• • •
"…What's this voice..?" Ichigo asked, looking around to see if he could find the source.
It was really creepy. First it started as screams and then it was like we could hear someone speaking. I was getting chills; I was about at my limit for being able to handle creepy.
"The cry of an Earthbound spirit." Rukia informed, "There really does seem to be one here."
"An Earthbound spirit..? It sounds like a Hollows voice to me!" Ichigo observed.
"Yeah, that's right." I nodded, crossing my arms and shivering. "He is a Plus that is descending into becoming a Hollow. That's a Demi-Hollow's voice."
"Right," Rukia nodded, "Look."
Ichigo and I followed Rukia's finger, our eyes landing on the ghost that was just beginning to show itself. He looked more ghostly than any of the others…mainly because he had chains wrapped around him which bound him to the hospital.
"His heart has been captured by this hospital." Rukia informed, violet eyes narrowing towards the abandoned hospital as she scanned the rest of the area.
"See, there's all the proof that I need; that's why I don't like hospitals!" I exclaimed, shivering once more.
"Yeah, I see." Ichigo muttered, "The sensation is that of a Hollow nearby, but… He's not wearing the Hollows thing that looks like a white mask."
"Exactly, and if you look closer, you can see that the hole in his chest hasn't fully opened up yet either." I pointed out, looked at the flesh being tugged on, but not completely torn yet.
"The open hole in a Hollows chest is evidence that it lost its heart and turned into a heap of instincts." Rukia explained. "And so, the white mask that you were talking about earlier, imitates a skull that protects those exposed instincts from the outside world."
"Either one should be unnecessary if one still has their heart." I pointed out, explaining the difference.
Rukia nodded, continuing to explain. "When people die, the Chain of Fate that grew out of the heart disconnects from the body. Those without strong regrets in this world stay like that as they wait for Shinigami guidance. However, those with regrets bind themselves to the focus of their regret via the Chain of Fate. If the focus is a person they become 'Obsessed Spirits.' If the focus is a place they become 'Earthbound Spirits.'"
"So, that guy is-"
"Right." Rukia answered, cutting Ichigo off. "Either this hospital is that regret or some sort of accident happened here."
"Either way, he's still a spirit with regrets in this place." I summed up, shrugging my shoulders.
"Whatever it is-"
Rukia was cut off by the spirits roar, sounding much like a Hollow before it began speaking. "This hospital is mine! I won't hand it over to anyone! Hey, you guys can't come in! If you come in, you have to pay cash! I'll kill ya!"
Deadpan looks instantly spread over all of our faces.
Rukia crossed her arms, blank look not fading. "If you listen to those shouts… you can see why he persists."
"I should have inherited this hospital from my Father! And then, with this hospital, I would've raked in the cash and become incredibly rich! I had planned to ride a pink Cadillac, drink pink Don Perignon, and become like an aristocrat of West-Azabu at night! Yet that…that…damn old man passed it on to my younger brother! Unforgivable!"
"He's carrying one hell of a greedy grudge." Ichigo mumbled, and I weakly nodded.
"Silence please, everyone!" A voice boomed from the speakers, trying to catch everyone's attention. Of course everyone quieted down, curious if the show was about to start. "And now the broadcast will begin!"
"Oh! Looks like something is going to start!" Rukia beamed, looked around excitedly.
"She…she really doesn't get it!" I mumbled, eyes closed as I face palmed. Ichigo sighed in defeat, placing his hands in his pockets and shaking his head.
"IN FIVE!"
"FOUR!"
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
The director pointed forward, his silent one beginning the show.
"Good evening, everyone!" The announcer said into the microphone, as he adjusted his glasses. His voice could easily be heard by everyone in the crowd, even if they were cheering. "Tonight's 'Ghost Bust!' is entitled the 'Emergency Live Broadcast Special!' and we have come to the abandoned hospital in Karakura Town, Tokyo..! They say that, night after night, when a vengeful spirit's cry can be heard, the good local citizens do not come near this hospital… Surely, that man will cook something up for us tonight! And here he comes!"
The crowd cheered wildly, throwing their arms up in the air in excitement.
"And here he comes! The charismatic spirit medium of the century! Messenger of hell! Mister Don! Kanonji~!"
"Where's that idiot host at, anyway?" I asked, looking around for anyone dressed in a weird get-up.
"Up there," Ichigo answered, pointing up at the sky.
I squinted up, seeing a helicopter. Then, a dot came from the helicopter dot; he'd just jumped from the helicopter.
"How's it going, babies?!"
I could feel my eye twitch. Of course he had to try and make the biggest appearance that he could.
"The spirits are always with you~!"
I didn't think that it was even possible, but the crowd seemed to grow at least ten times louder! I groaned, "Why me?!" I didn't even want to come, yet I was surrounded by a crowd of idiots.
Rukia pushed through the other people, making her way closer to the hospital. She even laughed along with them..!
"Hey!" Ichigo and I yelled out at the same time "Rukia! You traitor!"
"He's the main star of tonight's festival!" Rukia explained, smiling along with all of the other people. "What a swanky way to make an entrance! I hate to say it, but… It's superb!" Her thumb rose in the air, signifying that he had her seal of approval.
"Hey!" Ichigo called out, trying to get her attention.
"What?"
"Don't give me that!" Ichigo exclaimed, before jerking his finger towards the Earthbound spirit. "You sure it's okay? Shouldn't we go ahead and perform a Konso? Won't he become a Hollow?"
"Don't worry," Rukia advised us, smiling. "Essentially it takes months, even years, to turn into a Hollow. He won't suddenly become a Hollow in the time of an hour! Exposed in the open like this, it would mean trouble if there's a struggle and people get hurt. We'll give it a Konso after the festival."
"Yeah, but…" Ichigo hedged, not sure what to say.
"This certainly…" Don Kanonji spoke, adjusting his glasses.
"SMELLS LIKE BAD SPIRITS!" The crowd cheered along with the host, as they jumped, screamed, and whistled.
"Ah~!" I exclaimed, almost squished as several of the people around me jumped up and down, expressing their excitement. Ichigo's scowl deepened before he tugged me away from them, as I muttered a quick thanks.
"Worry wart," Rukia said, "I told you that it'll be fine. The eve of becoming a Hollow is longer and more painful. That is when it gets so awful that the cries elevate. Does it look to you like he's at that point of suffering?"
While Rukia was talking to Ichigo, I was tracing Kanonji's movements with my eyes. He had just walked straight up to the spirit, as if he knew that it was there. Kanonji raised one of his big hands to his chin as he stared at the spirit's face in contemplation.
It had to be a coincidence, right? There was no way that Kanonji could actually see that spirit, could he?
"…Not really…" Ichigo replied to Rukia.
"Am I right?" Rukia asked me, to which I simply shrugged my shoulders. "Unless someone goes as far as to aggravate the open hole in his chest, he still has more than half a year until he becomes a Hollow."
"Here! With my Super Spirits Stick!" Kanonji bellowed out, as he pulled back what looked like a walking stick, and aimed it at the spirit. "I'll finish him off in one blow!"
"No!" I screamed, my eyes widening. My scream was drowned out by the crowds cheering, much to my dismay.
Kanonji had just aimed his cane right at the halfway open hole in the spirits chest. He was soon twisting the flesh around, slowly tearing the hole open even further. "Hey! Don't worry! It only hurts at first! I'll send you to heaven soon, baby~!"
"Wha-What is that guy doing?!" Ichigo yelled.
"Ooooh~!" The announcer cooed into his microphone, getting into the show. "He suddenly brought it out; his Super Spirit Stick~! Watching Mr. Don Kanonji use it at this stage is certainly exceptional! Does it mean this mission is that perilous?!"
"That idiot!" I hissed, eyes widening in shock.
"Even if he does that, he'll only expand the spirit's wound!" Rukia muttered, appearing to be shell shocked. "At that rate… It will only speed up the process to make him a Hollow..!"
"Now relax, baby~!" Kanonji yelled as he continued to drive his staff through the hole in the spirit's chest. "This time I will release you from the chain of nightmares that bind you! Yeahhhh~! Kilu-kilu-aunan-auma-ku-ki-lunan~!"
"He brought it out; the Exorcism lyrics~!" The announcer yelled into the microphone, jumping up and down as he did so. "He plans to finish it off in one blow?!"
"This is bad..!" I winced, covering my ears as the spirits cry continued to elevate and become more banshee like. "At this rate…"
"Shit!"
Ichigo cursed, before taking off running. I blinked; one second he was beside me and the next he was gone. However, it wasn't that difficult to find that bright orange hair.
That idiot was running straight towards Kanonji..! He jumped over the roped off area easily.
"STOP!" The strawberry roared, barreling towards the spiritualist.
"Wha?! What's with this guy?!"
"Security!"
"What's he doing?!"
I blinked, watching as security guards seemed to materialize from thin air and leap towards Ichigo. "Watch out," I advised, even if it was in vain.
He was soon tackled to the pavement by the large number of security men. I winced at the sound of the bodies piling on top of each other on the pavement; it wasn't a pretty sound.
"Well, we now know that Ichigo is a magnet for trouble." I muttered to Rukia, sweat dropping as I saw him trying to wiggle out of the pile.
"Wha-What's going on?!" The announcer bellowed, looking around for the cause of the ruckus. Oh my, I could tell that this was going to get embarrassing real quick. "There is suddenly a ruckus within the cordoned-off area! Somehow, an excited young man jumped into the area; it looks as if he has been caught by security…"
"Let go..!" Ichigo argued, as he was hauled off of the pavement. The security guards had a firm hold on his arms from behind; much like how a police officer would apprehend a criminal. "If you don't, something bad will happen!"
"Go to commercials, commercials!" A worker frantically called, trying to stall for some time until they got Ichigo into custody.
"Right! Commercials in four! Three!"
"Ichigo!" Rukia yelled, tugging on her red glove and rushing over towards the captured strawberry. "Come here! I'll change you into a Shinigami!"
"Rukia!" Ichigo exclaimed, surprised as she was making her way over towards him.
"Seize her!"
More guards appeared and tackled Rukia to the ground as well.
This was getting us nowhere.
"Those idiots," I muttered, sneakily migrating through the crowded and standing near the ropes. "Getting caught so easily… And they're so noisy, too. Sheesh, and Rukia says that Ichigo and I fight a lot; just what are her and Ichigo doing now? Arguing, that's what."
"Well, if it isn't Jun-Kun~!"
Blinking, I froze. I knew that voice. "Urahara?"
"The one and only. Might I be of any assistance?" Urahara asked, hiding his wide grin behind his paper fan.
Before I could even respond, Urahara swiftly brought up his cane and not too gently tapped my forehead, which caused my soul to fall to the ground, my body soon following suit. Tessai bent down and easily picked up my soulless body, tossing it over his shoulder and giving me a thumbs up.
"Hey, thanks Urahara. But what are you doing here?" I inquired, cocking my head to the side as I stared up at him in confusion.
"I was just offering my assistance. Besides, we shouldn't be standing here chit chatting, now should we? Kurosaki-San needs help, right?" Urahara answered, before chuckling from behind his fan. An identical mischievous grin flitted across my own face as I watched him sneak over towards Ichigo.
Success~!
Urahara managed to sneak up on them and strike Ichigo forcibly in the forehead with his cane, causing his soul to literally tumble out. And I do mean quite literally. Ichigo rolled three times before landing on the ground in a heap.
"W-What happened?!" The guards screamed, holding Ichigo's now limp body. After all, these were a group of spiritually unaware people. If they couldn't hear the spirit crying out in pain as Kanonji tried to so call 'exorcise' it, then they most certainly didn't see Ichigo's soul fly out of his body. Nor would they believe it if that's what they were told.
"Ow..!" Ichigo muttered, bringing a hand up to cradle his head, "Who?!"
"Ta da, Urahara!" I informed, popping up in front of Urahara with a smile. Of course, he could still be seen because I was so short.
"The Geta-Boshi guy..?" Ichigo questioned, referring to Urahara by his old fashioned clogs and his striped hat. "Why's he here...?"
"Look, don't space out. You're in a hurry, Kurosaki-San!" Urahara chided, waving his face back and forth. "You should be off as well, Jun-Kun!"
"Oh, that's right..!" I gasped, eyes widening. My eyes darted over to Ichigo, who held my gaze. I nodded, jumping to his side as we took off. We skidded to halt in front of Kanonji, blocking him from the spirit.
"STOP!" Ichigo roared, knocking Kanonji to the ground.
"Oh no~! What's happened here?! Mr. Kanonji was suddenly driven back by an incredible force~!" The announcer exclaimed, as if he didn't believe his eyes. I couldn't fight the sweat drop that I was sure was sliding down the back of my head; of course he wouldn't be able to see Ichigo. So it looked like Kanonji was thrown back by some mysterious force.
"Wha-What's with you, boy?! Why do you interfere?!" Kanonji questioned as he jumped back to his feet, "You're just a ghost!"
"Oh," Ichigo blinked, his eyes trailing over to me as I jogged and caught up with them. "He can see us too?"
"It makes sense, I guess. I mean, he could see the spirit too, right?" I questioned as well, crossing my arms as I nodded.
"Yeah, you're right…" Ichigo muttered, nodding as well.
"Of course I can see you two!" Kanonji sputtered, not believing that we were doubting his abilities. "Just who do you two think that I am?! The charismatic spirit medium of the new…" Kanonji stopped mid-pose to gasp, "I see! So then, you're both my fans, even in death? But, I don't guess even death could separate two fans of my great show! And lovers, no doubt~!"
"I'm gonna kill ya!" Ichigo seethed, launching himself towards Kanonji. I sighed, rolling my eyes. Of course, I had to lunge as well. Someone had to hold Ichigo back from choking the spiritualist on live TV; I don't think that would have gone too well with the fans.
However, we were all distracted as the spirit's cries grew even more shrill and piercing. Its spirit form was beginning to crack, light emerging from within.
"No way," Ichigo yelled, "We're too late!?"
A blinding flash illuminated the area, quickly followed up by a loud explosion as the spirit disintegrated.
"He disappeared?" Ichigo questioned, as he lowered his arm. Everyone had used their arms to shield themselves as the explosion occurred. His deep cinnamon eyes met mine, "He…didn't become a Hollow?"
"Wha-What in the world just happened..?" The announcer spoke in a petrified voice, "When we thought Mr. Kanonji was suddenly driven back violently… It was followed by a fierce explosive sound… Is Mr. Kanonji alright..?"
"Yeaaaah~!" Kanonji shouted as the dust began to clear, striking another one of his poses, "Mission complete~!"
"Ichigo, keep your guard up!" I instructed, icy eyes slightly narrowing. This was unnatural…something wasn't right. It was like a gut feeling that I had. "It didn't disappear. The moment a Plus becomes a Hollow, it dissipates once and recomposes into a Hollow at a different location. What makes it worse is that, because that Plus was a wandering ghost, the place that it'll show up at will be random. It might show up miles away if it chooses to…"
My hand shot down the front of my Shihakusho, once more causing Ichigo's eyes to widen. I pulled out my phone and quickly ran a scan for the area.
"And because our Plus had his heart caught by the hospital…" I muttered, watching as the radar continuously turned. It still hadn't picked anything up.
"Ichigo! Jun!" Rukia shouted, getting our attention. "Look up!"
"Che," I muttered, quickly locking my phone before stuffing it back down in my uniform. Of course, with our luck, the Hollow was reforming in the air above us. "It's reforming..!"
Before our very eyes, the spirit was going through the transformation of becoming a Hollow. This was the first time that I'd ever seen it with my own eyes; textbooks didn't go into that much detail.
Bits and pieces of reishi floated around in the air, gathering on top of the abandoned hospital. Once there, it circled around before merging together, wisp by wisp. As the pieces joined, its hands, feet, body, and head began to reform. As soon as its head was formed, it began screaming again. However, its screams were muffled as it was spewing out white gunk…it was even running out of the eye sockets as well. The material soon hardened, forming the traditional white Hollows mask.
"He… became a Hollow!" Ichigo spoke, looking up at the Hollow. He looked dumbfounded, almost as if he had believed that Kanonji had actually sent the spirit on instead of forcing it to become a Hollow.
"Wha…what is that monster?!" Kanonji asked, shocked.
"Wha...!" Ichigo asked, turning to glare and yell at Kanonji. "What do you mean, 'what'? It's a Hollow! You've never seen one?!"
"Of course~!" Kanonji exclaimed, bringing his hand up in the air as if to prove that he was telling the truth; however, it was clear that he was making it up as he went along. "Who do you think I am?! The charismatic spirit medium of the century, Don Kanonji! Monster extermination is outside my field!"
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, mirroring my own once we locked gazes and exchanged knowing looks. Kanonji just screamed 'LIAR!'
"That over there is a spirit called a Hollow-" Ichigo tried to explain, pointing up at the creature still sitting on the rooftop.
"Whoa!?" Kanonji cut the strawberry off, bringing his hands up to his ears, "I'm sensing… I'm sensing it..! The smell reeks of a super dangerous spirit! So then, he… Is the earlier spirit's evil boss who has come for vengeance!"
"That's not it!" Ichigo said, exasperated. He was still pointing upwards at the Hollow, "Listen to a person's explanation through to the end…"
"Ichigo, it's fine. It's not like he would actually listen anyway. Let's just go and get our job done, alright?" I asked.
"I'll devour your soul!" The Hollow cried, launching itself off of the rooftop at us.
"Incoming~!" I warned, putting my hand on Ankoku-Tatsu's hilt and sinking a bit lower to the ground.
"Get away, Kan-" Ichigo shouted to the spiritualist, only for Kanonji to rush forwards and push him back. He thrust Ichigo to the ground, and then he ran in front of me and pushed me back. I tripped over Ichigo's sprawled body, landing on top of him.
"Get away, young ones!" Kanonji exclaimed as I rolled off of Ichigo, sitting on my legs on the ground. "Leave this to me! Come on, bad spirit! The charismatic spirit medium of the new century, Don Kanonji, is your opponent!"
"What are you doing?!" Ichigo yelled, jumping to his feet and pulling me up as well.
"Moron!" I yelled, as we rushed to protect Kanonji; he really had no idea what he was getting himself involved in.
Ichigo managed to block the Hollow with his large Zanpakuto, and in doing so, he sent the Hollow flying back from sheer force. I withdrew my Zanpakuto as well, standing in front of Kanonji, just in case he tried to pull another crazy stunt.
"W-Why didn't you two run away?!" Kanonji asked, peering up at me and around me to look at Ichigo.
"It's the same to you, idiot! Hurry up and run!" I exclaimed, looking up at Kanonji and glaring at him.
"Me? Run away?" Kanonji questioned, "What are you saying?! I won't run away! I can't run away!"
"Can't?" Ichigo asked, confused. "What do you mean..?"
"Ichigo!" I screamed, eyes widening. "Watch out; behind you!"
Ichigo had dropped his guard while talking to Kanonji, so of course the Hollow would take that opportunity to attack. Wincing, I knew what I had to do.
Using Shunpo, I was quickly able to appear in front of Ichigo, who didn't even have enough time to raise his Zanpakuto.
I gasped when I felt the Hollows teeth dig into the flesh of my shoulder, easily biting through the skin. Gritting my teeth, I flicked my wrist and brought Ankoku-Tatsu up and managed to nick the Hollows mouth; however the cut was too shallow for it to be a death blow.
"Jun!" Ichigo screamed, eyes wide as the Hollow released me and jumped a few feet away because of the stinging pain from my cut. I weakly fell to my knees, wincing as I applied pressure to the wound on my shoulder.
Removing my hand, I saw that my normally pale skin was a sickening crimson color.
Kanonji ran forward, trying to find a way where he could help. However, the Hollow spotted him and decided to attack.