Thunder Over The Land

Tomorrow's always a new day. Said so causally and yet held so much meaning. The next day Toushiro was busy with work so it was just Goku, Levi and Vegeta who were out and about. Eren, Farlan and Isabel were along with them too and the three of them sat at the fence to watch the older men. With Levi on his back, Vegeta sprang forward and began running across the field. Goku flew around the two with a stopwatch in hand as he timed them. The earth saiyan played around as he flew next to them before taking the lead.

Goku: "C'mon, Levi! Get'm goin'!"

If there was one thing Vegeta loved more than flying, it was running; as wild and reckless as thunder over the land. And Levi shared that same passion too!

Levi: "Let's go!"

They bolted forward and followed Goku as they raced across the land, wild and free. Goku hung low to the ground and watched the two disappear from view as they crossed over a deep ditch before a hill. The earth saiyan soared higher as the two climbed back up, still on the run. Farlan and Isabel watched their old friend as he rode the saiyan prince against a background of a beautiful world full of green. Both of them had a hard time accepting the idea of a man riding on the back of another man at first, it sounded wrong. But when they first saw how it was done and how much Levi enjoyed it, those feelings melted away in a heartbeat. They still couldn't believe that Levi could ride on the back of Vegeta so easily. But more then that, they were wondering-

Farlan: (Looks up at Eren) "How fast can he go?"

Eren, while sitting atop the fence, just smiled.

Eren: "Just watch!"

Vegeta looked up and snorted with a grin. Levi glanced up at Goku who was still timing them. The earth saiyan flipped over onto his back in midair and urged Levi to go faster.

Goku: (Waving his hand and looking at the watch) "C'mon!"

The soldier smirked and dug in.

Levi: "Faster Vegeta!"

And Vegeta poured on the gas! Seeing Vegeta pour on the gas made Goku do the same. He went Super Saiyan 2 and started flying across the field at his full speed! But Vegeta and Levi caught up within seconds! Under his shadow, the saiyan and soldier stayed pace with the other saiyan easily. But they weren't content with just that. Levi looked up and grinned devilishly. He wanted more! Goku looked down just as Levi made Vegeta go faster! They pulled away from under Goku's shadow quickly as they raced on! The soldier knew from years of personal experience how fast the Scout Regiments specially bred horses could go, he's ridden on some of the fastest. But Vegeta was even faster! Faster and faster! The saiyan's feet were moving so fast that it looked like he was flying! So much power were in those legs that they easily traveled the distance of two strides with just one! They could've gone on until Vegeta was tired, but they ran out of ground before the hill dropped sharply down, too sharply for Vegeta to risk going down with Levi aboard for fear of his safety. Goku finally caught up with them and Vegeta spun around to follow his fellow saiyan before coming to a full stop.

Levi: "Phew!"

Goku: "Alright, Levi! New personal best!"

Levi: "By how much?!"

Goku: "Uh... Good luck beatin' it!"

Levi: "Nice."

The three men headed back across the field to rejoin their friends who were still waiting on the fence. Eren, Farlan and Isabel were eager for them to come back.

Farlan: "Wow! If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed Vegeta could go that fast! He's faster than any of the Scouts special horses!"

Eren: "Believe it or not, he can go faster. We just need more room."

Levi: (While climbing off Vegeta) "A lot more."

Isabel: "Big Bro, can I try it?!"

Levi paused for a second. He knew what she meant but...

Levi: "Uh... Vegeta doesn't let just anybody ride him unless it's absolutely necessary."

Isabel: "Please?!"

Farlan, Eren and Goku all looked at one another. Except for Eren, Isabel was the youngest of them. She was certainly the youngest of Levi's thug trio back in the day. So some of this was definitely youthful curiosity.

Levi: "Uh... Think you can tolerate it?"

Vegeta glanced at Levi, then at Isabel who looked at him eagerly, then back at Levi again.

Vegeta: "She's not gonna give up, is she?-"

Farlan: "No."

Levi: (Shakes his head) "Mm-Mm."

Vegeta: "In that case, yes I can."

While Isabel celebrated, and Levi tried to give her some tips, Goku just casually walked over to Eren and stood beside him.

Eren: (Whispering to Goku) "This is a bad idea."

Goku: (Whispers back) "Tell me something I don't know."

Levi: "I can hear you."

Isabel had just finished sitting down in the saddle and was very eager to try this out. Very eager.

Farlan: "Geez settle down, Isabel."

Isabel: "Oh hush!"

Levi: (While holding Vegeta still) "No he's right, settle down or you're gonna have a rough ride."

Isabel: "Ok-ok, I'm ready!"

Levi: "... Ok... Just take it slow first."

But the moment Levi let go of Vegeta, Isabel's excitement got the best of her. She kicked Vegeta in the stomach, hard. The saiyan yelled out and lurched forward! The red headed girl just fell back on her butt with a thud as Vegeta stopped only seconds after she was off. Farlan and Levi both choked with amusement while Goku and Eren just simply laughed. Levi started chuckling and Farlan started laughing. The raven haired soldier tried not to laugh at all, but it was just too funny.

Isabel: "OW! It's not funny!"

Farlan: "A-hah hah-hah hah-hah!"

Levi: (Keeping some control) "It is a little."

Eren: "Captain told you to take it easy."

Isabel huffed as she got up and just started heading back on her own. It was obvious that she was embarrassed. Farlan and Levi glanced at each other and both huffed a few laughs before they all headed back.

Farlan: "Just like old times."

Levi: "Not so loud or you'll start another thing that used to happen back in those times, and I personally don't want to break up any fights today."

Eren: "Those two fought?"

Levi: "All the time."

They headed back for the day, the sky growing dark in the distance with the expectance of rain. As they walked along the barracks, they just continued to talk.

Farlan: "So, Goku. What Squad were you thinking of joining when the time came?"

Goku: "Hm. That's a good question. I guess which ever one will have me, except for the obvious."

Farlan: "Tell me about it. Captain Kurotsuchi still pesters us from time to time!"

Levi: "Do what I do. Shout for Vegeta. That always gets him running."

Vegeta: "Ha!"

The saiyan prince just stared off into the distance.

Levi: "If Toushiro doesn't take you, Goku, I will. Having you around would definitely keep Kurotsuchi and Kenpachi off our asses."

Goku: "Hah-hah-hah!"

Goku looked down and noticed something right away. He stopped and turned around. Vegeta had stopped walking with them just a few seconds ago and was just standing there a few steps behind them.

Goku: "Hm? Vegeta?"

Levi stopped that very second and looked back too with Eren, Farlan and Isabel following suite seconds later. It was odd. Vegeta was just standing there, gazing out into the far distance. He had a concerned and puzzled look on his face. Even as the others rejoined him it was still unclear as to what he was looking at exactly.

Isabel: "What's wrong?"

A gentle breeze blew by them from the direction he was looking at and the prince sniffed the air as it went passed him. Eren looked up, and the only thing odd he saw were a bunch of storm clouds moving in.

Eren: "Looks like were in for some rain."

Isabel: "Wonder if that's what's got him worried?"

Eren: "I don't think so. He's never had problems with storms before."

Isabel: "Oh yeah?! And how would you know?!"

Eren: "I've known him longer than you."

Isabel: "That doesn't mean a thing!"

Eren: "What are you talking about?! Of course it does!"

Isabel: "No it doesn't! Just because you've known him longer doesn't mean you know him better!"

Eren: "That doesn't even make any sense!"

Isabel: "You saying I'm stupid!?"

Eren: "You're makin' me think it!"

Isabel: "That's it you little-"

Eren: "Bring it on!"

Farlan stepped between them before it got out of hand. Goku and Levi, on the other hand, weren't paying attention. Both men were gazing out at the dark horizon like Vegeta. Goku was now worried like Vegeta. Levi, although cannot 'sense' things like the others, also had a feeling that something just wasn't right.

Levi: "... Somethings not right... I don't know how to explain it, but I... I just have this bad feeling all of a sudden."

Goku: "That reminds me... We still haven't taught you how to sense energy, Levi. We keep meaning to do that..."

Levi: "What do you think it could be?"

Vegeta: "I don't know... What I do know is that I'm not smelling rain."

Eren: (No longer fighting Isabel) "Maybe its just an electrical storm. Those happen, right?"

Goku: "Yeah, but this isn't that. There's something else going on there. Some... source behind those clouds..."

Vegeta: "He's right. I'm picking up something odd over there."

Farlan: "Then should we notify the old man?"

Levi: (While getting on Vegeta) "Vegeta and I are gonna take a look. Goku, you notify Yamamoto and afterwards head over there too. Eren, take Farlan and Isabel back and gather up the squad before heading over there."

Eren: "Yes, sir!"

Goku: "Alright, I'll catch up with you soon!"

Goku flew off to Squad 1 just as Vegeta and Levi left to investigate the strange storm clouds. Since they were already close by, Eren and the two 3rd seats didn't have far to go. As the sky grew darker, Levi and Vegeta knew they were getting close. And it seemed they weren't the only ones who were troubled.

Val: "Levi! Vegeta!"

The Squad 9 captain glanced over his shoulder to see Val trying to catch up with them.

Val: "Wait up!"

Levi: "Slow down, Vegeta. Val's trying to join us."

After hearing his childhood friend was joining them, the saiyan prince slowed down to allow her to catch up with them both instantly. However they kept going, knowing they didn't have time to waste.

Val: "So I take it you're sensing it too, right?"

Levi: "He is, I'm not. I've just got this bad feeling."

Val: "Oh, sweetie, we really need to teach you how to sense things like we do! I swear we keep forgetting!"

Levi: "Heh, Goku said the same thing just a moment ago."

Val: "Take my word on this, it's a very useful ability. Remind me after this and I'll teach you."

Vegeta: "Val, when did these clouds start rolling in?"

Val: "This is what's got me worried, they just appeared no less than five minutes ago! One minute it's clear and the next, boom, there they are!"

Levi: "Storm clouds don't just appear that rapidly around here, do they?!"

Val: "No, nothing natural anyway. Which means something's definitely going on! Has anyone notified Yamamoto?!"

Levi: "I asked Goku to take care of that. He should be making the call any minute now."

Val: "Good. Cuz, sometimes something like this is an indicator as to how powerful an enemy might be. And if that's the case here, given the size of those clouds, we're gonna need help."

Levi gazed up at the dark clouds that were still building. They stretched for a good distance in every direction.

Levi: "God I hope you're wrong."

Val: "You ain't the only one."

Just as they were but a mile away from the source of the strange clouds, Yamamoto's alert announced across the Seireitei. Nothing could prepare them though for what was about to happen.