Author's note: Okay everyone ready for the next Chapter? Well I am. As I promised I wrote a little something involving Karasuba and Kenpachi. As for commenting/answering questions here are a few:
Tahaku: Thanks for pointing out the lack of a mask the first time around. I had meant to put it in but working on this really late starts to make you forget things. As it is I went in and altered the wording and added the dreaded Hannya mask. (I also just found out I misspelled it in the previous chapter but as of this chapter it is spelled correctly). As for the rest all I have to say is this: spoilers. *Somewhere in another world on another planet at another time a certain curly haired blonde time traveler sneezes*
KorPa: As far as Byakuya and Kuu go just because I don't have them paired together doesn't mean that they won't meet and interact. As far as the drinking party goes I would think that a certain buxom Lieutenant might want in on that.
Arrankor: Thanks for your input. I can't say much as giving too much away. As for Uzume she is not winged by Chiho but I will have a very brief chapter or two regarding her as I feel really sorry for her in the manga. As for the amount of Captains and Lieutenants in Shinto Teito I'll put it like this, there is some foreshadowing at the end as two why I have so many there.
About halfway through this chapter I plan on switching to Uryū and Orihime's perspective so that they aren't just off in the middle of nowhere waiting on Ichigo's beck and call. I will say this though. Ichigo will be getting his first Sekirei in this chapter. *Isshin starts bawling his eyes out and floods the room* Well I suppose I've whetted your appetites enough, so with that I better start before you guys reach through the screen and strangle me.
As always I own nothing of anything except for any original characters.
Tōshirō was bored. It wasn't caused by the usual things like Captain's meetings, paperwork, or turning down Rangiku's offer to take him out drinking. No. It was caused by the 8 year old child sitting in front of him.
"I win again!" Kuu said making the finishing mark through all her O's on the tic-tac-toe board they had drawn in the ground. "You aren't very good at this game are you?"
"I am a genius who became a Captain at the youngest age ever," Tōshirō said muttering to himself as he stared at the board. "Yet why can't I win a single game of tic-tac-toe?"
"Maybe you are overthinking it." Kuu offered.
"You might be right." Tōshirō said thinking it over. He was used to planning ten or even twenty moves ahead. In such a simple game it was possible he was over thinking things. "Let's do another."
"Okay," Kuu said brightly. They erased to board and set up a new one.
One minute later Tōshirō was seriously considering hunting down the creator of the game in Soul Society and kill them again.
A strange whooping noise made itself known to Tōshirō. Like with a single car on the road he could not remember when he first began to hear it but once it was known he could remember hearing it since he began playing with Kuu.
"They are here for Yomi," Kuu said softly.
"Why what do they need her for?" Tōshirō asked.
"When a Sekirei is defeated the Sekirei that defeated her is supposed to watch over her until they come to take her away." Kuu explained. Tears filled her eyes.
"I take it when they get taken away something bad happens," Tōshirō said reaching into a pocket for a Soul Candy. He hadn't known Kuu long but she had become very important to him. He wouldn't mind revealing himself if only to stop her from crying.
"Their Ashikabi never gets to see them again." Kuu said sadly. "I don't want that to happen to me. I want to stay with Big Brother."
"Well I'm not going anywhere for right now," Tōshirō reassured her putting the Soul Candy back deeper into his pocket. 'Why did I say that? I have to go back to Soul Society. She's a human or Sekirei as she keeps calling herself. She can't come with me.'
A black and white blur shot from the helicopter heading toward them. As it got closer Tōshirō began to pick up more colors. Black and white were eventually joined by the pale color of flesh, and a bright hot pink. A bad feeling started to form in the pit of Tōshirō's stomach.
The object crashed in directly in front of them a large dust cloud obscured what had crashed to the ground.
"Tōshirō," a voice called out from inside the cloud. Tōshirō's bad feeling just got worse. He quickly pulled the Soul Candy out of his pocket. It made it halfway to his mouth before he felt cold steel on his neck.
"Kenpachi," Tōshirō growled out.
"Relax," Kenpachi said removing the blade from Tōshirō's neck. Tōshirō briefly considered trying to bring the Candy up to his mouth but disregarded it. Kenpachi was too quick. Besides something seemed off.
"What are you here for?" Tōshirō said turning around.
"Don't get me wrong I would love to fight you," Kenpachi said grinning down at Tōshirō. Yachiru quickly jumped from his back to a nearby tree and waved at the white haired Captain. "But I'm currently working with a few people who might get a little upset over fighting you right now. In exchange for not killing you I get to fight a strong ass woman and I get to slaughter you later if you get anymore Sekirei."
A thudding noise came from behind Tōshirō. He turned to look at the new arrival. A tall woman stood nearby. Gray hair tied back into a ponytail that reached her mid back. A black leather top with a gray haori. A long katana was attached to a black miniskirt.
"You're the Ashikabi?" The woman asked looking him up and down.
"Yes," Kuu responded quickly. "Big Brother is my Ashikabi."
"Strange," she murmured.
"What?" Tōshirō asked, not particularly enjoying being eyed like a slice of meat.
"We had received word that number 108 had been winged but we had no information on the Ashikabi." The woman replied. "Mintaka should have called you after you Winged her and explained the rules. During that call he should have at least gotten your name for our records. To add to it you don't seem overly surprised by what just happened and who we are."
"Kuu explained it to him," Kuu responded before Tōshirō could lie. "After Big Brother didn't get a call I explained it all to him."
'Why is she lying for me?' Tōshirō thought.
"Hey Karasuba," Kenpachi said speaking up. "I think I found the solution to that problem you've been having."
"And what is that my Ashikabi?" The now identified Karasuba asked. Tōshirō did a double take at the mention of Kenpachi being an Ashikabi.
"Kenny kissed a girl!" Yachiru gleefully shouted from in a nearby tree.
"You have my condolences," Tōshirō said nodding toward Karasuba.
"Why is that?" Karasuba asked raising an eyebrow at the question. "He isn't that bad a kisser. Besides when we fight it gets me all excited. As it is right now I'm just barely containing my desire to try and rip his throat out with my sword. He'd probably rip an arm or leg off. It's glorious."
'Dear God preserve us,' Tōshirō shuddered. 'There are two of them.'
"Anyway I found the solution to our problem." Kenpachi responded a manic grin on his face.
"What problem were they having?" Tōshirō whispered to Yachiru.
"Kenny and Subbi couldn't fight anywhere normal or they would level the city." Yachiru explained. "So they've been looking for a place that they can go all out."
"Remember it was both of our problem," Karasuba said simply. "I would love to fight you as well, but when we first met neither of us went all out and in only five minutes before you released your power everything in a mile diameter was reduced to rubble."
"Your point?" Kenpachi asked his grin widening.
"After that fight my superiors ordered me either not to fight with you or to find somewhere to do it safely." Karasuba responded. "That's what made it both of our problems."
"Screw 'um," Kenpachi said maniacally. "They couldn't stop us."
"They could always just deactivate me and you'd be left without a sparring partner." Karasuba pointed out.
"Anyway," Kenpachi said laughing. The manic grin never left his face. "I think I know how we can get around that."
"How?" Karasuba asked.
"We use this area in here," Kenpachi responded gesturing to the entire forest around them. "It is too densely packed for anybody to get in and I noticed a kid on the outside shoot a fireball at this place. The trees regrew almost instantly. We can go all out and the next day everything will be back to normal and you don't have to worry about collateral damage. I could honestly care less."
"It could work," Karasuba responded a smile of her own slowly spreading across her lips. "We just need to get number 41 out of here and then toss the kids out then we can fight to our hearts content."
"Way ahead of you," Kenpachi said grinning manically. He grabbed Yomi's body. With a quick jerking motion he chucked it at the helicopter. Through some unbelievable stroke of luck her body made it into the helicopter without any problems.
"Here," Tōshirō heard Karasuba say to him. She was holding out a cell phone and a credit card. "Since evidently you don't have a phone of your own you should take this, that way the director can contact you if he has any special events. The credit card is special as it will allow you to access nearly limitless funds. We also need a name for our records."
"Hitsugaya," Tōshirō responded not taking either of the objects in her hand.
"Any other name?" Karasuba asked raising an eyebrow.
"No," Tōshirō responded. He pulled out a cell phone that the S.R.D.I. had sent to them before they left. "And as you can see I have a phone of my own."
"Then please give me your number so that we may call you for special events." Karasuba prodded placing both the phone and the credit card in her pocket when it became abundantly clear that he wasn't going to take either of them.
"No," Tōshirō declined.
"Well then if that's all settled it's time to be getting you out of here." Kenpachi declared grabbing Tōshirō in one hand and Kuu in another. "Me and the lady here want to fight and you being here prevents that. Thanks kid for the place to spar."
Before Tōshirō could do anything else he felt Kenpachi heave him through the air. The only sound he could hear was the whipping of wind that rushed past his ears. He turned while hurtling through the air and saw Kuu in a similar situation.
They passed over the tree tops in a matter of seconds. Just as they started to head downward Tōshirō felt Kenpachi release his spirit pressure. Waves of it rolled out of the forest. Another spirit pressure spiked inside the forest as well. While slightly less than Kenpachi's it was no less fierce.
Tōshirō pointed two of his fingers in the direction he was going and whispered, "Shō."
The effect was immediate. Tōshirō slowed down and caught Kuu in his arms. Tōshirō looked below them. Shunsui stood with his arms open on the top of a roof. Seo stood nearby with his Sekirei. Rangiku stood with Shunsui with a happy expression on her face. 'I can't use too much Kidō. They are probably already wondering what made me slow down.' In his brief time with Seo, Tōshirō had realized that he was by no means as stupid as he seemed.
Tōshirō braced himself as he collided with Shunsui. A dull thud sounded across the roof as Tōshirō landed in Shunsui's arms. The impact jarred Tōshirō but he kept his hold on Kuu.
"That was fun!" Kuu said smiling. "Let's do that again."
"Let's not," Tōshirō said getting out of Shunsui's arms. "Thanks for catching me."
"No problem," Shunsui said sounding tired. "How was Kenpachi?"
Rangiku was caught in an animated discussion with the Sekirei, about dresses of all things.
"You sensed his spiritual pressure." Tōshirō commented. It wasn't a question. "Evidently he is an Ashikabi now."
"Who's the unlucky person who is his Sekirei?" Tōshirō's fellow Captain asked.
"Her name was Karasuba," Tōshirō said shuddering.
"I think I feel worse for this Kenpachi guy," Seo said walking over. "Karasuba can be downright evil."
"There are two of them," Tōshirō muttered shuddering. Evidently Shunsui understood because a shudder ran down his spine as well.
"What do you mean?" Seo asked.
"You feel the heaviness in the air?" Tōshirō asked.
"Who couldn't?" Seo asked.
"That would be those two starting to fight." Shunsui said simply. "And we are about two or three miles away from the epicenter. What do you think the center of it feels like?"
Seo paled dramatically. He looked over his shoulder and called out to his Sekirei, "Hey if we ever run into a guy named Kenpachi hit me over the head and run like the fucking devil himself was after you. The way it sounds he is a second Karasuba."
Hibiki and Hikari paled along with their Ashikabi at those words.
"Captain!" Rangiku said running up to Tōshirō.
"Rangi-" Tōshirō began but was instantly thrust into her cleavage as she hugged him to her chest.
"I was so worried about you after those plants blocked off our way in. We tried to get through but they kept reforming." Rangiku said her voice getting faster with each word. Tōshirō was having a difficult time breathing. He tried pushing his way out of her breasts, but to no avail. "We were all so worried that you were lost and we wouldn't be able to see you again."
Unbeknownst to the rest of the group a vine had started to creep along the roof top after Rangiku had hugged Tōshirō into her bosom. Without warning it struck forward wrapping around Rangiku's waist and lifting her into the air.
Finding himself free of her bosom Tōshirō began to take deep gulping breaths as his face began to lose the blue tint that had started to form on it.
"Captain," Rangiku call. "Get me down from here."
"Kuu," Tōshirō said turning to the girl. Possessive eyes stared at Tōshirō. "Could you please put her down? She was only worried about me."
The vine that held Rangiku slowly placed the Lieutenant onto the roof. Just as she touched the ground Kuu ran to Tōshirō and put her arms around him.
"Big Brother is mine," Kuu said squeezing Tōshirō protectively.
Rangiku's eyebrows threatened to climb off her forehead as they raised in surprise.
"Wait," Rangiku said a smiling forming on her lips. "Did you go and Win-"
"Leave it alone," Tōshirō said a blush rising on his cheeks despite himself.
"YOU DID!" Rangiku screeched the smile splitting her face in two. "Who would have guessed my Hitsugaya all grown up? I can't wait to call Isshin. You were always like a second son to him. Oh what will Karin and Momo think?"
"If you dare tell those three anything I swear I will put so much paperwork on your desk when we get back that you won't be able to take a vacation for a century." Tōshirō threatened.
"Yes, Captain." Rangiku said sullenly.
"What's with all this talk of Captains?" Seo asked.
"He runs a fishing boat." Shunsui responded lying quickly. "Rangiku works for him."
"This beauty works for that kid on a fishing boat?" Seo asked incredulously.
"Did you just call me a kid?" Tōshirō said quietly. An icy killing intent started to leak from the short Captain.
"No of course not!" Rangiku said quickly covering for him. Tōshirō heard her whisper quietly to Seo, "He's very sensitive about his age. Don't bring it up."
"Any way," Tōshirō said deciding to ignore the whispering. "We need to find a place to stay. Seo can you recommend a room?"
"You go on a head of me Tōshirō." Shunsui said starting to walk away. "I need a drink."
"I want to come too." Rangiku said. "I could use a drink too."
"You're welcome to come along," Shunsui responded laughing. "Seo just tell us where we need to go afterward."
"Rangiku you aren't to go out drinking." Tōshirō commanded.
"But why Captain?" Rangiku whined.
"Because if you do you might just forget your promise to not tell Isshin, Karin, and Momo." Tōshirō explained.
"But what if I promise not to?" Rangiku moaned.
"No Rangiku," Tōshirō vehemently told her.
"The places name is Izumo Inn," Seo said to Shunsui who started to walk away.
"I'll show up there eventually." Shunsui said walking way.
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"This supper is pretty good Miya," Ichigo complimented.
"Why thank you, Ichigo," Miya said smiling at her tenant.
"So Ichigo what did you do today?" Uzume asked. "I saw you leave with Yoruichi but she didn't come back with you. Then you and Chad locked yourselves in your room after you got back."
"Yoruichi is something of a free spirit." Ichigo replied. "I got news from a couple of friends in town and I needed to speak to Chad."
"What was the news?" Kagari asked.
"It was about the sudden growth at the Botanical Garden." Chad lied fluently.
"That was weird," Ichigo responded. "Kagari did you hear about that?"
"No," Kagari said quickly. Ichigo narrowed his eyes but let it go.
"Well evidently this garden sprung up overnight." Ichigo explained. "Kind of weird."
"Hey anybody here?" A voice called out from the entrance to the Inn.
"In here Seo," Uzume called.
A man walked through the entrance. He had a scruffy beard and leather jacket with a white shirt underneath. Two women walked through the opening behind him, wearing matching S&M suits.
Ichigo met the eyes of one of the girls. Recognition dawned on them at the same time.
"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" Ichigo and the two women yelled at the same time. Chad stood abruptly along with Musubi.
Before anything else could happen a massive surge of killing intent flooded the room. Ichigo slowly turned to look at Miya. A Hannya mask floated toward him.
"Ichigo, Hikari, and Hibiki, I have told you on more than one occasion obscene language is prohibited in Izumo Inn, as is fighting." Miya said a smile on her face.
"Yes Miya," The two S&M girls and Musubi responded quickly. Musubi quickly regained her seated position.
Ichigo said nothing but he did sit down, followed quickly by Chad.
"What brings you three too Izumo Inn?" Kagari asked.
"Well we met a guy just a little bit ago and he needed a place to stay." The man said. Ichigo thought he remembered Uzume saying his name was Seo. "And since he has a special little girl with him we figured that this would be the place to go."
"Well bring him in here." Miya said the Hannya mask fading to nothingness.
"You can come on in," Seo shouted over his shoulder. Ichigo heard a bit of rustling before someone pushed their way past the three. Tōshirō Hitsugaya stood a proud four feet four inches (133 cm) tall. A shock of white hair stood proudly on his head. He had a white shirt with khaki pants.
Ichigo was at a loss for words as he saw the Captain of the 10th Division standing before him. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Chad was in much the same situation as Chad was trying to form words but nothing could quite come out.
"Welcome to Izumo Inn." Miya said smiling at the kid Captain.
"I'm honored to be here." Tōshirō said bowing slightly. It was only then that Ichigo noticed the little girl that was holding onto Tōshirō's shirt. She was slightly shorter than Tōshirō, had wavy blond hair that reached her mid back, and a green dress. "I'm Tōshirō, this is Kuu, and my friend Rangiku is in the bathroom. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Miya said smiling. "This is Izumo Inn. The rent is 50,000 yen a month per room. The only payment we don't accept is MBI cards."
"Well the thing is I don't have any money." Tōshirō said rubbing the back of his head. "I can work around here in lieu of payment. My parents didn't give me much money before they sent me here."
"That is perfectly acceptable." Miya said smiling. "My late husband would never turn someone away and neither do I. I'll let the other's introduce themselves."
"Looks like you're here too Tōshirō." Ichigo said giving a lazy wave.
"I thought I sensed you here Ichigo," Tōshirō said sighing. "It's Hitsugaya."
'He can't claim to be a Captain in front of civilians.' Ichigo thought a grin spreading.
"Captain," Chad nodded his head toward the white haired Captain.
"Oh a Captain?" Musubi said suddenly very close to Tōshirō. Her eyes seemed to sparkle. "What are you a Captain of?"
"A fishing boat," Seo supplied. "Evidently he and Rangiku work together on it."
A crashing noise came from the kitchen. Ichigo leapt to his feet to go see what it was but before he could Rangiku Matsumoto stumbled into the room she was wearing a bright pink tank top that revealed a large share of her bosom and jeans that clung to her legs.
"Captain," Rangiku said a slur in her pronunciation. "Look what I found." She pulled an almost empty jug of sake from behind her back.
"How can you be drunk already?" Tōshirō asked an eyebrow twitching.
"Let's see," Rangiku stated. "I went to the bathroom and was coming back here when I passed through the kitchen I saw a large jug of sake sitting there looking lonely so I decided to keep it company."
"So you just stole sake from a woman who we weren't even sure was going to put a roof over our heads?" Tōshirō asked his incredibility rising.
"I don't mind Tōshirō." Miya said waving him down. "As long as she pays me back in hard work then I think I can live with her drinking a little sake."
Ichigo heard Kagari mutter something about the number 3, but couldn't make it out.
"What did you say Kagari?" Ichigo asked.
"I was just saying that the new guests seem to keep arriving in threes." Kagari responded a sweat drop slowly rolling down the back of his head.
"I should tell you now," Miya said to Tōshirō. "I will not allow three things in this building while you stay here. They are obscene language, illicit sexual acts, and fighting."
"Is a spar alright?" Tōshirō asked.
"It is as long as you inform me first." Miya said frowning. "Also supper is at 6:00 sharp normally, however today we ate late because Kagari was out working late."
"Thanks for the warning." Tōshirō said bowing slightly.
"Now we are about done with supper anyway, so why don't I show you to your rooms and you can tell me how you know Ichigo," Miya said. "And Chad."
"I'm going to go out Miya." Uzume called as she got up from the table. "Don't wait up."
Miya started to lead the new tenets up the stairs. She called over her shoulder, "That's alright. Ichigo, Chad, would you mind doing the dishes?"
"Sure," Ichigo called after her.
"I'm going to sleep," Kagari said getting up. "Good night guys."
"Night," Musubi, Chad, and Ichigo called after him.
"Musubi why don't you go get ready to sleep?" Chad told the girl. "I'll be up as soon as this is done."
"No, Musubi will help Chad." She said in response. She grabbed a large portion of the dirty plates. Ichigo looked at Chad and shrugged grabbing a few plates and carried them to the kitchen.
They set up a simple system. Chad would scrub the plates with water, Ichigo would dry, and Musubi would put them away.
"You know," Ichigo said drying a bowl. "We met just a short while ago. What can you tell us about yourself Musubi?"
"What do you want to know?" Musubi asked taking the bowl from Ichigo.
"Well I know you are a Sekirei and from the two that I've seen so far you must have some sort of specialty." Ichigo said starting to wipe a plate Chad handed him. "I heard you say you are a fist type. What does that mean?"
"Musubi fights with her hands." Musubi responded placing the bowl in a cupboard.
"What do you like?" Ichigo asked.
"Chad." Musubi said happily.
Ichigo felt a sweat drop roll down the back of his head as he saw Chad's face flush.
"Besides Chad what do you like?" Ichigo said correcting himself.
"Training," Musubi responded smiling at the two. "So that I can become stronger so that I can become the strongest Sekirei. That way Chad and I can ascend to the heavens together."
"Thanks Musubi," The large man said a small smile on his lips. "But you don't have to worry. I will help you."
"That's right," Musubi said a look of revelation dawning on her. She was quickly by Chad's side poking his right arm. "How did you do that thing with your arm?"
"It's a long story." Chad said sighing. "I'll tell you later."
"Okay," Musubi relented looking upset.
"This is the last of them." Ichigo said handing Musubi the plate he had been drying. Musubi quickly put it away. The trio made their way to their rooms.
"Night," Ichigo told Chad and Musubi.
"Night," Chad and Musubi said at the same time.
Ichigo made his way into his room. Years of experience alerted Ichigo to a foreign presence in his room. An idea slowly stole into his mind about how he could flush out the peeper. It would mean taking a risk but as long as he acted quickly it shouldn't be much of a problem.
Ichigo slowly walked over to his bag in the corner of the room. He had only been there for a day and hadn't had a chance to unpack. Squatting down in front of the bag, as quickly as he could he unzipped it.
A soft plushy lion tried to jump out but Ichigo quickly grabbed it before it could move. A hand covered it's mouth.
"We're being watched." Ichigo whispered to Kon. "Be quiet and don't move."
Kon nodded his consent. He knew what would happen if someone saw a talking and walking toy. Ichigo slowly took his hand away.
"Why did you keep me zipped up in your bag for so long?" Kon demanded softly. The voice wouldn't have carried farther than the two that were talking.
"From what I've seen you would have been found out within the first hour of being out and then the landlady would proceed to kill you." Ichigo whispered back. With all the large chested women around the Inn it might have been closer to three minutes. "That would have created problems, but now I need you to help me."
"Oh I see the great and mighty Ichigo needs help and so he comes crawling to the great and mighty Kon." Kon responded with a twinkle in his eye.
"One more word and I send you to Yuzu," Ichigo threatened softly. "You might even enjoy being put in a dress again." Kon went pale. "Here is what I know. I know my room used to be filled with cameras. My guess is that the entire house is as well. I got word to Chad and he said his room is filled as well. He got rid of his cameras. Now the hallways are probably being watched. I know that at least one person is watching me. I want you to sit out in the hallway and watch to see who it is."
"How will I get out in the hallway if they are being watched?" Kon asked.
"I'm going to drop you on my way back from taking a bath." Ichigo responded.
"I'm not going to bathe with you!" Kon told Ichigo firmly. Somehow he had remembered not to shout.
"I'm going to leave you with my clothes idiot." Ichigo responded a tick mark forming on his head.
"When do we start?" Kon asked.
"Where are my pants?" Ichigo said loudly. Pretending to rummage through his bag as he quickly grabbed his pajamas, tooth brush, tooth paste, and Kon. "There they are." Ichigo said pulling out all the items. Kon hung limply playing the part of a doll.
Ichigo made his way to the bathroom on the first floor. The feeling of being watched disappeared. The lights throughout Izumo Inn were off. Entering the changing room Ichigo quickly placed his clean pajamas in a pile with Kon on top facing the rest of the room. He then quickly brushed his teeth at a nearby sink.
Then being careful to stay out of the little plushy's field of vision Ichigo stripped and wrapped a towel around his waist, before tossing his clothes in a pile near Kon.
Entering the bathroom Ichigo started to bathe. The feeling of being watched returned.
About halfway through the process a crashing noise broke the silence. It had come from the changing room.
Ichigo quickly got up and wrapped a towel around himself and rushed to the room. What he saw would stay with him for the rest of his life.
A woman with long red hair with side plaits and an ivory cheongsam with detached sleeves and a small diamond shaped opening revealing a portion of her cleavage, was stumbling around the room. Kon had shoved himself firmly into the exposed cleavage. The woman was pulling on his legs trying to get him off. The part that shocked Ichigo the most was that his used boxers were covering the woman's head.
"What the fucking hell is going on in here?" Ichigo demanded.
A massive killing intent flashed through the room forcing everybody to freeze. Turning his head slightly Ichigo witnessed Miya walk into the room. A Hannya mask followed, it was thrice the size of normal. Blood dripping from it's eyes. The killing intent seemed to be even stronger than usual.
"Matsu how many times must I say that sexually illicit acts in Izumo Inn are forbidden?" Miya said a smile upon her face.
"M-M-M-Miya," The woman responded turning around still clutching Kon's legs. "W-w-w-what are you doing here?"
"I heard a crashing noise and decided to come see what the trouble was." Miya responded. "Now would you please take Ichigo's boxers off your head?"
"Yes ma-am." Matsu let go of Kon with one hand and removed the boxers. Revealing a bespectacled face with red eyes.
"As for you," Miya said turning her attention to Ichigo.
"Me what did I do?" Ichigo asked incredulously. "I heard a crash and walked in here to see this pervert wearing my underwear like a party hat."
"That may be but like I have told you before," Miya said blurring forward. Ichigo felt a sharp tap on his head. Looking up he saw a ladle in Miya's hands. "There is no obscene language in Izumo Inn. No excuses."
"You didn't have to hit me with a ladle." Ichigo complained.
"Now would you kindly explain what is lodged in Matsu's bosom?" Miya asked. Her Hannya mask floated closer to Ichigo.
Ichigo hesitated a brief moment before lying, "He's a new test product from the acquaintance I told you about. Kisuke is testing a new method for IA and this is the result. Evidently it has a glitch that causes it to latch onto things and not let go."
"Is there any way to get it to let go?" Matsu asked.
"It is voice printed to me," Ichigo lied. 'That should help should Kon do this when I'm not around.' "The deactivation phrase is, 'Kon remember Yuzu is waiting.'"
Kon went limp immediately.
"What kind of mechanics does it have inside I wonder." Matsu started musing. "I tried to deactivate it but it didn't seem to want to listen to me, almost like it was more biological than mechanical. I wonder if it's a biometric system that was programmed to become inanimate at provocation but why would they place it in a toy and what would be the purpose of such programming? What was the name of the technician that worked on this called again?"
"Kisuke," Ichigo responded trying to follow what she had said.
"First and last name?" Matsu prompted.
"Kisuke Kuchiki," Ichigo lied borrowing a last name. 'Safer than Urahara.'
"Never heard of him before." Matsu stated.
"He's relatively new." Ichigo continued.
"Anyway who are you?" Ichigo asked looking at Matsu.
"Oh I'm just a woman who likes her privacy." Matsu said waving a hand in front of her face.
"One who doesn't respect the privacy of others evidently." Ichigo mumbled.
"I know all about you of course," Matsu said a wicked smile coming across her face.
'Shit,' Ichigo thought. 'If she knows I'm a Substitute Shinigami my cover is already blown to hell.'
"Born July 15th. You have three younger sisters. You started taking karate when you were 4 years old." Matsu hesitated.
"You probably already know this but my mother died young," Ichigo finished for her. It still twisted in his gut to talk about her but he might as well say it and save questions later. "And no I don't like to about it."
Matsu nodded seeming to understand. Miya had a sad look in her eyes. A look that said she knew what it was like to lose someone dear to her heart. Matsu continued after a brief silence.
"You entered Mashiba Junior High School," Matsu reported picking up speed again. "You had a karate match against your childhood friend Tatsuki and you won. You gained a reputation as being a thug because you kept getting into fights because of your hair color. You once got into a fight and the guy here called Chad helped you out. Afterword you helped him out when a few gang members were roughing him up and again when he was kidnapped later. You eventually joined Karakura High School where you were ranked 23rd in your class. Your rank mysteriously dropped for several months in which most references to you are hazy. Then 17 months ago your rank started to improve. You eventually surpassed your previous 23rd rank and went to the rank of 13th where you currently are."
"How do you know all this?" Ichigo asked surprised, impressed, and more than a little creeped out.
Matsu laughed manically. "I have my sources."
"You two it's late." Miya said tapping her ladle in her hands. The Hannya mask had shrunk down to normal size but it still leaked killing intent by the pound (453.592 grams). "You should get to bed."
"Okay Miya," Ichigo said a thought occurring to his head. 'I'll have to try that out later.' "Night you two."
Ichigo quickly grabbed Kon from Matsu's grip and retrieved his clothes and rushed to his room. He quickly tossed Kon onto the mattress he slept on. He quickly got dressed.
"What the hell Kon?" Ichigo said whirling on the stuffed lion.
"What did you expect me to do?" The plushy retorted. "A woman with such a wonderful valley of dreams comes into the room and you expect me just to ignore it?"
"Yes," Ichigo responded. "If I hadn't told them that you were a just a toy then Miya would have torn you to shreds and then started asking questions that I couldn't answer. Also how did she get ahold of my boxers?"
"Well after you went into the bath she walked into the room." Kon explained. "She peaked into the bathroom and looked really flush. Then she turned around and grabbed your boxers and started to smell them. That's when I jumped on her."
"Damn it," Ichigo moaned. "Please don't tell me there is a female version of you?"
"A female version of who?" Matsu's voice came from above them. Her head was hanging from the ceiling. Kon went limp. Sweat pouring from the doll.
"Stop with the act," Matsu said dropping into the room.
"What act?" Ichigo asked raising an eyebrow.
"If that toy is electronic then I'm a man." Matsu said thrusting her chest forward as if to prove the opposite.
"What makes you think that then?" Ichigo asked carefully.
"I'm Sekirei number 2. I have the ability to link up with any and all electronics. Granted if they have good protection then it may take me a while before I can access it but this has no electronics." Matsu explained. "I can also project my thoughts to a limited degree into the people around me. It wasn't until after you left that I thought he might be a living creature."
"Well if that is settled," Kon said sitting up. "I'm going to do what I do best."
"Which is?" Matsu asked.
"Don't you even-" Ichigo tried to say but was interrupted as Kon jumped into Matsu's bosom.
Matsu's face flushed a deep red color.
"KON!" Ichigo shouted reaching for the plushy.
Ichigo's eyes track Kon as his flexibility as a nonliving creature, Kon pushed himself out of Matsu's bosom and out of Ichigo's reach just before Ichigo's hand could grab him. Ichigo felt his hand grab something soft. Looking down he felt his face go scarlet at the site of Matsu's breast in his hand. Blood squirting out of his face.
"Sorry," Ichigo apologized backpedaling away quickly.
"Why?" Matsu asked a deep blush on her face.
"What do you mean why?" Ichigo asked.
Matsu slunk closer to Ichigo. He tried to back away further but his back was against the wall.
"Let me see your nose." Matsu said leaning in close to Ichigo.
"Ichigo," Zangetsu's voice called. "A new building is starting to appear and it is appearing quite violently. Whatever happens you might want to hold onto something."
Not seeing Ichigo move his hands away Matsu moved them for him. Leaning in she inspected his nose closely.
"Nothing wrong as far as I can see," Ichigo heard her mumble. "You should be fine."
"Th-th-thanks," Ichigo stuttered. 'Why am I stuttering? I never stutter.'
"You know," Matsu said not backing away. "You ran off so quickly that I never had a chance to say thank you for getting that toy off me."
"You're welcome." Ichigo choked out. "Now can I please get up?"
"Not before I do this." Matsu said softly leaning forward.
Ichigo's mind went blank as Matsu's lips touched his own. A bright golden light suddenly filled the air blinding him. Squinting Ichigo could make out golden wings sprouting from her back. Matsu pulled back.
"My Ashikabi, Ichigo Kurosaki." Matsu said a grin forming on her face. "Let's do an experiment."
The room was flooded with killing intent that seemed to rip at the very walls of space and time. Hannya masks bled through the walls around them. Each had bleeding, soulless eyes.
"Matsu," Miya's voice came from the door. For once a touch of anger seemed to color her voice. "I told you no illicit sexual acts are to take place beneath this roof. Now off to bed. You'll also be missing supper for the next two weeks."
"Y-y-y-y-y-yes ma-ma." Matsu said getting off Ichigo and running out the door.
"As for you," Miya said turning to Ichigo. "Since you became Matsu's Ashikabi you can now pay for her room as well. Oh you will also be missing the meals for the next two weeks."
Miya turned on her heel and stalked out of the room. The Hannya masks glared at Ichigo and then followed her out the door.
"Zangetsu," Ichigo asked his inner sword. "What the fucking hell just happened?"
"Idiot." Zangetsu replied simply. "You have a lot to learn."
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Uryū was walking back to the apartment he had rented from a day out buying the necessary food to feed himself for the next week.
It was a clear night and while the stars couldn't shine through the light cast by the surrounding buildings the moon was clear and brightly shining. Earlier Yoruichi had told him the information she had recovered regarding Sekirei and Ashikabi. That Chad had gotten a Sekirei did not surprise Uryū. He was a kind guy and he was willing to put his life on the line for his friends. What had surprised him is the way Yoruichi had described the Sekirei.
"Childish and naive most of the time," Uryū repeated her words to himself. "Yet incredibly deep other times, even if she doesn't know it."
He shook his head. If all the Sekirei were like this then the mission was going to get long. He reached the building he had rented an apartment in. He quickly entered and climbed the stairs of the creaky old building. It wasn't the nicest building but on a budget and on a mission that could last a year with no source of income he couldn't afford much.
Reaching the door he fished in his pocket for the keys holding his packages in his other arm. Pulling out an old thick key he unlocked the door and walked inside.
It was a simple apartment. It had a kitchen, bathroom, single bedroom, and a small living room. He made his way to the kitchen and laid out all of his food items. One by one he put them away in a neat and orderly manner. After placing the last object, a box of cereal, in it's correct alphabetical location in the cupboard, Uryū went to sit in a small arm chair in his living room.
It wasn't large. He could reach any point in the room by taking two steps. The only furnishings were the chair, a small T.V., and a coffee table. A window looked out at a nearby bar. Neon lights flashed on and off.
Uryū looked out the window at the moon. Overall it was a pretty decent night. Nothing bad had happened that threatened all of humanity. That was always a good thing and with Ichigo meddling it would only be a matter of time.
'Huh,' Uryū thought to himself his eyes focusing on an odd shaped object on the moon. 'I don't think that is supposed to be there.'
As he watched the object got bigger along with his eyes.
By the time he realized what it was he only had time to say one word, "Shit."
A crash sounded as the body went through his window into his living room, showering him with glass. Almost simultaneously Uryū summoned his Quincy bow from the Quincy cross that hung from his wrist.
"I thold lou I could jump farther." Came the woman's slurred speech. She wore a pink shirt with a yellow five pointed star on it and blue sleeves. Tight knee length jeans looked like they were ready to cut off circulation to her feet. Uryū quickly released his bow.
'Not a threat.' Uryū shook his head. 'But drunker than I've even seen Rangiku.'
"Whe-where am I?" The woman asked blinking at her new surroundings.
"You crashed through my window." Uryū explained. "What were you doing?"
"Damn it, *hic* Kazehana," The woman yelled out the window.
"Who are you?" Uryū asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'm Uzume, *hic* Sekirei number 10." Came her response. She swayed where she sat on the floor. "I should go *hic*. I need to get *hic* back to my place."
"You aren't going anywhere," Uryū said standing from his chair. He carefully brushed the glass off his shirt and pants.
"What makes you think *hic* you can stop me?" Uzume said unsteadily getting to her feet. She put her fists up into a sloppy imitation of a fighting stance.
"If you can walk to the door without falling down I'll let you go home," Uryū said shaking his head. "But if you fall down then you have to sleep it off here tonight."
Uzume scrunched up her face as if trying to see the trick but said, "Okay."
To her credit she got farther than Uryū had anticipated, but at the third step she fell face first into the kitchen.
"Do you agree to stay here now?" Uryū asked adjusting his glasses.
"That's no fair," Uzume said trying to get to her feet and failing. "You moved the floor."
"I did not move the floor." Uryū assured her a sweat drop slowly rolling down the back of his head.
"Then why does it keep shifting?" Uzume asked.
"Maybe because you are drunk?" Uryū offered.
"Maybe," Uzume conceded.
"So you'll sleep it off here?" Uryū asked.
"Fine," Came the woman's response. "Where is your bedroom?"
"Just through there." Uryū said nodding to a nearby doorway. "I'll sleep out here."
"Okay," Uzume said yawning. "Could you help me?"
"Fine," Uryū said helping her get up and into the room. "Anything else you need?"
"Not right now." Uzume responded smiling up at him from the floor.
"Get some sleep," Uryū said standing.
"I could you, *hic* help me get out of these *hic* clothes?" Uzume asked lifting her shirt over her head. Large breasts bounced free without any sort of confinement.
Blood shot from Uryū's nose so hard and faced that it propelled him out of the room. Crashing to the ground in the living room the last thought that passed through his mind was, 'Why doesn't Kurosaki have to deal with this shit?'
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Orihime heard Rukia yell from the dining room, "Orihime time to eat."
Orihime got up from the chair she had been sitting at and made her way into the connecting dining room. Rukia was sitting down in a purple dress at the table. Food of all sizes and shapes covered the table. Orihime sat down across from Rukia.
Yoruichi had left only an hour ago. Orihime had tried to convince her to stay for dinner but at the mention Yoruichi had refused even more fervently saying that she was going to stalk around MBI for a while since they seemed to be at the heart of it all.
"Why don't you let me make the food?" Orihime asked.
"Because I need to practice getting my cooking skills till they are at the same level as yours." Rukia said quickly waving her hands in front of her. Orihime oblivious of the sweat drop rolling down Rukia's neck nodded.
"You are a pretty good cook but you need to add a bit more, red bean paste." Orihime mused taking a bite. The flavor danced on her tongue.
"What do you think about Chad getting a Sekirei?" Rukia asked poking at her food.
"I think it's good for him," Orihime said smiling at Rukia. "He deserves someone nice and kind. He didn't have many girls in Karakura."
"What do you think of this whole Sekirei plan?" Rukia asked.
"I don't like it," Orihime responded. "Forcing people to fight under threat of death or worse. It's just like the Roman's did with the Colosseum."
"I agree," Rukia said shaking her head. She paused. "With all the Sekirei running around what do you think the odds are that Ichigo will become an Ashikabi?"
Orihime froze at the question. Her heart twitched at the thought. For years before Ichigo had gotten his powers she had a crush on him. After getting his powers it had matured into love. It wasn't the powers she loved. It was what he had chosen to do with them. Instead of showing off or becoming self-centered, he instead used his abilities to save those that were weaker than he himself was.
To think that he would become an Ashikabi worried Orihime more than she cared to admit. Yoruichi had told them the necessary event that had to take place for someone to become an Ashikabi. 'I have a hard enough time trying to get Ichigo to see me as more than a friend as it is,' Orihime thought frowning. 'I don't need any more competition.'
"I don't know. Why do you ask?" Orihime asked a blush spreading across her face.
"No reason," Rukia responded quickly. The conversation lapsed into silence. "You really love him." It wasn't a question.
Orihime felt herself blush a deeper red. She imagined she must look the same shade as a boiled lobster.
"What about you and Renji?" Orihime asked trying to push some of the focus off herself.
Rukia sighed. "At one time it might have been." Rukia got a far off look in her eyes. "He was strong, we looked out for each other, but his entire reason for getting stronger is hollow."
"What do you mean?" Orihime asked.
"He wants to beat my big brother to prove he is worthy of being my friend." Rukia said sighing. "I'm already that idiot's friend, so he really has nothing to prove in the first place. Even by some miracle that were true, what would his purpose be to get stronger once he beats my brother? No, he is and always will be my friend but I don't think I could be with someone who only wants to get strong enough to beat a single man and then be content. My brother even told me that he was worried about what would happen to Renji once Renji beat him."
"Is there anyone else?" Orihime asked her heart going out to the woman. Renji was a friend, but he wasn't really suited to Rukia. Rukia blushed. "There is! Who is it?"
"I'm not going to say," Rukia said a heavy blush appearing on her face.
"Oh come on I won't tell." Orihime prodded.
"No," Rukia said firmly her face blood red. "But back to my question. What will you do if Ichigo turns into an Ashikabi?"
Orihime took a deep breath as she thought.
"I suppose that it depends on Ichigo." Orihime mused aloud.
"What do you mean?" Rukia asked.
"Well," Orihime said slowly as she collected her thoughts. "If he loves them then I don't want to come between them. I don't want to be the one who made him unhappy by ruining his relationship."
"You know Orihime," Rukia said slowly. "From what Yoruichi said it sounded like it was possible and even encouraged for Ashikabi to have multiple Sekirei."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Orihime asked.
"Well if Ichigo happens to get a Sekirei who is to say that you have to give up on him?" Rukia asked her face still flushed. "That is to say why would the Sekirei or Ichigo be unable to love you all?"
Orihime paused as she considered that. 'Can I really share Ichigo?'
"We'll deal with that when and if it comes to that." Orihime said smiling. "For now let's finish eating."
"Okay," Rukia said smiling back.
They continued eating. Each lost in their own thoughts about the person they loved.
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MBI Headquarters an Hour Earlier
"Everything is going exactly as you predicted, Shakkin." Minaka Hiroto, the head of MBI and the face of the Sekirei plan, said to the shadowed figure on the screen of his computer. "I have reports of several Sekirei having been winged by unknown people and despite my best attempts I've only been able to get two names, Hitsugaya and Kenpachi. No other names were given."
"Good," The man on the other end muttered to himself. "Has a man named Mayuri Kurotsuchi come to you looking for a job yet?"
"I just got word this morning that a man by that name was seeking employment here." Minaka responded. "You still want me to hire him?"
"Yes," Shakkin responded. "We need them as divided as possible. Create as much chaos as you can. The more you can divide them the more fun you have and the easier it is for me."
"What are you after?" Minaka asked his eyes narrowing. "I know you say they all work for some company you are trying to over throw but from the information about this Hitsugaya he is only a child."
"You don't have to worry about that." Shakkin said, his voice hard and unforgiving. "You may have found what you call the Sekirei twenty one years ago but if it wasn't for me you would have never been able to awaken more than the first nine."
"I think you underestimate me." Minaka responded his glasses glinting in the light of the computer.
"No I don't." Shakkin responded. "If I hadn't told you about Takehito Asama then you would have been shut down long ago and did you forget the man from the same organization as the Ashikabi Kenpachi? If I hadn't killed him myself the people in the city would either not be interested enough to come or would have massed in force."
"What is this Kenpachi person?" Minaka asked. "Only a handful of my people can even see him. The only people that can reliably see him are Sekirei and their Ashikabi."
"He is not your concern." Shakkin responded his voice growing impatient. "When the time comes I will send my subordinates to take them out. With any luck they won't know they are in danger until they are bleeding to death on the ground. Even if they do they won't be able stop us if you do your job properly."
"Okay," Minaka responded smiling. "I'll go along with it, but let me say this, your name is very interesting. What debt are you trying to repay?"
"One that can only come when my enemies in both this world and the World of the Gods lie dead before my feet." Shakkin responded bitterness filled his voice. "You are helping me separate them from those that would interfere. That is all you need to know at this point."
"As you say," Minaka responded. "I'll contact you if I require any advice on how to proceed. You as the true Game Master always have final say."
"Even I am not worthy of that title," Shakkin responded. "It belongs to the man I owe the debt."
With that the man Minaka had come to know as Shakkin closed the connection from his side. Minaka sighed. Shakkin had appeared only a few months ago. At the time Shakkin had appeared Minaka had only been able to revive the first nine Sekirei, with the number 9 only being revived a few short days before hand.
After arriving Shakkin had made a deal with him. He would provide Minaka with access codes, growth formula, DNA altering devices, and warnings about potential threats, in exchange however Shakkin would be able to make any changes that he wanted and was the true leader of the Sekirei plan. Overall it had been a very successful business deal. Shakkin let Minaka run the day to day operation and didn't interfere much, at least until now.
Minaka pressed a button on his desk. The paging system to Sahashi Takami's office turned on. "Dear could you send in Mayuri please? He wants a job and I want to see what his qualifications are personally. Oh and inform security that if they happen to see a black cat they are to kill it on site."
"You afraid of bad luck?" His former lover asked.
"A mysterious stranger informed me that black cats would be extremely unlucky in the coming months." Minaka responded playing the blathering fool.
"Fine," She responded. "Anything else?"
"Not as of right now." Minaka responded smiling to himself.
Minaka allowed himself a manic grin. 'The real game is about to begin.'
The door to his office opened. A man with black and with face paint walked in the door.
'Certainly not even trying to blend in are we?' Minaka thought to himself his grin widening.
"Have a seat Mayuri and we can get started." Minaka said simply.
'The game really is about to start.' He couldn't help think as Mayuri spun lies about his former profession.
Author's Note: Chapter 4 finally done! The longest Chapter yet at over 9000 words for just the story alone. Now some notes that should probably be mentioned. I will eventually deviate from the main Sekirei story line because even making some of the Sekirei capable of matching a Captain would still leave the hostile Sekirei outnumbered by the number of Captains and non-hostile Sekirei. I will still follow it to a point but I will probably stop following it after the 3rd stage.
How'd you all feel about Ichigo winging Matsu? Being such a pervert I couldn't resist putting her with Ichigo just for the possible situations with her fellow pervert Kon. *Evil Glint* She could have done just as well with Uryū but I thought the possibilities for Kon and Ichigo would be greater.
Now I had mixed feelings about the scene involving Rukia and Orihime. I wanted to give a viable reason as to why Rukia would not be getting together with Renji in this story. I know it sounded harsh on Renji but I didn't know how to write a more believable scene in which she would say that she wasn't interested in Renji like that. Even so I will give Renji a girl to help him move on. (This does not mean it will be a Sekirei)
Not every Captain will be getting a Sekirei. Some will be interacting with the various Sekirei but won't become Ashikabi. There are simply not enough Sekirei freed up to give everyone one that would fit their personalities, unless I added OC's. The only current OC's I plan on adding in the future will neither be Ashikabi or Sekirei.
As for the poll for Kazehana. I will probably take it down beginning of next week (May 5th 2014) and put up the one for Kagari soon after. So far these are the only polls I have in mind for this story. If I need others I will put them up. If you haven't voted for Kazehana yet you have until the given date to vote. The current standings are as follows:
20 Ichigo
10 Shunsui
5 Byakuya
3 Tōshirō
3 Uryū
1 Renji
1 Chad
As always thanks for reading. Please review. John Hinde saying goodnight.