3 Rukongai

Ryan moved away from the place he awoke at since those corpses from Hollows meant only danger. And he needed to get rid of his blood-stained clothes.

In general, he had a feeling that soul society put way too much importance to the central region. Also called the Seireitei. And mostly they neglect everything beyond that.

Why else could Hollow just come and go like it is a picnic here? Just snatch a snack and runoff.

Was it because of too much work? Did they fear the Shinigamis would run thin otherwise? If that was the case, it was an idiotic problem.

Just looking around Ryan could see how unbelievably poor the outer Rukongai was. Everything outside the walls of the Seireitei showed neglect. And the feeling it gave him was even worse.

Sure, the closer one came to the wall, the more comfortable became life. Or at least the easier one could survive. But that wall would still become a robust scissor that keeps apart every poor man and other downtrodden from the so-called real heaven.

Ironic, everywhere you go, it is the same. In life and death alike.

But here at this place Ryan stood at, it was even worse than he imagined. The houses were just basic wooden huts that looked like they would fall apart at the slightest storm.

Then there was the number of houses standing erect at this region. They were spars, and people didn't look too good living in them. They only lay in front of them like dying dogs waiting for their salvation.

Then again, not all souls seemed to have a hunger for food. Ryan frowned and definitely should get himself something to eat. Good thing there are forested areas close by. He could get some stuff from there.

But in the long run, it would very likely not last. Ryan wondered if the need ever would arise for him to steal food from other souls?

Well, first things first. Since he is already in Soul Society, he should get himself familiar with this district. Thinking more about it, he should be in one of the very high numbered ones. If not the least developed number - area 80?

He remembered that the Rukongai was divided into north, east, south, and west. Each was having 80 different districts with various sizes. And then there was the Seireitei with different locations and organizations like the Central Court. The Detention Cells for criminal souls or The Soul Academy. And, of course, the principal seats of the 4 Royal Families and 13 Shinigami Divisions responsible for various military and civil duties. More on the military train though.

The Soul Society had a layered society and outstretched from the Sōkyoku Hill outwards. The closer one got to the hill, the more likely it was to meet high ranked or noble personnel and people.

----

It took a while for Ryan to map out the area somewhat roughly. What he notices was that the petty crime rate was extremely high here. Children had it especially hard.

Sitting on a wooden barrel, he just chilled and listened to some people that have gathered up and started talking about something.

"Did you hear? There were a lot of Hollow attacks lately."

"Yeah, I heard that as well."

"Pah, I even saw it. When we went to forage for food, we nearly got killed. Somehow we managed to escape. Those Shinigami also came by and questioned us later."

"Damn bastards. They can't protect us properly but still have the nerve to rule over us."

"Shh, not so loud. I heard there are still some of them here. Even those big wigs with the white uniforms."

"What? For real? Damn, maybe I should change districts if this one here becomes a hell hole."

Ryan followed up to there and shifted his concentration to his thoughts instead of straining his ears.

´Looks like there are increased Hollow incidents around this area. I should investigate this. Just sitting around here on my ass doesn't suit me anyway.´

With his decision set, he followed his leads and other rumors he collected about those Shinigami to pinpoint their location.

It took a while, but he narrowed the are and soon got where they were supposed to be. That is what he thought at least.

He still did not find them, and he was slowly getting exhausted. A place to sleep would be a much better idea than running around following shadows.

But what he did not know was that it would not be him finding them but them seeing him. Or at least something catching him.

A loud shriek was heard from nearby, and a heavy pressure built itself around himself that pushed him to the ground.

"Ugh." groaned Ryan. It was this suffocating feeling again he felt when he still was alive. But it was way heavier now. He looked around and saw another pair of kids quickly run past him.

Only looking back at them he also widened his eyes. Not wasting any more time thinking about them he changed his direction, his gaze was directed at and looked back into the direction they charged from. And true enough he could see some hollows appear behind a corner some distance away and charge straight at him.

Ryan gritted his teeth and also started running to escape from them.

While he ran and used the narrow pathways between the huts to get lost of his pursuers, he came back to the main road and ran along with it. A few Shinigami passed him and seemed to engage the Hollows.

Not stopping, Ryan used this opportunity to hid inside a house quite some distance away from the fighting, hoping to get out of this little misery. In the hut, he tried to catch some breath and calm down a little.

When he looked to his right side, he could see a pair of eyes staring at him.

Ryan looked at them and also didn't say anything. He remained silent at first. It was the two kids again. "Hey, there. Are you also hiding? Then let us keep quiet until the Shinigami take care of the Hollows."

Those were their greeting words in a way.

Both of them were still scared from before but also kept an apparent calmness around themselves. At least that was the case for the girl with blonde hair. The boy with a dirtier color of blonde was freaking out much more.

"Who are you?" The boy asked with a very suspicious sound in his voice.

"Shouldn't it be you telling me your names before asking mine? Well, it doesn't matter. If we get found out, we can at least know each other's names." Ryan thought about a suitable name and looked away from them through a slit in the hut. "Jin Narukami. And what is yours?"

The boy hesitated and looked at what seemed to be his sister. She just nodded in response. "Everything will be alright. Those Shinigami will surely take care of everything. I can already hear them fight again. And my name is Matsuri Kudō."

The boy nodded as well. "And mine is Fujimaru Kudō."

Ryan took a while until he answered because he got somewhat distracted. "Pleasure. Now let's be quiet, alright? There is a big one close by."

"HAHAHA, I can hear you, delicious little snacks. And by the looks, I get a dessert as well? How yummy."

The big hollow started laughing madly with his eery voice and moved his head straight to Jin his location.

"Crap, he found us. Let's get out of here.", suggested Jin and moved to the other side of the house with haste.

But he was not fast enough. With a cracking sound, the roof above their heads was lifted and smashed to pieces by the Hollow. He won't let them escape now.

After that action, he looked at them menacingly.

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