One cannot improve without varying the challenges one must place on themselves. It was this principle that Arata and the Visoreds decided for the best that Ichigo go against more of the Visoreds than just himself and Hiyori.
The Heathmoor-born's eyes darted about as Ichigo and Shinji crossed swords. The teen's reaction time after donning his mask was ever slowly improving and it brought Arata a sense of pride he had not felt before. As the two stopped to rest, he could only stew on the feeling.
'This must have been what Sakura felt when she was training me.'
"Ouch, that hurts" The sudden arrival of Orihime's spiritual pressure alerted Arata. He turned to see Hiyori had returned with the auburn-haired teenager.
"Hey Hachi, I brought the one you wanted." Hiyori called out.
"Orihime?" Ichigo voiced in confusion to her sudden appearance.
"Alright Ichigo, your break is over."
"Hey, wait! Hold on a second. What do you want with-"
He did not finish the sentence as the small Visored sandal-slapped him into a large piece of rock.
'That reeks of all kinds of disrespect.' Arata thought. He had to give the girl credit though; she knew how to hit. He still remembered when she took a piece out of his mask.
Infuriated, Ichigo engaged in heated combat with the red gremlin. While he did that, Arata took a more calm alternative, subtly moving closer to Orihime as Hachi did. He had no doubt the man would not bring any bodily harm to the girl; rather, he was... curious as to what his business was with her.
Orihime gazed up as a large shadow was casted over her and there she saw Hachi's large and imposing figure. She was put off at first, but the juxtaposition of Hachi's soft voice and large anatomy soothed her.
"Hachi is only a nick name. My real name is Hachigen Ushoda. Nice to meet you" he introduced himself.
"Uhh... it's nice to meet you." Orihime replied back. The rotund man was so large that even when he sat he still towered over the girl. And when he began to study her, it made her even more confused. "Um, so... what was it that you wanted to see me about?"
The pink-haired gentleman's response was to lightly pinch her head with a hand that could easily crush her. Arata, for a split second, darted closer to them, but stopped as he reminded himself who Hachi was.
After some momentary panic from Arata and Orihime, Hachi finished his analysis of the object of his curiosity. "Just as I thought: these hairpins are the real form of your power. They're like a zanpakuto. This is truly rare." His statement left the girl in his grip paused. "But this one is chipped. I've been quite curious about it ever since you came here earlier to speak with Ichigo."
"Yes, but I'm afraid I can't fix it because apart of it was shattered." she told him.
This brought Arata to a pause. That didn't quite make sense. With her level of reiatsu and power to heal almost everything, couldn't she mend the damage herself? She did fine healing him and others. Why should the hairpins be any different?
"Well, would you like me to fix it for you?"
The happy gasp that left the girl could be heard despite the distance between them and Arata. "What?! Can you really do that?!"
"Why, of course."
"Oh goody!" cheered Orihime. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"It's nothing, really."
Nothing? Returning someone's power to its former glory was not like passing the soy sauce. Arata lightly nodded in approval.
Hachi then proceeded to heal the broken hair pin using a barrier similar to Orihime's. He then went on to explain what Arata had thought earlier about Orihime's abilities to self repair, further proving her capabilities.
He did find the little sprite connected to Orihime's powers most peculiar. He had met the other little spirits beforehand and thought they fitted the girl and her soul perfectly. Tsubaki was... a surprise to say the least. Perhaps he was personification of all her aggression? Maybe now her attack power could prove deadly, but Arata had a fair amount of doubt. The girl wasn't a fighter. Even Hachi suggested she should stand back from the fighting.
But her compassion and determination were another story. And it was because of these strong attributes that made her want to join the battle despite her shortcomings. She had this kindness in her that refused to see her friends hurt, and refused to see herself just stand by and watch.
It was this same girl who believed in him; who placed her trust in him.
"Arata?"
"Hmm?" He was so lost in thought he hadn't noticed the girl walk to his side.
"Look!" she smiled as she pointed to her fixed hairpin. "Tsubaki's back in shape! Maybe now I can one-shot pesky hollows by myself."
"That's good. But try not to overinflate that ego of yours."
"Sorry, sorry." chuckled Orihime as she scratched the back of her head. "But I'm really glad. I don't want to be a burden to everyone else because I'm weak."
"Being weak is not something to be ashamed about. Staying weak is another story."
"I couldn't agree more! That's why me and Rukia are gonna train in the Soul Society."
Arata simply nodded in approval. He liked that she was taking the advice given to her by himself and Rangiku to heart.
"...What about you? How are you holding up?" the teen girl then asked.
"I'm fine."
He said it as he did any other word, but the responded quick to her question. This was due to the fact he knew what she was referring to - their argument.
It almost disheartened her at how he dismissed her so quickly. But she found the resolve to keep going. This was not going to be like their last falling out. If she was to become stronger, this too had to be an area she had to grow in, her self-confidence and ability to speak her mind.
At least that was the goal.
"Arata, I know what I said upset you, but that wasn't why I said them. I-"
"I said I'm fine, woman." He turned his full body to face her. "Look, you have school in the morning and training to do with Rukia. You need your rest. Me and Ichigo still have a few rounds we need to do."
She was only growing to be more confident in herself, which was why she relented to his words. She sorrowfully sighed. She moved several steps in the direction of the stairs and stopped. She turned back to Arata and said, "I still stand by what I said. I think you're a good person, Arata. The fact you're here with Ichigo is proof of that. So please... don't forget that, okay?"
He watched her go as she ascended the steps. He hadn't realized it, but his hands were trembling ever so slightly. "What a stubborn woman..."
In Arata's inner world...
"What a stubborn man." Hitokiri growled as sat inside the cabin in the ethereal space of Arata's soul.
He was hurting himself; and the worst part of it all was that he didn't even know it. He clearly thought he didn't need anyone, that he can handle life without any companionship, but she knew better. Arata valued the people in his life more than he wanted to admit, but his pride and self-image of himself as a hitokiri was standing in his way.
That was why she liked Orihime and Ichigo so much. While most would think they figured Arata out as nothing more than a killing machine, those two took the time and effort to look deeper. They did not simply see an executioner of the sinful; they saw a caring man. And from how others interacted with him, like Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Unohana, they suspected as much, too.
There were things Arata didn't know about himself, things only she knew. And there were things he wanted to forget. It was crushing to see her master create distant between the people he genuinely cared for; people he wanted to connect with.
A light sound entered Hitokiri's ears. It was soft and crackling, something she had heard before. Not personally, but through Arata.
She exited the cabin and there in the distance, standing in bold contrast to the grey and black dead trees was a lone tree blazing in orange and yellow fire.
The laws of nature don't work the same in a soul reaper's inner world. The surrounding trees weren't even fazed by the nearby flame, but Hitokiri had a sinking suspicion that was going to change.
In the World of the Living...
"Goddamn do they not hold back..."
Ichigo understood the importance of taking breaks between workouts. The same principle applies here as he took a walk out of the Visored's headquarters. He appreciated them and Arata's efforts to train him, but he needed some alone time to think.
The news of Aizen's plan was definitely a surprise despite his unenthused reaction. But now that he was thinking about it, he understood more than ever how much he needed to improve. Otherwise, all that he loves will be destroyed.
But that begged a certain question: can he really take a life? Hollows weren't a problem. They are essentially monsters now and the best he could do for them was to pacify their souls and send them to the Soul Society. But if the opportunity came, would he be able to take Aizen's, or Sakura's, or even Grimmjow's life?
They all threatened the people he wants to protect, and he was ready and willing to fight to the end for those same people, but can he really cross the same line Arata has crossed numerous times? He did not want to. It unnerved him how Arata saw life, his own and a select few, as dispensable as trash. If killing a single person allowed him to see into that abyss, if only slightly, he hoped push wouldn't come to shove.
But that wasn't something he could control. He would just have to wait and react to whatever came to the best of his abilities.
The teen sighed. "I swear, Arata's got me thinkin' stuff I don't want."
He stopped at a vending machine and he bought some water. The street was empty, so every little sound was more pronounced. He heard faint footsteps to his left, but he wasn't worried. He didn't sense any spiritual pressure and he could handle any normal human.
When he turned to take a glance, he stopped to look for another moment. Firstly, it was a woman. She was shorter than him at 5'5. She had black hair, but it was shaved off completely. Her eyes were a soft-looking pale pink with bags underneath. Her body was fit with a modest chest size and her skin was nearly flawless if it wasn't for her bags and a large scar across her chest, which looked oddly familiar.
She wore a pink sundress that reached her knees underneath a black leather jacket. The leather jacket had a red interior and a red hood attached, which she wore at the moment. On her legs she wore black nylon stockings with a vine design over it and on her feet were black combat boots.
Strange, Ichigo thought. He was getting a bad feeling from this chick. He couldn't place why she felt familiar. When he saw she was about a couple feet away, arms crossed over her chest with a smirk on her lips, he realized he was starring and apologized. "Sorry. You caught me off guard." He waved her goodbye and turned to leave.
"You know, I should charge you for staring so hard. I don't mind though, so I'll let it pass."
He knew that voice. He heard just a couple days ago. He snapped back to her to find her standing just an inch from him, and Ichigo froze.
"Sakura." Ichigo sneered down at her. "Why are you here?"
Sakura noted the hostility and underlining fear in the boy and chuckled. "In this particular street? For some ice tea." She separated herself from Ichigo and went to the vending machine. A surge in spiritual pressure told Sakura Ichigo popped into his soul reaper form. Just as a plastic bottle was being pushed out of its isle, the orangette teen pointed his sword at her. "Oh hush you." Sakura laughed. "I'm not here to fight. Honest."
"You know your word means means crap to me, right?"
"I'm sure it does, but do you really have the heart to strike down a defenseless woman who won't even raise a finger against you?"
Both of them knew how ironic "defenseless" was in regards to her. Ichigo gripped his sword even tighter. Sakura was practically defenseless, her reiatsu greatly dampened thanks to the gigai she was in. If he acted quick, he could put a stop to her and her ever-looming cloud of danger. Permanently.
Sakura leaned against the glass of the vending machine as she popped open the bottle of ice tea. Ichigo didn't know if she was mocking him or if she really did not mind dying in this moment. Just like Arata.
Would Arata be angry if he did follow through? Surely he would. This was his sister, the person who raised him when he was alone. And vulnerable.
For a moment, Ichigo couldn't help but feel a pang of anger at the woman before him for turning a lonely, innocent child into the man he is today. Children usually emulate their parents or guardians, and if Sakura was all he had, then it's safe to assume that much of his personality was shaped by her. Much of Arata's actions were his own, but this woman was twisted and twisted Arata in turn.
But even with that also in mind, he still lowered his sword. Even knowing how dangerous she was to others, he still went back inside his mortal body. He just couldn't do it. It was against his nature to kill someone who wouldn't fight back.
He released a shaky sigh. "I feel like I'm gonna regret this."
"Perhaps, but so long as you learn to cope and live with those regrets, it's fine to have a list of them."
"Thanks for the sagely advice." he sarcastically said.
"Anytime!" The hitokiri moved to sit at a nearby bench. She patted the spot beside her. Ichigo got the message and reluctantly complied. He still did not know her intentions. Best he play along lest he somehow triggered her.
"You still didn't tell me why you're here." Ichigo reminded her.
"Just exploring."
"Really?" he said skeptically.
"Really." She looked to him and grinned. "Oh, did you think I was on some mission for Aizen or some other nefarious plot?"
"Again, why should I believe you?"
She waved a flippant hand in reply. "Go ahead and get a migraine trying to figure out what other dastardly plot I have other than pig out at local izakayas."
His solemn expression folded into a deadpan face. "That's seriously why you came here?"
She downed the rest of her drink and threw it into a nearby recycling bin. "Anticlimactic, huh? Oh fine. I suppose I also came here to check up on you." She leaned back on the bench. "You've been training hard. I can tell from when you transformed. You're on your way to matching - maybe even surpassing - Grimmjow."
With the progress he has made, he's must have.
Sakura continued. "Give it more time, and you might match up to me. So don't stop growing, okay?"
Ichigo softly scoffed. "Like I need to be reminded."
"There is a lot riding on this war, Ichigo. You know, death to all you love, destruction of your hometown, the linchpin of the three realms dead, all that jazz." she said so flippantly.
"I already know your boss wants to harvest my hometown for a palace key so tell me something I don't know."
The hitokiri smiled. "Alright then, let me ask you this: do you know where Arata and I hail from?" Sakura then said.
Ichigo kept his ears open, but it was that question that truly garnered his full attention. "Why do you ask?"
"My dear otouto seems to favor you a great deal." She had seen it when Ichigo and Grimmjow battled, how he looked ready to jump in at a moments notice. That Inoue girl was also someone of import to her Arata as she recalled from Ulquiorra's memories; he practically dashed to her rescue. "I had assumed that would also mean he trusts you enough to divulge his origins... but that's not the case, is it?"
Ichigo looked away, which confirmed Sakura's thoughts. He was still left completely in the dark. And for a part of him, that pained him. He trusts Arata and told so much about himself and his past, yet the hitokiri hadn't found his own trust for him to do the same.
"I don't mind telling, you know."
If there was one thing Ichigo trusted, it was his own intuition. And his intuition was telling him that despite having his doubts, Sakura was being forward with him. Maybe not completely honest to the point of spilling everything she knew about Aizen or whatnot, but enough to give him the answers he wanted. Answers to questions he asked Arata, only to receive vague explanations.
"...No need."
Sakura quirked an eyebrow. "Really? This is a golden opportunity, you know. Me and Arata may have been separated for a decade, but I still know a lot of juicy tid-bits." she said with a Cheshire cat grin. "Like the time I caught him making out with a girl when he was fourteen. You sure you don't wanna hear that story?"
The mental image of some random girl and a young Arata popped in his mind. There the girl had her lips pressed against the mouth of Arata's mask, snaking her tongue in through the hole to give Arata an awkward French smooching.
Ichigo shivered, immediately regretting conjuring up the scene. It was times like this where the human imagination was a terrible sin.
He shook his head free of those thoughts. "Look: it's true I want Arata to open up to me, but he's not entitled to just 'cause I want to know." he said sternly. "If I want to be told of Arata's origin, then it will need to be from Arata himself." The man must also have his own reasons for keeping it under wraps. He can respect that so long as that secret doesn't bring harm to others.
The smile on Sakura's face softened. "What a noble heart." she commented. His heart extended even to someone like Arata. That made matters easier then. She got up and dusted her dress off before reaching into her pocket. She pulled out a silver key with one end enlarged into a circle with a five-petaled flower hole and the other end as small cross design meant for a lock. "Here. take it."
With hesitance, Ichigo took the key and studied the mysterious thing. It contained the smallest trances of reishi, so small even the most observant spiritually enhanced individual could barely notice. He creased his forehead.
"And before you ask, no, it has nothing to do with Aizen. It's something from my old family home."
"What's your game here? Why would I want this?" Ichigo questioned.
Sakura then leaned in, taking his head softly in her hands. The invasion of his personal space made Ichigo jerk back, but Sakura kept her soft but firm hold. "I like you, Ichigo Kurosaki. You remind so much of my old home in just your determination, yet you are a diamond in the rough. I have seen many warriors falter in the face of death or even great obstacles, but not you. You are some someone who defies the impossible; who screams his defiance at death." She leaned her face even closer. "And in the face of overwhelming power, you do not despair; your will to fight actually strengthens! That is why I gift you this. Think of it as a token of my admiration of you."
The teen had to admit it felt... good to hear Sakura praise him. Having his power and drive acknowledged by her, a woman of great power, meant he was on the right track. "Wouldn't this be useless on me though? Why would I want something from your family?" Ichigo responded back.
"Oh, I couldn't care less." she stated bluntly. Ichigo couldn't help but feel she didn't harbor any emotional attachment to her blood family. "But hey, if you find yourself there, try to find the box the key is for. You'll find a pretty souvenir!"
"Okay... even if I wanted to find this village, I don't know where it is."
"Oh you'll know when you're near it. Mysterious talk surrounds this old dead village of mine."
A sense of unease bubbled in him when she said that, as well as many more questions. Was she responsible for the destruction of this village? It was not outside the realm of possibilities. "I thought you said you'd be shooting straight with me. The hell's with the riddle?"
"Well, I can't make it too easy, can I?" Sakura laughed. "Besides, the answer is fairly easy to uncover. It's in the 'riddle' itself. Just promise me you won't lose it, okay?"
He had no idea what she was plotting, but from everything she had said, this had nothing to do with the current conflict. At least not right now. He pocketed the small key as Sakura relinquished her hold and looked on, satisfied with this turn of events.
He stared back at Sakura. She really was quite pretty. Her extra features like her shaved head just made her all the more unique. She looked like a punk rocker now that he thought about it.
Why hadn't he figured it was her sooner? The scar wasn't small by any means. It was large, marring what was once peerless skin. 'I guess most of my attention was on her mask. Kinda like Arata.'
"You're starring again." grinned Sakura. "Am I your type, is that it?"
Ichigo blushed. "I... well..." he stammered for a moment before gathering himself. "Why aren't you wearing your mask?"
"Because I'm in a gigai?" She answered. The way she said it made him look dumb. Ichigo rolled his eyes.
"No, I mean, Arata always wears his mask even outside battle. He gets pissed if someone sees his face. I just thought he got that from you." Ichigo said.
Her eyes widen. The substitute could see she was surprised by what he said. "Is that how he is now?" she rhetorically asked.
'So this was something Arata developed on his own?' hypothesized the teen.
The quinto softly huffed. "Huh? Can't say I'm happy about that change. Kinda disappointed actually." A loud growl erupted from the hitokiri's gut and she laughed. "Well, nature calls! Care to join me?" she then asked.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I gotta get going anyway." He rather wanted to leave her company if he was being entirely honest. She just gave him a lot to think about and he rather be headbutting Hiyori than stay with this weird amalgamation of Kenpachi and Yoruichi. "You still haven't answered my question."
"The answer isn't so extravagant, you know."
"Humor me." Like how he had since she came here.
Sakura smiled. It was different from the rest she gave him the entire time. It was warm, as if she recalled fond memories. It wasn't amused, sadistic, or teasing. It was entirely derived from experience and happiness.
"With or without the mask, I'm still Sakura the Hitokiri." She turned and left the boy to his own devices. "Bye bye, Ichigo!"
Later...
Besides Ichigo, Kensei was his second favorite sparring partner out of all the Visoreds. His close range fighting style kept him on edge and he knew how to use more of his body than just his sword - or trench knife in his case.
Donned in his hockey mask of a hollow mask, the silver-haired combatant ducked under one of his sweeping blows and scraped the skin under his right pec. Though fabric was shredded, his skin and Kensei's knife lit sparks and no blood.
His knife was faster than Arata's axe, another reason for why he like fighting Kensei. The former captain's fist landed flat on the white circle center. Arata pushed him off before landing a roundhouse at his side. The strength of the kick dazed and sent Kensei off to the side, but he stayed grounded. The two flashstepped, appearing midway and kicked, their shins smacking against each other with enough force to make a small crater below them.
Kensei's mask dissolved then and he decided to call it in for the night. "I was hoping to get a few more rounds in. Very well then." Arata said.
"That guy's a freakin' machine, I swear." Kensei muttered.
"I thought you wanted to 'humble the rookie' a bit more?" Mashiro interjected. Her sudden appearance was no surprise to the man, who served as her captain before their exile.
Kensei's frustrations showed as his brow dipped. Arata and Ichigo were progressing faster than any soul reaper he has even known. Those two were practically prodigies in battle and the both of them just walked in here like they owned the place, as if they didn't respect their age or power. He and the rest knew deep down that wasn't the case, but he still couldn't shake the annoyance that these two individuals - less than half a century old - were able to match up to lieutenants and even captains.
Ichigo he could handle, especially since he was still growing. But Arata? It was as if he was born for battle.
Arata was rolling his neck when he heard footsteps descend down the stairs. He looked to see Ichigo. When the teen got on even floor, he made a beeline for Arata. The constant scowl that always was donned by the boy seemed heavier this time around. "We need to talk."
The two separated from the Visoreds, going up the abandoned interior of the warehouse. There Ichigo retold his time with Sakura. Mostly the important bits. He did not need to be reminded of Arata's youth.
Arata paused when he saw the key. Sakura had shown him this before. It was something she held onto from her time before becoming a hitokiri, which was why it confused him at first why she gave this to Ichigo in the first place.
Then again, from what she has told him, she has never held her blood family in the highest regard.
"You think it's a trick? To be honest, I didn't feel like she was lyin', but she could have-"
"Sakura doesn't lie. If she said it's a gift, it's a gift." Arata firmly stated.
"But what if she was?" Ichigo retorted. "You and her haven't seen each other in 10 years. People can change in that amount of time."
Arata didn't agree. Not in Sakura's case, that is. "Look," Arata softly sighed. "I know her. Better than anyone who has ever lived. I've lived with her, trained with her, brought up by her. I know her patterns of behavior and this is simply a sign of respect. She doesn't gift people unless they're someone of significance to her."
"But why would she give me something passed down from her family?"
"She doesn't like her family." Arata bluntly stated. "I'm not saying anymore on that matter." He, of course, knew the origins of Sakura, but that information was reserved for a privileged few.
It was uncommon for Arata to be so hyperbolic. Either Sakura was that good of a manipulator, or she really told the truth majority of the time. Arata seemed to think the latter.
He trusted what was in Arata's heart, and hearing him defend his nee-chan to this high of a degree supplied him relief that she was giving it to him straight; yet he still could shake the feeling that there was more.
Maybe he was just being paranoid. 'Whatever' he eventually thought. He'll take Arata at his word. 'This key doesn't seem to fit into Aizen's plan anyway, so I'll let slide for now.'
But despite acquiescing to Arata's assurances, Arata still saw the deepened frown, albeit softer then before. "You have something to ask?"
Ichigo shook his head. "Nah, it's nothing."
"If it's 'nothing', you would not look like so... constipated."
Ichigo stared at him for that. "You know, you're surprisingly empathetic for being an executioner."
In battle, you needed to be observant - of enemy movements and mental states - to fight effectively. "I would use the term observant. Just speak your piece."
"It's nothing, alright?" Ichigo said, the annoyance in his voice rising. "I'm just-... curious on something Sakura said. Other than this key..." he said as he pocketed the key.
"...You wish to know where me and her come from."
Yep. Of course he got it. And it wasn't like he was trying to hide it either. Of course he wanted to know about the guy who he placed his trust in; the guy who has been there training him on his hollow mask since he joined the Visoreds.
"I get it, ya know?" Ichigo started. "You've got your secrets and I got mine. I'm fine with how things are between us." And he really was. He didn't know everything about the executioner, but when you fight someone for some time, you get a sense of their heart. You didn't need to know their past for that. With that in mind, he was satisfied until Arata was ready.
Arata could feel the boy was serious in his statement. He understood where he was coming from. Anyone would be curious if you kept your past under wraps. Usually that was a red flag to something more sinister, pushing anyone to press for more information; but that was not Ichigo's style.
He had his doubts about how much Ichigo actually trusted him, but the boy seemed sincere about that claim. But what of Arata?
Oh for sure he trusted his abilities. Ichigo was a strong and capable fighter with so much room for growth. Arata was certain that even without his unexpected appearance, the boy would have gone far. His personality was also something he trusted. He had seen many hide behind a façade of goodness for their own gain, vailing their moral corruption; but Ichigo was not one of them. He wasn't as cheerful or open as Orihime, but he was just as genuine with his thoughts and morals. When he says he will protect his loved ones, Arata doesn't scoff and think something is afoot - he actually believes him.
His strength of will, his strength of character, and his strength of body were all things he knew were true. It was not everyday Arata found someone like this. He respects him.
Yes, Arata finally thought. Yes he did trust Ichigo Kurosaki.
'Huh... this is strange.' His heart pounded more when he realized how much faith he placed in the boy. It was almost as much as when he told Orihime about his origins.
Arata looked at him and sighed, though it felt more artificial than any he did before. "You most likely have your doubts about Sakura." He sat down and leaned back on a stone column. He beckoned Ichigo to join him and he did. "As you know, I was a runaway. A street rat. I did what I had to in order to survive. I stole, I lied, and I ran. Constantly ran."
Ichigo counted himself lucky as Arata reminded him of this portion of his past. His dad was a mess after his mom died, but he eventually pulled himself back and became what his children needed. He still had his family and friends to fall back on. He felt loved and wanted, but Arata didn't, compelling him to run away. He had nothing but the clothes on his back. Ichigo couldn't imagine the fear and loneliness that must have brought.
Arata continued. "All that drove me was the need to survive. I had nothing to live for other than to maintain my existence. That sort of mentality can drive people into doing... less than ideal choices."
"Where did they lead you?"
"To pickpocketing Sakura the Hitokiri. The one and only matron of death." He could still remember the day: he, a disenfranchised six year old, walking behind the matron of death herself and stole a pouch of steel coins as she conversed with a blacksmith about sharpening her blade.
At the time, he had only heard rumors of her, of how she would kill at even the smallest infraction. She crossed lines others wouldn't dare to cross. Dismembering limbs as punishment for interrupting her work; torturing criminals to their breaking point and then killing them; even hurting children if they crossed her.
Just about anything to satisfy her bloodlust.
"I knew the moment she corned me I was done for. I was afraid; I didn't want to die. But... contrary to what I knew... she offered me a choice: train under her and have a roof over my head, or continue my life as an orphan. Me, an thief who had just stole her." Arata said to the surprise of Ichigo. "She laid it all bare. She promised to make me stronger, provide for me, and so much more she didn't say."
"...She loves you, doesn't she?"
If the hugs and kisses were any indication, absolutely. Arata nodded. He knew for certain Sakura's feeling for him. He was her... not the first, but she saw him as a brother nonetheless. "She does. And she fulfilled everything she ever said. I became stronger, and I became loved. So believe me when I say that Sakura. Doesn't. Lie."
"Wow. She loves you." he parroted in a hushed voice. Guess there was more beneath the surface than he thought. Sakura was more human then he originally thought, something he should have picked up from how laid back she was. Still didn't mean he liked her. Now he knew for certain she would target his loved ones if he didn't meet her expectations, however high they may be. He appreciated a person of honesty, but when you know how serious they can be - especially with their threats and promises - it only made them look all the more capable. And deadly.
"Yes... and that is why I ask that you do not think too hard on this key. It is a gift, perhaps something that will work in your favor. Somehow."
Ichigo chuckled, his feeling now mixed about the quinto espada. "Alright, you got me. I believe her. You happy now?"
"Satisfied."
"I appreciate you sharing this with me." Other than the time Arata spoke of his mother, this was the second time he had shown vulnerability to him. "Kinda makes me curious what other stories you have."
At that moment, a small voice whispered in Arata's ear. It wasn't Hitokiri's. It sounded like him, but it was unlike him. It was whispering for him to do it; to tell Ichigo more of his life. Like the time he got his tattoos, or time he helped Shinobu sneak into a fortress and only killed their target, or even about his growing fondness for manga.
Arata immediately shot down those incessant thoughts. Ichigo didn't need to know more than what was needed. There was no use in letting him know insignificant details about him. He had with Orihime and look where that has got him.
Ichigo said it himself. He was fine with how things are. So was Arata. He didn't need to decorate the bridge they had built like he did with Orihime. It was functional and sturdy. That was all they needed.
The substitute soul reaper caught the silence from the hitokiri and nodded in acceptance. "I'm gonna hit the sack. After everything I've heard tonight, I need a breather." Ichigo stood, but before he left, he lightly slapped Arata's shoulder to catch his attention. "You know you can talk to me anytime, you know."
"I'm fine. We have a lot of work to do in the coming days. Go to sleep, boy."
Ichigo sighed. "Alright... see you in the morning."
The hints of disappointment were not lost on Arata as he watched the boy go, but chose to let it go. Everything was fine. Their relationship was fine. There was nothing wrong with how things are between them.
Hitokiri said nothing as she witnessed another tree light on fire.
Elsewhere...
Sakura greedily slurped ramen noodles into her mouth. The act was not quiet, but there was very few people left in the ramen joint she was visiting.
She was very content with how the night had gone. Granted, she could've had company in the form of either Arata and/or Ichigo, but she realized she didn't want to distract them any further from their training. And she valued her alone time away from Tesra and Nnoitra. She loved the former quinto with all her heart, but she rather not agitate his beaten form given they trained before she left.
"You're not supposed to be here."
She sensed his spiritual pressure the moment he came to Karakura. She looked up and smiled at the neutral expression the cuatro espada never dropped. He stood in stark contrast in the warm interior of the restaurant, but the contrast was lost on everyone present but her. He loomed beside her table like a haunting ghost, but Sakura paid him the same mind as she did her waitress.
"I assume you're here on business, Ulquiorra?" Sakura questioned.
The arrancar didn't bother with a reply. "Lord Aizen did not say you were to be here. I can only conclude you came here without his knowing."
Sakura chuckled. "Oh, I'm pretty sure he does know, but couldn't care less. And why should he? I came to explore! And I guess a bit of recon."
"Explain."
"Ichigo Kurosaki is progressing at a brisk pace. We didn't fight, but I did sense his spiritual pressure. It's stronger than it was before. I predict he may equal Grimmjow by next month."
That wasn't a surprise. Of course the boy would train after all the events that have unfolded.
"What about you?" Sakura asked again. "I assume Aizen put you up to something. I felt your presence at the park where you and Yammy last went."
"That information is none of your concern."
"Awwww! But we're teammates, aren't we? C'mon, tell me, tell me! It's something to do with what happened at the park, right? Were you looking into that Urahara fellow? What about Yoruichi Shihoin? Ichigo? Chad? My dear Arata?" Ulquiorra drowned out her talk as incessant babbling. The few patrons in the establishment avoided looking at Sakura, thinking she was insane. He had half a mind to pull her out of her seat before she said, "Oh... it's the girl, isn't it?" His steely gaze was locked on her, but Sakura could tell she hit the nail on the head. "Her powers are quite fascinating. No doubt our cool-as-a-cucumber leader already has plans for her."
'I will need to have a talk with her. Anytime can work, but it has to be before-'
"We are leaving - now." Ulquiorra's patience was nigh unshakable, but he rather not test fate and encounter any enemies. Especially when that was not his objective.
Ulquiorra moved to grab her, but she moved and used her table to separate her and him. "Lighten up, would you? It's not like Aizen is going anywhere." Sakura chuckled.
"I do not want to keep him waiting any longer."
"You're such a loyal soldier, you know that?" Sakura complimented. "But c'mon, don't you wanna live a little before you kick the bucket?"
"I live to serve Lord Aizen and his greater schemes. Everything else is trivial; a waste of time."
Sakura quickly finished her bowl and left her payment on the table. She walked out of the restaurant with Ulquiorra in tow. "So you're saying none of this catches your fancy? Not even a little bit?" She gestured to the lively streets of downtown Karakura. She and Ulquiorra gazed at the neon lights and drunkards cackling like hyenas; at the girls wrapping their arms around the arms of men; at the young adults dancing without music. Children sped ahead of their parents who had a mix of expressions, that of joy and exhaustion. When the kids returned to embrace their mothers and fathers, anyone can see they looked up to them.
"All I see is foolishness. Why would they drink copious amounts of alcohol when it can only lead to hangovers and diseases? Why would those couple copulate when reproduction is not their purpose? Why waste time and resources on useless extravagance?"
"You don't see the happiness these people feel? The joy they feel just being in the company of their friends and family? What about the primal lust as they stare at their significant other? What about the unconditional love shared between child and parent?"
With a seriousness he always had, he responded, "No, I do not." He then pointed to a homeless beggar as he huddled inside a cardboard box. "I see no point in that man trying to prolong his pitiful existence, for instance. He is trash. Other people deem him as trash. Why does he even bother?"
Sakura shrugged. "Perhaps his will to survive is strong. Perhaps his desire to live a better life is tremendous."
"Will, desire, happiness, lust, love... all of these emotion are merely constructs humans created to explain their lunacy. They hold no real meaning, yet they cling to them so tightly." The two walked through the people-filled streets until Sakura dipped into an alleyway. "If it cannot be seen, it has no value. These emotion do not exist."
"What a pragmatic viewpoint!" Sakura laughed when he said that. "You know... you're a smart person, Ulquiorra. You can see a lot of things and how they work." she first complimented, but she quickly turned and said, "Yet you're cold and callous. So much so you cannot even comprehend the heart and the feelings it brings. Even the lowest of society can comprehend this aspect of humanity."
The marble-skinned espada was not so full of vanity unlike most of the Espada. His pride was jabbed by Sakura's remark, but he did not feel offended. But it do something. Curious maybe? "Are we going to leave, or do you prefer I drag you back kicking and screaming?" He had enough of Sakura wasting time when he had more important duties to fulfill.
She acted so quick Ulquiorra was caught off guard, which was a rarity. The quinto pulled out of her gigai and rushed him. She slammed him against the back wall and strangled his neck in her vice grip, which only tightened as seconds passed. "Oh, Ulquiorra... don't threaten me with a good time." she ominously laughed.
For a split second, the male espada though he would have to fight for his life. That is until Sakura decided to let him go. She grabbed her gigai in one hand and opened a garganta. "You know, despite what I said, I don't abhor you, Ulquiorra; I find you rather alluring, actually. Come and spar with me when you have the time, 'kay?" She hoped into the black portal and headed back to Las Noches. She can always come back to Karakura. It's not like the place was going anywhere.
Ulquiorra brought a hand to the side of his neck. A dull pain radiated at his touch and only worsened and spread out the more he placed pressure. "She... hurt me." he dumbly stated.
He followed suit after Sakura and noted to observe her more in the future.
1.) Omake: Honored Warriors Illustrated Picture Book
The ramen joint wasn't the only place Sakura went to. Before Ulquiorra came, she visited a couple places, one of which a Mexican restaurant.
"So many choices! Which do I pick?" Sakura asked aloud. A dark-skinned teenager on the other table besides hers answered.
"I suggest the enchiladas. They're kinda spicy, thought." Chad suggest, He wanted to continue training with Urahara and Renji, but the two soul reapers told him to get something to eat.
"Why thank you."
The two ate in comfortable silence though Chad's mind was running. 'Why does she sound so familiar?' He chalked it up to stress and ignored it.
Sakura finished before him. She patted his back in thanks. "Thanks for the suggestion, Chad. Those enchiladas were phenomenal!"
Chad paused at the sound of his name. "How do you...?" Recognition finally caught up to him, and he dropped his fork in shock.
Sakura merely winked and headed out.
2.) Omake: Honored Warriors Illustrated Picture Book
Yoruichi walked into the shop in her cat form. She stopped when Arata walked out from the back.
"Hello Arata."
"Hey."
Their brief encounter ended when he walked out the door, no doubt to go back training at the Visoreds. Kisuke walked out and greeted Yoruichi, which was when she asked why Arata was here.
"Oh, he did a little favor for me."
"Which is...?"
Urahara showed her the pictures. One was Arata in a firefighter's outfit, but with the shirt missing and the jacket open. A firefighter's helmet and mask hid his face. The back ground showed a firetruck inside a fire station. The other was Arata with his original mask dressed in a black kimono with golden leaves set in a ryokan. The opening of the kimono, however, showed a good amount of Arata's chiseled chest.
"Took a lot of persuasion to get the mask off. Did not see his face though."
Yoruichi was more shocked than anything. "...Why?"
Kisuke hid his smirk behind a fan. "I wanted to make a calendar that attracted more... female clientele. And since Arata's a big and masculine man, I thought 'why not?'." he said. "You think it'll sell?"
She'll need to see more of the photos, but by the look of Arata in uniform... "Yes. I'm very confident you'll make a pretty penny." she said as she pawed the picture of firefighter Arata.
