To An End
They say that before you die, that very instant before your soul leaves its earthly shell, that your life flashes before your eyes. Senna, even when she was alive the first time, didn't know if she believed that to be true. But, as she leaned on Ichigo's back, she now knew that before one passed on to the next world, all of your memories were dredged up from the deeps your soul.
"I know that my name is Senna! … I know I'm a Soul Reaper! …I'll show them…I couldn't imagine a world without you Ichigo!…"
A lone tear rolled down her cheek; her eyes burned by past memories. Here she was, leaning on Ichigo's back, and said man was answering her final wish. "Ichigo," she started, "Wh-what does the name on the grave say?" Her chest ached and pain filled her; what if her name wasn't really Senna and all she really was is a collection of memories, the Shinenju? Do I even exist?
Ichigo looked around for a grave. Senna whispered, "Fourth from the end." She let her head fall to his shoulder. Ichigo dutifully followed her instructions, found the grave, and he bent down and shifted his weigh, allowing Senna to see what was written. "Is there a name? I can't see every well and my vision is blurred." Senna's voice was weak and she felt something eating her up inside. "Is it there?"
"It's there," Ichigo said quietly, "Clear as day. You used to live here, in this town. You had a family."
Tears of joy flowed freely down her face. Relief washed over her like a wave from the ocean, "I-I am so happy." Ichigo stood up, and as he did, a light spread across her body and she started to glow and faded away. "I feel warm…. Ichigo, will we ever meet again?"
"What are you talking about? Of course we will." He didn't know that for sure, but he hoped and prayed that they would. He considered it a promise, and he would fulfill that vow to any end, at any cost. She faded away, dissipating in the wind.
Ichigo crouched down on one knee and then on the other, a single tear sliding down his face. He felt Rukia's spiritual pressure near him. She could offer him no comfort, but she informed him of this, "The energy for the blanks is slowly dissipating. Once that happens, everything about Senna will fade from our memories. She was never alive in our life time, so you can't remember someone who doesn't exist."
Ichigo stood up, his voice was soft and his eyes were tinged with red. "I know she'll be gone soon, but right now, I can still hear her voice." They walked out of the cemetery, and later their memories of Senna became like that of a faded dream.
3 Months Later
Walking across the bridge, Ichigo stopped as he heard a familiar voice. A red ribbon floated into his hand, carried by the strong wind that was gusting throughout the town. "Ooo! Shut up! Who cares about that anyway, it's not gonna make any difference anyway."
She ran through the crowd of clustered people, laughing and playing around as a normal teenage girl. Realization flooded through Ichigo and he smiled to himself. Whatever power had let him catch glimpse of her again had let him start believing in his promise to Senna.
For now, all our Strawberry did was to smirk and walk on.
A/N
A long, difficult year and a half latter is when have decided to make my return. I've always had this story in the back of my mind. This summer, before the beginning of my strenuous senior year, I will finish To An End. Words cannot express the love and adoration I feel for you, beloved readers, and I will finish this story FOR you. I am sorry. Forgive, forget, and REVIEW. Only minor grammar changes have been made to this chapter. The other chapters will also be checked for grammer. Thank you SO much.
Pol-kun