Disclaimer: Bleach is owned by Kubo.
Chapter 3: What does one want to be? What does one need to become?
" Karin-chan! It's been a while." The Kurosaki girl hears the shop owner's greeting.
The dark-haired girl just stars back at him she places the items she is purchasing on top of his counter. " I've seen you just the day before, Urahara-san."
" How mean." Urahara, the shop owner, pouts at the girl. " How is Isshin doing?"
" Fine." She then pushes her purchases closer towards him. " Ring this up, please." She says impatiently.
" Ara, ara. As impatient as ever." The shop owner comments as he starts to clerk in the items.
Karin lets her gaze wander around the store to keep herself busy and notices a group of knights, wearing remarkably white shiny armours, outside the store and wondering around the town centre. It is very odd to see such a scene in a place outside the Capital city where the Temple of the goddess of Moon and Sun is located. Royal Knights, black armoured warriors who protect the king, are elite but Templar knights are even a bigger deal.
Dark Shadow has been around for nearly a thousand years, long before the kingdom was established, feared by all. Due to the fear caused by this existence who haunts the peace of the people, the temple's authority skyrocketed, holding power equal or even above the royalty. As according to the prophecy and history, the descendant of goddess of Moon and Sun will be the one to vanquish the Dark Shadow.
" Oh? You're looking at those Templar knights with interest. You want to become one as well?" It is Urahara's unsolicited question without the need for answer. " It seems that the grand priestess has been missing for quite a while now and they've been sent out to look for her."
"Grand priestess." Karin repeats. " Such a grand title."
Urahara wears a solemn look on his face. " Grand indeed. A chosen maiden devoting her life to the temple and to the goddess and gifted with miracles. At least, she gets pseudo-immortality. That's a nice perk, isn't it?"
"Pseudo-immortality?"
The sudden interest that Karin shows in the conversation prompts Urahara Kisuke to wear a cloy look on his face which immediately annoys the female teen upon her notice. But he still explains to her. " Well, she's still mortal—only her aging process works differently. The grand priestess just ages slower in comparison to normal human beings, three times slower give or take." Once he establishes that Karin still holds interest in the conversation, he continues. " Like if a normal human lives a 100 years on average, they could live up to three hundred years. That's why they live longer than the rest of us. It only makes sense since it's not easy to find a replacement for one of her role. It's quite a blessing if I may say so."
" It's more of a curse than a blessing." The Kurosaki teen mumbles.
The grand priestess serves as a figurehead for the temple and more influential that the thirteen bishops who leads the temple. She is a woman blessed and chosen upon her birth—predestined as what most people call it.
It is believed that the grand priestess is the human incarnation of the goddess of Moon and Sun and will be the one to lead to vanquish the Dark Shadow using the weapon blessed by the goddess' blood—which is kept hidden in the temple's treasury. Thus, the grand priestess is bound by the temple all her life the moment she steps inside it.
But up until now no one, not even the grand priestesses, has been able to wield the said weapon. Nor has any of them manage to end the feared Dark Shadow. Yet the people continue to blindly hope and believe, pinning such feelings to the temple and to the goddess and to the grand priestess—the human sacrifice to keep people's hope alive.
" But of course, I did say pseudo-immortality but they can still be killed like any other normal human if you stab them in the heart or cut off their head." Urahara breaks Karin's thoughts with the grim remark, bringing her back to reality to glare at him. He hands her the bag of goods with a smile. "Here's your purchase."
" You're awfully knowledgeable about this things." The dark haired Kurosaki teen slants her eyes suspiciously at him.
Out of nowhere, he retrieves a paper fan and covers his lips with it, then speaks to her under his shaded eyes. " Well…" He says with suspense.
" Well?"
Urahara Kisuke snaps his fan close and laughs bashfully. " Let's say I've always dreamt of being a grand priestess. Imagine how much money and power I will have with that position."
" Idiot." Karin rolls her eyes, hands him the payment and leaves without another word.
" Thank you for your patronage!" He tells her departing form as he waves enthusiastically.
-000-
" Maybe I'll join the Templar Knights when I get older." Ichigo hears Karin say, breaking his line of thoughts of the past. He finds himself sitting on the floor of his father's study room with the three girls. The twin sisters are conversing with Rukia about what they want to become when they come of age. " Then, I'll be rich and famous."
Most of the village people lives off with farming and hunting as it is an old village—peaceful and monotonous. It is an hour's horse ride away from Karakura, the kingdom's capital city. Young ones though, regardless of gender, usually aims to be part of the knightage, royal or templar, where prestige and fortune can be gained. If not, they can join guilds and become mercenaries that takes up missions.
Yuzu pouts at her sister's selfish dream. " Mou, Karin-chan. You shouldn't say that. Knights serve to protect. Not gain wealth or any of that stuff." She then turns to Rukia, and with wide eyes, claims " I'll be a doctor and take over Dad so I could help the village folks. How about you, Rukia-chan? What are you planning to become after you come of age?"
" Hmmm?" Rukia hums but does not answer as she looks distantly towards the window. " Well…" She begins absent-mindedly.
" Well?" Karin prods.
" Well…" Rukia repeats again before letting out a sly smile and turning to Ichigo. " Well…I'm actually more curious as to what Ichigo plans on becoming as he should be having his coming of age next month." She involves him all of sudden, catching him off-guard. She hears Ichigo cough before glaring at her.
" Isn't Ichi-nii going to become a hunter since he's good with the sword? He's been joining the hunt from time to time as well." It is Karin who supplies the answer as she sends her brother a look. " He could become a teacher since he likes literature so much but I doubt it could work out with that scowl of his." She chuckles in amusement at her last remark.
Yuzu wears a pondering look on her face, paying attention towards her brother as well. " True. Onii-chan did say that he didn't want to leave the village. Right, onii-chan?"
Ichigo looks at his sisters one after the other before meeting Rukia's amethyst eyes then turns his head to the side to look away. " I'm still thinking about."
The twins pout at him in dismay.
"Mou~" Yuzu pouts at her brother.
" Ichi-nii." Karin begins. " I think you need to start thinking about this seriously. Otherwise, how are you going to feed your wife and children in the future?" She wriggles her brows before glancing at Rukia then towards his brother meaningfully.
The elder brother blushes at his sister's comment. " Fami—what?!"
"That is true." Yuzu innocently chimes in. "Dad did say that onii-chan should be marrying soon since he is getting older. I'll look after my nieces and nephews well, onii-chan." She smiles at her brother sweetly.
" What?!" Ichigo exclaims but then turns mum, not knowing what to say next in this ridiculous conversation he is having with his family.
The bells in the clock towers rings and signifies that it is mid-afternoon.
" Yuzu, we need to get going. The old man should be finished with his village calls now." Karin states as she stands up and heads towards the door.
Yuzu mimics her twin sister and gives the other two a last look. " I'll be making curry for supper so make sure you both don't miss it." Then she disappears into the door.
" Why didn't you tell them that you're planning to be?" Rukia's voice suddenly filled the silence of the room that prevailed once the twins left.
" What is there to tell them?" Ichigo responds half-heartedly as he grabbed a book and starts flipping page though page without really reading. " It's not like telling them now would help with anything."
Rukia was silent for a moment, not commenting on the words that left his mouth. " Then, what do you want to become?" She asks.
If she asks out of curiosity, Ichigo does not know. But he notes a faint mysterious emotion underneath her words. Regret? Remorse? It is an emotion that is not akin to the words she utters. He lifts his face and finds her amethyst eyes gazing at him intently. The first time he's seen those remains vivid in his mind. He feels his chest becoming warm as her gaze turns scorching. Ichigo turns away. " I want to be someone who can protect—" He gulps before adding, "—the people who are important to me. My family, for instance."
He sees a small smile form on Rukia's lips. " Family?" Yet her voice sound so distant. Then a mischievous smirk appears. " Which one? The present or the future?"
Ichigo opens his mouth to ask her what she means but then realizes it himself afterwards, making him blush profusely in embarrassment before looking away from her. He bashfully scratches the back of his neck. " Why are we even talking about this?"
Rukia laughs in amusement. " You'll make a good family in the future, Ichigo. That, I'll make sure of."
The remark forces Ichigo to turn his eyes back to her with a blush on his face at the implication of her words. He finds look of mischief no longer present as she wears a face of utmost sincerity.
" I'm sure you'll be able to protect everyone precious to you if you put your mind to it." She continues without hesitation as she clutches something beside her. Only then does Ichigo notice the long object lying beside her and immediately recognizes her only belonging. She lifts the long object stilled warped in the black silk cloth, looking the same as how it did the first time Ichigo has seen it that night. She unwraps it and reveals a long thin sword, its hilt and blade of the purest black he had ever seen. " This is a holy sword that my family has taken cared of for generations." Rukia stands up and grabs the hilt of the sword, the silk smoothly sliding down from her lap as she does so. She moves towards him, then raises sword and points the sharp tip at him who was still sitting on the floor, the blade now in between his eyes.
The act brings a flash of memory in his mind—the night of his mother's death—Dark Shadow. The sword dripping with his mother's blood in between his amber eyes. The smell of copper and smokes. The mask. Those eyes…those crying eyes…
Ichigo tenses up then blinks, taking himself out of his reverie. " Oi!" He moves backs away from the sword.
Rukia chuckles as she manoeuvres the sword with the hilt now facing Ichigo." I heard you are talented in sword-fighting. Here." She nudges the hilt towards him with one hand. " I'm giving this to you as a present."
He takes the hilt, thinking it is much safer for the meantime to take the sharp object from her. Then he will ask questions later. Upon contact with the sword, he feels a jolt of electricity coursing through his veins but then disappears as quick as it has appeared. He ponders for a moment and thinks of sensation as nothing but a mirage and decides to focus on removing the sword completely form Rukia. But she does not let go of it but instead puts her hands over his own that was now grabbing the hilt then points the blade towards her throat an inch away, her eyes looking at him unwavering.
Ichigo tries to pull the sword's tip away from her throat but she holds sword in place. " That's dangerous, idiot! Let go!" He reprimands as he stares at her with angry eyes.
" Ichigo." She suddenly says his name, not letting her grip loose. " Remember this feeling...of your enemy by the end of your sword. When the need arises for you to take up that sword to protect what is precious for you, never hesitate. Never show fear." Her grip only tightens. " No matter how strong your enemy is." Only then she lets go and steps back. " Even if it is the Dark Shadow."
His breath hitches in his throat for a split second. It is a name he hasn't heard since his father has mentioned it the last time. Then he notices her hands clenching on her sides as she slightly trembles.
"Oi, Rukia…" His perpetual scowl contorts into one of worry.
She shakes her head and turns her back on him. " Someone precious to me died by his sword." Her voice slightly trembles. " I couldn't protect him. All I could do was to watch him die while holding that sword."
Ichigo lets go of the sword and pushes himself up from the floor before crossing the distance between them, grabbing her by forearm and spinning her to face him. He could feel her warmth radiate against the palm of his hand.
She gasps at the sudden action before letting out a small smile, looking up at him. " That is why, use that sword to protect yourself and those precious to you." She places her hand over the one holding her forearm. " I beg of you."
The young Kurosaki is taken aback for a moment. He then sighs a sigh of relief and flicks her forehead with his free hand. " Idiot! Don't go being serious on me like that." He says then ruffles her hair into a disarray. " I humbly accept you gift. Thank you."
-000-
Ichigo lifts his new possession towards the night sky, letting the moonlight cast its glow on the black sword—Zangetsu—the name seems fitting for the dashing sword. He was not planning on accepting something so precious but remembering the look Rukia gave him earlier own made him do otherwise.
" That looks neat." He hears his father's voice from behind. "I heard that's the holy sword that Rukia was holding on to that night. How does it feel holding it?"
Ichigo does not turn to face him but instead swings the sword in the air skilfully, cutting through nothing. " It is lighter than I thought it would be. It already feels like it's a part of me."
" Ho?" His father says as he comes near him and studies the sword. " It looks so cool. It's a very nice gift from my third daughter!" He declares. " Is that already the dowry? She shouldn't have. "
" D-dowry?" The younger Kurosaki jumps away from his father and flails the sword in front of the older one. " W-what are you saying, goat-chin?! You're spouting nonsense again."
" My son!" Isshin begins to wail. " You're not gay, are you? How can you say that when we have a perfectly eligible girl of marrying age inside our house?! And she gives you a gift to boot! That can nothing be short of a dowry! I approve!" He gives his son a thumbs up. " Now, you two can go to the town hall tomorrow to apply for marriage."
" S-shut up, old man!" The bright haired Kurosaki blushes profusely. " It's not a dowry. This is Zangetsu!" The sword suddenly disperses into thin air as the same electrifying sensation that Ichigo felt earlier returns, electricity coursing into his veins and ending in his heart. " W-wha-w-whe-what happened?!"
" Ichigo! What did you do to the dowry?!" Isshin joins in, panicking.
Ichigo frantically looks left and right then to his now empty hand. " I-it was just here and then gone." He then repeats the process as though it makes sense.
" Oi! Why are you two so noisy in the garden?!" Karin emerges from inside the house, Rukia in tow behind her.
" Third daughter!" Isshin jumps towards Rukia. " Ichigo lost the dowry! He lost it!"
" Dowry? What dowry? " Rukia asks the eldest Kurosaki with a clueless expression. Then she turns quickly to Ichigo asking quietly for an explanation.
The bright haired male meets her eyes and hesitates for a moment. " That is…he means the sword that you gave me." Rukia raises a brow at him but keeps quite, urging him to continue. Then Ichigo frantically explains, " I didn't lose it! I was holding it one moment and then it suddenly disappeared in my hand!" He realizes that he does not sound as convincing as he wants to be. Even he thinks that he sounds ridiculous. He waits for any reaction from Rukia, anticipating for the worse that could happen. Much to his surprise, he finds her calm after hearing him out.
Rukia nods to herself looking satisfied. Contrary to what Ichigo is expecting, she beams at him. " Congratulations, Ichigo!" She begins, rendering the others around her silent. " That only means that the sword recognized you as its owner."
" What do you mean it recognized me?" Ichigo asks in bewilderment.
The owner of the amethyst eyes staring at him nods again but this time towards him. " I did say that it is a holy sword so it is blessed with holy powers. As such, these properties only manifests when it recognizes its rightful owner. Otherwise, it will just be a regular sword."
Ichigo just stares at her without saying anything for a full minute then barks out. " It can be considered as a national treasure but you just gave it to me just like that?! Are you crazy?!"
The girl shrugs nonchalantly. " So what? It is nothing but a normal sword if it used by someone who it doesn't recognized anyway." She explains simply. " If I didn't give it to you, who would have known that you would be its rightful owner. I did well." Rukia sports a proud and accomplished look.
Seeing that he cannot get any more sense from her, Ichigo decides to just accept it as it is. He sighs in defeat and asks her. " So, how can I make it appear again then?"
"Just like how you made it disappear." She supplies and nothing more.
Ichigo tries to recall the happenings before the sword disappears. His father kept calling the sword dowry then he got mad and then he—it suddenly comes to him. He looks down at his empty palm and calls out, " Zangetsu!"
There it is again. The electric sensation coursing through his veins, much more powerful than before but not painful. Everyone watched as silver dust appears over his palm, lining up the length of the sword as it slowly materializes until the solid appearance of the sword in his palm. His hand holding the sword trembles a bit, a feeling a strange unfamiliar power surging inside his body.
" That sounds awesome, Ichi-nii!" Karin exclaims, gazing at the sword with awe-struck expression.
" The reason why holy swords don't come with scabbard," He hears Rukia explain. " is because its owner becomes its scabbard. It dwells inside the owner's soul and can be summoned at will."
Isshin begins to wail on the side once more. " Who knew that my third daughter will prepare such a precious dowry for my ingrate son?!" He then runs into the house. " Masaki! Our third daughter is amazing! I'll be seeing our grandchildren soon!"
Rukia turns to Ichigo and catches him off-guard. "Neh, Ichigo. Why does your father keeps calling the sword a dowry?"