Chapter Two

The Plot Begins

There wasn't much difference between Hueco Mundo's night and day. But if you have lived there long enough you might notice the slightest change in light when night came around. Then again, your eyes could be fooling you.

A pair of shadows stood out on the sands of Hueco Mundo. The shadows belonged to two men, whose clothing blended with the white sand. The taller figure wore power around him like a cloak. His wavy hair was brushed away from his face, clearly showing a slight smile that never left his lips. His was a figure used to respect

The second man held the reins to their horses and was a subordinate to the first man. His aura was one that would make little children cry, the slanted eyes on his face giving him the look of a snake.

"He is late." The taller man said aloud.

"I'm sure he'll be he soon." The second man replied.

A horse came riding up to the pair, astride it was a man dressed in black. His hair stuck up in an afro, making him easily recognizable. He was a horrible thief, but good enough to get what the men wanted.

The thief jumped off his horse and smiled apologetically, "Sorry for being late."

"I take it you have it?" The taller man questioned.

The thief, whose working name was Afro, pulled out a small trinket. It was a half of a butterfly colored a deep red. "Of course."

"Wonderful." The man praised as he reached for the butterfly.

Afro quickly retracted his hand, "Nuh-uh, what about my reward?"

In a flash the man holding the horses had a sword against the thief's throat.

"Hand it over or your head parts from your shoulders." The man stated smiling. Instead of a sword, Afro felt like there was something wrapping around his neck instead, the thief gulped, "Y-yes, forgive me." He stammered.

The superior man waved the subordinate away from the thief's throat after taking the butterfly from Afro's hands. Pulling out the other half of the butterfly from his pocket he reassured the thief, "Don't worry, you'll soon get your just reward." Then he pushed the two pieces of butterfly together.

Instantly, the butterfly let loose a red glow and flew off faster than any normal insect.

"After it!" the leader commanded.

All three of them were gone, following the red trail of the butterfly on their horses.

After a short chase, the butterfly split in two and plunged into the white sand. With a roar of wind a masked face rose from the sand, its eyes glowed a bright red.

"At last," the superior triumphed, "The Cave of Wonders." Without getting off his horse he spoke sharply to the thief, "Remember, brink me the lamp and the rest is yours."

Afro disembarked from his horse and slowly approached the mask made of sand. He jumped when the mask opened its mouth, but continued on.

"Who disturbs my slumber?" The cave roared, surprising the thief, who scrambled back.

Looking back at the two men for encouragement, which he didn't get, Afro answered, "K-k-Kurumadani Zennosuke!"

"Know this," the dune uttered, "Only one may enter here, whose worth lies within. A diamond… in the rough."

The thief turned towards the men again.

"Go on." The leader intoned.

With hesitance Afro took a few steps into the open maw of the cave and waited anxiously. When nothing happened he chuckled at his foolishness and prepared to go in farther.

But before he could take one step the mask howled once more and slammed his mouth shut, keeping Afro from escaping

The cave was slowly becoming nothing once more, "Seek thee out," it rumbled, "the diamond in the rough."

All that was left of the cave was the two pieces of butterfly.

"Well isn't that just interestin'?" The white-haired man said.

"Yes, we must find this," the man smiled, savoring the next words, "diamond in the rough."