Chapter 9: See the Sky and Remember Who You Are
Ichigo yawned loudly, stretching his hand out to smack the alarm that had woken him. It was nowhere near as satisfying as hitting his father for waking him up. Still, he was glad that after three weeks of handing Isshin his own ass every morning, his deranged excuse for a dad had finally agreed to stop waking his son in such a violent way.
As if the universe heard his thoughts and deemed them inconsequential, said parent chose that very moment to burst through the door, roll across the floor and bring his fist up to knock Ichigo back into unconsciousness.
Sighing, Ichigo caught the fist inches from his face, rolling out of bed and kicking his father back out the door. "And you wonder why your children don't trust you?!" Ichigo yelled after him. I don't know why I believed him when he made that promise…
Ichigo changed into his school uniform after a quick shower, which he apparently still needed to take, as his gigai wasn't self-cleaning. Trooping downstairs, he yawned again. Thanks to late night hollow attacks and training after school with Urahara, Ichigo was tired much of the time. But he took it all in stride. If it means I can protect my family, it's all worth it.
Sitting down at the kitchen table, he sleepily picked at the breakfast Yuzu laid out for him. Blinking around the table, Ichigo noticed that the rest of his family seemed unusually quiet.
"What's wrong?" he asked, frowning at their somber expressions.
"It's tomorrow, Ichi-nii," Karin said, her eyes distant.
"Huh? What day is it?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow confusedly, glancing at his watch. There on his wrist, in clear digital lettering, the date 16 – June was displayed.
"Oh…" he breathed. Tomorrow's the anniversary of when Kaasan died…
No longer hungry, Ichigo stood up, leaving the room without a word; his sisters' protests falling on deaf ears. Grabbing his schoolbag, he took off for the bus stop. I can't stay in there with all of them. Not when I forgot about her…
"Kuso!" he muttered in frustration, kicking a stray can as hard as he could.
By the time he got to school, Ichigo had decided that he'd try to make today count. He'd smile today, even if he didn't mean it; because tomorrow, there would be far fewer things to smile about.
Walking into the classroom, he was greeted loudly by Orihime, who was chatting with Tatsuki and Michiru. "Good morning, Kurosaki-kun!"
"Hey, morning Inoue!" he replied, plastering a broad grin on his face and waving. In his rush to get to his seat, he missed Orihime's frown at his odd behavior.
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That day, Ichigo skipped his regular afternoon trip to Urahara Shōten. I don't think he'll mind. He always seems to know what's going on in my life anyway, why should this be any different?
It had been hard that day, trying to soak up as many good memories as he could. Keigo hadn't made it any easier. His friend insisted on talking about nothing but the latest episode of Burarei. I didn't like ghost shows before I died, but now…knowing what I do, they all seem even more ridiculous! Not to mention, all those annoying catchphrases…
The final straw had been Ishida challenging him to yet another contest. Despite his best efforts, the Quincy had continued to hound him over the past few weeks about seeing which of them was the stronger. After his umpteenth such challenge that day, on top of all his other pent up feelings, Ichigo had rounded on his classmate, yelling, "LOOK! Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day my mother died, so you'll EXCUSE me if I'm not in the MOOD!!!!"
Turning on his heel, he had left a stunned Ishida gaping after him.
Sighing as he got off the bus, Ichigo rubbed his forehead, nursing his increasing headache. I really hope I didn't go overboard, yelling at Ishida like that…it'd be a real hassle if he went blabbing my secret to everyone or something. I don't want to have to modify my whole class's memory.
Dark had already fallen as he approached his house. He had spent much of the afternoon by the river, watching the dragonflies buzz lazily around him; the events of six years past replaying in his mind, making the pleasant, early summer view seem less bright. It was hard to see the world continue on as though nothing terrible had happened to anyone.
Upon reaching the door, Ichigo saw the note taped there for any patients that might try to receive treatment while they were away. Pushing it open, he shouted, "I'm home!"
"You're late for our annual staff meeting Ichigo!" Isshin shouted back, poking his head around the corner and shaking his finger excitedly.
"Right…" Ichigo muttered, recalling how his father liked to assign various arbitrary titles to his children that went along with whatever duties they had for tomorrow's usual activities. I don't know why he bothers…Yuzu is always the "lunch staff" and either Karin or I are the "luggage carriers."
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Despite Ichigo's predictions, the next day found Isshin carrying a heavy backpack. Karin hadn't taken too kindly to being labeled a luggage carrier.
"This hill is as tough as usual!" Yuzu frowned, shielding her eyes under the intense glare of the sun.
"Really? I doesn't seem too bad to me," Karin said, her eyes trained on the top of the hill, "Maybe it's because I play soccer all the time. You need to get outside more Yuzu! Besides-"
"Don't give in Yuzu!" Isshin cried, giving her a thumbs up as he followed behind them with Ichigo, "You can do it! Tousan is here with you every step of the way!"
"Ignore him, Yuzu," Karin advised, rolling her eyes, "If you encourage him, he'll never stop."
A keen glint came into Isshin's eye. "Oho! So naïve Karin! If you don't respond, I'll just do something BIGGER!" Running to pick up speed, the bearded man flipped end over end in a display of over-the-top acrobatics. "Special Tousan Uphill Cartwheel!"
"Get lost!" Karin barked, kicking him in the stomach, causing him to curl up in pain and roll back down the steep street.
"Yosh," Karin grinned to herself, "All the way down the hill…"
Ichigo chuckled, muttering to her as he passed, "Next time try to get him over one of the fences."
The Kurosaki siblings continued on towards their destination, whilst their ever enthusiastic sire picked himself up and followed them, a little worse for the wear.
As they neared their mother's familiar gravestone, a figure caught Ichigo's eye as it walked through the surrounding trees. Looking at it more intently he realized it was a small girl. She looks kind of familiar…
"No…" he whispered, "Impossible…"
"Hurry up, Ichi-nii," Karin nudged him as she walked past, "or ol' Beardo will catch up to us."
Nodding vaguely at Karin, Ichigo searched the woods again, only to find that the girl had disappeared. Did I just imagine her? That day's been on my mind a lot recently…
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Silently, the three siblings lit candles and set flowers by their departed parent's grave marker. As Karin stepped in front of it to say her respects, their father ran up, clapping his hands together. "Yosh! Time for the annual Kurosaki graveyard game of tag! Ichigo's 'it' first!" he cried, slapping his scowling son over the head and skipping away.
Karin rolled her eyes, as her brother chased after him, yelling death threats. How did you ever put up with him Okaasan? I hope…I hope you are doing well though…as much as you can be, since you're not alive. But, I guess there must be some kind of other world, since Ichi-nii can see ghosts…well, I can too…heh, but don't tell anyone!
It was then that Karin heard a slight sniffling. Looking down, she saw that Yuzu was quietly crying beside her.
"Oh…come on, Yuzu…" Karin sighed, shaking her head, "You have to stop crying like this every year…We're 11 now! It's time to grow up…"
"I…I know, but…wahhhh!" Yuzu wailed, burying her head in her arms.
Crouching down and patting her on the back, Karin murmured, "It doesn't sound like you know…"
Standing up and glancing around, she huffed, "Now where have Oyaji and Ichi-nii gone to?"
Wiping her eyes on her sleeve, Yuzu answered, "I'm sure they'll come back soon…"
"Ho? Then I'll have to hurry up and eat you now…" a voice snickered from behind them.
Reeling back, Karin stared in horror at the small girl behind them and the enormous, indistinct monstrosity looming over her.
"W-what are you?! And what's that thing behind you?!" she shrieked, alarming Yuzu; who looked around, trying to see whatever it was her twin saw.
"You can see that much, eh? You're very tasty indeed…"
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"Do you submit now, Oyaji?" Ichigo growled, holding his father in a headlock on the ground.
"Stoooopp Ichigo...I need to look nice for my beloved Masaki!" Isshin whined, struggling vainly to throw his son from his back.
"You should've thought of that before you picked a fight with me!" Ichigo said, releasing him and standing up.
Brushing the dirt off of his suit, Isshin groused, "But it was just tag…"
"You don't play tag by slapping someone on the head!" Ichigo berated, turning away. Suddenly, an all too familiar feeling crept over him; chilling him, despite the heat. A hollow! Not here! Not now…Karin and Yuzu!
His hands shot immediately to his pockets, only to find nothing but lint. Kuso! Why did I leave my gikongan at home?!
"Oi, Ichigo!" Isshin called, breaking him out of his panicked thoughts.
"What is it?!" Ichigo yelled, rounding on him, "What do y-"
He froze, staring at the skull-headed container clutched in his dad's hand.
"How do I eat this candy?" Isshin asked, shaking it, "It's really hard to open…"
"Just give it to me!" Ichigo snapped, snatching it out of his hands and running off.
Isshin shook his head. You need to be more careful Ichigo.
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Ichigo sprinted as fast as he could back to his mother's grave, Alfred following along behind in his body. As he neared his destination, he the first thing he noticed was the enormous mound of fur looming over Karin. From the hollow's hairy exterior protruded a whip-like tentacle, which had itself wrapped around Yuzu. Surging forward, Ichigo sliced through the tentacle holding Yuzu and catching her deftly under one arm. Pivoting as he landed, the orange haired shinigami severed the hollow's hand pinning Karin to the ground. His sister was promptly scooped up by Alfred.
"Alfred!" Ichigo barked, holding his arm out, "Take Yuzu and Karin and get out of here."
"Hai!" the artificial soul exclaimed, throwing the two unconscious sisters over his shoulders and sprinting back the way they had come.
Shifting his attention back to the hollow, Ichigo noticed the girl standing next to it for the first time.
"So I wasn't imagining you…" he muttered, his grip tightening on his zanpakutō, "You were at the river that day six years ago! Why are you here?! Are you controlled by that hollow, or are you it's flunky?!"
"Six years ago? I can't remember something that far back," the girl sneered, "But to have seen me before and still be alive…I'll have to kill you now!"
To Ichigo's revulsion, the girl's face began peeling away, revealing a skull beneath. Out of the skull's top protruded another pink tentacle, which connected itself to a hole inside the top of the hollow's head, leaving the remains of the skin of the "girl" to dangle in front of it.
"What…is that?" Ichigo said, looking askance at the thing hanging in front of the hollow.
"Oh, this?" the hollow grinned, "It's a lure, you might say. I use it to see which humans can see it, as only the tastiest, most aware ones can. Then I gobble them up, increasing my own power. Because of that, I've eluded you shinigami for over 50 years! They even gave me a name: Grand Fisher. And I've made quite a catch this time…"
Ichigo gritted his teeth, his thoughts in overdrive. So it was his lure I saw that day…I fell right into his trap! So that means…
"It was YOU!!!" he roared, pure fury lighting his veins on fire. Charging forward Ichigo stabbed straight for the hollow's mask, only to find his blade entangled in his opponent's undulating fur.
He's fast! Ichigo rotated his sword quickly, slicing through the thick hair trapping it.
As he continued his assault, Grand Fisher met each of his swings with more of his twisting pelt. No matter how many times Ichigo cut through the fur, there always seemed to be more to replace the severed locks.
"Heh, heh, heh," the hollow cackled, "Thanks! I've been meaning to give myself a trim!"
Ichigo merely growled in response, not giving his adversary any more time to speak. The slowly darkening sky chose that moment to burst forth, drenching them both in a torrent of rain.
Instead of hindering Grand Fisher's ability to shape his mane, Ichigo found that the rain only made it more slick and difficult to cut. Not good! If it had stayed dry I might've been able to get through and cut him.
"You're faster than I'd expected brat! But you'll have to do better than this!"
Without warning, Grand Fisher's stump of an arm re-grew its missing hand, from which claws extended, raking across Ichigo's chest.
Hissing at the sudden attack, Ichigo grit his teeth, fighting past the pain and keeping his guard up. He panted, glaring at the hollow that circled him as the heavy torrent of water fell around them.
"You are a tenacious one aren't you?" Grand Fisher snorted, pausing and flexing his re-grown limb, "I guess I'll just have to take that fight out of you, then!"
The wooly hollow then took his right hand and ran it down the length of his lure, changing its form.
Ichigo's heart nearly stopped. No! It can't be!
"K-kaasan?" he whispered, his grip loosening on his sword. How did he-
"I did say that I couldn't remember what happened six years ago…and you're wondering how I can create your mother's body like this, right?" the hollow's smile widened sinisterly from behind his cruel human shield.
Ichigo's shock soon gave way to anger. "It doesn't matter! You've got some ability, right? It doesn't change the fact that you brought my mother's form into a place like this!"
Hurtling forward, he brought his zanpakutō up to pierce Grand Fisher's grinning visage. His path was immediately obstructed by his mother's face, bringing his charge to an abrupt halt.
"Ichigo! Don't cut Okaasan, Ichigo!" the thing pleaded.
Frozen in place, Ichigo's teeth chattered from fear and the cold of the persistent downpour. WHY?! Why can't I move?! This guy killed Kaasan, and I can't…
As his mother's face inched closer to his, Ichigo spotted the malevolent glint of Grand Fisher's eyes over the lure's shoulder.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion to Ichigo. Grand Fisher drew back his claws to pierce Ichigo's flesh once more. Ichigo began backing away, despite knowing the strike would hit him. Even the rain has…stopped…
"No, Ichigo. The rain has not stopped."
A familiar figure appeared, fading through the hollow in front of him.
"Ossan…"
The man nodded, his coat billowing around him. "Why do you hesitate? The enemy is one and you are one. What is there to fear?"
"B-but…he's got her-" Ichigo protested.
"No! He does not hold your mother captive. What he holds hostage now is your resolve. Take that back and you will win. And you are not as alone as you may think. I am here. Let us fight together!"
Setting his jaw, Ichigo held his sword out in front of him. I can do this!
Coming stand beside him, the man put his hand on his shoulder. "Cast off your useless fear! Hesitate and you will die! Shout, my name is-"
"ZANGETSU!" Ichigo bellowed, swinging his blade down and releasing a flood of bright light.
As the smoke cleared, Ichigo took a look at his sword. Beneath his fingers, there was no hilt or guard; only cold steel encased in thin white wrappings. The blade itself resembled a long, elegant cleaver, its span making it almost as tall as Ichigo himself.
"DAMN YOU KUROSAKI ICHIGO!!!" Grand Fisher howled.
Ichigo then noticed the damage Zangetsu had wrought. The entire right side of the hollow's body was gone, leaving a bleeding, pulpy mass in its place.
"It's over Fisher," Ichigo said grimly, raising his sword to deliver the final blow.
"Like…HELL!!!" Grand Fisher rasped. At that moment, what was left of his body seemed to compress, siphoning into the lure hanging limp on the ground.
"You asked me before what this thing was, didn't you?" the thing with Kurosaki Masaki's face said, Grand Fisher's claws sprouting from its arms, "It is me! If one body becomes injured, I take refuge in the other! And there's no way you can cut me while I look like this! Your blade has become dull!"
"I don't think so," Ichigo replied, raising Zangetsu above his head, as blue energy surrounded him, "Allow me to show you how sharp my blade has become!"
Panicking, Grand Fisher leapt high in the air, his clawed feet brushing the treetops.
An azure light shone in Ichigo's eyes, as he swung his sword down at the illusion of his late parent. This is for you, Kaasan…
A massive burst of power exploded from his zanpakutō's edge, obliterating Grand Fisher and annihilating the top halves of a large section of the surrounding trees.
Breathing heavily, Ichigo collapsed to his knees before keeling over to lie on his back, resting on the muddy ground as droplets of water ran over his face.
The air shimmered above him and the man he now knew as Zangetsu came into view.
"Ichigo," Zangetsu said as he looked down at him, "I hate the rain. In my world, the world inside you, it rains as well. When your heart is in turmoil, its skies become dark and I am drenched in rain. Trust in me, Ichigo, and together we can stop the rain."
Ichigo nodded. As he looked up at the sky and the sun slowly came into view through the dissipating clouds, he smiled.
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"He didn't report back?"
"No."
"He must've been killed then."
"That seems to be the most likely explanation. It's just as well. Anyone weak enough to get killed like that doesn't deserve to join our ranks."
"Don't include me in the same class as you, Iceringer. Find out what happened and report back!"
"Hai, D-Roy-dono…"
A/N: I've really been looking forward to writing this chapter. I knew pretty early on that I wanted Ichigo to learn Zangetsu's name at an important time and I couldn't think of a more important time than when he's fighting his mother's killer. I was originally going to have a Rukia segment too, but I thought that it'd be better not to split the focus on this chapter. Oh, and my reader traffic-majigger has indicated that most hits/visitors are coming up on the last chapter, which means a lot of people are sticking with the story…I think…anyway, thanks for reading (And reviewing? Maybe?) folks!
-By the by, does anyone know the actual term Ichigo uses to refer to his mom? I can't seem to find how it's spelled. Brownie points if you can find it for me!
Japanese Translations:
Tousan- father/dad