I'd like to take a moment to thank gorguts5 for their in-depth feedback on the previous chapter... It makes me so happy to know that I have you back once again as a regular reader, especially as I feel this story is a vast improvement on my last UlquiHime fic.
To respond to some of their points: First off, Dario is an interesting character to write, since we almost never know what his true thoughts, feelings, or his intentions are- save for the exception when he drops all pretenses with Orihime and speaks candidly with her. In his portrayal, I made a point of him coming across as very amiable and quirky. As for his powers, he can manipulate how people sense/perceive things- allowing him to both implant false memories, as well as locking them into detailed illusions derived from their own minds.
Now, as for Darkwood... I made it a point that it would be clear that he was never manipulating Ichigo, a la Palpatine and Aniken. Rather, his intent was always to help Ichigo by opening up his mind to a different way of thinking- both regarding himself and his situation, as well as the bigger picture. All of that said, he's not worried about upsetting the 'status quo' in the process. This is reflected in his actions, and how open he is in speaking with others on a number of 'secret' topics- like Soul Society's activities in the Living Realm.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXIX:
"Threads, Part 2"
Soul Society, the Ukitake Estate...
"Please, won't you join us for tea, Halibell-san."
The invitation, from the smiling white-haired Nobleman and Captain, had come across as a surprise to the female Arrancar, such that her bright green eyes widened slightly.
"Are- are you certain?" The blonde-haired Espada replied, uncertain.
The Shinigami nodded, his smile never faltering. "Of course." He responded. "It would be my pleasure to extend the hospitality of myself and my house to you." Ukitake added.
"Very well then, Captain." The Tercera relented after a moment, her tone demure and steady. "After all, it would be... impolite of me to decline, especially in the face of such a gracious offer." Halibell went on to say.
"Excellent." Jushiro countered cheerfully.
With that, he cheerfully motioned for the two Espada to follow him into one of the sprawling estate's many parlors. The three of them took their seats around a low table in the center of the room,
"Now that we're all here," Jushiro started. "Tell me, Halibell-san, how are you fairing these days?"
Just then, the door slid open and a servant entered, depositing a tray laden with a kettle of fresh tea and cups upon the table. The Captain wasted no time in pouring their cups.
Halibell nodded, as Stark picked up his cup tea. "I've found my recent work in the Auxiliary Security Corps to be very satisfying." She replied as he idly took a drink. "What of you, and your mate, how are the two of you coping with raising a cub while also leading your respective Divisions?"
"Retsu and myself are both very lucky," the white-haired man started. "Unlike many working parents, we have the luxury of a support network to help us." Ukitake continued, bringing up his cup of tea and taking a sip from it. "Including Stark and Lilly-chan, to protect our precious Kiyoshiro-chan."
Stark covertly watched as the female Arrancar briefly glanced down at the cup, her hand moving- as if to reach for it- only to promptly catch herself.
"Oh dear..." Jushiro spoke with a sigh, his brown eyes having followed their mutual lines of sight, only to be struck by realization. "How thoughtless of me, Halibell-san... I apologize."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Fourth Division...
Medical Center, Long-Term Care...
Captain Retsu Ukitake, along with her young Third-Seat Officer Hanataro Yamada, were seated across the desk from an older-looking male Shinigami. The man was clean-shaven, with graying slicked-back hair and piercing blue eyes. "Captain Ukitake, Officer Yamada, I'd like to thank you for seeing me."
"Of course, Doctor Matsuda." The serene Captain replied calmly with a nod, prompting Hanataro to silently take note of the plaque on his desk that read 'Kaneda Matsuda, PhD'. "I'm happy to make time for you, considering that you're overseeing Officer Ayasegawa's treatment."
He nodded in response. "Still, Captain, I'm sure that both of you almost certainly must be wondering why I requested Officer Yamada, in place of Lieutenant Kotetsu."
"Indeed," Retsu started. "Though I have my suspicions."
"Lieutenant Kotetsu and I had previously spoken about the possibility of treating Ayasegawa-san." The young Officer spoke up. "Shortly after he returned to duty after the events in Karakura."
"Then, she believed that he was already suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, even before his abduction and captivity by the Brethren?" Matsuda inquired.
Hanataro looked to his Captain, who merely smiled and nodded. "Yes." He replied. "The truth is, she believed he was in a state of denial in the wake of Ikaku Madarame's death... That- that he had not allowed himself to properly grieve for the death of his friend."
"Yes, as I recall, immediately after the battle," Retsu spoke next. "Captain Grantz likened the condition he was in to some sort of post-traumatic dissociativee state."
The younger of the three Shinigami nodded. "At the time, though, we lacked the sufficient evidence to declare him Non Compos Mentis," the dark-haired youth explained. "This meant there wasn't sufficient grounds to admit him for treatment without his direct consent."
"Yes. Well, however, recent events have changed that." Matsuda countered. "The unfortunate truth is, even if he wasn't suffering from it before," he revealed, pausing to regard the two of them. "That Yumichika Ayasegawa is most definitely now suffering from an extreme case of PTSD, which has only been worsened by the trauma of his abduction."
"I... I'm trying to be respectful of the Lieutenant and Ayasegawa-san." Hanataro resumed, with a slight blush as he went on. "But, there's no avoiding the fact that their relationship prohibits Kotetsu-san from taking part in his treatment, as it's impossible for her to be impartial."
"Yes, I am afraid that my Lieutenant, capable as she is, lacks the needed emotional objectivity for such a delicate matter as what we're dealing with." Retsu added.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Eight HQ...
Captain Shunsui Kyoraku was seated, cross-legged, on the back patio of his quarters as he went about the process of cleaning the blades of the matching pair of the Katana and Wakizashi that comprised the dual aspects of his two-part Zanpakuto: "Katen" and "Kyōkotsu."
The scruffy-faced swordsman smiled, sensing a familiar presence. "Ah, Nanao-chan!" Shunsui spoke up, not needing to look to confirm who was approaching him. "My dearest Nanao-chan, what pray tell is that brings you here? Other than your desire to be at my side, that is." He jokingly added.
The slender bespectacled woman sat down beside him. This, in and of itself, wasn't enough to evoke a response from the boisterous Shinigami. However, as soon as he felt her lean into his side, her head on his shoulder, this at last gave him pause. Lowering his sword, he looked to her, only to see that she was looking away from him, in the direction of the courtyard, an unreadable look on her face.
"Captain," she started, adjusting her glassed. "Shunsui." The woman amended after a moment, this alone gaining his undivided attention by virtue of the fact that she was addressing solely by his given name, without honorifics. And yet, she was seemingly still unwilling to make eye-contact.
He heard her sigh demurely. "...Do you ever think about the future?"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm, Karakura City...
"I was told you wanted to speak with me," Orihime started. "Urahara-san, why?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "It's about a mutual friend of ours..." The ex-Shinigami replied. "I'm talking about the mysterious 'Man in White'." Urahara continued, observing the growing look of surprise from the young redhead as he continued. "I've seen him, as has Grantz-san."
"He's appeared in the Soul Realm?" Orihime asked, a genuine look of surprise on her face.
The redheaded girl had initially wondered why Urahara-san had contacted her and asked that she come to his shop. However, as she now sat in his office, Orihime had her answer.
He nodded. "The first time, this man appeared to him in Soul Society; then for a second time, in the Living Realm during the lead-up to the fighting." Urahara continued. "After that, I was present when he made his third overall manifestation- the second in the Soul Realm." He elaborated to the young woman seated across the desk. "Since then, he's made a further appearance in front of me..."
"From what I've gleaned based the various accounts," Urahara went on. "It would seem that in each of the respective visitations, he's imparted vague and cryptic information to the recipient of the 'visit'." He continued coolly. "Tell me, does what I've described ring any bells with you?"
Again, the question appeared to give the sunset-haired woman pause...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"How thoughtless of me, Halibell-san... I apologize."
Halibell shook her head. "Please, really, Captain, it's nothing." She offered the Shinigami in her usual calm even tone, with a wave of her hand. "You were merely being considerate."
Jushiro gave an almost bashful smile. "Though, that does raise another point..." He started, sipping tea from his cup. "It might be impolite of me to ask, but how do you..." He paused. "Well, how do you sustain yourself?"
"You know that Hollows consume souls for nourishment, then- as they evolve- they consume each other for sustenance." The female Arrancar began, unsure of how explicite she could be. "However, when we become Arrancar, we gain the ability to take in- to absorb- the reiki around us."
At this, the Shinigami Captain looked to the Primera Espada. "And what of you, Stark, or Lilly-chan for that matter?" The white-haired man started. "Both of you have shared food and drinks with Retsu and myself- on multiple occasions, I might add." He pointed out. "Is that a conscious choice on your part- to chose to take nourishment in via consumption?"
"Lillynette and I can do both." The brown-haired Arrancar replied, before finishing his cup of tea and setting it down on the tray. "Though, to be honest, we make it a point of actively restraining ourselves when it comes to drawing in the latent spiritual energy around us, as it might potentially pose a danger to those around us." He explained to Ukitake, as the man refilled his cup.
"But you don't need to worry." Stark offered. "While we can draw in the energy from the surrounding area, we also have the ability to suppress it." He revealed. "It's the same as how we suppress our auras in order not to harm others around us, we can also stop ourselves from drawing reiki into in order to prevent us from potentially sapping the life-force of others."
"Interesting." The Captain replied intently, as he took a sip of tea.
"There is another issue I'm curious about," the white-haired man resumed. "Stark is the Primera, but given that the Segunda Espada died," Jushiro continued. "Would that not then mean you would become the Segunda Espada- if only by default?" The Shinigami reasoned.
The blonde-haired female Arrancar didn't immediately respond. "The title of the Second... for me at least, is tainted by its previous holder." She admitted. "My history with the previous Segunda Espada, Barragon Rouisenbam, makes it rather difficult for me to differentiate him from the title."
"Beyond that fact," Halibell went on calmly. "Perhaps, more than any other factor, I've come to identify with the position of being the Tercera Espada- and the title- after all this time."
"Indeed." Captain Ukitake remarked with a nod.
"Besides, given her background and experience," Stark spoke up. "I'd imagine Nelliel-Tu Obberschank would likely be most qualified in claiming the rank of Segunda Espada."
"Interesting," the Captain began. "You're asserting that she's grown stronger through experience?"
"Not for certain," Stark began, taking a drink from his cup. "Not in any empirical sense, at least. It's more instinctual than anything else." The Primera Espada added.
"I don't know if you know this," Halibell began. "But many Arrancar believe that individuals become stronger through survival, that there's a correlation between adaptability and strength."
Jushiro nodded. "And Captain Obberschank, after all, is nothing, if not a survivor."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"...Do you ever think about the future?"
The question from his Lieutenant took him by surprise, if for no other reason than the tone with which she had uttered it. The normally unflappable woman had sounded uncharacteristically uncertain in that moment as she had posited the simple question.
"Nanao-chan, is something bothering you?" Shunsui asked, setting down his sword.
"I... I'm not sure," she began, almost listlessly. "It's just... Well, it's just, lately I've been thinking about everything that's happened, and... I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about it all."
"Hearing you talk like this," the tall brown-haired man started. "It's unlike the Nanao-chan I know, the woman who always seems to be a step ahead of everything." Shunsui added thoughtfully. "I'm curious, is there something in particular that brought this on?"
The slender woman didn't answer right away. "All I know, is that I've had this- this nagging feeling in the back of my mind for some time now..." Nanao explained. "The reason I asked you if you ever think about the future... is because I've been thinking about it, a lot recently."
"In what way?" He asked.
"About the future of the Division, about the future of the Seireitei and this entire realm with that 'hole' in the sky constantly looming over us," she paused, taking a breath. "And... about us."
"Us." That simply word echoed in the mind of the disheveled Soul Reaper as he gave a quizzical look in response to the woman's answer. "Nanao, what are you saying?"
She took his hand, interlacing her slender finger with his. "Shunsui Kyoraku," the bespectacled woman spoke, at last looking up and meeting his gaze. "All these years... All your flirtatious overtures, all your lascivious advances, what is it that you actually want- for us?" Nanao asked.
He shifted to better face her, a soft smile on his face. "You really are a pillar, Nanao-chan, not just for the Eighth, but for me as well." Shunsui replied. "You ask what I want... But to be honest, I never really thought about what is that I want." The Captain paused, looking into her eyes.
He wrapped his other arm around her- around her slender frame- effectively encircling her in the 'cocoon' that was both himself and the pink floral kimono that hung from his shoulders like a cape. And so, it was in that moment, as he looked at her, that he fully realized just how much smaller than him this bespectacled woman was...
How small and delicate she was. "What is it that I want?" He started, noting her blush. "...The only thing I've really wanted in a very long time," Shunsui paused for effect. "Is you, my Nanao-chan."
"You're such a tease..." She murmured softly, her eyes narrowing.
As soon as she closed her eyes, he wasted no time as he leaned in to capture her lips!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in the Living Realm...
The pale blonde-haired man watched as Orihime shifted restlessly in her chair. The Shopkeeper could see her unease at the thought the 'Man in White'- or at least the circumstances around him.
"I've seen him twice..." She started. "The first time, was only briefly, just as I'd regained consciousness after fainting in my apartment." Orihime went on. "I'm afraid my memory of that of that is a bit hazy, as I was still getting my senses back after the sudden visions that I experienced."
"Visions?" Urahara repeated, arching a brow as he leaned forward.
"Yes," she nodded, relaxing in her chair. "I... I can still remember images of flying through the air," Orihime started. "And of being surrounded in golden light," she continued uneasily. "And of how I felt so calm, and steady in that moment... how I felt so confident."
Flying through the air, surrounded in a golden light... Urahara thought himself, those words ringing a proverbial bell in his mind, calling him back to the Man in White's foreboding remarks...
"Tell me about the second time." Urahara calmly stated.
She nodded. "It was only just very briefly..." Orihime started. "You see, something happened when those people surrounded me, my Shun Shun Rikka... reacted to them," she continued. "And just like that, I was enveloped in this strange golden light." She trailed off.
"And how did you feel?" The scruffy-faced man prompted expectantly.
"Strong." She replied emphatically. "All my doubts melted away, and this golden light suddenly felt totally natural to me." The redhead continued. "But that's not all... While the light was like a glowing aura around me at first, the next thing I knew, it gathered around me and... And it turned into, well, it was like an armored gown made of golden light..."
The blonde-haired responded with a concerned look as she continued. "And there was another thing," the sunset-haired young woman went on. "I recall having a pair of... angelic wings, made of the same 'light' as the dress and armor." Orihime revealed. "When they saw the new powers that I suddenly had, I remember that some of them wanted to leave... but I stopped them."
"Wings..." The former Shinigami silently mused. "Go on... what happened then?"
"That was when they just vanished," Orihime replied. "Just after that, I began to feel kinda lightheaded, and that's when the guy you're calling the 'Man in White' appeared- just as I lost consciousness."
Urahara took a moment to mull all of this over, before again nodding. "Well, I still need to speak with Ulquiorra-san and Arisawa-san." He commented. "Other than that, I think we're done for now."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Yumichika reclined on the couch, resting his hands on his chest and taking a deep breath. The purple-haired man dressed simply in a white tunic and trousers.
"Tell me, Ayasegawa-san, how are you feeling today?" Matsuda asked the man in a steady tone
The Third-Seat Officer of the Eleventh didn't answer right away, instead merely adjusting his posture on the sofa, before at last speaking. "...What the hell's the point in even asking, when you already know the answer to that question?" Yumichika replied bitterly.
"Tell me, I want to hear it in your own words," the other man prodded. "The answer: if it's really so obvious to everyone, then tell me," he spoke in a calm voice. "How do you feel?"
"How do I feel?" Yumichika countered, looking towards him. "How do you think I feel?!" The man asked angrily from the sofa, at last sitting up and looking at the other man. "Tell me, dammit, what do you want me to say?!" The Officer demanded. "What is it that you want to hear?!"
"Only you can answer that question." Matsuda, in his unflappable tone, responded.
"How do I feel...?" The purple-haired man trailed off, lying back down. "Where do I even start?" He went on to ask no one in particular. "I feel like... a failure."
"And just why exactly do you say that?" The older Shinigami asked him.
"Because..." The man started, his gray eyes narrowing. "Because I should have been... better!"
"Better?" Matsuda repeated. "I can't help but find it interesting that you would say that, considering everything you've been through." He responded calmly. "Tell me then, when you say that you should have been better- in what sense do you mean, how, exactly?"
"Just better!" He countered. "You don't know... You don't know." Yumichika fired back. "They- they took everything from me, including my identity." The purple-haired man raged. "They used me, just as they used my knowledge of Soul Society- as a Shinigami- to infiltrate it!"
Yumichika turned away from him. "They- they violated me, everything that I am!" He continued, tearing up in the process. "And I couldn't stop them... I should have been able to stop them! I tried." He fell silent. "Oh god, I tried so hard, but- but I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't good enough in the end. I- I should have been able to resist them, to fight back in some way. I should! I should!"
Matsuda set down his notebook, nodding to himself. "Yumichika Ayasegawa, you're just a man at the end of day... And you can't keep punishing yourself for something that you had no control over." He explained. "I'd like to tell you that this is just something I can treat, but the truth is... that all of this is going to be with you for a long time."
The man in question looked to him as he went on. "And this pain, I'm afraid it's going to be with you for a long time." He continued. "So, at the end of the day, regardless of whatever I might be able to offer you, the real truth is that it's going to come down to you being able able to accept everything that happened to you and to come to terms with it- and to forgive yourself." Matsuda offered. "I can help you, I can provide prospective, but in the end... it's going to be up to you to take the actions necessary to help yourself."
Yumichika lay back down, looking to him once more, while mulling this over. "I... well, truthfully, your blunt honesty throughout all of this is refreshing." He admitted. "It's a nice change from what the 'white coats' have been saying." He paused. "And, for that... Thank you."
Matsuda nodded. "That said, I expect to see you here next week, as well as the week after this, and so on and on..." The Shinigami was quick to remind him. "Don't forget, we've still got a long ways to go."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society...
Detainment Center, Debriefing...
The brown-haired Shinigami looked across the table, to the surly-looking blonde woman.
Shinobu Eijima cleared his throat, the Third-Seat Officer of the Ninth Division watching as the female Sternritter wrapped her fingertips against the metallic surface of the table.
"Senior Lieutenant Catnip," the fresh-faced Officer began. "I'm sure no doubt that you're wondering why you've been called here today." Shinobu started as he addressed the woman. "To that end, I'm here to speak to you, on behalf of Soul Society." The Shinigami continued.
"Oh really?" Candice interjected. "You people have some nerve, you know, coming back to me after I've been locked away inside this place for the last year and a half, and you don't even have the decency to send the same person that spoke to me the last time I was in this room." The blonde replied.
"What do you mean?" The Third-Seat asked.
She leaned in. "I'm talking about that prissy, perfumed creep that first presented my charges."
"I'm afraid Officer Ayasegawa is... indisposed." He answered after a moment. "So from this point on, you'll be dealing with me in all future talks." Shinobu added pointedly.
"Future talks?" The blonde repeated. "What are you talking about? Why in god's name would I want to talk to one of you Shinigami- especially after you sentenced me?"
"Because I have an offer for you." Shinobu countered. "An offer that I think you'll be interested in."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Huecco Mundo...
Cyrus Vaux smiled, his black hair slicked back, the fabric of his long-sleeved tunic- decorated in ornate multicolored patters- shifted as he moved to rest his hands upon his hips.
The Arrancar had a dark complexion, and with his jet-black hair slicked back, his mask-fragment was visible on his neck- resembling a collar near the base. The elaborated tunic-like shirt he wore had long flowing sleeves, and the reached down past the waistline of the black pants he wore.
"So, let me get this right," he spoke. "The Shinigami tasked you with seeking me out?" He asked the trio before him. They nodded, prompting an amused look from Cyrus. "And so, that's the reason why a former Espada, an Arrancar, and a half-Hollow Vizard are are here to speak on their behalf?"
Lisa adjusted her glasses, before then sending an uncertain look Onigiri's way, who just smiled back as if everything was going according to plan, while Nelliel nodded calmly.
"The reason that we're speaking for the Shinigami is because Soul Society has been undertaking steps these last few years to become more inclusive as it continues to evolve- and, to bring in the Arrancar, as we continue to evolve as a people- into the fold." Nelliel replied pointedly.
This earned an amused look from the Arrancar. "They must be, given the fact that you're wearing their robes and sporting that nifty captain's badge." He retorted. "And, by the fact that Onigiri is one of your Lieutenants... along with his charming bespectacled counterpart." Cyrus added smoothly.
"But getting to what I suspect is the real point of this visit," he resumed. "I imagine you've come here because the Shinigami want to make use of my unparalleled oration skills to win over the still as of yet undeclared Arrancar- no doubt gaining them as allies in the battles to come?"
"You're remarkably well informed, Mr. Vaux." The mint-green-haired Espada countered.
He gave a confident grin. "Yes, well, in some of the circles I traverse, knowledge of the 'coming storm' has become somewhat well known, to say nothing of everything else happening." The Arrancar replied. "In one of those circles, a particularly gifted seer has discerned- from the threads of the Skjein- the arrival of 'the great darkness'."
Onigiri watched intently as his Captain responded. "So then, what is your answer?"
A moment passed, as he appeared to consider the point. "You and your people just need to find a way to bring the Arrancar to me," Cyrus began. "If they're prepared to listen, then I'll speak to them."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Darkwood entered the appropriately darkened room, the bearded man scanning the area, until he eventually settled upon the familiar figure of the orange-haired teen seated on the floor, seemingly in meditation, faced towards the fireplace with his eyes closed.
"Ichigo?" He inquired softly, prompting the teen to snap out of his current state of mind.
Looking to the other man, Ichigo rose to his feet. "I apologize if I interrupted something."
Ichigo shook his head. "Actually, I've been wondering about a few things..." He started. "For one thing, why no one from Soul Society or any of their allies have shown up around this place."
The older man grinned, brushing a hand across the wall as he spoke. "As I suspect you've begun to realize by now, the Shinigami aren't nearly as omnipotent as they like to think." Darkwood remarked, looking to the teen. "The truth is, that we haven't just evaded the watchful gaze the Shinigami, we've been able to remain in the shadows- unseen by other forces, for millennia."
"Other forces?" Ichigo repeated.
Darkwood nodded. "Surely, you must realize that Zen Buddhism and Shintoism are but a fraction of the global population, and theirs is the domain of the Shinigami." He reasoned. "Just as the Brahma is to the Hindus, the Buddha to his flock, as Jehovah is to Christians, and so on."
"I- I guess I never considered..." Ichigo admitted. "But then, that means they're all right?"
He nodded. "They are all part of the nexus that binds all life, and life is the one thing that transcends all boundaries and all limitations." Darkwood replied. "But tell me, Ichigo," he continued congenially, placing a hand on young man's shoulder in a friendly manner. "Before we continue any further, tell me: how are you coping with everything that's happened up till now?"
"In the moment, when Urahara-san appeared... I felt justified when I accepted your offer." The young man began. "But now... After I've been thinking back, part of me regrets that it had to come to that, the fact that I had to chose between you and the others." Ichigo admitted.
"Of course, it's understandable." The older man replied with a nod. "And, so, it's in that vein that I'm happy to inform you that I've spoken with Miss Unagiya."
Ichigo gave a surprised expression. "You- you spoke to Ikumi?"
Darkwood nodded. "She's doing quite well," he started. "In fact, I go so far as to say that she's thriving in fact, in spite of the Shinigami." The bearded man answered. "She's an admirable woman, Ichigo, and I can comfortably say that I more than understand why you'd be drawn to her."
The teen took a moment, giving him a stern look. "I... can see you've done your homework."
"Please," Darkwood responded, holding his hands up. "Don't misunderstand my intent." The black-clad man offered him in appeasement. "And I'd hope that you would have realized by now that I'm not asking you to side against the Shinigami or any of their allies." He declared.
"Then, it sounds like the two of us are in agreement on that much." Ichigo countered, at last accepting the offer to take his seat in the chair cross from the other man.
"Ichigo," Darkwood continued, his brown eyes meeting the youth's. "I'm not asking you to take up the banner of our cause to fight in our name." He continued on. "However, what I am asking of you, is that you fully commit yourself to the ways of Manifest and to the great work in the days to come."
"Great Work... You keep talking about that." Ichigo responded. "Previously, you've talked about how we're supposedly working for the good of all," he went on. "I'd like to know what exactly that means, especially given the fact that we're dealing with humans, Shinigami, and Hollows."
The black-clad man nodded. "That's a good question," he began. "The truth is, that this isn't about imposing some kind of iron-clad conformity." Darkwood added. "Embracing unity doesn't mean the exclusion of diversity... The point that I want you to take from all of this is that unity and diversity aren't mutually exclusive, the truth is they're two sides of the same coin."
The young man took a moment to process this. "Yes, you're right." Ichigo acknowledged, brushing a hand through his orange hair. "Still, despite any reluctance I may be feeling... I have to admit that I've felt oddly satisfied," he revealed. "It's strange, but I've felt- well- more refreshed than I have in a long time since I came here." The youth went on. "I finally have a sense of real clarity."
The brown-haired man smiled. "I'm glad to hear that, Ichigo," Darkwood started. "It's good to know that you've found your current circumstances so fulfilling." He went on to say. "By now, you've surely begun to realize Manifest is THE ultimate power, the means of realizing a person's full potential."
"As I previously stated, it is the fundamental energy of the universe, the power that connects all things, and the means of making the impossible possible." The man explained to the youth "You have nothing to fear, my young friend." Darkwood added. "Never the less, there will always be people who cannot comprehend this grand ultimate truth, and- either for fear or ignorance- will resist it."
Darkwood shifted, so that he was seated before Ichigo, his brown eyes meeting the youth's brown eyes as he regarded him. "Now, Ichigo, do you fully understand what is being asked of you?"
"Yes." The teenager answered resolutely, clasping his hand in his own. "I understand now, what it is that you're asking of me, and I am prepared to see this conflict to its conclusion."
"Good." Darkwood replied with a smile. "Because, I must warn you: it's of the utmost importance that you understand that we still have a difficult road ahead of us before things ultimately get better."
"You can count on me, for the work to come." Ichigo answered in a determined voice.
The older man grinned. "It's heartening to know I can count on you..." He replied. "After all, no great upheaval or societal change in history has ever been a seamless transition."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Elsewhere, in the Detainment Center...
Meninas MacAllon looked on nervously, the cotton candy pink-haired woman shifting restlessly in her chair, as the busty strawberry-blonde Shinigami addressed her...
Rangiku offered what she hoped was a disarming smile. "Firstly, to start off, I'd like to assure you that we didn't bring you here to be further penalized." She stated calmly. "The reason you're here is because we just want to talk- you see, we have an offer that we'd like to discuss with you."
The (comparably) less-buxom woman with her main of voluminous hair nodded uneasily. "An offer?" Meninas asked the other woman uneasily. "W- What do you mean?"
"Major MacAllon," Rangiku resumed. "The individuals that betrayed you and your fellow Sternritter, the people know as the Brethren, they are effectively at war with us."
The female Quincy gave a look of surprise as she continued. "I realize this may come as a surprise to you, given the restrictions placed on you, regarding your access to information as well as your freedom of movement, but the simple truth is that- even with the audition of the Arrancar to our numbers- the fact remains that Soul Society needs as many allies as possible."
"You- you're really serious?" Meninas asked in disbelief. "You're telling me that the Shinigami really think those people are that dangerous- that they're that much of a threat?"
The Lieutenant didn't respond immediately. "I can't really speak to the specifics of it all, but we believe that the Brethren are merely part of a much larger threat." Rangiku replied. "To that end, we're prepared to rescind the remainder of your sentence- on the condition that you help us when the time comes."
"Wait..." The pink-haired woman started. "What exactly are we talking about here?"
"Your freedom, full and unconditional." The strawberry-blonde answered. "If you agree to our terms." Rangiku went on. "Once everything's over, you'll be a free woman."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The young redheaded woman was sitting calmly before the large community bird cage set up in the spare room of hers and Ulquiorra's shared apartment.
Orihime smiled to herself, taking in the cacophony of chirps uttered from the little birds.
At the moment, Ulqui-kun and Hime-chan were huddled in their exclusive nest, the two Zebra finches equal participants in keeping their newborns warm and safe. At the same time, the other bonded pair of 'Zebras'- Ishi-kun and Tsuki-chan, were settled nicely into another small nest.
Beyond the four Zebra Finches, there was the half dozen white and chocolate-brown Society Finches, sharing a large communal nest together. Among them, were the (hopeful) duo of little 'Shiro-kun' and the robust 'Ran-chan', along with 'Chad-kun' (and the others she wasn't sure about). And finally, in their own enclosed nest, were the pair of Spice Finches- named 'Ggio-san' and 'Soi-san'.
The young woman smiled, feeling contented with herself as she observed the menagerie of birds. It wasn't until when she heard the sound of the door opening, that she looked away- only to see Ulquiorra as the dark-haired Arrancar entered the room. "Orihime?" He asked cautiously.
She smiled. "It's alright, Ulquiorra," Orihime spoke. "It's just..." She paused, while he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. The next moment, her partner moved in behind her, resting his pale hands on her shoulders. "I guess I just needed to get away from everything..."
"You understand, right?" Orihime asked, not making eye contact with him.
Following her line of sight, back towards the birds, he nodded. "Yes." The Espada replied, nodding and managing to give a small smile in the process, and taking her hands as she turned to him.
"Of course, I more than understand." Ulquiorra offered her, at last succeeding in eliciting a smile from the young woman. "I realize I've complained a lot in the past about them, but now... Looking at you and the finches," he paused, now smiling himself. "Well, even I have to concede that they've come to stand for a lot more than I at first would have thought- not just to you, but to both of us."
"You're so good to me." Orihime offered, moving to rest her head against his chest. "And, also to Ulqui-kun and Hime-chan, and all the other little ones as well... Thank you." She softly finished.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Twelve HQ...
"It would seem you're correct, my dear Nemu." Szayel commented idly, while looking at the sheet of paper in his hands. "The related components, pieced together from the text, appear to come together to form a complete and fully-detailed schematic." The Arrancar continued.
"How were you able to create such a complete schematic?" He went on to ask.
"Once the relevant details were collected, they were entered into a program designed that extrapolated them into visual data." Nemu began. "The resulting parameters were then entered into Auto-CAD, and compiled together to create the schematic you're presently looking at."
"Impressive." The pink-haired Arrancar replied with a smile. "And from what you've told me, it's the same with these other plans as well." He continued, before setting it down and picking up another one of the sheets from a stack on the nearby table. "Each piece of reference material... they seem to contain all the necessary constituent details to form a complete schematic."
"This one, for example," Szayel continued, looking it over. "It appears to be the designs for some kind of sonic device... intended to generate a specific wave frequency."
Nemu nodded, picking up one of the sheets. "Szayel-sama, this one looks to be designed to serve as a highly sophisticated power regulation system... Though, it's unclear as to what."
"Indeed." The bespectacled Hollow replied, glancing to schematic. "And this one depicts a mechanism for generating what looks to be a concentrated beam- of light, I believe."
"Then, there's this one." The female Shinigami spoke. "It depicts both the full metallurgical details and dimensions for a large insulated magnetized plate."
Szayel shook his head. "This is incredible Nemu," the golden-eyed Arrancar gushed to his Lieutenant, earning a soft smile from the purple-haired woman. "I'd like you to arrange to have each of these plans sent to a dedicated team in the R&D department, to start building them immediately."
"Of course, Szayel-sama." She replied smartly with a nod. "Though, I must admit, I find the nature of these devices to be highly nebulous and alien in their design and application."
"I agree." The Arrancar answered after a moment. "We can only hope that things will begin to make more sense as we gain more insight into the nature of how they interrelate with each other."
(- End of Chapter LXIX... -)