I'm back. I finished freshening up on this story, so I should be able to continue without issues. Key word: should. Now, let's move on to the chapter!
35
Ichigo, Tenebris, and Shiro followed Nemu. When they arrived at their destination, they found three captains standing before three unknown people. Ichigo guessed they were members of the Zero Division.
"Hey! The Zero Division is here!" A big man with prayer beads cheerfully exclaimed, causing Ichigo to feel shocked. He was used to the captains being calm or too stuck up - like Byakuya. But these guys seem cheerful, except for the man with dark hair sticking out forward. He gave off a creepy vibe, causing Ichigo to be wary.
A big woman began to greet Shinji. "Hey, Shinji. It has been a long time! How's Hiyori-chan doing?"
Ichigo turned and saw Shinji give the woman a confused look. "Who are you, and how do you know me?" he asked.
The woman smacked him in the head. "How rude! I can't believe you forgot me! I haven't changed that much!"
Shinji rubbed his head as he glared at the woman. "What are you talking about?!" The Vidored's expression changed to realization. "Wait… 'Hiyori-chan'? It can't be… Kirio?" he questioned in disbelief.
Ichigo felt Shiro lean close to him and felt his breath by his ear. "Hiyori-chan? How much ya want ta bet she would kill someone for calling her that?" Shiro asked.
"No contest. Hiyori would for sure murder me," replied Ichigo.
"Hey, guys," Tenebris said, gaining their attention. "The creepy guy knows Unahana." She pointed to where they saw Unahana calmly, standing unfazed by the man who loomed over her.
"It's been a while, Retsu. Have you been using the healing techniques I've taught you?" the man asked.
Unahana closed her blank eyes. "Yes," she answered, but no emotion was heard.
The man snapped back in shock. "Really? Then why are so many people still injured or knocking on death's door?"
"That still confuses me. This place is for those that died, yet they can die again," muttered Ichigo.
Tenebris rolled her eyes. "It does get confusing, but when a soul dies, they just enter the cycle of rebirth. So they're not really dying."
A clapping of hands brought everyone's attention to Captain Kyoraku. "Alright, enough with the greeting." He looked at the members of the Zero Division. "Why did you come here?" he asked.
"Thank you," Tenebris said softly, but only Ichigo and Shiro heard her.
The leader of the Zero Division turned to face Ichigo, confusing the teen. "Ichigo Kurosaki, we've come to take you to the palace!" he said with a huge grin. Ichigo, Tenebris, and Shiro's eyes widened in shock at the news.
"Why are you taking Ichi to the palace?" asked Tenebris.
The leader was about to answer, but Soi-Fon cut in. "Are you kidding me!? You came here just to pick up someone who's not even a real shinigami instead of helping us defend seireitei from the enemy?!" she shouted, causing Tenebris to face-palm and the Zero Division to ignore her. Soi-Fon shouted at them.
"What's up?" Ichigo asked his soul sister.
Tenebris sighed, "It's not their job -"
"It's not our job to protect seireitei," the looming, creepy man stated as he glared at Soi-fon, cutting Tenebris off. "Our job is to protect the palace, and your job is to protect seireitei. It's not our fault if you're incapable."
The leader came up from behind and smacked the man's head with his big hand. "That's enough; I told you to do this later. We have a job to do now," he said scoldingly.
The creepy man glared at him but remained silent because another woman appeared with six doll-like arms protruding from her back.
"It's fine. I got everyone we needed," the woman said, using her six doll-arms to hold three giant spheres. Ichigo focused on the spheres when he heard the lady say 'everyone' and saw Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya. "All we need now is you, Ichigo Kurosaki." The creepy woman pointed to Ichigo while she spoke, causing a shiver to run down his spine.
Unahana didn't look or sound pleased. "Put them back. Those three are in no condition to be moved."
The healer of the Zero Division glared at her. "If Byakuya Kuchiki stays here, he will die. You've already tried and failed, so now it's my turn."
"That's a little harsh," muttered Ichigo.
"I like him already," said Shiro with a grin. "But haven't you two noticed that Unahana is acting strangely?"
"You'd have to be blind not to," said Tenebris, who gave the 4th Division captain a look of unease, but she shook her head a moment later and turned to the Zero Division members. "I'll ask again: why are you taking Ichigo to the palace. He's not nearly as injured as those three."
The leader waved at her question. "Oh, it's not about healing, Dark Dragon. We need to take Ichigo for a different reason," he said.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow and tilted his head a little. "What reason would that be?"
"Also, how do you know Feathers?" asked Shiro.
"We're taking you to the palace so our Zanpakuto creator can help you with the two Zanpakuto you've accepted into your soul. Since they weren't initially from your own soul, they aren't appropriately bonded. That is why Kikoo isn't willing to fight yet, and you haven't learned Muramasa's Bankai."
"I just started learning his bankai," said Ichigo, causing Tenebris to look at him.
"You mean you haven't tried to learn it earlier?" she asked.
Ichigo shrugged. "There wasn't a need for it until recently."
"Well, you won't be able to gain Murmasa's Bankai without help because -" the leader was cut off when a voice suddenly appeared.
"Hello? Ah, I see everyone is here!" Ichigo turned his head to look behind him when he realized that was where the familiar voice was coming from.
TBC
This is a very short chapter. :( I'll have to be sure to make the next one longer, and maybe afterward pause with this story and work on 'Master of Death in Fairy Tail'. Maybe…
Ichi: You're not sure?
Enj/Dark: I might keep going until you go to the soul palace and I to the World of Darkness. Or I might show what happens in the World of Darkness, and then pause on this story. I'm not sure yet.
Shiro: Don't you need to plan for the last arc of MoDiFT?
Eni/Dark: Thanks for reminding me, Shiro.
Ichi: Please review!
