When the sun finally began to set, Shido, Shūhei and Kai waved goodbye to Hikone. The three started to make their way back to the main village by using the path which they took on their way there.
"So Kai? Shido told me that you could become a Soul Reaper. Do you plan on joining the academy?"
"You have to go to school for that kind of stuff? I figured that it was an internship or something. The after life sucks."
"Worry not, because you two will have it easy. Ever since the last Quincy invasion, the number of Soul Reapers had greatly decreased. We even had to rely on outside help at some point, so they cut the 5 year course into a 3 year one."
Despite the good news, Shido seemed very bitter about it.
"Quincy invasion?"
"You weren't there for that weren't you? Just don't think about it too much. You'll find out eventually."
"That is if I even decide to become a Soul Reaper. I just have someone I need to find. Even if surviving is expensive, I'll eventually figure it out."
After walking for some time, the three made it back to the original dirt path. They began to ascend it, and the village was soon in sights. Before they reached the end, kai asked,
"So why doesn't Hikone live with the others? She seemed to have been a little upset when you had to go?"
"It was a long while ago, but they used to be very naïve. They've grown a lot since then but they still struggle to think for themselves. It was even their idea to move out into the forest alone so that they couldn't be used by anyone."
"Won't she be in danger that way?"
"Once Hikone gets worked up, they can even become stronger than me. I've been trying to convince them to become a Soul Reaper, but her indecisiveness always made her say no."
So she struggles to move forward huh? Just like how I was back then.
Shūhei got on his motorcycle and fashioned his helmet around his head. He waved goodbye to everyone, which was also responded in kind by everyone in the village, before he drove off.
"Hey Shido? I'll come back next week to pick you up. The admissions for the Shinigami school are next week, so be prepared before then."
He rocketed into the distance, leaving behind a trail of dust and tire tracks. The two continued to look off into the distance, enjoying the view of the sunset.
"So you're going next week? Will the village people be fine without you?"
"They'll manage. This place is small so they will be able to sort out infighting amongst themselves, besides Sakitani is here, so he will probably take charge after me."
"Who is that?"
"You forgot him already? It's the bald old looking guy."
A couple hours later
A dim light from the nearby lamp, filled the small room. Kai and Shido lay in their own futon beds, recollecting their thought. Kurenai hid themselves in the corner of the room resting its wings.
Before he fell asleep Kai asked, "You never got to tell me what happened to this village in the past? Would you mind telling it to me now?"
Shido got up and then put their index finger on their lips, urging Kai to keep quiet.
"Never talk to anyone about this incident outside this district... got it?"
Kai silently nodded.
"This district and village used to be much bigger in the past, but things changed around 8 years ago. In the last Quincy invasion the Soul Reapers successfully beat them, and protected the Soul King who controls everything which happens in Soul Society. For some reason during that time, Central 46, who you could call the government of this world decided to..."
He struggled to breathe as he spoke, and then began to choke. Kai quickly helped him clear his voice, but he saw that Shido was crying. He pushed Kai away before wiping his tears.
"Hey?! What gives!?"
"I'm sorry about that. It's a bit of a hard tale to tell. It would honestly be better if people forgot history like that."
"If it upsets you, then you can tell me when you're ready."
Kai got back into his Futon bed, and wrapped himself around his blankets. Shido turned off the lamp light before going to sleep.
Once Kai awoke, he found himself in a world filled with endless sand and shadow. Impossibly, the sky was a chaotic mess of day and night, with no order in sight. He got up and began to shout random names hoping for any signs of life.
"YUKIKO?, MIKOTO??? SHIDO??, KURENAI??"
Yet no one responded.
He felt a sudden earthquake which spread throughout that empty world, and then soon enough the sand began to rise before a large gate emerged from the earth. It was a familiar gate, almost as if Kai had seen it in a dream of the past. The gate was purple in colour, and still had 2 golden skeletons merged into its doors. But unlike before, instead of the old man with a burning sword guarding it, there was a new indescribable enemy.
"Who are you?", Kai asked it.
"##@M?/*&£nMlsK~}[[>
It spoke words which Kai could not understand. It wasn't a different language but more like, its words couldn't reach him.
"What?? I couldn't catch that?"
"What are you scared of?"
"You're answering my question with another question. At least give me an answer first."
The entity then pointed past him him, far off into the distance. Kai tried to look where he was pointing, before quickly passing out.
Somewhere in the Rukon District
Co-Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, was still driving on his way back to the Seireitei until he began to get violent phone call from his Soul Pager. He was likely the only one in Soul Society with a motorcycle, but holding great respect for the law, he stopped his journey, and parked his vehicle.
He dug into the pockets of his Shihakushō, and pulled out a modern looking phone. This was the prototype for the new Soul Pager which was made by Squad 12's department of research and development. It was fashioned in the image of a modern day phone, unlike the flip phones which other Soul Reapers used. Hisagi had early access to this, as he was asked to advertise it in the Seireitei bulletin.
Once Hisagi picked up the phone, he was met with the angry remarks his squads captain.
"SHUHEI, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU??"
"I'm on my way back to the Seireitei. I think I'm around the 39th district? I should only be 2 more hours away. What's wrong Captain Muguruma?"
"Turn back around and head to the 64th district. The department of Research has detected a Menos Grande rank Hollow as well as several other Hollows that just broke in from there. Members from the seventh division are also on their way so you'll receive back up."
Hearing this, he immediately hung up his phone, before reeving up the engine on his motorcycle. He turned it around and quickly sped back to the 64th district.
"You guys better be okay."