Chapter 1: Introductions and Past Relations (1,402 Words)
Meara wiped the sweat from her brow as the hollow she just killed dissipated into the next life. It was nearing Halloween, and undead spirits seemed to make a greater number of appearances which meant more time was needed to hunt them down. The sun was just now reaching its zenith, and she had been on the hunt since well before dawn.
"You should rest, Lady Queen," her Zanpakutou, Oto Koujou Kaminari, said. He was very soft spoken, yet Meara had no trouble hearing him in her mind. "There are others in this town who will handle the hollows."
"Yes, but that Substitute Shinigami and his friends are only in Secondary School. Education is important, Oto." Meara had met Ichigo Kurosaki when he had fallen into her after being thrown back by a fiercely strong hollow. The boy had apologized but then freaked out because she could see his Shinigami form. After running from him and leaving him to deal with the hollow, she hung around him more often.
She found many interesting facts about the Shinigami boy. He had two sisters, a rowdy father who owned a clinic, multiple friends who also had strong reiatsu, and that he was always running from his classes to deal with hollows. That was the main reason why she kept hunting.
"The brats will be out of school soon anyways," Akuryou said. He made an appearance every once in awhile, especially when he could insert a snide comment into a conversation. "Then the little green dragon can take his long deserved nap."
Oto stayed quiet, never being the one to argue, especially with Akuryou. The hollow always found a comeback, so Oto could never win. "Stop harassing him, Akuryou," Meara scolded after a moment. A hollow's disappearing reiatsu had her attention divided and distracted.
"Stop harassing him, Akuryou," he mocked before fading back into the depths of her mind.
"Do not worry about me, Lady Queen. His foul words and ways will never tarnish the pride of a dragon," Oto said. She saw him sit up proudly within her Inner World. His nose was stuck into the air, and his wings glistened in the sunlight that shone down from within. Meara fought to contain an exasperated sigh.
Sometimes all I can do is worry, she thought, knowing full well both could hear her.
Meara watched as the school kids made their way out of Karakura Secondary. She easily pinpointed Ichigo and his friends with his bright orange hair. She jumped down to greet them when they were nearly beneath her.
"Oh!" Orihime Inoue jumped back in surprise before giggling with a wide smile. "Hello, Meara. You startled me."
"Good afternoon, Miss Queen," Uryuu Ishida greeted coolly. He still wasn't very friendly despite knowing her for about three months now.
The big, Mexican fella who followed the group around, she had learned his name was Chad, nodded and gave a grunt. She nodded politely in return.
"Nice of you to join us, Meara," Ichigo said. He seemed annoyed. "I was beginning to think you would never come down from that tree." He stuck his pinkie finger into his ear as he spoke, obviously trying to grate her temper.
"As if you knew I was in that tree. I can stay in any tree I please, Ichigo," she replied. While glaring at him, she gave her greetings to Rukia Kuchiki, and she returned them swiftly.
After meeting Ichigo for the first time, she had met his friends with his unwanted assistance. She didn't want to, so he basically dragged her over to meet them all at school without her gigai. Meara wasn't nervous; she didn't care if they liked or accepted her, but what astonished her was the fact that they didn't seem to mind that she was an Ex-Shinigami or a spirit and could see her spirit form. She knew they all had reiatsu, mainly from being around Ichigo for so long, but she didn't think it would be strong enough to see her clearly.
She and Rukia got along almost immediately. They had a similar family style back in Soul Society. Meara and her talked and gossiped for hours at a time. Most of the time was spent on Meara's past, or at least the parts she didn't mind giving away. Rukia's brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, was the Captain of the Sixth Division. He and Meara grew up together, both being from Noble Families and were friendly towards each other. At one point, they were supposed to get married, but the other Noble Families thought that would make the two families more powerful than the rest. It might have started a civil war if it had continued; however, nobody's life would be at risk as it would be more of a cold, political war.
This, of course, made Byakuya's relationship with her somewhat awkward. It only worsened when Meara was banished from Soul Society. She wasn't entirely sure if he still loved her or not. It was hard for him to move on from Hisana, his past wife. Meara told Rukia nearly everything except the fact that Hisana was Rukia's sister. Byakuya had asked her to keep it from her, and she intended to despite her feelings.
She was still unsure of why she was banished, but she was sure that Kisuke Urahara, a simple candy salesman in the Living World, was somehow involved. When Meara was brought this to Rukia's attention, Rukia said that was unlikely. Meara still had her doubts however. His character was shady, and Meara thought that he used to be a captain. He hid most of his reiatsu, but her time spent with Byakuya had subconsciously trained her to detect absent or hidden reiatsu. It was strong and powerful, and Kisuke kept his rein tight over his Zanpakutou as well.
"Hey, Meara," Ichigo said suddenly, breaking her from her thoughts. "Get your head out of the clouds."
"My neck is not nearly long enough for my head to be in the clouds," Meara retorted back, laughing and pointing a finger at him.
"You always got a smart comment, don't you?"
"Always and forever." Meara smiled as she walked beside Ichigo and the rest of his friends. "I'm having a Christmas party if y'all want to come," she offered after a few moments of peaceful walking.
Orihime squealed with excitement and jumped up and down; her boobs bounced as she did so. "I'll bring so many wonderful foods! My stove and oven will be so tired by the time I'm done!" Meara could almost see the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke.
"Sorry Orihime, but the food is going to be delivered by a local pizza store," Meara said sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck with a hand. She hoped she hadn't upset the poor girl.
"Oh…" Orihime sighed. Her head lowered in sadness. Her normally bright eyes downcast. Meara knew she would be happy again in a few minutes, but she thought to at least give her something to do.
"Actually, Orihime," Meara began with a finger on her chin, trying to look thoughtful. "I do need someone to help me make the desserts." She didn't see everyone's faces go pale at her offer.
"Oh, really?" She squealed with happiness and jumped up again. "Okay! I'll be over at your house a couple days before then. We've got a lot to do!" She walked off with Uryuu and Chad while waving goodbye. They all lived on the same street while Ichigo and Meara lived just houses down from each other. Rukia slept in Ichigo's closet despite Meara offering a guest room up at her place.
"You never told her when to come over nor when the party is," Ichigo stated.
"Ichigo, I don't even know when the party is."
"How do you not have a date?" Rukia asked, bewildered.
"I don't know," Meara said with a shrug of her shoulders. Glancing up towards the afternoon sun, she felt glad that Ichigo's friends, that were now her friends, were so friendly. Her mind wandered to thoughts of what the party would be like. I wonder if Orihime is a good cook.
