Chapter 54: Search Party
Hi! Sorry, I haven't updated in, like, forever x.x Anyways, I'm back! I've been busy and had other things on my mind but I'll try to update as frequently as possible from now on! I'll miss this fan fiction when it's finished T-T Anyway, as you all know, I own neither Bleach nor it's wonderful characters, but my OCs are a whole different case. If you've reviewed, added to Story alert, or favourited my work, then I love you! 3
Kikyo sat in her office, her eyes sweeping across the subordinates before her, including Ume and Yuriko, whom she had sent for out of the blue, the latter looking nervous, as if they were in trouble. They immediately relaxed, some of which letting out a sigh when she told them she weren't in trouble,
"You aren't in trouble, I have a mission for you." she announced, Yuriko and Ume exchanging glances before returning their stares to Kikyo,
"Us together are going to form a search party. A member of our division has gone missing, and it is our job to find her." She explained, "But," she continued, her eyes turning serious, "That's not all. We believe her disappearance may have something to do with the enemy organization Kuraitsuki. It is a dangerous task, so be careful at all times. I will be leading the group."
"T-Taichou?" Yuriko asked, Kikyo's eyes shooting towards her, "When do we leave?"
"Later today." Kikyo said after a sigh, the whole group gasping, "You are dismissed." Kikyo ordered, gesturing for them to leave, which they did, with haste.
I hope Yuki is alright…Kikyo thought to herself as the door shut and it was just her and Kira in the office, Kira of which was quietly doing some paperwork. Memories of the note she had read flowed through Kikyo's mind, not going away when she even shook her head. What if she's….? She couldn't bring herself to say it, even in her thoughts.
"Give up, Akuma! You know your power is ineffective on me!" Yuki snarled from her cell, in which her hands were tied with rope. Akuma smirked at her through the bars,
"Yes, it may be ineffective, but I have other ways of keeping you in control." She chuckled darkly, Yuki blinking when the blade of a sword shone in the candle-light, "I'm sure you understand that one person is nothing against us."
"I can't believe I used to be one of you." Yuki spat, her eyes burning with fury and disgust as she glared into Akuma's eyes,
"Live with it. You were. Although it was obvious it wasn't going to be for long if my power is ineffective."
"So, why have you brought me back? I'm not going to fall for it, like all of the other weaklings."
Akuma frowned before her face turned angry, "Don't speak of your siblings like that." She snapped, Yuki just scowling,
"My uncountable amount of siblings. How many do I have now, fifty?" she laughed menacingly before flinching as Akuma brought her cold eyes to hers, her dark irises hitting her like bullets,
"Don't be stupid." Akuma hissed, "You act as if everyone here is a sister of brother to you. You know yourself that the whole Kuraitsuki clan is here"
Yuki just looked to the side, away from Akuma's icy glare.
"We're going to be investigating and asking around." Kikyo explained as her search party crowded around her later that day, as the sun was sinking lower into the sky, which was a beautiful shade of amber which melted into all kinds of different reds and golds. "We're going to be working in groups of two. Of course I'll be working with Kira." She smiled, pointing at her fukutaichou as she watched her subordinates gather into their pairs.
"If you find anything that will be useful, make your reiatsu flare up so that we know. The same applies if you are in trouble." Kira continued for her Taichou, who nodded in agreement,
"Remember," She said, "Kuraitsuki. That's the main word we are focusing on. Now, Go!" All of the pairs scattered in different directions, Ume and Yuriko together of course. They left with less alacrity than their comrades, Yuriko nervously walking along with her face hidden by a silver scarf and Ume trying to get her to hurry up,
"Come on, Nee-Chan! Hurry! Go, go, go! We need to get a move on!" she complained as her sister trotted along beside her,
"I have a bad feeling about this. Ever since we entered this district." Yuriko replied worriedly, Ume furrowing her eyebrows,
"I heard that this is the area where most disappearances occurred." She admitted, also starting to get shaky, one she said this she realised her mistake, Yuriko was now trembling fiercely, the look on her face one of pure fear,
Damn! Ume thought to herself angrily, slapping her palm against her forehead in frustration, How could I have forgotten she was a big scaredy Cat? "Nee-Chan, It's going to be fine, so don't worry." She sighed, placing a hand gently on her sister's shoulder,
"I-I'm not scared!" Yuriko denied almost immediately, shaking Ume's hand off of her shoulder and pouting, making Ume smile,
Yup. She's also stubborn as hell. She thought to herself as they walked. Wait. Wasn't something…Strange? It seemed obvious but…What was it…
"Yuriko!" Ume gasped, grabbing her sister's sleeve, who immediately became alert,
"What is it, Onee-Chan?"
"Haven't you noticed…There's absolutely no body around!" Ume exclaimed in realisation, closing her eyes as a strong gust of wind suddenly blew their way, her hair blowing in every direction and rubble and litter on the ground skidding across the ground. The wind ended soon before it started, the two sisters shivering as the temperature dropped,
"I-I wonder where they are." Yuriko whispered, her teeth chattering, "O-or W-what happened t-t-to them."
"We c-c-could t-try knocking a-at some p-peoples d-d-doors." Ume suggested in reply, noticing that her breath was visible in front of her, surely it hadn't been this cold before.
Yuriko nodded in agree, proceeding to follow her sister to the nearest house, Ume knocking on it as loud as she could manage with her trembling fist. They stood there for a few moments before they could see the corner of the curtain move to the side through the window, a woman's face peering out at them,
"W-We w-were wondering I-if you knew anything a-about Kurai-" Yuriko started, mouthing the words before, to her surprise, the woman's eyes wandered to behind them and her face faded into one of complete horror, her eyes wide before the curtain drooped down, she was hiding.
"W-Wait!" Ume started to call before she felt eyes on her back…What was it…That had scared her so much in the first place? The two sisters turned around after gulping in fear, Yuriko screaming and the other gasping as a strong gust of wind blew right towards them, over three times as strong as the last and now carrying small pieces of snow and hail which stung their faces and blew every loose thing on their body, Yuriko's scarf blowing away, flapping madly as it was carried away by the strong current.
Ume sighed in relief as the wind dyed down, now just an icy breeze. Their cheeks were bright red and stung fiercely as they hesitantly opened their eyes, gasping at what they saw.
A small girl was standing in front of them, appearing to be in her early teens. She had bright, sapphire eyes and two snow-white pigtails which reached her waist. She was wearing a dress that matched her hair, pure white and sleeveless with many silver embroiders and frills. The only things that didn't seem pure white were her eyes.
This wasn't what caught the sisters' attention though, what did was the thick coat of ice on her arms, which were visible underneath, a long, silver sword in her icy hand as an insane grin appeared on her face, her eyes widening as murderous intent over whelmed the two new recruits, who could do nothing but stand as watch, frozen in fear (And, literally frozen) as the petite but deadly girl sauntered towards them, the temperature dropping even more rapidly as she got closer.
And that's it for now, folks :D OMG CLIFF HANGER FTW!
Ume: Psst, Nee-Chan *Whisper*
Yuriko: Yeah?
Mystery snow-woman: Tee-Hee *Creepy smile*
Ume: Do you have your rape alarm on you? I think we're gonna need it…*gestures to mystery girl*
Yuriko: I left it at home…
Ume: Oh Shit!
