Chapter 22
Akihiko awoke to a loud cry. He had just dozed off when it happened. He first thought it was Kameko, but it happened only once. That one cry though, caused Kameko to begin crying. Getting up out of his bed with a tired sigh, Akihiko moved to his daughter's room.
Inside, he could distinctly make out a bleary eyed Ran try comforting the girl. Kameko was having none of it. She just continued to cry and cry. Concern tugged at his gut. Was she sick or hurt? Akihiko tried to take her from Ran, but Kameko only cried louder. Leaving her in Ran's arms, he spoke. A hand rubbing his forehead, fruitlessly trying to ease the oncoming headache.
"What's wrong with Kameko?" Ran shook her head. Too tired to really answer. A door opened behind Ran. Standing there in the doorway was Shin. He was rubbing his eyes, obviously woken up because of Kameko's crying. Black hair tousled and sticking in all directions.
"Father, what's going on?" Akihiko moved towards his son, pulling him up into his arms. Shin weakly protested at being lifted, but acquiesced to being in his arms. Akihiko stroked his son's hair. Finding comfort that his son was close to him. Even though he was getting a little too big for it.
"Nothing son, Kameko is just unhappy." Shin mumbled something into his shoulder. Too muffled to make out. "What did you say, Shin?"
"What about the cry I heard? The cry woke up Kameko too. That's why she is crying." Akihiko blinked at his son in disbelief. His tired brain struggling to process the information.
"So you heard it too." Akihiko turned to Ran, who still tried to calm Kameko. "Ran did you hear it also?" She gave him an absentminded nod, keeping most of her attention on his little girl. Ran started to rock and hum a soft lullaby, Kameko's crying dying down to whimpers and sniffles. But still very upset. His brow furrowed in concern. Why was she so upset at the cry they heard? Was someone hurt? Did someone attempt to get onto the estate? Was it a hollow?
He needed find Sora. He should still be up at this time. First he needed to put Shin to bed. Moving through the dark room, Akihiko entered Shin's room through the connecting doorway. Putting Shin back in the futon, he tucked in his son, who had fallen back asleep in his arms.
"Ran, once Kameko is asleep, you can go back to bed. I'm going to find out what is going on." Akihiko instructed, and left the room. Weak moonlight lit the hallways, giving enough light to just make out things in the hallways.
He wasn't the only one who had heard the cry. Clan members stood in their doorways, looking out into the hallway in confusion. Akihiko reassured them that he would handle it, and told them to go back to sleep. Just what was that cry they heard? Confusion shrouded his tired thoughts, and weariness weighed down his very bones.
Walking the hallways, Akihiko noticed that the guards were on edge whenever he passed by them. Something was going on. Spreading his senses out, he found Sora with Chiyo. Both of them were sitting in a small living room that was often overlooked and was a good hideaway to be alone. Akihiko used it many times when he was a child to escape his tutors. Why was Sora in there with Chiyo? Unwanted images were conjured because he was so tired. Some of them making him shiver in disgust at the though of them.
Briskly making his way there, he found not only Sora and Chiyo, but Yuko too. She was sitting between them crying her eyes out on the maroon sofa. Her knees were drawn up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. Chiyo was talking softly with her. Sora had noticed him, and moved away from the distraught girl. The tension gathered in his muscles melted away as the conclusions he came up with disappeared into the night. He was too tired for this.
"Why is Yuko crying? Was she the one who gave that cry earlier?" Sora gave a small sad and tired sigh. He was as tired if not more so than Akihiko.
"No, that wasn't Yuko that gave that cry. I don't know who did that. I have the guards looking into it. Yuko hasn't made a single sound this entire time. As for why she is crying, that's because Ichigo-san told her what happened to her father." Akihiko felt the color drain from his face. This had to happen now? After everything from earlier?
"Ichigo told her." He all of a sudden felt drained. Akihiko sat down in one of the chairs in the room. No energy left for him to stand. This whole night has messed with his emotions too much. He has never felt so emotionally drained in his life. "How is she taking it?"
"So far, not very well. Ichigo-san knew this when he sent me after her." Akihiko sighed.
"Does she know? How he died?" Sora gave a solemn nod, never looking away from Akihiko. Gauging his reactions.
"She does. Ichigo told her everything." Akihiko slumped further into the cushioned chair. Not easing any discomfort within his heart. He covered his face within his hands. Thoughts raced through his mind. Trying to figure out a way to fix the problem. But you just can't fix everything so easily. Yuko is a good example of this. She won't know what to do now. Now that she knows that her father is dead and that Ichigo is the one who killed him, Yuko won't know how to act around Ichigo. Let alone how she feels about it. This whole night was a disaster in disguise. First the diner, then the meeting and now Yuko and this mysterious cry. And there was a whole other can of worms when it came it Ichigo.
A slight cough brought him back from his musings. Glancing through his fingers, he saw Yuko asleep on Chiyo's lap. Tears still streamed down her face, but at least she is asleep now. Hopefully she will sleep through the night. And not have any nightmares. That was all he could do for the girl. Hope.
Sighing, he stiffly stood up from the chair. Kami-sama, he was getting old. He's surprised he doesn't have grey hair yet. Moving over to Chiyo and Yuko, he watched as Chiyo gently ran wrinkled fingers through brown hair.
"I'll have her sleep with Ran tonight. You don't mind, do you Sora?" Akihiko asked, glancing back at Sora. His face was slightly paler than usual, but still very alert and looking immaculate as ever. The same could be said for Chiyo, she never looked anything but put together.
"No, Akihiko-sama. Besides I believe that I will not be sleeping tonight. There are too many things for me to do." Sighing, Akihiko looked at Sora in exasperation.
"You work too hard Sora."
"As do you." Sora quipped back quickly. Akihiko rolled his eyes and leaned down to gently pick up Yuko bridal style. Her head meeting the juncture between his neck and shoulder. Soft breaths meet his ears, he was painfully aware of Yuko and waited to see if she had woken up. Akihiko glanced to his grandmother.
"Grandmother, why don't you head back to bed. I can handle Yuko from here." She gave a small nod of her head and gracefully left the room. How she does that is a mystery. Even at this time of night, she can be as graceful as ever. It must come with age, however… Sora is the same way. Akihiko watched as Sora gently opened the door and skillfully guided him back to Ran's room. Sora had had no sleep and he still managed walking better than Akihiko. Maybe it was just himself that was the problem. He was a very klutzy child. Probably came with him into adulthood.
Sora softly woke Ran and explained what was going on. Akihiko stood there awkwardly near the doorway. Not entirely sure where he should be. Ran looked at Yuko, and her expression softened to that of a mother. One full of understanding and empathy. The same expression he had seen on his wife many times, when Shin wasn't feeling well or when he had troubles of his own. Akihiko sighed, Sora was lucky to have such a compassionate fiancee. Sora knew it too with the look he gave her. Thanking Ran softly, Sora gave her a quick thankful kiss and moved so he could take his place. Akihiko leaned down and placed Yuko beside Ran inside the futon. Ran immediately covered the girl and began running her fingers through Yuko's hair.
"I'm sorry to ask this of you Ran." Said woman quickly shook her head.
"No need Akihiko-sama. I would have taken her even if you had not brought her. She has lost more than most and needs comfort. She will grieve, but she will get over it. Us girls are strong like that. Now shoo. I need sleep and so do both of you." Ran spoke, waving them away. Smiling softly, Akihiko and Sora retreated from the room.
Running a hand through his hair, Akihiko bid Sora good night and made his way back to his room. Even in his tiredness, Akihiko noticed that a guard was posted outside of Ichigo's room. Raising an eyebrow, he stopped in front of the guard. Who froze immediately in his presence. Not moving a single muscle, and refusing to look him in the eye. Something was up. His gut told him so. And his gut was never wrong.
"Why are you here?" The guard stood even taller than before. Standing to attention.
"Sora-san had asked me to refuse anyone from entering Ichigo-sama's room except Sora-san. He said even you, Akihiko-sama may not enter." Akihiko's other eyebrow joined his already raised one in surprise. Why would Sora do that? Was something wrong with Ichigo? Worry gnawed at his gut for the newest family member.
"Is that why all of you are so skittish around me, because you think I will be angry?" The guard hesitated, but replied.
"Yes, Akihiko-sama." Akihiko sighed, waved his hand in dismissal and bid the guard good night. He was too tired for this right now. He would deal with it in the morning, when he had a few hours rest.
The first thing that Ichigo noticed was that he could see. But only out of his right eye. The next thing to be noticed was where he was. He was standing on the ground and not on any of the skyscrapers. The answer to that question laid all around him. Rubble encircled him. Shattered glass, broken concrete and twisted metal corpses were all that was left of the skyscrapers. No longer touching the sky. A sky that has now become nothing but a dark void, devoid of hope, happiness and life. Filled with absolute silence.
And that was only what he could see and not hear. The smell is something else entirely. Moldy, rotten. Burning flesh and blood thickly covered Ichigo's tongue. Making him gag and dry heave. And his eye water. Ichigo's stomach twisted in knots and wouldn't come undone.
One word came to mind. Ruin. His soul was in desolate ruins.
A choked sob broke free. Zangetsu and Shiro had to live in this ruined world. In this broken soul of his. Ichigo tried to wipe the tears from his eye, but they just wouldn't stop. His emotions so raw and amplified in his very soul. It hurt so much, all the sorrow, despair, helplessness, regret and loneliness descended on him all at once.
He needed to find them. Desperation clawed at his mind. That single thought drove him forward.
He called out to his spirits and received no reply. Ichigo navigated his way through the rubble, stumbling and calling out their name every so often. And never given a reply. He continued to call. For his companions. For his friends. For his family.
Guilt tore at him and crushed his bones. And sent him to his knees. Sending up puffs of dust and rocks digging into his skin.
Kneeling there on the concrete dust covered ground, his forehead touching the dirt, Ichigo begged everyone he knew for forgiveness. Saying each and everyone of their names. Telling each and everyone that it was his fault, and that he could never atone for it. Even when he wishes he could.
So many faces. Familiar and foe. All extinguished. All because of him. He couldn't protect a single one of them.
Quivering breaths shook in his lungs. Muscles trembled in exertion. Fingers spasmed in the dust.
"Shiro. Zangetsu. I'm sorry…" He whispered. Closing his eyes, Ichigo relished the silence that crashed upon him. Shear and utter silence. No screams or pleas haunted him. No cries of children and dying men. Friends calling for help that wouldn't make it in time.
One moment. Two. Deep breath. Silence.
Something collides into Ichigo's side. Driving the breath out of him. Sending both him and whatever it was tumbling through the dust and dirt. Sputtering and coughing Ichigo turned to face his attacker from where he was lying.
"Damn it King! You just had to get in the way." Ichigo froze. All he could do was blink. He was that surprised. There standing in front of him was Shiro. His stark white shihakusho torn and stained with blood. A gold on black eye regarded him thoughtfully. Anger and amusement swirling in his right eye. Two contrasting emotions that should be impossible to see together. His left eye was sealed shut with dried blood as a cut above his eye sluggishly bled more. A crazed smirk adorned the albinos face. Sealed Zangetsu resting on his shoulder, dripping crimson blood.
"Have you given up hollow? Are you ready to forfeit your life?" Shiro's smirk got wider and crazier at the Old Mans appearance. So he was here too. He wasn't alone. They hadn't abandoned him.
"Hell no! 'm fight'n till the end Quincy!" Shiro shifted his stance. Zangetsu coming in front of him as he crouched lower, preparing to launch himself forward. Old Man summoned arrows of his own.
Horrified, Ichigo scrambled to get up and between the two of them. Their comments catching up to him.
"What the hell is wrong with both of you? Why are you guys fighting?" Moving in between the two of them, Shiro spun and landed a kick on his abdomen, rocketing him backwards and through stone. Coughing up dust and desperately trying to draw breath, his hand clenched around a piece of rock. It was too smooth to be just any rock though.
Glancing down, he read the kanji written along it's surface. Urahara. With his breath caught in his throat, all Ichigo could do was stare. His limbs frozen as memories played in front of his eyes.
A green and white striped hat passed his face. Followed with the swoosh of a paper fan. Rolling his eyes, Ichigo turned to face the moving scientist. His hat sitting sloppily upon his head. The fan now permanently put away. Scarred hands tinkering with every invention within reach. A desperate need to be busy. To distract.
"Hat'n'Clogs, what are you up to this time?" An almost excited giggle meet his ears. Too fake to be real. Trying to act normal. Pretending that everything was normal.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sighing in exasperation, Ichigo turned to leave. He was not going to stay here and walk in circles if Kisuke wanted to tease him. He couldn't deal with it. Not with everything that was going on.
"All right. Don't tell me. I'm going back on patrol. You know the one you dragged me away from." A flurry of movement behind him and a hand that grasped the back of his shihakusho, stopping him in his departure.
"Stay." That one word a quiet plea. Ichigo's shoulders slumped in defeat. Scratching the back of his head, he turned around and the hand clinging to him let go.
"Alright. I'll stay. Sit down while I make some tea." Moving robotically, Ichigo watched Kisuke disappear into the small tea room. A shell of what he once was. Loud silence filled the room. Looking around, Ichigo could see images of what once was.
Ururu accidentally spilling a jar of candy. Her loud mouthed brother, Jinta breaking a window while practicing how to bat. Yoruichi lazily sunbathing in a patch of sunlight. Tessai fixing this or that.
A family destroyed, leaving only painful memories behind.
More and more memories flooded his vision. First it was only Kisuke, then came Yoruichi, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, Shinji and the others, Orihime, Uryu, their daughter Masaki, Chad, Tatsuki, Rukia, Renji…the list went on and on. So many memories. It hurt so much.
Ichigo relived his entire life in mere moments. All the joy, sorrow, desperation, pain, peacefulness, contentment, anger, grief, hope, love and regret crashed down on him. Heightened to their highest degree. It left him struggling to breath and clutching the fabric over his heart. Desperately trying to lessen the emotions raging inside him.
All those emotions at once were worse than any wound he had received. It festered and burned constantly in his chest. His heart threatening to give out. His vision blurred at the edges. Unconsciousness just out of his grasp. Forcing him to feel every emotion he has ever felt.
Pitifully trying to draw air into his lungs. Ichigo kneeled there, riding out the terrible pain. Not once crying out. He could just make out Shiro and the Old Man fighting, destroying more and more area in his world. Ichigo could make out other tombstones that were broken underfoot and smashed in their fighting. Each broken headstone caused a flash of pain in his head and his heart struggling in his chest.
He knew what those tombstones were. Even through the haze of pain, Ichigo could figure out that those tombstone were what sealed away his memories. Now with them being broken, nothing could hold back the tidal wave of his life experiences. One hand clutched his heart and the other his head. Nothing to distract himself from the pain.
Shiro and the Old Man's fight began to dwindle in the background. The pain in his head and chest faded to a dull ache. Allowing him to really catch his breath for the first time since he entered his inner world.
Something. No, someone landed beside him. The white giving them away. Shiro. A strong hand grasped his left upper arm, pulling his almost limp body into a standing position. The same hand quickly snaked around his lower back and gripped the right side of his waist. The other hand moving to support his abdomen. All their effort in keeping him upright.
"Come on King. There's something that you need to do." Shiro spoke gently to him. Handling him almost delicately. As if he was made of glass. Considering how he felt. He couldn't blame Shiro. Ichigo felt that he was going to shatter at any moment.
Shiro guided him through the broken tombstones, many just gravel and broken fragments. Names were almost indistinguishable. He maneuvered Ichigo towards the lone standing tombstone. He knew what Shiro wanted. Ichigo just didn't know if he could do it. This final one was the last line of defense against his memories. He didn't know if he could handle seeing it over and over again every time he closed his eyes, even just to blink. Once done, there was no escaping. Instead of remembering with a sort of detachment, he would feel what he had felt in that moment in time. It wouldn't be happening to someone else. It would be happening to him. All over again.
Old Man stood there silently beside the tombstone bearing his name. His cloak and unruly dark hair fluttering in the nonexistent breeze. Watching him. Ichigo tried to step back, but Shiro only clutched tighter. Stopping him from moving forward or backwards. No where to flee.
"King." Shiro pleaded. Ichigo froze. Shiro never pleaded unless it was the only way. Looking at Shiro, Ichigo saw that he was covered in even more blood. Spotting the dusty ground with it. Turning to look at Old Man Zangetsu, he steeled himself. Old Man nodded his head.
Holding his right hand out, Zangetsu appeared in his hand. The slim ebony blade gleamed, the chain clinking at the smallest movement. His hand quivered under the strain, but did not falter. He had to do this. For Shiro and the Old Man. The Old Man sensed his resolve.
"Do it Ichigo." With no more prompting, he did so. Drawing a deep breath, he raised Zangetsu and swiped downwards, sliced the tombstone down the middle. He then promptly passed out.
Shiro clutched Ichigo close to him. He knew that Ichigo had passed out. It was the only way to go through all of those horrible memories. Shiro shivered at the thought of them.
"It's done. His memories and power have been unsealed." The quincy pointed out. Thank you captain obvious. An evil smirk grew on his face.
"You just enjoyed beat'n me up. There was no reason for us t' fight t' remove the seal." Old Man said nothing to disprove him. Shiro sighed and lowered himself and Kingy to the ground. Cradling King in his lap. Comforting him as much as he could. And taking comfort in having his king so close as well. He knew it was selfish, but didn't care. Kingy was his. "He's gonna be messed up when he wakes."
"That is why we are here." Shiro smiled. A small genuine smile. Old Man sat in front of him. Both of them guarding Ichigo's prone form. Both inside and outside his inner world.
"Yeah."
Here it is, chapter 22. Whew... this one was so hard to get right. Well at least we hope it's right. Let us know what you guys think about this chapter. The next one should be up soon. Maybe by Sunday or Monday. See you then.
- The Crew
