100 Romantic Bleach Drabbles
Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Kubo Tite, not to me.
Author's Note: Personally, I hate this chapter. I love the pairing. I just think I epically failed at it. Many thanks to darklover and Dragen Eyez, my constant reviewers! Thanks for the pairing suggestions!
11. Memory
"Masaki…" Kurosaki Isshin said as he stood before the grave of his late wife, still in his shihakusho. "I finally avenged your death." His fight with the arrancar form of Grand Fisher had stirred up all sorts of memories in Isshin's heart. Visiting her grave seemed like it was the only fitting way to end the first evening he had taken up his sword in many years. He did not regret his actions. He had brought the creature that had stolen his wife from him to justice.
"I will never forget that day I first saw you, Masaki. The whole world stopped turning when you smiled at me. That same smile can be seen on the face of our son when no one is looking. And on the girls, too."
The day Isshin had met Masaki was one of the best days of his life. It was a memory he would always cherish. They would never fade from his heart no matter how many years passed him by. How could they when he had their three children to remind him daily? Raising them was his way of honouring Masaki, his way of keeping her forever close to him. Slaying Grand Fisher was his way of setting her soul free so she could watch over Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu from a better place.
'Maybe one day I will see you on the other side, Masaki,' he thought, looking up at the night sky. 'Until then, continue to watch over us.'
As he stood in front of the grave and relieved his days with his late wife, a sense of reassuring calm fell over him. Whatever was about to befall Karakura, he somehow knew everything would be all right. His angel Masaki would watch out for their children just as Ichigo would fight to save them with his young friends.
"He really is the spitting image of you, Masaki. Noble, brave, kind. With you watching out for him, I know the kid'll win."
Isshin turned from the grave and began to make his way back to the Kurosaki Clinic where his family slept. His living memories of Masaki, the ones most precious to him, needed him there as much as he needed to be there.
'Masaki, I love you.'