It was around midday when Tamotsu finally got around to washing Lucky's owl body. Between the art shop and Hinohebi getting excited about new interactive games at the arcade it had taken longer than expected. But soon all of his chores for the day were finished. Now all that remained was waiting for the check to get deposited and purchase more painting supplies. And for the inevitable Hollow attacks which are sure to happen.
It was the duty of Division 14 to protect the town of Karakura, at least during the morning and daytime hours. Working with the Shinigami Representative Ichigo Kurosaki had been troublesome at first, but it was decided that during school hours the orange-haired student would be exempt from his duties and after a certain time he was given charge of the Hollows.
But there were several days where nothing happened. Not to say it was uneventful, Hinohebi's antics made sure of that. She always had a way to brighten up the day.
"Come on, Tamotsu," Hinohebi was saying as they walked down the street. "Why can't we just go out and have fun? There's a new movie at the theatre I wanted to see and they've got some new games at the arcade."
"Those things cost money," Tamotsu said. "And for a zanpakuto you sure don't act like it most of the time."
To this Hinohebi responded by igniting a small bit of fire in her hand and slapping Tamotsu on the backside, the heat combined with the smack making it hurt more than usual. "Well its not as if I've got duties to perform right now," she responded. "You only really need me to act like a zanpakuto when you're fighting Hollows. And even then you're not relying on me as much to guide the blade. Its not like the old days."
"That was a long time ago, Hinohebi. I couldn't control my own power."
"Yeah, but its getting back to that now isn't it?" Hinohebi stopped walking and Tamotsu stopped a second later. "Don't think you can hide it from me. I know what's been going on with you. Your inner world is in turmoil. That's why I keep coming out here. Its because I don't want to be in there and see you breaking down from the inside out."
"Hinohebi... I'm trying to control it."
"Are you? Or are you just trying to suppress it? You're afraid of your own power, aren't you?"
"I do believe the lady has a valid point," Lucky said, back in his owl body. "While inside your body I am able to feel changes from time to time."
"Guys, I don't want to talk about it," Tamotsu said as he looked away.
Hinohebi folded her arms. "Fine," she said. "But its going to come out sooner or later."
The conversation came to a halt when a sudden burst of reiatsu filled the air. It was dark and tainted. A Hollow had appeared, and it was close. Grabbing the stuffed Owl, Tamotsu removed the green pill from its mouth and swallowed. With a flash of light he separated from his body. Hinohebi separated from her own Gigai which proceeded to instantly deflate into a black balloon.
"Perhaps this shall bring things into perspective," Lucky asked from Tamotsu's body.
Saying nothing, Tamotsu ran. He had grown used to being in a Captain's haori, its sleeveless variety made things easier for working with a weapon for him and its yellow interior was different than the other Captains of the Gotei Thirteen. Still unable to perform Shunpo, Tamotsu ran as fast as he could to the source of the dark energy. There was a girl's scream and he knew that the Hollow had found a victim.
Rounding a corner, the Hollow stood in the middle of the street. Pedestrians passed by without noticing the creature which stood as tall as a second-story window. In its claws it held a young girl, a Plus Tamotsu could tell by the chain from her chest. Tamotsu's eyes went from the claws to the masked face then along its body, as the Hollow appeared to be the largest lobster Tamotsu had ever seen.
The Hollow howled at the sudden intrusion of its meal. It screamed, wind whipping past as the creature's bellow buffeted Tamotsu. But the Captain did not move. He stood his ground and the Hollow was confused. Tamotsu was... smiling? Drooling?
With a quick motion, Tamotsu grabbed a couple of items from a pocket behind his sash. Having been promised a shrimp dinner by Captain Kuchiki months earlier, he had always kept these items handy. A fork, a knife, a lobster bib and a bottle of cocktail sauce.
Its arms going limp, the Hollow dropped the Plus and stood silent. It took a step backward, then Tamotsu began running at it. The Hollow turned and ran as fast as it could. That Shinigami wanted to eat it!
Running as fast as it could, the Hollow could hear the excited laughter of the Shinigami behind it. Looking over its shoulder it found that Tamotsu had already caught up to it and was in the process of spreading butter on the Hollow's thick fan-like tail. Whipping around a corner, the Hollow flicked its tail and sent Tamotsu flying into the side of a building. A second later, he was on his feet and gaining fast.
The Hollow increased its speed, but Tamotsu still ended up gaining on it. A shadow from above caused Tamotsu to look up. He saw the glint of light on a dual-edged bladed weapon as it cut through the Hollow. The giant mass dissolved into the air and Tamotsu saw Takeo Saegusa in a kneeling position where the Hollow had been.
Standing up, Takeo turned to face Tamotsu. He wasn't angry with his Captain. Tamotsu had more than proven himself capable although some actions have been spontaneous even for him. But even so, Takeo still only gave Tamotsu a look that said "mission accomplished" before jumping off again.
The rest of the day was slow. Tamotsu had to entertain Hinohebi since she refused to return to his inner world and Lucky kept insisting they do something productive. Sending them off to have fun on their own, Tamotsu sat on a bench. He allowed his hand to shake and breathed a few slow, ragged breaths. He allowed some of his reiatsu to escape him in an attempt to ease the pressure building inside.
Thinking back to what Hinohebi had said earlier, Tamotsu knew it was the truth. He could feel his inner world was changing, but he was afraid to face it. Would it be filled with volcanos or geysers that were ready to burst like the power inside him was trying to do? Or had it gone dry and become a desert once again as the first time he remembered when Hinohebi revealed herself to him?
You are denying your own power, Tamotsu Toshiyuki, a soft voice said. Looking to his right, Tamotsu saw a white butterfly with gold lining on its wings sitting on the armrest.
"Tengokucho..." Tamotsu said. The Tengokucho had visited him often in the past three months, but he could never get a clear answer where it came from. It would always say something philosophical or divert the conversation.
You should accept your power. It is yours. Yet you still deny it. Why?
"Tengokucho. I can't handle my power. Its becoming too much for me. Hinohebi sees it and I'm sure others know it as well."
You are afraid of injuring yourself and others.
Tamotsu sat quiet for a moment and then answered. "Yes. I remember what it was like last time when I was unable to control my power."
There are greater powers you have, Tamotsu Toshiyuki. Powers that do not involve the level of your reiatsu. Your heart and mind are strong. Use this power to control your reiatsu. The time is at hand. You remember, do you not?
"I remember," Tamotsu answered.
It was during the first time Tamotsu had a decent conversation with Tengokucho. In the valley formed by his explosion when he died in Soul Society twenty-seven years ago it had warned him that the time would come when he would have to stand alone. Do not believe what your eyes see and do not listen to what your ears hear. He had often asked what was meant by that only to receive the answer, You will know when the time comes.
"Tengokucho, I have to ask you something," Tamotsu said.
Of course. I am your guide and if it is in my power to do so I shall answer any question you have.
"Why is this happening to me? Why do I have all this power? Why do I deserve it? Its hard for me to keep all these memories of who I was straight anymore."
The wings on the Tengokucho twitched slightly. You will know when the time comes.
The white butterfly began to glow bright white, then vanished. Tamotsu had often thought it off that it would move itself in such a way. The Jigokucho that he was used to in Soul Society guided Shinigami through the Precefice World and delivered messages, but they always travelled through the Senkaimon and did not speak as if they had their own personality.
"Jigokucho," Tamotsu said. "Hell Butterfly. Tengokucho. Heaven Butterfly. What does it mean?"
Naomi skipped along the sidewalk, her poofy black skirt fluttering in the breeze as she did so. Humming along the way to herself, she stopped suddenly when she sensed Tamotsu's presence. It wasn't another spike in pressure like in times past, but it was enough to draw the attention of unwanted Hollows should they be near.
Although she didn't like fighting if she could help it, her zanpakuto Shirrudo no Kusabana did allow for a couple of offensive techniques even though it was using the opponent's own energy from their attacks. Readying herself, her Soul Candy dispenser in hand, she peeked around the corner.
Tamotsu sat, breathing heavily. It was clear that he was struggling again. About to take a step forward, Naomi stopped as a light appeared and faded, revealing a white butterfly. For a few moments Tamotsu seemed to be speaking with it. He didn't seem at all surprised by its arrival. What was it?
The butterfly disappeared in another light and Naomi hid behind the corner. Was she meant to have seen that? She would have to bring it up with Tamotsu later. But when she saw the butterfly, something felt different. There was a peace surrounding it. Her state of mind altered, Naomi slowly made her way back to Urahara's shop. Whatever was happening with Tamotsu, she was now sure that the white butterfly was involved.