AN: if you are one of the people that have been following my story, please reread the second and third chapters because I changed them. This is a hurried update. Basically I made up the concept of the hebi (snake) it was the only name I could think of and tamasii means 'spirit'. The reason Isshin wasn't back home was because of a summer fair that took place that night. If anything else is unclear, feel free to ask me. I would like it if everyone reviewed. Even a few words make a difference because it shows me that you appreciate my efforts because I'm not paid a penny for this. I only write because I want to show my writing to people. I accept anonymous reviews. I have a class to attend to now, see you guys and hopefully your reviews too. =)
Four
The white buildings and blue skies were familiar in a way and Ichigo stood up. He glanced around and tensed his shoulders, waiting for the telltale black trench coat of the man. But nothing came at him, not even his hollow. Everything was quiet. Ichigo wandered over to a window and glanced at the reflected sky. He jumped when his eyes connected with the reflection of Zangetsu. He stumbled back from the middle aged man and frowned.
"Why did you call me here?" he demanded in annoyance and crossed his arms. Zangetsu didn't speak, instead, he merely pointed. Ichigo followed his arm and blinked. There was a white form crouched on one of the sideways buildings. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Shirosaki. His hollow was crouching on the ground and shaking slightly. Ichigo's eyes widened as a hand suddenly gripped his collar and the next minute, he was dumped unceremoniously on the ground next to Shirosaki.
The hollow's usual smirk was gone and he was shaking like a leaf. The pale skin seemed even paler. Shirosaki kept his teeth clenched as he let out a strangled cry of pain. His arm trembled from the effort of keeping his body upright.
"What's going on?" Ichigo asked and reached for the hollow. But Zangetsu stopped him.
"Don't touch him." the spirit said calmly and watched passively as the hollow struggled on the ground. Ichigo felt his temper rise.
"How can you not care when he's suffering like that?!" he demanded angrily. The spirit turned his dark wise eyes on Ichigo and shook his head.
"You were the one who did this to him." he said calmly. Ichigo felt his body go cold at those words.
But…. How?" he asked as he slumped against the ground and gave Shirosaki a guilty look. The hollow was still crouched and breathing hard, his golden eyes squeezed shut and teeth clenched in pain.
"You touched a hebi." Zangetsu said. The spirit noticed Ichigo's puzzled expression and elaborated on the word. "It's a very rare kind of tamasii that resides in between worlds. They are the souls of infants that all died in some unjust way collected in one body. A hebi usually takes the form of a small infant and wanders the spirit world and the shinigami world freely. They're extremely attracted to females and would follow them for days on. Those infants also have a very interesting effect on hollows. They somehow repel them in a way."
Something clicked into place in Ichigo's brain. "But how's that possible? I haven't met any dead babies recently." He didn't say anything about Grimmjow's pregnancy.
"Seeing that he's still here," Zangetsu pointed at the shaking hollow, "then I take it that you didn't touch it directly."
Ichigo remembered the small hand and felt his heart lurch. "Is Shirosaki going to be ok?" he finally asked. Zangetsu shrugged.
"He will live, and with time he will heal. That is the only thing I can say." The spirit said softly. "But I would advise you not to touch the thing again."
Zangetsu gave Ichigo a searching look and the teen turned away guiltily. The spirit looked up at the blue sky and spread his arms. "Shirosaki will be alright, but heed my warning. What ever you're doing out there, it's dangerous. Don't drop your guards. It's time for you to go back to your world, Ichigo." He said softly. Ichigo opened his mouth to ask again but his voice was lost to the ringing in his ears.
"Ichigo! Wake up!" the sound of someone yelling came from somewhere close. The orange-haired teen opened his eyes and focused them on Rukia's concerned face. She let out a soft breath of relief when he smiled feebly.
Ichigo sat up from the floor and groaned. "How long was I out?" he asked.
"About twenty minutes." Rukia answered as she looked at the clock. Ichigo stood up and dusted off his pants. He glanced over at Grimmjow and blinked. The arrancar seemed somehow different. He was no longer in pain, judging by the way his face was relaxed.
"His fever went down after you fainted and he's stable now." she said. Ichigo nodded and sighed. He felt exhausted.
"I think I'm going to take a shower and go to bed…oh wait, never mind. I'll sleep somewhere else." He glanced at the figure occupying his bed and made his way to the bathroom. Rukia glanced at the clock and frowned. Why was it taking Isshin so long to get the ice cream? It was already eleven thirty and there were still no signs of them coming back. Rukia looked out the window and frowned at the empty streets.
Stark stepped out into Karakura town and frowned, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim lights of the streetlamps. The prima espada glanced down at the empty streets and landed softly. He saw no reason to observe in the sky. It was easier but also more eye-catching. The town had an amazing amount of spiritual pressure and he was positive someone was going to notice a middle-aged man floating in the sky. So Stark opted for a better approach.
He had changed his cloths to fit the people around him and taken a pill Aizen had given him. It would ensure his spiritual pressure was the same level as a normal ghost. There was also a release pill that would come in handy when he was in danger. Syazel had given them to him in two little bottles. A pink one and a blue one. It didn't matter to those that couldn't see him, but even if someone were spot him in the crowd; they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Stark wandered into the streets and glanced around. He frowned slightly when a man bumped into him in his haste. Two girls chased after him.
"Dad, if we go, the ice cream would melt!" the smaller blonde girl shouted in dismay. The man just gave a loud cackle and ran faster. She stopped and glared after her father. The black haired girl turned and patted her arm.
"Don't worry, Yuzu. We can eat it on the way to the fair. And besides, Ichigo can sleep on his own. It's not as if he's alone at home." She pointed out and the blonde girl brightened considerably. She nodded to her sibling and they chased after their father, shopping bags flapping after them.
Stark stepped out from the crowd and adjusted his shirt collar. Ichigo. That name was somehow familiar and he remembered the orange-haired teen when he had taken Orihime back to Las Noches. His eyes reminded him of Grimmjow's. The defiant glow and the 'tougher than you' scowl on his face. Stark didn't really have a lead as to where Grimmjow was but he had a hunch to try the teen's house. He took a deep breath and started to follow the bright mop of golden hair that was Ichigo's sister.
"Hey, stop right there!" a hand grabbed his shoulder and Stark whirled around faster than the eye could follow and twisted away from the man. He took several steps away from the redhead with the weird tattoos and tensed for a fight. Stark opened his mouth to speak but the redhead cut in before he could make the sound.
"You are an unregistered soul and should not be out walking without your body." he began, drawing out a notebook and flipping though the pages to the correct passage. "There is no need to feel fear because I am here to help you." He paused and gave Stark a presumed smile. It looked very much like a scowl. His eyes went back to the notes and flipped a page, coughed before he started again. "If your body is indeed still in rescue then I will try to help you get back. If not, please allow me to take you to your new home, soul society." The red head finished and looked up at Stark. The arrancar stood perfectly still and stared back. The passing people didn't seem to notice the weird couple standing in the center of the street. The redhead sighed and smacked his forehead.
"Damn it, why do they always give me the 'special ones'? Forget about trying to answer. Just come with me." before Stark could say or do anything; the redhead reached over and grabbed his wrist. "We'll get you a registration number at least, then you can visit your family and do all that mushy stuff in the next month. But I have to export you to soul society when the month is up."
He was quite chatty. Stark could get a word in at all so he gave up and allowed himself to be dragged off, his targets temporarily forgotten.
"Well, my name's Renji and I'm going to be the local shinigami for the time being." He said and continued. "I have to say, though. You're one of the calmer ones I've met. There was this guy who tried to jump off a building seven times before I could convince him that he was dead. Boy was that messy. And there was the girl that died and also didn't know until…" Stark tuned the words out and thought about the situation. This shinigami was obviously a part of soul society and possibly someone important. He was talkative so that might be a good source of information. And if he did get this so called registration number, he could stay here without raising suspicions.
"….and that's how I beat the hollow. So what do you think?" Renji turned around. Stark blinked.
"I'm Stark." He said quietly. The redhead blinked as well.
"That's a funny name. It kinda sounds familiar…" he scratched his head, the last topic already forgotten. Stark had a feeling Renji wasn't overly bright. "So, are you dead or just taking an out-of-the-body tour around your town?" he asked bluntly. Stark blinked and they came to a stop in a small deserted alleyway with a dead end.
"I think I'm dead." He said tentatively. Renji nodded enthusiastically.
"Okey-dokey, shall I give you the registration number?" he asked and pulled out his zanpakuto. Stark's fingers twitched at the sight of the sword and held still. There was a slim chance he would be recognized. Stark stayed still as the butt of the blade glowed and Renji swiftly pressed it to the back of his hand. It left a small 232 in black ink. The redhead bounced on the balls of his feet and grinned.
"Great, now you can go back to your family and say your goodbyes. Oh and don't forget to come back in one month." The redhead waved and Stark gave a thin smile before making his way out of the small alley, suit jacket flapping in the warm summer breeze. He ran a hand though his dark curls and scanned the crowd with his serious green eyes.
Things were going better than he had planned.
So what did you think? I apologize if this new plot is not your favorite.