Disclaimer: I don't own bleach or any of it's characters…
A/N: Sorry for the slow updates next one should be quick, now enjoy and REVIEW!
Lotus
Chapter 6: Slow Advancement
"I never introduced myself... I'm Ichigo Kurosaki." The orange haired man squeezed out with a hint of reluctance.
Braxis' eyes narrowed. Shuhei, Braxis and Ichigo sat on the floor of the main room in the 9th division barracks. The room was warm and had a slightly musky sent to it.
"...Hi" Shuhei couldn't help but let out a quiet snort of laughter at this. He wasn't sure why Ichigo would want to see Braxis. He had come in several minutes ago asking for him, but never specified what he needed him for. Not that Shuhei was complaining, if Ichigo wanted to take Braxis off of his hands for a little while, he'd be more than grateful. This whole babysitting routine was really cutting into his other work.
Ichigo sighed, Youruichi was probably playing with a ball of yarn while he sat here trying to get some useful information out of this goof.
An awkward silence plagued the room.
"So what do you want…?" Braxis' mask scrunched up around his eyebrows, what Ichigo perceived to be a perplexed expression.
"Come on Ichigo! Start a sentence!"
"So how have you... Been?" Ichigo felt the urge to slap himself, but resisted.
"Great, being held prisoner by shinigami is exactly how I intended to spend my week, er month... Possibly year." he replied, not chuckling as he usually would.
"Let's just get to the point… what's Lotus?" Ichigo asked.
Braxis' un-amused look remained. "Tell you what, you give me a tour of the Sereitai and I'll tell you whatever you want to know." His violet eyes lit.
Ichigo wasn't particularly fond of the idea, seeing as he wasn't even very familiar with the Sereitai, but he preferred not to sit in the awkward quietness that surrounded the room.
"Fine."
The two of them got to their feet and headed for the door. Shuhei, suddenly stepped in front of the door and blocked their path.
"Sorry Ichigo, but I'm supposed to be in charge of Braxis, I can't let you just waltz off with him." As much as Shuhei loathed the idea of hearing Braxis' complaining with his blatantly dry remarks, he had been entrusted with this duty, and wouldn't go against his orders.
"Aw c'mon Shuhei, you really want me to stick around? I mean, I'm flattered that you adore me so much, but I'd hate to interrupt your important errands."
Shuhei narrowed his eyes, Braxis' proposal was tempting. He looked over at Ichigo.
"Okay."
The two exited. The sky was bright as it usually was, clouds speckled across its blue expanse. The sun beamed down on the two of them with an ominous yellow glow, causing the heat to rise from comfortable to sweat-inducing. Ichigo couldn't help but wonder how Braxis was managing to wear a jacket in such warm conditions.
"The great encyclopedia of Braxis is open, what do you wish to know, my good sir?" Braxis said joyfully, practically frolicking around.
"What is Lotus planning?" The orange haired boy replied plainly.
"The encyclopedia is a bit smaller than that."
"How do the members get there zanpakuto?" Ichigo continued.
"Tiny bit smaller." Braxis repeated placing his fingers close together.
Ichigo groaned. "Why did Lotus hire you to kill Rukia?
"See that one I know… sort of. I speculate it was a trap, since she wasn't in the soul society at the time; she was away from any other shinigami that would interfere. That way they could attack me and Katsuo thinking they wouldn't have to deal with other shinigami." Braxis paused and began to walk in front of Ichigo "That's just a guess though, maybe they just don't... Like her."
"So you don'tactually know very much about Lotus?" Ichigo said with vague irritation.
"Hey, I actually came out here with the intention of giving you what you wanted." Braxis looked back at him and shrugged. "Sorry."
They continued in silence for several minutes. The calm sounds or birds singing and the subtle breeze sweeping across the trees. The sweet smell of flowers carried along with the wind as Ichigo pondered.
Ichigo sighed. "Why'd you ask for a tour of the Sereitai?"
"It's just about the only thing I find interesting about the shinigami, everything else sucks." The masked figure replied bluntly as he snickered.
Ichigo paused awkwardly. "Where do you wanna go?
"I don't know, you're the one who's supposed to be giving me a tour."
"Uhh... What? I don't know anything about this place." Ichigo retorted, giving him a look of slight annoyance.
"Well that's a rip off, acting like you're an experienced tour guide from the world of the living." Braxis said as he shook his head in disbelief.
"What? I never said anything like that! If you want a tour go ask Byakuya or something!" Ichigo yelled.
Braxis cringed. "That guys about as approachable as a wood-chipper."
"The first few times we met Byakuya was trying to kill me." He replied with a sort of agreement. Despite the grimness of the statement his tone was quite relaxed.
"Why?" Violet eyes peered at Ichigo from over the shoulder of a fur-lined coat.
"I was trying to save my friend, Rukia. Byakuya and every other member of the Gotei 13 was trying to kill me." He continued casually.
Braxis had turned completely around by the time Ichigo finished, he tilted his head and his eyes radiated with puzzled glare.
"Yet somehow you're working for them as a sub?"
"Well… it doesn't really make sense unless you hear the whole thing."
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The dim glow around the circular room was insufficient for its large size, and the darkness seemed to envelope the two figures within. Yori was standing about four feet away from a woman. She was about 5'7, but beyond that Yori could not make out her facial features - other then the fact that she wore a large trench coat - she could not see any details of her attire
"You saw the two betrayers then?" Her voice was serious and firm, echoing a bit in the spacious room.
"I'm afraid not, by the time I had arrived it seemed the shinigami captain had already removed the two targets from the world of the living." Yori kept a completely straight face, this woman was in charge of interrogating individuals and Yori new if he showed any obvious signs of his lies she would discover it immediately.
"Under the assumption that you learned the shinigami's identity, what were they called?" She continued quickly, not bothering to linger on the last question.
"Toshiro Hitsuguya, captain of the 10th Division."
"Were there any other shinigami there?"
"Only the shinigami's vice captain, but unfortunately, I was not able to obtain her identity." Yori added.
"Very well, your 2nd in command will be questioned next, if there is the slightest detail out of order in either of your accounts, you will both be executed instantly, show yourself out."
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Braxis remained silent after Ichigo's story concluded, and he had to admit it was quite extraordinary. Even disregarding the fact that his goal had been accomplished, Ichigo had the courage to go up against an opponent that seemed infinitely stronger than himself. Either that or it was stupidity, Braxis couldn't quite tell.
"Honestly, I'm pretty impressed." The oddly dressed individual stated bluntly.
"A lot of people are, but what they don't seem to understand is that I did it to save my friend, not to prove something."
Ichigo's face was locked into a serious expression.
"Whatever, the fact that you're in one piece is the part that I'm impressed about."
The substitute-shinigami looked as if he were about to speak but was interrupted.
"Kurosaki Ichigo." A low voice was acknowledged from behind Braxis.
"Komamura," Ichigo greeted.
Braxis couldn't help but flinch a little at what he saw; a three meter tall wolf-man stood there, eyeing him.
A shinigami with sunglasses suddenly peeked out from behind Sajin's bulk and muttered something to him.
"Sir, I believe that is one of the Ryoka that were arrested just recently in the world of the living."
His captain glanced at Braxis warily then bowed his head.
"I am Sajin Komamura, captain of the seventh division. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The large dog-like creature said politely.
Braxis paused for a moment. "The pleasure is mine." he replied returning the bow. "My name's Braxis, for future reference." He added, chuckling.
Braxis hadn't used such a formal greeting in a long time. Although he rarely received such a civil introduction himself, and he hadn't been expecting any sort of greeting from a shinigami. Nevertheless such a show of respect pleased the man in the sunglasses and he shuffled over beside his captain and bowed as well.
"Tetsuzaemon Iba, vice-captain of the seventh division."
The two shinigami then paused for a few seconds before marching past them.
Braxis looked back at the huge dog-man's back as he continued away.
"I have to admit, the soul society is freaking weird." He said raising an eyebrow.
Ichigo looked at Braxis oddly, he couldn't help but be perplexed by the question. "What do you mean?"
"... Exactly what I said, HQ was pretty dull, I liked the subtleness though." Braxis replied his eyes drifting off.
"Wait "the soul society"? You mean the Sereitai." Ichigo corrected.
"No... I don't." Ichigo gave Braxis an even more puzzled look. "You do know the Lotus base isn't actually in the soul society right?" Braxis looked at Ichigo's utterly riddled expression. "Okay obviously not."
"That's why those two guys didn't use a Senkaimon to get back."
"Yeah it all makes sense now." Braxis added with a pair of dull eyes.
"Ichigo!" Both of them turned to notice Renji who stood next to a bald man with a grin on his face.
"You're pretty popular." Braxis stated.
Renji's face immediately lost its joy, and he was now cringing as Ichigo approached with the masked figure a few steps behind.
"What the hell is he doing with you?"
Before Ichigo could reply Braxis blurted something out, "What a charmer."
"Youruichi wants me to see what I can figure out about Lotus remember?"
Renji sighed and Ikakku said. "So you're one of the Ryoka everyone's talking about? You don't look like much; I can't even sense your reiatsu."
"Maybe you should be glad, that means this thing is doing it's job." Braxis said pointing to the metal ring around his forearm.
"Hollows have been popping up all around district 60, Yumichika went to see what's up, but he's been out there for a while." Renji explained.
"Tough luck Ichigo, Renji and I were going to ask you to tag along."
"Yumichika's in trouble?" Ichigo replied.
Renji shrugged. "Like I said, he's been gone for a few hours and nobodies heard from him."
"Yo," Braxis said to get Ichigo's attention. "I'll start to head back to the ninth division barracks, wouldn't want to get in the way of your pivotal duties." Braxis called as he began to walk away from the three shinigami.
"Wait-"
Braxis cut off Ichigo. "Don't sweat it, I'll be here when you get back if you need anymore information."
Ichigo glanced back at Braxis as Renji and Ikaku lunged into the air, then did so himself.
"Yeah right, like he'll I'll go back there. 60th District sounds nice though."
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The three of them bolted forward with Renji leading; the trees zipping past turned into green and brown blurs; the patter of their feet on rooftops as they leaped over the streets below, bystanders sometimes peering up in awe. It took them a few minutes to get to district 60. It wasn't the worst area in the Rukon district, but that being said it was far from the best. They continued through the many bustling citizens until they reached a road leading into a lush forest. They hadn't been following the path for long when they saw it, a large gray beast resembling an alligator, just about 7 meters long from head to tail. A peculiar object was fastened onto its lengthy snout, an oval shaped metallic part jutted up slightly from its flat nose. Wires strung out around it, each one digging into it's skull.
Yumichika stood to the right of it, tattered and panting as he detected the 3 of them.
Ichigo immediately charged raising his giant blade above his head and preparing to attack, just then the hollow leaped backwards and launched a cero; Ichigo jumped left, barely dodging the red beam.
A yellow spark shot up from the device on its snout and it leaped forwards towards Ichigo, it's jaw agape. Ichigo dived right avoiding the creature's jaws.
"What the hell is that thing on its head?" Ichigo commented as he readied himself for another attack.
Ikakku jumped into the air. "Maybe it's a weak spot!" He yelled, but the hollow thwarted his efforts, whipping him aside with its barbed tail and sending him flying backwards.
Suddenly Renji joined, lashing Zabimaru around wildly from a distance. Evidently the creature was agitated by this as it turned to Renji and fired another cero. The red haired shinigami shuffled sideways easily dodging the attack.
The giant alligator waddled forwards, frantically snapping at Renji. However it was slow, its stubby legs not being built for agility.
Ikkaku leaped towards the beast again however this time it was not able to fully avoid his attack. Ikakku made a swift uppercut, and the hollow's tail split away, leaving a bloody stump behind.
At this the hollow lunged backwards all three of them were in the targeted range now.
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Braxis peered passed the dense branches of the bordering forest. He had underestimated the amount of time it would take him to get here. Aside from cutting off his kido, the device around his arm significantly decreased his physical capabilities, so by the time he reached the four shinigami he was exhausted.
They seemed to be oblivious to his presence, and the masked figure continued to watch as the huge creature's jaw snapped open and it prepared for another cero, this one was clearly more powerful than the others.
Suddenly a woman he had not seen before appeared in front of the monster. She had long oddly braided black hair looping underneath her chin and hanging in front of her breasts.
The hollow was about to fire now. What was this idiot doing? It seemed unlikely that the woman would move and in an act of panic Braxis bounded out of the trees and tackled her over, they hit the ground hard but narrowly avoided the huge blast.
As the two of them stood up the other four shinigami watched.
"Captain Unohana?" Renji said with a perplexed expression.
"Braxis? What the heck are you doing here?" Ichigo exclaimed.
Braxis looked at Unohana with a mix of disappointment and confusion in his eyes. "Wait… Captain?"
Without replying the woman raised her right arm so that her palm was facing the hollow. "Hado number 33: Sokatsui." A flare of blue flame shot from her palm, enveloping the hollow and killing it instantly.
With that Unohana turned to Braxis nodded and said. "I appreciate and commend your bold act of heroism, but I'm afraid it is squandered with a shinigami of my level." A warm smile spread across her face.
"Will someone please explain what's going on?" Renji added as Yumichika, Ikakku, and Ichigo all gathered around him.
"Surely you all noticed the device that was attached to the hollow?" Unohana paused and then continued. "A team of shinigami successfully captured a hollow that appeared in district 74 wearing the same device."
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"It is treason my lord!" The woman insisted.
The woman had long brown hair, her bangs mostly held back, but a few still lingered over her emerald eye. Her left eye remained closed, badly damaged judging by the battered eyelid that concealed it. A black trench coat hung around her shoulders, dark red triple spirals littered it's surface. A gray jumpsuit hugged her lean figure underneath, the "v" shaped collar revealing a bit of cleavage. Instead of the typical boots that were frequented around the compound a pair of black flip-flops clung to her toes.
"Yori Takata is lying, his second in command revealed to me that-
"Chou." The man sitting at the head of the large table said, getting her attention.
"Yori's treachery is not a concern at this point." He added.
"This is understandable, but surely he must be executed for his actions."
"I concur, sir." A feeble looking man approached, he wore the same coat however his was zipped up to the collar, covering his body.
He must have been thin judging by his face, his cheek bones nearly contoured in shadows of tight skin. He'd almost looked like a bare skull, if it weren't for his long black shaggy hair and dark brown darting eyes; he could've even been mistaken for a decomposing corpse.
"I won't act so brashly, I've known of Yori's growing deception for quite a while."
"What is our plan now, my lord?" Chou said glancing at the brittle man to the left of her.
"We wait."