Chapter 16: Reclaiming Strength
Hey everyone! It's me, sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! I know that it's been a while, but hey, I've been busy with a few things. Anyway, disclaimer time!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I also do not own Shizuku. He belongs to Lyokowarrior1994
Enjoy!
I set my bag down on my desk as the last day of school before summer came around. Nothing feels real to me now. Being in school, nothing. Even my fights with Kazuki don't feel like I'm in reality anymore. I was almost beat up and killed by those guys from the Soul Society, and they took Shizuku, who's likely going to be executed for what he did. And the strangest thing of all is that Shizuku is no longer here. No one even remembers him, or that Shizuku ever existed. Is this what it means to return to the Soul Society? Just disappearing from this world like you weren't supposed to be here, and erased from people's memories? Every trace of Shizuku is vanishing right in front of me, and fading away into white.
"Alright students, I only have one more assignment for you. Everyone try to get yourselves back here in one piece in September! Class dismissed! Have fun." Said Ms. Ochi
The whole class cheered, save for me and Ichigo. Even Uryu's cut the last day of school. I hoped that he remembered either Rukia or Shizuku.
"Karen!" exclaimed Keigo
Which idiot turned out the lights?
"Around and around and around she goes! Now then, see if you can hit the watermelon." Said Keigo
Oh I'll hit a melon. AKA, your head! Bad move Keigo. Even if I'm not a Soul Reaper anymore, I can still sense your Spirit Energy!
"Nice try, but that was my melon! It's okay though, because I don't need a head to think about anything anymore! School's out for summer and summer means the sea and the sea is where we're all going because I, Keigo Asano have planned a super trip for us to the beach! Ten fun-filled days of sunbathing, swimming, fireworks, food, and lots of other unsupervised, questionable activities, right?" asked Keigo
"Sorry, but I'm afraid I've already made other plans." Said Ichigo
"Same here. I'm training for a town-wide music contest that's going to happen in less than two weeks." I said
"I'm not too keen on the ocean either Keigo." Said Orihime
"I've got the nationals tournament to go to." Said Tatsuki
"Well, if Karen, Orihime, and Tatsuki aren't going, then neither am I." said Michiru
"Sorry, but I have some things I have to take care of." Said Sado
"And I'm flying to Hawaii tomorrow." Mizuiro said through a snorkel mask
"What?! What could possibly be better than going on vacation with me, you jackass?!" exclaimed Keigo
"I'm going on a great trip to Hawaii with my girlfriend and nine of her friends, so that's like eleven of us." Said Mizuiro
"Hawaii?! Just you and ten girls? So how'd you forget to invite me?!" exclaimed Keigo
While the two of them were fighting, I took this as my cue to leave, and Ichigo followed me.
"Hey." Said Ichigo
"Hi." I said
"So, things feel different now, especially with Rukia gone." Said Ichigo
"Yeah, and Shizuku's gone too." I said
"You knew?" asked Ichigo
"Yeah. Hat-and-clogs explained everything to me." I said
Everyone's moving on with their lives as if Rukia and Shizuku never existed. I guess that's the case since they both came from the Soul Society. But if that's true, what does it mean for me and Ichigo? What do I do now? When I heard footsteps, I turned to see Orihime. What's she doing here?
"Orihime." Said Ichigo
"What are you doing? Is there something wrong?" I asked
"Ichigo, Karen, where are Rukia and Shizuku?" asked Orihime
She remembers them?!
"Why has everyone forgotten about them, like they never even existed? I need you two to explain what's happening around here." Said Orihime
It took a while, but Ichigo and I spilled the beans to Orihime.
"So you're saying Rukia and Shizuku went back to this other world they came from?" asked Orihime
"Yeah." Said Ichigo
"Though I have to admit, I'm surprised. I had no idea that you were able to see spirits. How long have you been able to?" I asked
"Ever since the incident with my brother." Said Orihime
"Oh. Makes sense." Said Ichigo
"Wait, what incident?" I asked
"Orihime's brother came back as a Hollow and tried to kill her." Said Ichigo
"Oh. Yeah, it does make sense." I said
"I don't think I've ever properly thanked you for everything you did for him Ichigo, by guiding his spirit on to the other side. He's finally in a place where all he knows is peace and happiness now. Somehow I can just feel it." Said Orihime
"Is that so?" asked Ichigo
"Mm-hmm. I imagine Rukia and Shizuku are happy on the other side as well. They probably have friends and family waiting for them." Said Orihime
I then remembered the tough guy from last night. I bet all of the money I have that he's Rukia's brother. They have the same last name after all, but I need to bring Shizuku back.
"We have to go and bring them back." I said
"But… why should you bring them back if they're happy there?" asked Orihime
"Because we know they're in serious trouble and it might just kill them if we don't get them out in time." Said Ichigo
There was a long pause of silence before Orihime stood up.
"Here's what the Ichigo I know would do. He'd make a mad face and tell Rukia she can always visit friends and family later if she lives, but she won't have that chance if she's dead." Said Orihime
Yeah, sounds like the Ichigo I know too.
"I bet you've already made up your mind, haven't you?" asked Orihime
I then noticed Ichigo clenching his fist.
"You really were here. I know that. You belong here Rukia." Said Ichigo
He then stood up for no reason.
"Thanks a lot Orihime." Said Ichigo
He then started running to who-knows-where.
"What about you Karen? I know that you really liked Shizuku, maybe more than a friend." Said Orihime
"You know, you're right. Thanks Orihime." I said
I got up and ran for home. Shizuku, you gave me my Soul Reaper powers… and showed me a whole new world. Am I supposed to forget everything I saw? I saw so much, yet I know so little, so that's why I have to regain my powers… as a Soul Reaper.
Shizuku's P.O.V.
Sheesh, is it too much to ask for some peace and quiet? I allowed Captain Ichimaru to let me play prisoner in the Himiwari estate, but someone keeps coming in every five seconds!
"I hope you don't mind me coming in." said a familiar male voice
I turned to see Captain Ichimaru.
"Captain Ichimaru." I said
"I just wanted to see how my third seat is doing." Said Gin
"You mean 'soon-to-be-dead third seat'." I said
"I've been told you haven't been eating." Said Gin
"Maybe I'm just not hungry." I said
"You don't have to lie you know. Your heart got attached to something in the human world, didn't it?" asked Gin
"Someone is more like it, but she's probably dead now. Captain Ichimaru, am I really going to die?" I asked
"Seems likely, but the Council of 46 may be lenient and allow you to live. All you did was stay in the World of the Living for too long and transfer your Soul Reaper powers, at least part of them, to a human, but I can't say for sure kid." Said Gin
Karen's P.O.V.
It was late at night and we were in some kind of basement. Well, even though it was bright, I feel like I've seen something similar to this place before.
"No way! This place is amazing! Who would've guessed all this time there was a huge subterranean training ground under my store?!" exclaimed Kisuke
"Oh forget the acting. Obviously you knew this place was down here, but I will admit it's impressive." Said Ichigo
"Same goes with me." I said
"So then, you two want to get down to business?" asked Kisuke
"Yeah, let's just get on with it." Ichigo said while cleaning his left ear
"Ichigo, be nice!" I exclaimed
"What? I'm just saying we should get started with this training session or whatever you call it." Said Ichigo
"Always be careful what you ask for." Said Kisuke
He whipped out his cane and pushed Ichigo out of his body while I braced myself for when he did that. I landed more gracefully than Ichigo did, but it was really hard to breathe, and the chain of fate was connected to my heart.
"What's the big idea of knocking me down like that you…" started Ichigo
He then placed himself on the ground. Guess he was having trouble to breathe too.
"It's hard to breathe when you're in the form of a soul, isn't it Ichigo and Karen? Right now, both of your soul sleeps, which is the wellspring of your spirit energy and your soul chains, the booster, has been destroyed, so now your souls are like any ordinary human with no spiritual power, and so before we can proceed, we must first restore the spiritual power you two have lost." Said Kisuke
"Alright already! Just tell us what we have to do!" exclaimed Ichigo
"You're so impatient. Alright, let's bring out your opponent and then we can start. Warrior! Are you ready for battle?!" exclaimed Kisuke
And we have to face… the little girl?! He trying to get the Tsukimori special? And what is she holding in her skirt?!
"Nice to see you again Ichigo, Karen." Said the girl
"Here's your first lesson. You must go up against Ururu two-on-one." Said Kisuke
"Huh?!" Ichigo and I wondered out loud
"The rules are quite simple. Lesson one is over when one or two of you is no longer able to continue the match. If you two can, I suggest going for the knockout punch." Said Kisuke
"Are you kidding?! You expect us to punch a little girl?!" I exclaimed
"It's always dangerous to underestimate your opponent Karen." Said Kisuke
She then tossed us some protective gear.
"Please put on all of this protective gear Ichigo, Karen. I don't wanna kill you two." Said Ururu
"This whole thing's ridiculous. We're not fighting her." Said Ichigo
She then ran so fast that I barely got out of the way in time! That was close! I got up the same time Ichigo did and made a mad dash for the headgear that was provided.
"If Little Miss Muffin hits us with another punch like that one, we'll be taking a long dirt nap!" I exclaimed
"You're telling me! Hat-and-clogs! How do we put this gear on anyway?!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Strap the headgear onto your foreheads!" exclaimed Kisuke
"Like this?" I asked
"That's right! Now yell as loud as you can, 'amazing headband of justice, in place! Amazing armor of justice, protect me now!' Go on you two! Say it!" exclaimed Kisuke
"The amazing headband of… what? That's just stupid!" exclaimed Ichigo
Incoming!
"Alright! We'll say it! Here goes nothing!" I exclaimed
"Amazing headband of justice, in place! Amazing armor of justice, protect me!" Ichigo and I exclaimed in unison
"Well, what'd ya know? I can't believe they actually said it." Said Kisuke
"WHAT?! You're gonna pay for that big time Urahara." I said
"Look out behind you two." Said Kisuke
She's coming!
"Oh great." Ichigo and I said in unison
We finally got the gear to cooperate with us.
"Alright. Bring it." Said Ichigo
And we're still dodging attacks like we're rabbits running from a snake.
"Amazing armor of justice my ass!" I exclaimed
"Yeah, more like armor of junk! Running for our lives is the only thing that's saving our lives!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Yeah, you said it!" I exclaimed
Wait a minute, if we can outrun her, then that means our speed has returned, meaning, we can dodge those punches of hers. Ichigo seemed to have the same idea because he stood his ground the same time I did.
"Here goes." Said Ichigo
Ichigo and I dodged both of her punches, and he began going on the offensive, until he cut her, and suddenly she went berserk on him! She kicked him in the face! Suddenly, I saw Kisuke grab her leg.
"Safe!" exclaimed Kisuke
And that has to hurt Ichigo. Actually, Tessai saved him. Talk about a close one.
"Give us one more crack at her. Please." Said Ichigo
"Congratulations. I pronounce lesson one cleared." Said Kisuke
"What the hell are you talking about? She kicked my ass just now. I lost." Said Ichigo
"I never said anything about you or Karen to actually win the fight in order to clear the lesson, did I?" asked Kisuke
"I thought…" started Ichigo
"The fact is you two, Ururu here has the fighting skills to counter even full-fledged Soul Reapers. A mere human would never have the chance of defeating her outright. By the way, are you two still having difficulty breathing?" asked Kisuke
"Now that you mention it, no." I said
"Which means that we've successfully your spirit energy. The entire point of that lesson was to determine in a one-shot battle whether or not you could dodge Ururu's first attack. Spirit energy increases a lot faster when the soul is in danger of being destroyed. We just needed to find out if you two be able to raise yours fast enough to dodge that fatal punch." Said Kisuke
"And if we hadn't succeeded?" asked Ichigo
"Then you two would've died." Said Kisuke
I sucked-punched in the face for that one!
"WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU SAY SO IN THE FIRST PLACE?!" I exclaimed
"Ow, the sucker-punch. Didn't see that coming. Besides, I wasn't worried about it. I had a lot of faith that you two be successful. Well, so far so good. Now then, let's celebrate the return of your spirit energy, shall we?" asked Kisuke
Suddenly, a giant axe appeared and cut our chains of fate! Oh snap!
"Now let's continue with your second lesson." Said Kisuke
Suddenly, I collapsed onto the ground, and I wasn't acting, and it didn't help that Tessai was standing on top of us.
"I feel like I'm… I'm dying." Said Ichigo
"So do I." I said
"That's because you are. You see, once the chain of fate has been severed, you can no longer return to your physical body. Death comes quickly." Said Kisuke
"Do you have to be so casual about it?" asked Ichigo
"That's not even the worst of it. Your chains will begin the encroachment where they were severed. When the end reaches your chests, you two will become a Hollow and that will be the end of both of you." Said Kisuke
"What do we have to do?" I asked
"If you two don't want to become a Hollow, you must become a Soul Reaper. If you two manage to clear lesson two, you'll find that in the process that you'll have regained your former powers as a Soul Reaper. Of course which path you choose, this is up to you." Said Kisuke
"As if you needed to ask." Said Ichigo
"Alright then, let's get this party started. Go!" exclaimed Kisuke
A giant hole opened up in the ground, and we fell in! This is one hell of a deep hole, and when we landed, well, let's just say I didn't want to move for a while, and it didn't help that my arms were tied behind my back!
"What the hell have you done to us?" I asked
"Bakudo 99 part one, Restrict. No doubt you'd think it rather harsh, but until you two have cleared this lesson, your arms must unfortunately remain bound you two." Said Tessai
"Why you…!" I exclaimed
"Damn it." Said Ichigo
"Ichigo! Karen! Start climbing back up the shaft you two! That's all there is to this lesson, otherwise known as the shattered shaft." Said Kisuke
"Yeah, that'll work with our arms tied behind our backs!" I exclaimed
"I wouldn't waste time either if I were you." Said Kisuke
I then saw my chain of fate beginning to eat itself! I screamed out of fright.
"You two have a period of 72 hours at the bottom of the shattered shaft you two. That is how long it will take for a chain of fate to become completely encroached. By the end of that time, if you have not returned to the top of the shaft as a Soul Reaper, then we will have no choice but to kill the two of you." Said Kisuke
Oh dear, things are not looking good for this substitute Soul Reaper. How will this event turn out? Please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off. Happy New Year!