Chapter 2- “What’s a huh now?”

“You hired a what?”

“A retrieval service. You might have heard of them, the Get Backers? They’re stationed in Shinjuku.”

“Yeah, I know who they are, but why the hell would you hire a pair of humans to find a shinigami with a untraceable gigai?” Ichigo barked at the ex-captain.

“They’re no ordinary humans. One of them is from Mugenjou.”

“...That abandoned building complex?”

“That would be the one.”

“…What’s the difference. So, instead of wimps, you have at least one scary gangster. Big deal.”

“Haven’t you heard of all the interesting people that come out of there? That place is brimming with spirit energy. The person in particular I’m talking about ruled the lower part of Mugenjou, has quite an… electrifying personality.”

“…Sandal-hat, if I find out he generates a lot of electricity, I’m going to stab you.”

Urahara simply smiled sweetly at the boy.

“What about the other one?”

“He’s a witch.”

“…WHAT?”

“A witch.”

“Are you serious?”

“Very.”

Ichigo just stared at the man, who was staring at him with nothing more then smile.

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“Your soul separates from your body so you can fight invisible monsters and this you have a problem with?”

“…Good point. I better go tell Chad.”

“Tell me?”

Ichigo jumped a mile when the aforementioned boy seemingly appeared from pretty much nowhere.

“YOU NEARLY GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!”

“Sorry, Ichigo. What are you going to tell me?”

“That you two need to go to Shinjuku.” Urahara said before Ichigo got a word in.

“What? But you just said-“

“I told you I hired someone. However, I would still like you to help them. Just tell them I sent you and you’ll be fine. They should still be at the Honky Tonk right now. Oh, and Ichigo, take Kon and Ishida with you.”

---

“Ban-chan, how are we supposed to find the gigai? Urahara-san said it was untraceable!”

“He also said it’s here in Shinjuku. That narrows it down some.”

“What about these other ‘associates’? You think they might interfere?” Shido asked. The three of them were sitting at a booth waiting for Kazuki to arrive, Shido sitting in the middle on his side while Ban and Ginji sat across from him.

“It depends. I don’t know who he’s talking about. Urahara has a lot of friends. He might be talking about the three people he has working at his shop for him, or any of the other Death Gods he’s been hiding here. For all I know, it could a cat.”

“A… cat?” Ginji asked, looking at Ban quizzically.

“You never know.”

That’s when the bell rang announcing another customer. Ban’s eye’s flicked over to see who’d entered. The first person he’d noticed was a man standing at about six and a half feet, dark skin and distinctly Latin American features with small hints of a Japanese heritage as well. The guy was… well, massive. Huge arms and long legs, he was an impressive sight. Or, would be if he wasn’t wearing a pink Hawaiian shirt. He towered over two teenage boys. The most noticeable of the other two was strawberry blond with an intense expression. At first glance, Ban would say he was about 19 or 20, but it was possible that the expression he was wearing simply made him look older. He had the stance of a street punk. Added with the hair, Ban figured him around 16. The other boy, a slender, delicate looking boy with soft features. Well, they would be soft if he wasn’t scowling. This, Ban noticed, seemed to be a trend with the teens. His hair was a bluish tint of black, and sitting on the bridge of his nose were round spectacles that served to give him a somewhat diabolical look.

The blond glanced at the three men then turned to Paul. Hey, old man, we’re looking for the ‘Get Backers’.” Paul bulked a bit at the “old man” remark, but gestured to the trio none-the-less.

“You were hired by Sa-Urahara Kisuke?” the blond asked, his eyes scanning over the assembled men.

“You’re his “associates?” Ban asked, somewhat in disbelief. The three boys emitted strong rietsu, especially the blond, and the large one gave off a hollow aura, but Ban could tell they were young. In fact, on closer inspection, Ban realized that the Hispanic may very well be the same age as the other two boys.

“Yeah.” the blond replied.

You have got to be kidding me… Ban thought. Apparently, some of his disbelief showed on his face, for the slender one’s scowl deepened.

“I assure you, we may be young, but we’re all experienced with this sort of thing.” He said. After inspecting his aura deeper, Ban realized he was a Quincy. Made sense.

“Quincy.”

The Quincy’s eyes widened slightly before quickly going back to normal. The blond and the giant looked over at the boy, then back at Ban, a certain level of suspicion in his brown eyes.

“My name,” the Quincy started, “Is Ishida Uryu. And yes, I am a Quincy.” He said, a grave tone to his voice.

“My name is Kurosaki Ichigo.” the blond stated, “And this guy here,” he pointed up at the giant of a boy, “Is Chad-”

“-Sado,” Chad cut in.

“Yasutora.” Ichigo finished, as if he hadn’t been interrupted by his friend.

Ban nodded “I’m Midou Ban, this blond is Amano Ginji, and that one there,” He said, pointing at Shido, “Is Fuyuki Shido. the sneaky little bastard behind you is Fuuchouin Kazuki.

There was a sudden soft chime of bells behind the boys that made them (save for Chad) jump and turn around to find none other then Kazuki behind them smiling serenely.

Ban smirked, as did Shido. “I’d tell you to put a bell on,” the Beast Master started, “But you’re already wearing one two.”

Kazuki let out a small giggle, then glanced at the boys who were still staring at him. “You three must be who the client sent to aid us. Good afternoon.” He said, the smile never once slipping.

After introductions were made (as well as the realization that Kazuki was indeed male), the seven of them began deliberating on what information they had. All but Chad, and Shido sat at the booth.

“I currently have my informants digging up whatever they can find.” Shido said, leaning against the booth seats slightly. “There have been sightings of a girl that fits that very descriptions around Mugenjou.”

“Any reports of strangeness going on?” Ban asked, looking up at the tall man who was being towered over by Chad.

Shido gave him a “no shit” look. “I really hope you mean stranger then normal. And no, not really. We could see if MakubeX has noticed anything odd.”

“MakubeX?” Ishida asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

“Genius,” Kazuki answered for him, “He’s currently the ‘keeper’ of Lower Town. There’s absolutely nothing that happens in there that he doesn’t know about.”

“Then why didn’t we go talk him then?” Ichigo asked, a little perturbed at the apparent obtuseness of the adults.

“Not that simple.” Shido replied.

“Not even close to simple.” Ban replied “We’d have to fight our way through Lower Town to get to him. Especially since he can’t come to us.”

“Why not?” Chad asked.

“He’s… not exactly…” Kazuki was having a little trouble putting MakubeX’s condition delicately, so Ban decided to help him.

“He’s not real.”

“Eh?” Ichigo asked looking a tad unbelieving.

“He’s a hologram.” Ginji offered “He’s like a 3D image. You can touch him and everything, but he can’t leave Mugenjou.”

“Like one of those virtual reality games? What the hell?”

“Half of Mugenjou is digital. It’s citizens, buildings, everything in there has a 50 chance of being a part of a virtual illusion unless proven otherwise.”

“So, then we fight our way in.”

“These aren’t normal street punks, Blondie.” Ban snapped at Ichigo

Ishida gave the older man a level stare before very calmly stating “Chad punches hollows… In the face.”

“…Touché.”

“…What’s a hollow?” Ginji asked.

“…Big, scary, and eats souls.”

“Oooh…”

“Most people can’t see them, and those who can…” Ishida trailed off.

“Fight them or get eaten.” Kazuki finished for the young boy, earning a look from Shido, Ban and Ginji, as well as the three young boys.

“You’d be amazed what can find out from a library…” Kazuki stated, holding back the urge to roll his eyes.

“None of this makes sense…” Shido finally said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Ban actually did roll his eyes this time. “You were once one of the five strongest thugs in Mugenjou under a guy who generated electricity like an eel with three guys, one who fights with string, another who controls light and a dude who’s a part of the virtual half of Mugenjou and you’re having a problem with this? Do I need to remind you, Monkey Tamer, that you hang out with mice and a lion?”

“…Good point.”

“I’m getting déjà vu.” Ichigo said, looking somewhat perplexed.

“Aren’t there supposed to be more people here.” Ishida asked, “Urahara-san also mentioned transporters to help get the gigai back to the shop.”

Mention of the transporters made Ginji spark unconsciously in a nervous reaction, in turn zapping Ban.

“Oi! Ginji, watch that!”

“Sorry, Ban-chan!”

“Uh…” Ichigo looked between the two, “What the fuck?”

“The transporters are… special.” Kazuki stated.

“Two of them are fine,” Shido spoke up, “But the last one…”

“Is a homicidal maniac with a deep love of blood.” Ban finished.

This made the three teenagers bulk and stare at each other.

“What kind of crazy is Urahara getting us into now!?” Ichigo shouted, about to stand if Chad’s hand on his shoulder hadn’t stopped him.

“What kind of crazy is he usually getting us into?” Ishida asked calmly.

“Urahara’s good at getting people into crazy shit.” Ban said calmly, a slight scowl on his face.

“I take it you know this man personally, Ban-kun.” Kazuki said.

“In a sense… He knows my grandmother, and I spent time with him briefly training. The old man is off his nut.”

“That’s putting it lightly…” Ichigo said.

“Who is this guy, and why the hell does a candy shop owner make fake bodies for death gods?” Shido asked

“The shop is a cover,” Ishida replied, “Urahara caters to exiled and runaway Shinigami, and has for years as far as I can tell. There are countless Shinigami walking amongst us as we speak, thanks to him. He helps them get forced documents and such so they can build a life here.”

Shido mauled over this “How many Shinigami live here then?”

“I don’t know, Urahara doesn’t reveal that information.”

At that point, a mouse scurried up Shido’s pant leg and rested on his shoulder. the man seemed to be listening intently and then his eyes widened.

“She’s definitely in Mugenjou.” Shido said.

“I guess we should call Himiko…” Ban stated as Kazuki moved out of the booth and Ban followed, Ginji in toe.

End Chapter 2

The last time I write that dude’s last name. Love Kazuki, but he needs a shorter/less complicated family name.

AN: Woo, boring “and what you need to know” chapter. Yay. I promise to try and make the next chapter much more entertaining. This stuff is just crap that needed to happen to bring the characters together and shite. Next is Mugenjou! YAY! We get to see Chad FIGHT! WOOT!