Chapter 61
Hit The Fan
Aaron wouldn't believe it.
His ragged breathing filled the air as he raced across Karakura Town. The news only arrived a short while ago.
There could have easily been a mistake. It had to be.
The Arrancar's second invasion of the human world ended a mere two days ago. Things quieted down since then, unnervingly so in Aaron's opinion. Without knowing what his enemies wanted, he couldn't say when they would strike next. The fact gave him a pair of mostly sleepless nights.
Who was the woman going around claiming to be Arashi Mitarashi?
Aaron shook his head. It hardly mattered at the moment. No, reaching Orihime Inoue's apartment took more precedence.
He had to find out if it was true.
"Bullshit," he mumbled. "Bullshit…"
What felt like hours of running to his weary mind had really only been a half an hour trek from the train station. The door to Orihime's apartment stood open, and stumbling in, he found a packed house. Heads, inquisitive but mostly sullen, leered up at him before falling back toward the floor. Even without any of them saying anything, Aaron knew something was horribly wrong.
"Inoue," he began. An ice-cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "Where is she? She's not really…?"
He spotted not Orihime but Kana. She busied sobbing into Rangiku's chest. The noise was awful, breaking Aaron's heart into pieces.
The truth hit him at long last.
"Inoue is...dead?"
"I'm afraid so."
The voice that spoke to him came from the huge screen in the middle of Orihime's living room. A sullen Juushirou Ukitake stared back at him, shaking his head.
"How?! Wasn't she with you in Soul Society?! How could she have…?"
"...I believe we should wait for your friend before continuing. He'll want to hear what I have to say most of all."
Ukitake's words were lost on Aaron until the latter realized someone wasn't there.
"Kurosaki…"
Speaking of Ichigo, he flew into the apartment at lightning speed, just as out of breath as Aaron had been.
"Kurosaki, did you…?"
Aaron grew wide-eyed when Ichigo shoved him out of the way. Every head in the room followed Ichigo as he marched up to the monitor.
"What the hell is this?!" he roared at the top of his lungs. "Where's Inoue?!"
"Calm yourself," replied Ukitake. "What I have to say may be hard to believe, but…"
"Quit screwing around! No one at school has heard from her! Tatsuki hasn't seen her either! If she's there with you, then…!"
"...Kurosaki, I'm afraid Inoue is gone."
Ichigo said nothing. It was like he hadn't ever heard Ukitake. Rukia approached him cautiously, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Ichigo…"
"What...is he talking?" Ichigo asked her. "Why would Inoue be…?"
Ukitake did the honors of explaining. "If...what we've learned from Mitarashi and the two other Shinigami tasked with guarding Inoue is true, an Arrancar breached the Dangai with attempting to kidnap her. For what purpose, we've yet to determine, but...rather being apprehended, Inoue somehow ended up…"
"THAT'S A LIE!"
Ichigo's chest heaved up and down in the wake of his declaration. Ukitake took a deep breath.
"I understand this is difficult to comprehend, but know that her death won't in vain. We plan on tracking down the culprit, and…"
With a thunderous roar, Ichigo drove his foot into the screen, breaking it.
"Calm down, Ichigo!" Rukia insisted. He did nothing of the sort, kicking the smoldering monitor over and over.
"Calm down."
Captain Hitsugaya's warning was a lot more stern.
"Shut up!" Ichigo shot back. "None of this makes any sense!"
"No, it does not, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Someone came into view behind Ukitake, someone who made all the Shinigami present stand at attention. Captain-Commander Yamamoto gazed back at them. Though equally surprised by his presence, Ukitake remained composed enough to nod and leave any further talking to his superior.
"You have mine and Soul Society's sincerest apologies," Yamamoto said. "Orihime Inoue died under our watch. We never considered the enemy would be able to get to your comrade within the Dangai. Killing her likely wasn't apart of their plans, but..."
A horrific cry cut him off. Those surrounding Ichigo stared in shock as she slumped to his knees and shifted his frustration, and fists, onto the floor. Aaron in particular was lost for words. Never would he have imagined someone like Ichigo Kurosaki, someone who had dealt with so much adversity with a grin, break down like this.
"This wasn't supposed to happen! No one was supposed to die! That's what all that training was for!"
Tears streamed down Ichigo's face, which burned with an almost inhuman fury. His anguish prompted Aaron to bite his lip. He felt just as useless.
All the power he had acquired was nice...but it couldn't bring back the dead.
"I'm not happy about any of this either," said Hitsugaya, "but right now, we need to figure out why the Arrancar wanted Inoue to being with."
"...Who did it?" Ichigo's voice was barely a whisper. That quickly changed as he shouted, "WHO DID IT?! WHO KILLED HER?!"
"Watch it, Ichigo," said Ikkaku stiffly. "I get you're pissed off, but you're still talking to the Captain-Commander."
Ikkaku got the shock of his life when Ichigo suddenly pressed him against a wall with such force, it cracked. The fury burning in his attacker's eyes was enough to give even a hardened member of the Eleventh Division like Ikkaku pause.
"Get real!" he nonetheless spouted. "Do you think she's the only one that's going to die?! Throwing a tantrum won't help!"
"What was that, bastard?!"
Ichigo lifted his fist. Before he could swing, he found himself surrounded by Rangiku, Hitsugaya, and Yumichika. All of them glared in a way that coerced him to back off.
"Given your current state, I would think it wise to keep the identity of Inoue's killer confidential," said Yamamoto.
The others had to hold Ichigo back as he replied, "I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR RULES OR YOUR SHITTY APOLOGIES!"
"...You wanna know who did it? I'll tell you. I...I owe Orihime that much."
Though Kana had spoken up, her vacant stare remained on her feet. She was so out of it, she didn't flinch when Ichigo slammed his hand on the wall beside her head.
"Mitarashi, don't," said Hitsugaya.
Kana shook her head. "It was an Arrancar. Ulquiorra Cifer. He said he was the Cuatro Espada. That's...that's all I know..."
"And you just sat there and watched him kill Inoue?!"
"N-No! I didn't…!"
"You were supposed to protect her! She risked her life to save you, and you couldn't even do the same when it really mattered?! You should've been able to SAVE HER!"
"I-I…!"
No matter what Kana said, no matter what excuses she made, she knew it would never be enough. She went back to sobbing, burying her miserable face behind her hands. Her regret wasn't enough to quell Ichigo's fury.
"Enough, Kurosaki."
Aaron picked up on this, hence why he jumped into the fray. He might have stared back at Ichigo, but he got the strange sensation he was glimpsing an entirely different beast.
"Do you think you're the only one upset at what happened to Inoue?!"
"Shut the hell up, Higuchi! You barely even knew her!"
The low blow made Aaron falter. He balled his fists and resisted the urge to worsen the situation.
"...We know who did it. We'll find him, Kurosaki. We'll find him, and…"
"You'll do nothing of the sort." Hitsugaya put his foot down. "The last thing we need is a pair of fools charging into Hueco Mundo and getting themselves killed."
"You expect me to do nothing?!" asked Ichigo incredulously.
"No, we expect you to be reasonable and think about the situation. In case you've forgotten, none of us came out unscathed the other day. The Arrancar are far more powerful than we anticipated."
"Besides, how would you even get to Hueco Mundo?" said Rangiku.
"Urahara," Ichigo muttered. "He'll know a way."
"Don't even think about it!"
Renji charged onto the scene. Looking about as irate as Ichigo, he marched up and grabbed him by the collar. Rukia groaned at the sight.
"You've been doing a lot of barking for someone who came back so bloody after fighting that Espada!"
"Get the hell out of my way, Renji!"
"Don't get so big for your britches! I'll go to Hueco Mundo and avenge Inoue!"
"I have to do it! It has to be me!"
"What did I just say about getting…!"
"Neither of you are going anywhere." Yamamoto's voice boomed across the room. "Now that we know the Arrancar are ready to strike earlier than we realized, I'm ordering the members of Captain Hitsugaya's squad to return to Soul Society."
The command came as a shock to Rukia. "Are we...going to do nothing about Inoue's death?"
"...I am afraid so. While your sorrow is understandable, our enemies will kill scores more if we do not solve the issue at hand. We can not use all our resources avenging the death of one at the cost of the entire world."
Never did something that made so much sense to Aaron make him so upset.
"Look," he said, "neither Kurosaki and I are members of the Gotei Thirteen. It doesn't matter what happens to us, so let us take care of this."
"I'm not asking for your help, Higuchi! You and Renji can…!"
Rukia cut Ichigo off, bitterness coating her tone as she said, "If they are going, I too would like to join them." She bit her lip at the sight of Kana reduced to a broken mess as she sat on the floor. "I'm sorry, Captain-Commander, but I'm afraid I...cannot obey the order to return."
"...I was afraid things would turn out this way," said Yamamoto. "I made preparations ahead of time."
All of a sudden, a Senkaimon opened at the head of the room. A duo of imposing fingers came into view, informing everyone of the seriousness of Yamamoto's order.
"Brother!" cried Rukia at the sight of Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Oh crap. The Captain…" groaned Yumichika.
"Time go, idiots," said Kenpachi Zaraki, thumbing toward the Senkaimon. "Get going."
"Do not resist," Byakuya advised. "We've been ordered to bring you back by force if necessary."
Ikkaku rubbed the back of his head. "Guess that's it then."
"Where's the other one? Emi?" Kenpachi inquired. The mere mention of her name made Ikkaku and Yumichika grow pale. "...What?"
"That's one person I have no interest in keeping track of," Yumichika muttered. "Although, her being on the loose doesn't make me feel good either."
"Eh, screw it. I'll track her down later," Kenpachi remarked casually. "Ichigo…"
The person in question didn't respond. The sudden arrival of two Captains might have had everyone else spooked but not him.
"I already said I don't need any help! I'll avenge Inoue myself!"
"I forbid it."
If possible, Yamamoto's response riled Ichigo up even more.
"We'll require your power for the coming battles," the Captain-Commander continued. "To selfishly die like a dog to avenge your friend would be senseless."
"I AM NOT YOUR SUBORDINATE, OLD MAN!"
Ichigo received countless looks of dismay.
"Watch your tone," warned Byakuya stiffly. "Your power has grown far too powerful for Soul Society to allow you to do as you please."
"...Meaning you'll cut me down no different from an Arrancar if I don't get in line?"
"Don't be stupid, Ichigo. Even I'd think once or twice about defying this old geezer," said Kenpachi. His eyebrow heightened when Ichigo grabbed the hilt of his Zanpakutou. "Oh? You wanna go after all?"
Kenpachi relished the thought as he took hold of his own sword.
"Stop it, Kurosaki! These are not the sort of people you wanna have as enemies!" cried Aaron.
"Inoue is dead! Would you be sitting here dealing with this crap if one of your friends died?!"
Ichigo's words shook Aaron to the core. He already knew the answer.
"Look, you can't do this!" Nonetheless, he wouldn't let his friend make a mistake he would live to regret. "Haven't we always done everything together?! Do you think Inoue would be happy to see you turn against everyone like…!"
A stiff punch to the jaw put an end to his pleading while also sending him to the floor. Aaron laid in shock, not from being hit but from someone he considered a friend, someone he would have given his life for, actually doing the deed. Ichigo lowered his fist, turning his ire on the others.
"Anyone that comes after me is dead!"
He disappeared on the spot and right as Byakuya and Kenpachi swung their blades. After absorbing the development for a short while, Kenpachi broke out in sudden laughter.
"What could possibly be so funny?" questioned Byakuya.
"Nothing. I just didn't think he actually had the balls to do it."
"…"
Byakuya Flash Stepped out of view as well, leaving Kenpachi to sigh at being saddled with such dirty work.
Dashing away, he mumbled, "This ain't how I hoped to fight Ichigo again, but oh well…"
"W-Wait, you can't…!"
Renji restrained Rukia from making chase as well.
"Stop it, Renji! They'll kill him!"
Renji knew it too. He also understood he could do nothing more than grit his teeth.
"Ugh...thanks," said Aaron as Ikkaku and Yumichika helped him up. He sang a different tune when their grips around him tightened.
"I'm sorry, Aaron Higuchi," said Yamamoto.
"...You're joking."
"W-What are you doing?! Leave him alone!" cried Kana. Renji's workload doubled when he had to hold her back too.
"Sorry, but we can't take anymore chances," Hitsugaya said. Aaron took note of the Captain's sword being pointed at his throat.
"Are you going to hold me captive then?"
Yamamoto replied, "I assure you that won't be the case. I simply do not want you doing anything rash."
"…"
Aaron, frowning, thought being treated like a criminal counterintuitive to that idea.
"Please hand over your Zanpakutou to Captain Hitsugaya," Yamamoto instructed. Bewildered, Aaron felt the man might as well have told him to cut off his arm. Still, surrounded by hostile Shinigami, he had little choice.
I should have run for it too. Shit…
#
Aaron headed home with his head hung low. Everything that transpired swirled around in his mind. He checked over his shoulder, assured Soul Society would assign a Shinigami to watch him like a hawk from now on. He neither saw nor sensed anyone. It did little to ease his anger.
"Kurosaki…"
No one had been able to track him down after his disappearing act. For all Aaron knew, Ichigo was already dead at the hands of Byakuya and Kenpachi. He shook the grievous thought away, though he couldn't do the same when remembering his friend's conduct.
"He's completely lost it." Aaron rubbed his stinging cheek. He considered himself fortunate Ichigo had done no further harm. "Dammit, Kurosaki. How the hell does turning yourself into a wanted felon help Inoue?"
Aaron kicked over a garbage can in frustration. He would have never imagined things becoming such a mess.
Maybe he didn't know Orihime as well as Ichigo. That didn't mean her death didn't weigh on him heavily. Yamamoto's orders or not, he planned on doing something about it.
If not for himself or even Ichigo, he would do it for Kana.
"Kurosaki was right about one thing—we aren't Soul Society's lapdogs."
Aaron set his sights on the setting sun. While it offered no answers, it eased his nerves.
"Hey, baldy. A little girl like you shouldn't walk alone. It's dangerous."
Aaron considered that rich coming from Hiyori. Lisa stood beside her, and Aaron knew bumping into them wasn't a coincidence.
"What'd I do wrong this time?"
The misery in his voice caught Hiyori off guard. "What, you get dumped by some bimbo?"
"I hope not because then you would have to kill her," said Lisa casually.
"Yeah, I'd have to—s-shut up!"
Aaron laughed, surprising himself.
Hiyori chucked one of her sandals at him. "What the hell is so funny, mutt?! Don't make me come over there!"
"...I guess it's just nice to see that at least something is normal."
"I don't know what you're yappin' on about, but it's pissing me off."
"Did you have something you want to tell me? That's why you two are here, right?"
The fact he wasn't cowering in his boots put Hiyori into even more of a rage. Lisa yanked her by the collar, preventing her from pounding Aaron senseless.
"Just confess to him already so we can go," said Lisa.
"SHUT UP!" Hiyori, blushing up a storm, pointed at Aaron, who tensed up. "Don't get any funny ideas!"
"About...what?"
Aaron was more confused now than when they showed up.
"Don't you get it? Even though it's a complete waste of our times, we're offering to help your scrawny ass."
"Help me with...what?"
His innocent question got him the backside of Hiyori's other shoe.
"We already know what's happened," said Lisa. "And we already know you're planning on going to Hueco Mundo to avenge that Inoue girl."
"How…?"
"We have our ways."
Lisa took far too much delight in saying that for Aaron's liking.
"You sure about this?" she asked him. "I know you like running off and nearly getting yourself killed, but..."
"Revenge isn't really my thing, but...I'm gonna do this. The Arrancar really are going hurt more people, and I'm not in the mood to wait for Soul Society to get their shit together. Kurosaki feels the same way."
Hiyori rolled her eyes. "Maybe one day you two will grow some brain cells. Still...for a lousy mutt, I guess even you can say something right sometimes."
"Also, she would be lonely without you," Lisa felt compelled to share.
"Yeah, I would be lonely without—GOD DAMMIT! I'm gonna cut those lips of yours off if you don't…!"
"Wait, you two want to help me?" asked Aaron.
Lisa replied, "You're slow, aren't you?"
"...I think I've already had a bad enough day without you insulting me."
"Wanna borrow some porn to feel better?"
"Yeah, that'd actually be—wow, you are really good at making people say stupid crap."
"You were gonna go whether we told you not to, and you're no good to us dead, so…"
"Why...do I not feel reassured hearing that?"
"With Aizen out of the picture, it ain't like we got anything to do anyway. Might as well beat up his friends."
"Now you're speaking my language," said Hiyori with a toothy grin. "Besides, it's not like this mutt could even sniff another dog's butt without us."
Aaron shrugged at the slight. He had no reason to turn down their help, and he honestly couldn't ask for better support.
"We need to talk to Urahara," he said.
"Right. He's probably the only one with a Garganta."
"Yeah, and—wait." Aaron turned his head in confusion at Lisa's comment. "You...guys know Urahara?"
"...Something like that."
Getting a straight answer out of the Visored was never an easy prospect. As such, Aaron decided not to press the issue.
"Before that, I need to stop home and fill my sister in on what's happening. Man, she's gonna beat my ass once she finds out I'm about to run of to some strange, deadly place. Again."
"Her again? You're a total siscon," said a cackling Hiyori.
"...Gonna pretend I didn't hear that."
The three turned a corner and arrived outside of Aaron's apartment complex.
There, they stumbled upon a surreal sight.
"...Sorry," said a tall, red-haired man clad in white. An unconscious Izumi hung over his shoulder. "Doing stuff like this really isn't my style, but orders are orders."
Coyote Starrk was long gone by the time Aaron, Hiyori, and Lisa pounced on him.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
If Aaron was dreaming, he craved to wake up as soon as possible.
"He's gone," said Lisa, stopping Aaron from searching around like a madman. "I can't sense his spiritual pressure."
"That's impossible! Did he freakin' teleport?!" Aaron dropped to his knee, his expression one of the utmost horror. "This isn't happening…"
"Who the hell was that?" snarled Hiyori.
"An Arrancar from the looks of it." Lisa sighed. "Alright, don't panic. We'll…"
Aaron scrambled past her and upstairs toward his apartment, leading her to sigh again. Upon reaching the front door, he discovered it wide open.
"Izumi! IZUMI!"
He searched from room to room. Rather than his sister, he discovered the apartment a total mess. A struggle had taken place. He raided Izumi's room for some clue of what happened.
"No, no, no!Where the hell is she?!"
"Give it up. Unless you're blind, you saw her get taken just like we did," said Hiyori, poking her head in.
"WHO WAS THAT?!"
"Maybe if you hadn't run off," said Lisa, "you would've heard me say it was an Arrancar. Given his speed, I'd bet it's one of those Espada. By the way, do you think this looks good on me?"
"Give me that!" Aaron snatched one of Izumi's bras away from her. "An Espada? Jesus…"
"Yeah, you're right. That's too big for me."
"...Please stop talking."
An Espada. The cream of the crop. Aaron took a seat, not out of choice but because his legs gave out.
I only got a load of that guy's power for a second, but...
"Aaron, is that you? Is...everything okay?"
The timid voice came from down the hall. Cursing, Aaron scrambled to his feet and met his very confused mother in the kitchen.
"M-Ma?! Yes, everything is…!"
Aaron lost his train of thought. Hiyori and Lisa, standing behind him, had their swords drawn. He desperately gestured for them to put them down...not that it stopped his mother from shrieking.
"Ma? Ma! It's okay!"
"This grandma is your mom?" asked a snorting Hiyori.
"Be nice to your future mother-in-law," Lisa insisted.
"F-Friends of your?," Ms. Higuchi squeaked as Hiyori chased Lisa around the kitchen, flailing sword around.
"...Something like that," a miserable Aaron answered. He cringed at dishes either shattering on the floor or being sliced in half. "Um...we were...throwing a wild party that got out of hand. I'll try to stay off the liquor."
"Oh, I...see…"
An awkward silence fell between them as Hiyori cut the kitchen table in half, missing Lisa by inches.
"Get back here, bitch! I'll kill you!"
"Say, where's Izumi? If you really did drink, she must have had the most of all," joked Ms. Higuchi. How she was even remotely calm was beyond Aaron.
"…"
"Something is wrong, isn't there?"
Aaron's head snapped up. He shook it fervently. "O-Of course not. Izumi just...uh…she's..."
His nails dug into his skin as he clenched his fists. Fighting back his tears made facing down an Arrancar a simple task by comparison.
"We've got some stuff to do, so…" said Hiyori. She elbowed Aaron in the back.
"R-Right. Sorry, Ma, but I'll explain later. I'll clean up the place when I get back. I...might not be back for a while actually, but don't worry."
"What do you…?"
"Bye!"
Aaron ran as quick as his legs would carry him. He cast away the notion he would perhaps never see his mother again.
He would, and with his sister by his side.
"Sorry about the mess," said Lisa politely on her way out.
"Yeah. Sorry...I guess," added Hiyori. "We'll take care of that idiot. You'll probably have to change his diaper when he gets back, but he'll live."
"Take...care of him for what?"
That was a question Ms. Higuchi got no answer to. Left alone, she placed a hand over her mouth as a sudden, unexplained fear dawned over her.
#
"...You wanna repeat that one more time for me, Higuchi?"
Momoka Yoshida stood in total shock. Being class representative was a difficult, thankless position. Seeing students to class on time, ensuring they did their homework, and getting them to stand, bow, and then sit for the instructor sounded easy on paper. It was often anything but.
Still, she had never known a student to come up to her and tell her they intended on quitting school.
Aaron, bowing as sharply as he could, replied, "I'm sorry, but...there's something I need to do, something important. I'm not saying I'm never coming back, but...I can't promise if I'll be able to."
"What the hell does that even mean?"
Momoka's eyelids narrowed. She couldn't tell if he was serious. If his words really were a joke, she wasn't laughing.
"Are you in trouble or something?" she asked. If so, as class representative, I…"
"Thank you for the offer. Really, but...this isn't something your or even the police can handle. I know you probably think I'm slacking off again, and you're free to think that. Just pass on what I've said to all my teachers, okay? Thank you for all you've done for me and the rest of the class. Sorry for Sasune and I causing you so much trouble."
With a final bow, Aaron went on his way.
"Higuchi!"
Momoka's near desperate voice stopped him. She held out her hand, bordering on chewing his head off. Faltering, grit her teeth.
"I...don't really get what you're up to, but be careful, okay? I won't let you slack off at the next sports festival. You're the only one who can stand up to that Mitsumi monster, after all."
Aaron gave her a frail smile. "Got it. See you later."
Long after he left, a frowning Momoka got the feeling she should have stopped him while she could.
#
Aaron shut the classroom door behind him. He wasn't expecting anyone waiting for him, though that was exactly what he got.
"Sasune? Konoka?"
Sasune waved, whereas Konoka frowned severe enough to make Aaron gulp.
"Sneaky bastard," she spat.
"Huh?"
Sasune wagged his finger, adding, "You really thought you could go on another adventure without us? Are we not the Three Amigos?"
Aaron blinked. "I-I…"
"Tell us the truth," said Konoka, drawing closer. "What the hell is going on?"
Though still hesitant, Aaron filled them in on his sister's capture.
"Damn! They took her right from under our noses!" cried Konoka, punching a wall.
Sasune, while not nearly as loud, put on a noticeable frown, "I see. Never did I imagine she would be caught up in all of this. But tell me, is it true? Miss Inoue is really…?"
Aaron gave a curt, solemn nod. "I'm sorry. If I had known what…"
"Forget it."
Aaron couldn't believe it. Not only was Sasune not distraught, the Quincy actually smirked.
"It's not your fault," he assured Aaron. "Knowing Miss Inoue, I'm positive she died with a smile. To sit around crying would be a disservice to her legacy. All of us have gotten stronger. I believe it's time we show Miss Inoue how much."
Both Aaron and Konoka leered at Sasune like they had never seen him before.
"To think you could say somethin' that doesn't make my ears bleed, Pretty Boy," Konoka remarked. "Guess we can applaud you not being a dumbass later. It's time to crack some heads."
Sasune nodded. "Something tells me Miss Inoue's death and Izumi's kidnappings have something in common. I suppose we can sort out the details later though. To Hueco Mundo!"
"Guys. You don't have to do this," said Aaron almost desperately. "She's my sister. I'm not asking you to risk your lives for…"
"Save it. You know damn well we ain't sittin' this one out," Konoka informed him. Folding her arms, she added, "My memory of the past few weeks might be screwed up, but there's one thing I'll never forget—you stuck your neck out to bring me back. Saying 'I owe' you ain't even close to makin' us even. If you need my help, all you gotta do is ask. My life is yours. Besides, I didn't really know Inoue, but she seemed like a nice enough girl. Anyone that would hurt someone like that is as good as dead."
Aaron didn't know what to say. Tearing up, he felt he didn't deserve such loyal friends.
"With this, the OTP is complete," a snickering Sasune said to himself. He wasn't quiet enough; Konoka smacked him upside the head.
"Keep talkin', and I'll kill you first," she warned.
"Noted. Ow…"
"So, what now? You're the smart one, right?"
Sasune stuck his chest out with pride. "Indeed. Uryuu probably knows what's happened, and I bet he's already heading over to Urahara's. I suggest we do the same."
Aaron realized he wasn't going to talk them out of this. "Alright, thanks, you two."
"No need." Sasune's chipper mood disappeared. A cold, dangerous look came over him "...Because I probably would have gone to Hueco Mundo myself to kill me some Arrancar. With you two though, it'll be a lot easier."
Now Aaron understood. He considered himself a fool for thinking Orihime's death had no effect on Sasune. The Quincy was merely putting on a brave face.
"We can meet up with Urahara tomorrow. There's something else I need to take care of before then," Aaron told them, steeling his resolve for the trials to come.
#
An audible slap rang across the room. Despite being struck, Ulquiorra didn't flinch. The other Espada watched on, some amused by the sight, others irritated at being dragged to yet another impromptu meeting.
"You idiot!" Arashi hollered. "I didn't tell you to kill her! Her powers would've been a tremendous asset!"
Ulquiorra her blustering little mind, his green eyes focused on her bleeding hand. She took the brunt of the damage thanks to his Hierro.
"My apologies."
"...That's okay."
Those watching on grew baffled at Arashi throwing her arms around Ulquiorra. She even went as far as to tenderly stroke the back of his head. His blank expression led the others to wonder what went through his mind.
"There, there. I forgive you. You did the best you could," Arashi added in a soothing tone. "Accidents happen. That girl wasn't crucial to our plans. Fortunately, I had a backup if something like this happened."
"Isn't that sweet?" noted a beaming Luppi Antenor.
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, leaning against a wall, grumbled, "It's bullshit…"
Luppi spotted him and raised an eyebrow. "Eh? Since when were former Espada allowed to lurk around? Why not join Dordoni and the rest of those fake Espada in Tres Cifras?"
"What was that, bastard?!"
Luppi's smug look was too much for Grimmjow to stand. He readied to pounce.
"Move, and I'll cut the rest of your limbs off, Grimmjow."
Arashi's claim froze the former Sexta Espada in his tracks.
"I wouldn't want to have to execute you for attacking one of your superiors," she added.
"'Superior…?'" The term left Grimmjow both awestruck and bitter. "Ain't no way in hell someone like Luppi is better than me!"
Humored, Luppi said, "My, to think a cripple could bark so loudly."
What happened next was no surprise to anyone present. Luppi parried Grimmjow's blade with his own. The two shot back from one another though disappeared in the next instant. Everyone's head followed them across the room, where they exchanged a number blows. Even with only one arm at his disposal, Grimmjow got the upper hand. He shoved a wide-eyed Luppi to the ground before charging a Cero right in his opponent's face. A sadistic grin spread across his lips.
"Enough."
A pair of water clones, one pointing a blade at Grimmjow's throat and the other at Luppi's, put an end to the squabble.
"I will not have my Arrancar butchering one another like sheep," Arashi declared. "Besides, Luppi, your team came back from the human world nearly as beat up as Grimmjow. If you value your new place as the Sexta Espada, I would recommend taking greater care in the future."
Growling, Luppi replied, "I was under the impression our job was to stall for Ulquiorra. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be yelling at him?" He turned to the person in question. "Well?!"
Ulquiorra offered no explanation, further antagonizing Luppi.
"Let's relax," suggested Arashi. "After all, things could have turned out worse. I didn't come out of the deal empty-handed."
Almost on cue, Coyote Starrk entered the room. He let out a long yawn, turning his head his inquisitive compatriots.
"Oh, I'm late," he said dully. He moaned at being the center of attention.
"Welcome back. We thank you for your hard work," said Arashi. Like Ulquiorra, she gave him a big hug. It led a still steaming Grimmjow to wonder when the mighty Espada had fallen so low.
"Mind if I go to sleep now?" asked Stark with another yawn. "All this running around wore me out."
He dropped an unconscious Izumi on the table. Heads shot up to get a closer look.
"The hell's the girl for?" wondered Grimmjow. Groaning filled the room before he got an answer. Izumi awoke though quickly wished she was still asleep. The sole reason she didn't scream was because she didn't know who—or what—to shriek at first.
"Izumi Higuchi, I presume?" Arashi grinned from ear to ear, looking as if she had just won the lottery. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Kana…?"
"Not quite, but I seem to get that often. There's no need for me to explain who I am. After all, we're going to become very acquainted from here on. Welcome to Las Noches, your new home."
END
