A/N: How's it going, everyone? Just a quick author's note informing you of some awesome news. I have just completed my first novel, Pirate Hunter Tempest. It's a magical girl story along the lines of Sailor Moon, though the fight scenes are more like what you read in A Town Called Hino. Regardless, I'd like you guys to check it out if you have the opportunity. It is free right now up until July the 4th, 2019. Since I can't link stuff on , please search 'Pirate Hunter Tempest' on Amazon and download the ebook today if this sounds like something up your alley! Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 52
Deathberry vs The Peach
Numerous monitors lit up an otherwise dark room. In spite of there being so many, they had only one viewer. She sat in silence as they depicted various battles and people of interest. One showed Aaron being saved by Hiyori Sarugaki from a legion of frog Hollows.
"More failures. I hoped they would be stronger. Oh well."
Another showed Kana finishing off Luis Del Gato.
"All of Grimmjow's Fracción ended up being useless in the end, I see. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
She chuckled at Kana flashing a victory sign, unknowingly bearing her pearly, white teeth to the camera.
"What an intriguing girl."
Her amber eyes moved onto Orihime Inoue healing a grievous wound Yammy inflicted on Yasutora Sado. The woman sat up, transfixed at Chad's wounds fading as if they were never there.
"That...isn't Kidou. That isn't normal healing at all. Space time manipulation? Yes...but..."
Her mind, aflutter with excitement, struggled to come up with a proper explanation. A mere human shouldn't have been capable of such a magnificent feat.
"Wait, what's this?"
A fourth screen depicted Izumi Higuchi in the middle of combating a Menos Grande. The girl first employed Cero, then Flash Step, and finally a multitude of Kidou. This time, Arashi Mitarashi stood in both shock and delight. A wide grin spread across her lips.
"And to think there are people foolish enough to believe humans are worthless. I'm at a loss on what to do. To think there would be this many intriguing options. Thank you, Ulquiorra. You've brought back something most interesting."
#
"Come on, Orihime! I just want to talk!"
"I don't have anything to talk about!"
"Hey, I'm not the bad guy here! If you're really that mad, we can go back and beat that old man up!"
"Please, leave me alone, Mitarashi!"
"You know, you can be really stubborn when you…!"
When Orihime threw the door to the Urahara Shop open to escape, she and Kana froze at the sight of Rukia Kuchiki standing at the exit. The latter peered back at them, equally flummoxed.
"Are you two…?"
Rukia yelped when Orihime and Kana, both crying, jumped into her arms. Though patting them on the back, she had no clue why they needed consoling in the first place.
"Beat him up for us!" said a sniffling Kana. "Or turn him into a popsicle!"
"Mitarashi, what in the world is going on?"
"It's awful! Just awful!"
"What's awful?"
"It's…wait, why am I crying?" Kana wiped her face clean. "Orihime here is the one with the problem!"
"Inoue?" Rukia raised an eyebrow, somehow more lost than when they began. "Is that true, Inoue? Did something happen?"
Orihime couldn't speak. Shaking like a leaf, she merely shook her head.
"Freeze him," demanded Kana, brimming with anger.
"I'm not freezing anyone!" Rukia snapped. "Now, will someone tell me what's going on already?"
They did but at a different location. As night fell over Karakura Town, the three gathered on the rooftop of Orihime's apartment complex. By that point, Orihime calmed down somewhat.
Kana, on the other hand, continued to rampage.
"I really hate that creep! The jerk thinks he can say whatever he wants! I oughta take that hat of his and shove it up his…!"
"N-Now, now, Mitarashi..."
Rukia waved her arms and managed to calm her some. Pouting, Kana shoved a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. She ate straight from the carton.
"While I can't say I'm as passionate as you are, Urahara really didn't have any right to speak the way he did," Rukia stated.
"Right?! We should…!"
"Try to calm down."
"R-Right..."
With another spoonful down, Kana became content and quiet.
"Inoue…?"
"It's okay, Kuchiki. And thank you for being mad on my behalf, Mitarashi," said Orihime with a wispy smile. "I feel better just having you both listen to all my whining. If this is the way things have to be, then I guess..."
Without warning, Rukia stood and grabbed Orihime by the front of her shirt. Kana dropped her ice cream in shock.
"Things don't have to be like this, Inoue!"
Orihime blinked. "C-Come again…?"
Rukia, incensed, shouted, "Haven't you been fighting hard like the others?! You're simply giving up?! Didn't you go to Soul Society because you knew you could help?! Are you saying you're taking that back?! Don't you regret throwing away your pride and regrets so easily?!"
"I-I don't regret it, but..."
"Don't lie to me!"
"S-Scary..." whimpered Kana, glad to be left out of the tirade.
"It's not a lie!" Orihime snapped back. "I don't feel regret either! It's just...knowing I can't fight alongside everyone again...makes me feel lonely."
"..."
Kana pulled Rukia off the sniffling Orihime. The latter sank to her knees.
"Screaming her head off won't fix things," said Kana.
"...I know." Rukia sighed. "I'm sorry, Inoue."
The person in question shook her head. She hung it low as she spoke. "I'm frustrated too, but...at least this means I can't get in everyone's way. If...if I were to slow Kurosaki and the others down, then I would rather be lonely."
"..."
"You shouldn't talk like that. It's...not cool," said Kana, feeling herself the definition of 'not cool' in light of tearing up again.
"Listen, Inoue," Rukia began in a gentle tone. "In combat, the ones that get in the way aren't the ones with no power. It's the ones with no resolve. When you all went to Soul Society, none of you were a burden. If thathadbeen the case, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Wiping the tears from Orihime's eyes, Rukia nodded and gave the girl a warm smile. Kana bawled like a baby, touched by the display.
"You guys saved me too," she said. "Thanks for that, by the way."
"See, Inoue? It doesn't matter what Urahara or anyone else says. I'm sure we can find someway for you to help."
"Cheerleading!"
"What?"
"With her body, we'll make her into the best damn cheerleader in the world! No way the boys lose while she's on the sidelines!"
"...Perhaps something more proactive, Mitarashi."
In spite of the discussion turning in an odd direction, Orihime chuckled, grateful they were going so far to help her.
"See? You're much prettier when you smile like this," Kana chimed, winking. "All of your friends believe in you too. I saw how mad Sasune and that big guy were when Urahara was badmouthing you. I'm sure they and the others would never think you're slowing them down. I'll punch anyone that says otherwise!"
"Thank you, Mitarashi, but...you don't have to do all that." Orihime laughed again.
Kana couldn't resist pulling a Rangiku and squeezing Orihime for dear life. She soon dragged Rukia in too despite the latter trying to flee. "That's it! I now announce the formation of the Soul Sisters!"
"Is that supposed to be the name of our group? Well, I suppose it isn't completely awful," replied Rukia with a frail smile.
"That's right! We're gonna help you get stronger, Orihime, no matter what it takes!"
"T-Thanks, but..." Orihime cringed as she struggled to fend Kana off. "You're really hurting me."
"Oh! Sorry, I..."
Someone landed in front of them, splitting apart the ground. They froze at the surreal sight and were assured their minds were playing tricks on them. It was only when Orihime recognized their surprise guest did she realize they were real.
"H-Hiyori…?"
"Big boobs!" Hiyori grabbed Orihime by her collar. "You're comin' with me!"
"Huh…?"
"Hacchi's got some business with you!"
"W-Wait, but…!"
"And you too, Miss Brunette!" Hiyori snatched a shrieking Kana next. "...What the hell? Your boobs aren't as big as this freak's, but..."
"...I don't know who you are, little girl, but I'm about five seconds from slitting your throat," uttered Kana, looking like death. "Wait, isn't Hacchi that…?"
Hiyori didn't give her a chance to finish. She jumped up and dragged her captives off before Rukia got a proper grasp of the situation.
"W-What in the world…?!" she exclaimed as she gazed up at the now empty sky.
#
Orihime and Kana were dumped on their behinds before either could scream "Put me down!"
"D-Dammit..." Kana grumbled as she rubbed the back of her aching head. "Wait, isn't this that warehouse from earlier? Hey, where'd that little girl go?! I'm going to…!"
A huge shadow draped over she and Orihime. Given they were underground, it couldn't have been a cloud. Gradually, she turned the other way.
"Ah..."
Hachigen Ushoda stood over them, his large face locked in a terrifying expression.
"I don't believe we are acquainted," he said to Orihime. "Everyone here calls me Hacchi, but my full name is Hachigen Ushoda. Please feel free to call me what you like. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"N-Nice to meet you too," replied Orihime shakily.
"Miss Mitarashi, it is a pleasure to see you again."
"...I would say the same if this wasn't the second time today I've been kidnapped."
"Quit hoggin' all the girls, Hacchi."
Kana screamed at the top of her lungs, a byproduct of Shinji Hirako hovering behind her. His face being dangerously close to her own certainly didn't help. She scooted away from him as fast as her legs allowed.
"Do that again and I'm rearranging that face of yours! ...Then again, maybe that would be a good thing."
"You know what? I think I like this one," said a snickering Hiyori.
"Why are you being so damn loud?" Shinji asked Kana, shaking his head.
"Any girl would scream at the sight of you," Hiyori added.
"Hey, Orihime wouldn't! She's the nicest girl in the world. Ain't that right, Orihime?"
"Um...o-of course not. If...it's okay to ask, why did you bring us here?"
"Hacchi, fill her in. As for you..." He pointed at Kana, who recoiled as if being shot. "Come here. We got something to discuss."
"Nope!" She hid behind a huge rock. "I've got nothing to say to you! Where's CT?! I'm gonna get him to…!"
She shrieked yet again. Kensei Muguruma scooped her up by the waist.
"Shut up already," he barked. "No need to be shy."
"Put me down! Put me down!"
Kana flailed her fist a number of times into Kensei's skull.
"Knock it off! Nobody is gonna hurt you unless…!"
"Put me down already, you muscle head! Oily freak! White-haired devil! Steroid junkie!"
"...Get her the hell away from me."
Kensei dropped her at Shinji's feet before wiping his hands and stomping off.
"Oh? How nice of you to drop by," said Shinji, smirking.
Kana stood and dusted off her clothing. "Oh, save it, you jackass. I've already had someone pull that bit on me earlier. Whatever you want, make it quick. Where's CT anyway?"
"I sent him home. He needed a break."
Kana narrowed her eyelids. "Is that so?"
"What? You seriously think we did something to him? You're too suspicious."
"Maybe because you and your gang are the very definition of that word."
"The others? Maybe. Me? Nah. I don't see it."
Kana snorted. Shinji, on the other hand, frowned. Behind them, Hiyori split her sides with laughter.
"Shut the hell up," Shinji told her. "If you ain't got nothin' better to do, go get started on dinner."
"What was that, baldy? I was already going to before you opened your stupid mouth. I'm not making any for you though."
"Only for your boyfriend then? He ain't even here."
Hiyori got the gist of his taunt and blushed in due time. "L-Like I would be interested in a stupid dog! Someone should carve open that dumbass head of yours and see if a brain is inside!"
"Yeah, yeah..."
Shinji, picking his nose, tired of making fun of her. This agitated her further, though rather than counterattacking, she grumbled a whole slew of curses on her way to the kitchen.
"Well...that was a thing," muttered Kana. As entertaining as it was, it didn't help sate the many questions rumbling around in her mind. "So..."
"Ichigo. Get over here."
Kana tired of being interrupted, though she loathed the sight of Ichigo Kurosaki even more. In the midst of training with Love Aikawa, he stopped and did as Shinji requested.
"What?" he grunted. He soon set his sights on Kana, who quickly broke eye contact.
"Could you maybe not come over here when you're covered in blood from head to toe?" she implored.
"Sorry, I guess. Hirako, what's she and Inoue doing back here?"
"That's what I wanna know. Something tells me it isn't anything good."
Orihime suddenly cried out in anguish. Everyone looked to see Hacchi wrenching on her neck. Kana, her mouth agape, figured the sight would have made no sense even with the proper context.
"Ignore them," Shinji insisted, sounding casual despite Orihime's continued yelping. "I need you and her to fight."
Ichigo and Kana leered at one another, understanding he meant them.
"Why?" said Ichigo at once.
"Don't worry about it. Just Hollowfy and fight her."
"Wait, you want me to Hollowfy on top of that?"
"Uh...I-I don't really get what either of you are saying, but..." Kana had grown a sickly shade of purple. "No thanks. I don't want anything to do with this guy. No offense but he's a freak."
"True," noted Shinji, stroking his chin.
"Don't talk about me right to me face," an irritated Ichigo said. "Look, I'm not fighting her without a good reason."
"Fine then. I have a reason."
Seconds passed. Shinji didn't elaborate.
"What?" he said earnestly at Kana and Ichigo staring at him in disbelief. "What are you doing? Hurry up and get outta that Gigai so you can fight this idiot, Miss Loudmouth."
Kana crossed her arms. "Do you understand what 'no' means? ...Then again, with a face like that, I guess so."
"What's the problem?"
Kana scoffed. "This is the same maniac who fought against Captain Kuchiki and Captain Aizen and lived! You couldn't pay me to go up against him!"
Shinji sighed. "Fair enough. Oy, Rose! Kensei! Love!"
The three, as if expecting to be summoned, came over in the blink of an eye. They surrounded Kana, leading her amber eyes to dart around at them.
"Sorry," said Rose. "It's not in my nature to rough up beautiful women."
"...And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't struggle unless you wanna get hurt," warned Kensei.
"G-Get hurt how?! What are you talking about?!"
"How come we're getting saddled with work that makes us out like thugs?" groaned Love.
"What are you—hey! Don't touch me there! What do you think you're doing?! Hey!"
Love and Rose pinned her to the floor, allowing Kensei to hover over her. He made haste to cover her mouth when she began shrieking.
"If you're going to ravage her, do it somewhere else. I'm trying to read," voiced Lisa Yadoumaru, her nose between another of her perverse magazines.
Kensei hollered, "Shut up! You're not making this any easier!"
He cursed when Kana bit his fingers.
"Lemme go already, perverts!" she hollered.
"...You know, I was gonna go easy on you," said Kensei, smiling unnaturally. It ran Kana's blood cold, "but you're pissing me off. Rose..."
Rose reached into his pocket. Kana's eyes shrank at him pulling out a Soul Candy dispenser.
"Open wide!"
Kensei took great pleasure in stuffing a piece of Soul Candy down her throat. Her Shinigami form came bursting out of her Gigai. The moment she landed on her feet, she drew her Zanpakutou and took a swipe at the Visored. They jumped out of the way, much to her frustration.
"Let me slice a limb or two off at least!"
"That's a more than fair reaction," remarked a humored Rose.
"Why was this a good idea again?" said Love.
"You!" Kana pointed her sword at Shinji. "You're gonna pay for making your henchmen violate me!"
"If you're going to hit anyone, make it Ichigo. Speaking of which..." Shinji leered at the man of the hour. "Attack her already, and I don't wanna hear any crap like 'I don't hit girls.'"
"That's not the issue! I..."
"No, let's go!" Kana burned with both vigor and ire. "I'll fight him...so long as you promise I can hit each and everyone of you once I win!"
"Seems fair," said Shinji. This was in spite of the other Visored glaring at him for dragging them into the deal. "Of course, you gotta win against this 'freak.'"
Kana laughed. "A teenager versus a Shinigami who's been doing this longer than he's been born. ...Yeah, seems like a fair match."
While not saying anything, Ichigo's expression stiffened. He reached for the tall sword on his back, making it clear he would fight after all. Kana pointed to the center of the training grounds, a perfect spot to start a battle in her opinion. The two moved to the specified location and stood a good distance from one another.
"It's not too late to back out, you know," Kana stated. "I'm only weaker than Rangiku and the Captain. I guess you're plenty strong yourself though, huh?"
"..."
"Did I make you mad? Sorry!" she said, snickering. "You're not gonna hold back just because I'm gorgeous right? ...Because that would be really hazardous to your health."
"She's really into it now." Lisa put her book down and took a seat, intent on watching the upcoming fight. "What's this all about, Shinji? What's the point of having them fight?"
"...I'm trying to confirm something."
"That's not cryptic at all."
"Shut up if all you're gonna do is complain."
"You know, Higuchi is going to kill you if anything happens to that girl."
"Then I guess I'd better hope she's as good as she says."
"...Idiot."
"They're...really going to fight?"
Orihime didn't get it. Not one bit. She turned to Shinji for clarification. Resting his head in his hands, he offered no reply.
#
"Finished..."
Ururu Tsugimiya stood, done bandaging Sasune's forehead. He felt up to it and laughed triumphantly, pleased with her work.
"Nice! Thanks again."
"No problem..." Ururu replied dully.
"Aw. Aren't you as cute as a button."
"Cute...as a button…?"
"Creepy." Jinta Hanakari, glaring at Sasune, also directed his remark at him. "You some kinda pedophile?"
Sasune was no longer smiling. "...Shut it, kid."
The two stared one another down. Tessai Tsukabishi put his large body between them.
"That's enough, Jinta. Stop harassing our guests."
"Whatever! This guy is here so much, he should start paying rent!"
"Do you?" Sasune countered. Jinta, though snarling, said nothing more. "Whatever. I'm outta here."
Holding his nose high, the Quincy headed for the exit.
"Leaving so soon?" Kisuke Urahara barred his path. "Mister Abarai and Mister Sado are still training downstairs. I figured you would want to rejoin them."
"Don't get me wrong. I would love to keep butting heads. There's something I need to do though."
"How come I don't like the sound of that?" remarked Izumi Higuchi, frowning from behind the counter.
Sasune faced her with a grin. "Come on. Am I know for getting in trouble? ...On second thought, don't answer that. If it'll make you feel better, I promise to keep my nose clean. Besides, I've had enough of getting my ass kicked for awhile."
With his hand on the door, Sasune was stopped again, this time by Urahara.
"Perhaps I have no business giving you advice, Mister Ishida," the shopkeeper began in a serious tone, "but I would advise you to be careful who you pick your fights with in the future."
"...I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the hospitality."
Sasune slammed the door shut on his way out.
"...That idiot could have at least asked for help." Izumi sighed deeply. "We both know he's about to do something stupid. He's too proud for his own good."
"Well, the Quincies always did go on about pride. Even if we begged and pleaded, he wouldn't have accepted our help," noted Urahara. He lowered his bucket hat over his eyes. "Let's just hope he doesn't become our patient again for a long time."
#
"Oh, you're here already?"
Sasune's surprise was false. He fully anticipated Aaron waiting for him.
"What took you?" the latter said.
"Me? I haven't seen you in days. ...Something about you is different. Have you put on weight? Grown a mustache?"
"...And you're exactly the same. If we're doing this, then let's go already."
"Antsy are we?"
"Let's just say I had to lie to someone in order to get out of something, someone I'd rather not piss off because I enjoy breathing."
Hiyori flashed through his thoughts, and he shuddered.
"While I too would like to rescue Miss Mitsumi from the Fullbringers' clutches, we must tread softly," advised Sasune, wagging his finger. "After all, they're no doubt expecting us."
"You talk like that was ever going to stop us. We're bringing Mitsumi back no matter what."
Sasune chuckled. "Another rescue mission then. How is it you're always getting me caught up in trouble, Chocolate Thunder?"
"You would've gone without me. At least this way, we can watch each other's backs."
With nothing else to discuss, the two got a move on. They sped across Karakura Town at high speeds. Full of resolve, Aaron didn't slow down for even a moment.
Just hold on a little longer, Mitsumi. We'll be there soon.
#
"Well?" said Kana. "Want me to go first, or should you? Or maybe you have a hard time dragging around that oversized excuse for a Zanpakutou."
"It's not like we have any real reason to fight," Ichigo replied. "Besides, you're a friend of Higuchi's, so it's hard to motivate myself to do this."
"Maybe I should keep making fun of you. Would that suffice?"
"No need. You said you're alright with going at it, and I want to see if I've gotten stronger."
"You're too kind."
Without warning, Kana vanished. By the time Ichigo realized this, she had already Flash Stepped behind him.
"Too bad that won't help you against me."
A huge explosion sent dust everywhere. The observing Visored braced themselves. Ichigo jumped out of the haze with a fresh gash on his forehead. Kana burst after him, swinging her sword for the fences. Ichigo managed to block before pushing her back. Her eyes widened at his strength, and she had to dig her feet into the ground in order to stop.
"Jeez! You really can use that ludicrously big sword? What, you trying to compensate for something with that thing?"
"You're serious," Ichigo remarked, smiling a little. "You were complaining so much about having to fight earlier that I thought I would have to hold back."
Fuming, Kana snapped, "I was not complaining! I was just…!"
Letting herself be distracted was a mistake. She learned this the hard way when Ichigo closed the distance between them and brought his Zanpakutou down. Grunting, she blocked with her own at the last moment.
"D-Dirty, rotten cheater!" she grumbled, sweating bullets as she struggled to fend him off.
"Sorry. That wasn't the plan. You just seem to talk a lot."
"Oh, you are asking for it, Mister! Maybe think next time before getting near a master of Kidou!"
Kana needed no incantation to use Way of Binding Number Four, Crawling Rope. Crackling, yellow energy wrapped itself around Ichigo. It also gave Kana the chance to get away.
"Ha! Serves you right! You messed up when…!"
She gasped. Ichigo broke out of her Kidou with brute strength.
"N-No fair…!" It was only a level four binding spell, sure, but she figured it would have held him a bit longer. "He really is some kind of freak, isn't he?"
"I guess I should come at you then since you're just standing there."
Kana growled at him using her taunt against her. It wasn't as insufferable as having to drive him back again. He closed in on her a second time, leading the two to exchange blows. Thanks to the shorter range of her sword, she had to tread carefully or be chopped to pieces.
What the hell kind of style is that? He's just hacking away at me!
It made no sense. She should have had the upper hand thanks to experience alone. Even so, she was the one being forced back with every clash.
What the…? He's so full of openings, but it's like a wall is keeping me away.
She had the strange sensation of fighting a total amateur and a combat veteran at the same time.
Leaping over a slash aimed at her torso, she landed on his sword. Back flipping, she connected a kick on his chin. Though knocked back, Ichigo recovered quickly and unleashed a Getsuga Tenshou. As it ripped apart the ground, Kana gasped and prepared her next Kidou spell with haste.
"Way of Destruction Number Thirty Three! Blue Fire, Crash Down!"
The huge blast of energy neutralized the Getsuga Tenshou. Kana lowered her smoldering palms and caught her breath.
"I...probably wouldn't have been okay if that hit me..."
She made a mistake in assuming Ichigo's Zanpakutou had no special abilities.
"You really are good at Kidou." Ichigo slung his sword of his shoulder, speaking earnestly. "No wonder Higuchi is too. You taught him, right?"
"R-Right..." replied Kana numbly. She wasn't really listening. Panic set over her at how cool Ichigo acted. "Is he...not taking me seriously?"
It was no wonder he had been able to take on Soul Society's best.
W-What the hell is this…? Why am I so nervous? I really have been doing this Shinigami thing longer than him, and yet...
"You gonna release your Zanpakutou or what?"
Shinji's unwanted remark shattered her concentration.
"This is just a sparring match. I'll kill him if I do that."
"...Like I believe that shit when you're shaking in your boots."
"I-I am not…!"
"Whatever. Just release it already. See that big, dumb thing Ichigo is holding? That's his Shikai."
"Seriously? It's just...always on? That doesn't even make any sense!"
It meant Ichigo had little to no control over his overwhelming power. While that sounded like a good thing on paper, it just reiterated to Kana that she wasn't dealing with the average opponent.
"...Fine. Shikai it is." She held her Zanpakutou in front of her. "Play a trick, Kuzunoha!"
Her sword became a large ring blade. It made one of Ichigo's eyebrows shoot up.
"That's a weird release."
"You ain't seen nothing yet," Kana told him. She shook her Zanpakutou like a tambourine. "Be careful. This girl has a habit of not listening to me, so even I have no idea what she'll do when she gets worked up like this."
Ichigo took her words to heart, taking a defensive stance.
"Onibi!"
Kana swung Kuzunoha like a fan. A blue fireball issued from it, one that streaked toward its target. Ichigo brought Zangetsu down on it the moment it got close. However, this proved to be a mistake. It split in three, with each one slamming into his chest. Sent flying back, he managed to land on his feet. He inspected the top of his charred and smoking robes.
"...What the hell?"
"You know, I would normally have no problem explaining how my Zanpakutou works, but against someone like you, I'm not giving you an advantage," said Kana firmly.
Ichigo smirked. "Fair enough."
Kana took pride in finally landing a good hit on him. Still, it was dampened by Ichigo somehow standing despite taking a direct hit of her fox fire.
"He really is some kinda freak, huh?"
END
