"So what do you do most of the day?" Motoko asked, looking up at me like she used to when I was alive.
"Well, for the most part, I kill evil things and help other dead people." I didn't like to use the word 'dead' around Motoko, but there was no helping it.
"Oh, like the monsters that walk around? The ones with the masks?" she said, excited that she knew something of my world.
"So you can see them, can you? Makes sense, since you can see me. They're called 'hollows' and I don't want you getting anywhere near them." I explained.
She looked confused. "Why? Are they dangerous? They look kinda fluffy~" she squealed.
"No, they are not fluffy, and they will seriously hurt you if you go anywhere near them." I sternly advised.
"Nee-San, your mask looks kind of like theirs." She pointed out. "Are you a hollow?"
I sighed. I knew I'd have to tell her of what I was.
"Yes, Motoko. But I'm a more powerful hollow. An evolved one. But, I was one of those once. It wasn't fun at all." I explained, gravely. "So, please, stay away from them. They want nothing but to hurt you." I told her, looking straight into her eyes.
"Alright, Nee-San. Hey, is there a heaven and a hell?" she asked. Of course a child would want to know this.
"Sort of, but they have different names. Hell is called Weakomundo, where all the hollows go. Heaven is the Soul Society, where all the good souls go. But you don't have to be good to go there. You just have to get found by the Soul Reapers in time." I said.
"So, they Soul Reapers missed you?" she said, a little sadly.
"Yeah. But that's okay, because even though I was missed, I'm a Soul Reaper now. I just don't get to save any souls." I said, as happily as I could.
"Why don't you get to save any souls?" she asked. She just wanted to know everything.
"Every Soul Reaper carries around a weapon that can send souls to the Soul Society. But my weapon isn't equipped with the ability to do that. Instead, mine turns souls right into hollows, so I'm not allowed to save souls." I explained. "But I carry around a special tool, which does the same thing."
"What's the tool look like?" she asked.
"Kind of like a butterfly. It just sends souls to the Soul Society, just like that."
After a long pause from her, so long I wondered if she'd speak again, she said, "Nee-San, when I die, will you send me to the Soul Society?"
"Of course, Motoko. I'll get you as soon as you pass. Then you can hang out with me in the Roukon District." I said with a smile. She smiled too.
We were walking around the neighborhood, just chatting like little birds. I'm sure the neighbors were wondering why Motoko was talking to herself, but she was so young they'd think it was an imaginary friend.
"Have you said Hi to anyone else?" she asked me.
"Nope. I wanted to see you first." I said, squeezing her hand. She giggled, and it was like a chorus of angels.
"Can anyone else see you?" she asked.
"Ichigo from school, but I'll see him later." I responded, looking at the sky. I wonder if he would freak out again?
She seemed to catch herself, as if remembering a question she had long forgotten. "Oh, yeah! Nee-San, if you live in the Soul Society, then what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Some friends of mine are fighting hollows in the area, and I was called with them. There aren't many in this area, but if one appears, I'll need to go fight it." I explained.
She squealed with joy. "Yay! I want to see my big brother fight!"
"Well, you have to remember, hollows were human once. Each and every one of them. But, they're not anymore. They've lost control, and just want to destroy humans." I said. I remembered when I was a hollow, how I didn't want to kill anyone. How I was different.
She nodded her head in agreement, and looked off into the distance, as if searching for something that would never be there.
"Hey, sprout, you'd better get home. I'm sure Mom is wondering where you are." I told her.
"Awww! I want to talk to you some more!" she whined, clinging to my leg like a static-y balloon.
"I know, but I'm still your big brother, and I have to look out for you." I huffed, pulling her up into my arms.
I quickly leaped from roof to roof, clutching her in my arms as she squealed in delight. Putting her on her bed, I kissed her forehead and stood on the sill.
"Hey, just for fun, tell Mom I said 'hi', okay?" I said.
"Tee hee! Sure thing, Nee-San!" she laughed, still excited from the ride.
After saying goodbye, I bounded away towards my high-school. I wonder if Ichigo remembered me?
Sitting on a nearby roof, I saw Motoko slip into the kitchen and hug Mom. She told her that I had said 'hi'. She looked confused before saying 'that's nice' and returning to her cooking. Either she just had been too busy to look into what Motoko had said, or she just didn't care. It didn't matter which it was, it still hurt.