Chapter 3: A trip down Memory Lane

If I were the rain could I connect with someone's heart,

As the rain can unite the eternally separated

Earth and Sky?

My name is Ichigo Kurosaki, I'm 15 years old in high school, and I'm currently working as a shinigami under Rukia until her Soul Reaper powers reawaken. Its been a while since the decision had been made, it's not so bad I guess, you could say it keeps me a bit busy.

Of course its been a few years since the incident, about six and a half years ago, the anniversary is coming up soon….it's tomorrow.

"Hey Rukia…is it okay for me to take a break from my shinigami work tomorrow…just for one day?" I asked Rukia in my room. I just got out of the shower and was toweling in my hair. I didn't want her to see my face, remembering that very same night.

"Wha-what?" she exclaimed, "Of course it not okay! What on earth is your problem? Since this morning you've been acting strange!"

"It's the anniversary," I interrupted, turning towards the window, "Tomorrow is the day…my mom died."

Awkward silence could be felt as I pondered on the statement.

"No…that's not it," I continued, "In truth, it wasn't the day she died."

I turned around and looked at Rukia sternly, my decision made up.

"It was the day she was killed."


Four Days Earlier

Haruto's Pov

"ACHOO!" I sneezed out loud, snot dripping from my nose.

"Eww are you getting sick?" lieutenant Marechiyo Omaeda-san said, scooting away from me.

Rubbing my nose against my sleeve, I looked up the sky, under the trees in the squad 2 barracks, "Naw, means someone's gossiping about me," I grinned back.

"Don't get cocky," said my Lieutenant, "Just 'cuz you were recommended into squad 2, the stealth and punishment force, doesn't make you such a hot shot."

"Hmm, but doesn't that make me the youngest in the squad ever, plus I'm a candidate for the third seat, since obviously the second is occupied…sigh,"

"Sheesh, first there's Hitsugaya-taichou, from squad 10, now there's this brat, what next! A freakin' baby?"

Its been a year since I finally became a Soul Reaper, yeah cool right? Most people are pretty impressed that I made it so far so quickly, and actually got accepted into the Stealth force. I wasn't particularly wanting to be in the stealth force though, I didn't really mind. So when the offer came, I didn't really pay attention 'til Hitsugaya-Senpai knocked me upside my head and told me to accept, that not even a lot of people get accepted into the stealth force.

Yeah, it's been seven years since I've been under Hitsugaya-Senpai's care. Everyone made the decision that I'm approximately 11 years old, right now a half. Shortly after I arrived into the Sereitei, we needed to make a decision of what my age should be, and my last name.

Flash back seven years ago

"Haruto Ohayashi," Rangiku said with intensity.

"Eh?" I said, "Did you call me?"

"Your last name will be Ohayashi, it means small forest." she replied with a satisfied puff.

"Y'know, with for some who has pretty unique looks, he has a very common name," Hitsugaya replied.

"Well even though, it does kinda suit him," Hinamori added in, "It's not too loud, it fits him perfectly."

"….Haruto Ohayashi….it…sounds…nice," I said, a small smile on my face."

"See even he likes it!" Rangiku exclaimed, "It's set, from now on your name is Haruto Ohayashi, and you are approximately five years old!"

"Huh?"

"Let's just hope you're old enough to enter the academy, although I don't really think it matters."

"Wha?"

End

Smiling at the memory I got up from the grass and stretched. Although it's been a year, I'm still not used to this kind of life. Soi Fon-Taichou and given Lt. Omaeda the task of watching me as I continued to make progress. After all even though I'm strong enough to be in the Stealth and Punishment force…I'm still considered a kid.

"Ugh! I just remembered I have a lot of paperwork to finish off!" I exclaimed, smacking my forehead, "Hey Omaeda-san help me out here? Can't you guys cut me some slack?"

"Heh, you wish," snickered the tall and ugly bastard, "Even if your this strong you won't get recognized until many years have passed, you're way too young, younger than when Hitsugaya-Taichou became a captain.

"It's not fair!" I whined as we continued to walk further into the barracks, "I bet I could do awesome if you just gave me a mission, wants the point of being a shinigami when you don't get to do anything!"

"Stop complaining, you been on plenty of mission!" sighed the lieutenant, cleaning out his ears with his pinky.

"Yeah, but those were weak hallows, I didn't even need to break a sweat, I didn't even get to use Shin-Chan!" I exclaimed.

"Why did you give your sword a nick name?" Lieutenant asked.

"Because his name is way too weird, it just doesn't fit Ryu's personality!" I sighed, fingering my Zanpaktou, "Shinya Hi Ryu, it's a weird name! Plus it doesn't fit his personality one bit!"

"Honestly you're such a Kid," sighed my Lieutenant, leading me to my desk filled with papers to be stamped.

"Urgh!" I sighed, taking my seat and resuming my stamping, "I wonder what Hitsugaya-Senpai is up to."

That's the slightly off part about me being in the Stealth and Punishment force, I hardly get to see the others. Always busy with papers and those tiny missions, also I'm in the stealth force…so I shouldn't really be noticed, the only people that get the spot light is the Lieutenant, and Captain Soi-Fon. The only time I get to see them is during meetings when I'm allowed to fill in as a third seat, and then I can't even speak, I have to hold a serious and professional profile, or I won't be taken seriously.

Hours had finally passed by and I could feel myself getting tired, maybe its because the end of the day was coming and I had used up a lot of will power to do such tedious work.

Looking out my window to stare at the sunset I felt a calming emotion spread over me. Ah, yes, It was Shin-Chan that was trying to calm me down. Only he knows what my inner emotions are like. The madness I can sometimes feel, trying to overwhelm me. My thirst for something much more…much more, but what? What is it that I am seeking for? Every time that I try to think about it all I can vision, is a boy with orange hair, holding hands with a brown haired woman, their back to me.

Don't go

Go where?

Don't leave me behind!

Who is being left behind?

Me

You?

You

Me…

"OI! HA-RU-TO!"

"Wah!" I exclaimed, startled from my vision. Looking up I saw my captain staring down at me with a Hell Butterfly lazily clinging to her index finger, which was pointed to me.

"Y-Yes Captain!"

"Seems like I've got a mission for you," Captain Soi-Fon answered Sternly.

"Is it going after weak Hallows again?" I whined stretching over my desk.

"Actually no," she spoke, "This is a top secret mission that you should be able to handle."

"Eh?" I said, bewildered, "A Top Secret Mission? Like No one else knows about it but you and me?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself Chibi," Captain said, looking away for a while, "All the captains and I know of this mission, that's why you were chosen specifically."

"Excuse me, could you explain this further?" I said trying to put forth a serious front.

"Haruto Ohayashi, this is your mission!" proclaimed Captain Soi-Fon, me straightening up at the call of my name, "You are to enter the world of the living at spy on the Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki for no more than three full days! If you sense anything suspicious in the list you must return immediately! Understood?"

"Hah?" I exclaimed, yet again."

"I said UNDERSTOOD?"

"Y-Yes Sir! I mean Ma'am! I mean Captain!" I said flustered.

"Good, you leave tomorrow at dawn, so you have only a few hours to rest and get ready to leave! No go!" proclaimed my Captain.

"Yes, Captain!" I bowed and left with reckless abandon to my quarters to get ready to leave.

Dawn

"GOOD MORNING!" I greeted Captain Soi-Fon at the Senkaimon that would lead me to the World of the Living.

"You're too loud so early in the morning," Captain Soi-Fon said sleepily, "Don't you ever get tired?"

"Of Course I do…I think," I pouted, "Hey Captain I didn't know if I needed anything to bring so I just have my Zanpaktou and some snacks one of the squad members packed for me, is that alright?"

"Yes of course," nodded my Captain, motioning me towards the gate, "If only there was a way to pass off as normal in the world of the living to blend in easier."

"Maybe we could ask Captain Mayori Kurutsuchi-san to look into that," I suggested.

"That isn't important right now, did you get a Hell butterfly last night to fill you in on your task?"

"Yes Captain! All the information I need to fulfill this mission, even a feel of Rukia Kuchiki-san's reiatsu."

"Good, good, no go!" commanded my Captain pointing towards the gate, I pulled my black mask to cover half my face and ran into the Senkaimon, running until I reached the end.

I wonder what the world of the living is like. Hardly anyone gets the chance to go down there.

Smirking to myself, I clung tightly to my Zanpaktou which was tied against my waist. I could feel Akihiro trying to calm my emotions.

"Don't worry Shin-Chan," I whispered to my sword, "I won't let that night repeat itself."

Back then I should have listened to the warnings. The signs. The numerous times I could have stretched my hands out and be saved from the crushing madness screaming within me. My hunger and thirst for blood, and destruction I wished for the world, and a certain person.

Now that I think back to the excitement and anticipation that racked through my veins. I laugh at how truly childish I was. How naïve I am. Even now I'm still naïve.