Chapter 29
Few weeks had passed since Ichigo's awakening. While he'd gotten over the initial traumatic experience, he was still tormented by vivid nightmares. Often he would wake up with a scream, drenched in a cold sweat. He could swear that there was something in the shadows silently observing him…
Yet in the days following, the nightmares were getting less and less intense and frequent. It had much to do with the "relaxing" sessions from Tia or Yoruichi, which greatly helped his mental condition as well as talks with Unohana who proven to be a spending psychologist slowly setting his mind on the right track. Although Ichigo's stubborn personality also was a positive factor in his recovery as he refused to give shadows a win and let his experience weigh him down.
Luckily with Ichigo's gradual recovery, the morale of the division shot through the roof. His men were ecstatic that their Commander was getting better, all rumors about the eventual denouement of the Squad were long forgotten. Hachi with Hiro Kuni took a few days off because of the exhaustion from all that work that was dumped on them, yet they have been more than understanding that Tia needed to focus on Ichigo.
During that time Ichigo also threw himself into a strict and rigorous training routine. He woke up early every day and exercised to build up his strength, stamina, and agility. The training was provided by Yoruichi but taken to the extreme.
Next came practicing Kido with Hachi and Hiro. They trained him in more effective uses of Kido, increasing his speed at casting spells, and minimizing the loss of power with incantation-less spells.
Then came swordsmanship practice. He usually sparred with Tia, but since their skills levels were similar Ichigo started considering finding another teacher.
While all the training was showing results after some time, Yoruichi and Tia were growing worried about him overdoing it. They feared that he might get a little obsessed with power, but Ichigo confessed to them that he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to protect them from harm. Given that his visions came true one day. He wouldn't let his weakness bring harm to them again.
He also decided to do more research into Soul Society traditions. He almost gave up when he saw the three thousand pages book, the size of an encyclopedia with small lettering, but his resolve prevailed. It progressed to the point where Yoruichi called him a masochist for reading this boring old shit as she described it.
All in all, things looked to be going in the right direction.
Until Ichigo remembered one thing. He completely forgot about going home.
Yuzu and Karin were going to kill him for not even calling. Realizing this he quickly arranged all his matters and did them as fast as possible. Leaving the most problematic one for the very last.
Unsealing the library, aka meeting Mistress Hana.
He deliberately left that for the last. He didn't need another traumatic experience so soon after the first.
So now almost all of the Kido Division was in the library, or near it, wanting to witness the unsealing of the books.
Ichigo took some random book and held it in his hands. Everyone was looking at him in anticipation. He took a deep breath and made a contact with Hana.
The last time the whole world turned black, except for Mistress Hana. This time his surroundings changed, but in a way he never predicted.
He felt like he was in the digital world, except instead of green numbers he was surrounded by golden Kanji letters floating around him.
'I felt like I'm in the Matrix.' Ichigo thought idly. The letters were outlining the roughly resembled the library he was in.
"Welcome back Ichigo-san," Hana said from behind. Ichigo turned around and saw that she was in her Captain Robes…yet.
"Hi, Hana." He replied. "This place looks way cooler now."
"I see you passed your test…" Her face turned into genuine sympathy.
"I did." He stated with a small smile. "But I guess it was worth seeing something like this…it's marvelous."
"Yes, Tessai-san created it when he created me." She told him.
"But what….Who are you exactly?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"To tell the truth, I'm unique." She laughed. "But the closest thing to me is the Mod Souls. The difference is that I'm divided between the books, and have many centers instead of one." She told him.
"Wow, you're almost like A.I. made by Kido." Ichigo wondered.
"I don't know what A.I. Is, but I guess you're not here to speak about that?" She smiled.
"Yeah, I wanted you to lift the seals on the books," Ichigo said.
"No problem, but I'll need you to do me a favor." Her smile sweetened.
'Oh boy.' Ichigo knew precisely what kind of favor that was. "Sorry Hana, but I can't. I have girlfriends….Last time you kinda took me by surprise."
'Hey Kingy, remember our deal? You promised to switch with me for this.' Hichigo reminded him of the deal they made after the first contact with Hana.
'You still remember that? It was ages ago.' Ichigo stated. 'Not to mention I have no idea how to switch with you?'
'Just let me do it, and don't resist.' He said.
'I don't know if I trust you that much.' He replied.
'Hey, I promised that there won't be any death or destruction…I'll also be subtle so that no one will notice.' He pressed.
'I guess a promise is a promise…But you know what will happen if you betray me.' Ichigo treated.
'Yeah, yeah, whoa it's already getting good.' Hichigo giggled. Ichigo turned his attention to Hana and saw that she was already in her leather gear.
"You know it's getting lonely in here sometimes." She said, making a sad face. "Not giving me even a bit of fun…so cruel…" She sniffed a bit.
"Ok, ok, I'll do it." He said and felt his Hollow press on his mind.
"Oh thank you!" A big smile blossomed on her face. "Oh, and one more thing before we start, there is one book you need to read. It's really important." Her face grew serious. "It's about the Gate."
"I understand." He said and felt his control slipping away.
" Now kneel, slave!" Hana said with a sadistic grin licking the edge of the whip.
"Oh no, you will kneeling, bitch." Hichigo said grinning. His black and gold eyes boring into her surprising the woman.
"Ohh, and who are you?" She asked quickly regaining her composure.
"Your new master." He said advancing on her.
"We'll see about that." She pulled out her whip with a crack.
Library
All gathered were looking at a motionless Ichigo, growing impatient. He had already been standing there for over half an hour, and still, nothing had happened.
"What the hell is taking him so long?" Yoruichi whispered to Tia.
"I don't know. I hope something bad isn't happening to him again." She said with worry.
"Come on, he's had enough of twisted visions to last him a lifetime," Yoruichi said hesitantly. "Right?"
They both looked at his face, but nothing indicated that he was in some sort of distress. Quite the contrary actually, he was smiling smugly.
"Wonder what he's grinning about?" Tia thought aloud. No sooner had she said that when all the books started to glow, with golden Kanji letters imprinted on them. A gasp went through the crowd of Shinigami, as the seals started to glow even brighter. Each of the seals started to break with a burst of light.
After a minute or so the glow dimmed.
Hachi walked to the nearest shelf and pulled out a random book. He opened it and saw the pages filled with words.
"Ichigo succeeded. The books are now readable." Hachi announced, and the crowd cheered.
Ichigo opened his eyes and looked around at the cheering Shinigami. A chuckle escaped his mouth.
His Hollow just bit into more than he could chew, and indeed he showed him a few tricks of how to act as someone's little bitch.
'Never speak about this again.' Hichigo growled, but his voice sounded a little high pitched.
'Looks like Mistress Hana was little too much for you.' He mocked.
'Screw you! Like you were any better.' He snapped. 'Let's just agree to never mention either incident.'
'Deal.' Ichigo saw Yoruichi and Tia approaching.
"Are you alright, Ichigo?" The latter asked.
"Yeah I am, don't worry Tia." He smiled. "Now it's time to finally go home."
"Aww, I'll miss both of you…We had such fun times together." Yoruichi purred slyly.
"Nothing's stopping you from coming with us," Tia said, and Ichigo nodded.
"Nah. I got a business to attend to so I'm going to sit this one out." She shook her head." But worry not maybe I will sneak during the night to give you a bit of wake-up call." She winked.
"You're one of a kind," Ichigo said making her laugh. "Ok now I just need to tell my men to behave, and we'll be ready to go."
He walked to the center of the chattering crowd.
"Attention everyone!" He exclaimed, making them fall silent. "I'm going home, and as usual I am leaving the Division in Hachi's hands. So behave and don't cause him any grief."
A choir of 'Hai's' responded to him.
Ichigo smiled and left the library, followed by his girlfriends. They walked out of the building, and Ichigo opened a Garganta.
"See you soon Yoruichi." He hugged her and kissed her passionately. She replied with as much passion. "And don't do anything on your own with your Brother's case." He said in all seriousness. "Tell me before you take any action."
"Aww, I'm a big girl." Ichigo's intense stare made her knees weaken. "Oh fine, I won't." She pouted. Ichigo had too much influence over her.
"Good girl." He smiled genuinely. "I love you." He let him go.
"Stay safe were-cat," Tia said playfully, hugging her too. Yoruichi smirked mischievously and pinched her butt roughly, making her yelp.
"You too Sharky. Keep him fit." She gave her a wink. "See ya." She Shunpo'ed away.
"Let's go home, Tia," Ichigo said, and entered the Garganta.
Urahara's Shop
Tessai and Urahara were drinking tea in the living room when suddenly a low pitched sound echoed through the shop.
"Ara looks like a Garganta opened," Urahara said. "I guess Ichigo finally decided to visit us." He noticed how Tessai visibly tensed. "You're worried?"
"Yes I am…I've put him through hell." He closed his eyes. "He has every right to be upset with me."
"Tessai you know that it's not like Ichigo to hold grudges." Urahara told him." You did warn him that it won't be pleasant."
"We don't know how much the experience changed him." He replied. "That sort of experience tends to alter people."
"Well, we'll have to see then." He stated, finishing his tea.
They waited, and soon heard the sound of footsteps. Ichigo and Tia entered the room. A tense silence fell on the occupants.
Tessai turned to face Ichigo, and for a few seconds both males stared at each other. Suddenly Tessai dropped to the knees, his forehead to the ground.
"Ichigo-dono, for all it's worth, I'm sorry for what I have done…If you want to beat me feel free to do so anytime you desire with the extent to your liking!" His forehead against the ground.
"Stop fooling around Tessai," Ichigo said with a tired smile. "I'm not angry with you…I understand."
The older man looked at him seeing the way older look in his eyes than the boy his age should have.
"But…" He choked feeling his headache. He at the least had been over 100 when he had his test.
"Look, I need to speak to you in private." Ichigo motioned him to stand from his knees.
"I understand," Tessai stated standing up. "Let's go to the kitchen."
"Ok. Tia, you can head home if you want. This will probably take some time." Ichigo told her.
"Don't worry, I can wait." She said sitting next to Urahara.
Ichigo nodded and left the room.
"Would you like some tea?" Hat n' Clogs asked.
"Please," Tia said with a smile. Urahara called Ururu and asked her to make some tea for his guest.
"So how'd it go? Yoruichi hasn't told me anything." He said with a slight pout.
"It was a nightmare," Tia told him in a sad tone. "He was severely traumatized…We managed to pull him through the worst quite fast, but it took weeks before he could function normally. He had a problem sleeping, and vivid nightmares would often wake him up screaming. Not to mention he seemed terrified of….shadows." She bit her lip.
"What happened at the test?" Urahara asked. "Of course you don't have to tell if you feel uncomfortable with it." He quickly added.
"Ichigo decided to tell his friends about it, so I might as well spare him going through it one more time." Tia summarized everything that happened to Ichigo.
"That's…inhuman," Urahara whispered, stunned. "Tessai's was horrible too."
"I know…Urahra-san do you have any idea why he was tortured in such a manner? I mean Tessai says that it was to humble people. Yoruichi told me that Unohana thinks that it was to test their mental fortitude…but what do you think?"
"I think that they are both correct, but from listening to your story, I suspect that there might be another reason…There are too many uncertainties in this equation to be sure." He rubbed his chin. "But, I have a strong suspicion that there is something else we're missing."
"I trust that you will find an answer," Tia said with confidence.
"Awww, I'm blushing." He waved his fan. "So is there any juicy gossip I should know about?"
Kitchen
Tessai felt his eyes watering when Ichigo finished his story.
"I'm so sorry Ichigo-dono." He choked out.
"I told you that I don't hold you responsible for it," Ichigo said from his seat. "You had it far worse…Unohana told me what you had seen, and had to do…Tessai, do you mind if I ask how you managed to pull through it?"
Tessai smiled, surprising him.
"Kyoko helped." He stated.
"But wasn't she…?" Ichigo asked. "Oh…"
"Yes, but as you've guessed she joined the shadows…When I had my test she was whispering words in my ears, to encourage to me go on and never give up." His smile fell a little. "She was a wonderful woman...even when she wasn't supposed to she helped me out."
"Let me guess, she was the shortest shadow?" Ichigo asked with a small chuckle, remembering the only shadow that seemed concerned about him.
"Yes, once a midget always a midget." Tessai chuckled too. "She made my worst moment bearable…You probably have many questions about your new powers?"
"I want to save that for the last. First I want to know about Tlaloca." He asks seriously.
"I don't know much more than you do. The Captain Commander probably knows more, but he refused to tell me." Tessai said. "From the scraps, I managed to gather, the Commonwealth of Souls was the predecessor of the Soul Society. How long ago I don't know. As you recall from the legend I've told you, it was ruled by nine, and later eight kings. It was made to be a loose confederation, with each king having their capital city. Tlaloca being the mightiest one out of all, ruled by Soul King himself. I don't know how exactly it was governed, but the title King should say enough that it was some sort of monarchy. That's all I could find out." He finished.
"But what was that…genocide… I have seen? Reishi was going somewhere before people started dying." He said closing his eyes, pushing the images of the massacre out of his mind.
"That was how death looks when someone forcibly takes your Reishi…It rips your body apart…That was a great cataclysm, I can only suspect that it was a failed Kido Ritual. To dissolve so many Reishi rich objects, and then to absorb it….One being could do it….You are aware that now you can do it too?" Tessai said shocking Ichigo.
"What?" He exclaimed.
"Let me explain, while normal Shinigami can't absorb Reishi, our ability is similar to a Quincy's where we can force Reishi to come to us. But while Quincy can only use it as power, we can create things with it."
"Power to destroy and create…Xalek was the first Kido Commander?" Ichigo asked.
"Indeed to both," Tessai said grimly. "Using that power we can create anything as I said before."
"Like Mistress Hana?" Ichigo narrowed his eyes.
"Well…" Tessai blushed. "I was kind of lonely at that time…."
"Stop it." Ichigo raised his hand. "I don't need another traumatic experience so soon….Is there anything else it can do?"
"Well it's hard to say since the range of what you can do with it is vast…but for you, it will serve as an additional power-up for the next few years. Doing anything else with it will required years of training, no matter how good you are." Tessai explained, "I could create a little stone after about two years of intense training."
"So basically this is just a power boost now?" Ichigo clarified.
"Yes, but the kind that can kill you if you take too much energy. Your body does have limits after all." He deadpanned. "We will begin the training soon but I fear that your mental state might not allow us to start instantly. So go home and enjoy the time with the family. We can start after this."
"Good, have anything changed while I was out?"
"Nothing much, your friends came to ask about you since you did not reply to their messages." Ichigo had the decency to blush." They were worried for you so be sure to meet them too." Suddenly his smile fell "THEY will contact you."
"What do they want?" Ichigo growled.
"To tell you the same I told you, and a certain condition attached to that contract…You are forbidden to tell anyone about it or there will be consequences," Tessai said looking at him grimly. "Let's just say that you won't like it."
"Hell, I knew that it wouldn't be just the visions…There's always one more string attached." He ran his hands through his hair but suddenly stiffened. "….They can't make me do something….right?"
"No, they can't….Let's say that it serves another purpose," Tessai said soothing his fears. "Ok enough about that, go home and meet with your family."
"I guess it's high time. I'll go collect Tia and hope the mad hatter hasn't bored her to death." He smiled. "See ya around Tessai."
"Farewell Ichigo-dono." They both shook hands, and Ichigo left the kitchen. He went to the living room and saw Tia chattering with Urahara about something.
"Hey Tia, I'm done. Let's go home." He said. "It was nice seeing you Urahara-san. I'll update you on what happened later."
"No need. Tia-san told me everything." He smiled weakly at Ichigo. "You won't be needing to repeat it over again to me."
"I see, alright I guess it's time to go." Ichigo smiled at Tia.
"Goodbye Urahara-san. It was a pleasure talking to you." Tia said and left the shop with Ichigo, after collecting their bodies.
"You know you didn't have to do that," Ichigo said suddenly.
"Are you mad that I told Urahara? I thought that you would like him to know?" Tia asked feeling that she might have gone a bit far.
"It's not that…You didn't have to tell him personally, I could've done it," Ichigo stated.
"Ichigo, I know how much it hurts you to reopen all those wounds over and over…If I can spare you from going over it again, even once, I'll do it." Tia smiled warmly at him. "You don't have to shoulder everything alone."
Ichigo returned the smile. He took her hand and intertwined their fingers. They walked the rest of the way in silence, just enjoying each other's company. After twenty minutes they stood in front of the Kurosaki household.
"Nervous?" Tia asked with a mischievous smile.
"A bit. I feel like a whole lifetime has passed since I was here last." Ichigo admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "But god I missed them all, even Dad."
"I'm surprised that you admitting that aloud." She mocked him.
"You learn to truly value people and things when you lose them." He replied quietly, looking into her eyes. "I've learned that lesson, all too well." He pulled her into a tight hug.
"Ichigo…" She placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I wish I could do something to ease your pain."
"You are easing my pain." He smiled. "Never go away."
"I won't." She said with loving care.
"Good, now let's get this over with." He walked to the doors and opened them. It was still early afternoon, so the chances were that everyone was still home.
"We're back," Ichigo said aloud. For a few seconds nothing happened, but then Ichigo heard three pairs of feet running towards them. "Here it comes." He said with a smile.
"ICHIGOOOOO!" Isshin dashed at him with blazing speed, in a full-blown charge. Ichigo just sidestepped and let him harmlessly pass by him, which ultimately ended in Isshin crashing against the wall.
"Ichi-nii, Tia-nee!" Yuzu and Karin shouted in unison, advancing on him.
"Where have you been? We were so worried about both of you!" Karin yelled.
"We thought something had happened to you! You could have texted!" Yuzu added, with a teary face. Both sisters ranted more until Ichigo picked both of them and hugged them tightly. They looked at him surprised. Ichigo wasn't the one for such open affection. Luckily they missed his brief guilty expression when he looked at them, especially Karin.
But it hadn't escaped his father. He looked at Tia, but she just shook her head. Mentally telling him to speak about it later.
"I've missed you both." He said, letting them go.
"Nii-san is something wrong?" Yuzu asked.
"Why do you ask?" He asked back.
"Well, you're not the type to show your feeling, unless something happens," Karin states, making all of them sweatdrop.
"Well that's all very nice, but Tia is getting sadder that you aren't hugging her too." He said changing the subject. It worked like charm. Both sisters jumped at Tia, hugging the life out of her.
"Hey pops." Ichigo walked to his Father and hugged him too.
"How was your time in the Soul Society Son!" Isshin asked in his boisterous voice, but his eyes were solely focused on Ichigo.
"I had way too much work to do," Ichigo said quietly, looking into his father's eyes. Isshin felt a little part of him die at that moment. He never wished for his Son to have such a look in his eyes.
The look of quiet suffering. He returned the gaze with the promise of serious talk in private.
"Good Son! A man needs to work hard for his family!" He exclaimed radically. "But you two must be starving. Yuzu when will dinner be ready?"
"I haven't even started yet!" She whined.
"It's ok, we'll call for pizza," Ichigo said. "My treat."
The family cheered. They moved to the living room, chatting about Ichigo's time in Soul Society. His sisters bombarded Ichigo and Tia with questions. The duo skillfully hid the truth about what happened with some trivial stuff from the time after Ichigo got better.
The only one occupant that was silent was Isshin. He carefully studied Ichigo's expressions and the way he spoke.
He was now much calmer and quiet, almost passive. Even when he threw a jab at him, Ichigo responded calmly, not taking the bait even once. Also, Isshin noticed that every time Ichigo looked at Karin, his eyes grew sadder and his face tensed in what he deducted was guilt. He also noticed that Tia was holding his hand rubbing his hand soothingly.
Normally it wouldn't be anything extraordinary, but the way she looked at him and squeezed it every time his face tensed, told volumes about what had occurred.
Isshin knew that the test was horrible. While he hadn't heard the whole story, the haunted look in Tessai's eyes every time it was mentioned, gave him quite the idea about it.
The pizza arrived and the family ate it in peace. After that Yuzu and Karin announced that they would be going to the cinema. They wanted Tia to come along, but she knew that Ichigo would need her presence when he breaks the news to his Father.
After the girls left, the trio sat in the living room. Tia and Ichigo on the sofa, and Isshin on the armchair.
"Dad please don't interrupt me when I'm telling you what had happened ok?" Ichigo asked with a heavy sigh." It's a lot and I need you to hear the whole story."
"I won't," Isshin reassured him but felt that he wouldn't like what he was about to hear.
"It all began when I brought Nel back from Hueco Mundo…" Ichigo told him exactly what had happened, occasionally having Tia fill in the moments he missed.
By the time he finished, Isshin was leaning forward, supporting his head on his intertwined fingers, and his elbows on his knees. He was now fighting to keep tears in check. The very thought that his only Son went through such a horrid nightmare cut him to the very core.
He had half mind to go to Tessai, and hive him a nice long 'talking to', but refrained himself when Ichigo told him that he had it even worse.
"Ichigo…I don't know even what to say…I…admire you Ichigo…I don't know if I could've withstood all that…Masaki would be proud of you…as am I." He said in a wavering voice blinking away the tears."
"Thanks, Dad," Ichigo replied honestly. "You know I'm gonna take a nap…I'm quite tired."
"Good idea. Telling that twice in the row must be exhausting for you." Tia said. Ichigo smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss before he excused himself from their company.
For a moment both of them sat in pregnant silence.
"Is he ok now?" Isshin asked wearily.
"Much better than a few weeks ago…but as you probably noticed, he became much quieter and reserved. Unohana-san said that it will pass with time, and when he finally comes to terms with what happened. Aside from that, he's begun training intensely, to the point where Yoruichi had to lecture him about burning out muscles being counterproductive to increasing strength. He also began learning more about Soul Society customs and traditions, but the rest is pretty much the same." Tia sighed. "I think that I'll call his friends and tell them that story myself. There's no need for him to do this over and over again."
"I agree…Let those wounds heal." Isshin rubbed his eyes. "What a way to ruin a good day…"
"Tell me about it." Tia smiled weakly. "Yoruichi and I were losing it in the first few days…"
"I can imagine. Tia goes to tell his friends before he wakes up." He said standing. "I need to go to my shift or Ryuken will kill me for being late…Not to mention he's already pissed off at me."
"Why?" She asked.
"Ask his Son," Isshin replied with a smirk and left the room. Tia called Inoue, Chado, and Ishida, and asked them to meet her at the Pizza Hut restaurant in the city center. Tia then left the house and took the bus to the center.
When she arrived she took the table in the far corner, shielded them from the crowd. After fifteen minutes Chado and Inoue arrived, ten minutes later Ishida and Nel came. Everyone, except for Tia, ordered their food.
"Hey, where's Ichigo?" The bubbly Espada asked.
"That's why I called you all here Neliel-san," Tia replied. She had mixed feeling about telling the truth to the green-haired Arrancar, but Ichigo seemed to trust her.
"Just call me Nel, Tia-nee!" Nel said cheerfully.
"Nee?" Tia asked surprised.
"Well we were both Tercera Espada, so it makes us sisters of sorts! It's like you're my younger sister!" She chirped. Tia rose an eyebrow at this statement.
"Nel, let Tia say what happened to Kurosaki before we delve too much into this," Ishida said, adjusting his glasses.
"Aww, you're no fun Uryu-Kun!" Nel whined.
"Thank you, Ishida," Tia said. "Now listen carefully…" Tia summarized everything that had happened during the test and after.
When the waitress came with their food, she saw a disturbing picture. Two out of three females were sobbing, and both males had a grim/shocked expression on their faces. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The food was served very quickly.
"Unbelievable," Ishida muttered. "Simply unbelievable." He turned to a sobbing Nel and put a hand on her shoulder.
"He didn't deserve that," Nel said leaning on his shoulder. Ishida blushed slightly but kept his face impassive.
Tia's lips curved upwards. Guess her and Yoruichi's prediction was coming to fruition.
"Don't worry about him, he's much better now, and you all giving him teary looks won't help," Tia said.
"I guess you're right," Chado said.
"Yeah, Kurosaki-Kun is not the kind of person that wants pity," Inoue said, wiping her eyes.
"Ok, since that's all over with, Ishida I wanted to ask about why is your Father angry at Isshin?" Tia questioned, making Ishida facepalm and Nel giggle.
"Oh, Uryuu-Kun's Dad is so nice and funny," Nel said with a smile. "But a bit shy."
The remaining trio sent Ishida incredulous looks.
"I guess I should explain…"
Flashback, Two and Half Weeks Earlier
Soon after Tessai, Ichigo, Tia, and Yoruichi left for the Soul Society Ishida, Nel, Inoue, and Chado went to the underground training facility.
"Ok since we still have some time before Urahara-san makes Nel a Gigai we'll train in Quincy counter techniques." Uryu adjusted his glasses. "As you know the majority of our attacks are long-range, but as I mentioned, Heilig Pfeil can take various forms, yet Quincy's weapon is always a bow, no matter how it looks."
Nel stifled a yawn. A tick mark appeared on Ishida's forehead, but he continued nevertheless.
"So to counter it you must increase your speed dramatically." He said. Nel rose her hand.
"Uryuu-Kun, Uryuu-kun! And what is the technique when you take Reishi from somebody?" Nel asked.
"Which one do you mean?" He asked.
"When I was beaten he did something to take Reishi from the dessert and me. It ripped my skin, and forced me to revert to my child form." She explained.
"The closest one I can think of is Sklaverei." Ishida mused.
"Oh, that was it!" Nel exclaimed. "He did that and I lost all my powers…And then he took Pesche and Dondochakka, and killed Bawabawa." She mumbled with a pained expression. "Hey Uryu-kun, you said that Quincy hate Hollows?"
"Yes?" He already had the idea about what she wanted to ask.
"So do you hate me too?" She asked meekly looking at him with her big teary eyes. "If so, you don't have to take me in…I understand if you don't want to be near something you hate."
Chado and Inoue immediately glared at Ishida, daring him to say anything insensitive, but Ishida already felt guilty because of his kin. So it was the farthest idea in his mind.
'I guess I've learned my lesson with Tia.' He sighed. Before her, he wouldn't probably even care what happened to these two Hollows. "No Nel, I don't hate you." He said.
"Really?" She chirped. For some reason foreign to Ishida, she cheered up.
"Yeah, I don't mind you." He said in a bit of an aloof manner, cooling her enthusiasm down. "Ok now let's drop the idle chatter. We have some training to do." He stated. "Nel, since I have pretty much an idea about Chado and Inoue's level, we will spar."
"Okay!" She said with a warm smile, looking at him.
"Where is your weapon?" He asked.
"Oh yeah!" She slapped her forehead. She extended her arm and visibly concentrated. Soon a puff of pink smoke appeared in front of her. When it cleared Nel was holding a sword in a green sheath. "I'm a dummy, I completely forget about it."
"Are you ready?" Ishida asked.
Nel nodded. The moment she did, he summoned his bow and fired five arrows at a rapid pace at her. She avoided them with ease, still smiling.
'Shouldn't expect any less from a former Tercera.' Ishida smirked. This would be a good field test for his powers. He fired more arrows, which she all dodged.
"You know Uryu-kun you can start being serious with me." She said, surprising him.
'So she noticed.' He smirked. He underestimated her. "You can attack me too, not just dodge." No sooner had he said this, he had to start dodging a flurry of rapid thrusts.
Ishida jumped back, trying to gain some distance, but Nel hadn't allowed any time. She kept close, forcing him to fight in close quarters.
"The best way to defeat a long-range fighter is to keep close to him." She said calmly. Ishida had to admit that this side of her personality surprised him. Gone was the bubbly girl, replaced by a calm and focused individual. He could see the keen intellect behind her hazel eyes.
'She's skilled with a sword.' He thought idly. Having enough of dodging, he reached for his Seele Schneiders. He dematerialized his bow and switched to his new two-sword style. He had learned his lesson well from Hueco Mundo. He needed to be prepared to fight an opponent who can dodge or deflect all his long-range attacks. So he spent the last few months honing his swordsman skills, of course not neglecting his bow.
Nel was slightly thrown off balance by his sudden change of tactics, but she didn't let it phase her much. She quickly regained her balance and went for a quick stab. Ishida deflected her sword to the side with his left blade and slashed with his right at her head, but Nel, with dance-like moves, sidestepped. Letting the blade fly past her harmlessly. She saw an opening in his unprotected right side. She went for the hit but failed to notice that Ishida was baiting her. He quickly spun his sword hilt in his hand, and slashed at her, holding it in a reverse grip.
Nel blocked it at the last moment. The blades clashed creating sparks. Nel was holding her Gamuza vertically, just inches from her left cheek, feeling blood slide down it.
Her eyes widened. She quickly repelled his sword, forcing Ishida back. She jumped at him, hoping to gain an advantage with her speed, but the young Quincy seemed to be able to match her with his own.
'Not to mention keeping up with two swords is difficult.' She thought.
Ishida caught that she was momentarily distracted, and used the opportunity. He unleashed a storm of high speed strikes toward her, forcing her completely to the defensive. Nel managed to block most of them, but small cuts appeared all over her body.
Getting a grip on herself, she managed to wound Ishida's shoulder lightly with one lightning-quick thrust. But that was all, as the young Quincy tightened his defenses, and hadn't let her gain the upper hand.
Feeling that she was losing the spar, she shot a pink Cero at him.
Surprised for a second, he dodges it using Hirenkyaku. He threw one of his blades, spinning in the air, and summoned his bow, shooting the other at Nel. Instantly he grabbed another one and charged at Nel.
Acting on instinct she dodged the arrow, but then saw Ishida charging at her and…froze. The image of the other Quincy flashed through her mind, filling her with dread.
She closed her eyes waiting for the blow.
Which never came.
She dared to open her eyes, and saw Ishida glaring at her with scorn.
"What the hell were you thinking!" He snapped. "Freezing like that! I could have killed you!"
She dropped her head in shame. It was unbecoming of her to simply freeze like that. She felt humiliation and guilt for eating her alive.
"I-I'm sorry U-Uryu-kun." She shuttered with tears escaping her eyes. "I'm useless." She fell to her knees. "It's all my fault."
Ishida took a step back, taken aback by her reaction. He felt horrible for making her cry. He felt like slapping himself for screaming at her.
"Uryu-kun!" He heard Inoue shout. "Why'd you make her cry!?"
"Ishida, I know that you aren't keen on Hollows, but that is too far." Chado glared at him. "She didn't deserve that."
'Way to give me a guilty conscience.' He thought dryly, but knew they were right. he just opened his mouth to apologize, but Nel beat him to it.
"I-It's not his fault." She sniffed. "It's mine…I froze in the middle of the fight. He's right to be angry with me…I'm weak...I failed my Fraccion because of my weakness…All my skills deteriorated because I was doing nothing but eternal tag." She bailed her fists.
"Nel-chan, you were in child form, you couldn't train then." Inoue tried to comfort her, but she just shook her head.
Ishida looked at her with pity. He precisely knew that feeling of being too weak to save the ones he cared about.
He kneeled next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you going to only cry about it?" He asked. He heard Inoue's sharp inhale but continued. "Crying won't make your friends come back, it won't change anything."
"Then what I am supposed to do?!" She looked at him with a hurt expression. She couldn't understand why he was so mean to her.
"Get stronger!" He exclaimed, shocking her out of her misery. "So you can save your friends!" He looked into her eyes with a determined passion. "You don't have time to mope around!"
"B-But how I can get stronger?" She asked, hope in her voice.
"Well you can ask Tia-san to train you…I can help a bit too." He added quietly.
"You would help me get stronger?" She asked, looking up at him with anticipation.
"Sure. You can probably beat me when in Resurreccion, but I can still…" He paused when she enveloped him in a tight, but not bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you Uryuu-kun!" It came out muffled because she was snuggling her face against his chest. Ishida blushed crimson when he felt the breasts of a scantily dressed woman pressed again on his chest. He returned the hug awkwardly, not aware of the look that Inoue and Chado exchanged.
They remained like that for a minute or two, when Ishida finally motioned her to let him go.
"Well." He said dusting off his outfit, trying to make it look casual. "I think you have the general idea of how Quincy to fight."
"Ok, I think we've had enough of fighting for now," Inoue said. "How about we just go upstairs and order some food and talk?"
The rest agreed, and moved to the shop's living room and ordered some Chinese food. They chattered until Urahara asked Nel to come with him, to try her new body.
After twenty minutes she returned, dressed in a green T-shirt and blue jeans. It was painfully obvious that the T-shirt was way too small for her if the way the material was stretched over her chest area was any indication.
"Ok Nel, let's go to my home," Ishida stated. 'We're going to get you some decent clothing.'
They bid farewell to Chado and Inoue and went to the Ishida family mansion.
After taking the bus, they arrived at Uryu's home in fifteen minutes.
"Wow, your house is so beautiful!" Nel exclaimed with childlike wonder.
"It's ok," Ishida said amused with her excitement. "It's just a house."
"What!?" She exclaimed. "I have never seen anything so nice! In Las Noches everything was just plain white!"
"It's white too." Ishida deadpanned.
"But it has windows, a wall, and a garden!" Nel enumerated heatedly.
"Ok, ok." He rose his hands defensibly. "It's nice."
Nel smirked triumphantly and looked at him with anticipation. Ishida walked to the gate and opened it, letting her inside first. He walked to the massive wooden doors and pushed them open revealing the inner hall.
As with the exterior walls, the walls were snow-white, filled with many ornaments. Just in front of the entry stood a gallery, leading to a second floor with two sets of stairs coming down from both sides. The stairs were made of dark wood. The light in the room came from the large golden chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.
"Welcome to my home," Ishida said, turning back to her, only to see that her eyes turned into glowing stars. She looked around in wonder, but before she managed to do anything a blue arrow flew in her direction.
Uryu instantly grabbed her and pushed her out of the trajectory of the missile. The arrow dug into the wooden door.
"Nice to see you too Ryuken," Ishida said dryly, pushing Nel behind him. "I thought you said to be polite to all guests?"
"You just had to do it, didn't you?" Ishida Ryuken asked from the second floor, aiming his bow at them. "You couldn't stand Kurosaki having an Arrancar in the house, and had to copycat him like in everything else!"
"WHAT! I'm not copycatting him!" Uryuu yelled offended.
"Don't lie to me Son. I can see that he's your role model." He said coldly.
"You're insane! Has age finally got to you Ryuken!?" Uryuu yelled now really offended. "It will be a cold day in hell when Kurosaki is my role model!"
"Then why have you brought her here?" He inquired. "If she won't be living with us, I will drop my suspicions of you copying young Kurosaki."
Uryu growled something incoherent at his Father. Nel used the occasion to peek out from behind his shoulder.
"Oh hi, I'm Neliel Tu Odelschwanck but you can call me Nel." She gave Ryuken a disarming smile. In response, he let another arrow at her. "Eeepp!" With a small squeal, she ducked behind Ishida's shoulder.
"Can you stop doing that!?" Uryu shouted. "I'm getting tired of this!"
"I won't allow it inside our home and that's final!" He stated.
"Then I'll move out." Uryu threatened.
"As if you have the necessary resources to survive on your own." He said in amusement.
"What do you think I did with all that money I won in various competitions? I invested it in the stock market and earned quite a profit." Uryu smiled smugly. "I could have bought an apartment in the city center, and still have a lot saved."
A tense silence fell on both males, as they glared at each other.
"Very well she can stay but I'll punish you accordingly" Ryuken finally said.
"Mr. Uryu-kun's Dad." Nel suddenly said. "If you want to punish someone, then punish me not Uryu-kun!"
"Why are you so eager to take his punishment?" Ryuken asked in suspicion.
"Because I'm a masochist!" She replied cheerfully. "Without a little pain, there's no fun!"
A stunned silence fell on both Quincy males. Uryu was just gawking at Nel, who was smiling radiantly. While his Father was looking between the two of them.
"So that's why you want her?" He glared at his Son with disgust. "Your mother would be devastated. You have rather sick fetishes! Uryu."
"What!? Don't bring her into this! And I don't have any sick fetishes?!" He sputtered. "How the hell did you come to that conclusion!"
"Doesn't matter. At least you found a person who won't testify against you and has no connection to this world. So it will be easier to hide her disappearance." He dematerialized his bow. "But keep everything behind closed doors."
Uryu made the classic goldfish expression.
"So you are that kind of person?" Nel looked at him with a dreamy smile.
"DROP THE RIDICULOUS ASSUMPTIONS!" He howled. "You! Ryuken, she will just stay till the end of the summer holidays and move in with Orihime. And you Neliel! Don't just go around and scream I'm a masochist!"
He breached heavily.
"I'll show you your room now, and Ryuken we have to talk." He said growing serious, glaring at his Father.
"What do you want to speak about?" His father asked. Uryu pulled out the Quincy cross he received from Ichigo and showed it to him. "So? It's just across like the many in this house."
"It's not ours…Kurosaki brought it from Hueco Mundo…He met five Quincy there," Uryu stated, looking at his Father's reaction. As predicted he saw none. His Father's face was an impenetrable mask.
Ryuken turned on his heel and walked deeper inside the house. If someone could see his expression, they would see a dark scowl on his face.
Meanwhile, Uryu led Nel to one of the guest rooms. Like everything in the house, the room was clad white, with the sole exception of a wooden bed and wardrobe. The room was quite spacious, with a window looking out to the garden.
"You'll live here for the next two months, so feel at home," Ishida said. "The bathroom is the third door to the right, the kitchen is at the far end to the left. And if you need anything, the door to my room is the last one on the right. After I finish speaking with Ryuken, we'll go out to buy you some real clothes." He was about to leave when he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
"Thanks for everything Uryu-kun." She said with a faint blush. "I'll make it up to you somehow."
"No need. After all, what are friends for?" He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Make yourself comfortable, bye."
He quickly walked down the corridor to meet his Father.
He found Ryuken sitting in one of the armchairs near the fireplace made of white marble. He was staring seemingly into nothing. Uryu sat in the armchair next to his and waited.
After a few seconds, his Father spoke.
"I don't want you to delving any deeper into it." He said, not looking at him.
"Too late, I'm already in it," Uryu replied calmly.
"No, you're not. You still have time to retreat and forget about it." He said sternly. "I want you to live a normal and happy life, and what you're about to do contradicts that."
"I won't abandon my friends in their time of need." He said passionately. "Especially if the enemies are Quincy."
"They're not Quincy!" His father rose his voice, surprising him. "They're nothing but abominations, a stain on the honor of our kind."
"You're taking this personally….Is it because of Mom?" He asked, but received only silence. "They have something to do with it, don't they?"
"It doesn't matter if they do or not, I forbid you to meddle in this affair. It will only lead to your downfall." His Father said with finality.
"You think that I'll sit idly by when they come?" He spat.
"I can force you, and you know very well that you're weaker than me." His father said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Uryu hung his head but had to admit that his Father was fully capable of going through with this threat.
"How did you figure out that they might have something to do with her?" Ryuken suddenly asked.
"You always make that face when you think of her." He allowed a small smile on his face.
Ryuken said nothing at that revelation.
"The day Mom collapsed, Kurosaki's Mother died…is that just a coincidence?" He asked. His Father stared blankly at him.
"You're too sharp for your own good Son." He sighed. "You're not going to listen to me, aren't you?"
"No, I'll do what I believe is right, and that is standing with my friends in their time of need," Uryu replied, deadly serious.
"I could lock you in the basement for a few years, but it would be a waste of your potential…So there is only one thing left to do." He stood.
"What?" He inquired.
"To pass all the knowledge of our kind to you, so you might survive what's coming," Ryuken said with sadness. 'I hope you'll forgive me Kataragi.'
Back To The Present
"Ater that, we went to buy Nel a few clothes, so she won't have to wear the same thing every day." He took a slice of pizza.
"But the ones from the shop are nothing compared to the one you made." Nel smiled. "That nice maid uniform, or nurse, or that lovely skirt…" She enumerated, making the rest of them look at Ishida strangely.
"Hey, she wanted to not be a burden. So I decided for her to be my model." He crossed his arms with a huff. "Especially after that fiasco with her cooking, cleaning, and using the wash-up machine."
"Uryu-kun! It was not my fault! I did exactly what you told me!" Nel exclaimed, blushing.
"How's pouring half a kilogram of cleaning powder doing what I told you?" He asked, remembering all the foam he had to clean.
"But I apologized!" She whined. "You didn't complain that much when you slept with me!" Her statement made the rest of their friends' drop their jaws.
"Don't say it that way!" He rose his hands, waving them frantically and blushing crimson. "You were the one that snuck into my bed!"
"Buuuut I don't like sleeping alone!" She tugged at his shirt. "And you looked so happy when I cuddled with you."
"I almost had a heart attack that first morning!" He glared at her.
"I never knew you're were such a prude. I'll wear something next time." She promised with her radiant smile.
"Nel-chan you slept with Uryuu-kun, naked?!" Inoue asked mortified. Ishida felt like slamming his head against the table.
"Ichigo's going to love to hear this." Tia giggled. 'You work fast Uryu.'
"Ugh." Ishida's face palmed, making them laugh. "Why me?" His comment made them laugh even harder.
A/N
Another chapter guys, late Merry Christmas and Happy new year!
I got to admit that year 2020 did a real number on me in both life and work aspects which resulted in my lack of time to write so it wasn't easy for me and a lot of people I know. yet I hope that year 2021 will be better for all of us so we can catch some breath after all of this.
So I hope that you enjoyed the chapter because more will be coming your way!
Don't forget to drop a review! Cheers!
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