An; I have spent some time considering how I want this story to go. Various ideas and events have been altered, moved to a different time, or simply discarded. For now read this chapter. I will explain more at the end.

Chapter 14: The Plan

Once back in the town of Kraveck, the three decided to head to the nearest restaurant and elaborate on a course of action. As it was already late afternoon they ordered someyhing to eat. While Mugetsu and Kaine finish their meals quickly, Hoven strugled to feed himself with only his left hand. Even though it had already been more than a few hour since it had been treated, there was no sign of the wound closing up. Just as the spoon reached his lips, a loud celebrating guild's cheers caused him to drop his spoon.

"If I see another tiger in my life, it will be too soon."

"Quit your whining," said Mugetsu. "I told you, we just need to go down to the first floor, get a Nepent's flower, and give it to the lady that assigned the «Secret Medicine of the Forest» quest. I heard that some people that went after a certain point no longer received the quest. Thanks to that, I don't think that many know about the medicine. Trust me, that stuff has saved me more times than I would like."

"Ok, I get that it's an amazing potion. What I don't understand is how we haven't heard about it before. Also, if it truly has saved your life so many times, how come you don't have any right now?"

"Simple, I use the last of it after that damn thing started spitting lighting at me. You know, moment before you arrived." Both look at him with narrowed eyes, as if he had just crossed some line. "Don't get me wrong, I am thankful you got to me before I became a smoking stain on the ground." He took a quick drink form his cup before continuing. "In any case, we should probably have that quest on hold until tomorrow. With my previous employers waiting out in the jungle, Hoven's mangled arm and who knows what waiting at the end of this map, I'd say we split up for a while."

"How do we know you won't run away with your part of the map?"

"Don't forget, you have the other half. Look, I'm not one to go back on my promises. This is simply a ploy to distract them." Both looked at Mugetsu, waiting for him to elaborate. "As far as we know, those guys have no idea what or where the map leads to. Now, I plan to meet an info broker and tell them it led us to one of the lower floor, which is were you come in. While I tell them this, try to attract some attention while going for the medicine."

"... It sounds like you plan to use us as bait."

"I'm not... At least not in a way with your lives directly in danger, that's not how I operate. We will meet up afterwards in the town south of here." With that, he tossed each a teleport crystal. "Wait until late at night and go to the «Redwood Inn». Any other questions, comments or concerns?"

"Who do you plan to ask to deliver your message?" Mugetsu turned to look at a hooded figure outside the window talking to another player.

"The rat that got me into this whole mess."

[1 Hour Later, City of Zarantho]

With the risk of his pursuers looking for him at Kraveck, Mugetsu decided to meet with his colleague at the most crowded place in the 24th floor. Currently, the two were sitting in a booth to the back of a back alley pub. While one was enjoying a serving of what appeared to be some sort of lizard based dish, the other simply drank a glass of water. All around, one could hear laughter and arguments.

"So tell me," said the small, hooded individual, "how did your little jungle hunt go?"

"Like you even need to ask, Argo." At this, the info broker merely smiled in amusement. "Now can't say with certainty that you did not know anything about them planning to turn on me, but at least I know you are on my side."

"So what will you do now? Are you planning to lay low until they give up and forget about you, or is there something you need my help with?" A faint glint could be seen in her eyes as the words left her mouth. "I know you are not the type to simply take a betrayal without some sort of retaliation."

"Right as always. Guess your title isn't just for show." As he spoke, Mugetsu placed a dark blue gauntlet on the table, out of sight to others thanks to his back obstructing their view. The gauntlet itself did not seem to be all that special, just a simple piece of armor. However, some of its more notable feature included a thin white fur lining around its end. Blue images of lightning traveled from the end to the tips of each finger. On every knuckle, and in the palm's center, there was a pitch black diamond cut gem. "Consider this payment for my past depts."

"Oooh, so am I to assume that if I sell this, the money I make will enough to pay your debt?"

"No, it's for personal use." Argo gave him a questioning look at those words. Surely by now he knew that her main weapon of choice were claws. This would only get in her way. "It's name description is «Raging Thunder Guard», it appears to be listed as a left-handed claw. Try it on, if you want to confirm."

Curiously, Argo examined the metal glove, tracing her fingers over the gems and blue lines. Once on, said lines and stones began glowing a deep faint blue. One by one, her fingers were coursing with electricity, which then became sharp think lighting claws.

"So what do you think, is this enough to cover what I owe?"

"More than enough," she responded with a smirk. "So, you said that you needed me to lead the ones after you to floor one, right?"

"Yeah, since you are their only way of tracking us down, they will come asking you. Try to see if you can make them believe that our little treasure hunt lead us there."

"Alright, you have deal!" With a satisfied look on his face, Mugetsu got up and left for the door. "Oh, just so you know, your payment doesn't cover this!" That quick shout caused him to turn around.

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, new job, new pay."

"... Fine. Should have remembered who I was dealing with. I'll pay you after my end of this mess is dealt with."

'We'll see about that.'

AN (Continuation); Somewhere in my mind, there is still a part of me that would like to know what your opinions on them could have been. To do so I will be placing some of those ideas at the bottom of the chapters. If you feel like it, look through them and tell me what you think. If there is something you think you can use in a story, feel free to do so. This will start next chapter, I merely wanted to inform you now.

Also, about why I did not have Ichigo dragged into this by Ishin or Urahara. Those two both agreed that Ichigo needed a break. The operation to restore his power was, in my opinion, for when Ichigo was needed to intervene in the supernatural. Until then, his help wasn't really necessary, nor did he feel too concerned. The one who dragged him into this did so by directly altering his state of mind. Well, he more or less chose the proper timeline to set everything into motion.