"The Duties of a Soul Reaper"
Here is the next chapter. Please enjoy and review!
I was sleeping, or at least I thought I was and having a strange dream as well.
If not then I have officially lost my mind.
Why, you may ask.
Because right now I'm standing in a world where everything is…red and pink.
You heard me right.
The sky was a light pink color while the sun was a dark red like blood while the grass was a shade of pink as well and had dark red roses blooming all around me.
Nearby was a waterfall and a lake, the rocks of the mountain where the water fell down from were a dark shade of pink while the water was clear to show the color of the bottom of the lake that was the same as the rocks.
Why would I dream of something like this?
"OK, I've lost my mind. What is this place?" I asked myself as I walked through the grass and roses.
"This is your inner world." A voice spoke making me gasp and turn.
No one was there, but I did see a tree that had a red trunk with pink leaves while blue cherry blossoms bloomed.
Huh, so I guess not everything here was a different shade of pink and red after all.
"Who are you and where are you? What's an inner world?" I called as I looked around.
"Your inner world is a place in your soul that reflects who you are." The voice spoke again as I tried to locate the source.
"As for who I am…it isn't the time for you to find out yet." They said.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" I called.
"You'll see soon enough, Daisuke." The voice said again.
Just then, the loud buzzing of my alarm clock woke me up from my sleep as my eyes snapped open and I shot up out of bed, looking around curiously.
Seeing the same white walls, the window next to my queen sized bed, closet with the sliding door in the corner and dresser with the mirror that had my clothes inside and my soccer trophies, old circular goggles and jewelry box on top, I relaxed.
"Man, what was up with that dream?" I asked brushing my bangs out of my eyes with my hand.
Then, Ichigo barged into my room looking stunned and making me jump in surprise.
"Daisuke, get up!" he yelled.
"Hey! Haven't ya ever heard of privacy?!" I yelled at him.
"Never mind that. Get outside now!" he yelled urgently as he grabbed my hand and hauled me down the stairs and outside.
Karin, Yuzu and Isshin were already there and my jaw dropped at the sight of the huge hole that was in our kitchen.
What the heck just happened?
Oh, wait, yeah.
Rukia Kuchiki the Soul Reaper showed up and helped us when a Hollow attacked and she gave Ichigo her powers because she was too injured to fight.
I had helped her patch up her injury and then we both dragged the unconscious bodies into the house and laid them in bed so that Rukia could heal them up with one of her kido spells.
Ichigo was a strange case to get him back into his body, but I just picked up his Soul Reaper form and dropped it on his body and it connected to it, returning to normal.
Man, why does this freaky stuff happen to me?
"It's a miracle. A truck plows right into our house and none of us even gets so much of a single scratch." Isshin yelled happily.
"What's more miraculous is the fact that none of us even woke up when it happened. Or that the guy didn't even stick around after." Karin said.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll return to apologize to us and pay for the damage." Isshin smiled.
"Yeah right." Karin scoffed as she and Yuzu started walking back to the house.
Ichigo looked to be lost in thought as he stared at the hole and I wondered if he was remembering what had happened last night.
"Ichigo, you better hurry up and eat breakfast or you're gonna be late." Yuzu smiled.
"Yeah." Ichigo spoke in a distracted tone.
After the others went inside, Ichigo looked down at me curiously.
"That girl…what happened to her?" he asked me.
"I don't know. She just left after we helped everyone back into the house and fixed everyone's injuries." I said.
He hummed in thought before we went back inside to get ready for the day to see what would go on next.
I have a feeling nothing will ever go back to normal after what happened last night and that worried me.
(A few hours later…)
It was my favorite time of the day; lunch.
I was sitting near the fence just eating my bento when I sensed something familiar and heard a howl that shocked me so bad my blood went cold.
"Oh no, not again." I whined as I set my bento down.
I got up to go check it out, thinking the worst of the situation like a poor innocent spirit was being hunted down by a Hollow or maybe even a living person.
I was relieved when I sensed the Hollow's tainted aura faded away and turned the corner of the building a few minutes afterwards to find Ichigo was ducking behind buildings dressed in his Soul Reaper outfit while Rukia was dressed in the Karakura High School's girl uniform which was a gray skirt with matching blazer, white dress shirt and red tie.
"What the heck happened to you two?" I asked making them turn to me.
"Daisuke, you can see me?" Ichigo asked stunned.
"Of course she can, you idiot. She could see me and the Hollow last night, so it makes sense that she would see you." Rukia pointed out.
"Oh, yeah." He sighed as he walked out from behind the building and came over to stand by me as Rukia joined him.
"So what happened? Why are you still in the Living World?" I asked.
"You see, I was unable to get back to Soul Society because Ichigo still has my powers in his body so I had to get this gigai or replacement body to reside in until my powers return." Rukia explained as she pointed at her chest.
"Oh, so now Ichigo has to take out the Hollows?" I asked.
"Yes, though he needs more training." She said.
"Huh? What do you mean training?" Ichigo asked joining in on the conversation.
Rukia only smirked at this as she started walking again and I followed her to get back to school before I was late for class.
This girl is gonna be putting him through the ringer, I can just tell.
But then again, it could be fun to watch.
(The next day…)
"Hear my voice, oh Lord. Help your humble child understand why she was born. And if your divine will wishes it, summon her back to your side. I await you-"
"Geez, would ya shut up already?!" Ichigo yelled getting up in Rukia's face while I just stood next to the girl.
"What is the problem? I am studying contemporary language." Rukia said.
"By reading a drama filled manga?" I asked sweat dropping.
"You're off by a couple centuries. So tell me, how long do you plan on following me around?" Ichigo asked.
"Until you answer you're calling as a Soul Reaper." Rukia responded.
"Yeah right. Whatever." Ichigo said as he started walking off while we followed him.
Just then, I sensed this weird energy while there was the squealing of a car which made everyone look off to the side as I ran off in the direction the sound and energy came from.
"Hey! Daisuke, wait up!" Ichigo called as I heard him and Rukia run after me.
I saw the squealing was a blue car driving off while a teenage girl was lying there on the side of the street as her grocery bag was spilled over.
Was this a hit and run?
"Hey." Ichigo called as the girl moved and pushed herself up.
Oh, thank god, she's alive.
"Orihime." Ichigo said making her gasp and turn to us.
Oh, yeah, I should've recognized her long orange-brown colored hair since no one else has long hair like that.
"Oh, Ichigo." She said as her gray eyes looked stunned.
"Did you just get hit by that car?" he asked.
"Oh, maybe." She said looking down.
"Maybe? Wouldn't you know if you got hit or not?" I asked.
"Are you going to be OK?" Ichigo asked.
Orihime stood up and looked cheerful and she blushed as she gently tapped her head with her fist.
"Mm hmm. It was just a little bump on my head. Don't worry. I'm fine. I swear." She said pumping her fists.
"You sure you're OK? Where'd that car go that hit ya?" Ichigo asked as Orihime looked around.
"It drove away." She said cheerfully.
I groaned and slapped my forehead in disbelief at her antics.
There is no way I was that dense, right?
"Orihime!" Ichigo scolded.
"Oh, sorry." She said as if she were a child that did something wrong.
Ichigo frowned and sighed as he scratched his cheek.
"Well, all right. I guess as long as you're OK then." he spoke awkwardly since he wasn't very social.
"Daisuke, it's been a while since I've seen you." Orihime smiled, but then looked confused to see the girl next to me.
"Rukia?" she asked.
"That's right and just who are you?" Rukia asked looking guarded.
"Hello!" Ichigo hissed in a low tone as he bent down to her side.
"She's in the same class as you. Her name is Orihime. Get your head out of your butt." He hissed.
"Huh? Oh, of course. Orihime, how are you?" Rukia asked slipping into this sweet and formal girl, her tone even changing as she curtsied and Orihime copied her.
"Oh, I'm great, thank you." the long haired girl smiled.
"Well now, it appears you've been shopping." Rukia said making Orihime gasp as she looked at her spilled bag.
"Oh, that's right, dinner." She said as she collected them and then came back over, spinning a leek as she did so.
"My leeks, bananas, butter and bean jam seem to have made it too." She giggled.
What the heck is she making?
Rukia then gasped softly as she was looking at Orihime's leg making me look too and gasp at the sight of the large bruise that looked like someone or something had grabbed her.
"How did you get that bruise on your leg?" Rukia asked.
"What bruise? Oh, I guess that happened just now when that car ran into me." Orihime said as she looked at the mark.
That doesn't look like a bruise you'd get from a car, in fact, if she was hit, then wouldn't her leg be broken or flattened with tire marks?
"Geez, does it hurt?" Ichigo asked.
"A little bit, but I'm OK." Orihime assured.
"Are you sure?" Ichigo asked.
She didn't answer because she was staring at Rukia who was kneeling on the ground staring at the bruise.
"What's the matter, Rukia? Is anything wrong?" Orihime bent down to look at her making Rukia look up nervously.
"Uh, right, well, take care." Rukia chirped as she stood back up.
"Thanks." Orihime said.
"You want me to walk you home?" Ichigo offered.
Orihime looked surprised and a bit nervous at the sudden offer.
"Um, I'm OK really. See ya." She laughed nervously as she gave a wave and then ran off across the street to go home.
"Man, she needs to be more careful." Ichigo stated.
"No kidding. That girl could get herself killed one day." I agreed.
Rukia had this hard look in her eyes as she kept thinking something over.
(Sunset…)
The day had gone on normally with us just walking around and then me having a soccer game to play against this older guy who needed his butt kicked, then we just decided to go home after I beat him.
We were walking by the lake where Aunt Masaki had died; it's a long story for another time.
Rukia was falling behind as she still looked deep in thought.
"So then, that girl." She spoke up.
"Huh? Oh, do you mean Orihime?" Ichigo asked.
"Are you close to her?" she asked.
"Nah, not really. I barely know her and we don't really talk much, but she's friends with a buddy of mine from the neighbourhood, so I see her around. Although…" Ichigo trailed off.
"Yes?" Rukia asked.
"Around three years back or so, her older brother Sora was in this terrible accident and died at our clinic." He said.
"What?" Rukia asked.
"What happened?" I asked.
"He was in a car wreck. He was the only family she had. I'd never realized that she was the girl I saw crying that day. I only found that out just recently." Ichigo explained.
"How in tune to the Spirit Realm were you?" Rukia asked.
"Huh? Not as much as I am now. I mean, it's really only recently I've been able to see and communicate with the Spirit Realm." Ichigo said.
"What about you, Daisuke?" Rukia asked.
I bit my lip and thought about this, the images from a year ago coming in clearly.
"Well, I've been able to see them when I was about 8 years old, but it was only a foggy image and everyone thought I was seeing an imaginary friend. It was only a year ago that I was able to see them clearly." I explained.
"Why, what's up? What are you thinking?" Ichigo asked her.
"Nothing." She said making us stop as she continued walking away.
"See you later." She said.
"Huh? Hey, where are you going?" Ichigo asked.
"Back home." Rukia said as she stopped and turned back to us.
"Where's that?" Ichigo asked.
"You really want to know?" she grinned.
"I guess not." He said.
"Then don't ask me." she said and then continued walking away.
"Huh? Yeah right." Ichigo hissed under his breath while I just chuckled.
"I'm beginning to love this girl." I shook my head in amusement while he just gave me a look.
"You're both gonna kill me. I just know it." he muttered making me laugh as we both continued on.
(That night…)
I was dressed and ready to turn in as I sat on my bed with my laptop out and had the video chat on, Ken's face on the screen.
"So how has everything been over there?" he asked.
"It's been great. I mean, school is a drag, but things with the family are pretty wild and fun." I told him.
He smiled at that and nodded.
"Great to hear. Have you made any new friends yet?" he asked.
"Not really. The girls here are so boring and the guys are just jerks." I said rolling my eyes.
"You're too picky." Ken sighed.
"Please, I dare you to come to Karakura and let's see if you can make friends so easily with the people here. Besides, I'm fine with having you and my cousins. We act more like friends than family anyway." I shrugged.
"Just try to make more friends please, for my sake. I just don't want you to start isolating yourself because of the incident." He said.
"Never gonna happen. I'll make new friends, just when I feel like it and you'll be the first to hear about them." I swore with a smile.
"All right, if you say so and I'm holding you to that promise. Good night, Daisuke." He said.
"Night, Ken." I said.
We both then turned off our laptops when I suddenly sensed that tainted aura that made me freeze and jump out of my bed, then raced out of my room, heading to Ichigo's room and slammed the door open in time to see Rukia, dressed in Yuzu's yellow pajamas, and rammed her hand into Ichigo's head, pushing his Soul Reaper form out of his body just as a large red hand came through the wall.
The hole opened up as a Hollow pulled himself out, his long black hair hanging around his white skeletal mask and he gave a howl.
"Why are you standing there? Do something." Rukia hissed to Ichigo.
The Hollow's weight on Ichigo's bed broke it as the Hollow leaned closer to us, Ichigo and Rukia jumping out of the way while I closed the door and rolled to the side.
"You have to aim for its head!" Rukia called.
How is this noise not alerting the others in the house or even the neighbours?
"Go for the head and end that monster!" I called to my cousin.
Ichigo pulled out his sword just as the Hollow got up in his face and went to bring his sword down, scraping the ceiling as he brought the sword down and hit the Hollow on the head, but it wasn't a clean shot as the Hollow used its snake body to hit him back.
"Ichigo!" Rukia and I called.
Howling, the Hollow went to hit Ichigo but he dodged and then went to swing his sword again, landing a cut on its arm.
"You need to focus. Don't just swing your sword around." Rukia ordered.
"Shut up. Who cares as long as I kill it?" Ichigo responded as he gave a battle cry and ran at the Hollow again.
"You're mine!" he called as he brought the sword down on the Hollow's head.
"Too shallow." Rukia narrowed her eyes.
My eyes then went wide as the Hollow grabbed the sword and was trying to lift it off his mask while Ichigo was fighting, then suddenly the mask started to crack and reveal what was behind the mask.
It cracked away from his left eye and showed that it was a human who started crying out in pain, his human voice mixed with the Hollow's.
He then created a hole and then disappeared while my hand was over my mouth in horror at the sudden revelation.
What just happened?
"It's getting away. Let's go." Rukia ordered as she started running to the door, but Ichigo stayed where he was standing.
"Ichigo, Daisuke, what's the matter?" she asked pausing and turning to us.
"Something's not right." Ichigo spoke.
"What?" Rukia asked.
"I got a look at that thing's face…and it was Orihime's dead brother!" he said making me gasp.
"Are you certain?" Rukia asked.
"But how? How can that even be possible?" I asked.
There was then a tense silence that passed through the three of us.
"Here's a word of advice; when attacking Hollows, come from behind and cleave their heads with one blow. Don't forget. It's basic theory for every Soul Reaper." Rukia said.
"Why, what do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"It will keep your injuries to a minimum. Also, with any luck, it'll keep you from learning the Hollow's identity." Rukia said looking down as a grave look passed in her eyes.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean the identity?" Ichigo asked.
"You just saw for yourself. Do you understand? The Hollows were once souls of human beings, no different than anyone else." She said.
This made me gasp at this terrible new information while Ichigo had a look of terror on his face.
"You…you never told me that. So that thing I saw was just a monster wasn't it? It was some beast from the Underworld that needed to be wiped out." Ichigo said.
"That is correct. He is just a monster now and he must be destroyed." Rukia said sternly.
"But it was human once." Ichigo said helplessly.
"It can't be helped. Souls that hold onto feelings of resentment or regret will sometimes resist Konso and linger on alone in this world. Should that happen, they either become Hollows on their own or they're devoured by other Hollows and become one of the fold." Rukia explained.
"Then why the heck did you never tell us this? Didn't you think we should know this if we ever came to this situation where we saw what was behind the mask?" I demanded.
I swear, I'm getting close to slapping this girl.
Why wouldn't she have told us about this?
She kept quiet which just got me even madder than I already was.
"I just don't get it. Why did Orihime's brother attack us?" Ichigo then asked.
"Not us. Just you. Judging from the last Hollow you killed, I would guess there's a more powerful Hollow behind this that wants to consume your spirit energy. It probably has several Hollows under its control. It knows where you are now and its sending other Hollows here to carry out its orders. That would explain why Orihime's brother has come to attack you." Rukia explained.
Ichigo was quickly in front of her and grabbed hold of her collar, anger on his face and I couldn't blame him for it.
"And you expect me to kill him now? There's no way I can do that." He said and had his hand slapped away by Rukia.
"You have to do it. You haven't got a choice. If you don't kill him, he'll wander around forever. And he'll keep coming after you again and again until he gets your soul. Wait, you aren't the only one in danger." Rukia gasped as she checked this cellphone she had.
"Who else would he want?" Ichigo asked.
"Orihime. His sister." Rukia said.
It was silent again as I thought back to what happened earlier that day when I sensed that tainted aura before the squealing of the car.
"That mark on Orihime's leg…it was Sora that made it." I gasped suddenly.
Ichigo looked surprised while Rukia nodded at me gravely.
"Hollows are fallen souls and will go after their own family and eat their souls to ease the pain." She said.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go." I said and started to move towards the door.
"Hold it." Ichigo yelled grabbing my shoulder and pulling me back.
"You aren't going anywhere." He stated.
"What? And why not?" I demanded turning to him.
"Because you can't protect yourself. I don't want you to be put in danger because of me, so stay here and watch my body." He said.
"Ichigo, we need to move now." Rukia said.
He nodded at her and then she climbed onto his back, being mindful of the sword.
"Stay here. I mean it, Daisuke." Ichigo ordered before he jumped out the window.
I ran over to it and glared at his slowly disappearing form as he jumped over rooftops to get to Orihime and save her from her brother.
"Stay here and watch your body?" I snarled and then turned to the body of my cousin.
Looking it over, my lips curved up into a smirk as an idea popped into my head.
I quickly ran into my room, grabbed a small box and then ran back into Ichigo's room, going over to his body and turned it over.
"You're gonna regret asking me to do that, my dear cousin." I sang as I pulled out a tube of pink lip gloss from the box.
(The next morning…)
Karin, Yuzu and I were eating breakfast, me smiling with every spoonful of cereal I had and I could tell Karin was staring at me.
"OK, what did you do this time?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked looking oh so innocent when I asked.
"DAI-SUKE!" we heard Ichigo yell.
There were heavy footsteps as Ichigo came storming down the stairs and the three of us saw that he was wearing pink lip gloss, purple eye shadow and his nails were painted black.
Karin looked at him in disbelief, then at me as she realized what I had done and smirked.
"I was wondering what you were smiling about. This explains it." she said making me laugh.
"You little brat, you're gonna get it!" Ichigo ranted at me.
"Ichigo, you look so nice, but maybe you should wash that off before Dad sees it." Yuzu said.
He was shaking in anger before he then turned and stormed back upstairs, mumbling under his breath as he did so and I shook my head in amusement.
"Look on the bright side; she didn't put on too much to make you look cheap!" Karin called up after him making him yell as Karin and I laughed.
That'll teach him to leave me behind.
To be continued….