Miku looked surprised, and a little startled when Ichigo had suddenly ran up to her. She had only arrived at the cemetery herself a few minutes ago and was just waiting around for her older brother to show up and lead her to the graves. She hadn't expected to see anyone from school, let alone Ichigo Kurosaki. He looked equally surprised when he saw her. "M-Miku? I...what are..." He stood up straight and tried to catch his breath. "There was a kid up here. Did you see where she went?" "I...I think...I think it was a spirit. Just when I noticed it standing there, it vanished. I'm..sorry?" Miku looked down awkwardly, adjusting her weight from one foot to the other. Ichigo began to feel bad. "Hey, don't worry about it! It isn't your fault or problem or anything! Uh...oh...right...how..are you feeling?" Ichigo hadn't seen Miku since she did whatever it was that had helped Karin. He had found her in Karin's room after helping the ghost child escape from that Hallow. Miku had been crouched in the corner of the room, looking as though she was in pain. Ichigo had taken her to his father who instantly took her away to be examined. He'd demanded Miku have bed rest for the rest of the week, and he didn't want her having visitors, in case it overwhelmed her. That's how Ichigo learned that Miku was sickly, practically since she was a baby. Miku flushed and gave a ghost of a smile. "I'm...feeling a lot better. Thank you for asking."
The pair went silent, neither sure what to say now. Well, Ichigo did have a question, but he wasn't sure how to..
"We're visiting..our parents."
Ichigo stared at Miku, surprised that she had spoken, and had even told him that of all things. Despite her getting involved in all this craziness, and Ichigo actually wanting to get to know her more, they weren't close, and he hadn't expected her to share such information. Sure, they were at a cemetery, and he recalled her calling a spirit from earlier her mother, so this should have been obvious, but still, it was a touchy subject. He didn't want to force anything out of her or make her feel uncomfortable. But now that she had said Ichigo felt he had to ask. They never did have that talk after saving Orihime. "So..that ghost hanging from a noose? That's..." "...Yes." Miku lowered her head, sighing deeply. "She died..not long ago. I was the one who found her. In the backyard."
Ichigo froze.
Despite his own mothers death, despite having witnessed it himself, and blaming it on himself for years, that sort of thing..he couldn't possibly imagine how that must have felt.
"...She was just...hanging there. I think..she got tired."
Ichigo stared down at Miku, realizing just how fragile she looked. As if just poking her could shatter her into a million pieces. He wanted to comfort her, but was scared to touch her. So he just stood there, silent. Slowly, Miku lifted her head to look at him. "...Can I..tell you more about it? I don't know why...but it makes me feel better, talking to you." "...Of course." Ichigo looked around and saw an old wooden bench not motioned to it and the pair walked over. Once they sat down, Miku began to speak again. "...Her name is Miyuki. She died...not long after my father went missing. He was a researcher, and I guess you could call him an archaeologist as well. He went missing on a dig. Mom...I don't think she could handle it..him being gone.."
So now it was just her and her brother.
Ichigo supposed he understood now why Miku was willing to help Orihime. They actually had a bit in common.
Ichigo leaned his head back and looked up at the sky, not really noticing as he placed his hand over Miku's. Miku, however did notice, and her face went red, but she quickly scolded herself. It wasn't like he was holding her hand or anything, his was just sitting there...on top of hers. That was all.