Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Cept for my OCs anyway.
Chapter 15: Reset
Dani lay down on her bed, reminiscing on her life the past year.
She'd survived almost turning to goo, seen the world and the multiverse, and she was now living with the Fentons. All pretty big accomplishments if she did say so herself.
She felt a smile stretch across her face remembering how, a year ago, the prospect of living in the same house as Danny would've been unthinkable.
Being rivals tends to put a damper on such things. Things had changed so much she could hardly imagine what new experiences life could possibly bring.
Dani frowned at a particularly pesky thought, rolling over onto her side. "Still can't save Ukitake, though. . ."
Her mind often wandered towards the Squad 13 Captain. Even in her dreams, she'd been haunted by his disappointed face. She knew it was dumb and irrational; Ukitake clearly wasn't mad at her, but she just couldn't ignore the ever present guilt. She couldn't risk facing him again without a cure. She wouldn't be able to take it.
Her thoughts had always seemed to be troubled lately by one thing or another. Whether it be the sickly Captain, her ghostly/hollow link, Dan, or her zanpakuto.
"You need to accept me."
Dani sucked in a breath before letting out a groan at the harsh whisper. Sure enough, Messatsu was sitting at the foot of her bed, in all her morbid glory.
She looked down at the halfa with her tall, thin frame. Her green eyes blazed with scorn, and her wrinkled face scrunched with disdain. There wasn't much else she could discern from her zanpakuto spirit. She was a guarded mystery.
"I know, I know. You've told me this about a half million ti-"
"Follow me."
Dani blinked in slight annoyance. "I'm sorry what?"
Messatsu stared back at her with her cold green eyes. "Follow me."
"Yeah, I kinda got that part," snapped Dani. "Follow you where?"
"To your inner world."
That was when Dani's sight faded to black.
Dani noticed her inner world felt distinctly different from the Ghost Zone. It felt more natural and welcoming opposed to the Ghost Zone's cruel, foreboding atmosphere.
It probably would've been a nice place to relax, if it wasn't for the current thunderstorm that seemed to stretch on for eternity. Lightning flashed across the sky, preceded by powerful claps of thunder that seemed to shake the ground.
"This is happening inside me?!"
Messatsu didn't respond but merely pulled her up, abruptly. Before Dani could protest, the ground she previously stood on burst forth as water rushed from the cracks.
All around them, the ground began to shatter and water began to fill the surroundings. Messatsu hopped into the air and hung there, watching the water rush past.
"This is the result of your inner turmoil," spoke the zanpakuto. "The inner world is a fragile and important one. If you do not master your emotions now, you will bring ruin to us both."
Dani gulped as she watched her world tear itself apart. "You don't mean. . ."
"No, you won't die, and neither will I. However, we will lose effectiveness in battle if you do not accept me."
Dani was silent for a moment, before looking at her. Well, at least she wasn't gonna die this time. "I know I have to, but I just can't. This power that I have isn't helpful. It only hurts people!"
Messatsu stared down at the now raging sea below them. "Your brother's power. How do you think that he has come to accept it?"
The halfa's brows scrunched in confusion. Messatsu rolled her eyes (if that was at all possible for the stoic being) as she loomed over Dani.
"Surely you remember his abilities?"
"Well, yeah. The flames."
She'd felt his distress constantly each time he used the ability. He hadn't told much about it. He'd just said it took parts of people, and it could break them.
"Yes, he accepts the flames, and he uses them because he has recognized that they are an extension of himself. Just as your abilities are of you."
The halfa gazed out at the storming horizon and the restless waves. She could definitely see Messatsu's point. Her powers were something of a necessary evil. Heck, they might be of a positive use someday.
As if sensing her thoughts, the water began to still and lower, changing from a raging sea to a calm lake, and the sky cleared up.
"I can't fully accept this power, but I understand, Messatsu."
Dani might've imagined it, but she could almost sense the ghost of a smile on the spirit's face. Despite the step towards inner peace, Dani couldn't help the sinking feeling she felt in her gut.
"Hey, Messatsu?" asked Dani, hesitantly.
"Yes?"
"The thing that happened to Danny on the day of the execution with the hollow, will it happen to me too?"
Messatsu was silent for a while. "Young one, now is not the time to discuss this. We will speak later."
Dani's eyes widened. "But-"
There was a flash, and the world disappeared.
Dani blinked at the familiar room. She pushed herself up and heaved a sigh as she made her way out of the apartment.
She turned invisible and intangible as she took off into the afternoon sky. Messatsu was a fairly calm individual. For anything to rattle her even slightly was something to watch out for.
And that was when something caught her eye. She'd almost missed it.
'What the- what's Uryu doing down there?'
Dani turned tangible and landed behind Uryu with quiet grace. He seemed completely transfixed by the scenery that he'd be completely unaware of the mischievous halfa. . .
"Hey, Uryu!"
Uryu calmly glanced over at the halfa. "Dani, what brings you here?"
Dani blinked as she returned to visibility. "How'd you know it was me?"
Uryu gave a small smile. "I have good sensory skills. So, what brings you here?"
"I just was flying by, and I saw you. I just wanted to see what you were up to."
"I'm just thinking and feeding birds," he drawled, awkwardly. "It's not usually considered the most interesting of activities, but it's calming."
Dani rubbed her arm. "Uh, mind if I join you?"
Uryu shrugged and moved over on the bench. Dani plopped down next to him.
She noticed the Quincy was far more. . . lost. Usually, his silence had come from an analytical aspect, like he was trying to figure out what made you tick. But now, he seemed to lack the drive she'd remembered.
"So, how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while."
Uryu's lips twitched upwards. "We literally just talked yesterday."
Dani rubbed her neck, sheepishly. "Oh yeah. . ."
The two sat in silence for a while just watching the birds and, occasionally, tossing some seeds.
"Look," started Dani, shifting to face him better. "If you want to talk about-"
"It's fine. I've come to terms with losing my ability."
Dani's mouth shut, tightly. "Right."
Dani didn't have to think too hard to realize that was a lie. Being a Quincy was a large part of the teen's identity, after all. She couldn't count the amount of times he'd talked about Quincies and their pride.
The halfa turned to Uryu, eyes questioning. "Why'd you face Mayuri alone? We could've helped you!"
Uryu's jaw tightened and she knew she'd struck a nerve. She was a little to miffed to care, though. Somebody needed to set the Quincy straight.
"Dani, I-"
"Now, now, what are you up to?"
Dani stared up in shock at the fruitloop, of all people, hovering above her.
"Well, hello there, Danielle. It's been a long while."
Dani's eyes flared green as she looked about her before turning invisible. She felt the rings of energy form as she returned to visibility.
The halfa snarled as her fists encased with ecto-energy. "Bring it, fruitloop!"
Vlad fired a blast that Dani easily sidestepped. Dani launched a blast of her own, but Vlad easily dodged.
Vlad fired a series of eye beams that forced the clone to construct a shield. Vlad fired blast after blast at the ghostly shield, attempting to break it through brute force. From the force of his blasts, Dani knew her shield likely wouldn't hold for too much longer.
Dani jerked in confusion. 'Why would he try and use brute force? That's not his style?'
Dani's eyes widened in realization as she spun to face Vlad, only to be kicked in the chest. Dani slammed hard against the wall as she groaned in pain.
She wanted to kick herself. The blasts had been a distraction, so he could teleport behind her guard. She winced with effort, struggling to muster her strength.
Only for Vlad to press his foot down on Dani's chest. "Where is Daniel, child?"
"Why the heck would I tell you?! Besides, you can't even get there anyways."
Vlad's brows furrowed in confusion. The halfa seized the opportunity and blasted Vlad in the face.
The elder ghost clutched his face and screamed while Dani wailed on him with blast after blast. Dani spared a glance behind her to see Uryu standing off to the side, scowling as if he was upset with himself.
"Hey, Four-Eyes, get the heck outta here!"
Uryu's eyes widened as he snapped out of it, scowling as he turned and ran.
"Oh, is that a little friend of yours?"
Before the halfa could respond, a second Vlad appeared in front of Uryu. The Quincy slammed hard to the ground as he gazed up, fearfully, at the smirking ghost.
She hated to admit it, but Vlad was so much more experienced than she was. If she was going to beat him, she'd need to surprise him.
"Hey, fruitloop! I'll tell you where Danny is!"
Vlad smirked smugly. He was such an egotistical fruitloop. All the better for Dani.
All eyes were on her now. She would've preferred not having Uryu watching, but it couldn't be helped.
"I knew you would see reason. Well, where is he child? I don't have all day."
Dani glared up at the elder ghost, hoping her plotting wasn't given away. She discreetly opened her palms, raising them slightly, as if showing nonchalance. "I dunno exactly, but last I heard he was somewhere near go screw yourself!"
Both of her hands flared with ecto-energy. Both Vlads hissed, covering their eyes from the blinding light.
Uryu took and advantage of the distraction, crawling away. Dani cursed under her breath. She had hoped he wouldn't get caught in the distraction. She flash stepped over to him.
She managed to grab him, flash step away, and come back before the Vlads could recover.
Dani took a deep breath as two horizontal black rings manifested about her, traveling up and down her body.
Soon, she was decked out in her shinigami uniform.
She drew her sword and sliced through the clone, dissipating with a cry. Unfortunately, Vlad had fully recovered.
He jerked in surprise. "What happened to you?"
Ignoring him, Dani sheathed her sword as she infused ecto-energy and Reiatsu into her fist. She tensed her legs and flash stepped in front of Vlad, fist cocked back.
The poor man didn't even have a second to react when her fist slammed into his face, sending him into the ground. . . which quickly cratered.
Two rings passed over Vlad's body as he drifted into unconsciousness. Dani gasped at he destruction her punch had caused. She'd known it'd be effective, but that was an understatement.
"Don't look so bewildered, young one."
Dani's head snapped up to see her shinigami spirit hovering over Vlad's prone form. "What do you mean?! I never would've knocked out the Captain's with this!"
"Child, this man is not on the same level as the Captains."
"Oh."
"I think you should be on your way, young one."
Dani responded with a nod. "Yeah, totally."
After making sure Uryu was alright, Dani headed back home. She did leave Vlad there, though.
What? He could take care of himself. Besides, he'd brought it on himself.
Anyways, Dani managed to arrive at the same time as Jazz and Danny. He had been a little upset over the Vlad attack.
"I totally should have brought you with us!" he'd said. "Next time I see the fruitloop, I'm going to mess him up!"
"I'm fine, really. And so is Uryu. Vlad was easy compared to what we'd dealt with in Soul Society."
Danny sulked, uncertainly. "Alright, if you say so. But next time you're coming with me, OK?"
Dani rolled her eyes. "OK, Dad. Do you want me home by 8 as well?"
Danny cracked a smile in spite of himself. "Shut up."
"Kids, you ready for Game Night?"
"Coming!" shouted Danny, before turning to Dani. "Ready to lose?"
Dani rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh, sure."
"How had Danielle gotten so strong?! And what form was that?" muttered Vlad as he sat hunched over his laptop in his private jet.
It was supposed to have been a simple hostage taking situation at worst. Then, he could find Daniel and get him to see that he should be the boy's father and not that lumbering oaf.
Vlad laid back in his chair, taking a deep breath. He'd been researching possible leads for the past couple of hours, and had, naturally, started with Karakura Town.
Apparently, Karakura Town had some unexplained incidents. Buildings being taken out by invisible forces, sudden killings with no signs of a killer. Granted, the incidents had been reducing for a bit, but it was still more than a bit suspicious.
Normally, Vlad would've chalked it up to some random ghost, but he had no idea which ghost would do this. Especially considering his large hold and expertise on the Ghost Zone, it would be more than slightly brow-raising that he wouldn't know of the responsible party.
He wasn't much for believing in gut feelings, but he couldn't help but think that this one was different. Something about Danielle's uniform and sword seemed inherently unghostly.
This coupled with the fact that she'd become increasingly hard to see, once she'd changed her form, left him incredibly puzzled. It hadn't been like typical invisibility; she had been visible but incredibly hazy and hard to spot.
"Vladimir Masters?"
Vlad's head snapped up to see a tall man with grey-white hair. He was dressed impeccably in a brown blazer with a red and black tie draped down his white dress shirt.
Aside from a thin scar running down his chin, he looked like one of the many people he had dealt with in business over the years. The only problem was that he hadn't been expecting anyone.
"Who are you exactly?" came Vlad's measured reply.
"My apologies, my name is Jin Kariya. I'm here to make a proposition."
Vlad raised a brow. No one made a business plan with him without talking beforehand. It just wasn't how he operated.
'Jin' had a calm and calculated way he carried himself, like he knew something everyone else didn't. It infuriated Vlad because he often saw that trait in himself.
"What is your proposal? I would like to inform you that I am a busy man. I don't enjoy having my time wasted."
Jin smiled. "I understand, Vladimir-san. I share your sentiments. That is why I wish to work with you."
Vlad inwardly rolled his eyes. He didn't know why he was bothering himself listening to another failure attempt at a business merger.
"Look, Mr. Kariya. I don't believe our businesses will properly compliment each oth-"
"Oh, no, Vladimir-san. You misunderstand me."
Vlad easily noticed the man was much closer than he'd been before, a mere five feet away, now. "What do you mean?" Vlad asked exasperated.
"I wish to combine your ghost powers with my Bount abilities. That way, we can both achieve our goals."
Vlad's eyes narrowed, imperceptibly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Jin's lips quirked, slightly. "Well, when you remember, here's my card."
The Bount held out a card deftly held between his index and middle fingers. Vlad glanced down at the card, his ghostly senses quickly scanning the contents in seconds.
He looked up to find himself completely alone. Without a trace of Jin Kariya.
A/N: Sorry this took so long. Had to fight that pesky writer's block. Hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. Please don't forget/hesitate to review!
