Chapter 5: Crossing Hearts
Hey everyone! It's me sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter of Spirits of the Past! I know some of you have been waiting for an update for some time now, so let's move onto the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Shizuku. Credit goes to my friend, Lyokowarrior1994.
Enjoy!
The hollow attacking us, now had us up against a wall, quite literally. If someone didn't help us now, we'd suffocate to death.
"You two are weak, that spell had half the strength it would've normally had. If you two really are Soul Reapers, lose the meat suit already and fight me for real! Either way, you two are going to die." Said the hollow
The hollow then got punched in the face by Chad! Could he see hollows? He then punched the air in front of him. Guess not.
"That was a lucky punch. He sure scared me there. For a minute, I thought he could see me." Said the hollow
Chad then landed another punch, right between the eyes! That had to hurt!
"Alright. I got 'im again." Said Sado
Am I seeing things correctly? He's managed to knock that hollow down twice even though he can't see her. Yep, Chad's probably got no sense of fear.
"Damn you!" cursed the hollow before she jumped into the air
The hollow revealed a pair of wings on her back, which strangely enough reminded me of a bat's wings.
"Let's see you try and punch me now you clueless human runt! I've got a few bones to pick with you after those punches to my beautiful face!" exclaimed the hollow
"Her beautiful face?" wondered Shizuku
"Yeah, that hollow's delirious." I said
"Chad, don't just stand there! She's in the air right above you!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Hey there new guy. Are you telling me you can see ghosts?" asked Sado
"Not only Shizuku, but I can as well. Why you ask? On second thought, don't answer that. Get away while you can." I said
"Where exactly is she?" asked Sado
"Huh?" wondered Shizuku
"When she charges, you two just tell me where she is." Said Sado
"Even if we did tell you, what are you going to do about it?" I asked
He grabbed a telephone pole; at least, I think it was a telephone pole.
"When you got flies, you use a fly swatter." Said Sado
He then proceeded to try and pull the telephone pole up.
"Ha-ha, so many ways I can attack all three of you. Should I swoop in low like a falcon? Or dive bomb straight onto your heads and tear you… huh?" wondered the hollow
Chad had just did what I deemed impossible, that was; lift that telephone pole out of the ground. What in the world is his body made of?
"Holy crap! What exactly is that kid's body made of?" exclaimed the hollow
"Just help me get a beat on her." Said Sado
"Dead ahead at 12 o'clock! Bring it down!" I exclaimed
He brought it down, and let me tell you, that had to hurt.
"You're through now you stupid hollow." Said Shizuku
The hollow then began to laugh. Just what did it find funny?
"What's so funny pond scum?" I asked
"Lazy Soul Reapers. It's no wonder you're getting beaten and humiliated every time you battle us." said the hollow
We were then attacked, by some overgrown puppies! That's it, that's another reason why I'm either A) afraid of dogs, or B) hate them, and I don't hate dogs.
"Looks like you guys barked up the wrong tree. You Soul Reapers take us too lightly. That's the reason you keep ending up like this. Face down and helpless. But which of you meat socks to eat first? I think I'll leave the tasty Soul Reapers for last." Said the hollow
Chad then somehow managed to get the oversized dogs off him!
"What the hell? You're the craziest human I've ever seen! You can't even see me and you think you can defeat me with sheer muscle power? I'm gonna enjoy taking a bite out of you." Said the hollow
Chad almost got the hollow that time.
"Damn, he almost connected again. This guy has pretty good instinct." Said the hollow
"Chad! Don't just stand there! Kick the air above me and Shizuku!" I exclaimed
He got them, thankfully. Then the hollow took off into the air.
"Another lucky hit!" exclaimed the hollow as she flew off
The dogs took off, and Chad resumed hitting the air again. Seriously, at this rate, we're going to become Soul Food.
"She's not there!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Yeah! She's up in the air again!" I exclaimed
"Oh." Said Sado
"Anyway, I have a plan." Said Shizuku
One crazy idea later, we have a makeshift rocket launcher.
"Hey new guy, you know that new girl, Rukia? She had the exact same plan that you have right now." said Sado
"Don't worry, combining your strength with my intelligence is our best chance here, and Karen's ability can help you find the stupid thing." Said Shizuku
"You must be as smart as Rukia, because like her plan, this feels stupid to me." Said Sado
"Let me do the thinking for the both of us, got it? I'll tell you where she is, and you aim me. Right there at 3 o'clock." Said Shizuku
"You mean like this?" asked Sado
"A little more to the left. That's it. Wait! Too far, back a bit to the right, now a little lower, there we go. Get ready to launch." Said Shizuku
"Okay, on my mark Chad. Steady…" I said
"You can't reach me all the way up here with a telephone pole, so whatever you're planning..." started the hollow
"Fire!" I exclaimed
"Huh?" wondered the hollow
She then saw Shizuku getting launched into the air.
"What?" exclaimed the hollow
"You're through now you stinkin' hollow." Said Shizuku
"You're right Soul Reaper. I was a fool to think I could defeat you. I surrender! Kidding." Said the hollow
Shizuku was then attacked by another overgrown mutt, and this one really stuck to him, no pun intended.
"Shizuku!" I exclaimed
"Don't worry! I got him!" exclaimed Sado
He grabbed Shizuku just before he hit the asphalt.
"That was a close one." Said Sado
"Yeah. She's a tricky one. Thanks for catching me." Said Shizuku
"Shizuku! You okay?" I asked
"Yeah. Help me get this mutt off me!" Shizuku exclaimed as he tried to get the overgrown puppy off him
"He's not getting off anytime soon. You can try, but you'll fail miserably, and you'll find out that they have a tendency of exploding!" exclaimed the hollow
She then snapped her fingers, and the dog that was on Shizuku exploded!
"Oh no! New guy!" exclaimed Sado
"Shizuku!" I exclaimed
"Heh heh heh, I'm just getting started." Said the hollow
"How in the world did she do that?" asked Sado
"You haven't figured that out yet? They're remote doggie bombs. Diabolical, aren't they? They love me so much; they just can't help but do what mommy asks them to do." Said the hollow
Chad then stood up and stood in front of the hollow.
"You want some more, tough guy? Well first off, I have someone here who you might want to see." Said the hollow
She then revealed Setsuna's bird cage! Oh no!
"Huh?" wondered Sado
"The parakeet. So that's where the hollow was before, grabbing the parakeet as a hostage." Said Shizuku
"You can say that again." I said
"I'm so sorry sir. I was trying to call for you." Said Setsuna
"It's okay." Said Sado
"Ha! And with three of my doggies on the birdcage, all three of you will do what I say, because if they explode, there won't be enough of your little friend left to spread on a cracker. Now for a new game, muscle head stays put while I play tag with the Soul Reapers." Said the hollow
Shizuku then got up.
"Do as she says. Don't think for a second that she won't blow up the bird. At least the chase will take him away from here, so you'll be safe." Said Shizuku
"But what about you new guy?" asked Sado
"I'll be fine. Don't worry." Said Shizuku
"Good luck." Said Sado
"Thanks." Said Shizuku
Shizuku and I then began to run off while the hollow and her lackeys began to chase us. Shizuku gave the signal to split up, and the hollow chased him, stupid woman, and I'm not trying to be racist. After a few minutes, I followed the path Shizuku went on, and when the Hollow's guard was down, I landed a punch on the hollow's head, and it looked like Shizuku got a few more of those dogs on him.
"Perfect timing Karen." Said Shizuku
"Next time we plan out something like this, don't take any unnecessary risks." I said
"You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you care about me." Said Shizuku
"Heh, I guess I do." I said
"Hello? How long are you going stand on my head? Oh yes, we did never introduce ourselves, did we? Just who are you?" asked the hollow
I jumped just as she got up. I then landed right in front of Shizuku.
"Karen Tsukimori, fifteen years old, substitute Soul Reaper. And if you really want to know who I am, I'm the girl who's gonna kick your ass into the ground." I said
"Substitute Soul Reaper, eh? Crap, I screwed up. When the two of you split up back there, I should've gone after you!" exclaimed the hollow
Some more dogs appeared, and the hollow snapped her fingers.
"Karen!" exclaimed Shizuku
He pushed my soul out of my body just as the dogs exploded. With the ensuing confusion, I managed to draw my zanpaku-to just as the hollow was about to attack us.
"You're too slow, but I can tell that your soul is gonna be tasty." Said the hollow
"After all that Setsuna's been through, you still dare to chase her relentlessly? You're gonna pay." I said
"The only price I'm paying is indigestion after I finish eating two more souls." Said the hollow
After Shizuku took my body to a safe place, I had to deal with the stupid hollow. Even if I sliced the dogs, they would still explode! Talk about ingenious. I hope that terrorists don't think of that.
"Ha-ha! Take that you rookie reaper! Huh?" wondered the hollow
She didn't count on me dodging the things. I had my zanpaku-to next to her throat.
"Tell me, before I slice and dice you, you killed Setsuna's father when you were alive, didn't you? You might as well admit it, because either way, you're going to die." I said
Shizuku's P.O.V.
"Is that true?" I asked
"I'm afraid it's all my fault. I… I just wanted to bring my dad back to life." Said Setsuna
"Setsuna." Said Sado
"I didn't mean for those people to get hurt. If I had known about that, I would've never had done it. All I wanted was just to see, my father again. I'm sorry." Said Setsuna
"But who told you that whooper of a lie?" I asked
Karen's P.O.V.
"I did." Said the hollow
"You bitch!" I exclaimed
"Yes, I killed the girl's father back when I was alive. You might've heard about me. I was all over the T.V., the radio, everywhere, along with my partner. We were famous serial killers. They never would've caught us because we were too smart. We'd still be out there hunting today, but as luck would have it, but as it turned out, that brat's father was going to be my last kill. He was a dreamy one. No matter how many times I stabbed him, he kept protecting the girl. But, when the girl lured me to the balcony, she tied my shoelaces, and I lost my balance, so I fell over the railing, twenty stories down. Who would've thought that a kid would be my end? Suddenly, I was dead, I was pissed, and I wanted payback, so I stuck the brat's soul into that bird. Then I made her a deal, if she ran from me for three months in that bird form, I'd bring her precious daddy back to life." Said the hollow
"How could you do that?" I asked
"I couldn't you dumbass! Bring a dead person back to life? Nothing, nobody could've brought him back to life after what I did to him. I just said it to get the brat to play along. And it worked like a charm too. She runs from me and I get the thrill of the chase. Not only that, there's the added pleasure of slaughtering everyone who tries to help her! And every time she squeals and begs me 'Don't hurt them' and wants to quit our little game, that's when I use my clincher. Daddy's waiting for you to save him. What a laugh! But it always works, and she's off running again! 'Daddy! Daddy!' Hahahahahaha! But enough about me, now it's time to kill you!" exclaimed the hollow who took off into the air
I sliced one of the dogs that came after me, and took a part of it in my hand that didn't hold my zanpaku-to.
"Your defense is weak Soul Reaper!" exclaimed the hollow
I then stuck the leg on her hand, the one used to detonate the dogs.
"Here, take your stupid bomb back!" I exclaimed
She paused, not knowing what to do.
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to detonate it now? Go ahead, just snap your fingers. But, if you aren't going to use it, then it's useless!" I exclaimed as I sliced off the hollow's right arm
"My arm! You little bitch!" exclaimed the hollow
"Now you know how Setsuna's father felt, helpless when you went after him. With the power of the moon that encompasses this blade, I shall banish you, where you belong!" I exclaimed as I sliced the mask of the hollow
Those words flowed through my head just like the first time I became a Soul Reaper, however, something strange was happening to the hollow. Unlike the last hollows Shizuku and I took care of, this one didn't disappear to the Soul Society. Some kind of weird gate appeared behind her, and I got the chills looking at it.
"Don't worry, they're the gates of the underworld, but they're opening only for her. The zanpaku-to can only wash away sins a soul has committed as a hollow. Those who commit terrible crimes while alive go to the underworld." Said Shizuku
The gates of hell then took her to the underworld, and disappeared, until who knows when.
"So that's the underworld." I said
Later on, in the evening hours, Shizuku was trying to find Setsuna's Chain of Fate, but with no avail.
"What's wrong?" I asked
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. Her Chain of Fate has been severed. There's no sign of it. Without it, there's no way I can return her to her body." Said Shizuku
"Oh no." said Setsuna
"Setsuna." Said Sado
"Don't be sad. The Soul Society is a wonderful place that's very peaceful. You'll be happy there. You'll never be hungry, and you'll never grow old. In fact, it's a much better place to live than in this world." Said Shizuku
"What are you? Some kind of sales pitch?" I asked
"What was that?" asked Shizuku
"Oh nothing, but I think you're missing the point. When you pass over, you'll be reunited with your father, and this time, it's not a lie. Maybe we can't bring him back to life, but he is on the other side waiting for you." I said
"Karen." Said Shizuku
Setsuna then looked at Chad.
"Sado? Thank you for everything you've did for me and Yuichi. You carried us everywhere in your arms, you kept us safe, and you've even had the courage to face against that monster even though you couldn't see it." Said Setsuna
"Hey, don't even mention it." Said Sado
"I guess it's time for me to go now. I don't know what else there is to say except 'thank you', all of you." Said Setsuna
Her spirit appeared behind her, and she looked like she was about 13 years old. She had short purple hair and red eyes. She was wearing a red shirt with a royal blue jacket and a royal blue skirt. She was also wearing a pair of sneakers.
"Setsuna? Someday when I die and pass over too, would it with you if sometimes I carried you around again?" asked Sado
"Mm-hmm! I'd like that." Said Setsuna
We all smiled, all in a day's work for a Soul Reaper.
"Well then Setsuna, if you're ready, let's begin the Konso." I said
Shizuku's P.O.V.
After Karen performed the Konso, I was taking a walk to clear my head when I saw Rukia.
"Rukia." I said
"Huh? Shizuku. What are you doing here?" asked Rukia
"I could ask the same for you." I said
"I have a place nearby, that's why I'm out here." Said Rukia
"I see. Rukia, you gave Ichigo Kurosaki Soul Reaper powers, didn't you?" I asked
"What makes you think…" started Rukia
"You know how I am with Spirit Ribbons, there's no point in hiding it. His Spirit Ribbon is red." I said
"*Sigh* Yes, Ichigo is a Soul Reaper, who has all of my Soul Reaper powers through an accident. What about Karen? You're hanging around her a lot." Said Rukia
"She has half of my powers. I can't return to the Soul Society until I've regained them, otherwise, Captain Ichimaru will kill me." I said
"Then we're both in the same boat. Tell you what, I promise not to tell Ichigo that Karen's a Soul Reaper, but in return, you must promise not to tell Karen that Ichigo's a Soul Reaper and that I've lost all of my Soul Reaper powers." Said Rukia
"You got a deal Rukia. Take care of yourself. I have a feeling; things are going to get interesting around here." I said
Done and done! Whew, this took a while, but I did it. Anyhow, please review, check out my poll, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Kan dao ni!