Chapter 3: Reunion

B7R

Briefing Room

1300 Hours

"For the last time, Blaze-taichou, I am not going to send a rescue party for Edge-fukotaichou at this time," Cipher clearly stated. His remained unmoving as he watched the uneventful day that fell upon B7R from the large glass window.

"And why not?" Blaze retorted. "It's not like 4th squad is overworked or anything. All Ghost Eye-taichou does these days is sleep. Same goes for Oka Nieba-fukotaichou and the rest of the squad."

"Blaze-taichou… are you aware of why I am the Sotaichou and you are not? You clearly have comparable skills, but there is one thing that separates us. You see, I have a greater perception of the spirit energy that flows through all of us. I sensed that when Edge-fukotaichou came in contact with an interesting reiatsu specimen when she crashed. While most of the reason I am leaving her there is punishment, do you not think a part of the reason would be to investigate this specimen a bit? Now, I'm saying I won't send out a party to rescue her, but you can do a… patrol… of the Sendai area if you wish."

Blaze cocked his eyebrow in confusion. "So… are you saying I can go rescue her?"

"I never said you could… but… I never said you couldn't"

"You really are a bastard sometimes with this indirect speech, you know," Blaze replied with a smirk.

B7R

Runway 090

1315 Hours

"Blaze-taichou to 10th Division officers, while the official classification of this mission is a "Patrol of Sendai metropolitan area", your true main objective is to find Edge-fukotaichou. She's alive out there, I can feel it. I never want to have to write "Missing in Action" on the roster again…"

"10th Division 3rd Seat, Swordsman, acknowledging orders."

"10th Division 4th Seat, Chopper, I gotcha."

"10th Division 5th Seat, Archer, understood."

"Control Tower to 10th Division Taichou. Senrei Gate is prepared for your departure. Good luck out there."

"Right. 10th Division, launch!"

Sendai, Japan

1320 Hours

"Ah, Blaze, what can I do for you today?" greeted the shopkeeper as the four Shinigami approached.

"Long time, no see, Huckebein," Blaze replied with a grin as he shook the shopkeeper's hand.

"Oh, please, those days are long over. Call by my real name, Wolfgang."

"How about "Pops"…"

"Alright, alright, so what is it you need?"

"We need our gigai, if you don't mind."

"Gigai, huh? Lemme guess, Edge, the only 10th Division officer not here, got herself in trouble again and you want to blend in with the crowd as you search her out."

"Well, for the most part, yeah."

"Uh huh… well, come on it while I fetch them. Oh, but watch out for Bartlett, or I guess you know him as Heartbreak One. He's as drunk as hell again…" warned Pops. He lead the quartet inside and sat them down at a table while in went into the Gigai Storage Room. Sure enough, drunk as hell Bartlett came in right after he left.

"Oi, kid… fancy seeing ya here…" Bartlett hiccupped as he staggered in, a beer in his hand. "Hey… where's umm… the one with the nice ass…"

"You mean Edge? Well, she's the reason we're here."

"Ahh… Nice-ass in trouble again? Well, when ya find her, tell her-" Bartlett cut off as he passed out, obviously from too much alcohol. He dropped to the floor, landing is a semi-fetal position.

"That's our old teacher for ya…" Chopper commented as he peered over the edge of the table at the passed out drunkard. The quartet just continued to stare at Bartlett as he lay passed out on the floor.

"Oh, my…" Pops commented as he stepped into the room. He nudged Bartlett with his foot for good measure. "Well, seems like there's nothing we can do about him now. I'll deal with him once you four are all suited up."

1330 Hours

"Edge, why are you following me home?"

"My name is Edge only while I'm a Shinigami, idiot…"

"Okay, fine… Kei… why are you following me home?"

"I'm not. I'm on my way home," she snorted matter-a-factly.

"Home? Where is your home?"

"Curious, eh?"

"… No… Not really…"

"Then don't a-"

"… Kei… everything alright?"

"This reiatsu… I've sensed it before… Oh, no…"

"What?"

"This reiatsu… it's of the Strigon that downed me. It must be here to finish what it started… wait… Blaze?!" She looked skyward. "Blaze!"

"Umm… Kei… I'd hate to interrupt your reunion, but we've got company…" Atsushi stared off in the direction opposite that Kei was looking. He gaze was locked onto the black dragon that had appeared on the horizon. It's leathery wings were heavily tattered, proving it was a veteran of many battles.

"Don't you worry, Atsushi. Blaze-taichou will show that overgrown lizard what's what."