" It is. I'm trying to remember who my dad was fighting in the dream. I don't know who the other man is. I couldn't get a good look because of some sort of fog. I'm sorry it sounds crazy." She whispered to him. She wanted to prevent this from happening. She had to fight back.

Asami followed Tatsuki. She would ask Rukia how she could help. "I'm not going to be useless anymore! " She had a determined face as she went with them. She was going to fight back.

"It doesn't sound crazy Star-chan. Is there anything you saw about this other man that you remember? Hair color, eyes, clothing..." Ichigo asked, knowing that he sometimes remembered only pieces of dreams. Granted, it seemed like his dreams were nothing but fantasies. He, however, chose not to voice that.

Tatsuki kept an eye on her friends and Rukia, noticing that she was lost in thought. She was glad that Ichigo and the others were going with her...she wasn't entirely sure if she could do it without them. She did have a few worries in the back of her head, especially when she only had one chance at succeeding. She shook her head lightly, getting the negative thoughts out of her head. She turned her head and noticed Asami looking off in the distance as well. "Asami-chan? You okay?" she asked.

" I don't remember much . Maybe brown hair and a white outfit? My dad seemed to know him. I felt I was restrained and couldn't get a good look before the fog blocked them. Then I woke up" She shook her head. " He seemed familiar even though I never met him before. Maybe he's the man who was after me in the dream before that. I have no idea where these dreams come from. Sometimes they do come true , most others they don't. "

"I'm alright Tatsuki-san. Just hoping I can help you all out." She said. She had to do this

that sounds a lot like Aizen-teme...what would he want with Hoshi? he asked himself, not ready to tell her what he knew. He would tell her soon though, but right now it wouldn't help Hoshi in the slightest. He sighed lightly, knowing that he was going to hate having to tell her all the same.

"You want to help as much as I do, don't you?" Tatsuki asked quietly, a little surprised. She knew the ghost girl was a close friend of Hoshi's, but she didn't know that she wanted to help as much as herself. She wondered if it was even possible for her to help.

They continued to walk toward Urahara's shop. the tension was high. Hoshi felt that everything would change after today. They arrived and entered the shop. Welcome back everyone. Today's the big day. Urahara lead them to a trap door. "This is where the training is going to be today. I'll be down shortly." He pulled Rukia aside.He waited till everyone else was already headed down"Did you find anything out about the eyes Kuchiki-san?"He hoped it was what he had assumed at first. Meanwhile, Hoshi waited in a room waiting to find a moment to talk to Rukia.

Tatsuki looked down the trap door a little nervous. Involuntarily gulping, she saw Ichigo snicker lightly and head down the ladder, knowing exactly where he was. Scowling lightly, she quickly followed behind her friend. When she got down, she gasped in surprise, not realizing how expansive the area was. "How..." was all she could get out, still impressed. She vaguely saw Inoue, Chad and Ishida come down the ladder as well, but they weren't surprised about this, having seen it before.

She rubbed her arm nervously before putting her game face on. When Urahara was ready to come down and start, so would she. She was as ready as she ever could be. She still couldn't believe that her friends were behind her in this decision.

"Having second thoughts Ryu-chan?" Ichigo asked Tatsuki, knowing that she could still change her mind if she wanted to. Seeing the scowl on her face, he knew that she wouldn't chicken out. Even if she did, he would never let her live it down.

"Asami-chan...if I don't pass this...stay behind Orihime, okay? She'll be able to protect you." She said. She didn't believe that it had to be done, but she wanted to make sure that the ghost girl would be safe just in case.

Rukia nodded, "I found out about them, and if it weren't for Tatsuki-san, I'd ask you to explain about Kurosaki-taichou, but it can wait. I do, however, want what you know about Isshin Kurosaki. She then told him what she found about the eyes and how Hoshi and her father were a part of all of this. Hoshi was not able to hear the conversation due to Urahara placing a device on the door that silenced the room once the door was called. Rukia knew that Hoshi wanted to talk to her and after she was done with Urahara, she would talk to Hoshi.

"I knew those eyes were familiar. Tetsuya Matsuda was good at amplifying another's energy. It could be him doing it. I don't think Hoshi-san's is as developed as her father's is. She's more like her mother. Her mother was able to see things happen. Her mother's family is descended from a line of human seers. Now Isshin, lost his abilities 35 years ago after an encounter with those hollows that have been appearing. The acid from those things can neutralize a shinigami's abilities and make a them pretty much human. Tetsu recently came back to Karakura so he could help his old friend gain them back. Those two have been friends since they were little. I was suprised to see Tetsuya alive 17 years ago. Isshin was too ,I believe. Tetsuya has some information that might help in our fight against Aizen. He paused for a moment If Hoshi has both of her parents abilities, Aizen could use her to predict our moves.

Asami looked at Tatsuki. "Okay I will." She gave a worried look. She hoped for her new friends safety. Asami was worried about Tatsuki not passing. Asmai tended to worry a lot. Same as her friend Hoshi.

"I see...how did her mother see into the future? As unconscious dreams or what humans would call visions?" Rukia asked as she listened and tucked the information in her brain for later. "I have a feeling she's not going to want to be the 'damsel in distress' type and will want to fight with us, especially if Aizen is after her before a terrifying thought came to her. If Hoshi inherited both powers from her parents..."Aizen wouldn't make her do that only...he'd also make her power up his troops." She said as she spoke her thoughts out loud. She didn't like thinking about it, but it would be in her best interest to start training to use her bankai. I wonder if Yoruichi-sama can help me with that... she thought to herself.

"Anyways...shouldn't you get going? Tatsuki-san must be dying to start her training by now," she said, not realizing the pun she made accidentally. She would wait until after he left to talk to Hoshi without anyone interfering.

((timeskip to after the test?))

(( Sounds good))
"I'm not exactly sure. Hoshi may know more about it than I do. I couldn't get Fumi Ota , her grandmother to say anymore about it . I guess I should" He laughed at the pun " Good luck on your talk Hoshi-san. He headed of to the training area . He arrived down and looked at Tatsuki. " Seems everyone is here. Ready Tatsuki? The training had started.

Hoshi wanted to fight. "I have to ask Rukia how I can. I don't want to be useless anymore. I have to prevent my dad's death."She was sitting in a corner of a room with her knees up to her chin. She was in thought on what to say to Rukia when she came. He was all she had in this world for family. She had her grandma Fumi also, but she wasn't doing good and was in her last days. Hoshi knew her grandma would be in the Soul Society but it still was hard to lose her. She tried her best not to cry when she thought about her. "Grandma is the last living reminder of my mom. I have pictures of her but it's not the same. I need to ask her about the dreams. Maybe she knows something about it. I need all the courage I can get."

Rukia didn't understand why he was laughing as he left, knowing that Tatsuki would become a shinigami. Like Ichigo, she was too stubborn to become a Hollow. As she thought that, she headed over to the room where Hoshi was sitting down. "Do you mind if I sit here Matsuda-san?" Rukia asked respectively. When Hoshi nodded, she sat down next to the girl. Rukia noticed how nervous the girl was and put an arm around her. "It's going to be alright Hoshi-san, I just know it will be," she said, not realizing that she accidentally used Hoshi's first name.

Tatsuki shot out of the well that was made for the final part of the test, panting lightly as her breaths came to her in uneven breaths. She felt one of her arms being lifted up and draped over something. Looking over, she saw Ichigo with a small grin on his face. "T-old you I co-uld do it," she said as she was still trying to catch her breath.

"Never doubted you for a second Ryu-chan," Ichigo said as he quickly helped her regain her balance and her breath. "and that's the easy part," Ichigo teased, causing her to look at him with a surprised look. "If I know that crazy man like I think I do, he'll want to start training you right away on how to use that and get to shikai," Ichigo said in a serious voice, poking lightly at her wakizashi.

"I hope so, Kuchiki-san. It seems nothing has gone the way I wanted to since I got here. I wanted to be happy again. Karakura was the only place I remember feeling like home. Even after mom died I still liked it here. I want to fight back. I don't want to hide anymore. It seems that's all I've done for eight years. I have a lot on my mind I guess. With Tatsuki becoming a shinigami , my grandma in bad health and now the possibility my dad might die." Hoshi had to vent. " Is it my fault Ichigo's eyes glow like that? I don't know what's happening any more. The dreams I've been having lately are getting worse. " She paused for a moment then looked at Rukia. " I'm sorry Kuchiki-san. I didn't mean to unload on you. I know Tatsuki is in good hands, but what about my dad? I have the feeling he's keeping something from me."

"I would still be. But what about my parents?"It wouldn't be your fault. I'm the one want's to know these things. She gave a concerned look " I want to know about why I'm like this. I don't want anything to change though.' "I do want to know. I feel torn though. I don't know what to do really. " She noticed a troubled look on Rukia's face. Hoshi wanted to know but she didn't know what would happen when she did find out. She hoped what she found out wasn't bad.

Hoshi didn't know how to react to what she had heard. She felt sad and angry at the same time. She started to cry."Why did my dad keep this from me ? All this time thought my dad couldn't see ghosts like I could. Is this why Aizen wants me? She looked at Rukia. "Aizen must be the man who was fighting my dad in the dream I had last night." She had hard time not crying . "Is my mom being able to see the future the reason why she died ? I don't know what I'm going to do when I see my dad on Sunday. I don't want to get angry at him again. " Hoshi cried in her hands . She felt Asami put a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her. " I feel I've lost a part of my humanity. All this time I thought he was as human as I was. " She felt so alone right now.

"She did Rukia-San! It's ok Hoshi, you're still you. Now you know why you can see ghosts like me ".She whispered this hoping Hoshi would feel better when she woke up. She hated to see her friend like this. The last time she saw Hoshi this upset was after that big fight with her dad.

Hoshi had fallen asleep . After a while she woke up and said to Rukia,"My dad being a Shinigami does explain some of the weird things he's done. Like the odd field of energy that he put around the house on Sunday . He doesn't know I saw him do it either. I'm afraid to ask him about it now. I don't want to see him lose his temper again. "
((I'll reply when I can tomorrow. I'm glad the semester is almost over. ))

She was glad to hear that from the ghost, and even more glad when she whispered into Hoshi's ear. What was She didn't want to see Ichigo have to slay his best friend or have to inform Hoshi about even more bad news. Luckily, she didn't have to. "It does explain a lot...do you want us there with you tomorrow when your dad picks you up?" She asked, before something else came to her. Hoshi-san...do you want me to answer your questions from earlier?" she asked after seeing Hoshi waking up. If she didn't want them answered, then Rukia wouldn't answer them.

Tatsuki was grinning lightly as she slowly got up. Sure she was feeling pain, but it didn't matter to her at the moment. All the pain she was feeling now could easily be healed by the Hot Spring. The reason she was happy was that she could help Ichigo and the others, and that meant everything to her.

((I know that feeling very well. When does the semester end?))

((I have two weeks left after this one. ))

"That would be nice Kuchiki-San.I don't think he'd ever hurt me . After that fight he apologized and cried with me. I think it scared him as much as it did me.
If he wants to tell me about it he will. At least I hope he would tell me. I wish he would trust me more . I don't want to run any more.I do want to know . " Hoshi had to know why her mom died . She hoped it would give her a reason to fight back.

((so about the middle of June?))

"Don't mention it. Now then, do you want to see Tatsuki in action, assuming she's sparring against Ichigo or Urahara?" She asked, slowly disengaging herself from Hoshi's side and getting up, hearing a few things lightly crack, but she paid it no mind.

Ichigo blocked a strike from Tatsuki, smirking. While she still hadn't unlocked her shikai yet, he knew it would only be a matter of time. Until then, he sparred with her in order to give her some battle experience. "Not bad. That reminds me of Gin's first strike with his shikai." he said, taunting her.

"Keep talking like that. I'll make sure to wipe that smirk off your face," Tatsuki replied, taunting right back. She didn't mean anything with her taunt, and she knew that Ichigo didn't mean anything by it either.

((yep . My college has an odd schedule. ))

"I would like to see her in action. Thank you Kuchiki-san for being a good friend. " Hoshi got up carefully. She felt tired after crying. She had a lot on her mind after what Rukia told her about her parents. She didn't know what say to her dad when he got home tomorrow afternoon. She'd do her best to handle what she knew. Right now she needed to support Tatsuki. Hoshi was glad everything had gone well. If she had lost one of her best friends today, she would have been devastated.

((I see...and I'm in a happy mood since my girlfriend got the Admin's Pick))

"You're welcome Matsuda-san," was all that Rukia could say, lightly surprised that Hoshi still considered her a friend. "How about I go down first, and then you follow me, just in case," Rukia asked, worried that the young girl could fall due to her fatigue.

(( Congrats to your girlfriend ! ))

"Okay I'll wait." She smiled. She watched Rukia go down the long ladder. Then Hoshi followed her. She found herself in a large room underneath the shop. Hoshi wondered how long it probably took to dig something this large. She was amazed at the size of it. She followed Rukia toward where everyone was.

((thanks))

Rukia noticed Tatsuki sparring with Ichigo, and was impressed at her swordplay. She then looked towards Hoshi and noticed she was looking around in awe. Rukia kept her attention on the two sparring, noticing that Tatsuki was learning at a rate that was similar to Ichigo's. I wouldn't be surprised if she could hear her Zanpaktou's voice soon she thought to herself as she watched Tatsuki get under Ichigo's defense and deliver a punch to the orange-haired shinigiami.

Tatsuki grinned as she stepped back and got into a stance that she found worked best for her, letting her keep her flexible status and use her blade to it's full potential. She waited until Ichigo got his breath back, not realizing that both Rukia and Hoshi were now watching the two spar.

Hoshi watched in amazement as Tatsuki and Ichigo sparred. She wondered what was going on. The others seemed to know but Hoshi didn't . She kept her questions to herself hoping to find out on her own. An interesting thought crossed Hoshi's mind. Should she herself undergo the training of a shinigami? She knew she wasn't very strong but wanted to do her part and fight. She would bring it up with Ichigo and Rukia later.She didn't want to be helpless if her dad fought Aizen. Hoshi still was in shock over the news that her dad was a shinigami. Hoshi was the one who wanted to know about her parents. It wasn't anyone's fault but her own.

Asami watched her friend spar too. She wondered how she could fight back too. But how could a plus be of much help? She wondered to herself. She would ask Rukia later also.