MC: Hektor (Corbin) Wolff/Urufu Fubatsu/Ichiro Chinen
Zanpakutou: Yaban'na Ryōshi (Savage Hunter)
Shikai Incantation: Minagoroshi (Kill them all)
Ability Incantations: Sakeme (Rip and Tear), Satsubatsu (slice off), Satsujin (Murder), ShiNe (Die)
Bankai: Ten o Tsuranuku
The Soul Society and its reapers have one core job: The protection of the souls they sent to the Soul Society. With a couple million souls though not everyone can be protected or saved. There's more of us than of them and even less than that who're diligent enough to do their jobs. When they fail is when people like me must settle things. When a reaper can't protect a place from hollows the souls have to defend themselves somehow. Sort of hard when we're not allowed to have weapons, but many of us make do.
I'm always thinking about shit like this even when it doesn't even matter most of the time. The first time I met a hollow was a while ago. You lose track of time here but when I saw it fear washed over me. A fear so deep that it froze me to my core. I was one of the lucky ones. By lucky I mean the fucker had his fill of over five people and ran back to whatever hell it came from. I may have thrown a soul or two at the hollow to survive but that's what I had to do to live… even though I'm dead I still wish to live. Just being in front of that thing I knew that death didn't await me. It wasn't killing people when it ate them. It assimilated their souls to its own. Like some grade A Majin Buu shit. The souls it ate didn't live or die but joined any other it devoured in that abyss I stared into when it's eyes met my own. My sight is a gift to some, but such perceptions allowed me to see more than I wish. That includes when a hollow possesses a soul to lure others into quiet areas.
Hollowfication I learned personally is when a person's soul turns to the dark side. It becomes a monster that feeds off the souls of others to replace what it lost. Some real Kingdom Hearts shit for real. Hollows are like nobodies in a way or maybe the heartless. They lose their hearts leaving a hole in the center of their being where their heart was and attempt to replace it by devouring the souls of other. A great chasm of souls. Some days I wish I wasn't as perceptive to the unseen. Some days I wish I couldn't "see" what I can see in the hearts of some.
"Hey dumbass, come on let's head to that store next!" Tayuya shining as brightly as the first day I came across her shouted loud enough to gain the attention of everyone in the market square. An excited smile blessed her reddened lips from poorly applied make-up I just bought her. This woman is always at an 8 and never goes below a five. A calm her is one that's off in someway to the point it irks me. People like her are the positives to my sight with or without the glasses I sometimes wear. Dying didn't fix my near sighted ass eyes but furthered my perception of the unseen. Like the raw power resting within this woman and the brightness of her soul. At times she reminds me of a bonfire crackling and spreading warmth to anyone stupid and brave enough to approach.
Only time she acts girly are these moments she demands I spoil her. Tayuya ran up to me and grabbed my hand. I looked down to the puffing cheeks from aggregation. "Stop dragging ass and let's go!" She yanked me forward to the next store. The small set of bags hanging around my wrists smashed against each other as she dragged my ass to the next stand.
"Hello little Missy, is your older brother here out spoiling you?" an older looking gentleman with his eyes squinted so much that appeared closed greeted my partner. A partner that growled savagely at the man looking ready to rip is throat out. That fact her height is 5 feet exactly and about 80 pounds soak and wet doesn't help. Most of that weight is in her ass as well and nothing on her chest not that I'd say that out loud. She appears as young as a high school student as well. The fact I'm 5' 11", 195 pounds, and look like I'm in my twenties didn't help either. In the soul society relationships don't happen because there's no point. Normal souls don't have children because of the lack of soul energy. The more you have the more human you feel so to speak. Normal souls have little ingrained spirit energy meaning they're barely alive. Because of this they have little human drives left like the instinct to mate. They can seek pleasure but not for children so things like "wife" and "husband" don't really equate to us.
Mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, partner, servant, and slave are our terms.
The families do the same but the clans with reapers and ninja though do have children and the like because they're strong enough to. Even though I can produce spirit energy through a sharp object or my hands my chances of procreation with someone at my level is 5%. 10% if it's a reaper; so I've been told.
"Yes sir!" I pulled the little tiger behind me before she could pounce. "My sister here doesn't go out much so I'm trying to give her a good time while I can ahhh." I glared back at her to see her fist making itself at home in my ribs. I turned back ignoring the pain placing a practiced smile on my lips.
"Ah, the she will like one of these then. She's such lovely hair perfect for this." The old me reached down to his assortment of merchandise being mainly accessories like hair pins for women and sashes for men. He's selling umbrellas as well. The old man picked up a silver hair pin with a red tip and presented it to me. If anyone asked me it looks like I'd make a good shiv but hair needles as long as sticks are an Asian thing. I took it from his hands and shown it to her. "Would you like this?" I asked her calmly trying to keep a pain filled snarl from coming off my tongue. The woman did snarled at me so dangled the hair stick in front of her. The silver caught her eyes then it disappeared from mine. She turned around I'd assume with her little prize in hand.
I sighed a sigh of relief. Expensive looking things catch her eyes at times and calm her down. Precious metals especially. Thank God this was one of those times. I faced the old man and asked how much the pin was. "120 kuon." My eyes twitched and I frowned lamenting the fact I stopped my partner from jumping this old man in public. He's telling me a silver stick is worth the same as a week's stay at an inn with meals. This mother fucker wanna die today. I looked down to Tayuya and noticed something magical. She was examine the pin with a bright smile on her lips. Not a manic grin or smirk like she's been doing all day but an actual smile. She truly likes this stick.
"80," I countered.
"100." The old man smiled. I frowned a bit deeper but fished out a coin and dropped it on his stand. I grabbed Tayuya by the wrist and marched away. I hate wasting money.
"Thank you." She sounded meek as she said this. It washed away my aggravation to hear that of sighed.
"We made a lot on those reapers and the swords so it's fine."
"Can you help me put this in my hair?"
"Woman, I can't even take care of my own hair so how in the hell could I help you with yours?" I rubbed the long afro of sorts I've grown that's matted to hell. Tayuya frowned eyeing my head. I read her mind with ease. "I'll get it trimmed today."
"Thank the lord for that."
I rolled my eyes. I followed my partner around as she teleported from one stand to another and finally stopped at one selling grilled eel. My stomach growled a bit too from the smell of barbequed eel. My stomach grew hot when I felt it. I feel the hairs in the back of my neck stand and more whenever they're near. By them I mean actual beings of power like a fully trained Soul Reaper. I group of three in fact. To my horror the three of them were in front of the eel stand as well with my partner none the wiser. The call of food was too strong. Looking at them it wasn't hard to tell they came from. The same division. There's danger in targeting academy reapers mainly because some are scoped out by actual leaders in certain divisions for recruitment.
I don't remember how many division there are and don't care too. I simply have to get my partner away from them before she says something she regrets. They're the real deal and could cut us down in moments. Hopefully they're not here hunting for the students who I believed to be nobodies and the cause of their disappearance. It's been a few nights sense then and hoped they'd give up by then. That is unless they just started searching. Damn, I bet that's it. It takes these people a millennium to come to a decision let alone act.
With haste my body propelled towards my partner before something happened. I was too late to stop her from conversing with them for one started to talk to her. I stopped next to another festival stall and watched closely. My knife was close to my hand if they decide to get hands-on with her. I'm not too confident on my odds against three reapers out of training, but I could probably take down one and give her time to run. These guys don't kill souls unless on extreme circumstance and after a trial of sorts. If captured I've little to worry about but Tayuya doesn't like enclosed spaces. I waited and watched from a distance as she and the three of them began to converse. To my relief they left and she waved them goodbye. I walked up to her as she watched the reapers leave and frowned at me.
"Before you ask, they're from 1st division."
The division that acts as central command but at times come out to manage operations. It's interesting how divided these divisions are when they basically share specific duties. 1st division reapers would be pulled to investigate of one of many disappearances of their kind but they don't usually come out here and neither are they briefed of what it's like out here. Still, I'm overjoyed this insane woman didn't do anything too crazy. I was worried as hell she might say something, get triggered like always, and attack like a rapid animal. Only time she calms down to the point of turning invisible is behind a scope or iron sights.
"Did they tell you why they're here?"
She shrugged. "They're looking for the idiots we sold for parts."
"Oh, is that it," I said with dropping eyes. She had to say that openly like she didn't care. The eel stand man gave her a look I waved off chuckling sheepishly.
"Anyway, I got this off one of them that tried to touch my ass." She reached into the blue yakuta she wore and presented the item to me. It was a badge, the insignia of the First Division. Some of these guys got this stitched into their clothes and others have it etched into a wooden badge like an idiot. Anyone with a sly of hand can jip these off their dumbasses and get access to things normal souls can't get too. A man just needs a sword, their clothes, and a look of confidence to blend in. Most lower ranked reapers can't tell the difference between use and themselves. Many of the families have a spy or too planted with the reapers to gather information of current patrol schedules and inspections. These guys have horrible OPSEC (Operations security). Not to the point anyone can walk in but enough that a good amount can slip through the cracks. Their massive walls have to open eventually same with there being smuggling routes in as well.
Drugs are still a thing even in the afterlife. Alcohol is still brewed here or reapers take a trip to the human world and grab some bottles there. Their not supposed to but it happens more often than not. How I know this is because I've been told to go beyond the walls a few times myself but I've never had an insignia for myself. Like mentioned before they're sewn in nowadays.
"Well," I tossed it back to her. "That thing is practically useless to us unless you've a female reaper uniform, I don't know about. You know most go through as 8th division."
"Yeah, yeah because there's hundreds of those fodder idiots so easier to blend in, but you know they're so lax they barely check each other. You know there's an armory right next to them as well. Just imagine getting like twenty of their swords." I saw soul gems in her eyes at the thought but shook my head at her incredible imagination.
"I'd be easier if they were from 7th instead." Those are the ones that do the H&R and humanitarian bullshit between them and Rukongai. If the souls have an issue the proper procedure is to write out the complaint, send it through a box, and they'll take a year or two to get to it. For those that can't read and/or write Japanese like me a representative comes once a week to write down the complaints and then submit them. But if your sister was raped yesterday, the rep doesn't get her until four days later, and they're backed up by five years what the hell can you do other than take matters into your own hands? I know I would in a heartbeat if someone decided to fuck around and find out with me. Thankfully I'm not stupid enough to have friends or family here in the Wild West (the outer Rukongai districts). At times you either have 1st, 2nd, 7th, or 13th out here. Maybe 11th when there's a revolt or two.
"Or maybe 13th. You know how lazy those idiots are." She reminded me of a good point. They're the ones that do most of the patrolling in the Rukongai districts. If 1st division Reapers are out here, it's not hard to assume so are at least reapers of two or more divisions. This might be an opportunity, but why are they investigating the disappearance of a couple nobodies. Academy students and low tier reapers are basically fodder and easily replaceable. If a seated officer or maybe someone in their way I'd understand. There's more to this.
"I know that look." I looked down towards a frowning Tayuya.
"What look?"
She pointed at my face. "That one like you want to know more and stick your nose in more shit than we can handle, again."
"Are you talking about that ninja clan job we had like a month back?" I asked.
"Four months dumbass and that's only one time you've gotten my ass thrown into the fire for bullshit."
"On my defense that info was solid and you've that fancy crossbow and kunoichi clothes because of it," I pointed out. She fell in love with that outfit and that face mask. At times she goes full on Kakashi for no damn reason other than to feel like a ninja. Just to add insult to injury I did a few shitty hands signs.
"Asshole!" she slapped my hands breaking my horrible attempts. I laughed a bit and she fumed.
"Come on." I pointed my thumb over my shoulder. "Let's cool you off with some shaved ice." There was a stand with flavors and everything we past by. Tayuya huffed but marched on like a begrudge child relenting to a treat she can't say no towards. It's another reason why people thing she's a kid and I the older brother.
My thoughts went back to the reapers though. They can't be out here just because of a couple disappearance. Reapers are jumped by souls at times or run into a hollow or two that got past the cracks. Maybe they believe a hollow was involved. Who knows? I'm curious enough to find out though. Maybe Boss Kaido or Lady Love. These leaders of their family's hold a good amount of power on this section of the districts of 12 to 57 of West Rukongai. In totals there's about 11 families efofe you get to the 11th to 1st district full of rich folks and clan. Clans are massive with real power in the Captain. One of the ninja clans will hold an eternal hatred for Tayuya and I that's for damn sure.
"Hey, look partner," Tayuya said sounding serious now. More so without my nickname coming out her mouth. She fiddled with her shaved ice a bit staring into the red crystals shining in the sun of the 8th West Rukongai. I faced her seriously and nodded showing I was ready to listen. "I know that living your best life is your philosophy or some shit but think about more than that sometimes. We get lucky but how long do you think that'll last." At times like this I feel her age despite her youthful appearance. She's been around for damn century. She died back in the early 1900's for God's sake. I do run around doing more than thinking sometimes and it does effect us both.
I took a breath in and out. "I understand. I just want… more, you know. We're always in the move because we can't afford to live in a place like this and the outer districts are as bad as WW2 at times. There's never too much money or opportunity and I'm living for the first time, even though I'm dead," I smiled a bit. Tayuya snort a bit too.
"I'm not saying don't do what you want but just think about how it could end sometimes. Those Shinigami are doing something and maybe we should let it lie for once. Maybe see if we can put this badge to use and get some smuggling done instead of looking for trouble." I rubbed my head at this. I really want to look into what they're doing but she's probably right. Why take risks putting my nose into something uncertain like that?
"With that badge neither of us look or can act 1st division so might as well sell it to Lady Love." I shrugged.
"You mean Lady Koibito," she corrected me.
"I know what I said. Lady Whore."
"Lady Koibito."
"Lady Love-you-long-time," I smirked.
"Lady Koibito!" she snapped.
"We're talking about the same Lady that loves on Ladies and little boys alike?" My smirk grew. Tayuya who deeply respects that woman grew red in the face.
"At least she gets some unlike a virgin like you!" She blurted out loudly, getting more attention than necessary.
"Sweetheart if I wanted some, I'd go see her and get a girl of my choosing for free," I wagged a finger in her face. I swear steam was pouring out of her ears from pure rage. "But you're all I need my beauty of a partner." The steam made a cloud before fading away leaving her red in the face.
She puffed her nonexistent chest out with that snotty sneer of hers. "You don't rate to touch let alone lay with me."
I shrugged. "It is what it is. Now let's get going and sell this badge. I'm sure Lady Slut would love it."
"Lady Koibito, you fuck!"
"Same shit, different term," I laughed and walked off quickly before she could throw a spin kick at me. The fact this bitch oversees a damn brothel doesn't make my terms any less truthful. If you've the money you can have her serve you, but few have the money or do that. Her little "honest business" is a few districts away where reapers can go to have fun if they want. Same for any trash heir of a clan. Traveling the districts wasn't hard just time consuming and going 8 to 6 a significant leap in terms of accessibility and privilege. If you should be there, you will be there and if not your kicked out the closer you get to the capital. If you don't have the funds or profession to remain, you're demoted to a higher district level in a heartbeat. The hot springs are there but more up north than due west. Wouldn't mind taking the trip after getting some more kuon to live off. Shit gets expensive the further in your go, but the quality does go up to match.
It's guys like me that live as dangerous as they do well. Even with thousands doing the same as me work is never ending in a world that keeps expanding like this one. Moving goods from one place to another is what I did best alive and it didn't change here. Just missing the computer and modern day amenities
Crunch crunch…
Speaking of which it's time to store these damn bags away. I grabbed my knapsack and tossed each on in until they're needed freeing my aching wrist from. The torture has finally ended for another to soon begin again. It's called consorts. The Brothel that Lady Bitch "manages" but actually owns. Only clans can own property and they don't really own it. The government allows them to reside there to manage their business as long as it benefits the government. Central 26 or some shit like that.
"Central 46 dumbass," Tayuya scoffed.
Right, Central 46. I was thinking out loud again it seems. It happens during these quiet walks of ours.
"Then just talk to me then dumbass. I'm amazing company," Tayuya puffed out her non-existent chest again.
"I'm just thinking about how this place works partner. I haven't been here that long ya know."
"Then just ask me instead of being stupid. Who was the one that taught you the ropes here anyway?"
"Before or after your robbed me?"
Tayuya smirked. "Both. You had to be taught a lesson for walking around like a dead man walking," she joked.
"You coming up to me and attempting to use your girlish charm to play me wasn't a good lesson. You're ass was obvious."
"Womanly charms ya dick. And if I was so obvious then how did I rob you?"
"By using your poison darts. Remember the moment I turned around after telling you off you shot some shit at my neck to knock me out."
"Bullshit you were totally into me! You told me I was pretty!"
"I was trying to be polite and not a dick. Taught me a good lesson not to be nice to women from the streets that's for sure." I scoffed to the side. "Not like your needle worked for long. I still found your ass a few hours later at your hide out moments from being fucked up by your old boss."
Tayuys snarled at the reminder.
"Now remember that handsome dark skinned rogue that walked in butt ass naked and saved your bitch ass from getting fucked up? That was me, because I'm a nice guy."
"Yeah and I've been saving your ass ever since. I feel like I need a raise."
I narrowed my eyes at the woman, and she glared at me. A smile was shared in each our lips and laughed a bit from our past ordeals. "Getting robbed by you definitely led to a decent life in death. While I'm crazy and jumping at every opportunity you've really stepped up thanks to my intuition."
"Yeah, I suppose," she sighed a bit. "I didn't realize that dick Hiashi was trying to play us. You still haven't told me your secret. How can you tell who's a shithead and who isn't."
"Now that my dear partner," I wagged a finger up and smiled. "Is a secret."
"Uhhh," she fumed. "Can't you just tell me?"
"Yeah. Once I do, you'll run off leaving me behind because we both know your sense of character is trash. That's how you got in that mess and nearly gang banged out of existence. I'd say you owe me for a good decade for that one so no, you're not getting a raise. We're gonna share the spoils and you'll get spoiled by me until the end of those ten years."
Tayuya didn't get upset or annoyed by my words surprisingly. Actually, she just gave a look of acquiescence and shrugged. "I can think of worser fates."
"Worser isn't a word."
Bam!
"Ow!" I rubbed my now aching shoulder now combined with aching wrists. And just because I wanted to help her with her verbal skills a bit.
"No one asked you asshole!" She shouted loud enough to wake the dead. "And stop being a bitch. I know that didn't hurt."
"Right." I chuckled and dropped my arm back down to my side before continuing one to our next big thing.
Our conversations continued through the districts and the forests and grasslands between them. We reached the 6th by sundown which is the worse time to go into Lady Love's Inn. An inn so damn big this building has over eight floors and a massive staircase leading up but you have to go across each floor to get to stairs for the next level. I could smell the scent of powder make-up and roses from a mile away already curling my stomach into a chopped up mess. I hate going to this Inn for only one reason and felt that reason in the distance even now. Once in sight the massive sign at the entrance of the bridge across the lake to the inn in the center of said lake was in view.
"Kobayashi Inn." Little forest my ass it's in middle of a damn lake in the middle of a small forest. Should've been called small lake inn instead but what do I know. You'll never see me owning a business.
"Look at it." Tayuya pointed out the Inn with both arms extended palms up and fingers out giving a weird reverence to this place. "Lady Koibito is amazing. She came in around the same time as me and yet look at all this."
"Yes she slept with the old owner and killed them to get this. What a hero for the people." I spoke with more sarcasm then a witless narcissist could manage in a lifetime. Tayuya didn't look amused.
"She was a bitch anyway. She'd take advantage of every girl she came across, drug them, and even abuse them."
"Yeah, I heard about," I nodded slowly. "The last owner, her name was Lady Fumika I believe. Her name was as ironic as her management of others."
"She got what she got that's for damn sure. Lady Koibito helps a lot of ladies that lost their way or can't help themselves."
"I get she's a savior to some but I know what I feel from her and it's mostly not that good."
"Then why deal with her then?"
"Because she's more "not good" to others than to me." I confessed. I know this woman royally screws a lot of souls from kids to elderly. Sure she helps a few ladies here or there but to turn them into pleasure women. I've nothing against it and can't judge after all I make my living in smuggling and weapons dealing, but I've a rule I follow: take no job when it involves children and/or animals. This woman deals in both and treats souls as cattle more than people. Again I can't judge but I won't sit here and glorify a chick at fucked up in the head as me like Tayuya or worse like Lady Swallows. She's gotten me good work and was the reason we could get into that ninja compound for the goods and more so will never complain about her I just won't light up a shadow at dark as hers like my partner does.
We walked up to the bridge with a plethora of people trying to get on the bridge let alone the inn. Not every soul can get into the bridge. You need a few things and Kuon surrounds it. I reached into my pocket and pulled out 2k Kuon in bills and presented it to the bouncer at the front. It big sumo wrestler looking dude with a vest and diaper thing going on but could lift me and frisbee me thirty feet away if I try him.
"Hmm!" he grunted before taking my money but didn't let me pass. He presented his hand for me to give him more. More money that I didn't want to pay after buy this woman some much shit already. I still need to get her bolts as well. I grunted until I felt a nudge in my side. Tayuya was covering her lips with her fingers but I could see that insufferable cat grin beneath them. That damn Lady of the Night has two means of entry when I'm or any man is short funds. One that makes sick to my stomach further. I knew I felt what I felt even before we got here. I could practically feel the eyes of that damned woman on me from her window at the top floor.
"Hmm," the sumo bouncer grunted pressing his hand in my face again. Either give me the money or supplement payment is what he's saying.
"Come on, don't be shy." Tayuya nudged playfully.
I grumbled and rubbed my head with both hands. I felt my cheeks heating up already.
~The song rang true in the night, lamp light shines like the stars.
Such precious warmth is in sight, tonight he will rest his scars.~
I sang this. I sang this so loud that I'm sure she heard me from across this god damn bridge. I repeated this shit two more times until the sumo dropped his hand and moved allowing me entry. I heard the sounds of clapping from the souls waiting outside the bridge as I fast stepped across the bridge. An annoying Tayuya dying admit her hysterics trailed behind me.
"Shut the hell up!" I shouted at her. Fuck me I hate this.
"You've the voice of an angel ahahhah!" She died laughing. Funny thing, jokes aside, I've been told I've a great singing voice and apparently not a lot of men sing this close to the capital. I made the mistake of singing once, once while drunk in this inn and every since then Lady Such-a-bitch has demanded I sing for entry or asked me a very important question every time we met.
The ladies across the bridge were there by the dozens waiting for me, all red in the face despite the make-up with diamonds in their eyes. It's like they've never seen a shamed man that can sing once in their lives. I've always came here with money so save my pride from something so embarrassing but I wager she told the bouncers to amp up the cost just for me or when I come around.
"He's back!"
"Please ask for me!"
"We love your voice Ichiro!"
That's the name Lady Go-to-Hell gave when I didn't provide a name, as I never do, so gave me one she believed fit me. Ichiro spelled with Kanji meaning One and Wolf or something like that. It doesn't matter what they call me as long as I get paid.
"If you sing for me I'll serve your every whim, Ichiro," I woman slipped through the group and laid hands on my shoulders. Onyx black eyes stared into my own hiding a predatory hunger for more than just whims.
"This your chance to get laid Ichiro," Tayuya giggled at my expense.
"Don't call me that," I snarled. "And the last thing I'm gonna do is give that woman upstairs another penny of my hard earned money through renting an escort, buying food, or buying drinks. I don't trust anything here after last time!"
"They spike your food, so what? They do it to everyone," she said nonchalantly.
"I'd rather not have undesired additives in my food." I placed my hands on the woman's shoulders in front of me and smiled. "As alluring and inciting as that sounds I'm here for business." I looked around at all the girls so they understood this. Looks of disappointment aside the group was broken up after the slapping sound of a fan hitting the palm of someone's hand.
"Get back inside Ladies," we heard from the amazing manager that resides in this place. A woman in a very flowery kimono, charcoal black hair up in that geisha knot, focused dark brown eyes, and light makeup on her face. She's pretty that's for sure with a strong presence that makes coming here sort of bearable.
"Miss Kim," I bowed my head a tad and she returned it with a full on bow. The woman of Korean descent walked before us.
"Our mistress is expecting you. Follow me please."
"Great, time for stairs," I groaned. Miss Kim ignored my comment and escorted us up. I waved at a couple of the girls I apparently spent time with that one night I can't remember. Tayuya barely remembered but we both remember my singing. Miss Kim guided up to a set of sliding double doors and stopped in front of them.
"Mistress, they're here."
"Send them in," I strong slightly deep female voice resounded from the other side. Miss Kim opened the doors and stood to the side to allow us access. There she was, sitting on her little throne of pillows, smoking a pipe next to the window overlooking the bridge dressed like she just got out of bed. Her robe was barely hanging off her body like she lazily out it on. Her make-up was so perfect I couldn't tell it was on her face but couldn't see any makes or scars in her face. Her dark brown hair blanketed the pillows behind her and her legs poked out of her robe. To say this woman is beautiful is an understatement with long creamy legs and an alluring presence. How it hangs off her curves and large breasts as well draws the eye. Hell, she looks like she just got down pleasuring man and recently got presentable enough to sit before nobodies like us.
"Good evening Lady Koibito," my partner bowed deeply to the woman. The sharp fox like eyes of the Lady drew toward her and then up to me. I bowed my head respectfully but I wasn't about to bow to anyone like that.
"Evening ma'am." I greeted myself.
"Are you ready to become one of my men yet, Ichiro?" She asked sweetly; honey to the ear sweet.
"Sorry my lady, but I'm too committed to my life to be tied down here." I responded right on the mark as always. Lady Koibito smiled at me instead of getting upset.
"Then why are you here. Maybe to sell me a badge for a favor." I didn't bother ask her who she knows this. This chick has eyes and ears everywhere. She's that an information broker so little goes through these districts she's not aware of. Before I could answer she rose a hand to me and looked towards my partner. "Then again I might have a task you and your partner can do for me." The woman blew a ring of smoke towards us then slammed her pipe down to clean it out.
Straight to business then? Fine.
"What can we do Lady Koibito?" Tayuya asked still bowing. I grabbed her ass and forced her up to her feet. Like god damn this woman may be powerful, beautiful, had nice tit, and deserved a tone of respect for making it this far, but we're not her slaves or subordinates. Tayuya looked ready to fight back but controlled herself before her idol. "Forgive his rudeness my lady."
A light giggle was the response we got. "It's fine. I know you're both worth the investment. It'll be an opportunity better than what that fool Kaido could give you. All brawn and little brain." Lady Gawd-damn reached for her tobacco and packed her pipe once more. She dipped her finger inside and smoke began to rise from within. This woman has such high spirit energy and capable of bending elements. Not to the extent of reapers but enough to be noticeable. "That badge you nipped belongs to a young Yamamura. One such man searching for his missing cousin right now. Do you have any idea what happened to him?" she grinned knowingly at us both. That little bastard was from the Yamamura Clan! If I had known I would've asked for more kuon.
"Because of this search there's a small hole we can peek through if we move quickly." Lady Sexy rose her hand and clapped. A set of doors to my life opened up and a set of woman walked in. One held a sword and the other the garbs of a reaper. A female reaper that that.
"You want my partner to go to the capital alone with a stolen badge?" I asked Lady Bitch. She's insane if she believes I'd agree with something like that.
"Not alone." Lady Koibito clapped her hands again. From the right a other set of woman walked in with a sword and male garbs with another insignia on it. One for a division I can't recall. "Currently 1st and 3rd are working to find the missing clan heir that's disappeared out of nowhere. A clan that holds a seat in Central 46 as I'm sure you both know," she smiled at the both of us. This is why she really allowed us such quick entry. Normally she'd have us sit for four hours but this time around we were escorted here immediately.
"What could we get you and from which division?"
"Just some information as always. Of course, you'll be properly compensated." Lady Love rose her hands again and clapped. The doors behind up opened and turned around to see four women. Four women with a silver bar in each hand. The metal was glowing faintly in the lamp light but was glistening like a sun in my eyes. I know what this metal is and just how much it's worth. I turned around and faced the woman now smiling like a devil. The deal before me was too good to be true for a simple grab then cash. The foxy grin on her lips gave me a bad feeling about this.
"Is that what I think it is?" Tayuya whispered in my ear.
"Yeah." I stood in awe. "It's the metal that black smith reapers use to forge blades for those that graduate from the academy. Those are ingots of metal that draws upon the soul and beckons a spirit or so I've heard but there's very few how can coax the metals together to form a blade. Still," I turned towards the metals and frowned. "A single bar can purchase a land permit, build a house, and get you furnishings for it. Eight seems impossible to get," I muttered before taking her by the shoulders. My partner blinked a bit confused not that I was any better.
"I've a bad feeling about this." I said quickly.
"How bad?" she questioned noticing how serious I was. I love money. Hell, I sold the son of a rich man to a gang boss for money. That's how much I love money but I know a suicide mission when I feel it. I had this feeling the day I was moving cargo and that hollow attacked us. I was the sole survivor and rather that not happen in this regard. I gave her a look and that's all I need for her to nod. "Forgive us my lady, but we decline." My partner bowed and I dropped my chin. My chest hurt from the thought of losing this much money on a feeling, but I'm not stupid. Even when I was as alive I knew a bad job when I felt it. I got a knife across my back from my adoptive father for telling him no for a job once. Later that week everyone on it ended up dead and him at a loss so bad he blamed me for. I can do a lot of shit but dodging bullets from every direction isn't one of them. I'm not The freaking One from The Matrix. I was a sickly young man on a death march and intended to get to the end of that march on my terms.
Lady Koibito frowned deeply looking disappointed in us both. "Are you sure Tayuya? Ichiro?" she turned towards me this time. I'm know the hurt and pain evident on my face shown well. I was already regretting this, but I'd rather be poor and free than in prison and rich. I prefer my freedom above even money during times like this. Even if it's enough money to live off for a decade or two I'd like to be around for that time.
"Yes ma'am." I'm resolute in this choice. I took the badge from Tayuya's hand and she gave it without a fight. I presented the badge and said, " I think a sum of 2000 kuon is good enough for this if you want it."
"2000? Ah, I see." Lady Koibito giggled a bit more. "I'll give you and extra 10." She waved her hand and a lady grabbed the badge from my awaiting hands. Seconds later a stack of bills were placed in my hands then a second. I'm pretty sure the 2k she gave me is the same I gave the bouncer downstairs. "I swear Ichiro, that intuition of yours holds you back."
"It's what kept me alive."
"Indeed. Our business is done so you may find yourselves a room and turn in for the night, my treat." I fought the urge to frown heavily at this offer. For all I know she'll fill that room with gas or incense to make us docile, dress us in those uniforms, and force us in this mission of hers without payment. She's done it to others before, I've seen it, so what's stopping her from doing it to us?
"Well take the room but won't say for the night. I hope you understand." I said fittingly. It'd be bad to flat out deny her too many times in a single sitting as we have now. If I said know the bouncers I can smell behind the closes doors would rush in her without a word and beat my ass. Or this crazy whore queen will drug me and coerce Tayuya into do her bidding. Despite her strong exterior my partner can be incredibly soft like warm rubber capable of being stretched or bent by anyone with enough force. It's how she's gotten mixed with so many bad crowds before becoming my partner.
"That's your choice with one more on the table." Lady Koi said and waved her hand suddenly. The woman with the Male grabs stepped up to me and presented them to me. "Your task was different from hers and if completed I'll give you a single bar. How does that sound?"
This bitch just insinuated that she wanted to give Tayuya the most dangerous job out of the two of use worth seven bars of Soul Pressed Stone (SPS). I wasn't happy to realize this but suddenly my feeling faded away when she mentioned a solo job for myself that bad feeling went away, for the most part. A bar Soul Pressed isn't easy to sell, but these aren't stamped. Anyone could lay claim to them. I don't wish to know how this woman got her hands on these or how many reapers are lacking swords at the moment to make these.
I've heard that until these things are awakened the sword is just that and can be broken or melted down depending on the relationship between it and its wielder. The common reaper doesn't care about their swords and see them as metal so they're targeted because of it to have their blades melted down. Losing your blade is a capital crime punishable with soul neutering: when you turn a reaper into one of us and cast them out back out here in the slums.
Still, just one ingot of that with the spirit within it begging to be released, crying out to be heard for the first time sense it's conception, is hard to ignore. If the mission is easy then maybe I can…
"No," Tayuya stopped my train of thought into a crashing halt. She grabbed my shoulder forcing me to put my back to the ingots and face back towards Lady Devil's Deals still sitting comfortably on her pillows. "We go together when there's a job," she affirmed looking dead into my eyes. I took a breath and nodded my head. She's right about that. Just how enraged I was at the thought of her being thrown to the wolves alone it's the same for her. If we do a job it's together and it's been like that for as long as I can remember.
"Ever the inseparable duo you two," Lady Koibito sighed hard.
"Do you have a task that's not as risky without Soul Pressed is the compensation? I don't feel to comfortable with a high level job like that at the moment."
"I think it'd be right up your alley if you asked me. Captain Commander Kyōraku isn't as harsh as the late Yamamoto. We've a chance gain something I desire. I can see that you're uncertain but what you can get out of it is more than worth it. Reconsider and I'll offer you this as well." Lady Koibito waved her hand and a set of women walked in with scrolls rest in a set of pillows. I reached for one and opened it to look it over.
"A manor in this district under your expense but under my name?" I explained and questioned what was on the piece of paper after a quick read.
"Let me see." Tayuya looked over the scroll then snagged the other with her name on it as well. We are partners and so we share in all according to these scrolls. If we fulfill this mission she'll give us Manor. With such property it's possible to create a family of our own. Eight bars of Soul Pressed would be treasures we could use, if smartly, to further ourselves towards something more. I rolled up the a I'll a placed it on the pillow. What disturbed me the most about this job isn't the reward but the fact I recognized the seal of Boss Kaido at the bottom among with two others including Lady Koibito. What the fuck is in there they're all sharing an interest in? I had a bad fucking feeling, worse than ever before now that the pot was sweetened to the point I could puke.
"Why us?" I asked. "There's thousands of duos out there better suited for infiltration than us. There's souls five times better at smuggling than me in my best day. Why do you and the other bosses request us to do this?"
"Call it… a leap of faith." The woman grinned.
'Bull shit.' I wanted to spit out but couldn't unless I want to get my ass kicked and possibly raped for a week straight by the women here. I had to remind myself I'm in the territory of a tigress that could pounce at any moment. No one risks this much for nothing. To set up two nobodies like us is for a reason.
"The job isn't smuggling either I'm sure that big brain of yours has deduced Ichiro." Laydy Koibito pointed out masterfully. I know this isn't smuggling or even an assassination. Lady Koibito deals in souls not destruction. If I wanted an hit I'd go to Kaido or Fucking Steve the other boss I've had dealings with.
Curiosity got the best of me though. It's not even about the money now. I desire to know what's so important that the bosses have band together to fund this.
"We need information of a certain man that resides there, and then his location." I heard a voice like cat's claws on a chalk board. He's here. That mother fucker is here? In this place? With the woman he hates more than anyone else in the Soul Society. I turned and faced the man sporting a grin that never seems to fade away even when in pain. A man with his eyes squinted until almost shut, tall as all hell, scrawny like a starved man, and yet his aura is imposing.
"Fucking Steve!" I felt my control wane as flashes of the last job I did for this man shook my core. The man's smile grew further as he walked across the wooden floor slowly with a slight limp on his left leg. His yakuta was white and always is just as his first name applies being Jin. I call his ass Steve and always will until the day he dies.
"Urufu, it's been a while." The man walked right up to me and stop just inches away. His eye lids opened revealing glossy blue eyes but greyed and blank like a blind man. He's anything but blind though.
"Do not call me that, please." I spat out as respectful as I could towards this man. At the end of the day this guy is a boss and could kill me in the blink of an eye. He'd do it himself or maybe use another fucking hollow.
"But you are My little wolf though Urufu. You've done so much work for me you might as well be part of the family."
"You call that work!" I clenched my fist wishing I could throw it into this fucking face. I've been blackmailed several times by him and tricked into jobs that nearly got me killed because of him. Though this is one of the few times he's appeared before me.
"Calm down Urufu, hollows and erasing isn't part of this task."
"Hollows and erasing?" Tayuya questioned from my rear. Not all tasks I've done we've done together. Some are too much for most souls let alone her. I've kept my missions with him to myself the best I could.
"Oh, he didn't tell you young lady," the man leaned over to see her, but I stepped between them to shield her.
"No." Tayuya pushed me to the side. "He's never mentioned working for you before." She gave me a look.
"Well, he's done about 8 jobs for me to date. Three of involved erasing a mistake and two had untimely obstacles he had to overcome," Steve spoke pleasantly undermining what really entails what he just mentioned. "The last three had a few snags but he was compensated well. It's how he got that bag of his after all." He pointed out my nearly bottomless sack. Yeah, only reason I haven't tried to kill this man is because he's good on his word in terms of payment. But I can't fight the thought he was the reason why the tasks went to shit in the first place.
"Really? I don't remember those jobs," my partner drew a sharp eye at me. A glare matched with my own. She's doesn't understand what I went through because of this man. I never told her and neither did I want to relive it. The money isn't worth it half the time when dealing with him. My partner looked upset to the point of shivering but there's nothing I could do.
"He never told you about his dealings with me?" Steve questioned coyly.
"Neither will I. You're not that interesting," I gave the fuck a sneer of my own that made his smile falter.
"As much as I like men and their little competitions, I'd rather it not happen in my room." Lady Koibito said. She then clapped her hands and a set of sumos walked in looking ready and willing to send me flying out the window to the waters below. Steger glanced over his shoulder to the boss of this establishment. The malicious intent I felt pouring from behind those eyes left me nervous. Thankfully he reapplied that smile to his face and stepped back out of my space.
"Of course. These two are here for a job not healthy competition."
"What the fuck," I heard my partner whispered under her breath. She gave me a look telling me to explain later. I shook my head in response.
"Urufu," Steve drew my attention back up towards him. "Find your target, and once you find him give him a message from us and get out. Simple," he said making it sound very simple. Nothing is ever simple with this much on the line. It was too simple at that.
"And who is that man you want us to find?" Tayuya asked still to my side but more in front of me than before.
The boss of this place smiled as she spoke his name.
"His name is Sōsuke Aizen."