◊ (The Vizards of Soul Society) ◊
∆ (Soul Society) ∆ - ¤ (2 Days Later) ¤ - VP: Kuchiki Rukia
I walked into Soul Society. "I thought that you said that you didn't think it was a good idea." Renji told me before I was even in Soul Society.
"I did." I answered.
"So why are Hitsuguya and Hinamori Vizards?" He asked me.
"Because I asked, and they said yes, well, in essence." I answered him.
"In essence?" He questioned.
"We agreed to it." Hitsuguya covered for me.
"Why?" Renji asked him. "It's against all that Soul Society is." He said.
"Yeah but I never got a chance to live, I would be happy to get a chance." Hitsuguya replied. "It's selfish but I still would never forsake Soul Society. So I shall continue to do both like Kuchiki-taichou and Kurosaki-taichou do." Hitsuguya responded.
"Rukia…" Renji said.
"Don't question our judgements if you yourself haven't made the decision." Hinamori said. "You may agree with our points as well but you need to search yourself before you question us." She explained to him.
"Alright, if that's what you think I need to do, then fine." She nodded.
"Yes. I do." Hinamori responded.
Ichigo came into Soul Society as everything was silent. "Oi, what's going on? Everyone's quiet." He said.
"We're thinking Ichigo."
"Ah… I didn't think it had to be quiet in order for that to happen. It too hard on your head Renji if it's too loud?" He asked.
"Don't bother him Ichigo. He's trying to search himself for the answer." I told him.
"What happened to the kid?" Renji asked.
"The baby?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"I left Karla with Ichigo's sisters Karin and Yuzu since they asked if they could."
"Yeah, they'll take care of the baby Renji. Guaranteed." Ichigo said to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "So what you thinking about so hard?"
"I'm trying to figure out if I should become a Vizard or not?"
"List the pros and cons." I suggested to him.
"Eh?" –Renji. (I'm running out of explanative character counter balance phrases.L )
"I learned it when I was on Earth. Pros are the positive things on a certain aspect. Cons are the negative or downside on a certain aspect." I replied, happy to share my required information with him.
"So I list all the good and bad things about become a Vizard?" He questioned.
"Yeah, exactly. We'll help, as much or little as we can if you're stuck."
"Alright then. 'Pros', let's start." He announced. "Stronger."
"Powerful." –Ichigo.
"New Life." I added.
"Start over." –Hinamori.
"Be happy." –Ichigo.
"You'd be part of two worlds." –Hitsuguya.
"You can have a life." –Rukia.
"That it?" Renji asked us. "That's not much really. 'Cons'."
"You age." –Ichigo.
"You can die, again." –Hinamori.
"You feel real pains." –Hitsuguya.
"You're human." –Rukia.
"This is useless Rukia." Renji complained.
"You think so? Do the good things out weight the bad?" I asked him.
"Yeah, of course they do. Well sort of. Yeah."
"Then that's it. Then in your best mind, you'd pick becoming a Vizard." I replied with a smile. "So?"
"Are you sure?" –Renji.
"You heard for yourself, there are more good things then bad."
"My hollow self could control me, attack everyone." He stated."
"Unlikely, the orb creates a purified version of a hollow that you can control." I explained.
"So it's completely safe?" He asked me.
"As far as I know. I know it doesn't take your spirit energy constantly anymore." I answered.
"You sure?" –Renji.
"I think so." I answered.
"I haven't felt any negative reaction to what's going on." Hitsuguya added.
"Neither have I, everything I'm feeling is normal." Hinamori said.
"What's it like being human again?" He asked us.
"I don't remember being human the first time. Sorry. It's weird being human since all I've known is my Shinigami form. It's nice to be real human flesh and blood again. To feel warm and soft to the touch. Real." Hinamori said happily. "My senses are wonderful and everything is better."
"I enjoy it, actually." Hitsuguya said.
"It's different but I truly love being human since of all those in Soul Society we remember, or barely remember our old life."
"We were quite young then." Renji said.
"So we never got a first chance to live, so this one is quite important." I told him.
"I guess you're right so… can you?"
"Yeah. Sit down." I said pointing to a rock. He shrugged and sat down. I stuck out my hand and summoned it, to my hand.
"I want to know that trick." Ichigo said.
"Sh… I need to focus." I told Ichigo.
"Go ahead, stop struggling." Renji said. "I trust you."
"Thanks Renji." I answered. I placed my other hand on it.
"Go ahead." I told me again.
"Yeah, go on ahead." I said quietly. I focused my energy to it and it swirled in a vortex around Renji, transferring him into a Vizard.
"So you can use the orb on others as well." A voice said behind me. I had to keep focused or I'd mess up the process with Renji. I poured all my energy into it, and collapsed. "Thank you for this Kuchiki-san." The voice said taking the orb and disappearing. My vision faded as I heard voices calling for me.
"Rukia!" It was Renji and Ichigo.
"I'm tired." I said closing my eyes, collapsing.
¤ (Hours Later) ¤
I opened my eyes to see Ichigo there. "Hi."
"I can't believe that that took so much out of me." I complained.
"I figured it would." He said with a smile.
"How so?"
"His body is larger so to recompose it, it would take longer and more power unlike the bodies you made for Hitsuguya, Hinamori and yourself."
"Ah." I answered.
"So what now?" I questioned him.
"We need to figure out what to do. They have the orb."
I gasped. "I forgot. What are we supposed to do?" I yelled.
"Calm down Rukia, they can't use it remember, so you need to protect yourself so they won't use you to make it work. That's why currently, we're all trying to figure out how to best protect you."
"So they locked me in here with you?"
"How did you know we're locked in here."
"I don't, but I guessed." I told him.
"So how long?'
"A long time. Since you're not safe anywhere. They want you safe so the whole world doesn't come crashing down on everyone."
"Eh?"
"If those guys were to become hollows, then they would be able to control all of the Hollow World, Earth and Soul Society. They'd be the Ultimate Race, a Vizard."
"Eh?"
"There would be no limit to their power. They'd be able to fight strong no matter what plane of existence they're on, be in here, Earth of on their home base. It would be a disaster for all beings."
"So what do I do?" I asked.
"Stay safe." He said kissing me. "And let me protect you."
"How did they take the orb from me?"
"It was in the middle of the fight, while we were taking them on… someone else snatched it from your arms."
"And not me?"
"No, it would be too hard to carry you back now." He said. "Especially with that orb, and all the fighting, it's impossible. They will try again though."
"Train me with my Vizard powers." I told him. "Since we're here and I have unlimited powers, you might as well do it."
"I don't know how. Urahara trained me. We can ask for permission to get him to come here, or for us to go there."
I stood up and walked a good few feet from him. "No permission needed, we're above the law." I said. I summoned my Zapakuto. He placed his hand on my wrist. "Ichigo?"
"Rukia, if you want them to care for you, and protect you, you have to be willing to allow them to first. You can just let them protect you when it's convenient for you; you have to trust them all the time."
"Huh." I said calmly.
"They care, they want to protect you but they can't if you don't let them."
"Fine." I said. He spun me around and my lips met gently with his. I dropped my Zapakuto to the ground; as it disappeared when it touched and I kissed him as he wrapped his arms around me, as if he'd never let me go.
Finally, after a while he let me go. "Sorry." He said. I kissed his cheek.
"I have no come back for that but, feel free anytime." I said blushing as I walked to the gate.
Renji walked over to the gate. "Oi you need something Rukia?" He asked.
"Yeah. I need to train with Urahara. While I'm at it, you, Hinamori, Hitsuguya, and Ichigo should come along so we can better ourselves." I told him.
"I'll call them." He answered.
They soon arrived. "So with that many people that should also assure your security, correct?" Renji asked me. "I mean, Ichigo and I wouldn't let anything happen to you, but what about Urahara?"
"He's helped Rukia before even though it's his fault in the first place. I know he'll help again. I'm sure he'll train me as well. Come on Renji, please." I asked him.
"Don't you trust us?" Ichigo asked him.
"Not really, but with Hitsuguya, Hinamori and me there with you two, yes, I do." I sighed. "So I guess it would be fine for all five of us to go to master our newly required abilities."
"Thank you." I said grabbing Ichigo's hand as I pulled him out of the cell. I pushed my hands from my sides, straight forward into the attack position and my Zapakuto appeared in my arms. I slashed the gate open. "Alright, time to go." I said.
"Um… I'll go get Hinamori and Hitsuguya first." He said running off. I pulled Ichigo through the gate leaving a note saying we already went through for Renji.
We were in Urahara's underground training grounds. "Urahara-san, it's Ichigo and I. We're here for training!" I screamed. He walked out of the back door.
"You didn't tell me you were coming Rukia."
"Yeah and you neglected to mention a lot about that orb that you placed inside of me!" I said pouting.
"Stop PMSing Rukia, I can't train you until you calm down." He replied. "Wait a sec, you're a…"
"Human, you bet. That orb did it. You neglected to try to let me use it properly instead of killing me."
"Really?"
"Yes stupid. I used it to turn me into a Vizard. Well I used it to turn Hinamori, Hitsuguya and Renji into Vizards. It made me a Vizard when I tried to access it the first time."
"Wait a minute, are you telling me that not only Ichigo's father, Ichigo and I are Vizards, but you, Hitsuguya, Hinamori and Renji are all ones as well. Wouldn't that upset the balance?"
"Nope, they're all on equal plans of existence. The orb did it to them. I didn't. I passed out though. Renji's body composition was tiring." I said sighing.
The portal opened with a quiet Hinamori walking after Hitsuguya followed by an annoyed Renji. "I should have gone with you two." Renji mumbled.
"Why?" I asked.
"Too much trouble with the Soul Society," He said sitting down on a rock.
"So you're all here to train?" I nodded. "What's your timing on controlling your hollow-half."
"Um… that would be hollow-self. It's more than half for us. We have a human form too, but not much. Three parts." I answered.
"Whatever, what was your time?" He asked. "That's how I know if you need more training against it, or not?"
"It's natural control. A complete part of ourselves. We have control."
"I don't think so, we couldn't get the orb to do that. Try summoning your hollow… self." I stepped away from the group. A light flew out of me, it hit the ground and a figure exactly like me appeared. "I'm surprised you didn't need an tenshintai (materialization) doll." I shrugged.
"I'm beyond that."
"As if. We needed it to teach you your final release." Ichigo rebuked.
"I've mastered internal materialization, not external materialization, mind you." I said crossing my arms. I turned to Urahara. "What are we waiting for?"
"We shouldn't be waiting, that's the point Rukia."
"Eh?"
"Your hollow half should have naturally attacked you, wanting to take care of your multifunctional body. However, it didn't. That's what I'm trying to figure out."
"Maybe it just doesn't feel like attacking me right now?" I asked him.
"Unlikely, it's not going to, if it hasn't so far."
"So it's not evil."
"No, it's controlled, by the orb." He answered me.
"I told you that." I replied.
"It doesn't make sense. What do you have that your parents didn't?" He asked. "They couldn't."
"Does it matter why they couldn't, if I can?" I asked him.
"Not really now, as long as everything doesn't backfire, Rukia. However, in the future it may be important to have that rare, uncontrolled power at your disposal."
"Ah, I understand but can we start training."
"Yes, you may. What is your second materialized form?"
"A butterfly," I answered. "It's a typical materialized form.
"That it."
"I told you. I haven't mastered exterior materialization yet. Don't blame me."
"Fine, as long as you've mastered interior materialization, then everything's fine."
"Alright, so now what?"
"Summon your Zapakuto so you can fight your hollow self. Then you fight the others, then me." I nodded, sticking my hands in front of me, readying myself.
"You're going to fight in a skirt?" Ichigo asked.
"I always do, what of it?" I asked.
"Nothing, continue." He said. My hollow-self came at me, I blocked, and jumped back, flipping and landing on my feet. I jumped forward, hitting her sword and pushing her back.
HS (Hollow Self) jumped at me again as I dodged, slashing her side. She slid across the ground into the cavern walls. She came at me at full speed and I matched it easily. She was slower than me, a lot slower. I focused my energy and slashed her sword out of her hands. I tossed mine up; it disappeared.
"Rukia, what are you doing?"
"Second degree training," I answered Ichigo. "Training in hand-to-hand combat,"
She came at me; I sidestepped as she came back. I spun around, jumped in the air, and came down, pinning her to the ground. I sighed, punching her in the stomach. She coughed up hollow blood but kicked me off of her, into the air. She came with a hit from the sky, which I caught, but it still made contact. I coughed up blood, I wiped it from my face.
"Rukia." Ichigo yelled.
"Leave me be." I answered. He didn't say anything else. She was behind me. She came at me using my personal combination. It would beat anyone who didn't expect it. I dropped to the ground; she flew over me as I grabbed her leg. I threw her hard into the ground.
"Enough get her." Urahara yelled to me. I nodded. I concentrated all my energy on my butterfly stage, and she copied me. He trapped the butterfly. I took it and absorbed it into my body.
"Thanks." I said collapsing to my knees. "That was a real workout."
"You are your own best teacher." I nodded, holding my stomach.
"Rukia, are you alright?" Ichigo said kneeling beside me.
"Would you like me to heal you?" Hinamori asked.
"Save your energy, you'll need it." I told her. I focused my energy on healing my wounds, and soon they were fine. I wrapped bandages around them and I was fine.
"I will go next." Hitsuguya volunteered.
"Alright, you're fine with the EM, correct?" Urahara asked him.
"Yes, I am." The light flew out, his unsheathed his Zapakuto appeared and he jumped at himself. They exchanged slashes, strong full force ones. Neither of them showing signs of being any better than the other is. Neither Hitsuguya nor his HS was showing any advancement or signs of tiring which was an impressive battle to fight, however; Hinamori was showing sure fire signs of worry for her Hitsuguya.
"You don't need to worry, if he needs to finish it; then he knows how Hinamori." I told her.
"That's not what I'm worried about. It's just that he's limiting himself. He's a lot stronger then what he's using but I think that by trying to keep at the same level as his opponent, that he might get himself hurt." She said biting her hand hard.
The fight continued the same way. It was very confusing why he wouldn't want to use full power but I guess it's the fact that he's trying to see how close to the best management and control of his strength he can get, by doing so. It's a strategy. What will that teach him?
Finally, he transformed into a butterfly. His HS followed and he changed back, quick enough to catch it, and absorb it before it could transform back. He walked down to the cavern walls, and he leaned against it. "Who's next?"
"I will." Hinamori said stepping forward.
"Don't play around Hinamori, you know exactly how to get past it's defenses. You're going to have to use brute strength for once." Hitsuguya warned.
"I know, I know that doing that is an easy win compared what's the best for training." He nodded as she outsourced her form. It came at her, stronger. It was at a major downward position for her. Hitsuguya jumped, pulling her out of the way.
"Watch out, she's your opposite." Hinamori nodded.
Hinamori summoned her sword and put it at front of her. Her HS made millions of slashes at her. She was good at defense but she couldn't make a move. She got whacked on her rib cage, knocking her to the ground. "Hinamori, get up!" I yelled to her. She jumped up and continued on her defense.
She was extremely good at defense but with that strong of an offense defense was useless for her. She kept getting hit all over. She collapsed to the ground. "Hina…"
"No. I can handle it." Hinamori said standing up shakily.
"You shouldn't push yourself." She jumped up into the air. She forced all her energy into the sword and cut her HS straight through. She collapsed to the ground, as her HS's remaining parts returned to inside of her. She hadn't defeated it before, now she had, and trained herself. She was out of breath.
"Hinamori!" Hitsuguya called.
"I'll be…" Hinamori's body went limp in Hitsuguya's arms. He picked her up and brought her inside to be cared for.
"Now, it's my turn!" Renji yelled.
"Be careful." I warned as I walked inside to take care of Hinamori. Hitsuguya was leaned against a wall with Hinamori's head resting gently on his lap as he stroked her hair gently. I smiled seeing how much he cared for. I hoped that this second chance to be human would give them a chance to be together.
"Hitsuguya," I stated getting his attention.
"Yes, can you heal her?"
"Of course I can, but can't you?"
He shook his head. "I, unlike Hinamori, am not proficient in Demon Arts. Especially not healing, I know basics but nothing like she or you are capable of." I nodded sitting next to her body and started to heal her.
"Do you promise to protect her when you both start your human lives?" I asked. "I don't want her getting hurt. I don't know what promises and arrangements you already have with her but I don't want her to get hurt, as I'm sure you don't either."
"If she'll allow me to, I'd never leave her." I nodded. "She needs protection and to get stronger. I've always protected her. She's been hurt enough, and I won't let that happen again."
"Thank you." I said. "For her."
"You're welcome also." He answered.
"Yeah, well she'll be waking up soon so you may want to tell her that you want to be with her from now on because I think the care and love you have for her is quite important to be shared."
"Love, that's what it is?" He asked.
"I believe so." I answered.
"So you aren't sure?"
"I don't know how you feel, only you do. I can't help. Just think about it." I walked out of the room where Ichigo and Renji were fighting with the other's HS. They both transformed into butterflies and recalled their HSs'.
"Why are you…" Renji started.
"Leave him be." I answered. "He needs time to think while I teach Ichigo a few tricks."
"Demon Arts?" Renji questioned.
"Yeah. He still can't do any demon arts." Renji chuckled.
"If I recall your ability with demon arts is next to none too." He stopped laughing. "I guess I'm right because I remember last time that you asked me to do something with it, I could beat you and surpass you 10 fold. Right?" He crossed his arms.
"Go teach."
"I'm not the best either; I'm just naturally talented at it."
"Let's go Rukia." I sighed and walked off into a separate area with Ichigo.
"So what first."
"We'll stick with offensive and binding arts." I began what was the start of an extremely long lecture on all the different types and such and eventually I taught him 2 of each of the basics and how to 'disappear' items which he simply adores though he struggles with it.
I walked in to check on Hinamori and Hitsuguya but what I saw made me think I should have waited longer, taught Ichigo more. Hinamori hid her face in Hitsuguya's shirt while she blushed madly. I had come in on them while they were kissing. I smiled and walked out while they did whatever they wanted to. Not like I cared, I was just happy then realized a few things. Goal… met!
I walked over to Ichigo and kissed him on the check. "What's that for?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm happy and I wanted to kiss you." He pulled me close to him, and we kissed as he held me to him. We sat down and I sat in his lap as I kissed him.
"Ah!" Renji screamed from outside the door, falling backward.
I laughed. "What, does this have to do with why you're happy?" Ichigo asked looking at me, his eyes meeting mine.
"Yes it does."
"What's the news?" He asked me.
"Well, you know the second chance that Hitsuguya and Hinamori were given, well… they started their second chance."
"You mean the guy finally stopped being cold and opened to her?" I nodded smiling. He kissed me. "I'm happy for them, and us because we both get a real second chance in life and I don't plan to waste it, because that's not what I want."
"Neither do I. I didn't get a real first chance, and I took yours away but we both have a second chance. A chance to love each other, be together, be happy and start over." He said running his fingers through my hair at the ends where it curled out.
"Not you two too!" Renji said collapsing to the ground. "Stop it dudes." I sighed, climbing off of Ichigo's lap.
"Renji, I'm Ichigo's girlfriend. I'm allowed to kiss him and so can Hinamori. Get over it!"
"Fine, I will. I've mastered my powers anyway. Bye." He said disappearing, going somewhere though I'm not exactly sure where. He'll return when we need him though.
We finished everything here and Urahara explained many theories that he had, none of which made sense but were comical all the same.
At night, he and I put up strong barriers around the place as I laid down for the night. Hinamori, Hitsuguya, Ichigo, and I all slept in one of the spare rooms with many barriers around us, to protect us, and we slept comfortably.
I opened my eyes after a dream. I went outside the barriers, and called the orb to me. I sighed, nothing happened. I returned inside the barriers and noticed that something had flown fast-pace through the barriers. It was the orb. It hit me knocking me into the wall.
"Rukia, you alright?" Ichigo asked.
I nodded, making the orb disappear. "I have the orb back so they'll have to get the orb and I before they can do anything but then again, they're not going to be in the same place."
"Where are you going to put it?" He asked.
"Urahara is keeping it." I answered.
"Why him?"
"Because he's strong and it's his invention as well, he deserves it." Ichigo shrugged as we lied down again to go to sleep in the uncomfortable hardwood floors, on tiny blankets.