Chapter 4 – No One Knows
"The boy had it rough," Ichigo said, dressed in his shinigami garb. He tossed his sword aside and sat on the floor. Sado gave his a teacup, which he frowned at.
"Dude, I don't drink tea," he said, placing the cup on the floor beside him. Rukia narrowed her eyes.
"Just accept the tea," she said, irritated, "You're being rude.". Ichigo rolled his eyes.
"No, Kuchiki, I'm not being rude," he said, "I'm being myself. And I don't drink tea."
"I don't have any coffee," Sado said, "Sorry about the lack of drinks."
"It's no problem. We aren't here to drink anyway."
"Indeed. Yasutora-san, can you activate your powers?" Rukia asked. Sado nodded and took a deep breath, as the black coating covered his right arm. Rukia cupped her chin.
"This is highly unusual..." she said. Ichigo narrowed his eyes.
"Really? I thought this happened all the time." Rukia rubbed her temples.
"Ichigo, can you please just shut up and let me work?"
"Whoa, someone must be on their flow." Rukia clenched her fists. Sado knew he had to intervene.
"Ichigo, maybe you can take it easy," he said, "Kuchiki-san is here to help me." Ichigo scoffed.
"You guys are boring. I guess I'm just going to play on my..." he said, fumbling in his human body's pocket, "Brand new smartphone! Just came in the mail today!" He promptly sat down and fiddled with it.
"Is he always like this?" Rukia asked. Sado nodded.
"But you'll get used to it."
"Where are we going?" Ichigo asked, back in his body, focused on his phone.
"To my temporary home," Rukia replied. Ichigo put his hand over his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter. Rukia rose an eyebrow.
"My, my Kuchiki," Ichigo said, "You never struck me as such a girl."
"What do you mean!?"
"But two men at once? You would have to wonder if your small frame can handle it."
"What?"
"And I'm just a Japanese youth. You're asking me to stand up to a man with that Latin blood."
"I'm not Latin," Sado said.
"Still, this is a big task for me."
"What are you talking about?"
"And to think, I had my bar set for a higher level, only to settle for...you." The gears started churning inside of Rukia's head and her eyes widened.
"YOU IDIOT!" she shouted, "WHY WOULD YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT!" Ichigo chuckled.
"So uptight," he said, with a smirk, "Can't you have a little bit of fun every once in a while? It's been work, work, work ever since I got these powers.
"That's because your job is important, idiot," Rukia snapped back. Ichigo shrugged, in indifference.
The three came to a stop in front of a house, that had more in common with a country hut. Regardless of the modest appearance, the sign on the door read "Geta-boshi's Excellent Candy Emporium!" Ichigo narrowed his eyes, as Rukia threw open the door.
For a so called "emporium", the candy store was rather unimpressive. Rows upon rows of candy, and most of them were ancient. The floor creaked with tension, as if they were unfamiliar with any form of weight being pressed on it.
"Wow, this place sucks..." Ichigo said, bluntly.
"Oh, but this is my home!" a blonde, scraggy man, in a green jacket, matching green hat, and sandals said, walking into the store, holding a cane, "It may not be much, but I cherish it so!"
"Well, your house sucks."
"Oh, Kurosaki-san, you're so rude!" he said, opening a fan, covering his mouth. Ichigo rose an eyebrow.
"Rukia, mind me for asking, but what the hell are we doing here?" he asked.
"Urahara-san, I have Yasutora-san here. I have to ask you about his abilities," she said.
"No need to be so formal, Kuchiki-san. Come here, you three..."
To the surprise of no one, the innocent candy store that it appeared to be was only a front. Underneath the store, was a a wide cavern, with a painted ceiling, reminding the visitor of the sky. Rocks were piled, in unorganized rows.
"Alrighty then..." Urahara said, "Yasutora-san, prepare for combat!" Sado turned his head.
"What? Against who?" he asked. Urahara smiled, as he spun his cane, before poking Ichigo in the forehead, knocking him out of his body. The orange haired youth scowled.
"You know, you could have just asked me..."
Sado and Ichigo stood, facing each other, about twenty yards from each other. Sado had his arm covered, rolling his shoulder, shirtless. Ichigo cracked his knuckles, and flipped his blade onto the ground.
"What are you doing?" Rukia asked. Ichigo shook his head, bending over, and grabbing his sword by the handle.
"How else to do expect me to draw this massive thing? Magic?" he said, sliding the blade out. Sado clenched his fist.
"Ready, Ichigo?" he shouted.
"Just go!" Ichigo shouted back. Sado dashed forward, deceptively quick, arm ready for an attack. Ichigo narrowed his eyes, as he spun his sword to block the punch. As the fist connected with steel, a loud, screaming bang was heard. Ichigo slid back, balance lost, digging the sword into the ground for friction. Sado, on the other hand, charged forward, arm bursting with energy.
Sado punched for, expecting Ichigo to block again. Instead, the orange haired young man turned his body, fist veering past the substitute's body. Ichigo smiled, cleaving his massive sword into the thick skin of Sado's midsection, cutting him deeply. With a grunt, Sado retaliated with a weak jab, creating space between the two. Ichigo rolled back to his feet, before dashing back. He then started to run at Sado, in an arc. The dark skinned male brought his fist back, ready to strike.
Ichigo, slid to a complete stop, before ducking in, trying to bait Sado into an attack. He didn't bite, so the two deflected blows, and leaped away.
"Wow, those kung fu movies are really wrong," Ichigo said, "Under no circumstances should a fighter with a weapon lose to an unarmed one." Sado cracked his knuckles and twisted his wrists.
With a heavy step, Sado dashed at Ichigo, arm cocked. Ichigo rolled his hips, building momentum, to pick up his blade. Sado expected this, and slapped his sword down, and delivered a heavy punch to the shinigami.
It was either the fact the sheer pain, forcing him to squeeze his sword, or maybe he braced himself for impact; nevertheless, it was a miracle that Ichigo did not let go of the blade, as he was sent flying across the basement. Somehow, Ichigo popped up to his feet, ready for more action.
"Nice one!" he shouted, "Won't be fooled again, though."
"That's enough!" Urahara exclaimed, holding his arm out, as if he was a prophet, delivering the word to his followers, "I have seen enough!"
"So, what is it?" Rukia, standing beside him, "What have you found?"
"Well, I have found that this is a new case," Urahara said. Rukia, having no patience for the shopkeeper's games, slugged him in the gut, doubling the old man over.
"Not in the mood," she said, irritated, "Give us some real news." Urahara chuckled, rubbing his gut.
"Okay, okay. I'll be nice..." he said, "I see that the arm enhances your strength, plus gives you a decent sized boost in your spiritual pressure. Despite this, that looks like that's all the arm can do."
"Are you sure?" Sado asked. Urahara shrugged.
"I wouldn't be right to say that. Your arm could grow in powers, and abilities. But, right now, it's as basic as spiritual powers can get."
"So now what?" Ichigo said, "How do his powers get stronger?"
"Work, I guess. A little luck, too." Ichigo shook his head.
"I can see that you aren't the most helpful man..." he said. Urahara shrugged again.
"I tried my hardest," he said, in a mock sweet tone.
"ICHI~GOOOOO!" Isshin cried, flying through the air, "YOU ARE LATE FOR DINNNNNNEEEERRRRR!". Ichigo spun out of the way and continued his trek through the house.
"No counterattack!?" the father shouted, "Who are you, weird person, and where is my son!?" Ichigo narrowed his eyes.
"Dad, I have had a very long day, so can you please stop being...you," he said, flatly, "Please stop being yourself for tonight." Isshin blinked.
"What's eating you?" he asked, "School? Job? Women?"
"No to all three. Just stress. I'm going to bed."
"Onii-san!" Yuzu shouted from the kitchen, "Dinner was ready ages ago. Aren't you going to eat?" Ichigo shook his head.
"Not hungry. Just tired."
"Coming home late for dinner, feeling tired?" Isshin said, "Aha! So it is a girl!" Yuzu poked her head into the room.
"A girl! Who is it!" she shouted, a bit red in the face. Ichigo shook his head.
"It's not a girl."
"It's Inoue-chan? She has grown into the fine young woman. The body of a Goddess..." Isshin said, cupping his chin. Ichigo kicked him in the gut.
"It's not a girl. And don't talk about Inoue like that."
"So it is Inoue-san!" Yuzu squealed, jumping to conclusions. Ichigo facepalmed.
"If I have to repeat myself one more time, I may have to hurt somebody. It's not a girl." Ichigo started walking up the steps.
"Onii-san..." Yuzu said, "Would you choose a girl, over me-family?" Ichigo looked back and smiled.
"Of course not," he said, walking up the rest of the stairs. The bathroom door opened, and Karin emerged, towel on her head. Ichigo offered a small wave and turned toward his room.
"You helped him, right?" she asked. Ichigo nodded.
"Of course."
"Ichigo, how are you doing!" Keigo shouted, climbing onto the teen's back. Ichigo growled, flipping the youth off of his back, and onto the floor.
"Not in the mood, Asano," Ichigo said, sitting in his chair. Keigo found tears welling up in his eyes.
"Ichigo! Why are you so cruel to me?" he whined. Ichigo rolled his eyes, as Orihime approached his desk.
"Good morning, Kurosaki-kun," she said, brightly, digging in her bag, "I have something for you..."
"Good morn-"
"GOOD MORNING, INOUE-SAN!" Keigo interjected, "You are as vibrant and lovely as ever!" Orihime was slightly taken aback, but she offered one of her big, bright smiles.
"Oh, good morning, Asano-kun," she said. She pulled out a can of coffee and held in her hands.
"W-Well, when I went to get a s-sweet tea from the vending machines, the machine gave me a can of coffee," she said, trembling nervously, something Ichigo smirked at, "W-Well, I don't drink coffee, and Tatsuki-chan said that you do, so..." He held her hands out and looked away. Ichigo smiled and looked up at the young woman.
"I appreciate it, Inoue," he said, taking the can, "I didn't get a chance to get a coffee this morning, so that makes this little mistake perfect." Inoue smiled brightly, as she played with her hands
"So, it's fine? N-Nothing wrong?"
"Perfect." Rukia walked through the door, and sat at her desk, and plopped her head on it.
"Good morning, Kuchiki," Ichigo said, with a wicked grin, "I see you're going to be a pleasant experience today." She turned her head and gave him a viscous glare.
"Kuchiki-san, are you alright?" Orihime asked, a lot more worried than Ichigo was, "I have a sweet tea I haven't opened. If it makes you feel better, I can give it to you." Rukia, surprised by the concern someone who barely knew her showed, smiled.
"Ah, no thank you. I'm fine. I'm just tired." The morning bell rang, and the shuffle of feet rang throughout the classroom, as students went to their desks. Ichigo looked over at Rukia, who had barely moved.
"What's eating you?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee. Rukia glared at him and turned away.
"Can't you, at least, show a little compassion?" she asked, bitterly.
"I could..." Ichigo replied, "I don't see why I have to. You are the one with the attitude, young lady. Not me."
"I don't have an attitude. I'm just stressed. My powers haven't shown any sign that they are recovering."
"Aren't we all?"
"Kurosaki, be serious. This situation isn't good."
"And you are telling me this obvious information why?"
"Because...wait a minute, I don't need to explain myself to you."
"Even though I have your much-desired powers. You seriously don't need to explain anything to me?"
"Whatever. I have something for you."
"Oh, goody. Bet it's a great gift."
"Better than a can of coffee."
"Not better from a can of coffee from Inoue," Ichigo said, with a snicker, "In fact, a gift from you makes it worse."
"..."
"So, what is it?" Ichigo said, arms crossed, leaning against a wall. Rukia pulled out a device, that looked like-
"A PEZ dispenser," Ichigo said, shocked, and a bit insulted, "You bring me, the one who's been doing your bullshit job, so your ass doesn't get in trouble, and all you have for a thanks, is a fucking PEZ dispenser!"
"It's not a PEZ dispenser, whatever that is!" Rukia shouted back, "It's a soul candy dispenser!" Ichigo looked at her, incredulously.
"Oh, I'm sorry! That makes this so much better! I always wanted to know what soul candy tastes like! Now, my life is complete!"
"It's useful, in case I'm not around." Ichigo looked down.
"You know what? I kinda wish it was a PEZ dispenser now..."
"Inside of the dispenser is a soul candy. It forces you out of your body, as the soul candy controls your body, with one-hundred and eight different set personalities."
"This sounds a lot like an infomercial..."
"You say something?" Rukia said. Ichigo shook his head.
"Alright, let's see if this thing works." Rukia slammed her hand over Ichigo's mouth, forcing a green circular pill, something that resembled a jawbreaker, and Ichigo, clad in his shinigami garb, was forced out. Ichigo's human body started to stir.
"Oh, look at that," Ichigo said, "It works. Woot." Rukia's cell phone buzzed, and Ichigo facepalmed.
"Son of a bitch..." he groaned.
"Don't worry, master!" the mod soul said, "I'll make sure no one realizes that you are gone." He then offered a bright smile. Ichigo glared at him.
"I severely doubt that."
"Let's go, Kurosaki," Rukia said. Ichigo turned to her, then turned back to the mod soul.
"Fuck up, and I will crush you. No doubt." He then turned away, and ran off, with Rukia. The mod soul waved them off and smiled a wicked smile.
"Take your time..."
A centipede Hollow slithered about, claws scratching up the pavement. The masked fiend fired off a small cero, which Ichigo easily jumped over.
"Die shinigami!" the Hollow cried, slapping his tail at the orange haired teen. Ichigo ducked under, before boosting at the face, sword ready. The Hollow, knowing that he was going to be struck, curled backward, and found its body cut into two.
There was no more fighting for now, and the Hollow retreated into a portal. Ichigo landed on the ground.
"Well, that was not interesting. Get me back into my body." Rukia narrowed her eyes.
"The Hollow isn't dead," she said, "We might have to stay out, and look for it."
"Unfortunately, you do not have someone who is willing to do that, so that is a no go."
"Why are you in such a hurry? The soul candy got everything locked up."
"And that's why I am worried. I'm not the most trustworthy person, especially with weird things in my body."
"So, your little 'mistake' plan worked, huh?" Tatsuki asked her busty friend, "How did it go?"
"It's wasn't a plan!" Orihime squeaked, "It was a mistake! Honest!" Tatsuki rolled her eyes.
"Right. Anyway, you get anywhere today?"
"Kurosaki-kun seemed a little bit happier after I gave him the coffee..."
"Ichigo and the happy emotion do not go together."
"I'm sure he'll find a way..."
"I don't know why you're into that jerk, Hime-chan," Chizuru interjected, sitting at the desk next to the two, "You'll be better with someone who be beyond the earthly limits of joy to be with you..."
"And by any chance, would you be referring to yourself?" Tatsuki asked, bluntly.
"And? What's wrong with that?"
"The fact that you are a weird, weird woman with weird, weird interests is the only thing wrong with that."
"And how do you know what I'm into!?"
"I've been to your house. You can hide in public, but your house reveals all."
"Who says that I would hide in public?" Tatsuki narrowed her eyes.
"I believe that this conversation is over. Orihime, so about..." Tatsuki looked around, only to see Orihime looking out of the window.
"Orihime, what are you doing?"
"Looking at Kurosaki-kun..." Orihime replied. Tatsuki looked down.
"No need to be a stalker."
"No, Kurosaki-kun is acting weird..." Tatsuki rose an eyebrow.
"What is he doing?"
"He's...skipping..."
"I'm skipping..." Ichigo said, looking at the mod soul controlling his body, bounce around like a child. Rukia frowned.
"This does not look like a good investment..." she said, crossing her arms.
"No dip, genius."
The mod soul skipped around, happily enjoying his time when he spotted a lovely girl, with lovely auburn hair, looking out of the window. The mod soul's borrowed heart skipped a beat.
"Whoa momma..." he said, before smirking, bending over in a high jump stance. He launched himself off of the ground, and into the room where the girl was.
Ichigo looked at the ridiculous display of athleticism, then at Rukia, before shaking his head.
"It hasn't even been a week since I met you, and you have already ruined my life plenty of times..." he said, "Maybe I should have just let you die back then..."
"Maybe we can go fix this, instead of you complaining."
"Ururu!" Urahara shouted, "Ururu! I have something to ask you!" A timid girl, with black ponytails, walked into the room.
"Yes, Urahara-san..." she said.
"Ah, do you know where this box came from?" he asked, calmly.
"It's the box I got the soul candy out of...Did I do something wrong?" Urahara looked at the box and frowned.
"Oh dear..." he said, "I guess I got a little cleaning up to do..."
"I'm sorry!" Ururu squeaked, falling to the ground, in a bow. Urahara smiled and patted her on her head.
"No harm done. We can fix this," he said, "Tessai! Keep shop." A man in sunglasses, hair in long braids appeared, and nodded.
"I have to take a quick leave right now."
"Hello, beautiful," the mod soul said, holding Orihime, "How the radiance of the sun could not ever hope to match your beauty." Orihime blinked, then pulled her hand away.
"Who are you?" she asked. The mod soul blinked.
"What do you mean? I'm Ichigo!" Orihime blinked again.
"You're not Kurosaki-kun."
"Sure I am!"
"Then what is my name?"
"...Uh...Ah..."
"Who are you?"
"Ichigo, what's gotten into you?" Tatsuki asked. The mod soul, seeing his chances dwindle with Orihime, decided to move in on her black haired friend. Unfortunately, he was not aware of that little detail...
"Such an athletic body..." he said, wrapping his arm around her waist, believing that being closer was an effective move in the game of flirting, "Maybe we can spend a little time together..." Tatsuki was not impressed.
"Back off, Ichigo, or did you forgot who you were talking to?" she said. The mod soul, failing rather badly, decided to go for it all, with a swift kiss to the cheek.
This was not a smart idea at all.
In a fit of rage, he found himself tossed across the classroom, on his back. Tatsuki roared, eyes furrowed in a blind rage. The mod soul thought that it was the proper time to leave.
Well, combine that with the fact that Ichigo had come back, insanely pissed.
"Shit!" the mod soul shouted, scampering away, before the door opened, revealing Rukia. Reversing field, the mod soul bolted for the window.
"Get back here!" Ichigo shouted, reaching out for him. The mod soul ducked, then leaped out of the window. Ichigo blinked, before turning to Sado, and motioning for him to come with him. Sado nodded, before sprinting out of the classroom, with Rukia following him.
With no more business to attend to in the classroom, Ichigo hopped out of the window, and sprinted after his body. Hoping that no one saw him in his spirit form, he ran, wishing that this little incident would just fade away.
Unfortunately for his paranoid state, there was two people in the classroom that could see him. One, who held hatred and contempt for him; the other, worried about what was going on...
"This is all your fault..." Ichigo said, face buried in his hands, "I...Whatever grace or good favor you held before, has been completely and utterly demolished. I look like a rapist now..."
"It's not that bad. We can fix that little part," Rukia said, "At the moment, all we need to do is get the mod soul back."
"Mod soul? What's that?" Ichigo asked. Rukia sighed, and grabbed her notebook.
"Well," she said, happily scribbling a description of the events. Ichigo narrowed his eyes.
"Explain with words, not your drawings," he said, upset.
"What's wrong with you?"
"My body is inhabited by some renegade pervert, possibly molesting women on trains or being some other form of horrible person that I like to believe myself as not."
"It was on the cheek. I don't think it's too bad."
"Literally every single bit of romance that you have studied has come from some bad shoujo junk. I'm sorry, you are not an expert in how society works."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Because possible imprisonment."
"We can fix that." Ichigo narrowed his eyes, in irritation.
"This is just a game to you, eh?"
"Of course, it is. I'm not the one molesting people," Rukia teased, followed up with a giggle. Ichigo kneeled on the ground, frustration and anger pouring out of his body.
"Urge to kill, rising..." he snarled, when Rukia's phone went off, alerting the trio of a Hollow.
"Kurosaki, the Hollow is back!" Rukia shouted, no longer in a teasing mood.
"Chad, go with the girl...Get the Hollow...I'll get my body back..." Ichigo said, tonelessly.
"Are you sure?" Rukia asked. Ichigo answered that questioned, by running off. Rukia sighed, and turned to Sado.
"Alright Yasutora-san. Let's go." Sado nodded, and ran off, Rukia following closely.
"Oh my, what has happened here," Urahara Kisuke said, walking into the ruined classroom. Tatsuki, who looked more like a demon, stood tall, aura basically burning off of her. With a chuckle, the shopkeeper pulled out a white ball, with the word "Cleanse" on it, written in Kanji, and placed it on the ground.
"Who are you!?" Tatsuki barked, as the blonde man smashed it with his cane, and a white smoke flooded the room. Everyone, but two, Inoue Orihime, and a young man reading a novel, fainted.
"Who are you?" Orihime asked. Urahara blinked.
"Ah...Who are you?" he said, a little surprised. Orihime looked at the young man in the corner, then back at the older gentleman.
"How do I know that I can trust you?" she asked. Urahara looked up.
"Hmm...Well, I can say that I am an ally of Kurosaki-san...Does that help?" Orihime nodded.
"Can you tell me on what's going on?"
"I can, but you are going to have to keep this between the two of us...Is that a deal, miss?" Orihime nodded again, and Urahara turned to the fellow awake classmate.
"Sorry about this, but I am going to have to ask you to leave," he said. The man shut his book, and started for the door.
"The affairs of that idiot shinigami do not matter to me," he said, "But you have the audacity to bring in an unaligned classmate, especially someone like Inoue-san, is disgusting, even for the likes of you." He walked through the door, and slammed it shut.
"So...Are you ready?" Urahara asked, "It might be a little much." Orihime nodded, and Urahara removed his hat.
"It all started a couple of days ago..."
The mod soul ran, hoping that the actual owner of the body had given up his chase.
"You aren't taking this away from me!" he shouted, as a claw jut out from the wall. The mod soul fell to the ground, as Hollow emerged, looking menacingly at him.
"Shit..." he said, backing away.
Sado punched the ground, creating a fissure, which knocked the centipede Hollow high into the air. Sado followed up, by grabbing the tail, and slamming the monster into the ground. From it's back, the Hollow attempted to protect itself by firing off a cero, which Sado easily dodged.
With quick feet, the dark skinned male advanced in, and punched the Hollow in the middle of its mask, completely shattering it. The Hollow's body faded away, and Rukia's phone blared again.
"What!? Did the Hollow split apart!?" she shouted.
"Where is it?" Sado shouted. The phone then went dead, and Rukia rose an eyebrow.
"That's odd..." she said.
"What should we do?" Sado asked. Rukia looked at the giant and shrugged.
"I guess...Nothing. I'll see you at school."
The mod soul cowered, but the anticipated attack never came. He opened one eye, only to see Kurosaki Ichigo, standing over the fading away assaulter. The youth then turned to his body, and grabbed it by the collar.
"Do you think that this shit is funny?" he said, slamming the body into the wall. He then punched him several times in the face, knowing how odd this would look. He held the mod soul up, and glared at him.
"Get out of my body," he said, violently. The mod soul quivered, before finding a cane to the forehead. The mod soul pill launched itself out of Ichigo's body's throat, and into soul Ichigo's forehead.
"Shopkeeper," Ichigo said, re-entering his body, "Thank you for that..." He then picked up the pill, and stared at it.
"Bastard."
"Indeed," Urahara said, "Do to an unfortunate mix-up, the soul candy pill you received was actually a mod soul, a device designed to enhance the body's natural abilities, in order to create artificial soldiers. However, due to their unpredictable behavior, the were discontinued, and destroyed."
"See, why can't Rukia just do that?" Ichigo said.
"Pardon?"
"Just explain things, instead of drawing shit."
"Who knows. Anyway, I'll get rid of this for you. I already erased the memories of your classmates for you, too."
"Good riddance," Ichigo said, tossing the pill at Urahara. Instead, a hand snatched it out of mid air.
"I'm sorry," Rukia said, "I believe that I paid for this."
"And I'm pretty sure he said that this was a mistake, and a mistake that should be gotten rid of."
"It's okay. We'll take this one." Ichigo facepalmed.
"God, you are so very stupid..."
"Will this doll work?" Ichigo said, holding up a worn doll lion plush. Rukia looked at the pill, and shrugged. She placed the pill in the mouth, and the doll burst to life.
By clinging close to Rukia's chest.
"Thank you for saving me!" the mod soul cried, "You're much better than that jerk over there!" Rukia grinned, as Ichigo's glare deepened.
"I believe that we are done here," Ichigo said, darkly, ripping the plush off, and placing it in his bag, "Rukia, I do not want to see you for the rest of the day." Rukia blinked, wondering if what she heard was accurate.
"Did you just call me Rukia?" she asked,
"What of it?"
"I just this little incident brought us together." Ichigo look softened, before in fell into a deep laughter.
"Oh, you would think that," Ichigo said, between laughs, "All that means is that I like you less than ever before. You have lost last name rights, with me."
"...You really are an ass..."
"Wow, you're just getting that through your tiny, tiny head..."
"Yo Yuzu, I got something for ya," Ichigo said, tossing the toy lion to her. She looked at it, and gushed on how cute it was, if it was fixed up a little. Sighing, Ichigo dropped his bag, and started changing clothes.
"Oh, Onii-san..." Yuzu said, knocking on the door, "The marketplace has a sale today. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?" Ichigo closed his eyes, knowing that he probably needed to rest, as a nice, calm, uneventful afternoon is something that he needed.
"Sure. I'll be ready in a minute..."
Urahara sat, in his office, as a black cat entered, through the window. The shopkeeper took a sip of his sake, and tipped his hat.
"I'm aware that you came into contact with Inoue Orihime today..." the cat said, in a deep voice, "Could you explain why?"
"Somehow, she can see the dead, and she has spiritual pressure," Urahara explained, "While normally, this would be no big deal, but now..."
"You didn't explain anything, right?"
"Yoruichi, I'm a shopkeeper. Not an idiot. Dropping something like that, this early in the game is a bad move..." He took another sip, and sighed.
"But she'll find out. All we have to do now is make sure it's not too soon..."
"No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age
Oh, and when I see an accomplished author that reviews me, I get a little giddy. Thanks for your words, Child of the Ashes. It is always good to see a positive review, especially when it comes from someone who writes amazing stories themselves.
