Two weeks passed. Two weeks of work, training, and T.V. The fact that he has made a routine for himself felt strange to Arata who never stayed in one place long enough for it to be considered a home.

In those two weeks, Arata trained in sword-play, shunpo, and kido from Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Tessai. Kisuke pressed him more each day whenever the two went head to head and it made Arata strengthen his weapon skills. He preformed his first act of shunpo in that time and while it will take more time to perfect his proficiency of the skill, he was still good, as noted by Yoruichi. Kido was tricky and still is tricky to grapple for Arata but he will not be deterred. He did however learned how to use one kido spell well which was Hado #31: Shakkaho.

He stilled needed more training though. He can still improve and become better.

Another thing that happened in those two weeks was Orihime's behavior. She overall acted the same, cheerful and happy, but when ever the two were in the same vicinity of each other, she kept keeping an eye on him. She also took to coming with him to his training sessions, watching him.

He supposed it had to do with the deaths of the gang members that incited this change. He didn't understand it though. He killed criminals, scum of the earth. Why is she reacting like he was scum that needed a babysitter?

Other than Orihime, no one else knows of his killings. It would seem that the authorities haven't caught up to him and that Orihime's friends were not told.

All but one friend however.

Ichigo was keeping an eye on him as well for some reason. He suspected Orihime may have told him but when he asked, she denied it, and she even said some other crazy stuff.

*Flashback*

"Woman," Arata addressed "did you tell anyone I killed those gang members?" he asked.

Orihime looks up from her homework, startled slightly. "N-No Arata. I didn't tell anyone"

He suspected she may have been terrified of the consequences on snitching on him but like before, Arata did not care whatsoever if people liked or disliked his actions. He was apathetic of them.

"Woman, I don't care if you tell people of my actions. I just want to know if you did or not" he clarified.

"I'm serious Arata. I didn't tell anyone about what you did"

Arata now became confused. "Why?". From what he researched of this world, vigilante justice isn't as accepted here than it is in Heathmoor.

Orihime looks up at him innocently. "Because I don't want you to get in trouble"

Before he could talk again, she continues. "I know you aren't a bad person Arata and I know that you didn't kill randomly but... don't kill other people please"

Her whole statement was so absurd, the executioner was tempted to laugh. Him, not a bad person? Whatever. She can think of him in what ever light but not killing? She may have been right on the mark about not killing randomly but the other stuff was ridiculous.

He scoffs, "Please. You have no control over me or my actions"

"And I never once thought I did. I'm just asking you control yourself. I don't want you to taint your soul anymore than you did"

Now he was more confused. She was sitting there before him, asking him not to kill because she cared about him. This woman was as simple as she was complex.

He waves him hand in dismissal before heading to Kisuke's place to train.

*Flashback end*

Arata was mulling over that moment as he walked aimlessly through Karakura. He was currently walking down a street, not taking note of his environment. The sun was going down, casting an orange shade over the sky.

She cared for him Arata concluded. It made sense; he was in her care for a few weeks now. It only made sense to care about him and his actions to some extent.

That fact, however, did not change the fact she cared about him and worried about his well-being. Arata could remember being cared for by others but they were long ago but now that he was experiencing it again now...

He didn't know how to react.

For now, he could hold down on dropping bodies. That still didn't mean he would stop killing. He will still be an executioner but maybe he can do other stuff with his fallen opponents he thought sadistically.

Too immersed in his thought, he neglected to see the mound of groceries bags coming at him and by proxy, collided with it, knocking them to the ground while he still stood tall. He is taken out of his head and looks down to see grocery bags next to a little girl.

She looked about 11 or so, with short, light blonde hair and a red hair clip on the left side of her hair. Her eyes were dark brown and her clothes took the form of a green-hooded sweatshirt and blue skirt with red sneakers. Her appearance made Arata pause, feeling as though she was related to someone he knows.

He immediately senses her energy. After some time training with the three at Kisuke's shop, he learned how to sense reiatsu or spiritual pressure. This girl had more than that of a regular human but not so much to even see spirits.

The girl looks up only to yelp in scared surprise. From her angle, the masked man looked intimidating for a lack of a better word. She felt as though his stare was trying to steal her soul!

In reality, Arata wasn't even trying to be scary. "What is your name?" he asks, curious about why she felt familiar to him.

His deathly voice shakes her to her core and so she answers him. "Y-Yuzu Kurosaki"

Kurosaki... so she must be Ichigo's sister Arata concluded. "So you're Ichigo's sister?"

"Yeah," she answers. "but if you want me to tell you where he is y-you can forget it!" she then stammers. "Even though I don't know where he is though" she mutters the last part.

She assumes that he is after her older brother to hurt him. Wrong, but considering his appearance, he had it coming. "No. Your brother is actually one of the students I guard"

"What?" she said before her eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh! You're Arata Takahashi right? The new security guard at my brother school?"

"Yeah"

"Well in that case, it nice to meet you! Sorry if I was a bit sheepish... you're just so..." she trailed off.

"Scary?" he finishes for her.

"Well I wouldn't say scary. Maybe surprising is more like it. Anyway, Ichigo said you're okay in his book so that means you're okay in my book too!" she said cheerfully. He then takes notice of her large number of bags. Yuzu follows his gazes and gasps before scrambling to collect them. His stomach growls at the thought of food. Sometimes he would be so into what he was doing, he would neglect to eat.

Yuzu takes note of this and asks, "Do you wanna eat Mr. Takahashi? I wouldn't mind guest and I don't think my family would mind either"

"You're inviting a stranger to dinner?" he asks.

"Well, you are hungry aren't you? Plus, like I said, Ichigo says you're good, so it's no problem" she explains.

"I-" but before he could come up with a retort, his stomach growls again, more loudly this time. He sighs and shrugs his shoulder, finally seeing no problem in having dinner with the Kurosakis.

He takes most of the bags from the girl and before she could say she could handle it, he shushes her with, "You're too weak to hold all these bags". Albeit rude, it works and Yuzu relents with a cute pout, muttering that she isn't weak and that she was just 'physically challenged'. He ignores her and he follows her to back to her house.

They walk for a some time until a clinic enters his view. The sign read "Kurosaki Clinic" and immediately he knows they have arrived. Coincidentally, Ichigo comes by in the opposite direction. He increases his footsteps as soon as he sees Arata with his little sister.

"Arata? What are doing here? And why is Yuzu with you?" the teen interrogated.

"She fell and I helped her. Plus she offered food" he answers him simply.

"More like we bumped into each other. Anyway, I offered Mr. Takahashi dinner. His stomach was rumbling like a earthquake, I swear" Ichigo's sister comments.

"That was... nice of you Arata. I'm pretty famish too so lets head inside already" the orange haired boy said. As he did, he eyed the executioner, keeping an eye out on him just like Orihime.

Ichigo unlocks and opens the door. The three head on inside only for a loud yell to erupt in to overall silence. A middle aged man with short black hair and a shaved beard threw a kick aimed at his son.

"You're late again young man! Where the hell were you-" but his foot was caught in a strong grip, pausing him high in the air. He looks to see Arata holding his foot before Arata throws him out the window and into a nearby bush. He looks to see Ichigo and Yuzu's expressions to see a mix of surprise and annoyance.

"Considering your expressions, this happens often?" he asks.

"Yep" the two sibling said in unison.

"That's your father isn't it?" he asks again.

"Yep"

The Kurosaki patriarch stumbles back into the house only to stand straight up when he sees the mysterious masked man in his house. "Who the hell are you?"

"Arata Takahashi" he said simply. If Ichigo told Yuzu of him, most likely his father was informed as well.

He was correct and the father takes his hand to shake it. "Oh, you're the new security guard eh? It nice to meet you then. The name Isshin Kurosaki. I run this humble little clinic so if you're ever in the neighborhood and need a consultation, this is the place". Isshin offers his hand to Arata, to which Arata takes and shakes.

"Dully noted. When's dinner going to start?"

"I'm... going to assume you were invited correct?" Arata nods. "Well, dinner is gonna get started soon so just wait a little bit alright. You're in for a treat though. Yuzu's cooking is to die for"

"Yuzu is cooking?" Arata said slightly confused. "What about Mrs. Kurosaki? Will she not help out?" he asks, not knowing he opened up a can of worms with that question.

The two Kurosaki boys understood that he didn't know so they didn't fault him. Ichigo answers him, "She's not here. She died" he said solemnly.

Just like you. You two are pretty alike huh?

'Wrong. We can't be anymore different than we are now' Arata immediate thought back to the voice.

The news of his mother's death does little too Arata. He learned to move on and not let his own mother's death affect him but it only increased after he met his mentor. He learned from her that living in the past was for the weak and would only harm him. With that in mind, he moved on so much the memory of death did not affect him.

Every single detail of her unfortunate end does not affect him. No wonder people call him emotionless.

Yet he nods in understanding at the two and takes a seat in the living room and watches the television. After some time, a girl about the same age as Yuzu walks down the stairs but while Yuzu had blonde hair and a light, cheerful expression, this girl had black hair and neutral expression.

The two meet eyes and they stare at each other for a long time before Arata and the girl spoke at the same time, breaking the silence. "Who are you?"

The girl visibly twitches from the synchronization of their voices. "Don't do that" they said in unison again.

"Are you mocking me" said the slightly aggravated girl.

"No. Now who are you?" Arata replies.

"I should ask you that considering you're in my home"

"Are you another one of Ichigo's sisters?"

"Yeah, I am. The name's Karin. You?"

"Arata Takahashi" he said simply.

"The new security guard? What are you doing here then?" Karin asks him but was answered by his grumbling stomach. "Did Yuzu or Ichigo invite you?"

"Yuzu"

"Alright" she said shrugging. "Scoot over. I wanna watch T.V too". She then saw the movie he was watching; a horror movie about a dream demon. "I seen this one before. The first one is better"

"So you say..." Arata said absentmindedly. The two watch the entire movie and half of another before Yuzu called out that dinner was ready. He looks to see that she prepared some curry and flashes of Orihime's cooking flashes in his mind. He pushes them back and takes a seat. He takes his first bite of the curry and then...

He collapses to the floor. Alarmed, Ichigo and the rest of his family surround him and before anyone could check up on him, Arata stops them and says, "Apologies. I have not eaten at all today so I was just shocked by the taste. It's... pretty good"

Yuzu's eyes brighten and she smiles brightly, pleased to know her food made another content. She giggles and then says, "Lets continue eating everyone"

Dinner goes by smoothly and the family and guest eat soundly. The Kurosaki father and sisters asked Arata about himself to which he gave simple, honest replies. The mood was overall nice save for one moment.

"So Arata, have you spoke with your family recently?" Asked Yuzu innocently.

"No. My mother died when I was 5 and I ran away from my father shortly afterwards. I have no siblings to contact either. Don't know how my father is doing honestly. Probably dead considering he turned into a drunk after her death" he said before he took another bite.

The mood turned solemn and grim and everyone stared at the man in shock. He said it so smoothly, without pause. Arata notices this and asks, "What's wrong?"

"I-I'm sorry Arata, I didn't-"

"You didn't know, I know that. It's fine. It's in the past and I'm over it already. No use crying over spilled blood" he said before taking another bite.

Ichigo's hand grips in disgust and anger. How can he speak so casually about his mom's passing and being a runaway like he was talking about his job? This was his own mother! Is he really so cold to not even be somewhat bothered by her death?

As much as he wanted to voice himself, to yell at Arata about his coldness, he held his tongue, not wanting Yuzu and Karin see him like that. His face though showed his discontent at the man but for only a few moments but those moments were enough for Arata as he saw it.

But other than that, dinner went well. After everyone finished, Arata helped Yuzu wash the plates and kitchen. He bids the Kurosakis a farewell before leaving out the front door.

"He's pretty nice Ichigo. We should invite him here again" Yuzu suggested.

"Yeah... maybe" he drifted off.

"Gotta say though, he's pretty cold" Karin said bluntly. "I mean, he spoke about his mom's death like it was nothing"

"Yeah but Karin, what if he's actually hurting and is just hiding it?" Yuzu suggested to her twin.

"I don't know Yuzu. His voice was too convincing for it to be just a mask" Ichigo said seriously. "I'm gonna go bed. Night" and he went to his room. Upon entering, he sees his combat pass at his desk and decides to do some paroling to clear his head.

Meanwhile...

Arata walked the desolate streets of Karakura. The mooned shined high above him and illuminated everything beneath it.

He recalled the dinner and how Ichigo subtly eyed him throughout, like he was on guard should Arata try something around his sisters. He must know about the gangsters Arata thought. It was the only logical conclusion that would incite this change in behavior.

But it didn't matter to him. As long as he didn't get in his way, everything would be fine. At least, that was the plan.

Before he could take a turn to Orihime's apartment, he hears the rhythmic sound of fist connecting with flesh and female whimpering mixed with pained moaning.

The familiarity pulls him closer to the source, the sounds in turn becoming louder. He rounds a corner to see a young woman of foreign appearance; blonde hair and white skin. Most likely, European by the look of her. She was pinned to a wall with her pants down as tall man, just an inch taller than him, with a demented look on his face forced himself into the woman over and over again.

"Yeah... yeah" he panted after each thrust. The woman begged him to stop, her voice fearful and small. Sick of her constant begging, he slams her head into the wall she was pinned to until he heard crack. He still violated her unconscious body, unaware of the set of eyes on him.

Arata looks at the scene and sighs quietly. It seems that no matter where he went, he would always encounter human cruelty.

It's just like that time...

Arata does not react, already knowing what the voice was about to say.

... when your mother died.

He doesn't react. As stated before, he had come to terms with the rape and murder of his mother. After his training with his mentor, he evolved beyond, and learned how to steel his heart and to no longer reacts to anything. Besides, her killer and rapist was killed then killed by Arata himself soon after the crimes took place, so retribution was paid. Lastly, he was an executioner; what executioner shows bias towards any of his victims?

He takes silent steps towards the man and it was only when he was in arms length did the man take notice of him. "The fuck-?!" he said but reacted too slow. He grabs and pulls him off the woman, who then slumped to the ground after being let go.

Seeing how late it was, Arata decides to make this interaction quick and slams the man's head repeatedly into the wall, just like how he did with the woman. He was sure that he was already dead by the seventh hit but the sounds were so satisfying to the executioner, he neglected to stop at the right time.

He was stopped however but not of his own volition. A strong hand pays him off the limp corpse. He looks to see Ichigo in his soul reaper form, his face expressing his horror and disgust. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Taking out trash" Arata said simply.

"He's not even moving anymore! You took things way too far!"

"Oh? Do you not know what this man was doing?"

"I know. I saw her" Ichigo replied indicating that he knew that this man was raping the innocent girl beside them. "Why didn't you just stop him and be done with it"

"He deserves to die"

Ichigo frowns. "The man deserves to rot for his crimes but he should be taken into custody! You have no right or authority to do this!"

"I don't care. I do what I want which means I kill whoever I want" Arata said with intimidation laced in his voice.

"Was it the same with those gang members? Did you beat them up only to kill them because you just felt like it?"

So he did know, Arata thought. "I thought Orihime didn't tell anyone"

"No. I figured it out on my own. And I figured Orihime knew something about this. She's been acting odd whenever you're with her"

"How did you figured it out?" Arata questioned.

Ichigo then went on talking about how he figured about those kills. He had been patrolling a day after Arata killed those men around the same area. He saw a mix of angry, depressed, and fearful spirits of gang members. They were shouting out about Arata and a "green haired bitch" and their emotions were so strong, it accelerated their transformation into hollows. It turned into a frustrating day rather quickly soon after as they then swarmed Ichigo but luckily, he left mostly unscathed but a new view of Arata came into light.

"I see... why do you care though?"

His face turned into one of disbelief until his scowl returned. "I care because you're ending lives!"

"I end the lives of criminals. Nothing more. Nothing less". He then transformed into his soul reaper form and shook Ichigo off before walking away from him, seeing that his job is done. Ichigo quickly picked up the girl before flash stepping to a nearby hospital. He returned a few seconds later behind Arata's walking form.

"I don't get you" Ichigo said aloud. Arata stops, the statement slightly piquing his interest. "You present yourself as a mysterious loner who wants to get stronger. I didn't mind that but the fact that you almost died defending that little boy stuck in my mind and made me believe you can be trusted, even if you were quiet about where you came from. But then you killed those gang members out of bloodlust. I lost all that trust but I saw how Orihime looked at you. She wasn't so scared of you. She was mostly concerned. And so, I kept an eye on you. And then you do this; saving a girl from being raped by killing her attacker. Why?"

"'Why' what?"

"Why did you save them? If you are so interested in fighting and killing, why even bother with protecting them?" he asked seriously.

Arata stayed quiet for some time leaving Ichigo feeling that his question will be unanswered. Frustrated, he was going to ask again until he hears Arata sigh out loud.

"My father" he then said.

Ichigo widens his eyes and opens his ears as he felt an explanation coming his way. "He was a protector of sorts. Always believed in helping people regardless of self. An admirable trait but a reckless one" he commented. "And so, he instilled in me from a young age. He said, 'If you have the power to help, then use it'. You remind me of him actually"

"So you protect others because of him?"

"In a way. But there is another thing. I am a man of my word Ichigo. I promised my father that if I have the ability to protect someone, then I will. Simple" Arata said. However, the memory of the little boy crossed his mind. When he looked at him, he saw fear in his eyes. It was like the same fear he felt when his mother was taken away from him and, shamefully for him, he reacted to it.

He wasn't perfect. It would take time for him to throw away his humanity completely.

Hearing that, Ichigo frowns slightly but accepts in nonetheless. "I understand Arata. But you better stop-".

A senkaimon then opens behind Ichigo, causing the teen and the executioner to turn in surprise. Ichigo immediately knew who were coming.

Arata's spiritual sensing skills and heightened senses, he knew who the first of the two individuals were. It was the redhead, Renji.

The other though was new but from what he was sensing, he concluded that this person was even more powerful than Renji. The two exit the gate and the familiar sight of Renji comes into sight next to a man with long black hair. In his hair were white headpieces. His eyes were gray and stoic as he stared at Arata, the latter staring back. He wore the same shihakusho as Renji but the the added inclusions of a white scarf and a white haori.

"Renji? Byakuya? What're you guys doing here?" Ichigo asks.

Byakuya looks down the dead boy and then at Arata and recalls the report made by Renji. "We are here for him" he said.

"Renji, what is happening?" Ichigo asks again.

"Orders. We've been told to bring Arata in for questioning but..." he then grimaced as he took a side glance at the corpse. "It appears we might be here for an arrest"

"Killing of mortals is strictly prohibited" Byakuya says sternly. He then pulls out his sword and says, "Come with us peacefully and face the consequences or face my blade"

Arata eyes him, grinning on the inside as he felt a worthy opponent face him. "Sorry. I don't feel like going anywhere with you" and he unsheathes his sword.

"Arata don't! You can't beat him! He's out of your league!" Renji calls out to him.

"I'm with Renji on this one" Ichigo says. "Let's just talk-"

But their words were not heeded as he rushes the noble, using shunpo to close the distance. Byakuya blocks, slightly surprised at the speed that Arata demonstrates. They then begin to clash blades in the streets, Ichigo and Renji standing back from the heated battle.

Arata pushes back Byakuya until the latter leaps back and points his index and middle finger at Arata. "Bakudo #1: Sai"

His arms lock behind him and he drops his sword, rending Arata wide open. Luckily though, sword fighting isn't his only way of fighting.

Byakuya goes in for a vertical slash but Arata kicks a legs up and blocks the attack with his foot. He then moves it away and kicks Byakuya in the gut, pushing him back. Using all the force and will power he had, he strains against the invisible binding before breaking them. He picks up his sword and rushes Byakuya again in a blade match. They lock blades and push against each other.

"How about using your shikai? Perhaps you can win this much faster if you did"

Byakuya narrows his eyes up at Arata. "I do not need to use such a thing to defeat an opponent like you"

"Arrogant aren't you?" Arata then comments.

"No. Because I have other techniques that are just as viable. Byakurai" he then says. Arata then feels a piercing pain in his abdomen in the form of a narrow path of lighting. Arata still stands but hobbles, his arms losing much of their strength. He is pushed back and distance is created between the two. Arata grasps his stomach, pain once again inflaming from that region. He feels it again in his shoulder as Byakuya fires off another Byakurai.

"Give up. This can only lead to your-" but then Byakuya feels a slash across his chest. Blood spews but Arata does not stop there. Raising a shaky hand, he points it at his slashed chest. "Hado #31: Shakkaho" he then says and fires at red ball of energy at Byakuya. Though weak, the projectile burns him and erupts pain from his open wound.

Seeing that he had the last laugh, Arata collapses to the ground. Renji rushes to his captains side and starts to administer first aid. Though his level in kaido was low, it would be enough to patch him up until he is brought back for more treatment.

Ichgio kneels by Arata and sighs. "Damn it Arata"

"Ichigo!" yelled a new voice. Ichigo turns his head to see Orihime running to their location. She gasps as soon as she sees Arata and Byakuya in their bloodied states. "What happened?"

"This idiot's what happened!," Renji yelled. "Not only did he kill a guy and resist arrest, he then injured a captain!". He then groans out in frustration. "Orihime, can you heal them?"

She nods and heals Arata first before tending to Byakuya. The latter man rolls his shoulders and stands up. "Renji, take Arata's body. We are leaving". Renji nods and picks up Arata's unconscious body.

"Wait Byakuya. What's going to happen to Arata" Ichigo asks.

The noble narrows his eyes at the fact the boy did not address him by title but answers, "Most likely interrogation and then execution"

"What?!" both Orihime and Ichigo cry out.

Seeing their response, Byakuya elaborates. "He is a suspect in the mysterious explosion of spirit energy two weeks ago. He will be question for that. As for the execution, he killed a mortal and injured a captain. That is reason enough to warrant his death"

"Wait Byakuya. Arata killed this guy because he was raping a girl. It wasn't a random murder" argued Ichigo. Though he disapproved of Arata's act and his disregard of human life, it was still justified in that he did it because of the man's crime.

Byakuya's eyes then show disgust at the dead man's action but follows through with the laws placed above him. "Regardless, killing of any sort against souls or humans is prohibited. Renji, pick up the man and come"

"We're coming too. We can at least defend Arata right Ichigo?" Orihime says.

The substitute looks down at her and sees her concern filled eyes. He nods and the two walk behind Byakuya and Renji into the Senkaimon and into the Soul Society.