The ominous air clouded all reality that night, the teen didn't seem to recognize a fleeing tone until it was too late. The conversation he had with his friend twenty minutes ago popped in his mind, causing his eyeballs to almost leave their sockets. Earlier that day, a few people were spotted lingering close behind them at school, it was Uryuu who brought it to his attention, but he chose to ignore it. Now here he is, rushing through the alleyways of Karakura, trying his hardest to reach her in time. Flickering yellow streetlights vaugely guided the narrow paths as the only sense of direction was the stars. His heart pounded louded within his chest, anxiety hitched his breathing. The boy stumbled on anything in his way, her voice played nonstop in his head. 'Ichigo, promise me an idiot like you would grow up. No more acting like a dumbass! Just, live healthy and happily, okay?' Loud pants echoed through the lenghy twists as he arrived at the scene. There was a horrid stench that pierced through him, which took several moments to realize it's identity. Thick crimson soaked the light grey school uniform, seeping into a big blob and engulfing her thin frame fully. Most of her clothes were torn, as if forcefully removed, while her deep sea orbs remain lifelesly open. He dropped to his knees and craddled the stiff figure in his lap, petting short black strands in apology. He was too late, she was gone, and now she will never come back. He couldn't help bawling like a baby, his tears streamed down until he couldn't cry anymore. His orange tussles messily stilled as he started grasping his hair tightly, silently cursing to himself. Midnight turned to morning, days turned to months, and time slowly passed. Everyone had moved on, not him though. He can never forget what happened, he resented himself for not making it in time, and soon, walls were built. Those who stuck by him, faded away. His life was stuck to that moment, the second he found her, and he watched as the world continued to live, with or without her.
Three years later
It has been a while since he has been to japan, he lived in America for two years now. The move was caused by a year of remembering that night, so he evaded for the U.S. Now, he was back. Urahara picked him up from the airport and took him to his old home. He was informed that the family clinic closed down and that his father and sisters also left, he was alone. He dropped his bags at the front entrance and skimmed up the stairs, barging into his room to find everything exactly how it was left, a disaster. Chuckling to himself, he grabbed a broken picture frame of him and the group that was lying in a pile of glass. Ironically, the crack was placed between him and his dead friend, effectively splitting them apart. He had to admit, he missed Rukia dearly. However, he felt she was in a better place. One day, he will definitely see her again. Now thinking about it, he decided it would be a good idea to call Urahara for help. The shop keeper was always abnormally giddy, singing out his statements, so maybe his enthusiasm could come in handy. He stalled all movement when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Answering, he was surprised to find it to be Uryuu. "Hey, Uryuu, how is the baby coming?" Last time Ichigo heard from him was from a postcard Orihime sent to america explaining the two's marriage. He was happy for them, he didn't carry any feelings for the girl but knew she held some for him. The teen is actually glad she was able to move on, he never thought of anyone as more than a friend. Rukia died before their friendship was able to evolve, which leads him to be single now. "Well, if it's none of my business, then why did you call me!? ...I have every right to be using an irritated tone!...What ever, what the hell do you want?" Ichigo's mood went down hill after that call, he couldn't stand the stuck up guy acting as if he was better than himself. He calmly shut the device and walked out of his house, going to the one place he felt he could be himself.
URAHARA SHOTEN 2:13 AM
'Wow, Kurosaki. That's your fifth glass, has Ishida pissed you off that much?"
"Whhhart evv-er...you ccan't l-lecture me!...I'm...a customer, damn it! I'm ..always...right." His ending words were quietly mumbled as the drunken human's head collapsed on the table, catching the attention of the staff. "Kurosaki, was Ishida that intimidated by your presence?" Amber eyes fully closed as the nineteen year old incoherently gave his reply. 'He shmaid I wuld...influpence ofihime..."
"Influence Orihime you mean?"
"That's it!" The orangette's head sprang up giggling before slamming back down on the wooden surface. It's been years since he visited the shop, that's what he calls it. It always changes from candy, to noodles, to liquor. So he nicknamed it, 'The Shop', a.k.a, S.T.
"Okay, no more drinking for you. You aren't even legal yet and I let you drink, Ishin would kill me if he found out." Holding the limp body in his arms, the host took him to his room to rest. "In...amersica...iff yours eighteen, youf can drink!" Ichigo could be hardly understood in his state, but Kisuke agreed with what he said in hopes of shutting him up.
"Youf knop urahada, yours snot tad baffd! (You know Urahara, your not that bad!)" Proclaimed the berry, falling into a deep slumber once those words left him.
That put a smile on the man's face. For the longest time, he loved the little rascal. Even so, he never found It appropriate to voice it out. He was ten years older, and watched him since he was in diapers. Niether could he forget the fact that the boy's father was against any further growth in their relationship other than friendship. So, instead of getting his hopes up, he said, "I hope so," and went to bed.
