Chapter 5: Green

Rukia was taken aback by Luo's sudden action and was stunned to hear his words.

"I am just trying to push his soul out of his body so that he can defeat the hollow which had just happened. Let go of my hand; we don't have much time left!"

Rukia declared and slapped off Luo's hand and instantly hit Ichigo's head. Luo was about to retaliate and hit the girl back; he even sent his fist flying; however, he managed to stop his fist just moments before it collided with her face. 

He stopped because what the girl said was true. Ichigo's body just fell backwards; however, for a second, Ichigo was standing next to it wearing the same strange black outfit that he had worn the day before.

"H-hey... What is up with my body?!"

Ichigo was surprised as he could see his body on the ground. Luo calmly put his hand on Ichigo's shoulder. He was so calm that it surprised both Rukia and Ichigo.

"Hey Luo, how come you are not surprised?"

"We have no time! Quick, follow me!"

Rukia shouted and started running, dragging Ichigo with her. Leaving Luo alone on the rooftop.

"What a strange girl and artefact. These Soulreapers are most definitely no cultivators; however, they use similar techniques and items... Even their energy is similar to Qi; at least, I am of that impression so far."

He mumbled as he leaned down to pick up Ichigo's body. He put it onto his shoulder, and then, with his other hand, he grabbed his wooden sword, dropped it onto the ground, and then stood on it.

"I guess it is time for me to show something extra; I still can't trust her; however, maybe if I drop her some treats, I will also learn some valuable information in return."

Hu mumbled to himself as he sighed. Then, he slowly brought his index and middle finger close to his face. His toy sword started glowing with blueish energy, and then it slowly started ascending higher and higher. Once he was way beyond the level of his school, he started flying. Although he couldn't see Ichigo and Rukia, fortunately, he could sense his brother, and as a result, he was able to find them easily.

After a few minutes of flying, he stopped above a larger, damaged park. Looking down, he could see Ichigo standing up from a kneeling position. Seeing his brother Luo quickly started descending, and then suddenly he jumped off, landing not far from Ichigo, greatly surprising him.

Ichigo was so surprised that he jumped back and pointed his massive blade at Luo, almost cutting his face.

"What the hell, man? I could have hurt you?! I thought you were another hollow!"

Shouted Ichigo as he drew his blade back.

"Sorry. However, I brought your body back. I don't think you should leave your body hanging out like that. Others would think that you just died!"

He said it to Ichiggo; however, he was glaring at Rukia since she was the reason why he needed to bring Ichigo's body.

"Let me guess, if I were to ask how you managed to get here, you would not answer!"

Rukia asked, completely ignoring Luo's remark. He only smirked and spun his toy sword playfully.

"Let's make a deal, Rukia Kuchiki! You introduce me to the person by whom you have been given that artefact, and I will tell you a few things... Maybe even show a few things."

Luo said, pointing his toy sword at the girl who at first just stared at him and then pointed at her glove.

"You mean this one?"

"Exactly."

"In that case, sure."

Rukia finally agreed though she was reluctant. She couldn't understand why the previously secretive man seemed to have opened up so much. However, she was curious about what kind of powers he possessed.

"Ichigo, I am going to do some research; I need to see something. I will most likely not go home today, so please tell Father and the others not to wait for me."

"Erm... sure..."

Rukia and Luo left Ichigo behind, who, by the time they started walking, was already back in his body.

"I don't know what you want to do, but I don't think talking would take up your entire evening! What do you plan to do after you finish your business there?"

"Training."

"Didn't you say you were going to give me more detail? How are you planning to train? Also, then tell me what exactly you are!"

Luo sighed. He did promise that he would talk, but now he felt like instead of Rukia, some young kid stood next to him who needed an elaborate and easy explanation.

"I am a Cultivater, to put it simply. Before you ask, I use Qi in the air in order to do whatever I am doing. Yesterday, you mentioned something like spiritual pressure or whatnot, right?"

"Yes?"

"If what you have is called spiritual pressure, then the way Qi is used is quite similar. And last but not least, how am I going to train? Simple, I am going to meditate."

"What do you mean meditate?"

Rukia asked after a long pause. She needed time to process the information and to imagine how it would work.

"Just as it sounds. I sit down and meditate, nothing more, on the surface. And before you ask, I will not say anything more about it as it is quite difficult for others to understand."

Luo stated coldly. He had already enough of the questions despite barely answering a few of Rukia's questions. Fortunately for him, their destination was not that far.

Soon, they arrived at a small store. Rukie opened the sliding door and stepped in. The interior seemed to be just like the outside, an everyday, normal shop. At first, Luo could see no one, but then he noticed a man in green clothes and a green hat taking a nap on the floor. He had his hat covering his face.

As soon as the man heard that, potential customers sat foot in his shop, sat up slightly, pushed his hat back and looked at Luo.

"Luo Kurosaki, I didn't expect your arrival to be so soon. Or would you prefer if I called you Cultivator?"