The crossed paths

Hope

[2 days until the arrival of Walpurgis]

One thing was acting like a leader, the other thing was being one, and the third thing is becoming a tyrant. In Seiya's words, Ichigo was dangerously close to the third option, and hell if he was going to let that orange-haired idiot become power crazy.

With these thoughts in mind, he bursted inside the tent where the Substitute Shinigami was supposed to be, and the moment he spotted him, he strolled towards Ichigo, pushing everyone to the side, and finally reaching him, grabbing him by the collar of his Shikakusho [1], and with incredible strenght, he almost face planted him on the ground, if not for the orange haired male's trained reflexes and inmediate counterattack by kicking the smaller Saint's stomach. Good grief he had put his Pegasus Armour on, or else, those would be two ugly, broken ribs.

Homura and Sora were in the tent as well, and sensing the conflict, the Magical Girl activated her powers and stopped time right when Ichigo was about to unsheath his Zanpakutou, Zangetsu, elevating the conflict tenfold.

-HOLD IT, YOU TWO!- screamed Sora, before Homura activated her magic. [2]

For the Magical Girl, the world turned a shade of blue the second her shield rotated, indicating the beginning of her Time stopping technique. She noticed that Ichigo had a pose closer to beginning his attack, so unfreezing him first was a bad idea. She went and touched Seiya's shoulder, releasing him, and as he gasped for breath, not knowing what was going on, Homura mentally casted her spell on him, allowing the Saint to walk freely through her Time stopping as long as she allowed it.

She had a deep frown on her usually emotionless face, silently questioning Seiya for his sudden actions. She gave him "a minute" to recover, before demanding an explanation.

-Unfreeze him now, Akemi-san.- grunted Seiya, his tone dangerously deep -He has a lot to explain.

-What exactly are you expecting him to explain, Saint of Pegasus?!

Seiya recovered his breath before speaking up again.

-He's slowly taking control of our duties! Listen carefuly, Magical Girl. Years ago, we agreed to never promote someone to Master unless all the other Masters gave their approval to the new candidate; we agreed to never transfer a Student to another Master abruptly and with no reason, for the bond between them is to be respected beyond ranks. I gave up my title of Master since... since one of my Students suffered the consequences of my own actions, so I didn't know, until a few minutes ago, that Ichigo had promoted Kamina and demoted Tsubasa of his title, without anyone's permission, because of some... some... silly argument! He's breaking agreements he himself made, with me and everyone else!- Seiya was pointing at Ichigo's frozen form accusingly -I can't allow that to continue! Unfreeze him, I want him to answer!

-But... how? Why would he do that? Taking the power for himself? Even I don't believe him capable of something like that!

-Me neither, but he did. Now, let him answer!

Homura was uncertain of what to do, torn between what could be true, and what could be a lie. Considering Seiya's reputation, she knew that he would never do something like this with recklessness and with just hearing a few rumours, but on the other hand, Ichigo taking control of other Leaders' duties for no reason...

...the only way to know was to ask Ichigo himself.

-I will touch his shoulder, Saint of Pegasus. But when he unfreezes, stand back. I'll handle him for now, then you can ask whatever you wish to.

-Got it.

The Magical Girl approached the Shinigami carefuly, and slowly lowered her hand on his shoulder. Every action seemed to be in slow motion, Seiya sweating because of the tension, Homura repressing her urge to get over with this as soon as she could... fearing that Ichigo would attack her the moment he unfreezed.