The Devil and The Chicken
Chapter 8: Memories in the rain, part 1.
Arc: Hollow Heart
Glossary:
"Greetings." Normal speech.
'Greetings.' Thinking speech.
[Greetings.] Comms and phone speech.
{Greetings.}TV and Radio speech.
{START}
"Hide here! Quickly!"
The young girl was forcefully pushed into the closet, nearly tripping before her mother caught her. Who made sure she was hidden with the clothes deep inside.
Looking around the closest, memories flooded at the times when she used it as a hiding spot whenever she played hide and seek with her parents, and how they always found her. "Mama?" she called for her mother, "Where is Papa? He said he will come back…" she cited, confused.
Her father kept her safe...
The look of her mother's eyes frightened the young girl. Her mother took a deep breath, her once beautiful tied black hair was messy, her kimono wet from the downpour outside, her eyes were wide and aware, as if afraid of something coming.
She tried to call for her once more but she felt her mother's tinder hands fix her kimono, gently. Her mother cleaned off any dirt that was on her blue kimono.
"Now listen to me, Tsubaki…" began the mother as she calmed down, lowering her voice as she spoke to the young girl. "You do not leave this closest until I call for you, okay?" Her mother asked, hands tightly gripped on the young girl's shoulders.
"Mama?" the young girl, confused and scared at her mother's tone. It didn't have the warmth under it.
Her mother was full of life, full of love, and it wasn't there that day.
The mother pulled close to a tight hug, almost crushing. The young girl hugged back, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck. She felt safe being in her mother's arms, feeling the warmth and away from the cold air the rain was making.
She remembered wishing to have stayed there forever...
"Your father… your father will be here soon…" her mother pulled away from the hug, giving her a small smile. "And we will be together soon…"
That was the first time she heard a lie… but she believed it...
Crash
The mother swiveled her head to the half-opened door that led outside. Hearing the heavy rain downpouring the courtyard outside. Her mother's eyes widened and her hands shook, dread coming to her heart.
"No…" she whispered before pushing her daughter deeper into the closet.
"Mama?" the young girl tried to push back but she had no strength to match the mother.
"Please Tsubaki," her mother pleaded, tears falling from her eyes as she hid her daughter within the clothes. "When the coast is clear I need you to head straight to your aunt, okay? Tell her from now on she has to take care of you."
The young girl was confused at what her mother meant. "But… I don't want Auntie… she
"Okay?" She asked, begging almost.
The young girl nodded slowly, shaking her place in fear after her mother's harsh tone.
"I am sorry, Tsubaki…" her mother said tearfully. Fingers running on the young girl's cheek. "I will always love you…"
Tsubaki Shinra felt her mother's lips on her head, and she remembered how much she wanted it to last forever…
The mother closed the closet slowly, staring at Tsubaki Shinra, before closing her eyes and sending the young girl in darkness, alone in the closet.
"Tsubaki?"
She remembered staying in that closet for an entire day, unmoving. Even when the screams followed after she closed the closet...
"Tsubaki?"
She remembered the silence…
….
….
...
"Tsubaki?"
Tsubaki Shinra opened her eyes instantly, feeling a cold sweat wash her back. She looked at her surroundings and found herself on a train heading somewhere.
Wednesday – May 4th – TIME: 03:10 PM:
"Is everything alright? You look… pale."
Tsubaki turned to face Sona Sitri, her King and friend, who gave her a worried expression. Holding her hand tightly in support.
"I am…" she cleared her throat, "I am okay, Kaicho. Just… didn't sleep that well last night…"
Sona leaned closer, holding Tsubaki's hand. "Tsubaki, we both know what that means." she cited, gripping her hand tightly. "You can talk to me about what is going on, you know. And I know how this case can be close to home-"
"I said I am fine," she responded bluntly, cutting Sona off, feeling guilty for snapping at her King. Tsubaki tightened her hand, giving her king a small smile. "Forgive me I… It's been a rough few days…"
Sona nodded back, "I am here if you need to talk about this, always." she whispered to the Queen, giving her a supporting smile.
Tsubaki widened her smile and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Another dream, and it happened when she closed her eyes in a train of all places. 'I am glad Sona is here… I don't know what would have happened if I was by myself…' she thought, still feeling the cold sweat after that small memory. It's been getting worse after each month when the Hollow cases started coming up, which felt too close to comfort.
She took another deep breath, not allowing herself to show weakness when her King was around. Tsubaki has to be the support her King needed for the future, and her being distracted by these dreams will not stop her from doing her job.
Tsubaki looked around the train, noticing how empty it was with a few passengers who got out early from work like them when Sona decided to bring them to an old contact outside of Kuoh for the Hollow problem. Hopefully, they will get some answers when they reach their destination.
She turned forward and stared at the other passenger who Sona decided to bring along in their travel. Sitting rather comfortably in the train chair with all the empty space opposite of them was Bazzard Black, who looked like he was getting more annoyed the longer he stayed on the train. He wasn't exactly happy when Sona asked him to come along on this trip, but he accepted for the sake of getting rid of the Hollow problem they are facing in Kuoh. No matter how prideful he can be.
Bazzard, who had his head leaning against the wall behind and eyes closed, opened them and unknowingly stared back at Tsubaki. The Vice-President scolded herself for staring too long as now she had to explain to herself why she was eyeing him.
He opened his mouth but stopped after realizing the train was slowing down. Tsubaki sighed in relief, they were getting close.
[Next stop is Old Karakura Station. Karakura. Doors will open on the left side.]
The train speakers echoed around the cart, signaling their arrival.
"This is our stop," Sona announced, turning to Bazzard. "And behave, this is not Kuoh. So please have some restraint in the meantime."
Bazzard scoffed, shaking his head at her request. "Whatever…"
"And don't start any fights."
"Tell that to the idiots who come looking for one," he noted, standing by the nearest door. "And because you didn't let us change our uniforms. Now it made it easier for people to single us out."
"I didn't want to waste time, I already fought the urge to get us out of the academy this early, but here we are," Sona said, and it's true. Sona personally came to their classes to get Tsubaki and Bazz out an hour early, a decision that Sona didn't support but had to do it to save time. "So don't give anyone a reason to notice you." she stopped herself as she gave Bazz a look. "Which can be difficult with your appearance."
"And your reputation," Tsubaki commented, she usually stays quiet when the two are at each other's throat, but felt the need to say something in this conversation. "Almost every delinquent in the three cities recognizes you on sight, and it will make things difficult if someone spots you."
"Gee, thanks for pointing out I am desirable…"
Bazz sighed, getting the message he brought up his hoodie that he wore under his Kuoh academy blazer and covered his head. Unlike the two girls, the delinquents here will recognize Bazz on sight because of his reputation, and no matter how many he beats down they will all come back looking for another round.
Tsubaki always wondered how Bazzard Black earned his nickname 'King of Kuoh', suspecting that there is more behind it than just simply beating up a few gangs in the city.
"There, happy?" Bazz asked as he put on his red hoodie.
"I will be happy if you follow all dress codes the academy has put out and warned you." Sona chided, eyes narrowed as she stared at his appearance. "Starting with your hairstyle."
"Then stay miserable." Bazzard bit back with his answer, turning back to the doors as the train made a full stop.
The doors opened wide, revealing to them the town ahead.
Karakura Town.
{D&C}
~Bazzard Black~ Wednesday – May 4th - Karakura Town – TIME: 03:30 PM
It's been a year and a half since he came to Japan. Not exactly the first place he would have chosen, but Azazel suggested it because of the distance and that he is sure that no one will recognize him on sight.
Of course in Japan, there are a lot of places you can sit and lay low. Major cities like Tokyo were suggested, even got someone who Azazel knows who can let Bazz crash for the time being, apparently they own a coffee shop. The other choice was Kuoh Town, a small town and Azazel already knows someone, that being Tobio Ikuse, the owner of the Black Dog bar, who gave him the apartment where Bazz now lives.
'I always wonder why Tobio had a big ass apartment even though he lives in his bar…' Bazz asked himself, Tobio the bartender was pretty unassuming if for the fact he is also a member of the Grigori, so there's more than meets the eye.
Compared to Tokyo, Kuoh was unassuming, he doesn't have to worry about any supernatural presence that might find him.
Looking back at it, he should have picked Tokyo, at least he gets to see a big city.
The only other times he left Kuoh was for a job Azazel gave him, be it delivering a package or killing off some escape experiment he was working on. Other than that, he stayed put and never had any personal reasons to leave town, not even for a school field trip.
"Alright, I have to ask…" Bazz began, voicing aloud from behind two girls he's been following since he got dragged out of school. "Why are we in some boring-ass town wasting our time instead of… oh I don't know… hunting down the goddamn Hollows that's been killing the locals?"
"Language," Sona Sitri stopped her stride to glare at the tall student, her eyes narrowed and piercing as always. With Tsubaki Shinra stopping a few steps ahead. "And you ask that now after we got off the train?"
"Just being considerate here that maybe you can explain to me what is going on." Bazz cited, fixing his bag that was slung on his shoulder. "Because coming to another boring looking town ain't exactly the first place I would tour at."
"Thank you for your consideration," Sona said, unsure if she was being sarcastic or honest with her answer. "And for your information, Karakura is a respectable town, it has one of the finest hospitals in the country and has helped the region continuously during the last flu outbreak."
"Gee thanks for the tourist info there, prez. Now I know where to go when I get the flu." Bazz cited sarcastically, earning him another glare from the Council president.
"And for why we are here," Sona continued, probably fighting the urge in scolding him for his comments. "We are visiting someone who is an expert in dealing with our Hollow problem." revealed the Council President. "He's been helping us for the past three months, and their expertise might be beneficial."
"Expert?" Bazz scoffed, feeling insulted. "Didn't you hear me yesterday? I've been dealing with Hollows almost my entire life," he noted, proudly so. "I am all the expert you need."
"If your expertise goes beyond 'destroy and complain' then I will take it under consideration," Sona said pointedly, earning herself a glare from the German. "But if your description of the Hollow you saw is what I suspect, then they are more than mindless beasts."
"So what? You want to save them or something?"
"If it comes to it, yes, these are still lost souls who have failed to move on. If we just up and destroy them then we will destroy that chance."
From the corner of his eye, Bazz could see Tsubaki Shinra's hand tightened around the strap of her bag. While she tries to hide it, Bazz can clearly see that the Vice-President hadn't been sleeping
Bazz couldn't help but shake his head, "Whatever… if you want to feel like a good person by saving a bunch of soul-eating monsters, be my guest. The end result will be the same…"
Sona let out a huff before continuing to lead ahead as the three walked in silence through the rather empty streets of Karakura, justified considering it was still a few minutes more before school ends for today and people coming back from work.
Bazz will not admit it, but Sona did the right thing in getting them out early and beat the traffic, no matter how much it hurt the goody-two-shoes Student Council President in not wanting to break the rules.
After five minutes or so of walking what felt aimless, the trio found themselves in front of a shop.
"Urahara Shop…?" Bazz muttered the shop name under his breath, staring at the sign with raised eyebrows. The building structure looked like it aged a bit, carrying an old Japanese feel to it Bazz hasn't seen with all the modernization the other places have been going. Even though it felt old, it was unique that would catch anyone's curiosity. "What? Do they have a discount or something?" he asked.
Place looks suspicious, it had that aura about it that made him feel uncomfortable.
Sona shook her head as she walked up to the store along with Shinra, sighing, Bazz followed them inside the store, removing his hoodie as they got in. Bazz finally realized that the place is a candy store, with all the different types of sweets and jawbreakers all put on some type of bin around the shop. The place looked like it rarely has any customers come over to shop.
"Jinta… please help me with the cleaning…" Bazz's ears picked up a voice ahead, there standing in the middle of the shop was a black-haired young girl in pigtails, sweeping the store with a broom, talking to another kid in spiky red-hair, who was slacking off judging by the broom that was beside. "Tessai-san will not be happy if he sees you like this…"
The boy let out a tired sigh, clearly not in the mood to work, which impressed Bazz.
"Ehhh…" the boy waved the girl off. "Looks like you already have it covered Ururu, I ain't going to do much cleaning with how great you are doing," he said in a bored tone, eyes closed as he tried to get some shut-eye.
"Ahem." Sona cleared her throat, catching the two kids' attention. And it caught them by surprise with how quickly the red-headed boy got up and started sweeping, looking like a kid who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and did it so fast before anyone could blink.
"Ah! Shitori-san… Shinra-san… welcome back..." the black-haired girl greeted the two women meekly, before turning to Bazz and bowing the same. "Welcome to Urahara Shop…" she said in a low tone, compared to Sona and Tsubaki, the girl did not look him in the eyes.
Sona smiled and walked up to the young girl, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Hello Ururu," she greeted the young girl, "Jinta, it's been a while," the boy nodded to the Council President, continuing his sweep. "Forgive the unannounced visit but I need to speak to Urahara-san, can you fetch him for me?"
"Ehm…" the girl meekly nodded, setting aside the broom and walked to the back. Leaving the trio alone with the red-headed boy.
"Shinra-sama!" the red-headed boy greeted the Vice-President, his eyes avoiding the woman. "Welcome back!"
Tsubaki gave the boy a small smile, pretty rare to see that kind of emotion from a woman who has a pretty solid poker face for the time Bazz knew her.
"Thank you, Jinta. I see you've grown so much since I last saw you." said the Sitri Queen, patting the red-head.
"Y-Y-Yes!" The boy stood straight, looking anywhere but the girl he was speaking to before finally settling in looking at Bazz, which weirded the German out. "I've been drinking a lot of milk and eating healthy as you told me! And I will keep my promise to protect you!"
Tsubaki couldn't help but widen her smile and gave the boy another pat, which intensified his blush.
'Sheesh… I've seen getting a crush but this is excessive…' Bazz noted, seeing how the kid looked like was dying just from Shinra's touch, and would probably consider it a good thing.
The boy, Jinta, turned his eyes back to Bazz, growing intense the longer he stared at the German. Getting annoyed, Bazz gave the boy a piercing look, he knew what a judgmental look like, and this one was no different. Waiting for an insult over something stupid, Bazz readied himself-
"That's awesome hair!" the red-headed boy gushed, walking closer to the tall student with stars in his eyes. "If it looked like a mohawk it would be even more awesome!"
"Oh yeah?" Bazz raised an eyebrow and grinned, feeling confident that someone finally praised. He fixed his hair upward to emphasize the beauty of his mane. Even though he grew out the sides, he took care of the top of his hair, keeping the mohawk style. "I used to have a full-on Mohican haircut when I came to Japan but had to grow it out because someone..." he turned his eyes to the resident Council President who made it her mission to force him to grow out his hair. "...Didn't have any fashion sense."
Sona scoffed, crossing her arms, and glared at Bazz from the corner of her eyes.
"That sucks!" Jinta complained, studying his hair up close. "You need to get that look back! It makes you look even more of a badass!" the boy said, already forgetting his crush to Shinra and focused on his awesomely stylish hairstyle.
Bazz chuckled, finally, some praise at his hair. Feeling smug, he turned to Sona who rolled her eyes at the praise. "Don't worry kid, you'll be seeing it real soon."
"If you think that is happening any time soon, you'll get a written warning." Sona cited, shaking her head and not understanding why the praise is coming to him.
"Another one in the collection." he shrugged, still grinning wide. "And I am serious with my promise, this-" he waved at the sides of his head. "-Is going away in graduation as a gift for all your hard work in helping a troubled student."
If looks can kill, Sona Sitri has one that would decimate an army.
He takes it back, the place still looks suspicious but the people here sure know when to appreciate the sight of true stylish hairs.
After a few more minutes of waiting, the trio turned to the curtain that led to the back after hearing footsteps coming out. And came a giant of a man, taller than Bazz, muscular and lightly-tan-skinned man. He had a large black mustache, which Bazz will admit was glorious.
"Shitori-san, Tsubaki-san" the man bowed, his voice was deep and bellowed all over the room. "Welcome to our shop."
Sona and Tsubaki bowed back. "Tessai-san, forgive our sudden visit."
The giant, Tessai, shook his head. "Urahara-san was already expecting you and is waiting in the back, please you and your friend follow me. We have teas and biscuits ready for you."
Slinging his bag close, Bazz followed the girls and the giant man to the back of the store, removing his boots before entering inside. This is the first time he has ever seen the inside of old-style Japanese design walls, the woods felt comfortable oddly enough, the stylistic walls with green flower patterns paint on them gave it a very artistic look. He remembers looking at photos having these types of old Japanese designs, which made him curious to visit one in the future because some places still carry on that style, even with modernization seeping through the country.
Yeah, these people have great artistic tastes.
{D&C}
~Bazzard Black~ Urahara Shop - Karakura Town - TIME: 3:55 P.M
"Tea?..."
Bazz turned to the young girl in pigtails, she introduced herself as Ururu Tsumugiya, a quiet little thing, shy even and doesn't look at a person's eye.
"Ah… thanks." he grabbed the teacup that was being extended to him, wanting to be polite at least to the girl's effort.
"Be careful…It's still very warm…" Ururu said in a low tone.
"Don't worry, I can handle it." Bazz cited, not feeling the effect of the hot teacup and drank it in one take, unaffected by it. "Hmm… not bad."
The girl gave him a small smile before she served the others.
The Kuoh student trio was seated on the carpet waiting around a square table for this Urahara guy Shitori has been asking for since coming to the shop. The smell of tea and candle gave a relaxing air to the other guests, but it made Bazz a little tense, usually, this stuff will bring your guard down.
The only other occupants in the room were Ururu, who finished serving the tea to Sona, and some black cat that decided to sleep on Shinra's lap for comfort as the Vice-President caressed its back. He will admit, he doesn't like cats, all they do is sleep and hiss at him whenever he passes by, and he doesn't know why.
'And black cats are just bad luck… I am not gonna bother touching it…' He said to himself, but for some weird reason, he has seen that cat before from somewhere.
His ears perked up, hearing a clicking noise from behind a curtain nearby. Turning in its direction, Bazz saw someone come out.
"Ara Sitri-san, if I knew you were coming this soon I would have cleaned the shop a bit," said a voice as they came through the curtain. Dressed in some kind of green garment, a black haori with a diamond pattern going along its bottom half. A dark green striped white hat that matches the color of his clothes, which shadowed his eyes, hiding it. "After all, we don't get a regular visit from the heiress of the famed Sitri clan."
"Urahara-san…" Shitori and Tsubaki lowered their heads to the man, clearly respecting his presence. Bazz didn't give him that same acknowledgment, feeling something… off about the man.
'Urahara… guess this is the shop owner…' Bazz noted, remembering the name of the shop sharing his name.
The man removed his sandals, which were making the clicking noise from earlier. And took a seat at the empty spot around the table, smiling widely as he focused his attention on the Devil girl.
The man, Urahara, turned to Tsubaki and gave her a warm smile. "You've grown Tsubaki-chan, before long you'll be even more beautiful." said the shop owner. "Why I still remember how skinny you were when you first came to us-"
The black cat let out a loud meow at the man, glaring in his direction, in turn, he raised his hand in defense.
"Thank you, Urahara-san," Tsubaki answered, smiling back as she caressed the black cat.
Urahara noticed the black cat sitting on her lap, "And Yoruichi just decided to bother you! Such a disrespectful thing to do!" said Urahara in a playful tone, smiling behind the fan as the black cat purred from Tsubaki's touch, enjoying how her fingers running through the black fur.
'First the redhead kid… now this guy and the cat…' Bazz noted, looking between the man in a bucket hat and Shinra talking casually to each other, and his comments made Bazz curious. today has been the most he has seen Tsubaki being this reactive and showing emotions. 'These people are a lot closer than a simple business arrangement…'
"Forgive our unannounced visit, Urahara-san," Sona caught the shop owner's attention. "But there have been new changes in our investigations to these attacks happening all over Kuoh."
Urahara let out a small laugh, "Please, no need for apologies. I am a shop owner after all, and I have to be ready for my customer in case they have a question or criticism." said the shop owner, still carrying his smile under his hat. He claps his hands, realizing something. "Ah! before we go ahead, I have to ask…"
Urahara turned his direction to Bazz.
"Care to introduce me to this young man?"
There it was, the feeling that has been creeping up at the back of his mind. He knew the moment he set his eyes at the shop owner something felt off like he was looking at someone he knew before, even though he is a hundred percent sure this is the first time he has met this Urahara guy. But now he slowly noticed something when the man entered the room.
He never took his eyes off Bazz, the only time he did was when he talked to Tsubaki, but now, looking under his hat, he can see behind his eyes were studying him.
And he didn't like that look.
"This is Bazzard Black, a fellow student from Kuoh and a classmate in Tsubaki's class."
"Oh? a classmate and a boy? My my aren't you a healthy young man…" Urahara noted, hiding his face behind the fan. "And such a large person to be a high schooler!"
He doesn't know if it was a compliment or an insult, either way, he is growing suspicious.
"Bazzard Black, meet Kisuke Urahara, he has been helping me for the past three months in this case," Sona revealed, introducing the shop owner's full name to Bazz. That name somehow ringed a bell in his head, he doesn't know why. "His expertise with spirits has been helpful in our search for clues."
"And with a recommendation!" Urahara waved his fan in empathies. "If you are in town anytime just come by and I can give the best prices! Be it our product or something a little more… supernatural."
This is the expert? Bazz let out a scoff, he was not impressed, the bucket hat and the green clothes didn't help. Added that he didn't remove his eyes off the German just annoyed Bazz.
"Black has been the one who found out that there is a Hollow pack roaming the area, because of him we were able to confirm that these are indeed Hollows." Sona said, her tone turning to business-like.
"Oooh…" Urahara turned to Bazz, face hiding behind his fan. "How were you able to find them? Compared to most Hollows, these are fairly smarter, and avoid contact from someone as powerful."
Bazz's eyes narrowed, how did he know he was powerful? Hell, he isn't at full strength but Urahara made that observation apparent.
"One was leaning on a rooftop of a house of someone I know," Bazz began, crossing his arms over his chest after putting the teacup down. "The thing probably waited for me to leave before it tried to attack the family there, but it ran the moment I noticed it." He remembered that snake hollow, flying through the rainy skies trying to run off. "Just as I was about to catch it, I got clipped by another Hollow. Damn thing broke a rib…"
He is still sore from the attack, thankfully Asia Argento's Sacred Gear helped him in healing faster.
"Oh? What makes you so sure of its reasoning?"
"Reasoning?" Bazz's brows furrowed, confused at his question.
"That it was going to attack the family, for all you know it must have been doing something else," Urahara noted, his smile lowering a bit but it remained wide. "It must have been focusing on another target, after all, Hollows seek out souls, the more powerful it is the more desirable the taste it becomes."
Bazz's eyes narrowed, he made note of the powerful part of his explanation.
"Hmm… it's not rare for Hollows to work in pairs," Urahara rubbed his chin in thought. "But with the cases growing in Kuoh and Kagamine, and even Karakura having its own problems, I do agree that we are dealing with a large contingent of Hollows, the number could range from four to a hundred."
"If it's true then why are the Soul Reapers aren't helping?" asked Sona, leaning closer. "Cases have been growing and bodies are just piling on, so why aren't any of them doing anything about it?"
It's pretty rare for Bazz to see Sona getting pissed, but clearly, these Hollows attacks have been weighing on her conscience for a long time when she first heard about it. Not being able to do anything and thumb your fingers together while no meaningful results were being shown by the so-called protectors of the afterlife, you take matters into your own hands.
"For that…" Urahara raised his head, revealing his eyes underneath his hat. "I have no answer for my dear Heiress." He answered, closing his fan and putting it back into his sleeves. "You see, the Shinigami's here, as much as it is their duty to fulfill in bringing these lost souls are still tied down to their area. Such as Karakura for example, we are under the care of a specific division. But Kuoh is not under anyone's jurisdiction," Urahara turned to Sona, his facial expression hidden behind his fan. "Except of course, the Devils."
Sona's eyes narrowed, was he mocking her? that would be a sight for Bazz to witness, but he is right. Apparently, the Shinto Gods gave Kuoh to the Devils after an agreement, so in turn, the Devils, the Gremory, and the Sitri clan have to fix their own problems.
Urahara continued, turning his attention to Bazz, "Hollows commonly act like animals, they seek out the nearest soul and feast upon it. But the more it eats, the stronger and smarter it becomes."
"I know how Hollows get stronger, been dealing with their kind my whole life." Bazz chided. "Get to the point."
Urahara chuckled, waving his fan. "Quiet aggressive, but to not waste time what I meant is that Hollows are still spirits in nature."
"What do you mean?" Sona asked.
"He means that it wasn't at the house looking for a soul…"
Bazz, Sona, and Urahara turned to Tsubaki after she spoke up, caressing the black cat's back. She turned her eyes to Urahara, expression remaining neutral.
"Hollows are still like any other lost soul, they still possess their old memories, and in time they might remember it… or they might not," Tsubaki explained, more to Sona than to Bazz or Urahara. "How it happens varies, some say if they eat enough souls they will remember but it never works, which is why Hollows regularly hunt down other souls to eat, thinking it can give them what they lost… fill their Hollow hearts."
Bazz and Sona both gave her a look, in Bazz part, is an understanding, as much as he hates Hollows, he understands that in the end they are souls who stayed too long in the world, turning feral and predators, no different from animals. On Sona's part, she looked like she realized something.
"The Hollow that Bazzard saw was remembering its past…" Sona realized and her Queen nodded. "That explains why it was there."
"Hold up, that doesn't explain anything." Bazz cut in, "For all we know that damn thing was just scouting the place up, they can be picky with their food."
"Not to be heartless here but Hollows usually choose their targets with a higher spiritual presence, and I highly doubt the Unagiya family would catch its interests," Sona said, her words making sense much to Bazz's annoyance. "And you said it yourself, they ran instead of fighting you."
Bazz massaged his temple, feeling a migraine creeping in with all these questions and different answers just popping in. But Sona's explanation made sense, and Tsubaki pointed out the possibility that it might be there on the roof of the Unagiya's household.
Does the Hollow know Ikumi and Kaoru? Is that why it was on their rooftop? Does it regularly go there because it is starting to remember? Or is it targeting the family? He'll admit he is never someone who pries into other people's personal lives, but these attacks and now a Hollow in Kuoh puts them in jeopardy, even if they weren't being a possible target by the snake Hollow, there is still the lingering trouble that follows these restless spirits.
"I truly wish I could help you, Lady Sitri, but I am all tied up here in Karakura. After all, we also suffer continued Hollow attacks, no different from your problems in Kuoh." Urahara said, enjoying the taste of the tea Ururu made. "Exquisite tea, Ururu, more mint would make it the tasting that much more flavorful!"
Ururu nodded shyly from her spot, listening to their conversation in silence.
Sona let out a sigh, almost expecting his answer long before coming over, which annoyed Bazz.
"So that's it? We came here for nothing?" Bazz scoffed, shaking his head. "And I get called out for asking… you should have listened to me instead of wasting our time."
Sona glared at the German, not happy with his tone. "We didn't come for nothing, with this new information we can-"
"Give them a proper way to pass on?" Bazz shook his head, biting his words, already feeling agitated long before coming to the shop. "Unless you have a Soul Reaper or an Angel who might play nice with you then you come to talk about helping them pass on."
All he has been thinking about was the Unagiyas and Tatsuki being at risk from these Hollows, and instead of solving it, they are doing this song and dance. Come to some guy in a stupid hat looking for an answer they knew was coming long before they even got out of Kuoh, hell, even before she got out of bed she knew what his answer would be.
The answer being shit, nothing, and a waste of time.
He stood up, slinging his bag on his shoulder, and glared at the Sitri Heiress.
"Because I am not sitting on my ass waiting for the next person to die alone-"
"There is a way, Black-san."
Bazz stopped his walk, turning to Urahara who was sipping through his tea. Furrowing his brows, Bazz asked, "What way? Last I checked we don't exactly have the means to help them pass on."
Urahara chuckled at his comment and continued sipping. "Let me tell you an old story of how exorcism comes in many ways other than just the edge of a Shinigami, an Angel or an Exorcist blade."
From the corner of his eyes, Bazz saw Tsubaki tighten her fist as Urahara started to tell a story: The story of the Five Families of the Western Tokyo.
{D&C}
Outside Urahara Shop:
Bazz took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, smelling the fresh air outside of the shop to relax his mind which is honestly a first in a while with everything that has happened in these last couple of days.
'And we still have exams next week… great…'
He opened his eyes and looked up to the dark skies above him, looking like heavy rain is coming tonight, a good thing he is wearing his hoodie under his blazer for the occasion.
His ears picked up footsteps coming out of the shop, turning to see Tsubaki Shinra exiting, carrying the same calm expression on her face.
"Where's your boss?" Bazz asked, pocketing his hands. "Still asking questions?"
"Speaking with Urahara-san on certain manners."
"What kind?"
"The kind you don't need to be concerned about." She replied in an icy tone.
Bazz scoffed, "Guess I deserved that one…" he said, slinging his bag close.
The two stood in silence as they waited for Sona to finish her business with Urahara, which seems to be taking longer than Bazz is comfortable with, growing annoyed by the second. Feeling they wasted time with this useless visit, as all he learned was that there are groups of priests or priestesses here in Japan who can fight Hollows better than even the Priests in Europe.
These Shrine Priests don't belong to a specific organization, but there are those who belong to the Five Families around the Tokyo Region. Powerful folks who have been fighting Hollows since ancient Japan. They have the ability to purify a Hollow and send them to the afterlife, no different from how the priests in Europe tend to do.
The history lesson was helpful, but it ain't going to solve the current problems they are having for the moment.
His eyes turned to Tsubaki, who seemed just as impatient as him with the waiting, either because of the situation or something else. He did note she seemed more agitated, nervous even, the way she held that cat felt more comfortable to her than for the cat, easing her worries.
"Bad night?" Bazz's voice cut through the dead silence between them.
Tsubaki realized he was talking to her, turning her head to face him with raised eyebrows, giving him a full look of her facial expression.
"Excuse me?" She asked, confused.
"I asked if you had a bad night," he repeated, pointing at her eyes. "Because those bags under your eye are coming out of that heavy makeup."
Subconsciously, Tsubaki's hands hovered her eyes, trying to cover them.
Bazz sighed as he pocketed his hand once more, looking forward. "If it makes you feel any better I haven't had a decent sleep for a while now," he confessed, he guessed his nightmares started when he came here, "Which does explain my attitude to people… then again that's just me being me," he turned to Tsubaki, "Guess it's a lack of sleep, snapping at people I mean."
Tsubaki's eyes widened, staring at Bazz in shock. "You… you heard us… back at the train." she asked, remembering her angrily snapping at Sona back at the train.
"You weren't exactly subtle about it," he noted, looking back up to the dark skies. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it, nothing like a good old night terror to ruin your entire day."
He really didn't need any kind of super hearing to know what she is going through. The black bags under her eyes, snapping at the littlest of things to people and being impatient with everything, and that's just the normal stuff.
And it takes one to know one.
"..." Tsubaki was silent, staring at him, no, glaring at him for his half-assed attempt in advising her
He'll admit, he is the last person anyone should be asking him for advice, let alone an issue he himself is going through at the moment, and if he can't solve it for himself, the least he could do is help others, as half-ass as it is.
"Ten…"
"Hmm?" Bazz turned, realizing Tsubaki muttered something under her breath.
"The last time I've ever had a good night's rest was ten years ago…" she confessed, looking forward while Bazz stared at her. "I've grown accustomed to it, even tried to just…"
"Live with it?" Bazz finished, "Yeah well… guess we both know that's impossible to happen."
Tsubaki nodded. "Yes, but these Hollows attacks… made things difficult for me to focus on our tasks, both in my work as a student and a Queen for the peerage," she said letting back a tired sigh, tightening her hold on the rope of her bag. "I feel I am failing my King…"
Bazz wanted to tell her that she is not failing anyone, and considering how Sona cares for her people, it's evident enough that even Sona doesn't see it that way. But feeling that way is justifiable, you feel you are not doing enough, you feel useless.
Burdened by the memories.
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Urahara."
"Ah no need for that, my dear. I truly wish I had anything of note to help you with the investigations, but all I can give you now is my support if you need anything." Urahara said joyfully, his face hidden behind the fan. He gave Shitori a small paper he had in his pocket, showing his wide grin behind the fan. "And of course, a thirty percent discount for all our services in my humble store, or if you desire an advice from me."
Bazz let out a scoff, a salesman through and through.
Sona turned her eyes to Bazz, sending a cold glare for his attitude.
"Until next time, Urahara-san."
"Of course, of course." Urahara smiled, fanning himself as he nodded to the Council President and Shinra, who buried her feelings and went back to her usual cold self. "Take care of yourself, Tsubaki-chan. Always remember you have a home here."
Tsubaki bowed her head in appreciation for his help.
"I do hope we will meet again, Black-san," Urahara turned his attention to the tall student, one of his eyes showing through the shadows underneath his bowl hat. "I have a feeling we could do much together in the future."
"Save the salesman shtick for the idiots who come here," Bazz cited, irritated at Urahara's attempts. "And trust me I ain't coming back here, ever."
"My, Sitri-san wasn't joking about you having a very forwarded personality."
"Whatever...we done here?" he turned to Sona who was glaring at him. "Because we wasted enough time as it is." Bazz pocketed his hands and walked away, already feeling tired.
Urahara chuckled and tipped his bucket hat. "Until we meet again~"
The two girls bowed their heads in appreciation for his help and ran behind the German, with Sona being the first who caught up to him.
"Do you have to be this frustrating?" asked the Council President, which is more of a statement than a question.
"Oh come on, dude is shady as hell and he isn't even hiding it" Bazz questioned the girl, who walked by his side while Tsubaki opted to walk behind them but he could feel her glare aiming at him when he noted Urahara being suspicious. "And you are telling me I am frustrating? Coming here was frustrating."
Sona sighed, rubbing her forehead in irritation. "Yes, I am aware that Urahara-san can be… dubious, but he helped us for the past five years, and many Devils and even the Soul Reapers visit him for assistance."
"For a price."
"He is a salesman, a very Devil way of presenting your business."
"You mean he isn't a Devil?" He asked, and Sona shook her head. "Great… just what I need in my life..." Bazz muttered, still not trusting Urahara fully like Shitori or Shinra, for some reason, there is something off about the guy the moment he laid eyes on him, and it's not because of that stupid hat of his. There was something… familiar about Urahara, but he can't put a finger on it as of yet. "So what now? We will finally do what we're supposed to do an hour ago and actually look for these Hollows?"
"Not yet," Sona answered, and Bazz groaned in response. "You were wrong about us coming here benign a waste, his information has given us something important"
"Christ all mighty… What else do you need to know? He gave us shit, there is nothing else we can do unless you got a Reaper or someone from the families the striped hat mentioned willing to work with you."
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Tsubaki flinch at the mention of the Families. It made him really curious when he first noticed her growing tense when Urahara started talking about them.
"One, watch your language," she scolded him. "Two, yes, there is something else we can do."
"That being?" Bazz let out a sigh until he noticed Shitori giving him weird looks. "What?"
"Can you tell us where exactly did you first see the Hollow the other day?"
Bazz wasn't entirely sure of Shitori's intentions here, but clearly, she is planning something, and he doesn't like the fact she isn't telling him the whole thing.
He is starting to regret his decision to ask Sitri and her people in the first place.
{D&C}
Back at Urahara Shop...
Urahara took a seat by the doorstep of his store as he stared at the three Kouh students retreating forms heading in the direction of the train station.
"Hmm… that young man is very perceptive despite his appearance," Urahara commented, taking a seat by the doorstep of his store and brought out a long smoke pipe.
"Appearances can be deceiving." A voice came from behind them, approaching the shop owner with silent steps. "And I don't blame him for distrusting you, Kisuke. You didn't even try to hide your intentions."
"Ah! Such hurtful words!" Urahara said jokingly, taking a huff of his pipe. "All I've been doing in convincing him to take our premium services! Which is the very best in this side of our little world."
The voice let out a scoff, walking by the shop owner's side as they came out from the dark. Urahara turned to his left as the black cat that Tsubaki had on her lap earlier stretched its back and took a seat by this side.
The black cat turned its golden eyes to Urahara and shook its head. "You don't need to sell me your things, Kisuke." The black cat spoke, its voice deep and calm. "But I highly doubt you can convince him, his kind don't have the best record in trusting us. And he seems to suspect something about you the moment he saw you."
"Are you judging him because he refused to pet you?" Urahara asked playfully, which earned him a scratch to his wrist from the cat. "Ow! No need to be violent with me, Yoruichi!"
Yoruichi let out a huff before turning their head back to the direction where the three Kuoh students were headed. "One thing is clear, these Hollow attacks are growing worse by the day, and it seems to be happening all over the region.
"Hmm… it makes one curious just what Soul Society is doing to solve this growing problem…" Urahara took another huff from his smoke, enjoying the taste of homemade tobacco Tessai made, although he will admit it tasted rather salty. "Three Soul Reapers, all dead in the span of two months. You would think they would send someone by now."
"It seems they have other things to be worried about than people's lives…" The black cat noted calmly, resting its head on its wrist. "Either way, it seems our friends in the Devil side are taking care of things."
"And with assistance from a Quincy far from home." Urahara took one last huff as the sun ahead started to set.
{D&C}
~Bazzard Black~ Kuoh Town - TIME: 4:20 P.M
"Over there."
Bazz pointed at the roof of the Unagiya house as the trio of him, Sona and Tsubaki stood outside the fence after coming from the train station. The ride back here felt tiresome and longer than it had any right to be, but here he is, still stuck with the people he just had to ask for help while he could have just done all of it on his own.
Sona and Tsubaki nodded, and the Vice-President took a breath and extended her hands forward, directing it at the roof of the house as they stood still. After a few seconds, Tsubaki opened her eyes and nodded to her President.
"I can sense some of its lingering presence…" Tsubaki cited, her eyes focused at the spot where the Hollow once stood. "It seems it has been visiting frequently at this house, I can still catch its smell from here."
"Probably nested there," Bazz said, studying the roof of the Unagiya house, remembering how it took a thunder strike for him to even notice its existence. "Most Hollows, the ones who aren't stupid, tend to study their prey up close, taking its time before it attacks." he explained from experience.
"Not all of them," Sona's voice cut in, which caused his eyes to twitch in annoyance at that voice of hers. "Most Hollows also visit familiar sites that they might remember from their old life, they are after all spirits in nature."
Bazz let out a groan in annoyance, Sona has been insisted with that mindset of hers that these spirits can be saved, which is possible but only with the help of a Soul Reaper or an Angel, and he suspects those two aren't the kind who will just help a Devil out of the goodness of their heart, especially Reapers, who are fossils living in the past.
"Still with the whole 'Give Hollows a chance' you got going, huh?" Bazz asked, turning to Sona. "Must be nice to do the Angels' job for once." he noted mockingly at the Devil.
"I am doing what is right," Sona answered, with a bit of sharpness under her tone. "If you fail to see that, then I am not going to put my energy into changing that."
"Whatever…"
The duo continued staring at the house in silence while Tsubaki went on her work, a little awkward for his liking but they already had this discussion, going through it again would be a waste of time as it is.
"Hmm? Oh! You three have been waiting for a while?"
Bazz felt a shiver come down his spine after hearing that voice, slowly turning his head to see an approaching Ikumi Unagiya holding a couple of grocery bags looking at the three curiously.
The woman who the snake Hollow seems to have taken an interest.
Sona and Tsubaki stood straight after seeing the woman, looking like deers caught in a headlight for doing something they shouldn't.
"Not… exactly…" Bazz started, awkwardly scratching his head. He did not expect to see her this early. "Just here to tell you that I won't be working for the next two weeks," he explained, trying his best to lie for the reason as to why he is here, as ineffective as it is. "Got exams."
"Ah, Tatsuki already told me about that, so it's fine," Ikumi nodded, giving him a wide grin. "I expect you to get some good grades for the break time I am giving you, Bazz." said the woman, nodding at him in encouragement.
"Sure…"
Alright, that went better than he thought.
That is until she turned her attention to Sona and Tsubaki.
"Oh, and these are your friends?" Ikumi walked closer to the trio, studying the two girls.
The girls bowed their heads to the older woman. "Sorry for our sudden appearance on your doorstep, Ikumi-san," said Sona, using her 'Council President' voice, which is less annoying than her actual one. "My name is Souna Shitori, I am Student Council President of Kuoh Academy." she introduced herself.
Ikumi whistled. "Wow, got friends in high places now?" she asked Bazz but her focus was still on Sona.
"Bazzard Black is not our friend," Sona corrected, "I am simply looking out for his well-being because of his history, and it is my duty to make sure he doesn't stray into the bad path," she explained, her business tone is in full effect.
He found irony that a Devil would say that they are trying to make sure he doesn't take a bad path.
Ikumi snorted and laughed. "Ha! Now that sounds like a serious job in looking after this chicken head idiot! But good to know that there are students who work hard so that kids like him don't get lost in the shuffle." She turned to Bazz and shook her head. "Although it looks like there is still a lot of work to be done."
"Gee, thanks for the useless support -OOF!" Bazz grabbed his ribs after Ikumi hit her elbow on them.
"Hush you, she is looking after your sorry ass." Ikumi cited and turned to Tsubaki, giving her a wide smile just as she did to Sona.
"Tsubaki Shinra, I am Fuko-Kaicho of the academy, and a fellow classmate of Bazzard Black." the young woman introduced herself, her tone even more professional than her boss, and just as cold. "It's an honor to finally meet you, you've helped some of our students find work during the summer and they've praised your efforts."
Bazz let out an audible scoff and he got another hit on the rib.
"Why thank you and aren't you a polite one," Ikumi smiled after hitting Bazz before realizing something. "Oh right, how rude of me to not invite you two in! Come on, I'll serve you two some hot chocolate drinks as a thank you for keeping up with this idiot."
"Oh no," Sona raised her hand. "There is no need for that, Unagiya-san. We were just leaving-"
"Come on don't be shy!" she threw her grocery bags at Bazz, who caught them awkwardly. "And you too, you'll be helping me."
"What? Why?"
"Because last I checked I am your boss, which means you get your ass moving."
He opened his mouth to argue before getting another hit to his ribs, this time for Sona. "What the hell?!" he muttered under his breath.
"Actually, now that I think about it, it's a wonderful idea." Sona gave her a weak smile, and Tsubaki nodded in support. "We would be happy to accept your invitation to come to your house. It might help us get to know Black's overseer much better than what we get from him."
Ikumi chuckled and turned to Bazz, "Been bad mouthing about me I see," she turned back to Sona and nodded. "Alright then, hot cocoa it is! Come on, chicken head! Earn your keep before you head for your exams!"
He takes back his comment about regretting asking Sona and her crew for help. He now regrets even thinking about that idea in the first place.
{D&C}
Unagiya Household - Kuoh Town - Time: 04:30 P.M
"This drink is fascinating, Unagiya-san," said Sona as she slowly sipped her hot chocolate drink, enjoying the taste. "The beans just give it… a new taste." Tsubaki nodded in agreement, already half-way into her drink.
Seating by a circular table in the kitchen, the trio were all enjoying, mostly in the two Devil's part, the drinks Ikumi made for them.
Ikumi let out a small laugh from the praise, putting the plates on the sink after they finished eating some sandwiches she made for them. "Why thank you, my son grew those beans from our garden outside, all I did was mixed it in." she turned to Bazz and raised an eyebrow. "Huh? You drank through that one quick."
Bazz for his part simply drank through the hot drink in silence, finishing it first before anyone else. He shrugged, not seeming affected by the hot chocolate. "I can handle the heat." he looked around the kitchen and noticed something missing. "Where's your kid?" Bazz asked, "Don't see him glaring at me from a corner."
"Got a football practice today, I was going to pick him up but Tatsuki volunteered," Ikumi explained, leaning by the sink. "Didn't want to burden her with a job I should be doing, with all of your exams coming up but she insisted."
"Hmm…" Bazz hummed, fingers tapping on the table.
"Still got a hot one here, want another?" Ikumi asked and Bazz shrugged.
"Sure, not like we ain't wasting time here or anything," he said, glaring at Sona who glared back as she continued enjoying her drink.
Ikumi put in the effort to make the two girls as comfortable as possible, making them food and drinks, all the while telling some stories of some deliveries she did and how she and Bazz met. Basic stuff, nothing to delve deep into it.
As annoying and terrifying as Ikumi can be to him and to his work, she is really warm to people who visit her home. Seeing her interactions with her kid and sometimes Tatsuki showed that her motherly side wasn't just for show, it is who she is, despite her sometimes abrasive personality who can beat down a group of thugs like they were nothing.
It is who she is, not a weird shift like last time he came here.
"Excuse me, Unagiya-san," Sona set her cup down, catching the older Unagiya. "Can I be excused to the bathroom?"
"Sure, just walk past the living room and you'll see a white door," Ikumi directed the Council President. "And please, call me Ikumi, Unagiya-san makes me feel like I am an old lady."
She glared at Bazz before he could make a sarcastic comment on her age.
Nodding, Sona stood up and went to the bathroom, leaving Bazz and Tsubaki alone with Ikumi. The German turned to the silent Tsubaki, while she has always been the quiet one in Sitri's crew, his mind still wandered back to their conversation back outside of Urahara's shop. Seeing her… reactive and emotional has been the most unexpected development he had seen so far.
"Say, did you say your name is Shinra?" Ikumi asked, still leaning by the sink, her voice cutting the small silence they had, clearly not the kind who enjoys it. "I know I've heard that name from somewhere…"
Bazz leaned against the chair as he listened while Tsubaki sat straight, both curious with her question.
"Right!" Ikumi clicked her fingers as she remembered. "Shinra Family! Those folks who took care at that shrine temple in Kagamino! Nice place, real neat from what I remember when I last visited the place in… God, it's been years!"
"Shrine temple?" Bazz asked, confused. "Wait, you mean those temples by the mountains you got here?"
Ikumi nodded. "Yep, most temples here are usually taken care of by a family. We got a lot of them but the oldest ones are those five temples all over Japan," she explained. "We got two big ones here close by but one is closed down because of some incident that happened a few years back, shame really, it was a nice place."
Bazz's mind started processing this new information. One being that Shinra's family are locally known and two, is that the Shinra's are shrine priests. And from Ikumi's explanation, they owned one of the five oldest temples in the country.
Which means...
He slowly turned to the silent Tsubaki, who had her head low.
"Say, if you had the chance to visit one, you should," Ikumi said to Bazz, the woman not seeming aware of the sudden shift of mood between the two students. "Shrine temples are a relaxing sight, it might help you as it did for me when I met my husband in one of them."
"Never been the type who is into those kinds of stuff…" Bazz answered, his eyes still on Tsubaki before realizing something Ikumi said. Turning to the woman with a raised eyebrow, he asked, respectfully so. "Your… husband?"
Ikumi realized her mistake, clearly, it wasn't her intention to reveal that last part.
"Ah… I slipped that last one, my mistake." Ikumi gave them a small smile, her eyes looking down on the floor. "I am sure you wondered why I am taking care of my son on my own… come on, I am sure you were at least curious."
Bazz did wonder about that after Tatsuki said something about an accident, but didn't ask further out of respect, people private should be kept private.
"..." His silence was enough of an answer for Ikumi, she knows he isn't blind nor stupid, he would put two and two together.
"Next month would have been our anniversary, usually he would be planning it for a whole month just what to do..." she revealed, leaning against the kitchen sink, hands on the edge to keep her steady as she stared at the ceiling above her. "And in the end, he takes me to the park for a quiet walk after ordering a take out from a local shop we usually eat at…"
The two Kuoh students shifted uncomfortably, clearly not expecting Ikumi to reveal such personal information.
"You know, this shop was his idea, he always loved coming back here in Kuoh, and some days I ask myself if I am doing the right thing in keeping this alive…" Ikumi sighed once, smiling sadly, "It will be three years in a few weeks since his passing… I miss the cheap food from that shop…" she said, eyes closed, letting the memories seep into her mind.
Bazz for his part kept quiet, allowing the silence to cover the kitchen, letting Ikumi her time to reflect in peace. She probably has been carrying that feeling since her husband's passing, taking care of their son on her own along with taking care of the shop, all on her own.
"My… my condolences for your loss, Unagiya-san…" Tsubaki spoke up in a soft voice, respectful. "I am sure your husband would be happy for all the work you've done here in Kuoh."
Ikumi gave her an appreciative smile. "Thank you, and… likewise, now that I remember what happened to that temple, I am sorry for bringing it up."
Bazz said nothing, but his eyes turned to Tsubaki, slowly putting down a mental note of anything and everything.
The air of gloom dissipated when Sona Sitri entered the kitchen, drying her hands after washing them, freshen up from her quick visit to the bathroom.
"We would love to stay and discuss things further, Unagiya-san. But we still have school work to finish and we wouldn't want you to disturb you any longer than need be." Sona said in her usual professional tone, usually reserved for those she saw as her elders.
He had to fight the urge to not scoff at her attitude.
"Oh no, don't worry about that," Ikumi waved her hands, smiling. "It's nice to have people over and just talk stuff out for the hell of it." she explained and grinned. "My door is open if you guys just want to chat, or if you want the Unagiya premium services, I'll give you a great discount."
"Didn't you say you don't give out special services?" Bazz asked in a bored tone.
"Usually yeah, but these two are carrying your ass, so I'll make an exception." Ikumi answered without missing a beat.
"Good to know you are profiting off my misery…" he grumbled under his breath as he and Tsubaki stood up from their seat. Time wasted over coffee but at least he learned something out of it.
As Tsubaki and Sona said their goodbyes to Ikumi, Bazz followed them until he felt a hand grab his wrist.
"Hey, Bazz… that girl, Shinra," Ikumi whispered from behind him, her eyes gleaning on the two girls on the front door, making sure they aren't listening to her. "Watch out for her, ok?"
Bazz couldn't help but scoff, "She might not look like it, but she can take care of herself." he made note of Tsubaki. She is a Devil and a Queen of a Peerage, that's enough to prove she is more than capable of handling the worst out there.
"That's not what I meant, she can clearly kick your ass if she has to," she said, much to Bazz's annoyance. "It's more… just watch out for her, alright? She might look tough, but I know a thing or two about feeling… lost." She nodded in Tsubaki's direction. "And she is going through it now."
Bazz raised an eyebrow, was Tsubaki that obvious? He remembered back to his own conversation with the Vice-President outside Urahara's shop. Seeing how different she looked and acted compared to what he thought of her to be a robot who follows Sitri around.
And Ikumi could see beneath all that cold armor just after meeting her.
"Alright…" he answered, albeit with some reservation. Already feeling responsible for the woman he is speaking with right now, with the possible danger looming over her home, now added with the promise of watching over a girl who doesn't need to be watched.
"Hey while you are at it, can you call Tatsuki? She isn't picking up her phone and I worried with all the news that popped up recently."
"Fine…" Bazz nodded and sighed, Tatsuki is the last person that needs looking after, but no harm in doing that. He brought out his phone and walked out, following the two Devils as he dialed for Tatsuki's number.
The day might have been useless, but at least he got to drink hot cocoa.
{D&C}
Somewhere in Kuoh… at the same time…
Tatsuki Arisawa let out a tired sigh in weariness as she walked through the wet streets heading back to Kuoh. The road is empty with the only people walking back home after a long day of work and school. For her part, Tatsuki would be home by now but decided to help out Ikumi in picking up her son from football practice.
"Come on, Tatsuki-nee-san!" Kaoru Unagiya called for her, standing a bit further ahead. "Mom said she is making chocolate from my beans in the garden! I want you to try them!" he said excitedly.
Tatsuki chuckled, "Alright, alright, I know you had practice but don't run on a slippery road, Kaoru. Don't want your mom to take my head off if you get hurt by mistake." She said jokingly, but she knows Ikumi would do it.
"Oh…" Kaoru stopped bouncing, feeling a little guilty. "Sorry about that…"
"Oh no, that's fine, just don't run too fast."
"Ok!"
Tatsuki shook her head, smiling. Kaoru is a good kid, always listening even with all his energy. Really makes her wonder why Bazz hates such a sweet kid.
Right… Bazz… the local foreigner who showed up last year out of nowhere…
For two days, Tatsuki felt Bazz was not telling her something. She found the umbrella she gave him that night dropped on the wet ground the next day, which worried her, thinking for the worse until she saw him alive and well, but grabbing on his ribs and looking like he didn't sleep all night.
She asked him what happened and why he left the umbrella behind, and all she got was that Bazz had to fight off a couple of the local gangs nearby who pissed him off or something, which explains the rib injury.
Even Issei seems to support Bazz's explanation, but that's as useless as him talking about his dreams. Loyal to the end.
Then today, she witnessed a scene she did not expect to happen in her lifetime.
Bazz speaking to Souna Shitori.
Cordially speaking to each other. No arguments, no swearing or mocking each other. Nothing. Just talking about some.
The same woman who just a few weeks ago had an argument over Bazz skipping the first week of school.
And the two were now talking… normally.
Tatsuki sighed, scratching her head in frustration at Bazz's… well… everything about him. Added with Issei going to the ORC every day now, it made her wonder just how it all happened when she was away for the regional tournament.
"Shit… thinking over it will just make my hair white…" Tatsuki muttered under her breath, slinging her bag on her back as she followed Kaoru behind. "Better ask him myself… idiot sucks at lying… so I'll get something out of him…"
Tatsuki and Kaoru got closer to the bridge, an entrance that led to Kuoh Town, an old thing that has been around since the town's inception, and it sure looks ancient.
'Wait… isn't this the bridge where they found that old guy?' She noted mentally, remembering the news article about people dying in different parts of the area, with the local media wondering if they got a serial killer on the loose.
As the two entered the bridge, Tatsuki realized that fog started covering the air, smoke coming out of her mouth the more she breathed.
"What's with the fog?... It was just fine not a minute ago…" she wondered, feeling cold. Damn weather is already changing quickly? She thought the report said rain will fall at night, and it's still 4:30.
Tatsuki tensed up, feeling something wrong here.
Kaoru, who was walking ahead, stopped on his tracks suddenly. Worried, Tatsuki walked up to the young boy and asked. "Is everything alright, Kaoru?" She asked.
The boy, instead of answering, simply raised his hand and pointed forward. Following it, Tatsuki's eyes widen at the sight in front of her.
By the edge of the bridge, stood a girl dressed in a highschool uniform Tatsuki does not recognize, the fog not helping with it. The girl had her head down, staring at the lake below.
"Oh, shit…" Tatsuki muttered, feeling her phone vibrating in her pocket but the sight she is seeing made her ignore the call.
"Hey! Are you ok?" Kaoru shouted at the girl and Tatsuki looked down at the boy, shocked by his actions. "You will hurt yourself if you stay up there!"
"..." The girl gave no answer, still standing close to the edge.
Tatsuki tensed up, feeling something… heavy coming down on her. Something… horrible…
"She needs our help!" Kaoru, out of the goodness of his heart, took off from Tatsuki and ran up to the girl on the bridge, worried for her safety.
"Wait!" Tatsuki shouted and ran after him. The heaviness continued weighing down on her, something was not right "Kaoru!"
The two ran towards the girl, with Kaoru outstretching his arms to save her. The girl turned her head, possibly from hearing their voices, and stared in their direction.
And she had no face.
Horror sank into her heart at the sight, ahead, she saw from behind fog something large, dark, and burly.
"Hehehe…"
The third-year sped up her pace and jumped forward just as Kaoru slowed down after seeing the girl's face. Grabbing him to the ground to dodge the incoming blades that came out of the fog.
Until another blade came and caught Tatsuki by her shoulder.
She screamed in pain, blood came out and splattered across the empty bridge. Using whatever strength she had, Tatsuki pushed Kaoru back as the blades sunk deeper into her skin.
"Tatsuki-nee-san!" Kaoru cried, horrified at the blood. "You are hurt!"
"Run Kaoru!" She shouted at the boy, "Run as far as you can-"
A chuckle came out from the fog, finding the whole thing humorous.
"Meat bag… two meat bags… and one had to be aware of me…" said the voice from the fog, the voice unnerved her, it felt… wrong… "No matter… at least…" she heard sniffing noises, "Yes… young ones… young souls… appetizing…"
Tatsuki managed to remove the blades off of her shoulders, and blood started pouring out of her wound. She looked back to see Kaoru, too scared to listen to her request as he looked at the fog ahead.
"Then come on out you fuck!" Tatsuki shouted, grabbing her shoulder. If this was the serial killer, they picked the wrong girl to mess with. "If you want a soul, pick me!" She challenged, hopefully, it would give Kaoru enough time to run away from this place.
"Heh… I don't like my meals to squirm a lot…" she heard movement, slowly from the fog something came out, and her eyes widened in horror.
It was large… monstrous… green fur covered its entire body. Its red tail moved around its back, where it carried the girl with no face, using it as a lure for its targets. The blades that stabbed were in fact its fingers, red limbs that looked unnatural.
No, the monster was unnatural… with its most prominent part was the white mask that covered its head… a mask that was grinning at her.
"You can see me… don't you?" It asked Tatsuki and a horrified Kaoru. Standing tall in front of them, showing a giant hole on its chest. "Good… now you know… that I am the last thing you will see~"
The Hollow Grand Fisher, opened its mouth wide and attacked.
{END}
Author note:
Whelp managed to get this one out. As I said in the previous chapter and the beginning of this one, I'll be rewriting the older chapters just to fit my own style now that I've grown a little as a writer and I don't want to be disgusted at looking at the older chapters.
Now, back on the topic, it is 2021, I tried to post this in November to time the anniversary of the fic, but real life came and I wasn't able to finish it in time. No excuses for the lateness of this chapter, but hopefully those who are still interested in this story are still here and reading this.
Other than that, thank you for keeping up. Hopefully, I should be able to post regularly and avoid making these long-ass chapters.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed.
EndNote.