Bleach: Dark Doubles

Chapter 4: Havoc and Mahem

Everyone gasps at Rukia's proposition.  A lot of crazy stuff has gone down and been created in the Research and Development branch of the Soul Society, but never anything like this.  And whereas the Soul Society might be able to control something made in Research and Development, these guys, these clones, are from Hueco Mundo.  And that can't be good.

At the same time, despite how the other me is butt-nude, he doesn't seem to be such a bad guy.  He can be kind of a loud mouth, but...well, he's a clone of me, so I guess that makes sense.  Gosh, I guess I now have to experience what it feels like to be around me.  

We feel the increase of spiritual pressure, and everyone stiffens.  Then the door to the shop slams open.  I'm surprised at who is standing there.  It's Captain Sui-Feng, leader of the 2nd division of the Thirteen Court-Guard Squads.  She also commands the Stealth Force of the Soul Society.   I wonder what she's doing here.

Her initial entrance looks fierce and determined, but then she stops as she sees the other me.  A perplexed, awkward face replaces her former one, and she looks like she's at a loss for words.  Then Rukia speaks up, "Captain Sui-Feng?"

Sui-Feng seems to recover.  "My apologies for barging in," she says.  "I've been trying to contact you for the last two hours.  But something's gone wrong.  There are invaders here in Karakura Town.  The Stealth Force has been ordered to find and contain whoever or whatever is here.  But it's big.  And I've been sent to warn you, Ichigo Kurosaki, since you're the substitute soul reaper here."

"Yeah, thanks for that," I say.  

"And pardon me," Sui-Feng goes on.  She points at the other me and inquires, "Who is this?"

Kiskue tips his hat, "Excuse me, Miss Sui-Feng, but maybe you've found what you're looking for.  This here is a clone of Ichigo from Hueco Mundo.  Do you think he's the one you're looking for?"

"I did notice a strange source of spiritual pressure here," Sui-Feng remarks, "but no.  There's something even bigger here in Karakura Town."

We grunt.  Something bigger.  What does she mean?

"That reminds me," the other me says, "I wasn't the only clone made in Hueco Mundo.  Right after I was born, I was attacked by this guy.  I don't know how, but I knew his name.  It was Byak--"

A member of the Stealth Force, garbed in a baggy, long-sleeved shirt and tight black pants, rushes up next to Sui-Feng.  "Captain!" he calls.

"What is it?" Sui-Feng calls back.  

"Some of our men intercepted the invader.  I lost contact with who I was speaking to, but they say it looked exactly like Captain Kuchiki!"

I hear Rukia utter a stifled gasp beside me.  Captain Kuchiki is her brother.  And we all know that Captain Kuchiki, clone or no-clone, is one heck of a fighter.  Nobody really wants to mess with him unless you have to.  But if I have to, I'm ready.  I've beaten him before, and I can do it again, whether he's a clone or not.

"Come in, Squad Three!" Sui-Feng speaks into the com-link on her left ear.  "Do not engage the invader!  I repeat, do not engage!" 

We hear someone respond, "We've already engaged the subject!  He's overpowering us."  We hear him say something else, but there's too much static.

"What was that?" Sui-Feng shouts.

"He doesn't have a zanpakto," we make out.  There's more static, and then we hear, "He's taken out half our squad!"

"What?!" Sui-Feng exclaims.  "How can he do that without his sword?  What is he using to fight?"

There's too much static, and then we hear shouts of pain and blood spraying.  My whole body goes rigid as I listen.  I'm tensing, both out of suspense and fear, and also in preparation for a fight.  I involuntarily place my hand on the hilt of my zanpakto.  "Dammit!"  Sui-Feng yells into the com-link.  "What's he using?"

There's more static, and then we get the response:

 "A car key!"

And then we hear another scream, and the com-link goes dead.