Eh, this chapter was frustrating but I managed to improvise and hopefully put out something good. I found it enjoyable toward the end getting a peek into the past. Happy reading.
"They're coming!"
A hush fell across the Kurosaki living room and every participant settled in their hiding places. The sound of the front door opening and the mumbling of voices became the countdown to the surprise. Footsteps came closer to the living room and the light was switched as the cue.
"Surprise! Happy birthday!"
Ichigo jumped and Shiro wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Ya fraidy cat."
"Shut up." Ichigo responded walking further into the room and smiled for everyone who was there.
"Thank you everyone! I appreciate all of this."
"Oi Ichi! This isn't just about you! Ya got a twin remember?" Shiro called dramatically.
Everyone laughed and the party went into full swing after that. As usual his goat face father was obnoxious and annoying but kindly offered Ichigo his first legal drink, not worrying about Shiro since he'd been drinking for years before then.
"I think I raised you well without Masaki around so I hope you can find what you're truly looking for Ichigo." Isshin patted his son's shoulders and went to go annoy his daughters.
Ichigo smiled around at everyone laughing and drinking but something didn't feel right, as if something was missing from the picture. The sight was nostalgic but he still felt empty.
He opted to push back the feeling and walk around to join in random conversations.
The party went on way into the night, everyone enjoyed themselves, some already passed out drunk. Ichigo managed to sneak away to his room and take a lonely breather. He was beginning to have a headache and the confusion he felt in his heart never disappeared.
He jumped when his phone rang and frowned at the unknown caller ID before he answered.
"Hello?"
"Happy birthday Berry."
Ichigo froze at the familiar voice and took in a sharp breath. What was this feeling? His heart pounded with sharp pain and his head spun uncomfortably. "Who is this?"
"Aww you've forgotten my voice already?"
The cloudiness faded from his head slightly and he closed his eyes. "Grimmjow?"
"There you go!" There was a laugh from the other side and he unconsciously smiled as well.
"What do you want?" Ichigo asked.
"I call you to congratulate you on turning twenty-one and that's how you treat me? You're cruel."
"What do you want?" Ichigo repeated.
Grimmjow sighed loudly on the other side, "we're going out tomorrow. Don't worry about finding something to wear, I'll handle that."
"I got it." Ichigo sighed. "Can I go now? I have a headache."
"You never change."
"Eh?" Ichigo leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
"Goodnight Strawberry."
The line went dead and Ichigo stared blankly at his phone.
"What does that mean?"
xx
"Why are you still up?"
Ichigo turned as Shinji walked into the kitchen rubbing his eye.
"You're such a kid."
"You didn't answer my question."
"Couldn't sleep. Thinking too much." Ichigo replied, going back to staring at the wall.
"About?" Shinji asked and pulled out the chair next to him.
"The accident and everything I don't really remember."
"You know we've told you everything, we wouldn't hold anything out on you." Shinji said, his words alert and serious.
"I know but it still bothers me, having such a feeling of emptiness and confusion."
"When?" Shinji questioned with worry.
"During the party, I felt like there was something that wasn't there that was supposed to be. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn't go away. And Grimmjow called me-"
"He called you? Why?" Shinji inquired harshly.
Ichigo jumped and shook his head. "He told me happy birthday and said that we were going on the date tomorrow. But then he said something strange."
"Like what?"
"He said that I never change," Ichigo frowned, "he said it as if he knew me or something I don't get it."
"I don't either," Shinji scowled, "what does he have to do with that strange feeling you had?"
"When he called, the feeling intensified and his voice sounded so familiar in my head. Not like hearing from yesterday familiar but like bodily reaction and 'I know this voice from hearing it all the time familiar.'" Ichigo closed his eyes. "I don't know Shinji, I have this feeling I've met him before. Have I?"
"I don't know Ichi, I really don't know. Maybe you bumped into him on the street. Or you knew him from somewhere a really long time ago. The accident really messed you up. It took some time for you to remember our names and faces and things about us you already knew and the short term memory loss has finally gone away so we're still working on getting you back to normal. Don't worry, if he was someone important you'll remember eventually."
Ichigo sighed at the thought. Those were the frustrating days.
He never really remembered what happened but his memories began after waking up in the hospital.
"What is your name?" The doctor asked.
"I don't know." Scribble.
"How old are you?"
"I don't know." Scribble.
"Do you know where you are?"
"Am I in a hospital?" Scribble.
"What is the last thing you remember?"
"I was walking home from school." Scribble.
"What was that date?"
"January eleventh." Scribble.
"And the year?"
"What year is it?"
The doctor sighed, "it is the year of twenty fifteen."
"I've been asleep for three years?!" The heart monitor spiked and beeped rapidly as the boy on the bed trembled and hyperventilated.
"Calm down!" The doctor attempted but failed to calm the boy and was forced to give him a sedative.
He watched with pity as the orange haired boy was laid back down and covered as he went to report the news to his family.
"How is he doc?" Isshin asked, an unfamiliar serious look on his face.
"It doesn't look good. He's sleeping now but he doesn't remember his name, his age, or where he is. And his memories of his surroundings go back to January eleventh, three years ago. I don't know if he remembers anyone else's names or faces. I will evaluate him again when he awakens."
Isshin nodded. "Thank you."
The doctor returned and Isshin closed his eyes. Masaki would kill him when he died.
"It took me so long to remember my own name." Ichigo laughed.
"Yeah," Shinji smiled. "Come on, let's go to sleep. You don't want to have bags under your eyes for your date with Mr. Big and Bad."
Ichigo snorted but followed his brother up the stairs.
