Chapter 13: Sacrifice
Hey everyone! It's me, sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! After Labor Day, I'll be back in school, so I'm really making these next updates count. Anyhow, disclaimer time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I also do not own Shizuku. He belongs to my good friend Lyokowarrior1994
This will begin in Shizuku's point of view, and enjoy!
I was inside Karen's closet, thinking about what had happened today. A Menos Grande appeared, and somehow Ichigo defeated it. Not only that, but Karen, who has no expertise in Kido managed to perform a Level 60 Hado. It won't take long for the news to get back to the Soul Society. I have to leave, but why did I stay in the first place? What has my heart grown attached to in this world?
The next day, Karen's P.O.V.
I woke up to the sound of Mana screaming my name. When I opened my eyes, I saw that she was in a Gothic Lolita dress, a mini-version, and had a skull-and-crossbones patch on the left side of her head.
"What happened to you?-! You look like a nightmare!" I exclaimed
"Oh yeah! It's a nightmare alright! I mean, look at me! Your crazy cousins Umi and Tsubomi gave me this stupid outfit! They even sewed this stupid patch on my head!" exclaimed Mana
"I'd take off the entire outfit, really, but I'm just not that good yet. I mean, look at that." I said pointing to my desk
"What were you trying to make? A keychain?" asked Mana
"It's a gift for someone. It's supposed to be a necklace." I said
"Oh." Said Mana
"Yeah, I know, I suck at making jewelry out of string and cloth. I'm gonna ask Uryu for help during lunch. Maybe he can help with you." I said
"Thanks Karen." Said Mana
"Hop into my bag while I get breakfast. We'll leave in ten." I said
"So, who's the gift for?" asked Mana
"Tell ya later." I said
I ran down and grabbed breakfast for Shizuku and myself as I got dressed for school. I then knocked the door to my closet.
"Shizuku! Time to leave! Come on, open up!" I exclaimed
"I heard you. I'm not deaf you know." Said Shizuku
"Um, is there something wrong?" I asked
"No, why?" asked Shizuku
"Because you sound like you're in a bad mood." I said
"I'm probably just tired. See you at school." Shizuku said as he jumped out of the window
"What's eating him?" I wondered out loud
Shizuku's P.O.V.
How could I sound so cold? Karen probably hates me right now. Hang on, since when do I care about what she thinks?
"Hey! Shizuku!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Huh? Ichigo." I said
"What's up?" asked Ichigo
"The sky, what else?" I asked
"Ha-ha, hilarious. You know, I usually see you and Karen together." Said Ichigo
"She was still in bed when I woke up." I lied
"Oh. Shizuku, may I ask you something?" asked Ichigo
"Sure." I said
"You like Karen, don't you?" asked Ichigo
"What?-! Are you nuts?-! How can a Soul Reaper like me love a human? I can't." I said
"That doesn't mean it's not possible. Karen seems to like you too. She may try to hide her feelings, but whenever I see her with you, she smiles. It's been a long time since I ever saw her with a smile on her face." Said Ichigo
"She hardly smiles?" I asked in confusion
"Yeah. I mean, you've seen her uncle. He's almost as crazy as my dad. But that's not why she never smiles. She kinda hides behind that neutral face of hers for protection. She did have a hard time making friends when she was younger because of her hair and eyes. I guess the habit stuck." Said Ichigo
Karen, is that why you smile when you're with me?
Later, Karen's P.O.V.
I was helping Ichigo and the others cleanup because gym class was over, and I noticed that Ichigo was staring at the other girls.
"Are they playing or what?" wondered Ichigo
"Yo Ichigo! Checking out the girls, huh? Oh, I gotcha, staring at Orihime." Said Keigo
Ichigo then forced him off as he glared at him.
"Hey! I thought I told you to never do that again!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Right, like you don't know it's totally normal for teenage boys to be obsessed with hot cuties!" exclaimed Keigo
"Okay, I admit, there's nothing wrong with that." Said Ichigo
"What are you saying?" asked Keigo
I covered my ears before I could hear the rest, and then kicked Keigo's ass like it was a soccer ball.
"Come on you two, quit messing around and help us out." I said
"Right, sorry." Said Ichigo
He lifted the rest of the soccer balls into the shed.
"There. That does it." Said Ichigo
"Thanks a lot Ichigo, Karen. Hey, that reminds me, have you guys seen Uryu anywhere? He's not in school today." Said Mizuiro
"Yeah, yesterday I saw him in the park. He was talking to himself and running around and acting like a weirdo, like he was having some kind of battle with imaginary monsters or something." Said Keigo
This is bad. He was in the park when the Kido barrier was up.
"Hey, now that you mention it, maybe that is his deal. Maybe Uryu's in some drama class and he was there rehearsing for a play. Come to think of it, there were three other weird people there too. Those must've been his co-stars." Said Keigo
Thankfully, Keigo is such an idiot. Looks like Ichigo and I dodged yet another bullet.
Shizuku's P.O.V.
I was watching with Rukia as the others came back inside after gym. I just can't help but stare when Karen is coming. But why?
Later, Karen's P.O.V.
Uryu just walked through the door with bandages on his hands.
"Uryu! What in the world happened to you?" asked Ms. Ochi
"I, um, fell down the stairs." Said Uryu
Lame. No one's gonna buy that one.
"Hmm… whatever you say. Well, take your seat and turn to page 110." Said Ms. Ochi
He took his seat and opened the note I left on his desk.
"Don't let it bother you. His injuries aren't your fault Karen." Said Shizuku
"That's not why I was looking at him." I said
"Huh?" wondered Shizuku
He looked at me with a look that said 'This better be good'
"Alright class, quiet down." Said Ms. Ochi
Later, Outside the classroom…
"So, what's the favor?" asked Uryu
"Two favors actually." Said Mana
"Okay, let me guess, the outfit she's wearing." Said Uryu
"That and this. I tried to make a necklace, but it backfired. Can ya help?" I asked
"This is easy." Said Uryu
He pulled out his sewing kit and finished the necklace. Wow, that was quick!
"Thanks. It's perfect!" I exclaimed
"I'll work on the stuffed animal now." Said Uryu
"Her name is Mana." I said
"Whatever. Stand aside!" exclaimed Uryu
He managed to get the outfit off Mana, and she was in a new one, that looked like it could be easily taken off. He even took off the skull patch. Mana was in a purple dress with a shawl. I have to admit, it looks good.
"Whoa. Looking good." Said Mana
"Thanks Uryu. I owe ya one." I said
I walked outside in the shade of one of the trees where I opened up my lunch. It was nothing much really, just a small container of onion gratin soup with fruit agar as dessert. I also had some apple juice with me.
"Wow that looks good. Think I could have some?" asked Mana
"Do Mod Souls even eat?" I wondered
"I don't know, but I don't think stuffed animals can eat." Said Mana
"Hey, the next time I need you to replace me, I'll keep the leftovers of whatever I make and you can try it then. Sound good?" I asked
"Yeah!" exclaimed Mana
"Great. I still have some agar in the fridge, and I won't be able to finish all the soup in time before class begins again." I said
"There she is. Hey Karen! Why don't you join us for lunch?" asked Mahana
I considered the option, and stood up and took my lunch with me.
"Ta-da! It's a Choco jelly sugar jam tart! It's an eggplant cream sponge cake with green bean jelly filling and chocolate frosting!" exclaimed Orihime
Blech. I don't know what her taste buds are thinking.
"How can you eat stuff like that Orihime?" asked Tatsuki
"The question is how could she eat like that and not be as big as a blimp?" asked Michiru
"I guess her boobs absorb the calories." Said Ryo
"Hey, can I ask you and Rukia something Karen?" asked Mahana
"Go ahead." I said
"Rukia, do you have a crush on Ichigo? And Karen, do you have a crush on Shizuku?" asked Mahana
Rukia coughed up her chocolate milk while my agar when down the wrong tube. I banged my chest twice before I drank all of the soup that was in the top to my soup container.
"Huh?" Rukia and I asked in unison
"I'll take that as a maybe, but what exactly is your relationship with those guys?" asked Mahana
"Well, he's my friend." Rukia and I said in unison
"Mahana, that's not the kind of question you ask straight out like that." Said Michiru
"I don't see why not. It's the question you wanted to ask for yourself, but none of you were willing to do it, so I just did it for you." Said Mahana
"Hey, just who says I wanted to know anything like that anyway?" asked Michiru
"Well I still wanna know the answer." Said Chizuru
"What do you have against Ichigo and Shizuku anyway Michiru?" asked Tatsuki
"It's not that I have anything against them, I just think there's something like scary-looking about Ichigo's face, that's all." Said Michiru
"Scary-looking? Well, I don't think so. I like Ichigo's face." Said Orihime
Eventually, it just turned into blah, blah, blah after a while.
"Well? What's the story you two?" asked Mahana
"Well… okay, if I say, promise not to tell, please? If word gets to Uncle Kazuki, he'll go nuts." I said
"Promise." Everyone except Rukia said in unison
"Truth is… I like Shizuku a lot… more than just a friend. I just can't tell if I love him, or if it's just a crush." I said
"Wow. And to think we all thought that you would never fall in love Karen!" exclaimed Orihime
"Just who said that Orihime?" I asked
"Um, well…" started Orihime
"Okay, I get the picture." I said
"And as for me… Ichigo and I are… Ichigo and I are just friends, that's all there is to it." Said Rukia
"For real?" asked Michiru
"Yes." Said Rukia
"You mean you don't feel anything special for him? Not at all?" asked Michiru
"No, there is nothing else going on." Said Rukia
"Well, I need to practice my musical skills. Catch you later." I said
I quickly ran off to the music room and grabbed my violin. Tomorrow's the day that I would bring back my violin home. But still, why do I suddenly feel this urge to play something for Shizuku?
After school…
I was waiting outside the gate for Shizuku when I finally saw him.
"Hey, I've been waiting for you, you know." I said
"You have, huh?" asked Shizuku
"Yeah. Thing is, I kinda wanted to give you something." I said
I dug through my bag and dug out the necklace Uryu helped me with. It was a small tan pouch with Shizuku's name written on it.
"It's a necklace. I know that guys don't exactly like wearing girl stuff, but well, I saw this design the other day, and well, I thought I could sew one for you. Wow, listen to me, I'm babbling." I said
"So that's what today was about. You needed a little help with this. It's the thought that counts. Thank you Karen. I like it." Said Shizuku
"I'm glad you do. I wanted to make it for you as a way of saying 'thank you' for yesterday." I said
"I see. Well then, I have a request. Do you think you could play a song for me on your violin?" asked Shizuku
"Sure." I said
I opened my violin case and set up my violin. I then began playing Sicilienne by Maria Theresia von Paradis. It was a beautiful piece, and I rarely played it, because I could never hit the high notes. But I really wanted to play well today for Shizuku. And I did it! I played all of the notes correctly!
"It's beautiful, just like you." Said Shizuku
"Did you just say… that I'm beautiful?" I asked while heat rushed to my face
"I did, and I mean it." Said Shizuku
"Thank you." I said
"Come on, let's head back." Said Shizuku
"Yeah." I said
When we got home, Shizuku snuck in through the window while I entered through the door.
"Karen! Hey, you're smiling! Did something happen at school? Did that guy from the cemetery ask you out on a date?" asked Umi
"It wasn't like that Umi. I'm just in a good mood." I said
"Then why is your face red?" asked Tsubomi
"Tsubomi! Oh man! Not you too!" I exclaimed
Later, Shizuku's P.O.V.
Karen was out like a light when I left the note on her desk. I'm sorry Karen. Forgive me. I began running, but I sensed four distinct Spiritual Pressures. So, the Soul Society is here.
Third Person P.O.V.
A girl with red-orange hair with a side tail was wearing a set of goggles. With her was a boy about her age with black hair and purple eyes.
"Well, it's clear that he was in a Gigai, but now he's in standard Soul Reaper gear. So Daichi, how do you want to handle this?" asked the girl
"Well, it's your call Hinata. But still, I don't care if he was big brother's best friend, he's coming back, like it or not." Said Daichi
"Don't worry. We won't dishonor the memory of Ren or Sakura. Our brother and sister died protecting the Soul Society, and we will do the exact same, and we'll start by bringing him back." Said Hinata
Done and done! Whew, this took me a while, but I'm finally done! Please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Kan dao ni!