(A/N: Just wanted to thank those that favorited or followed this story. It really means a lot to me that you guys are enjoying it. ^_^)
"Thank you so much for walking me home," Misaki voiced with a grateful smile, giving a small bow once Ichigo, Rukia, and her were standing in front of the apartment complex where she resided.
"No problem. Just try and stay away from creepy thug infested alley's from now on." Ichigo drawled out, earning a timid nod from the brown haired girl.
The three teenagers blinked when hearing what sounded like heavy footsteps running toward them, only to see a male who looked to be in his mid-twenties. And from the expression on his face, he didn't appear pleased.
"What the hell do you think your doing with Misaki, pervert?!" Ren yelled, lunging at a clearly freaked out Ichigo. Before the possibly insane male could attack him, Ichigo kicked him in the face, sending Ren flying a few feet away from them.
"What is it with all the nut jobs around today?" Ichigo huffed out, scowling at the dark haired brunette who was holding his face in pain and rolling around on the pavement.
Misaki laughed awkwardly while scratching at her cheek. "A-actually that nut job you just kicked was my brother…"
"Oh, whoops…Sorry about that…"
"Its alright. He did come at you, after all," Misaki said softly, crouching down in front of her brother. "Ren, this is Kuchiki Rukia and Kurosaki Ichigo. Their my classmates, so please be nice."
A red footprint indention now on his usually handsome face, Ren sat up with a weak grin. "R-right…Gomen…I just saw this kid who looks like some juvenile delinquent near you, and I kind of over reacted…"
Rukia was snorting behind her hand at the insult while Ichigo lightly twitched, both of them flinching when Ren let out an abrupt scream. He had noticed the large bruise on Misaki's cheek and was pointing shakily at it.
"Wh-what happened to your face, Saki-chan?" Ren stuttered, gently touching it. A dark gleam shone in his eyes as he roughly grabbed Ichigo by the collar of his school uniform, growling out, "THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY SISTER?!"
"NOTHING, YOU LUNATIC!" Ichigo yelled back, his entire frame twitching in irritation since his ears were ringing from Ren's loud tone. "Some other men did that to her!"
Rukia rubbed at her temple before staring at the two with a bland look. "You two are causing a scene. Do you want the neighbors to call the law enforcement on us?"
"Ah, Kuchiki-san was it? You should head inside with my sister. Help yourself to some refreshments," Ren told her kindly, glancing back at Rukia with a smile before his attention was once again focused on Ichigo, a heated glare having replaced his friendly expression. "I'll be right there after I deal with this punk!"
"Tsk! I'd like to see you try!"
"Enough!" Rukia scolded since the two looked like they were about to start beating the living daylight out of each other, and she slammed their heads together despite their taller frames, giving both males dizzy eyes.
Letting out a small puff of air while she grabbed Ren and Ichigo by the back of their shirts, Rukia gave Misaki a surprisingly cheerful expression. "Shall we head inside now?"
"H-hai…" Misaki replied back weakly, watching as Rukia easily dragged the two dazed men toward her home. For someone who might not have looked it, Rukia was certainly strong.
Their prides now damaged, Ren and Ichigo both set on a small couch, sipping on the cups of tea Misaki had made up for them with despondent expressions. Misaki wasn't sure whether to feel bad for them or actually laugh from the slightly amusing scene. They were almost mimicking each other as they reached for some cookies, slowly munching on them in the same manner as well.
"So it's just you and your brother who live here, then?" Rukia asked to break the silence, her attention on a small shrine that had been set up with a picture of two people she had a feeling were their parents.
Misaki moved to stand next to the dark haired girl, nodding. "Hai. After our parents died six years ago…Ren's taken care of me. He's been more like a second father to me than a brother, to tell the truth."
"That would explain his bizarre over protective nature~" Rukia mused with a small smirk, causing Ren to blush and mumble things under his breath.
"Sounds like you and my father would get along. He's insane when it comes to the females of our household just like you," Ichigo mentioned bluntly, ignoring the now evil eyed look he was receiving from Ren.
Misaki laughed lightly at this while smiling gently. "That would be nice. Ren could use more friends. I hardly ever see him going out like most people his age do…"
"M-Misaki?! How can you say something like that? I-I only stay home so I can make sure you're safe!" Ren cried out, actually having tears in his eyes. Moving in front of their parents portrait, Rukia, Ichigo, and Misaki had sweat drops trailing down the side of their heads since he was gripping at the frame while sobbing out, "Otousan…Okaasan…Misaki has gotten so cruel as a teenager. Even worse, she's hanging out with street punks that dye their hair unnatural colors…!"
"Oi! I'll have you know this is my normal hair color!" Ichigo complained, scowling at the weeping adult. Actually, it was hard to believe this guy was an adult. He was honestly starting to feel a little bad for Misaki, knowing she had grow up with someone who appeared mentally unstable in his opinion.
"I think we should keep Isshin-san and Ren-san far away from each other. Having two lunatics interacting with one another could have disastrous effects…" Rukia brought up with an indifferent expression.
"Agreed…" Ichigo muttered back, wearing the same indifferent expression as he watched Misaki approach her brother, sympathetically patting at his back while trying to comfort him.
Following Ichigo and Rukia outside, Misaki smiled faintly at them. "Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner? Ren's a really good cook."
Unfortunately the take out Ren had been picking up for them he had tossed away after noticing Ichigo. At least any stray dogs that happened to come across it were probably having a good meal right now.
"That's kind of you to offer, but we've taken up enough of your time already," Rukia told her in a polite tone. "We'll see you tomorrow at school."
Once parting from the brown haired girl, Rukia glanced back at the tall building, her eyes slightly narrowed. "How close are you to Misaki at school, Ichigo?"
"Eh, not really to be honest. We greet each other every now and then when we cross paths, but she normally keeps to herself," Ichigo admitted, rubbing at the top of his head. "Why do ask?"
Rukia paused in her pace, placing her small hand that she had balled into a fist underneath her chin. "It was very faint, but I could sense a small portion of spiritual pressure coming from her…"
"What?" Ichigo murmured, taken back by the sudden news.
"It's probably nothing to worry about, but with Ren, his reiatsu was much stronger, yet it also felt like something was holding it back," Rukia explained while closing her eyes. Her long lashes slowly fluttering open, Rukia gazed up at Ichigo with a serious expression. "We should probably keep an eye on them just to be safe…With more Hollows showing up in the area recently, they could possibly end up in danger."
Caught up in their own discussion, neither Ichigo nor Rukia seemed to notice the eyes on them. Ren had been watching the two of them from his window ever since they had left, a thoughtful expression on his features.
Kuchiki, huh? Maybe it's a coincidence, but she does share a striking resemblance to Hisana Ren pondered, his eyes lighting up while a smile erupted onto his peach colored skin. Either you got yourself a new wife Byakuya, or you managed to honor Hisana's wishes and found her little sister. Either way, I hope that means you haven't been alone these past few years like I feared after all…
The next day had started out normally like any other, the sky only overcast showing there was a possible chance for rain. Misaki, despite her scare in the alley, found herself heading there per usual to check up on Hoshi.
Yet the sight that greeted her was one she had been dreading, but knew was inevitably coming.
Hoshi was sprawled out on the pavement, and tentatively approaching him and reaching out to touch his form, she found that the cat's body was completely stiff. Hoshi was still a little warm, showing he possibly hadn't been dead for more than maybe two or three hours.
"Oh, Hoshi…Gomenasai…I wanted to be here for you at least in your last moments…" Misaki expressed sadly, tears forming in her eyes as she continued to tenderly run her fingers across the animals fur.
Maybe if I had gotten up earlier and come by, perhaps he would have still been…
Shaking her head and knowing there was no point in chastising herself, Misaki used her grey sleeve to wipe at her eyes before picking up Hoshi; not caring about the looks she received from those she passed when she ran off with him in her arms.
The least I can do is give him a proper burial…
Though she only had a small garden shovel she had picked up from home and knew it would take some time before she had a decent hole, Misaki found a nice spot under a large Japanese Maple tree where she could bury Hoshi in a part of the park where not too many people went.
She was still slightly worried she might get in trouble, but the yellow leafed tree seemed like the perfect resting place for her pet. Even more so because some of the leaves resembled stars just like the mark on his back.
Thankfully the rain didn't start pouring down until she had finally completed the grave, having just finished patting down the earth-not minding the fact that she was getting drenched.
"Rest in peace, Hoshi." Misaki whispered while sitting on her knees, placing a rock with his name on the pile of dirt for his marker before cupping her hands together in a praying gesture.
Slowly standing up, Misaki stared at the grave for a few moments, debating on whether she should head for class or not. The scenery around her was completely calm despite the rain as she became lost in her thoughts, and there was no breeze, so when she felt as if something were brushing against her legs, she couldn't help but let out a startled squeak and jump.
That felt…almost like a cat rubbing across my legs Misaki pondered, her light brown eyes completely wide. There was no way that had been possible, though. With Hoshi still on her mind, it had to be her imagination playing tricks on her…right?
As the bell rang to show that second period had started, Ichigo let out a yawn, glancing lazily over at Misaki's empty desk. He found it just a little peculiar that she was absent when she hadn't appeared sick yesterday. And she didn't seem like the type who would skip either.
Then again with that brother of hers, he probably wouldn't let Misaki leave the house after learning what happened Ichigo figured with a shake of his head.
A sudden sensation that felt like a small jolt of electricity coursing through his body caught Ichigo by surprise, and he shared a look with Rukia when noticing the cell phone in her hand. There was no doubt a Hollow had just made its appearance.
"Sorry, Ms. Ochi, but I need to go to the restroom!"
"Yes. I've suddenly been hit by the feeling as well!"
The brown haired woman let out a small "eh?" when Ichigo and Rukia dashed out the classroom, blinking behind her rounded glasses.
"Well the least you could do is grab a hall pass before you leave!" she lightly scolded, causing many of the students to fall out of their desks. Shouldn't she be more concerned with the fact that two students had to mysteriously go to the bathroom at the same time?
Elsewhere at an average sized shop, Ren rubbed at his slightly perspiring forehead after he had just finished bringing in some rather heavy boxes filled with bizarre items and trinkets.
"I still don't understand where he gets all this stuff from. Surely the Soul Society wouldn't be supplying him with it…" Ren muttered to himself while running a hand through his thick hair.
Letting out an "ack!" when someone kicked him from behind, Ren slowly turned with a twitchy expression to see the young boy, Jinta, that also worked for his employer.
"Kisuke might go easy on you, but there's no way I'm letting you slack off on the job!" the red headed boy exclaimed, pointing the broom he held at the adult.
A young girl who was just a few inches taller than Jinta, gazed at the red haired child with a meek expression. "B-but Jinta…You're not sweeping outside the shop like Tessai-san told you too either…"
"Huh? Are you thinking of tattling on me, Ururu?!" Jinta huffed, digging a closed fist into the slightly older girl's dark scalp, this causing the poor girl to whine out in pain.
Ren scowled, taking the broom Jinta had dropped and using the end to whack the top of his head with. "Lay off of her, would you. And it's not like this weird place get's many customers to begin with that we need to overwork ourselves..."
"Now, now. There's no need to insult my establishment," Kisuke chuckled out, emerging from the back room. "Not when I've been so generous to allow you to work here part time."
A faint blush appeared on Ren's cheeks as he turned his head awkwardly to the side. "R-right…Believe me, I am grateful. God knows I barely make anything as a car salesman…"
"Th-then why don't you find another job, Ren-san…?" Ururu mentioned, her head innocently tilted to the side.
Ren gently ruffled Ururu's hair, shaking his head since the poor timid thing closed her eyes as if afraid he was going to hurt her. "That's 'cause at least they work around my schedule so I don't have to worry about leaving Misaki alone for long. Especially now of all times…"
Glancing up at the ceiling, Kisuke rubbed at his chin in a thoughtful manner. "You mentioned that your sisters faux body is no longer suppressing her spiritual pressure, correct? I've noticed that yours is more active as well…Perhaps it's a side effect of all the Hollow activity that's been taking place here recently…"
"That's what I'm concerned about as well…I met that kid you told me about, Kurosaki Ichigo, and for a substitute, I was shocked by how strong the boy actually was," Ren muttered, crossing his arms while letting out a heavy sigh. "Ever since he was given powers, it seems like this town's become even more dangerous than before…"
Closing his eyes for a moment, they soon opened back up to focus on Kisuke sharply. "You should have told me a Kuchiki of all people was involved in this…"
"Well if you weren't always hiding in the bathroom whenever a customer showed up, you would have met Kuchiki-san yourself. She frequents the shop quite often," Kisuke mused with a sheepish smile. "Besides, even if I had informed you. It's not like you would have told her who you really were, ne?"
Ren was about to reply to that, only to freeze up since he could feel a powerful reiatsu from here. Not only that, but he could also sense a smaller, yet familiar one close by this obviously dangerous presence.
"Misaki…" Ren whispered, throwing various items out of one of the boxes before he found a certain one that looked like a pez dispenser; gripping it tightly in his hand before rushing out of the store.
"Oi! You can't just steal our merchandise!" Jinta yelled, running out of the shop and scowling since the male had already disappeared.
"It's fine. We can always charge him later," Kisuke reassured, coming to stand beside the boy with Ururu and Tessai behind them. "Seems like the situation has become a lot more complicated…"
"What…just happened…" Misaki whispered out, her face having turned a sickly shade of blue-her pupils wide in both shock and fright.
Something had clearly scratched at her leg, the sharp burning pain startling her enough where she ended up falling over on her side. She had then felt what seemed to be wind brushing past her, only for a nearby tree to be struck by what looked like lightning.
And despite the rain, it wasn't storming…
I know I shouldn't stay in this area, but my body won't move Misaki thought, her form trembling since it felt like she wasn't alone, but there wasn't a person or creature anywhere to be seen.
A terrified cry escaped her lips when she felt something wrapping around her waist tightly, lifting her high up into the air. She struggled to break free from whatever invisible force was gripping her, only to freeze when she felt what started at first like a small static shock.
The mini electrical discharge didn't last, soon increasing to a much higher voltage and causing Misaki to scream out shrilly since she had never felt any sort of pain like this before.
Is this what it feels like…to die…?
She could already feel consciousness leaving her, but she swore she heard a voice yelling out her name.
"Ren…Nii-chan…?" Misaki whispered out, her world soon growing dark.