#but rukia who knows what this means... the expression distorting

[hashtagartistlife]

started drawing this for last year’s irmonth prompt ‘she knows’, only just got around to finishing it. the idea was that if ichigo ever uses mugetsu again, he doesn’t just lose his powers, he will straight up disintegrate into nothingness - and the only person who knows this is rukia, who trained in the royal realm with him. 

[woodrokiro]

Hollowed (fic), Part Eight

Fandom: Bleach

Pairing: IchiRuki

Summary: They call her a miracle, but he looks at her as if she’s normal. It scares her. Fantasy/Futuristic/Zombie kinda?AU. Read Parts One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven. 

It’s the same dream, each and every goddamned time.

It starts out simply and true and horrid enough: the night he last saw her. His mother put him and the girls to bed, kissing each on the nose and wishing them sweet dreams. There is wetness on her cheek from when she briefly nuzzles her son--but it’s quick, and her expression is as peaceful as it usually is.

Was.

But in this dream, he gets out of bed.

His father isn’t in the living room, for whatever reason--but he’s too focused on his mother’s retreating form out of the house to really think about that detail. He starts to follow her--nine year old feet silent as they can while still trying to catch up. He thinks maybe she’s going outside to the safety cellar--even though there has been no Hollowed alarm, even though they haven’t had enough food to store there for ages--until he sees that she’s drifting toward the river.

His heart stops beating so quickly, because the river is a sacred place to Masaki. It’s where she taught her children how to swim, where they catch most of their food, where she has taught him that water is life. So long as they have this river, she says, they need to keep fighting for their lives, for their happiness.

But when she reaches the silt at the water’s edge, she suddenly stops.

“Ichigo,” she calls softly without turning around. Her voice is oddly distorted. “Get away from here.”

He is about to ask why, why would he ever leave her here when she knows the tide gets so high at night and then she turns.

Half of her beautiful face is mangled into a grimace, the other half covered by a Hollowed mask. Her body bubbles and blackens, and she reaches out a hand--gnarling into a claw--toward him.

“Run.”

--

Why he’s awake far earlier than the rest of the group is never questioned, and he’s glad. 

He doesn’t know how he’d answer, anyway.

--

He finds out soon enough that Rukia likes books. 

He guesses it’s not too surprising: he can’t imagine there’s much else for her to do, after all. 

But about a week after he starts, when he realizes there really isn’t much to do except sit around, ask what she’s doing (to which she may or may not answer), and watch dust filter through the screen, he makes do on his oath and brings a book. Well. His only book. It’s not gonna last him long, but hey. Something to do is something to do.

He’s about five pages in when he hears a creaking of the screen and looks up to find her hands gripping through the holes, eyes peering curiously down on him.

“What are you reading?”

Unnerved by her sudden attention, he slaps the book closed. “Look, I told you I’d bring something to read if things got as boring as they have been--”

“No, no. Of course.” She waves her hand impatiently. “I understand. What’s the name of your book?”

Slowly, he raises the tattered cover for her to see. “It’s… Hamlet. By William Shakespeare. Do you know it or…?”

She grins from ear to ear, clapping once in obvious pleasure. “Know it? Well, I know of it. They talk about it in a book Lord Yamamoto has of Shakespeare, but no one’s ever been able to find a copy for me. Is it true? That it’s his best, darkest work?”

“Well… I definitely don’t think darkest. Titus Andronicus is pretty dark, I hear--”

“Titus Andronicus is a travesty amongst his writing. Dark, yes: but no substance.” She sniffs with visible distaste, but Ichigo is intrigued with this conversation. Sure, he loves this book--it’s the one personally prized possession he was able to grab before fleeing his village--but he’s also fascinated with the sudden light in her eyes, the excitement in her voice at having someone to talk about an interest with.

The thought slips in uninvited that this glee suits her.

He shrugs, feeling a heat rise up his neck. “I wouldn’t know. I only have this one. I read All’s Well, once, but the copy was lost a long time ago. I had a book on his biography, too. Would love to find his other work, someday… But there’s more important things to ask for.”

Her fingernail scratches the screen in thought before she quickly glides over to a huge bookshelf in her section. Ichigo watches her: he’d be lying if he said he’s never noticed it before.

“What are you…?”

She trots back over, shoving a beautiful book through the larger exchange slot in the partition. “Here. I’ll trade you. I’ll take care of yours if you take care of mine.”

He eyes the cover. King Lear’s title is stitched in fine gold thread and he gulps. Although tempted, he shakes his head.

“Sorry. That thing’s in mint condition, but this copy is pretty important to me for sentimental value--”

“No, not literally trade, fool.” She rolls her eyes as if he’s the idiot being unclear. “Trade for reading. That thing isn’t deserving to be in my book collection, but it’ll do so I can finally read it. And when you finish this one, you can borrow another. I have near all of his work.”

He’s unsure, but finds himself putting his Hamlet copy in the slot too. “Okay… But I can’t really give you anything else, that’s the only one I have--”

“It doesn’t matter.” She’s grabbed his Hamlet, already finished with the conversation. “I like reading something a few times over anyway. And besides… It’s nice. I mean. To have someone to talk to about it with. I hope.” 

And with that, she walks her way up to her seat next to the window, curls her feet beneath her, and starts to read. 

He opens his own borrowed copy, starting a couple pages before he hears a sound.

Humming.

Strangely, he thinks, that suits her too.

--

“I just don’t get why she’s so… Isolated? But weirdly idolized? Like… She’s an imprisoned queen, or something.” Ichigo picks a piece of lint off his shirt. “Not to be dramatic. It’s just weird.”

It’s his day off, and he’s decided in his boredom to mosey over to Chad’s masonry unit and hang out. He and Chad don’t talk a lot (well, Chad doesn’t talk a lot), but he knows he can count on his friend for advice or venting whenever he needs.

Even when Chad’s pipsqueak boss glares at him from across the room the whole time he’s there.

“If you’re going to distract my apprentice,” the kid calls out, “you can at least be useful and help him in his work.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know the drill sir.” Ichigo hops off his stool, stands next to Chad to half-assedly polish weapons while his friend pounds away at hot iron. “Jesus. How this tightwad place managed to hire a runt as the head of masonry is beyond me.”

Chad stops his work momentarily to wipe the sweat from his brow. “Hitsugaya’s a good boss. He’s taught me a lot in a short time, and besides. He lets you in here while I’m working. Can’t say the kitchens or Ishida’s units would allow for your company.”

Ichigo huffs, but doesn’t disagree. As little as Chad may speak, he has an annoying habit of being right. 

“Yeah, yeah. Still can’t imagine it feels great being bossed around by a twelve-year old, though…”

The two work in companionable silence for a bit, and Ichigo can’t help but think that they really did match Chad to the best job for him. He’s glad someone in his group has found a job that makes sense, at least.

As if reading Ichigo’s thoughts, Chad clears his throat. “Have you talked to Karin recently?”

“Nah. I haven’t really had a chance to. Why?”

“Nothing new, but Yuzu mentioned to me she’s struggling.” Chad keeps his eyes down on his work, but Ichigo can read a tinge of worry. “Been messing up a lot in the kitchens, she says. Inoue makes some… Strange choices in her cooking, we know--but at least she enjoys the work, and is quick to correct her mistakes. She’s well liked there. But Karin…” He stops, not needing to say more.

“Karin’s got a temper.” Ichigo sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. “Fuck. Okay. I’ll--I don’t know. I’ll figure something out.”

“I’m sure she’s doing her best, but…”

“No, I know. But it’s not fair to her. I didn’t drag you all here so that any one of you could be miserable. ‘Specially my sisters.” 

“Why don’t you put her here?” Hitsugaya suddenly pops up beside them, carrying a couple of buckets of water to cool the iron. “Sado here says she’s almost as good with weapons as you are, and Old Man never gives me enough workers. We could use her help.”

Ichigo blinks. “Don’t you have some sort of… Weird sexist rule here? That women aren’t really allowed in the military?”

“You obviously haven’t met Captain Soifon… But I guess she is a special case. Anyway, I don’t have that rule.” Hitsugaya grunts while he pours the water. “If someone can do the work, who cares? It’s Old Man’s preference that things are the way they are. Comes from his religious background, having been a monk and all.” 

Ichigo’s jaw drops. He gives Chad a look before hounding on Hitsugaya. “A monk? Are you fucking--why are you so nonchalent about this? Aren’t they--weren’t they supposed to be peaceful ‘n stuff? How is he the HEAD of this entire military institution--”

“Don’t go screaming at me just because you don’t know the history of this place! It’s not my fault you didn’t educate yourself before you got here!” Hitsugaya crosses his arms and glares reproachfully up at him. “Whatever. I guess it’s not that long of a story. Basically, this place was a monastery when the Hollowed first appeared. A big important one. It’s debated whether Yamamoto was head monk and all, but then I guess it doesn’t matter. Anyway, what’s left of the military scampered up here, and Yamamoto took over as Head General. Some sort of ‘God’s Will,’ thing in his mind, probably. The rest is, as they say, history.”

“So Lord Yamamoto didn’t come from the military directly?” Chad vocalizes Ichigo’s next question, however scrambled it might be in his mind right now. 

“No. But to be honest… Look, Yamamoto’s done some disagreeable things. Frankly I don’t trust a lot of his decisions, but without him the entire human population could very well be dead right now.” Hitsugaya shrugs, picking up the emptied buckets. “Anyway Kurosaki, if you want to get your sister over here, I’ll take her. But I wouldn’t recommend asking Yamamoto directly. He’ll probably say no. I’d ask Lady Rukia to request the transfer.” 

Ichigo’s mind takes a minute to process the mention of the name and frowns in confusion. “Rukia? Why would she change his mind?”

“It may not seem like it, but she does have some input here. Not to him directly--through her brother. Whether you call it Byakuya’s guilt or affection, who cares? Anyway, it’s helped me get a friend from the valley into the service sector.” He twists his mouth thoughtfully. “She’s much kinder than the whispers say she is.”

Before he can ask the pipsqueak about that story, the kid turns and walks out the front door to (presumably) get more water.

Ichigo turns to Chad and his friend shrugs in response.

“It’s worth a shot,” he manages gruffly, and Ichigo can’t help but agree. 

--

Later that night, Ichigo approaches Ishida about it.

He doesn’t want to get Karin’s hopes up quite yet, just in case it doesn’t happen. Instead, he wants Uryuu’s input: Uryuu--who he definitely still thinks is an idiot--is at least a good sounding board for ideas, and he can count on him to be blunt.

Plus, it’s been a while since he talked to the guy. 

He’s been quiet ever since he started his part time shifts on the medical grounds two days ago, and hasn’t really been speaking to anybody except Orihime. He’s never been exactly chatty in the first place, but this…

When Ichigo tells him his idea about asking Rukia for the change, Ishida’s eyes flash strangely at her name. 

“I wouldn’t ask her during your shift tomorrow. I don’t know that she’d be… Up for it.” He says quickly before focusing back on mending a shirt. There’s a brief silence before he stops, sensing Ichigo’s stare.

“What?”

“I mean… That’s a weird thing to say. What do you mean she wouldn’t be ‘up for it?’ You meet her without telling me, or something?”

“No I didn’t meet her, and if I did I wouldn’t need to tell you--anyhow.” Ishida pinches his forehead and breathes in. Ichigo frowns.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Really. Just… You’ve mentioned she’s tired after your days and nights off, right? Maybe you won’t catch her… At her best. That’s all. Just give her a break tomorrow morning.” 

He gets up and is about to walk out of the room when Ichigo calls out to him.

“You said we gotta keep each other updated about this place. Is there anything you’re not telling me? I know we argue… But you can talk to me, Ishida.”

Uryuu doesn’t turn around to answer him for a minute. When he does, his face is solemnly thoughtful. “I know. But I’ll have to let you know when I’ve figured out what exactly is going on myself, Kurosaki.” 

He shuts the door, and wonders how many more secrets his group is keeping from him. 

[gunnerpalace]

[future|past]perfect

This could be more, as it’s as much narrative outline as story, but I think it’s still something. For @ichirukimonth Day 18: A Perfect End (August 24). 2,571 words, with a song:

I asked myself: was I content, with the world that I once cherished? Did it bring me to this darkened place to contemplate my perfect future? I will not stand nor utter words against this tide of hate. Losing sight of what and who I was again

It is Christmas, 2032. Kazui started college in 2023, and an already ambivalent marriage that had been kept together in his name started quietly coming undone. By the time he graduated in 2027 it simply dissolved, just another statistical casualty. Last Ichigo heard, she was with Uryū.

He is 47 years old. He's as grizzled as his father now, but lacks any of his affected cheer. He's long past allocating blame. Lately he merely wonders: why not a Santen Kesshun or Sōten Kisshun here, or a memory replacer there? How did he wind up in such a circumstance when it could've been changed at any time?

I'm so sorry if these seething words I say Impress on you That I've become anathema of my soul

He's been binging movies the past few days. It's Christmas after all, so there's It's a Wonderful Life. There's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, because, well, he could always go and have it all erased. It wouldn't even have to be her who did it... There's Looper and Donnie Darko and... You know, maybe he and his memory aren't the things that need to be erased. Maybe. Maybe...

He goes to Kisuke.

I can't say that you're losing me I always tried to keep myself tied to this world, Though I know where this is leading Please No tears No sympathy

Kisuke has never been happy about how Yoruichi left, and Kisuke still owes him.

"I want to go back," Ichigo eventually says over tea.

"... Back to where, Kurosaki-san?" Kisuke asks with confusion. Soul Society? That would be easy, but...

"... The beginning. No... just a little after then..." Ichigo muses, considering it more carefully.

Kisuke raises an eyebrow.

Ichigo explains.

"Out of the question," Kisuke objects.

"Are you saying it's impossible?" Ichigo demands.

Kisuke looks down and to one side, his hat obscuring his face.

"I remember Aizen bragging about how his Kurohitsugi would warp space and time..." Ichigo continues.

"We can't," Kisuke says gravely.

A small eon passes.

"What do we have to lose?" Ichigo asks, with all the light airiness of a falling feather.

I can't say that you're losing me But I must be that which I am Though I know where this could take me No tears No sympathy

It is Christmas, 2037. Preparations are complete. Kisuke has finished the machine. Ichigo has ended his training.

He is 52 years old.

Kisuke somberly passes him the device. It looks something like a smart phone, seemingly  rather innocuous. He presses it into Ichigo's hand firmly. "You just click the button on the side and confirm the data on the screen."

"Right."

Kisuke doesn't let go. "You'll have to make sure."

There's a long pause before Ichigo quietly says "I know," and heads for the senkaimon.

A moment later, he's in Soul Society. He can feel it hum in his bones.

The guards start at his sudden appearance, but his profile is known to them, even if he hasn't been through the gate in 35 years.

Ichigo strides forward into the middle of the plaza to wait patiently below a light snowfall. He hasn't seen her since things started getting tense, shortly after he turned 30. She'll show up sooner or later.

Gracefully Respectfully Facing conflict deep inside myself But here confined Losing control of what I could not change

He doesn't have to wait long.

Rukia drops out of flash step casually some 20 minutes later a few meters ahead of him.  She's youthful as ever, her hair long and braided here and there, her haori fluttering elegantly. It seems hardly a day has passed for her.

Her eyes widen as she takes in his appearance—he sees it all before she brings her expression under control.

"Ichigo?" He looks so much like his father, though his hair is long like that time, after the fight with Aizen.

"Yo, Rukia," he ventures with an awkward but natural smile.

Her brows knit together in confusion. "What are you doing here?" Soul Society doesn't celebrate Christmas, but...

"Uh..." Ichigo begins. He closes his eyes and rubs at the back of his head. All this time and he never really thought of what to say.

They stand in silence for a time before he exhales and drops his head. "Hey. If we could do it all over again, would you want things to end up like this?"

Rukia squints, then frowns, and finally turns away, crossing her arms at the directness of the question. "After all this time, you come here now to ask something like that? Don't expect me to answer that kind of thing," she says with a quiet voice.

Ichigo studies her back intensely. Something about the way she said that... No, you wouldn't. He closes his eyes and draws in a breath, basks in her reiatsu one last time. I'm sorry, Rukia, but... I already know your answer. At last he turns away, pitching his voice up with mirth. "Oi, Shinigami. I'll be back."

Rukia blinks again and furrows her brow in recollection. "It is not Shinigami—" she begins, turning around. Her eyes go wide as Ichigo is nowhere to be seen or felt. There is only the faintest distortion in the air, like a heat shimmer. She immediately looks around in alarm, but there is no sign of him. He's just vanished.

Gracefully Respectfully I ask you "Please don't worry," Not for me. Don't turn your back Don't turn away

It is late June, 2001.

He is both 15 and 52 years old.

Ichigo the Elder stands within the Soul Society of the past for only an instant, his reiatsu suppressed to the maximum. In the blink of an eye, he uses Shadow to slip into the Schatten Bereich. He doesn't care whether he was noticed—his presence was simply too brief to be anything but a hallucination.

He glances about with disinterest before jumping up far above Wandenreich's rooftops, quickly locating Silbern.

A second longer and he is there, inside its halls.

He pauses long enough to quickly look around, and then the screaming starts and doesn't end.

By the time Ichigo arrives at the throne room, the halls are slathered in dripping, viscous crimson.

He advances into the room methodically, spotless for his prior speed. Sure enough, there are Yhwach and all the Sternritter. Ichigo looks down at the floor in thought.

There is a deathly quiet.

"Who are you?" Haschwalth demands.

"... Kurosaki Ichigo?" Yhwach soon mutters. But that's impossible, that boy is only 15, and...

A sinister grin creeps to the corners of Ichigo's mouth. "I am... the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come." His voice distorts ominously as he finishes the sentence; his skin blanches to a pallid white; his hair flies back as if in the wind, suddenly long and flowing; and his eyes glow like embers before a horned skull mask forms over his face.

The room is cast in an altogether different red from the hallways, one of pure rage, before it gains that other color, splattered and splayed across the walls and floor and ceiling as judgment is rendered upon the Quincy once more.

I can't say that you're losing me I always tried to keep myself tied to this world Though I know where this is leading

Sometime later he is atop Karakura Hospital, once more wreathed in a shihakushō. Locating Ryūken is easy. He's in the man's office in a flash.

Ryūken looks up from his paperwork with a frown. Something about the face is strangely familiar, but... "Shinigami aren't welcome here."

Ichigo grins and casually tosses something onto his desk. "You should tell your son the truth."

Yhwach's head lands upon the desk with a wet thud, rolling to face Ryūken with an expression of mute terror as it oozes red ichor onto the papers.

Ryūken's eyes go wide in alarm and snap up toward the coldly arrogant face that he now all too clearly sees resembles Isshin's. For the first time in quite a while, he grasps for words.

Ichigo slowly lifts a finger to his lips in an exaggerated gesture of "Shh," raising his eyebrows. "Don't tell him. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, now would we?"

Ryūken isn't able to blink before Ichigo turns and opens a garganta, disappearing.

Please No tears No sympathy

Ichigo is less thorough in Hueco Mundo by choice. He's already in his Hollow form by the time he enters Las Noches and he doesn't dally. He liquidates Yammy and Szayelaporro in a perfunctory way, leaves Grimmjow thrashed but alive on his way to terminating Rudbornn and Zommari, and viciously crushes Ulquiorra to within a millimeter of his life. Perhaps it's a mistake, but perhaps they will have utility. He only needs to make sure of two targets, after all. Everything else is... sporting.

He gives Aaroniero all of his attention, because their meeting is personal.

By the time he's confronted by Starrk, Baraggan, and Harribel, he's already satisfied and sated. The rulers of Hueco Mundo may keep their crowns of sand. He departs as quickly as he arrived, leaving them perplexed but warily grateful in the shattered ruins of Las Noches.

I can't say that you're losing me But I must be that which I am Though I know where this could take me

Ichigo is again back in black by the time he steps out of Soul Society's senkaimon, but he has no time to tarry. In an instant he is at the doors to the Captains' Assembly Hall, knowing them all to be there. He stops to shove the doors open theatrically with both hands, standing squarely in the entryway.

He has enough time to look up and down their ranks before Yamamoto can even begin to rebuke the interruption. He has never been affected by Kyōka Suigetsu—would it even matter anyway, since it's a different timeline?—and easily ascertains that yes, Aizen is really there.

"What is the meaning of—" Yamamoto begins.

Ichigo has already stopped in front of Aizen, and stabbed him through both the soul sleep and binding chain. There are no errors in it—of this he is absolutely certain. He follows up by snatching his glasses with his off-hand and upper-cutting him backwards through the wall with his swordhand.

The Captains have enough time to widen their eyes in shock, but not to track the events, when Gin and Kaname are each kicked through the walls in turn.

Once they can move, Ichigo has already grabbed Byakuya and disappeared.

No tears No sympathy

They pop back into existence in the lair of the conspirators.

Byakuya stands tall after being flung toward a computer bank, reaching for Senbonzakura's hilt. "You—"

Ichigo holds up a finger to silence him and begins working a keyboard, his every motion showing his utter disinterest and lack of concern. "Do you really think that tormenting Rukia for 49 years was what Hisana had in mind?" he asks quietly.

Byakuya falters but for a split-second, but for him, that is more than enough. "What..."

"You made two promises you shouldn't have: to your parents to defend the rules, and to her to protect your sister. Which will you keep?" Ichigo muses.

"Who are you?!" Byakuya demands, letting his temper flare through.

"I'm..." Ichigo begins as he enters the final keystrokes. A pedestal emerges from the floor in the center of the room, rising up, bearing the glittering form of a Hōgyoku. He walks over and takes it, studying it for a second before pocketing it and turning to face Byakuya directly, looking him dead in the eyes. I really want to use that 'the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come' line again, but... "You think that if you don't obey the rules, who will? Well, I'm a Shiba. And if I was you, I would definitely... fight the rules."

Byakuya's eyes widen before he narrows them down to slits. "Shiba...? What do you want?"

Ichigo watches him placidly for a moment. "'Dying to exterminate great evil. Know that this is the spirit of the Gotei 13,'" he recites, before glancing at the computers. "You'll find proof of the crimes of Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen Kaname in these."

With that, he turns away.

"What is your given name, Shiba?" Byakuya asks.

Ichigo smiles to himself. It'll make things more amusing. "Ichigo," he says, and disappears again.

No tears for me, no sympathy

It's early afternoon when he appears at home. He can immediately tell that Karin and Yuzu are at school as are... he and Rukia. He frowns at the thought and heads into the clinic.

Isshin is at his desk working on a report. Something tells him it's Ichigo that's just entered, but... "You're home early?"

Ichigo casually tosses Aizen's glasses onto the desk such that they slide to rest in front of his dad, the lenses cracked from how he grabbed them.

Isshin blinks at them in confusion, then recognition, before turning around. His face falters in shock.

"You should tell your son the truth," Ichigo repeats solemnly, studying his father's eyes for a second. He turns and adds "This weekend," before walking out.

He takes a glance around the living room before teleporting to the roof. He'll have more than enough time to eliminate Ginjō, Tsukishima, and Giriko, grab Yukio and Riruka, bring them to this Kisuke, explain everything, and be back here before he has to move on. I should probably help him out and get him a present to give Yoruichi when she shows up...

No tears for me, no sympathy

By the time Ichigo returns, it's after midnight. He knows the other him and Rukia are asleep even from outside. Appearing in his bedroom, he ponders Ichigo the Younger for a time. Producing the Hōgyoku, he begins the kidō ritual to seal it within his younger self's soul.

Once he finishes, he goes to the closet door and cracks it open to consider Rukia. The wan light casts a fine line across her face, but she doesn't rouse.

Ichigo contemplates her timelessness for a while, then his younger counterpart, and back again. They're a matching set now, in every way. Perhaps they can do something new with it—something more.

He quietly closes the closet door and departs for the Urahara Shop, whispering "See you around, Shinigami."

The rest of his journey is largely uneventful, until he's standing atop the Vestibule Road in the Soul King's Palace, surrounded by the Royal Guard and Divine Soldiers.

"Identify yourself, intruder," Senjumaru commands.

Ichigo throws his head back and laughs, resting Zangetsu on one shoulder. He eventually returns his gaze to their plane, tapping the sword against his shoulder as he proclaims "A horse! A horse!"

Zero Division exchange small, confused looks.

Ichigo gestures about with his free hand and swings the sword around to point it at Ichibē, waggling it slightly. "My kingdom for a horse!"

All weapons rise against him.

"Bald Guy, I thought you were the 'Monk Who Calls the Real Name'!? I am..." Ichigo grins for effect, "the Soul King!"

[captainharunanase]

When you justified with the term fanart, that you can basically do whatever you want, I agree with you. BUT the recent new stalker *cough* cozy-hovel *cough* commented more than one IR fanarts with very piss-weak comments like "you're delusional" or "not gonna happen". Not worth this person's time but keep a look out, I got the receipts and I've counted.

Very true. I have seen that particular idiot call anything IR-oriented as “delusional” but here’s the kicker–all those IR moments are legit scenes from the manga. How can any IR scene, that Kubo himself drew, be delusional? Despite how people interpret them, an IR moment is STILL an IR moment.

Long-ass post under the cut because I want my IR lovelies to enjoy the tag and not have to be bombarded with my super long semi-meta post.

Anyhoo, a few examples here just to make my point.

Ichigo went to SS to save Rukia himself–no one forced his hand. And regardless if it’s “seen” as romantic or not he still saved her AND thanked her for stopping his rain (i.e. depression). Orihime even admits Rukia changed his world and is his most important person. That’s legit there no matter how you translate it.

How is that delusional? We all read it. Saw it. Heard it from Ichigo himself. Major IR moment.

Ichigo feels down about his inner hollow and all that jazz until Rukia shows up and literally cheers him up. Doesn’t matter if it’s romantic or not. It happened. It’s there. Even Orihime is grateful to her for doing something even she could never do. That’s an IR moment.

How is that delusional? Kubo showcased it in full view. No tricks, no double-meaning. It’s right there.

Ichigo saying goodbye to Rukia at the very place he gained his powers from her when they first met. His and hers facial expressions displaying such sadness and melancholy over their farewell. How their humans friends were also sad for the both of them in seeing this happen to them.

How is that delusional? It’s right there. It’s an IR moment that Kubo took the time to draw with such great emphasis and detail there’s no way people can mistake it as anything but a semi-private sad goodbye moment between them.

And when Rukia returned at Ichigo’s lowest moment in FB Arc? Where Ichigo was in the very pinnacle of despair and desperation and fear and hopelessness? Where every single human bond (minus his dad and Uryu) he had in his life had been utterly ripped apart and distorted and used AGAINST him to show how weak and easy it was to turn on him and betrayal him? How even though Uryu and his father hadn’t betrayed him–he still DOUBTED them at first until he was reassured by them that they were on his side?

Yet the moment he saw Rukia–even with a blade stabbed through his chest FROM BEHIND–he automatically trusted her? Was fucking relieved to see her? Didn’t doubt his Shinigami friends when they appeared to aid him? Or that moment where even Byakuya, having gotten cut by Tsukishima’s blade, still was on Ichigo’s side because of his faith in him–through all of the actions Ichigo’s done for his sister and Soul Society? How Ichigo finally regained his resolve back from her, again, and literally showed Ginjou that his despair had changed into his strength through her? And the very fact Rukia would have died for Ichigo–again–when Tsukishima tried to kill him from behind? The look on his face when he saw it about to happen?

How is any of that delusional? We saw his depression after losing his powers. We saw him try to find a way to get them back. We saw him struggle with his Fullbringer so he could try getting his Shinigami powers back. We saw his human bonds break and his doubts against everyone until Rukia showed up. He didn’t question her. Kubo literally wrote “these bonds will never break” about IR. This is literally a fact from Bleach. There is no bias or twisting the truth.

Romantic, platonic, and so on does not matter here. Kubo made that moment important to the both of them and ONLY them. That is the truth. There is no asspulling or imagining it. This is literally not up for debate. It’s literally a highlight to illustrate that his bond with Rukia will never break despite the ending.

Yet Kubo not only tried to dismantle and discredit 15 years of buildup between IR through the last arc, but in trying to do so made the ending seem extremely OOC and off-putting to the majority who expected actual substance not shallow and hollow imitations of what they once loved and cared for for 15 years. I’m not talking about ships. I’m talking about the 180° character assassination and the horrendous gaping holes in his story. He had 10 more years left for Bleach. What he does instead is a 10 year jumpskip with literally no explanation of any major plotlines except Rukia being captain and some characters are around and about but who the hell knows what they’re even up to because it was wasted on ships of a future generation Bleach never once hinted on or was expected to be about all…along?

If Kubo wanted to pull a Naruto he should have actually read it because Kishimoto definitely talked nonstop about past, present, and future generations so much I’m surprised few people find THAT ending odd yet say Bleach was always supposed to end this way? Really now? I definitely know people that think that way only cared about ships and not the integrity of Bleach.

I don’t care about canon ships or if Ichigo somehow fell in “love” with Orihime 3 years later after the final arc. Same thing with Rukia to Renji. What I care about is facts and evidence supporting it.

Which there literally is none in the manga.

The only evidence that Ichigo felt for Orihime had only ever been friendship. What she felt for him was more than that–that is a no-brainer. Her feelings for him is a fact. His feelings for her? Never saw romantic proof. And I didn’t ship IR or any ship seriously until the FB arc. But even I knew, if Ichigo had to be with someone based off who he was closest to in terms of who actually understood him best–I assumed it would be Rukia. It made logical sense based off all the mutual compatibility and the semblance of how Kubo was always furthering their bonds and demonstrating their importance to each other through not only other characters but through Ichigo’s and Rukia’s actions for one another.

Even when he was trying to separate them in the end you could tell how he had to actively alienate them to even give a small glimmer of hope to make the canon ships somewhat passable. But all he did–since he never properly handled IH/RR correctly with equal mutual reciprocation from Ichigo to Orihime and Rukia to Renji–is make the majority of his audience feel dissatisfied with how strange they were acting. He had plenty of time to make those ships important but he chose not to. It wasn’t until he was getting the plug pulled that he suddenly cared about them. Yet in doing so was too little too late. He was reaching the end of his serialization and instead of closing all the loose ends and trying to end the final battle as best as he could. He chose to focus on a faulty shipping path instead of the story’s own dire need of a proper closure.

Rukia ignoring Ichigo? Renji giving him a speech to lift his spirits that he’s never done before? Tsukishima giving him powers? Rukia and Ichigo barely interacting or even acknowledging each other? So on and so forth?

That is actually also not delusional. We don’t deny it happened. It’s there. We see it. Those are moments meant to dissolve IR importance at the last second. This is Kubo stating if Bleach ends so does IR.

But it really didn’t. He never actually goes through with it.

Ichigo and Rukia still are the same when they are together. Albeit still not IC fully yet it’s undeniable that while 686 spewed some ooc talk about courage–IR still had a moment. They are still the definition of Bleach regardless how you see them as.

That is fact. That is truth. It’s there. Kubo made sure to remind us. Even with all he’s done, Kubo still had to make IR important because it started with them and now ended with them.

Lil Kaz and Lil Ichka didn’t change that even if they “inherited the love and destiny” their respective parent had for each other to them. If anything I don’t hate or blame the children for that. They are merely the byproduct of a man who has been proven to have lost Bleach’s true purpose and integrity years ago and now has nothing left to show for it.

This is not a delusion or made up. This is fact. It happened. It’s there. We all universally read the death of Bleach together. We saw how it failed to capture the essence of what made Bleach–BLEACH. The ending IS a failure. The sales project it, the Japanese fans express their displeasure, the negative reviews and reactions received are not made up or imagined, the daily fact Kubo has yet made a formal interview or even attempted to write a post-script to answer our questions is proof he no longer wants anything to do with his own work.

He was coerced to draw for his own post novels and he even stated he wanted no part in them. All talks of post Bleach is done by third parties and any small snippets of him are done by others literally quoting what he’s told them–not to us his fans. The "bonds" we see in the newest novel? He literally stated they were "never seen in the original manga." Antis say he didn't have "time" because of the cancellation but he had 15 years for IR yet no time for the "intended" ships he apparently wanted? What an asspull and last ditch effort to screw himself over.

That is definitely not delusional. Never in my years of being a part of this world of manga and video games have I ever heard of a creator taking such great lengths not to address or even talk about his work post-conclusion. Kubo is not talking and will most likely not talk about his thoughts on his direction towards the end of his series for a good while.

And to all those that actually enjoyed the ending, despite evidence to prove how much of a complete debauchery it made the characters out to be and the storyline put into utter jeopardy and disrepair, congratulations you’ve played yourselves.

You’ve literally proven not only do you not care about the foundation of what made Bleach what it used to be (the characters, the story, and even the bond between IR–honestly don’t care if you ship them or not) but also the very fact you rejoice in the thought that IR has "sunk" (uh-huh yeah sure) simply because it THREATENED your ships. You only care about how much of a hassle their bond was that you knew the only way Bleach would be great TO YOU is if IR was destroyed in every way, shape, and form. Regardless whether it was Kubo trying to ruin any potential romantic bond or even their platonic one–you are HAPPY at the thought Kubo tried to disprove them in any way you think he could.

Now that’s delusional. It actual never came to fruition or able to stop IR from being IR. Kubo literally could not be bothered to care to try and go through with even that. He tried, yes, but he took it all back at the end with his. “Thank you Ichigo and Rukia…” and his “won’t this make you cry if you’re a fan of Ichigo and Rukia?” These tidbits he insists on saying over and over are facts.

Your positive reactions of Kubo trying to disassemble IR and how you all have in turn tried to dissuade us to stop criticizing Bleach is as transparent as your blatant hate for Rukia and her importance to both Ichigo and Bleach.

The truth is you all would gladly sacrifice the whole essence of Bleach if it meant IR was never meant to be. That is literally how far you antis have gone. You all would gladly see Bleach fall than admit without IR your ships would sail worry-free.

In truth, it’s not even the real IH/RR fans that are delusional it’s the anti-IR fans that are severely misinformed and delusional.

They see any IR moment and have to assume it’s unimportant because it threatens them. They need to assume it’s only platonic and can only be seen that way because it makes it easier to then steal IR material for themselves and call it romantic for their ships. They believe in their minds that IR fans are delusional because we hated the final arc of Bleach over ships and nothing else. They wholeheartedly think we are all inherently wrong because we didn’t read Bleach “right” and we’re the delusional ones.

All of these assumptions and accusations of IR fans are ironic as fuck because there had been nothing but proof and receipts from our side proving how insecure and pathetic their attempts at garnering our attention and their need for us to validate them since August of last year.

They want us to feel threatened by this ending, by Kubo’s attempts to assassinate his own series, and by admitting somehow and in some twilight zone that their way was the true way.

Their delusions are grand I’ll give them that but their transparency and smell of desperation reeks of instability and fragility.

I have never felt threatened by IH/RR or by any ship for that matter. We all know IR is the pinnacle and definition of Bleach.

Love them, hate them, and ship them or not there is no delusion about them. When you think of Bleach they are the sum of it. They are what made Bleach great. And through them, we had many other great things and characters born from those two’s interaction that fateful night 15 years ago. That is fact. It happened. We all read it. No denying the two main characters of the story creating the very basis and foundation Bleach once stood upon proudly. Now? All we remember is the horrible ending of endless loopholes, incomplete retcon plotlines, MIA characters, OOC overturn of remaining characters, and still underdeveloped half-sided ships meant to take seriously with a finale of two small children that somehow was the conclusion needed to finish Bleach in all it’s now faded glory?

The delusions pro-ending fans take to ensure they are proven right with as little to no evidence as possible to dictate this is how we all as a collective whole must see it as is anything but delusional.

Now, if Kubo cared and catered to the ending correctly by talking about it and making interviews and just admitting the truth “yes I wanted everything to happen EXACTLY like this for x and y reasons because this and that.” Then yes we’d all would have seen it. It would have happened if he did it. We couldn’t have denied it even if we tried.

But no, we get nothing but vague “I intended it from chapter 1…” and “I only wanted the kids to meet…” the “it” in question is vague and had been never clarified so anything we assume ranging from ships to just Ichigo losing his powers and staying in the human world can be what he meant. The kids bit is also strange because while he states he wanted the kids to be a part of Bleach (how? Well not sure except from what we got in 686 obviously) but he doesn’t specify WHY he wanted the kids to meet.

As a roundabout way for IR? To illustrate the IR bond through mini IR 2.0? To show the love IR had for each other through their kids? Wanting them to go through the same trials and tribulations IR did for some sadistic twist of fate? To try and do a failed Boruto rehash? To try and save his series? To make the kids the ones to break the tragic love stories by ending up together whereas all the other romances didn’t? He didn’t specify and I honestly doubt he ever will.

Nor do I honestly care about him or his lackluster post ending bullshit.

I care about Bleach in its entirety. I care about each and every character–even the ones in the last arc. I care about the narrative and what used to be the true purpose of Bleach in Ichigo’s incompleted Hero Journey. I care immensely about the dishonor he has done to Rukia and her shinigami world. I care deeply at what he’s done to both IR and even Orihime and Renji. I care ferociously about Uryu’s mistreatment and isolation. I care strongly about Chad’s lack of importance in the end and how much disrespect Kubo has done to the rest of his characters and story.

I will always put Bleach first and IR second. Good thing they are at times one and the same when it comes to their tragic fall from grace.

Give me true mutual 100% irrefutable fact that I’m wrong about both Bleach and IR and maybe MAYBE I’ll reconsider my analysis and interpretation of this major work I’ve literally been a part of since the very beginning 15 years ago when I was a preteen. Tell me, my understanding was always wrong when I didn’t even fully ship IR because I believed with my whole being that IR is just IR any way they wanted to be for Bleach didn’t need ships to make it great so long as IR’s bond pulled through.

Tell IR fans how delusional we are when the jokes on you antis on how shallow you have been proven to care about Bleach where even tons of non-shippers like I used to be can see through your bullshit and has since joined sides with the anti-ending fans as well as IR fans on criticizing the fuck out of this shamble of what used to be a great top 3-tier manga.

So yes, Anon-san that anti fool can crosstag and complain and whine about how the majority of the Bleach fandom is “delusional” and “salty” and etc.

Doesn’t change the fact that the majority of the fandom is pissed and will always be outraged and feel betrayed over the disaster that Bleach has become and no amount of bitching insignificant, incompetent, disrespectful crosstagging little shits will ever find the validation they so desperately crave from the majority that will forever loathe both them and the ending Bleach never deserved.

But thanks for keeping track of their actions, it’s great to know how much they prove their own stupidity while we continue to simply bask in all of Bleach–both good and bad parts.

Sorry for the long length. But it’s just irksome to see assholes like that one pretend to care about Bleach and call us fake fans.

How delusional can they be, amirite? Guess we’ll just have to keep our epic-ness at full blast per usual to spite them since they just can’t help getting their arses roasted every time they try to use their emotional opinions as facts while we just drown them with contextual evidence as truth and just sip our deliciously hot scathing tea in the aftermath.

Because I do love me some tea after a good roast. Don’t you? Good bitter pity and disgruntle pettiness from their end is always great in my cup after washing my hands of their tears.

Oh, no I just realized I might have offended crosstaggers with my “delusions” of grandeur!!! *fake gasp*

Oh wait!!

I also just realized I don’t fucking care. Whoops~

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[gunnerpalace]

YoruIchiRuki. Set approximately 6 months after the (still unfinished) events of Grounded! proper. (Outdated preliminary concept.) They're living together in a house. 2000 words.

Up All Night to the Sun

The sound of Rukia's cell phone ringing made her blink—Ichigo should've been in the air an hour prior and there was no way he'd already landed. She drew away from Yoruichi and picked it up off the coffee table.

Yoruichi lifted an eyebrow but stayed quiet, using the remote to lower the TV volume.

Rukia confirmed it was his number before answering the call on the third ring. "Ichigo?"

"Yeah, hey. I'm still on the ground here. Take-off's delayed because of the weather. There's also apparently a lot going on between here and there. You know how it is."

Rukia turned her head and gave Yoruichi a pouting look. She recalled a briefing about summer storms but hadn't really given it much thought since she'd been slated to start her vacation the day after receiving it. Ichigo getting surprised by a week-long business trip had torpedoed their plans to all spend the time together. She'd been immensely glad that at least Yoruichi had time off with her.

Yoruichi quirked her lips and frowned. She gestured to put the phone on speaker mode.

Rukia did so. "We can come get you at the airport when—"

"No, don't bother." He made a chagrined click with his tongue. "Who knows when I'll actually get there? I'll take a cab."

"We can turn in early and still pick you up, Ichigo," Yoruichi replied smoothly. She glanced to Rukia and gave a small grin, teasing "We're really good at tiring each other out."

Rukia's look turned disapproving but her coy little reflexive smile betrayed it.

There was a pause that revealed Ichigo's consideration of the innuendo and his likely blush. "It'll be really late... or early... Look, just relax and have fun, I'll be there in the morning."

"But—" Rukia began to complain.

A distant and somewhat distorted voice cut her off, stating "Gate 73 now boarding—"

"Finally. That's me," Ichigo immediately added. "I'll see you two soon, okay?"

"We miss you," Rukia replied. That it went deeper than that was encoded in her tone.

"Get some rest on the flight," Yoruichi suggested. Her voice carried the same kind of encryption. They were all still loathe to acknowledge things openly in words, but they also all knew the signs to look for—the little differences in tone and inflection.

"I'll try." His smile was practically audible. The call disconnected.

Rukia stared at the phone for a fraction of a second before turning off the screen and returning it to the coffee table. With a sigh she slumped back against where she'd been on the couch beside Yoruichi.

Yoruichi slid an arm around Rukia's shoulders and drew her into a hug. "It's only a few more hours." It wasn't that she didn't miss him too; she just knew it her responsibility to try and provide a welcome distraction. Rukia was possessed of many strengths but she became prone to brooding when things were moving slowly.

"I know." Rukia brought her hands onto the other woman's shoulders and leaned into the embrace.

After a few seconds considering the crown of Rukia's hair, Yoruichi gave the top of her head a smooch and hugged her tighter. "How about... I warm up that chicken Alfredo and we watch a couple of movies together? You know he wouldn't want to watch stuff like Bridget Jones's Diary."

Rukia peeked up at her.

The look in her eyes made Yoruichi smile easily. She tilted her head slightly to one side and flashed her teeth. "Hmm? How does that sound?"

The corners of Rukia's mouth ticked up after a moment of thought and she nodded, withdrawing her hands.

Yoruichi let her sit back and stood, giving her hair a ruffle before going to the kitchen.

Rukia tracked her for a second before getting the remote to check The Weather Channel.

Yoruichi glanced down as she felt Rukia suddenly tense up, only to blink as the smaller woman let out a cute yawn. She smiled and stroked Rukia's belly. "Tired?"

She already knew the answer was yes; Rukia had gradually gone sideways over the past few hours and she'd moved along with her until they'd finally been spooning on the couch.

Rukia made a noncommittal noise that conveyed her irritation.

"I'll take over the watch if you need to sleep."

Rukia crossed her arms under her chest. "I'm fine."

"I can wake you," Yoruichi offered.

With a sigh Rukia looked to one side, considering it. The fact of the matter was she was barely hanging on. "Promise?"

"Of course."

Rukia exhaled before rolling in place so she faced Yoruichi, looking her in the eyes.

Yoruichi's continuing smile became a little grin at her expression. She appeared both exhausted and miffed at that fact—she tended to look cute when she was annoyed, and this particular mien was no exception.

Rukia made her own evaluation and judged from how sprightly the other woman seemed that she'd at least manage to stay up for awhile longer. She quirked her mouth sourly before tilting her head down and pressing her face into the crook of Yoruichi's neck to block out the glare of the TV.

Yoruichi cinched her arms around Rukia and lightly rubbed her back, letting her get comfy.

It wasn't long before Rukia grew still, her back rising and falling steadily below Yoruichi's touch.

She waited until she was confident Rukia wouldn't be disturbed by small motions before reaching out to get her phone. She busied herself by alternating between watching a FIFA game and the weather, checking the status of Ichigo's flight every half hour. Its status was consistently 'Delayed - No ETA.'

Just under three hours later, Yoruichi found her attention repeatedly drifting down to Rukia. The younger woman's pulse was a metronome that lulled her eyelids ever downward the more she focused on it. It wasn't possible, but she swore the sweet freesia and ice tang of Rukia's hair was growing more aromatic. I'll just... rest my eyes for a minute. Just a minute...

She knew that never worked out, but it didn't stop her from closing her eyes and pressing her face down into Rukia's silken locks. She inhaled slowly and deeply, smoothly falling away as the scent filled her lungs.

Ichigo stopped at the door and braced a hand against it to steady himself as he fished his keys out of one of his pockets. Every time he came to rest he couldn't shake the phantom feeling of the characteristic thrum and sway of airline travel coming up through his feet. He narrowed his eyes crankily as he tried to find the right key.

His firm had sprung for first-class seating given they'd had to delay his vacation time, but all the free champagne in the world didn't really make up for a red-eye flight that felt like a greatest hits of space shuttle reentries. Maybe he'd forgive them if they offered him a pair of astronaut wings when he returned to work—and a raise, and another week off. Maybe.

He finally got the right key and carefully unlocked the door, stepping inside and shutting it behind him. He set his luggage down and slipped off his shoes before locking it, not bothering to announce himself given the hour. He could hear the living room TV, although the volume was low, and headed toward it, deciding to deal with his suitcases when he woke up—In the afternoon. Three days from now.

Ichigo was pretty sure they must've fallen asleep waiting for him since he hadn't been tackled yet, but who knew what mischief they might've planned? He stopped at the threshold to the living room and peeked in.

Rukia and Yoruichi were snuggled together on the couch, the former buried against the latter. Yoruichi had one arm securely around Rukia's waist and the other dangled off the edge of the cushions, only precariously holding onto a cell phone.

Ichigo slowly moved fully into entryway, all his aches and complaints forgotten as he leaned against the nearest wall and considered the pair. He watched them for awhile with a soft smile, just fixing the sight in mind, before pushing off and silently making his way toward the couch.

He looked them over again at close range for a second before gingerly taking the phone from Yoruichi, setting it on the table. He then took her wrist and gently brought her arm around Rukia.

Yoruichi tilted her head slightly in response but gave no further reaction.

Ichigo plucked the throw blanket off the back of the couch and spread it out before draping it over the pair, tucking it around them and arranging the uppermost edge so it rested below their chins. He took a moment, brushing at Rukia's temple and then Yoruichi's, then got the remote and turned off the TV. He gave them one last look and carefully made his way around the couch, heading to their bedroom.

After getting some sleeping clothes he trudged to the bathroom and took a shower before returning to the bed. He pulled the covers back and collapsed onto it, not even bothering to get under them.

Yoruichi opened her eyes slowly as she pulled her face back from Rukia's hair, faintly grimacing. Of all the times to have a full bladder... She stopped and blinked as she noticed the blanket and the light coming in through the blinds. That could only mean one thing. She looked down and gently shook Rukia. "Hey."

Rukia didn't stir at first.

Yoruichi kept trying to coax her awake. "Hey, Rukia."

She let out a resistant "Mmm," and pressed closer.

"Ichigo's here," Yoruichi whispered.

That got Rukia to draw her head back, looking up at her sleepily.

Yoruichi started to sit, helping Rukia along. "I fell asleep, but I bet he's in bed. I'll help you to him, okay?"

Rukia nodded weakly, letting Yoruichi pull her up and steer her along as they shuffled to the bedroom.

They found him exactly where he'd collapsed.

On her own initiative, Rukia clambered up onto the bed and crawled alongside him, taking one of his arms. With effort she turned him onto his side and drew his head down to her bosom, clutching him to her and curling up around him before becoming still.

Yoruichi watched with fascination and a little smile before going to use the bathroom.

When she returned she found them in exactly the same way and sauntered up to the bed, carefully climbing onto it to consider them from above. She couldn't stop from smiling again and moved up behind Ichigo, taking hold of the sheets as she did so. She lowered herself onto her side and pressed her chest up against the back of his head the way Rukia had done to his face, drawing the covers up over all of them.

From there she cautiously slipped one hand under Rukia's neck to cradle the back of her head, and wriggled the other between them around Ichigo's torso, resting her chin atop Rukia's crown.

She shut her eyes and pondered how warm Ichigo was. She was always struck by it. Ah, this is silly. It's not like I'm going to... like I'm...

Ichigo only woke very slowly, wrapped deep in the scent of Rukia. When he finally opened his eyes he found he couldn't see, his face buried against her pajama top. He tested pulling away only to be arrested by the softness of Yoruichi. He ignored the skip of his heart and let out a contented sigh, gently rubbing his head against both of them. At the same time he brought a hand up to stroke Rukia's side, before reaching back to do the same to Yoruichi. Guess they really did miss me...

He idled for some unknown time ensconced between them, his thoughts wandering through ways to return their show of affection. He ultimately decided he'd cook them something special for breakfast... or lunch, or dinner—whatever time it was. But that would have to wait until they woke up too—there was no way he'd disturb them.