Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Any concept you did not recognised may or may not belong to me, however.
Not Beta.
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Prologue
Today was July 15.
Kurosaki Masaki looked worn out and tired; beads of sweat rolling down her temple, but she was pleased nonetheless. Her full, red lips turned up into a beautiful smile, bringing warmth to the sterile white, hospital room she occupied, and her honey-coloured eyes were alight with happiness, as she stared at the bundle of joy sleeping peacefully in her arms.
Kurosaki Ichigo, the baby boy was no more than 5 hours old, so small; he could fit his little head in his palm and crush it in his fist as if it was nothing.
It was hard to relate this tiny, fragile creature with the protector he was — would be, in the future. The man — no, the teenager that had transcended the boundaries of Human, Shinigami and Hollow and more, he who challenged a demi-god and came out of it victorious, all for the sake of protecting his friends and family.
There was a knock on the other side of the door, Masaki looked up and her brilliant smile was greeted by a big grin of her husband. The former Shinigami Captain looked younger without his shadow of a beard, and was neater in appearance, though still not up to his personal standard. Kurosaki Isshin leaned down and, with a voice so full of pride, said hello to his son before cooing over him, inviting a small twist of the corner of his mouth.
Indeed, it was so hard to relate this innocent child with the battle-hardened man that he had came to admire. The war had forced both of them to grow before their time; it was only natural that it happened. However, looking at this scene made him wished that things could go differently — and he will make sure that things would go differently this time. If not for himself, it was for Ichigo, he had sacrificed himself many times and suffered greatly for their sake, he ought to have his happiness instead of—
He closed his eyes, took a long deep breath and let them out slowly.
''What is wrong Masaki?'' Isshin's voice caused his eyes to snap open; he turned toward them to see the Shinigami turned his gaze, following his wife line of vision, to the corner near the window where he was standing.
He tried not to squirm as Masaki stared scrupulously for a moment too long to be comfortable, making him questioned the effectiveness of his concealment, before turning to her husband and said, ''It is nothing, I just a bit tire that is all,'' The statement was back up by the note of fatigue in her tone.
''Well, you should rest then, here, let me take Ichigo to his cradle.'' Isshin said, voice warmed and gentle, very different from the solemn tone he used when he decided to acted fatherly toward Ichigo. It was clear now, when Masaki died, she brought with her not only sweet, little Ichigo to the grave, but her husband as well.
If she lived, everything might have ended differently. Ichigo might not make himself a martyr — perhaps. Time travel was fickle thing after all, and if his plans fail, Masaki would ceased to be a significant figure in her son's life.
Isshin kissed little Ichigo on the head and placed him carefully on the cradle next to the bed Masaki was occupied, he kissed his wife deeply and bid his goodnight, switched off the light and stepped out, closing the door behind him, giving permission for the moon to bathe the room in its silver light.
He walked over toward the bed, breaking the silent that had reigned upon the room with his soft footstep. He placed his palm over Masaki's forehead and cast a minor sleeping spell, bringing her to a restful sleep, the last restful sleep she would ever have had in her entire life, he thought wryly, she will wake up with the sun, refresh and energized… and in complete agony once she find out what he did to her son.
He paused, then, after a moment of thought, he cast another spell for her health, and pray that she would not die early from shock. That, would be the opposite of what he wishes, and besides, he could not — not want to, imagine what kind of a man Isshin would become from such a blow.
''Please, worry yourself not.'' He whispered to her ear. ''I do this with Ichigo's well being in mind. I will take care of him, and I promise you on my pride, that he will grow up knowing you are his mother, someday, you two will meet again.''
Ichigo did not stir when he lifted him — unlike his future self, who woke up fully alert from just a slight breeze of movement.
With one last look to Masaki, he called the shadow and became one with the night.
Thank you very much for reading! *bowed gratefully*
English is not my native language, my Deepest Apologies for any incorrect grammar and tenses you find. Please tell me what you think.