Drawing two distinct shapes on the page. "One is a plus soul, which is what that guy was—a normal spirit who hasn't yet crossed over. And then you have a hollow." She quickly sketched a crude representation of a hollow, a twisted, monstrous face with sharp teeth.
Ichigo watched as she drew with swift strokes, her pencil gliding across the paper with a practiced hand. She wasn't the best artist, but the images were clear enough. "Hollows are the lost souls that turn into monsters," she explained. "They're dangerous, and they feed on other souls."
Ichigo frowned, his brow furrowing as he processed the information. "So, you're telling me these hollows are just... out there? And you have to stop them?"
Rukia nodded, leaning forward. "Yes. But not just me. We, the Soul Reapers, are tasked with making sure the balance of souls is maintained. We guide the souls of the dead to the Soul Society for their afterlife, and we eliminate the Hollows that try to devour other souls. That's my job."
"Cute drawing, by the way." Ichigo said, his usual smirk curling at the corners of his lips. He wasn't one to compliment people often, but something about her serious focus and the way she'd sketched those simple but effective drawings gave him a genuine sense of amusement. It was clear she wasn't the best artist, but it had its charm.
Rukia's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away, her voice a bit softer. "Thank you," she said, clearly not used to receiving compliments from someone like Ichigo.
Ichigo tilted his head slightly. "So why are you in my room? Is there a Hollow here?" he asked, his tone casual but with the hint of curiosity now present. He leaned against the edge of his bed again, arms crossed as he gave her a questioning look.
Rukia let out a small sigh, her expression shifting slightly into a more serious one. "Not specifically here in your room, but somewhere in your area. I can sense a disturbance, but it's strange..." She paused for a moment, her brows furrowing as she focused intently. "Something is obstructing my senses. I can't get a clear reading on it."
Ichigo didn't respond immediately, his mind processing the information. He was about to ask more when the sudden sound of a blood-curdling howl pierced the air, sharp and haunting. Ichigo's eyes snapped wide open, and he immediately stood up from his bed, his instincts kicking in.
"Did you hear that?" he asked, turning to look at Rukia, his voice low but firm.
Rukia, caught off guard, shook her head, a slight frown forming on her face. "Hear what?" she asked, clearly confused.
Before either of them could speak further, the howl rang out again—this time, even Rukia could hear it, and her eyes widened with surprise and suspicion. The sound seemed to echo through the air, but it was warped, distorted as if some unseen force was filtering it.
Rukia's thoughts raced. 'I hear it now… that was definitely the howl of a Hollow, but something's off. I feel like I'm hearing it through some sort of filter. How could he hear it before me?'
Her thoughts were interrupted as the ground seemed to tremble, followed by the sound of a scream coming from downstairs. It was a shrill cry that cut through the night air, unmistakably full of fear.
Ichigo immediately tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the doorframe, but he hesitated, cursing quietly under his breath. 'Fuck, I want to do something, but I need to have the story happen exactly like it's supposed to.'
He clenched his fists, frustration flickering across his features. It was clear to him that he should be rushing downstairs, doing something, anything—but he had to hold back, understanding that this was the moment he was supposed to meet Rukia and get involved in the world of Soul Reapers. The timing was crucial, and the events had to unfold exactly as they were meant to.
Rukia's expression turned serious as she glanced toward the door, her hand inching toward her sword. Her eyes flicked to Ichigo, reading the urgency in his posture. "That scream... it came from downstairs."
Ichigo didn't answer right away. Instead, he locked eyes with her, something flickering behind his gaze—conflict, hesitation, and an undeniable sense of purpose. "It's probably a Hollow. We should go check it out."
He wasn't sure if he was talking to Rukia or just trying to reassure himself, but there was a clear determination in his voice now. The air was thick with tension, and the feeling that things were spiraling out of control hung heavy in the room.
Rukia's lips pressed into a thin line. She could tell Ichigo wanted to act, but his internal struggle was evident. She could feel it, too—the need to respond immediately, but knowing that certain events had to happen in a specific order. "I guess we wait for now..." she thought, but she couldn't help feeling the urgency rise in her chest.
"I'm going!" Ichigo's voice broke through Rukia's thoughts, sharp and full of frustration. His patience was running thin, and the urgency in his tone made her realize how much he cared about his family. Without another word, he bolted down the stairs.
Rukia quickly followed, her sandals tapping against the wooden floor as she rushed after him. She felt the weight of the situation—she had to stop Ichigo from getting himself killed, but this was his fight too.
As Ichigo reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyes locked onto the scene unfolding before him. The Hollow stood tall and menacing in the doorway, its monstrous form casting a shadow over the room. The broken wall lay in pieces, debris scattered across the floor. His sister, Karin, lay slumped on the ground, blood staining her clothes. The sight hit Ichigo like a punch to the gut, the worry and anger making his blood boil.
Karin groggily looked up at him, her voice weak but urgent. "It... attacked us... Dad and Yuzu... they couldn't see it..." she managed to explain, pain clear in her voice. Ichigo's heart tightened in his chest, but there was no time to waste. His family was in danger, and he needed to act fast.
"Stay here, I'll take care of it," he said, his voice steady, though his mind was racing. His eyes fell on a baseball bat lying nearby, a simple weapon, but one he was going to need. His hands clenched the bat tightly, the rough wood digging into his palms as he prepared to face the Hollow.
But then, his heart skipped a beat. He watched in horror as the Hollow reached down, grabbing Yuzu by the throat and lifting her into the air, her feet dangling above the ground. His breath caught in his throat as he realized the gravity of the situation.
'Fuck the story,' he thought, anger and desperation flooding through him as his mind pushed aside everything else. He wasn't going to stand by and watch.
"Binding Spell, The First! Sai!!" Rukia's voice rang out, and Ichigo felt an invisible force wrap around his wrists, pulling them behind his back. His body jerked against the magical restraint, his limbs locked in place. He struggled against it, but it was no use—Rukia had cast the spell to keep him from rushing into danger.
"I won't have you go to your death. Stay here, and I'll deal with the Hollow," Rukia said, her voice calm but firm as she prepared to take on the Hollow herself.
Ichigo glared at her, frustration boiling over. "Nah, I won't stay here and watch you do all the work," he growled, his voice thick with defiance. With a surge of strength, he tore the binding apart without any resistance, the spell shattering in an instant. Rukia's eyes widened in shock.
TO BE CONTINUED