Author's note: Thank you all for the reviews! I'm glad you like the story. I've been doing my very best to make it not suck! :D
Chapter five: Holding out for a hero
A few days later, I was back at home. It was Saturday and I decided to go to the grocery store. I was walking down the cereal aisle, when I heard the familiar dulcet tones of Hiyori's screaming. I looked into the next aisle and saw her arguing with a tall silver haired man. Hiyori looked like she enjoyed yelling at people so I didn't bother her. I also didn't want to get beaten into the floor. I paid for my food and started for home. I was almost there when I felt something crawl over my skin. I looked around and didn't see anything, but started walking a little faster. I heard something scream behind me and turned around. I wished I hadn't. A large insect-like creature with claws ripped through my chest. I screamed and fell backwards. My vision started going dark, but I saw someone jump over me. I heard a fight going on and then what I can only assume was a hollow's dying screams. As I passed out, I saw a white pharaoh's mask come into view.
When I came to, I felt myself being cuddled again. Three guesses as to whom by. I opened my eyes and looked up at Shinji. He looked worried.
"Do you remember what happened?" he asked. I nodded.
"I was walking home and I heard something screaming. I turned around, but didn't see anything. I started continuing on, but there was the scream again and this time when I turned something ripped up my chest. Then there you were," I said.
"That was a hollow, by the way," he said.
"I figured. Why aren't I dead?" I asked.
"We took you to someone with fantastic healing abilities," he said, smirking. He continued to hover above me. I got suspicious.
"Are really a student?" I asked.
"Of course! I'm registered and everything! However, my entering the educational system was not because of an interest in academia," he said.
"If you're not there for an education, why are you there?" I asked.
"To recruit Kurosaki Ichigo in to the Vizard ranks. He was infected with a hollow about a month ago. However, getting him to join is proving difficult. He can't sense reiatsu for shit and he's stubborn as hell."
"Reiatsu?"
"Spiritual pressure. It's what a person's spiritual power creates when released," he said.
"So that's what that was?" I said, more to myself. Shinji frowned.
"Huh?"
"Oh, the first day you came into class, I noticed you felt like Kurosaki-kun, but I didn't know what to call the feeling," I said.
"That's not surprising considering your… gifts."
I snorted. "Gifts, my ass. These are gifts I want returned." He laughed. "Hey, Shinji. How old are you, exactly? 'Cause I know you're not fifteen."
"Old enough to not need formal education," he replied. I sighed.
"Fine, get evasive."
"Oh, come on, does it really matter? What's a few centuries between people?" he said. There was that shit eating grin again.
I smiled and pushed some of his hair behind his ear. Then popped him on the temple.
He reared back. "What the hell?!"
I started laughing. " 'What's a few centuries between people?' If you're really that old, how do you look so young? Botox? Facelifts? Is that why you wear your hair like that? To hide the scars? Really, I want to know!"
"What's wrong with my hair?"
"Nothing… if you're the mascot for Dutch Boy paint."
His jaw dropped. I smirked. I could get used to moments like this.