Belonging

Ch.15 Sisterly Duties

It's a new day in Karakura town. It's morning and I'm currently cleaning up the table. The family had just finished having breakfast.

"Emiko, you mind dropping me off at school again?"

I look towards my brother as I finish up cleaning the dishes.

"Sure, when are we going?"

"In fifteen minutes." Ichigo answers as he heads up stairs with a plate of food for Rukia.

"Okay."

Drying off the dishes, I place them back in their respective places.

"Emiko."

I turn around to find Yuzu standing there with a camera in her hands.

"Yes?"

"I have a project I would like your help with. I wanted to ask you last night, but you were already asleep when I found you. Actually, you've been like that for awhile now."

Ever since the voice talked to me in my dreams, I've been trying to contact him again. So I've been going to bed early the last few weeks.

I've gotten nothing so far, but he might be related to this Jin guy the lady told Nagi and I about. Maybe Jin died and is trying to talk to me through my head.

"Emiko?"

I blink a few times as I snap out of it.

"Sorry. I'll help you. What's the project about?"

"Well...I need to take a picture of...well...a person I admire the most and I have to talk about them tomorrow in front of the class. I already got the speech part done."

"Well, if you needed a picture, why didn't you ask?"

Isshin had came from literally nowhere and began striking funny poses.

"How's this? This is my good side, you know."

"Where did you come from?" I simply ask.

"Well, actually...I was hoping to get a picture of Emiko." Yuzu shyly speaks.

Isshin immediately freezes as his brain tries to process the truth sword that just stabbed him.

"W-What?!" Isshin fake cries. "Y-You don't admire your father?!"

"Me?" I faced my little sister, ignoring the grown man on the ground.

"Yes, please."

"Okay. Where do you want to take the picture?"

"How about out front? The morning light will look great." she smiles.

"Okay."

So the two of us begin walking away.

"W-Wait! Don't ignore me~!"

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

I was sitting on the front steps, striking the pose Yuzu wanted me to do.

"Is this good?"

"Yes...hold on."

Walking behind me, she takes out my ponytail and fixes my hair to her liking.

"There, perfect."

"Well, of course."

"You know, you should wear your hair down more. It really suits you."

"Thank you. I'll think about it."

Walking back to her spot, Yuzu readies the camera. Aiming it at me, she snaps a pic. She looks the picture over and her smile disappears as she thinks.

"Is something wrong?"

"Well...can you smile for me? The pictures look great, but...I would like one of you just smiling."

"...Okay."

I smile a genuine one, causing her to smile right back. She takes a few more before she finishes.

"Alright! These look super amazing! Wanna see?"

I nod and she turns the camera around so I can see the screen.

"Isn't it perfect?"

"Of course, nothing less for my little sister."

She wraps her arms around me in a big hug.

"Thanks for the help, sis."

I hug her back, still smiling.

"No problem, Yuzu."

"...You know... You're even more pretty when you smile.You should smile more."

"...I'll think about it."

"Emiko! I'm ready!" we hear Ichigo call from inside the house.

"I have to go. Is dad going to drop you and Karin off at school today, or do you need me to?"

"No, dad will. We should be leaving in a bit."

"I see. Well, I'll see you two when you get home."

"Right."

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

"Have a good day, Ichigo."

"I'll try. Hopefully, Rukia is here already."

Ichigo told me Rukia went missing this morning. I wonder where she went.

"I'm sure you'll bump into her here. Anyway, tell her I said to have a good day as well."

"Gotcha. See ya later."

"Bye."

Ichigo heads inside the school gates as I ride off.

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

It's the afternoon now, and I'm currently finishing my grocery shopping.

Checking off the last item on my list, I tie the bags to the handles of my bike. I take a seat, and put my helmet on. Once my safety was on, I start my bike and take off.

It's a shame Isshin only let's me ride once a week. I know he's scared I'll get hurt or something, but I know how to drive. It's the people around me who don't know how to drive.

The wind rushes pass me, whipping my hair wildly behind me as I ride against it.

I love this feeling. The wind in my hair, the speed of the bike, and the feeling of freedom. I can't explain it, but I feel like I can go anywhere right now. I would love to just ride and venture into the unknown one day.

But first, I need to find my birth family. Once I do, I can finally get rid of this feeling of not knowing.

I come to a stop once I hit a red light. As I wait, I notice a shadowing of a person, on the ground, jumping next to me. I look up towards the roof tops to a weird sight.

I saw Ichigo running and jumping from roof top to roof top. He wasn't in his soul reaper form, so what is he doing?

*Beep* *Beep*

I snap out of my thoughts and begin to move. With confusion on my mind, I decide to follow him.