Chapter 9
"An Army..." Ishida processed Urahahra's thought. "It's plausable, but is it possible?"
Urahara nodded, "It has to be."
"And it will" Sado finished.
The other's were still unsure of what he intended to do to get an army, but he seemed so confident that none of them worried.
"Do we have access to any paper? A pen?" Sado asked out of the blue.
Everyone looked to everyone else. Several heads shook.
"I'll need it to start my plan." Sado looked a bit peeved.
"Usually, something as simple as a pen and paper would be easy to obtain..." Ishida began. Though he left it open-ended, the end of the sentence of clear.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Orihime jumped to her feet, "Let's go find some!"
Ururu looked unsure, "But where? We are still in the middle of nowhere."
Urahara stood next to Orihime, "Well, not actually...I believe there is a zaisan-jin town nearby..."
That seemed to brighten everyone's spirits.
"Hopefully," he continued, "They are as nice as the old lady you mentioned, Aomori-san."
Ishida and Orihime nodded s they said in unision, "Hopefully."
Hush my dear...don't you cry...
I'll sing you an enchanted lullaby
It's magic will wipe your tears,
Stop the evil and fight your fears...
Nanoru sat on the steps, singing quietly to herself. She could hear Ichigo and Rukia conversing in her bedroom.
"I can help...I know I can..." She said with a tear down her cheek. Her mascara ran down the pale surface.
"Nanoru!" A call from the top of the stairs startled the Lunestian.
"I-Ichigo?" She stuttered
"We're going to need your help!" He said, with a valiant smile.
The turmoil in Nanoru's heart began to lighten ten fold.
"Really?!" She said like a child.
"Really."
This time, tears of joy sprang into her eyes. "Maybe I can break through to him..." She thought to herself. "Maybe I DO have a chance!"
"I'm glad you agreed to lend your assitance." Rukia bowed her thanks.
Nanoru glared at her. "I guess I'll have to put up with her if I want Ichigo..." she thought.
"It's my pleasure." Nanoru stood to bow as well.
Rukia smiled broadly, "We're going to need your knowledge of Fuyutsuki. And also anything you know about the Goddesses and Gods."
"I can definetly help then!" Nanoru forced a smile back. "Perhaps this'll be harder then I thought..."
"Daisuke!" Sarah called out.
"Shh!" Taishou put a finger to his lips, "My sister's not supposed to know he's here, remember?"
"Oh, yeah." Sarah said, a bit dissapointed that she was being told what to do.
They ran down the hall and towards the steps to see Nanoru, Ichigo, and Rukia talking.
"Oh no!" Sarah gasped.
"What?" Taishou couldn't see past her.
"You're sister's on the steps. We can't get Dai."
"Crud..." Taishou thought a bit. Suddenly, he got an idea, "My sister would get suspicious if I go into the broom closet...but not if there's a mess to clean up..."
"What are you thinking?" Sarah said, seeing where this was headed.
"We have to make a mess," Taishou confirmed her suspicions, "It has to be something Nanoru can see, but not know it's our fault."
"Hmm...how about in the kicthen?" Sarah suggested
"No. She rarely goes in...she's usually on the uppermost floors."
"Okay...then how about a bathroom?"
"That's good! But what?"
"Clog the toilet?"
"Perfect!" Taishou was geting excited, "but how do we get it so she's the one that notices it first?"
They were both quiet. Suddenly they heard footsteps.
They looked up to see the three teenagers heading in there direction.
"Oh no!" Sarah said, exsaperated, "They're coming!"
"Quick! I go clog the toilet, you make her have to use it!"
"What?!" Said said, confused, "What do you mean make her use it?"
"I DUNNO!" Taishou was already down the hall by now, so he was yelling, "MAKE HER DRINK SOMETHING!"
Sarah watched him disappear down a corner. She gulped, "Well, here goes nothing..."
"How much longer do we have to walk?" Ururu complained. She began trudging her feet uncharacteristically and moaning.
"Not much farther." Urahara said...just like he did an hour ago.
"Here," Orihime cooed, "You can ride on Kami."
Responding to his name, Kami ran over to Ururu and waited for her to climb on.
"He looks like he's made of fire...wouldn't he burn?" Ururu was scared.
"No, not at all." Orihime insisted, "Let me help you."
She lifted the child and placed her on the demon. "See?"
Ururu was still a bit shaky, but soon calmed down. In fact, she began to like the cool feel of the fur against her skin.
"Thank-you Inoue-san." She said gratefully.
Orihime smiled, "Oh please call me Orihime! Inoue-san makes me sound old!"
The two girls laughed.
Urahara and Ishida were disturbed.
Urahahra began, "When did she start acting so..."
"Wierd? Scary? Motherly?"
"Yeah, that one!"
"Which one?"
"Wierd."
"OH." Ishida said, relieved, "I thought you meant motherly."
"Oh, and that too."
"Don't say that!"
"Why not?"
"Because "motherly" and "Orihime" in the same context makes me feel uneasy..."
"Why? It's not like she'll want kids from you or something..."
Ishida's face went hot.
"OH! I see..." Urahara always thought there was something, but now he was sure.
"Now you see what?!" Ishida tried to get the blush out his face.
Sado sighed as the two of them fought, "Can we keep going? The village isn't far."
Ishida and Urahara calmed down...for now.
"HEY NANORU!!"
Nanoru nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of her name.
"Oh hi...Sarah, was it?" she said, sitting on her knees to become level with the child.
"Yup, that's me! Hey, do you want to...ah...play something?!"
Nanoru looked back at Ichigo and Rukia, "Not now dear. I have something important to d-!"
"PLEEEEEASE!" Sarah cut her off.
Nanoru was never one to turn down a child, "Oh, okay!" She looked back at the two, "Sorry. I'll be there in a second."
Ichigo nodded, "No problem."
They walked past them and into another room.
Nanoru sighed, "What was it you wanted to play?"
Sarah thought, "I'm not in the mood to play anymore. I"m thirsty now!"
"Thirsty?"
"Yes! Is there anything to drink?"
"Sure there is. Follow me."
Sarah took the Lunestians hand and they walked back down the stairs towards the kitchen.
"I hope Taishou's having no problems..." she thought to herself.
"What's taking her so long?!" Taishou was pissed as he waited in the bathroom, "It doesn't take that long to clog a toilet!"
Suddenly a knock came at the door.
"Ah! Um...Occupied!" He said in Runa, hoping it was Nanoru.
"What?" Came a Japanese response.
"I said Occupied!" Taishou switched his language, dissapointed to hear the male voice.
"Are you going to be out soon, I really have to go..."
"Just give me a minute!" Taishou's heart began to beat, "Hurry up, Sarah!"
"Aoi Tenshi...Blue Angel." Urahara read the sign on the up coming Village.
"Blue angel? Why's it called that?" Ururu asked, still atop Kami.
"I don't know, but we might find out." Ishida predicted as they entered.
"WELCOME TO THE BLUE ANGEL VILLAGE!"
The five of them were shocked. "WHAT?!"
"I said welcome!" It was some random old guy with facial hair. He was dressed in a fancy blue suit with silver buttons and a silver cane to boot.
"Erm...thanks." Sado said uneasily, "Do you happen to have a pen...or paper. Or better yet, both?"
"I can't say I do..." The man stroked his white beard, "But I know that we sell both in the shop!"
"Sell?" Orihime said worried.
"Well yes!" The man replied, "You weren't going to get it for free!" His laugh sounded as though he was going to run out of breath and collapse any minute.
"But...but we don't have any money!" Ururu said with big eyes.
"No money? Aren't you folks...oh wait..." Finally, the man took note of their clothes. Though Ishida and Orihime were dressed in Zaisan-jin attire from Aomori's Manor, the other three were still dressed as Shuujins.
"I see..." The man pondered, "Well, usually, we're supposed to send your type away. But I'll trust that you guys are not up to no good..."
The five of them waited paitiently for his response. It seemed to be taking longer than usual...
"Sir?" Orihime tried to remind him they were there.
"Oh, right!" Well, then you may come in, but you must get a job."
"Another one?!" Ishida said, dumbfounded.
"How else does one make money? Don't be stupid." The man said matter-of-factly.
The Shuujins sighed. But it was something that had to be done.
"Have another!" Sarah urged Nanoru. They were sitting at a kitchen table with a half empty gallon of fruit punch.
"I thought you said you were thirsty..." Nanoru said, for she was the only one drinking.
"I am, but first I think you need another drink." Sarah was getting impaitient, "How long does it take for it to go through?"
Suddenly, Nanoru began fidgeting. "Oh...I need to..."
"Right this way!" Sarah said relived, "Just hold on Taishou!"
"I said another minute!" Taishou was irritated. "There are about 10 other bathrooms in this manor, but this guy had to choose this one!"
"You said another minute almost an hour ago!" The man complained.
"There are other bathrooms you know!" Taishou retorted.
"Well, fine!" Taishou heard his footsteps as he left.
"Finally!" He said relived.
Yet again, another knock banged at the door.
"IT"S OCCUPIED!" Taishou screamed.
"Taishou? Is that you? Are you almost done?" It was Nanoru, much to Taishou's relief.
"Yes!" He got off the floor and opened the door, "It's all yours."
The two kids watched as she ran inside and shut the door.
"3...2...1"
"TAISHOU! Get a plunger!" Nanoru yelled.
"Bingo." Taishou smiled. The two of them ran down the stairs and towards the broom closet. But none of them were prepared for what they saw next...
"WHERE IS HE??!?!?!"
Erm...okay another chapter done.