May 9, 2014 - Friday

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.

A/N: Special thanks to SpiritMaster28 for Beta reading this.

Chapter 8: Old Wounds Never Heal

The lunchroom was filled with the lively voices of Genetics students, going about their business, eating lunch, and having conversations. The main topic of their conversation was the previous mock battle.. It was the subject on everyone's mind and everything else was old news compared to it. Not only had the E-Pandoras been seen in action for the first time, but another unexpected individual had shown off his powers.

After his display of power in the mock match, Ichigo Kurosaki's name was known by everyone on the Alaskan base. The power and speed he'd shown during the match was incredible, even though it was a complete mystery on how a male could do that. A male who had powers equal to or greater than a Pandora's was thought to be impossible and yet no one could deny what they saw on the arena.

Sitting at a table in the far corner of the lunchroom, farther away from the other students, Chad rested his cheek on his fist while he silently poked the potatoes on his plate with a fork. He wasn't alone, as he accompanied by Kazuya, Satellizer, Rana, and Cathy who also shared the same table. The usually talkative bunch was surprisingly quiet. The four stole nervous glances at the large Mexican, but not a one dared to say a word. Not until Kazuya finally worked up the nerve to ask the question weighing on everyone's mind.

"So there's still no word on what happening with Ichigo?" he asked in a quiet cautious voice. Even though he was sure Chad wasn't a violent person, Kazuya also knew he was Ichigo's best friend. Considering what happened the day before, he didn't want to test the guy and tread on shaky ground.

Chad stopped poking his food and rested the fork on the table. "Haven't heard any news since yesterday evening." He turned in Kazuya's direction and looked at him with the one eye not covered by his bangs. The Limiter felt the sudden urge to turn away from the giant's silent gaze. There wasn't any emotion in his eyes and that's what was unsettling. "When I went to Chevalier to see what had happened, I was told by a pair of Pandora to return to my room and wait." He turned away and shrugged. "What else could I do?"

"Never would've thought Chevalier would make a move like that." Cathy spoke up. "The way those Chevalier Pandora stormed into the arena after the match and surrounded Ichigo, it's almost as if they'd been waiting for the battle to finish."

Rana frowned at that. "What I want to know is why didn't Ichigo resist?

"It was the right move?" Kazuya replied. "Resisting would've just escalated things further. He surrendered because he knew the situation would have been worst if he hadn't."

"But you could tell couldn't you?" Cathy asked, looking back and forth from Kazuya, Satellizer, and Rana. "When they ordered him to come along quietly, you could see it in his face, he did have any fear. When they were escorting him off the arena, I could tell he wasn't afraid. And after seeing him in action..." She wrapped her arms around herself and looked down at her lap. "To believe he has the ability to create a Freezing field and a Volt Weapon. Just how powerful is he?" Cathy, along with the rest, turned and looked at Chad. "Just who is Ichigo, Chad? What have you two been keeping from us?"

"It's not that I don't trust you guys." Chad answered, not looking any of them in the eye. "It's just that things are complicated right now and I don't have a way of explaining it to you. Ichigo's power is sort of like a Pandora's, but in most parts it's worlds apart. He wasn't supposed to show anything but his Freezing. He was told to do his best at passing as an ordinary Limiter." He ignored the questioning looks from them and ran his fingers through his thick bangs before released a heavy sigh. "Maybe when Ichigo is released, he'll be able to explain things better than me. He let the cat out of the bag, so it's only fair for him to spill it."

"I'll ask you again, Mr. Kurosaki. How did you do it?"

A smirk spread across the Substitute's face. He was currently bound to a metal chair much like the one Kisuke had forced him into during the teleporting experiment. His arms, legs, and waist were bound, leaving him little room to move. There wasn't any doubt in Ichigo's mind that he could break the bindings easily, the real problem were the four Chevalier Pandora standing to his sides and behind him in a square-formation. They'd pose a serious problem if he chose to escape.

Ichigo closed his eyes while his smirk grew. "Seeing as it's none of your business, why do you care?"

Both Pandora glanced at each other with nervous looks before the voice from the speaker replied. "Do you truly insist on playing these games, Mr. Kurosaki?" The speaker sounded like male and the beginning of irritation could be hinted in his voice. "Everything that happened in your mock battle with E-Pandora Amelia Evans was captured on footage. You enrolled in Japan's West Genetics several weeks ago as a Limiter. Very little information on your background history other than you being the nephew of Dr. Kisuke Urahara, who signed your enrollment papers, is available. You had below average grades as the beginning, but they soon progressed to above average. An average Genetics student, besides having the unique ability to create a Freezing area without the need of an Ereinbar Set, first shown in a mock battle with Cathy Lockheart and her Limiter. You arrived at the Alaskan base with the other West Genetics students after being requested by Dr. Ohara."

Ichigo's jaw clenched at the mentioning of the Ohara's name. When she'd first spoke at the dinner party on the first day, her words about the E-Pandora program saving humanity had slightly impressed him despite his doubt. However after forcing him into the battle with Amelia Evans, making him fight the girl until she was unconscious... he felt ashamed at what he'd done and his respect of the doctor went south along with his doubt of her plans.

"So you know a little about me." He snorted at the situation. "How does that have anything to do with me being restrained to a chair and being interrogated like I'm a criminal?"

"I only want the truth from you, Mr. Kurosaki." Ichigo rolled his eyes. "What is the nature and full extent of your powers? How did you acquire them and who are you really? After seeing what you're capable of, I sincerely doubt you're just a humble Limiter without a Pandora."

Obviously telling him the truth was off the menu. He couldn't just say he was a Substitute Soul Reaper from fifty-two years ago and expect to get off without a hitch. They would lock him up in a rubber room. No to mention it would be freaking stupid.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes and spoke in a neutral tone. "My name is Ichigo Kurosaki. I am seventeen years and attend West Genetics Academy, a place I was enrolled in by my uncle, Dr. Kisuke Urahara. I have the ability to produce a Freezing field and create a Volt Weapon. That is all."

"So you do admit you can display Pandora like abilities?"

"Really?" Ichigo mused in a sarcastic tone. "How long did it take you to figure that out?"

"These childish games can end, Mr. Kurosaki. I am not your enemy, so I would please ask you to stop trying to be hostile. Chevalier just wants to know how it's possible for a boy to have both the powers of a Limiter and a Pandora. Is it safe to assume Dr. Urahara had a hand in the development of your abilities?"

"Maybe." A sigh could be heard through the speaker, much to the teen's amusement. "Now I'd appreciate it if you'd let me got now, because my classmates are probably wondering what's happening to me. Taking me from the arena with everyone watching might not have been such a good idea for you. When something like that happens, people tend to start asking lots of questions. You don't want distrust and uneasiness in the Genetics students now, do you?"

The speaker was silent except to the light sound of static. One of the Chevalier Pandora whispered something to another, who replied with a finger to her lips in a shhh motion. Ichigo twisted his wrist in the straps and let out an annoyed groan. The straps were starting to get even more uncomfortable.

At last the speaker can back to life and the voice said. "Release Ichigo Kurosaki and escort him back to his room."

One of the Pandora blinked. "Release him?!"

"Yes. Escort him back to his assigned room." A small smile spread on the Substitute's lips. "You are free to go for now, Mr. Kurosaki. You're free to continue your student activities until Chevalier sees it fit for another meeting. I hope are next talk is much friendlier."

The Pandora walked to either sides of him and released the straps, allowing Ichigo to stand. He rubbed his sore wrists and snorted before muttering under his breath. "Don't count on it."

Chad rested his hands behind his head, his eyes blankly staring up at the ceiling while he lay in bed. It was almost 9:00 P.M. and there had still been no word on Ichigo. Despite it still being fairly early, Chad's body and mind felt drained of energy and he'd decided to return to his room early.

His eyes were just beginning to close when a knock on the door brought him back. Just as he was rising to a sitting position, the door open and Ichigo walked in with two Pandora standing out in the hall. Judging from their uniforms, it was easy to tell they were part of Chevalier.

Ichigo walked in, both hands in his pockets, with a sober expression. He glanced over his shoulder. "I can make it from here, thanks."

Neither one said a word before closing the door, leaving the teen alone in silence.

"Well that was major pain in the ass." Ichigo rolled his head from side to side, poking it. "After sitting in a chair all day, my whole body's stiff." The moment he hit the bed, he rolled on to his side.

"What did they do to you?" Chad questioned. Ichigo's relaxed look was the complete opposite of what he'd expected. Beat up and distant looking was closer to what he had pictured in his mind.

"They just kept trying to get me to reveal what my powers were and how I got them."

"Did you?"

"Hell no! No way am I going tell them anything after strapping me to a chair like that. I don't play interrogation." He sighed and rolled over to face the wall. "So what's been going on since I've been gone?"

Chad blinked. Changing the topic already? "Nothing much, your mock battle in the main thing everyone on base is talking about." Chad cracked a rare smile when the Strawberry let out a groan.

"Damn it, it'll be just like back at West, only this is a whole lot worst. Not only do the students know, but so do the Chevalier higher ups."

"Kisuke isn't going to be happy."

"I know." Ichigo ran his hand through his hair. "At least no one besides Chiffon and Ticy know about your Fullbring. As long as you keep that under wraps, we'll be a little less screwed." He paused for a second. "So do you know what happened to that E-Pandora, Amelia Evans?"

Chad looked over at him. The orange-haired teen's mood seemed to have darkened in just a few moments. He wasn't looking at Chad, though he seemed only focused on the answer to his question.

"Sorry." The Fullbringer said quietly. "Nothing came up about any of the E-Pandora. Though I think that Amelia girl is still in treatment."

Those words stabbed deep in Ichigo like glass in a wound. 'I knew I should've held back more. Even with the restrictions, I'm still much more powerful than any of those E-Pandora's.' Ichigo clenched his jaw and cursed himself silently. 'I need to find out how she's doing tomorrow. It's my fault so I should at least apologize. Not that'll make up for much.'

"What's on your mind, Ichigo?" Chad asked.

"Nothing." He reached over and pulled the cord on the lamp. "I'm getting tired so I'll be turning in early I think. Wake me up in the morning..."

The first half of the next day went by smoothly. No announcements were made and the students were allowed to do as they pleased for the morning. Nothing noteworthy happened until lunch time.

Ichigo had spent the first part of the day hanging out with Chad, Chiffon, Elizabeth, and their Limiters. None of them had asked where he'd been the day before, a fact the Substitute was silently grateful for. Going over the details wasn't on his wish list.

After waiting in line for their trays, Chad, Ichigo, Elizabeth, and André looking looked around the crowded lunchroom for a table, only not a single one could be seen that wasn't taken.

"Oh, there are no open seats." Elizabeth looked around the lunchroom with no luck. Behind her André remained silent, waiting for his Pandora to make a decision. Ichigo stood beside Elizabeth and glanced around before noticing several empty seats at a table. He point over the others towards it before he walked up to the table. At first, he didn't recognize any of the girls in the purple jackets who already occupied the table. Once he noticed the familiar faces of the some of the E-Pandora, he stopped it his tracks. However Elizabeth walked past him and stood next to the table. "Are these seats open?"

The E-Pandora named Gina looked up in surprise. "M-Miss Mably!?

"Please call me Elizabeth. Anyway, is it ok if we sit here?"

Ichigo suppressed a grin at how polite Elizabeth was, even though she was acting like a stereotypical rich girl. When Gina nodded it was alright, he pulled out a chair and sat his tray down before taking a seat. Ichigo started work on clearing tray, but stole a glance or two at the E-Pandoras. Several of them he remembered from the previous mock battle, with a just few that didn't. When he looked out the corner of his eye, to his left, he almost choked on his food. Seated to his left was the Amelia.

The platinum blonde-haired E-Pandora didn't even seem to notice him, while he couldn't help but notice the eye patch covering her right eye. 'So she's already healed up?' Ichigo though in his head. 'She's tougher than I gave her credit for.' The awkward silence continued while Ichigo debated on whether he should say something.

Down the table, the over E-Pandora whisper among themselves till Elizabeth finally ask. "Is something the matter?"

One of them nudged the dark skinned girl named Rattle. "G-Go on, you ask her."

"Umm well..." Rattle fidgeted nervously before rubbing the back of her head and laughing nervously. "Your lips are really pretty. What kind of lip gloss are you using?"

Ichigo sweatdropped. All that fuss over something like lips gloss. 'Just a girly thing I guess'

The British Pandora smiled and pointed at her shiny smooth lips. "This is Mably's Limited Edition lip gloss." All the E-Pandoras gasped and began talking among themselves, saying how she was "the" Mably and how they made the best products. "So you like it? I can sell you some with a special discount."

"A discount?!" Rattle and Gina exclaimed. "How much is it?"

Elizabeth barely looked up from her tray. "I can get you 30% off." That lit a fuse.

"I'll take one!"

Me too! Can I buy one now?"

Oh, I'd like to buy two please!"

Elizabeth smiled at the eager E-Pandora but noticed that Amelia had remained deadly silent. Despite being directly across from her, she had so much as said a word. "How about you? If you like, I can get it delivered to you here."

"Hmmph." Amelia gave a small smile and Elizabeth blinked in surprise. "What? Is this how to plan on showing off your money? Or is this just how rich people treat those around?"

Elizabeth cut another piece off her steak and chewed it slowly. "I simply recognize the Mably brand is well known and I'm offering our product at a fair price. Don't you think the way you're acting is...taking your inferiority at little too far?"

"What did you say?" Amelia growled.

Next to Elizabeth, Andre raised is hands in a "easy" gesture, while giving his partner nervous looks. Ichigo swallowed and tensed up as the mood of the table darkened. The E-Pandora gave off a dark aurora and even Ichigo felt the need not to cross them. What was Elizabeth thinking?!

"The world is not a fair place." The second ranked Third Year continued. "There are those who are blessed, and there are those who are not. I don't think any of us can deny that." She pointed at Ichigo, making the teen's eyes widened with dread. "Take him for example. He was blessed in ways even I don't completely understand."

All eyes turned on the Strawberry. Sweat rolled down his face as he suddenly became the center of the tense conversation. Talk about a dirty move on Elizabeth's part. He wiped his forehead and deepened his scowl. "I don't know why you're using me as an example. You may call me blessed, but to me... I'm just lucky"

Elizabeth gave him an amused smile. "So you don't believe having both the powers of a Limiter and a Pandora is a gift? Ichigo, I didn't think you'd be so humble." Ichigo opened his mouth to retort, but stopped when Elizabeth continued. "None of us can deny that those with superior abilities are treated different from others. But we are all comrades in this fight. Everyone has there part to play, and neither should be considered more important than the other."

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at her last few words and smiled. She sure did know how to give a good speech. No wonder she was so popular back at West Genetics. The E-Pandora looked taken back by her words, no doubt wondering why she had taken the subject in such a different direction. She hadn't been putting them down. She was just simply saying they all had different parts to play in the Nova fight.

"Ah you'd be spot on about that." Roxanne had walked over and draped her arms around Elizabeth's shoulder. Soo...can you hit me up on that discount?"

Ichigo almost fell out of his chair. Talk about killing a touching seen in just a few seconds. As soon as Roxanne asked, more Pandora began swarming the table, asking if they could get a discount too.

"I'll do it after I get a list." Elizabeth explained, a tired look growing on her face while her Limiter laughed.

Even Ichigo couldn't help but let the grin stay on his lips. Looking at all of them reminded him that even though they're soldiers, they're also just regular people. Underneath all that training and discipline they acted no different from other people their age. His eyes glanced around at the growing group till they stopped and rested on the girl next to him.

Much to her embarrassment, Amelia had been caught staring at the orange-haired boy and hadn't even realized she'd been doing it. The moment his brown eyes met her's, she turned away looked down at her tray blushing.

"I-I ah..." Amelia looked up while Ichigo rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, his eyes drifting from her to the table and back. His mouth opened and closed as if he was trying to find the words to say but couldn't. "I just wanted to apologize for what happened in the arena." he managed. An embarrassed tint of red rose in his cheeks and he looked like he didn't know what else to say. "So how are you injuries healing up?

Now it was Amelia's turn to be lost for words. The last thing she'd been expecting from him was an apology. From the way he was acting, the orange-haired boy looked sincerely sorry for what had happened in their mock battle. The E-Pandora worked to form her words. "i-It wasn't as bad as they original thought. Besides my eye, everything else had mostly healed up."

Ichigo breathed a sigh of comfort. "Good. I'm glad to hear that." He tapped his fingers on the table awkwardly before standing and picking up his tray. "I'll catch you later hopefully." With that, he turned and left in a hurried pace, not even glancing over his shoulder

Amelia reached for his arm to stop him, but froze when she realized what she was doing. She brought back her hand, and could only watch as the back of the departing boy till he was lost to the crowded room. An unfamiliar feeling flowed through Amelia's body as a blush covered her cheeks and she brought her hands to her chest, hoping to steady her heartbeat. 'What was I thinking!?' Reaching out to him like that. It's not like I'm close to him, I barely even know him.' Despite her state, the conflicted teen was all but ignored since everyone else at the table was busy trying to buy a sample of the Mably lip gloss...

Unbeknownst to the students in the cafeteria, in an office several rooms away, Scarlet Ohara and one of her assistants were studying the students via a monitor. On the desktop, the whole cafeteria could be seen along with every student.

"Looks like the atmosphere loosened up." the assistant pointed out, noticing the new attitude between the Originals and Evoultion Pandora.

Ohara sipped her coffee slowly. "A feeling of unity among them huh?"

The assistant could only nod. "Do we really need to make that announcement now that they are just starting to get along?"

"There's nothing we can do about it, because...this is war."

"Are you sure you're feeling alright, Ichigo?" Chiffon looked the tired boy up and down. He had dark bags under his eyes, showing a lack of sleep and his body was slump compared to his usual standing tall and pride look.

The Strawberry yawned in reply. "I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. 'Hard to get a good sleep with a lot on my mind.' The night before had been a bad night the whole day after he'd walked away from Amelia hadn't been good. His whole mind had been weighed down and for what? He couldn't deny he'd felt guilt after their first meeting, but she didn't seem to be holding a grudge against him and her wounds had healed up. But the whole night he'd tossed and turn, the thoughts of regret for walking away so quickly had irritated him all night. 'Got to get a hold of yourself, and stop acting so weird. This isn't me.'

He shook his head, hoping to clear some of the drowsiness, and looked down at his watch. "There better have a good reason for having an announcement this early." he muttered bitterly. "It's barely past seven o clock." From the chatter around him, the reason for the announcement ranged from ordering more mock battles to another surprise party. A gut feeling told Ichigo the latter wasn't the reason.

The crowd of students gathered in front of the auditorium stage, a mixture of Limiters, Originals, and Evolution Pandora. The hum of the chattering students ended as soon as Dr. Ohara came back out from behind the curtain to the speaker.

Ichigo kept his eyes locked on the doctor as she walked, a fresh feeling of resentment boiling inside him. The doctor checked the microphone quickly before speaking. "Good morning, I hope you enjoyed breakfast." The Substitute snorted. He didn't even get any. "It's already been three days since you all came to base. So starting today I will be asking for your assistance in earnest." As short bit of murmuring run among the crowd but soon cut off.

"Now then, the day will kick off the start of Mission Synchro. As you have all guessed, this is a new project we will be initiating here at this laboratory starting today. Its mission is to raise the E-Pandora to the level of the Original Pandora. To do so, we first examine the E-Pandora's Stigmata. Then they will be assigned a temporary Pandora partner who they synchronize their Stigmata activity with. The Evolution Pandora will experience a simulated version of the Original's power. This will raise the E-Pandora's power to greater levels."

In front of him, Ichigo heard Roxanne chuckle. "She makes it sound like a piece of cake. This isn't like heating up left overs."

"However," Ohara continued. "In order to protect them against the overflow that can occur in bodies not suited for Stigmata, the E-Pandoras will be receiving a new medicine. A medicine recently redeveloped called Mark IV." The E-Pandoras on the other side of the auditorium let out gasps and stared with wide eyes at the doctor.

Ichigo's expression immediately darkened them. "I've got a feeling things are about to go crazy... again"

To Be Continued

Author's Note: And think I'll stop here. Cliffhangers are all was a good way to end a chapter don't you think? Sorry if you think I ended this chapter to early, but I've been writing non stop for the last two weeks. I thought about making this chapter longer, but I wanted to get it posted today. Don't worry, the next chapter will be out later this month.

So Ichigo revealing his powers didn't really seem to have much of an effect on the others. Couldn't find a place to put it in this chapter, but when he goes hardcore Soul Reaper, then we'll see how many jaws drop. If you watch season 2 or read the manga than you know what to expect. Ichigo will have cause some changes to the outcome of things.

Please leave a review, and/or follow/favorite if you like it. See y'all soon. Later.