Chapter 40: Return to Soul Society (Arc 2)
With the morning Sun crossing the horizon came the realization that Kisuke had truly been defeated and taken away by Kurotsuchi. This left most of those who called him friend to feel uncertain as to what to do. Most that is. As Ichigo stood in the training room beneath Urahara's shoten looking at the ring upon his finger deep in thought, he knew what needed to be done. He had to go save Getabushi and bring him back. Fisting hos hand tightly, Ichigo knew this needed to be done; but how? He couldn't open a pathway to Soul Society, nor did he think he could do this rescue on his own.
I can't endanger anyone else though. he thought as he continued to stare at his fist.
King. the white haired albino zanpakuto spirit said causing Ichigo to look over his shoulder. I don't think they're gonna give you a choice. Behind Ichigo stood his friends Tatsuki, Orihime, Chad and of all people, Uryu. His two sister's stood next to each other.
"Verena told us what happened last night." Tatsuki said as she approached him. "We want to help."
"Guys..." Ichigo said looking uncertain.
Chad stepped forward and touched Ichigo's shoulder. "Urahara helped all of us." he said. "Now he needs all of our help."
"Sato is right." Uryu said as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "I'm only going to make sure you don't do something too stupid."
"As if.." Verena stated as she punched his shoulder. "You know you're going to make sure Ichigo succeeds."
"Tch. I did not say that." he scoffed as he brushed his hand over where she'd punched him, though a smile did grace his lips.
Ichigo looked at Karin with worry. "Stop worrying. I'm staying to cover your ass." she said as she pointed at herself. "Somebody has to protect everyone while you guys are away." They bumped fists before she walked off towards the back of the group.
"Tatsuki and I have been training really hard." Inoue said. "While my attacking power isn't that great yet, I'm still good at keeping everyone safe when they get hurt!"
"My punches have quite a bit of power behind them, as does Chad's." Tatsuki said with a wide grin.
Feeling like he was going up against an army here, Ichigo broke out into a rare smile. "I guess you guys have thought this out over the last several hours." He then scratched the back of his neck. "There's only one problem." Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "I can't open the portal to get to Soul Society."
Uryu touched his chin in thought. "Which means you will have to get either the red haired lieutenant or that captain to open the portal." he said gaining grim looks from everyone around him.
"Or maybe not." Verena stated as she remembered something.
Ichigo looked at hos twin curiously. "What do you mean?" he asked her.
Verena grinned at him. "Don't you remember when Shinji and the others told us their story last year?" she asked him, a match grin crossed his features.
"They use to be captains!" he said with excitement before groaning. "It's doubtful they'll help us though."
"Why?" Tatsuki asked as she started getting irritated. Aren't they going to at least try?
"Because of two things," Ichigo said with a sigh. "Central 46 and a man named Aizen Sosuke."
"Aizen is the reason Shinji and the others became Visored's." Verena explained. "He tried to hollowfy them, but they defeated their hollows and now live with a hollow as part of their soul. They use their hollows powers to defeat other hollows and in training others."
"Others?" Orihime inquired. She recalled Hachigen teaching her, but she hadn't felt anything resembling a hollow coming from the man.
Ichigo sighed as he looked at each of his friends. "I-I was born with a hollow inside of me." He hesitantly admitted to them causing some to gasp outright, while others were shocked into silence. "He is apart both my soul and apart of my zanpakuto." He told them, seeing as they weren't calling him a monster just yet. "After I learned the full story of how he came to be and how my parents played a part into all of this, I gained full control over him and all of my shinigami powers. It's why I'm so powerful, it's also why I'm so dangerous." He looked at the ring on his finger. "After I finished my training with Urahara, he gave me this ring for my birthday. It hides most of my power from others who try to sense it." He looked at his sister. "I'll talk to Shinji, but I'm doubtful that he'll help us."
Unaware that somebody had been listening to their conversation, Ichigo looked surprised when Rukia stepped out from behind one of the large rock formations that littered the training yard. Beside her, stood Yoruichi. "You seemed to have forgotten little ole me." the former squad two captain stated with a broad grin. "Urahara is a friend and him being taken can only mean that things are about to escalate in the Seiretei." She walked towards them with her hands on her hips. "We will be going up against impossible odds. You're all young, with the future ahead of you. Before anything, think about what you are about to do. You're going up against an army that's got hundreds of years of training with different fighting techniques and masters of war that can kill you in an instant. Once we go, there won't be any way for you to come back unless we win this fight."
"Compared to most," Rukia began, "you are children playing with powers you have no right to have." She walked towards Ichigo. "You are humans with powers that should not exist. Quincies, Shinigami hybrids and-" She looked at Ichigo with a soft gaze. "Visoreds. Beings that, you should either not exist or not be able to fight and coordinate together. They'll fight with everything in them. Are you all certain you want to risk your lives against all of that in order to bring, what they consider, a criminal back to the world of the living?"
Ichigo looked at Rukia, their eyes connecting. He smiled gently at her. "Without Getabushi here, this world won't exist for very long." he told her. "He is the genius behind all of our training and when the enemy comes, and it will, we need to be ready with him working with us."
Sado stepped forward. "I go to fight for the freedom of the man who taught me that my fists can be more than weapons, that I can use them for the protection of others." He stepped next to Ichigo.
"I gave my reason already." Uryu said as he stepped towards them.
"The shinigami took one of our own. We are only taking back a person who belongs with us." Tatsuki said before smashing a fist into her hand. "Even if I have to crush a few skull to do it." Yoruichi grinned at this answer.
"I'm going to protect everyone." Orihime stated. "Mr. Urahara has helped me and everyone here. So it's only right that we come to his aid in his hour of need."
"Good answers." They heard a voice from behind them causing everyone to once more look to see eight men and women standing there. Shinji stepped forward. "We don't have time to loose." he said calmly as he walked forward. "This has to be planned out, because once we arrive, they'll throw their very best at us and give everything they've got." He stood next to Yoruichi. "I do hope you know what to do." He look up at the ceiling, silently wondering where the loud mouth boy and quiet girl had gone.
"I have a place we can go." she told him. "Tessai is already moving the kids to the Kurosaki household. The city will be safe while we are gone." She looked at Karin who gave her a thumbs up.
"You have a contact over there?" Rose's voice inquired as he stood near Verena who crossed her arms over her chest.
"Knowing her, she's got an army waiting for her." she stated gaining a look from the former squad three captain.
"An army?" he asked before chuckling. "Well, she was the captain of the second. They are the assassin squad."
Yoruichi shook her head. "You give me too much credit." she stated as she held her hand out, a small device lifting from her palm into the air. "Years ago, Kisuke made this device for me. It opens a Senkaimon, however, when we pass through the dangai, we must run quickly through it as the Kototsu may be passing through at the same time."
"The Kototsu?" Inoue asked, "What is that?"
Ichigo and Verena shared a look with each other as they veaguely recalled this in their training days with Urahara. "Uh, it's kind of like a street sweeper." Ichigo said recalling he had called it this once which had caused Getabushi to slap a hand over his face and laugh lightly.
"Somewhat accurate." Kensei stated with mirth. "The Kototsu appears every seven days to cleanse the area it's in. Killing everything and anything that makes contact with it. It's there to ensure nobody is loitering or taking advantage of the time distortion of the dangai."
"So we won't be going at a leisurely pace." Hiyori growled out, crossing her arms over her chest as she did so. "No slow pokes!" She grunted as Lisa hit her on her head. The two girls glaring at each other for a moment before going back to listening to Yoruichi.
"Okay." Yoruichi looked at the device that had risen. "As soon as the portal opens, we have ten seconds to pass through. Anyone left behind won't be there to help." She grinned. "Thus won't be considered heroes when we save Kisuke's ass."
"So run fast." Tatsuki said with a grin.
As the device exploded above them, a large gate with a brightly lit center appeared before. Like a gun had been shot off, as soon as it was fully open, the Visoreds and young teens quickly passed through the portal. As soon as the ten seconds passed by the senkaimon closed. Now left alone, two people stood side by side, hoping for the best. Karin looked up at the black haired woman that she'd come to call a friend and took her hand within her own. Rukia looked down upon the human girl and smiled down upon her. Looking up at the training room ceiling she knew she'd now have to deal with her adopted brother and her former best friend very soon, but for now, Rukia only wished to say a prayer for those who were about to begin a terribly dangerous mission to bring one of their own back.
M-Angel: So glad I was able to get this chapter out tonight. Also, I have a Halloween story on Archiveofourown called Monster if anyone is interested in it.
Antex- The Legendary Zoroark - I am so glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Yeah, I'm sure nobody was expecting my big twist.
Midnightscar17 - I can't reveal anything as of yet.
MungetsuIchigo - LoL. I'm glad you are hooked to my story. It means I'm doing something right. ^_^
GunBlade2018 - It might be or it might be the real deal.
anielsen33326 - I'm sorry you had trouble focusing. Was it the way I wrote it?
dragonmasterd55 - I totally forgot about those fake balloon bodies he made. Hmm... An idea just popped into my mind. *wink*
SakuraKoi - Oh yeah. ^_^