Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
Oblivious IJ; Haha, it surely will~ Zombie Chizuru and Kisuke are hitting it off it seems~ Yeah, I could see that happening between them~ Aizen is yeah, we'll see more about that in the future. He is yeah~
Clarent excalibur; Yeah, Momo's going to be going through a few things in the coming chapters, and showing her branching out more. Momo's Bankai huh, I'd have to think about it, or yeah as you said, any ideas would be appreciated. I'm sure Takumi might be able to figure that out eventually. Haha, that would be quite funny to see huh~?
Hakuorofan7; Yeah, it might lead to Aizen's downfall in the end, we'll have to wait and see. And thanks!
ShadowUzumaki55; Zombie Chizuru's having the time of her life, with Bambietta having fun with the teasing. She did yeah, Yachiru showed she wouldn't go down so easily. Yeah, it could have been, Mayuri hinted at it a good deal last chapter with a few things he said, we'll explore more about it in the future though. Nemu's showing more agency and becoming stronger for it. Karin's concerned for it yet, Takumi's gonna help her with it, even if right now all he can do is give her a pep talk. He has yeah, Aizen's gonna try and fix that with what's revealed this chapter. She could become his subordinate yeah, Momo's going to go through a journey.
Skull Flame; Haha, it surely did huh. Together, they managed to drive off Mayuri from killing Kenpachi or Takumi. Ooh yeah, they'll become pissed off about it alright. He can yeah, leave it to the Femritters to fight off the Hollows. Haha, Kisuke and Zombie Chizuru are...one of them is happy anyway. It is yeah, we'll see more of that complicated situation in the near future. She is yeah, Karin's got her story arc going on now~
rhinocaputo777; Here's the next chapter!
Silver crow; Thanks! They are yeah, they've got Karakura town safe. Poor Zombie Chizuru lol. Nemu's showing more loyalty now. Yeah, it's gonna be fun huh. He did yeah, we'll discover more of the past of Takumi in future chapters. Yachiru showed what she can do, and she might be even having another fight in the future. I thought it was, since we didn't get one in canon. Nanao's glare can scare most it seems~ Karin's going through a few things. Yup, Yachiru fought Mayuri the best that she could, and Kinhime helped in her own way. He is yeah, it's gonna be a battle of the minds between them. Yeah, Giselle showed she's not to be messed with, nor is her growing army. And yeah, the Quincy girls are gonna be pissed at Mayuri. Glad you liked it~ Aizen and Takumi do have a past together, and we'll explore more of that in the future, and what he said to Momo, might not necessarily be a lie either. I haven't checked that out yet, so I don't know much about Roka to be honest. He could do yeah. Mayuri's quite arrogant yeah, so maybe he didn't, Yoruichi's concerned though. Perhaps he did see a lot between him and Takumi, their relationship will be explored more in the future. Maybe he could have killed him yeah. If I did a fic like that, then it could happen, sounds pretty cool to me. That would be cool for Karin. Maybe he could do yeah. Hah, that would be something Rangiku could do. Yeah, that would be cool if Takumi did that for Shinji and the others. No worries, I got what you meant. That will become relevant in the near future. Yeah, those look pretty cool for ideas~ The Espada could get something like that yeah. My favourite design, Grimmjow maybe, I like his a lot. Maybe not this chapter, but in the future, sure~
Andrew123456; Tough question. I can't say Mayuri's a good guy in canon, but he's on the good guys side, so I'd say he should have betrayed the Soul Society at some point, maybe it would have been predictable, but a fight between him and Kisuke would have been pretty cool. As for a bad guy turning good, I don't know, I would say Gin, but he was sort of a good guy anyway, but a totally evil guy turning good...I'd probably have to say one of the Sternritter, perhaps Bazz B, I know he kinda turned good, but that was more of him having a common enemy with the good guys, so yeah I'd say Bazz B.
Guest; Here's the chapter!
Well, with those lovely reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Preparations!
Having finally arrived at the Squad 11 Barracks, Orihime and Hanataro continued to use their abilities on Takumi and Kenpachi to make sure that they don't die from blood loss, or anything to do with their actual wounds, while Yoruichi looked towards Nemu who remained silent, she hadn't even moved since coming into the barracks themselves.
Yachiru sat beside Kenpachi and Takumi, wishing that they would be healed soon enough.
At the same time, Yoruichi turned her eyes towards Giselle who was casually playing with her hair.
"You've been busy it seems."
At Yoruichi's words, Giselle showed a goofy smile.
"Perhaps you're right~"
"Do you have any idea where Karin and the others are? I've heard Quincy's have sensing abilities above Shinigami, is that correct?"
Giselle shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Dunno~" Yoruichi sweat dropped. "But I do know where they are. I've been able to sense all you guys running around here since I landed. That's why I could find Zombie Ikkaku, and Zombie Yumichika, along with the others."
Yoruichi saw the Zombie's behind her, and shuddered.
She wished to know what Giselle was going to do with those Zombie's, it did freak her out she had to admit that.
But shaking her head side to side, she still did her best.
"I see...so you know where they are. Tell me, I'll go and collect them. It would be better if we are able to stay together."
Giselle nodded, pointing towards the direction of the Squad Eight Barracks.
"Over there, it feels like they're with that guy that came from the Soul Society to the human world when Rukia-chan was captured."
"You mean Byakuya?"
Yoruichi felt panic inside of her, but Giselle shook her head both ways.
"Nope, this isn't him, I believe. The one I'm feeling is with a weaker source of energy, they've been together for a while now. They also travelled with the weaker one for a while. Though I can't tell how they're feeling or whatever, but if they were in danger, we'd probably feel either not much spiritual pressure, or spikes, and I'm not feeling either. So they probably aren't in any immediate danger."
Yoruichi furrowed her eyebrows.
"I see, then it must be Kyoraku. It makes sense, he'd know that they'd be with Takumi...alright, I'm going to go and get them." Yoruichi eyed up Nemu who stayed silent. "Keep your eyes on her, Giselle."
Giselle heard Yoruichi's whisper, raising an eyebrow.
"You think she's an enemy?"
At Giselle's concerned words, Yoruichi shook her head.
"Not willingly anyway. She was made by Mayuri, he is a very deranged man and he, while not believing that his creation would ever betray him, would build something that could cause her to turn on her enemies. We've seen that she's passive, and doesn't really like violence. Mayuri also would see that, and he could have made something that would cause her allegiance to switch around, and turn her on us."
Giselle looked towards Nemu, and hoped that wasn't the case.
If it was, then Giselle thought that Mayuri was more evil than she had thought about. It just made her feel disgusted with Mayuri.
"Alright, I'll keep an eye on her."
"Right, I'll be off then."
Yoruichi took to her feet, and dashed out of the area, while Giselle watched Nemu like a hawk.
At the same time, Orihime continued using her powers to undo Takumi's wounds.
"Don't worry Taku-chan, I'll make sure that you survive."
She said while pushing her powers as far as they would go.
Hanataro was in awe that she was using her powers like she was, and healing him as fast as she could.
Orihime definitely had the ability to heal quite quickly, and her fierce determination was shining through.
Giselle glanced at Nemu while Orihime did that, and watched her like a hawk.
Despite what Yoruichi said, she just couldn't see Nemu turning on them like she believed she would.
Meanwhile, as that was happening, Karin was silently practicing with her sword in a small courtyard, out of sight of the others so she could have a private moment to think.
Contemplating about what had happened with the Hollow mask, she just couldn't get it out of her mind.
Why did it appear?
What could she truly do with it?
She didn't know, and she wasn't sure if she wished to know about it either.
She swung her sword left, just as Shunsui came walking past, causing her blade to stop inches from his face.
"Whoa there, you nearly cut me down."
He joked with her, causing Karin to lower her blade.
"Sorry about that. Didn't see you."
Shunsui shook his neck side to side.
"Of course, don't worry about it. So, you're a Shinigami then huh?"
"That's right, awakened my powers, and everything. Though..."
"Though?"
Karin didn't know if she could say anything about the Hollow within her.
She wasn't sure how other Shinigami's besides Rukia or Takumi would take it.
"Though...can I ask you something?"
Shunsui showed a smile, his face turning slightly red.
"Anything for a beautiful lady~" Karin thrust her sword at his chest, causing him to cry, and fall backwards. "A-Anything for a very respectable and lovely young woman who wouldn't do anything to hurt me, right?"
Karin narrowed her eyes slightly, before sitting down on the ground.
"I don't really get the Soul Society that much. But I do know that the laws here are messed up. In ways, it feels like we're fighting the laws of the Soul Society and attempting to try and change them as well."
"Well, that's what happens when a fight breaks out like this."
"But, why are you doing this?"
Shunsui raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"You're just as involved as the rest of us, especially now that you're hiding us Ryoka, so I was wondering, why are you doing this? What if you're caught, wont you be turned into a criminal as well? We've seen Kuchiki-san getting taken away for just saving our lives with giving her powers to that idiot Takumi. What you're doing is probably worse really. She didn't have a real choice other than death at that time. Yet you right now don't have to do this for us, you could just tell us to get lost, so why aren't you?"
Shunsui leaned his neck back, staring intently at the sky.
"You're right. Honestly, I have been contemplating it ever since I heard about Takumi was alive and well."
"What is your real relationship with him anyway? He has a Father you know?"
Karin wished to know more.
Something about the past seemed interesting to her.
Shunsui adopted a light hearted smile on his face.
"Yes, I'm quite aware he has a Father. My relationship with Takumi huh….haha, that's quite complicated. We had a very interesting relationship in the past. He was quite an odd Shinigami in the past. But he was quite kind hearted. Perhaps you've heard of this ninja like Shinigami called Soi Fon?"
"No, not really. Who's that?"
Shunsui chortled.
He didn't know if Karin not knowing who that was, was better or worse for the girl.
"Suffice to say, she's someone that has an even more personal connection to Takumi than I do. I saw the boy as a son in the past. He helped me with day to day activities, he always...well, it's difficult to talk about. The day that he was to be a hunted Shinigami, it always didn't sit right with me. He was probably the kindest boy you'd meet, he was helpful, and would often go to the Rukongai and help out for free, give kids food, and so on and so forth. So when I had heard of these heinous crimes, it just didn't make sense to me. All this time spent with him and seeing his kindness, and I was supposed to believe that he's suddenly a monster that does human experimentation?"
"Yeah...he might be a bit of a freak, but he'd never do anything like that."
"Exactly. That's why I was glad the day that Kisuke Urahara escaped with him. I knew Kisuke would make sure he was fine. So when I heard that he had been found, I knew that I had to see him, just once. If I could stare into his eyes once more, and see the truth for myself. Whether that truth was the cold hard truth that he was a murderer, or that I was right and he hadn't been involved at all."
"And I guess you saw that you were right?"
Shunsui laughed as if he found it funny.
But then his eyes tossed to the side, glancing at something, before bowing his head.
"Yup, didn't see anything evil inside of him. It takes an evil heart to do what was described. So I always suspected someone else had set him up for that, and he basically confirmed it for me when he crashed the Captains meeting."
Karin snorted, remembering when Nanao told her that.
"Hahahaha! That idiot would do something like that!"
"Despite calling him an idiot, it sounds like you care."
Karin was caught off guard with what he had said.
"Well, he's a friend of ours so I care what happens to him obviously, and he's also someone my sister has a crush on. God knows why that is, but she apparently does, so if he died, then she'd be depressed about it, and I wouldn't want my sister to suffer through anything."
Shunsui allowed a cool smile to erupt over his face.
He seemed to be quite happy about that answer.
"Protecting your sibling, it's quite nice."
"Yeah..."
"Isn't that right, Yoruichi-san?"
Karin froze as Yoruichi stepped down before them.
"Geez! Don't do that Yoruichi-san!"
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow.
"It seems that you're as lively as ever, Karin."
"When you suddenly appeared, I was quite shocked! But since you're here..."
Her eyes cast to Shunsui, who gave a dazzling look.
"Shunsui, it seems you've been making waves on your own. Taking in this girl, and her sibling."
"Well, a friend of Takumi's, is a friend of mine."
"Speaking of, where do you stand regarding Takumi and the plight of the Soul Society?"
Shunsui cracked his neck side to side.
"Alright, you should know it. But isn't it obvious? I'm trying my best."
"If that's the case, then I know where Takumi and the others are."
Karin's ears perked.
"You've found him?"
"Yeah, he's in a bad situation, but he's being healed right now. It would be best if we're in one place, and since he can't move, we should move towards that location. Karin, go and get Yuzu."
"And Ganju."
"Ganju..." Yoruichi appeared momentarily confused, before it came back to her. "Right, Ganju as well."
"You didn't forget about Ganju, did you?"
"No, I didn't do that."
Karin was suspicious, but she simply walked away from the area, while Shunsui watched Yoruichi intently.
"You shouldn't have come back here with that boy."
"You know him Shunsui, once he puts his mind to something, he's going to do it no matter what. Even if I had said something a thousand times, he's here to rescue Kuchiki-san, and I can't fault him for that."
Shunsui knew that Yoruichi was right.
Even then he held an unsure expression on his face.
"Either way, we should probably move out as soon as possible."
"He's not going to wake up tonight, so you should relax. He fought and beat Kenpachi Zaraki, and even attempted to fight Mayuri while he was losing a lot of blood, if nothing else he has the drive to keep going forward."
Shunsui had to admit that it was rather true in what he had said.
It made sense to him either way.
He bowed his head once more, and looked on with a calm expression on his face.
As the sun was rising in the sky that day, Momo was sleeping peacefully within Aizen's room. Not a sound was around Momo's sleeping form, and she looked so peaceful.
She usually felt at ease when she was with Aizen in his room.
But when her eyes began to open, she couldn't see Aizen around.
"Captain…?"
She called, but received no reply.
Rubbing her eyes, she looked around for Aizen, but couldn't see him at all.
Realizing that the sun was up, her eyes went towards the clock that hung from the wall, and saw that it was close to ten in the morning, her face turning as white as a ghost.
"Aaaaaaah!" She let out a cry, jumping to her feet. "I-I'm late! I'm late for that meeting!"
Momo quickly got to her feet, and grabbed what she needed, including that of her Zanpakuto once making a trip back to her own room, before she began running towards the location that the Lieutenant's would be meeting.
Realizing that she wouldn't make it for the time that she had, she decided to take a short cut, which allowed her to jump across some of the small buildings that were around, with the whiteness almost blinding her.
Then when she got towards a certain area, that was a big open courtyard like area, Momo continued running through the area, going across the tiled floor…
But something caught her eye as she was running.
It made her stop.
She saw something on the wall.
"What's..."
Momo looked at the red substance that had painted a wall, in a long thin line.
Her eyes followed up the red line to see where it had originated from.
But when she did find it, her eyes widened in horror.
Her body crumbled under the intense feelings that she was experiencing.
Her eyes began leaking tears while she was silent for a few moments.
"C-Captain..."
Her voice was croaky.
It didn't sound like the usual peppy Momo.
It was something more…
"CAPTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!"
Her voice couldn't be contained.
She ended up screaming as loud as she could.
Her voice echoed through the area, while she continued to cry. Her fists tightened. Her body shook around heavily.
Seeing her Captain like that…
Seeing his cold lifeless eyes.
His body pinned to the wall by a single sword to the chest.
Seeing his glasses nearly falling off of his form.
While she was screaming, some of the other Lieutenants were running to the location that they were in. Rangiku, Izuru, Iba, and Shuhei together rushed forward to see who was screaming and if they needed to take action.
"Who's that screaming?"
Rangiku asked no one in particular, anyone that would answer.
Izuru listened for a few moments before becoming more concerned.
"That's Hinamori-sans."
Running faster, they eventually arrived to see Momo clutching her chest.
Scrunching up her robes, tears continued to rain down her face while Izuru approached her.
"Hinamori-san, what's wrong?"
Momo didn't say anything.
She couldn't say anything.
Any time she tried opening her mouth, her voice failed her.
All she could do was look at the corpse of Aizen.
Deciding to look themselves, they saw it for themselves.
"Oh my God..."
Rangiku murmured at the sight.
No one could believe it.
Captain Aizen, had been murdered.
Meanwhile, with the sun beaming through the small window within the room, Takumi's eyes were overloaded with the light when they peaked open.
"Ugh..." He groaned, and attempted to sit up, when he felt his body erupting with some soreness. "Ow...damn."
Takumi slowly raised his body, but as he did, he felt something beside him.
Curiously, he turned to see that it was Orihime.
It seemed that she had sent the entire night healing his body, and had eventually passed out due to feeling the tiredness of the overuse of her powers.
His lips curled upwards, while he felt a tap on his side.
Quickly turning, he saw Kenpachi's bed dangerously close to him.
"K-Kenpachi-san!"
He panicked, but Kenpachi snorted.
"Are you thinking I'm going to attack you?"
Takumi looked at the closeness of Kenpachi, and then towards Orihime.
"I'm questioning what the hell is going on. Why are you so close?"
"Hah, don't worry about that. Your girlfriend there healed both myself and you. Along with this one here." He jabbed a finger to the left, to point towards Hanataro who also was asleep. "Seems like we had quite a battle."
Takumi groaned as he felt the soreness of the fight catching up with him more and more.
"You're not kidding. But, since we're like enemies, I don't want to fight right now..."
"You protected Yachiru." Kenpachi spoke with a low tone. "You did something that I couldn't, so for me, you're alright in my books. I am pissed off by that Mayuri Kurotsuchi, but it seems that I'm still alive so I have a chance to ram my sword into his body."
Takumi sweat dropped.
"Yeah...damn Mayuri, doing something so sneaky like that. He has no honour at all. Finishing off your opponent is fine, but he had no business within our fight."
"Exactly. Damn ugly clown, he's begging me to rip him to shreds."
Takumi let out a small laugh while Kenpachi sat up in his bed.
"Kenpachi-san, we're cool, right?"
Kenpachi nodded his head.
"As long as we can have a fight again. I'm interested in what you were saying, about the power of your Zanpakuto and yourself coming together." Kenpachi looked at his sword which needed repairing. "I've never really thought about it. I thought it was a weakness, but seeing the power you and your Zanpakuto drew out together, I wish to experience that."
Takumi eyed up the man's Zanpakuto.
"I could fix that for you, if you like? Even the jagged edges, and make it to have a good condition. I've been thinking during our fight and now, I thought that it was in its Shikai state, but I don't think that's the case now. It seems that even without Shikai, you're a monster. If you unlocked your Shikai, then your power would grow even higher."
Kenpachi contemplated what he was saying, while Yachiru came into the room.
As soon as she saw Takumi, her small hands shook, and she jumped Takumi, hugging him tightly.
"Taku! Taku! You're alive!"
"Haha, it seems that I'm alive~"
Yachiru rubbed her head against Takumi's chest again and again while Kenpachi gave his devilish smirk.
"Taku, you saved me and Ken-chan! You truly are Ken-chan's best friend! Thank you for helping us!"
Takumi gently petted the back of her head, while glancing at Kenpachi.
"It's alright Yachiru-chan. I'm glad that you're both alright."
Yachiru continued to cuddle against him, while Kenpachi released a small yawn.
"Taku, what are you going to do now? You're not leaving, are you?"
Takumi went to reply, when Kenpachi punched him in the arm, he let out an "Ow..." as Kenpachi laughed.
"Of course not Yachiru, he's going to be staying in the Seireitei, I still need to have my rematch with him."
Takumi chortled lightly.
"Right now, I don't know what I'm going to be doing. How long was I out for?"
"Just for a night. It's ten past ten right now!"
Takumi felt relieved that it was just that, and he wasn't unconscious for a few days.
"Oh, so I've only been out for a night huh. That's good, so I haven't lost much time."
"Kid, what are you really trying to do? It isn't just trying to save that Kuchiki girl, is it?"
Kenpachi cut to the chase, Takumi bowing his head.
"Honestly, there's something happening within this Soul Society, and it could even end to war if it isn't stopped right now."
Kenpachi's ears perked.
"A war, is it? Then count me in."
"Well, I'm trying to avoid a war...but, I know that I wont be able to leave here without having to fight. I still need to know what the Central 46 said to what I had asked during the Captains meeting. You wouldn't happen to know, would you?"
"Not a clue."
Takumi shrugged, expecting an answer like that.
"I see. Well, I'll have to find that Shunsui-san and see if there's anything that we can talk about. However, until I can do that, there's not much I can do in my condition, I probably need a bit to get my body back to optimal condition." Takumi looked up, and saw his hair. "By the way, you guys wouldn't happen to have a bath, or shower around here, right? Got dried blood in my hair, wanna wash it off. You know?"
"Haha, is that so? Then Yachiru, take him to the Barracks private bathing area."
"Yes! Follow me Taku!"
Takumi went to move when he saw Orihime stirring.
He thought that she was going to be waking up…
But she turned over and murmured "Cheese pelicans are cool~" and released a small snoring sound, something that made him smile, before he got up, and followed after Yachiru, while Kenpachi laughed to himself "What a strange kid, even in this land filled with enemies, he's still relaxed." and laid back down to have a small rest after his fight.
Back with Momo and the others, the distress on her face was real, her body kept shaking side to side. She couldn't cope with it, Aizen having been killed in such a bloody manner, it was like she was seeing something truly devastating.
But then that changed when she heard a new presence making itself known.
"I heard a scream, what's with all of the commotion?"
"Captain, it's...It's Captain Aizen."
Izuru informed Gin who looked on without really showing anything.
He still kept on the smile that could send chills down most peoples spines.
Momo's haunted eyes curled towards Gin, and saw how he was walking.
He didn't seem to care.
There was no grief on his face, nor was there any surprise either.
Momo then recalled what Toshiro had said to her about Gin, what he was capable of, her own suspicions on him.
Now that she could see Aizen like he was, and how Gin didn't show even a hint of anything other than a cold snake like stare, it only gave her the feeling that he had done something and was now coming back to mock Aizen's memory by just smiling at his death.
"Ichimaru!" Momo snapped, her hand going towards her Zanpakuto. "You killed Captain Aizen, didn't you!?"
Gin showed a more snake like quality, cunning, conniving, something that shook her down to her core.
"Heeeh, I don't know what you're talking about~"
He played it as if it was a joke, and to Momo, it definitely wasn't a joke.
This couldn't be a joke.
It was her life, and Aizen's death.
"Stop lying!"
Momo charged for him, while drawing her Zanpakuto. Her fierce eyes were on Gin's slit like eyes, he didn't even blink a single time.
He didn't care.
He didn't even seem to want to parry or dodge her sword that was coming closer and closer to his form.
However, just as her sword was about to slash at him, Izuru came between them, with his own sword drawn, forcing Momo's Zanpakuto away from Gin's body, protecting him from the very emotionally distraught Lieutenant.
Momo looks at the person who blocked her, and declares a single thing within her own confusion.
"Why Izuru-san? Why are you defending him?!"
"Hinamori!" Izuru yelled back at Momo who stood her ground. "This is my Captain, if I have to remind you! I am his Lieutenant, and you raised arms against my Captain, so of course I had to stop you! Even if its you, I will step in to defend him!"
Momo pushed against Izuru's sword, but he held his space form in front of Gin to keep him safe from Momo's assault.
"Step aside!"
She demanded, but Izuru shook his head while pushing her blade away.
"You know that I can't Hinamori. You need to stop this before it becomes worse for yourself."
The others didn't know what to do.
With Aizen dead and Gin not saying anything, it was a complicated situation no doubt.
Getting increasingly angry, Momo declares "Move aside right now! I have to stop him!" but Izuru refuses to do so.
Izuru pushes back against her saying "I can't Hinamori!" while also himself getting increasingly angry about the situation at hand with what Momo was trying to do, so Momo jumped backwards, and stuck out her sword.
"Snap! Tobiume!"
Momo releases her Zanpakuto, which changes to its Shikai state, and she takes aim at Izuru.
Flames began to dance around it, while Momo was lost in her grief.
All she could see was killing Gin.
She just couldn't accept that someone like him got to be around, while Aizen was gone, and she was dead sure that it was Gin.
She couldn't think of anyone else it could be.
Even the Ryoka, she didn't think would be capable of doing this.
And because of what Toshiro had told her in the past, regarding what she had learned about Gin, it just fitted together for Momo who was succumbing to the anger that was threatening to swallow her whole.
"This is not the place to resolve personal matters Lieutenant!"
Izuru chastises her, but Momo wasn't having any of it, and from her blade, a sphere of fire from her Zanpakuto that heads for Izuru, who gasps that she had done that, and dodges towards the right hand side, barely missing the fireball that curves upwards, and smashes into a building nearby, causing a giant hole in the side of it, while the sound of a seagull crying could be heard when Momo was firing off her Zanpakuto.
Seeing that she wasn't backing down, Izuru also sticks out his Zanpakuto.
"If you're going to be attacking me, then I'll have to treat you like an enemy." Izuru concentrates while Momo rushes closer. "Raise your head! Wabisuke!"
Izuru releases his Zanpakuto which turns into a reverse guillotine, and watches as Momo comes closer with her blade.
Despite neither wishing to do so, but due to being fuelled with hate for Gin and protective feelings in the cases of Momo and Izuru, the pair raise their blades to clash with one another, with every agonizing inch they gain on the other, causes Gin to look increasingly happy.
However, just as they were about to land blows on the other, Toshiro flashes between them, raising her sword to combat Izuru's blade, and forcing her foot down into Momo's own, causing it to stab into the tiled floor below them.
"Don't move!"
Toshiro ordered, while Momo looks towards Toshiro with saddened eyes.
"Toshiro..."
Toshiro, despite not wishing to do so, turns to the other Lieutenant's.
"Place them under arrest, I'll be reporting this to the Captain-Commander."
Responding to that, the other Lieutenant's disarm both Momo and Izuru, while Gin continues to watch on.
Then as Momo was being taken away, Toshiro looks up to Aizen's corpse.
"Momo, instead of fighting, did it not occur to you to get his body down from there?"
Momo releases a small cry "Captain..." while she is led away from the area.
Izuru didn't put up a fight as he was led away, he just accepted it.
Gin, while watching the others leave, strolls over to Toshiro nonchalantly, and waves a hand towards her.
"I'm sorry you had to become involved Captain. It seems both my Lieutenant and Captain Aizen's got too heated. I hope you aren't so mean with your report to the Captain-Commander."
Toshiro's cold expression shoots for Gin, seeing where his hand was under his Captain's cloak.
"If my eyes don't deceive me, then where you perhaps going to kill Hinamori?"
The two lock eyes, and neither backs down.
"I don't know what you're talking about Captain Hitsugaya. I wouldn't ever kill Hinamori-san."
His smile could send others to go wild.
It was the feeling that couldn't be escaped.
He definitely wasn't someone that could be normally approached either.
So Toshiro pulls closer, while resting a hand on her blade.
"If you ever make Hinamori bleed, I will kill you."
Straight and direct, Toshiro wasn't messing around.
She was ready to strike him down.
She cared about Momo, seeing Momo in such a state, it almost drove her over the edge.
But she had to remain as calm as she could, even if she was in the face of someone she found to be revolting.
However, Gin never dropped his smile, and weighs up his hands.
"You're quite frightening, aren't you Captain Hitsugaya? You should keep an eye on Hinamori, if you don't want any misfortune to befall her."
"...Are you threatening her?"
That's what it sounded like to Toshiro.
Gin merely turned around and began walking away.
"As I said, I wouldn't threaten Hinamori, she's just lost her precious Captain, she's going to need a friend. Especially after she did something criminal by releasing Zanpakuto against another member of the Gotei 13, and even attacking a Captain. That could lead to many hardships for her, but perhaps they'll be lenient towards her, since she has just lost her Captain. Well, goodbye."
Without looking back, Gin waved his hand and disappeared through a set of buildings around.
Toshiro felt more distrust for him than ever before.
It was as if she was ready to snap herself at Gin.
But she had a job to do, and she needed to protect Momo as much as she could.
Back with Takumi the young blonde bathed silently while looking down at his body, a towel around his waist.
He was surprised that he didn't even have any scars.
He presumed it was Orihime's ability to heal that made it possible.
But the water itself felt good for healing his body. It didn't have any special properties, but the warm water did feel good for his aching body, and his mind cast back to the fight with Kenpachi, and then Mayuri, and what could have happened if Mayuri had one more trick.
"Damn bastard..."
He muttered while sinking into the water.
His mind began going blank while the warmth of the water was taking over his entire body.
However while he was soaking in the water, he suddenly heard the sound of something happening beside him.
Something had slipped into the water suddenly, and turned towards the person and saw that it was Orihime, with a towel around her form. A very thin towel, that left barely anything to the imagination, causing his face to heat up.
"O-Orihime-chan! W-What are you doing?"
Orihime pulled closer with a shy expression on her face.
Her arms went around his own arm, hugging his arm into the comfortableness of her cleavage, his face turned even more red.
"Taku-chan...y-you're awake..."
"Haha, sorry, I didn't want to wake you. You've been working on me all night, haven't you?"
She gave a single nod of her head without saying a word.
Her head laid itself on his shoulder, snuggling against his shoulder, while her chest continued to push against his arm.
"Orihime-chan, are you okay?"
"Yes...I'm fine Taku-chan~"
She spoke with a peppy tone.
But Takumi could see that she held worry on her face, so he pulled closer, allowing his fingers to entwine with her own, resting their hands between one another comfortably within the water.
"You were worried, right?"
His voice echoed between them, causing her hand to tighten around his own, not to the point that it hurt, but for her answer to be known without words having to be spoken.
He bent down towards her on his shoulder, laying his head on top of hers, causing her smile to grow more and more.
"Don't worry Orihime-chan, I can't die yet."
"I knew you'd be fine Taku-chan. You always try your hardest."
Takumi continued to smile, while pulling the young woman even closer, and allowed her eyes to meet with his own. She slid her long legs across his thighs, before her body moved to sit on his lap, and her head ended up pressing against his chest.
His hand went through her long wet orange hair while she continued hugging onto him.
"Yeah, I'm glad you're safe. I was worried about you."
Orihime giggled, thrusting her hand into the sky, unfortunately she managed to sock Takumi right in the face as she did so, his head flung backwards, and he let out a small sound that sounded as if he just died.
"T-Taku-chan! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"
Takumi's eyes rolled at the unexpected punch.
She was deceptively quite strong.
Takumi took a few seconds to come to his senses, before looking down towards her kindly.
"I-I'm fine, don't worry about me~"
He assured her, as she looked up to his face.
Her smile grew larger and larger, but so did the tears in her eyes.
Adopting a kind face, he brushed the tears from her eyes.
"It's okay. I came back. I'm sorry for worrying you."
"No, I understand, Taku-chan is like that after all. But I wouldn't change Taku-chan. I'm just so glad you're okay, when we became separated when we met Jidanbo-san, I didn't know what to think and I..."
"You did great, you stayed strong, and you managed to save my life. Without you, I'd be dead right now."
Orihime leaned up, allowing her arms to wrap around his neck, and drag him down towards her face. Hovering a small distance between the other, their breath could be felt by the other, brushing their faces ever so gently.
"I'd always save Taku-chan, no matter what."
Takumi brushed his face against her own, causing her to blush lightly.
"I know. Thank you, Orihime-chan."
Orihime giggled, then closed the distance, allowing her lips to overlap his own in a tender kiss.
Surprise overtook him for a few moments, before accepting the kiss and returned it, as the water danced between them with their slightly moving bodies. Orihime meshed her lips with his again and again, as he did the same, his hand holding onto her comfortingly.
When they pulled apart, Orihime stuck out her tongue.
"I'm sorry Taku-chan, I had too." Takumi shook his head, and showed an accepting smile. She giggled out, snuggling against his chest. "Taku-chan, can we stay here for a little while? Just me and you?"
"Of course, I'd love that. Though if I fall asleep, please wake me up~ Haha, I'm so tired even though I've just woken up~"
"No worries, I'll wake Taku-chan up with a kiss~"
A smile sprawled across his face, while leaning back to enjoy his time with Orihime.
Soon Orihime realized that he had fallen asleep.
She couldn't help but smile to herself when she saw that, and just relaxed with Takumi as much as she could, knowing that it could be rather dangerous if anything was to happen in the future.
But right now, belonged to them in their little bubble.
After relaxing, Takumi and Orihime got out of the bath, and were surprised to see Shunsui and Nanao along with Karin and Yuzu. Yuzu began crying uncontrollably, while Karin rolled her eyes, as if to say "Relax." but Yuzu leapt into Takumi's arms, and wouldn't let go.
"Ooh Yuzu-chan, it's alright, don't cry~"
He reassured her, trying his best to keep her calm.
But Yuzu couldn't hold back and continued to cry.
"I'm so happy you're okay Takumi-kun! I didn't know what was happening! You were doing all of these things, and then I was..."
"Shhh, it's alright." He soothed, trying to keep the girl calm. "Don't worry. we're all together now, that's all that matters."
Yuzu wiped under her eyes, drying them from the tears she had.
"Y-Yes, you're right Takumi-kun."
Takumi continued to comfort the girl while the others stared on happily at the sight.
Karin then walked over, and punched him in the arm.
"What was that for?"
He complained, but Karin smirked slightly.
"Seems like you've had an adventure already, and we aren't even done yet."
"I know what you mean. It's been a real ride alright."
"So, what are we going to be doing next?"
Giselle asked as she entered the room with Nemu.
Nemu glanced at Takumi who gave her a soft smile. She just nodded without an expression on her face.
"Actually, I'll be discussing that in a few hours. I was told just before about Rukia-chan's execution date and how close it is coming, so we need to think of a plan, and what we need to do next."
"Why do I have a feeling you've already got some weird ass plan for us?"
Karin inputted her thoughts, Takumi showed a slight grin on his face.
"Well, I might have a few ideas. But I'll need the full scope of the situation before I can say anything yet. Of course, rescuing Rukia-chan is our priority, but we also have a few other things that we need to do here."
"Speaking of that." Shunsui spoke up, getting the others attention. "Takumi, a word. Privately."
Takumi shrugged, and followed the Captain to a different room.
Once they were alone, Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"Is something wrong, Captain Kyoraku?"
"Hah, well that depends on your thoughts on the matter at hand. You do realize about the implications of going against the Soul Society."
For a few seconds, it almost sounded like a Father worrying for his son about the dangerous activities he was doing.
"Yes Captain, I am aware that it is quite dangerous. But, I still have to do it. There are forces at play here that threaten the entire Soul Society."
"Haha, if that's the case, then that question you had at the meeting. We received an answer, and to put it simply, they'd consider it very strongly to release Rukia Kuchiki if you did hand yourself in." Takumi let out a humming sound and got to thinking, while Shunsui looked on. "You're not going to consider it, are you?"
"Considering it...I'd do it to save Rukia-chan, but I don't think it is genuine."
Shunsui furrowed his eyebrows.
"Oh?"
"Before I came here, my Father and I sat down and spoke about a variety of situations, how the Gotei 13 might act, and how the Central 46 is as a whole. From what I've been told, they don't sound to be the type to negotiate. Even if they have the chance to end it peacefully."
"Well, you're not wrong. Those old guys can be pretty stuck up sometimes. But, don't tell them I said that~"
He added with a laugh at the end, causing Takumi to feel relaxed in the presence of Shunsui.
"Exactly, I'd have to know a few more details, but I'm thinking that something might not be right with the Central 46. Why would they bother negotiating with me anyway? You could say it is a trap, but I'm already trapped within the Soul Society, I can't move around forever, and stay hidden, I'm going to be found sooner or later anyway."
"Good point...I also felt like it was suspicious."
"It might also confirm a few theories I have regarding what could be happening here. But either way, thank you for finding out for me. You did me a real favour, and it was because of you guys that I could get this far."
The older man waved his hand towards Takumi.
"It's fine, I didn't do anything really."
"But, you did Captain. You helped me discern what the Central 46 currently are thinking and what their mindset towards me is. It seems whatever way you look at it, they want me for some reason. Either that's because they don't want me on the streets anymore, or..."
"Or…?"
"Or, I'm a threat to them somehow, and they wish to take me down before what I know gets spread around."
"So, what do you know?"
Takumi pursed his lips.
He did trust Shunsui, but he didn't want to give inaccurate information either.
"Right now, they're theories, so I can't say how legitimate they are. But, what I do know for certain is that there's a traitor within the Soul Society."
Shunsui released a short breath.
"I see, so there is one after all. Do you know who it is?"
"My Father told me about the traitor yes. However, if I told you, would you believe me? From what I've seen and heard, the person I have been told is the traitor, is a very well liked and respectable man. He has a gentle nature, I believe, but that hides an inner darkness."
"...Yes, I'd like to know."
Takumi inhaled, and told Shunsui what he knew.
What he was told before coming to the Soul Society, among other things.
Once he was finished, Shunsui released a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"...So, that's it, is it?"
"Yes, that's why we need to be prepared. He's very strong and conniving as well. That's why I am thinking about what kind of plan we need to do to make sure that we risk losing as little as possible. It might turn out difficult and might end up with...well, all I can say is that, he needs to be exposed to the Soul Society, after finding out more about his true objectives."
"Alright then, lets cooperate."
Takumi inclined his neck in agreement.
"Yes, then allow me a few hours to get things prepared. Then I'll tell everyone my own thoughts, and what I believe we should do. Everyone's relaxing right now, so I'll not bother them right away."
"You're right about that~ Well, we should be able to stay here and relax for a few hours. However, I'm going to go and find out more about what the current situation is around the Seireitei, and what might happen with you if others find you."
"But, if you're caught Kyoraku-san..."
"Hahaha, don't worry about me~ I've been around quite a bit longer than you, I know how to handle situations with finesse~"
Takumi didn't doubt it, and was glad that someone like Shunsui was on their side.
A few hours later with the sun making its way across the sky, Takumi and the others had gathered for a meeting on what they were going to do next. Takumi saw Shunsui staring at him, so he gave a questioning look towards him, but he simply smiled softly.
He didn't really get it, but he was sure that something was going on with him.
He almost looked proud.
However, before he could begin, Nanao released a soft breath.
"This came an hour ago. It reports here, that Captain Aizen, has been reportedly killed."
The room went silent.
No one said anything.
Kenpachi though didn't seem to care, and looked left and right.
Yachiru of course was her cheerful self, and didn't say anything, she just showed a bright smile on her face like usual.
Takumi exhaled slowly, before shaking his head.
"He's probably not dead."
Shocked gasps rang out through the room, while Nanao raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you so sure?"
"Because the only ones that would realistically kill him are in this room, unless there's some unknown vendetta that we don't know about. The chances of him being alive are quite high. Given the current information that we have on him, along with what you told me about the Central 46, my conclusion is that he's either manipulating the Central 46, or he's taken it over."
Nanao looked curious about how he came to that answer.
"Takumi-kun, how did you come to that conclusion exactly?"
Takumi nodded, folding his arms.
"Thinking about it objectively, Aizen's death seems to convenient all of a sudden. Say it was a vendetta, was it only done now because we happened to be here? And if so, who would want to murder him? As I've been told, he's one of the most humble kind Captains, so who would want him to be dead?"
"I had heard about his little confrontation with Gin Ichimaru. I remember what you told me privately, but looking at it from all angles, Gin Ichimaru had a problem with him so if he is in fact dead, then perhaps it was him."
Shunsui informed, Takumi pursed his lips.
"Would it be realistically enough to kill him for it?"
Shunsui thought about it for a minute, before ultimately shake his head.
"Honestly, I am not sure. Ichimaru would be under suspicion for it due to their previous conversations which is known to be negative, though perhaps he'd try and pin it on you Ryoka. Not just Captain Hitsugaya saw the confrontation that day during the Captains meeting that you crashed Takumi. From what I could tell, it seemed like that Captain Aizen seemed to be a little suspicious of Ichimaru. I don't think it would be enough to kill. It was probably about the encounter you had with Ichimaru when you first arrived."
"If that's the case, then that just adds fuel to the fire that Aizen is probably alive. He's smart, my Father told me things about him, and how cunning he can be. From what you said to me about how the Central 46 would most likely hand me over in the exchange for Rukia-chan...why? Why would they even bother dealing with me? They're confident that I couldn't take the entirety of the Soul Society, so why bother with that in the first place?"
Yoruichi pursed her lips in thought.
"You have a point. They wouldn't bother attempting to deal with you, even if it is a trap to arrest you and keep Kuchiki-san."
"Exactly, that's why I believe Aizen is either manipulating or has taken over the Central 46." He turned to Shunsui. "By your knowledge, when was the last time Central 46 acted normally?"
Shunsui furrowed his eyebrows and got into deep thought.
"I'd have to say that it was just before you guys came to the Soul Society, right before your confrontation with Gin. After the Captains meeting, they have been unusually quiet, and there has been a lock down of the facility that they stay in."
Takumi nodded a single time.
"I can't be certain, but I believe that Captain Aizen is probably in that location as we speak."
Another round of gasps went through the room.
But Yoruichi supported what Takumi said.
"I think you might be right Takumi. From what we know of Aizen, controlling Central 46, would control the Soul Society."
"But, could he do it alone?" Nanao questioned. "I'm not sure if I believe this, but if Captain Aizen is alive, and he's running Central 46, then how did he do it before then? He couldn't have been at the Captains meetings, along with being at the Central 46, at the same time."
"Good point Nanao-san...the only way I can see it working is if he had accomplices. Or he could have people on the inside of Central 46, that's also a possibility, like corrupt members of the Central 46 that work for him, or other Captains or members of his squad. Though I can't see that sweet girl...Momo-san I believe her name was, being apart of this."
Orihime, Yuzu and Giselle noticed how he called Momo sweet, but right now, decided to ignore it.
Takumi then continued while looking serious.
"But we don't know when or if Aizen has taken over the Central 46, I'm only saying that it would make sense. There are other possibilities of course, Aizen might be somewhere else. I'd have to examine his body myself before I could comfortably safe for certain Aizen is dead. He would have been taken to Squad 4, correct?"
He directed to Hanataro who nodded strongly.
"Y-Yes, Captain Unohana would be examining his body to see cause of death among other things."
"Then that's my next destination. If that body is in fact either a Gigai, or something else, then I should be able to detect it with Captain Unohana's help. In fact, I need to see her for other reasons anyway."
"Other reasons?"
Shunsui inquired, Takumi chortled.
"I need her assistance with something. Only she could help me safely if she's as renowned of a medic as I've been told. Anyway, ignoring that for the moment, and ignoring Aizen's 'death', Rukia-chan is still our priority, we still have to attempt to rescue her. Because it would be odd if our mission had changed suddenly with Aizen's 'death' so, that's where Karin-chan, Yuzu-chan, Ganju-san, I'm going to have to ask you to continue attempting to try and rescue Rukia-chan, and Yoruichi-chan, I'll ask you to go along with them to keep them safe, since you're so fast, you can get them away if something was to happen negatively. If you succeed or not doesn't matter right now, because we'll save her no matter what."
"I get it, we have to give the illusion that we're all still trying to save her, while you sneak around, right Takumi-kun?"
Yuzu chimed in, Takumi inclined his neck in agreement.
"Right, we'll still be actively pursued no matter what, so lets make the Soul Society believe nothing has changed. Even if they believe we have 'killed' Aizen or not, we still have to make Rukia-chan our primary objective. If you can save Rukia-chan, then it would be great, but if you can't, and it becomes too dangerous, then don't worry, we'll all save her together if you guys can't. Honestly, it is asking such a hard task, when they know that we'll be heading there, guards will probably be doubled, or even tripled with us going towards that location. So just do what you need to do, and make sure you stay alive."
With Takumi's words, Karin seemed to be determined, along with Yuzu. Ganju didn't look so sure, while Yoruichi thought that this was probably the best way to go about it. They couldn't make a move quite yet, or they could end up being killed.
They had to play it safe, and gather as much evidence as they could, so that's what she thought Takumi was going to do.
Though Yoruichi had to admit that he was doing quite well.
He was thinking clearly, and also without hesitation either.
He was doing his best.
And right now, she thought that she was basically looking at Kisuke.
She could see a difference of course, but the level of planning behind his actions, just reminded her of how Kisuke planned moves again, and how to utilize everyone that was around him to the best of their abilities.
"So, while you're doing that, and they're doing that, what are the rest of us doing?"
Nanao questioned with curiosity building up inside of her.
Takumi nodded, and informed her.
"Right, Orihime-chan, Nemu-san and Hanataro-san will come with me. Since Hanataro-san is apart of Squad 4, it would be natural to think that his Captain would listen to him. Nanao-san, Shunsui-san, I need you both to keep your ears to the ground, find out anything about what the other situations of Captains and their Squads are like, and what's currently happening with Central 46 and if they issue any orders. Finally, Kenpachi-san, how about causing some destruction?"
Kenpachi's ears perked.
"Destruction huh. Now you're speaking my language."
Takumi saw how pleased he was, and right now, that was the best thing that he could be.
They needed firepower, and he was it.
"Good, because you are going to be going with Giselle-san, and Yachiru-san, to cause a distraction. If we are being followed through our spiritual pressure, then I've got just the equipment for us to make it seem like I'm still moving around towards the location of Rukia-chan. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of Nemu-san and myself, our location here is blocked off so no one knows we're all in one place. I've also got a cloak that hides spiritual pressure, a gift from my Father who allowed me to study the technology, that's why I'll be wearing one with Orihime-chan and the others so we can't be detected, and I, with my Father, also invented these." Takumi pulled out another cloak, and tossed it to Kenpachi. "This will give off my own spiritual signature, and this one will give off Orihime-chan's. Doing the adjusting takes a few hours, so that's why I've only begun the meeting now." He tossed it to Yachiru who grinned happily. "They'd have to see you face to face to believe it wasn't me they were sensing. My Father and I invented them together during the course of the training days we had. We discussed several possibilities, and the idea of hiding was one of them, while also causing a distraction."
"Yay! I get to be boobies!"
Yachiru cheered loudly as Orihime blushed brightly at being referred to in such a manner, while Kenpachi tossed his over his head.
"Well, it's not my style, but I'm fine with it. However, I'll only do this if you promise to have two more fights with me once this shit is over with."
"A-Another blood battle?! You must be kidding! You only just fought the other day, now you want two more bloody battles!?"
Karin snapped while Kenpachi showed a toothy smile.
"Naturally, it's going to be the best."
Takumi sighed slightly, knowing that it might come to this.
"Alright, if that's how it has to be, I don't mind."
Karin looked at him strangely.
"If that's what you want to do, it seems crazy to me, but whatever floats your boat."
Takumi chortled as a response to what Karin had said.
He found it rather funny if he did say so himself.
"Haha, then I'll do it! So, I just have to cause destruction, is that right?"
Kenpachi seemed to be happy enough.
Yachiru was also happy for Kenpachi and was glad that she could help out.
"Giselle-sans senses are the best here. Being a Quincy, she naturally has better spiritual energy senses, so she can sense when people are coming. All you have to do is not be seen, while making it known you're heading in the general direction of where Rukia-chan is. Because we were close already in location, as in Orihime-chan and I, Mayuri would know we're together along with Giselle-san who he had fought, but he wouldn't expect Karin-chan and the others being with us, so that's why we have to be separate. I don't trust Mayuri, and he's wicked smart. If he's going to try anything, it would be against myself, and my group, and you three, I believe will be able to fight him off should he come, or at least retreat."
"Hah, I don't retreat, kid."
Kenpachi said with a dangerous smile.
Takumi smiled awkwardly, looking at Giselle, who nodded, so he nodded as well.
Shunsui scratched his cheek with intrigue.
"It sounds like a good idea to me. It seems you've thought far ahead."
"We're up against very intelligent people, even my Father said Aizen is around his intellect, so he's a very dangerous opponent when it comes to wits. We have to be this cautious if we're going to survive and get out of here. There's no telling what Aizen and his cohorts are capable of, so taking every precaution is the best that we can do right now."
Shunsui understood quite well.
It made sense.
So he was alright with it.
Then he saw Kenpachi turn his eyes towards Takumi.
"Can I kill people?"
"I'd prefer if you didn't, unless you had no other choice."
Takumi replied, to the slight annoyance of Kenpachi.
"Ugh...three fights then."
Takumi grimaced.
Three more fights with Kenpachi.
He wasn't sure on how he was going to survive.
"A-Alright, three more fights."
"Good, then I wont kill anyone."
Takumi looked relieved, while Yoruichi suddenly pulled out a map, and tossed one to Giselle, and to Takumi, along with Shunsui.
"We'll meet in the location marked on the map. It is a hidden part of the Soul Society, it is risky meeting back here, we can't draw attention to ourselves again. If we're converging on a single area, and they know it is the Barracks of a Squad, then there's no telling what could happen. Our safest bet is to head towards here, a location that not many people in the Soul Society would be aware of, and Kisuke would have taken measures so our spiritual pressures wouldn't be sensed. It's a good distance from here, but we'll all be heading in that general direction, so it's best if we head there."
Takumi thought that it was a good idea, and didn't have any complaints at all.
"Agreed, we'll meet back here once our objectives are complete, or if we've been brought to a compromising position. Either way, we should meet there by tomorrow night, that would give us all the time to do what we need to do."
[Understood!]
They replied with vigour.
Takumi was quite overwhelmed.
He almost felt like he was planning to fight a war.
When he truthfully just wished to prevent such a thing happening.
"Right, then Karin-chan, your group will leave second right after mine in about an hour. Kenpachi-san, your group will leave in two hours after Karin-chan's leaves, Giselle-san, I'll give you a few things should Mayuri show up, it should help." Giselle nodded. "If we're leaving at the same time, then we'll be caught so that's why we need to separate. Orihime-chan, Nemu-san, Hanataro-san, we'll be leaving in a few minutes."
"Yes Taku-chan!"
"I understand."
"R-Right sir!"
Takumi smiled at the trio, and stretched his legs.
"Take this time to relax yourselves, because I doubt we'll be able to relax until tomorrow night. Stay alert, stay calm and keep one another safe. The Soul Society might have numbers, but we have the element of surprise on our side."
Takumi stood up, and went to go and prepare some minor details before he left, while the others took to relaxing for the moment, knowing that it could be the last time that they realistically would be able to relax again for a good while.
However, Karin couldn't.
She hadn't had the chance to speak to him yet, but now that he was going, she didn't think she'd get a chance, and if the Hollow came out…
Then she wasn't sure what she was going to do.
So while Takumi went into a separate room, she followed after him, and saw him packing away a few things.
She cleared her throat to gain his attention, he turned to see her staring at him.
"Something on your mind Karin-chan?"
Karin, ran a hand through her robes, casually producing the Hollow mask that had appeared, and tossed it to Takumi, who's eyes went slightly wide at the sight of the mask, while she tried to keep her cool.
"That, doesn't mean anything, right? It doesn't mean I'm turning into a Hollow or anything, right?"
Takumi looked at the mask, then at Karin.
"You're worried about becoming a Hollow?"
"N-No!" She denied it, but then a few seconds later, she recoiled. "...Maybe a little bit. I remember when I was training to gain Shikai, how it almost took over my body. Now this mask has appeared...what if it tries it again? I don't know what I'd do…I don't want to endanger Yuzu or the others with my being there being the reason."
Takumi understood quite well what was running through her mind.
"Karin-chan, your Hollow mask isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"But..."
"Remember, we've met good Hollows."
"They seem to be the exception rather than the rule."
She retorted, and Takumi hummed.
"Perhaps, but Karin-chan, you're not a Hollow, and you're not an ordinary Shinigami either. You remember Hiyori-chan, right?"
"Well yeah, she also said something about having one."
"Right. She might be eccentric, but she's still a good person. Having Hollow powers doesn't make you a bad person."
Karin's eyes lowered, placing a hand on her face.
"...Sometimes I wonder..."
Takumi heard the crackling in her voice, seeing that it was affecting her deeper than he thought.
Inhaling slowly, he pulled closer, and bent down towards her as she had crouched down.
"Karin-chan, you're not a bad person. Why would you think you are?"
"I don't think I am...it's just, sometimes when I'm fighting, I feel this urge to...I feel an urge to kill, I feel bloodlust inside of me. That's not natural, is it?"
"It depends what's normal. Because for Kenpachi-san, that's his normal. You've seen him, he's a very violent person who thrives off battle. I also thought something like that in my fight with him, I thought that I liked fighting also, that it was something that gave me joy. But the simple fact is, that fighting is a challenge for me. I know that it is difficult circumstances, but a Hollows will to fight, isn't always a bad thing. Yes, killing is wrong, and other things like that unless it truly is necessary, killing can be saving the next victim of that person, that's how I see it. But bloodlust, is how Hollows operate."
"Then, what do I do…? I don't think I'm strong enough….Yuzu's strong, so mentally and emotionally strong, and when I saw that mask...my walls broke, I almost wanted to give in...it just makes me feel like a danger to others...it once said to me, that if it had the chance, it would take me over...if it takes me over, and hurts the ones that I love..."
Seeing the turmoil that she had, Takumi gently embraced her.
Usually she'd fight it.
But this time, she didn't have the will to fight.
She just wished that she didn't have the power of a Hollow.
Takumi, grabbed the mask, then looked at it for a few moments.
"Karin-chan, Hiyori-chan and the others told me about when they dealt with their masks, and their inner Hollow. It is true that it can be frightening at first, that this unknown being wishes to try and do you harm. But she told me that the trick is to not give into its demands. Make peace with it, because it is inside of you."
"Make peace with a Hollow. You must be mad."
Takumi chortled.
"Madder than a box of frogs~" Karin let out a small laugh involuntarily. "I know that it might seem crazy, but having an inner Hollow can be a good thing. It can give you more power, while never being swayed by the power. This Hollow inside of you might tempt you with power, it might try and trick you, and it might try and possess you. But, you have Yuzu-chan right beside you. She's always there for you, no matter what."
"Yuzu...yeah, Yuzu's always there..."
Takumi nodded, letting Karin go, and glanced at the mask, before presenting it to her.
"Right. Take this mask, and have it with you, keep it as you declaring you're not going to give into its demands. Make it know you're not weak, because you're not. You've dealt with your Mother's passing, you tackled this new world head on, and your ability to adapt to situations is amazing. You think Yuzu-chan is emotionally stronger, but I believe you both are very emotionally strong. People, when they lose a loved one, want to run away from reality. Remember with Grand Fisher, how it made that lure with your Mother's face, and voice?" She nodded, remembering that incident. "That time, you were strong. Even though it was your Mother who you adored, you still didn't back down, you showed that despite it being your Mother's face and voice, it wasn't her. You fought hard to allow your Mother to finally rest in peace."
Karin felt more strength coming to her.
It felt good to hear that.
Even if it was from Takumi…
No, she was glad it was him who had told her this.
If it came from Yuzu, she believed that Yuzu might try and keep it as if nothing was wrong, and reassure her.
But with Takumi, he wouldn't say it was going to be okay.
He'd say the truth, about what he knew, and how to take any situation that she had.
She began laughing, putting a hand to her forehead.
"You're right, I don't know what I was thinking. I know all these things you've told me."
"We all sometimes need to be reminded of how strong we truly are. So next time that Hollow of yours tries anything, you remind yourself of how strong you are. Don't let it be your enemy, try and make it your friend. Sounds cliché as hell I know, but that's the trick. Hiyori-chan said that she and the others conquered their Hollows, but it doesn't have to be subjugating them. It can be making them an ally. You never know, Hollow Karin-chan might want to be your friend, but she might not know how to express herself, she might push back and deny it, but if you fight through, you'll eventually come to a peace with her."
"Wow Takumi, you're speaking like an actual wise person. Where was this in the human world?"
She joked, Takumi let out a small laugh.
"I know, right~ Being serious is difficult."
Karin let out a small laugh.
"Yeah...but, I like your serious side. It's refreshing to know you're here for us all. That's why we'll do what we can for you. Shunsui-san told me about the reasons why you were banished and now they want to execute you. I might not have known you back then, but I know you now, and you aren't capable of being an evil bastard like that."
"Thanks, Karin-chan."
Takumi felt his cheeks surprisingly going red slightly, while Karin also allowed a small blush to appear on her cheeks.
But that soon ended when Yuzu came into the room, showing a soft smile between them.
"You guys okay?"
Karin huffed, and lightly tapped Takumi's leg with her foot.
"Just gaining some information from him, that's all."
Karin walked out of the room, while Takumi shook his head.
"That girl, full of surprises, isn't she Yuzu-chan?"
"You're not kidding. She's very unpredictable."
Takumi showed a kind smile moving closer to Yuzu, and gently petted her head, causing her to blush slightly.
"Don't worry Yuzu-chan, we'll all be going back home after this."
"Takumi-kun..."
"Yeah?"
Yuzu shook her head left and right.
"It's nothing, I'm just glad that you're here with us, I'm not sure what I'd do if you wasn't here."
"You'd just do what you usually do, and that's be an awesome Quincy. Don't doubt yourself Yuzu-chan, you can do this, we'll be right beside you, and you'll be beside us."
"Hehe, I guess that you're right Takumi-kun, thank you for saying that~"
Takumi shook his head.
"Don't worry about it, it's all good~ Just stay safe~"
Yuzu nodded without a pause, glad that Takumi was around to help her through this.
That they'd be able to get through this.
For right now, Takumi had a mission, and first of all, he had to go and find Unohana, and hopefully, she'd agree to help.
Meanwhile, Momo sat within her jail cell, and kept thinking about what happened with Aizen, if she had stayed awake that night, if she had done something more…
Then perhaps he could have been saved, she could have helped keep him safe, like a good Lieutenant should.
Even though she couldn't change fate.
She also had to wonder, did she really do the right thing?
She felt like Gin had been apart of it, and he didn't deny it...
But she wasn't truly sure.
However, the door soon opened, revealing Rangiku stepping through the door.
"Rangiku-san, w-what are you..."
Rangiku help up a letter, to the confusion of Momo.
"This was found in Captain Aizen's room, and it's addressed to you."
Momo gasped.
She recalled that he was writing something that night.
But he didn't think it was for her.
His final words…
"You should be thankful, if it had been anyone other than Captain Hitsugaya, then it would have been submitted as evidence." Rangiku slid the letter through the bars, Momo took it while looking thankful. Rangiku then turned around, facing the exit. "You should be honoured also, that your Captains last thoughts were for you. He must have really cared for you if that's the case."
Momo began tearing up.
She knew that Rangiku was right.
It made her regret her actions against Gin…
No, rather it made her wish that she had handled it better.
If she had gotten evidence, then perhaps he'd be the one in jail right now…
"Thank you, Rangiku-san."
Rangiku gives a simple nod as she leaves the room.
Momo turns to the letter, and begins reading it to herself.
But the contents of the letter, she could hardly believe it.
What she was reading…
The person that had drawn Captain Aizen out that night...
"Takumi Urahara-san...conspired with Toshiro….why would Toshiro, and Takumi Urahara-san…do this...? Captain...I'm so confused...Toshiro...Takumi-san..."
End chapter!
So, a few things happened this chapter while having a more relaxing chapter, before we get into the fights pretty soon, with some character and relationship building going on in this chapter.
Yoruichi and Giselle are speaking about the possibility of Nemu being an unwitting pawn to Mayuri, Karin and Shunsui speaking quietly, hinting about a few things. Takumi woke up, and it seems that Kenpachi likes Takumi now, not only for his fighting prowess, but also how he protected Yachiru. Orihime and Takumi had a moment between them, while poor Momo's going through a few things. Shunsui and Takumi also had a conversation, then they talked about what they'll be doing next, seems like Takumi's able to plan ahead quite well and explaining about gaining information from Kisuke before he left about Aizen, but since it is Aizen, it wont be so easy either, but he's gonna try his best, and now is off to Unohana, and seems to need her assistance with something. If she'll give that willingly, or maybe the First Kenpachi, aka Unohana, is going to wish to battle Takumi.
Finally at the end, a twist in the reveal of Aizen not only implicating Toshiro like canon, but he's also implicated Takumi having worked together with Toshiro and blamed them both for his death, more on what's contained in the letter will be revealed in the future and why Aizen implicated Takumi, though right now, it seems Momo's confused, and doesn't know what to trust, so we'll see her be going through something's.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Takumi; Orihime, Rukia, Yuzu, Karin, Nemu, Giselle, Liltotto, Momo, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, Hiyori, Nelliel, Tier, Rangiku, Toshiro (fem), Nanao.