Chapter Eighteen
Recall…
The school day was going as usual. Students were on class break so they separated into groups to talk with one another. Ashido took Rukia aside to discuss what it was that she could remember about the mission she went on to rescue him.
"Do you remember anything Rukia," Ashido asked.
"What are you asking me," Rukia replied with her own question.
"The time before you came back for me in the Hueco Mundo, do you remember anything at all about that time," he asked.
"I can't even remember how I got to the Hueco Mundo much less anything before that time.
Ashido looked out into the distance composing his thoughts. For whatever reason, she had no idea what they'd gone through together leaving Hueco Mundo. Perhaps it was best that she couldn't remember anything.
"We can't be friends," he said suddenly, "I want to wish you the best as I take up this assignment anyway. I didn't know much about Ichigo before so I'll just hope that he's good to you."
"You say we can't be friends and give me no reason in the same breath," Rukia said.
"Is that such a problem," he asked.
"If I remember what happened…are you saying that somehow I'll feel differently about you," Rukia asked.
"No," he said turning to face her, "definitely not I'm sure of it now."
"Then all I can say is I wish you well…no we are friends don't make this into some sorry goodbye," Rukia said.
"Alright but I know that I'm not right for the human world. I don't fit that part of your life," Ashido said getting up.
"You're a terrible actor anyhow," Rukia said.
"Very true," he replied.
000
Ichigo watched as Ashido left Rukia's side. Meanwhile he was speaking with Tatsuki. It had been a while since he spoke with Tatsuki but she didn't seem as upset as she did in the past by his distance.
"The way you talk Ichigo it seems as if you're jealous Ashido became a captain," Tatsuki said.
"They are over there talking and I would be lying if I said I didn't think about what they are saying to each other. That guy just has a look about him that I don't like. The way he looks at Rukia I don't like," Ichigo said.
"So you recognize something in that look Ichigo. You might not be as dumb as everyone thinks after all," she said.
"You can get lost," Ichigo said.
"Make me," she said.
"You know I'm not going to fight you Tatsuki," he said.
"I know. I'd never catch up to you. You're much stronger than any of us. Do you know how irritating that is," she asked.
"Do you know how irritating it is that he is a Captain suddenly it's as if it came from nowhere," he said.
"Well it took him hundreds of years to do that Bankai level or whatever you guys call it. He doesn't sound all that impressive to me," she said.
"It sounds like someone has talked a lot," he said.
"Renji told me some things but I know I'm nowhere near your level anymore we left that behind so long ago," she said.
"You shouldn't worry about trying to beat me or whatever. Keep trying to get better at karate," he said.
"Yeah," she said.
000
Orihime was used to the presence of Arrancars, Shinigami and all types of humans with abilities. It had been years since everyone fought to bring her back from Hueco Mundo and so much had changed since that time. Ulquiorra did not have aspirations for fitting in with the humans and they couldn't see him anyhow. Orihime was sure he did want to be apart of this world or at the very least he wished to understand them a little better. The others all had a conection to Ichigo in someway. In the past some battled him and others befriended him.
In the 17 month gap that separated Ichigo from the classes of Hollows and Shinigami, Orihime's world was filled with all type of creature. Orihime studied her own ability further and advanced her skills. Urahara was also around to advise them if they had questions. For the most part Ichigo's friends carried on fighting Hollows in his absence.
Today as Orihime contemplated her situation with the Arrancars a group of Hollows attacked. Rangiku was in the area and easily defeated the Hollows. A soul wandered the area the source of the Hollow attraction. Rangiku was about to do her duties as a Shinigami but the woman got talkative and so they listened.
Orihime listened as the woman talked on about her life.
"I've lived a good life. Watched all the changes pass through my life. Technology, art, food and trends all wash like waves on the shore. But now as I contemplate these things now I am dead.
I think of him. It has been some time now fifty-eight years of living ticked off in seemingly no time at all. In those years I loved and lost and now leave behind a son as moody as he was. I can see him tear up reminding me so much of his father…my friend.
Tell me is it possible to find each other again?"
"It is not impossible," Orihime answered.
The time had ended and Rangiku produced her Zanpaku-tô.
000
A world away in a hospital a woman is being cared for.
Pink flower petals falling gently from the sky was the last thing she saw before waking in the hospital. The room was empty and cold as she expected. The empty bed beside her was made up neatly. She searched around for a while before closing her eyes once more.
Not tired she just needed to block out the bright white silence of the room. After a moment she heard voices. Was it an argument, she wondered as she opened her eyes once more. The door to her room opened and in walked a doctor in a lab coat. He promptly slid a card on the side of the door and turned towards her.
Someone knocked behind him but he ignored it. She couldn't see past the doctor but the knocking did stop shortly after.
"I haven't had a Jane Doe case in some time," the doctor spoke.
Jane Doe remained silent.
The doctor filled out a few boxes on a form and left the woman in the care of nurses once more making small talk as he left.