Chapter Forty-seven
Strange…
Rukia calmed down and evaluated their situation. Ichigo had his reasons for shutting them away. The creatures…minions of Athen had that ability to zombify…melt away human souls as she recalled. They were dangerous to humans like Tatsuki and Orihime. Rukia was there to protect them but because she was thinking this through the enemy already knew their plans.
Maybe Mark and Pearl were still waiting for Athen's demise. In the Shinigami reports it is known that most of the Keiei have powers dealing with the mind or sixth sense. For the most part they are weak in a fight except Athen who's orgins are a mystery for Mark given what Rukia and Ichigo learned. Full blooded like Mark have full use of their powers where as mixed blood like Pearl can only use their abilities at a weaker level. Pearl had some transformative ability and was able to mind read at a low-level. Ichigo and Rukia also reported that Mark was the only remaining full-blooded Keiei but that can't be confirmed.
Since their weapons were the mind they kept on the move. Rukia suspected that Athen reinforced his leadership of the Keiei at some point and Mark was not pleased with it but being weaker had no choice but to follow along with him.
After listening to Orihime and Tatsuki complain of being shut out Rukia spoke up, "They must have some plan in the works about the two of you. The abilities of the enemy aren't fully understood and they are only looking out for you."
"Well…still I think I should at least get the opportunity to pay that jerk back for what he did," Tatsuki said pacing the cell.
"Ichigo unlocked the cell so they have the keys. All we can do now is think of something unrelated and wait," Rukia said.
"One of them is a mind-reader. Isn't it pointless to try to escape when they know our every move," Orihime asked.
"That is why we should think of other things that do not relate to our escape," Rukia said.
The door opened and Ichigo once more appeared before them. If looks could kill he'd be dead. Ichigo just made a few hand signs and the three followed him silently. The halls were clear and he led them outside.
Uryû and Renji stood waiting outside the building. Traffic moved on as usual except for a police car flashing sirens a block or two away. Whatever happened the fight spilled out to the streets and into the World of the Living. There were human injuries and a small group of onlookers but no sign of Athen or his group.
000
The Gotei thirteen Captains all stood in line and listened to the latest reports. Ichigo gave a brief summary of what happened in the World of the Living. Athen the leader of the Keiei wished to send a message with his Valentine's Day attack. The Keiei only wished to be left alone but they started to feel the pressure as the Shinigmi continued pursuing the monster's created by Athen, his followers and the Gong-Si. Ichigo's fight ended with Athen saying, 'As long as we are left alone we vow to leave you alone in retrun.'
The meeting of the Captains did not result in taking action right away. Instead Ichigo was thought to be strong enough to handle anything in Karakura. Things would continue as if the attack never happened. Eventually they would make their way to getting Athen they were confident that he was becoming desperate now that he showed his face. If they could separate Mark from the group their victory was almost guaranteed.
Ichigo did his best to keep what knowledge they learned and any plans secret from Mark if he was still in the area. Rukia's suspicions were right and they were trying to keep the human souls free from infection. Still it was a crummy Valentine's Day gift to be locked away from the fight and Rukia wasn't sure she forgave him for it yet. Orihime and Tatsuki were more understanding when they learned more about things and weren't so left in the dark.
Now that Ichigo fought the leader he was confident that he could defeat him if it came to that. For now Athen was just a man who seemed to enjoy a show and pretending. Everything was a game to him and human souls were his toys. As long as he could live out his fantasies like being a Doctor he was fine. It is only now that the Sereitei became involved that things aren't going his way. He is losing too many of his creations and that is putting a damper on the world he created.
000
Tatsuki woke up and turned off the alarm before it could begin its 5AM alert. She wondered why it was that she couldn't sleep through the night like a normal person. 4:43AM she shuffled into the kitchen and grabbed the juice from the first shelf.
Turning on the TV she sipped at the strange tasting cocktail. 100% natural and 100% yuck. She might be training but she still had taste buds. Setting the bottle aside she flipped to the news station.
NHK finished their broadcast and the local news switched on. Tatsuki did watch a lot more national news for their segments on Bejing.
"The weather is up next but first let's go to Amiee with this strange story," The broadcaster announced.
"Yes a strange-
Tatsuki turned off the TV before Amiee could continue. Even the regular news had turned into an entertainment show. She got up and poured the contents of the juice bottle down the drain.
Drinking water instead she quickly went through her morning routine getting ready for work.
000
The day started normal enough but by afternoon Ichigo searched for answers about his friend. A week had gone by since the attack by Athen and his group but he had the suspicion the strange stories were related.
"What do you think happened," Ichigo asked Uryû.
"I can't say but we know there is clearly no medical reason for her to be in the state she is in. It is what we can sense that bothers me. We can all assume the identity of this Woman in White from the new reports must be Tatsuki. As for terrorizing Karakura it is likely a result of panic over seeing something unexplained," Uryû answered.
"We've searched everywhere and now people are starting to ask questions," Ichigo said.
"Are you worried about what to tell her family," Uryû asked.
"We shouldn't offer up explanations that we do not have," Ichigo said.
"The Shinigami should have taken care to limit the imaginations of the humans anyhow," Uryû said.
"The story should blow over on its own. This isn't the first time something strange has been in the news reports," Ichigo defended.
000
Orihime lifted her head at the loud gasp as Tatsuki sat up in the hospital bed.
"Why am I in a hospital gown," Tatsuki asked.
"Tatsuki you're awake," Orihime said hugging her.
"What happened to Australia," Tatsuki asked.
"I never left this time. We aren't sure what happened to you and no one could find you. They called me and I had to come back to try to help," Orihime said.
Orihime had friends in Australia now and Parrie wanted to help her out so she could continue the program but she couldn't ignore her friends here at home.
000
Ichigo stood in the hallway of the hospital staring at the ground in front of him. Tatsuki was awake and Orihime was talking to her. He'd give them some privacy.
"I'm sorry," Orihime said.
Ichigo lifted his head.
"What do you have to apologize for Orihime," Ichigo asked.
"I didn't say anything before about Tatsuki's powers. I just didn't think they were so far advanced," Orihime said.
"Don't apologize to me Orihime. I have two sisters I know how this girl code thing works. Trust me I don't want to know more," he said straightening up.
Orihime laughed; it freed the tension in the air.
"Renji really cares about her," she said.
"I know," he said.
Uryû started towards them and the both turned as he approached.
"Things are under control for the moment and it seems as if they retreated for now. I'm so sorry that you had to come back from your trip Orihime," Uryû said.
"It is really nothing…I'm happy that I get to see you all so soon I was homesick truthfully and didn't make it far this time," she said.
Orihime had left things unresolved with Uryû. At least now they had more time to reconnect something she wished for while in Australia. The interruption couldn't come at a better time for her. It forced her to recognize that she never wanted to leave in the first place. She also regretted not following Ichigo's advice and really talking things over with Uryû, more than a quick 'goodbye I'll see you soon'.
"Do you know what happened to Tatsuki," Ichigo asked Uryû.
"Renji was nowhere near her at the time so I ruled out a transfer of power from him-
"Alright you have nothing," Ichigo said cutting him off.
"Next time don't ask," Uryû said.
"Next time keep it short and to the point," Ichigo countered.
Orihime watched as the two battled back and forth like a tennis match.
"Fine," Uryû said.
"Fine," Ichigo said.
"If Renji didn't transfer his power, which person was around her," Orihime asked fidgeting.
"They could execute Renji for transferring his power. That is their punishment," Ichigo said.
"Don't rush to conclusions, it is likely not what we think at all," Uryû
000
Jinta lead the way to a new training area constructed in a secret passage of Urahara Shoten. Once situated Tatsuki eyed the device presented to her by Kisuke. The shop owner hid his expression but Ichigo was sure he looked quite proud of himself for creating it.
"We need to find out what triggers these episodes," Kisuke said.
"So I need to wear this ridiculous head-gear for that," Tatsuki asked.
"I put a lot into making this device," Kisuke defended.
"Sorry what do I need to do," Tatsuki said staring at the device.
"Probably say some ridiculous chant and run around knowing him," Ichigo said.
"This I have to see," Renji said.
"Shut up," Tatsuki said in everyone's general direction.
"If she can freely control this bodily separation we may be able to stop her wanderings," Kisuke said.
"Sort of like the Somafixer drugs right," Ichigo asked.
"Similar in a way I suppose. Something is acting like the Shinigami glove to force her soul from her body…She can detach at will from all the evidence I see so far. It isn't a big deal," Kisuke said.
"Not a big deal," Tatsuki asked.
"I must say for a human to be separate from its body for anytime is troublesome. The natural tendency is to return immediately unless…they are deceased I suppose," Kisuke said.
"But Ichigo-
"It's different being a Shinigami," Kisuke explained for her.
"Will I be able to control this," Tatsuki asked.
"I have confidence that you will," Kisuke said.
Ichigo had the feeling that once again Kisuke was being knowingly secretive. He must have had a reason of course but it bothered him that his friend was seriously scared.
"What purpose does this whole experiment serve," Ichigo challenged.
"I do have a theory…or several theories about Miss Arisawa's condition.
Tatsuki had a talk with Kisuke about some of his theories earlier. He seemed convinced that her encounter with the Espada Yammy awakened her power somehow. Yammy's soul sucking technique awakened her desire to return those souls to their body and protect them. If they were to figure out how to control this power it may be of some use.