Junior Year

Seventeen months have passed since Kuroi defeated Aizen with the Final Jigoku Piasa. No new threats have emerged since that time. Even though there have been no cataclysmic events for nearly a year and a half, Kuroi regained his powers to save a friend from Hell. Now, a new threat is lurking and spying on the young soul reaper. Kuroi doesn't have time to worry about that. He has to get to school.

"Wake up, idiot! Wake up, idiot! Wake up, idiot!" exclaimed Kuroi's alarm.

"Shut up. Five more minutes," said Kuroi.

"Didn't you hear your alarm! Wake up!" exclaimed Aoi.

Kuroi turns his head and sees Aoi standing where his door used to be.

"What the hell did you do to my door!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"I must have used too much strength. My bad," said Aoi.

"Fix it!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"I don't know how to do that. I'll just call Kisuke to come to fix it later. You have to get to school," said Aoi.

"Five more-," said Kuroi.

Kuroi stops talking when Aoi grabs his leg and drags him out of his room. He places him in the bathroom and walks away.

"Breakfast is ready. Don't waste too much time in there. You already got up late," said Aoi.

"Ok, you bastard," said Kuroi softly.

Kuroi gets up and walks over to the mirror. He looks at it and rubs his face as he looks at the small scar on his cheek.

"So many things have happened since Aizen was sent to Muken. I've had less time to protect Karakura Town since I became captain of Squad 3. I'm glad I have Ichigo and Uryu as friends. They're good at hunting Hollows," thought Kuroi.

Ten minutes pass. Kuroi exits the bathroom and walks down the stairs. He grabs his bag, puts on his shoes, and opens the door.

"Are you not hungry?" asked Aoi.

"I'll grab some food from the vending machine. I'm late anyways" said Kuroi.

Kuroi walks out of the door and starts to make his way to school. He continues to walk until he hears a familiar voice.

"Captain, wait!" exclaimed Kira.

Kuroi turns around and sees Kira running up to him. He holds a file in his hand.

"What is it, Kira?" asked Kuroi.

"Here's the daily report," said Kira.

"Thanks. I'm probably not going to read it, but thanks for bringing it to me," said Kuroi.

"Has anything weird been happening here?" asked Kira.

"Why do you ask?" asked Kuroi.

"It's just been too quiet in the Soul Society ever since Aizen was taken down," said Kira.

"That happens when the big bad is finally defeated. Now, is there anything else that I need to know?" said Kuroi.

"No, sir," said Kira.

"Then, have a good day. I'll see you later," said Kuroi.

"Have a good day, too, sir," said Kira.

Ten minutes pass. Kuroi reaches his school and enters it. As he walks through the halls to his homeroom, he hears the scream of his friend from behind him.

"Kuroi!" exclaimed Keigo.

Instead of dodging, Kuroi just grabs Keigo's face and stops him from moving.

"Good to see you, too, Keigo," said Kuroi.

"I'm off," said Mizuiro.

"I'll see you at lunch then," said Kuroi.

Kuroi takes his hand off of Keigo's face and Keigo gasps for air.

"Why do you always do that?" asked Keigo.

"You're annoying," said Kuroi.

"I just want to show my affection," said Keigo.

"That's just weird. Are Tatsuki and Chad here?" said Kuroi.

"No. I don't know why they've been absent for the past few weeks," said Keigo.

"If they wanted us to know, they would tell us. They'll probably show up one day," said Kuroi.

"I hope so," said Keigo.

Kuroi walks down the hall and enters his homeroom. Before he can reach his desk, a girl takes a seat on it.

"Senna, why do you do this all of the time? My desk is not a chair," said Kuroi.

"Your desk is a very comfy seat," said Senna.

"What do you want?" asked Kuroi.

"Well, you saved me from hell, so I've decided to shower you with my attention," said Senna.

"I was just doing my job. You don't have to thank me," said Kuroi.

"But I do. I didn't believe that I would make it out of that dark palace, but I did thanks to you," said Senna.

"I had help. Why don't you bother them?" said Kuroi.

"I don't feel like it. You get what I'm saying?" said Senna.

"Just hop off before-," said Kuroi.

"It looks like you two lovebirds need some time alone, but we have a pop quiz!" exclaimed Ms. Ochi.

"Before she does that," said Kuroi.

"Let's get lunch together," said Senna.

"We had lunch yesterday. Maybe tomorrow," said Kuroi.

"Oh come on. You say this all of the time," said Senna.

"I would love it if you stopped acting like a child. If you want to get lunch with me, we'll go get some tomorrow. I already have plans," said Kuroi.

"Whatever. I'll see you tomorrow," said Senna.

Senna hops off the desk and walks to her seat. Kuroi takes a seat at his desk. As he pulls out his notebook, he senses a Hollow. He's not the only one that senses this. Before he can grab his badge and run out, Ichigo does the same.

"Ichigo, where are you going!" exclaimed Ms. Ochi.

"Nurse's office," said Ichigo.

"I miss being able to skip class to take down a Hollow. Now that there's another soul reaper and a Quincy that can do my job, I feel not needed," thought Kuroi.

Four hours pass. Kuroi, Senna, Mizuiro, Ichigo, and Keigo walk down a street.

"So, I thought that your girlfriend wouldn't be joining us. I thought that it would just be the boys," said Keigo.

"She's not my girlfriend," said Kuroi.

"Why is she always around you? If I was you I would have already made her mine if you know what I'm saying," said Keigo.

"Shut up," said Keigo.

Before they can keep walking, a thief runs through them, knocking Senna over.

"Who was that?" asked Ichigo.

"A jerk," said Senna.

Kuroi sticks out his hand and picks up Senna.

"Stop, you asshole! Give me my bag back!" exclaimed Ginjo.

"I may not have fought any Hollows in a while, but I can defeat a petty thief. Senna, hold my bag," said Kuroi.

Kuroi gives his bag to Senna and runs after the thief. He easily outspeeds the long-haired man and reaches the thief in seconds. He grabs the thief and punches him in the face. The punch easily knocks out the thief. Kuroi grabs the man's bag as he runs up to him.

"Holy crap. That was awesome, man. Thanks a lot. Are you hungry? We can get some ramen or something," said Ginjo.

"No thanks. No offense, but I don't accept meals from strangers," said Kuroi.

"It's ok. That's just normal," said Ginjo.

Kuroi turns around and walks away.

"Have a good day, sir," said Kuroi.

"You too, Kuroi Hono," said Ginjo quietly.

Four hours pass. Kuroi and Senna now sit on a bench in the schoolyard. Kuroi holds a bag of chips and Senna sticks her hand in it, grabbing a few of the classic flavored chips.

"Senna, I have something to tell you," said Kuroi.

"What is it?" asked Senna.

"I met your grandma nearly two years ago," said Kuroi.

"How is that possible? She's been dead for longer than that," said Senna.

"I mean that she was a soul. She was the Shinenju and she died because I failed to save her in time. I'm sorry. As her granddaughter, I'm pretty sure you're pissed off at me for not telling you," said Kuroi.

"I'm not," said Senna.

"You're not? How?" asked Kuroi.

"I always knew. I entered the graveyard at the same time that you and my grandma did. You made her happy, so I'm happy. The only reason that I spend so much time with you is that she made you happy. I'm just returning the favor," said Senna.

"Is your name even Senna?" asked Kuroi.

"It is, silly. Why would I lie about my name?" said Senna.

"I'm sorry that I found you annoying. We can go get dinner if you want," said Kuroi.

"There's no need. I like the spring breeze and sitting with you," said Senna.

"I like it, too," said Kuroi.

As the two friends sit very close to each other on the school bench, Orihime watches them from an open window. She is visibly annoyed and tries to stop the moment.

"Hey, Kuroi and Senna!" exclaimed Orihime.

"Oh hey, Orihime," said Kuroi inattentively.

"I'm coming down!" exclaimed Orihime.

"Go ahead," said Kuroi.

Orihime hops out of the window and slides down a pole. Once she reaches the ground, she runs over to Kuroi and Senna.

"What do you want, Orihime?" asked Kuroi.

"I was thinking of new recipes," said Orihime.

"That's cool," said Kuroi.

"I thought about combining beef with onions and fish sauce. I can just taste it. It will taste so good," said Orihime.

"I guess it will be in your mind," said Kuroi.

"You don't like my food, do you?" asked Orihime.

"I thought that it was obvious," said Kuroi.

"I guess that I'll just leave you guys alone," said Orihime.

Orihime sadly walks away. Senna opens her eyes and looks at Kuroi.

"She likes you, but you seem annoyed by her presence. Why is that?" said Senna.

"I've changed. Back then, I used to be perverted and dumber. When I lost my powers, I started to think about my life. I learned something new about myself. Boobs aren't good enough for me," said Kuroi.

"She has other personality traits outside of boobs. She's nice and compassionate," said Senna.

"That's normal stuff. I can find other girls that act like that," said Kuroi.

"She's your friend. You can't distance yourself from her," said Senna.

"I'm not. I just want her to mature. That's all," said Kuroi.

"What if she doesn't?" asked Senna.

"She will. I know that she can," said Kuroi.

"Hono!" exclaimed a man.

Kuroi hears his last name be called and stands up.

"What was that?" asked Senna.

"Stay here. I'll find out," said Kuroi.

Kuroi jogs towards the front of the school and sees a large group of dudes with weapons at the entrance to the school. A fat man is their leader.

"Is there someone named Kuroi Hono at this school! That fool knocked nine teeth out of my boy's mouth! He better come out or we won't leave!" exclaimed the large man.

"So, you're looking for me, huh? I didn't know that I was famous," said Kuroi.

"Are you, Kuroi!" exclaimed the large man.

"I thought it was obvious, oversized beach ball," said Kuroi.

"Oversized beach ball? Boys, get him!" said the large man.

At that moment, the gang should have known that they messed up. There's no chance that the gang beats Kuroi. Kuroi easily wipes the floor with the gang. He uses all of the techniques that he has learned to dismantle the gang with ease. As one after one after one of the gang members falls, the leader tries to run away.

"Where are you going, Choji? I'm not done with you," said Kuroi.

Kuroi runs up to the large man and jumps over him. He then roundhouse kicks him and knocks him out.

"If you wanted to fight me, you should have trained harder," said Kuroi.

"Good job. I knew that you were a good fighter, Kuroi," said Ginjo.

Kuroi turns around and sees the same long-haired man standing behind him with a bowl in his hand.

"How did you find out where I went to school?" asked Kuroi.

"I was just walking around the town. Then, I saw you beating up these thugs and decided to stop by," said Ginjo.

"What's in the bowl?" asked Kuroi.

Ginjo takes the napkin off the bowl and reveals ramen in the bowl.

"How convenient that you just had ramen," said Kuroi.

"I just like it," said Ginjo.

"If you brought me ramen, you must want something. What is it?" said Kuroi.

"I don't want anything. I just want to tell you about my job," said Ginjo.

"Why would I care?" asked Kuroi.

"Let's just take a walk and I'll explain everything," said Ginjo.

"Fine, but if you pull anything, it won't end well for you," said Kuroi.

"I'm not planning anything. I promise," said Ginjo.

"Fine. Let's walk," said Kuroi.

Kuroi and Ginjo walk off the school campus and walk into the street. Kuroi takes the ramen and starts to slurp up the noodles.

"So, what is your job?" asked Kuroi.

"I'm kind of a detective and I need help with an investigation on someone," said Ginjo.

"Who are you investigating?" asked Kuroi.

Ginjo pulls a photo out of his pocket and hands it to Kuroi.

"Do you know that man?" asked Ginjo.

"Of course I know who this guy is. He's my dad," said Kuroi.

"Really? Now, that's a coincidence," said Ginjo.

"What do you need to know about him?" asked Kuroi.

"I don't know if I can get the answers that I need from you. You look like you don't know a damn thing," said Ginjo.

"What does that mean?" asked Kuroi.

"I said something that wasn't hard to follow. I said that you don't know anything about your family. Do you want to know?" said Ginjo.

"How do you know stuff about my family?" asked Kuroi.

"I'm a detective. I'm supposed to know these things," said Ginjo.

"How do I learn more about my family?" asked Kuroi.

"Follow me to the Urahara Shop. You'll find out what you need to know there," said Ginjo.

"How do you know about the shop?" asked Kuroi.

"I've been around for a long time," said Ginjo.

"I'll trust you for now," said Kuroi.

"I don't need your trust. All I want to do is show you the truth," said Ginjo.

"If you want to show me the truth, then let's go to Kisuke's shop. Talking won't help me learn anything," said Kuroi.

"That's what I wanted to hear," said Ginjo.

Ten minutes pass. Ginjo and Kuroi approach the shop. Instead of entering it, Kuroi and Ginjo walk behind a wall. They peek over the wall and see Ichigo's little sister exiting the shop.

"Why is Karin with Kisuke? Does Ichigo know?" asked Kuroi.

"No," said Ginjo.

"How do you know that?" asked Kuroi.

"If he knew, she wouldn't go there. Your "cousin" doesn't trust him either, does he?" said Ginjo.

"Not really," said Kuroi.

"Do you trust him?" asked Ginjo.

"No," said Kuroi.

"Why is that?" asked Ginjo.

"He has done some shady stuff before. He placed the Hogyoku in Rukia. She became a target for Aizen because of him. He also created the Hogyoku in secret. Aizen took it and became a god," said Kuroi.

"Have you figured this Kisuke guy out?" asked Ginjo.

"He seems like a good guy, but he does too much stuff behind my back to be trusted," said Kuroi.

"Act while you can. The nicest guys are always the ones who have the most devious motives. I think you know about that pretty well," said Ginjo.

"You're helping me, but I don't know your name. What is it?" said Kuroi.

"Kugo Ginjo," said Ginjo.

Ginjo pulls a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to Kuroi.

"What's this?" asked Kuroi.

"It's my number. If you need help or find anything, just give me a call," said Ginjo.

"Thanks," said Kuroi.

"Don't mention it," said Ginjo.