Cursed Parakeet

When Yasutora Sado recieves the Parakeet which contains the soul of a boy, it is up to Ichigo and Rukia to protect him from the Hollow that is after them.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: October 26, 2004
 * English Airdate: September 29, 2006
 * Opening Song: *~Asterisk~
 * Ending Song: Life is Like a Boat
 * Manga Chapters:
 * English Name: And Your Bird Can Speak
 * Arc: Agent of the Shinigami arc

Summary
Chad and his friends are hanging out at night. One of his friends has a bird and is talking about how everyone who's owned it has died. He offers it to one of his friends, who declines and then his friend tells him to just leave the bird somewhere. He says that that would be too cruel and asks Chad if he wants it. The friend who doesn't have the bird tells him to stop because he knows Chad has a weak spot for cute things. A metal beam starts to fall right above them and the bird goes crazy.

In Hueco Mundo, a Hollow is talking to a bunch of other Hollows about consuming souls and then goes on to say that Shinigami souls are the most delicious.

Chad stops the beam with his back saving his friend and the beam is bent on his back. His friends stare at him confused and ask him if he's okay. He says yes and then the bird thanks Chad. The bird introduces himself and asks Chad his name. His friends comment on the bird talking like a real person and it asks Chad his name again. He answers with blood dripping from his head wound and the beam still on his back. One of his friends says that Chad is interested in the bird.

Ichigo says that his wound from his fight with Orihime's brother healed quickly and Rukia brags that she received the best grades in the class. He asks if there is a school for Shinigami. Rukia says, "You could call it that. Now, how do I drink from this thing?" Ichigo teaches Rukia how to drink from the juice box.

One of Ichigo's friends comes over and makes a remark about how Rukia and Ichigo are together again. Ichigo tells him to shut up and his friend says that people will think they're a couple. Ichigo tells him that if he cared about what people thought he would've dyed his hair black and his friend says that true. Rukia is still fascinated by the straw and Ichigo's friend asks her how she is. She says hello and then Ichigo tells Rukia to be careful because his friend's a player. His friend says that that isn't cool and tells Ichigo that older women are more his style anyway. Ichigo adds on to what he said earlier and Rukia is still preoccupied with opening her juice.

Keigo comes over with his lunch and asks how Rukia, the "hot" transfer student is with them. Ichigo's friend says that Ichigo picked her up. Ichigo denies it and Keigo compliments him. Ichigo tells him it's no big deal and then Keigo introduces himself to Rukia. Rukia says hello and Keigo gets excitedly says, "Lunch Party! Right here, right now!" Keigo tells her if she needs anything he's there for her and she asks him to open the juice box.

Ichigo says hi and asks Chad why he had bandages. Chad explains that a steel beam fell on his head and that a motorcyclist ran into him. Some of the friends comment and Ichigo asks what he's made of. Keigo asks where Chad got the bird and the bird introduces himself. Ichigo and Rukia both notice something suspicious about the bird. Keigo is amazed and talks to the bird. Ichigo asks where he got the bird and Chad says that someone gave it to him. Keigo complains that Chad cut his story short and Chad sits down. Keigo keeps going on and Rukia tells Ichigo that he's right there is something in the bird. Rukia tells him that she doesn't think it's evil, and tells him that they'll have to perform a Konsō (soul burial) tonight. Ichigo complains about having another sleepless night and Rukia tells him that it doesn't help to complain. Rukia thinks to herself about how Ichigo is acting like a Shinigami and he opens a juice box for her.

She thanks him and tells Rukia how he met Chad. He says that because of his hair he'd get into fights and that he was in a fight where they guys beating him up meant business. Ichigo stops the guy from punching Ichigo and then takes a bunch of hits without even trying to defend himself. Ichigo says how Chad never fights back and Rukia says that he is odd. Rukia says that the juice is good.

Ichigo gets home and Karin pushes him out of her way telling him to move. Ichigo asks what's going on. His little sister tells him that there was a big car wreck and his dad is in another room talking on the phone. Ichigo greets his dad and asks if he can help. His dad says, "No, just assume the fetal position and stay out of the way."

Yuzu and Karin are holding up Chad who is wounded. Ichigo's dad comments on his size and tells Ichigo to get to work. He notices that it's Chad and remembers the bird. Ichigo's dad is analyzing Chad's wound and fixing it up. Ichigo senses something strange. Chad tells his dad that that's fine and thanks for the help. Ichigo's dad tries to tell him that he's lost blood but in the middle of his explanation Chad falls to the ground. Ichigo's dad tells Yuzu and Karin to get a bed.

Ichigo goes to Rukia and asks if she felt it. She tells him she felt it all the way in the other room and says that it reeks of a hollow.

Ichigo comes down and Yuzu says that breakfast is ready. Ichigo asks if Karin is up yet and Yuzu answers that she said she wasn't feeling well. Isshin bursts in and announces that Chad is missing.

Rukia asks Ichigo if he has any idea where Chad would be. He says no and asks if there is any info on hollow. Rukia says no and explains through drawings that hollows can hide in a world between the human world and the Soul Society (Hueco Mundo). Ichigo asks how he could understand by the kindergartener drawings and Rukia hits him. He says that he understands that the hollow is searching for Chad to eat his soul. Ichigo asks if they could use Chad's bird and Rukia says that it's impossible. Ichigo starts searching for Chad's bird and Rukia asks him what the sensation she's feeling is.

Chad is with his bird at a construction site and his bird is telling him that everyone who has ever owned him has had bad luck. Chad says that he knows and the bird says that he's sorry for not telling him. Chad says that it's okay and the bird tells him to abandon him because he's in danger. Chad tells the bird that he can't do that.

Karin gets out of bed and says that she has to tell Ichigo something.

Rukia explains how impressive it is to hone in on the bird's spirit from so far away and Ichigo grabs a spirit ribbon. Rukia is impressed by Ichigo being able to see spirit ribbons and wonders if he's really developing that quickly.

The bird tells Chad that he is in danger and Chad tells him that he can handle it. The hollow jumps down and Chad runs away with the bird in his hands. He tells the bird not to worry and he jumps out of the window.

Ichigo and Rukia see Chad and he tries to stop him. Karin calls to Ichigo and asks what she's doing there. Karin falls to her knees and Ichigo goes to Karin. Rukia tells him that he needs to get Karin home so that he'll know she'll be safe and that she will handle them. Ichigo tells her that she can't do that and she tells him that if he didn't bring her home he'd be distracted when fighting the hollow. Ichigo tells her that she isn't strong enough to fight a hollow alone and she tells him that a veteran Shinigami never takes unnecessary risks.

Ichigo is carrying Karin and tells her that she'll be fine. She explains to him that the boy in the cockatiel has been through too much pain and that his mother was murdered.

Rukia is running and thinking to herself how bad her gigai is. She stops and hears a hollow say that she smells good. The hollow is holding her leg and he says that she smells delicious. She frees herself and the hollow says that she's tougher than he thought. He says that her seeing him clearly makes him curious and she knees him in the chin. She swings around on to his back, jumps off into the air, and chants a spell. She says she got her powers back.

Chad's bird tells him that the hollow is attacking Rukia and that it's going to hurt her. Chad tells the bird to stay because he's going to help her. The bird tells him not to go but Chad goes anyway.

Rukia is facing the hollow and says that the spell didn't even hurt him. The hollow knows by the spell that she is a Shinigami and says that hers was so weak that it had no bite to it. Rukia tells herself that her Kidō hasn't returned yet and the hollow realizes that she's lost her power. He tells Rukia that he's already eaten the souls of two Shinigami who tried to help the boy in the bird pass on and that they were "mighty good eating." She asks him why he pursues the kid and he says, "I might be more inclined to give you an answer if you were to give me a little nibble." Rukia calls him hollow scum and the hollow starts laughing.

Karin is shaking in Ichigo's arms and is telling Ichigo to help the boy and to tell him that if he passes on he'll be able to see his mother.