Chapter 4: Cursed Parakeet
Hey everyone! What's up? It's me sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! Thankfully, I found some time to continue writing some of the fanfics that I've been posting on fanfiction, and thankfully I'm more than glad to type this chapter! Anyhow, let's move onto the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Shizuku. Credit goes to LyokoWarrior1994
This is gonna start in Setsuna's P.O.V. Who's Setsuna you may ask? You're gonna find out.
Enjoy!
It's been a long time ever since my father died protecting me, and I just met someone else who was just like me, stuck in the body of a parakeet. His name was Yuichi Shibata. Right now, I was in a cage and Yuichi was in another one. We somehow got in the same boat with the same owner the last three times, so now we were together. We were currently in some kind of abandoned construction complex.
"Cockatiels that are cursed?" asked the blonde haired guy
"Uh-huh. All the people who've owned these birds have gotten into these really terrible situations and died." Said the practically bald-haired boy
"Wow. Are you serious? That's not a good sign." Said the blonde haired boy
"Hey, Shigeo, you wanna take them?" asked the practically bald-haired boy
"So please, tell me, just how stupid do I look to you? Here's an idea, why don't you just set them free or dump them someplace?" asked Shigeo
"Aw, that would be too cruel. Hey Chad, what'd ya say? Aren't they cute?" asked the practically bald-haired guy holding up our cage
"Hey, knock it off. You know Chad's got a weakness for cute things." Said Shigeo
We then saw the monsters that did this to us. We squawked in warning, hoping that they would get away in time. However, when it did fall, the guy whom the others called 'Chad' saved us. I mean, seriously, what was this guy made out of, rocks, maybe steel? Whatever the case, he was impressive.
"C-C-Chad?" wondered the practically bald-haired guy
"Yeah. Are you alright buddy?" asked Shigeo
"Yeah. I think I'm okay." Said Chad
"You're okay, then how come you're bleeding bro?" asked Shigeo
"Thank you so much for saving us. Hello there, my name is Yuichi Shibata." Said Yuichi
"And my name's Setsuna Aono. What's your name sir?" I asked
"What? Did you hear that? T-those birds are talking like normal people." Said Shigeo
"Yeah, I heard them. They really are cursed." Said the practically bald guy
"I'd really like to know your name mister." Said Yuichi
"So would I." I said
"Sado Yasutora. I'm fifteen years old." Said Chad
"Check it out. Chad's interested in the bird." Said Shigeo
Karen's P.O.V.
The next day…
"Hey, there isn't a single trace of those cuts and bruises from last night. It's nearly healed in just one day." I said
"Don't be so surprised, I got the second best grades in my kido class, and I guess I have a bit of a talent for it. Healing your wounds was nothing, even with half of my powers missing." Said Shizuku
"You got graded? So there's a school for Soul Reapers?" I asked
"Um, I guess you could call it that. So tell me, how do I drink from this thing?" Shizuku asked while holding a juice box in his hand
"You poke a hole with the sharp end of your straw." I said
"What's a straw?" asked Shizuku
"So, it looks like you're together again." Said a female voice
"Lay off them Michiru." Said another female voice
I turned to look and it was Mahana, Michiru, and Ryo.
"Mahana, Michiru, shut up, besides does it look like we're suddenly buddy-buddy now?" I asked
"Maybe. Well, to be honest, the two of you do appear to be very close, but still, people are gonna talk about you two, and if they talk enough, everyone will think you're an item." Said Mahana
"If I really cared about what others thought, I would've dyed my hair black and gotten contacts that changed my eye colors a long time ago." I said
"Yeah, that's true." Said Ryo
"So this is the straw! It's short, but now I have to know where do I poke it." Said Shizuku
"Hello. How are you?" asked Ryo
"Oh hi, you're um, Ryo, right?" asked Shizuku
"That's right. I guess we haven't been properly introduced. My name's Ryo Kunieda. I really like…" started Ryo
"Reading books and picking up guys." I said
"What? That's not true Karen." Said Ryo
"Hey Shizuku, watch out, she may look like a good person, but she's a player." I said
"You know I go for the older guys, right?" asked Ryo
"That's exactly why I said watch out." I said
Translation, me, Karen Tsukimori, 15 years old. Ryo Kunieda, 15 years old. Shizuku, so much older.
"Come on Shizuku, don't make me drag you out." I said as I grabbed him from the collar of his uniform
"Hey, where are we going?" exclaimed Shizuku
"Shut up and follow me." I said
Just before we got to the roof, rich brat Erika appeared in front of me. Once a month she dyed her hair and changed her eye color. This month it was C.C. green, and golden yellow. Everyone knew that she loved to tease people who were different, and since I was the only girl in the school to have purple and pink hair with matching eye colors, well, you got the idea.
"So Karen, when are you going to dye that hideous hair of yours black and rid of those ringlets?" asked Erika
"One, my hair is natural, and I will never, ever, dye it. Two, I like my ringlets in my hair, got a problem TWACE? (A/N: I got this idea from LyokoWarrior1994's idea, TWACS)" I asked
"What the heck does that mean?" exclaimed Erika
"Like hell I'd tell you. Now move aside TWACE, before I get really pissed." I said
"Fine, you win this time Tsukimori." Erika said before walking away
"Come on Shizuku, before Miss Brat decides to try again." I said beginning to walk
"Um, okay." Said Shizuku as he ran to catch up with me
We then got onto the roof, where I saw Ichigo, Mizuiro, and that new girl, what was her name again, uh, Rukia?
"Yo, Ichigo." I said
"Huh? Hey, it's been a while Karen. What's up?" asked Ichigo
"Nothing much, just wanted a change of scenery." I said
"And it looks like you brought Shizuku along with you. You know, people are going to talk about you." Said Mizuiro
"This again? Look dude, if I actually cared about what others said, I would've dyed my hair black and gotten brown contacts a long time ago." I said
"That's true." Said Mizuiro
"What's this? Rukia Kuchiki the hot transfer student and Karen Tsukimori the hot musician is here with you guys? How did that happen?" asked Keigo
That last name, it's familiar. Where did I hear that name before? Kuchiki, Kuchiki… well, it rings a bell.
"Ichigo picked Rukia up, he's the one who brought her here." Said Mizuiro
"Huh? I did not!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Ichigo did? What a guy. Good job." Keigo said while crying
"Well, I guess. It's really no big deal." Said Ichigo
"*Sigh* And the idiot strike again." I muttered under my breath
Keigo then walked up to Rukia.
"Greetings, I'm Keigo Asano. Welcome lovely lady to this garden of manliness." Said Keigo
"Uh, hello." Said Rukia
"Yeah! Lunch party! Right here, right now!" exclaimed Keigo
"Some party. Noodles and juice?" asked Mizuiro
"Shut up! It's the feeling that counts! So Rukia, if you find yourself needing anything, just call on me. I'm here for you." Said Keigo
"Great! Open this!" Rukia exclaimed while holding up a juice box
"No prob, your wish is my command." Said Keigo
He then backed up, and we saw Chad! What in the world happened to him?
"Chad! What happened to you? You look like you've been nearly run over!" I exclaimed
"Whoa, you got hurt. How? What happened to you?" asked Keigo
"I had a mishap. A steel beam fell on my head." Said Sado
"A steel beam? Dude, avoid the construction sites from now on!" I exclaimed
"My hand got hurt when a motorcycle ran into me. The rider that hit me got banged up pretty bad. The force of the collision threw him off and he was knocked out, so I picked the guy up and carried him to the hospital." Said Sado
"Well no wonder you were late to school." Said Keigo
"The only thing I wonder about is what exactly is your body made of?" asked Ichigo
"Titanium? Maybe rocks?" I offered
"Nice try Karen." Said Ichigo
"It was just a thought!" I defended
He then set down a couple of birdcages.
"Hey, so where'd you get those birds?" asked Keigo
"My name's Yuichi Shibata. It's nice to meet you." Said Yuichi
"And I'm Setsuna Aono. Hello there. What's your name?" asked Setsuna
Did those birds just talk? It can't be a normal bird. Just then, I sensed two human souls inside those birds!
"That is amazing! I mean the way these birds can talk is phenomenal! My name's Keigo Asano. Keigo Asano. Can you say that?" asked Keigo
"So Chad, where did you get these birds?" I asked
"Someone… gave me them." Said Sado
"Hold it! There ya go again! Getting lazy and cutting your story short! Come on! That's a bad habit you have Chad! Now explain! Spill it!" exclaimed Keigo
"That was the whole story." Said Chad
"There you go! Just like you usually do! You never share the details!" exclaimed Keigo
"Hey, don't worry about it." Said Shizuku
"Huh?" I wondered
"You're right, there is something in those birds, but I don't think it's evil. They're probably just lonely souls, you know, one that didn't have many friends. However, we can't leave them, or they might become hollows. Tonight, we need to perform a Konso." Said Shizuku
"Great, another sleepless night." I said
"It doesn't help to complain." Said Shizuku
"Yeah, I know." I said while taking his juice box
Seeing that he almost poked a hole in the wrong place, I decided to help him out. I extended his straw, and place it over the hole that was covered by aluminum foil.
"Here." I said holding up the juice box
"Thank you." Said Shizuku as he took the juice box
"I have to tell you something. When Ichigo and I were in the eighth grade that was when we first met Chad. I saw Ichigo with my own eyes when I was able to see back in the seventh grade. The color of both my hair and Ichigo's always attracted attention, not in a good way, so as a result, Ichigo and I would end up in these fights. To be honest, the day Ichigo and I met Chad, his timing couldn't have been better. Ichigo and I were in a bit of a scuffle, and the guys who were beating us up meant business. The day I met Chad, I knew there was something about him. Thing is, he never fights back, no matter how much people let him on." I said
"He's an odd one." Said Shizuku
"I guess you could say that." I said
"This juice tastes good." said Shizuku
"Enjoy." I said
After school…
"So, you keep that, uh, violin was it?" asked Shizuku
"Yeah." I said
"So, you keep it at school, right? Why?" asked Shizuku
"I don't trust my uncle enough to leave it at home. Last time I did, he broke my father's violin. We got it fixed, but now I keep it under lock and key. My mom's violin on the other hand, I just don't want to lose the memories. When I was younger, my mom used to play Ave Maria on her violin to get me to sleep. I guess I've been wanting to play the violin ever since. I've been taking lessons for a while, and heck, I surprised my first teacher when I could play the scales on the violin when I was blind." I said
"That is surprising." Said Shizuku
"Well, we're here." I said as I stopped in front of a music shop
"What is this place?" asked Shizuku
"Minami Instruments. I come here all the time to buy the replacement strings I need for her." I said as I looked down at my violin case
"Her?" wondered Shizuku
"My violin." I said
I entered the shop, and the shopkeeper turned around and saw me and Shizuku.
"Karen. Has it been a year already?" asked the shopkeeper
"Yes, it has Mr. Minami." I said
"So, who's the young man with you? Your boyfriend?" asked Mr. Minami
I felt heat rush to my cheeks.
"Mr. Minami! No! H-he's just a friend! Shizuku, this is the owner of the shop, Kizuna Minami. Mr. Minami, this is Shizuku, he's a new transfer student in my school." I said
"Pleasure to meet you Shizuku. Any friend of Karen's is a friend of mine." Said Kizuna
"So, how did the two of you meet?" asked Shizuku
"When she was young, she wanted to take violin lessons here. The other students laughed because at the time she was blind. But when she was able to figure out which notes to play even though she couldn't see, everyone was shocked, even me. That's when I decided to do a check on Karen's family. I never imagined that she was the daughter of Kahoko and Len." Said Kizuna
"Kahoko and Len?" wondered Shizuku
"Those were my parent's names. My father was the son of a pianist and a violinist. I tried the piano for a while, but I'm not as good at it as I am with the violin. Anyhow, I need some new strings for my violin. If I waited for a few more days, I'm sure that the strings would've snapped." I said
"Let me take a look." Said Kizuna as he took my violin
He analyzed my violin's strings, seeing that he was a pro at repairing instruments.
"Well, the golden string is intact as always, but the other strings are close to breaking. You have a good ear for this violin. You really cherish this violin, don't you?" asked Kizuna
"I do. It's one of the last things I have to remember my mother. I'll buy the replacement strings." I said
I went over to the shelves that carried the replacement strings for violins. I got the ones I needed and paid for them. I then replaced the strings, now I just had to make sure that they were well tuned. Just then, Mr. Minami walked over to the piano and played the notes for the strings that I just bought. They were in tune, thankfully.
"Just to make sure that they're alright, you'll have to play a song on her. Any requests?" asked Kizuna
"Hmm… how about Pachelbel's Canon in D?" I suggested
"You know, that song was one your mother played in her school back when she was your age in a school-wide music contest. Your father won first place, but that's a story for another time. Shizuku, was it?" asked Kizuna
"Yeah." Said Shizuku
"If you haven't heard Karen's violin performance before, prepare to be surprised." Said Kizuna
He began the piano's part, for that was first in Canon in D's sheet music. Next to Beethoven's Romance in F, and Shubert's Ave Maria, Pachelbel's Canon in D was one of my favorite songs.
"You still have it Karen. I'm surprised that you quit a few years ago." Said Kizuna
"Well, that was when a bunch of wise-guys decided to stalk me because of my hair and eye colors." I said
"Kids these days. You don't have that problem now, do you?" asked Kizuna
"It's not as bad as it used to be. Though, I still get into fights that I don't start. I really hate fighting." I sighed
"Anyhow, it's getting late. I'm going to be closing the shop early today. You should get back home before that uncle of yours yells for being out late." Said Kizuna
"Thanks. It was nice seeing you again Mr. Minami." I said
"You too Karen. Take care." Said Kizuna
Shizuku and I then walked out of the store, and headed back home.
"You play the violin well Karen. I was actually surprised on how well you played it." Said Shizuku
"Thanks. Not many people have…" I started
My voice faltered when I heard the sound of flames. There was an accident on the corner! It looks like everyone in the cars were out safely, but there was Chad on the ground! It looked like he was protecting Setsuna and Yuichi, the birds!
"Chad! Hang on buddy, we'll get you outta here. Shizuku, help me out here!" I exclaimed
"Okay." Said Shizuku
We managed to get him out of there, but we were miles away from a hospital. Just then, I remembered that Ichigo's place wasn't that far from here.
"Shizuku, think we can lift him for a couple blocks?" I asked
"Maybe. Why?" asked Shizuku
"Ichigo's place isn't too far from here. His family runs a clinic where Chad can get treatment." I said as I struggled to move Chad and shift my bags around
"Oh. I see." Said Shizuku
Thankfully, we managed to carry him to the Kurosaki Clinic, but when Shizuku saw the sign, he looked like he seen a ghost.
"Something wrong?" I asked
"Um, no. Nothing's wrong." Said Shizuku
"Oh. I see. Come on, help me get him through the door." I said
Thankfully, we got him through the door without any trouble, well, much trouble to be more accurate.
"Hey! Kurosaki, ya in? You guys got a patient!" I exclaimed
"Huh? A patient? Whoa, this guy's as big as they come. Ichigo! Get here and get to work." Said Isshin Kurosaki
"You bet!" exclaimed Ichigo
He came in from the other room, and he was surprised to see me, Shizuku, and Chad.
"Karen? Shizuku? Chad." Said Ichigo
"Hmm?" wondered Sado
Ichigo's dad decided to take a look at Chad, and there was this huge wound on his back, which was still bleeding! But there was something else about it. It reeked of the scent of a hollow.
"Whoa. What a horrible wound." Said Yuzu
"So, what happened to you out there? This looks like a pretty nasty burn, but I think I can help you out. With this wound, you're gonna have to take it easy for a while." Said Isshin
"That's good." said Sado
"Huh?" wondered Isshin
"I'm fine now. Thanks for helping." Said Sado
"What? You are crazy. Do you have any idea how much blood you've lost son?" asked Isshin
Chad then collapsed onto the floor. I guess this is one of those, 'told ya so' moments.
"I told ya. Yuzu! Karin! Get a bed ready for him." Said Isshin
"Right. Time to go to bed Mr. Giant." Said Yuzu
"Mr. Kurosaki, do you mind if I use your phone? Kazuki's gonna be pissed if I'm late without a good reason." I said
"No, allow me. I'll call him, and you get home." Said Isshin
"Thank you." I said
Shizuku and I then walked home, but before we split directions, I decided to talk to him about Chad's wound.
"Did you feel it?" I asked
"Of course. Even though I sensed no evil in Chad's birds, Chad's wound really reeks of a hollow. Karen, about Ichigo. Is it possible that he's a Soul Reaper?" asked Shizuku
"Huh? What makes you say that? I've known Ichigo since we were kids." I said
"His Spiritual Pressure is something, and his spirit ribbon isn't white like a human's." said Shizuku
"So a Soul Reaper's Spirit Ribbon is a different color than a normal human's?" I asked
"Exactly." Said Shizuku
"Hmm… well, now that I think about it, when I entered Junior High, I sensed that Ichigo had a strong aura. It was how I was able to see when I was blind." I said
"Aura? Wait, you said that you were able to see souls and hear them for as long as you could remember, right?" asked Shizuku
"Yeah. When I became blind, I used that ability to see in a different way." I said
"Then you didn't see Ichigo's aura as you put it, you saw his Spirit Energy!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Spirit Energy? What's that?" I asked
"I'll explain the best that I can. Spirit Energy is a power aligned with the spiritual sensitivity and willpower of the user. It's usually used by Soul Reapers to provide power for their various feats and to effectively channel the powers of our zanpaku-to. It can also be used to cast kido. Spirit Energy can even be coalesced into a physical form and thrown or shot as a projectile. Any questions?" asked Shizuku
"Not really. Come on, we'll perform the Konso later, 'kay?" I asked
"Okay." Said Shizuku
The next day…
Oh snap, I must've dozed off, big time. I overslept for the Konso. I bet Shizuku is ticked.
"Karen." Said Shizuku as he came out of the closet
"Um, Shizuku…" I started
"Listen, I'm sorry. I overslept last night, and I didn't wake up until just now. If you were waiting for me, then…" started Shizuku
"Actually, I was about to say the same thing. I guess we both needed some rest after all of the hollows we've been taking care of." I said
"Yeah, I guess." Admitted Shizuku
Just then the phone rang. I picked it up as I just put on my socks.
"Hello? Kurogawa residence." I said
Yeah, that's Kazuki's last name, Kazuki Kurogawa. That much a surprise? No way in hell was I going to be Karen Kurogawa.
"Karen! It's me Ichigo!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Ichigo! What's wrong?" I asked worried
"Chad's gone missing. Have you sensed his aura?" asked Ichigo
"Uh, no. I haven't sensed him. I'll go look for him, okay?" I asked
"Okay, meet up with me and Rukia in three hours if you can't find him, okay?" asked Ichigo
"Got it? Hey, since when did Rukia…" I started
He had hung up on me.
"Stupid strawberry." I muttered as I hung up the phone
"Hey Karen, did you get the phone? Listen Homura and I…" started Kazuki
"Chad's gone missing, and that was Ichigo. If my teachers call because I was missing in class, tell them it was for a good cause!" I exclaimed as I ran out the door
Shizuku was walking to school when I informed him about our missing Chad and his little bird friends. After a while, no sign of Chad.
"Karen!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Any luck?" I asked
"No, none. How about you?" asked Shizuku
"Nada. Got any info?" I asked
"Not yet. There's no news from the Soul Society about a hollow, and I'm not sensing anything either. When hollows aren't chasing souls, they hide themselves between this world and the Soul Society. When a hollow is between those two worlds, it can't be detected. What that means is that we won't be able to locate that hollow and deal with it until it shows up to attack Chad. You understand?" asked Shizuku
"I think I got it. The hollows are targeting Chad to gobble up his soul, but if we wait for it to strike, it'll be too late! Can we use Setsuna and Yuichi, his little bird friends to help detect the presence of a hollow?" I asked
"It's impossible." Said Shizuku
"Well, it's worth a try." I said
I closed my eyes and concentrated on finding Chad. When I felt his spirit energy, I sensed the spirit energies of Setsuna and Yuichi, that's when I almost lost concentration. I saw Setsuna's strongest memory! She saw her father killed right in front of her own eyes! Before the killer could get her however, she outsmarted her and managed to lure her to the balcony of her home, and trip her. Setsuna, I promise that I will help you! That's when I found it! The presence of the hollow! I then noticed white ribbons around me. Could these be Spirit Ribbons?
"Gotcha!" I exclaimed
"Wow." Said Shizuku speechless
"Come on, we have to move." I said before beginning to run
It wasn't long before we found him, and not a moment too soon.
"There! It's Chad!" exclaimed Ichigo
Looks like Ichigo made it too.
"Chad! Hey, stop running away! You need our help!" I exclaimed as I ran after him
Man, the guy was fast. This is what I get when I decide to join the 'Go Home Straight From School club'. I can barely keep up with him! Before long, we lost him.
"Damn it, lost him." I said as I caught my breath
"He can't be too far from here." Said Shizuku
"Yeah, but where did he go is the question?" I wondered out loud
"You two smell good." said a female voice
Shizuku and I stopped running, and I focused on trying to find the source of the voice. Just then, a hollow materialized right next to us.
"You two smell wonderful. Delicious. Time to eat, your souls!" exclaimed the hollow
We managed to avoid the hollow's attack, somehow.
"So you're still alive. You two are tougher than I thought. And you can see me quite clearly. That makes me curious. Just who are you two?" asked the hollow
"Shizuku!" I exclaimed
"Got it!" exclaimed Shizuku
I ran ahead, and helped Shizuku get some lift to get onto the hollow's back.
"Ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all things in the universe fly, that which names all! In the name of truth and temperance dig your claws into the wall of sinless dreams! Hado number 33! Sokatsui, Pale Fire Crash!" chanted Shizuku
It hit the hollow dead on, but it looked like it hurt more than it did.
"I see, so that's what you two are. I know that spell, it's a Soul Reaper spell. That spell hurt, it's not nice to hit a lady. But your smells, you two do smell delicious. This brings back so many wonderful memories. You see, I've already had the pleasure of devouring two Soul Reaper's souls already who tried to help that little boy and the bratty girl, what's-her-face, Setsuna Aono, was it? Point is, they tried to help them get to the Soul Society. And let me tell you, they were mighty good eating." Said the hollow
"You mean Setsuna and Yuichi Shibata? The humans inside those birds?" I asked
"That's right." Said the hollow
"What's your problem dumbass? Why are you chasing Setsuna? Why?" I exclaimed
"I may tell you, if you let me have a little nibble." Said the hollow
"You scum." Said Shizuku
"What you're doing to Setsuna, and the others who followed, is unforgivable!" I exclaimed
Done and done! Whew, this took me a while to type, but I managed, somehow. Anyhow, please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Kan dao ni!