I stopped by the river to take a little fresh air. Uryu was starting to annoy me a little. Why does he insist so much on following me? It’s starting to get on my nerves. I tried to convince myself that he did it because he loved me and wanted to protect me; but it felt more like he’s stalking me, although I know he isn’t that kind of guy, is he?

The sun was starting to set and the lighting posts had already started lighting up, so I threw all my thoughts and focused on getting home soon.

Then I felt a strange presence behind me. I looked over my shoulder—big mistake! There was a man behind me, probably nearing his thirties. He wore a black suit, so I assumed he was a banker or some kind of formal worker. Obviously he following me. I didn’t think he had no good intentions whatsoever, so I ran as fast as I could—but my book bag didn’t allow me to run as fast.

The man caught up with me and violently forced me into a wall; immobilizing me. He had a cold touch that sent chills throughout my body.

“What are you doing here? So… lonely.” He licked my cheek.

In response, I defensively punched him in the face. His head turned after receiving the impact, yet he didn’t flinch, grunt, not let me go.

“Wow. You are strong girl.” The strange man slowly turned his head back towards me. “Maybe I’ll get to enjoy you a little longer.” He smiled to himself.

I was shocked. I swear I punched him with all my might—how come it didn’t hurt him. What the hell is this man?

Now he pinned me down onto the hard concrete of the sidewalk; his hands cuffed around my wrists, and his knees forcing mine together. Struggling to break free was useless.

“Hold still, my girl. It all ends here.” He said as he drew closer to me.

“Get off me, you pervert!” I yelled. I tried to force my arms off his grasp but it was impossible.

“Oh, no no no. You’ve got it all wrong.” He shook his head in disappointment. “I’m not going to rape you. I’m going to… eat your soul.” He whispered the last words in my ear. His foul breath caught up in my nose.

I froze in fear. A hollow? Could they take human form? How was this possible? It made no sense at all.

All my efforts to escape were useless, so all that was left for me was accept my fate and give in.

“Leave her alone!” A powerful male voice growled.

I immediately turned my head to the voice’s direction. To my surprise, it was Leon. He was still in his school uniform, so I assumed he didn’t return home after he left.

“Leon!” I panicked. No. Now he was in danger too! “Run, this man’s a—”

“I know.” Leon said before I could finish. He smirked.

“You…” The strange man burst out in anger. “How dare you interrupt my meal?!”

“Hmmm… You’re a rare kind of hollow, aren’t you?” Leon said, not paying attention to what the man said. “Bodysnatcher.”

Bodysnatcher? What’s that? I didn’t understand what Leon’s talking about.

The strange man growled in response as he stood up to his feet—just like a beast. I got up and backed away to the farthest corner, behind Leon.

“I’ll eat you first for interrupting. And then I‘ll take your body, this one‘s rotting anyways.” He snarled. “And you girl… I’ll save you for dessert.” He looked at me with eager eyes.

“That‘s what you think!” Leon yelled as he raised his fist. The light of the setting sun reflected in his black metal bracelet, making it glow a bright yellow. Then he slammed his fist into his chest, making... another him fly out of his body. His body fell back in front of me, staring at me with blank eyes and staid expression. I gasped in horror.

Then I looked at the other Leon. He wearing a black kimono, and he also carried a sword. He looked so different now… Even his sole presence felt different.

Now there were countless questions floating in my mind—clouding my sense of reason and logic.

“Oh. So you’re a soul reaper.” The man said. “Fascinating.” He smirked.

Then the man began to heave—like he was choking. Then, suddenly, something burst out of his chest. The empty body fell back and dark blood stained the floor.

It was to be expected—his hollow form was disgusting. It looked much like a parasite, only with arms and pointy fingers, and the head was pointy too—like an arrow. Dark green hair-like spikes came down it’s shoulders from under the skull.

“What an ugly fella you are.” Leon teased.

Then the hollow charged at him, howling in anger. Leon just stood there, one hand on the sword’s handle as the hollow approached him.

I shut my eyes closed in terror, thinking I wasn’t going to be able to bear with whatever was going to happen next. Then I heard the sound of steel grinding at great velocity and blood spluttering on the floor. I covered my eyes with my hands just to make sure I wouldn’t open them at the wrong time. I whimpered.

“It’s okay, Akira… I finished him.” Leon said softly—almost whispering. His warm hand landed gently on my shoulder.

I opened my eyes slowly. Leon was right in front of me—already changed back to his old self—smiling warmly at me.

“You’re… not hurt?” I asked in confusion.

“Don’t worry. I’m okay.” He said as he stood up. “C’mon. Let’s get you home.” He extended his hand towards me. I simply took it and he helped me get up.

I noticed the dead man’s body was still lying on the floor, and there was an awful stench all over the place. I covered my nose with my collar.

“Don’t look!” Leon warned. “It’s not something you’d like to see. Trust me.” He turned me away from the dead—rotting body. “Now let’s hurry, before someone sees us…” Leon pulled me by the arm.

We walked at an accelerated pace—almost running. When we were far enough from the scene we walked normally. I felt like a delinquent.

The sun had already set completely as we walked along the sidewalk, but it was still kinda warm.

“Why so quiet?” Leon asked.

“I’m just… confused.” I answered. “Nothing makes any sense to me right now.”

“I’m sorry, I… Didn’t tell you earlier…” Leon said.

“Don’t worry.” I said. “What is it that you didn’t to tell me? If I can still know…”

“I’m a soul reaper…” Leon said in a very low tone.

“Soul reaper?” I asked. I was sure I’d heard that term before… But what does it mean?

“I’m part of a large group of humans that have spiritual abilities to kill hollows and protect other humans—living or dead.” He explained, probably using the simplest words. “This black silver wristband helps me take on my soul reaper form, just like you saw earlier.” He showed me the wrist in which he wore it. “That’s why I never take it off.” He added.

“Oh, I see. It makes perfect sense now.” I said. “Wait… Dead? You mean spirits?” I asked.

“Yeah. Have you seen how many there are in this town?”

“No.” I answered. “I always thought spirits were invisible.”

“Oh, really?” He questioned my statement. “Look. That old lady over there. She’s a spirit.” He pointed at an elderly woman—probably in her eighties—who was just about to cross the street.

“How can you tell?” I asked.

Just then I noticed a car coming down the street, heading directly towards the old woman. I panicked. She was about to be ran over.

“Watch out!” I yelled as I ran towards the old woman to warn her, but Leon grabbed my arm and stopped me. I watched as the car ran right though the old woman—like she was a hologram. I gasped. The old woman didn’t notice it at all, she just kept walking.

“You silly girl. You almost got yourself ran over.” Leon laughed and continued walking.

“Was that supposed to be funny?” I shoved him playfully was I walked by his side.

“Nope.” He smiled back at me. Then there was a short silence between us.

“So, I take it ordinary people can’t see them, right?” I assumed after witnessing what happened just now.

“Exactly.” Leon snapped. “Otherwise that car would’ve stopped, or at least dodged her.”

“I see…” I said. I put every little bit of information together and then everything made sense.

It was exactly six-thirty when we arrived to my house. We stopped in front of my door.

“Would you like to come in, Leon?” I asked as I opened the door.

“I’m sorry, I can’t. I have to keep patrolling.” He answered in a sad tone. “May be some other day. ‘Kay?”

“Oh. Don’t worry, I understand.” I said. Probably there were plenty of hollows out there, putting the citizens in danger. I very well knew Leon wasn’t the kind of man who would sit around knowing there were people in danger.

Then Leon suddenly kissed my cheek and then he hugged me gently, but at the same time, tightly. I was completely taken aback by his sudden actions. I softly rubbed his back in response. After several seconds, he let me go.

“Take care, will you?” He said.

“You too.” I smiled.

Leon walked back right were he came from, waving his hand as he did. Then I remembered; I hadn’t thanked him yet for what he did earlier for me. God! I’m a mess.

“Wait!” I said out loud, but not yelling.

Leon stopped and turned back at me. “What’s wrong, Akira?” He asked.

“I haven’t thanked you for saving me, and for making things a lot clearer to me…” I said sheepishly. “So… thank you, Leon.”

“Don’t worry. You had no need to thank me.” He replied. “I’m just glad I had the opportunity to do something for you.” He smiled, the he continued to walk away.

“Don’t be silly.” I murmured to myself, as I watched him. “You’ve been always doing something for me, since the day we met… friend.”

—————————————————————————————————CHAPTER 7 END————————————————————————————————

Credits:

Akira Sakuta and ’Shining Diamonds’ © to me (vampireheart93, musicalfreak at deviantart)

Leon Suto is © to (flainktex at deviantart)

Bleach concept and Uryu Ishida © Tite Kubo