So everyone, this is the final chapter of this story, but up next is the encore chat which will serve as the epilogue and then the sequel, Inherited Nightmares! I'm also still thinking about doing the Zampakutou Chat as well. I just need to work on some sort of plot for it.
This chapter could not have come at a better time because the last chapter of the Bleach manga showed Isshin showing himself to Ichigo in full shinigami attire, and yes, this chapter is when Ichigo finds out his father's true identity (in my own words anyway). There will also be other moments in this chapter as well, which you will have to keep reading to find out what they are.
So without further ado, here's chapter 15 for your reading pleasure! Happy reading!
Chapter 15: Recovery
Ichigo's eyes slowly opened to greet the bright light of the medical room. He had no idea how long he had been out for, but he could not forget Aizen's disappointing escape into Hueco Mundo. What were even more infuriating and unforgettable were the horrible things that Aizen had done to his family as well as Rukia, who is now considered as family.
Slowly and carefully, he sat up from his bed and sighed heavily. Where are Rukia, Ryuichi, and Yuzu? I miss them so much and I'm greatly worried about them. He stared off into space, praying that his girlfriend, son, and sister would be alright.
Not too long after that, the door of his room opened, revealing a very familiar man holding a baby with bright orange hair. Ichigo's eyes widened as they focused on his son. "Ryuichi!" Then he averted his eyes to the man and they narrowed puzzlingly. "…Dad?"
Isshin smiled as he walked over to his son's bedside – Ryuichi reaching for his father as he let him know he wanted to be held. Ichigo weakly reached for his son and held him in his arms protectively. A smile graced Ryuichi's tiny lips as he reached for his father's fingers and Ichigo smiled sadly, trying not to allow his tears to fall from his eyes.
Isshin's voice broke their reunion. "Son, I know what you are probably thinking right now and I just want to let you know that…I'm sorry."
Ichigo twitched as he scowled deeply. "Dad, why the hell didn't you tell me? And sorry doesn't cut it."
"Ichigo," Isshin replied softly as he tried to calm his son from having an outburst.
Ichigo laid his son on the bed beside him and bared his teeth at his father, his eyes shining with distrust and fury. "Shut up! You never told me that you were a shinigami! Why the hell didn't you do it?! All my life I was seeing ghosts and all my life I was wondering why! What's even more pressing is that you didn't even fucking save mom!" He panted in anger as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.
Isshin tried desperately to calm his son. "Listen, Ichigo, I know you're upset. Please calm down."
"Calm down?!" Ichigo repeated. "If Ryuichi wasn't in this room and if my strength was at 100%, I would fucking beat you to the ground for what you had done! You didn't tell me that you were a shinigami, and you didn't save mom. Here I was thinking that I was nothing but a freak because I wasn't normal like everyone else!"
"Son, you're not a freak. Don't say that…"
"Just shut up! I can't be bothered to listen to you!" Ichigo buried his face in his hands in frustration. Ryuichi tried to bury himself in his father's arms as he was scared of the tension, but Ichigo smoothed his son's hair in comfort with one hand.
Isshin did not know what to do. How was he able to tell his son the truth when he had tried so hard to hide it from him the past 16 years? "Ichigo…Ichigo, you must listen to me. The whole reason why I didn't tell you was because I wanted to protect you. It was illegal for a shinigami to breed with a human and…"
Ichigo looked up from his hand. "If it was illegal, why the hell did they allow Rukia and me to have Ryuichi?"
"Because they already knew that you were of shinigami blood, even if you were a human. Masaki wasn't a shinigami, period. I decided to hide from Soul Society by having Urahara make me a gigai that would cause me to lose my powers. They accused me of being a criminal and they sent reinforcements to look for me. The gigai hid me well and I was able to marry Masaki and have you.
"However, when she was pregnant with you, I was scared. Even though my gigai hid my powers well, I knew I had to protect you from being taken away by them. So I fastened a reiatsu-draining wrist band onto you as soon as you were born to mask your emanating reiatsu. Masaki knew of the circumstances and she let me put the band onto you with no argument whatsoever. Then I promised her and myself that none of us would ever tell you the truth until the time was right, which was now.
"Several years went by and I received word that Soul Society had given up on the search for me. This was when I had removed the wrist band from you and was relieved that we would be able to live like a normal family again. When Karin and Yuzu were born, Karin had some reiatsu and Yuzu had very little, but none of them had enough to cause a disturbance.
"However, at around the time of your mother's death, I was powerless to protect her because of my sacrifice and she gave her life protecting you. After all, it was our promise at the time of your birth to protect you no matter what. When I received word of her death, I wept for many nights and I couldn't sleep. Sometimes I felt foolish for ever giving up my shinigami powers in order to be with her, but I also knew that Soul Society would never allow it. They kept tabs on me ever since I left to patrol Karakura."
It took a while for this story to sink in, but Ichigo was still very puzzled by the whole thing. So his father was protecting him the entire time? It was very difficult the fathom the entire situation.
"So that night when you came into my room and Rukia was there," he croaked slowly, trying to piece together the memories of when his father had told him that he could not see spirits and compare these memories to his father's story, "you are telling me that you actually saw her?"
Isshin nodded. "Yes, I saw her…although I didn't know that she was Rukia Kuchiki then. I had never seen a girl like her before, and I wanted to tease you for having a really gorgeous shinigami in your room." He chuckled. "But if I did that then I would blow away my secret, so I had to keep it on a down low."
"And that time when you told me that you couldn't see ghosts, that was a lie?" Ichigo asked slowly.
"Like I said, son," Isshin replied, "I had to keep things on a down low and not tell you what I was actually capable of."
"And that reiatsu that I had sensed that night," Ichigo inquired, "that was you?"
Isshin nodded. "Yes. Needless to say, I managed to avenge your mother's death when that ugly-ass Grand Fisher came back. He was looking for you and had attacked Kon when he was in your body…"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ichigo interrupted. "How long have you known about Kon?"
"Since the beginning," Isshin replied. "I have been aware that you were keeping a mod soul in a stuffed lion and only bringing him out when you went on your hollow missions."
Ichigo did not say anything. He was still confused and angry at his father to continue, but he knew that if he lashed out even more then it would scar his son even more.
Isshin sighed as he turned to leave the room, but he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "I know that you're pissed off at me right now, and yes, I deserve it for the lies that I've held from you and the failure to protect my wife. But I just want to say this one thing: the reason why I joined this war was to make up for that, even if it meant showing you who I really am. Get some sleep, son, and I will see you soon." With that, he stepped out of the medical room and quietly shut the door.
Ryuichi flung his arms around his father's arm and held on tightly, not wanting to let go. Ichigo softened his eyes and pulled his infant son into a tight hug. "I love you, Ryuichi," he whispered, "I'm sorry for being angry like that. From now on…I will promise you…that I would always protect you no matter what. I'm never letting you out of my sight again…until you're older that is."
He loosened his hug and smiled as his son curled up beside him. Ichigo grabbed a pillow from beside him, did his best to lower it to his son's level and gently rested his son's weary head onto the soft surface. Ryuichi sucked his thumb as he closed his eyes, feeling the gentle touch of his father's fingers as they smoothed his hair. His eyes slowly closed as he too drifted off to sleep.
Isshin sighed as he walked down the hallway in the Fourth Division Barracks. It broke his heart to realize how much his son hated him right now.
Aside from that, he was very proud that his son had grown up so much.
From the moment he saw Aizen's severed arm landing on the ground, he knew that the being that was tearing the dark lord of Hueco Mundo to bits was his son in hollow form. He stood by and watched while his son was about to finish the battle, and it was not too long after Aizen left that he took it upon himself to carry his son off of the building so that he could get the treatment he deserved.
The hollow transformation took up a lot of energy, Isshin had found out. It was no wonder that his son collapsed from exhaustion. Now all what needs to happen is for Rukia to wake up from her coma and they can once again live as a peaceful, happy family.
As for Yuzu, her memories of Aizen were erased so that she could not break down anymore. It broke his heart to see her in therapy. The way she was hurt…it was way more than when Masaki was killed. Unohana had decided it would be best to erase her memories so that she would once again gain piece of mind, and Isshin agreed to her decision while he comforted his daughter nonstop.
He sighed once again as he turned around the corner. Soon, everything will be back to normal…for now.
As soon as he stepped out of the Fourth Division Barracks, Zaraki slammed right into him, knocking him to the ground with a grunt.
"What the hell were you doing in my way?!" Zaraki bellowed with a look of anger flaring in his eyes.
"Oh gee, sorry," Isshin mumbled almost sarcastically as he slowly got up.
"I'm looking for Ichigo Kurosaki," Zaraki demanded and Isshin froze at his son's name. "Where the hell is he?"
"What do you want with him?" Isshin inquired, glaring at the mad man with utmost hatred.
"I want to fucking kill him for interrupting my fight with that espada!" Zaraki replied, letting loose an aura of reiatsu as his fists grew white from tightening them.
Isshin growled. "I don't think so. My son is recovering right now, and he is not in the condition to fight with you right now. Good day."
He marched past Zaraki, who blocked Isshin's way. "You're his father?!" Then he let a wide smirk spread on his face as he wielded his zampakutou. "Hehe, this sounds like fun then! Let's go fight, shall we?"
"I'm not in the mood," Isshin replied calmly, giving the other man a death glare. "Get out of my way."
"You're just as cocky as your son, aren't you? Like father like son. Let's fight now, Kurosaki!" Zaraki persisted as he held his zampakutou in front of his face.
Isshin sighed impatiently and wielded his zampakutou. "You're really starting to piss me off."
That was when they were interrupted by a couple of younger voices, one of which belonged to Yachiru. "Stop, Ken-chan!"
"Yea, stop! There can't be any fighting amongst shinigami here!" Hanatarou added.
Zaraki's eyes widened as he saw Yachiru. "Yachiru! Where the hell have you been?! Don't tell me you have been with this scrawny brat?!"
"He's not a scrawny brat!" Yachiru contradicted. "In case you want to know, Kenny, I decided to see Hana-kun because we are best friends. I don't care if he's weak or not, but I really like him and he likes me! Besides, you're not my daddy so stop protecting me like I'm your daughter!"
Zaraki sighed heavily and calmed down. "I still don't get why you would be with someone as weak as him."
"Because I love him!" Yachiru blurted out without thinking twice. Isshin and Hanatarou stared at her in disbelief. Zaraki stared at her not only in disbelief as well but also shock.
"Ya-Yachiru-chan?" Hanatarou stammered as he gawked at his friend, wide-eyed. There were tears filling her eyes in anger.
Isshin could somehow tell that there was something going on between the two. The way Yachiru was standing up for Hanatarou, the way Hanatarou was blushing at her – there was no denying that there was something there. But Yachiru…Yachiru was nothing more than a very young girl. How could it be that she loved Hanatarou?
"Well…I…" Zaraki started but he could not finish because he was too shocked to say anything.
"I love Hana-kun," Yachiru repeated as she flung her arms around Hanatarou's waste, tears falling from her eyes. "I may be little, but I know what love is because Hana-kun tried to show me what it is. I wanna be with Hana-kun forever and ever and there's nothing you can do about it, Kenny!" A light, pink aura surrounded her as she sobbed.
Zaraki had no choice but to back down. If this was what Yachiru wanted, then he had no other choice. "Fine then," he croaked, still in shock by what his little companion had told him, "if you love him then so be it. I'll get going then." He marched off and out of sight.
Isshin stared after him, unsure of what to think about the situation and stared back at Yachiru and Hanatarou, who was wrapping his arms around his friend to comfort her. Yachiru rested her head against Hanatarou's chest, tears still running down her face. All what Isshin had to do was smile at the couple for he realized that Yachiru had guts to stand up to her own captain like that.
"Good luck, you two," he said as he walked off the grounds, leaving the couple in their embrace.
Ichigo's recovery lasted for about two days before he could finally have the strength to get up and walk. The first thing he did when he stood up from his bed was that he picked up Ryuichi and headed over to Rukia's room to check on her.
When Unohana came by to check on him during his recovery, he asked her what Rukia and Yuzu's conditions were. She explained to him that it took hours to heal Rukia's life-threatening injuries, but she assured him that Rukia will be fine once she gets out of her coma. The healer captain also explained to him that she had to erase Yuzu's memories of Aizen after a couple therapy sessions because they were really taking a toll on the girl. Even though it was really hard for Ichigo to hear such news, his worries were slightly comforted by the fact that they would be all right.
Ichigo walked down the hallway with a fussing Ryuichi in his arms, trying to figure out where his beloved would be.
It did not take long before he made it to her dim-lit room. Ryuichi whimpered as he buried his face in his father's chest while his father just stared at his comatose girlfriend lying still on her bed – an oxygen mask placed firmly on her face and the steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence of the room.
Her condition just made him want to cry for her, but he could not bring himself to do so. Instead he placed a comforting hand on his son's head and sat down on a nearby chair, staring at his beloved girlfriend with longing and hope in his eyes.
"Onii-chan?" Yuzu's voice was heard behind him and Ichigo shut his eyes for a while. "Hi Yuzu," he trailed off as he re-opened them.
"I'm really sorry for what happened," Yuzu said as she rubbed her brother's back in comfort. She smiled sadly and reassuringly. "She will wake up soon though."
Ichigo shut his eyes once again for a few seconds as he sighed. "Yea."
"How's Ryuichi-kun doing?" She asked as she peered around him to see the infant in his arms.
"He doesn't want me to leave him," Ichigo replied as he held his son tighter. "He really missed me, and I am not going to leave him or have him out of my sight again."
Ryuichi stirred in the comfort of his father's arms, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Yuzu brushed a hand through his orange hair. "He's about ready to fall asleep," she noted.
Ichigo sighed. "Yea," he whispered, not taking his eyes off Rukia for even a moment. "You all right, yourself, Yuzu?"
Yuzu nodded. "Yea, I don't know what I'm doing here though. Unohana-san told me that I was brought here under some kind of circumstances. She said I was captured or something; I don't really remember what she told me."
Ichigo remembered what the healer captain had told him.
"Her memories of Aizen were erased," Unohana told him. "It was the best I could do to ease her agony for what she had done. She was in so much pain, Ichigo. You would not believe just how much she was breaking down. It broke your father's and my heart to see her like that."
Ichigo growled as she mentioned his father. He was still pissed off at him for lying to him about his true identity.
Unohana noticed this. "He told you, didn't he?"
"I don't want to talk about it," he snapped, not breaking out of his cold hard gaze for even a moment. "He lied to me and I will never forgive him. I don't care if it was to protect me; I'll still never forgive him."
Unohana sighed. It was completely understandable for the young man to not forgive his own father for what he had done, but even if she were in his father's position she would do the same thing to protect her own child.
"Onii-chan?" Yuzu asked while snapping her brother from his thoughts.
Ichigo turned around slightly to face her. "Sorry. Yea, you were captured by the enemy but we rescued you. Your memories of the person had been erased so that you would not feel any more pain and you would go on happily like you used to."
Yuzu took a moment to absorb this information and nodded in understanding. "I see, and you rescued me?"
Ichigo smiled slightly. "Yea."
As expected, his sister wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Thank you, Onii-chan. I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me."
Since Ichigo's arms were occupied holding his son, all what he could do was close his eyes for a moment while still smiling slightly. "Yea, it's an older brother's job to protect his siblings. You don't have to thank me, Yuzu. I am going to protect you as much as possible."
Yuzu nodded and stopped hugging her brother. "Well, I'll leave you alone with Rukia-nii. See you later, Onii-chan."
Ichigo frowned as he continued to stare at his girlfriend. "Yea…later, Yuzu."
She walked out of the room to leave her older brother to his thoughts.
Ichigo pushed his chair as close to the bed as he could without waking his now sleeping son and gently placed his son by his mother's side, ensuring that he was warm and comfortable. "I love you, Rukia," he whispered as he kissed her forehead tenderly, feeling tears form in his eyes. "Please wake up soon. Your son needs you…I need you."
He managed to rest his head next to hers, taking in her sweet scent and brushing her cheeks lightly with his soft fingers. "I love you, Rukia," he repeated as he drifted off to sleep beside her, allowing the tears to roll down his cheeks.
Later that week, a group of shinigami stood around a memorial stone not too far from the captains' barracks. Hinamori knelt in front of the stone, weeping for her loss while Matsumoto, with her arm in a sling and back covered with a brace; Hisagi, with his arms around his girlfriend in a loving embrace; and Renji stood around her.
Not too long before, a new name was chiselled onto the memorial stone in memory of a certain lieutenant who gave his life for his friend while fighting his captain: Kira Izuru. Ever since the memorial ritual, his closest friends gathered to pay their last respects. Sometimes Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Awasegawa joined them, and they would drink sake in his memory.
When the third division had found out what happened to their beloved lieutenant, they flew into an outrage. How could their own captain murder their own lieutenant, who had been struggling to keep order in their division? If misery was what the Third Division was all about, then it was far from miserable. They were losing hope to who would be their next leader.
Most of the captains of the Gotei 13 had agreed to who would replace Gin for they had recommended Renji because of how he had handled the former captain. The ceremony would not happen for about a week or so, and Renji was more than happy to continue what his best friend had started.
Today was no different from the other days, and while Renji, Hisagi, and Matsumoto sipped their sake in their friend's memory, Hinamori knelt and wept her heart out for the man who had loved her. The three comforted Hinamori the best they could for none of them liked to see her this way.
Standing not too far away from them was Hitsugaya. He too had come to pay his last respects after finding out what happened. It was all he could do for what Kira had done for his lieutenant who was almost like a mother to him.
Even though Hinamori had hurt him to no end, he could not bring himself to be mad at her. It was not the best thing to do when she was beyond hurting for what happened to her late boyfriend. Hitsugaya sighed as he realized that he could never love her the same way Kira loved her. He knew that they were never meant to be, so he made a promise to himself to love Karin the way he was meant to be and not be so cold with her.
Ichigo, who just happened to be out for a walk that day, stopped at the memorial stone next to Hitsugaya. "So this is the updated memorial cenotaph, isn't it?" he asked, watching Hinamori cry her eyes out with slight sympathy even though he remembered what she told him back in the chat room.
"Yea," Hitsugaya replied, "you heard what happened, right?"
"I haven't."
Hitsugaya sighed. "Kira Izuru was killed while trying to fight Gin off. He was trying to make amends with Matsumoto who just happened to be injured thanks to that bastard. He was avenged though."
Ichigo averted his eyes to the small captain next to him in interest to show that he was waiting to hear more of his explanation. "By whom?" He inquired.
Taking in another sigh, Hitsugaya answered, "Renji. Gin wasn't killed though because of the negacion that took him away, but Renji injured him to the point where he was just an inch away from death."
"I heard a rumour that Renji might be promoted to captain," Ichigo said, remembering what he had overheard while he was staying at the Fourth Division Barracks.
"Yea," Hitsugaya replied, "it's true. The other captains realized that since Renji gave a huge blow to Gin, they felt that he deserved the title. The orientation ceremony is in about a week."
Ichigo smirked for he was happy for his friend but frowned as he stepped over to the group a few feet over.
Renji noticed him coming. "Hey Ichigo. Why aren't you with Rukia?"
"I decided to go for a bit of a walk," Ichigo replied. "Ryuichi is asleep next to his mother and Unohana-san suggested to me that it would be good to stretch my legs for a bit. I…I'm sorry to hear about Kira-san."
Renji sighed heavily as he continued to watch Hinamori mourn her loss.
"Congrats on the promotion too," Ichigo continued, only earning a slight nod of thanks from his friend.
Hinamori, who had heard Ichigo's voice behind her, stopped crying and stood up, turning to the substitute shinigami. "Ichigo-kun," she whispered, wiping her tears away. Ichigo just stared at her. Hinamori averted her eyes to her feet, trying to find her words.
"What?" Ichigo asked, not taking his eyes off her.
Taking a deep breath, Hinamori looked into Ichigo's eyes while she spoke. "I'm really sorry."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow in question.
"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I was such a bitch to you back in the chat room, and somehow I had felt that this was karma for what I had done even though Izuru had told me otherwise. I feel really horrible for the things I've said to you and your sister. I will do anything…anything to make up for what I have done."
Ichigo's eyes softened. He knew that she was going through difficult times even though what she said to him, his sister, Hitsugaya, and everyone else was uncalled for. Maybe what happened with Kira opened her eyes? Or could she have regretted it beforehand? Either way, he knew that she was sorry for what she had done, and there was nothing he could do but forgive her.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "I understand that you were going through a lot of difficult ordeals, so don't worry about it. Just be strong, okay? Not only for Kira-san but also for yourself."
Determination shone in Hinamori's eyes as she smiled sadly. "I'll do that. Thanks Kurosaki-kun."
"Call me Ichigo. No need for honorifics," Ichigo said and Hinamori nodded.
She turned around to face the memorial stone once again and knelt before it, pressing her forehead against the cold granite. "I love you, Izuru," she whispered, "and I will be happy for you. Maybe I should take it easy and have myself demoted from lieutenant. It's too stressful. I don't need anymore stress and horrible memories weighing me down anymore. Rest in peace, Izuru, and I will always love you." She pressed her lips against the granite surface in a gentle kiss and stood up, turning to her friends.
Using her good arm, Matsumoto pulled her friend in for a hug. "You sure you're going to be okay, Hinamori?" she asked.
Hinamori nodded. "Yea. Thanks for putting up with me, Matsumoto."
Her friend beamed. "Then maybe we should take you out for the evening." She turned to Hisagi, Renji, Ichigo, and Hitsugaya. "You guys want to come?"
While Renji and Hisagi nodded, Ichigo and Hitsugaya shook their heads. "I would love to, but I need to check on Rukia to see if she's all right," Ichigo replied. "I just don't feel like it," Hitsugaya added, "but if you want to go that's fine with me. I'll see how the Tenth Division is holding up."
"Aww, Taichou, you're so uptight!" Matsumoto whined. "Come have some fun for once!"
Hitsugaya twitched. "Your idea of fun isn't my cup of tea, and you're lucky that I'm letting you have fun with your friends instead of giving you paperwork."
Hisagi smirked as he wrapped an arm around his girlfriend tightly. "Well, don't worry about her, Hitsugaya-Taichou. I will take good care of her."
"Of course," Hitsugaya replied. "We will see you soon."
While Hinamori, Hisagi, Renji, and Matsumoto headed towards the nearest bar, Ichigo and Hitsugaya walked up the lengthy flight of stone steps in silence. That was until Hitsugaya spoke up. "When do you think you will be heading back to the World of the Living?"
"Whenever Rukia wakes up," Ichigo trailed off worriedly, "Why?"
Hitsugaya turned his head to the side. "Oh, I just want to know because I'm thinking about going to the World of the Living too to see Karin."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "How did she take it when she heard that you were going to fight in this war?"
"Not too well," the diminutive captain trailed off, "she also didn't take it too kindly when your father decided to join either."
Ichigo scowled at the mention of his father. Hitsugaya noticed this.
"You found out, didn't you?"
"Yea."
"I see. I had a feeling that you wouldn't take it too kindly."
Ichigo sighed. "Yea well, I just don't know. Maybe I will forgive him eventually, but right now I need some time to cool off."
"Yea, I know what you mean."
They continued to walk in silence for the rest of the way up the stairs.
Once they reached the top, Hitsugaya raised one of his hands in a slight wave before walking in another direction. "See you later, Kurosaki."
"Yea, later," Ichigo replied as he walked towards the Fourth Division Barracks.
It did not take any longer than two weeks for Rukia to wake up from her coma, and Ichigo, Ryuichi, and sometimes Renji, Byakuya, and Yuzu were by her side the whole time. This time, of course, Ichigo was alone in the room with her while Ryuichi was playing with his aunt.
He was fast asleep by her side when she stirred and groaned in her sleep. Her eyes opened slightly just to see her beloved Ichigo asleep next to her, his hand in his. Smiling under her oxygen mask, she managed to tighten her grip on his hand to let him know that she was awake.
Immediately, Ichigo's eyes flew open just to see the beautiful azure eyes of his girlfriend staring back at him. "Rukia," he whispered as he held her tightly in his arms carefully, not wanting to let her go even for an instant.
He carefully removed the oxygen mask from her and she took a breath to make sure that she would not need it anymore. Then she smiled softly to her boyfriend and wrapped her arms around his waste. "Oh Ichigo," she whispered, "thank goodness you're alright."
"Thank goodness you're all right," Ichigo repeated, taking in the familiar scent of her. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Ichigo," she replied and pressed her lips against Ichigo's in a soft kiss. Ichigo returned the kiss with a little more passion as if he had spent a lifetime without kissing her. He could scarcely feel a couple of tears dripping from his eyes as he held her tightly, enjoying their reunion together.
Rukia stopped kissing her boyfriend and looked into his deep amber eyes. She wiped the tears that formed on his face gently. "Don't cry, Ichigo," she soothed, "you're making me want to cry too."
Ichigo held her hand in his, blushing a bit. "S-sorry, I'm just so happy that you're okay."
Rukia intertwined her fingers with Ichigo's. "By the way, where's our son?"
"He's with Yuzu. You want me to get him or…"
Rukia interrupted. "Yes please. That would be wonderful."
Ichigo nodded as he stood up. "Alright, I'll be right back." He quickly ran out of the room to leave Rukia to her thoughts.
She lay on her pillow and sighed while staring at the ceiling. It felt like eternity since I had last seen my son, even though it wasn't that long ago that he was taken from us. She frowned at the horrifying memory. I don't want him to be taken away from us again. I'm sure that Ichigo had promised this same thing, but I promise to protect him with my life, just like I had decided to protect Ichigo a long time ago.
She remembered what Ichigo had told her about how their son was with Yuzu and smiled slightly. So Yuzu's okay. I wonder how they managed to free her from Aizen's hypnosis, not to mention free her of the horrible memories of the things that Aizen had forced her to do.
At that moment, Ichigo and Yuzu came in with Ryuichi in the former's arms. Rukia beamed with excitement as Ichigo handed their son over to her.
Like what he had done back in Hueco Mundo when he saw his father, Ryuichi gave a happy squeal and whimpered in his mother's arms, happy to be reunited with her once again. Rukia sobbed with joy as she held her son tightly against her chest, smoothing his hair and kissing his forehead. Ichigo and Yuzu smiled as they watched this reunion.
"Oh Ryuichi," she whispered, tears rolling down her face, "Thank goodness you're all right. Mommy is not going to let you go and neither is daddy." She gave her boyfriend a hopeful smile, and he smirked in response and stepped forward to join in the reunion with his son and girlfriend.
Yuzu nearly cried herself while she watched her brother and his own newfound family. She knew that Rukia and he had yet to make it official, but there will be plenty of time for that. After all, Ichigo was still sixteen.
It did not take long until Rukia recovered her strength, and she, Ichigo, Urahara, Yoruichi, Isshin, Hitsugaya, Yuzu, and Renji gathered in front of the official Senkaimon for their departure into the World of the Living.
Hitsugaya and Renji had asked for permission to be visit the World of the Living for a bit, and knowing that they had a good enough reason to do so, Yamamoto Genryuu-Sai granted it and had their limiters placed onto them. The captain-commander had reminded Renji that he should be back in Soul Society within three days of his departure to receive his promotion. The same orders were given to Hitsugaya so that he would be there for Renji's orientation ceremony.
Grimmjow and Neliel, who had also been recovering at the Fourth Division Barracks, had gathered with them. Even though they were offered a place in Soul Society for their contributions to the war, they denied the offer. Since they were still espada, Grimmjow had explained that their place is in Hueco Mundo, even if they have to live as rogues, which was what they were both used to.
They were all surrounded by several captains and lieutenants who came to see them off.
"You sure you'll manage, Grimm?" Ichigo inquired with a teasing smirk.
Grimmjow just rolled his eyes. "You know damn well that I can survive anything, Kurosaki Ichigo. There ain't nothing you can say that's gonna change Neliel and my minds."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Yea, okay, if that's what you want to do." He softened his smirk into a gentle smile. "Take care of Neliel, will you?"
Grimmjow tightened his arm around Neliel's waste possessively. "Of course, I will. After all, at least she's happy right now with where she belongs."
Neliel smiled and placed a hand on her boyfriend's chest. "Of course I am," she replied. Then she looked up to Ichigo and Rukia. "Good luck with your son, you two."
Ichigo and Rukia smiled at the baby in the latter's arms, sucking his thumb and staring at the "strange-looking" people in front of him.
Grimmjow smirked. "You still sure he's gonna kick my ass someday, Ichigo?"
"Oh hell yes," Ichigo smirked and Grimmjow chuckled. "I'd like to see him try," he taunted.
"Well, once again, good luck with everything," Rukia said, "and thanks…for everything. We hope to see you soon."
Neliel and Grimmjow nodded. Grimmjow held up a finger and a tear formed behind them. With one final wave at the shinigami gathered in the area, they stepped through the garganta and disappeared once it closed.
Meanwhile, Renji and Byakuya were conversing not too far away. "You think you can manage without me, Taichou?" Renji asked.
"Yea, I will," Byakuya answered nonchalantly. "I can get a replacement easily. Just don't come running back asking for your old job back."
Renji grinned as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's all good anyway. I think I'm gonna like my new job as a captain, even if I have to be more responsible."
"Glad to hear it," Byakuya replied.
Soi Fon watched the men with keen interest. An unconscious blush rose in her cheeks as she stared at Byakuya – his perfect face, his long hair, his cold dark eyes. Even if she cursed herself for feeling such emotions, she could not bring herself to forget about the Kuchiki noble. Her heart pounded in her chest as she softened her eyes, fantasies of the object of her affection drifting across her mind like clouds. She could just imagine their lips slowly starting to touch each other in a passionate kiss in anticipation.
"Staring at Byakuya again, Soi Fon?" Yoruichi spoke from behind her former subordinate's shoulders, earning a startled squeal from the younger woman.
"Y-Yoruichi-sama…I mean san," Soi Fon stammered while she got a hold of herself. "Stop doing that!"
Yoruichi laughed while Soi Fon tried to tone down her embarrassed blushing, fuming at the older woman in front of her. "What's the matter, Soi Fon?" Yoruichi teased. "Did I interrupt a fantasy that you were having?"
Taking a deep breath, Soi Fon grumbled, "No…not exactly."
Yoruichi placed a hand on the other woman's shoulder, beaming with a taunting smile. "Oh Soi Fon, you still crack me up! But if that is what you believe that that's fine as well."
"Very well then," Soi Fon snapped as she regained her composure.
Yoruichi took her hand off her former subordinate's shoulder. "Well, I should probably head back with Urahara and others. Take care, Soi Fon!"
Soi Fon sighed for she hated how her former commander left like this, but she knew they would see each other again someday. "See you soon, Yoruichi-san."
Yoruichi rejoined her group and asked, "You guys ready to go?"
They all nodded. Ukitake placed a hand on Rukia's shoulder making her turn to face him. "I will miss you, Kuchiki. The entire Thirteenth Division will miss you. Please come back soon."
Rukia beamed at her former captain. "It has been a pleasure to with you, Ukitake-Taichou."
"It sure has been a pleasure to have you in my Division, Kuchiki." He turned to face Ichigo. "Take care of her, Kurosaki."
Ichigo nodded with a smile. "I'll do that, sir. After all, I love her very much."
Ukitake grinned and chuckled. "Yea. Well you two, take care!"
"You too, Ukitake-Taichou," Rukia replied. Then she and Ichigo walked towards the Senkaimon together, Ichigo's arm wrapped around Rukia's waste. They turned around to face the Gotei 13 one more time before the Japanese-style doors closed on them.
Tatsuki sat cross-legged at the small table in Urahara's shop, sipping a clay mug of tea. Across from her was Karin, who was staring off into space. They just had their first meeting, but there was nothing to talk about – not that they wanted to talk anyway.
That was until Karin broke the silence. "So what brings you over here?"
Tatsuki brought her attention to the younger girl and answered, "I wanted to get answers about this war that's going on. What about you?"
Karin sighed heavily. "Tessai-san was the only one who could look after me since my dad, Ichi-nii, and Hitsugaya are fighting."
Tatsuki set her mug of tea on a coaster on the table. "I see," she trailed off.
"Anyone you know who is fighting in the war?" Karin asked.
"Yea," Tatsuki replied. "Ichigo for one and…Renji."
"The red-haired guy?" Karin inquired and Tatsuki nodded.
That was when Jinta and Ururu burst into the room out of breath. "They're here!" Jinta announced, panting heavily.
Tatsuki and Karin stood up immediately. Tessai, who had overheard from the kitchen, came into the sitting room. "They're back?" he wanted to know.
Jinta nodded frantically, and he, Ururu, Tatsuki, Karin, and Tessai ran out towards the lot in front of the store. There, walking proudly out of a set of large double doors, were Ichigo, Rukia with Ryuichi in her arms, Yuzu, Hitsugaya, Renji, Urahara, Isshin, and Yoruichi.
"Toshirou!" Karin exclaimed as she ran into her boyfriend's arms. Hitsugaya wrapped his arms around his girlfriend's waste tightly. "Hey Karin."
She turned around to face Yuzu. "Yuzu! Thank goodness!"
"Hi Karin-chan," Yuzu waved with a smile.
While everyone was enjoying their reunion, Tatsuki and Renji stared at each other for a moment, not moving from their spots. Tatsuki slowly walked towards Renji as though she was unsure this was actually him.
"Renji…" she whispered, feeling tears brim in her eyes. Renji softened his eyes as he noticed this, but was unsure whether or not he should hold her after what happened prior to his departure for the war.
"Renji," Tatsuki repeated, "I'm really sorry about what happened before. I didn't mean what I said, and I was so stupid to have lost my cool like that. I…" Her blush darkened as she struggled to find the words to say.
Renji sighed and pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "This is new to you, I know. There's no need to apologize because I decided in my heart to forgive you once I returned, hence why I decided to come back here instead of staying in Soul Society. I knew that you didn't mean what you said about me cheating on you. I'm glad that you can understand me now."
Tatsuki let the tears fall down her face as she pressed her head against Renji's chest. "You won't be staying that long will you?"
"I'm only here for three days," Renji replied, "but I will come back to visit anytime I can. Either way, we will make this relationship work. I assure you, and if for some reason you happen to make your way to Soul Society, then we will be together forever." He parted from her for a while to gaze into her eyes and wipe her tears away. "But you have to promise me to not take the opportunity to recklessly throw your life away."
Tatsuki nodded, knowing full well what Renji was requesting from her. "I understand, and I will be strong for you, Renji. I promise you."
Renji smiled in satisfaction for her answer before leaning in to kiss her. Tatsuki returned the kiss just as passionately, happy to once again be back together with the man she had loved.
A few feet away, Ichigo and Rukia smiled at the reunited couple and then looked at each other. They knew that this was never the end, but only the beginning of more adventures to come.
Preview: Inherited Nightmares…
A brother and sister walked silently together down a marble road somewhere in Sereitei – their respective swords sheathed at their sides. They were among the newest recruits to the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13, who had just recently appointed a new captain and lieutenant, and they were anxious to meet their new leaders and start a new life within their respective division.
Suddenly, a blur nearly knocked them over. "Sorry!" The person shouted to them as he rounded the corner of the street.
The sister growled as her brother narrowed his eyes nonchalantly. "Stupid Ryuichi!" she hissed at her classmate. "Easy Ruby," her brother assured in his monotone voice.
Ruby sighed as she calmed down. She was always annoyed at the young, ambitious Kurosaki for his loudmouth and show-off attitude, but her brother, Jade, did not care about anything at all. He brushed everything off as non-existent and not worth his time, except for his sister of course.
"Let's go, Ruby," he suggested. "Our Division is waiting."
Well everyone! This is it! The last chapter of Incomplete Sorrows! The next thing that will come out now is the Epilogue/Bleach Chat Encore video, which will be out right after this video. I am quite behind in the videos to be honest, hehe, so I should catch up soon!
As for the next story, it takes place 15 years later and there will be some new characters involved. Two of these characters – Jade and Ruby Carlisle – were actually created by a friend of mine and after he suggested me to include them several times in my stories, I gave in and decided to work them into the story. They will also be in the story's sequel as well, which has yet to have a name.
The other character that is going to be involved here is Aiko, Ryuichi's sister, whom you will be introduced to in the Encore chat. She's going to have a big role in Inherited Nightmares and a much bigger role – in fact she's going to be the main character – in the sequel that follows that.
Like I had mentioned several times before unfortunately, there will not be a video version of Inherited Nightmares unless someone has a talent of drawing fan art. I would love to do it myself, but I'm not as good at drawing fan art as I used to be.
So anyway, I will try to have the video version of the last couple chapters of Incomplete Sorrows done as soon as the Naruto x Hinata/Ichigo x Rukia AMV is finished (it's almost done). I will also have the sequel of Diamond in the Rough, Nii-Sama Don't Preach (yes it's a songfic based on Papa Don't Preach by Madonna/Kelly Osbourne) done too.
Take care and please let me know what you think of this story!