Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. If I did... well that would be pretty cool.
AN: PLEASE READ THIS! This will be the only AN, so I promise no more after this one. First off, I know this isn't Five Beating Hearts, but just listen for a second. Last year my grandma passed away. Two months ago, my great aunt passed away. One month ago, my cousin passed away. Now both my great grandfather and great grandmother are in the hospital. My great grandmother passed away four days ago. I haven't heard anything about my great grandfather yet, but it's not looking good. I've just had a really terrible year. Five Beating Hearts will come out after I post this story. I really just needed to vent some feelings through writing. I apologize if this it's too dark or intense for you. If it is, please feel free to stop reading.
The idea first came to be when I read Ranking by Straight-Outta-Hobbiton. The story is short, but very touching. That, paired with current events, led to this story. Thank you to Straight-Outta-Hobbiton for that great story and giving me the inspiration for this one. If you are reading this, YOU ARE AWESOME!. :) if they are to much alike, and I could get in trouble for copying their story, let me know and I'll take this one down.
Thanks to everyone who continues to read my writing, even though it's not the best. I appreciate the support and every view I get makes me smile. This story will be kept relatively short, less than 15k words, so expect the first chapter of FBH within the next two weeks. Without further ado, here is A Night to Forget.
WARNING! Some events in this story involve acts and depictions of a sensitive nature. If you are sensitive to any such acts or depictions, do not read any further. You have been warned.
Chapter 1: Distraught
Cold. Cold was all he could think about. It was the middle of winter and he was standing outside, in his soul reaper form, freezing his ass off.
Rukia was supposed to meet him atop the school building twenty minutes ago, but she still hasn't shown up yet. It wasn't like her to be late, so, naturally, he became concerned. He was very near to going to look for her, when a familiar voice called out to him from the fat side of the school.
"Ichigo!" He turned and saw the girl running at him.
"You know you're late, right?"
"Give me a break! I had to fight off a few hollows on my way here. Speaking of which, why didn't you show up and help me! There were at least fifty of them!"
Ichigo raised his eyebrows in doubt. "I seriously doubt there were fifty hollows. As for me not showing up, I think it's the weather. I've got a bit of a cold and it's messing with my head. I was never good at sensing hollows before, but with my cold, I can't even sense your spiritual pressure from here."
Rukia looked surprised at what he said, but accepted it nonetheless.
"Okay then, we well just have to patrol together then. It will take a bit longer, but at least we will have some company." She smiled up at Ichigo, who returned it with sincerity.
"That would be nice. It's bad enough patrolling in this weather alone. Having someone to talk to will be a good change of pace, even it is with a midget."
Rukia growled as Ichigo patted her head, but in the end she knew he meant well, so just this once, she let the insult slide.
"We should get moving then. The sooner we get done, the better." Ichigo nodded in agreement.
They both leapt off the school building and raced towards the outskirts of Karakura Town.
After a few minutes of travel, Rukia noticed that Ichigo didn't look so good.
"Are you sure you're alright Ichigo? You look really pale. I can do the patrol by myself, it's no problem."
Ichigo shook his head. "I'll be fine. I'll rest after patrol is over, but I can do it today. Besides, I'd miss your company."
Rukia, to say the least, was slightly shocked, though not unhappy, with his unusually kind words. She felt a smile grace her lips as she was yet again surprised by the strawberry.
"That was really sweet off you to say."
"Don't mention it. I'm a sweet guy, remember?" He chuckled a bit to himself and Rukia joined him after a moment. Once they stopped, Rukia refocused herself on the mission.
"Hey Rukia?"
"What is it?"
"Tell me. It's been nearly two months since I've been to the Soul Society. How is everyone doing?"
Now Rukia was a little more than surprised. Since when did the tough guy, Ichigo Kurosaki, start asking about the welfare of people he barely knew. She figured there must be some reason he is acting like this, but for now she would just humor him.
"Everyone is good. Renji is still Renji. Rangiku is even more obsessed with shopping if that is possibly. Captain Hitsugaya put in several transfer forms for a new lieutenant, all out which were denied..."
"How's Byakuya doing?"
Okay, there is definitely something wrong with Ichigo. He never talked about her brother, unless it was to bad mouth him, much less ask how he was doing.
"My brother? He it's the same as always. Brother never changes."
"Of course." The rest of the patrol went on in silence.
When they finished, Ichigo stopped Rukia before she could leave.
"If you have a few minutes to spare, would you like to stop by the house? We can have a cup of tea and chat some more."
"Thanks, but I can't. I have to report back to Captain Ukitake as soon as I finished here before leaving for another mission."
"Oh..." Ichigo looked sad. Rukia had seen distressed before, but he looked like he might cry right now. Ichigo threw on a fake smile quickly. "That's okay. Maybe next time you're in town."
"Of course. I will definitely stop by." She gave a small wave and a smile before opening a Senkaimon. "Bye Ichigo."
"Goodbye Rukia." She stepped through the Senkaimon and disappeared.
Ichigo let out a long sigh of exasperation. He was planning on telling her today, but... he just couldn't. He hasn't told anyone yet...
-Flashback, 2 Months Ago-
"Kurosaki, what a pleasant surprise!" The kind hearted captain of the 4th division remarked at the boy, not used to seeing someone like him around here. Word has it that he is a quick healer and never visited the doctor unless absolutely necessary.
"Captain Unohana... could I schedule an appointment?"
"No need to, I'm free right now. What seems to be the problem?"
Ichigo fidgeted nervously. "I think I'm sick."
"Do you not feel well Kurosaki? I would be more than happy to examine you, if you would like?"
Ichigo nodded. "I would appreciate that very much Captain Unohana."
As she led the young man to a free room, she couldn't help but notice a change in his demeanor. He was... nice. He was polite and courteous... in other words, not himself.
She opened a door and led him inside.
"Please lie down on the cot. I'm going to do a full body scan of your organs and such to make sure there are no abnormalities."
"Uhh..." He started to fidget again. "Do I need to remove my clothes?" The captain smiled and shook her head.
"No need. It will only take a moment." Ichigo lied on the cot as a faint, pale green light erupted from her hands. She passed them slowly over his body, starting from his head. When she reached his chest however, she gasped and released the kido.
"... Kurosaki...?"
"So I was right?"
The now concerned captain gave him a confused look. "You knew?"
"I had a feeling. My mom was a Quincy after all. Mixing Quincy and soul reaper blood must have caused complications."
"You then know that there is no cure..."
"I know." Once again the captain was shocked at his revelation. This kid, turned man, fought Aizen, lost his soul reaper powers, then gained them back, now had an incurable disease... and he wasn't sad?
"Kurosaki-"
"Ichigo is fine. I'm not one for formalities anyways."
"Very well. Ichigo, if you knew about it, why did you come here? It it's truly incurable. I'm afraid that anything I use or do would have no effect. It might even make it worse."
Ichigo sat up and stared at the wall. He stayed that way for a long time, staring into the wall like it held the answer to his dilemma.
Unohana was about to leave when he spoke up.
"I want to ask you a favor."
She halted her footsteps and turned to face him. "What it's it?"
"Can you give me pills to combat the disease?" Unohana shook her head, but before she could reply, Ichigo continued his thought. "I know I don't have much more than a month or two left, but could you make a pill that negates the symptoms for three months? I... I don't want to tell everyone yet, but I don't want then to find out from me having a seizure in the middle of class... I know I'm pretty much asking for the impossible, but just give me three months."
Captain Unohana liked nearly everyone. There really wasn't a single person that she couldn't get along with. Ichigo was one of the special few that she truly cared for. In a way, she came to see him as a son and not a fellow soul reaper.
She admired the boy and respected his skills. Not to mention his courage and his undying loyalty was something to look up to.
The Ichigo in front of her now though... he was different. He accepted his imminent death and almost seemed content with it. He didn't want any special treatment or attention, he just wanted an extra month or two so he could gather the courage to tell his friends and family.
Unohana thought about what Ichigo asked. It wasn't an unreasonable request. In a week she might be able to formulate something like that.
"Ichigo..."
"I don't want empty promises. Just try to. If you can't, oh well. It won't be much of a difference to me."
Her heart ached a little at his smile. So full of acceptance at his fate.
"You know I have to tell Head Captain Yamamoto, right?" He nodded. "If the Head Captain so wishes, he may disclose that information however he sees fit."
Ichigo grinned at this. "Then I guess I better talk to the old man."
-Present Day-
"Guess I should go home then." He turned and walked away from his perfect opportunity.
On his way home, Ichigo thought of how to tell his family. He was planning on telling Rukia along with them, but that wasn't an option now.
He sighed aloud. It wasn't going to be an easy night.
"Hey Ichigo!" The strawberry turn his head to see his long time friends, Tatsuki, Chad, and Orihime, jogging towards him.
"Hey guys."
Chad gave a small wave in acknowledgement. Orihime simply smiled. Tatsuki clapped him on the back with get trademark grin.
"What are you doing way out here by yourself? You're gonna catch a cold."
Ichigo smiled at Tatsuki. She doesn't act like it, but deep down she's just a big old softie. "Just thinking."
She frowned at his explanation. "I don't know anyone who just stands in the snow to think. It's there something wrong Ichigo?"
"Nothing that can anyone can do anything about." Both her and Orihime frowned deeper. "Hey, would you guys want to come overt for dinner tonight?" They all gave an affirmative. "Cool. Get Uryuu to come to. I want him there."
Chad raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything about it.
"I'll get him."
"Thanks Chad. I have to go now. Yuzu doesn't know she is cooking for twice as many people, ado she might need some help in the kitchen." He waved to his friends and left, not knowing about the weird looks he was getting.
"Ichigo! You're back!" Yuzu jumped on her brother as he walked through the front door.
"It's good to see you too Yuzu. Hey I'll help you in the kitchen. Sorry about the short notice, but I invited a few friends over to eat."
Yuzu simply smiled. "That's okay! Who's coming over?"
"Let's see... there's Tatsuki, Chad, Orihime... oh, and Uryuu too."
Yuzu paled visibly. "T-that's twice as many people! We have to start right away!" She grabbed Ichigo's hand and dragged him towards the kitchen, much to the confusion of Karin, who was walking down the stairs when she saw them.
"What's the rush?"
"Ichigo's friends are coming over so we need to make more food!" Karin just shrugged and continued on her way.
"Did someone say friends!?" Isshin came around the corner, poking his head into the kitchen.
"Yeah dad, Tatsuki and the others are eating over here tonight."
Yuzu dropped the spoon she was holding and slowly turned towards get brother.
Y-you just called him dad..." Ichigo looked at her, confused, before shrugging.
"Yeah, I guess I did. So what?"
Yuzu started to tear up before grabbing Ichigo in a tight hug.
"That's the first time I've ever heard you call him dad!" Her sobbing brought Karin into the kitchen.
"What now?" She turned to Isshin, who had a big smile on his face. His eyes were slightly watery.
"My son acknowledged me as his father!" He bellowed. Karin just shook her head.
"Whatever, call me when dinner is done." She left, leaving Isshin in a state of shock.
"My precious daughter is ignoring a monumental moment of our family bonding!" He flung himself at the poster of his wife. "Oh Masaki! What should I do!"
An hour later, Ichigo and Yuzu had finished preparing all the extra food and had set the kitchen table. Just as they were finishing, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it." Ichigo walked to the door, and greeted his friends.
"Hey guys, glad you could make it." He stepped aside and let them all come in. Uryuu looked a little sour, but everyone else seemed to be happy to be there.
"Everything is ready, just put your coats up and had to the kitchen." They nodded in understanding and began taking their coats off. Ichigo grabbed Uryuu's shoulder before he could and lied him in the eye.
"I'm glad you came."
Uryuu was appalled by this statement. Ichigo's smile was sincere and there was no hatred in his eyes, so why was he glad? Ichigo left before Uryuu could respond.
Once in the kitchen, they found their seats and began.
"That was the best meal I have had in a while. Great job Yuzu." Yuzu blushed at Tatsuki's kind words, but accepted the praise nevertheless.
"It was very good. I appreciate the invite." Uryuu shocked everyone with his compliment, but they didn't say anything.
"It was nice to have Ichigo's friends over. You all should come over more often."
Tatsuki, Chad, and Orihime all nodded in agreement. Uryuu was as stoic as ever.
"Alrighty. Let's all go to my room. I want to talk with you guys about... stuff."
"But Ichigo..." Yuzu whined. She knew that meant she couldn't listen.
"Don't worry. I'm going to tell you, Karin, and dad after they leave. I just want them to know without family present."
Yuzu huffed but left anyways. The others were curious as to what Ichigo wanted to say, but they followed him to his room without asking any questions anyways.
Once his door was locked, he took a seat in his chair and looked at his friends. Chad and Uryuu were on the ground weeks Tatsuki and Orihime took the bed.
"I... I'm really sorry I didn't tell you all earlier." Tatsuki raised an eyebrow at him.
"Tell us what Ichigo?"
He moved over to one of his desk drawers and reached inside. He pulled out a bottle of pills.
"This." Orihime gasped.
"You're a drug addict!?" Ichigo started to laugh.
"No no, noting like that. I have to take two a day."
"What for?" Uryuu knew a lot about medicine, considering his father is a doctor. Ichigo must have a sickness and he was hiding it.
"I have something called Blood Repulsion."
"Blood... Repulsion? I've never heard of it before?" Uryuu spoke up before anyone else could.
"Of course you haven't. It is very rare and only occurs in the child of a Quincy and a Soul Reaper."
"What are the symptoms?"
"...Do you know what happens when someone is given a blood transfusion with the wrong kind of blood? Each type starts destroying the others. It's like that but with everything. My organs, blood, the works."
The group looked rather shocked.
"So do those pills help you get better?" Orihime was tearing up, but willed herself not to cry.
Ichigo shook his head. "No. They combat the symptoms. Dizziness, fainting, coughing up blood, vomiting, internal bleeding, paralysis, and seizures."
Tatsuki's mouth dropped after getting that. "You mean all of that would be happening to you if it wasn't for those pills?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"So how long until you get better?" Chad spoke for the first time since entering Ichigo's room.
"I can't get better. It's impossible to cure."
Uryuu spoke hesitantly. "So you mean..."
Ichigo sighed. "What I'm saying is that I'm dying."