It was with great reluctance that Coyote Starrk opened his eyes. Deep orange light filtered in through the windows, casting a warm glow through the mostly quiet warehouse. It took him a few blinks for his vision to adjust and wipe away the sleepiness, but the eternal exhaustion within continued to weigh on his chest. Raising a hand, he wiped his face, groaning. "Lil… what time is it?"
A minute passed, then two. Starrk's heart skipped a beat. He rolled on his side, looking back. Lilynette was nowhere to be seen, a pile of stale crumbs and snack packages left where she had been sitting that morning. "Lilynette?" The sluggishness left his body, his brain on high alert. It took little effort for him to leap over the side of the couch, almost tripping over the neon green sandals that stuck out from under the couch and assorted junk sprawled across the floor. "Lil, this isn't funny!"
Footsteps thundered down the stairs, igniting a small spark of hope. Oh, thank god, he thought. She was upstairs this whole time… But that was quickly dashed as he met the fierce scowl of Cirucci. He could feel his stomach drop, gripping the back of a chair to keep himself steady.
"What the hell are you yelling about down here?!" Cirucci snarked, hands on her hips. She wore nothing but a robe and what looked like two towels on her head. Black curls were practically bursting out of the seams, and she looked pissed. "I'm trying to relax from a stressful day, and you decide to FINALLY wake up from your nap and scream!" She glared at Starrk, eyebrow raised as if waiting for an explanation.
"Where's Lil?" Blue-gray eyes were steely, panicked. "Is she upstairs?"
Confused, Cirucci's eyes narrowed, the purple tear markings on her cheeks scrunching up. "No." She looked past Starrk, giving the room a quick cursory glance. "She wasn't here when I got back today. Don't tell me you lost her." Her lips curled. "I thought you were going to make sure she stayed with you while you napped, right?!"
Starrk turned sharply on his heel, sprinting to the front door. The air was humid, sticking to his flesh as he stepped onto the sidewalk. The first place his eyes fell was the bus station down the road, teeming with people just getting off work. That's where she would be, he thought, crossing the street. Cars screeched to a halt, honking at him as he mindlessly cut them off. Dammit, Lil!
Judgmental glances and confused expressions greeted him as he stood in front of the bus stop, his head craning to see if Lilynette was hidden behind the many legs and bodies. Any hint of green caught his eyes automatically, but it would always be a backpack, a shirt, a tie; there was no sign of a small girl with neon green hair. Her presence was no where to be felt.
"Lil?" He called out in a feeble voice, knowing full well he'd only receive silence. Heads turned, looking as far back as the glass pane that rested behind the benches. Lips whispers and eyes searched but the people within only confirmed his fears.
"Excuse me, are you looking for someone?" A middle-aged man stepped forward, holding his phone away from his ear. "Your kid or wife?"
Trying to respond, Starrk found his tongue was heavy as lead. He took a step backward, then another, then began to sprint down the sidewalk the opposite direction. He could hear the man call after him again, concern in his voice, but Starrk knew he had to keep going. When did she leave? A woman nearly found herself on the sidewalk as he pushed past her, ignoring her shouts of protest. I was out for so long! WHEN DID SHE LEAVE?!
The sun's descent in the horizon continued to deepen as Starrk searched the streets of Karakura Town, and with each passing moment, he found that there were fewer people as he went. But not once, in the countless hours that he searched, had he detected even a trace of Lilynette's presence.
It was as if she didn't exist in the first place. It wasn't until the sun had disappeared behind the rooftops that Starrk stopped moving, leaning against a wall along one of the quiet roads. Lights were turning on in windows and the ever-lingering presences of shadow dwellers began to grow more active. Night was fast approaching, and he knew that curfew was only a few hours away. A scream built up in the back of his throat, threatening to spill out. There'd only been one time he'd felt this hopeless, and it hadn't been that long ago.
"There he is!"
Startled, Starrk lifted his head, looking up to see the concerned face of Dordoni and the stern face of Lisa staring down at him. "I told you I could sense him close by, amiga!" Dordoni exclaimed. "He has finally tired himself out."
Lisa's eyes narrowed, her arms crossing as she took a step towards Starrk. It was clear she was upset, as Starrk had seen this expression on the Visored's face before. "Not only did you let your little friend disappear while you were sleeping," she began, her voice low, "but you also gave everyone quite the scare when you went off on your own to look for her." Taking a deep breath, she let her eyes close for a moment. Streetlights flickered on overhead, shadows casting down her eyes. "As someone who was previously known as the Primera Espada, I would have assumed you possessed some sort of wisdom or intelligence, but today has clearly proven that title requires none of those things. So-" Lisa leaned down, her face close to his – "explain yourself, Coyote Starrk."
Gritting his teeth, Starrk straightened his back, standing up tall again. Lisa followed, maintaining her intense gaze, waiting for an answer. "Lil… ran out while I was sleeping. I…"
"I could assess that, yes." Stern tones flickered with each syllable. "And you were told specifically that something needed to happen to prevent her from doing so. It was clear that the method you provided us with failed."
"Is really now the time to patronize me?" Starrk snapped, his tone rising. He watched as an eyebrow rose on her face, betraying her surprise. "Not only did she leave the warehouse, but she completely disappeared this time! If you wanna play the blame game, do so after we find her!"
Before Lisa could say another word, Dordoni placed a hand on her shoulder. "I believe I speak for both of us when I say I understand your frustration, Starrk." He met her eye, giving her a small nod. "We are here to help you locate Lilynette. But running around the streets late at night is not a very good plan, especially with all that is going on at the moment." Lifting his head, he looked to the sky, seeing the reddish glow of the Gates of Hell hovering in the distance. "You must understand that."
Turning away, Starrk grunted angrily. "It beats staying indoors, huddling like scared children, wondering if Lilynette is still alright." He ran frantic hands through is hair, turning in uncertain circles under the streetlight. He looked like a madman, tension running through him.
"And did running around the city get you anywhere?" Lisa's voice matched his in intensity. "We're all just as concerned about Lilynette as you are but running off on your own like this won't-!"
"BULLSHIT!" Starrk's cry carried over the city, settling into the air with an uneasy feel. "There's no way in hell you're just as concerned as I am! LIL AND I HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR LONGER THAN YOU'VE BEEN ALIVE! I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP! I'VE MANAGED WITHOUT OTHER PEOPLE JUST FINE BEFORE! I ONLY NEEDED…" He stopped, breathing heavily as the weight of his fear finally broke him. His legs gave way, forcing him to the ground.
It felt like an eternity had passed before anyone spoke. Lisa and Dordoni watched as Starrk pressed against the wall behind him, struggling to catch his breath. And it was Dordoni who took the first step forward, stepping around Lisa as he made his way slowly over to Starrk. "Amigo, please listen to me." His voice was soft, soothing. "It is clear that you are distressed, and I don't believe I can even grasp the depths of despair you have reached." Crossing his legs, he sat across from Starrk, who stared despondently down at the sidewalk. "All we are trying to tell you is that we want to help you. I know that, for you especially, that is very hard to accept. Espada are not… accustomed to receiving help. From anyone."
His head resting against the wall, Starrk shook his head despondently. "Things… things were supposed to go back to normal." It was a small, shaky voice, like a child that had finished sobbing. "In Hueco Mundo, Lilynette always wanted to be by my side, no matter what. But now…" Eyes narrowed, brows heavy. Dordoni wasn't entirely sure, but he thought he could see what looked like tears starting to form at the lower lids of his eyes. "It's like she's doing everything she can to leave me. Leave me… and go off on her own."
With a deep exhale, Dordoni let his shoulders slump, exhaustion written all over his face. "I believe we all hoped things would at least be easier after the war, amigo." He glanced over at Lisa, who seemed to have deflated a little as well. Her arms were crossed still and her back straightened, but her eyes were downcast and head bowing low. It was clear she agreed, but she remained silent, letting Dordoni continue. "But hoping things will return to what they once were… well, I cannot offer you any comfort there." Dordoni stroked his mustache mindlessly, thinking. "All I can do for you – for myself and my friends, both old and new – is provide you support in times like this. You are no longer on your own, Starrk. None of us are, whether we like it or not."
Clearing her throat, Lisa stood next to Dordoni, adjusting the thin, silver-framed glasses that rested on her nose. "Pardon my intrusion, Dordoni," she said quietly, "but I must ask that we move this conversation back to base. I fear our time is running short, and…" She turned her head slightly, turquoise eyes darting in many directions. "I think we aren't the only ones out here this evening. There are eyes watching from somewhere close."
Dordoni grimaced as he stood up, stretching his back as he rose to full height. He reached a hand down, extending it to Starrk. "Come with us, Starrk. We will continue our search for Lilynette once the sun rises again."
At first, it looked as if Starrk was ignoring Dordoni's help, his eyes closing. But after a moment of tension, the Primera's hand took the Privaron's, standing up from the sidewalk. Long strands of brown hair clung to the sweat on Starrk's face, with deep, dark bags bunching under his eyes. He didn't need to say anything, as Dordoni understood perfectly. With a nod to Lisa, the trio made their way back to the warehouse, with Lisa casting a wary eye back before rounding a corner.
The sounds of the night drummed around them as they walked in silence for a few minutes. Crickets began to sing from behind dumpsters and birds darted between the stars. But it was Lisa who spoke first, her pace matching Dordoni's perfectly. "It seems that our friend isn't the only one worried about something this evening," she said, never once taking her eyes off the path before them.
Dordoni said nothing, his lips tightening into a deep frown. He'd hoped his own fears hadn't been that noticeable, but he found Lisa was far more perceptive than he had first thought all those months ago. "Is it that obvious, Niña?"
"You're worried about Amelia. There's no hiding that." There was no hint of emotion in her voice. "It's written all over your face. You're the type to wear your heart on your sleeve, it doesn't take a genius to figure that out."
Shaking his head, Dordoni rubbed the back of his neck. Ever since that morning, he had found himself unable to stop thinking of her. "I am. And what of it?" He looked at her, eyebrow raised. "Does it hinder me in anyway? Have I showed signs of coming unhinged?"
Turquoise eyes met his, betraying nothing. Nothing but the sound of their footfalls and breathing filled the silence, Starrk lingering behind them. "No," she said at last, turning away. "I think I'm more amazed that you haven't. Your friend Cirucci certainly had a… reaction." She grimaced, remembering that morning. "And of course, Ash was very upset, but you… Of all people, I would have assumed you'd be falling apart with worry. But you seem calm, if not a little tired. Why is that?"
Dordoni seemed a bit surprised. A half smile crossed his lips for a moment before he turned away as well. "I suppose I am used to Amelia throwing herself into situations like this. It was how she was when we first met, and I would be more surprised if she chose to sit out on something like this." He chuckled, his blue eyes gazing up at the starry sky. "She is more than capable of taking care of herself, but I think she forgets there are those who worry for her. Her selflessness proves to be perilous, more often than not. Classic Amelia."
"I see…" Lisa let her head fall, watching as her legs swung and the gentle evening breeze brushed against her skirt. No one seemed to be settling in well after November, and she hadn't expected a smooth transition that quickly. But to have so many things go wrong in such a short manner of time, she wished that one of the semi-stable voices in the chaos hadn't run off headfirst into danger. Part of her was angry with Amelia, wishing she could knock some sense into her, but she understood where she was coming from as well. Ichigo and the others were in a risky situation, and it didn't settle right with her that they would head into such a dangerous situation so quickly.
"Are they still watching, amiga?" Dordoni didn't look away from the sky, his low voice catching her attention.
Her head level again, Lisa nodded once. "But it isn't the Fun Police," she said. Her eyes stayed ahead. "They went back on patrol after we left. No, we're being watched by something… else."
A noticeable look of worry crossed Dordoni's face, his eyes now focused back on the road ahead. "What do you mean?"
"I mean there is someone else watching us now." Lisa nudged against Dordoni, pushing him towards the left and into an alley way. She looked back, making sure Starrk kept up with their sudden change in path, but he seemed to be paying attention. "Not Shinigami. But clearly powerful in their own right. Something I can't identify."
Stepping over garbage and broken furniture, the trio stumbled through the maze of alleys. It seemed to get darker the further they went, but Lisa seemed to know where she was going. Her thin fingers pressed against brick and cement, feeling her way along. She would tap her free hand on Dordoni's arm, leading them down the path until they reached a familiar part of town. They were closer to Urahara's shop, the overwhelming presence of the Gates of Hell pressing against them.
Stopping in the exit, Lisa looked up at the rooftops, spinning slowly in place as she searched for something. Her back was arched, her hands ready to reach for the zanpakuto hidden away. The muscles in her jaw flinched as she tensed up. "They're very close," she whispered.
Dordoni glanced at Starrk, who seemed to be coming around. They could feel Lisa's tension overtake them, both on high alert. "I think I can feel their presence now as well." Dordoni let his hand rest on the hilt of his own zanpakuto, pressing into the shadows. "But it feels as if they are trying to scatter it, which is odd. I have never encountered a being who could do such a thing."
"Neither have I," Starrk muttered. "I'm not sure I could tell you what's out there, and that's a first for me."
No one moved for ages, holding their breath. The presence of the hidden intruder drew closer with each passing second, circling over them like a bird of prey. Flashes of light reflected off their now-drawn swords, uncertain if they should move into the open and face whomever it was or stay in hiding.
"Well, this certainly isn't the type of group I'd expect to see here in Karakura Town."
A smooth voice, warm yet hinting at mischievous intent, sliced through the silence like a knife. Heads snapped forward, bodies twisting on the defensive as the trio focused their attentions on the man that stood only a few feet away. He stood in the open, beneath the bare night sky, with his hands in his pockets and back slouched. "A former Shinigami with two Arrancar, what has this world come to?" Small, melodic tones of laughter followed the statement.
"And this certainly isn't the time of night most people would be out wandering the streets," Lisa retorted, taking a tentative step forward. The tip of her blade glistened under the streetlight. "Who are you, and what business do you have with us?"
It was hard to make out the man's features in the darkness, as he stood in the middle of the street and out of the circle of light that surrounded the trio. But she could see his longish hair lift up in the breeze, swaying from side to side. "I heard you were looking for something. Or, rather… someone."
Starrk pushed his way forward, ignoring the whispered protests of Lisa and Dordoni. He stopped near the edge of the sidewalk, his breathing shaky. "You know where she is?"
The man chuckled again, coming closer. The soft glow of the streetlight began to creep over his hidden face, exposing a faint grin and closed eyes under dark brows. "I just might." The man's eyes opened, two dark brown irises shimmering as they gazed at Starrk. "A small Arrancar girl. Green hair and one eye. Couldn't quite catch her name, but she wasn't hard to miss, even in her gigai."
Eyes glimmering with hope, Starrk wanted to hear more. He could feel his chest tightening again, lips parting to speak, but Lisa's small hand gripped his shoulder as she passed him, standing between the two. "How convenient," she said, her tone louder now. She stood to full height, sizing the man up and down with suspicious eyes. "After hours of searching, we finally find someone who might have seen her. But how do we know you're a trustworthy source?"
Teeth were revealed from behind stretched lips as the man smiled. "Pardon me, my friends." He bowed his head slightly forward, meeting the eyes of Lisa and Dordoni, who both now stood between him and Starrk. "I was merely trying to help. It took me forever to catch up with you three."
"And who are you, then, amigo?" Dordoni's words were laced with distrust, his tired stance tensed up as he prepared for an altercation. "Why should we trust what you have to say?"
Raising his hands in the air in mock surrender, the man sighed. "You're right, how rude of me to approach you without introducing myself." His fingers curled loosely as his hands fell back to his sides. "My name's Kūgo Ginjō. A pleasure to meet you all."
With a quick glance at the other, Lisa and Dordoni said nothing for a moment. Neither quite knew what to say, or how to proceed. But they knew that Starrk was barely able to help himself. Lisa turned back, seeing the desire to hear what this Ginjō had to say all over his face. She grimaced, lowering her sword slightly. "Kūgo Ginjō. You're no human, but it's not quite clear what you are." Her head tilted to the side, sizing him up once again. "Why are you trying to help us?"
Kūgo seemed a little relieved, exhaling deeply. "That's simple, really. It's sort of in my job description."
"I'm… not sure I understand."
"That's because I'm a Substitute Shinigami." Kūgo smiled again. "Or, at least, I was."
A Few Hours Prior
"So ya just let him run off after her?!" Hiyori screamed, pointing at Cirucci. "Are ya stupid?! YA SHOULDA AT LEAST TEXTED US TO LET US KNOW!"
Crossing her arms, Cirucci snarled. "I thought he'd be right back." She tossed a thick braid over her shoulder as she turned away. "There's no need to yell at me, it's not my fault that Starrk lost his annoying little pet."
"Hiyori, please calm down." Lisa's voice cut through the chaos. "We will get nowhere with you yelling at people." She stepped out into the middle of the living area, her eyes narrowed. Still wearing her clothes from work, her dark blazer creased under her fingers as they tightened into her sleeves. Hiyori knew this look, had seen it many times before. Lisa was fuming but doing her best to remain calm. "Around what time did Starrk leave the warehouse, Cirucci?"
Shrugging a little, the Privaron thought for a moment. "About an hour ago, I think," she replied. "I'd just hopped out of the shower, so I'm not entirely sure-."
"And how long were you here before Starrk woke up?"
Cirucci glared at Lisa, irritated at being interrupted. "I don't know, I think I got back here around 1."
"Did you see Lilynette in that time?"
"No, I was saying that earlier! What-?!"
"So that little shit was probably gone the moment that bastard went to sleep!" Hiyori exclaimed, gritting her teeth. "She could be anywhere!"
Groaning, Lisa adjusted her glasses, a telltale sign of further irritation. "So it would seem, yes." She rested against the back of the couch. "This certainly complicates things further."
From her place at the dining table, Nel looked to be on the edge of tears. "I-I knew she should've come with us today." She looked between Dondochakka and Pesche, her eyes glistening. "We'd at least be able to watch her and keep her entertained. Now she's… she's gone. And I did nothing to help."
"Don't blame yourself, Miss Nel." Hachi offered Nel a comforting smile. "We were only honoring Starrk's wishes. We should not assign ourselves blame."
"He's right, Lady Nel." Pesche patted her head reassuringly. "It's not your fault. Don't beat yourself up over it."
Wiping away the tears that had already fallen, Nel nodded. "I know. It's just hard not to, especially since if we don't find her, she could be punished." She sniffled, pushing away blue-green strands of curly hair. "We don't need to lose more people today."
"It'll be alright, don'tcha know!" Dondochakka tried to assure her. "We'll find them both." He looked to Lisa, uncertainty in his eyes. "Right, Miss Lisa?"
An eerie silence settled over the room. The air suddenly felt a few degrees colder as they waited for an answer. Finally, Lisa looked up, locking eyes with Dordoni. "I will go look for her," she said at last. "But I will require your help, Dordoni."
Blinking in surprise, Dordoni pointed to himself. "My help, amiga?"
"Yes. You are the most viable option." She nodded, taking off her blazer as she made her way to the stairs. "We need the others to stay behind, and if I were to pick anyone in this room who could probably keep a level head on their shoulders, it would be you." She slipped upstairs, running as fast as she could to change out of her clothes.
"She's right." Love's hand rose up from the couch, his legs dangling over the side. "We need at least a few people who are able to keep guard to stay behind." He sat up, his well-maintained afro sticking up over the side. "That leaves Hachi, Hiyori and I to keep an eye on this place. You're definitely the right person to go."
"Hell no!" Hiyori kicked angrily at a pillow strewn about on the floor. "I should be the one to go with her, dammit! I'd find those two dumbasses so fast, and then beat some sense into 'em!"
Love gave her a pointed glance before falling back into the couch's comforting embrace. "I think Lisa specifically said she needed someone with a level head on their shoulders," he replied. "That ain't something that can be said about you, Hiyori. Not even by a long shot."
"SAY THAT AGAIN, YA-!"
Running back down the stairs, Lisa mounted her zanpakuto on her waist, smoothing out the skirt as she made her way to the front door. "There should be no fighting while the two of us are gone," she called back. "Hiyori, you maybe the leader by your own demands, but I would urge you to stay calm and try to help Hachi and Love tonight. We don't need anyone coming in or out while we're gone." She slipped on her shoes, beckoning Dordoni to follow her. "Is that clear?"
The door opened behind Lisa, Ash sliding in from behind with grocery bags in either hand. She saw Dordoni and Lisa preparing to leave, her smile fading. "W-what's going on here?" she asked. "Where are you two going?"
"Good, you're back." Lisa opened the door wider, letting Dordoni go out first. "They'll fill you in on the details, but we're going after Starrk and Lilynette. They're both currently missing."
"Missing?!" The door closed, leaving Ash standing there in disbelief. She turned, facing the remaining members of the warehouse. "More people are missing now?! Don't tell me they went into Hell after Ichigo."
Hachi met her at the door, taking the grocery bags from her hands. "Thank you for running to the store for me, Miss Ash." He gave her a tired smile as he walked toward the small kitchen. "Please rest for a moment. Today has been a long, long day."
Frustrated, Ash let out a sharp sigh as she took her shoes off at the door, feeling the cool concrete under her feet as she made her way to the mess of couches nestled in the corner. Her body sunk into the cushions, sitting close to a lounging Love. She hadn't realized just how tired she was, the tension in her shoulders melting away for a moment.
Nel was the first to sit next to her, curling her legs underneath her body and resting her head against Ash's shoulder. Pesche and Dondochakka joined them, looking somber. Pesche sat stiffly upward, blonde brows furrowed over trouble eyes. Dondochakka sunk into the couch closest to the window, hands folded in his lap. With a huff, Hiyori sat on the back of the couch closest to Love, while Cirucci gracefully sat in the middle, pulling out her phone with disinterest.
"What's the situation?" Ash asked at last, her eyes gravitating to Hiyori. "Where did Starrk and Lilynette go?"
Shaking her head, Hiyori scoffed. "Who knows?" Her back arched forward, her snaggletooth exposed as she grimaced. "From what Cirucci could tell us – which ain't much – Lilynette disappeared before she got back." She glared at Cirucci for a moment, to which she was further ignored as Cirucci scrolled through the feed on her phone. "So, she's probably been gone since this mornin'."
"And then Starrk woke up a few hours after I got back," Cirucci added, giving Ash a glance, "screaming at me, wondering where that girl went." She shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Everyone's just too on edge today, and he had the nerve to yell at me while I was taking a relaxing shower!"
"Ain't that the third shower ya took today?!" Hiyori glared at Cirucci again. "Quit wastin' our water like that! Ya keep that up and yer gigai's gonna be so waterlogged yer gonna look like a raisin!"
"A lady must be clean and presentable at all times!" Cirucci snarked. "I can't help it that I'm forced to live in this dirty little prison, so I must accommodate however I can!"
Lifting a hand in the air, Love grunted. "No fighting. We're too tired to hear the two of you bicker again."
The clattering in the kitchen stopped for a moment as Hachi prepared for dinner. "Lisa also stated that no one is to leave or enter the warehouse while they're out, so we are to remain where we are for the time being." Chopping sounds could be heard as Hachi began cutting up vegetables. "We have been put on lockdown, so I hope you ran all your errands before coming back, Ash."
"I… I'm pretty sure I'm all squared away." Her voice was small, her head pressing into the cushions. But all she could think about was the customer who had walked into the shop earlier that day. I wanted to see if she was still around, she thought. I needed to learn more. But it's not like I know where she lives.
Sitting forward, Nel let her head rest on her knees. Her eyes were still full of worry, her hands fidgeting over her legs. "I just… I hope they find them. Both of them. And that everyone gets out of Hell okay."
The thought of Amelia caused Ash to flinch. She'd tried her best not to dwell on Amelia all day, but the thought of her sister leaving gnawed away at her. Lifting a hand, she let it rest on Nel's back, rubbing it slightly. "It'll be alright," she said mindlessly. "Everyone will return soon. We just…" She couldn't finish the sentence, mostly because she could bring herself to believe it.
Breaking through the silence, Hiyori cleared her throat, sitting up straight. "That reminds me, I've got some news from that bastard Urahara." All eyes focused on her, jumping at the possible news. "I had that meeting with 'im today before comin' back here."
"And?" Love sat up this time, eager to hear more. "What'd he say?"
Fishing into the pockets of her red jacket, Hiyori pulled out a crumbled piece of paper, squinting as she read it. "Turns out he's been gettin' information from Captain Ukitake that there's a group here in Karakura Town and Naruki City to be on the look out for." She brought the paper closer, trying to read her own handwriting. "It's a weird-ass name for a group, I thought. Made no damn sense." She looked back at the group. "I think it's called Execution?"
Sitting up straight, Nel's eyes widened a bit. "Do you mean Xcution, Hiyori?"
Hiyori stiffened a little, alarmed. She leapt down from her spot on the back of the couch, stepped over Cirucci and sat in front of Nel. "The hell do ya know about this group, kid?" she said, her tone dangerous. "Spit it out!"
"Hey, hey!" Pesche came over, ready to protect Nel. "Easy there!"
But Nel was doing her best to remember, thinking back. "Well, on our walk around town, Dondochakka, Pesche and I were near the middle school, watching the kids. I think they were on break or something, but I think I heard one of them mention something about Xcution."
"Did you guys let her try to enter a school again?!" Love said, his normally casual tone filled with irritation. "I thought Lisa made it clear that-."
"Oh, no, no!" Dondochakka waved his hands wildly. "W-we only watched this time! We promise, don'tcha know!"
"That's no better, in my opinion." Love shook his head. "What if you three had been caught? It would have been a tough situation to talk yourselves out of."
"That don't matter right now!" Hiyori waved off the discourse, focusing her attention on Nel. "Whaddya hear, kid? It's important!"
"U-um… well, I heard two kids talking about how their parents were taking them to a meeting tonight. They sounded k-kinda excited about it. They mentioned Mr. Tsukishima's name, too, which surprised me."
"The guy ya two kids met at the bus station?"
Nel nodded quickly. "Yeah, that guy! He's so nice, I wish I had seen him today. I wonder if Lil had-."
Grabbing her hands, Hiyori cut her off. "Stop gettin' distracted and finish the story!"
"Don't grab Lady Nel like that!" Pesche protested.
"SHUT UP, BUG BRAIN!"
Nel took a shaky breath before continuing. "Th-they said that they were going to see Mr. Tsukishima talk tonight at one of those meetings. I think they said it was with a-a new help group called Xcution. To talk about all the things that happened in November."
All were gathered close now, Hachi leaving the food to cook in the kitchen as he stood behind the nest of couches. "Are you sure that is what you heard, Miss Nel?"
She nodded. "Y-yeah. And I thought it was strange that Mr. Tsukishima had never mentioned anything about an Xcution before." She tucked her hair behind her ear, thinking. "But if Lilynette was really out on her own, I feel… she must have met him at some point in the morning."
"What makes you say that, Nel?" Ash asked.
"Because there's no other reason she wouldn't come back." Nel's shoulders slumped. "Lil and I both really liked Mr. Tsukishima, and I think if I had been with them, I'd probably-."
"Don't say that!" Pesche looked petrified. "We'd never let you or Lilynette wander off with some random human like that!"
But Nel shook her head. "You don't understand. He wasn't just some Human, Pesche."
Hiyori sat back, her eyes narrowing. "The hell're ya sayin'?"
"He had a really weird presence," Nel said. "Like he wanted to hear all about you, and you can't help yourself but to tell him. I can't really remember the things we talked about, but he was just… weird."
At this point, Cirucci looked up from her phone, locking eyes with Ash. "You're saying this guy looked like a regular human in most ways, but when it came down to his spiritual presence, he was anything but?"
"Don't tell me ya have some weird experience with this, too!" Hiyori spat. "Just where are y'all meetin' these people at? Why haven't I seen 'em?"
Tossing her braid to the side, Cirucci looked smug for a moment. "Maybe I'm just more approachable that you are, Hiyori."
Before Hiyori could explode, Ash spoke up. "You're talking about that weird girl who walked into the boutique today." She didn't have to say it, but it felt better to say it out loud. "She was incredibly odd, like a black hole."
Leaning against the back of the couch, Hachi looked perturbed. "A black hole?"
"A void," Ash continued. "Something that only took, that sought out more." She looked up, her icy blue eyes twitching. "This girl didn't say she was with Xcution or anything, but she wasn't normal in anyway. Cirucci can attest to that."
Cirucci scoffed. "Yeah," she said, glancing at her phone, "and she was a complete bitch. I was close to throwing her out the door."
"M-Mr. Tsukishima wasn't exactly like that," Nel said. "B-but I could tell he was looking for something. I just hope Lilynette wasn't the thing he was looking for, but judging by the fact she's not here…" She felt her throat close, clamming up.
A timer went off in the kitchen, startling almost everyone. Hachi made his way over, opening the steaming rice cooker with potholder in hand. "What else did Urahara say, Hiyori?" he called over his shoulder.
"Other than that, he told me we need to be extra careful, since the Soul Society's on lockdown with the Head Captain gone." She shoved the paper in her pocket, scowling. "But we knew that. But if this situation's as bad as I think it's gonna be, it won't be long before they start lockin' things up, those bastards."
"No point in fretting about that for now." Dishes clattered across the counter. "We need to eat before make any rash decisions. And fortunately for us, dinner is just about ready." Steaming bowls of food lined the counter. "Come and eat, my friends."
The sun had gone down a while ago, but the remaining members of C46-S finished their dinner. Many of them looked sleepy, ready to slink off to bed, but many of them remained glued to their chairs. It had been silent for most of dinner, leaving the sound of clattering silverware and dishes to fill in the emptiness. But after the last bowl went empty, they all sat sluggishly, unable to speak.
Hachi sat at the head chair, his large hands folded and supporting his head as he leaned forward. Part of him felt guilty. If only I had gotten through to Starrk, he thought. If only he had trusted me to keep an eye on Lilynette. But he knew it did no good to dwell on such things. It only slowed down the process. That was the way of the Kido corp, after all. Eyes on the present, consider the past once the threat had gone. Remain calm in the face of a crisis.
A chair scratched across the floor as someone stood up. Pesche cleared his throat, nodding to Nel. "If you will excuse me, I will take Lady Nel to bed now. It's been a long day." He pushed his chair back into the table and stood by Nel, ready to guide her to her room. "Are you ready?"
Shaking her head, Nel didn't look up at Pesche. "I'm not tired, Pesche. I'm not ready yet."
"You should go to bed, Miss Nel," Hachi said. "Tomorrow will most likely be a long day as well. Sleep will only help you." He met Pesche's gaze, who seemed to thank him for the help. Dondochakka stood up slowly as well, prepared to follow them upstairs.
Nel agreed reluctantly, standing up now. Silently, she followed her Fracćion up the stairs, disappearing into the darkness and leaving only a few tired faces around the table.
"I should be tired," Ash said, breaking the silence now. "But I doubt I'll be able to sleep at this point. There's just…" She closed her eyes, letting her head fall forward a bit.
Hachi only nodded in sympathy. "I believe most of us are in the same boat. But we must try. There's no telling what tomorrow will bring us." He stood as well, gathering all the empty dishes. "And I'm sure that those who return tonight will need us well-rested."
"I need to figure out what I'm gonna say to Yoruichi and Urahara tomorrow when we see them," Love said. He stretched his arms overhead, yawning. "They're gonna ask questions. I'm sure they already have some clue what's happening over here, knowing them."
"Nosy bastard," Hiyori muttered, her body slumped to the side as her head rested in the palm of her left hand. "We're just gonna have to rip the Band-Aid off real fast and hope for the best, I s'ppose." It was rare to see Hiyori so lethargic and uncaring.
Sitting up straight, Cirucci stared at the dirty bowl in front of her. "The last thing we need is a bunch of Shinigami to come knocking on the door," she said. "I could barely stomach being quarantined up in the Soul Society for that whole month, but having them here, stinking up the place." She shook her head, her face scrunching up in disgust. "I think I'll go crazy."
"Amen to that," Hiyori grunted. "Those stupid bastards."
Love swiveled his head. "Even if it's Shinji?"
"'Specially if it's Shinji." Hiyori's voice went serious. "I'll kick his ass if he takes one step in here with his stupid Shinigami uniform and Captain's jacket."
Ash stood up, taking her dirty plate to the kitchen, joining Hachi by the sink. "Let me help you out, Hachi."
"Thank you, dear." He gave her a small smile. "You don't have to. You should go to bed as well."
"The more things I can do to take my mind off things, the better." She took up a freshly washed dish, wiping it clean. "Sleep won't help me."
"You sound like Amelia, saying things like that."
Her hand stopped mid-dry, her heart freezing in her chest. It was something Amelia would say, and she hated herself for even thinking that way. Never stopping to think of the consequences, she thought, even if they might cause her harm. Quickly, she dried the plate and put it in the cabinet, slamming the door closed.
"My apologies." Hachi handed her another dish, his expression faltering to one of pity. "I didn't mean to hit a sore spot."
"It's alright." Ash looked at him. "She and I will have to talk when everything is said and done. I'm sure she'll be…" She stopped, letting the thought die as she silently went back to work.
To everyone's surprise, the door to the warehouse swung open. Eyes snapped open, backs straightened and hearts raced as those that remained rushed to see who was walking through that door. Hachi looked back at the clock for a moment to see the time for reference. 10:46 p.m. It had been hours since they last saw Lisa and Dordoni.
Lisa entered first, with Dordoni and Starrk on her heels. The remaining members gathered near the entry way, pleased to see Starrk, but looking all around for Lilynette. "You're back," Hachi said, clasping his hands. "And you found Starrk, that's good news." He didn't mention Lilynette, holding his breath in fear.
"But where's-?" Hiyori's question was cut off, as an unexpected fourth person entered behind the trio. He was slightly shorter than Dordoni, but it was his presence that threw them all off. Brown eyes absorbed the room, a small smile on his face.
"I'm glad to see that you are all still safe," Lisa said, her voice tense. "Forgive us for bringing a surprise visitor, but we figured it would be best for us to hear what he has to say."
The man bowed slightly. "Yes, thank you for letting me into your home," he said. "My name is Kūgo Ginjō. It's good to officially meet you all."
Immediately on edge, Hiyori stood in a defensive position, ready to pull her zanpakuto if ready. Her eyes gave away her distrust, every muscle in her body tensed. "And why the hell'd ya bring this… man into our base, Lisa?" She never once looked away from Kūgo. "That ain't like ya to bring strangers in."
Sighing, Lisa nodded. "You're right, but I believe he can provide us with some vital information." She turned to Kūgo, her eyes steely. "Isn't that right, Kūgo?"
"That is the goal, yes." Even under pressure, he still aimed to be charming. Everyone in the room, despite their instant distrust, couldn't resist their own curiosity. "Allow me to elaborate further." He made his way through to the dinning room table, taking a seat in one of the chairs. "You may want to sit down, as there's quite a bit to discuss."
Slowly, the others joined him, reclaiming their chairs. No eye turned away from this stranger, afraid that they might miss something.
"To begin with, let me start by saying that I am a former Substitute Shinigami, much like your friend, Ichigo Kurosaki." His smile flickered as he could see had further stoke their curiosity. "I've known of your presences since the end of the… incident in November. There is no need to be alarmed, as I mean you no ill-will."
"A former Substitute Shinigami, eh?" Hiyori could barely hold back her suspicion. "Why haven't I heard of ya before? Why should we-?"
Kūgo set a familiar object on the table, sliding it across the surface. It stopped in front of Hiyori, a carved badge sitting on the wooden surface. Her eyes widened, recognizing it instantly. A Substitute Shinigami badge, much like Ichigo's. But this one was broken and repaired, seeming shattered into many pieces before. Grabbing it, she twirled it in her hands, glancing over at Kūgo once again.
"Do you believe me now?" He leaned onto the table, arms crossed. Hiyori said nothing, watching him with eyes narrowed. "As I said, I was a Substitute Shinigami, much like Ichigo Kurosaki. But, in recent years, I broke away, residing in the World of the Living quietly." He laughed a little, raising his other hand. "Well, almost quietly."
"Oh?" Lowering his glasses a bit, Love looked Kūgo up and down. "Must've been real quiet, then, because I don't remember seeing the likes of you around this place. And trust me, we've been around for a while."
"I'm well aware." Kūgo met his gaze. "Over a century, if I remember correctly."
Love's face went dark, his brows falling. "You really kept close tabs, for such a quiet guy."
"When you're trying to stay under the Soul Society's radar, it's usually best to gather any bit of information you can." He sat up, cracking his knuckles one by one. "And I think you'll find that I'm a wealth of information."
"On what, exactly?" Ash asked, her arms crossed.
"On our mutual… friends, Xcution."
The night air clung to Tatsuki, soaking into her clothes as she sprinted down an alleyway, searching. Her chest heaved as she moved, her limbs tired from running. She had no idea how long she'd been out there, looking for Orihime, but she knew she couldn't stop. There's no way she could be too far, she thought. No way.
"Anything yet?"
Chad peered into the dark alleyway, watching as Tatsuki stood in place. Her shoulders rose and fell with each breath, ignoring the foul stench of warm garbage. She shook her head, looking back. "Nothing. I can't even sense her."
"Neither can I." Chad's lips pressed together in a grimace. "And it's usually not hard to find it."
Tatsuki knew that. She stepped out of the alleyway, standing in the middle of the street. Sweat soaked into her shirt, her clothes sticking to her skin. She was tired, worried and angry. But she knew that she couldn't give up now. Orihime wouldn't give up on her if the roles were reversed.
"ORIHIME!"
Her shout carried from the rooftops and to the sky, lost in the wind. An act of desperation that proved fruitless yet again. But Chad didn't reprimand her. Even if anyone were awake to hear it, it wasn't like there many people in the area. Beyond that point were the parts of Karakura that were still under construction. Yellow caution tape fluttered several feet away, with crumbled asphalt in its wake.
"Tatsuki?"
Orihime's voice startled them, their heads whirling just to see her appear behind them. Her eyes were filled with confusion. "What are the two of you doing out here?"
Tatsuki could barely get a word out, stammering so badly she couldn't even speak. She looked to Chad, who had to speak first. "Orihime, do you know how long you've been missing for?"
Nodding, Orihime looked between them. "The meeting I went to took longer than I realized. That, and I had to take the others home." She drew close to them, trying to smile. "I'm so sorry for making you two worry." Looking at Tatsuki, she gave her a sad expression. "I really… wanted to talk to you. Both of you."
"Kon told us you were coming." The words flooded out of Tatsuki's mouth, gripping Orihime's shoulder. "What kind of meeting were you even at? What's going on? I -." She stopped, realizing just how fast her emotions were taking hold of her. Taking a deep breath, she let her eyes close for a moment, then continued. "Sorry, we just… we were worried."
Before she knew what was happening, Tatsuki found herself wrapped in Orihime's embrace. Her chest tightened, and her body froze. She hadn't anticipated such a response, her arms still hanging midair. Eventually, she let her arms fall, wrapping around her shoulders. Her worry faded a bit, enjoying the moment.
"I know." Orihime pulled away, smiling brightly. "And I really am sorry. But I have something awesome to share with you guys!" She looked to Chad, giving him an apologetic glance.
Looking at each other for a second, Chad and Tatsuki looked even more confused. "Wait… what? Is this about that meeting you went to?"
Orihime nodded excitedly. "I think I learned a little bit more about our powers, Tatsuki! Isn't that amazing?!"
"What are you talking about, Orihime?"
"Tatsuki, we're Fullbringers!"
A/N: Whew, this chapter took me a while. But it's done! It's a bit more expositiony, sorry, but important nonetheless. I'm tired, Idk what to tell you.
If you haven't already seen, I posted a small short story about Grimmjow... last week? Either way, if you want, please check it out! It's what I wrote in the MIDDLE of writing this chapter. Because I am smart (ugh).
Anyways, enjoy! See you soon :)
