Work Text:
- Kurosaki Ichigo, you ran away from your faith. There was never a place for you in the world of the living, yet you blinded yourself.
Yhwach’s words sound ominous, as he fades once again.
- Now you’ll have to take the place as Soul King. That’s the only way for you to keep me from returning, once again…
and just like that the father of all Quincies fades into the shadows, taken down by Ichigo’s sword, for the second time.
The Shinigami is heaving, shaken by Yhwach’s words, disbelief reflected in his eyes. There’s a white ribbon on his left wrist with four Winter Daphnes embroidered on it. Royal Insignia, he recognizes. Ichigo’s mouth tastes bitter. The enemy is gone, but all he feels is helplessness. The second coming of Yhwach took away even more lives than before. Ichigo shudders as Renji’s death flashes through his mind. So much lost… Maybe, if he wasn’t so stubborn and moved to Soul Society 12 years ago, which his heart silently pined after, all this could have been avoided.
His presence in the world of Shinigamis would have made it hard for Yhwach to be born once again. But he settled for less, still chose an ordinary life and his immense power tipped the scales of balance resulting in this bloodshed.
***
Ichigo returns to his now former home, he has to tell Orihime that he won’t be coming back anymore, at least she deserves that much.
- Tell Kazui, Dad will be watching over him from the sky, will you?
Orihime is silent, tears falling from her bloodshot eyes. Just as he is ready to take off, his wife’s words stop him for a moment.
- Ichigo… I’m sorry, I know I was selfish for wanting to be with you. Maybe… Maybe If I encouraged you to do what you really wanted, all these would’ve been avoided. I know… We both know where your heart really dwelt…
Ichigo doesn’t know how to respond to that. He just smiles somberly and bids a small goodbye.
***
The inner knowing lands Ichigo in Soul Society. He isn’t sure if anyone will come to get him or will somehow get teleported to soul palace, but the numb vibration from the white ribbon on his wrist tells him it won’t be a long wait.
There’s a familiar presence behind him and turning around Ichigo sees Rukia, dressed in black Mofuku, her eyes looking worn out from all the tears she probably shed. They are silent for a few seconds until Ichigo decides to speak up.
- Rukia I-
- Don’t! I know.
And her violet eyes shine with a thousand unsaid “I love you too”s.
- Ichigo… I know it will be a long wait but, we will meet again. I promise, in the next life, there won’t be hollows, no Shinigamis or Quincies. There will be just us, as it was always meant to be. The red string of fate will bring us together, once again.
The moment is as sad as it is hopeful. Somehow Ichigo feels more peaceful than he ever did all his life.
- Well then, until next time, Shinigami.
Ichigo's face is full of resolution, brown eyes warm and tender. It's as if Rukia's sword will once again piece his soul and let him save the day.
- My name isn’t Shinigami, It’s Kuchiki Rukia.
- And I’m Kurosaki Ichigo!
Suddenly, it’s like the day Ichigo lost his powers all over again, but this time it’s him fading away into white shining particles. The setting sun reflects warm yellow and orange hues, getting enveloped in the darkness of the night.