Chapter 4
Today was big day for Masaki and Isshin. She just had a baby. Jeez, I can't believe how long it's been since she married Isshin. Anyway, right now, Masaki held the baby boy in her arms and me and Isshin stood by her bed. I ditched the gigai that Kisuke made for me after Masaki's wedding. I really preferred my natural body, besides, Isshin is somehow still able to see me. He also took Masaki's last name. I always thought it was the other way around.
The baby boy who was currently crying had orange hair and brown eyes just like Masaki. Even at this young age, I can sense spirit energy pouring out of him. Man, a child of an ex-Soul Reaper and Quincy once attacked by a Hollow. I can't wait to see him all grown up.
"So, what's his name?" I asked.
"...Ichigo. Ichigo Kurosaki." Masaki answered. Ichigo? Strawberry? Really?
"Um, are you sure?" I asked.
"Don't worry. I meant for the name to mean 'number onse guardian'. Ichi is number one, and go is for guardian." Masaki explained.
"Huh. I guess that is a pretty cool name then. Little Ichigo." I said, poking his nose. He slowly started to stop crying and he actually started laughing. Well, I have heard that babies can see us. He can probably see me anyway with his spirit energy.
"Masaki, can I hold him?" I asked.
"Hey, hold on a minute! He's my son, so I should get to hold him first." Isshin said.
"What!? I asked first! Wait your turn old man!" I shouted.
"Hey, you should be glad we even allowed you to be here for such an important moment!" Isshin said. After that, and a little more shouting, one thing lead to another and I ended throwing him out the window. Yeah, my anger gets out of hand sometimes.
"So, can I hold him now?" I asked, now using an innocent tone. She laughed nervously, but Masaki still carefully handed Ichigo to me. I made sure to listen to what she said about cradling his head.
"Zera, you're so cute. You actually look like a big sister." Masaki said.
"Come on, you're making feel older than I look." I laughed. But, I had to admit, she was actually right. I never really had a family when it came to the Hollows in Hueco Mundo, so Masaki, Little Ichigo, and somehow Isshin, were like family to me. And I don't want anything to happen to them.
"You know, this kid will have a lot to learn since he'll one have to defend against my kind." I said.
"Yes, I know. And I'm sorry about that." Masaki said, looking down.
"Hey, don't give me that sad look! I understand completely. In fact, I'm gonna train him." I said.
"Huh!? You'll train Ichigo?" Masaki question.
"Don't worry. I promise, I won't be TOO harsh on him." I said.
After that, I stayed with Masaki and Isshin and watched Little Ichigo grow up. Of course, I stopped calling him 'Little Ichigo' when he turned one. I remember, on his first birthday, Ichigo threw cake everywhere, specifically at me, Isshin, and Masaki. But, at least it was delicious. And when we were cleaning, I managed to get Isshin all soaked. We all laughed, even Isshin since it made Ichigo and Masaki laugh.
Then when he turned two, Ichigo was already walking. More like running, the little speed demon. He chased me everywhere he could. I can't remember how many times he chased me to the point where I had to climb on top of the fridge. He also started talking. Masaki warned me over a thousand times not curse in front. I remembered not to, most of the time.
Finally, Ichigo turned three. That's when I slowly began his training. Nothing rash, just a few simple stances and how to throw a simple punch. Ichigo also started saying how he could see and talk to spirits. I had to explain that I was the same as those spirits and I swear his eyes almost popped out of his head. Well, I couldn't blame him. I never did tell him what I really was. And while Ichigo was three, something 'interesting' was in the making.
Ichigo soon turned four, and when he did, some new additions came into the family. Fraternal twins. One with light brown hair and one with black hair, and both were girls.
"Two girls! Congratulations Masaki." I said.
"Thank you." Masaki said. After that, I looked at Ichigo and pulled him close to ruffle his hair.
"And how does it fell being a big brother Ichigo?" I asked. He looked up and grinned at me.
"It's nice!" Ichigo answered.
"You'll have to take good care of them Ichigo. As their big brother, you have to ready to protect them." Isshin said.
"Since when did you become mister responsible?" I said. He of course got angry and everyone else just laughed.
"Masaki, I want to hold Karin." I said.
Of course when I said that, me and Isshin got into the same argument as when Ichigo was born. I told him he could hold Yuzu instead, but no! In the end I ended up hitting with a chair. That made everyone laugh, me and Ichigo specifically. Before Masaki gave me Karin, I offered Ichigo to hold Yuzu. I gave him the same instructions Masaki gave me. Now that there are the twins and now that Ichigo is old enough to start properly training, things would be getting more interesting.
"Ow! What's the matter with you!? You can't treat me like that!" Ichigo cried.
"You're a real pain in the neck kid, you know that right?" I said.
Now that Ichigo is five years old, I was trying to teach him a little swordsmanship from what Ashido taught me whenever I went to see him. Right now, Ichigo and I were using wooden swords to practice, but after I hit him once on his head, he burst into tears.
"Ichigo, I told you that you have to become strong. You want to protect your family right?" I said. He stopped crying and looked up at me. That somehow works every time.
"Come on, get ready." I said, putting my sword in front of me.
After letting out a few sniffles, he grabbed his wooden sword and got into the stance I taught him. As usual, he took the initiative and charged at me. He continuously tried to hit me, but I always managed to defend myself or move out of the way. I soon stopped his attacks my swiping my leg at his feet, causing him to fall flat on his back and lose his grip on he wooden sword. I placed my weapon just in front of his face.
"That makes 30 wins in a row for me." I said.
"Man. No fair! You're over a thousand years old! And you look five years older than me!" Ichigo complained, thrashing around on the ground. With a sigh, I lowered a hand down to him to show that I wanted to help him get up. When he stopped complaining, he reluctantly grabbed my hand and I then pulled him onto his feet.
"Ichigo, age and size have nothing to do with battle." I said.
"Huh?" Ichigo said. Jeez, so naïve.
"Look at me. Back, I fight Menos on a regular basis. Do you know how big a Menos can get? About as tall as a small skyscraper." I said. His jaw practically hit floor when I told him.
"Are you serious!?" Ichigo exclaimed.
"Yep. See? Size doesn't matter. And who knows how old a Menos can be." I said. And I was telling the truth. I couldn't really tell how old a Menos were. Granted, there probably wasn't a Menos even close to my age, but still, they were tough.
"Anyway, wanna go again?" I asked. Anyone could practically see his face pale.
"No way! Any more of that and I'll have brain damage!" Ichigo shouted.
"Haha! You're such a whiner Ichigo." I said. Just as I said that, my stomach, or what's left where my hole is, growled. Man, I really was hungry. Now that I think about, I haven't eaten in awhile and there aren't any good passed on souls around here anymore.
"Well, looks like you're spared Ichigo. I'm afraid I have to be heading back home." I said, tossing him my wooden sword.
"What!?" Masaki exclaimed. Ichigo and I looked at as she stood in the doorway of her house with Isshin standing beside her. She rushed over to me and Ichigo, obviously worried.
"Are you really leaving?" Masaki asked.
"Don't worry Masaki. Just like last time, I'll only be gone for a few years." I said.
"Well...alright. Just come back soon. I can't wait for Karin and Yuzu to properly meet you." Masaki said.
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss getting to know them for anything." I said. With that, I opened a Garganta to get home.
"Ichigo. I may be gone for a few years, but I better hear that you continue training when I'm gone. Or else I'll make you spar with me everyday for a week straight without breaks." I threatened.
I could see him trembling from where I stood. Letting out one last laugh, I waved goodbye to Masaki, Ichigo, and Isshin and I stepped through the Garganta. This time I went straight to eating. I wanted to be able to get back to Masaki and the others as soon as possible. Sadly, not as many strong Hollows were popping lately, so it took me about four years to get full. But hey, at least I'm able to go back now.
I easily opened a Garganta again, but this time, when I stepped through it, I arrived in an area I remembered to be near some random riven while it was pouring outside. Jeez, why was it always raining when I came here. Anyway, I was about to take off when I suddenly heard someone scream. I looked where the scream came from, near the water's edge, but when I saw who the scream belonged to, I swore my heart sank.
It was Masaki. And a Hollow was standing over her. Ichigo was there too. All I could do was watch was as Masaki slowly fell on top of Ichigo, holding him close.
"Hehehe. I can tell your soul will be delicious." the Hollow said.
My kind or not, my rage was rising by the second. He just hurt Masaki. He hurt Masaki. Before I knew what happened, my body moved on its' own. My mind went completely blank, so when I came back to my senses, I found my hands covered in the blood of the Hollow that now laid at my feet, which soon disappeared. I guess I killed him out of pure rage. Well, he deserved it, that's all I'll say. I quickly put my attention back on Masaki, who was still lying on the ground as Ichigo was his knees beside her.
"Ichigo! Masaki!" I called out, running to them. Ichigo snapped his gaze away from Masaki up to me as got on my knees beside her as well.
"Zera...m-my mom is..." Ichigo said, about to cry.
I just stared at him, fearing what he would say. I...I just can't believe that. She can't be gone! I quickly pulled her into my arms, my ace paling when I saw the wound. It was just like the one she got when she protected me, except this one was bigger and deeper. Last time I just couldn't stop the bleeding, this time though, I don't think there's anything I can do. She's...she's really going to...
"...Zera..." Masaki whispered. I heard her, so I turned her so she was facing me and Ichigo.
"Masaki!" I exclaimed.
"Mom!" Ichigo cried. She was alive! Thank god! But...but still...
"Zera...I'm glad you're here..." Masaki said hoarsely. I unconsciously held her tighter in my arms. I could feel it. She was slipping away.
"Don't talk. Save your strength." I said. Deep down, I knew my words meant nothing.
"Zera...I'm sorry...You were right...I was reckless..." Masaki said.
"No, you were just protecting Ichigo. I can't come down on you for that." I said. That was when Ichigo grabbed Masaki's hand tightly.
"Mom, please don't die." Ichigo said, his voice cracking as tears were falling off his face.
I can't believe this. My best friend for years was dying in my arms and in front of her own child, and I can't do anything about it. Why? Why did this have to happen? What am I supposed to tell Isshin and the twins?! And what about Ichigo!? This can't be happening!
"Ichigo...I'm sorry, but please don't be sad...You'll still have your dad...and little sisters...Zera as well." Masaki said, using her free hand to stroke Ichigo's cheek.
"Me?" I questioned.
"Zera...help train and watch over them...please..." Masaki said. Dammit, I can't just say no to that now of all times.
"But...I..." I said. I would say yes without hesitation, but...I'm the reason she's like this. I couldn't save her in time. That what was when Masaki placed her hand on my cheek this time.
"You aren't to blame. Never think that." Masaki said.
Before I knew it, I was choking back my own tears now. I touched the hand Masaki was using to touch my cheek and I held it tightly. Even though she was fading away, her hand was still as warm as ever. Now, with my tears flowing, I pretty much feather tap punched her shoulder.
"You're still reckless." I sobbed. She gave a sickly laugh and turned her head to face Ichigo and me.
"Ichigo...never lose that smile of your's. And Zera...please...protect our family. Promise?" Masaki asked me and Ichigo. My eyes were tightly shut as I cried and I could hear Ichigo sobbing as well, so I knew neither of us could bare to look at Masaki in this state, but I knew we would both agree on what Masaki asked of us.
"We promise." Ichigo and I said. We could hear Masaki let out a soft laugh after we said that.
"Thank you..." Masaki said, more like whispered. When she said that, I felt her hand that I was tightly gripping go limp. My eyes snapped open and I looked down at Masaki's limp body, now very pale.
"Masaki!? Masaki!" I exclaimed, shaking her.
"Mom!" Ichigo cried. We both shouted that for awhile, but we had to accept it. She was gone...she was really gone...Dammit! Ichigo and I could only sit there with Masaki's body laying between us. The rain was even washing away the blood on her body and that got on my hands. But, after sometime, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I snapped my head up and looked over my shoulder. The face I was met with was Kisuke's.
"Kisuke..." I muttered.
"I'm sorry, but I thought it would be necessary to be here." Kisuke said. Why was he here? It's not like he was close Masaki or something.
"Sorry, but if you're here to try and help, you're a little late. Masaki's already..." I said.
"I know. That's why I'm here." Kisuke said.
Huh? Ok, now I'm even more confused. But, before I could ask, he pointed behind Ichigo and in front of me. When I looked in the direction he was pointing, the phrase 'you like you saw a ghost', became accurate for me. Masaki, the person who just died in my arms, was standing behind Ichigo with a severed chain attached to her chest.
"M-Masaki." I uttered. That caused Ichigo to stop sobbing for a moment and look behind him. He completely jumped back when he saw her. I can't imagine how he must be feeling after seeing her now.
"M-mom!? What the!?" Ichigo choked out.
"But, how is she here?" I asked.
"I guess because of her family being here and some other last minute regrets like you two here, she couldn't pass on properly." Kisuke explained.
"Oh no." Ichigo said.
"Don't worry. That's why I'm here, to help her go onto the Soul Society." Kisuke explained.
"Wait, hold on a minute! Why can't she just stay with us like the way she is? I mean, none of us would mind." I said. I'm pretty sure I speak for all of Masaki's family when I say this. I mean, we would all love her the same way.
"After everything you've been through together, do you really want to take the chance of her becoming a Hollow?" Kisuke said.
When I heard that, I stopped trying to reason with him about the subject. I mean, Masaki becoming a Hollow, I could never let that happen. I know she doesn't have anything personal against Hollows like me, even if she was a Quincy after all. But, still... Before I could say anything else, I felt another hand on my shoulder. When I looked behind me, I saw none other than Masaki. Ichigo quickly moved beside me, clinging to my arm as we both faced Masaki while on our knees.
"Don't worry Zera. No matter where I am, we will always be friends. And, with you and Ichigo apart of our family, I know I'll have nothing to worry about." Masaki said. Ichigo and I could only stare at Masaki with teary eyes. We both knew those would be the last word we would ever hear from Masaki
"Heh. You win. I'll try and visit whenever I can." I said, giving her my widest smile even with the tears in my eyes.
"See ya later, mom." Ichigo said, smiling the same way I was. Little squirt, trying to play the tough guy I guess.
"Alright then. Time to begin the Soul Burial." Kisuke said.
With that, he turned his cane Zanpakuto into its' actual form. He took a few steps forward before tapping Masaki on her forehead. When that happened, she slowly began to fade away. The last sight me and Ichigo saw of her was her smiling at us with tears in her eyes. Finally, she was gone. Ichigo and I had to really try and hold back our tears this time.
"If you want, I can properly bury the body at the cemetery for you while you explain what happened the rest of her family." Kisuke suggested. That actually sounded pretty good to me. It's bad enough she's gone, bringing the body home would just make it worse.
"Alright. Meet us there tomorrow. That way you can show us where it is." I said. He nodded in agreement and carefully took Masaki's body away. With that done, there were only a few things left for me to do.
"Come on Ichigo. Let's go home." I said. After wiping away the last of his tears, he took my hand and we walked home in the rain.
Telling the family was the hardest thing I've ever done, it was like slapping a three year old. Yuzu immediately started to bawl her eyes out, Isshin pretty much silently cried like Ichigo did a few times later on, but Karin looked like she pretty much stopped feeling anything. The next day, we went to the cemetery, where Kisuke was waiting for us. We were shown her grave, and we all paid our respects. I even had Kisuke give me a gigai again so I could dress properly, all black, like everyone else.
It took sometime, but we were all soon able to adjust and accept it now. Isshin acted like the goofy, playful, dad, Karin became more tomboyish overtime, Yuzu pretty much became the mom of the house, and Ichigo, after sulking for who knows how long, began becoming a lot tougher.
I quickly began keeping my promise to Masaki and began training Yuzu, Karin, and Ichigo whenever they weren't at school. The first thing was basic hand-to-hand combat. Ichigo was slightly ahead, but the twins caught up pretty quick. Next was their Soul Reaper powers, seeing spirits, having Zanpakutos, the whole deal. Of course, Yoruichi and Kisuke worked with the twins most of the time since their spirit energies weren't strong enough to withstand my training, but I was still able to help Ichigo get the hang of it.
However, during all of their training, there were two more major powers to counter. Their Hollow powers since their mom was attacked by a Hollow in the past and their Quincy powers since they all have Quincy blood in their veins. The Visords were a big help with the kids' Hollow powers. It took a few hours for each kid, but they all managed to learn Hollowfication. Ichigo's mask was pretty basic besides some red markings above his left eye. Karin's mask resembled the shape of a saber-toothed cat, but also had dark blue 'X' crossed lines on her forehead. Yuzu's mask actually resembled Lisa's mask, but the main difference was the Karin's mask had two small diamond shaped eye holes. All three of them can keep their masks on for longer than any other Visord and their masks actually heal them after some time.
Now the Quincy part was pretty tough. Masaki would've done a better job at teaching them that and I was almost stumped on how to teach them before I quickly remembered a certain family member that owed me a huge favor. Ichigo's, Yuzu's, and Karin's sweet Uncle Ryuu Ishida, a Quincy, 'volunteered' to help me teach them. He even brought their new cousin, Uryu Ishida, to train with them. Somehow, we all got along just fine and they all managed to learn the basics quick. But, I make sure to Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin to only use their Quincy powers as a last resort against Hollows. They understood once I explained that when Quincies kill Hollows, they really kill them.
All of this training took three years for all of them to master it. Over that time, all three of them gained Zanpakutos. Ichigo's was call Zangetsu and was for some reason always in its' Shikai state. Karin's was called Seishin-boru, when Karin would use Shikai, her sword would turn into a metal sphere and when she focuses her spirit energy into her foot, she can send it flying at her enemy at high speeds and it would instantly return to her. She just started playing soccer too, what a coincidence! Yuzu's Zanpakuto was actually the same as Kisuke's, so we were all told to keep it a secret since two same Zanpakuto weren't allowed.
Also, during the years of teaching them, I was allowed to sleep in Ichigo's closet. Ichigo complained the first time I suggested it, but I've taught him to fear me by now, so he was swayed very easily. Isshin, on the other hand, tried harder to keep me out. But, I kept getting in. If he locked the door, I came through the window. He locked the window, I came through the door. He locks both, Karin unlocks one of them for me. Isshin soon gave up, but we always had our little arguments that usually that usually ended with me hitting him or hitting him with something.
Over the three years, Ichigo's friends, Orihime and Tatsuki, were discovered to have special powers of their own. It just looked like they didn't know yet, so that's where we stepped in. It took awhile to convince them to take part in the training, but it resulted in the same way. After some time, Orihime found out she had healing and deflecting abilities and Tatsuki could use this ability we all called Full-Bringer. Tatsuki had to focus her power into and object, so Kisuke gave special made gloves that could withstand any amount of spirit energy. Orihime's powers came from her hair pins that were given to her from her brother. Tatsuki was able to hit with great force and she was able to drain the energy from any target as long as she made contact with them.
Finally, after the two girls and Ichigo and the twins, and on occasions Uryu, three years went by in a flash and another member was added into our massive weird family. His name was Sado, but we all called him Chad. He was easy to convince to train. Besides his size, I swear, this guy's a teddy bear. Anyway, we found has Full-Bringer abilities like Tatsuki. But, he just uses his arms, well, one arm for now. We'll begin working on increasing his powers later. Right now, the Visords, Kisuke, Ichigo, and all the others are taking a well deserved break and are just going with their peaceful lives. I was also relaxing, just sitting in Ichigo's closet.
Man, six years, gone in the blink of an eye. It almost seems like a dream. Masaki would be so proud seeing her kids today. Speaking of her, I just recently found in the Soul Society while I was making one of my rare visits to Ashido. She lived a random Rukon District, but she was as happy as ever there. I was so glad to see her face again. First her dying, then all of this intense traing with all of these strong people, I wonder what'll happen next?