Notice: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter 8: The Soul's Burden

'Rukia...Kuchiki, I've heard that name before.' Masaki kept her hands to her cup. She was sure Isshin talked about the Kuchiki Clan, and was very sure Kūkaku and Ganju mentioned a Rukia before. Ichigo continued. "When I first met her I thought she was just some random intruder, then she spouted nonsense about Soul Reaper's, Plusses, Hollows and all sorts of things. I wasn't paying attention, and frankly I was annoyed some chick barged into my room, unannounced!" He paused for a bit and then smiled slightly "And then for some reason I annoyed her, so she placed me in a low level binding kīdo, and left me in a huff while she searched for whatever hollow she was after...then it all happened so fast..." he looked down his expression turning ever so slightly, almost in a panic

"Yuzu was injured and she made her way to me, calling out for me to help Karin. I was in a panic, wanting to protect my sisters, and rushed down to the bottom floor. What I saw chilled me, and my heart stopped. Rukia was struggling against the hollow, and Karin was being crushed in that monsters hands. In a fit of rage I broke out of the kīdo, and ran with a metal chair at the beast. I think Rukia tried to warn me, but I didn't listen and was swatted away like an ant." He took a gulp of his drink, composing himself.

"What I didn't realise was that the hollow, was actually interested in me, so it charged towards me. However Rukia saved my life, but got injured in the process."

"She yelled at me before being thrown into a brick wall. I ran to her, asked what I could do and she told me: 'I can give you the powers of a Soul Reaper...run this blade through your very being and my powers will be yours to wield...it's very dangerous, and most likely won't work, but with me injured, it's the only way.' I could see that she was telling the truth, so I accepted the offer. We exchanged names, and then she ran the blade through me. I gained the powers of a Soul Reaper, from that moment on and quickly cut that monster in two!" Ichigo pumped his arm for emphasis.

Masaki was very concerned by this news. Her heart broke when she heard that her Yuzu called out to Ichigo to help her Karin. 'Those girls were always attached to their big brother, and I'm glad he helped as best he could.' She didn't hear anything about Isshin, so that meant he still had none of his powers. Knowing her husband, he'd annihilate any who would harm his family; if he could.

Ichigo's mood lightened: "Yeah...well from there, I took her place as a Substitute Soul Reaper, she showed me the ropes. Apparently wanted to attend my school, and annoy me day and night. She didn't have a place to stay, so I leant her some space to sleep. I think Yuzu and Karin offered their bedroom, but Rukia wanted to keep an eye on me, so holed up in my closet – the weirdo! I was perfectly fine sleeping on the floor, and her in my bed, or vice versa! Even the couch downstairs would've been better – actually scratch that, Dad would go all weird on me..." Masaki was astonished that Ichigo had a girl over, and she was sleeping in his room! However what she knew about Soul Reapers, this was an almost contractual arrangement between a mentor and mentee; nothing untoward.

Of course Masaki's motherly instincts squeaked at the potential impropriety!

Ichigo knew his mother might take it the wrong way, but then realised that he just said all that in front of EVERYONE! 'Damn it, mom made me let my guard down!' He looked at all his friends. Uryu's glasses gleamed, and his face was a little red. Orihime...well...she was flustered – waving about, covering her eyes, everything she does when embarrassed. Chad was...actually just Chad. His eyes were opened a little more than usual, but him and Ichigo were good friends, so he understood...maybe.

"Mom, it's really not what you think! There's nothing going on there I swear!" He was quite embarrassed, especially since he said all this to his mom, 'what does she think of me?' Looking over to his mother, he was relieved that she looked...understanding.

"Don't worry Ichigo, I understand. She was basically your handler, and demanded that she be kept as close to you as possible. Still weird she chose a closet, but I guess it does help with keeping her out of sight and mind. Still...is she that small!? That closet wasn't very big the last time I was there." Now she was curious about the young lady who saved her son.

"Yeah she's basically a pipsqueak, apparently 150 years old, and she's just as small as Yuzu and Karin. It's actually kinda funny!" He laughed at the thought.

"Well anyway we went on a few adventures, taking down hollows, helping out these guys -" he pointed to his friends, "- and a few weeks later, was about the time I met...him!"

Masaki had a sinking feeling she knew who him was.

Ichigo was shaking with rage, his reiatsu was spiking. Masaki sensing this put a calming hand on his shoulder, "relax son, breathe, keep in control." His mother's words snapped him back to reality. Once out of his rage, he appeared flustered.

"Sorry mom...everyone. As I was saying, we met him at around the time of your anniversary. Every year since then, me, Dad, Yuzu and Karin would go to your grave site and grieve our loss...of..you..." he started to choke up, but remembered he had to finish. "Rukia was badgering me about a hollow being responsible for your death. At the time I couldn't believe it, and was still convinced it was my fault." Masaki had a feeling the experience would be hard on her boy, especially since he was there. However she knew without a doubt it wasn't his fault. If anything it was hers for being less prepared then she was trained for.

Ichigo looked unsure now if he should continue. Masaki coaxed her son to finish his story.

"However that's when Grandfisher attacked, and grabbed Karin! I was released into my Soul Reaper form, ready to fight. A mod soul, who I named Kon – and Yuzu named Bostov, helped get the girls to safety. For some reason dad wasn't there, but it didn't matter since I knew I had to save them. Me and Rukia attacked. However it was clear that this Hollow was stronger than those before it. It started to mock us...and then it revealed it's lure – the girl I saw at the bottom of the bank all those years ago" he gritted his teeth, reliving the memory 'gotta calm down.' He knew his mother was worried, so willed himself to stay calm.

"He knew I recognised it, and sensing my spiritual pressure and looking at my face, he realised who I was. The boy he tried to lure, and the son of the woman who, he killed. He laughed like a frickin' psycho, thinking I was gonna be his next meal. Yeah well, let's just say that didn't happen," he grinned maliciously.

"The disgusting thing even tried to use a lure that looked like you, and tried to say it was you. Now that I look back, perhaps he took some of your spirit energy and made a lure out of it. I...I froze for a second, but more than enough time for him to stab me multiple times."

"The idiot thought I was down for the count, but the rage and adrenaline pushed me beyond my limits and I impaled that freak. The coward jumped before I had a chance to finish him off. I passed out. Next thing I knew I was back home."

Masaki rubbed her right hand on his back, trying to soothe her boy 'My poor Ichigo, what you had to go through...'

"I'm so sorry Ichigo...I-If I...I-I wish I could've killed that monster, s-so you wouldn't've h-had to confront it..." She was stuttering, holding back tears, racked with guilt over not putting an end to that creature which killed her, but also went on to hurt her precious boy.

Now it was Ichigo's turn to comfort his mother. "Mom it wasn't your fault, I'm just amazed that without your powers you could even harm that freak."

That made Masaki smile.