A/N: Oh goodness, sorry to everyone who has been waiting for this to update! It's been a pretty crammed past two months... So much work, some projects for a friend's birthday, oh and vacation! (Yeah I know that doesn't sound like an excuse but it had been planed for months! Promise!) And I had to get some things done before then. Oi...

Oh, the name of this chapter is a memento to the song Clarity by Zedd. The lyrics are very fitting for the theme of this fic (by random chance really). Here is the chorus:

If our love, is tragedy,
Why are you my remedy?
If our love's, insanity,
Why are you my clarity?

Anyways- If you weren't dying enough or wanting to kill me for taking so long... Enjoy!

10-His Clarity

The world faded; it was fleeting through eyes of those who pass. Has it always been like this? Life was playing in black and white. There was no sound, only the static of what was. The ground cold and rough, pieces of broken stone dug into the side of Ichigo's face, obscuring some of his vision as he tried to blink. It was like watching a bad movie on slow. I can't feel the pain anymore. His arm was twisted around and out of socket. Thick liquid seeped over his brow and he just might have a few cracked ribs.

Ichigo looked up as far as he could. His vision focusing on one thing. The thin mouth opening in closing and Ichigo couldn't tell if the other was screaming. Kurosaki! He knew how his name flowed from said lips and read them well. Kurosaki- The man before him repeated it over and over. Ichigo- Glittering eyes squeezed shut and the little glass gems roll down the pale face.

Wait… It couldn't be right. No, it just couldn't. Ishida! He was suddenly angry. Furious that someone would make his Uryu cry. Uryu who was so strong and calm and never letting the situation get the better of him. Who?! I'll ki- Ichigo's thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

Ichigo… I'm sorry…

He watched almost missing the next few words forming on shaky lips. No… That was when he realized. I'm sorry, after all he's the reason Uryu was crying; I must protect you. This time, there was no Hollow, no overbearing power that somehow defied all logic to take hold. All he could do was lay there as the two men dressed in white dragged the one he loved away. No! Ichigo wanted to cry out, to reach out and scream. Uryu! They faded into darkness. The shadows enveloping all color, even light, into the deepest of night. Uryu, he promised to whatever unspoken god there may be, I will find you. I will get you back.

Then there was air; pure, crisp air so life-bringing it burned. Ichigo coughed at the sudden rush of oxygen. He clutched his chest and clawed at the ground at the same time. Looking up again only made him dizzy as every color burst across the world.

"You…" A voice filled his head. It was firm yet curious. "Do you really wish to protect?"

Ichigo started at the question. He breathed slowly, realizing that coughing did nothing. Carefully, he moved to pick himself up. There was a faint glow before him and as he followed it upward it took shape. A womanly form covered in a silver glow gazed down upon him. Ichigo blushed and looked away when he realized that the woman was very much naked. Yet with the lack of skin tone she almost looked sexless despite the obviously curvy lines. She tilted her head causing the silvery strands for hair move to reveal more of her upper curves.

"Don't be afraid." The woman's voice reverberated in his head. It was then that he noticed he can only see her eyes blinking as they studied him. He swallowed. Honestly, he wasn't really afraid. Just a bit confused why there was a naked, glowing lady standing in front of him. "You see me as I am." She spoke again. "Interesting."

"W-who are you?" Ichigo finally found the will to ask.

"Who am I?" It was like she was asking herself the same question. "I am fire. I am power." The unnerving eyes fell upon him and stared directly into his. "I am desire." Ichigo shivered at the strength behind the words. "Do you really wish to protect?" She asked again.

"Yes,"

"Who."

Everyone. That should be his answer. It was what it has always been. And even though he really did want everyone to be safe, there was one person he cared about the most. He reached up to lay his hand over his chest and torn shirt. "U-Uryu," he answered truthfully.

"Ah," The woman looked pleased at his honesty. It was like she would know if he hadn't. "The one you love."

Ichigo blushed. He licked his lips out of embarrassment. It has only been a short while since he had even admitted it to himself. To do so to a complete stranger was a whole other story. He nodded in answer anyways. "But, I want to save everyone else too."

"You want to save everyone?" She didn't sound convinced.

"They're my friends." Ichigo stated. "And family too."

"Do you love them?"

It was obvious and he answered quickly. "Well yeah."

"But not like him."

He looked away. Red stained his checks and it was not from blood. I'll never feel the same way about anyone else ever again. Somewhere deep inside his subconscious Ichigo had known that for quite some time. And it was more than some word in some language could ever describe. "No," he admitted quietly. His thoughts and feeling for Uryu were permanent. And no matter how far away or how long, he was forever taken.

"You understand."

Ichigo turned and came face to face with the glowing woman. "Wh-what?!" He stammered out of surprise and honesty.

She chuckled. It was then he saw the thin line that was her lips move. They curled up into a smile as she reached forward and pointed at his chest. "Your heart understands."

Okay… whatever that means… "Uh,"

"I can't help you." Quickly she stood.

Ichigo scrambled to his feet after her. "What? Why not?" It was odd because he was only beginning to think of asking for help.

"Because you already have what you need." She answered. "You have since the beginning. Both of you."

The Shinigami frowned. It was not what he was expecting. "But I don't know what to do."

The woman moved away. Her silver form gliding gracefully as she made her way towards the edge of broken stone. The once black world felt alive, filled with color and light. Like he was standing among the stars, looking beyond reality itself. Ichigo moved to stand next to her. His body ached, muscles prickling and the blood that trickled from the cut on his lip and his skull stung. He carefully held his arm, which somehow snapped back into place when he was gasping for air.

They both stood, staring down at the jagged crater painted with a stellar brush. It glittered, sparkling into the only black place that still remained. A hole in the heart of the universe. It was hollow, empty and sad.

"Love," her voice echoed once again. Ichigo nearly jumped at how it pierced through the unnatural silence. "True love, is the only thing untouchable by even the Gods themselves."

Ichigo blinked. "Okay, and that helps us how?" He didn't mean to be brash, it was just his nature. But the strange woman didn't seem to care, or perhaps notice.

Perfectly silver slicked eyes turned on him. "Here in the place that should not exist you must make the impossible happen."

"How do we do that?"

"Remove them." She pointed at the dull silver bracelet.

Ichigo had been so worked up by everything else he didn't even notice the red aura had disappeared. "B-but we can't!" Panic rose. "Even if we physically could, we'd-"

"Die," The woman finished for him. "I know what they are." He stood there shocked that this strange enteral like woman would know.

"Then why would I do that?"

"If you were to do something impossible in a place that isn't supposed to exist then what else would it have to do but return to what it was once before?"

Ichigo stood there blinking, trying to think of how to solve the riddle. Uhg, Uryu was always the one who was good at this stuff! He would know. He frowned, fiddling with his bracelet. These… they are meant to connect us, deepen the emotions we already have. Then he remembered what Nora and Yuki had told him. They were used to bound them together, make them inseparable. Yet here we are… why? Isn't that already impossible? He chewed on the inside of his lip. No, because we already lo- The woman smiled at his conviction.

"But we can't take them off." His voice was small, barely above a whisper. Ichigo tugged on the piece of metal to emphasize his words.

"You're right. You can't. But he can."

Well that makes perfect sense. He deadpanned at his own thoughts. Why hadn't either of them ever think of that? Ichigo nodded, trusting the strange woman's words. "What will happen, when we…"

She turned to look back at the black void. "Everything will return to before this place. It will be as if it never happened. Time will be right again."

"Will we remember?"

"Not those who have fallen during the time of Midnight."

"So we won't remember."

"No."

Somewhere it was raining. Dripping with sadness that reaped the soul of the essence of life. Ichigo didn't want to forget. It wouldn't be the same, not knowing, not sharing those moments of stolen time where he was the center of Uryu's world. No one else there to even attempt to stake claim to the heart that we wished to possess.

And there was all the things Uryu told him while they laid together, the strong yet nervous archer wrapped protectively in his arms. Oh god, why couldn't I have noticed sooner? Ichigo thought of what it was like before and his very soul ached at the thought of Uryu yearning for him, alone and frightened. Confused at what his feelings could possibly mean and never fully coming to terms with them.

"Please," he begged, not just for himself but for the one he loved. I can't make him go through all that again. Slowly the silver woman turned towards him again. "You can at least help us to remember, right?"

The silent static filtered through the air as she studied him. Quietly watching while he stood his ground, his expression unchanging. "It's not…" She paused as if taking her time to decide what to say. "Completely impossible." Ichigo fidget, wanting to smile at even the slightest hope. "Yes," He bit his lip to keep from bursting into a grin. "You must remove them at the same time."

"Got it." Ichigo shifted his weight between his feet, more than ready to leap forward into the dark hole.

The woman stooped down to retrieve the rod like weapon and handed it to him. "But that is all they will be. Just memories, like a dream." She held on, waiting for his answer.

"It's more than enough."

She let go, allowing Ichigo to stow away the metal rod into his belt. Then she reached out and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Good-bye, Kurosaki Ichigo. Let us hope we never meet again." With that, the silver woman pulled him into the gouging crater and shoved him into the dark void.

The world was filled with bright, blinding light. The purest of all colors, clean and proud. That was why the Quincy wore such a pristine white. Uryu sighed, allowing himself to sink into the everglade of engulfed clarity. "Uryu," the voice was quite, filled with longing and love. He smiled. I trust you. You're the one I lo-

"Ishida-kun?" His surname erupted through the light. Eh? Ichigo doesn't use honorifics with me… Even after all they had been through. It still just didn't seem right. Wait is that- "Kurosaki-kun?"

Everything came back at once. The cloudy sky was darkening. Chilly air nipped at his clothes and hair, and the grass was stringy and thin, long since succumbing to the cold temperatures and the dampness was starting to harden. Fall was on the brink of breaking down to the rule of a cold winter. He heard Ichigo groan. Not the satisfying sound he had the pleasure of hearing not so long ago, but a groan one did after waking up after being hit over the head.

"Kurosaki-kun!" The high pitched voice stung through his temples and he couldn't help but mirror Ichigo's grunt. His head hurt and there was a light drum just behind his eyes.

"About time."

"Wha?" Uryu opened his eyes completely to be greeted by a giant shadow. "S-Sado-kun?" He asked. "Inoue-san?"

"Oi!" Uryu looked over to see a flash of auburn ram into the ground. He blinked a few times before realizing Orihime hadn't fallen, instead she had thrown herself at Ichigo, causing them to topple over. Jealousy started to kick in as Ichigo scrambled under her weight. He gnawed at his lower lip. "I'm fine Inoue! Please let go!"

"You two were out for a while. We were worried." Chad knelt down to help Orihime up.

She nodded. "We called Urahara-san."

"Wait…" Uryu didn't feel hurt. He ran his hands over his chest, noticing his clothes were his and intact if maybe a little stained from laying on the grass. His hand flew to his left wrist, pulling up the sleeve. "It's… It's really gone." Looking over he saw Ichigo nodding at the same conclusion. Uryu sighed, briefly closed his eyes and smiled.

"We did it. We're back." Ichigo stated in the same tone of relief.

"Back?" Clogs clicked in the distance, growly louder as the owner approached. "Back from where?"

Uryu started to open his mouth but Orihime bounced right in. "I called Kurosaki-kun four hours ago because of some hollows in town but you two never showed."

Chad nodded. "You two were out cold when we found you."

"No," Uryu said slowly, drawing out the word. He felt the ground, running his hands through the dying grass. "What day is it?" At first, no one responded. "What day is it?" He asked again, a little more forcibly.

"Ishida…"

"November 27th." Kisuke answered over Ichigo's attempt to calm him. Two months… We've been gone two months. Even his birthday had passed and he didn't even realize it. Uryu hugged his arms and looked over at the Shinigami sitting next to him. He was within reaching distance yet… "What happened to you two?"

Uryu leaned his back against the door. His breathing a little rough. He sighed as it clicked shut, confining him in his warm, dark bedroom. It was easier there, alone and away from everyone else's prying eyes. They were worried yes, but no one else remembered. That is no one else but Ichigo and him. And as they were pestered into telling them about Midnight, Uryu felt himself sink back into himself. Both left out the minor details, the touches, the feelings, and the sex. Was that all it was? He couldn't remember completely. It was like looking down into a pool of dreams, foggy and a little swirly. Maybe Kurosaki just doesn't remember everything like I do. Then again, there was that one look, unsure and a little awkward about how they got back. But he said as long as we didn't die we would remember. That would mean everyone else had while they lived on.

That was when he had asked. "Wait… Just how did taking them off work?" He had been a little forcible with his words. But seeing Ichigo stiffen and shift uncomfortably in his seat there had to be something up. It was just too odd. The Shinigami stuttered slightly as he had tried to answer. "You know what, don't tell me." After everything he thought Ichigo would tell him. Yeah maybe it wasn't the perfect time to tell everyone about what they shared during the past two months but something so simple shouldn't be so hard to answer.

He wasn't even sure why he was so mad! After asking if they needed anything else from him, Uryu took off. He all but ran home, using Hirenkyaku to make sure no one followed him. The manor was empty. Ryuken was most likely still at one of his hospitals working another late night. Uryu was fine with that. He rather not have to answer any more questions of any sort. The large clock downstairs chimed just past one in the morning. It clinked quietly through the house, just audible through his thin door he leaned against. Slowly he slid down to sit, banging his head against the wooden plank and bit back the need to hyperventilate. Tears stung the corner of his eyes and he yanked off his glasses and brushed his hair with the other hand. Oh god… what have we done? His chest tightened. Everything was back to the way it should be. They were in a world where they weren't together. Perhaps never would have been. It wasn't normal. They weren't normal.

Letting out a gasp, Uryu let it take over. Here he was the last of his line. And Ichigo was still a Shinigami. There was no dire need to cling to someone to remember he was still alive, still able to fight another day. The impending doom no longer loomed over them in a cloud of rain. I'm sorry, Ichigo. He said to himself one last time. I'm sorry. I love you.

There on the floor in the fuzzy dark room he laid. Only a sliver of pale white snaking across the floor through a crack in the curtains. And as he curled into a small protective position on the floor he locked away the precious memories of a stolen time. The time that never happened.

"Um… Kurosaki-kun?"

Ichigo turned away from looking out the row of long windows. He scratched and itch just below his eye and looked at his female classmate. "Yeah?"

"Is Ishida-kun okay?" He sat there stunned, unsure on how to answer. Granted he didn't really know himself. "He's not answering any of my texts." Orihime snapped the little frog shaped phone closed.

"I…" He couldn't say the same. He hadn't attempted to call Uryu. Something just told him that the Quincy wasn't going to answer regardless of who it was. "I'm sure he is." Ichigo faked a grin. "It's the last day before holiday break anyways. It's not like he's missing anything."

"Hmm…" She looked off in deep thought. "I hope so." Then she clapped her hands together and smiled. "Want to go with me to the store after school? We can make Ishida-kun some bean paste and curry soup!"

Ichigo tried not to wince at the combination. "Er, I promised I'd take my sister's shopping. Early Christmas shopping."

Orhime frowned but quickly covered it up. "Oh, it's ok! I'm sure after being in a place like Midnight for two months you'd want to spend time with family!" She went about writing in her notebook again while humming to herself.

The Shinigami sighed. He looked out the window again and watched the first few flakes of snow falling. It wouldn't stick just yet but if it kept up by the end of the week they would have at least a foot of the white stuff everywhere. Ichigo got the uneasy feeling of being looked at. He knew she was stealing glances again. I wish she would give up… It wasn't like he was trying to be mean. But how was he supposed to tell her he was in love with someone already? It doesn't help that Ishida is ignoring everyone, even me.

"Ah, but you haven't even tried to talk to him. How can he be ignoring you?"

Oh how he did not miss that voice. "Shut up, Hollow." Ichigo retorted.

"What? Afraid he doesn't even remember you two fucking?" He could see his white self grinning like a sick pervert. "Just tap his ass again and remind him."

"I told you to shut up." Ichigo nearly growled out loud.

His hollow sighed, shrugging at him in response. "Eh, just sayin'. He can't ignore you if you're not trying either." Then the voice became quite.

Ichigo blinked. Was he afraid that Uryu didn't remember? But he got upset when I wouldn't say why taking off the bracelets worked in front of everyone else. He sighed. Today was going to be a very long day.

Uryu pulled the blue and white striped scarf around his neck tighter. The cold air puffed in front of his face as he walked down the street. It was late but the sun decided to peak out, melting the little snow drifts that had fallen in the afternoon. It wouldn't last long though. The forecast predicted heavier flakes in late evening. So he decided to take a little trip down to his favorite craft store before the storms.

"Ishida-kun?" A low, soft voice asked. He looked up. "I thought that was you."

"Ah, hello Sado." Uryu answered.

"You didn't come to school today." The large teenager stated.

"I accidently slept in."

Conversations with Chad were unpredictable. There were times Uryu was quite fond of their gentle banter while other times, like now, the silence was awkward. He adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. They stood there on the quite street where only a few shops stood. The foot traffic was very minimal and he hadn't seen Chad walking up to him. So he looked to the side.

"Uh, were you at a tattoo shop Sado-kun?" Chad raised an eyebrow. "Er, right." He had forgotten his abnormally large friend sported a little ink. It was always there so Uryu never really took much notice of it.

"The lettering is starting to fade." He stated, opening the barred door and waved inside.

Uryu shrugged, following Chad inside. He had never been inside a tattoo parlor before. It was surprisingly well lit. Art filled every vertical space available from the floor to ceiling. Leather swiveling chairs lined one wall and there were a few cubicals with curtains near the back. Black and white tiles checkered across the floor, accenting the collections of artwork displayed. A small woman sat at a table leafing through a thick binder filled with tribal designs. Uryu caught sight of a red and blue dragon design just as she turned a page.

"Yo, Chad! Who's your cute friend?" Another woman, much taller than the other, came from the back. Despite it being winter she wore a sleeveless tank, showing off her fully painted arms and upper chest. She gave him a grin, tweaking the metal ring in her lip and resting her hands on a thin belted waist.

"This is Ishida-kun, Kai."

"Hey honey." Kai winked.

Uryu blinked back. "Ah, hi…" What else was he supposed to say?

"Lookin' for some ink sweetie?"

Thankfully Chad shook his head for him. "I just need a touch up, Kai."

She winkled her nose, upsetting the little twinkling ring and fiddled with the gages in her ear. "Such a shame. I like marking fresh skin." Kai seductively bit her lip and gave him a hard wink.

"What?!" Uryu jumped.

Kai laughed and ushered Chad to an unoccupied chair where he shed his jacket and she prepped her equipment and slapped on a pair of latex gloves. While Uryu waited, he looked around. There was drawings in nearly every color and design possible. Each wall had a different style. He even rolled his eyes at the lines of western words with tiny little descriptions in Kanji just below them.

"Ya sure you don't want somethin' dear?" Kai called out to him as he studied the walls.

"No thanks." He shook his head. After all, it really wasn't his thing. Uryu walked over and watched the needle and dark liquid press into Chad's arm. Just a little extra color to keep make it pop out again.

Kai looked up. "Chad says you're a good friend. As long as it's small I'll do it for free." She winked and went back to working in a little red.

Uryu opened his mouth to say he wasn't old enough yet. He promptly shut it as he watched the tattooed woman work. What am I saying? After all, it was his schoolmate Chad sitting in that chair.

She wiped the extra ink away and motioned for Chad to stand. Carefully she cleaned her equipment and set it to the side. Only then did she look him dead in the eye again. "So what do ya want? I've got a book of monograms if ya like."

"Do you have a pen?" He asked.

Shrugging she fished a pad of paper and pen from a drawer and handed it to him. Uryu sketched quickly. He was no artist but he had seen it enough to know exactly how it looked. Handing it back, Kai studied it carefully, earning a raised eyebrow from Chad. He bit his lip in anticipation. Am I really going to do this? She looked up and gave him a wide grin.

"Where do ya want it hun?"

The clouds were starting to push on the sun as it dipped into the horizon. The sky erupted into shades of gold and pink, happily dancing on the underbellies of puffy clouds. Uryu pulled on the hem of his jacket down. The store is probably closed by now. Normally he would be upset. But for some reason he wasn't.

"So, what exactly happened to you two?" Chad asked, catching him off guard.

"Wh-what do you mean? You were there last night." He didn't mean to stutter. The tall Mexican gave him a look. Uryu allowed his cheeks to turn pink and not from the cold. "Something that will never happen." He answered solemnly.

"But it did."

Uryu sighed. "Not really… They're just memories." He shrugged, sounding not all that convinced himself.

"Have you talked with Ichigo about it?" Chad asked.

"No, why would I do that?"

"To know if he feels the same."

They stopped, Uryu held his arms close, pulling the collar of his jacket closer to his neck. "I…" He looked away. What was he supposed to say? I fell in love with him and that's why I can't ask?

"Just think about it."

With that, Chad turned and walked off leaving him alone with his thoughts. A wind picked up and Uryu hissed at the sudden chill. What do I do?

The cold wasn't as bad in Shinigami form. Being in his spiritual form was riveting, almost borderline intoxicating. It was in a time like this that he wished the cold would nip agitatedly at his neck. Ichigo perched carefully on the top of the stone wall, looking out at the gloomy mansion through the falling snow. After spending three full hours staring at his phone, deciding if he should call Uryu he slapped his badge at his chest and took off towards the Ishida manor. Only to stand vigil for another hour. Ichigo sighed heavily. Why couldn't this be easier?

"I know why you're here, Shinigami." A loathsome voice interrupted his thoughts.

He looked down to see the silver haired Quincy standing near the gate with one hand in his pocket and the other holding a lit cigarette. Was he out for a walk for over an hour in this weather? Well, and here he was out in the cold deciding on what to do. The older man didn't wait for a reply. He simply pushed a few buttons on the pillar and the gate slowly swung open.

"Your father and Urahara sought me out to tell me about what happened to my son." He continued to walk down the long drive way as if expecting Ichigo to follow. The Shinigami jumped down and started to walk just behind Ryuken. "God forbid I actually know what happened between you and Uryu but I can't have him sulking." Annoyance dripped from every word. Ichigo wasn't sure which it was for, what happened between them or Uryu sulking. They arrived at the front door. Music pour out from the house and Ryuken sighed. Hand poised just on the door as he jabbed the butted cigarette he had been smoking into a tall metal stand filled with sand. "I'd show you inside but Uryu likes to keep his door locked." Without another word, Ryuken disappeared through the front door.

Ichigo stood there on the front porch listening. The moon barely visible through the passing clouds that dropped a lacy curtain of fluffy snow. It was turning everything white. For a moment he could hear Uryu telling him that the world would look truly beautiful that way. Then he frowned. A lone instrument sung. It strung sadly across the macabre sky. The zenith moon cried along with the waning strings and pulled on Ichigo's heart. "I can't have him sulking." He gulped nervously. Slowly he made his way around the house. His feet crunching on the freshly dropped snow as he came to stand bellow Uryu's bedroom. The window was wide open yet no lights were on. The archer played carefully by only the glow of the pale white light bouncing off the white roof. It sang of sadness and loneliness. It dug inside and broke him.

A/N: Before any of you start to ask, No I won't tell you what Ishida drew and if he got it tattooed! You'll just have to find out yourself. :3

And if you're curiosity goes further, Ishida is playing Moonlight Sonata on a Viola.