Chapter 1: Tai Abarai

Hello there, my name is Tai Abarai, at least, in this world. I can't remember what I was called in the last world, only that this isn't the first time I've been alive. Speaking of living, this isn't the first time I've seen this world. According to the memories of my previous life, which are still a little fuzzy, this world is from a show called bleach that I watched a little bit of. As for why that show was called bleach, I will never know, only that this is where I live now. Honestly, I only watched the show to about the halfway point when I had to stop watching it to focus on my family and work. Luckily, I did watch enough to know where I was reborn. I was reborn into the afterlife, to Soul Society.

I was reborn about 16, going on 17, years ago to Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai. My hair is ear length and is a mix between my parents, red that becomes black towards the ends. I've got my mom's purple eyes and my dad's build. I've also probably stopped growing by now, but I'm not too sure. Eh, I'll give it a few years and figure it out then. I have a single sister who is 8 years older than me, Ichika Abarai, and is a soul reaper like our parents. She tends to be a bit proud and super serious, which would have been a bit odd, but considering who our uncle is, it's little wonder.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm a soul reaper too. Hey, don't look at me like that, Ichika became a trainee when she was 7! Why shouldn't it be possible for me to do the same? Oh right, I'm lazy. Still, I managed to graduate from the academy… somehow. I never figured out what the name of my zanpakuto, my kido is only so-so, I have little talent with hand to hand combat, and the only thing I'm anywhere decent at is my zanjutsu, my sword technique that is, and the flash step. At least, that's what everyone thinks. Truth is, I didn't do my best on the graduation exams, I was too lazy to. As such, I'm pretty low on the pecking order in my squad, which happens to be squad 6.

I let out a sigh as I lay in my room. I hold up the paper with my assignment. Apparently, my old man and uncle Byakuya have decided to end my lazy behavior by sending me on a mission to the world of the living. Some place called Karakura Town is where I'm assigned. It sounds familiar, but my head feels fuzzy whenever I think about it. Whatever.

"Hey Tai, are you up?"

"Come in."

I hear the door open in response and I turn to see my old man walk in. He's wearing the standard soul reaper uniform and his lieutenant badge, his zanpakuto on his hip. Renji gives me a look of mild surprise upon seeing that I'm awake and looking over the details of my mission.

"Glad to see you're taking this seriously for once."

"I'm trying to figure out how to do this with as little energy as possible."

"GACK!"

I see dad nearly fall over at my words before a pissed look appears on his face.

"If you put half the energy into practicing as you do trying to figure out how to be even lazier than you'd be stronger than me by now!"

"No way, not possible dad. You and uncle are in leagues of your own."

I wave off my dad's accusations with an annoyed look before he continues to give me an earful. I feel like he's yelling right into my ears with a megaphone. Finally, he calms down and crosses his arms.

"Are you ready to head out?"

"Just let me put on my shoes and I'll be gone."

I get out of bed and yawn as I slip on my sandals. I grab my zanpakuto and fix it to my back. It's just under ¾ meters in length and rather thin looking but is actually a wide as a normal zanpakuto with a small square hilt. I follow Renji out and head towards the senkaimon. Upon arriving, I'm given another debrief by my old man. About halfway through it I sigh and wave my hand as I interrupt him.

"I got it dad, I'll be fine. It's just some patrolling in a secure and safe area. Kill any hollows I find, perform konso on any souls I find. Go to Kisuke if I need any supplies, etc."

"You little…"

Renji gives me another look of annoyance before sighing and places a hand on my shoulder.

"You're right but do be careful."

"R-right. See you in 2 months."

I'm a bit surprised by the sudden change in attitude, but eventually just accept it before heading into the sankaimon. Renji watches his son go and sighs. He turns to see Captain Byakuya Kuchiki standing behind him.

"I'm assuming he's already left?"

"Yeah, hopefully Kisuka and Ichigo will be able to light a fire in him."

The captain of squad 6 nods his head in agreement.

"He's exceptionally talented and I simply cannot fathom why he hides his capabilities."

"He's lazy, that's all there is to it."

"Perhaps, but for now, all we can do is wait."

Renji nods at his captain's words and the 2 return to squad 6's barracks.

"God, I knew this place was dark, but this is ridiculous!"

I sigh and begin running through it at a fast pace. Unlike others, I've made some modifications to my uniform. I still have the long baggy pants, but my shihakusho isn't quite as baggy and the sleeves are slightly shorter, though my forearms are still covered by the black bracers I typically wear. This is so there's less air resistance when I move, that way I use less energy. Hm, maybe my old man is right about how much energy I put into being lazy. Ah well.

It doesn't take long for me leave the tunnel and I'm soon standing in the air of the world of the living. I look around as I breath in the fresh air. My old man had taken me out here once when I was still a trainee, but I never really got to see much of the town thanks to a hollow attack. I smile at the memory. I push the memory to the back of my head, I've got a job to do. The hell butterfly I've been assigned settles onto my shoulder and I begin to run around the town, spreading out my senses.

"Seriously?"

I let out a sigh upon immediately detecting a hollow nearby. Within seconds, I arrive in a park. I walk along and pretty soon I'm face to face with the hollow.