February 8, 2014 - Saturday
Rated M for language, violence, and some sexual situations.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Freezing. Bleach is the property of Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Viz Media, and Studio Pierrot. Freezing is owned by Dall-Young Lim, Kill Time Communication, Funimation and A.C.G.T.
Author's Note: So I ended the last chapter on a cliffhanger which is a love/hate thing for most people. I hope the wait wasn't to long, but school slowed down my writing progress a bit and I never have much energy for it after school. Now let the story continue...
"Regular speech."
"Hollows."
Thoughts.'
Chapter 6: Change of Scenery
Unedited Version
A shallow yawn escaped Gengo Aoi's while he looked with tired eyes at the report from the last Nova Clash. It had been a little less than a month since the Tenth Nova Clash, but reports and paperwork continued flowing in for his inspection. Despite the fact it was the early afternoon, Dr. Aoi felt tired and sore. 'Must be getting old." He thought with a grim smile.
He checked several papers with a pen before looking up and noticing Su-Na Lee standing a few feet from his desk. His personal bodyguard stood at attention with both arms folded behind her back. "Yes?" Gengo asked.
"There is a man wanting to see you doctor." Su-Na stated. "He's waiting outside your office."
"I wasn't expecting anyone," he said thinking back on how he cleared his appointments so he could focus on working. His frown deepened. "Who is it?"
"He wouldn't give me his name, but he did have Chevalier clearance to this area. He said that you would want to speak with him." She looked over her shoulder at the still wooden door before looking back. "Would you like me to sent him away?"
Gengo folded his hands as he pondered for a moment on what to do. Few people had clearance this area besides himself, a handful of fellow scientist, and his own personal Pandora guards. He could think of no one else, except high Chevalier officials, with that kind of clearance.
"Let him in," he finally decided. Su-Na nodded before turning and walking over to the door. She turned the doorknob and stepped back, pulling the door with her, allowing the visitor to walk in with the "tap" "tap" of a cane. "It's been to long Gengo my friend; what's it been...three years ago at the Chevalier conference since we last spoke? Nice to see that time has treated you well at least. You've even gotten a beautiful Pandora as a bodyguard."
The doctor's eyes narrowed dangerously on his visitor. "You've got some nerve coming here." He said in suppressed anger at the man standing in front of him. "I thought I made it clear to you the late time we spoke; we are not friends Kisuke Urahara."
"Now don't be like that Dr. Aoi" Urahara chuckled as he looked out from under the brim of his hat. "Your not still hung over that little incident a couple of years back. Sure we didn't leave on the best of terms, but I still consider you a friend and a well respected one at that." He rocked leisurely back and forth on his cane. "We're both on the same side if you've forgotten. The Nova are the threat that we both have been working hard to stop."
Grunting in disgust, Gengo folded his arm as he leaned back in his chair. He took some needed breaths through his nose before focusing on Kisuke. "I assume that you've come here for a reason. After three years I doubt you would come to me if you had better things to do."
"You make me sound so uncaring," Kisuke chuckled cheerfully while he tapped his index finger on his cane. "Though you wouldn't be wrong of course," the carefreeness in his voice fading a little. "I've run into a very peculiar situation that may require your assistance."
A snort escaped Gengo's throat that soon erupted into a full laugh. The doctor pressed his palm to his forehead as he tried to regain control of himself, while Kisuke stood silently with a small smile dancing on his lips. The laughter finally died enough for Gengo to look at Kisuke with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "You need my assistance you say? You come in my office three years after what you did and you actually thought I would help you? You truly must out of your mind if you think I'm going to help you with anything."
The old man leaned forward with a smug smile while he waited for Kisuke's answer. The former captain gave him a knowing smiling much to Aoi's confusion. "I think you'll have a change of heart if you knew that the problem is related to your work old friend."
Disappearing in an instant, his smile was replaced with his original grim frown. "Excuse me? My work?"
"Yes yes I'm afraid so. Though you won't be please at all to hear this, but the fact remains that I've created a much more advanced version of your injection Stigmata. You were very pissed off when I hacked into your data banks and saw your blueprints of the Stigmata that gives the Valkyries their powers. To be qu-."
"Stop!" Urahara blinked when Gengo pushed himself up from the desk and stared daggers at him. "It wasn't enough that you memorized one of my life's work, but you also had to build upon it? Just what exactly have you done to my research."
Kisuke let the doctor blow off the last of his steam before continuing. "I was getting to that. I have a student that arrived not very long ago and because of the situation at the time, he became the first person to have the improved Stigmata.
"Him? By "him" you mean a boy?" Gengo's expression darkened. "That's impossible. The only Stigmata that in compatible with males is the ones given to them by their Pandora partner. Injecting a boy with the injection Stigmata would result in a quick and painful death.
"Your version yes Gengo, he would've died on the spot. But for a man such as myself I only needed to make a few adjustments and tweaks here and there. Of course it's not compatible with all male humans, but my student is a special case to say the least. Much like your own grandson if I'm not mistaken." There was a twinkle in his eyes as he waited for Aoi's reaction. "Have I caught you attention?"
With his face masked of emotions, Gengo slowly lowered himself back into his chair. Su-Na, who had been standing behind him, observed the two with worried looks. This odd man had seemed to really have gotten Dr. Aoi worked up and he was a man usually know for his laid back personality.
"This boy," he finally began, "where is he right now?"
"My student has recently enrolled at West Genetics Academy and is currently there at this moment."
Gengo let out a humorless chuckle. "You even managed to get him into a Genetics facility without me knowing. Alright Kisuke Urahara, you've earned my attention for now, but I need to know one thing first."
Pleased with how things were going, the former captain nodded. "And that would be?"
"What is this boy's name and how old is he?"
With an amused tone Kisuke explained. "Oh just your average seventeen year old high schooler. His name is Ichigo Kurosaki..."
"So you're really not a Limiter?" Chiffon asked. She had a confused frown that displayed exactly how the girl felt that moment. "If not a Limiter, than what?"
Ichigo let out a frustrated groan and scratched the side of his head, but didn't answer her right away. He was currently seated on top of a pile of boxes seated on the court sideline with Zangetsu resting on his shoulder, while Chad stood behind him; a still and silent statue.
"I sorta am a Limiter," Ichigo began. He worked to keep his voice friendly enough, even if the act of being caught had gotten him a little shaken. "I have the ability to create a Freezing area, you saw that for yourself, but then I have this." He lifted Zangetsu off his shoulder to them a better look.
He watched as the two Pandoras gazed curiously at the oversized Zanpakuto. Chiffon had an unreadable face, while Ticy stared in awe as he lifted the blade like it was as light as a feather.
"If you have a sword like that, then that must mean you're...a..." Ticy trailed off and began poked her fingers together nervously.
Ichigo noticed where she was getting at. He tipped his hand from side to side in a so so motion. "I'm kinda sorta like a Pandora, but no, I'm not like you or Chiffon. This sword isn't a Volt Weapon; it's my Zanpakuto."
"Zanpakuto?" they both questioned.
"Yeah, I'm able to summon Zangetsu here thanks to a crazy mad scientist I know." Ichigo's eye twitched as he pictured Kisuke evilly laughing behind his fan. He didn't want Ichigo or Chad to reveal their powers to anyone, but it was a little late for that. Lying now would only cause more grief later. "He injected me with a modified form of Stigmata and gave me the power to activate Freezing and summon my weapon.
"But what about him?" Chiffon pointed at Chad, who up till now hadn't said a word. "Yasutora Sado I believe it was. Back when you were fighting Ichigo, your arm looked different. That black and crimson shield looked like a gauntlet Volt Weapon."
Chad shook his head before explaining. "That was the power of my right arm. My Fullbring."
"Fullbring?"
Ichigo groaned and rubbed his eyes as Chad gave him a questioning look. It was hard enough trying to explain their powers already, but now Fullbring. They would have to spill everything about Hollows and spirits to them to explain Fullbring. The odds of the Pandoras believing them was slim and at worst the two would go around spreading that him and Chad were a few cards short of a full deck. Things were grim and only seemed to be getting worst.
"Should we tell them?" Chad whispered loud enough for only Ichigo to hear.
"No don't do that." the Strawberry hissed. "We've probably said too much already and the last thing we need is for them to think we're complete nut jobs. Just make something believable quick and we'll work our way from there."
"I don't feel right about this."
"Do you see any other options? Our hands are pretty much tied here."
Chad gave one last look of protest before turning his attention back to the girls. "I wish I could give you an explanation, but I really don't know myself. I've had this ability since I was born and a man I met called it my Fullbring."
The pair held their breath when Chiffon's frown deepened and even Ticy looked at her friend with worry. "Does Sister Margaret or any of the teachers know about you two." she asked simply.
"The headmistress knows about both of us already, and several of the teachers saw Chad's Fullbring first hand."
"I see..." Chiffon's frown quickly formed into a smile much to everyone's confusion. "If they know than there is nothing for anybody to worry about. If they approve of you than so do I. "She tilted her head to the side as her amusement grew. 'I knew there was something special about you Ichigo, but it seems I didn't know the half of it." She tapped her chin and pondered for a second. "Though it's going to be interesting to see how the others react to you."
Ticy let out a yelp and jumped back. One minute Ichigo was sitting on the pile of boxes, the next he was standing in front of Chiffon with a serious look on his face. He gripped her shoulders and shook his head. "Don't tell anyone Chiffon. Chad and me were told not to tell anyone about our powers and try to past ourselves off as Limiters. You both know now so I'm going to ask that you don't spread what you saw around. Can you give me your words that you won't tell a soul?"
"How did..?" She shook her head and nodded. "I don't understand why this is supposed to be a secret, but if this is important to you than I won't say a word about it."
Ichigo let out a sigh of relief and released her shoulder. He did mean to use Flash Step just than; it just happened out of reflex. But now that their problem was solved, he could finally breathe easy again; he even managed to smile. "We'll now that that's settled, I think I should show Chad to the dorms." He and Chad turned to the doors, but stopped when Chiffon's hand caught Ichigo's arm.
"Not so fast Ichigo."
A chill spread across the room. Ichigo shivered as he turned and looked at the President and gulped. The usual present smile on her face was normal enough, but the dark aura surrounding her reminded him to much of Unohana. Even Zenpachi seemed to become a little intimidated when she spoke like this.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo's sweatdropped. "Is there something else you needed?"
The President's smile never wavered even when Ticy seemed to shrink into the background. "I'll keep our agreement on one condition. You have to come back here once a week and spar with me."
Ichigo blinked. "Spar? With you?" She nodded.
"I only saw a few seconds of you and Chad's battle, but from those few seconds I could tell you've seen combat before. I would really like to test my skills against."
Once again that day Ichigo was lost for words. This was unexpected to say the least. Who knew Chiffon was the kind of person that would want something in return to keep a secret.
"Are you sure that's what you want?" Ichigo finally managed. "Sparing with me is going to be tough."
"You clearly don't know us Pandora very well yet." She placed her hands on her hips and gave the Substitute an amused look. "I'm not some wallflower you know, I'm Chiffon Fairchild; strongest Pandora in West Genetics. No one here his strong enough to spar with, but from the looks of things, that doesn't seem to be the case with you."
Well when she put it that way, who could refuse her. "Alright than Chiffon. I'll fight you once a week, but that's it." He held out a hand and raised an eyebrow. "Deal?"
She reached out and enclosed his hand in a firm grip. "Deal."
They both smiled...
The next couple of weeks passed by quickly for the time traveling pair. Besides sharing all their classes together, Chad had also ended up bunking in Ichigo's room, not that he minded. Better sharing a room with a friend than some random stranger; no doubt Kisuke had a hand in that too. The two settled into the new school fairly well after the first week and by the third, had gotten into the swing of things. Even though the pair had been just introduced to the concept of Stigmata, Pandoras, and Nova they learned it quickly enough to pass as average. There were a few things still nagging at Ichigo though.
When ever he walked down a hallway, sat in class, or even ate in the cafeteria he'd get looks from both Pandora and Limiters. Limiters would give him a mixture of awed looks by some, while others shot jealous glares whenever he walked by. A simple quick scowl in their direction quickly made them turn their attention elsewhere though. Displaying his Freezing area at the entrance battle may have done more harm than good.
On the other hand there was the Pandoras. Now if Ichigo had been a little less dense in the head about girl's feelings, he may have noticed the growing number of his fans among the First, Second, and a few of the Third Year Pandora. When he wasn't look, they would stared and gossip over who he was and how he'd displayed his power during the match. Many First and Second Years wanted to ask him to be their Limiter, but with his scowl almost always on his face, none had the courage to ask him. That didn't lower their interest in Ichigo in the slightest.
Chad seemed to get along with the other students better than Ichigo did. His large build had intimidated people at first, but slowly they began to find the quiet Mexican kind and friendly enough.
Of course there were only one group of Pandora that seemed like the closest things to friends with Ichigo and Chad. Arnett, Elizabeth, Attia, Creo, and Ingrid shared several classes with the duo and they often ate lunch with them. Ichigo found their presence welcoming, but their Limiters always seemed to be in a bad mood when he was around. 'What's their problem?'
Chiffon's weekly sparing match became something that he began looking forward to. Ever Wednesday he'd return to the gym and find Chiffon and Ticy waiting patiently for him. She'd already have her Volt Weapon, two large metal gauntlets with blade fingers, deployed and ready to start.
He'd taken it easy on her during their first match, but it didn't take long for him to find out how much of a mistake that was. He'd slowed his blade swings down in hopes that wouldn't do much damage and had also refused to use Flash Step to dodge her attacks. Big mistake. Chiffon easy intercepted and block Zangetsu every time Ichigo made a slash or stab. Her little trick know as Illusion Turn didn't do him any favors either. He spent several minutes attacking after images before finally using his powers. His blows started forcing her back, and with Flash Step he could keep up and sometimes surpass her Illusion Turn. They were more or less equal in terms of strength and speed.
Sometimes Chad would come along with Ichigo to the weekly match and watch. Ticy was always present with her President and after several weeks Chad began going over to her and tried striking up a conversation. Begin the shy girl that she was, it took a few attempts before Chad's kind personality got through.
'This isn't so bad.' Ichigo thought to himself on his walk back to the dorms from the gym. 'Nice school, nice people, and even a place to stay till Kisuke can get me and Chad back home. Could be a lot worse.'
"Damn it," Ichigo mumbled sorely as his fingers trailed down the bookshelves. "I thought in the future they'd have a better way of organizing books so I wouldn't have to do this." He continued examining the book spines for the one that he needed to write a report for History. "How am I suppose to write a report on a scientist that was born in the 2030's? All the info I need is on the internet, but I have to a book source."
Resting his chin on one of the shelves, the orange haired teen let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm never find gonna find that book unless someone helps me." he said sourly. "Great day for the librarian to be out sick."
"Maybe I can help you."
'I've heard that voice before.' Raising his head and turning around to the voice a green haired girl, with an arm full of books, smiled back at him. Ichigo instantly recognized her as the Pandora that Arnett had faced during his entrance match. He'd seen her a few times in the hallway between classes, but hadn't spoken to her since the battle.
"Eh...if you don't mind." he stammered when he realized how helpless he probably looked. "You're Cathy right?"
She giggled. "That's me, Cathy Lockheart. And no one can forgot you after that match Ichigo Kurosaki. That was very impressive."
"Thanks." Ichigo scratched his head in embarrassment. "By the way, how's your Limiter doing now?"
"Kyoichi is just fine, his wounds healed much faster that the doctors expected them to." She sat the pile of books on the floor before gazing at the shelves. "Now what book are you looking for again? I spent a lot of time in the Library so I know what each section's genre is."
"That's a relief, I don't where anything is in the place. I'm looking for a book on a scientist named Kosuke Kenshima for my History report."
"Kosuke Kenshima? Of course I know where some books on him are!" She reached down and picked the top book off her pile and handed it to him. "I just so happened to have one. It includes some of his best short stories and biography on him."
He looked down at the copy and smiled "Thanks Cathy, you're a life saver." He slipped the book into his bag before eyeing her pile. "You must read a lot."
She blushed. "I do like to read in my spare time. Reading books is what inspired me to want to become a-."
"Would the following students please report to the office."
Both Ichigo and Cathy looked up at the intercom as it continued.
"Elizabeth Mably, Chiffon Fairchild, Cathy Lockheart, Rana Linchen, Satellizer L. Bridget, Kazuya Aoi, Yasutora Sado, and Ichigo Kurosaki. Report to the office."
"That's an odd group to call for." Ichigo stated causing Cathy to look at him. "I know Elizabeth and Chiffon, but I've never heard of Rana, Satellizer, and Kazuya."
"Rana and Satellizer are Second Years and Kazuya is a First Year Limiter." She informed him. "But you're right, it's odd for them to be calling us."
She picked up her stack of books and sat them back on a shelf, while Ichigo slung his bag over his shoulder. The Substitute beckoned her to the door. "They want both of us, so I guess we shouldn't keep them waiting..."
Two Days Later
Ichigo was no happy. The only thing that seemed to be happening to him lately was change. A change of time, a change of schools, and even a change of friends. Now he was changing locations to another continent. Chad and him, along with several other students including Elizabeth, Cathy, and Chiffon, were currently heading to Alaska via a Ospreys.
At first, Ichigo had openly objected the idea and asked why he and Chad had been included in the group. Sister Margaret explained that the Chevalier had chosen all them to be summoned to Alaska, and being members of West Genetics, they could not go against Chevalier orders. With that, the group was dismissed.
So there he was. Stuck in a freezing cold tiltrotor bound for the most northern state of the U.S. Ichigo let out a cloud of breath and watched it fade away before stealing a glaze at the other passengers. He and Chad were managing the cold pretty well, but the others shivered and shook despite the fact they were wearing heavy coats.
Feeling Chad elbow his arm, the Substitute turned and looked at him. "What?"
He pointed out the window. "I think we're here."
Ichigo looked out the window at the endless plains of blue ocean and white snow. Narrowing his eyes, the tiny speck on the horizon continued growing larger and larger, till he was able to make out several tall structures clustered together. A small helipad came into view by the base.
"Well damn you Kisuke." the Strawberry muttered under his breath. "This frozen Hell looking place better not be part of one of your plans..."
To Be Continued.
Author's Note: And so the begins the E-Pandora Arc. I've been trying to find a way to lead up to this for some time, and this seemed like the best way. What awaits our heroes in Alaska? You'll have to wait and see.
On other note, I have a new story out that I've published along with this story. It's the very first A Certain Magical Index/Bleach crossover fanfic and my second Xover. Not much happened in the first chapter, but I hope you guys check it out after reading this chapter.
Please review, follow, and favorite. Later.