Ch7
The dreams had been growing stronger for Netto over the past few weeks. Each night it was the same, he was walking down a dark road chasing after a bright light up ahead of him.
"Come to me. Call me," The voice called out. "Use my strenght!"
A bright surge of light occurred in front of him, he covered his eyes as he tried to look away. The creatures was as tall as a building, its radiance was probably one of the most beautiful things he had seen. Call me!
"Who are you," he muttered as he slowly woke up.
His heart raced in his chest as he looked up at the ceiling to his room. As he sat up in his bed pain shot through his body. This Shinigami stuff is tiring.
Yoruichi trained him everyday relentlessly in both his physical and Shinigami form. His body was getting use to the physical demands and he could now at least use his zanpakuto without making a fool of himself.
"Netto-kun are you ok?" Rockman asked.
"Yeah just tired," he said as he got up and stretched.
His navi nodded. "Well I'm glad you are getting the exercise you need."
He smiled at his navi, despite everything his Rockman was always there for him and now that he could see the spirits too their relationship was closer. Unlike other members of my family who thought I was crazy. As far as his parents were concerned he was out on some school club things.
As he finished getting ready he left for school and looked up at the sky his mind going back to his old friend.
Toshiro you've changed a lot. The visit from his old friend the other day still weighed on his mind. Though he had only gotten a little taller the air of maturity and the powerful aura he gave off was all he needed to know that his friend was different from his childhood.
Though to be honest he does seem pretty cool. He didn't bother telling his parents about Toshiro, mainly because when he was young he overheard them talking about sending him to therapy. Needless to say his parents weren't as open minded as him when it came to the world of spirits, not that he blamed them who would believe in things such as hollows and Shinigami?
After saying goodbye to his parents he headed off to school. Despite his training he still had school and other duties with the net police.
As he approached his school he froze, a feeling of dread passed over him as the hairs on his neck stood up. He carefully turned around, in the distance past the crowds of people he saw a figure hiding in the shadows among the trees.
Looking at the figure he noticed it was a little taller than him, it's face was mostly covered by a hood and a cracked skull mask. However, the part of its face that was revealed was pale white, its eye was strained red and had no friendliness in it.
Is it a spirit? He opened his mouth and was about to wave to it when a hand gripped his shoulder making him jump.
"Netto-kun what's wrong?" Meiru asked.
His heart raced in his chest as he forced a smile on his face. "M-Meiru-chan, um nothing I was just heading off to class come one."
Meiru smiled at him and nodded as she began to talk about their school assignments. Out of the corner of his eyes he turned back to the figure only to see that it was no longer there.
School was its usual boring, but he did his best to pay attention. When school was over he made an excuse that he had to be somewhere and left and headed over to the Uruhara shop.
As he approached the he noticed Kisuke Urahara sweeping out front. "Ah Netto-kun glad you to see you again," Urahara said with a grin.
He bowed to him. "Hi Urahara-san is Yoruichi sensei here?"
The man nodded. "She is. Come on in."
He thanked the man and entered the shop. Walking through the aisles of various goods he went back to the dojo and found Yoruichi in her cat form resting on a mat.
"How was school?" Yoruichi asked.
"Fine," he said as he set down his backpack before sitting in front of his teacher. "Oh has Toshiro visited again?"
The cat shook her head. "Haven't heard from her. Listen I know you two met in the past but I wouldn't get your hopes up about rekindling any friendship."
"Why not?" He asked.
"Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is a strict by the book captain and don't take this the wrong way we sort of our breaking rules by making you a substitute soul reaper as it is," Yoruichi said. "Be careful what you tell him.
"Oh," he said. A part of him was disappointed but he knew that they most likely would've grown apart. Though if we could be friends again it would be nice. He was used to strict people and had a habit of making them open up.
"Though he is a good person deep down," Yoruichi said. "I don't think we will have any trouble with him. Anyway, have you made progress finding your zanpakuto's name?"
He scratched his head. "Not really. I've tried to talk to it but I haven't had any luck yet."
"I see," Yoruichi said. "Well it'll come in time, for now lets practice."
He nodded and took out the medallion he was given. Pressing it against his chest his spirit was ejected from his body.
Standing up in his Shinigami form. I still have to get used to this. Looking down it was still weird to see his human body slouched down as if he were sleeping, thankfully Rockman would watch over it.
Urahara came in and took out his cane. "Alright Netto-kun lets practice."
"Got it," he said as he drew his zanpakuto.
Urahara came at him with his cane and he barely was able to block it. Despite looking like lazy guy Urahara was very agile and knew how to fight.
Using his zanpakuto he barely managed to block the attacks and tried to counter. Come on tell me your name. Looking at his reflection in the sword, a tingling sensation passed through him as he stared at his reflection.
"Say my name. Call me and use my power." The voice was soft but reverberated throughout his head.
He blocked Urahara's attacks and tried to counter with his own but Urahara was quick and blocked them.
"Come on tell me you're your name or at least give me a hint." He called out to the presence as he tried to focus on his attacks, it wasn't easy since Urahara's strikes hurt a lot.
Nothing. He could faintly feel the presence in his head, silently observing and watching him but it made no effort to make contact with him.
"That's good for now," Urahara said. "Keep practicing I'm sure his name will come to you soon."
He sighed. "I hope so. What does a zanpakuto's released form look like?"
"It varies from sword to sword," Yoruichi said. "Come on lets patrol outside. Uruhara watch over his body."
"Got it. Good luck kid," Urahara said.
He nodded and followed Yoruichi outside. "So where's my grandfather at?"
"Your grandfather has duties in the Soul Society. He may come and visit occasionally," Yoruichi said as they made their way through the crowds of people.
It was weird that people couldn't see him. Looking at the streets he could see various souls and other beings walking around aimlessly. "So what exactly am I supposed to fight against?"
The cat continued to walk ahead of him. "A powerful entity may come after you. I've been helping your grandfather track it but it very elusive."
"I see," he said as he looked up at the sky. This world of Shinigami sure is interesting but it also seems cool.
As they walked the hairs on his neck stood up. Yoruichi froze and turned to their right. "Looks like we have company," she growled.
He turned and saw a large hollow with a white mask walk towards them. "A hollow." He quickly drew his sword and Yoruichi hoped on a rail next to him.
"Good luck defeating it," she said. "I'll help you if needed."
He swallowed but nodded. "Thanks."
Oh crap that thing looks big. Taking a deep breath he did his best to try and not be afraid but the creature towered over him and growled.
Hey if you want to share your name now would be a good time. The howl threw its large fist at him. He barely had time to dodge as he leaped to the side and swung his sword.
The hollow blocked it with his fist sending making his body shake from impact. Damn it. He swore as he tried to land a hit. However, the few that did the hollow seemed to ignore.
He leaped out of the way as the hollow swung his fist at him. Come on how can I beat this thing. Charging at the creature he landed a hit on the arm but that just made the hollow angrier.
The hollow swung at him. He barely had time to react as he was punched back the air knocked out of him. He swore and quickly got up, his eyes widened as he saw the hollow charge at him.
He quickly fumbled with his sword just as a blur passed by him. A flash of white crossed his vision and the hollow.
His eyes widened as he saw a familiar white haired boy land in front of him. "T-Toshiro?" The hollow that was in front of him was split in half and disappeared before etheir eyes.
Toshiro turned to him and nodded. "Are you ok?"
"Y-Yeah I am," he said.
Toshiro looked at him with a cool gaze. "We should talk later. Don't do anything reckless."
"Uh ok," he said as Toshiro leaped into the sky He scratched his head as Yoruichi came up next to him. "That was interesting."
"Indeed. It would be rare for a captain to just come here," She said. "Well I guess that's enough for today."
He looked up at the sky and nodded. You're back. After returning to Urahara's place and retrieving his body he headed home.
"Netto-kun how was your training?" Rockman asked.
"It was alright," he said as he looked up at the skyline. "Saw an old friend, it was nice."
When he returned home he found the house empty. "Mom must be out," he muttered as he headed to his room.
Despite his aching body he managed to do his homework, that was until a cold breeze passed through the room.
Looking up he saw a figure out on the balcony open the window. "T-Toshiro?"
The white haired boy frowned. "We need to talk."
"Uh sure. It's been a while," he said. The cold aura that Toshiro emitted made shiver, he could tell he was in a serious mood.
Toshiro nodded. "You're a substitute soul reaper now?"
He avoided his gaze and nodded. "Y-Yeah I guess." He quickly explained how it happened, the strange sightings and the hollow attacks. Toshiro listened calmly, his dark eyes hard to read. "To be honest I don't' know much about this stuff."
When he was done Toshiro sighed. "What your grandfather did was against the rules."
He shrugged. "I don't see the big deal."
Toshiro frowned. "This is serious. You could get in a lot of trouble for this."
"Oh," he said awkwardly. "So what now? Am I going to get in trouble your boss or something?"
Toshiro shook his head. "That would be the least of your problems. Do you know how hard it is to become a Shinigami?"
"I imagine it isn't easy," he muttered. "I mean I've been training with how to use my zanpakuto for a few months now."
"You're already a substitute, I suppose I can see if I can make you legal." The white haired boy sighed. "Anyway have you figured out your zanpakuto's name yet?"
He shook his head. "No not yet."
Toshiro nodded. "Don't worry it will come." The white haired boy shifted where he stood. "I don't mind showing you, that way you can better control your powers?"
"Really? Thanks," he said.
"I'm just doing it to keep you safe," Toshiro said avoiding his gaze. "You'll be in danger if you can't even figure out its name and don't know the basic rules of everything. Anyway be safe."
"You too. It was nice seeing you again," he said.
Toshiro looked at him and nodded as he exited his room and leaped off the balcony.
"That was Toshiro?" Rockman asked.
He nodded. "Yeah that was him. You know despite his maturity I can tell he is still his old self deep down."
Rockman chuckled. "Try not to bother him too much."
He laughed. "Hey!"