I stopped as we entered a 'computer' room. Or rather the monitoring room that Gotei 13 used to watch how things were doing in the world of the living. In the center and looking hard at a screen was Mayuri. He paused to regard us, then without saying anything, returned his focus to the screen.
"Studying the arrancar?" I asked, taking a step towards the creepy taichou.
"Hmm? Oh, why if it isn't you, my dear," he said with that creepy tone and I suppressed my shivers.
"Mayuri Taichou," I said with a slight bow of my head, in recognition that he was there.
"As a matter of fact, I was," he said in answer to my earlier question.
"Probably Yammy and Uliquora then," I said in a tone that clearly stated that I wasn't surprised. His eye brow raised in questioning surprise.
"Nani? You know them?"
"Know of them, is more correct," I said as I walked up to the screen. I studied the screen for a bit and looked at what I already had seen before in my home world.
"Hmm. Battle damage minimal. Predicted actually. Seems like they're following orders, as usual," I muttered. I looked back at Mayuri who looked at me with wide eyes. "Well, what else do you expect from arrancar four and ten."
"Four? Ten? What is this?" Mayuri asked with a greedy, hungry tone.
"Only their ranks,"I said, then noticed that the others, including Chojiro and Toshiro, were looking at me with surprise and confusion.
"Ugh. They would explain it if you asked. Well, sort of..." I said with a wry grin. "Any way, the really powerful ones shouldn't show their faces for a while, but the weaker ones will be coming soon enough. Aizen's rather predictable in this front," I said shrugging.
"Aizen? Predictable?" I heard some of them muttering, and shrugged.
"If you know what to look for, it's easy to find the truth," I said offhandedly. "But that's not what were here to discuss, now is it." I walked over to another screen and observed the clean up done by soul society from this recent event.
"Indeed, Tala." Chojiro responded first, coming over to me and looking at the same screen.
"Now where to begin," I sighed. "Perhaps, that not one of us in this room would be able to handle the weaker ones with restrictions," I said calmly, staring at the screen. It felt surreal to be watching this and participating.
"Nani? Restrictions?"
"Perhaps I should say this a different way. When you engage them, even the weaker ones can take out a taichou in the world of the living," I said coldly, looking back at all them.
"That's not," Matsumoto began.
"Plausible? Possible? Feasible? But on the contrary, it is," I said. "Well, so long as that Taichou has their powers restricted. Even then, fighting at full force, it's not easy to survive against a powerful arrancar. So for now, fighting the weaker ones, would prove beneficial to see how well you can do against them, and train."
"How do you know all this?" It was Toshiro who asked. I looked at him.
"Observation, listening, and studying, I suppose. But other than that. I just do," I said. I could feel their doubt but when I looked over at Mayuri, I could see that hunger for knowledge that hung in his eyes. It was not the kind that I wanted to indulge, nor help with. I folded my arms.
"Well, it shouldn't be surprising, but with Aizen, Arrancar have a 'released' form. So what ever you choose to believe today; don't underestimate them," I said sternly. I noticed Ikkaku grinning and I knew that this conversation would probably be intriguing to him. After all, he was one of the types that loved a good battle. Especially one that he could really feel pressured to pull out all his strength on.
"Besides, it's not just Aizen that is making a move now," I muttered as I caught a glimpse of a visored in one of the screens. Toshiro looked up at me, probably catching what I had mumbled, but I didn't say anything more on that matter.
"Chojiro-san. If there is nothing else that I am needed for, I wish to be excused," I said with a bow. Chojiro paused then nodded. I quietly left and headed to Yamamoto's office. There were some things I wanted to discuss with him.
As I approached the large doors I heard a slight whooshing sound as air moved around me. I paused and then smiled as I saw white.
"Hello, Toshiro-san," I said, folding my arms.
"That's Hitsugaya Taichou to you," he grumbled.
"Ya ya, I know," I muttered. "Well then, 'Hitsugaya Taichou'. What do you want?" His eyes narrowed as he looked at me. I sighed. "If you're going to ask how I know what I do, then I say you're just wasting time. Not even Yamamoto-dono can get me to explain myself on this issue." I held up my hands in a shrugging motion before tilting my head as I looked at him.
"Actually, Matsumoto wants you to come," he said and I looked at him with a questioning glance.
"Where to?" I asked.
"Where else? To the world of the living," he replied, as if it was obvious.
"I'm not a shopper," I said and he gave me a look that told me that he was not expecting that reply.
"Nani?"
"If she wants me along to go with her on shopping trips, then I'll have to politely decline. I don't do that sort of thing," I said.
"Tala-san!" I heard a whining voice cry out and I quickly looked over as Matsumoto tackled me. "That's just not right. All girls shop."
"Well, this one doesn't," I grumbled under her. "Now... get off!" I shoved her off and dusted my clothes. "Yeesh," I muttered under my breath as I looked away from her. Matsumoto looked between me and Toshiro with a deflated expression.
"You two are so similar. It's surprising that you don't get along better," she said offhandedly as she stood.
"T Th... Matusmoto!" I shouted as my eyes widened, before I gave her a death glare. I touched my forehead with my palm and sighed, quickly recomposing myself. "Excuse me. I have some things to take care of," I said with a bow, then quickly turned on my heels as I sped off. I rounded a corner and inwardly sighed in relief.
I knocked on the doors to Yamamoto's office and waited patiently. His voice rumbled from inside as he bade me enter. I took a deep breath before quietly pushing against it. He was looking out at the scenery from the window and I silently approached him.
"Pardon me, Yamamoto Sou-Taichou. I have a favor to ask of you," I said. He shifted in his spot to look back at me.
