Thanks for all the positive support I got for chapter 1. Honestly, I didn't expect this to be such a good story but I'll endeavor to finish it for everyone who reviewed on it.
Anway without further ado, here is chapter 2 of 'The Shinigami and The Olympians.'
"Hello." Ichigo/Kisuke/Gods conversing in their mind.
"Hello" Zangetsu/ Benihime/ Alternate aspect conversing in their mind.
"Hello." Old Man Zangetsu conversing in their mind.
I do not own Bleach or Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The rights are reserved to Tito Kubo and Rick Riordrian respectively.
When I woke up this morning, it was to Grover's head on my chest and Nico's head on my stomach. This is what I get for lying in the middle of two people. Seriously, they tossed and turned around so much it was next to impossible for me to get some sleep. I was probably lucky that my fatigued body and mind decided just to abandon me during the night as I was able to get a peaceful night without any demi-god dreams happening. Which is a plus in my book as I would probably be more exhausted than I was last night. Slowly prying their heads from my body and making sure I didn't wake them in the process, or anyone else for that matter, (I didn't want to be become a jackalope if I woke up Lady Artemis.) I got up and walked out into the wooden hallway, being careful not to wake any resident of the house. Of course that plan got shot to hell once Thalia stepped out of her room followed closely by Zoë and then Artemis. We all froze like deer in the headlights as we stared at each other and an awkward silence ensued.
Only to be broken by the repetitive sound of wood clashing on wood further down the hallway. It seemed to be an unanimous decision amongst the four of us as our heads turned to the sound in curiosity before Artemis left her room and made her way to the sliding door at the very end of the hall and most likely lead to the outside. I shuddered slightly at the thought of who was out there in the cold morning air along with the snow. Following after the goddess, the three of us made our way down the hall and to the door, Zoë shooting looks of disgust at me along the way. I gave an internal sigh but didn't comment due to the fact her patron goddess was barely a foot away from me. And even in her twelve year old form, she was terrifying. She radiated an aura of power, authority and complete respect that just made you fear her. Like many of the gods of Olympus did. It took us a time of thirty seconds to reach the door and when Artemis pulled it open, all of us were shocked to what we saw.
Out the back of the small shop was apparently a large relaxation area complete with a garden, a very large pond that was steaming, a Japanese style seating area and some lamps. All of it was covered in snow and the light from the lamps were making the ice crystals that had formed over the night glint beautifully across the area in a multitude of colours.
But the real shock came from what else the garden held. Past the small seating area was a set of stairs that led up to a raised platform like arena. And on this were Kisuke and Ichigo, sparring with wooden or bamboo swords with such a ferocity that they looked like mortal enemies rather than the friends they were last night. Ichigo's face was set into an even deeper scowl as he focused on blocking Kisuke's fast and precise attacks while Kisuke's eyes were narrowed dangerously, his gray eyes raking over Ichigo, trying to find an opening to exploit. I felt my eyes widen as Kisuke launched five fast strikes that blurred the sword and soon I felt my jaw open wide as five slaps of wood striking wood met my ears as Ichigo blocked every strike before launching his own series of strikes that Kisuke blocked. I gave an audible gulp at the scene in front of me, as did Thalia. The both of us were known in camp as two of the best fighters and yet I felt that these two would wipe the floor with everyone. And it felt like they were holding back greatly in the spar. Almost as if something important was missing from the whole display.
Zoë's POV
I could only watch the display occurring before me in fear as I watched the two spar with their bokken. Kisuke Urahara had shown his mastery of the sword and his insanely fast speed last night when he killed the Manticore with great ease and then held his blade at my throat. I could feel his intent to kill me, almost as though a blade had been shoved right through my heart. And watching this display of swordsmanship only cemented that fear in me. Kisuke Urahara and Ichigo Kurosaki were demons personified. Both of them were going at each other as though they wanted to kill each other, each swipe of their bokken aiming for a vital part of the body that the other would block and then counter. There was at most a second between blocking and then striking that made this such a deadly dance. The bamboo swords were moving with such speed and precision, I felt that even if one millimetre was off when striking, the spar would be over. The other would take the opening and would likely batter the other into the ground.
"I believe it's time for a break, Kurosaki-kun." Kisuke said after their swords had clashed in the middle and were shaking slightly from the force the two were putting into trying to overpower the other. Ichigo looked at the shop keeper in what I would assume was surprise.
"We've barely even gotten an hour in to training. Why are we stopping?"
"Because we must get ready to leave. And also because we have a rather shocked audience." Kisuke jerked his head towards the four of us who were still standing at the door and I felt that Kisuke's words last night were rather well founded. These two seemed to be so into training, yet he was still able to sense us as though it were an everyday occurrence. Ichigo just scowled deeper and even gave an inhuman growl.
"When has an audience stopped us before? As long as we don't hit them, it should be fine." Ichigo said, breaking the standoff as he tried to leg sweep Kisuke, who gave a small smile and jumped backwards, avoiding the long leg of Ichigo with ease.
"True, but today is moving day so we have to look presentable. Now, give me the bokken, get a shower and then we'll start on breakfast for everyone." Ichigo gave a light growl but threw Kisuke the sword before walking back to the shop. It was at this point that I realised his breathing was laboured, but not overly so and my fear grew even more. The two were fighting each other so viciously that any other person would be a panting mess on the ground. Hades, some immortals would be winded from a fight of that scale. I stifled a gulp of fear as Ichigo passed by and by the looks on the demigods faces, so did they.
"Sorry. Did our training wake you up? I apologise if that's the case. Ichigo and I do this every morning to keep in shape." Kisuke said as he walked towards us, his cane clacking on the stone steps as he walked, his signature bucket hat placed on his head.
"No, we all woke up on our own accord." Artemis, most likely the only person who could talk at the moment, said. The confidence and power in her voice calmed me slightly and I was able to focus on the male who stood before us. His eyes were shadowed by his hat but I had the unnerving feeling that he was scrutinizing us all. Like a predator, stalking its prey before it struck. The fear came back tenfold.
"Ah. Well, breakfast for everyone shall be prepared in an hours time. Until Kurosaki-kun or I call you, please don't enter the kitchen. If you wish to get a shower, there are two showers on your first left and right from this hallway. Towels and the basic necessities are in there. Please you these if you so wish." With that said, Kisuke walked past us, his green robe flitting out behind him and the cane held in both hands to avoid waking anyone while the steps in his wooden shoes were light and hardly making any noise.
"Well, I'm going to get a shower." Thalia said, stretching her body and moving to the right door and opening it.
"Close the damn door!" Ichigo hollered and Thalia jumped with a very loud squeal before loudly slamming the door shut and waking up everyone in the house, if the various moans meant anything. We all stared at the daughter of Zeus, a heavy flush sporting her face as she moved to the left hallway and entered the bathroom without a word. Before screaming in embarrassment when the door was shut and causing many in the house to curse whoever was screaming.
What echoed through the house though was Kisuke's boisterous laughter.
Breakfast was an awkward affair for two people in the shop. Thalia and Ichigo refused to look at one another without one of them blushing heavily due to the events of the morning. I was smiling outward at the discomfort the daughter of Zeus felt and also the squirming of the orange haired boy as a blush was constantly on his cheeks while he glared at Kisuke who kept giggling like a schoolgirl every few minutes.
"So, Thalia." Kisuke said, his giggling had stopped and his mouth was hidden by his fan. Ichigo's head snapped up at this, fear written across his features. "Did you enjoy the view this morning?" It was an innocent question to mostly everyone except six people in the room. Thalia blushed an unhealthy crimson and looked down to her plate, furiously stuffing food into her mouth to avoid the question while Ichigo blushed furiously and gave an almost demonic growl of frustration directed at the shop keeper. Percy gave a few quiet sniggers and I joined him slightly while Artemis gave a slight smile at the teasing.
"Oh, what was it like? Was it nice? Thalia, please tell me?" Annabeth questioned, causing Thalia to blush an even deeper red while Ichigo's eyes bugged out of his head. Percy couldn't hold back any longer as he began to howl with laughter which attracted everyone's attention. Everyone was looking quizzically at the boy, except Thalia and Ichigo who looked like they wanted nothing better to do than strangle him right now.
"Yes Thalia. Tell how us how the view was." Percy said, after gaining control of his laughter.
"Um... it was... was very nice. I would recommend it." This time I broke down into laughter along with Percy while the hunt and demigods looked at us as if we were insane. "Shut up! How was I meant to know Ichigo was in the shower!" The room went silent at this, except for Percy and I's laughter, and Thalia's blush came back once again at full force along with a horrified expression on her face.
"Maybe by listening for running water." Ichigo deadpanned, a blank stare on his face as he bit into his toast. Percy and I finally calmed down from our laughing fit, giggling slightly now and again before I caught myself and clamped down on my giggles, effectively shutting Percy up as well due to the change in mood. This was not like me. To be laughing alongside a male so freely! How disgusting. I gave a glare towards the aforementioned male and was inwardly pleased when he gulped in fear and shuffled slightly away from me and towards Annabeth.
"Now that the teasing is out of the way." Kisuke said, waving his hand at the accumulated dishes that littered the table, all of which slowly began to float before disappearing out the door and towards the kitchen. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion on how a descendant of Athena was able to do something like that. It almost seemed like magic. "How are we all getting to Camp Half Blood? I don't have a car large enough to hold everyone. Or a car for that matter."
"My brother shall pick my hunters, the demigods and yourselves up from the clearing we met in last night. As for myself, I must go hunting for the creature the Titans are after. If I can capture it, maybe I can prove to my father that times are indeed desperate."
"Then let me accompany thou, Lady Artemis."
"No, Zoë. I must do this hunt alone. I shall be going to places I cannot bring you. And until I'm finished, you and your sisters will be staying at Camp Half Blood. I've heard they've rebuilt the cabins that were burnt down from our last visit." Ichigo and Kisuke exchanged amused glances at this bit of information while I muttered 'stupid boys' under my breath. Seriously, it was the male campers fault for flirting with us and then insulting us and Lady Artemis. They were asking for a beat down, that sadly extended to the use of godly powers and when Greek fire somehow gets involved, something is going to burn.
"Well, is everyone packed? The sun will be rising soon and I'm sure Apollo will be coming as well." Kisuke said, clapping his hands in excitement. "I wonder if I could drive it?"
"Hell no!" Ichigo shouted, elbowing Kisuke in the face as he did so. "Last time you drove a couple of us, you drove us in the exact opposite direction and got us arrested! So there is no way I'd let you drive something that has the power of the sun!"
"It was just one time Kurosaki-kun!" Kisuke whined. A grown man whining was a weird sight to behold indeed.
"It was three times!"
"You're so cruel, Kurosaki-kun!" Kisuke had his fan unfolded over his mouth and looked to be crying.
We were all watching the scene with an air of disbelief.
"Is this really happening?" Percy whispered to me and I was so shocked that I had to answer.
"Yes."
"Good, wanted to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Thought it may have been a weird demigod dream."
"Do you need a moment?"Artemis said cautiously, confusion evident in her voice. Even a goddess didn't know how to handle this.
"Hold that question." Ichigo said, staring at the door almost fearfully, almost as though it would blow up.
"Yes, come Kurosaki-kun, we need to give the shop a proper send off." Kisuke said, his crying had stopped and he was at the doors to the shop that he flung open, allowing us to see the mass number of bouquets that littered the ground in a meter radius from the door. And then Kisuke hugged the shop, even patting the door a couple of times. "I'll miss you." He whispered, choking a little on his words.
"The fact is that you've dealt with him for a day. I've dealt with him for almost four years and still want to beat him." Ichigo said, a light frown on his face.
"You have the patience and mentality of a saint." Artemis said, a look of respect evident on her face as she stared at the orange haired boy.
"It comes with dealing with a crazy father who jumps his son, claiming it to be 'training'." Ichigo said as he picked up a large duffel bag that was beside the door before flinging it at Kisuke who was bowled out the door due to the force and causing the copious amounts of confetti to escape from his sleeves. "I thought you were joking about the confetti?" Ichigo said, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
"I just wished to give the shop the proper send off she deserves."
"It's a shop." Ichigo deadpanned, staring at the bucket hat man.
"One that has seen us through many trials and tribulations." Kisuke said, a smile on his face as Ichigo gave a sigh.
"Fine, do whatever the hell you want. If you somehow start a fire then you're on your own." He said, leaning against the shop and waiting for the inevitable craziness Kisuke was no doubt about to unfold. I actually didn't expect him to light two small candles and place them on the edge of the shop. Kisuke bowed his head and murmured some words before blowing out the candles so some smoke wafted off the incense stick.
"Now we can leave." Kisuke said, turning on his heel and walking into the forest with Ichigo following two steps behind. And leaving the hunters and demigods behind.
"What just happened?" Grover asked in the resulting silence. No one answered due to an invisible force throwing us into the snow along with our bags and the doors shut and locked themselves behind the large group. "What just happened!" The satyr shouted as he pushed himself up from the snow.
If Ichigo was being honest with himself, if someone told him a month ago that Greek myths were real, he would have laughed in their faces to preserve appearances. He should have known that the Greek and Roman myths existed in some reality. He just hoped he'd never be caught in it with how his life had went. He did want a quiet peaceful life but with them here, they were more than likely going to be brought into this war against Kronos and his Titans. Heaving a sigh, Ichigo looked to the sky at where he could sense a large gathering of energy that was coming closer to them by the second. And was forcing the temperature up slowly as it approached.
"Look away from the glow. At least until he parks." Artemis spoke and Ichigo and Kisuke obeyed the goddess' words, not wanting to lose their eyeballs. Even behind closed eyelids, Ichigo could make out the bright glow of the sun god's chariot as it parked.
After the glow subsided, Ichigo opened his eyes to a red convertible Maserati Spyder which had a circle of green grass surrounding it. The man inside the car was at least the same age as Ichigo with sandy blond hair wearing jeans, loafers and a sleeveless shirt like it was Summer rather than Winter.
"As the sun god, it is probably rare that he gets cold." The Old Man said and it seemed to be a good theory as to why he wasn't cold. Although the heat rolling off the car might have also helped with that.
"Wow," Thalia murmured, "Apollo is hot."
"What about Ichigo?" Percy said with a teasing smirk on his face.
"Shut up." Thalia said, directing a dark glare at Percy while a blush adorned her face as the image of Ichigo's body came back to mind.
"Little sister!" Apollo cried, throwing a blinding smile to Artemis that almost blinded Ichigo. "What's up? You never cal. You never write. I was getting worried!" And despite Apollo's jovial attitude, Ichigo could sense he was telling the truth about being worried about Artemis. After all, how was a good of Truth meant to lie?
"I'm fine, Apollo. And I'm not your little sister."
"Hey, I was born first." Apollo retorted with a teasing smile.
"We're twins!" Artemis shouted suddenly, her composure breaking. "How many millennia do we have to agrue-"
"So what's up? Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?" Apollo said and Ichigo silently applauded his bravery on interrupting his sister like that as Ichigo could see her gritting her teeth in frustration.
"I need a favour. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."
"Sure sis." He said and then raised his hands. "I feel a haiku coming on." The Hunters groaned at this and Ichigo was wondering what the problem was as the god cleared his throat.
"Green grass breaks through snow.
Artemis pleads for my help.
I am so cool."
Ichigo tried desperately to keep the twitching of his eyes as he heard the haiku.
"The last line was for syllables." Kisuke spoke up. "How about "I am so awesome?" Kisuke offered and Apollo nodded in acceptance with a wide smile on his face.
"That works. Now sis, transportation for the Hunters. Good timing. I was just ready to roll."
"These demigods will also need a ride. Along with two descendants." Artemis said, gesturing towards Ichigo and Kisuke, with Kisuke giving the sun god a happy wave.
"No problem." Apollo said, looking us over and Ichigo swore his eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Kisuke and himself before he moved onto the demigods. "Thalia right? I've heard all about you."
Thalia blushed as the god addressed her. "Hi, Lord Apollo."
"Zeus's girl, right? That would make you my half sister. Used to be a tree didn't you?" Ichigo and Kisuke threw Thalia a glance at this, not knowing anything about the black haired girl.
"Brother, you should get going." Artemis said.
"Oh, right." Then his eyes landed on Percy and narrowed at the sight in a speculative way. "Percy Jackson?"
"Yeah. I mean... yes sir." Percy seemed nervous about the god and Ichigo couldn't really blame him. It was starting to get a tad creepy.
"Well, we'd better load up, huh?" He said after a long silence. "Ride only goes one way- west. And if you miss it, you miss it."
"How are we all meant to fit? Can you change the car?" Ichigo asked, looking at the chariot with a raised eyebrow.
"What? Oh yeah, I just don't really like taking it out of sports car mode." Apollo said as he grabbed keys and pressed a button which caused the car to glow brightly and soon in was replaced by a mini bus. Like the ones schools hire for sport team transport. "Right, everybody in." Zoë was quick to order the Hunters to begin loading as she reached for her own pack.
"Here, sweetheart. Let me get that." Apollo said and Zoë recoiled away from the god like she was burnt.
"Brother. You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart" Artemis said, glaring at her brother as he backed away with his hands in the air.
"Sorry, I forgot. Where are you off to anyway?" Apollo asked, his eyes shining with concern for his sister that only Ichigo and Kisuke picked up.
"Hunting." Artemis replied shortly. "It's none of your business."
"I'll find out. I see all. Know all." Apollo replied, causing Artemis to snort.
"Just drop them off Apollo. And no messing around!" She shouted as she ran into the forest and was quickly swallowed up by the foliage and snow. Apollo slowly turned to the group of demigods, with the keys jangling in his hand.
"So, who wants to drive?" Ichigo was quick to grab Kisuke and drag him onto the bus so they wouldn't be driven by a madman while Kisuke was making feeble grabbing motions for the keys all while muttering 'So cruel.'
Ichigo really was going to kill him.
Correction, Ichigo was going to kill Kisuke if Thalia didn't kill them all first. It seemed as though Thalia was panicking over flying the sun chariot. And that was causing her to drive far faster than was safe and was most likely causing trouble on the ground below. She had already set fire to the clearing we left. Inside the bus, it was also chaos. The bodies of the demigods and Hunters were being slammed up against each other and the windows as Thalia's driving made it impossible for them to sit properly. Even Apollo was unable to find his footing. The only reason Kisuke and I weren't in the same position was because he casted a wordless Sajo Sabaku which chained us to the seats and kept us in position.
"We've got to stop this." Ichigo said to Kisuke who nodded. We each grabbed the seats ahead of us to brace against Thalia's steering and Kisuke dissolved the spell. In an instant, both men were flung against the windows, with Kisuke's body cracking the window. Kisuke didn't seem to notice his body in pain and the two began slowly pulling themselves up the aisle, using the seats as hand grips as they moved up and thankfully kept their footing.
Raising his hand, Kisuke gave Thalia a quick chop to the back of her neck that knocked her out and swiftly pulled her out of the driver's seat which Ichigo quickly occupied, grabbing the wheel and slamming his foot on the brake and was now fighting to keep the bus from flipping over. Slowly the bus came to halt in the sky as Ichigo gave a few quick pants to get his beating heart under control after the event. He actually hadn't expected something as climbing up a bus would get his blood pumping. Then again, it may be due to the twenty lives in the bus that may have caused that.
"Everybody alright?" Ichigo shouted to the bus and a chorus of moans was his answer.
"That was awesome." Nico said, a smile on his face. The Hunters and demigods gave the kid a look that caused him to look down.
"At least no one is hurt." Kisuke said as he passed his hand over Thalia's face and her electric blue eyes snapped open.
"Yes, and little sis got us to Long Island and therefore Camp Half Blood." Apollo said and Ichigo had to smoother his laughter as the god sported a black eye which had swollen his right eye and he was pretty sure a few teeth were missing. "Think you can land us, kid?"
"Sure. Speed equals heat, right?" Ichigo said as he focused on where he needed to go, feeling the large levels of reiatsu in the air. Pushing the wheel forward slightly, the bus tilted forwards and then pressed down on the accelerator, moving at least fifty miles an hour but with much more control than Thalia had which the passengers were thankful for.
In a mater of minutes, Ichigo had parked the bus on the lake side, part of the water evaporating away from the heat of the bus.
"Well, looks like we're here. Hopefully we didn't fry any one important." Apollo said as he opened the door to Camp Half Blood.
"Let's go meet the demigods, Ichigo-kun." Kisuke said, passing me my duffel bag and together the two of us stepped out into the boundaries of Camp Half-Blood.
Hello everyone! Mad Man in the Flesh here with the second chapter of The Shinigami and the Olympians. Sorry for the long wait in getting the second chapter up but school and other projects kept me busy and will continue to do so.
Anyway, I wanted to get this up just before Christmas so consider this my Christmas present to all you remarkable people who've read, favoured and reviewed this story. It makes my day, even to this day to receive an email saying someone has followed or favourited this story. So once again thanks for that.
Don't forget to leave me a review or PM me on certain issues and I'll try to get back to you as quick as possible and constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mad Man in the Flesh out!