Chapter 3: I'm Awake Now
Kenpachi Zaraki was not known for being a friendly Captain. Why should he? He led one of if not the strongest divisions of the Gotei 13 and won that position by killing the previous Captain. The squad was full of bloodthirsty fighters who craved battle and war every waking minute and he was no different. He commanded respect from them and they gave it to him because he was the strongest. Despite this, although it could be very difficult for an outsider to see, there was a sense of mutual attachment between Zaraki and his men, and in his own twisted way, he did care for them. That's why when he woke up to the news that Yumichika had been killed and Ikkaku injured, he and Yachiru rushed to the Squad 4 barracks as fast as they could.
"Where is he?" Zaraki roared as he slammed through the door. His shouting startled Hantaro who had been holding a bunch of wet towels for the patients down the hall. Said towels flew out of his hands and onto the floor, one of which landed right under his back and cushioned his fall. The noise aroused Lieutenant Isane to enter the room at once. "What's going on here?" She asked. It was pointless to do so however as once she saw Zaraki, she instantly knew what the answer was.
"Where is he?" Zaraki repeated in a calmer tone. "Where's Ikkaku?"
Isane looked sadly to the floor as if she was gathering the strength to answer the Squad 11 Captain's question. Finally, she looked up and whispered. "Come with me." before heading down the hallway to her left. "Hamtaro. Please clean up this mess." She requested as she walked away.
"Y-Yes Lieutenant Isane." Hantaro complied with the request and began folding the towels as Zaraki followed Isane to the medical ward solemnly.
"The good news is that with a little rest and time, Ikkaku should make a full recovery," Retsu explained as she and Zaraki stood before the injured man. Ikkaku was still unconscious and it seemed unlikely that he would wake up anytime soon. Every so often he would groan in his sleep as if he were having a nightmare. Bloodied bandages were wrapped around his head as well as his chest and legs. His Zanpakuto, Hyorimaru, lay shattered next to him, still in Shikai. It would eventually reform itself, more than likely when Ikkaku woke up.
"Let me guess." Zaraki breathed. "The bad news is Yumichika."
Retsu's first response to that question was to lower her head sorrowfully but it was enough for Zaraki to know he had hit the nail on the head. "I'm sorry." She answered at last. "I sent my men to try and find his body but no such luck. According to your men, this entity that fought them devoured his essence."
"Yun-Yun..." Yachiru sniffed, giant tears welling up in her eyes. She buried her face into Zaraki's Haori to dry them and he let her for at least a few seconds. While he didn't share the same need for tears, Zaraki did feel empty and weirdly responsible for this tragedy.
"If only I had been there." He thought. He turned to Yachiru. "Quit your crying. We're Squad 11 and for us, there's no better way to die than in battle. I bet Yumichika would say you look ugly with your nose all snotty like that so wipe it off already."
"Ok." Yachiru grabbed Zaraki's Haori and blew her nose with it.
"Not on me!" Zaraki shouted.
Retsu couldn't help but chuckle a little at the scene before her. Between her laughter and Zaraki scolding his lieutenant, Ikkaku's waking grunts almost went unnoticed. However, it was Yachiru who first noticed his eyes opening. "Look! Baldy's waking up!" She pointed out. Both Shinigami Captains quickly took notice.
"Ikkaku!" Zaraki spoke.
"C-Captain Zaraki?" Ikkaku looked around the room. "Am I..."
"You are in the Squad 4 barracks," Retsu confirmed. "Rest assured, you're fine but you'll need rest."
"Fine?" Ikkaku muttered as the events of last night came flooding back to him, forcing him to lay back down. "I'm a lot of things Captain Unohana but fine isn't one of them. I let my partner die and I couldn't even avenge him." Ikkaku glanced toward his broken Zanpakuto. "What's more, I even let Hyorimaru break. I'm not fine Captain Unohana. In fact, I'm pretty fucking awful."
Retsu said nothing in reply but simply looked at Ikkaku with sorrowful eyes. It would seem his fighting spirit had been damaged as well as his body. Zaraki felt the same way but he responded with a slam of his fist against the bed rails.
"Enough of this self-pity bullshit!" He demanded. "You think Yumichika would approve of this sad display? We both know he wouldn't and we both know you wouldn't approve of it either if the roles were reversed. Now tell us everything you remember! We need to find out everything we can about this Arrancar!"
"Indeed we do!" All eyes turned to the doorway where Captain Mayuri was standing. "Now that you're awake Madarame, I demand you relay everything you even think might be of interest to me!" Mayuri approached the bed-ridden Shinigami but Zaraki stepped in his way.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop ordering my subordinates around?" He growled.
"Get out of my way you barbarian!" Mayuri hissed. "The importance of this situation far supersedes your rank as a Captain!"
"Both of you need to stop!" Retsu demanded with a death glare. "The patient has just woken up and needs to rest!"
"No...it's fine," Ikkaku muttered as he forced himself back up. "I'll talk."
Retsu and Zaraki turned to Ikkaku in shock as Mayuri sneered and crept closer to the bedside. "Glad to see someone else in this room can see the bigger picture."
"Ikkaku." Zaraki uttered.
"It's fine Captain. I'm awake, aren't I? That means I can talk and frankly I have a lot of things to say. I lot of things you all need to know about."
"Oh?" Mayuri purred with curiosity. "Like what?"
"The thing that killed Yumichika." Ikkaku turned to all three of them with a glare filled with fear and hate in equal measure. "It's not an Arrancar."
"Someone help me! Please!" The little girl cried as she ran with all her might through the empty lot. The mantid-shaped monster with the skull-like mask remained hot on her heels and continued to taunt her with its morbid chant.
"Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails! That's what little boys are made of and that's why they taste so disgusting!" The monster launched one giant scythe-like forearm toward the girl. It punctured the ground next to the girl and knocked her off her feet toward a brick wall. The terrified child scrambled to her feet just in time for the monster to catch up and corner her between itself and the wall. With no hope of escape or rescue, the girl could only think to curl up in a tiny ball and sob.
"Ohhh but sugar and spice and everything nice! That's what little girls are made of and that's why they taste so delicious!" The monster laughed maniacally as it raised its other forearm and prepared to impale the crying child.
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
"Huh?"
Before either the monster or the girl could even begin to understand what was going on, a sharp blast from the sky suddenly took out the monster's raised arm. It screamed out in pain as a mysterious figure suddenly appeared before the girl and scooped her up in his arms.
"Please don't hurt me!" The girl pleaded as she struggled to get out of the figure's grasp. Once her sky blue eyes locked on to his kind brown ones, however, she ceased her struggling.
"Don't worry." He responded calmly. "I'm here to help you. But first.." His brow lowered and he turned toward the monster just as it had stopped his screaming and fixed its angry glare on him.
"That black robe..." The monster hissed. "Are you one of those dammed Shinigami!? Don't interfere with my meal!" The monster roared as it raised its remaining forearm and prepared to slam it down on the two souls.
The man placed the little girl down but kept his left hand wrapped around hers and she responded in kind. "Actually, I'm a Substitute Shinigami." The man explained as he fired another one of his "Getsuga Tenshou" attacks at the monster, this one splitting the screaming creature in half. "And my name is Ichigo Kurosaki."
The monster never heard this of course. It was already purified and within seconds after that second attack, the two halves of it fell apart from each other before disintegrating completely. Once he was sure that the monster was dead and gone, Ichigo turned to the little girl who was still weeping from what she had experienced. He bent down and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Hey hey." He whispered. "The big bad Hollow's gone now. So quit the waterworks."
"I'm sorry." The girl sniffed. "There was a car accident and I couldn't find my Mommy. And then...And then that monster tried to eat me..."
Ichigo silenced the little girl with a pat on the head. "Your mother isn't here anymore." He explained solemnly. "She's in the Soul Society and you should be there as well."
"The Soul Society?" The girl repeated. "Can you take me there?"
"Of course. Just stand still." Ichigo pull out his sword and lightly tapped the girl's forehead with it, creating an emblem that began to shine at once.
"Will I see Mommy again?" The girl asked as she began to sink into the ground.
Ichigo's face darkened, knowing what he was about to say was technically a lie but nevertheless, he persisted. "Of course, you will."
The girl smiled for the first time since she became a Plus. "Thank you, Ichigo." And then, she was gone, a single Hell Butterfly taking off from where she was but mere moments ago.
"That was fine work Ichigo." A female voice spoke behind him. The orange-haired Shinigami turned to see a raven-haired woman he knew as Rukia Kuchiki approaching him. "You could have been a little quicker in killing that Hollow though."
"It's not my fault that someone's Soul Pager is on the fritz!" Ichigo argued. "We should have known that Hollow was in the area long before we sensed it with our spiritual pressure."
"I know." Rukia agreed with a tone of apology in her voice. She took out her Soul Pager and looked over it. "It's been this way for the past few days, only detecting Hollows long after they've arrived in Karakura Town. I can't help but wonder if something is happening in Soul Society."
"Have you tried calling anyone there?" Ichigo asked.
"I did but I've yet to get a response. Technically, my mission here was supposed to have ended on Wednesday."
Ichigo put his fingers to his chin and thought for a moment. "Maybe Kisuke might know something."
"I couldn't hurt to check I suppose." Rukia turned toward the way she came. "But first let's fish your body out of the dumpster."
Ichigo's eyes flew open and then narrowed in an angry glare. "What!? You threw my body in the garbage!? What the hell's wrong with you!?"
Rukia snickered at this response. "Oh, Ichigo! I was only kidding! As if I leave it in such an awful place."
Ichigo, feeling a little embarrassed at his outburst, coughed into his hand and regained his composure. "Ok, so where did you leave it then?"
With another giggle, a wink, and a flashing of her tongue, Rukia proudly answered "The docks!"
"RUKIA!" Ichigo's screams, if they could be heard by mortal ears, rang out throughout the town, including the docks where a seagull was pecking at his body's hair.
After Ichigo and Rukia reclaimed the former's body from the docks, they called up their friends Uryu, Sado, and Orihime to accompany them to Urahara Shop. As they made their way there, Rukia explained the situation.
"Really?" Orihime asked fretfully. "You haven't been able to reach Soul Society at all?"
Rukia shook her head sadly. "This isn't the first time something like this has happened but I'm still concerned."
"Let's just hope Urahara can help us out somehow." Sado voiced.
Ichigo was just about to vocally agree with Sado's statement when he felt a familiar spiritual pressure coming from the shop as the group neared its location. He didn't have to speak up either as everyone else was able to sense it as well.
"This spiritual pressure," Rukia whispered. "Is it..."
"Come on! Let's check it out!" Ichigo shouted. Everyone gave a curt nod of agreement and followed the substitute Shinigami as he sprinted toward Urahara Shop. He threw the gates open and ran into the building. "Kisuke?" He called out. "Where are you?"
"Over here!" Kisuke's voice called from the tea room where most of the group meetings were held. Ichigo waited for his friends to catch up to him and then together, they entered the room. Unsurprisingly, Kisuke was sitting at the table drinking tea with Tessai at his side. Jinta and Ururu were also seated at either side of the table while Yoruichi leaned into the corner to Kisuke's right. What did surprise Ichigo however, was the Shinigami sitting across from Kisuke who joined him and his group in turning to look at Ichigo and his friends.
"Shinji?" Ichigo asked.
"Well well well." The Captain of the 5th division greeted warmly. "Long time no see, Ichigo."
"What!?" Ichigo shouted in disbelief. "You...you can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid I am," Shinji said solemnly. "5th seat of Squad 11 Yumichika Ayasegawa has been killed in battle."
The entire room fell silent as the reality of Shinji's words began to weigh down on everyone.
"Yumichika." Rukia whispered. "To think him of all people..."
Orihime said nothing but simply wiped tears from her face. Uryu and Sado also remained silent and stoic with the former only moving to fix his glasses.
"Who was it?" Ichigo finally asked after struggling to break through his horror. "Was it a Hollow? Another Shinigami?"
"That's actually why I'm here," Shinji replied. The blonde Shinigami Captain took another sip from his tea before continuing. "According to Ikkaku, the being that killed Yumichika and that has been wreaking havoc in Soul Society as of late isn't a Hollow or even a rogue Shinigami. It's just an abnormal human soul."
The whole room was filled with gasps of shock and horror.
"A human?" Sado asked.
"That's impossible!" Rukia shouted. "A normal human soul would never be strong enough to take on a Shinigami, never mind two of them!"
"Maybe it's a fullbringer like Ginjo." Orihime suddenly gasped. "Wait! It's not Ginjo is it?"
Shinji shook his head. "It's not Ginjo nor anyone else from Xcution. What we're dealing with here is someone..something else entirely. Something the Gotei 13 has never seen before."
Kisuke nodded and took a sip from his own cup of tea. "The truth is, we don't even know how to classify this particular soul. It's technically a human but it possesses the ability to eat souls as well as strange powers that seem to get stronger with the more souls it consumes."
"That sounds like a Hollow if you ask me." Uryu interrupted.
"And that was the theory the Gotei 13 was going with at first. Actually, they went as so far to call it an Arrancar that had somehow escaped Hueco Mundo." Kisuke handed his empty cup to Tessai who quietly left the room to go refill it. "But Ikkaku's report, as well as plenty of eyewitness accounts from the men that brought him back to the Seireitei, seem to lean against that theory."
"What do you mean?" Orihime asked.
"According to them, this soul wasn't wearing a white mask or the white clothing normally worn by Arrancar. They also reported that there didn't seem to be a Hollow hole anywhere on its body and while it possesses an unusual weapon akin to a Zanpakuto, the powers the soul displayed seem to have nothing to do with it."
"What weapon?" Ichigo asked. "And what powers?"
"Easy, easy!" Shinji coughed into his hand and began his explanation. "The weapon looked to be some sort of gauntlet, kinda like Captain Soifon's Shikai but uglier and with more blades. As for the powers, Ikkaku mentioned it could increase the size of its limbs and conjure fire. The way he put it, however, it's more than likely that's just the tip of the iceberg."
"How horrifying." Orihime shook and Rukia wrapped an arm around her.
"It'll be alright Orihime," Rukia uttered, unsure whether she was trying to convince Orihime of that or herself. It was around this time that Tessai returned with Kisuke's tea. The former Captain of Squad 12 whispered a word of thanks to his assistant and took the cup in his lap.
"The strangest thing about this whole mess," Kisuke said through a sip of tea "is what the soul introduced itself as."
"Who?" Ichigo asked.
"Freddy Krueger."
"F-Freddy Krueger?" Rukia repeated. "That sounds like an American name."
"Just as well. The soul apparently told Ikkaku that he came from a U.S. town named Springwood."
"From the U.S.?" Ichigo uttered in surprise. "What would a ghost from America be doing in Soul Society?"
"All humans eventually die Ichigo," Kisuke replied somewhat dryly. "And they all more or less end up in Soul Society. The real question here is how this Freddy character got so powerful and what his endgame is if he has one."
Everyone jumped as Ichigo suddenly slammed his fist on the table. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get going! We have to destroy this Freddy bastard before more people get killed!" It was clear that the news of what was happening as well as knowing one of his comrades had been killed was getting to Ichigo. Yoruichi, who had been silently listening to the conversation from her corner suddenly jumped next to Ichigo and threw her arm around him. The sudden gesture was enough to snap him out of it and he looked up at Yoruichi with a confused expression. "Yoruichi?"
"You need to calm down Ichigo." She replied firmly. "I understand you want to avenge Yumichika and protect everyone. We all do. But this soul, Freddy Krueger, is unlike anything we've ever faced before. If we jump in guns blazing without knowing anything about the enemy, we might as well be handing our souls over to him on a silver platter."
"She's right." Kisuke continued with a tip of his hat. "Truth is Ichigo, you'd be most useful in helping me dig up whatever information we can about this Krueger character. If he really was an American human as he said he was, then we should be able to find that information rather easily with the Internet."
"Well if it's that easy, why do you need my help?" Ichigo asked sternly. Kisuke's response was to panic, and turn away with a whistle and a "No reason." Yoruichi chuckled at the sad display and whispered into Ichigo's ear.
"The last time he was left alone with the Internet, he nearly gave the entire shop's savings to a Nigerian prince."
"Hey! What are you telling him?" Kisuke shouted, a line of red appearing on his face.
"Oh nothing," Yoruichi said with a blep as Ichigo stifled a laugh.
"I suppose it would make sense for us to remain in the World of the Living and study this Freddy person, considering he used to live here." Uryu fixed his glasses again. "But that still doesn't explain what a Captain of the Gotei 13 is doing here." He turned to Shinji as he said this. Surely a Captain had more important things to do in a crisis such as this."
"Uryu!" Orihime snapped. "Don't be so mean!"
"It's alright Orihime," Shinji replied calmly. "He's right. There's actually another reason I stopped by you see." Shinji stood up and turned to Yoruichi. "I'm actually here for you."
"Me?" Yoruichi blurted. "But why?"
"Head Captain Yamamoto wants eyes all over Soul Society watching out for Freddy. The task has been assigned to the Stealth Force and he wants you to help. After all, you were the Captain of the Stealth Force in our time."
"Was," Yoruichi argued. "Besides, my Soifon is strong enough to take care of things herself."
"It's not a question of strength," Shinji responded. "The fact is, we need as many hands on deck as possible. The Head Captain even wants Kisuke to come to Soul Society after he's dug some dirt on Krueger and help out with the Department of Research and Development." He turned to Ichigo and his friends. "He also wants you guys to pitch in as well."
"Of course." Ichigo agreed, readying to take on this threat anytime. In the back of his mind, however, he couldn't stop wondering just how powerful this new enemy, Freddy Krueger, really was if the Gotei 13 was asking for this much help. "He already killed Yumichika. Who's next?"
Yoruichi thought it over for a few moments and came to a decision. "Very well. I'll go." She smiled happily. "It would be nice to see my little apprentice again."
"Good." Shinji turned to Rukia. "Ukitake said your presence would be appreciated as well Rukia but he understands if you'd rather stick with your friends."
Rukia gasped and turned to her friends who gave her warm smiles of understanding. "Go ahead," Ichigo said. "We'll be right behind you."
Rukia returned a warm smile of her own and turned back to Shinji. "Very well. I shall lend whatever aid I can."
Shinji smiled at that response. "Good. Let's get going." After a few minutes of preparing, Shinji opened a Senkaimon and left the World of the Living with Yoruichi and Rukia.
"Do you think they'll be alright?" Orihime fretted as she watched the Senkaimon vanish. Ichigo place a hand on her shoulder which, unbeknownst to him, caused her to blush.
"They'll be fine." He reassured her. "I know things seem bad now but this storm will pass. You'll see." Orihime wrapped her arms around Ichigo and began to cry softly, a delayed reaction of grief from the news of Yumichika's demise. Ichigo returned the favor as he looked up to the sky.
"I don't know who you are or what you want Krueger." He thought. "But I swear in order to protect everyone, I'll destroy you!"
"Alright, men! We've been assigned a very important task by the Head Captain!" Soifon began. The Squad 2 Captain was addressing her subordinates within her barracks. Her lieutenant Marechiyo was standing beside her gorging himself on a bunch of fish crackers as he usually did. Soifon, of course, did not care for such a disgusting display of gluttony but ignored it for the time being and continued with her speech.
"I just came back from our latest Captain's meeting and after some discussion, it was decided that the Stealth Force would take charge of reconnaissance. The objective is to find the whereabouts of the enemy, Freddy Krueger, and eliminate him. Captain Kurotsuchi insisted we leave him alive for Squad 12 for study but I see no reason to do so. So if you happen upon him, it's kill on sight!"
The men and women of the Stealth Force gave curt nods of agreement with a sharp and resounding "Yes Captain!"
"Our Squad is to be divided into two groups." Soifon continued. "I will lead the first half past the North Gate and Captain Hirako has already gone to fetch the person who will lead the second team past the South Gate. Personally, I fail to see the reasoning behind this but alas, these are the Head Captain's orders."
There was talk among the Stealth Force Shinigami.
"Someone else leading the Stealth Force?"
"Who could it be?"
"Will it be one of the other Captains?"
Soifon watched the display with annoyed silence. "This is ridiculous." She thought. "I'm the Captain of Squad 2! I can more than handle myself and this Squad. I can somewhat understand the want for extra help, given the situation and all but even so, who could possibly be qualified to take control of the Stealth Force besides me?" Soifon got her answer when a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
"You'll give yourself stretch marks if you keep frowning like that."
"Gah!" Soifon quickly spun forward and turned around, taking a battle stance with her hand on the hilt of her Zanpakuto. "Who are you...intruder?"
The rest of the Stealth Force joined their Captain in amazement as the violet-haired Shinigami stood before them proudly, a cat-like smirk on her face. "Long time no see, Little Bee." She purred.
"L-Lady Yoruichi!" was all Soifon could respond with.
"So you're the extra help that the Head Captain sent for?" Soifon asked feverishly. The two generations of Stealth Force Captains were sitting on the porch sharing tea and cakes together. Everyone else, including Marechiyo, had retired for the night to rest up for tomorrow's mission. As Soifon had asked her question, she was pouring a cup of green tea for Yoruichi.
"That's right," Yoruichi answered before taking a sip of her tea. "I mean, who better to lead a team from Squad 2 than a former Captain of Squad 2 right?" Yoruichi's cheery expression faltered when she saw Soifon looking out of sorts. "What's wrong? I'm not stealing your thunder am I?"
Soifon quickly snapped out of her stupor and waved her hands around wildly. "Or course not Lady Yoruichi! Believe me! I'm thrilled that you're the person who will be helping me lead my Squad in this mission." She put them back down and sighed. "It's just..."
"Yes?"
Soifon looked down to the floor as if she was ashamed of what was going to leave her mouth. When she finally let those words out, she turned her eyes away from Yoruichi's and the smallest hint of blush could be seen on her face. "This isn't the usual enemy that we're fighting. This Freddy Krueger, he's not like anything or anyone we've faced before and after all this time, we still barely know a thing about him. This mission is going to be very dangerous and I just can't help but worry."
"Worry?" Yoruichi's cat-like smirk returned. "About little old me?"
Soifon's faint hue of pink suddenly grew into a red inferno and she started waving her hands again. "N-N-No! Not at all! Why would I worry about you Lady Yoruichi!? Y-You're the previous Captain of the Stealth Force for crying out loud! If I can handle this then surely you could as well! I didn't mean any disrespec-
To Soifon's surprise, Yoruichi suddenly approached her and wrapped her in her arms. It wasn't an unpleasant surprise for the Squad 2 Captain either as she let herself sink into the hug.
"It's alright Soifon." Yoruichi cooed. "I understand. You don't want your former mentor to be in harm's way, especially against a threat we know little to nothing about."
Soifon felt ashamed of being emotionally dissected so easily by her mentor. "I'm sorry Lady Yoruichi. I swear I'm not doubting your strength."
"Of course not." Yoruichi continued. "And I don't doubt yours. That didn't stop me from coming here anyway to help you out did it?"
Soifon looked up at her mentor with a gasp.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to stand with someone you care about during a crisis, even if you know they can handle it by themselves. The important thing is that we all work together through this storm until it passes and we see the light. Do you understand Soifon?"
"I..do Lady Yoruichi." Soifon replied happily. "I do." The two Shinigami women moved up on the porch and watched the night sky.
"The Moon is so beautiful tonight," Yoruichi commented.
"It is." Soifon wasn't sure why but the dream that she had not too long ago crept into her mind and she felt the need to ask her mentor a question she was sure would ruin the mood. "Lady Yoruichi, I know this is out of the blue and frankly none of my business but...you don't own a clown costume back at Urahara shop do you?"
Yoruichi looked at Soifon as if she has just dropped a free-style rap verse out of nowhere. "No? Why do you ask?"
"N-No reason!" Soifon kept her eyes glued to the stars in the hopes that her mentor would forget the strange question and do the same. After a few moments, Yoruichi did.