NOTE: This is Bojack727. I just want to say that progress on the story has been coming along nicely. It's not quite as quick as I'd like it to be, but I been successful in working out the long-term storyline. If everything pans out, then updates will resume at the start of next year, with an "M" rating to reflect the adult content. New chapters (hopefully) will posted every other week.
As planned, this chapter would have happened later, but I realized it was more effective if I placed it ahead of the next three chapters. This way, I would be able to deal with a number of outstanding issues, and clear things up for the next major arc. While I try to write each chapter to stand on its own to some degree, "bridge" chapters are unavoidable sometimes, to move things along.
I want to express my thanks to ulquihime7980, girlofeverycolor, Ayase_Reincarnated, and Owlus for their very kind reviews. And if you're a fan of Ggio/Soifon like me, then Owlus is working on her own story "Seireitei & Las Noches" which features them as a couple, so give it a look.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter IX: "Complications"
Orihime stood on the rooftop of Karakura high school, Ulquiorra standing beside her- a disinterested expression on his face. Chad Yasutora and Ishida Uryuu were also present, the two of them having been part of the four "Ryoka" (along with Orihime), as well as Tatsuki Arisawa- who, while not possessing much spiritual power, was aware of the paranormal events and her childhood friend's abduction.
While Keigo was usually part of their little circle of friends, his limited spiritual awareness precluded him from the matters they were discussing. Aside from their friends from class, the most obvious and glaring absentee from their gathering was the fourth member of the notorious"Ryoka", who'd stormed Soul Society to rescue Rukia from execution- one Ichigo Kurosaki.
Certainly, the continued absence of their friend from school would soon have to be explained to the general public in some acceptable way. For the moment, however, Orihime found herself with a more pressing issue to address- the task of formally introducing Ulquiorra- to clear up the uncertainty that surrounded and make sure that everyone had the all facts straight.
In truth, this impromptu meeting was mainly for Tatsuki's benefit. Chad and Ishida had taken part in the rescue mission to Huecco Mundo- and the ensuing mayhem of the Winter War, between Aizen and Soul Society, so they at least had at some measure of insight about the two of them. By Ichigo and the others set out, Tatsuki had been left behind- alone- to worry over the fates of her closest friends.
Orihime realized that her childhood friend would be livid if she was kept out of the loop. The athletic young woman had done so much for her over the years- from befriending her and sticking up when she was all alone, to all the times she'd stood up for her in recent years. Given all this, the redhead felt that she owed it to the dark-haired girl to tell her the truth, even knowing how she would likely react...
At present, Ulquiorra was doing an great job of showing everyone just how unconcerned he was with the current situation. He was nonchalantly leaning against the entrance to roof. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his gray slacks, with his matching gray gakuen jacket hanging open. The top button of his collar was undone, and his striped school tie was loose. Thanks to his Gigai, he was able to pass himself off as a transfer student from a foreign country- which helped explain his unusual looks.
"Interesting," Ishida remarked coolly, adjusting his glasses. "Looking at him, in that Gigai, why I'd almost say that he was human... if I didn't know better." He added with a small smirk. "What do you think, Yasutora-san?" He asked the other teen. "To think he's actually one of those Hollows, eh?"
The tall, swarthy teen simply nodded, his tanned features partly obscured by his thick dark hair, while Tatsuki gave a pointed look of disbelief at the remark.
"A... Hollow?" Tatsuki recounted, her brown eyes wide. "You're telling me that he's one of them? One of those monsters that kidnapped Orihime?!" She asked the bespectacled Quincy, who simply nodded, before she turned to glare at Ulquiorra. "And you, She continued, confrontationally. "You've got some nerve, coming around here and showing your face after all the trouble you caused!"
Tatsuki stepped forward, pointing a finger directly at the Arrancar, drawing his dispassionate green gaze toward her. "Why the hell are you here?" She demanded. "What, have you come back to brag, eh, you smug bastard?!" The sporty girl challenged.
"Tatsuki-chan." Orihime intervened, stepping forward. "Ulquiorra is here, because... Because I wanted him to be, he's... with me." The redhead explained, blushing faintly.
The Arrancar remained impassive, while Tatsuki went rigid at her friend's declaration, and the sudden flush that graced her cheeks. "W-wait, you can't be serious!" She fumed. "How could you possibly feel something for him- he's one of the monsters who attacked us and kidnapped you!"
"Arisawa-san, it's not quite that simple." Ishida offered. "There were... extenuating circumstances, a lot of things have happened since Inoue-san was taken to... to other realm."
"You don't even want to tell me, do you, you don't think I can handle the truth?" Tatsuki asked, her tone quickly becoming dark. "Why not just have my memory wiped by your friends?" She continued in an accusatory tone, momentarily silencing him
"Tatsuki-chan, you don't understand-" Orihime attempted to say.
"I understand well enough." She interrupted. "My best friend is kidnapped and taken away to some god-forsaken place, and I'm left behind- in the dark- while the rest of my friends are off risking their lives to save you..." The dark-haired girl replied with a glare. "Then you come back, with Ichigo in a coma, and now I'm just supposed to accept some hand-waving explanation that things will just work themselves out?!" Tatsuki finished, her breathing deep.
Tatsuki closed her eyes and took a long breath. "I- I'm sorry... It's just, this whole situation has been pissing me off." She reasoned, looking to her friend. "I... I worry about you a lot, Orihime, because I've known you for years, I hate seeing you get hurt..." She calmly explained, before taking the other girl's hands in hers. "I may not like the situation," she offered, sending Ulquiorra a quick death-glare before she continued. "But I trust you... And if you trust this guy, then I can learn to live with it."
Orihime smiled, pulling the other girl into a tight embrace. Tatsuki blushed, but was quick to return her friend's embrace. After a moment, they parted, and Tatsuki stepped back.
She turned back to Ulquiorra. "As for you, I still don't like you... I don't trust you, and I'll be keeping a close eye on you." Tatsuki continued sternly. "And if I- ever -find out that you've done anything to hurt Orihime... I will find you, and see that you regret it!" She threatened. "I have a black belt in judo, and I will throw you so hard- just ask Orihime, she'll tell you how many times I've thrown Ichigo on his ass like a rag doll- and I can do the same to you!"
Ishida stepped forward. "Well then, I suppose that only leaves us with the fact that Kurosaki-san has been in a coma for over two weeks now..." The Quincy remarked.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Szayel turned on the projector, causing an image to appear on the screen. "Following the destruction of the Ouken, I noted certain unusual readings- after-effects of Aizen's failed attempt to breach the realm of the Soul King." He explained. "And since assuming Command of the Twelfth, I used the Division's facilities to confirm my initial suspicion..." He paused.
"That there is a minute, almost intangible disturbance in the ether- as it were- located in what I now believe would have been the focal point, the epicenter of the physical space the Soul Key had occupied during its manifestation in this realm." Szayel continued.
The room was dark, the only illumination was the beam of light from the projector- the data appearing on the large screen across the room. Szayel stood beside the large white screen, while Nemu diligently worked the projector. The other Captains were present, seated at a long rectangular table, listening with varying degrees of interest as the pink-haired Espada calmly spoke, while the images visible on the screen occasionally changed out for another.
"The affected area... is suspended 1.4 kilometers in the air, and is less than 1 meter in diameter." Szayel continued as a new image appeared on screen. "As far as we've been able to tell at this point, it's some form of spacial distortion- a warp or rift in our reality." He offered. "Put another way, think of it as if it were a small tare in the fabric of physical space." The Arrancar continued.
"For the present, the anomaly remains invisible to the naked eye, but we've noted two key differences within the AOE that distinguish it from normal space." The Espada revealed. "The temperature remains three degrees lower than the surrounding area." Szayel explained. "There is also a magnetic disturbance within the field of the anomaly, to the extent that the polar alignment is in reverse."
Nemu turned off the projector and the lights came back on. "Captain Grantz," a calm voice began in a stoic, collected tone. "Does this 'distortion' that you speak of pose any kind of imminent threat to the stability of this realm or to the others?" Bayakuya asked.
Szayel shrugged. "I'm afraid I simply don't know enough about this... event at the moment to provide you with a suitable answer to that question, Captain Kuchiki." The Arrancar replied, tucking his hands into the pockets of his captain's jacket. "For us to understand- let alone, formulate a means of which to contain- what we're dealing with... Well, it will take more time to study."
"Earlier, you spoke of it in the present tense." Captain Hitsugaya began. "Are we to take it, then, that you anticipate the situation will change or alter in some way?" The white-haired youth asked.
The Espada nodded. "While I can only speculate... Given the possible nature of the distortion, I believe that some form of flux is inevitable." Szayel offered. "But as with the first matter, I can't anticipate how or in what way it will change- but logic would dictate that change will occur."
"But what is 'it'?" Shenji interjected. "You're being awfully vague in your assessments... At first, your words would imply some kind of threat. And yet, similar such events are constantly taking place on a galactic scale... black holes, for example, are literally holes in physical space, and yet Hollows aren't coming out of those." The blond man reasoned in a measured tone, an enigmatic version of his usual Chesire Cat expression gracing his features.
"That assertion if flawed." Szayel countered. "At least, scientifically speaking... While I can appreciate the metaphor on a metaphysical level, I say some certainty that this is no mere rabbit hole that we are now faced with, at least not in any sense that we might conceive."
"No, Hollows aren't the problem, nor Jabberwockies for that matter." The pink-haired Arrancar mused with a small smile. "At first, one might be inclined to liken the potential of this event to a Gargantua or some similar portal systems." He went on. "But this portal, this doorway, is balanced on the dividing line between reality as we know it, and something fundamentally different- a door to the unknown."
"To hear you speak so calmly..." Shinji began. "And about some unknowable possible threat, that could theoretically destroy everything- end all life as we know it." The captain paused. "Well, I'd almost think you were excited at the prospect of it all." The Captain remarked with a smile, his wide grin framed by the blunt-cut bangs of his collar-length blonde hair.
The Octavio turned to regard the man for a moment, then nodded. "I'm a scientist, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at intrigued by the implications of it all." Szayel replied evenly. "However, neither my scientific curiosity or the fact that I am a Hollow blinds me to the danger that it poses. You'll find that in matters of survival, the looming threat of destruction makes allies of us all- irrespective of race."
Unohana gently cleared her throat, drawing the others attention. "There's been so much damage to the stability of the realms as it is." The woman remarked. "And now we're faced with... this. How can we hope to counteract something that we have no understanding of?"
Szayel seemed to loose the edge in his posture as he turned to her. "The situation is far from hopeless, Captain Unohana." He offered them calmly. "I called you all here, because I believed that you- as my fellow Captains- deserved to know what is transpiring within the Soul Realm." He explained to the men and women before him. "My intention was not to frighten, but to inform... To that end, the Twelfth will continue monitoring this anomaly- and keep you apprised of any changes." The pink-haired Arrancar finished as he crossed his gloved hands behind his back.
"You have our thanks, Captain Grantz." Ukitake replied. "You've excelled in your position as the head of the Scientific Research and Development Division."
"Thank you." Szayel replied with a nod. "I would also like to say, that while I don't yet fully understand what we're dealing with..." The Arrancar began. "I am a scientist, and as such, I have always placed my faith in science as the means of unraveling the unknown." He continued. "And so, I believe that this is simply just another obstacle that can be overcome."
As the others left, Byakuya stopped, and turned to Szayel. The Espada met his gaze for a moment, then gestured to Nemu to go on without him. "I am still curious about one matter," the raven-haired Captain began as he approached the bespectacled Arrancar. "Surely, would you not have stood to gain more by withholding this information till a later time- one more advantageous to you?"
Szayel grinned at this. "Perhaps," he began. "It's true that my kind are inclined to being opportunistic in nature, it's simply an occupational hazard." He continued coolly. "However, in this case, I have nothing to gain by keeping you all in the dark... In matters of science, I am a professional, and I understand that we need to work together if we are to survive."
As the discussion between the two had been going on, Shinji paused momentarily to regard them from a distance, smiling to himself and shaking his head as he left the room...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Orihime arrived in Soul Society, where she was met by Hacchi, who had agreed to assist her in looking into the possibility of restoring Nell through the use of her Shun Shun Rika. With his own powers being similar in nature to hers, he was perhaps best suited to advise in such a venture.
In the end, the kido user concluded that Negation was the best- and perhaps, only- hope of restoring the Arrancar to her former self. When he'd first consulted the other Captains, he had initially been surprised by their readiness to support the venture. Though, upon reflection, he surmised that restoring the female Espada would factor in some plan of Soul Society- so it was in their interests. As of late, the Shinigami were involved in a number of diplomatic overtures with the Arrancar.
Such acts, let alone the amount and the extent, would have been impossible if the Supreme Commander were still alive, seen as nothing short of treason. But in the aftermath of the war, Soul Society could not afford to alienate the Arrancar, not when the Shinigami vulnerable. They simply didn't have the luxury of standing on principles. More than ever, bold actions were needed to ensure that they had a future...
And so, here he was, at the Twelfth Division, overseeing the young woman's efforts to restore the little Arrancar that had helped her friends rescue her from Las Noches. The large, soft-spoken man watched as the redhead prepared to use her uncanny powers to turn back the damage inflicted upon Nell.
Orihime knelt in front of Nelliel. "Nell-chan, we want to help you..." She explained to the little green-haired Arrancar. "I trusted you, when you helped me, back in Huecco Mundo, and it's really important that you trust in me now." The redhead paused. "Do you trust me?"
The tiny Arrancar was silent, at first, then nodded. "I truth you, Hime." The child-like Arrancar replied in her slurred speech, a degree of uncertainty in her words.
The young woman smiled warmly, then reached out to pull Nell into a hug, before rising up to her feet and stepping back from her. Before continuing, Orihime turned to the various onlookers...
While there were countless Shinigami ready to vouch for Orihime in this endeavor, it was still felt that at least one senior Officer be present, in case things got out of hand. This was why Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto were present- their familiarity with the 'parties involved' made them ideally suited to keep on eye on thing. Additionally, Szayel- now Captain of the Twelfth- was present, along with Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi. The presence of the pink-haired Espada was due to his scientific interest in the matter, made evident as he tinkered with some sophisticated instrument.
Quietly, Orihime held up her hands, then took a deep breath. "Soten Kisshun." She called out, drawing her into the physical world- forming a golden, semi-transparent 'membrane' around Nell.
"Focus your energy on the damage to her mask." Hacchi advised. "You're not healing a wound per-say, well not a physical one at least..." He continued. "It's not a matter of repairing the crack in the skull, but healing the damage to her essence." The towering man reasoned calmly. "Don't force yourself, instead, just focus on the present... The solution is instinctive, it should come naturally."
Orihime's visioned darkened and inverted, like photo-negative film. She gradually began to see through the skull-shaped Hollow mask, the previously imperceptible wound to her very being slowly becoming visible to her as she concentrated. It was like a small rift, a tare through which her spiritual energy was seeping from like light spilling through the gap between curtains. She instantly knew this was what she was looking for, focusing her efforts on the narrow gap...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soifon made her way to her office in the Second Division barracks, struggling to balance on crutches as she reached for the sliding door. Her left hand and forearm were still tightly wrapped, to ensure that the bones would mend properly, and her right leg, below her knee, was similarly bound. This made staying upright difficult at the best of times, let alone while balancing the weight of her body- however slight it might be- entirely on one foot while using her free hand to to grip or move objects...
The door slid open and she looked up to see the now-familiar face of Ggio Vega, standing before her with a boyish smile as he held the door open. While short in stature, he was lean and well-toned, with smooth skin that was bereft of any (visible) hair. Two red stripes marked either cheek, while dark black locks framed his features- including his cat-like yellow eyes- and was tied into a long braided ponytail that hung down in the back. The lustrous dark hair vanished beneath the feline skull situated atop his head- like a helmet- that was his hollow mask.
However, Soifon was not some delicate girl, and so the chivalrous actions of the Arrancar were lost on the lithe woman. She had no idea why the cat-like Hollow was so interested in her, but her own disdain for males in general predisposed her to distrusting any such overtures from any man- be they Shinigami or Hollow- as anything else than a veiled attempt to manipulate her. As far as she was concerned, the people around her were troops- as acknowledging them as men made them worse than useless!
She was not a trusting person by nature. And the only person she'd ever felt any real connection with, to the point that she could finally let down her barriers when around them, had abandoned her- seemingly on a whim- vanishing from her life without a trace. The dark-skinned goddess she'd adored, perhaps even loved, had discarded her in favor of chasing after some useless man in the mortal plane...
Whatever game the Arrancar thought he was playing with her, Soifon was not about to let herself be outwitted by some half-witted ex-Fraccion!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
There was a momentary flash of white light, causing Orihime to shield her eyes, than an intense gust of air that ruffled her clothes and sent her reddish-gold locks fluttering. The glare reflected in the lenses of Szayel's mask fragment, while his pink locks rustled slightly, and Nemu's own dark purple braid briefly whipped into the air like a tassel. The Espada remained focused on his instrument...
The air was thick with the charge of an unfamiliar spiritual power- to the point that it almost crackled around them, like ozone. Rangiku quickly adjusted her pink scarf, while Hitsugaya quickly smoothed back his snow-white hair and his white captain's jacket. After a moment, once Orihime lowered her hands and the smoke cleared, she gasped at the sight before her...
The woman was tall and curvacious, with long legs and full breasts. She had striking gray eyes and dark lashes, as well as a lustrous main of sea-green hair that spilled out across her shoulders and down to her waist. Though the most striking feature was the distinctive horned "skull" Hollow mask that sat atop her head- the large crack now gone and the missing teeth were restored to the 'jaw'. She was no longer clad in the remains of her tattered gray cloak- as per her previous transformation. Instead, she was now dressed in the white and black uniform she'd worn back in Las Noches.
"Nell, are you-" Orihime started to say, only for the green-haired woman to suddenly throw her arms around her, in a tight embrace, lifting her off of her feet as she laughed happily. The redhead blushed as the Arrancar continued to embrace her, holding her snugly against her impressive bosom, as she twirled the red-haired woman around cried out happily.
After a moment, she released the girl. "You did it!" She exclaimed. "Finally, after all this time, I'm me again- I'm whole again, I'm Nelliel-Tu!" She continued. "You're amazing, Orihime! What you've done for me today, I- I'll never be able to properly thank you for this..." Nelliel remarked excitedly, her hands coming to rest on the teen's shoulders. "Orihime..." She started.
"Nelliel-san?" The orange-haired girl inquired, Orihime's soft brown eyes meeting the stormy gray orbs of the female Arrancar standing before her.
The former Tercera smiled affectionately. "Orihime," she began. "There is an incredible power residing within you." Nelliel explained. "What you know as 'Negation' is the means to influence the forces that govern the laws of time and space... and you're only using a fraction of it's potential." The green-haired female Arrancar continued. "That this power should manifest in you is proof of what a strong person you are, and that you're destined to be part of something wondrous."
The redhead blushed, but smiled never the less under the adulation. "Orihime, I can't wait to see what you'll make of this miraculous power- you're going to be amazing." Nelliel finished, before she then pulled the girl into another, calmer, embrace.
"...Thank you, Nelliel-san."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in the large garden, secluded behind the Ukitake estate, Stark had been sleeping in the shade of a large tree, when he was abruptly awoken by a sudden spike of power. While the Primera couldn't quite recognize the source of the reiatsu, it felt familiar somehow...
He had no doubt that elsewhere, his fellow Espada Halibell had been similarly alerted to this new presence in Soul Society. But that line of thought only further agitated the sensation of familiarity in the mysterious new power he'd sensed. A scant few secants passed, before realization struck him.
"Of course, the first Tercera!" Stark exclaimed. "I knew I'd sensed that power before." The powerful Espada reasoned to himself, now alert. "But it if it really is her... Then they're both here!" He concluded in a sobering tone, running a hand through his messy brown hair. "Well, this should be interesting... I just wonder how the two of them are going get along..." He mused with a thoughtful expression.
Content to leave the matter to others for the moment, Stark quickly sat back and resumed the nap he'd been in the middle of only moments ago...
…Elsewhere, within the grounds of Soul Society, at the same time that Stark was alerted to the sudden spike of spiritual power, Lilinette's whole body went rigid- much to Hanataro's confusion, as the young Shinigami had been walking alongside the Arrancar when she'd let out a yelp. The stack of files she'd been carrying scattered to the floor as he composed herself.
...And, as if to bare out Stark's conclusion... Halibell suddenly stood bolt upright, drawing the attention of her Fraccions away from the card game they'd been playing. Mila Rose, Appachi, and Sung Sun all looked to their mistress as her vibrant sea-green eyes narrowed, cards still gripped in their hands.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Szayel typed at one of the many computers in the heart of the Twelfth- effectively the nerve center of information processing for all of Soul Society. "Aside from manpower, all but the First Division would appear to be in order." He observed silently. "It should be interesting to see how they're going to deal with the loss of the Supreme Commander- after following him for countless centuries."
"And what of the Gotei Council..." The Arrancar continued. "My fellow Captains don't seem to be in any hurry to reform the Central 46 Council..." He mused. "Why indeed, why yield their new authority to an untested civilian body, especially when the Officers are doing such a good job?" Szayel thought to himself with a rye smile. "Things may become problematic down the line, I'd better-"
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of another person. The pink-haired Arrancar turned around in time to see Nemu, prompting a small smile. "Nemu, my dear, what can I do for you?" Szayel asked, radiating charisma as he addressed the demure Lieutenant.
She nodded politely. "Szayel-sama, Captain Unohana has requested the postmortems on the specimens be forwarded to her division." Nemu calmly explained. "She believes that the information we gathered from the remains might be useful as references, regarding future treatments for wounds sustained by exposure to various chemical and toxic agents." The purple-haired woman finished.
"Of course," Szayel replied politely. "Please inform Lady Unohana that I'll forward the files directly to the the Fourth Division archives." He instructed her. "Now, is there any pertinent information that I should know about... or, is it simply my company that you desire, my dear?"
The faintest hint of rosy pink tinged the flawless wan skin of her gorgeous face, followed by a small nod from the attractive female Soul Reaper. "...Yes, Szayel-sama."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Ichigo had remained in his comatose state for just over two months. After waking up, he set out from his home, only to end up wondering the area. Once they'd been alerted to his sudden departure by his father, Ishin, his friends had gone looking for him...
Ulquiorra was just out sight, behind a tree, his back against it, as he quietly waited on the redheaded young woman he'd come to the park with. Orihime soon spotted Ichigo, sitting alone on a bench, in the middle of the snow-covered park. As she tentatively approached his still form, she noticed the strange expression of his face- detached, unreadable, his gaze distant and unfocused...
"Kurosaki-san, are you alright?" She asked after a moment, uncertain of how he might react.
The question was enough to snap him out of his revery, causing him to briefly look her way, before he turned his gaze away from her. "Oh, hi, Inoue." He replied in a near monotone. "Sorry, I didn't hear you coming..." Ichigo went on in a eerily detached voice. "I must have gotten lost in my thoughts... Heh, I was just thinking... about her." He added in a muted tone.
Orihime felt a twinge of sympathy as she listened to him ramble on. She knew instantly that it was Rukia that he was referring to just now when he said "her".
Ichigo smiled, which only proved more unsettling. "I saw her, you know, about an hour ago... She was here in the park." The teen explained. "We talked for a bit, until she faded away... It's funny, she could still be here and I wouldn't even know... But you can't see her, so she must be gone... I wonder how long she stuck around after I couldn't see her anymore."
He suddenly stood up and looked at her, with the same unnerving smile. "You know what? The more I think about all that's happened, the more I realize that this is probably for the best." He explained as he brushed a hand through his bright orange hair. "I think, deep down, I never really wanted to part of the whole Soul Reaper thing... I mean, seeing ghosts is just a hassle, when you think about it."
The redhead watched as he slipped into a casual posture. "Well, I better head back home, before the others start worrying about me." Ichigo remarked. "Thanks for checking on me, but I'm fine- you can tell the others not to worry, and that I'll be seeing them at school again soon."
With that, he promptly turned on his heal and started to walk away, giving Orihime a small wave without looking back at her, as he casually exited the park...
(- End of Chapter IX -)