A/N: After a long wait, here's chapter 8! It's a little longer then the others, and I hope it's worth the wait and length! A gentle reminder, that I still don't own Bleach.
Chapter 8
"Well, well well…" Kisuke Urahara spoke as he sat around his living room table with his trusted team of Karakura Town defenders. "It seems we have a lot of catching up to do."
When he had returned to the world of the living, the first thing Urahara noticed was the familiar spiritual pressure of Rukia Kuchki and Renji Abarai. He quickly found the two soul reapers and asked them to return to his shop with him. Then, when Urahara stepped into his basement to observe the training he had asked Ichigo to put Tatsuki through, he discovered something very unusual. As she rose from the hole as a soul reaper, Tatsuki's robe was not black like an ordinary soul. It was indeed crimson red.
As Tatsuki and Ichigo entered the room, in soul form per request of Kisuke, Renji and Rukia both had astonished looks on their faces as they observed Tatsuki. Urahara knew this would be the case, so he decided to address all the concerns that were circling this room. "First of all, Tatsuki's soul reaper appearance is something of a mystery."
"What's so special about it?" Tatsuki inquired, "So my robe looks different, big deal?"
"Oh it is a big deal indeed." Urahara spoke with great seriousness in his voice. "You and Ichigo are humans, so you wouldn't know this…but in the spirit world there are great legends about extraordinary soul reapers that arise once every millennium or two. From how the stories go that souls share with their children, these special soul reapers appear in red clothing, and only appear when existence is about to face a terrible threat. I have to say, I never have had much stock in this folklore, but then again I've never seen a soul reaper in a red kimono before either."
"It is…quite unbelievable." Rukia said, still in awe as she stared at Tatsuki's uniform.
"I don't know," Renji spoke as he rubbed his chin with a puzzled look, "It seems to me that we've never dealt with a threat as terrible as Aizen from what I know about the Soul Society…If this legend thing was true, then shouldn't Ichigo be the one with the red clothing since he was the one that beat Aizen?"
"I hate to say it…" Urahara spoke, also considering this theory. "But in the grand scheme of the history of the spirit world, Hueco Mundo, and the world of the living…Aizen was just one dark chapter in a book full of many dark sections. We have seen our fair share of villains in history, and some were even worse than Aizen. So, there's that…"
The group simply gazed at one and other in silence as they considered this strange phenomena. Tatsuki didn't know what to think. She definitely didn't FEEL like she was some super savior of mankind, even though she could feel her newfound soul reaper powers radiating through her. It was like deep in her soul a new room was open up and now her Zanpakuto, Simba resided there waiting to fight alongside her the next time the need arose. Before the new soul reaper could consider this anymore, Kisuke shifted the team's gears to another subject.
"I also have returned from the soul society with new information regarding Orihime's killer…" Urahara spoke, knowing this would be a very painful subject for both Tatsuki and Ichigo. "His name is Cedric Ares, and he is a former soul reaper of Squad 2. Roughly about 500 years ago, Cedric Ares was banished from the Soul Society to a prison in Hueco Mundo due to the fact that he wielded a forbidden Zanpakuto named Osafu and refused to give it up to the Seireitei."
"Cedric Ares…" Tatsuki and Ichigo almost simultaneously muttered the name of the assassin who took their dear friend away from them. It was the first time either had heard this name. For the name of a complete stranger, it held so much weight.
"We were briefed about his crimes in the world of the living." Renji spoke now. "Apparently, when he murdered Orihime, he withdrew from her soul the Hell Stone. From what Captain Commander Yamamoto was saying this is one of the three artifacts used to create a portal to the Void, a top secret prison located in Hell for the Spirit World's most terrible criminals in history."
"Renji, aren't you risking a lot to be sharing this information with us?" Ichigo asked. He didn't mind his friend's insight on the matter, but he knew how rigid the rules of the soul society were. It surprised him that Renji was able to so easily give away such high priority information to them. It was very uncharacteristic for a soul reaper to be giving this much detail to "mere" humans, as they would see it.
"It's like this, Ichigo…" Rukia explained, "Years ago, after the mess that happened in Hueco Mundo…involving Orihime's kidnapping and all of what happened with Aizen…Renji and I believed that withholding information from you and Urahara in order to protect the Soul Society usually would endanger our friends here, and Karakura Town. When the great battle with Aizen ended, we promised each other that without the Soul Society's knowledge, when issues arise that effect the human world, and you…we would be 100% honest, and withhold nothing. You all may be just humans to the Soul Society, but to me and Renji, you're our friends."
"That…means so much…" Tatsuki spoke softly. She didn't personally know Rukia very well, but from what Ichigo had said before, the soul reaper became very close with Orihime. Tatsuki was intrigued by this relationship because from the looks of it, the two women were close but both had strong feelings for the same man. The way she saw it, if Orihime could consider Rukia a close friend despite their mutual interest in Ichigo, then this woman must be a very good soul. Rukia's previous comment definitely backed up Tatsuki's theory.
"As I was saying before Rukia got all mushy, " Renji continued, "The Hell Stone, which can only be held by this ancient gauntlet which Cedric must of somehow obtained, if it is broken in the Blood Chalice, then a portal to the Void is open. I don't know why this rogue soul reaper would want to go there, but with his Zanpakuto spirit considering itself the "enemy of soul reapers" we can only assume he means to cause harm to the Soul Society."
"So it's settled…" Ichigo hit his fists on the table as he stood up. His eyes weren't filled with justice and protection, like usual. They had their fill of anger and vengeful resolve. "We find Cedric Ares, and put a stop to him before he has the chance to enter this Void."
"Ichigo it isn't that simple…" Urahara spoke softly, empathizing for his formal student, "After learning about Cedric's story…before I returned here, I paid a visit to Hueco Mundo myself, and checked out the secluded prison that Ares was held in. It's quite the masterpiece. From what I could tell, there is quite literally no way that someone sent into that prison can escape on their own…someone, must have let him out…We have no information right now on who it is that released Cedric, or why are wanting to visit the Void?"
"All the more reason we need to take care of that guy before he can open a gate to the Void!" Ichigo exclaimed, frustration boiling in his voice. "I'm done talking about it…for almost a month we've just sat here and done nothing while Cedric has been getting what he needs to go to Hell and do God knows what! I…I can't take it anymore! He killed Orihime, for all for some stupid stone that was placed in her chest! She didn't ask for it…why the hell did someone put that stone in her chest? And why couldn't I protect her? No...No more talking, now that I know who it is, I'm going to find Cedric and I'm going to kill him!"
"Ichigo!" Rukia stood up to try to settle her friend down, but before she could he shoved past her and ran out the door.
"Let him go," Urahara spoke solemnly, "That's been boiling up for a while in Ichigo. He has done such a good job keeping it together to help release Tatsuki's soul and awaken her Zanpakuto in my absence. He needs this time…besides, there is more that you all need to hear…"
Two hours later, the meeting disbanded and everyone thought it was a good idea to find Ichigo and see if he was okay. Tatsuki didn't need to ask anyone for help, she had a hunch that she knew exactly where Ichigo would be. As the soul reapers parted ways, Tatsuki made her way to the road by Karakura Lake.
As the sun was setting Tatsuki looked over the road rail to see the orange haired soul reaper back in his human body, wearing a white shirt and jeans, staring deep into the water that reflected all shades of red, orange and yellow. For Tatsuki it felt as if she stepped in a time warp and teleported ten years ago, back to shortly after Ichigo's mom passed away.
She remembered walking home from martial arts training one day and finding Ichigo in this very same spot, crying his eyes out. He was a different Ichigo then. He wasn't strong, he was but a child, full of love and innocence. He was broken when his mom died, and was never again the innocent child he once was. Tatsuki's heart broke as she sat down next to this crying child and did her best as an 8 year old girl to console him. This was the start of their friendship. As someone that had also lost her parents, Tatsuki wanted nothing more back then than to be there to support Ichigo. Seeing him that day years ago, deeply saddened her.
Tatsuki's heart broke once again for her childhood friend as she watched him peer out at the bay, his eyes filling with tears. She hated herself for being so wrapped up with her own vengeful plot of getting back to Orihime's killer that she didn't once consider Ichigo's feelings or concerns with the same matter. The two high schoolers were incredibly alike. They thought on the same wave length, so Tatsuki reasoned that Kurosaki most likely was feeling all the same emotions that she was, except he had taken time away from his mourning to care for her. Tatsuki cursed herself once more realizing that once again, someone felt the need to protect her.
The girl wearing a yellow hoodie and white training sweats sat down on the side of the slanted hill with Ichigo. It was her time to care for him, just as he had for the past month for her.
"Orihime," Tatsuki spoke softly to his friend, "You know she loved you right Ichigo?"
Ichigo said nothing.
"Of course she always had a crush on you since we were kids." Tatsuki spoke as she looked out at the water, "But back then, it was just a child's thing…to her you were just the cute boy at school she would timidly smile at in class and occasionally have a light hearted conversation with. But then all this…soul reaper stuff happened. Rukia came into your life, and changed everything about you…but then you changed everything about a lot of them, didn't you? Chad, Uyru, and Orihime of course. Something awoken in her once she got involved in all this…Looking back, she told me about her trip to the Soul Society before I even knew what it was. I didn't catch it then, but looking back she spoke about it with such amazement and passion. That place changed her. And her power that you told me about, it gave her means to unlock a strength in her that I don't even think she knew she had…Yes, things all changed. I can't imagine what it was like for her in Hueco Mundo when she was abducted…but you were there for her, weren't you? And that made it okay…for Orihime as long as she was around you, here in the land of the living…the soul society…Hueco Mundo…wherever, as long as she was with you, she was happy. My soul sister would travel to the other side of the universe to be near you, Ichigo, I know it. What started out from just a girl's crush, through all the shared experiences you all had…it became a deep and passionate love."
Ichigo cringed as he thought about his fallen friend.
"I don't know if you have the same feelings for her Kurosaki, and maybe you don't even know…but she was a gift in your life…and you know what, you were a gift in her life as well, Ichigo!"
"You don't think I know that?" Ichigo asked, anguish filling his voice, "Orihime always wanted to be part of this life, even though I tried so hard to keep her away from it. She always wanted to be on the frontlines, no matter how dangerous it was. And I could always protect her. Even when Aizen abducted her and brought her to the world of the Hollows, I was able to go there and save her life…I always could, but not this time. No, this time before I even knew Orihime was in danger, that monster ripped the stone from her soul and killed her...And I was nowhere to be found, I was useless."
"Not entirely useless…" Tatsuki spoke, now tears filling her eyes, "If you hadn't shown up when you did I would be dead too. Ichigo, I never thanked you for saving my life…and after knowing everything about you that I do now, I know I will never have to…but thank you!"
"I'm going to find that Cedric Ares…" Ichigo's fist clenched as he thought of his enemy.
"We're going to find him…" Tatsuki corrected, her eyes filling with hurt as she thought of her best friend's assassin. "We're in this together Ichigo, we were the minute you ripped me from my soul chain. Listen, after you left Urahara told us more about what Cedric Ares is doing. Apparently, Urahara concludes that this Blood Chalice that Cedric needs is not in the world of the living. If it was, he'd have it by now and we'd have noticed a gate to the Void open for sure. No…he's going to go to the Soul Society and find out who has the Chalice inside them, like Orihime had the Hell Stone…then he'll have his next target."
"I wish we knew who had that chalice…" Ichigo thought hard, praying the answer would just appear to him
"Urahara has a theory…" Tatsuki explained to Ichigo what Urahara had said to the group after he had left.
"Our first priority needs to be finding Cedric's next target and protecting him from the rogue soul reaper." Urahara had said, back in his living room two hours earlier. "I have a theory, and it's only a theory…but I think it's a good one. On the way back from Hueco Mundo, I asked myself, what made Orihime so special that she could contain such a terrible relic such as the Hell Stone. The only answer that I could come up with is her time reversal and negation power. This is a truly unique gift that I have seen only once before…in the former vice-leader of the kido-corps, Hachigen Ushoda."
"Hachi!" Ichigo exclaimed with great concern as Tatsuki recited the past day's conversation to her. "Urahara thinks he is the keeper of the Blood Chalice within him?"
"It's just a theory…" Tatsuki replied, "But I think it's a pretty good one. Think about it, Orihime has the same powers as him, and she didn't know she possessed the Hell Stone…maybe he doesn't know that he has that Chalice in his soul?"
"I have to get to Hachi…" Ichigo stood up.
"Wait…" Tatsuki jumped up and grabbed Ichigo's arm, causing him to stop and turn back to look her in the eye, "Kisuke Urahara alerted the soul society with the hopes that they'd send people to protect this guy…and he's making preparations now to create a portal to the Soul Society. It should be a day or two, he said…I was hoping while we waited that you'd continue to train me to use my Zanpakuto."
"Tatsuki…" Ichigo paused, as he wanted to choose his words carefully. He knew there was no right way of telling her that he'd rather go off on his own then take the time to train her to prepare for a fight she'd surely die in.
"Look I get it…" Tatsuki interrupted, "I'm brand new to this soul reaper thing…and you've been doing it for years to reach the level you're at, and apparently this Cedric guy is at a similar level so there's no way I could defeat him…but, I don't know, I just FEEL like I need to try to grasp this power in me. I can't explain it, maybe all soul reapers have it…but I know there is more to my Zanpakuto then what I know now, and I think you can help me draw it out! I want to be the one that kills this guy Ichigo, and I know you do too…and I also know that you probably will get to do it before I can, but I just want to be there when you do it…I want to be able to help you, and not get in the way…Orihime died protecting him, and I never wanted you to protect me either…I just want to stand on my own two feet and protect my friends from monsters like Cedric Ares…and I know you're the same way Ichigo, which is why you'll help train me, right?"
"Tatsuki…" Ichigo spoke her name as he looked down and considered what she said, "Orihime would have wanted to be with me through this too…and since she can't, I think she'd want you to be there in her place…Alright then. Two days? That's not very much time, but I think I can help you figure out the basics in that time."
Tatsuki hugged Ichigo, as the two embraced Tatsuki whispered in his ear as tears filled her eyes. "Thank you Ichigo…Finding this man, and trying to stop him is the only thing that is giving my life meaning right now."
From a distance, Kisuke Urahara stood on top of his rooftop and watched the two young soul reapers. He didn't know awaited the two of them as the time for battle closed in. Tatsuki's strange red soul reaper transformation was definitely something that had peeked Urahara's curiosity. Could this have anything to do with Cedric Ares or the dangerous people in Hueco Mundo that released him? Urahara didn't believe in folklore like legendary soul reaper saviors, but even more so then that, Kisuke didn't believe in coincidence. It seemed to be no accident that Tatsuki's soul transformation became crimson as someone was drawing close to unlocking the Void. Kisuke sighed with unease, he had a bad feeling about this entire situation.
Please let me know what you think! I am working to improve the story as I write it and any feedbacks and/or ideas would be greatly appreciated. As always, thank you so much for reading!