10. Medium and Parakeet
BlackHadou
Bunny-Sensei
Vote Tally : Strawberry Theory (Bleach Quest) | Page 44 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.1.23
[X] Hang out with Chad and Tatsuki. Give them the recap of last night. Explain why this matters to them and what being a medium means.
-[X] Pay attention to the bird.
No. of Votes: 11
[X] Continue as planned, and talk to Tatsuki…
No. of Votes: 8
[X] Realize that since Medraut can talk to you, all you need to do to find out the answer to the gender confusion question is to just ask her.
No. of Votes: 2
Total No. of Voters: 21
##### NetTally 1.1.23
[X] Hang out with Chad and Tatsuki. Give them the recap of last night. Explain why this matters to them and what being a medium means.
-[X] Pay attention to the bird.
No. of Votes: 11
[X] Continue as planned, and talk to Tatsuki…
No. of Votes: 8
[X] Realize that since Medraut can talk to you, all you need to do to find out the answer to the gender confusion question is to just ask her.
No. of Votes: 2
Total No. of Voters: 21
"Right..." You pause for a long moment, before letting out a deep breath. "Okay. I think I got it all." Think long and hard on telling Chad and Tatsuki, huh?
You knew, in your heart, that would not make a difference at all.
"Think long and hard? How stupid. There's no choice at all."
You found yourself agreeing with Medraut. There really didn't seem to be a choice at all.
"Then we should go." Rukia mused, glancing at the little glowing orb in her hand. "Unless you have other questions?"
"...No." You finally answered. "Not unless your going to teach me how to use a sword."
"Like you need her help."
"Even if I wanted to, I can't." Rukia answered, standing up and stretching like a diminutive cat. "Your Zanpakuto is a western style blade. I only know how to handle an eastern curved sword."
"A katana."
"Well, technically, Sode no Shirayuki is a tachi." Rukia quipped, pocketing her orb and walking to your side. "I'm a lot older then I look."
"Wait… A tachi?" She referred to her sword not as a katana, but a tachi. "Just how old are you?"
"I don't know. My first memories of the human world, though, were of a very different world. You had only just discovered firearms yet when I first came here to hunt." Rukia noted. You just stared for a long moment.
"She doesn't look old at all."
You had to agree there. She looked younger then you.
The two of you walked down the stairs in silence. You simply had no idea what to say after that. She was ancient.
-
The bell finally rung signalling the end of class. You let out a small sigh, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. You felt exhausted.
No, you still owed it to Tatsuki and Chad. Speaking of which…
"Hey, Chad?"
You gently reach up and tug on the larger students shirt as he passed. The Mexican stopped, glancing down at you.
"Kurosaki?"
"You got some time after school? I need to talk to you."
Your mind was made up. You tried to ignore the giant pit in your stomach that was forming. For some time, you'd considered just not saying a thing, but…
"… Yes."
Chad's answer came as one word. You could feel a small smile grace your face.
"Good, I'll check that shoulder while I'm at it."
"It's fine."
"It certainly doesn't look fine."
Indeed, that morning, it had merely been slightly unlevel. Now, though, Chad's shoulders were noticeably different heights. Chad stared for a short while longer before nodding.
"Very well."
"Good. Let me get Tatsuki and we can be off."
"Arisawa-san? Why?"
"Because she's involved too." You answer, standing up. Your eyes scanned the room. You'd need to get going pretty fast, though. The last thing you wanted was Keigo getting a chance to divert you with something like a 'babe hunt' or 'guy talk'.
He was… more prone to it then you wanted to admit.
"Pervert needs to use his head once in a while."
You weren't sure how to take Medraut's indignant words, so you ignored it.
"Don't ignore me, Ichigo!"
Lalala, you can't hear her.
Thankfully, it didn't seem Tatsuki had gone anywhere yet. She was next to the class representative, absently chatting as she put her things away.
Now was as good a time as ever. You walked over, stumbling every so often.
"Hey, Tatsuki? Got a bit?'
Tatsuki glanced up at you, her gaze shifting through several emotions rapidly.
"I have practice this afternoon." She answered.
"That's fine. We can walk you there. Thirty minutes should be plenty."
"We?"
"Chad and me."
The class representative just glanced between you, her eyes going from calculating to normal.
"You alright, Tatsuki?"
"Yeah, it's fine, 'Kari." Tatsuki answered the girl, shaking her head. "I'm a big girl."
"Okay..."
You have to admit, you've never really talked to the class representative for more then a few moments, usually about your 'delinquent' behaviours.
"Hey, Ichigooo~!"
You flinch. That was not the voice you wanted to hear. Tatsuki's eye twitched, as you turned to see Keigo behind you.
"Oh get lost."
"Ye-"
Your greeting got cut off midway, by the person you expected the least.
"Asano-kun! Just who I was looking for." The class representative declared. "Don't think I forgot about yesterday! Hurry up! The board needs cleaning!"
"Wha-"
Huh?
"What?"
"But cl-"
"Don't but me! Off you go!"
You offer silent thanks as she herded Keigo off. Even if it was just coincidence.
Tatsuki sighed, grabbing her bag.
"Well, if we're doing this, let's go." She declared. You just nod.
This was not going to be a pleasant conversation, was it?
"Hah. You worry too much."
If that was supposed to be a vote of confidence, then you found it quite lacking. Letting out a small, stressful sigh, you glance over to where Rukia sat. She was staring at you, intently.
You could feel the hairs on the back of your neck prickle upwards. Yet after a moment, she nodded, standing up and briskly leaving the room, her hand slipping into her pocket and pulling the orb from it. You could vaguely see her fiddling with it as she ducked out of sight.
At least she was on board.
"Chad, let's go."
Well, now or never.
-
"Rukia."
"Ichigo."
You greet the girl as you pass through the gates. Tatsuki looks a little surprised, whilst Chad just approaches it with his same stoic expression.
"You know the new girl, Ichigo?" Tatsuki asked incredulously. "Oh, uh… sorry. I'm Ar-"
"Arisawa Tatsuki. I am aware." Rukia cut the girl off. "I made a point of evaluating Ichigo's circle of friends."
"Evaluating?"
"Choose your words carefully, midget."
Medraut's voice rung in your head even as yours rung in the air. Rukia nodded.
"For spiritual potential." She answered. "Standard precautions, given what I did. With your situation, even better that I did so, your friends will be the first to be affected."
"Affected by what? What's going on?" Tatsuki declared accusingly. "You two are being weird!" Rukia paused for only a moment, checking her orb.
"It is active." She muttered. "You may talk freely, Ichigo. Those around you will not comprehend."
You blinked, briefly, taking a deep breath.
"How exactly do you explain something like this?" You grumble. "Um… well… I'm a Shinigami. A death god."
You elected for as blunt as possible. Tatsuki stared for a long moment, before breaking out in laughter.
"Okay, maybe you do have a funny bone." She was smiling. You found that smile… disheartening. "Now, seriously, why did you want to talk?"
"Ichigo is not lying."
Rukia was the one to speak up. She held up her left hand, muttering something you could not even comprehend. A blue flame lit up in the palm of her hand.
It was tiny. Barely even a flicker. Tatsuki just stared, stopping in her tracks.
"Wh-what?"
"Damn, that is really small. Am I really that weak?"
You just sighed. The two girls talked straight past each other.
"I'm a Shinigami." You repeated. "Last night, I was attacked at my house and became a Shinigami."
"Then the invisible monster found you?"
You blinked, staring at Chad.
"Sorta, yeah." You muttered. "It's not invisible to me. I can see it."
"But normal people can't." Chad answered, seeming content with the answer.
"You believe him?"
"Of course."
You felt a well of gratitude for Chad in that moment. At least he believed you, even if Tatsuki didn't.
"You two are anything but normal." Rukia spoke up. "You are the two most likely to follow in Ichigo's wake and become humans with spiritual power."
"Huh?" Tatsuki's gaze fell upon Rukia again. "What? You're cra-"
It happened so fast you barely understood what was going on. Rukia spun and pressed her glove covered hand to Tatsuki's forehead. It was as if reality froze for a moment, before the head of Tatsuki's spirit popped out the back of her head.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?"
Rukia pulled her head back into her body.
"Scepticism can be good. Right now it's annoying." She stated, walking on as if nothing happened. Tatsuki shivered, her eyes blinking rapidly.
"I'm sure I saw dead people..." She muttered dryly. You couldn't help but smile sardonically, as you started walking again.
"Welcome to my life."
"Your life is so weird." You could see her hands shaking. "S-so what does a Shinigami do?"
"Save the souls of the dead and fight Hollows." You mutter.
"Purify, actually." Rukia spoke up. "Shinigami rarely save souls. That is out of our domain."
"Huh? But what about the innocent?"
"The innocent merely need a soul burial. To save a soul is to wipe it clean of its sins. That isn't an ability most Shinigami possess."
You blink.
"Huh?"
"Never mind. For now, you're explanation is sufficient."
"Your telling us because we are the same?" Chad asked. Rukia shook her head.
"You aren't yet, but you will be soon." She answered. "It might take a few days, it might take decades, but the change is now in motion. You will become a medium. The only question is when."
"Wh-what happens when that happens?"
"You will gain the power to see spirits." Rukia shrugged. "Most mediums have some sort of personal power, usually a form of ESP." She glanced back at you. "Some have no power at all, like Ichigo here, because the power within their soul is too great to be expressed in a living body."
"Huh..." Tatsuki blinked, glancing at you. "Then… when Ichigo says he's a Death God, you mean he has to leave his body to use that power? Wouldn't that kill him?"
"If left out of his body for an extended period of time, yes."
We had come to our destination, stopping. Tatsuki looked a bit shaken at the idea, letting out a deep breath. She took two steps towards the dojo door, before stopping.
"This is why Karin's mad, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
She didn't immediately answer your admission.
"I can understand why." She muttered. "I'll… see you tomorrow, after I've had time to think."
She opened the door, and went inside without a goodbye.
You let out a sigh, glancing at Chad.
"I..."
"There is nothing to say, Ichigo." Chad stated. His lips twisted into a small, rare smile.
"You aren't mad?"
"Why should I be?"
You didn't have an immediate answer to that.
"Come on. Let's head home. I'll get you fixed up."
"I would appreciate that."
You began walking again. Rukia took only an extra moment, fiddling with the orb, before following you.
-
You and Chad said little until you were in the hospital room, the parakeet fluttering onto the window sill. Getting Chad's shirt off was a bit of a chore, and once you'd done so, you winced.
His shoulder and ribs were turning purple, and you could see that it was pretty clearly dislocated.
"Damn, Chad, what happened?"
"I protected Yuichi."
"The bird?"
Chad nodded. Rukia took only a moment, before speaking up.
"It's okay. You don't have to pretend to be a bird here." She stated. The parakeet seemed to visibly shrink at that.
"How did you know?"
"I can see the real you."
You blinked, staring at the parakeet. Whatever Rukia could see, you couldn't.
"I can."
Well, it seemed only you couldn't, given your swords inability to keep her comments to herself.
"O-oh.
You grab some bandaged for Chad, looking through the drawers for some supplies.
"What did you protect him from?"
"A girder. It fell."
Suddenly, the dislocated shoulder made a heck of a lot more sense. Chad must have caught it awkwardly.
"… How did the girder fall?" You wonder aloud as you get to work. The room was silent for a moment.
"Because he is after me."
"He?"
Rukia was the one to speak up. Yuichi nodded.
"A big monster. A killer. I don't know his name." The parakeet answered. "He kills everyone who tries to help me, but it's only three more days. If I live that long, mom will come back."
"I don't understand?" Rukia muttered. You glanced at her.
"What don't you understand?"
"A big monster that only Yuichi can see is almost certainly a Hollow." She muttered. "Why haven't I received an extermination order?"
"Don't try to help me. Two people in black clothes already tried. Nothing can stop the monster." Yuichi cried. "It's okay, he'll bring mom back to life soon. I can make it."
Rukia's eyes merely darkened, but she nodded.
"As you wish." She muttered. You could only stare at her.
"We aren't going to kill it?" You asked. She shook her head.
"No. Without extermination orders, I wouldn't even begin to know where to look." She admitted. "Not in my current state. It's no doubt a Hollow skilled at hiding it's presence."
"Then I'll find it."
"No, you won't."
You and Rukia glared into each others eyes for a long moment. Finally, she let out a sigh.
"Ichigo. It's too dangerous. Wait until you have more then one fight under your belt." She declared, pulling out her phone and flipping it open. "Just charging into combat head on will make all your talk worth nothing. Who will protect these people if you die in the first night?"
You shivered at that.
"So I have to just ignore this then?"
"Yes. You have a duty to ignore it." Rukia answered. "A Hollow old enough to hide his presence is above your ability. For now, let it go."
"And what if he starts killing people?"
"He won't."
You froze, turning to stare at the bird again.
"What?"
"That's the game. He will only kill anyone who helps me." Yuichi stated confidently. Rukia hummed her acknowledgement.
"That would explain how he's stayed under the radar." She muttered. "He must have preyed on other Hollows to keep from going insane. Or maybe he was never sane to begin with. Both are possible." She shook her head. "Regardless. Ichigo, do not hunt down this Hollow."
You couldn't argue with that, so you refocused on Chad's wound. It was a pain, but eventually you relocated his shoulder with a wet click. Letting out a sigh, you wiped the sweat from your head.
"Well, that's it, Chad. Your good to go. Just try not to use the arm much for the next week or so." You state. Chad nods, giving another smile.
"Thank you, Ichigo."
It isn't long after that, that he has left the building. You glance at Rukia a long moment.
"Is something on my face?" You ask her. She shakes her head.
"No." She muttered. "If anything, that went quite well."
"Strange definition of well."
Still, you felt like a small weight had left your shoulders. Maybe things would turn out for the better.
-
That evening, you…
[ ] Stay Home…
[ ] Visit…
-[ ] Karin.
-[ ] The Urahara Store.
-No other options are available at this time.
[ ] Train with Rukia.
[ ] Hollow Hunt
-[ ] The Parakeet.
-[ ] Search for other Hollows.
-
Tatsuki Points +15
Chad Points +15
I Live. Maybe.
