Shackled [Private]

"Now where exactly is this place?" Aien mumbled to himself as he was walking down the street with a small handheld wrapped package in his hands that contains a 'name' and an address. The name was more of a store name, while the address is something that Aien hasn't even heard of. Still he told the Student Council that he can get it down by today after he got done with school so here he is. In fact Aien was a bit curious as to where this place is. As there is only a few places in this city that Aien hasn't been to at least once since he used to walk everywhere back when he was in middle school.

This store name was actually Urahara Shop, and why is something going to a store from a school is beyond Aien's comprehension. As the young teen has learned not to question things too much about the Student Council, but this one particular task is going to be far different than the ones he is used to. Aien just hopes that he doesn't encounter another one of those blurry monsters that tried to eat him the other day. That is one experience Aien refuses to do a repeat of at least not until Aien gets a better understanding of what is going on. Still, Aien treks his way down the slightly crowded street as it was in the middle of the day.

After an hour had passed of searching for this place, Aien turns to asking the locals if they have known where the shop was. So far Aien's efforts turned fruitless as nobody around here seems to have even heard of Urahara's Shop. Then again Aien was only able to complete a small area of searching for the shop, but with the Karakura being a big town it'll take too much time than necessary to find it. The young man sighed as he sat down on a bench to rest his legs. It was quiet around here now, with the wind rustling the lustrous green leaves amongst the trees and bushes. The sounds was quite soothing to Aien's mind, but that soon was disrupted when he felt something sharp struck his leg that made him wince while looking down sharply. Only to find that it was actually a Pomeranian puppy that was biting on his leg with its little tail wagging happily.

"Where did you come from?" Aien, at first filled with surprise, adjusted to the situation and since he likes animals anyways Aien reaches down to pick up the puppy. Or at least tried to as his hand simply went right through the fur as all he could feel was cold, empty air. Aien was confused, but he was still able to pick the puppy up and held it close to his chest trying to warm it up. "You're freezing little one. Did you get lost from you mother?" Aien asked in a soothing voice as he was searching for a collar while petting the puppy's fur. Luckily Aien does find a collar, but it just gave a phone number and an address that Aien is actually familiar with. During Aien's small investigation on the puppy, he finds a small length chain attached to the puppy's chest and was confused about it. What Aien doesn't know is that what he is holding is actually a Soul of a puppy.

"Of what?" Aien responded as he looked up from the puppy as it is determined to playfully bite at his fingers. The human doesn't really seem to mind it playing with him, but Aien can't help other than feel there's something here. It was a familiar feeling, though perhaps a bit different that Aien felt. Squinting his eyes for a moment, he can finally see a blurry figure that seemed to have passed him. At first fear gripped his heart as his immediate thought was a Hollow as that's the only thing aside from Souls that he's come in contact with. What dispelled this fear from turning into panic and in fact defused it altogether was that he sees that it held a humanoid shape. So perhaps this one isn't so bad?

"Ghosts? I don't think i'll be able to see one if there were any." But as he says this Aien noticed that there wasn't any change of temperature on the dog's body as it remained cold. In fact Aien was getting colder just by holding it, but he doesn't put it down or anything. "Although with strange things happening here lately I wouldn't doubt it if I can actually see one. Let alone be able to touch it." The human teen mumbled as he continued to play with the ethereal puppy, but to the ordinary human eye it looks like he's playing with an imaginary figure while holding it in his arms.

"Was I just hearing things?" Aien began to state as his focus was kind of wavering and it resulted in not being able to see the blurry figure anymore. The human seems to have seen where Misato was standing, but apparently nothing regarding to detail register his mind. He looked around for a moment as the teen was thinking that maybe the voice went away. "Perhaps I am going crazy after all." Mumbling to himself before sighing in a slight sense.

Honestly Aien wouldn't know why he could both see and touch the dead dog and not be able to see Misato. In reality his spiritual part of his mind didn't have time for practice or become exposed to such activity to open his 'third eye' upon the spiritual world. Granted he can perceive enough to be able to see at a very close and personal distance. But not to the point where he can see something with equivalent of low levels to higher. Even someone at a low level he can barely make out some detail, but since Misato is not only more experienced but her spiritual pressure was something outside of his scope to see.

Just when Aien thought he might as well try to find the dog's owner he felt a certain light force onto his head that made him flinch back a bit with his eyes closed. 'Was that an acorn that hit me?' Aien first thought as he was confused until he opened his eyes. What he couldn't see before was Misato that he can clearly see now. Which made him confused as to why he couldn't see her before, and he actually wondered if he might be going blind. "That'll let you see stuff for awhile, I'd give it a few hours." The moment Misato spoke was when Aien put the pieces together as it was the same voice he heard moments ago.

"See stuff? What exactly am I not seeing?" Aien wondered as being the naïve mind and hasn't really been educated in the spiritual world. At least that's not in tales and legends of folk lore. That was before he caught a glimpse of a boy, perhaps 6 years old at the most from the looks of him. With a freckled face, short blonde hair, and... Aien could just be imagining things but he could feel a lot of affection from seeing this image. It was just a glimpse as it faded away as quickly as it came into his mind. Yet he remembers it like it was part of his mind. But no what Aien had seen was actually who the dead dog loved the most. Raising his arm to lightly touch the spot where Misato flicked him at as he seemed distant as he was experiencing something Aien didn't really understand. "What was that... My imagination or perhaps... a memory. But then..." Aien's voice trailed off as his eyes went down as noticed how warm the dog had suddenly gotten. It is just a theory that has a slight chance of being true in Aien's mind, but he's putting pieces together as it might be the dog's fondest memory.

Realizing that Misato is still here, he clears his throat as Aien gets his composure back. "Sorry about that, I don't know how I didn't see you before, but it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Aien Lunasinger, 1rst year in Karakura High School. May I ask for your name?" Granted young Aien is still unsure about the new experiences he had just witnessed, but he thought perhaps after thinking it over it might actually start to make sense to him over time. Additionally, he even extends his left hand out as a friendly gesture to shake hands. At least that's the normal friendly greeting method he was always taught to do when introducing yourself.

"Misato... Well it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Misato." Aien responded in a kind gesture as his expression doesn't really change much with her sinister smile. It didn't seem like it was something Aien was used to nor did it bother him. For there was an instant of Aien faltered in his demeanor, but he quickly adapted and was able to adjust his awareness accordingly. Yes he is still confused on what is happening, but Aien is also aware that being calm and listening all that he can is a more accurate method of learning more.

Seeing Misato beginning to walk away with a gesture of her head Aien caught the meaning to follow behind. So the human stood up on his feet and for a moment quickened his pace to catch up to Misato before he walks at the same speed as her. Noticing some passerby of other people were giving him a funny look, but he can't really blame them. If he couldn't see Misato before she flicked him Aien honestly doubts the other humans can see her without being helped in the same manner. Relaxing was something that Aien is trying to do, but with this new 'third eye' of his the human can't help but feel a little excited. This was more than just discovering something about the human body from a textbook and that seems to fill Aien with exciting new ideas of what other things that he doesn't know about.

"Don't look with your eyes, let that third eye of yours see for you. Don't think too much." Were the words of advice slipping from her lips that sunk into Aien's mind. Not thinking was something that was kind of hard to accomplish with all of the questions flowing in his mind. Nonetheless, clearing his mind with his eyes closed, Aien entered a semi state of meditation to clear his mind, relax, and find the inner peace of his soul. It only took him a minute to accomplish this, but once Aien was done he can focus on this third eye with his full attention. Granted he can't 'see' very far out, but still he was able to make out a small number of other Souls that is not the dog in his arms. "I just have to ask... with all of these people I've never seen before, are they perhaps like ghosts?" A simple and probably mundane question considering Misato's experience. Still, Aien had to clarify this so that he can confirm if his suspicion is true or not.

Aien would grow a bit quiet as the sounds seemed to have drowned out. His focus being directed over to the business men focused on their cell phones. For some reason the sight of them reminded the young teen just how life as a human could take him to. Whatever fate has decided for Aien, he is almost certain that his life is going to be anything but human. It's not some kind special power or technique that allows him to see into the future. It is more of a feeling in his gut, his instinct, regarding of the past couple of events recently. Not to mention his strange power to begin with is a life changing fact.

"So you got any food anywhere? Or any cash? A ghost like myself doesn't carry cash." This caused Aien to raise a brow as his body briefly went into an autopilot mode and simply followed Misato. "I do indeed carry cash on me, but why is that I get the feeling that a ghost is trying to get something to eat? Are you hungry by any chance?" Aien had to ask as he's certain that ghosts don't really need to eat, but then that horrid memory of the Holer came flashing into his mind that made him purse his lips. "Sorry, I guess some do need to consume something. I'm just thanking whatever god there is that you're not that monster I encountered the other day. So I guess I probably should get you something to eat before you decide to eat or whatever it is you guys need to survive." However he doesn't really dare to attempt for the bar. Since there is obviously a bouncer standing in position next to the door.

However to Aien's surprise the bouncer actually motioned with his index finger while wearing shades and appears to be looking at Aien. Gesturing the teen to come up to him, but the only question that ran through his mind for what precisely? Looking both ways for a moment to check for vehicles, Aien crossed the road to the bouncer before the ebony man with dreadlocks that honestly makes this bouncer seem rather good looking. Not to mention Aien can make out a scorpion design tattoo on the left side of the bouncer's face. "I hate to ask you this kid, but have you seen a dog running around here? She's a small dog, barely older than two months old and fluffy orange-brown hair." Funny enough that actually matched with the puppy's description that Aien just so happens to be holding. "Oh, you mean... actually yes I have, but unfortunately she might have gotten careless on the roads and well..." It didn't take much before the bouncer got where Aien was going and shook his head in disagreement. "Damn, sorry to hear that kid. Did you return the body to their owner at least?" Now it was Aien to shake his head before admitting that he's been looking around for her owner.

Aien thought about Misato's question for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah because your body has burnt through the energy you had and what you had preserved is now being used to sustain your body in order for you to get nutrition in your system again." Aien responded with a rather logical answer. Well, maybe logical for someone of his age as Aien is still a teen and practically looks a bit young. His appearance hasn't really changed since he was 14 and here it is almost turning 17. Hasn't really changed since then except that he now has to shave the facial hair every now and then.

"Hey kid, if you make the meal good enough I'll teach a neat trick." Misato sprang up the offer as it certainly reached his ears. Though now Aien has to think what would be good enough meal for Misato, and so he had to ask a rather basic question to know what suggest to Misato. "Well are you allergic to anything? Perhaps dropping in your favorite type of food along the way?" Okay maybe not so basic as he kind of flirted with Misato though it was very light due to his wording. His tone however is just casual and his eyes only shine curiosity while trying to figure out what Misato likes.

To be honest Aien isn't much of a flirt to begin with, in fact he'll probably be the one to tell anyone bluntly that he doesn't really know how to flirt. It just comes out of his lips and Aien won't even realize that he's flirting until later. Which that 'later' would be now as his eyes went to the top left corner thinking to himself. 'I just flirted didn't I? Perhaps I should've worded that differently.' However he doesn't bring it up as he mentally takes notes of what Misato likes. "...Pizza's good, i'd settle for a good hamburger too. But we're in Japan, so beef is a bit rough to come by." Aien would nod his head in agreement as Japan's natural resource don't really contain a lot of meat choices like some of the other countries do. Hell they don't really get the normal potatoes like in North America and even in Europe. Instead Japan has to make do with water potatoes, but they're just as good depending on what the chef does with it.

"Plus even we do find something like that, it's a tad bit more expensive than getting something like an octopus to eat." Aien commented as he was following up on her suggestions. Practically showing that he is paying attention to Misato, and the main reason is because Aien has seen several times of how Kyle, one of the Student Council's members, immediately got rejected for not listening. Not that Aien can blame them, but then Aien has to hear Kyle whine of being rejected every time. "Udon, I'd be happy with udon. Maybe shrimp udon, but I'm not picky." Now that is something that Aien is actually familiar with and he couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "Well it just so happens that I happen to know a recipe from my mother of how to make udon. Though it's been a while since I've been in the kitchen I'll admit since I entered high school, but if you would like I can make you some if that's what you prefer."

"You're call, cook what you like. It's important in a developing relationship that you always remain yourself." That was a bit of logic that Aien actually one hundred percent agree with. "Aye, to be honest I don't see the point of being someone that isn't you. Sure you can get some inspiration from other sources to help build character, but other people would be more open to you if you simply become what you are." Aien responded almost like he kind practiced that speech, but that's only because he's told Kyle this every time Kyle gets rejected. But Kyle never listens to Aien so the human kind of gave up after a while. The little amount of flirting on Misato's part was noted mentally due to her change of tone, and he of course presented a soft smile.

Aien didn't complain as he paid for the food, almost seeming to forget that it was part of Misato's offer as he chatted away. Though it might seem odd to the other people that he's talking to thin air as the two bowls were gone from its contents. Aien's life, aside from the recent supernatural events, is fairly normal for someone who might be into sports. However probably the most interesting part about Aien is that he is aware of a sword style that seems focused on a peaceful philosophy with their blade. Though the fuse might be sizzled since if asked Aien would admit that he hasn't picked up a sword even a wooden one in two months after the catastrophe that occurred in Karakura. While he wouldn't know the truth behind that event, but to all humans it was the cause of a horrible earthquakes. Luckily Aien wasn't in the city at the time and was actually hiking up a mountain.

Aien, looking down at the puppy that actually was let walking around, has been following Aien the entire time. As they reached to river, one that Aien painfully remembers as that sickening warm feeling of red liquid falling onto his shoulders still fresh in his mind. It was a pain in the ass trying to get that blood out of his clothes and in the end had to toss them out because there was too much to clean up and the chemicals was damaging the cloth. Though while he was thinking about it, Aien could've sworn he heard that distinct howl in the distance, but it was just him remembering that noise the Hollow had made. "Alright, tell me this: What do you know about your soul?" Misato asked specifically and Aien understood of what she meant. For yes he is ignorant of the spiritual world as it was recently opened to his eyes, but he is well aware of his own strength. "Well... I guess if there's anything that I am aware of is this particular thing that I have. Most seem to call it a gift, but I tend to think that it is more of a curse than a gift."

Aien took a deep breath as he honestly hates saying this phrase because while yes it is the phrase to activate his power, Aien hates the feeling that something like a secondary personality is in his mind. "Heed my call, Aurora!" Aien's once warm black hair sheds off to reveal a stark white hair in its place. His eyes turn into a more crimson color that faintly glows, radiating a lot of hatred yet more of a cold hatred. The calm and collected type more or less. Crimson cracks can be seen appearing under his eyes that radiate the same glow, but the most distinct about Aien's release is this aura that seeps from his body. Reiatsu physically visible wraps around Aien in a dark rose red aura that takes the form of a wispy smoke. Yet it radiates a certain malice that if anyone was to try to sense at first glance he would have been mistaken as a Hollow because of the malice that aura radiates. "I honestly don't know how in the world I have this ability, but during my training I accidentally discovered by tapping into my soul I can change into a stronger form. Since meditating and imbuing the blade no matter if its steel or wooden with your soul. I'm not sure if this answers your question, but I think it's probably the best one I can give to you." Aien responded as there was like a second voice that was disembodied speaking along with his words. Making his words sound like they're echoing, but least to say Aien has revealed the release that he possesses.