The next chapter is up! The reveals will keep coming!
Previously:
"She's a Shiba...probably the oldest descendent by now. The true and rightful head of the Shiba Clan. And Ichigo…is related to her," he mumbled and wiped at his tired eyes.
"But I'm missing something. What am I missing? There's a connection and it's right here, but what is it?" he seethed and the screen flickered, startling him.
He glanced up and his eyes widened.
The Past...
The Hollow roared as it attacked Isshin Shiba again, but this time an arrow almost hit it. It glanced down and roared, charging the Quincy at the bottom. Aizen, Gin, and Tosen watched from above as the Hollow bit into the woman and she shot it through the head.
The Present...
Kisuke watched the screen skip to the Fugai Forest in the Soul Society.
The Past…
Aizen, Gin, and Tosen followed the bloody trail left by the injured white Hollow, or so they called it.
"How did it manage to survive a direct blast from that Quincy?" Tosen asked.
Aizen smirked.
"Because it's not a normal Hollow," he answered as Gin pulled back some brush.
Gin's eyes opened in shock, showing his blue irises briefly. Aizen smirked. Risa lay on the ground, blood oozing from her head. She groaned lowly, but her eyes never opened.
"Lieutenant?" Gin stepped forward only to be stopped by Aizen.
"She's unstable at the moment. I have to put the kido spell back on," he said and walked towards her.
He knelt down and touched her back muttering the incantation and returning the kido spell to its rightful place, sealing the white Hollow inside. He turned to his subordinates, who looked to him for answers.
"My greatest creation to date. Except it's formed with her soul too quickly and I cannot separate the two or they will not survive. They need each other to live. This has its pros and cons, but no matter now. This was a test run. Now we wait to see if she remembers what happened. If she doesn't, it was successful and we now have a deadly weapon that I have the key to unlock anytime I wish," he surmised.
"And if she remembers?" Gin asked smiling his ever present smile.
Aizen sighed.
"I'm afraid I'll have to consider termination. She'd ruin everything if she remembered," he said, almost sadly.
Gin stared at the woman lying on the ground, his smile fading only slightly.
"I should take her to the Squad Four barracks," he said and headed towards her.
He scooped her up and turned to Aizen.
"Keep an eye on her, Gin. Isshin Shiba should be back soon and I don't need him figuring out that it was her who attacked him," he said and Gin nodded and took off.
The Present...
Kisuke stared wide eyed at the screen as it stopped. The door to the vault opened and Shunsui poked his head in. Kisuke cleared the screen and turned to him.
"Afraid time's up Kisuke," he said and the shopkeeper nodded.
"That's fine. I'm finished here," he said heading for the door.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked and Kisuke looked at him.
"Afraid not," he said smiling and then he was gone.
Shunsui stared at where the shopkeeper stood seconds ago. It was the first time he could see right through one of his lies.
The Real Realm...
Kisuke walked up to his shop, reached for the door knob, and froze. Something was wrong. It was a feeling that sent shivers down his spine. What was this feeling? He didn't feel any rising spiritual pressure. He grasped the door knob and pushed it open.
Silence.
"Risa? Tessai?"
"Ururu? Jinta?" he called slowly, his voice echoing throughout the shop.
He stepped inside holding his cane firmly in his grasp.
"Is anyone home?" he called.
"Kisuke!" Ururu screamed and emerged from the shadows.
Kisuke's eyes widened and he gasped seeing the young girl covered in blood. He grabbed her, looking her over quickly.
"Are you hurt?" he asked and she shushed him.
"You have to be quiet or it'll hear you," she whispered afraid.
Kisuke's eyes widened.
"What will?" he asked and Ururu fought back the tears threatening to fall.
"The Hollow..." she mumbled as tears fell from her eyes.
Kisuke stared at her wide eyed.
"Tessai and Jinta stood behind to let me get away. They're hurt and I can't find Risa anywhere," she cried.
Kisuke nodded.
"Stay up here, Ururu," he said brushing her hair back.
She shook her head quickly and gripped his hakima.
"D-Don't go! It's not like the other Hollows. It's hole...it's filled in," she cried fearfully.
A loud boom shook the shop. Kisuke brushed some of Ururu's tears away.
"I'll be alright," he said and Ururu stared at him.
"Please don't let them die," she pleaded and Kisuke's eyes softened.
"I won't let them die," he promised and headed down to the underground training area.
His eyes widened seeing it destroyed. Tessai went flying into the ground, bringing him back to reality. Jinta stared at the Hollow before him.
"I'm n-not afraid of you..." he murmured staring into its black eyes.
It looked exactly like Ichigo's Hollow; except its hole was filled in. It was also covered up more. The Hollow tilted its head and swiped.
But its claws struck steel as they hit Benihime. Jinta's eyes widened seeing Kisuke in front of him, holding it off.
He threw his foot out, kicking it back harshly. Then he turned to Jinta.
"Go upstairs and get out of the shop! Take Tessai with you!" he ordered sternly and Jinta swallowed and nodded, unable to do much else.
He helped Tessai up and out of the training area. Kisuke turned back to the Hollow.
"Let her go. I don't know what happened that you managed to take control...but give her back before you do something she will regret," he said calmly.
The Hollow stared at him intensely; its black eyes boring into his steely grey ones.
"We're on the same side. It doesn't have to be this way. Just give her back control," he said and the Hollow let out an ear piercing roar.
It dropped to one knee. Kisuke's eyes widened. She was fighting it. It grabbed its head and roared again. Kisuke watched as it pulled its sword from its holster. He eyed the sword.
How does it have Juuyaiba? Risa gave him to Ichigo...
The Hollow held the sword tightly, before ramming the hilt into its mask. Kisuke flinched watching as Risa tried to take back control. He could sense her underlying frustration and anger. The Hollow lurched forward and then back against a large boulder. It repeatedly slammed into the boulder, crumbling it. It dropped to its knees and held the sword out, intending to impale itself. Kisuke's eyes widened and he held out his hand.
"No!" he yelled and flash stepped towards her.
Ichigo ran in with his dad close by, along with Tessai, and the kids. Yoruichi was also present, having come back from the Soul Society. They flew down to the training area and stopped short, their eyes wide. They held each other tightly, both on their knees. Her face was buried in the crook of his neck. His chin rested on her shoulder. He held her tightly as she shook in his arms. The sword was gone as was the mask. Her spiritual pressure was back to normal as were her eyes. Her hands clung to the fabric of his hakima.
Silence.
"I could have killed you," she mumbled and he smiled weakly.
He pulled away from her slightly.
"But you didn't," he whispered and she wiped at her eyes.
"Your hand," she grimaced.
Kisuke looked at his hand, the blood dripping from the hole in his palm.
"I'll have Tessai heal it. It'll be fine, I'm just glad I stopped it before it touched you," he said calmly.
Risa covered her face with her hands.
"I did that," she groaned and he pulled her hands away.
"No…you didn't," he said firmly.
"What was that spiritual pressure?!" Isshin stepped forward quickly.
They turned to them.
"Risa!" Ururu yelled and went forward to run towards them, when Tessai grabbed her.
"Is the Hollow dead?" he asked gruffly.
Risa lowered her head. Kisuke looked at her and then at the group.
"No, we injured it, but it got away," he lied and she looked at him.
He nodded to her, his eyes firm. Isshin shook his head.
"It was a Hollow? It was the same spiritual pressure of the thing I fought the day I met Masaki. The thing that bit her. You remember when I brought her to you Kisuke. You saved her life. That Hollow was supposed to be dead already," he said through clenched teeth.
Risa's eyes widened and her body tensed. She leaned further into Kisuke trying to disappear and he held her closer to him.
"It was not like other Hollows. Its hole was filled in," Ururu said meekly.
Isshin's eyes widened.
"It-It can't still be alive," he murmured shocked.
Silence.
"Kisuke..." Yoruichi trailed off, looking at his hand.
"Please wait for us upstairs," he said, and his tone left no room for argument.
Risa couldn't even look at them; her shame literally weighing down her head.
"Your hand," Yoruichi protested.
"We'll be up in a second," he said and she cursed at his stubbornness and followed the others upstairs.
Risa squeezed her eyes shut.
"I-I remember...I remember everything," she mumbled as tears fell from her eyes.
Kisuke's eyes widened. Risa shook her head.
"W-What have I done, Kisuke?" she cried and he stared at her.
She buried her face in her hands hysterical. Kisuke touched her shoulder gently and she tensed. She looked at him weakly.
"It was me. It was all me. I ruined that family—"
"—stop it," Kisuke snapped firmly.
He shook his head slowly.
"You did nothing wrong. You couldn't help the transformation. And making them forget...that was the last request of a dying friend," he said and she stared at him wide eyed.
"You knew?" she asked almost inaudibly.
Kisuke brushed some tears from her cheeks.
"I went into the Spirit King's secret vault beneath the Squad One barracks. We needed answers and now we have them. Though I don't know what triggered your memories to come back right this second," he admitted.
Risa stared at him before leaning into him. He wrapped his arms around her gently, holding her to him.
"Then you know everything," she said and he nodded.
Silence.
"I'm the reason he can turn into a Hollow. I infected him," she said disgusted.
Kisuke shook his head.
"I don't think he'd see it that way," he murmured and Risa looked at his hand.
"Please let Tessai heal that. It's bleeding a lot," she said and he nodded.
"Let's keep this between us for now. It's better for right now that they don't know the Hollow was you," he said and she nodded weakly.
They stood and headed upstairs. Ururu immediately flew into Risa's arms and she hugged her tightly and closed her eyes.
"Where'd you go Risa? We couldn't find you," she whispered.
Risa's eyes saddened.
"I was..." she trailed off and looked at Kisuke.
"...in the back yard. I'm sorry, I didn't feel anything," she lied and Kisuke was surprised with how good of a lie it was.
"Well, I'm glad you came back when you did," Kisuke added and Risa forced a smile.
Tessai began healing Kisuke's hand. Yoruichi frowned lightly. Something was off. Risa looked at Ichigo, noticing the boy hadn't spoken up since he arrived.
"Are you alright, Ichigo?" she whispered and he looked at her.
Her eyes widened slightly, staring into such familiar chocolate eyes. He touched his chest and then nodded unconvincingly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said and her eyes lowered.
"Well, the attack was unexpected, but over now. So thank you all for coming, but I think we all just need some rest," Kisuke smiled, masking his true emotions.
"Risa?" Ichigo spoke up and she looked at him.
"Hm?" she managed to get out.
He looked at her.
"I've decided I'm going to get Zangetsu back no matter what. That way I can give Juuyaiba back to you. Thank you...for everything," he mumbled and she forced a smile.
"It was my honor. No thanks needed," she said and he stood slowly and left.
Something was wrong, she could tell. Isshin followed him out. Tessai took the kids out for some fresh air. Yoruichi stood.
"Something's going on here and I will find out what it is. Hiding it will only get you two in trouble," she snapped and flash stepped away.
They were alone in the shop.
"Let's go upstairs and try to relax a little," he suggested and she nodded slowly.
Once upstairs, she walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She felt dirty. Kisuke watched her pull off her clothes and drop them to the floor carelessly. She glanced at him.
"Are you coming?" she asked and he walked into the bathroom.
"Are you sure?" he asked hesitantly.
Risa smirked faintly.
"I won't bite...much," she joked and Kisuke smiled lightly.
She was trying to reclaim the normalcy. He let his hakima fall to the floor and removed his hat. She stepped into the shower and bit her lip as the hot water hit her aching skin. Moments later, Kisuke joined her.
"I'm relieved you know," she admitted and his eyes widened.
"I thought you'd be upset," he said softly.
She nodded.
"I thought I'd be too. But no, I'm really relieved. To keep such a secret by myself. It's selfish, but I'm glad I have someone to talk to about it," she stopped, her eyes lowering.
Kisuke smiled at her and lifted her chin so she was looking at him. They didn't speak, just stared at each other, almost as if they were trying to read each other's thoughts. Her eyes lowered and she leaned into him gently. He closed the small gap between them, pressing his lips to hers in a sweet kiss. She let her hands gently caress his cheeks and kissed his chin.
"Can I say something without you getting upset?" he asked suddenly and she smiled weakly.
"Alright," she nodded.
"I think you should return Ichigo's memories. And Isshin's," he said bluntly and her eyes widened.
"Why?" she asked and he wiped water from her cheek.
"Because I don't think they'll be upset, I think they'll be grateful. You were an important part of their life. You're their family," he said and she listened.
"I know how much you've always wanted a family. This is your chance," he said.
"I have a family. I have you and Tessai, the kids, Shinji, Hiyori, Mayuri. I have a big family," she tried and Kisuke nudged her so she'd look at him.
"I know how much you care for Ichigo. Fight for him," he said firmly.
"I have been fighting for him. This whole time I've been fighting for him. And I will continue to do so...in the shadows. He can't know. Neither can Isshin. It has to stay a secret," she said sternly.
"I disagree," he said quickly.
Risa shook her head.
"They'd hate me," she whispered.
Kisuke touched her cheek lovingly.
"We're going to just have to agree to disagree on that. But I won't say anything if you don't want me too," he said and she leaned against him.
There was a knock at the door then and Kisuke frowned slightly.
"Sorry to interrupt boss, but Ichigo is downstairs. Should I set an extra dinner plate for him?" he asked and Kisuke looked at Risa.
She shrugged.
"That's fine Tessai," he said and heard the door close.
"Why is he here?" she asked and Kisuke shook his head.
"I'm not sure. Let's go find out," he suggested and they left the shower.
Downstairs, they all sat at the table.
"Ah, what brings you here, Ichigo?" he asked and Ichigo looked at him.
"You were lying before," he said and the room became tense immediately.
"I beg your pardon?" Kisuke asked aloofly.
"You said the Hollow got away. You lied. I can still feel it. It's close by. So I want to know what you did with it," he said, his eyes dark.
The tension level was rising rapidly.
"Ichigo, I told you. It got away. I don't know what you're—"
"—stop lying to me!" he slammed his fist down on the table.
People jumped, becoming more alert.
"It was me," Risa blurted out and the tension level snapped.
Silence.
"What?" Ichigo asked, his eyes wide.
Risa swallowed back the lump in her throat and covered her mouth. She couldn't believe she was doing this, after just begging Kisuke not to speak of it.
"I-It was me. I'm the Hollow," she whispered and no one breathed.
"You're lying," Ichigo said after a moment.
Risa shook her head.
"I attacked your mother and father many years ago. But I didn't remember. Apparently, when the Hollow takes over...sometimes I can remember and just watch, like today. But most of the time I can't. Your father…is a descendant of mine. We are both a part of the Shiba clan. I knew you too. I was there the day your mother was killed. She asked me to make you and your father forget me as her last wish. And for me to forget you. So I did," she choked out.
Silence.
Risa shook her head.
"I never wanted to forget you. But I couldn't deny her that last request," she tried and Ichigo stood up.
Risa stood up quickly. Everyone else stayed sitting. Kisuke's calculating grey eyes watched everyone in the room. The kids kept their heads down as did Tessai. Ichigo clenched his fists.
"Why are you doing this? W-Who are you protecting?! Why are you lying to me?!" he seethed and Risa shook her head.
"I'm not Ichigo, I promise," she tried.
"Stop it!"
Risa walked over to Ichigo quickly, startling everyone including the boy himself. She touched his forehead.
"I release the memories I have stolen from you," she said and spiritual pressure sparked between them.
Ichigo's eyes widened and he froze as memory after memory hit him. He stepped back, reeling from the impact of the memories. Tears trailed down his face and he wiped at them shocked.
"H-How could you forget me?! How could you make me forget you!?" he yelled at her and Risa felt sick.
"Let's stop this please," Kisuke said calmly, trying to diffuse the situation.
"I didn't want to, I swear. Your mother asked me to do it as her dying wish! I had too!" she tried.
Ichigo shook her head.
"She wouldn't ask something like that! She wouldn't want me to be alone!" he cried and she felt a stab in her chest.
"Ichigo, let's calm down," Kisuke tried again.
Risa shook her head.
"You weren't alone Ichigo. You had your family."
"But I could've had you!" he screamed and everything fell silent.
Risa stared at him wide eyed. Ichigo wiped at his eyes.
"Fuck!" he hit the wall cracking it and she jumped.
"Ichigo...I'm so sorry," she murmured and he shook his head.
"Not n-nearly as sorry as I am..." he choked out and was gone.
Risa covered her face with her hands. Kisuke stood up.
"I'll go talk to him," he said and Risa wiped at her eyes.
"N-No...let him have some space. I'm alright. You were right. It needed to be said," she muttered and his eyes lowered.
"He'll come around," he tried and she smiled at him weakly.
"I-I think I need some fresh air. I'll be right back," she whispered, her head down.
She couldn't even look at Tessai and the kids for fear of seeing their reactions to her news. She headed for the door and was gone before anyone could respond.
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