What Sets Us Apart
Chapter Five - Lost Relations
Author's Note: Finished three out of six midterms. Heh. I really want to finish these stupid tests now:P
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The door opened silently, yet many could hear the footsteps tapping harshly on the marbled floor. Heads turned around. They found a figure. A haunting past, looming over them with that same expression. Cold narrow eyes and a firm frown. Orange blazing hair and a black loose kimono. A sword hung behind him. As huge as his body.
"Nii-sama?!" Karin called out, leaning against the staircase. His amber eyes met a dark-haired woman. Her eyes shimmered with delight and yet she was too cautious. Something was wrong. Yuzu stood beside her, speechless. Tears dwelled up and she wiped them, only to find herself crying more.
"Where is she?" He asked gravely. The two women stared at each other and gazed back at him. He was impatient and irritated. Just like how he was. "Well?" Ichigo muttered quietly. Staring at the two.
"…If you mean Rukia…" Yuzu whispered gently. "She's dead."
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Silence. If there was one thing Karin hated about her brother the most. Was if he was so angry, he would shred her guilt by being so speechless. He stared at her. His mouth grinding back and forth. After rising from the dead…you found out you rather be dead in the first place. Haven't you? It was hard. Hard for her and Yuzu to see how stricken he was. How much grief the news have brought him. "I-I'm sorry, brother." The two replied simultaneously.
"The hell you apologizing…?" He responded. His voice a little shaky, yet he had a calm composure. Karin and Yuzu stared at him. How could he easily accept the fact that his wife was dead?
"W-Where's mother!?" Inori shouted, dashing out of the doors. Ichigo stared at the boy who had raced out of the east wing. "Where is Unohana?" He cried and clutched onto Yuzu's dress. She gazed at him with a glare and slapped his hand off of her. Yuzu stared away from him. She did not want to speak. "Why are you two all of the sudden so quiet?!" He screamed. "I WANT HER NOW!"
It was hard. Someone had hit him. His cheek was stinging, his left arm was stinging, his left eye was swollen. He groaned in pain and rubbed the injured parts of his body. Yuzu stared at him pitifully while Karin was refraining Ichigo to stop his actions.
"He's….son…your…father…" Those were the only words he could easily hear. He closed his eyes and darkness took over.
"THE HELL?! How can such a fool be my kid?" Ichigo hollered jabbing his index finger in the direction of the now unconscious boy. Karin pushed his hand away and gritted her teeth. Even though it had been so long without him, his attitude still got on her nerves. "What the fuck. I don't remember having such a wimpy child." He complained and scratched the back of his orange head.
"Because…all you remember is having that small baby in Rukia's arms." Karin whispered quietly while smiling. "When you died…Rukia had given Unohana-san permission to take care of Inori-chan." She was choked in tears and walked away. She hated such a terrible reunion like this. Ichigo watched Yuzu's shadow disappear and gazed at Inori with a little agitation.
"Fucking pansy." He retorted. Karin gazed at her brother's backside. "If he is my son…he doesn't need to cry for help for something he already can do by himself."
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"Ulquiorra, plan is proceeding fairly well." Grimmjaw replied in satisfaction. The man snorted and lay on the floor grinding his teeth against a piece of straw. "What's the next step anyways?" He asked.
"…Whatever the prophecy says." Ulquiorra sighed and rolled his eyes. What an idiot. He grumbled and began to work on the research.
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"W-Where am I?" Inori replied quietly. He found himself in a small room filled with many books. Dissections, Biological novels and the sort. He touched his cheek and left arm, it was perfectly fine and wrapped in some special bandages. A figure was working on a wooden desk. Well. Actually she was sleeping. "M-mother…" He replied sweetly and jumped off the bed. He gazed at Unohana and touched her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry about?" A rough voice called and he gazed at the man who had previously punched him. "And why are you calling her "mother"? He asked, his arms folding. "Don't you know your mother is Rukia?" He replied sourly. Inori trembled. Such a powerful man. "The hell are you shaking? When you're in front of your father you should have a straight composure." He hissed. Inori quickly straightened up and gazed at his…father.
"S-Sorry…" He whispered. Inori received another hit, but it was softer (it still gave a huge sting though).
"Don't apologize, idiot." Ichigo grunted. "Karin and Yuzu say it's time to eat. So go down and eat!" He ordered. Inori quickly dashed away from Ichigo, he was too frightened.
"You can wake up now…" The man replied. Unohana lifted her head and gazed at Ichigo with surprise.
"So…you knew I was awake?" She whispered in awe. He smiled bitterly.
"Someone who can sleep through my yelling is abnormal." He grinned. She smiled slightly.
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"…Finally you came!" Yuzu smiled happily and placed herself near Inori who seemed to be a little too picky on the food. Everything looked delicious, however he had no appetite due to his father's cruelness. "Don't think he hates you…" His aunt whispered with a smile.
"He's like that to everyone." Karin sat down as well and chewed on a small piece of tempura. "Even…to your mother." She chucked quietly. It was the first time he saw Karin laughing. It made him…somewhat happy as well.
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"So she's really dead?" Ichigo asked impatiently. Unohana stared at him with surprise.
"Don't you trust your sisters' words?" She asked. He turned his head away from her.
"You know…" He smiled. "Waking up after ten years of darkness…and learning that the world you loved sucks…" A laugh escaped. "It's pretty hard." He whispered.
"I apologize, your highness." Unohana bit her lower lip. "We should have taken better care of your body." She added.
"Heh. It's over now. I'm living. She's dead…nothing more."
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"What does the prophecy say?" Grimmjaw grumbled in complaint. Ulquiorra opened another peace of parchment and scanned the symbols.
Two will rise from the ashes. One true blood will live. The others will disappear. Many sacrifices will be made. Many will give and not obtain. Kingdoms will be surrounded by flying flames. Once again. An event from before will occur like it hadn't.
"That's all it says?" Grimmjaw asked with a yawn. Ulquiorra nodded and placed the parchment back onto it's stall. "Whatever."
"Obviously you don't understand it's importance!" The other hissed and went back to his research.
Two will rise from the ashes. Obviously one is Ichigo's…the other…is…?
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It was midnight. He couldn't sleep. So slowly walking down the staircase and heading towards the backyard. He stared at the white moon. "Rukia…" He replied and walked towards a small shrine that housed her ashes. He touched the clean grave. A smile formed onto his lips as he caressed the sharp edges. "…You…You will live…" He whispered.
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Unohana gazed at Ichigo's figure. She closed her eyes.
"…So still in love. It must be hard to be departed…."