A/N: Wow. Fifty chapters. It's been a long road to get this far. I don't really like leaving author's notes, but I just wanted to stop and thank everyone for both reading A Town Called Hino and put up with the frequent breaks in uploads. You all are awesome, and I do this for you. Expect more frequent uploads from here as I'm going to make the chapters much shorter. That'll help with both getting them done and making them easier to read. Again, thanks you guys.
Chapter 50
The Beginning of War
The rain continued to fall. Jackie Tristan wondered if it would ever stop as she gazed up at the heavens. Each drop that struck her face was ice cold and like a blow to the stomach. In a strange sort of way, she thought them refreshing.
Her head moved to her right. There laid Sasune's arrow. The Quincy was long gone, and yet, Jackie couldn't get him out of her head. His final arrow hadn't come close to ending her life.
"Damn him!"
She took her frustrations out on a puddle. Her life had been spared. Sasune Ishida had the nerve to take pity on her.
"He's mocking me! How could I lose to an idiot like that?!"
She would never live it down. Death would have been a less irritating prospect.
"Not to mention Ginjou is going to kill me…"
Her misty eyes returned to the sky. Her anger melted away, and she chuckled at nothing in particular. She considered herself the world's worst assassin to lose to an arrogant teenager.
"The world's greatest Quincy, huh? …Bastard. No wonder Ginjou and Tsukishima want him dead."
#
Sasune used whatever he passed on the empty street to steady himself. He couldn't walk in a straight line. Hell, he couldn't even see properly. His consciousness was slipping. Grabbing a hold of a railing, he gave in and sat himself on the ground.
"I didn't even figure out where Miss Mitsumi is being held. I suck…"
He could no longer move. His head hurt too much. He slumped against the railing, using it as a makeshift pillow. For having won his fight with Jackie, he was certain he was the one hurting the most.
"Shit. I...might actually be dying. Well, I've lived a full life. Don't think I have any regrets...except my friends and family bawling over my demise. They'll never get over it, and who can blame them? Heh. They might commit suicide in utter despair."
On second thought…
"Uryuu would celebrate actually. Creep. And...Miss Mitsumi is always annoyed by my presence. She might throw a big party at her mansion. CT would be happy to have me out of his life too, wouldn't he? Dammit, that bastard! Always thinking I'm getting him into trouble! Who cares if we sneak into a strip club or two and have the cops chase after us?"
He curled his lips, wishing he had simply keeled over and gotten it over with.
"Even my precious Inoue thinks I'm a creep. Would...the world be a brighter place if I weren't here?"
Having been mostly joking until now, he mulled the question seriously. Frustration and regret welled in the pit of his stomach. Playing the part of the fool had been fun until he found himself all alone in the end.
"All this blood loss might have me thinking goofy, but I...wish I could see you again, Ma. That...would be nice…"
Cold. He shivered, feeling unbelievably cold thanks to the rain.
Or was it because he was dying?
"..."
His eyelids grew as heavy as lead. He no longer cared what happened so long as he could stop shivering.
Warmth? Just as soon as he started complaining about the inclement weather, an incredible warmth spread over him.
"Hypothermia. ...Great."
If so, it was the strangest case he had ever heard of. Normally, one's strength didn't come back. He had enough vigor to not only open his eyes but sit up.
"Sorry, but you don't get to die just yet. You've got your whole life ahead of you."
Izumi was glad her healing Kidou was working. Sasune agreed. He patted himself down to confirm he wasn't some type of ghost.
"I'm losing it," he muttered. "Why would Aaron's smoking hot sister be here in my final moments?"
"Thanks for the compliment. This is real though."
"Ee-eee-eh?!"
Izumi, grimacing, wasn't sure why he sounded like a school girl. At the very least, it was a good sign he would live.
"How...did you know I was here?" he asked, still under the impression this was a dream.
Izumi snorted. "Are you kidding me? I could hear you screaming miles away."
"I-I only shrieked once or twice...or maybe six or seven times!"
"I'm afraid my employee is merely messing with you, Mister Ishida. Although, you were being rather melodramatic just now."
Sasune had another surprise visitor in the form of Kisuke Urahara. The humble shopkeeper held an umbrella over the group, tipping his bucket hat in Sasune's direction.
"Haven't you been told not to kick a man while he's down, Miss Izumi?" he added.
"I couldn't resist."
"I'm not surprised. Good evening, Mister Ishida. I hope we're not imposing."
Sasune laughed like a fool. "Just tell me I don't have to pay for this latest doctor's visit."
"I could feel your spiritual pressure going haywire," Izumi explained. "So, I figured that, like usual, you must've gotten yourself in hot water."
"Her senses really are the sharpest around. You're quite fortunate," chimed Urahara.
"Whatever you were doing, it seems like you were in over your head. Funny. I thought that stupid brother of mine would be right behind you."
Izumi helped Sasune up, patting his head. He had to stop himself from purring like a cat.
"Spoil me more, Mommy."
"...What?"
"What?"
"Erm…" Urahara wasn't sure he wanted to speak after hearing that. "It would appear we have more than the Arrancar to worry about. Isn't that right, Mister Ishida?"
Sasune nodded. The fight against Xcution wasn't over. He might have won the battle, yet, he was far from winning the war.
#
Normal people would feel awkward singing an off key tune as they skipped down a busy street. Normal people would also be hot under the collar wearing a flashy maid outfit in broad daylight.
Kana Mitarashi was not a 'normal person.'
"Whew!" she said, wiping her forehead. The humid weather had nothing to do with her sweating. "What a day!"
Paying no mind to the curious stares she drew, she reflected on a tough day at the maid cafe.
"I didn't think I'd be so rusty. It's all good though!"
Even more heads turned her way when she reached between her cleavage and pulled out a fat stack of cash.
"My loyal clientele came through in the clutch. To think they'd miss me so much!"
Flipping through the bills made her already great mood even better.
"Honey, I'm home!"
She knocked on the door of Orihime Inoue's apartment, her temporary home while stationed in the world of the living. She would be able to pay the girl some rent money thanks to her productive day.
"Nobody home?" she said, turning her head a minute later. "Oh, that's right. She should be getting out of school right now."
"Here I am, Mitarashi!"
Speak of the devil. Orihime came flying up the stairs with her keys in hand.
"Hiya! How was school?" said Kana with a friendly wave.
"Um...a-alright, I suppose…"
Kana supposed not given Orihime's frail tone and worried visage.
"Is something the matter?"
Orihime hurriedly shoved her key into the lock. "I don't know yet…"
The cryptic answer gave Kana pause. So did Orihime racing into her apartment. Kana rushed after, afraid something serious had happened.
"Holy moly! What store did you get this from?!"
Orihime wasn't sure how Kana thought the bizarre-looking television taking up most of the living room was something one could buy in the human world. Wires that looked more like tentacles extended from every corner, and the giant screen displayed static. Standing in front of it were Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya and Vice-Captain Rangiku Matsumoto.
"You're late, Mitarashi," Hitsugaya grumbled. "And what's with that ridiculous outfit?"
"Hiya, Captain!" Kana struck what she thought was a cute pose. Only Rangiku felt that was the case. "This 'ridiculous' outfit is gonna be our meal ticket in this world!"
Her Captain shook his head and had no interest in continuing the discussion.
"You know," Kana wasn't done, however, "this is why you've got all that white hair even though you're so young."
"Can we talk about what in the world that thing is?!" Orihime pointed a frantic finger at the screen. "Not cool…"
"You had to come back nowof all times," Hitsugaya mumbled.
"Can we watch a movie, Captain? This screen is awesome!" exclaimed Kana.
He didn't answer her, instead facing the television. "This is Toushirou Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division. Please, patch me through."
"Yes, sir. Connecting you now," said a voice on the other side of the monitor.
"So, you're just using this thing as a glorified telephone?" said Kana, pouting. "You ever heard of a cell phone?"
A figure flickered onto the screen, preventing Hitsugaya from chewing her head off.
"The...Captain-Commander?" said Orihime, who realized the strange monitor being there wasn't just Hitsugaya and Rangiku having bizarre remodeling tastes.
"Oh, shoot!" Kana hid behind her. "It's the big boss! He can't see me in this outfit!"
Hitsugaya couldn't help but be annoyed she had no qualms wearing it in front of him.
"Thank you all for gathering there. You've set up a line of communication quickly," Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto stated. His stern eyes moved from each person in the room, staying on Kana a bit longer than the others. "Exactly what I expected of you, Captain Hitsugaya. I had a good reason for putting you through so much trouble. Soul Society has at last determined the motive of the individual who stole the Hougyoku."
"This...sounds important. I'll just step outside then if no one…"
"Wait one moment, Orihime Inoue."
Unnerved, Orihime returned to her spot next to Kana. While she had no issues with the Captain-Commander, his sharp gaze gave her goosebumps.
"I welcome you to listen. This concerns your world as well."
"O-Of course...sir..."
"This Hougyoku thief," said Hitsugaya. "Do they have anything to do with Aizen?"
Rangiku, frowning, noted the agitation in her Captain's tone.
"Do we have to talk about that creep?" groaned Kana. "Just hearing that name gives me the chills."
"No, Captain Hitsugaya," Yamamoto answered firmly. "Sousuke Aizen remains locked in Muken and would have no capacity to steal the Hougyoku. There is nothing corroborating the two."
Hitsugaya shook his head. "We should interrogate Aizen for more information! I know he has something to do with this, sir!"
An uncomfortable silence spread across the room. Kana leered around at everyone's sour expressions and wasn't sure what to think. She had seen her Captain frustrated before, sure, but he rarely lost his temper like this.
"I understand your skepticism, Captain. However, do not allow your personal feelings to cloud your judgment," said Yamamoto.
"Forgive me, sir." Hitsugaya lowered his head in apology. "Consider the matter dropped."
Rangiku, curling her lips even more, wasn't so sure about that.
"Very well." The Captain-Commander nodded. "Let us return to the matter at hand.
"Over the past month, we have investigated a number of motives concerning the theft of the Hougyoku. Rest assured, Captain, that Sousuke Aizen was one of the first we scrutinized. We found nothing.
"Besides the Hougyoku, something was stolen from Central Forty Six's chambers, specifically, their great library."
"Some sort of book?" Rangiku speculated.
"Indeed, one of great importance. More could have been taken. Central Forty Six's chambers were restricted even for us Captains, so we're having a difficult time going through all the information."
"You can skip the window dressing, sir," said Hitsugaya. "Let's hear the main issue."
"As you wish. Captain Ukitake learned more about the book that was stolen. In short, the text outlined the history of Soul Society."
"And was there something vital it mentioned, sir? Something related to the Hougyoku?"
"Not at all. In fact, perhaps it would have been better if that was the case. No, Captain, this information concerned the Royal Key."
The room flooded with gasps. Orihime, left out of the loop, moved her head to and fro.
"What's the Royal Key?"
"Exactly what it sounds like—a key to the royal house," said Rangiku gravely, biting her bottom lip.
"While it might sound hard to believe," said Kana, "even Soul Society has a king."
"The day to day matters of Soul Society are usually left to Central Forty Six, however. No one has seen him before."
"You ever wondered if there's a Soul Queen? No? Just me?"
"Just you, Mitarashi," said Hitsugaya wearily.
"Well, if the position is open, I'd sure want it!"
"I'd resign on the spot if that happened."
"You say something, Captain?"
"...Nothing at all. Can we get back to the matter at hand?"
"The Soul King is a mere figurehead," stated Yamamoto. "However, his very existence is crucial to Soul Society's survival. The royal palace is in a separate dimension from Soul Society and is protected by his royal guard. The Royal Key gives one full access to that dimension."
"So, whoever stole the Hougyoku is trying to…?"
"Kill the Soul King? That would seem to be the case, Orihime Inoue. Aizen likely intended to do the same. The motive, however, is unimportant."
"I'm guessing this book didn't tell our criminal the Royal Key's location," mused Hitsugaya. "Otherwise, they would've already broken into the palace."
"Correct. Such information would never be contained in mere literature. It is an oral tradition passed down between successive Captain-Commanders. That book I mentioned earlier was made without our knowledge and likely during the era when the Royal Key was first made. What it contained was not its location but details on how to create another."
"Then the method is the main issue?" asked Rangiku.
"Not the method but the materials."
"What's the big deal? You can't just go down to the hardware store and make a copy of this dumb key?" wondered Kana.
"The Royal Key isn't like one from the world of the living," Yamamoto informed her. "In order to create one you need one-hundred thousand human souls. There must also be a specific plot of land, a spiritual ground, no less than a half mile radius."
"One...hundred thousand souls?" a breathless Orihime muttered. Certainly, she must have misheard. That was an incomprehensible amount of innocent lives. Not even the most wretched of souls would consider doing something so awful.
"That is correct. The bevy of souls isn't the only matter of concern. We now know the location of the spirit ground. In every timeline in your world, there is always a place where the souls of the dead are greatly attracted to. The exact spot is different but there all the same. ...I'm sure you've figured out where this spiritual ground is this time."
"N-No way…!" Kana gasped, clasping her hands over her agape mouth. "You can't mean…!"
"Karakura Town. That's the place our enemies most likely have their eyes on."
Everyone absorbed the revelation slowly. Yamamoto only spoke again once he decided they had gotten most of it.
"This is obviously a grave matter. If our enemies are allowed to get their way, Karakura Town and all of its inhabitants will be wiped off the face of the living world."
Kana spotted Orihime breaking out in a cold sweat. She placed a hand on her shoulder.
"There's some way to stop this, right?!" Orihime asked frantically.
"Even if there is not, we will discover one. That is why the Gotei Thirteen exists."
Relief spread across Orihime's face. She didn't know how much she needed Yamamoto's words until he spoke them. Kana hugging her didn't hurt either.
"We're the good guys!" The brunette declared, flexing her arm triumphantly. "It's not if we're going to win, it's when. We won't let anything happen to you or anyone in Karakura Town, so you can sleep soundly!"
"It's a little too early to be celebrating," warned Hitsugaya. "But...for once, you're enthusiastic about your job, Mitarashi."
"A-Are you saying I'm a bad employee or something?! Rude!"
Hitsugaya sometimes forgot Kana Mitarashi lived on her own little island where the logic of the outside world didn't apply.
"So, what now, sir?" Rangiku asked the Captain-Commander.
"While we have little time to prepare, our reports show the Hougyoku shouldn't have fully awakened. It will take four more months. Our enemies will not be able to complete their Arrancar army until then. The decisive battle will be during winter!"
"Winter…" Orihime repeated the term. Four months really wasn't any time.
"War. Fan-friggen-tastic," Kana groaned. "There goes my Christmas shopping…"
Hitsugaya elbowed her, shutting her up.
"Yes, sir!" the three Shinigami cried to their leader.
"As for you, Orihime Inoue," said Yamamoto, "we may need the support of those in the world of the living. Could you do me the favor of telling the two Substitute Shinigami there what we discussed?"
"Of course, sir!" Orihime answered with newfound vigor. Maybe she and everyone else in Karakura Town weren't exactly saved. Nevertheless, those gathered in the room, and the Captain-Commanders words, made her confident things would work out in the end.
"Um...I don't mean to be a party pooper," noted a frowning Kana, "but do we seriously have no clue who stole the Hougyoku? I mean, I understand why they want it, but are we really expected to prepare ourselves while being so clueless?"
"Mitarashi…"
"No, it is alright, Captain Hitsugaya." Yamamoto stared long and hard at Kana. Unlike earlier, she didn't falter. "My apologies, Mitarashi. We are still working to determine that. We will inform you and the others of any new developments when we get them."
"Of course, sir. My bad."
While usually taking issue with Kana's loose tongue, Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow. He too sensed something was off. Some of it had to do with Yamamoto's tone.
It wasn't one-hundred percent genuine.
"Mitarashi," Hitsugaya grunted. "Go and track down Aaron Higuchi. I want him and Kurosaki knowing about all this as soon as possible."
"Me? Why do I gotta do it, Captain? That's so far!"
While Rangiku snorted a few times, Hitsugaya stood in a bubbling fury. The fate of the world was at stake, and his subordinate was complaining about having to catch a train. In front of the leader of the Gotei Thirteen no less. 'Embarrassed' didn't begin to describe how he felt.
"Um…" Orihime was quick to pick up on his feelings. "How about we go together then, Mitarashi?"
"Good idea!"
"Ow…"
Kana almost knocked Orihime over patting her on the back so hard.
"I've been meaning to have some one-on-one time with you, girlfriend!" Kana happily announced.
"R-Really…?"
As far as Orihime knew, Kana couldn't stand her guts. This about-face was both refreshing...and suspicious. Still, she was hard-pressed to…
"You're finally going to tell me your secret!" Kana moved her face uncomfortably close to Orihime's, scowling hard enough to kill. "Got it, little girl?"
It didn't matter if she did. Kana dragged her, kicking and scream, out the door.
"...What the hell was that about?" asked Hitsugaya after a long while. He could still hear Orihime's shrill shrieking from a number of blocks away.
"Bonding time, I guess," joked Rangiku with a laugh.
#
"Thanks so much for your patronage. Come again."
Izumi bowed to the latest—and thirty-fifth—customer of the Urahara Shop as he left with his purchases in hand.
"What in the world is going on?" she wondered. "We can't keep product on the shelves!"
She took a seat to catch her breath. She had only just gotten rid of a line that went well past the store's entrance.
"I didn't even know Karakura Town had this many people living here…"
"Excellent! Keep up the good work, Miss Izumi. I knew that flash sale we're having on foot powder would bring the customers in droves."
Kisuke Urahara appeared out of nowhere, getting a cry of terror out of his newest employee.
"S-Stop doing that!" Izumi declared, having hit the back of her head against her chair. "Are you a damn ghost?!"
The object of her ire held a fan in front of his face, masking his smirk. "I'm merely checking in on my best employee. No need to lose your temper. You know, that'll give you wrinkles and…"
"Stop talking." Izumi already felt a headache coming on. "And why are you selling foot powder of all things?"
It couldn't be. She didn't care how great the stuff was. That wasn't enough to have people lining up as if they were attending a rock concert.
"I...may have mentioned we were also holding a movie shoot here," Urahara admitted meekly. "I'd imagine all the traffic we're getting is people attempting to sneak a peek."
"Huh? What are you going on about?"
The ground shaking violently cut Izumi off. It also made her lose her footing.
"Not again!" she said. "Is this dump on a fault line or something? It's been doing that all day."
"We have some…'guests' downstairs, hence why I needed that excuse to cover for all the noise. You don't feel them?"
She didn't. Or at least, Izumi hadn't until he mentioned it. She could sense two raging powers going at one another like rabid dogs.
"Would you like to observe? Consider it a reward for all your hard work."
"I'd prefer money for all my hard work actually."
Urahara had nothing witty to say for once. He grew suspiciously quiet as he lead Izumi deep beneath his humble store. She recognized the huge, rocky area at once. Even the tacky, painted on sky was there. It was the training area she once watched her brother go through hell in.
The white snake racing across the battlefield was something she didn't recount. It hissed as it tried snapping its jaws into Yasutora Sado. The big man rolled to the right and responded with a burst of energy from his armored arm.
"Shit!" cried Renji Abarai, dodging himself. He figured keeping his opponent at a fair distance and harassing with his Bankai would do the trick, though Chad still had a few tricks up his sleeve. "Not bad! You…!"
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. A hail of red arrows were about to skewer him. Hihou Zabimaru coiled around him and acted as a shield.
"What's the big idea, idiot?!" he hollered as his Bankai returned to an attack stance. "You're supposed to be attacking him!"
He pointed at an equally clueless Chad.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Sasune Ishida laughed coyly, sounding anything but apologetic. "Are my arrows too much for you, Shinigami? Can't win when you don't have that Captain of yours watching your back?"
Renji smiled, only it wasn't close to a gesture of amusement. Izumi feared for her own life on account of the pure, unadulterated malice he radiated.
"So, you wanna die that badly, huh? I nearly killed you once! How about I finish the job?!"
"You're about to go one for two, Carrot Top!"
"Carrot Top, huh?!" At Renji's command, Hihou Zabimaru hissed and readied to strike. "Let's do this then! Come on!"
Chad stood by, unsure of how he had been taken out of the equation.
"What is this? Why are they fighting?" asked Izumi.
As the fierce fighting resumed, Urahara stated, "Do you remember when Mister Sado asked me for training? While I was sympathetic to his plight, my abilities aren't any good for training others. Since Mister Abarai wouldn't quit pestering me for a place to stay, I decided to solve both problems by asking him to help Mister Sado train."
"I gotcha. So, why is that idiot here?"
Sasune, the 'idiot' she spoke of, cackled maniacally as he launched another storm of arrows at Renji's Bankai. They sent it crashing through a giant boulder.
"Size only matters in the bedroom, pal!" the Quincy proclaimed. Chad, seconds away from hitting him, cut his celebration short. Sasuke shrieked like a little girl and ran for dear life. "W-What was that for you, you…!"
Chad punching a gaping hole in the earth made him bite his tongue.
"Mister Ishida was gracious enough to lend his skills as well," said Urahara. Izumi noticed him smiling a tad bit at Chad chasing Sasune around. "He said he didn't want to owe me any more debts. His pride is certainly something."
"'His pride' is about to get him killed. Why did I bother healing him?" said Izumi. She shook her head when Sasune tripped over his own foot. "Look alive, man!"
"What's this? The sweet words of an angel?" Sasune's tongue wagged like a dog's once he realized Izumi was watching. "How wonderful to see you again! I am rejuvenated by the sight of my queen! Yes, I can do this! I can…!"
"...get socked across the mouth. Idiot."
Izumi sighed at Chad landing a left hook that sent her admirer sailing like a kite.
"M-Mommy...Uncle…" Sasune hacked up what he hoped was only blood. It looked suspiciously like one of his kidneys. Footsteps neared him. With growing eyes, he spotted Chad coming for him again, the latter cracking his knuckles. "W-Wait! Wait! You can break anything you want, but leave my face alone! It's the only thing important to me!"
"What about your life?" said Izumi in disbelief.
"He's certainly fired up," noted Urahara.
"Sure. Let's call it that. I figured he wouldn't be so eager to get himself in trouble after what happened last night."
"Perhaps he too wants to get stronger."
"How does pretending to be a punching bag help with that?"
Her harsh words aside, Izumi couldn't forget how pathetic he both looked and sounded. That wasn't the cocky kid she knew yesterday.
"Do you want to join in, Miss Mitsumi?" Urahara said.
"Uh..."
Chad, screaming with vigor, destroyed another mountain as easy as breathing. Fortunately, both Sasune and Renji managed to move to safety.
"Yeah, I think I'll pass," Izumi replied. "Just let me stand behind the dusty cash register."
Training. She got the feeling the three before her weren't the only ones busting their behinds in an effort to get stronger. There wouldn't be much time before the real battle began. Cold, she rubbed her arms. She hoped the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach was just her imagination. Sometimes, her powers were far too accurate for their own good.
"I agree."
She froze. She hadn't said any of that out loud. Urahara didn't turn her, and she questioned if he was talking to her in the first place.
"Everyone will have to steel themselves while they have the chance," he continued. "But...judging from how these three look, we might not have anything to worry about."
"...You'd better tell me right now if you can read minds, old man."
Urahara looked genuinely perplexed. "Nothing of the sort."
"Bullshit."
Whether he was lying or not, she hoped his optimism meant something in the end.
"I wonder if that slacker is working as hard as these guys…"
#
"ACHO-OOO-O!"
Aaron sneezed so hard, he didn't see an incoming Getsuga Tenshou until it was right in front of him.
"Shit!"
Hollowfying was his only option. The added power enabled his own Getsuga Tenshou to obliterate Ichigo's.
"T-Too close…" he gasped. His mask faltered alongside the strength in his legs. "...Someone is talking smack about me."
"You alright? Sorry about that."
Aaron took the hand being offered.
"Thanks," he told Ichigo. "Maybe my allergies are acting up. I..."
A flying kick nailed him on the jaw and sent him skidding against the dirt.
"W-Why?!"
"Still Hollowfying whenever you damn well please, I see!" barked Hiyori Sarugaki. She grabbed Aaron by the collar and raised her fist threateningly. "You think this is a game, dog?!"
"W-What choice did I have?!" he protested, holding his bloodied nose. "I would've died!"
Rather than using her fist, Hiyori whacked him with one of her sandals. It was only a mild improvement in his opinion.
"I decide when and where you die! Got it?!"
"Ugh..."
"What was that?!"
"I said 'yes, ma'am!'"
"That's what I thought!"
"Knock it off! Isn't the point of this training to see how long we can stay Hollowfied?" said Ichigo. "Isn't it a good thing if we can transform on instinct?"
Hiyori's other sandal smacking him between the eyes wasn't the response he expected.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, idiot?!" he exclaimed.
"Shut your mouth!" she hollered back. "I just said I'm the one in charge here, baldy!"
"What did you just call me?!"
"Baldy! Got a problem with it?!"
"Several actually!"
While they continued to argue, an entertained Rose Outouribashi remarked, "How nice. Hiyori's made another friend."
"Yep," replied Love Aikawa. "But, it's just gonna get nosier around here."
"Enough already," Aaron moaned, sick of them going at it every five seconds. His attempts at peace were foiled when he made the mistake of getting in between them. Trying to punch each other, Ichigo and Hiyori nailed him instead. "F-Fuck…! Dammit, that hurt!"
"Sorry, Higuchi!" cried Ichigo, who made haste to check on him.
Hiyori, on the other hand, shouted, "You're telling me you couldn't dodge that, dog?! Are you paying attention to anything I'm showing you?! Looks like someone needs their training increased tenfold!"
The only thing Aaron needed was a big bottle of aspirin.
#
"Is this the place? Uh...I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but…"
A stern-faced Orihime wasn't listening to Kana. Her focus rested on the warehouse in front of them.
"Anybody home?" Again, Kana disrespected Orihime's privacy by moving her head too close. "What are you staring at?"
"You really can't see this building?"
"What building? There's nothing here but a vacant lot! You feeling sick or something?"
Orihime, frowning, decided explaining things would be a waste of time. Turning back to the warehouse, she spotted a cat walking around it as well as birds avoiding it as they flew by. They might not have been able to see it, but they instinctively knew something was off. Nodding, Orihime's suspicions of a barrier around the warehouse were confirmed.
"A barrier? Really?" said Kana after Orihime reconsidered her 'no explaining' stance. "Weird. I'm pretty good at Kidou, but I seriously don't sense a thing."
"This barrier is...different, I think. Maybe...it was made so Shinigami in particular wouldn't be able to detect it." Orihime pressed her hand against it. "It's very well made."
"What is this thing made of?"
"It's some sort of space time spell. It erases its presence from your conscience. Even approaching it is difficult because you subconsciously want to forget."
Kana scratched her head. "Alright, you've lost me. I've never heard of Kidou like that."
"I'm...not sure it is Kidou…"
Orihime grew quiet again. This time, Kana let her examine the force field in peace.
What's with this girl? She's just a normal human, right? Why is it she knows so much about this stuff?
"Huh?"
A powerful urge to leave the area flooded Kana's mind. Trying to imitate Orihime and touch the barrier caused her arm to snap back in protest.
There's something here alright and...it's trying to keep us out like she said.
"I can do this," proclaimed Orihime just then.
"You can do what?"
"Get past this barrier."
Kana blinked. "How? I don't get it."
"It's...similar to my own powers. If so, I should be able to slip through it." Orihime offered Kana her hand. "I'm not sure what'll happen. Don't let go."
"S-Sure thing…"
Kana hoped nothing nasty was waiting for them inside.
...Presuming they slipped past its defenses in tact.
"M-Maybe we should come back another time, yeah?"
#
Aaron clashed blades with Ichigo, feeling like he was up against a brick wall. No matter what move he made, Ichigo countered accordingly. The same couldn't be said for him. Try as he might, he was unable get a read on his foe's attacking style. Gashes littered him as such.
Wait, this guy...doesn't have an attacking style?
It was like facing down a wild animal. They acted on instinct alone. For someone who trained and fought meticulously, Aaron questioned if facing someone like Ichigo Kurosaki was his worst nightmare.
"Heads up, Higuchi!"
Ichigo, going back on the offensive, brought his Zanpakutou down. Grimacing, Aaron blocked by the skin of his teeth. He shoved Ichigo back, giving himself breathing room. The two placed their hands over their faces and Hollowfied simultaneously. Afterward, they disappeared into thin air. Those looking on moved their heads up. The battle continued in the air. Sparks flew as the two went back to trading blows. With his mask and enhanced speed, Aaron could actually defend himself. Of course, the same was true of Ichigo. Neither could land a clean hit. Aaron Flashed Stepped back before grabbing a firm grip of Seigetsu's cloth and launching it like a flail. Ichigo held Zangetsu in front of his chest, blocking the unorthodox attack. As he did so, Aaron Flash Stepped again, this time behind him. He had the spell Red Flame Cannon ready to go. Before he could let it rip though, Ichigo grabbed his wrist. The Kidou flew into the ceiling, whereas a toss from Ichigo sent Aaron to the ground.
"Too good…" Though shaken up, Aaron was no worse for the wear as he stood. He removed his mask, revealing a defeated smile. "You're too good, Kurosaki."
"Not bad but you'll have to try harder than that," said a grinning Ichigo.
"Quit flirting, you two! You're still Hollowfying too slow! You'd be dead in a real fight!" snapped Hiyori.
"There's not much they can do about that in the beginning," argued Hachigen Ushouda.
"They just gotta take it one step at a time," Shinji Hirako added. "Kensei, how long did they have their masks on that time?"
"Four...no, five seconds," said Kensei Mugurumu, confirming that with his stopwatch.
"You hear that, baldies?! Five seconds ain't even enough time to wipe your asses!" said Hiyori.
Ichigo, irritated, replied, "Yeah, I bet it's easy for you to talk sitting on the sidelines."
"Come on, Kurosaki. Don't get her started again," Aaron implored. "She'll just have us fighting until the end of time."
"How come Berry-tan and Chocolate-tan are fighting?" asked Mashiro Kuna. She busied snacking on a box of pocky.
"They're training to stay Hollowfied longer. It'll be easier for 'em if they practice against each other rather than get their asses kicked by one of us," said Kensei. "Why are you asking something so stupid when you had to do this too?"
Mashiro put a finger on her chin. "I don't remember that…"
"Quit lying, you brat."
"It's true though," said Shinji. "She's been able to stay Hollowfied for fifteen hours from the beginning."
Having to eat his words didn't sit well with Kensei, though Mashiro blowing him a raspberry was worse.
"Kensei's an ass!" she cried, lowering her eyelid in protest. "Hater!"
"Y-You little…!"
Hachigen patted a fuming Kensei on the back. "Please, calm down. She…"
His face lit up in shock. Instantly, his head shot toward the warehouse's entrance.
"What's up, Hacchi?" asked Shinji. "Got indigestion or somethin'?"
"Someone...no, two people, just breached my barrier."
That got the rest of the Visoreds' attentions. They gathered around him at once.
"Impossible," Rose said. "Your barriers are flawless."
"Is it a Shinigami?" asked Love.
"No," replied Hachigen. "This is a barrier a Shinigami wouldn't be able to detect, let alone penetrate. It's a spell I came up with after I became a Visored.
"What the hell are you saying then? The intruders are Visored too?" voiced Kensei, unnerved.
"I'm...not sure. What's bothering me is my barrier wasn't destroyed—they just slipped through. Even if they were Visored, they wouldn't be able to manage that."
"So, what do we do?" asked Aaron. "Get ready to fight?"
Footsteps traveled down the staircase leading into the training grounds. Aaron eyed his fellow Visored and saw them reaching for their swords. It seemed like a fight really was about to break out.
Could...the Arrancar have found out about this place?
If they were Arrancar, they were by far the prettiest he had ever seen.
"Hey! Wait a second!"
"H-Humans?!" cried Kensei in the same bewildered tone.
"Uh...w-we're sorry! We...got lost on our way to the bathroom! W-We'll just…"
"The Pretty Maid Cafe's two great beauties, Orihime Inoue and Kana Mitarashi, have arrived to fulfill your every fantasy! What's your first order, Master?"
Kana struck a pose and even winked. Orihime, sweating bullets, put on the phoniest smile she could muster.
"T-That wasn't the plan…" she whispered through clenched teeth.
"I improvised!" Kana replied with glee. "What, you didn't like it?"
Orihime made a squeal that sort of sounded like a laugh but could have also been a cry of agony.
"...What the hell kind of crack did you smoke before coming here?" Kensei asked Kana in a deadpan manner.
"I think the bathroom excuse would've worked better," said Lisa Yadoumaru, shrugging.
"A for effort at least," said Love, unable to contain a few laughs. "No way I'd come up with some crazy stuff about a maid cafe. Hell, I wouldn't know what to say."
"...Why am I not surprised?"
Aaron almost laughed too. He knew better than anyone that Kana always found a way to steal the spotlight. This, however, seemed insane even for her.
"Ah. So it was you who ordered maid," said Lisa with far too much confidence for Aaron's liking.
"Why would I…?"
"Hey! CT! There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Hey! Hey!"
Kana waved her hands frantically as if her earsplitting voice wasn't enough to draw everyone's attention.
"I knew it," said Lisa smugly.
Aaron, blushing furiously, offered no reply.
#
Orihime and Kana got to work filling Ichigo and Aaron in on their meeting with the Captain-Commander. There was a lot to go through, so it took time and plenty of Kana going "Shh!" whenever Aaron tried to interrupt.
"Okay. I...think I got it," he said once they finally finished. Soul Society politics were more complicated than he imagined. "I knew those Arrancar were up to something nasty, but this takes the cake. Maybe the whole damn bakery too."
"Corny phrases aside," said Kana, much to his chagrin, "this isn't going to be easy."
"No kidding. I mean, how are we supposed to protect one-hundred thousand lives? That's...that's just insane!"
"Hey, hey! It's gonna be okay!" Kana gave him a big hug. "Soul Society is on the case!"
"Glad to see you're as carefree as usual."
"...I can't tell if you're making fun of me or not."
"I guess we'd better speed up our training," remarked a far more relaxed Ichigo. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Orihime staring vacantly off into the distance. "What's wrong?"
She jumped in surprise at his question. "It's...nothing. You don't sound too surprised by all this, Kurosaki."
"Because he's a maniac," Kana whispered. Aaron shook his head, informing her not to open her mouth again.
"I mean, I'd say I am surprised." Ichigo's nose wrinkled. "It's just that you said a lot of stuff that hasn't set in for me yet. You don't have to worry though. It doesn't matter how many enemies there are. I'll stop them. I'm getting stronger every day. I can feel it."
"Me too," said Aaron. "I might let this guy handle things though. He hits like a mack truck."
"Hey, you're not half bad yourself, Higuchi. We're gonna clean up good."
"See what I mean? Crazy," stated Kana. "There's a difference between confidence and...whatever the heck you're thinking."
"At least he has the right state of mind," Aaron countered. "I'd kill for even half his confidence."
He didn't want to picture the sort of maniacs they were up against, the sort of monsters who would kill so many people just to make some key. Aaron knew he should have been enraged. It should have made him want to fight more than anything in the world. Both those things were true...to a certain extent.
Unfortunately, his nerves were shot. This was simply too much responsibility to bear. He would fight and even die if he had too, yet...
Ichigo placed a firm but friendly hand on his shoulder. "Wanna get back at it?"
"...Y-Yeah. Sure."
Aaron wasn't sure why he was thinking so much. Ichigo sure wasn't, and he appeared to be in good spirits.
I can't move heaven and earth. For the time being, I just have to do what I can.
"Hey, we're going to start again!" Ichigo yelled Hiyori's way.
"You better start calling me Miss Hiyori, baldy! And who said you get to call the shots?"
As Hiyori ran after Ichigo, Aaron readied to do the same.
"Hmm?"
That was until he felt someone tugging on his robes. He turned around to find Kana shooting him a dirty look.
"What? What did I do this time?"
Kana's amber eyes momentarily flickered off of Aaron and onto Hiyori, who strove to kick Ichigo's head off. "...I don't really know these people, but are you sure you can trust them? They give me the creeps."
"You're saying I shouldn't? I agree they're kinda odd, but they've done nothing but help me."
"You don't think they give off suspicious vibes? I'm only saying..."
"I heard that," chimed someone behind Kana. She shrieked at Shinji creeping up on her. Instantly, she hid behind Aaron. "You can't invite your girlfriend over whenever you feel like it, Aaron."
"Trust me. This is just as much of a shock to me."
"How'd you get a smokin' hot girl like this with a face like that anyway?"
Aaron, snarling, resisted the urge to argue that Shinji's wasn't much better.
Speaking of Shinji, he didn't have anything else to say. He studied every inch of Kana, his eyes trailing her no matter where she darted. Already hot under the collar, she leered at Aaron for some type of assistance. He shrugged.
"Look. I'm not interested, pal! I've got mace and know how to use it!"
"...Get over here for a sec, Hacchi," Shinji ordered. "And don't give me any lip."
A frowning Hachigen joined them. He bowed toward Kana, saying, "Hachigen Ushouda. It's a pleasure."
"R-Right…" Kana had never seen such a big and round man. She knew it was rude, but she couldn't stop herself from gaping at him like an exhibit at the zoo. "Nice hair."
"Thank you."
Like Shinji before him, Hachigen inspected Kana from head to toe. He even circled around her.
"Um...I know I'm drop dead gorgeous, but you guys are seriously freaking me out…"
"Is something wrong?" Aaron asked the Visored more sternly than he intended.
"It's okay! I have to go anyway!" Kana shouted this from atop the staircase. Aaron blinked, unsure of when and how she got there. "I'll make sure to have dinner done by the time you get home, CT!"
Aaron returned her vigorous waving with a frail one of his own. He could've sworn he heard Shinji say "Lucky bastard…" under his breath.
Things went back to normal, normal for the Visored anyway, after Kana and Orihime took their leave. The second they did, Shinji reconvened with Hachigen.
"So, what'd you think?"
"There's no doubt about it, sir. She's a bit...different from us, however."
"Different? Different how?"
Hachigen shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm not quite sure. It's likely though she hasn't discovered…"
"I don't mean to interrupt," Aaron was actually more than happy to, "but what are you two talking about? Are you saying you know something about Kana?"
Shinji, with his hands in his pockets, began to walk away. "...It ain't important right now."
"'Right now?'"
"Yep. I'll tell ya later."
Funny. Aaron highly doubted that. He began to understand what Kana meant when she said 'weird vibes.'
END
