Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or the name Kurosaki Masaki, both belong to Tite Kubo. My OC belongs to me under the name of Mai.
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Lilarcor : Thank you so much for your 2 reviews. I wish I could update sooner, but unfortunately, that is not the case. I do hope the next couple of chapters will come out faster though.
Edited formatting: 2/24/18
Rukongai
Sweat permeated the rumpled kimono top lying beside Hiro. He had taken it off Kei in an attempt to help cool him down. Contrary to Mina-san's words, Kei did not appear to be getting better. Lukewarm baths, cool cloths pressed to his body, and constant water drinking did nothing to truly ward off the bouts of fever that have kept assuaging Kei since his first onset of fever.
If anything, his bouts of fever kept getting worse, hardly giving his friend a time to rest from their stifling heat. Every time he touched Kei, he felt as though he was touching scorching flames because once he removed his hand he could still feel his own skin burning and throbbing from the contact.
He knew it wasn't his imagination. Ryo and Mina-san also winced whenever they touched Kei. How could it be possible that he could be so hot as though he was the sun itself burning with endless heat? How could his fever never cease bath after bath and endless reapplication of icy cloths that covered him from head to toe?
He had never had a fever that was so heated or long lasting. Neither had Ryo or Kei for that matter. It was very unusual. No, it was unnatural. Every time it seemed it would finally die down, it would eventually come back, whether it was within hours or even a half an hour as it was lately. He knew Mina-san thought so too despite her attempts to reassure them about Kei's condition and attempts to keep them away from him so as not to catch his illness. The fact of the matter was he and Ryo had not felt as much as a tickling of the throat, urge to sneeze, or unusual amount of fatigue despite being having in contact with Kei the longest.
While he was glad that he was healthy to take care of his friend, he couldn't help but find it troubling. He didn't know why, but that fact bothered him almost as much as the fact that Kei did not seem to be getting better.
He could see Mina-san was trying her hardest to heal Kei, but nothing seemed to quell his symptoms, they only worsened. She was out right now trying to get some herbs to concoct some kind of remedy, but Hiro knew what they needed was a doctor. A doctor that they could not afford. They barely had enough money to scrape up to buy food.
Staring at Kei's perspiration covered body and his agonized face, Hiro felt his heart lurch with desperation. He hated seeing his friend so weak, so helpless to the illness rendering him bed ridden. Kei was never weak. There just had to be some way for Kei to be better again. Whatever he had to do, he would do it. Perhaps, he could go find a doctor and beg him to help. He would find a way to pay him either by finding some kind of job, stealing, borrowing, anything….
Yes, that's what I'm going to do, Hiro thought.
He just knew Kei would do the same for him. He always came through for him and Ryo. It was now his turn to return the favor.
Deciding it would be best to put his plan into motion before Mina-san returned, Hiro said, "Listen, Ryo, I'm going to try and get a doctor to come help Kei."
Ryo stared at Hiro. "Hiro, but how are you gonna get him to come? We don't have the money."
"I'll figure it out, but Kei needs help quick. Too many fevers aren't good," Hiro said. He just knew Kei couldn't last that much longer with those unrelenting fevers weakening his body.
Ryo frowned, but nodded.
"Take care of him okay, Ryo," Hiro said, his voice shaking slightly. He felt weird taking the initiative and giving an order. He had never done that before.
"You can do this, Hiro. Please hurry," Ryo encouraged, his eyes momentarily leaving Kei's form to meet Hiro's.
Hiro nodded, taking one last look at Kei as he stood up. Just as he began to take a step forward, Kei suddenly tensed then screamed.
"What's wrong, Kei?" Ryo said anxiously, reaching over to touch Kei, but the latter swatted his arm as he continued to scream and thrash, causing the wet cloths covering him to fall off.
"It hurts!" he yelled. "Too hot! Burning!"
Hiro quickly grabbed one of the fallen cloths, submerged it in water, and tried to press it to Kei's forehead or any part of his body for Kei would not allow himself to be touched.
"Please! Help!" Kei yelled, as he shook from the pain overcoming his body and most likely chills Hiro thought. Chills that failed to calm that incessant heat.
"K-Kei, I'm trying just hold still," Hiro said helplessly, but Kei would not heed his words.
Ryo ran towards Hiro and grabbed the bucket beside him, throwing its contents on top of Kei. Hiro stared at Ryo in shock.
"We need to cool him down somehow," Ryo explained shakily.
Both boys watched as Kei suddenly stopped thrashing within moments after he was drenched in water.
"See," Ryo said.
Hiro tentatively approached Kei. "Are you okay, Kei?" He knew it was stupid to believe that the boy's fever had disappeared after being doused in water, but he at least took comfort in the fact Kei had stopped thrashing and yelling, though he was now moaning incoherently.
Kei did not answer him, only continued to moan and whimper.
"Go get some water, Ryo," Hiro said, as he placed the wet cloth he had in his hand upon Kei's forehead. Ryo grabbed the empty bucket.
"Ugh," Kei moaned, and then let out an anguished yell. He began to thrash again and yell even louder than before.
Hiro tried with all his might to stop Kei from thrashing, from ignoring his own body's recoiling at the touch of Kei's unnaturally heated skin. Somehow, he managed to grab hold of one of Kei's arms. "Kei, please stop!" Kei just kept yelling and thrashing, seemingly unaware of Hiro's pleas. Hiro bit his lip hard, as he nearly screamed himself from not only frustration and fear but from the scorching heat radiating from Kei's arm.
He wasn't sure if he could hold on any longer. He felt as though his fingers would burn off, as if Kei's skin was melting itself from the insufferable heat burning his body. Suddenly he no longer felt his fingers burning or Kei's blazing skin, he felt as though he was touching something that was neither solid or liquid….almost like air itself...Horrified, his eyes caught sight of white particles where Kei's arm had been in his hand.
"Kei!" he screamed, realizing that Kei's arm had apparently melted within his grasp.
He's melting…the heat is melting him, Hiro thought distraught, watching as Kei's shoulder began to crumble into white particles as well.
"Kei!" Ryo yelled as he ran towards the futon where Kei lay and reached out towards Kei's leg.
Too late. Kei's leg disappeared becoming Reishi. Hiro and Ryo watched in horror as their friend decomposed before their very eyes until his head disappeared into nothing but white specks.
"Kei!" Hiro cried out desperately, tears streaming down his face. "Kei," he sobbed, staring in disbelief at the Reishi floating where his friend had just been moments before.
"Kei!" Ryo cried.
Hiro felt his knees shake underneath him. He felt sick; he didn't think he could stand any longer. He was vaguely aware that there was a rattling noise and then with a thunderous bang the ceiling above collapsed, sending debris spiraling downward.
He and Ryo fell to the ground, coughing. Cracking open an eye despite the dust that was falling above him, Hiro spotted what had caused their roof to cave in. A Hollow stood there in the gaping hole, eagerly eating the remains of their friend.
No, Kei!
Fake Karakura
Nobody uttered a word as they strode down the hallway. With his lips twisted into their perpetual scowl and orange eyebrows furrowed, Ichigo led the way towards the doors where the form of the first division fukutaichō awaited them.
As Ichigo approached him, Chōjirō swiftly opened the door before the substitute Shinigami could open his mouth.
Amber eyes briefly shone with the smallest twinkle of satisfaction. Of course, he would open the door for his friends and him. This time they wouldn't be intruding on a taichōs' meeting, they were expected. Oddly enough, this time he wasn't eager to participate. He wanted to know if there was any information regarding Aizen, but at the same time, he wasn't keen on the idea of being once again in a room with the Gotei 13 taichō.
He hadn't been in their presence since the meeting he had intruded upon over two days ago. That certainly hadn't been his finest moment…He remembered all too well Masaki's story, his reaction, his words, his fury at the thought that the Gotei 13 were even considering the idea her story might be real…
At least he thought he did. The images he had had in his head seemed to be pale visions compared to the ones that assuaged him as he entered the room where he had uttered his fury-laced denouncement of Masaki. The walls reverberated with his words and he swore he could see the prostate form of Masaki ahead of him before the sōtaichō.
"She's probably an Arrancar like Gramps said…She probably doesn't even look the way she does…" His voice quivered slightly, he clenched his hands further, drawing blood. "It's probably an illusion… She isn't real… Aizen just wants to distract me… you guys… But, I'm not falling for it, not this time."
"That won't be necessary, Zaraki-taichō," Jūshirō said. "I'm sure Unohana-taichō is capable of verifying whether she is an Arrancar or a Shinigami and whether she truly is Ichigo-kun's daughter."
"Stop calling her that!" Ichigo snapped, his blush deepening further. His body was visibly shaking, and his Reiatsu was fluctuating. "She's nothing… she's an illusion…"
"Calm down, Kurosaki," Uryū spoke. "Don't you see they're just trying to see if she's telling the truth or do you want to condemn an innocent person?"
Shame erupted from the pit of his stomach, blazing hot, rapidly burning through his entire being.
At the time, he had been so consumed by the raw anger pumping through him that he hadn't really considered what he was saying, what anyone was saying. All he knew was that she was a liar, something Aizen created to get to him….He wanted her gone…Wanted to take on Aizen then and there….
God, he'd been a fool. No worse than that.
All because he'd let his emotions get to him. He should have tried to calm down, tried to listen…It wasn't as though the Gotei 13 was taking her word at face value…
He knew it was futile to think these thoughts. It wouldn't change what he had said and felt… Masaki may have dismissed his words, but that was little comfort. Standing here, in the room where he had uttered those words, only reaffirmed his need to make amends for them.
He intended on doing just that when the time came. He already promised Masaki as well as Rukia….While Rukia's attempt to talk to him earlier this morning had been a surprise—though he knew it was imminent—her request for him to make up for his behavior towards Masaki wasn't. It was merely the reiteration of what he had to do.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, you may enter."
Slightly startled, Ichigo glanced down the room toward where the sōtaichō stood, his weathered hands gripping his wooden cane.
"While I appreciate the gesture of proper decorum, it does not require you to linger at the door all day. I believe you and your friends were called to assist our meeting," the leader of the Gotei 13 reminded him.
"R-Right," Ichigo stammered, an uncharacteristic blush tinting his cheeks as he quickly made his way into the room. He hadn't realized he hadn't moved.
Behind him, he could hear the footsteps of his friends indicating they were also entering now that he had stopped barring the entrance. Ichigo stopped at the gap provided by the separation of taichō, a couple of feet from where the rows of the taichō ended. The closest taichō was Shunsui to his left and to his right, farther away was Kenpachi.
As his friends quietly sidled up next to him, Ichigo couldn't help but take note of how empty the room was. The only taichō in addition to the sōtaichō were Sui-Fēng, Shunsui, Komamura, and Kenpachi. They were standing in their usual position on either side of the sōtaichō regardless of the fact that their peers were clearly missing.
It was so strange to see the Gotei 13 reduced to such few individuals. This was his third time attending a meeting, and he had to say it didn't quite feel the same without the others—the presence of all the taichō had certainly felt imposing the first time he had participated—and yet, perhaps, because there were so few of them, the air seemed more somber than before.
He didn't know exactly why, but he could sense it. Something was wrong.
What has Aizen done?
"Let us begin then," Yamamoto said, tapping his cane against the floor. "The Soul Society is experiencing a threat unlike any other in its history," he announced, his eyebrows knitting as he surveyed the room.
Ichigo tensed, preparing himself to hear the news.
"Aizen has unleashed a virus upon the Soul Society."
"A virus?" Ichigo repeated, wrinkling his brow. This was not what he expected to hear.
"Yes, a virus," the old man affirmed. "A virus has been circulating in Rukongai that has rapidly spread throughout the districts. "
"So, that is why Unohana-taichō went back to the Soul Society," Shunsui commented.
"That is correct," Yamamoto asserted. "Ukitake-taichō alerted me that there was reason to believe that recent cases of sick Shinigami were more than just a case of influenza. Unohana-taichō has confirmed that this is no ordinary virus. According to Unohana-taichō, this virus although bearing an appearance to the flu only affects those who possess Reiryoku, and it causes much more than flu symptoms in the infected. It is breaking down the Reishi bonds that give a Soul a form. In other words, this virus is killing the infected turning them into Reishi."
"W-What the hell?" Ichigo said, surprised. His friends wore similar expressions.
"Talk about a deadly virus," Shunsui murmured.
"It appears Aizen intends to eradicate anyone who possesses Reiryoku, not just Shinigami."
"This is...beyond vile," Komamura said, revulsion clear in his voice.
"B-But why?" Ichigo asked.
"Because he's a coward," Kenpachi answered, disgusted. "Bastard doesn't want to face us head on and get his hands dirty. Instead, he prefers to wipe us out with this shitty trick."
"There is no doubt Aizen is a coward," Yamamoto agreed,"but there are greater consequences from this virus than merely the destruction of the Gotei 13 and its potential recruits. The deaths of so many Souls will disrupt the balance between the Soul Society and the World of the Living. Both worlds would be destroyed."
"So, he really is intent on destroying the balance," Uryū spoke. "These Hollows he's been altering are also aiding with that."
Ichigo turned left to stare at the Quincy, who was next to him. Looks like the Quincy had been right about that, but still that didn't answer everything. He asked what the Quincy had asked yesterday, "But what does that have to do with the Ōken? Is he—"
"The destruction of both worlds will ensure Karakura's own destruction," Yamamoto answered. "I suspect he will attempt to create the Ōken while we deal with the virus and the ever-increasing Hollow attacks that are occurring and will continue to occur as long as this disruption in the balance continues. Escaping to the Royal Dimension would ensure his safety and that of his followers whilst everything falls into chaos."
The sōtaichō paused before continuing.
"Reports submitted by the Onmitsukidō indicate that the water sources in Rukongai contain the virus and that it initially started in the districts farthest away from the Seireitei and has since then spread. The highest concentration of infected individuals and deaths are found in the districts farthest from the Seireitei while the closest districts surrounding the Seireitei have yet to be infected as much as the others are, but that won't last at the rate the virus is spreading.
"There is another reason why Aizen started the attack in Rukongai. The Seireitei's water supply is within the Seireitei's protective barrier. Only someone from within the Seireitei would have been able to contaminate our resources. Had that occurred we would have noticed the virus sooner within our ranks.
"Expecting a direct threat to the Seireitei and Karakura, we armed our forces accordingly. Normally, divisions assign their members to patrol either, the World of the Living, Rukongai, or the Seireitei, but because of Aizen, most of our forces have been assigned to the Seireitei and the perimeter surrounding the real Karakura outside of Rukongai. The Seventh Division is the exception, which has been called to serve here.
"With the initial appearance of altered Hollows in the top districts surrounding the Seireitei, more Shinigami were sent out to aid those that were already stationed there. However, they have started appearing everywhere within the last twenty four hours and with more frequency forcing us to send more of our troops out."
"He's forcing our forces to come into contact with the virus," Sui-Fēng noted, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes," Yamamoto said. "Unfortunately, there is no cure at this time which has put us in a difficult position. We cannot afford for the Hollows to destroy the Soul Society yet we cannot afford for the virus to destroy our ranks. The Gotei 13's mission, however, is to protect the Soul Society no matter what and as such, I have ordered the troops to be deployed into Rukongai as needed and to stay there until further notice. I have placed the Seireitei under a state of lockdown. The Fourth Division is currently testing all Shinigami for the infection, in particular those who have recently been in Rukongai. This is an arduous task only made harder by the fact many of the beds within the infirmary have already been filled. Nevertheless, it is imperative that the infected be gathered in order to contain the spread of the virus within the Seireitei.
"Unohana-taichō and Kurotsuchi-taichō have been tasked to find a cure, but with such a grave threat facing us we require all the assistance we can get to stop it." He directed his gaze towards Orihime, who was standing beside Sado on Ichigo's right side. "Inoue Orihime, would you go to the Soul Society and assist in treating the infected?"
"I'll help," Orihime said, her voice was firm and determined. "My power isn't exactly healing but rejection. I've never tried it on anything except wounds, so I don't know how helpful I'll be, but I'll try. I'll do whatever I can to help."
"Inoue Orihime, on behalf of the Gotei 13, I welcome your assistance. As soon as the meeting is over, prepare to depart for the Soul Society. The sooner you can help, the sooner we can come closer to curing the infected."
"So, we're going to the Soul Society then?" Ichigo asked.
"No, only Inoue Orihime," Yamamoto said.
"Only Inoue?" Ichigo repeated.
"You are not needed there, Kurosaki Ichigo," Yamamoto began.
"She can't go by herself," Ichigo cut him off. "Did you forget what happened last time? Aizen had her kidnapped! For all we know, he might try to kidnap her again…Think about it. He went to the trouble of kidnapping her because of her powers. This is probably the real reason despite all the crap he told us…"
It had been beyond disconcerting to learn they had been had by that traitorous bastard, that Inoue had merely been a pawn to lower the Soul Society's defenses, but maybe that had been a ploy too, now that they knew of what appeared to be Aizen's final plan. He could not begin to fathom what went on Aizen's head, if this plan of his to destroy the world had always been on his mind or if it was merely a back up after the defeat of the Espada, but it was clear he enjoyed to manipulate people and situations to his advantage.
Based on that, he didn't consider the possibility that Aizen had never truly intended to destroy Karakura and the Soul Society by force despite the gathering of the Espada farfetched. It could undoubtedly be the actual truth. Aizen did not seem perturbed in the slightest that his Espada had lost. Maybe Aizen had expected him to die at the hands of Ulquiorra while he rescued Inoue, which he nearly damn did, despite his nonchalance at seeing Ichigo arrive in Fake Karakura. That would have ensured that Inoue would have remained in Hueco Mundo since everyone else was either injured or still fighting.
"Inoue Orihime, will not go alone. She will be escorted—"
"By my friends and me, I won't let her go alone," Ichigo said resolutely. "I won't give Aizen a chance to hurt or use my friends against me again…"
"Ichigo," Rukia said, staring at the orange haired Shinigami. She was standing next to Uryū, who was also staring at Ichigo with an understanding expression.
"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime murmured.
"There is no need for you to do that," Yamamoto said, annoyed. "You are not needed in the Soul Society."
"I might not be able to heal people, but I can make sure Inoue gets to the Soul Society safe. It's my duty to protect my friends. You didn't even want to help bring her back from Hueco Mundo, remember?" He couldn't help but point that out, although in the end the old man did send help. Not giving the sōtaichō a chance to reply he added, "Besides, do you honestly think Aizen is gonna show up here? If he wanted to destroy this town he would have done so already, but he didn't. He's putting all his efforts to destroying the Soul Society. Chances are he's gonna make his attack there…"
"He's right you know," said a voice behind Ichigo.
Ichigo froze.
No, it can't be…
He had to be hearing things. That voice…No, it couldn't belong to him…It just couldn't…But if it was….No, it had to have been someone else…There was no way he was here….This was insane and yet it wasn't, he had heard far crazier things. Already he could feel his mind working overdrive, his heart thumping laboriously under his rib cage….
"I take it you already know about the virus, so that saves me the trouble. Ichigo's right, there's no point in staying here. Aizen will be making his move in the Soul Society. Everything is there for him to reach his goals: Karakura, Reiryoku sacrifices, Hollows..."
Ichigo remained frozen, staring blankly ahead of him. His head vaguely making sense of the words being spoken.
How does he know? No, wait... it can't really be him…
The next words said by the sōtaichō shattered the thought.
"What do you mean by Reiryoku sacrifices, Kurosaki Isshin?"
Did Gramps really just say that?
With a jolt, Ichigo realized that the sōtaichō was indeed looking past his friends and him, his eyes now open, awaiting an answer from the man who shouldn't have been there. A grin that had been previously missing on Shunsui's face, which had been mirroring the dismal atmosphere of the room, had now sneaked its way onto his face, though his eyes still held a serious yet knowing gleam. Sui-Fēng, who had been surprised for a moment, was now bearing her usual predatory glare and a grimace. Komamura's golden eyes shone with surprise and attention as he awaited the reply to the sōtaichō's question. Kenpachi also awaited the reply though with an air of impatience mingled with indifference.
Very slowly, Ichigo turned, catching out of the corner of his eyes the shocked expressions of his friends. Then his eyes found themselves latched onto the form of his father standing in the entrance of the conference room. Instead of finding him dressed in his white lab coat and yellow shirt or any of his other non-work clothes, he found him clothed in the black garb of the Shinigami—the Shihakushō. Wrapped around his left arm was undeniably a taichō's haori— clearly visible across the bottom length of it were the familiar black diamonds and circles that adorned a taichō's haori— and tied to his sash by a string was a Zanpakutō with a red hilt, a rectangular guard, and a blue tassel adorning its pommel. It was worn with the edge down like a tachi instead of a katana.
There was no trace of his usual goofy, idiotic grin. In its place was a surprisingly serious expression. His solemn gaze was focused on Yamamoto. He made no move to address his gaping son.
"I'm referring to all those who have been infected by the virus," Isshin explained. "Aizen is using the virus to gather the Reishi of all those who possess Reiryoku with the Hollows at his disposal in order to speed up the awakening of the Hōgyoku. While Aizen is able to temporarily use the Hōgyoku with his own power, he can only access its full power by utilizing a massive amount of Reiryoku according to Urahara Kisuke. In this case, Aizen intends to use or rather sacrifice the whole of the Soul Society to fulfill his goal."
"Yare yare," Shunsui said morosely. "He sure thought of everything, didn't he? Not only does he get rid of everything that stands in his way for him to create the Ōken, but he also powers up the Hōgyoku."
"We can't let him get away with this. We need to be in the Soul Society to stop him when he makes his move," Sui-Fēng said.
"Yes, we must," Yamamoto agreed. "I thought it would be best to wait until a cure was found, but I see now we need to return to the Soul Society immediately to be prepared for when Aizen attacks. The quarantine measures we have taken should protect us from contracting the virus; nevertheless, we should all be careful. The Fourth Division is still testing everyone and each division is working to disinfect their barracks seeing as the Fourth Division is as busy as it is." Yamamoto then glanced at the Komamura. "Komamura-taichō, I want you and your division to remain here. We need at least one division that we are certain of is free from the virus."
"Understood." Komamura nodded.
"Very well. Everyone else prepare to return to the Soul Society." Yamamoto banged his cane on the floor ending the meeting.
Ichigo could hear the sound of shuffling as the taichō moved from their positions, could feel the eyes of his friends on him, but he did not move. His gaze was still locked on the form of his father.
"Isshin-kun." He heard Shunsui say, as he watched the Eight Division taichō walk up to his dad and clap a hand on his shoulder. Kenpachi and Komamura also stopped by but Sui-Fēng barely glanced at Isshin as she left the room. The sōtaichō's gaze had only lingered on him for a moment before he too left the room.
"K-Kurosaki-kun, your father….He's… Are you okay?" Orihime wondered, staring questioningly at Ichigo.
Ichigo was no longer wearing a surprised expression instead his face was neutral as he continued to stare at the scene before him.
"So, that's where you get your power from, Kurosaki," Uryū commented, pushing his glasses up his nose."Figures you weren't fully Human."
Ichigo remained silent and unmoving. Sado and Rukia eyed him worriedly.
"Ichigo," Sado said quietly after a few for moments, but the substitute Shinigami did not give any indication he had heard him. The giant then gently nudged his shoulder but that also failed in gaining his attention. It was as though Ichigo had become a statue.
BAM.
Uryū, Rukia, Sado, and Orihime watched in shock as Ichigo rolled after receiving a drop kick to the chin that sent him sprawling backwards.
"That's not how you get Ichigo to snap out of it, Sado-kun," Isshin commented as he pulled himself to a standing position. The other taichō had vacated the room.
"What the hell is your problem, Oyaji?" Ichigo demanded, leaping to his feet and rubbing his chin.
"See?" Isshin grinned.
Glowering, Ichigo continued to stare at his father. He did not make a move to get closer to his friends or Isshin.
"Looks like it still didn't work," Isshin muttered, as he rushed past Sado and Uryū and knocked Ichigo down with a clothesline move. There was a struggle and several shouts as the two Kurosakis wrestled with each other until Isshin had his arm locked around Ichigo's head.
"Let me go," growled Ichigo, struggling to undo the hold his father had on him.
"No." Isshin shook his head. "I'm not letting you go." He tightened his hold around Ichigo and flicked him on the nose with his free hand. "You felt that, didn't you?" Ichigo just glared at him.
"You're not imagining things, Ichigo," Isshin continued. "I am real."
"I know," Ichigo muttered, looking at the floor.
"I realize this is quite a shock for you and that you probably have a million questions but now—"
"I don't have any," Ichigo interrupted him.
It was lie. Of course, he had many questions, but he couldn't bring himself to ask them. This was neither the time nor place. It was up to his dad to dictate when. Forcing the truth would not bode well. He had learned his lesson with Masaki. He understood now why she had lied—he was never meant to know who she was—but her efforts were all in vain because of him. He had wanted to know the truth so badly he barged in on a meeting he shouldn't have and when he found out the truth he had sought after, he refused to accept it. The irony was not lost on him. He was not going to repeat that mistake again.
As he was thinking of what he was going to say to his dad, he remembered the words Rukia had spoken him when he had learned of his mother's true killer:
"...If I ask, will you answer? ...It's your problem. A deep, deep problem. I have no right to know. I don't have a method of stepping into the depths of your heart without getting it dirty. So I'll wait. When you want to talk, when you think it's okay to talk... Talk to me. Until that time, I'll wait."
Ignoring the surprised look on Isshin's face, Ichigo said, "If you didn't tell me until now, you must have had your reasons. And that's your problem, not mine. I can't think of any way of asking that wouldn't mean traipsing all over your feelings and staining them with dirt. So I'll wait. Until you decide you want to tell me, until you decide it's time for me to know, you don't have to say a thing."
"Looks like my son finally learned some tact," Isshin declared.
"I picked it up from someone else," Ichigo admitted. "Besides, this isn't the time for discussion. We need to go the Soul Society." Feeling that his father had loosened his hold on his neck, Ichigo shifted slightly and rammed his left elbow hard into Isshin's gut.
"Oof," Isshin cried as he fell backwards.
"This isn't as surprising as you think, Oyaji," Ichigo muttered under his breath, thinking about Masaki's revelation. His stomach suddenly churned. They were heading to the Seireitei where Masaki was….As awkward as it would be trying to interact with her, it would pale in comparison if his dad found out about her. That man would probably make it ten times worse.
He inwardly shuddered at the thought. Maybe they didn't have to meet. The Seireitei was under lockdown, wasn't it? But that would mean Masaki would have to be sick in order to for her to be kept from walking freely within the Seireitei. He immediately felt ill at the thought. Of course, he didn't want her to catch that lethal virus just so his dad wouldn't meet her. If his dad had to meet her, then so be it.
From what he remembered though, the Seireitei was such a huge maze like place, and his dad probably had friends to catch up with judging from the little exchange between him and Shunsui and the others, so there was a chance that they wouldn't have to meet.
However, he didn't dare get his hopes up with the way things have been going lately.
Quick Glossary
Reiryoku- spirit energy/spiritual power
Reishi- spirit particles
Ōken- King's Key
Oyaji- old man/dad
Otou-san- father
Tachi- sword style in which the sword is worn hanging from the sash with the cutting edge down. Katanas are worn with the edge up and through the sash.
Yare yare- oh my
Kaa-san- mom
AN: Sorry for the wait for this chapter. Life and deliberation with my muse prevented from updating sooner. I do hope I can get the next chapter out faster though. I have several new drawings and sketches (well practice sketches) on my deviantArt page that you can check out. My sketches can be found on the Scrapbook area, which is found when you click the Gallery option that is under my name. It's supposed to be the area where you put unfinished works. I understand if you wouldn't want to see those practice sketches, but at least check out my finished Masaki drawings and a pic of Masaki and Rukia that is found on my main gallery.
I couldn't help but use Ichigo's dialogue that he used in the manga chapter 398 although it is altered a bit for my use.
I wanted to clear something up in case you guys haven't realized. I'm telling this story on a day by day basis because of my storyline, so multiple chapters are covering the same day. To keep it simple, all I will say is that it has been 1 day since Masaki and the others have left for the Soul Society and about 3 days since Masaki arrived in the past.
Okay, so that's it for now. Please don't forget to review!