Name: Akina Tsukiko
Age: 19
Looks: Long ginger hair, baby blue eyes, light skin, athletic build, curvy body.
Race: Human with healing abilities (though didn't learn to control it, but when she gets hurt it automatically starts to heal her).
Extra: She lives with her mother and big brother Rei, who is the only one that knows about her powers, and usually covers it up for her when something out of ordinary happens. She really likes animals. Moved to Karakura town a bit after the Winter Showdown was over, so everyone has grown up. She's Ichigo's neighbor.
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Akina raced down the field, legs pumping, heart pounding. Sweat dripped down her face, the loose strands of hair stuck against hot skin. A shout came from a few feet away before the teen's foot snapped out, an object smacking against the side of the foot. The teen kicked it down the field, eyes set on target, aware of the opponent hot on her tail. A teammate slid in to kick away the soccer ball, but Akina hooked it off the ground with a foot. The ball sailed through the air before she too was airborne, jumping over the player, who went under. Both hit the ground and Akina was running again before passing it to the right side of the field. The ball was kicked violently through the air, easily landing in the goal. A whistle blew, all of the girls' running over their coach.
"Hit the showers!" the coach for the boys' team declared as they too rounded up. Ichigo wiped the sweat from his brow, removing his goalie gloves. Karin was sitting on some bleachers, looking around aimlessly without a care in the world.
"How long have you been here, Karin?" he breathed before taking a drink of water.
"About an hour," the sister answered. Her eyes landed on the girls' team. "She's good."
Ichigo looked up, following Karin's eyes. "Which one?"
"Number 9."
His eyes honed in on Akina. "That's Akina Tsukiko. She's the star player on that team. Her house is next door to ours." Hoisting the duffle bag full of equipment on his shoulder, the older brother spoke over a shoulder, "Maybe you should introduce yourself to her? She's looking for students."
Karakura University was home to the best soccer team in the country. The boys' winning state five years in a row, the girls being undefeated since the team had been established ten years before. Akina was the Captain and star of the soccer team, having won awards left and right through the season. She was only a Sophomore, which was an accomplishment for someone her age. The young woman was planning on going pro upon graduating. Ichigo had come to Karakura University to study in the school's medical program. He joined the soccer team because it was a sport he enjoyed playing.
"Aramaki! Watch yourself in the left midfield," the girls' coach stated. "We don't want there to be a gap unless we're playing field move: Dojo. Got it?"
"Yes, coach!" the girl answered.
"Tsukiko! Nice jump. Keep it up, stay aware, and we might be able to scare Tokyo University in three weeks and go on to Nationals."
"You got it, coach!" Akina saluted.
"In the showers, all of you! And I'll see you at practice tomorrow!"
Akina grabbed her soccer ball, tossing it back and forth between her fingertips, making small talk with some other teammates. When she grabbed her bag and turned to head for the locker room, Karin stepped in front of the college student. "Hi."
"Hey," Akina greeted with a small smile. "What can I do for you...?"
"Karin Kurosaki." They shook hands.
"Kurosaki? Are you Ichigo's sister?"
The girl nodded. "I was wondering... Ichigo said you were looking for students, and I play on the Karakura High soccer team. I was wondering... if you weren't too busy, could you coach me?"
Akina thought for a moment, now recognizing the teen from the park her and her teammates would sometimes practice at. Karin was a very good player, better than Ichigo. In fact, Akina noticed a bit of herself in Karin when watching. They were neighbors after all, so it was hard not to notice her. Though, she had always been too busy to get to know the Kurosaki's, unlike her mother and brother.
"I think I can do that. Ten dollars for an hour lesson, and you have a deal. I'll bring the balls."
Karin smiled. "Thanks."
"The park, this Sunday. See you then."
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Akina was carelessly bouncing the ball on her knees, switching every few seconds. Karin came jogging up and the college student kicked the ball to Karin. "Start warming up and I'll get the cones set up!" Akina called over.
Through the whole afternoon the two practiced, Akina teaching Karin a new technique. The two had fun together, playing against each other, and going up and down the field. Ichigo appeared fifteen minutes before the hour was up, Akina taking notice. "Hey! Ichigo!" she called over, waving. He was sitting off to the side on a bench. "Make yourself useful and be the goalie!"
Having no choice, Ichigo got up, and took his place at the goal. "You don't mind kicking against your brother, do you?" Akina asked.
Karin smirked. "Are you kidding? I think it's a highlight to my day." Akina couldn't help but laugh.
The two kicked at the goal, the older teen fixing Karin's stances and footing. Ichigo caught the balls here and there, mostly missing Akina's kicks. By the end of the lesson, Karin was breathing hard, paying Akina for her help.
"Did you want to make this a weekly thing?" she asked, making Ichigo's sister's eyes light up.
"Really?"
Ichigo came trotting over. "You're one of the best High School players I've seen play. Keep this up and you might be able to go pro when you get to College." Akina looked over at Ichigo. "Nice to finally meet you."
The young man scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, we've never really met, have we?"
"I've been too busy with my own private lessons and school. Sorry I haven't been around. Though if your sister is serious about lessons, we may be seeing each other more?"
"I'm serious!" Karin exclaimed in agreement.
Akina smiled. "Well then there's our answer. You're free to join us too, Ichigo. Free of charge."
"I'll think about it," he answered with a small smile.
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This continued for the next two weeks. Karin would show up on time, Ichigo coming around halfway through the practice and join in. Then the three would walk home together. It was Sunday, a little less than a week before going against Tokyo University. Akina had just finished up her practice with Karin, and was currently washing her dirty face in the sink, sports bra plastered against her body from sweat. Rei, her brother, knocked on the open doorway before leaning on the frame. "Another good practice with Kurosaki?"
She nodded, grabbing a towel and wiping her face. "Really good," Akina said, looking over at him. "One of the best. What's up?"
His head nodded towards her padding, which had some blood on it. "You hurt yourself today?"
"Yeah, but it was nothing major. I'll clean it out later after dinner."
Rei nodded again. "Just making sure I didn't have to make an excuse for an injury that's not there again."
Akina rolled her eyes, pulling the dirty hair out of the ponytail. "They didn't even notice it. Stop worrying. Now out. I want to take a shower."
Tokyo University came to Karakura with heads held high. Fans from the school had bused themselves over, clad in their school colors and cheering as they entered the stadium. Karakura boys' had just played, winning 3-2, and were now currently sitting in the front row of some stands, watching as the girls' jogged out onto the field.
"Ichigo!" Karin called, squeezing between excited crowd and sitting next to her brother.
"How did you manage to get down here?" he asked over the noise.
"Trust me, it wasn't easy! Dad and Yuzu stayed up higher in the stands!"
Both siblings looked out over the field. Akina was stretching out her muscles before noticing them both, waving. They waved back. "Hopefully they'll kick Tokyo's ass," Karin said.
Ichigo chuckled. "I don't think we have anything to worry about."
A referee blew the whistle, the girls' gathering on the field and into position. Akina stood front and center, the opponent right across from her. "You're going down, Karakura," the teen stated. Akina did not comment, looking over at the ref who held the soccer ball.
"On the toss!" he warned, taking a step back, ball held out. It was dropped, Akina snapping forward and kicking the ball between the other's legs. The Karakura stands erupted in cheers as the ball made its way downfield.
The game went on for thirty minutes, Karakura leading 1-0. Akina was targeting the soccer ball the whole way, stealing it left and right. The coach from Tokyo kept yelling at her players to make sure Akina didn't come up on them, however they failed every time.
"Hai, hai, hai!" Akina yelled as they got into position, waiting for Tokyo to kick the ball back in.
The ball soared through the air, Karakura switching their blocking positions, and confusing the other team. An attacker jumped through the air, the ball bouncing off their forehead. Akina was there quickly, passing it to a midfielder.
When halftime came around, the girls' ran off the field, drinking water and wiping sweat from their faces. "Good job, ladies!" their coach cheered. The score was 2-0. They went to strategy before the coach let the girls have the remaining time to themselves as their opponents were still in deep discussion. Akina jogged over to Ichigo and Karin.
"Enjoying yourselves?" Akina asked.
"You're kicking their asses!" Karin beamed. "You guys are amazing!"
The student grinned. Tokyo was ranked as the second best soccer team in the country. "Even if we beat them tonight, we'll most likely see them at Nationals since they've had an undefeated season so far."
The whistle blew, signaling the return to the game.
"Good luck!" Ichigo called out.
"Thanks!" Akina yelled back, jogging onto the field.
"I like her," Karin commented.
Tokyo had picked up its game. When their passes became rougher, Karakura stepped up as well. Both teams had to be careful so they did not get penalized. Akina was following her opponent down the field, the ball coming their way. She went in to steal it, when the other girl's elbow came flying backwards. It smacked into Akina's face, and the player flew backwards to the ground, lying in a heap.
The Karakura stands erupted in boos, a team player kicking the ball out of bounds before it could get too far down the field. The refs and Karakura coach rushed out onto the field, pushing through the crowd of soccer players. "Everybody get back!" a ref ordered, a medic coming forward.
Ichigo and Karin stood in their seats, having seen the whole thing. "That was a cheep shot," Karin commented.
"I just hope she's okay," Ichigo said back.
"Can you sit up?" the medic asked. Both her and the coach helped Akina. The teen was holding her bloody, bruised nose, pain clear in her eyes.
"What the heck!" she exclaimed, having not enjoyed the elbow to the face. "Ow!"
"We'll have to take a look at that to make sure nothing's broken."
"Akina, are you okay?" the coach asked.
Akina pulled away her hands, scrunching her nose and making weird faces while trying to regain feeling. "I'll be okay," the girl answered.
Blotting up the blood, the woman looked over the hurt area, clearly seeming confused. "You're lucky. A shot like that would've broken anyone's nose. The bleeding has stopped, you'll just have to clean up the blood."
"I can do that in the locker room."
"Is she okay to play?" the coach asked.
"I think she's fine, but it's her decision."
Akina looked over at the coach. "Just let me clean up and I'll be back out on the field in no time."
The Karakura stands cheered as Akina jogged off. The player from Tokyo was benched for the rest of the game for her move. Upon entering the field again her teammates clapped the player on the back, the audience cheering in excitement.
Seconds were left on the clock, Karakura racing down the field to score one last goal to ensure their victory. Akina was passed the ball, the teen sprinting forward with controlled kicks. A Tokyo player came sliding in to kick the ball away, however, she saw it. The girl hooked the ball up into the air, the object and herself jumping over the failed attempt from the opponent. Using her head, Akina bumped the ball to the right, passing it off to another teammate. The whistle blew as the soccer ball flew through the air, landing in the goal.
Karakura supporters erupted into cheers in the stands, deafening the Toyko visitors, as well as the Karakura soccer team on the field. The girls' cheered wildly, all coming together in a tight hug.
The celebration didn't end there, the team continuing to yell and cry out in happiness as they hit the showers. Akina couldn't help but smile the whole time, even when she was checking her nose to make sure it had healed properly. "How's your nose?" a teammate asked.
"A little sore, but I'll live," she lied, pulling on sweat pants and an oversized T-shirt.
"I'm still surprised that you missed getting a broken nose. That was a hard, cheap shot."
"Luck, I guess."
Akina walked out of the locker room towards the parking lot, pulling up her wet hair in a ponytail. Upon stepping outside the hall, she was tackled by Karin in a hug. "That was amazing!" the girl exclaimed, grinning widely up at Akina in awe. "You guys totally kicked their ass!"
Akina chuckled, returning the gesture. "Thank you, Karin. I take it we didn't disappoint you then?"
"You didn't disappoint anyone! Now Ichigo and you are going to Nationals!"
Akina grinned, looking at an equally smiling Ichigo. "My dad's taking us all out to pizza," he spoke up. "You want to join us?"
It was a tempting offer, and she agreed immediately, knowing that her mom was working late, and Rei had left shortly after the game to pick his steady girlfriend up at the airport.
Being introduced to Isshin Kurosaki was interesting to say the least. He was giving his son a hard time, embarrassing him the whole way to the parlor. "You should see my brother," Akina whispered to him. "He's ruthless." That made Ichigo laugh.
"How's your nose?" Yuzu asked, turning around in her seat to look back at the college student.
"Fine. A little sore, but I'll be all better in no time."
"That was quite a hit you took," Isshin said, glancing in the rearview mirror.
"Feh! Tokyo was just intimidated by Karakura's amazing talent, that's all. If the players could've had it their way, they would've given every single one of our players a bloody nose from envy."
The car erupted in laughter.
After dinner, Isshin drove them home. Akina grabbed her bag, ready to head over to her house when Ichigo stopped her. "How are you really feeling?" he asked, looking down at the soccer player.
"Truthfully, I'm fine. My nose doesn't hurt whatsoever."
Ichigo looked to be in thought before speaking up, "You know, you remind me of a close friend of mine."
Akina cocked in eyebrow in interest. "Oh?"
"Orihime... She can heal herself too." Akina's eyes snapped open in shock, unable to hide the emotion. How could he tell? She was always careful. Ichigo grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry, I couldn't help but notice. The stains of blood, but no wound, the way you always had an excuse, how you never got a scratch on your body... The blow to the nose only confirmed it today."
Sighing in defeat, the young woman shook her head. "What will it take for you not to tell anyone?"
He held up his hands in response. "Nothing. Like I said, I know someone who can do the same thing, only has control over that ability, and can actually heal other people. You, however, it seems like its only effective one way."
"Yeah... my brother wasn't so happy with me when I couldn't heal his broken leg when we were kids." Both laughed. "So... I didn't creep you out or anything?"
His smile faltered slightly. "With everything I've seen I'm pretty used to it."
"Hmm, sounds like you were traumatized."
"Just about."
"Care to talk about it over lunch sometime?" The young man looked at her questioningly. "It's an invite, idiot. Do you wanna have lunch with me or not, Strawberry?"
An irritated look came to his eyes, lid twitching. "Never call me that again and I'll come." Akina laughed.
"Deal. Cafeteria, noon? I know it's not the best food, but I have class afterwards."
"It's a date, Akina."
A light blush came to both of their cheeks. "Well, I better head home. Rei has a guest..." Before leaving, feeling bold, Akina approached Ichigo, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Good job tonight." She went to pull away when Ichigo grabbed her wrist, planting a kiss of his own in the same spot.
"You too, Akina."
Karin watched from her window, a grin of her face as she watched Akina disappear next door. "I'm gonna like having her around more often..."
"Who, Karin?" Yuzu asked from her spot at the desk.
"You'll find out soon enough, Yuzu."