Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 31

"And that's why I think they should train together. Does that sound like a good plan?" Izuru finished, having given Rukia the rundown of his thoughts of Hachi training Orihime. In his hands was a bag full of medical supplies, vitamins, and calorie-dense food for Ichigo. The pair were on their way to where Rukia vaguely remembered Ichigo's training was supposed to be.

It was tricky. Wherever Ichigo was, his spiritual energy was hidden to the point where instead of looking for 16-year-old Ichigo, they were trying to sense 3-year-old Ichigo. 13 years is a long time to forget what a Quincy-Soul Reaper toddler's energy is supposed to be!

Rukia nodded quickly. "I think having Hachi train Orihime would be even better than having me do it! Their powers are similar!"

"I would assume so. Hell, I didn't even realize you were supposed to be the one training her," Izuru muttered, turning a corner into a semi-familiar alleyway. "No offense, but you ladies use two very different fighting styles. It's the equivalent of a cleric being trained by a fighter. Orihime may learn how to punch, but she's meant to sit at the back of the party and be the tether between life and death for her team."

"Yeah, we wouldn't get very far..." She sighed, the class-type references flying over her head. "At this point, Hachi should have met her, right?" She recounted her memories, which Ru-Ru was dusting them off at break-neck speed. "No, too far off. We should introduce them then... Because I don't think he would agree to it right away without realizing her power and potential." She nodded and crossed her arms.

"I mean, we're almost there. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to ask him to at least meet the girl. Out of all of them, he seems the most reasonable... unlike the hag-child."

Rukia snorted. "Hiyori."

"Yeah, yeah- oof," Izuru grunted, walking face first into a barrier. "What the-?! Rude! Oi! It's us again!"

Rukia poked the barrier, marveling at how her finger bent against it. "It's like her shields." She said softly. "You think we can walk through it? Like Orihime does?"

"I don't know. I almost broke my nose on it," Izuru muttered, rubbing his face and unsheathing Wabisuke. "Think if I make it heavy enough, it'll fall apart?"

"That or it'll sink into the ground... crushing everyone inside. It's a Hachi-barrier, they're incredibly strong." Rukia reached over and gently pressed down on Izuru's wrist, lowering his stance.

"Ugh, fine." He put away his Zanpakuto and proceeded to knock Shave and A Haircut on the barrier.

Rukia snorted and looked around. The barrier was basically invisible, but they could feel that it was there. Why hasn't a normal human stumbled upon it? Or a bird.

"Oi." A familiar voice barked at them from inside. "What the hell are you doing here?" The small blond-haired girl from before was standing inside, still wearing her red jumpsuit and sandals. Her hairstyle hadn't changed one bit.

Meanwhile, Izuru and Rukia were in their gigai disguises. Izuru sporting his black turtleneck and trench coat combo with combat boots instead of his dress shoes, which helped flatten his pants. To add to the "cool" factor, Izuru had added a silver watch over black gloves and a large pair of sunglasses.

Rukia was wearing slim-fitted jeans and a cute floral top that had a purple and pink gradient. They were a pastel tone, rather than darker tones. On her feet she wore her favorite pair of purple sneakers. They almost looked like Converse but were far more comfortable.

Once again, they looked like a father-daughter duo.

Hiyori ground her teeth. "You guys again! What are you doing here?" She was trembling slightly, as though she were attempting to hold herself back.