The boy looked at the streets, his serene eyes going through the urban landscape ahead of him. A noisy and crowded human city, very different from the world he was used to. At the top of a high building, his black clothes waving at the wind and the great sword hanging from his shoulder, he didn’t fit in the modern environment, with the lights and sounds of the humans and their weird machines. It was a good thing they couldn’t see shinigamis.
Although he would never admit it to anyone, he had been nervous about his first assignment in the real world. But, three days after his arrival, he had started to like the solitude of being unnoticed by humans. Away from the critical eyes of the officers, of those who whispered “genius boy” or “prodigy” in a mocking tone when he passed by, and mostly from that irritating 3rd Seat of the Squad he was in. He couldn’t stand chatty people.
An electronic sound came from his pocket and he took his cell phone, the only technological device in his possession. A message from Soul Society, indicating the appearance of yet another hollow near his location. It was already the tenth since his arrival, a sign that something was really wrong. He sighed and put himself under way, jumping from one building to another, already used to his new routine.
Just a few instants later, the powerful howl of the monster already reached his ears. It had appeared in the tight space between two low buildings, and hadn’t yet caused great damage. The shinigami landed on the alley’s entrance and risen his spiritual pressure, only enough to call the monster’s attention. It turned to hum his face, covered by a white mask resembling a skull, only to find the sharp blade of his zanpakuto, which torn it in half with a precise blow.
“Tsk... It one was even easier then the others so far.” The sword was returned to its scabbard before the hollow had completely vanished, purified by the cut of the spiritual sword. He was catching the hang of hunting those things, but it was frustrating to know that the apparitions wouldn’t stop until he identified what was attracting them.
He startled when a dog barked near him. It was black, with a white spot between its ears and, surprisingly, it appeared to be looking his way. “No, a dog couldn’t see me, that’s nonsense.” He waved his head and jumped away from there, reaching the top of the buildings again, already tracking something he felt a while ago. Maybe a weaker spiritual presence…
