Chapter 40:

His body felt heavy but comfortable. It was warm.

He opened his eyes.

A ceiling hung over his head.

"Ichigo? Are you awake?"

Ichigo turned his head to his right. Again, she was the first person he saw when he woke up.

"Rukia."

She approached his bed and sat down in the empty chair. "How are you feeling, sleepyhead?"

"Ok, I guess. How long was I out?"

"Two days."

"Hm." He thought it would be longer. He must have not slept long enough. His body was still weak and he felt tired. He wanted to go back to sleep.

"Ichigo!" came two voices.

"Urk!"

Arms reached and clung to his body. He heard wailing.

Rukia chuckled. "Those two have hardly left your side all this time."

"Those two..?"

The wailing figures lifted their heads, tears and snot rolling down their faces and onto his sheets.

"I was so worried about you, Ichigo!" cried Linnette.

"Never do that again, you stupid idiot!" Veneno wailed.

Ichigo smiled. He was happy to see them and was even happier to know how much they cared about him.

"I'm alright, guys. Really. You can stop crying now."

"I'm not crying, you gigantic idiot!" Veneno blubbered. "I'm just glad you're alive!" He wiped his tears on the corner of Ichigo's sheets. "What would I have done if you had..? What am I supposed to do? You... I can't... You moron!"

Linnette sobbed a lot quieter but she was holding Ichigo tighter, with both hands digging into his sides. "I was so worried. I'm so glad you're ok. I didn't want anything to happen to you. If you had died, it would have been all my fault!"

"It's not your..."

"You went to the bad guy to save me, didn't you? That makes it my fault if anything had happened. If you had died, I would never have forgiven myself." Linnette started crying all over again. "You didn't have to. I didn't ask you to. Why? Why would you..? I'm not that important. You didn't have to..."

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly at her words.

Linnette didn't consider her life to be more important than that of anyone else. Hers didn't hold more value in her opinion. Of course she didn't want to die, but if her life was spared at the cost of another person's than that would be far different. She didn't want anyone to die for her.

She didn't value herself above others.

Ichigo's eyes softened. "Linnette... You are important. To someone. What would they have done if anything had happened to you?"

Linnette stopped crying. "You mean Victor and Cedric?"

"Them and anyone you've become friends with. Including me. I didn't want to see you suffer. Besides, Yagi was going to keep doing that to a number of people. You were just the first. If I had done nothing, he would have come back and done it to someone else. Even if that person meant nothing to me, someone would have been upset."

"I guess you're right. So... So you would have done that for anyone?"

"Of course I care about what happens to you. You're my friend, aren't you? But, yeah. I would have gone to fight Yagi whether or not you were the one hurt. So don't beat yourself up about it. I didn't do it to see you get upset." Ichigo grinned, hoping to gain a smile from her in return. "And I didn't do it just to save you. Victor and Cedric were in a bad way, too. I was also helping them out."

He was just trying to make her feel better, but Ichigo wasn't known for choosing his words carefully. Sometimes he said the wrong thing. This time it seemed to work. It didn't make Linnette feel insignificant knowing that he would have done it for anyone. Apparently Linnette understood what he was trying to say.

"Where are those two anyway?" Ichigo asked.

"They've been popping in and out to check on you," said Rukia. "Apparently, they've been worried about you, too."

"And like we haven't?" Veneno snapped. "I've been worried sick, not like I care!"

"I said they've been worried, too. Too! As in them as well and you. Now get off Ichigo. He's still recovering and you might be hurting him worse."

"Actually, Rukia... I can't really feel too much right now. My body's kind of numb." Ichigo tried moving but his body wasn't responding. All he could move was his head. "I can't even feel my legs."

"I'm told that you'll be able to recover pretty quick, but you need a lot of rest." Rukia sat back in her seat. "It was a miracle Victor managed to bring that cure to you on time like that. Another minute and it might have been too late. That was really cutting it close. You were really on the brink... But you're ok now."

Ichigo rested his head on the pillow. "Yeah. Thanks."

"I only injected you. You should really be thanking Victor for bringing it. And Mayuri for making it. Who would have thought..?" Then Rukia looked over the bed at the person crouching beside Ichigo's body. "Should be thanking Veneno as well. It's really thanks to him a cure was found in the first place."

"Me?" Veneno took his hand off Ichigo to point at himself. "What did I have to do with it?"

"Akon brought up your recovery when you were in Mayuri's lab. That inspired Mayuri to combine your regeneration ability and what they did to help speed up the process to Ichigo's cure. The issue with most of the trials was that the damage would have been too much for Ichigo's body to handle. He would have died as a result. The poison would have been too much. But by using your ability to recover, Ichigo's body wouldn't have succumbed to the poison as quickly. Since at the time way back when, you were too injured for even your regeneration to heal you after the fight. Therefore, in order to save your life, Mayuri had to aid your regeneration ability. So basically, what he did for you, he also, in a way, did for Ichigo. It wasn't exactly the same, but it's the same principal. What it did was allow Ichigo's body to recover just enough so he wouldn't die from his injuries. The internal damage was so vast."

Veneno looked at the sheets. "So... It's like... My regenerative powers gave Ichigo enough time to live once the cure took effect. Like pulling out a knife that's cut into an artery. If you pull it out, you bleed out. My ability prevents bleeding out. That's what you're saying, right?"

"Basically. When it was explained to me it was a lot more complicated. Basically, it kept Ichigo's insides functioning until his body could recover enough for his natural healing to kick in. Like slowing down a fall just before hitting the ground so the impact isn't as bad. All the other cures that would have cured him would have also ended up killing him as well. Most of them because of exactly this. His body would have shut down completely because the damage to his body was too great for it to handle. So Mayuri needed something that would keep Ichigo's vital organs functioning for a little while."

"So it is like bleeding out."

"Same idea, I guess."

Veneno smiled brightly, happy to have helped. Even if it was only because of a theory and not because of him physically saving him.

Rukia looked over at the bed. "Ichigo, you alright?"

Ichigo looked like he was fading. His eyes were barely open and he no longer looked as alert as he was before.

"I'm tired."

He still had a long road to recovery.

Rukia smiled. "It's ok. You need your rest."

Ichigo had a lot more questions but he fell asleep before he could ask any of them. He was just too tired.

When Ichigo opened his eyes again, it was the middle of the night. He tried moving his arms but they were too heavy to lift. He turned his head and saw Rukia sitting in the same chair as before with a blanket draped over her shoulders. She shifted in her seat and looked at him.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Ichigo started to lift his head but stopped when Rukia put a finger to her lips. She pointed to something at the foot of his bed. Ichigo looked down and saw Veneno sleeping by his legs. He was in a kneeling position, with his head resting in his arms on the mattress.

"He just fell asleep a little while ago," Rukia whispered. "Cedric took Linnette into another room to sleep. In case you were wondering what happened to her."

Ichigo nodded. He was just about to ask that. He looked to his left and saw a vase full of flowers on his bedside table.

"From you?" he asked softly. "How nice, but I don't need them."

"They're not from me." Rukia sat back in her chair. "Victor put them there."

"Victor did?"

"Yeah. Told you he was concerned about you. He's been checking on you often. So has Cedric."

"They have?"

"Mm-hm. In fact, Cedric is right there now."

Ichigo looked at the door and saw Cedric peeking through the small window at him. He moved away as soon as Ichigo saw him.

"Oops. Guess he was spotted." Rukia smiled, amused. "He usually checks on you from the door, but he's come in a couple of times."

Ichigo turned and faced the ceiling again. "How long was I asleep that time?" he asked.

"Only a few hours. Why?"

"I'm still tired." He couldn't shake this sleepiness. Since it was the middle of the night, it only seemed appropriate for him to go back to sleep.

Rukia moved a cup close to Ichigo's face. "Drink a little water first."

Ichigo sipped the water through a straw as she held the cup for him. As he drank, his eyes grew heavier. Rukia took the cup away and watched Ichigo fall back asleep. She put the cup back on the table and covered herself with the blanket.

Even if she didn't need to, she was going to watch over him as he slept. Just to make sure he was alright.

The following morning, Ichigo was able to sit up with help to eat his breakfast. He was even able to move his fingers but lifting his arms was still a challenge. He was given soup to eat but could barely lift the spoon. Most of the time he dropped it. Taking pity on him, Rukia offered to help feed him.

"How long did Unohana say I'd be weak like this?"

"It all depends. Your whole body was breaking down. You nearly died, Ichigo. It will take some time. Just be thankful you're able to do this much this soon. We all thought you'd be in a coma for weeks."

"So this is progress?"

"It's an improvement from before, I'd say. Now here comes the choo-choo."

"Don't tease me."

Every now and then, Rukia would tease him and Ichigo would tolerate it. He didn't mind. He was just happy to be alive. He was happy to see his friends again.

For a while, he was scared. The reality of death was too close for comfort. Even in battle, knowing he stood a chance at being cut down, death rarely crossed his mind. Though he knew it was a possibility, it just didn't seem real to him. All he cared about was winning. Not what would happen to him should he lose. Not in that sense, at least. This was the first time he had come that close to death and it actually frightened him.

It finally dawned on him.

He didn't think it would bother him, but it did. It stayed on his mind for a while.

What actually bothered him the most about this particular death was how different it was from past battles in which he stood an equal chance of perishing. It wasn't an enemy's sword that would cut him down but that of a friend's. To become something that needed to be cut down to save others. To prevent him from killing those he cared about. That was the difference.

The other major difference was in that he wouldn't be cut down in battle. It was a poison. It was a battle against the clock more than anything. It made him think about his own mortality and the mortality of those around him. How anyone could die. Not from a wound but from their own mortality. How someone's time could just run out.

In battle, if he were to get cut down, he would see death coming. However, this was more slow and uncertain. He would suffer and wonder when death was coming for him, knowing that it was but uncertain of the exact moment.

The unknowing was a big part of it.

He imagined it was what cancer patients in hospitals had to face. Knowing it was coming but unsure of exactly how long it would take. What they had time to do and what they didn't have time for. The fear and regret.

What made it worse were the times Ichigo found himself alone.

He pushed himself hard, wanting to fight. Resisting the transformation. Determined to battle the enemy and take him down. To not let him win. To protect his friends. Though those thoughts were in the front of his mind, the ones going on in the back of his mind were about not wanting to die alone. He wanted someone with him. Someone to see him off and bring him some form of comfort. He wanted someone there. He didn't want to die alone.

In the end, they were there.

He remembered waking up in Rukia's arms with everyone gathered around to make sure he was ok. That made him feel so much better.

Whether he would live or die in that moment, he was given comfort. Just seeing everyone there was enough for him.

Now that he was on the mend, those thoughts rarely crossed his mind anymore. He moved on. He didn't want to dwell on them.

He was alive.

Akon walked down another corridor, looking for someone. He had asked several people if they had seen him but no one had. There was only one place left to look, but he didn't think he would be there of all places.

Then again, maybe he would.

He walked down the stone staircase and into the dark hallway. He reached a door and opened it, entering the lab. It was dark and quiet. Mayuri didn't have any secret projects he was working on at the moment so finding the laboratory this quiet was to be expected.

Akon's eyes scanned the room slowly before finally stopping on the closet on his left.

There he was. Sitting inside the closet with his knees to his chest.

Akon approached the closet and squatted down at the door. "What are you doing in here, Veneno?"

Veneno glanced up. "I just felt like coming here."

It was his first home, after all. This closet was his room at one time. Because of this, in a strange way, it brought him some comfort. Like visiting a childhood memory.

Akon sat with his back against the wall and faced the lab. He was a little surprised to find Veneno here of all places, but in a way it made sense so it wasn't a complete shock.

"I hear Ichigo's doing well," said Akon. "I'm surprised you're not with him."

"I hardly left his side for the past couple days."

"So you're taking a break?"

Veneno hugged his legs to his chest. "I just... I don't know. I guess I came here to think."

"About what?"

"Things."

Akon turned his head to look at the Arrancar hiding in the closet. "What kind of things? What's on your mind?"

Veneno hesitated. He still wasn't sure himself.

"I've been thinking about the Quincy guy I met. Sharif. He was turned into a half-Hollow. He felt lost and confused and scared. He said he had nowhere to go and no one to call his family. So I offered him a place with me. I invited him to stay with me in Hueco Mundo. But he died before it could happen."

"I'm not surprised. I hear Hollows are toxic to Quincies."

Akon then realized his causal comment might not have been the best thing to say at the moment. Even the tone was a bit inappropriate.

"You were... looking for a friend to join you."

Veneno didn't answer.

"I see. So you are lonely there."

"There are Hollows. I'm not alone. But yeah. I guess I did want the company."

Akon sighed. This was very difficult. The situation and Veneno's feelings.

"You were granted freedom, but in return you could not stay here. However, you are permitted to stay here and be with us. But if you were to do that, you have to relinquish your freedom and become Mayuri's property."

Be free and lonely, or be caged and have company. Those were his only options and they were impossible choices.

Akon was beginning to understand why that Quincy's death bothered him so much. Though they had only just met, he could have had a friend to keep him company.

"Sorry, Veneno."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

He tried to brush it off, but Veneno was clearly still upset about it.

"Once Ichigo is all better, he can go home. And once that happens, I have to go back to my home in Hueco Mundo. Alone."

"Again, the deal was that you couldn't live here. But you can visit anytime you like."

Veneno scoffed. "How? You guys have a device that can open a Garganta. I don't."

"No, but like I told you before. You can open one at will. It's a basic Hollow ability."

"But I don't know how to do it. That's my issue."

Akon shrugged. "Practice. Like anything else. You already have the ability. All you have to do is figure out how to use it. Then you can come visit us anytime you like. I'd welcome the visit. Especially since every time we seem to meet up there's chaos going on that needs fixing. It would be nice to meet under better circumstances."

"Yeah. But Ichigo doesn't live here either. How am I supposed to see him?"

"A Garganta works both ways. You can use it to visit the World of the Living as well."

Veneno looked up. "I can?"

"I thought you knew this," Akon told him. "How did you manage to get your clones into the World of the Living the first time we battled?"

"I just used that big door thingy all you Soul Reapers use to get there."

Akon put a hand to his forehead.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Veneno seemed more cheerful now. "In that case, then I guess I will practice until I can do it on my own."

"Great."

Veneno's cheerful expression changed again, looking around the lab. "It's weird, though. Since you brought it up."

"What?"

"About the past. What I did the first time." Veneno stretched out his legs. His feet exited the closet while the rest of his body remained hidden. "It's just weird. Isn't it? How the first time I was here, I hated it and every Soul Reaper. Now, I find myself coming to this lab because it's familiar to me. Not just familiar, but it feels like home somehow. It's weird, right?"

Akon shrugged again. "Things have changed. For the better, I think. I'm glad you feel more at ease around us. I consider that to be a good thing."

Veneno smiled. "Yeah. Heh. To think I'd actually end up missing you people."

He wondered how things would have been for Sharif if he had been given more time. He was willing to give him a chance just like Ichigo was willing to give Veneno. Perhaps things would have been different for him, too.

"Is it weird that this place feels like home to me?" asked Veneno. "Is it weird that I actually miss this closet?"

Akon turned to face him. "Are you actually considering coming back to the lab as an experiment?"

Akon knew what Veneno had to endure from the moment he was brought to the lab as a tiny Hollow is a jar. How it had effected him emotionally and psychologically. How he still hadn't recovered. How it was still effecting him. He wasn't completely over it. Though Veneno may have forgiven them for the most part, his past experiences were still effecting him to this day. Veneno still suffered from panic attacks. Akon found it hard to accept that Veneno would come back to endure even more of that torture. Was Veneno that desperate?

"I don't want you to be put through all that again," Akon told him. "We can find another-"

"No, I'm not going to become an experiment again. I'd rather be free. But I do want companionship." Veneno sighed. "So I'll just have to come here to visit. That's all."

Akon was relieved to hear it.

He had grown so fond of Veneno that he didn't want to see him suffer. Even if it was just to be with his friends. He had hoped Veneno wasn't that desperate.

However, one couldn't underestimate the lengths someone is willing to go for friendship.

Ichigo was proof enough of that. He nearly died just to protect them from a formidable threat.

If Ichigo was willing to do that, what was anyone willing to do? Even Veneno? Or Akon himself?

Akon sat against the wall again.

"So... you hungry?"

Slowly but surely, Ichigo's body began to recover. He was finally able to feed himself, but his legs wouldn't work. No matter how many times he tried, they wouldn't move. Unohana performed several tests, concluding that there was no lasting damage to his nerves or tissue. He wasn't paralyzed, but his legs were too weak to function properly. He would have to go through physical therapy.

Ichigo wanted to start immediately, but Unohana advised him to wait. His body still wasn't ready for the next step. If he forced himself now, his bones would snap. His body was still too brittle. He had to wait or risk causing further damage to himself and wait even longer to recover.

After another day, Ichigo was allowed to test his legs.

Everyone was there to offer their support. Two wooden rails on stands were place shoulder length apart in front of Ichigo. He sat between them and looked at his gathered supporters. Rukia stood closest to him to support him as he stood. Along the rails were Unohana, Isane, Hanataro, Veneno, Linnette, Victor and Cedric.

Ichigo gripped the rails tightly and tried to stand. His legs couldn't support his weight. He held himself up on arm strength alone. He tried moving his feet but they wouldn't budge. His legs were limp and weak.

"Sit back down, Ichigo," Unohana told him. "It defeats the purpose if you drag yourself along the rails with your arms. If your legs aren't working, we can't do this."

Feeling defeated, Ichigo sat down. Unohana tested his legs, scanning them and poking the soles of his feet with a pen. He could feel her poking him with her pen which was an improvement in itself. Before someone could hit his legs and he wouldn't feel it. This showed that he was getting better. Not fast enough for him, however.

Isane and Hanataro tried giving his legs a massage to help his muscles and blood-flow. Isane used her hands to bend Ichigo's legs, stretching them. She told him that this should help his legs regain their strength.

They tried again a few hours later.

Ichigo pulled himself up and tried to move his legs. His foot moved slightly, but his leg had no strength to support him.

Still, Ichigo was determined. This was already an improvement so he wanted to give it his all.

He tried and tried but his legs still wouldn't move. Unohana told him to sit down again.

Around dinnertime, Ichigo was caught rubbing his legs and moving his ankles in a circle as he had seen Isane and Hanataro do to help his legs. He tried moving his legs from side to side on his mattress. He wasn't able to do it.

"I mostly wanted him in a standing position because it would help his legs. Sitting or laying down for a long period of time can have negative effects on the lower half. Having him stand would increase blood-flow."

That was why Unohana wanted him to try to stand even though he was unable to move his legs at all before.

Isane mimicked the motion of walking with Ichigo's legs so he tried to do the same thing. Only it was a lot harder to do on himself.

After dinner, he wanted to make another attempt.

He stood at the rails again and pulled himself up.

Breathing deeply, he gave it another try.

His foot slid across the floor.

He tried moving the other one.

Success. His leg moved.

He slid one foot in front of the other.

Gasps of delight rang out. Everyone was astonished.

He couldn't step, but this was great progress. He kept sliding his feet, moving slowly down the rails. His arms were doing most of the work.

Too much, in fact. Still weak, his arms gave out and Ichigo fell forward.

He was caught by several hands.

He looked up and saw Cedric in front of him, catching him in his chest. Veneno had a hold of Ichigo's left arm while Rukia held the right. Linnette reached with both arms over the handrails, her fingertips brushing Ichigo's chest. Victor stood at his back in case he fell the other way. They all helped him stand and supported him as he slid back to the bed.

After a restful night, Ichigo tried again, bright and early. Though he still wanted to try that same evening, that determination didn't keep him up all night as he thought it would. He was actually able to sleep rather well, pleased at the progress he made and exhausted by it as well.

He stood between the rails and pulled himself up. It was the same as before. All these motions were the same, but he was determined to change one thing. He was going to make it without falling this time.

He slid his foot forward. Then the other one. The first one again.

Then a step. He stepped. It was his first step.

Confidence rising, he moved his leg a little further.

The group followed his every step, moving slowly along the rails on either side of him.

He was halfway there. This was where he had fallen last time. He took another step. Now this was the furthest he had ever been.

His legs were starting to ache. His arms were weakening.

He pushed forward. He would make it to the end this time. He would.

He was almost there.

Ichigo stopped to catch his breath. His arms shook, supporting his weight. He had no idea learning to walk again would be so taxing. He took a deep breath and continued.

He looked forward to see how close he was to the end. Just a few more steps.

Cedric stood at the end, waiting for him.

"Walk to me, Ichigo," he said. "Walk to me."

Like a mother coaxing her child, Cedric gave Ichigo all the encouragement he needed to move forward. Like an infant taking their first steps, he followed Cedric's voice, picking up the pace.

"That's it. Almost there."

Just another few inches. Ichigo stepped and stepped again. His fingers reached the end of the railing. He took one final step and collapsed in Cedric's arms, panting heavily.

He did it. He made it the whole way without falling.

Applause and praise filled his ears.

"You did it, Ichigo!"

"Well done."

Ichigo still couldn't stand on his own, so he supported himself against Cedric as he turned to smile at them.

They helped him back to his bed and sat him down. Ichigo wiped the sweat from his brow. "I didn't think it'd be that hard," he said. Walking always came so easily and now he was breaking a sweat after a dozen steps; which was only halfway across.

"You did well, Ichigo," Unohana praised him. "Eventually you'll be able to do it without the rails. But that's not for some time. You need to rest before doing it again. Don't do too much at once."

He wanted to do it again. He wanted to improve and do better on his next attempt. He felt accomplished already. One major hurdle down.

As much as he wanted to try it again and do better, he knew he needed to rest. He felt so tired already.

He walked only a few feet but it was enough to deplete his energy. After a drink of water, Ichigo took a nap on the bed for a good part of the morning.

Byakuya hadn't seen Rukia for some time. Knowing how concerned she was about Ichigo's state, he had a feeling she would be in the sickbay tending to him. Curious, he went to check on Ichigo's condition and see how his sister was doing at the same time.

As he approached the door, he took notice of the man standing in front of it, peering through the window.

"Cedric?"

He glanced in Byakuya's direction. "Hi."

Unsure of why Cedric was standing outside the room instead of entering, Byakuya stood beside him and looked into the room.

Inside, Ichigo was making another attempt to walk with the railings. Rukia stood behind him as a spotter, her steps matching his. Linnette and Veneno stood at the end, acting as his cheerleaders. Unohana and Victor watched his progress from the side. Ichigo was moving more confidently than before. He took slow precise steps, but he was stepping more, which was a marked improvement. Before he could only slide his feet along the ground but now he could take small steps. He was getting faster, too. However, he still needed to use the rails.

"Go, go, Ichigo! Go, go, Ichigo!" Linnette chanted, cheering him on.

"Maybe if I dangle chocolate on a string, he'll move faster," suggested Veneno.

"Shut up," Ichigo said with a laugh. "You'd probably eat it first."

"Only if you take too long."

Byakuya smiled slightly at the scene. He was proud of Ichigo's progress and of his devotion. Both to his recovery and to his friends. Byakuya was also pleased at the sight before him. To see so many people helping Ichigo and showing their care was heartwarming.

His smile soon faded as he turned to Cedric.

Cedric was also watching the scene take place with a loving gaze. It was unclear who he was watching, but Byakuya had a feeling it was Linnette.

"I'm surprised you're not inside with them."

"Here is fine," Cedric answered. "I was in there before. I didn't want to crowd him too much. He doesn't need as much help as he did before."

"That's good. His strength is returning. Soon he'll be strong enough to return home."

"Yes." Cedric's voice had grown distant. His focus was unmistakably on Linnette this time. He was watching her cheer on Ichigo as he moved down the rails.

"She's grown since last we met," Byakuya told him. "I can tell. She left the Seireitei to help Ichigo."

"She didn't ask us to leave with her." Cedric continued to look at Linnette through the window. "She took it upon herself this time."

Byakuya turned to him.

"I know why she did it," Cedric went on. "She knew Victor was helping to find a cure to save Ichigo. If she brought him along, a cure wouldn't have been found so quickly. She didn't want to hinder the mission, I guess you could say. As for me... She knew the enemy would be coming back, so she left us here to help protect the Soul Reapers. She wanted you to have protection. That was why she didn't ask us for help."

"Instead she took three Vizard Captains to assist her."

"She can't run very fast and she can't fight. She's had no training. She knew she needed help. She took them because she knew she could use her powers on them and give them an excuse to help Ichigo. Since they weren't in their right minds when they left the area, which they were forbidden to do, it wasn't of their own choosing. Technically, it was kidnapping."

"Hm. She's a clever girl. What she lacks, she makes up for in other ways." Byakuya wasn't very close to Linnette and didn't know that much about her, but he could tell that she had grown. "She managed to fabricate such a plan all on her own."

"That's what has me troubled," Cedric admitted. "I was telling the young Captain that earlier when he mentioned his surprise at finding me without Linnette."

"Oh?"

Cedric continued to watch Linnett as he answered. "She's become more independent. She didn't call us once during all that time on the other side of that wall. And that's what worries me."

There was a deep sadness in Cedric's loving eyes.

"We were created by her, for her. We've always been there for her. Helping her. Taking care of her. But it is also our job to help her grow as well. We're proud when she takes the next step. But at the same time, it's painful. Every step she takes is another step away from us."

Victor and Cedric had both become parents to her. They were always a family, but neither one was her father. However, they took on parent roles. They took care of her, protected her and taught her many things. A parent's job was to raise the child and prepare them for the world so they could take care of themselves. Even though they were not her parents, in a way they were. They had the same role to play.

Linnette had started to do more things on her own. Either out of curiosity or the sheer fun of it, and they allowed it. They helped her. If she wanted to cook a meal on her own, they would allow it. If she wanted to make her bed on her own, they would allow it. Before they did everything for her. She never had to lift a finger. Now the bed was made without wrinkles, but few of her meals were edible.

However, one day, she would prepare a dish that was not only edible but tasty.

What then?

What would they do? Where would they be?

Cedric watched Linnette jump up and down as Ichigo made it to the end of the railings. He started to turn around and go back the way he came, which he hadn't done before. He was getting stronger. Linnette ran to the other side and started cheering again.

"She has gotten stronger. She's doing more on her own. And that's what worries me." Cedric looked down and said sadly, "What if she doesn't need us anymore?"

What was their purpose if she no longer needed them? She created them because she needed them. Because she wanted a family. What would become of them if she no longer needed them?

"Does she love you?"

Cedric turned his head. "Hm?"

Byakuya wasn't looking at him when he repeated the question. "Does she love you? It's clear that you two love her. Does she love you?"

Cedric paused, taking the question very seriously.

"She tells us so all the time. She shows her affection in many ways. She shows concern for us if we are ever harmed. So, yes. I believe she does."

"So she loves you?"

"Yes."

Byakuya folded his arms. "Then she'll always need you." He turned and walked away.

Cedric watched him leave in silence, letting his words sink in.

Then he smiled.

He had nothing to worry about.

Please review! ^-^