Chapter 163: The most important thing... MONEY!
(A/N In the previous chapter I noticed that I completely forgot to include switcheroo in the powers and I already fixed my mistake. Just so everyone knows it's also completely sealed.)
(Ryoto's pov)
I woke up in the middle of the night with a sword leaning on my shoulder. I didn't wake up because Zangetsu warned me about something or even because of my own instincts but because I heard sobbing nearby.
I could still see fine in the dark, thanks to my eyes. It seems it wasn't sealed since I could do it without activating its powers, but that's not important right now.
Rin was crying in her sleep.
We weren't sleeping next to each other, but we weren't in separate rooms either. I was close enough just to get to her fast in case of an emergency.
To calm her down, I lay next to her and put my arm around her. She stopped sobbing and snuggled with me seeking out the warmth of another person.
---
The following day we woke up as soon as the sun got up. I was the first one to get up, and I went outside to look around. The empty house that we found was in the woods in the middle of nowhere, and I know it's not the safest place, but it's better than nothing. I was making sure that everything was alright before I got back inside and started my daily training with Zangetsu.
I would rather train outside with my actual body, but I don't want to leave Rin while her condition is still unstable.
After Rin woke up, we went around the district once more. I got to know that Gotei 13 exists, so it's at most 1000 years before canon.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get any information about who the captains were. The folk in Rukongai, or more specifically this district, don't get a lot of info about Shinigami since it's one of the lowest districts, but at least we are not in District 80.
After some time, I started feeling hungry.
Ryoto: "Hey Rin, are you feeling hungry?"
Rin: "Now that you mention it, I am."
Hearing that, I glanced at her for a moment. Being hungry means that she has the potential to become Shinigami which also means that she won't be as powerless as I thought she would be. If she trains, of course.
Right now, we don't have any money, so I'll need to steal some food at first, and later on, I'll find a job until I hear something about Shinigami academy recruiting. The job will also help me gather the necessary information.
But first comes stealing.
Getting some food wasn't all that difficult for me. I also tested out how long I could use illusions, and after 2 seconds, my eyes started to hurt.
That's a big nerf but knowing my new limits is essential.
Unfortunately, I didn't have my web shooters with me, so I couldn't just yoink it from far away. I needed to get a little more creative.
I teamed up with some kids so they could distract the food seller, and later we shared the profits. I could do it by myself, but the kids need to eat too, maybe. I'm not really sure, but they can still enjoy eating.
---
A month has passed, and we are still living in the abandoned house in the woods. I found a job, and so did Rin, but we didn't get paid enough as we didn't work every day. The biggest issue was that I refused to part with Zangetsu, and it harmed my ability to get a job. Thankfully I was stronger than an ordinary soul, so my help was appreciated at times. Rin also started training since I got her a wooden sword to train with.
I think she uses training as a distraction because she stills cry at night, and we began sleeping next to each other.
There is also some bad news. I still don't know at what time in canon we are. There are no indications. None at all. We are in the 78th district, which is the same district Rukia and Renji lived in, but I didn't see them at all, so it could be before or after they went to the academy.
I also asked around about Noble houses, but most of the people didn't know about them as they all lived inside Seireitei. What I got, however, was that there are Five Great Noble Houses, so that's something. At least I know that it's before Kaien Shiba died.
It's something.
I also learned that Shinigami academy is starting recruiting in 6 months, so we just missed it as they recruit every 6 months, but we'll need some funds to travel to the 1st district where recruiting occurs, and with our money, it won't be possible.
Apparently, to get to the 'better' districts, you need to pay a fee, and it isn't a small one... compared to our funds, of course.
We are poor. Let's not dance around the topic.
There are always ways to earn money pretty fast, but they are either dangerous or illegal.
There are very few jobs about killing or defeating something or someone since most of these jobs are done by Shinigami. What's left are assassinations jobs.
I normally wouldn't take them, but I'm responsible for Rin, and I'll keep her safe as long as possible and I'll do whatever is necessary.
---
After our daily training, I prepared dinner and broke the news to Rin.
Ryoto: "Rin, in about 3 months, I have a job that will force me to travel for a bit. I think a week or two at max. It will, however, earn us enough to travel to the 1st district."
Rin: "I see. I'll miss this little house of ours, but at least we won't leave for long."
I knew that she would interpret it that way and was a little afraid of that.
Ryoto: "I think you misunderstood me. Only I will go on that job. You're strong enough to protect yourself from normal people around here, but just in case, we'll ask someone we trust to shelter you for that time. It's always safer around more people."
Rin: "A-are you leaving me!? I-I don't want to be alone! What if you die!?"
She almost had a breakdown, but I quickly got to her and hugged her. It looks like she still needs more time to heal, and I'll help her. I just don't know how.
I assume that she needs friends, but she doesn't even try to get close to anyone here, and I am her only connection to her old life. It isn't healthy, but I can't do anything about it for now.
After some more talking about that and calming Rin down, I somehow was able to convince her. It also helped that I will go take a job three months from now on.
---
END
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