"Ichigoooooo!"
The orangette stuck his head out his window and waved to his friends as they caused uproar outside his house, "Be there in a sec!"
Ichigo grabbed Zangetsu and strapped it over his shoulder - he'd never felt so badass as right now. Grabbing his huge bag of supplies he charged down the stairs, orange locks bouncing around strangely excited eyes. All his family were waiting for him at the bottom, his sisters' eyes wide at the giant sword on his back. Looking at his dad, Ichigo thought he saw a glimmer of pride in his eyes. After being mobbed with hugs and good wishes, Ichigo gave his sisters a last hug and dashed out the door, not anticipating that this could be the last time he saw them.
"Take your damn time! What, were you having tearful goodbyes?"
"Shut the hell up Ikkaku," retorted Ichigo, jumping in to Yumichika's sparkly pink minibus, "The bus is looking fresh as ever, Yumi!" he sniggered.
"Thanks, Ichi! Ikkaku keeps saying I should paint it."
"Never!"
The orangette was pulled into a seat beside Rukia, greeted all around by excited grins. Rangiku was almost jumping in her seat.
"You're looking confident bro," Renji clapped him on the shoulder, "Got over your fears?"
"I didn't have any fears, dickhead."
Fights broke out and banter continued for the whole, long drive down to Desu. Maps had been sent to them on registration, revealing the city's uninhabited area. Excitement was flying around the group as everyone showed off their new weapons. Ichigo grinned. With all these tough friends of his there was no way anyone was in danger.
The yells and screams from within the minibus died down as they came into Desu. The buildings were tall, dark and foreboding. A tall metal fence enclosed the city, with signs saying 'Please leave vehicles and report to the registration bureau on foot. Valuables should be left. No mobile phones or communication devices are permitted within Desu. Camera or communication device-bearing contestants will be punished. Any long range or automatic weapons are not prohibited. Anyone using a prohibited weapon will be punished.'
"Awful lot of punishing going on here…" commented Rangiku nervously. Massive over-confidence was now faltering.
"Well," said Renji bracingly, cutting into the heavy silence that had dropped on the group, "Shall we get over to this registration bureau then?"
Murmurs of agreement and nods passed through the air, but nobody moved. After a long moment, everybody began to move together, wading through the apprehensive air.
The group walked to and entered the bureau quietly, doubtful looks plastered on every face. Two young men sat behind a desk looking bored. One had long, blonde hair and the other short, black and choppy. Twin smirks spread onto their faces when the group entered.
"Welcome to Desu, friends!" cried the blonde one dramatically, standing and spreading his arms, "I am Ilforte, and this is Ggio. We shall guide you through the beginnings of Desumacchi." He laughed hysterically when uncertain faces returned his enthusiasm, eventually ducking below the table to cry with laughter. Ichigo and his friends stood in silence, watching in dumbfounded confusion.
"Ignore Ilforte," sighed the other man nonchalantly, standing and nodding at the group, "I'm Ggio Vega. You sure you want to sign up? There's no backing down. Once you're in, you're in."
"Until what?" asked Orihime nervously.
"Until you die," Ggio chuckled, "Or until you win, of course. Depends which you think is more likely. Well, follow me then."
Badly hidden terror passed through the group. Rukia exchanged wide eyed glances with Ichigo, wondering maybe if he'd been right to suggest that they didn't come here. Ichigo's new confidence felt not only shattered, but hammered, burnt and buried. Slowly, the group moved forward, packed tightly together. Even Ikkaku and Chad were showing some unease at the situation. Ggio had produced nine documents.
"Sign these," he said, handing them out.
I accept that once I have signed this form I cannot leave Desumacchi until the tournament is won, or I am harmed beyond continuation.
I accept that any death, maiming, emotional trauma or property theft is by no way the responsibility or fault of Desumacchi or its overseers.
I agree to all the conditions and swear that I carry no automatic weapons, cameras or communication devices.
I confirm that I am aware of the dangers of entering Desumacchi and have still joined by my own free will.
Signed:
Ichigo watched as his friends faces twisted with discomfort as they read the form. Though they had known all this before, it seemed so much more real when handed to them like this. He almost handed Ggio back his form and ran for it, but to his dismay, his friends started signing names despite their fear. The orangette watched his hand shake as he signed his death sentence, feeling sad that he'd never get a chance to get over his stupid pride complex that had forced him to be here signing this paper in the first place.
One by one, the ten friends handed Ggio their death declarations, sentencing themselves to this completely. Ichigo thought he saw Hime's hand twitch, she tried to step backwards, but Ggio snatched her paper and pushed her through the door before she could pull out.
After stepping through, the door was slammed behind Ichigo and a lock clicked. This was it. They were in. After the initial shock had passed, they took in their surroundings. The buildings were crumbling, almost every window was smashed, every door broken down, broken glass and rubbish littered the streets, blowing around in the chilling wind. But, worst of all; dark patches of red everywhere, staining the walls, the road, the pavement. Even the back wall of the bureau was covered in the stuff.
"…Shit," a defeated Rangiku broke the silence before dropping to the floor.
"Yes… I fear we should have listened to you, Ichigo," commented Ishida curtly, although his iron layer of cool was still intact.
An 'I told you so' was in order, but the orangette couldn't bring himself to say it. Instead, he just crouched beside Ichigo, making a show of comforting her - while really just trying to shorten the distance between himself and the ground in case he fainted.