8 Chapter 8: First Mission (Edited)
'I wonder if Urahara has already built that training room under the hill yet… It'd be there perfect place to test how strong I am right now…' I say walking around the Rukongai districts on patrol with Matsuri, Kaien, and Shinji.
Shinji looking towards us as he explains the mission. "The North district. Division 64. We'll be patrolling this area since squad 13's captain isn't feeling well." He says looking around.
"The higher the number the rougher and more dangerous of an area it is, right?" Matsuri asks from the side.
"Oh, you already knew that eh?" Shiba says from the side.
"We grew up in the 78th district in South Rukongai." I say.
"That doesn't mean you can let your guard down. Hollows might show up at any time, and there are lots of troublemaker residents, too."
"This is a pretty tough job for your first assig-"Shinji starts to say before turning to look at me.
"Nevermind. Tsk." He says with a frown.
"Uh oh. Speaking of hollows…" Shiba starts to say as he looks towards the north.
"Just low-level hollows it seems… Only 10. Keep an eye out for a bigger one. They don't normally group up like this." I say before looking to the other three giving me strange looks.
"What? I didn't waste my time at the academy messing around." I say before taking a step forward.
"Keep up!" With a call I say, I flash step towards the hollows.
"How is he so fast?" Kaien says amazed as he starts following behind.
"Captain Suzunami was surprised at how fast he picked up shunpo as well." Matsuri says with a sigh.
--
"You guys are here?" I say keeping my eyes on the hollows.
"Next time don't run off by yourself. Even if you're eager to get into a fight. We're supposed to work as a team in the 5th division." Shinji says from behind me. "Even if you can handle them yourself…" He whispers getting a look from Kaien.
"Leave this to Matsuri and I. Step in if it starts to look difficult." I say towards the two.
Taking a step forward, Matsuri and I dash towards the first couple of hollows.
--
(Shinji and Kaien POV)
"He is pretty fast." Kaien says looking as Takashi has already reached the first hollow and pierced its mask.
"He's fought stronger hollows already. Keep an eye out on his younger sist-"
"Bakudo #1 Sai!" Matsuri shouts out as she dashes towards the disabled hollow taking them out one by one.
"Oh, her reiatsu is strong enough to restrain hollows for that long?" Shinji says with interest.
Watching her dance between the hollows a hollow twice her size approaches her and almost three times her width. Swinging a large fist at her she ducks under it and slices its arm off. Using that distraction, she grabs the remaining arm and flips the hollow onto its back. Piercing its mask with a quick jab she returns to the fray.
"…"
"…"
"What is the Captain feeding these kids?" Shinji asks in amazement.
"I want to know what he's teaching them," Kaien says looking towards Takashi easily dashing through the remaining four hollows. "They don't look like recent graduates…"
Takashi begins to walk over to his sister.
Shinji and Kaien feel a shock as they yell "Watch out!"
--
(Takashi's POV)
"Feeling a presence behind me I kick back launching the approaching hollow away.
"Bastard thinks they can get me twice the same way." I dash over to the hollow putting it out of its misery.
--
(??? POV)
'… Urahara was right about those two being interesting. One powerful enough to flip a hollow without breaking a sweat and the other capable of reacting to a surprise attack from a hollow without a presence.' A shadow thinks to themselves as they continue watching.
--
"Takashi are you okay?" Matsuri worriedly running up to me.
"I'm all right. I learned my lesson last time." I say ruffling her hair with a small smile.
"Good work you two. You both don't look like recent graduates, but I suppose that's what happens when you have a captain at home training you." Kaien says with a laugh.
Shinji shakes his head at that. 'Kid was a monster way before the captain got to him…'
"Stop right there Shinigami!" A large hollow like the one that invaded my home six years ago appears in front of us. "Not so fast! You wouldn't want to see this little thing ge-"
The hollow's mask breaks in an instant as a shadow approaches from behind it.
The figure was about 5 feet tall. Her golden irises shining brightly as she looks over our group and the hostage. Her dark purple hair short with bangs that reach her chin. Wearing a sleeveless and backless Onmitsukido uniform. Over it is a captain's haori.
She nods towards our group and gives Matsuri and I a small smile. She shunpos away.
I look towards Shinji and Kaien who look just as confused as I do.
"Why was the second division captain here?" Shinji whispers to himself.
"Who was that?" Matsuri asking everyone here.
"Yoruichi Shihoin of the Shihoin noble family. She's the second division's captain." Kaien replies.
I walk over to the hostage to check on her. A young girl with bright orange hair. Reaching just to the back of her neck.
She looks at us with a smile and bows. "Thank you!"
"You can get home from here, right?" Smiling I ask her.
She nods as she runs off.
"Let's return back and report to the Captain, then?" Shinji speaks up from the back.
--
"Lieutenant Shinji's detail reporting back in. Mission successful." Kaien states as we stand behind him.
"Report back, sir!" Matsuri and I declare from the back. 'Being a soldier has quite the nostalgic feeling…' My eyes glazing back to my older memories.
"Good. Were there any problems, Shinji?" Captain Suzunami asks from his seat.
"Nothing we couldn't handle. The Kudo twins did very well today." Shinji says.
"I apologize for all the trouble. I really appreciate your help." A white-haired man says as he walks into the division. His hair reaching his back. A captain's haori over his Shinigami clothing.
'Captain Ukitake of the 13th division…' I think looking towards him. 'I should find out a way to heal him. I thought he was one of the best captains from the series. Even if he didn't get into many fights cause of his illness.'
"Captain? Shouldn't you be taking it easy?" Shinji replies in concern.
"After resting for half a day, I feel much better. Besides, I'd rather express my gratitude in person. Shinji, Shiba, Kudo twins, thank you for your help."
"Ah. You know us?" Matsuri asks.
"Of course. Seigen brags quite a bit about you two." He says with a laugh.
Seigen turns a bit red at that.
--
"So, Captain Ukitake praised you two today?" Lady Konoka asks us over dinner.
"That's right. He did!" Matsuri says as I stuff my face.
"And Shinji said you did very well on your first assignment. Learning to stay cool under pressure is the first step of becoming a better Shinigami." Lord Seigen says turning back to his own food.
"Thank goodness you both came back safe. That's all that matters to me!" Lady Konoka says with a bright smile.
--
Matsuri turns to look at me after seeing Lady Konoka and Lord Seigen leave the room.
"What do you think?"
"Hm?" I look towards her confused.
"Do you think I'm getting stronger…" Her voice getting quieter as she talks. Her eyes starting to water as she looks down.
I walk over to her side and sit beside her. "Matsuri, as your older brother I wouldn't abandon you even if you couldn't swing a sword. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but I'll get to that in a second. I want you to know that you're my family. I won't abandon you no matter what the situation is."
She nods her tears starting to fall. "Bu-but I-I'm not as strong as you. I just hold you back…"
"Matsuri. Do you know how strong you are right now? If I had to put you in the rankings you would be a 3 or 4th seat right now with your strength and skills alone. Once you awaken your shikai you'll be as strong as the strongest lieutenant in the Gotei 13."
"Bu-"
"No ifs and no buts. If it makes you feel better, we'll go get started on your training after I find a decent spot. You think you're weak right now, but that's because you haven't fought another Shinigami yet. You just need more combat experience. As soon as you have as much as me, you'll be my equal in no time!" I say with a smile and giving her a hug.
'It'll certainly take her a few hundred years to catch up, but I'll be there for her when she trips to pick her back up.'
She nods as she wipes her tears on my Shinigami clothes.
"Hey, those are expensive to clean!" I say with mock anger.
She sticks out her tongue at me as she returns an even stronger hug.
'I'll catch up to you in no time, so you can't leave me behind!' Matsuri thinks to herself with a smile.
