12

Fate's Seal

…

They fought the futile war for hours. Now, night was upon them and the screen was black. They'd never had any chance of winning. The room was heavy with misery and defeat. Slowly, people began to clear out. Tatsuki had offered to let Orihime stay at her house for the night. Uryu knew that there was a long conversation with his father ahead of him and wondered if maybe it was too late to resolve their old issues so that at least he could leave on good terms (in case his escape plan failed). Chad did not have anyone to say goodbye to, but planned on taking one last long walk through Karakura. Matsumoto had escorted Ukitake back early. Now, the only ones remaining in the room were Ichigo, Karin, Toshiro, and Ulquiorra.

They all sat on the couch, Karin and Toshiro having fallen asleep awhile ago. Each of the younger siblings leaned up against their older counterparts. Ichigo had one arm wrapped tightly around Karin as if he could protect her from the world simply by not letting go. Ulquiorra was almost in pain as he watched Toshiro's sleeping face. That younger boy meant so much to him. The man could barely comprehend what he himself was about to do.

"Kurosaki," Ulquiorra said. "I have to request a favor. Look after Toshiro for me."

"Hey, what are you doing?" Ichigo asked as Ulquiorra stood up, letting Toshiro gently fall back against the couch.

"Something I should have done a long time ago."

…

Ukitake settled down in his apartment. He assured Matsumoto that he was fine before waving her off with a gentle smile. With a heavy sigh, he leaned back on the futon. This situation was so complicated. He opened his eyes to stare at the ceiling. Shifting, he moved to take something out from under his pillow. He smiled upon seeing the familiar sight of his "two favorite nephews." Then, his expression quickly turned to surprise as a slip of white paper slid out. His heart rate sped up. There was something wrong here. He snatched up the paper, eyes reading over the lines hastily.

As soon as he finished, it fell from his fingers. Ukitake, as sick as he was, managed to stand up and rush out the door. He placed the note in his pocket, hoping he was not too late.

…

Toshiro sped across the darkened land, tracking the strong reiatsu he'd sensed just a second ago. In fact, it had caused him to wake up from his sleep in alarm. Kurosaki had tried to stop him, but had failed. Now, each flash step caused the boy's heart to accelerate. Katashi had exited his gigai.

He must have found out about the plan.

The reiatsu grew stronger. Within the minute, Toshiro caught sight of Katashi. The white skin and teal tear streaks made him want to shiver. The older was simply standing there, gigai thrown off to the side.

"Katashi?" Toshiro called hesitantly.

"I thought I told Kurosaki to watch after you," he sighed.

"I escaped," Toshiro admitted. He stepped closer to the other. "Where were you going?"

Ulquiorra looked away.

"You know," Toshiro concluded.

"Yes," Ulquiorra said, "I know."

"Then why did you stop?" Toshiro asked. "You know they want me to murder you, so why didn't you keep running?"

"It is pointless," Ulquiorra said. "They will find me."

"If you don't leave, I'm going to have to kill you," Toshiro whispered. His tone pleaded, Please don't make me.

Ulquiorra advanced at a measured pace until he was right in front of his younger brother. He bent down into a crouch so that they could talk face to face. "I would rather it be you than someone else. Draw your zanpakuto."

Toshiro did as he was told, but his hands were shaking. "I don't know if I can."

"You will have to," Ulquiorra responded. "If not now, then later. Do not throw everything you have worked for away. I am a Hollow. I cannot deny that, as this very second I am struggling for control. You have to do this in order for me to escape this perdition—this eternal suffering. Do you understand, Toshiro? You would be helping me. Then, one day, I might see you again on much more pleasant terms."

"Katashi…"

Hearing his name, Ulquiorra gasped, curling in on himself as he held tight to the pendent around his neck. Sweat broke out across his brow. "D— Hollow." Nearly choking, he said, "Toshiro, raise your sword now before I try to kill you."

Like a guillotine, the blade was raised. Toshiro's hands were still shaking. Ulquiorra stared straight at his brother's face, as if to memorize every detail. The only light was that of the perfect crescent moon ruling the sky above them. The Hollow moon. What Ulquiorra would remember the most was the sorrow and pain filling Toshiro's blue-green eyes as Hyorinmaru hovered over his head.

Ulquiorra nodded. "Do it."

The sword fell. Shock appeared first. Shortly after, Ulquiorra's face melted into a soft smile as the life was immediately sucked from him. The Hollow was…being quiet…at last…

He dissolved into spirit particles before he even hit the ground.

Toshiro watched in horror as his brother died again. His sword dropped to the ground. His legs couldn't hold him up any longer. Then, he did something he hadn't done in many years: he cried. Ukitake rushed to the boy's side, placing a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. He'd seen the whole event.

"You did the right thing," he whispered. "Katashi will be at peace now."

Toshiro's tears wouldn't stop falling and he felt like he was drowning in them. Slowly, Ukitake wrapped his arms around the small figure. Toshiro fell into the embrace. Half a minute later, he passed out.

Ukitake scooped the child captain up into his arms and carried him away from that place.

It was over.

…

That night, Ichigo tucked Karin into bed. He kissed her forehead softly. For a few minutes, he just stood there and watched as she and Yuzu slept. It was so peaceful. Placing his hands in his pockets, he stepped out of the door. A frown became evident when he felt a small scrap of paper. He pulled it out, already knowing what it was. The distinct memory of Ukitake holding a sleeping Toshiro came to mind, one hand outstretched to give him this.

Ichigo Kurosaki,

As you may know by now, I am either gone or dead. The difference depends on whether or not my inner Hollow prevented me from terminating this lifetime, forcing me to run instead. Either way, I have chosen to remove my complicating presence from your lives before Toshiro has a chance to do something rash. As it stands, I have planned to kill myself. If it worked, then you most likely already know that I am dead. Possibly forever, possibly not, but do not tell Toshiro my suspicions that I may not arrive in Soul Society after all. He does not need that burden. While I know that you and I could be considered rivals and this relationship was far short of friendship, there is one thing I would like to ask of you, not for me, but for Toshiro.

First of all, I would like to thank you and everyone who has taken him into their care over the years that I could not. Do not think me ungrateful for that. However, it is this reason that I must also ask of you to continue doing so. Should this plan go through, all of the listed people will be placed in Soul Society, including you and your sister, Karin Kurosaki. I know that this is a particularly large favor to request, but treat Toshiro as if he is family. He is stubborn and troubled and the number of mysteries I have left him with will not help that, even if masking those answers had been for his own protection. However, I believe I can trust you to look past this and help him. He will never admit it, but he does look up to you and think of you in friendly terms. Perhaps it is because you, like both of us, have a need to be overprotective.

Due to my absence, I have no regrets in admitting this trait. I am overprotective of things and people—Toshiro will have always been first, but in Hueco Mundo, I used the guise of protecting Las Noches to keep you far from Orihime although my mission to guard her had been terminated. I said cruel things to her to keep her separated from you and your friends. I could have let you take her, yet I did not. At the time, I had not realized this, but you had known all along. This need to defend—as twisted as it had become in my representation—is something I have noticed in you. That is why I ask you to act in my place.

I deserve to ask nothing of you—not even for forgiveness for previous actions—so I will only ask this on Toshiro's behalf. However, as I write this, I know that you would have done so without my insistence. Orihime would say it is because you have a kind and warm heart. At the moment, I am thankful for that. Perhaps, you may be a better influence than I had ever been. Toshiro could use more warmth in his life. To give him this would be to give him more than I could ever ask for.

Sincerely,

Ulquiorra Schiffer/Katashi Hitsugaya

…

Thanks: fan girl 666, justjoy, -SoManyUpsAndDowns-, and Windschatten69 for reviewing chapter 11.

Also, thank you Curious for reviewing chapter 6.