Hello all my faithful readers! I feel like this update is really late, and the fact that I haven't worked on anything in a long time, opps. Well I'm back on the saddle after a short break! Thanks to Kage Kurai, ctofi1, Phantom Claire, AngryHitsu, and Mer-mer for reviewing! Your reviews are what make me want to right more. Well time for the long awaited chapter 12. I hope you like it. Disclaimer time ~!
DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BLEACH I ONLY OWN THE ORIGNIAL CHARACTERS AND THE PLOT!
Urahara's explanation was brief. They worked as phones, but only to each others and all you had to do was press the camera button and it would start scanning. The waves would turn blue if there was a match in the area. It was actually pretty simple, Toshiro was impressed.
Urahara and Yoruichi made their excuses of going to get the garganta ready for travel. Their departure was barely noticed. All eyes shifted towards the young shinigami captain. Toshiro was thoughtful.
"I know our primary mission is to find and save Kurosaki, but I think for the sake of the Gotei we need to investigate this Neo-Gotei. See what we can find about them and if they had any immediate plans. Or just to learn their names so we aren't fighting them blind."
The other shinigami nodded their assent. The two eleventh members weren't entirely sure what the captain could gain from learning about his enemies, to them it seemed like it'd be more beneficial to kill whoever they were before they could do any damage. But they'd go along with it, Hueco Mundo was the world of hollows after all.
After their short meeting the group headed towards the underground training area. Urahara was just finishing the garganta he turned around and nodded towards the group. As Toshiro grew closer to the garganta he felt himself bubble with excitement, the fact that he would be able to do something constantly instead of waiting around sporadically doing something. The others seemed to be of the same mind.
Urahara gave instructions on how to navigate the garganta, even though Renji and Rukia had gone through the garganta previously. Urahara was worried about the other members. He kept stressing that because he had never sent this large of reiatsu through the portal he wasn't sure what would be waiting for them on the other side. Toshiro assured him they would be careful and wouldn't be careless.
Toshiro leapt through the garganta first, then Rangiku, Rukia, Renji, Ikkaku, and Yumichika was at the back. Those who hadn't been through the garganta before were looking around in surprise. They hadn't expected to see what they were seeing, instead they thought they would see gruesome figures looming in the blackness. Instead it was just black mixed with random strands or reiatsu appearing at intervals.
Toshiro focused on keeping at strong pathway for the others to run on. His gaze was focused straight ahead into the seemingly endless blackness. With each stride he took towards Hueco Mundo he took, he could hear the humming sound from a few days ago begin once more and it was growing louder. It wasn't Hyourinmaru, the dragon would make a sort of purring sound, this was something completely different. The notion that the dragon spirit might know what the humming was flitted across his mind.
He was surprised to see a bright light ahead of him. The young captain wondered if that was the way out, if so how long had he been thinking about the humming? He looked back and saw Rukia nod at him. He returned his gaze in front of him. The light was growing larger now. A minute or so later and the group emerged into the Menos Forest. Toshiro looked around with amazement. This place was strangely beautiful, large trees stretched towards the tops.
He had heard the stories about the Menos Forest, and the reports from the two vice-captains, but he hadn't thought he would be seeing it in real life. Hueco Mundo tended to be a gray area that Shinigami didn't mess with, unless it was needed. He looked back at Rukia and Renji who were just now emerging. Toshiro motioned for them to come closer, he was sure that Ikkaku and Yumichika wouldn't care much for planning.
"You're the most experienced with Hueco Mundo." Toshiro began. "So where do we go from here."
"We try to avoid the Guardian of the Forest." Renji stated simply.
"The Guardian of the Forest?" Rangiku questioned.
Renji shrugged. "Its clever, its probably setting traps up now for us, so we need to travel carefully."
The prodigy was expecting something similar to having traps set up, he was already planning to go at a careful pace and make sure nothing was over looked. Right now they needed to get to the actual level of Hueco Mundo. Rukia and Renji were the designated leaders for the traveling. Rukia was chewing on her bottom lip thoughtfully, trying to recall how they left the first time, she didn't have faith in Renji that he would remember.
Rukia started to walk in a random direction, to the rest at least. "Its to dangerous to shunpo. We might not only run into the Guardian's traps, but we might alert the hollows to our presence if they don't already know we're here."
To finish her statement she gave a harsh look to Renji and Ikkaku, the two that weren't know for their reiatsu suppression control. They shrugged awkwardly, but stayed quiet and followed the petite shinigami. Traveling on foot was taking longer than anyone cared to admit. The further they got into the forest the more debris was on the floor. Toshiro stumbled once and when he looked back to see what made him slip he saw part of a hollow mask. He arched his eyebrow, then he looked ahead and saw that there was more debris ahead that were all parts of hollow masks.
"This wasn't here last time..." Rukia stated uncertainly.
A reiatsu was closing in on them. Toshiro raised his sword, but Rukia threw her arm out to single for him to stop. The young captain lowered it, but didn't sheathe it. The others were also on alert, Renji's face slowly grew into understanding.
Something appeared ahead of them. Toshiro, at first glance thought it was a hollow. With furs covering most of its body, maybe an Adjuchas class. Though when it lifted its hand it looked like that of a regular human or shinigami. On closer inspection there were shinigami robes clothing the front of its body, and the furs were only on the back.
It removed the helmet to show the face of a man. Looking over at the two who had been here before he saw that they weren't surprised. Rukia even looked pleased to see him the man nodded in greeting before he spoke.
"I see that you were able to save the girl and win the winter war." He spoke.
Rukia nodded. "We were."
The two shared some sort of secretive smile. Rukia turned around, seeming to remember that there were others there. "Everyone this is Ashido Kano."
Ashido bowed. Everyone returned the bow, Toshiro sent a questioning glance at Rukia. Who turned to face the older shinigami. "What's happened?"
Ashido shrugged. "The Arrancar were fighting for the throne over Hueco Mundo, their fighting was even brought down here were several hundred low level hollows and Menos Grande."
"A power struggle?" Renji wondered aloud.
Ashido nodded. "Those who've taken refugee in the forest were threatened. A lot of them fled to the human world, others seem to be following a new leadership, I don't know anything more about that."
Rukia was silent for a long while before something appeared to click in her mind. "There were several low level hollow attacks in Karakura town before Ichigo was taken!"
Ashido blinked, confused as to why that was brought up. He sent a questioning look at Rukia, she waved him off. "I'll explain later. But we're short on time, can you lead us to the exit once more?"
"Yeah." Ashido replied. "Follow me."
He took off without another word. The group followed after him, Toshiro took the time to inquire about their guide. "What is he doing here?"
"He and a squad of other shinigami followed a group of hollows through the garganta several hundred years ago. He's been fighting hollows ever since."
"So he's been in Hueco Mundo the entire time?" Rangiku piped up.
Rukia shrugged. "That's what he told me."
There was no need to ask about the other shinigami that went through with Ashido, the answer was there if you looked hard enough. On the bright side it appeared that they seemed to be making better time now. They were navigating through the clearer parts of the forest, and they hadn't seen hide nor tail of a hollow, or anything threatening.
"Why is it so quiet?" Ikkaku asked, he had been expecting a fight and was more than a little disappointed.
Ashido heard the question. "A lot of hollows and higher have gone into hiding, they hardly ever come out now. The arrancar have been devouring hollows attempting to gain more strength. I think the former espada three is in charge."
Toshiro winced. He remembered that espada particularly well. He had thought she was dead, but it seemed that once again he was proven wrong about her. They would have to tread a lot more carefully than they were now, since she was in charge, and would probably have guards out once she found out there were intruders.
"Currently? You mean it could change?" Rukia arched an eyebrow.
"Hueco Mundo has gone through four different leaders in the past 17 and a half months."
Rangiku gasped. "That many?"
"Hollows are ruthless creatures. They fight to gain power, and being the ruler of Hueco Mundo is about as powerful as you can get."
"Naturally." Yumichika suddenly spoke up. "But don't we have to get close to Los Noches?"
"On top of it actually." Renji supplied.
Ashido turned around and sent them looks saying that they were crazy. "Why?"
Rukia stepped foreword, Toshiro crossed his arms in approval. Rukia seemed to have the most history with this man so it'd be best if she handled the interactions the group would have.
"Don't you remember the orange haired teen? He had a big temper and the hero complex to go with it?"
Renji sniggered at Rukia's way of describing Ichigo. Toshiro almost smiled, it was accurate. The teen would deny it, but there would be that spark that says that he knew it as well. Toshiro shook his head, he couldn't imagine why he was thinking about a spark in Ichigo's eyes.
Ashido put a finger on his lips, looking up, trying to recall something. "Oh yeah. Him."
"Well, he was taken hostage by a group of renegades, we're trying to find him. We have devices that in tune with the place where we think he was taken."
"Renegades? Shinigami?"
"We think so. The ones we've encountered so far were."
Ashido had an angry look pass his face before it was neutral once more. He turned back around a began walking. The others sensed the end to the conversation, and that it would be awhile before the other was once again talking to them. They wondered what caused the strange change in attitude. During the remainder of the walk they took their time enjoying the strange beauty of the place they had found themselves in. Yumichika wasn't that impressed but he thought it was nice break from the monotonous colors of Soul Society.
Ashido stopped suddenly. "It nearly nightfall. Even with the hollows heading, I don't advise continuing in the dark."
The group looked to the young captain. "Very well. It does me no good to have an exhausted squad."
The group understood the point the captain was trying to make, he didn't want anything endangering Ichigo anymore, if they performed a speedy rescue more things could go wrong and it could cost more than one of them their life, or Ichigo's which would make this whole mission a moot point, and a failure.
The older man led the group to a tree, but on closer inspection of the roots, they actually wound around to form a sort of stairwell. They descended quite a ways and ended up into a room. There were random scatterings of things that looked like furniture, they were poorly crafted, yet functional. It was in a dilapidated condition, no one had been in this room for a long time. There was a tunnel, manmade by the look of it, that lead off somewhere.
"There is extra rooms that way." Ashido commented offhandedly. "There isn't much room, but I think there is enough for you to double up."
He lead them to aforementioned rooms, they were in a similar state to the main room. The only difference was there were hollow furs folded up in the corners. There were three rooms in all. It was without a question that Rukia and Rangiku would share a room, the shinigami were gentlemen after all, and there was no need for the girls to sleep with them. Ikkaku and Yumichika buddied off quickly and went into their rooms.
Ashido rubbed the back of his head. "The last room can only fit one. Someone else and I are going to have to take the main room."
"Captain-" Renji began.
The frosty captain quickly cut him off. "Renji you take the last room."
Renji backed off quickly seeing the look in the young captain's eyes. He bowed. "Thank you."
After the squad was settled in, Toshiro and Ashido walked into the main room. There was an awkward air around the two of them. They lay back to back. Toshiro was closer to the tunnel. He could faintly hear Yumichika complaining about not sleeping on hollow pelts. To which Ikkaku replied that he should suck it up. Toshiro tuned out the rest of the conversation after Yumichika made a perverted comment. Toshiro stared down the tunnel, he shifted once more trying to get comfortable, to no avail.
His stirring seemed to have woken his roommate up. "Kid, you alright?"
Toshiro felt a vein throb in his head. "I'm not a kid. I'm a captain of the 13 Gotei."
"Right. Sorry Captain. But I don't have your name."
"Toshiro Hitsugaya."
The older man was silent for awhile, then he spoke again. "But you really are a kid."
Toshiro turned over quickly, glaring at the shape of the other man, who let out a chuckle.
"See? You can't control your impulse emotions. Long term you can but your first reaction gives away your age."
Toshiro inhaled sharply. But Ashido wasn't done. "Kurosaki is much the same way. You can't be that off in age, physically at least. Speaking of which what is your relationship to Kurosaki-san?"
Toshiro couldn't think of an answer right away. They weren't friends per say, but they couldn't be classified as acquaintances anymore, not after what they've been through. Toshiro shrugged lightly. "I don't really know."
Ashido shifted slightly. "Is that so? I'd have thought that you two were best friends, they way you looked when I first saw you. There was a desperation in your eyes. I knew then you were looking from someone important to you."
Toshiro listened. "Really?"
"Yes. But Renji looks desperate as well, but not as much as you do? I wonder why?"
Toshiro turned back around. "Why indeed."
18 days after Ichigo's disappearance.
The premiers were gathered around in their usual formation. All were shifting nervously. Their gazes weren't focused straight ahead like they usually were, instead they were looking anywhere but the door that led into the King's private chambers. Yuna had run into him earlier and he had been in a foul mood. She quickly warned the other premiers. It seemed that her warning was well taken.
The doors flew open with a bang. The premiers stiffened. A few dared to look at the angered king. He was glowering at the nearest wall, and he was permeating a dark aura. They premiers looked away, hoping that they wouldn't be the target for the king's anger.
He stopped at the head of the circle and without even composing himself, his heated gaze focused on the blue-haired half demon. He spoke in clipped tones. "Yuna!"
She swallowed harshly and lowered herself. "Y-Yes milord?"
"How did those Gotei dog's get into Hueco Mundo?"
"I-I do not know, sire."
"Then explain to me how they know how to find our hideout!" Sachio screamed.
"Sire? I was not aware they knew."
"You should be thankful that you weren't aware. It'd be on your head if you did."
Yuna nodded shakily and sunk down further.
"Masao!" Sachio rounded on the blonde.
"Yes?" Masao bowed deeply.
"Tell me, what did you pets report when they went to the Living World, before we captured Ichigo?"
Masao paused, the replied. "There were several strong reiatsus. One belonged to our target, and the others were captain class. One I do not know, but the other was Kisuke Urahara."
"Kisuke? Dammit. I did not account for him to be in Karakura town." Sachio growled.
"Masao, have that whelp of yours and whoever else you think fit take out those dammed shinigami!" Sachio ordered.
"It shall be done." Masao deepened his bow.
"Join them if you must." Sachio continued, a scowl on his face. "I want you to wait until the leave the forest. I want them to think that they might actually make it."
Sachio left without another word. The premiers exhaled in relief. Masao looked bored, he looked at Tadashi.
"No way in hell am I going to be blamed if you screw up." The Scott shook his head.
Masao sighed. "Honestly. This is rather tiresome."
"Not my fault. This is your realm after all." Tadashi replies.
Masao shrugs. "I'll be back."
He disappeared in a mini garganta. Leaving the other premiers in the throne room. Yuna regained her composure. She looked at the spot where the other male vanished. "The fool's going to get himself killed. Underestimating them like that."
Tadashi shrugged. "Then let there be a vacancy. He should've prevented their entry in the first place."
"Well whatever." Yuna was walking out of the room. "I have a squad member waiting to be promoted. Though it'd be a shame to lose Masao, he's the reason why we can stay here."
"True." Enyo mumbled.
"Daichi, follow him. Do not intervene until Masao looks like he's about to die." Yuna ordered.
Daichi nodded and then vanished as well. Leaving Enyo and Tadashi in a room together.
Enyo wrinkled her nose. "I hate the fact that she's second-in-command."
"What're you going to do about it. She's got the Boss' backing, and Daichi as well. She's also a part demon."
"I'll suffer silently then." Enyo replied, crossing her arms. "But I hope that I live to see the day she dies."
Enyo strolled towards the door. Tadashi scoffed. "Touchy. Women are so complicated."
He headed off to one of the side doors, a hand in his pocket the other messing with his hair. Thinking that Enyo just lost some of her beauty. She had it on the outside, but not so much on the inside.
Masao reappeared in the throne room of Los Noches. He flared his reiatsu sending the low level hollows and whatever else was in that room flying. He only needed to talk to the one on charge. He strode confidently towards the throne. The occupant of the throne looked up. She seemed unimpressed that the man had entered Los Noches.
"What do I owe this unpleasant visit?" She spat.
"Now, now Tier. No need to be so cold." Masao greeted warmly.
Tier glared at the ponytailed man. "Whenever you visit it never works out in my favor."
The man tried to sound affronted. "I put you on the throne."
"It suited it you."
Masao shrugged. "I can't deny that its been beneficial."
"There's your answer."
"Perhaps, but I have some pests that have invaded your realm. One of them was that white haired shinigami you lost to."
The former espada suddenly looked interested. "That captain?"
Masao nodded. "He and a few of his subordinates are in the Menos Forest."
Tier started to stand up. "I have one stipulation, wait until the clear the forest."
"Orders from you king?" Tier scoffed.
"He's yours as well." Masao stepped foreword. "Do not forget that I rule all of you pathetic hollows."
Tier glared at him. Masao drew his sword. "Do I need to persuade you? Or will you go against your god."
Tier looked away before mumbling, "I wish that hollow would've you eaten instead of that dammed sword."
Masao pretended not hear that last comment. "Will you?"
"I don't have much of a choice." The blonde beauty mumbled. "It shall be done."
Masao smiled cruelly. "Get your group together, and I will meet you at the base of the palace."
Tier walked out of the throne room. Masao walked in the other direction. As he exited the throne room he felt a familiar reiatsu spike. Masao arched an eyebrow. "So you finally come out of hiding? Good, welcome back old friend."
He continued walking towards the base of the castle. He could feel the small group of shinigami approach, they weren't moving very fast. Masao couldn't care less, the outcome would be the same. Whether they be at the door stop of Los Noches or hiding in the Menos Forest. He would kill those who abandoned him and his friends in this hellhole. Leaving him to fend for himself and join a group of psychos.
He reached his destination. He was still focused on that one particular reiatsu, the one he would never forget for as long as he lived. It was the one that lead him and his comrades to their demise, the one that made him leave behind a happy family. His wife was expecting! He was going to be a father, but then he had to lead them into a trap. Now he was a monster, but not in appearance. He was a never a vengeful man but yet he prayed every night that he could be the one to drive the blade into that man's chest.
He smiled cruelly. Now he was going to achieve his goal. Part of it at least, the other part was killing every last shinigami, but that was being worked on, so he didn't need to worry about it.
He rested his hand on his corrupted zanpakuto. He loathed how it felt now, but there was nothing anyone could do for it. He growled in impatience as he waited for that dammed former espada. The reiatsu hadn't wavered any, and he was glad.
"Welcome back to the living, Ashido Kano! Though your stay will be short."
He heard footsteps approach behind him. Very short. He amended. The group launched into the Hueco Mundo sands. All bloodthirsty for a good fight. They made good time in approaching the group. They met the group. Masao stopped them, they were standing on a sand dune. There was random cloud obscuring the moon's light, bathing him in darkness as he faced his former ally.
He looked down at him, hate burning in his eyes. He spoke loud enough that they heard him. "Do you remember me, Ashido? Because I never have forgotten you!"
Ashido stared up at the figure, he couldn't tell who it was, though the voice was familiar, he just couldn't place it. As the cloud moved past the moon, the normally stoic faced shinigami felt his jaw drop.
"It can't be... You're Masao Narumi!"
Oh look... its a cliffhanger. Sorry, I'll see if I can't get 13 out sooner than normal. I hope enjoyed and I hope you all don't hate me for bringing in Ashido, I thought it'd be nice to add in a little more drama, and fuel for later on. So you know what to do, leave your thoughts below! Oh, and if I get a certain amount of reviews on this update, then I might start inserting a line in for the next chapter, if you all want that.
Later!~IF