A/N: Okay, so, I want to warn you this is kind of a weird and random story…but, hopefully, you will stick with it and find it enjoyable. I've been playing around with this idea for a while, so I hope you feel it turned out okay. Thank you to Blitch, who somehow managed to inspire me with her IchiHime fics--even though this has nothing to do with any of them (that I've read, so far). And thank you also to Shedellepe, who asked me to write more IchiHime!
Apparently, according to wikipedia, "One's Lifetime" is another definition of Ichigo's name. Who knew? It works for this fic, so I'm using it.
Anyway, here it is…hope you like!
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Chapter One – Revelation
Since I first saw you, I've never been able to look away from you in your presence. You seem to radiate with that strength of yours, which far exceeds your years. I was captivated by your gaze – wary, distrusting, and closely guarded, yet seeming to take in everything around you. And yet, I felt connected to you; as I came to know you, I learned this was because we are more alike than what can be seen by most. Behind those shielded eyes of yours lays a mind that sees the world differently, and looks beyond the surface. I see a heart that, like mine, has known pain and suffering, and yet we've both found the ability to keep moving forward through life.
Even more so, I see a fiery soul, raging with intensity, the yearning to understand, and the compulsion to protect. That guardian instinct of yours, far more potent and powerful than mine, etched into every fibre of your being, and closely intertwined with a refusal and a fear of failure. This is your nature, not a lie, but a closely guarded truth, meant to be seen only by those who can truly understand. Like me.
At the same time, I am not like you; I have known many defeats, but your strength, the one part of your soul that all are allowed to see, stands headstrong and impervious to any threat, to yourself and anyone else.
You are the protector of the weak, the guardian of what's right.
You are everything that I am, and everything I wish I could be.
You are everything I could ever want, in this lifetime and the next.
I love you, Ichigo Kurosaki.
My one wish is that, someday, I will have the courage to tell you that.
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Ichigo and Orihime had been assigned to work together on a history project, so they walked back to his house after school. When they went in the door, though, Isshin was waiting for them, looking uncharacteristically sombre.
'Hey, Dad…what's up?" asked Ichigo.
"Nothing good," said Isshin. Noticing Orihime, he said, "I'm sorry, but I think it would be better if you left."
'No, Kurosaki-san, it's all right," came a familiar voice. "She'll hear about this anyway; it might as well be now." Rukia walked around the corner, wearing a light blue t-shirt, a flowered skirt, and a grave expression.
As they were led down the hall, Orihime and Ichigo traded puzzled expressions. When they reached the living room, waiting for them there were Karin, Yuzu, and, surprisingly, Byakuya. It was weird to see him without his haori or the bone ornaments in his hair, instead wearing a black two-piece suit, a white open-collared shirt, and shiny black shoes, with his hair tied back in a short ponytail.
Once everyone was seated, there was a moment of awkward silence as Orihime glanced nervously around the room and Ichigo did the same, only his features were set in a suspicious glare.
Rukia spoke first. "There's no easy way to tell you this, Ichigo," she said slowly. 'But—we need you to come with us to Soul Society."
Ichigo blinked. "That's not a big deal. What's going on here; what's everyone so upset about?"
"That's not it," said Rukia. "It's—you—you'll have to stay for—for—" she seemed to lose her nerve. "—a while."
Ichigo's frown deepened. "I don't get it."
"What my sister is trying to say," said Byakuya, "is – you won't be coming back." For a split second, even he looked a tiny bit uncomfortable.
Orihime's breath caught. What…? They couldn't have meant it that way…right?
Ichigo, too was thrown. 'Wait – hold on a sec. So – how long do you need me there for?"
There was a pause.
"Forever," said Rukia softly.
"For the remainder of your soul's period of existence," said Byakuya. "So, 'forever', merely in a sense—"
"Are you serious?!" demanded Ichigo. Taking another quick look around, he shook his head. 'Okay, dumb question. I mean, I don't even get a choice?!"
"None," confirmed Byakuya soberly.
Orihime's heart was racing; she viciously chewed her nails, a habit in which she hadn't partaken since she was six; her thought were an incomprehensible blur save for a steady stream of no no no no no no no no no…
Ichigo leapt to his feet. "This is bullsh—crap!" he amended, remembering his younger sisters were present. "What the hell is going on here?"
Orihime and all the Kurosakis held their breath for the answer; Isshin, Yuzu, and Karin knew nothing after this point.
"Think, Ichigo," urged Rukia. "As shinigami, what's our job?"
Ichigo had no patience. Being told you permanently had to leave your whole world behind could do that to a person.
"Just tell me!" he snapped. "C'mon, Rukia – you're making it worse for everyone."
But Rukia looked to Byakuya. 'Nii-sama – please…"
'Very well," he said. 'You have to come to Soul Society because – you're dead, Kurosaki-kun."
No one made a sound, but their thoughts were all focused on a single word.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!
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A/N: Okay! There it is! I bet you can see now what I meant by 'random'…next chapter shall be up asap! In the meantime, please review and let me know what you think!
~Raye^^
