Summary: You didn't really think I was going to let them die did you?
He could hear voices murmuring in the background. The loudest sounded like a young woman.
"We actually had to re-grow a few of his vertebrae. Luckily for him, none of the nerves were substantially damaged."
He was in pain, though it was not severe. More like an ache all across his head and shoulders. Even as he experienced it, he noticed it was rapidly ebbing away.
"He's very lucky. Hanatarou's shikai probably saved his life. It took days off his recovery time."
He tried to open his eyes. The light hurt, and he winced as he tried to cover his eyes with his hand.
"Lieutenant Kotetsu, look!"
Was that Rukia who spoke? Adjusting to the brightness, he opened his eyes to look around. He was obviously in a bed. Blurry though they were without his glasses, he was still about to make out the forms of his friends. Rukia, Ichigo, Chad and Renji were standing in a group by the foot of the bed.
"I'm in Soul Society?" He rasped. "What happened? Did we win?"
"You tripped and hit your head." Ichigo said in a spooky tone as he waved his hands around. "It was aaaall a dreeaaam."
Rukia elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ouch! Hey, what'd you do that for?"
"Stop that you fool! Yes Ishida-san, we're back in Soul Society. Don't you remember being rescued?" She asked.
He thought for a moment. "I remember escaping through the tunnels. There were a lot of tremors and cave-ins."
"You have this idiot to thank for that." Rukia said. "He almost tore the entire mountain apart."
"Hey, that was not my fault!" Ichigo protested. "Kenpachi actually fought his way through their entire army and kinda decided to lend a hand."
"Lend a hand!" Rukia huffed. "Between the two of you, you destroyed the temple, the stadium and half the mountain. You fools almost killed everyone searching the tunnels!"
"We SAID we were SORRY already!" Ichigo shot back.
"Actually only you said you were sorry." Renji said. "The captain said something about culling out the weak and went home."
As they argued, images kept popping up in his mind. It was as though he had forgotten something. It was all coming back to him. The assault on the temple. The frantic searching. Escaping through the tunnels. All the while, the increasing urgent feeling grew that he had forgotten something very important. Suddenly, he realized what it was. He struggled to sit up.
"Nemu! Where's Nemu?"
Someone put their hands on his shoulders and pushed him gently back down.
"Please don't try to sit up yet Ishida-san. We're still working on you. You were only brought in yesterday."
The speaker leaned into view over him. She was a tall woman with short silver hair and two long braids on the side. He remembered her assisting Captain Unohana. He couldn't quite remember her name at the moment. Since she wore a badge, he assumed she was Lieutenant Kotetsu. She held up a small flashlight.
"Can you tell me how do you feel right now?" She held open his right eye and shone the light into it.
"I was in a lot of pain a while ago. I kinda feel sore right now." He said.
She checked his other eye. "Can you tell me where?" She asked.
"Mostly my head and the back of my neck." He replied.
She gestured to someone he couldn't see. He realized someone was holding the sides of his neck. The pain eased until it was just a dull ache in the back of his head.
"And now?" She asked.
"Much better." He said. "Just a mild headache now."
She smiled "Very good Ishida-san. Now let's try having you sit up slowly. Do you think you can do that?"
He didn't try to answer. Carefully, he put his hands on either side of the bed. Lifting his body caused the pain in his head to flare up a little. He ignored it. Soon he was in a sitting position.
"Here, take these." She said as she handed him his glasses. "My apologies if these are not quite right. They are reproductions based on your broken pair. "
Broken? Uryuu wondered. When did I break my glasses?
Putting them on, he didn't notice any difference. Able to see clearly, he looked around the hospital room. Besides the lieutenant and his friends, there was a couple of lower seated shinigami he assumed had been working on him.
"These are fine." He said. "So everyone made it out? We were all rescued?"
"Yes Ishida-san, we all made it back." Rukia replied. "As soon as we were able to make a gateway home, we gathered up the prisoners and escaped."
"Lucky for you, someone spotted that flare." Ichigo added. "The second division said you were buried alive. They got to you just in time."
What flare? Uryuu thought. Buried alive? He didn't remember that. After a second or two, he dismissed it as irrelevant.
"So Nemu-san and Yamada-san are OK?" He asked.
"Lieutenant Kurosutchi is fine. She is being healed with the rest of the twelfth division members in another wing." Isane said.
She looked down as she thought about Hanataro. "Seventh seat Yamada had only superficial injuries. He has been sent home to recuperate."
Yes, physically Hanataro was fine. Mentally was something else. He would need help and time to get over his trauma.
Uryuu felt disappointed that Nemu wasn't there. He realized that on some level, he expected she would be with him when they got back. This was foolish. Obviously she had been injured as well in the escape. He wanted to ask what had happened to her, but the lieutenant just said she was fine.
"Well, I guess we did it then." He said.
"You're damn right we did!" Ichigo said. "And to celebrate, we're having a huge barbecue tonight in the main square."
"Lieutenant Kotetsu, will Ishida-san be able to attend?" Rukia asked.
"It's hard to say." Isane replied. "He has a head injury and those are always slow to heal."
"You'll have to hurry up." Renji said. "They're going home tomorrow."
Going home tomorrow? Uryuu thought. Why so soon? Everything seemed to be happening so fast.
"We will definitely be done by then, but I can't be sure if he will be well enough to walk around by tonight." Isane said.
"Well just in case, I'd like you to have this." Rukia placed a package at the foot of his bed. "It's some clothes. Ni-sama had his own tailor make it for you."
"What happened to my clothes?" Uryuu asked.
"They were shredded." Ichigo said. "We managed to salvage this stuff, the rest we burned." He held up Uryuu's Quincy bracelet and his belt with the Seele Schneider and ginto intact.
"You BURNED my clothes!" Uryuu shouted.
"Come on, even you couldn't have fixed them." Ichigo said.
"Well we'll never know now, will we?" Uryuu replied. He sighed. "I'll take my bracelet back now."
"Sure." Ichigo said. "I'll leave the rest with Lieutenant Kotetsu here."
"We will keep your things in a safe place until tomorrow Ishida-san." Isane said. "For now, we have more work to do. Say goodbye to everyone and we'll get started."
Slipping his Quincy bracelet back onto his wrist made Uryuu feel better already. "All right. I guess I'll see you guys later."
Rukia gave him a gentle hug. "You get better soon. The clothes are yours to keep even if you don't use them. You have to promise me you won't alter them though! Ni-sama will be insulted if you do."
Uryuu laughed. "I promise, I'll restrain myself from making any modifications."
Ichigo shook his hand. "See you later Ishida."
"Try to make it if you can." Renji said as he walked out the door. "Chicks love a war hero. Ow! Dammit Rukia!"
Chad was the last to go. He also shook Uryuu's hand.
"Get better soon." He said.
"Thanks." Uryuu said. "We did pretty good, didn't we?"
Chad simply smiled. When he left, the room seemed very quiet and empty.
"I have to be going as well." Isane said. "I have rounds to make. If you need anything, just let one of us know and we'll see what we can do. In the meantime, these two will continue to work on you. You still have a lot of damage."
"Thank you Kotestu-san." Uryuu said. "I appreciate everything you're doing for me."
"Oh don't mention it." She said as she walked out the door. "It's our duty and our pleasure to help. I'll see you later."
Closing the door, she took out her cell phone. What she was about to do didn't feel right to her. It seemed like she was crossing some kind of ethical line. Nonetheless, the Shinigami Women's Association had all agreed to do their part. It was up to her to get the ball rolling. She quickly reviewed the file she pulled up from drafts.
"Lone Sparrow is Awake. Repeat: Lone Sparrow is awake. Commence Operation Nightingale."
With one push of a button, the message was sent. Her job was done. Now she really did have to go back to her rounds. She hoped this didn't cause any trouble.
All over Seretai, the cell phones of several members of the Shinigami Women's Association went off. Each one of them had a task to perform. Some went to get tools. Others supplies. When they were done, they would all converge on a certain hotel room. They all knew the stakes and were committed to making Operation Nightingale a success.
During the course of his treatment, Uryuu had fallen into a light sleep. He woke up from his nap feeling very refreshed. He no longer felt any pain. Maybe a little stiffness in his neck. He picked up the glasses they had given him off the nightstand. He turned them over and over. They looked exactly the same as his old ones. He put them on. Unable to tell the difference between his old set and the one he was wearing, he simply accepted the new glasses as his own. The room he was in was pleasant enough with the walls painted a cheerful yellow and landscape paintings hung here and there. The shadows were growing long as the sun set outside. On a table to the side were several baskets and vases full of flowers. He got up and put on a hospital robe. There were slippers under the bed. He felt weak as he went over to the table, but not that bad. He read the card on the first flower basket.
"Our profound thanks for your contribution and sacrifice."
It had the First Division logo on it. The next was a beautiful Ikebana arrangement.
"May your stay be pleasant and short."
It was from the Fourth Division.
Another was simply a ragged bouquet of wildflowers stuck in a jar. The card was a crudely torn piece of paper taped to the glass. It read,
"You get better soon Pencil. OK?"
It had a little smiley face drawn on it. He smiled. No need to wonder where that one came from. Making his way back to the bed, he picked up the package Rukia had left behind. He put it on the bed and untied the string. Wrapped in paper were a pair of geta sandals. He put them aside. Under some more wrapping, he found a beautiful yukata. It was white with blue borders. As expected, the cloth had a geometric pattern. He laughed as he realized it was a Quincy cross repeated in alternating rows. No, he didn't think he'd have to alter this. He would have to think of some way to thank the Kuchikis. He also would like to meet their tailor. He had been warned that he would probably be weak and need to stay in bed all night. He didn't feel that way. Being in Soul Society probably had something to do with it. With its energy rich environment, he was feeling stronger all the time. In fact, he felt like taking a walk. He hit the buzzer on the hospital bed to summon a nurse.
"Yes, sir? Oh, you're up. Are you alright?" She said.
"Yes miss." He replied. "I was just wondering. Is there any place I can shower and change?"
"Right this way sir." She said.
He followed her down the hall holding the yukata. He hoped Nemu would like it.
"Sorry I'm late!" Matsumoto Rangiku said as she removed her shoes. She hustled to the main room where a swarm of members from the Shinigami Women's Association were running back and forth completing various tasks. At the center of the room sat the focus for all their activities. It was Nemu. She sat in a terrycloth robe while one woman worked on her fingernails, another on her toes and a third on her hair.
"How are we doing ladies?" Matsumoto asked.
Kotetsu Kiyone held up her contribution. "They finished her yukata just in time."
It was a lovely red-on-salmon color with the twelfth division's symbol, the thistle, worked into the pattern.
"I'm almost done with her hair." Hinamori Momo said. "I'm going to do the makeup next."
"I am grateful for all your help." Nemu said. "However, I can dress myself."
"Oh don't be silly." Matsumoto said. "You don't want to see him in your drab old work clothes and your same old look, do you?"
"That is who I am." Nemu replied.
"This is you too." Matsumoto said. "We're just going to show that boy of yours a different facet, that's all."
Nemu blushed. "He's not really my boy." She was starting to regret telling her plans to her friends. She didn't think something like this would happen.
"All in good time dear, all in good time." Matsumoto reached into the bag she was carrying.
"Here it is." She held up a perfume bottle. "This stuff does the job first time, every time!"
"Does what exactly?" Nemu asked.
"You'll see." Matsumoto replied.
She sprayed a cloud of the fragrance at her. Nemu sneezed as it stung her nose.
"Careful, Rangiku!" Momo said as she picked up the comb she had just dropped.
"Sorry!" Matsumoto grinned and shrugged as she apologized.
Ise Nanao sidled up next to Masumoto and cleared her throat.
"Excuse me Matsumoto-san. Can I talk to you in the next room?"
"Eh? What for?" She asked.
"Just get over there." Nanao growled.
Nanao stalked out of the room with Matsumoto cheerfully following behind. As soon as they were out of earshot, she immediately voiced her concerns.
"Matsumoto, are we sure we should be doing this?" She asked.
"Doing what?" the busty lieutenant replied. "We're just helping a friend look her best."
"This is not a normal situation." Nanao said. "Nemu isn't well developed socially and I'm worried we're pushing her into things she's not equipped to handle."
"I'm not seeing your point." Matsumoto said.
Nanao frowned. "Look, I just don't think we're doing her any favors by getting her all…tarted up and throwing her at some boy!"
Matsumoto's eyes widened in shock. She drew herself up to her full height and put her hands on her hips.
"Why Ise Nanao, I'm surprised at you! We most certainly are not 'tarting up' anyone. Nemu wants to show her gratitude to the man who saved her life before he goes home tomorrow. We're helping to make the short time they have left together as memorable and pleasant as possible. How can you say we're 'throwing' her at anybody? At worst, she's just visiting with a sick boy in the hospital to make him feel better. What could be more wholesome than that?"
Nanao looked chagrined as she adjusted her glasses.
"Well…when you put it that way. Alright, I'm sorry."
"It's OK Nanao-chan." Matsumoto said. "I know you're just looking out for her best interests."
She clapped her fellow Lieutenant a couple of times on the shoulder to show no hard feelings and went back to the main room. Nanao thought about what her friend had said. Maybe she was overreacting. After all, Nemu was just going to bring the wounded boy his dinner and talk with him for a while. It was perfectly innocent. In the next room, she heard Matsumoto call out.
"Are we ready for the yukata yet? Remember to keep the top loose. We're aiming for a lot of neckline!"
Nanao smacked her palm into her face.
"What do you mean she's gone?" Ishida demanded.
The men they rescued were all being kept in one large ward. All of the men were sitting up in their beds and looking at Uryuu with wide eyes. One man, Ishikawa Kaoru, acted as their spokesman.
"My deepest apologies, sir." He said, "We do not know where she is."
"Stop 'sir'ing me." Uryuu said. "I'm not in your chain of command. I thought all the twelfth division members were brought here."
The men exchanged looks. This person may not be in their chain of command, but none of them would forget his coming to their rescue, blasting the enemy with a storm of energy arrows. What was a Quincy anyway? No, best to play it safe.
Ishikawa tried to explain things to the mysterious stranger again. "Normally sir, we are not treated here. We are supposed to be sent straight back to our division barracks. Captain Mayuri's people are supposed to cure us. He insists his people receive treatment from no one else."
That was true, Uryuu thought. He remembered Nemu had told him something similar before.
"Then how did you end up here?" Uryuu asked.
"We do not know sir." Ishikawa responded.
And they certainly weren't going to tell anybody to correct the mistake.
"But you did see your lieutenant." Uryuu said.
"Yes sir. She was being pushed in a wheelchair by the fourth division captain. She told us that she was leaving and for us to wait here." Ishikawa replied.
Uryuu wondered what was going on. So Nemu had already left. Where would she go?
"I see. Thank you gentlemen. Carry on."
He walked away without a backwards glance deep in thought. She had been injured enough to need a wheelchair, but left in the company of Captain Unohana. Maybe she was following orders and had returned to the twelfth division? It made sense that she would go home and report to her Captain. It was her duty. Still, the thought kept creeping up to him that she hadn't even tried to come see him. He pushed the thought away as unworthy. Nemu surely had a good reason for leaving without seeing him. He couldn't help wishing she had. Maybe he needed a distraction. Perhaps he'd look up the gang at the barbecue.
Nemu took small deliberate steps down the hallway as she carried a tray loaded with food. She didn't want to spill anything. It didn't help that the hallway was pretty crowded.
"I would like to express once again how much I appreciate all your help." She said. "But is it necessary for so many of you to accompany me?"
"We're just here for moral support." Matsumoto said. The half-dozen or so women surrounding Nemu agreed.
"Yes, moral support."
"We're with you all the way."
"Gambatte!"
"Is it necessary to film me for moral support?" Nemu asked.
"Oh, uh, sorry." Momo said as she put the camera down. "I just thought you'd like a remembrance for later."
"Actually, you are all making me very uncomfortable." Nemu said.
"Just pretend we're not here." Nanao said. Several others agreed.
"Yes, like we're not even here."
"Do you hear something? I'm sure there's nobody there."
"We're like the wind."
Like the wind indeed, Nemu thought as the group clomped down the hallway. She was beginning to think this was a bad idea.
"Here it is." Kiyone said. "This is the room nee-san said he was in."
"OK Nemu, here we go." Matsumoto said. "Do you remember what I taught you?"
"Chin up, back straight, neckline open." Nemu recited.
"Good girl!" Matsumoto crowed. "There's nothing an injured man likes better than to be served a hot meal by pretty girl. It builds their morale and stiffens their spines. Among other body parts, if you know what I mean. Eh? Eh?"
"Like what?" Nemu asked.
Matsumoto rolled her eyes. "Never mind. Just get in there and show him what you've got!"
"Good luck!" "Go for it!" The others cried.
Nemu really wished they'd shut up and go away. She imagined this would be more of a private moment. It didn't help that Momo was filming her again. Balancing the tray on one hand, she knocked lightly on the door.
"Uryuu-kun? Are you awake?" There was no answer. She knocked again. "Uryuu-kun?"
Trying the doorknob, she found it was unlocked. Entering the room, she saw he was not there. She popped her head out into the hall.
"Kotetsu-san, are you sure this is the right room? No one is in here."
"Huh?" Kiyone replied. She went into the room herself and looked around. "Well that's strange."
She took out her cell phone. "Just a minute Nemu-san. We'll get this all straightened out"
She went to a corner. "Hello, nee-san? We've got a problem here."
After that, Nemu couldn't follow the conversation. The rest of her moral support group crowded in around the doorway straining their ears as Kiyone would occasionally spout off an "Uh huh." or a "Yeah, yeah, I see." After a while she closed her phone and turned to face the group.
"Uh guys." Kiyone said as she grinned and scratched the back of her head. "Ishida-san isn't here anymore."
The woman gasped as one. "What!" They all more or less said.
Kiyone was red with embarrassment. "Nee-san says he checked out about half an hour ago. He told the receptionist he was going to the barbeque."
"Why didn't she tell us earlier?" Matsumoto said.
"She was doing her rounds. She didn't know." Kiyone said. "She just found out from the receptionist."
"So now what do we do?" Momo asked.
"We're going to get Nemu to that barbecue, that's what!" Matsumoto declared. "Let's go!"
As they hustled down the corridor, Nemu tried her best not to spill any of the food on the tray.
"What shall I do with this?" She asked.
Glancing around, Matsumoto spotted a patient slowly limping down the hall leaning on his IV stand. She took the tray from Nemu and thrust it into his hands.
"Here." She said. "Eat this in good health."
"May it stiffen your spine and other body parts." Nemu added with a polite bow.
The patient stared after them as the group continued to hurry towards the exit. As Kione was the most familiar with the layout of the compound, she led the way, turning the corner leading past the reception desk to the exit first. Everyone was very surprised when she came running back looking very upset and waving her hands.
"Huddle!" She stage whispered at them.
Gathering into a circle, Kiyone kneeled down in the center.
"Guys," she said, "we've got big problems. Captain Mayuri is out there!"
"I'll be damned before some third seat tells me what I can and cannot do." Mayuri snarled. "Get your captain out here now or suffer the consequences."
He raised his right hand towards third seat Iemura Yasochika. It started to give off an ominous glow. Iemura leaned back.
"Now let's not do anything rash Captain." He said in a wavering tone.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance." Isane said as she approached the desk.
"Not unless you've been suddenly promoted." Mayuri sneered. "I insist you bring me your captain. Your division is in blatant violation of an agreement we signed ages ago. This is not the first time your division has violated that agreement, but it is by far the worst. Now get Captain Unohana out here this instant!"
"She is not available." Isane replied. "She is currently making a house call to the eleventh division. Her phone is off line and she gave strict orders not to be disturbed. She is not expected back until tomorrow morning at the earliest."
"A house call!" Mayuri exclaimed. "Ugh. Never mind then. Just give me my people and I'll lodge a complaint in the morning."
"I cannot release any patients without Captain Unohana's consent." Isane said.
"But they can release themselves can't they?" Mayuri asked. "Send them word that they are expected back to the twelfth division barracks immediately."
"I'm afraid they are all sleeping at the moment. Please come back tomorrow." Isane replied.
Mayuri's eyes narrowed. He knew he was being stonewalled.
"Where's Nemu?" He asked. "I can at least visit my own daughter?"
Isane was not a good liar. "She was badly injured during the rescue and is currently in ICU."
Mayuri stared hard at Isane. He knew she wasn't telling the truth.
"I understand she had a few broken bones and some puncture wounds. That's hardly enough to slow her down." He said.
"She also had massive internal injuries." Isane said.
"Then all she needs is one of these." Mayuri said as he pulled a jar out of his coat. Inside the jar, long pale segmented bodies writhed and squirmed in a green fluid.
"I call them healing worms." Mayuri said. "These will soon replace your pathetically outdated healing methods and have shinigami back on the battlefield in a matter of hours instead of days. I just need a few test subjects to fine tune the process."
As they watched, one of the creatures broke the surface of the green fluid. It made a squawking sound and waved it's feelers before diving back below the surface.
Iemura adjusted his glasses. "Did that thing have…teeth?"
"Can your sister make him go away?" Matsumoto asked.
From the loud angry tones, it didn't seem like Mayuri was going anywhere soon.
"I don't know." Kiyone replied. "If he tries to force his way in, I don't think we can stop him."
"We have to get you out of here Nemu." Momo said.
Nanao looked around as she weighed their options. She spotted a nearby linen closet.
"I have an idea." She said. "Kiyone, I need you to send a text message to Isane. Tell her we're going to do like this…"
Isane looked down as her phone beeped for an incoming message. Glancing at the screen, she soon gave it her full attention.
"I'm sorry lieutenant, am I boring you?" Mayuri said sarcastically.
"Oh, my apologies captain." She replied, "Where were we?"
Mayuri sneered. "We were talking about…"
"GOOD EVENING BIG SISTER ISANE" Kiyone shouted. "WELL, I'M DONE VISITING! I'M OFF TO THE BARBECUE!"
Behind her, the group of shinigami women also waved and shouted.
"HI LEIUTENANT!" "HOW'S IT GOING!"
To make matters worse, none of them seemed to be trying to restrain their reiatsu. Combined with the noise and the shouting it was very disorienting.
"Will you people keep it down." Mayuri barked. None of them seemed to hear.
'SO ARE YOU GOING TO THE BARBECUE TOO ISANE!" Kiyone yelled. The other women shouted similar questions.
"No, I am afraid I have too many responsibilities to abandon them at this hour." She replied stiffly. She was not a good actress.
"IN THAT CASE, I GUESS I WILL SEE YOU LATER!" Kiyone shouted. The other woman expressed similar sentiments at the top of their lungs.
"Yes, fine, go already!" Mayuri bellowed. "Just get out of here! You're giving me a headache!"
"OH, I'M SORRY CAPTAIN!" Kiyone shrieked. "I DIDN'T NOTICE YOU THERE. WE'LL BE GOING NOW. GOODBYE!"
Every woman in the group also shouted goodbye and waved their hands a lot as they moved towards the exit. What Mayuri didn't see was the quiet woman in the back wearing a hooded robe that covered her face.
"I'm glad that's over with." Kiyone said as they exited the compound gate. "I was losing my voice."
"Once again, I am in your debt." Nemu said as she pulled the hood of the borrowed robe down. "I'm not ready to see Mayuri-sama right now."
"What are friends for?" Matsumoto said. "Now, let's go to the barbecue and look for that boy of yours."
Nemu looked down and hesitated before she spoke. She didn't want to offend or hurt anybody's feelings.
"I agree, I will go and look for him. If possible, I would like to do it alone."
"You don't want us with you?" Momo said.
"It's not that I don't want you around." She replied. "It's just that I thing this is something I should do for myself."
The women all looked at each other. Maybe they had been turning a very private moment in Nemu's life into a circus.
"I understand." Matsumoto said. "Come here."
She gave Nemu a hug. "Good luck, OK."
Momo was next.
"Be careful." She said as she hugged Nemu, "I don't want to see you getting hurt."
"I doubt Uryuu will try to hit me." Nemu said.
"No, not like that." Momo said. "I mean in here."
She placed her hand over her heart.
"Oh." Nemu said. "You mean that way."
She thought for a moment."Yes, I wouldn't like that. However, it's a chance I'm willing to take."
"Hear, hear!" Matsumoto said.
"You be careful anyway." Nanao said as she also hugged Nemu.
Kiyone's phone beeped. Looking at the screen, she gasped at the incoming message.
"Guys, Captain Mayuri is on the way out!"
"Quick!"Matsumoto said to Nemu. "You have to get out of here."
"Don't shunpo." Nanao said. "It'll make your reiatsu pulse."
"I know that." Nemu said. "What should I do?"
"We'll stall him." Matsumoto said as she pulled the hood of Nemu's robe over her head. "You walk out of here slow and casual-like and we'll distract him until you're gone."
"I really don't know how I'm going to repay you for all your help." Nemu said.
"Worry about that later." Nanao said. "Go! Go now."
With a final thank you to everyone, Nemu walked away. It was none too soon as Mayuri stormed out of the compound. He shouted back at the building he'd just left.
"If Nemu and the others are not returned to me by tomorrow morning, I'll call a special captains meeting to formally lodge a complaint!"
He turned back around to find himself surrounded by the shinigami women.
"GOOD EVENING CAPTAIN MAYURI-SAMA!"
They all shouted as they bowed over and over. Again, they were not even trying to hide their reiatsu making things loud on several levels.
"Yes, yes, good evening, now get out of my way." He said peevishly.
He shoved his way out of the circle. Momo jumped in front of him.
'Um, are you going to the barbecue Captain?" She asked
"No, now move aside." He said and side stepped around her.
Nanao blocked his way.
"If you have the time Captain Myuri-sama, I did have some business to discuss with you."
Mayuri sides stepped her as well. "Take it up with my office in the morning. Now will you cackling biddies get out of my way!"
Matsumoto stepped in front of him this time. The problem was she couldn't think of anything to say.
"So, uh, Captain Mayuri-sama, uh, nice weather we're having?" She finished weakly.
"Go away!" Mayuri said. Suddenly, he noticed someone walking down the street in a white hooded robe. There was something familiar about how they moved. He leaned forward and squinted a little.
"Wait a minute." He said. "Isn't that…"
Matsumoto knew she had to do something and fast. Reviewing and discarding several plans in a split second, she took the most effective course of action she could think of. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled the captain's face deep within the valley of her chest.
"Oh Captain Mayuri!" she squealed. "I'm so glad your daughter was rescued! Congratulations! You must be so happy!"
"Mmph, MMMPPHHH!" Mayuri said as he suffocated. He waved his hands wildly as he fought to draw breath. Finally, he placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away. Pink streaks showed on his face where his makeup had rubbed off. His hat was nearly falling off his head.
"Why…you..filthy...you..." he sputtered as he wiped at his face with his hands.
Faster and more frantically he rubbed his face, then his hands. He seemed to lose awareness of his surroundings as he started wiping his hands on his robe over and over.
"Water. I must wash. I must bathe immediately!" he exclaimed, then he disappeared as he flash stepped back to his division headquarters.
"Well that was unexpected." Matsumoto said.
Momo held out a handkerchief. "Rangiku, you seem to have some makeup on your..um.. you know."
"Eh?" Matsumoto said.
She looked down at her bosom. White makeup was smeared all over her chest. She accepted Momo's handkerchief and began to wipe it off.
"Humph." She said. "It was worth it."
At the end of the street, Nemu finally walked around the corner and out of sight.
Ishida couldn't find anybody. Back home it would have been easy to find his friends. Their powers gave then unique spirit ribbons that stood out from the background. Here, everybody's spirit ribbons were the same. It made him feel off balance and uncomfortable. As he walked towards the main square, more and more people filled the streets. Most were dressed in colorful yukatas much like his own. It seemed everybody was going to the celebration. Suddenly, up ahead, he spied a familiar looking head of orange-red hair. Even in Soul Society, his reiatsu stood out loud and clear. It was Ichigo, still dressed in his shinigami uniform.
Trust Kurosaki to lack anything even resembling a style Uryuu thought.
He began to move through the crowd to greet him. Someone else got there first.
"There you are!" He heard Rukia say. "Where have you been?"
Rukia was wearing a lovely maroon yukata with a pattern of white forget-me-nots on it.
"Geez, sorry I'm late OK? I was hanging out with the eleventh for a while." Ichigo replied.
Rukia narrowed her eyes and stood up on her toes as she looked intently at Ichigo.
"What is wrong with your face? Have you been fighting!" She accused.
"It was nothing." Ichigo said. "Just a little scuffle with some guy in the eleventh. Fists only, no zampakutos. I won."
"Get down here." Rukia ordered. "I can't let you out of my sight for five minutes without you getting hurt."
She grabbed him by the lapel to hold him steady. Her hand glowed as she quickly healed the cuts and bruises on Ichigo's face.
"You're not supposed to be fighting. Tonight is for celebrating and relaxing."
As soon as his wounds were healed, she let him go.
"What were you fighting about anyway?" She asked
Ichigo looked away. "Nothing." He said.
Rukia didn't believe him. "I can't see you fist fighting for nothing." She said.
"Well, he was being rude." Ichigo said. "After what he said, I kinda had to straighten him out."
"What did he say?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo turned away and refused to answer.
"Ichigo. I asked you a question." She forced him to turn back to her.
"Now what did he say?" She demanded.
"He…said you…mumble, mumble, mumble." Ichigo muttered.
"He what? I can't hear you." She said.
"He said you have a nice ass alright!" He blurted out.
The stood there looking at each other for what seemed like a long time.
Rukia finally looked away. In a quiet voice she said, "Ichigo, it's not nice to beat people up for telling the truth."
Ichigo's jaw dropped. "Huh?"
"I mean it is a pretty nice ass, even if I do say so myself." She said as she looked behind her.
Ichigo was in shock. "Rukia, what are you saying?"
"Check it out if you don't believe me." She said while turning around.
"Stop that!" Ichigo said while covering his eyes.
"Go on." She said. "Check. It. Out."
She emphasized every word by bumping her hip against Ichigo.
"Rukia!" He whined. His face was going past red and into purple.
With a laugh, she decided to let him off the hook. She grabbed his hand.
"Come on," She said still laughing, "I saved you a seat by the fire."
Uryuu followed as Rukia dragged Ichigo through the crowd. Just what the heck was that all about? Even though it had happened in a public place surrounded by people, he still felt as if he had spied on his friends during a very private moment. He wasn't sure how to approach them after witnessing that. He'd feel like he was intruding. Entering the main square, he could see it was packed with shinigami. There were several cooking fires roasting sides of beef or suckling pigs. Two long tables in the middle were covered with side dishes, condiments and drinks. Rukia pulled Ichigo over to a bench by one of the cooking fires where Renji handed him a drink. Chad was playing a duet on acoustic guitar with the lieutenant who had a 69 tattooed on his face. A group of young ladies sat in a half circle around them, enjoying the music. Everywhere Uryuu looked, everyone seemed to be having a good time. As he watched, it occurred to him he didn't really belong here. True, he would be greeted warmly if he went over to his friends and they would do their best to make him feel at home. He doubted he ever would feel that way. At best, here in Soul Society he was a friend, a guest, but ultimately, as a Quincy, he didn't belong. Going over there now would feel like intruding. Maybe he should go back to the hospital.
Thinking of the hospital reminded him of Nemu. He still felt a little put off that she hadn't stopped by to see him before leaving. She must have went straight home. He supposed it was because she always followed orders. Especially Mayuri's orders. He could just picture it. Nemu reporting for duty despite her wounds. Mayuri sneering. Mocking her. Beating her.
As the brutal image of Mayuri 'welcoming' his daughter home filled his head, he made a decision. He was going to the twelfth division. He would see for himself if Nemu was alright. And if they didn't let him in or tried to stop him, well, they'd be sorry. He turned away from the barbecue and nearly knocked a young woman over in his haste.
"Oh, sorry miss." He said as he stepped around her.
He chided himself to be more careful as he strode away.
"Uryuu-kun?" The woman said.
"Huh?" He said. How did she know his name?
"Uryuu-kun, it's me." She replied.
He looked behind him. The young woman he'd nearly knocked down was Nemu! She looked completely different in a salmon colored yukata with a red pattern. She was holding a printed fan and had her hair up for a change, held in place by a simply decorated wooden comb.
"Nemu-san." He said. "You look…different."
Oh man, already with the awkwardness.
"Do you mean different good or different bad?" she asked.
"Good. Definitely good." He said. "This outfit suits you."
"Thank you." She said. "You look good too."
Uryuu felt himself blushing. "So, uh, what brings you here?"
"I was looking for you." She said. "I went to visit you in the hospital, but they said you had left."
She had come to visit him!
"Well, I went looking for you, but your men said you had left."
"I had Unohana heal me. I didn't want you to see me wounded and bandaged." She said
"Well, you look great." He said.
"It's not one hundred percent." She said. "I'm restricted from doing any heavy lifting or kido for the next four weeks. How are you doing? You were badly hurt last time I saw you."
"I'm not one hundred percent fixed either." He said. "I still feel a little stiff around the neck."
"I'm glad to see you on your feet."She said. "So you're going to the barbecue?"
Uryuu adjusted his glasses.
"I was thinking about it." He said. "But now that I'm here, I'm just not in the mood for crowds. I think I'll go back to the hospital. How about you?"
"I'm not much for parties either." Nemu said.
They stood side by side at the edge of the crowd watching for a while. A sudden thought occurred to her. Her heat raced and she wondered if she dare act upon it. It was not what she had planned for the evening, but conditions seemed right. She had to try.
"Uryuu-kun, have you eaten yet?" she asked.
"Me? No, I haven't. Did you want to go and get something?" he said indicating the tables.
"Well, I was thinking. If you don't feel like dealing with the crowds right now, we could eat at my place. The room service is supposed to be excellent."
"You mean you're not staying in your division barracks right now?" Uryuu asked.
"No." Nemu replied. "I didn't feel like going back there. Someone suggested a nice hotel nearby. If you like, we can eat dinner there quietly, then you can go back to the hospital."
Uryuu thought about it for a minute. "You know, that sounds like a good idea."
Nemu smiled. "Follow me. It's not far."
Ichigo reached for his tea to wash down the mouthful of food he was chewing on. The Gotei 13 may piss him off with their rules and traditions sometimes, but he had to admit, they put on a good spread. As he tilted his head back he saw something that made him forget what he was doing. He gagged on the tea and began to cough. Rukia began slapping him on the back.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"I'm fine." He croaked. "It just went down the wrong way. I'm fine."
As soon as he stopped coughing, he looked around to confirm what he had just seen, but they were gone. He snorted. It had to have been his imagination. There was no way he saw Ishida picking up some hot chick. He turned his attention back to his food. .