In Soul Society, Nori made his way to the Captain-Commander's quarters.
"Nori." The Captain-Commander greeted, "What brings you here?"
Nori bowed before the Captain-Commander and greeted him. "Captain-Commander, I'm here today to tell you that number 4 on the list is going to arrive in Rukongai by tomorrow night. Upon agreement, I am to release the boy's memories."
"And you are sure she won't come willingly?"
"I've been watching over her for quite some time now. Once she sees the life of those in the Rukongai, she will be reluctant to leave and will want to stay to help the people there. The only way to convince her to leave is to use the boy."
"Drastic times call for drastic measures. Sasakibe, please fetch Vice-Captain Abarai Renji here immediately." Yamamoto ordered his Vice-Captain.
After a few minutes, Sasakibe returned with Renji by his side. Upon entering the room, it surprised Renji to see a Scheduler alongside the Captain-Commander.
"Vice-Captain Abarai, I'd like you to meet Nori, a Scheduler, as you could already tell. We have news to share with you today."
"What? No offense, but what does a scheduler have anything to do with me?"
"You've felt it, haven't you?" Nori asked as he walked toward Renji, "You feel something react within your body as you get closer to Kisumoto Hajime."
"How do you know Hajime? Ahh, are you the scheduler that showed interest in her?"
"Yes, and I'm the same scheduler that brought you into Soul Society."
"What?" Renji asked with a face of bewilderment.
"My job today is to release your sealed memories."
"My… sealed memories? Are you telling me that when I came here, I forgot it all? If that's the case, I don't want them back. Who are you to release them as you please?"
"Please stay calm Vice-Captain Abarai." The Captain-Commander assured him.
"When you crossed into this world," Nori continued, "You told me directly yourself that you wanted to seal your memories until Hajime also crossed into this world. The time to release your memories has finally come."
"Are you telling me that Hajime is going to die? Are you sure you should tell me that? What if I go to her and try to save her?"
"There is nothing you nor I can do about her impending death."
"And why are you telling me all this?"
"As you know," The Captain-Commander explained, "the Scheduler's job is to not only enforce konso on these lost souls but to observe and keep track of individuals with high spiritual energy. Number four on the list compiled by the Schedulers is Kisumoto Hajime."
"With enough training and guidance, we believe she could make a strong Shinigami and hold a seat in the Gotei 13," Nori explained.
"And so, with her pending arrival to Rukongai, I have a mission to hand to you Vice-Captain Abarai: you are to guide and persuade Kisumoto Hajime to join the Shinigami Academy."
"You mean, I have to find her, through all 320 districts of the Rukongai? Do you know how crazy that is?! The odds of me finding her- "
"We will provide you with a team to help look for her. It is imperative we find her and train her. We must prepare for our future as we have vacant seats to fill."
It was too sudden. Renji was just now learning about his sealed memories, let alone the fact that they're getting unsealed, and to top it off, he must search through the Rukongai to find Hajime, who is going to die today and convince her to become a Shinigami? He didn't know what to do or say. But what could he say, anyway? The Captain-Commander's orders are absolute and that was definitely an order.
"I'm going to release your memories now," Nori explained as he walked closer to Renji.
There was hesitation, but in the end, he allowed Nori to do as he pleased. Nori positioned the palm of his hand in front of Renji's forehead and yelled out the command, 'release', allowing all of Akashi's memories to flow into Renji's subconscious.
"It's time, huh, Nori? I can see her again?"
"As you've requested, your memories will remain for two days, and whatever you do in those two days will stay with the man named Renji. When your time is up, your memories will remain sealed and you, Akashi, will cease to exist."
"I understand. Thank you for granting me this request."
"One last thing, her cause of death is not a pleasant one, and I repeat, there is nothing you nor I can do to save her. You must let it run its course. I suggest you make your appearance when necessary and remember, your job is to convince her to become a Shinigami."
"Do not fail me, Vice-Captain Abarai." The Captain-Commander spoke.
"I won't."
At Karakura High, the senior class was officially graduating tomorrow. All the students are in high spirits as they rehearse for their graduation ceremony.
Hajime, who has been accepted to Tokyo University, was invited to have one last lunch on the roof with Ichigo and Orihime.
"You excited to leave this place?" Ichigo asked.
"You have no idea," Hajime said with a laugh. "Thank you for making the last few months here bearable. I'm happy to call myself your friend."
"We'll always be here for you. If you need anything—anything—we're just a phone call away, right, Kurosaki-Kun?" Inoue said with a smile.
"That's right. You know where to find us."
"Thank you. I'm really going to miss you guys. I hope you guys do well in your last year here."
"We'll definitely do our best!" Orihime exclaimed in excitement. "Hajime-San, I wish you the best in college."
"Thank you, Orihime. I hope this new experience will be a pleasant one." Hajime looked at the sky and there was not a single cloud in sight; today was a beautiful day.
. . .
In the Red-Light District, many of the women were working overtime because of the pleasant weather. Aiko also took advantage of the overtime and made triple her usual pocket money. Upon returning to her personal room and changing into her casual clothes, she observed her body in the mirror and looks at the bruises, scars, and scratch marks all over her body. For Hajime. She quickly applied ointment to prevent fresh scars and quickly got dressed.
"Aiko-San?" a woman's voice called out from behind the door. "You have a visitor. Should I send him in?"
"Send him in!" She yelled out as she applied her makeup.
"Must you put all that makeup on? Your natural beauty is diminishing." The man's tone was playful but manipulative. His voice froze Aiko in place, and as she turned slowly to face him, terror struck her to her very core.
"Ren… W-What are you doing here? How… did you find me?" A sense of urgency to leave the room took over her mind.
"You think I couldn't find you? I've been following you for a few years now. Hajime-Chan's grown up to be so beautiful too." He spoke teasingly.
"You go anywhere near her, and I will kill you myself, Ren."
"I'm only here as ordered. To issue you a warning."
"What warning?"
"Your time's up. As well as Hajime's. He knows where you both are and he's playing all his last cards."
"You owe him nothing Ren, you can stop before it's too late."
"It's already too late, Aiko. Enjoy your last few moments, be with your daughter until the end." Finishing his threat, Ren left the room and left Aiko in a panic.
Is it time already? I must protect Hajime; he's taken so much from her already; she will walk across that stage tomorrow!
Scrambling to grab her things, Aiko quickly rushed home. Grabbing two suitcases from the attic, she quickly filled them with both of their belongings. She was about to call Hajime when she heard the lock of the lock on the front door; it was Hajime.
"Mom… what's wrong? You look like you saw a ghost."
"Ah, Hajime, you're home already? I-I just came home to pack some clothes. My boss is requesting that I work through the weekend starting tonight. I'll be there for your graduation ceremony, but I will be out of the house this weekend."
"But… You packed two suitcases." Hajime said as she questioned her mother.
"Right, one's for you! You see, I thought-"
"He's getting out soon, isn't he?" Hajime's tone grew serious.
Silence.
"Yes…" Aiko hesitated, "but you're safe, we're both safe. I just don't want you home alone while I have to work. I figured you can stay at a friend's house until I come home."
"So we run."
"No—no! Listen to me, he's not taking anything else away from you. You are going to your graduation tomorrow; you're going to walk across that stage and start your fresh new life in Tokyo. I will worry about him; you worry about your future."
"But Mom-!"
"Go! Go call your friend and ask her if you can stay over. End of discussion."
Hajime went to the kitchen and called Orihime. Orihime lived alone so she was happy to have guests over and agreed to have Hajime stay for a few days.
Later that night, Aiko continued her work in the Red-Light District, making sure to carry a weapon in her purse that she got from a fellow co-worker if Kazuto decided to show his face.
"Aiko, you have a person requesting you for the night, he's agreed to pay quadruple your usual amount so do NOT disappoint him." Her boss stated.
With her usual expressionless face, she agreed. As she approached room 3C, a familiar face greeted her.
"Ren… I thought you were a warning, why are you here?" She slowly reached over to her bag, "Where's Kazuto?"
"Did you enjoy your last few moments with your daughter?" Staring into Aiko's silver eyes, Ren walked closer to her, pulling out the gun he hid in the back of his pants.
This is it. This is the end.
Aiko quickly pulled out her knife but even she knew that you don't bring a knife to a gunfight.
"For your bravery, why not one last phone call with your daughter?" Still focusing the gun on Aiko, he grabbed her cell phone and threw it at her, "This is your chance to say goodbye. You give her any warning; I'll kill you with her still on the phone."
Aiko took her phone and dialed Hajime's number, but the call had to be placed on speakerphone. Hajime was still awake as news about her father's release kept her awake.
"Mom? You don't usually call this late, everything okay?"
"Everything's fine, I'm on break. I just wanted to check up on you. Why are you still up?"
"I couldn't stop thinking about him… What if he finds us? What will happen?"
"Don't think about that. My job is to protect you, and I always will. You don't trust me?"
"I do. Always."
"Good. So listen here: you stay strong. I've seen how much you've grown this last year; you grew more confident, and happy, and I can't help but thank those friends of yours. Your kind heart will get you through the toughest of times and you continue to grow into the fighter that I know you always have been. Remember my love, even if your heart wavers and you feel doubt, I will always be by your side and I will always support you, okay? So stay strong."
Hajime gave a small giggle, "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"I'm just emotional, ha-ha," Aiko spoke as she struggled to hold back her tears.
"Thank you, Mom, stay safe out there. I should head to bed; I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I'll be there. Goodnight."
As Aiko hung up on her daughter, she looked back at Ren, tears flowing from her eyes.
"That was all, no 'I love you'? You do realize that that was the last conversation your daughter will have with you."
"She is my daughter. She already knows I love her. I swear Ren if you touch her-!"
"Sorry, but he wanted her for himself."
Aiko's eyes widened and before she could make any movements, Ren quickly shot her and then himself; their lifeless bodies thudding to the ground.
. . .
The next morning, Hajime woke up early to get ready for the graduation ceremony. Orihime also got up early as she wanted to show her support at the ceremony. As Orihime grabbed breakfast and turned on the news, Hajime received a phone call.
"Hello, is this Miss Kisumoto Hajime?" A woman's voice asked.
"Yes, this is she."
"Miss Kisumoto, I'm calling from the Karakura Police Department and I'm terribly sorry to inform you about this over the phone but your mother, Kisumoto Aiko was killed in a shooting last night at the Red-Light District."
"W-What?" Was all Hajime could muster out.
"Hajime!" Orihime called out frantically as she turned her attention back to the television.
"—It appears to have been a murder-suicide. The victim was identified to be Kisumoto Aiko; she has been an active performer in the District for over ten years now…"
Her world faded to black, and her ears drowned out all the noise around her. Dropping to her knees, she sobbed; the pain of losing her mother wrenched at her heart, she lost all feeling in her body and continued to sob and break into a million little pieces. Orihime quickly went over to hold onto her, her scream harrowing, her tears unending, and her world completely shattered.
. . .
"Thank you for letting the principal know that Hajime won't be walking the stage today, Kurosaki-Kun," Orihime said over the phone as she observed Hajime laying on the guest bed in the dark.
"How is she doing?" Ichigo asked.
"Not well. I'm going to step out to the grocery store in a bit and buy some ingredients to make curry; it's Hajime's favorite. Maybe it will help cheer her up. You and the others are welcome to come over tonight."
"Thanks, we'll be over around seven then."
Orihime quickly made her way home from the grocery store and started on the curry. From time to time, Orihime would check on Hajime and she continued to lie in bed, staring at the wall in the dark.
As it was almost seven, Ichigo along with Rukia, Akashi, Chad, and Ishida made their way to Orihime's but was interrupted when they sensed the presence of multiple hollows. The group quickly made their way to the source of the hollow and was met with over 20 lower-class hollows.
Orihime, sensing the hollow's presence as well, decided to lend a hand and let Hajime know that she would be back soon.
Shortly after Orihime left, there was a knock at the door.
"Did you forget something Ori—" Hajime froze. Those dark eyes, that menacing smile, and that white hair she hated with all her heart.
"I found you, Hajime-Chan~" He spoke in a sing-song voice, his rough tone like daggers.
"W-what are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"I told you," He said as he continued walking closer, "I would punish you, Hajime. You can't escape from me, we're family."
"I had a family, and you killed her!" Her anger was welling up inside her as she clenched her fists.
"Now, now," Kazuto spoke as he took the gun from the back of his pants and pointed it at Hajime, "If you want to blame me for killing someone, I'll gladly kill that sweet girl that left here not too long ago.
"Don't you dare touch her!"
"Then come," He stepped to the side, gun still trained on her, "Show me the way home."
As the two made their way to the Kisumoto residence, Kazuto forced her to the roof.
"You two thought you could leave me? After everything I've done for both of you, you thought I would forgive you for what you've done?" Kazuto spoke angrily.
Hajime, with both hands in the air, gulped. It's time.
"10 years I spent behind bars because of YOU!" Rage. That was all Kazuto felt. He was blinded by his rage and furiously shook the gun in his hand.
"S-So what?! If you're going to kill me then kill me!" Hajime yelled as she walked closer to Kazuto, "You were NEVER my family! If you think we're all going to be reunited, you're sadly mistaken, have fun rotting in Hell!"
Baited by her words, he cocked the gun, "Oh my sweet, sweet Hajime, don't you see? We'll all be in Hell together." He gave her one last smile and two gunshots rang through the cold air.
. . .
The Hollows were quickly purified by Ichigo and company, and they all made their way to Orihime's as planned. However, they noticed the front door was left open.
"You leave your door open when you leave Inoue?" Ichigo asked.
"No, I'm pretty sure I closed it when I left." The group of six entered her apartment and looked around for Hajime.
"She's not here," Orihime spoke.
Unexpectedly, Akashi quickly ran out of the apartment and made his way toward Hajime's spiritual pressure. How stupid of me! Today's the day and I got distracted. Hajime, please don't die yet!
"Oi, Renji!" Rukia called out as she ran after him.
"What do you think—" Ishida began.
The four friends then felt a sudden decrease in Hajime's spiritual pressure and quickly made their way over to her.
Akashi was the first to arrive and even if he knew of her fate, his heart still shattered at the scene before him. Two bodies lay on top of pools of blood; Hajime's white hair was stained a deep red. Kazuto managed to deal himself a fatal blow, but Hajime wasn't as lucky and was slowly bleeding to death.
Akashi walked over to Hajime and gently lifted her into his arms. Her vision was blurry, but she looked at him and an image of Akashi flashed before her eyes. Slowly, she motioned her hand to his cheek and gave a small smile, "Akashi…"
"That's right," Akashi began, tears welling up in his eyes, "It's me… Akashi."
"You…remember?" Her words were starting to sound garbled, as blood was filling her lungs.
"Shh… Don't speak Hajime, it'll only be more painful." He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, "I'll find you. You can count on it. So please, I know it's painful but choose to remember." Looking back into her eyes, Hajime gave him a grateful smile as tears streamed down her face. Her spiritual pressure disappeared completely.
"Renji, no—Akashi, what exactly is going on?" Rukia asked as she arrived shortly after Akashi did, watching the scene before her in silence.
"It's a bit of a long story," Akashi explained as he gently placed Hajime's lifeless body on the ground.
Just then, Ichigo and the others arrived to see what has become of Hajime.
"Renji... what is this?" Ichigo asked, "Inoue, can you heal her?"
"I can try." She said as she placed her hands on her hairpins.
"Stop." Akashi spoke, "She's suffered through enough, let her rest in peace."
"But we can't just-!" Ichigo began.
"She's gone!"
"Renji…"
"That man… is not Renji," Rukia spoke.
Akashi gave a sigh, "You're right. As of right now, I am not the man you all know as Abarai Renji. When I first arrived in Soul Society, I chose to forget my memories and live a new life, under the condition that I can unseal my memories when Hajime crosses over, to convince her to become a Shinigami."
"Convince her to be a Shinigami? So, you let her die-!" Ichigo exclaimed.
"Ichigo!" Rukia snapped, "That Scheduler, he's the one that crossed your soul over?" Rukia asked as she looked at Akashi.
"He told me he's been watching over Hajime since she was a child, her spiritual pressure was strong and well suited for the Gotei 13. He was tasked to watch her progress and recruit her when she passes over, he let me take over that mission when I crossed through."
"So, it was her time then," Rukia explained.
"Yes. And I promise I'll find her if that's the last thing I'll do."
"I'll help." Rukia spoke as she gave Akashi a smile, "Even if it's just to see her… She was my friend too."
Akashi gave Rukia a bow and thanked her for her help. As Hajime's soul was sent to Soul Society, the light of the moon shone brightly.