Life returned to normal.
I didn't die of a broken heart.
I went back to my job, and baked food.
On the fifth day, I was at work, when I got a phone call.
I bit into an iced cupcake, and paused, taking in the taste of both icing and cupcake, then nodded, finished it off, and moved the rest to the display case. Moving back into the kitchen, I checked the cake that was currently in the oven, when the phone rang. Jirou picked it up.
"Heaven's Doorstep." he answered with the name of the bakery. After a few seconds, he began talking again.
"Katsu, it's for you."
"Come watch my cake." we switched places, and I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"This is the police." I sucked in a breath.
"Hi?"
"Someone broke into your apartment."
"Again? That's like, the fourth time! God damn it, I need to move. This is ridonculous." the police officer chuckled over the phone.
"Maybe you should think about moving."
"Maybe. So is anything damaged?"
"Come home and see for yourself."
"Alright. I'll be there in five." I hung up, then turned to Jirou.
"Someone broke into my apartment. Again. I gotta go check it out, see what is missing."
"S'alright. Go ahead." I grinned, clocked out, then shed my apron, and started running home, dodging around people in the street. Nodding to the door lady, I ran up the stairs and nudged open my door, then gasped.
"Ho shit." I whispered, walking inside. Everything, was crispy. The walls and carpets were burned, my cabinets were burned, my entire bathroom was burned. But in my bedroom, only a message was burned onto the wall. I stood in the doorway beside a young police man, maybe only a few years older than me.
"Forget it all." I read outloud. He glanced at me.
"Any idea what it means?"
"Well, uhm... no." even though I did know. He nodded.
"Alright. Well, you're insurance should pay for this all. You gonna move?"
"Probably. Damn it, I liked this apartment too. At least my clothes were spared. I would've like to keep my sofa too. And maybe the TV." he chuckled.
"There's another apartment complex down the street. A little more expensive, but it's actually nicer."
"I'll look into it. Thanks." he nodded and left, and I searched for my cellphone that I'd left here today, then called Shuhei.
"Shuheiiii." I whined when he picked up.
"Katsu, you-"
"Someone burned my apartment to a crisp. My paints are peeling off. And someone burned onto my bedroom wall, 'Forget it all.' Do you not think this is a small emergency?"
"I'll be over in a few minutes. Get the police out." I hung up, then turned around.
"Hey guys, you almost done?"
"We're leaving now. We'll be back to conduct an investigation."
"Whatever you want." I shooed them out the door, then opened the glass door. Shuhei flashed inside, then walked to my room. Standing in front of the message, he put his hand on it, then pulled away fast.
"This was a Zanpakuto. I don't know who's, but I can feel the traces of it's reishi." I looked at him incredulously.
"A Zanpakuto? I mean, Hollow I would have expected. They've broken in twice. But a Shinigami?"
"Definitely a Shinigami. I've got to report this to Abarai, then I'll see if I can trace this." I nodded, remembering then that Renji was his captain now. He walked out of the room, phone to his ear, and I sat down on my bed, then got up and put my hand on the message. Burning heat seared my hand, and I shrieked and pulled away.
"Holy fuck monkeys!" then the message caught fire again, and I just stood watching it as the curtains caught, then the carpet.
"Katsu, get out of the room!" I spun around, but the fire surged toward the door, surrounding me in the flames. It closed it slowly, and I dropped to my knees, coughing.
"I'll forget! I'll forget it all!" I dropped down the carpet, and a voice whispered in my ear, "You'll have to die." the burning covered my entire body, and a scream bubbled in my throat as I could feel my skin burning. Then suddenly, it was all over. Well, the pain was. I was standing up in the flames, watching my body burn. I looked at the doorway, then walked out, and looked at Shuhei.
"Now what?" he looked at me and dropped the phone.
"Abarai is going to kill me."
"Why is that?" the voice came from the floor. We both looked down, but neither of us moved to touch it. I blinked.
"Oh my god, I'm such an idiot! The person told me I had to die to forget before... anyway, he's got to be close." Shuhei disappeared, and I picked up the phone.
"Before what?" he questioned.
"Shuhei's gone, loser. And I need to get out of the apartment before I get burned to a crisp. Oh wait! Too late." I muttered, stepping out onto the balcony, then shunpoing off.
"What are you talking about, Katsu?"
"Did Shuhei get to report?"
"Yeah, you're apartment was burned."
"I touched the message on my wall, and it caught on fire. I couldn't get out in time." a pause.
"So you're dead?"
"Naw, I'm a frickin' Zombie." I snapped, watching the windows in my apartment explode. I cursed.
"How long are you going to ask to stay?"
"You know me so well." I grinned, then put a finger to my lips,
"Uhm... maybe until my funeral. I've always wondered who would go, and who would cry. Where I'd be buried. Though I really hope it's closed casket, cause I'mma be a crispy critter." he sighed on the other line.
"Do you have to joke about this?"
"It's how I deal with things." I thought back to my days in Hueco Mundo. And the knife.
"Well, maybe not all the time." I flashed back, grabbed a knife, then flashed away. Just in case.
"Katsu, after the konso you won't remember anything. Or anyone." my face fell.
"Well shit."
"Shit, is correct. How long will it take for the funeral?"
"Well, I'll get taken to autopsy. They'll figure out my cause of death, then my body will be released in maybe a day. With all the fucking money I have, someone will get control of the accounts and arrange everything. Maybe four days." he sighed.
"Alright. Just try not to get eaten please." I grinned.
"No promises."
"You are a piece of work, Kita."
oOo
I meandered down a street, not really knowing, or caring, where I was going. I knew Shuhei was watching, so if a Hollow decided I'd be a good snack, I'd be fine. I looked at the shop names, and when I got to Heaven's Doorstep, I stopped in my tracks. There was no sign on the door yet. Someone walked inside, and I slipped in after them, glancing around. The place was bustling, but Jirou didn't look happy. I looked in the display case, and it was nearly empty. Sighing, I walked back and actually started making food, before I realized what I was doing.
"Shit! Oh well." I finished making the cupcakes, then rang the bell I never used. Jirou came back, and looked at them, confused. I grabbed a piece of paper and pen, and wrote,
"Hey dude. Sorry 'bout dying on you. I'll cook more for you today since you're so busy, but you better hire a new cook soon. And if they don't compare, I'll come back and kick their ass with my invisible foot." he laughed.
"This is kinda creepy. You can cook today, but could ya move on tomorrow?"
"Gotta wait for my funeral." I wrote.
"Then don't come back." I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever." I went back to the cake that was in the oven, and checked it, then pulled it out, and started icing. He took the cupcakes out.
"Where did those come from?" someone asked.
"I found these in a container."
"I'll take three." I grinned, then rang the bell again, quietly, and went to make cookies.
An hour later, I sat down in a booth, and watching people streaming in. Jirou had explained to me. In my obituary, they'd said I'd worked here as a cook. So, all these people came in, asking for my stuff. And he was still frowning. Sighing, I jumped the counter, and flicked him in the back of the neck, then whispered, "You're making money. Be happy."
"Making money off your death." he responded quietly, dishing out another slice of cake. I rolled my eyes and flicked him again. The door opened again, and I looked up, then laughed.
"Ichigo! Welcome to Heaven's Doorstep." he looked straight at me. A few seconds later, the door opened again, and I glanced up, blinked, and flashed off.
"I didn't know he lived that close!" I hissed, walking along the street angrily. Watching Goka walk into my bakery had not been part of my day. Walking, I kicked a can and it clattered onto the street, then got crushed by a car. I cringed. That could've been me, once upon a time. Sighing, I continued walking, dodging around people so they didn't freak out that some non existent person was shoving them. Gritting my teeth, I looked down at my attire, then decided I could run in it. Shaking my hands out as I started at a light jog, I jumped off the curb, rolled over a car, and into the middle of the streets, then took off sprinting. Ten minutes later, my legs burned, but I kept going, not sure where I was going exactly. Eventually, I ended up at the beach. Walking along the sand, I stood in the surf, looking out over the ocean, remembering the last time I was here. Fighting with Renji, playing volleyball, swimming a little bit. The Hollow.
Sighing, I dug my feet into the sand, and looked out at the waves, then started walking. I walked straight over the water, not even sinking an inch. I started jogging again, my burning legs screaming at me to stop. When the beach disappeared from view, I started running hard. About fifteen minutes later, Shuhei finally appeared.
"What are you doing?"
"Running. What does it look like?"
"You need to stop."
"Why should I?"
"You're about three miles off shore, Katsu." I skidded to a halt and looked at him.
"Do I look like I care? I'm dead. D. E. A. D. Dead. I'm burning off steam."
"What made you this angry?" he questioned, putting hands on my shoulders. I sighed and looked past him, trying to see if there was shore anywhere soon.
"Were you informed of Goka?" he nodded.
"He walked into the bakery." Shuhei grit his teeth.
"You may not make it to your funeral if he sticks around."
"Whatever. I'm staying until my funeral. I don't give a rat's ass if he's here." I turned around and started walking back.
"You're going to walk?"
"Do I have to shunpo?"
"It would be helpful. Urahara wants to speak with you." I rolled my eyes, then shunpoed off, skidding to a halt and sending up sand on the beach. Shuhei stopped beside me.
"I'm walking the rest of the way." I muttered, starting the walk. He walked beside me silently, for twenty minutes.
"This isn't my business." He started. I glanced at him, "But why do you think you fell in love with Goka?" I looked forward again. That wasn't any of his business, but that didn't really matter to me.
"Because he was there for me when I needed someone to lean on." I said flat out, no preamble.
"And what about Abarai?"
"Probably the same reason. I've known him longer though, so it's probably more of the fact that he's an extremely decent guy, and he's just amazing. I love Goka, but if you ask me if it's true love, I wouldn't be able to answer." he nodded, and we continued in silence.
As soon as we arrived to Urahara's, the blonde man jumped out of nowhere.
"Katsu! So good to see you."
"You needed to talk to me?"
"Actually, that was me." I looked at Goka, and took steps back.
"So you do know this man, Katsu?"
"He didn't share his name? How impolite, Goka." Shuhei got on the defensive. Goka looked at him.
"If you give her over to me, she doesn't have to lose her memories."
"Instead, she becomes a Hollow. It's not my decision to make." Shuhei unsheathed his sword, and for a second, I thought he was going to attack Goka, but then I realized he wasn't that stupid. He knew he had no chance. So he was going to do the second best thing.
"Sorry Katsu." he replied, tapping me on the head. Warmth invaded my body, and I scowled.
"If I ever regain my memories, you will pay dearly for this, Shuhei." Goka launched at me, but Shuhei elbowed him in the stomach, causing him to drop down to the ground. I waved at him before completely sinking under.
oOo
I blinked awake on the ground. Sitting up, I looked around. Nothing here looked remotely familiar. Sighing, I pushed myself to my feet, then realized I was only wearing a short dress with no sleeves. For some reason, it seemed fitting. I looked out onto the street, and located someone who looked nice.
"Hello?" I questioned. The man looked at me, short, black, spikey hair disheveled.
"Huh?" his gray eyes were warm and soft.
"Um, do you mind telling me where I am? I can't remember anything." he smiled.
"You're fresh then. Well, we're in the twenty third district of the North Rukongai in Soul Society. Mean anything to you?"
"Absolutely not."
"You died, and got sent here. Do you remember a name? Most people don't." I shook my head.
"Sorry."
"It's alright. We'll think of one for you. Why don't you come live with me?" I grinned.
"Really? That would be fantastic!" he grinned.
"Don't worry about it. I take in new people all the time. The name's Kohaku Kimura. And we'll figure out your name. So, I'll take you to my house, after I finish buying food, alright?"
"Okay."
Okay, this is obviously the end of Memories. Buttt there is a sequel, and then a third one. xD
And I'm almost done with the third one, so obviously there is enough chapters and shiz.
So since this is the end of Memories and I'm going on vacation to California for 9 days starting Saturday, I'm going to give you this chapter and the first one of the sequel, Remember. Hunt it down on my profile would you? ;3