002. Starter

Ichigo learned that Rukia has lost her Shinigami powers and he is forced to take over Rukia’s Shinigami duties to save all spirits and vainquish all Hollows.

Summary
Ichigo had a nightmare where his family were deeply injured and blame him for their condition since he became a Shinigami. He then saw Rukia who tell him that it was too late for them. He wake up only to be attacked by his father as his way to wake up his son. Of course, Ichigo fight back. He then noticed that Isshin’s injuries were gone. He asked what happened to his injuries, but Isshin reply that he don’t have any injury and he doesn’t know what Ichigo is talking about.

The Kurosaki family went outside and Ichigo notice that their home was repaired. What intrigued him the most is that his family doesn’t seem to recall the attack of last night and they think thar it was a buglar who attacked their home with a truck. He wonders if Rukia has done some Shinigami damage control and if she had returned home.

At Karakura High School, a young girl named Orihime Inoue, woke up and see that her friend, a short black hair girl named Tatsuki Arisawa, who came to talk to her. Tatsuki says that Ichigo is late and asks Orihime what does she like about Ichigo whom she thinks is a cold, short-tempered brat. Orihime says to her that he’s funny. She’s thinking about the funny faces Ichigo could have and it made her laugh, which slightly embarrassed Tatsuki.

A fellow classmate, Mizuiro Kojima, tells them that Ichigo might not come to school since he tells them that a buglar attacked the Kurosaki’s house. Then, Tatsuki became concerned for Ichigo, but the latter came finally to school, reassuring everyone that he isn’t dead. Mizuiro tells Ichigo that they have social studies for 3rd period.

He heard someone talking to him behind him. He turn around and saw Rukia wearing a school uniform. Muzuiro tells him that Rukia has tranferred today at their school. Rukia ‘‘quietly’’ tells him, in the form of a written message on the palm of her left hand, of not speaking of the events of last night, in which Ichigo comply.

Later today, Ichigo and Rukia goes to a quiet area of the school where Ichigo ask her what is she doing her and why she hasn’t gone back to the Soul Society. She tells him that she had lost all of her Shinigami powers and she is wearing an artificial body in which Shinigami used in emergency situations. She wears it until her powers are restored. She tells him that Ichigo must now take over her Shinigami’s duties for the time being, but Ichigo refuses to do it and says he only became a Shinigami to protect his family from Fishbone D and that he won’t fight for total strangers, since he’s not that nice of a person. After hearing that, Rukia put on a glove with a flaming skull on it and with it, she brings out Ichigo’s soul from his body, in which his souls is wearing the Shinigami outfit. Rukia tells him to follow her.

They arrive at Yumizawa Children’s Park where Ichigo used to see a 5 Years Old Ghost Boy who plays here around 12 o’clock. Rukia tells him that she has received orders from the Soul Society in which a Hollow will appear at the park and that the ghost child will likely be attacked. They heard a scream and they saw the ghost child being pursued by a spider-like Hollow named Hexapodus.

Ichigo tried to help the kid, but Rukia tells him to wait and if the kid was one of those strangers refused to help like he said earlier today. She also said that whether he’s in front of him or far away won’t change the fact that he’s being attacked. Ichigo continues to watch the attack helplessly. Rukia says to him to not helping the kid and that even if he did save the kid, nothing will matter if he don’t become a Shinigami. She also tells him that Shinigami has to treat all spirits equally and that he cannot just conveniently save those he can see and reach. If he wants to save the kid, he must accept to save all spirits and make that kind of commitment, even to give his life to save them. He remembers his fight with Fishbone D and decided to make a decision.

He raise his Zanpakutō, confronts Hexapodus and cut one of the Hollow’s leg. Rukia is surprised that Ichigo accepted the commitment. Ichigo planted his Zanpakutō on the ground near the kid, which make him scared, and says he saved him because he wanted to save him. He reminded Rukia about what she had sacrifice to save him and then kill Hexapodus. He says he haven’t accepted any commitment and he’s not a good enough person to be able to sacrifice his life for total strangers, but he’s not that of an insensitive person that can live happily without paying his debts. Ichigo decide to help her to do the Shinigami job, Rukia thanks him.

Meanwhile, students noticed Ichigo’s body lying around.

Characters
Characters in order of appearance:
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Isshin Kurosaki
 * Yuzu Kurosaki
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Karin Kurosaki
 * Orihime Inoue
 * Tatsuki Arisawa
 * Mizuiro Kojima
 * 5 Years Old Ghost Boy
 * Hexapodus