Tygerlander Contest Enrtee: Fall Festival

Shiroitora was walking out of the river and onto the land next to it. she had been hunting for a capture level 50 puffer manta yesterday when a storm had suddenly hit. and the strong currents had brought her here, to this town. She looked around, saw a bridge, many cars and lots of people. If she could find out where she was, she would also be able to find out how to get back to her home and blue. Her animal partner was probably worried about her as she hadn’t returned from her hunt yet.

she stood out between the people, as she was wearing her hunting clothing. But as she was used to swimming at deep depths, she was also used to the cold, meaning the autumn weather didn’t feel all that bad. She found a map of town quick enough. Currently she was in; Karakura town, in Japan. That would be quite the swim back home, but at least now she knew in what direction she had to swim.

as she started walking back to the river, as she was about to turn a corner, she bumped into someone. She and the other person knocked each other to the ground. She heard a yelp and a familiar voice said: ‘forking ham! Look where you’re going you forking,…’ the outburst stopped and Shiroitora saw she had bumped into Akimoto, the speed chef. they were both pulled up by Kabe, Akimoto’s combo partner, who was wearing a wide leather jacket and a wide leather pants, probably to hide his extra arms and legs.

Kabe grinned and said: ‘so, what brings you here Shiroi-chan, are you here for the fireworks show tonight as well?’ Shiroitora shook her head and replied: ‘no I’m not. I was pulled here by the currents of a storm when I was hunting yesterday. So, I’m guessing that the two of you are here for that reason?’ Akimoto nodded and replied: ‘we sure are. There’s a festival tonight with food stands and, of importance to Kabe, many people wear Yukatas. And as he never made one for me before, he thought this would be a good opportunity.’

Shiroitora nodded and replied: ‘well, have fun with that you two. I have to go back home now. Blue’s probably worried about me.’ she started walking away, but was however stopped by Kabe, who had a mischievous grin on his face. she looked questioningly at him, before he said: ‘I think it would be a good idea if you stay, Shiroi-chan. Aki-chan and I will have fun for sure. but I heard that Coco was planning on coming here as well. just imagine his surprise to see you here, at that fireworks festival, wearing a yukata.’

a blush came to her face, Coco was coming here. … well, that probably meant he would come on Kiss, which meant a quicker way home for her. but to also be dressed in a yukata,… she wasn’t sure of it. she sighed and replied: ‘do I have to?’ Kabe and Akimoto nodded, both took her by an arm and walked with her back into the city.

{at the Urahara shop}

Katrina and Pandora walked out of the shop in their Gigai, dressed in normal clothing. This meant, they still had a few hours to find yukatas that suited them and get to that festival and fireworks show. They had both invited their boyfriends to come at a certain time. Izuru and Ranmaru would certainly be surprised to see their girls in traditional clothing.

however, before that, they still had some time to check out some manga and music stores. As always, the girls had fun with each other, but they didn’t lose track of time, like other times when they came here on their free days. so after an hour of fun, they went into a clothing store to check out and try on some yukatas.

as they were in that store, they also noticed three other people who stood out. A big man with stripes on his forehead, as if he had eyes there, wearing a big jacket and pants, in which he could fit four legs. A woman with dark brown eyes and a white headband, who was acting the part of a tomboy and another woman with pale seafoam green hair in a ponytail. The man shook his head and replied: ‘nope, these would never do. sure they look nice and all, but I could do a better job for sure. ladies, we need to find a fabric store, buy some good material, I’ll pay. And with that, I’ll make yukatas for you, for free.’

Katrina and Pandora looked up; did that guy say he’d make them for free? The girls looked at each other with a smile and quickly walked toward the man and the women that were leaving. Katrina stepped in front of them and said: ‘sorry to bother you, but did you just say you could make Yukatas for free? For tonight if possible? If so, can we get one as well?’ Shiroitora looked at the two girls, one had black hair and a black cloth around her neck and the other had blue hair in one ponytail and five braids. Kabe smiled and replied: ‘sure. it means more exercise for me, as well as more fun. Let’s go ladies. I’ll look up a store, you ladies just chat until I find one.’

Kabe left and Akimoto followed him. sure she’d like to stick around, but she wouldn’t feel right abandoning her partner in a strange city. Shiroitora smiled politely and held out her hand: ‘I’m Shiroitora Kamidogu, nice to meet you.’ Katrina nodded and shook her hand and replied: ‘I’m Katrina Lau, likewise.’ Pandora shook the hand as well and said: ‘I’m Pandora Takano, nice to meet you too.’

the three women headed toward the park to sit down and chat. Pandora told about her favorite music and manga stores. And if they had time, she would have taken Shiroitora there as well. Katrina asked: ‘so, why are you here Shiroitora. By looking at your clothing, I don’t think you’re from around here.’ Shiroitora shook her head and replied: ‘no, I uh, am a professional swimmer and fisher as well. I went fishing yesterday and than a storm came and the currents of the see brought me here. But I think I can convince my boyfriend to give me a ride back. According to Kabe, that big guy, he’s coming tonight.’ Pandora smiled and said: ‘well, I guess that makes three of us than. Our boyfriends are coming tonight as well. and with this Kabe guy making us yukatas, we’ll be sure to made them completely speechless.’

the two others agreed on that. the reason why Katrina hadn’t said what she really was, a gourmet hunter, was because of what she had overheard in the city earlier. It seemed these people didn’t know what that was. And it was probably also the reason why Kabe had covered up so much.

after sitting for fifteen minutes, Akimoto came running into the park, stopped in front of them and said: ‘he did it. Kabe found some good material to make the yukatas. Come on ladies, the artist needs his models before the creation can start. And you want them done by tonight right?’ the three nodded and followed Akimoto. As the followed here, Katrina asked: ‘what exactly did your friend mean by; “the artist needs his models”?’

Shiroitora sighed and replied: ‘before Kabe can make someone a piece of clothing, he needs to see the people that are going to wear those clothes, so he can make something special just for them.’ Akimoto looked back, stopped momentarily and said: ‘apologies. I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Akimoto, nice to meet you.’ the two others nodded and introduced themselves as well and continued to follow her.

eventually they walked into a hotel, Akimoto told the person behind the counter there should be a room for them and they headed up there. they went into the room and all four ladies thought they had just walked into a clothing fabric store. And Kabe sat in the middle of the room. when the ladies came in, he smiled and said: ‘nice to meet you ladies, my name if Kabe Kurōrā.’ Katrina and Pandora introduced themselves and Kabe stood up and walked toward them.

Akimoto stepped forward and Kabe walked around her, wrote down things on his notebook as he did and checked out every angle. Shiroitora had closed her eyes, completely red in the face, as she knew he was taking measurements for the yukata he was going to make. Katrina and Pandora couldn’t believe what they were seeing. That man had the nerve to check out a girl’s curves from up close without the slightest hint of doing something improper. And Akimoto simply allowed all of that to happen.

after Kabe was done, he walked over to Shiroitora, who had to resist the urges to step back and hit him in the face. him walking around her, checking out her arms, her back, her legs, he waist and her chest, she had clenched both hands into fists. Luckily she knew he was a professional at his work.

Kabe finished writing his page, nodded and said: ‘okay, Kat-chan, Pan-chan, who of you wants to go first?’ Katrina and Pandora looked at each other, than at the other two and Akimoto said: ‘he shortens every woman’s name. don’t worry, he’s no pervert, he’s just a professional. But, feel free to hit him. the first time he did this with me and Shi-chan, we tried hitting him too.’

Pandora sighed, blushed slightly, than stepped forward and Kabe started walking around her, checking her out the same way he had done the other two before her, but the moment he looked at her chest, she couldn’t take it anymore. She threw a punch! She was surprised when Kabe dodged the punch, scribbled something else down and said: ‘thank you. now; Kat-chan, your turn.’

Katrina sighed, blushed as well, as she knew that this guy was going to check and stare at every angle of her. Kabe walked around her slowly and Katrina had to seriously resist the urge to hit this guy. As he finished he asked: ‘that black strap around your neck,… do you want to keep it? or shall I make something new for you?’ Katrina felt it and said: ‘no, that’s fine. I’ll keep it right where it is.’

Kabe nodded, wrote something else down, than sat down, flipped to a next page and started drawing. After making four drawings, he pulled back into the next room with all the clothing fabric and locked the door, so he could fully focus on his art. The four ordered some room service and enjoyed the food. Although Akimoto was quite sure she could do a better job cooking.

one hour later, Kabe came out of the other room and said: ‘ladies, your yukatas are finished. Aki-chan, Shiroi-chan, Kat-chan and Pan-chan, your names are on them. I’ll retreat toward the lobby, so you can put them on in private.’ Kabe walked to the door and left. and with him gone, the four walked into the next room and saw four yukatas hanging ready. The four changed out of the clothes and put on the yukatas, helping each other with putting the sash around their waists. And finally, they were done.

Katrina was wearing a lavender yukata with a black sash. Pandora was wearing a pale green yukata with a blue sash. Shiroitora was wearing a white Yukata with a light blue sash. And Akimoto was wearing a black yukata with a white sash. Neither Katrina nor Pandora told her what they were thinking; that she was looking like a soul reaper in those clothes. The put on their sandals and left the room, heading down to the lobby, where Kabe was waiting. And to Shiroitora’s big surprise; Coco was there as well.

Coco was surprised when he saw her, looking stunning in her yukata. Kabe looked at all of them and said: ‘good clothing material, made into great yukatas, worn by beautiful women; perfect combination.’ Coco nodded and walked toward Shiroitora, having found his tongue again and said: ‘when I read my own fortune this morning, it said I would be very happy if I came to Karakura town. And now I see why that is. Shi-chan, never have my eyes beheld such beauty.’ Shiroitora blushed, but smiled too.

Katrina looked at it and smiled, it seemed shiroitora’s boyfriend was a gentleman. She than heard a gasp from behind her. when she looked, she saw Pandora looking at the entrance, completely shocked. She mumbled something about: ‘what is he doing here?’ when Katrina looked, she knew why Pandora was shocked. Atlas Akuma, Pandora’s fellow hollow rider, who had a hobby of annoying the hell out of Pandora, stood there, watching everything with his usual calm smile, but also with a glimmer in his eyes. He then turned around, walked outside and said: ‘hey Izuru and mister idiot, I found them. they’re in here!’

Katrina was now surprised as well. she looked at the time and as Atlas came back in, Izuru and Ranmaru followed him. Ranmaru was angry over being called an idiot. But then anger evaporated when he saw four women in yukatas. Especially seeing Pandora in a yukata was what made his day complete. Izuru was also stunned at seeing Katrina in a yukata. Atlas grinned and said: ‘well, who knew that the ladies would be playing dress up? Oh, look at the time, better not keep Laura waiting. Later guys, later ladies. Later quintuple tails!’

at that last remark Pandora snapped, she was not identified as one of the ladies! She replied: ‘shut up you stupid walking rainbow!’

as the night had come and the festival had started, the four couples went by the food and game stands. Kabe with Akimoto, Coco with Shiroitora, Izuru with Katrina and Ranmaru with Pandora. And while Katrina was against public displays of affection, she didn’t mind walking with Izuru, having their arms hooked with the other, like a real couple. This way, no other guys would try to flirt with her at least.

every one of them bought one of the masks that was sold at one of the stands. Shiroitora had a dragon mask, Coco a monkey mask, Katrina a tiger mask, Izuru a snake mask, Pandora a dog mask, Ranmaru an alien mask, Akimoto a cat mask and Kabe a spider mask.

all of them enjoyed the games, like throwing rings around sticks, trying to catch fish and throwing balls at stacked up cans. And of course, everyone enjoyed the food. The ladies were all making sure not to get their new yukatas dirty and the boys were smart enough to help them.

and eventually the time came, a big drum was hit, drawing everyone’s attention. And when everyone had gathered near the tower with the big drum on it, the firework show started. One after the other in quick succession was launched. The sky was lit up brightly each time one exploded. Coming to this autumn festival had been a great idea.

and as the end of the festival was drawing near, each of the four couples walked away from all the stands to a private part, where no others could see them. Coco wrapped his arms around Shiroitora and pulled her a little closer. She smiled and said: ‘just so you know, this is no mithridatism.’ And with that said, she kissed him on his lips.

Katrina, with no others around, especially no squad 10 lieutenant and her camera, didn’t mind pulling Izuru close and kissing him. she had certainly enjoyed a great day. Ranmaru, bold as ever, pulled Pandora close, laying one hand on her bottom and the other on her cheek as he kissed her. she had simply wrapped her arms around him. then they both heard that annoying voice: ‘I feel so tempted to drop a bucket of water over you.’ they broke their kiss, looked up and saw Atlas standing there in his soul reaper getup, with his usual calm grin.

without any hesitation, they both swallowed their soul candies, popped out of their Gigai and chased after Atlas, who launched balls of water into their faces.

one hour later the entire group had gathered in front of Urahara’s shop. Pandora and Katrina said their goodbyes to Shiroitora and Akimoto, wishing them both the best of luck. Kabe and Coco said their goodbyes to Ranmaru and Izuru, telling both of them to take good care of their girls.

when Coco, Shiroitora, Kabe and Akimoto had left, the four stepped out of their Gigais, handed them back to the store owner and headed back toward the soul society. And outside of town, Coco and Shiroitora stepped on Coco’s animal partner Kiss, an emperor crow and flew into the night, back home. Kabe and Akimoto stepped on Kabe’s large Metallo spider, who started running back home.

{back by the river}

the large Coelacanthic Dragon Blue, Shiroitora’s animal partner, crawled out of the river. He was certain Shiroitora had to be here somewhere. He knew he should have gone with her on that hunt.