WELCOME BACK! After much thought about what to do, I thought about ways on how to handle and present the other characters in a different way than we know very carefully and how to end the Soul Society arc of the story. Trust me, I try not to do things out of the blue without thinking ahead like some manga artists do, they pull random things that make no sense out of nowhere. I try! But when starting the beginning I did plan ahead ^^ if there's any suggestions you all have I'll take notes. Enjoy!
"How long have we been walking?"
Kon could barely keep up. They'd been inside the Sereitei for hours and barely passed half-way through going to the direction of the forest where Ichigo was being held deep within.
"Bout, two..three hours possibly."
However Yuji wasn't the least bit tired, or he seemed to be.
"Can we take a break?" Kon huffed. He slouched his body forwards. He was still adjusting to the new gigai.
"I was just going to suggest that." Yuji smiled.
So they did. They hid in an alley way that seemed to be deserted for the time being. Kon closed his eyes and sat against the wall.
Yuji looked at the horizon ahead, it showed the Repent Tower and Sokuyoku Hill. They were so close. He was happy things were going smoothly so far. Yuji kept alert for anyone that may be close, but he heard voices only coming from the city of reapers. He suddenly felt tired but forced himself to not sleep; instead he watched the sun slowly move. The brightness was enough to help him stay awake. He guessed it to be about mid-afternoon to almost evening time.
After a few more minutes, Yuji thought it best to get going. He shook Kon awake.
When he opened his eyes...a tear ran down the mod soul's face.
"Oh, are you alright?"
Kon glanced his eyes at him, then he looked down.
"I was...having a dream. That Rukia was alive. I would always try to hug her but she would stomp me on the floor," He chuckled, "But this time, it didn't happen. She hugged me back. She wasn't angry with me. Said she was proud of me for helping both Ichigos."
Yuji's heart tugged. Kon really loved her. He knew that look. He could see it in his eyes.
He pulled his legs closer and dug his head onto his knees and trembled.
"If there's one thing I regret...I regret not being there for her the night she was taken. If only I were stronger.." Kon tugged at his pant leg.
"I've always been so weak. I'm limited to what I can do..I don't have a sword. The only thing I knew that brought me happiness..was when I saved. I was wanted. Others like me were tossed away like disposable garbage...and not just me..she saved Ichigo and gave us life to live...but now..."
He sniffed and rubbed his nose,
"The reason why I go after girls is just a face of mine. It's to hide the pain I dealt with for years, I mask it up to forget that one day I was going to die and cease to exist."
He became quiet.
More tears started to fall.
Yuji sat next to him and held one arm around his shoulders. Kon gasped a little, not used to that kind of interaction, and looked at Yuji.
"After I took Arel to the world of the living, I knew she was lonely. I tried my best to support and be a good parent and brother at the same time. She did ask why she didn't have a mother and later on I explained why. But even so, she was happy without one. She feels the same as you. If I didn't take her as my sister...she'd be lonely and only seen as a test subject and miserable. Pain and fear would be her only company..if it weren't for me. She would've been seen as something to be thrown out eventually..to rot after the research team deemed her as not worthy of value. Later on... she opened up to me about it..so I showed her how to make friends..and for the first time.."
He glanced at him, his orange colored eye as well as his blue one flickered,
"She felt wanted."
Kon stared and listened intently. What he said started to put him at ease somehow.
"Kon, no matter where people come from, others will always want you and care for you. Sure...there's some that won't like you and will have a second opinion; but it doesn't mean there won't be more that won't dislike you."
Yuji patted his hair and give his head a little scratch,
"You have more people that care than you think." Yuji winked.
Kon bit his lip. He was right. He wasn't alone and he knew Ichigo from the other world was the only one besides Rukia that showed he really cared. The Ichigo he knew hardly showed kindness, he yelled and threatened him on a daily basis. Why couldn't he have met the Ichigo who was so kind to him and others? Then he thought..he was still alive and breathing, right? That's more than enough to acknowledge how lucky he was.
"Thanks." Kon sniffed loudly and rubbed his face.
"Do you need another minute? We need to keep going pretty soon."
"No, we can go now." Both started to stand up when;
"GAHHHHH!"
Someone from a distance yelled loudly, making the two jump into their skins.
"That sounded awfully familiar." Yuji stated.
"Who was that?" Kon asked.
"Follow me. But keep yourself hidden as always."
They left their safe place and Yuji traced the source of the sound. They both turn to the edge of the wall, leading into a corner.
"Why..should I have to go finish the damn paperwork this time? Stupid Rangiku."
It was Toshiro. He had his lips protruded and looked agitated. He was pouting.
"All I want to do right now is eat the stash of candy I have hidden and have some time to myself." He whined.
Kon and Yuji stood silent as he passed by them, thankfully he didn't notice. Which was odd. But lucky at least.
After he was far enough away from earshot; Kon whispered,
"Who was that kid?"
"That...was the captain of Squad 10, Toshiro Hitsugaya. He's the youngest among them."
"Really? him a captain? Didn't know they hired snotty kids."
"You got a point there..I've never seen him mope like that before. Could be me imagining it, but he seems brattier than from what I remember."
Yuji shook the thought off and both of them started to continue their journey through the Seiretei.
...
In Squad 12 barracks, the team members were busy as usual. Keeping up and taking notes of current experiments, and moving equipment around.
Rin half asleep flinched, when the computer monitor in front of him flashes and beeped loudly. Yawning, he tapped his finger on the screen and his eyes widened.
"H-hey, is Akon around?" He asked someone sitting next to him.
"Eh, like I know. But I think I saw him an hour ago and he went to another room."
Rin became nervous and starting biting his nails. His monitor had gotten traces of reishi that was glowing on the screen that looked unknown. He needed his boss to see it, before anyone yelled at him thinking he was too lazy to report it..The computers had records of every Soul Reapers identity and locations tracked 24/7 to keep an eye on them, yet this one was very unfamiliar...
"What about me?"
Speaking of the devil, the 3rd seat of Squad 12 came in with a frown.
"Ah, could you take a look at this?" Rin said sheepishly.
Akon only rolled his eyes.
"I'm busy, can't you tell? The captain's already running our asses around with stuff he could take care of himself, but no. I have things to do, Rin."
"But...! The computer detected an unfamiliar spiritual pressure inside the Seireitei!" Rin exclaimed.
Akon stopped in his tracks. "What?"
"Take a look." Rin gestured.
Akon squinted his eyes. A line rotating counterclock wise scanned a glowing dot, pointing into the South's direction of the Soul Society. Akon shook his head in disbelief.
"It's an unidentified presence, sir. And it said it's a Hollow."
"That's impossible. Hollows can't get inside here. Maybe the stupid machine's broken."
Rin hated to press on, and would get nervous when Akon was busy and annoyed but he had to get him to look.
"With all due respect, I think someone should investigate to prove it otherwise?" Rin suggested.
Akon sighed and gave in.
"Well if it's positive and not broken, I'll send a hell butterfly to get someone to check if they're close by."
...
By this time it was night. The full moon is shown over the Soul Society. By this time most people working all day had closed their offices for the night while others did guard and night duty. Which to Yuji was good, some would be asleep not too long from this time and they could get around easier.
"We're close to Squad 11 barracks, just a little bit further." Yuji announced softly over his shoulder.
"When we get to the forest area, could we take another break?" Kon asked. He rubbed his eyes to keep them open.
"Sure, but not for long, we need to get Ichigo out before dawn."
Kon was about to speak until he was cut off,
"What's that about getting Ichigo Kurosaki out?"
The two of them found the source of this new voice and flinched. They'd been spotted!
"Tell me more, I'm really interested."
The man standing on top of a roof was Ikkaku, sneering a grin at them. His bald head flashed a reflection.
"Wanna introduce ourselves?" He unsheathed his sword, "You're first."
"Now hang on, what are you doing 3rd seat Madarame?" Yuji defended. He needed to play it cool.
"Huh, hilarious. You know my name, but I have never seen you around."
He gazed at Kon standing behind Yuji.
"And who are you? You're not wearing a Soul Reaper uniform."
This was going to be tough to get out of. Yuji knew Kon's appearance was already getting them unwanted attention.
"He's not involved with us, leave him out of it-"
"I see, so basically he's an intruder."
Ikkaku jumped down and faced away from them.
"I came here to investigate an unknown spiritual pressure in this area. They detected a Hollow's presence."
Yuji grit his teeth. Shit.
"From what I can tell, you're obviously a Soul Reaper...so where's the Hollow?"
Ikkaku finally met eyes.
"Is it him?" Ikkaku pointed at Kon.
Yuji only glared and Kon moved closer to his back.
"Kon, make a run for it, head to the direction of the forest and keep going straight, and you'll find it."
Kon snapped his head.
"What? No, I'm either staying here or you're coming with me!"
"Ikkaku is someone you shouldn't mess with, you can't fight against him."
Kon gulped. "He's that strong?"
Yuji made a fast nod.
.."Mind if I join in?"
Hearing another new voice, this person stood a few feet away next to Ikkaku, his white hair glowed in the moonlight. He had his arms folded with a stoic face.
"I overheard the commotion, what's going on here?"
"Captain Hitsugaya." Yuji bowed his head down, his stomach was forming a pit.
"Dig this: The Department of Research reported there was some Hollow waltzing around here so I came to deal with it, and here's what I found." Ikkaku stretched his arm at them.
"I see."
Toshiro grasped his blade, but didn't unsheathe it yet.
"Tell us who you are, and come quietly."
"And what if we don't?" Kon couldn't help but ask.
"That wasn't a question, it's an order." Ikkaku grimaced.
"We'll be forced to take further action." Toshiro replied to Kon.
"Even if I explained who I am, it won't change the fact that I'm an outsider," Yuji took one of his swords, and pointed at them, "I'm not from this world, and I'm here to retrieve Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Yuji!" Kon shouted in fear.
He just blatantly told the enemy their plans. They were screwed now!
The two Soul Reapers looked at him like he was crazy and gaped in disbelief.
"Kon." Yuji whispered once again, low enough for them to not overhear.
Kon looked at the Soul Reaper with a very worried and fearful look,
"Run now! Toshiro is a Captain. Meaning he's stronger than Ikkaku and even I will barely have a chance of holding him off. Go while you have the chance."
Kon could tell that was his warning and didn't need to be told twice. If a Captain was stronger than any of themselves, then he did better run for it.
Kon gave him a brief hug with one arm, "Be careful."
He took off as fast as he could, since he was a Mod Soul he could run faster than a human, he had some advantage at least.
"Hey! Come back here!" Ikkaku instead of being angry, he smiled with delight. He chased after Kon.
"I'll deal with this one." Toshiro kept his eyes firmly on Yuji.
"Yeah, yeah." Ikkaku flashed out of sight.
The young captain finally took out his sword.
"If you refuse, you leave me no choice."
"Ha, funny. You could just let me go and give me a choice. Like the choice to rescue an innocent man from death." Yuji spat.
"Nonsense." Toshiro blinked in annoyance. "Reign over the Frosted Heavens..."
"No turning back now," Yuji told himself.
"Hyourinmaru!"
His sword became encased with ice, the air becoming colder instantly as snow began to fall, an ice creature appeared from behind.
Yuji made a smug grin. For this, he knew what to do..Toshiro flashed in front of him, both blades touching and clashed loudly.
"I'm Captain of Squad 10, Toshiro Hitsugaya."
"Oh I knew. I know of your capabilities and as well as your lieutenant."
"Introduce yourself." Toshiro said grimly.
"I'm Yuji Shankara, 5th seat of Squad 12."
"I see. You are a Soul Reaper, but I've never heard of you. Most of us don't follow to care who's in what squad, but I'm pretty familiar with almost all of them. So you're definitely not one of us.."
Without seeing it in time the ice around his blade had crept towards Yuji from behind, it took a moment to realize ot and it was too late.
"Why you..!" He seethed at him.
A huge block of ice exploded into being on the street. Only Toshiro made it out, he landed on the ground.
Luckily, so did Yuji. He managed to move out of the way.
"As annoying as that was, that was pretty good." Yuji said impressed.
Toshiro narrowed his eyes at him.
"Mind if I asked you something?"
Yuji pointed his blade. "Make it quick." He said with an unemotional tone.
"That display of anger you expressed...there was something to it."
"And?" Yuji rolled his head and eyes.
"When Ikkaku said there was a presence of a Hollow in this location...he wasn't wrong. I sensed it just a moment ago. So that whole time, it was you."
Yuji let out an annoyed breath of air.
"So what? I explain myself? even if I do, you'll just assume I'm some Hollow that needs to be put down-"
"So you do admit you're a Hollow?" Toshiro pointed his blade back at him. "Hollows inside the Sereitei can't get in, but when they do, they're to be eradicated. That's how it works."
Yuji flinched. He knew of the rules, but that wasn't what irked him. He just really didn't want to fight and needed to get to the Nest. He sighed.
"...Yes. I am half Hollow. But I am a Soul Reaper. You're not the first to notice it."
"That's where I'm confused. You're clearly a Soul Reaper. But for now...I won't assume you're a Hollow who can take shape of others."
Lucky break, this kid is smart, but come on...he can't see I have some intelligence and I'm not dangerous enough to be an enemy..
"You also said you wanted to rescue someone...that would be Ichigo Kurosaki..and I noticed another thing...earlier you said you weren't from here and this world...Ichigo said the exact same thing."
Yuji raised his brows.
"He did, did he?...Well it's true."
"But why would he say that, as well as you? Or is it a coincidence?"
An idea hit Yuji. It would make his chances easier, and have him believe and possibly gain an ally.
"Let's make a deal Captain."
Toshiro had his full attention, which was good.
"If I defeat you, you must promise me to let me explain why I'm here and why I must rescue Ichigo."
The captain said nothing, but continued to listen.
"If you defeat me, I'll go with you quietly without resistance."
"For that first offer, if you do beat me; will it explain why everything lately hasn't been making sense as to why Ichigo Kurosaki has been acting strange?"
"Yes. I promise to spill it all. And..," Yuji smiled a teasing expression.
"I promise to treat you to some candy."
Immediately, Toshiro's face turned pink, then angry.
"W-what the h-hell are you talking about? I don't want candy!" His mouth let out some drool.
"Your face says otherwise." Yuji shrugged and smirked.
"But...okay fine, you got me! I like candy." Toshiro looked away, embarrassed.
"So that's what's the opposite of you is like."
The younger captain tilted his head, confused.
"Earlier captain, me and my friend overheard you complaining about not getting to your secret stash of sweets and having to go fill out paperwork. That's how I know."
Toshiro groaned. He knew he'd been found out.
"No one is supposed to know. Especially strangers. I hide that aspect of my personal life from my peers and the rest of the Captains."
"Hey, who doesn't love candy? It's not a bad thing. So that's what the opposite persona of you is."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Hitsugaya I know the most back in the other world, hates being seen as a child and hates candy." Yuji chuckes and shrugs.
"There you go again, with the "other world" stuff. Why don't we continue this after we finish fighting?" Toshiro's face turned back to serious.
"I think I'm going to enjoy this, since you're more outgoing than the other Hitsugaya."
Yuji felt a little less tense than moments before. He has to test to see what was different about the alternate captain. Seeing him as differently helped his nerves.
It was time. Yuji called upon his other twin Zanpakuto's name,
"Singe and flicker, Hono no Oji" (Prince of Flames)
Yuji's right eye glowed a bright fiery orange. His blade morphed into a new form and shape. The handle began to change into a brilliant gold with diamonds, the guard into sculpted flame like shapes. Armor appeared on Yuji's biceps and burned off his sleeves, also a gold, the armor had large red jewels from the elbows to the back of his hands. His blade was engulfed with flames.
"I introduce you to Hono no Onji, a fire type Zanpakuto as you can see. The opposite of his twin sister, Aohime."
The look of Toshiro's face was one filled with amazement and awe. He points one finger,
"Okay, that's awesome."
"It's funny seeing you with such an expression, captain." Yuji chuckled.
"No one's here, so I can be myself I guess." Toshiro huffed.
"Why don't you?"
There was a pause. Toshiro looked at the ground as if in search of something, his sea-green eyes gleaming.
"It's hard to explain."
"Shall we go?" Yuji's sword spewed out fire, getting ready.
"Yeah, better do this now.." Toshiro held his blade at him.
...
"Hey, hey, hey!" Ikkaku called out to his new prey, who happened to be running for his life.
"I heard you three times, idiot!" Kon shouted over his shoulder.
"Just being friendly." Ikkaku jumped high into the air and unsheathed his own sword.
"Sure, chasing and wanting to kill me is so polite!"
"Extend, Houzoukimaru!"
"Oh, this can't be good." Kon dreaded. He couldn't see what the Soul Reaper was doing, but kept going.
Ikkaku's sword became longer in length, one end with a red tuft of fur and the other with a short blade.
"Taste his blood, Houzoukimaru."
This time Kon turned his head, while still running. His eyes opened with terror as an incoming weapon was being aimed straight for his face. In reflex, Kon turned his whole body around and kicked it out of the way, causing the middle of the sword to break and go up.
"Hmm, nice. You evaded my strike."
Kon panted heavily, keeping his green eyes on him. He couldn't run anymore for the moment.
"So now I can see for myself, you're not human or a Hollow."
"Well duh." Kon grunted.
"No human can avoid my sword, that much I can tell you."
Since he was catching his breath more, he furrowed his eyebrows at Ikkaku.
"So what are you, exactly?"
"Does it matter?" Kon grinned with a cocky smirk, "Now that I have some sort of power, I can take you down."
"Oh...? Ikkaku glared a dark face at him. "You think so?"
Kon gulps, feeling dumb now. Uh oh, I shouldn't have said that. His face is scary.
"Then prove it, that you're strong as you claim to be."
Kon wanted to run. He should've. But he was here for a purpose, and given a body to fight back. He couldn't cower now.
Ikakku jumped and brought down his blade, Kon didn't have any other way to stop it, so he used his bare hands on the wooden rod part of the sword. He thought he had evaded it.
"Break!" Ikkaku declared with a smile.
Suddenly, the middle broke into three different parts with chains attached keeping them together, Kon's eyes shrunk in horror as they bent and broke, the short blade meeting contact to his back. Blood was drawn.
"GAHHH!"
Kon bent over, the pain of the new wound surged through him. It was like someone threw hot grease from a pan and onto his skin.
"B-bastard." He grunted, "Damn.."
"Hey, not my fault. Just doing what I'm told to do."
This guy was annoying. So was his shiny head, and his attitude. It was starting to boil Kon's blood.
"Tell me, what brings someone like you here? What's your game?"
At first he hesitated, then remembered it was useless to lie since they all knew what they were up to.
"I'm here...to save Ichigo. He's my friend."
Ikkaku stared at him for a good minute, then laughed.
"YOU? Rescue Kurosaki? That's hysterical!"
"I'm being serious here." Kon deadpanned.
"Other than that other dude who was with you, who else do you have to back you up?" Ikkaku chuckled.
"Just me and him." Kon said simply.
"Oh my god. You have no miracle to save you." Ikkaku was in stitches.
"Oh yeah?! Wanna bet?" Kon challenged.
"Maybe. But you're just a kid. How will you get him out of here if you manage to jail break him out?" Ikkaku sneered.
"That...I don't know." Kon looked away.
That got to him. Both knew it.
"Tsk. What a pity. You come all the way out here, and you don't have a back-up plan? You'll die before you even ask for mercy, kid."
Kon's hair covered his eyes.
"Give up, before I seriously injure you. Then go back to your buddy and finish him off. I don't mind cutting up someone, but this is ridiculous. Only a fool would rush into battle without a sword."
"Like hell." Kon growled.
Ikkaku lurched his head back, not expecting an answer like that. Those green eyes showed a strong defiance. Who was this kid?
"All I've done in my life is run away. And I couldn't defend myself. Until Rukia and Ichigo saved me from death. I'm not going to waste their kindness in vain. I will fight! And take Ichigo back."
Kon buckled his knees and held his fists.
"I'm done being the cowardly lion. A lion defends his herd at all costs."
Ikkaku didn't know what to say other than listen, but he could see he wasn't backing down just yet.
"Bring it on." Ikkaku grinned.
"It's my turn then."
Kon ran and jumped, delivering a kick to aim for his bald head, since it was the most annoying thing since meeting Ikkaku. In the midst of it, Ikkaku had already moved out of reach. Kon goes again, no result. Again he goes for a punch with his fists, but this Soul Reaper was not letting him have it. Kon doesn't give up and goes for another kick.
"Try and get me! You have no chance!" Ikkaku taunted, readying to block the kick with his sword.
"Who said I was kicking you and it be that simple?" Kon vanished.
Kon had suddenly vanished.
"Huh?"
He had managed to get behind Ikkaku and quietly and surely, hopped a few good feet and kicked the Soul Reaper to the side, sending him flying the length of a football field an into a wall.
"I'm not the one who's cocky, stupid idiot." Kon yelled with his fist.
"Ughhhh... that was good." Ikkaku spat blood from his mouth.
Fortunately, his head was scrambled up a bit, he passed out before he could get the chance to try and get up.
"I got him."
Now's my chance to get back to Yuji. I'd better go before he finds me.
Kon took off as fast as he could and retraced his steps.
Please review ^^
