Finally!!! I'm sooooooo glad to be back! I have been trying so hard, but with homework, projects, and band, i couldn't do a single page of work. But, i'm back!!!! Ok, love you guys! sorry if it sucks!
Chapter 11
"I…am…free!!!" I screamed into the air while hopping up and down gleefully. Ichigo and Uryu followed closely behind while I skipped ahead. I then turned around and smiled at the two sleepy boys.
"How long was I out?" I asked thoughtfully.
"Awhile." Was Ichigo's answer. He and Uryu rubbed their sleepy eyes.
I stopped. They stayed with me for awhile? They look like they hadn't slept for weeks, while I lay sleeping on a hospital bed.
"Thanks, guys." I said calmly while slowly walking backwards. "You guys helped out a lot, so how we go and celebrate? On me, of course." The boys looked up at me as if I was crazy.
"No thanks. I think I'll go home and sleep, though." Ichigo stated. However, I could tell that he was really saying, 'I'm going to bed, so that means you're watching her Uryu.'
"Okay dokey, then. I guess I should head home and check on Nana. Thanks for staying with me." I stated brightly.
"Wait, Jess!" I stopped and turned around with a questioning look across my face. Uryu had called me while Ichigo was walking in the other direction. Towards his house.
"Jess, the doctor said we couldn't leave you alone." Uryu stated while pushing up his glasses.
"Oh, I'll be fine. Don't worry. I can handle myself." I spoke heroically. Uryu shook his head.
"You 'handling yourself' is what got you into this mess. I'm not leaving you by yourself." Uryu crossed his arms to further the point.
"But I'm not alone. I've got Ruhana." I pointed out with a pout.
"You wanted to go training, eh?" Uryu raised an eyebrow as he said this.
I smiled innocently. "What ever would have made you think that?"
"You're trying to loose me so you can be on your own." Uryu answered seriously. I, of course, pouted.
"Just a little training." I pleaded.
"No. You're going home." Uryu then grabbed my hand and started to drag me to my house.
"Ok, ok. I'm going. Gosh, you don't have to drag me." I huffed. He didn't loosen his grip, but I did speed up a little so that I was next to Uryu rather than behind him.
I think Uryu has gotten taller from the last time I saw him.
And cuter.
Wait, what was I just thinking?! Bad thoughts, Jesse. Bad thoughts. I mentally smacked myself. And besides, it doesn't make a difference whether he's cuter or not.
But it sure is an added bonus.
Anywho, I'm just walking home with a boy whose holding my hand to make sure I don't go running off training to get revenge from an arrancar that killed both my parents.
Sounds normal, right?
Come to think of it, I don't who the arrancar is… or what they look like… or anything.
I guess I've got some work to do.
Soon, we were at my house. I opened the door that the officers kindly left unlocked after the whole Kei incident. I walked inside and let Uryu follow behind.
"You know you don't have to watch me. Nana's next door." I point in the direction of her house. "She check on me every so often anywho. Don't worry, I promise I won't go anywhere."
Uryu shook his head. "I'm staying."
Then it hit me.
"Uryu." I called ever so nicely, causing Uryu to cringe. "You're not running from anyone, are you?"
Uryu shook his quickly. A little too quickly. "Not even from your father?" I asked ever so sweetly.
Uryu sighed and hung his head. He knew he lost. I figured it out.
Oh yeah! I deserve a cookie!
"You can stay, but you know you'll have to face him eventually." I smiled brightly. "In the meantime, you can come up with an explanation as to why you were running around and lost your spirit powers."
"You make it sound so easy and simple." Uryu was quite surprised at my attitude towards it all. I could tell by the way he looked at me.
"Look, just be glad you're alive." I stated calmly. "While I was in the hospital, I thought I was dead. Now I'm just happy to be alive."
Uryu looked at me with concern. Then I waved my hands defensively. "I told you I wasn't going anywhere. I wasn't going to leave my friends here all by themselves."
Time to change the subject. "Would you like anything to eat?" Uryu shook his head slowly. I sighed.
Is he just going to mope all day?! Well, I'm not going to let him. "Come on. Cheer up." I walked to him and lowered myself so I could look into his eyes. "It's not the end of the world." I smiled and winked.
"You don't understand!" Uryu almost yelled at me. This, of course, scared me and I jumped back.
"I thought I lost you for awhile." Uryu calmed to a whisper.
"I promised, didn't I?" I walked up to him and wrapped him in a hug. "I don't go back on my promises." I felt his arms wrap around me almost protectively as his head nuzzled into my neck.
"Please, don't get into danger like that again, ok?" Uryu whispered.
I laughed. "I can't promise you that. Look who you're talking to!" he pulled out of the hug and looked at me. "I'm a Quincy and a Shinigami. Half and half. My parents were killed by an arrancar. I work at the Urahara shop and at a bar! I run around with souls and other people that can see them! I can't promise you I won't get into danger." I ended with a reassuring smile.
"But I can promise you that I won't get myself killed. Does that help any?" Uryu nodded slowly.
"Well, I guess we better go to your father. Gotta tell him someday." I stated.
Uryu looked at me. "We?"
"Yes, we." I nodded once. "I was there, and if I was stronger, you wouldn't have done that. So, I've decided it's part of my fault and I shall take the blame." Despite how much energetic and happy I acted, I meant it to be serious. What I said wasn't false.
Uryu tried to protest. "But…" I laced my hand with his and walked out the door.
"No 'but's, mister. Now come on!" And so we marched down to Karakura Hospital.
"We can't do this tomorrow?" Uryu asked. I froze and thought about it.
"We could." I sheepishly spoke and let his hand go. "What is tomorrow, by the way?"
"Monday. Our first day back to school." Uryu answered while fixing his glasses. I nodded.
"Well, I guess I'll let you go. See you tomorrow." I smiled before walking back to my house.
"But, Jess…" Uryu protested. I held my hand up while still walking to silence him.
"I'll be ok. I have Nana here. Go home and get some rest." I froze and turned around. "You look like you need it." I giggled slightly before turning around and walking inside, shutting the door quietly. I let my head fall back onto the door as I leaned against it.
"Home." I whispered. "I'm home." But, Uryu, he acted so weird. One minute he wanted to go everywhere with me so he could watch me. Then he acts like he doesn't want to be around me.
I walked upstairs while I continued to think I over. Then I stopped and thought. "Maybe it's me." I thought for a moment before shrugging my shoulders and continuing upstairs to my room. I paused at the door to my room. It was wide open with the window open. I walked to the window and closed it.
Then, I turned around to check to see if anyone stole anything.
Nope, everything seems to be in place.
Wait, that wasn't there before.
I walked to my desk to see a plastic looking thing. It had a skull on it and it was a rusty brown color. Under it was a note.
I'm not going to bore you with what it said, other than the fact that the item allowed me to switch to my Shinigami form. It also stated that it could detect hollows and that no normal human could see it.
I shrugged my shoulders and set it back down on the desk. I then walked to my bed and collapsed onto it. Soon, I was out like a light.
"Morning everyone!" I popped into the classroom. I smiled brightly before walking over towards Uryu and the others crowded around his desk. Ok, I'm not a morning person, but I've been up for awhile, so I was quite perky.
"Morning." I waved at the group. Ichigo wasn't yet there.
"Oh, morning Jesse." Orihime looked up at me, then freaked. "Your hair! Nice haircut." I smiled.
"Thanks, Orihime." This morning, Nana cut it for me. Now my hair was short and black with red bangs. (A/N: just like Yuna from FFX except for the color)
I then took a seat behind Uryu. I pulled out a book and began to read it.
It wasn't long after that Ichigo came in and class started. Ichigo sat behind me.
"Everyone's here, right?" The teacher asked. In the middle of her role calling, both Ichigo's and my little hollow detectors went off.
"AHHH!!!" Ichigo's and my voice could've been heard in America. I turned to him and nodded. He nodded back and ran off.
I knew he could handle it. But Orihime and Chad went with him. It was just one hollow, right?
That's when Uryu passed a note back to me. I opened it and studied it while the teacher went on about some history.
Why didn't you go with them?
I smiled before taking a pencil. I then scribbled this down:
I think Ichigo can handle one little hollow. If anymore pop up, I'll go too. Besides, wouldn't it be suspicious if suddenly five of her students disappeared because of sickness?
I passed the note back to Uryu stealthily. He opened it, scribbled something down, and then passed it back.
Four. I no longer have my Quincy powers, remember?
Oh, what a fool. He can get his powers back, can't he?
You're still helpful. You're not completely useless, so don't start acting like you are. Don't worry about it much right now. I think we've earned a good break from fighting for a while.
I passed it back once the teacher wasn't looking. Man, I should be on a James Bond movie with the way I passed that note.
I soon got the note back.
I don't think we'll get a long break. I'd keep my eyes open if I were you.
By the way, is Ichigo walking you home today? And how are your injuries?
I smiled before deciding on what to right.
They're good. Nana looked at them this morning. They're healing quite quickly, actually. Thanks for asking.
And Ichigo said nothing about walking me home today. Why?
I passed the note while the teacher was writing something on the board. I looked up to see what she was talking about.
Geography. Great. I stink at that subject.
I'll take you home if you would like.
I smiled. How sweet of him to offer.
Actually, I was going to go over to the Black Cat and inform Steve that my trip was good. Where did I 'go' again?
I gave Uryu the note. Soon after he opened it, he slapped his head.
I think you said your Nana was going to Italy for the summer?
Then it was my turn to smack myself in the head. How could I forget? That's Nana's favorite place to go.
Well, class continued, but I had nothing left to write, so we stopped passing notes.
The bell rang and we were soon out of school.
I took my stuff and stood up to leave, but someone bumped into me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you." I looked up to see the new classmate, Shinji standing by me. I smiled at him, but on the inside, he made me cringe. Something about him I didn't like.
"It's alright. It was my fault." He answered. He began to walk off, but I caught something in his hand.
"Hey, don't go running off with that!" I called to him before walking up to him and smacking him upside the head.
"You freaking pick pocket!" I took back the hollow detector from his hand. Wait, who could he even see it? "How…how could you…?"
"Sorry. Have a nice day!" Shinji quickly spoke before running off. I knew he was going to be at school tomorrow, so I let him run off.
I shouldered my backpack and looked at my hollow detector. Sighing, I placed it back into my pocket. "Let's go, Uryu." I called from behind my shoulder.
And so we were off to the Black Cat.
"Jesse, honey. Nice to see you again!" Steven strutted over to me and hugged me. I dropped my backpack and hugged back.
"Nice to see you, Steve." I said calmly.
Steve pulled out of our hug and looked over towards Uryu, who was trying to look away at the moment.
"It's so nice to see you'r boyfriend walks you home, Jess." Uryu instantly turned his head over to us. Of course, both of us were blushing.
"Uh…he's not…" We both stammered.
"Of course, sweety, of course." Steve smiled and winked at me. Well, it was lost cause to tell him otherwise now.
"So, when you want me back and working?" I asked, getting back to business. I knew Uryu felt uncomfortable, so I had to make this quick.
"How about next week? How's that sound?" I nodded. "Perfect. I'll see you then!"
"Thanks Steve!" I called to him before leaving, pulling Uryu with me.
"Why do you work there again?" He asked after we were out of hearing range.
"Well, it's for money to pay the house, mostly." I replied with a shrug. "But, besides the whole waitress deal, I love playing there. It's such a great stage and everything. I guess I enjoy it quite a bit."
That's when I jumped with a start. But, it was my new phone Nana bought for me. I flipped open the sleek black cell to see that it was a text from Ichigo.
Can u come over? I'm having trouble w/watching Kon, Yuzu, and Karin…
I turned to Uryu before turning around. "I guess I'm going to Ichigo's house."
Sure. I'll be there in about 5 min.
I sent the message and placed my phone in my back pocket.
"So, what's wrong with Kurosaki?" Uryu asked, slight worry in his voice. Very slight worry.
"He's having trouble with keeping Yuzu and Karin under watch while making sure Kon behaves." I answered with a smile. I loved Yuzu and Karin like sisters. I never mind watching them.
"Oh…" Uryu sighed.
Well, once we made it to Ichigo's house, Uryu promised to pick me up at a later time. I nodded and left inside to watch over the two sisters.
I was doing great until a certain skull alarm went off.
"Where are you going?" Yuzu asked.
"Out." I yelled behind my shoulder. "I forgot something that my Nana said and I have to go. Now." And I ran out the door. Once I got outside, I felt to spirit pressures. I saw Ichigo in the distance heading to one, so I decided to take the other that was the opposite direction.
As I ran, I noticed Uryu was already there. But, that's not good because he doesn't have his powers. So, I picked up the pace while fingering the pill bottle in my pocket. I could hear them shake with every step I took. I might need those later. I also had my little skull thingy if I needed it.
I hope I don't. Using that thing felt so…weird. And I don't like leaving my valuable body somewhere.
Soon, the hollow came into view. A very, very big hollow at that. I pulled out the bottle and took out one blue and white pill readied to pop it into my mouth. I wanted to use my 5 min. to the fullest.
I tossed the pill into my mouth and swallowed it. I then held out my left arm and a blue bow conjured up. I pulled back the string and let the blue arrow fly towards the monster's freakishly long tongue that was just being whipped around.
It screamed in pain as the arrow shot right through it's tongue. I smirked in delight.
"Jess?" I heard Uryu's voice on the other side of the monster. I ran for the other side.
"I'm here." I called reassuring him that I wasn't anyone else. Soon, he came into view, but I paid little attention to the hollow.
Note to self: watch your opponent at ALL times.
Just as you guessed, the hollow swiped at me, and hit, knocking me a good amount away from Uryu. Not to mention the pain it caused me. Yup, that's gonna leave a mark.
I pulled back the string again and tried to aim. The little bugger just wouldn't sit still so I could kill it! …it wasn't very nice.
Sticking my tongue out and closing one eye, I did my best to aim at the sucker, but I managed to miss.
Well, crap in a bucket. That thing can dodge. And it doesn't help that it can split in two.
Wait, backtrack. It can split into two pieces? No, I don't think so. How about we get a closer look at that.
I ran as fast as I could towards the hollow whose tongue had regenerated. When it struck out at me, I jumped up got a glimpse of the other hollow. Yes, it was two hollows. The second one was like a spinning top with a mouth at the top of that top(if that makes any sense).
As I was making my descent when something wrapped around my leg. After cursing at myself and hearing Uryu calling up to me, the hollow yanked my around. It, while still holding my leg, tossed me into trees and walls. And man did it hurt!
Why didn't I just grab my bow and shoot off some arrows, you ask? Well, I had lost concentration when I hit the first tree. Then, my 5 minutes were up. So, that only left me to change into a Shinigami.
But one little problem: I could change, but that would leave the hollow to do whatever it wanted to my defenseless body.
In the middle of my oh so positive outlook on life came a blue arrow, which cut the tongue. I fell and hit the ground on my bottom, which hurt big time.
As grateful as I am, who was that?!
I turned to see a man by the looks of it, but the darkness only allowed me to see his outline. Shrugging it off as a guy on our side, I grabbed my little skull emblem and leaped out of my body. I turned around and lowered my lifeless body to the ground before unsheathing my sword and facing the two hollows.
I struck out at the top-like hollow. Ruhana quickly sliced through the body, making a clean, slick cut across it's body. The hollow soon disappeared.
It seemed the other man got rid of the other hollow. I wonder who he is?
I walked up to the obviously speechless Uryu and waved at the shadow. "Thanks for the help." I gave a soft smile.
Then Uryu nudged me, telling me to shut up. "So," The man slowly spoke. His voice sounds so familiar too. "You're friends with that dirty blood?" His tone was one that spoke of inferiority, which made me a little angry.
"That's too bad, Uryu." The man walked out of the shadows to reveal Uryu's dad. I thought that Uryu's dad didn't want to be a Quincy?
I guess I shouldn't complain because he saved my life.
Uryu stepped in front of me, as if to protect me. I thought for a moment before deciding to move in front of Uryu. I bowed in front of the man. "Thank you so much for saving me. I am quite thankful."
Uryu's father snickered. "I polite one, I must admit." I could practically hear Uryu's horrible thoughts. Dang, I never knew he had such colorful language.
"What do you want?" He demanded rather than asked. He took another step forward. Uryu's dad smiled.
"I can't believe you were stupid enough to loose your powers. I'm highly disappointed." He stated. I looked up and watched him with a guilty look.
"It…it was my fault. I'm sorry." I replied with my head down. Uryu's dad looked over at me.
"You fault?" I nodded without making eye contact. "No. Uryu should have been strong enough. He's just too weak."
Needless to say, I was shocked by this statement. And it made even more angry.
"What?! He protected me and saved my life!" I cried at him. I then lowered my head again. "It was my fault. If I wasn't there, he wouldn't have done that."
The male waved his hand like he was swatting a bug. "Whatever the case is, I have a proposition." He then looked at me. "For Uryu only." Instantly understanding, I looked over to Uryu for conformation.
He gave me the look. You know, the look that's pleading and apologetic. I knew he was wanted his powers back, so I nodded and walked back into my body, which was lying awkwardly laying on the ground.
Hopping in, I instantly stood up from the position and stretched. I then smiled at Uryu. "I'm heading home. Take care!" I waved before turning and walking off.
Ok, really I wasn't all that happy, but I was ok. I wanted to tell Uryu that I was fine, so I hope he got the message.
Well, I was walking home casually, when my thoughts darkened.
Arrancars killed my parents. I wonder who did it. Well, whoever did that was going to pay. Very dearly might I add.
"Revenge is not the way, you know that, right?" The calm voice of Ruhana called to me.
'It's not revenge. Just…repayment. In full.' I retorted in my mind. I heard Ruhana sigh. 'Look, Ruhana. I understand what you're saying; it's just that if that arrancar could kill both my parents, who were well trained in exterminating hollows, then that same arrancar could come back and attack my friends. If they attack…' my thought stopped mid-sentence.
"I understand. That's why you're going to learn Bankai." Ruhana spoke confidently.
"Really?!" In my excitement, I forgot to think it rather than saying it out loud, which caused some rather shady people stare at me as if I was crazing.
"Yes, but we'll start tomorrow. I'll tell you more then." Her voice then stopped. I knew it was the end of the conversation, so kept quiet. I walked home with a new skip in my step.
