My Hands Are Empty
(Two)
My name's Mouri Ran. Born in 1986, September 28. Libra. Because my reiatsu isn't really strong, so I don't have the type of powers Inoue or Sado has, let alone be a Shinigami or Quincy. But I can depend on my karate to fight off enemies. Even though I can't fight off a ton of enemies with one attack like Ichigo or Renji. But at least I can be of little help.
To fight off enemies quickly and nimbly, I have to have quick and nimble steps. When Ichigo was working hard to retrieve his Shinigami powers, I was busy revising all the karate punches, kicks and defense movements.
I started learning karate when I was seven. Arisawa Tastuki was a good friend of mine in the Karate Society. But even though we were always in the same class and with the same coloured belt, there wasn't a single time when I was the winner. In every competition our Society had, Tastuki was always the champion, leaving second or third place for me.
The only time I had ever been victorious over her, was in a International Karate Championship that was held five years ago. But that was because she had broken her wrist a few days before the Championships. Even though I won the whole competition, I felt I hadn't done it with my full strength. It was only possible because Tatsuki had an accident and what I really wanted was to fight her fair and square. I made a promise to myself. One day, I would use my own strength to win.
Right now, I've increased to black belt and been ranked Second Dan.
It's already been years since I've seen Tatsuki. Now that I've come back to this city, I can't wait to meet up with her and have another match with her.
We finally reached Urahara Store. Looking at it, we felt as if we traveled back in time to five years ago. Except the fact that it was older and a little falling to bits, this place hadn't changed at all. I ran up to the doorstep and excitedly pressed the doorbell a few times. "Coming!" A familiar voice called out to us from the inside. Hanakari Jinta opened the door. There was a really surprised look on his face. "Ran nee-chan! Freeloader-san!" He cried in alarm. Renji ran over to him furiously and smashed his fist on his head. "Who did you call 'freeloader'." He asked threateningly. Unfortunately, Jinta wasn't scared.
"Duh, you." He answered naturally. "And you've got really weird eyebrows by the way…"
"What about you? Every strand of hair on your head is bright red!"
"Well, so are yours! And what's with the stupid looking pony-tail…"
I watched them helplessly. Renji hadn't changed a bit…
"Is Ichigo here yet?" I asked. Jinta shook his head.
"Spiky orange hair-san isn't here."
"Then…" I turned my head to where Renji was standing. "We could drop our things off at Inoue's house first and go get him." I suggested. He nodded. "Let's go then. See ya,
Jinta-kun." I shouted. We turned our backs to Urahara Store and trudged back to the open road. As we left, I heard Jinta sigh. "Freeloader-san will always be a freeloader-san…"
As we walked towards Inoue's place, we passed a small park. I stopped. Something in the snow had caught my eye. "Wait a sec." I told Renji.
I trudged slowly into the park, a pot of irises half buried in the snow. I brushed off the snow and held it in my two hands.
"I'll take it to Inoue's place." I said to myself.