There were indeed many questions to be asked to Grand Fisher during this week's showing, as not only did Rukia wish to investigate the mysteries of hollow existence for the sake of her sacred duty as a shinigami, but also Ichigo had recognized Fisher's human form as the boy who had been present when his mother had died.
It seemed that all three of them were hiding some of their thoughts when they solemnly entered the broadcasting station. There was a dark, unsettling atmosphere, and ratings would fall, but their concerns were obviously elsewhere.
The greatest challenge of today's radio show would be to hide the identities of both Fisher and Rukia. Because part of the agreement was for Fisher to reveal his secrets to Soul Society, the worlds of living and dead were connected via radio, and it was decided not to use Rukia's name, as for some still unexplained reason to Ichigo she had something to hide from her superiors.
"Welcome back to Bleach B Station!" Rukia began, breaking the first commercial break. "This is your host, and of course, my assistant, Ichigo!"
"I was demoted," he mumbled.
"Today we have a very special guest. His name is Fisher. You may have seen him wandering halls today. That is because he is a grade 9 student from a faraway middle school. He will graduate soon and is thinking of coming to this high school, so he's been checking out the grounds."
"That's right," Fisher said, in a surprisingly human voice.
"So, why did you decide to come to this school?" It was useless drivel, information that nobody cared to hear, but it was part of the act to verify to the listeners Fisher's false identity.
"Well, I am a huge fan of this radio station. Also, I actually used to live in this area." He was probably lying, to go along with the act. "When I was young, I enjoyed playing near the river. Fishing was one of my hobbies. You may not remember, but we were acquaintances when we were children."
"It is the second time we've met."
"No, this is the third. You just don't remember the first time. How saddening."
"How interesting. So how is the school so far? Do you like what you've seen."
"Ah, yes. The town hasn't changed at all. The school is everything I expected it to be. So many busy people, associating with one another with inconsequential gossip, so elated, so carefree, taking life for granted. They are perfect targets."
"Targets?" Rukia repeated the word, but with less certainty.
"Oh, to make friends, of course." He licked his lips, his eyes were glittering, as the instinct of a hunter began to defy his human disguise.
Sensing something was wrong, Ichigo decided to move the program along swiftly, by moving on to more important things: "I think I may have seen you when I used to live here. You said you used to play by the river, right?"
"That's right. I simply love fishing. I've caught many beauties over the years. I like the energetic ones, ones with lots of spirit."
"Don't you find it cruel, tricking fish with lures and taking their lives?"
"We have to eat, don't we? We can't leave our stomachs hollow."
"Then, you would eat any fish. Even one that might be pure and innocent, like a mother defending her child." Ichigo was hoping to press the matter. He, like Rukia, was also interested in the mechanics of a hollow mind, as he might then discover the reason for his mother's death, the reason for his sadness, and the reason for his wrath.
"To me, all fish are the same. I make no discrepancy between them, other than how delicious they will be. Even if I felt pity, there would be no choice but to abandon it, lest I starve and hunger for the rest of eternity."
Ichigo's temper seemed to be rising, and sensing something wrong, Rukia interrupted him. "Tell me more about fishing," she said to Grand Fisher, motioning him to continue his current discussion, as the true meaning of his words were not about catching fish, but consuming spiritual energy.
"The key to fishing of course, is a good lure. Most people use food as bait, but I find that the most effective item once can use in deceiving is a friend. By disguising my bait as a fellow fish in deed, other fish will rush to aid him, and fall into my trap." This explained the reason why Grand Fisher uses a human puppet, and why Ichigo was tricked into saving an already dead human shape from a flowing river.
"What I really want to know, is why fishing brings you so much joy."
"It brings me peace, equilibrium. There is something I lack that can be found only in my prey; therefore I eat. I cannot properly live without their energy. I eat and eat and eat, in the hopes that the spirits I consume will someday fill the emptiness I feel, but is a long, almost quite hopeless project. Patience of course, is imperative for any successful hunter. I hope this information is useful to you. Perhaps you might consider taking up fishing yourself."
"I don't think I will."
"That's too bad. I find it strange, you, a similar creature, does not find the need to do so as I do. Have you found what I lack?" He was talking about shinigami and hollows, but at the same time it is a mystery why some humans kill and some humans save lives.
"That was today's fishing lesson. When we return from this commercial break, we will begin the corner: monthly trivia. As promised, the first person to correctly name my zanpakuto will become the guest for next week's show. Everyone, try your best!"
"What an amusing game it is, Rukia," Grand Fisher laughed. He no longer had to hide Rukia's name, as it was the final commercial break before the final segment and the end of the recording. "You don't really think anyone will know the name, do you? I, however, have seen it, personally. It's a shame I'm not valid to enter, as I would love to return to this school again, but I feel most sorry for the others who will have their hopes eradicated, when they don't win their prize of being next to the beloved Kuchiki Rukia. I heard you're very popular with the students here. How happy I am for you."
"He's right. What do we do when nobody is able to answer correctly?" Ichigo asked.
"Then next well be us alone," Rukia replied with a hidden smile. "Is that... unfair?"
"No, I guess it's all right."
"Then I will look forward to next week."
"We're back," Grand Fisher announced, with a grin. "We will now begin our monthly trivia. As this week's guest, I think it is only fair that I go first." He fished through a large overflowing bundle of letters, and seemed for a stalled time to meander through the pile until he finally found the one he was looking for. "Let's see. This fan has answered: Shiwatorimaru. Well, Rukia, that's right, isn't it?"
Ichigo was about to question the use of her name, but Rukia silenced him. She was frozen, then shaking. Her eyes were wide, and with a quavering, shattered voice, she managed, "Yes... that is correct. There's no point in hiding... if it is him... he would already know. Only one person could have answered. The name... is it... it is..."
"Abarai Renji."