.chapter 1 – return.
the water was cold
trickle
trickle
eyes that burn may never see the truth
blinded eyes may never see the light
would the nightmare ever stop?
Light pierced the Tokyo sky as a single black butterfly twirled through the air rising above the tall buildings. With the sunrise in the background, the silhouette of the Hell Butterfly seemed like a speck of dust to the figure on one of the skyscrapers' roof. Below the city quietly sprang to life as a new day began.
Today would be the last time. Sighing, the figure stretched its arms. Tonight the gate would open once again.
It had been 7 years since the Shinigami had been assigned to East Tokyo. 7 years of waiting for today.
Suddenly the shinigami jumped up onto the building's thin ledge as a smirk spread across the face hidden behind dark hair. As the figure's head titled from side to side popping weary joints, the small butterfly fluttered down to greet the Shinigami. The smirk faded as it was replaced by a serious line while the figure contemplated the silent words of the butterfly. Breaking out into a wicked smirk, the Shinigami slowly fell forward, plunging down the side of the building towards impending doom.
Then, before hitting the payment, suddenly disappeared.
200 feet away.
Only to appear again on the hood of a car. Then disappear.
400 feet away.
Only to appear again on the top of the traffic light. The disappear.
800 feet away.
Only to appear again on the curve of a light post. Then disappear.
1200 feet away.
Only to appear again on the top of a bike rack. Then disappear.
3 feet away.
A tiny pressure from the right forced the Shinigami to stop on a nearby branch. Leaning forward, the crouching Shinigami sniffed the air.
Hopping off the branch, the Shinigami stood up straight and assessed the situation. It was nearby, a small hollow with barely any reitsu. Though it posed no threat yet, it would still have to go.
Without any warning, the Shinigami turned on one heal and sped of towards the minor disturbance.
It was a park. Small, quiet, and quaint. A hideous green and red monster was crawling towards a lone tree, its tongue swirling outside its mask trying to find something. Though there was no reitsu, something kept tingling in the corner of the Shinigami's mind begging for remembrance.
Hearing a small gasp, the Shinigami noticed a small human boy trying to back away from the tree. A silent cry escaped the boy as the hollow edged closed towards him. Frantically scanning the area, the boy spotted the Shinigami, and a look of happiness spread across his face as peace flooded him.
"Haha."
One word. Simple. Spoken. But why?
Confusion would have to wait. The hollow was too close to the human child for comfort.
A thin hand covered with the folds of a kimono stretched outward, as thin lips spoke a single word.
"Tenshi."
White wisps of reitsu formed from the palm of the hand, spreading out to form the shape of a wooden shinai.
The hollow, sensing the spiritual energy from the Shinigami, turned and began to inch towards the Soul Reaper. He would kill the child after the Shinigami.
Again the smirk spread across the hidden face. Once again, the Shinigami's formed disappeared, only to appear just behind the creature. Twirling the blunt weapon around so the "blade" faced behind, the Shingami fell backwards, piercing the soul of the hollow.
Drawing out the "blade", the Shinigami landed softly on the ground, as the scream of the hollow faded as blue tendrils of the fading soul made it way up. A Hell Butterfly made joined it, leading it towards Soul Society.
"You can come out now."
The voice was soft and coaxing as the Hell Butterfly from earlier weaved its way out of its hiding spot in the Shinigami's hair.
Hmph.
Surprise flooded the stark face as a small pair of arms entwined its owner's legs.
"Arigato!"
The boy's innocent face looked up with joy as the Shinigami turned, causing the boy to release his grip, and knelt in front of the child. Placing a tiny warm hand against his forehead, the Shinigami stared into the chocolate eyes in front.
As eyes locked, scenes flashed before the Shinigami's eyes.
The darkened face of a man peered downwards. A crooked smile of innocence breaking out as he slowly leaned to whisper, "Baka."
"Jin, wait!" The black haired man in front seemed just out of reach waiting, teasing eyes enticing.
Strong arms gave a feeling of security as bodies pressed together for warmth and comfort. "Jin, I love you." The whispered words under the starry sky floated on the still air. "Never leave me. Be my bound one."
The Shinigami fell backwards, back hitting the ground.
"What was that?"
The whispered words barely leave their owner's lips as a bright light engulfs the two figures.
NOTES:
– Tokyo is the capital of the country of Japan.
– Hell Butterflies are creatures that resemble a black swallowtail butterfly. Their main job is to guide souls through the gate that links the Soul Society to the real world. With the use of a Hell Butterfly, shinigamis can pass through the Senkaimon (a gate linking Seireitei to the human world) safely. Pluses (ghosts) are guided to Soul Society by them after soul burial. Without a Hell Butterfly, a person is forced to pass through the dangai, a dangerous place for souls. Hell Butterflies are also used as messangers.
– A shinigami is a death god known as Soul Reapers. A shinigami's duties include sending Pluses (ghosts) to Soul Society through soul burial, cleansing hollows, and governing the flow of spirits between the human world and Soul Society.
– The disappearing and appearing is shunpo being preformed. Shunpo (Flash steps) is a movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. It is a part of the four combats, listed under agility or foot combat.
– Reitsu is spiritual energy.
– Hollows (evil ghosts) are former Pluses (ghosts) that due to their emotions and stay in the living world, have become creatures with supernatural powers that seek to devour other Pluses. They are distinguished from Pluses by their monster looking bodies and a white mask covering their whole face.
– "Haha" is the Japanese word for mother.
– Shinigamis wear a black kimono (like a robe) and black hakama (skirt-like pants).
– A shinai is a pratice weapon used in kendo as a sword.
– "Baka" is the Japanese word for idiot or stupid.