The sudden turn of events caught not only Ichigo off guard—but also the mysterious girl's too!
She hadn't expected that Hollow to tank her blow and still lunge in for a bite—
even if it meant taking damage to its mask.
"Damn it!" Ichigo stepped forward and delivered a powerful kick, launching the Hollow away!
"ROAR!!"
It howled in pain before vanishing into the blackness of the Garganta.
The girl collapsed onto the pavement, weakened.
Ichigo hurried to her side, gently helping her sit against the wall.
"Cough… cough…"
Blood stained her uniform—shoulder and side both savagely bitten.
"I… there's only one way for both of us to survive," she said, panting.
"If I transfer my power to you… you'll become a Shinigami."
She raised her Zanpakutō toward him, blade trembling.
But Ichigo scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Uh… about that. I'm already a Shinigami."
"…Huh?"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"What do you mean, already a Shinigami?"
As if on cue, the Hollow reappeared.
Ichigo's outfit shifted—black Shihakushō materializing, sword at his hip.
"Like I said—this isn't my first rodeo."
The two stood there… eyes locked… and shared a very long moment of awkward silence.
"…I can't believe this," she muttered.
"Guess she thought I was some damsel in distress…" Ichigo thought, a little embarrassed.
But then, his eyes sharpened.
He turned to the Hollow and growled:
"This is all your fault!"
In a flash, Ichigo drew his Zanpakutō and cleaved through the Hollow's mask in one strike—
instantly annihilating it.
No dramatic death cry. No struggle.
It was just… gone.
The girl sat there, dumbfounded.
Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sorry Shinigami… I guess you got hurt trying to protect me."
She shook her head gently.
"Don't call me 'Shinigami.' I'm Kuchiki Rukia."
"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo," he replied.
Then, realizing she was still bleeding, he hesitated.
"I… should check your wounds—uh, but you're a girl, so maybe I shouldn't—uh…"
Rukia stood, leaning on her sword.
"I'll be fine. I know a place I can go to heal."
She started walking, limping slightly.
Ichigo followed instinctively, but she turned back and stopped him.
"Don't worry about me. You should be more concerned about your family. What if another Hollow shows up?"
That hit Ichigo hard.
If another Hollow appeared while he was distracted…
His dad, Yuzu, Karin… they'd never stand a chance.
He watched silently as Rukia disappeared down the road.
Not long after, another figure appeared—wearing a green-striped hat, waving a fan.
"Oh my, oh my. The noble daughter of the Kuchiki clan, in this kind of state?"
Rukia narrowed her eyes.
"Who are you?"
"Not a weirdo, I promise," he said with a grin.
"Just your friendly neighborhood shopkeeper. Urahara Kisuke, at your service."
...
The Next Day
Ichigo entered school, unusually quiet.
Where'd she go? Is she really okay?
Guilt gnawed at him.
Even if Rukia had said it wasn't his fault—he knew better.
"Ah!"
Lost in thought, Ichigo accidentally bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry—" he looked down.
"Orihime?"
"Ah! Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime jumped slightly.
Ichigo extended a hand to help her up, but before he could—
Tatsuki beat him to it.
"Did Ichigo push you over? Just say the word—I'll punch him out!" she said, cracking her knuckles with a smile.
"I-it's okay! It was just an accident!" Orihime replied quickly.
Ichigo sighed, lost in his thoughts again.
Tatsuki noticed and gave him a flick to the forehead.
"Earth to Ichigo. What's eating you?"
"Sorry, Tatsuki… I just spaced out."
He turned to Orihime. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, really!"
They'd known each other long enough now that Orihime didn't get as flustered as she used to.
Tatsuki hooked her arm around Ichigo's and dragged him toward class.
"You didn't sleep well, huh?"
"Something like that…" Ichigo muttered.
The rest of their little friend group—Mizuiro and Keigo—soon joined in.
They joked and chatted as usual…
Until—
"Ara"
A sweet, theatrical voice rang out.
"You must be Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Ichigo turned.
And froze.
There, dressed neatly in their school uniform, stood Kuchiki Rukia.
WHAT THE HELL?!
Tatsuki's instincts flared to max.
Her radar screamed: Danger! Romantic Rival Detected!
She subtly grabbed Ichigo's arm tighter.
"Ichigo, who is this?"
Before Ichigo could speak, Rukia stepped forward.
"I'm the new transfer student. Kuchiki Rukia."
"The teacher told me my seat is next to Kurosaki Ichigo, so I just wanted to confirm."
Ichigo stared blankly. She's here? At school? Why?!
Tatsuki narrowed her eyes.
Something was definitely going on between these two.
And she was going to find out what.
(End of Chapter)
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