Chapter 15: The Pieces Are Moving
"Ohhhhhh!!!!!"
"Ahhhhhh!!!!"
"This is never going to work…" Yoruichi sighed, as she watched her two pupils holding their arms up in ridiculous poses.
"Eh?! Why not?!" Orihime pouted, deflating slightly and flopping down onto the rocky ground of Urahara Shōten's training room.
"If shouting loudly and doing a stupid pose activated magical powers, it would work for most of today's youth," her instructor groused, resting her chin on her palm.
"So…so what do we do?" Chad asked, letting his arms fall to his sides.
"Like I said before: think back to when you first attained them. Remember that sensation."
"But, everything happened so fast," Orihime said, "And I was so scared…"
"What were you scared of?"
"Of dying," she replied quietly, "And…I didn't want to die afraid…"
"I see," Yoruichi nodded understandingly, "So, you took up your powers to defend yourself. It's the same with whatever weapon you wield; the instinct to protect yourself, someone you care about, or an idea. The heart and the soul, where your powers reside, are connected. What do you want to use your powers for?"
Orihime didn't even hesitate, saying, "To rescue Kurosaki-kun."
Immediately, her hairpins began to glow; separating and then transforming into her six fairy guardians.
"Good to see you again, Orihime," Shun'ō said, greeting her charge with a happy smile.
On the other hand, Tsubaki had slightly different form of salutation.
"What did you summon us here for woman?!" he shouted, pulling her hair, "There's nothing dangerous here! No hollow! Nothing!"
Yoruichi watched apprehensively as the rest of the Shun Shun Rikka attempted to pry their companion away.
That's unfortunate…while it seems her ability is similar to zanpakutō, in that it can manifest itself in living beings, the fact that there are so many seems to make control rather difficult. That could prove difficult in a battle situation.
She shook her head, turning to Chad. "What about you? What are you fighting for?"
"Ichigo," he responded simply, clenching his fist in determination, "We always look out for each other."
Immediately after his declaration, blue energy coalesced around his fist, gradually covering his entire arm in a black second skin with a red stripe running down its length.
Flexing his hand, Chad examined it and the way it felt.
I didn't have time to before. It's almost like there's nothing there. I can still feel things I touch…but it feels strong too. Almost like metal…
"Very good," Yoruichi said, addressing him and Orihime, who had finally talked Tsubaki down from physical violence. However, the feisty pixie was still grumbling quietly to himself.
"Waste of my talent…friggin'…could be asleep right now…"
"Excuse me, small one," Yoruichi grinned, her canines glinting, "But if you feel that your skills are being wasted, we would be more than happy to oblige you. Kisuke!"
"Hai?" the mysterious shopkeeper answered merrily, appearing suddenly from behind a rock.
"Please give these two a workout."
"Of course, Yoruichi-sama," Urahara replied, tipping his hat to her in exaggerated respect. He then drew his concealed sword from its hiding place in his cane, saying, "Yosh! Nake, Benihime!"
The sword simultaneously changed shape and shot a wave of red energy into the space between Orihime and Chad, causing them both to jump several feet in the air.
Urahara continued his assault, and the purple haired former shinigami yelled at Tsubaki, "Is that tough enough for you little man?" as the pair of humans ran helter-skelter over the rocky terrain; dodging and looking for cover, while Orihime's familiars tried desperately to keep up.
It's sink or swim for you two, she thought, Either you'll fail or you'll get strong enough to help Kurosaki.
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Rukia had been astonished to discover that Urahara's talking cat, which was unusual in its existence alone, was in fact the legendary Goddess of Flash. Given her strong reaction and the others' ensuing inquiries, Yoruichi had forgone her feline form in lieu of her natural appearance. Much to all of their surprise, she decided to immediately transform in front of them.
I wonder how many people in Soul Society can claim they've seen a captain of the Gotei 13, even an exiled one, naked? Rukia mused to herself as she stepped through a senkaimon.
As she arrived on the other side, she took a moment to recognize how different it was from the living world.
I know there are many good things there, but here…I feel…like this is where I belong. Everything here is made of reishi, so I suppose it's only natural. I am a spirit and this is a spirit world…
Her train of thought didn't make it much farther however, as she was immediately confronted by a squad from the Kido Corps, who were maintaining the gate.
"Kuchiki Rukia! You are under suspicion of aiding a criminal! We are to escort you to your division where Ukitake-taicho will question you. Do not resist or we will use force."
However, Urahara had told her to expect this and so she was not caught completely unprepared.
"Wh-what?! What do you mean?! What is this about?" she exclaimed innocently.
Rukia had had the best acting skills in her circle of friends in Rukongai.
The guards refused to answer her questions, insisting that she follow them to 13th division.
Ukitake-taicho won't be easy to fool though…she thought worriedly, He always sees right through me. I'll just have to try my best and hope he believes me. If I'm imprisoned, I only hope the others can still carry out the rescue…
Upon her arrival, she found the doors to her captain's office flanked by Kiyone and Sentarō. For once, the pair appeared somewhat serious, eying her carefully.
"We'll be listening to your every word, so don't try anything funny missy," Sentarō said in what he believed to be a tough voice, wagging a finger at her.
Well, they always listen anyway, so at least he's admitting it, Rukia thought, stifling a giggle at the face he was making and chastising herself, This is no time for laughing!
Steeling herself, she entered Ukitake's office. Her pale commanding officer was, much like his adjuncts, in a somber mood. His eyes immediately went found hers as she entered the room, but Rukia maintained her mask of confused worry.
"Ukitake-taicho! What is all this?! Why am I under suspicion? I haven't done anything wrong…"
That, at least, is true…
Ukitake regarded her for a moment before responding. "I believe you Kuchiki."
"You do?"
"Yes, insofar as I believe you don't think you've done anything wrong. However, allow me explain the situation. It may be that you have done something unintentionally. Last night, a man was captured in Karakura Town. This man had illegally acquired shinigami abilities through unknown means. The fact that you were not responding on your communicator and that you were nowhere to be found before and after his apprehension is the cause for this investigation."
"So that's how it is?" Rukia breathed a convincing sigh of relief, "Taicho, I was pursuing a hollow in a city near to Karakura last night. Kagamino City was the name, I think…During the fight my communicator was crushed and so I have been out of contact. It's why I returned, so I could replace it!"
She drew the broken remains of the device from inside her hakama, offering it as evidence and placing it on the floor in front of her.
Ukitake examined it for a moment and nodded, looking rather relieved himself.
"I'll have to have 12th Division examine this to confirm that it was destroyed by a hollow, but I'm inclined to believe you Kuchiki."
Rukia smiled gratefully, partly out of gratitude to Urahara, who had planned for this eventuality. He had gone so far as to have Tessai hold a hollow down while he placed the communicator between its jaws, clamping them down repeatedly to mash it into pieces.
"Arigato, taicho," she said, standing and bowing in thanks.
"You're most welcome," Ukitake replied, returning her smile.
"May I take my leave? I'd like to replace my communicator."
"Not just yet, I'm afraid. You'll need to remain here until 12th Division has completed their analysis. You are to stay in the barracks in the meantime and a guard will be placed outside your door," he held up a hand as she started to protest, "It's all just a precaution, no need to get excited."
"I know," Rukia nodded grudgingly, "It's just difficult to follow protocol, when you know you're innocent…"
"Of course."
As Rukia bowed and turned to leave, Ukitake said abruptly, "Oh, by the way Kuchiki!"
"Yes?"
"I thought you'd be interested to know: the criminal they captured has orange hair."
"Wh-what?" Rukia stuttered, her eyes widening.
"In addition, he bears a striking resemblance to Shiba Kaien; just like the youth you were unable to save," he continued, watching her shrewdly once again.
She was caught completely off guard.
Ukitake-taicho remembered that conversation?! Why did I have to talk to him about Ichigo?! Does he still suspect me? How can I…wait…that…that might work!
"Do you have a photograph, taicho? If I saw it…it might be him!" she asked hopefully.
"I believe so…" he muttered, looking askance at her as he searched through the report.
I truly hope this isn't the same boy, Ukitake thought as he handed the report and its attached picture over to Rukia, It would devastate her if she were unable to save him from death a second time…
Looking down at the photo expectantly, Rukia let her shoulders sag in disappointment.
"It's not him…"
"What? Are you sure? He looks very much like Kaien…"
"Trust me taicho," Rukia said morosely, standing once again, "I will never forget his face…This is a different man."
"Very well…"
Reluctantly, he waved her off.
I suppose it's good that it wasn't that boy, but even so, if it were, maybe she could have gotten some kind of closure from that awful incident…
XXXXXXXXXX
As the sun began to set, the door to Rukia's room was flung open and Kotsubaki Sentarō flashed her a sloppy mock salute.
"Yo! You're free to go, Kuchiki," he said, leaning against the door frame.
"Arigato, Kotsubaki-san," Rukia said as she stood up from her bunk, "But where is Ukitake-taicho? I had thought he might see me off…"
"Ah," Sentarō shook his head, cleaning one of his ears with his pinky, "Taicho's tuberculosis is acting up again, so he's staying at his family's estate until he feels better. Pain in the ass too, since I have to share command with that baka Kiyone…"
"I see…" Rukia responded sadly, looking away. Ukitake-taicho…why does sickness have to still exist here? Shouldn't we be beyond it?
Sighing, she turned back to Sentarō, who was still muttering about his fellow 3rd Seat, and asked, "Where can I reclaim my zanpakutō?"
"…and she smells t-…what? Oh, I got it right here," he mumbled, slightly embarrassed; taking her sword from its resting place next to the door.
"You're free to go and return to your post in the living world," Sentaro continued as Rukia reattached her sheath to her sash, "Should you have any business in Soul Society, try an' finish it up soon, alright?"
Nodding, Rukia waited until he was out of sight. Lifting her sleeve, she checked the list of instructions Urahara had written on her skin.
I'll have to make this quick. I'm glad I've been practicing my shunpo.
Two hours later she was standing in front of the main gate as the Kido Corps prepared to open it; a large sack strung over her back.
She got a few odd looks from the guards, but was otherwise unmolested.
Upon arriving back at Urahara Shoten, she let herself in, greeting Chad and Orihime, who were both wolfing down their dinners; having drained most of their spiritual energy for the day.
Both paused momentarily to utter hasty hellos before resuming their chowing.
"Oh, Kuchiki-san!" the shop's namesake said, looking up from his own meal, which he was eating at a much more sedate pace, "How did it go? Did you confirm Kurosaki-san's status?"
"Yes: he's been locked in the Shrine of Penitence."
"A pity," Urahara sighed, shaking his head, "That's right in the heart of Seireitei…oh well! At least we've planned ahead. I trust you were you able to get everything without too much trouble?"
"More or less…not many men in my division are close to Chado's size though…"
You've started a trend, Ichigo…Chad thought, lamenting that his friend's nickname for him was spreading.
"Not to worry Kuchiki-san," Urahara reassured her, winking, "I'm sure if Sado-san's uniform is too tight it will only show off his physique more easily to any lady shinigami you may encounter."
Urahara's teasing statement caused Rukia to chuckle, Orihime to giggle, and its subject to choke violently, necessitating Tessai's use of the Heimlich maneuver.
Now I see why Ichigo always complained about 'working' here! Chad thought, as he nursed his stomach and neck.
Grinning at the effects of his words, Urahara said, "In all seriousness though, these shihakushō should do nicely. What about the asauchi? Were you able to acquire them as well?"
Rukia nodded, drawing them from her bag. "Getting three blank zanpakutō from the academy wasn't easy. Even on the weekend, there is still plenty of security."
"Excellent! With these, I'm sure Yoruichi and our three young friends will make very convincing shinigami…"
XXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile, in a certain division, two unseated officers were discussing the recent developments in Soul Society, unaware that there was someone else listening.
"Did you hear about that criminal? The one they've got locked up in the Shrine of Penitence?"
"Oh yeah! What's his name again? Kuro-something?"
"Beats me, I don't remember! The point is: I heard he's so strong, he broke two of the seals they put on his reiatsu!"
"What?! No way! Did he escape or something?"
"Nah, those weirdoes in 12th finally found one that worked."
Unbeknownst to the pair of gossipers, their eavesdropper left them then, running off at a breakneck pace.
Upon their return to their division's main facility, they flung open the door of their captain's quarters and leapt onto their sleeping leader's chest.
"Unh! What the hell was that for Yachiru?"
"Ken-chan! Ken-chan! I wanna' tell you about a strong guy!"
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Author's Note: Another shorter chapter, but that also means it gets to you sooner! As you might have noticed, I did end up changing the title, because, as one reviewer pointed out, the title "A New Course" implies that the characters are aware of the old one. Happy almost New Year! And you know what would make the rest of my 2009? If you guessed feedback, you'd be correct! I would have also accepted a pet dinosaur, but unless you have one of those...
Japanese Translations:
Shihakushō- garment of dead souls (the shinigami uniform)
Asauchi- shadow hilt (a blank zanpakutō, either used for training or one whose owner is unable to communicate with)