It wouldn’t take long for something far more exciting to happen. A giant Hollow appeared over the center of the shopping district. It sensed the Soul Reapers and had come to make a meal of them. Natalie and Edward both looked at each other.
“Is that…?” Edward started.
Natalie nodded. “Yup, that would be a Hollow. Well that answered that question. If you see it and I see it… well at least we’ll know when to run.”
In that instant Renji and Toshiro took their soul candy and left their gigais in order to fight the Hollow. It was particularly big and nasty. Edward saw them do this and looked at Natalie. “What the hell was that? They just left their bodies, how is that possible?”
“We need to hide first Ed. Hollows don’t care if they eat the living or the dead, they just want souls and I have a feeling that we’ll be just as appealing to him as they are…”
“Then why not help them fight?”
Natalie hesitated and couldn’t answer. She still felt that fear from earlier and didn’t want him to get hurt. These things weren’t like the robots; they were out to kill and nothing else. Hollows didn’t have feelings; they didn’t care if they took a life or if that person had people that loved them.
Edward saw the look in her eyes. He couldn’t let this go on. Why had she gotten like this all of the sudden? He actually thought he’d gotten through to her back at the World Tree. Maybe he hadn’t after all. “Fine, if you want to hide that’s fine but I’m going to go help them. I thought we’d worked this out but evidently not.” He hoped that seeing him do this and not getting hurt would snap her out of it. She had to know that she could trust in him. It almost seemed like she was alright until he’d told her how he felt, it was almost as if something had changed between them because of it. Is this what she’d been afraid of when she asked him what happened next? It would have to wait until later though. Edward ran towards where Toshiro and Renji were and found a metal railing. He clapped his hands together and created a solid spear. He tossed it up then jumped to kick the spear so that it would go into the Hollow solidly between the eyes. Edward’s aim had been dead on but the Hollow managed to dodge to attack.
“Edward!” Natalie yelled as she ran out too.
“Who are you two?” Toshiro asked. “Get out of here now!” It didn’t matter right now to him that they could see them or the Hollow. Right now he was just concerned with getting rid of this thing.
When Natalie came out, the Hollow turned his attention on her. Of all of them, the strength of her soul was the greatest. It came at her fast; thankfully Renji was right there and slashed at its legs as it went by to slow it down. It wouldn’t go down unless they cracked it’d head open though. Edward ran and grabbed Natalie. “OK, maybe you were right…”
Natalie wiggled free of him and turned back to it. “No…” She quickly transformed. “I can take this thing,” she said, the look in her eye changing becoming more determined. “You’re right Ed, we did talk about this, and I can’t just run away.”
Renji and Toshiro saw who she’d become and looked at each other. “Captain, what’s a ferryman doing here?”
“I don’t know, but we have to make sure nothing happens to her.”
Natalie wouldn’t need their help though. She stood her ground and glared at the Hollow. “OK you mindless asshole, come get some of this,” she said taking up her staff and pointing it at him. “Charon Spatial Rift!” Her blast hit him square in between the eyes, shattering his head. The remains of the creature vanished before they could even hit the ground. Natalie just continued to stand there even when Edward came over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
Toshiro and Renji walked up to the both of them. “What are you doing here?” Toshiro asked sounding rather annoyed.
Natalie’s expression softened a little. “Captain Hitsugaya, Assistant Captain Abarai, I’m sorry for interfering. My name is Natalie Simon, it’s an honor to meet you,” she said bowing her head slightly.
“Well it seems you know who we are, good. Now Ferryman, why are you in the world of the living?” Renji asked. “Your kind doesn’t usually leave the space between worlds.”
“You know about me?” Natalie asked. She didn’t remember any references to ones like her in the story but then they always did talk about other groups that were involved with the Soul Society. It was possible that what they thought she was fit into one of those lesser discussed groups.
Toshiro nodded. “We know of your kind, yes, but you still didn’t answer Renji’s question, why are you here?”
Edward looked to Natalie wondering what story she was going to come up with. This whole ferryman thing had gotten them into a lot of trouble already. Edward was actually having a hard time keeping up with it. Everywhere they went there seemed to be a different story of what she was or maybe what she should be.
“I’m not sure I’m exactly who you think I am,” Natalie finally answered. “Yes, I’ve been called a ferryman before and yes I travel between worlds but I’m not from anywhere you’ve heard of. I think that’s the best way to explain it. As far as why we’re here, well I guess it’s simply that this is just one stop along a road of many but we didn’t intend to cause you any trouble.”
“And who’s your friend?” Renji asked.
Natalie smiled a bit. “He’s my partner, Edward Elric. He has gifts all his own as I’m sure you saw. He’s along not only as my partner though; he’s looking for things that might be useful in growing his own talents.”
Both Toshiro and Renji nodded. “It was a rather impressive display you both put on,” Toshiro answered.
Edward grinned looking a little cockier than was probably healthy for anyone. “It’s kind of what we do, kick ass and take names.”
Natalie lightly elbowed him and shot him a look. Now was not the time to be bragging. He just gave her a ‘what?’ look in return. He was just stating the truth. Wherever they went these days that was pretty much what they ended up doing, kicking something or someone’s ass.
Renji chuckled and grinned at them. “I like you kid.”
Toshiro made an annoyed face at Renji. “You would, but then again he reminds me of you and Ichigo both so it’s not surprising in the least.” He just shook his head. “You know what; take them to Urahara’s shop when you go back Renji. They should be safe with him. I don’t think we want them to get too far away considering how much of a magnet Ms. Simon is for the Hollows.”
“He’s not going to be happy having two others wandering around the shop.”
“I don’t care. He’s supposed to be helping out, this helps out. Besides, if the Espadas show up again, their unique abilities might be of use to us.”
“Hey wait a second!” Edward started but Natalie grabbed his arm. He didn’t like being told what to do, especially by this shrimpy little kid.
“No, Ed. The Captain’s idea isn’t a bad one; I think we should go there. Besides, Kisuke Urahara is a wealth of information. It wouldn’t hurt to hang out at his shop for awhile.”
Edward sighed. “Fine.”
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