What Are You?

For a long moment, the night was silent save for the distant echoes of Karakura City and the soft hum of spiritual energy.

Musashi released a heavy sigh, lowering himself to sit on the ground. "I thought I felt something," he muttered, a trace of disappointment in his tone.

Mashiro let out a quiet breath, feeling a flutter of relief. She presumed Musashi was merely shooting in the dark. Yet, just as she was settling into this thought, Musashi's voice cut through the silence again, this time with undeniable certainty.

"Kazuki, did I feel wrong?"

Kazuki's posture stiffened, his surprise evident. He whispered a quiet caution to Mashiro, urging her to stay hidden. He then emerged from the shadows, stepping into the dim light. The distance between them was maintained, a buffer zone filled with the tension of two spiritual beings trying to gauge one another.

"What are you?" Kazuki's voice was laced with caution, his eyes fixed intently on the young man before him.

Musashi's face was calm, a deep well of thoughts hidden behind his stoic expression. "That's what I'd like to ask you," he countered.

He then added, "I felt something was different about you when we met this morning, but I never thought you'd be one of those people who can't be seen by others. Yet, in the morning, you were interacting with people. What are you? A ghost or demon?" His tone was defensive.

Kazuki hesitated for a split second, weighing his words. "Neither, and the ones you called 'demons' are known as Hollows. How long have you been able to see them?"

Musashi's gaze shifted to the dissipating remnants of the creature he had just defeated. "Hollows, you said? I've always been able to see ghosts. I thought it was a curse. It's only recently that these... Hollows began to appear. At first, I thought I was losing my mind. I tried to ignore them. But when I saw one about to harm a child, I couldn't stand by. It was overpowering, and I was no match. At the brink of my demise, though, I felt a connection with my sword, and with it, an inexplicable surge of strength."

A word sprouted in Kazuki's mind in that second, although he didn't know where it came from. He was certain that this was his first time hearing this word, let alone knowing what it means, "Fullbringer." He mused, then asked, "Does your power originate from your sword?"

Musashi mused, then shook his head. "The sword's power originates from me, and mine from the sword. I don't know how to explain it."

Kazuki nodded. Of course. How could a mere object give power? The strength clearly radiated from Musashi. Nodding again, he motioned towards a rooftop, indicating a spot where Musashi wouldn't be exposed to the prying eyes of the locals. Given that most couldn't see Shinigami, this would provide a discreet location for their conversation.

Once settled atop the roof, with the vast expanse of Karakura City sprawling beneath them, illuminated by a myriad of lanterns, Kazuki began, "I am a Shinigami."

The word, which translated to 'god of death,' immediately put Musashi on the defensive. He tensed, his hand drifting toward the hilt of his sword, clearly misconstruing Kazuki's purpose.

Kazuki chuckled, noticing Musashi's reaction. "Relax. I'm not here to harm you or take you anywhere." He leaned against a nearby chimney, his silver hair gently ruffling in the nighttime breeze. "Let me explain."

Musashi, though still wary, settled down slightly, indicating for Kazuki to continue.

"The term 'Shinigami' often strikes fear in those who first hear it, but we're not harbingers of doom or agents of some malevolent deity," Kazuki started, his tone soft yet authoritative. "We're guardians, tasked with ensuring the balance between the living and the spirit world. We help lost souls find their way to the afterlife and defend both realms from the Hollows you've encountered."

The cool night air filled the gap in their conversation as Musashi processed this. He glanced at Kazuki, searching for any hint of deceit, but found none.

"Then what are Hollows? And why do they appear in the living world?"

Kazuki sighed, the weight of his duty evident. "Hollows are lost souls that have been corrupted, either by their own negative emotions or by other external influences. Instead of moving on to the Soul Society, a place where souls rest and find peace, they linger, becoming twisted, vengeful entities. They prey on other souls, driven by insatiable hunger and anger."

Musashi absorbed this, his gaze turning distant. "And these Hollows... they're not exclusive to Karakura City?"

"No," Kazuki replied. "They can appear anywhere there are concentrations of spiritual energy. But Karakura City seems to have an unusual magnetism for them."

A thought crossed Musashi's mind, his focus sharpening. "Why did they start appearing to me only recently? And how come I can fight them?"

Kazuki observed him for a moment before answering, "I believe you might be a Fullbringer. It's a term that's new even to me. But if I'm right, it means you've manifested spiritual abilities due to some unique circumstances from your past."

Musashi thought but found no memory that would make sense in relation to Kazuki's explanation. Still, the resonance of the words struck a chord deep within him. He glanced at Kazuki, trying to gauge the Shinigami's intent, but found none of the anticipated pity or condescension he'd expected. Instead, there was a silent understanding, as if Kazuki too had once walked a path of uncertainty and revelations.

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