Here we go. Another update within ten days? I know right? Who the hell am I and what have I done with the author?
Enjoy.
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Chapter 7- Memories or Malignant Magic…?
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Ichigo
We were walking along a disheveled path, the trees seemingly swaying in time with the music of the wind, the night birds whistling and cooing in rhythm too. The frogs were chirping in loud staccato and the lightning bugs flickered to and fro. I glanced around at the livelihood surrounding me, in silent awe at it all, so different from life in the village. In the village where the only sounds were of children and the industrious.
It would be perfect if it weren't for the darkness seeping into my pores. The trees were swaying towards us, examining us, debating whether or not we were amongst their brethren. It was terrifying to think that the only thing keeping us away from exposure was the moon and the sluggish nature of the trees reasoning.
Nel began walking faster, her eyes shifting between the woods, her grip on her spear tightening. Kenpachi sneered and huffed as he limped along, glaring at the eyes glowing in the dark, watching us from the branches; soft coos permeating our senses.
Eerie. That was the only way to describe what was surrounding us. I hefted my pack higher, relieving the stress from my shoulders, the crickets near deafening. It was so dark, near pitch black and we couldn't carry a torch. Far too conspicuous, we would be had by the time we even struck the flint to the rock.
No, complete darkness it was. It was so disorienting. Words and whispers flicking through my mind, faster than I could grab ahold of.
Trees, running past, screams surrounding me. A tree with a huge hole. Hiding; fear; a hand sliding onto my shoulder.
I kept seeing flashes of a child running past, cloak billowing behind him as little creatures chased after him, laughter echoing through the canopies. What in the hell did it even mean? Why did it make me so nostalgic in such a lost sense?
As confusion swiftly flooded my person, I stared at the ground and my feet steadily moving forwards one step at a time. Despite all the noise cascading around us, not a word was spoken amongst us.
It was so quiet.
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Kenpachi
Sunlight was beginning to poke through the scarce leaves in the trees.
Fuckin' finally.
The tension in my back lessened and I walked a bit easier, knowing that the most dangerous part of our trek was over. I could lower my guard a bit; relax my stiffening legs and aching arms. The nicks and cuts burned with a fierce passion that made me grit my teeth.
I grinned as I flexed my fingers, staring at them raptly. Next time I saw that little pink haired shit, I was gonna flatten him. Chuckling, I clenched my fist as tight as I could, following the sprite bitch's path.
We had to fuckin' get somewhere and soon, I was tired of this mindless wandering. When were we gonna fight shit? This bastard that's been terrorizing the village deserved to get bashed in.
Laughing –Ichigo and the Nel bitch turning and looking at me in confusion –I shook my head, my single eye glaring forwards, shark-like grin growing.
I couldn't wait to show that bastard what's what.
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Nel
We were getting close to where Dondochaka and Pesche lived, I could smell it. Relief filled my soul, and I walked a little lighter. Sneaking a glance behind me at my two travelling companions, I couldn't help but wonder how they'd react to seeing the two goblins; not even mentioning BowaBowa.
More importantly, I was wondering if Ichigo would remember them even though he didn't recognize me. I certainly hoped so even though I knew it was completely foolhardy. But damn it, I couldn't help myself.
Gods, it felt so good to have Ichigo back by my side again. I'd missed him so terribly. Even if I'd resigned myself to never seeing him again, it ached everyday. Now that I had him back, I was not going to let him go.
Memories or not, he was back in my life and he was going to stay there.
A rustling in the trees made my two companions tense, hands settling on their sword hilts, watching the brush aptly. I watched, slowly crouching down to better see. Had the trees noticed us already? Were we to run already? Now, all three of us were worried, backs stiff and fingers clenching.
A rabbit hopped out and upon seeing us froze, it's eyes huge and nose going crazy. It shot off into the early morning before we could even relax.
And then came the boom and I found that I couldn't hide my smile even I had wanted to.
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Ichigo
The ground shook with a distant thud, monstrous despite obviously being far away. Kenpachi stood to his full height, eye pointedly glaring into the horizon. As we watched, dust quickly billowed past our feet and dove in through the branches. We choked and covered our mouths, Nel surprisingly standing with a smile and no fear in sight.
Just as the tension started leaving my shoulders another boom hit. This one much closer and much louder, my feet jumping off the ground very slightly. Catching my balance on the trunk of a pine.
What the hell was getting closer?!
I jumped up and ran over to Kenpachi, grabbed onto his arm and was just about to warn him that we should leave when another concussion struck the earth and it was so monstrous and close, I felt the pressure in my ear pop. It was damn near deafening and we stumbled over, falling to our knees, thrown around from the aftershocks of whatever attacked the ground.
Nel whooped with surprise as she fell on her bottom, eyes huge in delighted surprise.
"What the hell is going on?!" Kenpachi screamed at her just as she started laughing and we heard the calls of frantic birds and the stumbling of feet through the forest. Hundreds of birds flew over our heads as we watched in horror –and delight apparently –when woodland creatures jumped out of the trees and trampled on past us, scurrying as fast as they could.
There was a moment of silence as Kenpachi and I frantically looked around, watching for whatever was causing the chaos. Nel stood up laughing hysterically and as her arms threw wide open, howls of some sort erupted from the tree line and a monstrous boom thudded and rumbling followed, steadily getting closer as we flailed about trying to keep our balance.
"WOOOH! YEAAH! GO BOWABOWA GOOO! CATCH THE DAMN ANIMALS, YEAAAAH!"
"OH, OH YEAH, IF YA KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?!"
The rumbling became louder and the ground literally trembled with its approach and that's when it burst through the trees with a giant spray of tree and rock.
I yelped in fright just as Kenpachi swore and he hefted me up just as he dove out of the way of the chunks of woodland. It was a giant plated worm.
A giant. Plated. Worm.
I felt the blood flee my face and the earth slightly tilt side to side as I watched it fly threw the air, sailing over our heads as if in slow motion. Then, two figures –one tall and skinny and the other shorter and fat –hopped from the trees laughing like maniacs, chasing the giant worm.
On collided head on right with Nel and her arms snapped shut right around it as they both fell, her laughing and a shriek escaping the skinny one trapped there.
"PESCHE!"
The resounding thud from the worm behind us hitting the ground was the last sound as it stopped and turned to point its sightless face in our direction, the two creatures staring at Nel in surprise. Kenpachi was watching wild eyed, sword drawn, and ready to fight.
"Do we fight the-"
"NEEEEEEEEL!" The two creatures cried out in unison, drowning out Kenpachi's gruff question. The fat one not within the sprites arms dove into her and all three started hugging?!
I felt so light headed and confused and scared. Kenpachi gritted his teeth noisily as we watched the three friends(?) attacking each other, rolling around on the ground. The worm was suddenly sliding forward, surprising me into jumping away. It cried out in happiness –it cried out in happiness?! –and wrapped itself around the pile of three and snuggled in too.
Pretty sure my eyes just popped out of my head. Glancing at Kenpachi… he wasn't faring much better. What the hell just happened? I didn't know whether to be absolutely terrified or stiflingly confused. Both; I decided on both.
As we both started standing up, ignoring the persistent squeals of laughter and foreign forest tongue we couldn't even hope to understand, we brushed ourselves off. Suddenly, it was silent as the grave –if I ignored the ringing in my ears –so I stopped and looked over at the group of four. They were looking right at us, ardently.
No! My eyes shot wide open – they were staring at me!
Oh fuck! The tall skinny one stepped around the shorter fat thing and narrowed his eyes, a contemplative hum escaping him. He leaned towards me, hand resting on his chin.
"Ichigo?" He asked me. What the hell?! How the fuck do all these creatures know my name! Did Nel tell him it?! But I swore I didn't here my name at all! I backed up a step just as Kenpachi narrowed his eye at me and the fat thing waddled closer.
"You think it's Ichigo, Pesche, if ya know what I'm sayin'?"
"Well, look at 'im! He's got that bright orange hair and the scowl from evil itself!" The tall one – Pesche apparently – reached forwards with his muddy hand and poked me. Glaring I slapped harshly at the offending hand. What the hell? Pesche jerked his hand away and turned to look wide eyed at the short one beside him, both looking shell-shocked.
Glancing back at Nel, flabbergasted, she smirked knowingly at them and nodded once. Both turned to look back at me… And then I swear to the gods they exploded.
"ICHIGOOOO!" They both screamed in unison. And then they dove for me.
My eyes only had the time to widen as they flew through the air. What the fuck was with forest folk tackling me? And then we met the dirt. Incoherent gibberish kept reaching my ears as they wrestled me around, squeezing what they could in a hug as I tried desperately to escape. Little snippets of sentences did connect though.
"Oh Ichi, it's been too long!"
"Man, I haven't seen you in so loooooong, if ya know what I'm SAAAAAYIIIIIN'!"
"Dondochakka don't cry!"
"I CAN'T HELP IT! I MISSED HIM!"
"Me too, buddy. Me too."
I sighed, simply collapsing, accepting my fate of being crushed and soaked in waterfall-like tears. Kenpachi merely huffed and glared away, ignoring us but watching the plated worm…. Which happened to stare right back without eyes. Freaky.
"Hey guys! Let up some! Itsi needs to breathe, mm'kay?" Nel stepped closer and her bare foot slammed down on Pesche's shoulder. He yelped and glared up at her as he latched on to her ankle.
"Awww c'mon, Nel! I bet I know for a fact you were no better! I'll even bet my left nut that you half suffocated him with your big ol' chest!"
Kenpachi snorted and turned to smirk at the pile as Nel grit her teeth and pressed down harder. "Too right you are, freak."
They looked to him in stunned and offended silence, allowing me to push and pull myself to sweet sweet freedom. The two unknown creatures stood up, staring at my companion in shock.
Nel chuckled. "You get used to his rudeness, he's such a pleasant fellow. And! He's in denial…" She leaned towards her – apparently – friends and stage whispered. "He's actually a half giant, but don't let him hear that! He gets all pissy!"
"OI!" He exploded. "I thought I told you to stop calling me that, maggot!"
She just giggled and jumped behind her friends as Kenpachi approached menacingly. The two creatures eyes grew huge in fear as their shoulders hunched and their knees began knocking together. I didn't blame them one bit. That big ass gorilla coming at you and looking like that was absolutely terrifying.
"Oh, please Mr. Self-Denial! You'll have to accept the truth at some point!" She sing songed tauntingly.
"Not if it isn't true!"
She sighed, shaking her head sadly, resting her hands on her friends trembling shoulders. They turned jerkily to stare at her in horror. "See what I mean? Absolutely incorrigible. The poor thing is so lost in his own lies, I wonder if there's actually any hope for him."
Kenpachi gritted his teeth and unsheathed his sword. "Wanna come closer and find out?" The two in front began sobbing and before anyone could answer, a giant roar sounded and the worm had flopped down between Kenpachi and the three, hissing menacingly at him.
No seriously. The worm was hissing.
I think I need to sit down.
While those five did their little show, I rubbed at my white face and flopped down on my ass. What the hell was I even a part of now? Where the hell had I ended up where this shit was normal? I rubbed desperately at my eyes with the palms of my hands. This was all too crazy.
Eventually, I felt short fingers grasp my shoulder gently, and moving one palm out of the way to glare up at the offender, I saw the shorter creature. It smiled sadly and gracelessly plopped down beside me.
"Nel told me that you can't remember anything. It's a lot to take in ain't it, if ya know what I'm sayin'?"
I stared at him calmly and slowly nodded back. I could only agree. It was more than a lot to take in. He nodded in return and stared at the four still squaring off and yelling and – in Nel's case – laughing at each other.
"Even if ya don't remember anything, it's great to see ya again. " He glanced at me then smiled this huge smile, piano key teeth gleaming at me. He pushed his thumbs proudly into his chest. "Name's Dondochakka, if ya know what I'm sayin'!"
I stared at him in awkward silence for a while before a tiny smile split my lips. Heh. He was actually adorable once you got past all the dirt.
"ICHIGOOO!" A tall thin creature leapt at me, a short fat one following. "We haven't seen you in so long, man!" Giggles filled my ears.
Shaking my head violently, I looked away to watch the quarrel that was quickly winding down. The worm –judging from Pesche yelling at it – who I found to be BowaBowa, was rocking side to side hissing at Pesche while he danced around it pointing fingers and… gods know what. It was all so stupid. Weren't they yelling at Kenpachi seconds ago?
I rubbed my temples. What insanity would I be subjected to now? I dreaded to think what these four would be like together if Nel was such a handful by herself. I smirked behind my palm and chuckled silently. But then again, it was funny to watch Kenpachi's face turn red as fire in anger…. Just didn't want to be around when he finally exploded. Nel caught my sight and she smiled beatifically at me. My breath caught in my throat.
"ITSUGOOOOOOOOO!" Tiny arms locked around my neck as I fell towards the earth beneath me.
Gods! I gasped for air as I frantically looked around me. What the hell was happening to me? My eyes were drawn towards her as she swayed towards me, her petal dress catching light on the drops of dew, fragrance filling my nose. She squatted before me, her smile soft and her eyes passionate but demure for once.
"Oh Ichigo… You look so lost. I wish I could help you so much more. Your loss makes my heart ache so fiercely." Her soft hand brushed my bangs from my forehead. Her smile turned sad, almost a grimace. "I hate it so much."
Silence reigned as Kenpachi ground his fingers into tight fists, biting back what was obviously acidic comments, but for once settled for tact rather than brashness. The worm BowaBowa slid closer, the ground rumbling, Pesche left forgotten.
But I couldn't look away from her eyes. Her sad, tired eyes. And all I could see was my reflection, staring back at me. Why did that make me want to cry? My eyes shot to look away, embarrassed for looking longer than appropriately. Her hand pet my hair once more softly before it fell with a sigh and a forced smile spread across her face. She slapped her knees and stood up.
"Well! Belayed introductions are in order!" She clapped her hands and a goofy grin showed off her teeth, her scar stretching just so. "Boys! Assemble!"
The three jerked to attention and hopped – in BowaBowa's case, slithered – into a line, hands (or tail) in salute and spines (do plated worms even have spines?!) straight. Nel pointed with purpose. "Alright! Pesche! Dondochakka! BowaBowa!"
All three moved forwards, still at attention, when their names were called. She smiled at Kenpachi and me. "This is Ichigo and Kenpachi. Humans…" She gave Kenpachi a pointed look to which he sneered, "meet the goblins and the desert sand worm." She chuckled and placed her hands on her big hips. "Don't ask how a desert creature ended up here, I haven't the slightest. We just found him five years ago and raised him as our own. Ain't that right boys?"
All three nodded enthusiastically, the worm crying out in pure happiness to which the two goblins cried out too, and all three fell into a huge hug.
Weirdos.
I smiled, biting back laughter. Startled, I looked away. Why did this feel so familiar and yet not? This behavior made my heart feel so light and contented. Relaxed even, as if some unknown weight was lifted off of it. I rubbed discreetly at my chest. Glancing up, I noticed that Nel was smiling at me kindly, her eyes gleaming with… hope?
She inhaled and opened her mouth. "These are the boys I was looking for to help us find your past, Istugo. I've already asked them if they'd be willing to help, and got a resounding ye-"
"OF COURSE WE SAID YES!" Pesche yelled over top her. She sighed and glared at him, hands gripping tighter on her hips. I couldn't stop the smirk this time. Something told me that this was a normal occurrence. Pesche continued unfazed, "We'd do anything to help out an old friend, right Dondo?"
I stiffened at that as the short goblin looked at me excitedly. "Right Pesche, anything for Ichigo, if ya know what I'm sayin'."
My eyebrows furrowed unsure if it was due to the unnamed pang that declaration caused in my chest or the confusion and horror from being accused of being associated with the spawn of the forest. Glancing at Kenpachi, he wasn't even looking at us.
I sighed in relief. "So where to then?" Glancing up, I looked at Pesche who'd posed the question. Nel glared at him and pointed in the direction we'd originally been heading.
"Well, ya little dust sniffer," I choked on laughter at the absurd insult, "we were heading towards his," she jerked her thumb back towards me, "past. We're going back to his house to help him remember that which he forgot. That's the only thing I can think of to get rid of this curse on him…" The three others looked at me sadly. "And also to move ahead in this stupid quest to end the evil reigning supreme over us."
Pesche and Dondochakka gulped harshly. "Do you think we can? This is gonna be hard." Pesche practically squeaked.
"Yeah, we ain't exactly tough stuff, if ya know what I'm sayin'." Dondochakka gripped onto Nel's forearm. She smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry Dondo. Pesche. I have every once of faith in you two. Wanna know why?" They nodded hesitantly. Her smile grew. "Because you two care so much for Istugo and would do anything to help him come back to us."
They smiled as blood flooded my face. I stared at the ground as I scuffed my boot against the ground, hand reaching up to hold onto the chain about my neck. They were talking as if I wasn't there…. But it was incredibly flattering and I couldn't help but smile in gratitude.
"Not like this isn't great and all. Real touching." Everyone looked over at Kenpachi, a few glaring. He'd stood up straight and was moving towards the group scowling. "But we have places we need to be and we don't exactly have a lot of time to find this 'shadow'. We need to move."
Nel stared defiantly for a moment before sighing and nodding. "He's right. C'mon guys, let's move." She smiled and hopped up onto BowaBowa's back. Pesche and Dondochakka clambered up as well, bouncing excitedly on the worm's back. I stared up at them in disbelief.
They didn't honestly expect me to get on that thing, did they? Nel waved up down at us to climb up. "C'mon you two! BowaBowa's so much faster than walking."
My eyebrows fused with my hairline. Glancing at Kenpachi, who grit his teeth into oblivion, I sighed and cautiously moved towards the worm. And climbed halfway before I was jerked the rest of the way up by Nel, an unmanly yelp escaping me. We all stared expectantly at Kenpachi who glared and then rolled his eyes, hopping on board himself.
"YAH!" Nel screamed and BowaBowa reared back – I will forever deny yelping again – and then shot forwards, ground rumbling and trees cracking as the were uprooted and crushed. Thank god the worm was big enough to deflect the insane amounts of debris.
Now if only it could be quieter. I placed my hands over my ears as I watched the three forest folk laugh and scream, Kenpachi sitting behind me arms crossed and scowling.
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It was becoming dark by the time we reached our destination. BowaBowa slowed down, the rumbling softly dying away. If we weren't deaf by the end of this trip, it'd be a damn surprise to me. We all slid off, legs numb from the vibrating of his plates. As we shook them out and rubbed life back into them Nel looked around.
"Well, we'll go on foot from here. BowaBowa you stay here, that way we don't destroy anything that could help Itsi here remember." BowaBowa whined but plopped his head to the ground with a giant huff. She smiled and petted his nose, a smile splitting his mouth, sharp teeth gleaming happily as his tail shuffled side to side in contentment.
Weird.
"Where are we exactly?" Kenpachi had his eye tipped to the sky, squinting in the fading light to find out our location, trying to spot early stars. Nel shrugged and stretched her back, her giant chest bouncing. I abruptly turned away, face burning with embarrassment. Glancing directly beside me, I saw Pesche grinning at me like a shark, his hairless brows waggling up and down. Scowling harshly at being caught out, I shoved his face away and stomped down the path, an 'OOF!' following after me.
I couldn't help but smirk.
The others followed after me, Nel redirecting me when needed. The path slowly grew wider until the path became a clearing, trees ripped from their very roots or clawed down. I could hear the others whispering behind me.
"We have to be careful… There's no way the trees didn't notice us mowing them down. The Shadow's gonna know that someone's out here causing a ruckus."
"Oh no! Pesche! Not the shadow, if ya know what I'm sayin'!"
"Yeah Dondochakka… I know. That's why we have to keep our eyes peeled. Or well, I guess… In your case… Keep your eye peeled."
"HEY!"
I couldn't help but smile as Kenpachi yelled at Pesche, devilish little giggles reaching me from the two little goblins and sprite. I could hear scuffling of feet and stomping of boots, laughter rising into the sky and so calmingly familiar. But then, I stopped, eyebrows furrowing.
This sense of utter bewilderment and longing damn near choked me entirely. My heart was aching and yearning for something I couldn't even know… remember. I grasped at the chain around my neck as my other hand gripped at my chest, wrinkling my tunic. I panted in pain as my eyes frantically searched the ground for answers.
Vaguely I heard Nel calling to me in worry. "Ichigo?" As if she was whispering from far away, echoing through the space between.
A tree. A tree with a giant hole in its center; almost gaping in its monstrosity.
I lifted my head and looked right. A tree. Aged and weathered and blackened with soot, but with a giant hole in its center; almost gaping in its monstrosity.
A child stepped towards the tree, a smile plastered across a young face, teeth missing here and there. Overwhelming happiness engulfs the child as his hands grip the rim of the hole.
I step forwards, feet moving on their own towards the tree. My face twisting in anguish and confusion, my heart racing in anxiety and anticipation. My hand touches the rim of the hole and my heart stutters once. Twice, I continue panting, my face turning red.
The child steps inside, giggling.
I step inside, breathless.
Hands from the darkness reach out and pet his head.
I look around the cobwebbed insides. Nothing. I stand there, for some reason feeling this awful gut-wrenching bout of loss. Staring at the ground, I fight back helpless tears… What the fuck?
Hands from the darkness reach out and pe-
"Ichigo?"
My head snaps up, my attention broken from whatever spell I'd found myself trapped in. I looked at Nel, who watched me with acute worry in her eyes. She glanced around the inside, her hand holding onto the lining of the hole for support. She looked back at me, sadly and reached in. "C'mon Itsi. Let's go. We need to move on."
I stared at her, eyes full of unshed tears and was thankful she said nothing about them. I couldn't move though, I couldn't. And I had no idea why. All I knew was that leaving this cavern felt like leaving something precious behind and it ached.
Physically ached.
She grasped my hand as I reluctantly reached for hers and pulled me out, a comforting hand on my back. The two goblins stared at me with sympathy and Kenpachi watched in annoyed bemusement. I sniffled quietly and glanced back at the tree as everyone began walking back through the clearing.
The sun was slowly sinking down past the bare branches as we finally left the huge clearing.
Hands from the darkness. Contentment and happiness. Blue.
I heaved for air, upset, my fingers bone white they gripped my chain so tightly. I stopped walking, my soul literally paralyzed from the grip around my heart, squeezing the life from me. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move.
I had to go back. Desperately, I need to go back now! There was something I needed to see!
Jerking back around I stared at the clearing, my face a mask of unadulterated anguish. But it was empty.
Dust motes floated down in the moonlight.
Fairies flickering in the night, singing their sweet songs. Hands picking twigs from my hair, leaning against the tree with a hole. Glancing up to smile at my friend in happiness. Blue.
I sobbed. Nothing. DAMN IT. Scrubbing my hand roughly through my hair, I glanced up through my lashes and seethed air out the side of my mouth. Shaking my head to clear it, I turned back around. Nel and the others were standing there, waiting for me. I couldn't face them, so I tilted my head down to watch the ground.
Ignoring a couple startled gasps a few steps later, I trudged on. A hand gently slithered up my arm and onto my shoulder from behind. My head jerked upwards in surprise, briefly seeing the wide shining eyes of Nel before I turned to stare at the gentle grasp on my shoulder.
Dirty fingers connected to a dirty hand rested there. My heart started racing again in excitement.
"… Ichigo?" A near lifeless voice almost whispered, a pained sort of longing painting feeling to the word if only slightly.
My entire faced burned red with heat, my chest heaving for air as my heart galloped away from me, my nerveless fingers resting on my chain. Slowly turning behind me, my eyes wide open and my lips parted with my pants for air.
Blue.
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End Chapter 7
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Evil? Yes I know. You're welcome. Next chapter will open with the beauty of that cut off though, so worry not my lovelies. And, I'll even have a Grimmjow POV too, just to sweeten the deal. Where? Who knows! I'll keep that to myself.
And yes. Very little happened. One must have character development sadly. And anyone catch the hidden clue I showed about Grimmie?
Let me know your thoughts, my sweets. Love you so much and until next update.
~8DRainbowManVan8D