Hello folks! And sorry for being such an asshole about this story. Being away so long even when you have faithfully been reviewing! Damn.
Anyways, after all I'm continuing the story as fast as possible. Been so crazy for some time for me so there wasn't even possibility to be writing. Well, shit happens.
Like always, my native language ain't English, nor do I have a beta reader so if there isn't any major mistakes I hope you enjoy your time.
"Hollow"
"Zangetsu"
"Thoughts"
Happy Spring for everyone.
War after the War chapter 22:
Getting a moment of free time, Ichigo decided to use it to "investigate" the rogue Soul Reapers. In other words, meeting up with them. He decided not to use the Hog's Head anymore, since it is way too popular with shady people, so they met near the infamous Shrieking Shack. Ichigo walked down the road from the Hogsmeade, knowing that it wasn't students' visiting weekend and none of the locals would come there.
When he stepped out of the woods to the area where old building was located, several heads turned at him. Dreadful, doubting glares were shot at him. It seems that he still not in their favor. How badly Spirit Government had treated this guys? In Seritei, you could disappear and no one even bothered search for you…
"Good afternoon." Ichigo greeted politely, though he knew it was in vain.
"Why you called us here?" one of their "leaders" asked. He was an ex-lieutenant or a third seat: "Now you have your friends with you so you can arrest us?" The rogue reapers glanced around suspiciously. Ichigo frowned, sighing deeply. This was going to be tiring. How stupid these guys could be?
Flashback:
Ichigo was lifted in the air, and he struggled to get free. He could feel several spiritual pressures rising.
"WHY ARE THEY HERE?" one of the staring people yelled, face hidden in the red lights: "Didn't you promise this was a safe place?!" Ichigo noticed how stares were turned at the shopkeeper. He only waved his hand: "No… The reason I brought him here was that I identified him as Spiritual Government's agent!"
"So you want us to lynch him?" a man asked with a gleeful smile. Ichigo grimaced, cutting their conversation: "You goddamn fucking IDIOTS!" his voice hollified at the end.
People around him fell silent and the owner turned at him: "What did you say?"
"I said that you are one goddamn idiots." Ichigo said calmly: "Do you think I would have come here if I wanted to assault you? I don't think so. And here I thought you would be smart one, Dave", Ichigo spat almost mockingly, not noticing black tendrils seeping into his eyes. The man's eyes narrowed and Dave inquired: "So why is Government's officer here if he isn't going to arrest us?" He nodded at the bouncer to let him down. The soul reaper fell on the floor and rubbed his sore neck before continuing: "I am here to ask your assistance."
Flashback ends:
"Of course not. Do you see anyone here? I just wanted to talk about some things."
"We don't trust you!" Man with similar hair with Sirius had, yelled: "You are lying! What if you are here to kill us like every other Captain before?! And yes, we know your 'War hero' identity! What if you slaughter us like Aizen?"
Ichigo scowled even harder. He hated repeating himself, and the fact that his temper was worse than ever, didn't help it. Like he wouldn't have better pass of the time than arguing with these idiots. Biting his lip, Ichigo repeated once more: "Yeah, it would be fun… Maybe I will do that? I have my sword set very sharply-edged which will treat you very gently. Wanna try?" he mocked: "I could kill you all without any help, thank you. Why would I bother assaulting you?" Ichigo smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"And now, if we can get to business", he continued with cold tone when others just snarled at him: "Did you know that Spirit Government is looking for you?" there was a silence after that sentence and after few anxious glances someone asked: "Are you sure? When? Why?"
"I don't know. What did you do to attract their attention?" Ichigo growled. Nothing was going like he wanted: "I thought that you wanted to stay hidden. Fine. Stay hidden. But don't start screwing up immediately when I choose to cooperate!" he spat.
"We haven't done anything wrong!" yelled their leader: "It was you who made us to do this job!"
"I didn't force you", Ichigo said, smiling horribly: "I just said that if you happen to know what Voldemort is doing, maybe the SG won't hear where you are. Just guessing." he got even more hateful looks if possible. It was true that they wouldn't have ever done anything this visible, since they were hiding. But to be discovered this early? Ichigo shook his head in disapproval. He wouldn't take anyone this weak in his division.
Making a mental note to check his current division, he said: "Anyways, it's your problem. Have you been able to meet Voldemort?" he asked, taking military stance he had gotten used to use when questioning subordinates.
How disappointing. Ichigo frowned as the rogue Shinigami finished telling him about the Dark Lord's antics.
After discovering that implant in to his mind, Ichigo had expected something cleverer than this from almighty Dark Lord. But really? He was just hiding in another place, surrounded his minions and waiting. Could that be true? Maybe it was just a decoy this time as well? Maybe Voldemort was aware that he was under surveillance? Ichigo sighed deeply, not satisfied to information he got.
"Are you finished?" he asked after the deserters went silent: "According to that information, I believe you haven't gotten in to his inner circle yet?"
Group glanced each other before shaking their heads and looking back to Ichigo.
"I thought so. What if you take me to that idiot, so I can get things straight?" Ichigo pursed his lips, new plan forming in his mind.
Harry was nervous. It was time for his first private class with Dumbledore. Ron and Hermione said they would wait for him, but it didn't make Harry feel any better. The fact that last year Dumbledore had treated him badly, still bothered him. Why didn't he look him in the eyes? Harry had a feeling that Headmaster would tell him why.
He left the Common room, heading towards the Headmaster's office. After long, dark corridors, he was surprised to meet Ichigo in the front of stone statue. He nodded at Harry: "Good evening. Going to lessons?"
Harry nodded: "Yes I am, Dumbledore's in fact. What are you doing here?"
"Figuring out what the password is…" Ichigo scratched his head, embarrassed: "I don't know it."
Harry opened his mouth, just to realize he didn't know it either. After thinking a while, the Soul Reaper chuckled: "Going to catch some flies, Harry?" the black haired boy quickly closed his mouth.
"I don't know either. I thought I had lessons with Dumbledore", Harry frowned: "Am I wrong? Why are you here? Do you have an appointment?"
Ichigo scowled as well, it was rare sight in these days.
"Headmaster wished me to… Attend to some of the classes. This was one of them."
"I see…"
They stood in silence, not knowing what to do.
"Ichigo, feel the statue." his zanpakuto said mysteriously. In the old times, Ichigo wouldn't have known what he meant, but now, he knew his zanpakuto well. "I see, so it's similar to binding kido. You just need to find out the right breaking points. Password acts as a main breaking point, but we need to use an alternative way."
Ichigo concentrated his reiatsu into small area, feeling statue's spiritual chains and codes. With a quick examination, he figured out the code, smiling triumphantly.
"Got it."
Statue came to life, and stairs appeared. Harry gaped at Ichigo: "What did you do?"
"I just figured out the breaking points of the spell. It's not really that hard if you can feel spiritual pressures." Ichigo shrugged.
"Hah! Easy to say now! Couple decades earlier, you didn't even know what breaking point was!"
"Shut up."
Ichigo went first and knocked to office's door.
"Please, come in."
He opened the door, ignoring the usual leers from previous headmasters. Taking a chair he glared paintings silent before slumping on it. Harry nodded at Dumbledore before sitting next to the Ichigo who took his trademark scowl on and turned his amber eyes at Dumbledore.
"So…" headmaster started, breaking the silence: "I believe that you both are wondering what I have planned for these… classes."
Harry nodded.
"Now that you know what made Voldemort to try to kill you, it's time to give you some facts." Dumbledore said, referring to the prophecy they protected last year.
"I thought you told me everything in last spring." Harry frowned with blaming tone.
"Yes I did indeed, but now, we are going to abandon knowledge based on real facts. From now on, I can be wrong about everything."
"But you believe you are right?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but Harry, I have been proven to be able to be wrong like everybody else."
"Is it related to the prophecy?"
"Yes, these things are very strongly related to the prophecy." Dumbledore said with same tone like he was talking about weather. Ichigo huffed at headmaster's cryptic way of talking. Why couldn't he go straight to the point? The older man seemed to notice soul reaper's frustrated sigh and he continued: "Let's start the… Lesson. Now we are going to visit Bob Ogden's memories."
Dumbledore took the Pensieve and Ichigo lifted his eyebrow: "What's that? Some kind of teleportation system?"
Headmaster chuckled and shook his head: "No, no… It's a device where you can watch other people's memories." Ichigo blinked few times, staring at bowl emitting unknown reiatsu: "So it's like a television?"
"Yes, but not exactly. You will see." he dropped the memory into bowl. It looked like a silvery tress. "After you", he waved at Harry who took a deep breath and pushed his head in the silver liquid. Ichigo's eyes widened when Harry was absorbed into the bowl and his spiritual pressure was mixed with other one.
"How disgusting."
Dumbledore did the same, and Ichigo was left standing in the office, alone. He was hesitating, not wanting to touch that… fluid.
"Do I have to?" he shivered: "I am sure that Wizard doesn't' know this, but I get a feeling from that it feels like… A dead soul…"
"Basically it is, Ichigo. Didn't the headmaster say that it's a memory? Probably the owner has already died."
"You are right…" Ichigo coughed and squeezed his eyes shut before putting his head into the bowl.
Ichigo felt how he was lifted in the air, and he spun around darkness. After few seconds he was blinded by the sun. He lift a hand to cover his eyes and saw Harry and Dumbledore waiting him at a road, bordered by high fences made of brushwood. Sky was blue and he almost could feel the sun warming him.
"So this he meant when he said it's not exactly like a television." Ichigo snorted. "I should ask Urahara if he could make a TV like this."
"Not a good idea King! I don't want to be inside of your head if you are going to watch Grudge like this!" Ichigo could feel his hollow shiver. He laughed out loud remembering how Shiro was horrified when they watched that movie. Afterwards his hollow had attacked everyone with black hair. That behavior was stopped when he had accidentally cut Byakuya's hair while walking to Captain's meeting. Ichigo gulped, he hadn't ever seen those gray eyes with such fury. He could still see those black strands falling to the floor in slow-motion.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked and Ichigo turned slowly to look at him, trying to remember where he was. Right. In the bowl.
"Nothing. This place just reminded me about something."
"Liar! You are talking to voices you hear in your head!"
"And you seriously expect me to say that out loud?"
Ichigo glanced around and saw a short and sturdy man with thick glassed standing ahead of them. He was reading a wooden signpost. Ichigo pointed at the man, and Harry whispered: "He is most likely Ogden." Ichigo nodded as his eyes widened.
The man was wearing a combination of clothes what inexperienced wizards usually wore when they wanted to look like Muggles: In his case spats and a tailcoat on a swimsuit. Ichigo wanted to gag at the sight.
He didn't have time for that when the man started walking down the road. Harry, Ichigo and Dumbledore hurried after him. As they followed the man, Ichigo couldn't say he didn't enjoy the trip. The castle where he had been living past year, was so cold and dark that it didn't feel like a home at all, sadly.
It didn't take long before the man in the front of them took a sharp turn and disappeared in the woods. When Ichigo, Harry and Dumbledore got closer, they noticed a path. Trees were overgrown and it took a second to see a house behind them. No way in hell that house was inhabited. Moss had taken over the outer walls and roof, where almost half was missing. Just when Ichigo was sure there didn't live anybody, he saw a dim light flashing from the window. It seemed to startle the man they had been following.
Ichigo didn't feel comfortable since he couldn't feel spiritual pressures in the memory. He knew they couldn't be seen, but it made him feel anxious. They got closer the house when the man slipped inside. That was when he saw a snake nailed to the front door. What kind of people lived in here?
He let Albus and Harry to go in first and glanced the surroundings before stepping inside. View was a bit vague, like watching it through a dirty window. Of course, real owner of the memory was inside the building, and now this forest was only presumption how it probably looked like. Shrugging boringly, Ichigo decided to check what was going on inside.
First thing he saw was a man sitting in a rocking chair. The soul reaper thanked his luck about the fact that in a memory, you couldn't smell anything. This man had long, shaggy beard, much like Hagrid's, but dirtier. A lot dirtier. Ichigo wasn't sure if that man had actually thrown up and not bothered to clean up. Almost gagging he shifted his attention to man's other features. He had small, black eyes, like two cockroaches on the face. You could easily see madness shining from them.
Then there was another man. He didn't look much better, same beard, similar eyes… relation was obvious. This didn't help nervousness of the man who wore swimsuit with a tailcoat. What Ichigo picked up from their earlier discussion was that this man was from the Ministry, the owner of the memory, Bob Ogden.
Ogden was visiting a man called Marvolo Gaunt in order to summon his son Morfin to a hearing in connection with an attack on a Muggle. Interesting point was how this Muggle was named Tom Riddle Sr. Ichigo's eyes widened.
From the corner of the room was heard dragging sound, and there was one more person: A girl wearing dress same color as a wall behind her. Her eyes pointed different ways like her brothers. She looked a bit cleaner than others, but you seldom see so discouraged person.
"My daughter Merope." Gaunt said. Ogden greeted the girl who only glanced her father and kept moving pots on the stove.
"But let's get back to business", Ogden said, turning back to Marvolo: "Your son's hearing will be held in…" he couldn't finish the sentence before Marvolo growled: "What are you blabbering, you mudblood?!" he showed his hand and a huge, black ring shone in the darkness: "Do you know what this is?"
"I'm afraid I don't." Ogden frowned and Ichigo couldn't but praise Ogden's courage when he didn't flinch. Marvolo jumped up and grabbed his daughter: "Do you know what this is?!" he showed a necklace around the neck.
"Yes, I see, yes…" Ogden quickly answered because the girl was gasping air. Marvolo let her go: "It's Slytherins'! SLYTHERINS'! We are the last descendants of Salazar Slytherin!"
"I see… But that's totally irrelevant!"
Just when the situation started to get out of hands, they heard voice from outside: "Oh my how ugly!" rang a girl's voice: "Tom, couldn't your father clear a clunker like that away?"
"It's not ours", young man answered: "All at the other side of valley belongs to us, but that cabin is owned by tramp named Gaunt and his children. The son is a lunatic, you should hear what kind of stories I have heard…"
The girl laughed. After a while the girl continued: "Tom, I could be wrong but is that a snake nailed on the door?" It sounded like they came closer, and now stood just next to the house.
"Oh my god! It is!" the man said: "Surely the son did this, I said he was insane. Don't look at it, Cecilia dear."
Voices moved further away.
When it was silent again, Gaunts started talking. Ichigo frowned since he couldn't figure out which language they were using. It was hissing and spitting. He glanced at Harry who intently watched their discussion. Could he understand them?
Suddenly, Marvolo put his hand around the girl's neck and started strangling her. Harry and Ogden yelled at the same time: "No!"
Ogden lifted his wand and muttered a spell what caused Marvolo let the girl go. Morfin, the son, grasped a knife and charged at Ogden who ran for his life. Dumbledore waved at Harry and Ichigo: It was time to leave. He grasped their arms, pulled and they were back in the office.
"What happened to that girl?" Harry asked while Dumbledore lit more lamps with his wand and Ichigo took a seat.
"Oh, she survived. Ogden apparated back to the Ministry and returned with reinforcements in fifteen minutes." he and Harry sat down as well.
"Morfin and his father tried to resist, but it was no use. They were condemned to Azkaban later on. Morfin, who had other crimes on his account, got three years. Marvolo in other hand got six months."
"Marvolo… I noticed it earlier, but is…" Harry repeated.
"Yes, that's right." Dumbledore smiled: "How nice to see you keep up."
"So that man was…?"
"Voldemort's grandfather, yes." Headmaster said and Ichigo blinked in surprise.
"Marvolo, his son Morfin and daughter Merope were the last Gaunts who belonged in ancient Wizard family, whom known traits were unbalanced behavior and violence because they tended to marry their cousins. Family's wealth had been used years ago, and now they had left only their pride and couple heirlooms."
"But that means… That Merope… She was Voldemort's mother?"
Dumbledore nodded: "That's right. And we saw his father as well, did you notice?"
"Tom Riddle Sr." Ichigo said bluntly. "How come this is like from bad soap opera? Some shocking revelations and cousins marry each other…" Shiro snickered in his mind.
"What I don't understand, why the hell would Tom Riddle leave his fiancée for… Merope?" Ichigo tried to keep his face neutral, though he wanted to grimace.
"Well, what you seem to forget, was that Merope was a witch. When her father and brother were in prison, she finally had a freedom to do what she wanted."
"Love potion!" Harry breathed and Ichigo coughed: He hadn't known potions like that really existed. Grimacing inwardly, he was going to check every time what the gifts he got from students included. He had gotten some chocolate indeed, most of them in last Valentine's day.
"Yes," headmaster nodded: "You can imagine what scandal it was: Lord's son escapes with a tramp's daughter. But that was nothing compared to Marvolo's shock when he got out of the prison. He got back from Azkaban and thought his daughter would be at home, waiting him with a warm meal. Instead of that, he found thick layer of dust and a farewell letter where she told what she had done."
"I think he didn't live long after that." Ichigo knitted his eyebrows together: "God knows if Yuzu hadn't been there we all would have starved to death. My little sister." he added after questioning looks.
"Yes, that's right. He died before Morfin got out."
"How about Merope? She… she didn't die? Voldemort didn't live in an orphanage?" Harry stuttered amazedly.
"Yes he did", Dumbledore nodded: "We have to guess, but I am pretty sure that Merope loved his husband too much. That's why she thought it would be wrong to use any love potions, and that Tom would love her genuinely. Of course when she stopped using that, Tom left her. He had told to villagers afterwards how he was deceived someway."
"Who wouldn't say that?" Shiro laughed: "From the way she looked, I would have done the same thing!"
"Mind yourself, please? Poor girl!" Ichigo scolded him, though he secretly thought same way.
"I think that this is enough for today…" Dumbledore sighed and Harry stood up. Ichigo didn't move: "What happened to your hand?"
Others halted, and Albus turned his blue eyes at him: "That's not relevant right now… I will see later. When the time is right."
Ichigo narrowed his only visible eye, nodding slowly: "I understand. Not that I am any better." he smirked, obviously referring to his eye patch. Standing up, he glanced at Harry. He was curious as hell. Great.
"But it's not this evening's business either. I will see you later. Good night." he nodded at both before disappearing with flash step.
Next weeks passed quickly. Every day was the same. People went missing, died, and some random arrests occurred. Ichigo heard it was like before when Dark Lord made his first appearance.
It was morning, and Ichigo strode through the hallways to the Great Hall. He didn't expect anything unusual to happen: Even his associates hadn't found anything useful. Groaning out loud, he rubbed his eye, it felt like someone had poured sand into his eye while he was sleeping. Don't tell me that hollofication had spread to his other eye? What was he going to say to students after that? He didn't want to walk around the school a mask on his face for Christ's sake!
Rubbing his face tiredly, Ichigo took a cup of strong coffee. He needed energy. Not bothering to add any milk or sugar he felt how hot liquid burned his throat, successfully waking him up. Dwelling in depressing thoughts wouldn't help. He needed to get his head back together before doing anything stupid.
Groaning out loud Ichigo left the Great Hall, wondering what he should do today. Classes with Harry and Dumbledore had proven to be useful, since he wanted to know everything he could about Voldemort. That would give him a handicap when he met him next time. He hadn't been successful in reaching the Dark Lord. Even when Voldemort seemed stupid, he wasn't. The man had been moving a lot after last encounter with the Shinigami. Well, if something brightened Ichigo's mood, was the fact that the almighty Dark Lord actually feared him. He grinned darkly, making some of the students back off.
Draco was the one who actually made Ichigo nervous. He knew that the boy had something on his mind, but couldn't figure out what. He had followed the student once, only to discover that he had gone to Room of Requirement. Not that he couldn't get him, like Harry and his magic club last year, but what if Draco wasn't doing anything… illegal? He didn't barge in if he was having some… Private time with whatever he had imagined in there.
"What's on your mind today?" the Soul Reaper turned at the voice next to him. It was Severus. He had been so occupied with his thoughts that he hadn't noticed the man who was looking him with an amusement in his eyes.
"Want to get something to drink?" the potions master invited him down to dungeons. Ichigo, who was grateful about other's discretion, gladly accepted the invitation. He trusted the dark haired man, but wasn't ready to talk about his suspicions. Ichigo half-smiled when the professor poured something strong in their glasses. Ichigo loved the way it burned his throat, and thanked. Severus the one-faced-man didn't smile, but you could see his eyes blinking. "How have you been?" the Soul Reaper asked before sipping more liquid. Severus didn't say anything before sitting down and turning fully to him.
"I need your help. It's about Draco."
Ichigo's eyes widened in amusement.
And in the end I would love to hear your thoughts about "What could possibly happen?" I dunno if I have asked this once before, but I would love to hear what are your opinions about possible incomes. Maybe they could get in the story as well? Review please.