A/N: Yeah, its rather depressing right? Anyway please review, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this new piece. I should have chapter two up in a few hours. If not then the next few days. Hopefully I won't get too busy to finish this. I've decided to go to college, online, and have a few interview questions to focus on. Anyway enough from me, review and follow please :) ~EirSensei
A/N Update Sept 11, 2015: I never realized the weirdness of this chapter's format. Here's a cleaner easier to read version. After reviewing this story, I might take it up again. Until I get my creative juices fully flowing again on this story it will be labelled as complete.
Chapter Two
"You know him the best, Rukia. Where do you suggest his soul would be attached to?" Byakuya looked at his sister. He would never show it, but he was rather concerned since her best friend was now wandering the living world as a lost soul.
"There are a few places we should check, though one is probably covered already. His house, the school, then his mother's grave maybe?" Rukia replied quietly. She wasn't ready to grieve yet. AS soon as she saw the orange head, she would lay a few on him for being stupid and dying, and for playing hide and seek as soul. Seriously, will he ever be capable of doing things properly?
The Kuchiki's searched the likely places Ichigo might be. None of the suggestions proved fruitful and they eventually stopped to rest after a few hours of searching other areas. Standing atop a taller building Rukia surveyed the lightening sky. The night was ending, and still no sign of Ichigo. She sighed as she lowered her gaze to the city and admired the way the light landed on the river.
"Of course!" She suddenly exclaimed. "Why didn't I think of it before?"
Byakuya looked at his sister one brow raised. "Have you thought of a place he might be?"
"The river bed. Where his mother died. That's the one thing he was never able to forgive himself for, his inability to protect his mother." She jumped off the building and shunpoed to the river bank, Byakuya close behind.
Ichigo wandered around the river bank. What was he doing here? He was on his way to save that girl by the river's edge. Where did she go? It was raining just now...wasn't it? That couldn't be, cause now it was early morning and the skies were clear. Where did his mother go? She had been walking him home, and was standing just there when he ran for the girl, but now nowhere to be found. An image flashed through his mind. A brief memory of his mother lying over him, much too still. His eyes widened. She couldn't be gone. He had protected her...right? Did he fail? "Mother, where are you?" He whispered beginning to panic.
He squatted and ran his hands through his hair as the confusion continued. He then noticed his hands, his body. He was nine, wasn't he? Why was his body that of a teenager? Brief images flitted by again, images of his life. Enough to tell him he was no longer nine. No, he was older, but why couldn't he remember her? What happened that rainy day?
He looked down at the ground still trying to process what was going on. His eyes immediately locked onto is chest. A huge chain hung from it. "What the hell?" Even more confused than before he tugged at the chain. It didn't move. In fact pulling on it made him dizzy. Ichigo stood and started pacing.
So focused he was on trying to figure out everything that he didn't notice the two figures in black approaching him. A nostalgic voice called out. "Ichigo, we found you." He looked toward the owner of the voice and saw a small woman, and a tall man walking toward him. Seeing her stirred a few vague images forward. She knew him.
"You know me." Ichigo stated cautiously. "You do don't you? Why am I here? Why isn't my mother here? I remember it was raining...but it's not now. I know its been years since that day, but I don't remember what happened. Do you know why everything is so confusing?" Ichigo's voice slowly became more hysterical as he spoke.
Concern washed over Rukia's face as she realized Ichigo hardly remembered anything. "Ichigo," she said softly, wanting to comfort her friend. "It's me, Rukia. We've been friends for over two years, remember? I gave you my shinigami powers so you could protect your family. Which you did. And as those powers became your own, you ended up protecting more than just your family. You protected this town from anything that threatened it. And you continued protecting, which is why you are here now. You died, protecting a little girl you didn't even know." Rukia stopped and looked at her friend, trying to gauge his reaction to her words.
"I remember bits, its still so hazy though. I know your face. I can't remember it all yet, it's slowly coming back, too slow. I do remember the crash now, but if I died as you said I did why am I still here? Shouldn't I be headed to an afterlife like heaven?"
"That's why we're here, Ichigo. Once you fully remember, you'll understand more clearly. Brother and I are Shinigami. We find the souls from those who died, the ones who are still attached to this world by regrets and strong wishes. Then we send them to Soul Society where they find peace. Right now, you're still here because you still regret that day you couldn't protect her." He voice tapered to a whisper, knowing how painful her words would be to her friend.
"She's gone then." Ichigo's brows furrowed trying to process her words. Then the memories crashed into place. The rain, running toward the girl. Then waking up to his mother's still form. He had failed that night. The girl was gone and his mother died protecting him who was supposed to protect. Tears ran freely as he remembered that tragic night. As the memories from that night fell into place, so did the rest, causing Ichigo to wince in pain as seventeen years of memories rushed forward. "I-I remember it all. That night, the rest of my life till now. I know it was a hollow that killed her, yet I never did stop blaming myself. I just got better at hiding it. I'm so sorry, Mother, for forgetting, and for not being strong enough to save you." Rukia stepped forward to console her friend when a hand on her should stopped her.
"Call his father over, Rukia. He wanted to know when we found him." He told her before he looked toward the weeping soul before him. "Kurosaki Ichigo. Your mother would not be happy if she knew how you treated her sacrifice. It was her choice to protect you, and nothing will ever change that fact. You were her precious son, do not throw away her love for you so easily. If she hadn't protected you that night, you would not be here, and neither would half of this world be. Your family would have died that night you met Rukia, Aizen would have taken over the worlds as king and destruction would reign. This world has avoided many tragedies because of her decision to protect you who grew strong enough to protect the world. Do not wish for another outcome Kurosaki Ichigo, because any other would not have brought this peace we are now in. Honor her memory, her sacrifice, and be at peace."
Ichigo looked at Byakuya, his gaze slowly filling with admiration. "Thank you, Byakuya." He stood a little straighter than before. "Do you think that maybe we could be friends the next time round? You won't admit it, but you always seem to know what to say to encourage me. That and I've always admired you the most... Captain Kuchiki."
A small smile graced the nobles lips before disappearing again. "I do not know what you are talking about. I don't think it would be very honorable to turn down an offer of friendship, therefore I accept, Ichigo." Ichigo beamed at the use of his first name for once.
"Anyway, shouldn't one of you be sending me over?" Ichigo asked realizing that the two didn't seem to be about to perform a konso.
"Your father wished to be present before we send you off. He wanted to see you one last time. We're waiting for him to arrive." Rukia replied.
"After he speaks what he needs to, I will perform the konso." Ichigo looked surprised at the noble's statement, before nodding in agreement.
"I'm honored, Byakuya. Thank you again."