What About Now?

by Moon's-Wing

Spoilers for Diamond Dust Rebellion and manga. My own take on what could've happened if Central 46 had let Toushiro choose exile. Mature. IchiRukiHitsu

33. Chapter 33

p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"'Once the stone you're crawling under has lifted off your shoulders,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Once the cloud that's raining over your head disappears,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The noise that you'll hear/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Is the crashing down of hollow years.'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"-Dream Theater 'Hollow Years' /span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Dinner at Byakuya's actually wasn't too bad. As both Ichigo and Toushiro made it clearer and clearer they weren't going anywhere, the older captain's attitude towards them had simmered-at least for the noble. A casual onlooker probably would've have seen any change in his attitude at all. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"But Byakuya sat contently with them now, even if he conversed mostly with his sister, when he did converse. As long as there wasn't an angry aura in the air, that was fine. Toushiro could antagonize Ichigo here just as easily as anywhere else. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"All in all, a nice, quiet evening. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Which always made the tensai nervous. He did his best to push it to the back of his mind, which was actually proving to be a relatively easy feat for once, especially with how adorable his lovers were being on the walk home. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Although, to be fair, most would call this arguing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Get off, Midget!" Ichigo was yelling. "I told you I'm not giving you a damn piggyback ride!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, well, if you can't handle it…" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Taunting me is not going to work." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Huh. That was a first. He had noticed Ichigo maturing recently; actually thinking before opening his trap and more thoughtful to those around him. 'Calling him an idiot won't be valid if he keeps that shit up,' the tensai chuckled to himself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"'As if that'll stop you,'/span span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Hyorinmaru teased him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"It really wouldn't. But whatever. At least they were staying in Soul Society tonight. The futon at his and Rukia's house had substantially more space than Ichigo's bed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Get , Midget!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Just resign yourself to my whims!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Hell, no!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""For fuck's sake, Ichigo," Toushiro finally sighed. "Just give her a damn piggy back ride."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Aw, you too, Toushiro?" the orange head sighed while the woman beamed triumphantly. "Ugh, fine, then."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The rest of the walk was nice and quiet. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Whoa, this is where you guys live?" Ichigo asked upon arriving at their destination. "We have to spend more nights here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I kept telling you so," Rukia scolded him. "But you just had excuse after dumbass excuse…" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Just tell me you guys don't have a bunch of staff like Byakuya. That shit is so weird."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ha! As if Toushiro would let anyone do anything for him!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""On that level, no," the tensai spoke as they entered. "But a housekeeper does come through a couple times a week." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""That's understandable," the hazel-eyed male said, putting Rukia down. "But I don't know how anyone can stand the waiting on you hand and foot thing." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""And that's why we keep you," the woman told him, taking him by the hand. "Come see the bedroom." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Gee, I wonder what's on your mind."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You mean the thing that's on your mind every hour of the day?" Toushiro poked, but the taller man was unaffected. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""That's the thing," he grinned only. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Cerulean eyes rolled, but he continued to follow his lovers to the room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Damn! We definitely have to spend more nights here," Ichigo reiterated, plopping his ass down on the futon. "I almost feel bad making you sleep at my house." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Almost?" Rukia asked, straddling his lap. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Being all lumped together isn't that bad, is it?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I suppose not. Hey Toushiro, you coming over too, or you gonna stand there and gawk?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I can't do both?" he asked, coming over but sitting about a foot from the two. He didn't want to stop them, but didn't really have the energy to keep up with them, either. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You being lazy tonight, Shiro?" Ichigo asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro shrugged, easing back on his palms. Ichigo started whispering in Rukia's ear, and a bright smile formed on her face. "Yes, definitely," she agreed, and the two began delving into each other's mouths. Delicious to watch, and… Ichigo slowly urged Rukia to her back- placing them right below where the tensai sat, who's attention had assuredly been captured. /span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Rukia started clawing at Ichigo's yukata, and he helped her remove the garment before spreading her own wide open. He latched onto her pale skin, working his way down her neck and collarbone, the woman moaning contently at the touches. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Hazel eyes lifted to the shorter male, not in challenge but in warmth, welcome, and Toushiro was sure he felt himself melt into a puddle there and then. So that's how it was going to be. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"His own gaze remained trained on his lovers reveling in each other, unable to look away. "Ichi… can't wait…" Rukia breathed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"He reached down her lithe form. "Wow, you aren't kidding," he grinned, raising his hand again to lick his fingers. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro let out a soft moan before he could stop himself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, I think someone wants to play with us now, Rukia."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""He can get a turn later."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""As you wish," Ichigo replied, repositioning himself and pushing inside the now-moaning woman. But instead of hovering close to her as he usually did, he pushed himself up on his knees with Rukia's long legs tight around his waist. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Coherent thought? What the fuck was that? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Then he started moving, hands gripping the woman's hips, moving so purposefully Toushiro couldn't not touch himself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"All three wanted an orgasm and wanted it , no further sarcasm or commentary, only their own unabashed cries. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro spilled over first, Rukia crying out her finish almost immediately after. A few more thrusts, and Ichigo's low groan wasn't far behind. "Fuck," the orange head cussed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Indeed," Rukia smiled, tilting her head to look up at their third. "Agreed?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Very, very much so. Although," he added with a look at his hand. "I can now think of a very good reason why we're usually at Ichigo's house."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh? Ohhh," the other male realized. "No hot water."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""There's hot water," Rukia spoke, teasing in her tone. "You just have to work for it a little."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo groaned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Cold water is fine, you baby," she continued to chide him. "Think of how nice it'll be to warm up together."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Not gonna lie, that does sound pretty awesome."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro, for once, was inclined to agree. /span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro had known the amount of paperwork involved with captaincy would be large and largely mind-numbing, but this was bordering on ridiculous. There were so many forms that really didn't need to come up so high to be cleared. 'Maybe I should get Haruhi to forge my signature,' he chuckled to himself, then realized, 'Assuming she hasn't been already.'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Hey, Toushiro!" Rukia's merry chime came, entering the tensai's office with a smile. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""It's not time to leave yet," aforementioned tensai spoke from behind the desk. "Hell, it's not even lunch yet. Why are you so early?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, ye of little imagination," she countered, continuing to walk over until she sat beside him- only on the desk. "Renji and I were assigned to investigate something in the Living World. Wanna come?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I mean no offense, but why were you two sent to investigate?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I noticed some odd spiritual energy while I was there this morning," she replied plainly. "Since I noticed it, Ukitake-taichou's sending me back to look." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Why were you there this morning?" Toushiro dared, betting he knew the answer. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Because I was giving Ichigo the best wake-up call of his life," the woman returned proudly. "What? Things have been slow in my division; I was keeping myself entertained and you were already here." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Teal eyes rolled. "What sort of presence was it?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""If I knew that, I wouldn't need to investigate it," Rukia sighed dryly. "But it definitely wasn't shinigami, hollow, or arrancar." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What about substitute shinigami?" the taichou asked cheekily. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"She snorted. "No, I don't think this goes back to Ichigo. Are you coming or not?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Can you give me five minutes to finish this report? I'm nearly done; I'd hate to leave it." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, fine. But five minutes, no more, Toushiro, okay?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yes, yes. I'll find you when I'm done." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I'm not above leaving without you." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Very aware, thank you," he drawled in return, and Rukia left after giving him a peck. Some new spiritual energy, huh? Hopefully, it wouldn't be too much trouble. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Once in the Living World, Toushiro asked Rukia if she felt the presence again. "No, not right now," she replied. "But we should check in with Urahara too- I know you don't want to," she smirked at the tensai's ill look. "But someone there probably noticed something, too."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah, yeah," Toushiro sighed. "Abarai, you go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The redhead quirked an eyebrow. "Me? Wouldn't it make more sense for you-?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""For the sake of my sanity-" Toushiro tried to rebuttal. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Hey, it's Ichigo!" Rukai smiled. "Let's go screw with him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Just for a minute. Abarai, go on; we'll be along in a moment."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Aw, Renji can come too!" Rukia protested. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I can listen to these two bicker or I can go to Urahara's- my blood pressure cannot take both," the taichou deadpanned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Fair point," she laughed. "Sorry, Renji."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah, yeah," the fukutaichou sighed. "I'll be at Urahara's whenever you're done flirting."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro's first instinct was to remind Renji of who was in charge, but this whole situation was kind of the definition of 'unprofessional,' and just followed the woman to the pavement./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Rukia! Toushiro!" Ichigo greeted them with a smile. "What brings you by so early? Wanna play hooky with me?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Idiot. "Believe it or not, we do have jobs," the tensai reminded him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Well yeah, but I thought yours was behind a desk." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""All right, children," Rukia intervened before they could banter further. "Ichigo, when I was here earlier, I noticed an odd spirit pressure, and figured Toushiro was the best person to help me investigate it. Satisfied?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Not nearly as much as I was this morning." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The woman snorted. "You are such a teenager sometimes. Quit making me feel like a cradle robber." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I'd be happy to- let's go back to my house," came the cheeky offer. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Shit, was he horny today. "Don't you have classes?" Toushiro ventured. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I'm on my way in; was just putting out some replacement flowers for this kid's memorial." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"A small bouquet next to a telephone pole. Nice. "You met the kid?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah. He said he just wanted to see his parents one last time before crossing over." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The taichou gave a nod. "All right; we'll keep an eye out. Get your ass to school." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I can think of some much better plans for my ass, Toushiro." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Fucking hell, will you turn it off already?!" the shorter male finally spoke in exasperation. "The only thing getting fucked right now is my blood pressure." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…You're no fun." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""This should not be news." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Rukia was laughing. "All right, all right; we have an investigation, you have class, but maybe we can all meet up tonight, okay?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Here's hoping," the teen replied. "Good luck." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Thanks; you too," she replied, and they parted ways. Toushiro wasn't about to admit it, but a very large part of him was very much hoping for that as well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Hitsugaya-taichou! Kuchiki-san!" Urahara greeted them merrily. "Renji-san said you'd be joining us! I do hope you're here to stay for a bit."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Do your own paperwork, Urahara."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Aw, Hitsugaya-taichou is angry today!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I'm angry every day. Did Abarai mention why we were coming over?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Unusual presence, yes? I was just going to serve some tea and we were going to discuss it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Tessai's tea?" the tensai asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Of course! Join us, won't you?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""… For a bit," Toushiro consented, coming into the dining room with Rukia. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Wonderful!" Urahara smiled. "My, my, does this bring back memories."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Sorry, but we don't have time for a stroll."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Don't we, though?" the storeowner asked as they sat. "I mean, all there really is to do is wait for the presence to show itself again, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ugh, so you have no information to boot. Wonderful." He paused. "Where's Jinta?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, don't worry. He and Ururu are on an errand that will likely take them most of the day." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro relaxed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Now, tea?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"All three visiting shinigami did stay a good portion of the day. Gratefully, Urahara stayed away from talking about anything truly embarrassing, but he could have done without the storeowner's rendition of Byakuya's first visit to the Living World. So exaggerated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Somewhat gratefully, Jinta and Ururu came back from their errand early. "Ah!" the blond man laughed. "Perhaps now Hitsugaya-taichou can be free of my insidious company."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Jinta scoffed. "I ain't gonna even spar someone who can't fight their full strength. Sparring you with that limiter on is just pathetic."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You can't mean last time, when I beat you to a pulp," the taichou deadpanned dryly. He didn't like the limiters either, but had to (reluctantly) admit, they were necessary. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You did not!" Jinta sneered. "You beat me, but it was barely, and-" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"An ominous feeling settled over them. "Rukia, is that-?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah," she replied in the same dismal tone. "Coming from Ichigo's school." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""That can't be an accident." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""No, but wait. Can you feel that? Another presence is out there." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ichigo's house," Toushiro sighed. "Of course. Abarai and I will go to the school- you find out what's going on there." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""All right. Be careful." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You too; we still know nothing about this." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I have a feeling that's about to change." She gave him a quick kiss and was gone, Toushiro himself immediately making for the school with the redhead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"As he approached, saw Ichigo and his friends gathered despite the hour- and were fighting three figures all in black, with masks covering their faces. He got in earshot just in time to hear a line of taunting that was just childish coming from one of them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""… you guys really suck! Haven't you had enough, or do you want more?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Soten ni zase, Hyorinmaru!" the tensai growled, releasing the dragon on the largest of the figures. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Unfortunately, he dodged. Toushiro landed on a roof next to Ichigo. "Hey, Toushiro!" the orange head greeted him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You're getting in trouble again." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, some shinigami!" the same taunting tone came. "I guess I should be scared!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro ignored him. "Ichigo, you might not have noticed while you were fighting, but there was another presence along with this one that Rukia went to investigate- at your house."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yuzu and Karin," he breathed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""We'll handle these jackasses, you go join her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Thanks!" the other replied gratefully, already shunpo'ing off. It would make more sense for him to go. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Where do you think you're going?!" the largest figure spoke again, trying to follow, but Toushiro released his sword again. The figure dodged but crashed into another in their group. It would've been funny if- /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What are you doing?!" that voice yelled again, and Toushiro looked to see one of their group had lost their mask. "Hurry and put your mask on!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Then something really unexpected happened. The wind picked up to almost tornado-like currents, and it was as if the clouds were darkening. But those were clouds in the sky. It was the Gates of Hell. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"They opened, and chains appeared around the one without a mask, who was also now screaming. The chains seemed to pull him to the gates, where a large blade had been pushed through. The screaming man was pulled right onto it as he'd seen it happen in the past, and the gate closed, having regained their captive. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What in the world just happened up there?" Ishida asked in awe. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Someone never seen the Gates of Hell before?" Toushiro asked dryly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The one that had been taunting was apparently no longer having it. "Let's get going!" the voice was heard saying now, and they tried to follow, but disappeared into dimensions all their own. Dammit. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Toushiro-san," Orihime spoke. "You said those… those doors…" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Gates of Hell. It's not an exaggeration; I'd say we probably have an escape plan on our hands. But first, we need to meet back up with Rukia and Ichigo." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Chad somehow got in the lead. As they drew closer, there were two others dressed the same as their opponents- and one of them had Yuzu. Ichigo was facing him… Rukia… with Karin on a roof. Which did seem safe- until it was attacked, probably to distract Ichigo. Chad got between them and the flame. 'Shit, I hope he's okay,' Toushiro kept to himself as the man fell and the rest of them caught up. There was another man still here. Not cloaked, exactly, but more importantly, no mask. But where had he come from?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"It looked like the opponents had disappeared, but one was doing voice-overs. "Ichigo Kurosaki, we are Sinners trapped in Hell. If you want your sister returned to you unharmed, we require your assistance."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You bastards!" Ichigo shot right back. "Where are you?! Show yourself!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""We have but one wish," the voice told him. "To be released from Hell. Unfortunately for us, to do that, we need your help."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Forget it!" the teen yelled back, jumping forward to attack some small swipes of flame. Nothing else appeared. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Destroy the Gates of Hell, Ichigo Kurosaki," the voice said. "Do that for us and we'll return your sister."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo was apparently done yelling at the sky, instead charging the new man. "Hey you, you know those guys, don't you?!" he demanded. "Who are they?! Where did they take my sister?!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The man, expression not alarmed, held up his gloved hands. "Whoa, easy there, pal. One question at a time, do you mind?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Just answer me!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"As per usual, Rukia got her bearings first, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ichigo. Calm down a moment," she spoke serenely. "We have to get everyone healed fist. That'd be a good time to get information, and we can decide what to do next."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Lips still pursed, Ichigo gave a reluctant nod. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"They ended up bringing Chad to Orihime's house. She immediately started healing him. Karin was knocked out, but not hurt. Toushiro took the opportunity to approach the man whose name he didn't know. "That's a chain from Hell, isn't it?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The guy had the audacity to grin. "That's right. My name is Kokuto. As you can see, I am a Sinner."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "So, you're like the guys with the black hoods?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""That's right," was the almost cheery reply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Why is a Sinner helping us?" Rukia asked first. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, you have it wrong," came the easy-going reply. "I wasn't helping you- I just don't like those guys."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro didn't doubt it, but there had to be more to it than that./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I don't give a damn about all this," Ichigo growled, right on cue. "If you're a Sinner, you know how to get to Hell. So take me there! If you don't, Yuzu will…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Be killed, probably," Kokuto said in alarming calm. "The atmosphere in Hell is poison to ordinary people. If you don't rescue her quickly-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""It's fucking Hell, of course it's not sunshine and rainbows," the tensai irritably interrupted. Ichigo didn't need specifics dancing around in his already-rattled psyche. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Kokuto arched an eyebrow at him, then continued to Ichigo, "If you're ready, I'd be willing to take you there. But only because I want to kick those guys' asses, and you'll be a worthwhile asset."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo, to his credit, seemed as set-off by the words as the tensai was. "What's your problem with them?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I told you. I don't like them. People I don't like are my enemies. That's how it goes in Hell."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…The fact that you were sent to Hell means you did something to deserve it, right?" Good boy. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What I did was certainly deserving of my punishment. But there are times when a person has to sell their heart to darkness for the things they cherish."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo seemed to understand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Shit. There was no way he understood and no time to explain. Rukia gave his wrist a squeeze. Was she up to something?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Now then," Kokuto smiled. "Shall we be on our way?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Wait, Ichigo," Rukia spoke up. "Are you really going to trust this guy? We know nothing about him or his motivations."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Fury was again blatant on the teenager. Shit. "It doesn't matter! I'm going to rescue Yuzu, and to do that, I need this guy's help!" Unfortunately, that was true. Going through official channels would take much too long./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You going there is exactly what those guys want!" the woman continued to protest. She didn't like this either. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…I know," Ichigo submitted soberly. "But I have to go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Rukia recoiled only minimally, straightening again in the next second. "Then we'll go with you. That's non-negotiable." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Finally, Ichigo smiled. "I know."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Then get yourselves ready," Kokuto spoke, still in that irritating cheer. "I'm going to open the Gates of Hell." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Fuck, this guy was a drama queen. He could give Urahara a run for his money, and that was saying something. Opening the Gates was exactly the same as going to any other realm, a blade of the area cutting through the air. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hell. What you see before you is the entrance."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Seriously, did this guy ever shut the fuck up? He was more unnerving than their new surroundings… But if the taichou was being honest, it was pretty close. The sky was completely white, and all that was before them were rectangular structures of the same color, no windows. A long blue path lay in the middle of it, where they landed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""It's a lot different than I imagined it," Renji spoke. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Understatement, but the air was spot-on. So thick it was nearly unbreathable. Someone with weak reiatsu would not last long here. Someone like Yuzu. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Their hideout is much deeper in," Kokuto spoke, actually offering something worth listening to. "If we want to surprise them, we better run."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"So they ran along the blue path. And as they ran, they began noticing frightened figures peeking out and around the stagnant structures. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Who are they?" Renji asked first, even as they kept going. "Are the humans?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""They're Sinners as well, but they've been here a long time. They've given up fighting."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Fighting? That's an option for them?" That really was cruel, but considering where they were… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, yes," Kokuto informed them. "You wouldn't think Sinners in Hell would possess the ability to fight, would you? You wanna know why? It's simple, really. Almost diabolical. It's so they can realize how powerless they are. They try to fight against the guards of Hell, but no matter how hard they train, they're no match for them. With their hopes crushed, they experience endless suffering. They become mentally crippled. Despite all of that, some of us continue to resist. The depth of our hatred is the source of our power."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"This guy was getting intense. Like, terrifyingly so. Like he thought despite his crimes, the crimes of all those here, none of them, himself especially, seemed to belong here. 'But, I suppose an afterlife of torture would eventually leave you a bit unhinged.'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Here in Hell, it's proof we exist!" their guide was continuing to rant. "It's the only thing that holds out personalities together! Oh," he added, a stomping noise gradually growing louder, "It looks like the powers that be have noticed you're here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The stomping had been steadily growing louder as he spoke, a monstrous creature making itself known, a muscles skeleton rising to the side of the path they were using. "What is ?" Ichigo yelled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""A Kushinada," Kokuto answered. "One of the guards of Hell."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"" a Kushinada?" Rukia gasped, glancing at Toushiro. He couldn't believe it either. It was said they were monsters… for once, the gossip wasn't exaggerated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Kushinadas come after us Sinners," their chatty guide told them. "They chase us down, stomp on us, and devour us- just for us to be reborn to do it all over again, until our spirits are completely broken." He then added something Toushiro hadn't considered- and felt like a fool for it. "Be warned- it's the same for you as well. If you're killed here, you'll be bound in chains and never allowed to leave."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"As if to punctuate the new threat, a large shadow loomed over them that, gratefully, all of them were able to dodge, jumping to the nearby structures while continuing to run. But upon getting back to their path, another Kushinada rose in front of them, right through the path, even. They cleared it the same way. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"But more were gathering. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""How many more of them are there?" Rukia yelled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Doesn't matter- we have to break through!" Ichigo replied. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"He wasn't wrong, but each one of them released their weapons, while still running, and none of them even dented it. So the idiot in the lead di what came naturally- he went bankai. His attack went through, but when he called it, his tone was distorted and his reiatsu taking on a jarring edge none of them were prepared for. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Are you crazy?!" Rukia yelled, running up to him after the Kushinada was destroyed. "You could at least give some warning if you're going to hollowify!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What were you thinking?!" Renji helpfully chimed in. "That blast nearly whipped us out as well!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Really?" Ichigo asked, looking a little hazy. "I'm sorry."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ichigo," Toushiro spoke in as calm a tone as he could manage. "What happened?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I didn't actually do anything," he replied. "The mask appeared on its own."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Are you sure?" Rukia asked, now sounding concerned over angry. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Was that a Hollow power?" Kokuto asked before he could answer her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yes, it was."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I see. The atmosphere here must've brought it out. The air in this place summons a person's hidden instincts. If you let your guard down, your powers will consume you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro couldn't help it. He smirked, a soft snort leaving him. The group looked at him, mostly in confusion, before he explained, saying to his male lover, "Just another day for Ichigo Kurosaki."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"At that, the teen himself laughed, and the mood lightened to its previous tensions. "All right," the hazel-eyed man spoke then. "Let's go get Yuzu."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"They continued to run. For how long was anyone's guess, but eventually, the blue path looked like it was about to drop off. "Hey! How're we supposed to get across?" Ichigo yelled to Kokuto. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"It seemed like he went ignored before Kokuto yelled out himself, "Everyone get ready to jump!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Their annoying guide at the lead, the group jumped down into the darkness below- which lightened into a clear blue sky, a cluster of islands below them now. They landed on the biggest one, a mostly barren space. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Kokuto was suddenly quiet. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Where are we now?" Rukia asked, probably trying to prompt him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Maybe it's a graveyard for the Kushinadas," Renji spoke, noting some large skeletons that could belong to the giant guards. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"As usual, Ichigo didn't care about such insignificant things like where he was. "Where's Yuzu?!" he demanded. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""She's not here," a voice above them boomed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Hand over my sister right now!" Ichigo was eternally screaming at the void. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Easy darling, we'll give you what you want!" another voice sounded, and three bodies crashed to the ground around them. The three cloaked fighters from earlier, that had taken Yuzu. "We can accommodate you! You scratch our backs, and we'll scratch yours!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You must be crazy!" Renji felt the need to state. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"No one felt the need to respond to the comment. One of the larger figures tossed their cloak aside to announce, "We can discuss this better without all these uncomfortable clothes! Ta-da! My name is Taicone, and it's very nice to meet you!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"'The pleasure is all yours,' Toushiro thought. This guy's personality was shit, and no one should wear a thong. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The tall, lean one discarded his cloak as well. Those 'snakes' were his arms. "I go by the name of Gunjo."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Number Three was short and bulky, but full of muscle. "I'm Garugai," he spoke. "Welcome to Hell." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The tensai wasn't sure Ichigo heard them, as he was already in shikai and charging Taicone while yelling, "Give me back my sister!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Taicone, who was really reminiscent of a clown in a low-budget movie, easily jumped from the blast. Snake Arms nearly got to Ichigo but Rukia blocked, and Toushiro did all he could not to kill him on the spot. That was dumb, even for Ichigo./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The idiot's rash decision had created a cloud of dust and dirt which Muscles jumped out of and made to crush the substitute Shinigami, but Ichigo (gratefully) still had the presence of mind to jump back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Snake Arms came running after him then, and Toushiro, being closest, saw Ichigo would have time to dodge again, and blocked with a swing of his own blade, and a flash of ice knocked the opponent back. Rukia made a loop around to target with a kido, but sadly, they saw her and jumped from it. At the same time, Clown tried to come up behind himself and Ichigo. Rukia let loose another kido- but a giant pair of lips appeared on his side, actually swallowing the attack. Ugh, one of /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Thank you for the meal!" Clown giggled. Be it fortunate or not, there was no time for snide comments- Clown made a motion of blowing a kiss, which launched an attack at them that mimicked the kido. Toushiro bet any money Rukia had inadvertently fueled the attack. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"It also forced them to jump up on the ledge of the space to avoid the ensuing crash. "Be careful," Kokuto spoke, much too late. "Their powers are much stronger here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ugh, of course they are," Renji drawled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Clown was so fucking annoying in more ways than one. It was looking like he could fire those attacks out of any part of his body, and seemed to be trying to bring down the wall surrounding the island- while Muscles was hurling pieces of it at them. All they could do for the moment was to keep moving, and Toushiro hated it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The falling wall made way for a giant wave heading right for them- Rukia was right on freezing it. They needed to pair off with opponents. Fighting group on group would be a migraine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Okay. A loud, distorted 'Getsuga Tensho' alerted the tensai that Ichigo was still fighting Snake Arms. The corner of his vision saw Rukia dodging an attack from Muscles, and that left- /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro was forced to the top of the ledge again while Clown was loosening attacks again, as was the rest of them. "Ichigo," Kokuto spoke. "Your sister's still pretty far down the road." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"What? This wasn't the goal?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""How far?" Ichigo asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Dammit. "Ichigo, just get going already," Toushiro told him. He could throw Kokuto further than he trusted him, but Yuzu needed help. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah," Renji agreed. "If you stay here, you'll just be in our way." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What the hell does that mean?!" the idiot bit back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Rukia took his hand, pulling him back before he lost focus. "It's better to let Renji and Toushiro handle this. Come on, let's go." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""All right," he agreed, then grinned to the tensai, "See you later, Shiro-chan!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""As soon as these guys are down, you're next!" Toushiro seethed, and jumped back down into the fray with Abarai. Muscles was running up on the redhead while his attention was on Snake Arms. Toushiro swung his sword up as he jumped down, releasing Hyorimmaru's ice form down on Muscles- successfully pushing him down into the ground. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Far into the ground. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Through the ground. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Through… the water? It looked like the water lead down into another open space. Following his accidentally made frozen tunned, he jumped down again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"This place was more like the common view of Hell. A dark, arid place, air twice as thick has it had been above him. Pools of something yellow that the tensai was sure was not for swimming. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Oh. Muscles was still kicking. Charging at himself, actually. Toushiro sent another likeness of his partner that grazed the jackass. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""No good," Muscles had the audacity to gloat. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The taichou jumped up to do it again, but also take the opportunity to look around. Rukia and Abarai were a few yards off with their own opponents. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"This hit landed, sending Muscles into one of the yellow pools. He came out at almost a crawl, clearly injured. Okay. 'Lets see if I can do that again.'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"But as he raised his sword, Muscles detached his fist- and it was coming right at him, twice the speed. He barely got his wings up in time. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""No fair," his opponent grumbled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"On the bright side, having to move so quickly made it ridiculously easy to make and get behind an ice clone of himself. And when Muscles came charging for it again… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The fist crashed through, and Toushiro twisted around with enough force and ice that it cut right through his opponent. From what Kokuto said, not gone for good, but gone from now, at least. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Still yards away, he saw Abarai defeat his own opponent, and it was a joy to see Rukia stuff Clown with so much 'food' that he exploded. Both men ran up to her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Rukia!" the redhead yelled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Don't worry, I'm all right," she replied, gradually getting to her feet. This atmosphere was getting to all of them. Toushiro wanted to so much to ask her if she was sure, but knew he'd only get hit for asking. "Toushiro, didn't that seem a bit too easy?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""They're distractions that can evidently come back to life. I don't think they were supposed to be difficult. Come on, let's catch up with Ichigo."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""If we can find him," the fukutaichou sighed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""That way," the tensai pointed. "How do you miss that reiatsu, even here?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Seriously Renji, you're slacking," the woman added. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Perhaps the rigors of rank are getting to you," the taichou remarked off-handedly as they began to move. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You don't mean that, do you, Taichou?" tone panicked as he kept up. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"He would've like to keep it going a little longer, but Rukia cracked and started to laugh. "You're so mean, Toushiro."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Mean and This thick air was ridiculous, and even if the fight had been easy, it felt like he'd just sparred Ichigo and Rukia all day. He was sure it was the same for his companions./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The horrifying sight they came to didn't help. It didn't seem like anything different at first, a wide, hilly desert, but as they ran across it, the tensai sensed something that made him stop dead in his tracks. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Reiatsu. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Kokuto had said the souls here were crushed over and over. Was this what remained… at the end? He jumped a little at a touch on his arm. Rukia, with a sympathetic look. "I know," she spoke lowly. "I know, but we have to get going." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro managed a nod, and they ran to catch up with Ichigo. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"It was something of a relief when a certain… structure came into view. It had another of the giant skeletons, a pool of the yellow fluid beneath it, and above it was Yuzu, in a cage. Unconscious, it looked like, and as they got closer… Wait. Had Kokuto just stabbed Ichigo? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Before he could even grumble that he called it, Rukia's speed intensified to her famous shunpo, making a straight line for the asshole. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"But, as said, they were all exhausted, on their last legs… Toushiro was ashamed to admit the asshole downed them all with a single blow each. Ichigo, so livid his reiatsu was nearly tangible, tried to attack himself, even with a stab wound in his chest, but with that wound, and even he had to be getting weary by now… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"But he kept attacking. Blindly. In fury. That wasn't going to help. Kokuto kept taunting him, telling Ichigo to break the chains that bound him to Hell, which the teen's fury was doing too well. But apparently, it still wasn't enough. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Through hazy vision, Toushiro saw Kokuto with Yuzu's still conscious form, yelling what was probably asinine garbage. Shit, had she started to die? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Reiatsu, dark and furious, swirled from Ichigo, enveloping the space. No. Toushiro tried willing his body to move, but only managed inches for his strenuous effort. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Kokuto dropped Yuzu. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo flew to catch her before she hit the pool. Good, now maybe- /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"No. He was already too far gone. Even with his sister back in his care, his reiatsu continued to burn, and… no. A black hole through him, skin white, and… long, curved horns. Those horns were already forming a Cero, even as he continued to scream in agony. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"No. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The attack flew forward at Kokuto, who jumped from it, laughing. Chains fell from him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"No. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Another attack. More chains fell. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"No. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro screamed at his body to move, to do to end this madness, something, something- /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Suddenly, Rukia was on her feet, running at Ichigo full speed. She shunpo'd, swung her sword and cut a horn in half, abruptly ending his third Cero. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"As Ichigo fell and the transformation began to dissipate, Rukia held out a flattened palm to him, gasping as lines on her arms began to glow. "Go home, Idiot," she spoke, tone cracking, and the teen's body began to rise- still tightly gripping his sister's frail form. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""No!" Kokuto screamed, only able to watch him go. "NOOOOOOO!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Rukia collapsed again beside him, tears streaming her cheeks. "I'm… Toushiro, I'm-" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""No, don't. You and I signed up to be soldiers. Ichigo… if he can still have a life, he should." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Her expression calmed. Minimally, but it did calm. "Thank you." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"By then, Kokuto had turned his furious gaze to them. "He'll come back for you, won't he?" the idiot snarled. "I'll have to be sure to keep you close by." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro struggled to bite back with at least some sarcastic commentary, but the both of them were too drained, the air too thick, for him to even stay conscious much longer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"He prayed Ichigo wasn't stupid enough to come back, stayed in the Living World to take care of his family, move on and have a life. Somehow though, even as unconsciousness took him, he knew that would be far too much to ask. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro wasn't expecting to see consciousness again, at least, not as he'd seen it before, but found himself being roused by a very familiar sound- his lovers bickering. Wherever he was laying was assuredly not any sleeping space he was familiar with, but he took comfort in the sound. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Daring to open his eyes, he found himself still as he was, or had been before he'd lost consciousness. That was unexpected. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Then Ichigo yelled. Loudly. A good sound, not a worrying one, but fucking-hell-you-jackass. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You did it," Rukia spoke lightly now, humor in her tone. "But you're not done yet. We need to find Toushiro and Renji." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…Do we have to find Renji?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ichigo!" the woman scolded as a smile broke out on the tensai's face. He still hadn't moved. The thought of moving hurt, let alone trying it. The smile hurt, but still felt pretty good. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Fine, fine," the teen sighed. "When the fight started, I cut their chains to release them, so… They be around here somewhere."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Way to inspire hope, Idiot. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""We're right here!" Renji suddenly yelled, and Toushiro grimaced, forcing himself to sit up. "Ugh, I'm so sore," the redhead grumbled, getting to his feet. Toushiro elected to sit, rubbing his eyes and attempting to will away the ache in his joints. There was a touch in his shoulder, and Rukia was there with a soft smile and warm hug he lingered in. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You were both rotting away," Rukia informed them. "What do you expect?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What are you talking about?!" Toushiro was sure he didn't want to know. "What happened to Kokuto?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""He's gone," Ichigo spoke in a melancholy tone. "He was dragged down into the depths of Hell."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Good riddance. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Well, I guess that means you did- Hey! What is up with that outfit?!" Renji was still yelling. Could Renji stop yelling? Like, was it physically possible for him?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Fortunate or not, Toushiro's groggy brain was still curious. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Ichigo clad in some kind of shiny bone armor. Well. Looked like that guy was racking up points in all the realms. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, yeah," the teen was saying. "I think it's from them," he spoke with a nod to the Kushinadas. I think they helped me. Does it look weird?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Understatement," Toushiro spoke, finally standing, but he still didn't like it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah, it goes beyond that," the fukutaichou was saying. "You're like, the champion of the weird. Is it permanent?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I'm not sure. I'll try to get rid of it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Ichigo, wait!" Rukia tried. "If you change back, then they might-" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"But it was too late. Ichigo had managed to rid himself of the armor, but now the Kushinada were looming over them. They no longer recognized Ichigo as the person who'd helped them. Fuck. "Time to go," the tensai spoke. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Good thing we know the way out, right?" Ichigo laughed, the group running with them/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""As soon as we get out of here, you're dead!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The idiot had the audacity to laugh even harder. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Can I ask what those papers are?" Yuzu suddenly asked a couple days later./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro peered over them to look at her, currently painting hot pink polish over his (his gigai's) toenails. "Oh," he realized. "It's probably awkward since you can't see them." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I can sorta see them. They're like blotchy spots," the girl shrugged. "I'm not really looking up at you, though; I was just curious." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""It's just Rukia's report from…" he stopped dead, realizing Yuzu, although recovering well, probably didn't want to be reminded of the incident. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"She didn't appear bothered, at least. "You mean those guys a few days ago? Why would you need to read her report? You were both there, weren't you?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""She regained consciousness before I did, so she saw more than I did." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh. Then why not just ask her?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Because I don't enjoy being yelled at."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Yuzu laughed. "Rukia-chan's still coming over later tonight, right?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Of course. We've been looking forward to…" He unintentionally trailed off, reading a new sheet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Are you okay, Shiro-kun?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Huh? Fine, sorry. Next in line is a transfer request I actually didn't see coming." He hated when that happened. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Someone wants to be in your division?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""The opposite. Apparently, Yamada Hiroshi feels his skills better suited to Third Division." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Each one has its own specialty?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yes, and as Hiroshi is uninterested in information-gathering, good riddance," the taichou replied, signing off on the request. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Yuzu giggled as her brother came home from work and made an immediate bee line for the two in the living room. "Well, well, what have we here?" he asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Your little sister is showing more interest in my job than you ever have." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What?! Yuzu, quit making me look bad!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You make yourself look bad." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""He's right, Ichigo," the girl laughed again, standing and dusting herself off. "I'm done torturing you for now, Toushiro-kun, but I'd wait a bit before walking around. I'm going to go start dinner." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Great!" Ichigo spoke. "I can't wait."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The tensai wasn't exactly paying attention to the newcomer, focused on the remainder of his work, so he didn't even look over when the other male sat down. But when Ichigo wanted attention, he got it, and in this case, scooped his lover up to pull him close. Toushiro started to resist, then realized his captor was going out if his way to avoid ruffling the papers and was only trying to pull his own body closer. The tensai relaxed and let Ichigo do what he liked- which was apparently to just sit there and watch TV. Toushiro wouldn't be distracted by it, so that was fine, too. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Once the work was finished and organized, he piled it off to the side and out of the way to lay completely against the taller body. "What the hell are you watching?" he asked of the… game show?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""I don't even know," Ichigo laughed without humor. "Did Rukia say when she was coming over?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""She should be here any time now. You gonna live that long?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"He snorted. "I'll manage."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro didn't know what he was complaining about. They spent all the time they could at the house, especially the first forty-eight hours after returning from Hell. It did seem like the experience had snapped the teen a little, and they wanted to keep an eye on him. Ichigo was the fucking king of 'don't worry, I'm fine.' /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"He wasn't sure when he nodded off, didn't even realize he'd nodded off until he was being nudged awake. He opened his eyes to Rukia's own, the woman smiling as she roused him. "Hey, don't wanna miss dinner, do you?" she asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""At least let me up so I don't miss dinner," Ichigo voiced, and with a grumpy groan, Toushiro sat up. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""You don't wanna sleep too long anyway," the woman reminded him. "You have to be up early tomorrow. I know you want to be in bed early, but not this early."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah, yeah," he replied, then sniffed the air. "What'd she make?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Yuzu's cooking was always wonderful, and after dinner, the trio headed up to Ichigo's room. But upon entering the space, Toushiro winced, hearing Rukia call out a binding kido. However, instead of feeling himself bound, he heard Ichigo cuss. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Oh, okay. That was fine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""What the hell, Midget?!" the orange head protested. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Aw, Ichigo, how do you know she's not just going to have some fun with you?" the taichou asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""…The look on her face."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Rukia's back was to him, but her tone spoke clearly. "I cannot believe you're making me lecture you yet again!" she snarled. "Acting so mopey and whiny- What the hell is the matter with you?! All I can think is that it goes back to our little trip to Hell, but we survived that and everything's fine. So please, tell me Ichigo, what the fuck is up your ass now?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The taller man's face was scrunched up in concentration, clearly trying to break the binding and get out of the questioning. Just to be safe, Toushiro wordlessly put a barrier around the room- though he didn't care for the means, he wanted to know what was going on with the idiot, too. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""For fuck's sake, Ichigo, just answer me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The bindings were starting to fray, but his body relaxed. "You're just going to yell at me more, so why would I tell you?" came the challenge. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ballsy, Ichigo. "May I?" Toushiro asked her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Be my guest," Rukia sighed, taking a seat on the mattress. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"The tensai sat on the floor, cross-legged in front of the younger male. "You know I won't yell at you," he stated only. Rukia's heart was in the right place, but if Ichigo didn't rise to her challenge, another method was needed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Hazel eyes glanced the woman again- she held up her hands in surrender. "It's just the same old shit; knowing what could have happened, and the shit that happened in Hell went way too damn far."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""It did," Toushiro agreed. "But that's why we train. And you know that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Yeah. It just… seems to be how I get through shit. Sorry I worried you guys."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""As you should be," Rukia stated, standing again, but this time with a… familiar grin. "And I know the perfect way for you to make up for it." Surprisingly, she released the binding. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""And… that is?" Ichigo asked, clearly confused by the action as well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Oh, we're mauling you. I just didn't want to have to deal with getting through all those bandages, and I'm thinking you'll be a good boy now, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Ichigo nodded, already flushed, gaze not leaving Rukia's own. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Toushiro had a small smile himself, sitting back on his hands. They'd been though Hell and back, literally, but there were corners of the world that were just as dark, if not more so. But even with that, he couldn't help but feel that the three of them would be okay. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""Hey, Toushiro, are you getting up here too or what?" Rukia asked, breaking his thoughts./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;""As if I'd let you have all the fun," he retorted, and climbed up to join his lovers. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Yeah. As long as the trust they had in each other remained, they'd be just fine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"A/N: AND THAT'S HOW BLEACH ENDED./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Thank you for joining me on this ride. It was so much fun to write this story, even if it did take literally over a century to finish it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"I haven't been posting anything new, really, to FFnet, and now that this monster is complete, I doubt this site will see anymore of me. My new and original works are on Archive of Our Own, username Moonswing. It's a much better place to post, in so many ways, and I hope to see you there. I will be posting this fic there as well once I finish editing the first chapters to my current standards, hopefully within a few days. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"Thank you again!/span/p
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