Chapter 6: Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst

"The Thoughts Within One's Mind."

Walking along the quiet night of Karakura Town, Sensara would look up to hear the boom of fireworks behind him. Closing his eyes, he'd enjoy the ambiance for a few moments before a sudden headache has him leaning against the wall of a building. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts of a time long past, he'd regain his cadence, walking towards the shoten to await the start of his three-week vacation. Walking through the commercial district to take his time, he'd stop before one of the windows to look himself in the mirror. Adjusting his jacket, gone was the blazer, and instead was a waist-length combat jacket with a black base and purple stenciling on the inside. That jacket would bleed into his pants with one continuous design. Starting from his left shoulder and moving over his back were the details of a dragon, wings curling around his sides and a tail coiling down his right pant leg. In the low wind, the design even seemed to move slightly, shifting along his clothes. Ending with black combat boots, they'd glint as though made of metal, even as black and leathery. Adjusting his coat, he'd open it up to look at his bare chest, several metal straps crossing his chest and abdomen, covering his most vital organs. Looking at his hands, he wore black gloves that extended all the way to his elbows and seemed to mesh with his skin all too perfectly. To call them skin-tight would be an understatement. Spinning about once, he'd reveal an empty sheath at his left hip and across his back. Tapping on them both, they'd fade into his shadow as one last item glinted in the moonlight. A black half-mask meant to cover his nose and mouth, it wouldn't be practical for stealth, but he always wore it when he marched to war. This would be the difference between success and defeat in his mission, and in his eyes, defeat was not an option.

Meandering his way to his destination, he'd see a group of teens loitering in front of the shop. Walking past them, Sensara would nod his head in greeting, acknowledging all of them as being Ichigo's classmates. He knew they would come, for even if Ichigo was not here, they were all friends with Rukia, loathe as some may be to admit it. He would not argue with their arrival. He knew they would live. Walking into the store, he'd walk past Urahara, who looked just about ready to greet them and usher them in. Walking past that rapidly deflating ego, he'd make his way to the back and to the hatch leading down. Lifting it up with his foot, he'd pull it open enough to grab the handle and open it all the way. Leaning against the wall, he'd wait for them to catch up. Urahara, obviously trying to keep up with Sensara's pace, would ask, "If you knew where the entrance was, why didn't you go down already?" "What is the point of a cool entrance if there's no one to see it? When you go down, make sure to move at least a hundred meters from the ladder." "And why should we do that?" Uryu would ask this question, and all he'd get in response was a wicked grin. Watching him cough to hide his discomfort, he'd move to go down first.

As they all stood, awestruck at the vastness of the underground training room, only Urahara would look back to the ladder just in time to see Sensara land. In a flash of light, he'd hit the ground with such speed that he'd put a ballistic missile to shame. With the wind throwing them all forward, he'd slowly step out of the crater his landing made, dusting off his clothes as he appeared. Patting Urahara's shoulder as he passed him by, he'd say, "So, where's your portal?" Watching Urahara scramble once again to climb back aboard the Sensara Express, he'd walk over to two large pillars. "With these, I will open a portal that leads you into the heart of the Soul Society. This mechanism will convert your physical bodies into reishi, allowing you to interact with the Soul Society as though you were a soul." Hearing this caused him to flinch almost noticeably. "Speaking of souls, it seems like you should get ready." And in a flash, Urahara would be standing before Sensara again, about to jab him with his cane. Suddenly twisting his body, Sensara would very noticeably avoid him. "That's alright. I am fine using my physical body." "Are you sure? You'll surely be stronger in your spiritual form." "I can assure you, you'd be dead in my spiritual form."

From behind, a deep masculine voice would say, "Ooh, catty." "Oh, and speaking of catty…" Sensara would respond almost instinctively before catching himself, pondering for a moment, and then settling his face in a smug smirk, enjoying the pun he inadvertently made. Walking towards Urahara, while Yoruichi made their speech to rouse those young spirits, he'd place his hands on Urahara's shoulders. "Urahara-san, I need you to keep something safe for me while I am gone. I cannot risk losing it there." Pulling out a small jewelry box, he'd hand it to him." Keep this safe, and whatever you do, don't open it. IF you can do that for me, then I'll tell you what's inside and just how important it is that it not go to the Soul Society." Nodding, Urahara would pocket the box before heading back towards the pillars. Following after him, Sensara would stand by the others, waiting for the portal to open.

As the portal is opened, Urahara would warn them that they may run into the Kōtotsu and that touching it will result in them being lost in time. As the portal finally opened, everyone would run forth, except Sensara, who took a few steps forward before stopping as he said, "Nahhh, I'm not taking any chances with planar annihilation." Turning to Urahara, he'd give him a two fingered salute before falling backwards, a misty black portal forming behind him on the ground, letting him fall through it.

Soul Society, Eight Days Ago? I don't fucking get it.(This next part is why this chapter took so long to come out.)

Along the road of an Edo era Japanese street, the wind would begin to pick up, the space around a suddenly forming shadow on the ground. As the space tears open, the many souls around the area would run. After all, the only time when portals opened like this, hollows were coming. Stepping out backwards, he'd snap his fingers, closing the portal before raising his arms out, catching a falling teenage girl in his arms before kneeling to set her down. "Took you long enough, kids." Yoruichi would stare at him, as though trying to ask how while using a high-pitched scream too high for mortal men. Letting the kids look around, he'd hear one of them ask, "Where is everyone? Why're they all hiding?" To which Yoruichi answered, "Look at you all. How often do they see people dressed like you do." To which Sensara corrected them by saying, "No, I think it's probably because I came out of a garganta," which of course brought on more staring from the cat.

Staring back at Yoruichi, he'd suddenly kneel before them, reaching down to pet behind their ears. Speaking in a lower tone, he'd ask, "So, what're the odds that they don't already know that we're here?" Looking over towards the open Seireitei, he'd hear from the cat, "If you really came using a garganta, they'll go into high alert in the next twenty minutes." Nodding, he'd stand back up "I see. Alright everyone." Clapping to gain the teens' attentions, he'd say, "I want you all to hide. I'm going to go and trip their alarms. It'll be easier to hide your presence if I help them to connect the dots on my arrival. That way, yours will go unnoticed." Walking towards the precipice, he'd give them a two-fingered salute as he said, "See y'all on the inside! We'll do tea." Making his way to the entrance, he'd walk slowly enough to let the walls fall before he crossed over the line, but too quickly for Yoruichi to try and stop him.

Stopping before the wall, he'd close his eyes and, with a thin smile on his face, await the heavy thud of Jidanbō landing before him. Letting out a boisterous laugh, he'd hear, "Ohoho, it has been far too long since anyone has been foolish enough as to try and enter the Seireitei without permission. So, who are you to try and pass through these gates?" Sliding one foot back, he'd hold an arm to his chest as his cross arm was held out to his side. Bowing, he'd say, "Thou standst before Sensara, and truly, there ne'er were a more welcome greeting to behold!" Holding the bow for a second longer, he'd straighten up before continuing. "Oh, great gatekeeper, I wish to earn the right to enter your protected domain. Might I prove my worth through a test of brute strength?" Taken aback by the tone and respectful posture, Jidanbō thought for a way to deny him without hurting him too badly. Suddenly thinking of something he says, "Now normally, I'd make you fight me for the right to enter, but hearing your praise has moved my stone cold heart." He'd rub his finger under his nose, rather enjoying the praise, and all Sensara could think was, "This man needs to find better coworkers," as he laments how easily he has buttered the giant man up. Tuning in to continue listening, he'd hear, "Since you wish to prove yourself through a test of brute strength, I will allow you a single attempt to lift the gate that barrs your way in. If you can lift it above your head, then I will allow your passage. If you do not succeed, then you will leave without complaint. Are these terms acceptable?"

Smiling, Sensara would bow his head as he stepped forward. "Truly, these terms are most fair. I shall accept." Walking over to the walls, he'd kneel down, placing his arm against the wall as he faced the side. Digging his fingers into the ground to just barely get a grip under the wall, his smile would turn hard, teeth beight barred, not in anger, but an almost sadistic satisfaction. Standing up, Sensara would drag the gate up. His limbs wouldn't shake and he didn't break a sweat. The only sign that he was exerting any effort would be seen in his fingers, golden cracks forming along his hand. Lifting the wall to his waist, he'd raise his leg, bringing the top of his foot to the wall and pushing it up. Catching the bottom of the wall at the apex of his thrust with his other hand, he'd seemingly flash Jidanbō a peace sign, though in the far distance, he'd open his eyes, his contacts slowly deteriorating as he stared at Yoruichi, his signal to the group in truth. Spinning about, he'd let the wall fall behind him, sealing him within the Seireitei and bringing him face to face before a flabbergasted silver haired captain.