Chapter 5

Nothing Can Be Explained

Every Soul Reaper had an inner world. It was where they could convene with their Zanpakuto Spirits. For Yusuke, it was a grassy meadow under a blue sky that stretched endlessly into the horizon. Yet, on Yusuke's other side was a beach next to a pristinely blue ocean. To complete this beautiful landscape was a cool and gentle breeze under a warm sun.

"It's still as beautiful as I remember." Yusuke took in a deep breath. He knew that it was probably pointless since it wasn't exactly real but it still mattered to him. Despite all his reluctance to be back here, he couldn't help but appreciate what was before him.

Yusuke then felt a familiar sensation behind him. He turned around to face his Zanpakuto Spirit. Ransha was a tall human man with a cloak covering his torso, a hood over his head. His attire was Japanese but his hakama pants were tucked into armored boots. Strapped to his waist was the katana that reflected how he looked in the real world.

"It's been 2 years since we've seen each other." Ransha's tone was as calm as ever.

"Ransha…I guess apologizing would be repetitive, huh? I know you don't really care for that."

Ransha didn't respond. Yusuke could only guess the spirit still wanted one.

"Ransha, I'll say it again; I'm truly sorry for ignoring you. I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you."

"I understand why you resented your powers. You harmed your aunt and uncle, even nearly claiming your uncle's life. However, the reason for our connection weakening wasn't just because you neglected me. Your family had a hand in it."

"Explain." Yusuke was elated. Was he finally going to get answers?

"Your aunt and uncle feared that you would go looking for trouble. Your powers were growing and your desire to find your parents' murderer and the reason were your drive, even if you tried to hide it. Thus, they suppressed any thought or motivations that would push you to seek out the killers. As a result, you were never up to par again after they died. Any emotion, any thought that could spur you back into action was suppressed." Ransha said.

"Wait, so they thought I would just go off the rails and get myself killed?"

"I admit, you're not the sort to just go looking for trouble like a brash buffoon. However, you had a tendency of biting off more than you can chew. Look at how you housed a Quincy whom you knew nothing about." Ransha huffed.

Yusuke was getting tired of everyone pointing that out. Yes, he'd lacked common sense but still…

"Look, I was raised to help people who needed it. I couldn't just leave her be. Now, kicking at my common sense aside, Ransha, do you know anything else? You can see through me. Why was my family researching Dragons? Why did my family go so far as to forcefully suppress my powers and mind? I remember that they already talked to me."

"I…I don't know, Yusuke. Whatever they did to you, it also affected me. There are also gaps in my memory. It shouldn't have happened but your family did study Zanpakuto and the soul, so who knows what the answer is." Ransha then unsheathed his sword.

Yusuke made a small exclaim of surprise. "What?"

The sword that was Ransha was broken. Half of the blade was missing and the half that was attached to the hilt looked crudely broken. It was as if a heavy hammer had bludgeoned it till it broke apart.

"Whatever was done has left me without my full power. My guess is that the rest of your answers will lie with wherever the other portions of my power went. What I do know is that you must beware of the Dark Dragons, Yusuke. They are vessels of negative emotions and that is something I fear will come to haunt you."

"So, how was I able to break out of the seal on me?" Yusuke asked.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps it was my latent power or perhaps the seal weakened over time. Maybe your convictions were strong enough to finally break the kido. Maybe the answer's all of the above." Ransha sighed.

The breeze had picked up into a soft gust, whisking Yusuke away into the sky.

"Our time is over; you're waking up. Remember, Yusuke, you must choose your own path. You must not let anyone hold you down. Do not let others deceive you. That is why you have me, the Rebellious One."

Yusuke awoke with a startled jolt. Ingrid had gently shaken him awake.

"Yusuke, it's 7AM. You should get ready for work." She kindly spoke before leaving his bedroom.

He did as advised and went down to the Kitchen. Once again, Ingrid had made breakfast: an assortment of unfamiliar breads.

"Ingrid, I'll do the grocery shopping on my way home today. I think it'd be best if you stayed home for a few days. Who knows if anything or anyone's sniffing your tail." Yusuke disliked keeping her boxed up in his house but he knew not to tempt fate.

"Alright. Just for a few days, maybe?"

"I hope so." Yusuke quickly ate his breakfast and left, even taking an extra piece of cheese Danish.

Ingrid was now left to her own devices. Her usual routine was to train and practice her Quincy Skills. Today, she was able to form a Quincy Bow of Spirit Particles that was the size of her hand but only for a few minutes. The strength behind her shots was no more effective than a regular bullet; useless against supernatural beings. At least her Blut Vene was getting closer to normal. Another 2 weeks or so and she reckoned she would be able to endure injuries like before.

Once training was done, Ingrid would study. Yusuke had given her full rein over the family library. She reckoned he kept the secret stuff elsewhere. Still, she was grateful. She would study school material and compare her answers to Yusuke's. To her surprise, he was adept at the sciences like physics and biology. However, he wasn't that good at the arts, literature, and economics; those were her fortes. She couldn't help but laugh. Clearly science ran in his family.

When she got done studying, she put the study books back. Then something caught her eye: a family photo album. She tried to fight her curiosity but it won out in the end. She plucked the book from the shelf and began flipping through its pages.

She got a look at Yusuke's parents: Makoto and Natsuko. Makoto had Yusuke's black hair and was like an older version of him. Of course, Makoto was slimmer and lankier than Yusuke but he definitely contributed the most to his son's looks.

Natsuko had long navy hair and turquoise eyes with a slim yet toned body. Ingrid could tell from a glance at her muscles that she was the fighter of the pair. She could also deduce that Yusuke's personality came from her. She had that same calm smile that Yusuke sometimes sported.

Ingrid turned the page and almost burst out laughing when she saw his uncle Ryo. Ryo had a split pompadour. The look on his face told volumes of what happened to his hairdo. His green eyes glared sharply at the camera. His tall and absolutely hulking physique looked ready to reach through. Ingrid reckoned he could make a wrestler jealous with his muscles.

As for Yusuke's Aunt Mizuki, she had a stern expression, complete with glasses. She stared at the camera with her purple eyes as if she were deducing why she had to take a photo. Still, Ingrid knew what that look meant. She could see it in Mizuki's eyes; there was a tenderness within that only a caring person could have. Ingrid would know; her mother had the same look.

Looking at Yusuke's family helped her understand him a bit more. It didn't help that he didn't talk about himself much. She didn't know if it was because he didn't want to seem self-absorbed or if it was due to traumas.

He was odd like that. Sometimes he was friendly, sometimes he was aloof. Sometimes he seemed like he wanted to help and other times, he seemed to leave other people to their own problems.

Then she got to the section about said teenager.

She had to admit, Yusuke was an adorable baby. He was so chunky and could've stopped a war with a smile. She even found herself giggling at the goofy smiles he made as an infant. She saw his first steps, his first Halloween costume, his first day at High School, etc. He seemed so happy in these photos. He didn't have that lonely look in his eyes unlike how they'd seemed the first few days she'd known him.

She had to admit, she thought he was crazy. Who would take in a complete and dangerous stranger upon meeting them? She had thought Yusuke was spying on her. Then again, there wasn't much to hide. On the other hand, she thought he lacked common sense but she soon learned that he had it. It was just that he ignored it to help her because he believed that she needed it.

Honestly, she desperately needed a safe place to stay. Before she lived with Yusuke, Ingrid used to use leaves and her dwindling wardrobe to stay warm in the wild. She spent day in and day out exterminating Hollows whilst hunting down. Perhaps that was why she was so quick to live here. She had missed having a house to rest in, to have company that wasn't trying to kill her.

She could still recall how her life changed. She had come home from school to find her family manor burning down. She had heard her mother's scream echo throughout the land before she saw the defiled corpses of her entire family.

From that day onward, Ingrid had spent every waking moment hunting down the Quincies that murdered her family. She had memorized every single face of every enemy she'd made that day. Within the year, she'd slain all but one of the Quincies.

Ingrid had used her outrage to fuel that long journey. Her mother and uncle could've taken down the assailants if the Auswahlen hadn't taken the bulk of their powers. It still escaped her at how odd it was. Some Quincies kept their powers while others didn't. Some died, some survived.

Oh well, it was too late to have regrets and ponder possibilities.

Ingrid returned to glancing at Yusuke's smiling photograph. She used to be so much like him. She used to be a regular high school girl that would wonder what college to go to, what to study to pass, what clothes were in fashion, and how to mess with her friends. She used to smile a lot like Yusuke but genuinely. She even liked to tease and flirt for fun.

She missed that. She missed being ignorant of the world's darker side.

She considered this brief tranquility a boon. It was helping that happy feeling come back. Yusuke always respected her boundaries and she could tell he felt bad for keeping her cooped up in his house. He always tried to get her to stop being so reserved. Ingrid actually gave thought to it but she was afraid. What if she got too attached? What if this lifestyle they'd been building got too much? What would become of her to lose it? It was like a starving man's dilemma. To starve and suffer or taste food only to ravenously hunger for more? It led her to new chains of thought.

Ingrid had entertained returning to a normal life after avenging her family. She wanted to go back to school and finish. She wanted to go to college and earn a degree in business. She wanted to perhaps settle down.

"No point in thinking about all that. Let's think of the more immediate future." Ingrid sighed to get her mind off those pesky thoughts.

She looked at the clock. It was 3 o'clock; it was time to prepare dinner.

Ingrid enjoyed cooking, especially baking. She loved making something with her own hands. She enjoyed feeding others, whether it be comeuppance or food. It was satisfying to see people smile after eating her meals. She hadn't had the feeling since she ran away from her friends and lost her family. When Yusuke smiled so widely, it reawakened her passion.

Ingrid wished she could share her full past with him but feared scaring him off. What would he think of her for having blood on her hands?

Behind her, the clock dinged, signaling the new hour of 5 o'clock. Yusuke would be home at this moment.

She walked over to the door just as he entered with groceries.

"I'm back." Yusuke gratefully nodded as she took the groceries.

"Welcome back." Ingrid smiled.

"So, the news has caught wind of that Dragon attack. Nobody saw your face but this is the normal world we're talking about."

"Urahara say anything?"

"Nothing. He's still trying to get into my parents' lab back in Karakura." Yusuke took off his shoes before washing his hands. "He'll call once he learns something. What about you? Anything happen on your end today?"

"Nothing at all."

The duo soon began eating dinner before Yusuke left to bathe.

Ingrid couldn't help but notice that there was a mark on his hat. She stepped closer and felt herself get a bit bashful. The mark was a nice big trace of lipstick. Now, who would kiss a hat? She didn't know.

When Yusuke came out to the Living Room, he turned on his gaming console for his Friday game night. Ingrid merely stared at the screen, her mind still stuck on the kiss on his hat. It had caused a plethora of self-consciousness.

What if he had a girlfriend? She would be intruding even more than she'd expected if that was the case. What if her presence was damaging his romantic chances?

"You wanna join in?" Yusuke's question snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I'm having trouble getting past this stage. Think you can help?" Yusuke scooted over on the long couch.

"Uh, sure." Ingrid didn't mention it but gaming had been a big hobby for her. It was one of her ways to unwind from Quincy Training.

Together, the two had a steady pace of clearing stages through the game. During that time, Ingrid fought the urge to ask about his love life. She wanted to confirm her suspicions. If she was truly intruding on his romantic life then perhaps a new arrangement could be made.

"So, um, uh…"

"You're not usually this hesitant. Is there something wrong?" Yusuke asked, his eyes still focused on the screen.

"I, er, I saw the mark on your hat."

Yusuke paused.

"That stain was my doing."

"Uh…what?" Ingrid blinked a few times, wondering if she'd heard him right.

"Yeah, I caused it. I was just really into it, y'know. Before I knew it, the stain was just stuck there. I mean, my coworkers saw but they didn't judge me, so that was cool." Yusuke laughed.

Ingrid was a little disturbed. Was London really that chill about a teenage boy kissing his own hat?

"It was easy and slow at first but then I just really started going at it. I'd never been hungrier in my life." Yusuke laughed.

"H-How so?" Ingrid stuttered. He was now plugging images into her head. She hated it but she could see him making out with his hat.

"Er, what got you into it?"

"I was just ravenous, I guess. Then again, I saw my coworker doing it too. She just attacked her meal like it was the last thing on Earth."

'Oh…so several people do it with their stuff? Er, okay. Don't judge them, Ingrid.' Ingrid was turning beet-red. This activity was a bit much, even for her.

"You okay?" Yusuke paused the game. He leaned closer.

"Yeah, totally fine." Ingrid cleared her throat.

"I've even done it at home too. Like your dinner the other night."

Ingrid paled, completely taken aback.

'What the hell does he do to what I cook? Is that why the pot was empty?!' She wasn't sure she wanted to touch the kitchenware anymore.

"Not to be rude but I've seen it on your clothes too."

Ingrid's jaw dropped in horror.

"Yusuke! How could you?!"

"What do you mean?"

"What you do with your things is your own business but doing it to my belongings?! I mean, sure, you paid for them, but still! A young woman has her rights too!"

"Wait, what're you talking about?!" Yusuke looked completely lost, like a janitor in a Board of Directors meeting.

"Making out with other people's things is a very serious violation! Now, I did used to flirt and mess with other people but I never stooped so low as to do what you're doing?!"

"Whaaaaat?!" Yusuke looked incredulous.

"To think you'd make out with my clothes." Ingrid rubbed her forehead in disgust.

Yusuke stared at her for a few more moments before he broke out into laughter. He held his stomach and hunched over whilst cackling.

"What are you laughing about?!" Ingrid growled.

"That's what you're talking about?! Ahahahahahahaha!" Yusuke had tears coming out of his eyes.

"Explain! Now!" Ingrid demanded.

"That was an accident! My coworker accidentally kissed my hat because we brushed past each other. She's taller so her lips are at the same height as my head." Yusuke had tears trailing down his face.

"It's not that funny." Ingrid muttered through grit teeth.

"Yes it is! It is! Your face was getting so contorted and freaked out with each sentence! I was just talking about the lunch that you made me! You were the one who misunderstood!" Yusuke laughed for another solid minute before he calmed down. "Whoooooo! I needed that. I really did."

"I'm very happy that you enjoyed my stupidity. Ugh! I'm such an idiot!" Ingrid groaned.

"So, what did you wanna talk about?" Yusuke asked.

"I assumed that you had a girlfriend or would have one. I know me living here would make it hard to have anyone over. So, if I'm making it complicated then I understand if you want me out when you bring anyone here or want me out, period."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! No one's kicking you out. Ingrid, helping you get back on your feet is more important than bringing a date here. I promised to help you. What sort of friend would I be if I prioritized a date or making out over housing someone who needs it?"

Ingrid blushed. "You consider me a friend?"

"What else would I call you? I mean, housemate works too, but friend sounds better. To be honest, I haven't had anyone I could really talk to since my aunt and uncle died."

Ingrid was touched. It had only been 3 weeks and he was already calling her a friend. A warmth surged across her chest and face. It had been too long since anyone had called her friend. All of her old friends were probably gone or forgot about her by now. To hear him call her that without hesitation and with such determination made something in her quiver.

"T-Thank you, Yusuke. I'm glad you're my friend too." She squeaked.

"Of course. Now, I'm getting hungry so Imma go grab some snacks and we can keep playing."

"Yeah, grab a few things, please." Ingrid mumbled.

The moment he was in the Kitchen, she wiped a stray tear that had come down her face.

Even though horrible circumstances brought her here, Ingrid was glad that she met Yusuke. At that moment, she swore she would return the kindness. Yes, she'd saved his life from a Hollow but he'd already repaid her by healing her wounds.

"Alright, I'm back! I even brought your favorite: caramel popcorn." Yusuke put the bucket between them.

"How'd you know it was my favorite?" Ingrid was astounded by the maneuver.

"You tend to stock up on it whenever we go grocery shopping. I've also noticed the bags you leave behind when you're studying. I just went out on a limb." Yusuke shrugged. "Was I wrong?"

"No, you're spot on." Ingrid now felt some minor distress reverberate inside her. Had they really spent so much time together that he was memorizing what she liked?

"Cool. Now, shall we win this campaign?" Yusuke asked.

"Yeah, let's win." Ingrid smiled. For the first time in a while, she was smiling for real. No forcefully curved lips, no walls to mask her face, no lies to cover up what she really wanted. Ingrid could wholeheartedly wear her heart on her sleeve.

"It's nice to see you loosen up." Yusuke said.

"Huh?"

"When you first started living here, you were completely guarded. You looked ready to spring into action at any moment. I thought that I'd have to sleep with one eye open every night."

"Well, I have to admit, I just couldn't stop thinking that you were up to something. I'm not trying to sound vain, but before my life went to hell, I had a lot of people check me out and make passes at me. Now, mind you, I just ignored them, but you know there're some guys and gals out there that don't understand 'no'." Ingrid groaned.

"Well, I do think you're beautiful but I've got no intentions of laying hands on you. I'll be here as long as you need me." Yusuke began to munch on snacks.

"If it were someone else, a guy or something, would you have taken them in too?"

"Probably, yeah. I'd prefer to leave everyone to their own business but sometimes, ya just gotta do something. I know what it's like to be left helpless and alone."

"You never did elaborate on that part."

Yusuke sighed, trying to gather all his memories of related to that tale.

"When I came home from school, my parents were found murdered. Holes got punched through them. It had been a while since they died since no traces of Spiritual Pressure remained. Soul Society did nothing after they recovered my parents' bodies. Central 46, the governing body of Soul Society, said that they were bound by law to bury them there. They left me in the dust after that because I was human. When my aunt and uncle found out, they fully left the 13 Divisions to raise me."

"That's awful!" Ingrid was outraged that the so-called 'enforcers of balance' didn't have the empathy to take in a 5-year-old.

"It was right on the heels of the war with the Wandenreich. Central 46 was trying to sort everything out. In my mind, they wanted to establish which enemies were still around and what they could use. That group enjoys abusing their authority and making nonsensical decisions. I'd be glad to watch it burn down." Yusuke let his self-control slip at the return of one of his worst memories.

He felt that itching, burning, hatred he had for the corrupt government. He had no intentions of causing disaster but to say that he forgave them would be a lie.

"Until my aunt and uncle came along, I was a homeless kid wandering the streets, scrounging for scraps to survive. Not a lot of people were keen on helping a strange kid out, either. It wasn't until I met a guy named Sado that I got in contact with Urahara. My aunt and uncle followed soon after and the rest is as I told you." Yusuke fondly remembered the gentle smile the man gave him in his youth.

"Wait, you didn't explain why you went to America and then left." Ingrid was clearly intent on knowing every inch of her life.

"My aunt and uncle said they were trying to find a place to belong. They ended up disliking America because they said that the people were getting annoying or something like that. So, they came to London." Yusuke found the excuse flimsy but given how short-tempered his aunt and uncle could be, it wasn't too crazy of a reason.

Ingrid, on the other hand, was skeptical. Uprooting and moving around countries wasn't simple nor cheap.

"What did your family do? Can't imagine all this money came from nowhere."

"They owned patents to some inventions." Yusuke figured that information was best kept secret. His father and aunt had passed on the rights to the patents to him but Urahara was managing the funds until he became a legal adult. Even he knew not to tell a stranger too much.

Ingrid ceased asking questions about family and moved on to other topics. Maybe their little misunderstanding had helped her loosen up but either way, she found herself jumping down the rabbit hole of wanting to know more about Yusuke.

"So, besides games, what else do you like to do?" She asked.

"Well, I like to draw, tinker with model kits, and read when I'm not working and studying."

Ingrid spent the rest of the night asking questions and joking around with her housemate. She decided that if everything went well…maybe this was a friendship she could preserve.