Gateway 61

“A little bit over an hour,” Kyoraku said with a sheepish smile.

I held back a wince. The fight in my inner world hadn’t taken long, but learning everything I needed to did.

Thankfully, that was the only absolutely necessary thing I needed to do before going. Rushing through everything else I needed to do in the next hour, so I had an hour to spare after I got to Hogwarts, was fine.

“Do you plan on fighting your way out if we don’t allow your departure?” The Captain Commander asked, raising an eyebrow and giving a pointed look at my hand atop my Zanpakuto’s hilt.

“Fuck no, you’d kick my ass,” I shook my head. “Now, running away? That’s something I can do, and there’d be no way for you to get me before I was already gone.”

The Captain Commander gave a bark of laughter before gazing at me seriously.

“It’s good to know you didn’t let your victory against Captain Kenpachi go to your head,” he nodded. “How long will you be away from your post?”

I released my Zanpakuto with a relieved sigh. His question telling me he wasn’t opposed to my leaving.

“I don’t know exactly,” I started. Trying to calculate how long it’d take for me to come back would be impossible when I didn’t even know how my cooldown got to its starting number. I had theories, but nowhere near enough information for anything more than a vague feeling. “But I’d say a few years at the earliest.”

“Hm,” the Captain Commander grunted, stroking his beard in thought, when I felt someone Flash Stepping in our direction.

“I was wondering what took her so long,” Kyoraku said, looking in the direction Isane was coming from.

Isane Flash Stepped into the training ground with a large traveling bag in hand and a backpack on her back.

“Sorry, I’m late!” She breathlessly exclaimed. “I had to warn my sister I’d be gone for a special mission for a while!”

“Special mission?” I asked.

“Captain Unohana decided to send Lieutenant Isane with you,” Ukitake said. “She was actually planning this for a few weeks now, but she hadn’t warned her yet.”

“A few weeks…” I muttered before sending a glare at Ukitake. “Did you tell everyone in the Seireitei about me!?”

Ukitake shuffled awkwardly while Kyoraku laughed.

“That’s Jushiro! Always gossiping!” He said between laughs.

“It doesn’t matter now,” I rolled my eyes. “Isane, stay here. I have to get my things back at the house and tell Zaraki I’ll be leaving.”

“No need to go find Captain Kenpachi, Captain Unohana went to find him after telling me to pack up,” Isane said.

“Great, I should be back in a few minutes.”

And with that, I apparated to my house.

___

Packing up my things didn’t even take 5 minutes. The main things I had come to take were the research materials I didn’t leave in my pocket, and whatever clothes had access to said pocket. With magic, though, I didn’t really have to worry about that. Two spells and everything I could ever possibly care about in the house was safely stored in my pocket.

Despite living in it for weeks, the house never reached the point of feeling like home, probably because I got it with the knowledge of it being temporary, so I never tried making it my home.

It was a good experience all the same. Yachiru visited frequently, and Nanao, Momo, and Isane also came by occasionally. Apart from that, it was nice to have a place all to yourself, especially when my day-to-day was so filled with people I was in charge of.

But leaving it now, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d miss it. It wasn’t home, but it was mine in a way no place had been before.

I sighed, turning around to cement the place in my memory. I’d get myself one when I got back home, but this was the first.

Closing my eyes, I focused on the next place I needed to go before meeting up with everyone, and with a step, I appeared in the storage building for the Shinigami Academy.

The place was deserted, as expected, with only books and training materials precisely organized, and the lack of dust to prove it was still in use.

My focus was on the back of the building, on a wooden barrel full of unused Asauchi.

I hadn’t taken Doni’s yet to avoid contamination from my spiritual pressure, but now, with them so close to me, I couldn’t help but wonder if I should only take one.

Urahara never said if the one he modified for Luna would be useful as a normal Asauchi, so she’d probably need one. And I felt like my other siblings would appreciate having one of their own.

Thinking it over, there was a big chance of finding other people who might need it or at least make good use of it in my travels.

With a shrug, I shrank and put the entire barrel in my pocket; it wasn’t like anyone would find out it was me anyway.

Another step, and I was in my office on the 11th.

Quickly, I penned a few messages to everyone I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to.

A wave of my hand later, and a flutter of Hell Butterflies left to deliver their messages.

Taking stock of the time, I found myself pleasantly surprised to find out that I had barely taken half an hour to do everything that I needed.

Aizen, Tessai, Kie, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Momo would get their messages together with some other friends I made, while Zaraki and Yachiru should already be at the training ground.

Taking a quick check of the locket to see if Severus had said anything else, I found that he was talking to his past self, explaining everything that had happened in detail and planning for when I got there.

Seeing what both Severus’ had planned, I smirked. He could be downright vicious when he wanted to.

After confirming the plan and telling them I would be there shortly, I stepped back into the training ground, coming face to face with a solemn Zaraki.

___

“So, you’re leaving?” Zaraki asked, his voice with a tinge of disappointment. Yachiru, who was perched on his shoulder, looked as if she was about to cry.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “People need my help back home, and I figured I did a good enough job here that things won’t immediately fall apart the moment I’m gone.”

“Lupinin, are you dumb!?” Yachiru demanded, Flash Stepping to my shoulder and kicking me in the back of the head, jumping from there to stand in front of me with her arms crossed. She looked pissed, but her eyes were starting to tear up. “We don’t care about that! We’re sad our friend is leaving!”

“Goddamnit, Yachiru,” I muttered, holding my head in the place she had kicked before shaking off the pain. “I won’t be gone for too long, just a few years,” I shrugged. “Besides, next time I’ll bring my brother, and he’s the kind of maniac who was born to be on the 11th.”

I felt the other Captains stiffen at that. If Ukitake really said everything he learned, then they know I’m the youngest and weakest of my siblings, so the thought of a sibling with the temperament to be a perfect fit for the 11th was probably sending alarm bells in their heads.

“You promise?” Yachiru asked, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Of course,” I smiled, before an idea struck me. Kneeling in front of her, I pulled out my house keys and some papers. “Here,” I said, giving them to her. “As your Lieutenant, my last order to you before I leave is for you to take care of my house. So I still have a house when I come back. The papers have everything you need to do it.”

I was planning on leaving the house with Nanao, with the idea that she could rent it out, using the money to pay the bills and pocket the extra. But leaving it to Yachiru was a good compromise. She’d either learn some responsibility or create a clusterfuck so big I’d spend my entire time dealing with it when I came back.

“Yes, sir!” Yachiru said, standing at attention with new purpose in her eyes.

Noticing the unholy glint in her eyes, I nodded to myself. Clusterfuck it is, then.

Patting her on the head, I stood up to face Zaraki.

“Were you serious about your brother?” He asked hopefully.

“You have no idea,” I snorted. “I honestly felt bad for not letting him come when I figured out what kind of place the 11th was, and I’m only letting him find out when we’re already here.”

“Then I’ll hold you to that,” he smirked.

“Besides,” I continued, looking slyly at him. “I’ll be much stronger by the time I come back…”

I left the sentence hanging, but he understood the message: If he didn’t want to be left behind, he’d need to get stronger.

Walking away to the other four Captains present, I stopped in front of the Captain Commander and gave him a proper bow.

“Captain Commander, thank you for allowing me to do this,” I said.

“Hm, what did you expect?” He grunted. “I can’t demand you to be loyal to the Gotei if I forbid you from being loyal to your loved ones.”

He stepped back as I looked at the other Captains.

“Captains Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake, thanks for your help and support for the last few months,” I nodded respectfully at them.

“We just did our duties,” “Ah, it was nothing,” “You can thank me by creating that sake conjuring spell!” Unohana, Ukitake, and Kyoraku responded.

Finishing my farewells, I turned to Isane, who was off to the side, checking something in her bag.

“Ready?” I asked, making her jump in surprise.

“Ah, yeah!” She nodded vigorously. “Just checking to see if I didn’t forget anything important.”

“Relax,” I said, waving off her worries. “If you forgot anything, I’m sure we can get a replacement. I’m a King back home, after all.”

“Wait, what!?” She exclaimed, but I was already a few steps ahead of her, drawing my Zanpakuto and calling its release command.

“Read, Stargazer”

___

At the bar in Alex’s inner world, the Punk downed his drink with a laugh.

“And here we go!” He cheered, pouring himself another one.

“Do you think he’ll figure it out?” The Librarian asked through the Punk’s mouth, a hint of doubt in his normal, placid tone.

“I sure fucking hope so!” The Punk grumbled before looking at the ceiling. “There aren’t even stars here,” he finished with a mutter.

___

In a flash of light, the blade of my Zanpakuto turned paper-thin, its grey metal becoming yellowed paper but still maintaining its edge and rigidity.

I ran my hand through it, the texture equal to a blank page in an old book.

Smiling at my Shikai, I held it with both hands, pointing it forward.

The funny thing about Zanpakuto is that, beyond their main abilities, they also work as keys to the Senkaimon, the dimensional gateway between the World of the Living and the Soul Society, which made them perfect to work with my Authority.

"This is the Doorway that heralds all of the beginnings! Whose opening brings forth the new era! Open! Heavenly Doorway of Transmigration!"

As I chanted, I focused the power of my Authority on Stargazer. A golden and purple glow enveloped it, and as soon as I finished, I stabbed it forward and turned it like a key.

A set of ornate, large double doors started forming around the tip of my sword, familiar double doors.

Hogwarts' main doors appeared before me, and as I removed Stargazer, they opened to reveal the Entrance Hall, deserted due to the task happening at the back of the castle.

“Isane! Let’s go!” I said, stepping through.

“Coming!” Isane responded, rushing through the doorway as the doors started to close behind us, turning around to give her last goodbyes.

Farewells came from the other side until I heard the latch of the doors click. It was only then that Isane started paying attention to our surroundings.

“Welcome, Isane,” I said, sheathing my Zanpakuto and waving her further inside. “To Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!”

She looked around with wide eyes. The marble staircase, the torches lighting the place, and then, she zeroed in on the paintings.

Moving closer to the painting of a lady drinking tea in a sunny courtyard, Isane gave an EEP of surprise when the lady spoke to her.

“Hello, dear, what can I do for you?”

Giving the painting a confused look, Isane turned to me.

“What did she say?” She asked, making me almost facepalm myself for forgetting she didn’t speak English.

Poking her head, I cast the Knowledge Transfer spell I got from one of the books of the Order back home.

“Can you understand me?” I asked her in English.

“Yeah!” She nodded, already turning back to the painting when I caught her by the arm.

“Sorry,” I said, both to Isane and the painting. “But we’re in a rush right now, you can talk tomorrow.”

And with that, I pulled Isane along while, with a wave of my hand, I made her luggage float and follow behind us.

___

I guided Isane along the corridors until we reached the classroom where Severus and Luna were staying. Opening the door, a blonde missile hit me with a sob.

Hugging Luna and gently stroking her back to calm her down, I looked at Severus.

“So, any additions to the plan?” I asked softly.

“Not for us,” he shook his head. “But the present versions of myself and Luna will have to be ready to return to the past and close the loop.”

I nodded in understanding, feeling the turmoil inside Luna subside considerably with my presence.

“And who is that?” Severus brusquely asked after looking at Isane behind me.

“Oh!” Isane said, stepping inside the room and bowing towards Severus. “I’m Isane Kotetsu, Lieutenant of the 4th division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. My Captain ordered me to come with Alex to learn more about his type of magic.”

Caught unprepared by Isane’s standard Japanese etiquette, Severus opened and closed his mouth a few times before introducing himself.

“Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts,” he said with a respectful nod.

“I-I’m L-Luna Lovegood,” Luna said, and I could tell it took a lot out of her to hold herself back again. She’d been doing an admirable job of doing so until I arrived, but as soon as she saw me, the floodgates opened. “I’m Alex’s girlfriend.”

“Introductions are all well and good,” Severus interrupted Isane’s response. “But we’re on a time limit. Alex, you should head to the pitch and start your part. Miss Kotetsu, you can stay here with us and wait for Alex,” he checked the time. “We still have over an hour until Potter and Delacour get taken to the cemetery, but I’d rather you go there now to avoid any mishaps.”

Pulling back slightly from Luna, I looked into her eyes.

“Will you be fine until I come back?” I asked, not only to her.

“Her emotions calmed down, but you’ll still need to turn her by tomorrow.”

‘Thanks, Stargazer,’

“I’m fine,” Luna said, taking a deep breath and pulling me with all her might towards her.

The kiss blew all our previous ones out of the water, our tongues exploring each other’s mouths with love and desperation.

Her hands burrowed into my hair, and while one of mine did the same, the other traveled lower, giving her ass a firm squeeze. I was lost in her, and she was lost in me.

I felt her muscles tense to literally jump my bones when Severus cleared his throat.

We quickly separated and turned to look at him.

He was giving us an unamused glare, arms crossed impatiently.

Isane, who had moved to stand beside him, was covering her eyes with her hands—although there was a small gap between her fingers that let her see what was happening—and her face was flushed deep red.

“Are you done?” Severus asked sarcastically.

I gave Luna another peck on the lips.

“Yep, all done now.”

“Good,” he said. “Now go! Before something unexpected happens and someone else dies!” He barked.

“Fine!” I rolled my eyes before turning to Luna.

“Make him suffer,” she said.

“He made you cry,” I said, kissing her forehead. “I will.”

As I approached the door, I cast, “Bakudo #26: Kyokko!” And disappeared from view.

___

Forty or so minutes later, I heard Harry and Fleur start rushing toward the Cup from my position behind it.

I put away the book I was reading, waiting for the moment to activate the portkey with them.

The instant their hands touched the Cup, I put my finger on it, letting it take me away to the graveyard Severus had heard from Harry.

As we landed, Harry folded over and started groaning in pain, while Fleur pointed her wand at a man approaching us. I followed invisibly by her side, waiting.

The man looked rough, with matted hair and a ratlike face, his clothes dirty and old. He had a baby-like bundle in his arms, but I could feel it was anything but.

“Kill the spare,” rasped the creature from the bundle, and the man raised his wand at Fleur.

“Avada Kedavra!” He cast, sending a jet of emerald green death at her.

Dispelling my Kido and revealing myself, I caught the spell in my hand, preventing its dispersal with a pre-cast stabilization Kido Tessai had taught me.

“Well,” I said in a reproachful tone. “This isn’t how you treat a lady.”

___

A/N: And that’s that

Didn’t expect that first section to go on for so long, but considering how long it’ll take to get back into Bleach, I thought it was appropriate.

As always, thank you all for your support! See you again next week.