I'd like to thank RG-Guest and everyone else (all you "Guests") who took the time to post feedback.
As to RG-Guest's remarks about the monster in Ichigo's nightmares: I hadn't really considered his inner Hollow. The truth is I wanted a scary-as-shit monster as a sort of boogieman-like figure, so any resemblance to his Vasto Lorde form is a coincidence (or something I did subconsciously). The goat horns and skull were meant to evoke a sort of demonic or pagan aura (though not necessarily satanic). That said, I tweaked the dialogue a bit to address the issue.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XXXIX:
"Different Paths, Part 1"
The Living Realm, Karakura...
Ichigo was standing in the park- the very same park where he'd first been approached by 'Darkwood', almost exactly a week to the moment. The teen was tired of the constant nightmares plaguing his sleep and the listlessness and lack of direction he felt in his waking life.
He was alerted to the nearby sound of rustling leaves. Believing it to be Darkwood, he turned to offer some acknowledgment to the man, only to be once again instead be met by the murky black figure and horned skeletal head of the demon from out of his nightmares. Cursing, he drew back from the monster, only to end up colliding with someone- or something, he couldn't be sure any more...
"Ichigo?" A voice spoke up.
The orange-haired teen turned to see Darkwood, an expression that looked to a mix of confusion and concern visible on his face. "Ichigo, what's going on- what's wrong?" Darkwood started. "You seem... troubled, even frightened." He went on. "Are you... in some kind of danger?"
Ichigo looked at him for a moment: the bearded man was once again dressed in a pair of black slacks and a matching black three-quarter length jacket, worn over a black waistcoat (with the silver chain of his pocket watch visible) and a white dress-shirt. As before, the top two buttons were left undone, and he wore no tie in the collar of his shirt. His brown hair rustled slightly in the wind.
Ichigo frantically spun back, just to find the demon no longer there. Frustrated, he turned back to the older man. "No," he started. "well...not physically." He replied, somewhat cryptically.
Ichigo suddenly looked away from him again, to the direction he'd been facing, Darkwood following the line of his gaze- seeing nothing. "Ichigo...?" The man in black spoke up. "Ichigo."
The young, orange-haired man looked back at him, now looking a bit more himself this time around as he met Darkwood's brown eyes with his own. "...Oh, sorry."
"I'd say it looked liked you'd 'seen a ghost'," Darkwood started. "But I somehow get the feeling such a statement would be closer to the truth than either of us would care." He went on. "Not to mention, also in somewhat... bad tastes- to say the least- given your past."
A moment passed between them, before Darkwood nodded. "I see now, it was a good thing you chose to seek me out in the end, after all." He stated calmly. "And given your current state... Well, something tells me that we don't a moment to loose then, if you're truly to be helped."
"Yeah, maybe you're right." Ichigo finally replied, trying to compose himself. "So, tell me, then..." The teen continued. "What now... what happens next?"
Darkwood clapped a hand on his shoulder and looked him eyes. "First, we need to talk." He replied with a slight smile. "I think we both need to know what's holding you back."
The man gestured to Ichigo to follow him out of the park, leading the young man to what he assumed to be Darkwood's car: a deep (almost black) mocha-brown, two-door 1981 Chrysler LeBaron, complete with the 'vintage' model's original ornate tire rims.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society, Division Twelve HQ...
Szayel smiled, watching as a large consignment of the special ore from Huecco Mundo was carted into the recently completed mineralogical lab. The bespectacled Arrancar drew back the cover of one of the large gurney-like vessels, revealing its contents to him...
This miraculous new ore, sleek and black like obsidian, and yet potentially as strong and malleable as refined steel. This, combined with the ore's natural ability to both attract and conduct spiritual energy, it presented near-limitless possibilities. If properly forged and folded into ingots, the metal could then be formed into sword-blades capable of acting as a fulcrum for the wielder's reiki. Potentially, this offered the possibility of combining the arts zanjutsu and reiki manipulation together.
Really, the more he thought about, the more he realized there was no downside to this venture!
But first, the Octavio would need to find a certain specialist- a smith- to properly and effectively work the metal, but the scientifically-minded Arrancar wasn't versed in such fields. And so, in order to ensure the ore was put to good use, Szayel had gone so far as to send a request to none other than the infamous combat-obsessed Eleventh Division: asking for someone to advise him on what weapons would be best for testing the effectiveness (ie, the strength and durability) of the metal.
The Division's Captain- the crazed, mountain of a man that was Zaraki Kenpachi- must have been in a good mood when the request arrived. That, or the maniac had been amused by the novelty of it all, that he'd consented just for the hell of it (perhaps to see where it led). However, for reasons he couldn't fully understand (beyond an obviously twisted sense of humor), he sent Ikaku Madarame.
But at the same time, the pink-haired Arrancar realized he could have done a lot worse... Especially if he stopped to consider the less than stellar qualifications of the other potential candidates.
That said, the intense, bald-headed Third Officer had shown up at the entrance of the Twelfth Division, clearly less than pleased at the prospect of being surrounded by a group of largely scientifically minded (and in his mind, likely useless) types. And yet, Szayel realized this man was no fool, and that he could count on Ikaku's professional pride as a swordsman when it came to the input he could offer.
"When it comes to crafting a proper sword blade," Ikaku began. "There's a whole lot more involved in the process than just heating up the metal and beating it into shape with a hammer." He explained to the Espada as he unfurled a scroll across one of the desks. "First off, we need to know just what standard of blade you want... Because the higher the quality, the more time and effort it'll take."
Szayel looked at the images on the scroll as Ikaku continued. "At one end of the spectrum, you have this one here, 'Maru'." He pointed out. "Basically, an unrefined slab of metal, hammered into the shape of a blade. It's stiff, and likely to snap unexpectedly." He explained. "Now, this one- here in the middle of the chart- is 'Honsanmai'." The Shinigami went on. "The cutting edge is hard- for striking- while the 'backbone' is pliant and flexible, with the metal forming the sides moderately tempered."
"As a sword, it's a good reliable caliber." The Third Seat went on. "It's arguably the most common type of blade to be found in a genuine katana, but that's for a reason... Because in the end, something doesn't have to be legendary for it to be lethal." Ikaku explained with a smile. "After all, a simple farm tool in the right hands will always win over a Masahiru in the wrong hands."
"Well put." Szayel remarked. "So, tell me, Madarame-san," he continued. "What type of blade, in your opinion as a swordsman, would you suggest for this project?"
"Well, that depends, Captain Grantz." Ikaku started. "Are you looking for a practice blade, something that you can discard when you're finished?" The man resumed. "Or, a functional blade, with the aim of it being used in a life-or-death situation?" He asked, sporting a broad grin.
Szayel adjusted the frame of his 'glasses'. "Let me put it this way: Considering the people we've gone up against so far, and those we've likely to face... Well, I think it's high time we took the kid gloves off and started getting serious." He explained. "The 'prototypes' we'll be crafting... It's my intent that they'll be the just the first batch of a new generation of universalized weapons."
"Universalized weapons?" Ikaku repeated, arching a brow. "In what sense do you mean?"
"I mean, in the lethal sense." Szayel replied coolly, folding his arms across his chest. "With any luck, they can be wielded by anyone, in order to kill anyone... and anything."
Ikaku smiled at the declaration. "Now we're speaking the same language." He replied in a low tone. "As a member of the Eleventh, I do have a few suggestions that you might find... interesting."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Ukitake Estate...
Retsu Ukitake- Captain of the Fourth Division and Head of the Medical Corp, and now the Matriarch of the most prestigious families in the Soul Realm- was now nearing the eighth month of her pregnancy and was presently finding even simple mobility to something of a challenge.
Thanks to centuries of experience as a medic (as well as her natural discipline), the serene woman had effectively managed her pregnancy rather well- at least, by her own estimations. So far, the initial bouts of nausea during the first month or so had been the worst. Though, Retsu had no allusions that once the delivery happened, it would be a strong contender for "worst" place. True, while births were relatively uncommon among Shinigami, they still happened, and she'd been present for some of them.
Being over thirty weeks along, the Captain had experienced her fare share of aches, pains, as well as some downright odd cravings. More recently however, she was starting to feel the strain caused by the combination of bodily changes and the ever-growing child inside of her- particularly, in regards to the slowly increasing toll that was being placed on her tired ankles.
Thankfully, she was far from alone in all of this. To start with, she had her wonderful husband Jushiro, ever ready to assist her in whatever way she might need him. And while he was amazing, he also had a Division to run, so he couldn't always be present at her side. Though, whenever he was away, she knew she could count on one of- if not both- halves of the Primera Espada.
Almost from the moment she'd first encountered the two of them, she'd quickly realized there was far more to them than first glance would imply. For her part, it would have been easy to discount Lillynette as simply a brat. However, the truth was that underneath the young female's brash and brazen exterior- there was a confused young woman, neither a child nor an adult, desperate for guidance. Jushiro, in his typical way, had seen something in her, something worth nurturing.
And Retsu had quickly come to agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly. And with the benefit of both their influences (and also, it seemed, her own young Third Officer Hanataro Yamada), Lilly finally had the support network (or 'pack', as she likely thought of it) to grow and blossom as a person. The serene woman adored her, and could hardly envision a life without the young female Arrancar.
Similarly, it would have easy to dismiss Stark as utterly useless and unmotivated. And while he could be a bit on the lethargic side at times, she suspected it was at least partly to do with his past experiences in Huecco Mundo. Retsu couldn't imagine the things he'd seen- first hand- but she firmly believed these experiences had left him weary of conflict. Retsu has seen this first-hand, from the look on his face when he instructed Lilly to stand down and inquired about a medic for Halibell's wound.
Despite being an apex predator, a being at the top of the Hollow food chain, the powerful Espada was also strangely human in many ways- particularly in his loyalties to those around him. Stark had initially been reluctant to take up residence within the Ukitake Manor- though not for the expected reasons- but had quickly adapted to the drastic change of scenery, becoming a fixture of the grounds.
Then of course, there was the factor of Stark's rather uncanny resemblance to their fellow Captain and longtime mutual friend, Shunsui Kyoraku. The shocking similarity had seemed downright unnerving at first, but as with the case of their friend, the lanky Hollow possessed a certain roguish charm.
Then, of course, there were those of her own kind to consider! As she'd progressed and even basic tasks became difficult, a good number of female Officers had all volunteered their time- to keep the pregnant company and help her around the grounds of the large estate. There had been the obvious ones- such as Lieutenants Ise, Hinamori, and (of course) the younger Lieutenant Kotetsu.
But then, there were the surprise visitors... The most high-profile of them being Captain Soifon. Other surprises guest had included Akemi Sonata (appointed by Szayel to serve as the new Ninth Seat Officer of the Twelfth) and Yoko Watase of the Eleventh (promoted to the rank of Fifth Seat).
Speaking of which, it was the tattooed woman herself who was presently seated at Retsu's side, keeping the expecting mother company at the moment...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Elsewhere in Soul Society...
Renji was making his way across the grounds of the Seireitei, towards the Sixth, when he happened to spot a gathering of members from the Eleventh- a number of whom, he recognized thanks to his stint serving as a member of the infamous Division of armed-combat enthusiasts.
Feeling the sudden urge to reminisce with his old colleagues, the tattooed Lieutenant diverted from his path towards the gathering of officers. However, as he drew closer, he quickly slowed- coming to a halt as he got close enough to make out their voices and discern what they were presently talking about. His face paled and he quickly ducked behind a convenient nearby tree.
"You remember Abarai, right?" One asked.
"You're talking about Renji?" One of the others replied. "Of course. How couldn't I? Considering that he went on to be the Lieutenant of the Sixth Division, under Captain Fancy-pants."
Renji frowned at the man's dismissive comment, an unfortunate reminder of the largely negative image some people held of his Division's commanding officer.
"Well, given just how much reiki he turned out to have, he pretty much had to leave." Another man remarked in a matter-of-fact tone."From what I've been hearin', his Zanpakuto's Spirit isn't the only thing he's been explorin' since leaving our company- that is, if all the rumors are to be believed."
"Hey, what are you on about, then?" The second one spoke up again.
"Abarai has started seein' someone." The first chimed in.
"Really, no kidding?!" One of the previously silent voice interjected. "So Renji finally stopped pining over his stuck-up Captain's little slip of a sister, then?"
Renji winced slightly at hearing the word 'pining', but kept silent as the conversation went on.
"And tha's not even the half of it, ya guys." One of them picked up. "From what I've heard, it's not just a matter of who he's been seeing, but what he's seeing."
"Wait, what are you getting at?" Another asked.
"He means that Lieutenant Abarai is in-bed with an Arrancar." The second Officer to speak up said, as he chimed back into the conversation. "Hard to imagine his tastes went that way."
"To each is own," the first remarked. "Though I couldn't imagine sleeping with one of those things."
Renji had heard enough at this point- beyond the point of simply feeling 'uncomfortable'- and quickly made himself scarce... Unfortunately, this was just in time to miss as Ikaku (on his way back from the 12th Division) arrived on scene and started yelling at the men, making liberal use of the word "jackass" (among others) as he berated the bunch of them.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"I must say, Watase-san," Retsu started evenly. "I was initially taken aback by your admission about yourself and Madarame-san." The Captain continued, smiling. "Though, upon reflection, it's hardly a surprise when I think about it for a moment- I mean, the two of you."
"Perhaps... though, it wasn't as if we had planned it." Yoko replied coolly. "And unlike Ayasegawa-san and your Lieutenant, Captain, Ikaku believed- as the Third-most ranking Officer of the entire Division- that it was best that our relationship not become public knowledge." The Fifth-Seat Officer explained as she paused to take a quick drink from the cup in her hand.
Retsu chuckled at this, taking a sip of tea. "Personally, knowing my dear shy Isane-for as long I have, I can't envision her openly admitting to such a personal matter. Rather, I would imagine their relationship becoming public knowledge was more to do with Ayasegawa-san."
"Those two..." Yoko remarked with a smile, setting her cup down. "I can't think of two more different people than Ikaku and Yumichika-san." She continued. "And yet, I'd be hard pressed to come up with a closer pair of friends than those two certified lunatics."
"Yes, well, now that you mention it, I have to admit that I've wondered about that exact point myself on more than one occasion." The older woman admitted. "Do you know anything about how they met?"
The younger woman smiled at this. "Well, I know a bit of it." Yoko replied. "And when you get down to it, it really is a good story." She remarked, still smiling. "And, considering present circumstances, it's not as if we we're going anywhere, so I suppose now's as good a time as any to tell it..."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Renji arrived at the grounds the Sixth Division Headquarters, the Lieutenant in a particularly bad funk as he entered the wing that comprised Officers' accommodations. The crimson-haired Shinigami was at a loss as to how exactly to process what he was feeling in that moment...
Of course, there would be those who disapproved of his choice of partners...
After all, he was a high-ranking Shinigami- one of those tasked with maintaining the balance between the realms- while his partner was an Arrancar- an evolved Hollow to be sure, but nevertheless, she was still a Hollow. Arachne was one of the very creatures that he'd once been tasked with "cleansing" from the Soul and Living Realms. He folded his arms across his broad chest as he mulled over the issue.
Was he simply naive? Or, had he willfully ignored the obvious conflict of interest... And if so, then the next question he was faced with was 'why?'
Standing alone in the corridor, Renji shook his head, telling himself that he wasn't a fool, going on to remind himself that he'd always known that the choice to be with Arachne was one he'd made with the full understanding that there would always be those who would look down on him.
After all, hadn't he been so full of fire when he'd stood up to Captain Byakuya? Had the certainty he'd felt in that moment as he glared at the other man been nothing more than just arrogance?
He realized, perhaps somewhat foolishly, any issues regarding what Arachne was had seemed purely immaterial to him. Renji also realized that he had allowed himself to be swept away in the allure of the exotically beautiful woman- she was willing, and she wanted to be with him. And it hadn't taken him long to realize that he felt the same way about her- possibly since the beginning.
The Lieutenant had never stood a chance against her. He'd been entrapped from the very start- fittingly, not unlike a fly- in her 'web' of desire. But then, it was a trap that he'd willingly and knowingly walked, if not outright ran, headlong into their relationship...
Perhaps enough time had passed that he could now look at their relationship from some vantage point other than his own (admittedly) biased point of view?
He was so deep in his thoughts by this point that he'd failed to register as Shigeru Kimura approached him, nor even the fact that the bespectacled officer had been observing him for some time now. At least, not until the man had finally resorted to audibly clearing his throat!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Karakura...
Mashiba, Residential District...
Ichigo looked on, wordlessly, from the front passenger seat of Darkwood's car, as they headed into one of the older neighborhoods of Karakura. Finally, the vehicle finally pulled up and parking in front of an incongruous western-style house, situated at the end of a lonely cul-de-sac.
The bearded man parked the car, then motioned for the teen to follow him as he exited and closed the driver-side door, with Ichigo doing the same on the passenger-side. With that done, Darkwood used the key to automatically lock both of the large coup's long doors. Without saying a word, he began making his way towards the two-story house, leaving Ichigo to look on in silent awe.
"This, Ichigo..." Darkwood started, producing a loop of keys from his pocket. "This, my young friend, this is where we will begin our journey." He added with a small smile as he unlocked the front door and stepped inside, the orange-haired teen right behind him.
Darkwood removed his jacket and hung it on a nearby coat-stand, before moving to lock the deadbolt on front door. "Well now, I don't suppose you have any questions, eh?"
"Oh sure, lots, in fact." Ichigo replied dryly. "But... let's just say that experience has taught me that the answers are never straightforward, and they never come that easily."
The man shook his head at the admission, but nevertheless still smiled. "Ichigo... You really are far too young to be quite so cynical and dejected." He replied. "But then, I suppose that that's just further proof of just how badly in-need of help you truly are." Darkwood reasoned.
The next moment, Ichigo stopped dead in his tracks, leading Darkwood to follow the teen's line of sight down towards a black cat on the floor. "What excellent timing." He remarked with a smile as he moved to pick up the feline. "Well now, considering your reaction," he began with a smile as he affectionately stroked it along its head and back. "It seems the two of you have met already."
"W-wait," he started. "That's your cat?" Ichigo asked incredulously.
"Her?" Darkwood replied. "Oh no no, she's not my pet." He insisted. "On the contrary, she's... well, how best to describe her, hmm?" He mused rhetorically to himself. "Well, I suppose that you could say she's a 'fellow traveler'... or, at least, that's what she'd have you believe."
"In truth, I've always thought of her as more of a companion." Darkwood set the cat down. "But that really is a discussion for another day, as we have a lot of work ahead of us." He continued. "At any rate, before I can teach you anything, I first need to know how committed you truly are to this."
"In the past, when we talked about this training," Ichigo remarked. "You keep saying 'journey'..." The youth went on. "But what are you even talking about, what do mean by that?"
"I'm talking about exploration." He replied simply. "And it's been my experience that any true journey of exploration should first start with an exploration of one's inner-self." Darkwood explained, gesturing for Ichigo to follow him as he turned and stepped into the hallway.
"I am curious about one thing, Ichigo," Darkwood went on. "Tell me, was there something in particular that finally convinced you to accept my help?" He asked.
"It was a lot of thing..." The teenager replied after a moment. "You, you seem to know a lot about me- including my past, my friendships, the places I've gone." Ichigo continued. "So, do you also happen to know anything about the nature of the powers I had?"
"Nothing too specific." The man replied. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"It's hard to explain easily..." He began. "But the truth is, the Shinigami powers weren't the only kind that I had." Ichigo went on. "You see, the creatures the Shinigami- Hollows- well, there was a part of me that was like a Hollow, which meant I could use some powers like theirs..."
"But as I got stronger, the Hollow part of me also got stronger too..." He revealed. "And that honestly scared the shit out of me, because the Hollow kills, and that means there was a killer in me."
"And you fear this killer instinct might still be in you?" Darkwood asked.
"I don't know." Ichigo answered. "I've been seeing things, in my dreams, a creature..."
The two of them arrived at a door. "Ichigo..." Darkwood spoke as he opened it. "I don't know what this creature in your dreams means, but it might not be as literal as you think." He offered as they stepped inside, into a room with a large rug on the floor.
"
"Please, come join me." Darkwood instructed as he sat down, legs-folded, on the carpeted floor. After a moment, Ichigo moved to join him on the ground (legs also folded) across from the man.
"Now, close your eyes." Darkwood instructed. "Relax, and open your mind to the truth..."
He hesitated briefly, before relenting and closing his eyes. A beat passed, the room quiet, before Ichigo felt an inexplicable sense of calmness wash over him. After a moment, he finally opened his eyes, only to finds himself sitting in a darkened 'void'. A lone door (no wall) stood before him.
He got to his feet, somehow, in the nothingness, eyes set on the door. Slowly, he took a step forward, reaching out to grab hold of the doorknob. The tall, brown-eyed teenager took a moment, steeling his nerves, before turning the knob to open the door...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Outside, in Soul Society, Szayel examined the large circular platform before him.
The entire thing was just over eighteen meters in diameter, with a sizable gap (fifteen meters) situated in the center, giving it a giant ring-like shape. The metallic construct was suspended a meter above the ground- powered by some unseen force. He took a step forward, noting rows of inner and outer rails fixed to the edges of the platform for obvious safety reasons.
Using one of the strategically-placed entry-points, the pink-haired Espada gripped the outer rails and stepped up onto the platform. The Arrancar paused, squinting as he gazed upwards- it was a sunny day, and he had to hold up his hand to shield his golden eyes from the light...
Approximately 1.2 kilometers above, in that same clear blue sky, was the 'Anomaly'- a tare in the fabric of space and time, formed by the destruction of the Oken.
As scientists, the task of studying the Anomaly fell to himself and his team.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
A jolt rocked Renji's entire body as he was unceremoniously snapped back into reality by the sound of someone deliberately 'clearing' their throat. He whirled around in a start, in time to be met by the figure of the Division's Fourth-Seat Officer, Shigeru Kimura.
For a brief moment, the two shared an awkward silence between them, before the bespectacled Officer gave a look that seemed to imply he'd finally remembered what he was going to say. "Um, Lieutenant," the man started, somewhat awkwardly. "Perhaps it's not my place to intrude... But, well, it's just that I couldn't help but notice that you seem troubled, sir."
"Officer Kimura..." The redhead began dully. "I don't know what you're talking about." Renji added in a pitiful attempt to deflect the other man's focus to... something, anything other than him.
Kimura sighed at this. "Lieutenant Abarai," he began. "You probably weren't even aware of this while you were doing it... but you were pretty much thinking out loud."
The Lieutenant's eyes went wide, and he blushed furiously at the revelation. However, the other man didn't wait for him to reply. "You suddenly feel foolish for not considering what others might think of your relationship with Arachne-san before now." He offered. "And now, sir, you're worried what that says about you- not just as an Officer and a Shinigami, but also as man."
"Kimura-san," Renji finally spoke up. "...why are you telling me all this?"
"Because..." He paused, adjusting his glassed. "Because I understand what your going through- more than you realize- what it's like to be judged, to be looked down on." The man explained. "Because like you, I've had to make choices... lifestyle choices, that carry certain consequences."
"Lifestyle choices...?" The Lieutenant repeated. "Wait, what do you mean by-?" Renji began to say, only to stop as the significance of the man's words dawned on him. "Oh... Oh." The tattooed Shinigami finished, now feeling incredibly self-conscious as he stood before the other man.
Renji then attempted to fumble out an apology- for what, exactly, no one knew- only for the younger man to shake his head and smile. "There's nothing to apologize for, sir." He offered. "It's not always the easiest thing to accept who and what we are... But in the end, it's the most important."
"Kimura..." Renji murmured, brushing a hand through his hair.
"And, I've made some... mistakes along the way." He continued, pausing briefly to remove his glasses and tuck them away, inside of his robes. "Some of which," Kimura resumed as he wordlessly began to unrave the cloth wrappings covering his hands/forearms. "Almost ended up costing me my life."
He looked Renji in the eyes as he held his hands aloft, revealing numerous lines of scar tissue marring the flesh over both wrists. Some of the marks looked to be quite old. "When I was at my lowest point, I couldn't bare to face the truth about myself, I was desperate to forget- even if just for a little while. But when I almost ended up dying- ignominiously, I might add- I realized I had to make a choice."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Ichigo stepped through the doorway, it closing behind him- as if of its own accord- into a dust-covered, graying corridor. He flinched back as the door at the end of the hall swung open.
"Shit... seriously, more of this?" He thought aloud to himself.
Quickly realizing that he had no other choice, Ichigo apprehensively made his way down the hall, the light fixtures overhead flickering as he moved. Finally, he reached the end of the old decrepit corridor, close enough to brush his fingertips against the cracked, yellowing paint on the door. He narrowed his eyes, peering into the murky darkness beyond the door frame.
Finally, he resigned himself to moving forward. However, this setting was more or less the same one he'd braved before, time and time again, in this nightmare realm of his, so he barely reacted when the lights suddenly came on and illuminated the entire room- revealing it to be rectangular in shape, and in a similar state of disrepair as the corridor. A ratty curtain was draped across the wall at the far end. In front of it, stood a short pillar with chips in the paint, and an old cloth draped over the top.
The teen made his way across the room, until he was standing before the pillar. Tired of being passive in these ordeals, he didn't bother waiting for any kind of 'prompt' and yanked the cloth off of the pillar, uncovering a small dusty wooden box. It was 14 inches x 10 inches x 4 inches in size. Ichigo brushed away the layer of dust to reveal a small brass plaque with the word "EXIT" inscribed in it.
He mouthed the word to himself, his voice barely above that of a whisper, as he located the thin 'line' indicating where the lid met with the rest of the case. He slowly opened it, only to lurch back from the box, cursing "Shit!" at the sight of what was laying inside of it...
Set snugly within the grip of the soft black velvet-like interior of the case, was a large revolver. The dull light glinted off the smooth matte-finish of the metal. The standard wooden furniture of the handle was replaced with custom vulcanized black rubber grips, and it was also fitted with a special weighted six-inch barrel- to help with kick-back when firing the gun. There was a small card in the corner, with the words Colt King CobraTM .357 written on it a flashy black font.
"Oh... fuck." He cursed again, slamming the lid down to look at the metal plaque again. Then, after a moment, he opened it back up and picked up the gun.
"Oh my god..." He murmured as he held the gun aloft in his right hand, away from himself. Even he knew enough about firearms, enough to be able to tell it was loaded- there were rounds in the cylinder. Ichigo next held it up with the side of the weapon facing him.
This was no toy!
Ichigo felt a chill run through him, registering the friction as his thumb brushed against the threading on the gun's hammer. "So, this is it, then, huh...?" The teenager asked, the question addressed to no one in particular, his tone oddly distant as he looked at the gun. "...This is the end, no, the Exit?"
(- End of Chapter XXXIX... -)
For those of you who noticed it, yes, that was an intentional reference to the song "Disarm" by the Smashing Pumpkins.
I had always planned on Kimura revealing that he was gay. However, I felt it was significant enough that it didn't come out (no pun intended) in a casual or flippant way, but rather something he chose to reveal because he was reaching out to someone in a similar situation- ie, someone who's facing discrimination. In this case, to someone who's in a mixed race relationship. I was also trying to subvert the idea of the self-loathing homosexual trope, by also revealing that when Kimura was at his lowest point (ergo, he almost died) he experienced a moment of clarity and got his life together.