Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
oro03910; I can understand that, and yeah, Aizen's a genius alright, no one can deny that. Yeah it very well could be. It is quite useful, and Hanataro will be doing more things in this story.
Nirvash Neo; Thanks very much! Thanks for the vote! Yushiro huh, yeah maybe Yushiro could make an appearance soon.
Clarent excalibur; Thanks! Yeah, we'll be seeing more of Hollow Karin in the coming arcs of the story. Yeah, she was quite open with what she wanted, so she was quite opposite to Karin in that regard. Ooh we will see a fight between Takumi and Kenpachi, it's going to be quite the fight. Yeah, Nemu and Toshiro have quite the fun interactions huh~? Yeah, they'd definitely have some fun reactions to Nemu's questions. I am thinking about it, though I haven't decided what kind of ability Yuzu is going to unlock yet, though I've got some ideas, and ideas are always appreciated. Their fight would be funny. Thanks for the vote! And yeah, that does sound pretty funny~
SomeDudeThatReads; Well, I hope I can make it entertaining~ Thanks for the vote. No worries.
Vizard Masky; Thanks very much! He did yeah, we'll learn more about that in the future. And yeah, he's got his friends support in fighting the Soul Society. Well, I can't reveal anything yet, but something definitely did happen to Takumi, and by what Kisuke said, it wasn't good at all. The Quincy girls will be showcasing some new stuff during this arc, and Karin, she will be showcasing her increasing levels of power. She will eventually get control over it yeah. I know, I always thought that was a cool way to use it, and yeah, Karin might be able to pull that off. He wont pop up with Karin, but he might pop up somewhere. Maybe she might try something with Takumi hehe~ Thanks for the vote and yeah, that's what I was thinking about for male Hanataro. Thanks very much!
Striker Studios; Yup, Takuhime (love that shipname~) have become official! Yeah when they find out they'll probably do that. Not right away no, since he's just begun learning it, but as we go through the story, he'll catch up to the likes of Yoruichi and Soi Fon. And thanks!
Miraculous Psychic Hero 100; Thanks very much! Yeah, I just had to put that in, it always made me crack up whenever I heard it from there. She did yeah, since Yuzu's got the Quincy powers, it wouldn't make sense for Karin to have Quincy Zangetsu. Nemu is quite adorable isn't she with her innocence? I wouldn't know who you'd pair Hanataro up with though. Maybe Isane since they have the healing thing going on, I'd say Unohana, but she'd probably destroy him in private activities considering who Unohana is.
ShadowUzumaki55; Yup, you got it right! That's a good question, Takumi's gonna have to work overtime for this. If anyone can, then it is Yoruichi who can get through to him, and yeah, they're gonna have to be very powerful to stand up to the Captains alright. Yeah, Soi Fon's gonna freak out when she sees him using Shunko. Karin went through a bit last chapter, going through near hollowfication, and dealing with her inner struggles. But she's growing stronger for it. Yup, Orihime finally confessed her emotions for Takumi, and now they've managed to finally share a kiss between them. It seems she is yeah~ Thanks for the vote!
Skull Flame; I'm glad you like Hollow Karin! Yeah, she was encouraging Karin in a way to become stronger. He's not there, it's only Hollow Karin~ Ooh yeah, Orihime's being trained by Hiyori, it's gonna be good for Tsubaki while Orihime's been going through quite a bit with Hiyori. Shunko is going to be a good mix with Takumi indeed~ She could be trying to do any of them, only Nemu knows what she's up too. Yeah, it's the former~ And thanks for the vote!
Guest; Thanks for the vote.
Silver crow; Thanks very much! Yeah, we'll expand upon that more in the future. He got some explanation, and he'll learn more about that in the near future, we'll flash back to it in future chapters, for the suspense and all so Takumi right now in this chapter knows some things about himself, and the reason why he didn't ask for his memories back is because Kisuke already indirectly answered that unasked question. Yup, Yoruichi had some fun it seems~ Karin had quite some fun huh~? Ooh yeah, Giselle's gonna be building that army of hers soon enough~ I can't reveal much about it, but they do have a past together, since Takumi was from back when Hiyori and the others were in the Soul Society. Haha, he surely is yeah~ Yeah, Karin got some encouragement, and after battling her inner doubts, and worries, along with a confrontation with Hollow Karin, it seems she's making waves into discovering her powers. Yuzu did yeah, she managed to reach her sister. He was worried for her yeah, and yeah, they can use Cero, the other Vizards, so it makes sense that she could use Bala as well. Nemu's fun~ Yup, Takumi and Orihime shared a kiss between them. It will get explained to Takumi, but not on screen, we'll get flashbacks to it. It seems so yeah~ He could have been, you never know, we'll find out in the future. He probably wouldn't be considering how they act. She called him that due to the incident, before that, as Yoruichi said, he was the kindest Shinigami. Yeah, I thought it would be quite interesting, Takumi's skilled in Kido, and they don't do anything anyway so why not~ Yup, I liked it! Yeah, he could be~ Yeah, he could be known as something like that, and yeah sounds great! He'll eventually reach Bankai yeah. That would be cool~ Yeah in the future they could~ It could happen yeah~ Who knows, he might have that. I do have a fun scene for when Takumi finds out about Komamura. Yeah he could have done that. Yeah, Yachiru and Takumi are going to have a fun dynamic between them, and he could stop her doing that yeah, and that would be funny.
Andrew123456; She had a backstory with Gin, but we don't learn much besides them meeting and becoming friends so yeah I guess I could. Thanks for the vote!
A fan; He did yeah, I remember reading about that a while ago, it would have been cool to see what kind of enemies would come from that.
Well, with those lovely reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Enter the Shinigami Realm!
With having a few days left, Takumi and the gang were taking it easy.
Karin and Yuzu spent as much time with their Father, as they could. Giselle went off to visit the Quincy girls who had decided to take care of Karakura while they away, and Orihime was spending time with Tatsuki, so they could just take it easy.
Takumi on the other hand, wasn't going to do that sort of thing.
He was going to make sure that everything was ready and he was waiting for his time to go.
Busy tinkering away at his items, and his various chemicals that most would be baffled by, he wanted to make sure that everything was ready for when he was going to go to the Soul Society, that's all he could do in the end.
As he worked on it, Kisuke came strolling into the room.
Overlooking what his son was doing, Kisuke pulled closer.
"Even now, you're preparing. You do know you have to take it easy, right?"
"Perhaps, but I've got many things to sort out before I go to the Soul Society."
Takumi replied, not taking his eyes off of what was before him, and what he was tinkering with.
Kisuke eyed up some of the objects around the room, and saw some Gigai's laying around.
"It's going to be difficult lugging around Gigai's Takumi. How are you going to do that?"
Takumi chuckled, pointing to some containers.
"They will store everything I need."
Kisuke walked over to the containers, and examined them thoroughly.
"Amazing Takumi, it seems that you've accounted for most things here."
"I thought that we'd need to travel fast, and carrying all of this around would be impossible, so I based it on some tech that you have Dad."
"I see, but you've done something quite amazing with it all your own. I can't say that I'm not proud of you, because I truly am proud of you. Though I'd also wish you'd take it easy, and allow me to take over here."
"Maybe I will later."
"You know, I'm surprised you've not asked about your memories, of the past I mean."
"Yoruichi-chan explained it to me, I'll regain them eventually, right?"
"It should happen yeah, give it sometime. I'm sure you've already begun remembering a little bit. Like questioning things that you shouldn't know but you do know subconsciously, things like that."
Takumi understood, and was wondering what his memories would bring him when he eventually got them back.
"I see...anyway, there is something I'd like to know if you have the time?"
Kisuke believed that Takumi was going to ask about it now.
Something that he didn't want to talk about, but he also knew that Takumi would bring it up eventually.
"Alright, what do you want to ask?"
Takumi watched as Kisuke sat down.
Gathering the courage that he held inside of himself, he exhaled slowly.
"So, I'll ask you this once, and I'd like a truthful answer please." Kisuke nodded for him to continue. "The day that light came out of my chest...why did it feel like I was dying? That light...what is it? Is...that what this guy did to me?"
Kisuke knew this question was going to come.
It was something that he didn't want to ever discuss, something that he didn't even want to consider telling Takumi about.
But the time in the end had come to explain his full intentions and wishes.
Kisuke exhaled slowly, pulling closer.
"I wish that it didn't come to pass...Takumi, the thing inside of you is..."
Kisuke began explaining what it was that happened that day.
He explained what the light was, and what it meant to him.
Takumi was blown away by what he was hearing, so much so that he felt almost like collapsing under the weight of the situation.
"I-I see...so, that's it then..."
"Yes, that light is...why he is after you, Takumi."
Takumi ran a hand through his hair, processing what was happening within his mind.
"Right...so him getting it would be bad."
"More than bad, it would be the worst possible outcome."
Takumi could understand that, but he also knew that was the reason why Kisuke was wanting to keep Takumi away from the Soul Society.
"Alright then, what are we going to do about it?"
"Takumi..."
"Dad, lets do something to stop this bastard once and for all. We can come up with something surely."
"We try and remove it Takumi, and..."
"I...I...right, okay. So something like that would happen to me...even then, we can outsmart this guy together Dad. You always said two heads are better than one, and if this nutcase is as you have described, he wont trust anyone to help in his plan making, but that's where we have the advantage, right?"
Kisuke released a soft chuckle.
"You're right. I do have an idea Takumi, and I could use your help. But, there is someone else within the Soul Society that can help you if it comes to a dire situation."
"Someone?"
Kisuke smiled, and moved closer, revealing the person who could help Takumi with what they were planning to do.
Rukia, having replayed the news of her death over and over in her mind, sits within her cell once more, her eyes unable to go anywhere other than the floor. She didn't know what to say, how to think about her current situation, among other things of that nature.
But then she saw that someone had come to her cell.
The person that came, looked like a shy and meek boy, with chin length hair, with bangs framing his face. Wearing the standard robes, he also wore what seemed to be a medical kit over the right shoulder.
"Can I help you?"
Rukia asked the Shinigami before her.
Said Shinigami pulls away, clutching a mop and bucket.
"Y-Yes, I have been tasked with cleaning your cell..."
"Oh, I see..."
Rukia trailed off, not seemingly caring if her room was cleaned or not, she just wished to be left alone if she was honest with herself, contemplating many things within her.
"I-I could come back l-later if you want me too..."
"No, that's fine. You can do as you wish."
The boy bowed his head.
He felt intimidated by Rukia and her presence.
But he didn't want to be, so he went into the cell, and began cleaning the area.
Rukia glanced at the Shinigami several times, who would freeze when Rukia looked towards him.
Rukia adopted a soft gaze, remembering her interactions in the human world, so she thought she'd apply that here.
"Sorry, what is your name again?"
"Hana...Hanataro, Hanataro Y-Yamada."
"Hanataro, that's a nice name. My names Rukia Kuchiki-"
"O-Oh I know who you are Kuchiki-sama."
Rukia released a chortle.
"I don't deserve titles like that, just Rukia would be fine."
"R-Rukia-sama…." Rukia raised an eyebrow. "R-Rukia-san?" Rukia nods slowly. "R-Rukia-san, if you don't mind me asking...there's a lot of rumours about why you're here...and I heard that it has to do with Takumi Urahara-san...is that right?"
Rukia leaned back in her chair, briefly looking out the bars of her window.
"Yes, that's true."
"If you don't mind me saying...why did you stay with him?"
Rukia giggled ever so slightly.
"In the beginning, I wasn't planning too."
"O-Oh?"
"Yeah, in the beginning, I knew exactly who he was when he told me his name. I knew that staying with Takumi would be dangerous, for both of us. However...at first I didn't have a choice, and he was so nice to me-"
"N-Nice?"
Hanataro seemed to be in disbelief, while Rukia nodded with a smile returning to her face after it had been absent for a while.
"Yes, he was really nice to me, he helped me with many things. To help me understand more about the human world...I'm sure you've heard that Takumi is a monster, right? Having done all of these heinous crimes, correct?" Hanataro slowly nodded. "Nothing could be further from the truth. Truth is...he's the kindest man I've ever met, he's very self sacrificing, and right now, all I can do is hope that he's living a happy life somewhere."
"But Rukia-san, aren't you..."
"Going to die?" Once again he nodded. "Yes, probably I am going to die. But, I don't blame Takumi for that, I don't blame anyone for that. I made my decisions, and I have to live with them. I...I don't want to die of course, but if this is what it has to be to protect Takumi, then I can do that...he protected me more times than I can count...he helped me with my own personal problems...I truly did rely on him in the end, for more than just protection, but emotional support."
Hanataro didn't quite believe what Rukia was saying.
After hearing the stories about Takumi from others, it just didn't make sense.
But the way Rukia spoke, it didn't seem like it was a lie either.
It did genuinely look as if she was speaking the truth, and if she was speaking the truth...then Hanataro wished to meet this person for himself.
The day had arrived.
Many days of intense training had led to this day.
The day that they were going to the Soul Society.
Night had taken over outside, Takumi's eyes watched the night sky, the tiny lights from the stars beaming down towards them, and his eyes reflected the moonlight.
Taking in the last sights he was probably going to see of the human world for a while, he thought about many things.
What he was going to do.
What he was going to say when getting to the Shinigami world…
He wondered what it was like.
If it was like the human world.
He wished he could remember when he was there, and what he had seen when he was there…
But nothing came to his mind.
Kisuke entered the room he was stationed in, seeing that Takumi had packed a number of things.
His eyes went over the stuff that Takumi had packed, and what he was going to take with him. He even saw that he had finished with BG5, and wondered what he was going to do with the robot.
"Hey, Takumi. Can I, say one thing before you go?" Takumi's eyes went towards Kisuke who gave a sad smile. "I wish that I could go with you, to protect you from this. But, it seems that my time of protecting you has come to an end."
Takumi could see the forlorn within Kisuke's eyes, noticing that his eyes had taken a notable dip.
"I know you want to keep me safe, and after learning what you did for me...I might not remember, but you told me that you let me down, what I heard from you, it sounds like you gave up everything for me, so in my eyes, you aren't a failure as a Father, you're the best one I could hope for."
Kisuke's facial features softened.
"Thank you, Takumi. Promise me, you'll come back alive."
Takumi clenched his fist, having a strong expression on his face.
"I promise to expose the darkness of the Soul Society, and come back home to Karakura. Don't worry Dad, the Soul Society better be ready for me."
That's the best he could do.
He had to be confident, because if he didn't, who was going to be confident?
Kisuke adopted a smile, hiding his inner doubts, and worries from his son.
"Yes, I'm sure they better be ready for you. But be practical, and smart about it Takumi. You saw Byakuya Kuchiki's power, you can expect more of them to be around, Captains are no laughing matter, they are powerful beings."
Takumi understood that, and he also knew that it would be rather dangerous.
But he still was determined.
"I realize that, but if I don't showcase my strengths, and try to change it, then they're in danger just as much as you and I am. This bastard has been running around, doing as he wishes for so long. If what you said to me is true, then he needs to be taken down, and we need to work with the Soul Society to do so."
"Yes, you're right Takumi, that's what you have to do...hah, my own son has become a man right before my eyes. Going off to rescue his Princess."
"I wouldn't call Rukia-chan a Princess, she'd probably kick our asses if she heard that."
Kisuke let out a laugh, nodding his head.
"You're right, she's that type of girl. So before anything else is said...Takumi, make me proud and show them why you are an amazing person."
Takumi clenches his fight tightly, nodding strongly.
"Yes, I will do my best Father, leave this to me."
Kisuke expresses a kind smile for his son who does the same thing right back for his Father.
Sharing a small moment between the other, Takumi made a promise to come back home, and Kisuke was assured that Takumi would be going with the best kind of emotional status, and that whatever was going to happen, he'd still be Takumi's Father.
Later on, Takumi went to pick up Orihime from her apartment, and knocked on the door while in his Shinigami form.
He had said that he'd come for her when the time was right, knowing that Orihime was going to do her best in trying to make as much of the time that she had as possible.
Waiting for a few moments, the door opened to reveal Orihime stood there, with a cute smile on her face.
"Hey Taku-chan, are we going now?"
Takumi nodded slowly.
"Yes, are you ready to go?"
Orihime nodded, looking back into her apartment.
"I was just saying goodbye to Sora. I know that he's in the Soul Society...say Taku-chan, if we have time..."
"We could look for him."
Orihime's eyes shined brightly.
"R-Really?!"
"Of course, he's there, right? Lets go and find him. We're already on a rescue mission, we might as well find Sora-san as well! I'm sure he'll love to see you Orihime-chan!"
Orihime threw her arms around Takumi's upper body, who in turn gently embraced her.
"I hope we can find him Taku-chan, that would be amazing."
Takumi petted the back of her head, while she snuggled against him.
"Yeah, it would be. Say Orihime-chan, what did you end up telling Tatsuki-chan anyway?"
"I couldn't tell her the truth. But I think she already knows we're going to a place that she can't follow. But, I saw that she came second in the tournament she was apart of with a broken arm, so she's dead strong, second strongest girl in Japan! How cool is that?!"
"I know, it is quite wild, isn't it?"
Orihime giggled lightly, continuing to hug onto Takumi's form.
Her eyes then went up towards him, who looked down towards her.
"We're coming back to everyone, I promise."
"I know."
Orihime bent up, as he bent down, and their lips came together naturally in a loving embrace of their connected lips. Takumi could taste strawberries from her lips, wondering if she had put on that kind of lipstick, and if she had, then it tasted rather nice to him.
When breaking apart, Orihime kept her arms around Takumi's waist, as they began moving away from the apartment.
Takumi however then had to tease her slightly.
"You know if people saw us right now, they'd only see you hugging thin air~"
Orihime's face turned into a slightly red colour.
"That's true Taku-chan, so even when we talk, I'll look like I'm speaking to myself, that's kind of weird, isn't it Taku-chan~?"
Takumi released a chortle.
"It is, but it's cute when you look shy~"
Orihime continued embracing Takumi tightly, and looked at the stars in the sky.
Right now, despite going to the Soul Society...she felt calm.
She felt relaxed.
She knew it would be dangerous, but with Takumi beside her, she thought that she'd be able to do anything.
Meanwhile, as that was going on, Karin and Yuzu were getting what they needed from their house, and were mentally preparing for what was going to come.
They didn't know how to tell their Father, how could they when they didn't know if they were going to come back to the human world in one peace?
Instead, they had told their Father that they were going to some retreat with their class, and had Takumi help make it seem official. Because they couldn't upset their Father, he might have been goofy, and a little crazed, but he was still their Father, and he loved them dearly.
Yuzu seemed to be upset about leaving home, which Karin questioned.
"Yuzu, don't be so worried. If you don't want to go-"
"N-No, I do. But, I was just worried, about Dad. You know how he can be, he wont be able to survive without us around, I need to cook for him, and you need to fight with him."
Karin understood that, but she also had a mission in mind, and that was to head for the Soul Society.
"I know what you mean, but he'll be fine. We'll be back before he knows it. Besides, this isn't a goodbye forever, we'll be back. I don't plan on dying within the Soul Society. And beyond saving Kuchiki-san, I want to understand more about these powers I have, I have a Hollow inside of me. And it is my Zanpakuto, I want to know what that means, and if it is common in the Soul Society, or if this is to do with what happened to Mom. Either way, I want answers, and if the Soul Society can't give me those answers, I can at least help Kuchiki-san and save her. Besides, without us, that idiot Takumi wont be able to get through it."
Yuzu held a hand to her mouth, releasing an audible chuckle.
"Perhaps you're right Karin, but we'll just have to do our best."
Karin nodded her head, gathered what she'd need, and head for the door.
Yuzu looked back into the house, looking at the kitchen, and hoped her Father would be alright.
They went to open the door, when they heard a familiar sound.
"Kariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin! Yuzuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
The screech of their Father's voice stopped them progressing.
He came bolting down the stairs, landing before Karin who held out a hand towards his face.
"Stop right there, I don't want to hug you or anything."
"Hahaha, I know that! But, you were going to leave without saying goodbye to your dear old Dad!?"
"We...We didn't want to make a big deal out of it. We aren't going to be gone all that long. Besides, I thought that you'd want to spend sometime alone."
Isshin released a small chuckle.
"Of course not, you're my girls! But, I know this is something you have to do." Isshin went into his pocket, and produced what seemed to be a charm. "Take this with you. It belonged to your Mother, it's for good luck. It will keep you safe, in whatever it is that you're doing."
Being sentimental seemed weird to Karin, but she and Yuzu accepted the charm.
"Thanks Dad...w-we better get going, don't want to miss the bus."
Isshin smiled strongly, giving Karin a hug, or tried to.
Because when he did, she socked him in the jaw, and breezingly brushed past him.
Yuzu leaned over him, and placed a hand to his forehead.
"Dad, I've made a list of chores you need to do while we're away. I've also been shopping which will be good for about two weeks, so don't worry about food or anything. I've also washed your clothes, and cleaned the house."
Isshin smiled up at his daughter.
"Aah Yuzu, you make Daddy proud! Be safe Yuzu!"
Yuzu hugged her Father tightly, while Karin simply smiled at the sight.
"Goodbye Dad, we'll be back soon enough."
"I know you will, but a Dad's allowed to worry!"
"Of course!"
Yuzu and her Father hugged for a good minute or so, before he let them go.
After saying their goodbyes, Karin and Yuzu left together, while Isshin cocked his head back, meeting the eyes of Giselle hiding in the shadows.
"You'll keep them safe?"
"We're going to the Soul Society, so I can't guarantee anything. But, they aren't weak by any means, so don't worry about them. I'll do my best."
"Thanks...I'm sure with you and Takumi-kun, you'll be fine."
"Hopefully. Well bye Isshin-san, wish me luck~"
Giselle did a goofy pose, while swinging her arms left and right.
"Aah yes, good luck!"
Giselle rolled her eyes, and moved out of the door.
Isshin was worried about his daughters, but with Takumi and Giselle with them, he knew that they were in very capable hands.
Later on, Takumi and the others stood in front of a large stone gate type entrance way that didn't lead to anywhere, at least not yet. Takumi, and Karin wore their Shinigami robes, Orihime wore a pink shirt, and white jogging pants, Yuzu and Giselle seemed to be wearing what seemed to be the official Quincy uniform, all white.
Yoruichi in cat form, hopped upon Takumi's shoulder, her eyes peering into his own.
"Ooh, before we go. Everyone, I've got some presents!" Takumi announced, bringing in the others. He then handed them each two syringes filled with a green liquid. "This is my hyper accelerating healing medicine. It will help you recover a good number of wounds, it will even help you regrow certain body parts if you happen to find yourself with a missing limb, that's cool isn't it?"
"Ooh my, that's quite the medicine Takumi-kun, I'll take that~"
Giselle took her syringes, as did Karin and the others.
"I don't even want to know how you made these, but I'm glad that you did. With these, we can have a backup in case something happens with Orihime, or we're separated from her...yeah, that's a pretty good idea."
Takumi was surprised that Karin was agreeing with what he was saying.
Though he was glad all the same.
Yuzu noticed that on Takumi's hip, where was a container that was tied around his waist. In fact, she saw another on the other side of his hip. To her, it was curious what she was taking.
"What's in there Takumi-kun?"
"Oh, just something's I thought we might need if we come across strong opponents. Like Gigai's, my various chemicals to make vaccines, my various drugs I've been concocting in case we need to use them to fight strong foes among other things that I thought we might need. Also, I've got food and drinks in case we have time to eat some snacks. We will eventually become hungry and all."
"That's actually a good idea Taku-chan, I didn't even think about food."
Orihime spoke up while Giselle wiggled her tongue provocatively.
"Guess that we can leave the planning to you then Takumi-kun~"
"But, it's small. How can anything like that fit in there? Okay, I'll give you one or two, but from the sounds of it, you've got lots of stuff in there."
Takumi chuckled at Karin's words.
"It converts the things put into here into a small size, and picking them out is handy as well as easy enough to do. I came prepared after all, we are going into a dangerous place, and might have to come up with various things as we go forward. Of course it isn't infinite, so it can't store everything inside, but it can store up to about twenty items, that's why I have two on me."
"Impressive, you keep surprising me."
Karin had to admit that was the case, and hoped that they would be able to use some of the stuff that Takumi had brought with them and if it was going to help them along.
Kisuke, upon noticing that they had finished, saw that Takumi was waiting for him to continue, so in a very flashy way, Kisuke thrusts his arms towards the large stone gate, and wiggles his fingers around in an eccentric way, which kind of annoyed Karin if she was honest with herself.
"Well, this is it everyone! The Senkaimon!"
"We're going through this?" Karin gave it scrunching eyebrows. "It looks like shabby pieces of stone in the ground."
"Hey! It isn't like that!" Kisuke huffed, seeing Karin's eyes glancing at him. "Anyway, you'll be going through the Senkaimon, which will allow those who aren't souls to pass through and gain a body like that while within the Soul Society."
"So a conversion type thing then, for people like Quincy's, and Orihime-chan to come with us."
Takumi surmised, Kisuke nodding slowly.
"That's right. This is going to help you get through to the Soul Society. However, be aware that once stepping through, you only have four minutes to make it to the other side, so you must hurry."
"Why do we only have four minutes?"
Yuzu wondered to Kisuke who chuckled awkwardly.
"Suffice to say that you'll find out if you stay in there for too long, so do your best to run as fast as you can. Also, try and not touch the walls as you run through the Dangai, it will try and keep you detained there, and you wont be able to escape."
Takumi gave him questioning eyes, as he slammed his cane down onto the wooden gate.
Energy spread out from his cane, and through the Senkaimon while Kisuke chanted a few lines of some spell that Takumi didn't recognize, which began lighting up, creating a passageway for them.
"Alright then, I guess this is it." Takumi took a step forward, as his eyes met with Kisuke's own. "Don't worry, we'll be back."
"Are you trying to imitate The Terminator?"
Takumi raised an eyebrow at Karin.
"No, when did I do that?"
"It's just...ugh, whatever. Can we just go already?"
Kisuke saw the look of frustration on Karin's face, so he bowed his neck.
"Yes, you may leave now. Good luck to all of you. Be careful to watch your backs, and as I said, stay away from the walls, and make sure that you stick together."
Takumi nodded, and began moving forward with the others. Kisuke watched as his son, Orihime, Giselle, Karin, Yuzu and Yoruichi walked through the barrier, entering the Dangai.
Kisuke jumped down to the barrier, and touched the entrance, only for his hand to be repelled away from said barrier. Kisuke releases a small breath, trying to make sure that he didn't feel so much emotion, and had to wonder if he just sent off his son to his death...only time was going to tell if he was going to be able to see Takumi again.
Then he felt a hand on his shoulder, shuddering to see that it was Zombie Chizuru who was staring towards him with a creepy fixating gaze that stared deeply into his soul, he thought that he was dying when looking at the Zombie.
"Zombie Chizuru will stay by Kisuke's side."
That slayed Kisuke's heart.
He couldn't handle her anymore.
"No, that's not necessary, please don't stare at me."
Zombie Chizuru grabs Kisuke's hand.
Kisuke freaks out, trying to rip his hand away from her, but she had incredible strength, so in the end, he couldn't get away from her.
"It's okay, I am here for you Kisuke, Zombie Chizuru will love you now."
Kisuke thought that his worst nightmare was actually coming true at that moment.
But then looked at the Senkaimon once more, murmuring "Come back, Takumi." and now, had to leave it to him, and the others.
Upon entering, Yoruichi looked at the walls, which seemed to be like a flowing wave of darkness.
Takumi also felt as if this was a familiar setting that he was in, as if he had been there beforehand, but he couldn't really picture it in his head.
"Okay everyone get moving, we don't have much time! Also, don't touch the walls, or they will trap you here!"
Upon the advice of Yoruichi, they began running through the long corridor that composed the Dangai.
Because of his natural speed, Takumi sped off in front of the others, without even realizing it at first.
"H-Hey! Idiot! We aren't as fast as you!"
Karin snapped at him, causing Takumi to grimace at the sound that she released, it was quite worrying to say the least.
"Ooh right, sorry about that, I'll keep my speed slower."
Takumi began taking it a little more easy, he didn't want to leave his comrades behind in this world. He didn't want to be in this world either, to him it seemed like a depressing type of world, and that never was good.
As they ran through the Dangai, Yuzu noticed the walls were getting closer towards them, almost trying to grab their bodies.
"Ooh my God Karin! Look! The walls are moving closer to us! Are they trying to capture us?!"
Karin's eyes shot left and right, seeing that it seemed to be the case.
"Holy shit! Is this why we have to run as fast as we can?!"
Yoruichi, staying on Takumi's shoulder, looked back to see that Giselle was moving relatively quickly, Orihime was surprisingly moving quite fast, Yuzu and Karin were moving at a decent pace as well, keeping ahead of the collapsing walls that tried to swallow them whole.
"Yes, that's called the Koryu, it's a current that's constantly following to stop invades like Hollows, and in this case, us from entering the Soul Society. Also, don't use your spiritual powers to try and stop it, as if you try, it will capture you, and cause you to be stuck here. And then if you are, the Kotosu will eventually come, and kill you."
"What the hell is a Kotosu?!"
Karin snapped at Yoruichi who chuckled awkwardly.
"Basically, it's a version of a street sweep for this world. It stops loiters from staying here for too long to take advantage of the time distortion here. It looks like a bullet train with a glowing golden eye. Though I hope that we don't see it, it can be very difficult to get away from it."
"You just had to say it, it's going to appear now that you said it!"
Karin yelled at the cat who huffed, and watched as they continued running away from the flowing walls called the Koryu, and didn't want to be captured by it. Takumi had a bad feeling that Karin was right, and they would come across this Kotosu, it just seemed to be something that would happen to them.
While running through the world they were in, some of the wall latched onto the outfits skirt that Giselle was wearing, and began pulling her towards the wall.
"Hehehe, hey Takumi-kun, I'm captured, go on without me."
Giselle seemed so calm about it, which shocked Karin.
"Giselle-san!"
Yuzu tried to help Giselle, but the wall went for her as well.
Takumi flashed back, grabbing Yuzu, and flung her over his shoulder, while tearing Giselle's skirt at the side, revealing some of her leg, but the wall took the piece of skirt that Takumi tore off, and threw Giselle over his shoulder, and flashed back to the others, continuing to run.
"No one gets left behind Giselle-san, we all make it or none of us do."
Giselle felt her cheeks heat up ever so slightly, she found it arousing that Takumi had said something like that to her.
"Ooh my hero, coming to save me from the badness of the situation at hand~"
Giselle grinned as the others kept running.
Karin looked relieved that Yuzu was safe…
But that didn't last for long.
For as Yoruichi had said, a bullet train type thing began appearing behind them, shooting across the ground and came right for them.
"I knew this would happen cat! I blame you for this!"
Yoruichi looked offended while Orihime looked back at it.
"Taku-chan, that thing is fast, I'm not sure that we'll make it."
"It's been about two and half minutes Orihime-chan, we've still got under two minutes left now. We have to be near the exit surely!"
Takumi hoped that was the case.
Being chased by the bullet train made of the walls didn't seem like it would be quite a nice thing to deal with.
"I pray to God you're right Takumi, because I don't want to die by something meant to kill Hollows!"
"Karin-chan, this isn't just because you're here, you know?"
Takumi expressed his thoughts, seeing Karin's face take a noticeable turn.
"Are you sure? I have a Hollow inside of me so..."
"It would come here for any intruders." Yoruichi explained. "Not just you. Rest assured, this has nothing to do with your Inner Hollow Karin Kurosaki."
Karin wasn't so sure.
She still had to try and wrap her head around what it was that was inside of her, and what could happen if it got out.
After a minute more of running, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel.
"Ooh thank God! We're there!"
Karin cheered, while Takumi also released a breath.
"Yes, lets get out of here while we can everyone!"
Takumi cheered, only to hear Karin stumble a little bit.
Karin didn't fall over, but she did stumble, which caused her to lose her pace for a few moments, which allowed the Kotosu to catch up a little more than before, and her eyes went towards it, fearful about what was going to happen.
"Karin!"
Yuzu panicked from Takumi's shoulder.
Takumi's eyes went back to see Karin's body nearing the bullet train of darkness.
"No, Karin-chan!"
"S-Shit! I'm sorry guys! Just go on without me! I'll be fine here!"
Karin apologized, and gestured them on at the same time, hoping that would be the end of it.
But for Takumi that was unacceptable.
"No, it can't be, we can't just leave you behind here Karin-chan!"
Orihime, having heard what Takumi said, pulled backwards.
"Don't worry Taku-chan, I've got this!" Orihime placed her hands on her hairpins. "Now, Hinagiku, Baigon, Lily! Santen Kesshun! I reject!"
Orihime thrusts out her hands, and creates a large triangle based shield behind her, blocking the incoming, pushing against the bullet train looking thing that came for their bodies.
Takumi grimaced at the sight, and saw that the bullet train managed to force them all out of the Dangai, and into a new area.
Floating in the air, Takumi and the others looked down, to see that there was a land that was full of old time looking houses, something that you'd find easily over a hundred years ago, and they fell down towards the ground.
"I've got it!"
Orihime used her shield and pushed it down to the ground, catching them all as they fell to the ground, and thanks to her abilities, they managed to get themselves to safety, and finally having arrived in the Soul Society.
Meanwhile, Rukia continued to sit in her cell, waiting for anymore news about her execution, and what that would entail. She also thought about her interactions with Hanataro, and smiled to herself softly.
She was glad she could at least have some nice experiences within the Soul Society before her execution came up.
Rukia could hear alarms were sounding off.
She didn't know why that was.
Was a Hollow nearby?
Nemu entered the Squad 6 barracks, and walked to Rukia's cell. Her eyes were unmoving, her body seemed to be calm and collected. Rukia hadn't expected that Nemu of all people would come and see her.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, what are you..."
"I decided to see, if you were still..."
Nemu paused, and thought about what she was going to say next, it was new for her to feel...anything.
"I was still...okay?"
Nemu with an emotionless expression, inclines her neck.
"Correct, and it seems that you are acting at an acceptable level."
Rukia was surprised.
The old Nemu wouldn't have even considered to check on her.
But whatever had transpired between her and Takumi, it seems that Nemu had become more involved, and interested in the lives around her, beyond Mayuri, and seemed to be doing things against what Mayuri wishes.
Nemu went to leave, when Rukia pulled forward.
"Lieutenant, I have to ask...the alarms have been going off. What's happening?"
"There seems to be someone, or a group of people that have managed to break through to the Soul Society. Unconfirmed at this time, if this is a Hollow attack, or someone else entirely."
"Someone else...no, it couldn't-"
"I currently don't have the information." Nemu expressed as normally as she could. "All I know is that an unknown presence has broken through to Soul Society. I shall keep you updated as information comes in."
Rukia allowed her neck to dip downwards slightly.
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
Nemu bows her head, and walks off, leaving Rukia alone.
Rukia's eyes went to the window of her bars, and wondered what was happening out there.
If it was Takumi, or someone else entirely.
She just didn't know.
Back with Takumi and the others, they looked around at the buildings that had seen better days. It looked dusty, nothing how he had imagined it would be, how Rukia described it to be, it seemed to be just like the human world, only if they lived in rural areas. Orihime's spirits went back into her hairpins, as they continued looking around.
"Phew, we made it."
Takumi released a breath as Orihime cheered.
"Yes, we're here!"
Orihime, who saw Yoruichi's eyes on her harshly, and thrusted her paw forward, pulled backwards.
"What did I say about not using spiritual powers during our trip through the Dangai?"
Yoruichi's paw almost touched Orihime, when Takumi caught her paw, and held her up by her paw.
"Hey don't go blaming her. It worked out in the end."
"Only because the Kotosu didn't touch the flowers themselves, and only came into contact with the barrier. If it had touched the flowers, then we would have been doomed."
"Even then, Orihime-chan saved us, don't be so harsh..." Takumi's eyes went left and right, around the area. "This...isn't what I expected the Shinigami world to be like. It seems like...feudal Japan maybe?"
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!"
A groaning noise could be heard, but everyone couldn't see anyone making the noise.
Karin dusted off her outfit, cracking her neck left.
"Yeah, it's totally deserted. Shouldn't there be some kind of spirits around here? Or Shinigami? Anything?"
"This is the Rukongai, there should be some spirits around here." Yoruichi explained, as she took a look around. "However, they might have heard the commotion that we made, and decided to stay in doors, in case it was something dangerous."
"Is that a regular occurrence or something?"
Karin questioned the cat who raised an eyebrow.
"It's not unheard of anyway."
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!"
Once again, more groaning noises could be heard, Takumi glanced at Yuzu who smiled.
"Do you hear a groaning noise?"
"Yeah, but I don't know where it's coming from."
"Great, so we might have scared the locals. Guess we can't ask for directions about where to go and find the Shinigami's."
Karin added, also looking around the area.
Giselle took a look around, and then saw a large city towards the right hand side. It seemed to be so immaculate, beautiful that she was rather speechless at the sight. Compared to the Rukongai, it seemed to be a paradise.
"I'm gonna take a wild stab in the dark, and say that's the area we should be going towards."
Giselle pointed towards the large city, Takumi's eyes caught the sight of it, and his eyes flickered.
"So, that's the Seireitei is it? Damn, it seems quite big. But it can't be as simple as walking up to..."
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!" Takumi heard a yell come from under him, looking down he saw a man that wore a green outfit, and had a short sword on his back, his face eating dirt. "G-Get off my head bastard!"
"O-Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there~"
Takumi removed his foot, the man stood up, as a large boar creature came strolling over. Takumi's eyes glanced at the boar, before looking back to the man who got up. Dusting himself off, his eyes slowly went to Takumi's face.
"You idiot, landing on someone's head! Why I outta..." His eyes saw the robes of Takumi, and then Karin's own. "Shinigami's! You pieces of crap being in West Rukongai! How dare you think you can step even a single toe here scum?!"
Karin looked offended.
"What did he just say? Did he just call us scum?!"
Karin's rage grew larger and larger, while Takumi got between the pair with eyes sparking.
"Okay, lets all calm down now." Takumi's eyes went to the large man, who's eyes looked angered. "Haha, so hey! Sorry about me stepping on you. I didn't mean to do that. But, if you don't mind, could you tell us more about the Seireitei before we step inside."
"What am I? Your tour guide or something blondie?!"
Takumi grimaced, and glanced at Orihime who stepped forward.
"Sorry, please don't blame Taku-chan for standing on you. He didn't mean it. We are only trying to make our way to the Seireitei to help out our friend. So any information you could give us would be truly-"
"I'd never help a Shinigami! Especially two of them!" Karin and Takumi glanced at the other, while the man withdrew his blade. "And if you plan to stay here, then you've got another thing coming! I wont let you stay here!"
"You're going to attack us, and we don't know who you are."
The man placed a hand on his chest, and punched it proudly.
"My name is Ganju Shiba!" Yoruichi took note of that name. "And this is my loyal boar Bonnie-chan!"
"Bonnie-chan's adorable!"
Orihime cooed as did Giselle.
Ganju sweat dropped even more than before.
"Don't say that!" His finger extends towards Takumi. "And you, Shinigami bastard!"
"Language around the ladies, that's rather rude. And I have a Father thank you."
Ganju's nostrils flare, and swings his blade for Takumi, who quickly parries it with his own.
"Hey, want a hand?"
Karin offered, as Takumi twirls his blade with his fingers.
"You can take the next one."
"Alright, though you better not interfere in the next fight."
Takumi held up his fingers in the peace sign.
"Scouts honour."
"Where you a scout?"
He chuckles deeply, shrugging.
"Who knows." His eyes went back to Ganju. "Alright, if you want to fight, I'm fine with that. But, why do you have a grudge against us? Not all Shinigami's are the same you know?"
"Yes they are! All of them are the same hateful people!"
He rushes towards Takumi and attempts to stab him with his blade, while Takumi flipped over Ganju's form, who smirks, and stomps onto the ground. He says "Turn to sand, Seppa!" which began turning the ground into sand as he said, Takumi grimacing at the sight.
"Sand magic, huh. Interesting. How does that work Ganju-san?"
"Very interesting isn't it?! I'm not telling you anything about my abilities!"
Takumi thrust his blade downwards, landing on the blade, and then kicked off from it, shooting at Ganju who panicked, and received a kick to his chest, his eyes widening as his body was lifted off the ground, sending him skidding across the ground.
"Haha, nice Takumi."
Karin grins, while Giselle plays with her hair.
"I know, your skills have increased a good deal Takumi-kun, that guy stands no chance."
"To be fair though, anyone of us could beat him."
Karin noted, and Takumi thought that was true.
Even some of the weaker members, like Orihime and Yuzu could take Ganju from what Takumi could see.
But he didn't want to humiliate Ganju, so he walked over to him calmly, and bent down towards him.
"Sorry about that, didn't mean to kick you so hard."
"I-I don't need your pity Shinigami! I'm the Number One Shinigami hater around here!"
"But, we don't have to fight at all. We could just perhaps talk about your issues..."
Takumi tried to be the reasonable one, but it seemed to be falling on deaf ears.
"Don't mock me!"
"I'm not mocking you...I just want to get some information and then we'd be on our way..."
"Lying isn't going to save you! I mean, what the hell is your name anyway?!"
Takumi shrugged, he didn't mind giving out his name.
"My names Takumi Urahara."
At that...Ganju froze.
He felt like ice had creeped up into his body and he was dying a horrible death.
His breathing became laboured.
His eyes went rapid, opening and closing at increasing rates.
Sweat formed on his brow.
His body slowly stood up, his nervous eyes meeting Takumi's own.
"Y-You're Takumi Urahara?!"
"Yes, that's right-"
"G-Get away from me!" Ganju jumps backwards, fearful of Takumi who tilted his neck. "C-Come on Bonnie-chan, lets get out of here!" The boar let out a small noise as Ganju got onto her back, and began riding off. "Y-You can have the area sir! Don't do anything to me! Goodbye sir!"
Takumi watched with bemusement as Ganju left the area.
"You rep precedes you Takumi."
Karin noted, while Takumi chuckled awkwardly.
"It seems so, I feel complex about that."
"Ooh don't worry Taku-chan, we're here to clear your name too!"
Takumi hummed as he thought about it.
Meeting the first person that wasn't a Shinigami and still seemed to know who he was, it seemed rather insane that he got so much of a scared reaction. He had to wonder how bad it had gotten for even people that weren't Shinigami's to have heard of him.
"I guess...but it still is a complex feeling to know that people fear you over lies. Well, I guess that just means I have to try even harder to get some evidence I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Yup, that's right Taku-chan!"
Orihime cheered, while Takumi cracked his neck side to side.
"Now with that out of the way, maybe we should gather some information and make a plan before going to the gates..." His eyes caught the sight of Yuzu and Karin casually strolling towards the city. "H-Hey, we have to make plans before going straight there-"
"Who needs plans? Lets get into the city before any guards come! We saw what happened with that guy Ganju, if the others are anything like that then they wont listen to any reason that we try and give them, you know?!"
Karin and Yuzu began running Takumi slapped his head as did Yoruichi.
"Wonderful, so they're going ahead anyway."
"We better go with them."
Takumi spoke up, so he, with the others went to meet Karin and Yuzu.
As they ran for the Seireitei, Takumi saw from up above, that a giant gate was coming down. The length went on for miles, it seemed to be surrounding the Seiretei around them, and it looked as if they wouldn't be able to get through.
The large gates hit the ground, creating a large area of smoke that clouds the area around them. Orihime and Giselle cough while Takumi glances up, seeing that from up above, a large giant was coming crashing down towards them with a very large axe in his hand, aimed right for Karin and Yuzu.
"Hey! Look up you two!"
Takumi's call alerts them to what was happening. Karin looks up, and sees the giant coming down, so she grabs her Zanpakuto from her back, and swings it upwards as hard as she could, clashing blades with the giants axe, and sent off a giant pressure between them, which forces the giant axe upwards, and away from their forms.
Takumi, and the others watch the giant stand between the gates, and them themselves. His axe aims towards Karin, while Yuzu pulls backwards.
"So, who's this anyway Yoruichi-chan?"
Yoruichi got a good look at the giant, and then explained who it was to Takumi and the others.
"This man is Jidanbo, the guardian of the Seireitei's West Gate. He's held this position for three hundred years, and in that time, he hasn't been defeated. It would be better if we make a retreat, and also-"
"Hey Karin-chan, you wanna handle him?"
Yoruichi does a spit take while Karin glances backwards.
"You don't mind?"
"Nah, gives you good practice with your Zanpakuto, and fighting powerful enemies."
"Heeeeh, I just think you're being lazy again. But, if that's how it is, I guess I don't mind fighting the giant. Besides, you said you'd not interfere."
"Nope, your fight completely."
Takumi spoke with a smile, which Karin returned.
"Good, leave this to me then."
Yoruichi, flipping out on Takumi's shoulder, hits his face several times.
"Ow, that hurts Yoruichi-chan."
Takumi explained, so Yoruichi slapped his cheek again, making him groan in slight annoyance.
"Did you not hear when I said that we were going to be making a retreat!?"
"I did, but this guys levels of spiritual power isn't as much as Karin-chan's from what I can tell. Besides, we're going to making a great entrance, and this is one of the only ways to go through, right? We don't have time to go around to other sides of the Rukongai and hope to find another entrance."
Yoruichi thought Takumi brought up a good point. This would be the fastest way for them to get into the Seireitei, but she also knew that it wouldn't be so easy to get past Jidanbo before them, so she came up with an alternative solution.
"Well, we could always just go to Kukaku's place."
"Who?"
Yoruichi went to answer, when Jidanbo raised his axe high into the air.
"Excuse me! My name is Jidanbo, I don't really understand what you're discussing, but are we having a battle, or not?"
It seemed that he was getting a little impatient, something Giselle could understand quite well as she'd feel the same if she was him in this kind of situation.
Karin tabs her chest, pointing to herself.
"Yeah big guy, I'll be taking you on. You cool with that?"
Jidanbo overlooked Karin's appearance. Seeing her Zanpakuto, he seemed to be rather intrigued, and hoped that he'd be rather powerful.
"It matters not. However, this battle is going to be a duel between me and you, if you're the one to be fighting me. I wish to see your strength on your own."
Karin held onto her Zanpakuto tightly.
"Don't worry about that, these people wont interfere in this battle. This will be between you and I."
"I feel the will of a warrior inside of you. If that's the case, then I shall be facing against you!"
Jidanbo seemed to be ready, as did Karin who continued staring up at the giant.
Takumi chuckled slightly, seeing Yoruichi's worried face.
"Don't look so worried Yoruichi-chan, you'll get wrinkles. Karin-chan's got this, she's become a lot stronger than when she first gained her powers. She can handle this guy, she trained with my Father, and myself, so she's got this."
"Taku-chan, are you sure we shouldn't lend an assistance?"
Orihime added while tilting her neck side to side.
Takumi nodded without a missed second.
"It would be a wound on Karin-chan's pride. But more than that, we have to be prepared to fight on our own if it comes down to it, so this is good practice for all of us to see how we'd be able to react to a battle of this magnitude."
Orihime slowly nodded at the sight, and watched as Karin got into a fighting stance. Takumi held a hand to his blade, while Giselle kept making funny faces at Jindano, wiggling her tongue, and also dancing like a Zombie, which seemed to intimidate him a little bit.
"Is your friend okay?"
Gesturing to Giselle, who seemed to be in her own world, Karin sweat dropped.
"Define okay, and then I'll tell you if she is or not."
"That sounds fair. But, this is going to be finished in one hit. Can you handle that?"
"Can you handle me? That's the question."
Jidanbo, showed a bright smile on his face.
"Confidence is beautiful on you Shinigami girl! I shall enjoy our brief battle!"
Jidanbo raised his large axe into the air, and swung it downwards as fast as he could. The giant axe caught the air as it swung downwards, and cut through the air, but Karin remained calm, and raised her Zanpakuto in a cross above her body, and took the giants swing head on, clashing blades together, and created an immense air pressure between them, but Karin didn't falter, her strength seemingly having increased a good deal, could handle the strength of Jidanbo.
"See Yoruichi-chan? You worried for nothing."
Takumi comforted the cat, while Yoruichi wasn't seemingly in the same state of mind that Takumi was in.
"Y-You blocked my shot..."
Jidanbo seemed to be surprised by what had transpired between them.
Karin having blocked the shot seemed almost unheard of.
In fact, he was impressed with what Karin had accomplished with her strength alone.
"But, I am glad that you were able to block my first shot! It has been sometime since someone has been able to block my hit like that. However, it doesn't mean you'll be able to block my full powered strength!"
"So, that wasn't your full power?"
Karin's question was met with a nod.
"Indeed, that was only about half my power. I don't usually use full power for my opponents."
Karin whistled lightly.
"Then I have to say you're quite strong if that was just half powered."
Jindanbo bowed his head.
"That's kind of you to say. But, it wont stop me."
"I wasn't planning on my words stopping you. I just wanted to admire your strength, I am impressed with you. So, come at me with full power Jidanbo, and I'll show you my power as well. Lets let the best warrior win this fight!"
"Good! You know, only about three people have survived my first strike!"
"Then I'm lucky number four."
"Indeed you are! But, you can't survive my second one at full power!"
Jidanbo raises his axe once more, and brings it down upon Karin. Yuzu notices that Jidanbo's muscles were protruding forward from his skin, seeing that he was putting more effort into his attack this time, and worried for Karin.
"Karin, be careful!"
"I know, don't worry Yuzu, I've got this!"
Karin grips her blade tightly, and swings her sword upwards as the axe comes down. Yuzu watches as energy begins coming off the blade, which made contact with Jidanbo's axe itself, the energy released itself, and sliced through his axe, cleaving it in half, the half that was chopped off fell down to the ground beside Karin, who held no hesitation in looking towards Jidanbo and taking a step forward.
"M-My axe..."
Jidanbo seemed to be in a state of disbelief, while Karin swung her sword outwards.
"How was that Jidanbo? Has anyone ever done that before?"
He stared at his axe for a few moments, or what was left of it anyway, and couldn't believe that Karin broke it while seeing that she was seemingly not putting
"No...no one has ever done that to my axe before, much less having blocked my second attack, at full power, you destroyed my axe. You must have incredible powers to do that."
Karin rubbed the bridge under her nose.
"I don't know about that, but I think I did rather well. I trained to become strong, so it's thanks to my Sensei's that I became strong like this."
Jidanbo then brings out another axe, and aims it for Karin's body.
"If that's the case, then can you survive Jidan 10-hit Festival!"
He then began swinging his axe downwards at Karin in quick succession.
However, Karin blocks the shots with her Zanpakuto again and again.
"Five, six, seven...six..." Jidanbo becomes confused slightly, forgetting his placement when seeing Karin block his shots. "Wait, what was I on?"
"Seven~"
Giselle sings from the side.
"Aah! Yes! Well, seven! Eight! Nine!" The three strikes come down at Karin once more, but she parries each attack with her own blade, so Jidanbo grips the axe with both hands, increasing his strength as much as he could. "Have the final strike!"
Swinging downwards, Karin holds onto her blade tightly, and then stabs upwards, her sword penetrating the axe blade, as her energy was increasing across the blade, shooting out upwards, once more cleaving right through the axe, cutting it in half, surprising Jidanbo.
"Sorry dude, had to cut your axe in half again. You're cool with that, right?"
Jidanbo was bewildered by what Karin was doing.
"How are you still standing after that? No, how did you destroy two of my axes?!"
"Well, I channelled my spiritual powers through my blade, I can do that with my Zanpakuto, and released it once I was managed to cut into your axe. So, I am sorry if it does seem like I'm being cocky, I just wish to do my best, and not let down my comrades. You understand that, don't you Jidanbo?"
"B-But...wait right here! I will be back in two minutes!"
"Why? Where are you going?"
"I need to get my two axes! Stronger ones! Those axes had been worn and torn from years of use!"
"Well, we are on a time constraint here..." Jidanbo gives pleading eyes, so Karin sighs. "Alright, we wont move a muscle, go and get your axes. I'll just shatter them too."
"Right!"
Jidanbo rushes out of the area, while Karin glances at Yoruichi.
"So, what's with this anyway?"
"He's a very prideful person and thinks that his axes must have had a problem with them. Either way, the next time you break them, be kind about them and maybe he might let us through without much more incident."
"Alright, I'll try my best."
Takumi watched with a kind smile on his face, and hoped that this would end rather quickly.
About two or so minutes later, Takumi and the others were thumb wrestling when Jidanbo comes back with two large axes. They didn't seem that different to the ones that he was carrying before, but Karin didn't make a big deal about it, instead she just stepped forward.
"Okay then, I guess that we should get on with this."
"Before you might have been able to destroy my axes! But not this time! These are very strong, and have no flaws at all! And I'll display my ultimate attack onto you!" Jidanbo raises both axes into the air, taking aim at Karin who remained as calm as she could do. "10,000 Year Hit Festival!"
The two axes come flying down at Karin, who inhales slowly.
Clutching her Zanpakuto tightly, and then swings it above her head as hard as she could. She increases the energy within her sword, and allows a thin layer of energy to overrun the blade, and aimed that for the axes.
The pair of weapons clashed violently, and Karin had to admit that she was being pushed back slightly, but it wasn't enough for her to fail.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Karin puts more pressure into the swing and her energy, which cleaves right through the axes themselves, shattering them into many pieces.
"N-No! It can't be!"
"Sorry it is!"
Karin swings the blade forward, and the shock wave sends Jidanbo flying backwards into the gates, causing them to shake because of his body. Dust scatters around them from what Karin's attack did, but Takumi and the others were safe with Takumi using a Kido spell to keep the dust away from their bodies.
Karin exhales, cracking her neck side to side.
"Sorry about that dude, didn't mean to knock you down like that, just meant to push you back."
Jidanbo stares at Karin for a few moments, bewildered, but then he gets up swiftly, brushing his outfit of the dust that it held, and looked at Karin.
"I merely slipped, that wasn't anything to do with..."
Jidanbo's eyes go towards his broken axes, seeing the pieces just fluttering in the air, since they were that small now thanks to Karin's power, and begins to weep uncontrollably. Tears as big as a child's body ran from his eyes, landing on the ground and create puddles within the dusty ground.
Karin and the others cringe, Takumi glancing at Yoruichi.
"You implied this guy was a fierce warrior."
"I did, and he is. But he surprisingly has a sensitive side."
"I see...are we supposed to comfort him or something Yoruichi-chan?"
"Erm...I don't actually know."
Karin glances back at the others, who shoo her towards Jidanbo.
She exhales deeply, moving forward, and puts on an empathetic face.
"L-Look, I didn't mean to damage your pride or anything. I just wanted to get through the gates, that's all. Sorry about the axes, my friend over there is an inventor, maybe he could help with those axes or something to make them more sturdy?"
Karin offered, Takumi chuckled awkwardly.
"Why does it feel like I'll be doing that after this is all over?"
"It seems to be a personal favour to Karin~"
Yuzu sang out, Takumi widens his brows slightly, as Jidanbo hiccups, looking down at Karin.
Seeing that she was being as kind as she was, he felt touched by her words.
"T-Thank you very much! You're unexpectedly kind!"
"Y-Yeah, so how about...you know, letting us through?"
Jidanbo didn't even have to think about it, his head bobbed again and again.
"Yes, yes, you defeated me in combat, it is only fair."
Karin glances back at the others as Jidanbo stands tall.
"How about my friends back there?"
"But of course, since you the leader defeated me in combat, your friends can come with you."
Karin smirks, cocking her head back to Takumi.
"See? He thinks I'm the leader, I'm the protagonist around here, party member."
Takumi bites his lower lip, tempted to say something, but doesn't in the end.
"W-Whatever, doesn't matter. We're going through, that's all that counts."
"Yeah, thanks to the leader here~"
Karin seemed chuffed with herself, while the others cocked their heads to the left hand side.
"So female leader, what is your name?"
Karin gives a big smirk, glancing back at Takumi who didn't say anything, he just kept on a straight face.
"The names Karin Kurosaki."
"What a cute name Karin Kurosaki."
Karin felt like arguing with the giant, but for the moment, she just held her tongue and didn't say anything at all.
"W-Well, thanks I think. So, could you let us pass now?"
Karin spoke with slight agitation, Jidanbo let out a laugh.
"Of course! But, I have to ask, do you want to go in there? There's some scary and mean guys over there. It isn't a safe place."
"We know, we have to go and save our friend."
Karin spoke for the group, Jidanbo seemed satisfied, and bent down. His fingers dug into the ground, and gripped the gate from underneath. Watching with amazement, the giant lifted the gate upwards with some strain on his body.
However, as he lifts up the gate...fear begins to take over his form.
Takumi notices it first, and pulls forward.
"Is something wrong Jidanbo-san?"
Takumi's question was met with a snickering coming from inside of the gate. Peering inside, Takumi saw a young snake like looking individual, wearing the same type of clothing that Byakuya wore, so Takumi knew that he was a Captain.
"Who is this guy?"
Karin rudely asks, Takumi and Yoruichi release a breath.
"It's a Captain Karin-chan, everyone. We need to be careful."
The atmosphere becomes tense, the snake like man's eyes that were basically a single line, opened ever so slightly. Chills went down Orihime's, and Yuzu's spines, while Karin, Giselle and Takumi stood their grounds.
"My, it seems that you've come straight to us, Takumi-kun."
Takumi didn't seem surprised that he knew his name.
"So, you know who I am. And who are you?"
The man places a finger to his lips.
"Haha, the same manner as always. So calm and polite. Well, my name is Gin Ichimaru, and I'm currently the Captain of the Third Division." His eyes go towards Jidanbo, and grins wickedly. "That wont do, letting in people. You're supposed to guard the gate."
Takumi's eyes widen when seeing a blade extending out of Gin's robes.
It moved very fast, but he managed to react to it, and leapt upwards, crossing his blade before Jidanbo, blocking the shot from the extending sword of Gin's. Yoruichi exhaled slowly, glad that Takumi had gotten to a point that he could react to that kind of speed, while Gin seemed to be rather pissed off about it.
"That's not good, you can't just go around blocking attacks."
Karin widened her eyes at the sight, blinking several times.
"Oi, isn't Jidanbo your comrade or something?! You just tried to kill him!"
"He's not serving his purpose. He isn't suppose to lift up the gate for others to enter. He's supposed to guard it."
Yoruichi looks on as Takumi pushes the blade away from Jidanbo and himself. Gin retracts his blade, and pulls forward ever so quietly, and almost like a snake after their prey.
"I didn't think they'd station him of all people here. They must have known we'd try and get in this way. We need to regroup, and form a strategy, there will be more people coming here soon enough, and while these kids have gotten a lot stronger, they also couldn't take on the entire Soul Society which will happen if we stay here. We must avoid fighting Ichimaru for now."
While she thought about it, Gin chuckles lightly.
"Now now, you shouldn't be able to move at all."
Gin unleashes his pressure around them, and because it was so strong, people like Orihime and Yuzu fall to their knees. Karin grits her teeth and sweats a little, while Giselle stays relaxed under the power, the same for Takumi and Yoruichi.
"Exerting your pressure like that, it wont take me down."
Takumi said it while pointing his blade towards him.
"Takumi, we have to leave right now, before the others come here!"
Takumi agreed with Yoruichi, and went to turn when Gin flash steps before him, and swings his blade down at a rapid pace. Responding as quickly as he could, Takumi repelled the blade backwards, while Gin flips over Takumi's form, and thrusts his blade towards Takumi in a series of jabs, which he avoids expertly, using his blade to parry some of the shots away from his body before he could be pierced.
However, while he did that, he placed his hand towards Jidanbo.
"Hado 33: Sokatsui."
Unleashing the Kido spell, the energy sprang forward and headed for the giant. Karin growls, and leaps upwards, clutching her Zanpakuto tightly, and swung her blade downwards, cleaving right through the energy that Gin released, protecting Jidanbo from the attack.
However, while Gin did that, Takumi saw an opening, and sliced left, managing to leave a decent sized cut on his arm, blood erupting out of his wound, and touched the ground, Gin's eyes narrowing dangerously at the sight.
"You little…"
Takumi swung his blade for Gin's chest to cut him down, but Gin leaps backwards, putting him between Takumi, who was standing in the Seireitei, and the others who stood in the Rukongai, Takumi seeing this as trying to isolate him from the others.
Gin shakes his head left and right, while Takumi clutches his sword tightly.
"My, you are quite fast. Then again, I shouldn't expect anything different, Child Genius. I'm also considered a Child Genius, so don't you find it interesting that we are sparring with one another right now?"
"I wouldn't call this sparring, you tried to kill your own comrade. What is wrong with you?"
"As I said, he opened the gates for the rift raft, did you not hear that part?"
Takumi knew he was being condescending, but he didn't care right now.
"I heard that part, what gives you the right to go around slicing down your own comrades who did something honourable after losing a match? Jidanbo-san has more honour than you."
Takumi's words stung Gin a little, but he didn't allow it to show.
"He is right Captain Ichimaru, I lost, and as the losing gatekeeper, I think it makes perfect sense to open the gates."
"Heh, a losing gatekeeper shouldn't open the gates, they should just die."
With cold words, Gin's sword extends behind him towards Jidanbo once more. Takumi went to respond, when Gin fires off a Kido spell right for his body. Gritting his teeth, Takumi dodges the blast, as the blade makes it to Jidanbo.
But before it could cut him, Santen Kesshun's barrier was revealed, protecting Jidanbo's body from the blade. But the pressure behind the blade forced the shield, and by extension Jidanbo backwards, he released the gates because of the intense pressure, and they begin going down, as Jidanbo's body fell backwards, and from his fight with Karin, was worn down enough that his head smacking against the floor was enough to send him into a semi unconscious state.
"Takumi! Come on! Don't stay in there!"
Takumi nodded at Yoruichi and went tn move when Gin came at him, clashing blades with him. Takumi swings left, crossing his fingers, and announces "Byakurai!" from both his right, and left hands, creating two intercepting blasts, which forced Gin to leap backwards, but because they clashed together, the onslaught of energy released caused an explosion right before Takumi's body.
As the gates continue to come down, Takumi makes a dash for the gates, but Gin releases a laugh.
"If you get out of the gates, then your precious friends will be stabbed."
Takumi's eyes went towards the extending blade from Gin, which was heading right for Yuzu.
Since Yuzu couldn't respond to it in time right now due to Gin releasing his pressure to stop her body, Takumi exhaled, knowing that if he blocked the shot, then he'd save Yuzu, but not get out, but if he got out, and tried to block the shot, then Yuzu could get stabbed, he didn't think he'd be fast enough to get out and protect her at the same time since the blade moved so fast.
Knowing what he would have to do, he appeared before the blade, and crossed the blade over his body, taking the shot from Gin's extending blade, but the gates continued to go down, Takumi's eyes heading outside of the gate to Yoruichi.
"Take care of them! I'll survive until you get here!"
"Takumi! Get out now!"
Yoruichi knew it was in vain that she'd yell that.
But she had to try anyway.
Takumi swung his Zanpakuto backwards, forcing the blade away from himself, and rushed for the gates.
"Taku-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"
Orihime cried, seeing Takumi's body attempting to get close.
What she last saw was Takumi's smile for her.
"I'll be fine Orihime-chan, keep yourself safe!"
And then they came down just before he could reach them, however a device came from under the gates just before they were blocked off from each other.
His eyes went back to Gin who gave a mocking laugh, seeing more and more Shinigami coming towards his form.
"And then there was one."
Takumi grit his teeth, his eyes going for the gates, and then towards Gin and the others.
Knowing that he was in trouble, Takumi exhaled slowly.
"Well, I guess that quite literally, I just knocked on Heaven's door."
Taking out his blade, he points it at Gin and the other Shinigami enclosing around him.
Knowing it would be dangerous, Takumi didn't have a choice.
He knew that this would be dangerous, but he had to do this.
He had to protect himself until the others arrived.
But it was going to be difficult considering his situation.
Takumi, was alone within the Seireitei, and more and more Shinigami, were coming for him.
End chapter!
So, we've entered the Soul Society! Takumi and Kisuke had a conversation that we'll learn more about at a later date and what that entails, Karin and Yuzu said goodbye to their Father, while Giselle promised to protect them while Takumi and Orihime shared a moment before they left together.
Then they entered the Dangai, and had some trouble, but managed to get through in the end, though it seems Karin's having some thoughts about her Hollow, and what that means to her. Then a little shakeup happened, and we met Ganju, who tried picking a fight as he does, but when hearing Takumi's name, became something different, almost frightened and took off.
Then Karin fought off Jidanbo, showcasing her new abilities by easily winning against the giant who seems to developed some admiration for Karin and sees her as the leader. But it wasn't so easy to enter when Gin came, separating Takumi from the rest of the team, so he's now in the Seireitei alone, lets see what he's going to do and how he's going to survive!
Until next time, were a surprise reunion takes place, thanks for reading!
Takumi; Orihime, Rukia, Yuzu, Karin, Nemu, Giselle, Liltotto, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, Hiyori, Nelliel, Tier, Rangiku, Toshiro (fem), Nanao.