Sorry for the delay. I took a small break after the last chapter and a lot of what I did end up writing in this chapter I didn't like so scrapped and rewrote chunks of it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or Devil May Cry
Lady And The Tramp
"You sure you're okay to be up?"
"I'm not some weak child y'know." Rukia, wearing a plain white bed gown, rebuffed Ichigo's concerns. While her body still hadn't fully healed from Aizen's attack weeks earlier, she was on the mend and soon to be fit for action once more. "Besides, thanks to Orihime's help my recovery times been cut in half."
Blushing at the praise, Orihime averted her eyes timidly, "It was nothing, really."
"Don't sell yourself short. I heard you saved the lives of countless people at the 4th Division." Upon hearing Ichigo's praise, Orihime became even redder.
"Speaking of. I heard some weird rumours about what happened there during the demons attack." Renji reclined casually on his cushion.
Putting her finger to her chin, Orihime recalled the events. "I don't remember the battle much. Miss Kotetsu gave me strict instructions to stay away from the windows while Miss Unohana and Mr Zaraki fought the demons." She still remembered just how adamant Isane had been about that part. "But things worked out in the end. Though the place is a little crowded right now which is why I was told to come and help treat Rukia here."
By "here" she meant the Kuchiki manor where the group all sat around on cushions in one of the many rooms which overlooked the vast gardens. Due to just how many injured that needed to be kept at the 4th Division, those that could stay elsewhere, such as Rukia, were requested to do so.
"To think. When this all began we thought we were just up against some Bounts and nothing more. Then this madness happened." To emphasise his point, Ichigo waved his hand out. "I'll be honest. I never thought I'd see, let alone battle, demons in my lifetime."
"Well I never thought I'd end up in a different reality where the afterlife is governed by samurai ghostbusters. First time for everything, eh." Was what Nero jokingly added.
A cheeky smile etched onto Ichigo. "Maybe now we've fought demons, we should all call ourselves Devil Hunters too."
"Hey now, don't go trying to steal my shtick. I'm still the only professional here. Besides," Nero's face turned sly, "with you already being a Substitute Shinigami how would you ever have enough free time to spend with Orihime."
Both Ichigo and Orihime turned beet red, met each others eyes and quickly averted them. Nero let out a laugh and narrowly avoided the cushion Ichigo threw at him.
"Speaking of demons," voiced Uryu in an attempt to stop Nero and Ichigo from escalating their scrap, "I wanted to ask you something."
A look of confusion crossed Nero. "Oh, sure what's up?"
Cupping his hands together and furrowing his brow, Uryu played the memories of battle in his head. "When I fought against those demons I noticed something… odd. They seemed to be somewhat resistant to my powers. Even one of those Lesser Demons which were akin to normal Hollows so should have been killed by just one of my arrows took two hits to take down. The same for every other demon I fought. Almost as if my Quincy powers were less effective against demons than they are against Hollows and the like."
Not really being an expert of Quincy's, Nero just shrugged from his seat. "Sure you weren't just having a dry spell. I mean, you did have to use that glove."
"The glove? I suppose it could have been that. It did break shortly after the battle from over-use." Uryu muttered to himself then went quiet as he mulled over the suggestion in his head.
Chad, who'd like always had remained mostly silent, spoke up. "By the way. What happened to that Bount, Koga?"
Sensing the Mexican's unrest at being left in the dark on the matter of the man he'd help capture, Rukia put him at ease. "Last I heard, he along with Ran'Tao were given official, albeit reluctant, pardons by Central 46. Owing to them both helping fight off the demons that were attacking the civilian refugee centre."
Captain Komamura himself had spoken to Central 46 personally on their behalf as thanks to them, along with Tessia, Ururu, Jinta as well as Lieutenants Rangiku and Izuru, his Division had been able to successfully ensure the civilians survival.
"I think he and Mary left with Ran'Tao." Unlike the other Bounts, Mary's identity was still unknown officially, only those Nero trusted had been informed of her existence. "Yoruichi and I should be heading there soon, but she's still in some meeting or something."
"My brother too." Said Rukia. "He's been in none stop meetings with various governmental officials and nobles since the madness with the demons came to an end. Though he won't tell me what it's about. Most likely just the usual political fallout so nothing to worry about."
Ichigo leaned back using his arms as support and gazed up at the clouds visible from out the open window. "Arkham and Kariya. Can't believe just two men were able to bring such destruction to the Seireitei. The things those two did and unleashed on us. No ones going to forget the Bounts now."
"Pfft. Quit trying to act all wise by saying such dumb things." Scoffed Renji, eliciting a twitch in Ichigo's eye.
"Hey! I was trying to make a profound point about how everyone now knows demons are real, you ass!"
"What did you call me!"
"I said you're an ass! You know, the thing I kicked the last time we fought!"
"What was that you little punk!"
As their tempers flared, Ichigo and Renji had crossed the room to meet and were literally butting heads, tick marks throbbing on their heads. Both having their fists clenched around the others collar.
"You got lucky last time! How about we go round two!" Growled out Renji.
Ichigo reciprocated. "I only need the one round to kic-!"
"Just what do you two think you are doing raising your voices and threatening violence while under my roof." The calm yet dominating voice of Byakuya instantly brought an end to Ichigo and Renji's barking, as the two men instantly moved apart and became docile in the face of Byakuya's imposing glare.
"S-Sorry, Captain Kuchiki." Gulped Renji as sweat dripped from him.
"Y-Yeah, sorry. We were just playing around is all." The bag of nerves that was Ichigo put of a false sickly-sweet look to try and convince the aristocrat.
Byakuya found no humour in it. "If the two of you wish to play, then do it away from my home. Or else."
Walking into the room just behind the staunch Captain was Yoruichi. "Don't be too hard on them. After all, you and I use to play here all the time, remember." She smiled teasingly at the younger man but Byakuya had long since trained himself to remain stone faced even against her. "I miss the old you, Byakuya. You were so much more fun as a little brat." Again, he remained unmoving.
"Done with your little tea party?" Nero asked to which Yoruichi nodded. "Alright then," getting up off the floor, he grabbed hold of both halves and the Amulet and Force Edge that he'd been keeping by his side since defeating Arkham and made his way to the door where Yoruichi stood. "Best not keep them waiting on us."
Though Ran'Tao had been pardoned so no longer had to live in hiding. She still chose to return to her secret home, built into the ground several miles from the Seireitei. The trip there had taken a few hours for Nero and Yoruichi but once they arrived they were greeted by not only Ran'Tao but also Koga and Mary, both of whom had elected to stay in Ran'Tao's home rather than the Seireitei for the time being.
In one corner of Ran'Tao's less than spacious home, was the woman herself. Leaning against the wall beside the former scientist was the dark-skinned woman who's eyes flicked from watching Nero talking with Koga in the middle of the room to watching Mary sitting on her own in a corner checking the components of her guns were in order.
"After all these centuries my work has finally been ended. The Jokai Crest and Bounts are no more." Looking to both Koga and Mary, Ran'Tao added, "Well, save for two of them."
Arms crossed over her chest, Yoruichi inquired, "What are your plans now. You no longer need to hide any more. You could even return to the Seireitei."
"I think someone such as yourself knows that isn't really an option for me." Yoruichi hummed in understanding, pardoned of crimes Ran'Tao was, she would still be ostracised by the populace. Ran'Tao then looked over to the still injured Koga who had bandages around his waist thanks to Chad and the demons attacks. "Besides. It was thanks to me the Bounts were born. I think I owe it to them to hear their tale."
Sat cross legged in the middle of the floor were Koga and Nero, the Force Edge by the Demon Slayer's side.
In Koga's hand was a small metal sphere which he showed to the teen sat just in front of him. "This is Dalk. My Doll. The two of us are separate yet connected. We are two yet one. Our fates forever entwined. Just as Dalk is to me, so to is Baskerville to you."
Ever since finding out that this boy, Nero, had gained Baskerville from Kishu, Koga had begun lecturing the teen on the basics of how Doll's worked. At first Nero had try to blow the man off not wanting to be given a lesson but a combination of Koga's unwillingness to be rebuffed and a stern stare from Yoruichi forced him to relent.
Despite the horrific events of recent times which had caused him to become the last true Bount, as Mary was only half, Koga, for the first time in a long time felt like his old self as he taught this young man on how to use his Doll as he had for so many others. "Now, listen close. This next part is important. When it comes to your Doll you want to…"
As Koga went on, Nero nodded along but was only half listening. From the corner of his eye he saw Yoruichi watching him, when their eyes met she she sent him a cheeky look that said, 'having fun?', to which Nero frowned, garnering a chuckle from the woman.
Some time later, when Koga had finished his teachings, Nero, Yoruichi and Mary all readied to leave.
"Remember, if you ever need help with Baskerville you know where to find me," Koga had chosen to stay with Ran'Tao for the foreseeable future since he didn't really have another option. "Good bye, and good luck, Nero. Thank you for stopping Arkham. And please, give my gratitude to the Kurosaki boy as well. And of course that young man, Chad."
"Sure thing." Nero replied.
Before leaving, Yoruichi gave her apology to Ran'Tao. "Thanks for all your help. And sorry again for dragging you back into this life."
"There's no need to apologies. If anything, I should be thanking you." With full openness, Ran'Tao said, "For centuries I've had a weight tugging down on me for failing to do anything about the Bounts. Because of you, I was forced to stop hiding from my duty. For the first time in a long time I feel at peace."
With their final goodbyes said, the three left Ran'Tao's home and began to walk across the open field. The sun had now begun to set, bathing the sky in orange.
Hands in his pockets, Nero turned to the woman a few feet behind him. "So, Mary, what's your plans now?"
Mary chewed her cheek then looked dead ahead. "To be honest. I have no idea. For the past few years all I've wanted was to stop my father. I never really thought about what would come next."
Listening in, Yoruichi opted to give her opinion. "Whatever decision you decide to make with your life is entirely your own. Don't think about what you should do, rather, what you want to do."
While Mary had been told something similar by the woman back in Temen-ni-gru, she still hadn't given it much though. Only now, with her father and his plots well and truly behind her did the idea of a future seem tangible.
"My own choice, huh." Flicking her eyes up at the sky and letting them linger, Mary then came to a stop causing her two companions to do so too as a firm expression spread on her face. "My father may be gone but some demons he let loose are still free in this world. I think I'll stick around here for a while and see to them. Once that's done… maybe I'll visit Italy. My mother took me there as a child. One of the last nice memories I have of my childhood."
"The people of Soul Society can sleep easier knowing you're on the case." Chimed in Yoruichi. "Just know that you're always welcome at Karakura Town. Our doors always open to a friend."
A friend? Is that what they were now? Deep down, part of Mary felt, dare she say it… happy to hear that. The first real smile she'd had in a long time etched on her lips. "Maybe I'll take you up on that offer one day. Well, anyway, I should head out east. I heard Ran'Tao mention the locals spoke of some demons in the area. I'll see you around. And… thank you… both of you." She looked to Nero, "For helping stop my father," then looked to Yoruichi, "and helping me see my life could mean more than just revenge."
Just as Mary was about to turn and leave, Nero stopped her, "Wait. Before you go. I want you to have this." Reaching into his long blue coat pocket, he pulled out…
Upon seeing the silver-chained half of the Amulet, Mary's eyes widened in astonishment. "You want me to take this? Doesn't that Amulet mean a lot to you?"
"That's the only kind of gift worth giving." Was Nero's affable response. "Your father caused one massive shit-show thanks to the two amulets and this sword." He jerked a thumb to the Force Edge strapped to his back. "Arkham's not the only power hungry megalomaniac out there. Once news spreads of what the Amulet and sword can do, who knows how many people will be after them. It's better to keep them all separate." The idea of someone like Aizen getting their mitt's on Sparda's power as Arkham had was not one any sane person wanted to come to fruition. "Besides, you did a pretty good job at keeping this amulet hidden from your father for years. The way I see it, no ones more qualified to keep this hidden than you."
At first, Mary gave no reply, just staring at the ruby red jewel with a hard to read demeanour. Then, ever so slowly, she reached out and took the amulet from Nero's hand, grasping it in her smaller calloused one. "I suppose if anyone should be responsible for such a task it's my family." Looping the chain around her neck, she looked to both Nero and Yoruichi, the two of them sending her pleased grins. "You can count on me. I'd sooner lose my life than this amulet again after what my father did with it."
The snow-haired teen chuckled dryly, "Appreciate the passion. But maybe try not to die. Like Yoruichi said, we're all friends now."
"Friends with a part-demon and Shinigami. Talk about a weird turn in my life." Snidely bantered Mary.
"How about meeting a younger version of one of your friends from another universe." Commented Nero, as if to one up her.
After all she'd heard Nero tell of her about her alternate self, it still made Mary marvel at just how similar this 'Lady' was to her. "I can see why she abandoned her name. I thought about doing the same. However, I think I'll keep it. My father named me Mary because he wanted to raise me like a lamb for slaughter. Well I'll make sure all people remember 'Mary' for is burning down everything my father stood for." Mary then remembered about her own gift she had for Nero, "Oh, I almost forgot. I have something to give to you." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small weathered leather bound book.
Nero took the book from her and perked a brow upwards. "What is it?"
"One of my father journals. He travelled all across the Human World to collect knowledge on demons, documenting much of what he discovered. I was able to salvage a few of his journals from our family home before he burnt the rest." Mary revealed, causing Nero to instantly flick open the book and scan its pages, Yoruichi getting by his side to take a look. "There's some more I stashed in a storage bin in Karakura Town. I figure you'd have better use for them than me."
"This is…" as he turned the pages, Nero was taken aback by just how much Arkham had managed to learn of demons. Sure, some of it was incorrect speculation. But just as much was accurate. How the Bount had learnt all this Nero had no idea. But it may be key to uncovering how Hell worked in this universe. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Mary waved off. "Really. I hate all that gratitude crap." As Nero and Yoruichi busied themselves with the journal, Mary saw it as her chance to leave. "Do with his books as you will."
As Mary began to walk away on her own path, Nero called out. "Hey, Mary, will meet again?"
Instead of answering, Mary just carried on walking, raising up her hand and giving a single wave before she disappeared into the forest.
Now alone for the first time since defeating Arkham, Nero and Yoruichi became aware of just how close they were standing and their stomachs knotted.
They continued on their way back to the Seireitei where not before long they found a small Koi pond with lily pads and pink cherry blossom petals floating on the clear water. A small wooden bridge arched over the pond which they began to slowly across.
Late in the evening as it was, only half of the sun still remained visible, the rest hidden by the horizon. The sky was a painting of red, orange and blue pastels. A light breeze blew over the bridge, bringing with it pink petals and crisp air.
As he crossed the bridge, Nero's steps grew smaller and slower, until he stopped completely and leaned over the hand rail to look down at the rippling water below, studying his own reflection which bore into his mind.
For the past three days following fall of Temen-ni-gru, Nero had time to rest, but more importantly, to think. He'd been forced to come to terms that he may likely never get back to his original home world and see his family and friends again. Previously when he thought of this he felt a hollow pit in his stomach, now though, he found himself reliving the words Kyrie had said to him the night they'd broken up in no small part due to Nero's unwillingness to forgive himself for Credo's death.
"You think you're alone, Nero, but you're not. You never have been. But so long as you act like you are and shut the rest of the world out, you'll never be able to move on with your life."
Kyrie was right, not just then but now too.
Though he was stuck in world not his own, he certainly wasn't alone. Only by telling himself he was did he make it true. And he just needed to look at what Mary had become by shutting herself off to the world and wallowing in self-pity to see what he too would become if he continued on his current path of self-imposed isolation.
Kyrie, Dante, Trish, Lady, they'd all want Nero to live and enjoy his new life to the fullest. And he knew that meant opening himself up to one person in particular. The person that had been his rock throughout his entire time in this world. Who'd been there for him through thick and thin. The person that whenever he was with, all that pain and misery at losing his old family and friends would vanish, as a new, entirely warm feeling would take hold of him instead.
What that feeling was he wasn't sure, not yet at least. But, he had decided he would no longer shun it, rather, embrace it. And see what that feeling might one day bloom into.
His odd behaviour caused Yoruichi to stop in her tracks. "Nero? You alright?"
Opening his mouth, no words came out as his nerves got the best of him. 'Damn it. I'm no good with things like this.' Letting out a deep exhale to calm his heart-rate, Nero ceased looking down at the water and turned around to face Yoruichi, locking his icy blue eyes with her molten gold. He felt himself waver as the beautiful woman stared at him but her pushed on. "Yeah, I'm… fine. It's… just that… well… I need to talk to you."
"We're talking now aren't we." Joked Yoruichi light-heartedly with a smile. When she saw Nero remained agitated, as if there was something on the tip of his tongue he couldn't quite get out, she knew something serious was going on with him. She'd known Nero for months now and in all that time he never acted nervous like this, save for their time in Sendai. She wondered just what he was trying to say. "What is it?"
"It's just that. Well, after everything that's happened. I realised something. If I'm going to live in this world, then I might as well quit holding myself back from… well, living." He shuffled on his feet, cursing his social awkwardness, unable to stop his nervous rambling. "There's something I realised, all the way back in Sendai but I was too much of coward to admit then. Thing is, even though I say I'm stuck in this world I've never actually felt stuck. Not when… I'm with you." The way Yoruichi's big gold eyes bore into him made Nero even more flustered. He averted his eyes from her and rubbed the back of his neck as he felt his face redden. "Look, what I'm trying to say is… is that… *Gulp*" Damn it! Why was he so bad at social situations like this! "W-What I mean is… is that…"
As Yoruichi listened to the bag of nerves in front of her, she seemed to understand what he was trying to say. Warmth blossomed inside her heart and her smile grew even more prominent, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Awaiting him to say the words she'd wanted to hear from him for so long now.
Yet, his inability to get those words out was straining her patience, and in an attempt to rescue him from his own awful speaking skills she cut in, giggling in a teasing yet tender manner. "Wow, you really are bad at this. But I think I get the gist of what you're saying. Here. Let me."
Turning back to face her, Nero's breath was caught in his throat as before he had time to prepare or react, Yoruichi leaned up close to him, placed her hands on his shoulders and pressed her lips against his.
Needless to say, the silver-haired hybrid was floored by this move.
When Yoruichi pulled away she couldn't help but chuckle at Nero's face who currently looked like he were trying to figure out the most complex maths equation in existence. "Was that what you were trying to say?"
Blinking with wide eyes, Nero pressed his lips together, the taste of Yoruichi's lips still lingered. Had she just kissed him? She had. Those soft lips of hers had just touched his own. And you know what… it felt good. Really good! Did that mean she liked him the same as he liked her?
"Sorry if that was a little abrupt." Said an elated Yoruichi, smiling brightly. "You were just taking a little too long for my liking. And when we cats want something, we take it." She winked at him slyly.
Shaking his head to get himself back in the game, Nero gave Yoruichi, who was currently beaming a gentle smile at him, a curious and hopeful glance. "Y-Yoruichi… you-"
She rolled her eyes and chucked at his numbskull behaviour, 'Honestly. He can be even more dense than Ichigo.' No longer would she deny her feelings. She opened up her heart and confessed, "I like you, Nero. More than I thought possible in such a short time. You make me… happy." Now it was Yoruichi's turn for a tint of red to light her cheeks. "I know what I want, Nero. The question is, do you?"
His nerves vanished, replaced by absolute resolution. "I know more than anything what I want." Nero reached out and took hold of Yoruichi's hands in his own. She didn't even flinch when she felt his Devil Bringer, little did she know just how much that meant to him. "I've just been too big of an idiot that I've left it this long to realise."
"We can agree on that part." Much like Nero, Yoruichi had likewise long ago realised what the feelings inside her meant, but supressed them as she felt it was selfish of her to act on them while Nero was still conflicted about his own emotions and mentally hung up on his family and friends back in his home world. She'd promised herself that only when Nero came to terms with his life here would she let her feelings be known. Now able to show those feelings on the outside made her more happy than she'd been in over a century. "Well," her features became more wry as a temptress-like smile crossed her lips, "am I going to have to take the lead again or what?"
"Far be it from me to keep a lady waiting." Letting go of her hands, Nero wrapped his arms around Yoruichi's back and pulled her in close, moving his head down to her level and planting a passionate kiss on her lips. Yoruichi placed her arms on Nero's waist and fully embraced the kiss.
The two melted deep into their passionate kiss. The same warm and serenity-like feeling they felt back in Sendai was ever more present now as it overtook them. The same feeling that expunged all Nero's despair at losing his family. The same feeling that lit the hearth in Yoruichi's heart that had been extinguished for over a hundred years. Flooding them to their very cores. Letting them both know that what they were doing was right.
They could no longer deny or hide it from each other or themselves. Their relationship was more than just friendship now, it had been for some time. Only difference was that now they admitted that.
The passionate kiss between the two deepened, Nero's hands going further up Yoruichi's back while she began to caress his face. Subconsciously, Nero went to do the same but the second he realised his Devil Bringer was about to make contact with her skin, he quickly moved his scaly appendage away.
An action which hadn't gone unnoticed by the Goddess of Flash who'd felt him jolt.
Ending their kiss, Yoruichi bore into Nero's eyes. "Don't, Nero." She protested firmly but compassionately. "You don't need to hide yourself like that from me, not ever. I don't care if you're part-demon. Because you're the most human guy I know. I want to be with you, Nero." Reaching out, she gently took his Devil Bringer into her hands and brought the demonic claw towards her face. She gingerly stroked his Devil Bringer then planted a small peck on the back of his hand. "All of you."
Nero was overcome by a sensation only Kyrie had ever been able to awaken. Though, it was even more intense and deeper than ever before. Ever since he got it, Nero had despised his Devil Bringer with all his being. To him, it was the ultimate shame, a shame he could never be rid of. To have Yoruichi, the woman, no, the person, he cared about more than any other, accept his Devil Bringer even more than he himself could only made his passion for her burn even more.
Yoruichi Shihoin was the woman Nero wanted to be with. He cared for her with all his heart and maybe, just maybe, his feelings might grow into something more with time…
Overwhelmed by her affectionate gesture, Nero moved his Devil Bringer out from her grip and, with an encouraging nod from Yoruichi, gently cupped her cheek with said claw. The woman leaning her cheek into his hand.
The two moved in close and kissed deeply again. Enjoying every nanosecond of their passionate moment.
Exactly one week after the fall of Temen-ni-gru, Nero, Ichigo, Uryu, Chad and Orihime had all returned to the Human World via the Senkaimon in the Seireitei, as the one they'd used to arrive in the Soul Society at the Bounts mansion had been destroyed by Kisuke as a precaution. The ragtag group had all returned to their homes, save Nero who had stopped by Urahara's store, perhaps not at the of times.
"Move that box over there in the pile on the right. No, not that one, the other box."
"How's I suppose to know. They all look the same." Jinta instantly regretted back-chatting as the glare Tessai aimed at him let the redhead know a spanking was awaiting him later.
"Don't go thinking that because you helped fight off those demons at the Seireitei you can act all high and might, young man."
Back during the battle against the demons in the Seireitei, Tessai, Ururu and Jinta had gone with Rangiku and Izuru to assist in the battle alongside the7th Division, and Jinta hadn't been able to shut up about it since.
"Should I put this cart with the others." Ururu did so when Tessai nodded.
"That's the first load of the deliveries put away." Clipboard in hand, Tessai marked off something on the paper. "No we just need to finish unloading the other five. We should have enough room in the basement to store the rest. Though, I think we'll have to start using the training area for storage once we receive more delivers in the coming weeks."
"Running a tight ship as ever, Tessai. I knew I could count on you." As his staff members continued unloading and storing away the items sent over from Soul Society, Kisuke Urahara did a quick inspection of them. "If the health inspector saw all this, we'd be banned from selling candy here for sure."
Boxes, wagons, barrels and carts filled the small candy store to the point you had to squeeze past the small gaps to move anywhere. All of which were filled to the brim with demonic corpses, parts of the collapsed Temen-ni-gru, salvaged items, weapons and books from said tower and much more.
Leaning over one of the corpses, Kisuke took a sniff and grimaced, pulling back. "Yeesh. They not have deodorant in Hell?"
Huddled against a wall while the others moved the goods back and forth was Nero. "If this is a bad time I can come back later."
"No, no, it's fine. Tessai and the others can handle the rest." Reassured Urahara.
"What is all this anyway." Nero had to raise his voice to be heard over the noise of Tessai shouting out commands to the child workers.
"Various pieces of Temen-ni-gru and stuff that was inside it. Along with some demons themselves." Answered Kisuke. "After the battle was over, ol' Yamamoto came to me. Asked me if I could help research the demons and tower. Never expected him to send over this much though." Not that Urahara was complaining, he was a scientist with thirst for knowledge. Demons being the ultimate unknown gave him a thirst unlike any before. He had to learn as much about them as he could, both to help in the event they became a threat in the future and to quench his thirst.
"Bet Captain Pennywise is real happy about that." Even Nero knew Mayuri was likely furious about being ordered to have to share the prize of Temen-ni-gru and demons with his old superior.
"I thought his head would explode when Yamamoto gave him the order." Chuckled Urahara, finding joy in aggravating his once underling. "But orders and orders. And even Mayuri knows the more information we uncover on demons the better for us all. We may have stopped Arkham but some demons still remain free. The Seven Sins among them. When they come back we need to be as prepared as possible."
Several minutes later, Nero and Urahara had moved from the hectic store-front to the more quiet living room where they could talk in peace and private. They were each seated on cushions on the floor in the traditional Japanese way, sitting on opposite sides of the round wooden table.
Taking a small sip of his tea, Urahara placed the cup on the saucer. "That all of them?"
Stacked next to Nero was an assortment of various books. "Most. I dropped some off at my apartment already. When Mary said Arkham had a large collection of books and documents on demons she wasn't kidding."
"He wrote all those himself?" Inquired Kisuke.
"The newer ones, yeah. The older ones he collected." And some of those older ones must have been centuries, even millennia old with how weathered they were. A fact which didn't sit well with Nero. As information on demons prior to Arkham releasing Temen-ni-gru should have been non-existent.
Then again, Arkham had to have learnt of demons from somewhere.
Urahara appeared to have the same uncomfortable notion given his momentary serious expression. But he soon went back to his laid-back self. "If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to go through those books myself some time. What Arkham learnt may come in handy for us in the future."
"Sure thing." The Demon Slayer said, closing one of the books he was flicking though and placing it among the pile. "By the way, when's Yoruichi gonna get back. She should have arrived by now."
It had been three days since he and Yoruichi had gotten together as a couple. In those three days, they hadn't had much time alone due to whatever it was Yoruichi had going on, whenever Nero asked she just said it was family and political business that was too boring to talk about. Nero himself had likewise been busy as now it was revealed demons existed it made Nero, the resident expert on demons, the most valuable source of knowledge around. Nearly every hour of the day he was being hounded by members of the 12th Division sent by Captain Kurotsuchi with a list of questions, even Kenpachi Zaraki had once cornered and interrogated Nero on what he believed were the strongest demons all while the battle-loving madman salivated at the mouth when Nero answered him and prayed he'd get to fight them.
The'd chosen to keep their relationship a secret for now. Not of shyness but more that they wanted to enjoy being with the other without the hustle of all the questions and overall nosiness they knew would come with going public. Which is why Nero asked the question as one might when it would rain.
"Hmm, oh… err… she's running late. Some issues over at the Seireitei, nothing to worry about." The store owner received an odd look from Nero but the teen ended up accepting his answer. "If that's everything I should get back with helping the others. Ririn, Noba and Kuroda should get back from searching the wreckage of the Bounts mansion for any of Arkham's leftover black magic junk soon so they'll be able to lend us a hand, what with them pretty much unemployed now with the Bounts gone."
Urahara had destroyed the Senkaimon at the Bounts mansion prior to going to aid the Seireitei in battle. Now the Bounts Senkaimon was no more… nor was their mansion. Benehime didn't mess around.
"Actually, there's one more thing I came here for." Laying flat on the floor by Nero was the Force Edge he'd brought along. Which until now had just been a giant elephant in the room. He balanced the blade between his hands, one hand on the grip, the other on the tip. "You've probably already heard by now that the power within this sword can't be accessed without first joining it with the two halves of the Amulet. For that reason I thought it best to keep all three pieces as far away from the other as possible. I gave one half of the Amulet to Mary, Yoruichi gave the other to Yamamoto who'll have it kept locked away under constant guard in the Seireitei. As for the sword itself… I want you to have it."
"M-Me?" Sputtered a dumbfounded Urahara, taken aback by Nero's request.
"For some reason I can't seem to make this sword a Devil Arm, so I can't absorb it into my Devil Bringer. Meaning the best I can do is hide it under my bed. Not exactly Fort Nox. But your store is perhaps the most secure place on Earth." Nero lifted the blade and held it out over the table. "And I know you'll do all you can to keep it safe."
All Kisuke could do at first was stare with wide, unblinking eyes at the blade. With great care, Urahara reached out and clasped his hand around the demonic blade just as Nero let go and pulled it close. His spiritual sensory abilities read the demonic power that flowed from within, dormant yet unbridled and raw. His mouth was gapping and his eyes sparkled with stars as he marvelled at such a one of a kind weapon that dwarfed any Zankaputo in existence.
"You sure?" Kisuke knew how much this blade must of meant to Nero, the fact that he was willingly giving that to him meant he'd earned the teens trust. When Nero nodded sincerely, Kisuke placed the Force Edge down. A goofy grin debuting on his face. "In that case, I'll start your tab. Using my shop as your personal safe will cost a pretty penny."
A deadpanned look crossed Nero. "Considering how much of a dump this place is I should be charging you."
With all said and done, Nero got up and moved toward the exit.
Urahara called out before he left. "Feel free to stop by in a few days, I'll run over what I've learnt from my research."
Nero pushed the door open to leave. "Sorry, have to reschedule." He held up one of Arkham's journals. "Arkham mentions visiting some old tombs and other locations across the globe where he discovered knowledge on demons. Like you said yourself, with the Sins out there we need to learn all we can. I was thinking of heading out to some of the places Arkham visited and seeing them for myself."
Today was a busy day for Urahara Shoten, as less than ten hours after Nero had left, Yoruichi had exited from the Senkaimon in the basement after finishing up her business in the Seireitei and was currently lounging around in Urahara's living room.
After downing a full cup of sake in one go, Yoruichi let out a very unladylike burp and wiped her mouth with the back of her sleeve. "Refill." She held the now empty cup to Kisuke who did as she asked.
"I take it your meeting with the nobles went as fun as you expected." Despite what he told Nero earlier, Urahara had in fact known just what Yoruichi was up to in the Seireitei but at her request kept that from him.
"If Byakuya weren't there to stop me I'd of leapt over the table and used them as punching bags." Honestly, how she ever put up with the butt-licking aristocrats for as long as she did a century prior she had no idea. Perhaps her level of patience had waned during her time in the Human World. "The Tsunayashiro's are still hell-bent on using Nero as a scapegoat to gain more political power. And being one of the Great Noble Families they have a lot of other nobles in their pockets willing to side with them. Byakuya and I have been do all we can to sway what few families aren't already on the Tsunayashiro's payroll to our side." In truth, Byakuya did most of that, he was far better at being diplomatic than the hot-headed Shihoin princess. "I've done all I can for now, the rest is up to Byakuya, Jushiro, Kyoraku and the others."
Nodding along as he followed, Urahara asked, "And? What's going to come of all this?"
A bitter look came onto Yoruichi's face. "A few weeks from now there'll be a meeting in the Seireitei. Nobles, the Gotei 13, Central 46. Everyone will discuss the future of the Soul Society now they now demons exist and just who should be in charge of that future. If the Tsunayashiro's have it their way that job will fall to them."
Luckily the odds were against the Tsunayashiro's as over the last couple centuries the Seireitei had begun to adopt more modern human sentiments of lessening the power of the aristocracy, but it wouldn't be easy.
After taking another swig of her sake, Yoruichi rubber her forehead and closed her eyes tiredly. "Just a few days of dealing with the nobles and I already feel like I've got a migraine."
Urahara sent a sympathetic smile her way before pressing her. "Speaking of the Tsunayashiro's and their plots, don't you think Nero has a right to know. They are trying to use him as their excuse to grab power."
She'd already had this conversation with multiple people, even Kisuke, yet she still wouldn't budge. "Nero doesn't need this right now. Not with everything he's been dealing with of late." As Kisuke went to open his mouth, Yoruichi already knew what he was about to say and raised a hand to stop him. "I know I can't keep it from him forever. I don't plan to. I just… He deserves a break after all he's done."
A thick silence permeated the room as though Kisuke disagreed with Yoruichi and felt Nero had a right to know now, he also felt she had a better right to make that decision given how much closer she was to the Devil Hunter.
Placing her elbow on her knee and resting her chin on her hand, Yoruichi suddenly became very serious. "By the way, while I was in the Seireitei I heard a rumour circulating among the Onmitsukido barracks. A group of them were sent out to a small village in the Rukongai where demons were said to have been spotted. When they arrived all the villagers were dead but no demons were around, as if they'd just vanished. The story didn't sit right with me so I headed out to the village and investigated the area and found signs of a small battle. I took a soil sample and called in a favour from Akon who tested it for me. When the results came back, the soil had energy traces found only in…. a Garganta."
Urahara tensed, then furrowed his brows and averted his gaze to his lap. "It was only a matter of time before Aizen made his move."
Yoruichi inquired, "What do you think he wants from the demons?"
"Nothing good. I have some ideas, each one worse than the last." And Urahara knew from personal experience that Aizen was not a man to underestimate. "Lets not forget the last time Aizen was experimenting."
'The Visored. Could Aizen really be trying to use Hogyoku on demons the same way he did with Shinigami and Hollows? Could he really be that mad?' Of course he was and she knew it. "*Huff*… Things really have gotten hectic around here since we met Ichigo and Nero. If I start getting grey hair I'll blame it on them." Yoruichi rose from her cushion she'd been sitting on. "It's getting late, I should head out."
"Give Nero my best." A smirking Urahara felt Yoruichi's pointed glare on him and pushed his luck even further. "I hope the two of you have a lovely trip."
The defensive glare on Yoruichi morphed into confusion. "What trip?"
Blinking rapidly, like he'd just revealed a secret he shouldn't have, Urahara flustered, wafting his fan back and forth. "O-Oh, erm, no, no, not trip. I meant… treat? Yeah, treat! Have a nice… treat… That makes sense, right…?"
Yoruichi wasn't buying any of it. And now he fury was growing. Though short in height, standing as she was she towered over the still seated Urahara, a fire burning in her eyes. "Kisuke," the man gulped like a child at her sinister sweet tone, "Tell me what you know… or else." To emphasise her point she picked up two hazelnuts from a bowl close by and with the tinniest of squeezes shattered them both, causing the dishevelled blonde to sweat bullets at the not so subtle threat.
With his manhood on the line, Kisuke drew in a breath. "The thing is, Nero told me he's-"
After finishing speaking with his boss Hank at the garage, Nero had managed to get time off work needed for travel. On his walk back home, Nero had opted to pick up a pizza and two strawberry sundaes.
Fumbling with his keys, he unlocked his front door and went inside his apartment, closing the door behind him. He put his food on the nearby counter and turned on the lights… A chill ran down his spine, as if his mind was screaming he was in danger. He spun on his heels and scanned his living room where he noticed a certain someone sitting cross-legged on his sofa, tapping their finger on the airmrest.
"Yoruichi? Kisuke said you'd be late getting back but this. Soi Fon demand a sleep over or something."
His joke fell on deaf ears as the noble woman just sent him the most unimpressed and deadest of looks.
"…You, err… hungry? I got an extra large pepperoni so there's enough to share." Again, she was completely blank, almost... angry? Like any normal man that wasn't sure what they did wrong, Nero just rambled as he placed the pizza box and sundaes on his coffee table in front of where she sat. "Hope you got room for dessert."
Still silent. Her cold eyes making him feel like she was showering him in sub-zero waters.
Making the Devil Hunter squirm under her intense glare for almost a minute straight without so much as a word, Yoruichi finally drew in a breath and pulled the pizza box towards her. "Sure, whatever." Her tone was as sharp as any dagger.
"Al...right… dig in." Nero took the seat on the chair directly opposite her, taking one of the pizza slices for himself and eating.
The entire time he felt on edge. The atmosphere was tense in the room. But he had no idea why. Just what was causing Yoruichi to be so standoffish. I mean, even as she was eating her slice all she did was continue to send him a look that could man grown men weep.
'Have I done something to upset her?' For as unique as Nero was being a Human-Demon hybrid, he still shared that same trait all men did. Total obnoxious air-headedness. "…So …how did things in the Seirei-"
"What's that for?" Her question was laced with poison as Yoruichi jerked her thumb to a suitcase leaning against the wall. "Planning on going somewhere?" Just like a real cat, her fanged bite made Nero jolt back.
"What, my suitcase. Yeah I was-..." Oh… That's why she was angry. Realisation dawned on Nero. "It's not what it loo-"
Yoruichi folder her arms and radiated pure resentment. "Isn't it exactly what it looks like? Or are you telling me you weren't planning on going on a little getaway trip around the world for who knows how long… without telling ME." A frost descended on the room. As Nero stuttered incoherently trying to save face, Yoruichi turned her chin up. "So less than one week after we get together you opt to ditch me without so much as a goodbye. You sure know how to make a girl feel appreciated."
Now sweating bullets, as the idea of a pissed off Yoruichi was not one he wanted to be on the receiving end of, Nero attempted to clarify his error. "N-No, it's not… just hear me out." After a long wait, Yoruichi spared him a glance, awaiting what he had to say for himself, her expression screaming that a wrong answer might mean the end of his balls. Inhaling a deep breath to collect himself, Nero began. "Alright, I'll admit, I screwed up. But I only made the decision to travel to some of the sites Arkham wrote about today, while you were in the Seireitei, so it's not like I could confer with you about it." He felt a spike in her Reiatsu as to her it made it seem like Nero was trying to blame her for his mistake, prompting him to raise his hands in defence. "But, it's not like I was planning to leave without telling you. And the reason I didn't think to check if you wanted to come with me was… well… honestly I didn't think you'd want to."
Yoruichi just stared at him, long and hard. Then her vexed temperament finally faded, shaking her head and sighing. "You really are an idiot you know that." She rolled her eyes and said in a heartfelt manner, "Of course I'd come with you. Nero, you and I are now in a relationship. Which means we do things together. If you want to go gallivanting across the world like some Indiana Jones wannabe then I'll follow by your side."
"You'll really do that?" Yoruichi nodded. Grateful he wouldn't be alone for his trip, Nero smiled at her. "Great. I don't know how long it'll take but we'll probably be gone for a coupe weeks."
"Fine by me." Yoruichi exclaimed, her expression returning back to her normal friendly one as her anger at Nero subsided. "I don't have much to pack anyway."
"That's good. Because I work at a garage, not a Wall Street. Paying for myself to travel multiple countries was gonna break my bank, now I'm paying for two. Lets just hope you like staying in hostels and pinching pennies." Nero joked but was also entirely serious. A trait all Devil Hunters shared was their poor income and handling of money.
"Meh. I'll pay." Nonchalantly shrugged Yoruichi, when she saw Nero was caught off-guard she just grinned at him all smug. "Did you forget my family is one of the richest in Soul Society? Even the Rockefeller's were paupers compared the oceans of wealth my family possesses." When Nero bit his lip, Yoruichi just grumbled and pointed a finger at him. "Don't get all insecure and refuse to let me pay because your a man and I'm a woman. I'll pay and that's that."
Laughing at her bluntness, Nero leaned back on the couch. "My own super hot, super rich sugar-mama, eh. Feel like I'm living Dante's dream."
With that now settled, the two went back to eating the pizza they now shared. Once they finished, Nero moved from his seat to sit on the same sofa as Yoruichi, right beside her. Yoruichi leaned into Nero and rested her head on his shoulder. As the two sat there, enjoying each others warmth, Nero chuckled as a thought entered his head.
"What?" Asked the purplenette.
Resting his chin on the top of her head, Nero took in the scent of her hair. "Just picturing what Soi Fon would do to me if she saw us like this."
"Why do you think I don't want our relationship to be public knowledge yet. I at least want us to have some time together before Soi Fon cuts you into little pieces and scatters them across the world." Wryly jested Yoruichi… or was it a jest? Yoruichi sat back up straight and reached into her pocket, "Oh yeah. I got you something. I meant to give it to you before but when the mess with the Bounts started it slipped my mind." She pulled out a ring box, a fine one at that.
"Wow, I know moving fast is kinda your thing, but don't you think it's a little early for us to be thinking of that." Nero sniggered, to which Yoruichi elbowed him in the gut, pouting. "Ow! Hey, hey. Take it easy. Come on then, what is it?"
As Yoruichi opened the box, Nero got a good glimpse at the jewellery inside. It was a golden ring, on the top-centre of the ring was a symbol engraved into the ring, Nero recognise the symbol as the Shihoin Clan crest. Taking the ring into his grasp, Nero knew something else made this ring stand out. There was a strange form of spiritual power, reminiscent of Kido, woven into the ring itself.
"It's one of the treasures my family is tasked with guarding." Yoruichi explained. "It has the ability turn someone invisible expect only to those spiritually aware. Only problem is it doesn't work on Souls unless in a Gigai, which given a Gigai's lack of combat abilities makes the ring pretty useless to Souls and Shinigami." She could see the understanding of her words dawn on Nero and smiled warmly at him. "You said before how humans being able to see you made fighting Hollows a problem, now you can't use that as an excuse to be lazy." She cheekily poked him on the nose.
She must of meant the conversation they shared way back when they were investigating the Bounts along with Soi Fon. Where Nero had complained that unlike Shinigami and Hollows, he, being made of flesh and blood, was visible to your everyday human. 'She really remembered. And took this ring from her families vault just so I don't have to worry about humans seeing me. She did that… for me?'
When Nero gave no response, Yoruichi panicked thinking she'd over stepped the line. "Like I said, it's just mean to help you become invisible like other Shinigami. I know it being a ring makes it look like-" She was silenced when Nero's lips pressed up against hers.
After giving his girlfriend a kiss, ha, it still felt great to call her that, Nero gently pulled back and said with utter sincerity and adoration. "Thank you, Yoruichi." Her dark cheeks lit up with the cutest of blushes. "Seeing as you got me a gift I think it's only fair I give you one." Pulling over the two strawberry sundaes, he placed them on the table, one in front of each of them. "You'll love this. There from this dessert store where-" Without any hesitation or shame, the violet-haired woman pulled both sundaes towards her and began to scoff them down with table manners of a gorilla.
After taking one massive scoop of both sundaes and gobbling them down her neck at the same time, Yoruichi let out a belch. From the corner of her eye she spotted the stunned Nero. "Got something to say?" She narrowed her eyes and pointed the spoon at him, poking him in the chest with it. "I'm still mad at you for not asking me to come with you, y'know. And I expect you to make up for it while we're away, got it?"
Like any sensible man when confronted by an irritated woman, Nero just nodded along.
It had been a little over a week now since Nero and Yoruichi had left for their world tour. Thus far, their journey had been pretty uneventful. Most of the sites they visited had either been destroyed in the centuries since Arkham had been there, or turned out to be duds, offering up no useful information on demons and their history as they'd hoped.
The only part of the trip that made it enjoyable was the time the two lovers got to spend together. And true to Yoruichi's words she had made sure that every flight they took was in first-class, every hotel they stayed at was five-star and ever meal they ate would meet even Gordon Ramsay's standards.
Yet, despite all the fun they had together, they were both becoming a little miffed that none of Arkham's self-proclaimed "sites of knowledge" had given them anything resembling that. So as they both trekked through the mountainous regions of eastern Turkey, their enthusiasm was running low.
While Nero was wearing his usual attire, minus heavy overcoat, Yoruichi was clad in a light-brown tank top, light-brown shorts that barely reached her thighs and walking boots.
In the lead was Nero, map in hand. "According to Arkham, the site he visited should be in a mile radius somewhere here."
The ungainly footfalls of the noble princess echoed on the ground as she finally caught up to Nero. "I swear… *Pant*… if this turns out to be a dud like the rest I'll *Pant* hunt down that bald bastard in Hell and kill him over again." Sweat poured from Yoruichi who felt like keeling over any second. On their travels, she and Nero had to interact with humans on many occasions and so she had no choice but to resort to using a Gigai. Due to being in a Gigai she had the same physical abilities of a normal human and like a normal human after trekking for hours in mountainous terrain with the hot sun bearing down, she was utterly exhausted. "Why couldn't I just do this hike as Soul *Pant* or a cat."
Her red face, a mix of both heat and anger, made Nero want to laugh though he dare not out of fear of her wrath. "Like I said the past hundred times you asked me, we can't leave your Gikon alone at the hotel. Remember what happened in Egypt." For as mega rich as she was, even Yoruichi's jaw dropped at the bill her Gikon had racked up. "You know, if you're tired I could give you a piggy-back." He narrowly sidestepped her right-hook and had to catch her as she lost her footing due to how stiff and clumsy she was when in her faux body.
"Stupid Gigai!" Raged Yoruichi as she threw a tantrum in Nero's arms. "Kisuke could've given me one with enhanced stamina but noooo! He said they were "out of stock"! Grrr! I swear when I see him I'll ram his cane up his ass for this!"
As she yelled up at the sky, flailing her arms, Nero just sweat dropped.
About thirty minutes later they hiked up a steep cliff-face where they came upon a clearing on the mountain peak.
"This is the spot." Double checking with the map, compass and Arkham's journal, Nero looked around the clearing. "There's… nothing here…"
"Are… *Pant* you serious." Grumbling out every known curse known to man, Yoruichi sluggishly came into the clearing. Her purple hair clinging to her forehead from sweat. She managed to drag her fatigued Gigai body over to a nearby rock, her legs shaking like jelly as she huffed and puffed. ""Let's go a trip around the world" he said. "Lets learn about demons" he said. So far all we've learnt is Kisuke gave me a Gigai with the fitness of a damn granny-!"
The instant Yoruichi sat on the rock, a 'clicking' sound was heard, followed by part of the rock-face feet away from the pair sliding open revealing a secret passageway which held a cavern beyond.
The woman responsible blinked repeatedly at the newly revealed cavern. "…Would you believe me if I said I meant to do that?"
"About time we hit a jackpot." Nero moved closer towards the hidden entrance, taking a quick glance inside, "You can ditch the Gigai now. I'll leave Baskerville to guard the Gikon while we're gone."
Like a child being told they can open a Christmas present early, Yoruichi wasted no time swallowing down the Soul Candy to leave her Gigai. "Aaahhhh, now that feels like heaven." An exceptionally relieved Yoruichi stretched her limbs now she was in Soul form, clad in her usual outfit.
With a snap of his fingers, a plume of shadowy smoke burst from Nero's Devil Bringer, the shadows consolidated into one form of that of a hound. "Baskerville, I need you to keep her safe." Nero gestured to the frivolous Gikon that was, as always, arguing with Yoruichi at how badly she treated her.
Evidently Kisuke had given Yoruichi yet another defunct and defiant Soul Candy as he had when they went to Sendai. Yet another reason Yoruichi vowed to make the man suffer for when they returned to Karakura Town.
The Doll watched the childish antics of the Gikon and shook his head in misery. "Very well."
Done listening to the Gikon talk back, Yoruichi moved to stand beside Nero by the cave entrance. Baskerville trotted towards the Gikon when he suddenly came to a stop, sniffing at the air and narrowing his eyes.
"You good?" Nero asked his Devil Arm.
"I can smell something. A disgusting, foul smell. Makes me want to vomit with how repulsive it is. The smell of a filthy animal that hasn't bathed in years." Baskerville dry-heaved and pulled the most disgusted of faces. "It smells like… cat."
'Oh no.' The moment Baskerville said that, Nero knew things were about to kick off. The heavy rise in Yoruichi's Reaitsu proving him right.
Fire seemed to ignite around Yoruichi whose teeth gritted and nails dug into her hands as she clenched her fists. Her eye twitching and vein on her forehead throbbing as steam literally blew out of her ears. When her anger couldn't be contained any more she erupted. "WHAT WAS THAT YOU SON OF A BIT-"
Nero was able to wrap one arm around Yoruichi's waist and a hand over her mouth. She wriggled and writhed in her grip which combined with her muffled crises of fury made her look like a wild animal. "Take care you two." Nero left the very confused Gikon and Baskerville, then darted into the cavern all while trying to maintain his hold on the enraged ebony-coloured woman who fought like a fish out of water to escape and teach the dog a lesson in the food chain.
Once she'd calmed down, Nero released the feline fatale from his hold and the two ventured deeper into the cavern. The tunnel-like entrance stretched for many yards and soon they got so deep there was no light so Yoruichi cast a Kido which created two floating orbs of light that illuminated the area.
"Hey, Nero. Can you… feel that?" A strange power was picked up by Yoruichi's spiritual senses.
"Yeah. What is it?"
"I'm not sure. It feels different to any power I've felt before."
They continued to walk deeper into the cavern where soon they came upon a large oval-shaped room. Cobwebs, dust and nature had begun to reclaim much of the walls and floor as vines snaked all over.
Examining the area as much as he could, Nero wandered over to the exit where lay another long dark corridor. Something above the stone arch-door caught his notice. "Have a look at this. Looks like a bunch of ancient languages carved into the stone."
"Wow. This place must really be old. Humans haven't used those languages for thousands of years," getting in close for a better look, Yoruichi squinted and pursed her lips in deep thought. "That's Mycenaean Greek, hieroglyphs used by the Egyptian New Kingdom and Nesite used by the Hittite's." She caught the perplexed expression on Nero. "The humans that spoke these language went to Soul Society when they died so their languages lived on centuries longer there than in the Human World. Many noble families thought it made them seem more 'cultured' if they learnt languages the humans and commoners could no longer speak or read."
"So you understand these languages then?"
"I only know a handful of words. I was never the best behaved student in class." Yoruichi stuck her tongue out at Nero's 'You don't say' and continued. "If I'm right, the word is the same in each language. It says… "Sanctuary"."
The pair continued their exploration when they entered a squared room with only one door ahead of them. This door had survived time thus their path was blocked by the stone slab that was the door.
"Little pig, little pig, let me in." Sang Nero as he raised his right hand outstretched ready to fire a Cero when his wrist was grabbed and turned away by Yoruichi.
"Do you want this place to cave-in on us." Sense got through to him and Yoruichi released her grip on his wrist. "If the doors still here and Arkham was able to get past that means there must be a way to open it."
"Arkham was intentionally secretive about this location in his journals, just writing about how it was one of his "greatest finds"." Nero then felt something in the air. "You feel that?"
"Mhm." Nodded Yoruichi. "The same power as before. Only it's more condensed and seems to be coming from…" Walking closer to the sealed door, Yoruichi's suspicion turned to certainty when on the stone slab several blue glowing words appeared, written in various lost human languages. "It says "Those of the Light are welcome to Sanctuary. Touch the stone and be saved from the hordes of Darkness"." She and Nero shared a dubious look before shrugging. "Well, here goes nothing."
Yoruichi placed her hand on the slab, after she pulled her hand away a blue glowing handprint remained on the stone before fading. Nero then had his turn, he placed his left palm on the rock and just as it had with Yoruichi's, his palm-print shone blue. The stone slab began to shake and rise when Nero's palm-print then turned from blue to red and the slab slammed back on the floor with force.
Before either one could voice any confusion, the pathway behind them was abruptly sealed by another stone slab hidden in the ceiling.
"…That's not good." As soon as Nero said that, the walls of the room began to close in on the couple, threatening to crush them with no escape route. "That's really not good!"
Running over to the walls, Yoruichi ran her hands along to check for any hidden mechanism that might stop this death trap. "What happened? The door was about to open. Why did it suddenly reject you?"
"I could ask the same to most girls in my life." Though Nero and Yoruichi both individually had the power to simply blast their way out of this Indian Jones esque trap, the resulting cave-in they'd cause might destroy the very discovery Arkham had made which they both were determined to find. But as the walls had pushed in to the point that both Nero and Yoruichi were cramped together back to back, that discovery seemed less important. "Screw this. I'm not about to be turned into a Nero Sandwich."
By the time the walls were just a meter apart and closing even more, with Nero and Yoruichi huddled together, Nero extended his arms out and caught the walls, halting their advance with his strength.
Due to how closed in and tight the space they had was, Yoruichi was forced to crawl under Nero's legs to get to the opposite side of him where she hoped to see if she could get the slab to the exit open.
"If you wanted to get under my legs, you only needed to ask." Nero wiggled his brows comically causing Yoruichi to smile teasingly.
"Just keep these walls apart while I check things out and maybe they'll be a treat in it for you." With sensual glint in her eyes, Yoruichi wrapped an arm around a blushing Nero, purring into his ear.
Just as Nero was about to muster a witty comeback, a 'clicking' noise echoed in the chamber. When out from the ground itself behind Yoruichi's back and thus hidden from both their view, a spear-like weapon shot out at rapid speed towards the pair. The spear stabbed into Yoruichi's back and out her front before ploughing on through Nero too.
The loving couple both went pale and stiff as they looked into each others eyes as if to ask if the other if what had happened to them was real. They inclined their heads down to take a reluctant look at the spear which both of them were impaled by like they were pieces of meat on a sheesh kebab.
Before either Nero or Yoruichi could do anything about the spear in their chests, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion overcame them and they both felt the world become black as they passed out.
"Come on doggy. I'll give you wot's of bewwy wubs, I pwomise. Just wet me wide on your back and gallop us outta here before that big meanie Yoruichi comes back."
Laying down, curled up in the shade a tree cast, Baskerville tried his best to ignore the insufferable childish antics of the Gikon. 'Master Nero, I swear you owe me for putting up with this nuisance-' A strange feeling caused Baskerville's gut to tingle. He stood up on all fours and glanced at the entrance to the cavern his Master had entered. "…Nero?"
The sound of howling wind was the first thing Nero became aware of. "Mmmmmm." He groaned, feeling as groggy as one might after hours of sleep. Eyes flickering open, the dank room was blurred but as his vision cleared he could make out a stream of light illuminating the room. The walls were back in their original place they'd been before closing in on himself and… "Yoruichi!"
Springing to his heels, Nero did a quick scan of the room where he spotted Yoruichi passed out on the floor, at least he hoped she was just passed out. Darting over to the sprawled out woman, he went down to his knee's and checked for a pulse, letting out a breath of relief he didn't he realise he was holding when he felt one.
Gently, as to not hurt her, Nero rolled Yoruichi over so her back was on the floor and chest facing up. He brushed the loose tresses of her violet locks from her face and tenderly ran a hand over her cheek. "Yoruichi… Yoruichi…?"
A light mummer escaped the dark-skinned woman. "Urggh." Her eyes fluttered open, her lashes batting, "Uggh… W-What…" once her sight steadied, she saw him looming over her, his face a monument of worry. "Nero?"
A smile stretched over Nero as it became clear the woman he cared for was no worse for wear, the knots in his stomach unclenching. "Easy there. I got you." Placing an arm around her back for support, he helped Yoruichi into a sitting position. "Are you… alright. Last I remember I thought we both got stabbed."
"We did." Yoruichi more so told herself as she recalled the event, rubbing her still aching head. "It hurt like hell, I honestly thought I might die." Yet now all she felt was chest cramps. Checking the spot where the spear had impaled her, she lifted up her orange over-shirt and black under shirt to see the damage done to her body. Only to find her perfectly flawless skin. "Huh. There's no wound? But… I swear that spear went right through me. I felt it tear my flesh. So how…"
Nero having no wound made sense owing to his healing factor. A healing factor Yoruichi lacked. So how did she have no discernible injury from being sheesh kebabed by a sharp spear which had pierced and tore her chest?
"That's… great." Elated as Nero was that Yoruichi was unharmed, both he and she were still utterly bewildered as to how. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't get me wrong, I want answers as to what the hell just happened as much as you. But right now I'm just glad you're okay." He stood up and held a hand out to aid Yoruichi who gratefully accepted. "Doors open too," he nodded at the now gone slab that previously blocked their path.
"Maybe Arkham just wanted us to walk into a death trap. Cause other than that I have no clue as to what just happened." Yoruichi muttered absently as she kept running a hand over her belly where the spear had impaled as if to make sure there truly was no gaping hole.
As he moved towards the open doorway, Nero felt on odd power in the air, faint, yet noticeable. He sought to see what it was when his foot kicked into something. Glancing down, he spotted that very spear which had impaled both himself and Yoruichi. Only now there were several glowing blue and red symbols etched onto the spear made of a metal Nero couldn't identify.
'The powers coming off the spear. It feels… demonic… and also… Shinigami?' He bent down and reached for the spear but as soon as his hand made contact, the spear crumbled into dust. "Ehh?"
Yoruichi, who'd watched it happen, likewise raised a brow. "I know you said we might find some weird stuff on this journey but I never imagined it would get this weird. At least things should calm down now. No way things can get even crazier."
Several Minutes Later
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…Guess I was wrong. We're not done with crazy today…"
"…This is…"
"…Incredible…"
After walking down a myriad of cob-wedded corridors, maze-like halls and squeezing through tight gaps where sections of the cavern had caved-in. Nero and Yoruichi made it to the main chamber of this so called "Sanctuary". And what they saw made them freeze in their tracks with expressions of awe and wonder. It was no wonder Arkham had labelled this as one of his greatest finds.
Thus far, everything, from the corridors to halls to rooms had all been carved into the very mountain itself. A wonder in its own right. Yet that was nothing to what they saw now. A town, or city you could call it, consisting of homes, roads, temples and more. Every building having been carved from the mountains rock.
The mountain that they'd trekked up was in fact hollow, ancient humans having once carved an entire city and labyrinths into it. And from all the various languages still remaining on the signs and temples built in differing architectural designs, this city must have been a collaboration of multiple ancient human civilisations that all came together to create such a marvel.
They both aimlessly walked throughout the lost city, though much of it had crumbled with time, much of it still remained. "How old do you think this place is?"
"At least three thousand years, I'd guess." Was Yoruichi's answer to Nero. She pointed over to one of the temples that was only partially collapsed. "That language written on the temple there was used by the Hittite's. Their empire collapsed during the humans Bronze Age. What's that look for, smart-ass. I'll have you know I had excellent grades when I was in school, history was one of my best subjects." A troublesome student she may have been for her teachers, Yoruichi still remained top of her class. She wasn't just a pretty face, she had brains too.
Nero whistled, clearly impressed. "Three thousand years? If that's the case then how did they build such a place as this. Even modern humans with all their technology would have a hard time hollowing out an entire mountain like this."
"Who know's what the people who built this place were capable of." The feline themed woman was just as perplexed by the humans implausible feat as he was.
During their exploration of the city, they spotted a building, religious temple most likely given the grandiose design. It was located at the very centre of the city and elevated high above all other buildings. Unlike most building this temple was mostly in tact. The duo moved towards the temple, the balls of Kido light still providing them the only illumination they had as they made their way inside its grand entrance.
"That power again." Whatever strange power was inside this mountain seemed to be strongest here, Nero noted. "It's almost like the power is… woven into the mountain."
"It probably is. How else could something on this scale remain hidden for millennia." Chewing on her thumbnail, Yoruichi tilted her head in thought. "It's likely some form of magic, there are Kido's that do a similar thing, act as a barrier of sorts that doesn't necessarily make a place invisible per say, just immensely hard to find. But this Reishi I'm feeling isn't Kido, nor demonic magic for that matter. Someone went to great lengths to help keep this place hidden and secured. And with the natural water well and cattle grazing areas built into this place I can only imagine it was built to ensure the inhabitants could survive without having to leave. Almost like this place was built to be a bunker."
"What, like the type doomsday preppers build in their backyards." Nero laughed it off but Yoruichi sent him a very serious nod. "But… why would anyone need to build a place like this. Just what did they need to survive from?"
That ominous question lingered in both the Devil Hunter and ex-Shinigami as they continued their exploration of the temple.
They soon entered a room which had murals painted on the walls from floor to ceiling. Father Time had caused much of the murals to peel and rot but what did remain was an archaeologists dream.
"It looks like some kind of battle." The murals, for as worn as they were, were still clear enough for Yoruichi to conclude she was looking at a battlefield. One which depicted humans of various tribes and cultures. "A huge battle at that. Seems like humans from every corner of the world is depicted here." Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, barbarian European tribes and more were all shown charging towards a foe. Then she spotted several odd figures on the mural, figures which had no right to be there among a united human army. "That's impossible. Those look like… Shinigami, or at least they're wearing uniforms soldiers in the Soul Society wore before the Gotei came to be. And there," she aimed her finger toward another section of the mural, "those are Hollows. How can humans have painted a mural with Souls and Hollows in them. They shouldn't have known they existed."
Even more confusing was that the Souls and Hollows seemed to be fighting alongside the humans.
"There are other figures on here as well, they aren't human but I have no idea as to who or what they are." Of those mysterious figures Yoruichi could identify were warrior-like women built like bodybuilders, warriors wielding tridents and people that were bending the very weather to their will. "I wonder who they were fighting."
"I'd guess them." Nero said in an unsettled tone, making Yoruichi move toward the mural he was facing. "Is it just me or do these look like… demons."
There was no two ways about it. This mural, which depicted a horde of 'monsters' charging towards the united army of humans, Hollows and Souls, among others. Was a horde of demons. There were Scarecrows, Frosts, Blitz, Enigmas and more that not even Nero could recognise.
Both Nero and Yoruichi shared a look of bewilderment. This was certainly not what they expected to find. After all, from what they knew, demons had never set foot in the universe prior to Arkham releasing Temen-ni-gru. Even the ancient Soul Society considered demons to be but myth. Sure, Arkham and some of the demons Nero encountered within the tower alluded to them setting foot on mortal soil once before, but this! This was far beyond anything they ever expected.
"If these murals are correct then, as odd as it sounds, it seems like a mighty battle between demons and mortals once occurred." Even the open-minded Yoruichi found that conclusion a tad extreme but all the evidence pointed towards it. "That must be what this "Sanctuary" was built for. A safe haven for the humans to retreat to if the tide of battle turned against them. I thought we might find some amazing things on this journey but I never dreamed we'd see anything like this, Nero… Nero?" When she received no response, she turned to check on him. He was now standing below one of the biggest murals in the room which depicted swaths of humans fleeing in terror before a majestic figure. From just his posture she could tell he was anxious, scared even. "Nero… what's wrong?"
"It can't be." A hushed whisper of awe and fear escape Nero as he stared up at the well kept mural, his blue eyes quivering. "I recognise him. There were paintings of him all over Fortunna." The majestic figure on the mural was a man, or more accurately, a beast. He resembled an aged, yet, muscular man, thick bearded and long flowing locks. He was dressed in Greek-like toga, his angelic wings spread behind him. But it was his eyes that filled Nero with dread. Three eyes to be exact, each one painted red. "…Mundus…"
Nero and Yoruichi are officially together, Yeah! At long last our Devil Hunter finally swooned the Goddess of Flash. Hope I portrayed their confession of feelings well. As confident as Nero is in fighting, he's not so good in the whole emotions and social aspect (just look at how lost he was at the end of DMC4 when he confessed his love to Kyrie). Where as Yoruichi is full of confidence and isn't one for wasting time with pointless chatter, she just says how she feels and does what she wants without hesitation. I'm really happy to finally get to this part and can't wait to write more on their relationship now the ship has sailed... Speaking of, what would you even call this ship... Nerochi?... Yoriro?... HellCat?... Whatever, you guys decide that yourselves.
Now, before anyone says Nero should have kept both halves of the Amulet and Force Edge for himself, just remember that he had nowhere to safely secure them. For instance, lets say he kept the Amulet and Force Edge at his apartment, all anyone, like Aizen, would need to do is wait for Nero to go out to work or something then break into his apartment and steal the Amulet and Force Edge and BOOM, we got a Sparda power enhanced Aizen just like that. As Nero himself points out here, storing all three items needed to access Sparda's power in one place, especially and easy to break into place, is an insanely dumb idea.
We are now diving deeper in my, emphasis on MY, Bleach lore, which as mentioned before will be a mix of canon Bleach (including light novels), DMC, along with my own personal flare to spice things up.
For all you historians out there, when I said many chapters ago that the demonic invasion of the Mortal Universe (an invasion I will go into later) happened 3,000 years ago,, that wasn't just a random number I pulled out my arse. In the real world, just over 3,000 years ago the Bronze Age Collapse happened. The true reason for this collapse is still mostly unknown to this day. Well in this story the reason for said collapse will be the demons invading the Human World at the time. Again, I'll go into more detail at a later date but if you read this chapter thinking "Who the hell are the Hittite's?" then I suggest you look up the Bronze Age Collapse. It's a pretty interesting topic.
Feel free to give any and all feedback on this to review, critique, etc. I appreciate it all. Till next time.