Thank you everyone for reviewing. I do read them and they make me feel appreciated.

Please, enjoy the long delayed update.

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Chapter 8- Here There Be Memories

.:. .:.

Ichigo

Blue.

I choked.

Blue.

And my heart burst within my chest and I shuddered at the feeling of those orbs on my person, my very soul shaking with the intensity. I was caught, frozen, staring. Lifeless eyes the likes I've only seen on fresh corpses. But they were looking at me, staring; unmoving. My heart was so painful in my chest and my twitching fingers were fighting to reach out and touch him.

"… Ichigo?"

I snapped back to myself when that memory finally floated through my mind. He'd said my name. He knew who I was. Narrowing my eyes at him I actually looked at him.

He was naked. Naked as could be, covered in dirt, and my god was his chest divine. I shook that thought from my head and glanced shyly back into his eyes. Damn it, I couldn't help it, as my eyes looked him over, his blue hair and blue eyes and pale skin. My heart melted and my shoulders sagged with a contented sigh, every last ounce of tension and stress felling my back.

I felt boneless as I stared this strange man down. Who was he?

.:. .:.

Grimmjow

Ichigo.

Ichigo…?

… Ichigo.

I stared at him, the yawning void surrounding me snapping away for the first time in countless years. The young boy who'd I'd met stared at me, a scowl slowly slipping from his face, soft brown eyes watched my every movement.

No… Not a boy anymore…

I stared at him; certain now that it truly was the young man that had gone from me before. Aching pain grew from my silent heart. My face scrunched with despair.

"… Ichigo."

His eyes widened as I called his name with so much feeling, the blackness around me letting go for the moment, allowing me to feel what I should always be able to. I stepped towards him; heart yearning to hold my friend close and never let go. I threw my arms around him, pressing each other as close as possible, my hand pressing his face against mine, cheek to cheek. He was stiff in my arms as I hugged him as tight as I could, eyes pressed tightly shut as my heart thudded.

Oh, my beloved Ichigo.

.:. .:.

Ichigo

I couldn't help but tense as the naked guy came up and hugged me really tight. It was awkward in the fact that one: he was a stranger and two, the more important reason… he was naked. Despite that, the tension slowly left me and I slumped against him, as my eyes slid to half-mast in content. My arms lifted to gently wrap around his shoulders.

This… This felt like heaven. If the forest before felt like home, this was absolute bliss. But why? I didn't know this man; I've never hugged a stranger so comfortably. Well, or anyone really. So what was it about him?

Petals falling from the sky, picking them from blue strands. A press of lips.

I jerked to and shook my head, pushing him away violently. As I grasped at my aching head, hissing, I watched through squinted eyes as pain flashed across his own. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, all expression fled him and his posture straightened. His eyes stared at me as my head pounded and then they flicked to glance behind me.

"… Nel."

I couldn't help but flinch at the dead tone that was his voice. At once it was both comforting and horrible. My chest throbbed with longing. But why?!

"Hey Grimm! Long time no see! My gods, you haven't changed a bit! How long's it been? Hmmmmmm…. 15 years? Last I saw ya, you were wading in the canopies. We all thought you faded into that tree of yours." Nel cocked her hips to the side, a delighted smile pulling at the corners of her lips.

The man Grimm stared at her before very briefly nodding in Pesche and Dondochakka's direction. They both whooped in excitement and ran towards him, flinging themselves at him. His face was stone like as they all toppled to the ground, the goblins chattering away like the noisy things that they were.

Nel smiled as she stalked over to me, "Wily, aren't they? Silly little Dirt Sniffers." I shot a glance at her, a niggling teasing at my mind. It left once more. My attention diverted from the pile of people – and the confusing jealousy that went with it – towards the movement from the back of our group. Kenpachi was stomping towards us, eyes watching the blue haired man in disgust.

"Am I the only one who cares that your little friends are rolling around in the dirt and all over a naked man?" Kenpachi crossed his behemoth like arms and cocked his head as he stared down his nose at Nel. "Or are you forest folk all so hedonistic to not care that that man's exposed nether regions are rubbing all over your skin and clothes?" At which point, he then shot a narrowed glare my direction.

I looked away embarrassed as Nel glared at him. "Listen here, mister! We don't care because we have nothing to be ashamed of and we are used to it! Some creatures walk around and live in the nude because it is part of their culture. What need have we for clothes?"

She then dropped all that she carried, her hands lowering to the bottom of her petal skirt. "Shall I remove my clothes too, or is that too much for your sensitive sensibilities?" She then slowly began hiking up her dress. My eyes were bugging out of my head as more of her skin was exposed, my face burning red. I covered my face with my hands but couldn't stop peaking from between my fingers.

Kenpachi looked her up and down, unaffected. "At least with you it would be a better show." He sneered nastily at her. He tapped his own forehead as a shark like grin shot across his lips. "Minus the mark upon your brow."

She gasped as her hand flew up to cover the scar running down her forehead. Her eyes grew shiny with tears and anger as she glared at him, dropping her skirt back to its proper place. "At least I live true to myself, free of denial. What can you say for yourself, half spawn of giants?"

His eye narrowed dangerously as he leaned into her space, she was unafraid. Before he could even open his mouth, the squeals of laughter from behind us interrupted and diverted our attention. He glared at her but slowly turned to watch as the blue haired man stood with the two goblins dangling from his arms.

It was comical how stone faced he was while the two squirming monstrosities swung back and forth from his arms. The muscles lining his arms were rippling with each movement they partook in and my eyes were riveted, my mouth running dry.

What in the hell was wrong with me?

My eyes couldn't help themselves as they ran up and down his torso, never looking below the hips still too embarrassed to look there. Those abdominals… Those pectorals… That gaping hole?

"He took your soul."

"It says to protect…. Find revenge… I. AM. ANGRY."

I blinked away the haze, focusing away from the hole in his stomach. I noticed Nel giving me a toothy grin, her eyebrows then waggled suggestively causing me to look away in shame at being caught staring.

.:. .:.

Pesche

Aaahh, Grimm made everything better, the ol' stick in the mud! And I loved mud, so it was perfect! But, all joking aside I couldn't deny how great it was to see him again. Gods only know how he must be feeling seeing Ichigo again. How long had it been between those two since they last saw each other?

I couldn't even begin to know. For certain, it'd been longer for Nel, Dondochakka, and myself of course, but time flows so much more differently for us than humans. For humans, time is such a precious thing, and look how much that little amount of time changed our little Ichigo. He's not so much our little Ichigo anymore as he is our grown up, prickly, sour, scowls-too-much, anti-social and lonely Ichigo. Jeez, what a title but it was so true. Our young friend grew up into such a cold young man, and it was so saddening. That's why I think Nel's trying so hard, other than ya know… trying to get our friend back, but to lighten his heart. There's this tangible cloud of melancholy and loathing surrounding our friend. It hurts to even feel it.

Things that beforehand would've made him laugh or smile, he simply stared at in bemusement or with this blank pained look creasing his forehead. What the hell was I supposed to do? I gave him all my best jokes while on the ride over here, I'm stone dry, damn it!

I swung forwards and flew away from Grimm's arm, stalking towards where Nel was giving our designated red head knowing looks. Glancing back at Grimm, his eyes riveted to Ichigo's form, I couldn't help but wonder when we'd get our dear sweet Ichigo back.

Grimmie-poo's undead-unfeeling pining was kinda creepy. Especially since he didn't blink often either.

.:. .:.

Ichigo

We were once more walking along the path, the trees running closer together, their branches intersecting until the field was left behind. I was not sure if it was intentionally done, but Nel had linked her arms with Pesche's and Dondochakka's and was dragging them far ahead, nagging Kenpachi along, bickering playfully with him as he stomped at her heels yelling. This Grimm was walking beside me, his eyes lifelessly forwards but my eyes could not stay from him, enraptured.

His gnarled locks bounced with each step and I was sorely tempted to run my fingers through it to free the twigs and knots that were there. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I wanted to touch. He so happened to glance over and caught me staring.

I quickly turned my face away, completely embarrassed, hoping he wouldn't do anything. And as we continued walking in silence, I found my eyes were wandering to him once more. I lifted my head to look at him and my breath caught for he was staring right at me, dull eyes burning on my person. I couldn't look away and I don't know how long we stared into each other's eyes but at some point, I realized we'd stopped walking, Nel and Kenpachi and the goblins hardly heard they were so far away.

But, as his head tilted, bangs sweeping against pale skin, I found that I couldn't keep away, I was drawn to him. My hand reached out to him, brushing along his forehead. He turned to face me, head tilting into my hand as it slid down his cheek, eyes unblinking and watching my soul it felt like. I was mesmerized and I couldn't stop from moving closer, my other hand coming to rest on his chest, smoothing upwards to his neck, thumb rubbing along the lining of his jaw. His eyes were pulling me in further, my gods I was lost.

I pressed us together gently; skin tingling with soft pleasure, feeling his cool light puffs of air on my lips. And then, I saw that spark deep in his eyes that made my blood boil and suddenly hands were wrapped tight around my waist, crushing me to him. His breath was hot against my lips. His head tilted and his lips were so maddeningly close to mine.

"… Ichigo.."

My whole body throbbed with the sound of my name from his mouth. It was terrifying. This was moving too fast... As panic started to grip me, I stepped back, suddenly embarrassed I smoothed down my tunic, staring harshly at the ground and face bright red.

We stood in silence for a few minutes, my mind racing every direction at once. What was I thinking?! I didn't even know the man for gods sake! Was I that desperate? I flinched... That thought struck an already abused nerve deep within, uselessness and loathing swarmed me as I plucked at my insecurities like a damn master. My shoulders hunched inwards protectively and my fingers grabbed at my chain with a white grip. I stared wide-eyed and unseeing at the ground, stepping away blindly and unable to make eye contact with him. I was ashamed.

I didn't realize my breathing was harsh and far too fast, until my head was light and my vision swam with encroaching darkness. Feet filled my vision as a hand lifted my chin to look him in the face. His eyes burned into my soul and calmed my breathing, even though I still felt the ache deep inside, warring with suffocating confusion.

I could sense that he knew I was completely lost, and yet I couldn't help but shake my head in the negative, hoping to put some room between us. His lifeless eyes flashed away, and his fingers fell from my person. Even though I was so baffled, I acutely felt the loss of his touch.

Pressing my lips firmly together, I harshly stepped away and stalked down the path after the others in our group.

I could only just hear the sounds of soft footsteps following me a few feet behind.

.:. .:.

Nel

One could only hope that the space and alone time those two were currently spending together would help cure Ichigo's amnesia. Or at least repair the rift between the two… Or maybe… heal the hurt that prevailed all of Grimmjow's being.

I winced as a piercing ache shot through my chest.

It was so obvious and sad. I could taste his pain and guilt and longing. Glancing back, I finally saw Ichigo and Grimmjow approaching. Judging from the cold look on Ichigo's face and the eyes Grimmjow had only for the red head…. Things had gone truly poor.

Sighing, I discreetly rubbed my temples.

Hopeless. Those two were completely hopeless.

At least, Ichigo's old home should definitely jog his memory. And speaking of, there it was around the copse in the path curve.

Excitement was nearly overwhelming me, and I knew it because Pesche and Dondochaka complained about how tight I was holding onto their arms the whole way there. It was time for the moment of truth.

.:. .:.

Ichigo

They were slowing down; I could see it in my upper peripheral. Looking up from the ground, I could see the other party members –subtracting Grimmjow –were staring at… a decrepit house? A rotten wooden house with half its roof caved in. The sweet cloying scent of wet wood and the musky, rancid smell of mold and decay danced about my nose.

There was a porch that was almost completely collapsed, the front door naught but metal hinges laying on the ruined entranceway. Glancing about in confused nostalgia, the decaying house pulled at my conscience with a brute viciousness.

"Ichigo! It's time for dinner!"

"Ichi-poo! Come give Daddy a hug!"

I stumbled and had to grab onto a nearby tree to keep from falling to my knees as pain crushed my skull. Rubbing desperately at my cranium, I felt cool hands press comfortingly into my neck.

"… Are you okay?"

I jerked away from the toneless voice, a snarl pulling at my lips even as my body begged to move closer. Roughly smacking away the offending fingers, I stalked closer to the house; a sudden desperate need to go inside filled me. With a jerk, I started running to the house, hardly hearing Nel calling to me to slow down.

The wood bent beneath me feet in threat, the sounds of disturbed rodents beneath scurrying around rose from below. Glancing back at Nel –standing back with the others –she waved me on, a coy smile my only answer. Choking back nerves, I stepped through the doorway, a hand on the jam for support as the floorboards all but screamed at me with each step. The smell of wet wood was stronger inside.

Staggering inside, I frantically looked left and right, needing to be here but completely ignorant as to why. I saw many things thrown around in disarray overgrown by plants and displaced by animal dens. There were broken shards of what appeared to be pottery scattered all through the room, a homemade rug threadbare and bleached of most color by the sun sat proudly in the middle. Broken pieces of furniture still set around it were like little turrets of this family's history.

I circled around quickly, taking it all in as nostalgia was all but overwhelming me like harsh fists to the stomach.

"ICHIGO! RUN!"

"YUZU! KARIN! NO!"

"ISSHIN!"

Stumbling from the pain pounding in my skull, I hissed in pain and hazily took in more of my surroundings. Spying the stairs, I knew I needed to go up them. Ignoring the pain in my head, I all but pelted to them; I quickly transcended them, a few collapsing inwards as I carelessly climbed. Glancing down at the precarious predicament, I continued higher.

I knew these walls, glancing right and left choked up on confused tears. I knew them and I couldn't remember why. Finally slowing down, I walked down the hall with fingers running along the decaying walls. I stumbled along as the floor buckled a bit in the truly soft places. I entered the first door on the right and was struck immobile with shock and utter sorrow.

"Hey, Ichigo… Did you have another nightmare sweetie? …" A pronounced yawn, as a hand patted tiredly at the bedding. "C'mon, dear. Come sleep with me 'n Mommy. We'll keep the boogeyman from gettin' ya."

Staggering into the room, I collapsed to my knees, unknowing tears streaming down my face, and I sobbed. Shit, when had I started crying? What the hell was going on here?! What were these thoughts?

… Memories?

Looking at the dusty old bed and rotten furniture, I quickly escaped the room, determined. Memories?! I ran into the next room. Two little beds were placed in opposite corners. I swallowed thickly. Little flowers and fairies were painted on one wall while the other had little bears and deer running.

"Big bruver!" A little brown haired girl ran to a little boy, her hands outstretched. "Up! Up!" She giggled as another head full of black hair ran forwards too.

"No! Me! Meee!" Four tiny hands reached for the older boy in desperation, smiling toothy smiles and little giggles. The boy bent down on his knees and embraced them both.

Tears were tracking down my face, and I lifted a hand to cover my mouth as I realized I was still sobbing. Why? What was this place? Who am I really? I paced back out of the room, and looked to a second flight of stairs down the hall. Bypassing the other doors in the hallway—somehow knowing they weren't what I was searching for—I gently moved up them, I came to be in the attic. It wasn't a typical attic though, but a room. A room filled with toys of fantastical creatures. The walls were covered in paintings of gnomes and dragons and sprites. Trees filled with fairies and the ground covered in little dancing flowers. Despite this, it was obviously a boy's room.

I froze, glancing at the bed left in disarray. I swallowed thickly and sat on it, knees bent awkwardly high at the low sitting. My head was pounding as I glanced around with watery eyes. Slamming my eyes shut tightly, I rubbed at my temple begging for reprieve.

"Where is that boy?! Ichigo, you lazy thing! Come down here at once! We need to get you washed up! If you want to see your grandfather, you need to get ready!"

The little boy sitting on the bed playing with his little dragon toy jerked to attention with a gap-toothed smile. Jumping off the bed, he hurriedly threw on a nicer pair of leggings and a decent tunic. Running down the stairs, a kind smiling woman smiled at him, the little brown haired girl in her arms. The little girl giggled and smiled at him. The woman rolled her eyes good naturedly while gently brushing the girls hair.

"Ichigo, sweetie… your hair is an absolute mess. It's your turn after I finish with Yuzu here." She huffed with amusement. "I still find it funny that out of the three of you, Karin is the one who is most well behaved when getting ready."

A dark haired man stepped out into the hallway from their room, a quirky grin on his face. "Ah, I bet my dear she takes after me, that is why."

A dry disbelieving look was tossed his way. "I doubt that." The two grown ups shared a secretive smile before the woman looked back at the little boy. "Well c'mon then sweetie, let's see that rats nest of yours! You have to look perfectly respectable for Grandpa Yamamoto."

The vision ended abruptly as unbearable pain lanced through my head. With a surprised shriek, I grasped at it. With another lance, I stumbled into a wall hazily realizing I had once more walked into the hallway with the bedrooms. Staggering a bit further, I fell to my knees harshly as the pain grew tenfold, pounding at my skull unforgivingly. I barely heard the ominous creaking of the floor beneath as I cried out in pain.

In the distance I could hear callings of alarm before everything was drowned out by the pain and screams of the floor beneath me. Luckily, I suppose, darkness had claimed me before I fell through the floor in a shower of wood and dust.

.:. .:.

Nel

I had watched as Ichigo ran into the house, worried about the state of it but decided to let him have his privacy. Luckily, everyone else took the hint and remained outside as well. It wasn't until the sounds of screams started leaking from the house that we all jumped. Pesche and I shared a terrified glance before running into the house. I looked up at the stairs, hearing the sounds of pain coming from up there. Running up to them and getting a closer look, I realized there was no way to traverse them without falling through.

Desperately, I called to him. "Ichigo?! Ichigo! What's wrong! ICHIGO!"

With an ominous sound, a clattering was heard as a huge cloud of dust billowed out from the upper entranceway of the stairs. My heart stopped completely before galloping away once more. Rushing towards the sound of where the crash had ended, I saw my human friend sprawled in the mess in a tangled position half buried and bleeding. I cried out in horror before rushing into the pantry where he lay. Falling to my knees, I scooped up his head, a little cut oozing blood above his brow my first concern.

As my shaking fingers felt along his body for more grave injuries, I became aware of the others around me calling his name and reaching for him; it was Pesche and Dondochakka. Looking around desperately for the other two, I spied Kenpachi in the doorway but no Grimm. A snarl reached my ears before dirty fingers latched onto our unconscious friend, pulling him from the wreckage. Burning blue eyes glared at the pile in personal offense, a growl rumbling from his throat.

.:. .:.

Grimmjow

Shakily, I walked towards the door with Ichigo in my arms. As I walked, I could feel the emotional vacuum sucking at me, steadily pulling my grip from feeling. By the time I was outside once more, my heart was silent and I felt nothing. Standing there with the young man in my arms, I watched as the others climbed out. Nel's eyes were filled with tears I vaguely noted, as a harried Dondochakka and Pesche climbed out, fat tears streaming from their eyes.

I glanced to each one, Kenpachi once more standing in the entranceway, before nodding to Ichigo in my arms. "… It will be easier to check him for wounds in open light." Gently laying him upon the ground, I glanced at the moon. "… Even if it is dark." Looking closer at my friend, my heart stuttered once.

He had grown up so much. He was so tall now, and different, physically fit and adult. I ran my hand along his arm, feeling for abrasions and breaks while also being able to actually touch. Lifting my fingers, I stared at them before looking back down at him.

Nel had already begun bandaging his head, a frown forming between his brows while in his sleep. His fingers tensed and flexed, teeth gritted painfully tight. I tilted my head as the sound of his racing heart reached my ears.

T'was not pleasant dreams he was having.

.:. .:.

Ichigo

"We're moving to the forest, Ichi-poo! How excited are you!?" Strong arms hefted me up, spinning me around with bright laughter. "Think of all the magic you and your sisters will get to grow up neighbors too!"

My father laughed as he rubbed my head teasingly, laughter slipping past my lips as mother walked up holding two little girls. "Oh Isshin, stop teasing the poor boy." She playful slapped at his arm before pecking my forehead.

….

I stood there staring up at the trees, mouth wide with wonder; they were so tall! It couldn't be real; I had to be dreaming! I ran around them, laughing as I held my arms out, pretending to have great wings and fire breath. I stomped through the flowers, laughing as I blew fire upon my imaginary enemies. Fairies flipped out from the petals, waving fists and tossing seeds at my head. I chuckled in embarrassment and bowed in apology, carefully stepping clear of the flowers before running down the trodden path towards home.

….

The scent of wood smoke and fire danced about in my nose, the smell of cooked sausages intertwining pleasingly as well. Dad had his lute in hand, quiet little melodies tinkling forth as Yuzu and Karin danced about in circles hand in hand. Their laughter was contagious, as mother clapped along merrily.

I swiped at the sauce staining my lips as I stared up at the full moon, the trees flickering with fairy light as they chirped and sung themselves to sleep. All was peaceful and I was perfectly content.

Father began to sing and mother soon joined in, pulling my attention back to them. I looked back just in time to see them kiss. I cringed in horror.

….

"Grandpa Yamamoto!"

Yuzu and Karin ran towards him, arms flung wide and eyes bright. The old man lowered to his knees with a great smile. "Ho ho hoo, my girls! Look at you!" His wizened eyes lifted to me as he hugged them tight, babbling in his ears. He smiled bigger as he motioned me forwards too. "Ichigo, my boy! Come, let me get a closer look at you!"

I ran into his arms, my sisters giggling right beside me.

….

I was scared and I was tired. My mother was sobbing as she pulled me along, my short legs stumbling along after her. "C'mon, Ichigo! We need to hurry!" We ran for longer than I ever had before; I was exhausted and so tired. We hid inside a tree and she hugged me tight, telling me she loved me again and again. She slipped her chain from around her neck and onto mine.

"No matter what you hear, my baby boy. Don't leave this place, okay?" Her lips trembled and she cried more harshly. "Oh my sweet boy, I love you so much. Daddy and Yuzu and Karin all love you." And with one last lingering look, she turned and ran from the hole, yelling as she ran another direction. A shadow swooped and screams filled my ears.

It was silent, then footsteps approaching as a cold hand slithered to my arm. I jumped and looked behind me in the tree. Lifeless blue eyes stared at me before the dirty man with the hole in his stomach exited. The sounds of battle and slippery laughter filled my head. Finally, a roar of anger and the whoosh of giant wings before all fell silent.

Building up courage, I peaked my head around the edge of the tree. The naked man squatted there listening before straightening out and looking to me. As he approached a lifeless voice called to me softly.

"… Are you okay?"

I collapsed in a dizzy blur of hyperventilation, the last sight being blue eyes.

...

The wall stood there, surrounding the village. I glared at it in misery. Grandpa Yamamoto still hadn't returned. I hiccupped as I fought back tears. Why hasn't he come back yet? He was the strongest, toughest man I knew!

The trees looked so dark and foreboding, nothing like the light and airy feel they had before. My lips trembled as I continued to stare, waiting for grandpa to return. Waiting forever, that's what I did.

The darkness in the trees shifted and I felt as if something was watching me too. Laughter slipped into my senses as I stood there, terrifying me. With a scared gasp, I turned around and ran all the way back home. I decided that I wouldn't stare at the forest anymore.

Grandpa still never returned.

….

With a dreadful gasp, I jerked awake. Eyes frantically looking left and right, I felt hands holding me against something and I began struggling to become free. The hands tightened and shifted me higher.

"… Ichigo."

Hearing my name, I froze and my eyes popped open. Blue strands of hair tickled my nose and my head was resting on a pale neck. Pulling back a bit, I realized that I was on Grimmjow's back, his hands holding me up as he walked along the path behind the others. He turned his head and looked back at me in question.

Tilting my head, I stared at him in wonder before gasping as my dream returned to me. My lips trembled as I realized, no… that wasn't a dream… That was part of my childhood. Tapping at his shoulder and motioning towards the ground, he stopped walking and released me. Standing on my feet, I gripped my mother's chain for comfort as sorrow racked me.

I had always wondered what happened to my family… and now I knew.

I suddenly wished that I still didn't.

.:. .:.

Grimmjow

Watching my friend, I took in every little movement he made. I watched as he noticed the new bandages around his wrist where the debris of the house had cut him and the one around his brow too, markedly whiter than the ones upon his fingers. He took it in as if in a daze. His eyes were shining with moisture for some reason. Probably to do with his bad dreams.

As he was lost in his own thoughts, I took the chance to stare once more. He was so different than he used to be. He didn't even smell the same, his eyes too dark and haunted for someone still so young.

My sweet friend Ichigo…? Had become this?! What had happened to change him so deeply? I felt the stirrings of anger in my belly, protectiveness rising. I would make sure it wouldn't happen ever again, I vowed even as I lost my tentative grip on all feeling once more to the void.

.:. .:.

Ukitake

I sat at my desk, watching through my window at my village slowly rebuilding itself. It was daunting, knowing that we as a people were so fundamentally changed, so scarred by horrible loss. But we were bolstered by the journey of Kenpachi and Ichigo. We finally felt hope again, saw a light in the midst of all this darkness.

Rubbing at my weary brow, I glanced out once more before turning my attention to the missives lining my desk. Reading through this one was akin to pulling teeth. But it must be done, if not I then who? I must set the proper example.

Picking up my pen, dipping the tip in the ink pot beside it, I stopped as a warm breeze rushed through the window. Blinking in surprise, the scent of jasmine and pine upon it caught my attention. Long has it been since the woods smelled like such and I couldn't help but to turn and gaze out at the trees beyond the wall. Their limbs danced about in the wind, clacking softly in a staccato dance.

As quickly as it came, the pleasant scent was gone. Rubbing my chin, I determined that it was only my imagination. Turning back to write once more a stray thought entered my mind. Well not so much as a thought as it was a name.

Yamamoto.

With a rush of confusing affection, I set down my pen, resigning myself to a sleepless night tonight due to continuous distractions. Rubbing at my burning eyes, I stared at the scroll in bemusement.

Who on Earth was Yamamoto?

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

My god… I'm so friggen SORRY for how long it took me to update this! Holy crap-balls! I let time get away from me and before I knew it, it's been over a year?! –clasps hands together- I beg for forgiveness!

Please, let me know your thoughts.