Name: Michiko Haruki
Aka: Mi-Chan
Race: Human-ish (like Chad and Orihime; isn't a Shinigmai)
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Height: 5'5"
Weight:100 pounds
Blood type: 0
Occupation: Michiko, looking at her, you'll think she's is just a smart-ass clown who doesn't care much, but you'll be damn wrong. Michiko is a strong girl but she just acts that way sometimes. Inside she's shy, lonely and has a heart of gold, even if she has health problems. Her dad died when she was 8 and she lives with her little brother, Kyo, and mom, Hanami, a teacher who home schooled her when she was sick. They moved into Ichigo's town to restart their life.
Flaws: Hides her true feelings, gets sick too easy, gets into fights too easy, stubborn, a smart ass, and prideful.
Strengths: Determined, helpful, see ghosts (duh), a smart girl, fights with Nodachi Sword.
Other facts: She's smart, but misses school too much for getting sick. Has blonde, messy, spiky hair, and blue-purple mixed eyes. Usually wears a lot of beat up, rip old street cloths. The reason being is that her family is not very wealthy, so Michiko gives all of her extra money to her brother so he can have better clothing. She doesn't really mind. Also, she loves rain for an unknown reason.
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Michiko walked down the street aimlessly, thinking of nothing in particular. She left her friends far behind, thinking back to all the things that had occurred in the last few years. All of the friends she had made since entering Middle School had changed drastically since then. Especially this last summer. Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, and Uryuu had all grown very close, which more or less surprised the teen when seeing the Ishida around them more. Sure, Michiko had powers of her own, a skilled fighter with Nodachi Swords, and could see the souls of the dearly departed, good or bad. She never relayed this information to anyone though, if she could help it.
Of course, Orihime knew all about it, her powers. After all, the poor girl was nearly given a heart attack when Michiko came falling out of the air, brandishing a long sword with a Hollow falling right beside her. But Michiko would get sick really easily, and had to be careful not to catch anything when she was out protecting the innocent souls that floated around. Which was why the teen chose to not involve herself in Soul Society matters willingly.
Ever since Ichigo discovered his Soul Reaper powers, hers grew as well. Michiko had been taking lessons with her Nodachi Swords since she was little. It was a form of exercise to keep her shape, as well as keep her body healthy.
Michiko sighed heavily, hanging her head. Orihime could heal people that much she had found out since sophomore year started. So why couldn't Orihime make her healthy? That question continued to nag at the teen for weeks on end, and she was nowhere close to getting answers.
"I'm home!" she called once entering the apartment.
"Mi-chan!" Her brother, Kyo, tackled her leg in a hug, making the teen stumble.
The teen smiled sweetly down at her brother. "Hey, little bro, where's mom?"
"She had to run some errands. Can we go to the park? I'm bored."
Michiko nodded. "Let me just get changed."
Ten minutes later the brother and sister were making their way down the road. Michiko listened to the eight-year-old tell her about his day, while riding on her shoulders.
Kyo ran off once they were close, leaving Michiko behind. Instead of joining her brother and his friends, she took a seat on a park bench, admiring the warm weather and partly cloudy sky. So busy daydreaming, the teen didn't notice someone was trying to get her attention. That was, until the person lightly tapped the side of her head with their knuckles. Michiko jumped, her glaring eyes landed on a laughing teen, only a few months older than her.
Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Man, what were you thinking about?" he asked, calming himself down. "I've never seen you so concentrated before."
"Shut it, Ichigo, before I shut it for you," she snapped back, crossing both arms over her chest.
He chuckled lightly before sitting down as well. "Is that your brother?" he asked as a long silence fell between them.
"Yeah," she answered, giving a small smile. "I wish I had his energy." Michiko shook her head, chuckling. "I swear, he's going to put himself in a hospital with all the crazy things he does." Hands stuffing in the pockets of her baggy, faded jeans, she continued to watch the playing children.
Ichigo looked over at Michiko from the corner of his eyes. Her clothes were worn, and ratty looking. In fact, that's how she always dressed when not in a school uniform. He wondered why she dressed like that. Her brother seemed to be clothed just fine. The teen was curious, but not enough to pry. At least not now.
He sighed, looking ahead. "Have you been hearing about the reports about the attacks around town?"
"Who hasn't, Strawberry?" She rolled her eyes in response.
A vein pulsed on Ichigo's head, glaring over at her. "Don't call me that," he warned.
Their eyes locked, Michiko's expressing a taunting nature. "Or what, Strawberry?"
Ichigo caught her in a headlock, the girl's arms flying around wildly, trying to keep her balance and get out of the lock. He sighed in response, lazily. "I warned you," he pointed out.
"Aw, shut it, and let me go before I deck you!" she warned, pulling at his arms.
Ichigo chuckled, "Right, like you could even attempt doing that."
As they continued to bicker and fight, Kyo noticed the scene with his friends. "Who's that guy with your sister?" a boy asked.
"I think that's her boyfriend," Kyo answered, shrugging his shoulders before they went back to playing.
As Michiko was about to grab a hold of Ichigo's ear, a large amount of pressure spiked in the air. Ichigo released Michiko right away, both of them sitting up right. "I need to go," he said quickly, getting up. "See you later!" he yelled, waving.
She turned around, rushing over to the playground. "Kyo!" she called, making him stop. "We need to go home, now."
"Aw, but I was just-"
"Mom will be worried. We've been here too long. Also, I was planning on making chocolate pudding tonight."
Kyo's eyes lit up as he ran over and took Michiko's hand. "What are we waiting for?" he yelled, pulling her as he ran. She laughed. Her brother loved chocolate pudding. However, her eyes casted towards the west end of Karakura where the pressure had formed. Another, darker one had sprung up as well, which made her worry.
"Let's move faster," she said, putting him on her shoulders and starting a light jog. There was something about the pressure that had Michiko on edge. She didn't like it.
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Ichigo sighed heavily, walking home from Urahara's Shop. He was told to go and rest, unable to do anything for those who were still injured. Just thinking about the night's events made him tired. His Hollow-half breaking out didn't help either.
The cry of a Hollow came from down the street as his Soul Badge went off. He watched as it backed out of an alley, not knowing Ichigo was standing right there. It was too focused on something else. He was ready to revert into his Soul Reaper form when someone beat him too it, jumping out of the shadows of the alley. They sliced the Hollow right down the middle, before it disappeared from sight. The person landed on the street with grace, the moon's light reflecting off the metal edge of a blade.
"Next time, don't mess with me!" the attacker snapped, standing. "And stay the hell away," they added with a mumble.
Ichigo walked closer, the voice sounding familiar.
"Michiko?"
She turned in place, eyes landing on him. Her eyes widened. "Ichigo?" she asked. "What are you doing out here so late?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he said back, eyes landing on her Nodachi Sword. "Why are you waving around a sword at this hour? Someone could pass you for a mad woman."
She shot him a look. "Oh, I was getting in some extra practice. I do have a tournament coming up."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Practice? At two in the morning?"
She smiled sheepishly. "You got a problem with it, Strawberry?" she asked. Ichigo glared, but she turned walking away. "I was heading home anyway-"
"Why are you fighting and killing Hollows, Michiko?" he cut her off.
Michiko stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. "What are you-?"
"How long have you been able to see them?"
She sighed in response. "Since I can remember. Why, you got a problem with that?"
Ichigo shook his head. "It's just dangerous."
The teen rolled her eyes. "And you know this how? Unlike you, I need to protect my family, since they can't see 'em."
"Are you a Soul Reaper?"
"A what?"
Ichigo chuckled. "I'll take that as a no. Though you looked like one with your sword and all."
Michiko sighed heavily. "Look, I have no idea what you're talking about, but stay out of my way. It's not like I asked to fight off these monsters, it just happened. I'm not a 'Soul Reaper', and I'm going to keep doing this, dangerous or not."
"You know you're not the only one who fights them."
"Yeah, I know. Those people in weird black kimonos fight 'em left and right."
Ichigo popped a Soul Candy in his mouth, letting his body fall backwards. Michiko's eyes widened, causing the boy to chuckle. "I know. They're Soul Reapers, and I'm one of them."
She was left gaping like a fish, unable to find the words. Finally, Michiko locked eyes with Ichigo. "Is that why you've changed so suddenly since the summer? Always running out of the classroom, claiming you have to use the restroom?" He nodded in response. "And Chad? Orihime? Uryuu?" Well, Michiko already knew about Orihime, but needed to keep up the act.
"We're all different," Ichigo answered. "But I'm the only Soul Reaper."
"You're crazy, you know that?"
He smirked. "Says you."
"Is that why you rushed off before?"
The teen's eyes hardened. "That wasn't a Hollow. It was what's been causing all of these problems lately."
"And they are?"
"Bounts. Which is why you shouldn't be doing this. It's dangerous, especially if they find you. The leader is already after Uryuu."
"Then what was that dark pressure I felt after they arrived?" she asked, ignoring the last comment from him.
Ichigo's eyes darkened. "That was a Hollow."
"Huh, I never felt something like that before." She shrugged her shoulders. "Weird."
A dark chuckle came from the back of Ichigo's mind. Well, well now, this is interesting. I didn't know someone could sense me like that before through pressure. And from a human none-the-less.
Shut it, Ichigo growled. Why did his Hollow have to surface now in his mind? He thought the thing was done for the night.
You're no fun, King, but I bet she is. Ichigo could feel the Hollow's eyes roaming over Michiko. So this is the girl you are constantly thinking about. She looks like nothing special... However, things are not what they seem at first glance. He heard him smirking. I wonder what she would look like without those clothes on? I bet she'd be a looker then.
Ichigo clenched his hands, jaw set. Don't you dare lay a hand on her!
The Hollow chuckled. With your state of mind right now, I think I can do as I please.
Michiko watched as Ichigo's body grew tense. "Ichigo?" she questioned unsurely. He didn't look so good, conflicted with a distant look. Suddenly, his body jerked to the right, startling Michiko. She cocked her sword, watching as one of Ichigo's hands gripped his face, the other swinging around wildly. The teen gave out a strangled cry as he jerked around. Michiko stood where she was; not knowing what to do.
As suddenly as it happened it stopped. Ichigo's shoulders were hunched over, arms hanging limply. Michiko swallowed the lump in her throat, keeping a firm hold on the sword. "Ichigo?" she questioned again. "Ichigo, this isn't funny."
A dark, sinister laugh came from Ichigo's throat, making Michiko take a step back. Then she sensed it, the pressure from before as it rolled off of Ichigo's body.
"Ichigo?" a voice spoke. Only, it didn't sound like Ichigo. His head whipped up, causing Michiko's heart to beat rapidly. Half of the teen's face was covered by a Hollow mask, but both eyes were pitch black with golden iris'. "That loser is none of your concern anymore."
"What did you do to him?" Michiko asked, eyes narrowing.
"It's more like what I've done for him," he grinned dangerously. "See, you're the first one who's ever 'sensed' my dark aura. I am rather intrigued by that, so I thought I should come out and see for myself who that might be."
"Cut it out, Ichigo, you're scaring me."
Ichigo's dangerous grin only grew, making Michiko's skin crawl. "I'm not Ichigo." His eyes narrowed. "King thinks about you a lot. It's almost annoying. However, I can't do anything about it since I'm stuck in his head whether I like it or not."
"Alter ego?" Michiko questioned, wanting to do nothing but run.
The grin returned. "Oh, I'm much more dangerous than that."
Michiko had but a second to react, rolling out of the way. The possessed Ichigo had pulled the large sword from his back, bringing it down in an attack. His head looked in her direction. "My, my, you're fast," he taunted, pulling the sword out of the ground.
"Who are you? What's your name?"
Ichigo's features grew serious. "Who am I?" he questioned back. "I'm a Hollow." Michiko's eyes widened. "And I have no name!" he stated, rushing forward.
The two clashed back and forth, sparks flying from their blades. Michiko was dodging as well, his speed better than hers. She had to move out of the way when his attacks grew too close. The Hollow laughed the entire time, clearly enjoying their battle.
"You're good," he commented, smirking. Michiko breathed heavily, sweat covering her forehead. "But I'm better!"The Hollow attacked and Michiko barely dodged the attack. Her legs felt heavy, lungs aching from her harsh breathing.
The teen's cheek stung, and she raised her hand, feeling the warm blood that ran out of the gash. That blade had been too close to her liking. The Hollow pounced without warning, startling Michiko. It knocked away the Nodachi Sword, clearly out of reach. He laughed sadistically, pinning Michiko to the ground. She lashed out in response, trying to get him off.
"You're feisty," he grinned. "I like it!" Michiko froze when she felt the Hollow's, or Ichigo's, tongue run over the bleeding cheek. It smirked in her ear. "You taste amazing," it spoke dangerously.
That comment made Michiko snap out of her shock. The Hollow's grip had tightened, ripping a section of her shirt in the process. "Ichigo!" she yelled. "Wake up! Wake up, damn it!"
The Hollow's shrill laugh echoed in the air. "King's not going to save you, girly. He had his chance to have fun with you. Now, it's my turn."
Michiko managed to get one arm free, gripping the edge of the half-developed mask. "Get off!" she ordered, pulling on it.
He yelled in rage as pain started to set in. The female continued to pull at it as Hollow tried to pry her hand off. "Let go!" it ordered.
"Hell no!" she yelled back, tugging harder. It made him howl in a fit of anger. "Ichigo, wake the hell up!" With a final tug, Michiko got her other arm free, slipping the hand between the mask and skin. There was a loud snap before the mask came off completely. The breathless teen held the mask in hand, watching as the Hollow's eyes rolled into the back of his head. Ichigo's body then slumped forward on top of her.
Michiko squirmed around, pulling herself out from under Ichigo. She backed up to where the sword had fallen touching the hilt. The girl fumbled with it before clutching it tightly and holding it in front of her.
Her mind was filled with unanswered questions. How had this happened? What was that? Why did Ichigo turn into a Hollow? What did it want with her? There were so many more that made her head hurt.
Ichigo's body moved, her grip tightening on the weapon and holding it a bit higher. She wasn't taking any chances. What if it had come back out again, ready for revenge at what she had just done with its mask. He groaned, shifting till the teen was on his elbows. Michiko held her breath, watching as Ichigo sat himself up, shaking his head.
When his face was in full view, Michiko let out the breath, seeing Ichigo's face had returned to normal. But the fear was still there from moments ago when he attacked without warning. Ichigo looked around as if confused, not realizing what had happened. He reached for his zanpakuto, wondering when it had come out. Once replacing it onto his back, the boy's eyes widened in shock. He remembered what had happened. Ichigo looked up quickly, spotting Michiko sitting a few feet away.
"Michiko?" the Soul Reaper questioned, looking at the terrified girl. Her eyes were wide as she was panting, still trying to catch her breath. He went to step forward, but the female raised the Nodachi Sword in defense, not trusting him. Ichigo's eyes looked pained. "I'm sorry..." he whispered before looking away. "I'm so sorry..."
The teen ran off down the street, the mod soul in his body following after him. Michiko sat in the middle of the road alone, trying to process what had just happened. Her shaky hands dropped the sword to the ground. Looking around, she decided it wasn't safe to be out anymore tonight and started for home.
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The next morning, Michiko cleaned and bandaged the gash on her cheek. Orihime questioned it at school and
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