What Time Leaves Behind

Ch.12 What Now?

Arriving back home, Isshin was shocked to see Rukia and Orihime. Chad stood behind them, getting ignored by him.

"Excuse us for visiting at such an hour. We have decided to spend the night studying for tomorrow's test as young people tend to do."

I secretly poke Rukia in the back to signal her to stop talking. Yuzu smiles as she welcomes them. "Please make yourself at home."

Rukia slightly bows. "Please excuse us then."

"I'll show you up to Ichigo's room." I lead everyone upstairs, playing along with them.

As I do, I hear Ichigo lagging behind us, speaking to Isshin. "Don't you dare try to come into my room. So don't bother trying to bring us drinks or snacks. We can get it ourselves."

A second later I hear fighting. I sigh as Orihime giggles. "Your family is as lively as ever, Emiko."

"They sure are. Geez, doesn't that man ever get tired?" We reach Ichigo's room, and I let everyone in. Ichigo himself soon follows and shuts his door. He takes a seat at his desk as the others sit on his bed/floor.

"So, what now? Even if these things are able to sniff those creatures out, I doubt they'll be willing to talk to us."

"The problem with them are their abilities." Rukia answers.

"Yes," Kurodo agrees. "Like us, our enemies'' powers seem to be various and unique to each of them. What a headache."

"True." My brother scratches his head as he thinks. "When I attacked that monster with my zanpakuto, I wasn't able to harm him at all. And I'm not completely sure what the power of that other guy has. I mean, can he only turn things to snakes or other objects if he wishes?"

"We have to do something." We look at Orihime. "If we don't, someone else might get their soul sucked out."

"We'll have to find some way to fight them. Rukia, does the Soul Society know anything about the Bounts? I mean, judging on the timing. isn't this why you were really sent here?"

"Unfortunately, I wasn't told anything. That encounter tonight was the first I'd ever heard of Bounts. It was a surprise."

"..." It's scilent, giving me a moment to think.

Would it be too much trouble to go there and ask. If anyone knows anything more about fighting against the Bounts, I figure that mad scientist they got there might know. Mayuri Kurotsuchi, was it?

The sound of a phone ringing interrupts my thoughts. Rukia pulls her's out and answers it. From the loud voice, we all could tell immediately who it was.

"Rukia!!! Is that really you?!"

Renji...

"I just got a message from the captain! Are you really here? I'm coming right over!!"

"Right over? ...Renji? Hello?"

*Crash!!!*

Not even a second later, we hear shouting downstairs.

"Who the hell are you?!"

We all immediately rush downstairs.

"Dad..."

The scene in front of us...sure was interesting. Renji must've call on his way here already. He had crashed through our window and landed on Isshin. Poor Yuzu was concern for her father's wellbeing.

"Get off of me!!"

"Rukia!" Renji smiles her way.

I sigh and walk up to him. "Do doors do not exist where you're from?"

"Er, sorry!" Renji stands up and gets off Isshin.

"Ugh..."

I crouch down next to him. "Are you okay, dad?"

He jumps up and crushes me into a giant bear hug. "Yes, my sweet baby girl! Your words can heal any wound of mine. Because I am your dad!"

"..." I pull away and leave him. "You're fine, Mr. Kurosaki."

"Waaahhhhhh! Emikooooo! You're breaking this old man's heart!"

I ignore him while I speak to Yuzu. "I'll fix the window tomorrow morning. Can you clean up the pieces. I apologize for our friend here."

"It's okay. I'll get right on it."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Don't ignore your dad!"

I walk pass Renji sighing. "You gave me more work to do."

"Sorry, Emiko. I mean it."

"...You're just like Ichigo."

"!!!"

"We're nothing alike!" They shout at the same time.

"Whoa..."

"Careful Rukia, or you might catch their idiocy."

"Hey!"

We all head back up to Ichigo's room.

"So, where was I?" Ichigo had to think again to catch Renji up to speed. "Um...there are these Bounts... It's a mystery what they are and what their objectives and powers are, but there's no doubt they're dangerous, I would say."

"...Are you an idiot?" Renji stares at him.

Says the guy who went through our window.

"What do you mean, "I would say"? Anybody who learns nothing after battling someone can only be an idiot."

"Listen, I don't want to hear that from some fool who breaks windows to get in!"

"Quit trying to dodge the subject!"

"I'm not dodging anything!"

Ichigo gets up to buttheads with Renji.

"Enough."

They both stop and look at me. I watch as they physically shiver under my gaze and pull away from each other, ending their catfight.

"Hmm...it is odd."

"What is?" I sit beside Rukia.

"Normally, one Soul Reaper is sent out for every 50,000 humans. But, including the Substitute, there are four of us. I think we should consider our being sent here as a response to this problem."

"I see..."

"Oh yeah? actually, what are you gonna do tomorrow?" Ichigo inquires.

"Well, if this is the case, I have no other choice..."