The Chemical Reaction

Atagoki: Hey, bitches! As of Thursday at 11:30 AM, I am officially out of school. That means, when I'm not doing chores, I'm a full time writer...like hell I am. I sometimes get writers blocks...so ew. XP Anyway, I'm here to offer the newest update to this story. Enjoy. I also got some very motivating constructive criticism. I look at my story and it has gotten stale (as someone who reviewed mentioned, and I'd like them to know I appreciate that tons), so I'm going to try and remix it without making it seem...stupid, for lack of a better term. Stay with me, amores. I hope to make it better. XD

Warnings: Minor language and sexual references.

Disclaimer: Dun own Bleach. I just write.

Chapter 9:

Kanashimi no naka ni yuuki ga aru — Takahashi Hitomi (Aozora no NAMIDA)

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"It's hard, you know," A meek voice said from behind, "The thought of losing someone, I mean..."

"Inoue?"

"Hi, Kurosaki-kun."

He nodded and looked at the space beside him on the ground. She took that as an invitation to sit down, and did so. She pulled the long part of her skirt down and around her legs as a sense of modesty. "Kurosaki-kun, would you mind if I told you something about Kuchiki-san? A story, I mean."

"No. Please go ahead."

"A long time ago, when I first met her when I got my job, she was one of the few people who was nice to me. At first, I was just a lame fourth division new person. And then I became the object of a lot of dirty sex jokes and I was hit on a lot. Finally, I met Kuchiki-san and she saved my life. A man laid his hands on me," She swallowed hard from the painful memory, "And I was unable to stop him. Kuchiki-san came down the corridor and she startled him enough for me to get away from his reach. And then, she looked at me. She knew my name and said 'Inoue, run far from here and get my brother Kuchiki Byakuya-sama. Tell him of what has happened here and that I will be bringing this perpetrator to his offices. Go now.' At first, I was worried that she would get hurt. And then, I saw her...she really took him down. And I ran. I knew she would be able to protect herself. When I returned, I saw her," Inoue paused to take a breath, "She really roughed him up. Kuchiki-san put her life on the line to save mine, and now I'm going to repay that favor. Not only that, but she's my friend, Kurosaki-kun."

Silence followed and endured. "Inoue, you shouldn't go. I don't want you to get hurt."

When he looked to see her, she was already gone.

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The dark-cloaked figure approached from behind and made its presence notified. Urahara turned around. "Ah, Yoruichi. Long time no see."

"Always a pleasure, Kisuke." The deep voice replied. "I see we've got quite a few young bucks trying to help us here."

"No shit."

The voice chuckled. "Kids today...how many are going?"

"Just Kurosaki and Inoue as far as I know...although I've heard rumors about a member of the Quincy going."

"The Quincy? What business does he have in these affairs? The Shinigami squad of Seireitei wiped out that group."

"Just what I heard."

"Any other kiddies I have to look out for?"

"Not sure."

"You know, the hardest thing will be to get these kids to channel their fear into courage," Yoruichi added, then paused and continued, "Out of the two, I'm more concerned about Kurosaki."

"You're concerning aura isn't misplaced. I'm worried about his attitude right now, myself. Ichigo seems to be very scared at the thought of losing her."

The voice's owner nodded, then sighed. "Fine. I'll make sure Inoue is prepared and try and clear up these rumors about the Quincy. The more fact and less fiction we have, the better we'll be off."

Urahara nodded in agreement. "I ought to get back to work—" He began, then turned around to see the figure was gone. "I hate when Yoruichi does that..."

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"Rukia, why aren't you cooperating?"

"I'm cooperating just fine, Renji! You're just being a block-head about this!" She hissed, then lowered her voice and beckoned for him to lean towards her. "Listen to me! This place isn't what it used to be...it's warped."

"Warped? Are you sure it's not just you who's warped? You fucking let a prisoner go!"

"He hadn't done anything!"

"Besides sleep with you, I'm sure!"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Renji, you fool! Your ignorance is disgraceful! And I did not have sex with Kurosaki Ichigo!" She screamed at him.

"Look, if you think anything is 'wrong' or 'warped' with this place or any other conspiratorial ideas and thoughts, why don't you just talk to Hitsugaya Toushiro-san? He's got more conspiracy theories than a bad horror film!"

Rukia opened her mouth, then closed it and looked away from Renji.

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"Inoue Orihime: weight is forty-five kilograms, height is 157 centimeters, age twenty-one." A voice called out to her. She turned around and shivered, then backed towards a street lamp.

"There's no need to be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you."

"Then what do you want?" She called out bravely...or as much as her frail voice would allow her.

"I'm here to help you."

"Help...help...help me?"

"Yes." The figure approached her. It's darkly cloaked structure came very close to her, it's voice deep and masculine. "My name is Shihouin Yoruichi. And I guess I lied when I said I was here to help you. More so, I'm here to help Kurosaki Ichigo."

Orihime looked up from the ground.

"Ah...I've piqued your curiosity. What do you know about this Ishida Uryu?"

"Hm? Ishida-kun? Why?"

"It could save Kurosaki's life, you know..."

"Nothing. He's at the top of his class...founded the arts and crafts club. That's all."

"Has he mentioned anything about being a Quincy?"

"Hm? A Quincy? What is that?"

"Oh? That's very interesting, Inoue...very. Thank you for your help. And you may want to learn to defend yourself before going back to Seireitei." Yoruichi stated.

Orihime looked at the ground in shame. Had she compromised someone innocent? More specifically, was this Yoruichi telling the truth, or lying to her so she could give away information on Ishida? She knew him slightly, as when she began attending school again, she joined the arts and crafts club. He was...nice. And intelligent. Top in all his classes. But Tatsuki hated him. Thankfully, she kept her lips shut about Tatsuki. It would have been horrible for her to get her own best friend into a situation she wouldn't understand. When she looked up to call out to the figure only a brief few seconds later, Yoruichi was gone.

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Yoruichi crouched down besides Urahara, resting on knees. "Hm...so let's see who's taking place in this little drama." The shadowed figure state nonchalantly.

"Well, let's make two teams. The Hollows and the Pluses." The blond suggested.

"That's a stupid idea, Kisuke. Shinigami and Civilians."

"That's an even worse idea. Hm..."

"Hm..."

"I've got it!" Both chorused together. "The People in Seireitei and the People in Karakura!"

Little did they know, that idea was the worst and most foul-stenching of all.

"All right, so we've got Kurosaki as the ring leader of the 'People in Karakura'. And Inoue will be backing him up...if she even can with her minor healing abilities. Erm...anyone else?"

"What about the leads on that Quincy, Yoruichi?" Urahara replied.

"Dud so far. No reason to help or hinder the mission. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't even know he was of Quincy descent."

"Remind me again what a Quincy is..." He replied, making a quickly jotted down list of the names involved and a rough map of the area.

"Just a bunch of jerk offs medically enhanced by a series of injections through an experiment in Seireitei. I thought you would know that, though..."

"Oh, I do. I just like hearing you say it in that sexy voice."

Yoruichi made a face, although it was shaded by the dark cloak and sneered, "You're disgustingly hopeless."

"Anyone else from Karakura?"

"Aside from me, I doubt it. I've looked up reports on the activities of Kuchiki Rukia and all I've seen is that she saved some man's life about four months ago."

"Oh?" Urahara looked at his companion and tapped his finger on his chin. "How so?"

"Bank robbery. She was there making a deposit. The guy, Sado Yasutora, more commonly known as Chad, was held at gunpoint by the robber and was threatened to be killed. Rukia got in there and did her thing. He got a small scar, but he survived. I was, however, interested to hear that he's got close ties to the Kurosaki family, and more importantly, the sole son of Kurosaki Isshin—" Yoruichi stated with high interest.

"—Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Bingo."

"And so the plot thickens..." Urahara added, marking a huge and sloppily drawn red X over the blueprints of Seireitei—particularly, a room marked 'Sokyoku.'

Atagoki: I think Urahara about summed it up. All right, so not much Ichigo OR Rukia, but i wanted to mix this story up a tad as it was beginning to bore even me. (And that's just sad. XD) Anyway, I promise Rukia and Ichigo will be making their debuted returns...as soon as I figure them into this. Ishida and Chad are still a mystery to me so far, but at least I worked Chad into this somehow. Ishida is still a mystery. XP

Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone for being so patient with this story. It does follow the manga a bit, but from this point on, I'm mixing the entire thing up for a new and totally redone idea. Stay with me and have faith. I was totally brain dead when I wrote the last chapter, but that was because of exams and projects. As of now, I'll be writing whatever ideas or inspirations that pop into my head, so feel free to comment and give me some ideas. I may even work it in there.

As for the quote, it's from one of my most favorite songs ever and it means 'because within sadness, there is courage.' Ho hum.

So while you're still here reading this, move your little mouse over to that "Go" button and click it. Leave me a comment. Constructively criticize me. Dote on me. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that I'm patiently waiting for your honest (and if it's brutal, I don't mind) opinion of the story. Thanks a bunches.