I don't own Bleach, nor do I want to really. I'd like to thank everyone who's reviewed up until this point and my fabulous beta reader BeccaBaby. Sorry for the delay with this chapter, I hope the fact that it's the biggest chapter so far makes up for it. I started playing Bioshock 2 and couldn't put it down until I beat it so that's the reason for the delay. It's a great game. If you liked this chapter or completely hated it, feel free to leave me a review.
It really hadn't gone over too well after Orihime had told his savior the news. She had gone strangely silent before disappearing out of the room like a spooked rabbit. Having no real business with Orihime, Ichigo was quick to excuse himself from the situation. He might have stayed longer when Orihime gave him that sad look, but his heart was too pained by this whole process to sit and have a chat with his old friend. He'd talk to her later. Right now he just wanted to dull the pain that he had been trying to subdue for almost two decades. He ended up roaming the streets of Karakura like a lost spirit before finally settling down upon the banks of a familiar spot.
Ichigo sat upon the green grass of the bank that flanked the Karasu River. This place had always held more meaning to him than any other place in the town of Karakura because of all the memories he had here. This bank was the place where his mother died, and the place that his friends and he would always walk by on their way to school. Ichigo had few distant memories of battles here and a few memories of sitting on these very shores while watching fireworks with all his friends. There was also the bridge a little ways down where he had returned Chad's coin and had gained a remarkable friend in the process. This river held so many moving memories for him, but the one that was probably dearest to him out of all those memories was the one Ichigo had the night before he was to go off to college. As he glanced down the pathway along the river his memory played out that night so many years ago.
The moon was so bright that night, along with the street lamps, that it wasn't hard to navigate the sidewalk even if it was so late at night. Ichigo and Rukia had just returned from a going away party for the people with whom they had fought alongside with for so long. Everyone was finally starting to get on with their lives and move on from their high school adventuring days. College was the first step for almost all of them, but even though they all had separate places to be, they all carried the bond that would no doubt bring them back together again when the time was right. It was going to be sad to break up the group, but they couldn't stay high school students forever. The party had gone on for many hours that night and by the time they had finally left, it was 2 o' clock in the morning.
The cool air that came off the river had a bit of a sobering effect that kept Ichigo awake as he and Rukia slowly made their way back to the clinic. It was going to be their last night together for a while since Rukia was heading back to Soul Society in the morning under Ukitake's orders. She was going to be promoted to Vice Captain and as much as Ichigo wanted to be there when she received the honor, he couldn't. He had to head to Tokyo tomorrow morning to get settled into his dorm before starting class in 2 days. Ishida was also going to the same university but they would be on different sides of the campus. Ichigo didn't know if he'd see much of the medical student.
They had been walking in silence for most of the trip. When they reached the river, Ichigo had to pause to cast his gaze out upon the watery surface. Pushing his hands deep into his fall jacket, he took a long breath knowing he'd miss walking by this river the most out of all the places in Karakura town. As he stopped moving, Rukia glanced back at him giving him a bit of a curious look that reflected well in the moonlit night. Letting a small smile tug at his lips, the normal scowl Ichigo wore seemed to fade as he stood there gazing out towards the reflective surface of the river.
"Tomorrow we part ways again." Ichigo said, turning his gaze from the river to look at the petite woman who he owed so much too.
"I know…" She started as she moved to stand by his side before reaching up and wrapping her arms around him. "But this parting is on our terms and I know I'll see you again."
Ichigo's small smile seemed to warm slightly as he wrapped his arm around the woman at his side. Their relationship had come so far since that day almost three years ago when she had bestowed her power onto him. Somehow friendship had turned to admiration and eventually it had turned into love. This change between them hadn't happened overnight, but once they realized what had happened, their relationship had taken off. It had been after the winter war had been won. Ichigo was proclaimed a hero after he, along with the help of the other captains, managed to deliver the final blow on the tyrant Aizen. There was a party for the victors and a remembrance ceremony for all those who had died. The total casualty count had been low, but a few good friends had been lost in the battle. Momo, Soifon, Iba, Kira, Kenpachi.. Far too many friends.. Ichigo had finally got himself away from a drunken Matsumoto and an equally drunk Renji when he found himself upon the Sōkyoku Hill. That's when he found Rukia standing there under the broken execution stand. There was something special about that night and before it was over he realized that the short, slightly annoying shinigami who had been his partner in so many battles was actually someone he loved.
Granted this night seemed just as special…
"It'll be awhile though. I mean I can't just waltz into Soul Society whenever I please after all it won't be like I'll have a Senkaimon gate in my dorm room. With you being a vice captain, I'm sure you won't find much time to come here to the human world." Ichigo whispered tightening his grip on her as if he never wanted to let go of her.
"We are people of two different worlds, Ichigo. We both knew that this day would come." Rukia sighed as she leaned against him.
"What if I changed that and become part of your world?" Ichigo asked.
Rukia looked up at him and her violet blue eyes met his mocha ones. A bit of a skeptical look played across her face, but it didn't last long since a smirk soon laced her lips. Ichigo had the ability to do the impossible once he set his mind to it. This was something he had proven time and time again, starting with breaking that kidou the night they had first met and ending with defeating Aizen to end the war. Rukia would have to be silly to start not believing that Ichigo couldn't do something now. After all, it was just one of the many things that she loved about the orange haired man she was snuggling with at the moment.
"If you were to do that, I wouldn't mind." Rukia replied.
Ichigo nodded once again casting his gaze back out towards the river. A silence fell between them because words suddenly had become useless. For a long time they just stood there in each other's arms, soaking up the last few precious moments they had together before the new day would see the end of their journey together for some time. They both needed this moment. Their parting would be manageable as long as they had this memory to draw on those days when life was just too much to bear.
"Rukia…?" Ichigo once again cast his gaze down at the woman in his arms.
"Hmm?" was all that Rukia could respond as she glanced up at him.
"Make me a promise will you?" Ichigo pleaded.
"Anything…" Rukia answered.
Ichigo paused as if trying to find the right words for what he was about to say before his lips upturned in that classic, almost mischievous smile he wore at times. "If I become part of your world, will you promise to marry me?"
For a second or two Rukia didn't say anything. She just looked up at the man who had just proposed to her. She slowly pulled away, a small smile lingered on her lips brought about by the moment and his infectious smirk. "I dunno what Nee-sama will say about that. He might have a problem marrying off his little sister." Rukia playfully shot back. She was already set in her decision, but was in the mood to tease him a bit.
"Screw Byakuya, but if it bothers you that much, I'll find a way to convince him that I'm right for you." Ichigo retorted waving his arm as if to dismiss Rukia's comment.
Rukia giggled as his determination. "Well, I guess I have nothing to argue about then."
"So will you?" Ichigo asked wanting confirmation on her decision.
Rukia gave him a look before reaching up and grabbing the front of his shirt. With a quick tug, 5'9 became 4'9 and easy for Rukia to reach as her lips came to rest upon his. This wasn't the typical kiss they shared, the kind that was a quick and simple reminder of how much they cared about each other. No, this kiss was deep and passionate; the kind that could sweep someone off their feet and take away the very air that they breathed. Who was more taken with the kiss was unclear. They didn't draw apart until they felt the need for normal breathing. Ichigo had to admit that his head was spinning as he pulled away and returned to his full height. He knew that he had gotten the answer to his question by the way Rukia smirked up at him.
"What do you think?" Rukia questioned.
Ichigo tightened his grip around the woman in his arms as he leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. "I'll take that as a yes…"
Ichigo remembered spending the rest of that morning with Rukia until they had to be separated. It wasn't until the car was finally packed that they had to say their final goodbyes. Ichigo remembered backing his crappy car out of the driveway and watching her standing next to the rest of his family as she waved at him. It had been so hard to leave that he spent most of the trip reminiscing on all their past adventures. Ichigo was happy that his new school kept him busy. In his rare downtimes, he and Uryu would return back to Karakura and enjoy themselves. It would be almost a year before he saw the woman he loved again, and three more years before he could finally marry her.
Running his hand through his unruly hair, Ichigo shook his head. What was he going to do now? He could barely look the girl whom he was supposed to train in the eye. Ichigo would have to face her again, but then again what was he going to say to her? His savior would no doubt have questions and honestly there were things that he just didn't want to answer. Getting up, Ichigo stepped up to the river's edge and stared into the dark water, wishing he could just end his pointless struggle right now. Truly he was only half the man he used to be. The month that Rukia had died, some part of him had died too. Some part of him that held most of his reason to live….
Taking a deep breath, Ichigo closed his eyes vainly trying to will away all the pain that was making its way to the surface when new kind of pain blossomed from his side. The next thing he felt was his body collide forcefully with the ground and skid slightly. In an instant, all the wounds from the night before that had lapsed into silence screamed with pain. Ichigo snapped his head around to glare at his attacker, who happened to be the short girl from the night before. She stood there with her arms folded and an annoyed look on her face that added to the sharp glare that she sent in his direction. If Ichigo hadn't known better, he'd say he was being stared down by his Rukia instead of the strange one that was Ishida's daughter.
"What you do that for!?" Ichigo yelled instantly getting defensive.
"What with that stupid look on your face?!" She yelled back matching his volume.
"I can look however I want to look! What is your problem?!" The yelling continued.
"My problem is that stupid look of yours!" She growled
Ichigo huffed. "What are you doing here?!" His tone was lowered a few octaves.
"Looking for you and that stupid face of yours, Shinigami." His savior's tone had lowered as well.
Ichigo slowly got back to his feet, ignoring the small protest his body gave at the reaction. His wounds still hadn't healed completely and that kick in the side had been surprisingly hard. Rubbing the tender area, Ichigo matched his savior's glare. She wasn't intimidated in the least by his look and held his stare with no hesitation. Another thing that reminded Ichigo even more of the woman he loved.
"What do you want with me? Also, my name is Kurosaki Ichigo. You can stop calling me Shinigami" Ichigo turned his attention back out to the river.
He caught her rolling her eyes out of the corner of his vision. "You're supposed to teach me how to be a shinigami! Just because I look like your dead wife you want nothing to do with me?" His savior started then continued. "And fine, if you don't want to be called Shinigami; I'll call you… Deathberry!"
Ichigo cringed slightly. "You looking like my wife has nothing to do with anything, and no not Deathberry. My name is Ichigo."
"Well Deathberry, you can't even look me in the face so I think that must mean something" She spoke. Her voice was much calmer then it had been a minute ago.
Ichigo was getting ready to fire a retort when he was faced with the sudden disruption of his phone going off. The words he was about to say became dead before ever leaving his lips as he pulled out the ringing device. The alert flashed across the screen telling Ichigo that there was to be a hollow about a half a mile west of their current location. It also said that the monster was due to arrive in 10 minutes. Ichigo eyes snapped from the screen to gaze in a westerly direction before falling back upon the wanna-be shinigami he was suppose to train. His hand dug into his back pocket, fingering the soft fabric of the soul glove that would release his savior from her body.
"You really want to be a shinigami?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes," There was no hesitation in her voice as she responded.
"Then follow me and keep up," Ichigo called over his shoulder as he took off.
Ichigo didn't hesitate as he took off. His phone was using a strange GPS feature to give him the exact coordinates to the hollow's breach spot. As fit as his body appeared to be, Ichigo was quick to learn running in it was constricting. His body refuted his movements in the form of sluggishness and general fatigue, but Ichigo pushed on. This hollow was the perfect opportunity to begin his savior's training. If she was going to become useful to Soul Society the ability to slay hollows was by far the best place to start.
As Ichigo came to the spot his chest heaved in great spasms as it tried to bring oxygen to the vital components of his gigai. No doubt that if this was his actual body; Ichigo would feel the light headedness and muscle ache that came with such exercise, but this wasn't the case. His soul had no real attachment to this gigai making him somewhat immune from some of its physical complications. Granted he'd still feel pain from it if he did something stupid, but maybe Urahara put that in to protect his creation from damage. So far the hollow hadn't showed up, which worked to Ichigo's advantage as he put on the soul glove.
His savior had followed him fairly well, but it was easy to see that she was just as out of breath as Ichigo was. She leaned against the wall of a nearby building, panting to catch her breath. Ichigo had stopped in a dark alley way so that when he drew her soul out of her body people wouldn't get the wrong idea. Clearly physical exercise wasn't something that came easily for her at the moment and was just one of the things he'd have to train her for. She looked up at him as he approached her, a bit of curiosity sparkling in her violet eyes along with confusion at what they were doing here in particular.
"What's… Going on?" His raven haired savior asked in between pants.
Her question answered its self as the cry of a hollow echoed in the air. Ichigo wasted no time as he flexed his hand then pushed it through her chest. In an instant, her soul was separated from its body as a petite shinigami appeared from the body of the girl that was now limp in his arms. His savior seemed shocked again as she looked down at herself in full shinigami attire with her zanpakuto held tight to her side by her obi. The night before, Ichigo really didn't get much of a chance to look at her as she took out the hollow. Now that she was here in front of him, his heart clenched painfully. There was nothing about this girl that didn't remind him of his Rukia, even the hilt of her sword was a complete match for the sealed from of Sode No Shirayuki. Turning away painfully, he carefully set his savior's body down making sure that it was hidden slightly in the alley.
"Come on, I'll answer your questions later. Right now you gotta deal with that hollow." Ichigo commanded over his shoulder as he headed back out towards the main street.
The sound of her running after him was quickly lost as the duo stepped out into to the main street. People and cars weren't lacking on this particular street, it was fairly busy. Then again, it was prime time for people to be out, having just got off of school or work hours before. People no doubt were getting those last few tasks of the day done or were unwinding after a day at the office; all completely unaware of the danger that lurked. Glancing down at the phone in his hands, Ichigo muscled his way through the crowd of people before the echoing sound of an explosion erupted down the street. Suddenly it became harder to move in the crowd as people became panicked. Ichigo continued to try and move through the crowds, and suddenly lost sight of the petite shinigami he was supposed to be instructing. Another explosion echoed just up ahead followed by the unholy call of the hollow. After struggling for another 20 seconds, Ichigo was finally able to break free from the crowd on the street and turn a corner which brought him face to face with the white masked monster.
This hollow didn't even look like any animal in the natural world. It had no legs just an ample supply of tentacles to propel it forward. Its body was furry with a dark red, shaggy fur covering most of its body except for the tentacles. Its mask was high on its body and in the shape that reminded the former substitute shinigami of a crocodile. Not the weirdest hollow he had ever seen, but then again most of them were fairly strange to look at. The dark yellow eyes of the creature instantly fell upon Ichigo as he took a step back. It knew that he saw it and that it could only mean Ichigo was someone with high spiritual pressure.
"You see me boy? How interesting, you will make a fine meal" The hollow seemed to purr with delight.
"You're the second hollow in two days that has wanted to eat me. I doubt you'll fair better than the other guy." Ichigo taunted back to the evil spirit.
"Oh? What makes you think you stand a chance against me?" The hollow inquired.
"It's not really him you have to worry about. It's me, because I protect him." A voice sneered from the darkness.
Ichigo caught a flash of silver from the corner of his eyes as a mutilated limb flew from the hollow. A shriek of pain echoed from the spirit as it jumped back, and stared angrily at the shinigami who suddenly moved to stand in front of Ichigo. Studying the girl in front of him, Ichigo was surprised to see how confidently his savior held her sword out in front of her. Her stance mirrored the basic stances new shinigami who had just graduated the academy took. Ichigo could only believe she had to have had some basic training in sword play.
"So you're my protector now?" Ichigo decided to clarify.
"Yep! After all I don't see you in a fancy black kosode fighting this hollow, Deathberry. It's a shinigami job to protect souls even if they are still living, is it not?" She responded before darting forward to engage the hollow.
Ichigo smirked at her words as he watched her engage the hollow. There was no fear in his savior's sword as she danced gracefully in and out of the hollow's attacks. Just standing there watching, he found his eyes unable to stray from the battle secretly admiring the fluidity of his savior's movements and sword. The battle didn't last long before the new shinigami's sword finally connected with the hollow's mask and sliced it cleanly in two. The cry of the hollow rang in the air like church bells before mass as the creature slowly dissolved from existence. Ichigo was just about to give a snappy congratulation to his apprentice when some movement caught his eye. He was quick to investigate it, knowing there had to be a reason for the hollow appearing at this particular spot. Finding a middle aged spirit cowering slightly behind a small sign, he knew this must have been the spirit the hollow had been after. The spirit looked terrified and after seeing that hollow, Ichigo really wasn't too surprised.
"Hey kid, come over here!" Ichigo shouted to attract the attention of the girl who had saved him.
"I have a name you know!" She expressed with a bit of aggravation in her tone.
"So do I, but you seem unwilling to call me by it." Ichigo shot back.
"But Deathberry fits you so well… Ichigo." She rolled her eyes as she emphasized his actual name.
"Whatever, we'll discuss what we call each other later. Right now you have to perform Konsō on this soul." Ichigo explained motioning to the middle aged spirit.
"Konsō? What the heck is that?" His savior asked looking clueless.
The spirit looked worried about the whole conversation. "Please don't hurt me!"
In an instant the spirit tried to back up and knocked over the sign it was trying to hide behind. Ichigo was quick to react and reached out and grabbed the spirit before it could get away. Bringing it around to face the shinigami; he held the spirit up just enough to make it difficult to get away. The spirit became seemingly terrified and struggled to get away, but Ichigo seemed unheeded by its actions.
"Take out your sword and pour some reiatsu into the pommel of the sword." Ichigo started.
His savior gave him a funny sort of look but complied anyway. Drawing her sword, which she had sheathed after she had finished off the hollow, she poured some of her spiritual pressure into it. The sword responded to her request as the very tip of the pommel began to glow with a surreal energy. She was definitely more refined when it came to controling her spiritual pressure then he had been when he first became a shinigami.
"Now press the end of your sword's pommel against this guy's forehead." Ichigo instructed as he lowered the guy down to her level so she could perform the Konsō.
Without even asking what she was really doing, his savior took a step forward and pressed her sword against the guy's forehead. In an instant a stamp mark appeared upon the guy's head and he was bathed in an ethereal glow. The glow subsided leaving a hell butterfly in its wake. The insect was quick to flutter away, ascending to the heavens to bring the spirit to soul society. Ichigo watched silently as the butterfly disappeared before his attention turned back to the rookie shinigami he was training.
"That is Konsō. It's a shinigami's duty to send souls to the Soul Society through Konsō." Ichigo explained.
"Teaching her already in the ways of the shinigami? You move in on my daughter so quickly Kurosaki…" A familiar voice chastised.
Ichigo had felt Ishida's presence only a second before he had spoken. The Quincy had a way about him that seemed to always have a flare for the dramatic. Turning around to face the Quincy, Ichigo offered him an impassive look. Ishida returned the shinigami's look with a pointed one as he stood in a white suit with a tie that bore the symbol of the Quincys. At Ishida's side was a girl that looked no older than his savior. Ichigo knew of Airi, but he had never met her in person. There was no denying that the girl at Ishida's side was indeed his daughter. Airi was well proportioned like her mother but had Ishida's eyes and hair color. She wore square framed glasses similar to her fathers and a traditional Quincy outfit that reminded Ichigo a lot of the one Ishida wore in his teens.
"Dad…" Ichigo heard his savior say from his side.
"I have no choice in this matter Ishida. I have a duty to teach her." Ichigo replied.
Ishida glanced at the daughter by his side then to the daughter that stood by Ichigo. "I was there when you rescued Kuchiki-san, I know about these duties." He raised his hand up and instantly it was a lit with a blue glow and the signature bow of the Quincy appeared aimed directly at Ichigo. "You have put my daughter in danger, and that is something I cannot over look, Kurosaki!"
Ichigo took a deep breath as his gaze became fixed upon the bow that was now aimed at him. He knew that when Ishida pointed his bow at something it wasn't just an empty threat. Ishida meant business and Ichigo was now in a dangerous situation here. Still, Ichigo wasn't going to back down. He knew soul society could very well execute him for giving his powers away, or at the very least exile him. The crime of giving one's powers away was still a very serious crime even if Rukia had gotten away with it, but that was only because no one was going to punish her knowing the length Ichigo would go through and Aizen. If his death came a little early by Ishida's hands he wasn't going to complain. He'd rather die at the hands of an old friend then be killed by the blade of an executioner.
"Wait!" In an instant his savior stood between him and the Quincy. "Dad, it's not his fault! He told me to run, I just couldn't. What he did was our only choice at that moment because I didn't think anyone was going to save us"
Ishida looked at his daughter then back at Ichigo as if he blamed him for his daughter's sudden rebellion. The former substitute shinigami knew better then to let himself create a rift between father and daughter for he was more than willing to take the burden of blame for all of this. Reaching out, Ichigo put a hand on his savior's shoulder and pulled her back so that she was no longer standing between him and the Quincy.
"Rukia, don't… There are some things you don't understand." Ichigo whispered trying to keep the pain from his voice, but not succeeding.
Violet angrily met dark brown as Rukia cast a glare at him. The look in her eyes could only mean that she wanted to understand, and she was frustrated that she didn't. Ichigo felt pain renew in his soul, for he didn't want to have to face that look. He could only turn his gaze away, letting it fall upon the street, helpless to do anything under that gaze.
"That look in your eye hasn't changed in 17 years Kurosaki… Clearly time doesn't heal all wounds." Ishida suddenly spoke as he slowly lowered his bow and let it fade from existence.
Ichigo glanced up at Ishida. "Do you think you could recover?"
Ishida seemed to think over Ichigo's words before his eyes floating to both of his daughters then back at his old friend. "I've seen a lot of bad things happen to good people. No, I don't think it's possible to ever fully recover from something like that." Ishida reached up taking off his glass and cleaning them slowly before replacing them back on his face. "Airi, help your sister find her body and head home. I have to talk to Kurosaki."
"Sure Dad…" Airi's voice held a bit of hesitation before she stepped up to her sister.
"No! I'm not going anywhere! This concerns me and I'm not going to be shunted away like a small child to be left in the dark." Rukia's shouted defiantly.
There was a small silence that arose from Rukia's defiance as father and daughter stared each other down in a battle of wills. Ishida made the first noise scoffing slightly as he raised his brow. Rukia on the other hand remained unyielding. Defiantly staring her father down with the same steely glare she had directed at Ichigo only moments ago.
"Rukia, go home…" Ishida's voice held that tone every parent reserves as a calm warning.
"And if I refuse?" Rukia challenged.
Ishida sighed. "Kurosaki, are you going to tell her…?" Ishida said, eluding the real question. "And if so, how much?"
Ichigo brows lowered at the question. "I'll tell her what she needs to know."
"She knows about Kuchiki. Did she really need to know about that?" Ishida replied smoothly.
"Would you stop talking about me like I'm not here?" Rukia suddenly interjected frustration evident in her voice.
"If you want, I can tell her everything. I have nothing to hide." Ichigo responded.
Ishida looked at his daughter. "There you have it. He'll tell you everything, but for now I need to talk to him alone. You will not be left out in the dark as you say."
Rukia showed signs of hesitation before she looked up at Ichigo. Her eyes seemed to be asking a million questions, but as she turned away, it became clear those million questions would have to wait until they got their answers. Ichigo remained rooted to his spot, trying hard not to show any emotion as he watched her turn and leave. His past wasn't something he wanted to try and hide; it was just that the memories brought him so much pain. However, if this girl really did want to know everything, then he'd be willing to share.
"Let's go Airi-chan." Rukia's tone was deflated, but she still held her head up in a way that reminded Ichigo so much of his late wife that it was almost painful.
The two men sat in silence for a while as they watched the two teenage girls leave, wanting to make sure that they were truly alone. By now the sirens of rescue vehicles could be heard approaching, and people where beginning to return to the area the hollow had attack. Undoubtedly, they were drawn by morbid fascination about what had happened not more than 10 minutes ago. Ishida motioned for Ichigo to follow him, not wanting to attract unwanted attention to himself. Ichigo just followed without complaint even after their journey had led him far away from the spot where he had encountered the hollow. It wasn't until they were in the shadow of Karakura hospital did Ishida turn to face the former substitute shinigami.
"I want to ask one question before we proceed." Ishida commented.
"I believe you are entitled to that." Ichigo replied.
"Did you give her your powers because she looks like Kuchiki-san?" Ishida reached up and pushed up his glasses with a nudge from his pointer finger as he spoke.
Ichigo didn't say anything for a moment. He wasn't sure how to answer the question. He decided to answer the question with another question. "Did you adopt her for the same reason?"
Ishida shook his head. "To be honest, I can't say one way or another. I know I wouldn't have left her there after the hollows attacked."
Ichigo turned his attention towards the sky. It had become night fall a while ago and even in a city as lit up as Karakura, a few bright stars dotted the sky. They sparkled like distant gems against the pure black background of space. Even if he was in the human world, there was no mistaking how much the sky reminded him of his home in Soul Society. The same stars that seemed to shine there also shone down on him now.
"Then you know the answer to your question." Ichigo softly said.
"Hmmm." Ishida murmured before he reached into the jacket of his suit.
Ichigo saw something being tossed towards him before he reached up and caught it out of midair with little effort. The cold of something metal was felt in his palm before he opened his hand and glanced down at the set of keys that now sat in the hand. A confused look crossed Ichigo's face as he glanced at Ishida. The Quincy calmly gazed back at the former substitute shinigami, his eyes not betraying any emotion or thought he might have been having.
"Well, for one thing; you're not going to be sleeping in my daughter's closet… Also I know you have nowhere to go." Ishida explained as he stuck his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. "We have a R.V. parked around the back of the house. It's not much but it should offer you a place to sleep and I'm sure my wife is more than willing to feed you. Now go, and you better keep my daughter safe, Kurosaki, because I'll erase your soul from existence if you don't."
Ishida turned and started to walk up the long drive that lead to the main entrance of the hospital he was director of. Ichigo stared at the keys in his hand before glancing at Ishida's retreating back. He had honestly expected the Quincy to give him an ear full and tell him to stay away from his daughter. This development was shocking. Clenching the keys in his fist, Ichigo suddenly needed to know something.
"Why are you doing this?" Ichigo inquired.
Ishida stop but kept his back to the shinigami. "Because you are a man I still consider a friend."