Chapter 1: Introducing Our Main Leads
Chapter Text
Fuko Xiabashi-
Looks: Dark Black hair with blue eyes. She seems absolutely normal and is often forgotten because of the way she fades into the background. She is a very peaceful person when she's not annoyed or being a Tsundere, and is shy as well a part of her Tsundere personality.
Her father disappeared one day, long ago, and her mother died in despair, leaving her alone. She doesn't have any other relatives, that she knows of. And thanks to her invisibleness, nobody really cared that she was a child living alone. But she got used to it and sees it as a daily thing. She likes going to the river and sitting there, looking into the sunset.
Fuko gets sick easily, but physical injuries heal quickly
Sainin- Looks Brown hair with blue-green eyes.
Doesn't like floating that much, and loves Fuko with all his heart. He's always sticking up for her, even though nobody else can see it. He talks to her during class, while she writes on her paper for him to read. He doesn't have any regrets but wants to stay with Fuko because he is her only friend. And it would kill him to leave her. He can faintly touch her, and small amounts of items at once, or carry one item. He takes care of her when she is sick.
Both are 15 (Fuko is turning 16 soon). And Live in Karakura.
Chapter 2: Prologue
Chapter Text
Fuko POV.
Sighing as I dressed up in the school uniform, tying the bowtie. Sainan coughed from my bed. I glanced him a look.
“What?” I asked my face stone as usual.
“Nothing Fuko-chaaaan. It's just that- you always mess up your tie.” He commented. My eyebrow twitched.
“Shut up. You’re annoying. Do it for me then.” I commanded. He laughed.
“You said you would do it on your own- and that you learned how- from the thousands of times I’ve already done it for you.” Sainan said, smirking.
“Shut up and do it already.” I commanded and pointed to my tie. He laughed and floated- yes, floated- over to me, and took my tie, and began to do it “correctly” whatever that’s supposed to mean.
“You’re so cute when you’re annoyed.” He said and pecked me on the cheek. I growled at him, sure a blush was on my face.
“Shut up you idiot. I have to get to school.” I said, grabbing my books, and walking past him.
“Can I come? Pleaseee! It's the first week of your second year! Come on- please?!” Sainan begged. I sighed heavily before nodding slowly.
“Fine.. But you have to be careful, I don't want any Shinigami finding you.” I warned him. His brown hair shook as he nodded frantically, and his soft seafoam eyes shone with joy. I don't get why Sainin even likes me in the first place... or won't leave me alone.. He said it was something to do with the Red Ribbon of Fate. Kind of means that we're Soul Mates.
Shinigami is another word for Soul Reapers, they find and kill monsters that eat ghosts, known as Hollows. Not only that, but Shinigami also can send Ghosts to the afterlife. Sainin doesn’t want to go, and I don’t want him to go either... not that I'd ever say that to him willingly..
I sighed as I locked the door behind me, taking the keys and putting them in my jeans pocket. Nobody to say farewell to, nobody to care. Except for Sainen, who cant do much- but annoy me.
Yeah. As much as he annoys me, I will miss him terribly if he leaves..
Sighing I wondered if I would be in trouble for not wearing the uniform. But I was wearing the colors of the uniform, and nobody ever noticed last year. So I doubt it would be a problem this year. I tied two bells to the metal chain on my jeans and continued downstairs and out of the apartment building.
Walking down the street some ghosts waved and I nodded back to them. They then looked to an orange-haired kid, who waved as well. His name is Ichigo Kurosaki, I’ve been in his class since... for a long time. He hasn’t noticed I existed though. Nobody does. Nobody will. I’m too ordinary for people to be looking at me. I’m a background. But that's alright, not like I actually care.
“Fuko-chan.” Sanin whispered. I didn’t make a move to look at him.
“Fuko-chaaaaan.” He said louder. He’ll stop eventually..
“FUCKING FUKO CHAN!” He screamed. I jumped up and glared at him, taking out my cellphone and putting it to my ear as if I was speaking on the phone.
“WHAT?!” I whispered harshly.
“The orange-haired kid saw me.” Sainin said. I raised an eyebrow and looked for Ichigo, who stood frozen, looking at me. I cursed.
“Shit. I knew it was a bad idea to bring you with me. I knew that kid was trouble.” I cursed glaring at the ground, speaking to Sainin as I continued walking to school, I snapped the phone shut. Sainin stopped floating and walked next to me, matching my quick pace. We soon passed by Ichigo, and he was looking at me wide-eyed.
“What if he’s a shinigami? What if he sends you away?” I asked Sainin, as I continued looking to the floor, my face stone, my voice cold.
“What do you care? You wanted to get rid of me from the beginning.” Sainin said and floated upside down to look at my face. Moving as I continued walking.
“W-well.. I-I kind of l-l..” What am I saying! “ Loath you. And I’d only be upset because I won't have you to tie my tie. Anyways- I bet he thinks I’m a new kid or something.” I snapped. His soft teal eyes sparkled.
“Alright Fuu-chan. Whatever you say.”
I sighed and entered the building, taking my seat by the very back by the window. Rukia and Ichigo entered with some of their friends. I sighed and watched quietly, sitting back in my chair. Sainin sat on my desk, facing me.
“Hey. Fuu-chan, you know the best thing about being a ghost?” He asked, leaning down close to me, I made a faint tilt of my head. “Getting to make fun of people, and yelling like crazy- and they won't even notice!” He began laughing. “And you know what else?” He asked. I raised an eyebrow. “Watching the girls change in the locker r-” I grew angry but tried to hide it. Nobody else can hear it.
“You did what?!” I whispered harshly, glaring. He began sweating and floated high in the air, a habit that he has when he’s panicking.
“U-uhm.. NOTHING!!!” He screamed. Ichigo and Rukia snapped their heads, looking around for something. Did they hear him? Sainin layed down on my desk by his stomach. I slammed my hand down on his back, shoving him through the desk, and floor. Rukia and Ichigo looked at me at the sound, along with most of the room.
“Ohh! Hii!” Rukia’s eyes sparkled as she gave a smile, she dashed over to me. “Are you new here?” She asked. Ichigo made his way over to me, along with his friends.
“No. I’ve been in this class from the very beginning.” I said coldly and emotionlessly. Ichigo suddenly looked confused.
“I don't remember you.” He said.
“I’ve been in your class since Kindergarten- dumbass,” I said and sighed. “Anyways- what do you want? You never bothered me- or looked at me till now.” I sighed.
“I just thought you were new. So I wanted to say Hi- oh! I also never met you. I’m Rukia!”
“I know. I’m Fuko. Now leave me alone.” I growled.
“Oh come on! Don’t be like that!” Rukia sung. The teacher- thankfully- entered and told us all to take our seats. Giving a sigh they left me alone from my nice corner.
Sainin came from the floor and sat on the floor next to me, remaining quiet. He knew me well enough to see I was troubled under the stone mask I had.
~ ~ ~
It's lunch time. Most people went to the cafe, Ichigo and his friends go to the roof. I know this- because I used to be on the roof- until they discovered it. So now I stay in the back of the classroom. Where nobody but me and Sainin sit. The teacher even leaves too.
“So what do we do now?” Sainin asked me, sitting on the desk, I glanced at him for a second and sighed, understanding. Seeing as Rukia the new girl, and Ichigo, noticed me, and heard Sainin..
I shrugged. “I don't have much money.. Only the job at Urahara Shop that pays. But not that much. All I do is keep Ururu and Jinta off each other...” I mumbled sighing.
“Yeah, but whenever I come to work with you- don’t you ever see them look at you funny?” Sainin asked. I shrugged.
“Not really. I mean- sometimes they ask me if I have a younger brother, but you remember that time..” I mumbled.
“Right. But I like Kisuke better.” Sainin commented, going onto his back and looking at me upside down. I smiled and slowly grinned, before bursting out laughing. He smiled at me. “What's so funny?” He asked.
“Its just that- I don't understand what you like so much about Kisuke.” I told him. He smirked and gestured to the top part of his head.
“I like his hat.” He said simply. I smiled and nodded, he knows I like his hat too, I always take his hats and wear them around. I have my own collection at home.
“I KNEW IT!” A voice yelled from the doorway. My head snapped there to see Ichigo and Rukia.
“You can see the ghosts!” Rukia commented loudly.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, tilting my head. Speaking coldly.
“You can see them. It's fine. We can see them too.” Ichigo said, taking a seat next to me.
“Ichigo! You can't just-”
“We’re soul reapers.” Ichigo confessed before Rukia could stop him. I stood up, the desk falling as I stood.
“Leave us alone. You can’t take him away.” I said harshly, grabbing Sainin by his arm.
“But we have to send him to Soul Society, he needs to move on.”
“No! I’m not leaving her alone.” Sainin yelled, standing behind me.
“You need to go to Soul Society before you turn into a Hollow.” Rukia told us.
“No!” We both yelled.
“He/I won't turn into a hollow!” Me and him said again.
“Yes you will. If you stay here any longer- you will.” Ichigo yelled.
“Shut up. He won't. The thread will keep him from becoming a Hollow.” I told Ichigo and Rukia coldly.
“What thread?” Ichigo asked, raising his eyebrow.
“Never mind.” Me and Sainin yelled at the same time, our faces heating up. We both pushed past the Soul Reapers and ran off.
“Hey Wait!” Ichigo yelled. I grabbed Sainin’s hand and felt stronger. We were almost out of the building onto the roof, almost.
Ichigo jumped in front of me, I fell back into his chest.
“What Thread?” Rukia asked, coming from behind us. I looked around, hoping to find an escape.
“Sainin, you have to go.” I told him, he shook his head.
“I’m not leaving you.” He said, frowning.
“Sainin, please.”
“No.”
“Stop ignoring us!” Ichigo shouted.
“SAININ.”
“NO.”
“If you don't explain what's going on, we’ll send him to Soul Society!” Ichigo said.
“NO!” Me and Sainin yelled.
“Nope, don't do that Rukia.” A voice said from the large window. All of our heads moved to see.. Kisuke!
“Kisuke-san!” I gasped.
“Kisuke?” Rukia looked confused. “What are you doing here?” She asked.
“The question is actually, why were you about to send Sainin-kun away?” He asked. Sainin gasped, as he hid behind me. My hands wrapped around him behind me, protecting him.
“You know them?”
“Of course I know them!” Kisuke said, smiling. “Fuko-chan works at my store, and Sainin is her m-” Sainin quickly floated over to him and slammed his hand over his mouth.
“I’M HER M-M-MOTHER!” Now I HAD to facepalm. Kisuke removed Sainin’s hand from his mouth with ease.
“Sainin-kun is Fuko-chan’s Soul Mate.” He said grinning.
“S-S-S-Soul Mate?” Rukia was shocked.
I looked down to the floor, blushing and Sainin was blushing just as hard, even for a ghost.
“Yes- They are connected by the Red Thread of Fate.”
“Huh? What’s that?” Rukia asked.
“You’re telling me you went to the Academy for Shinigami, but don't even know what the Red Thread of Fate is?” Kisuke asked, grinning like he knew something we didn’t.
“Hehe.. I was sick that day..” Rukia said laughing a little.
Sainin moved over to me and grabbed my hand, dashing off with me.
“Wait- Sainin. Wait- What are you-” I tried to find words.
“We need to get out of this town. We need to get away from them. What if they try to hurt you for hanging out with a ghost? For interfering.” Sainin said. I gasped, he was right.
We were almost out of the building when Kisuke appeared in front of me in a flash. He grabbed both me and Sainin and we were pulled off so quickly, that everything went around in a flash.
“Kisuke-san! Let go. We need to get away from the Soul Reapers!” Something quickly registered. He knew the Soul Reapers. “You knew them,” I whispered, but loud enough for him to hear. We were still moving, but slower to a walking pace. Almost at his shop. He nodded to my question and tilted his hat. And gave me the one he wore at the moment. The green and white hat was still big for me, but it lowered the poof on the sides of my head. Sainin took my left hand, and held it, squeezing it a little.
We opened the door, and walked inside, to the living room. Kisuke got another hat. Sitting down in front of Kisuke, we waited for him to say something. Anything.
“Well? How did you know those two?” I asked Kisuke, seeing he wouldn’t speak.
“I know Rukia, she is a customer, Ichigo is a Substitute Shinigami, They came this morning for an item, but Ururu accidentally messed up the order, and gave them the wrong product. I went to pick it up and saw you-”
“How did you know about Sainin?” I asked. Sainin only spoke to me when people weren't around, and nobody in the shop looked at him directly. Nobody ever... Wait. “You were faking, not seeing him, weren't you?” I glared at Kisuke.
“Well yes- I didn’t think it was needed to show that I could see him. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference. I thought there was no problem with ignoring him.” Kisuke said.
So he saw Sainin kiss me on the cheek all those random times, while I was working. All the taunts he made to me as I silently tried to ignore him? My face flushed and I raised my hand, hitting down Kisuke to the floor.
“WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT- Y-YOU IDIOT!” I yelled.
“I’m sorry I’m sorry! I thought what you two had was cute so I-”.
“IDIOT! IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT!” I yelled and jumped up to my feet, speed walking in circles.
“They’re going to take Sainin away! What do we do? Kisuke-san. You have to hide me and him. Please. I don’t want us to be separated.” I pleaded, grabbing onto his shoulders and shaking him. Kisuke pushed me away calmly and smiled from his hat.
“Don’t worry. The Soul Reapers won't even dream of-”
The Door Slammed open.
“KISUKE! Where are they?!” Ichigo.
I jumped and looked around in shock, then quickly dashed into the closet. Hiding in there.
I don’t exist, just be invisible like normal. I don't exist, be invisible like normal. Don't. Exist.
“What they?” Kisuke asked, sounding confused.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know! The ghost is right behind you!” DAMN! SAININ YOU'RE AN IDIOT!
"U-uhm, w-what ghost? There's most certainly no ghost of the kind here, with me, behind me, in the bathroom, closet, or kitchen. Ha-ha.." Kisuke said, sounding awkward. I inwardly growled at him. Kisuke is an awful liar!
"Kisuke. Why are you protecting them?" Rukia.
"You must promise not to taunt them, or make any move against them if you want to really know." Kisuke spoke, sounding serious now. I put my hands over my mouth to keep myself from making noises. What the hell is he doing?!
Strong silence seemed to overflow the room
"I promise," Rukia said, sounding forced.
A smacking sound.
"OW WHAT WAS- Eh.. I promise.." I heard Ichigo.
Silence and footsteps moving towards the closet. The wooden doors opened and I felt a hand wrap around my wrist and pull me out. I fought it, grinding my teeth.
"Fuko-chan, calm down. They won't hurt you or Sainin-kun. They promised." Kisuke was holding my wrist. My eyes opened unsurely, still hidden with darkness under the hat he gave me to wear.
Rukia and Ichigo stood there next to each other, and Sainin appeared next to me from the floor, and hugged me from behind, causing me to jump slightly, but say nothing, just blush from under the hat with a small smile.
"Come sit down at the table everyone. It's time for a history lesson!" Kisuke yelled happily.
Chapter 3: A History Lesson
Chapter Text
*Recap*
Rukia and Ichigo stood there next to eachother, and Sainin appeared next to me from the floor, and hugged me from behind, causing me to jump slightly, but say nothing, just blush from under the hat with a small smile.
"Come sit down at the table everyone. It's time for a history lesson!" Kisuke yelled happily.
~ ~
Me and Sainin sat more then awkwardly. He sat down, and had me next to him, holding hands under the table. Rukia and Ichigo sat across the table from us, and Kisuke sat inbetween us. I fixed the hat on my head, letting the shadow and my hair hide my eyes and hopefully the soft blush aswell.
"Go on, Kisuke-san." I spoke annoyed, wanting to get on with it.
"Wait wait, just hold on a few moments. Be patient, alright- Fuko-chan?" Kisuke said, smiling and tilting his head as he hummed, probably thinking.
Or just trying to piss me off.
"Get on with it!" I snapped, I felt uncomfortable here with Shinigami... Soul Reapers. I don't want them to take Sainin away..
"Well, there is such a thing known as the Red Thread of Fate. This thead is connected between two people." Kisuke started, and I looked down. He was going to use me and Sainin as examples. "This thread is what connects what people enjoy calling- 'Soul Mates'. "
Kisuke was having too much fun with this.
"And I'm sure you understand what a Soul Mate is. After all its very lovey-gushy and such, like how they're holding hands right now." I jumped and snatched my hand away from Sainin for a moment.
"Am not." I replied coldly, and. . . let my hand slither back to hold Sainin's again.
"Whatever you say, Fuko-chan. Anyways, the Red Thread of Fate can be seen by very high-level shinigami, very much like how Ichigo can see Shinigami ribbons are different from Human ribbons. However the Red Thread is so thin, that it cannot be seen by the plain eye."
"Then how do we know it exists?!" Rukia asked.
"There were tests back long before. Tests on souls with slow-aging Shinigami souls at, however the materials used in this experiment crossed with the development of souls in the real world. This showed a pull and a strong red line that I talk to you about it today. " Kisuke started and continued. "The red string were only faintly seen by very strong shinigami or spiritual pressures. And seeing as Sainin-kun is a ghost, as he died, Fuko-chan must have almost died aswell. The bond is stronger between them, but faint because of Sainin's invisible existence." Sainin sighed, and leaned his head on my shoulder, he already that he was dead; did he really need a reminder. "However before any more testing could be done, the souls created a new spiritually active race-"
"What does that have to do with anything?" I snapped annoyed. "Just get to the point!" Kisuke laughed.
"Fine, FIne. Long story short, the test subjects left, and weren't able to be experemented on. It was too dangerous to experiment with- and they shut down the whole operation. You haven't learned about this part because Central 46 was to cover up the experiment and the failuor, along with the experiments who escaped. The Red Thread is too dangerous to play with. Therefore if you send him away. You dont know what could happen. I've never seen a thread so strong a connection between a person and a ghost before. Most of the time the thread bends and loops around to create another kind of person to connect to- with a re-born body." Kisuke stopped for a moment and glanced at me and Sainin.
"However that wasn't the case here. So Sainin is connected in this world, as a ghost. He is trapped until Fuko dies, or Sainin goes to Soul Society with Fuko. If Sainin left, Fuko could die as well for all I know." Kisuke finished and sounded somewhat panicked.
"I see.." Ichigo mumbled.
"Wait? How do you know about it was covered it up?" I asked Kisuke in confusion. He gave me a grin from under his hat.
"Nothing can get past you, can it, Fuko-chan?" I growled angrily in response, implying that he shouldn't push it. "I used to be part of it, just a small part. It doesn't matter much though." Kisuke said and forcibly dropped the topic.
"But you said if Sainin went with Fuko to Soul Society, that they might be fine?" Rukia asked.
"Its just a hypothesis. I wouldn't try it out though." The two Soul Reapers nodded.
"But how come I never noticed you until today?" Ichigo asked.
"I'm not noticeable," I stated and shrugged.
"You've been un-noticeable since when?" Ichigo snapped.
"Asswipe. I've been in your class since Kindergarten. You tell me since when." I snapped back in the same tone.
"Oh yeah? Who was my Kindergarten teacher?" Ichigo replied, leaning towards me with his hands on the table.
"We didn't have an actual Kindergarten teacher! It switched every day so we never had an actual one! Fuckass." I growled and glared.
"Well!.. W-well.. Huh.. you're right.. How did you know that?!" Ichigo yelled again.
Me and Sainin facepalmed at the same time and sighed loudly with one another.
"Here.. I remember doing something that made the class laugh for a week.." I mumbled, and took Sainin's hand, and standing on the table before screaming in my intimidation of a 6 Year Old's voice. "ME AND SAININ ARE GETTING MARRIED AND THERE ISNT ANYTHING YOU GUYS CAN DO ABOUT IT!!"
Ichigo's eyes widened. "I saw him but nobody else could, and thought you were getting married to your imaginary friend!" Ichigo recalled. I gave him a dull stare.
"See. I totally jogged your memory with my amazing acting, asshole." I said rolling my eyes.
"Now I remember. You were in all my classes. I even remeber that ghost hanging around you, but he looked so human and I didn't think he was a ghost because he always laughed and you talked with him. I thought you two were just friends or something. And-"
"Everyone else thought he was my imaginary friend- yeah, yeah. I know." I said sighing.
Me and Sainin at that age were talking about random shit, and ended up going to discussion of marriage, and he said we couldnt get married because nobody would allow it. So I kind of.. Yeah..
"Do your parents know where you are?" Ichigo asked me confused.
"What parents?" I scoffed to myself, my eyes becoming cold as I tried hard not to crumble.
Ichigo and Rukia looked absolutely shocked.
"Then how are you surviving?" Rukia asked. "What about money and food?" She continued.
"I work here." I said and pointed to Kisuke. "And I don't have much money for anything but Breakfast and Lunch. I'm trying to save up so I can drop out of school and work full time somewhere for more." I stated easily now since the attention was diverted from my parents.
"What happened to your parents?" Damn it Ichigo. I'll kill you one day.
"They're gone. Simple as that." I said clenching my fists.
"Y-You mean they moved on?" Rukia asked. I didn't reply, I closed my eyes from under the shadow of the hat, and bangs.
My mother died.. my father left us just before. I was sick that day that he left. My mother took care of me and while I seemed to be getting better, she was getting worse until one day she just died. She didn't move or breathe. I cried in the bathroom for over an hour, and when I returned she wasn't there. She was just. Gone. I.. I don't know where she is. But she is dead. I know it. I don't miss details like that.
I even remember her soft hands and warm smile. Her dark hair and I remember my father's dark brown hair. He was always so happy and nice to me. He would show me his prized sword, and smile through his square glasses. Sometimes he would look thoughtful and other times he would look very upset when I was sick.
Sometimes I had this feeling he was upset because I was sick, not because I was feeling bad- as I was sick. As if there was a double meaning. That his smiles were fake. But each time he showed me that amazing prized Katana sword I just wouldn't care. He would sometimes let me play with it. Swinging it around happily. We would run around happily and play.
But then he left. My mother barely was able to take care of me. I was five at the time. She would stare out the window in longing. I can still see her pained face to this day. Nothing ever is able to get past me. I cant forget. She looked so pale and dead. Sometimes I would want to walk up to her and touch her, to see if she was still alive. But her constant sighs just let me know she was alive. She barely talked to me. And then she just.. died.. left.. I don't know.
Did the government notice? Of course not. I still had to walk to school and back. I still had to do my school work. I found Sainin as he entered the kindergarten class and scared the crap out of me. The landlady thought a Ghost Occupied her Apartment *cough Me and Sainin cough* So she barely checks up here, and forgot that I exist. Although I was somewhat starving and everything because I had no income. I was too young to know what money was at that time anyway. But everything changed when Kisuke found me wandering around for coins. I was young, he helped me. He gave me a place to work. He took care of me. He was like my father..
"Fuko-chan. Don't cry." Kisuke's voice broke me from my thoughts.
"I'm not crying," I stated and opened my eyes only to see it blurry. I wiped the blur from my eyes only to realize stupidly that I was infact crying.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked that." Rukia said quickly. I just shrugged.
"Its fine.. I.. I'm not feeling too well again.." I mumbled, putting a hand to my warm forehead. "I'm going to go.. get some.. some tea.." I mumbled and stood up slowly and walked into the kitchen.
Sainin followed after me, steading me and making sure I wouldn't fall over.
Why am I so weak?
* Kisuke Pov *
I watched as Fuko-chan walked out of the room. Her breathing was hard and she was pushing herself far too much today. Her emotions were putting a hard toll on her, and with worrying about the Shinigami and Sainin along with other issues.. She was always got sick so easily.
It was quiet for a few moments before Rukia asked, "Is she okay?" I sighed.
"Fuko-chan gets sick very easily. It not only has to do with her weak immune system, but also the stress and work that she has to do to support herself from a young age, along with other responsibilities and feelings that she isn't able to express." I stated, sadly.
"Why wouldn't she be able to express her feelings? Cant everyone do that?" Ichigo asked in confusion.
"She blames herself for the death and disappearance of her family," I said trying to keep my voice low. Fuko is amazing at seeing small details that sound almost meaningless.
"What happened to them?" Rukia whispered.
"Her father left, and her mother died and disappeared."
"That doesn't answer the question," Ichigo stated.
"She was 5 at the time. She only remebers the small meaningless details. But Her father left. And her mother died slowly about a week or so afterwards. Fuko-chan looks for people to blame but can't find anybody. So she turns to herself. Because there had to be a reason that her father left, that her mother died and disappeared."
"What do you mean, Died and Disappeared?" Rukia asked in shock.
"She died, that was for sure. Fuko is never wrong. However- when Fuko returned from her shocked state. The body was gone." Rukia and Ichigo looked shocked and terrified. I saw Fuko and Sainin walk in from the door behind him as Rukia opened her mouth to speak.
I quickly inturuppted Rukia.
"Fuko-chan! Are you feeling any better? I can let you go lay down in the bedroom if you'd like." I said clapping my hands together happily. She weakly nodded, her face was pale, and Sainin looked worried, holding her steady as she swayed slightly, he helped her to the bedroom.
"So she's sick alot like that?" Ichigo asked, confused. I nodded.
"My father is a doctor. Maybe I could get him to check her out?" Ichigo suggested.
"I'm not sure that she would approve of it." I said sighing and adjusting the hat from my head.
"Why wouldn't she?" Ichigo asked seeming even more confused.
"She's just that type of person. She doesn't want help from others at all. Even if she would die as a result of that. Her pride is too high. She's learned to survive on herself, and is probably afraid that something will happen if she relies on others too much."
"What is the worst that would happen?" Rukia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They would leave and disappear like her parents." Sainin said, coming from the doorway. His expression was serious and he sighed to himself, putting his hands over his face and looking down.
"Its alright Sainin. It isn't your fault." I told him with a sigh.
"Then whose fault is it? There has to be some kind of reason for everything." He said back, walking over and sitting down back where he had been. "I can't do anything to help her. I just exist, I've been with her for such a long time. I know her like the back of my hand. But when she's sick. When she's stubbornly sick. I can't do anything to help her." I could tell he was holding back. I'm not sure if he can remember or is just bluffing.
"Sainin, tell me. Do you remember how you died?" I asked him. He looked up in shock, removing his hands from his face. Then looked down slowly, his eyes half closing.
"I.. I don't.. but.. there are small parts that blur out more then anything else." He stated, geting a far away look in his eyes. "I was in water.. when I moved my arms or legs too much I felt something smooth. Maybe glass?" He shook his head softly. "I'm not sure. Then there was a burning in my lungs from something that was in the water. The water wasn't water before.. it was something I was able to breathe in, but something was added to it. I was burning. I was in so much pain. I heard a crash and screams, then blank." Sainin looked up from his bangs. "Nothing.. I woke up in a dumpster. My body wasn't there, only ashes. But there was this pull.. and thats how I found Fuko-chan." Sainin finished.
"Is that so?" I mumbled.
That means that he was part of it, along with Fuko-chan. Just as I had suspected. I'll let them know when things calm down. However, I won't be able to train them, since I don't know-how.
The silence took me out of my thoughts when I realized Fuko was by the doorway.
"You should go back to bed Fuko-chan." I told her. She gave me this look of confusion than anger. Oh no. "Don't tell me what to do."
"No Fuko-chan, I wasn't telling you what to do. I was just-"
"You were telling these Soul Reapers stuff to get me pitty, so they wouldn't take away Sainin." She snapped.
"Well yeah! And we're just trying to figure out why you're so angry all the time." Ichigo yelled back.
"Because I just am!" Fuko snapped angrily.
"There has to be a reason!" Rukia joined.
"Just leave me alone!" Fuko cried.
"What is the reason?!" Ichigo yelled.
"YOU DON'T GET IT! I CAN'T FORGIVE MYSELF!"
It was quiet as Fuko covered her face. "I could have done something." And she ran back into her room, with Sainin dashing after her.
I sighed.
"She's just sick right now.. Just let her cool off, go home. If she feels any better I'll send her to school." I told Rukia and Ichigo who shared a look but nodded.
That was a Nice History lesson..?
Chapter 4: Skipping School
Chapter Text
*Recap*
"You were telling these Soul Reapers stuff to get me pitty, so they wouldn't take away Sainin." She snapped.
"Well yeah! And we're just trying to figure out why you're so angry all the time." Ichigo yelled back.
"Because I just am!" Fuko snapped angrily.
"There has to be a reason!" Rukia joined.
"Just leave me alone!" Fuko cried.
"What is the reason?!" Ichigo yelled.
"YOU DON'T GET IT! I CAN'T FORGIVE MYSELF!"
It was quiet as Fuko covered her face. "I could have done something." And she ran back into her room, with Sainin dashing after her.
I sighed.
"She's just sick right now.. Just let her cool off, go home. If she feels any better I'll send her to school." I told Rukia and Ichigo who shared a look but nodded.
That was a Nice History lesson..?
*Recap-end*
Fuko Pov.
It was cold, everything was cold around me. The thick blankets on me kept the heat in, while taking it away to even it all out. It was hard to breathe and when I put my hand on my forehead, it was warm.
I have a fever.
Cracking my eyes open and glimpsing around I saw that I was in a room. Where..
Kisuke's shop. I'm in the house attached to his shop.
That's right.
I closed my eyes and snuggled up against the sheets with a silent shiver.
"You're cold?" I jumped but relaxed instantly, nodding my head slowly, taking in deep breaths to try to relax.
"Kisuke-san. May you get her some tea?" Sainin called out to the owner of the shop.
Kisuke must have replied, but I hadn't heard.
"Anything red, two sugars, and a tablespoon of honey," Sainin replied and I could feel his faint ghost-like hands run through my hair. "Fuu-chan. How are you feeling?" He asked me.
"Sick." Was the only comment I was able to use, without making him feel worse- since he already knows he can't do anything. Knowing that he can't do anything and that I feel like crap makes it worse, y'know making him feel useless.. but he's not.
"I'm kind of glad Kisuke knows I exist.. so he can help you more, Fuu-chan." He mumbled and I felt him lay down next to me.
"You always helped." I breathed out weakly, looking for his hand and grasping it weakly.
Sainin's soft brown hair flew around a little as he shook his head. "I'm nothing but a stupid ghost- I can't do anything to help you." He growled in annoyance. I shut my eyes tiredly.
"Don't beat yourself up about it.." I said quietly and gestured for him to come closer. He did and I took his faint hand.
"Fu-chan. I think they actually want to help." He mumbled and ran a hand through my hair.
"They never noticed me before, why would they care to now?" I coughed a little and closed my eyes, enjoying the darkness that came with it.
"Just rest.."
I nodded quietly and soon drifted off again.
~ * ~ * ~
"We'll come by tomorrow if she's not in school," Rukia said waving a bit to Kisuke who nodded.
"Alright!~ Bring money next time too~"
"Rukia, are we really not going to bridge him ov-Ow"
"You heard Kisuke, it might kill her, and she's only human. We can't let any humans die because of our job." Rukia said rubbing her fist.
Kisuke smiled a bit. Oh how wrong they were.
~ * ~ * ~
"I'll be fine, Kisuke-san." Fuko said giving him a deadpanned look and fixing her unusually light backpack.
"I know, I just worry, Fuko-chan." Kisuke said sighing and patting her hatted head.
"No reason to. I'll see you after school." Fuko said taking Sainin's hand and pulling him out of the room.
"Bye! Get good grades!" Kisuke called waving his hand and sighing. "She's not actually going to school." He mumbled knowingly. It was always this day of each month.
Fuko slammed the door of the shop shut and dashed off holding Sainin's hand.
When she slowed down to a stop they were near a bus stop. She walked to the bench and sat down.
A bus stopped and people were dropped off. She stayed on with her ghost seated next to her, waiting for the right bus. When it rolled off, many people got off and she got on. She sat on a bench, Sainin standing in front of her.
"So.." He mumbled. She ignored him, staring blankly at him.
People glanced at Fuko quietly. Whispers echoed around her. "Isn't she supposed to be in school?"
She sighed and took out a notebook and began to write in it. A letter.
She finished and folded it up, putting it in her pocket.
"Fu-chan. This is our stop." Sainin said and Fuko stood up, Sanin stepping aside and following after. She walked up the hill from the stop and climbed over the tall fence when she reached it.
She landed on both feet when she hit the grass, and for once, didn't fall over.
"10 outta 10." Sainin commented with a smile, giving her two thumbs up.
Fuko smiled slightly but went back to her serious emotionless look. She walked down past the trees and up the hill. She knew exactly where she was.
She walked as he floated beside her. She then realized something and smacked herself in the forehead.
"Idiot!"
"What?" Sainin asked, looking confused with a tilt of the head.
"Kisuke-san is going to give them my address when they realize I'm not at the shop."
"So?" Sainin asked.
"So. I guess I'm gonna have to spend the night here." She replied and continued walking, a red mark on her forehead from where she smacked herself. Sainin frowned a bit, worrying due to her habit of getting sick a lot.
"..Fu-chan.." He mumbled and she shook her head lowly, walking a bit faster.
"It's going to rain soon, we'd better get there fast so I can start the ceremony." She mumbled. Sainin looked at her for a moment.
"How long has it been since you've eaten?" He asked with a soft voice. Softer than usual.
She didn't reply, struggling to keep her head up high. She wanted to look down to the ground, but her pride wouldn't let her.
"Fuko," Sainin spoke in a warning.
She turned her head to look at him finally. Her eyes were glazed over in a tired look. "Please... Don't make me talk.." She whispered quietly, her voice almost cracking.
He nodded, eyes now downcast. He knew how tired she was, especially on this day.
They arrived at the large shining mansion. She was the last to make it from the whole group.
"Xiabashi-san.." A voice spoke as she shut the large door behind her. She looked up the tall shining stairwell to see a tall man, with spiky white hair, red shining eyes.
"Kariya." She mumbled in reply. He leaped down the tall spiraling stairwell of the abandoned mansion to land in front of her.
"I see you've kept Sainin alive." He stated, his red eyes flickering to the pluse soul. He licked his lips and Fuko moved in front of him.
"Don't you dare. You promised that I could keep him." Fuko said, her eyes flashing from under the shadows of her long bangs. However it flashed so quickly, that her eye color wasn't seen.
"So I did.." He mumbled and sighed, turning his body to look at the other bounts who had arrived.
"So we're here at our monthly meeting once again." Said another man. "I just wanted to make sure you were doing well, Xiabashi.. You've been aging rather.. normally.."
"I don't like the taste of that gross red stuff.. plus Sainin ages too.." Fuko replied, still being very protective of her ghost. She looked around. "Where's.. Soma-san?" She mumbled. All the men heard but purposefully ignored her. She sighed. She knew she wasn't going to get an answer.
"Oh.I can't eat him. Fuko's here." Ho mumbled, appearing behind said girl and almost messing with Sainin. She swooped around to face him.
Ban appeared in front of her, getting in between Sainin and her. "Your bangs are getting long again." Ban stated simply.
"Get away from Sainin!" She yelled and pushed both boys away from her ghost. They rolled their eyes, the identical twins putting their hands into their pockets at the same time.
"Ugh. This is why I don't name my food."
"He's not food." Fuko mumbled and held Sainin's hand tightly.
All the bounts in the room rolled their eyes and looked to one another, now mumbling amongst themselves.
"I heard there was a Soul Reaper here."
"We must be careful, we don't want them discovering us."
There began a discussion about the soul reapers and what to do.
Fuko sighed, and rubbed at her arm. She couldn't wait to get out of this meeting. However, even then she couldn't go home. She'd have to wait till the meeting was over then ask Kariya if she could stay the night.
She remained quiet, listening to the older and more experienced bounts speak. Finally, after an hour the meeting was over and people began filtering out. Fuko remained behind.
"What is it, Xiabashi-san?" Kariya asked, noticing she wasn't moving to leave.
"May I stay the night in one of the rooms?" Fuko asked simply. The mansion was quite big. It shouldn't be a problem.
"Did you not pay rent?" He asked, narrowing his eyes a bit.
"N..no I uh.. The Shinigami.. Found Sainin and are following him.. and may know where I live. I don't want to go home tonight." Fuko said simply.
Kariya slowly nodded. "Alright, and Cricket?"
"Cricket?" Fuko asked tilting her head.
"I mean Sainin."
"..He'll stay with me?" Kariya raised an eyebrow.
"..Alright. Just keep it down, this mansion isn't soundproof."
Fuko blinked a little and slowly blushed. She opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. Sainin covered his face.
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I lay in the victorian style house, floating next to my dearest Fuko.
I stared at her face and began to wonder.
Why did Kariya call me.. Cricket?
He's done that before.. And even called Fuko Jane.. Which was.. really weird..
Does he know something.. that we don't?
I sighed and closed my eyes. I wish I could be useful.
Chapter 5: Bad Day
Chapter Text
~ ~ ~ ~ *Re-Cap* ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I lay in the victorian style house, floating next to my dearest Fuko.
I stared at her face and began to wonder.
Why did Kariya call me.. Cricket?
He's done that before.. And even called Fuko Jane.. Which was.. really weird..
Does he know something.. that we don't?
I sighed and closed my eyes. I wish I could be useful.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Good Morning Fu-chan!!" Sainin called, very close to my face. I groaned a bit, covering my face.
"Sainin. I swear, it's not even morning." I whispered, but he heard me.
"Of course it is. C'mon. You need to go to school. We gotta go learn!" Sainin called happily. I stared at him in disbelief.
"We're not going to make it, school s' at least an hour walk. What time is it?" I asked and sat up with a yawn.
Sainin hovered around in a circle, putting his fingers together shyly. "..4 o'clock."
"WHY WOULD YOU WAKE ME UP THIS EARLY?" I yelled at him, throwing a pillow at him.
"I want to go to school." Sainin insited, puffing out his cheeks. I sighed.
"So go." I said and layed back down, putting the covers over my head.
"But Fu-chan!! I wanna go to school with you!"
"No."
"Fu-chaaann~~"
No don't look at him. He's doing the look. Don't look at him. You'll fall for it and then in a flash you'll be halfway in school don't do it. Don't-
I felt the covers rip back and I saw the soft blueish green eyes of Sainin.
"Shit." I felt my body begin to float. The color of his eyes were drawing me in, darkness appeared in the edge of my vision and soon it went dark.
When I awoke I was walking on a quiet road, my backpack heavy, and my bell jingling ever so slightly with each step I took. I stopped walking and stood still.
"Oh. Welcome back Fu-chan~." Sainin spoke, sounding very happy.
"Sainin, what did I tell you about using that." I ordered, my eyes narrowing, my gaze still on the ground. I felt him float behind me.
"I'm sorry." I felt Sainin's hands around me in a weak hug. "I just really wanted to leave. I didn't feel good at all staying there." He mumbled.
I sighed. "Whatever." I mumbled and unravled his weak hands from my waist. "Lets just go to school." I said, puffing out my cheeks a little. Sainin's demeanor changed instantly.
"Okay!!~" He said happily. I sighed once more and fixed the position of my bag before continuing to walk. I felt Sainin walk next to me. I wasn't going to turn to look at him. In fear of those blue-green eyes.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Oi! Where were you yesterday?!" Ichigo yelled, pointing at me. Rukia stood beside him, blocking the entrance to the classroom. I pushed his hand away from pointing at me and spoke in a cold tone.
"Move." I wasn't in the mood for his bullshit. I didn't have enough sleep, due to waking up at 4am. Its been 3 hours of walking back to my house, washing up, grabbing my stuff, then walking back to the school. My feet hurt and I'm too annoyed to be afraid.
"Excuse me?"
"You're excused." I said and pushed past the two weakly. Rukia noticed my mood and glared at me, then looked to Sainin whom was floating behind me. I sat at my desk and dropped my head onto the desk, putting my hands around my head and trying to nap for the little time I had.
"You look terrible." Rukia commented simply.
'She didnt sleep long." Sainin replied for me, and I was thankful. I could only bet Rukia gave him a confused look, so he continued. "We went to a meeting with some important people, and had to get up early to make the way back home, and then by then it was already 7."
"I hate you and your stupid pretty eyes." I mumbled, probably incoherently, but Sanin just laughed.
"Is she okay?" Ichigo asked, obviously not hearing Sainin talk before. Rukia mustve given him a look or something, because they finally left and went to their desks. At the end of class, during the break for lunch Sainin took my hand and pulled me out of the classroom, trying to get me to go the restricted roof.
I opened the door and headed to behind the loud swirling fans which let out the heat from the school. Sainin helped me down then kissed my cheek.
"You can rest now, Fu-chan. I'll just sit next to you." I nodded, still feeling dazed and tired. Closing my eyes I found myself asleep.
Sainin POV
The bell rang for end of lunch but Fuko was still asleep, and I knew I wouldn't wake her. Oh how I wish I was... Alive.. And could run my hand through her hair and kiss her properly. I sighed and heard the door open as Ichigo and Rukia stood out on the rooftop looking for.. Not us.
But they spotted Fuko resting on me and began to walk towards me. I noticed then.. They were in their shinigami outfits.
No... They won't hurt me. They can't hurt me.
"What are you doing up here? Its dangerous for a plus soul to be out here." Rukia asked as Ichigo continued looking out into the distance over rooftops.
"Fuko needs to rest. It feels safest here."
"Listen, I-"
"FOUND IT!" Ichigo yelled as he leaped off the building.
"Ichigo! Augh!!" She moved to follow him then froze. "You keep an eye on Fuko, yeah?" I stared at her and let my eyes flash into their teal color.
"You will tell Ichigo that we will meet him at Kisuke's." Rukia, as I knew she would, became robotic and nodded, and leaped off to head to Ichigo.
I ran my hand through Fuko's hair softly. I know that we are not normal. Kisuke does not know that we know, but it seems better that way. I know that Kariya knew something that we did not. Fuko and I knew about Bounts, Quincy, and Shinigami. Fuko knows she is a Bount, and I remember that I must've been one too. I don't know if we lost our memories or something. I have dreams sometimes. That I am alive and scavaging for food. Fuko finds me. But she is not kind or tsundere. She is sarcastic and sadistic and mean. I am not silly or playful. I am quiet shy and broken.
Fuko does not remember. I remember things sometimes. I pretend I do not know everything, it helps keep me low until I figure everything out. Maybe they were past lives. I can't remember.
I was a bount. I controlled a doll made of feathers, named Arisol. I think... My name was Cricket. I know that I was killed because they tried to make me a Shinigami Bount Experiment. I... I think Fuko absorbed her past live's soul, or something. I remember doctors saying such. I only remember for a while and then I can feel myself forgetting.
I don't know how long Fuko and I stayed on the roof of that building but eventually she began to wake up as the sun was setting. She blinked away her sleepyness and stared at me for a couple moments before weakly pushing me away. I let her and she sat up blushing.
"L-Let's go to Kisuke's." She muttered.
"You should eat before we go. You're too pale." Fuko grumbled an affirmation and stood up and headed down the stairs back into the school.
~ ~
Fuko slid the shop door shut.
"Welcome back." Kisuke sung.
"Thank you." Fuko mumbled.
"Rukia and Ichigo came looking for you yesterday. I told them you weren't feeling well. They pushed for your address so I had to..." Kisuke popped out from the doorway of another room, scaring Fuko and I.
"Okay." Fuko responded and I followed behind her as she walked into the kitchen and got herself a drink of water.
"Okay?" Kisuke asked popping up in the doorway of the kitchen. "You seemed like you didn't want them to know it yesterday."
Fuko shrugged. I understood why she said okay. Worst comes to worst we could rely on Kariya. He may be hiding things from us, but we trust Bounts more than Shinigamis.
"Fuko-chaaann you're hiding something from me~~" Kisuke sung and Fuko blushed.
"Am not!" She shouted childishly.
"I wonder what you're hiding from me. What could it be? You know about Shinigamis and Ghosts. What else do you know about?"
Fuko scrunched her nose up and brought her bottom lip up as she thought; a sure sign that she was thinking of a lie.
"I know about the bad monsters that sometimes attack humans, the empties." Fuko half lied. It was smooth.
"The Hollows." Kisuke corrected and Fuko nodded.
"Yeah I know about those." Fuko said and Kisuke looked slightly amused but I could tell he wasn't going to push it.
"Would you like to learn more about them?"
I couldn't tell if this was a trap. Fuko glanced at me and I gave an unsure shrug. She nodded at me and looked to Kisuke.
"I'm kind of tired. Can I just help organize things in the storage room instead?" Kisuke brought his hands up when he gave a shrug.
"Alright Fuko-chan. But if you have any questions, you can always ask me." She paused as she began walking away and turned to face him.
"How did you know about Shinigami? And everything? Where are you from?" Fuko asked, I also was pretty interested.
Kisuke laughed a little. "I lived in Soul Society for a very long time, and I was one of the captains." Fuko nodded slowly.
"Cool." She didn't know what that meant. I... I could kind of remember... What.. What was I remembering? Ugh.
I forgot.
"Sainin are you alright?"Kisuke asked me and I understood what he was asking but I... Who was Sainin?
~ ~
"Cricket?" Jane called, she looked from the corner onto the alleyway. "Cricket if you don't come out here, I'm leaving you with these villagers," Jane spoke coldly and I shivered. From cold or from being scared; I don't know. I hurried after her and held out onto her bag strap that she had slung around her shoulder.
"Why do you always insist on touching-" She looked down at me and stopped short. Her cold green eyes hardened for a second and she bit her tongue. "Fine. You can hold onto the bag."
"Jane... I didn't mean to hurt them." I mumbled. She sneered.
"Yeah I know. But I did. They were attacking you first. I should've ripped them apart." Her lip was curled in disgust. She pushed back a bit of her short brown hair.
"...Jane I love you." I mumbled, holding her bag strap a little tighter.
"I know." Jane sighed, but it wasn't a calm sigh. It was a dark sigh; a disgruntled sigh.
"Do you think you'll ever love me?" I asked, eyes watering.
She kept looking straight ahead as we walked. "...Maybe."
My heart skipped a beat. "Jane what would I do for you to turn that into a yes?"
"Just stay with me; never leave me or I'll hate you forever." She turned to look at me and her green eyes flashed. I felt myself robotically nod.
I let go of her strap and held onto her unbloodied arm. She gave me a dirty look but didn't pull away. "I will follow you till the end as long as you live and die."
Jane smiled, but it was a dark smile. A jolt of fear zapped up my spine and I felt my heart catch my throat. "Good." And I could practically hear her thoughts. 'I love having a small cricket in the palm of my hands'
I don't mind. She's done nothing but protect me from these wretched humans. One day she will love me.
I will follow her until the end of the world.
~ ~
"Sainin?" I called as I shook my best friend. He was so faint. His ghostly figure looking even... Worse than before. What if I did have to let him go? That thought pisses me off and I slapped him.
"Sainin please wake up." He sat up in a jolt and grabbed my face.
"Jane you need to run or else they're gonna get us!" I fell back with a yell as he pushed me down. "Jane listen to me you can't get caught like- - you're not... Jane.."
"Sainin get off of me. What are you talking about?" I slapped away his hand and he let go.
"Who are you and where am I?" Sainin asked me.
"I'm Fuko. Fu-ko. Y'know. The girl you always follow around and haunt because... W-we're soulmates or whatever..." AUGH I CAN FEEL MYSELF BLUSHING AND I HATE IT.
"Soulmates?" Sainin asks.
My eyes widen and I can feel the embarrassment fading into fear and then sadness. "You don't remember me? Did you hit your head too hard?" I asked softly.
Kisuke opened the door to the spare room we were in. "Is he awake?" I could feel my eyes watering.
"Kisuke-san. Sainin doesn't remember me." I can feel my heart ripping apart into dozens of thousands of pieces. Everything is getting blurry.
"Don't call me Sainin. I'm Cricket." I ignore him, clenching my hand against my heart and back off into a corner and try to keep myself... Sane.
Sainin he just. He fell. He hit his head on the way down. He'll forget me? Everything we've been and everything we were? He won't love me anymore. He'll forget about me and then nobody will remember me.
~ ~
"I'm not Sainin. I'm Cricket." The ghost says and I can feel myself frown. This is unexpected. Is the old soul remembering who he was before death; and forgetting what he had been working to be?
"Alright Cricket. Can you tell me the last thing you remember?" I ask him, adjusting my hat and taking out a seat from the desk to sit on. He still sits on the floor.
"I remember Jane and I. Running away from the Shinigami. They were exterminating us. We had eaten too much and killed too much. We were ruining the balance. Even the Quincy wouldn't help. They caught me and I fell and hurt my head. It became dark as I was telling and next thing I know I'm here on that girl."
I nodded slowly. "Cricket. You were killed in the experiments. You're a ghost right now. That girl used to be Jane. She was reborn. Her soul escaped before she could be contained like you were..." I glanced to Fuko. She wasn't listening. She was panicking. A panic attack. Shit.
I looked back to Sainin who was looking at his hands. I looked back to Fuko who was pushing herself against a wall.
I quickly flashed over to her and placed my hat over her head, bringing along a quilt and placing it on her body.
"Fuko-chan you need to breathe. Everything is okay. You're still alive. Sainin or Cricket or whatever may not remember you but they're still your soul mate. Breathe."
Her eyes started to water and I backed up away from her, leaving her in the corner as she started to cry.
"Oh Fu-chan. What are you crying for?" The ghost neared Fuko and she hicced, reaching her arms out; clasping and unclasping them. (the universal sign for picking me up/hug)
He sat down next to her.
"Fuko... My real name isn't Sainin. I mean it was. But my first name was Cricket. I remember my life before I died." He grabbed her hand and I think even he was tearing up.
"Your soul wasn't recycled. But hers was. Her soul was too fast. They eliminated you in soul society. But you still followed her here... Amazing." I mumbled. "How?"
Cricket Sainin looked at me, his hand... Looks less pale. "I said I would follow her till the end. That I would never leave her. And I won't." He was running his hand through her hair and she was still tearing up; hiccuping a little but listening.
"Sainin..?" Fuko mumbled, looking up at him. She was curled into his side.
"Yes Fuu-chan?" Sainin asked with a grin.
She reeled her fist back and punched him straight in the jaw. "IF YOU EVER FORGET ABOUT ME AGAIN ILL HATE YOU FOREVER!" She yelled...cried. Sainin winced and rubbed at his jaw.
"Of course. Anything for you, Fuu-chan." He smiled softly and she just... Cried.
I heard the door to the shop opening.
"Kisuke-san? Is someone mourning or some-" I left the room quickly to silence Ichigo. Entering the room where they were.
"Whoa where did you come from?" Ichigo yelled. Rukia was next to him; her eyes in a sort of daze.
"Has she been like this all day?" I asked, ignoring Ichigo's question. He nodded. I brought my hand up in front of her and gave a loud snap. Breaking the thin green thread that connected her to the ghost. She bolted up.
"What the?! How did I get over here?" Rukia called and pointed at me. "What the hell did you do? Wait it was that ghost. What did that ghost do?" I interrupted her before she could go any further.
"Right now Fuko-chan is having a bit of a... Er... Bad day."
"But Rukia was in a trance. She'd hop out of it every once in a while and tell us to go to see you but then she'd go back into it." Ichigo said.
"Rukia-chan what's the last thing you remember?" I asked her and she answered right away.
"I was on the roof following Ichigo and saw The ghost holding that girl. Then he looked at me and everything faded. Next thing I know I'm here."
I nodded slowly.
Hmm. It seems like she gave her ability to him before she completely passed on. Fuko as Jane never showed her eyes until she needed to control them. Now Sainin won't show his true eyes until he wants things to be done.
"Kisuke? What's up with that ghost and that girl?" Rukia asked me, grabbing my shirt. I laughed awkwardly; giving her a fake grin.
"Why nothing. They're probably just really strong humans. Just like those two friends of yours." I responded with a shrug.
I don't want to tell them anything until I'm sure that things have calmed down. Fuko may never remember Jane and that may be for the best but... Her doll still lives somewhere waiting for Fuko to arrive.
And there's always that issue of Fuko's mother and father. I have suspicions on some people from soul society But...
She's not being followed anymore. She's a lost cause. A sick experiment.
"Kisuke-san there are things you're not telling us." Rukia accused, letting go of my shirt. I smiled.
"Of course. Because I'd rather be sure of some things before gossiping everywhere." I said with a grin and Ichigo grimaced at my happy expression.
We heard a bang and falling from the other room. I ran into the room followed by the other two.
Fuko was standing up, still in her corner. She wasn't crying anymore but she had her hands over her mouth. Sainin was on the other corner of the room looking... Sort of pissed.
"She just tried to eat me!" Fuko looked around panicked and pushed herself against the wall more.
"I need to go!" She yelled and barreled past me, into the other room and out of the shop.
"Fuko wait!" Ichigo yelled and ran after her.
"Ichigo!" Rukia yelled and ran after him.
There was no point in running after her. I could run after her and reach her in seconds, but she needed to go where she would get answers.
I looked at Sainin, who was fading and reappearing a couple times. He was grasping onto his broken chain.
"They were right.. "
* * *