Whatever May Come

A/N: Sorry for the long time tween updates, personal stuff has been coming up. I'd like to thank those that took the time to review. As for a question from a reviewer the reason I rate all my stories Adult++ when I publish is b/c what I have planned is normally rated as thus. I just haven't gotten to that point yet but I rate it ahead of time to be on the safe side. Also I'm not completely set on a pairing but I am seriously contemplating putting someone with Ichigo. The other guys I'm debating between is Ishida and Renji. I'll probably decide within the next chapter or two.



Chapter Two




‘What an ass!’ That was exactly what Rukia though of her so called partner at the moment. She’d returned from Soul Society this morning with new orders and Ichigo was too busy to bother with them. She could understand that he was trying to make up with his girl but this could turn into an important matter. They didn’t have time for him to coddle Orihime’s sentimental outbursts.


The science division had recorded the readings from three days prior and claimed to have been doing so for the last two months. The flickering of reitsu was always very brief but powerful. After reporting in she’d been instructed to try and locate the source. From the information and short readings it was possible that whatever it was could be more powerful that any of the captains, which meant they could have an other Aizen incident on their hands if it was evil or had ill intent towards them and whatever it was, it hid its presence perfectly.


The sun had set hours ago but the moon was full making it easy to see. How many nights hadn’t she watched over this city? This was home to her in a strange way. Why did all the trouble want to come to this town? Was it because of the high soul count? Ironic that her brother had made sure she wasn’t given a higher seat in order to keep her out of trouble but her assignment was in the most dangerous city they supervised.


A storm was brewing, it’d break before dawn. She hated standing out in the rain but her orders were strict. She was to locate the source at all costs. As soon as Renji returned from his mission with Hisagi he’d be coming down to help. She could only hope that he’d be more help than what Ichigo was being at the moment.


The communicator at her side beeped rapidly. She reached down to see where the newest hollow had shown itself. Flipping it open her first reaction was to move, saving herself from being knocked from her post. Concrete cracked before bursting into dust and into the air. Just as her feet hit the nearest building her eyes narrowed on her target. How had it hid its presence well enough to make it to her without her noticing? Whatever shield it had been had been dropped in order to attack.


“Ah, please don’t run little one, its make it harder to catch you.” He spoke through half a mask, only the lower half remained. Long white hair rode the breeze and piercing crimson eyes focused on her person. The hollow was over seven feet tall with a long spiky tail thrashing in the back. If that thing hit her she’d feel it for weeks to come.


Rukia took in his appearance and quickly gauged that he was an arrancar. He wasn’t an espada so she could deal with it on her own. It’d been a long time since one of this power level, had journeyed into the living world. Most of them knew that Kurosaki patrolled this town and most weren’t that stupid. His weapon was still sheathed and resting against his back. “You have to be a fool to come here.”


“Really? I like to think of myself as adventurous.” The tone was light, as if he had said something funny. For someone in enemy territory without much hope of survival it was awfully cheerful.


“Hmph, I’d call it stupid. You know it is my duty to destroy your kind. That is unless you give me a reason not to strike you down.” Rukia had learned that not all hollow were completely evil so held back from striking. He had one bad mark for attacking first but she drew her zanpakuto just to be on the safe side.


“Of course, I know all about you shinigami and frankly I’m disappointed. They couldn’t find someone better to protect and serve? If you want a reason not to strike, I can’t give it to you. I have a job to do that doesn’t include you but my master did say to kill anyone that got in my way. And frankly you are an eyesore.” A hiss of medal and the weapon was drawn.


Rukia dodged the first attack she’d barely seen him move. Another swipe had her jumping back and onto another building. She’d never seen an arrancar this fast, only espada possessed this type of speed. The hollow was quick to follow swinging his blade down releasing a blast similar to a cero. “Sode no Shirayuki, Dance!”


“It’s useless!” The next blast tore off the rooftop leaving her no choice but to move out of the way. A sign promoting a new sitcom creaked before tumbling to the street below. It must have hit a vehicle because an alarm suddenly blared in the night air.


She didn’t have time to worry about the noise. Before she could prepare herself for the next attack he was in front of her. Having no choice she brought up her zanpakuto to ward off the blow. A clang of steel then the unthinkable happened, his blade sliced through. Disbelief registered on her features as it rent the blade in half and pain erupted across her chest. It happened so fast she was on the torn platform in under a second.


“A pity, I was hoping you’d put up a better challenge than this. How have you shinigami survived for so long when you are this weak?” The mocking taunt brought anger and indignation but she couldn’t find her voice to tell him where to stick it. He kneeled down and smiled like an old lover. “Don’t try to fight it. You have already lost girl. The moment my blade struck you the victor was decided. My poison is even now coursing through your veins and in moments you shall die. I am really sad that I didn’t get to play more. Perhaps I should enjoy your last precious moments.”


A flare of reitsu had her turning in the direction she knew Ichigo and the others to be. They were all the way across town, but could they get to her in time? He was right in boasting about whatever poison he was proud of. She could feel her limbs but was unable to force them to move. The solid kick to her jaw was definitely felt and her body rolled across the hard surface to come to a halting stop by another kick to the back.


“Tell me are all shinigami as ugly as you?” He snapped in annoyance at the pitiful excuse for a soul before him. His hand gripped a handful of raven hair and the girl was easily hauled to her feet and higher. Crimson eyes inspected her before tossing her to the right and away from him. “Fine, I’m done with you anyways but I do have some mercy. I’ll end your life before leaving.”


Rukia took a deep breath and tried to think of a way to put distance between them. Just a few more minutes and the others will have reached her. She couldn’t just lie here and allow Ichigo to come too late. The idiot would blame himself if she were to die. She wouldn’t have his guilt on her conscious. Time stood still as his hand lifted the blade high above his head and smiled. Was this going to be the one time she wouldn’t be saved?


“Time to die,” with a sneer he disappeared from her line of sight. The sound of metal meeting a hard surface rang in her brain before her eyes could catch up with any movement.


Standing before her and blocking her view of the hollow was the backside of a female. A large strange weapon was being held up stopping the bloody blade from descending. Long raven hair was moving freely making her believe it was indeed a female that had spared her life in time. Rukia opened her mouth to speak but the voice that filled the night wasn’t hers.


“Who the fuck are you?” he yanked his blade back and glared at the bitch that had took it upon herself to interfere. How had she stopped his zanpakuto? His master had assured him that there wasn’t a weapon in existence that could harm him. “Not that it matters, you are about to die.”


“So not only do you look like a girl but you have the conceit of one too.” Sango couldn’t believe that she had almost been too late. Perhaps she and Kagome should stop debating over whose turn it was. This was the first time she’d seen one of these things fighting against another person. Which was probably why her companion had also come along, they had felt them fighting.


“Sounds to me like I have another jealous bitch to rip apart, I’ll kill you then I’ll gut that shinigami.”


“Make that three,” Kagome chirped from her position on the edge. She wasn’t as fast as Sango so she’d arrived in time to hear him threaten her friend. She had no idea what a shinigami was but assumed it was referring to the small girl that was just lying there. Why was she just lying there? There was a gash upon the flat chest but would that be enough to stop someone from moving? As fast as they usually killed these Maskers, they really didn’t know what kind of abilities they possessed.


“Keh,” he hadn’t noticed either one of them approaching! He could feel the reitsu of another shinigami and another but these two females had shown up out of thin air. “What’s one more? Just means that I’ll kill you two and let the poison take care of that pathetic shinigami. The only hard part is deciding which one of you bitches I should kill first.”


“Did you hear that Kagome?” Sango didn’t spare a glance at the girl behind her. So that’s why this shinigami wasn’t moving. How much time did they have? This was no doubt the strongest Masker they’d encountered but time was of the essence. “I think he just called you a bitch.”


“Yep, I think he did.” Kagome really didn’t care about the actual term. She was rather fond of it when one did. After all Inuyasha had called her it often enough and thinking of him made her smile. Yet if what he said was true then they had to hurry if they were interested in saving the girl. As he swung his head around to catch her reaction, she drew her bow and fired. There was no need for wooden arrows; she’d outgrown her dependency of them. The energy formed a straight line then it was released.


Rukia blinked and it was over. A pink light shot across the distance to strike the hollow in the chest. Didn’t they know to hit them in the mask? It didn’t matter without a zanpakuto a hollow couldn’t be destroyed. Unless one of the two was a Quincy and that was definitely not the reitsu of one. She was truly flabbergasted when his body burst into ash and he ceased to exist.


“Sango,” Kagome rushed towards the female breathing heavily. How bad was it? She didn’t know if she could purify their type of poison. But could it be any stronger than Naraku’s? Not caring for the girl’s modesty, she jerked the material aside to get a good look at the wound. “Take a look at this.”


“It looks a lot like miasma,” Sango could see the dark mist flowing around the torn flesh. Was that possible? Not likely but they had no idea what kind of poison these things could create. Kagome’s powers had grown greatly over the last few centuries but would it work? “Hurry, we are going to have company soon.”


“I’m on it,” Kagome placed her palm over the jagged cut and prayed this would be enough. It had the same dark feel to it but wasn’t as strong as the mist the hanyou had been so fond of. Seconds ticked by and Sango stood guard weapon ready in case they were rudely interrupted. She’d give whoever was rushing here another two minutes at most. “Do you recognize who is coming? Are they friends of yours?”


Rukia managed a brief nod enjoying the calming effect the girl’s touch was having on her. The feeling was returning to her body with whatever she was doing. Relief filled her when the strange girl moved away and smiled. She was out of strength but no longer felt her life slipping away. She also knew that she’d just accomplished her mission, she knew exactly who and what was causing the strange bursts of reitsu.


“Alright, I’m done.” Kagome stood up giving the incoming pair thirty seconds. She felt bad about leaving the girl half healed but she wasn’t about to hang around. If the friends were like her old ones they’d likely attack before asking questions. “They’ll be here any second now and I trust they will take care of you. It was nice meeting you, shinigami.”


“Wait,” the protest came out a weak croak but it was too late. Both girls vanished just as quickly as they had appeared. Great, she had a half-ass report to give and someone was about to get a good chewing out. It weighed heavy on her pride to be saved by a complete stranger. So much for being able to handle the arrancar. Her zanpakuto had been sliced through like it was butter yet the one weapon hadn’t even been scratched. Something strange was going on and she had a feeling she hadn’t seen the last of the two females.


“Rukia!” Ichigo landed on the broken building and ran over to his fallen comrade. Was she okay? Fear had eaten at him the entire time and he’d never forgive himself if something happened to her. “Are you alright?”


“Yes,” she accepted the hand extended towards her. He would want to know what had occurred but she wanted to get off of this building. A hot cup of tea would be wonderful right about now. “I’ll fill you later; I want to speak to Urahara first.”


“What?!” Ichigo couldn’t believe he was being dismissed so easily and he’d been petrified he’d gotten here too late. There was a strange look in her large eyes and he wanted to know why he’d felt that strange reitsu here. What had occurred? “Fine, you can tell us later but it better explain why you are practically flashing us.”






“Um, now he is very nice.” Kagome couldn’t help but ogle the slim male that was sitting at the table with his companions. She had a thing for masculine looking men these days, she couldn’t help it. It might have something to do with not wanting a pretty man too. Every woman loved a pair of broad shoulders.


“Too scrawny, he needs to eat more. His friend isn’t too bad. The hair color has to go though. What the hell would possess someone to dye their hair that many colors? It’d be best to chop off his head and substitute his friend’s.” Sango was tempted to fetch something to eat from one of the eateries. The smell was making her stomach grumble.


“You got a point but do we really want a perfect man? If he is perfect then we’d feel the need to be also. I just want someone to share time with, no offense to you.” Kagome was a tad lonely after all this time. She hoped that Inuyasha had moved on even if she hadn’t done the same. Her circumstances made it hard to date.


“Well then pick one and I’ll crack his skull open with Hiraikotsu.” Sango laughed as the miko made a rude gesture. Being dead had its disadvantages and hooking up was one of them. They’d seen a few ghosts over the years but they were different than themselves. Each one had a strange chain attached to their chest. “If we don’t want to go that route you could always cook for him.”


“Eat me,” she turned her attention to another table. When one was a ghost for so long you had to invent ways to entertain yourself. Lately they’d been coming to the local shopping plaza to watch people. It sucked she couldn’t shop anymore but it wasn’t like she had a dire need for clothes. Could they even wear normal clothes? They were able to eat but that was different. And they didn’t do it very often.


“That poor girl, I wonder how she balances herself.” Sango tilted her head from her position against the wall. Those things had to be jumbo-sized. When had humanity started making them that large? “Look at the table near the trashcan, the girl with the blue shirt on.”


Kagome sought out the girl and broke out laughing. It was no wonder Sango had said something. It wasn’t just the size of them but the shirt accented just how large they were. Whatever guy that chick was dating had to be a happy camper. There was another female there that didn’t have much upstairs. “I’m glad I don’t have to feel that way while sitting next to you.”


“Now, he’s not that bad.” Sango spotted the male the second he came into view. He was clearly walking towards the table with the big tit female. His hair was an odd color but she had to call him very cute. Another male was with there but he was rather lanky but attractive as well.


“Shit, don’t look now but isn’t that the shini-whatey with them.” Kagome hadn’t forgotten the girl’s face since the two weeks they’d met. That was definitely her but how come she was a normal human? From here she couldn’t really feel the ki from the other night. Also the girl had been able to see them.


“There is something strange about both of them. I can feel it from both but more so from the lanky one.” Sango ran a hand over her brow to shove the bangs from her eyes. Today might turn out to be interesting after all. It was a good thing that they couldn’t be seen by normal humans or they’d always be stared at. Her taijiya suit was strange enough but Kagome’s miko clothing was way beyond old-fashioned, which was strange since the miko had been wearing her normal school clothing when she’d died.


“I think you are right, Betty Boop over there is a little weird too but it’s not that noticeable.” Kagome watched said female lean over and kiss the cute guy Sango had noticed. Were these the friends that had been coming that night?





“Can you two do that later?” Rukia grumbled at the couple locked in a tongue duel. This wasn’t the time for them to be sucking face. She had to return to Soul Society in the morning and most likely she’d be reprimanded for coming back empty handed again. Seeing the disappointed look on the Captain Commander’s face was tolerable, it was seeing it in her brother’s eyes that got to her. She was doing her best to find those girls again but it was rather hard.


“Fine, you don’t have to be so grumpy.” Ichigo scooted away from his girlfriend. “How long are you going to be gone this time? Why are you even going back? It’s not like you have anything new to report. Besides I think you were hallucinating.”


“I’ll show you a hallucination,” she was going to kill him. Both he and Ishida had looked at her strange when she’d described the two females that had saved her. The only one that hadn’t looked at her like she was crazy had been Urahara. He had listened to what she’d said and nodded like a happy idiot. She had a feeling the former shinigami knew something and wasn’t telling.


“He means no disrespect Rukia it’s just hard to believe. We too felt the reitsu but your story does seem a little odd.” Ishida would like to know exactly what kind of soul made that reitsu. Or both for that matter, there had been two brief flashes and both different. It was the last one that intrigued him the most. Rukia was saying that the girl had fired a bow, like his own. “I mean how could someone that can produce that intense of a reitsu just vanish into thin air?”


“I don’t know but I know what I saw. Not only did she do it but she was able to get rid of the poison just by touching me. Soul Society is determined to find them but I think it’s a waste of time. I don’t believe they are a threat.” Rukia couldn’t explain the feeling that had consumed her when the one girl had touched her. She’d never felt so at peace or safe.


“I think you might be putting too much into their actions. If they aren’t shinigami or Quincy then what the hell are they? Is it possible for more humans with strange gifts to have shown up?” Ichigo squeezed the hand on his knee but didn’t take his eyes off of his partner. “I want to believe you but then why haven’t we sensed them again. Why can’t you find them?”


Rukia didn’t have an answer and it infuriated her. She didn’t know what to tell them anymore and soon the Seireitei wouldn’t accept her excuses. With a shrug of her shoulders she glanced around the busy shopping center. So many people stopping to eat lunch, she’d kill for some time off. She was about to turn and make a suggestion when the flash of red and black caught her eye. Standing against the wall near the Italian eatery stood both females and they were looking her way. “I think I just did.”





Next Chapter: A heated argument and a chance encounter at night..... Please review if you read, thanks!