Chapter 55: Strawberry Meets Death
Hello, hello~ Very little updates, I know- I'm sorry. Lots and lots going on.
I don't know how this chapter ended up being the way it is, but this is how it came out. Written with one hell of a depressing playlist. There is one part in this where I am iffy but I am stubborn and decided to shove it in there. We'll see.
This, folks, is a long chapter. Not an ending to the arc, not a beginning, but important in its little ways. Many many many flashbacks. Slow. Growing on Yuzu, growing on her relationship with Shuuhei.
Please enjoy. Oh, and thank you for all your reviews. LovetheWords, sorry to disappoint, but as mentioned once or twice, SMD is my own story laced with the original plotline. Ichigo will in fact be crashing Soul Society and raising hell. I hope you still read :)
NaruTayuFTW, I have no idea when you'll see this requested shoutout, but hope you stick with SMD this long :) Thanks for reading.
Chapter 55- enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any original Bleach characters, concepts or quotes.
He had fallen onto his dirtied hands and knees, Ichigo's whole body shaking with the painful lace of exhaustion and fury, his chest heaving with his heavy panting.
"RUKIA! LEAVE HER ALONE! LEAVE HER!"
Sweat covered every inch of his hot skin, running down his face from his damp hair to drip down to the floor, his reiatsu crawling beneath his skin, burning to release its fury.
"You will not have her!"
His whole body shuddered at the memory of Rukia's limp body in her captain's arms, squeezing his eyes shut in a desperate attempt to rid of the image, his pants loud and forced; "R-Ruk-kia…."
Shuuhei's gray eyes were set on Ichigo's shaking body, Yoruichi's hand on Shuuhei's arm before he could move to younger male, Urahara standing behind them with his shadowed gaze; looking around themselves, the broken remains of the entire shop covered the floor, Tessai releasing the kidou barrier he had struggled to put up to protect the surrounding buildings, his hands smoking from his exhausted effort.
Shuuhei obeyed Yoruichi's hand holding him still, their eyes watching Ichigo drop his body to the ground, the male curling his tall body close to itself, his hands digging into his hair to grab fistfuls.
His harsh whispers were barely able to reach over to where they stood-
"I let her go, I let them take her-!"
"RUKIA!"
"-I couldn't protect her!"
You sent her to her death.
Ichigo became tense at the sound of his Hollow's voice, his eyes narrowing, yellow irises flashing before him.
I-I didn't… no, I didn't-!
Yes you did, King. Our Queen will die all because of your pathetic weakness!
No, I tried to stop them! They restrained me, I tried-!
Some petty tricks kept you from saving our Queen? Weak! You're fuckin' weak!
A pained, frustrated yell exploded from within Ichigo, Yoruichi and Shuuhei immediately moving to his side, Ichigo punching his fists into the dirt beneath him, oblivious to the hands grabbing onto him, Shuuhei and Yoruichi calling out for him.
None of this would have happened if you hadn't been so fuckin' weak! All you had to do was release me to those damn Vizards!
Amber eyes became strained, Hiyori's yells echoing within his mind, the look in Rukia's eyes as the blade tore through her biting into his heart; I wasn't going to surrender to you for them-!
My, my, you are selfish- you sacrificed our Queen for your chance at sanity-!
Ichigo's bare hand tightened around the pale, white neck, Ichigo shaking with furious anger matching the rain's violent downpour, his Hollow grinning maniacally despite his feet hovering off the building's side in the horizontal world they stood in, Ichigo effortlessly holding him up in the sudden regression into his Inner World.
Brown eyes locked with yellow as Ichigo reached over his shoulder to grasp Zangetsu's clothed tang, the male frowning as he looked over the creature he held by the neck, his dark, brown eyes recognizing it as a sick reflection of myself.
"Truth's quite a bitch, isn't it, King?"
"I never sacrificed her! You got in my fuckin' way!"
His skin stung from the harsh rain, eyes narrowed as water and the tips of his hair bothered his darkening eyes, his Hollow laughing with a lick of his wet lips.
"And do you know why it was so fuckin' easy, King? Because you don't trust-!"
"In me, Ichigo."
Ichigo tore his eyes from his Hollow at Zangetsu's voice carrying through the pouring rain, the young male looking over his shoulder, a faint haze of Zangetsu standing behind them.
"Old Man Zangetsu!"
"You have lost faith in me, Ichigo."
"No! No, I trust you to protect-!"
"Like hell you do!" Shoving off Ichigo's loosened hold around his pale neck, his Hollow sped past Ichigo in a single step, the white creature crashing through Zangetsu's faint form before leaping off the building, Zangetsu's image blurring further, difficult to see beneath the dark skies and pouring rain of the Inner World.
"Zangetsu!"
"Let me help you cease this storm, Ichigo…."
"I always have- I always have!" Ichigo rushed forth in a desperate hope to catch Zangetsu, his hand brushing through the dark man's form, his Hollow's laughter ringing through the skies.
"Zangetsu!" His zanpaktou's form ceased to small specks, the rain washing them down to the floor, the dark blur pulled along the flooding water; brown eyes blinked at every heavy drop of rain, Ichigo following the blur Zangetsu once was as it reached his Hollow's feet, the white creature absorbing him effortlessly.
Z-Zangetsu-!
"What the hell happened to the Old Man! Where is Zangetsu!"
"You damn idiot- I am Zangetsu!"
Moving with terrifying speed, Ichigo's Hollow came at him, his clenched fist the last Ichigo could remember before his mind fell into black, maniacal laughter drowning out the faint call of Zangetsu.
Loud, fast knocking awoke Ishida with a start, the male groaning as a page peeled off his cheek from the textbook he had fallen asleep on, his hands blindly searching his cluttered desk for his glasses; "Hold on, I'm coming-!"
"Ishida-kun!" Inoue's voice faintly carried past his front door to his bedroom, the male shoving his glasses on as he sped out into the hallway, his socked feet padding down to the door, Ishida pulling the door open; "I-Inoue-san! What's wrong-?"
Stepping aside to let her in, Ishida frowned at the nervous-wreck of a girl standing in his living room, the door shut firmly behind him.
"Ishida-kun, I felt it again! I felt that strange sensation from the past week! It was full of pain and anger!"
Inoue pulled at her sleeve's hem to cover her palm, reaching up to wipe the stray tears from her eyes, Ishida staring intensely at the young woman before him; 'there's no question about it….'
Closing his eyes, blocking out everything around him, Ishida furrowed his brows, the reiatsu full of 'pain and anger' still exposed.
'That is Kurosaki Ichigo's reiatsu, and Inoue-san can feel it. She can feel reiatsu if strong enough….'
"I-Ishida-kun? Am I bothering you? I can leave-."
"No, Inoue-san." Opening his eyes, the light reflected off his lenses as he pushed them up the bridge of his nose, his blue eyes locked with gray; "You aren't bothering me. You need to calm down, though, so please allow me to make you some tea…."
Smiling gently at the male, Inoue nodded as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, taking a seat at the table as Ishida made his way into the kitchen, the pair silent as he brought out the kettle.
Switching on the stove, the kettle filled with water, Ishida glanced past the kitchen's doorway, Inoue lightly frowning, surely still feeling the reiatsu some blocks from here.
'No doubt Kurosaki's reiatsu has caused her own spirit power to grow; then with Kuchiki-san's and Hisagi-san's on top of it all?'
Biting his lip, narrowing in on Ichigo's reiatsu, Ishida moved his gaze onto the kettle, frowning at the feeling flashing through his mind- 'worry? Of course not, what does it matter to me? I haven't seen him in days, much less have I talked to him much….'
A Quincy has no worries for a shinigami.'
"Ishida-kun, may I please freshen up in your bathroom?"
"Hai, Inoue-san; you know where it is from last time…."
"Arigato, Ishida-kun!"
Left with the shuddering kettle on top of the strong flame, Ishida sighed as he stared at Inoue's empty seat, pushing his frames back up his nose; 'But what of Inoue-san? Should I… explain this all to her?'
"Yuzu, my lovely daughter! I'm home!" Slamming the door shut as loudly as he had banged it open, Isshin threw his bags across the floor as he hurriedly pulled his shoes off, moving to sprint to the kitchen- stopping in his fast tracks at the sight; "M-m-m-m-y house! What happened to my house!"
Looking around, the walls freshly painted with new floors to match, plastic-wrapped furniture and boxes scattered about, Isshin scratched his head in thought, wondering if he was indeed in the right home.
"Dad? Dad, is that you?"
Small feet padded down the stairs seconds later, Yuzu's long, wet hair playing past her shoulders with every step, her flannel pants and shirt covering her small hands and feet in its over-sized length.
Reaching her father, Yuzu allowed him to pull her into a bone-crushing embrace, her laughter muffled by his thick jacket; "Yeah, dad- you finally came back for a short break, huh?"
Ruffling her hair, Isshin slowly moved in his steps as he glanced once more around his house, noting the new kitchen and dining area as well, Yuzu catching sight of his gaze; "Oh, Ichi-nii's landlord remodeled a bit in return for Ichi-nii's work on his apartments! Thought we'd finish in time, though…."
Maybe we could have, had Ichi-nii and Shuuhei not left for Rukia. It's been hours since they left, so I doubt they're coming back tonight."
Yuzu frowned at the serious look her father took on at her words, his eyes staring off towards the kitchen's walls, but hardly really looking at them, silence surrounding them.
"Dad?"
Isshin remained silent, his focus on the heavy, pained reiatsu some blocks away- Yuzu's spatula connecting roughly with his skull; "Yow! Yuzu, how could you be so mean to daddy!"
"It's as easy as breathing air!"
"How cruel!" A large pout pulled at Isshin's lips, Yuzu retreating back to the second floor, glad to have the bickering back, her father falling dramatically to the floor in tears; "Masaki! Our idiot son has turned our precious daughter against me!"
Ichigo's brown eyes opened to their dark, cold room, the blankets over his body uncomfortably clinging to his bare, sweating skin, Ichigo groaning as he rolled over, his arm reaching out to Ru-
Rukia.
His hand fell onto an empty space beside him, Rukia's scent faintly lingering between the threads of their sheets, Ichigo tearing his hand back as if it were burned.
A piercing cry left the restrained male as he fell to his knees, his reiatsu rising even further in fury as a light appeared beyond the buildings and trees before his masked eyes, silhouettes stepping into it, the light disappearing in seconds.
He could no longer feel her dying reiatsu, his own body beginning to ache under his reiatsu, Tessai struggling to raise a barrier strong enough to protect the buildings around them.
"RUKIA! RUKIA!"
He sat on the far edge of the bed, shaking as he stared at the space he should have found Rukia in, his hands clenching the sheets as the blanket slipped off his body and bed, and fell to the floor in a silent heap.
Ichigo sat there for what seemed hours to the male, the world around him mute, brown eyes fixed on her place beside his.
His heart nearly stopped when she suddenly lay there before his eyes, her naked body tangled loosely in their soft sheets, sweat glistening along her pale, smooth skin, black tresses damp and her head resting on her arms and pillow.
She was there.
"R-Rukia…." He was barely able to hear his hoarse voice as a shaking hand reached out hesitantly towards the sleeping beauty before him, his breath caught in his throat… his fingers grazing nothing but air.
Her place was empty again.
Shuuhei stood outside the door to the Kurosaki residence, his hot breath rising in the cold air surrounding him, his black jacket and white v-neck hugging his body as closely as Yuzu's black scarf around his neck, his fingers gently reaching up to touch the soft material.
Smiling softly, Yuzu pulled down her hood, unwrapping her long, black scarf; walking back to Shuuhei, Yuzu stood on her toes to toss the scarf around his neck, looping it once around.
He could feel the house's emptiness, certain he just missed Yuzu's soft, brown eyes by minutes, able to feel Ichigo's father miles off at the city hospital; slipping his hand into his jeans' pocket, Shuuhei pulled out the metal key-ring, grabbing the darker key of the two hanging from it, slipping the key into the lock as he grasped the door handle.
With a soft 'click' of the lock, Shuuhei slowly opened the front door, pulling the key out as he stepped in, closing the door just as slowly as he had opened it before turning the lock back into place.
His shoes and jacket came off, his scarf remaining around his neck, one end hanging down by his belt buckle; a hand buried in his hair with a sigh, Shuuhei stepped lightly as he made his way further in, his eyes catching sight of the new kitchen table sitting in place without plastic wrap or boxes on top of it.
Shuuhei stood silently as he stared at the table, its color and texture completely different from the one before, memories yet to surface by looking at it; but from before?
He could easily remember all the kicks Rukia had given his shin beneath the older table, all the filling dinners they had with Yuzu, all words shared across its top.
Can't forget the time Rukia grabbed that book and chucked it at my nose….
Rukia.
Shuuhei froze as time seemed to slow, Hiyori spinning her blade in her hand to shift her hold, the blonde then driving her blade in and up through Rukia's body, Shuuhei screaming out for her, Kensei's attention turned over inside the barrier; a violent shudder over-took Shuuhei as Ichigo suddenly stilled and disappeared from view, the blonde Vizard shoved just as quickly from Rukia's side, the petite shinigami falling to her knees as the barrier shook from Hiyori's body slammed into it.
"RUKIA!"
Hands clenched into fists, Shuuhei pushing himself to move towards the stairs, each step taken slowly; reaching the landing, he made his way to Ichigo's room, brushing his fingers along Yuzu's door as he passed, pushing Ichigo's door open with little effort as he reached it.
Dropping into the empty bed, the male resting on his back, Shuuhei fixed his gaze on the ceiling; "We'll come for you, Rukia."
No running this time…."
The wooden floor was cold against Ichigo's bare feet, his sweats covering his feet from its long length, barely held up on his hips by a drawstring; he opened the bedroom door hesitantly, almost afraid to leave the room, almost afraid to let out any last scent of his precious shinigami.
Forcing himself out, Ichigo kept his eyes on the floor, unfazed by the scattered pieces of glass threatening to pierce through his feet's skin as he walked; standing in the middle of the apartment, the table and chair placed back correctly, Ichigo stood motionless and silent, his brown eyes set on the staircase's bottom step, yellow eyes within the soft black fur staring back at him.
"Didn't know you were here, Yoruichi-san…."
"Couldn't exactly leave you on your own after what happened." Jumping off the step, Yoruichi made her way over to Ichigo, sitting on her hind legs for him to pick her up.
Leaning down, grabbing Yoruichi under her fore legs, Ichigo straightened out with Yoruichi in arms, the male moving through the apartment to sit on the couch, a defeated, exhausted sigh leaving him as he dropped his body onto the couch.
Leaning his head back, the couch's stuffing showing through the slashes covering the cushions, Ichigo closed his eyes, Yoruichi remaining curled in his embrace.
"Zangetsu is fading away, Yoruichi-san… my Hollow is dominating my Inner World. How am I supposed to save her without Zangetsu?"
Silence held in the dark apartment, Ichigo opening his eyes at the claws kneading into his arms, mischievous yellow eyes looking up at his glare; "Don't worry, Ichigo."
You will have your chance to keep Zangetsu from fading away completely."
"What do you-?"
"Patience, Ichigo." Stretching out her feline muscles, Yoruichi moved onto her back with her long body along Ichigo's arm, her head resting in his palm for his fingers to scratch her ears, yellow eyes closing with his brown ones; "Rest your body and strengthen your broken heart and soul- you'll need every bit of will to bring Rukia back…."
The bell rang throughout the campus, students immediately pushing out through doors into the hallway, the excitement for the weekend high.
Within the freshman class on the third floor, Yuzu stood from her seat to pack her bag, her brown hair loose and flowing, their uniform fitted around her slim body, heavy stockings and leg warmers keeping all the females' exposed legs warm.
Yuzu took her time placing her belongings into her backpack, her professor wishing her a safe weekend before stepping out from the classroom with the other students, the young female left alone in the empty classroom.
Slinging her bag over her shoulder, dusting her desk of any small trash, Yuzu stepped around her desk, making her way to the classroom's door- stopping short when Rei's boyfriend came between her and the hallway, his hands on either side of the door's frame.
"S-Sato-kun…."
"Kurosaki. Was worried you'd be gone by now."
Tension crawled onto Yuzu's shoulders, her brown eyes unable to hold his confusing stare, her hand gripping her bag's strap; "What do you need of me, Sato-kun?"
The male remained silent, a student passing behind him hardly every few seconds, Yuzu growing agitated with every passing moment he had yet to answer her.
"I asked what you needed of me."
"You're quite bold, aren't you?" Grey eyes stared at her from beneath his black hair, his hair flat and long enough to tease his eyes, a slim but firm build obvious beneath his uniform; "You weren't like this at all just last year."
"How would you know the way I was? How would any of you truly know-!"
"Who could forget the 'girl with the flattest chest of all'? Or that boyish haircut you had for years, or your flat ass, when it was all of us who made those names for you?"
A fierce, angry blush rushed into Yuzu's cheeks, tears brimming her eyes at the memories of all their teasing and pushing, boys and girls alike bullying her every day over the years.
Sato dropped his arms as he stepped into the classroom; "Now though… you look a lot different… even had the guts to slap Rei knowing all her friends could have easily jumped you…."
It turns us on, Yuzu."
Yuzu stepped back at his words, frowning as he took that many more steps closer to her, his gaze crawling over her uniformed body, panic rushing through her veins.
"I don't care what the hell turns you or anyone else on-!"
"Except your older boyfriend, right? Has he taken you yet, made you all grown up?"
He was circling her now, staring intensely at her, Yuzu fighting to keep calm; "None of your concern, Sato. Now run back to your bitch of a girlfriend like the dog you are."
A smirk pulled at Sato's lips, a gleam to his eyes as he came to a still in front of her, close to her body, Yuzu standing her ground; reaching up to bury his fingers in the thick, sandy-brown hair cascading over her shoulders to her chest, Sato pulled lightly on her hair, not minding the hot, angry look she gave him.
"We're all watching you, Kurosaki. And we're enjoying it."
Without another word, the male distanced himself from her tense body, making his way into the hallway and out of sight; shuddering silently, fighting to hold back the scream burning to release itself, Yuzu crossed her arms over her chest, biting her lip.
Breathing deeply, calming herself down, Yuzu made for the door, rushing out to the hallway towards her locker, anxious to leave home.
Shouts filled the night air as the gate revealed two tall silhouettes, guards running to surround it, Yamamoto standing without a single movement before the light pouring out onto the ground they stood upon, his vice-captain standing at his side.
Byakuya stepped out into sight, his face empty of any concern at the blades pointed towards him, his gaze meeting Yamamoto's own as any other time; following behind Byakuya, Rukia's small, limp body in his hold, Ukitake ignored the guards surrounding them, his reiatsu flaring out to keep them at distance, his eyes holding strong against Yamamoto's narrow gaze.
"Ukitake Jyuushiro and Kuchiki Byakuya… never thought I'd see you two getting into mischief again…."
Byakuya let his eyes close for a few seconds before opening them again, his gaze hard and cold with Yamamoto's eyes; "A Kuchiki does not fall into mischief- we settle our problems made personal and insulting to our pride."
Ukitake gripped Rukia tighter, his lips tight in a frown before yelling out to Yamamoto.
"Scold us, burn us, do as you seem fit, Yamamoto-san- but as of right now, I will not allow this woman to die!"
Silence between them, guards tense under the heavy reiatsu of the three powerful taichou, Yamamoto took in the sight before him, slowly raising a bony, wrinkled hand, standing down the guards- not a second later, Ukitake vanished from sight, Byakuya following seconds later after one last, hard gaze at his superior captain.
Yamamoto sighed, shaking his head lightly.
"Retsu-san! Unohana!" "Ukitake!"
The kind woman's squad members jumped out of Ukitake's way as he rushed through the infirmary's halls, Unohana waving him over to her largest room, Isane ready at her side.
"In here, Ukitake, bring her here!"
Speeding into the empty room, struggling to hold back violent coughs, Ukitake carefully laid his precious student down, Unohana pulling him out of her way, Isane closing the door on curious eyes.
"What happened to her, Ukitake!"
"I-I don't know, I didn't have time to ask Kisuke-!"
Unohana brushed Rukia's black, damp hair back from her sweating forehead, dim, purple eyes barely open, barely looking up into her own gaze, Rukia's shallow gasps for air silent and weak.
"Oh my little one, what have they done to you?"
"Taichou, there is a strong isolating kidou within her torso, from her pelvis up to her chest."
Unohana tore her gaze from Rukia's to look over her hot, shivering body, a hand gently placed between her modest breasts, Unohana looking over her shoulder to meet Ukitake's worried, strained eyes; "What cruel soul did this to her?"
"W-what? What has happened-?"
Ukitake now by Rukia's bedside, Unohana tore open the bloodied material of her robes, a faint glow of yellow visible under pale, sweating skin, running from her pelvis to her chest between her breasts, a thin scar of a blade marking her skin.
"Many organs have been torn through, the diaphragm, her heart, bronchi… why- why is she even alive, Jyuushiro! How did they let her live through this-!"
"I don't know why any of this happened, I don't know how she is still alive- but, she is here now, and you need to save her-!"
Stern eyes snapped onto him, Unohana's reiatsu steadily building up, Isane protecting Rukia from it with her own as she held her hand.
"What for? Just to have her sent to death days later?"
"There is a powerful soul with a violent, angry Hollow ready to storm Soul Society to take her back- that's why you need to save her."
For the sake of all our damn lives, Unohana- save her."
Letting up her reiatsu, turning back to Rukia's struggling body, Unohana brushed up her sleeves, Isane meeting her gaze; "Prepare to destroy the kidou, Isane."
We will be cutting along it, from her pelvis to her chest. Destroy it as I move along."
Placing her hand on Rukia's forehead, violet eyes finally closing shut with one last conscious fight for breath, Unohana turned to Ukitake handing him a towel, a firm look in her eyes as he stared back with confusion.
"Try to keep the blood off the floor, Jyuushiro-san."
Tubes ran down Rukia's throat and into her chest as she lay there before him, machines reading her heart's strength with irritating beeping, Ukitake's violent coughs drowning the noise out as he sat by her bed, sun rays filtered out by the drawn curtains.
"S-shit!" Heaving, gasping once his last cough racked his body, Ukitake slowly calmed down and caught his breath, his hands shaking as he rested them in his lap, his tired gaze resting on Rukia's sleeping form, her violet eyes hidden from sight.
Ukitake struggled to find the right words, staring at the male before him, Ichigo's voice laced with the Hollow's harsh yelling, Ukitake's chest overwhelmed by the sight.
"RUKIA! LEAVE HER ALONE! LEAVE HER!"
"Kurosaki-kun… please…." Ukitake stepped back as Shuuhei launched his chain to coil tightly around Ichigo, Yoruichi and Tessai reinforcing his restraints, Ichigo raging on, his mask growing to cover his other eye.
"QUEEN!"
Ukitake took a sharp breath at the memory, the pained reiatsu that he had felt still pushing down on his shoulders, the angry, yellow eyes surrounded by black running a chill over his skin.
Those eyes… those eyes said everything for the both of them, Kuchiki.
Yuzu sighed in relief as she slipped her key into the lock, her home's warmth pouring out to meet her chilled skin as she stepped through, her heavy jacket immediately too much to bear once inside with the door closed and securely locked, her bag dropped to the floor.
Sliding the jacket off her arms, Yuzu tossed it aside to reach down and pull her shoes off, not noticing the pair of black sneakers her shoes fell on, never seeing the jacket her own covered on the couch.
Unbuttoning her shirt as she climbed the stairs, Yuzu immediately made for the open bathroom, turning on the shower's hot water before stripping completely of her uniform, her slim, maturing body only in the black lace Rukia insisted she must have to match the older female's wardrobe.
Smiling at the memory of her day spent with Rukia, Yuzu thought nothing of the open door to her left within the bathroom, her small hand reaching out over the sink to wipe the fogged up mirror, her reflection still surprising her, her 'baby looks' completely gone now.
"Now though… you look a lot different…."
It turns us on, Yuzu."
Disgust mixed itself with confusion within her, Yuzu frowning as she remembered his perverted gaze run over her clothed body.
"I don't care what the hell turns you or anyone else on-!"
"Except your older boyfriend, right? Has he taken you yet, made you all grown up?"
A heavy blush burned beneath her skin at Sato's words, Yuzu fingering her long hair coming to rest just above her full, laced breasts, her deep, brown eyes looking over the rest of her body before meeting her own gaze back in the mirror quickly fogging up again.
Whispering despite being by alone, all by herself, Yuzu reached out to place her hand against the mirror, her reflection reaching out with her to join her hand; "Would someone like Shuuhei ever like someone like me?"
A sudden, unfamiliar memory of a woman came to her; long, thick ginger hair framing pale skin and piercing blue eyes, a large chest fit upon a tight, curving body in black robes.
"Matsumoto-san..."
Shuuhei's voice rang in memory, nearly whispering that name, an aching feeling building within her chest, Yuzu staring absently at the fogged mirror.
Who is she? Where do I remember her from? When did I hear Shuuhei call her name?
"I can never look as pretty as she does…."
The sudden, rare shriek of the hinges on Ichigo's door snapped her gaze out into the hallway, Shuuhei's tall body stepping out only a moment later, Yuzu unable to move; feeling the intense stare, the tensed presence not far from him, Shuuhei looked up to find Yuzu staring wide-eyed back at him within the open bathroom, steam filling the air and crawling out the frame into the hallway- her nearly naked body in full sight.
S-shit.
"Y-Yuzu-!" An eternity seemed to weigh down on Shuuhei as he stood in shock within the hallway, her wide, brown eyes struck with just as much shock staring back at him, her body shaking with obvious tension, Shuuhei swallowing with struggle; fighting to keep his eyes from running over her body, fighting to keep from seeing anymore, Shuuhei kept his gaze locked with Yuzu's, her shock suddenly leaving her.
"S-Shuuhei! What are you doing here!"
"What am I-! Yuzu, cover yourself up first!"
The female blushed as she turned her back on him in search of a towel, her three, large scars across her back hitting his heart as quickly as she had turned around, her younger screams echoing in his mind; shaking his head, ridding himself of the memories, Shuuhei growled as Yuzu failed to find a towel, the male walking over to her as he grabbed the hem of his shirt, the white v-neck removed in one fast motion.
Hearing Shuuhei come at her, Yuzu turned around to find him shirtless with a scarf ready to slip off his neck to the floor, the male chucking his shirt at her chest, Yuzu quickly grabbing it; a tight knot in her stomach, his built body exposed to her eyes, Yuzu fumbled to get the shirt on, the white material pulled down to barely cover her lace intimacy.
"Your brother is going to slowly murder me-!"
"Is that the scarf I gave you?"
Shuuhei stopped short at her voice, her small hand reaching out to touch the scarf barely hanging from around his neck, Shuuhei blushing at the slight graze of her fingers against his sculpted stomach, brown eyes looking at him for his answer.
"…yeah, it is."
A soft smile pulled at Yuzu's lips, her hand grabbing onto the scarf to pull it off his neck, Yuzu taking a step closer to move onto the tips of her toes, her arms throwing the long scarf over his head onto his neck; looping it once around as days before, Yuzu let her hands run over the material again before stepping back, wordlessly turning to grab the door, slowly closing it as Shuuhei stepped out past the frame, the soft click echoing in the hallway.
Digging a hand into his wild, black hair, Shuuhei let his arm drop as he turned back towards Ichigo's room, the male stepping into the bedroom silently, the door left open behind him.
Tatsuki smirked alongside Chad as Inoue and Ishida came into view, her curvy friend smiling widely as they made their way over to the bench in the large park, the sky darkening early in the early November days.
"Hey, Inoue, Ishida!" "Tatsuki-chan!"
Running as she came closer to Tatsuki and Chad, Inoue slowed to grab Ishida's hand, pulling the blushing male with her towards their friends, Tatsuki laughing as her busty friend nearly crashed into her open arms; "Haha, Inoue!"
"Oh, Tatsuki, I am so happy you and Sado-kun thought of all of us going out together! What a great idea!"
Ishida straightened out his shirt and hair before coughing, pushing his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose before nodding; "Likewise- thank you, for inviting me."
"Of course we were going to invite you, Ishida!"
Inoue sitting down beside Tatsuki, grabbing Ishida again to pull him down beside her, she smiled widely as she looked around, confused at the missing boys.
"Where is Asano-kun? And still no word from Kurosaki-kun?"
Chad raised a large, fit arm to point beyond the trees beside them, a sprinting shadow coming towards them, Keigo's loud yelling echoing in the park; "Hey, guys, hey!"
Tatsuki groaned, turning to Inoue.
"Well, as for Ichigo... as well as Rukia and Shuuhei- still nothing. Doesn't help that he no longer lives at his father's house. I don't have a slightest clue at where they live."
A strange look pulled across Inoue's face, Tatsuki biting her lip, quickly turning their attention to the approaching male; "Ah, Keigo! You finally got here, ya slow idiot!"
Huffing, Keigo grinned madly, throwing himself onto Inoue once he reached them- "Inoue-san! Your valley of-!"
Tatsuki quickly punched the perverted male as Ishida helped push him off their busty friend, Chad chuckling lightly, Keigo falling to the ground.
"No fair! I was just greeting-!"
"Oh, be quiet, Keigo! Be glad we even invited you!"
Ishida and Inoue laughed lightly as Tatsuki and Keigo bickered, a chilled breeze running over their heavily clothed bodies, leaves falling from the trees around them.
Tatsuki kicked Keigo away as she leaned back on the bench, her hot breath mixing with the cold night air, her friends settling down with her.
"I wonder where that idiot Ichigo ran off to. Rukia and Shuuhei probably aren't far. I'll kick his ass when I see him; running off without telling me where-!"
Coming from behind them, Ichigo's voice cut her off; "Well if you asked me nicely for once, Tatsuki..."
Turning in place, Tatsuki jumping to her feet as she turned, Keigo moving up from the ground, they all turned to see the orange-haired male standing behind them, Inoue gasping; standing before them was Ichigo, his hair lacking its usual wildness, brown eyes tired and worn, a lame hoodie hardly keeping him warm with his jeans.
"Kurosaki-kun!" "Ichigo!"
"Yo."
He circled around the bench, the male caring less about Keigo throwing himself onto him, Inoue's grey eyes never giving up his sight.
Tatsuki shook her head, frowning; "Just where the hell have you been, Ichigo! You had us worried sick!"
"Had shit to do, Tatsuki."
"Shit so important to miss classes for four days?" Chad standing to move beside the heated female, Tatsuki glared at her long-time friend, Ichigo frowning as he finally bothered to shake Keigo off him.
"Tuesday wasn't my fault. That... earthquake, canceled classes. Not much I could have done-."
"So three days, then- big fuckin' difference! Now explain-!"
Ichigo came at her fast, Tatsuki shocked at the angry brown eyes staring back at her, their friends tense around them, Ichigo barely a breath away; "Don't fuckin' worry about it. I'm alive, all you need to sleep at night, right?"
I hadn't planned on even letting you know- I ran into you by accident."
Ichigo stood still beneath the large tree, the chilled air strong against his worn hoodie, his brown, hollow eyes looking up into the sky beyond branches.
"What... or more like who ... is this?"
A strange scent, a strange force against the air had caught his attention, the male distracted from his walk, certain he was feeling a reiatsu.
Before he knew it, Ichigo found himself following it.
"Letting me know what, Ichigo?"
Looking at the other set of eyes before meeting with Tatsuki's again, Ichigo frowned, a pain flashing in his eyes, long enough for Tatsuki to catch.
"Rukia... she's sick. And I need to stay with her. We won't be in classes, so... save my damn homework for me, or something."
Turning away before she could say anything, Ichigo walking past Chad with a brush against his shoulder with his own, Keigo and Tatsuki called after him, Ichigo deaf to their cries.
Inoue moved from Ishida's side as she stared after Ichigo's retreating form, her grey eyes heavy as she stood beside Tatsuki, Ishida slowly standing from his place behind them.
Eyes narrowed on the last of Ichigo leaving them behind, Ishida frowned, eyebrows furrowed.
What's really happening, Kurosaki? What's eating you alive?
"Finish us, Ichigo; just finish us…."
A shudder ran over him, Ichigo closing his eyes brimmed with angry tears to picture her again, in his arms with their sweating, hot skin against each other, her hips rolling agonizingly slow against his.
A car honk blared out from his side, Ichigo's brown eyes snapping open to find a car rushing at him, Ichigo pulling back barely enough to avoid the side mirror of the black sedan speeding by.
Shit.
He felt his heart beat violently against his chest, the young male scowling at the people around him, staring at him, whispering, Ichigo quickly making his way over to the other side of the road, leaving them behind.
He found himself drowned in his own thoughts again, the first day he saw Rukia playing before him as he passed the spot where she had punched him, a sad smile ghosting across his lips before he frowned again, his steps slowing, his breath hot against the cold air.
He stood at the mouth of the small, secluded walkway along the river wash, holes in the cement ground from Grand Fisher's claws repaired with an half-assed effort, Ichigo recalling the face behind the mask, the face he had seen years ago as his mother fell limp upon him.
Walking into the walkway, Ichigo came to a still by the darkened cement at his feet, the pool of their blood dried and washed by many days and storms, faded, hardly there.
"R-Rukia! RUKIA!"
Don't!" Ichigo didn't know how he managed to yell for her, his body becoming heavier as his blood flowed out to the ground, Rukia's hands reaching out for him, the attacking limb right behind her.
She was right in front of him when the limb penetrated her stomach from behind, her blood splattering onto him, her blood mixing with his below on the ground.
"Rukia…."
Arms tensed as his hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palm; hot tears brimmed his eyes again, Ichigo shuddering in the cold, shuddering at the memories, at her voice ringing in his mind and heart.
Speechless, unable to breath, his clothes covered in their blood, Ichigo looked into her eyes as she gazed at him, her arm reaching up to grasp his shoulder, her other hand moving her white, beautiful zanpaktou to his chest, right above his heart.
"Live, even if just for a few seconds more! Live as long as you will!"
Tears mixed with the rain as they slid from her fading eyes, down her cheeks to the ground, her hold on her hilt tightening.
"Ru…kia…."
Grasping his shoulder tightly one last time, Rukia pulled herself to him, supporting him against her as she spoke against his ear.
"Live, Ichigo…."
Gasping, Ichigo felt the cold of her blade thrust through his heart, an intense light blinding him.
"Live, fool!"
"I… I won't let you die, Rukia!"
His reiatsu suddenly exploding out to retreat back close to his body, his skin no longer stung by the cold, an angry warmth surrounding his whole being, Ichigo glared one last time at the trace of their blood at his feet, the male turning around to break into a fast run- his breath fast and loud to his ears, his feet pounding across the streets, arms pumping with every step.
You won't die, soul reaper… you won't die, Kuchiki Rukia.
Large tarps covered the shop's bare, new frame barely outlining its shape, Ichigo slowly pulling aside a clear plastic from what could be assumed a future entrance, the male stepping through hesitantly, pausing in his movements once inside; before him sat Yoruichi on her hind legs, yellow eyes bright in the darkened shop.
"Yoruichi-san."
"Felt your reiatsu… you're done waiting, aren't you?"
Wordlessly, dropping the clear plastic back in place behind him, Ichigo moved to the feline before him, leaning down to pick her up, cradling her in his arms as he moved into the shop; making his way over to the basement's entrance, the door already open for him, Ichigo released himself from his body, dropping down into the basement with Yoruichi in arms, a small crater forming at his feet upon his fall.
Urahara stood some feet from him, watching the younger male stand tall before him, Urahara's hat shadowing his eyes from sight; "Are you sure you don't want to rest longer?"
Scratching Yoruichi's ears before dropping her gently from his arms, Ichigo reached over his back to grasp Zangetsu, the cloth unraveling itself as he brought it over to his side.
"We will be training you differently this time, Ichigo."
Moving up his chest onto his shoulder as he remained resting back against the couch, Yoruichi stared down into Ichigo's brown eyes with her yellow ones, her paw reaching up to rest on his forehead, Ichigo frowning lightly.
"I'm sure you've noticed Zangetsu is always in its shikai."
"Yeah, Shuuhei mentioned it once. How that's why it's always a lot bigger than others and why he doesn't change shape when I call him."
"Well, did you know then, that there is another level of soul release for Zangetsu?"
His shocked silence gave her an answer; "The first release is 'shikai' and the second, one all captains of Soul Society must obtain, is called 'bankai."
This great release can make your power up to ten times greater, Ichigo."
"T-ten times-?"
"Of course, since after all, it takes at least ten years to obtain."
Ichigo sat up then, looking confused and frustrated, Yoruichi digging her claws into his skin to keep her position on his shoulder; "But I don't have ten damn years-!"
"I know, Ichigo. That's why, as risky and dangerous as it may be… you will learn it in just-."
"Three days to learn this new release, right?" Ichigo held Zangetsu steady by his side, his Hollow's excitement growing within, Urahara nodding silently before speaking.
"Hai. Three days only. Any longer and we'll have a problem."
"What about my Hollow?"
Urahara tipped his hat up to lock gazes with Ichigo, his hand slowly unsheathing his katana from his cane, Ichigo refusing to move his gaze.
"I have a feeling your Hollow will… cooperate in growing your strength and bringing back his Queen."
After all, the stronger you are, the more power he'll have if he ever gains control of your entire soul."
Ichigo's lips pulled into a deep frown, his brows furrowed, his Hollow's chuckling echoing within his mind.
"His… 'his queen,' you said? How do you know he calls her that?"
"You don't remember, do you? I suppose it's not surprising. You never remembered your Hollow's control the other times…."
"What don't I remember?"
Urahara frowned, snapping his plain blade to his side; "Sing, Benihime."
Allowing his blade to release itself, Urahara took a few steps toward Ichigo, the younger male moving into stance before him.
"He shared your rage and pain when Ukitake held her before your very eyes, taking her away from you."
"But-!"
Start playing, King!
It was a sudden blur, Urahara's fast approach, Ichigo blocking Benihime with Zangetsu's larger blade, his brown eyes locked with Urahara; "Fine!"
Shoving Urahara off Zangetsu, Ichigo swung his blade to his side, determination filling his eyes; "Let's do this, Zangetsu!"
"Byakuya-sama, please find my sister. Please, Byakuya-sama, please protect my sister no matter what."
Byakuya stood tall and motionless by Rukia's bedside in the infirmary, Ukitake fast asleep in his chair, the monitors created by Kurotsuchi beeping steadily, Rukia's chest slowly rising in pace.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed.
After adopting you, I swore in front of my parents' grave that it would be my last time in breaking the rules, and from that time on, no matter what happens, I would follow and defend the rules to the very end….
Stepping closer, hesitance ghosted upon him, a strong, elegant hand slowly reaching out, his fingers grazing Rukia's forehead, pushing back her stray strand of hair, only to have it stubbornly fall back in place.
Do I keep my promise to Hisana to defend you, her sister….
Pulling back, he stepped away from her side.
Or the oath to my parent's grave?
Wordlessly, he turned on his heel to leave, Ukitake's tired eyes watching after him.
Soft footsteps carried down the stairs in the Kurosaki residence, Yuzu's brown eyes finding Shuuhei sitting at the table, no longer shirtless in one of Ichigo's old shirts, his head resting on the table top on his arms.
The air about him felt depressed and heavy to the young, growing woman, Yuzu frowning as she made her way over, moving beside his chair quietly, a small hand gently resting on his back; "Shuuhei? Are you alright?"
It took him a few seconds to move his head from his arms, tired grey eyes looking up at her, Yuzu frowning at their emptiness; "You're worrying me…."
"We… I don't know, Yuzu. Just… stress or something…." His eyes moved from hers, his arms crossed, nails scratching at his skin.
Yuzu frowned, pushing her hair back behind her ear; "Where's Rukia?"
His chest tightened at her words, Shuuhei reaching a hand up to his temple, a short, forced laugh leaving him.
"LEAVER HER ALONE! LEAVER HER!"
"She's… she had to go back home, on an emergency…."
Yuzu's hand moved from his back, soft fingers grasping his along his temple, pulling his hand from its place, Shuuhei moving his gaze to meet hers again.
"My brother went with her, though?"
Shuuhei's eyes set on hers, the male amazed how Yuzu's eyes lost their large, round, childish shape, brown orbs now framed by thick eyelashes, curves and edges sharp and elegant.
"Yeah; Ichigo… wouldn't let her go through a problem on her own…."
Yuzu let go of his hand then, the young female leaning against the table, hands on its top; pushing herself up, Yuzu sat along its edge, her long, bare legs in shorts dangling over in a small rhythmic swing, Shuuhei staring at her knee's scar.
"S-Shuuhei?"
"Yuzu!" Shuuhei ran over to the open bathroom, Yuzu's red, dry eyes looking up him, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs, hugging them against her; "Yuzu, what happened? Who did this?"
Shuuhei dropped onto his knees beside her, reluctant to touch her, scrapes and bruises scattered on her body where her tank and shorts didn't cover, a cut running across her cheek. Shuuhei stared at the stained dress shoved into the waste basket, pink material balled up on top, the first aid kit scattered on the floor.
"Are you leaving, too, Shuuhei?"
"…not right away. In a few days I will. Just thought I'd come here where it's not empty…."
Shuuhei found Yoruichi curled up on his pillow, her yellow eyes opening as he sat down along the edge, his hand reaching out to scratch her ears; "Hey, Yoruichi-san."
"Hello, Shuuhei. Feeling better?"
Scoffing, Shuuhei fell back onto his mattress, staring at the ceiling; "As good as can be after last night…."
Moving off the pillow onto his chest, Yoruichi settled down to stare down into his gaze, her eyes as exhausted as his own.
"It won't help you to be around him in this state, Shuuhei; why don't you go keep an eye on little Yuzu?"
I will call you when Urahara and I are done abusing him."
Scratching her ears again, Shuuhei nodded before grabbing her, setting her down onto the mattress as he sat up, standing to change his shirt and grab a jacket, Yoruichi back on the pillow.
"Will he really be stronger to save her?"
"Three days, Shuuhei. Give us three days."
Shuuhei's grey eyes closed as Yuzu buried her hand into his black hair, a sad smile pulling at her lips, brown eyes furrowed; "Something bad happened, didn't it? That's why you're so worried and lonely…."
Grabbing onto her hand in his hair, Shuuhei scrunched his eyes at the memories, his body shaking, trying to keep control.
"Rukia… she's my best friend, Yuzu."
Moving off the table, Yuzu stood at his side as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders, tugging gently on his hair, hugging him close to her body; releasing his hold on her hand, Shuuhei buried his face against her warm, clothed stomach, his strong arms wrapping around her waist, letting her rock him gently into a calm.
24 pages. 7,994 words. Ladies and gentlemen- the longest chapter in SMD.
Thank you for all your support.
~KurosakiLove
