Tsubashi POV: I hummed, glancing up at the sign above the store as if I might have the wrong place. "Excuse me, but Mr. Kisuke isn't taking any visitors today. I'm sorry." My eyes drifted back to the young girl, hair falling into my eyes before setting a hand on her head. "He'll take me." Her cheeks tinted pink as I rubbed her hair before stepping into the shop. "Hey, Kisuke!! I'm here to collect my body!! I know you're here!! And what's with the children?!!" A door ahead of me slid open and he poked his head out, rubbing his hair. "I'm right here, there's no need to yell. I don't remember you being so loud." Sloppy sand colored hair fell into his face as he finally removed his hand and yawned widely. "Still lazy as ever I see." A crooked grin tilted his lips as a large hand fell onto my head. "That's no way to talk to someone who's doing you a favor. You might hurt my feelings." My eyes cut towards him slightly. "You were quite well compensated for the creation of my vessel so I would hardly call it favor." Kisuke's grin broadened before stooping suddenly to look at me sideways. "Sure was. But that's not the favor I was talking about. I've had quite a time watching your son."
My eyes widened, snatching my head from under his hand. "When?!" Kisuke rolled his shoulder, raising to his full height once more. "18 years ago. You have 2 daughters as well. And your remnant has been inactive for sometime now." My jaw snapped closed with an audible click of teeth as I bit back my growl. "Of course I would have told you if I had a way of getting in touch. I did try when you commissioned me to make your vessel, but you were just too busy to hear." His fan *snicked* open to cover the lower part of his face as I snarled at the wall. "Damn it! When did it decommission?!" He sighed, rocking back on his heels as if he were bored. "About 9 years ago now. I was surprised when it continued to function after your son's birth. From your description of remnants, I was under the impression he would take that portion of your soul when born." My fist clenched, knuckles turning white as I glared at the floor. I should have been keeping a better watch. "He should have! It should have ceased to be active once he separated! Damn it!" Kisuke tipped his head to the side watching me. "It's really not that bad. They all turned out pretty well. Though I will say. Your son is the only one I'm able to sense your soul in. What ever happened. The girls don't have any part of you in them." A breath caught on a shallow gasp as I snapped my gaze back to him. "But then!-..." Kisuke blinked at me from behind his fan a few times, head cocked like a curious dog. "The only way that it could have survived is if it canalized the soul of another! Please at least tell me they still have they're father?!"
A small incline of his head brought the first good news I'd gotten from him and I sagged just slightly. "Small blessings. At least it didn't kill their father. Kisuke... What is my son's name?" A small smirk played on his lips. "Ichigo." I swallowed thickly. "Ichigo... What is he... What is he like, Kisuke?" "Humm?" His head tipped back up right, watching me over the cheap paper fan he used to hide behind. "Well. He's stubborn, hardheaded, fool hearted, sometimes arrogant, has a temper, and has the tendency to charge head on into things without a thought to the consequences. Sounds a lot like someone else I know." The fan *snicked* closed to tap the light stubble on his chin as I narrowed my eyes at him. "Thanks, Kisuke. I feel much better now." He chuckled, one hand landing on my shoulder. "You know what else he is? He's strong. And he will do anything he can to protect his friends and those that can't help themselves. He's loyal. Once he makes a friend he does everything he can to keep them safe. And he's compassionate. Even when he has no choice but to take a life there is never any joy in it. If there's another way he always finds it. You'll be proud once you meet him." A small shaky breath escaped and I dropped my eyes. "But will he be proud of me?... I hate it when remnants breed. Those children don't deserve to be without a mother and I hate having to explain why they were forced to grow up without one." Kisuke hummed lightly. "I think he'll just be glad you're back. After all, you didn't know things would turn this way." "But I could have!" One sandy brow vanished into his hair line. "Would it have changed anything? Things still needed tending in all places. Besides. He's done a pretty good job of taking care of things around here. I imagine it wasn't exactly how you would have wanted it, but he's grown amazingly for it. I think you'll be quite pleased with him." I sighed, hand falling limply to my side. "I'm sure I will. Thank you, Kisuke." He tipped his head, hair falling into his eyes. "Well, let's get you in your vessel then. Wouldn't want to keep you waiting. What are you calling this one, by the way?" A heavy breath left my lungs as I stared ahead of myself. "Himawari."...
A heavy breath whooshed from my new body. Everything felt tight and rebelled against movement but it would get better as it stretched out. "This is it. Hang around here looking like that long enough you're bound to be adopted!" His hand patted my head, roughing up my fur as my ears flattened. "Don't patronize me, Kisuke!" He lifted an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that was your plan so I hardly see why that's patronizing. Though I'm not convinced posing as a dog to sneak into his house is the best option. What are you so scared of?" My lips pulled up over my teeth, baring them at him as I growled. "Don't test your luck. Thank you bringing me. You're dismissed." A short half laugh broke his frown into a lop sided smirk as he watched me from under his hat. "You're testy when you're nervous. Very well, I guess I'll let you to it then." The hand on my head lifted with a final scratch behind my ear and he was gone. Too bad my appreciation couldn't be so easily vanished...
It was evening before anyone showed, leaving me with plenty of time to back trace the time line since I'd let my remnant here. Not that it made me feel any better about this. I never suspected that my goals would be met by a child. Much less one that I bore and I hated I'd placed all that squarely in his lap. The steady crunch of foot falls coming my way finally drew my attention to the young man as he stopped in front of me. Our eyes caught and for a long moment we just watched each other before he knelt. "What are you doing out here? You're pretty skinny." One hand was held out and I swallowed thickly before setting my chin in his open palm. *Ichigo...* His lips pulled into a tight frown, just watching me with the most baffled look. There was an odd sort of pull now that I thought about it. Maybe because that piece of my soul was calling to it's whole. But it seemed odd that never happened with any of the other kids I'd had. "Wonder if you have an owner..." His fingers slipped from under my chin, reaching toward my neck to search my fur. "No collar. Guess you'll just have to stay with me then." He straightened once more, holding out a hand to coax me into following. *Just what is it about you that causes this feeling, Ichigo?* His head tipped when I didn't get up right away. I heaved a sigh, pushing away my appreciation over the calling from my mind if only for the moment. It would need to be addressed sooner rather than later, but not right now. Right now I just wanted to spend a few hours with my son. The ground was rough under my still tender paws as I stood and stepped to his side getting a smile. "Hope you're good with kids. Yuzu will probably drag you everywhere with her."
The door slid open smoothly but we were nearly both bowled over when Isshin came flying through. "You're late!!" His palm hit the ground, spinning him around for another attack and I snarled. My hackles rose and I leaped to the side and in front of Ichigo. Isshin scrambled when he saw me coming and barely managed to escape my teeth sinking into his arm. "What the hell was that?!! When did you get a dog?!!" He demanded as Ichigo's shock finally gave way to a smirk. "She was laying outside the doors. Maybe now I'll be able to relax while you're around." I flicked a glance behind me before turning fully to plod over and sit at his feet. "Come on then." One hand roughed up my ears and I followed him in to see Karin and Yuzu sitting at the table watching us. "Where'd that dog come from?" "Aww!! He's so beautiful!!" The chair shrilled against the floor as Yuzu pushed it back and ran to hug me around the neck." Kisuke was right. There was nothing of me in this girl. "You must be hungry! You can eat with us tonight!" "Hey wait!! You can't bring that stray dog in the house!! It just attacked me!!" Isshin shouted, pointing indignity. I fought back the growl that wanted out and instead covered it with a wag of my tail and snuffled in Yuzu's hair. She laughed, catching my muzzle to pet my cheeks. "Yeah. She looks like a real killer, dad. Besides, you were trying to kick me in the face when she went after you!" Ichigo replied, stepping by us to go to the table as Yuzu continued to fuss over me. Just how was I going to tell these kids the truth? And after all this time, was it really fair to even bring it up? "I don't know if you should be so close. There's something weird about that dog, Yuzu." Karin. I glanced over, watching her scrutinize me closely. "Yeah!! It's probably got rabies or something!!" My teeth snapped loudly together and Isshin scrambled back when I spun on him. "You seem to be the only one she has any issues with. Maybe she just doesn't like weirdos." Ichigo knelt down, rubbing my head lightly as his father sobbed on the ground. *How truly pathetic. Why must remnants always choose the most ridiculous mates? It's completely embarrassing.*
"Hey Ichigo. You think she's already trained?" He hummed softly, tipping his head before holding out his hand. "Shake." My lips pulled up in discontent. How unbecoming. Someone of my strength reduced to performing such pathetic tricks. Still though, I needed to be here for the time being so with a huff I finally resigned myself and placed my paw in his open hand. "Oh cool! Roll over! Like this, Snowflake!" Yuzu dropped to the floor, rolling so that she was upside down. *I think not. I'll not be renamed by some human, carried by my remnant or otherwise.* For a long moment she just watched me before sagging in disappointment. "Aww. I hope she's house broken at least. She can sleep in my room tonight! We'll play dolls and dress up until bedtime!" She cheered and I back stepped to hide behind Ichigo. *I think not! I'm no one's play thing!* Another long moment passed between us and I thought for sure she might cry. "Sorry, Yuzu. Maybe she just doesn't like so much excitement. Probably best she stays with me for now anyhow. Just in case." She whined lightly, still watching me longingly until I finally stepped out and plopped down my head in her lap. *You're lucky you're cute, kid. But don't be getting any ideas.* A wide smile crossed her face and she hugged me tightly, squishing her cheek to mine.
The bed bounced lightly as Ichigo turned over in his sleep and I glanced up at him, watching his eyes open. A hand reached towards me, fingers barely touching my nose until I crawled up to lay at him side. An odd warm feeling tickled my insides like butterfly wings and I bit back my groan as he pulled me against his chest. *What a troublesome feeling. It would seem he's feeling it too though.* That didn't bode well with me. There was just something about this feeling that sent a wave of unease into the deepest parts of my stomach. A smile twitched up his lips as he ran his fingers through my fur, just watching me. "I don't know where you came from. But I'm glad you're here. I really hope you don't have owners looking for you someplace." I sighed, leaning into his petting as I tried to ignore the heavy forboding feeling. The pleasure from just being near was quickly drowning it anyhow. Hopefully I wasn't making a mistake...
Ichigo POV: I groaned, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes as I woke up once more. The low throaty growl wasn't what I expected though and I finally opened my eyes to see my dad hovering in the window with the dog staring him down. "Well, at least she keeps you from drop kicking me awake in the morning. Good girl." Her growl guttered out as I rubbed her ears. "How unfair!! I just wanted to be the first to greet you in the morning, Ichigo!!" Dad dove through the window suddenly but the dog grabbed his shirt collar and spun around, throwing him into the wall with a scream. Her hackles stood up high as she snarled at him from across the room. Maybe Karin was right. A dog shouldn't have been able to throw him so easy. Or at all. A dog would have just bitten him. My jaw tightened a bit, watching her stand over me until dad finally skittered into the hall. All 4 paws were kicked out and she flopped bodily onto me with what sounded a very irritated huff. One hand tentatively reached out, just barely brushing her ear and she leaned into me. "You're not any normal dog are you?" A flash of what I was sure was surprise flickered across her face along with nervousness. "Yeah I didn't think so. To tell you the truth, I don't much care. As long as you don't hurt my family you're more than welcome to stay." Her eyes darted away from mine, something I couldn't quite place flickering in them. "You don't have to show me if you're not ready. I assume there's a reason you're in this form... You're probably wondering how I know. Well that's because Yoruichi can take the form of a black cat so it isn't that strange that you can be a dog." Her ears swiveled back some in irritation and I wondered if she'd go on the offensive now that I'd outted her. "I'm not a dog. I'm a wolf." A short snort of amusement escaped. "That explains why you're so big I guess." "Wait!! If she's not really a dog then what are you doing almost naked in bed with her, Ichigo?!!" Dad's shout finally made me realize that I was indeed barely dressed and I bolted up.
Her head tipped to the side, watching me tugging franticly at my clothes. "I hardly see what the big deal is. We slept that way the whole night and now you're getting flinchy? It's hardly anything I haven't seen before, boy. And it's not as if you were totally naked. Do try to get a grip on yourself for my sake." My jaw clicked shut and I stabbed my finger at her when I was finally decent once more. "I don't want to hear from you!! You're kinda a pervert you know that?!! You watched me change and didn't say anything!!" One ear fell to the side before she scratched it with her hind leg. "That is untrue. Despite the fact you changed in front of me I didn't look at you. And it was you who brought me up farther into the bed. Or did you forget I started out at your feet?" My finger slowly fell, watching her stretch out and hop from the mattress. "Aren't you forgetting something, Ichigo?" I straightened, standing fully once more. "What?" A long sigh escaped from her before she shook her head. "You're going to be late for school." My eyes widened, grabbing my clock to see true to her words I was already behind schedule. "Man, I'm already late! Damn damn damn!!" My shoes were hastily yanked on and I ran down the steps with her only a few paces behind me.
"Ichigo!!" My jaw clenched as Keigo launched himself at me, lunch box in hand only to bounce off of my fist. "Ichigo how could you!!? I just wanted to spend time with my best friend!!" He sobbed loudly, rolling on the floor as he held his face. "I'm not in the mood, Keigo. You can't always be jumping at me like that." He leaped to his feet once more, snapping his finger towards me. "Well if that's how you feel then I'll just go eat lunch with someone who appreciates me!! Come on Chad!! Let's go find Rukia!! She'll be nice to me!" I rolled my eyes, it wasn't like I'd be having lunch anyhow. I'd left so fast I forgot to grab my box. That girl had me all turned around. Just who was she and why did I feel so lost without her here now? It was strange. That nagging draw and unfounded sense of wrongness being away from her caused had been eating at me since I left her at the doors. It left me feeling oddly lost without her here. I'd never felt anything like this and I didn't like it. Not at all. My feet finally bought me to the roof and I wandered to the edge to look out over the grounds. Something was wrong and I needed to figure out what it was. The soft click of claws sounded behind me and I turned half way in time to see the wolf sit a few feet from me. "I bought you lunch since you forgot it this morning." I sighed, finally taking a step towards her to pick up the box before sitting. "Thanks."
The light blue spotted cloth came free easy enough and I untopped the box to see a few grilled fish over seasoned rice. "It smells good. Thanks again." She hummed, eyes picking over me in a way that made my skin crawl. "You seem rather disconnected. Is something wrong, Ichigo?" The chop sticks separated with a snap as I glanced over at her. "No. Everything is fine." Unbelief colored her eyes before she curled up against my side with her head in my lap. "You're a poor lair. I feel it too." The first bite paused half way to my mouth, just watching her until Keigo appeared from no where. "You got a dog?!! Is that why you didn't want to have lunch with us?!! Too busy hanging out with your new puppy?!!" A vein popped out in my forehead as he snatched her away, though I didn't quite know why I was angry. "I can see why you like him though!! He's so cute! And blue eyes!" His cheek mashed against her's, ignoring her growl until I kicked him away. "Knock it off!! And she's a wolf, not a dog!! Now stop making so much noise!!" I yelled, jabbing my finger at him. "You're making more noise than me!" "Knock it off! Both of you!" Rukia. My feet spun in time to see her's flying towards my face until the wolf body slammed her into a wall. "Ha!! Serves you right!" Rukia looked shocked as she picked herself up, straightening her hair once more. "How the hell did it see me?!" The wolf snorted, batting my lunch box towards me with a pointed look before vanishing. "Did that dog just use flash step?!" "Wolf, and probably. What are you doing here anyhow?" Her arm snapped out holding the soul pager in time for the hollow there to vanish. "Looks like someone just got it. I'm trying to eat." It was snatched away to look at before being tucked back into her pocket. "Who was that, Ichigo?" My shoulder rolled in a shrug as I finally took a bite. "Don't know. She was outside my house when I got home last night. Seems pretty set on staying and I didn't feel like arguing." A tight frown curved her lips. "That doesn't sound like you at all, Ichigo. What's the matter with you?" Another bite was shoved into my mouth so I didn't have to talk to her. I didn't myself know what was wrong, so how was I supposed to tell her?
A light breeze picked up, catching a few leaves to spin around several yards ahead of me. That same wrong feeling had only gotten stronger durning the day. It was so strange. Those few moments she'd been there for lunch the wrongness had lifted leaving just an odd warmth. My hand lifted from my side, watching my fingers open and close in front of me. "She said she felt this too... She must know what it is then..." My hand closed, knuckles turning white. "Down!!" The yell startled me and I finally saw the subject of my thoughts barreling down on me. Her feet left the ground and I dove for cover just in time to miss the hollow's grab. It shriked as she landed on its shoulder and tore into it's neck. "Get out of there!!" I yelled, fingers on my combat pass. She vanished suddenly, appearing at my side as it began disintegrating. "You let your guard down. You're lucky I was watching you." I swallowed thickly, dusting off my pants as I stood. Just her being here, just being close vanished that wrongness just as easy as she had the hollow. "You're bleeding. Let me see your hand." I hadn't realized I'd cut myself going down until she caught my wrist with her paw. There must have been glass on the sidewalk. A thick glob of drool was spat into my palm and I tried to yank away. "Hey!! That's so gross! Don't do that!!" Her claws snagged my shirt sleeve, keeping me from escaping. "Hold still you baby. It needs to be sanitized before healing it so germs don't get into your blood stream and cause infection." It stung as it bubbled but I finally stopped trying to get away as a soft opal glow surrounded my hand. The cut quickly healed over and I just blinked at it. "How did you. Do that?"
She hummed, letting my wrist go. "I'm able to recall my forge into my body and still use it's abilities." A last glance was given to my hand before giving her my full attention. "You mean your zanpukato?" She tipped her head side to side. "Forges and zanpukato are cousins but they're are some difference. For now it's best to get somewhere private. Most people don't take so well to talking animals." Her shoulder shifted away from me, turning to face down the road. "Right. We should probably get back to the house before my dad has a fit." She nodded, falling into step beside me.
Himawari POV: Ichigo pushed the door open, letting me enter first before stepping through. "Good evening, Ichigo!" Yuzu greeted, coming to snatch my ears and under my chin. She was a cute kid. Too bad I couldn't drudge up those feelings a mother should have. Just one more thing to feel guilty about. This should have never happened. A bowl was pushed at me suddenly as she smiled sweetly. "Here you go! I made it special for you!" The smell alone made me cringe away. "Huh? What's wrong? I even put gravy over it." *So much for dinner. Good thing I had a big lunch.* "I don't think she's used to eating dog food, Yuzu. Just give her mine. I'm still full from lunch anyhow." Ichigo said, giving me a pointed look. "But you didn't have any lunch! You left it here this morning! There's enough for both of you anyhow! Please eat, Ichigo!" He tried to step by but I snagged his pant leg with my claws, tripping him so he fell face first into the floor. He wasn't down long though before he was jabbing his finger at my face. "What the hell did you do that for?!!" My head cocked to the side, lifting one paw. "Don't be putting on that cute act now like you didn't try that!! You tipped me you mangy mutt!!" Yuzu grabbed me around the neck, hugging me tightly. "I'm sure she didn't mean it, Ichigo! She's just a dog after all!" He sputtered loudly before forcing a smile that looked by far more like anger than joy. "Oh! Yeah!" His teeth creaked loudly as he spoke between them. "Come on you two. Dinner is getting cold." Karin complained, her chin sitting in one hand as she munched on a green bean. Ichigo's eye twitched sharply. "This isn't over!" I snorted a laugh, plodding over to the table when he finally sat down.
The soft clicks of bowls singled dinner was over and Ichigo was the first one up. "Dinner was good, Yuzu. Thanks." She grinned wide, gathering the dishes as I watched her. She was sure to grow into a beautiful woman. Shame I wasn't there for them. A hand landed on top of my head, startlingly me enough that I jumped under Ichigo's fingers. "Let's go." I relaxed once more, standing when Yuzu took my bowl with a soft pat to my head. "Did you like dinner, Snowflake?" The name was mostly ignored as I wagged my tail and snuffled at her hand. "That's good. I'm glad you liked it!" Her fingers left my head as she stood, leaving me to follow after Ichigo.
The door to his room opened quietly, letting me in first before he entered himself. The close was equally as soundless as he turned to regard me. "So who are you anyhow?" I hummed, hopping onto the bed to look out the open window. "I want to watch the stars. Come." Annoyance flickered across his face. "You're stalling!" "Not true. It's just been a while since I've had any free time to relax and enjoy the simpler things in life." Ichigo finally sighed, following me out the window and the short climb onto the roof. It really was beautiful here. Foot falls sounded softly coming my way before he sat next to me. His gaze flickered over me, just watching. I was honestly surprised he was being so patient and I decided to humor him before he grew tired of my stalling. "Ask what you want, Ichigo." He just looked at me for a few seconds before crossing his arms. "Who are you anyhow? Who sent you here?" A soft hum escaped as the wind picked up, tussling my fur. "My name is Himawari and no one sent me." A disbelieving look was shot toward me. "Then what are you doing here? You knew me somehow." Our eyes caught for a moment before mine darted away. "My reasons for being here are my own." "Don't give me that shit! You've been following me around since you showed up and I wanna know why!!" My lips pulled up into a cringe, watching the fabric of his pants bunch under his fist. "Unfortunately, that isn't something I want to tell you just yet." "I don't care if you want to tell me or not!!" He shouted, jabbing his finger at me until I caught it. It was warm under my paw and he just blinked at me for a moment before finally snapping his arms closed. "Fine! Why do you make me feel like this then?! You said you felt it too!" My paw touched the roof once more. It was still warm from the sun. "I do. And it is a complication neither one of us are likely to want or need. Unfortunately, the only way to circumvent it would be for me to absorb your soul." Ichigo snapped backwards, hand on his combat pass. "Relax. If I planned to do that I'd have already done it. While it's true I don't really like what had happened, I'm not in the habit of killing people for things they have no control over."
Ichigo POV: My jaw clenched, clutching my pass tightly as her eyes drifted back to the sky. It felt like a long time we just sat there before I finally stuffed the pass back into my pocket. It would be pretty stupid of her to tell me she planned to kill me when she could have just taken me out. After all, there wasn't much I could do in my body. I snorted. "So what causes this feeling anyhow? And why do you have kill me to make it stop?" Her eyes traveled almost painfully slowly back to mine but there was something different in them. Something that didn't sit tight with me as I realized it was fear. She was really scared of me. "It's because you're my imprint. Each soul resonances at it's own unique frequency, but sometimes 2 get close enough that they mistake each other for one. It creates a very strong desire to be near that other soul, and a great deal of unease when without them. Most end up becoming mates, though there are some cases where they don't. But with you being a teenager your hormones will almost definitely make that a non option. It's not how I would have wanted things but I've dealt with worse." I snapped my eyes away from her, face heating up. "You think I don't get to choose who I'm with?!" She grunted. "Not hardly. As I said before, this isn't what either of us wanted. But it happened and that pull isn't going to go away. What you do about it is entirely up to you though." My hand slowly fell before plopping back down next to her. "I guess you didn't ask for this either. It still sucks though." "That isn't under dispute. This is a mess." A deep breath whooshed from me and I rocked back on my hands. "So how did you find me anyhow?" Her head titled back down from watching the sky. "Kisuke." A snort puffed up my lips. "Should have figured he had something to do with it. How long did he know about you being my imprint, or what ever?" Silence stretched between us for a long moment before she finally spoke again. "He doesn't. Neither did I until this afternoon. It took me a while to figure it out. The fact of the matter is, if I wouldn't have come, neither of us would have been any the wiser." My brows furrowed. "So that's not why you came? Why are you here then?" Her jaw clenched, lips pulling up to reveal teeth that glittered in the star light. "Ichigo. I will tell you in time. But please don't make me tell you now." There was a pleading look in her eyes when they caught mine the next time and I swallowed thickly. I just couldn't figure my way around her. My voice failed me on the first try but the second faired a bit better and I managed a weak. "Fine..." "I'm sorry... I need time to sort my thoughts into some kind of order. Things weren't supposed to be this way. This is never what I would have wanted for you. But you have done so well, Ichigo. I am just sorry that you were forced into this."
The wind picked up, blowing a few stray leaves between us. One of them landed on her nose and she went cross eyes trying to look at it. I chuckled plucking it off to twirl between my fingers. The low light of the moon glinted off the few beads of water on it's surface making it appear to sparkle like the sky. "Just what was I forced into?" The leaf fluttered free from my fingers when they loosened, being carried away. "Everything... Everything that happened to you was my fault. I know it doesn't mean much. But I'm sorry. You have done wonderful though. You've grown into an amazing young man and I am so proud of you." I huffed, sitting up once more. "You sound like you know me a lot better than you let on." There was a sadness in her eyes as they watched me. "Not nearly so well as I should have." My lips thinned into a tight frown. "So just what did you do that caused me to be in the position I'm in anyhow?" Her throat bobbed on a thick swallow before turning away from me. "I'm able to divide my soul and create remnants that carry only a small piece of me in them. I don't like doing it but they perform their task well enough. I can look into the future and choose events to head off. But more often than not there's more than one and then I'm forced to choose which needs my attention more. The other is just given a remnant. They normally don't do much on their own. It's like a pebble being dropped into a pond. But I didn't count on you being the ripple. I'm an immortal. My soul will survive indefinitely, changing vessels over and over again just as I have for nearly a million years." My eyes bugged out, choking on a breath of air. "You can't be that old!! Not even soulreapers can't live that long!!" A short laugh sounded as she looked back at me finally. "Not this vessel of course. But as I said, they change frequently. This one here is only about 6 months old. It's just been artificially aged to around 20 so it's in peak physical condition."
I sighed, folding my arms behind my head before flopping backwards. "You're really that old then... What are you anyhow?" Claws *ticked* softly against the roof, bringing her to my side where she laid with her head on my chest. "That depends on who you ask. I claimed the title of Malinga. It means wielder of fate. Thought it kinda fit since I'm always altering the time line to suit my wishes. As I'm sure you've figured out, without you this world would have ceased to be as you know it. It's worth noting I didn't look too see how my goal was met, only that it was. Had I seen that all that weight was going to be set on you I would have put off my other tasks." I snorted, glancing towards the sky even as my fingers slipped into her fur. "You still haven't told me how you knew me though. Seem to be making an awful big fuss and it doesn't sound like it's because I'm your imprint." Her tongue darted out, licking her lips. "You're right. But that's the part I need time to clear my head about. Though you did take what I've told you so far better than expected. I hope to make it up to you." For a long moment I remained silent as I tried to order my thoughts. "Well. I'm probably the only one that could have done it so I don't blame you. I'm just glad that everything is ok now. And it did make me pretty strong after all so I can't be that mad at you. Besides. You did what you thought you had to and it worked out alright." Her lips pulled up over her teeth in what looked to be a smirk. "I must say. That went much more smoothly than I expected when going over the time line. I thought that you would be much more upset. Though I'm sure the call of our souls has done a lot to placate you. At least for the moment. You should grow your hair out. It looked really good on you." One eyebrow lifted, glancing down at her. "You saw that?" "Of course. Upon finding out about you I did a thorough swept of the time since my remnant was k-... Since it died." My fingers stilled against her, eyes searching her's even though she did her best to keep them from me. "Someone killed you." Her jaw clenched before finally admitting it. "Yeah. But it's not important." "I get the feeling it's really important and you just aren't telling me." A sharp breath blew my hair around when she let it out. "In time. I'm not usually one to beat around the bush or have such a hard time saying what I'm feeling. In fact I've always prided myself on that. But you, Ichigo. You scare me." My throat tightened on a dry swallow. "I scare you... You're an immortal. What do you have to be scared of?" Pain and fear swam in her eyes when they found mine again and I didn't like it. "Rejection, anger, hate. Take your pick. What I did to you wasn't fair and it was a careless over sight on my part that allowed for it."
My jaw clenched. "Man you're really milking this aren't you!? So what! I already said it was alright so stop your whining!" Her eyes widened, staring at me slack jawed for several seconds. "You did not just call me whiny!" "Well if the shoe fits! I'm tired of hearing about it! Everything turned out fine anyhow and you're the only one still hung up on it!" Complete shock and befuddlement clung to her face and I snorted. "Now stop wallowing in self pity and and show me what you really look like already!" Her eyes cut at me, tail frizzing out like an angry cat. "I do not wallow!! And this is no simple matter!" "Yeah well I really don't care one way or the other! You're getting on my nerves! Now shut up and transform! And you better be wearing clothes!" Our eyes caught in a heated staring contest before she tackled me back down flat from where I had sat up to yell at her. "What makes you think I can do any such thing?! You'll just have to develop a fetish for furries!" Her chest pressed flush with my face and I planted a hand against her. "Knock it off! People will talk if they see you like this!" "Oh I know! They'll say Ichigo the pervert fucks animals on his roof! Why are you so uptight?! Maybe you need some love!" "No!! Now get off of me!!" My eyes squeezed closed as her mouth grew closer to mine. "Stop it!! Your breath smells horrible!! And I know where you lick!! Your spit is touching me!!" The fur in my hands vanished suddenly leaving something soft and squishy in place. A human face took place of the furry muzzle and I let out a relieved sigh. "My breath doesn't stink and I'll have you know I wash in the shower like you! The nerve of you, Ichigo! Groping my boob while saying such hurtful things."