[The Substitute Shinigami Arc] Part 13: The Deal

One of the things I dreaded the most happened…

Yato: 'I forgot that in the anime, Urahara was watching Ichigo's confrontation with the Hollow from afar. If my Fullbring activated to the point where Rukia noticed something, Urahara would surely suspect me.'

I knew it would happen sooner or later, but I didn't know it would happen anytime soon.

Yato: "Um…good night. Who are you?" - It was all I could say at the moment.

Urahara: "You're right, where are my manners. My name is-"

Before he could introduce himself, a large pillar of light appeared from the direction of Ichigo's house.

Yato: 'I think Rukia managed to pass on her powers to Ichigo.'

That didn't seem to surprise Urahara, after all, he already knew that would happen.

Urahara: "Well, I think we'd better leave the presentations for another time." - Urahara said, taking a few steps towards the clinic until suddenly he stopped and without turning in my direction, he said:

Urahara: "Actually, maybe they might need your help too, boy."

And with that, he started walking slowly again, not even waiting for me. I still had my doubts about him at that point, but from what little I know of the character, he wouldn't hurt me…I think.

After locking my house I decided to follow Urahara and when I arrived at the Kurosaki clinic, I came across Ichigo passed out. He wore the shinigami outfit and had a body-sized zanpakutō. Another thing I noticed was that Urahara was talking to Rukia, who had a wound on her shoulder, staining the white kimono she was wearing, indicating her lack of powers.

Urahara: "You arrived just in time."

Rukia: "You…?" - She said a little confused while looking at me. Urahara probably mentioned that "someone" would help in the situation.

Yato: "Is everyone okay?"

Urahara: "Luckily they're all alive."

Yato: "So you need help with the wounded?"

Urahara: "I already treated their injuries. Actually, the help I need from you is something else. But first I need to ask you something…"

Yato: "Right…"

Urahara: "How much do you know about the spirit world and about Shinigami?"

Yato: "A bit of the basics. She explained it to me a bit." - I said looking towards Rukia.

Urahara: "So that makes things easier. The truth is that at the moment the lady here has lost her powers and what I can provide her at the moment is a Gigai, an artificial body that will allow her to interact with humans and also be able to recover her powers gradually without being detected by any Hollow."

I took one more look in Ichigo's direction after hearing Urahara's words.

Yato: "If that outfit means anything then her powers are with Ichigo, right?"

Urahara: "Correct…You are very perceptive"

Yato: 'And you're an asshole…'

Yato: "But then you need my help to get her to fit in with the others?"

Urahara: "Actually I was going to ask her for a place to stay, and since you live next to the guy who has the can-"

Yato: "Fine."

Rukia/Urahara: "Huh?"

# Next Day | May 19 - Karakura High School, Gakuenchou - 07:30 a.m. #

I was in the classroom listening to Ichigo, Keigo, Mizuiro and Chad's conversations. Everyone was talking about the truck that crashed into Ichigo's house.

This reminded me of what happened yesterday and I confess that I found Rukia and Urahara's faces hilarious when I agreed to host the shinigami at my house. When Urahara questioned me, I just replied that if she wanted to do something against me, she would have done it already, so I trusted her.

Rukia didn't go to my house right away, as she stayed the night at Urahara's shop, probably healing her injuries and waiting for her Gigai.

Keigo: "Hey guys, have you guys heard? Today a student transferred here."

Mizuiro: "And if everyone here still remembers, our friend Yasakani-san said he would meet his wife next month."

Yato: "Did I?"

Inoue: "It's true!! And he said that last month, which means next month is today!"

Yato: "I don't remember that..."

As the conversation continued, another person approached the group.

Rukia: "Excuse me."

At that moment all the students, taken by an endless curiosity, stopped their conversations and focused their attention on the girl who had just entered the room. She, just like in the anime, went towards Ichigo.

Rukia: "You are Kurosaki-kun?"

I expected them to have the same dialogue, as Ichigo was scared to see her at school.

Rukia: "While I was coming here I heard about what happened to your house. I hope you and your family are all right." - She spoke while showing her hand to Ichigo, probably showing the written threat.

After that, Rukia came towards me, which left me quite confused. Another thing that made me even more confused was that Rukia was wearing a wedding ring…very similar to mine…

Yato: 'Urahara...'

But Rukia's next sentence left the room absurdly quiet.

Rukia: "So you're the one who's going to take care of me from today onwards? It's a pleasure to meet you, Yasakani-kun. My name is Rukia Kuchiki."