Metamorphosis
The leaves in his ears, like whispers of secrets on the wind. The grass, like icicles jabbing into his legs, nearly making him trip. These petty maters do not concern him. The cramp he has trumps them all and yet he keeps running. The forest he is in is never ending, but giving up is not an option. Sword and all he continues on his chase. The stench of his foe is strong now. He is close. The stench fuels his rage.
That bastard has his sister.
His sister is his last real sibling. He technically has other siblings, but one was never there and the other he never wanted there. He can still hear taunts of "Strawberry" resonating in his ears from his brother's departure. He has always hated that nickname; Ichigo is the name his parents gave him, and therefore he wants to be called that. The forest comes to an end not a moment to soon.
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The wind howling, like a young wolf cut from the pack, chills him to the bone. It isn't just the chilling wind that freezes Renji to the spot, it is the bad deed he has done. The reminder of what he has done is in his clutches. Rukia, still unconscious, lies limp at his feet like a rag doll.
He knows that his brother will soon arrive. Ichigo never turns down a challenge, especially if their sister is involved. He is sure that Ichigo will know that it is him who has taken Rukia. That is the kind of connection that they have, being twins and all.
As young children they had become rivals, constantly trying to outdo one another. Because they were twins, though not identical in appearance, they were very similar in many other ways and they competed to set themselves apart. Though their Mother and Father didn't approve of their fighting the two continued there brutish behaviour towards each other nonetheless.
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Ichigo continues on and out of the dark and depressing forest as he comes to a clearing He stops. The grass brushes against his feet reminding him of what he has yet to do, and it chills him. All he can see is this field and an oddly placed cabin with its door swaying in the breeze. He stares at that door like it is staring at him, eyes wide open, and it brings him to his memories.
Back to that day 9 years ago.
I was having a fight with Renji about who could eat faster, me or him, but Renji started to choke. Our mother came over to help Renji in his predicament. After the ordeal was over Byakuya got up in a huff. I stood there shocked, as Byakuya walked into the living room. Byakuya had a brief but angry discussion with our Mom and Dad. The discussion escalated until Byakuya got his zanpakto and stormed out, leaving the door wide open and swaying in the breeze, with Mom crying and Dad trying to comfort her.
A breeze sweeps through the clearing, slamming the cottage door. The sharp sound snaps Ichigo from his memories and he turns from the cottage and continues on his way.
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Rukia starts to wake up and move. Renji looks down at her in sadness. Rukia starts to wonder where she is, but Renji tells her first "We're in a clearing, not 20 minutes from our house."
"But why?" stutters Rukia.
"Because it's really hard to go far with a little sister on your back." Renji jokes. Rukia is not amused by Renji's mad attempt to change the subject.
"I've got to go home. Mom and Dad are probably worrying themselves to death."
"I can't let you leave."
"Why not?" questions Rukia.
"Because you hold the key to the final battle, where one will be greater than the other."
The End…of Chapter 1
A/N: Hi! This is my first fanfic…I hope you like it and there will be more soon. Feedback would be muchly appreciated