And all the entries are in:
Too long so in two post...
Entry 1:
Forgotten Beneath the Ice
Chapter 1, Part 1, Section 3: A Fleeting Reunion
Bella wakes up to the buzzing of Mikazuki's alarm with an agitated stare. Why could cause him to be up this early? Yawning lazily, she rises and dons her shiori. After hanging Hisshiryu at her side, she opens the door and walks downstairs. The faint smell of rice fills the air as she descends. Mikazuki sits at a table, eating rice balls and drinking more herbal tea. His smile is complacent as he looks out the window. Seeing Bella, he finishes his rice balls and hands her a plate, "Soup's up!"
She gives him a confused stare. "Those are rice balls, Mikazuki, not miso." Bella sits down and raises her brow. "Are you okay?"
A voice calls out from across the room, "I was wondering the same thing when he offered me some." Lieutenant Kira walks in, his expression somewhat lighter but still critical. Glancing at Mikazuki, Kira continues, "He said the same thing, too. You haven't let the light of the morning sun bake your mind, have you?"
Mikazuki ignores the Lieutenant and answers Bella. "It's not literal, Bella. It means that food is ready." He takes another drink of herbal tea and looks at her expectantly, "Well it isn't going to eat itself."
Bella nods, her expression curious. Why is he giving me that look? She takes a bite out of the first rice ball. The sweet taste of jelly fills her mouth, and she barely restrains herself from downing the rest. "These are delicious!" Bella sees Mikazuki's contented grin and she tilts her head, "You made these?!"
Mikazuki beams, "They're thanks for helping me out yesterday. I tried to give some to Lieutenant Kira, but he turned them down for his awful miso." He mocks a sniff, and Kira glares at him.
"You like rice balls. I like miso." Mikazuki shakes his head in disgust and Kira stares at him. "There is nothing wrong with miso.. It's nothing like that wretched tea of yours."
"Miso is only good as long as it's soup. And it's your own fault if you don't like the tea. It's the taste that matters, not the smell.." Mikazuki matches Kira's glare levelly.
Bella shakes her head, "Come on, you two! It is too early for this!" Mikazuki and Kira stare at her blankly. I've never seen anyone get on the Lieutenant's nerves so easily.
Mikazuki shrugs in acknowledgement, "You're right, Bella. I have plans for today and this is wasting time." He runs back upstairs, and soon returns with Kurayami strapped to his shoulder and his pack over the other. Mikazuki tilts his head respectfully and heads outside.
Bella pushes the empty plate away and runs after him. "What are you doing today? It is a beautiful day. We should enjoy it for our hard work last night."
Mikazuki matches her pace and looks down at her. "Exactly.. I'm going to train. I can't call myself a Soul Reaper if I just sit around in a library all day.." He smiles and continues. "I found a quiet place earlier this morning that is nice and quiet."
Bella nods, "Sounds good, Mikazuki. Lead the way."
Mikazuki nods, and disappears into thin air, as does his spiritual pressure. A fine, dark mist distorts Bella's vision momentarily. Pinpointing Mikazuki's spiritual pressure as his presence returns into existence, she shunpos next to him. He nods and disappears into the shadow. Bella notices that he keeps to the shadows as she follows him. She laughs to herself. Well he was in the Special Forces. The two leave the
After an hour of shunpoing the two arrive at a broken gate, covered with fresh, mossy verdance. The writing on the gate has disappeared with the onset of years. Bella looks around in amazement, and Mikazuki smiles once again. "I think this place is perfect for training. Nothing here can really bother you and no one ever comes here."
Bella smiles appreciatively at the brilliant green around her and the sound dripping of water nearby. A soft wind blow her hair into her face. "Pfft…hey!" She brushes her hair out of her face to see Mikazuki walk through the gates. Bella scrambles after him, "Hey! Wait up!"
Mikazuki lingers just long enough for her to catch up with him, and then opens the door to the darkness inside. The door falls off of its hinges and onto the floor. The room beyond shows many signs of disrepair, although there are few signs of a fight here. A fine film of dust covers the floor, now upset by the shabby door and the pair's steps. Bella gazes around in amazement: despite the poor state of the room, it is quite spacious and somewhat welcoming.
"I wonder who this place belonged to?" Her voice echoes down the hall. "It does not look new, but it does not look very old either." Mikazuki turns to her with an equally ponderous expression.
"My thoughts exactly. It seems familiar, somehow. Almost like home." He traces the wall to another dust-ridden door. Opening it, bright light pours in from the small gap. Bella blinks the spots from her eyes and stares outside. A thriving vale waits beyond the doors, filled with cherry and plum blossoms. A pond rests in the center of the dell, a brimming stream trickling away from it.
Bella breathes, "This place is beautiful! Who would have abandoned such a wonderful place?" She takes in the surroundings, smiling with each new detail. A small waterfall here, a rock garden there; even a few moss-covered lamps and fallen logs fit into the scene. Every now and then the soft wind stirs her hair into her face again. Bella hears a quiet titter behind her. Using her finger to move the hair away, she turns to see Mikazuki chuckling. His heavy tangle barely suffers from the breeze, rustling only slightly.
Her face lightly flushes, "What is so funny, Mikazuki?" She gets irritated as he continues laughing.
Mikazuki calms and takes a deep breath. "You looked like a child just now. I'm sorry but I couldn't help it." Seeing her get more embarrassed, he chortles again. "There it is again!"
Bella shakes her head angrily, and clenches a fist lightly while she simmers down. Mikazuki finally stops, looking over the garden. Bella sighs and looks over the garden again. At least he is not related to me. I have no idea what would happen then. Silence falls between them for a short while.
Mikazuki finally speaks, "I should get started on training." He removes Shouhi from his shoulder, the blade whispering a groan. "Wake up, Shouhi. It's time to train." The zanpakuto's whispers become more excited as it realizes the present surroundings. Bella's zanpakuto crackles curiously, and Mikazuki looks up at the new noise. "So you have one too? Maybe it wants to practice as well?"
Her blade answers enthusiastically. Oh can we please? We haven't done anything in a while. Bella grins nervously, but nods. Well of course I have one. I'm a Soul Reaper. "This is Hisshiryu.. And we will join you." Mikazuki nods in approval and readies himself with a few swings. He then positions low to the ground. Bella draws Hisshiryu and watches Mikazuki carefully.
Mikazuki calls, "Here I come." He dashes over to her quickly and thrusts. Bella parries, and slashes back at him. He ducks and flicks Hisshiryu aside with Shouhi, and then swipes at her midsection. She jumps away from him and repositions her blade between her and Mikazuki. Only his pursed lips are visible to her.
Bella takes a few breaths. He is very fast for a recruit, more or less someone who lost their memory. I wonder what he was like ten years ago. She shakes the thought from her mind and focuses on Mikazuki. He is already moving, a blow swinging a moment behind him. She brings Hisshiryu to bear the attack, and the momentum drives her back. Mikazuki slides Shouhi off of Hisshiryu, Bella gasping as her sword rises in an awkward arc. Mikazuki points the taper at her throat with a curious expression on his lips. She nods and he lowers Shouhi.
He gives her a hand up and smiles, "Again?"
Hisshiryu crackles in response. That was a lot of fun! We should try again. Bella laughs to herself and nods, "Of course. We only just started."
The two raise their zanpakuto, each readying into stances. This time it is Bella who moves first. She shunpos behind Mikazuki and stabs with Hisshiryu. He sidesteps and strikes with Shouhi, sliding the flat of the blade over her shoulder. Bella ducks and thrusts at him, but Mikazuki moves past her blade and grabs her wrist. He then slides her away from him and jumps at her. She rolls to the side, and observes him as they clash blades.
All of his moves seem reactive, like he is responding to me. Is it just his reflexes and instinct? Bella continues watching Mikazuki's movements. She sees an opening, and sweeps Shouhi away with Hisshiryu. Striking again, she knocks the zanpakuto out of his grip. With her blade pointing at his chest, Mikazuki concedes and retrieves his sword. Bella smiles and Mikazuki claps his hand, "You were great, Bella."
Bella blushes and nods, "Thank you. You did quite well yourself, Mikazuki." She swings Hisshiryu and smiles back at him. "Again?"
Mikazuki laughs and relaxes a bit, "Of course. We only just started.."
The pair burst into laughter, but neither notices the two figures standing in the entrance to the garden. A youthful, surprised voice calls across the dell. "Mikazuki?!"
Mikazuki and Bella turn towards the source to see a girl shorter than Mikazuki with the same, but straight, pitch-black hair. The other is an older woman, slightly taller than the first, with her dark hair tied back in an elegant ponytail. Both wear shioris and have zanpakuto hanging at their sides. The girl runs to Mikazuki and tackles him, the woman walking behind her.
Bella smiles as she watches Mikazuki barely keep his balance. Seeing the quizzical expression of his mouth, she tilts her head. "Do you know these two, Mikazuki?"
Mikazuki frowns and shakes his head, "Not in the slightest…"
Naomi frowned as the words left her twin brother's lips. What the hell does he mean he doesn't know us?! She runs it through her mind, but doesn't come up with any answers. She looks at her cousin, who shakes her head. Naomi gives her an irritated look and pulls her to the side, whispering, "Saiyoko! That is without a doubt Mikazuki! Who else would've known about this place?!"
Saiyoko shifts her position uncomfortably, "I told you what I was told. He may have amnesia and can't remember us." Her eyes are uncertain and worried. "That's why I was over at Squad Four all day looking through their archives."
Naomi nods and tries again, "You might not remember either of us, Mikazuki, but I'm Naomi. I'm your twin sister. This is our cousin, Saiyoko." She slightly stresses each word.
Mikazuki doesn't do anything but nod. His frown is ponderous, like the names are familiar but he can't quite say how. After a bit he continues, "I'm sorry, but I don't really remember much. However, this is Bella." He gestures towards Bella.
Bella nods a bit, "Nice to meet you both. I was wondering if Mikazuki had any family. Guess I know now." She looks a little nervous, but her expression is overall curious.
Saiyoko tilts her head politely, "And a pleasure to meet you too. And thanks for looking after him." She elbows Naomi in the ribs.
Naomi yelps, "Oww! Why did you do that?" As Saiyoko elbows her again she curses and bows her head, "What I meant was thank you."
Bella smiles nervously, "It was no problem at all. I was just helping out."
Mikazuki gasps in pain and falls to his knees, "Ahhh!"
The others turn to see him clutching his head, blood mixing with and running from his hair. His teeth are fixed in a gritted grimace. Naomi and Saiyoko run to his side, and Naomi looks to her cousin.
"What's going on, Saiyoko!?" Her face is severely worried.
Saiyoko shakes her head, "I can't say! It could be his migraines or he might have remembered something!" She looks at Bella, "Don't just stand there! Help us stand him up!"
Bella snaps out of her dazed trance, "Oh! Right! We should get him to the Squad Four infirmary!" She helps the pair get Mikazuki on his feet. Just as they get him on his feet, he shrugs them off and moves away.
"Ahhh!" He breaks into a hampered run and then disappears into darkness. Bella loses all trace of his spiritual pressure. It reappears somewhere else in the forest, and she hears foul cursing behind her.
"Dammit I hate it when he does that!" Naomi's voice is startled anger. She turns to the other two, "We need to catch him! I won't let him slip through my fingers again!" Saiyoko and Bella both nod in agreement. Naomi shunpos away, and they follow suit and shunpo after her.
To Be Continued…
Forgotten Beneath the Ice
Chapter 1, Part 1, Section 4: Residual RemainsEntry 2:
Gin walked through the shadows observing everyone when a certain frosty captain and steel captains voices caught his attention.
"Where?"
"I heard it was with Gin."
"I don't believe it."
"Thats what Renji told me."
"My lieutenant wouldn't."
Are they talking about Rangiku-chan? Gin wondered. So went to find her.
"Yeah, Rangiku is planning to throw Gin a suprise party."
In the distance Rangiku too thought something else and went to find Gin.
Turned out Renji had planned a sake meet with Kira is Gins office and Rangiku was to be invited.
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