Rukia and the Mask Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – Yoruichi’s Desires

Early that same morning when Ichigo was half awake he walked over and saw the window wide open as Rukia opened the wardrobe door and said,
“Good morning Ichigo are you ok?” she asked as she jumped down.
“Hey I’m fine, but did you go out last night?”
“No why,” replied Rukia who was wearing a pair of black jeans and a white t shirt as she thought mentally,
[I must let Ichigo know about what happened last night] as Ichigo looked at her.
“It must of been me then don’t worry,” replied Ichigo as he walked out and got some breakfast.
While Rukia was on her own in Ichigo’s room she turned to the wardrobe and reached under the pillow and removed the mask and looked at it.
While looking at the mask, visions of the night before flowed through her mind until of a sudden her spiritual energy flowed through her hands and through to the mask. Just then the mask started to duplicate itself as a green glow appeared in front of Rukia’s eyes as she dropped the mask as it broke her spirit energy as not one mask landed but two had landed onto the pillow. When both masks lay on the pillow side by side she looked at them as she said,
“That was wired,” she said in shock as Ichigo was opening the door to his bedroom. Just before Ichigo entered his room, Rukia placed both of the masks back under her pillow and slammed the wardrobe door shut as Ichigo walked through with a tray with a plate and glass filled with orange and toast.
“Here you go Rukia,” as Ichigo handed Rukia the tray.
“Thanks Ichigo,” as Rukia placed the tray on Ichigo’s table and ate her toast and drank her orange as she said,
“So what are we going to do today Ichigo?”
“I don’t know but I have a gut feeling that something big is going to happen,” explained Ichigo.
“Yeah I also have the same feeling,” returned Rukia as she drank the orange.
Meanwhile on the other side of town, Yoruichi was walking round Urahara’s shop as she sighs,
“This is so boring I wonder what Ichigo and Rukia are doing,” she thought as she locked up shop and with her abilities kept in the shadows so not to be seen.
Later that morning Ichigo and Rukia decided to go and shoot some pool at the pool club as Ichigo turned to Rukia and said,
“Are you coming Rukia?”
“Yeah, I’m coming, just let me get a couple of things as Ichigo walked out of his bedroom and shut the door behind him.
When Ichigo had closed the door and left Rukia to catch him up she turned to the wardrobe where she slept and took out a small silk bag as she reached under her pillow and retrieved the two masks until she thought to herself,
[I need someone to have fun with,] as a sly smile appeared on her face as she thought of the one person she wanted to have the other mask.
Just then Rukia placed the masks into the bag and jumped out of the window where Ichigo was waiting for her. When she rejoined Ichigo, she said,
“So Ichigo, What’s Pool?”
“It’s a game where two or more people try and pocked small round numbered balls with a plain white one called a Cue ball as both players use a stick called a cue but I’ll teach you on how to play when we get to the hall,” replied Ichigo as they walked down the street.
While walking into the city, Ichigo turned to Rukia and said,
“When we first met did you know that I had Soul reaper powers?”
“I knew that you could of had them deep within as you could see me and the spirits of people who have passed on already so when you came after me and I said that I would never forgive you but when you were allowed to come back to this world, I was freed as the crimes against me were dropped as my powers returned and then I was in two minds of staying where I was in the soul Society or come back here to help you get stronger,” replied Rukia as they came to the pool hall as they walked through the doors and looked at the tables.
When Ichigo walked up to the reception he said,
“Can I have a table please?”
“Sure thing kid,” said the girl from behind the desk as she pushed through the numbered balls and cueball as Ichigo paid as he walked over to table 46 and took two cues down and handed one to Rukia.
When Rukia looked at the cue, she said,
“Is this stick what you call a cue?” she asked as she looked at it strangely as Ichigo was putting the balls into a triangle as he walked around and said,
“Yeah this the cue and it can only hit this white ball,” replied Ichigo as he held balanced it on his thumb and two fingers on his right hand as Rukia grabbed it and placed it on the table.
Just then Rukia looked at the table and said,
“Now what do I do?” she asked confusingly.
“Well get a stance that you feel comfortable in and lean over the edge of the table and line the cue with the white ball and pull your right arm back and put a bit of power into it has you follow through,” explained Ichigo as he grabbed a cue and watched Rukia try her first shot.
Just then Rukia, followed Ichigo’s instructions as a bit of her spiritual energy flowed through to her wrist as she followed through as she watched as the triangle broke as the balls scattered all around the table as she watched as the 3 ball and 15 ball went down into  pockets as Rukia felt please with herself.
When Rukia was walking around the table she turned to Ichigo, who said,
“Are you sure you haven’t played this game before?” jokingly.
“I’m sure and now what do I do,” she asked as she looked at the table.
“Just follow the numbers from 1 to 15 but the 3 ball and the 14 ball went down so hit at the number 1 ball,” as Rukia walked up to the table and went on a roll as she pocketed the 1,2,4,5 and 6 ball as she finally missed on the 7 ball as Ichigo looked in shock at the table.
Just then Yoruichi entered the pool hall as Rukia saw her and said,
“Yoruichi,” she said as walked with the cue in her hand.
“Hi Rukia, How are you?” replied Yoruichi as she walked over to watch Ichigo take a shot and missed the 7 ball.
“I’m fine and can I borrow you for a minute, Yoruichi?” replied Rukia as she bent over and potted the 7 ball.
Just then Yoruichi replied,
“Sure Rukia what’s up?” she asked as Rukia placed her cue leaning against a chair and picked up her little leather bag took her to the girl’s room.
When Rukia and Yoruichi had entered the girl’s room she, locked the doors and said,
“First thing, Thank you Yoruichi for keeping Ichigo alive while he was trying to save me, and second why are you here in the human world.
“Well I’m human after all and what about you still in your gigai,” replied Yoruichi as she looked at Rukia.
Just then Rukia went into her leather bag and pulled out the duplicated mask as she said,
“Now I would like to know if you have seen this mask before?” she asked.
“I haven’t Rukia as she looked at the face of the mask as Rukia held it out.
“Well when I first saw it, I thought to myself that it wasn’t a hollow mask as it didn’t reek of one so held onto it until I saw you.
“Why me?” asked Yoruichi as she looked at Rukia.
“I don’t know but I want you to have it for save keeping,” said Rukia had Yoruichi reached for the mask.
Just then Rukia said with a mental grin on her face,
[I’ll see you tonight Partner,”]
“Thanks I guess Rukia,” replied Yoruichi as she took the mask and placed it inside of her ninja style top.
“No worries, Yoruichi, now how about we see how Ichigo is doing out on the table,” replied Rukia as she zipped her bag up and walked back through to Ichigo as she picked her cue up and continued playing.
While playing Ichigo stood next to Yoruichi and said,
“Well Yoruichi how have things been coming along?
“Well you know Ichigo, I’m working with the soul society to discover the cause of the tremors we had in this world and I’m afraid it isn’t looking good,” she replied as she watched Rukia pot the 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ball in a row leaving the 13, 14 and 15 ball left on the table as Rukia had put Ichigo right in the jaws of the center pocket with no chance of potting a ball as they were all on the rails.
When Ichigo took his shot he clipped the 13 ball and walked over to Yoruichi and said,
“Why what’s the tremors been like?” he asked as Rukia walked up to the table and potted the 13, 14 and 15 ball and won the game as she placed the cue down on the table as she walked over to Ichigo and Yoruichi.
Just then Yoruichi said,
“The tremors, that have been happening here in the human world is that Menos Grande might becoming back,” she whispered so not to attracted attention to them.
Just then the Pool Halls Champion walked over to Ichigo, Rukia and Yoruichi and said,
“You played good kid how about you play me in straight pool 1 to 15,” said the leather wearing player.
“Fine you’re on,” replied Rukia as she stood up to him as he towered over her as a retired referee walked over and said,
“Now if everybody is ready then we’ll get started,” as the old man racked the balls into a triangle as the leather wearing player flipped a coin as Rukia called heads as she chose correctly and decided to break. Just then the leather wearing player said,
“You can call me Mike,” he said as he picked his cue up and watched as a big crowd gathered around table 46.
“Come on Rukia beat this guy, like you beat me,” said Ichigo as Mike overhead her name.
“Fine then here we go,” as Rukia walked up to the table and got ready for the brake shot.
While Rukia was ready to break off, Ichigo and Yoruichi saw some of Rukia’s spiritual energy flow through to her wrist as she broke the balls as they scattered as she turned around and walked back to her seat as Mike stood up and cracked his fingers as she said,
“Are you sure Yoruichi as I saw Ichigo make Menos Grande retreat,” as she watched Mike play a safety shot as he put the white on one of the rails.
Just then Yoruichi replied,
“Yep Menos Grande is coming as Rukia walked to the table and looked at the table as she struck the white ball around off three different rails and pot the 1 ball into the bottom right hand pocket as she looked at a long range 2 ball.
While thinking on her shot, a voice in Yoruichi’s head said,
{Yoruichi...You want to be Captain of Squad 2...don’t you...} said the voice in her subconscious.
Just then Yoruichi looked around and said,
“Did you say something Ichigo?”
“No Yoruichi, I didn’t why,” replied Ichigo as he cheered Rukia on as she potted the long shot on the 2 ball and was stuck behind the 4 ball that was blocking a perfect shot on the 3 ball.
{I can give you the power...to fulfil your dreams...} said the voice in Yoruichi’s mind.
Just then Yoruichi shook her head and tried to concentrate on the game as the voice continued,
{Tonight... Try me on... and I will help you... get back that was taken from you...} said the soft female voice in her mind as Yoruichi looked into her top and saw the mask shine while concealing it from everyone.
Just then Rukia turned to Ichigo and said,
“How do I get out of this mess?” she asked.
“Jump the white ball over the 4 ball,” replied Ichigo as Rukia looked at the old man who nodded his head as she looked at the position and decided against it as she fired the white ball around the table avoiding the other number balls and potting the 3.
Just then Yoruichi cheered on Rukia as she leaned up against the steel beam and watched Rukia go on an amazing run as she potted the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 Ball in a row, as Mike started to look a little nervous.
Just then while Rukia walked around the table and was ready to take her next shot, Mike raised the grip of his cue as Rukia was following through as she missed the 10 ball as Rukia complained to the old man with no success.
Just then Mike stood up from his chair and walked around the table as he looked at the 10 ball as he leaned over the table and potted it with no problems. After Mike had pocketed the 10 ball, he saw himself behind the 14 ball as he used his impressive cue power to lift the white ball over it and fully contact the 11 ball as he marched back to his seat when Rukia stood up and walked around the table and potted the 11, 12, 13, 14ball as she had a most difficult shot in pool with the 15 ball in the jaws of the right corner pocket and the white in the opposite corner as she surveyed the table and it the cueball with that much power and backspin she hit the jaw and watched as the cueball stayed along the bottom rail as the white ball began to slow as everybody watched as the white nestled alongside the 15 ball in touching it in the process as she watched from her chair as the 15 ball was refusing to drop until a split moment later the 15ball dropped and the match was over and for the first time, Mike had lost his championship title, as Rukia became the first and only women to beat him.
Just then Mike got angry and charged towards Rukia as Ichigo jumped over and sent him flying with a kick to the head as he was knocked out cold as Ichigo, Rukia and Yoruichi walked through the doors and walked around the town until nightfall.
When everybody had gone home, Ichigo said,
“You played great Rukia, who beat the champion and now I noticed that you used your powers to pot that ball didn’t you?” he said as he sat on his bed.
“Guilty as charged, Ichigo,” replied Rukia as she climbed into the cupboard and placed her mask under her pillow.
“Anyway what did you give Yoruichi, Rukia?” he asked.
“Nothing much why do you ask,” replied Rukia who turned herself around and looked at Ichigo.
“No reason but your not hiding anything from me are you?”
“No why anyway what we have learnt today then we must get some rest because if what Yoruichi and the soul society have said then we could be in big trouble,” she explained as she walked across the room and opened the window just enough to let some cool air enter.
When the clock struck 11, Ichigo fell asleep, as Rukia looked through a small opening as she picked up her mask and jumped out of the window as she landed on the grass so not to be heard as she looked at Ichigo’s window and thought,
“[Soon Ichigo you will see my true powers,]” she said as she walked to the bridge where she first put the mask on as she look at her spirit pager and saw that the time was 11:45 as she looked at the mask and waited for the right time to put it on.
Meanwhile later that night, Yoruichi was resting in Urara’s shop spare room until she lay on her back as her eyes suddenly opened as she walked and got dressed as she picked the mask up and snook out of the shop via a back exit as she jumped from building to building with her flash step while holding the mask.
When Yoruichi had come to a stop she was away far enough as she looked at the mask as it shimmered as the voice entered her head and said,
“{Yoruichi...Its time to... Take back what was taken... From you...}” as Yoruichi’s eyes became diluted as if in a state of hypnosis as she slowly turned the mask around to its rear and started to pull it up to her face.
While under the Railway Bridge, Rukia looked at her soul pager and said,
“Well it’s time,” she said as she turned the mask around and pulled it up to her face, while Yoruichi was going the same thing in a different part of town. Just then Yoruichi pulled the mask onto her face as it didn’t do anything at first but then the mask began to cover Yoruichi’s face but it didn’t stop there as it took a shape of a pharaoh’s mask as it covered all of her face and down past her shoulders while Rukia spun around and became her mask form once again as she went looking for Yoruichi. When Yoruichi had opened her eyes she said,
“I feel different and much more powerful as her abilities became 10 times more powerful than in her true human form as she saw a glass tower as she stood in front of one of the panels and looked at herself.
Just then the new Yoruichi saw herself as her face was covered by a lime green mask with distinct features of a Vizard Hollow Mask as she noticed that she was in her Soul Reaper uniform as it had become the same as Rukia’s as she looked at herself in the glass window panel as a smile appeared on her face behind the mask.
Just then Rukia in her mask form located Yoruichi and stood a top of the buildings flagpole as she stood in the moonlight and said,
“So how do you feel, Yoruichi?” she asked as Yoruichi looked around and couldn’t see anyone.
Just then the new masked Yoruichi turned around and saw Rukia as she replied,
“This was your plan all along wasn’t it?
“Guilty as charged,” laughed Mask Rukia as she walked up to Yoruichi with a grin on her face.
“So how do you feel?” asked Mask Rukia.
“I feel great as my abilities have increased by 10 fold and all because of this mask you gave me,” she said.
While Yoruichi was looking at herself in a window and didn’t see her own zanpakutō as she remembered that Soifon stole it and the Captaincy of Squad 2 after she had left the Soul Society over a century ago.
Just then Yoruichi turned around as Mask Rukia said,
“Yes but these masks don’t work during the daytime but I do wonder if they would work back in the Soul Society,” said Mask Rukia.
Just then a sly smile appeared behind Yoruichi’s mask and said,
“I wonder that too so why don’t we go and find out,” said Mask Yoruichi as Mask Rukia withdrew her zanpakutō, Sode No Shirayuki and opened a gate to the soul society as Mask Yoruichi looked on as the gate expanded.
Just then Mask Yoruichi wearing her gold and silver Soul Reaper Uniform and Mask Rukia wearing hers walked through the gate as it closed behind them.