From Behind the Mask
Chapter 14: The Smiling Man
There was a magnetic beat in the air; a thunderstorm of energy, heavy with tension, bulging at the seams with a tautness that seemed to stretch out and up, throwing the entire atmosphere onto that razor edge of excitement that made the very area tingle. Lights flickered across the entire availability of the spectrum, casting shadows off the myriad of people that swayed and gyrated in time to the music that blared from speakers embedded all across the building.
"A club? This was your big surprise?" Rukia asked, crossing her arms as she glared at Ichigo.
"I don't mind. It's been a long time since I've went to one of these places." Yoruichi said, sashaying past Ichigo toward the bar.
Ichigo raised a single eyebrow at that, almost daring Rukia to say something. So she did, grabbing Ichigo forcibly by the head until they were eye level. "Look, you idiot. We're not even supposed to be here. We'd get into a lot of trouble if we were caught. Also," and she pulled him into an impromptu headlock, "Did you forget the whole thing about taking care of Yoruichi and letting her get lots of rest? Clubs aren't great places for concussion victims, you idiot!"
It took him a few moments to remove his head from her vice-like grip, but eventually, with much pulling and sore ears, he managed to do so. "Look, I don't know what your problem is. I just wanted to hang out with my friends. There's nothing wrong with us being here as long as we don't drink, and Yoruichi promised me she'd take it easy. Calm down, squirt."
Rukia opened mouth to retort, and from the look in her eyes it looked like one hell of one, but then a cheery sing-song voice interrupted. "Hey, Ichi! We're here!"
They both turned to the group that just walked into the club. Inoue waved excitedly, dragging an exasperated looking Tatsuki and ever-calm Chad behind her. "This is amazing!" she said as she approached, "I've never been to a club before!"
"So, what are we doing here, Ichigo?" Chad looked a bit out of sorts. Ichigo wasn't surprised. He doubted the stolid man spent much time in such places.
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind knowing either." Tatsuki echoed, looking around the club with a guarded expression.
"We're here to see a famous band that is playing tonight," they gave him questioning looks, so with a sigh, he continued, "A year ago there was an accident nearby the clinic, pretty bad car crash. Nobody was hurt badly, but to thank us, they gave their number and offered a free concert and backstage pass. So, when I heard they were in the area, I gave them a call and here we are."
"Well, at least that explains why you didn't have to pay anything at the entrance." Rukia grumbled.
Ichigo grinned. "You're just mad that you dressed like a twelve-year-old girl."
Of course this brought all the attention to the petite soul reaper and her bright yellow sun dress. Once again a fundamental law of the universe kicked in, and the equal and opposite reaction was a rather winch inducing fist aimed squarely between the eyes of a certain orange-haired substitute Shinigami.
For her size, Rukia packed one hell of a right punch.
Yoruichi watched it all with silent amusement. The dynamic between Ichigo and his friends was interesting. Idly she twirled the straw in her drink, pausing only to sip lightly on the margarita. They reminded her so much of her Soul Society days. So many strong, dominant personalities in one place, bound together by friendship and camaraderie. Just like...she sighed a bit, shaking her head free of that thought, this was making her all nostalgic.
"Yo, Yoruichi, going to join the rest of us?" Ichigo called from across the floor. She smiled back. Introductions, eh? She waited for the group to approach before standing up from the bar.
"Are you really Yoruichi?" Inoue asked as she approached, her eyes wide with disbelief, "As in, the black talking cat? With the man voice?"
"That'd be me."
"Wait, black talking cat?" Tatsuki chimed in, "What are you talking about Inoue?"
The red head started waving her hands frantically, "Aha! Nothing! It was a joke! Haha! A joke!"
Tatsuki wore a skeptical look on her face, but held out her hand to Yoruichi. "I'm Tatsuki Arisawa."
"Yoruichi Shihoin." she responded, taking the young girl's hand in her own.
"So, how exactly does Ichigo know you?" From the way the girl looked at her, Yoruichi assumed she didn't approve.
Yoruichi approved of her disapproval. When Ichigo had left, she was quick to go back to Kisuke's place, picking through the stockpile of clothing she kept there. When she had first come to the physical world, it hadn't taken her long to discover the joy of internet shopping (she always resolved to meet this Al Gore guy who apparently invented the internet and thank him). She deliberately picked the most thought provoking attire she could manage, ending up with tight form fitting leather pants, a sheer white undershirt that exposed her midsection, and a rather classy, at least by her estimation, tiny leather overcoat. Add the high heels and she was a walking bombshell of sexuality.
Well, she was pretty sure she did alright, if the initial reaction of Ichigo and Rukia was any gauge. Yoruichi wondered if how close he had been to critical blood loss. The nosebleed had been pretty bad. She did feel a bit guilty for making Rukia's choice of attire look childish, but in the end, she figured if you had it, it was your job to flaunt it.
And she had it. In spades.
"Oh, you didn't know? Ichigo and I met when he was staring at my naked body!"
"What?"
A rather irate Tatsuki turned to a now beet red Ichigo. Fortunately the red-haired high school student was saved from having to explain by dimming lights and a hush that fell over the crowd as the music abruptly stopped. As one, everyone turned to the stage, at the single woman that had walked out. She was beautiful; shoulder length dyed-blond hair that curled lightly at the ends, full lips that hide the slightest of smiles, and a pure porcelain complexion combined together to create an ensemble that left men panting and women jealous. She grabbed the mic, a single spotlight flaring on to illuminate her.
"Hello, everyone." she said politely, her elbows tucked into her sides as she held the mic, " I welcome you..." The woman's demeanor changed sharply as she looked out at the nameless people in the crowd. A fire lit in her eyes. "TO M.O.V.E!"
Two more spotlights flipped on, revealing the woman to be flanked by two more. One man stood station behind a massive keyboard, while the other, in contrast, held a mic like his female counterpart. Even as the background lights started flickering in an eclectic mix of colors and patterns the crowd erupted. Yoruichi felt as she had been picked up in a whirlpool and she was helpless to resist such honest enthusiasm. She caught herself smiling and jumping along as the music began blaring a fast and steady beat that matched her quickening pulse.
A girl in the mirror, covered in scars, eyes staring blankly
I couldn't say a thing as the noisy emotions overwhelmed me
The flashing lights mixed with the jumping bodies as the crowd worked itself into a frenzy. Somehow Yoruichi had gotten separated from Ichigo and company. Occasionally she would catch glimpses of orange or the yellow flash of a sundress, but she was enjoying herself too much to worry about such things. How long had it been since she had let herself go like this? Or more specifically, when was the last time she ever had the chance?
Without a "Yes" or a "No," we live for an unclear future
Why does the messenger continue calling out?
Oh, we don't even know just where we are right now
The woman was singing her heart out, urging the crowd to new heights of energy with every pulse pounding beat. The other man on the mic would break in to rap his parts. It was a well-practiced choreography designed to entice the full range of excitement from those listening. Then she started listening to the words:
If you want to try making your dreams come true, break it up, keep going higher
Yeah, I don't need a spokesman, I want to tell you directly
If you want to try making your dreams come true, break it up, keep going higher
I don't need any technique to knock out your heart
For some reason this saddened her. What a strange thought, considering her situation, considering where she was at. How many people were able to become sad while techno blared? How many reopened old wounds despite the almost euphoric high of the atmosphere? Such thoughts were dashed when Yoruichi felt a spike of reitsu she had not felt in quite some time. It carried itself on a chilling wind, making the very bones in her body feel brittle in uncharacteristic fear.
Do You Feel The Pain Do You Feel The Pain Do You Feel The Pain?
"How very appropriate, isn't it?" a voice said, the owner managing to sneak close enough to place his mouth right next to her ear. Close enough that his breath felt hot. "I am surprised to find you here, princess, yeah?"
Yoruichi ducked, using her weight to spin herself around in a vicious backhand. Nothing. No one was there except a very surprised teenager she had almost hit. The boy shot her a strange look and then wormed his way, jumping the entire time, through the crowd. The purple haired woman paid him no mind, her every sense focused pinpointing the person who had only a second ago been right behind her.
The love and reality around me cry out
Do You Feel The Pain Do You Feel The Pain Do You Feel The Pain?
Time seemed to slow down as the myriad of bodies pushed, and gyrated to the beat. Nothing but a cacophony of sweat, flailing hands, and music that wormed its way from the floor into your very body. Yoruichi struggled to separate the ocean of bodies. There! A flicker of white, a hint of pale skin, a devilish grin. The man stood in the throng of people, the bodies parting around him like waves of water. It was as if the two of them stood in their own stream of time.
"Hi there, princess. Long time no see, yeah?"
"Gin! What are you doing here?" There was too many people in this packed club. No way she could fight the man here!
The eternally grinning man seemed to know this, because his smile only grew, as if he was reading Yoruichi's mind. "Now, now, little cat, there is no need for that. I'm here to deliver a warning of things to come."
So that I can protect what's precious to me
Painless pain
"Why should I believe you?"
Gin cocked his head to the side, as if he had a hard time comprehending what she said, "Well, 'cause I have no reason to lie, that's why. Things'll be more interesting this way, don't ya agree?"
"Is this just a game for you, Gin?"
The former Shinigami shrugged, "Perhaps, eh? But Aizen knows about your little pet, and he's gonna do something about it. I'd be very careful if I were you, ya?"
Yoruichi opened her mouth to retort, but the crowd surged again and the white-haired man was lost in it. She pushed frantically, throwing aside people as she got to where Gin had been...nothing greeted her. He was gone.
Ichigo was in trouble...
Can you feel the pain? Only watching TV to frown on it
Only knowing the words shouted so that someone, somewhere can live
Conforming to the silent majority so that no one points fingers behind your back
Look at this irony: You have no emotions, yet you want to express them
Author's notes: I don't own any of this. Also, I liek mudkipz.
Music: Masterpiece - Bayside; Radical Dreamers - Scars of Time