A/N: This took a bit to write... But once I got the proper inspiration going on, it was surprisingly easy. I this chapter you'll have multiple characters narrating. Bit of a break from my usual style then.

Chapter 18: Hollow Bait

Mirai liked her new gigai. It didn't ache. It didn't get stuck. It didn't feel too tight. It fit her perfectly. Her father really knew his craft. And he had gotten it ready for her just in time to get back to school. As much as she'd enjoyed time spent with Urahara and the lessons he gave her, Mirai wanted to see her friends again and of course also find out how she'd done with the end of semester exams.

While she had been in contact with Tatsuki and Ichigo and some others, it just wasn't the same.

Ichigo was frustrated. He could tell Rukia was too. All past week Hollows had been popping up around Karakura and Rukia's denreishinki had alerted them about it. But whenever they got close enough to slay them, they found nothing. Only some plus souls shivering in fright in the aftermath.

So annoying. And he hadn't been able to ask Mirai to be an extra pair of eyes for him since she was confined at Shoten for lessons, gigai adjustments, make-up school work and general safety.

Well, he just had to deal.

Ichida Uryuu hated Shinigami. He had known for a long time that there was always one Shinigami posted at Karakura due how spiritually rich the area was but it didn't deter him from destroying a convenient hollow every now and then.

Then Kurosaki Ichigo happened.

The orange head was a delinquent. He was always in fights, usually with Sado Yasutora and Kotobuki Mirai accompanying him. The two were lesser nuisances but not beneath Ishida's notice. Especially Kotobuki.

Kurosaki had always had enormous reiatsu. Kotobuki always hung around him and had considerably high reiatsu too though she seemed to be skilled in concealing it. She ebbed in and out of Ishida's range, sometimes vanishing completely despite being right next to him. Mostly, she just remained hidden in Kurosaki's shadow.

But then one day there was an explosion of reiatsu and Kurosaki's reiraku ribbon turned red. And a new student – a near powerless Shinigami – appeared in their class. If that hadn't been enough, Kotobuki started avoiding her (obviously) best friend.

Several odd instances followed in the next two months. Ishida kept an eye on it afar… or quite near like with that imposter-Kurosaki. Kurosaki Ichigo was clumsy, reckless idiot who ran around Karakura slaying hollows while Kuchiki Rukia was his apparent encyclopedia on all matters spiritual. Meanwhile Kotobuki and Arisawa worked in damage control, diverting attention and the concealing abnormalities, especially from their classmates.

Ishida wanted all four of them gone, especially Kurosaki and Kuchiki.

After the Don Kanonji Show – and seeing just how idiotic the celebrity could be – Ishida decided to teach them a lesson. He admitted he might've fallen to being petty but the end justified the means. He'd show them how efficient he could be and how much better Quincies did things compared to Shinigami.

He'd show them he was better. He'd show Ryuuken he was the best and Ryuuken was wrong in denying his roots…

So, he shot his arrows and watched in satisfaction as Kurosaki and Kuchiki scrambled around.

"Mirai! You're back!" Naturally, Tatsuki was the first one to see her. Mirai waved and gave a sheepish grin. "Geez, you studied so much that you collapsed right after the exams. Such a nerd you are." The karateka teased as agreed with the convenient excuse.

"It was just some exhaustion and anemia. I wasn't taking that good care of myself." Mirai shrugged. "Is Kanzo-iro-kun in yet?"

"No. Probably will arrive together soon after some morning exercise." Meaning that there had been a hollow on the way to school that the two were chasing after.

"I see."

"How was your last week then?" Tatsuki asked with lower voice as Mirai settled down on her seat.

"Otou-san fixed me up alright. We got to talk a lot… And he taught me some tricks of the trade too."

"Oh? Can you tell me more?"

"Nah. It's better if you don't know." Urahara had been an assassin. His skills from those days weren't something to be advertised even if Mirai found his stealth techniques useful.

Students filed in to the classroom in groups or one by one. One the last moment before the bell rang, Ichigo and Rukia dashed in as well and slipped into their seats.

About mid-lesson, a folded paper made its way to Mirai's desk. It was written with tidy calligraphy and enquired about her father's location. That's right… Urahara had left yesterday morning to gather information and supplies with Tessai and thus closed the Shoten. Rukia probably had intended to ask him about denreishinki malfunctioning. But the final exam rankings were to be posted today. So tomorrow the whole Hollow Bait fiasco would happen.

Well, after that mess they could celebrate Ichigo and Tatsuki's birthdays finally. Dina and Kenji had been planning to have them held at the theater. Tatsuki's mother was helping and so were Yuzu and Karin.

Tenchou-san should return today. Sorry he's been out of reach.

Mirai wrote on the paper and sent it back to Rukia. Glancing behind, she saw the Shinigami noble nod at her in understanding after reading the note.

The results had been posted. It had happened yesterday evening, after the classes had given out so most students hadn't seen them yet. So now everyone were pushing and stumbling over each other in the haste of seeing how they did. Ichigo approached the lists after the worst rush was over and looked at the names listed. He had done quite well, especially considering that his studying time was cut due his Shinigami duties. 23rd rank was nothing to scoff at though Keigo's exaggerated reaction was a bit too much. Chad did good too, ranking 11th. Mirai in the other hand was just above him, 10th in rank.

Now… what was that Quincy jerk's name. The bastard had declared his hate at him yesterday for… no reason really? Just declared Shinigami unneeded and stated to hate all of them regardless of the person?

Ishida… Something?

"What about Ishida-kun?" Inoue asked him. Curse him for thinking aloud.

Okay. Apparently, Ishida was on their class, had scored first in the finals and was part of the handicraft club. Weird…

And considering the way he talked to… uh… Ogawa Michiru?... he was a jerk even in the face of gratitude. That wasn't even cool. Just cold. Cold and rude.

Time to do a confrontation of his own now. This guy was seriously pissing Ichigo off.

So… Rukia was at Shoten. Ichigo tailing Ishida. Chad leaving school to meet with his band mates. Tatsuki and Orihime and bunch of other guys still remaining for club activities… or cleaning duties.

Mirai weighted her school bag in her hand while weighting her own opinions in her mind.

On one hand… canon and awakening Chad and Orihime's powers. On other hand a lot of possible civilian casualties…

Okay… She should be able to intercept the two hotheads.

Mirai took off running. Following Ichigo's reiatsu was easy. Hiding in it was a second nature. Dampening her own reiatsu she'd taken like fish to water after her father's lessons. Good thing too, since Urahara had confiscated the bracelets. Mirai still felt a bit naked to walk around without them but that's what his lessons had been for. To help her feel safe and be safe.

Mirai arrived just in time to hear Ishida challenging Ichigo.

"Ooh, a challenge? Do tell me more." She grinned, the revenge seller mask on her face as she stepped on the street behind Ishida and was granted the glorious sight of the Quincy whirling around in surprise.

"K-Kotobuki?" Ishida asked with wide eyes before narrowing quickly and glaring at her. "What are you doing here? Bailing Kurosaki out of the trouble again?"

"Huh, sort of maybe… Mostly I'm here to see that you don't do anything monumentally stupid." Mirai waved a dismissive hand. "Like… challenge a short-range fighter to hunting competition that is liable to endanger the entire city."

"And what if I am?" Ishida gritted through his teeth. Ichigo's eyes widened at the insinuation of civilians coming to danger. Mirai shot the orange head a look that silenced him.

"Well, I don't really care one way or other would Kanzo-iro-kun win or lose…" She began lightly but then glared coldly at the Quincy, unfurling her reiatsu in the process and pressing onto him. "But I really can't forgive your flippant attitude in regards of every single resident of Karakura-cho that would be endangered by your games. Including but not limited to my adoptive parents and most if not all of my friends."

Ishida froze. This reiatsu… Kotobuki Mirai had always been hiding either behind Kurosaki's back or then concealed within her weird cloak so he had never gotten a proper read on her reiatsu but… She was strong. Stronger than what Kurosaki had been before becoming a Shinigami but much more controlled.

And her reiraku ribbon was white with two red stripes going through it, dividing it into five equally wide sections.

A Shinigami… but not.

"Surprised?" Kotobuki continued smiling coldly. "I'm a child of a Shinigami. I've never been to Soul Society and have lived my entire existence in Karakura. This is my home and I won't let you trample over it because some pride." She spat the last word with venom but her face didn't change. "I don't care what sort of beef do you have with Shinigami but you'd do well to leave Ichigo out of it because he is still human. He's got nothing to do with what happened two hundred years go."

Ishida glared right back.

"You know nothing!"

"I don't? My entire existence is an anomaly! If the higher ups in Seireitei got wind of me, I'd be slaughtered on the spot!"

What… What was she talking about? Didn't she claim earlier that she was a child of a Shinigami? Why would they kill one of their own?

No matter.

"If you think you're so special, why don't you prove it then." Ishida drew a hollow bait from his pocket.

"Are you insane or just deaf?!" Kotobuki shouted. "You'll endanger everyone!"

"I'll protect everyone." Ishida countered. "But if you prefer hiding… And Kurosaki prefers not to dirty his hands if Kuchiki doesn't tell him to…"

Shit… This wasn't how Mirai had intended things to go. Ishida was really pig-headed. And now he had managed to hit Ichigo's buttons.

"What did you say?" Ichigo asked.

Mirai moved.

She might've been inside her gigai still but Urahara's creation was the best there was. It withstood shunpo.

With a hit to Ishida's wrist and quick but delicate catch so the bait was out of his reach… she had caught the boy off-guard.

"No is no. Provoking is the lowest way to get what you want." Mirai declared, holding the bait aloft.

"Asagi… What exactly is that?" Ichigo asked warily, one hand at his pocket where he hand Kon's pill.

"A hollow bait. When it's crushed and scattered, hollows will gather to this town." Ishida replied. "It will last for 24 hours." And then he formed a reiatsu arrow that he stuck through the bait.

"Are you crazy?!" Ichigo screamed at the boy.

"Keep your morality to yourself! Worrying about other people is unnecessary! I will kill the gathered hollows without leaving a single survivor! You as well, if you have the confidence to protect people from hollows… You should be able to take on this challenge."

"Well, if anyone gets hurt because of you, I'm going to kill you!" Mirai shouted in the boy's face. Then she drew her leg back and kicked Ishida to the chest and pushing him to the ground. "You are disgusting in your attitude and sense of superiority. Your lone wolf act won't protect you long."

She whirled around and grabbed Ichigo's arm.

"Let's go Ichigo; we need to move quickly."

"Right."

Ichigo did not like this. He had never seen Mirai losing her cool or threatening anyone like that. He just knew that if they didn't leave now, she probably would pound Ishida to the ground and then there would be one less person to defend Karakura. He glanced at Ishida who got on his feet and dusted himself off before turning around with a scoff and shot an emerging hollow. And seemed to monologue some bullshit afterwards but Ichigo didn't pay any attention to it. Mirai needed him first.

"That… That self-obsessed bastard!" Mirai was growling while fiddling on her phone. They were a couple of blocks from Ishida. "I'm calling otou-san first, you call Shinbashi-san. I'll call then the hospital and you Tatsuki."

"Sure." Ichigo swallowed the Kon-pill.

"Yo, what's going on?" The mod soul asked.

"Go find Karin and Yuzu and protect them. Hollows are gathering in Karakura." Ichigo commanded him.

"Roger that." And Kon ran off. Meanwhile Mirai was ending the call.

"Rukia was with him. Shoten is aware of the situation and gearing up." The blonde said. "Once you're done with the calls, start hacking at Hollows."

"Understood." Ichigo nodded just when Shinbashi responded. "Oi, Shinbashi-san, an idiot classmate of mine broke a hollow bite. Can you get Bara-san and any other spiritually aware people you know warned and if capable, geared up and ready to do some extermination work?"

"Sure…" The female pervert drawled. "I'm stationed at the mall currently. Probably will remain here. I'll put the message out."

"Thank you."

Then Tatsuki.

"Tatsuki, are you still at school? Listen, Ishida broke something that attracts hollows. You and everyone else are in danger."

"Is that so? I'll grab Orihime then. She has been able to see ghosts since the Don Kanonji fiasco."

"She has? Shit…" Ichigo bit his lip. "Can you defend school?"

"Sure." There was an odd note in Tatsuki's voice. "There is something I need to test anyways."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"Good luck Ichigo. Your mobility will keep the streets safe." And Tatsuki hung up. Well, at least the message had been delivered.

"The director of the hospital has been alerted. He will protect the patients." Mirai spoke up. "Bara-san messaged me as well. He is at the theater, Kamenozoki-san is protecting dojo and some of their friends are divided between industrial district, shrine grounds and graveyards."

"Good to know." Ichigo decided not to question how Mirai had known the director of the hospital being spiritually strong enough to take the defenses. Urahara had probably educated her about every notable person within Karakura during the past week or so.

"Let's part now so we'll cover more ground." Mirai dug a spherical pendant from beneath her shirt and opened inside was a round pill.

"Is that a soul candy?"

"Yeah. Tenchou-san gave her to me. Ririn." She swallowed the pill and was expelled from her gigai. "Ugh, I'll never get used to that."

"Well, you should if you think of continuing to use me. That's just common sense." Ririn scoffed. A bit haughtier than Mirai but at least similar enough on surface that no one would question it. Unlike Ichigo's luck with Kon. Well, at least Kon was protective over Karin and Yuzu and had his serious moments as well.

"Please go to Shoten and help protecting any civilians you see."

"Sure. Easy-peasy."

"Thank you."

Ririn ran off. Mirai looked at Ichigo.

"See you, Kanzo-iro. Do your best."

"You too Asagi."

Mirai slashed Sazanami through a hollow's mask and followed the reiatsu trails onwards. Kon had found Yuzu and was guarding her at Kurosaki clinic. Karin had called Mirai and told about Sado fighting with a weird arm and passing out afterwards. The Visoreds were holding their positions covertly. The Shoten was readying first aid supplies while Rukia had ran off to search for Ichigo who in turn was at Karakura's old town.

"Damn… I really need some google maps tracking system for all reiatsu users…" She muttered, jumping over one hollow and then with a circular slash purifying it and the one following. She really needed to get back to school but the monsters were getting in her way, honing onto her own reiatsu. Well, Mirai wasn't exactly hiding herself, deliberately exposing herself so civilians would be left alone.

"Though this time both Tatsuki and Inoue-san are aware of the spiritual plane. They should stand a better chance." The blonde mused. Ducking a hit and swinging upwards to sever the offending limb. "Yes. I should have faith in them."

"Hinagiku, Baigon, Lily! Santen Kensshun! I Repel Thee!" Orihime commanded with Shun'ou's help. Triangular golden yellow shield sprung into existence before her, repelling the seeds that hollow had spat at her.

"Raitate!" Tatsuki's voice rang out then and an arch of lighting surrounded the two girls, warding off the hollow-infected student-puppets. "Sorry, Orihime. I underestimated this thing. And forgot my own power to be honest. I'm sorry it managed to catch me and hurt you."

"Tatsuki-chan!? You're still bleeding!" The orange haired girl exclaimed after glancing at her best friend who was now guarding her back. Tatsuki was bleeding heavily from where the seeds had sunk into her but the seeds itself were burnt, like by the lighting that danced on the karateka's form.

"It's nothing…" Tatsuki breathed heavily. "I can handle this."

"There is no need really." Shun-ou stated. "Ayame and I can help. Orihime, you just deployed the outer shield, now it's the time to use the inner shield. Like before, call our names and use the incantation."

"Shun'ou, Ayame! Souten Kisshun! I repel thee!" Orihime called out. The golden yellow from before enveloped Tatsuki, this time in a shape of a dome. The seeds disintegrated and Tatsuki's wounds healed.

"Huh… That's quite handy." Tatsuki mused, swaying a bit from the former blood loss. "Thank you Orihime."

"You're welcome, Tatsuki-chan." Orihime smiled through relieved tears.

"Oi, woman! No time for crying!" Tsubaki, the remaining member of the Shun Shun Rikka, cut in. "My turn. You've used outer shield and inner shield thus far. Now you'll use both sides of the shield. I break through the enemy, put up a shield inside and repel the combined substance. In short, I'll split the enemy in two!"

"I see…"

"Say it, woman. My name is Tsubaki!"

"Tsubaki! Koten Zansshun!" Orihime began. "I repel thee!"

The hollow was cut in two and thus banished to afterlife.

"Whoa…" Tatsuki stared at the vanishing remains of the hollow. "You did it Orihime… Orihi-…" She turned towards her friend… just in time to catch the brave girl passing out in exhaustion. The karateka stared at the other girl for a moment before sinking to the ground, Orihime's head pillowed on her thighs. "You did good… You were amazing today."

Personally, Tatsuki was disappointed in herself. She'd noticed that she could produce sparks a bit after Don Kanonji thing. It had been back then when she'd started to see things with greater clarity and had finally banished the dual memories from the night Inoue Sora's hollowed form had attacked her and Orihime.

She'd figured out she could generate lighting and had then started learning how to shape it. Current ran beneath Tatsuki's skin and she could bring it to surface. With a bit of pushing, she could extend it as a shield around her or gather it into her fist to enhance her attacks. Tatsuki had practiced with it. But when the real situation came… She'd forgotten. She'd regressed back to plain karate, probably because of winning the tournament in Tokyo. She'd gotten cocky and underestimated her enemy. At first it had just been possessed humans after all.

But then Chizuru had been there and they had been so numerous, pinning her down and making her into an easy target. She'd hurt Orihime, repeatedly. While it was amazing that Orihime had her own power now to defend herself with, Tatsuki simply couldn't forgive herself.

Keigo wasn't sure what he was seeing. A glance at Mizuiro told him that he wasn't alone in his confusion though. Everyone else just continued walking on, blind and deaf to anything abnormal. But Keigo could see the monsters. He could hear their screams and couldn't help but flinch every time it seemed like one of them was about to look at him.

"We need to hide…" Mizuiro frowned, ducking behind a corner. The mall had a lot of people yet the monsters seemed to hone to the two of them all the time.

"Yes, but with those things sniffing around…" Keigo began and then let out a borderline comical screech when one monster lunged right at them, only to be cleaved in half by a woman wearing a size or two too small sailor fuku and wielding a katana. She glanced at the two boys, Keigo on the ground and Mizuiro standing in frozen shock.

"You two get out of here, quickly. I rather not listen to Asagi and Kanzo-iro complaining to me about two of their friends getting hurt on my watch." The woman spoke, straightening up and sheathing her katana.

"Ah, you know Ichigo and Mirai-san then?" Mizuiro asked, mild smile on his face.

"I'm Shinbashi-iro." The woman said shortly. "Now go."

"Sure… Come on, Keigo." The black-haired boy pulled the brunette back on his feet.

"J-Just d-did you s-see that?" Keigo stuttered, pointing at the woman – Shinbashi-iro – and the monster disintegrating before her.

"Yes. It appears that the monsters are similar to the one we saw at the Don Kanonji Show's shooting." Mizuiro observed.

"So, you saw through the veil between the worlds even back then." The woman said with arched brows. "Though that doesn't matter really. It just makes you all the tastier snack to hollows. You need to get out of here… Though with the way they're circling here, you'd need to be see-through to escape."

See-through…

Mizuiro's eyes widened. Something came to his mind, unbidden.

"Nice to meet you, Kojima-kun… Say, does water have a color?"

Color of water… There was none. Water had no smell or taste or color on its own… It cooled you down or warmed you up, but otherwise it was… invisible.

"M-Mizuiro…" Keigo's voice brought him back to reality. Mizuiro looked at his friend whose gaze was on their still linked hands. He looked down and saw his own hand being invisible. Or more like simply see-through. It was like his entire body had taken the form of water, he could see the edges of his body but otherwise there was no distortion anywhere.

"Oh, this is interesting." Mizuiro observed.

"Indeed." Shinbashi-iro noted, eyeing the boy up and down. "This is probably not the right time to admire yourself and experiment with newly found power but… Can you extend that to your friend too?"

"I'm not sure…"

"Or maybe I can copy it?" Keigo suggested thoughtfully. "Your ability is literally your name. Mizuiro, color of water… My name is Keigo… To show reverence at something… And isn't reverence shown by mimicking the object of admiration." The brunette gave a crooked smile. "I'm always doing what others tell me to or then purposefully the opposite. I admire many people and try to be more like them… Even if I fail more often than succeed."

The watery texture spread from their linked hand up Keigo's forearm.

"And I've always more than anything admired manga protagonists and their drive and abilities, both natural and supernatural."

"Good job boys, now go! The theater and Kotobuki dojo should be safe places. Or if you can make it to Mitsumiya, then search for Urahara Shoten." Shinbashi-iro commanded, drawing her sword once more when the screams of the monsters screamed again. More were approaching.

"Yes, ma'am!"

It was a bit tight at Shoten. Urahara doubted there had ever been as much people around him since the Visored left. But now aside from the usual crew, there were five of Ichigo's friends. And Mirai's too since they shared the friend group.

All five of them had developed powers, some stronger and some weaker. To go through them alphabetically…

Asano Keigo could copy abilities of people he admired. For now, it seemed to be touch-based, time limit not explored.

Arisawa Tatsuki had lighting generation for defensive and offensive purposes. She had apparently been exploring her abilities prior this debacle.

Inoue Orihime's hairpins contained six spirits called Shun Shun Rikka that could repel attacks, damage and matter.

Kojima Mizuiro had become a sort of human chameleon but water based in appearance. No indication to actual hydrokinesis though.

Sado Yasutora's his right arm was armored up and could release stored reiatsu in blasts. Time would tell if his left arm would have any powers too.

Of the five of them, Arisawa and Inoue knew about spirits already. The boys had been in the dark. Sado had been targeted by the hollow chasing a little ghost inside a parakeet but after the situation had been resolved, he'd been made to forget. Asano and Kojima had observed things from afar but had gained enough sight and awareness during the past months that they'd been more attractive snacks for hollows than other civilians around them. Apparently Yadomaru – based on the description – had sent them to Kisuke's way after helping the pair figure out their powers.

And now it fell to him to explain things to the five of them. There was some healthy skepticism and Kisuke knew words alone would not convince them all about the severity of the situation. Well, let them watch then. According to Tessai the Kuumon were gathering.

How convenient.

Ichigo did not like what he was hearing. It had just been relieved to find out from Mirai that everyone was safe when he'd found Ishida and Rukia. Rukia had told him about the Quincy Extermination from 200 years ago. Then Ishida had told about his sensei. Okay, Shinigami were idiots and Quincies were stubborn. Both were damn prideful and apparently both suffered from selective hearing or something.

So Ichigo solved the situation the way he had solved the dilemma with Rukia. A solid kick at the back.

"Your story is too long! It doesn't make any sense! Your story was so long that I forgot the first half!" Well, not really but that wasn't the point. Honestly, who has time for an entire backstory in the middle of a fight? No one, that's who! "But in fact, your sensei's greatest wish wasn't about the Shinigami acknowledging the strength of the Quincy! It was about working along with the Shinigami, wasn't it!? So, if you won't do that now, when will you!? Shinigami and Quincy are exact opposites!? That's fine! In a fight against a large number of enemies, the best way to go about it is back to back!"

That was something Ichigo had learnt early when he fought with Mirai and then with Chad. Trusted partner was the greatest boon one could have.

"Well said, Ichigo." Mirai dropped down from a nearby roof. She had her cloak thrown over her shoulders again and the hood was covering her face and hair. She settled between Ichigo and Ishida so they formed a loose triangle. "Sorry, I'm late. I had to make sure central locations were secured even after the hollows gathered here."

"So, everyone is safe?"

"Yeah, school, park, theater, mall, industrial district… Even the hospital with its singular protector held ground." Mirai replied. Ichigo noted the minute stiffening of Ishida's shoulders.

Then the fight began. Ishida tried to refute any sort of alliance but after having some common sense pointed out at him… and Ichigo confessing that his mother had been killed by hollow so they had common ground to stand on against the corrupted ghosts… the Quincy agreed to temporary partnership.

The three of them worked together well. Ichigo was short-range. Ichida was long-range. Mirai ducked and weaved between their attacks, taking out sneak attacks to their blind spots. Ichigo was grateful.

Then…

The sky was torn apart by a pair of giant clawed hands.

Rukia could only stare. Shoten crew were taking down the smaller hollows while a huge Menos Grande loomed in the horizon, trying to push through the tear in the sky. She'd only seen it before in her school books.

And Urahara had pointed Ichigo, Kotobuki and Ishida in the Menos's direction. Was he intending to have them with it alone?!

"Urahara! You… What's the meaning of this! You intend to kill Ichigo!? Or your daughter!?" Rukia shouted at the shopkeeper who'd stepped in front of her, stopping her from reaching Ichigo.

"Of course not." Urahara stated way too calmly to her tastes.

"Then move aside! If you don't stop them… It's not an opponent Ichigo can win against!"

"That's no good. I can't do that, Kuchiki-san. Please watch quietly." And Urahara gestured sharply with his hand. Rukia's legs gave out and she slumped to the ground. She couldn't move, she couldn't talk… "This battle is a crucial battle."

"Is this… a binding spell…!? My body… No… This is the same than what happened to Kotobuki… Did Urahara… replicate the results?"

"As crucial to you… as it will be for him." Urahara continued. "As for Mirai-chan… I have my faith in her ability to survive. She may lend a hand or she may not. That's up to her. I might be her father… but I've never been a parent to her. I worry for her but my word does not weight in her own decision making. Anyhow, she has trained long in her short human life. Just like Kurosaki, Mirai has the growth rate of human. One that seems exponential for us Shinigami."

"So… Do either of you have a plan?" Mirai asked after Ichigo came tumbling back from his attempt to play Hollow Daruman-Otoshi and saw Ishida's arrow fall short in vertical distance and his Menos's neck rather than mask. She was flicking her fan open and closed in a nervous gesture while the carnage was going on around them. Tessai, Ururu and Jinta were taking down the regular hollows, she could feel Rose and Lisa on the edges thinning the crowd as well.

"Do you?" Ishida shot back.

"Well… I have a couple of Kidou spells that I could try to use hinder that thing for you two to take out…" Mirai trailed off. Rose had upped her training on Kidou, especially defensive Kidou during the past month and Kisuke had expounded on that. She could probably fire Danku for defense… It was simple and even without incantation it was powerful. She could also use Hyapporankan though that would need a proper incantation… for which she did not have time. Damn…

Then Ishida noticed his bow growing larger while touching Ichigo's sword. And Menos prepared to fire a Cero.

"Asagi. Protect everyone behind you." Ichigo shouted, dashing past her.

"What? Ichigo!"

Mirai could only stare. She knew this was going like in canon but… Ichigo was her friend now, not just a manga protagonist who had a plot armor.

Ichigo took on the attack and held his ground. There was a spill out and scattering.

"Danku!" Mirai commanded, drawing her hands together, like a relaxed soft clap, and then spread them sharply apart. The translucent wall sprung between her and the wild reiatsu, obeying her gestures to curl inwards and contain the area, instead of just being plain rectangular.

Ichigo in the other hand struck back at the hollow, almost cleaving it half.

"Strike again!" Mirai shouted, readying an attack herself. Thanks for Ichigo buying her time – no matter how unexpectedly and impulsively it happened – she could now strike with higher level spell safely. Two years ago, she'd fired Shakkaho at the hollow. From then she'd upgraded on Sokatsui and then to Soren Sokatsui. As they were linked in incantation and purpose, she had relatively easy time learning despite the latter being a 73 kidou. And for once, she had time for the incantation and no fear of aftermath backlash.

"Chiniku no kamen, bansho, habataki, hito no na o kansu mono yo! Soka no kabe ni soren o kizamu, taika no fuchi o enten ni te matsu! Hadou no Nanajuu-san: Soren Sokatsui!" She intoned and pushed her palms forward. Blue twin fires erupted from there and raced towards the hollow's mask. And Ichigo timed his next attack appropriately.

Unlike in canon, they got the mask. They vanquished a Menos Grande.

And Mirai crashed right afterwards on perplexed Ishida's arms. Ichigo fell down too and lost any semblance of control he'd had on his reiatsu before.

Ishida had been wrong in his assessment of his 'opponents'. First of all, they both cared. They cared for the city, they cared for the people. Had called reinforcements to help control the situation. Had even called Ryuuken who'd actually stepped up to defend the hospital. Secondly, Kurosaki Ichigo was ridiculously powerful. He didn't control his reiatsu. Or more like couldn't control it as it was now. And he was way more powerful than Ishida had estimated. Even with Kotobuki throwing off his scale earlier, Kurosaki way surpassed that.

The two of them destroyed the giant hollow. Ishida basically did nothing. And now Kurosaki was paying the price. So, Ishida would shoot his arrows with his overly large bow with his fingers bleeding until Kurosaki wasn't in danger of dying anymore. He owed the Shinigami at least that much.

He had been so wrong… So blinded by his own pride. Ishida had almost destroyed Karakura with his actions.

"Hehe… Maybe you aren't that bad after all, Ishida-kun…" Kotobuki mused aloud from where she laid on the ground. "That's a good face to have. Remember it. Remember this day… We all got so much growing up to do…"

Kotobuki Mirai was still a mystery. A Child of a Shinigami. Yet, when it came to this confrontation, she'd opted to stay in the sidelines and even donned the cloak to hide herself. To hide her reiatsu…

"You became a human chameleon?!" Mirai exclaimed at Mizuiro. All teens – including Ishida – were at Shoten. The humans – Fullbringers? – were explaining to Ichigo and Mirai what had happened to them during the past hours and how they'd been watching the Menos confrontation from distance. Kon had fetched Yuzu and Karin so they could be brought up to speed as well. According to the girls Isshin seemed to be aware of what had happened to a degree but was currently fixing bruises and burns that the hollows had caused to civilians.

"Yes, water-colored." The boy replied with a smile. Mirai pinched the bridge of her nose with one hand. The other hand snagged Mizuiro's nose.

"That was… that was, like, a joke on your name on the first day." She sighed.

"Zo?" Came the nasal reply.

"Nothing…" Another sigh. "Just didn't expect this, that's all."

"Okay." Mirai finally let go of Mizuiro's nose and the boy rubbed it with faintly irritated expression on his face. Next to them Keigo was flailing at Ichigo while the orange-head was holding a conversation with Tatsuki and Orihime. Mirai smiled at the interaction… until her denreishinki rang. It had been put on silent but now it was buzzing inside her school uniform pocket. With a silent sigh, she bid farewell to others and after exchanging a significant look with Ichigo, hurried away.

Mirai made it a couple of blocks with half-speed shunpo before she finally answered.

"Moshi, moshi?"

"Kotobuki-san." Ukitake's voice was clear and stern at the other end. "What did we agree on when it came to reporting anomalies?"

"U-Ukitake-san…" Mirai gulped. She could feel her own reiatsu shivering. And even though she and Ukitake were in completely different planes of existence currently, the weight in the captain's voice had the same effect on her as if she were in the same room with him and had the captain class pressure weighing upon her. "I c-can explain…" She said with a small voice.

"Please do so, Kotobuki-san."

"I… I tried to stop the kid using the bait and afterwards I was too busy corralling the damage to have time to call. I just barely could contact other spiritually aware people to get the warning out before the hollows descended on me."

"Other people? Who?" Came the mild question. But Mirai couldn't sell out her friends. Not her human friends. Not her mentors from Visored. Not Ichigo.

"I-I… That's… I'd rather not… say…" What was this? Why was it getting harder to breathe?

"Kotobuki-san?" Tone-shift? Maybe? Was Ukitake worried? Why? "Kotobuki-san are you alright?"

"A-… I think so? Maybe? J-Just exhausted…" Please buy it. Don't make her tell about her friends. "I used a bit too high-level kidou spells too quickly after other."

"Has your father been teaching you then?" Topic change, thank you.

"Y-Yes… But the Menos took all of us by surprise." Mirai drew a shaky breath. She needed to pace herself. Otherwise Urahara would be alerted through the parent-child bond. "May I be excused?"

"Of course. Do get better soon, Kotobuki-san."

"Thank you, Ukitake-san."

Ukitake frowned at the denreishinki in his hand. Something was up. Something had been going on for a long time. The large herds of hollows that had appeared on Karakura was just the latest incident, Menos Grande topping the entire situation. Ukitake did not like this. Kotobuki Mirai's near panic attack just now when asking about her acquaintances non-withstanding. That was half-expected, just a confirmation that there was more anomalies in Karakura than just her and her friend, Kanzo-iro, who had received Rukia's powers.

During the past year, Ukitake had maintained a steady connection with Kotobuki about anything happening in Karakura. She was much more reliable source of information that the Shinigami stationed there as she looked at the things without the bias all Shinigami automatically had towards the world of living. Ever since the first conversation with her though…

"I'll report to you about any anomalies in Karakura-cho and in exchange you won't tell anyone about my existence, thus preventing me from being experimented on, put into Maggots Nest or killed."

Thus she had said and he had known she was scared of him. Ukitake did not know exactly what ninth seat Nakatomi had told her other than possible consequences for them both if Kotobuki was discovered. She was a scientific anomaly and daughter of a traitor. For most Shinigami, that was enough to condemn her. So Ukitake had just agreed with her in resignation as she had no reason to believe his assurances. The deal was made, based on blackmail and threats that Ukitake deeply regretted even if it offered him some oversight in regards the girl and her mother both.

She had kept reporting dutifully what happened in Karakura. Hollows she'd slayed if the stationed Shinigami could not do it, some words about her progress with her zanpakuto, the night when Rukia arrived and had to give her powers to a spiritually aware boy in order to survive. That report was the first time in which Kotobuki wavered and ever since then the reports became stilted. Ukitake had known she'd hidden things from him, covered for people she knew. He'd gotten a notification from her about making contact with her father, Urahara Kisuke, after her gigai had failed. She'd apologized for not being able to report on the next week due being confined for reasons.

Then the Hollow Bait and Menos Grande had happened. Ukitake could guess that 'the kid' Kotobuki mentioned was one of the last remaining Quincies in town. He knew about the deal Ishida Souken had made with Yamamoto before meeting his fate so it wasn't hard to think there was another Quincy who wanted to challenge the Shinigami in town.

The fact that Kotobuki had more spiritually aware 'people' that she could contact when needed, had been an unintentional slip. One that Ukitake had grabbed on and subsequently had her panicking.

Ukitake sighed and poured some tea for himself while listening to his third seats squabbling somewhere in the vicinity.

"I need to reassure her somehow." He mused. He needed to get the message across to her that he was willing to cover for her and her friends… as long as they weren't upsetting the balance of souls or having ill intent towards Soul Society.

"But what to do…"

A Hell Butterfly flew into his office from the open window. Ukitake let it land on his hand. His eyes widened at the message. Byakuya and his lieutenant were being sent to fetch Rukia? On the crime of giving powers to a human? Well, after what happened with Ginjou Kugo, it was understandable that the Central 46 were wary but to inform Ukitake only once the retrieval pair had been dispatched? That was not alright. He was Rukia's captain and direct superior. Rukia had broken the law while work for the Gotei so it was up to him to send team to retrieve her, not Byakuya. This had nothing to do with Kuchiki clan.

Ukitake stopped his furious mental rant with a cough. Oh dear, this really didn't do good for his blood pressure. He could feel another attack coming.

Hacking coughs tore from his throat. He could distantly feel the rapidly approaching reiatsu signals of Kotsubaki and Kotetsu. In resignation he listened to them burst into his office and start fussing over him, commanding someone to get Retsu and making him comfortable.

If it hadn't been so hard to catch his breath, Ukitake would've sighed at the timing. He could only hope that he'd get better soon in order to observe Rukia's trial.

A/N: Some changes to canon. Like the way Urahara immobilizes Rukia, the addition to Ririn at this point, killing Menos Grande.

Please don't kill me for having Mirai use Danku and Soren Sokatsui. I know they are high level kidou but Mirai is human, her growth speed is faster than that of shinigami plus as explained in the chapter itself, she has been focusing on kidou lately.

Replies to Reviews... I think after this chapter I'll start answering in PMs I've lumped some shorter reviewreplies together to save wordcount:

-xenocanaan, BookKeeper88, skidney, girl-luvs-manga, Guest, Failing Wings, pendora59, PinePair:
Thank you very much! Sorry for the long wait. I hope you liked this chapter!

-serus black antihumannature:
Glad to have you back. I hope the binge-reading went well and this collective pov is refreshing change!

-Antex-The Legendary Zoroark, DragonClanMaster, Guest, 831, :
Thank you! The proper interractions are in the next chapter where the situation isn't as hectic but I'm excited to write them as well. :)

-Guest:
Well, personally I wouldn't go that far in describing my version of Isshin. Aside from the kikashinki incident, which while referenced often, he doesn't appear again in such context. Mirai avoids him and she isn't talked about to him afterwards so nothing happens. Ichigo even admits in the grave visit chapter that Isshin does have his good moments as well, even if he isn't much of a father to him. Mirai has personal dislike yes but after that one incident, she goes her way to avoid the man and does not antagonize him further. Please don't bring this topic up again.

-Mile De:
Thank you for all the reviews to all the chapters! I was very surprised and very glad to see them all!

-urworshipfulness: (chapter 3)
Sorry, I try not to have too many japanese words thrown in but even that decision ebs and flows depending on how weeaboo I happen to feel like being. And when I do a lot of research, some words just become so commonplace for me that I don't even remember to put the translation in the author notes. Was there something specific that popped up as inconvenient? In chapter 7 I have some words picked up and explained.

-Tigaier: (guest)
Thank you! I don't have a beta (I'm too impatient to send stuff to others for check) so I eventually become blind to my own mistakes. But I'm glad to hear you like Mirai and her development. And you figured it out! I hope it wasn't too obvious nor too obscure detail to notice. I debated for a long time whether or not to make it happen. And He has plans. And Mirai dreads he has plans. And someone else has counterplans. Sorry for the late chapter. I had thesis writing going on.

-Just Wait And See:
Full chapter from Mirai's perspective is soon. After Rukia's kidnapping which is collective pov. And I'm anyways making the chapters overlap a little less so the plot will go forward faster. Or that will depend on my mood. And yes, their interractions will be just like that in future.

-Thefriendyouhate:
A new reader! Welcome! I'm glad to hear you like my fic and how I've structured it. And there are hints of the third parent. There are some in Mirai's chapter, some in Tomo's chapter and some in Urahara's chapter. Don't spoil yourself the answer from the reviews tho. ;)

-ChaoticMinds:
Chapter 10: Not Gin. I've never stated that Mirai's eyes are blue. She has grey eyes like Kisuke, it's the shape of them that differs from both Kisuke and Tomo that alerts Mirai that something is going on. And the shape itself combined with some expressions are enough to shock Shinji. Though Gin is an interesting guess. Keep on reading until he actually appears, he has a role to play as well in this story.
Chapter 17: I can't wait to write those moment properly either. In this chapter there was more parental pride and some resignation over the fact that she is already a teenager and that Kisuke has no rights technically... But Ichigo is there to eventually screw geta-boushi's head straight. Probably after SS Arc though. No animal transformation for Mirai though, I'm afraid.

-MiharuTousaka:
I'm glad to hear you've liked this fic despite my writing generally requiring people to have quite a lot of knowledge. And yes, I ship IchiMirai as well but I try to keep this fic as gen as possible. I'm glad to see there are other people shipping them as well. (I didn't mean to make them so perfect for each other?!)

-Redaer Copious:
Chapter 2: Ooh, I didn't even think about the belly button thing. Maybe Mirai doesn't have it in her own body but in Gigai yes. But that means she can't show her belly in spiritual form to any of the shinigami or her secret is exposed...
Chapter 4: As I'm not writing the Quincy Arc and generally ignoring everything that happened there except Anything But The Rain, Ywach does not exist. And thus Masaki can be happy and waiting for her family at the Shiba compound.
Chapter 7: ? Sorry, I'm terribly confused by this one. I probably should reread my own stuff but could you please elaborate what are you referring to?

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