Hello... Just thought of writing this story as it was meddling my mind from yesterday night... Hope it will be good...
The story happens after Kagome got the jewel and Ichigo defeated the Bounts..
Kagome stared at the well with tears in her eyes.
"Inuyasha… You stupid…" She mumbled.
Kagome wiped away her tears as she stared at the ceiling in her room as she lay on her comfy bed. It was truly bliss as she had mostly slept on grass or land in her time in feudal Japan.
The war with Naraku was over and she was transported back to her home on the other side of the feudal Japan.
It had been a week after the incident that broke her heart.
The jewel, when it was formed as a whole, gave her a wish that she could either stay back and be with her friends in feudal or get transported back to her real world and never come back. But whatever the decision was the pink jewel would be in her soul.
Kagome would have definitely stayed back, if it weren't for one annoying hanyou!
Inuyasha.
Just thinking about him made her eyes fill with tears again.
Kagome remembered the conversation she had with Inuyasha. He asked her to be with him to make him forget Kikyo! How could he say such a thing? Didn't he understand what is that a woman really wants to hear from the person she loves with all her heart?
Was she just someone to make him forget his first love? She yelled an outright "NO!" losing her patience and walked away from Inuyasha saying she would rather remain single than to be just a mere fake one for someone's happiness.
She felt really sad that she had to leave her friends due to this. But there was no other option. Miroku hugged her without any act of being pervert indicating that he truly was sad for her while his love Sango sobbed uncontrollably. Shippo was practically begging her to be them crying out loud, Kirara mewling softly along with him.
When Kagome reached the other side of the well she was a total wreck with red eyes and tired face.
Her mom found her in that stated and got a faint idea of what would have happened to make her daughter look so miserable. She comforted Kagome by hugging her for an hour and letting her daughter cry away whatever she had. Later she allowed Kagome to take a nap she needed the most.
Kagome took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
'This must be what the fate wanted to happen to me… Maybe Inuyasha and I were not meant to be…'
Morning rays entered the room lighting it with golden color through the window.
Kagome blinked her eyes when she felt the rays touch her face. She woke up and stretched to avoid the imaginatory limps that have formed in her muscles.
A knock was heard on the other side of the door.
"Kagome! I've brought you some tea dear." Her mother's voice was heard.
"Coming mom…" Kagome got up and opened the door allow her mother to come in with a tray that had a cup of tea.
"Here you go…" She smiled while giving the cup to Kagome.
"Thanks mom…" Kagome gave her own smile and took a sip of the tea. It gave her a soothing effect. She looked up to see that her mother had and expression on her face that definitely gave away the vibes that she wanted to tell something but couldn't. Kagome raised an eyebrow at this.
"Do you want to say something mom?" She inquired.
Her mother looked at her and asked "Are you now ok dear?"
Kagome's eyes widened and then looked away. Was she ok now? She herself did not know the answer to that question.
"Uhmm… I guess so…" She said sitting on at the edge of the bed.
Kagome's mother sighed. "Please don't be like this dear. You know that this house will not be the same if you are gloomy. Sota would not like his sister to be sad now, would he?"
Kagome gave a grave smile. "Don't worry mom. I'll be okay in a couple of days. "
"Ok! Breakfast will be ready soon ok…." Saying so her mother left.
Kagome placed the cup of tea ion a table and went to look at her reflection. All she could see was a girl with tired eyes that had black marks, sad face and no enthusiasm.
Kagome shook her head. She shouldn't be like this. She needed to change! She will have to forget her adventurous life she had before and try to adjust with the ordinary life she has to live with. With a determined face, Kagome nodded her face and started to get ready for the day.
During breakfast, Sota was the most relieved to see his sister back to herself. She was shouting at him, yelling at Grandpa for any unnecessary comments that he made and even helped her mother. Sota couldn't rid off the smile that was on his face.
"Good that you are back, Sis." He smiled happily.
Kagome couldn't help but chuckle and ruffled her brother's hair "I'm sorry if I worried you little brother." She said
"Nah! You are okay now. That's all that matters to me." Kagome smiled and hugged her brother.
Kagome's mother smiled and continued to wash the left over plates.
After two – three days Kagome's mother saw that her daughter was trying to adjust to her present life. Though her son and Grandpa were happy about it, she could clearly see that her daughter was really trying hard to make others happy.
Once she saw that Kagome was behind a door and crying her heart out.
She did not know what she must do to make her daughter feel relieved. She knew that her daughter had to take some time to at least let her get herself used to this life. But it worried her a great deal whether Kagome could adjust to a life not filled with adventures.
Kagome was helping her mother in making dinner when Grandpa came saying he needed to talk an important matter.
All the four members in the house were present in the kitchen, three of them curios what the conversation was about.
"Kagome!" Grandpa said standing in front of her. "You know that after next week you have to go to school right."
"Of course. What's there in that?" Kagome asked clearly not understanding what the big deal was.
"Well! You'll be not going to the school here but to Karakura high school. I've made all the arrangement." Grandpa said with a serious face, meaning no joke.
"Huh?! What are you talking about?" Kagome asked hands on her hips. "Why can't I go here? What's so special about that school?"
Sota looked as if he was about to cry. His sister would leave him and go elsewhere? Oh no!
"Yes, why should Kagome go there?" Kagome's mother asked tilting her head.
"Well! I guess I've to start from the beginning, shouldn't I? Grandpa said and scratching the back of his neck.
"No need of dramas and all. Just say the relevant things." Kagome growled.
"Ok then! Let me ask you a question Kagome." Her grandfather stared at her. "Do you know anything about your father?"
Kagome's mother was wide eyed while Sota looked at his sister.
That question caught Kagome off guard. She just vaguely remembered a tall man with a sweet laugh calling her name affectionately. Truth to be told, her mother never said anything about her and Sota's father. Grandpa just said once that he left when Sota was a couple of months old. Her mother did not even have a picture of her husband.
"Uh… I…. My dad…"
Seeing Kagome's hesitation Grandpa sighed. "Yes! You don't know anything about him. And to tell you the truth even I didn't know him very well. He was… different... He didn't have that many friends of his age. Kids were actually terrified of the way he did matters. Sometimes talking to space…"
Kagome frowned 'Talking to space? Was her father a mad man? '
"Thus he was always on his own just like my wife." Grandpa shook his head. "Well as you said, the important stuff is enough for now." He turned to look at Kagome.
"You see when he was young he had only one person that talked to him as if he was normal. A very good friend named Masaki. She was a really beautiful girl, with an unusual hair color, orange. But my boy did not mind that the least. He and Masaki used to play a lot whenever they were together. It was as if Masaki knew what my son was on the inside. But sadly Masaki lived in Karakura area and thus whenever Masaki got time to be back she'll come here to play with my son."
Kagome stole a glance at her mother to see whether she was irritated to hear about Masaki but she saw that her mother was intensely listening to every word her Grandpa said with respect. She was the least bothered by this Masaki and was trying to understand this new piece of information her Grandpa was giving them.
Even Sota was listening attentively.
"When they reached their teenage they wanted to make their friendship to widen and thus took up a decision. Masaki was the one who said me this while my son was blushing a lot looking elsewhere."
Kagome frowned.
Two friends…
Want to widen their friendship…
She got a faint idea of what the decision would be. It better not be what she was thinking.
"They wanted each of their first children to marry each other, if they were boy and girl."
Kagome formed a fist 'I hate intuitions!'
Grandpa continued. "And it happens to be that way. The first child Masaki gave birth to is a boy. He's a year older than you but that's ok. You can…"
"Wait wait wait! What so you mean that's okay?" Kagome shrieked. "How can it be okay when I'm betrothed to someone I don't even know? And no way that I'm gonna marry him."
'Sheesh! What's all this? If I would've been with Inuyasha then what would've happened?' Kagome thought irritated.
Kagome's mother saw her daughter was the least happy to hear this and sighed. How could her daughter be calm when she heard all this after her arrival from the ancient Japan that gave her a bitter experience? "Are you sure about this Grand pa?"
Grandpa nodded his head "Uh-huh! My son and Masaki had agreed to this condition and it is time for Kagome and that boy to make it come true."
"But-but why do my sis have to go to Karakura? Why can't that boy come here?" Sota asked innocently.
"Well! After her marriage, Kagome" A growl was heard from the young priestess "should be living with him right? So why not let her get used to the boy from now on?" grandpa stated.
"You got a point." Kagome nodded her head then blinked her eyes. "Wait! What?! No way am I going to Karakura. You won't make me." She huffed angrily hands on her hips.
"Kagome!"
Kagome cringed hearing her mother's soft voice.
"Are you saying that you won't do what your father wanted you to do? He and Masaki were great friends and this is the token of their great friendship."
Kagome shrugged her shoulders 'Talk about emotional black mail.'
"Please dear! You've to do this for you father." Kagome's mother said patting Kagome's head.
Kagome gritted her teeth. She was just trying to get her life on the right track and it was immediately back fired in the form if a betrothal. Before she stayed away from her home to go to feudal Japan, now she had to leave her home to be with a boy whom she was betrothed to marry.
"What will you decision be?" Grandpa asked.
Kagome looked at her mother once more and sighed. "Ok fine. I'll go. I'll go…."
"So you're leaving?" Sota asked on the verge of tears.
Kagome grinned mischievously; both her mother and Grandpa noticed this and understood something's not right.
"Don't worry little brother. I'll go and try to be there for a week or so."
"WHAT?!" Grandpa looked at her shocked.
"Huh?!" Her mother looked at her blinking her eyes.
"…And see how this boy is. If he's not up to my expectations then I'll come right back. It is, after all, my decision whether I should marry that boy or not." Kagome smirked, crossing her arms across her chest.
Grandpa shook his head. 'Stubborn as her father indeed...'
Kagome stared at outer space. She had a lot of horrifying experiences and a whole lot of adventures. Now she's going to be staying with a boy that she may marry. Based on her terrifying past experiences, staying in the house of a normal boy would be a walk in the park. She shook her head. She could already imagine a lean boy with spectacles, who has high intelligence in everything, not taking part in any useless fights and has an attitude while speaking to anyone. He would definitely be boring to her.
"So…" Kagome started "What is the name of this person I'm betrothed to?"
Grandpa looked at her and said "Kurosaki Ichigo."
"A strawberry?!" Sota tried not to laugh.
Kagome's mother blinked her eyes "I think it's something like he who protects."
Kagome looked at her mother. Does he have anything to protect? Guess not…. Oh well. He's a boy living an ordinary life. That's all that matters.
"Kurosaki Ichigo huh?" Kagome took a deep breath and exhaled.
In Karakura town…
"Achoooo!"
'Getting cold?' A brown eyed boy thought.
"Bless you!"
"Shut up Kon." Ichigo growled glaring at the plush toy.
"Hey don't give me that stare. I just asked you that would you…."
"NO means NO. That's it! I will not allow you to use my body to go some club as you definitely will use it for any indecent activities." Ichigo said flipping the page of the book he was reading.
"But Ichigo..." Kon wailed as he sat on the edge of Ichigo's bed. "Your body will be lying here doing nothing when you go to fight hollows. Please let me have it. I'll take good care of it. I promise. Believe me!" Kon used puppy eyes this time, if that's possible for a plush toy.
"You're the only person I don't believe here…" Ichigo said flatly.
"You hurt my feelings." Kon hung his head and soon hiccups were heard.
'Oh shit! Did I make him cry?' Ichigo felt guilty "Well…. You may …"
"You accepted?" Kon turned a whole 180 degree from his previous look.
"…Not use my body and that's final. Now leave me alone." Ichigo said turning his head and started reading.
"Why you! You are impeccable… You're disgrace… You're heartless… You're insane… You're fu…"
Before Kon could continue Ichigo stood up and shouted.
"Ohhhhhh YUZU~ Look what I found. Your favorite toy~" Ichigo grinned satisfied as both he and Kon heard a loud shout down stairs and someone rushing towards his room.
"No!" Kon whispered trying to stand up and fell on the floor losing his foot.
Soon enough Yuzu came to Ichigo's room all smiles.
"There you are." Yuzu laughed happily as she took the plushy that was lying on the floor and rocked it as if it was a baby. "Thank you so much big brother."
"Any time Yuzu….. Any time for you…." Ichigo smiled evilly and waved at Kon 'I wish you bad luck.'
'I'll get you someday.' Kon thought while Yuzu carried him in his arms.
Ichigo was satisfied and started to read the book.
'Beep beep!'
'No! There's no such thing as peace in this world.'
Even a hollow could not leave him alone. Sighing Ichigo took his badge and placed it near his chest and stood in his shinigami form, his zanpakto safely placed behind him covered. After placing his body on the bed he jumped out of the window in his room to destroy the disturbance to relive pure souls and human beings.
Ichigo reached a forest area and saw a huge snake like hollow hanging on one of the trees searching for food, as in soul.
Ichigo used shunpo to stand in front of it and glared at the creature, his right arm naturally going towards his large zanpakto placed on his shoulder.
"Ohhh" The hollow laughed "A shinigami! And a strong one at that. I'm going to devour you." He cooed happily.
'It can talk?! Oh well no matter.' Ichigo thought as he took out his zanpakto and pointed towards the hollow.
"Ha ha! Illiterate child. You think you can kill me with that piece of trash…. You won't even…."
The hollow did not see that Ichigo had used shunpo to stand near it and had slashed it body in half, did not even recognize its own death.
Ichigo tilted his head here and there and shrugged.
No… No words of sarcasm or kicks…
He knew he missed her a lot…
Rukia….
She stayed back after the Bount incident in the soul society. She said it was her decision and he respected it. Although a part of him wanted her to be here with him, fighting alongside him. He knew he was being selfish but still…
Sighing Ichigo vanished in the night.
Ichigo Kurosaki.
A boy whose life was anything but ordinary...
Next day was met with a pleasant morning…
The sky was clear, the tress were moving in rhythm with the wind, the flowers were standing proudly showing off their bright colored petals, the shrine was shining in the sun light, birds were singing merrily…
Everyone was happy and….
"WHAAAAAAAAAT THE HELLLLL?"
Guess not…
Kagome was irritated. No. Angry. No. Agitated. Argh! What's the proper word to explain this unhealthy feeling?
Right now she was glaring at her grandfather, who was sitting calmly on the sofa, gritting her teeth.
The reason you ask?
Well, her grandfather said her to go to the Kurosaki household like right now.
"Why should I go there now? Couldn't I wait for some time to think myself? If I am a burden to you just say it. I'll…." Kagome snarled.
"You'll what Kagome?" Grandpa asked looking at her frowning.
Kagome's mother looked at her daughter sadly. It was true that Kagome was betrothed but if she leaves this home then everyone would miss her dearly. Especially Sota! Who couldn't bear living without his sister when she went to feudal Japan for the jewel quest...?
Sota sniffled loudly. His sister was going to leave him and his family today. And now Kagome and Grandpa were having a fight. He was very nervous and confused of what has to be done. He knew that his sister had to leave them but not this soon.
"Kagome" Grandpa said taking a deep breath "Do you think that we will all be happy if you are not here with us? Are you thinking that you of all people are a burden to us?"
Kagome tried to blink away the tears that were trying to form in her eyes but it was no use as they were threatening to fall down any minute.
"This was what your father, my son, wanted you to do. He trusted Masaki so he definitely knew what he was doing in your matter…. Just have faith in him." Grandpa said with kind eyes.
Kagome hang her head, her whole body shivering "All right! I'll go to this Kurosaki house but" She looked up with determined eyes "if he is not worth it I'll come right back here ok."
Grandpa nodded his head with stern eyes 'Though I highly doubt that. Just like your dad Masaki too was different. Her son would surely have some abilities in him. You need protection now and he would definitely protect you from any harm dear.'
Sota cried immediately "So you are really going, leaving us here." He hugged Kagome tightly, hiccupping.
Kagome sighed and hugged her brother back "Don't worry little brother. It's not like you can't see me again. You can come there anytime you want or I'll come here myself. And who knows I may come back just after two-three days itself if I don't like there." She winked laughing but her mother could see clearly that it was a forced laugh.
Kagome looked at her mother, saying nothing. Her mother gave her a grave smile and a thumps up. Kagome gave a peace sign and gently moved her brother.
"I'm going to my room to pack my bags."
Two people were walking through the corridors of a big palace like building, one in a stiff manner while the other looked relaxed.
"Why did Aizen-taicho call us now, of all times?" One of them complained wailing his hands in front of him.
"It must be of something important…." The other replied.
"Oh well!" The first one grinned "I hope it's something goooooood"
One of them was a dark man who wore goggles and walked in a manner that commanded respect from anyone who passed by.
The other, who had his eyes closed, had a grin that could challenge to that of a growling fox and even freeze even a snake if it was to be. He was grinning wickedly as if the man did not give a damn for the whole world.
Tousen and Gin…
Former captains of the 9th and 3rd division in the Gotei 13.
Both were the proud captains from soul society who had left to be in Heuco Mundo along with their leader Aizen.
Aizen, one of the powerful captains in soul society, was in a dark room, sitting on a chair, right arm underneath his chin, gracing a smirk, staring at the screen in front of him watching something.
He left Soul society for his own reasons and hurt many people there, especially his loyal fuku – taicho Hinamori, cheating her.
Hinamori trusted him a lot with her whole heart but Aizen cruelly betrayed her and attempted to kill her and Hitsugaya. But before anyone could do anything, Aizen and his allies left soul society and reached Heuco Mundo to work out their plans in order to destroy soul society, the place that controlled the souls and hollows from causing destruction.
The door to the room was gently pushed open, catching Aizen's attention in the process.
"Aizen – taicho" Both the men bowed in respect.
Aizen turned his head to see his trusted allies Gin and Tousen coming towards him.
"Gin. Tousen." Aizen nodded his head, motioning his right hand to join him.
"What have you been up to Aizen-taicho? You've been in this room for a lot of hours…." Gin sighed crossing his arms "And why did you call us?" Gin asked looking at the screen that was showing some people gathered together in a place that was filled with grass and it sort of looked like the place was somewhere in the old times.
"What is it that you seek Aizen-taicho?" Tousen asked patiently.
Aizen stood up and looked at the two studying their facial expressions. "Does anyone of you know the Shikon-no-tama jewel?"
Gin raised one of his eye brows. "Of course! I had studied about it when I was young… It was the missing jewel that no one knows it's where about. It goes something like there was a time traveling miko who accidentally lost the jewel that became shards and started searching for it along with her friends" Gin started to count using his fingers "one hanyou, a monk…" but stopped when he saw Aizen's nod towards the screen.
Gin tilted his head and looked at the screen and after some moments became up straight.
On the screen was a hanyou, a fox-like kid, a woman, a monk and a small red-eyed cat all looking evidently sad, the hanyou the most depressed looking of them all.
"Hey these people are like the friends of that miko who was searching the jewel shards…" Gin said amused.
"It's because they are the friends of the miko" Aizen said.
"OH?!" Gin was beyond shocked. How did Aizen get them in the screen? Gin looked at the people and saw that they were really looking down.
"Why do they look so left out?" Gin asked
"My assumption is that their miko companion left them and traveled back to her world." Aizen said simply
"HUH?!" Gin's eyes opened a little showing his surprised electric blue eyes.
Aizen nodded his head "Yes. The time traveling miko left them and came to the present world."
Gin blinked his eyes "So? What's in it for us if the miko comes or goes?"
Aizen smiled raising his chin a little "I won't get into the details for now but just so you know the jewel has come back to this world also."
"WHAT?! But how?" Gin asked clearly confused and shocked.
Tousen was completely silent and trying to understand the value of the jewel as he could clearly understand that Aizen was somehow very much interested in the jewel according to the variations in his voice.
Aizen smiled and walked towards the end of the room that had a window that showed the outside world that was filled with white sand. "Yes! I just got the information that somewhere in this world, resides the jewel. It is the most powerful jewels that give one miraculous power. That jewel is sufficiently enough to give the exclusive strength that one could use to destroy absolutely anything." He turned his head to look at his comrades. "But the jewel was formed due to a miko as she was fighting some demons. So the jewel will definitely be with someone who is pure at heart, who will never even think about using the jewel for any sort of destruction."
"So" Tousen started "It will be with someone like Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Aizen chuckled "Partially yes. Ichigo is someone who would throw himself to danger to help a person who just took away a pin that was stuck in his hand. If someone so much thinks of helping him in any sort of problem, he will remain loyal to them. He never forgets a person that helped him even if it's in a small gesture." Aizen looked away "But inside Ichigo lays a hollow that has such a tremendous power, which can use the jewel to destroy anything that comes in its way."
Gin scratched his cheek "So what you are saying is that the person who has the possession of the jewel or in that matter the jewel may itself choose a person who has a very pure heart and soul and has no negatives inside them huh?"
"My point exactly…" Aizen nodded his head.
"Where do we find such a person Aizen-taicho?" Tousen asked
"Don't worry Tousen. As I already said the miko also came back…." Aizen smiled.
Gin's eyes widened as he put two and two together. "THE MIKO! She has the jewel…. Yes! Miko was considered to be the most pure beings in the world during the ancient times."
Aizen nodded his head "But the problem is I really can't find the miko. She must have some powerful being protecting her so no one could detect her at all…."
Tousen shook his head "That's a problem."
Gin sighed 'Genius Tousen for pointing that out…'
Aizen walked back and sat in his chair "It's ok. There will definitely be some clues. We will get the miko. I'll make sure of it…. No matter what." He smiled looking back at the screen watching the sad hanyou staring at a well.
Inuyasha stared at the well that was now closed. Kagome will never come back now…. His friends were all angry on him as if it was his mistake that Kagome left them in the first place. Inuyasha knew that it was partially true. He could not suppress his feelings for Kikyo. But he loved Kagome as well.
Kagome had the jewel in her possession and it scared him a great deal. The jewel was a power source and he was scared whether any negative force would use attack Kagome for the jewel.
Inuyasha looked at the sky 'Wherever you are… Please be safe Kagome… Someone be there with her for her safety.' He sighed closing his eyes, cool wind touching his face.
"Is this what you wanted?" Ichigo asked taking a packet of chips from a top shelf.
"Yeah! Thank you big brother…." Yuzu smiled taking the packet.
Ichigo smiled back.
Ichigo and his sisters were currently in the grocery store buying the necessary stuff.
"Is it over yet Yuzu?" Karin asked in a bored fashion, hands behind her head yawning.
"Yes." Yuzu nodded her head smiling.
"FINALLY!" Karin sighed.
"Karin. Why don't you help your sister?" Ichigo lightly scolded.
"Hey I've to play soccer. There's a match next week. We've to practice at any given spare time. My team has to win." Karin said forming a fist.
"Whatever…." Ichigo shook his head.
"It's ok big brother. I can do this myself." Yuzu said.
Ichigo blinked his eyes and shrugged. Were his sisters really twins? One was soft and sweet but the other was hard and cold. Then again Ichigo knew that Karin acted as such to avoid unnecessary troubles from Yuzu.
"Anyway let's go and pay up." Ichigo said earning a nod from his sisters.
As they made their way towards the cashier they heard someone call them.
"Kurosaki?!"
Ichigo turned his head to see Uryu Ishida looking at him startled, but noticing that Ishida did not have any bags carrying anything Ichigo doubted it was just a mere coincidence.
"Oh~ Yo Ishida. Came here for…..uh… needles and threads?" Ichigo asked putting a poker face.
Ishida rolled his eyes. "Just came to buy necessary things. You?"
"Came shopping with my sisters…" Ichigo said as Ishida looked at Yuzu and Karin.
"Hello…" Yuzu smiled while Karin nodded her head.
Ishida nodded his head and gave a short smile kindly.
Ishida then looked back at Ichigo with a grim face. "I need to talk to you…" It was not a question and Ichigo raised an eyebrow at this. 'This can't be good.'
Ishida nodded his head, shielding his eyes with the light on his spectacles.
Tension was forming in the air near and anyone could feel it as the two boys had a staring contest with each other.
Yuzu looked between Ishida and her brother, blinking her eyes innocently.
Karin sighed. "Come on Yuzu. Big brother is busy…" Saying so, Karin took Yuzu's hand and left to the cashier's place.
Ichigo ran a hand through his unruly orange hair and looked at Ishida "Green and fan?"
Ishida blinked his eyes 'Urahara? Green and fan?!' "Uhmm…. Yeah…"
"Let's go then…" Nodding his head Ichigo made his way to the former shinigami's humble candy store, Ishida on tow.
Kagome looked at the trees and buildings that were passing by on the other side of the window that was near to her in the train she was traveling. She was in it traveling for the past three hours. She had two large bags that contained the necessary things that she needed for staying in the house of the boy whom she was betrothed to marry. She was very sad in leaving her home and tried to blink away the tears that were forming in her eyes.
Sota hugged her tightly and she teased him saying big boys did not cry. This helped in reducing her brother's sadness as he tried to put a manly face. Her mother patted her head saying her to be safe and her father will be watching her wherever she was.
Kagome gently touched the front row of her bag. It had a letter that her grandfather gave her. The letter that belonged to her father…. She did not read the letter as her grandfather said that the letter should be given to the important person in the Kurosaki household. Sadly Masaki was dead due to an accident… Kagome wondered what was in the letter that made it so special.
"Passengers… We'll reach Karakura town in 15 minutes….."
Kagome sat straight and took hold of her large bags. She better be prepared for this new place.
"So what's up?" Ichigo asked sitting on the wooden floor cross legged.
Currently Ichigo, Ishida, Urahara and the residents in the candy store were in the further room of that place. Ururu was passing each of them cups filled with tea while Jinta was cleaning the shelf mumbling something about some "Goddess" he really wanted to see.
Urahara smiled, almost a creepy one "Kurosaki! How are you this day?"
"Fine… Simply amazing~ especially when I heard that you called me, oh I couldn't feel any better, 'cause I'm sure it will be something dangerous…." Ichigo fake laughed.
Urahara started to fan himself "Mah mah! Don't be so mean Kurosaki. Surely I've helped you in many cases, haven't I?"
Ishida rolled his eyes.
Ichigo growled. "Just tell the damn matter."
Urahara immediately became serious watching Ichigo through the shadow that his hat created on his eyes. "It's about Aizen…"
Ichigo and Ishida became attentive at the name Aizen…
"What is it? Has he started to work out his plans?" Ishida asked leaning forward.
"I don't know… But I'm sure he will not just sit back for so long…." Urahara shut his fan "He may attack any minute… I think he was waiting for something and it might just have happened…."
Ichigo frowned "What do you mean?"
Urahara stared at Ichigo "I mean that Aizen must want something that will help him take out his plan successively…. I don't understand what that is… So we must be on our guards on any unusual situations…." He said seriously.
Ishida sweat dropped. Urahara who was always acting like a goofy guy to be this serious must definitely mean that something….
"YES!" Ishida shouted snapping his fingers.
"Huh?" Ichigo looked at Ishida shocked.
Even Urahara raised an eyebrow.
Jinta jumped at the shout and was going to yell, when his hand hit a vase made of glass placed on the shelf and it fell but luckily Ururu caught it at the right time before it made contact with the floor.
"Phew!" Jinta ran a hand over a sweat that formed on his head smiling graciously at Ururu who gave a soft smile in return. Jinta turned to look at the four eyed lean boy to shout at him but stopped seeing that Ishida was scowling at Urahara for some reason.
"You know something… And you are not saying us…." Ishida pointed an accusing finger at Urahara. "I'm sure… You have an idea of something that may happen and want to use us so that the problem will not occur…" He said slowly.
Urahara's eyes widened a bit but went back to normal, using the fan to cover his face partially.
"I wonder what you are saying Ishida… ha ha…" Urahara waved his hand frantically.
"URA...HA….RA…" Ichigo called dangerously, sensing the nervous candy store owner.
"Mah mah… No need to get all feisty…. I'm a poor old… no scratch that… young candy store owner who wants everyone to be happy with the candies I provide…." Urahara said fluttering his eyes.
Ichigo sighed and stood up "Well…. Whatever…. You definitely are hiding something and you can say that to us when the time comes or keep it to yourself… But if it's too late…" Ichigo gave a glare that actually made Urahara to sweat drop in fear "Later…" Ichigo left the shop grumpily.
Ishida also stood up and started to walk.
Kagome was walking with her two bags in each of her hands, taking huge breaths of air, for an hour after she got down from the station. The least her grandpa could do was to tell the Kurosakis' that she was going to stay there. But no he wanted them to be surprised by her sudden appearance.
Surprise…. My foot….
She was so tired and could not walk much longer. But she could not stay in one place in an unknown area as well. So she kept on walking and during that time she saw a shop that looked like it was an old one as if it was started at the time of feudal Japan. She stopped when saw someone coming out of it and watched the person a little longer.
It was a boy. He was lean, had black hair and wore spectacles as they shined in the sunlight. The boy was similar to the description she made on how Kurosaki Ichigo would be looking. Oh well… Let him do whatever he wants… Kagome continued to walk until she heard a huge shout.
"KUROSAKI!"
Kagome immediately stopped and looked at the shop to see a man wearing traditional clothes and sandals with a fan in his hand running towards the now stopped lean boy. So that means…
Kagome looked at the boy again. Yes he must be Kurosaki Ichigo. Just as she thought! Well it was good as she could go with him to his home and show the letter and get out of the place saying she does not want him at all…. YAY….
"KUROSAKI…."
Ishida stopped when he heard Urahara's shout and turned to look at him. "He left already…"
"Oh… I wanted to… well… I can say that later…" Urahara shrugged his shoulders.
"Later…" Ishida simply said and walked away.
Urahara stared at Ishida's retreating figure and turned to go to his store.
Kagome tried to walk faster as she saw the boy was going away but could not speed up as she thought because of the two large bags she was carrying on each hand.
"Damn….." She muttered when one of the bags fell down from her hand. Kagome bend to pick it up and started to drag it. She looked up to see the lean boy but saw that he was long gone.
'Oh no…' Kagome looked some more frantically but saw that the man and the boy were not seen anywhere.
'Now what?'
"Hey sweetie….. Need help?" A cold voice was heard from nearby.
'Uh oh…' Kagome slowly turned her head to see three guys smirking at her. The three gave off vibes that clearly told they were up to no good.
Kagome continued to drag her bags when she heard another sickeningly sweet voice "Hey slow down…. We'll help you…."
Kagome tired to move away but someone caught hold of her hand.
"Let me go…." Kagome snarled while trying to wriggle away from the man's hold.
"Why should we huh…" He laughed tightening his hold.
"I said let me go!" Kagome turned and tried to give a slap to her holder but he dodged it. Immediately Kagome gave a kick to that man and he howled in pain.
"Oh she's a hottie…." One among the two who were watching Kagome and the third guy said.
"Yeah! And I like those…. Very…. Much…." The other smirked taking Kagome's free arm forcefully throwing away the bags.
The third guy suddenly caught hold of Kagome's waist and captured her closing her mouth from behind when she was about to scream.
"You won't escape now missy… And don't worry… We'll have such an amazing time here…."
Just her luck…. She came to this place just today and was already facing a problem with some idiots. All because of that betrothed boy living here. Wish her would-be-husband would have come to rescue her as in a fairy tale…
"LET HER GO!"
Four of them turned their heads to see a teenage boy standing in front of them scowling heavily, hands in the pockets of his dark blue jacket. What strikes them the most is the boy's hair color, bright orange?
Kagome blinked her eyes. It was clearly orange. No red or brown in between… Strictly orange! Well she had seen different types of hair colors before so this was not so surprising to her.
"Who the hell are you kid?" The man holding one of Kagome's arms asked mockingly.
"Doing such things even in daylight? What's happening to our world?" The boy shouted as though frustrated.
"Oh? And who are you? The protector of the world! Go away weakling…" Other man looked at the boy as if he was pathetic.
The boy raised an eyebrow and then closed his eyes. He slowly took away his jacket and placed on top of one of Kagome's bags. He then started at the men with pure hatred.
'Well if you came here to help me then don't just stand there stupid.' Kagome stared at the boy but then did not know what happened as she felt something pass beside her at super speed. "Huh?"
"I said leave her." The boy yelled and came towards the guys in full speed that they did not even get time to think. The guy who mocked the boy was met with a fist that sent him flying across at great speed as his body hit a tree.
The guys left their hold on Kagome and started to fight the boy, who was dodging attacks and fighting back in a cool manner as though this was his main job. Kagome felt bad that two were against one and wished to help as well. She searched around and found a wood lying on the floor. She took it and went behind the fighting guys, waiting for her chance to fight.
The orange haired boy used his right arm to give a punch to one of the guys while the other was coming behind to give a kick.
Kagome slowly crawled behind the guy who was aiming the kick at the orange haired boy and raised the wood high in the air and lowered it at high speed. What she did not see was that the orange haired boy had turned around in time and gave a kick of himself to the guy and due to the guy out of the way, took Kagome's wood attack head on unknowingly.
"OWWW…." The boy turned, frantically catching his head then glared back at the girl "Whose side are you?" He asked leaning towards Kagome.
"…..Yours…." Kagome gripped the wood and gulped.
"You sure right…"
A nod.
"And…. What are you doing?" He asked slowly as to not get angered.
Kagome laughed nervously "Uhmmm…. Helping….."
The boy nodded his head "Help… Right… Just go look after my jacket and your bags so that it will help me not to fall just in case as it may stand in my way …." He then started to fight again when the guy who had hit the tree also came back.
Kagome watched the fight, holding the wood closely and could clearly see that the boy had a lot of fights to boast of seeing the way he fought. He easily dodged and sent the guys flying in the air with not so much taking any stress. Kagome saw that the boy was running behind one of the guys who were coming her way.
'CHANCE….'
Smiling happily Kagome hid behind a tree waiting for the guy to come beside her so that she could attack him with the wood. Gripping the hold on the wood Kagome raised it again when she heard footsteps near her. She swayed it fastly but was shocked again to see that it was the orange haired boy, as he clutched his stomach this time, gritting his teeth. Kagome turned her head to see that the guy was on the ground unconscious.
The other two men came near them but did not even get a time to know that they were unconscious as the boy struck them harder with his fist the minute they reached him.
The orange haired boy then glared at Kagome who visibly cringed. He went and stood near her and Kagome saw that he was very much taller than her.
"You new here?" He asked tilting his head.
Kagome nodded her head.
"Thought so…." The boy shook his head.
"Um… Thank you…." Kagome bowed little.
"Ha! You could not even give one of them a straight hit. I felt that you were aiming to tackle me…" The boy shook his head.
Kagome was red faced. "Hey! I did not do that on purpose. It… It just happened…."
"Whatever….. Clumsyyyy…." The boy gave an arrogant look, hands in pockets.
"Why you… SHOW OFF!" Kagome shouted.
Immediately the boy's face changed into that of anger "Hey I saved you. Show me some gratitude." He shouted back.
"Well… I did not come crying towards you begging to save me, did I? You came on your own." Kagome huffed crossing her arms looking elsewhere.
"WHAT? Now it's my fault? Well fine… Next time if I see you jumping off a cliff I'll encourage you by clapping my hands. Better?" The boy smiled gritting his teeth.
"Best." Kagome gave a sickeningly sweet smile fluttering her eyes, folding her arms.
"Hmph!" The boy huffed and turned around mumbling something like "talk to Urahara later. No mood now."
"Why that idiot… And here I thought he was such a nice gentleman who came to save me…." Kagome shook her head and took her bags.
That was when she noticed that the boy forgot to take his blue jacket that he left on her bag. She took it anyways thinking that she would see him later and give it back. For now, Kagome just kept the jacket in one of bags securely.
'Hey I do not know where that dark haired Kurosaki boy went. Oh man.'
Kagome smacked her head irritated.
'Hey wait. I can ask that shop owner. He seems to know Kurosaki…'
Kagome dragged the two bags and went towards the candy shop. She stood in front of it placing the bags down gently and looked inside "Hello? Is anybody here?"Kagome called loudly.
"Ah hello hello.. Welcome…" Urahara came outside smiling. He noticed the bags placed on the floor "Do you need any help?"
'It's the same man I saw before. Lucky….' Kagome smiled "Uhmm… Could you give me the address to Kurosaki house hold?" She asked.
The man raised an eye brow "Kurosaki household? May I ask why?"
"I have to meet Ichigo Kurosaki…." Kagome said politely.
Urahara blinked his eyes then started to fan, covering his face. "Kurosaki Ichigo? Don't mind my interference but could you tell me why is it that you need to see him?"
Kagome smiled "That I'll tell to Ichigo Kurosaki himself."
Urahara's eyes widened then smirked a little.
'Doesn't believe in strangers that easily huh… She's smart. But if I call Ichigo I wonder will he come. I got his reiatsu before itself but he did not come here. I think he's not in a good mood. And Isshin is busy so...'
"I can understand that you are thinking you may have to call someone from the Kurosaki's to take me with them but they are busy I guess… That's ok... Just give me the address and I'll go there myself." Kagome said.
"Oh no no." Urahara waved his hand in front of him "If Isshin knows that I've left a girl who asked for his place alone he'll never forgive me. And I myself will never accept leaving a girl all alone in the evening. Tessai will go with you. Mr. Tessai!" Urahara called loudly looking inside.
'Tessai?' Kagome also looked tilting her head and saw a huge man with big mustache walking towards them.
"Tessai. Please take …. Uhh…" Urahara scratched the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly.
"Kagome." Kagome nodded her head.
"Ah… yes Kagome to Kurosaki household."Urahara looked at Tessai who nodded his head.
"Sure" Tessai came and stood near Kagome "Are these" He pointed towards the bags "yours?"
"Yes" Kagome nodded her head.
"Come on." Tessai took the huge bags as if they were a pack of potatoes and started to walk grimly.
Kagome looked at Urahara and bowed "Thank you… uh…."
Urahara bowed as well "I am Urahara Kisuke"
Kagome smiled and turned to see that Tessai was a few meters away from her already. She ran after him quickly.
"It was nice meeting you Kagome." Urahara smiled waving his hand
Kagome waved back "See you later."
'We definitely have to…' Urahara watched Kagome walking away, his eyes hidden behind his hat. 'Higurashi Kagome...'
"We have reached Kurosaki household Miss Kagome." Tessai said standing in front of a house that had a clinic attached to it as well. It was a simple house that Kagome got a liking instantly.
"Thank you Tessai. And please just Kagome is fine." Kagome bowed her head.
Tessai smiled nodding his head "Should I accompany you Kagome?"
Kagome shook her head "No thanks. I'll be fine"
Tessai smiled bowing a little "Very well." He gave her two bags that he was carrying all the way "See you later Kagome."
"You too Tessai…" Kagome stood there watching Tessai's retreating figure.
'So Ichigo Kurosaki... Here I come you four eyed dork.' Kagome took her bags and went towards the house.
Kagome stood in front of the door and moved her finger to ring the door bell. After some time the door was opened revealing a small girl with light brown hair looking at her blinking her eyes. "Hello. May I help you?"
Kagome smiled. "Hi! My name is Kagome. Uhmmm…" She looked around the house in a jiffy "Is Ichigo Kurosaki here?"
The girl tilted her head "Big brother? He's outside. Why?" She asked
Kagome shrugged "I want to talk to Ichigo as I…."
"WHO WANTS TO TALK TO MY SON?"
Both Kagome and the little girl jumped at the booming voice and after some time a man who was black haired came and stood near the small girl. He was extremely well built, tall, and muscular and Kagome could feel that this person had great power in him even with his goofy appearance. He looked at Kagome frowning as though studying her. Kagome really wanted to gulp but stood firmly not even moving a muscle staring back at the man.
After some time, the man's expression totally changed as he was now smiling happily as though he has achieved some prize.
Kagome blinked her eyes "Uh. Hi?"
"WOW! To think that my son got a girl friend like you…." The man shook his head, folding his arms, anime tears flowing. "And here I thought he was guy…" He mumbled covering his face with his right hand trying to stop the tears of joy? that was overflowing. "Oh what a girl my boy got."
"WHAT?!" Kagome shouted while the small girl gasped "Big brother's girl friend?"
Kagome shook her head getting inside the house "Wait! Listen to me…."
The man who looked super mental (didn't Kagome get a vibe that he was very powerful?) immediately went back inside, ran towards a huge photo of a beautiful woman who was laughing happily and hugged the photo tightly.
Kagome frowned when she saw very clearly that the woman in the photo had bright orange hair. She remembered her grandpa saying that her dad's friend Masaki had orange hair. 'Could it be…?'
"Oh my love…" The man cried "Our son has got himself a girlfriend and a beautiful one at that…." The man looked at Kagome and turned back to look at the picture "Ohoho. I feel truly blessed. Oh my dear Masaki…. How sad that you are not here to see our daughter-in-law..."
Kagome's eyes widened 'Yes! It is...'
"Dad please stop crying…." The small girl tried to push the screaming man away from the big picture desperately but to no avail.
Kagome blinked her eyes at the noise that was rising and then shook her head. "OYE!" She yelled at the top of her voice, instantly causing both the man and the girl to stop whatever they were doing.
"What's this entire racket abo…?" Kagome looked to her right to see another small girl with black hair carrying a packet of chips looking at her shocked.
Kagome took a deep breath and bend down to get one of her bags, opened it and took out her dad's letter and gave it to the man whom she knew was Masaki's husband.
The man raised a curious eyebrow then read the letter carefully and had different facial expressions every now and then.
Shocked...
Happy!
Confused…
Anger…
Blank.
Sadness…
Again blank.
Then the man nodded his head and looked at Kagome giving a genuine smile that took Kagome by surprise 'So he can be normal as well.' She thought.
"So you are my Masaki's friend's daughter huh? Well I am Isshin Kurosaki. Masaki was my wife. Nice to meet you…" Isshin smiled giving his hand to Kagome.
Kagome accepted it smiling "And I am…"
"Kagome Higurashi… Yes. So I was somehow right…. You will be my daughter-in-law anyway as you are betrothed to my one and only son…." Isshin grinned.
"Betrothed to big brother?" Both the small girls shouted together.
Kagome sheepishly smiled "I guess so…." 'Sorry but I don't want that leany boy…'
The girl with light brown hair started to cry "So big brother's going to marry? NOW…"
"Not now! But soon enough…" Isshin winked at Kagome and again left to be with the big picture of his late wife. "OHHHH MASAKI… Look. It's your friend's daughter whom you wanted our son to get married too. Oh isn't she lovely? Isn't she such an angel? Our boy's so lucky. I can already imagine my little grandchildren running around the house calling me "grandpa" Oho... the joy to be one. Waaa I'm truly blessed."
"Big brother's going to marry and do many naughty things…" Yuzu sniffled "Oh…. He's going to be a bad boy… Big brother….." She wailed.
Kagome sweat dropped. 'Did I cause this?'
"Don't worry."
Kagome saw that the black haired girl was standing before her with a bored expression. "It's not your fault. This happens a lot here." The girl managed to give a genuine smile "Hi I'm Karin and that is my twin sister. Nice to meet you sister-in-law..." She offered her hand.
'Sister-in-law…' Kagome smiled nonetheless "Hi I'm Kagome. Nice to meet you..."
Karin nodded and tilted her head "Hey Yuzu. Introduce yourself to Kagome." She said.
'Didn't you give her introduction yourself just now?' Kagome sweat dropped.
The brown haired girl now identified as Yuzu stood near Karin and bowed "Hi. My name is Yuzu Kurosaki. Please take care of my big brother…." She looked up, sniffing.
Kagome remembered her little brother Sota who was just like Yuzu. She bowed and smiled "Kagome Higurashi. And please don't cry ok" She hugged Yuzu and this helped the little girl to calm down a little.
Isshin was secretly watching the whole exchange. He smiled genuinely seeing that his sisters were opening up a little to Kagome. It's good since they did not have their mother these many years and now they can have an elder person who will give them a helping hand in any matters. This soothed him a great deal. Even Ichigo's frown may reduce with the help of this girl. And she also needed Ichigo's protection and care as well. Speaking of which...
"You did not meet my son yet, did you?" Isshin asked coming towards the trio.
"Actually I did see him from far, a tall boy right…" Kagome said gently patting Yuzu's head, the small girl smiling happily.
Isshin smiled "You did see him?" Then nodded his head "Of course with such a striking hair color anyone would notice my son..." He said proudly.
Kagome blinked her eyes 'Striking? What's so striking about black?' "I'm sorry but I didn't feel his hair color as striking."
At this everyone except Kagome blinked their eyes. "You didn't feel it odd?" It was Karin who asked the question.
Kagome titled her head. "No? Why?"
Isshin was now grinning from ear to ear "Wow! Ichigo would be very happy about this. I'm happy that you are the one that's betrothed to my son…"
Kagome was now confused "You are?"
Yuzu looked at her "You see. Many used to tease and even bully my big brother because of his hair color. But you did not even feel that the hair color was different…"
Kagome's mouth opened 'Why were they making such a fuss on black hair?'
Isshin nodded his head "Yes. My poor boy... My little berry…"
Kagome rolled her eyes 'More like strawberry.'
"…Was bullied by some meanies due to his bright orange hair… But you did not feel anything at all…" He smiled patting Kagome's head.
Kagome blinked her eyes 'BRIGHT ORANGE HAIR? Wasn't that…'
"I'M HOME."
A boy came inside the house and was looking at them confused.
"Ah! My son… Your soon-to-be husband has come… ICHIGO..."
Kagome's eyes widened. 'Huh?'
Ichigo reached his home and sighed.
Today was not good at all… Urahara hiding something, two hollows attack together, getting a feeling as if someone was watching him and then that stupid annoying girl who was only giving him head ache.
Ichigo then went to a park to get some rest and spent the whole evening there. If Rukia was there she would have given him the necessary 'RECHARGE'. But no she was in soul society with her dumb, no insufferable "Nee-Sama" Byakuya, the wors… er… the best man there was.
Ichigo shook his head and looked up to see the front door was open. He frowned, feeling a new presence in the house and thought it was a tad bit familiar. He could not place where he had felt it before though.
"I'M HOME…." He yelled and was surprised that his father was not flying in the air to give him an energizing kick. 'Strange. What happened to him?'
Ichigo thought as he looked at the residents in his home. There were his twin sisters and his perverted father patting a girl who looked oddly familiar.
Wait a minute…
She was that girl in the evening, now in his home, but why? 'Huh?'
"Ah! My son… Your soon-to-be-husband has come… ICHIGO…."
Soon-to-be-husband?
" YOUUUUUUUU? WHAT?"
Both Kagome and Ichigo screamed at the top of their lungs pointing at each other with shell-shocked faces.