Disclaimer: Kubo Tite owns Bleach!
"URAHARA!" Ichigo shouts as he approaches them.
Everyone was outside the store. Ururu is as usual sweeping the floor, the red-headed boy is swinging his bat, Ririn is bullying Kon as the others watch on, and Urahara is petting the black cat. They were half expecting him to come. They were all curious whether she was lying to them or not, whether her reason why Ichigo did not see her off was true.
"Ah, Kurosaki and how may I help you?" the man asks him as if nothing is the matter.
"Don't play dumb. Tell me she is inside."
Urahara sighs. She really left him.
"She has left." Sandle-hat was looking at the boy intently. This was a different situation, and he would like to know how he would react to it.
"But she said she will be leaving today." All eyes were on him. Was Rukia lying to them earlier? The boy was obviously confused. How can she just say goodbye through a letter? I want to say goodbye properly…or perhaps by some small luck convince her to stay a little more.
"Indeed. She left at 2 A.M. She left you a letter she said?" Ichigo simply nods. For the first time they do not see Ichigo as Ichigo. He was a boy. They look at him as if he were a child.
He nods again, head bowed down.
"She said she did not have the heart to wake you up since you slept like a baby."
He nods again. She was not lying to them. He was sleeping and she did not wake him up, out of selfishness probably. In truth, she does not want him to see her off.
"Come and sit Ichigo," Yoruichi's heart goes out to him. They all see a 6-year-old child walk towards them. He sits right beside Urahara.
"Have you read the letter?" The cat asks. "Mmmm…she left me chocolates too you know."
Both Urahara and Yoruichi nods as Kon jumps beside them. They were all speechless, careful not to say anything.
"Did she tell you anything before she left?" The boy was still looking down, swing his legs to and fro, watching his shoe.
Yoruichi taps Urahara's hand softly to tell him to be gentle. The boy was still a boy after all.
Kon taps Urahara's knee as well, "Urahara, I promise to be good for one week. Please…Please tell Ichigo..." The stuffed lion is still looking at him pleading. The others could not do anything but just look on and watch. Their hearts go out to him.
Urahara stood up and placed his hand on the boys hair.
--flashback—
Before going in she turns around to look at Urahara. "Thank you. Will you look after him for me?." She was obviously trying her best not to shed her tears.
"Of course I will," the man answered smiling. At Soul Society's standards, she was still a little girl, but he has to give it to her. She was definitely mature for her age. Sometimes, he wonders how she can carry all her worries. This one will be another load for her to bear.
"I know you want to know so I will tell you even if you do not ask." She thought it would be best she shed her tears now, there is no helping it. When she gets there, she will move on and so will he, when he wakes up this morning.
"I want to stay you know….but when I really really think hard about it…I thought…if I lived for 15 years and discovered love and love for less than 1/15 of my life, how was I suppose to know that this person is it? Could I possibly be able to love this person for the rest of my life? and perhaps until after life? Because you know, Urahara. I know I can, but I am not sure a 15-year-old can."
She is smiling now despite her tears. "And wouldn't it…wouldn't it be wonderful… if you could fall in and out of love as many times as you want when you are young? Shouldn't it be like that?"
"You can choose to tell him or not. I do not mind really. I think my letter says it all. I will not wait. I am sure he will find love far greater than what he has right now."
"And you my dear?" Urahara asks.
"Thank you for asking." That is all her reply. Forgetting is so long…
--flashback--
Yoruichi just wanted to embrace the boy. She knows how it feels, just like how she felt the when Urahara was telling her he will exile himself. In her case however, she chose to come with him. She thought she won't be able to live through the pain. Must be greater for Ichigo… for the boy, she thought.
Ichigo decided to open the letter. He does not mind sharing it with them anymore.
Ichigo,
You and I know how awkward goodbyes are, so I just want to tell you instead…
SEE YOU LATER!
And since I am not very good with words I stole this from somebody…
In a while,
Every moment now returns.
For a while, seen or heard,
How each memory softly burns.
I thank God for yesterdays,
How they led me to this very hour,
How they led me to this place...
Every touch, every smile,
You have given me in care.
Keep in heart, always I will,
Now be treasuring everywhere.
And if life should come to just one question,
No trace of sadness,
Always with gladness...
Now a song that speaks of now and ever,
Beckons me to someone new,
Unexpected, unexplored, unseen,
In a while,
You and I forever change,
And if life should come to just one question,
No trace of sadness,
always with gladness,
Never with sadness...
Always with gladness...
He could not hide a tear and he stands up. With his back to everyone he says, "Tell me when she comes back?"
"Of course we will. Not a second later." Yoruichi quickly said hoping to comfort the boy as he walks away with her letter.
"He lost the girl huh?" Ururu said. She was still looking at Ichigo's back as he went off.
Author's notes: The letter is actually a song sung by Lea Salonga and Composed by Louie Ocampo. I am sorry I deleted a few lines to fit my story. It is an absolutely wonderful song. You can download a copy at morbidfeather dot livejournal dot com or zfamme dot 4shared dot com.