Kisuke and Yoruichi were on their way to the outskirts of Karakura Town, to be more specific, towards Haruto's Mansion. It had been one month since the team's return from the Soul Society. Ichigo, Uryu, Chad and Orihime had pretty much gotten used to their routine lives once again, taking down a few audacious Hollows here and there.
Haruto and Naruko had created a large Mansion in the forest encircling Karakura Town, away from the noises of the town but still close enough to reach it quickly. They had practically disappeared for two weeks into their mansion, not even coming out to accept visitors, though Karakura Town had experienced some unexpected and strange tremors during those two weeks.
Kisuke had a pretty good idea of what they were up to during those two weeks. Yoruichi had been particularly upset about that rule since she had been expecting to get some answers.
Yoruichi had told him all about Haruto's mind-boggling victory against the Head Captain. He had to confess, he was a person who was not easily surprised by many things, yet that information had left him speechless for a whole day. Just what kind of power did the blond possessed to be able to nearly kill the Head Captain without even the use of any Technique?
While he had seen many strong individuals during his Captaincy such Captain Unohana and Zaraki Kenpachi, yet even those two didn't have nearly enough power to actually fight the Head Captain and hope to survive the confrontation.
The fact that he had been unaffected by a level 90 Kido while being restrained was mind-numbing. He had already been suspicious since the day he had met the two blonds in the park, but that report had proven him right. To be fair, the creation of the Mansion right in front of him from nothingness was pretty convincing.
The two former Captains walked out of the border of the town and into the forest with comfortable silence. Despite being individuals of such power and in possession of strange and quite destructive quirks, both of the blonds seemed to enjoy living in a wild and natural landscape instead of a technologically advanced town or city.
The Uzumaki Mansion was what you would call a true piece of art. As indicated from the name, the mansion was quite large and tall with four red crystal pillars standing at the four corners of the mansion. Black and red stones, beautifully interlinked with each other, decorated the entirety of the building.
The gate of the mansion was a shining gold, with a large letter of U and insignia of a Whirlpool proudly engraved upon its shining surface. A large and heartwarmingly magnificent waterfall was situated behind the mansion thus surrounding it by clear blue water from all sides with a beautiful wooden path connecting it to the main land.
The sides or edges of the lake surrounding the mansion were decorated with large Peach trees, painting the whole lake and the surrounding area with a peaceful and serene light pink.
"Man, some people just get all the good luck," Kisuke commented lazily and gazed at the peaceful environment surrounding the mansion. Why couldn't he get to live here? I mean he was a genius who created the Hogyoku! Where was all the fairness!?
"Not the time to get all emotional on me Kisuke, we're here for a reason." Yoruichi retorted and walked through the wooden path towards the large mansion.
She may have scolded Kisuke for being emotional, but she had to admit Haruto and Naruko had pretty good tastes. The soft breeze sweeping over the crystal clear water of the lake and the light pink leaves floating around made up for a very heart-warming and serene environment.
Kisuke shook his head to clear his head from the depressing thoughts and followed after Yoruichi to the front gate. The large golden gate opened with a hiss as soon as they reached it. The inside of the mansion was quite large. A large hall-like living room with comfortable looking sofas and chairs situated here and there.
Two sets of red carpeted stairs were starting from the two sides of the living room up to the second floor of the mansion where the master Bedroom was located. Near the one side of the stairs, a corridor could be seen leading to the Kitchen and Dining room. The other side of the stair was leading to the Guest rooms, not that they needed it much.
Kisuke and Yoruichi entered the Living Room and saw Naruko sitting on a comfy sofa, reading a book. The powerhouse known as Haruto was nowhere to be seen. The beautiful blonde haired woman looked up from her reading and saw the two ex-Shinigamis enter the room, not really surprised by their arrival since she and Haruto had sensed the approaching threat.
"Hello Naruko, it's great to see you again." Yoruichi started lightly and sat down in a chair in front of the blonde followed by Kisuke.
"Yo," the former Captain greeted, only to receive a bonk on the head from the feline loving women.
"Be respectful!"
She was referring to their abilities. Should the blonde get even a little angry, Kisuke's ass was as good as gone.
"Sorry."
"It's ok, I didn't expect anything good from him anyway." Naruko stated with a smirk while Kisuke's head dropped in resignation. No respect at all! "Anyway, what would you like for refreshment?"
"No it's ok, we're here for something important actually. That reminds me, where is Haruto?" Yoruichi asked curiously.
"He is outside meditating." She answered simply and reopened her book.
Kisuke and Yoruichi gave each other confused looks. "Umm… we didn't sense him outside."
"Have any of you ever been able to sense him before?" she asked pointedly, prompting the two to smile sheepishly, knowing what she said was true.
"Ok, you have a point there, but can you call him? This is important."
"Haruto, I know you can hear me, so stop being a drama queen and get inside." Naruko announced without even bothering to look up from her book, knowing Haruto was listening to their conversation outside.
Haruto slowly floated to the living room in his usual grinning glory with his Shakujo floating beside him, and sat down beside Naruko. "Hello there Kitty and Bucket'
Yoruichi and Kisuke sweatdropped at their nicknames.
His grin suddenly vanished, his eyes lost all its warmth and mirth, replaced by a serious and calm look that sent shivers down the two Ex-Captain's spines. "I assume you are here in regards to the new threat? The Bounts."
Kisuke and Yoruichi looked shocked that he knew before they even had time to explain. Just how did he come by that information?
"How did you know that?" Kisuke asked, surprised that he knew about the Bounts already.
Haruto smiled slightly. "I know everything recorded in the Dairiesho Archives."
"Well… that makes our visit here pretty much pointless." the blond Shinigami muttered as a sweat drop slid across his head, his fan hiding the lower half of his face. What they had come for had turned out pretty much useless since Haruto already knew about it.
The blond had taken all the fun out of it!
"Kisuke, I know you plan on testing Ichigo and the others by using those new Mod Souls that you have created in order to prepare him for the Bount threat. Don't."
Kisuke was once again surprised to hear that Haruto knew about the Mod Souls as well as his plan to test Ichigo and his friends. However, his rejection of the method he had in mind was confusing. "Why not?"
"Because I'll take care of them when the time comes. I suggest you take Ichigo and his friends to your underground training area and train them for the eventual fight against Aizen, In fact don't even tell him about the Bounts until he finds out himself." Haruto explained calmly, prompting Kisuke to think over the suggestion.
He had to admit, it was appealing. If Haruto was willing to take care of them, then they were as good as gone, regardless of their numbers or strength.
"Well, I guess I'll get back to my work. Man, if you knew about the Bounts already, why didn't you say anything before? I came all the way here for nothing!" he whined and walked out of the room with a visible aura of depression surrounding his body.
Yoruichi remained seated on her sofa and looked at the two blonds expectantly.
"Well, Naru, Kitty here obviously wants some answers. I have some business to take care of. Would you be a dear and tell her about us?" Haruto smiled, taking a hold of his black staff and floated upstairs to his room, leaving behind a triumphant Yoruichi and a scowling Naruko.
Why was she always left with the explaining part!?