Double Trouble

34: The Black Hole

You know that feeling you get that says don't do that or that's a really bad idea? Well Uryu was getting that feeling...again. The first time he had it since meeting Kurosaki was the day he challenged him. The second time was when he was training at the Shiba's. The next time was when Shiro knocked that captain out like a light. As of now he was getting it again and his gut was telling him, no, begging him to listen. They had barely gone fifteen minutes when they were stopped by a dark skinned man with a visor across his eyes. This man was trouble, but Uryu was uncertain as to how much trouble.

"Kenpachi." The man spoke with an even tone to his voice.

Both Shiro and Ichigo felt a bit apprehensive. Urahara had told them of three men to be wary of. A silver haired, snake-eyed man named Gin Ichimaru. The second, a dark skinned, blind man named Kaname Tosen. According to Urahara, these two men were underlings to the traitor Sousuke Aizen. All three were powerful captains of the third, fifth and ninth divisions. However, it would seem fate had brought them face to face with one of these men a bit sooner than they had planned.

"Either you have captured these Ryoka children or you have abandoned your convictions as a captain and turned traitor." The man's voice had taken on an edge to it as he continued to speak.

"Funny, I was about to say something similar, Tosen." Kenpachi replied. "You know it never sat well with me how a weak punk ass man as yourself made captain so quickly. You're not even half the captain as that dick Kensei was." He grinned. "Nor are you as fun to fight!" With that he charged towards Tosen, never hearing the release command of the other captain's Zanpakuto. Total and utter darkness covered the group.

Moments before the release had been called out, both of the Kurosaki twins had motioned their friends to get behind them. With their backs towards each other, Orihime called out her shield as the dark orb covered their group. With Kenpachi outside of Orihime's shield, he couldn't see what they could. The giant of a man didn't move even as Tosen brought his sword down upon his shoulder and cut him. Blood gushed out of the wound in an instant. The group gasped.

"He didn't move." Chad spoke what they were all thinking.

"Why?" Orihime's voice wavered.

"What do you think of a world without sound or light?" Tosen asked Kenpachi. "Is it frightening?" He sounded slightly proud. "The only one who can escape this is the one who wields Suzumushi." Kenpachi made a move to turn towards Tosen but he was once again cut, this time on the side.

"KENNY!" Yachiru yelled out from between Orihime and Uryu who grasped their ears in pain at the young girl's high pitched yell.

"It's useless, you cannot-" Tosen began as suddenly Kenpachi swung his sword at him, almost striking the blind man. Kenpachi chuckled. "Then again, you are a demon after all. You have no fear of anything." Tosen swung his blade only for Kenpachi to dodge it. What? He dodged it at the last second? Just then Kenpachi swung his blade, the side hitting Tosen but not cutting him.

I got a hit this time. Kenpachi thought. This Bankai that destroys the senses is a nuisance; however, I still have my sense of touch. He made an annoyed look. But this is getting boring. It's more fun when I get to slash something and kill it! Damn it!

"Use your instincts KENNY!" Yachiru yelled out at him.

Kenpachi grinned like a crazy man causing his companions to question his sanity. They watched in horror as Tosen thrust his blade through the larger man only for Kenpachi to grasp his wrist and slash his sword downward at the man. "I can see you and hear you now!" Kenpachi yelled at Tosen.

Is it because he's touching me? Tosen questioned himself. "I cannot lose to the likes of you!" Tosen yelled as he tried but failed to pull his arm loose.

"Likes of me?" Kenpachi inquired before grinning. "It'll be the likes of me that turn this place upside down rather than the self-righteous judgmental bastards like yourself!" Tosen finally tore his sword from Kenpachi only for his next thrust to be caught and Kenpachi to slash across Tosen's neck.

The darkness receded as Tosen fell to the ground. Blood seeped from the deep wound, falling to the ground and pooling around him.

~Elsewhere~

A silver haired man with slanted and closed eyes looked behind him, a look of concern crossing his features for a moment as he felt the reiatsu of Tosen fade. Oh dear. He's not going to like this.

~~

Masaki giggled as Isshin served her a bowl of Yuzu's curry with a pork bun. Her sweet husband had been babying her for over two weeks. She felt fine, but she wasn't going to tell him that. She was still punishing him for how he had been treating her sweet silver haired baby boy. Shiro hadn't said anything about it but her daughters were more than eager to tell on their father. No physical abuse had occurred but the emotional trauma that Isshin put her baby through was going to have him in the doghouse for a very long time. Though that didn't mean she couldn't reap the rewards by having Isshin do the housework for a little while.

"This is good Yuzu honey." She told her daughter who beamed at the praise. "How is school Karin?"

Her daughter was glaring at Isshin who was acting a bit like an idiot as he made kissy faces at Masaki. She always loved this side of her husband.

"Ugh." Karin groaned in disgust at her father's antics. "Fine. My soccer team sucks this year."

"Didn't you get Takashi to join last year?" Yuzu asked. "He's good."

Karin narrowed her eyes at her sister. "His parents moved to Tokyo." She stated matter of factly.

"Oh." Yuzu mumbled as she went back to eating, sensing that this was a sensitive subject with her twin.

"If I can't find someone to replace him, and soon, the team will be doomed!" Karin dramatized this by thrusting her hands into her hair and pulling at the strands. Removing her hands left her hair spiking up in odd ways.

Masaki covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing at the sight of her daughter's hair. Isshin didn't seem to pick up on the messy hair due to this being a common occurrence. "Why not get a younger student to join the team?" he asked her, gaining a glare.

"Are you nuts!?" she yelled at him. "They wouldn't know anything about the game!"

Masaki just smiled at her daughter as she went on to describe how hard it would be to teach somebody before they actually got good. Her smile diminished as she looked at the two empty seats. Her boys hadn't been home since Rukia had left in the middle of the night. She was scared and worried about their safety.

That night as she and Isshin began to get ready for bed, she brought it up. "Isshin?" Her voice stopped him in his tracks as he was pulling out the blankets to take to the couch. "I'm worried about them."

He knew exactly who she was talking about. Looking down at the blankets in his arms, he began to nod. "I know." He spoke softly. "They're strong boys. Urahara has trained them well." He turned towards her when he heard a soft sniffling sound. Masaki ha tears running down her cheeks. "Love." He touched her hand. "They will be alright." He tried to reassure her as he dropped the blankets and pulled her into his arms.

After a moment Masaki pushed herself away from him. "Isshin, there's something else." She touched the center of her chest. "Over the last few days I've been able to sense things I haven't sensed in years. I think the seal is weakening." At this news, Isshin's eyes widened in shock as his stomach dropped with the feeling of dread.