Brought Together Chapter 38:
Almost the End
The force teleported back to the village with Takashi's body. Once there, they went to the Elder's meetinghouse. Ichigo knocked on the door, and they heard Kuro-sama say, "Come in!"
They obeyed, and were greeted by Kuro-sama and the rest of the Council. Takoi was there as well, as were Emi, Hana and Claw. "Is Takashi dead?" Kuro-sama asked.
"Hai," Kisshu said. "Ichigo killed him."
Kuro-sama sighed, but said, "Thank you, Ichigo. I see now that he would have become a greater danger if we allowed him to live, but I am still saddened by his behavior."
"I'm just glad it worked out," Ichigo said. "Are you all right, Kuro-sama?"
"Yes, he only used sleeping powder on me," Kuro-sama said. "Thank you all for saving me and Emi."
"It was no trouble," Kisshu said. "You really should be thanking Choji, he got you out of there."
Kuro-sama smiled and said, "You are correct. Choji, you have my gratitude."
Choji turned slightly pink, and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Kuro-sama."
Ichigo turned to Emi. "Emi, are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine, Ichi!" Emi said.
Hana smiled slightly and said, "I can't thank you all enough for saving Emi."
"We were glad to help," Takoi said. "Claw, you were great too."
"Me?" Claw asked.
"Yeah, you carried Emi all the way back here," Takoi said.
"Thank you Claw!" Emi said. "I love you!"
"Thanks, Emi," Claw said.
Emi smiled and hugged Claw.
"We have to tell Takashi's parents about this," Kisshu said.
"Very well," Kuro-sama said. "Kisshu, Ichigo, I want you to handle that. The rest of the force can tell the Council what happened."
Kisshu and Ichigo bowed and teleported out. They went to Takashi's house, and knocked on the door. It was opened by Mikan, who said, "Did something else happen?"
"Hai," Kisshu said. "Takashi kidnapped Mikani Emi and Kuro-sama, and when we went after them, he attacked us again."
"Takashi kidnapped Kuro-sama?" asked Mikan, shocked.
"Hai," Ichigo said. "I believe he wanted leverage in order to kill me."
"We've come to inform you that Takashi is dead," Kisshu said. "We're sorry for your loss, but we hope you understand that what he did was unforgivable, and that his death was a necessity, not a random decision."
"If he kidnapped Kuro-sama, even I, as his mother, cannot forgive that," Mikan replied. "He was raised to know better, and I deeply apologize for this whole affair. Are Kuro-sama and Emi alright?"
"Hai, they're both fine," Ichigo said. "Neither one was injured."
"That's a relief," Mikan said.
"I agree," Kisshu said. "We need to get back now, but we will inform you of the decisions surrounding Takashi's burial."
"Thank you," Mikan said.
Kisshu and Ichigo nodded and teleported back to the Council's meetinghouse. The rest of the force was gone, but Emi, Hana and Claw were still there, as were Kuro-sama and Akiko-sama.
"How did they take the news?" Kuro-sama asked.
"Mikan said that she apologizes for this whole thing, and that she recognizes that Takashi's actions are unforgivable," Ichigo said. "We didn't see Dimaru, but I'm sure she'll tell him."
"Good," Kuro-sama said. "I heard about the battle from the rest of the force, and I'm impressed by your new power, Ichigo."
"Thank you, Kuro-sama," Ichigo said. "If it's all the same, I'd prefer not to use it too much, though. I prefer using one sword, and that attack required two."
"That's fine," Kuro-sama said. "It's unlikely you would need to use something like that again anyways. I think that's all, so you both may take Emi, Hana and Claw home."
"Thank you," Kisshu and Ichigo said, bowing. Then they and Hana, Emi and Claw walked out into the sunshine, headed for home.
The next chapter will be the last, and it'll be the usual timeskip thing. If you've got ideas, please review or PM me, since I'll post the next chapter tomorrow. Enjoy this one!
