Chapter 54

Xcution At Midnight

Yukio couldn't believe it. He wouldn't. His Fullbring, Invaders Must Die, was foolproof. Escaping it with brute force alone should have been impossible.

And yet, Aaron and Sasune stood before him. They bore their teeth like beasts about to sink into fresh prey. There was nowhere for Yukio to run, nowhere for him to hide, not atop a thirteen story apartment complex anyway.

"Bastard. I knew he had to be close by," snarled Sasune.

"So, we're in the real Naruki City after all?" said Aaron.

"Seems like it. His Fullbring might be impressive, but there's no way that crummy handheld of his could recreate an entire city. It must've been limited to that apartment."

Yukio offered no argument. Aaron questioned when and how Sasune determined every quirk to Invaders Must Die.

I'm glad this guy is on my side. He'd be a pain in the ass to fight.

Yukio, learning that the hard way, didn't dare move a muscle. Sasune's bow was trained squarely on him.

"You're not like the others," the Quincy remarked. "Without your Fullbring, you're just some helpless brat."

"What did you do?" Yukio bit his bottom lip in a blind fury. "How did you escape?!"

"By overloading your batteries."

"...What?"

"Once I guessed how your Fullbring worked, I figured there must have been a way to overload it. No matter how strong you are, at the end of the day, you're only human. There's no way that handheld of yours would be able to handle the power of a Shinigami."

"So, that's why you had me use Bankai." Aaron nodded. "You'd think Ginjou and Tsukishima would have told this guy I could do that."

"That's because these idiots think they're the only geniuses walking around. ...Or maybe they set this guy up as a scapegoat. You're the only one of your pals around, aren't you, kid?"

Yukio clicked his tongue but didn't answer. Even Sasune forming an arrow didn't get an explanation out of him.

"Kill me if you want. You'll never get that girl back if you do," said Yukio with a frail smile. It faded when Aaron moved one of his blades near Yukio's throat. "R-Relax..."

"Look, I reek of sweat and monster guts. I'm not in the mood for any more stupid games! I'm not a killer, but you're no good to us alive if you don't tell us where Mitsumi is!" Aaron roared. "If Sasune is right, then your buddies don't care if you live or die either. So, where is she?! Where's Mitsumi?!"

Yukio gulped and kept a wary eye on Aaron's sword. "...Not here anymore. Ginjou and the others didn't say where they were taking her. My job was just to stall you two."

Aaron didn't believe that for a second. Even so, he lowered his Zanpakutou.

"That's going to cost a fortune to fix, you know," a far more casual Yukio noted as he stared down at his broken handheld.

"That piece of crap can be replaced," replied Sasune. "Your life, on the other hand..."

"I really don't know anything. Listen, you two have fought Tsukishima before, so you should know how his Fullbring works."

"...He modified your memory, didn't he?"

"That way, I couldn't rat the others out if I ended up losing. Pretty clever, right?"

"So, you really are useless to us then." Aaron's tone, like his expression, was grave. Black energy swirled around him. He held his hand in front of his face as his eyes turned a disturbing shade of yellow. "There's gotta be something you aren't telling us. Start talking. Now."

Sasune grabbed his arm. "No more of that freaky Hollow crap. As Quincy, it gives me goosebumps. Besides, you said it yourself—you aren't a killer. Relax. We'll find Miss Mitsumi even if we have to tear down this whole city."

Aaron paused. Eventually, he nodded. The hatred he radiated faded away.

"I thought you were a pushover, but you're the real deal alright," mused Yukio, who was far too humored for Aaron's liking.

"So, what do we do with this guy?" the latter inquired.

Sasune deliberated the matter. "Maybe use him as a bargaining chip."

Yukio laughed. "You two clearly don't know Ginjou. He's not going to trade the girl for me. ...Since I've lost, I'm already as good as dead."

"What a great employer you have," said Aaron sardonically.

"Well, it's not like this guy is going anywhere, so..." With the aid of rope, Sasune tied Yukio's hands behind his back. "We can figure out what to do with him later. And I'll take this." Sasune reached down and then pocketed Yukio's broken handheld. "One can never be too careful."

"It's useless," Yukio assured him. "But it's mine. I'd like it back. It has sentimental value."

Sasune smacked him upside the head. "Sentimental my ass. Let's go."

The Quincy, slinging Yukio over his shoulder, sped off before clarifying where exactly they were headed. Aaron followed with a heavy heart. He and Sasune might have won a battle, yet, they were far from winning the war. They still hadn't the slightest clue concerning Xcution's whereabouts.

Where the hell are you, Mitsumi?

#

"Hmm?"

Kuugo Ginjou, in the middle of enjoying a glass of scotch, titled his head up.

"Looks like Yukio lost. Damn brat. What's he playing at?"

First Jackie Tristan and now this. Ginjou sighed, though it was one of faux irritation. He smiled like he hadn't a care in the world soon after.

"Our enemies are a persistent bunch," replied Shuukurou Tsukishima, sitting across from Ginjou. "I didn't expect Yukio to win, but I had hoped he would have held Sasune and his friend off a little longer. Forgive me, Ginjou. It seems I should have done the job myself."

"Forget it. I think it's about time we stop playing this game of cat and mouse and get serious."

In his haste to stand, Ginjou knocked over his drink.

"Please pay for the broken glass and the carpeting," said Giriko Kutsuzawa from behind a bar counter.

Ginjou furrowed his brow. "What do you care? Yukio's the one that paid for this dump, and he ain't here anymore."

"I believe in being thorough no matter the circumstances."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"None of this would be happening if you hadn't screwed around from the start, Ginjou."

"And here we go with this one..."

Ginjou shook his head, wishing he hadn't attracted so much attention. Maybe then Riruka Dokugamine wouldn't have opened her mouth. She scowled at him, both for ignoring her and having the audacity to sit around when there was work to be done.

"If it was me," she said in a shrill voice, crossing her arms, "I would've already taken care of those brats!"

"Put a sock in it," Ginjou informed her. "If you're that mad, go after them yourself."

Pouting, Riruka turned her head away in a huff.

"This is getting out of hand," said Ginjou in Tsukishima's direction. "I wanted to lie low until the time was right, but..."

"We shouldn't regret the past." Tsukishima smiled. "Because we can't change it. Not even my Book of the End can do that...so to speak. We should take solace in the fact Yukio can't do us any harm despite allowing himself to be defeated."

"Excuses!" griped Riruka. Ginjou paid her no mind again, whereas Tsukishima flashed a knowing grin. "Don't ignore me! You know I'm right!"

"So, you're volunteering after all?" wondered Ginjou.

"Looks like I have to! That's the only way things will get done around here!"

"Shut the hell up. All of you.I can't get any damn sleep around here."

Like a zombie, Konoka shuffled into the room. She yawned and rubbed her heavy eyelids, glaring a hole into everyone.

"Oh. It's your whinin' ass again," she said to Riruka. "Don't you ever give it a rest?"

"Hey! Don't get conceited just because we're going out of our way to accommodate you! I've been in Xcution far longer than you, so you'd better show me some respect!"

"Coffee, please." Konoka bypassed the steaming Riruka and took a seat in front of Giriko. "Put it on my tab"

"Coming right up."

"Would all of you quit ignoring me?!" Riruka screeched. "And I want coffee too, Giriko! And none of the cheap stuff!"

"Not a problem. It will cost you though."

"Have her pay for it! She's the rich one around here now that Yukio is gone, right?!"

"Quit picking a fighting with everyone," barked Ginjou. "And close your legs. Your panties are showing again."

"Who told you to look, stupid?! Are you the resident creep now that Yukio is gone?!"

"If you miss him so much, you should just say so."

"What was that?! L-Like I'd miss that pain in the…!"

"Is it always this freakin' loud around here?" groaned Konoka, covering her ears. "Give me the strongest stuff you got. Please."

"Of course," Giriko replied. "I take it you didn't have a pleasant nap?"

"How could I in this madhouse?"

"You'll get used to it." Ginjou took the seat beside her. "Relax. You're one of us now. We'll be seeing a lot more of each other from now on."

"Break out the confetti and champagne," said Konoka sarcastically. "This coffee sucks. My company makes better stuff."

"Sounds like you're homesick already."

"..."

"Maybe I can help with that. Those two friends of yours are doing just fine."

Konoka, while remaining calm, felt her bottom lip quiver. "...Nobody asked about those idiots."

"No? Since they're looking high and low for you, I figured you might've slipped a letter out and told them to pick you up."

Staring down at her somber reflection in her drink, Konoka forced a laugh. "If they're stupid enough to come after me after everything that's happened, then it's not my problem what happens to them in the end."

"I didn't know you were so heartless." Ginjou stood. "You hear that, Tsukishima? We can go and kill them without any regrets."

He peered over his shoulder, drawn by the sound of shattering glass. Konoka, stepping over the remains of her cup, marched out of the room.

"Why did you have that brat join us again?" said Riruka, smacking her lips. "I thought you promised you wouldn't hurt her friends if she became one of us? I think you're the heartless one, Ginjou."

Tsukishima chuckled in a manner that showed he agreed. Caring little for the criticism, Ginjou dropped a number of bills on the counter for both his and Konoka's glass. Giriko gave him an appreciative nod.

"It's almost showtime," said Ginjou, his voice buzzing with excitement. "And Riruka, I know it's not really your style, but try to show our upcoming guests some hospitality."

"...You might be in charge, but quit ordering me around already."

#

Izumi stretched her aching neck as she stuck her key in the door. She never imagined working at such a rundown shop would wear her out so much. Then again, she also never considered having to deal with such unruly customers. She wondered if Renji and Chad were still training their behinds off. Regardless, they were Urahara's problem now.

"I'm home," she announced as she entered the Higuchi residence. She tossed her coat onto the kitchen table, loosing a lengthy yawn. "Why the heck is it so dark in here?"

She didn't think she would be the first one home. Her fingers fumbled against the wall before they found and flicked the light switch.

"..."

Three sets of eyes peered back at her. One belonged to her brother, the second to Sasune, and a third to a blonde-haired boy she didn't recognize. Aaron and Sasune were in the midst of tying said boy to a chair.

"...I'm dreaming."

Izumi switched the lights back off with haste. Certainly, she didn't see what she thought she did. Seconds ticked by as her brain struggled to process the bizarre sight.

"Can you turn those back on? I'd like to see if it's alright with you."

Hesitantly, Izumi did. Yukio sighed, shaking his head at another imbecile popping up. Izumi didn't take kindly to being scowled at and returned the gesture.

"What the hell is this?" she said, struggling to keep control of both her voice and temper. "So, we're just going around kidnapping people now?"

"Welcome home. How was work?" said Sasune casually. Yukio grunted when the Quincy tied the ropes into a particularly tight knot.

Izumi gave him an incredulous look. "Fine, but it seems like you and Aaron have been far busier."

"I know this must look insane, but trust me—this isn't some innocent kid," Aaron assured her.

"So, you're his sister then," said Yukio. "I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but nothing about any of this is pleasant. Looks like I'll be staying here for the time being though, so take good care of me."

Izumi yanked on her brother's arm and pulled him to the side, all while Yukio cackled.

"Shut up," said Sasune, slapping him upside the head.

"He's staying here?!" whispered a furious Izumi. "Start talking now!"

"Look, I don't want him here either, but..."

Aaron, halfheartedly, explained the situation. Given his sister's anger, he spared no detail.

"So, let me get this straight," she said once he finished. His strange tale had given her a headache. "You're saying this kid is apart of some shady organization that kidnapped your friend, and you're going to use him to draw them out?"

"More or less, yeah," Aaron said with a nod.

"Okay, but why the soup?"

"He got hungry," Sasune clarified as he fed Yukio spoonfuls of the stuff. "He's no use to us if he starves to death."

"Can't you give me something better than from a can?" voiced Yukio, who ate nonetheless.

"Do I need to hit you again?"

"He can't stay here!" proclaimed Izumi firmly. She kept a watchful eye on their guest, wary at the way he insisted on leering at her.

Aaron retorted, "There's nowhere else to take him."

"Ma is gonna kill us if she finds out you've taken some kid hostage! ...What the hell am I even saying?!"

Izumi had to stop for the sake of her sanity.

"He can't stay at my place," said Sasune preemptively. "My apartment is being fumigated for termites."

"How in the hell did you get termites?"

"...Let's just say I learned the hard way they don't make great pets."

Izumi only had enough energy left to shake her head.

"What's with you anyway?"

Yukio's abrupt question made Izumi lift her head. "What?"

"You're not a Fullbringer, but you're not like this idiot either." Yukio nodded toward Sasune. The Quincy kicked him in the shin. "Still, your spiritual pressure is strange. Who are you exactly?"

"...Someone who honestly wants no part in whatever the hell is going on. What's a Fullbringer anyway?"

"They're..." Aaron eyes widened. An idea came to him on spur of the moment. "Izumi! I'm an idiot! Why didn't I think of that before?"

"What?"

"You can track down Ginjou and the others!"

"Oh. I...guess so." Truthfully, Izumi just wanted to go to bed and pretend today never happened. "No choice, right? It sounds like this friend of yours is in a heap of trouble."

"That's impossible," said Yukio, scoffing at the mere idea. "Ginjou will have done something to prevent anyone from..."

"Two miles from here. They're here in Hino. A n apartment building. There's five...no, six of them. Kidou? Yeah, there's some sort of Kidou barrier around them that's blocking out their spiritual pressure. No wonder you couldn't find them."

Yukio sat in shock, staring at Izumi like she was some sort of monster. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling drained at having to concentrate so thoroughly.

"...You really aren't normal, are you?" Yukio said, unable to hide his irritation.

"And you are now worthless. Excellent work, Izumi," said Sasune. He gave her a thumbs up.

"You can say that again." Color Aaron impressed. "Why are they in Hino though? That's right under our noses."

"That's probably why. Our own backyard would be the last place we'd search. Unfortunately for them, we have a living, breathing cheat code on our side."

Izumi wasn't sure if she should take that as a compliment.

"Let's get a move on," said Aaron with newfound confidence.

"Wait, now?" his sister cried. "You don't wanna come up with a plan or something?"

"No, I agree with CT," said Sasune. "Let's hit them hard and fast before they see it coming."

"You're screwed regardless. The moment you show up on their doorstep, you're dead."

Yukio's claim didn't shake Sasune, who forced him to stand. "Well, you're dead too then because we're bringing you along for the ride. I'm sure your buddies will be happy to see you again."

"...Great."

"Izumi, you stay..."

"How are you going to find them without me?" she said, cutting Aaron off. "They'll still have that barrier up. Even if I don't want to, I'm coming too."

Less than pleased with the idea, Aaron saw she had a point. "Stay close to us. And keep an eye on him, Sasune."

Sasune saluted. Yukio, meanwhile, rolled his eyes.

"Well, at least it'll be entertaining watching you clowns die."

Sasune hit him yet again. "Or, we kill you now and deprive you of that pleasure."

"I don't think there's any need for that. I was only kidding."

#

It took the four only minutes to arrive at their destination. It was so close, in fact, that Aaron wondered if Ginjou was mocking them.

"I thought this place was abandoned," said Sasune, peering up at the dilapidated complex. It was the sole thing standing on a block that was otherwise a ghost town. "They tore the rest of this neighborhood down ages ago. Are you sure we're in the right place?"

"Positive," answered Izumi. "Whoever's in there has the same type of energy as this kid."

"No point standing out here then. Let's..."

"Wait." Izumi held out her hand and stopped her brother. "The barrier is still there. Something tells me it would be a bad idea to bump into it."

Sasune slipped on his glasses. "I must admit I can neither see or sense a thing. If there really is something there, only a powerful Shinigami could have cast it."

"Since when has Xcution had any of those?" said Aaron, his suspicions heightened. He turned to Yukio, saying, "You must know something. How do we get inside?"

Yukio shrugged. "Even if I did know, Tsukishima would have wiped it from my memory."

He grimaced when Izumi began tugging on his cheeks. "You're not cute when you lie."

"L-Let me go! I really don't know anything!"

With a sly smile, Izumi wrenched on him harder. "I have a super power tells when people are full of crap, and right now, every alarm is going off."

"I would be terrified if that was true," said Aaron. "My Kidou isn't bad, but I don't know anything about dispelling barriers. Maybe if Kana was here, she..."

His eyes tailed Izumi as she stepped forward. Closing her eyes, she pressed her hand on something in front of her. The others observed her in curious silence.

"Yeah, it's Kidou for sure," she announced after a short while. "I think...I can get us past it."

She waved her hand. The barrier appeared at long last before shattering like glass.

"Alright. It should be safe to go in now. ...Don't quote me on that though."

"What the…?" Aaron blinked. "How in the world did you…?"

"I…'copied' the guy who made it. He would obviously know how to get rid of this thing. Let's hurry before they realize what I did."

Izumi pressed ahead, proving it really was safe. Sasune whistled.

"What a woman. Hey, is it alright if I marry her, CT?"

"Not a chance."

"Aw…"

"You know," began Yukio, "It's not too late to turn back."

"Shut up," said Aaron and Sasune, hitting him at the same time.

#

"And now they've broken through the barrier. They got here faster than I thought too. Not too shabby."

Ginjou didn't sound all that alarmed. He didn't even lift an eyebrow.

"That shouldn't be possible," noted Tsukishima.

"Whatever. My Kidou is garbage. Haven't used it in ages. Riruka, it looks like you finally get to put your money where your mouth is."

"What did I say about ordering me around?" The person in question might have been griping, though she stood. "Now you want me to do something? If you had let me handle things from the start, I wouldn't have to clean up your stupid mess."

"Man, you give her what she wants, and she still complains..."

"I heard that!"

Pouting, Riruka stomped her way toward the exit, though not before taking the time to glare at Konoka. The latter stood by the door with her eyes shut and her arms crossed.

"Don't try to stop me," Riruka informed her with a satisfied smirk. "Your friends are as good as dead."

"Why are you talkin' to me? Do whatever the hell you want."

Riruka, shaking in a blind fury, slammed the door on her way out.

"She's certainly fired up," remarked a humored Tsukishima.

Ginjou replied, "She's just going to complicate things. You should've gone."

"Even I can't calm her when she's this worked up. If anything, we should thank Miss Mitsumi for motivating her."

Konoka smacked her lips. Praise was the very last thing she yearned.

#

"You're tearing my arm off. Relax, would you?"

"Oh? It hurts, does it? Trust me—me dropping your scrawny ass down all these stairs would be a lot worse."

Yukio conceded Sasune's point and piped down. The Quincy, with Aaron and Izumi in tow, raced up a seemingly endless flight of stairs. Each creaked with every step, and the three feared it would give out under their weight.

"How far up are they?" asked Aaron.

"Tenth floor," said Izumi. "Everyone seems to be gathered there."

Aaron jumped a series of steps that had broken long ago. "Why are they hiding out here of all places? It feels like this dump could come down on our heads at any time."

"For the same reason they holed themselves in Hino. Who would think an evil organization would chose a place like this as a base?" replied Sasune.

"Fair enough."

"Hey!" cried Izumi. "Someone's coming!"

The three stopped in their tracks. A girl, frowning bitterly, stood at the top of the staircase. Riruka took stock of the would-be rescue party, leading her to eventually laugh.

"You're all that is? You all know this isn't a game, right? You should have brought an army."

"Great. Of course it would be Riruka first," groaned Yukio. "By the way, we can see your panties from down here. It's nasty. Close your legs or something."

Riruka grit her teeth. "You've got a lot of nerve showing up here, Yukio, after getting your ass kicked!"

"Trust me. I didn't come by choice. Even if I did, there's no way I'd wanna see you."

"Shut up! Who the hell is that with you anyway?" Riruka squinted, a byproduct of not wearing her glasses. While she could make out three people alongside Yukio, the corridor was too poorly lit for her to make them out properly. "They don't look all that strong."

"Is this better?"

Aaron held out his hand and formed a small fireball.

"Much better. Thanks, chump. I..."

Riruka froze. Her jaw lowered at the sight of Aaron's and Sasune's illuminated faces.

"Y-You two..." she said meekly, a tone Yukio didn't think possible coming from her. Turning a vivid shade of red, she shifted her gaze to the floor. "I...forgot they were hot..."

"Ah!" Aaron pointed at her. "I remember you."

She had approached him out of the blue a long time ago demanding to know if he was a Shinigami. While thinking her strange at the time, he never would have guessed she was a part of Xcution.

"What the heck happened to this guy? He was a stick the first time we met," she grumbled.

His now muscular frame made dealing with him even harder.

"So, is she here to stop us or what?" wondered Izumi.

Hearing this restored Riruka's vigor. "That's right! Your little rescue operation ends here!"

"She's weird, but you shouldn't underestimate her," Yukio warned.

"What was that, you little creep?!"

Aaron took the advice to heart. "If she's going to slow us down..."

"Leave her to me." Sasune stepped up to the plate, winking at Riruka. "Would you like to play with me, beautiful?"

Riruka put her hands on her hips. "Aren't you the idiot that attacked us before? You should've let us kill you back then if you were just going to bother us again."

"Are you sure about this?" Aaron asked Sasune.

The Quincy nodded. "I won't be far behind. This young lady and I are just going to...talk."

"...For some reason, I'm starting to worry more about her than you."

"Harsh as always."

"What are you two muttering about down there? Well, talk while you can, since..."

Riruka shrieked when Aaron and Izumi knocked her over on their way past her.

"H-Hey! Get the hell back here!" she cried after them. "Why is everyone ignoring me today?!"

Someone offered her their hand. She stared at it in confusion before moving her head up to Sasune.

"You must forgive their poor manners. I, of course, wouldn't dream of abandoning such a lovely lady."

Riruka's nose wrinkled. "You might be hot, but for some reason, my stomach just crawled." She sprang to her feet, only to discover Sasune barring her path. "Move it, skinny."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I've fallen for you, after all. Won't you give me some of your time?"

"Is that so? Looks like I'm gonna have to break your heart then."

Sasune sighed as he formed his bow. "If I had a dime for every time a girl told me that..."

END