A single lap up the beach of the island had taken a while before he had come to a section where there were rocks that made the beach un-passable on foot and decided to turn around and head back the way he had came, that was all it took to dry his clothes. It had given him some time to think, to calm down. To try and figure out his situation, there was no way he was going to get over what had happened in an instant but he needed to figure out what his plan to do next was to keep his mind active, he couldn't fall into despair, he wouldn't.
Even if there was some way to return home, there was no way he knew it. He still held the concern for his friends and family, even after all that had happened, they were being tricked, controlled by Tsukishima. He just hoped that his Dad, Kisuke, hell even Soul Society would help them. Glancing up the shore line he saw the two boats that he had come to the island on, showing that he had come all the way back to where he had began.
"Shows that they're still here." He whispered to himself, unsure of how long the odd pirates that he had met would be staying on the island. On his walk, he had even considered asking to join their band of misfits, after all, what was he suppose to do? He had no idea what this world was like, how society here was. Luffy didn't seem bad, Zoro… Ichigo didn't have an opinion on just yet, Nami was at least a stable person from what he saw. Either way, it was a potential option, even if he got a lift with them to the next island. This island didn't look like it would give him a stable understanding of what this world was like, although it might offer a peaceful living area.
"No." He had to shake his head at that last thought, he couldn't just go about living a normal life, he'd be caught up in his grief and pain in no time, seventeen months of nothing but a normal life had shown him this. Deciding to let the situation linger a little while he made his way to the hill that would lead up to the village.
Just as he had been expecting, there wasn't much to it, just small houses dotting the landscape filled with large green fields, a large mansion off in the distance much larger than anything else on the island, perhaps a rich family lived in the estate. Shrugging he placed his hand in his pockets, his right hand unconsciously circling the substitute badge as if on instinct. There was no need for his Fullbring to be active but he felt secure having it close, to have something of what he once had.
It was literally the only thing that had come with him apart from his clothes, his phone had been lost so had his wallet he had checked his pockets to see if he had anything with him when he began his walk up the beach. He had nothing but the clothes on his back and his substitute badge, the source of his new power. Raising the substitute badge he stopped mid stride in the centre of the road.
"Just to make sure it works here." A few moments of concentration and the familiar black Reiatsu flickered across the wooden badge before a blade shot out one end of the badge while a handle shot out of the other, the badge itself began to spin before locking into place as the cross-guard. "It works." He breathed out in relief, he had no idea what he would have done if he hadn't been able to access his powers here. "I'd still prefer to have Zangetsu back with me, but for now this will have to do." Willing the blade to retract into the badge he placed it back into his pocket, missing the small chain that he use to carry it around on.
"I'll have to get a new one when I can." He commented softly as he continued to walk through the village, there was the odd person doing chores that greeted him with a nervous nod, he was an unfamiliar face in a small community of course people would be wary of him. It would seem that, if by what he was going off since being here, they were concerned that he might be a pirate. A small chuckle erupted from his as he walked, what a thought that would be, him a pirate of all things.
Following a track that led him up beside a field that was filled with sheep grazing he smiled as he passed them by, some sheep just looking up at him with a lazy stare as they munched the grass in their mouths while others didn't even bother taking much notice of him. Enjoying the gentle breeze that tousled his hair slightly he looked up the road only to see Nami and Zoro, Nami sitting on the fence as Zoro leaned up against it while the three kids that had been with Usopp were with them, it was odd to not see Luffy with them but he figured that he must be with Usopp since the two were both absent.
Nami having spotted her fellow orange haired teen waved with a smile as he got closer.
"Where did you disappear too?" Zoro questioned as he continued to lean against the fence, the three children hiding behind Nami's legs unsure of Ichigo's seemingly unhappy scowl.
"Decided to take a walk." Ichigo shrugged getting a nod from Zoro in return, seemingly not really all that interested to the answer of the question he himself had asked. "Where did Luffy run off to?"
"I was wondering the same thing actually." Nami told him.
"Who knows, he probably ran after that other Captain." Zoro explained causing Ichigo to raise an eyebrow in question to Nami who grinned, there seemed to be a story there.
"You sure missed the show, Usopp totally went berserk on this butler guy." She continued to grin, that was odd, from what little Ichigo saw of Usopp he didn't seem to be the violent type.
"Klahadore!" The three children behind Nami shouted.
"Yeah, whatever." Nami waved the three's opinion off causing Ichigo to sweat drop slightly. "Anyway, Usopp ran off and Luffy must have followed him to where ever it was he headed off too."
"Whenever the Captain gets really upset like this, he goes down to the shore to watch the sea." One of the kids explained to the three. "It's a sure bet he's there."
"Luffy is probably with him." Zoro sighed, running a hand over his face in annoyance, they were suppose to be going to get a ship yet their captain was gallivanting about the countryside doing who knows what for whatever reason that went through his straw hat wearing head. Nami and Zoro began to figure out between themselves if they should go searching the shore for Luffy while something had gained the three children's attention. Turning to where the three were looking, Ichigo spotted someone sprinting down the track towards them.
It wasn't hard to distinguish from this distance of who was running towards him, or at least Ichigo could pick up the similar soul signature he felt when they were being watched on the beach, since the three children were the only others on the beach and they were there with him, it could only be one person.
"CAPTAIN!" The three shouts of the children echoed out gaining Nami and Zoro's attention, the two seeing Usopp charging towards them. It was only when he was closer did they spot the serious expression on his face, no longer was the expression the same as the distraught boy being bullied by a butler or the happy go lucky liar that they had met on the beach.
"Hold on, wasn't Luffy suppose to be with him?" Zoro questioned as Nami and Zoro joined beside Ichigo to see the sprinting Usopp.
"Captain!" The three shouted as Usopp got closer, only for the teen to completely ignore everyone's presence and sprint past them, the three kids having to jump out of the way in surprise unless they wanted to be trampled.
"Hey! Where's Luffy!?" Nami called out to him. "Is he still at the shore…?" She trailed off as Usopp didn't even acknowledge her question either as he continued to sprint past the gathered group. Ichigo frowned slightly as he glanced back at the way that Usopp had come from, he could definitely feel Luffy's soul in that direction now that he was focusing on it and it didn't seem stressed or in danger by any means. "Wow, he looked really upset." Nami continued. "Is he still mad about his Dad being insulted?"
"Who knows." Zoro shrugged as they watched Usopp disappear down the track.
"No! That look was different!" One of the children explained.
"Yeah, something must have happened!" Another of the three added.
"Why do you suppose he looked so desperate?" The third added only for Zoro to turn to face the three kids.
"Hey, why don't you three show us the way down to this shore of yours." Zoro told the three who were all crowded around one another, talking about how it all smelt like an adventure that Usopp was right in the middle of. Ichigo had to sigh, why were kids so high strung about doing such reckless things, by the look on Usopp's face this was serious business and it wasn't just because of that Butler, or maybe it was, Ichigo had no clue about what was going on in truth. While Zoro shouted at the three to get them to show them the way, Nami approached Ichigo.
"Find out which way you're headed yet?" Nami questioned referring to their earlier conversation down on the beach.
"Still working on that." Ichigo told her. "Mind if I tag along for a bit."
"I've not no problems with that, Zoro won't care much either." Ichigo nodded as the two began to follow after the three kids with Zoro walking on the other side of Nami none too happy about what was going on it would seem.
"How did you fall out of the sky anyway?" Zoro questioned turning his attention to Ichigo who sweat dropped slightly, it took him that long to ask?
After reaching the cliffs overlooking the shore and searching the area for a little bit, they caught sight of Luffy below the cliff in an awkward position, making their way down to him, it was clear to Ichigo that he was still alive sensing the presence of his Soul but Nami's and the children's first reactions were thinking that he had fallen off the cliff somehow and died. After the snores of the pirate captain were heard and the realisation hit, Zoro poked him a few times with the tip of his scabbard to wake Luffy up. With a loud yawn Luffy sat up with a grin on his face surprising Nami and the three kids.
"Good Morning." Luffy casually greeted with a grin as he looked up. "Oh hey Ichigo, where did you go before? You missed so much meat."
"You scared us half to death you moron!" Nami shouted grabbing Luffy by the vest and shaking him rapidly. "Now what the hell is going on!?"
It didn't take long for Luffy to spill everything, hell he didn't even hesitate explaining what he and Usopp had stumbled upon when they had been at the top of the cliff. The Butler Klahadore, was apparently this big name pirate in this East Blue that they were currently in, but had staged his own execution before becoming a butler for three years for the sole purpose of inheriting someone by the name of Kaya's family fortune.
But not only that, come morning the village was to be set upon by Klahadore's previous pirate crew to kill every last villager, seemingly leaving Klahadore the sole survivor of the incident. Ichigo had to scratch at the back of his neck awkwardly. In the few hours that they had been on the island they had stumbled upon some plot to completely massacre the town? There was no way in hell it was just timing, right? There had to be something in the air, right? Right?
"That must be why the Captain was so bent out of shape!" Onion shouted.
"He must have run to the village to warn everyone!" Carrot added.
"That's great then, no one will be here when the pirates arrive tomorrow." Nami smiled, truly happy that none of the villagers were going to be killed in the attack.
"Yeah that's right!" Carrot nodded. "We better run away too if we wanna live!"
"Yeah, let's pack our treasure and run like the wind!" Pepper shouted along with the other two before the three dashed off.
"Oh no!" Luffy exclaimed, suddenly coming to the realisation gaining everyone's attention. "We need to stock up on food before the Meat Shop Guy runs away!" He shouted before he was hit in the back of the head by one of Zoro's scabbards.
"Come on, that's not really the issue at hand here now is it!?" Zoro growled out.
"We should find out what Usopp plans to do." Ichigo stated gaining the three's attention only to see the orange haired teen with a hand to his chin as he stood in thought. "The look on his face wasn't that of someone who was going to run away, there's no way he'll let pirates invade, villagers present or not. This is his home, he looks like the type to defend what's precious to him."
"He's right." Zoro nodded, a smirk on his face. "He might be a liar, but he has honour."
"So, what are we planning to do about it then?" Nami questioned, fearing the answer somewhat.
"That's easy." Luffy grinned.
By the time the four, well three and a reluctant Nami had finished deciding on what to do, it was late afternoon almost coming on night when they found Usopp with Pepper, Onion and Carrot. At first Usopp seemed back to his usual self, at least until he saw that Luffy was alive. He had been so shocked to find out that Luffy had only been sleeping that he stopped favouring his left arm revealing his blood soaked wristband that was obviously covering an injury he had received. While the three kids didn't seem to take notice, Ichigo and Zoro sure picked up on it.
"We heard everything Captain!" Carrot exclaimed. "Luffy explained it all to us, how Klahadore is a pirate planning to kill miss Kaya!"
"Let's hurry and warn the people and tell them to run away!" Onion continued only for Usopp to look down, his eyes covered by shadow remembering everything he had been through since trying to warn the people that pirates were really coming this time, he had been chased, shot at and what hurt most of all, Kaya's reaction to everything he had said. That was before he burst out laughing surprising the three kids however the other four knew what he was doing.
"Obviously I'm lying like usual!" Usopp continued to laugh. "That damn butler pissed me off so much with what he said, I thought I'd get him back by saying he was a pirate!" He laughed.
"Oh I get it, you put the straw hat guy up to it too!" Pepper and the other two laughed with them, the three started walking past Usopp surprising the curly haired teen.
"Wait, where are you guys going?"
"Even if that butler guy is a jerk, I never thought you'd lie to hurt someone." Onion frowned as the other two nodded in agreement before they walked away leaving a stunned Usopp. A frown marred Ichigo's face, while he had done it to protect them from the truth it was clear that it didn't have the desired effect Usopp had been hoping for. It was clear that his lying had never brought about such trouble like this before.
"Come on, we should get that arm looked at." Ichigo stated snapping Usopp from his daze.
"I've got some supplies, let's go to the shore and I'll do what I can, I'm not doctor but it'll help at least." Nami explained getting a silent nod from Usopp as the small group of five headed back down to the shore in silence. When they arrived Nami sat Usopp down on some rocks and pulled out some basic medical supplies. Some bandages and sterile alcohol. Ichigo watched as Nami applied the treatment to Usopp's gunshot wound, at least it had only grazed his arm and there was nothing to pull out. Didn't stop Usopp from whining every step of the way though. Nami had to tell him to stop being a baby multiple times. Ichigo took a seat on a rock formation beside Zoro, while Luffy continued to watch Nami treat Usopp's scratch.
"There, all done." Nami stated as she finished bandaging it getting a sigh of relief from Usopp in return.
"So, how come you lied to them." Luffy questioned.
"Because all I do is lie. There is no way anyone was going to believe what I was going to say. Why should they?" Usopp told him.
"Because what you were telling them was the honest truth." Zoro huffed.
"Don't you think I know that!" Usopp shouted as he gripped his hair in one hand wishing none of this was happening, that today could have just been a peaceful day in the village like always!
"It's just like 'The Boy who cried Wolf'." Ichigo stated gaining everyone's attention.
"Huh, what boy? What wolf?" Luffy asked curiously.
"You tell the same lie, over and over again and people stop believing in what you're saying." Ichigo explained as Usopp lowered his head. "Nobody believes a liar...even when he is telling the truth."
"They are coming, and they'll level this whole entire town." Nami whispered softly.
"Yeah they're definitely going to show up." Usopp nodded. "But what am I supposed to do? They'll just think I'm lying again. They think tomorrow will just be a normal, peaceful day." Wiping back tears Usopp got to his feet. "That's why! Tomorrow I'm going to stop the pirates at the beach and make sure this stays a lie! That's the only logical thing a liar like me can do! Even if they drive me away, or shoot at me, this my village, my home and I love everyone in it! I have to protect them!" Usopp cried as tears ran down his face.
"You're hell of a good guy sending your cronies away and going into battle alone." Zoro grinned as he placed his hands on his swords.
"Just so you know, I have dibs on all the pirates treasure." Nami smirked, the one condition she had for helping out.
"So you want a little help, or what?" Luffy questioned as Ichigo got to his feet with a nod of agreement, he knew that look on Usopp's face, there was no way he was going to run away from this. Usopp sobbed loudly as he looked at the four who were all willing to stand beside him.
"You guys… are going to fight with me? Why?" He questioned.
"There's a whole bunch of bad guys, right?" Luffy questioned in return.
"I'm just in it for the treasure." Nami reassured with a nod of her head.
"Got nothing else to do." Ichigo shrugged.
"And you look scared out of your mind." Zoro added.
"M-Me, scared!? For your information, I have nerves of steel, I'm perfectly okay with tons of bad guys. After all you're looking at Captain Usopp brave warrior of the high seas!" He shouted as his knees continued to rapidly shake in fear. "Okay I'm scared! Why shouldn't I be, their Captain Kuro's men, these guys mean business! I don't need pity! If you guys are sticking around because you pity me then just leave, I don't need you laughing at me!" He shouted at them.
"We're not laughing at you." Zoro told him seriously. "We're helping because you are honorable."
"You really think we'd risk our lives out of pity?" Luffy questioned seriously.
"You guys." Usopp sobbed quietly as he fell to his knees wiping his face before he bowed his head. "THANK YOU!" Luffy and Zoro grinned at one another as Nami tugged on Ichigo's sleeve gaining his attention.
"I know Luffy and Zoro can fight, but can you?" Nami asked softly so Luffy and Zoro didn't hear getting a small smile from Ichigo.
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." Ichigo told her. "Don't worry about me."
"Trust me, I'm just making sure you can pay me back for the whole saving your life thing." Ichigo's sweat dropped slightly, was she really going to bill him for that because he didn't know if she was joking or not. "Looks like we'll be sticking together for a bit."
"Looks that way." Ichigo nodded before Luffy appeared over his shoulder.
"You should totally join my crew." Luffy grinned as Ichigo glanced at him.
"I'll think about it." Ichigo told him making Luffy's grin widen and he opened his mouth to obviously shout something before Ichigo's hand enveloped his face holding his mouth shut in the process. "I said I'll think about it, don't pester me." With that Ichigo pushed him away by the face as Luffy simply continued to grin and nod his head, his excitement of a potential new crew member was clear in his eyes. "Now, shall we form a strategy for tomorrow or what?" Ichigo asked.
"Oh my god." Nami beamed up at Ichigo. "Someone with an actual brain! Well maybe, since if you're thinking about joining this crew, you may already be insane." Ichigo cocked an amused eyebrow at her. "What?"
"What's that say about you then?" He questioned leaving Nami speechless as she glared at him.
