It's Only Love
By Ryukansen
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Final Chapter: Here I Am
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Author's Note: So far, the shortest Fanfiction I've ever written…Thank you for all of your support, and I hope you guys enjoyed this story. I've immediately thought of another story to replace this one, but it isn't a sequel. Hopefully you guys won't WANT a sequel, since I tried my best making this story end with an abrupt peaceful halt...Yeah, ok I'm going to stop talking about nonsense now.
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He never knew why she had left him. He never understood how his life could end up so miserable. Wasn't she the one to confess to him first? So how then, had it ended with an abrupt divorce? Was it his fault? Or did his wife do something so wrong as to force herself to break away from him. Because he could surely tell, she didn't want to.
He faced his thirteen year old son, staring down at him with a light frown. His orange hair shimmered from the moon's pale light, and his amber eyes gazed at him with such intensity, as if he would slip away any moment. He could feel the boy's small hands clasp onto his with much pressure.
"Everything's alright, Hiiragi." Ichigo replied quietly. He tried his best to reassure the boy, but he failed as the child started crying silently to himself. More pain. He could feel it entering to his empty body. It ached.
It had been nearly five years since Orihime had divorced him unwillingly, and he had found no reason to her actions yet…but soon. After he finished with this illness, he would. His heart ached, and he yearned for it to stop. He closed his eyes, but his son's small shouts prohibited him from ever closing them. The boy, was obviously, afraid that if his father's eyes closed he would lose him.
"Daddy don't…" The child whimpered, and he let out a small nod. But, how painful it felt. His heart ached, and his whole body felt dead. He looked fatigued and hurt as he kept himself awake for his only child.
A small door creaked open and the child gazed at his mother. Orihime stared with so much hurt as she gazed at her ex-husband. Ishida was behind her holding onto her hands for support.
Although it was apparent about his attraction to the young woman, they never married. She felt too burdened to just lightly toss her Ichigo away from her life, and Ishida was sure she would feel too guilty as to let him marry her. They understood each other perfectly well the day she came into his complex with teary eyes while holding her small child. He had helped her so much and supported her until she could stand for herself and provide for Hiiragi.
"Ichigo…" The woman whispered quietly and walked over to him. He stared at her soft eyes and smiled gently. It was such a beautiful smile. How could he lose her? How could he just lose that smile? They were in love, so how did he fail to protect that smile? He thought carefully, but his illness limited his mental capacity and he forced himself to forget what he had just thought.
"…Hey." He quietly croaked, and he felt her warm hands caress his cheeks. He was growing more tired and he seemed to be slowly fading away from them.
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"Rukia…it's been too long…" Renji whispered holding onto the young woman's shoulders. She had been staring at the lilies far too long, and he reminded himself so many times to make her grab them! She was too absorbed in her own thoughts, and she felt his hands weigh her down. "…Go…" The red-haired vice captain commanded, and pushed her closer to the flower field.
She knew what he was talking about when he released her. He had thought it out for a couple of years, and he had found it useless to keep her all to himself. The flower fields she had been staring at where just so tempting, he knew she wanted to go back there. His head throbbed as he found her turning back at him with a small hesitant expression. She was so stubborn at times…but in her heart he could perfectly see the struggling emptiness trying to overcome what was left of her love for him.
"Go…" He whispered weakly, and closed his eyes. Her reiatsu was slowly fading, and he could feel her cold breaths struggling to keep normal. He could feel her hands shiver and see her already…in his arms. "Go…and see him." He replied with a smile, and she disappeared.
"Thank you…"
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His heart ached, and he could feel himself losing his sanity. It was like it was breaking! His heart seemed to be glass that was slowly jutting out of him, forcefully. And no matter how he tried to suppress the pain he would always remain screaming or grunting, while hovering his hand over the thick flesh skin that protected the beating organ.
Orihime's eyes widened, and she bit her lower lip. She did not want him to continue living on like this. He had a better life to attend to, than this. Instead of false life with her, he could forever lead a death that was with Rukia. Her eyes shimmered, and she felt the soft palm of Ishida comforting her.
"…Just hold on a little longer." The Quincy whispered quietly and smoothed his hand back and forth on her shoulders. She inhaled and exhaled trying to rid of the guilt, but she couldn't whenever she saw him screaming in agony. She was a healer, and she could not heal him.
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Byakuya could feel his little sister's reiatsu disappear, but he did nothing. He stared quietly at the haunting blue moon. His eyes gazed with steadiness as he awaited for the orange-haired baboon to finally become a resident to Seireitei.
"You told her…" He replied as his vice-captain entered the room with a silent depression. He said nothing, and the two just kept gazing on into eternity. "Sometimes…letting someone go will enlighten one's soul…" Byakuya replied quietly while sipping some green tea. Renji gazed at him steadily and nodded. His tan hands clenched tightly onto the hem of his black sleeves.
"I hope she finds…" He whispered, and choked on his own words. Byakuya let out a rare smile.
"…Do not speak of something that hurts you." He commanded him.
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"Orihime…it hurts!" Ichigo shouted and held onto his chest with pain. The fact that he had just called her with so much affection caused her to break down and cry. Ishida lead her out of the room, and then returned alone. "Ishida…it hurts…" He whispered more weakly. The Quincy walked towards him and smiled quietly.
"It'll all be over soon, Kurosaki." He replied with kindness, and kneeled down performing some prayer.
Yes. He was a Quincy. Yes, his friend was a stubborn annoying pathetic Shinigami. But, yes…nonetheless he was his friend. He stared at Ichigo's struggling figure, and let out a deep sigh. The world was never fair…it was always never fair for Ichigo. From the very beginning of his journeys, when he had first met that annoying carrot-top he could tell his life would be altered…and painful.
"If only…." He replied quietly, and Ichigo's breathing lessened. "Of course not…" He smiled weakly. "You were-are in love with her." His eyes shined.
He knew that the day Ichigo started getting weaker, Seireitei was slowly allowing his soul to re-enter the dead realm. He knew that when Ichigo suddenly obtained a disease, that the disease was just a toll on his body…. That his fights with arrancar and hollows dramatically decreased his chance of living over fifty. He knew it would happen sooner…and yet, he couldn't help but think how lucky Ichigo was to finally die and reach his peace.
"…She's coming." He whispered, and stared at his best-friend with comfort.
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Rukia's heart beat loudly as she raced along Karakura to reach her destination. How long has it been? She couldn't exactly remember. The memories that have been erased from her mind was still blurry, but she could still remember that silhouette in her dreams that always mouthed her name with so much affection. It puzzled her, but her heart yearned for her to continue. Continue to search for him…until forever.
The twilights gleamed with agony as she grew closer, and her eyes shimmered with intensity as she finally made a halt. She was there…she was going to finally…see him…after so many years had lapsed.
Her heart beat with so much melancholy as she positioned herself in front of the man's window, and quietly stepped through with grace and silence.
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Ishida felt her presence, and excused himself from Ichigo who seemed to already have calmed down. The pain was less, but he could easily tell Ichigo was having trouble restraining himself from crying out in agony. What was the pain he was feeling? The Quincy shuddered, and shut the door quietly, leaving the young man all alone in the dark with absolutely nothing in mind. No hope, nothing…
Ichigo blinked quietly, he was wondering if Ishida had abandoned him just to not see his last seconds. What a great friend he was-
A flash of someone's silhouette was fading into his mind. His heart ached, and it called for something. Someone. He clutched tightly against his bed, one more. Screaming.
There it was again. Now the silhouette was getting clearer. A picture of someone slowly turning around with a small silly grin. His heart ached more for that person, and he could not understand why.
A flow of ebony hair twirled around as the girl waved happily at him while clutching on her flower patterned dress. Her bang slightly moving to one side, and her hand pushed it back to her forehead in a noble manner. He grunted, and screamed more. Who was she…?
Ichigo. It was the girl. The woman in his vision laughed uncontrollably, but it was still graceful and was laced with so much affection. His heart yearned, ached, and tore him apart. It devoured him, forcing him to try remembering who it was. Ichigo! Stop being stubborn! He found that girl glaring at him, those beautiful amethyst eyes giving him such a stare it caused him to frown. Her hand touched his, and he could feel the softness of her palms. A smile formed on her lips, and he thought hard. Who was it? Who was it? He thought, and thought.
Thank you… The girl replied. It was a sunset scene, and she was wearing something different. A beautiful purple kimono embroidered with dark butterflies and flowers. He could feel sweat trickling down his face, as he gazed at the girl with much depression. Thank you…for everything…She bowed to him, and laughed. The orange sun was slowly fading her away, and he desperately tried figuring out who he was.
Ichigo! Let me handle this! The girl pushed him aside, and unleashed a sword…a zan…pak…toh… "Shira…." He whispered quietly, his voice wreaked with weakness and his heart pained more. "…yuki…" He murmured. The white edge of the sword caused ice to form in a pillar manner. The monster was gone, and screamed with agony. And so did he.
Why didn't you wait for me?! She shouted, almost in the verge of tears. Her brown cloak fluttered with anger as she punched him alongside, "Ren…ji." Ichigo whispered. His eyes furrowed, as he thought. Who was she?! Who was SHE?! What was she to him???
"You've done a good thing…" She whispered shyly, as he walked away into the portal alone.
"Maybe I'll see you again, someday." He replied back. He didn't turn around, and the light faded away. "Maybe…I will….see you….again…." He repeated those words, and stared at the ceiling wall. "Rukia…."
The window opened, and he stared at the glass object with longing. A small figure hopped into the room, and the girl appeared before him. A small smile graced her pale face as she found him.
"I've been waiting." Ichigo grunted quietly with a smile, and as she bent over him with a small grin, she took her sword and gently laid the hilt down upon his forehead.
How refreshing it felt as he felt himself lift from his burden. He was no longer old, but reverted back into his teen years. A healthy young man, with a much more lively frown.
"Well…" She whispered quietly as he got into his form. A man in a dark Shinigami robe carried his gigantic zanpakuto in a rather bored manner. "Here I am." She grinned, and then held her hand against her mouth to prevent her from crying.
He took her quickly, and landed a quick kiss on her forehead. "…Shhhhhh…" He smiled, his heart had stopped aching. And he could feel it returning to it's normal rhythm. "I'm back…" He replied, and reassured her he was with her…forever.
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Ishida felt their reiatsu leave, and so did Orihime who felt so much relieved. They entered the room, and found Ichigo in a deep eternal slumber. "…Thank goodness…" Ishida sighed with relaxation and held Orihime close. She was crying, and thanked the young female Shinigami who had already disappeared with him.
"Thank you…Rukia." Ishida replied quietly.
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Hiiragi could feel something powerful disappear. Tears streamed down his eyes, but then stopped as he felt a soothing touch run down his cheek. He looked, but no one was there. "Dad…?" The boy asked quietly, and another touch stroke his forehead.
He felt tired quickly and closed his eyes. Slowly he saw something…two people…His father, and another woman who smiled quietly back at him. "Goodbye…" He replied, knowing what was going on. And with that his father's hand left He whispered her name once more as he stroked her face with so much meaning. She smiled quietly at him, and caressed his cheek with so much care. "I'm sorry."
He looked at her surprisingly and she gave him a glare. "…Don't say that…" She whispered and nuzzled her head against his chest. "You did what you wanted to do."
"But I caused you so much--" She kissed him softly on the lips, and tears shimmered down her cheeks.
"You're here…that's enough for me." She cried.
She tugged onto his sleeve, and sobbed. All that pain that she had endured had finally halted to an end. His arms were around her again, his presence finally visible to her. His shouts, and his voice…his warmth. She could feel it all over again…
"I love you…." Ichigo smiled and embraced her small shivering stature. "…I always will…"
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A door opened, revealing Soul Society. The two stared at the millions of Shinigami there to great them back.
"Welcome to your new home!" Everyone shouted with glee, and Ichigo stepped towards the sunset scene, holding hands with Rukia.
"…It's great…to be back." He smiled.
And for once, the rain that had poured for nearly 30 years vanished. The pain that he had carried for nearly his forever had suddenly stopped, and he was back with her.
"Here I am…."