Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach in any way. Final chapter dear readers! :o)
When Ichigo was rejected outside of Orihime's golden dome, he noticed a black-haired girl holding his wife's hand, as she seemed to be speaking with her for some time. Then, her shield broke into pieces, leaving her all alone on the ground. He would never forget how pale she was and how her body looked lifeless and still. And who was that person she was talking to?
He crouched, one hand over her chest and the one against her neck, checking her heartbeat. He picked up her hand which was so cold and pale, touching it to his cheek, and he closed his eyes for just a moment. His mind struggled to stay in that moment. He wanted to keep her close, but she needed medical support.
He rushed to the squad four Barracks where he found Rukia and Renji with Ichika and Kazui. He also was informed that Tsubaki locked the kids in the squad four underground prison, so they couldn't run away again. He promised to kick the fairy's ass, but he needed his wife to wake up so she can summon him… In all that mess, he would never forget Kazui's face when he saw his mom's limp body in his arms… nothing seemed to matter to him anymore.
After Orihime's medical treatment, the Captain of the 4th division, Isane Kotetsu informed him that her life was out of danger, but she was still unconscious. Snapping from anger at the poor Captain, he decided to take his wife and kid and return to the human world. Maybe his father or Urahara could help him wake her up from her coma.
It's been a week now that they were back. A week since Aizen was killed. A week since Orihime was still unconscious. A week that he had to return to his job and catch up on all his delay. A week that he felt powerless, again.
Ichigo was slumped at his desk and eying a stack of un-filed paperwork. Lost in his thoughts, he couldn't concentrate, he couldn't even read a single word or even understand what was written. He wasn't even able to find his poetry book. Vivid images played before his mind and all he could think about was his wife and the final battle against Aizen.
Ichigo frowned more at the bitter memories invading his head, cursing himself for not taking care of his family. Remembering his son's face after seeing Orihime's unconscious body, he felt like seeing himself when his mom died, and he hated himself for making his son feel that way.
He heard a knock on his door, shaking him out of his thoughts.
"Come in," He let out a loud sigh.
"Kurosaki-san, you asked not to be disturbed but I really need your signatures on these documents…I need your agreement for our next publication…" his assistant Nana Komatsu spoke.
He took his hand out of his hair, he left his desk and took the papers from her hands.
"Where do I have to sign, Komatsu-san?" he frowned at her, urging her to explain herself and leave him alone.
"A-are you sure you don't want to read them first? You know I used the poems-"
"I don't care just show me where I have to sign!" he growled ignoring her comments, making the girl back off in shock.
"S-Should I use an alias when publishing it?" She was watching her boss signing the documents as her anxiety traveled in her veins but never made it to her facial muscle. Trying to stay as professional as she could, her eyes were steady and she felt herself fidgeting. She thought something bad must have happened to him seeing his mood... She'd never seen him that angry.
"Do as you please. Close the door behind you when you leave," He let out a restrained sigh and gave her back the file. He turned to his desk, grabbing his stuff to return home.
"It's going to be published next week. I'll let you know how it sales," Nana squeaked hiding behind the paperwork she shielded her face with.
He ignored her again and eyed his phone with a furious glance as if he could bully it into ringing to give him the good news he was waiting for. Who the fuck had ever said no news was good news?
Hearing the door close, he took his suitcase and left his office in a hurry.
Ichigo was exhausted, not physically, but he was mostly mentally exhausted from over-thinking.
Orihime laid in a hospital bed in his dad's clinic. The walls were white with a full sun-facing window. Paintings hung on the wall, and she was surrounded by flowers brought by their family and friends as some of them came back to Japan after hearing the news from Isshin. Ichigo had an argument with his father about it, but he grounded him, reminding him that he needed support from them. Isshin knew how it felt like to be that powerless...
Orihime's face was bathed in the sun rays as she seemed to be sleeping in peace. Aside from the smell of antiseptic, Ichigo could smell Orihime's own subtle fragrance melting with the flowers sent. Her hair was laying over her shoulders, and everything from there was covered under the sheets. Her face was still pale, long black lashes laying against her skin, and her mouth slightly open. His father and Ishida surrounded the bed, watching her heart monitor and her intravenous drips.
As each second that passed, Ichigo expected her to wake up with a bright smile on her face, but today didn't seem to be that day either. As usual, he went to his father's clinic right after his job. He dragged a seat next to her bed and sat heavily on it until the next day morning, where Kazui woke him up to go to work. He was ready to stay there for as long as it would take her to wake up. Thankfully, Yuzu came every day to prepare some food, or else, any of them would think about feeding themselves.
The orange-haired man tried to listen to his father's explanation, but his brain couldn't process all the information as he was studying his wife's face features while stroking her hair. Isshin stood behind him and cleared his throat.
"Stop blaming yourself son," Isshin squeezed his shoulder reassuring him, "Kazui's also blaming himself but you both forgot that it was her choice to protect you, so honor it."
Isshin walked to the other side of the bed and checked the other monitors.
"She exhausted her Reiatsu, her body went into shock when that second soul disappeared," Ishida explained, "She'll be in a coma until her body adjusts to not having it after so long," He pushed his glasses against his nose, "I don't know how you thought she was going to handle a Vasto Lorde soul and Reiatsu within her. You should have called me sooner,"
"I didn't think your son was going to act like an idiot even in his adulthood, Isshin-san," Ishida crossed his arms as he let out a long sigh.
"Who do you think you are, four eyes?" Ichigo violently pushed his chair aside, only to notice Urahara standing in a corner. He missed seeing him when he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"Ichigo, control your Reiatsu or you're going to leave this room," Urahara warned coldly.
"Come on, both of you! Doctor Ishida is only worried as we all are, Ichigo!" Isshin spoke with a serious voice. "And Ichigo, you won't interfere with my daughter's and patient recovery!"
Ichigo growled and left the room, slamming the door behind him. In a week, he quarreled with Tatsuki, his sisters, Sado, and now Ishida as they all blamed him for not calling them earlier. Like he was going to call them for help! Everybody was reprimanding him yet when he tried to help, he couldn't. He felt so awful. At that moment, he knew that his flash of anger protected him from the pain. He failed himself and his wife, again.
He needed some air. Frustration eating his insides, he felt like he was suffocating inside that room with everybody pissing him off. He couldn't even go on a hollow hunt to release some steam, fearing that Orihime might wake up in his absence.
He tried to stay calm and control his Reiatsu. He opened his father's living room window and drowned in a deep breath. He cast his eyes around the street, only to spot Kazui sitting downcast on his father's doorstep.
Kazui sat in the warm breeze trying to enjoy the nice day, his body bathing in the light of the sunset, yet he was shaking. Recalling Ainoko's words and blows, his breaths came in sharp pants, and he tried to gain control, but nothing was working. Lost in his thoughts, his memories of the day before were stirring in his mind, making him sadder.
He hadn't been able to sleep, so he decided to visit his mom. He sat near her bed and held her hand, watching her peacefully sleeping while his father fell asleep in his chair, his head laying on the edge of the other side of her bed.
The hands that once had reassured him that his world was safe felt so cold, but he clutched at her weary fingers anyway. He let the warmth and softness of his own hands let her know he was there, that he was alright and that he wouldn't leave her alone.
In a calm voice, he had told her the tale of the three aliens, the one she used to tell him every night even if he often told her he was too grown-up for it. As the story unfolded, her breathing had stopped for a time and then started again, gasping. When at last those aliens had learned of their mother's unconditional love, that their inadvertent sins were already forgiven, her breathing was steady. But he had stayed to tell her the tale one more time, this time more for him than her. As his tears rained down, his hand grew cold too.
If he had stayed up all night it would have made no difference to his exhaustion. By the morning his bedsheets were in a knot, and aside from a few fit-full half hours of vivid dreams, he hasn't slept a wink. His brain was constantly searching for any sign that his mom was alright, but she was still unreachable.
His stomach shifted uneasily, and he noticed that the hands he was hugging himself with were pinching into his skin, bringing him back to the present time. He released them, but he couldn't figure out what to do with them. Instead, he clasped and unclasped each hand as if in constant need of touch and reassurance.
"Don't look so sad, son," Ichigo poked Kazui's nose and wrapped his arm around his shoulder, brushing a strand of orange hair away from his face.
Knocked out of his thoughts, Kazui turned to his father, his eyes brimming with tears. "But I failed her, dad. I nearly got Ichika and myself killed,"
"You dared to fight even if you were reckless. And we brought your mom back as we promised," Ichigo frowned and cleared his voice, "but still, you're going to be grounded later,"
The teenager sniffed dejectedly and buried his face in his father's chest. He eagerly wrapped his arms around his back, trying to calm his anxiety.
"Let's go back to her side, we can watch a movie if you want," The orange haired-man stood, smiling softly to his son.
"Will she ever wake up, dad?" Kazui mumbled, looking down.
"I wish I could say…" Ichigo sighed. "Your grandpa told me however long it will take her…" he patted his son's head, "We have to have faith Kazui, she'll make it,"
"I need some time alone in my room," Kazui cleared his throat, not telling him that he spent the night in her room last night, "Call me if anything happens…"
Ichigo nodded and headed back to his wife's room, feeling more powerless than ever.
Ishida and Isshin excused themselves quietly, Ichigo hadn't even noticed that they left the room. Urahara was packing his devices, humming softly. His gaze turned towards Orihime, and he softly smiled to her.
"What's funny, Urahara-san?" Ichigo growled, cracking his fingers while frowning at him.
"I just received her blood test results. And I can't deny that they're interesting…" He smiled mischievously to the orange-haired man.
"Mind sharing some good news?" Ichigo taunted, scowling at the scientist.
Kisuke cleared his throat, "When she tried to reject the Hogyoku when Aizen held her captive during the Winter war, it didn't work. But she didn't know that the Hogyoku kept Kamiko Hidemi's soul in it and granted her wish to come back to life, by rejecting it into Orihime's body" he stated, "So good news, there's only Orihime's-san soul in her body now!"
"How did you learn that?" Ichigo interrupted the scientist.
"I created a device that can scan the souls and extract their memories. You know, it's always useful …" he scratched his head in embarrassment. "Don't worry I wasn't interested in your private moments,"
"Just keep going …" Ichigo growled in anger, looking at his wife's face.
"So, as explained in her medical report, that second soul slept for years, until Orihime gave birth to Kazui. When he was in her womb, his Reiatsu barely woke up the Arrancar's, making Orihime very weak after she gave birth." Urahara explained. "probably because her body and powers were constantly trying to reject it, feeling that a foreign soul was in her body,"
"Then when she was 'killed' by the Guerilla members, The Reishi sword she was killed with completely awoke the Arrancar's soul and it took over hers because their Reiatsu was stronger than Orihime's,"
Ichigo clenched his fists at the bedsheets, his eyes narrowing in anger and his face turning red at the memory of that night.
"Well, later on, Orihime had to learn to live with that second soul, but the problem is that nobody that can handle two souls at once, especially not a human body that is sensitive to spiritual pressure." Kisuke paused, "Even you Ichigo. White, your hollow, is a small part of what he used to be," the scientist continued.
"They both trained, probably because the hollow wanted to see if Orihime could use her powers just as she could use hers. Kamiko as a hollow Vasto Lorde was always going to take over Orihime. But when Orihime saw Kazui after Ainoko Tsunayashiro hurt him, her will took over Kamiko's, making her stronger than ever," He opened his fan and narrowed his eyes, "So even after merging with her Hollow, she was still in control even if her personality and feelings were influenced by Kamiko's,"
"After using so much Reiatsu, knowing that a part of it was sucked in Las Noches with the talismans and that she never got to recover," he started to count with his fingers, "merging two souls in a human body, killing Ainoko, rejecting the Hogyoku, summoning Hell, and rejecting Aizen's soul there," he let out a whistle, "that's a miracle she's still alive. Nearly all her Reiatsu was drained, and the Arrancar's one was fully drained, probably because it was living in a human body hindering their full potential,"
"So, the girl you saw near Orihime-san after you came back from hell was Kamiko Hidemi, saying her goodbyes before her soul vanished, finally rejected by Orihime's body as it was weaker than hers,"
"This whole story is crazy…" Ichigo let out a long sigh, "nobody could know that a second soul was hiding in her body during all these years…"
"After all the tests I ran on her when she came back after the Winter war… our technology wasn't that advanced," he hid his face behind his fan, "I hate to say that as a scientist, but I guess it was just her fate, Kurosaki-san,"
"Do you have any news about the Guerilla?" Ichigo spoke with a serious voice.
"Of course, I do!" Urahara grinned, "I was right. They used human souls that were kidnapped from the Rokongai and used a Reishi filled sword to give them some Hollows abilities like using Sonido," he explained. "It was the same kind of sword that woke Kamiko-san…"
"Ainoko couldn't turn them into Arrancar, he needed Aizen's Hogyoku for that. So instead, he created talismans that sucked Reiatsu and allowed them to use it back, making them stronger. It was to compensate for the lack of their own Reitasu,"
"Hopefully, Ainoko's arrogance made him act recklessly, but if he had taken more time to prepare his attacks…"
"I would still have killed him," Ichigo interrupted him, frowning even more. "Finally, it's all over now. I guess the Ex-Espada returned back to Hueco Mundo then,"
Kisuke nodded. "Unfortunately, they couldn't bring back the Arrancar held captive by Kurosutchi. He stated that they work for him since he saved their lives, so he owes them a debt …" He added, "they'll be free in something like 345 years. He converted each treatment they received in years…"
Ichigo shook his head in disgust and returned his gaze to his wife, "So, what the blood tests are saying?" he questioned, holding Orihime's hand.
"Heh," Urahara scratched his head in embarrassment, slightly blushing, "W-well, everything's stabilized, you don't have to worry… if my assumptions are correct, her health should be excellent since the hollow left her soul,"
Ichigo raised an eyebrow, confused by the man's reaction. "What are you up to, Urahara-san? Why are you suddenly fidgeting?" he scowled the scientist.
"Oh, I just finished packing my stuff, and I'm going back to my shop. It's already dark outside!" He grinned, taking his suitcase in hand. "call me if you need anything! Anyway, I have to say that you're the kind of man that doesn't waste his time, don't you?" he grinned, hiding his wide smile behind his fan.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo stood and walked to Kisuke's direction, frowning more at him.
"Bye now, Kurosaki-san!" he waved his fan and disappeared using Shunpo.
Late into the evening, Ichigo laid his head against Orihime's bed, a bowl of rice brought to him by Yuzu sat forgotten and untouched on a nearby table.
"Zangetsu," he called in his mind.
"Ichigo." His Zanpakuto spirit answered.
"Did you know of Kamiko?" Ichigo grumbled, "I didn't forget when you told me not to attack her,"
"I did, Ichigo," The hollow admitted. "I can't remember what happened to me in my past hollow life, but deep down I felt like I knew her,"
"When did you know that?"
"When Orihime came back to the human world before Kamiko took over her…" Zangetsu cleared his voice. "I recognized her Reiatsu when-"
"I got it," Ichigo interrupted his hollow's explanation, flashes of their heated reunion popping in his mind.
"I think it allowed me to remember some fragments of my past life, but I wasn't sure, so I kept it for myself…" The spirit closed his eyes, "I'm sure that I can reach her if I get another chance..."
"I trusted you when you told me to let go of her, so thank you," Ichigo declared.
"No problem. I wish I could have helped yo, but I would only have disturbed you since I'm still not sure…" The spirit faltered.
The door slid open, and Kazui poked his head, slightly smiling to his father.
"Any news, dad?" the teen entered the room and reached out to the bowl to give it back to him. "You should eat. You know mom hates it when we waste food, and aunty Yuzu is going to be sad thinking that you don't like her cooking anymore,"
"Thanks," Ichigo replied with a hoarse voice, "She's still sleeping. Urahara said her blood tests are fine, so it's good news," he pecked at the bowl, and after a few bites, he noticed he wasn't hungry. He put it aside, even if Yuzu's cooking was still excellent.
"I guess we just have to be patient…" Kazui let out a sigh, "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up if anything happens,"
Ichigo nodded and sadly smiled at his son. He appreciated that he was trying to comfort him even if he was sad himself.
Kazui headed to the door when he turned to his father, his face tight, every thought focused on masking his fears as his eyes were dimmed. Ichigo reached out to him and hugged him tightly as he kissed the top of his head.
When they finally parted, Kazui felt his absence as a cold wind, wishing his mom could wake up and wrap her arms around him, just like she used to do every night before he went to bed.
Ichigo returned to his seat. He buried his head between his arms on the edge of Orihime's bed, feeling her fingers brushing the tip of his hair, reassuring him.
Just like every night, Ichigo worried. Things he felt he should have done, coupled with his perceived failures dominated his mind. He thought about his actions and words, finding them inadequate. Festering guilt rendered his mind ineffective. What if she slept for one, five, ten years? That mere thought sent a shiver down his spine as he shook his head in disbelief. He would never bear it. He would never allow her to have such a fate as long as he was alive.
He started to feel a blackness come over him, like a blanket of coldness making him shiver. He struggled to keep his eyes open as usual since a week now, but they only felt heavier. He finally closed them, sending him into a dreamless sleep.
It was one of those spring days with a kiss of coldness that somehow heightened the warm rays of the sun. The grass was a soft green that almost had a hint of blue, and the sky was filled with pristine white clouds. The concrete of the path was warm under Orihime's bare feet, and she was glad to be free of the confines of her shoes. Who needed to run when walking felt so blissful?
She was wandering in a maze, but couldn't tell how many minutes, hours, or days she was stuck. She stopped and closed her eyes so that she could focus just on sound. She was hearing voices but never find out from where they came. She opened her eyes and let the daylight flood back in, bringing the sun rays back into her focus.
She paused her tracks and looked for blue flowers she loved. They looked like the hairpins her brother had offered her.
"Orihime, wake up!" a gentle voice whispered.
"Oi, woman, the nap is over, wake up!" commanded a second aggressive one.
"Flowers can speak now? This is funny!" she smiled, lowering her ear closer to the flowers.
After what felt so long in the maze, Orihime was confused as to which path to take. She'd sat there all day, lost, figuring she'd never get out when two kids with orange hair who looked like twins just walked right through the walls. She sat and stared as they passed through the maze stems into the still sunlit path. They both smiled and beaconed her to come.
"Follow us!" The little girl suggested with a small grin while the boy kept gently smiling at her. Orihime wrapped her fingers into her loose cotton shirt, her heart flooded with relief. She didn't know why, but it felt like she knew them. She could have walked through the maze herself she supposed, but it was wonderful to have two little guides.
Orihime's dream ended abruptly, as she was shaken back into reality.
Shedding herself of the remaining glimpses of a weird dream, her eyes were still shut as she soaked in the warmth of her covers. She let her hazel eyes see the sun's rays, her eyelashes faintly batting against her lids when she blinked. She glimpsed at the glowing and radiant sun peaking above the horizon out of her window as it extended its vivid light across the deep crimson sky. Its dazzling and inviting rays flowed through the window providing more warmth to her body.
Orihime laid quietly, matching her breaths to the beeping of the machines that surrounded the bed, the only indications of her heartbeat.
"Right, I fought Aizen..." she let out an exasperated sigh. "this looks like Uncle Isshin's clinic…"
Her auburn-hair scattered across her pillow, she was debating whether or not she should get up. Her muscles felt weak, just like her energy.
What time was it? How long had she been asleep? All kinds of questions shot through her mind as she glanced around the room. Slowly the fatigue of the fight against Aizen was seeping out of her as the welcoming rays trickled in to replacing her unrest, relaxing her body.
"Finally, woman!" she heard Tsubaki's voice in her mind.
She smiled, grateful that she still had her powers. Slightly moving her head on the left, she noticed messy orange hair sticking out, and the sight made her weakly smile. As her drowsiness had still not left her, she slowly approached her hand, gently caressing the tufty hair.
Feeling fingers rubbing his hair, Ichigo groaned as he woke up abruptly from his restless slumber. He paused and focused on Orihime's face blinking in shock, trying to process what happened.
"Morning, handsome," she greeted with a weak and hoarse voice.
Without thinking, Ichigo reached over her and eagerly wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his head in her chest. His fingers curled into the fabric of her robe, clasping it tightly. She hugged him back, just enough to reassure him they were together, and he wasn't dreaming.
"We're at dad's clinic. You're safe now," Ichigo leaned in a little closer, their foreheads touching.
Before she could even respond, his lips brushed hers, fiery and demanding. Orihime wanted to pull away before she loses herself, but she couldn't … she couldn't think straight anymore.
"Orihime, I'm so happy you made it," he whispered against her lips. She smiled, her heart fluttering at his voice as she clasped her hands on either side of his face.
His kiss was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek as their breaths mingled.
She ran her fingers down his spine, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them, and she could feel the beating of his heart against her chest.
Ichigo's brain lit on fire, and the warmth spread throughout his entire body. Deep down, he knew he couldn't bear her absence anymore. He was so happy that he could barely breathe since he woke up. Her kisses were his salvation and his torment. He knew that if he lost her, he would lose himself too. She was the half that made him whole.
"I want to see Kazui! Please call him for me," she pleaded with puppy eyes, squeezing Ichigo's hands.
"Let's surprise him! Be right back," Ichigo planted a kiss upon his wife's forehead and headed to Kazui's room.
"Hey, champ! Wake up, I have to drop you earlier to school today," Ichigo brushed Kazui's hair from his forehead to wake him up gently, "Can you bring a cup of water to your mother before getting ready? it's just in case she wakes up when we're away…"
"But dad it's still early!" the kid cried, looking at his alarm that showed five o'clock.
"Come on, just do as I say!" Ichigo hurried, trying to hide his smile.
Slowly and reluctantly, Kazui uncovered his face. He blinked, closed his eyes, and blinked again while hearing his father hurrying him even more. His dad opened the curtains, and streaks of sunlight penetrated, blinding him. He sat up, dragged his feet off the bed, and rubbed his knuckles onto his eyes.
"I'm going, just please stop talking, dad! it's still too early..." He stretched his arms above his head and let out a loud yawn.
He threw on a pair of sweatpants from his chair and used his fullbring light to the kitchen. He filled a cup of water and walked down to the front door of his mom's room, almost tripping over his own feet in his haste. He slowly opened the door, trying to be quiet.
"No way..." Kazui whispered as his bottom lip trembled, putting the cup aside.
Orihime was sitting on her bed, a blush blossoming on her cheek. Her face was illuminated by the sun rays, her features suspended between grief and joy.
Seconds passed, Kazui's brain taking her in, struggling to comprehend that she wasn't one of the pictures he kept beside his bed, that she was real. Every muscle of his body froze before a grin crept onto his face.
Wordlessly, Orihime held her arms open in an invitation, and Kazui flung himself into her embrace with a strangled sob. He buried his face into the crook of his mother's neck, and they sat there for a while. Kazui wracked with the force of unvoiced cries while Orihime held him, her heart aching for her son.
The warmth of her body met his skin, giving him hope like she always did. One of her hands clasped around his back, the other stroked his hair. With each soft touch, more tears fell, tears neither of them wiped away.
Ichigo stood in the corner of the room as he crossed his arms, watching the scene with a satisfied smile. He reached to them and scooped both of them into a bear-hug.
After so many weeks, his wife finally came back. He had the chance to make new memories with his family, and wasting time wasn't on the agenda.
Two weeks later
"There is a deep-rooted part of our souls that understands the connection between self-sacrifice and love. Meeting you was a fate, being your friend was a choice, and falling in love was bound to happen.
You are the one who paints my world. You are the one I will die for a thousand times. I'd follow you into hell if that's what it takes to keep you safe. From the ashes of my roots, the new me will rise to live again. I am your protector as you are mine, one to shield the other, and together, we'll ride through every storm, waiting to see what the new dawn may bring to us.
This is a poetry of youth, this is a poetry of me and you,-"
Ichigo paused his writing, feeling a presence in his office. He lifted his head and noticed his assistant smiling at him. When did she knock? he hadn't heard her at all.
He scowled deeply at her as she interrupted his writing, trying to make her understand he didn't want to be bothered. As she didn't move, he stood from his desk, shooing her with his hands, but she had no intention of moving.
"Komatsu-san, leave! I'll call you when I'll be available. I'm in the middle of creating a new writing,"
"Oh, what is it, Kurosaki-sama?" Nana took the papers from his desk and started to read, which made Ichigo red from annoyance.
"Give it back, I'm not finished yet," he groaned, and she almost spat the take-out coffee she was drinking.
"Oh, you think this is unfinished? it's more than finished! I think it can be an interesting continuation of what we published the last week,"
"What?" Ichigo scowled. "What are you talking about?"
"I made you sign some documents two weeks ago. We published some of the poems you wrote. Remember when you found me on the floor reading your tossed papers? Well, I used them,"
"Say again?" Ichigo glared at her furiously.
"Your angry face is so funny Kurosaki-sama!" She dissolved into a puddle of laughter.
Ichigo could notice her stomach shaking as she fought a new gale of giggles. What's with the sudden change of attitude? He was her boss for God's sake!
"When I contacted your dad about your recent absences, he gave me your poetry notebook, saying that you were working at home," she explained, "So I published some of them and I came to bring you the sales numbers. We've been sold out for a week now, and we have a strong demand to publish the whole story in the form of poems,"
Ichigo couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't know if he had to blame his father or his assistant, or both of them.
"The sales and creative staff are currently waiting for an answer to this proposition. You have enough material to write a book so the decision should be easy," Nana stated, "Don't worry, I published the poems under an anonymous name, only the publishing company knows you're behind it,"
"I'm going to kill you, Komatsu san," He closed his eyes and took a deep breath trying to calm himself.
"Before you do, just know that thanks to my efforts, your salary's probably going to be multiplied by five thanks to the sales revenues your poems made to the company,"
Ichigo's eyes stretched in shock, "five, you say?"
"Just take a look at these numbers," his assistant outstretched a file, proudly smiling to him. "You also have five minutes to think about a title. I covered you up for your absence, so they think you requested to publish the poems first,"
"I'm going to kill you both, you and my dad!" Ichigo spat in anger, "those writings were personal!"
"Just give me my 10% before you kill me!" Nana joked. She was used to her boss's attitude, and she knew his attentions were never bad towards her.
"Seriously, I was affected by your writings, and I spotted a huge potential into making it a story. I wanted to only publish some poems first, and now you can be the first Japanese writer to ever publish a story in the form of poems," she insisted. "So, what do you say about the title?"
Rubbing his head in confusion, he picked up the text he was writing, frowning while thinking.
"Hmm, what do you think about this one?" he pointed his finger at the sheet.
"'From the ashes of my roots,' it sounds poetic and romantic, I like it!" she stared at Ichigo as he was softly smiling at his poem. "I guess it has a personal meaning behind it,"
"If I fall, I'll always rise to protect my loved ones, even if I'm turned into ashes. She's just the same as me… so I'll dedicate this book to my wife,"
"Your wife must be so lucky Kurosaki-sama! I wish my husband Takumi was as romantic as you," Nana was daydreaming, her eyes shone as a smile grew on her face.
"Enough now, get out!" Ichigo deeply blushed, knocking her out of her reverie, "I'll get ready, and let's meet the staff together," he pushed his assistant to his door's office.
"And thank you, Komatsu-san," he gently smiled to his assistant. Her eyes opened wide as she noticed a smile for the first time on her boss's face.
Ichigo closed the door and kept smiling. He couldn't wait to break the news to Orihime. He'll finally offer her the bakery of her dreams and even move to a bigger house.
Orihime was watching the television in boredom, waiting for her husband and son to come home. Her stepfather told her to rest, even if she felt in great shape. She stood and headed to the bathroom, stretching in her way.
It was dark, dank even, and on the walls were three mirrors without frames. She leaned in to adjust her light makeup, but when her eyes rested on the glass, she saw the face of a young woman with fair skin and black hair, glaring at her with a soft and gentle expression.
Orihime approached her face to the mirror to have a better look.
"K-Kamiko san?" she mumbled, happiness filling her heart. "You made it! What can I do to make you step out from the mirror?" she asked in a hurry. "I can't believe you're still alive!"
A voice spoke back to her, "How do you know my name, Orihime? I'm your Zanpakuto spirit, you need to find out how to free me on your own,"
Orihime rose abruptly from her heavy slumber, panting. She rolled over, noticing the television was still on.
"I must have slept in front of Don Kanonji's show..." stretching on the sofa, she was thinking about her weird dream, "Maybe I should tell Ichigo and Urahara about it…" Her stomach let out a loud rumble, interrupting her train of thought.
"I'm always hungry these days... I know I have a large appetite but my stomach feels like a giant empty hole that's never filled..." she heard a second rumble urging her to eat something. "I have to make an appointment with my other doctor, I don't want to cause any trouble to Isshin-san again... but first, I have to party to organize for Kazui!"
Slowly but surely, she pushed herself out of the sofa, thinking about how she could please Kazui. She promised him a second birthday party with their friends and family and she was willing to honor her promise.
Chatting ran through the house as balloons drifted around aimlessly on the floor among the discarded wrapping paper. Multi-colored banners were draped on the top of each door and a stack of unopened presents stood in the corner of the living room, wrapped in smooth shiny wrapping paper.
As promised, Kazui's second birthday party was on full swing. Mizuiro and Keigo were chatting with Karin about her last soccer tournament in Tokyo. Yuzu and Orihime were bringing more snacks from the kitchen to the living room, while Ichigo, Chad, Ishida, Tatsuki, and Isshin were watching replays of Chad's boxing matches.
A hungry Kazui loomed over the table which was filled with food. He grabbed at sandwiches and filled his mouth with sweets. He missed his mom's food so much that he didn't want to waste any of it.
"Turn off the lights!" Yuzu cheered.
Orihime brought in a large cake covered in thick white icing and decorated with tiny roses that she placed in the center of the table, surrounded with brightly colored bowls that were filled with food.
Everybody sang while Kazui sat in the middle, a big blue birthday badge was pinned on his favorite green hoodie. He blushed lightly as he was surrounded by his parents, family, and friends, trying to hide his embarrassment. Did they really need to sing a birthday song?
He blew his candles under a roar of applause. His cautious embarrassed grin exploded into a radiant smile that he had never worn before. Everything was going to be alright now, he had his parents and he was surrounded by his family.
"I came at the perfect moment!" Urahara was widely grinning, holding a large box in his hands. "This is from Kyoraku-san, happy second birthday, Kazui-san!"
Orihime and Ichigo both glared confusedly to Urahara as Kazui jumped in happiness.
"I have a new Asauchi!" Kazui shouted in excitement after opening the box. He started to show it proudly to the rest of the guests.
"But, what about the one I have, Urahara-san?" Orihime questioned quietly, pulling Urahara and Ichigo to the side to have a conversation.
"Seeing the dream you had two weeks ago, and the tests I ran on you after you woke up, as well as on your Zanpakuto, I have to tell you that your soul has been infected by Kamiko's, Orihime-san," Kisuke declared, "Even if her soul left your body, a small part of her stayed, just like Masaki had with White after he attacked her,"
Ichigo's face turned serious, "Isn't it possible to extract it, Urahara-san?"
"Well, just like you trained and bounded with your Zanpakuto spirit, Orihime can do the same as she has one of her own now," He explained, "Orihime-san, keep in mind that the spirit doesn't remember anything from what happened between you two,"
"That's why she asked me how I knew her name..." Orihime thought out loud. "Ichigo, even if I could, I don't want to extract her…I'm happy that a part of her soul will stay forever with mine…" She hugged her hands against her heart, her eyes tearing, "I'm ready to train and discover my new abilities with her,"
"That's right, Orihime-san! that's why you can't give the Zanpakuto to Kazui, it belongs to you. As you both helped Soul Society, Kyoraku-san decided to offer a new one to Kazui," He hid his smile behind his fan.
"This time, I won't let you touch it, mom!" Kazui joked, hugging his mother in excitement as they rejoined their guests, "I can't wait to show it to Ichika!"
"It's my turn now!" Orihime wiped her tears and gave a small box to Kazui.
The gift was in a simple paper bag and tied with a green ribbon. Kazui examined the box and shook it, trying to guess what was inside. He stared at his mother and noticed that her eyes were beaming with tears again. He turned his glare to his father, trying to detect any hint, but his dad's questioning gaze to his mom made him more confused.
He opened the box in a hurry, only to raise his eyebrows in puzzling.
"What's this, mom?"
The boy took out the photograph from the box and narrowed his eyes, trying to understand the black and white shapes on it.
Ichigo's eyes stretched, and he pulled out the photograph from Kazui's hand, only to make the kid grumble.
"Orihime? A-are we...?"
Orihime nodded as tears rolled unchecked on her cheeks. "It's an ultrasound... they're 6 weeks along,"
In an instant, she found herself being pulled in Ichigo's embrace, as he spun her around from excitement. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close, closing her eyes to stop the dizziness.
Ichigo laughed. It's was a sound Orihime hadn't heard in months, and it made her laugh too. He leaned closer, their breaths were mingling as he kissed her short and sweet. "I love you," he mumbled, "I love you!"
The orange haired-man could feel his lips stretch wider into a gaping grin, and his eyebrows arch, "You're going to be a big brother to twins, Kazui!"
Unable to comprehend what had just occurred, Kazui stared unblinking at his parents. He picked up the ultrasound, and the corners of his mouth lifted up into a smile that widened into a brilliant grin, "I can see it now! I'm going to be a big brother... That's the best gift ever!" He was laughing, feeling absolutely delirious after processing the news.
"When did you learn about it? you should have told me!" Ichigo asked while taking Orihime's hands in his.
"Last week... I just went for a check-up... so I decided to surprise you both today!" she cheered, "I feel like we're going to have a girl and a boy," she mumbled as she clasped her hands around her belly, remembering the weird dream she had before waking up weeks ago.
Everybody was watching the scene from the sidelines, taking a toast for them on the happy news.
"Dad, you're calmer than usual..." Ichigo addressed to his father while his sisters and Tatsuki surrounded Orihime, congratulating her.
"Heh, it's because we were aware with Urahara-san," his dad proudly announced, "He told me the news after he received her blood test, but it wasn't our place to announce it,"
Ichigo's growled, his foot meeting the right side of his father's face, sending him on the wall.
"I'm aware of everything before anyone, Kurosaki san!" Urahara hid his face behind his fan, and he slowly started to back off seeing Ichigo's frown and how he was moving towards him.
"Heh, I have to go now, Yoruichi is waiting for my call!" Kisuke hurried. He tried to leave using Shunpo, but Ichigo grabbed his arm before he could move and punched him, making his fan break against his nose.
Watching the whole scene from afar, there was an explosion in Orihime's brain... the good sort... the type that carries more possibilities than she could be conscious of... but there were hundreds of ideas there in that buzz of electricity... she could feel it. It was the calling card of adventure, of paths awaiting her feet, with powers to discover and future twins to raise. Whatever was ahead could be a great challenge, and there could be tears, but it was her adventure to take along with her family, and so she smiled.
She felt arms wrapping around her belly, getting her out of her thoughts. Feeling Ichigo's scent, she closed her eyes. Her mind was at peace now. She felt his body press in, soft and warm. She can finally give her family more joy, as she'd waited for and prayed for years. She inwardly thanked God and hugged Ichigo all the tighter as she felt Kazui's arms hugging her too. Finally, she was truly home now.
A/N: Yay! finally :') (-me shedding a tear after succeeding in my writing project in English). Hitting the 'complete' button is sooo satisfying!
*I'm so happy I managed to finish my first fiction ever and in English, my mission is complete since I improved in writing and in English, I couldn't be prouder :)! I hope you enjoyed this story and I want to thank each one of you for taking the time to read it! each review, fav/follow gave me a little push to finish it, so I'm grateful for your support! I'll still keep answering your reviews/pm even if the story is finished :)
*I also wanted to thank my perfect beta ScepticalOne. It's thanks to his precious help and advice that I kept writing this story (you can thank him guys because if I were a review whore, I would have dropped this story :p ). I'm forever grateful to you, you're the best mentor I could have ever find on the sea of beta on FF :).
*Chuain, you send me the most moving PM ever when I was doubting myself so I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to boost and support me. Thank you so much! I still keep reading your PM from time to time when I feel low :).
*Thanks to no-rhyme-no-reason-in-love. She's the best Ichihime fiction writer and she was my inspiration from the beginning.
*For those who didn't get the reference, Nana Komatsu, Ichigo's assistant, is one of the main characters of the manga 'Nana' :).
*I'm probably going to publish a new Ichihime fiction but completely out of Bleach universe. Stay tuned :)
*Please take care and never doubt yourself! See youuuu, ++ :)