Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its amazing characters. I only own Ayumi, Hisashi and Hiryƫ.
Standing idly on the sidewalk, her eyebrows pushed together, she couldn't help but sigh as she observed the scene in front of her. "Now listen up you pond scum," the familiar voice of her best friend, Ichigo Kurosaki called out towards the group of skaters in front of him and pointed towards the knocked over vase with flowers beside the lamppost and glared. "Do you see that? First question: What do you think that is? You the one in the middle! Answer!"
Crouching to the ground, she smiled lightly as she set the vase upright before glancing towards the group, watching as said guy glanced around, unsure if Ichigo was really speaking at him. "Wh-what? You talking to me? I guess somebody left those flowers for some kid who got killed here." Wincing at the way Ichigo kicked the guy under the chin, she couldn't help but flinch.
"Correct. Now the next question: That vase over there. Why's it lying on it's side?" He questioned them. She couldn't help but inwardly grin at the horror spread across their faces as the shakingly answered, "I guess one of us knocked it over when we were skateboarding threw here. We didn't-" He didn't get to finish his sentece as Ichigo pummeled them to the ground.
"You guys catch on fast." A fiery aura surrounded him as he glared down at them. "Now go and apologize or else the next time the flowers will be for you."Watching with amusement, the skaters yelled their apologies before scampering off.
Leaning against the wall, she smiled lightly. "There. That outta' keep those punks from showing their ugly faces around here." Craning her head towards the lamppost, she stared at the now visible, but transparent girl that appeared behind it, a chain dangling in the middle of her chest.
"Thank you for coming to my defense. I'll think now, I'll finally will be able to rest peacefully." Pushing herself from the wall, her brown eyes connected with Ichigo's and offered a faint smile before leaning down to grab her fallen messenger bag.
"No problem. It's the least I could do." He replied. Approaching them, she smiled at the transparent girl. "You deserve to rest in peace.
"We'll bring you some new flowers tomorrow." She said as the girl nodded her head. Ichigo merely raised a arm in the air as he began walking away, waving silently at the girl.
She rolled her eyes and jogged beside him. "That was really brave of you, Ichigo." She stated under her breath as she stared up at him. He glanced down at her and shrugged.
"Like I said, it's the least I could do." A silence rested upon them as they continued down the street.
Hello. I'm Ayumi Tsuzuki. I'm fifteen years old, so that makes me a high-school student. The guy walking next to me is Ichigo Kurosaki. I've known him since I was little, so I consider him my best friend. I live in a town called Karakura with my older brother, Hisashi. I don't remember my parents much, considering they passed away when I was little. I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing, but ever since I could remember I've been able to see the dearly departed, same goes for Ichigo. His family runs a medical clinic, which I'm happy to say isn't so far from my house.
As they neared Ichigo's house, Ayumi sighed as she patted his shoulder. "Good luck. See ya' tomorrow. Say Hi to Karin and Yuzu for me." She didn't miss the groan that escaped his lips and smiled.
He nodded at her and waved. "Yeah. See you Ayumi." She nodded her head before adjusting her bag over her shoulder and made her way towards her house and winced suddenly as she heard yelling coming from Ichigo's house.
Finding herself in her street, she shook her head amusedly. Continuing down the street, she found herself approaching her house and shuffled up the porch. "Here we go again." She muttered before opening the door, peeking from side to side and safely entered the house. "Hisashi, I'm home!" She called aloud, hearing a whoosh sound from her left, she narrowly dodged the fist flying her direction.
She sighed shaking her head as she dusted off her skirt before crossing her arms. "Geez, thanks for the warm welcome, Hisashi. I feel the love." Her brother grinned at her, his black hair held in a high clipped ponytail.
"I have taught you well, my dear sister." She rolled her eyes. "Care to explain why you are late for dinner?" She shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
"Doesn't matter, you wouldn't understand." He pouted and crossed his arms, suddenly reminding her of a three year old throwing a tantrum because his parents won't buy him sweets.
"Your so mean, Ayumi. Why?" She shook her head and huffed before turning around and waved at her brother over her shoulder.
"I'm not hungry, I'll pack my dinner for lunch again." She could hear her brother yelling after her but sighed as she entered her room and slammed the door close with her foot. She dumped her bag on the floor before getting undressed.
Neatly hanging her uniform on the hanger, she got dressed in her Hello Kitty themed pajamas and slid into her bed with a content sigh before snuggling into the warmth her bed provided and not soon after, found herself falling into darkness.
She was vaguely aware of a voice calling her name in the darkness, whispers echoing in her head as her feet carried her to the voice. The air was cold, thick with the stench of death and despair. Her long silver hair whisked behind her with each step she took.
"Ayumi," the voice was deep and raspy, the voice called out to her name, reaching towards her, tugging at the bond that now bound her to the darkness. "Say my name, Ayumi."
Her mouth opened but no sound came out, her body frozen. "You have forgotten me, Ayumi. How could you forget me?" Her eyebrows furrowed together and she tried to shake her head. She could feel, and hear the anger, anguish, betrayel and pain in it's voice.
She wanted to scream at the voice, beg for it to stop this torture. "You have forgotten me, Ayumi. But tis not matter, anymore. You have come back to me. I am finally free from this prison that was locked deep within you, and it is time you learned your place." She barely managed a chocked scream as a large clawed hand shot out from the darkness, grasping her small frame in it's clutches.
The darkness began to slowly dissolve and fire soon replaced it. The clawed hand tightened it's grip. "We are one, once again."
And then a roar.
A muffled scream tore from her throat as she bolted upright, her chest heaving up and down as she found herself blinking, before taking in her surroundings. Breathing in relief, she was aware of the streams of daylight dancing their way into her room and she huffed running a hand threw her hair.
"What a strange dream." She whispered, and an unease feeling fell in the pit of her stomach, making her decide that she did not like this feeling.
Getting out of bed, she yawned lightly before slowly getting undressed. Folding her clothes neatly, she took her uniform from the hanger and quickly got dressed before making her way to the bathroom.
Finding herself staring at her reflection, she took notice of her swelled and puffy eyes, her hair tossled all over the place, she visibly winced. Combing her hair, she braided it to the side and brushed her teeth. "Ayumi," glancing towards the door, toothbrush still in her mouth, she raised a eyebrow at her brother as he stood in the doorway sheepishly. "Are you alright? I heard you murmuring last night." She waved her hand , indicating that she needed a moment.
Washing out her mouth, she inhaled deeply before wiping her face. "Yeah, I'm fine just had a nightmare. Nothing to worry about. Honest." She added to the end after seeing his doubtful look and grinned. He shrugged and turned around, waving at her.
"Well if you say so. I'm off to work now. Don't stay up for me, I won't be home tonight. I'm working overtime." She nodded her head and smiled before following him down the stairs.
"Have a nice day, Nii-sama." He nodded at her and threw a thumbs up. Turning towards the kitchen, she flicked on the T.V as she slowly packed her lunch.
Glancing towards the T.V, her attention was gained and she stared at the news. "The incident occured at Karakura Station after 7:30 am as the morning commute was getting into full swing," she raised a eyebrow. "Witnesses report hearing a loud crash and feeling the ground shake beneath their feet. The entire area has been called off for further details..."
"That's near here." She muttered under her breath as she finished packing her lunch. Making sure she had everything, Ayumi sighed as locked the door before making her way to she met Ichigo every morning, her thoughts drifted towards the dream.
'That voice sounded so sad. Why couldn't I remember his name when the voice sounded so familiar? What did he mean by we are one, once again?' AHer thoughts came to a halt when she saw Ichigo patiently waiting for her at their corner, a bunch of flowers sticking out of his bag it reminded her that she promised that they would visit that girl from yesterday.
She waved at him. "Good morning, Ichigo." He glanced up at her and nodded at her.
"Morning, Ayumi." He greeted. She smiled at him as they both turned around and began walking towards their destination.
Her vision slightly obscured by Ichigo's bright orange hair, she smiled. "Hey did you hear about what happened outside Karakura Station?"He glanced down at her and nodded as they passed the secluded area that was taped off by the police.
"Yeah, I did."
She nodded as they finally approached the corner. Ichigo glanced around as he called for the girl, the flowers in his hand he continued to glance around.
Adjusting her bag, she raised a eyebrow. "She's not here, maybe she-"a sudden unhuman roar in the distance stopped her sentence. Her eyes widened as she stared at Ichigo before rushing towards the sound.
Ignoring the people rushing the opposite direction, her eyes widened as she saw the buidling being turned into rubble, dust blowing everywhere.
Coughing, another unhumanlike roar echoed in the air and her blood froze. Something stood from all wreckage, something unhuman. "What the hell is that?" She heard Ichigo mutter as she stared at the creature.
'Hollow.' The thought popped in her head a second later and her eyebrows furrowed. She shook her head. There was time for questions later.
"Help me!" The cry came from the girl they had helped yesterday, and Ayumi's eyes widened. She didn't register that someone had grabbed her hand but stumbled as Ichigo dragged her with him.
"Run!" Glancing back, she stared horrified at the thing, the hollow her mind had replied upon what the creature was. It's claws reminded her of huge schythes and it looked insanely sharp, it's body reminded her of a praying mantis.
And that thing was heading straight for them. "It's coming!" The girl yelled. "What is that thing?" She asked and just as that question slipped from her mouth, the girl tripped forward.
Ayumi turned towards the girl and helped her up. "Come on!" Her eyes widened as she looked up, the creature descending upon them, it's mouth wide open.
"Ayumi!" Ichigo yelled as he reached towards her, his heart racing but his vision was obscured by black butterfly fluttering before him.
To both their awe, a petite young girl took place and slashed at the creature, blood spurting from it's wound before lunging at the creature again and with one slash, drew her katana down upon it's head, slicing the creature in half before landing in front of them and sheathed her katana.
Ayumi watched as it dissolved into nothing. "Whoa." Ichigo murmured, unknown to both Ayumi and him that they were both grasping each other's hand tightly.
The petite girl briefly glanced at them and walked away. "Hey, wai-" but she was already gone. People began to gather around them, asking questions. Ayumi glanced towards the vacant spot where the girl was and gasped lowly as she felt something warm grip her hand tighter.
She glanced down and blushed as she noticed Ichigo's hand tightly holding hers. "Uh, Ichigo. I'd like to have my hand back." She said and he blinked looking at her and then at their intertwined hands and flushed before letting hers go.
He coughed under his breath and they stood apart. "Are you alright, Ayumi?" He asked and she nodded. They both turned their attention to direction the girl was in and in silence went home.
With her knees pressed against her chest, Ayumi sat silently on her bed staring at nothing in front of her.
Thoughts ran threw her mind as she went through what happened today. Who was that girl? What the hell was that thing? And how did she know what it was?
Her head snapped up as a familiar roar echoed threw the night, instantly breaking the silence. Her eyes widened as she found herself stumbling to her feet and rushed towards her bedroom door, but her body froze as an insane and ubearable pain rushed threw her body and sent the girl falling to the ground, instantly welcomed by the depths of fire and darkness.
A muffled groan escaped her lips as she struggled to breath, her vision blurry, her eyes slowly slid open and found herself taking in her surroundings.
She slowly sat up and blinked.
The scenery around her was beautiful. There were mountains around her, a waterfall made of lava flowing into the river below, flowers surrounding her body as they glowed a fiery orange.
"Say my name, Ayumi." The familiar deep voice called to her as she stumbled to her feet. She glanced around and wrapped her arms around herself.
She shook her head. "How can I say your name if I do not even know you?" She asked and her heart rate spiked when the ground beneath her trembled.
"Oh but you do know me, Ayumi. You can't remember me, but it doesn't mean that you don't know me. You know me very well. After all, I am apart of you." She furrowed her eyebrows but before she could utter a word, a growl resounded behind her and she slowly turned her body towards the sound and gasped.
Golden eyes stared down at her, the light of the fire reflecting upon his reddish-gold scales that shimmered proudly. It took her a moment to realize that standing before was a magnificent dragon and she frowned upon the feeling that he felt familiar. "If you do not remember me, then I should just kill you here where I stand and end our miserable existense." Her eyes widened as he chuckled deeply at her reaction, he was taunting her.
He was going to test her and it was all up to her if she wanted to pass or fail it. But to him, failing wasn't a answer.
She shook her head and whimpered as the fire within him awakened, threatening to swallow her whole. "If you do not wish to die, Ayumi then you must say my name."
She shook her head and groaned. "I do not know your name!" She yelled furiously up at him, her brown eyes flashing crimson.
He stared down at her and took a deep breath, rekindling the fire within him. "Then so be it." Watching as the fire rumbled from his chest, her eyes closed and her thoughts drifted towards her brother, Ichigo and all her other friends.
She couldn't leave them now. She wouldn't leave them.
As the fire exploded from his throat, her eyes snapped open and she cried with all her might, "Hiryƫ!"
The flames engulfed her and darkness swallowed her. "Well done, Ayumi."
And in the wake of the night, the drake of hell was reborn and with it, the sword of fate.
Author Note: Well here is my first try at a Bleach Fanfiction, considering the fact that I love Bleach. I hope my OC didn't come off as a Mary-Sue and if she did, I deeply apologize. Please review!
