Author's Note: A lighthearted Chapter, but does reveal a change in the dynamic for the Kurosaki Family. The usual PSA applies.
Part Three:
"This is making me...dizzy."
"Same here Yuzu and I've had actual experience with ghost stuff."
"Hey! So have I!"
"Really Yuzu?"
Masaki was surprised the girls were taking this well. She vaguely remembers when she was told about spirit matters, and her role as an Echt Quincy and she didn't take it that well. Well...maybe she did have a headache like Yuzu too.
Karin decided to speak up. "So...you're a Quincy, a holy warrior who can use spiritual powers, and our weirdo dad-" she thumbed in her father's direction "-was some super cool Soul Reaper Captain, that decided to stay here to protect you?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Karin was skeptical - at best.
"I find that last part hard to believe..."
Isshin felt that jab - like a blow to the heart.
"H-hey! I was - err, am - cool and powerful too! It was my job as a Captain to protect the Human World and Soul Society! That's cool right?!" His head comically snapped quickly between his family. Ichigo shrugged, Masaki chuckled and Yuzu...
"That's cool dad!"
"Oh...my sweet Yuzu!" Isshin was reduced to tears and motioned for Yuzu to hug him. She of course obliged, always happy to receive affection from any of her family members.
"Oh I wish I had a camera, this is such a cute moment!" Masaki clasped her hands together in joy.
Karin sweat-dropped, forgetting how her mom was pretty similar to her dad in these situations. She looked over to her side to find Ichigo...
Snap, Snap, Click!
"Brother! What are you doing!?"
Ichigo perked an eye brow: "taking some photos for mom. What's the big deal?" Ichigo had grabbed the household camera, almost as soon as Masaki commented, and positioned himself accordingly.
Karin felt a migraine developing.
"You know what the deal is bro...you're encouraging dad to be childish!"
"Hmm, I guess but mom wanted it so...it's fine. At least for now," for the second time this day, her brother smiled. She couldn't be mad at him for that.
A few minutes later
The twins had decided to get cleaned up for the night ahead. Yuzu was about to start her usual household chores, but Masaki stopped her, saying: darling, I'll be doing this from now on, but you can help me out when you have finished your schoolwork. Okay?
Yuzu was disappointed, but was reassured by her mother that now she could have more time to herself. The younger Kurosaki perked up at this and ran off to her room, joyfully ringing on about her doll: Boston.
Masaki smiled as her gaze followed her daughter off to her room. Then a sadness washed over her, as she realised how hard it was for Yuzu to become the homemaker. Ichigo came up to his mother, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault mom. You did your best. If you hadn't defended me like you did, I would've been dead too."
She placed her on hand on his.
"I know, but if I didn't lose my powers, Grand Fisher wouldn't've been a problem." She never did find out why her powers left her, and with little to go on while in Soul Society, all she had was speculation at best. Sighing, she moved over to the kitchen to prepare for dinner. She was surprised by how organised the whole area was, heartened by Yuzu's skill and determination. 'And the way it's organised is very similar to my own,' this actually made it a little easier to navigate. At least for tonight.
Ichigo left his mom and went up to his room. He wanted a little privacy so he could ring his uptight cousin - to see how he was. 'If Uryū is anything to go by...' He also wanted to see if Uryū told his dad about his mom's return. Opening the door to his room, he closed it behind himself. Then making his way to his study desk, he sat down and called his Quincy cousin's number.
Ring, Ring
[Hello, this is Uryū Ishida]
(Hey Uryū, it's me)
[Ichigo, how are you and the family?]
(Surprisingly good. We told the girls everything, and they took it well)
[Surprising and yet...not so much]
(Really?)
[Yes, really.]
(Okay then. Anyway how are you and your dad?)
[He's still at work, probably won't see him till later tonight. I'll tell him before dinner]
(Well...why not come over? I'm sure your dad would want to catch up with mom?)
[Maybe later, gotta see how he reacts first]
(Sure. From what you've told me though, he'd be fine)
[Should be. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow at school]
(Yeah. See ya then)
Ichigo ended the call and then leaned back a little on his desk chair. 'A long, but good day.'
Ichigo knew this wasn't the end of the issue. With his mother back, other problems would arise. The most obvious issue being about his mother being back. He talked with his mom about it, and she was unsure about how to proceed. She couldn't go out and announce her return. Nor could she use the usual Soul Reaper trick of memory erasure. Kisuke had an idea on how to proceed, but...leaving him to do whatever was a bad idea. 'We'll have to contact Hat and Clogs, to sort this out.'
One thing was for sure: at least his friends would know the truth.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Ichigo dear, dinner's ready!" His mom had made her way up to his room. Rather than opening the door, she decided to knock and call instead. He IS a young man now she reasoned. In response, Ichigo went and opened the door.
"Hey mom. Thanks for coming up here."
"No pro-" Her eyes drifted towards Ichigo's room. In particular her eyes settled on Ichigo's bed. Still covered with her home made Quincy sheets. "You still have those old sheets, Ichigo?"
"Wha?" He turned around and realised what she was talking about. "Yeah...I guess I couldn't get rid of them. Reminded me of you..."
A sad smile coloured her face. She knew their family would still be dealing with the trauma of her death. Even if she's back.
After a few moments of mild awkwardness, Masaki spoke up.
"Ichigo, recognise the design on those sheets?"
Her son's eyebrows quirked up, not quite getting what she was saying.
"Well...they're the typical Quincy design!" She beamed.
Ichigo's eyes widened. Not even realising how obvious this was, especially with his interactions with Uryū.
"I...I didn't even realise..."
"Well...it would've been more obvious if the Kurosaki and Ishida household's stayed close." Masaki huffed. She was still annoyed by Isshin and Ryū's decision, to disconnect their families. Something she was going to remedy.
"Probably mom. Anyway, thanks for giving me a piece of our heritage. I'm surprised you gave me this and not Yuzu and Karin too."
His mom sighed, "I was going to make something for the girls...wait I do have something!" She remembered that she made her daughters some Quincy clothing, while in Soul Society. "But...I'll have to get in touch with Mr. Urahara to get them."
"Mom? Is Ichigo coming down?"
Karin called from the stairs. Clearly the younger Kurosaki was worried, about the whereabouts of her mother and brother.
"Yes. We'll be coming down now. Sorry for making you worry Karin dear."
"No worries, just come on down. Dad's being weird again!" Karin wandered off, nonchalantly.
"Let's have dinner Ichigo."
Kurosaki House – Kitchen
"Wow mom this dish is amazing!"
"That's high praise from my little homemaker." Masaki was very happy with the compliment.
Yuzu blushed at the comment. Ever since their mother's passing Yuzu had tried her very best to emulate Masaki's culinary skill. Apparently her mother became even more skilled, while in the afterlife. She couldn't wait to learn from her again!
"Now this is a trademark Masaki dish - mhmm!"
Isshin had missed his wife so much, almost forgetting how delicious her meals were.
"You flatter me honey."
"Tastes a little like what we had at the Shiba Estate mom." Ichigo thought back to the meals her and those retainers made. It made sense, since she was used to cooking for his Shiba cousins.
Isshin went a little quiet from that comment. He was having a pretty lively discussion with Yuzu and Karin, until Ichigo mentioned the Shiba family.
"What is it, Old Man?" Ichigo stopped eating, long enough to question his father. He already knew the answer, but wanted to see if his father would answer.
Isshin was forlorn, "It's just...I haven't seen my niece and nephew in 20 years. I never did get to say goodbye."
"It's okay honey. I told them that you probably missed them and was sorry for leaving abruptly. Also told them about you not having powers anymore..." Masaki saw her husband deflate, so hoped her recollectiont, would lighten his mood.
"Thanks, Masaki." Isshin was grateful to his beloved wife.
"Normally I'd be thanking you for cheering me up, dear!" She chimed.
"Really? I guess the shoe's on the other foot eh?"
Husband and wife laughed in rhythm to their inside joke.
Ichigo missed these moments.
After dinner
Yuzu was packing away the dishes, ready to be washed, scrubbed and rinsed. However...
"Yuzu darling, I'll do the dishes, go and clean up and get ready for bed. Okay!"
"B-but-"
"No buts dear, you can relax. No need to burden yourself unnecessarily. Just make sure you're cleaned up, and any homework is taken care of."
Yuzu was still a little unsure about all this. She'd been the homemaker for so long that...
Masaki smiled warmly at her dutiful daughter. Her eyes closed, radiating warmth.
"We'll...sort out the chores schedule tomorrow ... okay!"
Yuzu cheered up, and nodded her agreement.
The younger Kurosaki playfully ran off to get herself ready for the evening.
'That girl...reminds me of myself so much.'
Masaki drifted over to the kitchen basin, to clean the dishes. Turning on the hot water, she added the detergent till a nice lather bubbled from the sink.
"I'll dry and pack for you mom." Masaki sensed her son approach and allowed him to do so.
"Thanks Ichigo."
Mother and son fell into a rhythm, cleaning, drying and packing in sync. Within a few minutes the chore was done.
"That was...pretty quick right?"
"Yes it was son, now...I guess we have some important things to discuss."
End of Chapter: While these chapters are quite slow, remember that this is all after the deadly situation in the Soul Society, and the Kurosaki family is savouring their time together. Even so, a storm (Aizen) is brewing and... a special situation (or two) will reveal itself.