The Mysteries of This Life
Chapter 18: Safety is What's Most Important (Yamasorrowichi's pov)
I sat there as my dad continued to glare at Uryu. None of us moved or said anything. I finally couldn't take it anymore. I got up and left the room pulling Uryu along with me. I pulled him upstairs to my room and we sat down on my bed. I looked into his eyes. They had seemed troubled since we had seen Yoko kill the hollow. I stared at him and sighed in an uncharacteristic way before getting a box out of my closet and setting it between us on the bed. I opened it and pulled out all the items I had saved from our childhood. I gave him the hippo I had got for him.
"Here you go. I meant to give it to you a long time ago." I smiled and tried to remain calm. It was hard after everything that had happened today. I took a deep breath and stared at him again. "Uryu, I'm so sorry for yelling at you earlier. I don't know why I was so angry. I had no reason to be. It's just that I was angry at myself and I took it out on you and other people. I had been having dreams about our childhood and I didn't piece together that you are my childhood best friend. And you are the person that I'm now in a relationship with so I felt like I was ruining the friendship we had."
"I was acting coldly towards you. There is no reason for you to apologize. I'm at fault too. I think we should just forget about what happened at school today and act like it never did when we go back tomorrow."
"Agreed. I'm kinda worried about what Yoko said. She made it seem like she wanted to kill me. It's pretty scary after I saw what she did to that hollow when she looked like she wasn't putting any effort into her attack. Think of what it would be like if she was actually trying." I shivered at the thought of what she could do to me. "She could kill me so easily. Uryu how am I going to protect myself? What if she goes after my father or my friends? What if she goes after you?"
"I can take care of myself. A few of the people you're worried about can too. Orihime, Ichigo, Rukia, and Chad will be fine. They can protect themselves against her." He stared at me and took hold of my hands. His touch was comforting. "As for your father, I think Urahara can keep him safe. You're the only one I'm worried about. I don't think she will go after anyone else unless they try to protect you. Then again she's a smart girl and she might try to go after you when no one else that can protect you is around. I don't know what to do to ensure your safety. You're the only one in true danger from her. I can walk with you to and from school everyday. At lunch you need to be near at least two of the following people at all times. The people would be me, Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, or Rukia. If you leave the classroom during school make sure that at least one of us goes with you."
"So I'll be safe at school and on the way to and from? What about the rest of the time? What if she goes after you?"
"I'm perfectly capable of keeping myself safe. On weekends have a sleepover with some of us. That will keep you safe then."
"What about the rest of the time. What about weeknights? What if I have to leave the house for something other than school?"
"I'm not sure yet. I think we should have a meeting between everyone that can keep you safe except Urahara. He might just annoy everyone."
"Ok. If you walk with me we can go to everyone's houses to get them together for a meeting."
"Aright. Let's get going." We both stood and left my room. We walked down the stairs and I looked into the kitchen to tell my dad we were leaving. He was still glaring at the spot Uryu had been sitting in.
"Daddy? Uryu and I are leaving. We're going to go to Ichigo's house."
"Ok. As long as that's where you guys go and Ichigo doesn't walk you home." I smile and roll my eyes at his remark.
"Ok. I promise you that we will go there and that Ichigo will not walk me home." He nodded and looked at me. He stared at me for a while before waving. I grabbed Uryu's hand and led him out of the house. We walked down the street and towards Orihime's house since she lived the closest. We picked her up and went to Chad's house to get him. Clouds were forming a storm in the sky. Orihime and Chad had been smart enough to grab umbrellas before leaving their homes. We walked to Ichigo's house and were greeted by Karin. She let us in and led us to the living room. Ishiin and Yuzu were sitting on one of the couches in the room watching whatever show was on.
"Dad there are people here." Him and Yuzu shot up and turned around to face us. They looked at me and Orihime in confusion.
"Do you need something?" HE asked us. I nodded and smiled.
"We need to see Ichigo. Is he home?" Ishiin looked like he was about to pass out.
"I-Ichigo? You're here to see Ichigo?" I nodded. "He's not a kid anymore! What do I do Masaki!"
"It's not like that Ishiin. We just need to study. He was supposed to meet us in the park and bring the books we would need. He didn't show up and it was starting to look like a storm was brewing. Instead of waiting longer I decided we should all come and study here! He probably forgot about our study party. I need to hit him when I see him."
"What the hell is going on down here!" Ichigo looked at all of us. He pointed at me and continued. "What the hell are you doing here!"
"Now Ichigo is that any way to greet me when I decided I would hold off on hitting you for forgetting about our study party?" I asked him. He stared at me and I saw that he was gonna try to push his luck. He nodded in response to my question. I glared at him. "You're one step away from falling of the edge."
"Oh. I'm so scared," he said sarcastically. I smiled before walking over to him and hitting him square in the face. He went flying back.
"You have every right to be scared of me! Who always won in the showdowns between you and me!"
"You."
"Who always beat Tatsuki when you couldn't!"
"You."
"Exactly! Now treat me with some respect and hospitality before I hit you again." He nodded and got up
"I'm sorry for forgetting. Let me show you upstairs to my room." He led us upstairs and I heard Ishiin and Yuzu talking about how their going to eavesdrop. I walked back over to them.
"Could you get us some study snacks by any chance?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you Yuzu. You're so nice." I went back up the stairs and into Ichigo's room. I closed the door behind me. I faced everyone else and saw Rukia sitting in the room too. "Rukia, you're here too? That's lucky. I didn't know you're address so I was worried we wouldn't be able to get you included in this."
"I actually live here with Ichigo and his family."
"Oh. That makes things easier."
"What do you want to talk about that made all of you come over here anyways?"
"Well Ichigo it's a very serious thing. I think Uryu can explain it better than me," I said. I looked over to Uryu. "Will you explain it for me?" He nodded and told them the whole story about Yoko.
"There's another bount? What the hell?"
"Ichigo knows what they are too? Why don't I know? Can someone explain this too me?" Rukia gave me a quick explanation of what bounts are. "Ohhhhhhhhhhh. Ok then!" Yuzu and Ishiin came in the room carrying snacks for us. "Thank you two. Could you get us some drinks too?" They nodded and left.
"Why did you ask them to do that?"
"Well if I didn't they'd probably just eavesdrop. Do you have a problem with my methods Ichigo?"
"I guess not."
"Good. Now we need to discuss safety precautions on this whole Yoko bount thing. I mean she draws power from people like me. And apparently from people like all of you too. That is if what Uryu told me and what she had said is correct. So what are we going to do to protect ourselves?"
"It sounded to me like she would only be after you."
"Thank you for your insight Ichigo. So we can now change it to how am I going to protect myself? And if she comes after you, you're out of luck."
"Ok. First things first we need to figure out how to get you to and from school safely," Rukia said.
"Uryu said that he would walk with me. So what's next?"
"IF you leave the classroom and lunch," Orihime said.
"As long as I'm with you guys I should be fine. So who wants to eat lunch with me?"
"I do! And we can invite Tatsuki and all the other girls! IT can be a lunch party everyday!"
"Great idea Orihime. But I kinda want to be with Uryu tomorrow at lunch."
"Then we can start the day after. Or he can join us tomorrow."
"I think that would be kinda awkward for Uryu to be surrounded by only girls."
"Ok. We'll start the day after tomorrow then."
"Ok. That's fine by me. What's next?"
"After school. When Uryu drops you off at home. What do we do about that?" Rukia asked.
"I'm kinda worried about that myself. And I'm also worried about my dad being there with me while Yoko is on the loose."
"Maybe we can take turns on who stays with you for the afternoon each day."
"That's a pretty good idea Ichigo. But what about when you'd have to leave?" Everyone sat in silence as we tried to think. "Let's skip that one." Yuzu and Ishiin came in with the drinks then and we all took one and thanked them. They left the room. I decided I would have fun if they were eavesdropping. "Sleepover here in Ichigo's room tonight! We should sleep in pairs so we don't use too much things. Uhm Ichigo and Orihime are the first pair!"
"Nooooooooooo! He's an adult now Masaki what do I do with our son!" Ishiin said from outside the room.
"I knew it! Eavesdropping! I was totally kidding about that. The first pair is Rukia and Orihime."
"I have my own room so if we are all sleeping here tonight, all us girls can sleep in my room and all the boys can sleep here in Ichigo's room."
"I like your thinking Rukia!" Ishiin shouted from the other side of the door. I opened the door and he fell in the room.
"Go away Ishiin. This is study time. I did all that so you'd freak out and leave. I was only half successful."
"You can't tell me what to do in my own house. I don't even know you."
"Yes you do. I'm Yamasorrowichi. Yama-chan ring a bell?"
"Wow you've grown and you look pretty now!"
"You have10 seconds to get out of eye sight," I said in irritation at his comment. HE left in a puff of smoke. I closed the door and sat back down. "Now then back to our conversation. What should we do about the weekends?"
"I suggest a sleepover party every weekend!"
"Orihime that's a good idea except for my dad wouldn't want 3 girls at his house every weekend. HE has enough trouble me as the 1 girl there. I don't think he can handle 2 more."
"WE can have it here or at Orihime's house."
"That actually works out perfectly Rukia. Now about school nights."
"Maybe your dad will allow one of us to sleep over every night or for you to sleep over with one of us every night."
"That's a great idea Orihime! All I have to do is explain it to him and I'm sure he'd let me."
"So the problem is solved. Where are you going to sleep tonight? And how are you going to get permission from your dad?"
"Uhm. Good questions Rukia! Do you think it'll be alright if I stay here tonight?"
"You'd have to ask dad."
"Ok. I'll go do that now." I got up and went downstairs. I saw Ishiin sitting on the couch with Yuzu and Karin. "Can I sleep here tonight Ishiin? I'm just not getting the concepts."
"If your dad says it's ok."
"Alright. I'd have to go home to get clothes anyways so I'll go ask. But I'm gonna get someone to walk with me." He nodded and returned his attention to the TV. I went back upstairs. "It looks like I have a place to stay tonight. Will someone take me home so I can talk to my father about it and get some extra clothes? It can be anyone but Ichigo."
"What's wrong with me taking you?"
"My dad made me promise to not let you walk me home."
"Ok."
"I will."
"Ok Chad. It's nice to hear you talk for the first time tonight. Wait my dad might think I didn't come here. I need someone else to go. Or we can all go! It'll be fun! You can see where I live!"
"Sounds like a plan to me. We should get going now," Rukia said. Everyone agreed. We all left and went towards my house. It was raining. Everyone had a one person umbrella except for me and Uryu. Ishiin lent us an umbrella before we left. We had to share the umbrella which was just big enough for us both if we stayed against each other. We did the whole way to my house. I went inside and everyone else followed. I found my dad sitting in the kitchen. He had made dinner. That was a bad sign. I sat down and explained everything. It was a long story and he deserved to hear it all.
(A/N: So that was chapter 18. Sucky ending I know. Please review. I don't own Bleach or its characters. I only own the OCs. This chapter song is Evil Angel by Breaking Benjamin. I don't own that either but I wish I did. If you review you get a giant puppy from outer space and 80 points! This is my longest chapter yet! Have a great day!)