"Well I'll be blunt. The injuries your brother sustained are severe, possibly life threatening. The most serious is the head trauma...rarely do people wake up from this sort of thing," said Ichigo Kurosaki, on loan from the Karakura Hospital.
Ichigo had graduated top of his class and decided to go into medicine. Uryu's dad had helped him out during the harder parts, including the interning in another country.
He couldn't hunt hollows and be an intern. It was a bitch even getting through Med School and hunting the damn things.
The giant, who was as beaten up as his brother and father, looked desperate.
"Is there any hope?"
"To be honest, not much. At least not without divine intervention..." said Ichigo.
Ichigo kept half an eye on the soul of the older brother. From what he could tell Dean was still alive and kicking. What worried him was the fact that the resident Reaper also had her eye on him. She left him alone partly out of professional courtesy, but mostly because even if she tried to Reap him he could kick her ass. He had made a point to speak with her his first day there to keep her far away.
Finally he stepped in when he saw her set her sights on Dean.
"Hold on. This isn't his time."
"His connection is tenuous at best," she growled.
"Check again. He's marked by something above our paygrade. If you tried to take him, someone would come after you," warned Ichigo.
"I have to try, or the boss would have my ass," she replied.
"You get one shot, then if he asks tell him I interfered directly. If you fail, then he's mine," said Ichigo.
"Deal."
The Reaper tried to take Dean's soul, but as Ichigo predicted, she was unable to. Dean interfered, and whatever had marked him burned her.
After seeing Sam bring in a Ouija board, Ichigo had to step in, if only to keep the idiot from inadvertently bringing lesser spirits into his work area.
"I wouldn't bother with those if I were you," Ichigo warned, closing the door.
"Doctor I..."
"You're trying to talk to your brother, I know. But, there is a better, less embarrassing way than to get caught with a spirit board, even if they do actually work. At least those with high enough psychic energy it does anyway."
"What do you suggest?" asked Sam.
"Just ask me. I don't like to advertise it, but I can see and hear the dead. The only reason I didn't say anything sooner is because I didn't want the resident reaper on my ass for interference," said Ichigo.
"There's a reaper here?" said Sam alarmed.
"There's one in every hospital. Makes it easier to collect the souls of those who die. I told her that she could have one shot at Dean's soul and she completely blew it, not that I was expecting anything else," said Ichigo.
"You let a reaper try to take his soul?"
"It was easier. If it didn't, then the higher ups would have gotten pissed that I had interfered with a collection. Fortunately your brother happens to have some powerful protections laid on him, because it gave her a reason to back off. Now, what exactly do you want to ask your brother?"
"I want to ask him what I should do. Our dad is trying to summon the demon for some stupid show down and I can't stop him on my own," said Sam. He realized how crazy he sounded.
"Demons, huh? You got some really annoying enemies. You guys Hunters?" asked Ichigo.
"You believe me?" said Sam.
"I'm a substitute soul reaper. The second the Soul Society heard I was coming here to intern, they gave me the basic run-down on what sort of spirits are here and what to avoid, demons being on the top of the list."
"What's a soul reaper?" asked Dean.
"Soul reapers are the Japanese equivalent of the reapers here, only they have an entire society of souls. Demons tend to avoid us, since our powers are too unstable to work with and because the Soul Society has an agreement to stay out of matters concerning hell unless souls break out."
"I didn't ask... Is Dean in the room right now?" asked Sam.
"His spirit has been wandering around the hospital since his body was stabilized. Normally I would say that his chances of regaining control are next to nill, but there is something that the other cases didn't have."
"And what's that?" asked Dean.
"A faith healer on demand, only she doesn't require any faith to heal," said Ichigo with a grin.
"Moshi Moshi?"
"Orihime, you up?" asked Ichigo.
"Ichigo-kun! How's America?"
"Great. Listen, are your passports up-to-date?" asked Ichigo.
"Yeah, had them renewed to visit Chad is South America last month, why?"
"I have a case here that needs your...specialty. The chances of him surviving without an extra bit of luck are next to zero, and I've got my hands full keeping the local reapers off my ass. I can pay for your tickets to and from, but I could really use your help," said Ichigo.
"What's the case?"
"You know that briefing on Hunters we were given by Urahara before I left? I got a trio of them here and the only other option is if they make a deal with a demon to heal the older brother, and I would like to avoid Hell knowing where I am," said Ichigo.
"I'll be on the first flight out. See you soon Ichigo!"
"And where the hell do you think you are going?" said Ichigo, catching the father trying to leave the room with a bag.
"None of your business," said John Winchester.
"It is my business if you summon a damn demon in the hospital. The last thing I need is to deal with the residue those things leave when summoned!" growled Ichigo.
"What?"
"You heard me, now get your ass back in the bed before I call security!"
"Christo!" snarled John. Ichigo didn't even flinch, but rather grabbed the bag in his hand and maneuvered the older Hunter back into the bed.
"Wrong religion dumbass. If you want Dean to be healed without making a deal, then keep your ass in bed. I have a faith healer coming in to keep him from being taken by the resident reaper," said Ichigo. He was half tempted to strap the man in for the headache he was giving him.
"Who are you?"
"Me? I'm a substitute reaper from Japan. You three were just lucky I happened to be interning here and felt like helping you," said Ichigo bluntly.
"Ichigo!" said Orihime, hugging him.
"Orihime! Glad you could make it!"
"So where is the lucky patient?"
"Follow me," said Ichigo.
"Sôten Kishun, I reject!" said Orihime while Sam watched.
He could see something settle over his brother, like a shield, but he couldn't make it out fully.
"Orihime's fairies can heal, protect and attack depending on her kotodama. They are the Shunshun Rikka, the Six Princess Protecting Flowers. Within the shield they can reject anything even the loss of a limb. Healing a wound like Dean's is simple for her," said Ichigo, keeping the proceedings out of sight of the main hospital.
"How can she do that?"
"It's her spirit power. My closest friends all got a major boost of their naturally born abilities because of their close proximity to me, and anyone spiritually inclined make awaken because of being around me for extended periods. Her power is 'Rejection' and she is a master of it."
Dean took a gasp for air once the shield was lowered. His spirit had been naturally drawn back into it once the damage had been removed by Orihime.
Orihime offered to heal Sam once they were outside the hospital, because the last thing they needed was to draw too much attention to her ability. Sam discreetly asked if she could repair machines with her ability as well, because of the massive amount of damage done to Dean's beloved Impala.
Apparently the idea had never actually occurred to her to try.
"Dean!"
"Hey Dad..."
"How is this possible?"
"There is such a thing as spiritual ability, John Winchester. You three were extremely lucky I happened to know someone with the power to heal any type of wound, otherwise your son here would be at the mercy of the reapers. By the way Dean, Orihime said she would see if her power might fix your car. Sam is very good at convincing people, apparently," said Ichigo dryly.
"Aw man, how bad was the damage?" asked Dean promptly.
"From what the EMT had to say, they nearly had to cut you out," said Ichigo.
Dean looked ready to cry.
"Why did you save him? What's in it for you?"
"Do you know why I chose to become a doctor?" Ichigo asked hypothetically.
"No."
"Back in Japan I was the same as you three, hunting down evil spirits to protect the innocent. I nearly died several times to insure that they wouldn't kill everyone I cared about. Once I realize what you three were, I had to intervene. Being a doctor means I can protect those I care about and still be able to fight," said Ichigo.
John seems to accept that, as most demons would have demanded payment by now while Ichigo has yet to ask for a damn thing. Since he is the primary doctor for the three, it was relatively easy to get them signed out within a few days.
Though he did appreciate the video Sam sent to his phone of Dean actually fainting at the condition of his beloved car. Apparently Orihime had no luck with repairing it, to Sam's dismay. She did get rid of any lingering pain Bobby had though.
"So what did you think of the last case?" asked Dean.
It had been two months since they had left the hospital, and during that time the demon who killed their mother had managed to track down and kill their father. Their wounds had been fully healed by the girl Orihime, so they had jumped right back into hunting soon after parting ways with John. They had no idea about the deal John made in an attempt to protect his sons, or the fact that the Colt was now in the hands of the demon they sought to kill.
"I think we might need some help if this keeps up," said Sam.
"Who could we possibly ask to help us? Bobby is better at researching and would only come if we were in over our heads. Jo is a rookie and Ellen isn't exactly ready to jump in for us," said Dean.
Sam had no answer to that. The sad fact was that most Hunters preferred to work alone, and the rare times they worked together (or happened to be partnered like they were) it was usually on a case-by-case basis. The chances of finding decent help were slim to none.
"You know what? I need pie..."
"You always need pie," said Sam.
Dean pulled into the first diner they found...and both of them stared.
"Isn't that..."
"The same doctor who saved your life?" finished Sam.
Sitting at the corner was Ichigo Kurosaki, the doctor from Japan who had saved Dean's life by calling in a friend.
"Dude, what are you doing here?" asked Dean.
"Finished my last year of college. I'm a fully accredited Doctor now, figured I could tour the USA before I went back home. It was either that or visit my friend who's in South America for his band tour," said Ichigo, after looking up to see who it was.
"You can't be older than us..."
"It helps when you've already logged in a year's worth of hours before you've even left high school. That tends to cut down on the time you have to spend as an intern. So what brings you all the way to Arizona?"
"Just got off a case. We're back in the family business thanks to you," said Dean.
Ichigo already knew about the Hunter trade, so it was safe to talk shop with him.
"Not a problem. So what was it this time?"
"Angry homicidal spirits. Nearly used up our stock of rock salt before we were able to salt and burn the bones," said Dean.
"Rock salt? That actually works?"
"Thought you said you dealt with spirits before?"
"Yeah, but not with rock salt. Back home we use special swords to send the spirits on to the next life, or to take out the bad ones."
"So tell me Ichigo, how long are you in the US?" asked Sam, changing the subject. He had an idea, but he needed to see if Dean was willing to go along.
"For another year at least. That's how long my work visa has to expire, unless I find another job in a hospital here."
"Here's your pie," said the waitress. Dean accepted the cherry pie with glee, before nodding to Sam to his unspoken question.
"Would you be interested in joining us? I mean we've traveled all over the US and you could save on airplane tickets."
Ichigo paused at drinking his soda. From what he knew of hunters, their life was anything but safe and was often life threatening. On the other hand, he was getting very bored catching the bus between states, and this had to be cheaper. Not to mention he could put his skills to very good use patching them up.
"Tempting. Your brother okay with this idea?" asked Ichigo.
"So long as you can handle yourself and patch us up when we need it, then why not?" said Dean.
"Count me in. I was getting bored out of my mind anyway," said Ichigo.
He even paid for the Winchester's order, since he was in a generous mood.