It's been two weeks now and the month of July's weather in Karakura was nearly reminiscent of summer weather back in New York City. Humid and hot, during the day, the slight difference, it didn't feel stuffy. However, the nights were the same. A coolness hid among the summer breeze, that was easy to miss. But you felt it gently caress your exposed cheeks under your dark oversized hoodie as you nimbly sprinted and jumped across rooftops of homes, buildings and businesses.
Normally you'd fly across and reach one of the shrines, tonight you decided to run.
Your heart, bursts with elation, from the familiar feeling and moment. Running along rooftops, in the night patrolling the streets of New York City, while also goofing off. You, April, the turtles, and occasionally Casey doing daring tricks or playing games.
Leo, you found yourself immersing back to your teens, many years ago, took the lead. Everyone was following, he was followed by Raph and Casey, then Donnie, Mikey, April, and finally, you had the tail. You could have easily taken front but you enjoyed it.
You enjoyed it greatly, leaping from one rooftop to another effortlessly and weightlessly. All of you together under the night sky.
You always had the biggest smile on, Mikey's laughter always filled the openness above over something he'd say resulting in everyone joining.
Their laughter echoed in your mind unable and there it stayed. Unable to fill the openness above you, all was quiet with minimal sounds of any kind you could detect. Probably about five miles west of you you heard the screeches of a hollow.
How those used to send chills down your spine when you first came face to face with one, after you arrived with Adam, all bloodied and torn. You had burns and bruises across you and torn clothes. Adam was tucked protectively against your chest….and….
The far-off hollow's screeches test through the night, bringing you back and regaining your focus.
You hadn't time for any sentimental moments, you needed to hurry to the shrine and place one of the candles you carried in the front pocket of your hoodie. You nearly forgot about this after visiting Masaki.
It was that dang Isshin's fault, his words had barely stopped echoing in your mind. They would not relent no matter how hard you tried. Why did he have to be…so…you grunt frustratedly. None of this was his problem, you could handle it.
You can handle everything!
"So leave me alone!" You shout heated, clenching your fists, and quickly realize what you did.
Instantly you clasp a hand over your mouth shamefully. You shouldn't have allowed yourself to get to that level. It was…it wasn't…never mind what it was, you relaxed and released your fist back into a hand and shook it out.
You follow that with a deep inhale and a long exhale. You do this a few more times until you calm down and again refocus.
Adam was fine, you told yourself shaking off the tiredness from your tired eyes, he was doing great. He just loves drawing and is like any normal child. He is a normal child, you iterate profusely, ignoring the gripping fear resonating in your heart.
"No," you whisper in refusal, slightly biting your bottom lip," he is normal. Adam will have a normal life." Marigold appeared in your mind, and you stopped.
There she stood, a young adult, her hair now shorter a pixie cut, it still framed her peachy disposition well. Those same blue eyes, Adam had and April, look at you with joy, matching the smile she and Adam shared. You felt your heart barbing with pain but resisted showing it. That didn't stop Marigold from tilting her head and her eyes widened with knowing and concern.
"What's wrong Auntie May-May?" she asked sweetly.
You said nothing but felt the itch to reach out to her, to quickly remind yourself this was nothing but a figment of your mind, and close your eyes. A grave mistake, when you opened them, and a sharp gasp almost erupted into a piercing scream from you if you didn't purse your lips together firmly. There Marigold stood, still smiling though it was an exhausted one. Her eyes were heavy and dark underneath, almost sunken in, but she still managed to smile and slowly lifted and reached out a hand to you.
Your heart goes erratic against your chest and your blood froze, and you knew what came next. Sparing yourself, you fly up and away at breaking speed. The world around you became nothing but a blur. Before you knew it, you arrived at the first temple and dropped land out of the sky, causing the ground beneath you to shake a bit and crack. You paid little mind until you reached up to take off your hoodie.
"What?!" you gasp, reaching your hands back and finding it was already off.
It took you a moment to realize how that happened, once it clicked you began to panic and rush around the grounds, throwing and removing things aside quickly searching for anything with a reflective surface. You found it, a small puddle on the ground your eyes widened, it was as you feared, your hair was glowing and firey. Your heart dropped, that meant...your head snapped up and there it was a trail of vibrant light in the sky. It stopped over the temple grounds, it would stay like that until...this wasn't good. You needed to keep a low profile, if anyone saw it then...
Without thinking you bolt into the sky, quickly covering and stuffing your hair back into your hood. You pull the drawstrings and tie them, you knew this wouldn't work for long so you had to move fast.
Very fast.
Elsewhere in a room filled with wall-mounted monitors, an alarm went off. Footsteps rush over and eyes sweep over the monitor and widen in confusion and shock. They weren't sure what they were looking at exactly, it wasn't who they were trying to find...it was someone else but...their readings were similar to another one that would appear every now and then.
"Should we report this anomaly too?"
"Yeah. Give these readings to squad 12 and a copy to the captain of squad 5 too."
"Right! Have you figured out what it could be?"
"No. But hopefully, soon."
Back in Karakura Town, your light trail finally disappeared, you managed to do it and returned to your original agenda, unaware some eyes had noticed the trail.
It was nearing two in the morning and back at the house Adam and Rukia were still peacefully asleep. Neither were disturbed, nestled warmly in their beds respectfully, except someone or something in Adam's room and in his hold. As he slept a small figure slipped out from under his hold, dangled itself from the bed for a few seconds before dropping to the floor with a soft squeak. The Kon froze momentarily and listened for any movement from Adam, but none came. A sigh fell from Kon and using a stuffed arm wiped their brow. With minimal light in the room, his black beady eyes managed to make out the door across the way and hurried over.
Carefully Kon opens the door a bit and slips out. Softly he closed the door being mindful not to disturb Adam, the halls were clear and quiet, meaning this would be easy. Going to Rukia's room, right next to Adam's. He chuckles quietly to themselves and tip-toes over, just as they jump up to the doorknob his lion ears hear in the near distance a window open. The sound came from your room.
"What the?" He mutters confused and leave their original plan and make their way to your room.
When he arrived at your seemingly closed door, he noticed it was slightly open. With a gentle push, he opened it a bit more and slipped in, he scutted to a dark corner of the room and what he saw doubled the size of his eyes. Kon barely managed to catch the sharp gasp that came out.
You glide into your room and land gently down, just as you are about to take off your hood hear a soft sharp gasp. Startled for a moment your eyes snap in the area the sound came and narrows.
Your hand already tightened into a fist, with crackling energy surrounding it, you calmly walk over, stopping midway realizing there was no one or anything there. Relaxing you cancel the energy and take off your hoodie. Opening your closet, you store it deep inside. From under your bed, Kon covered his mouth with both paws, frozen in place. So many questions burst into his mind, adding to questions he already had about you when he first met you weeks ago when inhabiting Ichigo's body for the first time at school. There was something off, he wasn't sure but when he tried to(before finding out who you actually were) make a pass, your eyes weren't fooled, and the piercing look you gave nearly sent shivers down his spine. And the question you asked, which seems more like a warning threat...Kon was shocked.
And now...this!
You flying into your room in this early in the morning hours, wearing a hoodie...you clearly weren't...were you Mod Soul he wondered? Most importantly, did Ichigo know?
Hearing you humming, brought Kon out of his piling questions and what he heard you say just raised more questions and speculations with a tinge of jealousy.
"Preparations for dinner for Mr. Urahara and the shop, I yet to complete, goodness" you tiredly sigh, "I have yet to even set a date for the dinner."
Kon gasped sharply again, growling lowly. Then quickly remembered where he was and tightened his hold over his mouth, fearing you might have heard him. You seemed not to have noticed, you were busy getting out your pajamas and robe. Still, remaining where he was Kon listened and saw another light in the room turn on followed by the sound of running water.
His cheeks flared red and a pressure cooker scream was ready to erupt. This was happening, this was actually happening and he was here...he could just imagine it now, as his thoughts drifted away...you standing in the bathroom, with nothing but a towel wrapped around. Steam rising and filling the room, thick enough to cover you when you released the towel and let it drop softly to the floor and...and...
Suddenly Ichigo's angry face appeared ending Kon's lulled thoughts, he nearly screamed again but caught himself.
"Damn you, Ichigo," he muttered annoyed, and crossed his arms. A few minutes passed and Kon remained in his spot, trying to get back to his...lovely dream only to be stopped every time by Ichigo's face. Fed up he gave up and crawled out from under the bed and dusted himself off. "Always ruining my fun."
The water was still going, Kon turned to the bathroom and found the door slightly ajar. His eyes lit up and his tail curled, "Well when a door opens," he cheekily said and skipped over. "A little peek never hurt."
"Marigold," you said solemnly, "Sister. E'mybr. Everyone."
Kon stopped puzzled by what you just said, those names. "What?"
You said the names again, Kon noticed the dripping of pain and sorrow in your voice, which set him with concern. Forgetting his original agenda he leaned against the wall and listened. What he heard fall from your mouth...twisted a knot inside, a heavy knot...he wondered if...Ichigo or maybe Rukia might...
The water!
It stopped! Hearing step out Kon, becoming lost in your words, panicked. You were coming out and he was still in your room! The door, seemed further than before and he knew his little legs wouldn't reach and you might...you might...what was he supposed to do?
Finished with your shower, fresh, dressed, and ready for the last few hours you had before waking up for breakfast step out of the bathroom and suddenly hear a soft squeak under your foot. You look down and find Kon, to your surprise. He should be with Adam.
Reaching down you pick him up and for a moment your eyes study him. "You are rather unusual, Kon," you softly scuff, bringing him close, "come let us return you back."
Kon remained still as you walked out of your room and headed to Adam's. You smelled like fresh flowers, he noticed with a dreamy sigh. He almost became lost in the enthralling scent if you hadn't stopped at Rukia's room first. This surprised him and he became excited when you opened the door. You poked your head in and rested your eyes on Rukia. She was sleeping well, and Kon noticed the relieved look in your eyes. It almost seemed...motherly, he wasn't sure. You slipped in and went over to Rukia, with a gentle reach you took her covers and brought them closer to her.
Kon was in awe at how tenderly and tentatively you were with Rukia. He felt himself feeling fuzzy inside. He wondered if Rukia knew you did this.
You stayed for another minute and left, not before putting one of her plush rabbits next to her.
Finally, you reached Adam's room and what you did to Rukia, Kon saw you do the same to Adam. First, you laid him back with Adam, and the boy instantly hugged Kon close. You then brought the covers up over them both and gently tucked them in. Kon remained still and when you leaned down giving Adam and himself a gentle pat on the head, followed by a feathered kiss atop the forehead, Kon felt...this warm, cozy rush that filled him up.
That feeling, he wondered watching you leave the room...that feeling, he had the word, touching the spot you kissed...the word was there...it was...
Safety.