Here it is, the much awaited next chapter for Transcendence, hope you like it. Got some big plans this year for this piece and I plan to continue making it bigger and better every time. Hope you like it.
Transcendence
Chapter 70: Much Needed Vacation
Elwynn Forest
The sun had reached its zenith, shining brightly from above, and its rays piercing through the thick green canopy that shielded the woodland floor. Despite the twilight that seemed to fall upon the woods there was a calm tranquil feeling that came with it, the light was just right and gave the world a glow similar to that of an emerald held up to the sun. Motes of dust flittered through the air and gave it a shine as the sound of nature, animal and the winds, played endlessly.
Elwynn was truly a beautiful place to be, even off the main roads and paths, for the forests held an ambiance that stole away ones worries and weariness. Living here would be a privilege, to have a house near a small body of water or in a clearing, and one that the three hoped to gain in their short time here.
'This might be better if Caren would stop monologuing her entire damn life story.'
Ichigo looked ahead at the mage, who had for the last hour gone on and on about her Grandfather and his role in the first war. Often, she would talk about him, he was important to her, that wasn't up for debate, but honestly there was a limit how much you should fawn over someone. His dad did it with his mother, and as much as Ichigo loves her, he wanted that moron to shut up and stop droning on and on.
"This Cabin was actually the home of Ula Mildenhall, my Grandmother, and her family. They owned it along with three hundred acres of land, and were once farmers and cattle herders, indeed, this very land we walk upon was once theirs." Caren continued. "During the First War this land was annexed off by the military to make way for defensive encampments and fortifications to prepare for the Horde's attack."
Ichigo had heard this story enough times to know where this was going.
Following the 'supposed' loss of Anduin Lothar in the Deadmines during the middle of the First War, where he had been sent to find a book in a cave, another had risen up to take his place and lead the defenses of Elwynn in his absence. They called him the Defender of the Crown, his real name was Justinus Willmourne, a common soldier who through skill and ability had risen above his station and become one of Anduin Lothar's personal lieutenants.
From there he led the defenses of the Grand Hamlet for nearly seventeen months, earning fame and prestige that near rivalled Lothar's own renown. This and many other stories, of varying degree of credibility, spewed from Caren's mouth whenever she had the chance. The girl really liked talking about the man, honestly had no idea why though.
Ichigo tuned her out, the only detail he wanted to know was if they were getting closer to their destination, the same cabin that belonged to her Grandmother.
He just wanted to get there, maybe once he arrived at their vacation house he could finally stop thinking about all the problems that have been dropped on his lap. The last week has been just as stressing as the week in the Desolace, where he had to deal with Highborne, Elementals, Centaur and everyone else trying to murder one another.
Even with all that over, everything was just getting more problematic.
Their departure from Ethel Rethor and to Feathermoon Stronghold was simple enough, Marta had given them a ride and dropped them off. It was when they set foot on the island things began to get difficult. Lorena – who was back in tip top shape – wanted a report, followed by Pained, and then finally having to fill in Jaina, about what happened over the last few days and everything that happened in the city. Once all was said and done, hours wasted filling her in on every little detail, he thought maybe some R&R was on the table.
It wasn't the case.
Because even with all that sorted out he was still having to deal with Highborne, Elementals, Centaur and everyone else trying to murder one another. Why you ask? He hadn't the faintest clue, things just blurred together so much that he started not caring anymore. Because while he can understand the Centaur being a problem, the Elemental Spirits having an agenda, and even the Highborne doing something stupid again. Why were the Horde and Alliance always doing this same song and dance where they thought the other was going to try something diabolical?
Didn't matter what he thought, because his opinions obviously didn't mean much to those who had experience in this area. So, they had to make a plan. To make a plan they had to strategize, and that is where things had boiled over for him.
From there it was continual meetings, which he was forced to attend because he had actually been crucial in negotiations with many of the different commanders and leaders, he wanted to bang his head against the wall through most of it. Those meetings, attempting to try and handle the political fallout, were some of the most grueling experiences he had to put himself through.
Politics was something he never truly cared for, the agendas of others were never his concern unless if affected him or those he cared about. He had never bothered to understand or questions others motives, look at Urahara and the Gotei, they had their own agendas with him and his friends but until they bit him on the ass he wouldn't burn any bridges.
But having to deal with this political shitstorm with the Horde, Highborne and Sentinels, along with a lot of other smaller parties and beyond, he truly had a good reason as to why he despised getting involved with politics.
It was in that week-long debacle that it was decided that he needed a vacation, to get away from everything before he had a mental breakdown. The only obstacle was finding somewhere to go and when to leave. Caren suggestion was an immediate one, but the time to leave came about abruptly after receiving a missive from Feathermoon.
Sadly, it wasn't a report from Shandris or Iyeana, something he wished it was, for anything involving rising tensions and possible retaliation was better than what he got.
It was, in fact, a letter, from Anaesia.
Bad enough that woman sent a letter.
Worse she addressed it to Jaina.
Utterly horrible that she had the bright idea to read it aloud.
Anaesia planned this out, he knows she planned this out, just to embarrass him. That bitch, he'll get her back, he most certainly would. Suffice to say his holiday plans had been advanced, he needed to get out of the city for a while, he couldn't stay there. People were leering at him, he hated that.
So, the following day he had departed Theramore, abruptly and without so much as a sayonara, to Stormwind and then sought to try and reach this cabin in the middle of the woods. Although, he had to do a few things before that, hire some horses from the city's stables being one such thing, the other was drop off his armor to Bonkutso.
'He didn't look happy when I gave him that armor.' Ichigo mused, recalling the expression on that man's usually stoic face.
It looked like he was about to have a stroke, with the way he was scrutinizing every piece of his armor he gave him. Along with the pieces he didn't, Bonkutso looked livid with every defect he found. He didn't know what to expect, he had been using it for the last two months in and out of combat, what did he expect to happen? Honestly, armor was meant to be banged up, missing a few pieces here and there, and have a few holes in it, with a few hasty patch jobs in a few places.
'Maybe he was just all prissy that his piece of art was all busted up, that it wasn't all polished and new anymore.' Although in hindsight, perhaps it would have been smart, he shouldn't have actually said that aloud. Sad to say his current thoughts were not as courteous as compared to what he had actually said.
The look could only be called murderous, along with the way he was holding that hammer of his. Also asking afterwards if he could patch her up would be possible, and to do it quick, might have been pushing it.
Dealing with Bonkutso, along with an overly flirty Horse Breeder – who didn't stop pestering him – had been the final hassle he had to deal with before they could be on their way. Moving westward with the mountains to their north, trekking through the woods on the back of three stallions, to their cabin in the middle of the woods that was far away from everyone else. Along with all the problems that came with them.
"I take it that you are anxious for us to arrive soon." Adelina said, smiling broadly as they both seemed to be tuning out their youngest companion – who was unwilling to halt in her dialogue.
"You could say that, I think I have been needing this vacation for the last few months now." Ichigo replied, scratching his scalp as he thought back to when was the last time he had any downtime. "Man, I can't even recall a day I wasn't doing something or stressed out because of what was going on in my hectic life."
He truthfully couldn't remember a day where he didn't have to deal with one catastrophe to the next, from fighting off enemies to actually training himself or others, and getting involved in problems he just couldn't say no to.
All the way till when he first came to Azeroth, over three months ago, he had never actually had any downtime where he relaxed – recovering from his wounds and unjuries didn't really count her – and let his worries go away. From Feathermoon to Theramore he got involved in a Naga attack, a Conspiracy involving rogue elements of the Theramore Guard and Horde, and learning he couldn't return home.
And that had only been in the first month since he arrived. And half of it didn't count because he was unconscious and suffering from Fel Poisoning.
After that it just got more hectic as time went on, Redridge, Dire Maul, Ethel Rethor, moving from one massive battle and conflict to the next. Things stay the same, but they most certainly become more volatile with each consecutive one he has to deal with. He didn't even want to think about before that, because he knew that before his hasty attack on Hueco Mundo he had been going through a similar series of unfortunate events.
"Looks like everything has finally come to a head for me." Ichigo mumbled.
"You have been through much, I hope that rest and some actual tranquil surroundings will do your mind and soul some good. After everything you have done for Shandris and Lady Jaina, I think they would understand you should be allowed to recuperate at your own leisure." Adelina replied, smiling still and in an almost infectious way seemed to lift his spirits.
Something that she had been doing often lately, ever since Ethel Rethor she has been the only one that held any positive energy through all the trials and tribulations. Likely her achievement of growing the Great Tree had in turn allowed her confidence to finally bloom. No longer did she seem to need anyone to pick her up, her own insecurities were left behind and had not returned.
Often it was impossible for her to approach another individual to start up a conversation, often she only spoke with others when it was necessary. But now, she was talking with everyone in Theramore and actually going out of her way to meet others and strike up a discussion. She had completely changed, the once shy girl who didn't feel the need to go out and socialize now wanted to be friends with everyone.
It almost reminded him of her age, or at least an age in comparison to the human lifecycle. She had this energy in everything she did now, really the only time he really got to see that was when she often fussed over what human culture was like when they first met.
"We all need a break, although you had a nice long nap after growing that tree and with how happy you are I have to wonder if you really need a holiday." Ichigo replied, his lips upturned as he made the quip.
"But how will either of you have any fun without me?" Adelina inquired, her carefree smile replaced with an almost mocking grin, he never thought it possible for her to wear such an expression. "With how much of a grouch you are and with Caren, in her own words no less, seems to only have fun when she talks about other people!"
The last part was shouted, obvious to get the mages attention, and it most certainly did, Caren turned and gave an annoyed glare. Ichigo actually had to stop himself from sniggering, if he did that whatever wrath Caren held back from throwing at Adelina would surely come his way.
"I know how to have fun, thank you, it is just I don't have a lot of time to actually have any me time." Caren replied, straightening her posture and correcting her expression.
"Maybe you shouldn't waste your mornings with putting makeup on then, kind of pointless that you need an hour for nothing." Ichigo replied, his reply was so bland it might as well have been dead.
"Quiet! I do it to maintain my appearance, as a member of the Noble caste I must keep up appearances, even when abroad away from the Capital I must maintain the illusion of perfection. Something you wouldn't know about, as the only thing of note you seem to do that isn't downright barbaric is hold your fork. And even you seem to fail at that from time to time." Caren replied back, her words mixed with a smugness one would think of an upper-class snob and derogative of a teenage brat rolled up in one.
"Actually, everyone thinks you are trying to cover up your less than ladylike tendencies." Ichigo replied, not a single ounce of empathy in his reply.
"What do you mean?" Caren demanded, whipping her head around, her tone as irritated as the look on her face.
"Mostly about your temper, and your proneness to hitting people, along with the snoring." Ichigo listed off, so casual was his delivery that it was a wonder why Caren got so offended by it. "People think you are just faking it, they already think you are a younger and paler version of Lillian."
Caren spluttered at that, for all the time they have been together she could never one up him in a verbal spar. Unless she got him unbalanced by mentioning some lewd or scandalous, which was rare as a proper lady would never mention such things, although there were times Caren didn't act all that proper. When she slept being one of them, along with whenever someone pushed her buttons, or when she didn't agree with something.
"I am not like that damn Barkeep!" Caren yelled back furiously.
Ichigo just smirked, imagining Caren in simple blue trouser with a vest and tight shirt, sporting an eyepatch, with a tan, and you got an exact replica of the Inn's barkeep. Well, not completely, they do say it is the personality that counts after all. That woman was a powder keg, anything you do could set her off if you were a little clumsy around her. Caren was no different.
"Sure." Ichigo replied, waving her off as he glanced to the side, not looking her in the eye as he made the half honest – and half deprecating – reply.
Caren grumbled as she turned face forward, unwilling to continue their little argument and get another verbal beat down. The rest of the way was quiet, but not awkwardly so, nature provided the perfect symphony to allow one's own thoughts dissolve away and give way to simple bliss and contentment.
Ichigo allowed that feeling to take him, unwilling to focus on anything up but the song of the birds and the rustling of the leaves. This was time for him to unwind and actually become one with nature, as Adelina had put it. He allowed the song of nature to keep his attention, he listened to the strange melody for what seemed like only a few minutes before he heard it. A second choir had joined the first, the sound of a running stream and the cascade of a waterfall.
His eyes drifted ahead and beheld a large open clearing just shy of a large rockface, a crystal-clear waterfall fell into a wide stream. Sitting only a few yards from it was their abode, and certainly not the cabin in Ichigo's imagination.
He thought of a simple farming house, similar to the ones he had seen in Theramore or even the few homes that dotted the forests around Goldshire. But this was not a simple or humble abode of a farmer, it was a large double story villa. It appeared even larger than the Inn at Theramore, and likely a lot fancier in comparison.
"Finally, we are here." Caren murmured.
Any disbelief that this was their destination faded away as they crossed a small bridge and moved around the back of the villa. A stable was present, small and well used, they put the horses in their pens and moved back around to the front door.
"Nice place, this your summer home?" Ichigo inquired.
"Hardly, this is where my family stayed when the city was still being reconstructed, spent a long time here. Hated it when we had to move to the city, but with the Stonemasons revolting it was too dangerous to stay outside the city limits." Caren replied.
Ichigo hummed in response, stepping in after Caren and looking at the new place they would be staying for the next few days. It was as spacious as he suspected it to be, the room was massive in scale with plenty of space to move about.
Near the large fireplace, with a neat pile of firewood placed by its side and devoid of any ash, was a series of lounges and wing chairs. Four sat in parallel to one another closest to the hearth, while two lounged and another set of single chairs were crowded around an oaked carved table, that appeared too delicate to hold the assortment of books over its surface.
Caren moved right for the lounge, dropping onto it and reclining onto the leather tanned seats, scrunching as she put her weight down them. With a wave of her hand, magical energy pulsing from her fingertips, the dust that clung to any surface immediately flittered into the air and fell to the floor.
"Guess it's been a while since you have been here?" Ichigo spoke aloud, continuing to survey the large room. He found a dining table at the far side of the room, sitting within an alcove that had a glass bay window, giving a perfect view of the waterfall and river.
"Near eight years last, I have not been back in this house since I was six. But even then, I miss this place." Caren replied, her expression unreadable as she seemed to fall back into old memories that still lingered in this long-abandoned home.
Her eyes drifting from place to place, from the small open lot of space near the corner of the room to the small raised landing. He noted that several well stocked bookshelves were there, lined with leather bound books and even a few scrolls. A single chair sat in the center with a table at its side, obviously a study of some sort.
"It is truly good to be back, some of my best memories are in this house. I am sure that with a little time you will feel the same." Caren said, her words carrying a gentle tinge of happiness as she uttered them.
With another flick of her wrist several cleaning instruments came to life and began tidying up, sweeping the floor and dusting the furniture. While a wave of her hands saw to it that several logs were tossed into the fireplace, igniting with a snap of her fingers and already giving the massive room a homely feel.
"Why are you standing there like some serf? Sit down and relax, it took long enough to get here, so stop being so stiff and try to work off those sores from the saddle will you." Caren said, waving at them to take a seat.
Not often for her to be so hassle-free, usually she was the opposite and driving you up the wall about something totally unimportant. He hoped she stayed like this for the duration of their stay here, and he planned on making sure that happened by doing what she says.
Taking a seat, one of the empty wing chairs by the table, and reaching into his satchel Ichigo pulled out one of the few books he had brought along. He read the script, the runic language was a little hard to decipher until he recognized the pattern. 'Origins of the Arathi Empire', mulling it over in his mind he decided this would be a good start.
He had heard some good things about it, a rendition of the original formation of the Arathi Empire in Lordaeron near twenty-eight hundred years ago. From their formation to their disbandment into smaller kingdoms, a good start on his self-learned history lessons.
While it may not seem like something one would do to unwind from a stressful undertaking a few weeks past, especially if this is an attempt to learn history, Ichigo did not mind. To learn about new cultures and their pasts intrigued him, something he had rarely done in the past with others. How he wonders if he could have learned about the long history of the Soul Society had he actually asked and spoken to those who knew it, whose history was longer than that of recorded human history?
It was a mistake on his part, to forgo such information and instead focus only on defending his home and not worrying for anything else. But he was tired of being in the unknown, caught unawares by things he did not comprehend, and involved in matters he did not seem to understand.
Breaking old habits was not easy, for there was more to this than just actually relaxing, he wanted to immerse himself in this world and learn all he could. The chance to delve into the mysteries of it and all it had to offer, something he had been putting off, so focused on other matters that when looking back upon it now seemed so foolish.
He spent so much time focusing on the need to get home, of what was happening to his home and friends, but it was beyond his control to fix and help. It still weighed on him, but he was no stranger to such things, he knew how to handle such strains, but instead of shouldering it he planned on forgoing the guilt driven burden all together.
It all started with learning all he can.
Sad to say his first lessons had been actually learning how to read the language, it was not so hard to really decipher the language. The symbols were simple in terms of some of the more complex writings of his own, it was more rigid than flowing and intricate of Japanese.
"I hope to actually see if I can meditate here, any chance I can have to ruminate with nature and expand my connection with it I do not wish to miss." Adelina said, roaming around the room and taking in many of the smaller details.
"Then be sure to travel up the mountains, there is a path there that leads to a beautiful clearing." Caren responded, before Ichigo felt her eyes on him. "Are you truly going to be reading that drawl? It is quite bland."
Her words confirmed his suspicions she had been watching, he lowered the book ever so slightly to glance at her.
"Would it surprise you I like to read?" Ichigo responded.
"No, a little more culture in you is good, but sometimes reciting dreary lines of a writer who had no spark of imagination isn't going to do you any good." Caren replied, sliding off her lounge and moving over to the study near the far corner of the room.
She rummaged through several books before pulling out a thick tome, bringing it with her, she stood in front of him and snatched his book away. More bemused than annoyed he regarded her with a raised brow, wondering what she had planned for him.
"This would be a better read." Caren stated, thrusting the thicker tome in his hand and tossing aside his original book.
"The League of Arathor: Stones, Blood and Sacrifice that built an Empire." Ichigo read aloud, raising a brow as he looked to Caren.
He opened the book and started off again, and to his immediate surprise this was no recount of history. It was a poetic piece of literature, verses of artistic retelling that captured one's mind in the need to decipher the cryptic words that were spoken.
The first page had been read through, Arathor's decree and desire was already felt and the depths of his character only deepening with mystery as Ichigo tried to piece together his motive and the narrative this book followed.
"I see that you like it, thought provoking isn't it?" Caren asked.
"Yeah, reminds me a little of Shakespeare." Ichigo replied, a little nostalgic as he continued to read on.
There was little comparison between this and Shakespeare's works, their structure and how they spoke was not the same obviously, but the undertone of how the characters spoke was very similar. That each word carried deeper context than just a random mix of colorful words, that the way they spoke conveyed deep poetic meaning and that no verse was simply a waste of air.
"I take it this Shakespeare is an author of your world?" Caren inquired, a small glass in hand that swirled with a red liquid.
"One of the most well-known, considered the greatest playwright of the English language and is so respected that most every other language in the world has had his worked translated into their native ones." Ichigo replied.
Shakespeare's works were something he had taken interest in at a young age, he was always fascinated by the way his plays were written and how he constructed the stories. They were confounding to read, it was a chore to truly read the different plays and try to understand them all. But he had been hooked, invested in learning how to read the Elizabethan language and to decipher the deep meaning behind these words.
"Surprising, never took you for the refined type, and if this Shakespeare is anything like Tyce Lancaster, then you have good tastes." Caren replied.
"I always like Shakespeare, didn't know how to read it when I was younger, and damn was it hard trying to understand what the characters were talking about." Ichigo replied, smiling as he read along and talked. "But for some reason it challenged me, taught me how to read between the lines and see beneath the words and decipher the true meaning. It was a challenge, one that I enjoyed trying to unravel."
Ichigo recalled one line that he remembered intimately, the first book he had read. Macbeth, and this one line caught his attention.
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Ichigo recited from memory, looking to Caren and wondering what she would think of that little verse.
She furrowed her brow for a moment and seemed to be digesting the words.
"He speaks of life as being a pointless thing, something that comes quickly and ends. That no matter how much we may fret over it and what may occur our lives are short lived." Caren replied simply.
"Not bad, but you missed a few things as well." Ichigo replied knowingly, a small smirk on his lips. "While he did say that life is a walking shadow, the metaphor about the actor you missed. A poor player who has so little time on the stage, for his time on stage is so short and passes so quickly – as does life."
She seemed to be understanding, and not one to stop he continued.
"But while on stage he acts, dramatically mind you, in that short time he really acts and is strutting and fretting for the audience. Then, just as the play begins, he is done, his part played and is heard no more." Ichigo said.
"Then he is of little worth? His life nothing more than a mote of dust in the wind, passing before your eyes to be forgotten and ignored as it comes and goes?" Adelina asked, taking a seat next to Caren.
"Not easy to discern unless you understand the rest of the play or the scene itself." Ichigo replied, shrugging his shoulders. "It reflects on Macbeth, the one who spoke the lines, and his own feelings towards death and the coming end. That all the machinations he had formed to become king and all the deeds he has taken part in over such a short reign were now about to come to an end."
"Truly an interesting premise." Caren replied, before a frown graced her features. "Although a little morbid."
No doubt true, Macbeth was a story not for the faint of heart and broached on some very serious subjects. But he also recalled another that might spark their interest.
"I hope I may never acknowledge any reason why minds that truly love each other shouldn't be joined together. Love isn't really love if it changes when it sees the beloved change or if it disappears when the beloved leaves. Oh no, love is a constant and unchanging light that shines on storms without being shaken; it is the star that guides every wandering boat. And like a star, its value is beyond measure, though its height can be measured. Love is not under time's power, though time has the power to destroy rosy lips and cheeks. Love does not alter with the passage of brief hours and weeks, but lasts until Doomsday. If I'm wrong about this and can be proven wrong, I never wrote, and no man ever loved."
That was one of the more romantic lines he had heard, and it oddly resonated with him. While he wouldn't claim to know much on love, having never dated or even kissed a girl before, truthfully romance and love had not been something he had partaken in.
But from the obvious surprise from his two companions, whom he could see was genuine, they did not think him capable of sprouting off something about love. Even if it was another who had composed such poetry.
"For a man that can't look at a woman with her thighs showing I am surprised you know what love is." Caren remarked, her face oddly stoic when she made that comment.
That damn right near set him off, but he kept cool. Going down that path only let to problems for himself.
"Love and indecency are two different things." Ichigo replied, giving a small humph as he finished. "Besides I am old fashioned like that, I don't treat woman like objects or glorify their attractiveness. I ain't some perv."
"Anaesia would disagree with you there." Adelina said, the way she held that straight face when she said it made it almost impossible to tell if she was making a jest or not. But it had the desired effect, earning a bark of laughter from Caren, while he couldn't even utter a word to rebuke that claim.
"I...! I-Shup up!" Ichigo choked out, that had been a hit below the belt.
If there was one thing Ichigo didn't like it was when Adelina wanted to play a joke, the difference between a good laugh and leaving a bad taste did not occur to her. He couldn't blame her, but considering he knew she was always going for the throat with whatever she did he doubted he could get her to stop.
Lucky for him Caren was being unusually merciful tonight and didn't dig the knife any deeper.
"You know, if you wish, I know of a few plays that are to be performed in Stormwind in the next few weeks. If we have the time I can take you to some of them." Caren said, hiding her grin behind the rim of her glass as she made the suggestion.
That was an intriguing idea, to go to a play, the thought actually seemed like going to one of Shakespeare's own performances. With a smirk he nodded to the request.
"Never took you for a girl that goes to the theatre." Ichigo replied, leaning back into his seat.
"Never thought that anything of interest to you could be considered cultured, but people often surprise you, don't they?" Caren replied, setting down her glass.
"You would be surprised to know that back home I was in the top ten percent of my class. I may act like a punk and people see me as that but I no bruiser with half a brain." Ichigo stated, waving off her comment with a smirk.
Had this been any other conversation he was sure that he would have been a bit more sarcastic and even aggressive when discussing that particular topic. Often people get the impression he was some delinquent, didn't have any talents for anything but getting into a lot of fights and cause a disturbance. He hated being labeled like that, being considered trouble simply because of how he acted and looked.
Yet he didn't feel the need to defend himself from the comments sent his way, at least not in the usual way he did. Ichigo just didn't have it in him to break this calm atmosphere and ruin it with his typical moment of brevity.
He continued to read, speaking occasionally with Caren and Adelina when the mood struck him. He enjoyed this, it was odd how it felt, to be here in this villa with two friends and just hanging out and shooting the breeze.
Thinking back on it he realized that truthfully, he never had many of these moments with any of his friends, he had never been able to sit down with either of them and just talk. He didn't go out of his way to get to know them better, he never asked about their past or even struck up conversations to have. Often it was in the moment, only speaking on things that were happening in the now and not beyond it.
He knew so little about either of them, their pasts were a mystery to him and even though he knew Adelina longer than Caren he couldn't say that he knew her better than the mage. He thought on his other friends, those not of Azeroth but back on Earth, how much did he really know about them?
It became clear that he never truly became invested with anyone he met, he knew the basics and some details that had been revealed over time. But he never truly got involved with a friend's life, not unless he was dragged into it or he saw the need to. Chad, probably his closest friend, was still a mysterious individual to Ichigo, and there was so much he didn't know about the Mexican giant.
His book slipped in his hands, so many years and so many people and yet most felt like acquaintances rather than friends. Sounded very lonely, to not truly be invested in other people, and right now he was feeling it.
'Maybe it is time I changed the routine.' He mused, how long had he just gone with the flow?
Perhaps he was scared, to have someone open up to them meant he in turn needed to do the same, and it was without a doubt true he didn't like opening up to others. But deep down he felt a desire to do so, because he had shut himself off from others and it has never truthfully done him any good. There needed to be a change, and it starts with him learning more about the people before him.
If their conversation on the arts was anything to go by, then maybe what follows will actually be something worthwhile.
"It is always such a hassle learning with others, sometimes it is better having a private teacher." Caren said. "That way you get their full attention and can get things done, you would not believe how relieved I was that I could train under Galen. I was on the verge of actually being thrown out of the Sanctum for being too demanding. Honestly? I just wanted a better education."
"Individual lessons do help, Quintus was certainly a great help for me, I struggled back in Stonetalon before I was able to join him in an expedition to Feathermoon Stronghold." Adelina replied.
"Depends on the teacher really, I had a few when I was training to be a Shinigami, taught me a lot in only a short time." Ichigo replied, closing his book and deciding that maybe he would give them a story or two.
The sun's rays were beginning to disappear over the western horizon, the light within the clearing was starting to dim. The two moons that hung high in the sky and were to bring illumination through the night, the effect noticeable even as the sun still lingered in the sky, it was going to be a beautiful night.
"I think I can get used to this." Ichigo spoke aloud, leaning back into the chair.
He was sitting on a deck chair on the villa's porch, he had a nice view of the waterfall and by his side was a nice cup of Moonberry Juice. Beside his cup was his book, finished and worth the read, but the tale of the rise of the Arathi Empire did not give him the contentment he felt right now.
Instead it was the long discussions he had with Caren and Adelina, regaling each other with stories ranging from their teachers and their training. While tame in comparison to some other subject, it was still something they laughed at and joked upon.
He had told them of his teachers, starting with Rukia and her often less than tact ways of trying to get him to do her job. Followed up with the near comedic methods Kisuke had tried to teach him how to fight, as well as that of Yoruichi and the Visored. He had told them all about that training, how each of them went about it.
Not even the more embarrassing moments seemed to faze him when he discussed them, about the Headband and even his time in the healing springs with Yoruichi. Laughs were shared, jokes were told and comments on their mentor's own eccentricities were exchanged, it was probably the most fun he had ever had actually taking about his less than tolerable teachers who often enjoyed messing with him.
It was nice, to talk about these things, nothing serious or grim, to actually be able to talk about these subjects without having to stress over something. Only recounting some old stories, and getting a laugh out of them.
Honestly, he would probably find his own experiences funny had he been the one to hear it happen to another person.
A sigh escapes his lips, sinking into his chair he lets his mind wander towards nothing as he watched the rays of the moon dance with the falling waters. The shine of colors were deep and almost glowing, it was good that he had come here, in only a few hours he had already felt relief flooding him.
There was no need to take up his sword, to train his powers or to test them against the hopelessly outmatched guardsmen. No threats or dangers to wait for, which was a constant thing for him, for ever since gaining his Shinigami powers the dangers he faced seemed to have continually escalated. To not have to worry, even for a short time, was something he relished, and would ensure that he enjoyed this limited time to its fullest.
While he may grow bored of the relaxing and lack of action in his daily life, he wouldn't deny that to have a few days of peace never hurt. Especially when you had friends by your side, and a good book or two, yes, these few days were going to be paradise for him.
"Ichigo, Caren is serving dinner." Adelina called out, leaning out from the doorway.
"She can cook?" Ichigo muttered, he would have thought a spoiled girl like her would have someone do it for her.
Rising from his seat, collecting his book along the way, he stepped inside to find Caren at the archway to the dining room. But he noticed that her and Adelina were now wearing dresses, simple ones of blue and green, not the most usual thing they wear.
"A little formal for dinner, don't you think?" Ichigo asked.
"Not so, this is casual compared to the more upper-class dresses one need wear at formal occasions." Caren replied, before walking towards the table. "Besides, I brought these along and I had one spare for Adelina, getting her into a dress is difficult."
Adelina did look a little irritated being in the dress, likely having such loose hanging clothing didn't sit too well with her. Ichigo rolled his eyes and followed her in, taking a seat at the completely barren table where not a single scrap of food lay.
"Heard you cooked dinner, did you burn it or something?" Ichigo asked.
"Oh, funny. You actually think I cooked. Do I look like some house wife that does the cleaning and cooks for the family?" Caren asked rhetorically.
"No, but you complain like one that about thirty years older than she is." Ichigo fired back, giving her, a sidelong glance and he noticed with glee that the comment made her shup up. Likely because her entire face became tight with barely restrained fury.
"Careful, I might just hurt you." Caren said, words as tight as her face.
She waved her hand and soon enough the energies washed over the table, a moment later an assortment of food was on the table. Bowls of different sides from cooked vegetables, soups, and even sauces, she had summoned up a buffet. But the crowning piece was the large golden-brown chicken that looked to be cooked to perfection, steaming hot and looked delicious.
"Dig in." Caren said, taking her seat and already taking a few choice pieces from the different plates.
Ichigo tucked in, taking a few varieties of cheese, some smoked ham along with a few baked potatoes. There was so much variety on the table and it was shocking to see Caren just summon it up from nothing, he had to ask about that when he got the chance.
The meal was a massive affair, he was never one to dine on too much but for tonight he thought maybe a little excess wouldn't hurt. But during the feasting he noticed Caren staring at him, her brow furrowed and eyes on his plate. He had not the faintest clue as to why she would be so interested in what he had on his plate, or maybe she was surprised with how he was already going back for thirds.
"What?" Ichigo asked. "What are you looking at?"
"Why do you hold your fork like that?" Caren asked.
"My fork?" Ichigo asked, looking to the utensil he was holding in his right hand.
He didn't really see what he was doing wrong, truthfully a fork was something he rarely used back home, they once had a class where they got to test out using a knife and fork for a meal. Felt awkward, but really for the last three months he had been forced to deal with using these utensils, he was proficient at it.
"You're holding it strangely, makes me wonder if you have ever held a fork in your life." Caren said, a playful smirk on her lips as she prepares to set up a joke at his expense.
"For your information back home, we usually never used knives and forks, in fact we preferred to use chopsticks, two thin pieces of wood to pick up our food." Ichigo replied. "We never ate our meats like this, it all was cut before serving and we pick it up and eat it right away. Bite sized pieces ready to be eaten."
"Interesting habit." Caren said.
"More like a culture thing, now that you mention it most of the things the Japanese people did were considered weird by others." Ichigo replied, picking up another piece of chicken and started carving it up.
"How so?" Adelina asked, a glint in her eye, always eager to learn more about him.
"Well… where to really start?" Ichigo thought aloud. "Well since we are on the topic how about I tell you about dining etiquette?"
"I assume that your culture has strange rules when it comes to eating at a table?" Caren inquired.
"Yep. Traditional homes in japan don't use chairs or high tables, we kneel on cushions and low table to dine. Also, a fun fact, when seating the eldest or most important guest is seated furthest from the door. It is a sign of respect." Ichigo said. "It is also customary to let the guest eat first as well."
"It seems that guest rights in your world are similar to ours." Caren remarked.
"Sort of, while I ain't the type of guy to follow tradition I know how to show respect." Ichigo replied, recalling many of the times when he often went against standard protocol when speaking with others. "Our culture is surrounded by the premise of respect, honor and dedication to what we do, often there are many different rituals and things to be done during almost any situation. Most of our culture is like your nobles, there is protocol and a way of doing things given any situation where you interact with another. I even remember hearing that if you break up with a girlfriend you need to shave your head."
"Truly a different culture." Adelina said, smiling as listened.
"Most people on my world think the more traditionalist Japanese are weirdos, but really all we do is follow our ancient traditions. We have a lot of history like everyone else, it's just that we don't like letting go of it so easily." Ichigo replied.
"Still, why use sticks to eat food?" Caren asked.
"We just did, never really thought about it." Ichigo replied with a shrug. "Did you know that it is rude to mix one piece of food with another, like rice when eating? Also, you are never to cross the two sticks together, because it represents death."
"Sounds more like a fable to me." Caren said, leaning into her palm as she smirked. "What else is there?"
He regaled them on a few more interesting things about his home and culture, he started off small by telling them about honorific and also how to speak with different people of standing and age and even family members. Adelina had noted that he often referred to Jaina with honorific when he spoke with her.
From there it went on to the small little things, such as little things that are done when living at home. About taking off one's shoes when inside a house, often having a landing where one keeps their shows and slippers – even having another set when going into the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, one needed to wash themselves down before getting into the bath.
From there he went a little off tangent, speaking on some of the stranger traditions back home.
He told them that napping at work wasn't so much of a stigma, that employees also often formed business relations over binge drinking, along with trying to keep up with their more experienced boss.
But the discussions moved away from there slowly, talk of culture was only interesting for so long. So, it fell back into some topics about more relevant topics, such as their own humble beginnings. Ichigo had started, recounting his tale to his two friends of his acquiring of his powers and the night he became what he was.
Their feasting was at an end, even after an hour of eating and talking they had moved on from the dining table and back into the main hearth. All sitting back into their comfortable seats as they continued to regaled one another of their past exploits. Hours went by, stories and personal tales laid bare for everyone to enjoy.
Caren told of her exploits in Northshire Abbey, where she had been sent with several other mages in training to clear out a mine full of Kobolds. Adelina spoke on her time serving in a company of Sentinels in Ashenvale, under her own mother that was, and how she had helped dispatch a clan of Dark Trolls near Astanaar.
Then it came full circle to him, he had told many times of his powers and also some of his more dangerous adventures in the Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, but never where it all began. He told them of how he met Rukia, and the night he became a Shinigami. Although a dire tale to tell, there was some humor in it, even he found some of the events to actually be funny to look back on.
"So, a Wraith…" Ichigo was quick to interrupt her though.
"Hollow, it's a Hollow." They never got it right, even when he explained why they were called as such they found it to be in poor taste.
"Hollow, right. So, a Hollow broke into your house and you tried to attack it with a club? You truly are mad if you think a lump of wood was going to do anything." Caren said.
"I am more intrigued that to receive the powers of a Shinigami you must impale oneself onto the sword of a Shinigami." Adelina said. "One would think that spirits of death would be forces one should never interact with. Especially when you have to fall onto their sword."
Ichigo recalled this conversation a long while ago, back when he talked with Shandris and Jaina, they wanted to know what Shinigami were and their nature. Technically he had no idea that certain spirits associated with specific elements often had a certain aura or presence depending on that connection. Death Spirits were said to be very dangerous, harbingers of dread, pain and, most of all, death.
So, when he told them that wasn't the case with Shinigami, they were just normal souls that had learned to harness their spiritual power to maintain the balance it was a strange concept. He could understand it he supposed, often when coming in contact with specific forces in the world he sensed it as well. Paladins, Elementals, Demons, Dragons and Mages, they all had a feel to them. Something different, but not the Shinigami, not like in the way most on Azeroth would think.
"It must have been a desperate moment for you to do something like that and hope you succeeded." Adelina continued, smiling is a funny way that showed she was being shrewd.
"What can I say? I am lucky." Ichigo shrugged, smirking as he made the declaration.
"Lucky would be right." Caren said, shaking her head as she took a sip of some wine.
"Indeed, his record with reckless stunts has left an impression, it is a miracle he hasn't lost a limb or two already." Adelina said, giggling a little as both shared a quiet joke together.
"Laugh it up, I went through all kinds of hell when I was a Shinigami, and I came out of it alive and kicking." Ichigo replied, crossing his arms and feigning annoyance.
"True, but you also have grown, you have only been a Shinigami for six months before you came to Azeroth, less than a year in the time here." Adelina said, her words carrying no humor but actual praise. "To do what you have done, at your age and with such little time, it speaks about you more than anything. Facing down all these enemies, overcoming obstacles and dangers that even armies couldn't face, it shows me just what someone is capable of if they are willing to take the risks needed to achieve their dreams."
Ichigo was surprised, he never really thought about it like that. He had only had these powers for around nine months now, and in that time, he had been continually learning and expanding on them. He had a long way to go before he mastered any of his power, but he still has done a lot that was definitely beyond his ken.
He defeated two Shinigami Captains, faced down Espada, attained Bankai in two days and learned to control his inner Hollow. Truthfully, he has done a lot in such a short amount of time, looking back on it he wondered what else was in store for him. New obstacles presented themselves every day and he was certain that he would be facing them.
"Makes me feel exhausted thinking of it that way, feels like I have brought down some kind of retribution onto my head for being so spectacular." Ichigo said, leaning back into his seat.
"While I cannot claim to share your feats of daring, I do however share your weariness." Caren said, rising from her seat and letting out sigh. "Maybe retiring for the night isn't such a bad thing to consider."
Ichigo looked to a large clock near the wall, leaning back in his chair he saw the intricate device showing the time. Clocks on Azeroth were a thing, reminiscent of the age-old grandfather clock, but their units of measurement were a little different from earth. Instead of twenty-four-hour days it was actually twenty-six, an extra two hours, and from the looks of the arms it was nearing the sixth hour of the night.
Instead of having twelve dials it actually had twenty-six, twelve located above and on polished brash while below was onyx glass – both representing day and night respectfully. The arm moving based on the location of the sun during the day and night as it rose in the east and set in the west. It was near midnight, if this was earth by any stretch of the word, or more correctly the sixths hour of nightfall, an hour from midnight.
He couldn't believe how much time had passed.
"It is getting late in the hour." Adelina said, rising from her seat and stretching.
"Well, I am not going to argue." Ichigo replied, rising up and already making a beeline for his room.
All rooms were located on the upper floors, he had a nice one overlooking the river flowing into the forest. He found the stairs and quickly went up, he heard Adelina and Caren follow close behind, and with a few more words of they wished each other a good night.
Stepping into his private room, something he had not had in a long while since coming to Azeroth, he went right for the bed. Kicking off his shoes, unbuttoning his shirt, and taking off anything in his pockets, he didn't have the energy to try and get changed.
He flopped onto his large bed and stared up at the ceiling, his mind abuzz with different thoughts over the last few days.
The stress if the last week had not been easy to deal with, sleep and rest had been a novelty for him. But now he had a chance to actually take a load off, not worry about whatever problems were going on in his life.
Today had been a good day for him, there was no anxiety about what he was going to have to do for the day or what problems were unfolding. Right now, he could kick back with his friends and catch up on time that he had missed, which was a lot. He couldn't believe that he missed out on something like this back on earth, he never really struck up conversations like these with friends. At least not with the intent of relaxing, often he forced it to try and hide himself and any pain he felt.
But since coming here, to this villa in the middle of the forest, he was actually able to experience something that he had not felt in a long time. Contentment, actual satisfaction with where he was and who he was with, and he hoped to continue.
"Gonna make the most of this." Ichigo mumbled out, smirking before he got up and threw back the thick sheet covers.
He would finally get a good night's rest.
Laying his head against the pillow he allowed his eyes to shut and his mind to wander off. No more restless nights for him.
An hour had passed, the single candle had burned out leaving only the light of the smaller moon – the Blue Child – to bring some radiance to the chamber. But in that darkness the restless churning could be heard, and with a heave of someone who could reclaim their breath Ichigo awoke.
His heart was pounding, his body layered in sweat and he felt his head throb.
"Again?" Ichigo growled, forcing his breathing to a slow pace. "Why is this happening? What am I missing?"
These night terrors have been striking him every night for the last week, yet their cause and what he dreams are beyond his mind to reach or understand. Only vivid recollection of his time in Maraudon, those moments that while clear in his mind seem to hold deeper meaning to him. Maybe there was more to be seen in that Asylum, more terrors and visions of things he feared.
He did not know if he was reliving them or if these were new horrors his mind was unleashing upon him in his sleep. But in any case, he could not rest, something did not wish him such respite.
But he couldn't let this wear down his resolve, he needed to discover the source and strip it away. His own inner demons could be dealt with, all he needed was time, once he realized what the cause he could fight it was. Fear was an enemy, one of his oldest, and he knew that he could overcome it if he had the strength to face it without doubt in his heart.
This was not going to bring him down, he would face any obstacle in his way and he would make sure that these nightmares did not set foot into the realm of reality.
'No sleep tonight.' Ichigo mused, slumping back into his pillow.
There it is, hope you enjoyed it. Was a fun experience doing this side of Ichigo and trying to learn more about him, and I will be doing it some more next chapter, Enjoy.
