Author's Note: Well here is the 15 chapter of Deathberry's Journey. Only a couple more before we get into the Soul Society arc. But first we have an introduction to a certain character to get to. So without further ado, on with the chapter.
"Juha Bach"
"Shiro"
"Aka"
"Ao"
"P.O.V."
'Thought'
"Attacks"
Shikai/Bankai
Chapter 15: The Legendary Quincy
{Opening Theme: "*~Asterisk~" by ORANGE RANGE}
[July 16, 2001]
The following day after the events with Don Kanonji and the Demi-Hollow, Ichigo and his friends were dragged into the principle's office at Karakura High School by their physical education teacher Kagine, a tall, muscular man with short black hair and a mustache.
"Outrageous!" Kagine shouts as his voice echoes throughout the halls of the school. "Don't you see the damage that you kids have done? This ridiculous show was broadcast on national television yesterday. Just look." He says turning on the projector behind the principle with their homeroom teacher Misato Ochi beside him.
The projector turns on to show Spirit Hunter's episode last night with Don Kanonji doing his signature laugh and pose while also showing Ichigo getting tackled by the security team and Rukia slipping on her Gokon Tekkō.
"With two of our students there for all the world to see. Rukia and Ichigo, this is very serious. Never in the history of this school has any student ever dishonored this institution by committing such an act of civil disobedience." Kagine says grabbing Ichigo by his shirt collar.
"Mr. Kagine?" Tatsuki asks getting the P.E. teacher's attention.
"Huh?" Kagine asks looking at the girl.
"Sir, I can understand why you're angry with Ichigo and Rukia for acting like a bunch of stupid idiots, but why are Orihime and I here when we didn't have anything to do with this?" Tatsuki asks.
"You were there with them the whole time this was going on." Kagine accuses.
"That was a coincidence. We were just walking by and suddenly got dragged into the whole mess." Tatsuki says not even trying to defend Ichigo.
"Great, thanks a lot. I'll remember this the next time you need someone to bail your sorry ass out." Ichigo says making said girl stick her tongue out at him.
"Anyway, this has been fun, Mr. Kagine, but we're going back to class if you don't mind. Come on, Orihime." Tatsuki says walking off.
"Goodbye, Mr. Kagine." Orihime says politely with a bow and follows her friend out the door.
"Yeah, me too. I've got some homework." Keigo says attempting to leave.
"Not so fast, Mr. Asano." Kagine says lifting Keigo up by his shirt collar.
"You were there with them, yet you did nothing to stop them, so you're just as guilty as Ichigo." Kagine says.
"I still don't get what the big deal is. It was just a stupid TV show." Keigo says.
"You don't get much, do you, mister?" Kagine asks with a vein popping on his forehead. "That's the trouble with you kids today, no awareness of the consequences of your actions. It's depressing!" He yells.
"I'm so sorry." Rukia says tearing up catching Keigo and Kagine's attention. "I really did try to stop Ichigo, but he wouldn't listen. All he ever thinks about is himself, and he was so obsessed with getting on television." She sobs wiping her eyes with her handkerchief while Kagine drops Keigo in shock. "The whole thing's all my fault. Go ahead and punish me." She says still crying.
"Uh. Please don't cry, Rukia. I understand. I'm sure you did everything you could have." Kagine says rushing over to comfort her.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Kagine. So you'll punish Ichigo and let me go?" Rukia asks Kagine unaware that Ichigo, Chad, Keigo, and Mizuiro were using her as a distraction to make their way to the window.
"Hmm?" Kagine asks and looks behind him to see the boys making a run for it. "You punks come back here right now! You're not gonna get off that easy! I know where you all live!" He yells to the fleeing students before turning around and sees Rukia is gone too. "Oh, great, now Rukia Kuchiki's gotten away too. What should we do?" He asks the principle.
"Just do me a favor. When you do find Ichigo, could you get his autograph for me?" The principle asks as Misato grins at the scene before her.
"Has everyone around here lost their minds?" Kagine asks crying waterfalls.
Shortly afterward, Ichigo and his friends walk through the campus after making clean getaways.
"Way to go, Rukia. Your awesome performance got us off scot-free with no detention." Keigo praises her.
"Oh, you guys. It was nothing, really." Rukia assures them with her cutesy act.
"What are you talking about? She was trying to sell me up the river." Ichigo says glaring down at his partner.
"You gotta admit that her phony crying covered your getaway. You ought to be thanking her." Tatsuki says as Ichigo glares daggers at her.
"Like you're one to talk, miss no loyalty." Ichigo says.
"Actually, I kind of enjoyed putting on the big act and fooling Mr. Kagine, so no thanks necessary. But you have to know I would never sell out a good friend like Ichigo." Rukia says making Ichigo scoff while suddenly her Denreishinki starts beeping. "Hmm." She says looking at the device in her chest pocket.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks knowing what that sound means.
"Oh, Ichigo, can I talk to you for a second in private?" Rukia asks.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks looking down at her as she turns to the others.
"Would you guys excuse us for just a minute?" Rukia asks performing a curtsy before she and Ichigo run off, leaving their friends to stand in surprised silence.
"Well, that's weird. Huh." Keigo says as they watch the run off.
"I never noticed before, but-" Orihime begins to say.
"Hmm?" Tatsuki asks looking towards her friend.
"Those two seem to like each other, don't they?" Orihime asks as they begin walking away.
"No, you're imagining things. Ichigo might like Rukia, but there's no way she'd be interested in him." Keigo says unaware that Chad had stop and was looking up at the third floor of the school.
"Well, something's suspicious." Mizuiro says.
"Hmm." Chad says after noticing Uryū looking down at them before walking away.
A while later, the two Shinigami arrive in an alleyway where they find a cowering fat Plus in the corner beside trash bins but no sign of anything else.
"What's going on? There's no stinking Hollow here. Don't tell me I got all dressed up for nothing. I think your pager needs new batteries." Ichigo says to his partner while staring at the Plus with his arms crossed.
"That's really weird. It was a strong signal, but now there's no trace of it." Rukia says observing her Denreishinki.
"Well there is a faint trace of some Reishi in this area but I'm not familiar with it." Ichigo says before walking over to the cowering spirit. "Hey you, spirit guy." He says making the Plus shriek in surprise. "The chances of this are slim but you didn't by any chance cut the head off a Hollow recently, did you?" He asks.
"I'm not sure what you mean by a Hollow, but I sure did see something scary. This thing was so big. It looked like a huge, slimy black bug. When I saw it, I almost peed my pants!" The Plus admits as he lunges forward but Ichigo stops him with a foot to his face.
"I don't care about your problems. I want to know what happened to it." Ichigo says in an irritated tone.
"Let me talk to him." Rukia says walking up to next to Ichigo. "Since you can describe the Hollow so clearly, no doubt then you must have also seen who killed it and how." She says interrogating the Plus.
"Well, not really, 'cause I had my eyes closed the whole time. I was so scared." The Plus says attempting another lounge, only for an irritated Rukia to plant her foot in his face as well.
"Well, it's Konsō time, I suppose." Ichigo says drawing one of the Getsu no Ikari blades from his hip.
"What? Uh. What's a Konsō? What are you gonna do? No, no, get that sword away from me. No!" The Plus screams as Ichigo taps his forehead.
While a blue glow fills the alleyway, Uryū watches this event from a rooftop above them and sees a Jigokuchō flutter away.
[July 17, 2001]
The next day, at Karakura High School, the students gather around a list of the highest test scores for the final exam of their first semester.
"I just got my score!" A male student say excitedly.
"Just scored 780!" A female student says.
"All right!" A male student congratulates the girl.
"Did you find your name?" Another female student asks.
"Whoa!" A male student says in awe at the top students on the list.
"Whoa!" A female student says in awe as well. "Look at that!" She says.
"Yeah." Another female student says.
"Right?" The female student says.
"Third in the class? Pretty smart for a girl, Orihime." Tatsuki says patting her on the head making the girl giggle at the praise.
"This sucks. Orihime has both brains and boobs. It's just not fair." Michiru says.
"If it makes you feel better, she's a terrible cook." Tatsuki says having tasted Orihime's food.
"Orihime, you're my best friend. I'm so proud of you." Chizuru says cuddles Orihime and heaps praise on her as well.
"Whoa." Keigo says looking closely at the list. "Aw, let the girls get their high scores. At least none of our gang embarrassed us by making it into the top 50, right, Mizuiro?" He asks his friend who was looking near the top of the list.
"Take another look." Mizuiro says spotting one of their friends names.
"Hmm?" Keigo asks and sees Ichigo's name in the 2nd place. "W-Wh-Wha-What? Ichigo is ranked number 2? You cheater. There's no way you could have possibly scored that high." He cries in a shocked tone.
"Shut up, Keigo. I score high on tests because I study for them. You should try it sometime." Ichigo says. 'And because Yoruichi would kill me if I don't keep my grades up like I promised I would when I first started training.' He thought.
"Aha, so that's what you were doing all those nights when I was asking you to come hang out. You always said you were too busy, but the truth is you were studying like a total nerd. Oh, no. I'm friends with a nerd." Keigo says tearfully and dramatically. "Maybe you need some thick nerd glasses like these, pal." He says donning a pair of glasses like he described.
"No, thanks." Ichigo says as he causally smashes them on Keigo's face.
"It is a bit of a surprise to learn you really study." Mizuiro says standing next to Ichigo.
"My hair gets me enough abuse. I'm not gonna be an academic loser on top of it." Ichigo tells him.
"Good point. Sorry I ragged on you. So how about if I gave you this complimentary nerd headband instead." Keigo says donning a headband this time.
"I told you, no." Ichigo says as he cuts it off his forehead with a pair of scissors.
"All right then, have it your way. But see if I ever ask you to hang out with me again." Keigo says mocking Ichigo by sticking his tongue out and slapping his ass. "Well, at least you wouldn't go and do something embarrassing like score in the top 50, right, Chad, old pal?" He asks elbowing Chad in his stomach due to his height.
Chad silently direct their attention near the top of the list, where his name is in 4th place. Completely shocked by this revelation, Keigo and Mizuiro run several feet down the hall, where Mizuiro curls up in the fetal position.
"I'm horrified. I had no idea I was hanging out with such a bunch of complete geeks and brainiacs. I'm through with all of you." Keigo says as he and Mizuiro run to the end of the hall.
"Oh, well. They'll be back." Tatsuki says watching the two boys run off.
"I'm guessing that being in the top 10 was Kisuke's requirement for training you to wield that power of yours?" Ichigo asks his friend in a low tone and receives a nod from him. "Well, I guess it's lucky for him one of us isn't in the number one spot, like Ametatsu Ishida. I've never even heard of him." He says with a confused look on his face.
"That's Uryū, Uryū Ishida." Orihime tells her crush.
"You mean you know him?" Ichigo asks looking down at her.
"Yeah, of course. He's in our class." Orihime tells him shocking Ichigo.
"You'll find that Ichigo has an uncanny knack for forgetting people's faces and the names that go with them." Tatsuki tells her friend.
"Not true. I just don't remember the guy because he's never actually talked to me. So it's hard to put a name to a face I've never met before." Ichigo says.
"Whatever. Come on." Tatsuki says dragging Orihime by her arm.
"Oh. Uh." Orihime says as she is dragged off.
"Hmm, now that's weird." Ichigo says trying to remember Uryū's face as he continues to look at the list.
Elsewhere in the school, Rukia stares at her Denreishinki while it calls the Urahara Shop before angrily realizing that he is not there.
"How come he's not answering?" Rukia wonders as she places her Denreishinki against the wall. "Urahara, why don't you ever pick up when I call you in emergencies like this? You call yourself a businessman? Then why do you show up when you're not wanted, and then when I really need you, you won't answer?" She asks as she stares at the device for a few seconds.
"You know, you're starting to act like a regular teenage girl." A voice says catching her attention as she looks up to see Ichigo staring at her behind the wall her Denreishinki his placed against. "Since you're complaining about your phone not working but of course they don't know the real reason, huh?" He asks in a teasing tone.
"Shut up, I need Urahara to come and take a look at this Soul Page. I mean, how am I supposed to know if this stupid thing is working right or not?" Rukia asks bending down and tapping the Denreishinki before it suddenly starts beeping shocking both Shinigami. "Let's go!" She says grabbing the device as they run off.
As the two run through the halls towards the entrance of the school they spot Chad, Keigo, and Mizuiro walking together.
"Hey, Ichigo, let's go to that new karaoke bar. There's this hot hostess there." Keigo says to his incoming friend.
"No thanks. You know karaoke is really my thing." Ichigo tells him as they rush past the three.
"Those two are always rushing off somewhere no matter what time of day it is." Keigo says in a suspicious tone.
"Maybe they really are seeing each other." Mizuiro says.
"Are you sure it's a Hollow this time?" Ichigo asks.
"It's the only reason the Denreishinki would go off like it did." Rukia informs him.
"Well, there better actually be one this time." Ichigo says not wanting another false alarm.
"Just shut up and run." Rukia tells him as she and Ichigo continue to run down the hall, Ichigo accidentally bumps into Uryū on the way.
"Sorry." Ichigo apologizes before continuing to run off as Uryū brushes his shoulder and walks away.
That night, Ichigo stands in the street in his Shinigami form with an irritated look on his face after another false alarm.
"Damn it. Again, you drag me all the way out here, and there's no Hollow." Ichigo says looking to his partner, who was dragging his Gigai towards his location. 'And yet again there's that strange Reishi signature.' He thought.
"Shut up. Stop whining and get back into your Gigai." Rukia says.
"Fine, but would you do something about that stupid Denreishinki?" Ichigo says walking over to his Gigai.
"These false alarms aren't my fault. When it goes off, I have to assume a Hollow has appeared, so I report it. What else can I do?" Rukia asks as Ichigo slips back into his Gigai.
"Well, get it fixed because it's obviously busted." Ichigo says getting up off the ground.
"They don't fix them at television repair shops." Rukia informs him.
"Then you don't wait for Kisuke to come and look at it, you go directly to him and don't leave until it is fixed." Ichigo tells her the logical thing to do.
"Bickering, are we?" A male voice says entering the area.
"Uh. Hmm?" Ichigo and Rukia ask at the same time as they turn and see Uryū Ishida wearing a form fitting white uniform that seemed like a mix between Chinese origin and catholic robes.
"How unprofessional. Good evening, Ichigo, Rukia." Uryū says to them walking out from the shadowed alley.
"Who the hell are you? And how do you know our names you don't mind-" Ichigo begins to say.
"I don't mind." Uryū says interrupting Ichigo. "I also know you can see spirits, Ichigo." He says shocking them both.
"How do you know that?" Ichigo asks. 'He has to be spiritually aware too, just like Chad and the rest of my family.' He thought keeping a calm composer but then both he and to his surprise Uryū sensed something coming.
"Another Hollow has just appeared." Uryū says.
"No way." Rukia says and a few seconds later, her Denreishinki begins beeping, prompting her to look at it. "There's a new one here all right. How did he know?" She wonders staring at the device in her hands.
"All right. Let's go take care of it. Which way?" Ichigo asks but sees Uryū hold up his arm and notices the cross on Uryū's wrist. 'Wait a second. Isn't that…?' He thought recognizing the cross.
"It's over there." Uryū says pointing in the direction of the Hollow. "Can you not sense such a simple thing? And you call yourself a Shinigami." He says as the cross begins flaring with blue Reishi and forms a bow made out of Reishi as well. "This is my Kojaku (Arc Sparrow)." He informs them as he pulls the bow's Reishi string back and creates an arrow made of Reishi as well. "Now watch as I destroy that Hollow with this Heilig Pfeil (Holy Arrow, Sacred Destruction Arrow)." He says bending down on one knee.
'A Kojaku. That looks similar to a Heilig Bogen (Holy Boy, Sacred Bow)! Dad told me that mom used something similar to that when she was around my age. Then there's no doubt now, Uryū is definitely a…' Ichigo thought but was interrupted when Uryū fired the Heilig Pfeil.
The two Shinigami watch in shock as the Heilig Pfeil arcs across Karakura Town and pierce a Hollow's head right as it enters the Human World. While the Hollow disintegrates, Ichigo looks on in shock while Rukia realizes that the purification order has disappeared.
"The signal just vanished." Rukia says looking at her Denreishinki.
"So tell me, who or what are you?" Ichigo asks wanting Uryū to confirm it for him.
"Uryū Ishida. I'm a Quincy. Shinigamis are my enemies." Uryū says glaring at them.
"Just what do you mean?" Ichigo asks. 'I didn't think they would make they're move this soon.' He thought clenching his fist.
"Don't worry, Ichigo." Juha Bach says appearing behind him. "I don't think he even knows you have Quincy abilities and he doesn't seem to possess any advance abilities other than that of an average Quincy." He says before fading away after easing Ichigo's worries.
"Is that too complicated for you? I'll tell you again then, slower this time. Ichigo Kurosaki, you are my enemy." Uryū says glaring at Ichigo as he glares back.
The next day, at Karakura High School, an irritated Ichigo walks through the halls as he recalls Uryū's criticism of his Shinigami abilities.
"Damn, what's the story with that guy?" Ichigo wonders thinking back to last night. '"And you call yourself a Shinigami? Can you not sense such a simple thing?"' He thought about what Uryū said to him. 'Who does he think he is, insulting me like that?' He thought.
"Calm down, Ichigo. There's no reason to get worked up." Aka tells her master.
"Yeah, King, it's not like he knows what you're really capable of." Shiro says.
"He's living in the past based on the Quincy's grudge against the Shinigami." Ao says.
'Yeah, yeah, I know you all are right. It's just I worked hard to obtain the skills and abilities I have and he comes along and insults me which is the same as insulting all of you.' Ichigo thought clenching his fist. "Damn that glasses wearing bastard." He says.
"Do you mean Uryū Ishida?" Orihime asks popping up behind him.
"Orihime." Ichigo says in surprise by her sudden appearance.
"Are you looking for Uryū to talk to him about something?" Orihime asks with curiosity in her voice.
"Uh, yeah, I was just on my way to look for him when you showed up out of nowhere which is pretty amazing if I say so." Ichigo says complimenting her making her blush at the praise.
"Oh, well thank you. Anyways if you are looking for him, you're in luck. In fact, I know where to find him. He's usually in the home handicrafts club." Orihime informs him.
"Home handy what?" Ichigo asks in shock and confusion.
Shortly afterward, Orihime opens the door to their homeroom and points out Uryū to Ichigo.
"You see? There he is, right there." Orihime says peeking through the open door with Ichigo, who peers through the opening as well
"That's him all right, but I can't believe he's really in the home handicrafts club." Ichigo says seeing Uryū just seating at his desk. "Look at him. He's reading, not doing macramé."
"Yeah? You wait. It looks like Michiru's got a job for him." Orihime says seeing her friend walk up to Uryū with a torn stuffed doll in her hands.
"Like he's gonna sew it for her?" Ichigo asks noting the convenience of this turn of events.
"Just wait and watch." Orihime says as they watch closely.
Grabbing the stuffed doll out of Michiru's hands, Uryū throws it into the air and opens his sewing kit to withdraw a needle and thread before rapidly sewing shut the tear in the doll and biting off the thread. Upon having the repaired doll tossed back to Michiru.
"Hey, it's almost as good as new. Thanks so much, Uryū." Michiru says happily.
"It's all right. Don't mention it. In fact, don't talk to me anymore at all." Uryū says adjusting his glasses.
"Uh, I'll see you later then." A deflated Michiru says.
"Why would he do something so nice and then say something so unkind?" Orihime wonders.
"Because he's insane, that's why." Ichigo says as he begins walking away.
"Ichigo, wait a sec, you said you wanted to talk to him, right? Does that mean you and Uryū have some kind of problem?" Orihime asks with slight worry in her voice.
"Well, you could say that, but it's nothing I can't handle." Ichigo says walking away again.
"That's good." Orihime says as Ichigo continues walking away as she sadly accepts that he is not telling her the full story.
Later that day, as Uryū walks up a set of stairs somewhere in Karakura Town, he stops at the top.
"Do you intend to follow me all the way home, Ichigo Kurosaki?" Uryū asks.
"Guess I'm not as sneaky as I thought I was." Ichigo says walking out from around the corner. "So when did you first notice me?" He asks.
"From the time you and Orihime saw me in the classroom." Uryū says not turning to look at Ichigo. "You've been ducking in and out of shadows behind me ever since." He states.
"Huh. That long, huh? Now that's impressive. But at least I now know what your potential is when sensing Reiryoku." Ichigo says.
"Like you actually known what I'm capable of, the careless way you let your Reiryoku leak out, even a monkey would have noticed it. Amateur stuff." Uryū says still not looking at him.
"Or it's more likely that I'm letting it out on purpose." Ichigo says.
"Oh, please. It's obvious that you lack even the most basic ability to detect those around you with high Reiryoku." Uryū states.
"That's because I'm letting it leak out on purpose to test your abilities. If I were to close it off completely you wouldn't even be able to know where I was unless I told you." Ichigo says knowing Uryū would take the bait.
"Yeah, right. There's no way that someone like you could-" Uryū begins to say as he turns around but is slightly shocked when he doesn't see Ichigo. "What the…? Where did he-?" He starts asking trying to sense Ichigo's Reiryoku but is unable to, until he hears a whistle behind him where he was once facing causing him to turn back around and sees Ichigo standing a good 10 meters away from him. "Okay I'm a little impressed but care to explain the fact that you weren't even aware of my existence until today?" He asks.
"Yeah, sorry about that. It's just I don't really remember people who don't usually talk to me or those that hide their Reiryoku." Ichigo says leaning against the brick wall to his right.
"That's not what I mean. There's a difference between you and me. Before you started at this school, I sensed your high Reiryoku. If you were any good, you would've sensed mine." Uryū says.
"Well I knew there was someone else with high Reiryoku besides my family, teachers, Rukia, and Chad but I had other important things to do. And if you are as good as you claim, why didn't you come to me earlier instead of last night?" Ichigo asks.
"I even know the day in mid-May when you became a Shinigami." Uryū says ignoring Ichigo last question.
'He must be talking about the day I took that pill from Kisuke that helped me get out of my Gigai.' Ichigo thought knowing Uryū was misinformed since he had been a Shinigami far earlier than that.
"And I know Rukia Kuchiki's true identity." Uryū states and suddenly, several of Reiraku sprang up around him.
"Reiraku." Ichigo states, familiar with the ribbons forming.
"You're right. It seems you are well informed. Reiraku are the physical manifestation of Reiryoku in the atmosphere. And-" Uryū says as he suddenly disappears and reappears in front of Ichigo with his left hand stretched out.
"Congratulations, you were about to find my Reiraku. What do you want? A prize?" Ichigo asks mockingly. 'So he's about to use Hirenkyaku (Pure Flying Step), the equivalent of Shinigami's Shunpo.' He thought.
"I'm impressed you knew that. Yes, Shinigamis' Reiraku are a different color than normal ones." Uryū says but is startled when Ichigo reaches out and grabs one of the white ribbons himself.
"And this one is yours. You're bragging doesn't work if I can do the same basic things you can do." Ichigo says as they both let go of the ribbons causing them to fade. "Is there a point to any of this?" He asks starting to get irritated.
"Why don't we play a little game, Ichigo Kurosaki. Let's have a duel to determine which one of us is stronger, the Quincy or the Shinigami. I'll show you just how unnecessary Shinigamis are in this world." Uryū says making Ichigo glare at the teen.
Meanwhile, outside the Urahara Shop, Jinta and Ururu play janken better known as Rock, Paper, Scissors.
"All right, practice duel. Rock, paper, scissors!" Jinta shouts as he throws rock while Ururu chooses scissors. "Rock wins!" He cheers as he points to the side while trying to get Ururu to look over there, but she keeps looking downward. "This one's for real. Rock, paper, scissors!" He yells and once again chooses rock however this time, Ururu chose paper.
"It looks like you lose." Ururu says commenting on her win as she points upward which Jinta does instinctively making him scream in frustration.
"I get to choose a chore for you, Jinta, and I choose sweeping up." She says cheerfully while handing broom to him.
"Oh, no, not so fast. You haven't won yet, Ururu. I said it's not over till you win two out of three." Jinta says emphatically declares.
"Hey, you never said that before. Not fair." Ururu says as Jinta begins grinding his fists against her temples. "No, Jinta, stop it." She cries as his grinding fists start moving at high speeds.
"Aw, quite your complaining, Ururu, the rules are whatever I say they are." Jinta says but then feels someone grab the back of his shirt. "Huh?" He asks and yelps as he is lifted high into the air by Tessai.
"Maybe you'd like to try that technique on my head, Jinta." Tessai says not liking the way he was picking on Ururu.
"Ow, put me down. I was just trying to teach her rock, paper, scissors." Jinta claims.
Suddenly, Rukia appears and kicks Tessai in the behind, only to quickly leap back and kneel down to clutch her aching foot as an unfazed Tessai turns around and sees her.
"Hmm? Oh, hello there, Miss Kuchiki. I didn't see you come in. Is there something wrong with your foot?" Tessai asks oblivious to the fact that his tough body is the reason she hurt her foot.
"Never mind. Urahara here?" Rukia asks struggling to hold back her tears from the pain.
Just then the shop's door slides open to reveal Kisuke walking out with Karin and Yuzu.
"Excellent work these past couple of weeks girls. You two are adjusting well since obtaining your Shinigami forms. I am very proud." Kisuke says to them not noticing Rukia as everyone else stares at them.
"Thank you very much Mr. Kisuke." Yuzu says politely with a bow.
"And thanks for the custom Shihakushōs as well." Karin says to hers and her twins Zanjutsu teacher.
"It was my pleasure." Kisuke says with a smile as he covered his mouth with his fan. "Oh, before I forget. Those special items your father ordered for you came in last night." He says and reaches into his haori and pulls out two Gikongan dispensers that had a snake head on one and a crow head on the other. "These two Gikongans are known as Diana and Claudia." He says handing Diana to Karin and Claudia to Yuzu. "Of all the Gikongan available, these two were were the closest match to your personalities Isshin could find. Diana has a tough personality while at the same time shows concern for those close to her. Claudia on the other hand is sweet, kind, caring and has a playful personality." He says.
"Thank you very much Mr. Kisuke." The girls says gladly accepting the items.
"But remember to only use them in a state of emergency and not just for fun. You have a limited number before they will need refilling." Kisuke says receiving a nod from him before looking over his shoulder and spots Rukia, still clutching her foot. "Well that's it for now girls. You can head on home or go and meet up with your friends." He says to them.
"Alright. Goodbye everyone." Yuzu says as she and Karin walk off. "Oh, hello Rukia. We'll see you at home tonight." She says and continues walking away with Karin.
"Now then, if it isn't my favorite customer. What can I do for you?" Kisuke asks after walking back into his shop with Rukia following after him. "Ow!" He cries as Rukia throws her Denreishinki at him causing him to fall to the floor from the force.
"Don't play innocent with me, Urahara. I had to come in person because I've been calling for days with a major problem, and you don't respond." Rukia says criticizing the former captain.
"Oh, sorry about that. It's just we've been really busy lately, with getting the younger Kurosaki-Shiba girls to obtain their Shinigami forms and trained in Zanjutsu I just haven't had the time in the last couple of weeks but I was gonna call you today." Kisuke assures her.
"Where's spiky-haired? I don't see him." Jinta asks looking around not seeing Ichigo anywhere. "I guess he must have broken up with you. Can't really say I blame the guy." He says mockingly.
"Cut her some slack, Jinta." Kisuke says to his ward.
"It's serious. I need information." Rukia says.
"About what?" Kisuke asks in a curious tone.
Back on the stairs, Ichigo is now standing across from Uryū as they continue to glare at each other.
"So when is this duel between us supposed to take place?" Ichigo asks.
"Right now." Uryū states.
"That idea is ridiculous." Ichigo says with a sigh a he slings his bag over his shoulder.
"Why do you say that?" Uryū asks in confusion.
"Because it would be a waste my of time. I personally don't care about the bad blood between Shinigami and Quincys and I certainly have nothing to prove to someone who's living in the past because of it." Ichigo says and turns to leave.
"What a surprise. You're afraid to fight." Uryū taunts.
"Forget trying to goad me into it. Besides, I'd mop the floor with you." Ichigo says still walking away.
"Oh, now I get it. You don't have permission." Uryū says making Ichigo halts his movement. "I forgot. Your Shinigami powers came from Rukia." He says.
'And that's your one big mistake.' Ichigo thought smirking.
"You're actually just a substitute Shinigami. That probably means that on your own, you can't so much as lift a finger." Uryū says adjusting his glasses. "You have to have her permission to duel, don't you?" He asks in a taunting manner.
"All right then." Ichigo says looking back at the Quincy over his shoulder.
Back at the Urahara Shop, Kisuke and Rukia wearing sitting in the shop area about to discuss the topic on Rukia's mind as Tessai sets down some tea for them.
"A Quincy. I haven't heard that word in a long time." Kisuke says looking down at his cup of tea in front of him.
"It does have kind of an ancient ring to it, doesn't it?" Tessai asks. "If I'm not mistaken, it's been 200 years since I've heard anyone speak of Quincys." He says.
"But only 20 years since we've encountered one of the last few." Kisuke adds.
"Ah, yes, dear Masaki and Ryūken." Tessai says.
"I know Masaki is Ichigo's mother but who's the other one?" Rukia asks.
"Don't worry about him. He wants nothing to do with our world." Kisuke assures her.
"Okay, well, back to the original question; who are the Quincys?" Rukia asks.
"Who were they, you mean. The last of the Quincys became extinct centuries ago, but they were once a clan that specialized in killing Hollows. And at one time, there were many of them scattered throughout the world. Now their numbers are less than the fingers you have on one hand." Kisuke informs her.
"So what happened?" Rukia asks.
"Well, I suppose I should begin at the beginning. The clan started out as a group of humans who had powers like Ichigo to sense the presence of Hollows in the world and began to train to fight against them. The whole mission of the Quincys was to defeat Hollows, just as it is for Shinigamis like yourself, but there was a deep division between the two. It was a question of whether to cleanse Hollows, or just kill them. Shinigamis, as you know, seek to purify Hollows with their Zanpakutō and thereby allow them to pass over into the Soul Society. But the Quincys believed the Hollows deserved only destruction and sought to annihilate them. When you think about it, it was a natural reaction. Hollows devour human souls. They kill and maim our friends and family. Why should they deserve the peace of the Soul Society? The Quincys couldn't understand showing such mercy, and eventually they began to hate the Shinigamis for it. They were sure the only answer was to kill Hollows. They believed in doing so that they were avenging their fallen comrades. But then, it was this same belief that eventually led to their destruction." Kisuke explains the Quincys' history but only bits and pieces of it. 'Of course this isn't the whole truth if what the Soul King told Ichigo is correct.' He thought grimly about the future ahead of them.
Back on the stairs, Ichigo is once again facing Uryū, ready to accept his duel.
"All right, if a duel's what you want, then a duel's what you'll get. But you'll be sorry once I'm the winner." Ichigo says as he unzips his bag and reaches into it to pull out a familiar stuffed animal.
"It's about time, Ichigo." Kon says moving around in Ichigo's hand not caring if there were regular people around.
"Hmm?" Uryū asks in shock by what he just saw.
"Why'd you leave me in that stupid bag all day? You trying to kill me? I don't care what Rukia says, don't you ever do that to me again!" Kon orders.
"Cough it up." Ichigo simply says which horrifies the Kaizō Konpaku.
"Wait a sec. Forget what I said about the bag. You can put me back there-" Kon begins to say before Ichigo reaches into his mouth.
"Uh-Aha." Ichigo says as he pulls the pill out of the stuffed toy. "Hmm." He says in disgust as he wipe it off on his shirt before swallowing it and exiting his Gigai in his Shinigami form. "Kon, you better get back. I'm about to give Mr. Handicrafts some stitches to sew. But stay close cause I might have something for you to do if he does what I think he is." He says whispering the last part to the Kaizō Konpaku in his Gigai.
"Right. I'll just be over here." Kon says grabbing his doll and Ichigo school bag and rushes off to the side.
"So how does your little duel work? Tell me the rules, and let's get to it." Ichigo demands.
"Hmph." Uryū says smirking thinking he tricked Ichigo into fighting him.
{Ending Theme: "Life is Like a Boat" by Rie Fu}
Author's Note: Well that's it. I know this chapter was similar to the original episode but the next one is going to be very different. If you all recall, Chad already has his fullbring power since his battle against Shrieker, so who do you all think is going to be the main focus of the next chapter? Stay toned to find out. Please be sure to review and tell me what you think. Also don't forget to submit your ideas for Karin and Yuzu's Zanpakutōs. Let me know through a review or PM me.