Chapter 3

A clear and beautiful view fills the bright sky while the rays of the sun gleam onward.

"ahhh it's so nice out today." spoke Yugi as he was strolling to school as he was enjoying the sunshine he spots a familiar set of orange hair walking to school.

"Hey Ichigo!" hearing his name the orange haired teen turned around to see the new transfer student and greeted him as well.

"Yo Yugi was up?" as the stood next to each other and began walking towards class.

"Not much Ichigo just thought if you wanted to walk to class together." Yugi suggested

"Sure Yugi...after all we are classmates and after what happened other day I do owe you thanks."

Feeling embarrassed Yugi spoke. "It's okay I'm just glad I could help out." while in mid sentence a light embraced Yugi and Ichigo noticed his new change.

"Since we are on the subject now Ichigo I must ask what happened after I struck the hollow? I know my arrow wasn't enough to end it?

Seeing the new change Ichigo began to wonder who or what this new transfer student was. But chose instead to answer his question.

"Well after you hit the hollow Rukia the girl in the black kimono got hurt pretty bad and so she offered some of her power to me and I finished it off. So let's say I am like her now."

"I see...and how's your family? I'm sure they had questions from last night." Yugi suggested

"They don't remember." Ichigo spoke with a look of dum founded.

"Thats a lie how the hell would they not remember?" In an instant Yugi changed to his original form looking as if something stupid had just been spoken.

"Don't look at me like that...when I went to talk to them they kept saying something

about a truck hitting the house." Ichigo spoke

"Then it's probably Rukia who did it then. It makes sense after all that she is the only one who would hide the incident from regular people." Yugi spoke while staring away from Ichigo towards the sign to their classroom.

"And so where is she?" Yugi asked as they were reaching their classroom.

"How the hell should I know?" Ichigo said nonchalantly

Then both turned to notice a commotion inside their classroom and went to check it out.

"So whats going on guys?" Ichigo questioned as he got close and then became flabbergasted at seeing a familiar face in front of him.

"Whats wrong Ichigo?... (stares at female student)...whatttttttttt..."

"What are you doing here!?" Both said simultaneously

"Hey you two we got another transfer student!" shouted kiego "Isn't she great?"

Staring at both Ichigo and Yugi...Rukia approached them with a smile and showed them her open palm.

"I hope we can get acquainted." as she spoke both stared at her palm which appeared to contain writing from a permanent marker.

-Talk and you're so dead.

A few hours later atop of the school roof next to the chained safety gates.

"Okay so why did you decide to join our class Rukia?" Yugi asked while enjoying his bento lunchbox.

"Yeah I'd really like to know myself considering that whole fiasco involving my house and the fact no one in my family has any memory of it. Which I can assume you did."

"Well I do have my methods to erase the events that occurred last night and as for why I am now enrolled in your class it involves you Ichigo. Rukia stated

"Huh" was Ichigo's response.

She got up and stared at him.

Extending her finger and pointing at Ichigo she shouts. "You have now claimed my powers as your own as such it is now your responsibility and role to take my place as a shinigami."

With a dumb look on Ichigo's face he blantely said he refused to do what she said.

"Yeah sorry Rukia but I have no interest in taking over this shinigami business you're trying to pass on to me."

Staring at him with the look that no man can describe she said "You really have no choice on the matter Ichigo. Now that I no longer have my powers you have a duty to help wandering spirits."

Ichigo stared at Rukia with a look that said he didn't care. "Listen I decide my own fate alright...this crap about being a soul reaper is not for me." and with that he stood up and walked away down the roof stairs.

Rukia just stared at the stairs while Yugi looking from his angle had a disappointed look on his face.

"Even after everything that happened I'm surprised he said that..." Yugi stated.

Rukia turned to him. "And what about you? Why did you get involved in the role only meant for soul reapers?"

Yugi with a foreboding look stared at her. "Sorry Miss Rukia I can't answer that question...all that's needed to know is that I will continue to fight hollows."

Suddenly an aura surrounded him and his form changed to his more mature look.

"This spiritual energy...It's like a miasma...filled with darkness..." Rukia thought...shocked at his form and as he vanished...appearing next to her he spoke. "I'll have a talk with Ichigo after class." and with that he vanished from her sight down the stairwell to the roof.

Rukia thinking about what happened just stated to herself. "That boy is dangerous...I'll have to watch him...his spiritual pressure...it was like a hollow...only far more consuming...it was as if his energy was a bottomless pit of void and malice.

As Ichigo was outside walking towards the court yard area Yugi appears behind him.

"Ichigo you need to listen…" stopping Yugi mid sentence "No I don't Yugi especially if you're trying to convince me to change my mind about what I said before."

Taking a step forward towards Ichigo. "Then I have one question….are you a coward?"

"What?" was all Ichigo could say in a response…

"I asked if you're a coward." Yugi responded casually.

"What the hell is wrong with you? How dare you accuse me of that! Ichigo spoke with anger in his tone.

"Okay then let me make a point then Ichigo" Yugi spoke "Follow me we need to discuss this somewhere else."

As they walked together in silence they entered the vicinity of a small park. A small commotion could be heard as sand clouds burst from nowhere.

"Aghhhhhhhhhh!" A huge spider hollow form was chasing a young boy that appeared to have a chain on his torso. "Help me!"

Jumping into action Ichigo is going towards the child while he is being chased. As he attempts to help his body is stilled. Chains wrapped around him binding him in place.

"Yugi what the hell are you doing?! That kid needs my help!"

"Let me ask you this Ichigo….why go after the kid?" "Isn't he just a stranger?"

He spoke while trying with all his might to free himself from the binds.

"It doesn't matter who he is…all that matters is I'm going to save him!"

Yugi stares in Ichigo's eyes as a smile appears on his face.

*Snaps his finger*

"Shadow spell" he whispers

The chains disappearing off of Ichigo and in an instant gather and strangle the spider hollow as it attempted to strike the little boy.

"Now why don't you be a good little hollow and disappear now?" Yugi spoke calmly

Slowly the chains began tearing the hollow. Piece by piece they tear through it like a chainsaw severing it into mangled parts from its torso to legs and finally head. Disintegrating it dust as it slowly became non-existent.

Ichigo stares at him as this occurs. "Listen well Ichigo…the gift that you I have been given is something that has an immeasurable cost." Yugi spoke while staring at the dust beginning to settle.

"With these powers we can help those who can't protect themselves against these things. It's not something you can blatantly refuse…otherwise you're no better than a coward…especially if you don't want to see the tears of those left behind to suffer the consequences."

Stepping towards him and putting his hand on Ichigo's shoulder.

"I'm gonna head back to class…rukia is almost here. Make sure the kid finally passes on and remember what we talked about."

Night Blue Sky as the crystal scene envelopes the town in a peaceful manner.

"Such a beautiful night…great view of the moon a nice quiet ambiance."

Yugi states to himself as he is walking about.

"Who do hollows gotta ruin such a great scenic view."

Staring up the sky reading his bow.

"I won't let you have him." Yugi states as he prepares his shot on the hollows surrounding a young man's ghost attempting to take him by force somewhere.

Readying his bow he aims upward as the arrow glows in the moonlight of the sky.

"Now spell shattering Arrow!" Shooting towards the sky… Rising towards the clouds…glimmering shine so bright it reaches the hollows and instantly the shadows of the beasts become consumed in the all encompassing light and evaporate.

Once everything was cleared Yugi stood next to the spirit.

"You should perhaps go and find peace…I have friends who can help with that?"

The young man stood up "Thank you but I can't…not yet…at least until I know my little sister Orihime will be alright."

"While I understand you wish to do this I would advise against it."

"Believe me she will be fine" Raising his hand towards the young man Yugi continues.

"Come with me."

As the spirit goes forward a dark crevice instantly appears behind him with eyes…horrifying jaws and arms reaching towards him.

As they have a strangle hold on the young man Yugi acts quickly grabbing onto him ad they further latch on attempting to drag the poor soul into the darkness.

"Don't let go please!" he shouts begging to be saved.

"Dammit…they are pulling him into the void. I can't save him…" Quickly pulling a card as it glows.

But it was too late within moments the crevice closed and with it the poor soul lost.

"Don't worry I couldn't save you now. ( The card glows in his hand) But I will soon."