Chapter 20
Rise of the Voidwalker
The calm air was a nice change for both Ichigo and Senna. They'd taken Nanashi's advice to find the nearest place to get some food and found themselves in a small yet lively market square. Ichigo thought back to a festival that him and his sisters had gotten lost in. He caught himself smiling as he remembered Yuzu's minor meltdown as things started to go awry. He'd hoped that Senna would handle thigs better than Yuzu, but this...
"Ichi!" Senna beamed. "Look at this thing!"
Senna was, somehow, on top of a shop with a very angry shopkeeper. He was rustling around behind the counter, shouting expletives and trying to get outside where he could see her.
"Senna will you quiet down please?!" Ichigo pleaded. "You're shouting at everything! Also get down from there!"
Senna happily skipped off of the roof, and back beside Ichigo who looked at the shopkeeper in defeat. Before he could apologize for the hyperactivity, he was being dragged away to the next stall. Senna seemed to be following her nose now and Ichigo noticed it. He looked around to find the source of the wonderful smell finding a smaller, secluded kiosk surrounded by a huge crowd.
"You hungry Senna?" Ichigo asked. "Cause I'm starved."
Senna beamed at him. "Oh my god yes! I haven't eaten since the last time I ate!"
Ichigo, bewildered by her not-at-all-wrong-but-still-wrong statement, didn't notice himself being dragged toward the stall. He looked down at his small companion and felt his heart begin to beat faster than before. He noticed things about her more now, like she walked with an almost prancing skip whenever she was happy, how she looked to Nanashi for guidance even though they'd just met, how she relied on her friends, even if she looked weak, and how she let herself be both vulnerable, and strong at the same time.
These thoughts swirled in his head, until he found himself staring at her.
Ichigo refocussed as he caught himself staring and as they drew closer to the kiosk, Senna gripped his hand tighter. Ichigo watched the expression on her face falter for a moment, before returning. Even as she was smiling, it seemed forced and unnatural to him.
"You okay?"
Senna paused before answering. "Yeah."
"That's convincing. I'm convinced..." Ichigo deadpanned. "What's wrong?"
Stopping in her tracks, Senna looked toward the ground in a display of shyness that took Ichigo by surprise.
"I... don't have the best experience with big crowds." Senna quietly stated.
Placing a hand on her shoulder, Ichigo smiled softly at her. "If anything happens, I've got your back."
Her smile was genuine and as they walked together, she inched closer into him. Ichigo quietly chuckled to himself, letting her lean in for her own sake.
Ichigo thought about her more intently than he had before. She was a mystery even to someone like Nanashi, who for all intents was the most down to earth Shinigami he'd met. As his mind drifted, he felt a slight blush creeping onto his face.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Nanashi found himself wandering the streets of his old home with both nostalgia and wonder. There was a lot here that hadn't changed since he'd left, yet a lot was new to him. Rukia quietly walked beside him, curious as ever about nearly everything. Had the circumstances been different, this would have almost been a date of sorts, but as things stood now it was only a night off. Still, Nanashi felt as if he should indulge at least a little bit.
"It feels weird to be back here. It's been so long." Nanashi spoke.
"You've been here before?"
Nanashi glanced at her. "I grew up here and we came through here on our mission over one hundred years ago. Though, I suspect you don't remember that."
Rukia stopped, pondering something intently before replying. "Wait... yeah. I think I remember now."
Nanashi stopped as well, whipping around to face Rukia. He listened to her speak carefully, and to his surprise, she wasn't collapsing onto the ground and dying.
"We came through here... chasing someone. Someone close to you..."
Nanashi thought back, trying to place who they were pursuing to no avail. He knew that it was someone close to him, but that was it. It was as if the whole memory was gone, erased from existence entirely.
"That's right." Nanashi affirmed. "Though, all I know is that it was someone close to me..."
Rukia looked up at Nanashi's downtrodden face, feeling a wave of sympathy wash over her. "So, the memory is gone for you too? I guess you don't have all of the answers then."
Silence permeated the air between them and Rukia found herself staring at Nanashi. He was going through and had been through a lot these past few months. A mysterious power, a complete upheaval of his own life, and now an angry god wanted to kill him. How he kept going through all of that didn't surprise her, she knew he was as determined and stubborn as a hungry menos, but it did show it's wear on him. He was always tired and sucked at hiding it, but to his credit he never took it out on others. Admirable as that was, something had to give, there needed to be a release for him. When the idea came, she felt her face flush, and her palms begin to sweat, but there was one thing she could do for him that would benefit.
"Rukia?"
Rukia looked down, sweating heavily now fidgeting. How could she even begin to suggest something like that given what had happened between them?
"Rukia?"
She was completely mad to even have such thoughts. What if he said no? That would destroy her self esteem! What if she wasn't good at it? What if it damaged him even more?! She stopped panicking when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up into his piercing yellow eyes, fraught with concern, she relaxed.
"S-sorry... I let my own thoughts get away from me."
"You had me worried there. It looked like you were going to collapse. Come on, lets get some food."
Rukia sighed. Crisis averted. She knew that they weren't ready for that, not yet. There was still too much they needed to talk about first. Too much hung in the air above them to suggest something so close, so intimate. Aka Manah's manipulations or not, she wasn't sure how she felt about the state of their relationship yet.
"Lady Rukia." Sode No Shirayuki suddenly spoke. "It was just a massage."
"Shut up!"
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
"They seem to be relaxing. Is this wise?" A woman's voice spoke into a blackened void.
"He must be allowed to enter the forge if we're to continue our plans. He is the only one with the power to open it." A booming voice replied. "If I'm to be freed, able to bring my revenge upon those who imprisoned me, then I need him as well. You will not act against him until I say."
"As you wish, my lord." The woman's voice replied. "You the call to arms.
"Of course, I know the call, do not insult me. You just remember to act as we've discussed."
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
The air grew colder as Nanashi and Rukia wandered down a dimly lit alley. The smell of food was an ever-intoxicating call and while Nanashi wanted to explore more, Rukia must have been hungry. They took a turn and walked into an open market filled with people, kiosks of various trinkets, and the sweet and salty aroma of the food they so desperately desired.
"Oh, Nanashi wow..." Rukia quietly exasperated. ""This place really opened up."
"Yeah. It was one of the things I loved about this place when I was a kid. I was always able to escape here and just... wander."
Rukia looked, puzzled by the sadness in Nanashi's admission. "Escape? From whom?"
Nanashi tried to think back, but the whole of his childhood was a blur. Things weren't what he remembered them to be, making him question himself even more.
"No. It's nothing to worry about." Nanashi sighed. "So, where do you want to eat?"
Rukia played along, putting a pin in this conversation for now, and looked around at the different places. There was a familiar tug at her senses, making her walk toward a stall without a word.
"Alright then... follow your... nose?" Nanashi sputtered. "...I guess."
Rukia whipped her head back, glaring daggers into Nanashi and sticking out her tongue. Nanashi chuckled, continuing to follow her as she walked. They rounded to the front of the stall, and a small boy was addressing a line of patrons, while an older girl cooked. She was putting a spectacle on for the cheering crowd and Rukia found herself enthralled by the precision and skill she displayed.
"Order two hundred thirty-seven up!" The girl shouted, as a man approached the kiosk. He paid and left with his food.
Nanashi lightly shoved Rukia and pointed. "You wanna get in line? Or wait until it dies down a bit?"
Rukia looked at the long line and replied. "We'd better get in line. It'll be a long wait."
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
And a long wait it was. To Rukia though, every bit of it was worth the wait. The food was delicious, and perfectly cooked, much to her surprise, the girl had added a special message and little bunny drawing that thanked her for solving the crisis their town faced. Rukia was happily eating, when Nanashi finished his food and took a long drink.
"Ahh... sake is good."
"I'm surprised you got alcohol when we have to be up early tomorrow." Rukia chided. "You'd better not get drunk."
"Relax mom." Nanashi replied. "It's a big boy drink and I'm a big boy."
"You sure are." Rukia quietly said, quickly covering her mouth and blushing.
"Huh? You say something?" Nanashi asked.
Too embarrassed to speak, Rukia quickly stuffed her mouth and shook her head. The taste of the food took her mind away from her thoughts.
"How do you think Senna and Ichigo are getting along?"
"I think they'll be fine. Ichigo was all about manners when I was living in his house. Always 'pick this up' or 'throw that out in the trash'. Not that I'm not accustomed to manners mind you." Rukia trailed off.
"It's not really him I was worried about. It's her." Nanashi spoke before taking another drink. "She told me she doesn't really like crowds. She says she needs to... act out."
"Act out?"
"I can only guess as to what she meant by that." Nanashi replied.
"That's... concerning. Let's hope that Ichigo can contain her then, huh?"
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
The night was quiet for the most part. A welcome sense of peace flowed through Senna's mind as she stared up at the stars in the night sky. It was times like this that she tried to remember anything about the five years she'd spent in the foster home. Vivid flash backs plagued her, teasing the horror of her "parents" and their abuse. One thing that gave her hope was finding her biological parents. She knew that they were close, but where were they her whole life? She let the thoughts pass when Ichigo joined her.
"You seem content."
"I love nights like this. Simplicity at its most raw." Senna said. "Not a care in the world. Well... mostly."
"Mostly?" Ichigo asked raising an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
Senna closed her eyes, thankful and glad that she knew her parents faces now. "I don't really know how to say this..."
Ichigo shifted himself to face her and stared into her dark yellow eyes. The colour brought thoughts of Nanashi's eyes up, but he quickly regained focus as she spoke.
"For as long as I can remember, I was always an afterthought. I grew up in foster care, but I don't think calling it 'care' is appropriate." Senna spoke. "I always wondered what my real parents were like. I had this image of them painted in my mind and I'd sometimes have dreams about them. It wasn't until I was around ten years old that I saw my first spirit, which opened up a whole new world for me. I guess the curiosity about my parents was replaced by studying how I could interact with the spirit world..."
"Did you stop searching? Or maybe were you trying to contact them?" Ichigo asked.
Senna smiled somberly. "No. I never stopped searching for them. I want to ask them why. Why did they leave me? Did they not want me? But..."
Ichigo sat in a stunned silence, listening to the story as it unfolded.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
"So, he just... 'broke' out of Sai?"
"Yeah!" Rukia exclaimed. "Like it was nothing! Like my Kido isn't up to par!"
"You were always better at Kido than most Shinigami. I don't know any Kido myself." Nanashi affirmed "If I did, it's a long-forgotten memory."
"I could teach you. For a price."
Nanashi drank more, finishing his mug and leaning in. The effects of the alcohol were starting to show, as Rukia was beginning to go blurry. Rukia had began drinking with him, toasting this and that, but more to settle her nerves. She was still thinking about everything that had happened between him and Aka Manah.
"And what price would that be?" Nanashi asked.
Pointing to the dancing crowd, Rukia explained. "I want to have fun tonight. Some much needed fun before we head out tomorrow morning. People are dancing..."
Nanashi stood up, grabbing her small hand as he did. "Well, shall we?"
"Wh- whoa." Rukia sputtered "What are you doing?"
"Let's go have some fun. Kido or not, let's enjoy a night off."
Pulling her to her feet, Nanashi began to happily strut over to the other dancing people. Rukia noticed his slightly hopping walk as they drew closer and giggled to herself. As they got close enough Nanashi began to enthusiastically dance to the joyful rhythms of the music that was playing. Spinning Rukia around, twirling and jumping in tempo.
Before long the sounds of the crowd faded away and he could only focus on laughing smile beamed across her face as they swung and swayed to the music. He focussed on her body finding himself moving without provocation or guidance, simply moving together as on. He could only focus on the joy in both her eyes and on her face as the rest if the world faded into the background. This was what he was missing. The peaceful smile, the joyful dancing, the normalcy. This was what he had been after, not his memories, not his past, but his future.
He'd found it in her.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Sitting together in silence, Rukia and Nanashi let the sights of the brilliant night sky enrapture them. The distant crystals seemed to be ever closed yet impossibly far away at the same time. Rukia noted how small her place in this world truly was.
Nanashi however, was battling his own thoughts, wrestling with his desire to speak his mind and lay everything out. He knew that it was too soon, too raw and dangerous to express his feelings to her. They still had a long journey ahead, a long road to travel before things were healed. His fear of losing her again was like adding water to an already filled pot, Overflowing, messy and chaotic.
"Do you ever wonder what else could be out there?" Rukia asked.
Nanashi looked into her violet eyes. "I don't know. I try not to think about that kind of thing."
"Indulge my curiosity then."
Sighing and sitting up, Nanashi began to think about his place in the universe. What else could be out there? Did it matter?
"I... uh..." Nanashi stuttered. "I don't know. Probably, given how odd this world is."
"The world is odd?"
Nanashi looked back to the sky, responding. "Well yeah. We have multiple dimensions and gods. Can you imagine how many other worlds might be out there? What if they all had their own dimensions and gods? What about Shinigami? I don't think I could handle much more to be honest."
Rukia laughed, turning away and looking to the sky as well. Nanashi found himself staring at the colour of her eyes as the starlight reflected off of them. Unconsciously shifting closer to her as he stared, Nanashi felt himself let go of his fears.
"This is probably not going to mean anything to you but... we finally have our date." Nanashi spoke.
Rukia looked back to him and asked. "A date? Did you promise me a date before?"
"Yeah, over one hundred years ago. We never got to go on our date. One thing or another got in the way."
"Oh..." Rukia quietly affirmed. "What did I say? When you asked I meant?"
Nanashi furrowed his brow before smugly replying. "What make you think I asked? Maybe you asked me."
Rukia looked at him and deadpanned. "Really. You think I'm going to buy that?"
Nanashi maintained his smug grin as her gaze bore into him. He saw her falter slightly, grinning more and more until they both began laughing. It was a nice break from the constant stress of impending doom that surrounded them and Nanashi wanted to capitalize on it as much as he could.
"You can tell her." A familiar voice spoke in his mind. "Tell her everything. The old one is lying to you. Tell her."
Nanashi maintained his laughter, unfaltering as he tried to respond. "Who are you?" He thought.
"Who I am isn't important, what is though, is that you stop falling for th-"
The laughter had calmed and Nanashi thought about the voice. Trying to recall it, he felt a pull in his mind and shook his head.
"You okay?" Rukia asked. "I noticed your reiatsu fluctuating."
"Yeah. I'm still not sure what is going on with me..." Nanashi pondered for a second before he decided to test the waters. "Rukia...?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you know who trained you?"
Rukia turned over to him and noticed his complete change in both expression and demeanour. He was serious, set on digging through her history no doubt to tell her more about her forgotten life. The concept was an odd prospect to her. How do you accept that your life might be an entire lie? She thought about the Shin'o academy, her training and Renji when Nanashi's visage appeared in her mind. Foggy and covered in a thick haze sure, but it was there: guiding her through the motions of Zanjutsu.
"You did."
Straightening his back, Nanashi sat up and leaned in. With an exasperation of relief, her spoke. "You remember?!"
Rukia held her hands up to stop him from jumping in her like an excited dog. "R - relax. I only know that you were there and helped me pass an... exam?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"I think it was... shortly after the Kuchiki's adopted me." Rukia added. "They accelerated my training and I was definitely not ready. Renji..."
"Didn't help you in the slightest."
Violet eyes met yellow in a moment of understanding. "You told me then that he hurt you."
Rukia looked to the ground in somber remembrance. Renji hadn't understood her after all of their time together and added the attempt on their lives was another deep wound.
"I fell out of any meaningful contact with Renji after I left the academy. We didn't so much drift apart as we did leave each other's lives. You were there for our big reunion: he tried to kill us." Rukia spoke. "I don't know what happened to him. But it hurt."
"Rukia..."
Wiping her eyes, Rukia took a breath and said. "But enough about that. Tell me more about our past. I haven't slipped in a coma yet."
Nanashi looked into her eyes with sympathy. She was far more emotional than she let herself be. Whether it was because of the loss she'd experienced with Renji, or the nobility telling her to hide her emotions from "commoners" wasn't important to him. What was, however, was building what was said and seeing how she felt.
"Right." Nanashi replied. "We moved into the 25th chasing someone..."
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Deep in a darkened room, a silhouette of a massive being stirred. It's eyes opened, violet streams of violent energy erupting from them, as it took in its surroundings.
"I..." The booming voice spoke. "Have awakened."
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Some character development, some hints and some wholesomeness.
Down time for them is over though.
Oh boy... what a time to be alive, right? This Covid-19 left me stranded for a bit, but I'm back home now, after a LONG drive back. I've got time off for a while it seems, so here's a chapter, and the promise of the next one coming out with less time in between. I'm about halfway done the next one, so it'll be done quickly.
As always, let me know what you think, or even just to say hi.
SpookyAtlas
