The Date (Part 2)
It was cold, dark, scary. That was the thoughts of Karin as she was stuck in darkness. All she remembered was being struck at the back of the head and rendered unconscious; not before pleading to the 10th Squad Captain to rescue her. She didn't know what happened after that; quite frankly she didn't want to know. But she had to find out soon or later, so she did her best to wake up; and very soon, her eyes twinkled a little. She woke up, lying down on a cold steel floor, and a really painful sensation on her wrists. When she tried to move them, they wouldn't respond. Her hands were tied with really thick ropes, by the feel of it. Now she knew what had happened during the period of her unconsciousness: they kidnapped her.
She tried calling for help, but her kidnappers were crafty and gagged her mouth with a strong binding tape. Fortunately, she wasn't blindfolded, so she looked around where their kidnappers took her: it looked to be the insides of a warehouse, most likely at Karakura's docks. If her guess was correct, it was miles away from home. Orange light peered through the stained windows, so she was gone for quite a while; hopefully without worrying her family. It was then that the doors of the warehouse opened with a loud creak, letting a few of the last remnants of sunlight in that temporarily blinded her vision. When the door closed again, with the sound of a tight lock, she seen that another Toshiro-clothed man came in. It was Shuuhei Hisagi, who intimidated her with his mean expression, particularly the scars over his eyes.
"Don't be afraid, girl." He spoke, kneeling down to the defenseless Karin. "I won't hurt you like my teammates have done so far." Karin growled under her gag, not believing her kidnapper's words. "We're holding you here until we've carried out our mission. Don't hold it personally, we're just following orders. Once our orders are accomplished, successful or not, we'll take you to your family unharmed. Understand?" Karin couldn't do anything but nod on her side. "Good." He stood up. "Hopefully, we'll have your brother and Rukia Kuchiki separated very soon." Karin's eyes widened, and furiously, she tried to wriggle free, while mumbling as loud as she could. "Wrong choice of words."
At the same time, at the Kurosaki household, Yuzu was starting to notice Karin's disappearance.
"Karin's been gone for a long time..." Yuzu said, as she prepared dinner for the family, excluding Ichigo and Rukia, knowing about their upcoming date. "Maybe her soccer practice is taking longer than planned." It was now in the twilight stages of the day, and Yuzu's worry was inextinguishable. But, her worrying had to wait, as her father, Isshin was making another scene.
"Ichigo, you look awesome!" Isshin yelled at the top of his lungs. Yuzu, out of curiosity, went to see what the commotion was about, and gasped. Ichigo and Rukia were dressed semi-formally in clothes she never thought they'd wear. Ichigo wore a lose white long-sleeved shirt, with a loose tie and and grey trousers. Rukia wore a small yellow dress that extended to the middle of her thighs, a white loose chooker and a set of small white shoes.
"Yeah, you've only been telling that to me, even when I was getting changed." Ichigo said, very irritably.
"Wow! You all look wonderful!" Yuzu cheered. Rukia gave a gleeful smile.
"Thank you, Yuzu. That means a lot." She said happily.
"We better get going." Ichigo said.
"Okay." Rukia said as she headed for the door.
"Good luck, Ichigo!" Isshin cried wildly.
"Oh, geez." Ichigo mumbled as they finally left. But when they left and were making their way to Karakura's main couple's attractions, they were being monitored by Izuru Kira. He tapped on a headset attached to his ear.
"Captain, targets are on the move. I repeat, targets are on the move, over" He spoke. Meanwhile, in the heart of Karakura Town stood Byakuya, atop of one of the skyscrapers.
"Keep visual on them, over." Byakuya ordered. He looked to the setting sun as it finally made it's last farewells and sunk beneath the horizon. "Nothing will go wrong, now that I am a part of the operation."
When it had finally started getting dark around Karakura town, a Senkaimon opened that shone it's way through the darkness, and Toshiro quickly revealed himself as the Senkaimon vanished. Toshiro ran to where he believed Karin to be have taken.
"I need to find Karin as soon as possible!" Thought Toshiro. "She's endangering Kurosaki and Kuchiki as well as herself." Eventually, he arrived and not long after, he picked up a soccer ball. "This belonged to her...Excellent, I now have a trace on her Spiritual Pressure; I should follow where it leads." Toshiro ran in the direction that Karin's leaked Spiritual Pressure was; ready to combat the person having Karin captive.
It had now reached the latter parts of the night, and Ichigo and Rukia were traversing through the Entertainment District of Karakura Town. It was indeed busy, with people going to nearby attractions and shows; the pair didn't know where to start. Just then, Rukia dug her arms onto Ichigo's right arm, going for a romantic posture, but it raised the attention of Ichigo.
"Wh-What are you doing?" Asked Ichigo, timidly growing red. Rukia giggled at Ichigo's embarrassment.
"Isn't this what all couples do here?" Asked Rukia. And indeed, most of the couples here were doing the same as Rukia and Ichigo.
"I suppose." Ichigo said, brushing the back of his hair. The two were again being watched, by Byakuya himself, where he cringed at the sight of Rukia behaving this way.
"I have only recieved photographs, reports and tales on the two before now." Byakuya said to himself. "Now that I see them before my eyes, my resolve to have them separated has never been stronger." He tapped on his earpiece.
"Yes, Captain Kuchiki?" Asked the voice through the earpiece, clearly Nemu Kurotsuchi.
"Initiate Plan A - Operation Stampede." Byakuya said through the microphone.
"Understood." Nemu said. She was positioned in an alleyway that Ichigo and Rukia were approaching. Quickly, Nemu pointed to the alleyway on the other side. "Hado no. 45 - Aonobakuhatsu!" From the tip of her fingers came a large blue energy ball. The idea was to use this Kido to cause an explosion on the alleyway opposite to cause a large-scale panic, thereby causing their evening to be ruined. This plan would be fool proof, until...
"Lieutenant?" Called a familiar voice to the 12th Squad Lieutenant. Nemu's Kido dispersed at this calling and she spun around to see an old acquaintance: Uryu Ishida who came from the other side of the alleyway she currently occupied.
"Oh, it's you!" Nemu said in fright of being exposed. "What are you doing here?" Uryu flicked his glasses.
"I could ask the same." He said smartly. "Last I recall, this was the World of the Living, and it's uncommon to see Soul Reapers beside Ichigo and Rukia around. What brings you to the World of the Living?" Nemu had to think fast. If she says the wrong thing, she could gain another enemy. She wasn't one to do such fast thinking, always leaving that to her Captain.
"I-I...I was...gaining r-research..." Nemu said quickly.
"Research?" Uryu repeated, unconvinced.
"Y-Yes. Master Mayuri ordered me to...to gather human resources...and...and bring them back to him." Nemu said, while still trying to think up her words. Uryu raised an eyebrow at Nemu's strange behaviour.
"I don't know what kind of things that crazy scientist does to you, but whatever it is, he should cut it down." Uryu said and turned to leave back into his own district. "See you later." Nemu paused a moment, feeling slight remorse for telling Uryu a lie such as that; but with a heavy sigh, she turned to her duties. But when she looked around for Ichigo and Rukia, they had already passed her and had set sights on the fancy restaurant they wanted to visit. She tapped on her earpiece.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi to Captain Kuchiki." She said. "Plan A - Operation Stampede was a failure."
"Understood." Byakuya replied. He looked to where the restaurant was which they entered. "This may be harder than I predicted."
Even after nightfall, Shuuhei was keeping guard over the restless Karin. In the span of a few hours, she managed to nearly escape four times; though despite her best efforts, the sharp-minded Squad 9 Lieutenant was always one step ahead of her. And it wasn't after the fifth escape attempt that things started looking ugly. Karin was beginning to use a spike hook to pick away at her bindings. Shuuhei spotted this, drew his Zanpakuto and pointed it at Karin's neck, making her muffle behing her gag in fear.
"You are beginning to try my patience, girl..." Shuuhei spoke menacingly. "Try to escape one more time, and I might just..." He walked forward, making the blade touch Karin's neck, making it sting slightly. Before Karin could hear what foul things Shuuhei had planned for her, the doors to the warehouse began to freeze up, almost instantly, and with one giant crash, the doors were breached and Toshiro Hitsugaya was standing over the wreckage, with his Zanpakuto drawn.
"Mmm!" Karin mumbled in joy. Shuuhei gasped at the Squad 10 Captain's appearance.
"Captain Hitsugaya!" Shuuhei gasped in fright. "I...I thought you had a special assignment!"
"Squad 2 are taking over." Toshiro whispered menacingly. "More to it, Lieutenant Hisagi...why are you holding that girl prisoner?" Shuuhei growled. He couldn't take on a Captain-class Soul Reaper, not on his own.
"I have orders..." He said. "She'll be released soon, Captain Hitsugaya, rest assured."
"Release her, now!" Toshiro barked, letting his Spiritual Pressure flux out of control briefly. Even Karin was feeling the strain of such a strong power.
"I-I cannot..." Shuuhei said, folding under the young Captain's power.
"Release her, or so help me, there won't even be scraps of you left when I'm done!" Toshiro barked.
"Th-There's just one thing...you should probably know, Captain Hitsugaya..." Shuuhei said timidly.
"And what's that?" Toshiro said. And suddenly, he was attacked from behind by two of Shuuhei's backup: Ikkaku and Yumichika. They both swung their swords for the Captain and even made contact. When the dust settled after their ambush, Toshiro was left unconscious by their assault.
"That would be us." Ikkaku announced in victory. Karin muffled wildly under her gag in worry for Toshiro; but with one painful kick, Ikkaku managed to silence her. "Shut it, brat." Karin lay utterly helpless, letting loose small sobs. Unable to get free, unable to check the safety of her friend.
"Please, save me..." Karin thought desperately.
And at that point, she was saved, by none other than Toshiro, who delivered painful slashes to her three captors, rendering them unconscious. Karin looked at shock at her saviour and seen the unconscious decoy to be nothing more than a pile of ice.
"Are you alright?" Asked Toshiro, as he began to untie her. Once all her bonds were released and her gag removed, she was finally free to speak.
"Y-Yeah..." Karin spoke silently, being a little mouth-tired from all the fruitless cries for help. Once she knew she was safe at last, she jumped up to Toshiro and gave him a heart-warming hug. "Thank you...Toshiro..." The young Captain was a little stunned by this, but he decided to comfort the young captive and return the hug.
"Yeah, you're safe now, Karin..."
Ichigo and Rukia had left the fancy restaurant they were in feeling utterly refreshed. The meals they consumed were the best they had in a while.
"I never knew humans could cook so well." Rukia said, with a hearty sigh in happiness.
"Heh, maybe if you draw them cute pictures, they'll give you the recipe." Ichigo joked. Rukia gave him a light smack on the head with the bag she carried.
"Still, the waiter that served us was a little clumsy." Rukia said. "I can't believe he dropped my drink."
"Yeah, well when you're running around taking people's orders on all angles, you'd be all over the place too, y'know." Ichigo replied. While the two were headed to their next attraction, Mayuri Kurotsuchi reported to Byakuya through his earpiece.
"Plan B - Operation Mood Dropper, failed." Mayuri said. "I can't believe that 4th Squader dropped her glass!"
"My deepest apoligies, Captain Kurotsuchi!" Hanataro said through his own earpiece. "Balancing trays looks really easy on television!"
"Enough." Said Byakuya to the two. "We shall commence with Plan C. Renji..."
"Yes, Captain?" Byakuya heard Renji call.
"Do you have visuals on your target?" Asked Byakuya.
"Yes." Renji said. "They're not en route."
"What do you mean?" Asked Byakuya.
"They're..." Renji said. "I don't know what they're doing..." Renji seen that Ichigo and Rukia were in front of a toy grabbing machine, trying desperately to get a bunny plush that Rukia was dying to get.
"Go a little more left!" Rukia demanded, with her face glued to the glass case. Ichigo was doing all he can to position the claw to the doll as best he could, but it only grabbed it's ear before letting it slip. "Damn!"
"Don't worry, we can try again." Ichigo said, taking another 300 yen coin and slipping it in.
"But aren't we supposed to stay underbudget, in case we decide to add bigger plans?" Rukia said worriedly.
"Don't worry, this is a big plan." Ichigo said, with a smile towards Rukia. She blushed and stayed focussed on getting the bunny plush out of that machine and into her hands. Renji however conducted a brilliant plan. While the two were fixated on getting the plush, Renji crept behind them and sneakily took Ichigo's wallet and with movement rivalling a Shunpo, retreated out of sight. He opened it to see all the money Ichigo saved for the event (Which was a lot)
"No wallet, no money. No money, no date. No date, heart-broken Rukia." Renji said in victory. "I'm such a genius, I rival Captain Kuchiki! Hehehe!" But his victory fanfare was cut short...
"Uhhh...Renji..." Called a familiar voice behind the 6th Squad Lieutenant. When Renji peeked behind him, Ichigo and Rukia were there, and not impressed by his appearance. Renji's jaw dropped at being exposed.
"Give back Ichigo's wallet." Rukia said angrily. Renji, tearfully, handed it over. "Now that you're here, we need to have a small discussion." Rukia pulled Renji by the ear, out of Ichigo's hearing distance. Ichigo raised his eyebrows to this.
"What's up, Rukia?" Renji asked.
"I'll let the wallet-thieving fiasco slide if you tell me what I want to hear." Rukia said.
"Uhhh, sure, what is it?" Asked Renji.
"Who is it that's causing me and Ichigo to fall out with one another?" Asked Rukia, eye-to-eye with the red-haired Lieutenant. Renji grew red hot at this question, but kept a straight face.
"Uhh...Wh-what are you talking about...R-Rukia?" Renji asked politely.
"I know you're involved somehow, too." Rukia said. "Now, the quicker you tell me, the quicker you can go, and the quicker I can go back on my date with Ichigo. Now fess up!" Renji began to sweat behind his headband, and without a second thought...
"Look! A little girl is trying to get that doll!" Renji screamed while pointing to the machine. Rukia fell for it and spun around ready to fight, if necessary for the bunny plush. But there was no girl, only passers-by and Ichigo. And when Rukia turned back around, Renji had gone, obviously running as fast as he possibly could. Rukia stomped the ground in rage and returned to Ichigo.
"What was that all about?" Asked Ichigo.
"I was just checking if Renji knew anything about the goings-on." Rukia replied.
"And he did a runner?" Asked Ichigo.
"You guessed it." She replied. "Now, back to getting that..." But Renji's brief interruption caused a little girl to pass-by, use Ichigo's shot and get a little teddy-bear of her own.
"Damn it." Growled Ichigo.
Renji was now a mile away from Ichigo and Rukia, running as fast as he could in any direction to escape being caught. He was breathing frantically, having never ran as fast before in his life.
"That was...too close..." Renji heaved.
"That was dangerous, Renji." Said a familiar voice. Renji turned to see his Captain: Byakuya.
"Captain!" Screamed Renji, jumping back at the sight of him.
"By doing a strategy unknown to the Movement, you may have compromised our existence to them." Byakuya lectured.
"I'm sorry, Captain!" Renji apoligized.
"We must tread more carefully." Byakuya said. "You shall stay with me and keep visuals at all times."
"I understand, Captain." Renji said.
Before it got any later, Toshiro took Karin home, as quickly as he could, he arrived with one more Shunpo, with Karin in his arms and dropped her off at her front door.
"You should be safe, as long as they don't see you as a threat." Toshiro said to her. Karin stared into Toshiro's cold eyes, before the white-haired Soul Reaper went to depart.
"Wait, where are you going?" Asked Karin, chasing after him.
"To see if I can offer my services to your brother. They're still on their date and still vulnerable." Toshiro said.
"Let me go with you!" Karin said.
"No, you've worried your family long enough." Toshiro said. "Besides, I don't want to endanger you more than what you're already in." Karin blushed at this, finally making Toshiro look away.
"Good luck..." Karin said.
"Yeah...I'll need it." Toshiro said, before using a Shunpo to locate Ichigo. Karin looked to a nearby building to see Toshiro make one last Shunpo away. She gave a smile, before heading indoors, and make up some form of excuse for her well extended absence.
It was now coming upon the latter stages of Ichigo and Rukia's date; they seen a play that had Rukia on the verge of emotional tears, and to relax, sit in a fancy cafe and have a rich cup of coffee, while chatting away merrily. During this time, Byakuya and his men had fired off three more plots, all to bad results. Presently, Ichigo and Rukia were on the ferris wheel, enjoying the sights.
"Karakura never looked so amazing this high." Rukia said, admiring the views.
"This is my first time up a ferris wheel." Ichigo said, looking out the window. "Think it'll crash?" Rukia giggled.
"No way." She assured. But her comfort was all for nought, as Byakuya was ready to launch his sixth plan: destroy the ferris wheel. He drew his Zanpakuto.
"Captain, is this wise?" Asked Renji. "You could kill Rukia this way."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take." Byakuya said. "Scatter, Senbon-" But before Byakuya could achieve his Shikai state, a long chain coiled itself around Byakuya's sword, ending it's Shikai command. Just then, Toshiro made his appearance before the 6th Squad members.
"Captain Hitsugaya!" Renji gasped.
"Kuchiki!" Toshiro growled. "Have you lost your mind? Last I checked, you intended to break them up, not kill them!"
"Stand aside, Captain Hitsugaya." Byakuya said calmly. "I will not have Ichigo Kurosaki meddle with the Kuchiki family."
"Are you blind to truth and reason?" Toshiro yelled. "If you intend to kill your fellow Soul Reapers, then I will stand in your path until I cannot stand no more!"
"I accept your challenge." Byakuya said, knocking back the chains of Toshiro's Zanpakuto and charged at him with his sword. Toshiro made a strong block, but was wide open from an incoming attack from Renji.
"Howl, Zabimaru!" He called, letting loose his long Zanpakuto and swinging it for the defenseless Captain. The attack however was blocked by a thick cloud of ash.
"What?" Toshiro exclaimed, and seen that his Lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto had come to his rescue. "Rangiku?"
"You didn't believe I'd let you hog all the fighting against these knuckleheads, did you?" Rangiku said with a grin towards her Captain. "You handle Kuchiki, I'll handle Ren-" But her words were cut short, as both their opponents made a hasty retreat.
"Remember this fight, Captain Hitsugaya." Called Byakuya. "We shall resume later." They climbed a nearby building, opened a Senkaimon and retreated back to the Soul Society.
"What was their rush?" Asked Rangiku, scratching her breasts in shame of missing a good fight. Toshiro looked round to see Ichigo and Rukia were approaching, now off the ferris wheel.
"It was a useless battle, I suppose." Toshiro said. "Why fight a battle that they were gonna lose anyway?" The two walked among the crowd to a nearby alleyway and opened a Senkaimon to the Soul Society.
Ichigo and Rukia were now going back to their home, having a very successful first date. Both were now waiting for a bus back home.
"I can't remember the last time I had such a splendid evening..." Rukia said, latching on to his arm once more.
"Yeah, me neither." Ichigo said. And it was that moment again, Ichigo and Rukia's gazes were heavily entangled in one another. Without so much as a second thought, both were kissing each other passionately. It was the end of the most brilliant night of their lives...and the finishing blow for Byakuya's plans against them...