Chapter 10
No One's POV
Momo and Daiki woke up the next day before breakfast. They kept Daiki in a prison cell made out of kido in Karin's room, courtesy of Juushirou and Isshin. Tessai, Ururu, Orihime, and Tatsuki left after breakfast with Ryuuken. Shizuka was waiting for the Future-Ritsuka to wake up, Momo is looking after the three sleeping figures of Shirohi, Gin and the Present-Ritsuka, while the others are preparing to go back to Soul Society.
The present-Ritsuka woke up, trying to recall what happened to her for the last two days. She was kidnapped but she didn't see the kidnapper's face, and they did something to her which made her drain her energy. But she did remember hearing Shirohi's voice before she was knocked out.
She tried to get up which earn the attention of Shizuka and Momo who was looking after the unconscious people.
"You're up?" Momo asked her with a smiling face.
Not recognizing the woman, and the other girl, she looked around to familiarize herself with the place. She was surprise when she found her classmate sleeping next to the futon she slept at.
"Who are you? Where am I?" she asked Momo. "And why is Shiro-chin sleeping next to me?"
"Shiro-chin?"Shizuka snickered.
"You're in our house, Ritsu-chan," they all turned to Rinka who entered the room. "When we got a word about you being kidnapped, Shirohi immediately went here. He was worried, he went after you himself. We managed to follow him somehow."
"He rescued me himself?!" she freaked out which woke up the sleeping boy beside her.
"Oh? You're awake?" he asked while yawning. "How are you feeling?"
But instead of an answer, the girl just glared at him.
"What did I do?" the boy asked.
"You, idiot! Who told you to fly all the way wherever on earth you were to come here and rescue me?!" Ritsuka exclaimed. "You're too reckless!"
Rinka, Shizuka, and Momo were amused upon how the present-Ritsuka affect Shirohi.
"What on earth are you talking about, Asano?" he asked in defence.
"Rinka-chin told me that you went after me alone when you guys heard about me being kidnapped," she snapped at him. "Idiot! Idiot! Ugh! You're pissing me off!"
Shirohi glared at his twin when he heard what Ritsuka said. He wanted to deny it, but he just apologized. It looks like he won't need to erase her memories, after all.
"By the way, who are you two again?" Ritsuka asked the other two.
"Oh, I'm Shizuka," the red brown head introduced. "I was with them when Shirohi-san fled."
"I'm Momo," the older woman introduced.
"She's our aunt," Shirohi said that surprised everyone. "Are you okay now? Do you want to eat or drink something?"
"Oh, right, you two haven't eaten anything yet," Momo said. "I'll get you food, okay? Is there anything else you need?"
"I'll come with you," Rinka said. "I'll make them hot choco since its Ritsu-chan's favorite."
"I'll tag along, too," Shizuka said.
The three girls went out of the room leaving the two.
"How come Momo-san is your aunt?" Ritsuka asked. "Or it's just the way your relationship is?"
"Don't ask about that," Shirohi answered. "My family structure is complicated."
"Oh, yeah? How complicated?"
"Like a messed set up."
"How so?"
Shirohi was about to answer when Toushiro entered the room, startling both of them.
"Hinamori, you and Abarai ar- where's is she?" he asked them.
Ritsuka looked at the man who entered. His face was familiar, but she was certain it was the first time they met.
"She went to get us food along with Shizuka and Rinka," Shirohi answered for them.
Ritsuka gained their attention when she went and grabbed Shirohi's bangs.
"What the- Asano!"
Her eyes widened in realization as she looked at the two men with her.
"Excuse me, sir, but am I correct to assume you are Shirohi's father?"
Shirohi knew it was coming. Asano Ritsuka is not just his captain on a club, but also the Top 1 of their grade. She is a smart girl, and with all things falling in that way, she can certainly deduced his relationship with the white haired man who came in.
Toushiro, on the other hand, wasn't sure how to respond. He wanted to say yes, but he remembered their confrontation with Rinka last night. He just flinched, while the two children is looking at him for a possible response.
"Here you ar-oh, Shiro-chan! Do you need something?" Momo saved her brother-figure in the situation by showing up with food, followed by Rinka and Shizuka.
"I need to talk to you," Toushiro said to the lieutenant.
"Okay, Shirohi, Ritsuka, come and eat," Momo answered as she put the tray of food on the coffee table. "Let's go somewhere."
Toushiro lead their way out, while the four went to the table.
"He didn't answer me," Ritsuka mumbled as she put a spoon full of food to her mouth.
"Answer what?" Rinka asked.
"Was that man your father?" Rinka flinched at her question. "He just flinched when I asked him for confirmation."
Rinka's fist harden at what she heard.
"He's not," Rinka answered which made Shizuka and Shirohi looked at her. "You met Daddy, right? Does he resemble him?"
"I guess not," Ritsuka sighed.
Ritsuka wanted to point out how that white-haired man resemble her vice-captain, but she noticed the bitterness on Rinka's response. That made it clear that her friend doesn't want to tackle about the subject.
"You should focus at recovering, so you can go home," Rinka said, changing the topic. "I don't think someone contacted your family, you might wanna tell them about your whereabouts."
"You're right," Ritsuka said. "I'm fine, now. Can I borrow some clothes?"
"What for?" Rinka asked.
"I just need to freshen up before going home," Ritsuka said. "You guys have done a lot already. I can deal with my family alone, but I want to take a bath first."
Rinka complied with what Ritsuka wanted. After they ate, she led her to their room for clothes, and shower. Shirohi also went to take a shower in Gin's room. When they were done, they met on downstairs where Ritsuka saw five new faces, along with the white haired man she recognized from earlier and Momo.
"Good morning," she shyly greeted. "I'm Shirohi and Rinka's classmate, Asano Ritsuka. Nice to meet you."
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I'm their uncle."
"Kurosaki Isshin, I'm their other grandfather aside Gin."
"Abarai Renji, I'm a friend of Ichigo."
"Matsumoto Rangiku," the lieutenant smiled at her. "Nice to meet you."
"I'm Hitsugaya Toushiro," the white-haired man introduced.
"I'm Ukitake Juushiro," the other white-haired man smiled at them. "May I ask where you three going?"
"I'm taking her home," Shirohi said. "She's fine, now. And for her family to stop searching. I'll take the responsibility and explain to them what happened."
"I'm going out to buy some things," Rinka said.
"We can't let you go alone," Juushirou said. "Abarai-kun and Hinamori-kun, do you mind going with them?"
"But the store is just nearby," Rinka objected but Isshin shook her head.
"Ukitake is right," he objected. "Rinka, go with Renji, while Momo will accompany the two. End of discussion."
Rinka sighed.
"Fine," the lieutenants looked at each other and stand up.
"We'll be going," Shirohi announced.
"Be safe!" they heard Rangiku shouted before they exited the door.
Renji and Rinka went the other way where Shirohi and the two girls went. Ritsuka was walking in between Momo and Shirohi. They were embraced by silence until Ritsuka broke it.
"Ne, Shiro-chin," she started which made Momo and Shirohi looked at her. "Why did Rinka-chin denied your relationship with Hitsugaya-san?"
"Denied what?" Momo asked.
"I asked her earlier if Hitsugaya-san was their father," Ritsuka explained. "She said no, but I knew he was because he resemble Shiro-chin."
"You're smart," Momo praised. "Wait, does that mean you know how Shirohi looks like behind his bangs?"
"Hai," Ritsuka responded. "I'm used to grabbing his bangs whenever he pisses me off."
'This girl has Shirohi on ropes,' Momo sweat dropped.
"So she denied that Shiro-chan is their father, huh?" Momo stated. "I guess that can't be helped."
The last sentence got the two children curious.
"They only met him less than a month ago," Momo explained. "I'm pretty sure it's pretty hard to open up."
"By the way," Ritsuka said as she turned to her classmate. "How are you related to that other blonde woman and that long white haired guy?"
"I'll tell you another time," Shirohi sighed. "As I told you, my family's structure is like a messed set up that it's complicated."
On the other way, Rinka and Renji were silently walking besides each other. No one was talking, but Renji was indeed curious where the girl is going. So far, they made it across the road, passed the school that was in front of their condominium building and a bakery. The red head wanted to ask Rinka where she's headed, but he sensed her gloomy mood since yesterday. He doesn't want to pry so he chose to just shut up.
After a twelve minutes walk, Rinka entered a normal looking shop which sells female accessories. Renji followed her inside, only to be surprise on who were the two staffs at the shop. They were in human form, but he knew their faces considering they were too familiar.
"Ulquiorra?! Tia?!" he asked in shock. "What are you two doing here?"
"Abarai, huh?" Tia said. "And to answer your question, we work here. We are the ones who should be asking you that since this shop is literally for females. But since you're with the brat, I don't have to."
"This shop is actually the first branch of Urahara-san's shop which is run by former Espadas," Rinka explained to Renji and turned to the two. "Tia-san, Ulquiorra-san, I need new hair ribbons. I tore the last one I was using."
"I'll get some inside," Ulquiorra said. "Wait here."
"He seemed to be in a good mood. Did Aunt Orihime visit here earlier?" Rinka asked the older woman behind the counter.
"They did, actually," Tia answered. "We heard what happened from them. Is Gin-san okay now?"
Renji seemed surprise with their interaction given that they had a comfortable atmosphere. He figured that they must have known each other for a long time now. But he still couldn't believe that two of the former Espadas were selling ribbons and hair ties. But he didn't open the subject considering he wanted to avoid conflicts.
"He's still unconscious," Rinka sighed. "And that man still haven't told us the whole story about how he was hurt."
"That man?" Renji asked. "Hitsugaya-taicho?"
"Yeah," Rinka managed to answer. "He's hiding something about it, and he won't tell. Tsk."
Renji looked at girl. He saw her fists clenching and hardened facial expression. The impression he got from that so far was the fact that Rinka hates his father. And somehow, he felt pity towards the chibi-taicho.
"How's your twin?" Tia changed the topic, sensing the negative emotions surrounding the younger girl. "We heard that he used his bankai too much."
"He already woke up," Rinka responded. "Like some miracle happened that made him regain his reiatsu fast. I was actually surprised."
"Well, if a miracle did happen or not, it's good that he recovered," Ulquiorra said, joining them again. "Here are your ribbons."
"Do you need anything else?" Tia asked.
"I'm good," Rinka smiled at them. "I'll be going now. Let's go, Abarai-fukutaicho."
The two exited the store and started walking back. Not amused by the silence anymore, Renji started to chat with the girl about random things.
"Rinka," Renji called out. "How did you meet Rukia and the two seated officers from Eleven?"
"Oh, we were sent to Karakura Town for a week because both Mama and Daddy went out of town and no one will take care of us. We went to stay with Ichigo-ojisan for a while then the three of them showed up," Rinka explained. "They said they were on break. That was some time after we mastered our shikai."
"Did they know about you being Ichimaru's back then?" Renji asked. "And about Hitsugaya-taicho and Rangiku-san, too."
"They found out when Daddy was the one who fetched us the second time we met," Rinka responded. "And I think Ichigo-ojisan fed them the rest. Anyway, when are we going back to Soul Society?"
"Hinamori and I are going back later," he answered. "The rest of you will follow as long as the Ritsuka from the future and Ichimaru wake up."
Rinka did not respond and they just continued walking back to the Ichimaru's. When they arrived, Rinka saw her Granddad drinking sake with Ukitake and Rangiku.
"Where did you go?" Rangiku asked her, but she just passed by them and went upstairs.
The others just sighed at her behavior, but Rangiku felt a little hurt. Rinka went straight to the room where Gin is, and was surprise when she saw Toushiro looking after the two unconscious figures with Shizuka, the girl from the future.
"Rinka-san!" Shizuka chirped when she saw her.
"How are they?" Rinka asked her, not sparing a glance to the captain.
"Shiba-taicho said that they should wake up today or tomorrow," Toushiro answered without turning to her. "Are Hinamori and Shirohi back?"
"No," Rinka replied shortly. "I'll be in my room."
She just left without another word as the two looked at her as she exits the room. Toushiro couldn't help but sighed because of his daughter's actions which made Shizuka turned to him.
"Hitsugaya-taicho," the girl called out which made him turn to her. "You might not believe me when I tell you this, but if you're thinking that Rinka-san hates you, you're wrong."
"But she does," Toushiro responded, but the girl just shook her head.
"No offense but I know her better than you," Shizuka pointed out. "She's just extremely worried for Ichimaru-san, maybe pissed off at something, and somehow frustrated because you guys find out about the truth. She's just having her tantrums. Even if you did nothing wrong, the best thing to do when she's like that is to apologize and let her cool her head. She'll come around."
"Really?" Toushiro asked which earn him a nod.
"Rinka-san isn't the type of person who bears hatred," Shizuka smiled at him. "Karin-fukutaicho raised them that way."
Toushiro was about to reply when they heard a groaned. They stand up saw Gin waking up.
"I'll get Shiba-taicho," Toushiro said and went out of the room.
Shizuka rushed into Gin's side to help him get up.
"Are you feeling okay?" the girl softly asked.
Momo's POV
"I escaped, but I was too weak," we heard the present Ritsuka lied to her parents about what happen to her. "I passed out somewhere, and Momo-san found me there. Coincidentally, she's Shirohi-kun's aunt who is visiting them for a week. She took me in and they helped me recovered."
"You didn't see the kidnappers' faces?" her mother asked her.
"They were wearing ski masks," Ritsuka said.
Her parents then turned to us to express their gratitude. They offered me and Shirohi some food, but we refused with him saying that I need to catch my flight. We then bid them goodbye and walked out of their compound.
"I can't believe she lied," I told Shirohi.
"She has to," Shirohi said. "If her father found out she was rescued, she'll be grounded and guarded 24/7. That's one of the reasons why she studied martial arts."
"You sure know a lot about her," I teased which made him red.
"Anyway, who's that Shizuka girl?" he asked, changing the topic.
"I actually don't know since she got there after I was knocked out," I answered truthfully. "But according to all she had said, she's probably close to Ritsuka and Gotei 13. I don't know, maybe she's your future aunt, cousin, sister, daughter, niece, or whatever. But her zanpakto natured from the fire element."
We continued chatting as we go back to the condominium building. It's a good thing that Shirohi did not shut me out after knowing the truth. I'm wishing Rinka would do the same. But according to her own twin, Rinka isn't the type who just opened up because of blood relationships. Knowing that, I'm sure it will be hard for her to accept us just like that.
"Have you acknowledged Shiro-chan and Rangiku-san?" I asked in doubts.
"I told you," he sighed. "I haven't, but I will if they accept Daddy."
"And if they don't?" I asked once again. "Will you hate them?"
"I won't," he murmured. "If they won't, then I'll be civil to them. Since Rinka will probably wants to move in Soul Society already, there's nothing wrong with treating them as Captain and Lieutenant of a Division, right?"
I was about to reply as I follow him inside the unit when Shiro-chan ran to the living room as we enter.
"Shiba-taicho," he called out. "Ichimaru's gaining consciousness."
We all then rushed upstairs to the room to find Rinka hugging her grandfather while crying. Shizuka was watching on one side as Ichimaru comforts his granddaughter. He looked up to greet us with a smile. We approached as Shirohi went first.
"You already recovered?" Ichimaru asked him.
"Daddy," Shirohi went to hug him as well.
We were just watching in silence as the twins refused to let go of Ichimaru.
"What happened after I was knocked down?" he turned to asked Kurosaki-san after he calmed down the twins. "Did you capture Daiki?"
"Ukitake and Kyouraku appeared after you took the hit," Shiro-chan answered. "They managed to get him off guard. He's on the other room, inside a prison cell made of Kido by Shiba-taicho and Ukitake."
"How are you feeling?" Shiba-taicho asked him.
"I'm fine," he answered then turned to his grandson. "By the way, why are you already up, Shirohi? Or more like, how is it possible for you to recover quickly?"
"Hitsugaya-taicho gave me some of his reiryoku," he answered that made us all shocked.
Ichimaru turned to Shiro-chan.
"Thank you," he said.
Shiro-chan just nodded. I was about to ask something but we heard a moan from the future-Ritsuka. Shizuka rushed in her place and hugged her tight as she wakes up. After two hours, all of us except for Shiba-taicho are ready to go back to Soul Society. Rinka is back to her usual noisy self around Ichimaru as he was cooking us lunch. Shirohi was reading a book in the living room with the rest of us except for Daiki who was still held in Karin's room.
"I'll go talk to Daiki," the future-Ritsuka said. "There's something we need to discuss regarding in our timeline."
"Can I come with you?" Shizuka asked and she nodded.
They made their way upstairs and Abarai-kun couldn't help but comment.
"You know, except for the color of their eyes, they kinda look alike," he said. "Does Ritsuka have a sister, Shirohi?"
"She doesn't," the boy answered. "She also doesn't have a cousin named Shizuka if you were gonna ask that next."
"You sure know a lot about her," I teased which made him cover his face with his book.
"That's because I know her for five years now," he answered calmly. "Anyway, I'll go put this book on my room. Excuse me."
"Fast reader, as always," Shiba-taicho sighed. "Anyway, I'm guessing you found my daughter. How is she?"
"We left her at Four, with Rukia, Ikkaku, and Yumichika," his son replied. "She should be doing fine."
"That reminds me, where will Karin-chan stay at Soul Society?" Rangiku-san asked.
"She can stay under my division, or the house Ichimaru arranged," Kurosaki-san answered.
"She can also stay at my house with the twins," Shiro-chan said that made us turn to him. "I don't use my bedroom, anyway."
"Rukia also offered a room in the Kuchiki Manor," Kurosaki-san added. "She can stay wherever she likes."
"But knowing Karin, she's probably going to the Academy," Shiba-taicho said.
"What about the twins?" Ukitake asked. "Aren't they going to the Academy, too?"
"I don't think they are ready," Shiro-chan said. "They are shinigamis, but they are just kids. They should enjoy their life as humans first."
"No one's gonna look after them if they carry on staying here, though," Shiba-taicho said. "It would be great if they want to move in with me, but the twins seems to love this town. I doubt that they will want to move at Karakura, especially Shirohi-kun. As for me, I cannot move here as well."
"Granddad, lunch is ready!" we heard Rinka shouted from the kitchen. "Let's eat now!"
Toushiro's POV
All of us went back to Soul Society except for Shiba-taicho shortly after eating our lunch. I was walking in silence with Matsumoto besides me as I lead them to the 4th Division's barracks since the other captains and officers are gathered there according to an unseated officer who was asked by the Soutaicho to inform us to go there upon our arrival. Ukitake and Kyouraku where behind us, securing the suspect as the Future-Ritsuka and Shizuka walk besides them. Behind them are Kurosaki, Abarai, Hinamori and Shirohi who were having a normal chat. Ichimaru and Rinka walking silently behind them. Nothing of it seems ordinary until I was alarmed as it began to rain with an unfamiliar yet familiar reiatsu's presence.
I heard Daiki smirked as he turned to Shizuka.
"What do you know? Seems like you're busted, little girl," he said as we all turned to him. "You definitely know whose reiatsu is this, right, Shizuka?"
I turned to the girl who was turning pale as she went exactly behind me as we approach the gates of the 4th Division.
"Whose reiatsu is this?" Kurosaki asked Daiki. "Seems familiar."
I was about to ask the same question when I saw a figure leaning at the doors of the division. By the looks of it, she is a female who is a bit taller than the future-Ritsuka, wearing a shihakusho with a zanpakto in the left side of her waist. Her black hair is on high ponytail and it's pretty long and straight. She was looking down as she had her arms crossed in her chest which made her look like she was waiting for someone. But as we approach nearer, I manage to identify a badge in her left arm that has the pasque flower insignia with the kanji of two neatly printed above the symbol.
As I was about seven meters away from her, I stopped my tracks when I finally recognized her face because she looked up with a familiar scowl on her face that made me frozen.
"KARIN?!" I exclaimed which made the others turned to us.
"Yo," she greeted us with a bored look. "Before anything else, let me first say that I am not the Karin from this timeline. She's inside, she'll probably wake up later or tomorrow. I actually forgot when."
"Then that means you're from the future, too?" Matsumoto asked which made her nod.
"Why are you here? Did someone send you?" I asked.
"Good question," she gave me a sharp look. "Why don't you ask that to the girl behind you?"
What she said made us turned to Shizuka who was obviously sweating at the sight of Karin.
"Hello, Shizuka. Fancy seeing you in a time you aren't even born yet," Karin said in sarcasm. "How was your trip?"
"Fu-fukutaicho," the girl stuttered.
"If you're here, does that mea-" "Yes, Ritsuka. He found out that his daughter knocked out your Division's fourth seat and sneaked in to 12th to get in here."
Shizuka gulped at what Karin said that made Daiki and Ritsuka snickered.
"Did he?" Shizuka asked in hesitation which earn her a nod from Karin.
"He went to attack Toushiro for letting it happened," Karin answered. "If it weren't for me taking his zanpakto and Kuchiki-taicho locking him in Senbonzakura, he would have killed Ritsuka's Captain for sending her and you!"
"He was also upset that I was sent here?" Ritsuka asked in nervousness.
"This girl didn't tell you who she is, right?" Karin asked us. "If she did, the trouble she made will be bigger."
"No, but what trouble?" Matsumoto asked her.
"She just made four taichos in panic attack which made another taicho busy. She made both Suì-Fēng and Kuchiki-taicho looked after her raging father. The mess she made had Divisions 3, 5, and 9 on guard just in case of an unexpected attack. And lastly, she made Hitsugaya-taicho and Kurotsuchi-taicho's hands full in order for her to be back safely which leave the current problem there to be handled by the 11th Division!" that's pretty bad. "I hope you are ready for your apology speech, little girl. Start with the officer who came with me."
"Izumo came with you?" Ritsuka asked.
"Considering his zanpakto is also fire type and under the 10th Division's Captain, yes," Karin answered. "He was the one who was originally sent by Toushiro to be your back-up but that little girl knocked him out. He's inside with the Soutaicho. Good thing Kyouraku-taicho was already here when we arrived or we could've followed your rescue operation. Are you two okay?"
Karin asked the two females from the future.
"Because if you're hurt, you know what he is capable of doing," Karin warned and turned to the suspect. "And you! I hope you are ready for her, because you should be. We won't help you with her, Daiki."
We only heard him scoffed in response. We went inside the barracks and met with the others who were with a frail looking guy who resembles Kira except for his dark hair. Karin introduced him as my future 4th seat, Izumo. Meanwhile, Madarame said that Karin did wake up but she got knocked out again because of the medicine Unohana made her drink.
"How about Haru-baachan?" I asked them.
"She might wake up later," Unohana answered.
"I think it's time for us to go back," the Karin from the future said. "We still have our own businesses to get back to our timeline. We cannot postpone in any longer."
We bid them goodbye and thank you's. We went back to our daily operation, while Ichimaru got imprisoned at the Stealth Force dungeon. The twins are still staying with me, but Rinka was still keeping her distance. Shirohi, on the other hand, was acting like how he was when he got here.
The evening came and Hinamori and Kurosaki joined us to dinner.
"Hey twins, we got permission from the Soutaicho," Kurosaki said. "He said that you can visit Ichimaru when your mother wakes up. You just need to go with at least a lieutenant, and Hinamori volunteered for it."
"Really?" Rinka asked in excitement. "Then let's go wake up mama!"
"Rinka, it can wait," Shirohi intervened. "Let mama have her rest."
"But I miss Daddy already," Rinka said.
"How long do you think it will take for them to address you as Papa?"
I scoffed at Hyourinmaru's question. They won't even open up to me.
Dinner went by, and the twins decided to go to sleep. I'm currently in my room which is unusual and laying down my bed as if it's a sanctuary. I couldn't sleep that's why I got up and made my way out of my quarters.
"Where are you going?" I turned to find Rinka holding a cup.
"I'm just gonna have some late night walk," I answered. "Why are you still up?"
"I got thirsty," she responded.
Then, an awkward silence embraced us.
"What is it?" I asked her because she obviously wants to say something.
"I just want to apologize," my eyes widened at what she said. "For my attitude back there. It was rude of me to treat you that way, I'm sorry. Daddy told me to do so because he made me realized you, Ukitake-taicho, and Matsumoto-fukutaicho did not do anything wrong."
I don't know why, but what she said made me smile a little.
"Do you want to come with me?" I asked. "I'll go see Ichimaru."
Her eyes widened, but after one second, she shook her head.
"I'll pass," she answered. "Good night, Taicho."
She turned her back on me and went back to their room. I got of the Division and started making my way to the Stealth Force Dungeon. Since I am a captain, I can actually visit him anytime I want. It didn't take me long until I reached my destination. Without hesitation, I made my way to his cell, not even greeting the officer in charge.
"What a surprise," I heard him say as I approach his quarters. "Of all people, I didn't think you will be the first one to visit me. Or are you here for interrogation session? That's unlikely, isn't it? Only members of the stealth force can do that. To what do I owe this pleasure, Hitsugaya-taicho?"
"How are you alive, Ichimaru?"
"Orihime-chan," he answered. "She also revived Ulquiorra and all the former Espadas that work under Urahara now."
"Why didn't you come back?"
"You already know why. I am guilty of treason."
"Why didn't you come back at least for your wife?"
I saw him flinched in my question.
"Do you have any idea how broken she was when she thought you died?"
He looked at me to and smiled bitterly.
"She needed to move on from her nightmare which is me," he answered. "You know, I wouldn't mind it if you guys find out of the truth. But I was hoping you'll know about it after my hearing. That was my plan, I guess."
"What do you mean?"
"Now that they know about our blood relationship, the court won't consider your statements against me anymore," he laughed. "And I was hoping to get executed."
"If you want to die now, why did you keep on living after the war? Why are you so eager to pass on now?"
"Because I know you," I flinched at his answer. "You want the twins to recognize you, right? But you won't recognize me. You don't have to. So I thought that if I'm out of the picture, the twins will have no choice to turn to you. You heard Daiki, right? He wasn't lying. Karin-chan, you, and the twins is the right family. And that won't happen when I'm in the picture. I'm not regretting being attach to the twins, but for that exact reason, I must disappear so you four can be complete."
"Zanpakto spirit talking to his or her master."
I don't own the original characters. Please read and review.