Chapter 2: Clogs and the Cat
Ryusen seemed to flash into existence outside of the darkened Uruhara shop. He looked around the store carefully, not sure what kind of trap the eccentric ex-captain was hiding.
As he slowly walked forward, the door was suddenly flung open and he was engulfed by a pair of monstrous arms.
"RYUSEN-DONO!" a gruff voice called out with enough volume to wake half of the city block.
The air from Ryusen's lungs was suddenly expelled in a rather spectacular fashion as he was lifted high into the air.
"Tessai-san," Ryusen said in a strained voice. "It… is… good… to… see… you…"
Tessai released Ryusen, who fell to the ground, gasping for air. Adjusting his glasses, he suddenly assumed a stern pose, his apron smooth and his eyes narrow.
"The boss is in the back waiting for you," Tessai said, smoothing his moustache. "Please come in."
Ryusen nodded and entered the shop. As he started to step onto the wooden floor, Tessai cleared his throat loudly.
Ryusen stopped in mid-step, a bit of sweat trickling down his forehead.
"Your sandals, Ryusen-dono," he said gruffly.
"Ah, right right, forgive me," Ryusen said with an apologetic bow.
Removing his sandals, he entered the shop, moving towards the back where the ladder to the cavernous opening Uruhara had made.
Ryusen jumped down and slowly descended into the opening, his kimono billowing about him. Landing lightly on the dirt floor below, he took a few steps forward, into the unnaturally light cave.
His eyes suddenly flew open and in the next instant his zanpakuto was out as Uruhara appeared out of nowhere. His striped hat was somewhat askew, and his everpresent clogs had made deep indentations in the ground, an obvious sign of the lethal speed he had just moved at. His cane-sword was pressed so hard against Ryusen's zanpakuto that a shower of sparks was falling from their blades.
Ryusen's eyes narrowed as they both broke apart, and faced off about twenty feet from each other.
Uruhara laughed as he slung his cane-sword over his shoulder.
"Amazing, Kasen-kun! You've improved!"
Kasen twitched slightly at the use of his given name, but bowed slightly. "Thank you for the compliment, Uruhara-dono," he said respectfully.
Uruhara sighed. "I see you're still as formal as ever too. This is why you've never gotten anywhere with Asani-chan."
Kasen's face turned slightly red and he began sputtering.
Uruhara seemed to vanish. Kasen threw his zanpakuto up and barely managed to block yet another vicious strike from Uruhara's cane sword and turn it aside.
"Oh, very bad very bad Kasen-kun," Uruhara said cheerfully as he whipped his cane sword about, lashing at Kasen seemingly from every direction.
Kasen blocked desperately, taking several cuts as he was slowly backed into the wall.
Throwing Kasen back with a powerful stroke, Uruhara rushed forward, his blade thrusting at Kasen with unbelievable speed.
"Blast spell sixty-three! Raikōhō!" Kasen yelled desperately, extending his hands.
A wave of red energy burst forward, exploding on Uruhara and enveloping him in a thick cloud of smoke.
As the smoke cleared, Uruhara was seen holding his cane sword, a red barrier in front of him.
The cane sword had changed in form, its blade having grown thicker and the handle having transformed into a straight hilt that tapered off into a diagonal end after the length of about two handbreadths. It had no traditional guard, but there was a loop of metal that had three hoop-like protrusions that faced the back of Kisuke's hand. A tassel hung from the back of its hilt, and there was a band of triangles that fluttered from it.
"Incredible!" Kisuke said cheerfully, reversing his blade and returning it to its cane, the blade returning to the normal cane shape and the red barrier vanishing.
"I would expect no less from the former captain of the tenth division."
Kasen brought his blade along his scabbard, using it as a guide to sheathe his weapon.
"So, was there any other reason you wished to see me than to beat me with an inch of my life?" Kasen asked, a bit archly.
Uruhara's eyes flashed and his face became slightly less amused.
"As a matter of fact, there is."
Uruhara adjusted his hat and pointed his cane at the ground.
"Binding Spell number 86, Heavenly Gate!" he said, the ground opening and a circle of light appearing in the middle of the floor.
Kasen watched impassively as the light took shape, revealing a lithe purple-haired woman with dark skin lounging on a bunch of cushions inside what appeared to be a traditional Japanese home, complete with paper doors and bamboo mats. Her chest was bound with bandages, and she was wearing a pair of loose black pants, a bowl of chocolates next to her.
She looked forward, and an annoyed expression flickered across her face. In the next instant the bowl of chocolates came sailing through the gate, hitting Uruhara in the face and knocking him backwards.
"Dammit Kisuke! I told you to warn me before doing this!" she yelled, her fang-like canines barred menacingly.
"Sorry, sorry," he said in a cheerfully apologetic manner, rubbing his head. "But I've someone here who should probably be advised on the situation."
"It's been awhile, Shihouin-sama," Kasen said respectfully, bowing.
Almost immediately a pillow came sailing through the gate, striking Kasen's face.
"It's Yoruichi! Yoruichi!" she said with an exasperated sigh.
"Forgive me, Yoruichi-sama," Kasen said, bowing again.
Yoruichi sighed loudly.
"Oh well, now is not the time, I suppose. Anyway, I'm in the Soul Society at the moment, as I'm sure you've gathered."
Kasen nodded silently.
"A few days ago, it was revealed that a massive chain of events was orchestrated by Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Kaname Tousen in an effort to obtain the Hōgyoku. While their original plan did not succeed in its entirety, the Chamber of 46 now lies dead, slain at Aizen's own hands, and he has taken possession of the Hōgyoku and retreated to Hueco Mundo, the Hollow World."
Kasen's eyes widened, and his hands began to shake violently.
"The Hōgyoku?" he asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
Yoruichi nodded gravely.
"Yes. The item that could very well destroy us all."