So i have another chapter to add to this growing fanfic. Once again i am not sure why i keep returning to this story, but the idea is really growing on me about different ideas and what will happen. I have at least 2 more chapters planned which is more than i ever thought i would do for this story. I'm not to happy with the first half of this chapter since it's a lot of explanation, but there has to be at least one section where these issues are covered right?
Anyway i will leave the rest of the Author notes at the bottom. Just a quick side note, i have disabled a few review options due to negative reviews over simple pairing choices that were non-critical. So just a heads up.
As usual: Disclaimer: i do not own bleach, or any of the characters associated with it. If i did... i would be earning a crap load more money than i am earning now.
Hey Ichigo Part V
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"Found you. I won this time."
"I suppose you have."
"How have you been?"
"I'm better now, sorry for worrying you."
"Idiot."
.
He lay there, breathing heavily, staring up at the ceiling/sky. She stood over him, watching him, dressed in her Shinigami garbs. It had been an interesting week to say the least. After waking up after that night's incident, she found out it wasn't all a dream like she thought/hoped it was. A part of her never believed it to begin with, it felt too real to be fake. But that did leave a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of explaining to be done. So the questions came and so did the explanations, which were aided/hindered by the interesting and cute drawings which were used as visual diagrams of the different worlds.
It wasn't the strawberry whom answered her questions; he simply stood there a sad look in his eye. One of his friends which she had met on several occasions had answered and explained everything. She had often wondered if there was anything going on between the orange haired idiot and the small black haired girl, Rukia Kuchiki was her name she recalled, but she was never sure. So she turned her attention back towards him, trying to catch his eye, however he continued to avoid her gaze. Why did he look so sad?
Rukia continued to explain about the current situation in soul society, about the betrayal of the captains, about their roles in the event as well as other friends of theirs. She continued to explain about the upcoming war that would eventually hit Karakura town and about the recent deployments that had happened in the area. She explained that the person/demon that attacked both Ichigo and herself last night were one of those soldiers that Aizen was attempting to create, an Arrancar. The person that came to retrieve the demon was one of the captains that had betrayed soul society along side Aizen. The blue haired demon wasn't defeated, he had simply been retrieved. Finally she explained that since she had obtained Shinigami powers, she was more likely to be attacked by hollows becoming larger target due to her increased 'reiatsu'; this would have to be reported to her captains.
Ichigo hadn't said a single word throughout their exchange. He simply stood in the corner brooding about something or another. Rukia explained that a man named Kisuke Urahara would look after her for the time being, the same man that had helped Ichigo with his powers at one point in time. She could only nod, she was powerless to stop what was happening around her. The fact was that she had become a liability to herself and those around her, so she had to be protected for the time being. She had to be trained to understand her powers as well as use and defend herself against whatever was coming. However she couldn't go to Soul Society due to the chaos that Ichigo had caused as well as the betrayal of the Shinigami captains.
The pair left it at that, allowing her to recuperate for the time being. She watched Ichigo leave, watched his retreating back as he made his way down the hallway. He didn't look like a man chasing after a goal anymore; he looked like a man that was slowing walking towards his execution. She never did see him again that week.
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"Who are those people?"
"They're helping me train."
"Really? They don't seem like much, have you gotten much better?"
"Of course, I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
"Well so have I. Want to see?"
.
He was smiling more now. Even though his expression was exhausted and his body weary. He no longer held such a sad gaze. He no longer looked like he was faced with his own execution. So why did he still look at her like that? Why did he look so worried every time his gaze went over her features? Did he remember that first lifetime together as well? Did he remember the choice that they were forced to make back then? Was that why he was so worried? He closed his eyes temporarily before getting to his feet.
.
"Okay, let's see how strong you are."
.
He called over to the group of eight people that were huddled around a barbeque, giving her odd looks. There were whispers among them about who she was and her relationship with Ichigo. She shrugged them off as nothing worth noting, until one of them described her as his "first love." Honestly, she had never even met the guy. No wait, she did see him once at Ichigo's school when she met up with him one day weeks ago; before this whole mess had started. Sighing softly at the memory, she drew her sword as Ichigo did the same. It had been another of their experimental 'dates' that ended up in a game of hide and seek combined with tag. Ichigo had won that day. He wouldn't be winning today. Today she would win in this game they were playing. After all, their relationship started as nothing more then a game of tag did it not?
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"Are you ready to lose?"
"I should say the same to you."
"In your dreams, I found you, didn't I?"
"I suppose you did."
"Here I come!"
.
Training with Kisuke Urahara was interesting to say the least. He sparred with her, teaching her the basics of swordsmanship while a pair of Ichigo's friends trained in the background. The underground cavern that they trained in was amazing to say the least. Who knew such a thing existed in Karakura town. He taught her about the different releases of her Zanpakuto and how she would have to learn the name of her sword with time. She also found out the name of Ichigo's sword, Zangetsu, something which was fitting for that orange haired strawberry.
Ichigo. That idiot. After she woke up on that first day, he had disappeared leaving her in Kisuke's care. Kisuke and Rukia had no idea where he had disappeared off to and none of his other friends could find him either. However she could always feel an odd pull in one direction from time to time if she were to concentrate hard enough. She wasn't sure if it was those forgotten memories tickling the distant corners of her mind, if it was those odd whispers she would hear time to time ever since waking on that first day or if it was just him trying to guide her, letting her know he was alright. When she asked Kisuke about that odd sensation, he just gave her a thoughtful glance before changing the subject completely. He really was a shady merchant.
Nonetheless there was an odd look in the back of his eye whenever she talked to him. It was the look of someone that held a deep secret that was just waiting to be exposed, however it wasn't the right time yet. It was the same look he gave her whenever she left her body and it would turn into Autumn leaves. It was a unique skill to her and to her alone. The ability to leave her body at will and re-create it at will.
So she shook off that odd sensation at the time and continued with her training. However that odd sensation only continued to grow as the days went on, so she started to search the city for him. It was a game of 'hide and seek' she reasoned. When he left that morning without a single word he had started the game between the two. A game which involved only the pair. He was simply hiding and she was searching. He was simply waiting to be found. So she continued to search the city until she found him.
.
"Why?"
.
She ran forwards, sword drawn. She wanted to reach him, or at the very least meet him half way. Her blade met his in a shower of sparks. She quickly shifted gear to strike his shoulder, however her blade once again met his. Why did time seem to be slowing down all of a sudden? His moves seemed oddly sluggish and so did hers. Why was the scenery changing? Why was there a building, a sky scraper rising from the ground? What the hell was going on! Was she dreaming? One moment she was fighting Ichigo, the next she was stuck in the middle of a crowd of white beings wearing pixie hats. A giant skyscraper looming overhead in the twilight of the setting sun… or was it the rising sun? She wasn't sure as time didn't seem to be moving in any direction. Orange trees surrounded the skyscraper as far as the eye could see, shedding their autumn coat in preparation for winter. The odd beings continued to move around her in a briskly fashion, constantly ignoring her existence. Oh so that was this sensation wasn't it? It was that feeling that she was nothing more than a 'Nobody,' another face in the crowd. It was that dream again. That constant nightmare that would plague her nights, where her existence didn't mean anything. How fitting she would return back here again.
.
"Hey Senna."
"Yeah?"
"Don't worry, you're not alone. Not anymore."
"I know."
"You haven't been abandoned by him."
"I know."
"You will always have a place by his side "
.
She looked behind her. There amongst the crowd was the lone oddity. A lady stood there wearing an orange kimono, her hair tied back in a braid. An Autumn maple leaf sat in her hair, her hands folded resting in front of her. The crowd moved around her as though simply there for the sake of being there. She held that simple smile that he had when she first met him. How did she know her fears? How did she know exactly what she was thinking? She was just a lone oddity among the crowd of pixies. So how could she talk to her in such a way as though she knew everything? What was this messed up place!
.
"Who are you?"
"You still haven't noticed?"
.
The person before her twirled on the spot, her kimono twirling around her as the pixie hats suddenly stood still in attention. Then the world shattered before her and she was falling into the sky, falling upwards as though gravity had suddenly become inverted dragging her and those pixie like creations with her. The lady only fell with her, a knowing glance in the back of her eye. The Autumn leaves continued to fall around her as she fell towards the top of the tower. The trees below flourished in greenery and life returned to the forest below. However the world became blurry, distorted almost as if it was falling apart. Why did this world seem like it should be kept in perpetual Autumn in order to retain its life?
Senna's eyes widened in shock as she looked upward, the apex of the skyscraper was still forever away. The lady beside her, continued to wear that mysterious smile at her lips.
.
"Hey Senna."
"What!"
"You don't have to worry."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"We will always protect you. You're not alone."
"Who are you? How do you know these things?"
"My name is – "
.
Oh… So that was the reason. She smiled softly as she allowed gravity to pull her to the spire. She looked up at that illuming figure that was drawing ever closer. So that's why this thing was here. It was the lone oddity amongst the forest; this giant man made structure that shot up towards the sky. That lead to that unknown place, that unknown goal that she continued to reach. That wasn't completely true. It was that unknown goal that they continued to strive for.
Senna laughed as she fell past the spire, past that unknown figure that stood at its tip. The pixie's continued to fall with her, however that lady with that mysterious smile stopped there, standing besides that figure. She didn't know who he was but she felt she knew him somehow. His shaggy black hair, odd reflective sunglasses and wavering black cloak seemed to remind her of someone or something. It reminded her of something that was buried within the depth of her soul, almost like a forgotten memory. She wasn't sure, but she knew it existed somewhere within her. She chuckled softly as a single thought pervaded her mind; she was going to get Ichigo for this. She was going to give him a piece of her mind if it was the last thing she did. So she fell into the sky, and back to him.
.
"Why!?"
.
She blinked back the tear as she screamed at him. His gaze had never changed. There was that immense sadness held in the back of his eye. She shook her head as she re-doubled her efforts against him.
.
"Why? Why didn't you tell me where you were going?"
"I'm sorry."
.
She didn't know why she started crying. She didn't know if it was truly herself that was crying or those forgotten memories which she held. So she struck again and again at the man in front of her. His sword met hers with each strike. And from that simple exchange, she felt him, felt his emotions. She felt his regrets, his sadness and his own deep turmoil. So she continued to strike him. She continued to attack with simple slashes which held no strategy or swordsmanship. She ignored all of the techniques which Kisuke had hounded into her and she continued to strike, hoping that her feelings would reach the idiot standing before her. That they would reach the idiot whom had saved her in that once upon a lifetime.
.
"Why? Why did you disappear?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why did you leave me behind?"
.
Tear stricken, his gaze once again caught hers. That's right; they didn't always need words to communicate. They would often figure out what the other wanted by simple looks or small body actions. They're experimental dates had proven at least that much. She could only mentally chuckle, experimental may no longer the right term ever since the dates continued to grow in number. However never once did they actually ever call them dates. They were games that they played, she would run forward and initiate their game of tag, dragging him along in the process. He would follow her and eventually find her. This was the first time he decided to run ahead without her, so she had no choice to find him and give him a piece of her mind. But when she looked into his eyes, into his soul, all he could see was nothing but regret and sadness.
He didn't want her to become a Shinigami, his eyes told her that much. That's right, once upon a life time, she had given herself to protect him. She had chosen option 2 in that forgotten lifetime and she had chosen option 2 again that fateful night. She would always choose to rush ahead to protect him, just like how she knew he'd do the same for her, regardless of the situation. So that's what those eyes held. He didn't want her to be in harm's way. He didn't want another mark to go against his name, another mark he would never be able to repay. He didn't want her to become a Shinigami again.
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"I understand."
"I'm sorry."
"No it's okay. I will always try to protect you, just like I did in that lifetime."
"I can't let you do that."
"No it's my choice."
.
So she would have to show him that she could look after herself. She would show him by force if she had to. She didn't want to be the one standing behind him. She didn't want to be the one to be constantly protected powerless to do anything. She didn't want to be the one left in the dark, while those around her continued to fight and she was left behind. No. She wouldn't let that happen. Even if she was powerless she would continue to struggle, just like she did that night. She would continue to chase after him and stand by him. Those forgotten memories once existed within them and she was living proof of that. There was no way in hell she would ever let them fade.
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"I will always do what I can."
"But…"
"Let me show you my resolve."
"Senna…"
"Call forth the Twilight! Aki-no-Tsuki! (Autumn Moon)"
.
She ran forward calling out her name. The sword in her hand glowed pure white as a rush of Autumn leaves swirled around her figure. Ichigo swung his blade down while she swung her blade upwards, though blade wasn't a very accurate description. In her right hand she held a black fan inscribed the cycle of the waning moon, stopping Ichigo's sword. In her left she held a white fan inscribed with orange Autumn leaves. Both were connected by a red cloth, similar to the ribbon which she wore. She used the white fan to strike at Ichigo's unguarded shoulder only for him to dodge to the right. However he couldn't dodge the blow completely as a strong current of wind came with the blow, pushing the orange Shinigami back several meters.
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"…"
"This is my sword."
"…"
"This is proof that I exist."
"…"
"Proof that I once held all those memories. Proof that I am a Shinigami."
.
Her Reiatsu swirled around her. It was her first time releasing her sword so she was running out of time. It would come down to one strike, one moment in time in order to convey those feelings. To convey the feelings that resided deep within her soul, as well as the feelings of those forgotten memories which they shared. She looked towards the orange haired Shinigami before her, towards the one that resided deep within her soul. That's when she noticed the figure standing beside him. It was the figure from the spire; it was the figure that stood atop that world watching everything from above. Oh, so that's who he was, that's why he existed within her. That idiot really did go and engrave those memories into his very soul, into his very existence. Looking to her left she saw her standing there, 'Aki-no-Tsuki.' Senna could only nod towards her, whom just smiled that mysterious smile back at her. 'Let's go, Senna.'
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"Zangetsu sure is amazing."
"Yeah he is."
"We won't lose to you."
"…"
"Here we come!"
.
She brought both of her fans together as Ichigo raised his sword. They cried out simultaneously.
.
"Aki-ga Tenshou! (Autumn fang, heaven piercer)"
"Aki-ga Senpu! (Autumn fang, whirlwind)"
.
His was a blade of light slicing forwards towards her. Hers was a torrent of wind rushing forward to meet him. The two techniques met each other head on, with neither technique giving way. She leaped forwards before the back lash from the two techniques even started, a decision which was mirrored by the orange haired idiot. He swung his sword, while she twirled her fans, both wanting nothing more than to convey the feelings that resided deep within their soul. Both attempting to make the other understand.
.
"Hey Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"Did they reach you?"
"Yeah they did Senna."
"I'm glad Ichigo."
"You're here right now."
"That's right. I'm no longer a Nobody or a memory. I'm Senna. A real Shinigami."
.
Her body was at her limit as it finally gave way underneath her. She once again fell forwards onto the idiot standing before her. She wasn't sure if her blade had reached him in the end, and if you asked her, she wasn't sure if his reached her either. However it was enough to know she was a Shinigami, not a fake one like in her forgotten memories, but a real one this time around and she could stand by him. She heard him calling for someone called 'Hachigen' to come help but that was beyond her. Once again allowing the darkness to take over her. She remembered no more.
.
"Hey Senna."
"…"
"I'm sorry."
"This girl doesn't blame you, you know that don't you?"
"I know."
"I don't think she is capable of hating you."
"I know. Thank you Aki-no-Tsuki."
.
-fin-
So a few things, firstly i may have to change the writing style from Hey Ichigo in later chapters. As everyone is aware i am circulating a 7 speech theme under the pretex of "Hey Ichigo" or "Hey Senna" however the writing style has been quite restricting and i am having to come up with more and more creative ways to utilize the few lines of text i have restricted myself to. So if that does change i will let you know.
Secondly, i decided to change Senna's Zanpakuto from "Mirokumaru" to an original Zanpakuto "Aki-no-Tsuki." This decision wasn't taken lightly, but i believe it was appropriate given that in Memories of Nobody, it was stated that "Mirokumaru" was lost and i do not believe that it was a sword which was born form her soul. The Name and concept (Dual fans) was decided on with some help from Solid shark, whom i discussed my original idea on her weapon design while talking about one thing or another.
Finally, this was supposed to cover a lot further then this, but i had to cut it here simply because it didn't seem appropriate to go further then this point until the next chapter. i had originally planned to cover a lot more material in the anime, but as i was writing this, it eventually reached a point where i couldn't continue it as it wouldn't be as climatic. However given the nature of my chapters and how they're more of snippets then anything, it can't really be helped.
Anyway, i hope you enjoyed the chapter, if you have any questions, ideas, things your not sure of be sure to drop a review and let me know. i may not respond to all reviews etc, however i can assure you i am reading them all.
As always, R & R
-Destria
