Brought Together Chapter 33:

Takashi's Escape

Ichigo teleported back home. She found everyone in the main room. "Hi minna," she said.

"Ichigo! How did the training go?" Sakura asked.

"Well, Takoi's getting better, but we've got a problem," Ichigo said. "Takashi attacked me, saying he didn't want to take orders from a woman."

"WHAT!?" the others all shouted.

"I sent Takoi to get Kuro-sama, and defeated Takashi by burning his hand, and then Kuro-sama came," Ichigo said. "He says he'll handle Takashi's punishment, and that we should let him and the elders handle it."

"Okay," Pai said. "Did you get hurt?"

"No, but Takashi knocked out Choji and Shiro, and they're at the infirmary," Ichigo said. "Takoi is there to explain what happened."

"I wouldn't have expected that of Takashi," Hayao said. "He didn't used to be a hothead."

"I actually wouldn't have expected it either," Kisshu said. "He always seemed to be fine with Ichigo."

"Maybe he actually wasn't fine with me, but he held it inside for too long," Ichigo suggested. "That could explain why he suddenly exploded like that."

"Well, whatever the reason, I hope the elders come up with a solution," Pai said.

The others nodded, and Yuki and Sakura went off to make dinner. Ichigo and Kisshu went back to their room, and sat down on the bed. "Kisshu, how are you feeling?" Ichigo asked. "You've been up for quite a while now."

"I'm fine," Kisshu said. "I'm not sure I can teleport or fly yet though."

"It shouldn't be too long before you can do that," Ichigo said. "But it will take longer if you start pushing yourself."

"I know, Pai already said that about five times since you left," Kisshu said somewhat irritably.

"Sorry," Ichigo said. "I don't mean to nag, I just worry about you."

"You should worry more about yourself with this whole thing with Takashi," Kisshu said.

"I'll be fine," Ichigo said. "I'm more worried about what might happen if he attacks you next."

"Why?" Kisshu asked.

"Because right now you can't really fight," Ichigo said

"I'll be fine," Kisshu said. "Besides, the elders can handle it."

"I hope so," Ichigo said. "I don't know why, but I feel like something bad will happen soon."

"Can you sense anything else?" Kisshu asked.

Ichigo concentrated, then sighed and shook her head. "I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing," she said.

"Well, we'll just have to let things play out," Kisshu said.

Suddenly they heard voices downstairs, and went down. Kuro-sama was talking with Yuki and Sakura, and an old Cyniclon woman was sitting with Shintaro and Hayao. Pai and Taruto were standing off to the side. Kuro-sama looked up as Kisshu and Ichigo came into the room.

"Good, I needed to talk to you both," Kuro-sama said. "Kisshu, how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling a lot better, thank you Kuro-sama," Kisshu said, bowing.

"Are you able to fight yet?" Kuro-sama asked.

"Not yet, I still can't fly or teleport," Kisshu admitted. "Why?"

"Takashi escaped our custody, and we think he might be out to get both of you," Kuro-sama said grimly. "We were going to exile him to another planet, but he escaped before we could send him off."

"I knew something bad was about to happen," Ichigo said. "What are we going to do now, Kuro-sama?"

"Akiko-sama had a suggestion," Kuro-sama said, motioning to the Cyniclon woman on the sofa. "Akiko-sama, would you care to explain?"

"Hai," the old Cyniclon said. "I think that the expeditionary force should pretend to search for Takashi, but Kisshu and Ichigo should stay here. Takashi will think that the expeditionary force is gone, and see that as an opportunity. Meanwhile, the force will be hidden near the village, and can teleport here easily if one of you calls."

"But if he comes to the village, isn't it a possibility that others may become involved?" Ichigo asked, worried.

"I believe that Takashi will come straight here, and engage you two in battle," Akiko-sama said. "If that happens, the others here can easily get out, and leave you to handle this."

"Alright," Kisshu said. "Do the other members of the force know all this?"

"Hai," Kuro-sama said. "We called them together after Choji and Shiro woke up, and told them the news."

"Okay, then we'll go with the plan Akiko-sama suggested," Kisshu said.

"Good," Kuro-sama said, and teleported with Akiko-sama as the others bowed.

Well, Takashi is loose, so things should get even more interesting. REVIEW!