Does Man Make The Monster?
Chapter 25
Preparing For The Next Life
(A/N Well, this is the latest chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. It took me a while of writing on it off and on. So start reading, please, and enjoy.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
(Last Time)
"Ishida, if you don't mind me asking, just who was this person you spoke of?" Uta drawled. "The one that fell into madness?"
"His name was Aizen Sosuke."
"And the one that brought him down?"
"It was… I was Shiro. The battle cost Shiro a lot and it could have even killed him," Uryu hung his head a bit. "Let's just say Aizen was a super powered entity and leave it there."
"Very well. If that is where you wish to leave it I will not pry. But, just so you know, I am quite fascinated with the underworld you and the others exist in. I would like to learn more about it in time."
"You might not like what you find," Uryu looked back up at him.
"Hm. I will be the judge of that," Uta replied, picking up his work again. "Like I said I've become immune to a lot of things over the years."
"Immune to your world, not mine," Uryu countered, pushing off the doorframe and walked over to his own station.
"Like I said, Ishida, I'll be the judge of that."
(Present)
Orihime gathered her shower supplies in a little blue bucket while Ururu lied in bed reading a book and quietly eating an apple. She needed a good shower before she went to bed. Karin and Yuzu just got out about an hour ago and now it was her turn. She grabbed the canary yellow bath puff that had fallen out before she headed for the door; a towel on one shoulder and her bathrobe on the other.
"I'll be back in a while," Orihime said as Ururu nonchalantly waved her off never taking her eyes off the book.
She stepped out and looked at Ichigo's room at the very far end of the walkway. It had been a couple of days since Isshin and Ichigo had their fight. They were slowly getting back to talking to each other—little by little. She hated to see them fight in such a fierce manner. It had been more than their usual little squabbles. It was an actual fight with choice words; some really nasty words, too, mostly on Ichigo's part.
The gist of it was quite clear. Ichigo was tired of being a "prisoner with privileges" as he put it. Frankly, that's what he was. Everyone knew it. It was just that no one wanted to say it. Ichigo did when he finally broke down and vocalized his displeasure. Once everything had cooled down it was clear that Isshin had been truly hurt by what Ichigo said. She doubted Ichigo really meant all of that. She felt that it was the heat of the moment that drove Ichigo say such things. She hoped Isshin felt the same way.
She drew in a long breath before she headed toward the ladies baths. She was going to take her time. It was rather late and most of the other women were already in their barracks. She would have the whole area to herself and she smiled at the thought.
It was only a short walk to the baths. She opened the door and looked around at all the showers. She went to one of the farther stalls away from the door. She got undressed, put her clothes out of the way, grabbed her supplies, and ducked into the stall. She turned on the water while closing the white curtain behind her.
"Ah, cold!" she gasped as the water first came out.
It took a few seconds before it became warm and she could adjust it. She washed her hair first, making sure she didn't create knots. She might just stay until the water ran cold. It felt so good. It would feel better still if she was in her own bath back in the Living World. She missed all those left behind. She heard that Uryu was all right being in Tokyo so that helped some.
"BOO!"
"WAAAH!" Orihime jumped as she felt a pair of ice cold hands grab the sides of her warm middle.
She lost her footing and franticly tried to regain it on the slick shower floor. She ended up falling backward into the arms of her surprise attacker. She looked up and over her left shoulder to see half on Rangiku's face peeking around the curtain. An apologetic grin was spread cross the lieutenant's face.
"Ma-Matsumoto?" Orihime blinked, finally able to stand up on her own again.
"I didn't know I'd startled you that much," the lieutenant laughed. "I didn't hurt you, did I?
"No, you just scared me. That's all," Orihime shook her head. "You've got really cold hands though."
"Well, yeah, it's cold outside and you've been standing under hot water," Matsumoto answered stepping back and moved towards the next stall.
Orihime watched as Matsumoto started to get out of her uniform. So much for having some alone time. She ducked back into her stall and started the rinse out her soapy hair. It wasn't long until she heard the stall shower next to her turn on.
"You know you should come up to the office now and then just to chat," Rangiku said over the stall divider. "The captain isn't much a talker when he's working. I think he ignores me to be honest."
"I don't think he'd like me being there," Orihime said, grabbing the body puff and her soap. "If you're both working I might become a nuisance."
"Everyone is a nuisance to him. You wouldn't be the first or the last," Rangiku answered, starting to wash her own hair. "Besides, I get super bored at times with all the paperwork."
"I just don't think I should," Orihime replied with a long breath and then mildly panicked. "It's not like I don't want to see you or anything!"
"I know that. Don't spaz out about it. If you really think you'll be in the way don't come. I'm not forcing you and don't you dare feel bad about it either."
"I…"
"You what?"
Orihime bit her lip. She still felt bad for turning down the offer but she was more than aware that Rangiku would do anything to get of work. Her being there would be a great distraction and it really would anger Hitsugaya to no end. She shook her head a little. Why was she stressing about something like that?
"It's nothing…" she answered, scrubbing her shoulders.
"Are you sure?" Rangiku hummed.
"I'm sure…" Orihime quickly replied.
The air grew quiet for a few moments. Orihime was close to finishing up and was rinsing off all the soap. She didn't want to leave the warmth of the shower but knew that she had to. She turned off the water lightly twisted her hair to wring out some extra water before she would wrap it in the towel. She sighed as she pulled back the curtain and stepped out, grabbing her light pink towel. She shivered a little from the temperature difference from being in the warmer stall.
"So, how is Ichigo fairing? I know he and Isshin had a fight about being here and the restrictions placed on him," Rangiku said from behind her curtain. "Have they patched up things?"
"They're… They're still working on it," Orihime replied, patting down her skin. "Karin's mad at Ichigo, too, for saying those things and poor Yuzu is trying her hardest to play peacemaker."
"And you? How is he treating you?" Rangiku asked, turning off the water and drew open the curtain. "He's not biting your head off, is he?"
"Well, uh… No… He's been okay with me," Orihime answered rolling up her long hair in her towel and Rangiku grabbed hers. "He talks to me…"
"Define 'talks to.' Like does he talk-talk to you or is it more an acknowledgment?" Rangiku leaned in on her. "Just because he says something to you doesn't mean he's actually talking to you."
"NO! H-he does actually talk me," Orihime quickly replied, waving her hand in front of Rangiku. "There's no problem between us!"
Rangiku leaned in a little more as Orihime tensed up. Pale blue eyes bore into the warm gray.
"I dunno…" Rangiku snorted, suddenly standing up straight again and put her hands on her bare hips. "I'm still having a hard time believing that."
"But it's true! He's perfectly okay with me," Orihime exclaimed.
"Then why I haven't I seen you hanging out with him, hm?" Rangiku pointed a finger Orihime.
"Well, I… It's just that…" Orihime really couldn't find the words.
The problem was Rangiku was right. Ichigo knew he did wrong and stayed in his room a lot more now. She felt that it was a family matter that she didn't need to be butting in where she wasn't wanted. Ichigo would greet her and talk to her for a couple of minutes before they parted ways again.
"Don't tell me… Please don't tell me he's ignoring you," Rangiku huffed out.
"NOOO! No, h-he hasn't been ignoring me," Orihime exclaimed. "It's just been so tense that… We're all walking on eggshells around him and he's doing the same with us."
"Oh? Is it really that tense?" Rangiku asked, sitting on a bench and started to dry off her legs.
Orihime gave a small nodded as she grabbed her clean underwear and slipped them on.
"If I get involved he's not going to like me," Rangiku snorted. "You shouldn't be treated like this! You did nothing wrong!"
"He's not doing it on purpose!"
"Don't defend him! You're one of his closest friends and he needs to treat you as such!"
"It's fine, really! Please, don't do something to him!"
"Well, something needs to be done. You shouldn't have to suffer because he's so tense about the fi…"
Rangiku paused and looked Orihime up and down. Tense, huh? Orihime grew a little worried at Rangiku's suddenly silence and studying gaze. What was Rangiku planning? Orihime quickly grabbed her PJ bottoms. It might be best to get out of there before Rangiku roped her into something.
"I've got it," Rangiku exclaimed, snapping her fingers and got to her feet. She hastily grabbed Orihime by the shoulders. "This is a great idea!"
"Wh-what is?" Orihime swallowed the knot in her throat.
"Well… You care about him, don't you?" Rangiku asked and Orihime gave a subtle nod. "I mean you were jealous of Rukia at one point because you thought he liked her more."
Orihime's cheeks turned a bright flaming red. Where was Rangiku going with this?
"Well, why not flirt with him a little? Give him a reason to be tense," Rangiku gave Orihime a rather naughty grin. "Come on… What do you say?"
"Oh! No! No, I couldn't," Orihime clamped her hands over her crimson face. "There's no way I could do that!"
"You still like him that's no secret," Rangiku purred into her ear. "You don't have to go all the way. Just give him a little tease and see if he bites. What's that saying…? Let him know that you're single and ready mingle? Is that it?"
"I just can't," Orihime nervously stepped back from Rangiku and shook her head franticly. "That would be too embarrassing!"
Rangiku sighed and crossed her arms. Honestly, did Ichigo even know that Orihime had the hots for him? It was a neon sign to everyone else. Considering he has never once shown an interest in her meant one of three things. He really was that damn dense, he just wasn't interested in her, or since she wasn't putting out he was putting out either. He could very well be Orihime's mistake and not his.
"Orihime, if you don't show him your feelings he might never return them. That would be your fault if you don't take the opportunity," Rangiku pointed out, shaking a finger at Orihime. "Right now Ichigo is in a tough spot. He needs someone now more than ever. He just had a fight with his family and he's being unjustly oppressed by staying here. Some form of affection might make a world of difference to him. Spend some damn time with him! I mean some real time and not a 10 minute visit!"
"But! But it's close to his curfew," Orihime protested, only to get a firm knife hand to the top of her head. "Owowowowow!"
Orihime almost crumpled to the ground from the unexpected strike. She tenderly rubbed the top of her aching head as she stood back up straight. Why did Rangiku have to hit so hard? That really, really hurt!
"I think you're just as dense as him! Stop making these silly excuses! I'm the lieutenant here, remember? I can give you permission to visit him afterhours," Rangiku snapped at her, point at herself. "Not everything has to go through the captain. Take your time with him. Don't squander a good chance."
Orihime still looked highly unsure about this idea. What if he wasn't interested in her and she only made a fool of herself? She heard Rangiku make growling nose a held up and another threatening knife hand. Orihime quickly took a step only to hit the bench behind her knee. She quickly fell back onto the bench.
"If you don't take this chance I'm retracting what I said about visiting him after hours," Rangiku threatened, standing over Orihime with an intense glare. "Either you show him some attention or you can just suffer for the rest of your life never knowing if he would have taken an interest in you. It's not that hard if you just do it!"
Rangiku was painfully right. She really was only hurting herself by not even trying. It would be her fault. Orihime let out a long heavy sigh and looked down at her feet. This was a good opportunity for her. Ichigo could at least use the comfort and support of a friend if nothing else.
"Well? It is going to be a yes or a no?" Rangiku voice was very firm. "If you don't answer in the next 10 seconds I'll take it as a no."
Orihime bit her lip. What was it going to be? Time was very, very limited. She had to make her choice now or she could blow it. She drew in sharp breath.
"YEEEESS!"
"Then get dressed and go get him!"
Orihime scrambled to get dressed but Rangiku snatched the shirt away from her.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Orihime asked, trying to grab back her night shirt.
"Flirt at least once while you're in there. Show some bare shoulder from under your robe," Rangiku grinned with a wink, handing Orihime her bathrobe. "A little skin could go a long way."
Orihime's face lit up bright red again. Was Rangiku serious? She wanted Orihime to walk into Ichigo's room with nothing but her robe to cover her top? Could she do that without chickening out?
"Be a woman and not some little girl," Rangiku snorted. "Go on! Get your stuff and go see him!"
Orihime slowly got to her feet and took the terry robe from Rangiku's fingers. A little shoulder, huh? That couldn't hurt, right?
Orihime shook as she stood outside the door to Ichigo's room. She didn't know if it was the cold air on her still damp hair or her bundled nerves. She was leaning towards the latter. She never even stopped by her room to drop off her supplies. She feared once she went back to her room she might never step a foot back out.
She swallowed the choking knot in her throat and lightly knocked on his door. Her entire body tensed as she waited for the door to open. What was she going to do then?
"Come in," his voice muffled voice came from behind the door.
Her breath caught in her throat as she reached for the handle.
It was now or never, she mentally told herself, psyching her nerves up a little more.
Her grip tightened on the handle as she slid the door open. She put a smile to greet him but the smile quickly faded. Unohana sat on a cushion, holding Ichigo's mask while Ururu worked on trimming up his hair.
"Oh, hey, Orihime," he waved at her as Ururu carefully used the electric razor to trim the back of his head.
"Good evening, Inoue," Unohana nodded at Orihime with a small smile. "I don't think we've met in a while. How have you been?"
All the courage in her just fell off a cliff. This whole idea was completely ruined. She put on another smile.
"I'm been good, Captain. Thank you for asking," Orihime answered in weak voice.
"So, what are you doing here?" Ichigo questioned. "I just asked Unohana if Ururu could give me a trim before curfew. I figured I'd asked while she was here to check on me. I kind of needed."
"Yeah… I know…" Orihime said, gripping her robe tightly closed. "Y-you looked good."
"Well, thank you. Ururu does a good job, doesn't she?" he smiled at her before he pointed to a small table by the door. "You look cold, c'mon on in. You can drop off your towel and supplies over there if you'd like."
"Huh? Oh! I-I forgot I was holding them," she said, looking down at her bucket, clothes, and towel in her arms. "It's fine. I just c-came by to tell you good night."
She flushed a little and cast her eyes to floor. She had hype herself up and was for nothing. She didn't have the courage to stay now. This was just her damn luck.
Unohana looked a little inquisitive at Orihime's strange blushing. She looked over at Ichigo as Ururu finished tapering off his sideburns. She then looked back over Orihime. She quickly put two and two together. She had faintly remembered something about Orihime and Ichigo but it wasn't really spoken about so she just wrote it off. She let out a sigh and smiled a little. Ichigo didn't seem to notice her pink cheeks. Most likely this was such a common thing that he didn't think anything of it. It was rather sad to look at. It was a very public secret for most everyone. This was truly sad to see, if not a little stupid.
"Captain Unohana, I know it's nearly curfew but do you think it'll be okay if Orihime stays a little while?" Ichigo asked and Orihime flushed more.
"Well…" she knitted her fingers together in her lap and looked between them. "I could allow it."
"So…?" Ichigo drawled. "Is that a yes or no?"
"Ah! No, no, it's fine. Really! I don't want to get anyone in trouble," she took a panicked step back toward the door. "I really just wanted to say good night to you. So, good night, Ichigo!"
The other occupants looked at her oddly as she stepped back putting her foot on the first step. She turned around rushed down the small stairs and hurried off. That was—weird. He heard Ururu and Unohana sigh in near unison. Was there something he missed? Ururu began packing up her things as Unohana moved closer to him to fasten on the horn's sheath and the mask back on.
Orihime quickly threw off her rob and scrambled to get her night shirt on before Ururu showed back up to the room. She didn't want her roommate to know anything about this. She was so stupid. Rangiku had given her permission to stay after curfew and encouraged her to go talk to him. When she spotted the captain and Ururu she just couldn't.
Even when Ichigo asked Unohana if she could stay… She couldn't even wait for the answer. She was still a little girl and not a woman. Even with Rangiku's permission still standing she just couldn't bring herself to go back after how she acted just then. She just became so embarrassed.
Once she got dressed he started to brush out her long, still stringy hair. It was right there and she just ran from it. What if Unohana had given her permission as well? She could have stayed after they left but she felt that the mood was already ruined. She frantically shook her head before curling into a ball on her futon. She covered her head with her pillow and loudly groaned. She was such an idiot. She used Ururu and Unohana as an excuse not to stay. It was a lame excuse in retrospect. Clearly she really wasn't ready to tell him as much as she had hoped.
Uryu sighed heavily into the cold night air as he knocked on the café's door after hours. To his right stood Urahara and to his left Yoruichi. Uryu would much rather be home asleep than standing here in the cold. He didn't voice it though when they just showed up at his door around 9. Urahara decided this was the night to start "adjusting" Akane to the hidden world around her. This was going to be trying on everyone, mostly on the redhead. This would be the deciding factor if Akane really wanted to go through with everything.
A tall man with chin length gray hair opened the door; a rather impassive look on his face. He spotted Yoruichi and his frown drew deeper and eyes narrowed. He said nothing as he stepped out of the way and let the trio into the building. The only ones there were Yomo and Yoshimura with Ryoko perched on his shoulder.
"Welcome. So… What do you need from us?" Yoshimura asked, amongst them.
"The nature of what we are about to do will not be pleasant. I would appreciate it if you both left the property for at least an hour or more," Urahara said lightly tapping his cane on the floor. The two ghouls gave him a confused expression. "You don't need to be directly involved. Fueguchi, my dear, you on the other hand may stay. I could have need of you here shortly."
"Me? What for, Urahara?" the bird asked, cocking her head to one side.
Yomo and Yoshimura were taken by surprise. Ryoko knew him from where? Urahara merely held out his hand and Ryoko flew over to him. He set the bird on his shoulder as they started towards the stairs.
"You're not going to hurt her by doing whatever you have planned, are you?" Yoshimura asked, following them to the door.
"That depends on how she takes everything. This will be her last chance to say no. We need to be certain that she agrees before we go any farther," Urahara answered him with a straight face. "We are not forcing this on her by any means but we need to make everything very clear to her."
"I believe I understand. You said an hour or so?" Yoshimura asked and Urahara.
"An hour or a little over. We need that time to hopefully get her on our side of things," Urahara answered him. "You better start heading out. When we get up there we're going to get right to the point."
"No coddling," Yoruichi stated, starting up the stairs.
"You never really answered me about hurting her," Yoshimura said, a deep frown on his face.
"Physically, no," Urahara said "You already know what we deal in. This will be her adjustment, nothing more."
Yoshimura and Yomo exchange unsure glances at each other. Her adjustment? Neither Yomo or Yoshimura liked their "adjustment" with Ryoko. Touka didn't fare so well either. From the way this sounded their introduction was the pleasant version. There was no telling what they were going to do with the former investigator. They just got the general idea that was going to be pleasant.
"I'll leave you to it," Yoshimura nodded before the blond in the striped hat started up the steps with Uryu right behind him. "Just don't go overboard with what you have planned."
"There is nothing subtle about them. You better get used to it," Uryu replied from the stairs. "Urahara's the worst."
"Eh… I'll take that compliment. So thanks."
"It wasn't meant to be…"
Yoshimura felt highly unsure about any of this. He turned back to Yomo as the man started toward the front door. The elderly ghoul sighed as he followed Yomo out. He locked the door and followed his friend down the sidewalk. Yoshimura couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't going to end very well.
Yoruichi walked into the room first. Akane quickly got to her feet recognizing her from a couple days ago; Shihoin or something like that. Following in behind her was a blond male with at funny looking green and white striped hat and a cane. On his shoulder sat the cockatiel that frequented the café. Who was this guy? A split second later another familiar face walked into the room. It was Ishida. She waited to see if Yoshimura or Yomo would show. She found it strange that they were absent. She grew apprehensive without Yoshimura or Yomo in the room. She had relied so much on them that not having them here was making her uneasy. It didn't help that she still wasn't sure about Ishida or Shihoin either.
"And you are…?" Akane drawled, pointing a thin finger at the odd blond.
"You may call me Urahara Kisuke," the grinning man said, taking off his hat and bowed to her.
"He will be handling most everything pertaining to you," Yoruichi said, taking off her coat.
Urahara removed his coat as well as did Uryu and set them over the back of the couch.
"So you are Ms. Hayashi. I have heard a good bit about you," Urahara said, walking over to her. "So glade to finally meet you at long last."
She looked him up and down. There was something a little off about him. He didn't have a dangerous vibe about him but she felt like there was just—something amiss. She didn't know what it was. He stopped in front of her and studied her for a moment.
"So… What are you going to do exactly?" she asked, sizing the man up now that he stood in front of her.
He suddenly looked down at his cane and seemed to be thinking something over. He let out a heavy sigh and picked up the walking stick.
"Well, I can't do anything with the way you are now," he said, flipped the cane parallel with the floor so the bottom tip pointed right at her. "You'll to have to forgive me for this but you need to understand some things before we go any farther. For now this is the best way to do it."
She noticed a strange emblem on the bottom of the cane. It was black, blue, and white. It looked like a strange skull inside a black flame.
"So what are you going to—"
She never got to finish her question as the cane was shoved hard into her forehead. She fell over backwards onto the bed. She heard something heavy hit the floor right after. What just happened? She stared up at the ceiling a little dazed. It took no time to snap out of it quickly and sat with a furious glare. She was going to give him a piece of her mind for striking her in the face. She suddenly noticed a heavy weight pulling on her chest and something brush her leg. She looked down to see a chain coming from her chest and some of the links rested on her right leg. Farther down just below her legs sat an unconscious body. Her green eye widened in mounting shock as she drew in a squeaky breath.
It was her! She was on the floor completely unmoving. She honestly looked lifeless as he body laid there. Akane pulled her legs from the floor and onto the bed. She scrambled and stood up against the wall. This couldn't be real this was just horrible nightmare right? RIGHT?!
"EEEEEEYYYAAAAAAAHHHH!" she screeched, clinging to the wall like was going to save her, jumping a little on the bed.
Urahara and Yoruichi chuckled a little at her frantic response and Uryu only sighed with a groan. This really was straight to the point. Perhaps too straight to the point. Uryu pushed up his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. Oh, yeah, this was going to be fun.
"Hey, now, don't pull on that," Urahara said, moving closer to the bed. "That's your Chain of Fate. It's the only keeping from dying!"
"Dying?! Wh-what the hell are you talking about?!" she screamed, keeping a firm grip on the links. "That's m-me on the floor, isn't it?! Did you kill me?! Th-that's not really me, is it?! I don't understand any of this! Y-you need to fix this right now! Put everything right!"
"Well, to explain… As long as this chain remains intact to your body you're not actually dead," Urahara said, picking up the end closer to her physical body. "This is your literal lifeline."
"Then wh-why am I—"
"No, no! I need you to listen first," he pointed his cane at her again. "So, you need to keep your mouth shut for now. Got it?"
She didn't know what else that thing could do to her and so she quickly complied as frightened tears started to fall. She swallowed a very hard knot as she looked down the shaft of the cane to its creepy owner.
"Now as I was saying. This is the Chain of Fate. It is still intact so you are still alive. Should this be severed—then you're dead. At that point you would actually be a spirit, ghost, spook, specter, or whatever. Just nod if you're following me so far," he said, all she could do was give a high pitched squeak. "Good enough. Okay, we got that covered. You. Are. Still. Alive. Moving on… I'm sure you understand that this means that you are having an out of body experience. This is the Spirit World. A world that is always present but never seen."
"Wh-wh-wh-why are y-you sho—showing me th-this?" she choked out in tears as her knees finally buckled and she collapsed to the bed.
"Because you need to see and understand this before we can move on," Yoruichi said, walking over to stand beside Urahara. "In order to give you that 'new life' I talked about this has to be done. I know you don't like any of this but you agreed the other day to go through with it. This is only step one. We decided to go full immersion with you. We weren't going to baby and pussyfoot around with you."
Yoruichi reached around Urahara's shouldered and picked up Ryoko. Akane watched not sure what so important about the damn feathered creature. She knew this couldn't be good and her heart beat faster in anticipation of what was coming next.
"Fueguchi, do you mind stepping out of the bird for a moment?" Yoruichi asked as the bird looked up at her before giving a nodded.
A second later a woman stood beside the pair. Her hair was a pale brown and hung over the left shoulder with a few flowered clips. She was dressed in a long, printed skirt, sweater, and a buttoned up shirt. But what got Akane most, was the all the blood coming from a jagged wound stretching across the whole of her neck. The red liquid has soaked into her clothes with several drops running down her face. Akane clamped a quivering hand over her mouth. If she wasn't already so unnerved by everything the blood won't have gotten to her the way. She was use to see it but it didn't help that the woman was standing as if she was completely unharmed. The bloodied woman had a look of worried on her face as Akane.
"We're using you as an example. I hope you don't mind?" Yoruichi said, patting Feuguchi on the shoulder.
"I don't mind," Ryoko shook her head. "I get a little cramped in there after a while."
Akane freaked out even more at the sight of her. How could that woman even move her head and speak? That was a grave wound. She shouldn't even be standing, much less moving, or talking. Wait... Wait... She knew this strange woman from somewhere... Where from? Akane narrowed her eye trying to make sure she was seeing the woman right. Fueguichi? Even that name was familiar... Fueguchi... Oh, no!
"NOOO! NONONONO!" Akane yelled out, pointing a shaky finger at Ryoko. "You're not her! Th-there is absolutely no way you're a-actually her!"
"I guess you would recognize me all things considered..." Ryoko gave a faint awkward chuckle and rubbed the back of her head. "But I am who you think I am. I know this is rather terrifying to you!"
"Terrifying isn't even close to describing it," Akane bellowed and scrambled to the back of her bed. "How are you here?! Y-you're dead! I had a doctor cut off your hand to use as bait!"
"Okay, okay! We don't need to bring that up! Please, don't bring that up! I'd like to forget that night," Ryoko quickly responded. "It wasn't a good night for anyone!"
"Were you actually there? Watching us?!"
"Yes, the entire time! I saw everything that happened with you, Touka, Hinami, and Ichigo. I saw the whole thing!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Let's bring this back to what we're here for. Thank you," Urahara said, clapping his hands a couple of times before grabbing the chain attached to Ryoko. "Let's got back to where we left off... Again this is the Chain of Fate. See how the chain has been severed? She is a true spirit or as we call the, Plus Souls. Clearly a wound like this means she shouldn't be doing what she's doing right now. You can see her now because you are no longer in the physical world, per say. This is just to validate that you are actually in the Spirit World."
"Um… She… She looks like she's going to be sick," Ryoko stated, pointing at Akane as she collapsed and and curled in ball on the bed.
"Told you should have been a little bit subtle," Uryu said behind them as he lazily sat on one of the couches and looked at his phone.
"You're not even helping," Urahara said, looking over his shoulder.
"I'm participating just being here," Uryu snapped, looking over at everyone. "All this… This is all your thing, not mine. I really play no role in any of this. You know, I should be in bed. I have work early."
Yoruichi and Urahara looked inquisitively at each other. Honestly, Uryu was right. There wasn't much for him to do here. They were just so use to including everyone they just sort of pulled him into this unnecessarily. Oops.
"Uh, well…" Urahara mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "Just sit there and… And participate."
"Thank you," Uryu drawled with sarcasm and he turned back to his phone.
"Right, okay, back to you, Hayashi," Urahara grinned, turning back around to face Akane who was curled in ball. "Uh, Hayashi?"
"She really does look sick, Kisuke," Yoruichi hummed, turning to Urahara. "Perhaps we were too straight forward."
Akane remained curled into a ball with both hands clamped over the mouth. Between sobbing gasps she sounded like she was gagging. Urahara shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Maybe it was time to change the approach. He needed something that might make things easier for her to grasp and understand that everything was going to perfectly fine.
Ryoko let a long breath and stepped over Akane's body and sat on the end of the bed. Urahara was a smart guy but wasn't too good with the delicate things it seemed. Ryoko smiled gently. Perhaps not being so flashy would be the better option.
"They're not doing this to scare or hurt you. They really want to help you so you can get out of here and not be hunted down," Ryoko said, playing lightly with her hair. "Look… I didn't have a great time adjusting to this either. I was terrified when I saw my body carted away by the CCG and I was just left standing in the rain in a state of shock. I couldn't talk to anyone and no one could see. It hurt a lot. All those with their chains cut like this were the only ones I could talk to. They were hurting just like me and were just as frustrated that they couldn't communicate with their loved ones. One day I was standing in the street as people just walked by me completely unseen. Then I took notice that out of all the people on the streets there was one person that had actually stopped to stare at me.
"He was a living person so I wasn't sure if he was actually looking at me or not. He had a shocked look on his face as we stared hard at each other. He was the first living person to see me as I am now. He invited me to his place to talk openly and we eventually befriended each other. You see our first encounter wasn't so good. My daughter and I were hunted down one rainy day a few months ago. I told her to run while I held off the investigators. One, however, gave chase after her and I was sure he'd catch her. He didn't. He just stopped and doubled back. He watched my execution by that creep, Mado. He collapsed in the street right after that. I'm sure I don't have to tell you who he was."
Akane clinched her teeth and shuttered harder. Just how much shit was that bastard mixed up in and why was he pulling her into this fucked up world? It took everything in her not to scream out in anger and frustration. At this point if she ever saw him again she was going to beat him bloody. First he got her imprisoned and tortured by the CCG. Then she was haphazardly rescued by those two dimwits that just left her hanging in the street and still in chains. Why couldn't Ichigo come in person? He clearly had the power to break in and save her.
Then she was saved by ghouls. Ghouls that had past dealings with her partner no less. They were only keeping her safe out of gratitude. Then these three freaks showed up and destroyed her broken life even more. They are also linked to Ichigo in some form or fashion. Now this woman soaked in blood was telling her how she first met Ichigo. What was Ichigo really and why was he so influential to so many people?
Did Ichigo really have that much charisma? He didn't show it too much when he worked with her at the CCG or maybe it was just stifled because of that environment. That horrid place was very cutthroat on the inside. Perhaps, it was that very charisma that they hated. Ichigo was brutally honest, perhaps too kindhearted, and very straight forward. He called people out regularly for their transgressions and he showed off a good bit. Those were his biggest mistakes. Perhaps, the higher ups didn't want someone so righteous in such a high position. He'd dig out the deepest roots of corruption and destroy the lies they had cultivated over the years. The CCG was scared of him but he was too good at his job to be rid of him at the same time. He was a broken gear but was still highly needed to keep the machine running.
She wasn't going to lie to herself. She was very angry at him for everything that had happened. It was all because by him even if it was indirectly. He should have remained "dead" after his fake suicide. It would have been easier on her. But no, he stupidly returned to save his ghoul friends and ended up being figured out. That was what really started this burning roller-coaster she was forced to ride. He also hurt her when they confronted each other in the raid. She told herself that part of that fight was her fault but that didn't change the damn fact that he truly hurt her. He could have handled that fight differently. He didn't have to be that damn rough.
Urahara suddenly cleared his throat and pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Ms. Hayashi, you have to understand that we can't just let you remain like this. What we're doing with you right now is only between us. Ichigo is not involved in this for his protection. Where he is now is not the safest location for him. He once said that he was just 'a prisoner with privileges' and this is very much true," Urahara said, looking down at her unmoving body. "To keep him from being in trouble a few of us have taken it upon ourselves to finish the job that was started. All in secret, of course. Ichigo had done a lot for a group of people in the past and he's cashed in his favor already by getting you out of prison. He can't get another one so we are doing this of our own accord. It was by sheer luck that Uryu found you and I believe fate has a soft spot for that carrot headed fool."
Yoruichi sighed and brush a bit of her bangs from her face.
"He really does have the Devil's own luck but he also suffers for it, too. You're not the only in misery at this moment and being held captive. Ichigo is under constant surveillance and he is forced to remain subdued. If he puts one toe out of line the repercussions could be severe for him," Yoruichi said, shaking her head. "It's actually disgusting how he is being treated. He once saved these very people and now he's seen as a monster for something totally out of his control. If it wasn't for the fact that he did do them a great service the situation would be even worse. We just need your cooperation in this to help put him at ease. He's biting at bit to know what's going on with you but we can't tell him. We only need to tell him that you're safe but you have to work with us first. You don't want make liars out us if he should ask, do you?"
Uryu walked up them and stood behind Yoruichi and Urahara. Perhaps he could actually participate just this once. He had a serious and tired look on his face. No coddling was what Yoruichi said. Perhaps this might just work. Just an honest simplified version of everything might get through to her.
"Hayashi, basically, both of you are being hunted down by the CCG and were forced to take refuge in places you'd rather not be. You're in the same boat together. You're really no different from each other at this point. By doing this, at least one of you can be free," Uryu started in flat down of vice before it started to escalate. "We can't help him but you we can help you. So we would appreciate it if you stopped acting like a little brat and help yourself by letting these two help you! Yeah, you're throwing your life away but so did Ichigo if you haven't noticed! You're not the only victim is this mess! Everyone in this room is affected in some form or another! If you really care for your partner and my friend you'll do this!"
Every bit of those words slammed into her like a freight train. Ishida was right about everything. If Ichigo was really being held captive… Dammit, dammit, dammit! If she did say yes and she felt that she would vanished completely. What about her father? Did this mean could never see him again? She could leave her belongings behind but not her father. Part of this was going to be on her terms as well. If she did this her father had be in on their plans in some way. She wiped her tear stained face with the palm of her hand before uncurling to sit up.
"F-fine! But only on one c-condition! You somehow l-let my father know about th-this crazy plan," she pretty much bit out at the group. "I'll only do this st-stupid thing if you do that! I want t-to make sure he knows I'm okay!"
Everyone took a moment to look at each other and contemplated that request. A new life meant a new life. It would be wise to cut all ties but that was easier said than done. When Urahara, Tessai, and Yoruichi fled from Society they left behind loved ones and that really did hurt. Perhaps one person could be let in on this; but just one. Clearly her father was her most import person in her life. If it meant that she'd follow through with this, they'd cave in on this one thing and nothing more.
"Very well. We'll let your father in our little scheme but that is it. Even then you have to keep contact limited if you can. You cannot any under circumstances act like he's your father and you're his daughter," Urahara said with a hard, impassive face. "We'll make sure he knows the truth about you. Can you at least work with that? If you cannot we'll just walk away. No second chances. That's our bargain."
They would at least let her dad know and that was enough for her. She didn't want her dad to suffer like he did when her mom and brother were killed. No doubt he was already in a dreadful state right now. She released a shaky breath and gave a nod.
"As l-long as he knows I'll do it," she said, wiping her eye and cheek again. "So… Wh-what do you need me to d-do?"
"The process is complicated one but the easiest way to explain it is that we'll remove you permanently from your actual body," Urahara said and Akane instant went to scream. He shoved his cane in her face again to keep her quiet. "Don't judge too soon. We'll have another body waiting for you and we'll be nice enough to let you customize it. The body is called a gigai. As the name entails it is a fake body but a fully functioning one. It will be modeled after you so it will fit you like a glove. We are going to make sure that your Chain is attached to this new body so you will remain alive. If I leave you as an unattached soul in that body complications will eventually happen. Even more simplified, think of this as a customizable avatar for a video game and you'll play as this character for the rest of your life. It's actually that simple, really."
Akane just stared at him and did a slow blink. Was he serious? Like was he actually serious? A customizable avatar that she was going to live in for the rest of her life? That seemed really out there. There was no way that was possible! It sounded like human cloning or something out of creep science fiction movie.
"You really expect m-me to believe that you can actually manufacture a—THE HELL!" she screeched as Yoruichi pulled herself out of her gigai and held on to it.
"Other than Uryu here, Urahara and I are actually spirits," Yoruichi half grinned as she gently sat her gigai on the floor next to Akane's body.
"Spirits? Where's your chain thing?!" Akane asked, carefully picking up hers.
"Well, you lose it once a soul passes on to Soul Society," Yoruichi said as Akane looked very unsure. "Also we were born in Soul Society so naturally we wouldn't have one."
"And this Soul Society is…?" Akane asked felling unsure she should even be asking this.
"Ichigo explained it as a form of heaven more or less but he was very blasé about it," Ryoko said with a pondering look.
"That's one way to put it, yes, but right now this needs to be saved for a later time. Our focus needs to stay on you," Yoruichi said, pointing at Akane. "The overall plan is to put you in a gigai so you can go about your new life. We take your original body and set it up as a red herring. The CCG will have your body and most likely the case on you will be closed. You'll be in a new body with two working eyes and a perfect left arm. Chances are you could look one of the investigators in the eyes and they would never know."
"I still have my reservations about this. I'm not going to lie. I'm highly uncomfortable with this concept," Akane said, casting her eyes down to the bed. "You really want to me to live in something like that?"
She pointed at Yoruichi's gigai. To her something like that was highly unnatural. This whole situation was. The logic in this was totally mind boggling. She didn't like any of this. Not one little bit but she agreed for her father's sake. New life or not, at least he would know she was okay. This was her only chance and they made that perfectly clear to her. She didn't like it but anything had to be better than being hunted down and remain in hiding. She gripped the Chain of Fate in her hand. She truly needed to commit to this if everything was to work.
"It's not what you think it is. It'll feel tight at first like a new pair of shoes but you'll wear it in soon enough," Urahara smiled, before turned to get the small kit from his coat pocket.
He paused noticing Uryu was back in his spot on the couch once again and looking at his phone.
"When did you go back over here?" Urahara asked, walking up to Uryu.
"A while ago but I participated," Uryu said, leaning forward so Urahara could pull his coat out from behind his back.
"That you did. You're a little bitter about being dragged here, aren't you?"
"Well, I'm not happy about it but I'm here now. I can't do much about it. Also I don't want to be pushy but can you finish this up? I really need to get to bed sometime soon."
"I'm about at the end as it is," Urahara pulled the kit out his pocket. "I just need to get a sample from her to make the gigai."
"All right," Uryu said, turning back to his phone.
Urahara walked back of to everyone else. He opened the kit a pulled out a few odd items.
"What's that for?" Akane asked, looking at the strange swab in his Uryu's hand.
"I need a sample from you to make that gigai. I just need you to open your mouth for me," he said as she hesitantly opened her mouth and got a good sample with something akin to a swab. "You can close your mouth now."
Akane closed her mouth as Urahara fiddled with his kit a little more.
"Wouldn't it work better with…?" Akane pointed at her body.
"Either," Urahara shrugged. "That's it for now. I'll be back tomorrow and to discuss the modifications. That should be the fun part."
"You'll forgive me if I don't have much enthusiasm about it," Akane said as Urahara closed up the kit.
"Hey, think of it this way, now you can have the body you always wanted. If you wanted brown eyes, now you can have brown eyes, any shade. It'll be that simple," Urahara said, setting the kit on the bedside table and reached for her body. "For now though let's get you back in your body."
"Please!"
(A/N I know this is a little shorter than normal. I'm sorry. I figured here was good enough for now. I hope you enjoyed it even if it so short. I'm having a hard time right now and just wanted to finish this section up because I don't know when I'll get back to this. My cat Tiger of 15 years passed away on the 2nd. I think he had a stroke. When we got him to the vet he was braindead. We had to put him to sleep. He was my first cat so this hurt me greatly. He really was my baby bagging to be held all the time. You could never put him down without him getting right back on you. I worked on the last bit to get my mind off of it. I just can't write any more than this. Sorry.)
Millie M. Banshee