Ha! I am on a sudden role! For now. This chapter is fairly short. I apologize. This is to get the plot rolling a bit plus I kinda liked the cliffy. Sorry. And just so you know, I do not own Bleach. Kari however is my character and so are all the animal guardians. Now, have fun reading!
Ichigo groaned as he landed roughly in the dirt, his injury on his right arm stinging painfully. But he ignored it, pushing himself up and looking at the woods around him "Now what?" he muttered to himself.
He had no clue where to go and didn't see a single animal guardian. Not to mention he was worried about his dad...
"Hello? Someone there?"
Ichigo's head shot towards the new voice, seeing a young woman standing there in jeans and a dark purple sweater. Her eyes landed on him and she frowned "Oh. Just another shinigami." she said darkly.
She then glanced over, seeing his injured arm and immediately her face lit up in concern "Are you okay?" she asked.
Ichigo frowned, glancing at his arm "It's nothing. It'll heal just fine on it's own." he said casually.
But she shook her head "Nonsense. Even if you are a shinigami I will not tolerate leaving someone out here injured. Come on. I don't live to far away. But be warned. I have medical supplies just no clue how to use them." she warned. Ichigo sighed but followed after her. If worst came to worst he could leave later.
Maybe she could help find whoever he was looking for. "So...what is your name?" she asked.
She then blushed once more "Then again I guess I should give you my own name first huh? I'm kari. Kari Canste" she said.
Ichigo frowned at that "Personally I'd rather not give my name out if that's alright." he said.
If word got out he was in Soul Society he could think of several people who would get the wrong idea. And he didn't feel like getting hunted down quite yet. Kari pouted a bit at that before smiling "Well...here we are. Home sweet home." she said as they rounded a corner to reveal a small cabin.
She then turned to Ichigo with a small smile "If you want you can stay the night. But only one night. I got a reputation to keep ya know? Not to mention I only have one bed meaning you...are on the couch. Or the chair. Take your pick." she said with a smirk. Ichigo frowned, suddenly not liking her personality one bit. But...she was helping him despite the fact he didn't really need it. But if he ran it would look a bit suspiscious and she mentioned having a reputation. For some odd reason this all gave Ichigo a very bad feeling. But luckily when she opened the door the house seemed okay. little and a bit bare but well lived in. It made it feel...Like home. Almost. Now if only he had someone to kick him awake and Kon's obnoxious loud mouth he'd be good to go.
She then moved to a side room, quickly returning with a basket of a few scant medical supplies "Sorry I don't have much. being near the rougher parts of the Rukongai makes it tricky to get supplies. I usually just get stuff in trade. Or find it." she said quietly. Ichigo howevr shrugged "I don't need much. Like I said, it should heal fine on it's own." he told her.
But she shook her head "Again. No. At least put some guaze on it so it doesn't get infected." she said in annoyance.
She then moved over to another room "So...since your a shinigami that means you need to eat too right? Are you hungry?" he asked. Ichigo frowned. Actually he didn't feel hungry at all. Was that normal? Actually he recalled Rukia mentioning once that only souls with high spiritual pressure got hungry in Soul Society. Otherwise they weren't
"No thank you. I'm good." he called out, trying to hide his unease at the information. he was no better than a normal soul here.
Vulnerable and weak.
She frowned, poking her head out the door before studying him suspisciously "Are you sure?" she asked.
Ichigo nodded at that and slowly she went back to the kitchen for a minute. she then came back with a basket of apples, setting it on a table as she began munching on one "I'll leave those there in case you want one." she said. Ichigo sighed at her persistence. But fortunetly as he began wrapping up the very small injury she fell silence. Noticing that he glanced over, seeing her look at the blood uneasily.
Immediately he smirked "Can't stand the sight of blood?" he taunted.
Kari immediately switched to a death glare"Shut up." she scowled angrily. She then turned away, keeping her eyes determindly closed.
Ichigo sighed heavily before frowning, wondering. Perhaps she'd know... "Um...I hate to ask but...is there anyone else living around here?" he asked.
She shook her head "Not for about an hour. Which is why your lucky I was out taking a walk and heard you fall. otherwise no one would have found you. No one else...dares come around this area." she said, her voice slightly dejected. Immediately Ichigo felt a twinge of sympathy. All of a sudden this nice little home seemed quite lonely.
But then she perked up a bit "So...since I did rescue you and give you a place to stay tonight you owe me. and I expect you to pay up to my standards." she said. Ichigo froze, his sympathy insantly leaving. How was he supposed to pay? He had nothing on him.
But Kari leaned forward, her eyes blazing "And of course by payment I mean knowledge. Do you have any idea how valuable the information is about Soul Society is worth? Just please don't tell anyone. I swear that if it's one of those no share things I don't tell. Heck, I got paid big time for telling everyone about the substitute shinigami a few years ago." she said, her eyes suddenly lighting up in curiosity "However I haven't heard anything about him lately. I heard he lost his powers but that's it. Like you guys abandoned him. It's kind sad. Didn't he save everyone? And sacrifice his soul reaper powers for soul society?" she asked curiously, glancing over.
Suddenly a curious glint lit up in her eyes "Now that I think about it he is supposed to have red hair. Kinda like yours..." she trailed off, her eyes glinting in curiosity and suspicion.
"Who are you?" she asked once more. Ichigo swore mentally. This girl was way to good. quickly he stood, moving to bolt before something appeared in front of avoid it he careened to the side, smashing painfully into the table and knocking the basket full of apples to the ground.
He groaned, rubbing his head before looking up at the amused shark in surprise "You would be wise not to run away." it said.
Ichigo frowned, glancing at the now wary Kari who had stood up defensively, watching his every movement like a hawk "Great. Now that your here you can tell me where to find this master of yours. Hopefully the guys not as much of a crazy person as this girl." he muttered just loudly enough so the shark could hear.
But the shark's smirk only widened "I never did say my master was a male now did I? If I recall correctly that was you." he said.
Immediately Ichigo tensed up, the implications slowly hitting as he turned to Kari, horrorstruck "Please don't say..."
The shark grinned as it flew through the air behind her, not that Kari saw him "Let me proudly introduce my master. Kari Canste."