ever present witch hat poking out. Above her was Kokoa, who was trying not to get poked in the eye from said hat. Above her was Ruby who looked on with interest.
Yukari had noticed when Rukia and Renji walked off together, truth was, and she still didn't think much of Renji. She knew that he and Rukia were old friends but still, Rukia was a good friend and she wanted to make sure that Renji didn't try anything perverted. He seemed the type to Yukari after all. So when she went off sneaking after Renji and Rukia, Kokoa had noticed it and snuck after the young witch. Ruby, who noticed this, didn't want to be left out and joined in simply for the fact that she wanted to.
"Why are you following them again?" Kokoa said in a deadpan expression.
"I just wanted to make sure that Rukia-san got home fine." Yukari said with puffed out cheeks. "I don't like the way he's hanging off her."
"I think they look like lovers," Ruby sighed as a hand went to her cheeks as she closed her eyes. "Wouldn't that be fun, for them to fall in love?"
"WHA-MHFFT!" Yukari's outcry was quickly silenced by Kokoa's hand.
"Quiet or they'll hear you," she hissed into the witch's ear. Slowly she let go as she looked at the two shinigami. "They do seem kind of close."
"Rukia-san can do better," Yukari muttered.
"I thought you liked my sister?" Kokoa asked.
"I do love Moka and Tsukune and I really hope to get my love sand-witch with them at some point." She sighed. (And yes, she did mean sandwich as in her in the word) "Rukia-san is different, when I thought she was a sorceress I was happy because I wasn't alone. But event though she's not, she's really cool and teaching me and Ruby all kinds of new spells. She's the closest thing to a best friend I've had."
Ruby smiled at what the little witch said, she too knew what it was like to be alone for a long time.
"I think they're fine," Ruby finally said watching the two talk and even share a laugh as they walked. Rukia nudged Renji with her shoulder for some reason as he returned it lightly. "I get that feeling that he would never see any harm come to her, although I'm not sure, I think Rukia-san is very important to him."
"Eh?" Both younger girls looked up at her.
"Woman's intuition," she smirked at them.
-Training Ground-
Even though it was late Uryu was still using the training ground. Ever since he left the newspaper club's room, he had come down here to be alone. He had been using a large rock for his target practice. The only problem was, he was missing. He never missed, his aim was nearly always perfect, which only frustrated him even more.
He took a moment to calm himself and raised his weapon, he took careful aim but again, his hand started to shake slightly as the arrow was let loose. He hit the rock, but it was off. Uryu gritted his teeth as he felt again the anger rise up as he tried to fight it off. He sighed as his bow disappeared, he knew what was really bothering him. Each time he was ready to fire, that same images popped up into his mind. The first was that young soul turning into a hollow, the next was her twin, the tears coming down her face as she looked at him in rage.
He blinked the image away as he tried to center himself again. He couldn't let this get to him he had destroyed hundreds of hollows before and never once thought about any of this. But in those times he had never seen the soul before it was turned into a hollow, some small voice in his mind told him.
He cursed to himself as he tried to shake off these feelings, he couldn't afford to be like this. What would happen when hollows showed up again and he froze? People could die or get hurt.
"What are you doing?" A familiar voice from behind him called out.
Uryu glanced behind him to see Kurumu silently walking towards him.
"Practicing," Uryu stated looking away from the girl.
"Oh? A bit late isn't it?" She asked coyly as she walked up next to him.
"A Quincy must keep their skills sharp," he said simply.
Kurumu looked at the rock he had been using, although the arrows had all disappeared having run out of energy, she could see the holes they made. She frowned at the sight of the marks on the stone, they were all over the place.
"Are you okay?" she asked him slightly touching his arm in worry.
"I'm fine," he said quickly looking away.
Kurumu's frown deepened slightly as she pushed herself against his arm holding it in both hands. "You know that you can talk to me right? You've helped me so much, I just want to help you for once. Please, let me help you."
Uryu was trying to ignore the sensation of her body pressed up against his, it was very distracting and he wasn't used to such close physical contact. Especially from the opposite sex and Kurumu's most well endowed assets were firmly pressed against his arm. He could almost feel under her shirt at the moment. He tried to hide his blush from her as his mind tried very hard to think of something to say to her.
"Wait do you hear that?" Kurumu said suddenly looking around.
Uryu paused to listen as he heard it too, it sounded like sobbing.
Kurumu looked around to find a young girl kneeling not far away. She was wondering how she had missed the girl and had gotten into this secret training area. But she was facing away from them and crying for some reason. Well, she figured to help the girl out first and then find out how she got in there. She gently walked over and knelt down.
"Hey are you okay?" Kurumu asked the crying girl.
Uryu had a horrible sensation as he ran over and yelled out a warning. Kurumu turned to face him with a questioning look on her face. Kurumu didn't see the half-hollowfied face of the girl turn around and bite deep into the girl's neck. Kurumu's surprised face froze as blood seeped out of the wound as the young girl that was biting her slowly turned into a hollow. Uryu raised his bow and tried to fire, but his hands were shaking. His aim was off as the creature loomed over the bleeding Kurumu.
Uryu watched in horror was its large masked face opened up and went to eat the wounded girl.
Uryu woke up in a cold sweat from the nightmare. He could feel his pounding heart in his chest as he went to reach for his glasses he stopped when he felt his hand shaking. He quickly snatched the hand to his chest as she tried to calm himself down. He kept telling himself that it was just a dream that it didn't mean anything. But he wasn't sure if he was just lying to himself or was trying to make himself believe those words.
He stared at the pale ceiling as his mind wondered.
He just couldn't get those twin souls out of his mind, never once had he ever thought about what it meant to destroy hollows. He knew that some souls were evil and would get sent through the gates of hell to suffer for eternity for their sins in life. But it was all too easy to think of all hollows like that. They looked and acted like monsters they fed on other souls and even attacked humans. Hollows were a threat to the world and the next.
But the truth of it was, most hollows got that way because of other reasons. Either they were attacked and became hollows themselves, or because they stayed look long in the world of the living. Souls that stay too long eventually become corrupted, their chains of fate slowly eroding away until they fell off and a hole in their soul was left. As a Quincy he could see spirits but he couldn't help them, it was something that he never liked. His powers weren't for helping spirits like a shinigami were. He had seen souls whose chains were tightly wrapped around an area, keeping them there as they screamed and raged against the world that couldn't see or hear them.
It was only a matter of time before they turned into hollows and the only think Uryu knew he could do, was wait for the change and then destroy them. Just like he had destroyed two young souls, sisters that would never find each other again, he felt cold inside about it. That damn necromancer had pulled their chains and he had no choice. At least that's what he kept telling himself but it wasn't making him feel any better.
The fact that his mind had brought it up in his dream told him that much.
Another thing was why had Kurumu been in his dream? Yes they had been spending time together as he held her with her studies and truth was he kind of enjoyed them. She wasn't as stupid as she thought she was, she just needed help. If only she applied herself to her studies like she did other things she could do it. Okay, she might not be in the same league as someone like Moka or Yukari, but she was still smart if she applied herself more.
Thinking back to those times helped him to feel a bit more at ease. She always had tea and snacks ready each time they studied. He had to admit, she was a very good cook. He often found himself reaching for something she baked without thinking while studying. Of course she was very outspoken, not too shy either. He had seen her closet full of clothing, the more revealing and exotic costume like that maid outfit made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
He just knew that his father wouldn't approve of a girl that was so 'improper' as Uryu knew his father would call her. For some reason, that made him want to spend more time with her, if only just some part of him knew his father would hate the idea. But she was also full of energy and fierce when pushed. He had seen this side of her in their battles; she would fight for her friends with all her heart each and every time, something he could respect in her.
Sighing to himself as he rubbed his tired eyes. Why was he thinking about her so much? Was it just the dream or was it the fact that tomorrow he had promised to help her with some of her work a few days ago? He honestly didn't feel like it, he just wanted to work through his issues but he had made a promise and he was a man of his word. To Uryu, if a man's word was useless, than so was the man.
Maybe tomorrow he would see her after her flying lessons with Orihime and it would take his mind off his current issues.
Next up Chapter 27: Flying Lessons