The Gathering Storm

by samsationalization

It seems as though history is repeating itself. Time and time again, malevolent entities seek to destroy the delicate balance between the world of the living, the world of the dead, and the world of the monsters. Three unlikely heroes have been chosen to fend of the attacks. Will they be ready? Or will they fall like the others before? The storm is coming. Multiple pairings and OC.

6. Chapter 6: Not What It Seems

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Rosario+Vampire

Author's Notes: Last time we left off, Daisuke had been given two options, both of them being blackmail. Choosing the give up seeing Mizore for his friends' sake and his own, he fell into Midou's blackmail. What will happen next? Dun dun dun! Hahah, I don't usually do a Chapter/Episode recap before I begin but I decided to this time! Anyway, I'd like to thank the people who have been consistently supporting me with reviews and PMs. I'd like to personally thank koolken256 for PMing me advice when I needed it the most and to Kuroi Rin for consistently keeping up and always leaving a word or two for me to read. It really helps. Thanks you guys! Now, let me stop talking and give you guys the good stuff. You guys deserve this more than anything. Enjoy! Reviews and PMs are appreciated greatly.

Much Love,

~SAYONARA~

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"… and that will conclude today's lesson!" Nekonome sensei said cheerfully, "Remember to study the lesson extensively as we will study different specimen of monsters starting from tomorrow! Class dismissed!"

Many students groaned as they packed their belongings and began to stand up to leave the class. Feet shuffled, paper was tossed away, desk legs scraped across the floor, making annoying squeaking noises. Conversations then began to fill the air as many students began to talk over various topics. It was impossible to filter out and listen to every individual one. But only one specific conversation was overheard. A certain male Yuki-Onna's conversation.

"… So, where this time Midou?"

"… Go to the observatory tower southwest of the main building… We will meet at the top floor when the shipment comes in…"

"What's in it for us this time?..."

"You'll see… The packages should be rolling in around… a week from tomorrow…"

"Alright."

Daisuke listened intently as he sat quietly at his desk. He had his arms crossed and notebook opened before him, the lines on the notebook filled with notes. Of course, inside of the many words and notes was the conversation he had heard, hidden and written cryptically along each sentence. Thumping his pencil on the face of the desk, Daisuke continuously replayed the conversation inside his head over and over again. He closed his eyes as he carefully began to formulate a plan to get back Midou without giving himself away. It was going to be a tough one. It was-

"Aren't you leaving Daisuke-kun?" Nekonome sensei asked. "The class has been already dismissed, meow…"

Daisuke reopened his eyes and shut his notebook closed. "I was just about to leave." He said as he put all of his belongings into his school bag. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked past the teacher's desk. Giving a farewell nod, he marched outside the classroom doors. As he did, he heard the teacher calling his name.

"Yes, Nekonome sensei?" Daisuke asked, putting his head back into the doorway to face his teacher. "What do you need?"

"Oh, I just wanted to remind you that Club Rush is tomorrow!" She said, adding a meow. "Be sure to join a club!"

Daisuke was then instantly reminded of the Club Rush. He remembered that Ginei had told him and his friends to join that club. Consistently reminding himself henceforth, he knew he was going to join that club. He looked back at his teacher. "Thank you for reminding me Nekonome sensei. I'll be sure to remember. I'll be on my way now."

"Ah, before you go," Nekonome sensei said. "Could you deliver this package to Oshiro sensei on the third floor? He requested some books from the human world from me and I got them in the mail recently."

"Wait," Daisuke said. "We can mail letters from this academy?"

Nekonome sensei looked genuinely surprised. "Well yes. I thought that this was already mentioned in the school letter… But yes, the school permits delivering and receiving mail from the human world. It's least the school could do for the students… to allow them to contact their family outside… Do you need the materials?"

"Oh, yes. Where can I get them?" Daisuke asked.

"You can get them from the assistance lobby on the first floor…" Nekonome sensei began to say, "Or, you can personally get the materials from Oshiro sensei himself. He is in charge of that department."

Daisuke nodded. He grabbed the package from Nekonome sensei and gave her curt nod before leaving the classroom. After stepping out, Daisuke shut the door behind him and sighed. Holding the package in his hands, he closed his eyes, deep in thought. It has been a week since the Auditorium incident and little less than that since Midou's blackmail issue against him. For several days, Daisuke contemplated on various thoughts to get back at Midou. All of the ideas he had come up with however, would probably bring more trouble to him than what he was already going through. Now, he had a basic backdrop on what Midou might be doing. He could crash Midou's meeting.

But how? What am I going to do that will deliver a satisfying blow?

"May I make a suggestion?" an unfamiliar voice said.

Daisuke opened his eyes to see a strange-looking boy standing before him.

"W-who are… wait…"

Upon closer inspection, Daisuke realized that he saw this boy from earlier. He was the boy that explained to him what the incredible spiritual was when Daisuke was looking for his friends several days ago and vanished mysteriously. He mentioned the spiritual pressure of a vampire to which he was undoubtedly right. The boy wore a very non-serious smirk.

"You're that kid that has some weird vampire fetish, right?"

The boy looked unfazed by Daisuke's comment as he simply gazed at him. Brushing his bangs out of his face, the boy approached Daisuke. The boy reached inside his uniform pocket and pulled out a slip of folded white paper. He handed it to Daisuke. Daisuke set down the package at his side as he took the slip from the boy's hand. Daisuke was about to open the paper when the boy grabbed his hand, stopping him.

"What?" Daisuke said. "I need to look to know, right?"

The boy gazed back at him, this time with a serious look, different from his original nonchalant face. He glanced over his shoulders, as if he was worried about that someone would be spying on them. Shifting his gaze back to Daisuke, he whispered, "Read it when you are alone."

Daisuke raised an eyebrow, "Why? Is someone-"

"No more questions." The boy said, "They'll be answered in due time. Just read it when you are alone."

"And when will that be?" Daisuke asked. "I don't even know your name."

The boy turned around to leave. Putting his hands in his pockets, he merely said, "I refer you to my previous answer."

The boy walked down the hallway and turned at the corner, disappearing from Daisuke's line of sight. He silently cursed under his breath. Many thoughts cluttered his mind. He was first thinking of what to do to get back at Midou, and that was hard enough as it was, and now he had this to deal with.

Some random guy I've met only a couple seconds before decides to help me for something… Something tells me that this isn't a simple coincidence. This guy… This guy knows something… And I am going to need to find out… Soon…

Daisuke was about to leave when he remembered that he had something to do. Looking down at his left leg, the package rested. He sighed. Scratching his head and pocketing the slip, he reached down and picked up the box.

"To Oshiro sensei's classroom, huh…" Daisuke muttered to himself. "Which floor was it on again?"

Daisuke opened the classroom door behind him to ask his teacher.

Pretty sure Nekonome sensei told me…

"Nekonome sensei? Could you tell me where…"

Daisuke stopped. As he looked inside the classroom, he saw that his teacher was no longer there. Daisuke was sure that his teacher did not use the entrance. As a matter of fact, Daisuke was standing right in front of it, surely he couldn't miss her if she had left that way. The windows weren't open nor were any of the air ducts. His teacher had simply vanished. Daisuke wondered for a moment. But soon, he shrugged it off with little significance.

Well she is a bit strange… I wouldn't be surprised if I found out that she actually jumped out the window to exit her classroom…

Looking back down at the package, Daisuke sighed once again. "Looks like I'll have to find out where Oshiro sensei's classroom is myself…" He said to himself.

Where should I begin…

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Toshikazu Oshiro was quietly sipping tea in his empty classroom as he filed away his students' papers. The day was halfway done but he hardly had time to notice. He was often busy with his class and its regimes that he hardly had the time to relax. But at the moment, he had the leisure to sip some herbal tea and grade away at papers. He wouldn't have to teach another class for about two hours which was more than enough time to fully grade, catch up on times with the human world, and to talk… with him.

"I reckon that you aren't busy Toshikazu."

The window behind his desk had opened. The voice came from whoever came through the window. Toshikazu felt the breeze of the wind coming from outside scrape along his back. Stacking his papers to one side of his desk, he sighed and turned around to meet his old acquaintance.

"You know what they say about reckoning…" He began to say. "And next time, I advise you to use the front door, it's always open… Anyway, state your business for coming here Hyun-Joon. I thought Espadas had more important things to attend to today…"

"The same smart-ass, punk attitude as always Toshikazu…" Hyun-Joon scoffed. "Anyway, the reason that I am here shouldn't be filled with such chitchat. I am on here Lord Aizen's orders."

Toshikazu whistled. "Orders from the big-shots. Aizen does seem to favor you and your abilities however. What'd the man say?"

"Watch your tone." The Espada said sternly. He cleared his throat. "His majesty requests a full-fledged report on our subject for study and countermeasures."

"Seems like someone took their time to memorize their lines for this." Toshikazu chuckled. "Everyone is so serious about this."

"I advise you to do the same, Toshikazu. Studying a Shirai and engaging in combat against one are two different things. We must maximize our time in studying the abilities of one to be fully assess where this one's capabilities lie. We do not want a repeat of what happened back then."

"The 'Kage no Sekai Incident' as everyone calls it…" Toshikazu said. "Little do these people know what exactly happened…"

"We lost far too many Arrancars and S-Class Monsters in that fight… All because of one Shirai. This time, it will be different."

Toshikazu wagged his finger in front of the Espada's face. "Tsk tsk… You shouldn't be so sure all the time Hyun-Joon."

"What makes you say that? We'll be ready this time…"

Toshikazu shook his head. "That was exactly what we said back when that happened. I wouldn't be too sure if I were you." He paused, closing his eyes. Upon opening his eyes, he smiled devilishly. "History has a knack of repeating itself, Hyun-Joon. Believe me."

"Say what you want to say, you'll see the outcome with Lord Aizen leading us."

Toshikazu shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so… and you'll be needing all the files, correct?"

Hyun-Joon nodded.

Toshikazu sighed as he turned his chair away from the Espada and towards his desk. He opened his middle drawer and reached inside of it. He felt around the floor of the drawer with his hand until he found what he was looking for. It was a lock with enchantment barrier around it. Muttering the cryptic phrases quietly, the lock became undone and came off, revealing the hidden shaft inside the drawer. Toshikazu pulled out a rather thick folder of papers, encased in a big dusty-yellow envelope. Toshikazu handed it to Hyun-Joon.

"That should have everything you'll need to know about the current abilities of the subject." Toshikazu said. "Come back every month for further observational analysis paperwork which I believe there will be a boatload every single time you come."

Hyun-Joon fumbled around with the folders with a moment before he strapped it to his back behind his sleeveless Espada uniform. Toshikazu briefly saw that the number that use to be on Hyun-Joon's chest had changed. It was now a double zero. Toshikazu was rather intrigued by the odd numbering.

"So, you rose up in rank that fast, huh, Hyun-Joon." Toshikazu said nonchalantly. "I am surprised."

Hyun-Joon put his hand on the hilt of his sword casually, looking outside, not saying anything.

"You still haven't told me what abilities lie within your Zanpaku-to Hyun-Joon." Toshikazu said. "Tell me."

Hyun-Joon scoffed as he shook his head. "You don't need to know." He paused. "Don't feel left out. The other Espadas don't know either. It is only between Lord Aizen and me."

Toshikazu shrugged his shoulders, rolling his eyes. "Whatever you say… But you are going to have to tell me one d-"

There was a sudden sharp rapping of the knuckles at the classroom door. The knocking echoed throughout the partially empty classroom. Toshikazu's immediate attention instantly shifted into preventing whoever was at the door from coming into the classroom. He silently signaled Hyun-Joon to conceal his presence. Toshikazu looked back at the door.

"Oshiro sensei? You in there?" The voice said. "Nekonome sensei wanted me to deliver something to you."

Toshikazu recognized the voice. It was Daisuke's. Closing the window behind his desk, he quickly approached the door.

"Sensei?" Daisuke said, knocking harder. "Are you in there? If not I am gonna leave the package at your doorstep."

"Hey, hey!" Toshikazu said behind the door. "I'll be right there!"

Toshikazu, gripped the doorknob and opened the door. In the doorway, the silver-haired boy stood there, holding a rather oversized package for him. Toshikazu took the package.

"Thanks kid." Toshikazu said. "You brought it in earlier than I expected. Tell Nekonome-san I said thank you."

"Will do." Daisuke said turning to leave. But before he did, he stopped at looked back at Toshikazu. "By the way, what's in the package? Just curious…"

"Oh, this?" Toshikazu said, smiling, "The package just contains various newspapers from all around the world. I had Nekonome-san specially make this for me so I can catch up with times with the Human World."

"Oh." Daisuke said nodding.

"Anyway, is there anything else you'd like to ask?" Toshikazu said, setting the package on a nearby table.

"Oh, right." Daisuke said. "Nekonome sensei mentioned that you have the mailing materials for the students. I was wondering if you could give me some envelopes and such."

"Of course." Toshikazu said. "I'll go get them. Come on in anyway."

Toshikazu motioned for Daisuke to walk on in to the empty classroom. Toshikazu shut the door behind Daisuke as he stepped through the doorway. Upon closing the door, Toshikazu saw Hyun-Joon, sticking close to the wall, dagger out, poised to strike whoever had just come into the classroom. The two, Toshikazu and Hyun-Joon, exchanged brief glances, one motioning the latter to stand down and get out of sight. The Espada begrudgingly obliged and silently cloaked himself with an incantation. Soon, he was nowhere to be seen. Toshikazu subtly sighed with relief. Upon reaching the desk, Toshikazu quickly shut the middle drawer he had opened earlier and took out his briefcase from under his desk. He opened the briefcase and pulled out several stacks of envelopes, papers, and stamps. Looking back up at Daisuke, he handed the mailing materials to him.

Daisuke received the materials with two hands. "Thank you sensei."

"No problem... and just call me Oshiro-san." Toshikazu said. "I don't like to be treated with such formality. It's uncomfortable."

Daisuke shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever you say, Oshiro-san."

"Who are you mailing the letters to anyway?" Toshikazu asked. "Just curious."

"Oh." Daisuke said smiling. "Just a friend that helped me a lot in the world back there. Despite me being such a jerk at times he always stood by me with a kind word to say or support... I just miss him..."

"I see." Toshikazu said, nodding understandingly. "Might I ask what his name is?"

"His name is Tae." Daisuke said with a smug grin. His face was evident with the reminiscence of the past. Toshikazu decided to make note of this Tae person. "And he- what is going on?"

Coming back from his previous thought, Toshikazu realized that spiritual pressure in the room had gone up alarmingly high. So high, that even Daisuke could sense it. Of course, the pressure was nothing but a mere bother to Toshikazu, but to Daisuke, it must be enormous despite it being concealed. Toshikazu knew that he always kept his pressure intact and measured. Daisuke couldn't possibly emit the pressure the way he was now. It then struck him.

It was Hyun-Joon. And his pressure was soon going to give away his cover.

Daisuke looked back at Toshikazu with a confused look on his face. "Where is all of this pressure coming from?" Daisuke looked around the room and seemingly found nothing. He then met eyes again with Toshikazu, this time his face and eyes were filled with suspicion. "Is there someone in this room?"

Keeping his composure, Toshikazu coolly answered, "No. This pressure must be emitting from the tests the Authoritarians are experimenting from the labs. Nothing to worry about. It'll disappear in a while."

"Oh, okay then." Daisuke answered. He cleared his throat and raised his wrist to look at his watch. "Do you have spare time Oshiro-san?"

"Uh..." Toshikazu said, looking around. "What time is it?"

"Half-past two." Daisuke answered, putting his wrist down to his side.

"Yeah... I guess." Toshikazu said, "I have about thirty minutes before my next class starts. What do you need me for?"

"Well..." Daisuke began to say, "This is supposed to be kept a secret, but I think I can tell you..."

Toshikazu's face turned serious. "What? How secretive? Is it involving a murder?"

"No..." Daisuke said, glancing away momentarily. "It's about what happened at the Auditorium last week."

"Oh." Toshikazu answered. "That case was put all under control, thanks to you and your friends."

Daisuke shook his head. "Although that's true, that isn't my point."

"Then what is?"

Daisuke glanced behind his shoulders and sides. "I think that the entire incident was staged."

Toshikazu raised an eyebrow. "Really? How so?"

"Well..." Daisuke paused. "Those monstrels were well-versed in fighting against our abilities... I also assume that their target was someone among my group."

"Who?" Toshikazu asked, interested.

"Mizore Shirayuki." Daisuke answered. "The First-Year Yuki-Onna that we saved this last week... and my friend..."

"So, you think she was targeted?" Toshikazu asked. "Why do you think it's her?"

"As I mentioned before, the monstrel knew our individual abilities and fought with much ease. But in particularly with Mizore-san. The monstrel himself said that he had a serum created specialized in taking down Yuki-Onna. I don't know too much about monstrels but I am pretty sure that one couldn't create some poison or toxin in the heat of battle to neutralize an enemy with, especially when the monstrel had never met the enemy before. It doesn't seem plausible Oshiro-san. This couldn't have been an accidental encounter."

Daisuke saw that Toshikazu had his hand to his mouth and eyes closed, thinking intently.

"You provided your idea with some good evidence." Toshikazu said. "Your assumptions on monstrels are in fact correct. Monstrels cannot manipulate their inner molecules to create poisons in a matter of seconds. It should take usually about several hours or more. But the fact that they would target Shirayuki seems unreasonable..."

"Why? I mean the serum was specially made for her. It immobilized her entirely. You saw it too!"

Toshikazu shook his head. "You don't know anything about Mizore Shirayuki other than the fact that she is your friend and a Yuki-Onna, am I correct?"

"Well, I-I..." Daisuke stammered. He slumped his shoulders. "No... you are right."

"Shirayuki belongs to one of the few remaining noble families of the Yuki-Onna race. Where she is from, she is regarded almost as a princess. Besides, the Shirayuki clan was once regarded as one of the greatest ancient monster clans to ever exist. The fact that they are Yuki-Onna clan and still in existence prove that."

"Really?!" Daisuke said. "That means... That I... oh damn..."

"Anyway, back to my point, if these monstrels did indeed have Mizore as their target, then that would be similar to having an assassination contract on the Prince of Great Britain. It's that serious. If they had, those monstrels would have assassins on their tails as well."

"What?! Really?! But why?" Daisuke asked.

"As I said earlier, the Shirayuki were considered, and still are, considered one of the greatest monster clans to ever live on the face of this planet. Do you want to know why?"

"Why?"

"The Shirayuki were the best assassins in the ancient times. They are masters of Cryokinesis and will use it to their discretion. Using their appearances as a form of their deception, they could get any contract done cleanly and quietly. Their trademark for assassination was white flowers that are only found in the regions where Yuki-Onna live."

"... Wow... That's pretty serious..." Daisuke said. "So, you are saying, that if the two monstrels had targeted Mizore-san, then they would be dead already, right?"

"My point exactly." Toshikazu said, nodding. "I have another theory however."

"What is it?"

"I feel that the Auditorium incident was staged as well. However the target in question is no other than..."

Toshikazu turned and stared at Daisuke straight in the eyes.

"You."

"Wait, what?! But they had a serum-"

"They probably designed that toxin for you. But they used in on Shirayuki instead."

"Why the hell would they do that?!" Daisuke said, startled. This idea was completely new to him.

"So they could lure you out." Toshikazu said. "I am going off on a hunch here but I think they must have originally planned the serum to use on you however they must have underestimated your abilities. Unable to track you, they used the exact serum on Shirayuki to get you to come out."

"But why her?"

"Another hunch, but I assume that they were well aware of your increasingly intimate relationship with Shirayuki. They used to their advantage..."

"But what do these guys want with me?" Daisuke asked, alarmed. "What did I ever do?"

"I am afraid I don't have an answer to that Daisuke-kun." Toshikazu said, sighing with defeat at not knowing. "You'll have to find out for yourself."

Daisuke sighed and nodded. "I guess I do..."

"Mmhmm." Toshikazu said, running his hand through his hair. He looked over his shoulder to see the clock by his desk and saw that they had been talking for a little longer than expected. "Anyway, I think we should conclude this talk right here. My classes will begin soon."

"Oh alright." Daisuke said, turning to leave as he headed out the door. As he arrived at the doorway however, he stopped and turned around to face Toshikazu once again. "Oh, Oshiro-san."

"Mmm?"

"Earlier you said that the Shirayuki clan was one of the few remaining clans of the Yuki-Onna race... Were there more clans back then?"

Toshikazu didn't say a word. He grabbed a stray piece of paper off his desk and grabbed a spare pencil and began to write on the paper. After scribbling down several words he folded it and handed it to Daisuke.

"Go to the library in the building opposite from where we are and look for it." Toshikazu said, "My class is going to start soon."

Daisuke opened the paper and it read, Exceptional Monster Clans of the Past to Present. Daisuke thanked Toshikazu and nodded his good-bye as he left the classroom.

As the door shut behind Daisuke, Toshikazu waited for a several moments to make sure that Daisuke was far enough from the room. He let out a relieved sigh. There was a sound similar to a curtain blowing in the wind that sounded next to him. When Toshikazu turned his head, he saw that Hyun-Joon was standing next to him, arms crossed and sour-faced.

"Oh, I thought you left. I couldn't feel your pressure anymore." Toshikazu scoffed. "What the hell were you thinking when you let your spirit energy just flow free? Are you asking to be caught? You know how it is when this school has intruders."

"Shut up Toshikazu." Hyun-Joon said behind gritted teeth. "It was just a momentary thing."

"What? That Daisuke said that name? Tae, was it? Who the hell is that guy anyway?"

Hyun-Joon looked away. He didn't say a word for a long time. He sighed and spoke, "He's my brother."

"What?! You had a brother?! And what was he doing with Daisuke? Why would a monster associate himself with a-"

"He isn't a monster." Hyun-Joon snapped. "He's... a human..."

Toshikazu's jaw dropped. "Wait, are you serious? Or are you pulling my leg here?"

"What the hell makes you think I would be joking around here?" Hissed Hyun-Joon. "And not only that, you! Why did you divulge all that information to him?! You know that he assumes you for something!"

"That's the plan genius. What I told him about the incident was a severely butchered one. I need his trust. In order to that, I needed to tell him what I think about what he asked. Besides, he isn't going to get anywhere with that information."

Hyun-Joon shook his head. "You underestimate him. Just like the last time we had this conversation..." He clenched his fists. "I told you to not get yourself so deep into this. All I needed was for you to relay information to me and make sure that he doesn't find out about us. All you are doing is revealing the entire plan part-by-part to him. That doesn't help us at all Toshikazu."

Toshikazu chuckled. "Relax Espada Double-Zero." He twirled his pencil in his hand. "I've got everything here under control. You just go about with your Espada business. I'll handle everything here."

"You better." Hyun-Joon said, frowning. "Every time I talk with you, I lose more and more trust in you. I expect another full report the next time I come back here."

"Yeah, when you do," Toshikazu said, "Use the front door next time."

"Smart-ass bastard." Hyun-Joon said, climbing out the now-open window. "Until next time."

"Mmm." Toshikazu said, shutting the window.

Hyun-Joon walked on the open sky and muttered several phrases under his breath. With a flick of his wrist, a black portal opened in the sky. It was a rather minute garganta, meant for travel between the living world and Hueco Mundo. Hyun-Joon stepped in and looked back at the academy.

It's such a nice place... Too bad it won't matter later on.

He chuckled to himself as he walked further into the garganta and it closed behind him. He was sure no one saw him. Well, even if they did, it wouldn't matter. They couldn't stop him.

Down back on the ground, a boy looked up at the sky as he witnessed the garganta opening and closing. He let his camera hang loosely around his neck as he saw with mouth gaping. The wind blew his long black hair, making his red headband more visible than usual.

Staring at the sky with disbelief, Ginei tried to think of what exactly to do. He couldn't.

This is bad...

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(A/N): It seems Oshiro is not the man he seems to be. Who is the mysterious boy that approached Daisuke earlier? Wait and see. Yay. I am done with chapter six. Sorry for not being able to update earlier. I was under the weather lately and I had a lot of crap to study for. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I will update another companion chapter this week or so... maybe even earlier. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my FanFiction. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Much love,

~SAYONARA~