Chapter Nine: Old Faces & New Faces
*One year after return*
It had been one entire year since Takeshi had made his way home and reunited with his family. The following week had been quite enjoyable for the Kurosaki family. They spent the whole time together catching up and going out as a family. Of course the questions of what had happened exactly to him were asked. Thankfully with Urahara's forged documents they easily bought his cover story.
Takeshi took note of just how much his family had grown and changed in that time since their mother's death. Yuzu had taken upon herself to try and fill the void left by Masaki. Karin had become a blunt and soccer obsessed tomboy. While his father had become a goofball of the first order. Something that quickly annoyed Takeshi. Not to mention he treated Takeshi to the usual morning and welcome home "greetings" he gave his brother.
Something Isshin learned very fast was a bad idea. While Ichigo would smack him a little for it when he was on the receiving end of it. the first time he did it to Takeshi was a few weeks after he was home while sleeping in bed. Isshin charged in howling like an idiot and Takeshi responded on reflex. He kicked him clean in the gut and slammed into the floor with an iron grip to Isshin's throat. Takeshi quickly realized it was just his father and let go. Four years in hueco mundo had made him very keen to constantly be cautious about his surroundings no matter what. People learned quickly to not sneak up on him, unless they wanted to risk something like an elbow to the throat.
Speaking of Ichigo, Takeshi quickly learned his brother had huge guilt complex for what happened that day four years ago. He blamed himself for everything that happened, it pained Takeshi to see his brother in such a way. He wanted to tell his brother the truth of what really happened but was forbidden by his father and the Urahara crew. It honestly pissed him off at times. Not to mention how Ichigo had changed over the years.
He was a lot quieter and more reserved. He always seemed angry about something if his near constant scowl was anything to go by. Quite the change from the happy go lucky person he was before. If anything though, Takeshi's return helped him come out of the shell he placed himself in, atleast by a little anyways.
There was also the issue with Ichigo's spirit energy. His raw amount was huge, and he had zero control on it. Thus it was leaking out everywhere on a constant basis. it would certainly attract the attention of spirits and hollows. Takeshi always kept a sharp eye out for any hollows, he quickly dealt with them. The ones that showed up in Karakura were basic level weaklings. He could practically kill them in his sleep. All the more reason he wished he could say something to his brother about the spirit world. so maybe he could teach his brother on how to actually control his rampant energy. Again though he was shot down on this idea by his father and Urahara.
The thing that Takeshi dreaded the most about being back home was catching up on all the schooling he missed in his time away. It took most of his year back, but he eventually caught up enough to the point he was able join the same year class as Ichigo at Karakura high. He even got placed in the same class as his brother, much to his enjoyment. He also got to meet all his brother's friends as well. Who quickly in turn became his friends as well.
First was Orihime Inoue and Tatsuki Arisawa. Orihime was bubbly and happy girl with long orange hair. Who also had the biggest crush ever on his brother, who was too damn dense when it came to love to pick up the hints. Then you had Orihime's best friend Tatsuki. She was essentially a more grown up version of Karin just replace the obsession of soccer with martial arts. Oh there was also Chizuru Honsho, the most (In)famous lesbian in the whole school. She would get beat up daily by Tatsuki for trying to grope Orihime's rather impressively large chest. Her getting knocked around by Tatsuki always entertained him.
Then you had Keigo Asano and Mizuiro Kojima. Keigo was a wannabe ladies' man, while Mizuiro was the real deal. Mizuiro was the far more mature and level-headed of the two. Keigo had an overly goofy personality like Isshin, something that annoyed Takeshi and Ichigo both. They would take turns knocking sense into him if the need was felt. Then there was Sado Yasutora or "Chad" as everyone called him. He was a tall and muscular teen who was half Mexican. He was very quiet and shy in all honesty, but he was also very polite and kind.
Out of all his new friends Orihime and Chad stuck out the most. Takeshi could sense that they were spiritually aware like him and Ichigo, more so than most people. However what really caught his attention was the fact that their energy had a similar feel to his own, they had the potential to develop fullbrings. He had thought about reaching out to them and informing them about their potential. However that was also shot down by his father and the Urahara crew. Seriously them telling him "no" about this stuff was annoying him. Especially considering it could have huge effects on people's lives.
Not everyone he met at school was exactly friendly at times. Namely a person in his class named Uryu Ishida. He had an interesting first meeting with him a few days after he joined the class.
*After school one day*
Takeshi and Ichigo were walking home from school, they had just gotten out of the school grounds when Takeshi felt something or rather someone. He paused and spoke up.
"hey Ichigo, go on home without me. I just remembered I had to handle something after school. I shouldn't be too long though."
Ichigo looked at his brother questioningly but decided not to push it.
"ok, I let everyone at home know. Try not to be too long, Yuzu is making seafood fried rice tonight. It's your favorite after all." Replied Ichigo.
"I wouldn't miss that for the world bro. I'll be as fast as possible."
Ichigo nodded his head and headed home, once he was safely out of sight. Takeshi got a serious look on his face.
"you can come on out, I know your there Ishida." Proclaimed Takeshi.
Walking out from around a corner was the Uryu Ishida. He was of average height, kind of skinny, black hair and glasses. Not to mention he always looked like someone had just kicked his dog.
"I'm surprised you felt my presence, I was hiding it." he stated.
"not nearly as well as you think you were, I'm afraid. I could feel you from the moment we were in the same room together at school. So it wasn't hard to pick up on you, when you were tailing me and my brother. So what is that you want exactly?" Takeshi retorted.
Ishida looked as though he was just insulted for some reason before replying. "I noticed you have spirit powers of your own. While I've never been able to sense your energy, your ability to hide it quite impressive I must admit. I've noticed though you always watch the spirits that come around the school from time to time."
"I'll give you that Ishida but why are you interested in me?"
"answer me this one simple question Takeshi Kurosaki. Are you a soul reaper?" questioned Ishida.
Takeshi was quiet for a few moments contemplating his response. Ultimately, he decided to be honest with Ishida. "I'm no soul reaper, I'm what you call a 'fullbringer'."
"I'm not familiar with the term I'm afraid." Spoke Ishida.
"long story short, fullbringers are humans with special spirit powers. however the nature of that power varies greatly from fullbringer to fullbringer. Now, seeing how I told you what I am. What by chance are you?"
"I am what you call a 'Quincy'." Replied Ishida. "we are also humans with spirit powers but ours are have more common structure as to what they are like."
"well that's neat. Was you wanting to know I'm weather or not I'm a soul reaper the only thing you wanted from me?" asked Takeshi.
"well that and I wanted to know about your brother. I noticed he has a large amount of energy that he leaks out all over with no control. Is he a soul reaper by chance?" wondered the quincy.
"no he isn't, he has plenty of raw power, but it hasn't manifested as anything specific yet. Why do you ask?"
"just wondering is all. If he was a soul reaper that would be a bit of an issue. Soul reapers and quincies are mortal enemies after all."
Takeshi narrowed his eyes at this remark. "if by chance my brother was a soul reaper. Just what would you do?" inquired the fullbringer.
"simple, my pride as a quincy would demand I deal with him" Ishida replied.
Takeshi stared the quincy down for a few moments. "you see, I would really recommend that you not do that. If my brother does somehow come to develop soul reaper powers. just a fair warning." He spoke with a serious tone.
Ishida not getting the hint just scoffed at the warning. "please, we quincies are better than soul reapers and you fullbringers as well I imagine. I will do what my pride as a quincy demands of me."
Takeshi just sighed at the response. "guess I'll just have to teach you the hard way then. I'm honestly surprised a guy as smart as you, could be such a dumbass."
Before Ishida could reply Takeshi had already gotten on top of him with bringer light. Ishida never saw him coming, nor the foot that was squarely planted in his chest, that tossed him clean down the street. Ishida was on the ground the air cleanly knocked out of him. When Takeshi appeared next to him.
"so do you understand now?" asked Takeshi.
Ishida said nothing and just glared at the fullbringer.
"fine let me show you just how outclassed you are then." Takeshi reached up and activated his fullbring. He saw the quincy stare in shock at his transformation. Takeshi decided to get his point across as clear as he could. So he removed his energy concealing bracelet allowing the full force of his power to bear down on Ishida.
Ishida's eyes went wide from the force. He couldn't move at all, hell he was struggling to breath. He almost couldn't believe how powerful the person standing over him was. Trapped underneath the force of Takeshi's spirit energy, Ishida could do nothing as he knelt over him.
"I hope you get the idea now Ishida but let me just add one more thing though." Takeshi reached out and grabbed Ishida's throat in a vice like grip. Takeshi stared at the quincy with cold eyes and spoke calmly to him. "if you ever try any kind of shit with my brother, the rest of family or hell, even my friends." Then he leaned in putting his face only a few inches away from Ishida's. "I'll do things to you that will make you beg for death. Believe me, I've done similar things before." He finished with a tone that left no doubt he would make good on his threat.
Takeshi then stood back up, deactivated his fullbring and put his bracelet back on. "see you at school, Ishida." He cheekily said and went on home. Leaving the quincy on the ground.
*present time*
Ever since that incident the quincy made sure to keep his distance from Takeshi and anyone he cared about. Though Takeshi did have to explain why he unleashed his spirit energy like he did to his father when he got home, seeing how he had felt it. After his explanation, while still a little mad at his son for what he did. Ultimately understood where he was coming from in the situation.
As Takeshi sat in his last class for the day, his mind also wondered to his other activities over the last year. Like his training with Yoruichi.
*Months ago*
Takeshi was at Urahara's shop to start his training with Yoruichi. While he didn't know much about the woman. He did know she was a former captain and arguably the greatest hand to hand fighter ever. Not to mention so skilled at the soul reaper speed skill "flash step". She had earned herself the title of "goddess of flash" for unmatched talent in it. Takeshi was already aware, that while Halibel had trained him a great deal in weapon on weapon combat. She hadn't taught him that much in straight up hand to hand. So having someone like Yoruichi to teach him, was beyond helpful.
He had arrived at the shop for training having taken a break from catching up on his long overdue schoolwork. He was in a massive training ground, underneath the shop. He had to admit it was quite impressive to lay eyes on. he stood there waiting for Yoruichi to begin the training.
"where is she, I wonder?" he mused to himself.
"why I'm right here, Takeshi." Said a noticeably male like voice.
Takeshi spun around only to see a black cat sitting on the ground. "Yoruichi?" he said quizzically.
"indeed I am." Replied the cat. "ah yes that's right you've never known me to be able to do this. As you can plainly tell, I can transform into a cat."
"that's cool and all, but I don't think I'm gonna learn proper hand to hand combat training from you while in that form." Takeshi deadpanned.
"true enough." Yoruichi replied before disappearing in a puff of smoke. After a few moments the smoke dissipated revealing Yoruichi. She was back in her normal form, though she was completely and utterly naked.
"Yoruichi! Put some damn clothes on!" Takeshi yelled. As he tried to fight the current nosebleed he now had and was as red faced as his brother's namesake. Now Takeshi may have been a teenage boy and had a healthy interest in woman certainly. However he had absolutely no experience dealing with the opposite sex in such a situation.
Yoruichi being the exhibitionist and first class teaser that she is. Was loving every moment of her new students' reactions. With a playful grin she suddenly disappeared in flash step and appeared behind Takeshi and wrapped her arms around him.
Takeshi suddenly he felt her arms around his chest and two large pleasantly squishy objects pressing into his back. to say he was losing his battle with blood loss would be understatement. He was sweating like mad as he felt her hands glide up and down his chest.
"Ara, Ara Takeshi." She whispered into his ear seductively. "perhaps you would like another kind of training? You certainly seem to have a lot of what a woman could really enjoy herself with."
At that notion, Takeshi's eyes went wide, and steam practically shot out of his head. As his brain seemingly suffered a total system meltdown.
Yoruichi seeing this decided to end her teasing, she let go and stepped away, while she enjoyed a good laugh. "HA, HA, HA! Don't worry Takeshi, I'm only teasing you. now I'll go put on some clothes so we can begin what you really came here for. With that she disappeared in another burst of flash step, while Takeshi's system booted back up.
Once he came back to his senses, he was certainly miffed at the werecat's actions. Though while he wouldn't admit out loud, a small part of his mind was a little disappointed.
Once his training actually began for real, he quickly learned just how outclassed he was by his teacher. While he was certainly fast in his own right, she even admitted that to him. She was simply on a whole different level of speed.
On the plus side Yoruichi style of teaching was very similar to that of Halibel's. she drilled you hard but was only as harsh as needed and was helpful in suggesting points of improvement. while he wasn't a soul reaper so he couldn't really use soul reaper specific hand to hand fighting styles. He did learn through Yoruichi a multitude of new martial arts moves. Plus how to combine his pre-existing fullbringer techniques with hand to hand combat.
He managed to learn to focus his harden ability specifically into his arms and legs more effectively for greater strikes. He also managed to learn how to better focus his bringer light into his arms and legs to greatly increase the force at which he punched and kicked at. it created incredibly powerful hits. That even left the werecat genuinely in pain when they landed.
*Present time*
Takeshi smiled to himself, as he thought about it. while he still wasn't as good as Yoruichi in hand to hand and in all honesty probably never would. He was still proud by how far he had progressed with it all. His teacher even telling he could hold his own well even amongst the other hand to hand specialist in soul society.
All in all things had been going well for him since his return. Though he had some hang ups still. Mainly it being over him missing a certain group of hollows back in hueco mundo.
After the initial excitement of being back home wore off. He couldn't help but find himself start to miss everyone back in hueco mundo. He missed chatting with Sung-sun. he missed Apacci and her fiery personality. He missed Halibel's wise demeanor and the motherly like aura he felt around her. Most importantly though, he missed Franceska Mila Rose.
After a while, when he wasn't focused on anything all that important, his mind always wondered to thoughts about the lioness. He missed his oldest and closest friend, the talks they had, the laughs they shared, the travels they took. He also greatly missed their nights of soundly slumbering side by side together. He had found it difficult to fall asleep after a few weeks. Without the comforting feeling of the lioness's mane and furry body. Having grown so accustomed to it as he slept in the years spent in the hollow world.
Not to mention he constantly hoped she and others were safe and doing ok for themselves. His heart would seemingly ache for some reason when he thought about how he would most likely never see Mila ever again. It was an ache that felt different from any kind of ache he had ever felt before. He honestly wasn't sure what he was feeling. He could figure one thing about whatever he was feeling. He would have to see Mila again at some point to finally figure it out.
How he was supposed to though? He had no idea. No way anyone in the living world was going to open a garganta for him to go to hueco mundo. He sighed as he realized he could only hope that perhaps fate would throw him a bone.
*Los Noches, Hueco Mundo*
In the middle of hueco mundo inside a gigantic dome underneath a fake sun. a massive white fortress stood. Inside it was mass army of hollows and arrancar. Hollows that had their masked removed in order to gain soul reaper like powers. inside one wing of the massive complex was four female arrancar.
One is a tomboyish Arrancar with heterochromia: her right eye is ice blue, while her left eye is amber with a red outline around it. She has black, jaw-length hair, and her mask fragment is on the top of her head with a horn in the middle. She wears the standard Arrancar uniform but has shoulder length sleeves with black cuffs with a v-neck, and gloves and collars over her wrists, which are actually her Zanpakutō. Her name Emilou Apacci, formerly the deer like adjucahs hollow.
The second is a slender female Arrancar with long, flowing, olive-green hair, long eyelashes, and lavender eyes, with three pink dots just below her right eye. Her mask remnants create three hair clip-like extensions on the right side of her bangs. She wears a furry black necklace around her neck. Her outfit consists of a long white dress with long sleeves, which extend well past her hands, with a single slit in each one, and two thin belts criss-crossing around her waist. Her name Cyan Sung-Sun. Formerly the anaconda like adjucahs hollow.
The third has mocha skin, aqua green eyes, thick eyelashes, and short golden blonde hair, which she usually keeps messy with three braided locks. She wears a variation of the Arrancar jacket with a high collar, which covers the lower part of her face downward, while baring a good portion of the lower half of her large breasts. The jacket has a zipper running along its entire length, which is opened from the bottom upwards. It has a beige air filter on either side just below the trim. The jacket's sleeves completely envelop her arms, terminating in black glove-like extensions at her extremities, resembling the appearance of a cat's paw. Her name Tia Halibel. Formerly the shark like vasto lorde and leader the of the four.
The last member is a dark-skinned, green-eyed Arrancar with long, thick, wavy brown hair and large breasts. Her Hollow hole is positioned mid-way between her navel and breasts. Her mask fragments form a three-sectioned crown around her head and a thick necklace. Her Arrancar attire was heavily modified: it matches to the attire belonging to an Amazon warrior, with multiple armor covering her breasts and upper arms, gauntlets on her forearms, and a white skirt. Her name Franceska Mila Rose. Formerly the lioness adjucahs hollow.
All four women had been living in los noches for around six months now, after they were saved by their new master. They had been attacked by the hammerhead like hollow that Halibel had wounded leaving Baraggan's palace, back when it was still his. The hammerhead hollow had become an arrancar as well and had attacked them in retribution. All of them had been overpowered and would have been killed. If the one who had saved them hadn't shown up when he did.
The man explained he was aiming to overthrow soul society, he had saved them and offered to make them arrancar like the hammerhead hollow. Though he had means of making them far stronger arrancar with an item he possessed. It was called the hogyoku. While the one he had was incomplete, it still held the power to make them into arrancar far more powerful than those born from the natural method. By becoming arrancar they had regained bodies almost exactly like those they possessed as humans. The only difference being the remnants of their hollow mask's and hollow holes.
In the time since they had become arrancar and came to live at the newly remade los noches. Most of their time had been spent getting acquainted with their new bodies, powers and abilities. however now they had hit a point to where things were relatively quiet and would be for a good while still. So all four women were lounging around, trying to figure out what exactly to do.
As Sung-sun and Apacci were discussing on what to do, while Halibel watched them. Mila was leaning against the wall, lost in her own thoughts. Since things had finally calmed down, Mila was able think about something or rather someone. That being Takeshi Kurosaki, the human fullbringer she hadn't seen in a whole year.
She knew when Takeshi first left, she would miss him, hell they all missed him when he first left. She assumed that that feeling would eventually fade away or drastically reduce in time. While it had seemed to with the others to one degree or another. For Mila the sense of longing for him had remained just as strong the whole year since his departure back to his own world.
It was rare a day went by when the thought of him didn't pass through her mind. His smile, his caring attitude, the way he always made her feel warm inside. While she had a hard time understanding these felling back when she was still a normal hollow. In the time since she became an arrancar, her new more human form had allowed her to finally understand what these feeling towards Takeshi were at last. She had come to realization a while ago, that she had to speak her mind to Takeshi about them. Regardless of what his response would be, it was something that simply needed to be done.
Now just came the matter of convincing the others to let her go to the living world to see him. Now that things had quieted down enough, this was her best chance to try and make it happen. She was hoping that since she knew everyone else were also interested in checking in on Takeshi to a certain amount. It would make trying to convince them a lot easier.
"I have an idea of what we could go and do." Mila suddenly spoke up.
This caused the others to pause and look at her.
"what are you thinking Mila?" wondered Apacci.
"well, how about we all head off to Karakura to check on Takeshi?" the lioness arrancar stated.
"it has been a whole year, since he went back home." Mused Sung-sun. "it would be nice to see how well he's doing."
"hell yeah, I think it would be nice to see how our favorite human is doing!" chimed Apacci.
Halibel kept her usual stoic face but inside she was conflicted on this potential course of action. While she certainly missed Takeshi as her friends did. She was also keenly aware of the dangers inherent to traveling to the living world. regardless of their ability to suppress their energy enough to keep hidden from any soul reapers and what not. Plus she knew that Mila wanted to see Takeshi for more than just a simple visit.
"Is simply checking up on him your only desire Mila?" Halibel questioned.
Mila blushed a little knowing what her mistress was implying, no point in trying to hide it at this point.
"well….no my lady." Mila began. "while I do want to check up on him. I also have certain thoughts and feelings that have plagued me for the longest time. I know that I can only put them to rest is too see Takeshi and speak about them to him. So they can finally stop pestering me, regardless of how his response will be."
Halibel thought about it all for a few minutes and then gave her answer.
"very well, we shall head off to Karakura then. Just remember that we must keep a low profile while there." Halibel said.
All three other arrancar women smiled at the prospect of seeing their friend again. Halibel herself in all honesty was looking very forward to reuniting with Takeshi as well. She wondered how much more her former student and someone she considered surrogate son had progressed with his training. Atleast he better have or she would knock him around a bit for being lazy, simply because he was back home.
They all gathered together and opened a garganta to Karakura and stepped into it.
*Karakura*
It was now just becoming night-time in Karakura town. Takeshi was hanging around a random roof top in the middle of town, on the lookout for hollow activity. It had become a daily routine of his since his return. nothing seemed out of the ordinary, however than something strange happened.
He felt the ever so slight presence of an odd spirit energy source. It was very miniscule, if not for how very sharp his energy detection was for the years spent in hueco mundo constantly using it. It would have been very easily missed. Then it disappeared completely a moment later. Something had come to karakura and was trying very hard to keep hidden. However that wasn't what actually concerned him though.
What concerned him was the nature of the energy he felt. It was hollow like but also had a minor but unmistakable soul reaper like touch to it. knowing the direction it came from he quickly took off in bringer light towards it. as he neared the source of it, he kept to slow walk. Carefully watching the area around him trying to see whatever he felt was around.
Then up on a nearby warehouse roof he saw the vague outline of four figures. He couldn't quite tell who they were though. He activated his fullbring and took off towards them. He maneuvered and approached from behind, thankfully they were oblivious to his presence thanks to his bracelet. Takeshi had to admit as sneaky and secretive to the point of frustration Urahara could be. The man was a damn genius. He could be standing right next to someone with his power full blast. Unless they turned to look and physically saw him, they would have no idea he was there. As long as he had the bracelet on.
He stealthily snuck his way up towards the mysterious group, as he neared them, he noticed they were all women of various size. The all had white outfits of sorts on. then he noticed one had a hole going through her, a hollow hole.
'ok just what the fuck is going on here?' Takeshi thought to himself. 'How did hollows gain such a human form? Not to mention why the hell are they here in Karakura?' It was time to find out he figured.
As he approached and stood only about 20ft behind them, he made his presence known.
"Mind telling me what brings you four here to my neck of the woods?" he proclaimed.
"what the fucking hell!?" one of them yelled as they all suddenly whipped around. One of them even drawing an oddly shaped hollowed out looking sword.
"wait a sec, that's Takeshi!" exclaimed one with a horn on her head.
Takeshi raised an eyebrow, he recognized that voice. Could it really be though?
Takeshi tilted his head to side and said in quizzical manner. "is that you Apacci?" looking at the woman in question.
Apacci put the biggest grin on her face. "you bet your ass I am. Longtime no see Takeshi."
Takeshi looked to the next one, he recognized the dots under her one eye. "Sung-sun?" he questioned.
Sung-sun nodded her head. "indeed Takeshi, it's nice to see you again after so long."
He then looked over and knew right away who the next woman was. There was no mistaking that blond hair and mocha skin. "Halibel?" he spoke in wonder, looking at his former teacher and if he was honest, surrogate mother.
"hello Takeshi, glad to see you're able to recognize us despite our new appearances." Halibel replied as she put away her sword.
That only left one more. He looked at her, she was as tall as Halibel, deep green eyes, long wavy brown hair, dark skin, huge chest, with a very well, toned body. Not to mention an outfit that screamed "Amazon warrior". He looked at her with absolute wonder, she was beyond beautiful in his eyes.
"Mila is that really you?" he spoke in surprise and decided to deactivate his fullbring.
Mila put a smile on her face. "Yeah it's really me Takeshi." She said happily.
Mila looked over the now 16yr old Takeshi, he had changed a bit more in the year they were separated. His hair was now just above his shoulders but still wild and messy. He now stood a good 6ft atleast. His body was more defined and tone than ever before, though not overly so. Whatever little bit of the boy Takeshi was when he left hueco mundo was now gone. He now stood before her and the others as a true man, a young one but a man none the less.
Her feelings ached at the sight of him, now more than ever.
"wow, you all have really changed, but how though?" Takeshi suddenly spoke in wonder.
"allow me to explain." Chimed Halibel. "you see when a hollow removes their mask, they gain soul reaper like powers, a power boost and gain a more human like form. We are now what you would call 'arrancar'."
He stood his mouth hanging open, he was honestly pretty blown away by all that. "so.." he began coming back to his senses. "you all have been doing well by the looks of it, which I am glad to see. What brings you here to Karakura though? I would have planned something had I know you all were coming."
"our decision to come here was rather spur of the moment you see." Spoke Sung-sun.
"we were wondering how you were holding up being back home. So we decided to take a chance to find you. though you managed to find us first." Interjected Apacci.
"I'd love to tell you all, what I've been up to in the last year." He replied.
"indeed, however" cut in Halibel "before we do that, one of us has somethings they need to tell you I believe." Halibel said, signaling towards Mila.
Takeshi looked to Mila and saw she seemed a little shy about something. She was rarely the shy type. Now that the shock of earlier had started to wane, his feeling he had struggling with towards Mila came to for front of his mind. He gave a sigh.
"yeah, I have some things I need to say in all honesty. Wanna head to the other side of the roof to speak one on one?" he stated.
Mila nodded her head and walked over to the opposite side of the roof with Takeshi. They stopped and faced each other, trying to figure exactly what to say.
"so uhhh, I take you've had a lot of conflicting emotions since I left?" he asked a bit sheepishly. "just to be honest and upfront, so have I about you."
Mila just looked at him with a soft expression before speaking. "here's the thing though." She stated. "I've had these feelings since before you left, I just was never sure what to make of them until I became an arrancar."
Takeshi watched silently with his full attention on Mila as she continued.
"look, I don't need to rehash everything we've been through and how we helped each other so much. You know all that just as well as I do. when I get down to it, you make me feel happy Takeshi. I feel a warmth around you I don't feel around anyone else. I feel safer and more comfortable with you around. I feel like I can trust you with anything and everything I can think of. Your someone I hold closer to me than anyone I've ever known, and I don't want that to ever go away."
Mila reached out and gently took both of Takeshi's hands in hers.
"Takeshi" she said softly looking directly into his eyes. "The point of all I'm saying is that I….I….I love you. I love you and I'd like us to be something special, the two of us together." She finished with a small smile.
Takeshi looked at her mouth agape, processing all that he just heard. She loved him!? She truly did, he could tell that was the unmistakable truth of it. the question was now, did he?
He quickly thought about it in his head and suddenly all his conflicting emotions about the woman before him finally made sense to him. He loved her too, it was all so clear now. He mentally berated himself for not realizing it sooner. Now he stood in front of Mila, holding hands, with a blush trying to figure out what to say in return.
Meanwhile, Halibel and the others were watching intently, waiting to see what the conclusion of Mila's confession would be.
Halibel watched stoic as ever, though inside she was hoping for a happy conclusion.
Sung-sun held her sleeve in front of her as she did. Watching carefully and trying keep her nervousness and excitement about it all in check.
Apacci was staring with an expression that just screamed. "you better say yes or else!"
Takeshi not knowing what to honestly say decide to let his instincts guide him. He moved his hands from Mila's and brought them up to the sides of her face. Gently placing them on either side, he pulled her in and placed his lips against hers.
Mila was wide eyed not expecting the kiss but quickly got over as she kissed back, wrapping her arms around Takeshi's back as she did. Neither knew how long the kept up kissing one another but they didn't care. all they knew was they now had something special and happy together. To them that was all that mattered.
Eventually they broke away needing air. Each had deep blush adorning their face and a smile to compliment it.
"so it's official then." Takeshi spoke first. "I'm not sure what the future will hold for us being together but whatever it is. we'll be just fine no matter what I think."
"of course we will." Mila replied cheekily. "nothing has ever stopped us before and that's never going to change."
"damn right." With that, he took her hand with his and they walked back to the others.
Halibel and the other all had looks of approval for the new happy couple.
"well It's good to see that everything between you two worked out so well." Spoke Halibel with genuine happiness.
"yeah it is, I'm honestly way happier about this then I thought I could be about something like this." Chimed Takeshi.
"you better treat her right or we'll kick your ass." Piped up Apacci.
Takeshi just chuckled. "hey, don't worry you know I would never hurt any of you on purpose. Quick side note however, Halibel is the only one here capable of kicking my ass. I am soul reaper captain tier after all, low end on the tier granted but still captain tier."
"who told you that?" asked Sung-sun.
"my new teacher, she used to be a captain back in soul society. Was in charge of their stealth force. Easily the strongest hand to hand fighter you'll ever meet. Also a major exhibitionist and tease of the first degree." He stated.
"this bitch is what!?" growled out Mila, not liking some other woman being such a way with her long time crush and now boyfriend.
Halibel narrowed her eyes in disapproval, hardly a way a teacher should be acting to her own student. The fact that a woman would so shamelessly act in front of a person she considered a son may have also had something to do with it.
"don't worry, she hasn't made any kind of moves on me and even if she did, I would turn her down. Anyways let me fill you in on all that has happened with me since I arrived back here."
So he explained all that happened since he arrived home. Being found by Urahara, finding out his dad was soul reaper, readjusting to life back in the living world. making new friends, dealing with the local hollows. His brothers rampant spirit energy flooding out everywhere and wanting to do something about. His dealing with the quincy Uryu, his continued training and so on.
"wow, you have been very busy." Piped Apacci.
"your dad's a soul reaper? That's something indeed." Added in Mila.
Halibel said nothing for the moment but was thinking about everything that was just spoken. What concerned her the most was the fact Takeshi father had once been soul reaper and a captain no less. While he was depowered at the moment, that could be very well be subject to change. Which could cause who knows what problems, if Isshin Kurosaki found out his oldest son was involved with arrancar. Let alone dating one as he was now officially doing, now that he and Mila admitted their feeling for each other.
Then there was Kisuke Urahara and his cohorts. Halibel was already aware of who they were beforehand having been told of them by her and the others new master. They would no doubt be trouble if they learned of them. not to mention more importantly, how they would treat Takeshi. Halibel decided right then and there if need be, she would whisk Takeshi away to los noches for his own safety. If such a course of action was deemed needed.
She also contemplated perhaps telling Takeshi the truth about the master she and the others now technically served. She quickly dismissed this though, their master was still in disguise in soul society. Telling someone of him would be far too risky, especially with Takeshi being so close to some of her master's biggest enemies. For now, as much as she and the others disliked it. would have to hide and if need be lie about whom they all serve for the time being. If anything, for Takeshi's own safety.
She was suddenly broken out of her thoughts by Takeshi.
"so what else do you planned while you're here?" he asked.
"not much, we mainly came here just to find you in all honesty." Halibel managed to quickly reply.
Taking a quick look around, it was well into the night already Takeshi noticed.
"It's kind of late, not much to show off around town I'm afraid to say." He stated.
"not an issue, it's best we return to hueco mundo now anyways. Even with our ability to suppress our power. There's always the risk of being found by a soul reaper the longer we linger." Announced Halibel.
"I have a request my lady." Spoke up Mila. "would it be possible for me to atleast stay the night with Takeshi?"
"geez Mila you've only been dating for a few hours and you already want to suck his dick." Quipped Apacci.
Takeshi went red as a tomato, while Mila growled in anger.
"that's NOT what I implying you fucking midget! I just want to cuddle for a night, like how we did back in hueco mundo." Said Mila.
"would this cuddling be before or after you let Takeshi pound you like a bent rail?" retorted Apacci.
"that's it you little bitch, your ass is grass!" growled out Mila.
"honestly both of you need to stop, it's not how proper ladies act. I know you two barely qualify as such but still. You especially Mila, your making yourself look bad in front of your new boyfriend." Cut in Sung-sun with her usual attitude.
"FUCK OFF SUNG-SUN!" roared the two other arrancar women.
Halibel simply sighed and acted as though she had a headache beginning to start. Takeshi meanwhile simply chuckled at the whole thing.
"well somethings never seem to change at least." He mused.
"sadly so" replied Halibel. "alright that's enough you three." She commanded and immediately the others ceased their bickering. "Mila I will grant you permission to stay the night, but you must return to hueco mundo first thing you wake up."
"I understand." Mila responded.
"me and the others shall return now to hueco mundo." She then turned to Takeshi. "it was very nice seeing you again, I will see if we can make this a regular thing."
"that would be really nice. I have missed you all over the last year. Well if that's the case, I'll see you three later. Mila I can show you the way to my pl-"
He words were cut off when he heard a huge swirling of spirit energy, Ichigo's energy.
"what that swirling of spirt energy?" asked Mila.
"that's my brother Ichigo but I don't know why." He responded. He reached out to pinpoint where his brothers flow of energy was coming from. His eyes went wide when the realization hit him.
"something is happening back at home! I need to get there now!" Takeshi spoke with urgency.
"we shall accompany you just in case." Replied Halibel.
"Let's go!" Takeshi spoke as he activated his fullbring and took as fast as he could with everyone else close behind him. As they approached his home, he suddenly stopped in place a fair distance away once he saw what was transpiring. To say he was shocked would be an understatement.
Even from a distance he saw the front of the house was smashed, Yuzu was unconscious on the ground and Ichigo was standing in the street dressed as a soul reaper with the most oversized excuse of a sword ever. He also noticed a small woman in all white next to him on the ground as well as his brother's physical body.
"so it would seem your brother has somehow become a soul reaper." Stated Halibel.
"so it would seem." He replied as he watched his brother dispatch the weakling of a hollow. He exchanged some words with the woman in white, who then got up and took off somewhere. Ichigo meanwhile went back into his body, picked up Yuzu and went back into the house. Takeshi mind was still running at a million miles per hour, when he felt a hand on is shoulder. He turned to see Mila.
"Takeshi, as much as I would like to spend time with you. clearly you need to focus on your family right now, with all that has just happened." She said softly.
"Yeah, yeah your right. I need to figure out why my brother has become a soul reaper out of the blue and what to do about it. I think that woman has something to do with it, I could feel a very small amount of energy coming from her that felt soul reaper like." He wondered out loud, he thought more about this sudden turn of events, when an idea suddenly crossed his mind in the moment.
"Halibel, you think you can meet here at this spot tomorrow at midnight by chance?" he asked.
"I should be able to do that. why do you ask?" she replied.
"I have an idea of what to do with my brother, but I need to talk with him and figure somethings out first before I decide for sure. Just try to meet here please."
"I want to come here tomorrow to then." Interjected Mila.
"very well, me and Mila shall be here at midnight tomorrow." Spoke Halibel. "and before you two say anything about having to be left behind." She said looking to Apacci and Sung-sun. "It's too risky for all four of us to come here all the time, two of us is pushing it as it is."
Everyone nodded in agreement as that statement. Then Halibel opened a garganta.
"see you tomorrow Takeshi." She said and stepped in with Apacci and Sung-sun. Mila came over and gave Takeshi a hug and a kiss.
"I love you Takeshi, stay safe." The lioness arrancar said gently.
"I love you too and I will" he replied and gave her a kiss of his own. They looked at each other for tenderly for a moment. Then Mila reluctantly broke away and stepped into the garganta and it closed behind her.
Takeshi stood there for a few minutes, composing himself. "well then, time to go talk to my brother about all this." He mused ad went to his home. He deactivated his fullbring and stepped inside, quietly making his way upstairs. Everyone seemingly sound asleep despite what had just transpired. He walked into his brothers' room, to see him just getting into bed.
"Takeshi! Where have you been!?" we were worried about you, when you didn't come home for dinner." Ichigo chastised.
"sorry about that bro, I was caught up with somethings. However there's a pressing matter that needs addressed you see." Takeshi retorted.
"what do you mean exactly?"
"simple Ichigo, it's about why you're suddenly a soul reaper."
Ichigo jaw dropped at the statement.
"how…how do you know that!" he exclaimed.
"I know far more than you think little brother. You see I've been having to keep secret about quite a few things over the last year. Regarding my disappearance and what not, it's time to clear the air on it all so to speak.