Reborn in bleach as a hollow with a system

110 – The Bount

=Karakura Town, Urahara Shop, August 22nd=

Reina and Masaki were in Urahara's living room, but they weren't alone.  Everyone had packed into the little room.

Ichigo, Inoue, Chad, Urahara, Ishida, Renji, Ururu, Jinta and Tessai were sitting at the table with them.

Behind Urahara were his three Modified Souls he had used to trick Ichigo and his friends. Ririn, a short blond haired and blue eyed girl. Kurōdo, an older moustachioed man wearing glasses. His long hair was parted down the middle with one half being black and the other being blonde. Noba, a young man wearing a fur coat that had a zippered hood. The only part of him that were visible were his green eyes and a few fringes of his red hair that escaped the hood.

Sitting beside Urahara was an unknown hot woman with purple hair and chocolate skin.

The atmosphere was tense.

Reina kept staring at the beautiful woman with the purple hair. "Is that really Yoruichi?" She asked in amazement.

Yoruichi smirked and emphasised her assets. "What? Don't you recognise me?" She asked.

Reina shook her head. "So not only aren't you a cat, you're not even male?" She asked.

Yoruichi chuckled. "Not... at... all..." she said.

"You're taking this awfully easy..." Masaki said.

Reina sighed. "Am I supposed to keep freaking out every time something crazy happens?" She asked.

Masaki shrugged. "I guess you have a point," she said.

For once even Urahara looked serious. "So the Bount," he said.

"Bount?" Ishida questioned.

Urahara pulled out a vial filled with some purple fluid. "These spirit particles are probably from a Bount..." he said.

"So what's a Bount?" Ichigo asked impatiently.

Urahara looked over at Yoruichi who nodded back. It seemed they had come to some sort of agreement.

"When I was in the Department of Research and Development I saw residue that looked a lot like this. It's a mysterious spirit particle that reacts with special components of human souls. Upon investigation, I found a tribe called the Bount," Urahara said.

"A tribe?" Ishida asked.

"They are few in number, but the Bount are humans who have special powers like the Quincy. Quincies, having the power to destroy Hollows, brought disaster upon themselves, but Bounts absorb human souls as nourishment. Also, Quincies are born human and die human, but by absorbing human souls, Bounts can live forever. That's all I found out, but I have never been able to see one myself." Urahara explained.

"Live forever--?" Ichigo asked.

"Yes. Bounts gain eternal life by absorbing human souls for food. That's the kind of tribe they are. It seems that depending on the era and place they were also called vampires," Urahara said.

"The way Bounts usually do things is to come and steal the soul of a human who died while konso is being performed on it, but this time the Bount I saw was trying to absorb the soul of a living person," Yoruichi said.

"What happens to people if their souls are sucked out?" Ichigo asked.

"The same thing as when their lives are taken. The result is, in other words death," Urahara said.

"Death?" Inoue asked.

Yoruichi turned to Urahara. "We're still not sure if it's a Bount. Do you suppose that it could be a subspecies of Bount?" She asked.

"Well, who knows..." Urahara said.

"Why are you crossing your arms and thinking so hard! At this rate, there may be more victims!" Ichigo said angrily.

"All right! Just as I expected of you, Kurosaki! You sure have a strong sense of justice!" Urahara retorted.

Ichigo frowned. "Cut the sarcasm," he said.

"So anyway, Ririn..." Urahara said.

Ririn looked surprised. "Huh?" She said.

"Go to Kurosaki's place," Urahara said.

"What? No way!" She retorted.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked.

"Kurosaki, Inoue, and Sado will act as support," Urahara said.

"Support?" Inoue questioned.

Urahara pointed at Ririn, Nobu and Kurōdo. "These three mod souls have spirit particle sensor functions attached," he said.

"Sensors?" Inoue asked.

"They can detect spirit particle waves. In other words, the enemy is targeting living humans. All of you have exceptionally high abilities for humans. You would be tempting prey for them. We're not sure if they'll notice you. We have to find the location of the enemy quickly," Urahara explained.

"Hmm I see. What? Huh? Then what about me?" Ishida said.

"Oh It's as I just said..." Urahara said awkwardly.

"You don't have any abilities!" Ririn bluntly completed it for him.

Ishida looked like he had taken a direct hit.

Ichigo patted Ishida on the shoulder to console him. "That's right isn't it?" he said.

"Now then... So Kurodo will go to Inoue's place," Urahara said.

"Noba, go to Sado's place," Urahara said.

Ririn looked at Ichigo. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. But don't give me too much trouble!" Ririn said.

Ichigo glared back at her. "Wh-What did you say?! You're causing me trouble!" He shouted.

"Oh? I forget, who couldn't defend against my attack? Come on, say it." Ririn responded gloatingly.

"You never shut up!"  Ichigo muttered.

Masaki glared at Ichigo quickly causing him to go silent. "Is that how you talk to a lady?" She asked.

Ririn crossed her arms and looked at Ichigo with a smug look.

Masaki turned to face her unamused causing her to deflate rather quickly.

"Also, you may already know, I want you to hide yourselves in stuffed animals," Urahara told the three Modified Souls.

"Stuffed animals?" Kurōdo questioned.

"Are you serious?" Ririn asked.

Masaki looked over at Reina. "You and me are both possible targets too due to our high spirit power. How about you stay at our place until this blows over? I wouldn't mind some extra protection for my daughters either," She said.

Ichigo frowned. "Daughters? What about your son?" He asked.

Masaki smacked his head. "Are you saying you're so weak you need to be protected by her? Are you intentionally trying to embarrass me?" She asked.

"I... I get it..." he mumbled in annoyance.