Sights that greeted the triplets was so normal and quainted, it almost gave them a whiplash.
Homes of the fallen angels were looked like one of those from the Rukongai district, but it was more elegant and well constructed. Majority of the fallen angels were walking towards their homes and businesses, carrying baskets and talking to one another. While most wore their kimonos and medieval clothes, they were enlisted and were as clean as a whistle with maintaining their clothing. At first glance, Rukia almost mistake this for one of the most poorest district of Rukongai, perhaps even further than Hokutan.
As they followed the phoenix guards, the busy life of the Black wing city were grounded to a halt. Eyes were watching the Kagami siblings' appearance. Some with hostility, others with curiosity and the rest with fear.
Yumikō and Rukia came close to the manor where two smaller fallen angels were playing. With a jolt corner of her eyes, she realized they were children. Much younger than the triplets. Their eyes were as wide and innocent as any human babes. Their mother appeared a moment later to take them inside, keeping her eyes on Rukia for a while.
Once the scene was repeated all throughout the city, Yumikō led her to a clearing just beyond the dark passage which led to the inside of the manor. Though they are darker tunnels with diminutive lights of torches, it was not empty. Standing beside the perimeter of the steel gates were almost two phoenixes of various sizes and colors.
They were male and female, young and old, but the one at the center caught her attention the most. Contrary to Yumikō, they bowed before him and opened the gate. How Rangiku could tell Yumikō was a man, she wasn't certain as there was nothing obvious that would suggest Yumikō's gender. Rukia's trail of thought vanished when another phoenix guard approached them with a gorgeous red flame aura stroking his body. The scar across his left eye, however, differ his old age.
That's when the Elders of the fallen angels were summoned into their underground base for a certain meeting. They were all present as they sat on their high chairs before Yumikō, which was similar to the Central 46 in the Soul society.
As they were all seated in their ascending order, in terms of their skills, intelligence and their mastery of magic abilities, each and every Elders' gaze flicked to the soul reapers, but now rested on Yumikō.
Yumikō was visibly relaxed and spoke with the Elders in their hushed tones. With a language that even angels could understand. Periodically, the Elders would glance at Rukia and Ichigo. His gaze was piercing and shrewder, but as with all the Elders, there was a glint of fear whenever his eyes trailed to the Kagami triplets behind Yumikō. Once Yumikō was finished, the other Elders paused, gazing at Ichitarō and his sisters one last time, then nodded.
" Lord Yumikō Mishima, young Lady Rukia Kuchiki," The third Elder spoke, " We, the Elders, are formed this day on account of your actions. So, you have brought these entities here...," she gestured with her wrinkled hand, " …to our home, where Kazumi cannot find us, although they do belong to the pack of mindless mortals. They even talk like them. What is your plan?"
" If there were any other soul reapers, at any other time, I would never even consider bringing them here. Even if I did, I would accept the consequences, unless it is for an emergency. ," Yumikō reported, with his voice boasted with confidence. " But, I have not brought ordinary entities with me. No, no. Instead, I bring you the sign we have been waiting for. The confirmation of the Head Captain Yamamoto's dire need of alliance! I give you... the spirit demons from the world of the living!"
The Elders broke out into murmurs at his declaration. Some were intrigued, others were doubtful and the rest were in shock. Rukia remained silent, as she was staring at Yumikō with a concerning gaze. With a sharp wave of Rangiku's hand for a warm welcome, the rest of the Elders became still. Even Yoshimura forcefully placed her hand down.
" Think very carefully about his words, Yumikō Mishima.", the first Elder bellowed., " What you proposed on bringing the old head captain of the Soul society, could have broken every taboo in our own kind of all of the fallen angels."
" These consequences of the head captain of the Soul society together with his reckless decision could be dire. We have indulged your devotion with the Espada that does not concern us for much, much longer than you should have. We even banish Kazumi and Katsuya, so you will be in the next line of the throne."
" Yet, all of you let her took that opportunity away from me. Just because of my discovered identity." Yumikō commented and the Elders nodded.
" That was a mistake we made, Yumikō Mishima.
But if this is his request, than this is too much. Unless you have proven, without a doubt, that these children are truly spirit demons, we will reconsider. Otherwise you will be at risk of banishment from our kind, forever."
His eyes flicked onto Ichitarō and without an ounce of remorse, he pointed him and announced, " And the young boy with yellow hair, shall be executed if he failed with one task - to defeat one of our youngest fighters, Kenji."
" What ?" Yumikō gasped.
All he heard was the sound of Ichitarō's name.
' Ichitarō will….. fight some random stranger?'
" It is true we feel sorry for the poor boy, but rules cannot be undone." The second Elder spoke, shaking his head.
" Ichitarō?" Ichigo repeated.
" So, you are going choosing an unsupervised spirit demon to fight Kenji? I cannot believe you all!" Yumikō fumed.
" It is the only way, Lord Yumikō. Otherwise we cannot help you nor the entire Soul society if it was fallen from Kazumi's reign of terror." The second Elder answered and Yumikō became a mute.
" No. No!I REFUSE!!" Rukia shouted and even Ichigo was surprised.
The Elders were stunned by Rukia's statement. Rukia wouldn't tolerate for Ichitarō and his sisters to go through the same nightmares because of their existence. With her tears of rage rolling down on her cheeks, she'd managed to control her emotions.
All our eyes were gazing on Rukia. Ichigo remained frozen with terror as his eyes widen.
" What is it you are against, Young Lady Kuchiki?" The first Elder asked.
" Why did you force him to fight one of your strongest opponents?!" Rukia exclaimed, shaking her head. No one saw it coming on why the Elders would choose Ichitarō. Even Yumikō didn't do that on purpose. All she could think about was the triplets' safety and her home for so long. She was terrified and wouldn't comply to Ichitarō's mental state.
" We are fighting a common enemy here!!'' Rukia exclaimed as she continued." What you have requested is ridiculous! The Soul society is in danger and head captain Yamamoto and others who are left behind are in dire need of rescue from Kazumi's control. I am begging you. All of you. I can pick any fighter for this Kenji, but not Ichitarō. He is just a child and he hasn't mastered any abilities yet. Please reconsider your decision."
Silence were at play, until the second Elder finally speaks.
" We, the Elders, do not take things lightly, young Lady Kuchiki." one of the Elders spoke. Her voice was old but sharp. Her words were clear to Rukia, as though she was speaking to her with a same tone she felt when her former captain, Kaien Shiba, gave his life to stop a Hollow. ," This is the first time we have seen one of your kind here alongside three spirit demons, whom were extinct for decades after the fall of the first generational captains of your people. Never mind your head captain asked for an alliance to Yumikō ..... It does not work that way. Pray that the goddess of snow shines brightly over you."
For that particular reason and reason only, one of the Elders shuffled away. Presumably to his place in the ring surrounding them.
Circles were magically drawn together with fire torches lighting themselves. The phoenix guards gather around themselves and escorting them except Ichitarō, since the Elders chose him.
That's when a boy, whom was much taller and more muscular than Ichitarō arrived in the underground. His hair was plaited into different shades of purple and has an almond coloured skin. Wearing his violet pants and punk inspired white shirt. He wore no armor, but a silk Mayan styled cloak: multicoloured but with a hint of purple.
As he removed his cloak, one of the phoenix guards standing in the middle of the underground circle had no weapon at all.
At first glance, he looked the same as any other phoenixes: tall, and gracefully elegant. But where the guards' features were more rugged, he was more youthful and energetic, too defined to be human.
They stood their ground the moment they succeeded in getting themselves up, posing to fight even when they knew it was going to be pointless.
How they are supposed to fight each other when Ichitarō was obviously no match for Kenji, remained cynical. Ichitarō literally had no powers before reaching to the spirit world. Nonetheless, he didn't noticed what type of spirit power it was either. Only his ways of kenjutsu and a rare art of ninjutsu, thanks to his mother's teaching and his father's unusual help.
Now he was requested to fight him? Without Ichigo nor his sisters, who was going to help him out? How was Ichitarō even supposed to brawl phoenix? Not just any ordinary phoenix, but a phoenix with an aura of a fallen angel!
" Greetings, spirit demon!" the voice of a young boy, glared at the eyes of Ichitarō with his dark brown eyes.
" It's tradition to know who your opponent is first. My name is Ichitarō Kagami. I'm from the world of the living. What's yours?"
" I know. I heard about your story from Crystal Souls and I thought to myself. I wanna test your strength myself. Well, Today is my luck day. You can call me Kenji, by the way." the young lad replied with a smirk on his face at Ichitarō. By then he unleashes his spirit energy and Ichitarō didn't flinch.
" Are you ready, Ichitarō?" Kenji asked
" Alright, let's do this!" Ichitarō answered
" NOW, BEGIN!!" Shinsuke commanded.
Almost immediately, their fight begins. He disappeared and reappeared behind Ichitarō and before he could move, Kenji disastrously kicked Ichitarō to his face, sending him flying and crashed to the ground.
[ DOOF!! ]
Grinding in pain, Ichitarō shook his head and cracked his knuckles and arms for a warm up.
" I'm just getting started." He mumbled and he kick flipped himself up to the ground. He superspeeded and his fist was landing on Kenji, but he managed to evade his attacks by tilting his neck sideways. Hence began their fist and kick, though they blocked their attacks to each other.
With the anger he'd consumed so far, Ichitarō immediately charged straight towards Kenji and his fist landed on his face, throwing him away from the circle.
Ichitarō lifted his leg and countered Kenji's kick, which impresses the Elders and amazed both Ichigo and Rukia along with Ichitarō's sisters and Yumikō.
" Alright. Time to take things up a notch." Kenji muttered to himself, almost muted. Ichitarō dashed in an attempt to punch Kenji again when he disappeared and reappeared behind Ichitarō. He conjured a flaming dagger made to slash him in the back. Ichitarō instantly senses it and did a fast back flip, dodging it instantly. Kenji conjured his bow and arrow with his hands as it was similar to Quincy abilities, but his own ability was made up in flames.
That's when an unknown ghost white forcefield sprouted out of Ichitarō's entire body, blocking his attack and sending Kenji flying. Shocked at his discovery, Ichitarō stood up and saw Kenji wiping his blood on his lips, then smiled like he was prepared.
' I knew it. So, you have ghost powers. One of the most unique and the rarest ability for spirit demons ever conjured. Let's see what else you have in-store, Ichitarō!' Kenji pondered.
" Kenji, are you alright?" Ichitarō asked, in his worried tone. Kenji said nothing but a smirk on his face.
" Watch out, Ichitarō!" Rangiku alerted him immediately he saw what was coming.
He weaved a hand sign and daggers were sprouting out from his hands. Kenji directed the daggers at Ichitarō but it didn't prove anything at all until dusts grew. Everyone, except the Elders took cover and saw nothing but dusts. As soon as it becomes clearer, Ichitarō was still inside the force field.
" What the hell! His spirit energy isn't strong enough." Ichigo stated as he senses Kenji's spirit energy getting stronger.
" I'm not sure if Ichitarō would handle this!" Rukia added, worrying about him.
" He will. Just have faith, you two." Yumikō reassured them, assuming if he was right.
All hope seemed lost until Ichitarō heard the same voice since he was in the Soul society.
« You sure like getting yourself into trouble, huh? Hehehe!» it chuckled telepathically.
« You again?» Ichitarō asked, telepathically
« Yes, it's me again. Ichitarō Kagami. »
« Wait, how the hell did you ____. »
« I'll explain to you later. Right now I'm here to help you take down that feather brain of yours.»
« You mean Kenji? »
« Yep. Hybrids maybe strong, but not strong enough.»
« How am I supposed to defeat him? This dude is strong enough to take down Sado.»
« Then I better teach you some new tricks, so you can make it home in one piece. Do exactly as I told you. Raise your hand.»
« What?»
« Just do it »
He took a deep and raised his hand and broke his force field into pieces. Ready to face him without fear, that was when Kenji chanted an unusually unexpected spell.
{ HIERRO: THREE ARROW BLAZE }
Three flaming arrows sprouted of the ground and stopped the attack. Little did he knew, it was a diversion as Ichitarō appeared behind Kenji and he released his dark orbs in his hands, causing massive explosions.
[ BOOM!!×5 ]
" Take this! HYA!" Ichitarō roared, releasing an indigo coloured orbs at Kenji. Kenji blocked the attack with his fire shield. Ichitarō appeared before him and he blasted Kenji with a massive amount of orbs.
« Raise your arm again and say " dark pulse".» it spoke again. And Ichitarō did as he was told by the mysterious voice.
{ DARK PULSE }
Ichitarō chanted. A black orb appeared on his hand and directed straight at Kenji. The orb immediately strucked Kenji, creating an explosion.
[ KA-BOOM!!! ]
The ground quaked without mercy, it even sent out shockwave all the way to the Soul society and the Yokai village grounds. Within that five minutes, Ichitarō continued his battle against a stronger opponent until he was able to knock him down.
As Ichitarō saw Kenji slowly getting up, he was worried he'll ask for a rematch. But he didn't.
Without a single word, he let out his left arm and Ichitarō did the same, giving each other a handshake.
That's when Yoshimura ran towards him.
" Ichitarō? You idiot, what the hell is wrong with you and.... What took you so long? " Yoshimura asked and later calmed herself down as she advanced towards and while getting closer, she jumped on him and hugged him tightly.
" That's for saying mom` to a random stranger. Keitarō Kagami and Neji Kagami are our parents, you know?", Yoshimura grunted as she landed her fist into Ichitarō's stomach. Then briskly hugged him again, " And that's for showing up. I'm so glad you're okay."
Ichitarō felt a cold, sharp pain in his stomach as Yoshimura hugged him. Rangiku was afraid she'll hurt him, but was starting to get used to the sibling quarrel. In the meantime, Rukia was shockingly surprised to witness it and so does Ichigo.
Even Kon, who was following them this whole time, ran towards Rukia and Kenji accidentally punched him to the ground. They were all confused at first, until Kon shown to be okay. Everyone laughed and Ichigo took him back as they went back to the guest room, leaving Yumikō alone with the Elders.
Although questions were in a breech of answers. Why did he hide the truth for almost 10 years of his trauma? What else did Ichitarō have? Only time will tell.