002. Starter

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

Summary
Ichigo has a nightmare where in which his family was deeply injured and blamed him for their condition since he became a Shinigami. He then saw Rukia who tell him that it was too late for them. He wakes up to an attack by his father as his way to wake up his son. Of course, Ichigo fights back. He then notices that Isshin’s injuries are gone. He asks what happened to his injuries, but Isshin replies that he don’t have any injury and he doesn’t know what Ichigo is talking about.

The Kurosaki family goes outside and Ichigo notices that their home is repaired. What intrigues him the most is that his family doesn’t seem to recall the attack of last night and they think a burglar who attacked their home with a truck. He wonders if Rukia has done some Shinigami damage control and if she has 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 she likes about Ichigo whom she thinks is a cold, short-tempered brat. Orihime says that he’s funny. She thinks about the funny faces Ichigo could have and she laughs, which slightly embarrasses Tatsuki.

A fellow classmate, Mizuiro Kojima, tells them that Ichigo might not come to school since he tells them that a burglar 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.

Ichigo hears someone talking to him from behind. He turns around to see Rukia wearing a school uniform. Muzuiro tells him that Rukia transferred to their school. Rukia ‘‘quietly’’ tells him, in the form of a written message on the palm of her left hand, not to speak of the prior night's events, to which Ichigo complies.

Later, Ichigo and Rukia go to a quiet area of the school where Ichigo asks her what is she doing there and why she hasn’t gone back to the Soul Society. She tells him that she has lost her Shinigami powers and she is wearing an artificial body which Shinigami use in emergency situations. She explains that she must wear it until her powers are restored and tells him that he must now take over her Shinigami duties for the time being, Ichigo refuses, saying 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 puts on a glove with a flaming skull on it, with it she removes Ichigo’s soul, which is now wearing a Shihakushō, from his body. Rukia tells him to follow her.

They arrive at Yumizawa Children’s Park where Ichigo used to see a 5 Year Old Ghost Boy who played there around 12 o’clock. Rukia tells him that she has received orders from the Soul Society that a Hollow will appear at the park and that the ghost child will likely be attacked. They hear a scream and see the ghost child being pursued by the spider-like Hollow, Hexapodus.

Ichigo tries to help the boy, but Rukia tells him to stop, asking if the boy was one of the strangers Ichigo refused to help. To which he responds that he can't not help someone being attacked in front of him. Rukia continues to explain that whether in front of him or far away the fact remains that he is being attacked. Ichigo continues to watch the attack helplessly. Rukia tells him not to help the boy because even if he did save him, nothing will matter if he doesn't become a Shinigami. She also tells him that a 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 boy, he must be willing 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 decides.

Ichigo raises his Zanpakutō, confronts Hexapodus and cuts one of the its legs. Rukia is surprised that Ichigo accepted the commitment. Ichigo plants his Zanpakutō on the ground near the boy, which scares him. Ichigo explains he saved the boy because he wanted and he hasn’t accepted any commitment because he’s not a good enough person to be able to sacrifice his life for total strangers. He reminds Rukia about what she had sacrificed to save him and then kills Hexapodus. He continues to explain that he’s not that insensitive that can live happily without paying his debts. He then decides to help her to do the Shinigami job, Rukia thanks him.

Meanwhile, a student notices Ichigo’s unconscious body lying on the floor.

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