The Cindered Sister Chapter 1
Ichigo woke up to what had become a typical morning in the Kurosaki household. Isshin called his son's name jovially as he pounced only to receive an unsuspecting foot to the face. Despite the fact that this was a common occurrence and with the knowledge know shared between father and son, Isshin still acted surprised when his son managed to block him or give him a taste of his own medicine.
"Jesus Christ old man, this is getting old!" Ichigo yelled at his old man, tossing aside his t-shirt and replacing it with another.
"Never!" Isshin said as he swung at Ichigo who nonchalantly side-stepped the attack. Isshin smiled at his son. A lot had changed in the past two years, yet somehow they had stayed the same. Isshin shrugged. "I'm just making sure your reflexes are still top notch. After all you are my son!" He stated proudly.
"Whatever," Ichigo scoffed doing up the zipper on his pants and grabbing the jacket of his school uniform before exiting his room to make his way downstairs for breakfast. Isshin stuck out his tongue in retort and followed his son downstairs.
Breakfast was typical as well. Ichigo would greet his sisters, ask them how school was going and what their day would be like. Often times Yuzu would chide Karin for some off handed remark. Both would seem oblivious to their father's ridiculous enthusiasm as they chatted and munched on their breakfast. After the siblings finished their breakfast, Isshin would wish his kids a good day and send them on their way. Ichigo would part from his sisters, going in the opposite direction in order to meet up with Keigo and Mizuiro like he had done almost every morning for the last few years.
He would walk into class and be greeted by his friends and they would have idle chit-chat until Ochi-sensei would barge into class and ask them to take their seats so she could start the morning lesson.
Idleness was a good thing, Ichigo told himself. Ever since he had regained his shinigami powers he felt more at ease being able to protect those he cared for. He hated admitting to himself that he was starting to feel the all too familiar itch of inactivity. There was still the occasional hollow that needed cleansing and spirits that needed konso, but other than that everything was more peaceful than it had been in the last two years since he had met Rukia. Ichigo sighed as he took his seat – he shouldn't be thinking this way, especially after what he and his friends had gone through in the last two years. What he should've been thinking about was graduating and what he was going to be doing afterward.
Ichigo snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Ochi-sensei speak up.
"Good morning everyone! Before we begin today's thrilling English lesson I have an announcement," Ochi-sensei said as she gestured toward the door. "Despite the fact that it's so late in the school year we've received a transfer student from Komae. So, I'd like everyone to please welcome Keisotsu Yumi," Ochi-sensei stated as she directed the class' attention to the strawberry blond standing at the front of the class. The girl identified as Yumi quickly bowed to everyone and introduced herself.
No sooner than Yumi had entered, introduced herself and sat down, was the room buzzing with whispers. He even heard Orihime and Tatsuki exchanging comments about how pretty she was: Orihime wanted her beautiful wavy hair while Tatsuki made some remark about how blue her eyes were. Ichigo snorted. She wasn't any more attractive than the other girls in his class. He glanced over at Keigo and was not surprised to find him already ogling the newbie.
"Yumi, you can take the empty seat behind Orihime," Ochi-sensei instructed. Orihime waved her hand excitedly as the new girl made her way over and sat behind her. Yumi gave Orihime a curt nod and smiled in acknowledgement as she sat down. It wasn't until Yumi had sat down that Ichigo's shinigami senses perked up. He glanced haphazardly at Uryuu, who was sitting not far away and within his line of sight. The Quincy nodded. So, Ichigo thought. He can feel it too. Ichigo then glanced back to the newcomer, who was exchanging a few words with Orihime. He couldn't make out what sort of spiritual pressure it was, but there was definitely some sort of spiritual energy coming from the girl. As this final thought entered his mind, Yumi whipped her head around and stared at him, before snapping it back when Ochi-sensei shouted. What the hell? Ichigo thought.
"Okay, enough of the idle chit-chat, we have work to do!" Ochi-sensei commanded. "Please turn to page 237 of your readers – I have a new assignment for you kids!" She stated with a smile, to which everyone responded with a groan.
It was not surprising that Keisotsu Yumi was the topic of conversation among the students of Ichigo's class at lunch. Even Keigo couldn't contain his joy at the prospect of trying (and ultimately doomed to fail) to get this girl interested in him.
"She's so hooooooot," Keigo exclaimed in near hysterics only to be met with glares from everyone except Mizuiro who was absorbed once again in his phone. "Oh come on you guys, you have to admit it!"
"What makes you think you have a shot with this one Asano when each and every girl in our year has turned you down flat?" Uryuu stated taking a drink from his water bottle.
"It's not like you had to rub that in Ishida! I'm hoping my luck will change with this new addition!" Keigo stated, once again hopeful that he could score himself a honey.
"Well, if you want to continue to remain hopeful Keigo, I suggest you tone it down. Girls can't stand it when guys go into hysterics at the drop of a hat," Mizuiro piped up in between his texting.
"Ahhh, not you too Mizuiro! What about you Chad?" Keigo questioned with pleading eyes to the giant. Chad, his usual stoic self, said nothing. Keigo let out a cry. "You're all against me! If I didn't know any better I'd think you guys wanted me to be miserable for the rest of –"
"Shut up Keigo," Ichigo interjected between Keigo's hysterics.
Before Keigo could continue his theatrics Orihime shouted a 'hello' as she appeared beside Tatsuki from the entrance to the roof. It wasn't until the girls began to make their way over to them that they noticed Yumi trailing behind. The weird vibe that Ichigo and Uryuu were getting from her earlier seemed to have disappeared since she had entered the class and given Ichigo a probing look. He shrugged it off, thinking that he must have imagined it. Yumi didn't seem like anything but a normal high school girl as Orihime and Tatsuki introduced her to their male friends. The only thing that Ichigo (and probably everyone else) found weird about the girl is that she giggled when Keigo made advances toward her. But it quickly passed when Yumi flatly rejected his proposal to take her to a movie on Saturday.
"You're cute, but you are trying way too hard," Yumi stated as she patted Keigo on the back. "I'm really not attracted to the desperate types." With that statement and to Keigo's embarrassment, the entire group roared with laughter. Even Mizuiro snuck in an 'I told you so' before Keigo stomped off, claiming he had to use the washroom before lunch was over.
Yumi looked a little apprehensive as she watched Keigo leave. "Shouldn't someone go after him? I really didn't mean to offend him," she said nervously twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers.
"Don't worry about Asano," Uryuu stated calmly. "He's always been like that."
"How the hell would you know that? You've only been hanging out with us for the last year!" Ichigo stated.
"That's all the time I needed," Uryuu retorted, pushing his glasses further up onto the bridge of his nose.
Yumi nodded and was about to interject when the bell rang signaling the end of lunch.
"Thank god," Tatsuki stated getting up off the ground. "I didn't want to have to waste my entire lunch break listening to you two heels. Let's get back to class." Tatsuki finished and began walking toward the entrance of the roof. Orihime and Yumi rose and followed after her. Ichigo and Uryuu gave each other the eye roll before proceeding after the girls. The boys followed behind. As they all descended the stairs Uryuu managed to catch up with Yumi.
"What brings you to Karakura so late in the year?" Uryuu asked nonchalantly. He couldn't shake off the odd spiritual pressure she was emanating when she entered class that morning.
Yumi started for a second, as if shocked by the seemingly innocent question. Quickly recovering from the shock of his question she replied, "I wasn't getting along very well with my parents so I came here to stay with my relatives for a little while."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Uryuu stated honestly, pushing his glasses back on is nose. "I know how difficult parents can be at times."
Yumi smiled and nodded. "So you've also got a complicated relationship with your parents?"
Uryuu smirked. "Well that's one way of putting it."
Uryuu soon found himself smiling as they continued their conversation. Despite having to adjust to new surroundings and new people Yumi was as pleasant and amicable as any other student in their class. Uryuu gauged, through their conversation, that she seemed very mature for her age and had a good sense of humor, evidenced by how she dealt with Keigo.
Yumi brought her hand to her mouth as she yawned and shook her head to snap herself out of her tired state. For the last two weeks she had had late nights. Now she was on her way into her third week in Karakura and she just couldn't catch a break. And what more, some of her class mates had nearly seen her while she was patrolling. And what more, the last few times she'd nearly been caught by Kurosaki and his friends. You're being careless. You were taught different.
She stopped suddenly on the side walk and clenched the handles of the grocery back between the palms of her hands. If only my parents hadn't uprooted all of us I would've been able to finish training. Yumi thought to herself before she let out a sigh. I think I'm starting to lose my resolve. All she had to rely on were her few and insufficient skills her master had passed on to her in the short time she studied with him. She started to think about her sister and how she was failing her.
Yumi shook her head again and inhaled the night air. "Hindsight won't help the dead," she said aloud.
"And neither can you Yumi," a familiar voice caused the strawberry-blonde to turn on her heel with a scowl as a young man in his early twenties with molasses coloured hair and the same blue eyes emerged from the shadows. His brow was furrowed in anger as he approached Yumi.
"What are you doing here Isamu?" Yumi bit out turning her back on him.
"I could ask you the same question," He replied, placing a hand on Yumi's shoulder and turning her to face him.
"You know what I'm doing here!"
Isamu growled and took hold of her shoulders. "Do you know how worried mom and dad are right now? Stop being so selfish and come home!"
Yumi glared at her elder brother, but did not reply to his taunting.
Isamu stared at his sister and shook his head in frustration when she made no motion to say anything. "You weren't the only person to lose someone that night Yumi. I was there too, remember!"
"Then you understand why I have to do this!" She yelled in frustration.
"No I don't! It's nearly been ten years! This is turning into some sick obsession!" Isamu yelled tightening his grip on her shoulders. Yumi began to struggle against her brother's grip, when she noticed they had an audience.
"Yumi, are you alright?" Uryuu questioned, directing his attention to the elder man.
"I'm fine," she replied removing her brother's slackened hands from her shoulders. "Thank you Uryuu. My brother was just giving me an update on what was going on back home."
Uryuu gave the elder Keisotsu a curt nod, which Isamu returned in kind.
"Isamu, I think it best if we continue this when it isn't a school night. You can report back to mom and dad that I'm fine." Yumi stated and turned to leave. Isamu cursed under his breath.
"You're so damn stubborn," Isamu called after his sister, who paid him no mind and continued on her way. He took note the Yumi's classmate was still there and took this time to question the young man. "You go to school with my sister?" Uryuu nodded in response. "How is she, really?"
Uryuu was a bit taken aback by the question but answered him. "She goes to school every day, and straight home every night. Yumi seems like she's getting on fine here, so whatever her issues with your parents I suggest you let them work it out," he stated and then walked off, leaving Isamu dumbstruck.
"Oi Yumi!" Uryuu called out to the girl before him.
Yumi stopped and turned to greet Uryuu as he approached. "Uryuu, I'm sorry you had to see that little scene back there," Yumi apologized, bowing slightly. "I was not expecting my brother to show up so suddenly."
"Please, there is no need to apologize," Uryuu stated, but then a thought struck him. "Then again, I should apologize for interfering in your personal matters."
Yumi shrugged. "I'm kinda glad you did, otherwise it might have come to blows with him."
Uryuu looked surprised as he walked in step with Yumi, who smiled at his reaction.
"You're an only child, aren't you?" She asked, and Uryuu nodded in response. "Let's just say that my brother is a little over protective and that doesn't leave me much breathing room – what between him and my parents."
"By the way you're describing him, it reminds me a little of Kurosaki and his sisters."
"Maybe it's a brother thing," Yumi shrugged.
"Well the conversation you were having seemed to be really intense," Uryuu stated as he adjusted his glasses.
Yumi simply nodded.
The two continued to walk along a bit longer in silence when Yumi suddenly stopped. Uryuu was a little confused as to why she was stopping, until she smiled and said, "This is where I'm staying."
It was a small apartment complex: a white coloured, three storey walk up with no more than twelve or so apartments. Uryuu followed her through the front gates: after all, it was the gentlemanly thing to do to make sure she got home. No matter how much Kurosaki would tease him about it, chivalry was not dead.
"Thanks for walking me home Uryuu," Yumi smiled, slipping her purse off of her shoulder.
"It's no problem, I only live a couple of blocks over," he stated. " After all you can never be sure what's roaming the streets of Karakura at this time of night."
"That's for sure," Yumi said as she began rifling in her purse, looking for her keys. She smiled once she found them and bid Uryuu goodnight once more before disappearing through the entrance. "See you tomorrow at school," Yumi said as she made her way to climb a flight of stairs that would take her up to her second floor apartment.
Uryuu did one final check in front of the mirror: smoothing over his hair and adjusting his glasses. Satisfied with his appearance he grabbed his book bag and keys, and left for school. He wasn't far from school when a familiar feeling came over him. He closed his eyes for a brief second, clearing his mind, stretching out his senses to figure out exactly where the offensive reiatsu came from. Finding it, he raced off down one of the laneways toward it. A roar pierced the air. The hollow was close. Uryuu raced even faster, praying that there wasn't an innocent soul in danger and that he would get there in time before the hollow caused any damage. Another roar. Uryuu pushed himself harder and as a he rounded another corner, he caught a glimpse of a purple arrow made of light as it flew past him from behind striking the hollow before him dead.
Confusion set in. Uryuu turned around and saw Yumi standing before him as a purple bow faded from her hands. A horrific look crossed Yumi's face before she bolted from the spot where she was standing. Uryuu raced after her. She was fast, but he managed to catch up with her and grab her by the arm. As soon as Uryuu had grabbed her arm, did Yumi take him by his right arm and fling him to the ground.
"Shit!" Uryuu swore, as he got up off the ground. "What the hell Yumi!"
Yumi quickly hopped away from him and took a fighting stance. Waving her left hand near her left thigh, Yumi's bow reappeared in her hand and she aimed it at him.
Uryuu gasped. What the hell? Uryuu thought. Ryuken and I are the last of the Quincys, other than the… "Who are you?" He demanded, summoning his own Quincy bow and aiming it at Yumi. "And why are you in Karakura?"
"You're a Quincy?" Yumi gaped at Uryuu.
"Oi! Ishida!" Ichigo called as he flew in from above in his shinigami form. Ichigo landed and was dumbstruck to find Ishida and Yumi pointing Quincy bows at each other. "Oi! Ishida, what the hell is going on?" Ichigo exclaimed.
"She's one of the Vandenreich," Uryuu replied venomously. Ichigo only stared dumbstruck at Yumi, who looked confused.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" She shouted. "I came here looking for someone because I have a score to settle!"
"And you don't think that sounds incriminating?" Ichigo shouted, now on his guard.
"Look," Yumi said, allowing her bow to dissolve. "I came here looking for my old master. My family moved away when I was little and I wasn't able to finish my Quincy training. I have no idea who this Vandenreich is. I'm only looking for Ishida Soken."
Uryuu could not believe what he had just heard. He felt as if he couldn't breathe. Grandfather? He wondered to himself as images of his grandfather came flooding into his mind.
Stealing a glance at his friend, Ichigo watched as Uryuu let his bow dissolve.
"You're looking for Ishida Soken?" Uryuu questioned monotonously.
"Yes," Yumi nodded smiling. "You aren't related to him are you? It's important that I find him."
Uryuu looked up and stared at Yumi with his stone cold eyes. "Ishida Soken is dead."
Well, it was a long first chapter but I've made it to the point I wanted to! School is over, so I can devote more time to this! I hope I've left you all with an inkling of wanting something more or at least an interest to see how this story plays out. I decided to include the Vandenreich because of the current storyline in Bleach, but I shall go no further in mentioning them because whatever is happening in the current arch is not really central to my story.
I promise that this won't be the typical 'long lost Quincy (sister)' story. I've seen way too many of those. If you notice any inconsistencies at all, please do let me know!