~FIREFLY KNIGHTS~

Bleach Copyright Tite Kubo

Firefly Knights Copyright Illand Girl

'For those that need a Guardian.'

Chapter 6: God Damn Kuchiki

Things were getting weirder and weirder in Karakura.

On the surface, everything seemed normal. My grades were stellar, I had enough money to open a savings account, and the Kurosaki's had me over almost every day to eat dinner. I'd even made better friends with Tatsuki and Orihime.

But that was where normalcy ended.

Ichigo was constantly acting strange these days. He would vanish from class for hours, sometimes I wouldn't see him until he came home late covered in dirt or scratches. Other times he was acting... weird. Like- Like he wasn't actually Ichigo weird.

It started getting worse about three weeks after Rukia showed up. Ichigo ran off with Rukia again, which was becoming way too normal for my liking. I said I would take notes for him, but I was beginning to wonder if he even did the schoolwork anymore since we had studied at his house less and less. At lunchtime, I declined Tastuki and Orihime's offers to eat together and figured I would try and find Ichigo.

I had this strange desire to leave school, as if my feet knew where to find the carrot top. I stood at the front gates, looking out to the street and trying to decide where I needed to go, when none other than Ichigo showed up.

"Hey!" He called, grinning. I raised a brow- what had him in such a good mood?

"Hey, where've you been?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Ichigo snickered.

"Eh, had some stuff to do but don't worry. Say..." He suddenly stepped closer, his eyes looking down at me with a glint I didn't like. "You wanna get out of here?"

"Huh?" Well, that wasn't what I was expecting. I sniffed, feeling my nerves skyrocket when I didn't smell the scent of summer and chocolate immediately. Ichigo tilted his head to the side and got even closer. He slowly whispered something in my ear. I didn't move, my eyes widening-

I sneezed, forcing a blink, and oddly found myself in the park. A cough broke from my lips, and I stared around the area.

"When did I...?" How the fuck did I end up at the park? What was going on? I stumbled and fell to my knees, my head feeling like it was about to split open. Taking a deep breath, the scent of summer and chocolate flitted across my nose. As I attempted to stand up again, I looked around.

I was completely alone.

The sun was setting- what time was it? What park was this? I didn't recognize it. My head was still aching as I tried to find my way to the Kurosaki's. Isshin would likely have some Advil on hand, right? I eventually found my usual path home, grumbling the entire way.

"Naomi?" At the call of my name, I turned to see Ichigo- and of course Rukia, walking down the sidewalk behind me. My eyes drifted to Rukia, to her suspicious and frowning gaze, then looked back to Ichigo as he came closer to me. He was walking funny, with a slight hitch.

"What happened to you?" I asked, sniffing the air and smelling the summer and chocolate scent once again. He looked stiff, massaging his left shoulder as he walked.

"I could ask the same to you. You alright?" He asked.

I don't know why, but that one question made me want to cry. No- I did know why. It was because this entire thing was so god damn frustrating. This was the second time I had completely forgotten what had happened. It was like that morning at the Kurosaki's; I couldn't recall how I got to the park. I felt scared because my memory just wasn't there, I felt afraid.

"Naomi?" Ichigo asked, taking a step closer.

It was then that I remembered him meeting me at the front gates.

"Ichigo, what happened?" I asked, looking up at him. He hesitated. "You were there. We were at the front of the school together and then I just- I can't remember. Why can't I remember?"

All my life, I had had an excellent memory, I remembered everything quite vividly. I could even perfectly recall the day I left and how Ichigo and I said our goodbyes, down to how many raindrops hit his cheeks when he left. So, to suddenly not remember anything was- well it was terrifying to say the least.

Ichigo placed his hand on my head.

"Nao I-" he hesitated. His hesitation told me enough.

"You know, don't you?" I felt his hand tense. "You know why I can't remember?"

He didn't talk, he just stared at me with sad eyes for a moment longer, before his gaze grew tired.

"Sorry, but I don't." He lied. I could tell right away.

"Ichigo-" He didn't let me finish.

"Nao please." He didn't shout, but his voice sounded strained. I didn't understand why he wouldn't tell me, but that tone- he only ever used it when he was on the verge of begging. Ichigo didn't beg, but he would get exhausted and frustrated. I decided not to push him, not with the raging headache I had and the desire to rest. Instead, I pressed my forehead into his chest and took a deep breath.

"Fine."

We separated, and it was then I noticed Rukia had vanished. Together we walked home, greeted to the usual energy of the Kurosaki household.

"IIIIIIICHIGOOOOOOO!" Isshin nearly took Ichigo out as he came flying through the open door. The duo were in a battle after that as I entered the kitchen. Yuzu was cooking at the stove. I pulled my hair up into a bun and planned to start helping her whether she wanted it or not.

"Hey Yuzu, how was your day?" I asked, stepping closer.

"Oh hey Naomiiiiii- oh my god!" She dropped her spatula to the floor when she looked at me. I blinked twice, confused why she was looking at me like that. I froze, looking down at myself. There was some dirt from where I had been, but nothing impressive to cause such a reaction.

The fight behind us stalled, and I turned to see Ichigo and Isshin also staring at me.

"W-What is it?" I asked, imagining a bug hanging off my cheek and subconsciously started scrubbing at my face.

Isshin surprised me when he stepped up to me looking like he did when working in the clinic.

"Can you tilt your head back for me, Naomi?" He asked in the tone I'd only heard him use with patients. I frowned, but did as he asked. It hurt a bit, my neck feeling tight.

"Ow." I muttered, trying to bite my tongue.

"Looks like you did something to your neck there. Yuzu, go get my kit from the bathroom." Isshin ordered. Yuzu made an affirming noise and then rushed off. I frowned, lowering my head to normal level. It felt like I had whiplash.

"What's happening?" I asked, reaching up to feel my neck. It was tender to the touch, but I didn't know what was going on. Without another word I turned and walked to their bathroom behind Yuzu. She had grabbed the kit and was about to make her way back, but I blocked her path. As I turned to stare into the mirror, I understood what her reaction was all about.

My neck looked like a rope had been wrapped around it and tied so tight it had left bruises. Some parts were dark purple while others were brown and yellow.

I blinked at myself a few times, thinking that surely this was a joke. Surely this was all a bad dream, and I was about to wake up from it and find out I bonked my head really good and never even made it to Karakura town. Before all the memory gaps and weird Ichigo and bruises...

Surely this wasn't happening?

But it was, and the longer I stared at myself in the mirror the more things seemed to really sink in.

I didn't react outwardly, just returned to the living room with Yuzu and allowed Isshin to give me a bottle of meds and put an ice pack on it. I held it patiently, took my meds, and didn't say a word.

I wasn't the only quiet one; Ichigo wouldn't look at me.

Other than Karin coming in and asking what happened, to which I shrugged and answered with a "I don't know." There wasn't much conversation. After dinner, I excused myself and said goodbye to the family. Yuzu looked nervous at the prospect of me leaving.

"Are you sure Naomi? You can always stay in my bed!" Yuzu offered. I gave her a forced smile and patted her head.

"Thanks Yuzu, but really, I'm fine." I lied, waving to everyone and heading out. Not even ten steps out the door and I heard it open again and close. I didn't need to look back to know it was Ichigo following me. And for some reason it just made me more upset. The fact that he knew about my neck and said nothing to me, that he knew why I was losing my memory, and he kept hanging around that stupid Rukia Kuchiki...!

"You don't have to follow me, it's still bright out." I insisted, not slowing my pace. He still caught up with me and wasn't even five steps behind now.

"Oh well, I'm here anyways," he said indifferently. I frowned, my hands clenching into fists in my pockets.

"Are you going to tell me now?" I asked, my hand gently touching my throat. "You knew this was there, yet you said nothing. It means you knew, didn't you?"

He stopped walking, and I stopped a few steps later. Without turning around, I knew he had that frustrated look on his face. And it only made me want to cry out and yell at him for acting like a victim in all of this.

"I can't." He said with a defeated tone. I took a breath, not at all convinced.

"Then respectfully, Ichigo," I half turned and looked back at him. Saw the frustration in his eyes as he looked at his feet. "Go away."

I turned back to the way I was walking and left him standing there. My apartment wasn't that far away, and I made it before the sun had full set. After doing my nightly routine, I opened my window to get some fresh air. The breeze was nice tonight, so I took a deep breath and sighed.

The smell of summer and chocolate wafted to my nose. I looked around, not seeing Ichigo anywhere, and sighed before slumping against the window ledge. I practically deflated as I fell to my knees, the stress from the day finally leaving me.

'Ichigo, what are you getting yourself into?'

"Calm down or you'll make it worse!" He put a hand over my chest, almost holding my throat.

Ichigo sat on top of me, pinning me to the ground. But no matter how much I struggled; I couldn't break free-

"You're not Ichigo, are you?"

"What gave it away?"

Ichigo was screaming at me to get up, but when I tried I choked on something and couldn't speak-

Rukia held a device, aiming it at me. It flashed-

I woke with a start, a shiver working it's way down my spine.

I walked to school by myself that morning, leaving early in case Ichigo decided to try and forcibly walk beside me again. I also wore a turtleneck shirt and kept my hair down today to avoid anyone seeing the bruises. They hurt, but with the pain meds Isshin gave me I was feeling better than yesterday.

Turns out I didn't need to worry about Ichigo, because he arrived late with Rukia that morning.

Figures .

I stayed attached to Tatsuki and Orihime's hip that day, doing my best to avoid Ichigo. Not that he really tried to even talk to me. I didn't know why that made me more frustrated, especially since if he had spoken to me, I would've told him to go away. I guess I just really wanted him to tell me the truth and let me in on what was happening.

I mean, I deserved to know where I got these bruises from, right? And that dream... Ichigo would never touch me. Never . I had no doubt about that at all. Yet that dream...

I sighed dramatically. Tatsuki threw a piece of her bun at me; it bounced off my shoulder.

"You've been sighing dramatically all day, and what's with you and Ichigo? Normally he beelines it for you every morning unless you walked together." Tatsuki asked. Orihime looked between the two of us as she ate an entire loaf of bread in one sitting. I looked down to my own lunch, which was one I threw together too quickly to make it half decent that morning.

"Nothing, I just- Ichigo's not telling me something, and I think it has something to do with Kuchiki." I said, frowning while stabbing my meal aimlessly.

"Oh, guess now's not a good time to mention we invited Rukia to eat with us?" Tatsuki teased. I froze, then looked up. Sure enough, Rukia fucking Kuchiki was walking across the yard to join the three of us. She smiled brightly, and I felt like a rain cloud was brewing over my head while she made sunflowers pop up around her.

"I think you'll like her Naomi! She's really nice and super polite! Oh and she talks really funny sometimes. She even curtsied to me one time..." Orihime kept rambling but it was then that I realized something. Yesterday Rukia would've seen my neck too. She didn't say anything though, other than staring me down from where she had stood.

I frowned as she sat next to me, my body subtly leaning away from her.

"Hi there Rukia! So glad you joined us!" Orihime cheered. Rukia laughed, sounding melodious.

"Oh I appreciate it! Thank you for inviting me!" She said as she pulled her lunch out. Rukia looked briefly at me, but despite my sour expression her smile never wavered. It was the fakeness that really got to me. It wasn't real, there's no way it was.

I pictured the smile Ichigo gave her on the roof and my blood started boiling.

Fuck it.

"I'm going to go for a walk." I said, not even bothering to properly repack my to-go meal and just tossed it back in the disposable bag. I'd just chuck it at the nearest trash can.

"Oh- okay Naomi. You feeling alright?" Orihime asked. I glanced at Tatsuki and Orihime with a forced smile.

"Sure, I just want to go for a walk. Talk soon." I blatantly ignored Rukia and stepped away from the rest.

I found a trash can and went to wash my hands behind the school at the taps. Just as I finished drying my hands the black-haired girl showed up.

"Hi there, you're looking better than yesterday," she said with less false sincerity than I expected. I didn't react though and just squared up to her with a frown. Rukia continued. "I didn't mean to intrude on your lunch time, if that's what it felt like. I actually just wanted to get to know you more."

I didn't believe a word of what she was saying. There was no reason for Rukia to want to get to know me, unless .

"You mean you wanted to get to know me because of Ichigo." I corrected. She looked surprised, but not embarrassed.

"Well, I suppose. He does talk about you a lot. I just thought us being friends might smooth things over better. Maybe we could understand one another some more?" Rukia sounded optimistic, but it was the exact opposite of what she should've said to me. If anything, it was the final nail in the coffin, and put things into place.

"What did you do to Ichigo?"

That seemed to startle her.

"I don't-"

"Ichigo has never hidden anything from me before. He's never lied to me and gotten away with it. But the fact that he is going to such lengths to not tell me what's going on means it's not his choice. And I highly doubt it's a coincidence that you showed up the very next day that this all started." I didn't realize I was stepping closer to her until I was just a few feet in front of her.

Rukia had composed herself and looked up to me, her eyes narrowing. I felt a hot rage pulse inside of me at her lack of reaction.

"What did you do to Ichigo?" I repeated. Rukia remained quiet, swallowing once, but her back remained straight as she seemed to try and collect her thoughts.

"Naomi? Rukia?" Ichigo's voice drifted from behind me. I didn't react at first, especially when I heard Keigo commenting about it being a 'hot girl showdown in here' . Slowly, my eyes peeled off Rukia's, and I turned to see Ichigo and his friends hanging around. One look at me and Ichigo knew I was in a bad mood. He hesitated, but I looked away from him.

"Forget it." I muttered, feeling utterly defeated in all of this. I briskly tried to walk away, but as I rounded the corner again Ichigo called out to me. I tried to keep walking, but he showed up in front of me so I halted.

"What did Rukia do?" he asked. I was surprised, having expected him to word it negatively towards me.

"What? Nothing. She just wanted to get to know me." I lied. Using my innocent tone. Ichigo clicked his tongue and tsked at me.

"I can tell when you're lying too, Nao." he said confidently. I huffed, looking away from him.

"Ichigo I-" I rubbed my head, feeling another headache come on. When I looked up at him, he had settled a bit. "Look, I get it alright? You don't want to tell me but-"

God this was so frustrating! Why couldn't he just tell me what was happening?

"Nao, you trust me, right?" Ichigo asked, sounding nervous. I nodded without hesitation, which seemed to be what he was hoping for. He gave me a soft smile. "I promise, I will tell you, just- I-" He sighed heavily.

"Just not right now." I finished for him. He sighed again. I huffed. "I don't know which of us is acting more dramatic right now."

Ichigo gave a weak smirk.

"Definitely you, you've turned into a big crybaby." He teased. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh please, I remember Tatsuki punching you and you would start crying like crazy. I was the backbone of this friendship, remember?" Something I said seemed to sober him again.

"That reminds me, today's June 16th." He said plainly. I nodded, understanding what it meant. He scratched the back of his neck then, looking away. "I-I know you're probably still pissed at me, but Yuzu and Karin wanted to know if you'd be coming along with us tomorrow. Yuzu wanted to know how much food to make for everyone..."

I wasn't surprised to have the invitation. My mom and his used to be quite close. Back then, we would all go up to the gravesite and say hello to Misaki Kurosaki on the anniversary of her death.

"Yeah, I'll be there." I said, finding a small smile lifting the corners of my mouth when his whole body relaxed.

"Oh? Good- that's- great. I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked, making me raise a brow.

"Hm? Abandoning me already? I'm a bit hurt now." I teased. Ichigo scoffed.

"What? You were the one telling me to go away." He defended. I snorted.

"That was yesterday, today is a whole new day. Honestly now I see why you don't have a girlfriend. You just don't understand women." I said while waving in front of me as if dismissing the idea. Then without being able to control myself, I added. "I honestly don't know what Rukia sees in you."

"Oh knock it off! I told you we aren't into each other like that!" Ichigo said, grabbing the top of my hand and pressing down slightly. Not enough to hurt me, but enough to get his point across.

"Rude," I said, swatting his hand away. "You should never put your hands on a lady."

"Ha! Lady? You look exactly like you did three years ago, like a little kid!"

I glared at him, crossing my arms.

"No, I got prettier! On the other hand, you just got a growth spurt and an ugly mug."

"Why you little...!"

Our bickering continued for the rest of lunch before we returned for classes. However, the moment we sat down, I saw the way Ichigo and Rukia looked at each other, and immediately I remembered why I had been so frustrated with him in the first place.

The next day it was so hot that I opted for a sundress. It was a soft lavender with spaghetti strap sleeves that tied in bows on my shoulders. I tied my hair up into a bun and put on a visor with some sunglasses and sandals.

The heat was intense. I almost wished I had headed out before the family arrived to pick me up. But instead, I greeted them all and Yuzu complimented that the bruises on my neck were fading nicely, and we all headed up to the grave site.

But of course, even on a day like today, which had been filled with the usual Kurosaki banter, I couldn't escape Rukia fucking Kuchiki.

She was at the top of the hill when we arrived, waving down and looking quite chipper. I took a deep breath and huffed, trying not to react as Ichigo panicked.

"What is she doing here?!" Ichigo tried to keep it under his breath, but I heard it anyways. "Uh, excuse me guys, I'll be right back."

He sprinted up the hill, grabbed her arm, and ran off to a side path with her. Yuzu and Karin were joking next to me.

"Looks like he has a girlfriend." Karin commented. Yuzu whined.

"I thought Naomi was his girlfriend?" She whispered. Karin laughed.

"As if, she's way out of his league." Karin said confidently.

"Whatever, let's keep going." I said, not sparing the side path they went down another glance.

We arrived at Masaki's grave, and I helped them clean it up and prayed for her before trying to give the family a little privacy. It'd been half an hour since Ichigo vanished, and I thought it might be a good time to go looking for him. But then I heard the soft whimper of Yuzu crying and hesitated.

"Oh c'mon! We're eleven Yuzu, we can't keep crying!" Karin snapped. I stepped closer to Yuzu and crouched next to her.

"I'm sorry, but this place just makes me so sad and I-" I placed a hand on her back and rubbed soothing circles. Yuzu looked up at me, and I tried my best to give a warm smile in return.

"It's okay to cry Yuzu, no matter what Karin says." I looked at the grave, remembering the day Masaki died, and how the entire family fell apart. I remembered how Ichigo looked so lost, wandering the riverbank where she died.

For days he wandered, no matter what I did he kept looking for her. I spent those days bringing him food and clothing since he never stopped despite the weather or time of day. Eventually he would collapse, my mom and I would bring him home, just to find him out there again the next morning.

"You're having a tough time expressing your emotions is all, you have all this love, but you have nowhere to put it now," I looked down to Yuzu as she tearfully stared at me.

"Grief is just love with nowhere to go."

Yuzu whimpered before hugging me tightly and crying. Karin watched me, then looked away, her eyes shiny but a resolve in her eyes telling me she refused to cry. I held Yuzu for a while, watching Isshin step up to the grave next to say his prayers.

It was quiet and solemn, and eventually Yuzu stopped crying and Isshin did his best to make Yuzu giggle and Karin kicked him once or twice for acting extra stupid. Isshin excused himself for a moment after his daughters settled.

I figured now would be a good time to go find Ichigo, but then something changed in the air.

It smelt like copper, and sewer water. Something sour, like rotten flesh...

The air felt thick, making it harder to breathe.

It felt like something was watching me. I gasped, looking around. Karin was also looking nervous.

"Yuzu, Karin," I looked for Isshin but didn't see him anywhere. "You have to make a run for it."

My pulse began to race, I felt like something was stalking me.

"Naomi! Behind you!" Karin's scream came a moment too late as something slammed into my back. I was shoved to the ground, something pressing me down into the cement. Karin and Yuzu stood horrified, and I knew I had to make them leave.

"R-Run!" I shouted, screaming as the pressure dug me further into the ground.

"Naomi!" Karin shouted, but I yelled for them to run again.

"Get Ichigo!" I said, feeling something wrap around me and lift me into the air. When I saw the girls run off, I felt a bit of relief.

Then I heard it.

A chuckle, low and menacing, right in my ear. Hot breath fanned across me and the acrid stench I sensed earlier came back.

"You have such low spiritual pressure. It would be a waste to even keep you for bait." That same low voice growled.

I felt it then, that deep hot rage, and something pulsed in me as I tried to see what was holding me so tightly. It squeezed and I gasped, air being forced from my lungs. I felt something pop inside of me, and then-

Rain hit my face, startling me awake. It was an onslaught, and I would've been drenched if it weren't for Isshin carrying me to shelter. I blinked rapidly between the water droplets, confused by what was happening. Bits and pieces from before came back to me as Isshin placed me on the steps of the shrine.

"What? I don't-" I rubbed my eyes, surprised to find that everything of mine felt okay. Then I looked to Isshin, who looked calm and collected.

"It's alright Naomi." He said in that same fatherly tone I heard when something serious was happening. "Just let Ichigo take care of it."

I didn't understand what 'it' was, and I certainly didn't get why Isshin was talking like he knew something I didn't but expected me to. But I continued to sit there, noticing the girls were right beside me.

"Naomi," Isshin said as he leaned against the post. "I wouldn't take it out on Ichigo too much. He's still figuring some things out. You'll learn everything in due time."

I froze, surprised by the sagely words. He grinned as if expecting me to be shocked.

"Hey, this old man can be smart once in a while too." He teased.

The rain was slowing down. Isshin sighed.

"Would you mind watching the girls? If they wake up, meet me at Misaki's grave why don't you?" he asked while walking away. I didn't say anything, just watched as he wandered off. I watched the girls, but then noticed someone approaching us.

Rukia emerged from the bushes. I leapt to my feet and glared at her.

"Don't come any closer." I snapped. Rukia looked surprised. I frowned. "You're why I can't remember anything, aren't you?"

She didn't argue with me, standing stock still with something in her hand. Then she stepped closer, not stopping as I warned her again.

"This is for your own good Naomi." She held the little object up to me, but I slapped it out of her hands. She seemed surprised, but I didn't understand why. Instead, I grabbed the collar of her shirt and yanked her closer.

"Look at me," I said lowly, gripping her sundress tighter. "What did you do? Why are monsters coming out? What did you do to Ichigo?"

Rukia didn't answer. She instead slapped my hand away. I felt that rage pooling inside of me again, my eyes narrowed at her.

"Where is Ichigo?" I demanded, feeling my temper flare. Rukia crossed her arms.

"He's fine, not injured badly if that's what you're asking." she said firmly, frowning back at me. I took a deep breath. Ichigo's scent came from Masaki's grave. I looked back at Rukia and narrowed my eyes. We stood at an impasse, but the moment was shattered with Yuzu and Karin groaned.

"Naomi? What- what happened?" Yuzu asked, sounding tired. She stood as Karin sat on the steps, looking rattled. "Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

I patted Yuzu's head and forced a smile.

"No, I'm alright, we should get you to your dad and brother, kay?" But Karin was frowning at me.

"That thing was stomping on you, and you're completely fine? You had to have broken a rib or something." She argued. I blinked once, then rubbed my hands all over my sides.

"Nope, everything's fine." Come to think of it, I didn't even have a cut on me... I should've had something, right?

Karin eyed me again, then helped her sister stand. The two girls began to walk back to the grave. I eyed Rukia warily, receiving a suspicious gaze in return, then began to walk behind them.

When we arrived, Isshin had just kicked Ichigo in the back and laughed. The carrot top crumpled to the floor with a curse.

"Ah, perfect timing. C'mon girls. Let's let Naomi do the grunt work and put Ichigo back together for us." He said with such honesty I almost wanted to kick him myself. Karin glanced at me, while Yuzu continued to lean on her sister. The trio left, Ichigo still wincing as he crouched on the ground.

"Damn that hurt. He'll kill me one of these days." Ichigo muttered. I said nothing, but half turned to see him better. Ichigo quieted, his head hanging.

"You alright?" I asked, but I already knew the answer. Ichigo looked up to the sky then as he stood. He was quiet for a moment, but then he spoke.

"No one blames me for Mom's death." It was a simple statement packed with so much meaning and emotion.

"Why would they?"

Ichigo stared at Masaki's grave then, his hands stuffed in his pockets but his back tight.

"I... I can't explain it to you." He said quietly. I took a deep breath, then sighed.

"I dunno much about what you're going through, but I promise that for the next five minutes I'll forget anything you might accidentally tell me." I stuffed my hands in my own pockets and stood next to him. We stared at his mother's grave for another few minutes before he hissed once.

"She didn't just die, she was murdered," That was new, Ichigo had never told me that. Only that she died, and he wasn't sure what happened. "What's worse, her murderer is so much stronger than I am."

I felt alarm bells go off, remembering that invisible monster that attacked. I wanted to, so badly, to ask him. But I had promised I would forget it, and right now Ichigo needed me. Instead of prying, I huffed.

"So just get stronger."

"Naomi... It's not that simple." Ichigo hissed, wincing. I ignored it.

"That's what weak people say. That they've reached their greatest strength, that they can't get any stronger," I stared solemnly at Masaki's name, "but you're not weak Ichigo."

I paused, thinking back to little Ichigo and how easily he cried before his mom died.

"I remember when you were a big crybaby. Tatsuki was so alarmed that she could make you cry with one gentle punch. And I remember how your eyes would light up every time your mom picked you up from my house. It didn't matter whether we were having snacks or playing a good game of tag, you would drop everything and run to her." Ichigo began to tremble next to me as I spoke, but I did my best to maintain a steady voice.

"Her eyes would light up too. You were her baby boy. I don't doubt for a second that your mom loved you more than life itself. I'll bet whatever happened that day, Ichigo, that your mom chose you over herself. Not because you were too weak to protect her, but because that's what moms do. They protect their children." I reached for Ichigo and pulled his hand from his pocket. He didn't protest as I held his hand. He gripped mine back as our fingers laced together, I saw tears hit the pavement but didn't say a word.

"So, you have to get stronger. You need brute strength? Become someone so powerful nobody can touch you. You need support?" I squeezed our fingers. "Hold onto my hand. And, most importantly Ichigo, live. Because Masaki saved you so that you could live a full life, so that you can see her again and have all these stories. Fall in love, grow old, and be happy, so that you can thank her."

My own eyes were glassy as I stood still, doing my best to be Ichigo's support pillar.

"Nao..." Ichigo's voice was strangled with tears. I looked up to him to see him staring at me. Wordlessly I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He hugged me back just as tightly, one hand behind my head and the other around my waist. He settled his face into the crook of my neck, and took slow, shaky breaths in and out. I ran my fingers through his hair, whispering softly that I was there. It was the first time I had thought Ichigo felt small since I had returned, he practically melted into my arms.

"Thank you." He said after a few minutes in a small voice. His arms wrapped tighter and pulled me flush against him. I felt like, in that moment, I was genuinely an anchor that he was desperately grasping onto. I took a deep breath, resting my head against his.

"I've got you, Ichigo."

This chapter will likely get another edit once I've settled on a few of the finer details, but nothing major will change.

Huge thank you to my two reviewers, Cinna Bae and Laur-machine. And to answer your question Laur, well, let's just say I originally had this as 'slice of life' and Naomi had no powers, but- well let's just say that was so boring I got tired of it after the 4th chapter outline.

Also, to be transparent, I havent read/watched TYBW arc yet, so apologies if there is anything non-canon because I'm vibing with my current back story.

Chapter edited: March 9/2024

Tumblr: Plznomonkeys

Thanks for reading.

Cheers.

Iland Girl