So, if no one's noticed yet, all of my chapter titles coordinate with a Q&A theme. For example, The first chapter title was a question—"Who Are They?"—and the next chapter was a response to that question—"They Are Your Parents, You Have To Go". On top of that, the title of each chapter coordinates with the plot line and flow; the title connects with the contents of the chapter. I thought that was pretty cool and creative. All I can say is I hope I don't run out of creative questions, otherwise the chapters will start to fall apart… .
Here's a quick thank you to everyone who reviewed. It may be the same readers each time, but I still appreciate the effort and the encouragement.
Kaneko Aikawa: I love Fairy Tail! One of my favorites 3 You made my day just making the reference to Happy. Never apologize for that :) Thank you (again) for reviewing, and for sticking with the story. Seriously, it's greatly appreciated. My plan for this story continues to change slightly, but the chapters will come nevertheless.
My reviewers have left me again…but I will keep writing! Because I feel like I owe it to you. Seriously, thank you all so much for reading this far. I didn't think any of my stories would be as popular as this on is now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Now, on with the chapters!
. . .
Chapter 11: Don't You?
"Well, I'm off. Another Hollow to take care of, another day." I said with a cheery smile, but mom wasn't smiling.
Mom sighed. Izuro was balanced on her hip, half asleep with his thumb in his mouth. "Please don't say it like it's your job. You are destined for something much better than being a Soul Reaper, Nanami."
I smiled and shrugged. I know she hated it, but we all came to a mutual agreement that I was taking over all Soul Reaper duties and handling the orders that come in from Soul Society. If I had grown up here from the beginning, they would have never told me about my powers—they had admitted that the night of our agreement. They wanted me to live a normal life without having to worry about Hollows. Thankfully though, they can still give that chance to Yutaka, Kana Izuro.
They trusted that I could take care of myself, but Mom hated that I was taking this so seriously. We talked about how that's all I've known, and Dad had to remind her that that's exactly how she was when they met. I decided to use that to my advantage and asked them to tell me how they met. I got out of the 'Soul Reaper debate' and got my one and only parents to open up to me. All in all, it was a good day.
That was three days ago. Now, we seem to have hit another bump in the road. It was early this morning that the order came in. Dad was getting up for work, the twins woke up early fighting over who would get to finish off the orange juice, and then wound up waking Izuro. No one seemed to be able to catch a break this morning.
"I don't know, Mom. Being a Soul Reaper feels…right. Being able to help people and feel the joy they feel when they know they were given another chance to live. That's something worth being a Soul Reaper for."
She nodded lightly. "I've been there—and so has your father." She casted a sideways glance up at Dad, who stood next to her as they stood here with me at the front door, wishing me luck.
"Saving lives is not something to take lightly, and it's not something you can slack on. We still use our Soul Reaper powers because it's hard to turn your back on the people you've already fought so hard for."
This time I nodded, smiling lightly. "Agreed."
Dad looked about as uneasy as Mom was about letting me go out on these missions, but he seemed the more willing of the two. "Just be careful. We'll be keeping an eye on your Spirit Energy."
"You mean I will be keeping an eye on it, considering you still suck at reading Spiritual Energy," Mom corrected, and Dad paused long enough to send her a glare. "If I feel like you need help then I will be on my way."
"Hold on, Midget. You've got kids to watch—I need to go to work, you know."
Mom looked annoyed. "And just what is that supposed to mean, Carrot Top?"
I sighed heavily, smile still well placed on my lips. "Here they go again," I said to no one in particular. (In other words, I was talking to myself again.)
Mom put her free hand on her hip as she supported the sleeping infant in one arm, looking smug. "Oh, I get it! Karin and Yuzu are tired of being your maids. No wonder they need you so badly to work; you have to clean up after yourself because I'm not there to do it for you. Whether you're a Soul Reaper of a Doctor, you still need me there to do the cleaning."
Dad, in turn, glared. "That is not true!"
"Sure," she said with a lot of sarcasm.
I laughed lightly, reviling in their play fighting.
I've done some research about married couples,and I was surprised at the results. More than 80% of marriages end in divorce, and I had to look up what divorce meant—I'm not impressed with that, either. I'm always afraid that my parents would end up like that, because they fight and argue a lot. When i asked them about it, they told me it's how they've always been, and that I have nothing to worry about.
I guess it's just another rather unordinary thing about this family that I have to get used to.
I opened the door and said my goodbyes—got another round of 'good luck's and 'be careful's—I left the front porch and took off into a sprint. I headed down the path leading toward the fence and leapt into the air, bounding over it with ease.
However, life seems keen on throwing obstacles in my path. Obstacles such as…Hiroshi walking directly in the path, while in mid-air—with no way to stop! If was just as my feet were about to touch the ground, and where I would continue my sprint. Nope. instead I was about to run—literally—into Hiroshi.
Oh, crap. Oh, crap. Oh, crap!
My mind spun just as fast as my legs carried me, trying to come up with a way out of this inevitable collision.
Hiroshi must have heard or sensed me coming, because he looked up just in time for me to crash right into him. A look of shock and confusion crossed his face as he barely let the words on the tip of his tongue past his lips:
"What the f—"
"Ah!"
The collision sent us both flying out into the street. As we made contact with the ground, I thought for sure I was going to wind up with a concussion before I even started my confrontation with the Hollow. But…I barely even touched the pavement. As we rolled and tumbled, Hiroshi seemed to put a lot of effort into keeping me from getting hurt. His hand pressed my head firmly to his chest; he other hand wrapped around my back, securing my body to his; his legs managed to wrap themselves with mine in a way that kept me nearly completely off the ground. In fact, the only part of my body that did hit the pavement was my back side, and it was already sore.
When we came to a stop, I groaned and sat up. I felt a little dizzy, for sure, and I might have a headache later. My hands, which had been tucked firmly between Hiroshi's body and mine just a few moments ago, pressed against something that wasn't pavement. I felt muscles in Hiroshi's shoulders constrict as he bared the weight I was putting on him. I felt my heart skip a beat or two as my eyes traveled up past where my hands were on his shoulders until they came to rest on his eyes.
His gaze was slightly dazed from our tumble, but I didn't miss the look of…something I wasn't quite familiar with. Our eyes met and locked. I saw a flicker of emotion come over his expression. Whatever the emotion was caused my heart to do a little dance in my chest, and I…I think…
A loud roar of a Hollow cut our staring contest short and brought us back to reality.
When he snapped out of it, one of his hands came up to rub the back of his head, his face twisted in pain that didn't seem to hit him until just then.
When our eyes connected again, that emotion wasn't gone though it was mixed with several other emotions that I had seen in him before: anger, annoyance, and frustration. However, it was strange to me that even through the emotions were clear in his eyes, there was no sign of annoyance of any kind in his face when he said, "Nanami, are you—"
But I didn't let him finish. I couldn't. I didn't want to tell him that I was okay, because then I would have been lying right to his face. I wasn't okay; I was far from it! I was confused, mentally hurt from causing him harm, and…feeling something that I didn't understand at all. The feeling I had liked just a few moments ago I suddenly didn't like at all.
Instead of listening to what he had to say, I quickly detangled out legs and pushed off the ground, careful not to put any weight on him as I stood and turned my back to him.
I barely got the words past my lips, but when I did, I was glad he couldn't see my face as my voice shook. "I-I'm so sorry, Hiroshi… For…For running into you. Literally. I have to go…take care of the Hollow…"
And, just like that, I was gone and heading straight into a fight I wasn't confident in succeeding in anymore. I took off as fast as I could Flash Step toward the Hollow, hoping that slaying this monster would ease my mind and I could…think again.
Whatever that was just then in Hiroshi's eyes was something beautiful and kind. And something in my heart tells me that it was meant only for me to see.
. . .
So…I was about to end it here, she I realized that I had only provided you guys with 3 pages of reading. Nope, that's not okay! I figured I owed you a lot more than just that measly bit.
Without further ado, here's a time skip! And just as promised, the introduction of Nanami's Zanpakuto!
. . .
"Hado 31: Shakkaho!"
A bean of red energy burst from my head. It hit my intended target—the third and final Hollow on my list—right in the chest. But, like most other Hollows, this guy needed to be hit on it's mask. Then the beast would dissipate, and I could curl up and finish my book: 'Pride and Prejudice'.
With a swing of my un-released Zanpakutou, I took it out without much complication. The damn thing was too stunned by my Hado attack that it just let me kill it.
As it disappeared, from my sight, I stopped to think about what would have happened if I hadn't killed that Hollow, which is something I've done a lot lately. It helped me remember why I do this—why I kill Hollows and why my family did it. It reminds me why I trained and fought so hard to control my powers, and to become a part of the 13 Court Guard Squads. To protect my Aunt, the woman who raised me. To protect those who trained me, and to defend them if I had to.
When I graduated from the Academy, they called me a prodigy. I was a part of the Kuchiki Clan and great things were expected of me. When I told them I didn't want to be a member of the Court Guard, they looked at me in disgust, as if I had just shamed everyone there. They told me I would be placed under Byakuya's care, where I would no doubt be watched.
I took a deep breath in…
And then let it out…
Thinking about Aunt Hisana and Uncle Byakuya hurt, because I still hadn't heard from them and was worried. They should have contacted me by now, and if they haven't then there's something wrong. I could only hope that they will send me some kind of message that everything is okay, and that the Head Captain didn't punish them in any way.
Looking up at the sky, the sun had started to rise, and many people were starting to crowd the streets where I had just moments ago killed the last Hollow. I thought about what everyone back home must be doing.
"I'm sure Dad is running late for work." I sighed. "Again. And Mom is rushing him out the door with Izuro on her hip. And the twins are no doubt just waking up while watching morning cartoons. They will be off to school soon."
I realized I was talking to myself again and sheathed my sword. Turning my back to the sunrise, I started to head home.
However, I wasn't alone. I felt another presence—like someone was watching me. It was just like that feeling I got the other night when Hiroshi and I took Yumi home. But there was something else. Someone else was here, though I'm not sure this person could sense it.
If whoever this is continues to follow me, I'll lead them right to the house. My heart squeezed at the thought of leading potential danger straight to my family. I'll have to lead them away. But I'll have to do it subtly so they don't know I'm on to them.
In mid-run, I took a hard turn in another direction, expecting the person to follow. Not-surprisingly, they did, and they were gaining on me.
They're gaining on me. I'll have to do this quickly. If they catch me before I can make my move, I'm screwed.
As soon as I stepped foot in a relatively empty park, I took action. In the blink of an eye—using my Flash Step, of course—I had my sword pressed firmly against the person's back.
"Who are you?" I demanded, keeping my focus on the person in front of me. "What do you want?"
This person was a woman—no taller than I was. She wore a long, orange kimono dress with a fish pattern on in and her light pink hair was tied up in a neat bun. Her hands were at her sides, though her stance was otherwise relaxed. Around her waist was a simple purple Obi, the same color was the fish on her kimono. And tucked in the side of her Obi was a katana of her own.
My eyes narrowed, mostly in annoyance because she hadn't answered my questions yet. "Tell me who you are, and I'll tell you who I am and why you aren't leaving here until I get some answers."
The girl giggled, and when she turned her head slightly toward me, her light pink lips turned up into a sinister smile. "Oh, we already know who you are, Nanami Kuchiki. And you'll get your answers when you finally join us."
I felt my whole body freeze up. It was like someone put a binding kido on me—and a strong one at that. My heart beat faster and my senses were on high alert.
No… It can't be her—anything but this, please! I can't go through this again!
Without another second's hesitation, I thrust my blade forward as fast as my strength would allow me, straight into the girl's back. But she was fast. She dodged it just in time, and reappeared just a few feet in front of me. The sinister smile was still every present, but now with her katana in hand.
"What do you want with me?" I demanded, through with playing these games.
The girl giggled maniacally. "Silly girl. You already know what we want. We want you to join us, Nanami Kuchiki. And My Lady was not happy that you got away from her."
"I didn't come here to escape here—this was for my own personal reasons. And the 'lady' you're talking about can only be Sakura Aoi. It's true that she got to me once…" I clenched the hilt of my Zanpakutou so tightly that I felt my skin begin tearing. "And she wont get to me this time—not this time!"
With a rage filled swing, I lunged at the woman and—with my speed and accuracy—I very nearly got her, much to her surprise.
"You'll have to do better than that, Nami-girl!" the young woman called from behind me.
I glanced behind me where the woman now stood on a tree branch across the park. I turned back to the body I had run through with my Zanpakutou and saw that it was a limp decoy.
She's fast, I thought, shoving the fabricated body off the end of my sword. I didn't even notice her presence over there until she spoke. I'm fast, too, but I will definitely have to keep my guard up.
"Who are you?" I demanded again, more out of need than want.
The woman laughed. "My name is Kaguya. And My Lady wants you back, Nami-girl."
I gritted my teeth. "You can tell 'your lady' that she should already know my answer—her logic is wrong and I won't be joining her any time soon."
Kaguya clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Now, now. You should know better than the defy her. She won't wait for you to make a decision forever, you know."
I felt the anger burn within me—my hatred for Kaguya and 'her lady' slowly growing with each passing second. The memories of that day coming back to me in small snippets, as if I was watching one of those old war movies Grand-dad Isshin showed me.
"I'll warn you only once to stay away, Kaguya—both you and Sakura. You should have never pursued me here. It will be the biggest mistake."
I thought about sheathing my sword, but dismissed the idea. This woman was clearly unpredictable and I needed to be able to defend myself if need be. And I didn't like that we were still so close to my family, and prayed they wouldn't come searching for me. The less these people knew about Sakura, the better.
"I'm under strict orders to confront you and…see how weak you've become." Kaguya gave a loud and obvious snort. "Basically, I'm here to see if you're even worth My Lady's time. From what I've seen so far, I'd say not."
I Kept my calm attitude about me. "Am I supposed to be offended by that?"
As quick as I could, I turned and Flash Stepped away—to the tops of the buildings nearby. I continued heading in the opposite direction of my home toward the next town over. I wasn't surprised to find that she followed me. If she really was intending on fighting me, I had to take the battle above the streets.
Eventually, she grew tired of playing chase and got ahead of me. We stopped in mid-air, far above the city goers, though not too far from the tops of the buildings below. She sneered at me, he sword drawn. It was like any other katana that hadn't had it's name called. The hilt of her sword was a rainbow of bright colors.
I clenched the hilt of my own sword tightly in my hand, ready for her to attack me.
"You really are a feisty one, aren't you?"
I might as well do some taunting, I thought, trying to come up with something better than that. It'll distract her and (hopefully) give me an opening.
"She must talk about me a lot," I said with a ford smile. "If she wants me as bad as she wanted me back then, I must be her favorite."
She sneered and lunged at me, and with the force of her speed our katana's clashed harshly. She really was fast, and it was something I was going to have to keep an eye on.
Her sneer was ever growing. "What do you know about My Lady? You never joined our side, so you couldn't understand the loyalty I have for her, and the faith she has in me."
I shrugged the best I could under the growing weight of her Spiritual Pressure and the strength in her swing. "Yeah, well, I don't need that kind of understanding. I have real loyalty and real faith in my comrades."
We separated and then quickly clashed again. I didn't want her to get the upper hand on me, so I met her half-way. Her face was looking more and more annoyed, and with her growing anger came an equally as powerful burst of Spiritual pressure.
She clicked her tongue again, this time in disgust. "You mean your Soul Reaper friends? They can't help you now. They couldn't keep My Lady in a cage forever—what makes you think they can do it again?"
I bit my tongue from saying anything I might regret later. She was playing the same game I was—trying to get under my skin and make poor decisions. But it wasn't going to work. I figured now was as good a time as any to pull out the big guns.
We pushed away from each other, and before exchanging another blow, I pulled out the big guns on my plan of psychological warfare.
"Tell me something, Kaguya." I held my sword out in defense, ready for her to make her next move. "What will happen if she does get her hands on me? What will happen to you?"
She face twisted in confusion, though the anger was still ever-present. "What are you talking about? I will remain loyal to her no matter what you say or do! She saved me, and for that I owe her my life."
I've get her right where I want her.
"That's great and all, but which one of us do you think she would keep, and the other thrown aside?"
A low, angered growl came from her throat. And, again, her Spiritual Pressure spiked. It weighed down on me, but it wasn't something I couldn't handle.
"She would never do that! Lady Saukra would never do that to me. I'm the one that's been loyal to her—me!" She swung at me, but I blocked it. She swings were becoming faster and much stronger. "She won't do that to me!"
I dodged another swing to my head and kicked her straight in her stomach. She let out a painful groan as she was knocked several feet away. She caught her balance again and stood up. The look of pure hatred was clear in her eyes, and it wasn't a look I was unfamiliar with.
"What makes you think someone as powerful as 'Lady Sakura' would need two side-kicks?" I asked her, drawing power to my sword as I readied for her next attack. "Sakura is using you, Kaguya. She couldn't get me without help, so she's using you to do all of her dirty work."
She seemed to brush that comment of pretty easily. "Dirty work or not, I will always remain loyal to her. Just as you claim you will always remain loyal to your so-called 'friends'."
"They aren't just my friends." My mind flashed to Lady Hisana, my mom's biological sister. "They're my family. You had to have had family at one point, right? People to needed and counted on?"
Her expression wavered ever so slightly, but then quickly flicked back to a look of hatred. I gave her a 'duh' look (at least that's what Dad calls it when something is so obvious its annoying. "She doesn't need you—she needs me."
"Enough!"
The amount of energy and power in her roar was frightening. The Spiritual Pressure was enough to crush a tree.
Well, I thought to myself, I had intended on this. I guess I hadn't expected her to be so easy to manipulate.
The power she summoned was enormous—everything about it reminded me of when a Soul Reaper calls forth his or her Zanpakutou. However, there was something unsettling about it. Something…evil.
"You'll regret saying that about My Lady," she hissed, as her Spiritual Pressure reached it's peak. "You'll regret ever being born."
Uh, oh…
"Come to me, Karitori Sōgen!"
The time between calling the name of her Zanpakutou and her attack was nonexistent. The thrust of her sword was sloppy but powerful, and I almost couldn't hold me own against her, what with the amount of power and strength was put into that one swing.
I Flash Stepped away, but she followed me. She was much faster now that she called on her sword, and was already regretting taunting her to draw out her powers. She moved for fast, in fact, that I couldn't make out her face anymore. But it was the only way to know what I was up against. Strike for strike, swing for swing, we exchanged blows, and every time I thought I had the upper had she advanced on me and got a hit on me. The blows were nowhere near life threatening, so it was clear she was just toying with me. She had the upper hand in this fight, and she knew that for sure.
"I told you, didn't I? You would regret every coming across me." Her voice had changed—it had that same demented sound as any other Hollowfied Soul Reaper.
I stood up taller, preparing to call my Zanpakutou. "Hey," I said almost non-chalantly, "you came at me first. If anything, you are the one that asked for this."
She glared at me through her mask—her Hollow mask. It was shaped like a normal face, but part of it extended and wrapped around toward the back of her head in small spirals. Most of the mask was white (as usual) with a light orange that shaped around the eyes. The spirals were each a different, pale color, as well.
"Surprised, aren't you? With my Hollowfied form I can crush you—oh, wait. My Lady wants you alive." She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I guess I can't have too much fun with this."
I wonder if she could even really see my face, because that would tell her just how surprised I was that she could Hollowify. "I'm all to familiar with Hollowification. Yours is impressive, I'll admit." I closed my eyes and put all of my focus into my center—keeping control while letting go. I opened my eyes again, along with it came a cocky grin on my lips. "But it's my turn to show you the kind of power I control."
"Call on the tides and rule the seas: Mizu Yūwaka."
With the flow of my Spiritual Energy, the katana I held in my hand took the shape of my Mizu Yūwaka. The single katana morphed into two blades, both no more than 18 inches long and 3 inches in width. The hilt of the swords were wrapped in black fabric. The blade itself was silver and blue, though the colors faded and blended in with each other.
I held up my left hand with the blade, letting the morning sun reflect off of it. "This is my Mizu Yūwaka. This is the power Sakura wants so badly."
For a small moment, Kaguya just looked at me. Then she burst into a fit of laughter.
"You've got to be joking!" she roared. "That's you Zanpakutou? Those weak little things will never stand up against my Karitori Sōgen."
I lowered my hand to my side, keeping a calm, confident posture. However, I was still building up my Spiritual Energy. "Calling Mizu Yūwaka was never meant to impress you. I'm making a point to you. Sakura targeted me when she found out what kind of powers a truly possessed, powers that I won't be releasing today. She wanted me to join her, but I refused her because she's wrong, Kaguya. She's only using you for your power; she doesn't actually see you as a 'teammate' or an equal. This is not what we are meant for—we aren't soldiers or pawns. You know that, don't you?"
Kaguya clicked her tongue. "You just don't get it, do you?"
I narrowed my eyes. I guess there's no getting through to her. Either way, it will all be over soon.
"Lady Sakura doesn't want to control anyone—that's the whole point of what she's doing. She's teaching us to let go of our control and just let the beast take over every once in a while. There's nothing wrong with that."
"There's everything wrong with that!" I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my anger in check. "Keeping control keeps people alive. Unlike you, I don't want to hurt the people around me."
That manic laugh of hers rang loud in my ears. "You'll see sooner or later that keeping control and letting go are one in the same."
I felt the fury rise in me, the power within me grew stronger with it. "Sakura said that to me once. Then she killed someone close to me. I won't let it happen again."
I swallowed my anger and kept my focus, building even more of my Spiritual Pressure. I was better than this… I won't let Sakura get the better of me—not this time.
A smile graced my lips seeing the panic on Kaguya face as she felt my still growing Spiritual Pressure. It now rivaled that of her Spiritual Pressure, and it was clear she wasn't expecting that. "If you want to know the kind of power Sakura wants, I couldn't put it in words. The power of a Vizard is substantial. However…" I now held both swords in one hand. I raised my free hand to hover just over my face, as if my hand were a mask over my face.
I looked at Kaguya through my fingers. "I guess I could show you."
I called the power of the Hollow within me forward, and I could practically feel 'Her' squirm with glee. The corner of my mask started to form just under the tips of my fingers—
From behind me somewhere me, a blue arrow flew straight for Kaguya—though it did fly very close to my own head, startling me from my focus. It was Spiritual Energy in the form of an arrow. And though it was a good shot, she deflected it with her sword easily, the same sadistic smile from earlier on her face.
I glanced behind me, about to yell at Hiroshi for almost taking my head off, when I remembered what had happened only a few hours ago outside my home. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, and my heart started fluttering at the memory.
"Are you crazy, Nanami?" he scolded me, annoyance ever present in his eyes.
I quickly snapped out of my train of thought. Everything changed—I was suddenly very annoyed myself. "What? Me crazy? You're the one that just shot an arrow that barely missed me."
His expression didn't change, but his voice had a mocking tone to it. "If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't aiming for you."
"It doesn't, and you can go. I can handle this." I turned back to Kaguya, who was amused by this display. I didn't like the look in her eyes, and I certainly didn't trust that she wouldn't attack Hiroshi if given the chance. I wouldn't take my eyes off her again. She was fast, and I didn't quite know the extent of her power.
"If you continue at this rate," he continued to chastise me from the background, "your Spiritual Pressure will crush the buildings. You're drawing too much attention to yourself. How do you think I found you?"
Kaguya's smirk widened. "You should really listen to your friend."
"We're not friends!" Hiroshi and I corrected her at the same time.
I took a second to even wonder why I felt the way I had this morning. Hiroshi was…just…annoying!
"You're finishing each other's sentences. How cute!" Kaguya mocked, her now Hollowified voice screeching in my ears. "Now, let's get back to our fight so I can return to Lady Sakura. Maybe you'd like to join us, young man?"
That was crossing the line. She was openly picking a fight with someone that wasn't even involved. I wouldn't let her get her way. I stepped further into Kaguya's view so she couldn't see Hiroshi on the rooftop behind me.
"That won't be happening, Kaugya. Your fight is with me alone. Leave him out of it."
Kaguya clicked her tongue. "It's not nice to speak for other people. You should know all about that, Nami-girl."
I glared at her, and how I wanted to rush her so badly. But I wouldn't want to let my guard down. If she really was going to attack him or me, I would let her make the first move.
"Nanami, if you say you have it under control, then I'm going," he said simply, though I could practically feel his tension about the situation. He was wary about Kaguya and how strong he thought she was. But I doubted he even understood what she was with that mask on and just how dangerous she could be.
I nodded, keeping full focus on Kaguya and my control. "I've got it under control. Go. You have school today, don't you? Go straight there and get to your classes. You're already late."
I hoped he understood the urgency in my voice. I prayed that he picked up on the fact that he shouldn't go right home, otherwise she would track him there.
After a few moments of silence, I heard him turn on his heel and start walking on the rooftop. "If you say so." And just as quickly as he was there, he disappeared.
I almost let out a sigh of relief, glad that he didn't have to be a part of this. I could drag anyone else into this, not when I was finally happy… I couldn't live that pain again, not ever again…
I took a deep breath, gathered my control, and then let the breath out. Suddenly, of the Spiritual Energy I had gathered to its peak was back at normal levels, and my Spiritual Pressure was back in check.
The expression on Kaugya's face—or what I could see of it from behind her mask—was completely and utterly priceless.
"W-What the hell was that? You just suppressed all of you energy, as if it were nothing."
"Yeah, it's what I've been training all of my life to do." Now that my Spiritual Energy was in check, I felt more calm and relaxed (even if Hiroshi showing up had thrown a metaphorical katana into my original plan).
"Do you remember just a few minutes ago when I said calling my Zanpakutou was never meant to impress you, that I had never intended on fighting you here today?"
She didn't seem to get it, so I explained further.
"And you also remember Hiroshi had said that he found me by following the strong amount of Spiritual Pressure I was letting out?"
Realization crossed her face, and I could sense the panic in her voice. "You were never doing it to show off. You were leading someone here—like a moth to a flame."
"That's correct: she was leading us right to you."
. . .
Dun, Dun, Duh!
Who is it?! And what does Nanami's Mask look like?! SO many more questions are going to come from this chapter, I just know it. And all I can say is…have patience. I'm trying to shorten these chapters while still keeping them interesting and the story progressing all at the same time. I have to say…it's harder than I had originally thought, haha.
I want to point out that My Name is Kurosaki was never meant to be this long. It was supposed to be a story about Ichigo's daughter returning home, but it seemed to become something more, and I suddenly had more and better ideas for it. Oe thing led to another…and BOOM! She's got a lover interest and she's got some kind of dark past. I'm going to give you guys what I can when I can, so just hang in, PLEASE! 3
What do you think about the Hiroshi/Nanami 'mash up'? (Teehee… see what I did there? XD) Yay or Nay?
Am I missing anything else? Let me know!
Thanks For Reading and Reviewing!
—Romni
[Translations]
-Karitori Sōgen = Reaping Meadows
-Mizu Yūwaka = Water Temptress