Woo7! An update!
For some reason I couldn't get the dividing ruler to work so I had to use this little dotted line instead. It looks weird but it works. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
His apartment was not the best apartment, but it suited him just fine.
It was small, just like apartments in Karakura were, with a small kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. There was a balcony attached to the living room that Ichigo generally used to get up to the roof. He was on the sixth, the top, floor. Frequently, he would take Zangetsu up to the roof and practice his katas on his own. Using Bankais was frowned on because it would mess up with the routine scouting missions in the area, so Ichigo did not practice with that unless he went to Urahara's.
Closing the door, he dropped his bag to the floor, taking off his jacket. Flopping on the floor of the living room, he stared at the ceiling, watching the blades of the fan. Where the hell was Kon? Probably sleeping somewhere. That lazy freeloader spent more time sleeping then being awake.
You seem rather disturbed today, your majesty.
"Damn it." Ichigo rubbed his hands over his face, "How many times have I told you to stop calling me that?"
You defeated me, it's what you get.
"Well, it sounds stupid."
He turned his head to the side, and glared at Zangetsu. The huge sword lay against the wall. He was well aware of zanpakutos and their ability to commune with their sword master. Ichigo soon learned that if he tried to lock the sword up, Zangetsu complained. If he did not talk back, the sword would tease him until Ichigo was about ready to stab himself. Zangetsu was loud and obnoxious.
Just like you, champ.
"God, now you're reading my mind again."
It's my job, sue me.
The apartment was always quiet enough for Ichigo to hear the sword loud in his head. He groaned, and sat up, stretching.
"Going to try your luck at Tatsuki-chan today?"
Ichigo made a face as the stuff bear hobbled up to him.
"Unfortunately." Ichigo sighed, standing up. The kitchen was calling him to make dinner. Food sounded really good at the moment.
"Just, man, she's going to beat the snot out of you."
"Shut up." Ichigo pulled a pan out of the cupboard and began moving about the kitchen, trying not to envision roasting Kon on the pan instead of the broccoli he started chopping.
Kon glared at his master a moment, and then folded his little arms, "It's been five years since they declared her official missing, Ichigo. You have to let go eventually."
There was a loud clang as the orange-haired man nearly dropped his knife. Ichigo frowned,
"I can't just forget her." he said, moving onto the green beans and rice.
"Inoue made her choice. There's nothing we could do about it."
"It just feels...wrong."
The orange-haired Shinigami added a few other things to the mix and stood stirring the stir fry. It cooked fast and that what Ichigo liked about it. Even though he would be spending some time at home, he had not eaten since eleven that morning and it was wise to eat something in between dinner. That, or suffer punishment from Yuzu when she would question him about eating enough.
Ichigo smiled in spite of himself. He faced armies of Menos, achieved a Bankai in a manner of hours, fought the most powerful adversaries alive, and spent most of his time going from one realm to the other...and the only person that he was really afraid of was his 17 year old sister.
Mom, you'd laugh at that, wouldn't you?
Sitting at the table, he found his eyes wondering over to the picture on the table, of his friends in their 2nd year when Rukia first arrived. Someone had snapped a shot of them having another lunch session on the roof. Everyone was so innocent back then.
Keigo owned a local bar not to far away, Ichigo went and visited him on the weekends. Once in a while, Yumichika and Ikkaku were in there. The three of them were a strange crowd, but they got along. Last time he had talked to Keigo, apparently Keigo's sister had a thing for Ikkaku, which Ichigo thought was funny. Keigo was not amused.
Mizurio came back during the summer and winter vacation. He was a high corporate execute in America. What amazed Ichigo even more was that last year Mizurio surprised everyone by getting married to his secretary, who also happened to be 3 years older. It did not bother Ichigo, his friend was happy so he was happy.
Taking a sip of tea, he leaned back on the chair and stared at the ceiling.
Chad had left Japan a little while ago to help out with distant relatives in Mexico. Once a year Ichigo went to visit him. Having learned enough Spanish to at least not embarrass himself, Ichigo did not mind at all. Chad had a good family, and they spoiled Ichigo beyond reason whenever he visited. Ichigo always considered that break a true vacation.
Ishida was somewhere in Hokkaido. Rumor had it he lived at a monastery, although he was not a monk. The whole situation was strange and Ichigo did not understand it. Ishida spent most of his time teaching Latin and other things at the complex, participating in archery competitions, and doing a whole array of other activities. He mailed a letter once in a while.
That was everyone. The only person that Ichigo had not seen at least three times in the past five years was Inoue. She was gone.
It reminded him somewhat of when Rukia had left for the Soul Society the first time around. She was no longer registered at the school. No one remembered her, no one acknowledged the mention of her name, nothing. It was the same with Inoue. The only people that remembered her were himself, the Soul Society, Chad, Keigo, Mizurio, Ishida, Tatsuki, and Karin.
Karin.
She had senses that were almost acute as his own. He remembered a conversation she had with him not to long ago. He had been standing alone on the roof at the Kurosaki Clinic, staring into space.
"You spacing out over there, Ichi-nii?"
Karin climbed through her own window and walked over to him, leaning on the cement railing of the clinic roof. Ichigo sighed out loud.
"What's the problem?"
"I messed up."
"What do you mean?"
Ichigo rest his head on the railing, "I messed up...big time."
Karin frowned, and brushed a piece of hair out of her face. It was a little longer now, long enough that she pulled it back into a ponytail.
"Is this about Inoue-san?"
Ichigo snorted, "What?"
"Dude, bro, I'm young, not stupid." she said, "You got the hots for her or something?"
"Or something." Ichigo looked away.
Karin turned around, leaning her on arms. She could not sense her father or Yuzu listening in.
"Is she dead?" she asked, "Was she-"
"She was kidnapped by the Arancars." Ichigo frowned, "She's gone. There's nothing I can do. I don't know if she's dead or alive, or worse-"
They stood in silence a moment.
"She..." Ichigo looked at his hand, the one that had been healed the day she left, "...I don't know, I have an uneasy feeling. I can still feel her reiatsu in my head, and when I think about it...it's the saddest thing I've ever felt. It's like...I don't know..."
She sighed out loud, "If you're in love with her, Ichigo, you should just say so..."
His musings where interrupted with a banging on the door. A loud banging.
"Open the damn door, Kurosaki!"
He winced, he knew that voice. Kon looked at him warily as he opened the door to his apartment. The stuffed bear had taken refuge on Ichigo's shoulder. Hansei Muruguma stared at him with an annoyed look on his face.
"What the hell you been doing'? Spacing out?"
"Huh?"
"I was knocking on the door for 10 minutes!"
"Oh." Ichigo sighed, "Sorry. I'm not exactly in a good mood right now."
Hansei let out an irritated snort, "I didn't come here for pleasantries, Kurosaki. Shinji sent me."
Ichigo gritted his teeth, that was not a good sign. Hirako only contacted him when it was important. Letting Hansei into his apartment, they sat in the kitchen.
"Wanna drink?"
"Hell ya." Hansei groaned, "Damn department is driving me into the ground."
"Still trying to figure out what's going on?" Ichigo set two glasses on the table and poured his Vizard comrade some sake.
Hansei was a detective for Karakura, a newly promoted one that is. Someone needed to have an inside to the law enforcement in hopes for keeping them out of trouble, but it was becoming harder as the war was coming closer to the human realm. He was worked to the bone.
"They're are getting more and more smart." he took a sip of sake, "I don't think I've slept in three days."
Ichigo nodded in understanding. If he was not at school, he was either at home watching he family, or at the Soul Society. No one in his family was strong enough to protect themselves if an Arancar attacked. Karin could sense them, and that was all. It was a constant worry on his shoulders.
"So, what does Hirako want?" Ichigo asked.
"He wants to talk to you. 7 pm tomorrow at the Eternal Realm. Hiyori said if you didn't come she beat your hide."
It was Ichigo's turn to snort indignantly. Technically, the headstrong young woman was his sensei. She reminded him a lot of Kukkaku. Of course, Ichigo did admire Hirako's tough-as-nails fiance, but part of him could not stand being in the same room with her.
"What is it about?"
"Can't say." he said.
"Can't say or won't?"
"Won't." Hansei replied, "Shinji says if I tell you, you won't see a reason to come."
"...bastard..." Ichigo murmured.
There was a ring, and Hansei picked up his cell, "Muruguma."
Kon leaned over from his perch on Ichigo's shoulder and in a hushed voice asked, "You gonna go?"
"Heck ya." Ichigo sipped the sake, "I don't really feel like getting whooped by that crazy bitch. She'd hunt me down."
"You think it's trouble?"
"Gotta be. Hirako wouldn't summon me unless it was important."
Muruguma snapped the phone shut, "We gotta go, Kurosaki. There's trouble."
"Trouble?"
"That was the dispatcher. There's a fight over at the dojo." he stood, "You're heading over there, right? Feel like getting out a little aggression?"
Ichigo chuckled, downed the rest of the sake and stood, "Sounds like a plan."
Tatsuki folded her arms, watching her students. Shouting a few commands off to the left, she gave a glare of irritation at the floor. Everyone was on edge, but she really did not know why. Part of her wanted to beat the daylights out of all of them, but that would be impractically. Plus, Kurosaki would be there soon, and he was a worthy cause for a fight.
She was still furious with him. He knew it, and she knew it. But he was also like her brother. Tatsuki had know that hard-headed idiot longer than anyone, and because of this, she was able to somewhat forgive him. Part of her, however, would always hate him for what happened.
Orihime. He let them take Orihime and did nothing. Ichigo stood there and did nothing because the Soul Society ordered him not too. A society that he owed nothing too and had generally made his life harder. There was no excuse for that.
There were arguments off to the side.
"That was a cheap shot you son of a bitch! I'm going to beat the shit out of you!"
Tatsuki turned towards two of her students. Two of the biggest ones. Yamada and Hondei were arranging themselves like they were ready to pounce. They probably were twice her height and weight, but then again, she did not need weight and height to outdo them.
"Hey!" she snapped, "You two! Cut it out or get out!"
They looked at her in fury.
Yamada thrust a finger at the Hondei, "He punched me in the head! Without announcing it properly!"
"You insulted me you bastard! Of course I did!" Hondei glared.
Tatsuki folded her arms, "Okay, both of you, out. If you can't get along, I'm not wasting my time."
"This is all your fault, dumbass!" Hondei yelled.
"My fault!" Yamada yelled, "You're the one who punched me!"
They lunged towards each other. Tatsuki rushed forward, placing herself between them, holding her arms out,
"That's enough! Both of you out-"
She gasped, feeling a huge fist land square in her side. Bastard...that was not smart-
Recovering quickly, she wheeled around, and planted her size 7 foot into Yamada's chest. He stumbled backwards, and let out an enraged roar. Okay, maybe having a little more weight was a good thing...
They both rushed towards her. dodging both men, she flipped backwards, shouting at innocent students to clear out of the room. They obediently followed her request. Damn, she thought, the one day that the other masters had to be gone was the day that some thick-skulled idiots decided to get into trouble.
All she could do was dodge them. She was not tall enough and there was not enough room where she was to move about freely, and with the added pain in her chest she was certain one or two ribs were cracked.
Letting out a loud curse, she spun around only to be meet dead-on by a fist in the side of her face.
She stumbled backwards, trying to catch her balance. In the rush of things, she had not heard the sirens outside or the door whisk open. Falling into what felt like an immovable brick wall, a pair of strong hands grasp her shoulders.
"You okay there, miss?"
Tatsuki glanced up, and gasped. For a minute she thought it was Ichigo, but realized it was not. His eyes were obsidian, not golden brown. The entire room spun a moment, and he let out a curse. From what he could see, she looked trashed.
"Take care of her, Muruguma."
That voice she recognized.
"Ich...igo?" she murmured.
"Hey." he raised a hand, "I'll take care of this."
She was too dazed to watch. The other guy, Muruguma, pulled her out into the hallway. Sitting her in a chair, he produced a bottle of water in his hand, she took it.
"I'm Detective Hansei Muruguma." he said, "We got a call that you were in trouble and I was in the neighborhood. You alright?"
She stared at him, and then nodded. Moving a little, she flinched. Damn, her ribs were more then cracked now...
"Ribs?" he asked.
"I took a couple hits." she said, "I'm faster then they are, but they weight twice as much as I do."
"There's an ambulance outside." he said, standing. He helped her to her feet and lead her outside. Now that she thought about it, there were crashes and yelling from the inside. After a few seconds, it was quiet. A smile crept across her face as the other officers ran in. Apparently, Muruguma was thinking the same thing.
"Damn Kurosaki, I told him to take it easy."
She sat on the edge of the ambulance as they treated her. Holding the edge of her shirt up, he let out a whistle. There were bruises all over her, and they looked back. The medic checked her ribs and wrapped them.
"I'll have to take the next two days off, but I should be okay." she said, "I've had worse injuries, trust me."
"Worse, huh?"
It was hard for him to think that anyone as pale and tiny as her was this sturdy. From what Kurosaki had said, she could clean Ichigo's clock. That said a lot.
"How do you know Ichigo?" she asked.
"Worked with him before." he put his hands in the pockets of his long black trench coat and shrugged, "You?"
"I've known him since he was 6." she said, "Childhood friends."
"Ah." he nodded.
Ichigo came strolling out of the dojo, whistling.
"Yo." he raised a hand, "What's up, Tatsuki?"
She shrugged, "Nuthin, you come for a fight?"
"Yeah, but I dealt with those idiots and there was a fight at school today. You're injured, so I think I'll throw in the towel for today."
"I could always fight you." Hansei smirked.
"Naw." Ichigo frowned, "I don't fight crazies."
"Shut up!"
Tatsuki laughed as Ichigo waved a hand at them, "I'm going to check on Dad. See ya later."
"Remember! 7 pm tomorrow!" Muruguma jabbed a finger in Ichigo's direction.
"Yeah, yeah, or I get my ass kicked. I know."
With that, Ichigo disappeared down the street. Tatsuki could sense the uneasiness in her friend's energy. Ichigo was never relaxed these days. It was like he was always ready for an attack.
"Need a lift?" Muruguma asked her.
"Yeah."
Following him to the jeep parked at the end of the parking lot, she eased into the car, and he shut the door. Moving her arms too much would be painful. He slid into the car, and revved the engine.
"Oh yeah..." she reached a hand forward, "...I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Tatsuki Arisawa."
He stared at her and shook her hand.
"It's a pleasure."
Ichigo took out his keys and opened the door to the Kurosaki Clinic.
"Guys! I'm home!"
"ICHI-NII!" a girl's voice shrieked.
Yuzu hurled herself into her brother's arms. He chuckled, ruffling her hair,
"Hey-yo." he smiled, "What's cooking? Smells good."
"Sukiyaki." she beamed, "I knew you were coming home."
"Ah." he grinned, "You silly, you didn't have to go through all the trouble."
"You're darn right I do! You don't eat anything unless you come home!"
"Hey now." he shook his head, "I eat."
"Eating vegetable stir fry once a day is not eating!"
He laughed again and hoisted her into his arms to hug her. Then trailed down the hallway while Yuzu disappeared into the kitchen. Karin stood at the top of the stairs.
"How's it going, sis?" he asked.
"Not to bad." she clapped hands with him, "Kick any butts today?"
He sneered, "Enough."
Pushing the door open with his back, his father was in the storage room taking stock. They were getting ready to order more supplies.
"Hey Dad." Ichigo walked up to him.
"So, my disobedient son decides to visit his family once in a while, hm?"
"I'm busy, Dad." he shrugged, "I'm at the school most of the time."
"What about the evenings, huh? What? Got a hot date?"
Ichigo glowered at him, "None of your business."
His Dad roared with laughter and whacked him on the back, continuing down the line of shelves.
"Roofs leakin again, huh?" Ichigo said, "Where?"
"Over the west side." he said, "Roofing tiles just need replacing."
"Cool. I'll do it after dinner." he replied, hearing Yuzu calling them to eat.
As Ichigo left to go help set the table, Isshin Kurosaki frowned, setting the clipboard on the table. He sighed, rubbing his head. Whatever was heavy on the boy's heart was starting to bother him.
After Misaki died, his had told himself he would never use his abilities except to take revenge on her killer, and then he would never again use them. He was well aware that the Hollow that had killed his wife, was after Ichigo. What surprised him, was that from what Ichigo had told him, it seemed like Misaki saw the Hallow too. It bugged him sometimes.
Truly, if there was anything he could have done to try and keep Ichigo from having the same life and job that he once had, he would have done it. Being a Shinigami was not graceful or elegant, it was back-breaking and a pain in the ass. Remembering the day a year or two ago when they went to the beach, and he saw the jagged scars on his son that could only have been made by a zanpakuto, only told him that whatever he was doing during the summer...it was not taking it easy, that's for sure.
Ichigo was a Shinigami. He had learned to live with that fact. From what Kisuke had said, the war was fast approaching, and going badly for the Soul Society. Soon, Ichigo would be fully drafted into the fight, and there would be no say in the matter.
Isshin looked at his hand in front of his face.
Was he going to allow the Soul Society to take Ichigo like that? He did not have a say in the matter either. But there was one thing that he did have a say in...
If the war came to his doorstep, he sure as hell was not going to stand aside and watch his family be butchered by Hollows and Arancars.
"Daddy! Dinner's ready!" Yuzu called.
"Coming!"
He was going to fight this time, and the Soul Society be damned.
I swear there's going to be a plot soon. I'm just having a little too much fun writing this story and I needed something to do while there was a Bleach update this week. The next chapter will be better.
Well, thanks for reading. Send me an update and tell me what you think.
Arigato
Lilith