After the abysmal meeting (Y/N) and Ichigo had to attend with the other Shinigamis, they decided to attend school for the first time in a month. (Y/N) had to admit, this was the first time he genuinely felt like skipping. Sure he got good grades, but obviously he was massively behind in terms of schoolwork. He didn't doubt he could learn it all in a short amount of time, but he wasn't sure how the school would take his horrendous attendance.

The moment Ichigo and (Y/N) got to class they were immediately scolded by their homeroom teacher.

Teacher: Kurosaki... (L/N) It's been a while since I've seen you two... Hasn't it? I was sad. I didn't think that you wanted to graduate. Amazing... What do you have to say?!

(Y/N) thought this was the only lecture he would've gotten that day, however he had to admit, the other lecture actually stung.

As Ichigo and (Y/N) made their way down one of the hallways after class they were approached by Mizuiro and Keigo.

Keigo: Ichigo! (Y/N)! It's been a while...

Mizuiro: It's really has! What have you two been doing during the month you took off? We were worried about you both! None of you answered your cell phones, either.

Ichigo: Sorry... We were a little busy.

(Y/N): Yeah, family stuff. Our family's are pretty close so we were both affected by it, you know?

Mizuiro: Oh yeah! I was able to get some tickets for the screening of Bad Shield .

(Y/N): When is that?

Mizuiro: Huh? It's December th...

Ichigo: All right... We'll come back by then.

Mizuiro: Huh?

(Y/N): Thank you, Mizuiro.

Mizuiro: Come back by then?

Before Mizuiro could question what they meant, Tatsuki called out towards the two boys from the other side of the hallway.

Tatsuki: Ichigo! (Y/N)!

Ichigo: Tatsuki...

(Y/N): What is it, Tatsuki?

Tatsuki: Orihime's gone! She's not at home or anywhere! Her presence has disappeared! I've been looking all over the place, but she's not anywhere! You two know where Orihime went, don't you?



Ichigo: What do you mean? Why would I know?! Besides, did she really disappear? Look for her again...

Tatsuki gripped Ichigo by the collar in anger.

Tatsuki: Cut it out! I've always been able to sense her, but her presence has disappeared! I can't sense her nearby! For a while, I could only faintly sense her... It was as if she was on the other side of some wall. But yesterday, she suddenly vanished! You two know something, don't you?!

(Y/N): Hey Tatsuki, calm down-

Tatsuki: You don't have any room to talk (Y/N)! You're just as guilty!

Ichigo: Stop being so pesky! I told you, we don't know!

Tatsuki: You think I don't know, don't you? I've seen you! Both of you! You wear a black kimono! And you fight strange people!

(Y/N) was caught off guard. So Tatsuki was fully in the know about him and Ichigo being Shinigamis.

Tatsuki: That's enough... Tell me everything you're hiding.

Ichigo: This doesn't concern you.

At that exact moment, Tatsuki threw a punch at Ichigo, sending him into the window that was right behind him.



(Y/N): Tatsuki, that was uncalled for!

Tatsuki turned to (Y/N) in anger

Tatsuki: What exactly am I?! What am I to you?! Aren't I your friend?! I've saved you many times when you've cried! I've seen you troubled many times! I've saved you many, many times! So don't hide things from me...

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(Y/N): *signs* You're right...

Ichigo: What are you doing?

(Y/N): Tatsuki pretty much knows the secret, and besides, she is just as worried as we are. I think she deserves to know.

Ichigo: She'll just worry more if we did tell her the truth!

(Y/N): At this point she'll worry either way.

Ichigo: *sign* Fine...

(Y/N) turned to Mizuiro and Keigo

(Y/N): Sorry to bother you guys, but can you help Ichigo to the nurse's office?

Mizuiro: Yeah, of course.

(Y/N) turned to Tatsuki.

(Y/N): Ichigo probably wouldn't say anything... Follow me, let's not talk about it here...

(Y/N) grabbed Tatsuki's hand and took her to the rooftop. He didn't want anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation.

https://youtu.be/3qFEZIG31ZQ

The moment they got to the rooftop, Tatsuki wasted no time in getting answers.

Tatsuki: Now then, what's going on?

(Y/N): Tatsuki, how much do you know about spirits, or rather, the supernatural in general?

Tatsuki: Huh?

(Y/N): If what you said was true about seeing me and Ichigo in "black robes fighting weird people" then you can at least see spirits. Am I right?

Tatsuki: Y-Yeah, but how does my seeing you two dressed weirdly give that away?

(Y/N): Those are outfits me and Ichigo wear when we become Shinigamis. And before you ask what that is, A shinigami's job is to guide troubled souls to the afterlife. Their second job is to fight monsters known as Hollows. Hollows are created when a soul stays in our world for too long or if they are corrupted by other Hollows. We purify those Hollows so that they can become normal souls again and pass on.

Tatsuki: W-wait a minute, this is a lot to take in. How am I supposed to believe all of this?

(Y/N): You had an encounter with a Hollow yourself, though I'm not entirely sure you remember what happened.

Tatsuki: Huh?

(Y/N): A few months ago, the school got attacked by a hollow that turned the students to his own minion. He injured you and Chizuru in the process, but me and Orihime took him out together.

Tatsuki's eyes widened, she vaguely remembered those events but she chalked it up to being a dream.

Tatsuki: W-wait a minute... You're telling me I didn't dream that? That was real? But I was badly injured! When I came through I felt just fine!

(Y/N): Because I healed you. As a Shinigami, I have the ability to heal injuries.

Tatsuki: Then how am I able to see spirits?

(Y/N): Yeah. Hell broke loose on the entire town that day. Me, Ichigo and Uryu had to work together to clear things up. On that day Orihime and Chad gained supernatural abilities. There's a possibility your ability to see spirits came on that day as well.

Tatsuki: No, I've been able to see spirits before that day.

(Y/N): Huh?

Tatsuki: The first time I remembered seeing spirits was one day when I visited Orihime's house. I vaguely remember seeing this monster, probably one of those hollows you talked about. And then I saw Ichigo, wearing that robe of his. He took on the monster. I don't remember much after that, but ever since then, I've been able to see them.

(Y/N): Then that shouldn't have been too long before the attack on the school. Me and Ichigo became Shinigamis on the same day, a few weeks before summer vacation started.

Tatsuki: Huh? That explains why you guys seemingly all had plans for the summer. So you're saying all of you are Shinigamis?

(Y/N): No, just me and Ichigo. Chad and Orihime are humans with supernatural abilities that came about when they were attacked by a hollow. After much exposure to me and Ichigo's powers they came into their own special abilities different from ours. Uryu is a bit different. He's human as well but his powers are different from Orihime's and Chad's. I guess you can say Uryu is the very antithesis to me and Ichigo. While me and Ichigo purify the hollows, Uryu completely kills them.

Tatsuki: O-okay, so let me get this straight: You and Ichigo are these supernatural beings that guide souls to the afterlife and fight demons, and Orihime and Chad gained powers from these monsters. You four, along with Uryu, have been defeating these "Hollows" together to protect everyone? Is that correct?

(Y/N): Yeah, that's the gist of it.

Tatsuki: I see. So that brings us to the main question. Where's Orihime?

(Y/N) signed after hearing the question. He wasn't sure how to break the news to Tatsuki.

(Y/N): We know where she is, but not exactly how to get there...

Tatsuki: What do you mean?

(Y/N): I'm sorry but I'll need to give you more exposition before I can give you a full answer.

Tatsuki: I have all day.

(Y/N) then proceeded to give Tatsuki a rundown on Hollows, the Soul Society and what little info he knew about Hueco Mundo.

(Y/N): In short, these newly evolved Hollows, the arrancars, kidnapped Orihime because they wanted her power. However, because they're in a realm we've never been to before, we don't know how to exactly get there.

Tatsuki: So, what do we do?

(Y/N): We? You mean me and Ichigo? You're not getting anywhere near that place.

Tatsuki: You can't just exclude me! Orihime's my best friend! I can't just leave her-

(Y/N): Just because you can see the supernatural doesn't mean you automatically get super powers. Look at me and Ichigo. We've seen spirits our entire lives and we didn't have these abilities until they were practically given to us. We can't just bring you along because you "want" to be there.

Tatsuki: Are you saying I'll just be in the way?

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(Y/N): Yes... You will. It hurts to say that Tatsuki, but I can't bring you into a fight with people who can level cities with ease. You have no way of protecting yourself against them.

Tatsuki teared up at (Y/N)'s harsh words.

Tatsuki: ...So I just have to sit here and do nothing? I'm really just that useless...

(Y/N): ...In a fight against supernaturals, you can't do anything... I'm sorry...

Tatsuki dropped to her knees in full blown tears. She knew she couldn't do it but hearing it for herself hurt her the most.

(Y/N) kneeled down and gave his friend a big hug, comforting her.

(Y/N): Don't be upset, Tatsuki...

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(Y/N): Hey, can you do me a favor? Don't lose faith in me and Ichigo... We "will" save Orihime. That much I can guarantee.

Tatsuki glanced up at (Y/N), seeing the determined look on his face. Tatsuki was stunned before giving a nod.

Tatsuki: You better. *wipes tears* I'm holding you to that promise.

(Y/N): I wouldn't forgive myself if I did. Now, let's go. I need to brainstorm some ideas to get into Hueco Mundo, and then I need to gather a team that can help me and Ichigo rescue Orihime.

Tatsuki: Well I'll let you get to it. I'll see you later.

Tatsuki then started to walk towards the exit of the rooftop. Before she left, turned around one last time.

Tatsuki: Oh and I forgot to say. Thanks for telling me the truth, (Y/N).

(Y/N): It was the least I could do.

Tatsuki then left the rooftop. (Y/N) took a moment to organize his thoughts.

(Y/N): Alright, first things first, meet up with Urahara: He may know how to get to Hueco Mundo. Second, Test whether or not I can use either the Garganta or the Negacion. Those seem extremely useful, especially traveling to and from Hueco Mundo. It may come in handy even after we rescue Orihime. Third and finally, last minute training depending on how long it may take to create a pathway between Our world and Hueco Mundo.

*signs*

Alright, let's get going.

To be continued