Tears of the Clueless

Who Even Cares?

Everything was quiet as I looked up at Yama-Sama. "What now, sir?" I asked curiously. He hummed.

"Now... You fight a shinigami!"

I blinked. "D'okay then."

"Ichigo Kurosaki!" Yama-Sama called. I blinked again and looked at an orange haired boy.

We both pointed at eachother. "It's you!"

"You were at the alley with that weird Don guy!" I yelled at him.

"You nearly gave your dad a heart attack!" He yelled back.

My grip on Lunachi tightened and I glared at him. "That man is not my dad," I snapped.

He took a step back, his hands going up in innocence. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Don't worry about it," I sighed wearily, putting my hand to my head. I pulled it away quickly to see blood on it and blinked. "Oh yeah... Forgot about that..."

"You forgot that you cut your hand open?" Ichigo repeated disbelievingly.

"Kinda," I said, smiling sheepishly.

"Begin!" Yama-Sama said and Ichigo and I got into stances.

"I don't suppose if I dodge your advances you'll run into the wall as well?" I asked, smirking. He grinned.

"Sorry, but I don't think so."

I sighed. "That's unfortunate."

He made the first move, running at me. I jumped up, kicking off the back off his head, laughing lightly.

"Not funny!" He yelled at me, pulling his face from the ground. I held my stomach, laughing at him.

"Then why'm I laughing?" I laughed. He opened his mouth, then shut it.

"Fair point," he sighed, standing. He shunpo-ed to me and I ducked, falling purposefully onto my back and kicking both feet upward, nailing his chin and making him fly back.

I swung my feet over my head, ending up in a low crouch, and ran at him as he got up.

He swiftly blocked Lunachi with his zanpakuto and pushed me back.

"Not bad," he said, rubbing his chin. "That'll hurt in the morning."

I smiled sweetly. "That's why I did it."

He blinked at me, then chuckled. "You're a funny girl."

"Thank ya," I grinned, jumping back as he appeared in front of me. I blocked his attack and kicked him away, back flipping and landing on my feet.

"Say, can I ask you a question?" Ichigo asked, getting to his feet. "This might be my only chance to."

"You just did," I pointed out. "But I suppose so. What's up?"

He blocked my attack. "Why'd your dad kill you?"

I blinked, and he took the opportunity to kick the center of my chest. I landed on my back and noticed that there was no roof. The bright blue sky was over head.

I laughed bitterly. "Well, was that a legitimate question or just a way to get my guard down?"

"Legitimate question."

"Alright," I sighed, pushing myself up. I grinned coldly at him. "Ya wanna know? It's cause I didn't match his image."

"What?" He said, confused. I jumped forward and he blocked my attack.

"My father was the perfect Japanese man, rich, handsome, brilliant. I was that girl no one liked," I said, attacking again and again. He kept blocking, but listened intently. "No friends, no life, constantly being bullied. My light hair stood out so badly it was freakish, and my eyes were much too blue to be normal. I was unnatural, a mistake!" That strike sent him skidding back. "And when my mum died, giving birth to me, it was decided that I was to blame."

He kept quiet, readying himself before jumping forward. I met him halfway and our zanpakuto collided, creating sparks. We jumped away.

"He was successful, loved, perfect," I continued. "I was just a freak, unloved, unwanted. I ruined his image. So, why not get rid of me permanently?"

My vision blurred, but I wasn't looking at anything different. It occurred to me that the cause was tears and I rubbed at my eyes, scowling.

"I'm sorry..." Ichigo muttered.

"Tch, as if I care," I said stubbornly. "So what if no one wanted me?" I attacked, and he dodged. "So what it I wasn't good enough for life?" Another attack, blocked. "So what if I was stuck in that alley for a month, alone, cold, dead?" Another attack, dodged. My vision grew blurry again, but I didn't wipe my eyes. "Who cares?!"

I blocked an attack that sent me flying. I spun a few times midair, but ultimately landed on my feet, skidding back. I sighed, tears hitting the ground. "Who cares if I cried for ten days straight? If I felt like I couldn't breathe? If I was suffering more and more with each passing second? If I felt my sanity slipping each time I tried to get rid of that cursed chain so I wouldn't be trapped there? If all I had to look forward to was people calling me evil, trying to purge me, and the smell of Death and garbage? If I wanted to die, but couldn't get over the knowledge that I already had? Who cares?"

I sighed and rubbed my palm against an eye, only succeeding in mixing blood and tears and making the combo leak down my face.

"I..." He didn't know what to say, and I shook my head.

"Sorry bout that," I said, lifting my head and looking at him. He looked depressed. "Got a bit emotional there." I rubbed at my other eye, and more red mixture dropped down my cheek. "I mean, really, who really cares about the past. What do you say we take this fight seriously, eh?"

He blinked at me, but nodded and sent a small smile. "Yeah."

"Let the crimson light flow, Lunachi!" I called. Lunachi's blade turned into white and red swirling mist.

"Getsu Gatenshou!" Ichigo yelled.

We both swung.

Our attacks met.

A bright light lit up the arena, blinding us until it dimmed. The area between Ichigo and I was a gaping crater.

"Hardly anyone's been able to match my Getsu Gatenshou," Ichigo said, impressed.

"Heh," I panted, grinning.

"You good?" He asked. I waved a hand at him.

"Don't worry. Just a bit tired." I said.

"I'd imagine so," he nodded. "A full months training, two fights, and blood loss ain't a great combo. I'm surprised you're still standing."

"Heh, heh, heh," I panted. "I'm full of surprises, you didn't know?"

He chuckled. "Lets finish this quickly, so you can get some rest," he said. "This next attack, Kay?"

I nodded, my knees wobbling as I struggled to stay up. "Got it. Just don't cry when you lose."

He smirked. "Diddo."

We jumped forward, yelling.

Clang!

Smoke and dust wafted around us, slowly clearing. We were both standing for the moment.

"Say, Ichigo?"

"Hm?"

"Why happened to my- ya know?"

"Prison, the rest of his live. They threw away the key."

"...thanks."

"Yeah."

"Damn..." I muttered, falling on my face. "I'm such a loser...."

Lunachi hummed comfortingly in my mind, and I held her tighter.

"Good job, Ali," a soft voice said. My eyes rolled to meet with Jushiro's.

"What're you talking about? I lost."

He chuckled. "No offense, but I would have been surprised if you'd won. Ichigo's beaten some of our strongest captains. You did well."

I was going to answer, I swear I was, but I couldn't. Everything went black.