Author's note: I'm going to call Ginjou by his last name now, since it sounds better to me. Also introduced in this chapter is the use of flashback sequences, in all italics.
Review Time:
silveruzu44 - XD
The Neutrino - Lol I have no idea, it's just me being (un)original. :3
Carefreeberry - Glad you've been following all of this time! Orihime in particular is a favorite of mine to work with, because of her untapped potential from the manga and cheerful attitude.
RG - I told you, I'm always clear when I give an OC! Right now, Xen is the only named character I made up, everyone else is from the manga and/or anime and/or movies.
Good to see you're mulling over pairings. Certainly Tatsuki would have some friendly fondness for Ichigo, but I'll delve into the specifics with Orihime. It might seem like I just added one-sided love for teh drama, but it's not something that came out of nowhere. Everything before Tatsuki became spiritually aware could be used as a "friendship turned more" angle, but as we've also seen, the trials of their friendship have gone through a lot of stuff. It's more...emotional than physical, if that makes any lick of sense. To Tatsuki, she'd rather have her best friend live the life with the guy she knows she's loved since the longest time, and have that take priority over herself...even if it hurts a little. It's an obstacle to overcome.
Listening Music - The Afternoon Streets (Kingdom Hearts II)
Chapter 12 – History or Mystery?
"Keigo get your ass up! I'm not going to tell you again!"
Keigo Asano was a simple young man with simple pleasures, although his antics had a way of annoying the people around him. He rolled around in his bed and peeked at the clock.
"Sis….it's so early….."
Even now, a college student, he would face the wrath of his older sister, Mizuho Asano, who was glaring at him from the doorway.
"So what? Mom's not gonna make you a breakfast if you miss this one, buster! And don't you have classes today?"
"No." Keigo replied, glaring at her back now. "I'm not a kid anymore, Mizuho!"
At that sentence, one of the shelves hanging on the wall fell off, causing all of the Shonen Jump volumes (that he still collected) to roll across the rug.
"….."
"Nice save, dork." Mizuho slammed the door.
XXXXX
Keigo was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes at the breakfast table, where his mind was actively trying to ignore whatever his sister and mother were prattling on about (was it the former's failed date?)
RING RING
"Ugh, get the phone, Keigo!"
"Get the phone, Keigo," he replied mockingly to his sister's command, but at the glare of both Asano women, he scampered up and removed the kitchen phone from its holder.
"Hello….?"
"Good morning, Asano-san."
"Mizuiro, do you HAVE to keep calling me that? What's up?"
"I assume you've prepared yourself and are almost out of the house?"
Looking at his pajamas and half-eaten breakfast, Keigo scratched his head. "Uhh…..k-kinda?"
"Oh well, you might want to hurry up. Kunieda and the others want us to meet up for something."
Meet up for something…..? Keigo flashed a grin. Back in high school, he thought all four of those girls were pretty cute (despite Chizuru being a lesbian and Ryo scaring him), and the fact was still true. Maybe it was a date.
"It's not a date, Keigo."
"Stop crushing my dreams, Mizuiro! Just give me the address and time."
"I'll be meeting you at the station," the boy on the line replied. "And before I go…..I don't suppose I could talk to your mother?"
"She's still married," Keigo replied, his eyebrows twitching.
"Still? That's disappointing."
"Is that Mizuiro? What a charming young man, can I talk to him?" Keigo's mother asked, causing her son to slam the phone back on the receiver.
"Hey! Glad to see you!"
Mizuiro Kojima was fiddling with his cell phone when he spotted his (in Keigo's words, best) friend running up to the station doors, fully dressed.
"Yeah, same to you." Keigo said. "Where are we going?"
"To a mall."
"No…..we're trapped in the web of girls' desires, buddy! Get ready for hours of store dragging and endless purchases!"
Mizuiro sighed. "You know, sometimes I don't even want to bother with whatever you talk about. Let's just get our tickets."
XXXXX
"I need new shoes."
Mizuiro looked down at Keigo's feet. "You certainly do. Don't you have any money?"
"I do chores around the house, but Dad barely pays me anything! It's child abuse!"
"Keigo, you're over 18 years old."
"Still! I'm his only son! Where's my recognition!"
The two were sitting next to each other as the train zoomed through its tracks, passing by the buildings of the scenic Tokyo. Mizuiro wasn't sure how exactly he became Keigo's friend, but the two were a pair ever since their days in middle school….before they met Ichigo.
"Maybe you should find a job."
Keigo thought it over. "I guess, but to balance it with school?"
"I have a job and I'm in school. It works just fine."
"But you don't have a tyrant for a sister!"
"I'm sure Mizuho is fine, and you're just overreacting like usual."
"Nah, nah. You see, her date last night stood her up, and she's been in a crabby mood all morning! And she always takes it out on me…!"
Keigo noticed his friend wasn't paying attention, instead gazing ahead.
"Hey! Mizuiro!"
"Huh? Sorry, I was looking at someone…."
The black-haired boy gave a silent gesture to a man sitting across from them. He was dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt, black pants, and suspenders. He was reading a book, not looking up.
"…..maybe we should move over."
"…yeah," Keigo agreed, getting nervous himself.
The two got up and moved to the door to head to another car, catching a (brief) glance from one Shukuro Tsukishima.
The morning was progressing like a Tokyo day usually would, with droves of people walking through the streets and taking their preferred methods of transportation. It seemed like it would be a usual day.
"Mmm….it's so warm today!"
Mahana Natsui stretched herself as she and Michiru waited for the stoplight to change.
"Yeah….and not a cloud in the sky…." Michiru smiled as she looked up to marvel the big blue. The light changed, and the two began to cross the street.
"So Unohana-san visited you the other day?"
"Well no….she was on vacation! It was just luck that we managed to cross paths….oh I forgot how nice she is, Mahana-chan. And pretty…."
"Hey girls!"
The two turned to see the ever energetic Chizuru Honsho bounce up to them, her hair red and eyes mischievous as ever. She was (in)famous for getting a little too frisky with Orihime in their high school days, but what's past is past, right?
"Chizuru! Good morning!"
"Good morning~" she practically sang.
"Heard from Ryo-chan?" Michiru asked.
XXXXX
"This is the stop….."
Ryo Kunieda closed her book and stepped out of the subway car, heading towards the stairs. She was a sporty and aloof type, and was considered to be the calmest of the four girls.
When she got to the surface, she spotted two familiar faces.
"Kojima! Asano!"
Keigo and Mizuiro noticed the long-haired girl, with the former activating his usual greeting for faces in Karakura.
"GOOD MORNING-"
Ryo dodged the pounce, making Keigo crash into the stairs. "Control yourself."
"He gets all stupid around friends from high school," Mizuiro replied, stepping closer. "I assume we'll be meeting the others soon?"
"Yes. I apologize if I was interrupting something important for you."
"Always the proper one, aren't you, Kunieda-san?"
"Ugh…." Keigo stood up. "I'm okay…"
"Hey! Ryo-chan!"
Ryo turned her head, and smiled at the sight of her three friends waving at her. As she stepped forward to greet them, Mizuiro watched with a smile, but none of them noticed the man from before watching from the darkness in the station.
"What? You got a note?"
The six were sitting at a table at the mall's café, with the four girls sitting across from Mizuiro and Keigo, who had asked the question. Ryo nodded in the affirmative.
"Yes. It seems we are invited to Soul Society….."
Mahana gasped. "We're going to see Orihime and Tatsuki?!"
Ryo nodded, passing the note to the others to see. The handwriting was nearly unreadable and the kanji was sloppily put together, suggesting only one candidate.
"Oh….that Yachiru girl!" Michiru exclaimed. "Geez, I can't even understand half of these sentences….."
"Read the bottom. It seems Nanao Ise added some clarification. Yachiru-san wants us to come for some kind of event her club is doing…..as a surprise for everyone."
"Even us?" Keigo asked, confused.
"Actually she didn't mention any of you two…..but you'd want to see Kurosaki and Sado, yes?"
Mizuiro nodded. "That'd be nice!"
"Ooooh…..seeing my Orihime again….!" Chizuru hugged the note. "But….is this really the only reason why you called us, Ryo?"
The former track star sipped her tea before speaking again.
"Well….no. Certainly…..you've all been seeing the Hollows about?"
Keigo gulped. "You mean those scary monsters with the masks? Aren't the….Shinigami handling them?"
"They are," Ryo replied. "But haven't you noticed….some of them have had red energy on their masks? Their roars….seem more…audible?"
"What are you implying?" Mizuiro asked. "That the Hollows…are getting stronger? That sounds troublesome."
"Stop being so calm, Mizuiro!" Keigo shouted.
"Why? If we believe in Ichigo and the others, then it should be fine. They probably know things are up, too. Remember when they came back?"
XXXXX
"It's….still standing…."
Now that the Gotei 13 and their allies were fully recovered, the Soul King released the Soul Society from Orihime's body, allowing them to access Karakura Town from its seal in the box Tessai made. Ichigo, Chad, Uryu, Orihime, and Tatsuki were in their hometown, surveying everything, including the unconscious citizens.
"Will they wake up?" Chad asked.
"Urahara said the Living World should be progressing as normal shortly….let's see if anyone woke up yet." Uryu replied.
The ex-Quincy, accompanied by Ichigo and the now powerless Chad, headed in the west direction.
"Let's find the girls, Tatsuki-chan!"
Orihime and Tatsuki took the east direction, the former of which was now also powerless.
XXXXXX
"Here they are!" Uryu shouted. The three found Mizuiro and Keigo lying in the street.
"Guys! Wake up! Wake up!" Ichigo shook them wildly, glad his spiritual form wasn't just phasing through them. Both of them opened their eyes…
"Ichi…..Ichigo….?" Keigo pressed. He sat up, and his eyes bugged out. "ICHIGO! BUDDY!" He tried to hug him, but his friend knocked him away.
"Hey Keigo."
Mizuiro himself had sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Ah…..I guess it's all over?"
"You seem so calm, Kojima," Uryu noted.
"Well it looks like you've all been through a lot."
"You have no idea…." Ichigo muttered, helping the two teens stand up. "But the Living World….is safe now."
"Ichigo…..!" Keigo was still being overdramatic. "When Kunieda told us what was going on, we….we…were scared you'd never come back!"
"No you were, Asano-san," Mizuiro said bluntly.
"Sorry for making you guys worry," Chad said.
Ichigo scanned the streets, his eyes lingering on the traffic light turning colors. "Everyone will wake up soon….maybe this place can finally relax for once. Go back to its sleepy quiet days."
"Ichigo…..what exactly happened?" Mizuiro asked, cocking his head. "That is to say…..if you're willing to talk about it?"
The strawberry smiled bitterly, his mind flashing back to the brutal fights he was in, the near death experiences he had, the speaking with his zanpakutou, and more. He would NEVER forget what happened, as would Uryu and Chad.
"Maybe later. Let's find your relatives."
XXXXXXX
Tatsuki rose up in the air, peeking into the window. Unlike Orihime, she was no longer a living human at the moment, and despite losing her Arrancar powers, she could still behave as a soul.
"Are they in there?"
Tatsuki sighed in relief. "Those goofs. They're sleeping in Chizuru's room."
"Really?!"
Orihime began to climb up the drainpipe.
"Hime I can pick you up!"
"Maybe later, Tatsuki-chan! I need to see them!" The auburn-haired girl reached the window, but realized it was slammed shut. "Ohh…."
"Still don't need my help?"
Orihime shimmed down the pipe and looked around. "Help me find a rock! Oh, wait! Maybe we can smash the wall with your zanpakutou?"
"Orihime, it's gone, remember? Along the mask pieces, and the ceros? Hopefully the others can give me something besides this crappy Hueco Mundo outfit…"
"AH HA!"
Orihime picked up a rock and beaned the window's glass, destroying it. She raced back up the pipe and jumped into the room, with Tatsuki trailing behind her.
"They….look so peaceful…."
Chizuru, Ryo, Mahana, and Michiru were lying against the wall, holding each other's hand. They knew they might not wake up, and as such, at least they would be able to take solace in each other's presence.
"I….haven't seen them in so long….." Tatsuki whispered, eyes watering without her realizing it. "They're safe…..they're all safe!"
Orihime smiled. "We did it, Tatsuki-chan. Now it's time….they wake up."
"Are….are you sure?"
"Huh?"
Tatsuki sighed. "They saw my dead body, right? I might be….too much for them to handle. I mean, if Mom and Dad saw me….they would probably go insane."
Flinching at the mention of her parents, the girl sighed again. Orihime put a hand on her shoulder.
"They're your friends. They always will be."
"…yeah."
Orihime and Tatsuki stepped forward and began to shake their treasured friends awake. Michiru was the first to open her eyes, with Chizuru being the last.
"Orihime…..?"
"Tatsuki…..?"
The four girls all gasped, their eyes wide.
"ORIHIME!"
"TATSUKI!"
They nearly tackled the two girls to the ground in their embrace, with Michiru breaking out into tears, Chizuru laughing happily, Mahana hugging the tightest, and Ryo smiling wide.
"You guys….came back…..!"
"Of course we did!" Tatsuki laughed. "You thought we forgot about you?"
The four released the other two, all of them eager to know what had happened.
"Kurosaki, Sado, Ishida….are they all okay?" Ryo asked.
"They're all fine! Ichigo-kun's dad, his sisters, Urahara-san….everyone that went off is fine! The worlds are saved!"
"Are….you fine, Tatsuki?" Mahana asked carefully, eyeing the girl's white robes.
"Me? Hehehe….y-yeah. I'm just a soul now….this tacky get-up….is another story all together."
"Tell us. Everything that happened," Ryo pleaded. "How long has it even been?"
"I…..have no idea!" Orihime giggled. "I could barely tell time in Hueco Mundo, and I don't know how long the battle was…."
Chizuru's eyes drifted, and she gasped. "Hime! What's with the tattoo on your hand?"
"…that's another thing. Girls…..um….."
Tatsuki flashed the same "tattoo" to the others.
"We….I…have to go to Soul Society in a few years."
"….."
"…."
"…."
"…"
"G-Girls?"
"Let's start from the beginning." Ryo said, getting up. "I'll make some tea."
XXXXXX
Finally getting into the story of their adventure and the war, Orihime articulated every detail that happened, slowly and concisely. She and Rukia had told the girls about the existence about Hollows and Shinigami, but the knowledge was kept to basic concepts. This story…involved much more detailed concepts.
"So…..you bested Aizen?" Ryo asked. "Orihime….you exhausted the last of your powers?"
"Yes. And when we graduate high school…..I'll have to leave." The memory of losing the six fairies of the Shun Shun Rikka was still ingrained into the girl's mind.
"But…..you saved everyone," Chizuru said weakly. "You're a hero! Shouldn't everyone be bowing to your feet in thanks?"
"Ah ha…..t-technically? Maybe? But I don't want all of that. As long as you're all safe….then I'm glad."
The memory of being "God" was also still ingrained in the girl's mind.
"It's what the Soul King commanded," Tatsuki explained. "If Yachiru and Ichigo didn't object, Orihime….would've disappeared forever. At least we'll be together."
Ryo nodded. "The two of you seem so happy….it's a relief, considering Orihime was pouring her heart out when you….passed."
"You missed the funeral…." Michiru frowned. "…..sorry, Orihime."
"Oh, Michiru-chan, I found Tatsuki, even in her death! It's not so bad."
Mahana hummed. "Everyone in class was so sad when they heard you died, Tatsuki. Even Ochi-sensei was crying. Do you think any of them….?"
"I dunno. Not all humans can see spirits, and it's only because of Orihime and Ichigo that I saw them. And look where that got me!" Tatsuki joked.
The six girls all shared a laugh (despite the harsh reality of it), before Chizuru spoke up.
"Yoruichi-san said that if we woke up again….we could see you both. We should thank her and that shopkeeper…"
"Urahara-san? He helped protect the town….." Orihime trailed off, her mind drifting to Hachigen Ushoda's last words in passing the mantle of protection into her. He looked to be at peace before he faded.
"We all have a lot of people to thank." Tatsuki laid down on the floor. "Ichigo….Ishida…Sado…the Gotei…..so many people risked their lives to save me and Orihime, and more lost their lives protecting the worlds."
"Yeah…..you're right." Orihime laid down next to her.
"What happens now? When will the citizens of Karakura wake up?" Ryo asked.
"I guess tomorrow," Tatsuki replied. "Then school and everyone's lives….will continue on, as if nothing happened. It's not like the town will know the truth, anyways."
"I see….and you two?"
"Well, I have class," Orihime mused. "I wonder how many lessons and notes I missed when I was captured….what did you girls say?"
"Huh? Your boyfriend was the one that told everyone you had a family emergency," Mahana said.
Orihime blushed at "boyfriend", making Tatsuki grin and nudge her.
"I guess ONE good thing came out of all of this, hmm? Mrs. Orihime Kurosaki?"
"Tatsuki-chan! D-Don't tease me like that!"
"Hahahaha! But it's so easy, Hime!"
"Where did Kurosaki go?" Michiru asked, curious.
"He's with Ishida and Sado….probably looking for Keigo and Mizuiro."
XXXXX
"WHAAAAAAT?! You guys have to go to Soul Society?!"
The group was sitting outside Keigo's doorstep, having found his family sleeping, but intact. Ichigo looked in the direction of his family's clinic.
"Yeah, Keigo. When we graduate…..we have to leave."
"But why?!"
"It's complicated. Essentially, it's just the price we have to play for being outsiders to the world of spirits," Chad replied. "We'll be able to hang out before then, though."
"What happens when we graduate?" Mizuiro asked, checking his phone. There really was no making him nervous or scared in any capacity.
"Uhhh…" Ichigo looked to Uryu and Chad, both of which shrugged. They weren't clear on the details on what would happen to their regular bodies.
"I guess we'll find out," the ex-Quincy said grimly.
"But Ichigo! We had plans! You and I, versus the world! We were going to get some girls, meet some celebrities, play video games, have a camping trip of friendship-"
"How much free time do you have?" Ichigo asked, sweatdropping.
"It's a shame. But I guess that's what happens when the world almost ends." Mizuiro stood up and pocketed his phone. "You guys…..almost didn't come back….did you?"
Ichigo looked down, leaving Uryu to nod in the affirmative.
"Geez…." Keigo sighed. "You guys are always getting into crazy situations…just like when we first met you…."
"I'm glad you guys are okay."
Both non-combatants turned to Ichigo, who had looked back up at the sunset.
"And I'm sorry it was to be this way…..I might have done my own thing, along with Chad and Ishida…but we were fighting to protect our town and everyone in it. You're our friends, right?"
Mizuiro smiled. "Of course we are, Ichigo."
Keigo smiled as well. "Until the very end, buddy!"
"So then…..let's just enjoy the sunset, huh?"
XXXXX
"Yeah….."
"Michiru says she saw Unohana-san the other day, and things seemed fine on her end…." Mahana murmured. "What should we do? It's not like our parents would believe us."
"Yeah, we shouldn't bring them into this," Michiru replied.
"Hmm…..if I remember correctly, Ichigo said they were going to employ Don Kanonji in Karakura to help out with the spiritual hunts. Maybe….we should go to him for some advice. The Shinigami can only do so much," Mizuiro said.
"Sounds like a plan," Chizuru said.
"I like it! We can become professional Ghostbusters!" Keigo exclaimed, grinning like a fiend.
"…."
"…"
"…"
"Forgive Asano-san, he hasn't gotten enough sleep."
"DANG IT MIZUIRO!"
But instead of barbing Keigo some more, Mizuiro's eyes widened slightly when he spotted a familiar figure, sitting alone at a table with tea and engrossed in a novel.
He…..did he follow us?
"Um…how about we talk some more and get some exercise, everyone? I'll pay for the drinks. Certainly don't want to waste this time hanging out together, hmm?"
Ryo, Chizuru, Michiru, Mahana, and Keigo all gave him an odd look, but when they turned their heads…and caught a glimpse of the man…..all of them had the same cold feeling in their spines, for reasons they couldn't quite explain.
"Y-Yeah."
"Lead the way."
As the group left, Tsukishima looked up from his novel.
"…."
XXXXX
"What the hell…..?"
Kugo Ginjou and Shukuro Tsukishima were standing outside the now closed Urahara Shop, where pieces of wood blocked all windows and everything surrounding the shop was gone.
"Didn't you say this Urahara fellow was at this address?"
"I did! But why is the shop closed….?"
The two men stepped out of the alleyway, where Ginjou carefully looked around. It was a regular afternoon in Karakura, so many were chattering as they crossed the streets.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to linger here, Ginjou."
"Don't you think I know that? C'mon."
The two walked, noticing several high school students excitedly talk to their parents.
"What the hell is going on?"
"I believe Karakura High's graduating class finished their year today."
Ginjou grunted, but then he noticed something that caused him to stop. A white dog was digging through the trash, with something in its mouth.
"Hey! Drop that, you mutt!"
The dog looked up and involuntarily released its prize, running away from the man's intense glare. Ginjou picked up the object and turned it over in his hand.
"That's….."
"…the substitute's pass. I had the same thing…."
"….."
"We need to go. Now!"
The two quickly ran down the streets. With the pass exposed in the streets, this could only mean one thing. Either something happened to the current substitute….or this was a trap.
"How did a dog even find it, Ginjou?"
"The hell should I know, Tsukishima! This is a bigger mystery than I thought….."
Both men crossed the street, where they nearly bumped into a woman stapling flyers to a telephone. She had a rather large chest and black hair adorned in a ponytail, but she also had gloves and a hat a biker would wear.
"Hey! You boys look like you're in a hurry!"
"Excuse us, miss, but we're just in a rush."
"That's fine!" Ikumi Unagiya grinned and stapled the last flyer. "We've all got places to go, things to do, am I right?"
"…actually, my associate and I are curious about something. What happened to the Urahara Shop?"
"Urahara Shop?" Ikumi thought for a few seconds. "Wish I knew. Only saw the owner in passing, and even then, he always had a big dumb smile on his face. Guess he skipped town."
"What a shame," Tsukishima replied automatically.
"I'll tell you what IS surprising, though…." Ikumi pointed down the street. "The Kurosaki Clinic is closing up shop! Lots of people liked Kurosaki-san and thought he had good rates. I myself went there a few times with my son."
"Wait…..Kurosaki?" Ginjou asked, now suspicious.
"Yep! The guy that always dressed in those tacky Hawaiian shirts. Looks like an idiot, but he's a good doctor. But I guess he wasn't pulling in enough customers…."
Tsukishima thanked Ikumi for the information, but now the two were rushing by even faster.
"Sheesh! I wonder if they'd be willing to work for me…"
Now the six were walking through the mall, casually making conversation. Why waste a day where no one had prior engagements, right?
"Hey, here we go!" Mizuiro noticed a flyer hanging on a bulletin board. "I think I finally found you a job, Keigo." He ripped off a slip from the bottom and passed it to his friend.
"Unagiya Shop? Why would I want to work at an eel shop?"
"You like eel."
"To eat! Not to handle all day long!"
A small girl passed by the two, making them turn in succession. She had dark blue hair adorned in matching pigtails, but for some reason, she was alone.
"Hey…kid!"
"She looks so young…..and she's all alone?"
Michiru and Mahana ran to in front of the girl, making her stop.
"Hey….are you lost?" the latter asked gently.
"No, I'm not." the girl replied, glaring at the two. "I know exactly where I am."
"Uh huh…..and where are you going?" Michiru asked.
"The toy store. I know this mall has a really good one!"
"But….where's your parents? How old are you?"
"Four. But that's the new five!" the girl exclaimed. "Besides, I'm running away from home. No parents for me!"
"What?!"
Now it was Ryo's turn to interject. "Then we have to take you to the police. They're probably worried about you…..um…."
"My name is Kyoko. And you don't have to do that! Honest! My mom was just being stubborn…."
Ryo grabbed Kyoko's arm.
"Hey!"
"It's not safe for a little girl to go on by herself," Mizuiro teased.
"Sure it is. I took the train the whole way here."
WHAT?!
The six managed to collect themselves from the blunt (and well-spoken for only four years old) girl's statement, before they moved in the direction of the mall's security booth, Ryo still grabbing the girl.
"H-Hey! Let me go!"
"No."
"I'll share a toy with you!"
"No."
"A pink toy!"
"No."
Kyoko turned to the others for help, eyes almost pleading.
"Sorry, Kyoko-chan, but we can't just leave you!" Michiru exclaimed. "Where do you live, anyway?"
"Tokyo. I mean….none of your business!"
"Geez, this girl's a mouthful. Reminds me of my sister…." Keigo laughed, but he yelped when he felt his phone ringing. He answered it.
"Keigo!"
"Gack! What is it, sis?"
"Where the hell are you? You were supposed to pick up that cake Mom ordered!"
"I'm j-just at the mall with friends," Keigo replied, awaiting the verbal lashing he was about to get. Luckily, it didn't come.
"Oooh, really? I could use some stuff! Like this cute blouse I was looking at last week…."
"Um, sis, I'm not exactly-"
But Mizuho ignored his protest, opting to rattle off the details of a blouse her brother now had to get for her. When she was finished, she added something else.
"And guess what? Dad got you a job!"
"H-Huh? Doing what?"
"Working for Unagiya-san!"
Keigo gasped and took out the slip of paper he had. "The eel shop?!"
"It's not an eel shop, doofus! It's a bunch of odd jobs around town! You start tomorrow morning, so don't be late!"
Kyoko smirked at Keigo's slumped form. "I guess he's pegged, huh?"
"I like this girl," Mizuiro said. "I really like this girl."
"Right. We'll keep her here." The security guard hung up the phone. "Your mother was crying, Kyoko-chan. Why did you run away from home?"
"Hmph! Because I could!" Kyoko huffed.
"Thanks for finding her, kids."
"It's not a problem sir," Ryo replied. "It's what anyone would do."
The guard nodded. "Wait here. I need to send out some paperwork."
When he left the office, Kyoko turned to the six new "companions" she had, pouting. "Thanks….I guess. Mom looks terrible when she cries."
"Is this girl even four?" Keigo asked in disbelief, to no one in particular.
"You shouldn't run away, Kyoko. The world….is a scary place," Ryo said. "A little girl like you?"
"…yeah."
Suddenly, the girl perked up, and she looked out the window of the office. A Hollow sped through the mall, alarming Keigo and the others.
"Cool….they showed up again….."
"H-Huh? How does this girl now what a Hollow is?!" Michiru whispered. "Are we leaking something?"
"Maybe she was born with the sense," Chizuru offered.
"Huh? A Hollow? That's a dumb name!"
"….Kyoko, how long have you seen these things?" Ryo asked, carefully.
"You mean you see them too?"
"…."
"Well….I dunno. They're weird and don't say anything. Usually some samurai comes and kills them. I wonder why?"
"…." The six shared a glance. If simple children could potentially get involved in the world of Hollows, it was more important than ever they stayed alert.
"Kyoko….um….you don't go after those things, right?" Mahana asked.
"They're too fast," Kyoko replied. "I want one as a pet…."
"She's definitely not human," Keigo hissed to Mizuiro.
"…be careful around them, Kyoko," Ryo said, thinking of the fact that Orihime's brother had turned into one (according to her). "In fact, you shouldn't try to go near one."
"Yeah. Because of the samurai, right?"
The six looked at each other.
"Exactly. Because of the samurai."
The "samurai" that had employed their deceased friends and had kept them safe for all of this time. However they could help, they'd do it in a heartbeat.
Without hesitation.
FIN
Ending notes: Remember I dislike using OCs for the heck of it, so you might be confused as to why I'm introducing random children. Easy, if you can read the finer details...Saya and Kyoko are both four years old? Hinty hint hint?
This chapter might feel filler-ish, but I felt like it would congest up the Gotei stuff I was writing for chapter 13. Can you believe Kubo didn't even bother to show Chizuru, Ryo, Mahana, and Michiru after the timeskip?
Next Time - I tease some ships and use some more flashbacks! Yay? Also a treat for the Hitsugaya fans.
