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( T h e. S h a t t e r e d. S t a t e. of. F r a g i l e. M i n d s )
Revelation
by hitdapanicbutton
This chapter focuses more on the relationship side of things and both Hitsugaya and Karin are missing from the plot for now but be rest assured, they will be back in the very next chapter!
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10
Orihime turned her head to look out of the door, the rain outside had finally beginning to wane into a gentle drizzle. The past few hours had been chaotic after the fight with the arrancars and Ichigo grew worried when he found out that Karin had run into the Garganta to chase after Rudobōn. The only consolation was the fact that Hitsugaya had been with her when she ran in, brought him slight relief.
However, it seemed that luck was not on their side as they got back to Urahara Shōten; Byakuya had casually informed them that both he and Matsumoto had received an order to return to Soul Society immediately for an emergency meeting.
"Renji, you are to assist Urahara in the investigations. Send word as soon as you have uncovered more truth about the situation." Byakuya said as he stood in front of the Senkaimon that had finally materialized on the wall. Matsumoto had walked along first, trailing after her butterfly into the gate when Byakuya took a pause with a side glance at Ichigo, his back facing them. "Kurosaki Ichigo, the Soutaicho had found out about your sister and I daresay that she will be branded as a traitor."
Shock swept the room, Ichigo with his widened eyes, Rukia with her guilty face, Orihime appeared uncomfortable, both Sado and Ishida felt awkward while Renji looked sheepish; after all, they had been especially careful to not let Byakuya know about Karin.
"However," Byakuya continued just as Ichigo was about to speak up "To proved one's innocence, one should head forth to the gate that opens during the first earth active period at the rise of the full moon and find the Adjudicator."
Without another word, Byakuya strode into the gate as if nothing happened and the Senkaimon closed with the sounds of heavy metal clinking.
Ichigo stared after the now bare wall, blinking. "Did Byak-"
Rukia cut him, "He did." The astonishment was visible in her voice. Renji shared the same feeling too, by the look on his face.
"So I wasn't dreaming?"
Rukia rolled her eyes at this and went to give him a painful swat on his arm, irritated. "You're saying as if there is no way nii-sama would ever do this. He can be kind when he wants to be."
Ichigo said nothing; he was still in a daze and Rukia just shook her head. It was only after a full ten minutes later that Ichigo yelp in pain and another round of Ichigo vs. Rukia commenced.
Orihime smiled to herself at the recollection but her downcast eyes were gleaming from the forming tears that threatened to spill and her smile was more of a frown. She closed her eyes and willed those thoughts and emotions to go away, instead listening to the unexpectedly calming sounds of the rain water dropping to the ground to a nearby puddle. It had been a while before the sound of footsteps heading towards her direction jolted her into awareness again and she quickly put on a cheerful front.
"Orihime-san, I've got the umbrella. Let's go." Ishida leaned on the umbrella that coincidently shared the same colors of Urahara's hat for support while trying to maneuver his feet into his shoe without bending down.
Ichigo was leaning on the side wall with his hands in his pockets. "Be careful Orihime. Ishida, keep her safe."
"Hai." Orihime nodded with a big smile plastered on her face.
Ishida looked mildly irritated. "I will do that without needing you to tell me. We are just walking back home anyway." Ichigo smirked.
"Take a good rest Inoue, you deserved it. Thanks for your help." Rukia said with a smile. She was standing next to Ichigo with her arms crossed. Orihime waved it off with a laugh. "It's nothing. I am glad that I could help."
Then she stopped, straightening herself and asked, "Kuchiki-san, Kurosaki-kun, aren't you going back home as well?"
Rukia nodded her head. "We will but a little later. There are some stuff we want to clarify first."
Ishida pull the umbrella open. "Don't forget to inform us when something comes up, Kurosaki."
Ichigo made an affirmative mumble.
Orihime waved goodbye to them and started walking with Ishida who was holding the umbrella up in silence. Ishida unconsciously watch Orihime as she stared at the birds that took shelter from the rain on the window stiles of the houses they walked passed, seemingly fascinated by it.
"Kuchiki-san and Kurosaki-kun seem to care a lot about each other." Orihime stated what she had been thinking; her eyes had a faraway look to it. Ishida shook his head at the comment with a smirk. "Those two argue so much." He paused to chuckle. "After all this years, it is a wonder how the two don't just realize it already."
Orihime felt her heart pulled, the feeling of loneliness overwhelmed her but still she forced a smile. Ishida continued talking. "There is this saying that the things or in this case a person that you want the most…" He turned to look at Orihime; the wind was blowing her hair lightly and that smile… He whispered "…Is sometimes the person right next to you."
Inside Orihime felt her pulse unexpectedly quicken but she dismissed it and instead looked at him with a questioning look in her eyes and he suddenly turn his head to the side, hiding the blush he was sure was on his face. He cleared his throat. "Cliché as it is, I just hope Kurosaki would recover from his stupidity to realize it before it is too late."
This caused Orihime to think when an idea popped into her mind. "Why don't we help Kurosaki-kun and Kuchiki-san to realize what they mean to each other?" Even if she hurt inside, but if it was for the happiness of the both of them, Rukia had always been a good friend to her and Ichigo was there to give her and everyone else a hand; she will be happy because they are happy. It was the least she could do.
Ishida's head snapped and looked at her. "Wha- I don't mean..." He gathered himself and said in a clear tone. "I don't think we should involve ourselves in these delicate matters. It is not a wise thing to do."
Orihime's face fell and she muttered a soft, "Oh."
"But if the situation arises, we should help them give a light push, an encouragement." Ishida was immediately blinded by the sight of a sincere, big smile from Orihime and the girl continued talking animatedly until they both reached home.
They have not noticed the rain had stopped and the sun was smiling upon them.
Rukia pursed her lips in dissatisfaction as she reprimanded a sulking Ichigo. "Don't be such a drama queen, Ichigo." Ichigo ignored her as he turned the key to the front door, tiny raindrops that managed to wet Ichigo trickled down his hair and face. Rukia was plain dry.
She doesn't get why he was so mad about the umbrella, it's just an umbrella. When Urahara had passed them the umbrella earlier, Ichigo eyed the umbrella and both Urahara and Rukia suspiciously "Are you sure this is the last one? The very very very last one?"
"I am sure. Ishida-kun and Orihime-san had taken the only other umbrella we had." Naturally, Urahara had his fan covering the bottom half of his face, revealing his smiling eyes which was- in Ichigo's mind- menacing. Rukia on the other hand was beaming like a stupid little kid. Pictures of Chappy's face dotted all over the femininely hot pink umbrella.
Ichigo's face contoured with a mixture of horror, annoyance, nervousness and a tiny dose of fear. "You don't actually expect me to walk around with that, do you?" Ichigo jammed a finger at the direction of the object in question, his nervous laugh ran hollow. Ichigo did not dare to look up at that that thing as it mocked him with that ridiculously cute rabbit face.
"What's that Ichigo? Too scared to be seen with a pink Chappy umbrella? Does this got to do with your…" Rukia put a finger on her lips, trying to think of the right word. "Reputation?"
Ichigo felt his heat rising on his cheeks; he hates it every single time when Rukia is spot on with what he is thinking about. It's like she is a mind reader or something.
Wait…Is that even legal?!
So Ichigo does what Ichigo does best; he denied it with a screaming "NO!"
Rukia smiled a smile because she had known better. "I don't believe you." Ichigo felt an overwhelming wild sense of proving Rukia wrong and he took the umbrella out of her hand then motioned her to follow him, all the while ignoring his gut feeling that he would regret taking these actions soon. He prayed that he will not cross paths with anyone he knows.
Sure enough, his worst fears came true when they had walked passed town to get home. Ichigo wore a scowl deeper than usual and kept his head down. There were several guys from school walking by, laughing, "Nice umbrella." In Rukia's opinion, the guys were being nice- (hey!) they complimented on the umbrella and she looked at Ichigo as if it would prove her point. Of course it was only Ichigo who understood the sarcasm in their voices and he would have gone Bankai on them if it was not for Soul Society silly rules. Really, who needs rules anyway?
Without warning, Ichigo was blushing at some comment someone said. "Whipped man, totally whipped." Rukia just shrugged; having absolutely no clue to the meaning of that statement and happily continued walking while Ichigo did all the hard work by holding up the umbrella. It took them another five minutes before they finally reached the familiar clinic and Ichigo had quickly chucked the umbrella once they were inside.
When he had turned to look at Rukia, she was already gone when he heard her voice from the kitchen. "Hmm… That smells delicious Yuzu!" Rukia was leaning over the counter across from Yuzu who was cooking, answered her but the blaring television made their conversation incomprehensible.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!!" Ichigo rolled his eyes as the opening credits of Yuzu's favorite show Ghost Bust was being played. He was happy that though Yuzu was a couple of inches taller and more mature than she was before Karin's disappearance, she was still pretty much the same; right down to her cute pixie haircut. Although Ichigo had to admit, Karin's disappearance had taken a toll on her but he was surprised how optimistic and strong Yuzu turned out to be. It helped that Rukia had been there to comfort him and his family; and gave him hope that they will find Karin one day and strength to get out of the guilt and depression he had. Yes, Rukia was annoying and downright torturous but she does have a few good points.
"Ic-hi-go." Ichigo frantically turned his head, looking for the one who was whispering his name and saw Kon dressed up in an extravagant dolls dress, raising his paw slightly.
"Eh." Ichigo tilted his head a little as he scrutinized the yellow stuffed toy, his long fingers reaching out to poke but Kon smacked them off and put a finger over his mouth as he looked at Yuzu's direction.
"Why are you all dressed up? Aren't you supposed to stay in my room?" Ichigo whispered. Kon just looked at him as he folded his arms.
"So you want me to help you get away from my sister or something?"
"I can rescue myself, thank you very much."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Suit yourself." He was about to completely ignore the stubborn toy lion when a question popped into his mind. "Since when you are so close to my sister anyway?"
Kon snapped his mouth shut and quickly reverted back to doll state when he realized that Yuzu and Rukia had finished talking, the latter blinking at the two of them, particularly at Kon's new costume. Ignoring Rukia's questioning look, Ichigo asked "Where's dad?" Twenty seconds and no appearance with ambushed attacks were unlike goat face.
Yuzu shrugged as she added a tablespoon of soya sauce to the Chicken teriyaki she was cooking on the frying pan. "Dad went to some meeting and said that he would be gone for a couple of days. Something about an emergency."
Ichigo muttered "Ah" in response.
"Well Yuzu, we will be upstairs and just call us when dinner is ready." Rukia said cheerfully as she took Ichigo's hand and pulled him with her. Yuzu answered an "Okay" with equal enthusiasm.
"The gate that opens only in the first earth active period." Rukia voiced out as soon as the door was closed, her voice solemn as she took a comfortable sit on Ichigo's bed. Ichigo choose to stand right in front of her.
"Have any idea what that means?" Ichigo looked at Rukia as she tilted her head slightly as she looked deep in thought. "I know I've read it from somewhere before but nothing seems to click and what Urahara had imparted to us were not exactly much help anyway." She and Ichigo had confronted Urahara after Orihime and Ishida left. Rukia revealed that she had noticed that Urahara was not caught by surprised with Byakuya's little revelation, to which Urahara replied "I am just a simple businessman."
"Bullshit. Don't give us that crap. We know you know more than you let on." Ichigo rebuked. The shop owner grew quiet for a while. "It is a transition period of sorts, indicating a beginning and an ending of a circle. Figure out the season, figure out the gate." That was all he would give and he had excused himself, explaining that "I have business that needs my immediate attention."
"But-" Ichigo muttered when Urahara interrupted. "Both of you are smart. I am sure you will be able to figure it out. Now, if you would." He proceeded to show them the door with that retched Chappy umbrella.
Urahara's words echoed repeatedly in Rukia's mind. There was something odd about the way he chose to phrase his sentence. "Transition period, beginning and ending, season…" All at once, Rukia have realized the underlined meaning beneath the word play. She started to laugh while shaking her head. "Damn, can I be any more dense?!"