The air was muggy and hot, the typical weather of Japan's summer. Ichigo was walking home from school with Rukia, each sucking on a popsicle in an attempt to cool down during the long walk. The semester was nearly over and the sweet thought of getting out of school and back into the Soul Society was quite tempting, as the last couple days had been burdened heavily with studying for exams.
"…Chigo…Ichigo…HEY ICHIGO!" Rukia's voice broke through Ichigo's daze like an ice pick.
The usual frown deepened on his face. Stupid runt, this weather is to hot to put effort into anything. Well, he didn't really hate her, at least not that much. A 'hn' has given as a reluctant signal to show his attention was on her.
"When we get back to your house, there's some news I need to tell you," Rukia murmured, almost as if she suspected someone to be listening in on the vague conversation. Another 'hn' from Ichigo, but now he really payed attention, his interest had been peeked by the odd behavior.
"Its about the… hmmm hmm," she elaborated, though the last part was to quite for him to really catch.
"What?" Ichigo made no effort to quite himself, who could possibly be listening? The streets were dead.
"The Soul Society," Rukia hissed, a bit louder this time. Her eyes darted back and forth as though she expected someone to jump out of the bushes at any second. He raised one eyebrow in response, when Rukia was done scouring the area and glanced at Ichigo's oblivious expression, she rolled her eyes.
"This isn't something you should take lightly, Ichigo," Rukia's voice became a tad shrill.
"I don't even know what your talking about, how should I know how seriously to take this," his voice once again shattering the soft murmur of rustling leaves, foot steps, and Rukia's hissing voice.
The rest of the walk to Ichigo's home was silent, although the suspicious scouring of the area, done by Rukia's watchful eyes, created an almost deafening environment. Ichigo shoved the irritation back down his throat, what did it matter to him anyway? Rukia's paranoia had no affect on him at that moment.
The gate opened with a rough squeal, the brief thought of oiling it passed the back of Ichigo's mind. Rukia closed it behind them, flicking the little holder down to make sure it didn't open unassisted. She followed patiently behind him, and allowed him to unlock the door before stepping through the doorway backwards, making sure no one had followed them.
"Alright, what's been bugging you, Rukia," the dark-haired woman whipped around to face him before pacing past him, checking the room carefully. Ichigo frowned at being so blatantly ignored, he was beginning to become a bit paranoid too.
"Okay," the room had apparently passed her inspection, "Ichigo I think you need to sit down." He hesitantly followed her advice and took a seat on the gently-worn sofa, She stood a few feet in front of him.
"Do not freak out but…" Perfect white teeth came out to chew at a pale lip, "as you have the potential to become one of the most powerful shinigami in existence, Captain Yamamoto has assigned a squad with the specific task of watching you at all moments."
"What?!" Cheeks swelled with a neon red, "What? Every moment? What the hell, Rukia!"
"Ichigo, please calm down, it's for the best," Rukia soft pleads calmed him slightly, but the redness still didn't subside. She watched him for a few seconds, allowing him to calm down further before continuing.
"Recently one of the guards appointed have noticed a peculiar spiritual following you," Rukia drew in a deep breath, "a hollow… An espada to be exact."
Ichigo sucked in a breath and began to cough violently as he unexpectedly breathed in some spittle. Rukia shifted over to sit beside him, patting a small hand against his back. She allowed him to cool off again, hoping this time he would keep quiet and listen.
"They haven't been able to pinpoint which espada it is or if it actually is after you, as they haven't directly seen it yet, but it is popping up incredibly close to you at times," Rukia elaborated, "whoever it is has been hiding their reiatsu incredibly well, the sensors sometimes can barely pick it up."
As soon as she stopped talking a heavy reiatsu covered the area like a blanket.
"Thanks for the introduction," a deep relaxed voice called from the front door.
AN: oh damn who is it? we'll see