Frankly, more than anything, I hope that this story has managed to provide some small measure of distraction from the insanity of real life. With that said, I'd like to take a brief moment to once again thank TheBretonBookDragon for their continued feedback. After all, in my experience, I find that it's a rare privilege to have a reviewer that posts as much and as frequently as they have. So I look forward to seeing their further thoughts...
And of course, I want to thank Jackejsh for their review of the last chapter. And, I'd like to extend my eternal thanks to the amazing gorguts5, who has been actively reviewing and providing me with feedback to my ongoing writing for (as of this year) OVER NINE YEARS! That's no small feat, and I say this as someone who's been active on this site since April 2002 (which is just over half of my life as of writing this). That said, I'm glad you enjoyed the more comedic aspects of the last chapter. TBH, I've found Ichigo is the perfect 'straight man' and foil for characters that tend to be more fantastical and/or absurd- hence why I keep on putting him into all of these strange situations. Since he's a bit stiff (again, at least to me), his reactions are all the funnier.
Though, I'm a little confused about your remark of him "walking to the Gallows". I only bring this up because I went back and re-read the last chapter, and I couldn't find anything overtly ominous in his enteractions with 'The Cat' and 'Mr. Gallows'. I'm not trying to refute or to diminish your take on the narrative, since any interpretations of the subject matter is inherently bound to be subjective to the individual reader. Anyway, I think that I've spent more than enough time and energy in rambling on about this particular point- anything else can be discussed between us later.
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to RG-Guest, along with my hope that they're doing alright in the middle of what- for so many people- surely feels like we're living in the middle of some kind of horrible apocalyptic nightmare. Right now, more than ever, we need to remember what's truly important important in life, as well as the importance of being able to escape from reality every now and then.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXXIX:
"The Journey, Part 1"
Ichigo regarded the black-furred feline...
"This isn't a product of random chance," the Cat had offered. "You're here for a singular reason, and don't you forget that you are just as much a part of this."
"In the end, this is your journey." Mister Gallows chimed in. "We're just the bystanders."
"Yes, of course, you're right." Ichigo conceded. "In that case," he continued, looking first to The Cat, before turning next to Mister Gallows. "And seeing as how you two seem to be pretty familiar with the layout of this place, I don't suppose you'd be willing to guide me to that shrine you mentioned?"
"Oh, my lad, I was just waiting for you to ask!" The tall figure responded, all the while as he deftly maneuvered himself around the youth, so as to then be standing behind him. "You're in luck, my boy," Gallows spoke with a broad smile, his gloved hands coming to rest unnervingly upon his shoulders as he leaned in close to speak further. "Nothing would make me happier!"
Ichigo shivered, jostling free of his grasp to glare at the strange-looking man. "Enough!" The orange-haired young man exclaimed. "Just because I've accepted your help, don't think that means I trust you, or that I have any intention of letting my guard down around you!"
Rather than respond with ire, he smiled. "Well, of course, a person would have to be a fool, to let their defenses down in the presence of a stranger, what with nothing more than their word to go on."
And so, it was, with this understanding, that the unlikely trio would then set out...
After that, Ichigo had busied himself reflecting on everything that had occurred, and so he had been passive as he'd fallen in step with the black-furred cat and the inhuman man he'd wound up with as his traveling companions on this surreal journey. As such, the teen had become so engrossed in his own thoughts that he failed to register when something unexpected happened!
Ichigo had expected to ultimately arrive at some isolated and overgrown structure in the middle of this green expanse. However, instead, what he beheld was a large bustling town- packed with multi-leveled buildings and filled with a vast and varied array of people. He paused, even as people wordlesslu brushed past him, determining that the population center was built around a central structure- which he suspected to be none other than that of the destination they'd been seeking, the Shrine of the Pilgrim.
The teenager barely registered as the Cat leapt up onto him to perch itself on his shoulders, seemingly fixated upon his own inner thoughts. Still, as soon as someone appeared before them, he snapped back to reality just in time to react to their sudden and unannounced arrival...
"You!" The pale-skinned and white-haired individual spoke. "...'A young human, with broad-shoulders and brown eyes'." The stranger recounted. "H- he mentioned someone like you would be coming."
"And just who exactly is 'he'?" The Cat inquired, perking up.
The pale man drew back. "Oh, well, the truth is, that's not for me to say." He countered. "Uh, only a few weeks ago, someone that we'd never seen in these parts before just suddenly arrived..." He paused, as if in an effort to collect himself. "And, um, ever since then, he's taken up residence in one of the... well, in one of the town's- er- establishments." The man revealed.
Mister Gallows leaned in. "No need to be bashful." He reasoned. "I can guess, from everything you've inferred, that the 'establishment' that you speak of... Well, would I be incorrect in assuming that it is one that specializes in providing companionship for certain people that are in need of it?"
After a moment, he nodded fervently.
"Companionship?" Ichigo asked, visibly confused as he'd watched the exchange.
The Cat cleared his throat. "Really now, Ichigo," he started. "I'd have thought that by now, even you would have some understanding of what exactly we're dealing with?"
"Seriously," Mister Gallows interjected, almost teasingly. "Can't you recognize the sight of a red paper lantern when you see it?" He asked him incredulously. "What are you, a kid?"
Another moment passed between them, before realization at last appeared to dawn upon the youth, and his face promptly flushed crimson, before he averted his eyes...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society,
Division Twelve HQ...
Szayel was seated, alone, in one of the many labs located in the upper levels. He was sitting on a stool and slouched over a counter top, a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a glass in the other.
Dropping ice cubes into the glass, he smiled. "Ice is seriously overrated... but still, it's important that one pace themselves..." He remarked to himself as he poured himself a drink. "But what do I do now?" Szayel asked himself, slightly tipsy. "...And, of course, something tells me the answer isn't going to be waiting for me at the bottom of this bottle of Kentucky Bourbon!"
"I'm afraid so, my friend." A familiar voice offered, even as he took a swig.
"You!" He blurted out in surprise, looking up from his glass. "You?!" Szayel attempted to retort, only to seemingly to forget the rest of what he was going to say.
The Man in White sat down, across the counter from him, smiling. "It's good to see that you haven't forgotten about simple pleasures in life." He remarked jovially. "You're hardly the first pilgrim to to go down the low road to enlightenment." The man continued with a friendly smile.
He produced a glass (along with ice already in it) from out of nowhere. "After all... the bottom of a bottle has been mistaken for the source of ultimate wisdom by countless people." The white-clad man added in a congenial tone, before then proceeding to pour himself a drink.
"You came... But, why?" Szayel questioned.
"Whenever you ask 'why'," the white-clad man started smoothly. "It makes me think you somehow believe I only make these visit on my own terms." He countered, taking a drink. "But... the truth is we both know that a man like you doesn't get shitfaced for no reason."
"I can't begin to fathom the weight of the burden that rests upon your shoulders." The Man in White continued, smiling as he lifted his glass to him. "No, the only reason you're spending your night- alone- in this dreary darkened lab, getting drunk... Perhaps you were hoping for me to show up?"
"So, and what if I was?" The Arrancar fired back, before taking a drink. "What then?"
"First off," he started with a smile. "What exactly were you hoping to gain from this visit?"
"The final piece of a puzzle that's been alluding me." The pink-haired Arrancar fired back irritably at his unannounced guest. "And you can't tell me that you don't know full well what I'm attempting to do, so I have to assume you know something that can help me- something I've been missing!"
The blue-eyed, pale blonde-haired man smirked and took a drink. "You're right... We've been keeping tabs on your recent progress." He responded matter-of-factly. "In particular, I really must say, that my associates have been extremely impressed with your accomplishments."
With that, he silently extended a gloved hand into his double-breasted jacket. "Some day, I hope you'll appreciate the lengths that I've gone to, to help you and your allies." The mysterious man remarked as he produced a folded slip of paper, before pausing in order to finish off his glass.
The Arrancar raised a brow. "You sound... unusually pessimistic."
"Unfortunately, the plain and simple truth of the matter is that the burdens of my actions are quickly becoming something of an occupational hazard for me." He responded. "You see, there's a reason why I've been so guarded up till now... Because once I do this favor for you, there's no going back.
"You see, I'm something like what you might an 'observer'." He explained. "And so, as that no doubt implies, my mandate is clear: I'm here to observe." The Man in White went on. "I won't bore you with pretentious treatises on the importance of non-intervention or the theoretical dangers of hypothetical future events or unproven psycho-history of what might or might not happen."
Purely of his own volition, Szayel retrieved the bottle and refilled his glass. "Well, I happened to be a scientist, and a big part of what that title entails is actually wading in- which means getting my feat wet and my hands dirty." The Espada countered as his refilled his own glass. "But I get the distinct feeling that for you, well, that's not something you have the luxury of doing."
He nodded. "It's good to know that you're beginning to grasp my position." The man replied, before reclaiming his glass to take sip from it. "As I've alluded to in the past, the scope of what I'm able to do is rather restricted." The visitor went on to confirm. "But we're fast approaching a critical point, and a choice will have to be made... And so I've made my choice."
The bespectacled Arrancar watched as the man took another drink. "That being said, looking back on all of our past conversations, I imagine you can't tell me anything specific."
"Unfortunately, no." The other man replied. "Though, what I will say, that in making my choice, I'll be breaking the cardinal rule that I was charged to abide by."
"What happens then?" Szayel asked, adjusting his glasses. "What's the cost of your intervention?"
"Trouble, my friend," he responded. "That is, for me, least." The enigmatic man continued, taking a drink from his glass. "It won't be long before they learn of what I've done, and then... Well, they'll be keeping an even closer eye on me." The white-clad visitor explained. "Still, we all have our duties to fulfill, regardless of who we are, or the institutions that we serve- and we all serve, in some manner."
"Szayel, Captain, this may be our last encounter, for some time." He replied with a smile, setting the piece of paper down and sliding it towards him. "When you're sober, look this over."
"And what will you be doing in the meantime?" Szayel asked of him.
"We're nearing the end, all of us... And I have a few loose ends in need of tying up." The white-clad man answered, taking another drink and finishing off the contents of his glass. "After all, we all have our 'tabs' that need to be paid," he paused. "Before... we can settle all of our accounts."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"So many questions," the man had spoken. "Why not just simply lose yourself in the moment?"
Orihime glared at him, even as they continue 'dancing'. "You... After everything you and your people have done to me and my friends, how can you be so calm right now?!"
"Because," Dario countered her, her long main of fiery red hair fluttering wildly about as he drew the young woman back toward him. "In spite of whatever you might think of me, the fact is that I am more than just some sort of unfeeling monster or Machiavellian manipulator."
"For years, I've been searching for something." Dario continued. "But not just anything, what I've been seeking all this time is knowledge." He revealed to her. "And what I need to know- more than anything else- is what it means to truly exist, to know if I am alive!"
"And you think you can just kidnap me?" She countered. "And that it'll just go unnoticed?"
"Oh, quite the contrary my dear." He fired back. "Through experience, we've learned not to idly trifle with either you or Ulquiorra." Dario stated. "As for your partner, or any of your friends, you won't be gone long enough to be missed, we have more than enough time to work things out."
Somehow, rather than further protesting, Orihime was suddenly struck by everything that had transpired, such that she was actually able to put aside her consternation in the face what was happening around her at her apparent abduction. "So, you're saying, out of all people, that you think I'm the one who can help you find the answers that you're looking for?"
Stepping back from the young woman, he looked into her brown eyes. "My dear, you're not just anyone," the fair-skinned man stated with a sly smile. "No, on the contrary, you are- with a doubt- one of a kind."
"So you keep saying!" The buxom young lady countered. "But just what is it exactly that you think I could possibly help you with?" Orihime asked. "What do you want from me?"
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure." Dario countered. "Except, that I can't help shaking off the feeling that you're crucial to all of this." The man continued. "After all, you're the one who brought someone back from the dead, and the one who turned back time, and who rewrote the laws of the universe... So, with that said, I think you'd be ideal for helping me to learn what's real and what's not."
"But, for now," Dario resumed. "I think, before continuing this any further, we could both do with a change of pace." The scruffy-faced man added, before looking off to the side and snapping his fingers, thus silencing the somber music playing. "Perhaps you'll enjoy this more."
The end of the hall lit up, revealing an elevated stage. There were multiple individuals situated on it, playing instruments as one of them stood before a mic. The uncanny thing was that Orihime wasn't able to make out any distinct features in them, as if there were some sort of haze obscuring their faces.
"I thought you might prefer something a bit more... upbeat!" Dario announced cheerfully, just in time as the opening instrumental of Toto's 'Africa' started up...
I hear the drums echo into night,
but she hears only whispers of some quiet conversaaation!
She's coming in, 12:30 flight,
the moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvaaation!
Dario looking on with an almost crazed smile, while Orihime could only react with an expression of confusion and bewilderment at this latest bit of insanity now unfolding around her...
I stopped an old man along the way,
hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient meeelodies!
He turned to me as if to say,
"Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you!"
"Pretty catchy, isn't it?" He asked, still grinning at her.
"Y- you're totally nuts!" The young woman countered, just as the big instrumental riff kicked off!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Elsewhere, in the Soul Realm...
Renji smirked, idly taking note of the faint blush adorning Kyoko's face as the Arrancar seated next to her had draped an arm across her shoulders as the four of them chatted.
They'd ended up having to shuffle their seating arrangements around in order to better facilitate the arrival of the two women in the bar, with the end result of it all being the two couples sitting across the table from each other- interestingly, mirroring themselves, with a Shinigami and an Arrancar on either side.
"Lady Mila Rose, there is something I'm curious about." Arachne started casually, just in time as the server arrived with a fresh bottle of sake. "What drew you to Kyoko?"
The mocha-skinned woman just chuckled, as they all had their cups refilled. "Before I answer," Mila countered coolly, raising her cup. "At the risk of sounding presumptuous," she countered. "Would you mind saying what drew you to the Lieutenant?"
Arachne gave a thoughtful look, then leaned back and smiled. "Fair enough," the other Arrancar went on to say. "But then... where do I even start?" She began in a dreamy tone, reclining. "Well now, let me see... He's strong, virile, with a powerful spiritual aura and particularly attractive markings."
She took a moment, downing the contents of her cup before continuing. "Aside from that, he's sweet and he's thoughtful, and I feel at ease whenever I'm together with him." Arachne added with a big smile as she went on. "And, if we're all being honest, he's no slouch when it comes to... satisfying me, in lots of ways, so I can't help but feel like I'm a very lucky woman."
Mila grinned salaciously, drinking from her cup and looking to the now-blushing male Shinigami across from her. "Well now, I must say, were I another kind of woman... Still, I hav'ta admit, if what she's saying is true, then you must be quite the strapping young stud." She remarked playfully in a sly tone. "So then, with all of that being said, what about you, Abarai, what exactly drew you to Arachne?"
The flustered man struggled to compose himself. "Er, well..." Renji stuttered, still blushing, Arachne watching as he reached for his cup of sake and downed the content in a single gulp. "Um... I mean, you're really putting me on the spot with this," he continued, his hands shaking as he retrieved the bottle and poured himself another drink, before looking up to continue. "But, Arachne..."
The female in question waited with baited breath as he took another drink. "The truth is... she's not just beautiful, er, she's a special kind of beautiful." Renji rambled. "She's seductive, fierce, and deadly, but I- I've never felt quite so complete and happy as I feel whenever I lay with her." The Soul Reaper continued, this time, earning the full and undivided attention of all three of the women at the table.
Looking down at his cup, he went on. "She can be sweet, and... whenever she smiles, my heart races, and I can't help thinking about how she has the prettiest eyes- like deep red garnet gemstones- and the silkiest hair, and how it's... downright unfair that her skin is so soft and warm."
Arachne covered her mouth as she appeared to struggle in an effort to properly come to grips with the lengthy and heartfelt admission from the man beside her. "Mila Rose," she spoke up. "I believe that you've received more than sufficient answers from both of us by now..." The Arrancar continued intently. "So then, please, tell me, just what exactly is it about Kyoko that attracted you to her?"
The dark-skinned woman nodded. "Fair enough, I suppose." She relented. "Well, first off... it's not like I hate males, but the truth is, I've always felt most at ease when I'm with other females." Mila admitted with a smile. "It's hard for me to explain how I feel." The Arrancar hesitated. "As a Hollow, my instincts tell me one thing, while my feelings tell me something else... That beyond fighting and destruction, what matters most to me- right down to my core- is my desire to protect Kyoko- that she's something precious."
The smaller female had to really struggle not to get teary-eyed in front of her fellow Shinigami, before she managed to offer a comment of her own. "The plain and honest truth is, that I'm almost certain that I never would've had the confidence in myself to... to be honest with myself about who I am."
"Before we met, I was afraid that I was going to end up trapped living out my life in a lie, trying to be something that I wasn't... And that scared me more than anything." The blonde-haired woman admitted, downing her cup of sake and looking to the woman beside her. "That is... Until I met you, Mila. That day, it was like a storm- you swept into my life, and changed everything."
On hearing the proclamation, both Arachne and Renji felt a swell in their hearts (with the two of them audibly going "awww") as Kyoko looked to the female Arrancar seated beside her at the table.
"I hope I'm not intruding." A familiar voice interjected.
"Kimura-san." Renji piped up, smiling and motioning to the bespectacled man.
"Lieutenant Abarai," the Third-Seat Officer of the Sixth Division started with a smile, as he made his way over to their table. "Lady Arachne." The man added politely, looking to the female Arrancar seated beside his superior officer. "As I said, I hope I'm not intruding on anything important."
Mila Rose looked on as Renji replied "No, not at all." The dusky-skinned leonine woman regarded the newest arrival, noting his slender frame and the rectangular glasses that he wore. The Arrancar couldn't help but find the man, while handsome enough, to be largely unremarkable. That is, except for the striking Musashi Miyomoto-style ponytail that his hair was bound up into- hanging like the tail of a fox or a wolf.
"Pull up a chair and join us." Renji continued jovially. "Let me introduce you to Kyoko Matarabe, she's a recent addition to the ranks of the Fourth Division, and her..." He faltered slightly.
"Girlfriend." The powerful-looking Arrancar chimed in, smiling. "I'm Francesca Mila Rose- though most people don't bother with my full name and simply call me 'Mila Rose' or just 'Mila'."
"My goodness," Kimura started. "Seeing as you're all here, is it really alright for me to join you?" He asked, receiving affirmatives from the quartet, before pulling up a chair and taking a seat.
Kimura instantly registered the bond on display between the two women, and easily knew that the duo were a couple- such that, it would have been obvious to just about anyone even if the toned and tanned Arrancar hadn't made the point of blatantly draping an arm over the far smaller fair-skinned Shinigami, who's only reaction to this display of affection was to blush and smile bashfully.
"Ah, but to be in love." He mused, somewhat wistfully, giving a thoughtful smile of his own as a cup was slid towards him and filled with sake. "How lucky you all are."
Renji silently observed the man as he raised his cup in a toast, and then downed the contents, before Arachne swiftly moved in to refill it with more booze...
"Well said, but what about you, Mister Cool?" Mila spoke with an air of confidence, smiling as she reclined in her seat. "I don't suppose that there's Anyone special in your life you'd care to talk about?"
For Renji in particular, Kimura's immediate reaction to the rather straightforward question was especially telling: as his face momentarily flushed, before he managed to compose himself and offer a smile. "Given everything that's going on presently, I'm hardly on the market for a romantic partner," he replied, now sounding more composed. "But then, it's a bit complicated for me."
In that moment, Mila Rose saw something in the man's eyes- something from her own experiences that she understood all too well. "Of course, my own circumstances have also been somewhat complicated."
The bespectacled Soul Reaper was visibly taken aback by the admission, then took a sip from his cup as he collected himself. "Lady Francesca," he started intently. "I really must say- I envy you, you're a brave woman."
"Maybe," the Arrancar replied, taking a drink. "But my instincts tell me that you're a lot braver than your modesty allows you to say." She continued smoothly. "And they also give me the impression that you've weathered an ordeal that lesser people couldn't make it through."
"Well said." Renji chimed in, sparing a glance to Kimura. "I think that we can all drink to that sentiment."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Jinx entered the semi-darkened ornate room- with its western-style or 'Boiserie' wood paneling, and illuminated by numerous decades-old electric lamps. She took a moment, idly scanning the room, until at last spotting a figure seated before a massive mahogany desk.
Swiveling in his chair, he turned away from the computer screen. "Jinx, this is a surprise." He began with a coy smile. "Now, tell me, what can I do for you?"
"Uriah," the tattooed woman began, producing a tan folder. "Dario's pulled one of his vanishing acts, and we can't raise him, so Darkwood asked me to deliver this to you."
In additional to the glow coming from the flat LCD screen, legions of lights adorning the 'stacks' that were the towering hard-drives of their operation flickered incessantly the entire time, out of sync with one another.
He opened the folder and began to look over the contents...
The man was dressed in a black turtleneck and a pair of dark slacks, with angular features and long black hair pulled into a ponytail in the back and a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.
Then, his dark blue eyes widened and he looked up from the folder. "These codes... The complexity, it could only mean that these have to be intended to be used in..." Uriah hesitated. "Then... That would mean that Darkwood intends to set up a dedicated connection with... the other place?"
Jinx merely nodded. "Yes, and it won't be long now." She replied. "We all have our parts to play in the coming days, so just be sure that you're able to carry out yours when that time comes."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The wild dogs cry out in the night,
as they grow restless, longing for some solitary cooompany!
I know that I must do what's right,
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Seeerengeti!
I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become!
The refrain of the chorus started up, playing as the of them stood in the hall...
By now, Orihime could only shake her head and softly sigh. "I... honestly, I don't know whether to be more outraged by the fact that you've done this," she started to say. "Or... more so by the fact that you seem to actually genuinely believe that it's somehow possible to put me at ease- even as you're now holding me against my will, I remind you- let alone with this music, of all things."
"So, you're not enjoying the song?" Dario asked, unfazed.
"No! Actually, it's extremely catchy, I-" She halted, cutting herself off. "Wait! No, that's beside the point!"
Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you!
It's gonna take a lot to drag me awaaay from youuu!
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do!
"Regardless," the fiery-haired girl continued. "So, you've come to me, because you think I can- what- offer you some sort of perspective?" Orihime asked him, her hands on her hips. "Alright, then... So you want to know so badly what's real and what isn't, hmm?" She recounted.
"Okay, I'll tell you the truth, or at least as much as that is to me." Orihime went on. "The truth is... that real life is scary, it's dangerous and it's unpredictable, but that doesn't change the fact that it's real."
"Interesting..." Dario mused aloud. "But then, how does one tell the difference?"
"Because, like I said, you can get hurt in reality." Orihime countered. "And while life can be painful sometimes, that's part of what it means to live... And, I'd rather open my eyes and face all of the danger that comes with real life, because at least I know that means I'm living... And, while there's the risk that I could get hurt, I'd still chose to take that risk for the chance of finding true happiness."
The scruffy man nodded. "I think I'm starting to understand." He replied. "What you mean is that the process of living is all about taking a risk, because it wouldn't mean anything otherwise."
"Thank you, Miss Inoue, the truth is that you've helped- and I expect more than you know." He finished with a jovial smile, before he snapped his fingers, ending the music. "But now, I believe that our time is just about up."
"And, I suspect that you have a schedule to keep," Dario went on. "And well, we surely wouldn't want to keep your guest waiting, now would we?" He stated, as everything was engulfed in a flash!
...
"Orihime!" A familiar, feminine voice called out.
"Tatsuki?" She asked, turning to see her friend approaching her.
"Honestly," the dark-haired girl started. "What are you doing, standing out here?"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Come on now, mister, don't tell me this is all ya got?" Lillynette commented wryly, looking towards the man seated behind the table strewn with various weapons. "I mean, I'd heard that you only offered the very best merchandise, when it comes to bladed weapons?"
The youthful duo, the slender helmeted Arrancar and the dark-haired Shinigami were standing in the midst of the chaotic and noisy marketplace. In the mean time, the weathered swordsmith- with his hair pulled back and bound in place with a bandanna- looked up to the pair.
"Young Lady," the vendor started tersely, markedly annoyed at the hassle this rude girl was giving him at the moment. "Please, do tell me, just what exactly is it that you're looking for?"
"Lillynette." Hanataro protested. "I'm not sure why you insisted on us coming here." He went on to remark. "I mean... It's not like I can't go get a sword from one of the armories, if need be."
"That's not the point!" She snapped back, before depositing a bundle on the table. "I didn't come here to wind up buying just another sword." The Arrancar explained for the two of them as she pulled back the cloth to reveal the item within. "The truth is, I heard that you could help us with other things..."
"Wait..." The man hesitated, looking to the black blade. "What exactly is this?"
"That's not important." The rose-eyed female countered. "What does matter, is that this thing's got a full tang, and- right now- that it needs a proper handle and a sheath."
"Lilly," the young Shinigami spoke up, noticing the sharpened edge of the blade. "Did you steal-" Hanataro implored, only to be silenced by his female counterpart.
She placed a fingertip on his lips, fixing him with a smile. "I'm no thief," the younger female half of the Primera Espada started. "And while your own natural Zanpakuto might be useless in a straight-on fight, I went over and picked out this Ebonite blade for you."
"I see." The merchant remarked. "In that case, I think I might have something for you."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in the Twelfth Division...
"Alright, everyone, watch the monitors," Szayel began. "I want a slow, steady build up of power, so no rushing out of the gate- that means no blowing out the systems with sloppy work."
With that, he lowered the protective goggles over his eyes, designed to shield them from any sort of sudden and intense luminescent flash. "Now... slowly, begin raising the power levels." The pink-haired man instructed all of the people around him, each of them busy at their respective stations.
"Officer Akon," the pink-haired man spoke. "I want the results from the scan of the subject prior to the experiment up and ready, for comparison the results immediately afterwards."
"Ah- yes, of course Captain." The Shinigami responded. "Th- the systems are nominal."
"Very good." Szayel responded, holding up his white-gloved hand up. "Now, Officer Kuna, I want you to inform us as soon as we're at one hundred percent."
There were two wide circular platforms, with a potted plant- that had only recently flowered- situated upon the first platform, while the other remained unoccupied.
"Captain," Kuna spoke up. "We're at one-hundred percent. We have full power!"
"Excellent!" Szayel exclaimed enthusiastically with a smile as he brought his hand down in a quick sweeping motion. "Activate the teleportation system- now!"
And so, it was, that the potted plant vanished from the first platform in what could only be described as a sudden flash of light, leaving everyone to look on expectantly for a split-secant...
...Then, it reappeared in an identical flash of light on the other platform!
(- End of Chapter LXXIX... -)
I think this chapter is pretty significant, because I think it does of a good job of maintaining the slow steady momentum towards (what will hopefully be) the grande finale of this story, while also not losing focus on the characters and the setting.
Also, for those of you wondering about the odd choices for the music in Dario's illusion, "Tubular Bells" and "Africa"... I picked those as a way of showing that there would be no romantic undertones to the scene. I also wanted to maintain the theme of his eccentric and unpredictable nature, which I first hinted at back in chapter 64 (or 72 as it's listed) when "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire plays while he's talking to her.