Disclaimer: DemonsFlame does not own Bleach. Only his OC Kriv.
May The Flame Cleanse You: Chapter 3
-Karakura Town Park-
-10pm-
[Flashback Engage]
"So thats it? You leaving again?" Kriv asked in confusion. "You just got here. Plus, we have unfinshed business." He pointed out, with a cough.
Bambi just looked at him. He knew she could take care of herself. But he could see something inside her changed. "Do you remember when we were basically joined at the hip until the day I left?" She asked him looking at the twinkling stars in the night sky.
"Yea, I remember. 'The Inseperable Hot Heads' the teachers called us back then. Someone would try to taunt one us into a fight, and the other would back them up." The memories of Bambi and him constantly in fights, because the other nearly go jumped.
"What happened the day I left? Did you get hurt?" She asked a thin layer of worry to her voice. She lowered her head, and look at the ground.
"Just a minor scrap. Those idiots from the school across town were pushing their luck. Saying, 'Oi Kuroteme, where is that piece of ass thats always hanging on you?'" He repeated their words in a mocking tone.
She chuckled at his mocking words, but was furious at the punks for just seeing her as a piece of ass. She lost her temper enough to make a tree explode. "I hope they suffered. Nobody calls me a piece of ass to my man, and gets to remain walkng." She proclaimed as another tree exploded.
"I have multiple questions now. First of all, I took care of them, ones currently scared to hear my name, and one of the others wont even come near this side of town." he recounted on two of the three punks being basicaly terrified.
"And their blockhead leader?" She questioned immediately, knowing he was leftout.
"Well, if it isnt Kuroteme and that piece of ass that hangs on him." A voice familiar to them sounded.
"He ran like a little bitch, what the hell do you want Ickymaru?" He said mocking the thug. But paying him no attention. "Anyway, and that second thing 'Your man?' I specificaly remember us agreeing to no feelings involved." He raised an eyebrow. "Dont explode him, just concuss him." He said softly.
"We're trying to have a moment here. Get lost." She said with hatred in her voice. She waved her hand over her shoulder, and sent a concussive burst the thugs way. It was enough to toss him out of the park.
"Well, things change when the unexpected happens." She said, now lookng him in the eyes.
"Want me to walk you home? does your mom even know your back in town?" He said standing and offering his hand.
"How about we go to my place and catch up. Believe it or not, I missed you. I want my feelings at least acknowledged." She said as she hugged him tight.
-Two days later-
-Outside Kurosaki Clinic-
"You impressed me, standing up to His Majesty. I dont think anyones refused his offer." Bambi said as they reappeared in the shadow of the Clinic.
"Well, I wasnt really enthralled by the whole 'drink my blood and accept my power' shtick that was going on." He wrapped his arm around her. "Also, I dont really care for that, Gigi bitch." He said planly as they stepped into the sunlight.
"Well, she is one of only other females there, Kriv. I cant really pick who he chooses." She said as she hit him on the arm, they seemed to have picked up right where they left off.
He chuckled as they embraced. "It was good seeing you and catching up. Just come find me if you ever need me, kay?" He jumped to his window, and looked back at her.
"Anytime? Now, I dont have to explode some Quincy chumps." She asked in an excited tone. He nodded. "See you later." She said as melded back into the shadows of the clinic.
He climbed through his window, and immediately sat at his desk. He wrote something down, and tucked it away.
[Flashback Disengage]
-Urahara Shop-
"Thats where this info came from." He handed the paper to the shop owner. "I'm not going to divulge, anything from during those two days. Just whats on that paper." His eyes narrowed, and turned to walk away.
'Meow' was heard as a cat with purple fur, jumped on his shoulder and immediately recieved head scratches.
"Et Tu. Yoruichi?!" The shop owner asked in faux hurt. "So, your brother cant do the Soul Reaper thing much longer. Something is preventing him from remaining in spirit form for long periods of time." Urahara said opening a fan and moving it infront of his face.
Turning back around with a concerned look. "I didnt know about that. I just needed him to replace me until my arm healed." Kriv said as he showed off his now healed arm.
"We know, but now that hes been revealed to be part Soul Reaper. Something is restricting access to his powers. Seems like a curse or a restrictor on his power." The shop owner closed his eyes. As if collecting himself. "If he continues to use his power, he will die. I may be smart, but even I cant break whatever this is. But, It's up to him if he wants to continue to be your replacement."
Urahara got up and looked the Kurosaki teen in the eyes. "Your goals are the same but only one can achieve it. If there is anything you need, let me know." He said as he got up and walked to the back of his deceptively small shop.
-Karakura High Rooftop-
-The Next Day: 12pm Lunch-
"I dont want this power, Kriv." His eyes widened at his brothers honest words. "I dont want to worry everyone with this curse or restrictor or whatever it is." The orange haired Kurosaki sibling stated. "You started this job, you should see it through. Im done being your replacement."
"Are you sure, Ichigo? Once you choose this, theres no going back." His brother warned him. He looked up into the sky.
"Im sure. I dont want to make you or our friends worry." His brother said with a conviction that he never heard.
He sighed, "Alright, We'll go see Urahara tomorrow. He'll be sealing away the power thats managed to escape whatever is limiting you."
"Yeah, Yeah. Just dont fuck your arm up again, ok?" Ichigo said as he walked away giving his brother a wave.
"Shit! Im gonna be late for class!" He yelled as he dashed thru the door, hoping that the teacher would spare him." Thankfully, it was a substitute.
-Karakura Park-
-A Month Later-
"Fucking A." The raven haired teen sighed. During the sealing, his brother filled him in on what happened while he was with Bambi.
Ichigo dealt with a Hollow that was bound to the old abandoned hospital across. Apparently, some paranormal mega celebrity. Don Kanonji? Yea that psycho. The Hollow was a poor soul bound by hatred or sadness, neither Rukia or Ichigo could tell. His brother slayed the Hollow. The interesting part was Chad and Orihime could hear it but could only see an outline.
The day Kriv came back. Ichigo and Rukia were dealing with a rogue soul inside Ichigos body. It was supposed to be a Soul Reaper tool, for them to continue their duties while out on assignments. Unfortunately, the first batch had gone rogue, and were immediately designated defective and tagged to be destroyed. Rukia was offered the MOD Soul, or Modified Soul to take over for him while while taking over for his brother.
Kon, as the soul wished to be called, was ordered to take Ichigos body and take his place in his daily routine. Kon had other plans and started causing a scene. At the end of the day, Kon was caught and Ichigo told the MOD Soul, "Its not really my choice, your supposed to be replacing my brother. But his temper is much worse than mine if you go around and ruin his reputation. I'll save you, but you'll have to deal with him." Kon thanked him profusely and swore to behave for both brothers.
"I cant believe I missed all that shit." He said as he chuckled at the hijinks his brother went through."I gotta stop leaving to do things." He got up and walked through the park.
Kriv took his duties back before Ichigos sealing, and it was like he never left. He still struggled with the killing blows but he was getting better. He has sent the occasional soul to Soul Society, but overall nothing has really changed.
He and Rukia had gotten closer, the relatonship turned from Master and Student to Friends. Maybe closer? She was kinda acting strange, but he couldnt really put his finger on it. He shrugged it off and made his way home.
"Kriv, are you ready to go?" Rukia asked as she approached.
"Yea, Im ready. But, a few days from now, the family and I arent going to be around. Its going to be a weird week." He said as Rukia seperated his soul from his body.
-Karakura Town Cemetary-
-Three Days Later-
"Look, its not that easy, do you think I dont want to help you today?" He started. "Today is just too important to miss."
"Then, where are you all going?" She asked again.
"We're visiting Mom." Kriv said simply and caught up to his brother.
Kriv and Ichigo let everyone else go first, knowing Isshin would take the longest. "Karin and Yuzu are almost done." Kriv said turning to his brother. "You want to go first, or do you want me too?" He asked watching over his sisters.
"I'll go. I feel the most responsible." Ichigo responded.
"You aint the only one. If I wouldve just moved.."
He was intrupted by a voice "KRIV!" Yuzu yelled as she ran up to her brother and hugged him tight. "I miss Mom. Do you think I make her proud?" She asked as she cried into his shirt.
Kriv hugged his sister. "Hn, hey now. Mom would be very proud of you, Yuzu." He said as he did his best to calm her down. "She'd be proud of all of us for putting up with dads antics." He said trying to put a smile on his sisters face. "But, she'd be proud of you the most. If it wasnt for you Yuzu, Dad would probably have us eating nothing but junk food everyday." Kriv said as he chuckled at the thought.
"Your right!" His sister giggled at the thought. "I'll keep it up!" She gave her brother another tight hug. "Thank you, big brother."
He moved one of his hands to her head and gave her gentle headpats. "Your welcome, baby sister." He replied to her in a soft voice. "Karin, you gonna be ok? I know its been hard on all of us. But,"
"Shut up and hug me so I can cry." She said as she leaned into Kriv as well. He smiled at her bluntness, but coming here is always rough on the girls the most. He stopped pating Yuzus head and hugged Karin.
"Dont worry, I wont think any less of you." His voice still soft. "Neither will Yuzu or Ichigo." He rubbed their backs as they let out soft sniffles and tears stain his shirt.
"Kriv, its your turn." His brother showed up, and let him know he was done talking to their Mom.
"Thanks, can you handle our darling sisters for me?" He said as the girls let him go, and hugged Ichigo.
"Yea, I got them." His brother confirmed, as the trio walked back towards an small area that their Father set up.
He walked up to the familiar grave. Adorned with gifts from his Dad and siblings, it always looked like someone gave a damn. He stopped infront of it, and placed a boquet of white chrysanthemums gently on top of the grave.
Masaki Kurosaki
"Rukia. You asked why I was so quick to do your duties while you recover." Kriv said as he felt her walking up to him. "When Ichigo was nine, and I was ten.. We both loved Mom more than anything and refused to leave her side. Wherever she went we'd be right there with her. Her 'Little Bodyguards' she'd call us."
He felt tears start to form, he'd never forget that day. "It was a sunny afternoon, and Ichigo was at the Dojo. I wasnt feeling well, but I didnt want Mom to go alone to pick him up. " 'Off-Duty isnt an option Mom.' I wasnt letting her leave the house alone. I refused." He wiped his eyes and tried to steady his voice.
"My brother and I were walking her home just like we always did. The river was bad that day, if you slipped in you were gone." He said actively trying to steady his voice and failing. "He noticed someone was about to jump in, and he tried to stop them. Im normally fast to react to him, but Mom beat me to it."
His black hair covered his frustrated eyes. "I love my brother to death, and I will never hate him for his kindness and empathy. But, I was afraid I'd lose him." He turned around, and looked at Rukia. "I let my fear freeze me up, and Mom paid the price for my inaction."
"Im not gonna let my fear control me again." He turned back to his Mothers grave. "I love you, Mom. I swear I wont let anything happen to our family, I refuse." A gentle breeze quickly flew through the area.
"Ok, now. Whats the situation?" He asked as he finally got his act together.
"I just got a warning about a Hollow that been avoiding capture or being killed for Fifty Seven years. Its name is Grand Fisher." She showed him a picture of it, and it looked like a diseased hamster.
"KRIV, ICHIGO! SOMEONES TRYING TO JUMP INTO THE RIVER!" Yuzu yelled at the top of her lungs.
"Kriv!" Ichigo yelled to his brother.
"Im on it!" He yelled back after swollowing the mod soul capsule. "Kon, go find Karin and take her to Ichigo. Then go find Dad. Im going after Yuzu!"
Kriv and Rukia quickly found Yuzu. Also the Hollow known as Grand Fisher. "Tch, you picked the wrong day to fuck with my family you diseased hamster. Let the girl go, and I'll let you live." He said in a threatening tone.
"Oh man. Your a scary one." The Hollow mocked him. Squeezing the captured sister.
"Yuzu! Nope, not going to take that. Dont blink ugly." He said as he disappeared and reappeared behind the hollow with his sister in his arm. "Hurry, Yuzu. I'll take care of this."
"Becareful, Kriv." She said as she made a B-Line for Karin and the others.
"Rukia. I have eight years of pent up anger to unleash." He said as he took a deep breath and... felt calm. His mood took a One Hundred and Eighty degree flip. "One lure, two arms, and two legs." He said as he left an afterimage and appeared behind Grand Fisher again. He ducked a wild kick from the Hollow, and swung his sword at its legs. He missed, and got a claw in the gut. "Urk!"
"You are an interesting one. I feel like, we have had an encounter before." Grand Fisher taunted. "Now, lets see if you can harm my shield." It said with confidence, as its lure produced a body of a young girl.
"Hm, looks like I finally found you, then." Kriv stated as he cut down the lure. "Grand Fisher, your life is now forfeit." His tone turned cold. He points a finger at the Hollow, and started an incantation. "Rukia, any help would be appreciated."
"Hado #31 Shakkaho!"
"Hado #4 Byakurai!"
Both Soul Reaper and Substitute used a high voltage attack. "I hope you didnt think that would get rid of me!" It mocked while electricity is coursing through its body.
"May you rest in hell when Im done with you." Kriv sidestepped a clawed swipe from Grand Fisher. He immediately lifted his blade up, and brought it back down and lopped off the offending limb.
"Grr, you piece of shit! I'll end you, you filthy human! her lure." They said as from their neck sounded a familiar voice.
"Kriv! Take Ichigo and run!" The female voice caused Kriv to freeze. It couldnt be, could it?
"Oh now I remember where your from. Your that brat that couldnt move because they were too afraid!" It taunted him.
"Well, Ive just made peace with that, and the fact that she was dead. Now you have the gall to use her face and voice to protect you?!" The Kurosaki teen, practically yelled. "I will personally chase you to the ends of the earth." He started as he prepared his next attack.
Sheatheing his blade and focusing solely on Grand Fisher. "I maybe a human, but I will be your end. Filth." Krivs tone still cold and stern. His body moved as if on instinct. His hands moved to the grip of his Zanpakuto. "May your forever burn." As soon as the sword started to be drawn, his body flickered and he was on the opposite side of the hollow. His sword was alight with an blueish glow.
Grand Fisher had made an attacking motion. They had hit their mark. Krivs face start to bleed over his right eye. It was a deep cut, from just above his eyebrow to the middle of his cheek, just barely missing his right eye. "What do you do to me?!" The Hollow exclaimed as it felt like it was on fire but no flames could be seen. "I gotta get out of here!" Grand Fisher exclaimed as he jumped up thru the trees and high into the sky overlooking the city.
Kriv fell to his knees and looked at the spot where the hollow fled. His eyes glazed over and staring into the distance. He uttered a single word, that would takeaway the fears of another attack, fears that another child will lose their parent or vice versa. It would put his and his brothers heart at ease. "Cleanse."
[Over Karakura Town]
Grand Fisher couldnt tell why but the burn was starting to get hotter and hotter. Before he could hunt his next victim, or torture another soul. Grand Fisher burst into blue fire. Slowly but surely his body disintegrated. If one could see it the giant blue fireball in the sky, they say it was deserved. After Fifty Seven years of being on the lamb, Grand Fisher was finally slain.
[Back at the cemetary]
Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu were waiting. Ichigo saw the fireball appear and disappear. He felt relief. "Its ok, everythings going to be ok." He said to himself. "Kriv you bastard." He said with a laugh as his brother limped out from some bushes. "So who exactly?" He asked.
Kriv leaned close to Ichigo and simply said. "The bastard that killed Mom." Before he could get another answer out of his raven haired sibling, Kriv collasped. He took more shots than it seemed, it also appeared he was running on adrenaline.
"He deserves this nap." The voice of his father reached his ears. "Your Mother can also rest easy. She can finally be at peace."
[Karakura Town Market]
-Two Days Later-
"You know its rude to stare. Someone might get the wrong idea." Kriv looked up from the food he was eating and put it away. "Now, how can I help you, Uryu Ishida?"
"Kriv Kurosaki, Im not going to lie. I was expecting your brother. But you will suffice. I challenge you to a competition. A Hollow slaying competition."
[END]
May The Flames Cleanse You Ch.3 Done! I was struggling for a good three weeks on figuring out personal motivations, reasonings, and pre-established relationships. I figured them out around Wednesday. If it seems rushed in the beginning, I had deleted those line a couple hundred times before deciding 'fuck it I'll fix it later.' Its later and decided to keep it until I have more time. Ch.4 is the long awaited Hollow slaying competition, the beginnings of the SS arc, and more. I will say this, Dont expect a more grand version of the competition. Im not THAT good.
Ja Ne,
DemonsFlame