Chapter 8: A Memory in Rain
Hey everyone! It's me sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! I know that you've been waiting, but I've been hounded like nuts! I just survived my AP US History AP Test, and I have another AP Test coming up, like AP English Lang! It's driving me nuts! I'm lucky that I have the time to update. Anyhow, time for the disclaimer
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I also do not own Shizuku. He belongs to my friend LyokoWarrior1994
Enjoy!
We were all climbing the hill that would lead to the cemetery.
"Oh man, we're never getting to the top." Said Umi
"Speak for yourself, just don't let dad hear you." Said Tsubomi
"You can do it Umi! Hang in there! You see, your dad's on your side!" Kazuki exclaimed while doing a handstand
Sheesh, get a life Kurogawa.
"Avoid eye contact. That'll only get him motivated." I said
"You're wrong about that Karen. I don't need motivation, because I'm self-motivated!" exclaimed Kazuki
He ran on his hands, and slipped on the ground. Now I was ticked, because he was about 5 inches away from me at this point.
"Oh yeah, well this says, 'Get a life'!" I exclaimed as I punched him in the face
He then landed on… Ichigo's dad? Looks like Karin just kicked him, hard. They both went tumbling down the hill at this point.
"Now we can walk in peace for a while." Said Karin
"Hey! Ichigo!" I exclaimed
"Huh? Karen, what are you doing here?" asked Ichigo
"It's the anniversary of my parent's deaths." I said sadly
"I see. It's the anniversary of my mom's death. That's why I'm here." Said Ichigo
"I see. But you gotta admit, it's really hot today for the middle of June." I said
"Someone's up there already." Said Karin
"They must've gotten up pretty early to beat us to the top." Said Tsubomi
Good thing Ichigo and I were behind them, because we started freaking out! What the heck was Rukia and Shizuku doing here?-! Couldn't they have been more inconspicuous?-!
"They're awfully happy for someone visiting a grave." Said Umi
"They're waving like they know you." Said Yuzu
"Uh-nuh! No way! No, no, no, nope! Never seen them before!" Ichigo and I exclaimed in unison
"There is something familiar about them. I wonder if I've seen them somewhere before." Said Karin
"Oh yeah! Now I remember! I met him in Junior High! We were like brother and sister! I'm gonna talk to him and set him straight. You guys go to mom and dad's graves without me." I said
I ran up to Shizuku, and dragged him far, far away from my cousin's and Ichigo's family.
"What are you doing following me here Shizuku?" I asked
"Isn't it obvious? You need my help in case a Hollow shows up. You sure can't handle it yourself." Said Shizuku
"Oh yeah? Well way to go with keeping a low profile. I'm sure that Umi and Tsubomi think that you're my boyfriend by now." I said while my face turned pale
"I suppose I could've been more discrete, but I just didn't think." Said Shizuku
"*Sigh* Alright, I'll let it slide. So, what are you so upset about?" I asked
"Actually, I'm not upset about anything." Said Shizuku
"Um, okay?" I said confused
"I wanted to know more about your parents' deaths. You said they were murdered." Said Shizuku
"Drop it." I said
"But you never said who killed them." Said Shizuku
"Listen, that's my personal stuff I don't want others to know about." I said
"When I first met you, you mentioned that you could sense ghosts from a young age. Karen, I need you to answer one more question. Your mother and father, could they have been killed by… a Hollow?" asked Shizuku
My eyes widened in surprise.
"Do you think that's possible? If your spiritual capabilities were that high as a child then…" started Shizuku
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" I exclaimed with my eyes closed
"What?" wondered Shizuku
"Why does it have to be 'Hollow this' and 'Hollow that' with you anyway? You'll never understand the pain and suffering I have to live with every single day. Do you know what it's like… with your earliest memory being the sight of blood? Seeing your mother's lifeless face in front of you when you were four years old? Of course not, because you don't know what it's like to be me! You don't even have a mother or father, do you? I don't remember what happened that day, but I'm goddamn sure that it wasn't a Hollow that killed them! I… I may have been responsible for their deaths." I said with tears running down my face
I then just started to run. I didn't know where I was going, but I just wanted to be alone.
"Wait Karen!" exclaimed Shizuku
Shizuku's P.O.V.
I was sitting on the ledge that was overlooking the cemetery. I couldn't believe what she had said to me.
"Karen killed her own parents? No, she couldn't have. No four-year-old could've willingly put her own parents in danger." I said
*Flashback*
"Do you know what it's like… with your earliest memory being the sight of blood? Seeing your mother's lifeless face in front of you when you were four years old? Of course not, because you don't know what it's like to be me! You don't even have a mother or father, do you?" asked Karen
*End Flashback*
"I can't believe she said those things. I must've really touched a nerve." I said
I then heard the zipper of the bag I was carrying unzip.
"Shizuku! Is the coast clear?" asked Mana
"What are you doing? I told you to stay in there until I said so, and yes, the coast is clear." I said
"Come on Shizuku, give me a break. I could barely breathe inside that thing. I needed oxygen. Besides, Karen wants to be left alone today, doesn't she?" asked Mana
"I told you before. It's my duty to always stay by her side in case a Hollow shows up." I said
"You're sounding like a broken record. It's always 'Hollow this', 'Hollow that', and 'Hollow whatever' with you. No wonder Karen got steamed." Said Mana
I then stood up, because I sensed something. Mana was surprised by my actions, but she sensed what I was sensing too. In a matter of moments, I saw a figure with brown hair and eyes, wearing square-framed glasses, and a white hatori coat over a Soul Reaper's Shihakusho. I only knew one man who looks like that and is a captain.
"C-Captain Aizen." I stuttered
"It's been a while, Shizuku." Said Aizen
By this point, Mana had snuck away, leaving me with Aizen.
Karen's P.O.V.
I really said some harsh things to Shizuku just now. I didn't mean some of them. I have to apologize, but I really don't remember what happened that day. I loved my mom and dad so much, back when I was so little, I just felt safe with them, but over the passage of time… I forgot their faces. I sat down on the ground as my tears began to fall. I soon felt something soft on my shoulders. Mana, what the heck are you doing?
"I really do not have time for this, you hear me… wha?" I wondered out loud
It wasn't Mana. It was some lion plushie. I was taking a good look at it, and it suddenly screamed.
"AH! It's the monster! Ichigo… help me!" exclaimed the plushie
It got out of my grasp and ran away. Did it just say 'Ichigo'?
"Why do I have a feeling that's another Mod Soul?" I wondered out loud
"Karen! You gotta help!" exclaimed a familiar female voice
And from above me, Mana fell.
"Karen! Shizuku's in trouble! A captain from the Soul Society came to get him!" exclaimed Mana
"Where is he?" I asked
Shizuku's P.O.V.
"The others are getting a little ticked with you and Rukia Kuchiki. They want to know why you're still here." Said Aizen
"I'm here because there are still hollows that need to be taken care of, is that a problem Captain Aizen?" I asked
"That doesn't explain why you're dressed as a high school student." Said Aizen
"Got a problem with what I wear?" I asked
"No, it just means that you're having some better judgments Shizuku. I saw you with that human girl earlier, Karen right?" asked Aizen
"What's that got to do with anything?-!" I exclaimed
"I'm just saying that maybe she's the reason as to why you've stayed here in the World of the Living. If she's not, then you have a lot of explaining to do Mister…" started Aizen
He was cut off by the sound of footsteps, running to boot. Oh no. Please, don't be Karen.
Karen's P.O.V.
I was running as fast as my legs could carry me to the place where Mana described. I hope I'm not too late.
"Shizuku!" exclaimed Mana
"Shizuku! You alright?-!" I exclaimed
I stopped, and I recognized the man in front of me. So this is that Aizen guy who Sakura was so cautious about. I'm getting a bad vibe from him, and I guess I knew where Ren got it from.
"So, let me guess, you're the infamous Captain Sosuke Aizen, aren't you?" I asked
"And how do you know that human?" asked Aizen
"Oh Shizuku's told me a bit about you. Can't say it's all good." I lied
"So you can see me and hear me. You have very high potential." Said Aizen
"Mana." I said
"Yeah?" asked Mana
"I have a feeling we're about to get into a scuffle." I said
"Wait, what?-!" exclaimed Mana
"So, tell me about yourself. What's your occupation?" asked Aizen
"Don't say it!" exclaimed Shizuku
"I'm just a high school student. A high school student and a Substitute Soul Reaper." I said
"Did I actually hear you right? A Soul Reaper? If there's a punch line, I'm waiting for it, because you can't be serious." Said Aizen
"Oh hell yeah I'm serious." I said
"I see. Shizuku, that's a Capital One offense right there." Said Aizen
"What is he talking about?" I asked
"Maybe it's for the best, if I just took your life right here and now." Said Aizen
"What?-!" I exclaimed
He drew his zanpaku-to, and I was dodging like nuts! He's fast!
"Okay you! Time to cough it up!" I exclaimed
"Huh?-!" exclaimed Mana
"No time for this!" I exclaimed
I dug into the plushie, and found Mana's soul pill. I swallowed it just as Aizen was about to attack. Thankfully, I got out of my body just in time for me to pull out my own zanpaku-to.
"Not bad. You're human, and yet you managed to transform. I'm interested in how you were able to do that." Said Aizen
"It doesn't matter. No one messes with my friend and gets away with it." I said
My heart felt a twang of pain as I referred to Shizuku as a friend. Did I care for him more than that?
"Karen, wait, stay out of it! It's my problem, so let me deal with it!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Are you deranged? You know just as well as I do that you don't have your zanpaku-to. Mana! Move it!" I exclaimed
She jumped into the air as I charged. Thing is, I don't know this Aizen too well, and yet my body just began moving on its own to avoid his attacks. Heck, I even pulled in some Legend of Zelda moves, and he was caught off guard.
"I've had enough of this! Shatter…" started Aizen
Something told me to close my eyes, and I used a spin attack on his zanpaku-to. When I opened them, his sword was shattered.
"Impossible. How could a lowly human such as you break my zanpaku-to?" wondered Aizen
I punched him in the face for that. I then heard Shizuku's soul pager beep.
"What's up?" I asked
"It's a Hollow! It's a big one too!" exclaimed Shizuku
I ran over to him and Mana.
"Where is it?" I asked
"It's close. The spirit energy reading is higher than usual." Said Shizuku
"It's larger than normal Hollows that you can take care of." Said Aizen
He was looking over Shizuku's shoulder, and I began to panic.
"Do we have to finish this now?-!" I exclaimed
"There's no time! Your cousins may be in danger! Let's go!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Hey! Wait up!" I exclaimed
Shizuku and I began to run to the location.
"So what did Aizen mean by a Capital One Offense?" I asked
"Forget it. You have your own problems now. My scan showed that the Hollow is near your family." Said Shizuku
"Oh no, not Umi and Tsubomi." I said worried
"Do any of them have high spirit energy?" asked Shizuku
"I don't know. I didn't get to know about that too well. I don't think Tsubomi can." I said
We then began to run down the stairs.
"I know you want to ask me about my mother and father's deaths, don't you?" I asked
"Would you answer me if I did? To you, it's a deep jagged wound, and if I asked, I'd just be rubbing salt into it. Because of that, I don't know what else to say without bringing that pain back again. I'll wait for now, but when you want to talk about it, when you feel like telling someone, I'll listen." Said Shizuku
"Thanks Shizuku." I said
We then continued running to the site where the Hollow was. I just hope we're not too late.
Done and done! Whew, this took me a while to write, but above and all, I'm finally done! Please review, check out my poll, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Kan dao ni!