Hitoshiyoshida: Hello, and welcome to my first (albeit rewritten) fanfiction! I would like to point out a few small things; number 1, I do not own Bleach it is owned byTite Kubo, whom I do not own, cuz that would be wierd. Cool, but wierd. Secondly, thank you to (Anonymous) who pointed out a few minor problems in the story. But to those of you who hadn't read this before just ignore that last bit, okay? Well, that's enough o' that; time to get on with the story! Enjoy:)
Chapter 1; Soul Whats?
My name is Garett... something I forgot; I have dark hair and green eyes. My skin is what most would call pale, but I prefer to think of it as a healthy shade of white. I'm from a small town in California, and I am 18 years old and single. My hobbies are studying kendo, painting, and relaxing in scenic places. I guess I'm pretty normal despite one tiny fact... I'm dead.
I died in a car accident near my home in California about six months ago, date of death; July 9, 1974. Since then I've been wondering one thing day in and day out; when will I cross over. A few months ago however, I've decided that sitting around won't do anyone any good so I should still help other souls with their own crossing. I decided this when I saw a child crying, calling out for his parents. I thought, If I can't do anything for myself, I could at least help those around me. I calmed the kid down and spoke to him, and eventually he disappeared. After that, I just began traveling the city, helping souls cross over wherever I found them. But I have noticed something different between myself and them; they all have chains sticking out of their chests, whereas I don't. Eventually, I just stopped noticing altogether.
It was early December, and I was walking through a park that was normally filled with the spirits, but when I arrived, there was not a soul in sight... I'm not apologizing. I walked around a bit, searching for anyone in the area, but to no avail. As it began filling with the living I gave up, before I noticed a presence unlike that of any spirit I had encountered before. It was a man who looked about thirty or forty years old, and he was wearing a black baggy outfit with a katana on his hip. He looked around a bit, looking for something in particular then noticed me and jogged up. He seemed substantial enough, but when he walked through several park goers I knew he was definitely a spirit. When he reached me he drew his sword. "Are you a whole?" He asked in heavily accented English.
"Yes I'm in one piece, but who are you?"
"Give me moment." He reached into his sleeve and pulled out what appeared to be a small travel dictionary. "Ok, my name is Yamada Daisuke; I am a soul reaper, sent to purify soul in this region. Um, hold, Shigeru, koko ni kinasai*"
Another soul reaper came running, and the two had a fast paced conversation in Japanese.
The newcomer turned to me and began speaking. "Hello, my name is Naga, Shigeru. My associate and I are soul reapers, and you are a whole. We must purify you now, so be good and hold still." With that, he drew his sword and (not so gently) slammed the hilt on my forehead.
As soon as the blinding pain vanished I looked back up to see both 'Soul Reapers' staring at me confused. As soon as the pain had completely faded, I started beating them senseless. Five minutes later both swordsmen were facedown. "You couldn't even beat one unarmed man?" I asked the unconscious duo, not really expecting a response.
"Idiots," I muttered, picking up the two swords and sheathing them. I tied one to my hip and walked away until I had reached a safe distance and sat against a tree. What was up with those guys? I wondered. "Who knows", my inner voice answered.
Nice to hear you again, I thought.
"Who were those fools?" My voice asked, clearly curious.
"Just a pair of weird people," I said aloud. I shook my head and settled down to sleep for a few hours.
In my dreams, I was standing before a dark building that gave off the feel of a haunted mansion. I walked to the large pair of french doors and pushed them open, revealing a very nice, albeit dimly lit, lobby. I proceeded forward towards a small door and opened, revealing...
I opened my eyes at the sound of a distant scream, one more akin to an angry beast than a human. A moment later I heard it again, this time much closer. I rose quickly and ran towards it, knowing I had to do something to protect anyone that I could.
"A noble goal," My inner voice said.
Shut up, I shot back. After a few minutes of running I arrived at the park, which was completely destroyed; the play structures were wrecked, trees were snapped in two, and the fountain that was the centerpiece was crushed, and water was pooling beneath it. I looked around a bit more and saw Daisuke pinned to a giant oak tree, with long, bone-like spears pinning his arms and legs to the wide trunk. I ran over and checked his vitals. Once I was sure he was alive I broke the spears and pulled him down. To keep him from bleeding out I tore off strips of his outfit and bandaged his injuries. He stirred and I shook him till he was fully awake.
"Hey, Soul Reaper guy, what happened here?" I asked.
He groaned and mumbled something in Japanese. "Say it in English," I muttered.
"A hollow attacked, and killed Shigeru. Then it took some kid's soul and fled."
I dropped the swordsman and stood up. I breathed deeply, trying to control my rage. "Which way did it go?" I asked angrily.
"Why do you care? It's not like you're the one it took."
I felt something snap inside and I put my foot against his throat. "Tell me where it went, or you'll wish that 'Hollow' had killed you."
I suppose I got to him, because he began shaking in fear. "It went east. Please don't hurt me."
I picked up the sword I sto-I mean borrowed, and ran in the direction of the monster's roar. Five minutes later I saw the beast: a bulky, dragon like thing with a bone-white face. Between its teeth was someone's arm, and at its feet was a pool of blood and an unconscious child.
"Hey!" I yelled, hoping to get the monster's attention. "Why don't you leave the kid and try eating something that can fight back!"
The monster turned towards me and charged. And while I knew I was pretty fast (Able to take two armed men in under five minutes), this thing was just that much faster. As it flew past me I slashed down its side, cutting one of its legs. It turned and rushed me again. This time I managed to rip a hole in it's wing. It tumbled, and suddenly my left arm went limp, accompanied by a burning, piercing pain. I looked down and saw a foot-long spike jutting out of my shoulder. I turned my head towards the monster and saw a softball-sized hole on its shoulder. A quick once over made me notice several similar holes covering its body. It turned back to face me, and I could swear the thing grinned. It howled, and launched a volley of spikes, and I managed to dodge a few of them, but the majority of the darts either cut or stuck into my flesh. I attack as well, and manage to land another few small hits, but the worst I inflicted was a shallow gash across its face. I swung the sword again, feeling pain and exhaustion slow me. My opponent roars and swings his remaining foreleg, snapping several ribs and clouding my vision. My knees hit the ground, and my sword fell from my hand.
Dammit, am I going to die? Will this really be how it ends for me, a snack for a monster before it eats the kid?My fists tighten at the thought. The monster rears back again, and I feel my rage growing inside, like an inferno. No! I will not die! As the monster's leg swung down I raised my good arm, blocking the blow and feeling bones snap, this time belonging to my opponent. I swing my clenched fist, breaking through the shell like layer of the creature's face with little resistance, and I dully remember my sword barely scratching it. I swing again, this time making contact with pale skin and sending the beast reeling. I grab the spike in my shoulder and rip it out, gritting my teeth against the pain, and change my grip so I now have a long dirk. I push back the pain, putting it almost completely out of mind. It swings at me, and I step aside and drive the spike deep into its owner's eye socket, making a thick stream of blood and an agonized roar. It begins to disintegrate, and as it disappears, so does my temporary rush of energy. The pain and exhaustion from my battle hits me with the force of a wrecking ball, and my energy leaves my body like the light from a snuffed candle. I fell backwards, and as an added injury land on the hilt of my borrowed sword. I looked up and saw the silhouette of a man in a strange hat standing over me. He leaned over me and grinned. "Dono yo ni omoshiroi."*
I struggled to stay awake, but sleep overtook my body.
Shigeru, Koko ni kinasai: Shigeru, get over here
Dono yo ni omoshiroi: How interesting
Hitoshiyoshida: Well, what an interesting plot development, I mean who could that fellow have been, with the strange hat? Any ideas Garett?
Garett: (Groan) Ow.
Hitoshiyoshida: O-kaay, well onto our first ever guest, Squad 12 Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi! Captain?
Mayuri: Thank you for the test subject, I will be sure to do something that removes the need for a translation section in the next chapter. Also, I have a new subject to dissect!
Hitoshiyoshida: Aren't you going to try to make an excuse?
Mayuri: No. Now leave me alone so I can get to work.
Garett: See you next time. Now, please review, or that wierd guy is gonna do something terrible to me, I just know it!