Welcome to the 2nd chapter of Sword Saint Shinagami, so far I am liking the positive feedback though there was one comment that was a bit of a wake up call and I will address it on the responses. To which will happen now!
Kurt930: man your everywhere, but I'm glad you like what I'm putting out!
Z.L.C genesmith, yeah I jumped on the nickname stuff but I rolled back and edited it and I'm also aware that Musashi loves Udon.
andielgranrayo: I've heard of Vasto that of White, and I'm glad you like my new story, and the idea of Ichigo and Musashi is just fun.
Bleach and Fate belong to Tite Kubo and Nasu. Lets go!
Chapter 2: The Substitute Soul Reaper
A day had passed since Ichigo and the ever odd girl Miyamoto Musashi were dragged into the world of Soul Reapers and Hollows. That night of the attack on the Kurosaki residence and the arrival of the Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki changed Ichigo's life dramatically though he can safely say it started when he met Musashi first. He still had yet to question her about her abilities and what not, but for now he just wanted a quiet morning, but that wasn't to be.
"GOOOOOOOOD MORNING!!! ICHIGO!!" Shouted the voice of his father Ishiin Kurosaki as he was looking to get the drop on his sleeping son.
BAM!!!
Ishiin however was immediately taken down onto his back as Ichigo held him at his face.
"You! Trying to attack his own son in his sleep!"
"You're pretty good, my boy, there's nothing more I can teach you." Ishiin replied.
Ichigo was taken aback by this till he yanked his father up to be somewhat eye level and yelled.
"What about Karin and Yuzu's injuries?"
"Injuries? What are you talking about?" Ishiin asked confused.
The damage to the house still remained from last night's attack. Ichigo, Ishiin, Karin, Yuzu and Musashi all stood outside looking at it, Ichigo had a look that said he just didn't understand.
"It's a miracle, a truck crashes into the house and no one got hurt." Ishiin said with a big smile.
"What's more miraculous is that no one woke up." Karin replied.
Ichigo looked over at Musashi who kept her analytical expression.
"Hey, Musashi?" Ichigo whispered grabbing her attention.
"I don't get it, they're wounds are gone."
"It has to be the work of that Soul Reaper, Rukia right? She must have saw to their treatment and then manipulated their memories along the lines." Replied Musashi.
"Ichigo, Musashi! Hurry up or you'll be late for breakfast!" Yuzu called to them as she and the others headed inside.
"Oh, yeah."
"I could go for some morning grub."
Flashes of Memories containing Rukia went through Ichigo's head.
"You think she went back?" He asked Musashi.
"Hard to say, she disappeared after the scuffle with the hollows."
Later it was bustling at Karakura High as students and staff alike went about going to classes and Offices respectively. Two girls were walking about the hallway, one was of short black hair and had a tomboy like air about her, the other was a beautiful petite but curvy orange haired girl.
"Orihime, did you bring a lunch today?" The tomboy asked Orihime.
"Yes, I have taiyaki style ramen with wasabi and honey."
Just imagining such a thing was really odd for the tomboy.
"Would you like some Tatsuki?"
"Err…no thanks."
"It's really good."
Orihime did not say anything further as she bumped into Ichigo around a corner and fell to the ground.
"Oh, it's you Orihime."
"Huh? I'm so sorry!" Orihime apologized timidly.
"Ichigo! You bumped into her and that's all you can say!?"
"Oh, sorry. Are you ok?" Ichigo quickly amended.
"Yep."
"Here." Ichigo said as he held his hand out to help her up.
Orihime looked up only to be frightened by his signature scowl.
"Ah! It's ok! I-I have voby…bolley…volley…"
"Hey, Orihime!" Tatsuki called as Orihime ran off mumbling.
"What's with her?"
"You have such a mean look. By the way, why are you so late, it's already lunchtime." Tatsuki asked.
"Well…I'll explain later." Ichigo said as he walked off leaving Tatsuki speculative.
Soon Ichigo was seated in his class in classroom 1-3 and were speaking with his friends.
"Ichigo, I heard a truck crashed into your house."
"Yeah."
"Finished cleaning up?"
"It's not that easy!"
"Need help?"
Ichigo looked over to see a big man with a buff looking physic and mop brown hair.
"Err…no thanks."
"Chad, you'll just ended breaking things more."
"What's next?" Ichigo asked.
"Modern literature."
"Oh, you must be Kurosaki."
Ichigo turned around and was shocked to see none other than the Soul Reaper Rukia standing behind him in a school uniform.
"I'll be sitting next to you from today on, nice to meet you my name is Rukia."
"Wha! You!?" Ichigo shouted as he stood up and pointed at her.
"What's wrong Ichigo?"
"You two know each other?" Chad asked.
"Oh no. This is our first meeting, right Ichigo?" Rukia said feigning ignorance.
"She's a transfer student Ichigo."
"Right Rukia?"
"Nice to meet you." Rukia said extending her hand while Ichigo who looked flabbergasted shook it hesitantly.
Rukia however twisted her palm up to reveal writing that said:
Make a scene and you're so dead!
That made Ichigo jump a little bit.
"Oh! Speaking of transfer students we have another one coming too!! She's just running a bit late because of issues." One of the guys said.
Great, Ichigo began to wonder if Rukia brought friends. He would be in for a massive shock later on.
"Hey you! Just what the hell are you thinking!?"
"My how scary! What's the matter? You're going to do something to me aren't you." Rukia said coyly.
"First of all why don't you quit talking like that!" Ichigo said in frustration.
"Oh I think it's pretty good considering I learned it overnight."
"Forget it! So why are you here? I thought you went back to that Soul Society place."
"Don't be stupid, only Soul Reapers can go back to the Soul Society. Right now I don't have that ability."
"What?" Ichigo said confused.
"Last night, most of my Soul Reaper powers were taken by you."
"What? I don't know anything about that."
"Thanks to you I'm stuck in this gigai form."
"What's a gigai?"
"It is a temporary body that Soul Reapers use in an emergency, when a Soul Reaper is weakened they inhabit a gigai until their powers return."
"That's why my classmates can see you."
"Precisely, that's why, until my powers return, you will have to do the work of a Soul Reaper."
"What?" Ichigo said dumbstruck.
"It's only natural. You have the powers of a Soul Reaper. You do not have the right to refuse."
"I refuse!" Ichigo said quickly putting his arms in an X shape.
"What?"
"I don't ever want to fight such monsters again."
But you did fine yesterday, plus you had back up!"
"You mean Musashi, maybe I can give her the Soul Reaper powers and she can take the responsibility."
"Absolutely not!" Rukia denied quickly.
"For one the Soul Society still has a warrant for her capture. And who knows how long till someone comes down to check on what's taking me so long, she already radiates a lot of spiritual pressure and adding more will make her an even more top priority target!"
"Wait you're still gonna go after her?" Ichigo asked.
"I won't and while I don't trust her completely she doesn't seem to mean harm to anything unless provoked and she seems just as clueless about the anomaly as any of our top researchers are."
"Ok but back to the topic at hand I only fought cause my family was in danger, I'm not gonna fight for complete strangers. Sorry to disappoint you." Ichigo said as he walked off.
"I see. So it can't be helped." Rukia said as she dawned a red glove with a flaming skull face.
"Hey!"
Turning around, Ichigo saw Rukia rush him and braced for a strike only for his soul form to pushed out of his body.
"Ahhh!! That's my body! What did you do to me?"
"Follow me."
The duo reached a playground.
"Hey, where are we going?"
"It's around here." Rukia said as she took out a flip phone.
"What is?"
"An order, from the Soul Society. A Whole spirit who lives in this park will probably be attacked."
They heard a scream nearby as the park began to rupture with various sets getting blasted apart. A spirit boy was running out of the smoke followed by a spider like Hollow.
"Help!"
Ichigo jumped in responding to the distress.
"Wait!" Rukia said.
"Why!?"
"Why are you going to help him, isn't he a stranger?"
Ichigo was caught between a rock and a hard place of his own hypocrisy and replied.
"So what! I can't just sit back and watch as someone is attacked before my eyes!"
"Don't be so naive!" Rukia yelled catching Ichigo off guard.
"A Soul Reaper must treat all spirits equally. Just because it's close by, just because it is convenient, doesn't mean it works like that."
"Ichigo was about to move when he heard the boy's cry.
"Don't help him, if you help him you make up your mind and save all spirits. And even be willing to sacrifice your life!"
No more was said as Ichigo was stuck in hesitation letting Rukia's words digest in the pit of his stomach, then, out of nowhere a figure leapt in and charges the Hollow before they send an uppercut slash to the mask causing the Hollow to screech before it dissolved into spirit particles.
"Honestly Ichi, are you just gonna stand there like a little fucking coward or are you gonna commit when the opportunity is there."
"Musashi!"
"What happened to the badass that wasn't afraid to willingly run a sword into his chest just to see if he can gain a power boost huh?"
"What are you doing here?" Rukia asks.
"I was going about my business getting ready when I came across the Hollow before it attacked the spirit. Next time Ichi, don't hesitate just do."
"….Right." Ichigo affirmed after a short pause.
"So does that mean you will commit to this Ichigo?" Rukia asked again.
"No! Who cares about commitment, if I did jump in I would do so cause I wanted to! What about you?"
"What?"
"You risked your life to save mine last night. Did you think about your duties as a Soul Reaper when you acted? When you put yourself at risk it doesn't matter."
Ichigo's words stunned Rukia.
"At the very least I will be different."
"I'm really starting to like you Ichi, but if you're gonna make such a big claim then next time don't let me steal your thunder." Musashi teased.
"Duly noted."
They all looked over to see the spirit crying in a sitting fetal position. Ichigo went over to him and upon looking up was frightened by his scowl.
"Hey kid. If you don't want another scary experience like that, hurry up and pass over."
Taking the back end of his blade he placed the hilt on the boy's forehead and performed a soul burial without issue.
"That was a fine soul burial."
"I'm leaving." Ichigo said.
"Don't leave me behind Ichi." Musashi said as she followed.
Later in the night at the Inue residence Orihime was in her room studying not knowing that she was being watched from outside her window by a spirit. For one reason or another Orihime had decided to close her curtains and said spirit became crestfallen, it did not last as he soon sensed a sinister presence nearby before looking over to see two Hollows near him.
They extended their arms like tendrils and grasped the lone spirit.
"Stop!"
His please were unanswered as the Hollows disappeared with the screaming spirit.
The two Hollows and their captive ended up in some desolate place, the spirit looked around in panic.
"Where am I! W-What do you intend to do to me!"
He then was overshadowed by a massive presence and looked behind to see a massive creature behind him.
"Wandering spirit. Devour this man's soul."
The spirit then began to run going past the two smaller Hollows.
"Now!"
Said Hollows went after the runaway spirit. Not a moment later he was caught and mobbed until they release him, and in a flash of light he began to change, tendrils form, and his face expelled a white substance and formed a bone mask, the signature trait of a Hollow.
"Hear me God! Why was I born? Please summon me back to your side. Now!"
"Will you shut up!" Yelled Ichigo as he got up in her face.
"I am studying contemporary language!"
"That doesn't sound contemporary at all! Besides, how long do you plan to keep following me!?"
"Until you agree to the Soul Reaper's job."
"Hah! Whatever."
"Honestly I think you should just let Ichi have it his way. From what I've seen of him he is as stubborn as mule." Musashi as she walked beside Ichigo.
"I cannot, as the bearer of the power of a Soul Reaper he must undertake all the responsibilities that it comes with."
Further conversation was rendered mute at that point but the screech of a car caught the group's attention as they looked over to find that a girl had been run over, they quickly went over to check on her.
"Hey! Orihime, are you ok!?" Ichigo asked in concern as she sat up.
"Oh…Ichigo. Yeah, maybe."
"Maybe? And you're ok?"
"Mhm, it's just a bump, see, I'm fine, I'm fine."
"This girl seems like a total klutz, I like her." Musashi said.
"Huh? Oh um who might you be?"
"You can just call me Musashi, I'm palling around with this lug right here." Musashi said as she patted Ichigo on the back.
"Don't push it. Anyway where's the car?"
"Huh? It drove that way."
"Look you!"
"!…I'm sorry." Orihime said crestfallen.
Ichigo immediately felt bad about just up and yelling at her.
"Well, as long as you're ok."
Orihime then looked at Rukia.
"Rukia."
"Who the hell are you?" Rukia asked bluntly.
"Idiot! She is in our class, that is Orihime, Orihime Inue!" Ichigo whispered trying to avoid sudden suspicion.
"Oh hello Orihime, have you been shopping?" Rukia said in a formal skirt bow.
"Oh yeah! Dinner! My leaks…butter, bananas and bean jam, they're fine to.!"
"I'm…not gonna ask what she'll make with that." Musashi mumbled. She then looked down and caught a big bruise on Orihime's leg. Seemed Rukia spotted it to.
"Where did you get that bruise?" Rukia asked.
"Huh? Did I just get it? Maybe it was from the car that hit me."
"That looks bad. It probably really hurts." Ichigo said.
Rukia was staring intently at the bruise, and Musashi walked up next to her to speak in a hushed tone.
"That bruise looks too much like hand print."
"Yeah."
"Oh. Are you ok Rukia?" Orihime asked upon seeing her knelt down inspecting the bruise.
"Huh? It's nothing. Just take care!"
"Thank you!"
"Want me to walk with you?" Ichigo offered.
"Oh no…I'm fine really. See ya!"
And with that Orihime was on her way.
"Cripes! She better be careful."
Rukia continued to think hard about the bruise on Orihime's leg.
Evening rolled around and the party of three was on their way down the street. Rukia fell behind a bit as she continued to think.
"That girl…"
"Huh? You mean Orihime?" Ichigo responded.
"Are you two good friends?"
Musashi looked at Ichigo upon hearing that question.
"No, I don't talk to her much. She's close to one of my friends living in the neighborhood. But…"
"Something wrong?" Musashi asked.
"Three years ago…her brother died at our hospital…."
"What?" Rukia said.
"He was her only family, it was a car accident. I didn't know she was the girl that was crying that day."
"That's…really sad." Musashi commented.
"I just found out now."
"How was your spirit energy at the time?"
"Not as strong as it is now. It's only been recently that I've been able to see ghosts and talk to them."
'Just as I thought.' Rukia said in her head.
"What is it anyway?"
"Nothing." Rukia said as she kept walking forward.
"You've been pretty silent for a bit Musashi, everything ok?"
"Yeah, just been in thought."
"I've been meaning to ask, are you anything like a Soul Reaper? You can fight superhumanly and your able to switch outfits without changing."
"No, I'm not anything like a Soul Reaper, my situation is a bit different and a complicated. I don't know if I can get it out to you without sounding crazy."
"Well after everything I have dealt with lately I can understand if you want to talk about it later."
"I wonder where Rukia will be holding up at since she can't go back to the Soul Society yet."
"Yeah I'm wondering that too." Ichigo replied.
Later that night Orihime was visited by Tatsuki.
"Oh! Tatsuki!"
"My mom wanted me to give this to you." Tatsuki said as she held out a wrapped bowl.
"It's stewed beef and potatoes."
"Ooo!"
They set up at the table where they were preparing to eat.
"Stewed beef and Potatoes. This is so good."
"You eat such weird stuff when you're alone."
"You think so?"
"Absolutely…I mean what is this stuff?"
Back at the Kurosaki residence Ichigo was sitting in his room reading a manga when Yuzu asked him something.
"Big brother have you seen my pajamas?"
"Hey! At least knock first before you open the door."
"But you've gotten so mean now since you're in high school." Yuzu pouted.
"Have not. And I don't know where you're pajamas are either." Ichigo said flatly.
"That's weird, my dress is also missing."
"Why do you have to ask me about everything."
"Yuzu, I have your clothes right here so don't worry!" Called Musashi.
"Thank you so much Musashi! Ichigo here wasn't even being the least bit helpful."
"Hey!"
"Aw don't worry about your shrewd brother, big sister Musashi has you covered!" Musashi said as she came up to Yuzu, and playfully ruffled her hair making her giggle.
"Mind if I come in Ichi?"
"*Sigh*…Sure."
"What's wrong, worried I'm gonna steel your sisters from you?"
"Karin and Yuzu definitely seem to like you. But I'm not to worried about being replaced."
"Not if you keep being a shrewd." Musashi teased.
Ichigo flipped Musashi off for that snipe as the samurai laughed. Meanwhile Karin and Yuzu were watching from a slight crack in the door.
"You think Ichigo has a crush on Musashi, Karin?"
"He definitely seems more laid back around her then anyone else. Now you got me wondering. It could be her personality, she is carefree and a go getter and our brother is always grumpy and scowling. Opposites attract I guess."
Meanwhile Rukia was hold up in where she was staying laying down on her tatami mat, she was still thinking about the bruise on Orihime.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ring of her phone.
"An order?"
Back with Ichigo something immediately alerted him and Musashi watched as he looked around.
"Something the matter?"
"Don't you hear the strange ringing?"
"Hold on." Musashi said as she went to his closet.
"Hey what are you…"
"Found you!" Musashi said as she threw pen the door to reveal Rukia who was startled.
"Knew you were there."
"What the fuck!"
"Ichigo! Perfect!"
"What are you doing in my closet!? Aren't those a pair of Yuzu's pajamas!?"
"Story later! We have an order!"
"Order?"
"Alright action!"
"It's coming." Rukia said as she dawned a certain glove.
"Wait, wait a minute!"
It was to late as his soul form was pushed out. And just in the nick of time as a big red hand almost made grab at him. Soon the rest of the Hollow was following through the rift. It was quick to react as it quickly batted a charging Musashi away.
"Don't just stand there, it's coming!"
The Hollow completely crushed Ichigo's bed as it fully exited the rift and faced them.
"Aim for the head!"
Ichigo jumped up and slashed his sword through the ceiling as he attempted to strike but missed and got batted by the tail end instead.
Musashi who had gotten back up attempted to strike while it wasn't looking but at as stopped by the arms of the Hollow.
"Damn this one is fighter!"
Ichigo once more went for the head and managed to strike but it wasn't cutting.
"Not deep enough!"
Ichigo was in for a surprise when the Hollow grabbed his sword causing Ichigo to struggle to get it loose. Part of the Hollow mask cracked to reveal to his surprise the part of a somewhat familiar face.
"There's a person in there!" Musashi said.
"What-!"
The Hollow screamed before disappearing up in a rift.
"It escaped. We have to go after it!" Rukia said.
Ichigo didn't respond and stayed still.
"What is it?!"
"Tell me…that thing's face, that was Orihime's brother."
"What!?"
"Sheesh, is this supposed to be a twist or something, cause this is messed up." Musashi commented.
Meanwhile the spirit turned Hollow was back in the desolate realm he was dragged to writhing in some kind of pain before the mask repaired itself. Back in the world of the living Ichigo seemed to be having some sort of inner conflict. Musashi didn't bother trying to talk to him considering it was a sensitive topic.
"I'll tell you one thing." Rukia said.
"Attacking a Hollow from behind and splitting its head. That is the essence of exterminating a Hollow. Do no forget."
"What do you mean?"
"This is to minimize your own injuries. And also so that you never see the identity of the Hollow."
"What do you mean, the identity of the Hollow?" Musashi asked.
"You both saw just now, the Hollows were once the souls of ordinary humans."
"What!?" Ichigo gasped.
"You never told me that!"
"Wasn't that just some monster!? Some monster we needed to kill!?"
"Yes, he is now just a monster. And he must be destroyed."
"But…he was once human…?
"Grudges, regrets, souls who still hold onto such emotions are harder to perform soul burials on, and linger on alone. Then they either become Hollows themselves, or are devoured by other Hollows and become new Hollows."
"That's…!"
"Ichigo."
Snapping out of his thoughts he looks over at Musashi.
"I know what you might be feeling, but think, it would be a mercy to just put him out of his misery for good, rather than just let remain a monster that could potentially harm others."
"What!? You mean Ichigo!?" Shouted Tatsuki
"Yes, but they were just waking together, what's the matter?" Orihime asked.
"Why that Ichigo, I didn't know he was a womanizer, to girls just with him? I mean he didn't even walk you home when you were hurt!"
"No he offered to walk me home. But…"
Orihime sported a blushing dreamy expression till…
"Aghh!! Watch out! I'm going to win! I mean Champ!"
"What are you imagining?" Tatsuki asked.
"Watch out! It's a gun!"
A massive crash interrupted anymore rambling as Orihime and Tatsuki were alerted.
"What was that?"
More loud noises echoed from outside the apartment door. Then came the cry of a Hollow.
AN: so we've reached the bottom of the chapter, let me know what you think and how do you like the overall interaction between Ichigo and Musashi? Welp see ya in the next installment!
Next Chapter: A Hollow Reunion
Bye!!