Ok. I've been working on hammering out the droll details of the start of this story and this is the second installment. For those of you who have been reading my other story, yeah, you can see that this is a prequel to it. I didn't intend it to start that way but it just worked itself out like that.
Chapter 2 - More Introductions
As she pushed open the door to the café, a small bell hung over the door let out a merry tinkle to signal their entry. She looked up at the source of the sound, smiling in delight. Ulquiorra pushed her forward when he saw that she was about to close the door to open it again. He wasn't happy about entering the café with her and was already annoyed enough. At the feel of his hand pushing her forward, she turned around, a peeved look on her face.
"Just go in," he said quietly.
She turned back to the café, the little bell having done its job as it gained the attention of those already inside. She smiled at everyone whose eyes were drawn to the door by the bell's sound. Ulquiorra chanced a glance over at the table he knew the girl would be at with her father. Just as he feared, she had a bewildered look on her face, confusion written all over it.
He had talked to her a few times when he would bump into her when he came to town; he had never mentioned Sachiel to her. He gave her a slight nod of acknowledgement before steering Sachiel to an empty table. He held the chair for her, pushing a little too hard when he scooted it forward as she sat. Sachiel didn't seem to notice as she lay the money bag down in front of her, her hands grabbing the laminated menu that sat in the stand in the center of the table. Ulquiorra took a seat across from her.
He glanced at the girl again, relieved to see her smile at him before turning back to her father.
A large glass of tea was set before him, another in front of Sachiel whose eyes grew wide as she took in the size of the glass, condensation running down the sides to signify it's cold state as if the large chunks of ice weren't indication enough.
"Raspberry tea's on the menu today," the young woman said to them with a smile. "You gonna have the usual, Ulquiorra?" she asked him.
"The usual," Sachiel asked, breaking her gaze from the tall, cold glass in front of her.
He gave her a droll look, letting her know that he was close to losing patience. "Yes, the usual," he answered. "I usually get the barbecue ribs that they make here. And yes, Amber, I will have the usual."
"That sounds good," Sachiel said. "I'll have that too." She placed the menu back in its holder, staring at it as if it were going to attack her at any moment.
Truth be told, she couldn't read what the menu said. The shapes of the letters threw her off. She was able to speak languages fluently in a short amount of time if she learned the basics of it. But speaking and reading were two different things in her mind.
"Your hair is so pretty," the waitress suddenly said, a hand reaching out to touch the fiery red and gold curls. "Do you have it done like that?"
Sachiel gave the woman a surprised look that someone would actually try to touch her without invitation. "N…no…it's natural," she answered, leaning slightly away from the woman. She didn't look affected by Sachiel pulling away from her, her hand finding a strand of curls, rubbing it between her fingers. "It's so soft…"
"You sure are lucky," Amber said. "I know women who pay lotta money to get their hair to look like that."
That caught Sachiel's attention. "Speaking of paying for services, do you know any contractors who might be interested in work," she asked the waitress.
"What kind?"
"Remodeling."
"Electricity installation," Ulquiorra added.
"Well you're in luck," Amber answered. "Hey, Rob!"
The stocky man sitting with the girl looked up from his dinner, eyebrows up in surprise. Sachiel noted that his eyebrows didn't separate but rather, ran together in a thick mess across his forehead. "Caterpillars," she thought to herself.
Amber pointed downward toward the table. "These folks would like to talk to you," she said, turning away to place their order.
Sachiel and Ulquiorra watched the man as he wiped his hands on a napkin before coming over to their table.
"Heya," he smiled to them.
"Hey yourself," Sachiel answered. "You can help with remodeling and electricity?"
"Yeah," he said, looking at Ulquiorra for a minute. "Aren't you the guy Jo talks to?"
Ulquiorra looked up in surprise. He didn't know that other people knew about their talking to each other. "Yes, we've talked a few times."
"Thought so. She was kinda sad to see you have a girlfriend."
"Dad!" they heard from across the room, said girl sliding low in her chair.
"What?" he yelled back. Sachiel laughed while Ulquiorra choked slightly on the tea he was sipping.
"What's so funny," the man asked, turning back toward them.
"I'm his sister," Sachiel said after composing herself.
"Hey Jo! She's his sister, you dork," the man said back to the girl who at that moment was wishing that the ground would swallow her up.
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After eating their dinner with their guests, Sachiel already felt infinitely better. Not only were plans underway to add electricity to their home but Rob had also known of someone who could help with the additions. He had mentioned that before her offer of work, he had been concerned about money, considering going back to the oil fields in the ocean to help out his family. He told Sachiel that she had literally saved his butt.
As a gesture of good faith, she had given him a thousand dollars for which she received a promise that he would at their homestead in the morning with his brother in law for estimates on what she wanted done.
"That ..was very productive," Sachiel mused out loud. She walked beside Ulquiorra, her hands locked behind her head as she looked up at the clear azure blue sky. Ulquiorra said nothing, his thoughts drifting to the animated young girl who had shared their table. Despite her choice of clothing, she wasn't as introverted as he was; vivacious was a better word. She was curious enough that she speculated on many things and didn't fear voicing her opinion. He should have been annoyed by her, yet he found himself intrigued on the workings of her mind. She was hiding something, though; he couldn't put his finger on it but he knew it was there.
She had talked about her aunt, her father's sister, and her recurring illness that had brought them to the desert. Her family was part of the same prominent family for which the town was named. They had land here and a small ranch. Jo had said that her aunt had paid a heavy price for something long ago, which led to her current ill health. Was that the reason for the dual auras he felt from her? She had power, immense spiritual power that she kept well contained.
She had also stated that she would be coming with her father in the morning. Ulquiorra could feel a touch of excitement at seeing her…and slight nervousness. He mentally scoffed at himself for feeling such a way.
"She likes you," Sachiel said, breaking the silence.
"You don't know that."
"It's only painfully obvious."
He felt a little pleased at the knowledge that she liked him. He shrugged it off, though. Despite the fact that he no longer had the markings he did in his arrancar form so that he was more passable as a human, he was still an arrancar.
"Humans would not be interested in me," he said.
"You like her, too."
"Again, your powers of observation are weak and lacking."
"You think I didn't notice you watching her?"
He said nothing, merely kept walking toward their homestead.
"Well…for your information, Mr. Icicle," she said. "She is who we have to save."
As his brain processed that bit of information, he stopped, his bright green eyes staring at her for a moment. "She is in danger?"
"In more ways than one. She has two souls inside her."
"I knew of a human like that," he said as he turned to continue walking.
Sachiel looked at him curiously. "Really? They are rare," she said. "However, this soul is not her own. It's boosting her actual soul which is much weaker."
"So that's what I sensed," he said. "I thought she was hiding something."
"It takes a very strong spiritual master to be able to perform a spell like that," Sachiel mused out loud. "I wonder who did that to her."
They walked in silence for a bit longer, passing a small car dealership. Ulquiorra gave them a cursory glance as did Sachiel until they reached the end of the lot where a deep green vehicle caught her eye. She stopped, taking in the color as she admired the vehicle. Ulquiorra noted the look of longing in her eyes. He didn't know if she knew how to drive but he remembered. He took a hold of her arm, surprising the woman; he motioned with his head toward the dealership.
"Do you know how to drive," he asked her.
She smiled brightly, nodding to him.
"Then let's see about getting a vehicle," he said to her, walking toward the small building in the center of the lot.
A man came out, a smile plastered on his face. He was lanky and tall, wearing indigo washed jeans and a crisp looking western shirt in brown and cream. He donned a black cowboy hat as he approached them to shield his eyes from the sun.
"I seen you looking at the jeep," he said as he got closer, his hand extended.
"We'd like to take a look at it," Ulquiorra answered, ignoring the man's hand.
"Got a few people interested in it," the man said, the man's eyes watching the pair to judge their reaction.
Ulquiorra wasn't falling for it. "I doubt that," he said, causing the man's smile to slip a bit.
"You got me," he chuckled. "Can't blame me for trying. Wanna take a look, you said? I've got the key right here." He fished the key out of his pant pocket.
He led them to the vehicle and after a bit of haggling, the man handed over the keys and the title to the vehicle. He was given a promissory note by Ulquiorra to take to the bank for payment, verified over the phone by the car dealer that the funds were available.
Ulquiorra drove them back to the small cabin after Sachiel couldn't get the vehicle going. She had jumped into the vehicle after they got the keys, only to jump right back out at the hot leather that touched her bare legs. The salesman chuckled at her actions, Ulquiorra merely rolling his eyes.
After messing with the knobs, Sachiel found the air conditioning and managed to turn it on. Despite the open air of the vehicle, Sachiel relished in the feel of the cold air as it combined with the warmer.
"This definitely beats walking," she said, to which Ulquiorra agreed with a nod of his head. Though he still could have used his sonido ability like he did when he went to town, he opted against it since he doubted Sachiel could move as he did.
He again had the feeling of being watched, as he did when they first arrived in the desert. He wasn't sure if the watcher was human or not, friendly or not. He also didn't know Sachiel's abilities, though he was sure they probably surpassed his own if the aura she gave off was any indication.
"Do you contain your aura," he asked her.
"It's tamped down quite a bit," she answered, her eyes fixed on the desert that passed them.
"So, the spiritual pressure you give off…" he started to ask.
She looked over at him, his unfinished question clicking in her mind. "Nine five percent of my spiritual energies are kept in check at all times," she answered. "Part of my punishment is that I cannot access my full abilities or energies."
"How much are you allowed," he questioned, noting that she already felt as powerful as himself.
"Twenty five percent," she answered. "About five to seven percent cannot be contained at all. So what you're feeling from me is merely a fraction of my allowance."
His eyes widened slightly. At twenty five percent and at the current level she gave off, she was indeed more powerful that any creature he knew. Her current state would hold her at what would be his second form. His third form only increased his abilities three times his second. At one hundred percent, she would truly be an unstoppable force.
"Stop the vehicle," she suddenly shouted.
He did, turning to her to ask why but she was already out, running full speed toward the river. He followed her slowly, wondering at what had her so excited. He noted the wild iris that were in full bloom on the sandy bank, other vegetation around them. He kept walking, reaching the same area as she was in, a squeal of delight reaching his ears as he watched her bounce excitedly.
She dropped to her knees, immediately breaking the flowered stalks off just above the root. She made a nice pile, moving to some of the other plants, carefully extracting them with the dirt still around the roots.
When she was finished, she removed her shirt, using it as a makeshift bag to place the plants in. Ulquiorra immediately turned away, not wanting to show the blush spreading across his cheeks at the sight of her in her bra.
"What are you doing," he asked.
"Gathering materials," she answered, tying up the shirt.
"I can see that. My question is why."
"Soaps."
"They have those in town."
"But I like my soaps."
He began to walk back to the car, Sachiel holding her plant filled shirt close to her chest. They rode back to the shack like that, Ulquiorra not looking in her direction as they walked into the small house.
Sachiel set her bundle down, going to her room to get another shirt before taking the stalks and plants out to the kitchen area. She fed the slowly dying fire, bring it to a good blaze before taking one pot out to the falls, filling it and setting it over the fire. She took another and repeated the process. As she left them to boil, she took the stalks and plants to the river, washing them off.
Ulquiorra sat at the table, absently munching his chips as he watched her slice the stalks, adding them to one pot before adding the rest of the plants to the other. She left long enough to retrieve bag from her room. She pulled out several vials, inspecting them before selecting the ones she wanted. As the water boiled, Ulquiorra began to smell the various herbs, their scent filling the air with an earthiness that was pleasing to the senses. Sachiel took two vials, adding several drops to the first pot before adding some powder to the second along with a few drops of a red viscous liquid.
The sweet scents of hyacinth, lilac, roses and sakura blossoms began to permeate the air.
"There," she murmured. Turning to Ulquiorra, she smiled brightly. "Now to let them boil down so that they attain the right viscosity.
"Where…where did you learn to do this," he asked.
"My cousin Rose," she answered. "She taught me all about herbs. We don't have places to really buy soap at a moment's notice, so she also taught me this aside from the healing poultices, ointments and other stuff."
"You came from a rather primitive world, didn't you?"
"Oh no…not by any means are we really primitive. As I said, my world was constantly filled with struggle, war," she answered. "You're born into war and many of us die in war. Yes, we use crossbolts, swords, other machinery, but we also have magic."
"Magic?"
"I explained this to you."
"I don't recall. Can you show me your abilities?"
"Now?"
"We have nothing better to do."
"Alright."
With that, she walked out of the kitchen area, Ulquiorra following. They stopped by the river, the ground there as even and flat as it was going to get.
"You don't have a sword," she said to him. "That's alright. I won't use one either."
"That won't be a problem?"
"Nope," she answered, getting into a fighting stance. To Ulquiorra's trained eyes, he could see that it was a perfect defensive stance. A slight crouch, one fist higher than the other, the lower one to guard.
"Attack me," she said.
He did.
He used sonido to get close, his fist flying toward her head. He didn't see her arms move but felt her guard hand knock his fist aside, the heel of her other hand came up, connecting painfully with his chin before he could dodge. The force of the blow pushed his head back.
"You're slow," she said.
He came at her again, this time ready for her attack. His eyes widened in shock as she disappeared, pain exploding throughout his body as he felt her blow connect with his kidneys. He didn't stop. Swinging his fist behind him, she blocked him before spinning quickly, her foot kicking toward his ribs on the other side. He moved in enough time to avoid the blow.
What he didn't expect was the feel of her leg wrap around his neck, one leg raised upward as she used her momentum to drive the heel into his chest. She kept the momentum going, the force of the blow bending him forward slightly. It was enough to bring her body weight forward, bending him over almost double. As her hands connected with the ground, he felt the transfer of power to her legs as she used them to completely flip him over.
He lay on the ground, dust puffed up around him. He was too shocked to move. After a moment, he felt himself begin to chuckle. The sound was foreign to him. He enjoyed the feel of it, letting his mirth spread through him, even as Sachiel stood over him, smiling.
"You ok," she asked. "Did I break your squash?"
"My what?"
"Your squash…melon…brain?"
He chuckled a bit more at her choice of words. "I'm fine," he said. "I didn't expect you to be all that good, though. I'm just surprised."
"Then I think it fair that I should inform you that I'm a master at arms," she said. "A weapons master as well. There is no weapon I cannot use with deadly proficiency."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Care to prove it?"
"Sure," she agreed. "After I get us some weapons…well you really."
"Alright," he said, taking her proffered hand to help him up.
"Get something for us to eat later," she said. "I won't be long but I get the feeling we might be up late."
And with that, she vanished, leaving Ulquiorra to stare at the space she vacated. He smirked to himself. He was about to have fun with this woman.
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Getting into a soul society, no matter which, was always something of a dramatic affair. Since her aura was not one often felt, the defense systems usually went haywire, all the shields went up, alarms raised and chaos erupted.
She walked down the street, darkly clothed figures passing her by as she made her way to the center of the facility. After several minutes, the figures realized who walked among them; they stopped, they stared.
Like them, she was clothed in close fitting white pants with a dove gray shirt that was also a bit form fitting, a long formesta robe of silver and black trailed behind her in the slight breeze. The trim of the robe was silver, the rest black. Silver thread was shot through the fabric in a radiant design, the symbols of her name etched on the back. Unlike her shirt, the robe was not sleeveless but rather slit so that the sleeves showed her arms; arms banded with thick silver cuffs at the wrists and upper arms with archaic symbols carved into them, peeked through the open sleeves. A crown of stars and lightning topped her head.
The crowd that stopped around her, parted as she continued to walk, none dared to challenge her, few dared to look at her. She smiled as she realized they were smarter than they appeared.
One man finally did stop her, though. He blocked her path by stepping in front of her. She smiled at him, inwardly sighing to herself. Alright…not so smart.
"Please allow me to pass," she said.
"Not before you tell us your name and intent, woman."
"Woman is it?" She smiled innocently at the man, cocking her head to the side. "I seek your commander. I need his assistance."
"Not until you tell us your name," he said again, his hand releasing his sword a bit from it's sheath.
Sachiel's eyes flickered to his sword, narrowing just a fraction. "That would not be wise," she warned, moving her eyes back to his own.
The man hesitated but did not re-sheath his sword. Sachiel let her shoulders slump, letting out a sigh that was a mix of irritation and resignation. She really hadn't wanted to resort to this.
With a sudden burst of light, her aura flared around her, causing everyone to shield their eyes. As quickly as the flash came, it disappeared. Before them stood the same woman but clothed differently now. She wore close fitting black leather pants, silver symbols visible along the lacing the held her pants together as it ran up the sides. They were tucked into black leather boots that laced up to her knees with silver thread. A loose fitting, long sleeved black shirt with the same silver symbols decorating the left breast side completed the outfit. What stunned everyone the most were the silver and black wings protruding from her back.
The silver of her wings crackled with energy, little sparks of electricity racing along their length.
The man's grip loosened on the hilt of his sword, the weight of it locking it back into the sheath. His eyes wide, he dropped to one knee, head bowed.
"Forgive me, Guardian," he intoned quietly.
"Nothing to forgive," she said, her hands waving in front of her wildly.
The man wouldn't get up, despite the fact she had dismissed him. As she looked around nervously, she noticed that everyone around them was also down on one knee. It wasn't until she felt the presence of someone behind her that she realized that it wasn't her that they knelt to.
Cringing slightly, she began to turn slowly. She knew by the feel of the aura behind her who it was…and at that moment, she was sincerely wishing he wasn't. Turning fully around, her eyes came level with a broad chest covered in pristine white fabric. Sachiel wasn't a short woman but even she had to tilt her head back to meet the unhappy gaze of her brother staring at her.
Gabriel met Sachiel's gaze, his eyes were hard and unyielding. She looked him in the eyes, a nervous smile on her lips. Gabriel looked down, suddenly not feeling as upset as he should be at her presence in the inner sanctuary. Her smile usually got her out of most trouble. He wanted to smile at her but didn't. Like Michael and Raphael, he had always been protective of their little sister who, despite her station, was unlike any of them. She was insanely curious and had a gentle heart. She contained polar opposites when it came to her existence and her duties.
In battle, she was calculating, deadly, bordering on ruthless. There was no weapon she couldn't use, no fighting style that she hadn't mastered. Outside of her station, she was ever the woman child who delighted in everything around her. What their father had been thinking when he created her was beyond any of them.
He was still internally debating on what he should do with her when he felt her arms wrap around his neck and her weight pressing against his chest. She was hugging him.
"Goodness," she exclaimed. "Thankfully it was you and not Michael! I thought I was in so much trouble!"
He still didn't return her hug, rolling his eyes as he gently pulled her arms from around him.
"Why are you here," he asked. "You are still under punishment. You should not be here."
She gave him an innocent pout, making her eyes glisten with unshed tears at the mild scolding he was giving her. Normally, this would get him to give in to her…it usually worked on any of her brothers.
"That won't work, Sachiel," he said.
Gasps of surprise and murmurs spread throughout the gathered crowd. They were used to having Gabriel around, Michael was something of an infrequent guest but none of the other guardians ever came to the Sanctuary.
Huffing at him, she crossed her arms over her chest before sticking her tongue out at him. "Be like that," she said. "I need weapons for training."
"You have weapons."
"But not for him."
"Make him some."
"I can't give him holy weapons," she exclaimed as she stamped her foot.
"Why not?"
She gave him an exasperated look, her hands on her hips when suddenly she realized what he meant. He rolled his eyes as he saw the light go on, figuratively speaking.
"Oh," she said quietly. "I forgot that part." Tapping a finger against her chin, she turned away from him, intent on leaving as quickly as she could.
Gabriel reached out as she walked past him, tugging on her wing, pulling her back to him.
She looked at him, her puzzlement written all over her face. She suddenly gave him a bright smile before she surprised him and everyone around by stepping up on the toe tips and giving him a kiss on his cheek.
"Go in grace, big brother," she said before a loud clap of thunder and a bright flash of light signaled her departure.
Gabriel looked at the spot where she had been standing, smiling slightly to himself before turning to everyone.
"All's well. Get back to your duties," he said as another clap of thunder signaled his departure. He needed to talk to Michael.
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Sachiel appeared on the rocky outcropping that provided most of the shade over the house and bathing area. She changed her clothing back to what she had been wearing. Looking over the edge and down, she could see Ulquiorra looking back up to her. She smiled as she realized he sensed her spiritual pressure and recognized it. She motioned for him to join her. Using his sonido, he quickly appeared before her, his bright green eyes looking at her stoically.
"You were not supposed to leave," he said.
"I know," she answered. "Technically, I didn't. I merely went to the soul sanctuary. I ran into one of my brothers who reminded me of something."
"That is?"
"What weapons can you use?"
"You're changing the subject."
"Humor me," she said with a shrug.
"Swords and hand to hand combat," he answered.
"That's it?"
"Cero."
"Energy blasts," she asked as she recognized the foreign term.
"Yes, which I can also form into a lance."
"Interesting."
He gave her a droll stare.
"Polearms?"
"What?"
"Long handled spears."
"No."
"Maces, staves or …"
"No. Only what I've told you."
"Well then…you'll have to learn…"
"My abilities have served me well so far," he interrupted. "I don't see how learning new weapons will help."
"New weapons will allow you to learn new abilities," she answered. After a moment of thought, she looked at him again. "So you feel you're resourceful enough to slay a demon even if your sword proves to be ineffective?"
"Defeating a hollow requires next to no resourcefulness."
"Demons are not hollows. They're different."
"I know," he said. "They are the physical manifestation of corrupt spirits."
"Usually, but not these," she said. "You're thinking of the minions. Those are usually the ones in this world that go about doing the work of the true demons. While a nuisance, they aren't the ones we'll have to worry about."
"No, it's creatures like me you'll have to deal with," a new voice said from behind her.
Sachiel spun quickly, eyes wide in surprise.
Before her stood a man shaped creature in a long coat of black leather, ruffled poet's shirt in white and black leather pants; he wore no shoes. His black wings were tucked close to his back, their feathers rustling in the slight breeze.
"What are you doing here," she asked angrily.
"I wanted to see if it was true that they had released you," the man creature said.
Sachiel met the gaze of his sulfurous yellow eyes, the malice in them evident enough to make her shiver slightly. Ulquiorra came to stand beside her.
"Oho! So you have a warder, I see."
"I am her guardian," Ulquiorra answered.
Sachiel looked to Ulquiorra, keeping the man demon in her sights, her unspoken question evident in her eyes.
"Guardian, eh," the creature asked. "To keep us from influencing her again, I suppose."
Ulquiorra and Sachiel said nothing. They didn't know what he wanted but they weren't going to go down without a fight.
The man-demon took a step toward Sachiel who stood her ground.
"If they hadn't captured you…" he said quietly, "we would have won." He reached up to touch a strand of her hair. She still didn't move.
"Don't touch her," Ulquiorra said in a tone that made the demon pause before he reached for her again.
Ulquiorra's hand snatched at the man's wrist. What he felt at that immediate contact caused his eyes to widen slightly in surprise. The creature's power made his seem like that of a novice.
The creature jerked his hand away from Ulquiorra's grasp, his claws swinging back around and slicing through the arrancar's forearm before he could react. To his credit, Ulquiorra didn't flinch. The demon sneered, "Don't ever touch me, worm."
Ulquiorra rolled his eyes at the creature. Sachiel could tell he was going to retaliate by the subtle signs of tension in his posture. She placed a hand on his arm, causing him to look to her for a moment, catching her slight shake of her head.
Turning back to the demon, she gave him a level stare. "These desert lands and the people in them are now under my protection," she said. "My home is below. If you value your existence, do not come within one mile of it ever again."
"There is no circle of warding."
As soon as he spoke, golden light enveloped the area, runes appearing in the dirt and on rocks around them. The demon screeched, throwing himself into the air as the sacred runes began to burn him. Sachiel gave him a smug smile before she began to charge the air with holy spiritual energies, forcing the demon away from the area.
The demon shrieked again, foaming at the mouth in anger as he spoke, "We will get you back, Sachiel!"
"Hardly," she answered, a bright silver ball of pure energy flying toward him. He shrieked again in pain as the energy hit him in the shoulder.
"Shoot," she said quietly. "My aim seems to be off."
She disappeared from Ulquiorra's side, appearing in front of the demon, her hand reaching out to grasp his neck.
"I endured a lot of pain because I believed in what was told to me," she sneered. "Because I never believed one of my brothers would lie to me, I was cast out for listening to him. My faith and loyalty were doubted. All you're doing is pissing me off!"
She let her energy surge through her, coming to a head where her hand enveloped his neck. The demon suddenly began to feel afraid. The strength of the energy coursed through the demon until it engulfed him, causing him to convulse and howl in pain.
After a moment, she let go. The demon stood there, bent over as he panted. Smoke wafted from his skin that bubbled and popped.
"You will come back to the fold," he said between gasps.
"Tell your boss to bring it if he wants to feel more than the light scalding I just let you off with," she told him in a cold tone.
The demon glared at her before disappearing through a golden colored hole that appeared next to him.
"That was interesting," Ulquiorra said with a bored expression.
"That's nothing," Sachiel said. "My powers are just returning. When I have taught you, I will have my twenty five percent. He'll be back by the way."
"You make it sound as if you'll be leaving."
"Someday…" she said, letting the word hang between them as she walked away.
Ulquiorra watched her go, wondering at her words. Her brother had said that she foresaw things when it was asked of her but as a rule, she didn't look into what might be.
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As promised, Rob and his daughter Jo had shown up the next day with his brother in law. She had thought for a moment that he was the husband of Jo's ill aunt until it was explained that Rob had an older sister and the ill aunt had never married.
They learned much of the town and its inhabitants during the six months it took for them to modernize and renovate the small shack. When it was done, it was a beautifully made cinder and adobe house that stayed cool while incorporating the original pieces of the house, including the outdoor kitchen. They laid a path to the outdoor bath using part of the waterfall to fill a collection tank to feed water to the house. Indoor ceiling fans kept the air circulating to keep it cool.
Sachiel had helped lay down a partially covered patio around an artificial pond. She also planted various flowering vines that thrived in the area. Since it connected to the kitchen area, it was a perfect place to take their evening meals.
Rob and Albert had taught Sachiel about the local favorite of barbecue when Ulquiorra mentioned his affinity for it. They taught her also how to smoke meats to add more flavor to them. She in turn, taught them about her own cooking methods and recipes.
During the six months, between the building and teaching Ulquiorra her abilities, Sachiel would spend time in town. She had found ways to help the small town grow and even befriended a store manager that she helped out from time to time as a cashier and stocker. She didn't need the job, her gold stash giving them more than enough money to live on but did give her something to do while Ulquiorra spent time with Jo.
She could tell that he seemed quite intrigued with the girl, humoring her through her wildly animated stories that she told to him. She spent a lot of time at the house with Sachiel and Ulquiorra, leaving when it was almost dark, Ulquiorra driving her home. He kept their conversations private, but Sachiel knew that he didn't discuss himself overly much with her.
She would sometimes watch them from a distance as they took their walks together, exploring the desert. She could freeze time for their training. True to her word, the demon had delighted in causing trouble for them, often sending minions out to cause havoc. She used them as a training tool for Ulquiorra, helping him to hone the abilities that she taught him. Over the six months, as she trained him, she felt her own powers increasing. She couldn't help a nagging feeling, though. It was continually tickling at the back of her mind, jumping to the forefront when she least expected it.
It wasn't until she showed up at the store to help with a new shipment that she understood what the nagging meant.
"Have you heard, chica," Diane asked her as she hefted a box off the conveyor and onto a freight cart.
"Heard what?"
She stood up, smiling brightly at Sachiel as she was realized she was going to be the first to share the big news. "Our little town is gonna be busy," she exclaimed.
"Oh yeah? Why's that," she asked as she picked up a box from the conveyor.
"Yup! There was a big archaeological discovery about ten miles from here," Diane answered.
Sachiel paused, a feeling of dread spreading through her.
"Discovery?"
"Yeah, some kind of temple or something," Diane answered. "More business for us," she finished with a singsong voice.
Sachiel knew what Diane was talking about. That was the whole reason that her brothers had chosen this location. That it had been found rather surprised her. As long as they didn't find the secret room or were unable to decipher the runes and language inscribed around it, all should be fine and it would be no different than any other dig site. Either way, she'd have to make herself known about the dig site to make sure that they didn't.
"I hear they wanna appoint someone from town as a liaison," Diane continued, breaking through Sachiel's thoughts. "Maybe you should ask the mayor since you've done so much to help our little town."
"Maybe," Sachiel answered. It would definitely keep her close to the dig site. "I'll think about it while we get this truck unloaded."
|(|)|
The three young men sat around the table, their books spread over it as they studied over the only mutual course that they had taken together.
"Why do we have to study this stuff," Ichigo whined. "I feel like my head is going to explode."
"We have been studying more this semester," Sado said quietly.
"Now that we have the basic courses out of the way, we knew we would have to study harder for those aimed at our degrees," Ishida pointed out. "And this course in ancient civilizations is just an elective."
Ichigo and Sado nodded. Both men had thought it would be something new and different and even though it gave them more insight to their country's history, it gave them information on other cultures and histories as well. They were currently studying the Mayan civilization and its significance in the world. The course had also recently announced a new temple discovery made much further north than the central sites in Mexico. In addition, they had also offered a six month field study for those students interested.
Since Ishida had signed up for the study, Sado and Ichigo had as well. All accommodations would be taken care of by the school and people locally. All they had to do was supply their airfare and money for anything they would need while abroad.
"Sado, you get your passport yet," Ichigo asked.
"I don't need one but yes, I have it just in case," he answered.
Ichigo looked confused. "Why wouldn't you need one?"
"We talked about this when we were in high school. I was raised by my grandfather ion Mexico, Ichigo. My mother was a citizen of the country we're going to but she still had her family in Mexico," he said. "Since my father was Japanese, I have citizenship here as well."
"That's just confusing," Ichigo said as he shook his head slightly.
"Not really," Ishida said. "If a child is born from parents of two different countries, the parents can choose to give their child dual citizenship. Especially if they travel between the two countries often."
"Yeah," Sado agreed.
"Have you heard from Orihime, Ichigo," Ishida asked, changing the subject.
"She sends me an email once a week from school," he answered.
"She's coming to see us off," Ishida said nonchalantly.
"I know." Ichigo rested his chin on his forearms. "She seems better since we broke up during that first semester in Tokyo."
"She's seeing someone," Ishida said.
"What," Ichigo exclaimed, looking surprised.
"You didn't think that a beautiful woman like her would not catch someone's interest aside from yours did you?"
"No," he answered, trying to compose himself. "But it's only been eight months."
"I doubt it's been easy for her," Ishida said.
"Probably not. I know I'm not going to start dating again for a while," Ichigo said as he picked up his book. "This trip will be a good experience for me."
"It should prove interesting," Ishida agreed.
Sado grunted in agreement before turning back to his own book.
"Yeah," Ichigo agreed. "You know, in a way, I miss my duties in Karakura Town. But, I have to make a life here. After losing my shinigami powers, there's just no way that I could continue as the sub for the town."
The other two men agreed. After Orihime restored Rangiku, Momo, Captain Ukitake as well as other shinigami who perished in the winter war, trying to get back to a normal life had not been easy. Ichigo could no longer see ghosts and hollows. With the extra time to study, his improved grades had allowed him to enter the same college as Ishida and Sado.
What surprised everyone was his pursuit of a business degree rather than a medical one.
"I can't believe it's going to be six months away from Japan," he said, no longer interested in studying. "Where are we going to be staying? I wonder how the weather is."
"In tents and very hot," Ishida answered as he continued to read his book. "The deserts in the southwest United States can reach up to 49 degrees Celsius. Most of what we will be doing will be in early morning or late afternoon when the temperatures start to go down. We will have a five to six hour window where we will be under shade studying instead of working on the dig."
Ichigo's eyes had bugged out when he heard how hot it could get. Thirty two degrees was more than hot enough for him but to think that it could get way hotter, was beyond him.
"One of the hosts lives nearby and has offered her home as a resting place," Ishida continued. "From the description, she's created a type of oasis in the desert. There's also a river nearby."
"Her? A woman," Ichigo asked, perking up.
"Not unless you forgot what her means and think I mean a man," Ishida said, giving him a droll stare. "A woman, yes. She lives there with her brother and is one of the benefactors for the dig as well as a prominent figure in the local town."
"An old woman then," Ichigo grumped.
"She probably is, especially with a name like Sachiel," Ishida answered. "Why someone would name their child that is beyond me."
"Are we the only school that will be there?"
"The local community college will be there as well as more advanced students than us," Ishida replied.
"Good. Maybe it's time I started dating again, too."
"A fling with a foreign student," Ishida asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Why not? It isn't like Orihime waited long to start dating."
"Eight months is a long time, Ichigo. She couldn't pine for you forever, you know."
"Do you know who she's dating?"
"Yes," Ishida answered, putting down his book and adjusting his glasses as he looked at Ichigo.
"I hope he treats her good," Ichigo said, looking away and picking up his book.
|(|)|
"Ok I got it! How's this look?" Jo asked as she ran up to Sachiel, proudly holding her sign.
"Welcome…Japanese dudes," she read aloud. She looked at Jo for a moment with a blank expression that Ulquiorra mirrored on his own face, neither willing to say anything.
"It works," Sachiel said with a shrug. "Although…we don't know if they're all guys."
"Oh…right," Jo said, a bit crestfallen. "I got this one too," she exclaimed, holding up another sign.
"Students from Japan," Sachiel read. She tapped the sign. "That one works better."
"Yaye," Jo exclaimed, hugging Ulquiorra.
Sachiel smiled at them. Ulquiorra didn't return the hug since he was still a bit uncomfortable with Jo's displays of affection, but the girl didn't seem to mind.
"I'm so glad Dad agreed to let me stay here when he takes my aunt for her operation," she said. "I know it's just for a week but it's so fun here."
Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow at her words. "I don't see how helping Sachiel with her research is fun," he said blandly.
"Well I think it is," Jo answered. "It's better than helping dad wire a breaker box! So when do we leave," she asked, changing the subject.
"We should get going now," Sachiel answered.
"Awesome! I'ma get my bag," Jo said, throwing a thumb over her shoulder. She returned a few moments later, leaning up and giving Ulquiorra a kiss on the cheek. "I'm riding with you," she said.
"Sounds fine," he said.
Sachiel rolled her eyes at the two. Grabbing her pack, she went to the jeep. Ulquiorra and Jo got in the second jeep supplied by the archaeological department.
Waving at them in the rearview mirror, she put her sunglasses on and started up the vehicle before pulling away. Both cars drove down the dusty road before finding the paved one that would lead them to the city airport sixty miles away.
|(|)|
Sachiel, Ulquiorra and Jo peered around the airport, looking for people who looked out of place. Jo was actually just holding her sign, smiling brightly at everyone.
Sachiel took a seat on the guard rail while the other two kept a look out for the students. Thanks to the sweltering heat, her bottle of water had already lost its chill. Sighing at it, she took a drink. They had six students to pick up; the plane was late. Looking at Jordan, she didn't have the heart to tell her that she could put the sign down since she looked too eager to be holding it up.
"Looks like the plane has come," Ulquiorra said after another half hour had passed.
A small charter plane was taxiing down the runway to the gate. Jordan had sat on the ground under Sachiel after she realized the plane was late and no one was coming to her sign.
"Well, I guess we should go see if those are our students," she said. She forgot she was sitting on the wide rail, moving forward as if to take a step…and fell off, landing on Jo who was just starting to get back up.
"Graceful," Ulquiorra said, to the women when he looked over his shoulder to see them lying in a pile of arms and legs.
"For a girl, you're heavy," Jo grumbled, pinned under Sachiel. Sachiel pinched the back of Jo's leg, making her squeal before she hopped off the poor girl.
"Ow!"
"Don't call me heavy."
"But you are! I think you broke something," Jo said, trying to get up, holding her side.
Ulquiorra helped her up before all three made their way to the gate. Jo's sign was ever present, showing it to Ulquiorra, exclaiming about its 'undamagedness' as she called it.
They watched all the passengers disembark from the plane. Sachiel heard a sharp intake of break from beside her. Looking, she saw Ulquiorra's eyes widen slightly. Looking back toward the plane, she could feel spiritual energy coming from a few of the people disembarking.
"Do you know them," she mentally asked Ulquiorra.
"Yes," he answered.
"Trouble?"
"I don't know."
She looked back behind her, two students already having found Jo. Ulquiorra joined them, helping with any translations that might be needed.
He led the two out as Jo came toward her, a confused look furrowing her brow. "One student didn't come," she said as she reached Sachiel, handing her the list of students.
"Any reason why?"
"Didn't get approved for a passport is what they told me."
The three men Sachiel saw earlier approached them, one of them pointing to the sign.
"You are looking for us," he asked with an accent that clearly marked him as foreign.
"You are…" Sachiel asked, not finishing her sentence as she looked at the list.
"Ishida Uryū ," he answered.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," the other answered, pointing to the other man he added, "Yasutora Sado."
"Hi," Jo greeted brightly. "I'm Jordan but you can call me Jo. Everyone else does. This is Sachiel," she finished, pointing to the woman who was looking at the paper in her hand.
All three men looked at her in surprise. They had been expecting an older woman but she was clearly around their age.
She nodded to them as she tried to match up the names on the list. She was also trying to ignore their power so they wouldn't see her react to it. She looked up, eyes going wide as she looked into the most soulful brown eyes she had ever seen. Catching herself staring, she quickly averted her gaze to the man beside him, having to crane her neck.
"My! You're a tall one," she exclaimed.
Sado blushed as he caught her luminous green eyes. Turning to Ishida, she smiled a greeting to him before returning to look at the man with the unruly orange hair.
Ichigo stared; he couldn't help himself. Her green eyes kept drawing his attention to her. Her hair was red but not in the conventional sense, more of a deep red, like blood; it was streaked with gold, pulled back into a braid that trailed over her left side. Her white tank top showed off her tanned skin. Looking down showed him her well formed legs that led downward toward…shinigami shoes?
He looked up at her, her inquisitive gaze pinning him to the spot. The three people standing with them looked on as the two stared at each other.
Realizing what she was doing, she snapped herself out of it, clapping her hands together and smiling. "Shall we," she asked, turning on the balls of her feet and walking away, expecting them to follow.
"I've got the luggage for the two we retrieved earlier," Ulquiorra said to her mentally.
"I'll send Jo to you and I'll take these three," she replied. "If anything happens, I'll be in contact."
"Be careful."
"Always," she muttered under her breath. She turned to Jordan as they reached the luggage pickup. "Go to my brother. He'll be waiting at the car. I'll be there as soon as we get done," she said.
"Ok! We'll get them settled in," she said as she walked off.
"Don't forget to tell them about the dinner tonight," Sachiel called after her.
"Dinner?" She turned to see the one with glasses had addressed her.
"Cute accent," she said to him. "And yes, dinner. We planned a huge welcome barbecue at the house. Rob should already have the fire going."
"Rob," Ichigo asked.
"Jo's dad," Sachiel answered.
"Barbecue," the tall, dark one mused. "Outside over a fire?"
"Mm…we made a huge grill out of an old barrel. We got lots of meats and different dishes."
She led them out of the air conditioned terminal and into the ever present heat.
"Ugh…why can't we stay inside," Ichigo whined.
Sachiel looked back over her shoulder, seeing the wilted faces of the men behind her. "Welcome to the desert, boys," she said, laughing as she went.