Chapter 1
The early morning sun gleamed over the 25th district, bringing in the morning. The late autumn breeze, coupled with the vibrantly coloured leaves, welcomed the warmth of the slowly rising sun. Birds, singing their morning songs signaled the beginning of a new day, and gently served as a wake up call, for one boy.
Awakening from his slumber, and sitting up from his sleep, a young child rubbed his eyes removing sleeps tight hold upon himself. His short, brown hair was a mess, and his disheveled apperance showed more than what was true about the boy. His yellow eyes scanned the room he was in, and spotted his adoptive brother sleeping on his bed. In front of him lay his kimono, and haori for his job.
Awakening more, he smelled the herby scent of tea being brewed, and rose from his place, and dressed himself. Walking over to his kimono, and leaving the haori for when he left his house.
He opened the door and stepped into the main living room of his house, a relatively average sized house for the 25th district, it was furnished with both new and used items. The small table in the centre of the room was host to decorative candles and incense that were largely ignored for the value of decorating the room rather than actual usefulness. The walls were adorned with a few pictures painted by a local talent, and a small shelf sat in the corner with various books. The small family was wealthy having ownership over a small, but unique shop, of antiquities and relics from abroad.
The young boy stepped into the living room looking for whomever was making tea this early in the morning. He already had a hunch as to who it was, his adoptive mother. However, he had been surprised before, and learned his lesson of not expecting things to be the same, regardless of previous experiences.
He manouvered his way to the kitchen, a small room with basic amenities such as a water basin, a pot, and a fire pit for cooking, when he saw who it was, he took a step back, and took in the sight.
"Is that you, Nanashi?" Came a deep masculine voice.
"Father!" Nanashi exclaimed, "You're back!"
He ran over to his adoptive father, Yukimura, and embraced him deeply. Yukimura was a tall man, and his presence filled rooms. He was known for his prowess as a scavenger, as well as his wit. He was a calm man, and his deep blue eyes invited everyone in, and his warm heart melted even the coldest of people. He was the 'big brother's of the district, and everyone who knew him, knew that he was a just, and fair man. He loved his family, and was one of the few people that actually acknowledged Nanashi's presence.
The man had left to go relic hunting in the outer districts, and apparently beyond that. He had told stories of what lay beyond the known spaces of the rukongai, and they frightened, yet facinated the young Nanashi. Four months had passed since Yukimura had left, and he had little contact with his family. Any time he was away, which was extremely often, Ayane, and Kugo abused Nanashi's desire to help his father's business. He had no idea about this of course, as Ayane had threatened him if he mentioned a word of this to her husband.
"Easy boy, easy!" Yukimura chuckled "The tea is still hot, I don't wish to spill it and scold you!"
"Ah, sorry father. It's just been a while, and I got excited!" Nanashi said apologetically.
Yukimura looked at him with a big smile "Not to worry son, no harm."
The sliding of another door could be heard, and both Yukimura and Nanashi had looked over to see Nanashi's adoptive mother standing, a look of happiness and shock on her delicate features. She was a beautiful woman by most standards. She was average height, had deep brown eyes, amd a ver pale complection. Many men had, according to her, pined after her in her youth, but Yukimura won her heart. As she stood there, Yukimura took in her sight, with a desire that held a tigh grip om his heart the moment he had left. She could see this, and finally made her way over to Yukimura, embraced and kissed him.
Yukimura cupped his wife's face, and looked into her eyes, "I've missed you so much Ayane."
"And I, you" Ayane replied.
Nanashi took his cup of tea, and returned to the living room to give his parents some privacy. Although quite frankly, he didn't want to see his parents showing their affection they way they did. An image he could live without. He sat at the table, the door to his room slid open, and out came his brother, running to meet his father upon hearing the commotion.
"Father! You're back! How did it go?! Did you find lots of relics? Did you fight?! Did you kill?!" His brother asked in excitedly quick succession.
"Slow down Kugo, give your father a chance to talk." Ayane replied.
"The boy is just excited is all, I'll explain everything. Come, sit with me." Yukimura replied.
Nanashi had risen from his spot, and made his way into his room to grab his haori, knowing what was coming next. He left his tea half finished on the table, as he would never get the chance to finish it. He prepared for the usual request, his mother's demands becoming more and more frequent. Donning his haori, and straw hat, and returned to he living room, and was handed the keys to the shop.
"Open the shop, and remain there until we come for you. Understood?" Ayane demanded not bothering to look Nanashi in the eyes.
"Yes mother. Will I need to bring the artifacts from this scavenge with me?" Nanashi asked.
"That depends," Ayane asked annoyed, "Do you wish us to starve?"
It was a statement that made little sense to him. They didn't need to eat anymore, so how could they starve? How could she, a regular soul, not a Shinigami, or even that powerful, need to eat anything? Yukimura did not even require food, and he was a scavenger, with many fights and battles under his belt. Yet she, implied that they would starve if they didn't have the money from the store.
Nanashi knew the real reason of course. The woman wanted a bigger house, more things, and the chance to show off her status to the people of the 25th district. She cared little for the fact that, almost every night, Nanashi went to sleep hungry. Her dream of sitting in with the nobles, specifically the prestigious Kuchiki's, or the kind, yet equally important Shiba clan, was her one true motivation. Not caring for the street urchin that Yukimura had brought back one winter day.
"No mother, of course not!" Nanashi replied, "I apologize. Please forgive me."
Bowing his head, she simply waved him away and rejoined her husband and son in the living room. As he stepped outside, he looked back at the scene before him. A family, with everything he wanted. All of his worries, and fear melting away with the return of a loved one.
There was just one problem, he wasn't part of it.
He turned to see a carriage, filled with various trinkets, and baubles, the people from the 1st, and 2nd district travelled all the way to the 25th to acquire. Rarities such as precious gems, gold trinkets, and exotic flowers, found only in the most remote of places. His father had really outdone himself this time with one object in particular, a purple hilted Zanpakuto, an Asauchi. No doubt he intended to gift it to his son Kugo, and not him, as Kugo was the elder son, and Shinigami scouts had already been in the area to presumably find Kugo.
The carriage had been full, and he knew that this was going to be a very busy day for him. He just hoped that he wouldn't be doing it alone again. So often he ran the shop by his lonesome. One time in particular he remembered managing to stay awake through the night to finish the paperwork, and close the shop, only for Ayane, and Kugo to arrive to open the shop for the next day's work. Ayane made Nanashi stay, and clean the storage room for the entire day, and neglected to inform Nanashi that they had left.
He pet the horse, affectionately named Ryu, and led him down the familiar road to the shop. He came across the usual people awake in the morning, children playing in the streets, their guardians watching them. Some Shinigami scouts that were recruiting for the Shin'o academy, and finally, the old woman Kaede tending to her garden. Nanashi stopped Ryu, as it was an unspoken rule to greet the old lady as soon as you saw her. She was the elder of this part of the district, and would often speak to people and give them gifts of food, and flowers. Everyone knew, and loved her as a kind, and gentle woman, and the men would defend her from any rich snob, or young loud mouth, who dared disrespect her.
"Nanashi." Kaede warmly greeted, "How very nice to see you again. Yukimura is back again I see."
"Lady Kaede" Nanashi replied as he bowed, "Yes, my father has returned from a scavenge, and I'm heading to the shop to set it up now."
"I can see that" Kaede chuckled, "I may be old, but my vision still works just fine, child."
Realizing what he said, and regretting it immediately, Nanashi spoke "Oh! M-my apologies Lady Kaede, I meant no disrespect!" Nanashi spoke quickly, so as not to cause a scene.
"Relax child, I'm not like Ayane. I was merely poking fun with you!" Kaede replied.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Nanashi felt his cheeks burning up, realizing that he was outwitted by the old lady. He remembered a long conversation he had with her about her youth. Apparently she was quite the comedian and had an iron wit. So she said anyway.
"Ayane has sent you, alone, across town without food, hasn't she?" Kaede knowingly asked.
"I don't need food to survive anymore. It's a luxury that nobility, and the Shinigami have." Nanashi said, only for his stomach to growl rather loudly.
"Indeed you don't." Kaede replied handing him a basket of food.
Nanashi held his hands up, against his stomachs wishes, "Lady Kaede, you don't need to give me that! I will be okay without food today!" He quickly said, try to refuse the gift. Only for Kaede to use her authority to force it upon him, and storing it on the carriage where he couldn't reach it.
They chatted, for a short while, before Nanashi led Ryu away in the direction of the store. Hoping to have a quiet day.
"Is that the boy, Lady Kaede?" A voice came from behind her house.
"It is." Came her reply.
The black robed man stepped out from his hiding spot, and his black hair rustling in the gentle breeze. He was tall, with a Zanpakuto tied around his waist.
"Thank you." Came his reply and he started walking down the path, following Nanashi.
The sun had finally risen completely by the time Nanashi had made it to the shop. From all directions, voices could be heard from people peddling their wares, and encouraging visitors to 'spend more money' or 'buy that special someone that gift they always wanted' to varying degrees of success.
Nanashi had opened the shop, and was immediately swamped with rich people, both new comers and some regulars, who wished to purchase today's new selection of wares. He could tell that the customers were trying to show their status by buying the most expensive and rarest of trinkets. Which they proudly displayed publicly. It was an idea that Nanashi scoffed at.
4 hours had passed before the morning rush had died down considerably enough, to give Nanashi time to eat some of the food that Lady Kaede had generously prepared for him. He could see that she had years of experience preparing food with the care and precision she used. The various bready, buns, and even a little treat was nestled in the basket. Nanashi was thankful that at least someone would grant him the gift of food.
He was enjoying a bun with red bean paste, when a man approached the shop.
"Hello?" The man called, "Anyone in there?"
"I'm on my way sir!" Nanashi called from the back. Choking down the remainder of his food, and following it with water. He quickly packed the food away, and ran to the front counter of the shop. He made sure not to tip anything over, or push anything out of place, as the trinkets were priceless, and irreplaceable.
Making it to the main shop area, he briskly walked through the open door, and spotted the familiar sight of a Shinigami. Tall, black hair, and resting a hand on his Zanpakuto. It was enough to turn Nanashi's blood cold, freezing him in place. Nanashi stared at the man with a dumbstruck expression, fearing that he may be in trouble.
"Are you Nanashi Ginjo?" Asked the Shinigami.
"Yes I am." Came a quick reply.
"Good, I'm looking for a certain trinket, and word on the street is you're the person to ask." The man stated.
"I can try to help you, what were you after?" Nanashi asked meekly.
"First things first, my name it Kaien Shiba. Third seat of squad 13." Kaien said introducing himself. "I'm a scout for the Shin'o academy, and it is almost time for the new training to begin."
Nanashi was confused by this, his brother was the stronger, more apt candidate for becoming a Shinigami, so why was the man not immediately asking for his name? Unless...
"So what can I do to help?" Nanashi asked.
"We'll get to that." Kaien replied. "Are you hungry?"
Nanashi then remembered that he hadn't eaten much, and his stomach growled loudly again. He was starving, but he didn't want to show it, for fear of his mother berating him for 'lying again.'
"I'll take that as a yes then." Kaien self assuredly quipped. "Close the shop, and come eat lunch with me. It'll be okay, trust me."
"I can't, the shop is still open, and my mother will punish me if she catches me away from the shop." Nanashi tried explaining.
"Well, I'll tell her off then." Kaien said.
The thought that this total stranger telling his mother off frightened, and intrigued him. He wanted it to happen, but he knew that he would feel her wrath of it ever did. Even though it wasn't him that would've said anything, it would end up being his fault. He was just the 'other kid' to Ayane. A hinderance for her. His stomach growled again, and Nanashi came up with an idea.
"Why don't we eat here?" Nanashi suggested, "That way, I can keep the shop open, and you can talk. Does that sound reasonable, sir?"
Kaien pondered this, or seemed to, then smiled and agreed. "Sure thing kid. Let's eat!"
Nanashi grabbed the basket of food that was prepare for him, and Kaien reached into the a basket, and grabbed a few buns, and some rice. He began eating, polite enough to not be disrespectful, but heartily enough to show that he was just as, or far more hungry then Nanashi was.
"Man, this looks great. That old lady sure knows how to cook!" Kaien exclaimed.
Nanashi tried to understand this man, this 'Shinigami.' He had approached him, asking for trinkets or a specific one, and then asked him if he was hungry. What was this Kaien after?
Seeing him staring at the food without eating, Kaien spoke up, "I'm sure you're wondering why I asked if you're hungry. Especially after I had asked you to help me find something."
"Yes, sir." Came Nanashi's quiet reply.
"Well, the truth is, I've been watching you for a few weeks now." Kaien explained.
Nanashi quickly looked up at Kaien, and froze.
"I meant it when I had asked for your help kid. I'm looking for something very special as well. Something that only you can help me with." Kaien stated matter of factly.
Nanashi wondered why grown ups did this. It wasn't like he needed to have everything be a big dramatic scene. What did this man want? Why was he not getting to the damn point? It annoyed him beyond reason, and he felt his toes starting to clench in frustration.
Kaien could see him getting visibly annoyed, and knew that this was working. He wanted him mad, he wanted him to lash out. He wanted to see his potential. So he stalled more, and more until eventually.
"You see kid, I'm here on a big important mission. I've got lots of responsibility to my squad, and the Shin'o academy." Kaien stated proudly. "And I'm passing it on, to you my friend."
If there was one thing that Nanashi despised more than Ayane, it was when people made contrived and over dramatic sentences. People needed to be able to communicate without the drama, and without the stupidity of trying to 'make a statement.' He had completely turned out the nonsense that Kaien was spewing, but couldn't take the man any longer.
"SO WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!" Nanashi eventually shouted.
Kaien simply sat there, a smug grin on his face. He had succeeded in pushing the child over the edge, and in doing so, revealed a suspicion. Kaien felt the surge of spirit energy coming off of Nanashi, however slight it was. He was impressed that someone this young, could have a noticable amount of energy behind him. Needless to say, Kaien decided to get to the point he was trying to make.
Nanashi had been seething. This man couldn't be more infuriating than Kugo. He seemed like he was a big shot, like he was important. Yet he acted like he was just as akin to piss the days away, drunk under a table. He wanted so badly to lash out more, but noticed that the world seemed to spin, and he lost his balance. Sitting down, he looked at Kaien and started to worry.
"It's as I thought." Kaien stated. "You have latent powers that aren't fully realized."
Nanashi started to understand Kaien more. He was watching him, in an effort to see if he had powers at all. He looked at Kaien, this time much more calmly, and asked. "But why me? What did I do?"
"It's not really a matter of what you did, more, who you always were." Kaien explained.
"Haven't you noticed your hunger? Haven't you noticed that you are more weak, and fatigued when you don't eat?" Kaien asked.
Nodding, Nanashi finally realized what Kaien was saying. "So what does this mean?"
"What I'm after, Nanashi Ginjo, is you."
Nanashi froze, yet again. He was 'after him?' was he in trouble? Or, was this scout, looking for him to become a Shinigami. Admittedly, Nanashi had always dreamed of one day becoming one, but Ayane had quickly batted that down at every chance. Could this really be true? Could he finally have something happen that was good for him?
Realizing that he was lost in thought again, Nanashi finally spoke up.
"So you want me, to become a Shinigami? Is that it?" He asked.
"Ding ding ding!" Kaien excitedly exclaimed.
"What about my life here? What happens to the shop?" Nanashi asked.
"What, you'd rather this shop that panders to the lowest kind of people be your life? You can't be serious." Kaien scoffed.
"Well, no. But I don't want my family to suffer." Nanashi explained.
"Do you really think that they'll even notice?" Kaien asked, suddenly getting serious. "Look at how they treat you. You're largely forgotten about, and they do everything they can to abuse you, and your hard working attitude. Secondly, your name is Nanashi, literally 'no name'. You'd make for a fine Shinigami, and maybe one day, a Captain."
Taken back by his serious tone, Nanashi's mood darkened. His life had basically been about this shop, and he would regret not knowing what happened to it. Some customers were nice to him, and complimented him. People here genuinely cared about his well being. Kaiens words struck deep. More deeply than he had ever realized. Only because he was right. Would the Ginjo family even know he had left? Would they care?
"Look kid, the choice is yours. I need an answer now though, so let me officially ask." Kaien stated,
"The Seireitei, and the 13 squads, officially extend an invitation to you, Nanashi Ginjo, to come with me, and join our ranks as an apprentice Shinigami." Kaien declared, stopping nearby people. "Do you accept? Will you put the well being of others before your own? Will you stand where few dare? Will you realize your potential as a warrior for peace?" Kaien theatrically asked.
Nanashi wanted this. He wanted to be more than a shopkeeper, who was unrecognized by his own family. He wanted desperately to fit in with others like himself. He glanced at the shop, then the people who were watching the spectacle. Finally he rested his eyes on Kaien.
"Kaien, I will acce-" Nanashi started.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" A shrill voice shouted.
"Who are you, to take my employee away from my shop?! Who are you to take my property?!" Ayane shouted.
"Property?! This is your child. You adopted him!" Kaien replied angrily.
"He is no child of mine, Shinigami." Ayane said venomously. "This excuse of a child, is my employee, and my property. I do what I want with him. Now, boy, get back into the shop, and do your damned job, or you'll sleep outside in the streets through the winter."
"How dare you, you damned bitch. This child is gifted! You aren't his owner, your supposed to be his moth-"
"ENOUGH!" Nanashi finally shouted.
Both Ayane, and Kaien looked at the boy shocked by his outburst. Ayane in particular looked especially panicked, and worried that she was about to lose her, as she called it 'property.' She started fumbling behind her decorative purple, black, and gold coloured kimono, when Nanashi spoke again.
"Kaien" Nanashi said as he faced Ayane, "I graciously accept your offer. I will become your apprentice, and enroll in the Shin'o academy."
"Excellent! Grab what you need, and we'll be off!" Kaien stated.
Ayane was fuming. She knew that this boy was going to be trouble from the moment Yukimura laid eyes on him. She knew that this wouldn't be acceptable. She knew that HE would punish her. She needed to act, and act now. Unsheathing a small knife, she charged at Nanashi, not screaming so as not to alert this Shinigami scum.
Nanashi was relieved, he was finally leaving this torture. He was finally free. He thought that this was too good to be true. He felt over joyed that his dream was coming true. He had heard stories from some of the local Shinigami scouts about brave men and women waging battle against demons. He heard, and let his imagination run wild.
He finished gathering his belongings, kid brown, tattered kimono, straw hat, and finally the food that Lady Kaede had prepared for him, and started to leave. Following Kaien, he heard footsteps of someone running. He spun around in time to see Ayane, her eyes yellow, and her movements contorted and dangerous. He closed his eyes after seeing the knife, and braced himself for the cold steel to enter his body. He waited, and waited, feeling nothing.
Opening his eyes, he immediately brought his hands up to his mouth. Kaien, had unsheathed his Zanpakuto, and was standing in front of Nanashi quietly. Ayane had stammered, and took one final step, before falling to the ground in two pieces. Blood, and the weight of her body had hit the ground with a sickening, wet slap. She made no noise, no attempt at crying out. Nothing.
Nanashi's world was spinning. He couldn't believe what Kaien had done. Sure, she attacked him, but to bisect her, in the middle of the street?! What was he thinking? That was straight murder!
He went to speak, when Ayane's body began to convulse, and she started screaming a deafening, two toned scream. Nanashi fell down onto his backside upon seeing and hearing this, and started fearing for his life. Kaien simply stood the stoically, finally raising his Zanpakuto, and with one final slash, cut Ayane across her head where only he could see a hollows mask had started to form.
Ayane stopped, slumped to the ground and slowly began to become reishi. She returned to the world of the living, the cycle of reincarnation running it's course. In her final moments, Nanashi had spotted a few years running down Ayane's face, not of regret, or pain, but genuine sorrow. He could see so much pain in her eyes, and he couldn't even begin to fathom why. Little did he know, that Ayane, in her last moments in the rukongai, had been freed from the hollow possessing her, and her memories can flooding back to her. She remembered all of the horrible things that the hollow made her do to Nanashi, all of the neglect, and abuse. She always knew, but was powerless to stop the hollow dr making her do it to him. She just hoped, that in her last moments as a part of his life, she forgave him.
"Are you okay?" Kaien asked.
Nanashi was speechless. What the hell had happened to Ayane? What did Kaien do? What was Yukimura, or Kugo going to do? His mind was racing at the implications. He wanted to return to the house, to check on the Ginjo family, but he'd already made a commitment to Kaien, and the Shin'o academy. He had to follow through, or her be hunted, tried, and sent to the maggots den.
"She was a hollow, Nanashi." Kaien finally said. "She was infected with a special kind of hollow, and as a result, became a completely different person. The only way to free her, was to kill her."
Nanashi's fear over what happened began to fade, when he realized that any rationalization would be disingenuous to Kaiens knowledge of the matter. Kaien was, after all, the expert on these things.
"So, do you want to head to the academy?" Kaien asked, bringing Nanashi out of his stupor.
"I guess we should." Nanashi replied.
Thus began Nanashi's training as a Shinigami of the 13 squads. It was tough life, but one that would pay off in the end. He wanted to protect others from this. These hollows needed to be exterminated, for there to be peace, and Nanashi wanted to do his part. So they began the long trip, to the Seireitei, and to the next chapter of Nanashi's, and Kaiens lives.