Author's Notes: Story requested by my friend Lightning-Alchemist-Rini with using her OC Kalia.
Kalia's character: A young woman of age 19 is attending university, studying to be a teacher. She witnessed her mother be killed by a hollow while she hid in a cabinet when she was 6 years old. After that her father, who would often beat her, raised her until finally one day she was taken into foster care. She has black hair, draping to just past the shoulders but often wears it up in a high ponytail. Due to her traumatized childhood, she developed a large white streak of hair going from section of her bangs down one side of her hair all the way to the end in the back. While in foster care, she met Kisuke Urahara, who she became really close. Eventually in time she found herself being sent to another foster home, which ended up being Kisuke's. Not long after moving to Urahara's shop, Kalia found herself being adopted by the man, taking on his last name. He was now like an Uncle or brother to her legally. After graduating from high school, she moved away from Urahara's to the university dorm, but still returns 'home' for visits.
Worlds Intertwined
Part 1
Mid tern break, a time where university took a break from studies, which meant the school was cleared out from all students. With that, Kalia Urahara was going to have to stay with her adopted brother/uncle. She loved the man who adopted her a few years back, preventing her from being bounced between foster homes. Living with Kisuke Urahara gave her a sense of stability and allowed her to actually accumulate personal possession. But often enough the man drove her nuts. He would purposely provoke her into getting mad, which often resulted in her storming away to clear her head. The worse part of those times was he always seemed quite amused by it. Tessai Tsukabishi, who also lived with the man, would often suggest for her not to let the 'boss' get under her skin so easily, but that was easier said than done. Kisuke, she figured, was trying to teach her something, but was always cryptic in his methods, which she had yet to figure out what his angle was. However, the teasing would lessen when his talking cat friend was around, who would disappear for months on end.
As Kalia grabbed her books, getting ready to head off, from the Campus for the next two weeks, she couldn't help but be reminded about the last time she stayed at home. A strange tall young man, with orange spiky hair, and a short girl with black hair surprised her when he was sitting at Kisuke's. The three seemed to know something she didn't and the moment she'd enter the room, they would cease talking and Kisuke would jump to a total different topic, confusing the boy. But she knew not to intervene, being taught not to get in the way when Kisuke was conducting business.
"Hey!" called one of Kalia's classmates.
Kalia turned to her friend and politely waved. This woman annoyed her, always wanting to be a study buddy. It was as if this woman was purposely trying to become her friend. "Hi, Keiko," Kalia answered. "I figured you would have been long gone by now."
"I was just about to leave when I saw you. So what's your plans for the break?" she asked in an annoying cheerful voice.
Kalia fought back rolling her eyes. "Probably help Kisuke around the store and do my assignments."
"What is with you and that guy?" Keiko suddenly asked, cheeriness dropping. "He's sooo creepy and yet you hang out with him. He literally creeps me out with his wooden sandals and strange looking hat."
Kalia's eyes narrowed. "I don't care what you think. That man took me in when no one else would. He's actually my legal adopted brother/uncle. So I would appreciate it if you wouldn't insult my family like that!"
Keiko stepped back. "No freaking wonder no one wants to hang out with you. You're always snapping at others."
Kalia shook her head. "Like I really care. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to get back to Kisuke before he begins to wonder about me."
Turning away, Kalia heft her book bag over shoulder and rushed off the property of the university before Keiko could speak anymore. She continued, not looking back until reaching the closest bus stop. She was grateful for the bus stop being so close. The only hard part was she had to transfer to a different bus to get to Urahara's Shop. Kisuke lived at one end of Karakura Town while she went to university at the opposite end. The total trip was an hour and a half before finally reaching her destination.
Getting off the bus, she rolled her eyes at the sight of the two kids who lived at Urahara's, sweeping just outside the shop, which was a normal routine for them. Sometimes they were just as annoying as Kisuke. With a deep breath, she began to make her way towards the shop. She opened her mouth to speak when that one voice she was dreading to hear suddenly filled her ears.
"Well look who has come home!" he said in a teasing voice.
Biting back a groan, she looked at him. "Hello Kisuke. Guess you're cheery as usual. So what sort of torment you going to give me this time?"
He immediately swung out his fan. "Now, what ever are you talking about?" he teased. "I would never do such a thing."
That did it! Dropping her bag to the ground, she immediately went charging at Kisuke. He stood there, eyes hidden from view because the hat, still as a statue, eyes closed. He could feel her coming towards him but he wasn't going to stop her. He did often tease her, but it was to try and teach her that eventually she would come upon someone she never seen before and he had to prepare her for that day. He already knew what actually killed her mother and though Kalia saw the beast kill the older woman the young girl never knew what it was. Kisuke had yet the heart to tell her. Though after that day, she never could see any such monsters until a few years ago when she began to see ghosts.
Seeing the man wasn't moving, caused her anger to flare up even more. He was an arrogant ass a lot. Clenching her fist, she lifted her hand, intending to crack him one on the side of his face. Perhaps then that would make him think twice.
"You'll never learn," he whispered, remaining still. His hand lifted, catching her fist in a three quarter swing.
With a gasp, her hand stopped dead in its tracks. She could see his hand holding hers with ease, not even flexing to hold her strength back. Not one single muscle was tense, holding her fist back. And her swing was hard.
Beneath his hat, his eyes opened, the shadow from the hat, sent his eyes into giving an eerie feeling. She literally had no idea how truly strong he was or that he could actually sense she was going to attack him before she even realized she was going to. He had trained her in how to defend herself in case she was back into a corner, but never once did he reveal his true strength.
He stared at her for a moment. "If only you could control that anger," he answered quietly, completely serious. "Then we'd be getting somewhere. There are forces at work throughout this town and yet you're more concerned to my teasing efforts. Kalia, it's time for you to get your priorities straight."
She couldn't believe it. He was actually admitting to his continuous taunting. "What the hell are you talking about?" she hissed, still trying to get past his hand to punch him. "I have my priorities straight. To become a teacher."
"That's not what I mean." In his other hand, was still his fan, but it was loosely draped at his side. "You need to prepare yourself for what lays ahead and your anger will just get you into trouble. There are things you need to be ready for that are not normal."
Hearing him speak of her anger, made her furious. Lifting her foot, she intended to crack him in the leg, but before she could even muster to move close to his leg, the fan fell as he caught her ankle easily. She could feel his hand against her ankle and yet his hand was very gentle against her and he was able to hold her leg back.
"Kisuke," the talking black cat said. "Perhaps you should stop speaking to her in riddles. She's not like Ichigo."
Kalia had no idea the cat was behind Kisuke watching the entire time. She wondered how long 'he' was there. Was Yoruichi there the entire time before she got off the bus, or did 'he' only just arrived?
Kisuke released both her hand and leg. "Yoruichi, you never let me have any fun." He knelt to the ground, picking up his discarded fan before looking to Kalia once again. He hoped to keep her busy while Ichigo and his friends were inside. A member of the Soul Society was staying with him and she had no idea who he was. And that was the reason for this little 'exercise'.
This was not the time for her to meet a Soul Reaper, though with latest issue, he had a feeling she would meet one really soon. He had hoped to prepare better than what she already was, but at least she knew how to defend herself, but was sure to keep his teachings to a minimal so not to reveal his true identity.
"Kisuke, I have a matter, which needs to be discussed," Yoruichi said, getting his attention. Yoruichi knew Kalia wasn't aware of the paranormal activities that went on in Kisuke's shop.
Hearing the cat speak, Kalia felt her anger bubble again. "You're always doing something secretive!" she yelled. "I'm not a child anymore! Do you think I can't handle it!"
Immediately turning away before Kisuke could speak, she ran from the shop, leaving her books on the ground. She didn't bother to notice the man sigh in frustration or him asking on the two kids to pick up her things and take them inside. She was too consumed with rage to see anything past the fact of where she was going so she didn't get hurt.
She continued running until reaching a park. It was a peaceful park and with the sunset glow above her, the park had a regal look to it. One would think the park was the safest place in town, but in reality it wasn't. There were a lot of thugs and other bad people around and they often came out at night.
Needing to take a breather, Kalia walked over to the playground, taking a seat on one of the swings and slowly began swinging, with her feet dragging into the dirt. She slid her shoes off, allowing her feet to curl into the sand under the swing.
She was angry with herself for allowing the man to piss her off but she was also angry for him always speaking in riddles. Yoruichi was right he had to stop. She was a grown woman. She could handle whatever secret he possessed. Even Yoruichi seemed to know something.
"He makes me so mad!" she growled in frustration. "What the hell is he keeping from me!"
Looking up to the evening sky a soft hum reached her ears. Lowering her head, her eyes suddenly became glassed over. Her feet stopped playing in the sand as her body stopped moving the swing back and forth. The sound was very enthralling. Standing up to leave, she stepped away from the swing, forgetting her shoes and socks. Her entire body was moving against a force unknown to her.
With each few meters, the soft humming became louder and louder until finally reaching a nearby alleyway across the street from the park. At the end of the alley stood a woman wearing a purple traditional Manchurian style qipao with beige pants. She had long dark green teal hair going down her back.
Kalia stopped just in front of the woman who gave her a sly smile. "Hello, my pretty. I guess you have fallen pray to my web." She lifted her arms, getting ready to pull Kalia towards her as her mouth opened, revealing two fangs. The woman was going to kill Kalia by sucking her life force.
"Roar! Zabimaru!" shouted a voice.
The woman snapped back just in time to dodge an attack from a 6-part segmented blade. On the other end of the blade was a Soul Reaper with red hair tied up in a high ponytail, causing his hair to look very unruly. Kalia's body collapsed to the ground. The spell against her was beginning to fade and she began to slowly regain her senses.
The woman snarled. "You just disrupted my evening meal."
"Evening meal?" Renji lifted a brow. "Killing a defenceless human is not an evening meal."
The woman shrugged. "Believe whatever you will. But you're in my way!"
Renji could see the woman was about to attack, but with the flick of his wrist, he snapped his Zabimaru in her direction again, forcing her away further away from her latest near victim. The before him was a Bount, which he had already dealt with a few others and they were now targeting humans, which was supposed to be forbidden.
She snarled once again. "You're really pissing me off Soul Reaper!" At the same time another Soul Reaper turned the corner and he had a large sword strapped his back. The every second he saw her, he pulled his sword off his back, the wrapping around his sword gave away.
He looked to the ground, seeing Kalia. "Damn! Kalia!"
"Ichigo. You know her?" asked Renji as he kept his blade poised in the Bount's direction.
"She's Urahara's adopted sister/niece. Renji get her out of here while I deal with this."
"Don't tell me what to do!" Renji snapped, baring his fist to the teen.
The Bount decided to use this to her advantaged and attacked. The spell was fully dissolved as Kalia looked around seeing she wasn't in the park anymore.
"What's going on?" she asked herself. "How did I get here?"
"Take this!" the Bount woman yelled, drawing Kalia's attention, as she snapped her weapon towards Renji, which happened to be her puppet.
Kalia looked up to see the teal haired woman aiming for her. Her body tensed up as fear gripped her heart, eyes going as big as saucers. A dignify scream rang throughout the alleyway. Ichigo jumped in, blocking the Bount's attack while Renji dove down grabbing the young woman, pulling her away from the Bount. Her screaming was cut off when he grabbed her.
Kalia looked to the man who just pushed her and her heart literally skipped a beat. His fire engine red hair was gorgeous to the eyes. But who was he? "Wh…who are you?" she whispered.
Renji looked at the woman. "You can see me?" he asked baffled for the moment.
"Of course I can see you," she snapped, anger gripping her heart once again. "Do you think I'm…" she never had the chance to finish as the sounds of a body slamming into a wall were heard.
"Ichigo!" Renji lifted his head.
Ichigo? That was the name of the teenager who often visited Kisuke. Kalia slowly turned her head to see the orange hair kid she'd seen several times in recent weeks at Kisuke's shop. It was him!
The Bount woman turned her attention on Renji and Kalia. "Now, time for my meal!" she taunted with an evil grin, licking her lips. "I can't wait to taste the fresh soul of a human."
"Fresh Soul?" Kalia blinked. What did that mean? Fear gripped her heart once again, forgetting her anger about what the red head had just asked.
Renji stood keeping his body in front of Kalia. He had no idea Kisuke had adopted the human. He knew of the two kids he was raising but not of the young woman. And what did Ichigo mean by sister/niece? It just didn't make any sense.
"You're not having her!" Renji snapped, clenching his fist while the other held his Zanpakuto. "You'll just have to deal with me."
"Perhaps taking the life of a Soul Reaper first would be a benefit before my meal," the woman taunted. "It has been a long time since a Bount took the life of a Soul Reaper."
Unknown to her, Renji could see Ichigo was slowly moving away from the wall. The boy's movements were a bit slow from being slammed into the wall, but he wasn't badly hurt, mostly only had the wind was knocked out of him. In the distance, Renji could also feel the spiritual pressures of his two friends, Chad and Orihime. They were closing in on their position. Probably thanks to the help of those mod-souls Kisuke created.
Renji kept the Bount's attention on him as Ichigo got into position to attack. He was drawing himself to be bait, keeping his body tense, ready to attack or dodge if need be. He hoped Ichigo would hurry up as the teen kept drawing closer.
Kalia was quite terrified by what was going on. She had no idea this woman was a Bount, which were often decrypted as a vampire. She looked between Renji and the woman and couldn't tell what was more frightening, the man's sword or the woman. But what she could tell was the man was protecting her. And of course there was Ichigo. Did Kisuke know Ichigo was a fighter with a large sword? And if so was that what Kisuke always hid from her?
"Come on Soul Reaper!" the Bount taunted. "Make your move!"
Renji grinned. "Very well, then. Roar! Zabimaru!"
He swung his sword, looking as if he was intending to attack her. She easily dodged his attack as his sword extended. But when she did so, Ichigo took the moment to attack with his sword, getting her straight in the back. She collapsed to the ground rapidly as pain shot through her body.
"Go Renji!" Ichigo shouted. "Get Kalia out of here!"
Seeing Ichigo was too far away from the girl and he was just in front of her, Renji scowled before disengaging his shikai, sheathing his sword. Turning away from the fight, he looked at Kalia before scooping her into his arms, running from the scene.
Kalia wasn't sure what to make of what was going on when he took her into his arms. He just grabbed her and began running. Tears formed in her eyes as he looked up at him with big sad dark purple eyes, which made the color look lighter.
"Who are you?" she whimpered, feeling the air brushed her toes. It looked odd to her black stretchy pants, not having her brown shoes on.
"Renji," he answered as he held back groan. He could see she was beginning to cry. "Look, you don't need to cry. I'm going to protect you with my life."
He continued to run, going past the park, where her shoes were left behind, and down the street. The sky was darkening, which now killed the surreal sunset skies, turning the city into a darkened tomb of terrible occurrences. Her hands reached up to grip his black clothing as her eyes looked upon the dark sky. It was a dark night when her mother was taken from her and after that night, she hated being alone in the dark.
"Tell me something," he said, startling her worried thoughts. "Ichigo says you're related to Urahara? How is that?"
Kalia blinked, blinking the tears out of her eyes. "Ummm…" This guy knew Kisuke? "Kisuke adopted me some time ago after I was sent to foster care."
"So that's what he meant about wanting to rush me out quickly a little bit ago," Renji answered.
"What?" Fear was still gripping her heart but now she was feeling anger again. She began to push against Renji's chest, forcing him to stop running, which then she was able to pull out of his arms, standing on her own feet.
"Ok. Mister!" she demanded. "You're going to tell me what the hell is going on. And you're going to tell me now. For several months now, Kisuke has been talking to me in riddles, constantly provoking my anger and then a few months ago, I met Ichigo and those two seemed to be have been hiding something from me. I want to know and you're going to answer, as you seem to be part of this conspiracy. Now talk!"
Renji was taken aback. She was as stubborn as Kisuke described her who was going be staying with him for the next couple weeks. But hearing her snap at him began to bug him. She could be just obstinate as Rukia.
"Look, I just saved your life from that Bount, I don't need your attitude with me in what is going on. Frankly that isn't for me to say that should be more for Kisuke to tell you. All you need to know right now is you're in danger and I have to get you out of here and to safety!"
All color drained from Kalia's face at the name Bount. So that's what that thing was attacking. "Wh…what would have she done?" she asked fearful once again.
"She would have sucked your life energy out of you until there was nothing left but dust," he answered bluntly. "And if you must know I'm a Soul Reaper, which surprises me that you can see me. Humans don't normally see Soul Reapers."
He could see she was expecting him to explain what a Soul Reaper was. He groaned. "Look. As I just said, that's for Kisuke to explain not me. I'm just here to save your ass. Now, if you want your answers dealt with, then just shut up and let me protect you."
Kalia stepped back from the man before her. She never saw such a look like that before in her life. Not even Kisuke ever gave her a look like that. When she stepped back, she noticed how handsome the man looked. She could see he had many tribal tattoos and thought looked great on him.
Lowering her head, she realized at that moment in what Kisuke had been trying to teach her all this time. He knew about these Soul Reapers, she was sure of it, and he was trying to prepare her for the day when she would meet one face to face. That meant he must have known her little secret of being able to see spirits, which only began to happen in the past year, since she turned 18.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Can I ask one more question?"
Renji crossed his arms over his chest. "Alright, go ahead. But just because you ask, doesn't mean I'll answer."
"I have been able to see ghosts for the past year. So could that be the reason why I can see you, since you say I shouldn't be able to?"
"You can see spirits?" he blinked, now it all made sense. "Actually yes, that would be the reason. You must have high enough spiritual pressure to be able to see spirits, which enables you to see Soul Reapers as well." He then smirked. "I take it Urahara has been putting you through his style of training. He even gave Ichigo a hard time, from what I've heard anyway."
She nodded. "Kisuke is a pain in my ass, but I know he means well. I love him like a brother/uncle."
"I'm confused at that. Why is he your brother/uncle? Shouldn't it be one or the other?"
She chuckled. "When Kisuke adopted me, he wasn't sure what to put down on the adoption papers. He was asked but couldn't decide if he'd be my uncle or brother. I like to think of his as both. He is a brother and gives me guidance like a brother should. But he's also like an uncle to me always there for me when he wants to be a pest. So I consider him both a brother and an uncle. In fact the adoption papers actually were left that blank. Legally I'm just adopted into the Urahara name as Kisuke as my guardian, well guardian until I came of age."
"Guess that makes a lot of sense. Well we better get going Urahara has a lot of explaining to do and doubt you'll give him a chance to elude your questions."
She looked up, staring straight into his small brown eyes. "Damn straight on that. There is no way in hell; he's getting off this time. I'll get the truth out of him one way or another. Thank you, Renji, for saving my life."
He pulled her back into his arms and began running off again, heading towards Kisuke's shop. He gave her a smile as a 'you're welcome' and continued on until finally reaching the man's shop. Upon reaching there, Ichigo was just arriving at the same time. He was a little banged up, but nothing Orihime couldn't fix, Kisuke had been waiting outside for them and the moment he saw Kalia appeared with Renji in his arms, he knew the jig was up. It was now time for the truth.
