A.N: And now for the next part! I hope you enjoy. Please review, I'd love to hear some feedback.
8 years ago
The huddled mass of people at the funeral that day were silent and few in number.
Isshin, his two daughters, and his son quietly stood and listened as Masaki was laid to rest.
The only sounds were that of the confused and faint hiccups of the girls as they cried.
A woman dressed in black was the only other guest. She spoke with the Priest and Isshin while the children comforted each other.
As if gliding, she came to them and kneeled. Her stark hair was vibrant like Ichigo's, and her smile was kind. Chocolate brown eyes offered a comforting gaze, though it seemed wrong somehow.
"Do not worry," she softly said, "everything will turn out alright."
That was the last they heard from their Aunt.
Present
Here she was, not a single day older. The haunting woman was smiling, lips crooked as if she were about to playfully pounce.
Ichigo felt cold fear in his bones- an unusual occurrence.
Finally she began to speak.
"I am certain you're probably wondering why I'm here."
His lips twitched, inaudible annoyance very much apparent.
"I can't tell you yet."
Fists clenched.
"However, I do bring good news! You shall get to meet your family. Are you not happy for such a thing? I have arranged a small party- since, you are a man now!"
No, he did not seem particularly happy. She still hadn't explained a thing!
"In due time, berry." The woman rolled her eyes at his anger, poking his chest.
The touch made him recoil instantly, the feeling like that of cold heat.
A laugh like the air itself echoed in his ears as she was suddenly behind him, stretching out the window. He flinched and turned, only to see her backside as she vanished from view.
It was then that a sudden sickening sensation took him to his knees- and in the moment it came, it was gone.
'If... I had my powers...'
He couldn't finish the thought.
The alarm rang for school.
Orihime's POV
A lot of things have happened in the past two years.
It has been an incredible experience; terrifying yet awe-inspiring.
Chad, Ishida, Kurosaki and I all remained friends.
We became stronger together, vowing to protect Kurosaki while his powers were...gone...
He notices when we leave suddenly.
The look in his eyes used to make me sad at first, but I understand his expression now.
Kurosaki loved to battle. I won't deny that.
He's bored with his life now... I can see it in his eyes as he changes sport teams every week.
I still care for him, but my anxiety has lessened. I'm stronger now, after all! Now I protect him everyday, and he knows it.
School comes and goes in a blur. A hollow only came around twice, and Ishida took care of them.
Kurosaki seemed shaken early today, but when Chad asked his face regained color and he shrugged it away.
Perhaps...
"Kurosaki, I really ...like you."
He chokes on air.
"...Eh? Me? In... Inoue... We're both so young... And... I hadn't even thought..."
Inwardly I giggled, nodding at him. I could see an emotional wall being thrown up around him. It was like Tatsuki said, he was skittish with such things! He had the same pale expression as this morning.
"...just give me time."
Satisfied, I offered a hug. He returned the gesture but he seemed lost in thought. Flustered now, I giggled. Darn it!... He must be stressed, and here I am throwing a wrench?
Oh, Orihime... Keep yourself together!
I waved and bid farewell, barely catching his "Good bye."
Ichigo's POV
One word described Inoue best, and it was ... Unpredictable.
On top of everything, she has...those feelings for me?
Now that's a word I'll always struggle with.
Passion, anger, joy, sadness... They're basic. I know them.
However, those... "Feelings"...they're untested waters.
I don't recognize it.
I don't know it.
In fact, the very idea of not knowing(and certainly I was presented with such anxiety with Tatsuki and Rukia) made me altogether feel like hiding under a fucking rock.
Then it hit me.
Wait.
That's a rock! No, wait...a man!?
"Oh... There you are, kid!"
This man had a beard to match Odin. It was unusual for the natives, his jet black hair only highlighted the piercing blue gaze.
Blue...eyes...
They glowed like Yumi's!
"Who are you?" I blurted instantly, anger flared at the memory of my Aunt's mysterious words.
His laugh boomed in my ears, triggering a flinch.
"Listen, kid. Yumi's a sucker for surprises, so I'll try and lay it straight. We're having a family reunion and she wants you there."
My eyes narrowed.
"Why not tell the old man too? Aren't Yuzu and Karin coming?"
The burly man shrugged.
"Nope. Just a few of us. We've been meaning to have one, but you were ...occupied."
He's implying it's my fault?
"And if I refuse to go?"
His expression shifted, and I suddenly felt the stark sense of being powerless.
"... You'll go."
And as soon as he had come, he walked from sight.