Author's Note: As promised, here is the next chapter of Deathberry's Journey. Not much to say but I thank everyone who have followed and favorited this story. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.
"Juha Bach"
"Shiro"
"Aka"
"Ao"
"P.O.V."
'Thought'
"Attacks"
Shikai/Bankai
Chapter 6: The Shinigami's Work
{Opening Theme: *~Asterisk~ by ORANGE RANGE}
It was a peaceful morning at the Kurosaki Clinic after the fateful battle with Fishbone D. Ichigo was sleeping in his room peacefully when suddenly…
"Good morning, Ichigo!" Isshin yells flying feet first into his son's room. "Ya! Ha!" He screams as he is suddenly grabbed by his face and pinned to the floor.
"You nuts? What kind of sick freak attacks his own son while he's just lying there sleeping?" Ichigo asks in annoyance at his father's attempts to attack him.
"You are getting good! It looks like there's nothing left for me to teach you, my son." Isshin struggles to say from the grip his son has on his face.
Ichigo was tightening the grip until he suddenly let go and watch as Isshin was hit in the face by a pillow with a lot of velocity behind it.
"Ha!" Isshin yelps another pain filled scream as Ichigo looks up to his loft training area and spots a pissed off Rukia.
"Do you two mind? I like getting dressed in peace without all this commotion." Rukia growls as leaned over the railing slightly.
Ichigo saw she was wearing his school's female uniform of a grey skirt, white shirt with a red bow tie, which was tied yet, and a grey blazer. Taking what he could see in, Ichigo had to admit that Rukia looked good in his high school's girl's uniform. Rukia finished tying her bow tie and putting on her socks and shoes as she thought about what she learned last night. She still could scarcely imagine the situation she ended up in. A former captain of the Gotei 13, sacrificing his powers to save the life of a human woman, now a father of three with a son that showed immense promise as a Shinigami. However, for as glad as she was that she got some answers, she was now greatly resentful of the boy in front of her. How many decades of training did she have to do to even come close to how powerful this child is? And to make matters worse, he took some of her powers.
[Flashback]
"So that's the story." Isshin said, finishing his tale of meeting a human named Masaki and becoming human to save her life.
Partway through that explanation, Kisuke and Tessai showed up to examine Ichigo and prepare a Gigai for Rukia.
"I couldn't return to Soul Society after that and they'd probably arrest me for giving up my powers like that." Isshin explains knowing change does not happen overnight for the Living, and it takes much longer for the Dead.
"Doesn't seem like Rukia can go back either." Said Kisuke, jotting some notes down about his student's changes. "Looks like she lost a good chunk of her power when she got too close to Ichigo." He explained to them that the method Ichigo used would absorb nearby Reishi and Reiryoku if anything got too close to him.
Rukia was lucky to just lose some of her power. As she is now, she is incapable of opening a Senkaimon or activate her Shikai.
[End Flashback]
Rukia finished tying her shoes as she walked down from Ichigo's training loft she was using as a temporary bedroom. She noticed Isshin was gone and assumed he left to start work for the day in the clinic.
"Scowling like that isn't going to change the situation we're in, Rukia." Ichigo says tossing her pillow back up to the second floor for her to grab later. "I already told you I'd help you with your duties, you have a place to stay, and when 'whoever' comes I'll talk to them about what happened." He says walking over to his closet and grabs his school uniform.
"You still got me into this mess!" Rukia yelled back, justifying her anger at the orange haired teen. "If you had just stayed back, I would have been able to kill those Hollows and we wouldn't be stuck like this." She says knowing he meant well, that he was protecting his family first and foremost. But his actions put them both in danger for the long run. 'He's strong but he'll never be able to match the Soul Society.' She thought to herself.
"No that would've been Kisuke's fault." Ichigo says tossing his uniform onto his bed. "He's the one who turned my body into a Gigai after I first became a Shinigami, he forgot to make it so I could get out. Not to mention it was his invention that helped me exit my Gigai." He defends himself. "Anyways, are you going to go down and get breakfast or are you going to stand there and watch me change?" He asks making Rukia go red in the face as she realized he was still in his sleep clothes and was waiting for her to leave so he could get dressed.
"R-Right, so-sorry. I-I-I'll w-wait for y-you downstairs." Rukia stutters as she quickly leaves the room making Ichigo smirk as begins changing into his school uniform.
Downstairs, Rukia walked into the dining room of her host's house and was greeted to the sight of Karin and Yuzu eating breakfast with a place set for her and Ichigo as well.
"Good morning, Rukia." Yuzu says cheerfully.
"Morning." Karin greets the Shinigami.
"Good morning, Karin, Yuzu." Rukia says with a slight bow. "I'm sorry for intruding your personal life and having to have you take me in as well." She apologizes.
"Don't worry about it." Karin says as Rukia sits down next to Yuzu and began eating her breakfast. "Besides we're also training to become Shinigami as well." She tells her.
"What? You girls are Shinigamis as well?" Rukia asks in shock.
"No, we just spiritually aware and we can perform Kidō up to the level 20s." Yuzu explains. "Ichigo was always the one with the advanced growth rate since we were young and he met his Zanpakutō spirits at the age of 10." She says.
"We still haven't been able to hear or met our Zanpakutōs yet." Karin says.
"That's strange. Then how was Ichigo able to meet his Zanpakutōs at a young age?" Rukia wonders.
"That's a story for another time." Ichigo says entering the room wearing his school uniform and grabbing some toast. "We need to get going Rukia, we're already late as it is." He says grabbing his bag as Rukia finished and followed after him after saying goodbye to the twins as the two Shinigamis made their way to Karakura High School.
Later at the high school, Rukia separated from Ichigo to go "enroll" herself into his class while he made his way to his class to meet up with his friends. Meanwhile Orihime, who has become a teenager of average height, with brown eyes, long, waist-length, burnt orange hair, her most noticeable physical trait is her slender yet curvaceous figure for a teenager, especially in terms of her large breasts and she wears her hair in bangs tucked behind her ears with two six flower petal hairpins, and Tatsuki, who has become a teenager of average height with black hair which is short and dark, kept spiked out at the sides, brown eyes, she has a contrasting appearance to her best friend Orihime Inoue, being more a tomboy, and has a very lean frame compared to Orihime's curvier figure and in tune with her less than feminine appearance, are making their way through the hallway to their homeroom.
"Orihime! Did you bring lunch today?" Tatsuki asks her best friend.
"Mm-hmm! Leftover Taiyaki-style ramen with wasabi and honey." Orihime says as Tatsuki picture the food together in her head causing her to grimace at the thought. "Would you like some, Tatsuki?" She asks.
"That's okay." Tatsuki kindly declines her offer.
"But it's really good! Ah!" Orihime yelps as she falls to the floor after accidentally bumping into Ichigo.
"Oh, it's you. Hey, Orihime." Ichigo says.
"Oh no, I'm sorry!" Orihime apologizes thinking she was in the wrong.
"Ichigo! You knock her down, and that's all you can say? What the heck's the matter with you?" Tatsuki asks angrily at her old friend.
"Sorry about that. Uh, are you gonna be all right?" Ichigo asks Orihime as he tilted his head to look over Tatsuki's shoulder at her.
"Uh-huh." Orihime replies with a nod.
"Here." Ichigo says holding his hand out to her to help her up.
"Huh?" Orihime asks but then blushes at seeing how close Ichigo was to her. "Oh, no! That's all right, really! I- I- have v- v- v- volleyball!" She says nervously stuttering and chuckling. "That's right! Volleyball!" She says as she turns around and runs off, failing once again at not having the courage to pursue her crush on the teen.
"Orihime!" Tatsuki calls out as she watches her friend run off.
"What's the matter with her?" Ichigo says having no clue as to what just happened with Orihime.
"What could it be? Maybe it was your ugly mug! By the way, why are you so late? I mean, it's time for lunch already." Tatsuki asks now realizing that her friend was late to school.
"Yeah, don't worry about it. I'll tell you later." Ichigo says entering his classroom.
"Hey, Ichigo! I heard a truck crashed into your house last night, dude!" Keigo says to his friend.
"That's what my dad is saying happened." Ichigo says with a smirk.
"So, did you clean it all up yet?" Mizuiro asks.
"Most of it. We just gotta finish clean up the damage on the inside of the house." Ichigo says.
"Needs so help?" Chad asks his best friend.
"That's okay." Ichigo says giving him a look that told him none of rumors were true.
"Yeah, Chad. I mean, you could end up bringing the whole house down, you know?" Keigo asks.
"Hey, what have we got next?" Ichigo asks but then senses Rukia's Reiryoku coming up behind him.
"Language lab." Mizuiro says.
"Hello. You're Ichigo, aren't you?" Rukia asks standing behind him as he turns to look at her.
"That's me. Can I help you with something?" Ichigo asks putting on an act like he's never met her before.
"I'll be sitting next to you from now on. My name is Rukia." Rukia says introducing herself to the group of friends.
"Oh, it's you." Ichigo says standing up from his seat.
"Hey, Ichigo! What's wrong with you?" Keigo asks.
"You two know each other?" Chad asks.
"Course not! We've never met before! Isn't that right, Ichigo?" Rukia asks.
"No, we met before." Ichigo says making Rukia glare at him but lightens up after hearing what he said next. "We met at the front gate when you asked to be pointed in the principal's office direction. I pointed you in the direction but never got your name." He says.
"Oh, that's right. I forgot about that. I was just in such a rush." Rukia says playing along with Ichigo's lie.
"Rukia's a brand new transfer student." Mizuiro explains.
"Nice to meet you!" Keigo says with spunk in his voice.
"It's a pleasure!" Rukia says extending her hand to Ichigo. "The teacher said you wouldn't mind showing me around." She says revealing her palm and the writing on it that said "We need to talk, now!".
Shortly afterwards, Ichigo and Rukia where now in a secluded place where they could talk freely.
"I'll admit I'm a little impressed with your acting skills back there but what's with everyone thinking a truck crashed into my house?" Ichigo asks leaning against the wall with Rukia leaning against the wall on the other side.
"Well when Kisuke and your father told me I'll be enrolling at Karakura High, they told me how you're one of the top students here and I suggested that we change the memories of everyone here to think that your house was hit by a truck instead of just you oversleeping. I'm guessing the first one sounds more believable then the second one." Rukia explains.
"I guess you're right." Ichigo says sighing. "Okay, shall we go over the situation one more time so we have all our "T's" crossed and our "I's" dotted?" He asks.
"I'm not sure what that means but I'm guessing its another saying as to getting our facts straight." Rukia says getting a nod from Ichigo. "Then yes, let's go over it one more time." She replies.
"Alright, a few days ago you were assigned to Karakura Town to be its protector." Ichigo says as Rukia nods. "Yesterday, we encountered each other by accident while you were exorcising a Hollow and heard me mention the word "Shinigami" as well as noticing I have high Reiryoku." He continues as Rukia nods, again. "As you were searching for the last of the Hollows, you arrived at my house where you learned I already know about your world." He says and Rukia nods. "When we sensed the Hollows and went to engage them I used Kisuke invention to fore me out of my Gigai but the resulting effects were absorbing a good portion of your powers in the process." He says and she nods. "As a result, you can no longer return to the Soul Society and now have to reside in a Gigai until they return. Am I right?" He asks.
"You are correct. And so, until all of my powers come back, it's up to you, Ichigo, to perform the duties of a Shinigami." Rukia says dramatically as Ichigo stares at her. "It's only natural. You possess the strength of a Shinigami that I've only seen in the captains of the Gotei 13. You do not have the right to refuse your calling." She says.
"You really love being dramatic don't you." Ichigo says. "I already told you I'd help you out, so that speech was a little unnecessary." He told her as she blushed a little in embarrassment.
"Right, by the way Ichigo, you did a good job defeating that Hollow last night and I've been wanting to ask how many Hollows you've defeated to get that good." She says.
"Actually, last night was the first Hollow I've ever fought." Ichigo says. 'Not counting the fight to gain Shiro's powers and release forms.' He thought.
"What?! That was the first one?!" Rukia asks in complete shock.
"I've been trained from the age of 10 by Kisuke, Tessai and one other but we left Hollow exorcising to the Shinigami that patrol this town. Once I became 15 they decided I should get involved with fighting Hollows since more have been appearing in the last year than often." Ichigo explains.
"I see." Rukia says. 'Just how much potential does this boy have?' She wonders but then hears her Denreishinki (Divine Messenger Machine) beeping grabbing both of their attention. "Hmm?" She questions opening the cell phone like device and views the details of the order. "We have an order. Let's get to work, Ichigo." She says as she puts on a tight, red, wrist-length glove with fingers that only reach the first knuckle of the hand and a large insignia of a skull shrouded in blue flames on the back before using it to push Ichigo's Shinigami self out of his Gigai.
"Gokon Tekkō (Soul Apprehension Gauntlet), huh? I'm guessing Kisuke finally managed to get his order for one to come in." Ichigo says watching Rukia hide his Gigai in the bushes behind the nearby supply shed.
"Yeah, he gave it to me last night before leaving, saying I might need it to help you exit your body easier. Now follow me." Rukia says sternly as she walks away with Ichigo following behind.
Shortly afterward, as he and Rukia walk by a memorial set up on a telephone pole near a park.
"Hey, you going to tell me where we're going, here?" Ichigo asks.
"We're getting close. Our latest orders…" Rukia says opening her Denreishinki and showing Ichigo the message that read; Karakura Town Area 3, 13:00 +/- 15 min. "from the Soul Society. It looks like a spirit of a boy that dwells here in this park is likely to come under attack soon." She says and then the sound of screaming is heard followed by the playground being destroyed.
The two Shinigami look to see the spirit of a young boy around the age of five being chased by a Hollow that resembles a large six-legged insect. He has gray green skin with orange joints, as well as orange spots on his back. His mask is plain white with a humanoid face, framed by two tufts of brown hair and a forelock of purple hair that falls over the top of his mask.
"According to the details, this Hollow is called Hexapodus and other then it's insect like body it doesn't have any unique abilities. Remember, Ichigo, in the eyes of a Shinigami, all the spirits of this world are equal. Getting involved simply because spirits are nearby or they need help isn't how it works. If you intend to be a Shinigami, then commit yourself to the duties that come with it, that includes attempting to save every spirit. You must be willing to go to any length, even to sacrifice your own life." Rukia reminds her new partner of his responsibilities.
Hexapodus gains ground on the young boy spirit after he trips and falls to the ground. The Hollow insect raises one of its front legs and attempts to impale the boy but Ichigo acts quickly as he unsheathes Zangetsu from his back and slices off Hexapodus' front two legs causing it to fall back in pain before vanishing.
"Good job, but it'll be back soon." Rukia says as she helps the boy to his feet.
"I know, I sense it coming right now." Ichigo says as Hexapodus reappears a few meters away from them.
"Ichigo, I want to ask you about your Zanpakutōs and how you have three." Rukia says not caring that the Hollow was charging at them.
"In time Rukia, in time I'll tell you everything there is to know about me but for now…" Ichigo begins to say as he bisects Hexapodus from the jaw down the length of its body with a single sword strike from Zangetsu. "…let's take this one step at a time, deal?" He asks as Hexapodus fades away into nothingness.
"Deal. Also that was a beautifully executed Agitowari (Chin/Jaw Splitting)." Rukia complements him.
"Thanks." Ichigo replies as he walks back over to them. "You okay?" He asks the boy in a kind voice.
"Yeah." The young spirit replies.
"Listen, if you don't want to go through that again, you better hurry up and pass on already." Ichigo tells him and taps Zangetsu's hilt against the boy's forehead and performs the Konsō, causing the boy to sink into the ground in a pool of blue light, leaving nothing behind but a Jigokuchō.
"Yet another beautiful performance, Ichigo." Rukia says as he re-sheaths Zangetsu and they watch the Jigokuchō fly away.
Ichigo watches the Jigokuchō flutter away for a moment before turning to face Rukia, he gave her a gentle smile of his own. Rukia returned it; the orange-haired teen looked better with a smile rather than a scowl. The two made their way back to the school so Ichigo could re-enter his body and finish out the school day.
That night, as Orihime reads a magazine in her house, unknown to her a tall, slim male spirit with chin-length brown hair and wearing a blue suit was watches from the air with a smile on his face, only to become concerned when Orihime closes the curtains on her window. Suddenly, two Hollows appear in the air next to the spirit and bind him with their tentacles.
"What are you doing?" The man asks. "Stop!" He screams as all three of them disappear into nothingness.
The two Hollows and spirit reappear in Hueco Mundo from the shadows as the spirit looks around in fright.
"What's happening? Where am I? I don't understand. What are you going to do to me?" The spirit asks as a third Hollow appears behind him.
"You are a lost little spirit. Now, let's devour this soul." The Hollow says causing the man to run away panting and sobbing in fear. "Get him!" The Hollow orders as the other two Hollows vanish into the shadows and chase after him.
Upon catching the spirit several more Hollows appear as they surround and entrap the man between their bodies while the large Hollow laughs maniacally as he watches. The Hollows then leap away from the spirit as he begins to glow with energy. As the spirit grows a large tail and gaining a muscular upper body, he has white fluid emerge from his eyes and mouth that turns into a Hollow mask on his face while he roars.
The following day, Ichigo and Rukia were in the park after patrolling the town for any Hollows or pluses to Konsō but hadn't found any and were now relaxing near the picnic tables.
"Hear my voice, oh Lord. Help your humble child understand why she was born. And if your divine will wishes it, summon her back to your side. I await your-" Rukia reads dramatically from a novel but is suddenly interrupted.
"What the hell are you reading, Rukia!" Ichigo yells at her after getting annoyed from hearing her read out loud.
"What is your problem? I am studying contemporary language." Rukia says with a blush on her face.
"Well you're off by a couple centuries, Rukia. No one talks like that anymore. You were doing fine when you first got here." Ichigo tells her. "Come on, lets head home. We haven't found any pluses that need to be Konsō and I don't sense any Hollows around." He says and begins walking off.
"Yes, I've noticed how well you keep control of your Reiatsu. It's very impressive." Rukia complements.
"Thanks but it wasn't always like this. It took a lot of training with Kisuke to get it to this level." Ichigo says but then hears the sound of tires screeching as they turn around to see a car driving off and someone lying in a nearby intersection with a bag of groceries on the ground next to them. "Hey!" He calls out rushing over to the downed person and as he gets closer he sees its his classmate, Orihime. "Orihime!" He calls out to her as she sits up and groans slightly in pain.
"Uh, Ichigo!" Orihime says in surprise at seeing her crush running over to her.
"Did you just get hit by that car?" Ichigo asks.
"Oh! Maybe." Orihime says not really sure as to what happened herself.
"What do you mean, maybe? Are you going to be okay?" Ichigo asks as he sees her quickly stand up.
"Mm-hmm! It was just a little bump on my head. Don't worry! I'm fine. I swear!" Orihime says cheerfully with a little blush on her face.
"You sure you're okay? Where did that car go that hit you?" Ichigo asks.
"Hmm? It drove away." Orihime says with a dizzy smile.
"Orihime!" Ichigo says clearly upset with her for not taking the situation seriously.
"Oh, sorry." Orihime apologizes.
"Well, all right. I guess as long as you're okay, then." Ichigo says scratching his cheek.
"Mm, Rukia?" Orihime asks surprised to see her classmate.
"That's right, and just who are you?" Rukia asks with a scowl but suddenly receives a hit on the head courtesy of Ichigo.
"Don't be rude, Rukia. She's in the same class as us." Ichigo says scolding her. "Her name is Orihime Inoue. Now properly introduce yourself and say "Pleased to meet."." He says angrily at Rukia's lack of proper introduction.
'He's so much like Kaien. That's almost the same thing he said to me when I first me him.' Rukia thought rubbing the bump on her head before gathering herself. "I'm sorry, Orihime, that was rude of me. I'm Rukia Kuchiki, it's a pleasure to meet you. How are you?" She asks performing a little curtsy with her dress.
"Oh, I'm great, thank you!" Orihime says mimicking Rukia's curtsy with her long skirt.
"Well now, it appears that you've been shopping." Rukia says noticing the groceries still on the ground.
"Huh? Oh, that's right! Dinner!" Orihime says in shock finally realizing she dropped her groceries. "My leek, bananas, butter, and bean jam seem to have made it, too!" She says happily twirling the leek in her hand around.
'Ugh. I don't want to know what she's going to make with that.' Ichigo thought before noticing Orihime's left leg and it appears Rukia noticed as well.
"How did you that bruise on your leg?" Rukia asks the bruise that looked like a grab mark.
"What bruise?" Orihime asks not sure what Rukia was talking about until she looked down at her leg. "Oh, I guess that happened just now when that car ran into me." She says.
"Jeez! Does it hurt?" Ichigo asks in concern.
"A little bit! But I'm okay." Orihime says.
"You sure?" Ichigo asks but then notices Rukia kneeling down to get a better look at Orihime's bruise.
"Um, what's the matter, Rukia?" Orihime asks.
"Huh?" Rukia asks snapping out of her train of thought.
"Is anything wrong?" Orihime asks again.
"Uh. Right, well, you take care!" Rukia says quickly while acting innocently and friendly.
"Thanks!" Orihime says.
"So you want me to walk you home?" Ichigo offers.
"Oh! Uh. I'm okay, really. See ya!" Orihime says chuckling before crossing the street.
"Man, that girl needs to be more careful." Ichigo says before walking off in the opposite direction.
"Hm." Rukia hummed before following after her substitute.
Later that day, as the sun begins to set, Ichigo and Rukia walk along a riverbank. Ichigo looked over his shoulder and noticed Rukia was still in deep thought about the bruise on Orihime's leg.
"I know what you're thinking about, Rukia." Ichigo says snapping her out of her thoughts as she looks at him. "You're thinking that the bruise on Orihime's leg looked more like a grab mark instead of a hit mark." He says.
"You're right. You think it could be the work of a Hollow?" Rukia asks.
"Possibly, Orihime's not really that spiritually aware but she does have Reiryoku slightly higher than that of the basic level. She might have just been a victim of a random attack." Ichigo says.
"Maybe. Are you close to her by any chance?" Rukia ask curiously.
"Why? Are you jealous?" Ichigo asks teasingly making Rukia face go entirely red as he chuckles. "Relax, I'm just kidding. I don't really know her that well and hardly talk to each other either. But she's friends with a buddy of mine from the neighborhood, so I see her around. Although-" Ichigo begins to say remembering something.
"Yes?" Rukia asks.
"Around three years back or so, her older brother Sora was in this terrible accident and died at our clinic." Ichigo says.
"What?" Rukia asks with a little shock.
"Two years into my training with Kisuke and the others, I returned home for dinner and that's when the doorbell rang and I saw her there, carrying her dying brother on her back while covered in his blood. I learned he had been in a car wreck and he was the only family she had." Ichigo explains to the Shinigami.
[Flashback]
An ambulance had pulled up to the Kurosaki Clinic and were loading the dying Sora Inoue into the car, all with a crying Orihime beside him.
"Big brother! Big brother! You can't die!" Orihime shouts crying. "Please! Don't leave me all alone!" She pleads while still sobbing.
[End Flashback]
"I'd never realized that she was the girl I saw crying that day. I found that a few months later after learning she started hanging out with that buddy of mine I mentioned earlier." Ichigo says.
"How in tuned to the spirit realm were you?" Rukia asks.
"Pretty much since I was born. Dad told me that even at a young age I had high Reiryoku for a human hybrid like me, so he and Kisuke used a Kidō spell to make it appear as though I was an average human with basic level Reiryoku." Ichigo explains.
"Then how did you break the Kidō spell? I know Kisuke is a master Kidō user, so how did you at such a young age manage to break the spell?" Rukia asks.
"There was an external factor that played into helping me break the spell. I'll tell you some other time, for now let's get home. I'm getting hungry, how about you?" Ichigo asks.
"I could eat." Rukia says with a small smile as the two Shinigami make their way to the Kurosaki household.
That night, at Orihime's apartment complex, the doorbell rings prompting the teen to answer it.
"Coming!" Orihime calls out as she opens the door to see her best friend Tatsuki there with a bowl of food. "Oh, hi, Tatsuki!" She greets the girl.
"My mom thought I should bring this over for you. It's stewed beef and potatoes." Tatsuki says showing her the dish.
"Wow! Great! Home-made beef and potatoes!" Orihime says excitedly while giggling. "Oh boy! This is delicious!" She said already digging into the dish.
"I swear, if I don't bring meals over for you to eat, you always end up cooking the weirdest stuff." Tatsuki says.
"I never thought about it. You really think so?" Orihime asks.
"Um. Yeah. I mean, what is this stuff?" Tatsuki asks.
Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo and Rukia were relaxing in his room when Yuzu entered.
"Hey, Ichigo? Rukia?" Yuzu calls out to them as Ichigo looks to his youngest sister while Rukia leans over the railing on the loft training area. "You two haven't seen my pajamas, have you?" She asks.
"Yuzu, come on! Knock before you come in here! You were trained better than this!" Ichigo says annoyed that she just barged into his room instead of knocking.
"Well, I'm sorry I asked. You've been so mean since you started high school!" Yuzu says with a puffed out cheek.
"Have not, and if you're looking for your pajamas, Rukia's wearing them." Ichigo says pointing up towards his training area.
"I'm sorry, Yuzu, but I didn't have anything of my own to sleep in while in this Gigai. I hope you don't mind since you and I are close to the same size." Rukia says.
"Oh, that's fine, Rukia, and I'm guessing you also have one of my dresses, too." Yuzu says as Rukia nodded holding up the said dress. "Next time, instead of taking some of my clothes please just ask." She says but before she could close the door she and her brother heard the sound of a phone beeping.
"Hm. An order?" Rukia asks aloud.
"Hey, Rukia, what's wrong?" Ichigo asks looking up as Rukia slips on her Gokon Tekkō and jumps down onto Ichigo's bed. "Hey, careful! Jumping from up there could break my bed!" He shouts but then both he and Yuzu sense something coming closer.
"We've got orders. And I'm sure you sensed it too." Rukia says quickly as she pushes Ichigo Shinigami form out of his Gigai.
A second after Rukia did this, a portal of darkness appeared right above Ichigo's bed large Hollow arm came out attempting to grab him. A couple seconds later the Hollow pulls itself through the portal to reveal it to be the same Hollow that was once the spirit watching Orihime. Ichigo, Rukia and Yuzu look on in shock that a Hollow was able to enter the house, especially with the Kidō barrier up.
"Why are you just standing there? Do something!" Rukia shouts as they watch Ichigo's bed get crushed from the weight of the Hollow's arm and then tries to attack them prompting all three of them to jump out of the way. "Remember, you have to aim for its head!" She shouts.
"I know but this isn't my idea of a battle field!" Ichigo shouts drawing one of Getsu no Ikari's swords from his waist.
Ichigo tries to slash the Hollow but given the limited space his sword hit the ceiling leaving a slash mark as he brought his sword down. The Hollow manages to dodge Ichigo's slash and swings its nāga-like body to hit the Shinigami.
"Bakudō #8. Seki (Repulse)!" Ichigo shouts as he generates an orb of light blue energy to shield himself but the force behind the swing pushes him back since he was in midair.
"Ichigo!" Rukia shouts seeing him get pushed back.
"I'm fine." Ichigo says righting himself before turning to his sister. "Yuzu, get ready. I want you to use Hainawa and then I'll deliver the final strike." He tells her his plan.
"Got it, Ichigo!" Yuzu says and begins focusing her Reiryoku.
Ichigo turns his attention back to the Hollow and sees it wind its right arm back before thrusting it forward, attempting to slam it into him. Ichigo side jumps and uses the opening created to slash the Hollow's arm, leaving a large gash and causing it to roar in pain.
"Yuzu, now!" Ichigo shouts to her.
"Right! Bakudō #4. Hainawa (Crawling Rope)!" Yuzu shouts as she generates a crackling yellow energy rope of Reishi within her hands.
Yuzu then throws the energy rope at the Hollow which winds around its arms and body causing the Hollow to become immobilized. However the force behind the Bakudō spell pushed the Hollow back a little causing it to slide under the loft platform.
"Good job, Yuzu!" Ichigo praises his sister as he uses the opportunity to go for the Hollow's mask. "You're mine!" He yells as he brings his blade down but the swing was wide and hit the edge of the loft platform. 'Damn!' He thought noticing his swing had lost some power behind it as the blow did not strike deep enough.
"Too shallow!" Rukia notes as she sees the Hollow grab Ichigo's Zanpakutō by the blade with both hands and attempts to force it back.
Angered by this, a yelling Ichigo pushes down on his Zanpakutō, causing it to sink just deep enough to dig into the Hollow's mask and shatter the portion covering its left eye. Seeing this, Yuzu can only stare in shock as the screaming Hollow retreats into Hueco Mundo.
"It's getting away. Let's go." Rukia says and begins to head for the door but then notices Yuzu shocked face. "Yuzu, what's the matter?" She asks in concern.
"Something's not right." Yuzu says as Ichigo looks at her and begins to realize why she's in shock.
"What?" Rukia asks.
"You saw its face, too, didn't you Yuzu?" Ichigo ask and receives a nod from her.
"Yeah I did and I remember that face from three years ago. It was Orihime's dead brother, Sora Inoue!" Yuzu shouts.
"Are you certain?" Rukia asks.
In Hueco Mundo, the Hollow writhes in pain while surrounded by a violet miasma until its damaged mask regenerates, causing it to begin roaring.
Back in the Human World, Ichigo and Rukia stare at a shuddering Yuzu after learning the truth about what is underneath a Hollow's mask.
"I'm sorry, Yuzu, I should have finished it off before you got a chance to see that." Ichigo says pulling her into a one arm hug to comfort her.
"Here's a word of advice for the future when you become a Shinigami, Yuzu." Rukia says softly as the said girl looks over her shoulder to her. "When attacking Hollows, come from behind and cleave their heads with one blow. Don't forget. It's basic theory for any Shinigami." She explains.
"Why? What do you mean?" Yuzu asks.
"It will keep your injuries to a minimum. Also, with any luck it will keep you from learning the Hollow's identity." Ichigo tells his sister.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean, the identity?" Yuzu asks.
"You just saw for yourself. Do you understand? The Hollows were once souls of human beings, no different from anyone else." Rukia says shocking Yuzu once again.
"Dad-dad's never told Karin and me that! I thought Hollows were just monsters. Just some beast from the underworld that Shinigami have to wipe out." Yuzu says.
"That is correct. Hollows are just monsters now." Rukia slightly raise her voice before continuing. "It can't be helped. Souls that hold onto feelings of resentment or regret will sometimes resist Konsō and linger on alone in this world. Should that happen, they either become Hollows on their own, or they're devoured by other Hollows and become one of the fold." She says allowing Yuzu to take in the new knowledge she just learned.
Meanwhile, at Orihime's apartment, she had just told Tatsuki that earlier today she saw Ichigo and Rukia walking together.
"What? They were together?" Tatsuki asks in shock from what she was just told.
"Mm-hmm. But they were just walking home together, Tatsuki. What's the matter?" Orihime asks as she continues eating.
"Oh, man. I never knew Ichigo was such a smooth operator. I mean, honestly. He didn't even walk you home when you were hurt!" Tatsuki says loudly.
"Well, no. I mean, he did ask me if I wanted him to walk me home. But I…" Orihime begins to say as she blushes thinking back to her crush's offer before suddenly… "I'm warning, you! You better watch out, champ. Because I'm winning this match!" She shouts acting out a weird daydream.
"Yeah, hey, wake up! You're daydreaming again!" Tatsuki says trying to wake her best friend up.
"I'll give you a right, and another! Bam! Ah! Look out! He's got a gun!" Orihime shouts before hearing a loud bang that shocks the two girls.
"Huh? Hey, what was that?" Tatsuki wonders as they continue hearing the banging sound while a torn Enraku falls to the ground.
Meanwhile, Hollow Sora unleashes a roar from outside Orihime's apartment complex.
{Ending Theme: "Life is Like a Boat" by Rie Fu}
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Especially with Yuzu having a bit of screen time, so to speak. Anyways, not much to say but don't forget to vote in the poll on my homepage if Rangiku should be apart of Ichigo's harem. Also I've decided to make the main girls both Rukia and Yoruichi since so many want her to the main girl but Rukia will still be one of the main girls too, so the two of them will share it.
Please be sure to review and tell me what you think.