So like I did for Irreplaceable, I want to start this chapter off by saying that I am back and I apologize for being away so long. For those of you who have been waiting patiently for this chapter here it is Chapter 3
Memories Chapter 3: Ichigo
Ichigo decided that telling Yuzu his biggest secret of the last 5 or 6 years was probably the biggest mistake he had ever made. It had now been a week since they visited Karin's grave, the old man had found various reasons to stay out of town, and all Yuzu had talked about was Shinigami, Soul Society and how in all the good world was she going to become one to find Karin. Ichigo almost regretted staying until their father returned, but at the same time he was reluctant to leave Yuzu alone.
So instead he sat at the kitchen table watching as Yuzu bustled around the kitchen making breakfast and humming to herself.
"You have school today don't you?"
"Mmhm. Finals are this week and then I'm off for summer vacation."
Ichigo nodded.
"Will you still be here?" Yuzu asked, setting a plate down in front of her brother. Ichigo was silent for a minute.
"How serious were you when you said you wanted to find Karin?"
Yuzu frowned at him.
"Very serious Ichi-nii." There was an unusual undertone of steel in her voice and Karin was the only one that ever called him that. It was like a double punch to his gut. Even quiet, mellow, Yuzu was being significantly changed by all this. Ichigo sighed.
"Alright Yuzu, how about this: You give me some time and I'll see if I can find Karin. If I can't then we'll see if we can get you to Soul Society. But I'm not making any promises." Ichigo hoped that he wouldn't have to get his youngest sister to Soul Society at all, but if Matsumoto was right, then finding Karin would be a lot harder then he imagined.
"That's alright Ichi-nii. School will completely over in about two weeks so that's how much time I'll give you. But then I'll find a way there, one way or another."
Ichigo internally groaned at the note of finality in her voice. What happened to the little sister, that had wanted nothing more then to make her family happy? Ichigo watched without comment as Yuzu gathered up her school bag and left for school. What more could he say?
So instead he made his way to Urahara's, because if anyone had answers it would be him.
As he passed the grocery store, on his way there, he bumped into someone coming out of the door.
"Oh excuse me."
"I'm so sorry."
Ichigo blinked.
"Inoue?"
"Ah Kurosaki-san, hello." The rather ditsy red head said brightly as Uryuu Ishida stepped out of the store behind her.
"Kurosaki." He said with a nod.
"Hey Ishida." Ichigo paused, "Actually this is perfect. Can you two do me a favor?"
"Of course Kursaki-san."
"I'm going to be gone for the next two weeks. Can you keep an eye on Yuzu?"
Orihime frowned.
"You've been gone for the past six months, so we already have been."
"Does this have to do with them?" Ishida asked. Ichigo nodded, thankful his friend caught on so quickly.
"Yeah. I'll be in Soul Society for about two weeks, so make sure Yuzu stays away from Urahara's shop and any random black cats that pop up. She has this crazy idea of going there and finding Karin."
Orihime made a sad face as she placed a comforting hand on Ichigo's arm.
"Is that even allowed?" Ichida asked curiously.
"I don't know." Ichigo scratching his head, "I don't think anything like this has ever happened before. I should have asked Rukia before she left."
"Perhaps Urahara-san will know." Orihime said brightly.
"Yeah actually that's where I'm headed.'
"Do you mind the company?" Ishida asked, "Because now I'm curious."
Ichigo shrugged before leading the way.
It was rather quiet outside the shop and as Ichigo slid open the door he realized it was rather quiet in there too.
"Hello?" He called out hesitantly as he stepped inside. Orihime and Ishida followed him. It was eerily quiet and Ichigo didn't sense any spiritual pressure, an ability he still couldn't figure out how to properly use, but at least he could manage sensing some reiatsu ... sometimes. "Hey is it just me or is there nobody-"
"Hello Ichigo."
All three humans jumped as a black cat that seemingly appeared out of no where chuckled.
"This way." Yoruichi said slipping back through the door she came out from. They followed her further inside and then down the ladder that went into Urahara's spacious basement.
"I didn't know cats could climb ladders." Ichigo heard Orihime say as they climbed down.
"I don't think those rules apply to Yoruichi." Ishida responded, "Knowing Yoruichi she probably just jumped.
Yoruichi was giving a cat's version of a smirk on her face but she didn't say anything.
Urahara and Tessai were nearby, nearly hidden by boxes.
"Ah hello!" The shopkeeper said cheerfully waving his fan at them. "New shipment." He said looking at the boxes as they stepped closer, "But to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"A couple of questions."
"Oh?" Urahara plopped down on the ground, "Then perhaps a couple of answers."
Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck. Where the hell did he begin?
"Is it possible for a human to become a shinigami without going through hollowfication?"
Urahara peered at him from underneath his hat, the fan in front of his face hiding his expression.
"Yes. Shinigami can give you their power. It is illegal however but you know this."
Ichigo waved his hand impatiently.
"Yes. But I meant a legal way."
"No. At least not technically." Urahara grinned impishly, "I have however developed a way. Soul Society just doesn't know about it yet. But why do you ask?"
"Why would you develop something like that?" Ishida interrupted.
"Well after the whole deal with Kurosaki-san and since his sisters have such high spiritual pressures it seemed like a good idea."
Ichigo frowned then realized something.
"You noticed? Yuzu's increase in spiritual pressure I mean?"
"Well of course. Ever since Karin-chan's tragic accident I've noticed Yuzu-chan's reiatsu spike then steadily increase. She's almost as powerful as Karin-chan was when she was thirteen or so."
"How did you not notice?" Ishida scoffed.
"I've been out of town." Ichigo growled back. But why hadn't he noticed until Matsumoto had said something? He wasn't that crappy at sensing reiatsu. He had always been able to sense Karin, at least in that last year or so. Maybe it was just him. Ichigo shook his head slightly trying to get his thoughts back on track.
"Yuzu wants to go to Soul Society and find Karin." Urahara's eyes widened slightly and glanced at Yoruichi.
"Is that even allowed?" Ichigo asked hesitantly.
"Hmm." Urahara looked thoughtful, "You know what I'm not really sure. I don't think we've ever had anyone ask before. Isshin certainly didn't ask when your mother died but then again none of you really had the reiatsu needed to see her anyway. Hmm." Urahara tapped his fan against his mouth.
"You'd probably need permission." Yoruichi commented as her tail swished back and forth. Urahara nodded in agreement.
"Yes. I think you would need Soutaicho Yamamoto's thoughts on the subject at the very least. Like I said I don't think we've ever had this situation before." He paused, his face going thoughtful again, "Shall I prepare a gate for you?"
Ichigo sighed. He really hadn't been expecting to leave so soon, but if Yuzu was only giving him two weeks...
"Yeah but I want to arrive as quietly as possible and as close to the squad 10 barracks as possible." Urahara raised an eyebrow but didn't ask why squad 10. Ichigo knew that if anyone could help him find his sister it would be Toshiro Hitsugaya. Those two had always been nearly attached at the hip. Ichigo sighed again, knowing the hell Toshiro probably went through and was still going through after the accident. He was the same.
"I thought gates couldn't be opened inside of the Sereitai's shields." Ishida was saying, as Ichigo tuned back into the conversation.
"Soutaicho has made some changes to the shield, allowing gates from my shop to open up at certain points all over Soul Society. In case of emergencies. Tessai!" Urahara finished in a sing-song voice, "If you would please help me a moment."
"Ichigo be careful over there. We've been getting weird updates from squad 12. Soul Society has been peaceful for awhile now but that might no longer be the case." Yoruichi warned as she watched the red-head drop out of his body. Ichigo nodded to her as he turned to Ishida and Orihime.
"Can you let Yuzu know where I've gone."
"Of course Kurosaki-san."
"See you in two weeks."
"We're ready for you Icigo-san!"
Ichigo nodded once more to his friends before following a hell butterfly through the gate. Minutes later he stepped into a side street somewhere between squads 9 and 10. It was early morning and not many people were around. Repressing his reiatsu, like Rukia had painstakingly taught him how to do, he made his way toward the squad 10 barracks in search of one white-haired icy tempered Captain.