The Cindered Sister Chapter 3
A/N: Sorry it took so long guys! This one is a long one! Enjoy and please excuse any spelling mistakes!
The three students walked in silence, with Yumi taking the lead. None of them bothered to make conversation. Ichigo noticed that for the few blocks they walked to Yumi's apartment Uyruu continued to glare at Yumi's back, never once averting his gaze. Ichigo thought the Quincy was being unusually callous toward the girl, but then again Uryuu did not know what Isshin had said concerning Yumi's unique condition. If Ichigo understood his father correctly Quincy powers were inherited and passed down from parents to their children. That would make perfect sense since he knew Uyruu's father and grandfather were both Quincies. But what about Uyruu's mother? As far as Ichigo knew none of their friends knew anything about his mother. Ichigo chanced a glance at his friend and shook his head: he was still glaring at Yumi's back as if he was expecting her to do something.
Ichigo rolled his eyes at the young prodigy; had he always been this paranoid? Leave it to Uryuu to be suspicious about everyone. But then again, the Quincy's suspicions usually proved to be valid. It was then that Ichigo turned his gaze back to Yumi. She didn't have the air of someone who was out to wreak havoc on his little town. He could tell by the angle of her head and her posture that her eyes were downcast and she seemed as if she were carrying a heavy burden.
"You really don't have to escort me the whole way you know," Yumi stated snapping Ichigo from his thoughts.
"You seem like the type of person who doesn't do as she's told," Ichigo stated.
"What gives you that impression?" Yumi asked glancing back at Ichigo and slowing her pace to match his.
"How about the fact that despite you looking like crap," Ichigo stated bluntly, receiving a slight glare from Yumi before continuing, "and the fact that you're completely exhausted you can't wait to get back out there and do whatever it is that you do."
"And what would that be exactly?" Uryuu piped up with a condescending tone.
Yumi stopped in her tracks and faced the Quincy. "Maybe if you ask nicely the next time I see you I'll tell you exactly why I'm here and what I do in my spare time," she said not without a little condescension in her own voice.
"You have no right to call yourself a Quincy or to go about Karakura hunting down and destroying Hollow," Uryuu scoffed. "You're messing up the balance."
Ichigo rolled his eyes at Uryuu's last statement and thought to himself that it wasn't too long ago that his Quincy friend was doing the exact same thing in order to prove himself as the better warrior and all-around protector of Karakura.
"Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and cannot do? The Quincy King?!" Yumi spat.
"Will you two shaddup!" Ichigo yelled. "You're giving me a goddamn migraine!"
"Sorry Ichigo," Yumi said. "My apartment is just a couple of houses down."
"Fine." Ichigo stated and marched off, pulling Yumi by the sleeve behind him. When they finally reached Yumi's place – Ichigo insisted on walking her right to her door – Yumi quickly found her keys and unlocked the door.
"I suppose it would be good manners to invite you in and offer you something to drink for your trouble," Yumi stated turning toward her two classmates, but speaking only to Ichigo.
"Don't worry about it," Ichigo stated nonchalantly. "Just get some rest. I'll ask Orihime or Tatsuki to get your homework for you."
"Thanks," Yumi replied and was about to shut the door when Uryuu once again found the need to antagonize the girl.
"I want the cross," he stated holding out his right hand.
"Jesus Christ Ishida, can't you let it go for today?!" Ichigo belted.
"No I can't. Her reiatsu is a mess and like I've told her repeatedly she has no business being a Quincy," Uyruu stated.
Yumi stood in her entrance with a look of surprise as Uryuu continued to stand there with his hand out in anticipation of the cross. A sad smile crossed her features as she took in the severity of his expression and she simply shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't."
"Hand it over Yumi," Uryuu stated again with unwavering persistence.
Yumi's patience was beginning to wear thin with Uryuu. Ichigo was right, she was exhausted and the Quincy's attitude was proving to be even more tiring. Why couldn't he just leave her alone – at least for now? She had a million things running through her mind, but in the end it all centered around the reason why she came to Karakura in the first place. Only now she was going to have to accomplish her goals alone. "I'm sorry," she repeated giving Ishida a hard look. "No."
Uryuu was about to protest when Yumi yawned and then stated matter of factly, "I'm very tired now, so unless you two are a couple of perverts I suggest you leave before I get undressed."
Uryuu snorted. "I'm not leaving until you give me that cross."
Yumi yawned once more and hoping they were the kind of gentlemen she thought they were – the kind who would become extremely uncomfortable - she removed her school jacket and let it fall to the floor. She then began to make quick work of her blouse unbuttoning the top to reveal a white camisole underneath.
"Stop doing that, we're leaving!" Ichigo protested throwing a hand over his eyes as a blush began to creep over his face. Uryuu wasn't faring much better, as his face also went tomato red. Without a second thought Ichigo made quick work to haul Uryuu by the back of his collar out of Yumi's small apartment.
A small smile appeared on Yumi's face as she quickly shut the door and locked it. "I'm glad that got rid of them," she said to herself with a tad bit of satisfaction. She then walked over to her futon and sat down with the intent of removing her socks. However, the allure of the comfort of her futon and her pillow soon won out and before she knew it her head fell to the pillow, her heavy eyes closed and she was asleep.
It wasn't until they had reached what Ichigo had deemed a safe distance from Yumi's apartment – which turned out to be several blocks – that he released Uryuu's collar.
"What the Hell, Kurosaki?!" Uryuu belted out at he straightened his collar.
"I wasn't going to stick around when she started to strip and I wasn't going to leave you alone with her. You probably would've taken advantage of her," Ichigo stated eyeballing Uryuu.
"I'm not as depraved as you are Kurosaki, so don't even put me in the same category as you. Pervert! I saw you sneak a peek from between your fingers!" Uryuu bit back.
"At least I covered my eyes and didn't gawk. You should see your face, it's still red!" Ichigo laughed, pointing at his friend.
"At least I'm not acting like a child," Uryuu stated pushing his glasses back onto his face. "Now, don't you think we should get to school? Or do you want to continue the finger pointing and get detention?" He asked walking away from Ichigo.
"You are such a dick sometimes," Ichigo scoffed as he followed Uryuu.
Orihime looked quizzically from the small sheet of paper she held in her hand to the building before her. It was late afternoon nearly supper time – by the time she reached Yumi's apartment building. It was a short three story walk-up with walls painted a pale yellow. The small peaked roof of the building sported terracotta tiles, and the doors were painted a light brown in what looked like an attempt to give the building some continuity.
Stuffing the paper into the pocket of her skirt Orihime made her way through the small archway to a flight of stairs which would take her to the second floor. Adjusting her school bag to ensure that it was secure Orihime skipped up the steps humming until she reached the landing of the second story. She took a quick glance around, looking for the first apartment which would indicate where she should go. The numbers appeared to be ascending to the right of where she was standing and so with a small smile to herself in congratulations Orihime walked on until she reached Yumi's apartment – number 205.
Orihime had to admit to herself that she was a bit apprehensive about knocking on Yumi's door, feeling that in some way she would disturb the new girl. In the few weeks since she had arrived Orihime noticed that Yumi always kept to herself. She never once mentioned any family or friends from Komae. Orihime would watch as she left every day after school – a quick goodbye and then she would be gone before Orihime could ask her if she wanted to join them for shopping, or movies, or even to share in the baked bread she had brought with her as an after school snack. Orihime would often listen as Tatsuki or Keigo remarked on how tired Yumi would look every morning.
It wasn't until that very morning that she found out the reason for Yumi's distance. It was the vibe that was emanating from Uryuu as soon as he had entered into their classroom that threw her off. The scowl on his face was impenetrable and she had to wait until Ichigo had explained the situation to them during their lunch break to understand the reason for her Quincy friend's mood.
Orihime sighed. Even after Ichigo had explained to their group what was going on she didn't understand the reason for the Quincy's hostility. She quickly shook herself from her thoughts – she was given an important assignment by Kurosaki-kun after all! She pulled out the homework she had collected for Yumi from her bag and knocked on the door.
No answer. Orihime knocked once again. "Ano, Yumi-chan? Are you there?"
Orihime was about to knock a third time when the door inched open, revealing Yumi's disheveled appearance.
"Orihime?" Yumi asked rubbing her left eye. She was still wearing her blouse and skirt, now disheveled along with her hair.
"I'm sorry Yumi-chan, I didn't mean to wake you up but Kurosaki-kun asked me if I could drop your homework off after school."
Yumi moved her and from her eye and looked at Orihime quizzically. "What time is it?"
"It's almost 5 o'clock. I'm sorry, I would've been here much sooner but I had handy crafts club after school and…" Orihime paused when both girls' stomachs let out a ferocious growl. Both looked at each other. Yumi smiled while Orihime giggled. "I was just on my way to get some of this really great ramen for dinner. Would you like to come with me?"
Orihime could sense the apprehensiveness that was coming from Yumi after she had asked her to tag along for dinner, so the beauty did the only thing she could think of: Clasping her hands together as if in prayer and putting on her biggest puppy dog eyes Orihime began to stare down the girl.
Orihime's pleading glare was beginning to make Yumi incredibly uncomfortable. Her stomach wasn't helping matters either, as it let out yet another growl demanding to be fed. Sighing more loudly than was necessary Yumi bowed her head in defeat to Orihime. "Okay, you win. Just let me fix myself up first," Yumi stated opening the door wider so that Orihime could enter into her small apartment and wait in relative comfort.
Orihime smiled in triumph as Yumi allowed her into her home.
"Sorry, I wasn't expecting company," Yumi stated blushing at the mess of clothes and books strewn about the tiny apartment. "Please, make yourself comfortable while I get ready," Yumi added and then running about the room gathered up a pair of disgarded jeans and a long sleeve purple shirt before running off to her bathroom, leaving Orihime to look around the small room.
To her left there was a small closet which Yumi was using as a coat closet. Orihime was able to gather as much because there was a black leather coat sleeve sticking out of the door. Her eyes continued to follow the wall at the end of which was the bathroom where Yumi was presently getting ready. Against the wall opposite from where Orihime was currently standing was Yumi's futon, unmade for the obvious reason she had been sleeping when Orihime had woken her up. There was a small nightstand with a small lamp and a small photo next to it. The covers were nothing special, just plain white like, Orihime imagined, one would find in a hotel room. Close to where the bed was and to Orihime's right she could see a small kitchenette with washer and dryer in complete disarray. Opposite the bed on the wall directly to Orihime's right was a rather large picture window with the drapes drawn and a small shelf under it with a few books on it. Finally, there was a small coffee table at the center of the room. In the entirety of the small space Orihime could discern no defining features that would indicate that this was Yumi's home – all except for the small photo on the nightstand.
Orihime approached the nightstand and stood before it observing the small frame. It was a simple black frame in which there was a picture of a much younger Yumi – probably around six or seven years old – with a girl the same age who had coffee coloured hair and blue eyes the same colour as Yumi's hair. Both girls were smiling and looked absolutely carefree in their childhood. Just as Orihime was beginning to wonder about the other girl in the picture, the sound of Yumi surfacing from the bathroom roused the beauty from her thoughts.
Despite the fact that Orihime had quickly turned from what she had been occupied with, Yumi did notice but rather than let on that she had noticed Yumi quickly deflected the situation and went for the door automatically. "We should get going before any sort of dinner crowd shows up."
"Sure!" Orihime nodded and placing Yumi's forgotten homework on the coffee table, followed the other girl out the door.
"I can't believe I slept the entire day," Yumi admonished as the cook at the ramen stall they were sitting at passed her the bowl of ramen she had ordered.
"Oou mustoo been weawy tiwed," Orihime stated with a mouth full of noodles.
Yumi smiled at the carefree nature of the girl beside her as she swallowed another bite of her own food.
Orihime giggled and then became every so serious. "I only get that tired when the little green men play tennis in my brain at night." Of course this particular statement caused Yumi to stare at the girl wide-eyed and open mouthed as her chopsticks slumped back into her bowl. "But," Orihime continued with a smile as if what she were saying was normal, "thankfully that doesn't happen very often anymore – too busy helping Kurosaki-kun with his shinigami duties."
"Just how many people know about Kurosaki's…" Yumi looked around and whispered behind her hand to Orihime. "Extra-curricular activities?"
"Just his closest friends," Orihime stated nonchalantly thinking once again of the orange haired shinigami and to a particular conversation they had had earlier that morning after they had listened to Uryuu's tirade about the new girl.
"Oi Inoue, can I talk to you for a sec?" Ichigo asked nodding his head to the right and pointing away from their group of friends.
Orihime nodded, blushing ever so slightly following Ichigo a few feet away from where their friends were seated. She couldn't help but feel everyone's eyes on them at that very moment. The fact that Keigo was whining about Ichigo stealing all of the good looking chicks for himself again wasn't helping matters either.
"What is it Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime questioned.
"I was wondering if you could do a little digging?" He asked, receiving a confused look from Orihime. Ichigo scratched the back of his neck, not quite sure himself of what he was asking. Feeling that clarification of his intentions would be best, he did just that. "Crap, I'm really not good at this stuff…Just find out what you can about Yumi when you drop her homework off after school."
"Why is that Kurosaki-kun? Surely she isn't dangerous," Orihime stated, still confused by her friend's request.
"Trust me Inoue, if I thought she was dangerous I wouldn't let you anywhere near her," Ichigo stated boldly causing Orihime to blush a little. Ichigo scratched the back of his head, "I just get a vibe from her. She looks like she could use some help."
A look of casual surprise graced Orihime's features with Ichigo's somewhat uncharacteristic admission. Ichigo was usually more abrupt when he decided to help someone and never pussy footed around such an issue. Yet, Orihime trusted his instincts and would do as her friend asked.
"Well, if it's so you can help Yumi-chan…I'll see what I can do," Orihime smiled as she flexed her right arm.
Orihime shook herself from her thoughts as a voice kept echoing through her mind calling her name. It was Yumi, who was staring at Orihime with a very concerned look on her face. "Ahaa, sorry about that Yumi-chan."
"You scared the crap out of me. One minute you were telling me about Ichigo and the next you went all catatonic. I think you also might have a little drool on your chin," Yumi stated a little disconcerted while pointing at Orihime's face.
Orihime giggled a bit as she wiped the drool from her mouth. "Sorry about that, just started thinking about dessert!"
"You're pretty care free for someone who lives on their own," Yumi commented her eyes becoming downcast. "To be honest when we first met I thought you were a little immature – fawning over Ichigo like you do."
Orihime blushed profusely at Yumi's statement. "I do n-not!"
Yumi smiled, "Don't worry I haven't let on and I won't. That's your business."
Both girls sat in silence for the next few moments, finishing off their meals and enjoying each other's company. For Yumi it had been such a long time since she had just hung out with a friend – or even had a friend to chit chat about boys with, of all things. It was at that moment that the words her brother had said to her were beginning to hit hard. Was she obsessed?
"Ne Yumi-chan, why did you come to Karakura?" Orihime questioned as they walked along the shore of the small river that wove its way through Karakura. "Does it have something to do with that girl in the photo in your apartment?"
Yumi stopped walking.
"I was wondering when you were going to ask about that," she said in reply to Orihime.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be nosy at your apartment."
Yumi shook her head, "No, it was out in plain sight. That's my twin sister Kazuko."
"Ohhh!" Orihime stated in realization. "So are you here because you're doing something for her?"
Yumi shook her head once again.
"No she was killed a few years ago by a….HOLLOW!" Yumi shouted pointing behind Orihime.
Orihime reacted quickly, much to Yumi's surprise, erecting her shield just as the Hollow brought down its razor sharp claws.
"You've clearly done this before," Yumi called to Orihime as they dodged another one of the beast's claws.
"I've had a lot of practice!" Orihime shouted, wordlessly summoning Tsubaki to strike the hollow right in the center of its mask.
Just as Orihime set Tsubaki upon the hollow, Yumi swiped her hand past her left thigh summoning her Quincy bow. Pulling the light string away from the bow, a bow of purple energy formed and taking aim she let her arrow fly. The hollow dodged the attack, proving to be much quicker than Yumi had previously thought.
"Son of a bitch!" She yelled frustrated, letting off more arrows at the creature, the Hollow dodging each an every attempt Yumi made. Each and every attempt she made became weaker, the hollow was merely deflecting her shots now, not even bothering to dodge them. Orihime's attacks however were more effective, but could it actually slay the hollow?
"I don't understand," Yumi said.
"Don't worry Yumi-chan, I'm sure help is on the way!" Orihime said optimistically, erecting her shield once again.
"But I should be able to take down a simple Hollow!" Yumi cried, placing every last ounce of her power and strength into her next shot. Orihime watched as a purple haze of energy seemed to form around her and how a moment before she took her shot Yumi looked as if she were about to collapse. Yet, she shook off her fatigue and made the shot only to have it deflected once again by the Hollow.
Orihime watched as Yumi screamed in frustration and ran at the beast, despite Orihime's protests. But Yumi didn't care. She hated this thing, just like all the others. She hated them and wanted to exact the ultimate punishment upon it. Why? Why were her gifts failing her now? What good were they if she couldn't take down a goddam Hollow? "Soken-san, why?!" She screamed and leapt at the Hollow, unconcerned with the fact that she had no weapons to defend herself with. She balled her right hand into a fist and just as she was about to strike the Hollow, she felt herself being pulled out of the way.
Yumi struggled against the unwanted help, desperate to get free and back to the Hollow before it could hurt anyone. "Let me go!" She grunted out as she was unceremoniously dropped to the ground.
"What the Hell were you thinking going up against a Hollow like that?!" Ichigo yelled, shaking his fist at Yumi.
"She wasn't thinking. That's the problem," Uryuu scoffed as he fired off a few hundred shots at the large Hollow, disorienting it. He came to land beside Ichigo and Yumi.
"Yumi-chan!" Orihime yelled as she and Chad joined the rest of the group. "Are you okay?"
"She's fine," Ichigo stated eyeballing Yumi. "You," he stated pointed at Yumi. "Stay put!" He instructed, and in one great leap toward the Hollow Ichigo brought his zanpaku-to down upon it. The Hollow was cleansed and it evaporated into thin air.
"Tch," Ichigo scoffed rejoining his friends and a disgruntled Yumi. "I'm starting to believe what he's saying about you," he stated pointing at Uryuu.
Yumi simply glared at the fellow Quincy, who glared right back.
"You have no control whatsoever of your abilities! You're like an infant flailing about when you fire your arrows!" Uryuu scolded.
Yumi's jawline tightened as did her fists at her side. "Do you look down on every new person you meet? Or am I just special?"
"You're not special, trust me," Ichigo blatantly stated. "You should've seen the shit he put me through when he first met me."
"I didn't put you through anything that wasn't warranted," Uryuu quipped, adjusting his glasses.
"But you have changed since then Ishida," Chad piped up.
"Not for the better I think," Uryuu stated and turned to Yumi once again. "Why do you need that cross so badly? You have no skill whatsoever."
Yumi continued to glare at him, her mouth set in a firm line.
"Spill it carrots," Ichigo stated resting Zangetsu on his shoulder. "Tell us why you're here."
Yumi rolled her eyes at what Ichigo was trying to do.
"If you're trying to intimidate me…"
"Yumi-chan please, we're trying to help you," Orihime stated placing a friendly hand on Yumi's shoulder.
Silence followed for the next few moments as Yumi quickly thought over her options, and deciding that it would be more prudent to have her new classmates assist her she finally gave up the information they were seeking.
"Well, seeing as how I've been here for nearly a month and have absolutely no leads whatsoever…"
"Leads, for what?" Ichigo interjected.
"Other than looking for Soken-san, I'm also looking for a particular Hollow," Yumi stated, causing everyone to look at her in surprise.
"What makes you think it's in Karakura?" Chad questioned.
"Because this is the last place I saw it over nine years ago and where it was reported to have been seen again four months ago."
"What?" Ichigo questioned, confused.
"It's a particularly powerful monster," Yumi stated with disgust. "And it goes by the name of Ceph Devilish."