Outsider Chronicles: Strike Out

Most Outsiders are reborn after death, but I wasn't. I actually found myself in an Afterlife. Just one problem, its not the afterlife I was expecting. No fluffy clouds or harps for me, just swords, Demons and utter chaos. Dear god, I'm boned!

Right, this is an interesting idea. For some odd reason, there doesn't seem to be that many electric type Zanpakuto, which does give Bleach something of a more unique status due to the lack, but it also leaves it open for me to come in and make one. Naturally, I'm going to steal an idea. Oh well, enjoy!

Chapter 1

I don't really know what I expected when I died, but I certainly wasn't expecting to wake up in an ancient Japanese slum with no memory of my name. Actually, thats a bit unfair. While it was certainly no modern city, life in Rukongai District 3, Hokutan wasn't entirely horrible. So long as you ignored the fact that I was somehow in the Bleach Japanese afterlife that is. Oh, and the fact that I got hungry clearly indicated that I had a fair amount of Spiritual Power. Well, this is going to blow, isn't it?

Fortunately for me, random amnesiacs are apparently a fairly common thing in the Soul Society, which…makes a certain amount of sense I suppose, so it didn't take long to find someone willing to take me in. The nice old couple even gave me a name, Ikki Agatsuma, which I would later realise was either one hell of a coincidence or a cosmic joke. Thats for later though.

For my first few years as a resident of Rukongai were fairly quiet, with the obvious caveat that my apparent Spirit Energy made me both a bit of a celebrity and the target of a lot of fear. Those with high spirit energy were considered to be both gifted and a sauce of danger for the locals of the more civilised areas of Rukongai for obvious reasons. That said, I didn't particularly want to join the 13 Court Guard Squads. Its not like it was mandatory or anything and I actually kinda like my life here. Plus, while having people with a lot of Spirit Energy around can be dangerous, District 3 was close enough to the Seireitei that very few Hollows would be able to get close and the fact that there were a few Squad training grounds in the area certainly helped.

Unfortunately for me, I wouldn't get that choice.

The day my hand was forced started as normal. I woke up with the sun and joined my adopted Grandparents for breakfast, then headed out with the old man to get the chores done around the small farm they kept. While food wasn't NEEDED as such, people still liked to eat and that food didn't come out of thin air. Once that was done, I headed out on my own to explore.

While I hadn't exactly been the type to go on walks in life, with no internet or electricity to speak of, I had to find other hobbies. The one I chosen had been drawing, something I'd always wanted to learn in life and so decided to take up in death, so every day I'd head out into the frankly gorgeous area that surrounded the district to find somewhere quiet to work on my skills.

That particular day was no different and I eventually found a cliff with a really nice view and a handy tree in the perfect spot to both give a great view and shade. I sat down under the tree and took out my sketchbook and charcoal and began drawing. The plan had been to produce a nice landscape, but the warm air, birdsong and hard day of work quickly caught up with me and I found myself nodding off.

I dreamt of a storm. A swirling mass of darkness, filled with crackling lightning that pushed me back as I struggled forwards. I didn't know what I was looking for, but I knew I had to find it. All I had to do was keep following the voice I could barely hear above the fury of the storm.

I kept struggling forwards as best I could, but eventually, the sheer power of the wind became too much for me and I fell. Or maybe the wind had suddenly stopped, because as I pushed myself up, I found that the wind had died completely. I looked around, trying to figure out where I was, but the black clouds were still omnipresent.

Then, a dark figure appeared before me.

They were completely hidden by the shadows, with only its glowing purple eyes visible, crackling with power as it loomed over me. For a moment, we stared at each other, before the figure opened its mouth and…

"HEY, WAKE UP!"

I jolted awake at the shout, just in time to take a fist to the cheek. The force of the blow sent me rolling away from the tree. I lay still for a moment, stunned by the blow, then sat up and glared at my attacker.

"Hey, what's the big…idea," I said, trailing off as I saw who had punched me.

The man in question was a tall Soul Reaper, with spiky, black hair, green eyes and a Lieutenant badge on one arm. That and the swirling tattoo on his arm clued me in on the fact that the man in question was Kaien Shiba, the Lieutenant of Squad 13.

"Um, can I…help you?" I asked, wincing at the throbbing in my jaw.

"Yeah, you can tell me what the hell you were thinking!" snapped Kaien, "You were releasing so much Spiritual Pressure I could sense you on the other side of the valley!"

I blinked in confusion.

"I…what?" I asked, "I mean, I know I have some, but I didn't think I had that much."

Kaiens scowl deepened.

"Than how do you explain THAT!?" he demanded, jabbing a finger at the tree I had been laying under.

I looked and my jaw dropped. Where before had been a healthy old oak surrounded by green grass and wildflowers had been replaced with a blackened, blasted corpse, surrounded by blackened and withered plants. I swallowed.

"I…did that?" I asked weakly, "But…how?"

Kaien stared at me for a moment, then relaxed and sighed.

"Like I said, you were leaking Spirit Energy like crazy," he said, "If I had to guess, your powerful enough that your powers have already started to manifest without any training. Thankfully, it happened out here and not where other people were."

I swallowed, imagining what could have happened if I had been sleeping at home when I had this outburst.

"What…am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"You need training," said Kaien, "If you don't learn how to control your power, you'll end up killing those around you."

I sighed.

"Yeah, I figured that," I said, "Heh, guess I'll finally be doing what the old bat wants after all…"

Kaien tilted his head.

"You don't want to be a Soul Reaper?" he asked.

"Its not really that," I said, "Chances are that I would eventually find my way into the Gotei 13, if only because of restlessness, but I'd hoped to have some more time to just…relax. The Afterlife is supposed to be peaceful after all."

Kaien sighed and looked out over the valley.

"I wouldn't know," he said, "I was born here, so I have no idea how the World of the Living sees the afterlife. Still, as much as I wish it were otherwise, its not peaceful and we always need more swords."

I sighed, and got to my feet.

"Well, I guess I'll add mine to it," I said, "Thank you for the warning Lieutenant. I'm glad the outburst happened out here and not at home. That would have been…bad."

"Don't mention it kid," said Kaien with a grin, "Just doing my job."

He turned and vanished down into the valley, leaving me to slowly start walking home. The truth was, there was a very good reason why I didn't really want to be a Soul Reaper. I was scared. Oh don't look at me like that! I'm not a hero, I'm just a normal guy! The worst fight I've ever got into was wrestling with my brother. I can't just pick up a sword and fight literal monsters. And yes, I know that courage is acting in spite of fear, but that is not a big help at the moment!

It felt like far too little time before I got home where I found Gramps sitting on the porch outside the house with a cup of tea. He looked

up as I approached with a smile which quickly vanished when he saw the look on my face.

"Whats wrong Ikki?" he asked, "Did something happen?"

"You…could say that," I said as I dropped down next to him and rested my back against the wall of the house, staring up at the sky, "I met Lieutenant Shiba."

Gramps raised an eyebrow as the door slid open and Grandma came out with a tray holding two cups of tea. Somehow, the old woman always knew when I was coming back. Still, I was grateful for the drink as she settled down beside Gramps and lent against his side.

"Tell us what happened," said Gramps, "I can't imagine you being able to do anything to offend the Lieutenant, but you're clearly scared."

I stared down at the lightly rippling surface of my tea as I tried to get my thoughts in order.

"Let me see if I can help," said Grandma, "Does it have anything to do with the lightning bolt we saw earlier?"

I sighed and nodded.

"Apparently my Spiritual Pressure has been leaking out," I said, "Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but according to Lieutenant Shiba, I'm unusually powerful. Enough that it will start affecting those around me, potentially even hurting them if it leaks out too much in my sleep."

Gramps hummed thoughtfully as he rubbed his moustache.

"I see," he said, "So I take it that means you'll be joining the Shin'ō Academy then?"

I nodded as I pulled my knees up to my chest.

"Not much choice really," I muttered, "I need to learn control and thats the only place that can do that."

The old couple looked at me for a moment, then Grandma set down her cup and turned to face me fully, taking my hands in hers.

"Thats not all, is it?" she asked, "Come on, tell us."

I flinched and looked away. Admitting it to myself was one thing, but saying it outloud was a lot harder.

"Hes scared," said Gramps.

I jolted and looked over at the old man, who was sitting with his eyes closed.

"I…thats not…" I started.

"Don't try to deny it," said Gramps, "I can hear it. You are terrified at the idea of joining the Soul Reapers, of having to fight Hollows."

I flinched and looked away, shame bubbling up inside. Before it could really take root though, Gramps dispelled it with a gentle rap to the top of my head with his cane.

"None of that now," he said, "Fear is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, if you weren't afraid, I'd call you a complete fool. You are certainly no coward."

He let out a bark of laughter.

"Believe me, I know what cowardice looks like…"

Grandma scowled and tapped Gramps on the back of head.

"None of that now dear," she said, "You were never a coward and you damn well know it."

"I know that woman, I wasn't talking about me," huffed Gramps, before turning his sharp, honey coloured eyes on me, "Listen closely to me Ikki. No matter what anyone might tell you, fear is not something to be ashamed of. Courage is not about getting rid of fear, its about overcoming it and acting regardless."

"I am aware of that," I said, "Got any more fortune cookie quotes for me?"

Gramps' nostrils flared slightly, but he calmed himself without comment.

"Back when I was young, I was put in a situation much like you," he said, "The difference is, I had absolutely no talent for fighting at all. You do. Regardless of the reasons, regardless of what fear you might be feeling, you WILL do well as a Soul Reaper."

The sheer level of unyielding faith clear in that simple statement struck me right to the core. I had lived with Gramps and Grandma for half a decade by this point and, while they had had me call them that almost from the start due to the Rukongai's residence quickly forming into makeshift family units, I hadn't realised just how much I'd come to care for the old couple as if they were my actual grandparents.

Without thinking, I pushed myself up and hugged the old man.

"Thank you Gramps," I said, "I needed that."

The old man hugged me back with surprisingly strong arms considering his size and age.

Three months later, I woke up to a morning not unlike the one where my life had changed. I tilted my head to the side and stared at the carefully folded blue and white uniform that had arrived a few days ago.

"So, todays the day," I muttered, "This should be…interesting."

I sighed, then rolled out of bed and got dressed. A few minutes later, I exited my room into the main area of the house where Gramps and Grandma were already up and preparing breakfast. At the sight of me in my Academy Uniform, Grandma bustled over and checked me over, carefully straightening my top and the ties holding up the hakama.

"Oh, leave the lad alone dear!" said Gramps, "Come on, lets eat!"

Grandma shot a glare at her husband, but obayed, pulling me over to the table and placing my breakfast in front of me. The meal was excellent and quickly consumed and when we were done, Grandma quickly cleared the table and returned with a wrapped bento as Gramps pulled a wrapped bundle out from under the table.

"Here," he said, handing me the bundle, "A little something to remember us by."

"I don't intend to forget you Gramps," I said as I took the bundle, "I'll come visit."

Gramps snorted.

"Then think of them like a lucky charm," he said, "A reminder of the advice I gave you. Besides, it can be very easy to forget your roots when surrounded by the wealth of the Sereitei."

"Well, when you put it like that…" I said as I unwrapped the bundle.

To my surprise, it contained a tsuba white with gold edges shaped vaguely like a four leaf clover with a number of small triangles stamped into the metal. Looped through the hole where it would slide onto the blade was a strip of faded, red cloth.

"What are these?" I asked.

"Trinkets from when we were alive," said Gramps.

My head snapped up to stare at him. Despite the shocking revelation, he looked remarkably calm.

"You what?!" I spluttered, "I can't take…"

"You can and you will," said Gramps, "I already told you what they are for. They are trinkets and very old ones at that. Yes, they mean a lot to us, but so do you. Take them, let them remind you of where you came from and that you always have a home to come back to, no matter what happens."

My jaw flapped for a moment, then I shut it and bowed deeply.

"Thank you," I said, "I…I'll keep them safe…"

"Bah, keep yourself safe first," said Gramps, "Like I said, those trinkets are just that. Now get gone. You need to get to school, don't you?"

I got to my feet and nodded. I accepted the bento from Grandma, hugged her tightly and ran out the door. If nothing else, the next few years were going to be…interesting.

And there we go, chapter done. I intend to come back to at least finish the first few chapters at the Academy if nothing else, so we'll see if I can manage that.

So yeah, Ikki is a bit like Hitsugaya in that his Spiritual Pressure is strong enough that he's already got a Zanpakuto Spirit and his power will leak out when he sleeps. The problem is that lightning is significantly more dramatic and dangerous than ice. Fortunately, Kaien found him before he could give his grandparents a nasty shock.

Incidentally, anyone want to guess who they are? There are clues aplenty. They will be appearing later, along with some of their old friends who will be filling some spots in the Squads. Should be fun.

And with that, I think I'm done. Don't forget to leave a review on the way out!