Clutching the gift for urahara in her hand, Kumiko was walking to meet her friend with a bounce in her step
today is going to be great she thought to herself the sun is shining, I'm going on a mission with Kira and I'm going on a date tonight
smile wide on her face remembering the rose she found on her bed last night, who knew he was so romantic? Kumiko was nervous about her date later that day. She couldn't remember the last time she went on one, let alone with someone who makes her feel the way shunsui does
I just hope it goes well, I can't handle arguing with him again the small doubt entered her thoughts
she pushed them away, smile back on her face as she approached the open office door. Walking in she said brightly "morning Kiske!"
"good morning miko" he said happily, "you're awfully bright this morning. You have fun last night?" He asked her as she gave him a hug hello
"it was really fun, the shops are amazing. Here I bought you something". Handing him something wrapped up in blue paper
he took it with a big grin " it's not another silly hat is it'". He laughed opening it quickly. Upon opening it and realising what was inside he gave her a massive grin
"how did you know?" He said teasingly before shoving a handful of sweets into his mouth, wrapping the other around his friend "thanks miko" making her laugh
"don't talk with your mouth full you animal. You'll choke". She laughed at him " am I still ok to go on this mission today?"
"absolutely " kiske confirmed, putting more sweets into his mouth looking at the bag
these are good
"you have your Reiatsu tracker?"
"right here,". She said patting the object on her belt " what time are we leaving?"
"in about an hour" he offered looking to the clock "I believe Kira is organising the teams to their quadrants, before he grabs you on the way"
shouldn't I be there? To hear the plan?" Kumiko asked him
"nah. You're paired with Kira again, he'll explain on the way"
"you're not still getting him to babysit me are you?"
His sheepish grin was her only answer
Kumiko and Kira were walking through the forest talking softly.
"did you have fun shopping yesterday?" Kira suddenly remembered to ask.
"I did". She smiled. "Thank you for that, I would probably have been stuck at home alone bored if it wasn't for you"
"it's no trouble. Everyone enjoyed having you with us for drinks. You fit right in. Even renji liked you" Kira laughed
" Momo and Matsumoto said the same thing ". She laughed in return "I'm glad I didn't ruin it by stoning off "
he just sent her a smile, not wanting to pry
opening her mouth kumuko was about to ask him if she could join them again when the sound of a hollow echoed through the Forrest, another human scream following soon after .
wasting no time Kira and Kumiko flashstepped through the trees, trying to find their comrades. Strong spiritual pressure guided them to a clearing.
A huge black figure with a black mask and red eyes was attacking 3 shinigami, zanpakutos drawn. One was laying motionless on the floor. Kumiko had to tear her eyes away from the blood
Kira ran into the battle without hesitation , jumping to attack the beast, zanpakuto already drawn
that's not a hollow kumikos thoughts sent worry to the pit of her stomach
"that's not a hollow !" She screamed at them. Kira delivering a blow to the "hollows" mask, for it to bat him away with its large arm. Kira flew through air smacking into the trunk of a tree.hard
Kumiko ran, screaming at the others "it's not a hollow! Don't aim for the mask, it won't do anything! Aim for the heart! Stab it's heart" Kumiko told them. Another one getting hit forcefully back into the dirt behind her.
Kumiko pulled out her zanpakuto., slicing into its arm causing an ear splitting scream. Swinging back wildly, Just missing kumuko, who dived out of the way. Rolling back to her feet, Kumiko lunged forward stabbing it in the side, missing the heart
damn it
The beast looked down at her, ready to attack when it suddenly stopped. It backed up a few paces and uttered in a distorted voice
"you"
me? What the hell?
having no more time to think Kumiko ran at it, ready to stab it in its heart when it's suddenly disappeared. breathing heavily and looking around Kumiko couldn't see it. Reaching out her spiritual pressure, she couldn't feel it. Couldn't feel anything other than the shinigami.
"shit". She spat before running to Kira stirring by the tree. Dropping to her knees next to him she asked "Kira! Are you ok? Are you hurt?"
"no, no I'm fine". He said trying to stand, Kumiko laid a hand on his shoulder to stop him, seeing the blood trickle down from his hairline
"you're bleeding " she told him "medic!" She called over her shoulder. Hearing footsteps approaching "stay still until you get looked at "
"Kumiko, what the hell was that thing?" He asked her confused "how did you know how to stop it?"
the medic arrived quickly, dropping to the floor next to them, getting to work assessing Kira bleeding head
"it was a hidoi"
"a what?" Kira asked confused, never having heard of that name before
"sometimes the spirits in hell, they change." She began. "We don't know why, but some change into that. They're stronger than hollows, faster. you have to stab it in the heart to kill it, breaking its mask won't work"
"how do you know all this?" He asked her as his head was being temporarily bandaged until he could go to the 4th
"it was my job. In the world of the living, where the portal to hell is, that's where I was stationed." Taking a moment to collect herself before she continued. She hasn't spoken of this in detail to anyone yet. She certainly wasn't prepared to see a hidoi here "We had to destroy any hidoi that broke out. They don't just eat spirits. They kill, everything. Spirits, humans, shinigami. Anything " she told him solemnly
"what the hell was it doing here?" He mumbled to himself
"I don't know." She answered him, eyes quickly darting into the forest behind him. A chill crept up her body.
There's that feeling again she realised. Someone is watching
Kumiko scanned the tree line, looking for what was giving her chills. Seeing movement deep between the trees she jumped to her feet. Kumiko took off running into the Forrest, ignoring kira calling her name. There was something in there, watching them, and she was going to find it.
Stopping in her tracks, zanpakuto raised. kumikos eyes scanned the trees in front of her, eyes looking into every shadow waiting to see something looking back at her
a twig snapping behind her, made Kumiko spin round, zanpakuto raised above her head ready to bring down
"Kumiko stop! It's me!" Kira said suddenly, pulling back on her zanpakuto not to hurt her friend. Sending him a small apologetic look, she turned back round to scan the trees. She couldn't feel anything now. Usual sounds of the forest returning, Kira worried spiritual pressure behind her
"what it is Kumiko?"
"there's was something out here" she said turning around to face him "something was watching us. It's gone now. I can't feel it anymore "
"another hidoi?" He asked, hand moving to his own zanpakuto.
"maybe? I don't know. I couldn't get a feel of it. I just know., Something was here watching " Kumiko told him seriously, eyes darting up to his wrapped up head "are you ok? How's the other guy?"
"fine, I'm fine, he's stable. They're loading him up ready to transport back. Come on. We're leaving " Kira told her, making sure she started walking with him before leading the way back to the others
Having left Kira and the others at the hospital, Kumiko started walking alone back to Urahara. She needed to tell him about the mission, the injured. The hidoi.
Today had started out so good she thought now it's gone to hell in a hand basket
Kumiko couldn't understand what she was feeling at the moment . Shocked, definitely at coming face to face with a hidoi here. Concerned about how many more there could be. It seems no one here has even heard about them, let alone knows how to destroy them.
It's lucky I was there, it could have ended so much worse
Kumiko hurried her pace, needing to see her friend. Kumiko knew he would be there to help her work through what she is feeling. His big brain would come up to a solution to their problem . She just knew it
"you are a very difficult person to find alone"
a voice behind Kumiko startled her, spinning quickly to discover captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi staring at her
"I was starting to think that fool wouldn't let you travel alone. How lucky I must be to stumble across you. All by yourself " he said grin on his face making Kumiko uneasy. She took a few steps back trying to get some distance
"that is far enough" he said, before releasing his Reiatsu
the strength of it over powered Kumiko immediately, slamming her to her knees on the floor
"now isn't this interesting " the captain said to himself
absolute fear gripped at Kumiko. Eyes wide and breathing heavily. She couldn't move her body, a scream caught in her throat couldn't escape. Hands planted on the floor. The only thing keeping her from fully falling to the ground. Tears started leaking from her eyes, absolutely petrified of the man laughing before her.
Silently begging anyone to come round and stop him, Kumiko didn't care how weak that made her sound. She needed someone to save her from his vicious onslaught. Terror absolutely gripping her, Kumiko remembered her Reiatsu tracker strapped to her waist. Blinking through the tears, trying to breath again, Kumiko quickly pulled up one trembling hand from the floor and blindly scrambled around looking for the button.
Hoping she managed to hit it before he hand slammed back down to the ground
"I will have fun experimenting on you Kumiko Satsuki " he told her walking towards her
Urahara had not long left the head captains office, to hand deliver his most recent reports. Walking back towards his own office, he started wondering how Kumiko was getting on. While he loved that she was branching out and making friends. He did miss having her by his side everyday. It definitely made mundane tasks more interesting with them sharing stories and jokes
rounding a corner he saw ukitake and Kyoraku walking towards him, talking softly
damn it. Urahara thought this is going to be awkward. Being the first time he had seen Kyoraku since that morning at kumikos. Wondering if he had time to slip away before they noticed him was quickly shut down by ukitake "hey Kiske! How are you?"
" im fine ukitake, just been to see the head captain" urahara told him, coming to stop in front of them
Kyoraku was looking off to the side, suddenly very interested in the wall
not ready to talk to me then Urahara deduced with a huff.
"where is Kumiko san today?" Ukitake asked, noticing he was alone
"she's on a mission, with lieutenant Kira". He offered,
"is this to do with the recent hollow numbers?" Ukitake questioned, Kyoraku turning to face his friend. He was interested too
"yes that's right, they've gone to support the team taking readings. She should be.."
urahara was cut off suddenly by a beeping around his waist
"shit". He said grabbing it and looking at the screen
please don't be Kumiko, please don't be Kumiko
he silently begged, fingers racing over the screen to find out who activated their panic button
upon seeing her name, he panicked. Eyes went wide as he tapped furiously at the screen, finding her location
"Urahara whats wrong?" Ukitake asked worried but he was ignored, Urahara wasn't hearing anything other than the beeping in his hands
"no no no no no ". Urahara unknowingly said out loud, pressing more buttons. Finally seeing her location his eyes widened before he took off in his fastest flash step, just about noticing the other two captains quickly following him
Urahara pushed himself faster. The faint Reiatsu of captain Kurotsuchi making itself known the further he traveled fuled his steps
hang on Kumiko, im coming he silently begged her
Kumiko gasped for air, terror consuming her. The edges of her vision began to darken and she begged for its sweet relief. Kumikos head was buzzing. Sounds around her muffled, no longer understanding what the figure petrifying her was saying . Terror was the only thing she could feel, the only thing she could see behind her crying eyes
urahara appeared before her suddenly, zanpakuto raised, she heard a shout behind her but couldn't understand what was said . Suddenly shunsui filled her vision, crouching down over her blocking the onslaught of spiritual pressure. "Shunsui". She managed to sob, a break in the Reiatsu allowing her to control her own voice again
"shh I've got you". He said picking her up and walking her away. Senses coming back to herself, Kumiko realised he was bringing her to jushiro, who had stayed back. He gently placing her on the ground behind him. "Stay with jushiro " he told her gently turning to leave "shunsui " she said again, hand reaching out to grab his arm. not wanting him to leave
"it's not my spiritual pressure you need right now love." He told her gently, cupping her face " Stay with juu. I need to go make sure Urahara dosent kill Kurotsuchi" he told her, before standing up with hard eyes "look after her". He directed at ukitake before running forward
ukitake knelt down in front of Kumiko, physically blocking her from the three raised spiritual pressures as he raised his own high to help comfort her
the absolute fear she had been forced to feel by the captain has gone, but her own fear had stayed. Sobbing lightly Kumiko stood up startling ukitake
" Kumiko" he said walking to block her
" i need to stop Kiske" she said, feeling the pull of ukitakes warm protective spiritual pressure
"Kyoraku will stop him," he said raising his spiritual pressure more, "don't fight it Kumiko, stay behind Me" he said turning around to watch, happy when he felt her head rest on his back, one arm came up behind him to hold her hand
urahara was absolutely livid at the scene before him. Kumiko on the ground sobbing in fear as this bastard stood there enjoying it. He reached for his zanpakuto, pulling it out quickly before darting towards the other captain, ukitakes call of his name ignored . Rage was consuming him, all he could see behind the red was Kurotsuchi. He had tunnel vision locking on the amused captain
Captain Kurotsuchi laughed when he saw urahara, zanpakuto raised
"and what do you think you're going to do with that?".
"lower your Reiatsu, Mayuri. Now" Urahara said in a dangerous voice, raising his zanpakuto threateningly
"I was just conducting a little experiment. It's ridiculous that woman hasn't been brought to me to examine. I would have had results by now" kurosuchi said getting bored of this interaction
Urahara noticed Kyoraku standing next to himself, anger rolling off him in waves
"that's enough kurosuchi". Kyoraku spoke "you've had your fun. It's time for you to leave "
"oh? But I have so many more experiments I wish to try with her" he grinned at them, not caring about the anger they displayed
"you ain't fucking touching her" Urahara spat at him. walking forward towards the man, anger fuelling his movements, fully intending to swing at him
Kyoraku quickly got infront of him, trying to slow him down with his hand, which urahara promptly knocked away. He saw straight through him. Eyes fixed on kurosuchi
"Urahara, stop" Kyoraku tried. A small part of him wanted to let urahara go . Let him do to the man as he saw fit. But he knew Kumiko needed him right now, and she was more important
"maybe not today. But you can't protect her forever kiske. I'll get her in my lab one way or another"
Urahara saw red. Lunging towards the man, fully intending to break his jaw, when Kyoraku got in front of him again, and shoved his shoulder into his middle blocking him.
"Kiske. Stop". Kyoraku grunted getting a stray elbow to the head as Urahara tried to go through him, scrambling to get over him, through him, what ever worked
"my how barbaric" kurosuchi said unamused "this is boring me. Until we meet again. 'Miss Satsuki" he finished loudly to ensure she heard him over the ruckus, before flash stepping away
"let me go!" Urahara raged at Kyoraku, shoving him off trying to get at a now vanished kurosuchi, "will you fucking calm down?"He spat back at him, grabbing his arm and spinning him back round "Kumiko needs you"
urahara stopped fighting at that, still breathing heavily though. He put his zanpakuto away trying to get himself under control. He wanted to scream. Body still pumping full of adrenaline, wanting to get his hands on the man who had upset Kumiko so much . He turned to go back to Kumiko when Kyoraku stopped him again, "take a minute. She's not going anywhere. Juus got her, your Spiritual pressure is still going crazy. She doesn't need to be forced into anything else right now "
urahara turned around and slammed his closed fist into the wall with an annoyed grunt, needing to let out some frustration. Shunsui was impressed with the hole he had managed to punch through the stone, wondering if all the force behind that punch was ment for kurosuchi or if some was directed at him
taking in some deep breaths urahara got himself back Under control, hiding away his spiritual pressure. Turning to walk once again to Kumiko. Not being stopped this time. Urahara felt for the first time, ukitakes spiritual pressure. Thanking whatever god there was that he had bumped into him before his devise went off
nodding at ukitake on his approach, letting him know to lower his spiritual pressure so Kumiko could move
kumikos tear stained face appeared from behind ukitake. "Kiske". She sobbed again, everything crashing down on her, he scooped her up into his arms and sat down leaning against the wall, placing her in his lap. His arms went around her, pulling her into his chest as she cried