Chapter 1
-X-
A teenage girl was sitting on a roof. She wore a Kurakara High School uniform and dawned short black hair. Her light hazel-colored eyes shone as she sat down a rice ball and juice on a tray in front of her. The tray had a little flower on it as well.
"You came!" a young voice said. The girl turned around to see the spirit of a child.
"Told you I'd bring you your favorite food today," The teen said as she motioned towards the plate. The child's face softened.
"I can't eat it but it's nice having someone to talk to," the child said. The girl nodded.
"I checked in on your folks for you. Everyone's coping. The driver's okay. Your family knows you're going on to a better place," she said. The child smiled.
"Thank you, miss," they said as they began to glow. The girl smiled.
"I guess I'm no longer needed here," she said as she stood up. She went to walk away but was stopped.
"Wait!" the child called. The girl turned around.
"May I know your name? Then, I can find you when you cross over!" the child said. The girl sighed.
"Sorry, hon, but I don't plan on going there," the girl said. The child gave her a confused look as they glowed brighter.
"However...I don't want you to leave unhappy, and seeing as you about to go, I think it's the least I can do..." the girl smiled. The child blinked with a slightly open mouth.
"It's Zephyrine. Zephyrine Akino," the girl said. The child returned her smile.
"Thank you, Zephyrine," it said before disappearing completely. The girl, known as Zephyrine, sighed as she jumped off the roof, landing on her feet. She took her phone out of her school bag and noticed the time.
"Oh, shit," she said under her breath as she began to run.
"I'm gonna be late," she said as she turned a corner. She had a worried expression on her face which fell as she bumped into something. She dropped her bag as she fell onto her bottom.
"Oh, sorry," a carrot-topped boy said as he held his hand out to help her up. She grabbed her things and scrambled to her feet without his help. She gave him a thankful nod before running off.
At The High School...
Zephyrine had made it to class on time but was out of breath. She stood up front as she was introduced.
"Everyone, this is Zephyrine Akino, our newest exchange student," the teacher said. Zephyrine bowed to her classmates.
"You may take a seat now. Class is about to begin," the teacher said. Zephyrine nodded as she sat at the only empty desk. It was behind a girl with orange hair. The day went by as it normally would, with the only exception being Zephyrine's attendance. Soon, it was time for lunch. The class was dismissed and the students dispersed into their friend groups. Zephyrine noticed the orange-haired boy she had bumped into but didn't want to say anything.
"Hello, Zephyrine!" a cheery voice said as someone tapped Zephyrine on the shoulder. She jumped slightly.
"Oh, hello," she said, realizing it was the girl she sat behind in the first class period.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," the girl chuckled. Zephyrine laughed nervously.
"N-No, it's fine," she said. The orange-haired girl smiled.
"I'm Orihime Inoue! Do you want to come and eat with me and my friends?" she asked. Zephyrine hesitated.
"Uh...sure," she said.
On the rooftop...
Zephyrine was led to the roof by the orange-haired girl to the only other carrot-top she had seen in the town. Of course, her first day at Kurakara High School was going to be spent apologizing for an awkward encounter. She sighed.
"Oh, it's you," the boy said. Zephyrine sighed.
"Sorry about earlier," she said. The boy waved his hand, dismissing her apology.
"Don't worry about it," he said. Zephyrine gave him a small smile.
"You two already know each other?!" Orihime asked. The two nodded but only Zephyrine looked nervous.
"We had a little...uh...interaction..." she said.
"Akino, this is Ichigo," Orihime introduced the boy to Zephyrine. She then turned to Ichigo.
"Ichigo, this is Zephyrine Akino," she said. Ichigo laughed.
"What kind of name is Zephyrine?" he asked. Zephyrine rolled her eyes.
"I think it's Greek," a girl with raven-colored hair said. She was sitting off to the side so Zephyrine hadn't noticed her. She was struggling to puncture a juice box. Zephyrine gave her a nod.
"I also go by Rina," Zephyrine said.
"I'm Rukia. Nice to meet you," the girl. Zephyrine gave her a smile.
"And this is Tatsuki!" Orihime gave another dark-haired girl a hug. She laughed nervously.
"Hi," Tatsuki said. Zephyrine sat down.
"So, Rina, did you bring something for lunch?" Orihime asked. Zephyrine sighed. The only food items she had were gifted to the spirit she tried to please earlier. She shook her head.
"There's this big dinner that my Aunt is making and I want to work up an appetite," she said. Orihime gave an understanding nod.
"You're a transfer student, right? Where'd you transfer from?" Ichigo asked.
"None of you will know of it," Zephyrine answered rather quickly. The group paused as she took in what she said.
"I-I mean it's a tiny island. No one really knows about it," she said, chuckling nervously. The others shrugged it off.
"You mentioned your aunt. Do you live with her?" Orihime asked. Zephyrine shook her head and gained a somber look.
"Yes. My parents died when I was young. I had a sister who followed in suit," she said. The group fell silent.
"If you don't mind me asking...How did they die?" Rukia asked. Zephyrine hesitated for a second.
"Murder," she said, looking as if she had seen a ghost when she recalled the memory. She took a shaky breath.
"But that's in the past now," she said before putting on a smile.
"Now I have nothing to do but move on with my life," she said. Orihime pulled her into a hug, startling the girl.
"You're so brave," Orihime said, on the verge of tears. Zephyrine laughed sheepishly. As everyone continued to eat, Zephyrine got a strange feeling. She narrowed her eyes, looking around. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked to Rukia and Ichigo. Their Reiatsu, or Spirit Energy, was different. By that, she means they actually had it!
'Are they...No, they can't be. I swear if you knew about this Urahara..." she cursed in her mind.
"Are you okay, Rina?" Rukia asked, noticing how she was staring. Zephyrine shook her head.
"O-Oh! Yeah! Just spacing out," she laughed it off.
'Who am I kidding...Of course, he knows something.'
That evening...
Zephyrine walked into a small building. Inside were various shop items. Two kids were sweeping outside. They waved to her and she gave them a nod in return.
"Well, well, well," said a certain sandy-blonde store owner.
"If it isn't my dear friend, Miss Akino," he joked. Zephyrine frowned.
"How was school?" he asked with a smile.
"Number one, they ask too many questions. Number two, you know something," she said as she sat up on the counter, taking a sucker from a bowl.
"It was a shitty cover story, too," she commented.
"Hey, don't make it seem like it was my idea! You were the one who said that you were bored and wanted to get out," Urahara said. Zephyrine sighed.
"Yes, but you sent me there and I think I know why," she said as she faced Urahara.
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow with a sly smile.
"This Rukia chick has Spirit Energy. She could be a Soul Reaper," Zephyrine said.
"Did you notice anything else about the other one?" Urahara asked. Zephyrine narrowed her eyes.
"Ichigo," Zephyrine said. Urahara chuckled.
"I'll let you figure out that puzzle on your own," he said. Zephyrine rolled her eyes as she slid off the counter and threw away her sucker.
"Why are you here, Akino? You've asked for a place to stay and I've given in but you haven't answered my question," Urahara said.
"Same reason you're not in the Seireitei," Zephyrine narrowed her eyes.
"I guess we're both in trouble, then," Urahara said with a somewhat cheery tone. Zephyrine sighed through her nostrils. The tension was suddenly lifted.
"I'm hungry," Zephyrine pouted as she grabbed a cookie that was sitting on the counter.
"Hey! I just bought that!" Urahara frowned
Zephyrine shrugged.
"I'll pay you back," she said. She used her canine teeth to pull apart the wrapping and make her way to the cookie. She ate it all in one bite. Urahara sighed.
"Slow down, you'll-" "Choke and die?" Zephyrine chuckled. She looked outside and took a deep breath.
"The only people who would care are dead to me. Frankly, with the lies being fed to them, I don't think they care," she said. Urahara stared at her as she walked into one of the spare rooms.
Later That Night...
"Hey, Rina! Why didn't you go to the meeting?" A small girl who resembled Zephyrine chirped. She had long white hair and dark eyes. She was smaller and seemed to have more spunk, too. She wore the usual Soul Reaper uniform and had her Zanpakuto tied to her waist. The sheath was white with a black hilt.
"I didn't feel like it. They say these squad meetings are mandatory, but I think it's just bullshit," Zephyrine said. She looked down to the younger girl and smirked.
"Don't get into my habits, Zora. You're too cute to piss off your captain," she said. The young girl, known as Zora, looked up to the sky.
"Ya know, it's a beautiful night. Let's take advantage of it!" she said. Zephyrine sighed.
"Haven't been on a nice walk in a while," she said. Zora giggled.
"You've been busy, Sis," she said. Zephyrine gave her a small smile.
"Sorry, Zora. You know you can pull me away anytime," she said.
"Do you want to talk about him?" Zora asked as they began their walk through a wooded area. Zephyrine sighed and shook her head.
"I knew you had motives..." she growled, causing Zora to giggle.
"Isshin gets on my nerves," Zephyrine said.
"Doesn't explain why you keep yourself so busy. You really expect me to believe you won't give him, or anyone for that matter, the time of day because he gets on your nerves?" Zora asked. Zephyrine shrugged.
"Believe what you want. I keep myself busy because I know there's another reason for the disappearance of the ninth division elite members...There has to be someone behind it," she said as she narrowed her eyes.
"Is this about Kisuke? Are you trying to figure out why he, the Grand Kidō Chief, and the Ninth Division members disappeared?" Zora raised an eyebrow. Zephyrine nodded.
"There's gotta be something more to the story," she said quietly. She took a step then noticed a pressence. She looked around and found Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen behind them. She stood up from her offensive stance.
"Hello, Lieutenant Aizen! Ichimaru. Tōsen," Zora nodded to each male that showed up.
"Hello, young one," Aizen said.
"What are you doing out and about, Lieutenant?" Zephyrine asked.
"Figured it's a good night for a walk," Aizen answered. Zephyrine gave him a small smile.
"I couldn't help but overhear you saying something about Kisuke Urahara and the Ninth Division members?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Rina's trying to piece it together. Get justice for those who were accused," Zora said. Zephyrine chuckled nervously at her younger sister's comment.
"I think there is more than meets the eye. Something that was missed," she said. Aizen was quiet. Suddenly he smiled.
"Please let me know when you make a discovery," he said. Zephyrine returned the smiled and nodded.
"I'll make sure you're the first to know," she said. She turned around and continued on her walk with Zora.
-X-
"Hey!" Zephyrine shouted as she was pulled from her desk. It was covered with papers and notes. Zora dragged her sister outside.
"The other night you told me I could pull you away at any time. So, I'm doing just that," she said. Zephyrine huffed.
"You should have just let me work," she said. Zora gave her sister a sinister smile. The two walked out into the evening light. The purple sky was filled with dim stars as it was barely dark enough to see them.
"So, are we gonna talk or just walk in this awkward silence?" Zora asked. Zephyrine sighed through her nostrils.
"I'm sorry. What's up?" she asked. Zora's smile fell as Zephyrine waved to a passing Soul Reaper.
"No one has seen you in days. You've been so obsessed with this case that you haven't left your room. Now I have to drag you out of your room? You need to calm down, Rina. Stop working and just let it go. There's nothing you can do about it now, anyway," she said. Zephyrine's facade fell.
"I'm close though! There's one piece of the puzzle I'm missing. Besides, Urahara was my friend and I can't just let it go," she said. Zora sighed. The two spotted Aizen approaching them. Zora smiled and Zephyrine waved.
"Hello, Aizen," said the older sister.
"Hello, Zephyrine. Any news about the case?" Aizen asked.
"Don't get her started..." Zora sighed.
"I've been putting more of the pieces together and I'm close. I know Urahara didn't do anything. I just need to prove it," Zephyrine said. Aizen gave her an understanding nod.
"Well, I'll be going now," he said.
"See you later, Lieutenant," Zephyrine said as she continued her walk with Zora.
"How are you holding up?" Zora asked.
"I'm fine. A little tired but it's a small price to pay for this case," Zephyrine said. Zora sighed.
"Don't-" "Kisuke Urahara established the Research Lab. So, you would think he had the tools to experiment with Hollowfication. However, I know he wouldn't do that. There had to have been someone else involved. Someone must have framed Urahara," Zephyrine said. Zora was silent as her narrowed eyes scanned her sister. Suddenly she stopped walking.
"Oh, my god..." she mumbled.
"What?" Zephyrine asked
"This case is driving you insane," Zora said"You're trying desperately to make excuses as to why Urahara left...When in all reality, he's running from his crimes," she added.
"No, It's all there. I just need to find out who was involved and get a suspect," Zephyrine said. Zora shook her head.
"Drop it! This is making you crazy! We watched mom and dad die. I won't watch my sister die, too," she said, tearing up.
"That's not-" Zephyrine was cut off when Zora ran off
"Fair..." she sighed. She walked outside to find her sister.
"Zora? Zora, come on!" she called. She sighed. She searched for her sister's energy but couldn't find it. She began to worry. She thought of their walk through the forest the other night. It's where Zora would go to cool off. Zephyrine made her way to the woods and began to searched there.
"Zora! I'm sorry! You were right, now will you come back?" she called into the dark. Suddenly, she could see her sister. Well, the back of her head at least. She was sitting on the ground with her back on a tree trunk.
"Oh, thank you..." Zephyrine sighed.
"Zora, come on. It's dark and we should be getting some sleep," she said. There was no reply. Zephyrine sighed.
"Zora, I-" she walked to the other side of the tree so she could face her sister. Her eyes widened in shock. Her sister had a stab wound in her stomach. Zephyrine panicked.
"Zora?!" her voice cracked as she shook her sister's still body. Tears fell down her cheek as she pulled her sister into her arms. The stab wound pierced straight through her small body. Zephyrine tore off some fabric from her uniform and tried to stop the bleeding. With Zora's blood smeared on her, she choked on her tears. She began to rock her sister in her arms.
"I'm so sorry..." she cried. Her sister's dark eyes opened slowly. Zephyrine gasped.
"You were...right," Zora forced out a laugh
Zephyrine gave her a puzzled look as she cried.
"We should have stayed inside," Zora said quietly before falling limp again. Zephyrine screamed. She wouldn't let her sister die in her arms. She wouldn't sit and watch her die like her parents.
"Hold on, Zora. I'm gonna get you help," Zephyrine said as she got up. She ran with her sister in her arms. She was almost out of the woods when Aizen stood in front of her.
"Aizen, thank God you're here. She needs help. She was hurt. I dont know how but she-" "Forgive me for this," she heard Aizen say. She gave him a confused look. She felt a sharp pain her shoulder as her eyes grew wide. She fell to the ground, still holding her sister.
"What have you done?!" she shouted to Aizen who walked over. Zephyrine cried as she held her sister. Aizen reached down and tore Zora from Zephyrine's grasp. The girl tried so desperately to hold on but failed due to her weakened state.
"Aizen, you piece of shit! Why?!" she shouted as Aizen laid Zora down. Zephyrine tried to run to her but she was held down by Gin who walked out from the darkness. He put pressure on her shoulder, causing her to howl in pain.
"Gin, let me go!" she snapped. Aizen pulled out a vile of a substance. He put it into a syringe and injected it into Zora. The girl began to convulse before lying still.
"What the hell was that?" Zephyrine had been screaming so much that she could only muster a deep growl. Suddenly, a Hollow's mask formed on Zora. Zephyrine was confused, angry, and sad. Her wide eyes watched as her sister took her Zanpakuto and rushed at her.
"Z-Zora?!" Zephyrine was released by Gin.
"Rrrrrgggaaahh!" Zora roared as she lunged at her sister. Zephyrine threw her arms up and Zora sliced at them with the sword. She howled in pain. She may be slower but she was smarter. She was goven an opening to dodge around Zora. She breathed heavily as her sister growled at her. Zephyrine realized what was going on. Zora came charging again. Zephyrine flipped over her sister, using her Flash Step ability to jump into a tree. She held her shoulder with her other hand.
"You hollowfied her?!" she yelled, filled with anger. Zora lunged at her again but she dodged then grabbed the blade. She winced as blood dripped down her arm. She struggled to keep the blade from slicing deeper into her.
"Damn you, Aizen!" she yelled. Suddenly, she felt the branch underneath her crack.
'Shit,' she thought as the branch snapped and she fell to the ground.
"Shit!" Zephyrine shot up from her pallet on the floor. She had fallen asleep and was awoken by the presence of a nearby Hollow. She was sweating bullets. She pulled down her shirt sleeve so she could look at her shoulder. She rubbed her fingers over her scar.
"Zora..." she mumbled. She sighed as she got up and slipped on a navy blue jacket over her gray t-shirt and black shorts. She put on some sneakers then walked out of Urahara's shop.
"Let's get this son of a bitch," She said, taking in the cool air. She began walking in the direction of the Hollow.