Chapter Twenty-six
Welcome Back…
Yuzu and Karin were high school graduates. From this moment they would be entering the "real world." They would go to college, get married or whatever they chose to do. Maybe they would move away to another city or travel the world.
At twenty-two Ichigo had his degree. He was on the path he always thought he would be as far as school was concerned. In his memory he didn't dare think that he'd be able to marry Rukia. Rukia was his impossible dream.
Rukia spent her time here in the world of the living by his side. She took classes with him in college. Partied with him during spring break and was engaged to him after graduation. They were best friends all over again even though they remembered nothing. This wasn't lost on Ichigo it made him even more confident they belonged.
Together the family made its way downstairs as Ichigo entered the quiet clinic. He was grateful that nothing much changed about the place. A banner hung on the wall above his mother's giant poster declaring:
WELCOME HOME ICHIGO & RUKIA
With a giant smiley face painted at the end it was a welcome for Ichigo who didn't know how much missed them until now.
As soon as he read it he instinctively ducked his father's greeting and nearly cried at the sight of his weeping sister Yuzu. Even Karin seemed a bit more emotional than in the past.
Rukia continued to stay back allowing the family to reunite smiling at the scene. She wasn't immune from the greetings as the family enthusiastically squeezed her as well.
The memories Ichigo would never get back were now stories his sisters poured out over dinner. As the laughter filled the house and the tears fell things started to feel right again. The guilt started to dissipate. They only cared about moving forward. No one blamed her or Ichigo for the lost years. They were only grateful to have them back.
000
After dinner and an evening of catching up, everyone began to trail off to their own rooms to go to sleep. Isshin stood in the doorway of Ichigo's room.
"Come on in," Ichigo said.
"So I take it I really have a third daughter now," Isshin asked spinning around in the desk chair.
"You noticed I'm impressed," Ichigo said sitting on his bed.
"Of course I noticed," Isshin said.
"You left everything the same," Ichigo said looking around.
"Shinigami remember what they are and what that entails. If you had left this world I would have known about it. I would have known Ichigo," Isshin said.
"We haven't had time to really process everything," Ichigo said.
"What are you surprised no one has mentioned it…we all sort of expected it to happen sooner or later," Isshin said thumping him on the back.
"Just what do you think I'm talking about dad," Ichigo said.
"Oh you were talking about getting married…well we expected that too. Daddy's so proud you're finally a part of the manly men's club," Isshin said.
Ichigo pushed the rolling chair away from his bed shaking his head.
"If you are the epitome of growing up into a manly man I'm in trouble," Ichigo sighed.
"Don't say things like that," Isshin said.
"Where did you think we were this whole time anyway," Ichigo asked. It was puzzling that no one could find them and they were in the same place for years.
"At some time we had to decide to move on. To go on living, we listed to all the theories but no one knew anything for sure," Isshin said.
"I lost nearly three years with you guys and I can't make it up," Ichigo said leaning against the window seal looking up at the sky.
"Never mind dwelling on the things you can't change. Go on in there and talk things out with Rukia. Say all the things that love songs say only better," Isshin said.
"You're still the same," Ichigo said grinning at how ridiculous his father could be.
"I guess I am," Isshin said standing up.
"We'll I'm actually happy about it," Ichigo smiled and sat up again.
"One more thing; you two are really married and all," Isshin asked.
"Yes," Ichigo said.
"She's not pregnant," Isshin asked.
"No!"
"Well go on and work on it then. I won't last forever to see grandchildren you know," Isshin said.
"What!"
"She's in Kon's room right. I'm sure she'd appreciate a visit by you," Isshin grinned.
"Kon has a room in this house…never mind. We are not talking about this," Ichigo said blood rushing to his face.
It didn't seem appropriate at all to even think about doing something in his twin bed under his parents' roof. Kon's room seemed even worse if possible. To think a plush lion had a room in his house was madness he came to expect from his life.
"We'll don't be such a prude about it-
"Not talking about it at all. Goodnight dad," Ichigo said on his feet pushing him out the door.
Ichigo heard a noise and promptly turned to find Rukia trying to sneak out the window. She had heard everything. His face turned an even brighter red.
Quickly recovering Ichigo asked, "Just where do you think you are going?"
"I'm caught," Rukia said smiling.
"You were going to stay in my closet and then what," Ichigo asked.
"We'll now that the surprise is known I guess I'll just sleep here," she grinned and jumped in the bed.
"So I'm stuck with the temptress and that filthy room of Kon's," Ichigo said.
"I'll be good," Rukia sang out.
"Keep it down you know my family eaves drops… come to think of it you're just as bad," Ichigo said.
"Bad," Rukia asked.
"Never mind I'm going goodnight," he turned to leave not sure why he had to leave in the first place but was determined nonetheless.
Rukia was suddenly in the doorway.
"Honestly Ichigo just come to bed," she said blocking his path.
Ichigo kissed her goodnight and moved her out of his way.
Rukia laughed. He was still the same Ichigo.
"I understand this is your parents' house," Rukia said pulling on his hand leading him back to his own bed, "but we've slept in this room together plenty of time. I promise to leave you alone now sweet dreams."
Rukia kissed him goodnight.
Was he a complete idiot or what?
000
Kisuke slid open the door and left his recent experiment. He quickly greeted Ichigo who apparently had some key information he wanted to share with about his time in Hawaii.
"We have something important to talk to you about. Amongst the Shinigami we feel we can trust you and Yoruichi," Ichigo stated.
"I'm flattered but how many times must I point out that I am not one of them," Kisuke said.
"Regardless you have connections and resources we may need," Ichigo continued.
"I have a feeling I know where this conversation is going but please do continue," Kisuke said.
"Rukia's sister Hisana was there in Hawaii. It was as if they grew up together all along," Ichigo said.
"You are awfully quiet Kuchiki-san," Kisuke glanced at Rukia who sat silently listening to the conversation.
"There isn't much to say. I now know the memories were false and that time is very difficult to think about," Rukia said.
"Indeed. I have looked into it," Kisuke said pausing as the surprise cleared from their faces, "I'll admit I'm still puzzled by what it is we do with this information. They are also going to rule on your long absence from the Seireitei soon so it's best not to rock the boat."
"I'll talk to Byakuya I'm sure-
"No I'll talk to Nii-sama while you investigate things here," Rukia said.
"Had we known we would have come for her too," Kisuke added.
Given the way they left if Mark and Pearl wanted to use Hisana as leverage they could do so. Rukia tried calling and asking friends about her but the contacts in Hawaii were strangely silent. She never got in contact with Hisana and couldn't help worrying. The people they are dealing with even knew of her sister and managed to find her in the World of the Living. These things were kept quiet in the reports to the Sereitei. Rukia wanted to be the one to speak to Byakuya about his wife and her sister.