Ichigo Awakens

The Promise of the Shield

(Late one night)

Three people gathered together near a construction site, two normal everyday teens and one of worthy note, sitting around a small bird cage housing a small yellow parakeet. The two others were discussing what to do with the helpless bird, one that was apparently cursed as every owner it had had died, while the large half Mexican watched the bird with a curious gaze.

'There's something odd about this bird.' He thought to himself, sensing another presence nearby. 'Maybe Ichigo will know something.'

"Hey Chad," one of the other kids said, "why don't you take him? Isn't he cute?" He teased the more spiritual aware man, hoping to pawn the possibility of the curse on someone else.

"Hey man that's not fair." Said the other while Chad heard a strange groaning. "You know Chad's got a weakness for small animals." The bird began to freak out suddenly, causing Sado to look up and see a thick steel beam falling towards them. It was times like this that he was grateful for joining his orange haired friend in his training. With the heightened physical abilities he gained through that intense training he caught the falling metal with little trouble. Holding the mass of steel in his hands, resting on the top of his spine, he saw a shadowy figure quickly flee the scene.

'I recognize this aura.' He thought to himself as he threw the steel beam away, feeling no strain from the normally demanding task. 'I definitely need to talk to Ichigo about this.' "Are you guys okay?" He asked his two friends.

"Uhhh, yeah."

"Are you fine Chad?"

"Thank you for saving me." The small bird said in a young childish voice. "My name is Yuichi Shibata. What's your name mister?"

"Sado, Yasutora." He told the little parakeet, unsurprised by its display of intelligence. 'Maybe that Soul Reaper can help too.' He thought before picking up the cage and leaving for his home. "See you guys."

(The next day at school)

"So how was your first outing as a normal girl?" Ichigo asked Rukia. They were on the roof of the school for lunch, passing by the time by cloud watching and some light conversation.

"We talked, had dinner, and went to bed." She quickly responded, somewhat agitated. "Nothing much." She didn't want to think about the night before, that she enjoyed herself more than she'd like. Obsessing over Orihime's adorable plushies, hearing some of Ichigo's own embarrassing past as a crybaby. She had fun but at the cost of neglecting her duties, even if it was just for one night. She felt like she failed in a big way because of this. She did understand Ichigo's reasoning but it still left a bad taste in her mouth. Here she was, a Shinigami many times Ichigo's age, one of the top of her class at the Shino Academy, someone that should not be having this much trouble, and she's just as helpless as she was back in the slums of the Rukon district. She can't even figure out how to drink her juice box.

"Here, watch." Ichigo said as he showed her what to do. There it was again, that feeling like a helpless child, but she didn't mind the teen, she liked and hated how much he was like her old mentor. It helped and it hurt. "Hey Mizuiro." Ichigo greeted his black haired friend.

"Looks like you two are together again." The named Mizuiro greeted. "You two seem pretty chummy."

"I told you already. She's an old family friend that's staying with us for the time being." Their cover story, Rukia's family were close with Ichigo's and they used to spend time together. Seemed lazy and that no one would buy it, but they were dealing with teenagers and they usually don't care anyway. "Do we look like we're 'chummy'?"