Chapter 10; Rain Rain Go Away
About two weeks later;
Left; blocked.
Right; blocked.
Horizontal slice; blocked.
He was pushed back, as reattribute for leaving himself open he received a hard whack on the head. Ichigo fell onto his butt; he dropped his wooden sword to grab his head. Ouch. It hurt just as badly the tenth time as it had the first. There was so much to think about at once. I used to be so good at this! That book doesn't explain exactly how complicated sword-fighting is.
Ichigo stood up, regrasping the hilt of his shinai. "Again." He requested.
"If you're sure." Kensei responded, readying his stance.
The lack of proper kendo armor was probably not the best way to begin training... yet it might have been more effective. If it were a real battle he'd be dead, if it were a real battle it would've hurt 10 times as worse. He reminded himself every time he lost. If I'm going to accomplish things then I'm going to have to win.
Ichigo charged, swinging a perfect vertical slice, Kensei dodge to the left with ease. Yes! Quickly changing the direction he swept horizontally at Kensei's feet. To his surprise Kensei jumped as the bamboo swung beneath him. Kensei landed, their swords contacted. Ichigo's shinai was forced up over Kensei's head to his other side where it was pinned to ground.
His next move will be to release my sword and attack before I have time to react. So... I won't let him! Ichigo ran forward, rearranging the position of his hands he used his shinai as a pole vaulter might his pole. He, however, didn't release the hilt as he aimed a kick at Kensei's chest. Kensei once again dodged but that was, least to say, expected of someone at his stature. Ichigo landed in crouching position. His shinai, at first pointed back behind him stroked forwards, slamming into Kensei's shins. Got 'im!
"Yes! I finally got you." Ichigo cheered, pleased with himself.
Kensei seemed decently surprised. "Nice maneuver there."
Ichigo collapsed back, wiping the sweat off his brow as he proceeded to chug an entire bottle of water. The taste was so elating he looked around with the faint hope of finding another one out amongst the dirt and rocks.
"Training, are we?" The all-to-familiar voice inquired.
Ichigo rolled his head to the side. "Shinji, what's brought you around here?"
"What, I can't just pop into say hi?" Shinji asked, his grin flipping upside-down.
"Is that really all you came for?" Ichigo asked dubiously.
"Nope, I was thinking maybe you wanted to go out." He offered, his grin returning.
"Go out?" Ichigo sat up. "You mean outside?" He hadn't left this dusty little shack since that night. He wasn't even sure he'd be leaving anytime soon.
"Yes, outside. Everyone else has a little something so I thought it wouldn't hurt to get you a book or something. After all, today is your birthday, right?" Shinji asked with a smirk. Of course... considering what happened the other day it didn't seem like that bad of an idea.
Ichigo wandered around the dim levels, searching for something to help rid him of his boredom. Anything? He sighed. What else was there in this place besides crates and cobwebs? What did the other Vaizard do all day? He noticed Love sitting against one of the pillars that supported the levels, a manga held intently before him.
He approached the star-fro'ed Vaizard. "Excuse me, Love. Where'd you get the manga from?"
Love was too pulled into the story to think. "I borrowed it from Lisa."
"Thanks." Ichigo wandered around in search of Lisa. So she's the one with the books! That's good to know.
Shortly after Ichigo left Hiyori, who was developing an odd habit of keeping her eye on him from afar, stopped in front of Love. "What was he just asking you?"
"He just wanted to know where I got the book." Love answered, the words hung between them... Love looked up slowly in realization, each of their eyes widening in. Oh no!
"Hey, Lisa, I was wondering if I could borrow a book." Ichigo asked her shyly.
Lisa blinked, surprised. "Do you usually read stuff like this?"
"Reading's very good for you, at least that's what they always tell us in school. I've got a few manga's at home... I was just a little bored; I thought some reading material might help."
"Really?" She gaped, incredulously. "Do you have a preference?"
"If you had something on the younger side that would be awesome."
"I'll see what I have." Lisa snickered. Is he for real?
"Stop!" Hiyori shouted, Love tailing close behind her. They wheeled the little boy away before he could even speak. "Not for you, alright? She's not the type of person you should be borrowing things from!"
"Does that even work?" Ichigo blinked. "To go outside I mean."
"Of course, who do you think we are? Get all ready and we'll head out." Shinji waved himself away. Ichigo turned to Kensei, who still had the same serious expression he always had.
"Thank you for helping me." Ichigo stood to bow before running off. He was surprised he even had enough energy to run, but he found it. His experience here with the Vaizard was, least to say, interesting. After the first few days he seemed to fit right in (most likely thanks to his orange hair and flabbergasting story). He was still very worried about his family and friends but he was trying to move past that and interact with these kindred of his. He greatly enjoyed his soul form and his shihakushou, it just felt so natural, comfortable, it was the state 'back then' his soul had started growing accustomed to.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
Rukia frowned inwardly, her left hand pressing the notebook to her chest as she scanned the words hoisted on the sign above the shop's door. Somehow she'd managed to stay away from this place so far, but the time had come to visit the local candy shop. The shinigami put on the most uncompromising, tyrannical expression she could before sliding open the door.
The air in the shop seemed stale and the place was in need of better lighting. The two younglings that worked there were busily restocking one of the back shelves, most likely because the product had gone bad, not because they actually sold out of something. The shop keeper must've sensed the arrival of his guest because he appeared in a flurry of green before she had even requested him.
"My, my! If it isn't the new residential shinigami, come to pay me a visit at last!" Urahara smiled slyly, his hand on his white-green striped hat. "And the Noble Kuchiki Rukia at that!"
"You can drop the sugar, I know all about the Hougyoku." She snipped.
"I see." Urahara's smiled lowered to a rather flat expression. "So it's safe to assume you didn't come here for supplies or sweets?"
"Yeah, actually I had something to ask you. You seem like the one with the answers..." She flipped the notebook open to a page she had previously marked and held it out to him. "I know you're sorry about the whole Hougyoku thing, it's fine. I just want to know where this place is."
Urahara was nonplussed. "You have the notebook..." Surprise gave way to understanding. "So you've been spending time with that boy?"
"You've seen the notebook?"
"I have."
"I'm looking for him; this place has been bugging me since I first read it. You do know where it is, don't you?"
Urahara took the notebook from her, reading her selected page. "You think he's here?"
"Yes." She snatched the book back. "Are you going to tell me where it is?"
"I will, Ms. Kuchiki, but I wouldn't suggest you make too much of a disturbance for the residence."
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
The day was a dismal gray, the blue of the sky completely clouded over. Every so often it lightly sprinkled but otherwise no water fell. The air of itself felt damp enough to suffice for the lack of rain. The mere dreary state of the world was depressing enough but seeing all these familiar places was the cherry atop his cheesecake.
Ichigo thought it would be fun leaving that place for a little while but soon came to find that boy... he was wrong. In all the short glory of his nine years, even when it came to being teased about his hair never had he felt so ashamed of who he was as a person. It felt as if he had single handedly brought the grayness out himself. If someone he knew, if Tatsuki, or his sisters, or his parents...Miss Kuchiki, had done what he had done he couldn't even imagine how he would've felt.
Ichigo held onto Shinji's sleeve as they walked down the pavement, past the shops and cars. A small, purple cat head plush was looped onto his belt loop, apparently to hide his reiatsu. He reached up with his free hand to adjust the hood of his coat, always staying a step or two behind his elder.
They stopped; waiting to cross the street. Ichigo's eyesight drifted around the familiar structures of this town... his town. He stopped on the electronics shop so conveniently beside them, its windows were full of TV screens (as electronic stores so often are) playing the news. A woman with black hair spoke, her voice too muffled and far to hear, as words scrolled beneath her. Then the scene changed, he froze, shocked to be staring at himself. 'Missing' was in bold, red letters, plastered above his picture. The scene held as the information was read out, and once again it changed. It changed to show a place way too familiar. The clinic! Another news caster stood in front of the clinic speaking with his parents and... They were crying. His body instantly reacted with a swift, large, painful inhalation. His throat tightened, his eyes growing wider and wider the longer he watched the scene play out. No...They were still going through this because of him? No...No! No! No!
He snapped his eyes shut. "I want to go back."
"Huh? But we've just made it into town." Shinji whined.
Ichigo's clenching fist tugged on his sleeve. "Please, let's just go back."
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
With a bit of complaining on Shinji's part they did return back to the others. When the others asked Shinji what was wrong with the kid all he could do was frown and admit he didn't know. This had been a completely new experience for the Vaizard as well. Since Ichigo was still young and inexperienced they literately had to put in a group effort to raise him. After all, it takes a group of banished shinigami-hollow hybrids to raise a child.
"Berry-chan..." Mashiro murmured, staring after their jointively 'adopted' child.
Ichigo had fallen deep within a pit of confusion. Confusion as to what he was doing, if it was the right thing or not... To the top; that's where he decided he would go. As a shinigami getting there would be simple enough. He located the glove the Vaizard used when necessary to assist him and/or take off their own gigai.
He slipped it over his own hand and seized a handful of his hair, successfully yanking himself out of his body. He lifted his discarded body onto his back, carrying it up to the crate that, since that first night, had basically been deemed his bedroom. Glancing back at himself thoughtfully, he looked down his black robes. I think, maybe... just going up to the top to think wasn't going to get him anywhere.
His hand slowly rose up towards his face. That it's not fair. Here I am, trying to be happy, and still they're like this. He'd never seen his mother cry before, yet now she was sobbing! It's because of me... My parents aren't the type of people who would ever give up. So, I'm being quite horrible towards them. He clenched, for the very first time those two weeks daring to even attempt it. For the very first time in a reverse of six years the white particles shaped the boney mask over his face.
The power coiled through his veins like an icy snake . As he lowered his hand every solitary movement of a muscle sent an influx of energy all through his body. What he'd felt the other day didn't even measure up to this! He was shaking all over, down to the very core of his bone marrow. Compared to the first time; the warmth, the exhilaration, this felt vicious! The mere malignance of it was so strong that he, himself felt frightened.
This is what he was, his 'true form'. He understood now why He had so entirely despised this hollow power. It broke down the barriers that encaged possibilities; yet deep within his gut he was disgusted with himself. Disgusted that each atom was osculating with the essence of one of those things. Those monsters. That so strongly he could feel the slumbering creature deep within him.
Ichigo understood then; facing his own peacefully sleeping corpse. We are not separate. No matter how far I got from it; we're eternally meshed. Staying farther away from being human isn't going to relieve my guilt, just like running away from it won't eventually make Mama and Daddy feel better. If they'd never give up on me, does that mean they'd never stop crying?
He recoiled slightly in recession, holding his masked face in his hands. I can't do this!
His form vanished completely from where it had stood in a static-type fashion.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
Shinji sighed in an overly woeful manner as he strapped on the apron. It was his turn to cook the evening meal. Hiyori seemed to be snickering at him from afar, having won a small bet and given him her turn. His other friends were hanging around too, whither out of natural habit of sticking together or because they had nothing better to do then sit around in the same room and occasionally converse or argue. As the water started to boil he plied open the bag of udon.
"Shinji!" The shout came with a great tidal of hollow-like reiatsu.
"Hn?" Shinji turned around, seeing exactly what he thought he might see (gauging the reiatsu).
Their pseudo-offspring's face was concealed beneath an eerie white mask, deep red stripes nearly halving it between the two colors. Ichigo's fingers hooked the eye holes, he slipped it to the right side of his head, over his ear; revealing a distressed visage.
Ichigo's large, luminous, yellow orbs gleamed with anguish, his hands moved exaggeratedly. "I can't stay here! I have to go back! I don't know how I'm going to take care of this... but I'll figure something else out!"
"Okay, it's alright." Shinji held up a cautious hand. The others were on their feet at full attention. These people were combat experts, some of their knowledge unparalleled, yet, they were hopeless when a youngling began breaking down on them. When no one else took charge Hiyori stepped forth, right up to said breaking child. She firmly grabbed his mask with her right hand and swirled it back over his face.
"Calm down." Hiyori commanded in a rather authorative tone. "We aren't stopping you from doing anything so there's no point in shouting at us."
She cracked the mask, it disappeared mid-crumble. All that malicious energy washed out of him; the enormous pressure relieved. The black in his eyes pulled back leaving them once again a mellow amber. With that power suddenly gone he felt deprived of any strength at all.
His legs gave out and without meaning to he fell into the blonde, pig-tailed girl. His body still shaking uncontrollably, as if his mere human structure was about to crumble.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
It was hard enough with him gone, but seeing his face at chance places on billboards, bus sides, and backs of benches every time she dared to venture into town? Hope was dying, and it was killing her.
Tatsuki lazily held up her head as she stared blankly at the black board. Soon the bell would ring and her last class would begin.
"What'dya think happened to Kurosaki?" Snickered one of the boys, right behind her. Of course she understood this was all to bother her, so Tatsuki clenched her fist and held back her frustrations.
"He's probably just run away." Laughed another one of the boys. "Realized what's good for him."
Her knuckles turned white. The one who responded was the one she despised the most, the one who'd given her best friend the hardest time and the overall ringleader.
"Or maybe he's dead!" The same boy cackled, taking a stab at Tatsuki's emotions. "Laying in some ditch somewhere, his puny carcass slowly rotting away."
One second the boy was leering at the back of her head, the next he was on the ground, his trachea completely blocked off by two very determined hands. Her small legs successfully pinned his arms down so that he could not fight against her.
"I'm so sick of big, ugly, brutes like you! You don't even know him so don't you ever even speak his name! I'm so sick I'm done!" She cried, tightening her clasp on the boy's throat. He was petrified, fighting hard to breath. Only low choking sounds escaped his gaping lips. Three of the other boys tore Tatsuki off of him as Ms. Suzuki pulled him back away from her. Her fingernails left long, red scratches along his neck.
"If it turns out you've done something to him, if you ever touch a single hair on his precious little orange head then I swear to you... I swear I'll kill you!" Tatsuki shrieked, nearly breaking out of her captors clutch. Ms. Suzuki was helping the boy up, although he was as white as a ghost he smirked at her. If such a small comment could cause this then he definitely had gotten to her.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
"D'you really wanna go?" Mashiro pouted.
Ichigo blinked, his eyes on the verge of complete blankness. I don't know what else I'm supposed to do. "Yeah."
It wasn't that he didn't want to go back... after all this it felt wrong. It was wrong. But what else was he going to do? When he couldn't stand seeing them like that. I'll figure something out. He repeatedly swore.
"Shinji! I don't want little Berry-chan to go!" Mashiro bawled. "It's not fair, why does Berry-chan have to go? He was just starting to get used to it!"
"He can go back if he wants." Kensei growled at her, annoyed.
To be basic they were saying their good-byes. In a semi-circle they surrounded him, stating this and that as he clung onto his school bag. It was as if he had to remake his entire decision. I'll figure it out. I'll figure it out.
Shinji looked off to the side awkwardly. "If there's something ya need help with you can always ask, alright?"
"Thank you." Ichigo thanked.
"Or if you ever want to come back I don't think that would bother anyone." Shinji continued.
"Even if you just wanted to visit." Mashiro added with a grin.
"Alright, well, take care of yourself. Don't talk to strangers and you might want to revise that story of yours; it really doesn't make any sense." Shinji suggested, raising his hand in goodbye.
In response Ichigo flung his arms around Shinji's waist in a sudden hug. Shinji looked down, thoroughly shocked. "I will."
"Aw!" Mashiro squealed. "I want a hug from Berry-chan!"
"Y'know, kid. People don't usually give good-bye hugs to their kidnappers." The tall, blonde Vaizard notified.
"They don't usually hang around for two weeks either." Love reminded.
Ichigo released him and took a step back. "I don't think it's fair to call you guys my kidnappers anymore. Looking past everything I guess I did have a pretty decent time with you guys and I think I'll miss you."
In turn he gave each (beginning with Mashiro) a good-bye hug as well. A few of them seemed a bit uncomfortable about it, tensing up when he did so. Not to mention his arms didn't even fit around Hachigen. Lastly was Hiyori, the one closest to his height.
"Shorty." She smirked.
"Not for long, I'll grow!" he defended.
After all was said and done he nervously rocked back and forth. "I guess that's it then... Shinji, Mashiro, Kensei, Love, Lisa, Rose, Hachigen, Hiyori; I'm sure we'll meet again."
"Will you be alright by yourself?" Shinji asked.
Ichigo nodded. "I know my way home so I'll live."
Without another exchanged word the small child exited the human-sized door. Several seconds after he'd left Mashiro bit her bottom lip. "I'm worried about Berry-chan, he seemed upset."
"You mean he's more sullen and down trodden then he's been?" Love asked with a slight air of sarcasm in his voice.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
"Of course they're going to ask what happened..." Ichigo muttered, watching carefully where he went. After a few strange complexes he passed into a lot of blue and red cargo containers. This whole place was a bit old and worn from weather. I wonder what I should say when they ask? I'll have a lot of explaining to do... right now what they need protected from is my choice.
Ichigo felt a shiver run down his spine. He turned up to the still cloudy sky. Why? He tried to shake off the feeling and continue.
"...you finally came out to play?" Inquired a throaty growl. Ichigo stiffened. "I've been waiting so long; I was beginning to think you were never going to come out by yourself."
Ichigo swiveled around to find an enormous figure looming behind him. Its chalk-white mask was like a giant crescent; both the top of his head and chin were pointed, curling back. Its black skin shaped an hourglass-like contour. All four limbs were the same; four light grey ball formed joints extendedly connected. The last of these 'balls' had four very long claw-fingers that protruded down to the ground. The large, gaping hole was placed perfectly in the dead centre of its back.
"A-a hollow?" Ichigo gaped.
"What's the matter? Are you scared, little shinigami?" It snarled, a long blue tongue rolling out of its mouth. The creature moved forward, its claws clicking against the asphalt. Its left hand rose, its third claw jutting into the middle of his chest in a light poke. "Why don't you take off the meat sack, little shinigami?"
Perspiration trailed down his skin, his heart beat fast and strong. That thing was so close to him... it touched him. I don't need to be afraid... the others aren't very far at all; they'll feel it. The hollow caught Ichigo's eyes glance in the direction of the shed. It drew its hand back.
"Are you still hoping those others will come to help you?" The hollow snickered. "We hollows each were born with different abilities, I know it's not the most awe-inspiring but I'm rather proud of mine. You see, I'm quite talented with completely masking my presence so that not even the Soul Society and their fancy gadgets can track me."
It felt as if his whole body just seized up. Since last time he had a core deep fear of these things. Calm down, calm down. He willed himself.
"Come now, little shinigami, if you're not gonna even fight me then I'll just have to eat you like that." The hollow guffawed.
Ichigo backed up several sets of slow paces. His eyes darting around in search of a weapon, an escape route; some sort of savor. A stick! It'll have to do. It was laying on the ground several feet to his left. One, two, three! At that instant he jolted towards his goal. Ichigo snatched it just in time to smack away another outstretching hand.
The creature seemed disappointed. "A piece of wood, little shinigami? Can you not be a shinigami right now? Oh, poor, poor little shinigami; this isn't your lucky day."
It rose up like a cat stretching its back. What an easy and filling meal he would make. The strange crescent like head lowered closer to his level. Then it took off; bolting towards him.
Ichigo didn't run, trying to remember the few fighting basics he learned. The first was whenever battling a hollow, always go for the mask. He didn't dodge, he didn't flinch or freeze.
Rather he charged, meeting the beast half-way he brought the wooden rod down with every bit of force he could muster up onto the center of its boney forehead.
To his horror it splintered and snapped; the entire top half of his stick somersaulted through the air. The hollow wrenched its hand between them and clawed the boy away. "What's that, little shinigami? Do you really think that would work?"
Its sharp claws tore through his clothing and left four deep scratches across his torso and upper arms as they flung him backwards. Hitting the asphalt hurt, he smacked into it, sliding backwards. Dang it! He found himself on his hands and knees, small trickles of warm, red liquid rolled down his arms. This can not be happening! Clicking signaled the coming of the large beast. One of those things... it felt as if the contents of his stomach had turned rancid, threatening to come up. How could timing be any worse?! How can I stand up to that thing?! It didn't work... It was too close, instincts kicked in and he scrambled away as fast as he could. The wound throbbed as his heart beated, staining his white school shirt with the deep shaded blood.
His scramble climbed into a run as he wanted nothing more at that moment then to get away. Ambers clenched tight, those long fingers wrapped around his body. The fourth shoved itself into his mouth as he screamed.
"Now, now. You should keep quiet. We don't want to be interrupted, do we, little shinigami?" The hollow rose up on its two back legs, drawing the child towards its mouth.
Ichigo chomped down but the claw was coarse and hard; the monster didn't seem to even notice. Terror raged like a thunder storm in his innocent eyes, his nerves just about snapping from the way they were being stressed. The black crater; the hollow's mouth opened wide, it felt as if Death himself were staring Ichigo in the face.
It was strange how he suddenly felt as if he were falling backwards, then a flurry of motion found him quickly displaced. Instead he was pressed up against something billowing and black. He couldn't even comprehend what had just happened.
"Just thought I'd return the favor, kozou." Commented a familiar voice. Rukia stood on top one of the red cargo containers, Ichigo tucked under one arm, her Zanpaktou in the other, and a wide smirk on her face.
Ichigo looked up at her in astonishment. "Rukia!"
In a flash they were in another section on the ground. Rukia set him down, making sure he was steady enough to stand before releasing him. "I'll be back in a minute, just hang here and stay out of my way."
He nodded, still in a daze from the fast pace of things. With that she was gone, back to purify that monster. Oh, how he hated them so! Yet he could still feel it inside him, thusly promising him an eternity without sanctuary, because even Kurosaki Ichigo would never be able to sanction himself from who he was.
Ichigo sat down, his legs were still quaking and any day he would prefer to give them a break then to spontaneously fall over. Thank you so much. His right hand gripped at his chest, wishing he could just tear away the pain.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
"My arm!" The hollow shrieked, glaring at the disembodied limb. "You took my arm and my food! You will pay with your life!"
When Rukia reappeared it didn't waste a second, lunging at her. Its eyes burned with furry. Rukia caught the four claws of the remaining hand on her blade and pushed them off. The hollow leaned far back, a clawed foot nearly caught her.
Rukia dodged backwards, trying to work towards a clear shot to the head. The hollow's limbs twisted so that it was still up right, its back to her. Yes! She jumped onto its back, positioning her Zanpaktou for the perfect attack. Unbeknownst to her the limb's four joints simplified the whole reaching aspect. Its hand swatted her off, sending the small shinigami trailing up into the air.
"What's the matter, shinigami? Weren't you trying to kill me for hurting your friend?" The hollow sneered.
"Hadou no sanjuuichi, Shakkahou!" Rukia shouted from above. A sparkling red ball slammed into its shoulder. The hollow howled in anger, kicking off into the air towards her. They were locked; the hollow doing everything in its power to get to her, and Rukia doing everything she could to fend it off.
Unfortunately the hollow had the advantage; its claws pierced through the lose folds of her shihakushou. The hollow forced her down as they plummeted back to earth.
The asphalt cracked beneath them. Rukia winced, the hollow's claws pinned her down, two above either shoulder, two on either side of her mid-section. Thinking fast, Rukia brought up her legs and somersaulted backwards. Her shihakushou tore at the points; giving her sleeves a shredded look.
"What?!" It growled. She rolled back again, hopping onto her feet, she swirled her Zanpaktou in a clock-like fashion.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki." Her voice was calm and cool. As the katana twirled the blade, the hilt, the guard, the entire sword turned white. "This battle is over, hollow. Some no mai, Tsuki Shiro!"
A faint white circle circumferenced the hollow but it catapulted itself out of the way just in time to escape the upward streaking ice. It landed right next to her. This had to be the toughest hollow she'd faced in the Living World so far. Tiny ice crystals clung to its back legs, but the attack failed to even harm it.
"You seem surprised, shinigami, that your little tricks aren't working." It scoffed, standing on its back legs. "Then perhaps I should ease your confusion and tell you now you don't even stand a chance. For I am an Adjuchas. My name is Klaue Kriecher."
"An Adjuchas?!" Rukia gaped. She'd read about them in her textbooks but she hadn't even seen a Menos Grande in real life! Now she was at least uncertain as to whither or not she could defeat it. Simply; was she strong enough to do this by herself? "Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!"
A cylindrical stream of ice shot at it, the beast rose its arms in protection as the frozen parade hit. Klaue Kriecher opened its mouth, a glowing red ball formed as the frozen water engulfed and tried to pass its arm. The cero fired straight through the center of the mass. Rukia barely saw it coming but managed to dodge by a hair. The Hakuren completely melted from the cero, allowing Klaue Kriecher to swiftly catch up to her.
Rukia struggled to keep a tight grip on her Zanpaktou, she tried to keep alert, instinctual, and battle ready but she simply wasn't fast enough. She wasn't prepared for it to be right there as soon as her dodge landed foot! It was a hollow! Since when did the hollows gain such a combination of skill and speed? It's an Adjuchas, she reminded herself. Unprepared and open; Klaue swiped her into one of the metal cargo containers.
Klaue's claws lifted up, its palm pressed hard on the fallen Shinigami's back. "Good-bye, shinigami."
Rukia tried to worm away from the crushing pressure but she was immobilized. A loud crack symbolized the cracking of one of her ribs. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to push past it to escape, a small trail of blood carefully trickling from the corner of her mouth.
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
Ichigo finally removed his hand to look at it; the palm and fingers were stained red. As far as he could remember the only thing more painful had been the last time he'd been attacked by a hollow. That time at least he wasn't conscious enough to sit and watch himself bleed. He had no clue as to how much blood was too much, no clue how deep the cuts were or how serious it was.
He turned his head to look down the aisle. Did it normally take her this long? The time he went with her it had been a rather quick job to dispose of the monster. "Rukia..."
"We leave you on your own for five minutes..." Started a scolding voice. Hiyori hopped down and landed in front of him. "You've already managed to get into trouble."
"Hiyori, what are you doing here?" Ichigo asked, surprised.
"You seriously think we'd let a half-pint baby wander home? I'm here to make sure you were getting along okay. Luckily we saw to it, huh? You're in quite a rut. Tell me, how long has it been? ...like 15 minutes at the most." Hiyori joisted.
"It was more like 20. You know you started by saying five?" He asked.
"I was exaggerating! And 20 is pushing it. Forget time though, it looks like that shinigami friend of yours could use some help. We're not really looking for a mess with the shinigami right now so..." She pulled the blue glove out of her pocket. "What would you say to one last go, for good-byes sake?"
xXxXXxXXxXXxXx
She pushed up on her elbows. I can get out of this; just focus. But she was unfortunately feeling rather weak at the moment.
"Hollow." When she heard the voice her whole forcing motion stopped. What?! He wouldn't! There was a reason she had gotten him out of there before she fought it. But when she finally succeeded in willing her head to turn it wasn't what she had expected. The boy was there, standing behind the hollow, but he was wearing a shihakushou!
Klaue Kriecher halted, looking at the boy. "What's this? Little Shinigami, you finally decided to face me out of that gigai? Hmm... two shinigamis! What a treat. Though your soul smells especially delicious, little shinigami."
It looked consciously at Rukia as it removed its hand, trying to decide whether not-so-little shinigami was going to pose a problem.
"Ichigo! What are you doing?!" She gaped, astonished by his attire.
With both hands Ichigo grabbed the hilt that was protruding from behind. In a surprisingly clever (though, perhaps dangerous) conduct he leaned forward and slide it up his spinal path; flipping it forward right before the tip reached the back of his head. The blade fell hard on the ground, his Zanpaktou too heavy for him to even hold.
"What are you doing, little shinigami? You can't even wield your weapon! What a foolish boy." Klaue rose up, another small red ball forming in front of its open mouth.
"Watch out!" Rukia shouted, clambering to her feet.
With no hesitation, no dawdling, he plunged deep into that power. With complete, seeming ease he flipped through the air right as the cero blasted at him. A red line appeared on Klaue Kriecher's right arm as Ichigo landed gently above Rukia. Blood sprayed out as the entire limb fell with a thud. Klaue reeled with an angry howl, now left completely armless.
Ichigo grinned, his eyes swirling with a shallow blue. Zangetsu's minacious glory was at last held up in battle stance by its wielder's small hands. The power helped with the weight a lot, plus the more he used the lighter Zangetsu felt, and the easier it was for him to attempt that kind of tricky maneuvering.
"Little shinigami!" Klaue snapped around. "You deceiving brat! I will tear your soul to shreds!"
Rukia's hand began glowing green as she pushed on her ribcage, too astonished to interject or interfere.
The hollow was becoming a rather poor one, without its razor sharp claws up front it was hardly possible to attack-defend combinedly. It seemed to be growing increasingly frustrated.
"Don't think that's all I've got, little shinigami!"
It was so fast that Ichigo could just barely see it pounce. Klaue just about landed on top of him, Ichigo swung up Zangetsu. He stopped both clawed feet but now he was under all that weight. His arms shook in remonstration. Too heavy. As quickly as he could he pulled more and more of that power out.
"Ichigo!" He heard Rukia scream. "He's going to do it again!"
Ichigo gazed up in time to see another beam headed straight down at him. Shoot! His teeth clenched, he forced the doubt out of his being. "Getsuga Tenshou!"
A blue crescent of light fired up, completely splitting both the cero and Klaue Kriecher in half.
Rukia gawked at the scene. "Woah..."
Ichigo hopped down, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his arm. Zangetsu wrapped itself back up and he placed it on his back as the blue faded from his eyes. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I never realized you had it in you. That was incredible, kozou!" She praised.
He smiled tiredly. "It certainly takes it out of you."
The two stood across from each other, eyes meeting with a full flood of curiosity. He ran his hand through his golden locks. "What were you doing out here?"
"I was looking for you." Rukia stated firmly.
He was surprised. "You were looking for me?"
"Of course. I never got a chance to return that book and I really didn't want to lug it around with me." She responded. Then abruptly; "My turn, how did you get out of your body?"
Ichigo tilted his head to the side in careful consideration. "Maybe I'm just that awesome?"
"I don't know if that's what I'd call it..." She replied. "But at least you're funny."
He nodded. "At least that."
"C'mon, kozou. I'm gonna take you home."
His eyes lingered on the surrounding setting. "Thank you for saving me...and thank you for looking for me."
"You were with those people in the book...the ones with the masks, right?" She asked as they casually walked back towards his body.
"How did-"
Rukia grinned. "I'd already guessed that, I was almost to this place when I suddenly felt your reiatsu again. When I got to it I was just in time too."
"Well you're either a very perceptive person or a very good guesser..." He commented.
Rukia still had the healing kidou pressed into her chest. She glanced over at him. "Why were you gone for so long, and why did you leave in the first place?"
Silence on his part as he didn't respond. What would I say? His guts wrenched. Rukia watched that smile fall away. Apparently she was asking the wrong questions...
"Hey, Rukia?" He finally asked.
"What is it, little shinigami?" She attempted to lighten his mood.
"I...I really..." He tried to say, but he couldn't.
"What is it?" She urged.
"I just wanted to say that I'm glad I met you." He lied.
"Oh...well, you know I have to assume that the book is real, considering you and this. So I guess I'm glad too."
It felt awkward between them. At last they turned the corner and found his lifeless corpse. Rukia frowned, rounding on him. "I didn't realize you were injured!"
Ichigo grabbed his chest. "Yeah, it's not that bad though. I think my reiatsu stopped the bleeding."
She sighed. "I'll see what I can do but I've used a lot of it to heal myself."
xXXxXXx
The afternoon had grown late, the setting sun teasing that yet another day had gone by. How many days have gone by? It hurt to realize he didn't know. But what hurt even more was to remember it was the 15th... his birthday. Isshin rubbed his eyes sleepily.
Business at the clinic hadn't been going too well, no one wanted to be an intrusion on the doctor. To make up for the lack of work and funds some of the towns people had given them donations to help support their local doctor in this difficult time. The Kurosaki's had reluctantly, but very gratefully accepted.
Isshin turned the coffee cup in a circle, the block of reflected light on the counter wavered as he did so. I made a promise, that I can't risk not keeping. Masaki meekly wandered into the kitchen, dark circles surrounding her dazzling eyes from lack of sleep. "I made coffee."
Her shorter form leaned into him, his arms gently wrapping her in a comforting hug. She welcomed his loving embrace. There was such a nagging feeling, it wasn't anything new, but he could swear that he felt his son's reiatsu. He'd been continually tormented these past two weeks by these hope-born delusions. Soon as they came they disappeared, making him understand that nothing had been there in the first place. So he made no move to alert his wife, knowing he would not be able to watch her reaction when it revealed itself as a figment of his imagination.
Isshin kissed the top of her head. How long will this hallucination last? I've been able to feel it for a while now. He stopped, his dark eyes tracing nonexistent lines. It's coming closer...it's...it's... "It's real."
"What's real?" Masaki asked. Isshin grabbed her shoulders, his eyes flickering with excitement. Unable to contain himself, he started laughing. It's real! It's real! It's really him! Masaki gave a strange, uncomfortable look. "What is it? What's going on?"
He stared hard into her eyes. "I can feel him. C'mon!"
Isshin tugged her arm as he bolted into the living room where the twins were watching a movie. Without warning he scooped both up under one arm. Masaki stuttered as she followed his out-the-door sprint. "W-what do you mean? Wait, Isshin!"
They ran up the street till the sun shine suddenly lit up a familiar face several houses ahead. Masaki halted, gasping for air in mere disbelief. As bright and as orange as the sun itself; her son was walking idly, his entire attention devoted to the empty space beside him as he intriguingly chattered to himself. Her hands gripped onto her husbands sleeve, as if she were about to fall off the edge of the world. She couldn't believe it! He was actually there! He was home. She broke down, choking on a mixture of sobs and laughter.
The little girls squirmed, not very comfortable in their fathers arm. "Dwaddy! I wanna see!"
Ichigo stopped short, his lips slowly closing as his eyes came to rest on the small group. Not a second passed, he was flying down the street.
"Ichi?" Rukia blinked at his sudden departure, she followed his path and saw exactly what made him react. The tall brunette ran towards him, with the force they collided there should have been a BOOM!
He was tangible! Masaki hugged every last bit of him in an enormous, bone-crushing embrace. Her arms were so welcoming, so comforting. Each felt as if they could hold on forever.
"Thank God! Thank God you're alright!" She cried, her hands shaking as they moved up to his head. "Thank goodness you're okay!"
"Mama." He sniffed, having missed her dearly.
Isshin set the girls down, they ran down the sidewalk and combinedly hurled themselves into the enfold. Isshin couldn't stop grinning and laughing, unable to believe Ichigo was right there! How did that even work?! His eyes narrowed, gaze lifting back up to that black figure. Wow...
When Masaki extremely reluctantly let him go he caught his father looking at the shinigami. He can see. Ichigo rubbed the tears from his eyes; he put on a smile as he gestured behind him. "Mama, Daddy, this is Rukia."
"As in Kuchiki Rukia?" Masaki implored through shock, even though she couldn't see anything.
Rukia bowed shortly. "You must be Mr. and Mrs. Kurosaki?"
Ichigo noticed his father looked troubled. "She saved me."
"Saved you...?" Masaki's voice had an emptiness. "From what?"
"A hollow." Ichigo answered carefully. "I'm alright, Rukia healed me some so I'm fine." He was trying to make things sound better but it wasn't quite working.
"Well," Isshin declared." Seems we have a lot to talk about."
xXxXXxXXxXXxXXx
"Well, she did pretty good. Let me just put on some antibiotics so it won't get infected." His father said in a very doctorly way. Ichigo sat up on the table, his ruined shirt in a heap beside him as his father gave him a check up.
What was it? Like 10-ish? Man, time went fast. "I want to take a shower first."
"Oh, go ahead. It might sting though." Isshin warned even so still smiling to think they actually had him back! That he was alive...and well...and home. That the wondering and worrying had at last come to an end. This was undeniably his son. Yet, he noted that the glow seemed to have faded. That made him bite his bottom lip and allow his thoughts to traverse the question of what had happened to his son those past two weeks.
Ichigo slipped off the table. The dust, the grim, the lingering remembrance of that hollow's rock-like fingers curled around his body. He didn't care if it stung he had to wash it away. He walked up the stairs, feeling absolutely odd. As if he were... out of place... there but still detached. Not to mention that what he had told them when they asked what had happened was the same thing he told the policeman that came to talk to him and the same thing he'd tell those media reporter people tomorrow; he didn't remember. Perhaps not the best answer but he falsely swore he didn't. Once concealed by the shadows and angles he stopped, straining his ears.
xX
Masaki's crystal like eyes gleamed, her nose scrunched. She didn't want him to leave, if she could've she would've never even let him out of her arms. She sighed to her husband. "We can't do this anymore."
"What are you talking about Masaki?" Isshin asked, washing his hands in the sink.
"The hollows! Once was a tragedy but twice?! It's too much! It's too dangerous for him." Masaki complained.
Isshin dried his hands. "What do you suppose we do about it?"
"If his life is in danger we can't just allow him to wonder around."
Isshin nodded in half-agreement. "But we can't just coop him up in the house, he's a growing kid. He needs fresh air and room to grow."
"This is twice in less then a month! It's not some rare, random chance. This is serious! What if next time there's no one there to save him? I don't like seeing your little son sit before you as a patient for something that we haven't done a thing to protect him against. He can't just be on his own. I don't want another hollow to get their hands on him." She was obviously trying hard to keep her voice down in a hushed tone.
Xx
Ichigo rubbed his face, his eavesdropping having only added more to his palate. He quietly continued, wishing everything didn't feel so messy, wishing Rukia hadn't had to leave so quickly. This whole everything felt sticky. Because it's wrong?
He grabbed some pj's from his room before going into the bathroom. Ssss; the hot water splattered on the linoleum floor of the shower stall. He tested the temperature again before getting in. I'm still waiting for the fuzzy, warm feeling that you get when you do something right. I've tried both options and had no luck there so how am I supposed to know which is the right one? Without any sobbing or weeping a few tears escaped. I'm here. I'm home. But what am I supposed to do now? I can't take this back... I'm still dangerous to them. His happiness level had taken a dive into stress since her came back. Every second he was with them who knew if they were absorbing his reiatsu. This darn decision was tearing him into pieces. I need to do something. He was too lost; he didn't notice the water increasingly becoming hotter as it streamed down his body. Nor did he notice the intense stinging in his chest. His hands balled into fists, he slammed them onto the wall. His head sunk between his elbows. What am I supposed to do?!
Chapter End