Hey Guys! So, nearly a year later, I finally post this chapter I promised long ago. I guess it makes sense to post it now, seeing as it's close to Christmas and all... yeah... so... yeah.
Well, I suppose an A/N like this isn't really much, and I'm not sure what you want me to say. Oh! I should tell you. I got extreme writers' block right around the end, so it was very difficult for me to write more of it, and this story had the potential to be longer, however my brain-type-thing failed me, and made it hard for me to complete it. And for that, I apologize. I think after this chapter, I'm pretty much done with this story for good.
Sorry.
But there's not much else to do. SOO, I hope this is a satisfactory sequel! Yahoo!
And a Happy Bleached New Year! (Sequel)
Uryu opened his eyes to a new day. It had been two months of living at the Kurosaki house and he had to admit that he enjoyed it more than any other place he had ever lived.
He promptly got dressed and ready for school. He brushed his teeth and put his shoes on.
In living at the Kurosaki house, he had his own room that had once been a guest room. It was nothing like an entire apartment to himself, but it was better than living alone. Yes, it was much better than that.
He walked past Ichigo's room on his way out of the door. Faint snores could be heard and Uryu rolled his eyes. He never really liked the idea of a Substitute Soul Reaper as a brother… especially since it was Ichigo.
"Ichigo," he walked into the room where the snores were audible, "wake up. You have to get ready for school."
"Um, Uryu?" Yuzu called from behind.
Uryu turned his head around and saw a smaller figure starring up at him. He raised his eyebrows.
"Are you hungry? Want something for breakfast?"
Uryu smiled. Before he was a Kurosaki, he had never been asked that question in the mornings. Though now it was something he heard everyday.
"Yes, thank you, Yuzu." He bowed in politeness.
Yuzu blushed as Karine caught Uryu in a bowing position.
"Hey!" She hit her brother over the head, "Stop being formal with her, Four-Eyes! You're her brother! Act like one, you idiot!"
Uryu quickly straightened and rubbed his head, "Yeah, sorry…"
"What's with all of the noise?! I'm trying to sleep!" Ichigo woke up from all of the disturbances.
"Well, stop trying to sleep! We have to go to school today, or have you forgotten that today is Friday?!" Uryu shouted.
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "You are all idiots. Today is Saturday." He slammed his head in his pillow and closed his eyes.
Uryu smirked as he pulled the covers off of him and threw them across the room, "You're going to make me late! Now get your lazy ass out of bed before I kick it!"
Ichigo turned over and mumbled, "Empty threats." As he fell asleep again.
Urgh, I have no time for this… Uryu thought to himself as he walked out of Ichigo's room and down the stairs. Yuzu had already started making breakfast and Karine was sitting at the dinner table rather… un lady-like. Uryu sat down with the proper manners that he had been raised with and looked around the walls that were scarcely decorated. He thanked life that he now had a father. A family… even if it was a family of Soul Reapers. He smiled a bit. Two months away from Christmas now… how the time had flown. It was all too quick… as if everything changed instantly. He never had to see Ryuken again, and Isshin was a person that he could freely call his father. Why was it that someone else's father loved him more than his own? Why was it that someone could accept him so easily? Someone like him… a Quincy. How could someone that he told he hated ever be willing to let live in his house?
Of course it was Ichigo's father… but he was never able to understand why he was so accepted. Why… they even loved him. Love was a concept that he vaguely remembered. It was something that had disappeared for a very long time. Only to appear now, eight years after the only person who loved him had died. He… just didn't understand why life was so much better now. Maybe… there really was a God.
"Hey, Space Cadet," Karine looked over to him, "back to earth, please?"
Uryu shook his head and looked to her. She was disrespectful; that much was certain. It must have provided entertainment for others, though.
Ichigo walked into the kitchen. He was still wearing his pajamas and rubbing his spiky orange hair.
All eyes shifted over to him.
"Hey, it's Friday… you guys better get ready for school." He said as he sat down at the table.
Karine and Uryu rolled their eyes.
"There is no limit to how dumb you can be…" Uryu looked away.
"What was that, Four-Eyes?!" Ichigo shouted, fully awake at his insult. Ichigo was only sometimes annoyed by Uryu as his brother; however Karine and Yuzu were thrilled to have another sibling. Another person to look up to.
Uryu even taught Yuzu how to sew, and she couldn't stop. She constantly asked Ichigo if any of his clothes had holes that needed her stitches.
A few weeks ago, when Uryu saw that Yuzu liked sewing so much, he told her, "If you like sewing so much, I could teach you about patterns and you could make your own clothes."
Yuzu was thrilled at the idea, "R-really?! Thanks! I would love that!"
So he did.
He taught her everything that he knew about patterns. Every technique that he learned, developed, and created. He gave her full-time access to his sewing machine and spare fabric.
Uryu noticed that Yuzu had a talent for it. Just as he had when he was her age.
He really liked Yuzu as his sister. She was his sister. He never knew that having younger siblings could be so much fun. That… being the oldest of four could be so… so wonderful.
Karine enjoyed having him as a brother, too. Perhaps not in the same way as Yuzu, however. She definitely liked to pick on him. For a while, he wondered if Karine treated Ichigo the same way.
"GOOOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOOOOORNING, CHILDREN!" Isshin jumped and landed on the table making the glass of ice water that Karine was drinking spill on Ichigo.
Ichigo sprung up, "Dammit, Dad!" He punched Isshin in the face.
Uryu smiled. Typical morning, he thought.
"That was cold, Ichigo."
"SO WAS THAT DAMN WATER!"
Isshin rolled his eyes, "You're as much as a morning person as always. Good morning Yuzu, Karine… Uryu" Isshin smiled upon his children.
"As immature as always…" Karine retorted.
"Good morning, Dad!" Yuzu looked up from the eggs that she was frying.
"Good morning, Father." Uryu looked to him.
"You've been here for how long now? You don't have to call me 'Father'! It makes me feel like I have polite children! That's not how I raised you kids!"
Uryu glanced at Karine then Ichigo. He understood the disrespect now, "Sorry… it's just Ryuken would require me to-"
"I thought that we agreed that Ryuken was a Four-Eyed, rich, son-of-a-" Isshin stopped when he glanced to Yuzu and Karine who were staring at him in shock, "You can just call me 'Dad', you know."
Uryu smiled and looked down, Yes, this really is a typical morning…
Uryu laughed, Thank you. Thank you for giving me a father that cares. Thank you for everything.
Uryu wasn't really sure who he was thanking, but whoever it was who gave him this beautiful life, he was thankful to. More than thankful. He couldn't describe what it was he felt towards this life that he now owned… but it was better than mere thankfulness.
Ichigo slapped his father in the shoulder for his last say in the matter then left to ready himself for school.
Isshin stepped off of the table and sat in a chair, "Hey Uryu."
Uryu looked to him, "Yeah?"
"I forbid you to have a clean room. Go mess it up right now. Throw your dirty clothes on the floor. Tip over your mattress. Do something to it."
Uryu smiled, "I like to keep organized, Dad."
Yuzu brought the food over the table and sat down, "Leave him alone, Dad. My room is clean, and you never tell me to do otherwise."
"Well, the boy needs to be slightly less mature when he is living in the Kurosaki house. Don't you know how to have real fun, Uryu?"
Uryu looked down. He did know how to have fun. Not that they would consider what he does fun at all…
"I'll take that as a no." Isshin stood and pointed to the ceiling, "Never fear! Tomorrow is Saturday and I don't have to work! We're going to the park to have a picnic."
"That's not fun, Dad." Karine protested.
"WHAT?!" Of course it is!" Isshin sighed, "Youth these days. Fine, bring your soccer ball and invite your friends. Uryu, you can invite yours too. We'll have a soccer tournament!"
Uryu didn't like the idea very much, but he'd give it a try if it meant spending time with his family.
Uryu and Ichigo left the house and ventured to school.
"A soccer tournament? That's stupid! What is the old man planning?" Ichigo said as he kicked the ground in frustration.
"You know, it might be fun if were allowed to use our abilities." Uryu sighed, "But unfortunately, we can't."
"That's already been done, though." Ichigo rolled his eyes, "And it wasn't fun at all."
Uryu looked down. He didn't understand why Ichigo wouldn't want to do something with his family.
They walked through the front doors of the school that they attended everyday. Karakura High School.
And like everyday, they were first greeted by Orihime who smiled as they sat in their seats.
"Hey, Orihime, Chad," Ichigo started.
"What's up, Ichigo?"
"Tomorrow my family is going to the park to have some 'bonding time' according to my dad… Want to go?"
"Yeah! Sure!" Orihime smiled.
"I'm free." Chad's deep voice implied that he was able to go.
Uryu smiled so that none of the others could see. He was happy that Ichigo invited them… or even acknowledged that he was going at all.
Heh, what's happening to me? I now find enjoyment in the most simplistic things. How unlike me. Uryu thought to himself, But I guess this is what having a family does to you. You start to care.
As the day passed by, Uryu found it hard to focus on the lesson of the day. Excitement? No, surely not. That wasn't Uryu. This was a whole new person. A person changed by a crazy family that was far from what he grew up with. Extremely far.
What would Ryuken say about Uryu's new family. Uryu was sure that Ryuken had his thoughts about the Kurosaki's. Not one of them good. Ryuken was a jerk, and that's all he'd ever be. Why… did he hate his own son? Why was it… that things were awkward when he was around? Nothing ever made sense to Uryu that had the slightest hint towards his biological father. Uryu, perhaps, would never understand him.
But why worry about an insignificant pest like Ryuken Ishida? No reason at all. He wasn't even worth his thoughts.
And Uryu swore to God that he would never go back to Ryuken. Never.
The bell finally released the high school students from a not particularly hard school day.
Although Uryu and Ichigo walked to school together, they never walked home with each other. Uryu always went straight home, when Ichigo would get stuck to hang out with Keigo and Mizurio.
When Uryu finally made it off of school grounds, he darted at a faster pace. Thinking of Ryuken made him uneasy. As if life was too good to be true. As if it could be snatched away from him in an instant.
He couldn't even think about it.
Suddenly, Spiritual Pressure descended upon him, and he flinched. A Hollow? Ichigo could probably handle it.
He walked on, ignoring the sickening feeling of it.
Wait. Did he just think "probably"? No! Ichigo could definitely handle it!
Listening to the pattering of his own footsteps to the pavement, he quickly spun around.
Urgh, I'm too much of an introvert for this.
The Hollow's Spiritual Pressure wasn't far, and he was more than likely closer to it than Ichigo, so it was logical to kill it himself. J-just to be safe, right?
The roaring and howling was getting louder as he approached it.
As he turned the corner, the Hollow was much larger than he expected. Taken aback, he nearly fell backwards. Ichigo was not here yet.
Probably couldn't feel the Spiritual Pressure… and was clumsy enough to leave his badge at home.
The Hollow saw Uryu and went for the attack. Though, Uryu quickly dodged it, jumping into the air and firing at its mask point-blank. However, the Hollow was quicker and cast the arrow to the side. This spoiled Uryu's plans of being able to land softly on the ground. Miscalculating his position in the air, stunned by the skill level of this Hollow, he fell on his back. He heard a snap in a few places before he could say anything.
The Hollow stepped closer and hung his head over Uryu, "Quincy, huh? Well, you're about to die pathetically… just like the rest of you!" The voice resembled a snake of sorts. The hissing sigh of pure taunting stung Uryu as much as his now aching bones. He took notice of the wind that had been knocked out of him.
The Hollow closed in on him, as Uryu slowly shut his eyes.
"Hey, Hollow. Before you kill off my brother, can you at least answer to me?" Ichigo shouted as he swung his giant blade at the Hollow's face. Slightly scratching it, the Hollow disappeared from the World of the Living in fear of death.
"Uryu. You okay?" he asked.
"I-Ichigo." Uryu managed to get out. Regaining his breath was a difficult task. Though, as he did so, he felt the crunch of his left leg and his side. A rib, perhaps? He moaned in agony. A Hollow. A mere Hollow did this. Why was Uryu so stupid to have done that? To have gone after something that Ichigo easily handled? What was he thinking?! Now… all of this pain… was because of his ignorance.
"Urgh, You're not." Ichigo sighed, "I'll get Orihime."
"No, Ichigo. I'm fine." Uryu's pride wouldn't allow him to just sit here and accept defeat. Not after what that Hollow had done.
"Oh, you are, are you?" Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Then get up. Let's go home."
Uryu sighed and opened his mouth as to some up with a quick excuse… but nothing surfaced. Finally, he just decided to say a simple excuse, "Fine, I will. After you get back into your Gigai."
"Just as I thought. You can't get up. Just let me call Orihime." Ichigo got out his cell phone.
Uryu planted both of his hands on the ground beside his hips and started to arch his back into a sitting position.
BAAM!
The crushing feel of shattered bones forced his back to slam back to the ground, sending a shock of pain throughout his entire body.
Ichigo was purely concerned. Agitated, too. Uryu was stubborn, and after all of this time, Ichigo realized that it would probably always be that way. Uryu was the type of person that couldn't rely on others. No, he didn't want to. Even after gaining a family that he could trust. Perhaps, his father really was horrid. That forced him to only trust himself. Only him verses the world, right? What was his problem?
Uryu clenched his side. Clearly, it pained him.
"Where all do you hurt, Uryu?" Ichigo sighed the question. Sometimes, he thought Uryu was more trouble than he was worth. But he was worth having as a brother.
"I'm not-" Uryu tried.
"Cut the crap, Uryu. I can tell that you've got a couple of broken bones. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. We can heal you quickly with Orihime, or we can take you to Dad, and you can heal like a normal human. Your choice."
Uryu rolled his eyes and stared up at him, "You really are a pain, Strawberry."
"And you are more trouble than you put off, Four-Eyes." Ichigo returned to his Gigai in order to retrieve his phone, and then proceeded to call Orihime without receiving Uryu's answer.
Uryu gave him a look of protest, but Ichigo looked in the opposite direction and pressed the phone to his ear.
"Yeah, hey… Yeah, uh-huh… Look, Uryu's been attacked by a Hollow…" Ichigo gave a face that implied that Orihime didn't take that information well, "Could you come?... About a block away from school… Yeah that's the one… Thanks. Bye."
Ichigo pushed a button on his phone and shoved into his pocket along with his hands.
"Now, we wait." Ichigo looked away, for he couldn't stand to see Uryu like this.
Surely not Uryu. This position was odd for him. It seemed to always be the other way around.
In a matter of minutes, Orihime arrived on scene.
"Soten Kisshun," She whispered.
Uryu's pain eased within seconds. He swore that he would shoot Ichigo later for making Orihime waste her Spiritual Pressure on a person like him.
"What's with the look? Stop beating yourself up, Uryu, you are worth the healing, so just shut up and accept it." Ichigo started toward their home.
"Hey, I didn't say anything!" Uryu shouted, leaning in Ichigo's direction.
"Please, Uryu, you have to be still!" Orihime's voice shook. The yellow barrier between her and Uryu glistened in her eyes.
"Yeah, sorry." Uryu apologized. But, how did Ichigo know what he was thinking? Was his expression really that easy to read?
"Uryu, do you really think that you're not worth saving?" Orihime was on the brink of tears. It was a thought that passed her mind often, but it only applied to herself. That she wasn't worth saving. That she was useless to everyone. But why would Uryu have those thoughts? Why would Uryu think that he wasn't worth it when he was clearly more useful to everyone than she was?
Uryu hesitated. He could say any wrong answer here. Not able to look her in the eyes, he spoke swiftly and softly. A mere whisper, "Well, I just proved that, didn't I?"
Orihime gasped and Ichigo turned around.
"What did you say?!" Ichigo snapped.
Uryu knew Ichigo heard, so he didn't bother repeating himself.
"Well, if you really feel that way," Ichigo smiled, "Let's go, Orihime. Uryu is completely worthless, right? Leave him to heal on his own. Besides, what use is a Quincy, anyway?"
Orihime turned around and looked at Ichigo curiously, "Ichigo?"
I know that he's kidding, She thought, but is he really going to go through with leaving him here? Uryu won't put up a fight with what Ichigo said, so he'll let us leave… but—
"I'm glad you agree with me." Uryu closed his eyes.
Orihime's healing shield shattered from her lack in concentration, but Ichigo wanted that to happen anyway.
"Now listen," Ichigo kicked Uryu in the side that wasn't injured with a broken rib.
Uryu yelped and moaned under the pressure of the pain, grasping his side as quickly as he could.
"You know, it took me a while to get used to the fact that my father adopted you, but now you're just being irritating. You're not worthless, and there is not one person that thinks that you are, so just shut the hell up with the 'I'm useless' crap!" Ichigo rolled his eyes and put his foot on the ground, "I know you love having a family. I know that you love having sisters and a father, and I know that you can tolerate me, so just accept that you are somebody. You are a person, and if you contradict me one more time, I'll kick you again!"
This shut Uryu up. Everything that Ichigo said—he couldn't disagree with any of it.
"Now," Ichigo started back up, "Orihime, finish up, and then we'll all go home, okay?"
Uryu shot Ichigo a look of despair, but didn't say a word. The thing he wanted most was to go home, eat dinner with his family, sleep, and have a good day tomorrow.
After Orihime completed healing Uryu, they departed as though nothing happened.
Ichigo and Uryu walked in silence. Not one word was heard between the two. Only the constant ringing of quietness. Despite the awful events, it was a beautiful day. The birds were still chirping as the sun fell to the ground. In a nearby park, children were being called to come home for dinner. Several indistinguishable names rang from older adults. And the protests of leaving the game complimented those names. The sky was melting into blackness, starting from the top layer of beautiful atmosphere. Only a few stars could be spotted over the glaring brightness of the streetlights. It was warm, with a fresh breeze that curled as it touched their skin.
"Ichigo," Uryu broke the jagged silence.
"What is it?" Ichigo answered.
"Thanks."
"For what?" he placed his eyes on Uryu's face.
Without returning his gaze he answered, "For everything. I don't know if I ever did thank you, but I will now. Thank you for accepting me as a brother. Thanks for allowing me to live in your home. I thank you for sharing your wonderful family with me… and thank you for… telling me what I suppose I wanted to hear most."
Ichigo's eyes grew wide as he quickly stared in the direction that he was walking, "I accepted you as a brother because you didn't have a family. I'm not the one who adopted you; you should be thanking Dad for allowing you to live in our house. It's not my family, it's our family. And I told you that, because your pride annoys the hell out of me."
Uryu cracked a smile, "You'll never change."
"You're right." Ichigo paused and looked down, "But neither will you."
With a gasping laugh Uryu spoke softly, "Never."
"ICHIIIIIGOOOO! URRRRRYUUU!" Isshin greeted them as they stepped through the front door and kicked their shoes off.
By greet, he kicked Ichigo in the face and punched Uryu in the stomach.
"It's past seven! What were you two doing?!"
Ichigo returned the kick in Isshin's gut, "We were late from school!"
"That much is obvious! Were you two out on a double date or something?!" Isshin shouted.
Uryu blushed and Ichigo rolled his eyes, "No," Ichigo sighed.
"Common', Dad. Does it really look like Four-Eyes or Carrot-Top could get a girl?" Karine walked up and patted her father on the shoulder.
Yuzu ran to the door where everyone was, "Dad! You didn't have to hit them!"
"They're growing men, Yuzu. They need to be punched and kicked once in a while."
"But not if you do it everyday!" Yuzu cried.
"What was that about not getting a girl?" Ichigo looked to Karine.
"Almost makes me wonder where the third stooge is… where's that red-head with the ponytail?" Karine smirked.
"Please don't classify me in with that idiot." Uryu thought of Renji and gagged a bit.
Yuzu hugged Uryu and Ichigo together, "Good to see you! Did you have a good day at school?"
"Uryu, I'm not used to seeing you coming home this late. What did that delinquent Ichigo do to you, son?" Isshin looked sad.
Uryu smiled upon Yuzu, then returned his stare to Isshin, "I had an after school activity, but I got injured and had to go to the nurse. Ichigo waited up for me, but everything is fine now." He smiled.
Isshin examined Uryu closely, "You were what?! Injured?! What happened?!"
Ichigo looked to Uryu promptly.
"M—my hand was caught in the sewing machine. It didn't hurt that bad, but the supervisor wanted me to go to the nurse." He covered.
"Oh," Isshin sighed, "So you're fine?"
"Yes sir." Uryu smiled.
"What did I say about-"
"Yes, Dad."
Isshin returned the smile, "Well, dinner is almost ready, right Yuzu?"
"Yeah!" Yuzu sparkled.
"Well, you know what that means!" Isshin ran to the kitchen and slammed his butt into a chair.
Ichigo and Uryu followed, along with Karine.
Dinner was as unusual as the Kurosaki house could pass off as normal.
Uryu walked to his room and headed for his sewing machine. He had started a design the night prier and wanted to finish it. To his surprise, something didn't feel right. As though something was missing.
"Uryu," Yuzu stood in the doorway.
Uryu stood from his chair and turned around.
"I hope you don't mind, but I used your sewing machine. You had something loaded into it already, but I couldn't leave it alone, so I moved it to the side. Carefully though! Then you had some blue thread in it, but I needed to use the purple, so I took it out and put it on the table. It must have fallen off or something. I was going to leave it how I left it, but I couldn't find the thread that you had… and… I'm really sorry!" she looked down.
Uryu smiled, "It's fine." He walked to his case of thread that resided on his other desk, "That was the last spool that I had of that thread, but I'm sure this will match it nearly the same, don't you agree?" He held up a nearly identical color of what she had lost.
Yuzu smiled, "Yes! And I'm sorry again. If you want, I can look for it."
"It'll surface eventually." Uryu loaded the blue ribbon into the sewing machine, carefully hooking the thread over every piece, "The important thing is," he tapped the petal, locking it in place, "that you show me what you made."
"W—what I made?! Oh, no! It's nothing compared to what you make."
"No, I have some pretty tough competition, Yuzu. I might just be the runner up. But we'll never know if you don't show me." Uryu smiled tenderly as he placed his project in the place where he had left off and held his foot to the petal. He shifted the fabric, leaving careful stitches in a straight, precise line.
"I'm warning you." Yuzu left the room and returned quickly with her hands behind her back. She walked up beside Uryu and waited for him to look up.
Uryu slowly lifted his foot and pinched the thread, moving it to the side as for it to not tangle up. He looked to her and waited to see if what he taught her was valid.
Yuzu took out a stuffed lion that lay motionless in her hands. It had been dressed in a beautiful purple gown that resembled that of the Victorian age. It was, without a doubt, very similar to a work of Uryu. The stitches were fine down to the smallest detail. The sequence was carefully sewn to line the bottom of the fabric. This wasn't one of his patterns… had she made this herself?
"This is Bostov. I made this dress for him. I tried not to use a pattern, but it didn't turn out as good as I envisioned."
"Are you kidding me?! This is better than anything I made when I was your age! I'm really impressed!" Uryu smiled, a bit jealous.
"You really think so?!" Yuzu automatically brightened and perked up.
"Oh, yeah. You're nearly as good as I am now. Keep practicing and you'll definitely surpass me soon. You're a natural." He looked to the stuffed animal, then couldn't help but laugh. It was Kon, who couldn't make a peep. Thank God.
"Thanks Uryu!"
"Yes, we might have lost some thread, but it's worth it. Especially something of this level. Far better than mere thread. So don't worry about it. And hey, if you feel that bad about losing it, why don't we head over to the fabric store and buy some more of that color."
"Now? Sure!" Yuzu smiled.
Uryu grabbed his wallet then went to Isshin, "Is it okay if Yuzu and I go to the fabric store to pick up some thread? We'll be right back."
"Sure, as long as you don't tell Ichigo that I let you out this late." Isshin cupped his hand over his mouth as though in secrecy, "He wouldn't be too happy about that."
"Okay, Dad." Uryu slipped his shoes on and walked out the door, looking to Yuzu who was close behind.
The fabric shop wasn't far from where he now lived. In fact, it was only a block away.
"Yuzu," Uryu tried to start a conversation.
"Hm?" Yuzu responded.
"Do you really like making clothes that much?"
"Oh, yes! I really do; thanks for teaching me!"
"It was my pleasure. I'm just happy that someone else loves creating just as much as I do."
"Yeah, me too." Her light voice penetrated the quietness.
"I want to tell you something that was never told to me. Something that I had to learn on my own."
"Really? What is it?"
"You may not know that your hobbies influence what kind of person you are. I sew. Many people may see that as bizarre, but it's not really. You know my grandfather was killed right in front of me?"
"What?! I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be. It wasn't your fault. But from that, I was alone. I was a person that learned to depend on only myself. At eight years of age, I was practically living by myself."
"But, that's younger than me! I couldn't imagine living alone at that age!"
"I barely saw my father, but I did live with him at the time. We've never exactly seen eye to eye, but I suppose that's just opinion. I don't think that he even knows what he's doing wrong as a parent."
Yuzu was on the brink of tears, "W-why are you telling me this?"
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking of Ryuken today… I guess the memories kind of surfaced without me thinking about it."
Yuzu walked a little ahead of him, stopped, and turned around. She wrapped her tiny arms around his waist.
"I didn't know that you had such a terrible life. I'm so happy that we adopted you!" her tears seeped through Uryu's shirt, warming his stomach, "I only hope that you're happy now."
Uryu hugged back, "I am happy! Happier than I've ever been. And it's all because of... my family. Our family, Yuzu." He straightened his back, "But the one thing that I learned on my own is that… you are never alone. Never."
"This… is what you learned?" Yuzu smiled.
Nodding, he walked on and Yuzu followed. They found the store approaching fast. And soon, they entered.
"Hello, Ishida! Is there anything I can do for you today—er- this evening?" asked a lovely, young woman behind the desk. She was dressed in an apron that stopped at her knees.
Yuzu was amazed over the employee's knowledge of him… not by given name, but surname was still pretty impressive.
Uryu smiled, "Good evening, Suzuzaki-san. I'm looking for a specific type of thread. Do you have 'B056D700'?"
Yuzu's eyes grew wide, He memorized the code? For that one spool of thread? D-does he sit around learning their codes?
"Oooh, let me check. One second." She turned her head to a computer that had its back turned to them. Without looking up from her research, she asked, "So who's this pretty girl? Is she your cousin? Are you babysitting her?"
"No, this is Yuzu. She's my sister." He answered without hesitation.
Yuzu smiled at her introduction.
"Hello, Yuzu, I am Ninna Suzuzaki… but you can call me 'Suzuzaki-san'." She smiled from behind the screen.
"Suzuzaki-san." Yuzu agreed.
"Ishida, I didn't know you had a sister." She hinted to the questionable subject. She had to be careful. She didn't want to ask too much. She knew his father, Ryuken, and didn't want to ask anything that could harm Uryu.
"I have two sisters and a brother." He said politely.
"Oh, really?! I thought you were an only child! Excuse me!" She spoke nervously.
Uryu smiled and let a single laugh pass his lips, "It's quite fine. Biologically, I am an only child, but I was adopted into the Kurosaki household. Isshin Kurosaki is now my father, and his children are my siblings."
Her eyes drifted over him, "The Kurosaki's? H-how-"
"Odd combination?" Uryu laughed, "I know, but I love it there."
Suzuzaki smiled. She had always liked Uryu, and to know that he was happy was relieving. He was a polite boy, and was smart enough to outwit the most intelligent people. And to top it off, he loved to sew… most unlike other rising men.
So this girl was Yuzu Kurosaki? Kurosaki's youngest daughter. Interesting.
"So, Yuzu, do you like to sew too?" Suzuzaki broke her own questions.
"Oh, yes!" Yuzu brightened, "Very much!"
"Is that so? Well, you're rather young! Where did you learn? Your mother?"
"No," Yuzu looked down for a moment, then returned her gaze, "I learned from Uryu!"
"Did you now? That's wonderful!"
"And she's nearly as good as me… I think she'll give anyone a run for their money!" Uryu smiled.
Suzuzaki was relieved. Every time that she had seen Uryu, he was never this happy. Like, something was crushing his heart. Like… someone was constantly stabbing him with a knife. But now, it was as though he had a new life. A life that he never wanted to lose… and that much was certain just by glancing into his radiant blue eyes.
"Well, look what we have here! One spool of 'B056D700' left. And I can see why! What a pretty blue!" she glowed, "Let's see here."
She swiftly left the room and returned in a matter of moments. She placed on the counter an exact duplicate of what Yuzu had lost. The blue thread… a beautiful, light blue that Uryu had always used for the Quincy uniforms that he made. Not that he would tell Yuzu that. It was his favorite of all of his threads. He used it and replaced it so many times that he memorized its code. The only one that he knew by heart. So it was really no problem when Yuzu had lost it.
Uryu paid and politely departed, wishing Suzuzaki-san a good evening.
"Wow, Uryu, you must go there often!" Yuzu stated.
"Yeah, I suppose I do… I guess it is odd when the store manager knows your name."
"She was the store manager?! She's really nice!"
"Isn't she? She's married with kids… but you may not know it to look at her."
"Whoa! She looks a little young!"
"Yes, but I believe it. Teenagers can make some wrong decisions sometimes… but I suppose it's all in how you are raised. However, she is older than you think. She's 36."
"I thought she was a teenager!" Yuzu shouted in shock, "How does she look that young?"
Uryu shrugged.
It wasn't long before they returned home. They snuck back to Uryu's room, as to not alert Ichigo that they had even left.
"Thank you, Uryu!" Yuzu bowed to him.
"Hmph, we have a problem, Yuzu." Uryu sighed and plopped into the chair next to his sewing machine.
"W-what?! What's wrong?!"
"Karine says that siblings aren't allowed to bow to each other. So, I'm terribly sorry, but I must decline your politeness—er—unnecessary kindness." He smirked.
Yuzu giggled a bit, "So, what were you working on, Uryu? Those are pretty colors… it is a dress? Sort of futuristic… blue and white."
Uryu smiled at his sister, "It's not finished, but it's a uniform… I guess you could call it a costume." He didn't dare pick it up to show her. It was a Quincy uniform that he had been working on. He was very cautious, so although she knew not of Quincys, he treated the subject as though she could connect the dots fairly easily.
"That's really cool! And you're not using a pattern? I hope that I can be as good as you someday!"
"Oh, that day will be soon! You're a natural!"
Yuzu once again wrapped her arms around Uryu, "Thank you, my big brother."
Uryu's heart froze, and then skipped every beat. He was finally accepted into a family that loved him. A family that cared. He was so touched that a person like him could be loved. A person that had never been shown love; that had never been cared for. Uryu supposed at one time he had been loved. By the mother that he never met… and the grandfather that was practically killed by Soul Reapers. Everyone that had ever loved him had left… and then, he felt hated. As though life couldn't get any worse. But the only person to ever catch that was Isshin Kurosaki. Isshin was the man who took him in so easily; adopted him so quickly. Acted as the father that he never had. And above all else: he gave Uryu a purpose to keep living.
"I love you, Uryu." Yuzu hugged tighter, "Thank you for being a brother that I'm proud to say I have. Both you and Ichigo."
A lowly tear slid down Uryu's cheek, "I, too, am proud to have you as a sister, Yuzu. You, Karine, and Ichigo as a brother as well. I never want to lose this new life that I hold as a prize. That I treasure so dearly."
Yuzu could hear the crying in his voice, and felt the warm tear as it touched her arm. She released her grip and backed away smiling. Reaching her tiny hand to Uryu's face, she wiped the tear away and spoke softly, "Come now, everything's going to be fine. Life is looking up, and this is only the start of yours. Spend it wisely and you'll do wonderful things. I just know it!"
Those mere sentences. The sentences that would change his life drastically. Maybe not soon… or perhaps even against his knowledge, but those four sentences would prove worth something; they would prove to Uryu that his life was just beginning. They would also prove that Ryuken was wrong when he said Uryu had no talent.
Ichigo opened his eyes to Saturday. To his surprise, Uryu hadn't tried to wake him up yet like he usually had. Or maybe he did…
Eh, who cares? Ichigo was awake now.
He placed his feet on the ground and sat on his bed. Squinting as though difficult to keep his eyes open, he stood. His balance was a bit off being that he just woke up. Tilting to the side, he rubbed his head and took a few steps. Reaching the kitchen was no difficult task, for it was probably his favorite place in the house. He plopped in a seat and tiredly gazed over Yuzu and Karine who where starring at him.
"Where's Uryu? Is he still asleep?" Yuzu asked cheerfully.
"I don't know… I don't think he tried to wake me up this morning." Ichigo looked at the individual grooves in the kitchen table.
"Well, that's weird…" Yuzu snapped her head to the toaster that had just popped with crisp bread.
Ichigo smirked, "Well, I think I'll get him up this time."
"Don't hurt him!" Yuzu cried after the disappearing Ichigo.
Ichigo knocked on Uryu's door, but there was no answer, so he entered. To his amazement, Uryu was still sleeping. Face first on his desk by his sewing machine. In his hand, he held tight to loose, white fabric that was connected to the sewing machine's thread. His free arm acted as a pillow for his head.
He must have fallen asleep while working on something. He didn't even take his glasses off. Ichigo thought awkwardly. He found Uryu's sewing hobby strange and out of place. Especially in this house. So to see him so dedicated to such a… odd pass-time was… he supposed embarrassing. Yes, he was embarrassed of this quality that Uryu possessed. He also thought it strange for him to have taught Yuzu. Of course she would eventually learn such things… but from her brother? Weird.
In any case, Ichigo disregarded this fact. He walked to Uryu's side and shook his shoulder, "Yo, Uryu. Wake up."
Uryu turned his head away from Ichigo as Ichigo shook him harder and now shouted the command for him to awaken, "Hey! Wake up! Uryu!"
Ichigo yanked Uryu's arm out from under his head, and Uryu's head hit the desk with force.
His eyes snapped open and he jolted upward, ungracefully landing to the ground along with the chair tipping to it's side. He sleepily rubbed his now goose-bumped head, "Dammit, Ichigo! Isn't there a better way to wake a person up?!"
Ichigo stuck his nose in the air, "I tried to get you up already. You just turned away. Be grateful I woke you up in the first place."
Uryu stood and sighed, "Sorry… I guess I overslept."
"Yeah, no kidding." Ichigo smirked sarcastically.
Automatically Uryu perked up at the sight of the sunlight through his window, "We're having a picnic today, aren't we?"
"Sadly." He looked away.
"Lighten up, will you?! You're really obnoxious when you pull crap like that."
"I know. That's why I do it. But on the other hand, I guess it won't be that bad."
Uryu rolled his eyes, "Finally seeing it my way?"
The doorbell sounded and Isshin answered, revealing Orihime Inoue and Chad Sado. As Isshin invited them in, he called Uryu and Ichigo to greet them.
Promptly, the reunion rang.
"Uryu!" Orihime put her hand over her mouth and leaned in, "Are you feeling okay today?"
Uryu blushed, "Eh—Oh—um—y-yes, I'm fine."
Orihime smiled with closed eyes, "Well, that's good to hear!"
"Ichigo," Chad started, "Do you have your badge?"
Uryu smirked and pushed his glasses up. Chad had the same thought he was thinking of just yesterday. Ichigo would be clumsy enough to forget his badge.
"Yeah, why?" Ichigo remarked.
"Well, it's just that—all of this Spiritual Pressure gathered in one place could possibly be a bad thing." He stated.
"In other words," Uryu started, "we could be acting as a bowl of bait for a giant hollow, or Arrancar/Espada for that matter."
"I don't want to hear you say 'bait' and 'hollow' together ever again, alright?" Ichigo slapped his hand to his face, thinking of the thousands of hollows that Uryu once called upon with his hollow bait. The ones that reeked havoc on Karakura Town.
Uryu rolled his eyes, "One time…"
"One time too many!" Ichigo roared. For a moment, he had thought of the time that seemed so distant when he actually met Uryu Ishida.
He had used the hollow bait and summoned hollows to see who the superior fighter was. Or, for that matter, superior race. It only brought up a bonding memory… but he was easily angered by Uryu since he started living in Ichigo's house. Sinister thoughts poisoned his respect and memories. Just the simplest things seemed to set him off.
"Em, Guys?" Orihime tried.
They snapped their heads towards her.
"Please don't." She smiled nervously, "How about we take a break from our differences for a day?"
Ichigo crossed his arms as Uryu put his hands on his hips. They turned from each other. Though they were brothers now and the fighting toned down a bit, they still had small side-arguments every once in a while. But, hey, didn't every set of siblings? Besides, they were pretty good with peace for being enemies and all.
Orihime laughed.
"What's so funny?!" They asked simultaneously.
"You two fight over the funniest things! You really are true friends. I wish I could entertain people like you two do. You know, with Tatsuki."
Ichigo raised his eyebrows and Uryu pushed his glasses up.
Smiling, Uryu said, "I'm glad we entertain you so, Orihime."
Ichigo slapped Uryu's shoulder as Uryu turned around with a punch. His aim slipped and hit Ichigo in the chest.
Coughing and rubbing the bruising patch of skin, Ichigo smiled, "You have horrible aim."
Uryu pushed his glasses up, "Say that again and I'll show you some 'aim'." He pointed to his Quincy cross.
At this statement, they all broke into hysterical laughter.
Yuzu smiled from behind the closed door. She fought back tears as she listened to their laughing. Resisting the urge to make herself known to them, she thought of how selfish she was being.
She looked to the ground and thought of Uryu. Her brother. He was having a good time without her. She could hear him laughing and felt jealous. She wanted Uryu all to herself. If Yuzu was completely honest with herself, Uryu was the only one that she could talk freely to. Ichigo was always busy and away for days at a time, but at least Uryu was gone… less. She didn't trust her secrets with her father… and it seemed as though Karine didn't care much. Yuzu knew they were a family… but there was an emptiness that could never really be filled by anyone. That gap that her mother left her.
Thinking about it always brought a tear upon her eyes. But it would never fall.
And Uryu was her savior. He talked to her and showed her how to sew. Something that she loved. It was almost as though he filled the gap completely as he patched her heart with discrete techniques. He talked to her and provided her with a second brotherly love. She never wanted this amazing thing to be taken away from her. She had had such a fun time hanging out with him last night.
But it was like he had completely forgotten about it. This day erased the day of yesterday... or night perhaps.
And now… she felt like he was slipping away. She couldn't say that she's ever witnessed how Uryu looks surrounded by friends. And the same goes for Ichigo in that case. But it felt like she was no longer wanted. Entirely forgotten and left alone.
Like… her mother.
And the tear finally fell to moisten the ground.
Everything was packed in backpacks that could easily be carried to newer destinations. Yuzu, of course carried all of the food that she had prepared, and Karine carried the equipment to play soccer. Ichigo had offered to carry the blanket to sit on. It was pretty big and heavy at that. Of course, it had to be to fit that many people comfortably.
It was but another beautiful day. The birds where chirping a symphony, and the butterflies where flapping and fluttering their wings as they landed on intricately detailed flowers. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun reached its arms of rays to the vibrantly green grass which contained specks of yellow buttercups. Spring was approaching fast and that much was certain. It was the end of February, and March wanted to come earlier, for it was as though it could not wait at all.
But could you really blame it?
"Ichigo, wait up!" Orihime called from behind him.
Ichigo turned and smiled to her, pausing for her to catch up.
Orihime smiled and ran, "Thanks," she giggled.
If there was a day more perfect than the one in which they had partaken, it wouldn't exist.
Uryu finally realized what it was like to have a great time, while in the same time having a new family who loved him.
That night, Uryu laid in his bed, thinking of all of the events. He was exhausted, yes, but it was the good kind of exhaustion. The kind that consisted of memory and sentimental pleasure. And for the first time in his life, he smiled at his memories.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep, dreaming of this life he now lived.
**Conclusion**
