Chapter One
Ichigo felt hopeless powerless and depressed. A year ago feeling all powerful and in control fighting, Aizen. A month later Ichigo lost his spirit power and lost the ability to see the dead. The shinigami claimed that they were trying there hardest to find a way to keep his powers, but his will to protect people ignored this and caused him to lose it while trying to save a little boy's soul. The little boy was lucky that Chad and Rukia were close enough to defeat the hollow and send the boy's soul into soul society.
Tomorrow will be the anniversary to the day he used the Final Getsuga Tensho. That started the loss of his powers. The loss of the ability to protect his precious people and to fight in what he believes in.
Ichigo sat on the bench at the location of where his mother died staring intently into the water and remembering what he did for soul society and how alone he feels. Ichigo thought if he sacrifice his powers he could live with himself, but instead it causes him to be left out by the people he fought side by side with, the people he have a greater bond with and it hurt him emotionally and started to erodes that which kept him together.
Out of the corner of Ichigo's eye on towards his left side stood a slender woman with straight black hair. She approached and sat next to Ichigo and looked at the setting sun.
"What are you doing here miss?"
"We'll I pass you ten minutes and I was on my way home and notice you have that blank stare you have." Ichigo had a small rain cloud over him. She seems to notice the small cloud and introduces herself.
"I'm Bambietta Basterbine. I just move here and I actually got lost." She gave an enchanting smile that gave a tug at the corners of Ichigo's mouth, a smile that says anything can be done.
"Ichigo Kurosaki. I'll gladly help you guide you home."
"I'm not that kind of person Kurosaki-san, but it isn't my home." She said in a mocking voice with a lewd smile. Ichigo turned bright red.
"Did anyone tell you that you look like a strawberry?"
"I'm not a strawberry. My name actually means number one guardian." Ichigo smiled. Bambietta returned the smile. A slight ring could be heard. It originated from Bambietta's cell phone. Ichigo didn't see the text, but to Bambietta it is shocking news.
Sternritter 'E'
You are to complete your assignment before you even try to head back to Silbern. Don't come back if you fail your mission.
Haschwalth
Bambietta gasped and stopped walking. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her sudden stop, but when he took a closer look in her eyes notices that she has tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't cry." Ichigo whispered into her ear and held her in the most comforting manner he could do possible, but this didn't stop his face from gaining a slight redness as he realized how close they are. At this point the reason why Ichigo comforted her is either his brotherly instincts kicked in or he likes her or both.
"The friend that I was living with kicked me out and notified me that I'm to find someone else to home."
"Then you can live at my house until then." Bambietta gave a small smile and whispered a quiet thank you. The two stood there for several minutes. She pulled out of the embrace.
"You sneaky little bastard if you really wanted it that badly you could've just asked straight forwardly at least." Bambietta said mockingly. Ichigo turned beat red and started to splutter.
"Such a prude." Bambietta gave one of her enchanting smiles that always made Ichigo want to smile also. The two found themselves in front of the Kurosaki Clinic. Ichigo opened the front door first. The two enter the house that goes either to the stairs or the living room with kitchen components.
"I'm home!" Ichigo yelled, but didn't get a response. Ichigo went into the living room and kitchen area to find a note on the counter. The note is divided up into three sections. Each section for each member of the house and it started off with Isshin, Ichigo read that Isshin is going to have an overnight meeting with other medical industries. Karin is going over to one of her teammates in soccer to spend the night there. Yuzu is at one of her friend's house and is also going to spend the night over there.
Ichigo sighed loudly. Bambietta read from over Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo practically jumped when he turned to leave the room. Ichigo silently cursed himself for forgetting Bambietta.
"Already forgot me." Bambietta pouted 'cutely' in Ichigo's mind. Ichigo gave a true full genuine smile. Ichigo sat down on the couch and turned on the TV set. Ichigo noticed she didn't move and decide to be bold.
"I don't believe I forgot you." Ichigo grabbed her hand and pulled her to the couch. The two had red faces as bright as a strawberry.
After a little while Bambietta fell asleep on Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo never been in a situation with a girl took a blatant interest into him. The girls at his school don't show him much attention due to his scowling face, but that didn't bug him. Ichigo promptly fell asleep when the hour hit 12:00am mostly because the shows on the TV are trash.
Next Morning
Isshin got out of the overnight meeting at around eight. Yuzu called to ask Isshin if he can pick up supplies to make Ichigo a special meal. Isshin being Isshin said he'll pick both his lovely daughters and obtain the supplies.
Isshin picked up Yuzu first due to her close proximity and Karin second. The group of three head to the grocery store, Yuzu went to gain the supplies for her brother's meal. The other two follow Yuzu both not really know what is need for Ichigo's meal.
The group collects the supplies in the manner of ten minutes. The gathering for the meal would have been done faster if it weren't for the fact that there are more people than usual. Karin overheard one of the people speaking saying that the celebration tonight will be a celebration of someone's ultimate defeat.
As they leave, Karin notices Rukia. Karin shouts to get Rukia's attention. Rukia stood next to Ichigo's former group of friends that excludes Uryu, the Quincy states he can't mingle with Shinigami that the only exception is Ichigo. There are also two other Shinigami Renji and Toshiro. The group notice Karin and they said there polite hellos.
"Rukia, can you bring your band of friends and come over today. Please." Karin never says please and to hear her say it means it is either really important or the world is ending. Yuzu use her puppy eyes onto Rukia. Rukia had anime tears run down her cheeks and said yes.
The group head to the Kurosaki home when Karin notices that there is a presence at her home that she didn't recognize. Karin gave a look to Rukia; the girl in question gave a frown. Karin rushes the group to the Kurosaki clinic.
On the way, Karin finally notices Toshiro. The young captain gave a friendly nod to Karin. Karin send back the nod determined to see what is going on, deep in her heart she has a part of Ichigo's will to protect.
On the scene is Uryu, the Quincy, just arriving along with Rukia's group. Uryu sent a nod to Chad the two prepare to break down the doors, but the person that did the most common sense thing is Yuzu who just opened the door and yelled she is home.
When she didn't hear a response she assumed Ichigo is upstairs with someone. Rukia blatantly fidgeted with her fingers. Yuzu and Isshin grab the cups they plan to use to listen to Ichigo, but Orihime's gasp stop them from going all the way upstairs. The family members went to Orihime.
They discovered a female lying on Ichigo's shoulder like he is a pillow, but the most noticeable is that Ichigo's face isn't in a perma-scowl instead it is in a slight smile. The first smile the group has seen since after Aizen's defeat and it isn't a stressed smile it is a genuine smile. This stopped the group from questioning Ichigo right there.
With Rukia's Group
Renji sent a nod to Toshiro and the two pulled Orihime and Rukia out of the room. Chad and Uryu followed behind them. The group exits the house and Rukia practically exploded with anger. Orihime unlike Rukia stayed deathly silent and going over the image of some random person sleeping on Ichigo's arm.
"I still can't believe that JERK and the worst part is he didn't say anything to anyone!" Rukia shouted. Chad noted that she wasn't around to be told and that she not visiting is her problem.
Uryu gave a sympathetic look to Orihime the two got closer since Ichigo lost his power to save the world. Anyone can sense Uryu's care for Orihime ever since she was captured it became rather obvious.
The group head into a park that is rented by the Soul Society in order to celebrate the defeat of Aizen and his arrancar. The celebration is a highly likely one to last overnight. Sake, Food, and even fireworks will be provided for the celebration.
With the Kurosakis
"Goat face I don't recommend on watching them till they wake. If Ichi-nii finds out he'll be angry." Karin said giving a scowl that isn't as fierce as Ichigo's own scowl. Yuzu follows her father to practically bird watch Ichigo and the new girl that is with Ichigo.
Yuzu and Isshin badly conceal themselves in some of the plants that are in the house. Karin rolled her eyes at their obviousness. The two stuck out more sorely than a stain on a white shirt. Karin went to her shared room to go and do her homework.
The first one of the two to stir is Bambietta. She didn't move to leave Ichigo's warmth, but furthered herself into Ichigo's warmth. She stayed in the range of the protector's arm. Bambietta gave a sigh of content.
Ichigo groggily opened his eyes to see a girl on his shoulder. He nearly jumped out of his skin. Ichigo never really made contact with a girl, but the memories of last night entered his mind and how right it seemed.
The two weren't aware of being watched until a squeal came from one of the plants, Yuzu's squeal. The two glance at each other and then at the plant to see a horrendously camouflage Isshin and Yuzu.
Bambietta had to hold herself from blowing the two up for watching her. She is stop from exploding her frustration when Ichigo placed a hand on her shoulder that slightly calms her down, but she gives off a glare to the two. The younger one gave an uncomfortable swallow.
"So, what are we going to do today, Bambietta?" The older brother did it so Yuzu can escape Bambietta's angry gaze. Bambietta let up her gaze and looked into Ichigo's soft brown eyes. Yuzu slowly left Ichigo's eyesight. Isshin jumped back in the bushes and continues to watch.
"I want to know you Kurosaki." Ichigo scowled at her calling him Kurosaki. Bambietta raised an eyebrow at Ichigo's scowl.
"Ichigo, I don't like my friends calling me Kurosaki and that is mostly because it sounds too formal." Bambietta smiled. She took Ichigo's arm and the two left the house to get to know each other. Isshin jumped out of the bushes with a wide smile when the two left the house. Isshin headed to the poster of Maskai.
"Our son is growing up so fast!" Isshin said while anime tears fell down his cheek and also weirdly hugging the poster for absolute no purpose. Karin from the top of the stairs hears her father crying onto the poster. Karin got her soccer ball and kicked it to the back of Isshin's head to give him some damn sense about talking to the poster.
Ichigo
The two left from the Kurosaki clinic. The plan for the two is to spend the day together getting to know each other, do activities together, and to become better friends. For Ichigo, he feels very familiar with Bambietta even though he just met her the day before to Ichigo it felt odd that he feels so familiar with Bambietta. The feeling couldn't be explained.
The two started off wandering around the city to do the things that can be done in a city. The interesting place of the city is the monument that is built at the town center. The monument is a large object that seems to have strange symbols on it. Ichigo noticed the symbols due to having no spiritual power.
"What are those strange markings?" Ichigo said. Bambietta gave Ichigo a confused look. Ichigo moved forward to the monument. Bambietta still has a confused look that says 'tell me what the fuck is going on dammit'.
"What markings?" Bambietta asked. Ichigo simply pointed in front of him the symbol only he can see.
Ichigo knelt down and touch the monument starting symbol were all paths leads to. The object reacted to Ichigo's touch and the paths turned to a bright orange. Time stopped for everyone else around Ichigo. Only Ichigo could move around in the end of motion.
A whispered sounded from the wind. "Who bears the Mantle?" Ichigo scowled not knowing the answer or who asked it. Time resumed its regular course. Bambietta looked at Ichigo in a questioning manner.
"What is it Strawberry?" Bambietta asked Ichigo since he wasn't scowling before he touches the stone. Ichigo looked at her and then at the stone. Ichigo felt a coldish touch on his back that causes him to shiver.
"Strawberry?" Bambietta asked in a whispered concerned voice, so that someone that is extremely close to the two wouldn't hear her concerned voice.
"That was weird and confusing." Ichigo said in a whispered tone while staring where the marker is at. Bambietta grabs Ichigo's hand to give him reassurance. Ichigo gave her a smile and Bambietta returns the smile.
"So, Strawberry are you going to tell what happened?" Bambietta questions Ichigo. She wanted to know what had occurred between Ichigo and the object's symbol.
"When I touched it time froze and I was the only being aware. Then a whispery robotic voice sounded very softly in my ears asking me 'Who bears the Mantle?'" Ichigo said in a quiet voice. Bambietta's eyes widen.
'Is Ichigo really developing that fast? Did he just unlock his powers?' Bambietta wondered in her mind not daring asking Ichigo the answers she is looking for. She needs Ichigo on her side on his own will and saying that she knew he had powers would raise suspicion onto her. Bambietta felt an internal happiness.
"Stop lying Ichigo. We both know that is a lie." Bambietta said to Ichigo to give the illusion of being a regular human and not a medium between the spiritual worlds.
"Yeah a lie that's right." Ichigo said going with what Bambietta just said. The two found themselves at a park gate. An aroma of good food assaulted their nostrils. Ichigo didn't remember a holiday declared today.
"Let's go investigate this smell." Ichigo stated. Bambietta found herself nodding. The two walked on a gravel path for a minute before they reached the area they were looking for, a barbeque with almost a ton of soul reapers.
When the two arrived the shinigami that were having a party froze, but it wasn't only them along them were Uryu, Chad, and Orihime. Ichigo had to hold himself from charging at his friends and the shinigami. They are celebrating the defeat of Aizen and that fact frustrated Ichigo.
|Chapter End|