100 Encounters: IchiRuki
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One - Introduction
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Their meeting had been an abrupt one, and it had changed his life forever. From that beginning, a new partnership had formed between the two of them, and from grudging cooperation came mutual respect, and eventually, a strange sort of friendship that neither could truly explain or understand. They fought, they argued, and from time to time, each one was sure that the other hated them, but through it all, they had become closer than either could have imagined. To risk their lives for one another was no big deal, it was something that they could do without looking back or regretting the choice. They were important to one another, more than the other would ever know, each believed; they would not give up their alliance for anything. Ever since the day that she had nearly died, and given him her power so that he could save his sisters, he had felt indebted to her, and it was only because of this that he put up with all her attitude. But something had changed somewhere down the line, and somehow, he had come to view her as his most trusted friend, though he knew not how. She irritated him beyond belief, in such a way that no-one else had ever been able to, and yet, he cared what happened to her enough to put his life on the line to save hers. Even he could not fathom what could cause him to do this. Surely, it had not been just because he felt that he owed her something.
She had been given no choice, he was the only one capable of taking on the responsibilities of being a Death God. And of course, if she hadn't done it, she would most certainly not be here right now. He had long ago repaid his debt, in her eyes, but she did not desire to leave him now. Though he was exasperating, it was enjoyable to be around the boy, most of all when she could embarrass him or get under his skin, or, of course, on the rare occasions when he would go out of his way to do something nice for her. It was strange, how someone she originally could not stand had become such a good friend to her, and in many ways, her protector. When she could not handle a situation alone, she could always count on him to be there by her side to give his assistance so that the two could emerge victorious. Since they met, there had been something different about him. Even though she didn't like him very much, he seemed as though he could easily be trusted. He continued to prove this every day, and now, rather than just a comrade, he was someone to whom she could entrust both her life and her darkest secrets. There were still times when he deliberately be difficult or stubborn, but she knew that it was just a part of him, and at times, it amused her, specifically when he refused to back down from a foolish argument with the Sixth Division's Vice-Captain. She could not understand why he felt that he always needed to win, but it was more fun to watch than to attempt to intervene.
She was strange, yet endearing.
He was abnormal, yet respectable.
Their friendship was like nothing else either had ever experienced. And that was just the way they liked it.