HELLO! I'm back with the next chapter and everyone has been asking about Ichigo and how he died. I have to tell you I am a little stuck on that and have a good idea on how this whole thing is going to play out. There will be some IchiHime but it will be more spiritualy since Ichigo isn't actually a main character in this so ya... There is also lots of Rukia/Renji cuz I like them as a couple. ;3 This chapter takes place mostly in Soul Society and is probably the most emotional of the story but don't worry there will be lots of action and references to Ichi!(I went back and changed a few things so it made more sences and followed the story line) Feel free to send in requests and ideas! big thanks to nypsy for the great review!
The grave sectioned under Soul Society for three reasons; one because that had been the last place anyone had seen him, second it gave more privacy to those who went to visit it and last, because it was also to ensure that nobody else was able to distroy it. The head captain himself had overseen the secrity and placed several kido to promise the graves survival. Only the captains of the thirteen court gaurd knew how to bypass the kido, which Renji did so as the group gathered at their friends final resting place.
"Why do they keep it so dark down here? There isn't even a window, you can't see the sun or the moon." Orihime said sadly. It always bothered her that the Captain Commander had choosen such a sad and dark place for Ichigo, she knew that Sora would hate that.
Renji deactivated the final kido, "Many of the past captains had been buried down here. It's kind of like a special rest room for those who died for Soul Society. You should be happy that he was granted such an honor."
Orihime sighed. She knew he was right and that it may have come as an insult to the captains to deny the honor, but she also knew that Ichigo would have choosen a more happy place. She fiddled with her basket, hoping the flower she had brought still had enough water.
Rukia watched the brunette for a moment before turning her back. They had reached the grave.
It was a beautiful memorial, a large white stone with Ichigo's name on it, draped in red flowers and surrounded by candle light. Infront of the stone lay the ony thing left of him; Zangetsu. The blade lay wrapped in it's cloth holdings and painted in black ink in the middle was the number five. Orihime remembered the day Ichigo had accepted the responsibility of being fifth squads captain. It happend the same time when Renji and Hisagi were choosen to replace the previous traitors. Ichigo had been a wonderful captain, he was kind to his officers and even Momo had come to adore him. He had filled a hole that had been around ever since Aizen and soon every fifth division officer was once again happy and at peace. She remembered watching Ichigo and Momo practice by a river as he showed her some more advanced skills with swordsmanship, while she helped him with kido. Orihime and Ichigo had had lunch together that day, just the two them and she remembered how happy she had been not wanting the day to end. She could even remember what they ate and how many clouds there were in the sky and the flower he had given her. A rose. A single black rose he had found in the woods and given it to her saying that he thought she would like it. Orihime had loved it, and it had been her favorite flower since.
Renji stared at the grave, mildly annoyed. Stupid idiot, he thought. Why did you have to leave just when everything was getting back to normal? Were you really killed or did you just think that we would all forget. No, that wasn't it, but you really screwed everything up this time. He frowned as memories came flooding back into his mind. Most of them were him losing in a fight to the late fifth captain but there was the ocasional happy moments. The fist was the time when he, Rukia and Ichigo had spent a night camping in the outer Rukongai. Nobody knew of course, they were carefull to keep it a secret and had had a great time. Ichigo had even taught Renji how to make a s'more, though he still had no idea how something so odd looking could be so sweet. It been a cool night and he enjoyed spending the time with Rukia and it had been a way to welcome Ichigo into the court gaurd. All had been well until Renji had challenged Ichigo to a duel. Their swords had clashed and most likely people that lived in Rukongai had fallen unconcious. They eventualy had to stop due to Rukia being unable handel the amount of spirit energy. It had been the last night the three of hem had ever spent together.
Rukia held her hand in prayer. She prayed that Ichigo was happy and that he was finaly able to enjoy the peace. As she prayed she thought about the first time she had met Ichigo. The fool had kicked her and called her a midget, then ultimatly saved his family from the hollow. It had been the same ever since, Ichigo comming to save her helpless butt when she got in trouble because she was too weak. She thought that she had redemed herself when they resuced Orihime from Aizen. Orihime. She mentaly sighed as she remembered the girls helpless face when she told them of Ichigo's death. Her eyes were puffy and tears streamed down her face as she cryed in Rukia's arms. Rukia herself had shed many tears that day but stayed strong not only for Orihime, but for Ichigo as well. Rukia knew that he would have been hurt if he had seen them cry for his sake. After Ichigo had become a captain, he seemed to spend more time with Orihime than when they had been in highschool and Rukia caught on. The two had definatly been sweethearts, she could tell that his feelings for her went deep after what he went through to get her back and during Rukia's time in the real world had noticed that Orihime certainly had a large crush on the carrot top. It made Rukia think that if things had been diferent, would she have ended up winning Ichigo's heart?
Chad held his head low in repect for his late friend, thinking in his head about the promise they had made all those years ago. You won't have to hit people on your own account anymore. But in return you have to hit people to help me. Chad stood there, wondering just how, now that Ichigo had passed on, he was supposed to keep that promise.
Uryu didn't concern himself with the sorrow of the grave, instead he focused on just how Ichigo died. As far as he knew when a soul reaper dies their zanpaku-to dissapears with them. If this was true then why did Zangetsu lay before him? It seemed to him that Ichigo was almost trying to send him a message, a riddle prehaps. Though maybe a riddle that was ment never to be solved, as Ichigo was always hard to figure out. Uryu didn't care though, every time he saw that sword he made a promise to his late friend that he would solve his stupid riddle no matter how long it took him.
The last to enter the grave room was Tatsuki. She was the only one who hated the room. She hated the grave, the flowers, the candle light, and the sorry moron they were for. How could he. She thought, How could he just leave like that? Did he think we wouldn't miss him or was he just being the bug idiot he was? Didn't he think that if he ever died and left that people would just forget it and return to their normal lives? What was the idiot thinking? The same questions turned in her mind ever year. The same emotions filled her too; anger, hurt, annoyance, sorrow and disgrace. Ever time she passed his house, went to the dojo to train students, looked at the moon. Every time she looked at something that reminded her of him these feelings played around in her head. She wanted to scream an yell at him for leaving them in this position, for leaving Orihime heartbroken, for leaving her to worry-
Tatsuki stomped her foot on the dark floor and stormed out of the room, unable take anymore. Rukia finished her prayer and left with Renji and Uryu in persuit. Chad was waiting for Orihime as she finished saying her own prayer. She was almost out the door when she remembered the basket. She ran back and placed the delicate flower on the foot of the grave, infront of Zangetsu, then turned and let Chad lead her outside.
Yay! Another chapter done! And so sad too. I promise that in the next few chapters that I will start to reveal the past about how Ichigo died and how everyone rememberes it! Please review and if anyone knows a good beta reader I would really appreciate it! ;D