Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach. Just Shizukesa, Takahiro, Emi and Hina.
Life
Life is a sparkling flower,
Flowing with colors from the rainbow of God,
Shinning with the rays of a summer sun,
But someday that flower must wither away.
(By: Jeremy Rogers)
What does that have to do anything? You'll find out. Now Read on!
My heart ached at the events that played out in front of me. I had long been tossed aside, along with Rukia who Grimmjow severely injured, and caused Ichigo to angrily engage in battle with him. I tried my best to wrap the wound though my shivering hands didn't quite make the task neat. Every once in a while I would sneak a peek at the fight. Apparently Grimmjaw had convinced Ichigo to release his Bankai form which I deducted immediately wasn't a good thing. I could sense confusion in his heart when he used it.
'He's fighting.'
'Nani?'
'He's fighting against his Hollow side. The side of him he fears, which will ultimately consume his heart and mind if he is not careful.'
'His...Hollow side...' I trailed in my thoughts not knowing what to do, so I ran after the constantly moving battle. As soon as the battle started it was obviously a one-sided victory for the Arrancar. I badly wanted to help Ichigo but many things hindered me from doing so.
'Seisatsu-san, is there any way I can help him?' I questioned continuing my sprint. She seemed to pause in her thoughts trying to find the right words. Even though she lied dormant within me, I could feel how unsure she felt.
'Yes.' Was my long awaited answer. Her stern image flashed in my mind but she also had a worried look upon her graceful features. Still I persisted.
'What do I do, Seisatsu-san? I'll do anything.'
'Any...thing?'
'Hai. As you know I love Ichigo with all my heart and would do anything for him. So, please, tell me what I can do to be of use to him.' Again she paused but this time concern was the evident emotion.
'Are you sure this is what you want? Even if it means...' Without hesitation I gave my answer. With a heavy sigh she told me what my only choice would be. I stopped just as the battle came to a standstill.
'So, you're going to go through with it?'
'Yeah.'
'So I guess it's true what they say.' She scoffed as the image of her walking away popped into my head. Suddenly we were surrounded by a black abyss that reminded me of the first time she had contacted me.
"Matte!" I called, she stopped and turned. I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I could tell she already knew what I wanted to express anyway, because she gave a sad knowing smile and shook her before walking away again.
Soon Our Hearts Will Be Connected.
'What is she going to do?'
I was thrown back into the reality of things just as Grimmjaw was beating the snot out of my boyfriend. I nearly screamed as Ichigo landed in the intersection, creating a huge crater but held my composure long enough to find my resolve.
"Get up, Strawberry-kun, get up." I chanted as he laid there. He struggled to stand and then fell to one knee, his sword arm limp, and his entire form sagged in exhaustion. He was breathing heavily and Grimmjaw was closing in fast. With closer inspection I could see he had his zanpakutou poised for a stab in the heart.
'NO!'
"STRAWBERRY-KUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Time Stopped
...Time stands still against our will,
Time is precious and generous,
Time is essential and preferential, and yet
Time waits for no one...
I remembered sitting there, in the cold, all alone. with the exception of my wolf. He licked my hand in a gesture to cease my cries but I persisted. I couldn't figure out why I had felt so abandoned that day. Like my life was suddenly ripped away from me in a matter of seconds, and the only solution I thought of was to let it out with tears.
That is…until I met him.
He was with his mother that day. I guess walking home from some martial arts class. His face was lit with a big smile that could make anyone feel...alive.
That's how I felt when he spoke to me. Alive, like I did have a purpose in this lonely world.
"Why are you crying?" he asked curiously. I lifted my head to see who would take the time to notice a lowly person like me, only to be met with beautiful brown eyes and unusual bright orange hair. At first I didn't know what to say. I was awed by his unique hair color and wondered how anyone didn't notice him in a middle of a crowd. The thought brought a small smile to my tear streaked face.
"What are you smiling at?" he huffed probably thinking I was laughing at his hair, which I was, but I didn't have the heart to tell him that.
"Your smile. It's so inviting." I answered with a close eyed smile not noticing his mother come up behind him.
"Who's your friend Ichigo?" My eyes snapped open and met the gaze of a beautiful woman. She had long brown/blonde hair and a kind smile. A smile I would picture my mother having, if I had one.
"I don't know I just met her." He answered plainly. They then turned to me.
"My name's Yamamoto Shizukesa." I mumbled shyly.
"Well, Shizukesa-chan, why are you out so late? Shouldn't you be home with your parents?" She questioned bending down to my sitting level. I looked away sadly, my bangs covering my eyes.
"I...I don't remember ever having parents." I replied, the tears falling down again. The next thing I knew was a soft hand wiping away my tears. Surprised I turned to the hands owner.
"Don't cry, Kesa-chan. Pretty girls shouldn't cry." he smiled. With that simple smile I was comforted. Like my whole universe had found its center. I didn't feel so broken.
"No parents? Well, we can't leave you out in the cold, so why don't you come home with us." Asked his mother. I couldn't believe what I had heard. They were just going to take me in after knowing me for only 5 minutes? At the prospect of living with them sent my heart into a racing fit.
"You would let me live with you?" She nodded. I gave her a big smile.
"Arigatou!"
"Ne, Kesa-chan, I'm Kurosaki Ichigo, and I'm happy you're going to be living with us." he said grabbing my hand and walking in the direction of what would be my new home.
"I'm happy too, Strawberry-kun." I said giggling at the nickname. He groaned.
"It means 'One Protector', not 'Strawberry'!" he corrected but I just didn't like calling him that.
"Hai...Strawberry-kun!" I laughed as he chased after me, Takahiro at our heels.
From then on Ichigo and I were almost always together. I was always the one to receive his best smiles and he would help me with everything. It seemed that after his mother died we seemed to drift a bit but still had that strong connection.
We never treated each other like siblings. It just didn't feel right, like our hearts were guiding us and knew what it wanted and it wasn't sibling love.
*Drip*
"Baka onna."
'I'm not stupid, just...in love.'
"KESA-SAMA!!" I moved my head toward the voice to see my best friend, although his figure was blurred.
'Takahiro.' I could barely feel the pain of the sword being ripped from my chest with my adrenaline at high levels. The one thing I did feel was my body falling into outstretched, yet trembling, arms.
"Why? Why did you..."
"It was...the one thing I could do...to feel...useful." I gasped deeply at the pain. The numbness fading quickly.
"What?"
"I felt utterly useless just watching from the sidelines. You know I don't like sitting out." I said at a sad attempt to cheer him up. Although my vision was blurred I could see tears welling up in his brown eyes. I smiled sadly lifting a shaky hand to wipe them away.
"Don't cry. I remember that I don't belong here anyway, but I have this feeling we'll see each other again."
"I don't understand. Why did you protect me from that attack?! It was meant for me NOT you and now you're dying because of it!"
"I won't be gone forever. They can't keep us apart."
"So you remember?" interjected Takahiro. I nodded keeping my gaze to my beloved.
"Strawberry-kun. I know...you don't understand but...I hope that you will. There is a note...in my desk at home...for you. Read it, it should...clear up...some things. And I also...need you to promise me something."
"Anything!" I smiled as he held my hand tighter in an effort to keep me there longer. I was losing consciousness fast and the rapid blood loss was not helping.
"Take care...of everyone...for me. And...Trust..in...yourself." With that last sentiment I faded into darkness and my body went limp. Then my body began to glow and fade into dust making its way to Soul Society. Even though my body was gone I could still hear a sad cry that would haunt my dreams.
"DON'T LEAVE ME SHIZUKESA!!!!!!!"
Segment of the poem Time by Dan Quiles (the poem in bold italics)
This is the end of the mini segment. I don't really like the ending, but I guess it'll do for now. Please tell me what you think!