Memories of Somebody

"I don't remember many things about my life. I know that I'm a soul reaper, but that's practically it. I don't know which squad I'm in. I don't remember how I got my Zanpakuto. I know that I had parents, but their appearances change all the time. I know my name is Senna, but that's it. Why can't I remember anything?" said Senna.

"Senna!" exclaimed Kuroi.

Senna turns her head and sees Kuroi running towards her.

"You're so persistent," said Senna.

Senna turns and runs into a shopping center. Kuroi quickly follows behind the mysterious girl. The girl stops to look inside the shop from its window. She starts to run again after she sees Kuroi in the corner of her eye. Kuroi quickly chases after her.

"Do you remember when you said that you would do anything for me if I answered your questions?" asked Senna.

"I never said that," said Kuroi.

"Let's play tag. You're it," said Senna.

"I don't want to play any games! Wait up!" exclaimed Kuroi.

Kuroi continues to chase after the girl for ten minutes until she seemingly disappears.

"Senna, this isn't funny! Come out!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"What's all with the fun and games?" asked Toshiro.

Kuroi turns around and sees the captain of squad 10 and his lieutenant standing behind him.

"Rangiku, shortstuff, why are you guys here?" asked Kuroi.

"Long time no see," said Rangiku.

"Refer to me as Captain Hitsugaya," said Toshiro.

"I don't care," said Kuroi.

"We need to talk," said Toshiro.

"If it's about the short jokes, I don't apologize. They're just jokes after all," said Kuroi.

"I don't care about the jokes. We need to talk about something important," said Toshiro.

"I'm kind of busy right now. We can talk later,' said Kuroi.

"Is running around chasing a girl in a shopping center what you consider being busy?" asked Toshiro.

"Don't judge my tactics," said Kuroi.

"Meet us at Kisuke's shop. I don't feel like waiting," said Toshiro.

Rangiku and Toshiro start to walk away. Kuroi turns around and looks at a pillar.

"Senna, I have something to do, but I'll return! Please don't go anywhere!" exclaimed Kuroi.

Kuroi starts to run towards the Urahara Shop. He runs for twenty minutes until he finally reaches the small shop. He enters it and walks up to the table. He takes a seat on the mat.

"Phewee! When was the last time that you took a shower?" said Kisuke.

"I've been running all day," said Kuroi.

"Let's focus on the important things. At around 12:50 am, a city from the World of the Living appeared above the Seireitei. We also sensed spiritual waves flowing into the World of the Living. After that, we lost our communication between the two worlds," said Toshiro.

"What could be blocking communication between the two worlds?" asked Kuroi.

"A mysterious dimension appeared in the Dangai Precipice World. It quickly expanded into the territories of both the Soul Society and the World of the Living. It kind of acts like a lense between the two worlds. The lens makes the World of the Living look like it's in the Soul Society. In simple terms, it's just a mirage," said Kisuke.

"The stealth force was sent to investigate this new dimension, but they failed, so we were tasked to investigate the influx of spiritual waves. I was chosen to head the operation," said Toshiro.

"Why were you chosen? I could launch an investigation," said Kuroi.

"Every other captain backed out," said Rangiku.

"Let's stick to the important stuff," said Toshiro.

"That must have been what those white things were. They're probably the reason for the spiritual waves," said Kuroi.

"Did you see something?" asked Toshiro.

"There were hundreds of these white spirits with red hats," said Kuroi.

"Sounds like blanks," said Kisuke.

"The dimension must be the Valley of Screams," said Toshiro.

"What's that?" asked Kuroi.

"As you should already know, souls migrate between the Soul Society and the World of the Living. From time to time, souls become detached from transmigration in the Dangai Precipice World. These souls wander until they assemble and create a new dimension, the Valley of Screams is the result. In the Valley of Screams, the souls are split into memory and energy. Then, they're returned to the cycle of transmigration. Do you get it now?" said Kisuke.

"I understand," said Kuroi.

"Good. What you described to us were what we call Blanks. Blanks are souls with no memories," said Kisuke.

"What happens to the memories? They have to go somewhere," said Kuroi.

"Those memories are combined into an entity called the Shinenju. It's a jewel that is a collection of memories. The appearance of the Valley of Screams isn't concerning, but there's an issue. The Valley of Screams has connected the World of the Living to the Soul Society," said Kisuke.

"Has this ever happened before?" asked Kuroi.

"No. Someone is deliberately doing this, but who could it be?" said Toshiro.

"Maybe Ichigo knows or saw something. I'll go and ask him if I see him," said Kuroi.

"Kuroi, I want you to watch over the town even more. I believe that whoever is doing this will strike again. Just be ready for whenever they come," said Kisuke.

"My job is to protect this town. Whoever these guys are will not know who hit them if they decide to attack my town," said Kuroi.

Kuroi gets up and walks out of the shop. He looks up at the sun and sees it slowly finding its resting spot for the night.

"I have to find Senna. I hope she's still at the shopping center. If she isn't, I will never be able to find her and find out who she is," said Kuroi.

Kuroi starts to run at top speed towards the shopping center. He arrives in only ten minutes and quickly enters the shopping center. He starts to look around and doesn't see Senna.

"You came back like you said," said Senna.

Kuroi looks up to see the happy girl standing above him on the second floor of the shopping center.

"Can you stop playing around and come down here and answer my questions?" asked Kuroi.

"I will after you catch me!" exclaimed Senna.

Senna starts to run away from the young soul reaper.

"I'm getting sick of this crap," said Kuroi.

Kuroi turns around and runs up the stairs. He chases the girl for a couple minutes, but the girl continues to evade him. Kuroi stops running and looks up and sees Senna standing on top of the shopping center.

"There's a girl on the roof!" exclaimed an onlooker.

"How did she get up there so quickly?" thought Kuroi.

As the lights that sit above the shopping center turn on, Senna balances herself on the wire like she's in the circus. Kuroi instantly runs down the stairs and prepares to catch her. She continues to walk on the wire until she finally loses her balance and falls off the wire.

"She's falling!" exclaimed a shopper.

Kuroi dives and tries to catch her, but her body turns into autumn leaves. He stands up, confused about what just happened.

"What happened to the girl?" asked a witness.

"She's right there!" exclaimed an onlooker.

Kuroi turns around and sees Senna standing on a fountain behind him.

"Tada!" exclaimed Senna.

Senna starts to celebrate by jumping up and down. The crowd starts to cheer around her.

"All right! Thank you! Thank you! Come on and take a bow," said Senna.

Kuroi doesn't bow and just grabs Senna's hand and runs off.

"Now that I've caught you, can you please answer my questions?" asked Kuroi.

"Maybe something could convince me to cooperate?" asked Senna.

"You want food, don't you?' asked Kuroi.

"I was thinking about playing more games with you, but food will be just fine," said Senna.

"Don't expect anything expensive. I don't have a lot of money on me right now," said Kuroi.

"I'll take anything tasty," said Senna.

Fifteen minutes pass. Kuroi and Senna now sit outside of a restaurant. Senna grabs a sandwich and takes a bite out of it.

"Yummy. If you said you would be treating, I would have stopped playing hours ago," said Senna.

"What do you know about them?" asked Kuroi.

"What are you talking about?" asked Senna.

"The Blanks and the Shinenju. I just explained what I needed from you, so start talking," said Kuroi.

"I would if I could, but this is my first time hearing about this. So, someone is using those pointy hat things to get that shineabob?" said Senna.

"Shinenju," said Kuroi.

"So, they're using them to get that thing, right?" asked Senna.

"Yeah," said Kuroi.

"So, who is this someone?" asked Senna.

"That's what I'm trying to find out," said Kuroi.

"What will you do when you find this person?" asked Senna.

"This person is trying to use the Valley of Screams to do something devious. I'll most likely end up killing whoever is behind this," said Kuroi.

"What's the Valley of Screams?" asked Senna.

"I'll tell you some other time. You'll probably end up forgetting what it is anyway," said Kuroi.

"Do you know what this Shinenju thing looks like?" asked Senna.

"Not a clue," said Kuroi.

"You're not making this easy. I guess that you will just have to wait for those pointy hat things to pop up again. You know what. I'll help you out but under one condition," said Senna.

"I knew it," said Kuroi.

Senna stands up and points at the Ferris Wheel behind them.

"First, we have to do that," said Senna.

Kuroi turns his head and looks at the Ferris Wheel.

"If we ride on that, I'll help you out," said Senna.

"I'm not falling for that again. I've run too much today," said Kuroi.

Senna gets out of her seat and steps on it. She stands on her chair to get a better view of the Ferris Wheel.

"What is with you and heights?" asked Kuroi.

"For some reason, I like being up high. Every time that I'm up high, everything that's confusing becomes so clear," said Senna.

"Where did you get the red ribbon?" asked Kuroi.

"You noticed it. I knew that the red one looked better," said Senna.

"How did you get that with no money?" asked Kuroi.

"I walked into a shop and grabbed it because I liked it. I guess that I forgot that I had it on," said Senna.

"So, you stole it," said Kuroi.

"I didn't steal it. I just accidentally took it," said Senna.

"Let's go pay for it. Do you want the shopkeepers to believe that you're a scummy thief?" said Kuroi.

"No," said Senna.

"Then, let's fix your image," said Kuroi.

Kuroi grabs Senna's hand and starts to walk away.

"Are you going to pay the check?" asked Senna.

Kuroi turns around and annoyingly slams some yen on the table. He starts to walk even faster with the girl in tow. They find the shop and enter it. Kuroi quickly takes the ribbon out of Senna's hair. He walks up to the cashier and places the ribbon on the desk.

"I would like to buy this," said Kuroi.

"Is this a gift for your girlfriend?" asked the cashier.

"She's just a friend," said Kuroi.

"Do you want me to gift wrap this for you?" asked the cashier.

"Sure," said Kuroi.

The cashier grabs the ribbon and quickly gift wraps it. She slides the finished product to Kuroi. Kuroi gives her the needed yen and picks up the ribbon.

"Be safe and have a good night!" exclaimed the cashier.

Kuroi and Senna walk out of the shop. Kuroi hands the red ribbon to Senna.

"You didn't have to get it gift wrapped. I would have accepted it without the fancy stuff," said Senna.

"Shut up and enjoy your gift. You should be glad that I'm in a good mood. I usually wouldn't do this," said Kuroi.

"The Ferris Wheel is next," said Senna.

"Cool," said Kuroi.

"Huh? I thought that you would say no," said Senna.

"My mother loved to go on that Ferris Wheel. She loved to see the town from a very high place," said Kuroi.

"Where is your mother?" asked Senna.

"I don't like to talk about it," said Kuroi.

Senna grabs Kuroi's hand and runs towards the Ferris Wheel. They reach the Ferris Wheel in a couple minutes. Kuroi tosses the operator some yen and is instantly forced into a cart by Senna. The operator touches the lever and the Ferris Wheel starts to move.

"Look. We're moving," said Senna.

"I can see that. So, you say that when you're up high that confusing stuff becomes clearer. Is your memory coming back now?" said Kuroi.

"Nothing. I still can't remember anything," said Senna.

"You really can't remember anything? It must be tough to not remember anything about your life or friends or family," said Kuroi.

"Have you been in my situation before?" asked Senna.

"No. I'm just observant," said Kuroi.

"Thank you for the food and the ribbon and the fun. The last couple days have been boring," said Senna.

"How long have you been taking down those Blanks?" asked Kuroi.

"A little while. I don't remember how long," said Senna.

"Has it always been so easy for you to deal with these guys?" asked Kuroi.

"They're not strong. Anyone could deal with them," said Senna.

"If all you have been dealing with these Blanks for a little while, do you believe that they're attracted to you like metal to a magnet?" asked Kuroi.

"Why would you think that?" asked Senna.

"I can just tell that you have never taken down a Hollow before. If Blanks are the only things you fight, they must have some reason to be attracted to you," said Kuroi.

"That's a good theory, but my memory can't support it," said Senna.

"Maybe your memory can come back quicker if we go to places where you've been before. What's one place that you remember?" said Kuroi.

"I don't know," said Senna.

"After we get off this Ferris Wheel, let's just explore the city. If you come from here, you will remember at least one place. If you remember enough stuff, we can unravel the mystery of your life," said Kuroi.

"I would like that," said Senna.

As the Ferris Wheel reaches the ground, Senna quickly exits the cart.

"Where are you going?" asked Kuroi.

"I need to go to the bathroom. Just stay here," said Senna.

Senna quickly runs off in the direction of the girl's restroom. Kuroi walks to a bench and sits on it. He sits and waits and waits and waits some more, but Senna doesn't return. Kuroi gets tired of waiting and runs up the stairs. He approaches the girl's restroom and sees a woman exit it. He walks up to her.

"Miss, did you see a purple-haired girl with a red ribbon in there? She's my friend, but she's having memory problems and I don't think that she will be safe wandering around the streets at night," said Kuroi.

"I was the only one in that bathroom. Your friend wasn't in there," said the woman.

"Thanks for answering my question," said Kuroi.

Kuroi turns around and starts to run out of the shopping center.

"Senna, I don't know what's going on in that brain of yours, but I won't let you get yourself killed," thought Kuroi.