(english)
'thoughts'
attacks,hado...etc
Hollow speech
I don't own Bleach...but I'm tryin'!
Chapter 4
Last Time
"Sniff... Heh heh heh, smells tasty!" A dark voice groaned out.
His eyes widened as he recognized the voice. Not the tone but the same bloodlust, and hunger as the last one had! Before he could turn his head two more crashes answered the first one.
"Ha ha. Yes indeed Aniki! Smells Wonderful!" came a second voice.
"Definitely. A great meal Brothers. Let's enjoy!" A third put in.
'More?' he thought turning around and immediately wished he hadn't. There standing before him were three Hollows.
"Lets eat."
("Shit!")
James watched in horror as the three Hollows advanced on him. There bodies were reletively humanoid, each with the same hole in there stomach. The white masks that made up their faces were almost all the same. They each resembled a traditional japanese oni, but each one had a different number of horns. The largest one had three, the middle one had two and the smallest had a single horn. Any other time he would have remarked on their similarities but now he was just to scared. Shifting his foot he prepared to run, anywhere away from here. He didn't prepare for the middle one to disappear.
'What?!...Where?' he thought looking around. Quickly senseing something behind he jumped to the left just as a large fist impacted the ground.
"Going somewhere?" asked the two horned hollow.
"Yeah. Away from here." Said James slowly reaching into his jacket pocket.
"What makes you think we'll let you?" giggled the little one.
"Your lack of memory for one!" He yelled pulling out Rukia's small memory device. With a clench of his eyes and the push of a button a large 'poof' of smoke appeared and surrounded the three Hollows. Who all began hacking and coughing as it dissipated.
"What the hell was that?!" coughed the big one.
"How annoying!" came from the second one.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!" yelled the little one.
James however was starring at the now useless device. Watching a little bunny head on a spring bounce around.
'The damn thing doesn't work on Hollows!' he mentally ranted. Without a second thought he reared back and chucked the little device...
Right into the little ones right eye.
"AHHHHH! You bastard I'll kill you dead!" it yelled holding it's eye. As one they all turned to James...and blinked as he wasn't there anymore. Looking around they caught sight of him just as he grabbed a fence preparing to jump it. With a small grunt of effort he cleared it and was airborne.
"Where you goin'? We just started!" said the middle Hollow as it appeared next to him still in midair.
'Fast!' was all he had time to think as said Hollow landed a punch in the chest and launched him back over the fence to join his brothers. Not allowing himself to stay down long he quickly jumped to his feet...and ducked to avoid the smallest Hollow is it lunged over him. Almost immediately after it passed over him, he rolled to the left as the middle one reappeared and stomped on his previous location.
'Shit! the only thing keeping me alive are my senses!' he thought as he dodged a swipe from the little one. All the while the big one watched from the side lines.
"You have good senses boy." remarked the big one as James spun around another kick from the middle one.
'Damnit!' he cursed as he leaped over the little one. He looked forward just the big one appeared in front of him. Not giving him a second to adjust the big one reared back a fist and punched James in the chest, making him taste blood. The impact of the blow sent him flying back into the brick fence, cracking it from the force. As he shakily got to his knees he suddenly found it hard to breath.
'Musta cracked a rib.' he thought as he clutched his chest...and heard a jingle. His blood running cold he looked down...to a broke chain.
("What?") he said shocked. He looked at the short, inches long chain and saw another one a few feet away. Following the chain he saw it connected to him. No, his body, blood leaking out of it's mouth. A light no longer in the grey eyes. A lifeless vessel. He remembered Rukia saying something about chains. About once severed a soul was dead. That meant he was dead.
James Watson was dead.
*************
In various parts of Karakura City several people in the middle of their own battles, stiffened as a cold chill went down there spines. 'James/Watson-kun/san.' echoed through their minds.
*************
Looking down at the chain James couldn't help but tremble as the situation set itself into his mind. He was dead. Dead. No coming back. He'd never see his mother again. His friends.
("No. No. NO! DAMNIT, NO!") he screamed in despair. Feeling a sharp pain, he looked on in shock as the chain seemed to grow mouths and begin eating each other.
("W-What the hell?!") he gasped before grabbing the chain. ("STOP!") he yelled. But it was all for nothing, grabbing the chain only resulted in the many mouths biting chunks out of his hands, quickly making him let go. He could do nothing but watch on despair and fear as the chains ate away until they reached the plate. The three Hollows sitting back and watching chuckled at the horrified look on his face. Put out that they wouldn't be able to eat a fresh soul, but satisfied that they'd be able to eat a fresh Hollow instead. Waching on and feeling intense pain James watched as the plate shattered and feel away leaving a black gaping hole in it's place.
("No. Please no!") he said as what felt like cold tears sprouted from his eyes. Almost as soon as he felt the 'tears' he felt vomit erupting from his mouth. In shock he saw that the 'tears' and 'vomit' was bone white. As his vision was clouded over by the substance he didn't see it beginning to take shape and form a mask. However a mask forming first, instead of the body breaking down was a sign of resistance. Not that he or the Hollows knew this.
"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" he screamed in pain and torment.
'Damnit! I don't want this!' he mentally screamed as more white liquid flowed over his face.
'I can't let this happen!' a white mask began to form on the top of his face, shrouding his vision in white.
'I won't let this happen!' A deep anger began to fill him
'I refuse to let this happen!' the mask moved lower and covered more of his face beginning to reach his mouth.
'I REFUSE!!!!' was his last thought before his white vision turned black.
*************
A light breeze washed over his face, carrying with it the smell of rain. Opening his eyes James found himself staring up at a green sky. Green? Sitting up he saw and felt himself sitting on a hard rocky ground. Puzzled he looked back up at the green 'sky'. Looking closer he saw the majority of it waving with the wind. Grass? Looking over to his left he saw a rolling mass of different shades of grey. Clouds. No, rain clouds. More confused than ever he looked over his new surroundings. How did he get here? A realization dawning on him as he began looking for the Hollws, but nothing turned up. Giving up he looked at his hands in confusion. The wounds from the chain mouths gone as well.
"Did those Hollows kill me?" he wondered. "Is this Heaven?"
"Not exactly." said a new voice. Startled James began looking around for it. Almost immediately he located the owner. A young boy, around twelve years old stood on a large rock. He was dressed in a dark blue robe that reached his knees, and dark grey pants. The robe split at the hips forming flaps in the front and back. His feet were wrapped in white bandages and a drum with the kanji for 'storm' decorating it hung from his left side by a strip of cloth. A hood kept the top half of his face shadowed from view. Seeing that he'd finally been seen the boy's mouth lifted into a smile and raised his hand in greeting. "Yo, Aniki."
"Huh?"
"This is your inner world." he explained. "Well, your inner world, my home."
"What?" he asked confused. "Who are you kid?"
"Thought you'd never ask!" exclaimed the kid with another smile. "My name is ......." James looked at the boy strangely. He saw his mouth moving but couldn't hear the name. It was like the boy was suddenly muted. Seeing his incomprehension the boy's smile melted away, replaced by a sad frown.
"So, you can't here my name yet." he said sadly. "Oh well, another time."
"What I can hear just fine." said James. "You just quit talking."
"You know..." began the kid, giving James a strange and penetrating stare. "I'm wondering. Just how are you sitting there like that?"
"Huh-AAAHHHH!!!" he shouted out as gravity suddenly decided to take affect. Falling off the 'ground' he experienced freefall until...
-THUD!-
He hit the grassy 'sky'. Groaning in pain and discomfort he looked up at the, now, cliff face and saw the boy on a ledge that was previously a rock. Rolling to a sitting position he placed a hand on the ground to steady himself. Pulling a hand up in confusion he saw it coated in droplets of water. Looking out over the grassy plain he saw it coated with a slight sheen. A sign it was all covered in water.
"It rained here recently." he said with a small smile. That explained the clouds and smell.
"That's right." said the boy his voice carrying down."It always rains here."he explained. "There's always a very gentle shower coming down. It only ever stops when you're feeling down." he continued. James listening with rapt attention. "I always like the rain."he said looking up at the grey clouds with a smile. "However..." at this his smile turned into a serious frown. "Because of recent events the rains have stopped." Looking down at James he seemed to be looking into his soul even though his eyes were still hidden. "But worse still, because of you becoming a Hollow..." At this James eyes widened in fright. The grey orbs reflecting the boy. "your inner world..." he said pointing out across the plains. James eyes following the direction and gasped in shock. "...is crumbling." he finished as the plains seemed to be falling into an abyss. The crumbling edge rushing towards them.
"What do I do?!" he shouted in fear. "How do I stop it?!"
"You must accept my power and become a Shinigami." The boy told him. "Otherwise you'll lose yourself and become a hollow."he warned.
"How?! How do I become a Shinigami?!" he begged intensely afraid of becoming a hollow.
"It's simple..." said the boy bending down and holding out his right hand. "Take my hand and the power is yours."
James looked up the cliff to the boy. Looking over his shoulder he saw the edge now only a hundred feet away. So close he could here it now, like a rumbling beast.
Without a second thought his face adopted a determined expression and he jumped to the cliff. Climbing hand over hand, foot over foot, finding the safest holds he made his way up. All the while talking himself through it.
"Allright I'm almost there." he said to himself. Fifty feet to go.
"This is easy. No way am I becoming a stinkin' Hollow!" forty feet to go.
"After this is over, I'll hang out with all the others. Hell I just might pay for lunch!" Thirty feet to go. He paused as the rumbling changed pitch to a more cracking sound. Looking over his shoulder his eyes widened as the edge made it to the cliff and it began to break away and fall into the abyss.
"You better hurry, Aniki." advised the boy, his hand still extended and waiting. Doubling his already tired movement he put the last of his energy into it as the cracking grew louder.
"No problem, I can beat this!" twenty feet to go. The abyss was ten feet away.
"Nearly there." He grunted out. Ten feet to go. The abyss was five feet away.
"Yes." He shouted happily, his left hand on the ledge. With a grunt of effort he reached up with his right and extended it towards the boy's hand. With a shout of shock he dropped a few inches as his feet lost purchase and now dangled in midair. The abyss was right on him. With one hand reaching he only had one hand holding himself up. Looking up in despair he saw the boy standing there, not even bending down to help. Just standing with his hand extended. At this angle he still couldn't see his eyes. Watching the cracking edge travel past his face and approach the ledge James' face contorted with anger and effort, and with one last mighty pull with all his strength he pulled himself up...
and latched onto the boy's hand. Panting with effort he looked up into the boy's face, what he could see, and saw a happy smile.
"Not bad at all." said the boy. "I'm looking forward to our next meeting, Aniki." he told James as a white light began to expand from the abyss. "Maybe then you'll hear my name." Just before the light engulfed them both, James felt the familiar feeling of fresh rain hitting his face.
'Nice.'
*************
While to James this felt as if it took a good amount of time, for the three Hollows it only lasts a few minutes. Despite the time they were already becoming impatient. Normally a soul becoming a hollow only took a short amount of time. This was taking longer than normal.
"RAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" James was still physically screaming. The Hollows starting to lose patience.
"How long is this gonna take?!"demanded the little one.
"Soon!"snapped the middle one. It's patience reaching a limit as well.
"Be patient, Ototos. Soon we will all eat."admonished the largest Hollow.
However the forced patience was rewarded, but with an unexpected result. A large amount of Reiatsu built up in the still screaming teen's body. Building up until a huge explosion of pure spiritual energy burst forth from James' body. The Three Hollows jumped in surprise from the explosion and watched with caution in their eyes. They all watched as the smoke began to clear. However the little ones patience soon ran out and he charged into the cloud not waiting for the smoke to clear.
"Matte! You fool" warned the largest Hollow.
"Heh heh heh. Kill and eat! Kill and eat!" roared the little Hollow hungrily. Running into the cloud the only thing anybody was able to hear was the little Hollows roars of hunger. All of a sudden the sound of a sword being drawn was heard. Before the smoke cleared the sound of a blade slicing through flesh and a cry of pain was heard. Watching the cloud with bated breath the two other Hollows stepped back in shock as the little Hollow fell out of the cloud, his mask and upper torso cleaved in half. With a half growled roar of pain the little Hollow faded into nothing.
"W-What?!"gasped the middle Hollow, the large one watching in silence as the smoke finally cleared.
The figure standing before them was garbed in the standard Shinigami shihakusho, his feet adorned by white socks and straw sandals. At his waist was an empty dark blue sheath, with a dark gold orb capping the end of it. The sword belonging to the sheath was currently in the figures right hand. The sword blade was a chokuto in design. The handle was wrapped in navy blue wrapping. The guard was a design of three triangles connected to create one larger one. However the most shocking thing about the figure was it's mask.
The mask resembled a menacing pure white skull with a crested forehead with five raised ridges going down to the brow from the top of the mask. The brow of the mask covered the eyes. At the bottom of the brow crest where the eye holes should be are two black streaks that flow down and bend to the side before they touch the teeth, resembling black tear trails. The chin of the mask was covered in a triangular point.
"Shinigami... or Hollow?" Wondered the big Hollow.
"W-What are you?!" demanded the now smallest Hollow.
"..."
Despite the questions the figure remained silent. Slowly the figure raised it's left hand and the two Hollows tensed preparing for battle. However that was unneeded for now. The figure placed his hand on his mask's brow crest and pressed on it showing it could bend back. Fully bending it back showed that the tear trails did connect to the bottom of it's eye holes. However the figures eyes were still closed.
"DAMNIT! ANSWER US!" yelled the middle Hollow. Slowly almost leisurely the figure opened his eyes...
Showing the familiar grey orbs.
"I am James Watson. The one you failed to kill."he told them calmly, voice muffled by the mask.
*************
In a distant park two men, and two children were currently surrounded by Hollows, Having let Ichigo and Uryu go take care of the Menos Grande. The first man wearing green robes, geta, bucket hat and carrying a cane stiffened and looked up, the second man, a near giant wearing a store apron and glasses, followed his actions. The two knew this feeling, having experienced it before. Looking at the surrounding Hollows, and his two wards the hat wearing men turned to his fellow exile.
"Tessai."he began turning to the large man.
"Yes, Boss." the large man said. The situation not needing any words.
"We have it under control here." he informed the man.
"Right." replied the big man before running in the direction of the source.
'I didn't expect this.' thought Urahara Kisuke as he unsheathed his cane sword and looked towards the charging Hollows.
*************
Two figures on a bridge, a pretty girl and a giant of a teen, as well as two figures in the park, a Shinigami and a Quincy fighting a Menos Grande, all paused and looked in the direction of the energy. While not understanding the energy nor knowing exactly why, all four felt the same relief. The two currently in battle redoubled their efforts to end this as fast as possible.
*************
The three figures stared each other down, not one giving an inch. Two pairs of glaring yellow eyes met one pair of cool grey. Not giving a moment's hesitation he reared his left fist back and struck the side of the mask, shattering it. Once off he took a deep breath.
"Whew. Hard to breath in that thing."he said.
"You bastard!" growled out the middle one. "Are you trying to piss us off?"
"Hmm? You say something?" he asked as he examined the flecks of Hollow blood left on his blade. With a quick flick of his wrist the blood was flung off, effectively cleaning the blade.
"How dare you!" roared the two horned Hollow. Letting his anger get ahead of him he charged forward, the large Hollow sitting back and watching. Rushing forward he reached James in a single moment, but James stood still studying his new blade. At the last second when the Hollow through a right punch, the new Shinigami leaned to the left and avoided the punch. The same two punches and kick were likewise avoided. Only by leaning, James not even leaving his spot, his eyes never leaving his blade.
"You bastard." the hollow growled out. "Don't ignore me!" it ordered before it's body sped up considerably. Now on alert the teen focused on his opponent and began moving to dodge. However while the Hollow was fast and was beginning to tire James out it just couldn't manage to hit him. By focusing on his sensing abilities he could keep track of the Hollow even when it was behind him, and when it was in front of him he let his reflexes take action. This strategy worked well in tiring out the speedy Hollow. Very soon it made a mistake. Instead of keeping with it's hit and run tactic he stopped to gain power for a devestating punch. If James would have let him. Seeing an apurtunity he rushed forward and cleaved the Hollow in two at the waist.
"NOOOOOoooooo....." came it's last word as it disentegrated. Sighing in relief he turned to the final Hollow.
"And then there was one." he said to the final and largest Hollow. Getting into a more ready stance he braced himself. He knew this wouldn't be easy.
"You'll pay for killing my brothers Shinigami." warned the Hollow."I'll have you know I was the strongest of us three."
"Really? Thanks for informing me." he said. "That means I can't hold back!" he announced as his spiritual pressure rose to match his words. Sensing this the Hollow seemed to grin as his began to take a deep breath. Air rushing in from between his teeth and his nostrils. At first the air rushed in normally, but soon the Hollows chest began to expand, and it kept expanding even as it past the point of being three times bigger. The Hollow dropping to it's knuckles to compensate for the increased size.
"Let's see you dodge this Shinigami!" it roared as it released a large blast of air. Eyes widening James jumped to the left, much farther than before. Hearing the blast hit he turned his head and paled at the trench the attack left. Hearing another release he twisted in time to dodge another blast. After landing he watched the Hollow for movements and saw that it's chest had gotten smaller. Not by much but it was noticeable. Following his movements as well the Hollow positioned himself for another blast. Letting the Hollow release a few more blasts he saw the trenches get smaller but the hollow speeding up. Seeing this James smirked as a plan formed in his mind. When the Hollow was almost at his original size it managed to score a hit, knocking James back a dozen feet on his back.
"Ha! Take that you damn Shinigami!" it roared in victory. "Now to finish you off." At this it began to inhale air at a rapid rate in preparation for a finishing blow. Hearing this James jumped up and ran towards the now full Hollow. Seeing this it turned to him again and readied to fire. Smirking James ran in a circle all the while closing in. The Hollow followed as best it could, but due to it's increased size the best it could do was a fast lumber. Before the Hollow knew it James was standing on its back with his sword pointed at the back of it's neck.
"H-How?" it asked shocked.
"Simple." James began. "For one your attacks are rather predictable. You can only fire where your body is faced."he said."Two as your attacks drag on, your battle strategy changes. At first when you fire, your attacks are strong but easily dodged as they let out a loud sound, as you fire your air pressure decreases and they lose strength, but become harder to dodge."he informed the Hollow. "Third when your full your body becomes large and you have trouble moving, allowing a faster enemy to flank you." he finished.
"P-please let me go." begged the Hollow. "I'll do anything. I'll never eat another soul again!"
"Sorry."he said. "But I know what Hollows are and what you'll do."he informed him. "This is something I have to do."he finished raising his sword before bringing it down through the Hollows neck.
"At least I can take you with me you bastard!" it said before fading away. Unfortunately all that compressed air was not part of the original Hollow and such did not fade with it. Without a proper vessel to hold it the air could do only one thing. Expand outward with the force of a bomb. Unfortunately being so close it meant James was hit full force at point blank with the Hollow's last attack. The only thing that saved him from being ripped apart from the rapidly escaping air was his position on top of the Hollow. If he was on the ground he would most likely have been crushed by the pressure. As such he was sent airborne quite a ways while getting battered by the air. The last sight he saw before losing consciousness was of the giant Menos preparing a cero to destroy the park.
'Shit.'
*************
'Wha?' he thought as he slowly came back to the waking world.
'My body feels heavy.' he concluded as he tested his limbs. Slowly opening his eyes he saw nothing but blurs all over his vision. Focusing on the main one in his path of sight he saw it was a mass of green. But the main color that caught his attention was the light blonde color. A color that he knew and saw almost everyday back home. Cracking open his mouth he rasped the first word that popped into his mouth.
("Mom?") he asked the blonde mass above him.
"Excuse me?" asked a different voice. A male voice. "Repeat that please, Watson-san."
Quickly blinking the blur out of his eyes he looked above him and saw a smiling blonde man wearing a bucket hat. Looking to his left and right he saw a rather bare, but unfamiliar room. Looking down his body he saw he was in an unfamiliar bed. Now in a male's mind waking up in a strange male's bed is the epitome of bad things to happen. Normally this would result in a round of shouting and cursing. However said subject is anything but normal and take into account his deep sleep addled mind it's really no surprise what his reaction was.
Violence.
-POW!-
The strange blonde man now holding his chin from the uppercut while rolling on the floor would have been quite a sight. Especially with him wailing over his misfortune. However James sitting up and clearing his mind faster hardly took notice. Looking down at himself he realized his now bare chest was bandaged. Looking near the side of the bed he saw several used bandages with drying blood on them. While taking this all in the wails of the blonde man attracted several others in the building. Watching the door he was surprised as Ichigo and Rukia burst in.
"You're awake!" shouted Rukia bringing a twinge to his head from the loud noise.
"Thank you, for pointing out the obvious, Kuchiki." he said annoyed.
"What happened, James?" asked Ichigo.
Holding his head he looked to his two friends. Concentrating he tried to recall what lead him to this moment. But he couldn't focus on a single moment. A kid, a sword and an explosion were the most forward things he could remember, everything else seemed to flash by with no real recognition.
"It's hard to remember" he informed them."Everything just flashes by."
"Maybe I can help with that." said the same voice as before. Looking over he saw that the blonde man had quit rolling around and was now sitting not to far away from him. Looking closer he took the man in greater detail. He was wearing green robles with a brown outer robe. On his head was a green and white striped bucket hat. His hair what could be seen was the exact same color as his Mom's. Held in the man's hand was a cane.
"Who are you?" asked the american. "And why do you have hair like my Mom?" he finished bluntly.
"Eh?!" sounded the man in shock while the other two snickered. Quickly recovering the man calmed down enough to introduce himself.
"My name is Urahara Kisuke." he introduced himself. "My associate and I are the ones who saved you, Watson-san."
"Saved me?"he wondered. "It's hard to remember." he admitted while rubbing his face.
"Ah, allow me." said the blonde. James looked up to the blonde in confusion. His eyes widened as the tip of the cane was inched from his face. He had enough time to see a picture of a skull surrounded by blue flames before it impacted. Experianceing what he could only describe as a full body sneeze, James found himself laying on the floor a short distance from the others. Looking over he saw the shocked expresions on Ichigo and Rukia's face. Looking beside them his face adopted the same look as he saw his still body lieing beside them. Looking down at himself he saw himself wearing the same shihakusho as when he fought the Hollows. Hollows? Looking at the katana at his waist the previous forgotten events rushed back to him at full speed.
"Remember now?" asked Kisuke.
"Yeah." he said. "Three Hollows came at me and killed me." at this he looked at his body. "But how?"
"That would be because of me." explained Kisuke while pulling out a fan. "While my associate Tessai healed your spiritual body, I went to work healing your physical body." he informed the group. "Your quite lucky, your body was very battered. In fact your chest was almost caved in." he finished seriously.
The other two in the room looked on in regret at the information. Regreting not being there for him.
"But how did he get Shinigami powers?" asked Rukia.
"The best explanation I can think of was he spent enough time around Ichigo to sample some of his Reiatsu and adapt to it." explained the shop keeper. "In fact if it wasn't for that he would have become a Hollow."
Hearing this three sets of eyes widened, two focused on the lone american. As he took in account his near Hollow experience his fist clenched at the helpless feeling he had. Memories began to resurface. Memories from home. All the fights he'd been in, all the ones he'd won and even the ones he'd lost. All the fights he'd been in, some he had no choice put to accept, he'd never felt like that. Helpless, weak, like he was nothing. He didn't like it, He wouldn't fell like that again!
"What happens now?" asked Ichigo concerned for his friend.
"Well that's up to Watson-san." said the blonde."He can try to live like a normal human, constantly being swarmed by Hollows," he continued." Or...He can fight back." said the blonde seriously.
"What?" gasped Ichigo. "He can't! It's to dangerous!"
"Yes. He has no experiance in things like this." agreed Rukia. "Ichigo had to do it out of necessity. At least James has a choice."
"Ichigo." came James' voice. Looking over at his newest friend he was about to express his opinion ince again but was interrupted. "Back home I didn't have any friends. We had moved to a new town and I started a new school." he began explaining making everyone wonder were this was coming from. "My first day of school I went prepared for a new life, I got violence instead. A prick decided to put the new kid in his place, and picked a fight. I tried to talk him out of it, to make him stop. He walked up and threw the first punch. You know what I did?" he asked the assembled group. "I took him down. One punch. It wasn't much, in fact he almost walked right into it. But it was enough. In that one moment the entire school labeled me an outcast." at this he looked at the group."'Don't get near him' they said,'he'll attack you.'" at this the orange teen couldn't help but give sympathy. The feeling of being labeled was familiar to him."This continued for a few years, and more fights followed, some wanting to take down the delinquent, some to prove they were tough, but not one fight did I ever back down. Not one did I fell like I did then. Helpless, weak, like I didn't matter at all." at this he looked at them with a determined fire in his eyes. "I don't ever want to feel like that again. You two, whether you like it or not, I'm helping out. I'm gonna be Karakura's..." at this he threw them the same grinning smirk they've come to expect from him.
"American Shinigami!"
Later
It was last period already, Ichigo was looking out of the window, watching for anything with a bandana. Not that he'd ever admit it, but he was worried about hadn't been at school all day. Deciding that he would just stop by his apartment and check if he was alright. He'd ask Rukia to tag along as well, just in case some trouble showed up.
Said former Shinigami, current schoolgirl, was having thoughts along the same line. Although she was a bit more discreet about it. And it involved dragging Ichigo to go check. She was also pondering on the american helping out and the possible repurcussions.
Uryuu had been worried ever since that first feeling of despair while on his Hollow hunt. Even though the feeling was lifted by the second, he still couldn't help but worry. He cursed himself for ever starting that duel. While all three were brooding over the events they barely noticed the teacher leave the room.
-RUSTLE-
They did however hear the new noise as well as the rest of the class. Looking around for the unknown sound turned up nothing.
-SHIFT-
Looking up they all noticed a single ceiling tile wiggle around before being lifted up out of place. All staring up in curiosity and confusion they all watched as a sneaker clad foot lowered itself out of the new hole...
and they all jumped as James tumbled out with a yelp.
On top of Keigo. Head first.
"Watson-saaaaan." groaned Keigo holding a new lump.
("Ah man. That's as hard as a rock.") he groaned in english. A lump growing underneath his bandana. Looking up he noticed he was the center of attention and immediately straightened up.
"Yo." he greeted clmly.
"What the hell was that?!" demanded Ichigo while others began to snicker.
"What?" he asked before looking up at the ceiling seeing the new hole. "Oh crap, I gotta fix that!" he exclaimed before futilely trying to reach it. Until Chad picked him up and helped him up to it.
"Arigato, Sado." he thanked, the larger student grunted a reply.
"Don't ignore me damnit!" ordered Ichigo.
"Huh? You say something Ichigo?" asked the american, pissing off the orange teen more.
"Why'd you fall through the ceiling Watson-kun?" asked Orihime drawing his attention from Ichigo.
"Oh. Well I slept late and by the time I got here school was almost over." he explained. "I didn't want to get in trouble so I snuck in, and found a janitor's closet and crawled into the ceiling. I made my way here and fell through." he finished with a smile as everyone sweat dropped. Through out this Uryu watched him with narrowed eyes as he felt the Reiatsu coming off James. Just to be sure he focused and watched as multiple Spirit Ribbons appeared but the one he was focused on was the one attached to James. A ribbon as red as blood. Sitting back he pondered this new development.
"You snuck in?"asked Rukia."
"Yup, Ninja style." he said taking a ninja pose.
...
-BONK!-
"Itai!" shouted James holding a second lump.
"Damnit don't be stupid!" ordered Ichigo lowering his fist.
"I am not stupid!" said James indignant. "Did you know I was there until I fell?"
"Well no..."
"Ninja!" he shouted taking the same pose.
-BONK!-
"Damnit, quit that!" he ordered holding a third lump while the class laughed.
End of School
"Where we headin' now?" asked James to Rukia.
"We're going to Urahara's." she answered.
"Why?" asked Ichigo puzzled.
"Because." she began. "If this stubborn Baka, is so intent on helping we need to get him proper equipment." she explained.
"Oh okay." said James. Ichigo mentally counted down.
3.
2.
1.
"I am not a Baka!" he shouted angry, glaring at the shorter girl who gave a smirk.
"Watson-kun." came a familiar voice. Abandoning his glare he looked over to see Uryu standing with a serious expression.
"Yo." greeted James.
Uryu for the most part stood there watching him. Feeling unconfortable James started to fidget about to reply about the stare.
"What happened, Watson-kun?" asked Uryu breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"I already told everyone." said James. "I over slept."
"No." interrupted the Quincy. "Why do I feel Reaistsu coming from you?" asked Ichigo.
"..."
"The Reiatsu of a Shinigami." demanded Uryu a reason already forming in his mind.
"Well it just sort of happened." said James explaining the prior events. Through out the explanation Uryu's face went from serious to sad to guilty. Noticing this James inquired on his change.
"Ishida?" he asked concerned.
"Watson-kun." he said. "I hate Shinigami." he informed making James' blood run cold. Was this it? Was he going to lose his friend over something like this? Sensing his friends distress the quincy looked him right in the eye and spoke.
"I hate Shinigami." he said. "But, I can't hate my friend." he finished walking off leaving the three alone. Eventually Ichigo broke the silence.
"What the hell?" he asked. "He bad mouths me, but he likes you."
"Yes." agreed Rukia.
"That's simple." said the american giving the two a grin. "I'm just so awesome." he bragged. The two adopted blank looks.
"Baka." said Rukia.
"Yup." agreed Ichigo.
"Hey!"
Later
Later the trio stood outside of Urahara Shoten and were greeted by two kids. A red haired loud mouthed boy and a dark haired quiet girl. Walking up to the shop thw two greeted the three.
"Konichiwa." bowed the girl.
"Hello, Ururu-chan." greeted James.
"What do you guys want?" asked Jinta rudely.
"Jinta, you shouldn't talk to customers like that." said Ururu quietly.
"Urusai, Ururu." ordered the red head while giving the girl a noogie.
"Jinta, what are you doing?" asked a menacing voice in the form of near gient man.
"N-nothing Tessai-san." stuttered the bot nervously. With an intense look the large man turned to the three watching.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"Yes." said Rukia. "We need to purchase some equipment for our newest Shinigami." she informed him.
"Of course. Come right this way." he lead them inside past rows of candy. Walking inside to a back room the group found Urahara sitting at a table. Seeing the three
before him he greeted them.
"Konichiwa, Kurosaki-san, Watson-san, Kuchiki-san." he greeted. "How can I help you?"
"We need an order of Gikongan for James." informed Rukia.
"Ah, of course." the blonde jumped up. "You'll be happy to know Kuchiki-san, that we've received the number one."
"Really?!" she asked excited. "You have Chappy?!"
"Of course." said the blonde pulling a small box off the shelf. "Here you are Watson-san." he handed James a small wrapped object. Opening it he found what seemed to be a pez dispenser with a cartoon bunny on it. Looking over at Rukia he saw she was gazing at the toy like thing with sparkling admiring eyes. Severely wierded out he turned to Urahara.
"What is this?" he asked holding up the toy.
"That is a container of Gikongan." he explained. "Substitute souls."
"It says Soul Candy on it." he read looking at the shop keeper,
"That's what I said." remarked Ichigo, earning a smack from Rukia.
"Yes well, just ignore that." said the blonde.
"And it has a bunny on it." said James holding it up for emphasis.
"That is Chappy!" sprung Rukia seeming happy to talk about it. "It's the most popular one in Soul Society."
"Where not gonna get another Mod soul like Kon are we?" asked the orange teen irritably.
"Kon?" asked James confused. Seeing movement he turned to Rukia seeing her backpack wiggle and move around. Watching closely he observed as the zipper slowly opened...
and a stuffed lion popped out! Seeing this caused James to jump back in shock and let out a gasp.
"Yo! Somebody call for Kon-sama?" it asked loudly. And was promptly smacked by Ichigo.
"Urusai!" he ordered.
Before it could give what most likely would have been a very rude retort he found himself being picked up and examined by someone he had yet to meet.
"Where do the batteries go?" asked James poking and prodding the struggling toy. The exploratory treatment quickly wore away the Mod souls already little tolerance.
"Leggo you bastard!" it roared jumping up and giving James a plushie back hand. James for his part stood still as the situation happened until.
("Oh you did not just bitch slap me you little bastard!") he yelled lunging for the toy. However luckily for Kon he was caught by Rukia and held up before any serious plushie harm was done.
"Ha! Watch out you bastard!" it gloated. "Nee-san will protect me from you."
"Why you little..." growled out the irate teen, but once again Rukia interrupted his lunge.
"Just watch." she ordered. "This is how a Gikongan works." she explained before stuffing a hand down the now struggling lion's throat, freaking out James even more. After a few seconds of searching and Kon's unintelligible protests she finally pulled out a small green pill, the toy going limp.
"Ichigo." she said tossing the pill over.
"Hai, hai." obeyed the teen swallowing the pill. James watched in shock as Ichigo in full Shinigami uniform, Zanpakuto and all, emerged. Looking back at his body, expecting it to fall he was again surprised as the suddenly moving body cursed at them.
"I wish you'd at least warn me when you do this you bastard!" it yelled glaring at Ichigo.
"That's basically how a Gikongan works." explained Rukia. "Except Kon is a bit of a special case."
"Yes, I am very special." bragged the fake Ichigo.
"So eating one of those soul pill things knocks out my soul and puts another in?" asked James curious.
"Pretty much." confirmed Ichigo.
"So the guy who was in the plushie is now in Ichigo?" he asked.
"Yup." said Ichigo not noticing the evil smirk on James' face.
("Sweet!) Now I can really kick his ass!" yelled the teen raising a fist to hit the fake Ichigo, and was stopped by a foot to the face by the real Ichigo.
"What the hell man?!" demanded the bruised teen.
"Baka! Even though I'm not in it, it's still my body." he growled.
"Fine." relented the teen.
"Anyway, Watson-san would you like to try it?" asked the shop keeper holding out the pez dispensor.
"Sure." agreed the teen taking the toy. After instruction from Rukia he pressed the head and swallowed the pill after it popped it out with a squeck. Feeling the same full body sneeze as before he jumped out of his body in full Shihakusho. In curiosity he looked over at his body.
"Hello! Let's all have fun! Hop!" exclaimed his body with an idiotic smile and salute. The reactions were varied. Rukia had multiple stars in her eyes. Ichigo looked creeped out. Kon looked like Ichigo. Urahara had a sweatdrop. And James...
-POW!-
Punched his body in the gut making it cough up the pill. Once again reactions were varied. Rukia looked a mixture between horrified and angry. Ichigo looked dissappointed that he didn't get to hit it. Kon looked relieved that it was gone. Uruhara still had a sweatdrop.
"What the hell was that?!" demanded Rukia.
"What the hell? What the hell? I should be asking you the same thing!" yelled James. "Who actually talks like that?"
"Chappy does! I tried to get him before for Ichigo but it wasn't in stock."
"Nani?! You wanted to put that in me?!" asked Ichigo horrified. "I'm glad we got Kon!"
"I am not using that." said James stomping his foot for emphasis.
"I'm afraid I don't have any others in stock." informed Urahara. At this Rukia looked on with a victorious grin.
"This means you have to take Chappy!" she said. "It's not like Urahara has another Mod soul laying around."
"Actually Kuchiki-san that's not entirely true." interrupted the blonde causing three sets of eyes to zero in on him. The fourth not quiet knowing what that meant.
"What?" asked Kon.
"Apparently Kon was not the only Mod soul in my shipment." he clarified. "Since you purchased the first one I suppose I can offer the other."
"What's a Mod soul?" asked the only uninformed part of the group. The others looking at him for a second before informing him of the history of Mod souls. A history which pissed off the teen.
"Hell yeah we'll take it!" shouted the american.
"All right." said Urahara. "but let's try it out now to make sure we don't get a repeat performance." he finished as three sets of eyes focused on Kon as he chuckled sheepishly. Withdrawing a lone pill from his pocket he tossed it over to James. Walking over to his downed body he popped it into the mouth. Almost immediately the eyes popped open and the now moving body stood up. Looking over at the group he raised his hand in greeting.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you." he greeted with a smile. "Allow me to introduce myself..."
"Don't bother." said Ichigo. "We know your a Mod soul." at this the Mod souls smile vanished and his eyes narrowed. He gathered his hands in front of him and a small red ball of energy formed.
'Cero?' thought the three experienced shinigami's as James looked at it in awe.
"Cool! Is that your Mod soul Power?" he asked excitedly. The Mod soul seemed to pause in confusion before answering.
"Hai. I can manipulate my own energy in various forms." he answered.
"Cool." repeated the american. "I'm James by the way. The one with the weird hair is Ichigo." he said ignoring the indignant shout from Ichigo. "The girl is Rukia and the Ichigo look alike is Kon, he's a Mod Soul to. The guy in the hat is Urahara-san the shop keeper." he finished. During the introduction the Mod soul's ball of energy shrank into nothing as he took it all in. Thinking the threat was over James took a few steps forward.
"What's your name?" he asked but stopped as a sword of red energy appeared at his throat.
"Mod souls don't have names." he said. Instead of feeling fear or danger James dawned the same look of awe as before.
"You can make swords to?" he asked getting a nod in return. "Awesome!"
"What?" asked the Mod soul confused. "Shouldn't you be trying to destroy me?"
"Why?" asked James.
"Because I'm a Mod soul." he explained.
"So? Kon's a Mod soul." he said. "Anyway I wanted to know if you wanted to work with me." said James as the Mod soul looked at him not yet lowering his energy sword.
"Work with you?" he asked. "Is this some kind of trick?"
"No, no." James assured. The others stayed back ready to move if things turned south. "You see I need to get a Gikongan, and the only ones Urahara has are really creepy." he explained. "So I was wondering if you would like to work with me. Like the way Kon works with Ichigo." At this the Mod soul looked over at the other Mod soul as he gave a nod of incouragement.
"All right." he agreed. "This seems the best course of action."
"All right! Welcome to the team...You need a name." said James taking a thinking pose. Thinking of the Mod soul's powers and the way he wielded them. Making a red energy sword, almost like...At this thought James smiled and placed a hand on his bod'y shoulder.
"I dub thee...Sith." he named the Mod soul. The newly named Sith looked rather pleased at his new name. However...
"Hey! Why does he get the cool name?!" demanded the other loud Mod soul.
*************
To picture the Zanpakuto spirit, just picture Bahamut's human form from Final Fantasy X. Lengthen his robe, turn it blue, get ride of any designs and give him a drum. That's basically what he looks like.
The Zanpakuto itself is basically a chokuto. For those who are keeping up with Naruto Shippudenn should know that Sasuke's sword is a chokuto. Add a blue katana's handle and guard and you get the basic design. For the guard it is basically the Trifirce from Legend of Zelda with a blade going through it.
The mask I did my best to describe. I have a deviantart account but no scanner or photoshop. So yeah I'm a bit useless when it comes to pictures at the moment.
This will probably be my last chapter for a while. Pretty soon I'll be moving to a new house and I won't have time between that and work, so for anyone of the few who have enjoyed this story I apologise. But do not fret it shall be continued in time.
Read and Review or I'll tell Yachiru you took all her candy.
Flames will be used to strengthen Ryujin Jakka, and used on you.