The serine peace of the night was interrupted by the sound of the alarms. Soon the entire Seireitei was awake and all the Soul Reapers were running around in search of a trio of Ryoka who had been spotted entering the Seireitei.
Kaichou had set a record getting dressed into her uniform (Of course Gigai shaping does have its advantages) and quickly getting to the 5th squad barracks to mobilize them. Ichigo, Isshin, Orihime, Tatsuki, Chad, Uryu, Rukia, and Yoruichi were tasked with guarding a still slumbering Yuzu since she would be the most likely target for these Ryoka.
Meanwhile, within the forests outside of Rukongai's Kusajishi district were the three Ryoka themselves.
"How long must we wait?! I am eager to fight these cursed Soul Reapers and get my revenge!" the feminine LeBlanc growled with her left arm shield morphed into a small fan and the sword was missing.
"Patience Ihsoy…we will make our move soon. Besides our goal isn't to destroy the Soul Reapers but to capture the key so that we can release our brethren." The second LeBlanc said with all four of his arms crossed.
"We are among the strongest of our kind yet we sit here and wait for no apparent reason!?" Ihsoy growled as she leaned against a tree.
"We must wait for the Soul Reapers to disperse…they expect us to fight at night but we shall catch them off guard during the day. We must take advantage of our ability to hide." The second LeBlanc said as his lower two arms started to curve around his waist, his right arm went around his front and his left arm curved around his back. Soon the strange liquid substance started excreting from the gaps in his armor and soon he had taken the appearance of a commoner from Rukongai.
"Why do I have to follow your lead?! I was sent here because I knew the Soul Society better than either one of you right?!" Ihsoy asked angrily as the one in color reversed Soul Reaper robes raised its hand.
"You were selected to play a pivotal role in our quest by the Guerre Maitrise De La Chateau. But you were not put in charge new blood. You may be powerful, true, but you would do well to know your place. Now conceal yourself and scatter. We shall meet on the edge of town later in the evening. In the meantime do not do anything that will attract attention. Do I make myself clear?" the robed one asked as the two LeBlancs nodded in understanding.
"Good. Roodnmad, go east…Ihsoy, go west. I shall go south." The robed said as he and Ihsoy coated themselves in the strange liquid and soon had morphed into their original forms. The robed one took the form of a Soul Reaper with a young appearance and sleek white hair. His Zanpakuto was sheathed at his side.
Ihsoy however took on a semi-familiar appearance. She sprouted dark green hair, a purple Chinese Pao with baggy, beige colored, pants.
"We have only one slight problem with my old appearance. The people will recognize me as one of the Bounts who attacked the Soul Society under Jin Kariya. I'll be discovered." Ihsoy said as the robed one and Roodnmad looked at each other.
"Then perhaps you should stay here Ihsoy, and seek shelter for the night. We will be back tomorrow evening." The robed one said as they headed out towards town.
"I hope so." Ihsoy said as she instantly flashed with bright blue energy for an instant before disappearing.
"She has mastered the Bleu Sauter I see." The robed one said as Roodnmad nodded.
"Yes Igaka…she's a fast learner…probably from the Reishi she absorbed before her Naissance." Roodnmad said as he and Igaka headed towards the town.
"Was it true then that she was killed by the supposedly last of the Quincy's…The one known as Uryu Ishida?" Igaka asked as Roodnmad nodded.
"Uryu Ishida…is one of the last but not the last." Roodnmad corrected.
"Ah yes, his father still breathes and adds to our number with every foe he slays." Igaka replied.
"Hopefully neither will stumble upon their ancestor's discovery…and hopefully they will continue to use their basic Reishi arrows. If they discover the other kind…we're doomed." Roodnmad said as they continued on down towards town.
That Morning…
Ichigo had fallen asleep during his watch and was slumbering on the porch, so he wasn't at all aware of the figure hunched over and sneaking up behind him. Suddenly…
"ICHIGO!!!" The figure shouted as it leapt at him, waking him from his slumber.
"WHAT THE HELL?!?! GET OFFA ME!!!" Ichigo shouted as he found himself pinned face down to the ground under someone incredibly strong. His arms were being pressed against his back and his hand suddenly grabbed a hold of something that was soft yet firm, and rather large. Ichigo prayed that it wasn't a woman that was pinning him down and that it wasn't a woman's breast that he was grasping.
Unfortunately…
"Ooh Ichigo!" a familiar young female voice cooed with a delighted giggle as Ichigo turned white as a sheet…he recognized the voice.
"N-N-N-N-Nel?!" Ichigo whimpered and felt the pressure against his back suddenly vanish and saw the upside down head of a certain Arrancar female only she was much older than the last time.
"Morning Ichigo!!!" Nel greeted happily. Ichigo then shrieked and crawled away backwards before sitting up. Nel was bent over on her hands and feet, staring at him from upside down with a smile on her face. She had almost returned to her original adult size, as her Orihime sized breasts, long green hair, and her nearly healed mask and facial scar would attest to. As she stood up, Ichigo noticed the number 3 tattoo on her back had returned for the most part as well. He also noticed that Gamuza, her Zanpakuto, was resting comfortably at her side.
"Nel!!! How did you get this big so fast?! Did Orihime and Tatsuki give you a gallon of milk or something?!" Ichigo freaked as Nel giggled.
"Nope. Aunty Kai fed me what she called her "Special Arrancar Breakfast," and POOF here I am!" Nel explained as Ichigo blinked in disbelief.
"Actually all I fed her was scrambled eggs, orange juice, cereal and some citrus fruit." Kaichou said as Ichigo nearly leapt out of his skin from her sudden appearance.
"But you called it a Special Arrancar Breakfast." Nel said as she scratched her head, confused.
"I was just being playful and calling it as such. Come on Nel I know you're smarter than that, I've read the reports from Hueco Mundo and Las Noches and I know you've got a high level of intellect." Kaichou said before Nel smirked for a moment then straightened up.
"I only act serious when the situation calls for it. I usually just act myself the rest of the time." Nel said before showing a happy grin.
"Ah now that I can understand." Kaichou said, not noticing Isshin standing behind her.
"Yeah you can be quite a spitfire when you want to be." Isshin said with a grin as Kaichou shrugged.
"I won't argue that fact." She said as she headed out into the yard.
"So why did you restore her powers?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"Because given the circumstances, we need all the help we can get to protect Yuzu from the LeBlancs. Since Arrancar don't require sleep like the rest of us do, I figured that having the former Tercera Espada back and on our side would give us one extra powerful ace in the hole…or Hollow hole in this case." Kaichou replied with a snicker. Isshin and Ichigo groaned at the joke but Nel giggled.
"Just out of curiosity, whatever happened to the other Espada?" Isshin asked. Kaichou cleared her throat and began to explain.
"Well…we managed to kill all but two of the Espada, not counting Nel. Stark and Halibel still live along with their subordinates and the subordinates of a few others but they all ditched Aizen after the Hogyoku was destroyed by Orihime during Ichigo's fight with the fourth Espada Ulquiorra Cifer. With the Hogyoku destroyed, Aizen practically lost control of every remaining Arrancar and every Hollow in Hueco Mundo…in fact they tried to kill him. They were only following along out of the hopes that he would give all of them Soul Reaper abilities but without that one incentive…they had no more use for him. So Stark, Halibel, and their Fraccion and the Fraccion of a few other late Espada, are trying to carve out a living for themselves in Hueco Mundo. The Soul Society currently has a non-aggression pact with the remaining Arrancar since they have no real reason to fight us and vice-versa." Kaichou explained.
"How do you know? You weren't even there!" Ichigo asked as Kaichou chuckled.
"Jushiro, Shunsui, and Retsu told me the night I was reinstated." Kaichou replied.
"She's not wrong. The remaining Espada turned against Aizen and now he and his accomplices are on the run from both the Hollows and the Soul Reapers." Nel added.
"So then can I make a recommendation Nel?" Ichigo asked as Nel arched a curious eyebrow.
"What is it Ichigo?" she asked.
"GET SOME CLOTHES YOUR OWN SIZE!!!" Ichigo freaked. Nel was after all wearing only her torn green shirt that covered her chest and waist.
"I see your logic. Perhaps your friend the four eyed Quincy can help with that." Nel said as she skipped into the house.
"Or perhaps Orihime could loan her some clothes." Ichigo sighed, and then checked his watch. "WHOA WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE FOR CLASS!!!"
"Calm down Ichigo, its common practice that whenever Ryoka have been detected in the Soul Society that for the safety of the students, all classes are canceled for the duration of the alert. It also frees the teachers up to provide assistance. However in yours, Karin's, and Yuzu's case, the school is coming to you. Several Captains and Lieutenants have volunteered to help teach you guys some of the basics." Kaichou said as Isshin crossed his arms.
"When were you going to tell me this?" he asked curiously.
"I figured you wouldn't mind." Kaichou replied with a shrug.
"I don't but I would like to be kept in the loop." Isshin said as Kaichou nodded understandingly.
"Consider yourself looped then." She said as she adjusted her Captain's robe then turned towards the entryway.
"I'll be either at the Squad five barracks or the Squad four med center if you need me." She said as she flash stepped away.
"Well then…what do we do now?" Ichigo asked as Yoruichi suddenly flash stepped in.
"Simple. You can help your sisters get ready for their personalized training. Here's the list of Captains and Lieutenants who will be teaching and what their lessons will be on." Yoruichi said as she handed Ichigo the list.
"Izuru Kira is first with basic Kido, then Shuhei Hisagi with basic hand to hand, and then…oh no you've got to be KIDDING ME!!!" Ichigo freaked as he read the next name on the list.
"I'm afraid so. He threatened to kill someone if he didn't get to do this. Despite his seemingly insane exterior, he's actually a big ol' softy when it comes to kids." Yoruichi said as Ichigo whimpered.
"Remind me to run and hide when Kenpachi gets here then." Ichigo said as Rukia entered.
"It doesn't matter anyway Ichigo. You won't be here to be part of any of it." Rukia said as Ichigo arched an eyebrow.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"Simple, my brother wants to see you. He says its clan business. What it is, I don't know, but he's been a bit jittery lately. He keeps visiting the picture of my sister, and asks if what he's doing is right. I'm worried about him Ichigo." Rukia said as Yoruichi pondered.
"Well I guess I better go see him then. Don't want to keep Byakuya waiting now do we?" Ichigo asked before turning to his father.
"Be sure to tell Karin and Yuzu that I'm sorry I couldn't be here for their training." Ichigo said with a smile as Isshin smiled back and nodded.
"You bet son. They'll understand." Isshin said as Ichigo and Rukia headed out for the Kuchiki manor.
Meanwhile inside the house…
"Hmm…so what kind of outfit are we looking at here Nel?" Uryu asked the former Tercera Espada. Orihime, Tatsuki, and Chad were present as well.
"Well preferably something that both mimics my old Espada attire…it always was comfy…not like this old thing." Nel said as Uryu sweat dropped.
"One problem…I have no clue what your old Espada uniform looked like." Uryu said as Nel shrugged.
"Well then perhaps…maybe just something that allows plenty of movement. It has to be light and it needs to have pants with legs that go to just above the ankles. Poor Ichigo's so easily embarrassed by such things and I don't want to torture the poor boy." Nel said as Tatsuki threw her head back and laughed.
"He's not so much as embarrassed than he is just trying to be a gentleman…that's one thing I like about that grumpy old strawberry head…he's not into that sort of thing…that we know of at least." Tatsuki said as Orihime pondered. Uryu in the meantime began making sketches.
"Is that why I've never been able to get close to him?" Orihime asked curiously.
"Nah, he's just polite Orihime. He likes you but just as a friend is all. Nel I think he just has a friendship with because she was so small when they first met. He probably didn't expect that Nel could become this bombshell." Tatsuki said as Nel smiled.
"Why thank you Tatsuki." Nel said as a knock came at the doorframe. They turned to see Rangiku Matsumoto standing in the doorway.
"Hey I heard someone needs some new clothes. So I thought I might come along to help." Rangiku said as Nel's face turned serious.
"Isn't there still an alert out for the Ryoka?" Nel asked as Rangiku nodded.
"Yeah but I get so tired looking around and finding nothing so I decided to see if I could crash here for a moment." Rangiku said but as she started to enter, she quickly found the edge of Gamuza pointed to her chin.
"Out of concern for the safety of Ichigo's sisters I must insist that you return to your duty or else I shall be forced to report you to Captain Hitsugaya." Nel ordered softly as everyone looked on in amazement.
"Okay-okay-okay! I'm gone." Rangiku said as she backed away and ran off. Nel silently sheathed Gamuza and turned back to the group.
"Nel? Why did you do that? Rangiku was just trying to be friendly." Orihime said as Nel sighed.
"You don't understand...when I first regained my adult form when facing Nnoitra, I swore a silent oath. My oath was to protect Ichigo for the remainder of his and my days…but not just Ichigo in the physical sense but in the mental and emotional sense as well. If Ichigo's sisters were to be harmed in any way, shape, or form his mental condition would deteriorate beyond your comprehension. My oath was not born from blind adoration but out of a feeling of need…a need to repay his many kindnesses to me when I was trapped in my child form. Granted he may have been annoyed by my antics at times but he still protected me when I was in danger…now I wish to repay that debt by protecting both him and his younger sisters like he protected me. Only now I don't have the limitations of having only a fraction of my original power. Since my mask has nearly healed, I can now use my Zanpakuto to its full power once again. With any luck, I may even get stronger than what I once was." Nel explained as the four in the room listened silently with great intrigue.
"So why did you threaten Rangiku?" Orihime asked.
"Because the Soul Reapers need everyone they can spare to search for these Ryoka, and with any luck they'll defeat them before they can enter the Seireitei and thus pose a risk to Yuzu Kurosaki's life…and Ichigo's wellbeing. I have nothing against Lieutenant Matsumoto but her laziness causes the threat level to increase ever so slightly." Nel replied stoically as Uryu finished his sketch.
"How about this then?" Uryu asked, showing her the sketch.
"I have faith in your abilities Uryu Ishida. Do with it as you please but I ask that you keep my suggestions in mind." Nel replied with a smile as she turned and grabbed a simple white kimono off of a peg by the door before walking out.
"I think repairing her mask might not have been such a good idea." Tatsuki said as Chad shook his head.
"No…she wants to protect Ichigo…even his sisters. She won't turn on him or us. So long as we don't pose a threat to his well being than we are safe." Chad said as Tatsuki sighed.
"She's pretty creepy in this form, but as long as Ichigo's safe, she's happy so that just kinda makes me want to protect him and his sisters even more." Tatsuki said as Orihime and Uryu nodded.
"I agree. Hey let's go watch their training session with the other Soul Reapers!" Orihime suggested.
"Sure why not. It sure beats sitting around here all day." Tatsuki said as she, Orihime, and Chad raced out to watch, leaving Uryu to his sewing.
Later…
All throughout the Seireitei, the Soul Reapers were still scattered in search of the Ryoka but so far no progress had been made. There had been multiple witnesses who had seen the black bulges on the moon at night so there was a valid claim. Many others had seen the Ryoka as well.
At the moment however, Kaichou arrived at the fourth squad med center, leaving her third seat to coordinate the fifth squad's actions and report to her if anything major was happening.
"Ah Retsu, any improvement?" Kaichou asked as Captain Unohana sighed and shook her head.
"No, she hasn't said anything…actually I'm afraid she's getting worse. She had a nightmare last night and the nurses on call reported seeing her using Kido attacks seemingly at random while thrashing about in her sleep and screaming at who they are assuming is Aizen." Unohana said as Kaichou sighed.
"Despite appearances Retsu, this may actually be a good sign. In each of our previous sessions, she refused to say anything negative or derogatory about Aizen, and this dream she had may be her suppressed anger and rage at his betrayal, finally bubbling up to the surface. If that's the case then we may have reached a crucial stage in freeing her of his influence and obsession." Kaichou said as Unohana sighed and nodded.
"If that is your diagnosis, then who am I to stop you?" Unohana asked as Kaichou headed for the door.
"You would be one of my closest friends who is showing concern for her patient, her friend, or both." Kaichou said over her shoulder with a smile before she hung her hat on a peg by the door and entered.
As she did, she saw scorch marks across the walls where the Kido attacks had struck. Momo was sitting up on her bed while quietly staring at the floor.
"Momo? Are you ready to talk about it?" Kaichou asked as Momo looked up with tears building in her eyes and nodded.
"I'm ready Captain Wrangler…" she said tearfully.
"…I'm ready."
End Chapter 19.
Will Momo be freed of her obsession with Aizen? Will she be able to return to active duty? Find out in the next chapter.
Translations…
Guerre Maitrise De La Chateau: War Masters of the Castle
Bleu Sauter: Blue Leap
The Visoreds Wheel of Misfortune
"Hello again folks! Last time we had pre-determined that Chad and Rukia would be switching places and so here we go!!!" Shinji said as the camera quickly pans to a TV where Rukia's sitting at her desk wearing the men's uniform and staring straight ahead.
"Good morning!" Chad said cheerfully as he entered the classroom wearing the female uniform. Fortunately only the other Gigai, Keigo, and Shinji are present.
"Hey ChaaaaaaaaaAAHHHH!!!" Keigo says as he notices Chad's wearing a skirt.
"What the-?! Oh no not again! Yesterday it was Ichigo and Orihime now it's Chad?!?! THE WORLD IS CONSPIRING AGAINST ME!!!" Keigo freaks.
"Why whatever is the problem Keigo?" Chad asked with concern as blood spurt from Keigo's nose and he fell flat on the floor unconscious. The camera then pans away from the screen and back towards the wheel.
"So now that one's done, let's see who our next victims are!" Shinji said as Hiyori reaches for the wheel but as she attempts to spin it, one whole side of the wheel falls flat on the floor as if the whole thing has been cut in half down the center. Behind it stands…
"Hello." Kisuke Urahara.
"WHAT THE HELL!?!? What are you doing here freaky!?" Hiyori growled as she grabbed him by the collar.
"I got an anonymous tip that you two were messing with the Gigai when you should be out protecting the city from the Hollows. So I decided to come put an end to this little mess." Kisuke said as Kensei and Hachi walk past and up the stairs with a vindicated expression.
"(Sigh) Well it was fun while it lasted. Come on Hiyori." Shinji said, grabbing her by the collar and dragging her up the stairs, with her complaining and cussing the whole way up.
Kisuke watches them leave, then quickly grabs the videos Shinji and Hiyori shot and stuffs them in his coat pocket.
"They can't have all the fun now can they?" Kisuke asked the camera before turning it off.
End
