She had tried for months to find a way back, she knew she couldn't stay, no matter how much she wanted to. She formally met Shinji in this time, he was looking at something, a picture. The woman in the picture looked familliar, far too familliar.
'Tatsuki?'
"She's very pretty, Captain Hirako."
The blonde jumped suddenly, twisting to see her straighten up. He cleared his throat quietly, his eyes averting.
"Yes, she was."
"... Was... I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
"No, you didn't know. Sukiko has been gone for quite some time."
"I'm sure you'll meet her again Captain. Things always have a way of coming back to uss in the end, even if not in the way we expect.(1)"
"Thank you. I can see at least some of why Sosuke likes you so much."
Ichigo laughed brightly.
"I'd like to believe that our time together will last, though for how long is the question."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you know that trees can watch you, they know what you do and adapt."
Shinji went still.
"Sukiko said that too..." His voice almost to quiet to hear.
'So Tatsuki noticed them too.'
His eyes sharpened suddenly.
"Tell Sosuke I'm sorry, would you Captain?" Ichigo asked lightly, "I don't think i can make it to dinner tonight."
Shinji stood sharply, he nodded. He understood what she was saying, the ones watching her were going after her tonight, before she could see Sosuke.
She stood in a clearing, not far away. She knew that they and even Sousuke would find her quickly, Sousuke not quick enough. She was prepared when they arrived, she even put up quite the fight. Though she made the mistake of underestimating the people sent after her, she shouldn't have, they had gotten Tatsuki after all, if they could do that then it shouldn't have surprised her that the sword came through her back from a hidden shinigami. She could feel it sharply as the male yanked his zanpkuto from her body, and crumpled to the ground.
"CHIKA!"
Her eyes lifted weakly and she gave a sad smile.
"...sou...suke..." She coughed hard, blood hitting the ground.
Sousuke cradled her frame trying to keep her with him using what kido knowledge he had, though none were working. She lifted her hand to rest on his cheast.
"...I'm...Sor...ry..." She managed, her world fading around the edges, she could feel his panic rising, she couldn't help but feel pained. "...stop... Please... don't... do this..."
"They'll pay, they will!" Sousuke ground through his tears as he felt her last breath leave her, her body disappearing from his arms. "I'll make those that did this suffer."
He swore this to himself.
Ichigo gasped sharply as she shot up. She heard a intake of breath and she turned towards it to see Yuzu.
"Yuzu, what happened?" Ichigo didn't get an answer, just an armful of little sister
"Ichi-nee, You're awake, we were so worried! A friend from your school found you and brought you here, when you wouldn't wake up dad connected you so we could make sure you could come around."
"Friend? Yuzu, what friend?"
"He should be here soon, he's been visiting for the last few days."
A knock sounded at the door and Yuzu turned with a bright smile.
"Come in, Ichi-nee just woke up."
The door opened slowly and a soft voice came through.
"I'm glad that she woke up."
Ichigo's eyes widened. It couldn't be.
