Chapter 21: Everything But The Rain

Underground Training Area, Karakura Hospital

Uryu is currently aiming his bow at a target a few meters away. A bead of sweat trails down his forehead as he prepares to release the shot, but a sudden slam on the door breaks his concentration, causing him to release the reishi arrow and completely miss his target.

The boy growls, "Damn you, Ryuken! You ruined my focus!"

Uryu marches towards the door as there is yet another slam before suddenly opening it. What he finds causes him to gasp. Chad pushes past him with the bloodied figure of Yuzu in his arms. Yukio and Kon rush in with him, each carrying medical supplies. Finally, Ryuken enters the room wearing a stern expression.

"What happened?!" Uryu demands as the group lay out a blanket and cushions before laying Yuzu on them.

Ryuken ignores his son's question as he opens some of the medical equipment, "It's a good thing you came directly to me—I pale to imagine what kind of botched job you and your allies would do in stabilizing her…"

Yukio and Chad don't respond as they watch Ryuken operate with great focus on the girl.

Uryu growls, not liking how no one seems to want to fill him in. As he opens his mouth to yell, the small lion plushie walks up to him, grabbing his attention.

Kon explains, "Yuzu got into a fight with a hollow… her reiatsu is unstable right now, so Ryuken brought her down here to operate so the Shinigami won't notice…"

Uryu nods in understanding as he joins the group of worried onlookers watching Ryuken operate on Yuzu.

Urahara Shoten

Tatsuki and Orihime exit Urahara's shop after a day of training, each opening an umbrella to block the rain that falls down on them.

As the two reach the end of the yard, Orihime regards her friend, "My apartment's this way. I'll see you tomorrow!"

Tatsuki nods, "Yeah, see you tomorrow!"

As Orihime walks off, she can't help but think about all that Tatsuki revealed about the Kurosakis today—Ichigo in particular.

Orihime walks silently in the rain, "His mother died… when he was nine."

The girl's thoughts shift to imagery of her brother, "I know what it's like to realize that nothing is sure in this world."

Orihime continues walking, as the cold rain continues to fall, "What do I feel for you? Kindness? One-sided sympathy?"

Orihime pauses her stride as she glances up at the sky, stating to herself, "I feel like now I understand a little bit better what type of person you were… Ichigo…"

Hueco Mundo

White has just finished devouring yet another group of Barragan's Adjucha minions. Despite this, his wound still aches, forcing him to drop to his knees.

"Why?! I've devoured more than enough Adjuchas by now! Why won't it heal?!" the hollow calls out desperately.

"You poor thing… you've been dealing with his Respira all this time, I can't imagine how you must feel…" a soft voice calls out from behind White.

The dragon flips around to face the source of the voice to find a human with a Capricorn shaped mask, long turquoise hair, and wearing black and white clothes with a sword strapped to their side.

White's aura turns to one of utter hostility, "SHINIGAMI!"

He can see the figure wave their hands in front of them, as if wanting to talk their way out of this, but the time for words is over. Only bloodlust remains.

However, as White charges at the figure, his wound becomes too much to bear, forcing him to completely tumble over on the ground. The figure, a woman he can make out after taking a better look at them, rushes to his side.

"Get away!" he calls out, although unable to move as he spasms in pain.

The woman's eyes widen upon getting a better look at the hollow's underbelly, "It's even worse than I thought! It's a miracle you're still alive! Hold on."

The hollow roars at the sight of the woman spitting on him.

"How DARE you look down on me like this, you damned Shinigami! Pompous! Just like the rest! –I'll rend your body to pieces!", the dragon roars in a fit of rage.

White pauses his flailing as he can feel his spiritual reserves returning to him, as well as the pain quickly subsiding. The hollow groans almost questioningly at the woman, wondering why he feels his power returning.

The woman gives him a friendly smile before back away, "My saliva has healing properties, young Adjucha. You don't have to worry about that Barragan's nasty wound anymore."

At that, White gets back on all fours, glaring down at the woman dubiously, "Why did you heal my wounds, Shinigami?"

The woman sighs at the Adjucha's inquisition, "I tried telling you earlier that I am an Arrancar—not a Shinigami!"

White tilts his head at this, "Arrancar… yeah, I recall one of Barragan's men using that word…"

White still seems to not get the full picture, so the woman elaborates, "An Arrancar is a hollow who has removed a part of their mask in the pursuit to become more whole. It is undoubtedly the final step of hollow evolution and—where are you going?"

The dragon, who had lost all interest once finding out that the woman wasn't a Shinigami, decided to take his leave, "I'm leaving. I won't become a Vasto Lorde by listening to you lecture."

The woman huffs, "You can't leave yet."

The dragon tilts his head, asking himself "Why not?" in his head before a figurative light bulb goes off, "Oh, right! Thanks for healing me Ms… uh…"

"Nelliel, although you can call me Nel. And you're very welcome!", the woman states, once more wearing a friendly smile.

The dragon grunts, "Right then, I'll see you around Nel."

The woman suddenly appears via Sonido before the dragon's face mid-flight, "Wait!"

"Ah!", the dragon calls out, startled by the woman's sudden actions, falling off course and landing face first in a nearby sand dune.

The dragon's head pokes out of the sand, "What the hell was that about?! Can't you see I was trying to fly?!"

Nel lands in front of the dragon before bowing, "My deepest apologies, but I have to talk to you about Barragan."

White snorts, "What's there to say? He's a right cunt, innit' he?"

Nel's jaw drops at this, "Aren't you worried he'll get mad and come to kill you if you talk like that? –Or could it be? Are you a masochist like me?!"

Nel states that last part semi-ironically, which is lost on the hollow.

"Maso—? NO!" the hollow then snorts before continuing, "To answer your first question, no. Not really. If he felt that strongly about killing me, he would stop sending these minions after me and do it himself."

Nel's eyes widen at this, before shaking her head, wearing a serious expression that gets White's attention, "Well, I didn't come here to throw around insults—I came here to offer you a proposal, oh Great White Dragon of the forest."

White flaps his wings, sending up a dust storm, "All right then, Nelliel, let's hear it. I have things to do—namely becoming a Vasto Lorde."

Nel nods, "First of all, I am currently aligned with Barragan as one of the Espada in Las Noches. Normally, that would mean I would be obliged to kill you, but I have a distaste for violence, which is only surpassed for my distaste of Barragan and his ilk."

White listens intently, saying nothing as the woman pauses, her taking it as a sign to continue, "There are a few other Arrancars in the upper rankings of Las Noches like me who feel the same, but there's really nothing we can do about it as Barragan has not only the majority of Las Noches under his command, but the strongest Arrancar too. The two of them are nothing but violent brutes who I wouldn't mind taking out of the picture, but alas I do not possess the type of power necessary for such a feat."

White nods, beginning to understand where she is going with this, as she continues, "That is where you, a hollow who managed to wound Barragan as only an Adjucha, come into the picture. All of Hueco Mundo not aligned with Las Noches have been causing us more trouble than usual, especially the rogue Vasto Lordes who have been mostly inactive until recently. You must feel it, White. You've caused a wind of rebellion—of hope—to sweep across these lonely dunes. We need not live in fear anymore…"

Nel outstretches her hand towards the Adjucha towering above her, "I'd like for you to become the beacon of light that guides those rebellious winds to salvation—to create a Hueco Mundo where we need not suffer additional hardships from the likes of savages like Barragan and his goons."

White stares wordlessly at Nel's outstretched hand.

The woman offers him a final question, "Will you become that light we need, White?"

White thinks back to his earliest days as a Gillian, heck, even before that, where the strong compulsion of the word 'Protect' overwhelmed his entire being. Without any further delay, White's claw lands in Nel's hand, causing her to squeeze lightly on it.

Nel gives a light bow, "I thank you for this, young hollow. I will do what I can to delay any of my peers from pursuing you before you become a Vasto Lorde. Before that promised day, I wish you the best of luck on these dunes. Find allies if you can, you'll need the strength they give you to carry on."

With that, Nel drops her hand as the dragon spreads his wings and takes off once more. Nel stares off into the distance, watching the dragon disappear into the moonlit horizon, with a faint smile and look of hope in her eyes.

Underground Training Area, Karakura Hospital

It took Ryuken about 5 minutes to finish operating. After about 20 more minutes, Yuzu began to wake up, greeted by the worried faces of Chad, Kon, Yukio, and Uryu.

Yuzu smiles lightly at them, "I may have gotten in over my head…"

At this, the group all breath sighs of relief, seeing Yuzu still in one piece.

Ryuken grunts as he adjusts his glasses, "Alright, you can all leave now. Take that Mod Soul with you—I wish to speak with my niece and son privately."

Chad begrudgingly agrees with a nod as Yukio is trying to pry Kon off of Yuzu.

"NO! I won't leave her side, not when she's like this!", the plushie cries.

Yuzu gives the plush a reassuring look, "It's alright, Kon. Please do as Uncle says…"

After a moment, Kon nods as Yukio successfully removes the plushie from the girl.

Yukio gives a slight nod to the girl, "See you later… and just so you know, you definitely won that fight as far as I'm concerned…"

"Thanks…" Yuzu responds with a weak smile as she watches the boy leave alongside the plushie and Chad.

By this point, Ryuken lights a cigarette, taking it in before exhaling a smoke cloud.

The man eyes the children before him, letting out a sigh, "Were to begin…?"

Ryuken regards Yuzu, "You were reckless today, my niece. You allowed for the hollow to graze your spine. I had to operate on you personally to save your life."

Yuzu looks away, avoiding her uncle's gaze.

"The young Sado told me that you fought Grand Fisher. Is this true?" Ryuken questions, earning a questioning gaze from both his son and niece.

Yuzu nods, "That's right, Uncle. But I don't see how the hollow's name is relevant…"

Ryuken sighs before adjusting his glasses, "I see… Isshin must not have mentioned that part when you listened in to his conversation."

Yuzu's body becomes stiff.

"What do you mean…?" she asks as her breathing speeds up.

Ryuken smokes on his cigarette once more before slowly exhaling a stream of smoke.

The man then lets out a sigh, "Very well. Listen carefully because I'll only explain this once."

Ryuken's Memories

Ryuken hears shouts from his mother coming from the dining room, a sure sign that Masaki is in the room with her.

Ryuken sighs, adjusting his glasses before entering the room, "Mother. Please stop. People can hear you even from outside."

His mother gives him a look before making her way out of the room, "I will have the servants make dinner for you. You can tell Katagiri to clean up when you are done."

Ryuken asks, "Where is father?"

This prompts the woman to answer, dejectedly, "He is at the Fünfte Feld. I too would like to know when he will be back…"

Ryuken's gaze softens a degree as he watches his mother leave.

He then turns his gaze to Masaki, a young girl with short dirty blonde hair with a tint of orange, "My apologies… please forgive her. She is taking her loneliness out on you."

Masaki perks up and gives Ryuken a friendly smile, "There's nothing to forgive. I'm not even angry! This isn't something you should worry about, Ryu!"

The girl's smile is radiant in Ryuken's opinion, something akin to a star.

Masaki rushes past Ryuken, "The dinner was great! Oh—", she pauses at the doorway before turning to face Ryuken with a smirk, "by the way, the shrimp was great! I'd be glad to eat it if you don't. Bye!"

Masaki then runs off after giving a wave to the young man, who looks on after her with a stern expression.

A voice then calls out to Ryuken from behind, "Sir. Your dinner is ready. May I begin serving it?"

Ryuken's eyes widen, having been mildly surprised by suddenly being called on. He turns, regarding his maid, "Yeah. Please do, Katagiri."

Katagiri, a young woman with dark hair tied in a bun, begins laying out the dishes when Ryuken suddenly calls, "Katagiri…"

Katagiri turns around to look at him with an enthusiastic, friendly expression, "Yes sir! What can I do for you?"

Ryuken utters, "Masaki…", before continuing, "…Masaki was only brought into this family to keep the Ishida's Echt bloodline pure."

Katagiri gives a questioning look, "Did the Madam tell her that?"

This prompts Ryuken to ask her a question in turn, "Do you really think Masaki needed to be told that? She isn't that stupid."

Ryuken murmurs as he looks out the window at the darkness of night, "Knowing that… do you really think she'd be happy marrying me?"

Katagiri gives Ryuken a soft look before stating, "You think that happiness is a requirement for a Quincy marriage… you're so kind."

The woman looks to the ground as she says this, with a hint of admiration or perhaps envy in her eyes. Ryuken's eyes widen at this as he turns and gives Katagiri a surprised look.

Katagiri continues, wearing a smile as she faces Ryuken, "That kindness is sure to be enough to make Miss Masaki happy!"

Ryuken looks to the side with an empty look, "Don't be silly… there is nothing about me that is kind… I just want Masaki to be happy, because without happiness one cannot set their sights on the future. And I don't mean Masaki's future or my own, but the future of the Quincy as a whole."

Katagiri then gives Ryuken a sad look before the two of them feel a surge of reiatsu.

Ryuken wears an expression of mild surprise, "A Shinigami Captain must be in the world of the living…"

The teen then walks to leave the room.

Katagiri calls out to him, "Are you not going to eat your dinner, sir?"

Ryuken glances at her, "I lost my appetite… you can store my share in the kitchen fridge. I'm going to tell Masaki she's free to have it."

Katagiri nods, looking down at the dish she made from scratch with disappointment as Ryuken leaves the room.

As Ryuken is making his way to Masaki's room, he feels a second surge of captain level reiatsu, this time from a hollow. His eyes widen at this as he starts to wonder if the captain was attempting to draw this thing out.

Just then, he catches sight of Masaki running past him and calls out to her, "Where do you think you are going?"

Masaki turns and gives him a surprised look.

Ryuken regards the girl with a scolding tone, "I don't even need to ask. Don't do it."

Masaki gasps out his name, "Ryu…"

Ryuken continues to scold her, "How many times must I tell you? We Quincies should only show up after the Shinigami die. And even then… it is tradition for Gemischt Quincy like Katagiri to handle it."

Ryuken then states in finality, "We Echt Quincy should not shed blood so easily."

Masaki protests, "But Ryu…!"

Ryuken and Masaki start to argue but suddenly a massive reiatsu blast is felt, which causes Ryuken to shudder. Masaki, however, is unaffected as she looks at Ryuken resolutely. The girl turns and runs off as Ryuken calls out to her to stop, prompting Masaki to pause her stride and glance back at him.

Masaki states, "I think it's great that you are always thinking about the Quincy, your mother, and other such things first and foremost. I respect that about you. But for me, 'taking care of myself' means taking care of others when I can. I know that my future self would never forgive me if following customs means that I let someone die."

The girl then runs off as Ryuken watches her leaving with a solemn expression.

Ryuken pulls out a small device and speaks into it, "Katagiri. We're going out. Get the Reisho Heisho ready."

5 Minutes Later

Ryuken watches in horror at the sight of a horned black eldritch hollow with a white mask that is casually holding its own with a captain. He notices Masaki on the ground below, who fires a shot at the hollow, causing him to freak out at the sight of her careless actions.

Katagiri asks, "What are your orders?"

Before Ryuken can answer, the beast charges at Masaki suddenly. The teen hesitates as he sees Masaki discard her bow. The beast bites down on Masaki, which isn't fatal due to her great proficiency in Blut Vene.

Ryuken's eyes widen as he realizes what she is doing and waits above the battlefield as Masaki says, "I've got you now. ~"

The girl then shoots an arrow through the hollow's head. Ryuken sighs briefly in relief, before immediately grimacing at the subsequent explosion, happening too quickly for him to help with. Both Ryuken and Katagiri watch the aftermath, realizing the only one critically hurt is the Shinigami, as the man and Masaki exchange words.

"Who are you?" Isshin asks her.

Masaki hesitates, wondering if she should tell him the truth as Shinigami hunt Quincy.

The girl wears a resolute expression, "I am Masaki Kurosaki, a Quincy."

Isshin looks in surprise for a moment, "A Quincy…"

Masaki looks away, having expected this outcome but is surprised as Isshin gives her a friendly laugh, "I've never met a Quincy before! I feel lucky to be one of the few to meet one in real life!"

Masaki wonders, "What is wrong with this man…?"

The girl can't help herself from laughing along with him, wearing an equally friendly expression as the man.

Ryuken can make out laughter and sees Masaki smiling at the man.

He then turns to Katagiri, "We are done here. Masaki is safe. Nothing happened here… do you understand?"

Katagiri gives a solemn look before stating, "Yes, sir…"

Soul Society

A few days later, Isshin is back in the Soul Society being questioned by the head captain Yamamoto.

Yamamoto states sternly, "Your transgressions may be overlooked this time, as you were able to put a quick and timely end to this hollow. Normal protocol may have not been quick enough to put a quick end to this hollow's rampage and a lot more people could have been killed."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi remarks, "I still think his failure to bring it in alive is unforgivable!"

This prompts Yamamoto to glare at the scientist, silencing him.

Yamamoto asks, "Is there anything else you wish to report?"

Isshin thinks about the Quincy, before answering, "No."

20 Minutes Later

Isshin sits alone in the Squad 10 barracks, thinking back on the girl from earlier, "It wouldn't be right for me to not even thank her for saving me… yeah, I'd have to be a real jerk not to."

Isshin then gets up and writes a quick letter for Rangiku, his Vice Captain, which he leaves on his desk, before he starts walking away.

His mind wonders to the wound on his back from other night, "I'm not sure who those traitors could be… I'll have to look into it once I get back."

Shortly after Isshin leaves, a busty blonde woman, wearing a pink scarf, walks in, with a friendly smile on her face, "Captain! Could you please do my paperwork?"

Instead, the woman finds a note on his desk addressed to her, "To Raniku. Going to the world of the living. Tell the head captain whatever you have to tell him."

Rangiku is enraged at this, violently tearing up the note, "He has some nerve going back to the world of the living just because he was lucky enough to escape punishment this time! Will you ever learn?!"

Rangiku then tosses the remaining paper at the wall, sailing above the head of the then 3rd seat, Toshiro Hitsugaya, in irritation, "What does he think his job is?!"

This prompts Toshiro to look at her with a deadpan, "Look who's talking…"

Toshiro then looks a bit concerned, "The captain left for the second time this week… usually he is complacent in his duties…"

Rangiku huffs, "Captain Shiba is one of their strongest Captains… you shouldn't be too worried about him. He can handle himself."

Toshiro nods, "I know that… but I still can't shake this feeling that something is amiss…"

Squad 5 Barracks, Soul Society

Sosuke Aizen is in the middle of painting calligraphy before suddenly pausing as a shadow of a figure is at his door.

Aizen regards the figure, "Come in Gin."

Gin opens the door, before nonchalantly taking a seat across from Aizen, "Have you heard? Captain Shiba disappeared again."

Aizen hums, "I suspected as much. He's likely going to visit that girl."

Gin looks dubiously at Aizen, who resumes his painting as if nothing is wrong, "Aren't you worried he'll come looking for us?"

Aizen pauses mid-stroke, wearing a slight grin, "Not at all. We can just let the Central 46 in on the fact that Captain Shiba saved a Quincy, which he neglected to mention to the Head Captain. Speaking of which…"

Aizen puts his brush to the side and looks at Gin, now wearing a sinister smile, "I'd very much like to keep tabs on her myself. A Quincy and a hollow… I can't wait to see what becomes of this!"

Karakura Town

Masaki is talking to friends, laughing with them on her way home from school before bumping into a shady looking man with a hat and clogs. Masaki completely freezes against this man, feeling mild pain in her chest that subsides as she quickly backs away.

She apologizes to him, which prompts the man wave his hand with a friendly smile, "It's alright… are you ok, Miss?"

Masaki and her friends leave, as the man suddenly turns around to look at her with widened eyes.

Ishida Estate

Ryuken sees Masaki being scolded by his mother as she enters the house. A common sight, for sure, but what isn't common is what she is being scolded for, "I have reason to believe that you engaged in battle with a Shinigami and Hollow the other night."

Masaki stares at the woman with an anxious expression, "I don't know what you're talking about…"

The woman continues, "I have credible evidence. Lying will only make things worse for you."

Ryuken's face fills with rage as he rushes to Katagiri, bursting into the room she's in before slamming her against a wall, "Why did you tell mother about the other night?! I told you to tell her nothing happened!"

Katagiri calls out, "Something did happen! Miss Masaki was wounded, and she must receive proper Quincy treatment from your father or mother immediately! If she doesn't there's a possibility that the future Ishida bloodline will lose its purity!"

Ryuken nearly spits at her, "For a reason like that… for a reason like that, you…?!"

Katagiri snaps back at him, "What other reason is there?! You said it yourself! Your marriage to Miss Masaki is the future of the Quincy!"

Ryuken is wide eyed at this before his glare turns intense on Katagiri.

He runs out of the room, cursing before shouting to his mother as he runs down the hall, "Mother, wait!"

Both Masaki and the woman scolding her look up at Ryuken at the top of the stairs.

"Ryu!", Masaki gasps.

"Ryuken…", the woman states blankly.

Ryuken shouts urgently in explanation, "Masaki isn't to blame! Masaki was…"

Masaki cuts Ryuken off by walking forward a bit and waving her hands, "It's ok Ryu. I'm alright—"

Masaki suddenly falls limp to the ground. Both Ryuken and his mother look at Masaki in confusion.

Ryuken rushes down the stairs to Masaki's side, "What's wrong Masaki? Are you in pain…"

After turning her over, Ryuken lets out a gasp of horror upon seeing the hollow hole forming on her chest.

"What is this? A hollow's hole?", his mother wonders aloud.

Ryuken suddenly pulls Masaki off the ground and carries her out the door.

"What do you think you are doing Ryuken?", his mother questions.

Ryuken glances back at his mother, "Where's father?"

The woman answers, "I don't know. We are trying to find him right now. You wait here."

Ryuken doesn't listen as he rushes out of the door.

"Ryuken! Wait! You'll put yourself in danger by being with that unknown thing!", his mother calls after him, feeling the sting of her own scar on her leg.

"Stop Ryuken! Come back! Come… Please come back, Ryuken!", she shouts after her son as he uses Hirenkyaku to leave.

Ryuken admonishes himself for not coming between White and Masaki the other night, because if he had, she would not be hurting like this. His thoughts are interrupted as a hollow jumps out at him from behind. Ryuken curses as he won't be able to handle it from this angle, but the beast is suddenly cleaved in two, revealing the proud figure of Isshin.

Isshin states jovially, "Woah that was close! No need to thank me! I don't take thanks from dudes!"

Ryuken glares as Isshin, "You're…"

Masaki's head falls from where it was nestled in Ryuken's shoulder, prompting Isshin to widen his eyes, "Wait! Let me take a look at her! Is that…?"

Ryuken growls, "Don't touch her!"

Isshin pauses as Ryuken continues to growl at him, "How do you think… Masaki got this way…?"

Isshin is silent as Ryuken looks at him with rage, "It's because of you!"

Isshin is wide eyed at this, letting out a gasp.

Ryuken elaborates, "She sustained this wound from protecting you… she saved a Shinigami, at the cost of breaking Quincy rules… Why does Masaki have to go through this?!"

Isshin's face is full of dread, "Is this from that wound…?"

Ryuken glares at Isshin, "What else could it be from?! I'll never…"

"Alright, break it up.", a voice calls out to them.

The two turn to find a shady man in hat and clogs, "We don't have time to waste. Both of you, please come with me. I will tell you… the choices you have to save her…"

?

Masaki feels herself being drawn in by some kind of force. Her eyes open to reveal the visage of a white hollow mask, preparing to clamp down on her body.

Urahara Shoten

"I've been researching the symptom the girl is displaying for the last 100 years.", the man in hat and clogs states.

"One hundred years?!" Ryuken gasps disbelief.

Isshin then questions the man, "So, you're not as young as you look… who are you?"

The man answers, "My name is Kisuke Urahara. I was banished from the Soul Society."

Isshin's eyes widen in recognition of this, "You're Kisuke Urahra?"

Ryuken slams his foot on the ground, "I don't care who you are! Just save Masaki already!"

Urahara glances back at the younger man, who is wearing a desperate look on his face, "I didn't say I could save her."

Ryuken gasps in shock, "What—?"

Urahara explains, "I'll keep this brief. That young lady, Miss Masaki, will never be who she once was."

Both Isshin and Ryuken widen their eyes in surprise at this.

Urahara gestures to a mat next to him, "Please lay her on the mat there. Her symptom is called hollowfication."

Urahara explains to Isshin and Ryuken what Soul Suicide is and that the only way to prevent Masaki's Soul Suicide is to counter it with a soul that is a direct opposite to her Quincy and Hollow one—one that is Human and Shinigami. He unveils a manakin looking object that he explains is a special Gigai that will make Isshin one such hybrid, should he choose to become one with it. Urahara clarifies that this will result in the complete loss of Isshin's Shinigami powers, and he will just be a normal human after that.

Ryuken crunches his fist, losing all hope, "He'll never do it. There are only downsides in it for him!"

Isshin, however, immediately responds, "I'll do it!"

Both Urahara and Ryuken gasp in surprise.

"Are you sure? There are no take backs…" Urahara reminds the captain.

Isshin grunts, "Yes, I'm sure! She saved my life and I'd have to be an absolute asshole to not do the same for her now. My future self would never forgive me if I let her die!"

Ryuken's eyes widen at these words, and his face scrunches into one of dread and despair, coming to terms with the fact that he can do absolutely nothing to help Masaki. Urahara nods, aiding Isshin in performing the ritual as Ryuken walks out with a look of shame on his face.

Masaki's Mindscape

Masaki screams out as the hollow is about to tear her apart when suddenly Isshin comes out of nowhere and parries the hollow's attack. Masaki looks up at Isshin who has an arm wrapped around her waist.

He looks back at her, giving a curt "Yo."

The man then shifts his attention back to the hollow, "Hey hollow! If you want the girl, then you'll have to go through me!"

The giant hollow mask rears back and attacks Isshin, who holds his sword in front of him with his left hand, flames concentrating around it.

"Getsuga Tensho!" he screams, as a blast of fire is released from his sword, wiping the hollow mask out of existence.

Urahara Shoten

Isshin, now in the Gigai wearing a T-shirt and pants, looks down at Masaki who is sleeping not so soundly with a dumb smile on her face, "Hey, you're the Shinigami from the other day. Hehe, you got mad at me screaming butt naked…"

Urahara and Isshin wear deadpanned expressions before Isshin gives Masaki a noogie.

The girl groans, "Ow that hurts…"

Karakura Town

Ryuken stands alone in the rain, continuing to admonish himself for being worthless. Katagiri approaches him, walking past him with an umbrella. The two have their backs to each other and stand in silence for a few moments.

Katagiri suddenly speaks, "Did you leave Masaki behind with that Shinigami?"

Ryuken is silent for a moment before answering with a simple, "I did."

After another moment, Ryuken speaks once more, "Go home and tell my mother that Ryuken Ishida no longer has the right to protect the Quincy."

Katagiri responds with a hint of resolve in her voice, "I will not go back."

"I said go home…" Ryuken repeats.

Katagiri doesn't give in, however, "I will not. I will not let you be by yourself."

Ryuken begins to raise his voice in anger, "Katagiri…!"

"Master Ryuken. Have You forgotten? It is my duty to serve you… with all of my life." Katagiri is facing Ryuken's back, as the man's eyes widen slightly.

Katagiri explains, "From the day I met you, my life has belonged to you."

This prompts Ryuken to recall when he first met Katagiri all those years ago, the two being merely small children back then. He recalls the look of surprise on her face when she was introduced to him, having been told he was her master.

Katagiri continues as Ryuken processes his thoughts, "So please… please don't be sad. When you are sad, my heart is torn apart."

A tear falls from Katagiri's face as she says these words, "When you cry…"

"Katagiri." Ryuken interrupts her, half facing her at this point, "That's enough… let's go home."

Katagiri's eyes widen at this before softening, "Yes sir!"

Present

Ryuken concludes his explanation of the past, "After that, Masaki was kicked out of the Ishida household and had to make ends meet on her own. However, given who she was, she managed. Isshin set up a clinic with the help of Urahara near his candy store in Karakura Town. Apparently, Masaki would visit often when she was in college. I suppose that led to them falling in love with each other, because they settled down shortly after she graduated… and as for Katagiri and myself, my mother permitted us to be married as Masaki was no longer a pure Echt Quincy, which led to you, Uryu—the heir to the title 'Last of the Quincy'."

Yuzu smiles, "I never knew that mom and dad had such a romantic backstory—but wait…"

Yuzu scrunches her brows slightly, "What does this have to do with Grand Fisher?"

Ryuken exhales yet another stream of smoke before offering his explanation, "As I told you, your mother was attacked by a powerful hollow named White, who has returned recently. And with your father's intervention, Masaki was able to survive that attack. Indeed, she went on to use her Quincy powers in their full capacity until the day she was murdered."

Yuzu's eyes widen at this, "But I thought she—"

Ryuken shakes his head, "Your father must've lied to you about the circumstances of Masaki's death. She was killed by a hollow named Grand Fisher."

Yuzu cannot believe what she is hearing, nor can she accept it, "NO! That hollow was weak! Even I could've killed it, and I haven't even had my powers for a month! There is no way my mother was that weak! Even if it caught her off guard, she should've destroyed it!"

Uryu looks at the girl with sympathy while Ryuken nods in agreement, "I agree. Had she had her powers, a minor hollow like Grand Fisher would've been no more dangerous than a bug to her. Her Blut, like yours, was the strongest I've ever seen."

Yuzu's expression becomes troubled at this, looking to the floor, "She lost her powers…?"

Uryu also looks at Ryuken as if wondering how such a thing is possible.

Ryuken adjusts his glasses once more before continuing his explanation, "Six years ago today, Masaki Kurosaki lost her Quincy powers and was killed by a minor hollow while protecting her son… Uryu, do you remember what else happened today six years ago?"

Uryu's eyes widen at this, "You don't mean…"

Ryuken nods, "Indeed. My wife, Kanae Ishida, had lost her Quincy powers on this day six years ago as well. Shortly after, she fell ill and eventually succumbed to her illness. At least, that's what I told everyone."

Both Uryu and Yuzu are wide-eyed at this, unable to process what they are hearing.

Ryuken peers at the two children before him, "My wife died of no human illness—she died of a Quincy one. It's a type of illness that robs the Quincy of their abilities and slowly kills them—turning their heart to steel."

Author's Note:

The next couple chapters will pivot into the next arc.