Whoever decided to build a cemetery up a mountain is an asshole, seriously. I was trying not to show how out of shape I was by keeping my breaths normal, but my body was seriously out of shape. My legs were hurting, my lungs were burning, the sun was blinding me.

And Isshin decided blowing a whistle beside my ear was the best idea in the world.

"Who built this place? Like, who decided we had to go on a full on adventure just to visit our loved ones?" I whined.

Isshin stopped his whistling to laugh at me. "You wouldn't be struggling so much if you kept up with your Kurosaki exercise plan!"

"I'm not struggling" I snorted, while trying to keep myself steady. "It's just a pain in the ass"

"This hill is really steep" Yuzu whined.

"See? I'm not the only one complaining" I said to Isshin, but I noticed a gleam in his eye and decided to move back a bit.

"Is it? It doesn't really bother me" Karin said to her sister. "But if you say things like that..."

It was like Yuzu had summoned some kind of demon, because at that moment, Isshin decided to do a handstand infront me.

"Don't worry Yuzu!" He yelled. "Dad is rooting for you!"

"See?" Karin sighed.

"Was he always like this?" Ichigo asked from where he stood beside me.

"He was calmer when he was younger, to be honest. Still, very weird"

"It's hard to believe you're related"

"Tell me about it" I sighed, before a sweat drop appeared behind my head as I watched Isshin rush up the hill on his hands.

Although he didn't get far, he was kicked right in the head by Karin when he tried sliding by Yuzu. I just watched as he rolled down the hill between Ichigo and I, before I continued walking up.

"This hill really is a pain"

"It's only June, and it's already so hot already" Ichigo

"At least I'm not the only one affected by the heat" when Ichigo didn't answer me, I glanced at him and frowned when I saw the look on his face. "Ichigo, are you okay?"

He slightly shook his head, probably to clear his thoughts. "I'm fine, Aunt Enka"

I knew he wasn't, but before I could say anything to him, both of us heard Karin speak and turned to look at her.

"Huh, someone else is here?"

"You're right" Yuzu agreed. "I wonder if she's also here to visit someone"

I was frozen, staring at the person. I didn't think I'd see anyone from back there ever again, especially not her. But there she was, waving over at us with a bright smile on her face.

Beside me, Ichigo was panicking. But right now, I didn't care. I turned around before she could see me, and waved to the kids. "I'm gonna go find your dad"

"You don't have to" said Karin, but I ignored her.

I really didn't need to deal with this today.

•••••

I found Isshin about halfway back down the hill, crashed into a wall. He was still in the same position as when he landed, eyes closed.

"They're not coming down, you know"

He opened his eyes and pouted at me. "Of course they're going to come down for their dear old dad!"

"Nope. You overestimate how much your kids will put up with you"

"That was mean, Enka"

I frowned at him as he got up. "Did you know?"

"Did I know what?" He looked at me with confusion

"About the Kuchiki"

He immediately became serious. "I didn't think you'd be around"

"You knew I came every year, though"

"I also thought that she wouldn't be around Ichigo all that often, it shouldn't take that long for her powers to return"

"What do you mean.. for her powers to return?"

"She transfered her powers to Ichigo a while ago"

I froze and stared at him in shock. She gave her powers to Ichigo, but that would mean... ".. Is he a shinigam?"

"Yes"

I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose. Ichigo was never supposed to activate that part of himself, especially not with... that inside of him. "And? Any signs?"

"Not from what I've seen"

"I suppose that's good... but what the hell happened?"

"I'm not entirely sure, I wasn't at home at the time. But according to Urahara, a hollow attacked the house and Kuchiki got hurt"

"And Ichigo wanted to protect his sisters. Of course. Typical..."

"Where did you see Kuchiki?"

"Up on the hill. She was waiting for Ichigo, I guess"

Isshin sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have warned you"

"Yes. You should have. You're lucky that you never interacted with her. But we were on the same squad. We spent time together, with him. She'll recognize me"

"We'll just have to keep you apart them"

"As if it's that easy" I snorted. "While she doesn't have powers, she's probably gonna be around Ichigo alot"

"Not for long. Like I said, it shouldn't take too long for her powers to come back"

"You hope. You might not be able to sense it, but there's something off about her"

"Off?"

"You said she transferred her powers a while ago, right?" He nodded. "Well, she's got nothing"

"What do you mean nothing?" He frowned at me.

"Nothing. I can't feel any reiatsu from her. She hasn't recovered any of her powers"

"Urahara" he sighed.

"Probably. I'll pay him a visit sometime"

"What are you going to do now?"

"I think I need some time alone"

"Are you sure?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah. You go up to the kids. I don't want them to be alone"

He nodded and started heading up the hill, but paused briefly when he passed me. He pattern my head like he use to when I was a child. "It'll be alright, Enka"

"I hope so" I sighed softly, staring at the ground as he went up the hill and leaving me alone.

I pulled my necklace out of my shirt, it had two charms hanging from it. A rose connected to a snow drop. Thinking about Kuchiki, I found myself touching the snowdrop. Of course she would have me thinking of him...

•••••

It was night before I knew it. I didn't think I would get so lost in the memories, but here I was, running up a too steep hill while rain clouds were forming in the distance. Stupid summer rain. Stupid Kuchiki. Stupid Isshin. Stupid everything.

I huffed and kicked a rock, with it hitting a tree. Today felt terrible. I could feel an unknown shinigami, a hollow, and.. Ichigo. Ichigo felt strange, and I wonder if it was because of what he was. At least it felt like he was winning. Definitely a member of our family.

Knowing it was going to rain soon, I headed in the direction of a building I knew was nearby. This body could get sick, and I really didn't feel like spending a couple of days in Isshin's clinic when all I wanted to do was get away from Kuchiki.

Wait, what was that sound? I groaned. It was Isshin's stupid whistle. I think it was coming from the building I was heading towards, so it seems like I wasn't the only one with the idea to get out of the rain.

Approaching the building, I spotted Isshin outside, blowing into that damn whistle. Ichigo was nearby. No, that wasn't Ichigo. Probably a gikon. Still, it felt weird, like it wasn't normal. But whatever.

"Can you stop that?" I snapped at Isshin as I came up to the building, and just glared at him when he grinned at him.

"Finally! I was starting to think something bad happened to you"

"Baka" I scoffed. "As if something bad could happen to me. Unlike you, I'm not powerless. Anyway, what's that?" I pointed over at Ichigo

"That's Ichigo"

".. you know what I mean, Isshi-nii"

He chuckled. "It's a mod soul"

"M-mod soul?" I stammered, staring at him in disbelief. "That's impossible. Mod Souls were destroyed"

"Apparently not all of them. That one came from Urahara"

"Urahara. Of course" I sighed. "Where are the girls?"

"Inside, sleeping"

"Sleeping?" I frowned at him, now worried. "Why are they sleeping?"

"They were attacked by a hollow"

"What?" I yelled, eyes wide. "Are they okay?!"

"They're both fine" He patted my head. "Ichigo saved them and the mod soul brought them back"

"Are you sure? Maybe we should take them-"

"They're fine" He interrupted. "They're just drained"

"I can't believe I didn't sense anything... this gigai is making me weak"

"I'm surprised you didn't sense anything. Maybe you should get Urahara to check out your gigai?"

"Probably" I frowned and crossed my arms.. "I've been living in this thing for twenty years. It's probably got some wear and tear"

A drop hit my forehead. I looked up at the sky, and saw the dark clouds had moved above us. And the rain was just starting to fall. Isshin took my hand and pulled me underneath the covered roof.

"Maybe you should go inside with the girls. See for yourself that they're fine"

"Yeah, I'll do that" I gave his hand a squeeze before letting go, I then went inside the building to join the twins.

•••••

It was pretty late when I found myself infront of Masaki's grave. The rain had died down to a light sprinkle, but I still had Isshin's jacket to cover my head. Isshin and Ichigo had taken Yuzu and Karin home, so I was the only one left. Well, except for the quincy hiding in the shadows, but I'll leave him alone to do his own mourning.

I stared at her name written in the stone. It's been six years, but it still feels surreal. This wasn't suppose to happen to Masaki. She should have lived a long life. She should have watched her children grow up. I'm sure she would have been so proud of them now.

Crouching down, I reached a hand towards the stone and traced the name with my fingers. "I'm sorry..." I spoke softly. "I should have been here when it happened"

I couldn't even remember where I was at the time. All I knew was that there was a shinigami from my former squad in town and I needed to disappear. But now it's my biggest regret. I would have gladly gone back to soul society and faced my charges if it meant Masaki would be alive.

"I should have protected you" I whimpered. "I'm so sorry, Masaki..."