Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Fairy Tail.
Speech: "Hi"
Thoughts: 'Hi'
Abilities: "Getsuga Tenshou!"
Zanpakuto or Inner Voice:'HI'
Yo! I'm back. I said I wasn't gonna be gone for long lol. I had to do some things which I thought were gonna be for about a week but nope!, I'm happy to see that you guys are enjoying the story :) Let's go!
It was 7:35pm and Ichigo was just about done getting ready for his date. Though he couldn't lie he actually felt somewhat nervous, this was the first date of his two lives. The clothes prepared by Misty surprised him to say the least, he was expecting a suit and tie but he guessed Misty had other plans. The girl gave him a black blazer that he wore unbuttoned over a black button up shirt that tucked into some black trousers with a brown leather belt. He also had black Lace oxford shoes to match. When he received the bag of clothes from the woman she also said she left him a first purchase gift for him since he paid a large amount on his first buy. Walking over to the bag he sees a card picking it up and reads it.
Hello New Customer!
We are pleased to know that you chose our store for your clothing purchases. In good spirit, We've decided to give you this gift! We hope you like it! And please come again.
XOXO Crocus Formal Attire.
Digging into the bag once more Ichigo pulls out a golden Figaro chain necklace. "I can see why they are the best clothing store in Fiore." He says putting the chain on. Walking to the bed he then grabs the bouquet of tulips and heads out the door. Walking down the stairs, the clerk at the front desk see's Ichigo.
"Oh! What is the occasion, Sir?" The clerk spoke in a french-accent. Ichigo stops to respond to the man.
"Oh uh, I have a date tonight! It's my first one." He conveys to the man.
"Ah, young love is so beautiful, it reminds me of my younger days. I was quite the bachelor but my wife stopped that." He chuckles cheerfully. "Come here my dear boy." he urged Ichigo. Confused, the orange-haired boy walks over and to his surprise the man unbuttons the three top buttons on the shirt exposing the boy's collar and a small portion of his upper chest then fixes his chain. "There! Now you look more dashing and now…" The man then looks under his desk and pulls out a bottle of cologne.
"Why do you have a bottle of cologne under your desk?" Ichigo looks at him perplexed.
"Because this is my inn and I do what I want." The man takes Ichigo's wrist and sprays it. "Now rub your wrist together and then rub the base of your neck." He instructs. Still confused, the young man does what the clerk says and catches the smell of the cologne.
"Wow this smells great." Ichigo complimented the man's cologne.
"I'm glad you like it. I'm sure your lady friend will too!" He says, patting Ichigo on his shoulders. "I adore seeing love blossom. I will help out no matter who it is! Now go! You have a lady waiting for you!" He tells him pushing Ichigo away. Ichigo turns and walks out of the inn.
Heading down the streets towards the restaurant The ex-substitute soul reaper looks at the bouquet of flowers and chuckles "Heh, You know, the flowers are actually pretty now that I'm looking at them." he states as he continues down the street not noticing two figures behind a wall watching him.
"He's finally left the inn! It's showtime, Carla." Wendy says looking down at her feline friend,
"Yes, it's finally time." Carla says looking at Ichigo intently
Nearing the restaurant Ichigo was noticing that he was getting a lot of female attention as he passed down the roads. Some of the women would look towards him with a blush and turn away when he'd look back at them. He'd hear whispers as he'd pass by.
"He's so dreamy"
"Chill man, my girlfriends out here" A random man yelled
"Is he a model?"
"The things I would do to him!"
That last comment made Ichigo blush as he continued with a bit more speed in his walk. Arriving at the restaurant the man stood at the door and noticed that Ultear wasn't around "Guess I got here early." He observes and waits for Ultear. Around the corner of a building far away Wendy and Carla watched the boy stand in front of the restaurant.
"So remind me again Carla of why you decided earlier to spy on Ichigo-nii?" She questions the cat. Wendy did feel bad for spying on her brother but Carla was very pushy on the idea of spying yesterday night. 'This is really out of Carla's character' Wendy thought, Carla wouldn't normally behave like this spying on people, much less on Ichigo. 'What's gotten into her?'
"I told you Wendy it's because I'm just curious on how this will play out." Carla answers quickly. Carla looks at Ichigo with a worried expression, 'I can't let Wendy know the real reason why we're spying.' The cat thought. Carla hasn't revealed to Wendy about her special power and that is she can have visions of the future, a precognition if you would like to call it that and yesterday night she had one of Ichigo. It was right after her and Wendy left Ichigo to talk to Ultear about their date.
-Flashback-
Arriving at the inn Carla and Wendy entered in different moods, Wendy was very excited because her brother was asked out and she was very happy for him. Carla, however, felt entirely different while she was happy for Ichigo she couldn't shake the weird feeling she had about Ultear, the woman gave her no reason to not trust her but Carla's gut was telling her otherwise. The way she suddenly had an interest in Ichigo confused her. Carla was so lost that in her own mind she didn't even hear Wendy calling her. "Don't you think it's great that Ichigo-nii has a date tomorrow, Carla?." Wendy asks but gets no response from the cat. "Carla?" Wendy repeated. "Hey Carla!" Wendy says a little louder. This grabs Carla's attention.
"Huh? Yes Wendy?" The cat asked looking up at the girl.
"I asked if you are happy for Ichigo, you know since he now has a date?"
"Ah yes, I guess so." Carla responds somewhat not interested.
"Hey, are you okay?" Wendy questions looking at the cat concerned. Carla nods to the girl.
"I'm okay, child. I just have some things on my mind at the moment." The white cat says as she jumps on the bed. "Wendy, I think you should go take a bath and get ready to go to sleep. I'll go in after you." She said to the girl.
"Yeah that sounds like a good idea.'' Wendy walks to her things and grabs her pajamas then heads into the bathroom to handle her nightly routine.
Carla sat on the bed and looked at the ceiling. She seriously can't shake this unnerving feeling. Suddenly Carla's head begins to ache as the cat begins to feel a heavy pressure on her mind, "A vision? right now?" Carla says holding her temples then sees something that confuses her. She is in what seems to be a forest while it's raining heavily. She turns and notices two figures in the rain having a standoff, focusing a little more she then recognizes one of the figures "I-ichigo?" She questions aloud as her eyes widened in shock but what confuses her even more is that the person he is looking at is none other than Ultear Milkovich except she looks vastly different.
"Are they fighting? I don't understand, what is this?" Carla's mind begins to flood with questions but as quickly as the vision came, it stops. Leaving her absolutely stunned. Is Ichigo going to be in trouble? Where were they? This is making no sense. "What was that? Is there more than meets the eye with that woman?" Carla questions thinking about the vision. She wishes the visions would be more detailed but they come and go as they please.
Minutes past and Wendy walks out of the bathroom feeling refreshed in her pajamas and ready for bed. "I love baths." She says relaxed. "Your turn Carla." She talks to her friend which gets the cat out of her thoughts. With a nod Carla walks and gets her things out of the bag she and Wendy share then goes to take her own bath.
Stepping out of the bathroom Carla is still thinking about that vision, that Ultear woman is really bothering her but she has an idea on how to get a little information on her. "Hey Wendy?" she says getting the blue-haired child's attention.
"Yeah Carla?" Wendy responds looking at her.
"Tomorrow we should spy on Ichigo." She says getting to the point. This makes Wendy raise an eyebrow.
"Why would we do that? That's not really a nice thing to do." Wendy says giving her opinion on the idea. Carla then puts on a fake smile.
"I know but I'm just very curious about this. I would just like to see how Ichigo's date would go." She says getting on the bed next to Wendy. "Also.." She starts "I want to help him on this date. I would like to make this date go as smoothly as possible for him." She lies to Wendy. She felt bad for lying to the child but it's a means to an end. There must be something about Ultear that they don't know and she will find it out. Ichigo is a dear friend to her and poor Wendy would be devastated if something happened to her brother.
"Oh, I get it, well if that's the case then I'll help too. I want Ichigo-nii to have a great night." Wendy informs her. "Though I still don't think spying is a great idea but I'll help you out Carla!"
"Good then, it's a plan." Carla says to the girl as Ichigo opens the door and walks in.
-Flashback End-
Ichigo stood at the door looking at the sky waiting for his date to arrive. Though oddly enough he had this weird feeling he was being watched. He chalked to the female attention he's been receiving. "My my Ichigo, you look very handsome and I love your outfit." A familiar voice spoke, getting the young man's attention. Looking at the direction of the voice, Ichigo is blessed with the sight of Ultear. The woman had on a Dark violet one shoulder bodycon dress that hugged her body showing off her hourglass figure with black strappy tie up heels with a dark red mini purse that matched her eyes. Her hair was put up in a messy bun that made her look even more beautiful. "Thank you for waiting for me." She says with a smile looking at him. Ichigo was actually at a loss for words, but he composed himself.
"Of course. You look beautiful, Ultear." He says complimenting her. "Oh, these are for you." He says handing her the bouquet of flowers. Which actually surprises her.
"Oh! Thank you, and they're lovely." She says taking the compliment, as well as the flowers. 'Wow he is actually taking this seriously, I almost feel bad, almost. He has no clue that this is just a way for me to get more information on him for Master Hades, But then how would he know?' She thought to herself reminiscing about the conversation from yesterday.
-Flashback-
Watching the three Cait Shelter Guild members leave the room Ultear pulls out a large Lacrima orb and channels it with magic in order to contact her guild leader, Master Hades. After a couple seconds a man with a long white beard and eyepatch appears.
"Master Hades, I think I've found something interesting." She says with a sinister smirk.
"Yes? what is it, Ultear?" Hades questions wondering what the girl called him for. He is a very busy man.
"I found a very peculiar wizard from the Cait shelter guild who possesses a very powerful lost magic, Shadow-God Slayer Magic." She informs her master. This somewhat gets the man's interest but not fully enough so what if he possesses a lost magic what can that do for him.
"Is that Ultear? These are trivial things." The man says feeling as if his time was being wasted.
"Yes, in normal circumstances they would be the case but.." Ultear then informs him of Ichigo from the file. "And there's also one more thing that confuses me. He defeated the S-class wizard with no magic, that's a pretty impressive feat and it makes me question if this boy has powers other than magic because he hasn't been documented using anything other than Shadow-Magic." She adds. "Defeating a wizard of that caliber had to require something." she theorizes.
"Hmm.." Hades hummed while stroking his beard. "Okay I'll entertain this theory as it is beginning to intrigue me." the old man states. "Ultear, keep an eye on him. I want him under your surveillance until further notice. I will begin to look into this 'Ichigo Kurosaki' for now." he states "In the time being, do what you must, seduce him if need be. Who knows, he could become a great asset to our cause." He tells the woman.
"Yes sir." She says as she turns off the lacrima and smirks maliciously. "Time to make my move." She then gets up and heads towards the doors.
-Flashback End-
"Well then Ichigo, shall we?" Ultear coaxed.
"Ah yeah let's go." He says raising his arm as Ultear wraps her arm around his and they head inside. The two spies across the street could only watch as the couple walked into the restaurant.
"Wow, did you see Ultear? she looked gorgeous." Wendy said in awe at the older woman's appearance.
"Yes, I have to admit she looked really beautiful." Carla agrees, but that doesn't change anything Carla was still suspicious of the woman. "Wendy, if we got close would you be able to hear them?" Carla asked.
"No, there would be too many voices to try and hear through." Wendy notified to Carla
"Then all we can do is wait for them to leave."
Entering the establishment Ichigo is very impressed by the looks of this place. It was beautifully decorated. It gave off a very prestigious aura. 'Ultear sure knows how to pick them.' he comments on the woman's choice for the date. A waitress then walks up to them and bows. Ichigo looked at this waitress and she looked awfully familiar. "Hello, welcome to Piatto Dal Cielo. My name is Misty. I will be your hostess this evening." Misty says looking up after bowing. "Oh it's nice to see you again." She smiles remembering the man. Ultear looks at him with a confused brow. (A/N: Piatto Dal Cielo is Italian for Plate from Heaven.)
"You two know each other?" Ultear asks Ichigo.
"Oh yeah, Misty was the one who made my outfit for the date, She works at Corcus Formal Attire and i guess she works here too." Ichigo answered to which Misty nod in response
"Yup, I'm a busy girl. Now, can I get the name for the reservation?" She requests.
"Milkovich." Ultear says to the woman.
"Oh yes! There you are. Right this way please." The girl then motions for the two to follow her. Leading the two to their table Misty then turns around back to them "Here it is and I will be right back to you with the menu." She explains then leaves. Ichigo then pulls out Ultear's chair for her.
"Thank you." Ultear says appreciating the gesture and she takes her seat. Ichigo walks over and sits across from her. Ultear places the flowers to her side and then rests her chin in her palm looking at Ichigo. She was gonna speak up first but Ichigo beat her to it.
"So, Ultear, how did you find this place?" Ichigo questions beginning small talk with the woman.
"I heard about it from a rich couple that I met during a political party. They talked about how the cuisine here is to die for. You get a lot of information about things of that nature when you work amongst politicians" She answered. Ichigo nods taking in the information.
"I can understand that. Being a high figure in the government can come with its perks such as that. How is that anyway? Being in the magic council." Ichigo wondered.
"It's not all it's cracked up to be. I told you before it can be so dreadful, but I need to be in it for the time being." She states. Ichigo then raises a brow at the statement 'for the time being'? Does she plan on leaving?
"You plan on leaving the council?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes, eventually but right now I'm working on a…project with another council member that needs my surveillance." She answers.
"And what's that?"
"Something confidential." She says in a 'no more questions about it' like tone. At that point Misty comes back with the menus
"Here you are." She says handing them each their own menus. "I'll give you two some more time to decide on what you want. I have to go check up on some things in the back." Misty quickly explains as she leaves again.
The two sat in a quick moment of silence before Ultear spoke up. "Have you decided on what you're getting?" She looks towards Ichigo.
"Yeah, I think I have something in mind. What about you?" He says with his face behind the menu. Ultear pulls the menu down with a finger slowly which gets his attention.
"Are you okay? I've noticed that you're a little tense." She teased playfully. 'Not that I care but I have to play a good show.' She thought, This Ichigo boy will be putty in her hands by the end of this night, however, Ichigo placed the menu down and gently grabbed her hand and placed it down as well, which caught her off guard as a small blush appeared on her face evident by the action.
"No, I'm not tense. I was just choosing what I wanted to eat, but I decided on my choice already." Ichigo responds smoothly. "Have you decided on yours?" He asks to remove his hand.
"Y-yes I already have." Ultear responds actually surprised at how confident Ichigo is. She was expecting him to be a nervous wreck, it was obvious to her that this was his first date by his reaction when she asked him yesterday. Though it's her first date too but she won't let it show. Misty then returns and looks at the two with a pen and paper in hand.
"So you two lovebirds, what will it be?" She asked sweetly
"I'll have the balsamic and rosemary-marinated florentine steak." Ultear tells her as Misty writes it down.
"That's a great choice ma'am! and for you sir?" Misty says, looking at Ichigo
"I'll have the braised chicken all'arrabbiata. Also, do you have any red wine?" Ichigo says to her. Carla had told him to get wine with their food, though he's never drinked before Carla told him he's going to have to, just for tonight.
"Yes, I can get that for you." She says "Well the next time I'm back, I'll have your food." She says cheerfully walking away. Leaving the two alone for the time being. Ultear looks at Ichigo, she was supposed to be interrogating him but she's been the one getting asked questions, that ends now.
"Ichigo." Ultear started getting the boy's attention. "Tell me about yourself, I know about you as Ichigo the mage but not you." Ultear expressed. "Do you have any family?" She questions
"Yeah, I have my little sisters Wendy and Grimmjow who I guess you can call my brother." He answers.
"Oh, that little girl from yesterday is your little sister? I heard you call her Wendy." She recalls "That's it? No mother or father.?" She asked. This question makes Ichigo sadden his eyes for a bit being reminded of his father whom he hasn't seen in what feels like forever but the mention of his mother..
"I haven't seen my father in a long time because I..moved here from a different continent and lost contact with him." He answered somewhat truthfully. " And I…lost my mother when I was young." He tells her with a hint of sadness in his voice. That made Ultear look at him with a shocked but understanding expression. Though Ultear doesn't really have positive feelings towards her mother she can still understand how it feels to lose a mom at a young age.
"I'm sorry to hear that, I never met my father so I have no feelings towards the man but, I can sympathize with losing a mother." She says actually comforting Ichigo which is confusing her. Why does she care? Whatever this boy is dealing with or has dealt with is not her concern. "Well since you're from a different continent. How are you enjoying Fiore?" she questions him, wanting to change the subject.
"I like it. This place has so many amazing things to offer but a part of me will always miss my home." He reciprocated.
"Given the chance, would you go back?" Ultear quired.
This question actually made Ichigo quiet for a second. Would he? By now if the time that passed in the world was the same as this one, all of his friends are probably adults and are now living their own lives after moving on from his death. His life in that world is over, that much is true, But it's not like it's completely gone because he has the memories which will never go away and also Grimmjow who is a reminder of his old life that is with him on this journey in this new world. So would he go back?
After a little silence Ichigo speaks up. "No, I do think so. While I do miss my friends and my family back home, my life there ended the moment I came here. I'd choose not to." He answers.
"That's a very mature answer most people would go back to what they're used to." She states. "It takes a lot of character to leave an entire life behind." She compliments him.
"Thanks." He says to the woman.
Misty then comes back with a black large plate in her hands that has the two dishes and a small bottle of wine in a bucket of ice with two wine glasses. Misty then begins to give them their order. "One florentine steak and one chicken all'arrabbiata." She says handing the food to them. "And one bottle of red wine." She says placing the bucket on the table.
"Wow, that was pretty fast!" Ichigo noted. This made Misty chuckle a bit.
"Here at Piatti Dal Cielo we try our best to be as fast and effective for our customers." Misty then places the wine glasses down and opens the bottle to pour them each a glass. "There. If you two need anything else, please do not hesitate to call me." She says taking the large plate with her and leaves the two alone for the last time.
Ultear then picks up her wine glass, swirls it and gives it a smell before tasting it. "Wow, that is really good. It's very rich and sweet. This wine is delightful. I'll have to figure out the name of this brand." She says looking at the bottle. Ichigo then grabs his glass and stares at it before taking a sip of it. Wow this is actually good. Like really good.
"I think I might like wine." He mumbles, taking another small sip which Ultear did hear and that genuinely makes her laugh.
"So you've never had wine before?" She pokes at him playfully.
"Yeah, this my first time trying it and this wine is very good. I wasn't expecting it to be good." He chuckles, putting the glass back down. "Should we start to eat?" He asks the woman.
"Yes, I would love to try this food." She says truthfully. The rest of the time the two spent time talking about small things and enjoyed their meal. Afterwards, Ichigo pays for the food and tips Misty. Which the girl was grateful for.
Leaving the restaurant, Ichigo and Ultear walk out with satisfied expressions. Ultear had her arm wrapped around Ichigo's arm with her flowers in the other. They two decided to take a walk around the town before ending the date. Carla, with a sleeping Wendy next to her, sees them walking away . "Wendy, wake up, they've stepped out." Carla says gently, pushing the girl. Waking up sluggishly Wendy then yawns
"Oh finally, I wonder how it went." She then sees Ultear at her brother's side "Yay, it looks like it went well." She observes. Carla's eyes narrowed, staring at the couple. It does seem like it's going well, could her vision just be a fluke? It doesn't seem like there is any tension between the two. Should she just head back? No, she still is going to see this all the way through. "Come child, let's keep following them." She says to the girl. "Make sure to tell me what they're saying."
"O-okay Carla." Wendy nodded.
Ichigo and Ultear were walking in silence, enjoying walking through the streets of Crocus, this city at night is very beautiful. Ichigo looked at Ultear who was looking ahead, not noticing him. At first he was skeptical about this date but he found himself surprisingly enjoying it. This has been fun, it's the most fun he's had in a while. Honestly he wouldn't mind doing this more, getting to know Ultear more.
Ultear on the other hand, was lost in thought. She was supposed to be interrogating him but she hasn't done any of that. Though she couldn't deny a part of that is because she was beginning to enjoy this she knows she has to suppress that because this isn't a date for her but a mission, She can't afford something like this.
While the two were walking a young girl with black hair running with a ball in her hand comes from around the corner ahead of them and falls hurting herself on the knee. She begins to start crying from the pain, this triggers two different responses from the couple. Ichigo feels concern for the child but Ultear gets annoyed by the toddlers whining. An older woman who looks like the young girl then comes into view and crouches down at the child.
"Oh sweetheart, I had told you not to run." the lady says to the child gently. "You need to be more careful. Let mommy see." The girl's mother says, looking at the child's knee. "You lightly scraped it, it's not that bad." The lady then kisses the girl's knee "There, Is that better?" She asked the child with a loving tone. The toddler nods with a smile rubbing her eyes, wiping the tears away as she begins to stop crying. The mom picks her up and the child's ball. "Mommy will always be here for you for as long as she can. Come now, let's go take care of this knee." The woman says walking carrying the child as they disappear out of view. Ichigo smiles bittersweetly at the scene, however, Ultear felt a small pain in her chest after watching that.
"Let's go sit by the bridge." She with a frown says moving forward pulling Ichigo with her.
"Yeah that sounds fine." Ichigo looks at Ultear confused at her sudden mood change, he had noticed the small frown that appeared on the woman. Ultear mentioned that she sympathized with him about losing her mother. What could've happened to the woman and her own mother that made her have such a bad reaction to what they had seen.
After a couple minutes, the two sat at a bench near the bridge looking at the small little river. The couple sat there in silence for a while. Wendy and Carla were watching them from afar. The girl duo were watching intensely seeing the couple sitting down. They were so focused on the two they didn't notice the stray puppy that saw Carla and growled.
"Ichigo." Ultear started not taking her eyes off the water. "I have a question." notified Ultear as she had a very stoic expression on her face. After seeing that little girl it brought up some emotions that Ultear hated feeling but the words the mom said hit her 'Mommy will always be here for as long as she can.' Those words suck to her because they're lies, mothers don't stay, they're selfish. They don't care. Ichigo looked at the girl worried about her and what was troubling her.
"What is it?"
"If you could go back in time and save your mother would you? Would you change your past?" She asked, not looking at him.
Ichigo was taken back at the sudden question, he truthfully doesn't know how to even begin answering that. "Ultear I-" He started but was cut off by a loud voice.
"Get back, you filthy mutt!" a feminine voice shrieked from behind a wall which was followed by a bark.
Getting the two's attention. Ultear raises a brow and Ichigo does the same. That voice sounded familiar to him.
"Shh, quiet down or they'll hear us." another low timid feminine voice said.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, Okay, now that voice sounded extremely familiar. "I'll be back right." He says to Ultear as he stands up and begins to walk over to the building to check out the noise.
Wendy was watching the scene as the dog was biting on Carla's dress while growling. "Get back, you filthy mutt." Carla raises her voice pushing the dog off her. Which causes it to bark. This made Wendy panic because the other two people could hear this.
"Shh, quiet down or they'll hear us." Wendy pleads to Carla
"I'll be right back." A voice rang in Wendy's ear. Which makes her eyes widen.
"Carla, Ichigo-nii heard us, he's coming." She whispers to the cat. This made Carla look at the girl. Crap this isn't good. Ichigo will be very upset if he found out they were spying and Wendy will get in trouble, the child didn't even want to do this. That isn't fair to her. So Carla decides to end their spying mission as much as she didn't want to.
"Tch" Carla clicks her teeth and she jumps on Wendy's back and summons her wings and carries her and the girl away which causes a yelp from the dog. Ichigo then turns see's the puppy in the alley by itself.
'I swear I heard Wendy and Carla. No that can't be but then who was that?' He says looking around before heading back to Ultear and takes his seat next to her. "Sorry to leave but I had to go see what was going on."
"What was that?" Ultear questioned thinking Ichigo found out what that was about.
"I don't know, but whatever or whoever it was, it's gone." He answers.
Carla and Wendy were flying through the air to the inn. The cat has a disappointed face. Now she won't be able to keep an eye on that Ultear woman. This makes her worry for Ichigo. Wendy looks back at Carla. Seeing the worried expression on her face "You okay Carla?"
"Yes I'll be fine, child." she says looking at wendy with a small smile.
"M'kay," Wendy says, worried for her friend looking back ahead. The flight back to the inn was silent.
Ichigo looks at Ultear still thinking about the question she asked him. The girl was staring at the water once again. Ichigo decided to try and answer her question. "Hey about the question you asked." He reminds her "I.." He pauses pondering for a moment. "No, I wouldn't change it." He answers honestly which gets Ultear's attention as she looks at him confused.
"What? Why not?" She questions. Why wouldn't he want to save his mom?
"I miss my mother everyday, that is something that I feel all the time." He started but this confuses Ultear even more.
"Then why? Wouldn't that make you want to save her-"
"But, I know that everything happens for a reason. My mother's death hurt me deeply and afterwards I felt a heavy sense of guilt but as time went on and I experienced life more, I began to accept her death. Life is unpredictable, You can't live your life constantly looking back on your past." He says looking up at the night sky. "After my mother's passing, my life was changed in a multitude of ways, I probably wouldn't even be the person I am today if it didn't happen. As much as it hurts, I wouldn't change the past." He says doubling down on his answer. Ultear speechless hearing that. Ichigo's voice gave off that he experienced a lot of things in his life, still he doesn't want to change it? Why? Ultear would do anything to get rid of this pain she feels.
She then looks back at the water. "I can't agree with you." She says flatly. Ichigo looks at her confused. "I would change the past given the chance." She says clenches her fist. "If I had the capability I would change my past without a second thought." Ultear declared. The man upon hearing this gives the woman a look of empathy. He could tell that Ultear is hurt deeply by her past and from her reaction earlier he deduces that it must be about her own mother. He wants to ask but Ichigo knows that it's not his business. In all honesty he doesn't really know what to say, still he decides to comfort the girl. Ultear however realizes that she is beginning to open up and that had to stop; this is not what this 'date' is for.
"I'm sorry that you feel that way-" He started.
"Ichigo, you don't need to feel sorry for me." Ultear spoke. This made him look at her confused. "I've gone through things that made me feel this way. That is true, but I've had years to think about this and I would make that choice over and over again. So don't feel sorry for me. I don't need your pity" She scolded.
"You're right you don't need my pity." Ichigo agreed. "But that won't stop me from caring."
"You barely even know me or anything about me! Who do you think you are?!" She snapped looking away with a snarl. The nerve of this man. They just met only yesterday and they've only had a SINGLE date. That isn't enough time for him to care for her.
"To you? Nobody." He says flatly this makes Ultear lightly chuckle. "And you're right, I don't know anything but as we've spent little time together and I can say that you are fun to be around. This was my first date I've ever had and I would love to do this again. I am beginning to care about you, rather you want me to or not." He claimed. Ultear scoffs at this. This was about getting information for Hades. Hell it was even her idea but this Ichigo is starting to rub her the wrong way, he knows nothing about her, yet claims he cares?! That's a load of bullshit.
"I didn't ask for you to care. I don't need you to-" She says looking at him but the face that Ichigo was making stopped her. He wasn't angry nor did he have a face of pity rather he had a sincere smile. Ultear doesn't know why but this made her heart skip a beat.
"You're right, you didn't ask, but you didn't have to." Ichigo smiles looking at the woman. At that moment a small gust of wind came through and made all the flowers that Ultear was holding fly away into the river below. All but one, one that Ichigo caught. Gently he picks up Ultear's hand and places the single tulip in it. This confuses Ultear but Ichigo holds her hand with both of his. " I get it Ultear, I do. You must've gone through so much and you've been hurt a lot. I won't intrude on your life but, as I said I've enjoyed spending time with you and I'd like to get to know you more. If you'd let me, I want to become a part of your life." He expressed caressing the woman's hands.
Ultear blushed as she was at a loss for words, The councilwoman couldn't believe what heard from him. The way he was speaking, Ichigo meant every word he said. This night has been tugging on her heart strings too much, the fake date turned out to be surprisingly fun, the little girl and her mother, and now Ichigo. Only by a small margin, these words made her heart flutter just a bit. This date isn't even real, but Ichigo doesn't know that. He spoke genuinely. He actually wants to know her? No that isn't right, these are fake feelings. This night is not real but, almost as if the woman's body had a mind of its own. Her eye's slowly closed and began to lean towards Ichigo. The man begins to do the same. Their faces began to inch closer and closer until…
"No!" Ultear covers Ichigo's mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry but I-i can't!" She then stands up and backs away. Ichigo was caught off guard by this. He didn't understand what just happened, did he do something wrong? Why did she suddenly stop? "Ichigo, let's not do this again." Ultear spoke to him. "Goodbye." Ultear turns and runs away. Leaving Ichigo alone sitting on the bench. Only to watch the woman disappear from sight.
"Ultear.."
-Hours earlier that day-
Grimmjow and Cana were walking through the town they first met at. The duo left the cave shortly after the blizzard stopped in the morning and were able to make they're way back from the mountains. Both parties were silent. Currently the two were walking to the train station with plans to go back home. Cana occasionally looked at Grimmjow while they were walking 'He hasn't said a word. Since we arrived back here.' She says looking at him, back at the cave Grimmjow was the one to wake up first and with her shortly after. She had a good laugh though because while Grimmjow held that liquor last night, he woke up with a major hangover, it seems drinking all that whiskey caught up to him somehow. Now he was dead quiet. What's up with him? Shortly the two arrived at the train station. Cana had to go the opposite way as him. Her guild Fairy tail was in Magnolia town which was west of this place and His guild was east. So she was correct after they both head out, they most likely will never see each other again.
"Hey, Cana." Grimmjow spoke up, getting the woman's attention.
"Y-yeah?" she stuttered not expecting him to say something, he's been so quiet she assumed he wasn't going to speak to her. "What is it?" She asked as a train that was going in the direction Grimmjow needed to go began to come into view with it loudly blasting its horn. The vehicle then came to a full stop as a few people began to disperse and exit it.
"Don't be afraid. Face your fears. That's the first step to becoming strong" He says looking back at her. The boy turns his head and then gets on the train, after a few moments the train departs, leaving Cana all by herself. The woman then looks at her feet.
"I told you I'm not afraid." She spoke are those really last words he says to her?! A few minutes goes by and another train comes, one that Cana had to get onto.
-Magnolia town 2 hours before Ichigo's date.-
Arriving at her stop, Cana stretches, finally being able to move after sitting in that train for so long. The girl then heads to her guild located further down, Fairy Tail. Making her way through the town, she thought about what happened to her on the quest she took. It was her most bizarre to say the least and her most…enjoyable one too. She blushed thinking about the night her and Grimmjow shared. She can't believe she did that, granted she did want to, still it was an unexpected turn of events. Grimmjow was a character she probably won't forget, she can say that. Though the things he said to her that night stuck to her a tad bit more than anything.
'You're afraid your father is going to reject you.'
Those words stuck to her mind like glue and she couldn't stop thinking about it. That is not the truth. She just wants to prove she's strong. Strong enough to get her dad's attention and she needs to be S-class to do so. That's what it is, nothing more, nothing less, but Grimmjow made a good point: what if she does become S-class would her father still notice her? Maybe telling him anyway would be the best choice right? It's not like she couldn't tell Gildarts when she wanted to! She can tell him whenever she sees him again. She isn't afraid, forget what Grimmjow thought! She could tell him anytime! "You know what? Screw being an S-class. I'll tell him the next time I see him. Suck it Grimmjow!" Cana declares. Moments afterwards Cana then arrives at her Guild building. Opening the doors the girl walks with and gets greeted by her guild members.
"Hey! Nice to see you back, Cana! Are you planning on drinking with us later?" a man with a pipe and cartoonishly long pompadour hairstyle said looking at the girl.
"Sure thing Wakaba! I just need to talk to the master about my quest." She responds to him.
"Make sure not to forget, Okay?" Another man with blue hair said, raising her beer cup.
"I won't, Macao. Promise" She said as she kept walking towards Makarov's office. Walking upstairs to get to the office, Cana sees someone standing looking down at the guild from above. "Laxus." Cana says with a bit of disdain. "When did you get back?"
"A little ago, not long before you did actually. Though I'm not gonna be here for long. I just took another quest that me and my group are gonna take." He announces. "Did you finish your little escort mission? Guess that's all someone of your strength could do." He smirks. Cana kept walking as she didn't really care to talk to him. This made Laxus click his teeth but then he grins.
"I see a cut on your pants. You got hurt on your quest right? Not surprising, an S-class failure like you probably couldn't even do a single quest without getting hurt." He says trying to pick a fight which worked.
"You're so full of yourself. You know that? You think just because you're the master's grandson, you can do and say whatever you want, but that doesn't mean anything." Cana snapped. "You think you're entitled to this guild and you don't even help it. When the Phantom Lord guild attacked you were a no show." she told him. "No one wants you here!."
"Even if you're right. There is one thing that is the absolute truth and that's that I'm S-class and you're not. You're so pathetic! Being chosen 4 times and still not becoming S-class. What a joke!." He says as he begins. Cana clenched her fist.
"You know Laxus one of these days. You'll get what is coming to you.."
"Oh yeah and who would do that? You? The drunk? Please hahaha-." He begins to laugh again but Cana then slaps Laxus across the face. "You Bitch! You pay for-."
"Enough!" an old short man yelled getting the two's attention. "Laxus you took your quest, go!" He says pointing to the guild doors.
"Tch, whatever." He's says leaving to head out the guild. 'Enjoy this right now old man because when I return. This guild is mine.'
The old man then sighs and looks at the card magic user. "Cana I know Laxus can be a lot to deal with but please don't feed into him and certainly don't slap him." He says to the girl.
"I'm sorry Master Makarov." Cana said she aplogizied for arguing back and causing a scene but not for slapping him. He deserved that. The old man then smiles
"It's okay. Please come on in and tell me about the quest." He says walking into his office with Cana following behind.
After reporting the quest to Makarov, the girl sat at the bar and looked at the cup full of beer in her hands. She had told him about how it went and that she had to share it with another wizard from a different guild and that how he had saved her when she got injured. Though she left out everything about the cave. Thinking about that made a light blush appear on her face.
"Hey Cana! Glad to see you okay." A feminine voice spoke. Cana looks up to see a girl with white hair in a pink dress. "How'd your quest go? Anything exciting happened" She asked
"Hey Mira. good to see you too, and my quest went by fine, nothing too extravagant." Cana says drinking her beer with a blush still on her face looking away from Mira. That girl in front her is the last person she wants to tell about Grimmjow. It'll be all over the guild in minutes. "Where's is everyone by the way?" Cana asked the woman
"Everyone is on there own personal quest at the moment." She answers. 'Though Natsu and his team went on vacation."
"Vacation?" She repeated.
"Yeah apparently they won some tickets to The Akane Resort they left a couple hours ago actually." Mirajane informed.
"That sounds like fun, wish I could've went." Cana says finishing her beer.
-Present time to Ichigo after his date.-
Ichigo walks back into the inn with his mind still on Ultear. From what he could tell they were about to kiss but she stopped it and left so quickly. The whole situation confused him. The clerk then sees him again "Bonjour sir ! How did your date go!?" He looks at the boy with a curious smile.
"Oh I uh.." Ichigo started. A small frown appeared on the man's face
"Oh no, didn't it not go well?" He asked, hearing the tone Ichigo used.
"At first it was fine, then some things happened and she ran away right before we were about to kiss." Ichigo summarized. This made the clerk chuckle much to the confusion of Ichigo.
"Ah is that all? You need to pick your head up . This means that not all hope is lost."
"How do you know that?" Ichigo responded.
"One of the biggest mysteries in a man's life is a woman's emotions. You say you were about to kiss and she stopped it, while yes that does sound a bit sad but, this sounds like someone who cannot quite deal with their emotions just yet. Trust me, you will see that woman again."
"What makes you so sure?"
"As I told you, I was quite the player in my life. I've dealt with various personalities in my life. Believe when I tell you, you and that woman's story isn't over. I know this because it reminds me of my wife." He explains. Hearing this, Ichigo smiles.
"Thank you uh.." Ichigo began but didn't know his name either.
"Oh how careless of me! I never truly introduced myself. My name is Raphael." Raphael said Introducing himself. " May I have your name?"
"It's Ichigo Kurosaki and thank you Raphael." Ichigo said genuinely heading to his room waving goodbye to the man.
"No need for thank you. It's been a pleasure Mr. Kurosaki." The man says back.
Upon entering his room, Ichigo sees Wendy and Carla sleeping on the bed. 'So they were here? Then who did I-...actually it doesn't matter.' He concludes as he walks over and changes his clothes into something more comfortable and goes to sleep. With his last thoughts being on Ultear.
Well that's it everyone. This, I believe, is the longest chapter I've made but I still think it's pretty short though lol. I hope you guys liked it. Until next time!
Bye-bye!