Chapter Text
Kurosaki Ichigo, Yuzu’s beloved older brother and protector had changed. Her Ichi-nii was different now. And not in a good way. Sure, he had been acting weird for a few years now. Running off at night, getting in trouble at school for attendance and grades, even disappearing for a week or so a year ago. Yuzu had been concerned, but Karin had assured her that their brother was fine. That he was doing something big, really big, that was keeping them all safe and Yuzu could only trust her siblings to know and understand more than she did.
Now, something had changed again and this time, for the worse. If you asked Yuzu, it felt like… her brother was fading away. The spark in his eyes, the flame that always made her feel warm and taken care of, made her feel watched over and protected, was gone. His eyes were dead. His tone was empty. He spoke, but his words held no meaning, like he himself didn’t even believe them. When he told her not to worry or even that he was fine, she often felt like he was lying through his teeth.
It was clear he wasn’t fine if the screams from his room at night were any indication and those were on the days he actually tried to sleep instead of wandering all over the house, walking endlessly in circles between their three rooms. And it made her scared, but no one would listen. Karin was often too busy, running off and disappearing every day for hours at a time, only coming home to eat, bathe and sleep before doing it all again the next day.
As for their father, well, Yuzu hadn’t seen the man in weeks now. The only reason she knew he was still alive was the food she left out for him was eaten every time she checked on it next. If only she could say the same for the food she left for Ichi-nii. As she stared at another plate of uneaten curry, she felt like breaking down into tears.
This was the fourth day in a row he hadn’t eaten and it was getting to her. No matter how much she tried, it seemed to her that Ichi-nii was moving farther and farther out of her reach and she was at her wit’s end. Taking the plate, she headed back downstairs, trying to hold back the tears in her eyes. She just didn’t know what else to do.
—sSs—
The next morning, Yuzu woke up just in time to see Ichi-nii disappear around the corner, on his way to school long before school was even open. Sighing, she got up and got dressed, heading downstairs to get ready for the day. Karin came flying down a bit later, one hand doing her hair, the other grabbing for a piece of toast. Without even a wave, Karin was out the door and Yuzu was left standing there. Staring blankly at the large breakfast she had made, she just shook her head as she cleaned up before heading off to school herself.
—sSs—
That day, in class, they read an American story called “The Giving Tree”. It was about a tree that kept giving and giving and giving, until there was nothing left to give. Yuzu didn’t know why, but something about the story stuck a cord in her. In the tree, she saw her own brother, saw his kindness, his love and finally, his emptiness. As her eyes started to water, she was able to rush to the little girl’s room before the tears came, but as she sobbed in the bathroom stall, she thought about the end of the book and ended up crying even harder.
—sSs—
Later that night, Yuzu idly stirred a pot of stew. Karin wasn’t home yet, but Ichi-nii was upstairs, in his room, like usual. Watching as the bits of food swirled in the pot, she finally couldn’t take it anymore. The silence was too much! Their home had never been silent like this! The only other time it had been was when their mother had…! With the book from earlier that day still on her mind, she dropped her spoon, flew up the stairs and pounded on his door frantically.
“Ichi-nii! Ichi-nii!” she wailed.
The door was jerked open and Yuzu just let out a whimper. His hair was stringy and greasy looking, skin stretched across his bones, eyes deeply set in his face. The only color on his skin was the dark circles under his eyes. Yet, his eyes held concern and care, staring down at her with worry.
“Yuzu? What’s wrong? Are you ok? Are you hurt? Did you burn yourself on the stove? What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice cracking as if he didn’t use it much.
She latched herself onto his shirt and wailed, crying harder than she ever had before. She felt his arms wrap around her, but it was like being hugged by two sticks. Before long, they were on the floor of his room, her curled up in his lap and him just rocking gently back and forth, fingers curled in her hair, trying to soothe her with gentle shushing. What should have been comforting just made her feel even more distressed.
“Yuzu? What happened? What caused all this?” he finally asked when her cries calmed to sniffles.
She pulled back and looked at him. Swallowing, she said the first thing that came to her mind.
“Ichi-nii… you’re dying.” she whispered.
She expected a rebuttal, for him to correct her, or even try to change her mind. Instead, he just looked away from her and she felt her tears well up again.
“Please don’t die, Ichi-nii. Please don’t leave us.” she whimpered.
He looked at her and he seemed so sad, so broken before he shook his head slowly.
“I… I don't know if I can promise that.” he replied and she hiccuped.
He pulled her close again and they just sat there until Karin came upon them some time later.
“Yuzu? Ichi-nii? What’s going on? I had to turn off the stew before it burned the house down.” Karin said slowly.
Ichigo sighed and held out an arm to her, much to her confusion, but she slipped into his grip and let herself be drawn to his side. Karin seemed startled, staring at Ichigo with something like shock. Perhaps it was the first time she had actually seen what their brother looked like. It seemed as though Karin was scanning his face, staring at him and really taking in what she saw.
“I think… it’s time I told you both everything that happened…” Ichigo whispered.
The twins looked at him and he sighed.
“It started the night I met Rukia.” Ichigo started.
—sSs—
The story lasted almost five hours. For most of the story, he spoke with a kind of cold detachment, as if he hadn’t actually lived through it, as if it was a movie he had watched instead of experiencing firsthand. He spoke of war and blood and death with such simple words that made Yuzu’s head spin. There were other times where Ichigo had to stop, collect himself and continue on. It felt like he was finally bearing his soul to the two people he cared about most in the world.
He talked about going up against a man with the power of a god all alone, with the barest understanding that if he didn’t stop him, didn’t kill him, he would destroy everything Ichigo loved and Ichigo couldn’t let that happen, wouldn’t let that happen. Even if it meant his own destruction.
There were times even Karin looked horrified. As if she hadn’t even known about these parts. When he spoke of their father, coming in at the last minute, only to leave his son to fight alone, Yuzu thought about poisoning his food. That’s what he deserved for leaving their Ichi-nii to fight alone. But did she have enough to poison a full grown man? She would have to check.
When he was done, the three of them sat there. Karin had tears running down her face, but she looked angry, furious on her brother’s behalf, while Yuzu was crying softly into his shirt. Ichigo felt nothing, like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders, but now he had nothing to fill it with. An empty hole in his soul where those secrets had once been held.
“I’ll kill them!” Karin snarled, jumping to her feet.
Ichigo sighed, grabbed Karin’s arm and tugged her back down.
“Stop, Karin. You won’t kill anyone.” Ichigo said tiredly.
“Why not! I might not be able to kill all of them, but maybe… I can take out one or two!” Karin insisted.
“Stop. You don’t need to go that far. Not for me.” Ichigo tugged on her again, but she shook her head before pointing to the window.
“They used you! And… and then threw you away!” Karin snapped, pointing to the door.
Ichigo sighed and looked down.
“I did what I had to. To protect you two and the town I loved.” Ichigo muttered.
“So that’s it then! You’re just going to let them get away with treating you like this!” Karin demanded.
Something in Ichigo snapped.
“Karin, what do you want me to do!” Ichigo roared.
The twins stared at him in shock. He had never raised his voice against them before. This anger was so different from the protective wrath he usually had around them. This was a dark, venomous anger against all that had been taken from him, against all who had wronged him.
“What do you want me to do, huh?! I can’t even see them! Those who I can see won’t talk to me! My own friends turned their backs on me and even worse than that was Getaboshi! Do you know how many times I stood outside the Shoten! Do you? Because I stood out there for hours and they wouldn’t even talk to me! So what is the point!” Ichigo yelled coldly.
Karin slumped back down, her eyes wide and he sighed, pulling her to his side. His hands were shaking and the two girls clung to him.
“There is nothing I can do. Not anymore.” Ichigo whispered softly.
He squeezed his eyes shut.
“And to be honest with you both? I’m… I’m tired. I don’t have the strength to fight anymore.” Ichigo said finally.
Yuzu hiccuped and wished there was something more she could do, but there was nothing. The siblings sat there, quietly, it was long after the sun had set and the moon had taken control of the sky. As she rested against her brother’s chest, listening to the beat of his heart, she started to plan. Despite what people thought of her, how they compared her to her siblings, Yuzu was a Kurosaki and Kurosakis fought for what they wanted. Right now, Yuzu wanted her brother to be happy, to be safe, to find peace and damnit, she was going to get those things for him! Even if she had to burn the world down to make it happen.
She locked eyes with Karin and saw her own burning desire. The twins had come to the same conclusion and now, they had to make it happen. Eventually, all three got up. Ichigo walked the twins to their room and settled them into bed. Though she remembered there was a pot of stew downstairs, Yuzu wasn’t even hungry and she was sure the others weren’t either. Despite the fact that both girls were much too old for it, both of them let Ichigo tuck them into bed. It seemed to be a comfort for him.
“Good night.” he whispered.
“Ichi-nii?” Yuzu called.
He turned to her from the darkened doorway and Yuzu had a sudden fear that if he stepped out of the light in their bedroom and into the darkened hallway of their home, she would never see him again.
“Ichi-nii, why don’t you stay here with us tonight?” she asked.
Ichigo gave her a small, sad smile.
“I don’t want to keep you both up with my nightmares. Besides, Dad banned me from sleeping in your room when I was 11, remember?” Ichigo whispered.
“Fuck Dad! You can sleep here if we say so.” Karin demanded, arms crossed.
Ichigo just reached up and turned the light off. As he closed the door behind him, Yuzu watched as her brother disappeared into the darkness until not even a strand of his orange hair was left. As the house settled, Yuzu rolled over and locked eyes with Karin.
“We have to do something.” Yuzu whispered.
“Way ahead of you.” Karin said, holding up her phone.
A very familiar white and green hatted contact profile was pulled up.
—sSs—
The next morning, after a rather sleepless night, Yuzu and Karin watched as Ichigo got up and left before the sun was even up. Karin looked at Yuzu, who nodded. They got up and got dressed in their school uniforms, but they were not going to school. No, they had a different place in mind. Yuzu followed Karin out the door and down the road, until they came upon an empty looking shop. Yuzu raised an eyebrow at it, but said nothing as Karin walked up to the door and slammed her hand against it.
“Hello! Wake up!” she yelled.
Normally, she would correct her sister’s behavior, but this time, she thought it was warranted. The door was eventually opened by a tall, darker skinned man, who seemed a bit surprised by their early morning visit.
“Karin-san. It is quite early for you to be here today. Should you not be heading for school?” he asked.
“Save it. Tessai. Where’s Getaboshi?” Karin demanded.
The man glanced at Yuzu and frowned.
“He is quite busy. Perhaps if you come back…!” Karin darted under the man’s arm and inside.
“GETABOSHI, GET OUT HERE, YOU COWARD!” Karin yelled.
Yuzu looked at him and watched him sigh before he moved out of the way.
“Come inside then.” he stated.
“Thank you.” Yuzu said with a bow of her head.
Stepping into the building, Yuzu glanced around, taking note of the quaint shop. Yuzu followed as Karin stomped her way to the back of the shop, throwing open one door to reveal Urahara Kisuke sitting at a low table.
“My, my, Karin-san! It’s quite rude to burst your way into my shop before we are even open!” Urahara said, his hand fan waving slowly, yet he didn’t seem shocked to see them.
“Yeah, well, it was rude of you to use my older brother as a weapon for your war, but here we are!” Karin snapped, arms crossed.
There was a pause before Urahara snapped his fan shut and laid it on the table.
“Tessai, could you bring us some tea?” Urahara called.
“Right away.” Tessai said before he walked off.
“Come in and close the door behind you.” Urahara said and Karin scowled as she sat down.
“As if we were leaving.” Karin stated coldly.
Yuzu knelt down and stared at the man before her. There was a keen intelligence in his eyes, but also shadows. There was darkness there that Yuzu had only ever seen in her brother. But his shadows were older, darker, colder than the ones her brother had. He was not just a shopkeeper, that was clear.
“Am I to believe Kurosaki-san finally told you everything?” Urahara asked.
A door opened quietly and an older woman with purple hair stepped inside. Her face was serious as she sat by the door. Yuzu watched her with curiosity before turning back to Urahara.
“How could you?” Karin hissed with venom.
Urahara didn’t even blink, but also didn’t answer her. Karin slammed her fist on the table.
“Tell me! How could you do that! How could you do that to him!” Karin yelled.
The door slide opened and another young girl came in. She walked over and set down some tea with cups and cookies.
“Thank you, Ururu.” Urahara said, gently.
She nodded quietly and left, taking the tray with her. Urahara took his tea and sipped it.
“I asked you a question!” Karin demanded.
“That you did.” Urahara replied.
Karin shot to her feet like she was going to go for the punch, but Yuzu grabbed her skirt and she stopped. Yuzu was staring Urahara down with all the calmness of a sea before a storm. When Yuzu gave her a light tug, Karin scowled before sitting back down.
“You used our brother for your war. Now it’s time to pay him back for it.” Yuzu stated calmly.
“Pay him back?” the older woman said.
Yuzu glanced at her before turning back to Urahara.
“Ichi-nii is dying.” Yuzu said seriously.
It was like the air was sucked out of the room. Urahara’s back straightened, his eyes widened ever so slowly and his fists tightened on his lap.
“What do you mean?” Urahara asked.
“If you don’t know, then you all really did abandon him!” Karin snapped.
“He doesn’t eat. He doesn’t sleep. He’s wasting away. His body is skin and bones. He’s going to die at this rate. As the daughter of a doctor and with some understanding of how the body works, I would say he has maybe a few months before his whole body gives out.” Yuzu stated before pausing.
She swallowed hard, unable to say the next part.
“Or he decides to kill himself.” Karin finished for her.
Urahara raised his hand and Yuzu was slightly pleased to see it shaking as he rubbed his chin.
“I… see.” Urahara said slowly.
“You did this. You all did this and now you are letting him die! Don’t you have anything to say for yourselves!” Karin snapped.
“The war had to happen. Aizen had to be stopped.” the older woman said.
“Not by our brother, Yoruichi! Aren’t you all centuries old! Why did you need a 15 year old to fight for you!” Karin demanded.
The older woman, now named Yoruichi, stared at Karin, not backing down.
“Kurosaki-san… was a trump card.” Urahara said slowly.
“A trump card.” Yuzu parroted.
Urahara nodded.
“Aizen is a monster. He had centuries to plan his rise to power. I am sure he had every single Shinigami figured out with a solid plan on how to kill them, even myself.” Urahara paused.
“Kurosaki-san was the only hope we had to stop him because Kurosaki-san has an ungodly ability to do the impossible and the power to back it up. He had power beyond even my complete understanding. I am sure Kurosaki-san would have continued to grow if he kept his powers after the war.” Urahara stated.
“So where did his powers go then?” Karin asked.
Urahara closed his eyes and breathed out.
“For all of our work and sacrifice, Ichigo was not able to kill Aizen, all he could do was weaken him enough to be sealed away. The final attack, Ichigo’s Saigo No Getsuga Tensho, used every scrap of power he had, leaving nothing left when he was done. He took that step of his own freewill.” Yoruichi explained.
“He wouldn’t have had to do that if you didn’t force him onto the battlefield!” Karin yelled.
“Do you think your brother would have taken the chance?” Yoruichi demanded.
“The chance?” Karin asked, confused.
“If Ichigo had decided not to step onto the battlefield, then we would have had nothing. Aizen would have risen to the Soul King’s Palace, this town would have been wiped out and Ichigo would have had to watch as everyone he loved died.” Yoruichi said.
“Ichi-nii never would have wanted that.” Yuzu muttered.
Yoruichi nodded.
“Ichigo was and is young, yes, but he knew what was going to happen. He knew and understood that if he did step onto the battlefield, he would need to sacrifice everything he had to protect those he loved. Ichigo, at his very core, is a protector.” Yoruichi finished.
Yuzu was staring at the table. Tracing the grain with her eyes as she went over everything. She remembered the desperation in his brother’s voice, him attempting to get them to understand that he had to fight or it would have ended in catastrophe. Even still…
“Why Ichi-nii? Was he just… randomly picked?” Yuzu asked, looking up.
Urahara and Yoruichi glanced at each other and Yuzu got a sinking feeling in her chest.
“I see your father hasn’t explained anything.” Yoruichi said boredly.
“We haven’t seen that asshole in months.” Karin replied with a scowl.
“I see.” Urahara frowned.
“Truly father of the year, that one.” Yoruichi muttered.
“What does he have to do with this?” Karin asked.
“Unfortunately, we do not have enough time to explain everything. But Aizen had a hand in your parents meeting and, in the end, you three coming into life.” Urahara said.
Karin and Yuzu stared at him with wide eyes.
“Wait, wait, wait, are you saying this… fake god motherfucker played matchmaker?!” Karin demanded.
“Yes and no, I am not sure what his plan was. But the circumstances led to your father, Shiba Isshin of the Tenth Division, and your mother, Kurosaki Masaki, to come together. Karin-san, as you know, I have been training you to utilize some of your own power for your protection. That power is much closer to your mother’s than your father’s.” Urahara stated, adjusting his hat.
“Wait… MOM HAD POWERS?!” The girls yelled, shocked.
“I told you we should have sat all three of them down!” Yoruichi said angrily, looking at Urahara.
“Mah, slip of the tongue.” Urahara said, sighing.
Karin was rubbing her forehead.
“I feel like my head is about to explode.” Karin muttered.
“We can talk about that later. Once again, why Ichi-nii?” Yuzu demanded.
“Kurosaki-san shouldn’t exist. Not with the combination of powers he has.” Urahara stated.
The twin stared at him. Uncertain of what to make of that sentence. Urahara took their silence as needing more information, so he continued.
“Kurosaki-san shouldn’t exist the way he does. His combination of genes, power and mentality made him a one of a kind type of fighter and a being. Because of these different powers all coming together to work in sync with each other made him invaluable on the battlefield. You are right when we say we used a 15 year old, but we did not have time to wait and no other choices.” Urahara finished.
Karin and Yuzu sat in silence, processing what he said before they looked at each other.
“Our brother… deserved better than being your sword and shield.” Yuzu said slowly.
She looked at him and he nodded.
“I know. There are regrets I have in my life and this is one. Kurosaki-san, for everything he did and continues to do, deserved better. That is why I am telling you both this. Maybe I can finally start paying him back for all he has done.” Urahara explained.
Yuzu grabbed her cup and took a sip. It was cold, but it just gave her something to do. Karin grabbed a cookie.
“Well, start talking, Getaboshi, because we have a lot of questions and you have a lot to make up for.” Karin demanded before taking a bite.
—sSs—
Another day of classes down and Ichigo was walking home when something changed. Above his head, storm clouds gathered, much to his annoyance. He had forgotten his umbrella and really didn’t want to get wet, but it seemed inevitable. His pace quickened as he walked, hoping to get home before it opened up. As he came to the bridge intersection before his house, the river where his mother had passed away, he stopped.
Turning his head to the left, he saw a tall man with pink hair standing there. His energy reminded Ichigo of Grimmjow for a moment and Ichigo felt a ping of sorrow for the rival he saw die in Hueco Mundo. Turning his head the other way was a short woman wearing a hat and cape. Finally, he turned to look behind him to see a man with long blonde hair blocking his escape. They all wore the same white style military outfits and Ichigo was vaguely reminded of Ishida before he pushed it away.
“If you want money, I don’t have any. If it’s about my hair, fuck off.” Ichigo stated.
“Wow, you got a mouth on ya, huh kid?” the pink haired one demanded.
“Says the guy who looks like he fought with a lawnmower and the mower won?” Ichigo asked as the woman snorted loudly.
“Oh, cheeky. I’ll enjoy wiping that look off your face.” the pink haired man said, taking a step forward.
“Then let your fists do the talking and shut your trap.” Ichigo said, taking his bag off his shoulder.
“Bazz-B. Enough.” the blonde said and the newly named Bazz-B stopped, scowling.
“Tch, whatever, Haschwalth.” Bazz-B muttered.
Ichigo turned his attention to the blonde, Haschwalth. So, was he in charge? Seemed like it. Ichigo turned his body.
“So what exactly do you want with me?” Ichigo asked.
“His Majesty wishes to speak with you.” Haschwalth stated blankly.
“His Majesty, huh? Yeah, thanks, but no thanks. Not interested in whatever bullshit nonsense this is.” Ichigo said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“How dare you!” the woman snapped, rage on her face.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. She certainly had a temper on her, but kept his focus on Haschwalth.
“Are you rejecting His Majesty’s request?” Haschwalth demanded.
“Didn’t I just say that? Sorry, pal, but whatever costume party this is, I don’t want anything to do with it.” Ichigo replied, annoyed.
“You don’t even know what this is about.” Bazz-B stated.
“Do I look like I care? Take your world-be cult somewhere else.” Ichigo snapped.
The sky took that moment to rumble loudly. Ichigo’s scowl got deeper. He was not about to be caught in the rain because of this bullshit.
“Look, unless you have something worth talking about, leave me the fuck alone. I don’t care what you want from me.” Ichigo finished.
“Is that so? My, that is… disappointing.” A new voice spoke and Ichigo froze.
It felt like a wave of cold water had hit him from behind. Everything stood absolutely still, even the air in Ichigo’s lungs. His lower lip started to tremble as he turned his head slowly towards the bridge he had attempted to cross before being stopped. Like the sun rising from behind the horizon, a man dressed all in black appeared, walking towards them. Ichigo felt the air leave his lungs in a whoosh as he stopped in the middle, staring at Ichigo with dark eyes.
This was buzzing in Ichigo’s ears. Maybe from lack of oxygen or sleep, but Ichigo couldn’t tear his eyes away. Ichigo could almost feel the tears welling up in his eyes before he heard fabric moving. Turning his head, he saw the man, Bazz-B, kneeling. A quick check showed the other two also kneeling, heads bowed. Shocked turned to confusion as he looked again at the man before him.
“Z-Zangetsu?” Ichigo whispered.
There was a powerful ache in his chest just saying the name. He had avoided saying it since the war and even now, it hurt, but if he was back, if Zangetsu was back, then maybe he could… Ichigo took a step forward, wanting, needing to be closer, but when he did, the illusion shattered. This… was not Zangetsu. The facial hair was all wrong, the eyes too dark, even his clothes were just slightly off. Ichigo swallowed hard and took a step back, his hand clenching into a fist.
“Y-You’re not him. You’re not him.” Ichigo repeated, hating the way his voice shook.
The man smiled, almost sadly as he continued towards Ichigo. Ichigo took another step back as the man stepped off the bridge.
“I am and yet, I am not.” he replied.
A flash of red hot anger went through Ichigo and he snarled. He moved forward and grabbed the man by the front of his cloak.
“Do NOT fuck with me, jackass!” Ichigo snapped.
“Your Majesty!” the three cried, jerking to their feet as they rushed in to pull Ichigo away, but the man simply held up his hand and they stopped dead before they could get close.
“Calm yourselves. Had Ichigo wanted to harm me, he would have.” the man stated and Ichigo hated that he was right.
Hated that, even though he could see the clear differences, this man acted, spoke and looked just like Old Man Zangetsu and that was causing Ichigo’s brain to malfunction.
“Who are you? Why do you look like-?” Ichigo hissed, unable to say the name again.
The man lightly took Ichigo’s fist and pulled it from his clothes. Straightening himself out, Ichigo swallowed when he noticed there was an ever so slight difference in their heights.
“I go by many names. His Majesty. Father of the Quincies. Yhwach. And at one point…” here he met Ichigo’s eyes.
“Zangetsu.” the man, now dubbed Yhwach, stated.
Ichigo’s mouth was dry. He tried to pull away, but it was impossible. Even the light touch the man had on his fist held more power in it than Ichigo’s whole body.
“What… do you want with me?” Ichigo demanded, attempting to wrap his head around everything that was happening.
“How dare you ask questions of his Majesty!” the female snarled, looking absolutely furious.
“Bambietta, please calm yourself. He knows no better.” Yhwach said and she huffed, but calmed down.
Ichigo watched this exchange before turning to him again.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Ichigo stated.
Yhwach hummed lightly.
“I am simply checking on all of my children.” Yhwach replied.
Ichigo eyed his hand again and Yhwach released him. Ichigo pulled his hand back and frowned.
“Your children? You said Father of the Quincies, but I thought they were wiped out.” Ichigo replied.
Pressure in the air spiked and Ichigo felt his lungs constrict, it took all his might just to keep standing, making it hard to breathe before it was released and he gasped for breath.
“Unfortunately, you are correct. Many of my children were murdered by the shinigami. Slaughtered without care, but some of my children managed to hide, biding their time until I returned. Their prayers have been answered.” Yhwach stated.
“Returned for what?” Ichigo demanded.
He had a sinking feeling in his chest. Yhwach locked eyes with him.
“Returned to take my rightful place on the throne. The Soul King’s Throne.” Yhwach said calmly.
Ichigo’s eyes got wide.
“You want to go to war with the shinigami.” Ichigo said slowly.
“Go to war? I would rather not actually, but I know they will stand in my way. Unfortunately, lives will be lost, no matter how much I wish it wasn’t so.” Yhwach replied.
Ichigo swallowed. His fists tightened slightly as the sky started to open up.
“The Gotei 13 will stop you.” Ichigo said.
Yhwach did not answer. Instead, Yhwach tilted his head back as he held out his hand, catching the raindrops as they started to fall. Between one blink and the next, he had an umbrella in his hand, covering them both. Ichigo jumped a bit, startled as he looked between the man and the umbrella that now protected them from the rain. A closer look told Ichigo it was his umbrella in the man’s hand. The one he had left at home. Something about this man now having a possession of his made him feel uneasy.
“What do you want from me then?” Ichigo asked, softly.
Yhwach tilted his head to the side as he turned his gaze to Ichigo.
“I have… no power. If you are here to kill me, because I might stand in your way, then do it. No point in monologuing to me.” Ichigo demanded.
Ichigo shoved his fists into his jacket pockets to keep them from shaking. Every instinct in his body roared to stop this man from needless bloodshed, but really, what could he do? He was powerless. It would be like trying to stop a raging storm. Ichigo had never hated his powerlessness more than he did right now.
“Hm, you should listen to what people say, child. I already told you why I am here.” Yhwach replied after a moment.
“What?” Ichigo asked, confused, thrown for a loop.
Yhwach chuckled, amused.
“I told you, I am checking on all of my children. Including… you.” Yhwach stated.
Ichigo stared at him, eyes wide.
“What are you talking about? I’m not a Quincy!” Ichigo snapped.
“Not 100%, but you are a Quincy, my boy. As your mother was before you.” Yhwach stated.
Ichigo stopped, staring at him, heart beating wildly in his chest. He felt like he might just faint. Just as that thought crossed his mind, Yhwach’s arm slid in one of his, grounding him. Despite the fact that this man still wasn’t Zangetsu, the somewhat familiar feeling caused Ichigo’s body to relax. He mentally kicked himself for it.
“Shall we take a walk? There seems to be quite a bit we need to speak of.” Yhwach said.
Ichigo swallowed and nodded. He wanted answers and Yhwach was offering answers, which was more than most people had given him in his life. While the man could easily be taking him somewhere to kill him, Ichigo also got a vague understanding that the man didn’t actually want to hurt him. Maybe he was seeing what he wanted to see, but then again, didn’t everyone? With his nod, Yhwach directed Ichigo away from the bridge, taking a left to walk along the river.
“Bazz-B, Bambietta, Haschwalth, please go home. I will be there shortly.” Yhwach said.
The three bowed and were gone. Ichigo wasn’t sure how he felt about the absolute control this man had over his followers, but as he turned back to look at Yhwach, all he wanted was answers. He allowed himself to be pulled along.