Aw man, these chapters have been floating around for a while I haven't posted!? Shame on me.
Mai sat at the table, head in hand, silently tapping out a rhythm with her grading pencil. Years of grading papers made them go by faster, but never quite fast enough. She tried to get as much done on Friday night as possible, saving the rest of the weekend for lesson planning. Classes were cancelled Monday and Tuesday for a festival, which gave ample time to help her guest.
Mr. Ukitake sat up with a start. Wide eyed, he glanced to the glass door leading to the small balcony, then grasped at his chest, coughing harshly. Mai jumped, her pencil flying the other direction. She turned, rubbing his back in gentle circles.
"It's alright, Mr. Ukitake, just breathe," Mai said, attempting to stay calm herself.
"A bowl," he rasped.
"A bowl?" She repeated as she stood.
He nodded and she quickly ran to the kitchen and back, presenting his request. He clumsily held it, coughing up blood. The red liquid splattered as it hit the bottom. He struggled to breathe, gasping for air between harsh barks. The crimson on his lips contrasted his pale skin, running down his chin, dripping into the bowl. Mai watched, still rubbing his back. Slender fingers weakly grabbed her hand, though she was unsure if he was comforting her or if she was comforting him. At last, his chest stopped its uneven heaving and gradually returned to an even rhythm - in, out, in, out.
"Miss Sasaki," he said, green eyes glancing up through a mess of white hair. "There's a monster nearby. I must…"
"Mr. Ukitake, you can't. You're sick."
"I am the only one close enough," He said, moving to stand. He set the bowl on the table and released her hand. On shaking legs, he stood. Thinking frantically, Mai reached towards the table, grabbing the sword, standing opposite to him. The voice of children returned, speaking, though she could not make out the words.
"Please, Miss Sasaki, a zanpakuto is a very strong weapon."
"I'm very sorry, but I can't let you go chasing monsters, you can barely stand."
"I understand your concern, but please, I must do this."
She shook her head. He sighed. The children's voices in her head seemed to be arguing back and forth, making it hard to focus on Mr. Ukitake. With a gust of wind, he disappeared, reappearing a second later behind her. She whirled around, meeting his stern gaze, keeping the sword close to her.
"I promise, I'll be safe," he said, growing tired of her attempt. "The monster is called a hollow. It is a human soul that has been here too long. A zanpakuto is the only way to cleanse the spirit and send him to the afterlife."
Mai held his sword close, considering his words. He reached out, holding the hilt. His voice seemed to whisper in her ear, though his lips did not move.
"Surely I can take care of a lower level hollow, if can just get…"
Mai reluctantly released her grip, a smile forming on his lips and he took his zanpakuto.
"Thank you, I'll be right back."
Mr. Ukitake walked calmly over to the glass door, unlocked it, and stepped out to the balcony. A soft breeze pushed his hair aside as he glanced over his shoulder to Mai, standing beside him.
"Can you feel its presence?" He asked. "It's dark and hungry."
Mai paused, letting the energized breeze pass over her. Something in the distance left her stomach feeling uneasy. A strange force spread through the quiet city, as if a tense moment in a horror movie. Mr. Ukitake had a presence of his own, an odd sort of warm pressure when she stood near him. This felt different. She turned to him as he began to cough again. He gripped the railing, his pale hand turning more white. His hair covered his face, though Mai could hear the blood splattering on pavement. He collapsed, arms barely supporting his weight.
"Please, Mr. Ukitake, there must be something I can do."
His green eyes gazed up to her, "If you fail, you will die."
"That monster will kill people, won't it?"
He nodded, unsheathing his zanpakuto and continuing to cough.
"It is better to die trying."
"Then please forgive me," he said, unable to look at her.
Mai leaned in. She expected him to give her his sword, but instead something in her chest stung. Her wide eyes lowered to silver metal sticking out of her. Mr. Ukitake did not look up her. The voices of children she heard as muffled before suddenly became clear.
"Don't worry Miss Sasaki," They chimed in unison.
She felt herself leaving her body, as if in a dream. She watched Mr. Ukitake withdraw his sword and catch her limp body. He leaned against the wall of the apartment, gently letting her form lie beside him.
"You are not dead. There's not enough time to explain everything. Concentrate on the energy around you, in your feet. Now push against it."
She glanced down, noticing instead of her usual slacks and blouse, she wore the same black uniform. She followed his instructions, jumping into the air much further than a human should. Lacking grace, she returned to the balcony with a thud.
"Use that to find the hollow. He'll have a mask. Use your zanpakuto to cut it."
