Arti here! I deeply apologize for this but, the updates will be slower now. Why? Because the "authority figure" caught me red handed and now all electronics must be put up by 8 pm.

Which sucks a lot.

I also forgot to tell you on the last chapter.

I have a confession to make. I have not finished watching Bleach yet. I'm only at the beginning of the Fake Karakura Town arc. I'm sorry if I've forgotten to mention certain things and some things in the chapters and so on would be incorrect. But I have heard - more like read - about some things that happens later on and even in the manga.

So please, bare with me if there is anything that is incorrect. You can PM me about what I got wrong and I will happily re-edit the chapter.

Thank you for reading.

-XXX-

Opening: Snow Fairy - FUNKIST

-XXX-

Chapter 2 The Awakening

It has been three years since Isshin and Masaki took me in. And short while before the death of Masaki.

I don't know what to do. I can't save Masaki from a hollow. And if I somehow was able to, Ichigo wouldn't be who he is when he grows up. Why save one life when I should save the thousands of lives in the future which Aizen could have taken if Ichigo wasn't how he is when his mother dies. Her death was suppose to be a character development.

As much as it hurts and as much as it made me guilty, I can't do anything but stand on the sidelines and watch. Her death is needed for Ichigo to become stronger.

Besides the future event, we should be focusing on what's happening right now.

I'M LOST!

I don't know how it happened. I was just taking a stroll, even though I hate the heat of Summer. I feel like I could literally melt. The blazing sun scorched my back with its horrible rays of light.

And I hate it.

Since my adoption, Masaki and Isshin thought that I should join Ichigo in school. I couldn't take all that childish crap that they learn and ditched school every single day since my first. Besides, I already learned all the materials that they were teaching in elementary and middle school. The principle phoned home and said that I should come to school before I get expelled for not coming.

To Isshin's surprise, I snatched the phone out of his hands and yelled 'good riddance' and 'I don't need your crappy schoolings'. I ended the call and went to the fridge for my favorite cold treat: sea salt ice cream.

Since then, I was expelled for good and never to come back. Not that I cared. Now, I'm free to do whatever I pleased.

Isshin and Masaki tried to home school me. They were in for quite a shock at what I knew. I was then labeled a prodigy.

Anyways, back to the main subject. For some reason, I keep getting sidetracked.

I wondered the area. I read the signs and street names. None of them of which I recognized. Around thirty minutes later, I soon came across a familiar shop.

Urahara's candy shop.

I smirked and waltz right in.

"Hello?" I said.

The shop was empty. Except for the candies. I felt tempted to steal some. But what good will that do? Tessai would surely catch me if I tried to steal anything.

The hot summer wind blew into the shop.

I turned around to exit the shop.

"Why hello there, child."

I yelped and jumped; turning around to face the owner of the voice.

Green striped hat. Shaggy blonde hair. A fan over the mouth and nose.

Urahara Kisuke!

"Wah! Gomenasai!" I squeaked and bowed my head low.

He chuckled. "Ahahaha, there's no need to apologize, child."

I lifted my head.

"Tessai! Please brew us some tea."

Tessai emerged out of nowhere and made tea while Urahara ushered me into a room. We sat down on the mats as Tessai brought in our tea.

"So what brings you here, kiddo?"

"Don't call me kiddo!" I blushed. "I have a name you know!"

"Gomen, gomen." He fanned himself and tipped his hat. "So what's your name?"

"My name is Kurosaki Setsuna, remember that!"

"Kurosaki Setsuna? What an adorable name!" He grinned.

I twitched.

"So what brings you to my little shop, Setsuna-chan?" He sipped his tea

I stared at my cup of tea and blushed in embarrassment. " I got lost."

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Don't laugh!" I fumed. *Chibi face*

"You really do have no sense of direction."

Twitch.

"Urusai!"

"Gomen, gomen, where are my manners?"

"I thought you don't have any." I muttered.

Urahara unfortunately heard what I said and laughed. "You're just like your father, Setsuna-chan."

Father?

Does he mean Isshin?

Like he somehow read my mind, "no, no. Your real father."

My eyes widen and I stiffen.

"You knew my father?" I said.

I felt angry. How did he know? If he knew, why did I have to live a harsh life as nothing but a street rat? I almost died every year because I didn't have much of a heart to steal.

"Where is he? WHY DID HE ABANDON ME!"

Urahara then became serious.

"That's something I can't tell you, Setsuna-chan." He said. "It's for the best that you know nothing about him."

I gritted my teeth.

"Why?"

"Like I said, it's best that you don't know."

I thought long and hard about what he just said. It's best that I don't know? Know what? What could be so important that he abandoned me?

"Kisuke?"

Urahara blinked in surprise. He never told me his name.

"How did you know my name, Setsuna-chan?"

I pondered on the thought. Aizen has hurted many people. He hurt Momo. He used her. He hurt Toshiro by tricking Momo into going against him. (Some friend she was). He blackmailed and kidnapped Orihime. He hurted many people. He would kill hundreds and thousands of lives just to create the Soul Key, so he could be above us all.

My fist tightened.

I needed to become strong to stop him. Who knows what my mere existence had done. I am someone who was never meant to exist. Never to play a part in this world. My father probably wasn't meant to exist. I had to train to become strong. But I'm not a shinigami - am I?

Urahara knew my father. So could that make him a shinigami? Possibly. But then again, Ichigo wasn't even a shinigami despite Isshin being one. He needed Rukia's powers to become one.

I could change a lot of things with my knowledge.

Well, it wouldn't hurt to tell somebody. I doubt Urahara would train me just because I wanted to be trained. I trust him. Urahara isn't the type to tell secrets.

"I know your name because . . ."

He leaned in.

"Because . . ."

"Well?"

I took a deep breath and braced myself.

"Would you believe me, if I told you that I don't come from this world?"

"Hmm . . . I don't know. How did you come to this world then?"

I hesitated. "I died."

"You died?"

"I was reborned into this world for some reason."

"Do you have proof?"

Was he really going to believe me? What proof could I show him?

"You are the former taicho of the twelfth division and your birthday is on December 31st."

He blinked.

"Do you want me to say more?"

Silence.

"No need to."

"Huh?"

"I believe you. You weren't even born at the time and your father was only a third seat. And for the fact that I never told anyone about my birthday."

"What about my mother?" I asked.

"You are too smart and mature for your age." He ignored my question. "I see the age and pain deep within your soul."

I nodded. We fell into silence.

"Ne, Urahara Kisuke."

"Nani?" He grinned.

"Train me."

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me! I want you to train me!" I snapped.

"This is about the future isn't it?"

"Hai."

"What happens in the future?" He asked.

"Like I would tell you." I closed my eyes. "If I did, then I could throw everything off balanced. I'm not even meant to exist in this world. My own existence might have already changed things."

"Very clever, Setsuna-chan." He fanned himself.

"Alright." He got up. "I'll train you."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"Hmm? I thought you asked me to train you? And from what I can see, there's no other reason why you would ask me to train you if what happens in the future is incredibly terrible."

I couldn't believe it. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Arigatou! Arigatou!" I cried in happiness as I tackled him into a hug.

"Ooff!"

I release myself from the hug and bowed.

"Arigatou, Shishou."

"Ma, ma, no need to call me that." He waved.

"But I want to." I beamed. "I've always wanted to call somebody my master since my past life!"

"Alright! I do like it though." He slid open the door. "Now follow me."

I followed and he led me into a trapped door. He opened it up. I Peered inside.

I then felt pressure on my back.

Before I knew it, I was hurtling down towards the ground.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"BOOM!"

I smashed into the ground. I felt pain all over me.

Urahara landed swiftly beside me.

"KISAMA! ARE YOU CRAZY! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME!" I shrieked as I got up.

"Gomen. But you're alive aren't you?"

I fumed.

We were in the underground basement. Otherwise known as the training ground. Large boulders stood everywhere. The ceiling reflected the sky.

"This is the training ground." Urahara began. "This is where I will be training you. But before that . . ."

He lifted up his cane. I tried to dodge it but the butt of the cane rammed into my forehead. I felt my soul leave my body. I slammed into the ground in a roll before I came to a stop.

I got up and touched the chain that connected me to my body. Suddenly I felt feverish and tired. I slumped to the ground, trying to catch my breath.

"If you were reborned into this world, Setsuna-chan . . . then you should know what's about to happen." Urahara said with Tessai and Jinta beside him.

I now just realized that those two were here as well.

"Let lesson number one . . . begin!"

I felt sudden movement and quickly jumped out of the way.

Ururu's fist came ramming into the spot where I once stood. Smoke flew everywhere. She then flew out of the smoke and came at me.

I leapt out of the way and ran for my life. I saw the ridiculous head gear and gloves on the ground.

"I'M NOT FALLING FOR THAT!" I screamed.

I suddenly stopped running and stood my ground.

Ururu came at me.

She sent a punch. I dodge it. From behind me, I could see Urahara smirk from the corner of my eyes. Ururu's leg swept at me. I ducked and sent a punch to her chin.

Surprised at me speed, she was hit and fell back.

I knew that I've practically just dug my own grave but the fight won't end if I kept running and dodging.

Ururu came at me with a kick that would kill me for sure. I crouched low and swept my leg. My leg hit her ankle and she came tumbling down.

She suddenly shot up and delivered a fatal punch. I leaned back but I knew her punch would hit me.

Suddenly, a hand stopped Ururu's punch.

"Whew~ that was a close one." Urahara grinned. "You did pretty well against Ururu, Setsuna-chan!"

"She almost killed me!"

Ignored.

"Now, lesson number two."

I tried to move out of the way. Urahara's hand reach towards my neck. My eyes widen at the sight of a cracked blue gem attached to a string.

A necklace?

His hand grasp the necklace. And crushed it. The necklace shattered into several pieces. A large axe came down and destroyed my chain that connected me to my body.

I gasp.

A pit formed underneath me. I fell all the way to the bottom.

I crashed into the ground with Tessai who bounded my arms with kidou. I struggled to get up. Tiny little creatures ate the chain.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A blood curdling scream erupted from my throat.

Excruciating pain was all I felt. I couldn't even think straight.

The pain then subsided after a few moments. For now.

What! This is what turned Ichigo into a vizard! Am I going to become one? I can't give in and become a hollow! My existence could have changed the future! There must be a reason why I was reincarnated into this world!

I didn't fight or even tried to climb out. It was a waste of energy. I simply sat there and tried my best to endure the pain.

"Are you really going to just sit there?" Urahara mused from the top of the pit.

"What's the point in trying to climb this thing? It's a waste of energy and it's impossible to climb with just my feet."

"You're pretty smart."

"I know. I'm a prodigy after all."

"We'll see."

I don't know how long I was in there, but the chain has almost been eaten up. A few minutes later, the creatures rapidly ate the chains. A hole was left in my chest. I screamed in pain as white erupted from my eyes and mouth, forming a hollow mask.

Don't give in.

That voice . . . I heard it before. It was a deep masculine voice. I remembered it for as long as I can remember. It was the voice that lifted my spirits and helped me get out of sticky situations when I was an orphan.

It was the voice of my zanpakutou!

I opened my eyes and found myself in a golden gem-protruding land. Within the crystals were what I believe to be lightning. The place smelled like a storm was coming. Lightning crackled once in a while around the diamond.

I didn't see any creature in sight.

Tatakoi, Setsuna.

"Are you my zanpakutou?" I asked, looking at my surroundings.

Yes. If you want to live and protect the future, you must call my name.

"Then what is your name?"

Now isn't the time.

"What?"

Now wasn't the time? I'm going to turn into a hollow!

You must do this on your own, young one. I will not help you. Once you achieve the power of a hollow and shinigami, we shall meet again.

Once?

So that means I can do this! I can fight! I won't let the hollow take over and destroy me! I won't die again!

I could feel the hollow trying to devour me. The pain and despair was overwhelming. I felt like I was choking with all that negative emotions bulldozing into me. It was an awful feeling. I almost felt like giving up.

I thought of happy thoughts.

Happy memories.

The time when Masaki and Isshin took me in. The moment I introduce myself to Ichigo, Yuzu and Karin. When the three of us played tag. When the four of us played hide and go seek in the dark. When I played a prank on Isshin. When Masaki tried to teach me how to cook. It only ended up with me being banned from the kitchen. When I gave Masaki and Isshin a surprise on mother and fathers' day. When the family went out for a picnic. When Ichigo, Karin and I had our first bickering. Watching the sunset. When we gazed at the beautiful stars, and so much more memories that I've made in such a short time.

It brought tears into my eyes.

Those moments were so full of happiness. I wanted to cherish it. Treasure it.

I NEVER WANT THOSE MOMENTS TO END!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

With all the burning determination that I've never knew I had, I pushed with all my strength to fight the hollow. To beat it down to submission. At least for now.

-Bleach-

Urahara watched as a figure jumped out of the pit. The smoke revealed Setsuna, with a fox like hollow mask.

I grabbed the mask and pulled it off. I stared at it for a moment before throwing it onto the ground. It cracked and burst.

I turned to Urahara.

"Did I pass?" I asked, my usual half lidded eyes and blank face.

"A+! YOU PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS!" Urahara grinned widely. "JUST TO BE EXPECTED FROM HIS DAUGHTER!"

*Sigh*

He still won't tell me my father's name.

"But," Urahara reverted back to being serious. "You still have one more test to complete before you become my student."

I furrowed my brows. "What is it?"

"Not telling!" He chuckled and covered his face with his fan. "Well, you are done for today. Get some rest and you'll only come back if you complete your test!"

I nodded. I suddenly felt exhausted. I breathed heavily.

"I should go home now." I huffed. "They must be worried."

I walked to the ladder. What a long climb back up. Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted onto large hands.

Tessai?

"And up you go~" He said as he threw me up.

I shrieked as I flew all the way up. I fell onto the floor. I rubbed the throbbing pain in the back of my head where I ungracefully landed.

"Arigatou, Tessai, Shishou, Ururu, Jinta!" I called back.

I received a 'hnmh' and a 'you're welcome' followed by a 'come back soon~' and a grunt. I left the candy shop and made my way home.

.

.

.

.

.

Wait a minute . . . wasn't I lost?

"UWAHHH!"

-Bleach-

It was sunset the moment I found the clinic.

"Tadaima." I said.

"SET~SU~NA~" I heard.

I sidestepped just as Isshin flew past me. He rammed into the wall and wailed loudly.

"Where were you my sweet little daughter~" He wailed as he hugged me tightly.

Ichigo and the others entered the room.

"I was lost." I said dryly with my blank face.

"For four days?" He cried.

"I have a bad sense of direction."

He continued to wail loudly.

Yuzu cried and tackled me into a hug.

"I was so worried, Onee-chan!" She cried. "I thought something happened to you."

"Daijoubu." I said reassuringly, my eyes softened. "Nothing happened to me."

"Setsuna-chan," I turned to Masaki. "What happened to you? You're hurt."

She looked like she was about to cry. She kneeled down and cupped my face.

"I got into a fight."

Half lie, half truth.

"Oh Setsuna-chan, what has gotten into you? You first got expelled from school and now you got into a fight? I'm worried about you." She said softly as she gently wiped my battered and dirty face with a napkin.

I stared at the floor. Feeling guilty. She was so nice. She didn't deserve to die. I'm such a monster for leaving her to die.

I'm a monster.

Hot tears violently slid down my face. I trembled and sniffed.

"G-Gom-men-nas-sai." My voice cracked. Tears blurred my vision.

"You were only lost and got into a fight, Setsuna-chan."

Oh it was more than that. I felt terrible for lying. I'm sorry Masaki. I'm so sorry.

Tears hit the floor.

"Come on, let's get you washed up." Masaki led me into the upstairs bathroom.

I don't deserve your kindness.

-Bleach-

A few days have passed since I came home. Ichigo and Karin and Yuzu were off to school. Masaki and Isshin were working in the clinic.

I decided to take a walk, even though I hated the heat.

Ever since my encounter with Urahara Kisuke, I've been seeing many more ghosts than before. Thank the gods I hadn't ran into a hollow yet.

Speaking of ghosts, there was one right now.

"Onegai . . . tasukete . . ." The ghost moaned. He was obviously suffering.

"No." I said coldly. " Leave me alone."

I pulled up my grey scarf and walked faster. To my misfortune, the ghost followed me.

Twitch.

I ignored him and continued my walk down the street.

I wonder what that test Urahara was talking about. What kind of test would it be?

I felt reistu behind me. The moaning of the ghost suddenly stopped.

I turned around to find the ghost in the hands of a hollow.

My eyes grew wide.

The hollow lifted its head and stared at me. "You smell . . . delicious . . ."

It let go of the ghost and lunged at me.

I yelped; dodged the lunge, and ran down the hill. Fear wrapped around my heart as I ran for my life. Thanks to the street going downhill, I tried to make a turn and due to inertia, I missed my sharp turn. The hollows arm smacked me hard.

I slammed into the wall at the end of the street.

My back was filled with pain as I coughed up blood. I weakly tried to get up on my hands and knees. The hollow stepped closer. It was only a few feet away. I trembled in fear. The hollows never seemed too scary when I watched them through a screen. But now that they are real, I felt the true terror of being chased by one. They were much more scarier up close.

I shut my eyes.

This is the end. How pathetic of me.

Tatakoi. If you want to live, you have to fight.

My eyes snapped open. That voice . . .

The hollow howled and lunged at me. Its mouth wide open.

Call my name.

Sudden calmness washed through me. The sky darken rapidly. The air became humid. My body moved on its own. I raised both of my arms up. My hands curled into a position as if I was holding a katana. My face became its usual blankness with half lidded eyes.

"Reign over the thunderous heavens, Ryuujin!"

Lightning violently sparked everywhere like a shield around me. With a loud clap of thunder, It shot forwards from my hands like a railgun and striked the hollow through its mask and straight into the distance.

The blinding light disappeared and in my hand, I held a zanpakutou.

It was much too long for my petit six year old body. Its guard was in the shape of a double-curved-limb lightning. The handle was wrapped in electric blue cloth. The end of the hilt was attached to a chain that led to a large and sharp metal throwing star. (Shuriken)

In all, my zanpakutou looked a lot like Hyourinmaru.

My name is Ryuujin, the strongest lightning type zanpakutou and the twin blade of Hyourinmaru.

"WHAT! You're the twin zanpakutou of Hyourinmaru!" I screamed. "I never heard of Hyourinmaru's twin before!"

I was born inside you the moment you came into this world. As for Hyourinmaru's twin, it doesn't exist. Much like you. You don't belong in this world just as much as I do. And like you've said, our own existence has indeed changed a bit of the future. But that is to be expected, young master.

I stared at the blade.

I then heard clapping to my right.

"Bravo, bravo, Setsuna-chan!" Urahara applauded. "You did wonderfully. For a moment there, I thought you were going to be eaten."

"YOU WOULD"VE LET ME DIE? Never mind." I calmed down. "So did I pass your test?"

"I see that you have figured it out."

"Like I told you before, I'm a prodigy." My face was back to normal.

"Of course." He tipped his hat.

"Congratulations, Kurosaki Setsuna!" He covered his face with his fan. "You are now officially my student, and I will train you from now on."

I smiled brightly.

"Your training starts in three days, Setsuna, so rest up."

"Hai, Shishou."

I held up my blade.

"I thought I'm not a shinigami?" I said. Completely confused.

"Your father and mother was a shinigami."

Was?

I furrowed my brows. "Are you saying that I'm a soul?"

"Correct."

"HAAAHHHHH?"

"Then - then-" I sputtered.

"Yep!" He grinned. "That body of yours is a gigai that I've specially created. It was specifically made to grow as you grow and as well as hide most of your reistu."

Since when have I gotten my body back? I remembered that I was thrown up the ladder. I don't remember them ever returning my body.

I shouldn't even think about this anymore. It's giving me a migraine.

I noticed that Urahara wasn't pointing at me. He was pointing to my right. I followed his finger and saw a body faced down on the concrete. I stared down and realized that I was wearing a black shihakusho. A shinigami uniform.

"That's my body?" I gapped.

"Hai!" He chirped.

I ran over to my body - err, gigai and poked it.

"How about that necklace you crushed?" I asked remembering the gem.

"That necklace was also an invention of mine. It was made to seal your shinigami powers until I destroy it. It has been around your neck since you were one years old."

"So I wasn't a shinigami until I was one?"

"Hai, your father gave you his powers before he disappeared."

My zanpakutou has been talking to me. Calling me since I was born. So could that mean I could have a hollowfied bankai? Probably.

"How come I never noticed it before?"

"It was hidden from sight with kidou."

Silence.

"So does . . . does Isshin know about this?"

"Hmm . . . he probably does."

I twitched.

"Good to know."

I paused. I remember that I was still holding onto my zanpakutou.

"Shishou? How do I - you know . . . um . . . this?" I gestured to my zanpakutou.

"Oh my, that would be a problem." Urahara frowned.

"What should I do with it?"

Urahara was talking about my zanpakutou. It was taller than me. The blade didn't fit me. It was too long for my tiny body.

"No worries, Setsuna-chan! I was prepared incase this happened." He gave me a long piece of beige cloth. I attached it around my shoulder and waist. The same fashion Toshiro had his in.

"Arigatou, Shishou."

I went back inside my gigai and I turned and walked away.

"See you soon, Setsuna-chan!" He waved.

I pause and turned my head to look at him. Then I continued to walk back home.

I then realized that I could now save Masaki from her death. But I already agreed that I would only stand aside and simply watch.

I really am a heartless monster.

The thought made me feel guilty. I shook my head and wiped out the thought.

Sigh. I'm in for a world of trouble once I get home. I ruined my clothes again. And now the heat of the sun was scorching my back and draining me of energy.

Stupid sun.

I really, really hate Summer.

.

.

.

.

Wait a minute . . . what happened to that ghost that the hollow was going to eat?

"UWAHHH! I'm the worst shinigami ever! I forgot about the soul I'm suppose to send to Soul Society!" I yanked at my hair and shouted to the heavens.

Then another thought popped up.

I'M LOST AGAIN!

I really do have a terrible sense of direction!

I muttered a string of colorful curses.

I trudged up the street. Retracing my footsteps to find my way back home.

I really do hate the heat.

Then, it started to rain.

And the rain drops were warm.

-XXX-

Ending: Heart Realize - Supercell

-XXX-

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Oh and yes, Sea Salt ice cream is indeed a real flavor.

Question: Who is your favorite character?

Please leave a review!

-Arti