Bleach: Forge Your Fragmented Soul (FYFS)

Chapter Five: Streams (Part Two)

Masuo took a step back, his mind reeling. "So that's what that... thing was? The monster I couldn't see?"

Rukia nodded. "Precisely. And it's a Soul Reaper's duty to exterminate Hollows and guide lost souls to the Soul Society, the afterlife."

Masuo's hands clenched into fists, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "And what does this have to do with me?"

Rukia turned to Ichigo, ignoring Masuo's question for the moment. "Normally, this wouldn't concern humans at all. But thanks to Ichigo," she said, her tone sharp as she shot him a pointed look, "things are far from normal."

Ichigo groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Oh, here we go again. This is somehow all my fault, right?"

"Yes, it is," Rukia replied bluntly. "When I transferred my powers to you last night, you didn't just borrow them: you absorbed nearly all of them. That's why you're able to see Hollows and why I can't return to the Soul Society. Until my powers return, you're the one who has to take on the responsibilities of a Soul Reaper."

Ichigo threw up his hands in exasperation. "I already told you, I'm not interested in playing Grim Reaper for people I don't even know!"

Rukia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "You don't have a choice. You've already stepped into this world. Ignoring it won't make it go away."

Masuo's frustration boiled over again. "Okay, hold on," he said, stepping between them. "Let's say I believe any of this, which I'm still not sure I do. You're telling me Ichigo is some kind of supernatural warrior now, and that's just... fine? What about me? Why could I feel that thing last night? Why could I hit it? I'm not a Soul Reaper, am I?"

Rukia studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "No, you're not. But your actions last night suggest you have a strong spiritual presence. That's likely why you were able to sense the Hollow and interact with it, even without seeing it."

Masuo scoffed. "Great. So what, I'm just a bystander who gets dragged into this because I happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?"

"You're far more than a bystander," Rukia said, her tone firm. "You've already proven you have potential. Whether you like it or not, you're connected to this now."

Masuo opened his mouth to argue, but Ichigo cut him off. "Look, Masuo," he said, his voice unusually serious. "I don't get any of this either, okay? But if what she's saying is true, then maybe you should stay out of it. The last thing we need is for you to get hurt again."

Masuo narrowed his eyes, his frustration mounting. "Stay out of it? Ichigo, I was in it. I fought that thing with you, and I'm still standing. I'm not going to just sit on the sidelines while this kind of crap is happening."

Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."

Rukia stepped forward, addressing both of them. "Enough bickering. Whether you realize it or not, the world of the living and the spiritual world are intertwined. Hollows will continue to appear, and they won't wait for you to be ready."

She turned her gaze to Ichigo. "As for you, you don't have the luxury of saying no. The power of a Soul Reaper is yours now, whether you want it or not. You'll learn to use it, and you'll do your duty."

Ichigo glared at her but didn't respond. Masuo crossed his arms, his jaw tight as he mulled over everything she'd said. The weight of the conversation settled over them, the reality of their situation finally sinking in.