Chizuru (Whining loudly): It's not fair
Ryo: Deal with it
Rukia: What's her problem?
Ryo: There's no erotic content this chapter, well, there's a mention, but that's it
(Rukia pats Chizuru on the shoulder, and Ryo rolls her eyes)
Rukia: Sorry for your lost, maybe you'll get your fun next chapter
Chizuru (Stares at Rukia, her eyes full of tears): Really?
Rukia (Sweat drops): Um yeah...maybe
(Chizuru starts crying again hearing this, and Rukia sighs helplessly)
Ryo: Okay, Konsu doesn't own Bleach
(Tatsuki walks in the room reading her script, an angry tick in her eyebrow)
Tatsuki: The plot however he does (Tatsuki throws the script down). What the hell is this crap?
(Ryo picks up Tatsuki's script, and skims through it. By the time she was done, she was smirking in amusement)
Ryo: Oh wow, I didn't think you would have to do that, fufu, that's quite cute. The next few chapters should be interesting
Tatsuki: Fuck you (Tatsuki glares at the audience), Chapter start already
Tatsuki was pissed, more than pissed, she was livid. Earlier today, Ichigo, or whatever the thing that was acting as Ichigo, gave her a kiss today after leaving class with Kuchiki earlier. Tatsuki didn't know what irritated her more. The fact Ichigo gave her a kiss or the fact Kuchiki dragged Ichigo off somewhere, and he returned through the window, on the third floor, just to flirt with girls and give her a kiss. After that, things were a blur. It felt as if someone tampered with her memories.
On one hand she beat up Chizuru like usual, and on the other there was trouble with Ichigo in class.
'It was just like the time at Orihime's,'
All of it was strange and irritating. To calm her raging emotions, Tatsuki was at her favorite store reading manga. However, this was useless. And it was all thanks to the one person other than Chizuru, Ichigo, and recently Rukia, who somehow manages to piss her off constantly, who was currently next to her reading one of her porn manga, giggling like an old pervert.
'Come on Tatsuki, calm down, this girl won't get to you this time,'
"Hehehe, oh man, Touma sure knows his way around a lady's body,"
A vein appears in Tatsuki's forehead and hand.
"Sherry is such the little perv; she knows she wants him, look at her masturbating while Touma go at her sister,"
Blood rushes to Tatsuki's reddening cheeks.
"No Sherry, don't enter, you'll stop the action,"
Tatsuki's teeth grind angrily.
"Kya, she's actually joining them, what a twist, so damn kinky,"
Tatsuki pulls on her hair in frustration and points at the girl angrily, her scowl deepening.
"Damn you Yadomaru, why can't you let me read in peace for once?"
Lisa Yadomaru lowers her manga, and glares at Tatsuki. The manga was doing nothing to hide her growing smirk. For four years she teased the girl, and she would openly admit it was fun as hell to do. It became a sort of tradition for them, mostly her, but a tradition nonetheless. It was come to the store, read erotic manga, and tease Tatsuki. Lisa remembers the first time she met the girl. A lot shorter than she was now, scowling like there was no tomorrow. The girl was muttering something about rotten strawberries or something of the sort and how they pissed her off. Lisa didn't know what she was talking about at the time, but the girl was very angry.
Much like today
And like that day, Lisa taps the girl on the forehead, and says these words.
"You shouldn't scowl so much; you'll turn away all the pretty boys and girls if you do,"
And like that day, Tatsuki blushes darkly, and swats her hand away, replying like so.
"Shut the hell up Ero-Four Eyes,"
Also like before, Lisa ruffles Tatsuki's hair smirking broadly, and replies like so.
"You cheeky little brat,"
Tatsuki huffs and backs away, face red in embarrassment. She could hear the whispering of the people in the store. Some were even laughing at her. Most of those laughing were regulars and knew of this tradition that happens twice a week at this particular store.
"Why do you always do that?"
Like always Lisa doesn't provide an answer, and only gives Tatsuki a small coy smile.
"Tch,"
Tatsuki glares at Lisa hard, and for a moment her pupils shrink. Lisa suddenly frowns and closes her manga. Casting Tatsuki a side glance, she saw the girl staring at her intently, eyes wide.
"I have to go Tatsuki, make sure you're not here too late and do your homework,"
Lisa's frown suddenly morphs into a smile hearing Tatsuki's rebuttal.
"Don't lecture me like you're my parent or something,"
"I wouldn't want to be your parent; you take too much effort to look after,"
Lisa walks away, heading for the register to buy her monthly manga.
"Oh shut up and go buy that book of yours before I beat you up,"
This stops Lisa. A new development if she ever saw one. It was time to stir things up; this would really get under that annoying candy selling bastard's skin.
"Beat me up? I would like to see that," Lisa faces the smirking Tatsuki. "I believe the last time you tried to fight me was the day we met,"
"Yeah, and you beat me with a simple judo move, and sat on me with your fat round ass,"
"Fat round ass? So descriptive Tatsuki -chan I didn't know you stared down there,"
Tatsuki splutters, and turns red, very embarrassed now.
"Shut up, you're heavy you cow, heavy, that's what I meant,"
Lisa wasn't going to let that one go, and her eyes narrow dangerously. She was going to take it easy on the girl, but not now, now she had an ass kicking coming. No one, not even that idiot Shinji called her fat.
"That's it you little brat, you, me, outside, now,"
Tatsuki punches her fist, grinning like a mad woman.
"I've been waiting to take you down a few notches Yadomaru,"
XxXxXxXxXx
- Kunieda Dojo -
- Two Hours Later -
"Focus Ryo,"
"I am Grandfather,"
"Stop talking,"
"Yes Grandfather,"
"What did I just tell you?"
Ryo falls silent.
"Do it again,"
Ryo breathes in deeply. The girl's vision was clouded in darkness. She stood in the dojo, surrounded by many wooden dolls. Covering Ryo's eyes, was a long black cloth acting as a blindfold, and in her hands was a long wooden sword. Off to the side stood her grandfather, he watching her intently, checking her stance and smiles seeing her stance was flawless. Both were clad in their training uniforms, consisting of a simple black and white kimono.
Ryo's Grandfather suddenly begins speaking, nearly knocking Ryo out of her concentration.
"Ryo, our family lives by the sword and die by the sword. The times are changing, and our family is slowly losing its place in this world. However, this is why our family relocated in Karakura. As you have noticed, this city is swarming with spiritual activity, leaving us with plenty of work,"
Ryo rolls her eyes, and is nearly knocked off her feet by a strong gust of wind.
"Don't be disrespectful when I am speaking Ryo,"
"So I can be disrespectful when you're not speaking,"
Whack
"Don't hit me with your sword,"
WHACK
"Stop it,"
Whack, whack, whack
This time Ryo stays silent, her arms and legs aching like hell.
"As I was saying," Starts her grandfather, but Ryo tunes him out, her mind slowing wondering to a familiar orange-haired fool. A small smile forms, giving her grandfather the impression that she was smiling at his lecture, making him smile.
'She's finally finding interest in my lectures, I'm so happy,'
Later on he would be very disappointed when he questions her on his lecture, and when she couldn't answer possibly, he would whack her with his sword again, and have her go out on a ten mile jog for added punishment.
XxXxXxXxXx
- Honsho Household -
- One Hour Later -
"Chizuru dear can you grab four gallons of milk from the store?"
"I just came back from the hospital, I'm still swore,"
"We're you swore when I walked in on you with that nurse,"
No answer
"Get going, and make sure you grab the good stuff,"
"Fine,"
Chizuru stomps out the house, cursing her milk loving more to hell. Slamming the door shut, she grins hearing her mother's shout.
"CHIZURU!"
Laughing, Chizuru hurries down the stairs, knowing her mother would chase after her if she was too slow in escaping. She runs for two blocks straight, not stopping until she was sure the close was clear. Taking a chance glance back, Chizuru sighs in relief not seeing the demon woman, and a thought crosses her mind as she wipes the invisible sweat from her forehead.
'Is it possible to be tired, yet not tired...what's going on?'
It was strange. Chizuru was exhausted, and yet she wasn't. The way her body was reacting, it felt like she took a short walk to the bathroom if anything. But her mind was telling her she was exhausted, making her sweat, huff, and puff like she ran a marathon.
'How do I even realize this?'
Chizuru shakes her head slowly, needing to put it out her mind. But what she saw next, made Chizuru question everything right and sane with the world.
"Um,"
A large man wearing glasses and an apron was carrying Ryo and Tatsuki over his shoulders, the two dead to the world, walking down the street, ignoring the few stares being sent his way. The man stops hearing her, and slowly turns her way. Chizuru in response turns away, she breaking out in a cold sweat.
'Ignore it, ignore it, ignore it and go home,'
Taking a step forward, Chizuru bumps in a man, a man with a bucket hat, a man wearing wooden sandals, a man holding a fan, a very irritating man giving Chizuru a mysterious smirk. Before Chizuru could say a word, she's knocked unconscious by a soft tap to the forehead by the man's cane.
"Whoa there, don't need you falling there; I'm already in enough trouble as it is,"
The man, Kisuke Urahara catches Chizuru's falling body, and grins. Lifting the girl, he gives the black cat glaring at him from a nearby roof a small smile.
"I'll be using her for a bit, I expect you to bring me the other one,"
Urahara and his assistant, Tessai vanishes via shunpo, and Yoruichi glares in the direction the two ran off in.
"Did he...just, no, Kisuke isn't stupid enough to speak to me in such a manner,"
Urahara better pray Yoruichi thought wrong, or he be in serious trouble for that comment.
XxXxXxXxXx
- ? -
- Midnight -
"Ugh, my head is pounding. Who the hell hit me?"
Rukia rubs her head, glaring around, wondering what was going on. One minute she's climbing in her bed in the closet, ignoring Kon and Ichigo, the next, she sees a cat in her bed, and then nothing. Crossing her legs, Rukia rubs her chin thoughtfully.
'Hmm, there was something suspicious about that cat,'
"Why do I have a feeling you just thought something incredibly stupid Kuchiki?"
Rukia glances up to see Tatsuki standing over her; she too rubs her head, and her arm, and then her stomach. Now that she notices it, Tatsuki had cuts and bruises all over her pretty little body.
"And what happen to you?" Rukia asks, ignoring Tatsuki's earlier words. "Looks like someone beat you up pretty bad,"
Instead of retorting like Rukia expected Tatsuki to do, the girl only crosses her arms and huffs, pouting, actually pouting.
"Shut up,"
"Where the hell are we?"
"Like I should know,"
Rukia glances around curiously. From the looks of things, it seems they were in some kind of grassy plane. There wasn't a tree in sight, only tall grass which seems to travel for miles. The sky was sunny, and was filled with very little clouds. Rukia didn't recognize the area at all.
"Okay, where is this place? We're not in Karakura," Mumbles Tatsuki. 'And yet I can still,' Tatsuki closes her eyes. In her mind, she saw a familiar light burning brightly, pulsating with life. It was close, yet so very distant, confusing the hell out of her.
Rukia stands, and starts walking in a random direction.
"And where are you going?"
Rukia answers without stopping.
"Don't know, but standing around doing nothing will get us nowhere,"
"And walking off in some random direction will,"
"Yep,"
"Even if it means our possible death,"
"Yep,"
Tatsuki sighs and quickly catches up to Rukia. Falling in pace with the girl, Tatsuki folds her arms behind her head and glares at the sky, and speaks to the midget shinigami.
"I must be stupid following you,"
"You're stupid either way Tatsuki,"
"Shut the hell up before I step on you,"
XxXxXxXxXx
- ? -
"Why you hit me?"
"Because you groped me,"
"How did you know that?"
"Because you just told me,"
Crack
"Ouch, why is it always the head with you?"
Silence
"Ryo where are we?"
"I don't know,"
"It's scary here,"
"It's not that scary,"
"Yes it is,"
"Please be silent Chizuru,"
Ryo didn't like this at all.
"This is insane Ryo,"
Ryo fully agrees with this. The two stood on a lone rock pillar, surrounded by blazing hot red flames. Below them was a sea of lava, and the heat was unbearable. But despite this, she and Chizuru were fairing well. Ryo knew the only reason why she was conscious was because of her training, but Chizuru, she couldn't explain why she was even standing, much less sweating even less than she.
"Looks like our only way to escape this hell...is to leap,"
Chizuru couldn't help but stare at Ryo stupidly. She did not just suggest they leap on those dangerously unstable looking pillars, across a sea of lava, just to reach that tiny ledge in the distance, possibly ending in their deaths after the first jump.
"No way in hell," Chizuru crosses her arms over her chest in an X. "I'm not doing it, I refuse to die,"
Ryo stares at Chizuru for a long moment. Tilting her head to the side slowly, she leers at her friend.
"Is that so?"
Chizuru knew that tone of voice, she knew it from anywhere. It was the same cold, deadly voice she used when they first met, after she groped her ass a few times. She could remember the words she said back that.
"You have guts,"
Chizuru shivers and tries crawling away, but was grabbed roughly by the back of her collar.
"Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop Ryo, stop please," Cries Chizuru helplessly as Ryo hoists her over her shoulder.
Ryo gives the wailing Chizuru a small smirk. "Hold on tightly," Ryo bends her knees, causing Chizuru's screams to increase in volume. Chuckling a bit at Chizuru's despair, Ryo leaps off the pillar, it crumbling the moment her foot leaves it. A bit stun at this, she lands on the second pillar and immediately leaps off it feeling it crumbling under the sudden weight.
'This is...quite dangerous,' Thought Ryo slowly, a bit of sweat dripping down her head.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Screams Chizuru hysterically.
Blowing out a bit of air, Ryo idly juggles the idea of dropping Chizuru in the lava below to silence her, but scraps the idea quickly.
'If she dies, class will be quite boring, and I'm sure Tatsuki will be upset,'
Ryo giggles at the thought as she leaps over the many pillars, trying to escape the lava hell she and Chizuru were in.
XxXxXxXxXx
- ? -
- Tatsuki & Rukia -
"How much grass is in this place," Tatsuki pulls on her hair. "Don't tell me it's endless,"
"Seems that way," Rukia stares at her Soul Society cell phone, trying to get a signal from the Soul Society, but was getting nothing. 'Damn, this isn't good. If I can't signal the Soul Society, then there's only one place we can possibly be,' Rukia glares at the sky seeing nothing but the blazing sun in the sky. 'But this is nothing like I thought it would be. Is this really Hueco Mundo?' Rukia seriously doubts this, because not a single hollow have attacked them yet.
"What was that?"
Rukia stops, suddenly hearing Tatsuki's confused, almost scared voice.
"What?"
Rukia glances back to see Tatsuki glancing around wildly, her eyes wide, pupils shrunk, reminding Rukia of Chizuru for a brief moment.
"You don't feel it, it's such a terrible feeling," Rukia wonders what Tatsuki was talking about. "Is it there? Is it coming where that bright red light is shining from?" This time Rukia doesn't hide her dubious stare.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"That red light, it's just like yours only brighter, more intense, similar to Ichigo's, but not as intense...it's like yours," Tatsuki knew it sounded crazy, because it sounded crazy even to her. "And there's something else," Tatsuki's eyes narrow seeing a black light slowly growing within the red one. "A black light?" The light was familiar; it was similar to the black aura Lisa gave off, just not as strong.
But something about the black light was strange, very strange. Breaking out in a nervous sweat, Tatsuki wasn't sure if she wanted to go in that direction any longer. But she couldn't ignore it. Never in her life has she ever felt such a thing. It was powerful, it was deadly, it was cold and hollow, and strangely, it felt like her.
'But what do I feel like and why do I know that?'
Tatsuki didn't know, but she wanted answers, and the only way to get them was to go towards the light. She just hopes she doesn't die from doing so. Taking off in a quick sprint, she surprises Rukia, not just because of her sudden run, but because of the strange shift in her spiritual pressure.
'What was that, it almost felt like...a hollow?'
Now more worried than curious, Rukia chases after Tatsuki, who was quite a distance away.
"Damn she runs fast,"
XxXxXxXxXx
- ? -
- Chizuru & Ryo -
"Come on Chizuru,"
"No way, you're evil,"
"Never mind that, at least we made it out,"
"You're not denying your evil,"
Ryo rubs her head and speaks in monotone, scaring the hell out Chizuru.
"I'm not evil,"
"Liar, I heard you laughing at me,"
This was quickly becoming frustrating, and Ryo levels Chizuru with a cold glare.
"I'm leaving, you can stay in this hell forest if you wish," Ryo walks away, not having the patience to put up with Chizuru's foolishness.
"Go see if I care, I wouldn't want to be around an evil cold cucumber demon like you anyway,"
Chizuru huffs and leans against the cold rocky wall of the cave. It was comfortable and strangely cold, much different from the blazing hell that was the Hell Forest. Every tree was on fire, even the grass, and the air was very hot, even hotter than it was inside the lava cavern. It was scary, it truly was. It didn't help that the sky was red and the clouds were an ominous black. The only place not lit in flames was the dirt trail Ryo walked off in. If Chizuru didn't know any better, she would think she was in hell.
'But that's impossible, hahaha; I couldn't possibly be in hell,'
Chizuru blinks seeing an old wooden sign on the ground. Crawling over to it, Chizuru reads over it. Glasses sliding a bit off her face, Chizuru screams loudly.
"WE'RE REALLY IN HELL!"
On the sign, in faded writing were these words;
Welcome to Hell
This is Blaze Forest, the Hottest Forest in Hell
The Deeper you go, the Hotter it becomes
Enjoy your stay you feisty demons
And Remember to Burn off all your worries
Hahahaha
To the Humans
Try not to die
Hahahaha
And drawn crudely on the sign was the face of a strange man wearing a bucket hat, something Chizuru notices, but doesn't question, because she was running after Ryo, screaming her lungs out.
"RYO WE'RE IN HELL!"
Further ahead, Ryo stops hearing Chizuru's shouts. Wiping her head of the sweat quickly forming, Ryo glances back to see Chizuru waving her arms dramatically, running for her like a maniac. Blowing out air once more, Ryo forces back a smile, and waits for Chizuru. But a terribly feeling suddenly washes over her senses. Snapping her head in the direction she was walking, Ryo could feel it, an awful power, two of them. Ryo pales feeling the powers drawing close.
Chizuru skids to a stop, her pupils shrinking. Someone or something was after her life, she could sense it. Chizuru's mind suddenly goes blank, and she thinks the same words over and over again.
'Danger, danger, danger, danger, danger,'
A strong gust of wind blows, causing the flames to blow near them. Ryo cries out a bit and backs up against Chizuru who did the same. Ryo closes her eyes, trying to protect them, and she knew this was a mistake when she felt the edge of a blade at her neck. A familiar laugh is heard, and the voice speaks, it cold, malicious, and strangely sadistic.
"Fufufu, didn't grandfather always say, never close your eyes when danger and killing intent is in the air, because when you do, it may be your last?"
A strong hand grabs Chizuru by the neck and lifts her slowly. A gasps escapes Chizuru, she returning to normal, and she claws desperately at the hand holding her. Eyes watering, she glares down at the one killing her, but was honestly surprised and scared at who she saw.
'Im...impossible,'
XxXxXxXxXx
- ? -
- Rukia & Tatsuki -
"This...isn't real, we must be dreaming,"
"What in the world?"
Standing across from Tatsuki and Rukia were...them, except with a few interesting differences. The other Rukia was clad in a black robe with a sword attached to her waist, while the tips of the Other Tatsuki's hair was white, eyes were a fierce gold, and she was wearing a strange dark smirk. She was dressed in Tatsuki's school uniform, except it was black and white. The Other Tatsuki waves her finger at Tatsuki mockingly, and speaks, her voice having a strange echo.
"Sorry, but this isn't a dream, it's what we call, um, what's that word, reality,"
The Shinigami Rukia suddenly speaks; anger and disgust clear in her voice.
"Aren't you ashamed to be in such a body? Aren't you the least bit ashamed that you gave your powers to some human?" The Shinigami Rukia scowls at Rukia, who was scowling back. "I'm sure Niisama wouldn't mind if your life should end here, it would save him the embarrassment in seeing what shame you brought the Kuchiki Clan," Rukia shivers at the thought and Shinigami Rukia draws her zanpakuto.
Tatsuki's eyes were stuck on Shinigami Rukia. The repulsive aura she felt from before was coming from her. The repulse feeling only grew at what Rukia's twin did next.
"Dance,"
Rukia takes a step back, not believing her eyes or senses.
"No, you can't,"
Other Rukia only laughs and finishes her saying, releasing her zanpakuto.
"Sode no Shirayuki!"
The Shinigami Rukia grins arrogantly and hoists her white zanpakuto over her shoulders; much like Ichigo does on occasion.
"Are you ready Rukia?"
The Other Tatsuki falls in a stance, her eyes darkening.
"Tatsuki, prepare yourself!"
Tatsuki however didn't hear her other self. Her blazing gold eyes were trained on Shinigami Rukia. The strongest urge overcomes Tatsuki, the very same urge she felt briefly when fighting and losing horribly to Lisa earlier. She wanted to kill Shinigami Rukia, wanted to rip her apart and eat her soul.
'Eat her soul, kill her, eat her soul, kill her, eat her soul, devour it whole,'
Tatsuki's spiritual pressure shifts, causing Rukia's eyes to widen in alarm, and the Other Tatsuki to grin in delight.
"That's it,"
The Other Tatsuki shouts joyously and charges Tatsuki. The Shinigami Rukia throws Rukia a smirk and charges also.
"Shit,"
Rukia throws out her arms, aiming her palms at the two charging doppelgangers, and cries out, the ring on her left finger flaring to life.
"Bakudo 9: Geki!"
XxXxXxXxXx
- Urahara Shop -
- The Urahara Group -
"Owner is this really okay?"
"It's fine; they're only facing mirrors,"
"Mirrors or not, it's still dangerous Kisuke,"
"Not you too Yoruichi-san,"
Urahara, Yoruichi, Tessa, Jinta Hanakari, and Ururu watches a large Flat screen HD 52 in TV, showing the four girls facing off against their doubles in two separate screens.
"I would have used hollows, but Yoruichi-san was very convincing on why I shouldn't do such a thing," The shop owner laughs, his face full of bruises. "But this way is more effective. To have these girls face their strengths and weaknesses will advance their powers," Urahara stares at the clock on the wall. "Eight hours before school starts, let's see how far they get along during that time," A small chuckle escapes Urahara, he watching the battles in anticipation.
Yoruichi lowers her head, her eyes focusing on Chizuru who was being choked by her mirror.
"Kisuke, don't make me regret trusting you,"
Urahara doesn't provide Yoruichi with an answer, but he does give her a small glance, and tilts his hat down. Focusing on the screen once more, Urahara's eyes trail not on Chizuru, but Tatsuki, and he hums thoughtfully.
'I've already seen what Honsho-san can do, let's see what you're capable of Arisawa-san, I'm sure you'll surprise me,'
Feeling something familiar, Urahara glances out the window to see Lisa watching the TV from outside. For a moment the girl's eyes fall on him, and his expression darkens as does hers.
'I sure do cause a lot of problems for people, oh well, everything will work out in the end, besides, and this is only the first stage of the game,'
The first stage, the Stage of Mirrors is underway, and there were two more to go. The Stage of Nightmares and the final stage, the Stage of the Soul, were the two remaining stages. A game of stages, created by the shop owner to test the might of the four girls, but it wasn't just that. Two of those girls were important to him and were important to one another in ways they would never imagine.
"Kuku,"
Urahara's low dark chuckle rings through Yoruichi's sharp ears, and her eyes snaps on him, his attention focus entirely on the screen. Yoruichi's eyes seem to glow as she turns her eyes on the screen as well, and watches Chizuru be thrown through a tree, while Ryo is kneed in the back, followed by a powerful sword slash across the back. On the other half of the screen, Shinigami Rukia counters Rukia's bakudo with a quick hado spell, knocking her back. The Other Tatsuki charges the still motionless Tatsuki, and gives her one vicious punch to the stomach, knocking the air and lunch right out of her, forcing her to the ground on her knees, back to her senses.
Urahara hums, and Yoruichi's scowl darkens, the two thinking similar, yet entirely different thoughts.
'I'm liking/hating this development,'
Tatsuki (Sighing): Great, I've been abandon to this story for good
Chizuru: Don't say that, I'm sure you'll get another one out there
Ryo: Shouldn't we be talking about the chapter
Rukia: I didn't really see much happening other than us getting our asses kicked
Chizuru: Don't forget my successful groping of a sleeping Ryo
Ryo (Leers at Chizuru and draws a sword): Yeah, I owe you one
(Chizuru yelps and runs away from the roaring Ryo)
Tatsuki: That Urahara guy is pretty scary
Rukia: Nah, I think he's just insane
Tatsuki: Insane people are scary
Rukia: Right, right