Disclaimer: Man, I still don't own Bleach!!! That sucks...
Hey everyone. It took me a while to update this but here it is, the beggining of the end. The next two part chapter is the end of this story, so I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, you guys rock!!!! Personal thanks for the next chapter!!!!!
Kisaki-queen
Seeking Truth (Part 1)
The sky was pitch-black as the rain hit furiously against the ground. The leaves scatter through the wind imitating the steps of a lurking stranger. Ichigo averted his eyes against the darkness and pulled his wet hair away from his eyes. In front of him, he noticed, a small wooden house. The lights were on and he could see shadows walking inside.
How he got there, he didn't know. After the portal had taken them, it was just a matter of closing and opening his eyes to realize that he was no longer inside the witch's castle, but in what seemed to be a clearing in a deep forest, which felt vaguely familiar. He had wondered where Rukia was, but was distracted by the small wooden house in front of him.
The said hunter walked towards the house, opened the door and covered his mouth as a yell of surprise threatened to escape his throat.
His mother and father were standing in front of him, their eyes wide and expectant; they were looking in his direction, but not exactly at him.
"Isshin, we need to get out of here"-The young woman's voice was fearful.
"There's no use on that, they'll find us anywhere. Did you go to the Queen?"-Isshin walked to the window next to Ichigo, and he noticed that they weren't able to see him.
"Yes, I did"-
"And why didn't you stay there?"-he asked without turning from the window
"How could I? I came back for you"-she replied softly
Isshin turned to his wife with a smile and lightly kissed his wife's forehead
"You are aware of what's going to happen if you stay here"-he said as his forehead rested on hers
"Yes, I am"-she replied firmly
"Ok then, they'll be here any moment now, you have everything ready?"-
"Yes, I just need to hide Ichigo"-
Ichigo reacted at the mention of his name. He followed his mother to a small room in the back of the house. She turned on a little lamp on a bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed, where a main of orange hair stuck out from under the sheets.
"Baby, hey, wake up Ichi. Come on, here we go"-she gently pulled down the sheets and sat up the 5 year-old version of Ichigo, who was scratching his eyes sleepily
"I'm sorry honey but we need to go. Here, grab your blanket and your plushy, they'll keep you company"-his mother carried him as his father came through the door carrying a rifle
"They're here Masaki, hurry"-he whispered urgently
The ghost Ichigo stepped aside as his mother walked by him carrying the sleeping 5-year-old him. He followed her to the small closet he remembered to well and placed the kid, tucking the sheets tightly under him
"Ok baby, I need for you to be very quite ok? Can you do that for me? Don't come out until you see the sun, promise me you won't come out"-she had pleaded. Ichigo saw himself nod in confusion. He remembered this, the urgency in her voice. She kissed his forehead and closed the door. She then stood up, breathed out and headed to her husband, who was in the living area pointing his rifle to the door
"You took care of it"-
"Yes"
"Any moment now"-
They stood in silence for seconds. Ichigo was about to move towards them when the door suddenly rattled at the excessive pounding of fists
"Open up Kurosaki! We know you're in there"-
They continued to pound on the door, causing his mother to hide behind his father. The door then busted open, letting several military dressed men in. They pointed several guns at his father, causing him to drop his own, and they grabbed his mother by the hair, dragging her to the floor.
"Good boy Kurosaki. Now tell us, did you go to the King and Queen and tell them about our king's intentions?"-
Ichigo's parents stayed silent, causing the questioning man to punch Isshin in the stomach. Masaki's shriek pierced the air as another officer smacked her.
"So you're not sayin' huh? You know our king is going to kill the Kuchiki's no matter what, right? Their will be no more witches protecting no one, you heard"-the man spat at Isshin's face. Ichigo's father smiled
"As long as there is a Kurosaki, the Kuchiki witches will always be protected"- he reached out for his wife's hand and held it tightly
"OK then, you're call"-the guard, along with the one holding Masaki's hair, took out his gun and pointed at their heads.
This time Ichigo made sure, he covered his ears
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The sun was gleaming through the many windows of the room. A woman with long, dark hair was sitting on a chair with a small plate in her hands, facing a baby with equally dark hair and big violet eyes.
"Rukia, Rukia honey, over here. Over here, baby look at mommy. What a good girl. What? You're hungry? Are you hungry? Well your bottle is empty but…oh. I thought it was empty. Did you do that sweetie? Did you fill up the bottle without telling mommy? What a good girl! Apparently you'll have them before I did!"
Rukia stood across the table looking at the woman playing with the baby, her eyes filled with tears. She had forgotten that face, it had been so long. The door slowly opened as another raven-haired girl came in
"Oh Hisana darling, could you please pass me that little towel?"-
The little girl gave her mother the towel and, as she softly cleaned the milk from the corners of the baby's mouth, a soft knock came from the door.
"Come in"-the woman said without turning her head
Good morning Kuchiki-kisaki, I apologize for interrupting but I have terrible news to give you"-A young man stood at the door wearing red military clothes. His tone was soft but shaky. Rukia saw her mother turn away from the 3-year-old version of herself and face the young man
"What is it?"-she asked softly, though her face was serious. Somehow, she knew what this man was going to tell her
"We have received information regarding the Kurosaki family, my queen. They were found dead at their household, murdered we believe"-
Rukia's eyes widened at the mention of the surname. Her mother sighed and stood up, heading to the door.
"Hisana, take care of your sister, no matter what happens, always take care of her, ok?"-
The younger version of Hisana nodded. Their mother then turned to the three-year-old Rukia, who was looking around curiously, and kissed her forehead
"Rukia, one day you will understand. Be strong and fight"-she then took a deep breath and followed the young man, closing the door behind her.
Rukia stood their, looking at herself and at her sister, tears now falling freely down her cheeks. Hisana had told her that that was the last time she saw her mother.
Her ears averted commotion coming from the other side of the door, so she ran out. Her mother was standing in front of a bearded man, who was wearing a very long and dark robe. She had a staff on her hands, which was of pure silver. It had a symbol on the top, which Rukia recognized as the same one that forms when the portals open. Rukia could feel the powerful soul pressure emanating from her mother, and noticed the anger that swelled in her, mingled with fear.
"May I ask what are you doing in my kingdom?"-her voice was steady
"Miyako-dono, you know exactly what I'm here for. I'm sure you already know what happened to the Kurosaki's"- The bearded man placed his hands behind his back, Miyako tightened her staff
"I assume that was your doing? You do know the penalty for such action, correct?"-
"What, death? I'm sorry my queen, but without your protection around, your harmless"- he chuckled
"The Kurosaki lineage has sworn to protect the Kuchiki witches, that's true, but that doesn't mean we don't have the power to protect ourselves"-her voice was strong and carried across the room
"Yes of course, you have your power, no doubt about it, but without the Kurosaki's alive there will be no one to protect the witches to come"-he motioned with his head the door behind the queen
"You stay away from my daughters you sick bastard"-the queen hissed, pointing her staff at the man
In a matter of seconds, the bearded man appeared next to the queen, his hands still on his back. She fell on her knees, then to the floor, her eyes wide with surprise
"My dear queen, I apologize, but your husband couldn't stop me and neither will you. The Kuchiki witches need to end their legacy today and I will become bearer of it all"-
He walked passed her and headed towards the closed door, pushing it open. Cowering in a corner were the two little raven-haired girls, their eyes filled with tears
"Kuchiki Hisana and Kuchiki Rukia, the two remaining witches of this decaying kingdom. What a shame that no one will ever know of your power"-
The invisible Rukia ran into the room, finding the bearded man in the middle of a curse. The windows turned black and lightening decorated the ceilings. She heard her own cry, muffled under Hisana's hug, who was looking at the bearded man fiercely.
Suddenly a bubble of light covered the two sisters, making the man step back
"What…what the hell?"-
Hisana was standing, her eyes glowing with anger. She raised her small hand and the whole room suddenly became engulfed by the blinding light, including the bearded man.
The light closed on him tightly until he completely disappeared, leaving the eco of his scream in the air.
Hisana fell to her knees clutching her chest. She then turned to her sister, who was looking at her with eyes wide open and cheeks streaked with tears.
"Don't worry Rukia-nee; I'll take care of you"-
The ghost Rukia fell on her knees and covered her eyes, tears showering her cheeks.
So if you didn't know, now you know...I liked the idea 'cause Ichigo is always protecting Rukia so...it made sense. I made Miyako Rukia's mother (Irony, I guess), and guess who's the father? lol. Please read and review, and check out my new Bleach story "Chronicles of a Secret", which I have posted up!!!!
and now...Reader and Writer interaction!!!:
Have you guys read the latest manga chapters!!! OMG!!! Poor Ichigo!!!