The streets of Karakura were nearly empty as Toushirou made his way through them in the cold winter breeze. For once he almost wished that the streets were bustling with activity, then he would at least have a way to distract himself from what he was about to do.
Toushirou's stomach clenched. The temptation to turn back and run to the safety of Ichigo's arms was nearly overwhelming. But Toushirou knew if he did that he'd never move on, that he'd always be wondering if . . . he shook his head, no, it was best not to finish that thought.
He continued onward until finally he reached a grim building, surrounded by a fence with barbwire at the top of it. He almost lost his nerve, then he saw Ichigo's face and heard his voice whispering softly in his ears.
Subconsciously his back straighten, as his resolve strengthened. Taking a deep, calming breath, Toushirou steeled himself, then walked up the steps.
Ichigo awoke to find himself alone. Sitting up he glanced around, searching for his boyfriend. Failing to find him Ichigo unwilling decided to get up, even though it was only six-thirty.
He got dressed at a sluggish pace, grumbling about being up so early on a Saturday morning. A folded up piece of paper on his desk with his name on it caught his eyes as he went to leave the room.
Carefully he unfolded it, his eyes scanning the contents.
Dear Ichigo,
Sorry about leaving on such short notice, but there are a few things I need to take care of on my own. Don't know when I'll be back but I promise to explain everything then.
Love, Toushirou
Ichigo frowned at the vague note. What in the world?
"He told me to tell you that he's gone to face his fears."
Looking over his shoulder Ichigo found his father standing in the doorway.
"What do you men he's gone to face his fears?"
Isshin shrugged.
"You'd know better than me."
Ichigo's mind whirled. Gone to face is fears? But that would mean . . . !
"Shit!" the word exploided from Ichigo's mouth as he realized where Toushirou had gone.
"Ichigo! Watch your lang . . . Whoa!"
Isshin dove out of the way as Ichigo flashed past him.
"Where are you going?" he asked as Ichigo pulled on his shoes.
"To the jail, that's where Toushirou's gone!"
"To the jail? But why would . . ." Isshin stopped as relization hit him as well.
Ignoring his father Ichigo was about to rush out the door when Isshin called him back.
"Hold on Ichigo! This is something Toushirou feels he need to do on his own!"
"I know! But at the very least I can be waiting for him when he gets done! He'll need me then!" Without another word Ichigo darted out to his car.
Sighing Isshin shook his head, "Good grief, was I ever that stubborn?"
His stomach was twisting itself into a million knots as he sat waiting for his turn to speak with his father. Toushirou swallowed thickly, he hadn't seen his father since the trial where his father had been sentenced to twenty years in prison.
"Toushirou Hitsugaya? You may speak with him now."
He took a deep, calming breath as he stood and followed the police guard to the room where visitors were allowed to speak with prisoners. His father was already sitting behind the plexiglass. Slowly Toushirou sat down, his piercing blue-green eyes fixed on the man that had turned his life into a living Hell.
Toushirou picked up the phone, watching as his father did the same.
'I didn't think you'd want to see me.' came the raspy voice.
"I don't. However I need to say a few things to you."
His father waited patiently for him to speak.
"I wanted you to know that for the last year I have hated you, hated you for everything you've done to me. Hated how because of you I can't get a good night's sleep, because every time I looked in the mirror I see someone ugly and worthless." Toushirou stopped
"Yeah, I figured as much . . ."
"I'm not done! I've hated you, but now I realize that you're not worth the effort anymore than you're worth my fears, or my peace of mind."
'Are you offering my forgiveness?' his father asked, incredulous
Toushirou snorted, "Hell no!" he snapped. His father looked almost sad.
"But I don't hate you anymore, I guess you could say I'm indifferent."
'That's more than I deserve.'
"You're right, it is. But this is about what I deserve, and I deserve to be free from your shadow."
His father nodded in understanding. Toushirou started to stand then stopped.
"Did you ever love me?" he asked. His father paused for a moment looking into his son's cerulean eyes.
'Yeah, so-Toushirou, Yeah I did.'
"Then why did you hurt me?" Toushirou screamed, anger evident in his voice.
'I don't have an answer for you, except that you're mother would be much more proud of you than she would be of me.'
Toushirou closed his eyes "I forgive you." he whispered
His father looked up at him in shock, speechless.
"I forgive you, but after today I don't ever want to see or hear form you again. We will never have a father-son relationship, or any other kind of relationship for that matter, you lost that right."
'I understand.'
"Goodbye."
'Goodbye . . . son.'
Toushirou hung up the phone, and left without a backward glance.
Author's note
Hey guys! Sorry for not updating last week, there was an anime convention where I live and I was dead tired after that. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter, I know most of you probably don't agree with Toushirou forgiving his father, I just believe that holding on to anger and hatred like that doesn't to anyone any good. Does Toushirou's father deserve to be forgiven? NO! However for Toushirou to find peace he need to face him and let go of his anger and fear.
Now for confession time, the truth is that I don't have chapter 13 already written like I normally would. So that means that there might not be an update next week. I know what the chapter is going to be about but if I don't get a chance to write it than obviously there can't be an update. But I swear to you guys this story will not be abandoned!
Thanks to all who have reviewed
Zx14ninja
