Chapter Two

Bounts Explained

Nick walked downstairs to find his parents in the living room, watching TV. "Hey, mom, dad." He greeted.

Tabitha looked at him. "Oh, hey, Nick. How was school?" She asked.

"Fine. Now, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Right. We may have a real problem on our hands soon."

"Problem? Like what? I was struggling with myself for about a week! What could be considered a problem for me?"

"Like, for instance, Bounts."

"Bounts? What are Bounts?"

"You could think of them as vampires, you could say. Except, they don't feed on blood, but instead souls."

"These things are starting to sound like some sort of Hollow."

"No, Bounts are different. They all have different powers, like Hollow, but they utilize it in what they call 'Dolls'. Each Doll is like an elemental in the sense that they are each based off of some sort of element. Examples would be fire, water, wind, you get the deal. But, the last time the Bounts tried anything, all but one was killed in the Soul Society back in Japan. But, that had led Captain Fiero and Ichigo Kurosaki to the conclusion that the last remaining Bount may have found some survivors here in America and have made the decision to bring you back, just in case they show up in the American Soul Society. Captain Fiero also said that he wanted to help you train some more, and Jewel wanted you to train your Hollow powers to get you to become stronger. I told them that they would have to come here, because you wouldn't go back there without Katie."

"It's good that you said that, because that is exactly what I would say. I can train my powers here, when Lauren comes back. Where is she, anyway? She hasn't come back since we got back six months ago, and Captain Barrett told us she'd come here after he returned there."

"I know, Nick. Lora is still there because she has been helping them out with preparing for an attack by the Bounts. We will need Sayuri and Takumi here with us, along with Sakura."

"Sakura can actually fight?" Tabitha nodded. "Wow. I thought that her ability was to confuse the enemy with her cuteness."

Tabitha laughed. "You know, I had that same thought when I first started teaching her all those years ago. Well, I'll tell you more another time. But, I will tell you why we need the Ishida kids," Tabitha's voice became very serious. "If the Bounts want to try taking over the Soul Society again, they'll need the powers of a Quincy to get there. The last attack on the Soul Society happened because their father Uryu used his powers to open the gate to the Soul Society for them, but only out of revenge, because one of those Bounts was not evil, but only wanted to stop the attack herself. She died trying, and Uryu wanted to kill the leader of the Bounts then himself, but in the Soul Society. Well, get the girls down here for dinner. Well, except for Jasmine."

"Why not Jasmine?"

"She's not home. She went out with one of my former students," Tabitha said laughing. "They seem to like each other."

"Whatever. I'll go get everyone for dinner. That reminds me, mom," Tabitha turned back to her son. "Are Rangiku and Gin coming over for dinner tonight?"

"Yes, they are. Also, go tell Sakura not to be rude about Rangiku being pregnant. Rangiku started crying last time she said anything."

"I'll tell her, but I only think she'll actually listen to Katie. You know how close those two are."

"Yeah, I know." Tabitha said, letting Nick finally leave the room.

Walking into Katie's room, Nick saw Sakura sitting on the edge of the bed, kicking her feet in the open air. "Sakura, did you hear her?"

"Yeah. But, those Bounts seemed like a better conversation to listen to, even though you don't know the whole story."

"Oh, and you do?"

"No, but that doesn't mean that I haven't heard of them. My sister Yachiru told me about them once. So, is it dinnertime?"

"Yeah. Is she completely asleep?" Nick pointed to Katie.

Sakura shook her head. "I don't think so. She was talking to me before you came in."

"Well then, let's wake her up." Nick said with a mischievous grin on his face.

He lightly shook Katie's still sleeping form until her eyes slowly opened. "Nick? When did you come back up?" She asked, sitting up.

"I just came back up to tell both of you that dinner's ready."

"Oh, okay. I'll be right down. Sakura will help me."

Sakura nodded. "I sure will!" She said, her voice ever cheerful.

Nick nodded and came back down the stairs and heard a knock on the door. He went to answer it and saw his neighbors Rangiku Matsumoto and Gin Ichimaru. "Hello, Nick. How are you today?" Gin asked.

"I've been okay. Well, come on in and make yourselves at home."

"Thank you, Nick. How's Katie, by the way?" Rangiku inquired.

"She's fine. She'll be down in a moment."

Rangiku nodded and followed Gin into the house. They walked into the kitchen and greeted Elias and Tabitha. Sakura appeared next to Nick, who had sat down on the couch. "Didn't mom tell you not to use Flash Step in the house?"

"Yeah, but I needed to be here when Katie comes, right?"

"Yes, but I didn't say that you could use your Flash Step. I'll let it slip this time, but no more. Okay, Sakura?"

"Yes, big brother." She said, laughing.

Katie made her entrance then. She appeared at the top of the stairs and started walking down, keeping a hold of the railing. Nick smiled at his girlfriend. "Ready for dinner?" He asked, holding his hand out for her.

"Yes, thank you." Katie said, taking Nick's hand in hers and together they walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Sakura then sat down next to Katie.

Tabitha brought out the meal for dinner, which was meatloaf and mashed potatoes with red skins. Gin, whose smile still hadn't changed, spoke up. "That looks delicious, Tabitha."

"Why thank you, Gin. Please, help yourselves." She said, smiling at the complement.

Nick took a slice of meatloaf and a couple of spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. When he started eating, his eyes went wide. "This is so delicious. I love it, mom."

"I knew you would. You always did love my meatloaf." She laughed along with everyone else at the table.

Sakura looked at Rangiku. "Ms. Matsumoto, I'm sorry about what I said last time you were over. I didn't mean to offend you."

Rangiku smiled at the little Soul Reaper. "It's okay, Sakura. I can never hate you, anyway. You are just too cute, and nothing like your sister."

Tabitha laughed at that comment. "Almost nothing like her sister. She still bites people if she smells candy."

"Really? She doesn't hurt anyone, though, right?"

"No, of course not. Katie makes sure to tell her not to."

Sakura smiled at her foster mother. "So, Ms. Matsumoto," She said, turning back to Rangiku. "When is the baby due?"

"I think it's supposed to be around another seven months. Don't worry. You'll have a baby that you can look after in a month or two." She said, smiling at Katie.

"I know, but I just wanted to know."

Everyone started laughing and continued eating. Gin then noticed that Jasmine wasn't there. "Where's Jasmine?"

"Out on a date." Tabitha said, her voice saying 'case closed'.

"Oh, okay. Katie, do you know what gender the baby will be?"

"Yeah, two girls." Katie said.

Nick looked at her, mouth hanging down. "Katie…" He struggled. "You're having twins?"

"Yeah, Nick. We're having twins. That means we have to get the basement for a room, so we have enough space for them."

"Fine with me," Tabitha said. "The basement isn't used often enough for it to be considered important. Eli," She looked at Elias "Will help you move your stuff tomorrow during the day."

"Can I help?" Sakura asked cheerfully.

Tabitha couldn't resist the cuteness. "Yes, you can help. Just don't hurt yourself, okay?"

"I won't, mom." She grinned a grin that seemed a little similar to Gin's feline one.

A/N: Here's chapter two. I hope people are actually looking at this story, because I didn't just make it in order to have it ignored. If it somehow hasn't shown up on the story listings yet, just search for my name. Thank you.

Next Time: The Bounts, now led by Koga, make an attack on Nick's house, knowing that Sayuri and Takumi are watching. What they don't count on, however, is Nick and Jasmine attacking them back. (Also, I have no idea what the names will be, so I may not have this chapter up for a while).