Response to reviews!
MiszXBrii: Yup! And thanks for the hug! *gives pocky*
Avgirl10: Ya gotta remember something, ok? Hichigo's zanpakuto is the Sun. Sun=Fire. Ichigo's is the Moon, which is cold. Therefore, Moon=Ice. I know, cliché, but still! XD
memories. of .rain: You'll have to wait and see! XD
Strawberry-Ringo: Yay! I'm looking forward to it! ;)
Whitew12-0: Yeah, I do too! XD But if he had been fire, it would've been slightly cliché there as well. Basically, there was no way to avoid being cliché either way…*sigh*
herRhi-chan: Well, I'm just glad I caught your attention! XD
Kobato00: Yup! Although I feel bad that your internet was cut off…
Wow, my updates are on a roll! Maybe that's cause it's almost over…*sigh* This has got to be my best fic, hands down! Anyways, I'm glad no one hated me for their new bankai's and moves! Trust me when I say this; the Yugokai is insane~! *clears throat* This chapter is really just a relaxing brother bonding chapter. Well, here's Chapter 26! XD This chapter is really long, so ya may wanna get a snack and some pop!
Chapter 26: Afraid
"Man, I'm glad that they're letting us go home for awhile." Ichigo sighed as he stretched his arms, waiting for Rukia and Renji to get there. Hichigo nodded, leaning against a tree and closing his eyes.
"Yeah, it feels kinda weird." Hichigo agreed. "I mean, it feels like everything happened yesterday, when it all happened almost a month ago." Ichigo walked over to join him.
"Yeah, now we just need to think of what to tell Dad." He said. Hichigo laughed at that.
"Screw Dad, I'm thinking more along the lines of what we need to tell our teacher." He said. "I remember what happened when you took training for three months." Ichigo gave him a funny look before rubbing his head subconsciously. He then joined him in laughing.
"Yeah, I think she hit my head at least fifty times." He laughed. Both of them then stood there quietly for a few minutes when Renji came up, panting. Rukia quickly followed.
"I…can't believe…that your Hell Butterfly…decided to rebel!" Rukia said through breaths. Renji shrugged.
"Well….it wasn't….my…fault! You…probably scared…it off!" he argued. Both brothers just stood there and laughed.
"What's up….with you two?" Rukia asked. They didn't answer, just continued laughing. Soon, their laughter spread, causing the other two to join in. After finally catching their breaths, Rukia and Renji straightened up and sighed. "Hey Hichigo." Hichigo looked at Rukia.
"What is it?" She gave his arm a funny stare. On his left arm was a tight brown band with the Squad 6 pattern imprinted on it.
"Why are you wearing that?" she asked. Hichigo looked at it and rolled his eyes.
"Your brother's orders. Supposedly, it prevents me from using my bankai and suppresses my spiritual pressure a lot." He explained. Renji seemed to remember something and spoke up.
"Oh! Before we go, Captain Kurotsuchi wants to see you, Hichigo." He said. Hichigo sighed and rolled his eyes.
"I better not be about wanting to melt me down." He said. Ichigo sighed and patted his shoulders.
"Just go. We won't leave you behind." He said. Hichigo just nodded and ran off.
Hichigo made his way to the Squad 12 Research and Development Apartment feeling really nervous. What's this all about? he wondered. As he stooped outside the entrance, he was met by a tall, thin girl with braided black hair.
"You must be Hichigo Kurosaki." She said in a monotone voice. Hichigo nodded.
"And you're his lieutenant, right?" he asked.
"Yes. I am Nemu Kurotsuchi. Now please, my master is waiting." She said. Hichigo followed her down into his office, shivering at the sight of creepy experiments hanging on the walls.
What kind of fucked up mind does this man have? he thought.
"Master Mayuri, I have brought him." She said, bowing. Hichigo looked up to see the Captain stacking paperwork.
"Ah yes, good Nemu! You may go." He said. She bowed again and left the room.
"You said you wanted me?" Hichigo asked. Mayuri smiled and Hichigo felt a shiver crawl up his spine.
"Yes, I did." He stared at him before sighing.
"Wh-what is it?" Hichigo asked.
"You're such an interesting specimen; I just wish I could do a more thorough examination of you." He said with regret in his voice. Hichigo didn't like what he meant by 'thorough'. "But that doesn't matter. I called you down here because this is something that concerns you greatly."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It has something to do with you and your interaction with the Hogyoku. As well as your bond with your brother." He said. Hichigo stared in shock.
"Wh…what?"
Ichigo and the others waited for almost an hour when Hichigo came back. For a few seconds there, he had this ashen look on his face, but it quickly vanished when he got to the group. "Ok, let's get outta here." he said. Ichigo cocked his head. His twin's voice sounded a little heavy. But when he flashed him an 'I'm ok' smile, he let it go.
If he doesn't wanna tell me, fine then…he thought. But I still think something's wrong…
"Ok, Hichigo, Ichigo, grab our hands so you don't end up in the Dangai." Rukia told them. Ichigo grabbed onto Rukia's hand and Hichigo grabbed onto Renji's.
"Promise not to let go?" Hichigo asked, smiling. Renji grinned.
"Only if you piss me off too much." He replied.
"Well, then I may as well keep quiet, cause pissing you off is easy." He said. Renji just rolled his eyes as they ran into the Senkaimon.
When they got back, the first thing that hit them was Urahara running down to see them. "Why hello there! I was wondering when you'd come back!" he exclaimed. Both twins just sighed and they all took turns punching him in annoyance.
"You knew full well what was going on, and we know you know how long we have here." Renji said. Kisuke, still rubbing his sore face, just laughed.
"Why, whatever do you mean? I'm just a lowly-"
"But handsome candy shop owner." They all said at once, finishing his favorite phrase.
"That's old, Kisuke, we all know already." Hichigo said. He gave them a nervous chuckle.
"Yes, well, I see that you two have defiantly bonded together rather well." He mumbled. When he received funny stares, he cleared his throat and waved his fan in his face. "Yes, well, your bodies are upstairs still." He said. Both of them quickly ran upstairs and slipped back into their bodies. When they got back p and walked into the main room, Renji and Rukia were already in their gigai's, holding memory replacements in their hands.
"Oh great…not those things." Ichigo moaned. Hichigo just rolled his eyes.
"Can we just get going? I feel like taking a nap…" he said and yawned. "Besides, that's the only thing that'll spare us from your teacher." He added with a smile. As they walked out, Kisuke stopped Hichigo.
"Hichigo, I got the message from Mayuri." Hichigo froze and looked at the ex-Captain.
"A-And?" he asked. He let out a sigh.
"There's more to it that that. I'll tell you later." He said. Hichigo nodded and began to head outside.
"Can you do me a favor?" Hichigo asked as he stood in the doorway.
"What is it?"
"Don't tell Ichigo. Whatever you do, don't tell him, ok?" he said. Before Kisuke could reply, he was already gone.
"MY SONS ARE HO-" Isshin cried triumphantly, until it was quickly cut off by them both, Hichigo's foot in his chest and Ichigo's fist in his face.
"Hey Dad." They both replied before walking inside, quickly followed by Rukia and Renji.
"H-hello again Mr. Kurosaki!" Rukia said, bowing quickly and followed the twins inside, stepping on Isshin as she walked in. Renji just stood there for a second.
"Uh…sorry about this barging in." he said quickly before walking on top of him as well. When they got upstairs, both twins stared at Ichigo's door.
"Wasn't it open when we left?" Ichigo asked. Hichigo shrugged and opened the door…to see Kon reading porn on the floor. Ichigo just stared and Hichigo did his best not to laugh. After a few seconds, Kon turned and noticed that he'd been discovered.
"Uh…hey Ichigo! I…uh…didn't know you'd be back so soon…" he said, quickly sliding the magazines under the bed.
"Hey, you guys, can you do me a favor?" Ichigo whispered quietly, his fists clenching. "You may wanna just shut the door and go to Hichigo's room…"
"What…what for?" Kon asked, shaking.
"Because when I'm through with you…you'll be a blur on a manga page…" he growled. They didn't even stick around for him to close the door; they were off in a heartbeat.
Good to be home…Hichigo said as he heard Ichigo cursing and punching Kon around.
A few days later…
"Hichigo Kurosaki! Are you even paying attention?" The teacher snapped, smacking his head with a book. He had been hollow hunting the night before and had fallen asleep while they were watching Gulliver's Travels.
"Ow!" he yelped, rubbing his head. Damn woman is like the Hulk with that book! He thought. "Yes, ma'am I am paying attention!" he said. He could see the other three laughing quietly and he scowled at them.
"Ok then, maybe then you can tell the class exactly what Gulliver's Travels is about." she said. Hichigo nodded. He knew that the others would be shocked at this.
"Well, in reality, the story itself is mocking the society and government of England at the time." He said. "Story wise, it's about a man who gets lost at sea and meets many different people and places, which reflect problems that the author saw in his own government and some of the lands, like the Land of the Giants, reflect what he viewed to be a 'perfect government'." He explained. Everyone in class gawked at him, and he smiled at Ichigo and the others. Take that, bitches…he thought.
"Y-yes, very good Hichigo." The teacher stammered. "But please, try to stay awake from now on." She added. Hichigo nodded and stretched as the bell rang. "Class is dismissed for the day! Have a nice weekend!" the teacher called to the students as they crowded out the door. Ichigo walked over, staring at him in disbelief.
"I seriously can't believe you answered like that." He said. Hichigo grinned.
"What, didn't think I paid enough attention? I mean, c'mon, I'm the 13th ranked in class!" he said. Ichigo just rolled his eyes.
"You know, sometimes you really can piss me off." He said.
"Oh, sometimes? I thought I did better than that." They both started laughing.
"Hey, are you two coming?" Rukia called from the doorway.
"Yeah! Be right there!" Ichigo called. Both of them got up and headed towards the door. Hichigo turned and took one look at the classroom. "Hey, Hichigo!" He turned around to see Ichigo staring at him. "You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine." He said quickly. "Let's get going."
As they walked down the street, chatting away, Hichigo looked off into the distance. "Hey, I'll meet 'cha guys later." He said.
"Why?" Ichigo asked.
"I wanna go somewhere real quick." He said. Ichigo looked at him. Although no one else seemed to notice, something was obviously worrying Hichigo, but what, he didn't know. Ichigo sighed and nodded.
"Fine, but you have to be home in about an hour, or Dad's gonna pummel you again." He said. Hichigo nodded and quickly ran off.
"Where do you think he's going?" Rukia asked. Ichigo shrugged.
"I don't know, but we'll be going back soon, so if he wants to be alone right now, that's fine with me." He said. He then looked around and noticed another person was absent. "Where's Renji?"
"Oh, he went back to Kisuke's." she said. Ichigo rolled his eyes.
"He's such a moocher." He chuckled. Rukia chuckled with him as they both walked home together. But just a good distance behind them, Renji stood there as a Soul Reaper. He stuck his tongue out as they continued walking away.
Yeah yeah, laugh all ya want! He thought. But I'm curious as to what Hichigo's doing…Besides, I wanna tell him something. In just a few moments, he was on the albino's trail.
Hichigo sighed as he sat on the hill at the cemetery. He watched the sunset and let out a sigh. This feels nice…he thought. He wasn't sure why, but when he first re-entered this world, the sunset felt good to him. Maybe it was because he was trapped in his brother's mind for so long, surrounded by the false sunlight, that he enjoyed the suns warmth and the setting sun even more.
"So, you decided to have a few moments to yourself, huh?" Hichigo looked next to him to see Zantaiyo sitting there.
"Yes I did, is that a problem?" he asked Zantaiyo chuckled and shook his head.
"No, but you really should try to spend more time with your brother and his friends. Considering the situation, you should-"
"Don't even bring it up." He cut him off. "I'm trying to forget about it."
"But it is inevitable. You know this." Hichigo sighed and shook his head.
"I know, I just-"
"Talking to yourself again?" Hichigo looked up as Zantaiyo faded away to see Renji sitting in the tree above him. "That's kinda sad, actually."
"Shut the hell up Renji." He grumbled, turning to stare back at the sunset. Renji leapt out of the tree and sat down next to him.
"Nope. I wanna talk to you." He said. Hichigo rolled his eyes.
"About what? As far as I can tell, you still don't trust me. What do you want?" he asked. Renji sighed.
"Surprisingly, it's about that." Hichigo raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "I remember what you said, about how me training with you would help me trust you better." He said. Hichigo nodded. "Well, your fighting style was weird. You were unpredictable and all over the place. It was also really messy and had a tendency to be unplanned."
"Gee, thanks a ton, Pineapple Head." He grumbled under his breath. Renji gave him a scowl but didn't push it.
"But you never tried to attack from behind. You always made sure your opponent could see you, even if it was the palm of your hand grabbing their face just to implant them in the dirt." He said. Hichigo chuckled at that.
"That's a specialty of mine; just ask Ichigo." He said. Renji laughed.
"Yeah, and it hurt too." He added. Both of them laughed for a moment before allowing silence to fall. After a couple minutes, Renji let out a sigh.
"What I mean is, your fighting style showed your personality. I know I can trust you now, and I do." Hichigo stared at the sun, but smiled softly.
"Thank you…Renji." He whispered quietly. Renji grinned and stood up, bending his back some as he stretched.
"Yeah, well, I gotta get back." He said. Hichigo grabbed his wrists and stared at him, his eyes suddenly beginning to glisten.
"I…want, no, need to tell you something." He whispered fiercely. "Something really important." Renji sat back down, a little stunned.
What brought this on? He wondered.
"If…if I don't tell someone, I'm afraid I'm gonna lose it…" he whispered. Renji looked at him, worried.
"What is it?" he asked.
Ichigo stared out his window at the dwindling sunset. Why is he taking so long? He wondered. He closed his eyes and picked up his twins heartbeat. He was a little upset by the feel of it, but other than that, he was ok. Ichigo sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes.
"Hey, Ichigo, can I come in?" Ichigo turned to look at the door.
"Yeah, sure." He said. His door opened and Karin came walking in, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Where's Hichigo?" she asked. Ichigo shrugged.
"I don't know, but he'll be back soon." He said.
"Are you sure?" she asked. The look in her eyes was one of worry and uncertainty. Ichigo smiled and sat up, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Yes, I'm sure." He said.
"But you both have been gone so long lately." She said. "How do I know that this time you'll both come back together if you leave again?" she asked. Ichigo sat in silence for a moment, unsure of what to say. "Ichigo?" He turned and smiled again.
"Don't worry, Karin. I promise, we'll come back together, even if I have to drag him by his hair." He said. Karin laughed at this and stood up.
"Sorry about this Ichigo. I have no idea what the hell came over me." She said, shaking her head. Ichigo just laughed. "Wh-what's so funny?" she asked, stamping her foot on the ground.
"Nothing Karin." He said. She just rolled her eyes.
"Older brother's can be so weird sometimes…" she mumbled and walked out of the room. As he watched her leave, Ichigo placed his head in his hands, spreading his fingers through his orange hair.
Man, this is going to get messy…he thought. I really hope I can keep true to that promise…he shook his head swiftly. What the hell am I thinking? Of course we'll make it! He looked back out at the red sky, sighing. There's no way we'll lose…right?
Renji just stared at Hichigo in shock. "What? And you don't want me telling him?" he gasped. Hichigo shook his head.
"No. You can't tell him." He said quietly.
"But why the hell not?" he snapped. "And why tell me anyways?"
"Because I trust you too." He answered. Renji just stared at him wide eyed. "Also, you know how he is. You know very well why you can't."
"B-but you can't just keep quiet about this!" Renji snapped back.
"I know, that's why I told you…"
"Hichigo…"
"Look, I know, this may be a really stupid idea, but it's the only thing that will work." He continued. "Please Renji, as my friend, don't tell him." Renji sighed in exasperation.
"Whatever. I won't tell him." He promised.
"Thank you Renji." He said. He slowly stood up and sighed. He stopped before leaving. "Renji, can you give him something when it's time?" he asked. Renji looked as Hichigo pulled put a small slip of paper.
"What's this?" he asked.
"None of your damned business is what it is." He replied tartly. Renji folded his arms and let out an annoyed huff. "Please Renji. He thinks of you as a brother, you know." He said. Renji rolled his eyes and took the paper.
"Fine then. But when is 'it's time' exactly?" he asked. Hichigo turned to him and gave him a sad smile.
"You'll know…"he said. He then turned around and began heading home.
When Hichigo got back, the house was dark inside. "You're late, you know." He sighed at the annoyed tone in Ichigo's voice.
"There were hollows out there, so I went out and took care of them." Hichigo said.
"Without my badge?"
"I snuck it out of your pocket while you were drooling in Algebra 2." Ichigo let out a huff and sighed. "What's up with you?"
"What's up with you?" Ichigo asked. Hichigo stared at him from where he sat on the couch.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You've been acting weird lately." He said. Hichigo was about to deny him, but he held up a hand. "Everyone's noticed, even Karin has." He stood up and stepped in front of his twin. "What's wrong, Hichigo?"
"Nothing, I'm just tired." He answered quietly. He tried walking past Ichigo, but he moved in front of him, blocking his way. "Move, Ichigo."
"Not until you tell me what's wrong." He said adamantly. Hichigo tried going past him again, but he stood firm, not showing any signs of moving out of the albino's way.
"Ichigo…please move." He asked politely. Ichigo just crossed his arms and stared at his brother intently. Hichigo let out a sigh and tried to push him aside. Ichigo suddenly grabbed his shoulder and threw him onto the couch. "Hey…what the…?" Hr tried standing back up, but Ichigo quickly grabbed his arms and set his knees on his legs, pinning him to the couch. "What the fuck are you doing Ichigo?" he snapped.
"Tell me what's bothering you!" he snapped. Hichigo struggled in his grip, but Ichigo refused to let go. "I know something's wrong Hichigo!"
"Oh really? What the hell do you know, anyways?" he growled. "You have no idea what I'm going through right now!"
"Then help me understand!" he yelled back as Hichigo's struggles grew more fierce. "All you've wanted since we got home was to be alone!"
"Let me go Ichigo!" Hichigo tried lifting one of his legs to connect with Ichigo's groin, but Ichigo quickly shifted, moving to where he now sat fully on his legs.
"No! You're the one who scolded me about hiding how I felt! So why are you trying to hide how you feel too? You're a goddamn hypocrite!" he yelled. Hichigo stopped struggling slightly, but the anger in his eyes didn't fade. "I'm your brother too, and I'm worried! We were supposed to be relaxing, but the entire time we've been here, you've been tense and upset."
"How'd you know-"
"Whenever you get upset, your heartbeats off somewhat." He said. He smiled a little by the confused look on his twin's face. "I'm getting better at that one, you know."
"Maybe you should try putting your energy in learning how to sense spiritual pressure rather than my heartbeat." Hichigo mumbled. Ichigo sighed and shook his head.
"That's not the point." He gave it some thought before an idea struck him. "Does this have anything to do with you being afraid?" he asked. Hichigo gave him a funny stare.
"Afraid? Afraid of what?" he asked.
"Afraid of death." He whispered.
Hichigo's eyes widened at that. How does he…? "Wh-what do you mean?" he asked.
"While…when you ended up defending me from the Hogyoku, you were…killed. Then he had grabbed me and told me that I fear the deaths of those around me…"
"Which is true, and understandable." Hichigo muttered.
"But he said…you fear death itself…" Hichigo flinched at his words. "Is it true?" Hichigo didn't look at him, keeping his eyes trained on the floor. "Nii-Sama, please." Hichigo then looked at his brother, his eyes filled with sadness.
"I… I…" he couldn't seem to get what he wanted to say out.
"It's ok, Nii-Sama. Just tell me, ok? I won't be upset." Ichigo said comfortingly. Hichigo let out a quiet sigh.
"It's not really 'death' I fear…but what may happen when I die…" he answered quietly. Ichigo slowly moved so Hichigo could sit up.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I…I'm afraid that…if I…if I die…that I'll fade away again…" he whispered quietly. He slowly curled up into the fetal position, his eyes wide with fear.
"Hichigo…" Even when he was upset like a week ago, Ichigo had never seen him like this.
"I… remember what it felt like…when everyone forgot I even existed…" he continued to whisper, his voice growing quieter every time. "It hurt…it hurt so much, but I knew that I'd find some way to make everyone remember me." He then locked eyes with Ichigo. "But…if I die…I may fade away from everyone again. Then it'd be like I never existed period. I…it's the only thing I feel that's worse than death…being completely and utterly erased." Hichigo buried his head behind his knees as he pulled them closer and began to shake. Ichigo recalled what had happened when he was hypnotized by the Hogyoku. What it had said it was going to do…
"It matters not though. I will take him back into me, where he belongs. I will take back my powers, even if it means erasing him completely…" It had fully intended to pull Hichigo into its being, even if it had meant completely erasing his existence. Ichigo just stared at his brother.
No wonder why he's' scared…he thought. He must have known what it was trying to do after I freed him… he then recalled his own words that he had used to snap his brother awake…
"Hichigo! If you reach for him, you'll disappear! I'll lose you…everyone will!"
I'm so stupid…
"I…I'm sorry if I'm acting pathetic here…" Ichigo shook his head, but Hichigo wasn't looking at him. "I just… I don't know what to do Aibou…"
Hichigo was surprised by a sudden arm around his shoulders, pulling him towards his brother. "No, I'm sorry. I completely forgot all about that." Ichigo apologized.
"But Aibou…"
"No 'buts', Hichigo." He whispered. "Look, you're not being pathetic; what I did was pretty low. I should've handled this more carefully."
"Well, you do suck at delicate work…" Hichigo said, sniffling slightly. Ichigo just laughed at that.
"I'm not going to forget you, Hichigo, I promise." He said after a moment.
"How am I supposed to know that?" Hichigo asked, his voice muffled by his knees. "I mean…we never expected what happened to us to happen at all, yet it did."
"That's because we were little, and you had no idea that he literally meant for you to give up your soul." He replied. Hichigo stayed quiet, only nodding. "Look, it's ok. Your back, you're my brother again…that's all that matters."
"Aibou…" Ichigo chuckled at his soft voice.
"Just don't tell the others this, ok? They'll laugh and make fun of us for this." He said. Hichigo chuckled.
"We're gonna fight against one of the strongest opponents in Soul Society's history, and your still worried about your image." He whispered, and Ichigo just chuckled at the joke. After a second, he let out a yawn and buried his face in Hichigo's hair.
"I think we need to get to bed…" he said quietly. But it fell on deaf ears; Hichigo was already asleep, curled up under his brother's head. Ichigo just sighed. Beggars can't be choosers…he thought. After sitting there for a few moments, he too, fell asleep.
Right before he finally fell asleep against his brother's chest, Hichigo couldn't help but flash a soft, sad smile. Thank you Aibou…he thought. …and I'm sorry…
Chapter 26 end
Ichigo: Wow…this was long…
Hichigo:…
Ichigo: Not to mention you had another emotional breakdown! And all of that OOCness! What the hell's wrong with you?
Hichigo:…We need to find the authoress…
Ichigo O.o? What for?
Hichigo: So I can put her through a meat grinder for ruining my image! *runs off*
Ichigo:…Uh, yeah….issues much? Well, please review! *whispers* For Hollow Ichigo-Ichigo's sake, ok? Bye! *looks at Hichigo* Hey! No chain saws! You can't run with that!
(A/N: In reality, my British Literature class did watch Gulliver's Travels. It was pretty good. What Hichigo said is also true, about the story I mean. There's a lot of stuff in it, so I suggest reading it sometime! Oh, one more thing. If you ever want to watch it, look for the one directed by Jim Henson…yes, the Muppet guy. Well, ta ta~! )