Amber's eyes became wide.
"You- you," she shivered. "It can’t be!" the creature laughed.
"Now I get to have my shingami meal and a drink. how considerate." The creature laughed
"Amber!" both ichigo and Alicia screamed. Amber turned her attention towards them. they both started to run.
"NO! I CAN DO THIS!" Amber screamed, and ichigo and Alicia simultaneously halted.
"but-" Alicia started. Ichigo shook his head and stepped back. Alicia glared at him. "Aren't you going to do something about this?"
"No, this is a battle for pride. I help and it will hurt her pride. I cant do that." he crossed his arms and watched the battle begin to unfold. Alicia nodded, but stayed prepared to help if needed.
Amber struggled to her feet, dusting herself off.
"How-how are you still alive? I saw Ichigo split you in two! And why do you look so different? You were a Hollow before, but....." She trailed off, confused and scared. The beast threw back its head and laughed-a horrible, barking noise. It looked at her, its eyes fixed on hers.
"Well, you see Lovely, I'm, or rather was, no ordinary Hollow. Do you remember when I was squeezing the life out of you earlier?"
Amber shuddered, recalling the awful feeling. "You see, that was because I was searching through your memories. I was gathering info on your Bankai. I was also making an imprint of it to use in case I exed. Which, of course I did. But anyway, I then used that imprint and put my own soul and strength into it.When my old body died, I just activated the new one I made, and here I am!" He opened his arms wide.
"I see...," Amber went into her spiritual form and readied her zanpaktou. she relished the feeling of power that came with it. "I see you hollows are all the same! Don't be daft and tell your enemies your strengths! Now i know all i need!"
The hollow turned its head slightly and barked another laugh.
"What are you saying? Shall we see who can use your power better?"
"With pleasure, lizardman!"
The hollow charged towards Amber and she got into her fighting stance.
"Stars rain like the falling snow, " Amber closed her eyes. this was the difficult part, "RUSEI GA OCHIRU!"
The edges of her sword became purple, and she felt more power pound through her veins and rush like a raging river!Flying to meet the hollow, she sliced it's arm.
"You little brat!" the hollow roared and its speed increased to match its opponent. Amber sliced at her opponent again and a shock met with the impact. The hollow screeched.
He fell on one of the store shelves, knocking it over and sending its contents flying all over the isle.
"I'll get you for that!" The monster growled. It leaped into the air and snapped its clawed fingers. Sparks like sparklers showered from his hand and a sward appeared. He gripped it tightly and aimed, picking up speed. Amber readied herself for the impact. She braced her sward in front of her. The beast swung his blade toward her. Amber was hit with more force than she anticipated; the blow sent her flying backward, crashing in to the ceiling.
"Ack!" Her body complained in protest as she tried to ready herself again. "I’m sick of fighting. Let’s just say we end this so i can go home and have my glass of milk. That's all I wanted in life right now. Go home and have some milk and watch more of my TV show. And you are not going to get in the way!" Amber once again rushed towards her enemy with a new vigor. She had to be careful though. this was her last shot. she could feel her energy depleting from the blow the hollow had dealt her. She was inches from its face and she sliced down... and missed.
"What the hell!?" She yelled in frustration.
"Missed, foolish girl!" laughing the hollow once again struck her. She crashed to the floor. her power was gone and she could feel a headache coming on. The hollow lifted his hand to deliver the final blow when a huge green dragon came in between them and slashed the hollows face.
"AAARRRGGGHH!" He roared in pain and clutched his face.
"Who DARES!-" He turned around to see who the fool was that had interfered in the fight. Standing in the shattered doorway of the store stood Alicia. Anger was etched on her face and defiance was in her eyes. Above her,her Bankai twisted and twirled in the air, waiting for its next command.
The hollows eyes grew large at the face of its new opponent. He had no clue what her strengths and weaknesses were, and from the looks of it she had more experience than the youngling on the floor. "This isn't the last time you see me!" With a roar it vanish and was gone. All evidence of its spiritual pressure was gone also.Alicia sheathed her sword and walked over to amber.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Alicia glanced around checking for the beast.
"You have serious issues with picking the wrong fights." Ichigo commented as he walked up.
"Shut up!" Amber grumbled as Alicia helped her to her feet again. Amber brushed herself off and looked towards Alicia. "Thanks for saving my life."
Alicia shrugged. "I'm sorry I had to interfere, but I just couldn't stand back and watch you die.”
"I needed that. I couldn't have kept going. That thing must be my Achilles Heel." Amber gave a nervous laugh. Ichigo rubbed his face and shook his head.
"I'm going to get into so much trouble for this." Amber and Alicia laughed as he rubbed his temples.
"On the Brightside, I can buy another thing of milk and i won’t be a monster in the morning." Amber ran over to grab another gallon of milk. She didn't see the cashier so she just left the cash on the counter.
As the trio walked back to Amber's apartment, Amber looked up at Ichigo.
"Ichi, Why is your cheek all red?" Ichi put his hand to his face, and stuttered,
"Uh.....uh...." Alicia Laughed nervously,
"Well, ah.You see......after you ran upstairs, me and Ichi got into a fight and......I kind of.....slapped him..."Alicia smiled proudly. Amber started snorting.
"Oh that's rich! I would've paid to see that!" Amber shook her head. They three stopped outside the apartment complex. "So I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Remember there's school tomorrow." ichigo commented. Amber and Alicia stared at him.
"Are you serious? Awww this sucks!" Alicia groaned.
"Look at it this way. It’s payback for almost knocking me out earlier." Ichigo said with a smug smirk on his face. Alicia wrinkled her nose.
"Well whatever. You got off easy that time." She called over her shoulder as she walked off. With that, the three parted ways. The next day, school would start and some help was to come from the Soul Society.
……………
Amber woke the next day to pain all over her body.
"Ugh!" she groaned, "What's the name of that truck that hit me last night." She gingerly dressed, ate, and got ready for school.
Meanwhile, Alicia was just finishing putting all her supplies in her school bag when a knock came at the door.
"Who could that be?" she wondered aloud. She opened the door and there stood a tall woman in a black robe with long hair.
"I'm assuming you're Alicia?" the woman stared at Alicia. Alicia nodded slowly. "Good! I'm Rangiku!"
"So it’s a crisis now, huh?" Alicia muttered to herself. Rangiku smiled.
"Yeah, but that's why we're here! Plus, now I have time to go sho- I mean spend with a genuine American!"
"Yeah, sure" Alicia rolled her eyes. She had heard about this one from Ichigo not long after they came to Japan.
"Now Rangiku! Focus! Remember why we're all here. We didn't come all this way for you to blow your time window shopping."A stern, but light voice sounded from behind the buxom red head; Rangiku pouted.
"But Captain, it’s the perfect opportunity and I have someone else who appreciates good clothing!" The Captain rolled his eyes.
"We are on a job not out here for pleasure." Alicia stared down at the boy. That's exactly what he was too... a small boy. Rangiku looked down in disappointment. Alicia knew Rangiku would probably go shopping anyways and try to drag her and amber out for a "girl’s day out."
"Why are you guys here?" Alicia asked curiously. Before Rangiku could answer, Toshiro stepped up.
"We're here on the High Captain's orders. It has come to our attention that you all were attacked twice. Once a few days ago by a powerful Hollow, and just last night by a creature with very similar spirit energy. We are here on an investigation mission.”
"And we want too-," Rangiku was silenced by a glare for Toshiro. "Oh yeah right; yeah that's all we wanted." She gave a thumbs-up. Alicia narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Seriously? She would let something like that almost slip, and then expect her to think it was nothing?
"Where's Ichigo. I need to speak with him." The captain poked his head into her house.
"He's not in here, thank you." Said Alicia, trying to prevent him from seeing the sad state of her room. "We're actually on our way to school. He should be there by now. You can come too, if you want to see him."
"So I can wear that flattering outfit again?!" Rangiku asked as her eyes lit up. Toshiro rolled his eyes.
"I suppose but don't get distracted!" Toshiro glanced around. Alicia laughed to herself. This was going to be one interesting year. Amber walked up to Alicia's apartment and stared at the two soul reapers.
"Uh, hello...." Amber greeted, confused. Alicia sighed in relief; she now had back up.
"Hello there!" Rangiku waived as she pulled out a uniform from satchel she was carrying.
"I'm Rangiku." Amber looked down at the Captain.
"Hello little man-" she said with a smile-"and how old are you?" Rangiku almost choked and Toshiro's face grew red. Amber reached out to mess with his hair but he slapped her hand away.
"I AM NOT A LITTLE MAN!"
"Okay okay yesh. Sorry didn't mean to hurt your feelings, kid." Amber rubbed her hand.
Toshiro's face grew redder. "I am older than you will ever dream of being!" he retorted. Rangiku busted up laughing with Alicia.
"Did you listen to anything anyone said to you about everyone?" Alicia managed to get out between gasps.
"No. Not if it didn't interest me. I only pay attention when ice cream is mentioned."
"Hey, do you have a bathroom I can use?" Rangiku asked.
"Yeah, up stairs to the left." Alicia pointed.
"Thanks! Captain, you should come too. I packed both uniforms. We can change together!" Toshiro blushed.
"I'd rather face an army of Espada on my own." he grumbled under his breath. His Luteneit seemed not to have heard him. She threw his clothes to him.
"Hurry, we don't want to be late!" Rangiku winked. Amber blinked in surprise.
"Umm that's the strangest thing I have ever heard." Amber shook her head. Toshiro rolled his eyes again.
"That’s Rangiku, Oblivious to things. She is very perceptive when the time calls for it though." They walked up stairs, leaving Amber and Alicia alone. Amber looked at her friend.
"Who are they? They look like Soul Reapers."
"They are." Alicia grabbed her backpack. "They said they were on an investigation mission.But I can't help thinking there's more to it than that. I think it has to do with what Ichigo and Mr. Hat'n Clogs where talking about last night.”
"You think?" Amber gave her a sideways glance.
"Yes." She nodded.
"You know... something worries me about that hallow. I feel like I lose a bit of myself every time I see it... like I become more… inhuman?" Amber looked down at her feet. Alicia frowned and patted amber on the back.
"Cheer up! We'll take care of it. It can’t be invincible!" Alicia smiled.
Amber picked at the hem on her skirt nervously. "I’m so nervous for the first day of school. Are you?"
“I guess. But we'll be in the same class with Ichi, so it won't be too bad.”
Alicia smirked this was going to turn into a very entertaining day.
"What do you think they are looking for?" amber asked
"Alright! We're all ready to go!" Amber and Alicia looked behind them. Rangiku was clad in the same school uniform that they were and so was Captain Toshiro, though he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here right now. "Alright! We're all ready to go!" Amber and Alicia looked behind them. Rangiku was clad in the same school uniform that they were and so was Captain Toshiro, though he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here right now."But what about lunch and PE, if they have it?" Amber started biting her fingernails. "What’s lunch like here anyways?"
"Good, I hope"
Just then, the two Soul Reapers came back wearing school clothes like the ones Alicia and Amber were wearing.
"Alright, all set." Rangiku had the tie pulled low and the shirt unbuttoned at a........relaxed level. Toshiro looked like he would rather be anywhere but here.
"Alright! We're all ready to go!" Amber and Alicia looked behind them. Rangiku was clad in the same school uniform that they were and so was Captain Toshiro, though he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here right now.
Everyone left Alicia's and started to walk to school. Amber and Alicia nodded and followed the two soul reapers to school. Every once in a while a car would drift past, but the town seemed relatively quiet.
"Well, what are you all waiting for? Let’s go!" Toshiro yelled over his shoulder.
"He's soooooo cute when he gets angry." Amber whispered to Alicia, as they all filed out of Alicia’s apartment.
"I heard that!" Toshiro said through gritted teeth. The walk to school was uneventful enough, though the two girls noticed the Soul Reapers hung behind a little bit, glancing left and right every now and then. They assumed they were keeping an eye out for clues. Alicia smirked this was going to turn into a very entertaining day.
“What do you think they are looking for?" Amber asked.
"Hallows. They can be anywhere and my top priority is getting rid of them." Toshiro said. He reached for his phone and started the hallow scan.
"Why don't we have one of those?" Alicia asked. Toshiro rolled his eyes.
"You don't need one yet." he put his phone away. "Be ready to go at a moment’s notice rangiku."
"Sure thing, Cap."Rangiku pulled out her compactable mirror and smiled at her reflection. Toshiro rolled his eyes. They walked on. They made it to school just before the bell rang. Ichigo was setting up his books when the school door opened.
"Oh good." Thought Ichi, "I was beginning to wonder if they would be late." And then-THEY walked in behind them. Ichigo's eyes bugged. What the HELL were THOSE two doing here! Toshiro saw the look on his face and took a seat next to him.
"Don't make a scene. I'll explain later."
"Ugh....." Ichi groaned and buried his head in a text book. "Are there any other reapers coming here?"
Toshiro looked up for a moment and thought. "Hmmm... Renji or Rukia might come."
Amber and Alicia stayed at the front of the class. Nearly all the seats were taken. There were hardly any left.
"What do we do? Where do we sit?" Amber whispered over to Alicia. Several sets of eyes glanced curiously at the newcomers, but no one said a thing.
"I dunno. I thought there would be less people than this. Just act natural." Alicia whispered back.
"So I make some stupid pun?"
"NO!"
Just then, the bell rang. In walked the teacher.
"Just sit down already!" Alicia angrily whispered and sat down. Amber sat next to her.