"Did you just say…K-K-Kurosaki?!" Arupejio stuttered.
"Perhaps I should have mentioned…my name is Kaichou Kurosaki, Tenth, Fourteenth, and Fifth Divisions, retired. Others may know me as the Black Wrangler but that's a different matter entirely. You can call me…mom I suppose." Kaichou said as Arupejio collapsed onto his bum with his head in his hands.
"Oh please tell me we're not the same Kurosaki as Ichigo Kurosaki." Arupejio, or rather Hanashiro Kurosaki, said into his hands.
"As in the same Ichigo Kurosaki you were sent to kill? I'm afraid we are." Kaichou replied as Hanashiro groaned into his hands.
"I'm a dead man." He mumbled.
"Not anymore of one if Aizen catches us, Zaine." Gin said as Hanashiro looked up at him.
"Us Captain?" He asked.
"Things have gotten a little boring around here. Not to say that the recent fighting in Karakura wasn't a little exciting, but seeing the same old plans fail constantly is a bit of a downer. So I'm switching sides, to make things exciting again." Gin explained as Hanashiro smirked.
"You're hoping that Rangiku will take you back if you defect, regardless of the consequences you may face when the other Soul Reaper Captains get their hands on you." He said as Gin nodded.
"You are a smart one. Besides, at least this way I can hopefully and actually live instead of live with the nagging feeling that Aizen might try to kill me out of paranoia." Gin said.
"Hey what about me? Can I come?" Neko asked.
"You're leaving with us Neko, that's not up for debate." Hanashiro said with a smile.
"Yeah and when I bust out of this joint, as Clan Head of the Kurosaki Clan, I would be honored to make you an official member of the Clan, as my adopted daughter…Neko Kurosaki." Kaichou said as Neko bounced up and down excitedly before quickly throwing her arms around the Wrangler.
"Wait, when you say, "when you bust out of this joint…" What do you mean exactly?" Hanashiro asked.
"I mean that if you'll hand me my Zanpakuto back for a moment, I'm going to stick around and make your father pay for what he's done to us. Which means sabotaging the Hogyoku he's making me build." Kaichou said as Hanashiro nodded and reached for the black Zanpakuto and handed it.
"For the record, I never want to use that sword again." Hanashiro said as Kaichou tore off a long strip of the white strip of cloth on the end of the hilt and rolled up her right sleeve before tying the strip on her arm at the shoulder. She then did the same to her other arm. Then she tied two strips below her ankles under her tabi socks. The strip of cloth on the hilt magically grew back every time a piece was torn off.
"What's that for?" Neko asked.
"Despite Hensen Tatsujin's rather unpredictable nature, it has one benefit. For a reason I cannot figure out, Hensen Tatsujin is immune to Kyoka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis, as is anyone who touches even a small piece of it. These strips of cloth will render me immune to Aizen's Zanpakuto. I want you to go to Karakura Town, and tell your cousin Ichigo that Aizen is hiding within a world called Le Mort Regne. They'll know what it is. Then have everyone who comes for the fight, wear at least two strips of the cloth on Hensen Tatsujin's hilt on their body. It doesn't matter where, just so long as they're wearing them next to their skin…and to be on the safe side, you should wear a strip or two yourselves." Kaichou instructed as she handed back Hanashiro the Zanpakuto.
"We will. But will…cousin Ichigo believe our story? As far as I know he doesn't know that we're related." Hanashiro said as Kaichou tapped her chin.
"He may not believe you at first, but there are several people there who can vouch for you, people he trusts, namely Yoruichi Shihoin, Kisuke Urahara, Tessai Tsukabishi, and the Vizard Shinji Hirako." Kaichou explained as Hanashiro sweat dropped.
"Yeah, I don't think Shinji's going to be real eager to help me anytime soon." Hanashiro said as Kaichou nodded knowingly.
"He's always been a bit bitter towards Aizen and he probably assumed, and correctly assumed I might add, that you were acting as Aizen's spy. But the other three will at least back you up. Kisuke and Yoruichi are good scouts…as well as good friends of the Clan." Kaichou said as Hanashiro nodded.
"I hate to break up this joyous reunion, but we need to hurry if we're going to escape before Aizen realizes what's going on." Gin said as Hanashiro nodded.
"Are you sure you won't come with us? You could be killed and I don't want to lose you after having just found you after so many decades of searching." Hanashiro said as Kaichou glanced towards Hotokegi.
"I'm more durable than I look. I'm pretty handy with Kido. Where do you think your father learned Hado number ninety after all? But that's beside the point; I want you to do one last thing." Kaichou said as she moved over towards Hotokegi.
"I want you to take Hotokegi with you." Kaichou said as Hanashiro looked at Hotokegi curiously.
"Okay but what for?" He asked.
"Trust me, you want to take her with you. Also…" Kaichou said as she reached into her robes and pulled off a necklace with a thin gold chain but with a small white flower hairclip matching the one Hanashiro had given Orihime.
"…you'll want to wear this when you meet up with them. Yoruichi and Kisuke will know what it means. Now hurry, time is not on our side here." Kaichou said. Hanashiro grasped the necklace and smiled. The necklace only proved even further that she was his mother. He silently put it on as he turned towards Neko.
"Good thing we packed ahead of time huh Neko?" Hanashiro asked as Neko nodded.
"Yeah, let's hurry and grab our things." Neko said as Gin started rocking on his heels and whistling innocently.
"You mean these bags I found in your rooms?" Gin asked as he held the bags up. Neko's was slightly larger than Hanashiro's but his only had two things in it…his picture of him and Orihime together and Enraku.
"You thought of everything huh Captain?" Hanashiro asked as Gin gave him a somewhat excited smile with his eyes open.
"Yes actually. But since we're defecting, we might as well wear the proper uniform for a couple of defectors eh?" Gin asked as he grabbed the front of his white robes and ripped them off, revealing his old black Soul Reaper kimono, hakama, white obi sash, but without his Squad Three Haori.
"Captain you read my mind!" Hanashiro said as he ripped off his Lieutenants armband and then his white robes, revealing his old Soul Reaper uniform. He then glanced at the armband in thought.
"Against my better judgment, I'm going to keep this to remind me of what I once was." Hanashiro said as he put the armband back on.
"What about your old clothes? Won't Aizen find them?" Neko asked as Kaichou smirked.
"Don't worry about these old clothes. Heaven knows if I can find evidence, that I know how to destroy it as well. Now hurry!" Kaichou ordered as the four turned towards the balcony and Gin opened a Garganta.
"Next stop, Karakura Town." Gin said as Neko and Hotokegi quickly ran into the Garganta. Hanashiro was about to run through it himself but he paused. He then quickly spun around and ran back, throwing his arms around Kaichou.
"You're exactly as I remembered." He said.
"I'll be here when you get back son. Just try not to take too long. I won't be able to keep up the charade forever." Kaichou said as Hanashiro finally let him go. Kaichou then kissed him on the cheek and straightened his collar before giving him a nod. Hanashiro grinned happily and determinedly before he turned and ran through the Garganta. Gin stepped inside it after him but quickly turned, bending over slightly and waving.
"Bye-bye." Gin said as the Garganta closed, leaving Kaichou alone in her room.
"Be careful out there son." Kaichou said as she turned towards the elevator.
"Aizen…prepare to have your dreams crushed." She said as she gathered up the discarded clothing and headed to the elevator. She knew down in the labs that there was an incinerator and she planned on tossing not only the clothes in there, but also the book on how to create the Hogyoku. More than that, the unfinished Hogyoku was there as well.
Meanwhile in Karakura…
Karin, Lilynette, Toshiro, Menoly, and Renji, were racing towards the center of the underground training area where a soccer ball sat waiting. Coming from the other side of the area came Yoruichi, Ikkaku, Apache, Loly, and Kon (in Ichigo's body). Karin had convinced them all to join in a soccer match to try and boost everyone's spirits. So far it was having the desired effect as everyone was grinning challengingly towards their opponents…well except for Toshiro and Yoruichi. Toshiro was giving one of his menacing cold stares but only for intimidation purposes. Yoruichi was simply smirking. Off to the sidelines sat the three mod souls, Lirin, Cloud, and Noba, along with Rangiku, Momo, Yumichika, Kisuke, Tessai, Stark, Mila-rose, Sun-sun, a recovered Halibel, Nel, Chad, Nemu, and Uryu.
The two teams finally clashed but Ikkaku, not understanding the game at all, drew Hozukimaru and lunged at Toshiro, who had gotten the ball. Fortunately Toshiro was quick and drew Hyorinmaru just in time.
"FOWL!!! No swords!" Tessai declared.
"Oh I dunno. Zanpakuto might make this game more interesting." Karin said as Ikkaku grinned wickedly.
"Yeah, BRING IT!!!" he shouted excitedly.
"Uh are you sure you want to allow swords?" Renji asked, eyeing the battle hungry Ikkaku worriedly.
"Ah come on Abarai! You're not scared are you?!" Apache taunted with a wicked grin.
"Not of you but of…" Renji said, looking straight at Ikkaku.
"HEY! I don't have a sword!" Kon whimpered.
"He's right. DOES ANYONE WANT TO STAND IN FOR KON?!" Karin asked and Chad instantly summoned up his battle arm before running up to the battle lines.
"Alright, back to the sides." Karin said as they all quickly ran back to where they had started. Soon the soccer game had become an all out free for all as the teams started to turn on each other. Shards of ice, bolts of lightning, spheres of Reishi, Shunko blasts, Bala, Cero, and Kido spells were flying in all directions. Tessai had the sense to put up a Kido barrier around him and the bystanders.
"Quite a violent game wouldn't you say?" Yumichika asked as Momo nodded.
"Yeah but it is exciting though. GO LIL'SHIRO!!!" Momo yelled. A large shard of ice promptly smashed into the barrier, aimed right at her for the comment.
"Anyone else care to join in?" Kisuke asked with a smile as Mila-Rose grinned and grabbed Sun-Sun before running through the barrier into the fray. More Bala and Cero started flying after that. Then they noticed Hihio Zabimaru rise above the cloud of dust that was now the playing field before diving back down. Then they noticed not one but two Hihio Zabimaru appear.
"It seems the Zanpakutos are joining in as well." Tessai said with a chuckle. Sure enough, the massive furry beast that was Hozukimaru started flying through the air only to be frozen by Hyorinmaru then blasted by lightning from Hekireki Megami.
"DARLING I'LL SAVE YOU!!!" Haineko yelled as she materialized and raced into the fray.
"Haineko get back here!" Tobiume yelled as she chased after the Zanpakuto. Then Jinta appeared from out of nowhere.
"SOCCER FIGHT!!!" He yelled, raising his large metal bat into the air. He then got blindsided by the soccer ball. Nel and Halibel looked at each other and shrugged before charging in themselves. Then the entire group froze when they noticed that Kenpachi had arrived.
"HA HA! A GAME THAT LOOKS LIKE FUN!!!" He yelled before leaping into the fray and crashing down with a skull shaped mushroom cloud that sent all the other players/fighters flying in all directions. When the smoke finally cleared, Kenpachi was standing in the center of a small crater but the others had been thrown back by the sheer force of his leap.
"(Tsh) Typical, they all quit when I join in." Kenpachi grumbled as he sheathed his sword.
"My-my, they do enjoy their games don't they?" Unohana asked as she, Isane, Hanataro, and Isshin arrived.
"Well, we might as well start getting them patched up." Isshin said as the four moved in to start healing the injured. Surprisingly there were a sparse few who sustained any major injuries but the general consensus was that everyone had a blast…almost literally.
Meanwhile…
Ichigo hadn't budged from his place outside Rukia's door. She had been moved to her room in the Kurosaki House so that the more familiar surroundings would help her. He peeked in on her occasionally and saw her still lying in her bed, still comatose. Fortunately she was breathing which relaxed him slightly. Sode no Shirayuki, in her sealed form, was resting against the nightstand. Ichigo could hear the rumblings of the "soccer match" downstairs but didn't seem to care. He didn't notice Shunsui and Jushiro peeking around the corner from the hall.
"My-my, it seems that young Ichigo could use some cheering up." Shunsui said as Jushiro nodded.
"Quite so. Besides he could stand to get a breath of fresh air. I've been sensing a few Hollows in town lately, but luckily the Visoreds are taking care of things for the time being. Where were they during the battle anyway?" Jushiro asked.
"Urahara had them making keeping the special limiter field over the town functional." Shunsui replied.
"Ah I see." Jushiro replied.
"What are you two doing?" Nanao asked as she appeared behind them with her hands on her hips. Jushiro and Shunsui had been crouching on the stairs like a couple of children.
"Ah don't worry your pretty face about it Lil' Nanao. We're doing nothing harmful." Shunsui replied.
"Yes, we're just keeping an eye on young Captain Kurosaki. He is going through a bit of a hard time after all." Jushiro added.
"Then why are you camping on the stairs?" Ichigo asked with a scowl at the top of the stairs. The two turned back towards him with a deer in the headlights look on their faces.
"Ah Ichigo, would you like to join us? We're about to go out to town for a while for a breath of fresh air. You could stand to use some yourself. It'll help take your mind off your troubles." Shunsui said.
"Thanks but I'd rather stay here and keep an eye on Rukia." Ichigo replied.
"Ichigo…" a voice said from down the hall. Ichigo turned and saw Byakuya was sitting in the chair by Rukia's door.
"I shall stay with her for the time being. You have your duties to fulfill and as a member of one of the four noble clans, you should set an example to others at all times." Byakuya said calmly. Ichigo paused for a moment before smiling.
"Thanks Byakuya." Ichigo said.
"I am not doing this for you Ichigo." Byakuya replied. Ichigo caught his meaning and grinned. He then joined Shunsui and Jushiro as they headed out.
Outside in the park…
Orihime and Tatsuki were sitting on a park bench fanning themselves from the heat in the shade of a tree.
"Goodness it's hot." Orihime said as Tatsuki nodded. She had been healed of her injuries thanks to Orihime.
"Yeah, it's like an oven out here. Having fire based powers you would have thought that I would be able to tolerate it a little better." Tatsuki replied. They sat in silence for a moment before Tatsuki looked over at Orihime with a curious look.
"I hear you saw Arupejio again. He used Captain Wrangler's Bankai I hear." Tatsuki said as Orihime nodded.
"Yeah he did. But I still hope he's alright." Orihime said as Tatsuki let an inaudible groan escape.
"Orihime are you still pining for him after all he's done to you? Not to mention what he's done to Rukia? She's lying there in a coma because of him and you still have feelings for him?!" Tatsuki asked in mild outrage.
"It wasn't him that did those things to Rukia, it was Hensen Tatsujin. You've seen it's Bankai and you know that Ichigo's aunt doesn't like using it at all because it's so hard to control. I could tell by the look in Arupejio's eyes that he was trying to fight it, to resist its control. That's why Ichigo and Rukia kept fighting him. Then he tried to save his sister when he heard her screaming at the Head-Captain. I knew that he had managed to regain control." Orihime explained.
"Orihime you just don't get it do you? He's working for Aizen, our enemy! The very same Aizen that had you kidnapped is the same Aizen that spawned him and commands him! He's a traitor Orihime!" Tatsuki replied.
"That may be so, but I want to believe that he might turn away from Aizen and come back to us." Orihime said with a teary smile.
"I gotta hand it to ya Orihime; you're an optimist to a fault." Tatsuki said as she leaned back on the bench.
"Besides it's too hot to argue anymore." Tatsuki added. Meanwhile, Ichigo, Jushiro, and Shunsui were approaching the park. They were each in Soul Reaper form.
"Wow, I never realized how hot it was." Jushiro said, holding up his hand to block out the sun.
"Do we need to find you some shade Jushiro?" Shunsui asked as Jushiro nodded tiredly.
"If it's not too much trouble." He replied.
"Well there's the park, plenty of shady trees." Ichigo said as Jushiro nodded.
"It'll work." He said as they entered and immediately noticed Orihime and Tatsuki.
"Ichigo! Captain Ukitake! Captain Kyoraku!" Orihime waved cheerfully.
"Ah-ha Miss Inoue, Miss Arisawa, what fortuitous happenstance that we find two such lovely ladies here on such a scorching day like this hmm?" Shunsui asked as he and Ichigo helped Jushiro sit down in the shade of one of the large trees nearby. Orihime giggled slightly at Shunsui's comment.
"Is he always like this?" Ichigo asked Jushiro who laughed.
"Oh yes, he's quite the ladies man. He and Isshin would chase girls all the time back in the good old days." Jushiro said with another laugh and a delighted sigh.
"Great." Ichigo mumbled as he stood up and looked around.
"Hey, I'm going to go see if I can find some ice or something real quick." Ichigo said as Orihime quickly leapt up to join him.
"Can I come along?" Orihime asked. Ichigo nodded with a smile.
"Uh, Ichigo, I don't think you're going to be going anywhere real quick." Tatsuki said, receiving curious glances from the four around her.
"Why?" Ichigo asked.
"Because of that!" Tatsuki said pointing up towards the sky. They all turned and looked to see a Garganta opening up in midair. From it emerged four figures, two of them in Soul Reaper uniform the other two in white. Ichigo, Orihime, and Tatsuki, each recognized them.
"It's Arupejio!" Orihime exclaimed.
"Is that-…It is! It's Captain Ichimaru!" Jushiro added, climbing to his feet and reaching for his Zanpakuto.
"Looks like they're back for round two." Shunsui said reaching for his Zanpakuto as well.
"Well then let's get em!" Tatsuki said, bursting into flames. Ichigo reached for Zangetsu.
"Arupejio Zaine, this time we finish it…Ban-KAI!!!" Ichigo shouted, instantly turning into his Bankai form.
"Tensa Zangetsu!"
End Chapter 45.
The Zanpakuto Alive!
"So what exactly is the whole purpose of this Omake segment?" Hekireki Megami asked.
"It's an opportunity, graciously given to us by the author, to try and see how we would live and react in the real world instead of inside of our wielder's inner spirit worlds." Zangetsu explained.
"Heh, do you really think that the readers want to waste their time reading this?" Hensen Tatsujin asked.
"Ah come on bro-er-sis-er-whatever-you-are-at-the-moment. Give it all a chance!" Chuushuunomeigetsu said excitedly, slapping the hooded shape shifter on the back.
"I'm surrounded by idiots. And you're the lead one Chuu." Tatsujin grumbled before slinking away.
"Well we can't count on…er…it for anything so it falls to us to make this segment as entertaining as possible." Kuroseika said as the others nodded.
"At least we get to be alone for a while darling." Haineko said, giving Hyorinmaru a loving gaze. Hekireki Megami however, angrily raised a fist towards the Were-cat which crackled with electricity.
"First of all, we need to divide up for specific jobs to do around the house." Sode no Shirayuki said.
"I've got any electrical issues solved." Heki said.
"I'll take care of heating, because I'm so hot." Haineko said as she struck a sexy pose.
"I suppose I can deal with the cooling." Sode no Shirayuki said, crushing Haineko's hopes of being on the same job as Hyorinmaru.
"I'll take care of the laundry." Tobiume said.
"I'll take care of the cooking." Hitoku Kasumi said before receiving a leering look from Kazeshini.
"I'm pretty good with sharp objects so whaddya say you and I double team the cooking babe?" Kazeshini asked before getting hit by what appeared to be a pink colored Getsuga Tensho.
"Wow! What a woman!" Kazeshini said in his mangled state on the floor.
"Ashisogi Jizo, would you like to take care of the yard work?" Sode no Shirayuki asked sweetly. The small butterfly/moth creature squeaked its reply in its unique high pitched insect like language.
"The flowerbeds only? Okay then. Kazeshini would you like to be in charge of the lawn?" Sode asked.
"Eh sure why not." Kazeshini replied.
"Chuushuunomeigetsu, what about you?" Sode asked. Instantly Chuushuunomeigetsu snapped her fingers and a sudden army of blue armored samurai appeared behind her.
"You got anything that needs a lot of manpower?" Chuu asked.
"Or a (Bleep)-load of idiots?" Hensen Tatsujin grumbled as it slithered past.
"We're going to have to keep an eye on her." Zangetsu mumbled as Kuroseika nodded.
"I guess the two of us can do that. We can take turns on it." Kuroseika suggested as Zangetsu nodded.
"Oi, what about us?" Zabimaru asked in unison.
"Since you two can't go very far in separate directions, we could use someone who could keep on top of the grocery list." Sode suggested.
"No sweat." Chimpette replied.
"What about me?" Hyorinmaru asked.
"And me?" Yamaneko asked.
"Well…I suppose that Yamaneko could be responsible for making the tea for us in the mornings and Hyorinmaru…um…" Sode stuttered. She had run out of things for him to do.
"Never mind. I'll just be around for additional help, should anyone need it." Hyorinmaru replied.
"Ah the company couch potato and all around do-nothing. How nice to meet you." Tatsujin grumbled sarcastically as it oozed past again.
"Reign over the Frosted Heavens." Hyorinmaru said calmly, pointing its finger at Tatsujin who was suddenly encased within a block of ice.
"Well…that's one way to do it." Zangetsu said.
End.
