Chapter 3: Time to Part, Again

You were the ones who said to fight you! Don't run away from us, you cowards!

Uryu, calm down. You're going to faint again.

I don't need for you to worry about me. Besides, you should have been more careful not to let them escape.

Huh?! Are you saying it's my fault?!

I noticed it too. You weren't focused on the fight, Ichigo. Did you have something else on your mind?

Well, the hunters are after the secret treasure, right? I can't figure out why they needed to kidnap Orihime and Momo.

Isn't Rukia the crystal treasure?

In other words, the hunters were actually after me, but they mistakenly kidnapped the others instead.

That's not what I meant!

I'm saying that maybe they weren't kidnapped by the hunters. There might be another reason why they disappeared!

What could that reason be?

I don't know either.

There's no point in wondering if you have no idea. Let's go after the hunters.

There they are! Don't let them escape this time!

I didn't expect you to come for us again.

They caught up to us fast. We must be getting old.

I'm nowhere near old. They wouldn't have found us if I were alone.

Do you really think we'd let you keep talking? We'll stop you this time. Prepare yourselves!

Wait, Toshiro! Let's try to talk this out first!

I'm not Toshiro! It's Wolfman Hitsugaya!

Bankai.

Daiurufu Hyorinmaru!

We've got 'em! Now's our chance!

Pumpkin, pumpkin.

Is everyone alright?

Momo! You're safe!

What are you talking about, Shiro? You were the ones being attacked. I'm glad we made it in time.

Wait, so where have you guys been?

Well, after we split up with you, we went back to the castle to go get some bombs.

Puuumpkin, pumpkin.

Do you think this is enough to help everyone out?

Yeah! We should head back now.

Hey!

The pumpkin bombs!

Wait for meeeee!

Orihime, where do you think we are?

It looks like we've wandered really deep into the forest. I might have gotten a little lost. Hehe.

What part of this was a kidnapping?

How else would you have analyzed the situation back there?!

So you guys were just lost the whole time?

Well, I'm glad you're both safe. Isn't that right, Captain?

Yeah, I guess. Stop causing us trouble.

Just be honest with yourself. We all know how worried you were.

Huh? Where did our dads go?

I guess they ran away again. Why did they come attack us in the first place?

Phew, that was a close one. They were about to get us real good.

I can't believe they refused to listen even after all that explaining. He still has much to learn.

It looked to me like he's just taking after a certain someone.

............

Ow!

You know, kids will grow up on their own eventually. You don't have to worry so much.

Well, now that everything's settled, I guess it's my turn to do the job. Isn't that right, Ichigo?

Huh? What do you plan to do now?

Have you forgotten already? You're such an idiot. This is a dream world, and I am a demon who shows you dreams.

Oh, right. So can you just wake me up then?

I hate to inform you, but this doesn't even happen to be your dream.

Wait, it's not?! Then whose dream is it?

Farewell, Ichigo!

Don't you have any other way to do this, dammit?!

What a dream... Wow.

I feel like I've seen a similar dream before.