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Chapter 17: Tsukishima Shukurou
Inoue Orihime found herself in deep thought after recalling what she said. That she was friends with the man named Tsukishima. The man who attacked Ishida. The man who attacked her. The man who was willing to attack his own comrade.
"My friend? Was Tsukishima-san my friend? No. He's the one who attacked Ishida-kun. I can't say that to Kurosaki-kun. I'll have to send a message to Sado-kun later."
"Sorry for making you worry! If something's wrong then I'll be sure to tell you! And you guys be sure to do the same!" Inoue reassured her friends with her usual cheerful smile.
"O-okay… I guess we'll head back…" Ichigo replied.
"Okay! See you tomorrow!" Inoue waved goodbye to them as they made their way down the to the stairs.
"That was strange… why did I think that guy was my friend for a second there? Just what in the world…did he cut…? "
…
Ichigo, Nozomi and Chad walked slowly down the streets. While Ichigo and Nozomi were somewhat unsure what was happening, Chad knew for sure that Inoue is in the middle of something right now. His thoughts were interrupted by Ichigo though.
"Hey… what do you think happened?" Ichigo asked, full of concern for his long-time friend.
"Well… it's hard to say…" Chad answered with a half-lie, although he can say at most that there's something going on, evident from the way Inoue stuttered and sweated when she tried to explain what happened. "… Inoue doesn't know that Ichigo is getting his powers back. She doesn't want to drag him into a battle, and he'd be the last person she'd want finding out about any crisis she might be facing."
Chad thought for a while before looking at Ichigo again and continuing his earlier statement. "She's denying it that strongly… so the only thing we can do is believe her, right?" He said, getting an affirmative nod from Ichigo. "I agree. It would definitely be dangerous for Ichigo to get involved in a battle with just his current powers. I'll have to get in touch with Inoue again. If there's nothing going on then it's my mistake."
"I'm sure I just sensed her Reiatsu wrong. Don't worry about it. You two should get going." Chad reassured them as he went on his way home.
"Yeah, let's go, Nozomi." Ichigo said before continuing to walk as well before feeling someone tug on his sleeve. Of course, it was none than Nozomi.
"Ichigo. I think Inoue is hiding something." She immediately stated the thought that has been stuck in her mind. The way Inoue denied everything, it was all so suspicious.
"Yeah, I know. Something just seemed off about her. Like she's being mind-controlled or something." Ichigo admitted. He is by no means a complete idiot, he can notice if something is wrong with someone in an instant, even more so if they were his friends.
"… are you worried?"
"Well… I'd be lying if I said no. She IS one of my best friends…" Ichigo said before pausing for a while, thinking back. "But overly worried? Nah, Inoue's tough. She can look out for herself… for the most part." He added the last part after recalling his friend's "talent".
Nozomi smiled in approval as she heard Ichigo's words. She was amazed at how much faith he has in his friends. She blushes slightly upon remembering how she became friends with Ichigo and Kon, and by extension, everyone else. She wanted to be friends with them forever.
"Look, Nozomi. I'm going back to Xcution to ask them if they know something. ." Ichigo immediately changed the conversation's mood.
"All right but I'm going with you." She answered with full seriousness.
"Fine, le's hurry."
…
Back in Xcution hideout, a drunken Ginjou slammed his empty glass on the table. He's been drinking a lot since Ichigo left and one can tell by the alcoholic aura exuding from him. He turns to Giriko and asks for another glass.
"I can't do that." Giriko replied.
"And why the hell not!?" He retorted, rather viciously.
"You've drunk too much. Why, you're a mess."
He continued to complain until Jackie approached him.
"You're happy because the thing with Ichigo is going well right?" She inquires, slightly embarrassing Ginjou, which in itself is a rare sight.
"That ain't it." He said as he turned to the girl sleeping on the couch. "Hey, Riruka! Time for you to go back to your own place!"
Ginjou attempted to wake her up but to no avail.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Ginjou drunkenly ordered but was still paid no heed. He continued to rant after attempting to take a sip from his glass, forgetting the fact that it was empty. He bickered with Giriko after he politely refused to give him another glass, not noticing Yukio call out to him.
"Kuugo. The Direct Line is ringing." Yukio informed him, immediately stopping Ginjou's ranting.
Ginjou immediately put the communication device on his ear and asked who it was, but was rather surprised upon hearing the voice of the caller. "All right, I'll open the door now."
Ginjou opened the door to reveal Ichigo and Nozomi. He attempted to ask why they were back but Ichigo spoke up first.
"Inoue and Chad won't say anything. But something's definitely up." He stopped to catch his breath first before continuing. "It's probably the same guy that got Ishida."
"Kuugo, that means…" Jackie started to answer but was signaled by Ginoju that he will explain the matter himself.
"Yeah. It's probably Tsukishima."
"So, they do know something." Nozomi said to Ichigo which was answered with a nod and returned his gaze to Ginjou as he continued to explain Tsukishima's identity.
"Tsukishima Shukurou is a Fullbringer like us… and one time… he was our ally." Ginjou revealed, giving Ichigo and Nozomi their mixed share of surprise.
"What?" Ichigo questioned but was gestured by Ginjou to keep quiet and just listen.
"Tsukishima… used to be our leader. We came together with the same aspirations and combined our strength in order to get rid of our powers. Tsukishima was the leader who worked out the plan for doing that, and discovered that we could do it by passing our powers o Substiture Shinigami. But after the Substitute Shinigami we finally located have accepted a few of our comrades' powers, Tsukishima changed his mind. He killed the Substitute Shinigami, as well as our comrades who gave him their power, and then he disappeared. No, that might've been his goal all along." Ginjou finished his explanation and reached for something in his pocket. "Let me show you something."
Ichigo and Nozomi were left speechless after Ginjou pulled out the item from his pocket and showed it to them. They couldn't help to feel some kind of bad omen.
"…! That's… a Substitute Shinigami badge!" Nozomi exclaimed after regaining her judgment.
"Right. It belonged to the Substitute Shinigami that Tsukishima killed." Ginjou stated and paused for a while, letting the flabbergasted pair cope up first. "We don't know what he's thinking because he's not the type of guy that tells you. And we haven't seen him since then. But we were able to figure out one thing."
Ichigo stared at him in disbelief for a while before regaining his senses. "What's that?"
"That his objective is to prevent us from interacting with you, a Substitute Shinigami."
"How can you be so sure of that?" Nozomi asked him.
"Well, his actions suggest as much. He attacked Ishida Uryuu and made contact with Inoue Orihime. But he's using different and more violent methods than us, but he's trying to get your attention."
"Ginjou… I-" Ichigo attempted to speak up but was as usual, interrupted by Ginjou.
"I know. Please be patient. Now that Tsukishima's made his next move, we want to hurry up too. We'll begin preparations for your next training right away. I'll contact you as soon as we're ready. So for the mean time, head on home for tonight." Ginjou said, to which Ichigo and Nozomi complied without further questioning.
As they nearly reach the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo suddenly tenses up after seemingly remembering something important, causing Nozomi to look at him with a confused expression.
"Hey, Nozomi… there's something I need to take care of for a while. You should go home ahead of me." Ichigo said as he pulled out his phone and inspected it for a while.
Nozomi simply looked at him with one eyebrow raised. "… and what might that be?"
"You see… it's about my boss. I'll just ask for some time off so we can continue my training without a hitch."
She stared at him for a while before finally relenting and gave a sigh. "Fine. I'll be waiting at the house. Don't take too long."
"Got it." Ichigo replied with a smile and the girl in front of him returned it. They split ways as Nozomi entered the house while Ichigo ran off.
Nozomi went upstairs and noticed that Karin and Yuzu were already fast asleep, but Isshin was still missing. She dismissed the idea and made her way to her room.
"Nozomi!" Kon greeted her and immediately made a defensive stance as soon as the girl walked towards him.
"Hi." Nozomi greeted with a smile.
Kon blinked in disbelief multiple times, before finally regaining his composure. "Huh? No kick today?"
"As long as you don't do anything perverted." She said while shooting a second-long death glare, sending a familiar feeling down Kon's spine, despite having none.
"Oh then, where's Ichigo?"
"Said he'll take care of something. Should be back in several minutes."
"Oh I see… so how's it going lately? You two have been going out a lot lately and I don't appreciate always being left here!" Kon complained childishly but immediately stopped upon seeing Nozomi's expression change into a serious one. "Nozomi? What's wrong?"
"A lot." She replied, causing Kon to raise an eyebrow. "Look, I'm exhausted right now so I'll explain tomorrow okay? Good Night."
"Alright then. Good Night!" Kon watched Nozomi return to her room while he himself returned to the room he shares with Ichigo. "Wonder what's up…?"
…
Unagiya Ikumi. Boss of Kurosaki Ichigo and owner of the Unagi Shop- Odd Jobs. She was having her usual recreational time as a break from doing so many jobs, and Ichigo's absence was no help in that matter. It was all so peaceful for her, until a loud knock on the door came.
"Coming!" She replied as she rushed to the door and opens it strongly. The door seemed to have bumped onto something however, and the thing it bumped to was the nose of Ichigo.
"Hey! That hurt! Didn't I tell you to open this door carefully because it opens out towards the stairs!? How many years have y-" Ichigo complained while holding his sore nose.
"Ichigo! Where have you been!? You just stopped coming to work without letting me know again…" Ikumi said as she fully opened the door and headed back to her couch. "Come in for now! I'll listen to what you have to say inside!" She offered but was turned down by Ichigo.
"Nah, here's fine. I just wanted to ask for some time off"
"What!? Whadda ya mean you want some time time off!? You HAVE been taking time off! How long do you have to be away from work before you're satisfied!? Hey! You listening!?"
"Sorry…"
"Huh?"
"Well that's all so…" Ichigo said as he prepared to leave but was stopped by Ikumi.
"Hold on! Ichigo!" She said as she pulled him by the sleeve. "I don't know what happened, but stop treating me like I'm one of your classmates! I don't need a kid trying to protect me or something! In fact, I think it should be the other way around! You kids turn to an adult like me if you need help!" Ikumi declared, letting go of her grip on Ichigo.
Ichigo was somewhat shocked to hear that, but still took it in and excused himself before leaving. "Thanks… Ikumi-san."
Ichigo walked on his way home when he suddenly sees a familiar figure seemingly waiting for someone or something nearby. He walked closer while trying to avoid detection and upon examining the man, he immediately recognized him.
"Dad…?"
Ichigo attempted to approach his dad but stopped after noticing another person approach him. He hid behind a wall and small bead of sweat formed on his head as he saw the second person.
"… is something wrong?" Urahara Kisuke asked Isshin as soon as he spotted him.
"No… it's nothing. Let's go somewhere else"
"Why?"
Isshin closed his eyes before answering Kisuke's question. "Just in case."
Kisuke immediately understood what Isshin meant and agreed to his request.
Ichigo watched as his dad and Kisuke went to some place to talk about something seemingly important. He thought about what to do when he suddenly remembers Ginjou's words concerning Kisuke.
"I'd forgotten… no, a lot happened all at once so I tried to forget it. Should I follow them and get some answers? No. If I do that and Urahara-san is really the enemy, then what? Is there anything I can do right now? No, I've got to get my powers back quickly."
He begrudgingly dismissed the idea of tailing them and just went directly home. Tomorrow is going to be the start of the real training. He's going to get his powers back quickly and resolve all of this. That was all that circulated in Ichigo's mind as of the moment
Hey everyone. That's Chapter 17. Hope you like it. I might update again later or not, depending on my mood. I can be extremely lazy at times you know. Anyway, thanks for reading! Ja ne.