Chapter 37: Libra Naomi, Soul Reaper Investigator

(A/N: Like I promised, double feature for Soul Chess today. I don't know about tomorrow, so don't ask. I will have at least one chapter out tomorrow I promise you that).

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Code Geass

3rd Person pov

While Ichigo and Rukia had some 'fun' times of their own to share, like saving the soul of a child trapped in a cockatiel, obtaining a mod soul that they named Kon, there were a few things going on in the Soul Society, besides the norm. The day of which Rukia was supposed to return had come and gone. Her tardiness prompted worry amongst her division. Attempts of contact were made, requesting that Rukia return to the Soul Society, but Rukia was not responding. Oddly enough all hollow alerts in her general area were still being properly taken care of. This phenomenon was ultimately looked into and Yamamoto declared that reconnaissance must be done. Lelouch volunteered straight out, saying that he was best suited to take matters into his own hands, but of course Yamamoto believed that sending a captain, without knowing the situation, was not his intention.

"I am more inclined to send a member of Division Two." Yamamoto stated. "Kuchiki Rukia is a 6th seat. I would prefer, if it comes to such things that a member of her equal rank or higher is sent."

"Then I shall send Libra Naomi to the World of the Living to search for Kuchiki-san." Stefan stated. "However, I request permission to replace my Vice-captain on standby. If it comes to light that Kuchiki Rukia has gone rogue then it would be best if the leader of the patrol corps sees the matter through."

"I object to that request." Lelouch said boldly. "Kuchiki Rukia is a member of one of the highest esteemed families in the Soul Society. She'd never do anything so rash as to turn against us. If apprehension is indeed necessary, it would be better if they were people he trusted like her sister and her lieutenant."

"I am inclined to agree with Lamperouge-taicho." Byakuya stated. "As an adopted noble in my family I would prefer if the matter were dealt with, should it come to such extremes, by my family. And since Hisana is the closest person to Rukia, sending her and Kaien would be the easiest course of action if negotiation and discussion is possible. However, without knowing the circumstances, sending Libra Naomi first would be the best choice."

"Very well." Yamamoto said and looked over to Mayuri. "Continue to have the department of research and development monitor the situation. If Kuchiki Rukia does not respond or return within the next two weeks, we will send Libra Naomi to the world of the living to investigate. Dismissed."

Karakura Town

The aforementioned two weeks came and went. The date today was the 17th of June, six years after the death of Kurosaki Masaki, the beloved wife and mother of the Kurosaki family. Ichigo and Rukia had already awkwardly met up at the graveyard and were now having a chat.

Libra Naomi had caught wind of Ichigo' spiritual pressure and was now listening in on his and Rukia's conversation. She missed the beginning of it, but she wasn't about to miss the rest.

"Listen, about your mother," Rukia was saying, "I heard you mention that someone killed her."

"I didn't say that." Ichigo denied.

"You never said who killed her." Rukia said.

"Listen, just drop it okay." Ichigo said solemnly.

"When I first met you, you mentioned that you were first able to see spirits since you were very young." Rukia ignored Ichigo's protests. I need you to answer me truthfully and honestly. Ichigo, could your mother have been killed by a hollow?" Rukia suggested. Ichigo became surprised by the suggestion. "Do you think it's possible? If your spiritual capabilities were that high as a child then there may have been a hollow who sensed you and when it came after you it could have—"

"Just shut up!" Ichigo shouted, the idea that Rukia was suggesting was ludicrous and all the while felt as if she was stomping on his pride to him. "Why does everything have to be all about hollows with you anyway? There was no freaking hollow that day all right? You'll never understand the pain and suffering I have to live with every single day." Ichigo walked forward, dropping most of the anger, but still a mite ticked off, "So sorry to wreck your theory, but all the usual suspects like hollows, serial killers and thugs are not to blame…I am."

"Huh?" Rukia turned to address the situation, but Ichigo was in such a foul mood that he took off into a sprint, just so he could get away from her. "Wait! Ichigo!" Rukia called after him, but was ignored.

At this same time, Tatsuki was telling Orihime about her and Ichigo's history together and about how Ichigo didn't come to school for so many days in a row because his Mom had died. She even remembered telling Soifon about I, but her sensei's response was 'let him be. This is something he and his family have to work out. Until he wants to talk about it or be seen with people, it's best to just let him be.'

Tatsuki remembered how Ichigo became less enthusiastic about martial arts. Even after he reconciled with his family about the whole thing he still didn't show up at the dojo as often as he used to, nor was he as energetic as he once was.

When he turned 10, the middle of July, Tatsuki remembered that her sensei had had about all she could take. After class, before Ichigo could just go running off. She grabbed his collar.

5 years ago

"Oh no you don't, you little shrimp. You're way behind in the curriculum." It was one of the rare times the students had seen Soifon's actual anger. She smiled to the others. "The rest of you can all go on home."

Most of the students left faster than one could say "Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi," but Tatsuki stayed behind and peered in through the window, wondering what her sensei was going to do with Ichigo.

"Sensei, why can't I just go home?" Ichigo asked.

"Silence! I have no tolerance for quitters." Soifon stated. "I know what happened last month. I know what it has to feel like. You feel as if your world has been ripped apart, your perfect world shattered before your very eyes." While Soifon had never experienced such a heartbreaking event as Ichigo had she knew how she would feel if Yoruichi ever disappeared or died and it was that that drove her to understand Ichigo's pain. She knew how he was. He was one of those several few boys that never fully grew out of their Oedipus complex. He saw his mother as a figure he must protect and now she was gone. Tatsuki had told her that Ichigo paced the river back and forth for days on end. Soifon could figure out the rest on her own, and how to handle it. "You failed to protect your Mom, no one blames you for that, but are you going to quit just because you failed?" Soifon asked. Ichigo was scared of his sensei right now. He had never heard her be stern with him like this. "Don't you have other people in your family to protect? What about your sisters? If you quit because you failed to protect your mother how does that help you protect your sisters. And what about any friends you might make?"

"Shut up!" Ichigo talked back to his sensei, pushed over the edge. "You don't know what you're talking about! I would never let my sisters become hurt, ever!"

"And what are you going to do about it? What will you do when someday someone stronger than you comes along, threatening to hurt them?" Soifon asked.

"I won't let that happen!" Ichigo yelled. "I will protect them! I will! I will! I will! I will!"

"Prove it!" Soifon pointed to a nearby punching bag. "Pretend that's a thug threatening to hurt your sisters! Protect your family!"

With an enraged yell Ichigo wailed on the punching bag with the strongest punch he could. He didn't stop and just let loose unrelenting fury onto the object. Soifon, and Tatsuki from the window, watched him and saw all the anger and frustration that Ichigo had built inside him. When he was too exhausted to continue Ichigo dropped onto the ground, panting. "Sensei." He said. "If I ever…lose my way…or go off the path…push me back onto it. Don't let me quit, ever."

"Now that's a promise that I can keep." Soifon said to him. "Come, I'll walk you home." As the two headed for the door, Tatsuki stepped into the doorway. "Arisawa? I thought you left."

"I wanted to see what you were going to do to Ichigo. I'm his friend so…"

"I don't need you to be worried about me Tatsuki." Ichigo said, turning his head, trying to act tough.

"Why can't I be? That's what nakama are for, so that they can worry about each other and help each other." Tatsuki said.

"She's right Ichigo. Tatsuki is your friend. You shouldn't be so quick to dismiss the kindness of a friend, even if it seems silly." Soifon said kindly.

Ichigo let go of his boyish pride and looked at his friend, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks then, Tatsuki." He said.

Tatsuki looked at him with a compassionate gaze. "Hey Ichigo, if you ever find yourself unable to protect something on your own, I'll help you. We'll protect things together. We can be a team." Tatsuki extended out her hand to Ichigo.

Ichigo smiled and shook Tatsuki's hand. "Okay!"

Present Day

Ichigo found himself reminiscing about the exact same memory. He was thinking about it because it had been connected to when his mother died, but now that he thought about it, he wondered about Soifon. Tatsuki had told him that she was a retired Soul Reaper and that she had made her spiritually aware. Ichigo started to wonder more about this person he called 'sensei'. She had continuously been out of class and it worried Ichigo. He wondered if she'd be coming back or if Ochi Misato would become his new teacher.

As he pondered this Rukia began pondering what he said about how he had killed his mother. She couldn't believe it. Of course, it was then that she sensed another presence. However, before she could react to the sense, she was alarmed by the sudden shout of. "Heya! Rukia!" as Naomi jumped from out of the bushes to greet her. Rukia looked at Naomi like a deer caught in headlights. Naomi had matured much from the time she had been in the phantoms. She no longer wore her facemask and instead wore a pair of gold hoop earrings. Since her time as a junior officer under Lelouch, Naomi had grown an entire foot. She no longer let her hair cover one of her eyes, but still wore her hair in a ponytail, which had become so long that the end of it ran down to her ass. Naomi didn't seem to care much. Of course her body had matured rather well too. She was thin and looked the difference between looking 16 as she had over 100 years ago and looking 18 as she looked now. To show off her figure Naomi bands around her legs and arms that she used to fit her Shihakusho on herself tighter. She still maintained much of her jubilant and perky personality and since she considered Rukia a friend and comrade she couldn't help, but act as such around her.

Kon, seeing this hot young looking woman in front of him, couldn't help himself. "Oh my lovely beauty!" He leapt at Naomi to land in her chest, but she swatted him away and sent him flying.

"Sorry," she said to Rukia, "Reflex."

"N-naomi?" Rukia was confused in seeing her. "What are you doing here?"

"That's my question." Naomi said and pointed to her wrist. "Don't you wear a watch Rukia? It's time to go." She pulled her wrist back and put a hand on her hip. "You've spent way too much time here. You should've been back a while ago." She smiled, winked and put a V-sign up by her open eye. "So taicho sent me over to pick you up."

"I…I can't go back, my mission isn't over yet." Rukia said.

"Now, now don't be like that. You know the rules." Naomi beamed. She dropped the perkiness a tad and became serious. "Or are you seriously thinking of avoiding detainment entirely?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm still getting orders and the hollows are being dealt with." Rukia said.

"That's not what I think." Naomi said playfully. "I saw you and that orange haired boy. You two are awfully friendly."

"That's not it at all!" Rukia chastised, blushing slightly. Her heart was set on Kaien…not that he knew how she felt.

"Then what is it then?" Naomi asked. "You're going to get in trouble for this. Extending mission length without be ordered to is a felony, Rukia. You know that."

"I…"

"Well," Naomi said, rubbing her head, "I might let it slide, maybe Lamperouge-taicho could put in a good word or something, but I gotta know what's going on. I'm not the greatest at this sort of thing. I can't pick up subtle hints. I thought this would just be simple search and recover."

"Rukia!" Ichigo came running up to the pair of women.

"That's her Ichigo!" Kon pointed at Naomi.

"Well now, here's the man of the hour himself." Naomi said. She looked at Ichigo's figure and whistled. "Not bad for fifteen. I'd say he's got even more going for him than Lamperouge-taicho."

"Who are you, Soul Reaper?" Ichigo asked Naomi.

Naomi sighed. "Rukia, talking with a spiritually attuned human is one thing, but to let them know about us, do you want to keep adding to your charges?"

"Charges? Is Rukia in trouble?" Ichigo asked.

"Unfortunately," Naomi said. "Rukia is right now under arrest, by the Soul Society, for extending mission length without probable cause and now for revealing the nature of the Soul Society to the spiritually aware without probable cause."

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo was confused. "She has probable cause."

"No, Ichigo, you can't!" Rukia called out.

"Rukia had to extend her mission because she lost her power, which she transferred to me. I'm a Substitute Soul Reaper, so leave Rukia alone." Ichigo stated.

Naomi sighed and bowed her head. "Oh, that's even worse. Great."

"What do you mean it's worse?" Ichigo asked. "Rukia! Say something!"

"Naomi, please, I'm asking nicely, just don't say anything. We can keep this quiet right? Girl to Girl?" Rukia asked.

"It'd only delay the inevitable." Naomi said.

"Delay the inevitable?" Ichigo asked.

"Maybe I should put it in words you can understand spikey head." Naomi said. "Creating a Substitute Soul Reaper is a serious crime in the eyes of the Soul Society. It can create rogue Soul Reapers who abuse their power and use it for the wrong reasons." Ichigo opened his mouth to protest. "Save your breath, we can't guarantee that you won't. All liabilities are removed from the picture. I've learned that lesson well over the course of time."

"Hey come on now, perhaps we can work something out. Isn't there something that could be done? Rukia didn't have a choice! And don't you dare say that death would've been a preferable option." Ichigo shot back.

"I won't say it, but the Head Captain would. What Rukia has done cannot be overlooked. If I go back now and report my mission as unsuccessful then you would soon find your fates at the hands of less compassionate, higher ranking, Soul Reapers, kid." Naomi said to Ichigo.

"Don't call me 'kid' or 'spikey head'. I have a name. I'm Ichigo, Kurosaki Ichigo!" Ichigo shouted.

Naomi looked surprised. Did he say…Kurosaki? "Kurosaki-san is—"

Naomi was cut off by Rukia's Soul Pager going off. "Ichigo! We've got work to do! It's a hollow!" Ichigo ran over to see Rukia's Soul Pager. "Look at this, the spiritual pressure is much higher than normal."

Naomi held her hand up to the air. "Yes, I can sense faint traces of it even from all the way over here." She shook her head and began acting authoritative. "Okay you two, let's put this discussion on hold and go exorcise this hollow. Follow me!"

"Ah, Naomi!" Rukia called out as the girl took off into a sprint.

"Where is she going?" Ichigo asked.

"Forget about her, at your level of ability you'd never be able to keep up with her, besides knowing Naomi she'll get herself lost, follow me." Rukia instructed.

While it was true that Naomi tended to get easily over excited and allow her enthusiasm to cause her to inadvertently take the long way to some place, this time it was intentional.

Earlier that Day

Naomi skipped towards the Senkaimon, jubilant about going out on a mission. True, her mission was of dire importance and of a rather serious nature, but Naomi was naturally perky and cheerful even if she was being assigned to a potential suicide mission. However, as she skipped joyously to the Senkaimon she crossed paths with her old senpai.

"Ah, Lamperouge-taicho-sama." Naomi overly honored, gasping. She hadn't graced Lelouch's presence properly in nearly twenty years. She bowed to him. "To what do I owe your presence?"

"You're going to the world of the living right?" Lelouch asked.

"Ah yes. You heard about that? Oh, of course you heard about that. You're a captain now." Naomi laughed nervously.

Lelouch walked closer and put a hand on Naomi's shoulder. He spoke quietly so that Naomi would have to pay attention to hear him. "The world you are going to is where Kurosaki Isshin was banished. Sources tell me that his son is spiritually aware. Now my sources tell me though that he might have taken after his father. If that's the case you tell this to no one, but me." Lelouch walked past Naomi and left without another word. It took her a few moments to put together what Lelouch had said to her. He gave her a mission that he didn't want anyone else to hear. Naomi knew what this meant. The day that her idol had her senpai turned captain had been waiting for was closely arriving.

Present Day

If he really is Isshin's son, then I absolutely have to keep quiet. Naomi thought to herself. I must be very careful in my actions. Naomi did catch up and arrive on scene with Ichigo and Rukia. She landed right next to Rukia and saw Grand Fisher. "Whoa, who ordered the giant mutant hamster to go?" she asked.

As it turned out though, this particular hollow had a lure taking the form of the girl that Ichigo had seen six years ago. This was the girl he had seen right before his mother was killed. Both Rukia and Naomi recognized Grand Fisher for what it was. When the sad truth came out that Masaki was killed by Grand Fisher, Ichigo became enraged. He gripped his sword and attacked. Grand Fisher leapt back and dodged. Naomi and Rukia watch Ichigo struggle against the furry hollow.

"I'm not just going to stand here and watch." Naomi said and drew out her sword. "Race across the sky, Yukan'na Kaze!" (Valiant Wind)

Naomi's blade turned into a tonfa that then grew so that it was the size of king sized pillow. It took the consistency as if the weapon was made out of pure energy and glowed green. Naomi twirled the handle of her weapon and struck straight through Grand Fisher's abundant fur. With the distraction, Ichigo, who was caught, freed himself. "Hey, Soul Reaper what happened to your sword?" Ichigo asked in wonder.

"This is what's called a Zanpakuto Release." Naomi said kneeling to the ground, tonfa across her back. "All Zanpakuto have the ability to change shape and grant their wielders great power. As a mere substitute it would be nearly impossible for you to obtain such power. It takes a long time, years usually, for a Soul Reaper to learn the name of their Zanpakuto and even more time to master its abilities."

"Wait, these things have names?" Ichigo looked at his sword.

"It's not surprising you wouldn't know. Now stand aside. Yukan'na Kaze can…"

"Forget it." Ichigo growled.

"Huh?" Naomi looked at Ichigo.

"I won't let anyone interfere. This battle is all mine." He scowled.

"Are you crazy? I know it's okay to be enthusiastic and a blood knight, but to take on Grand Fisher is—"

"Shut up!" Ichigo shouted. Naomi remained quiet. "This has nothing to do with fighting style or a Soul Reaper's duty. This is for my mother. I won't let anyone interfere with my battle."

"Naomi! Don't listen to him, he's just a crazy idiot! Don't let him—"

"If that is what you wish," Naomi said, backing up and swinging her tonfa so that her sword sealed itself, "I can abide by that desire."

"Naomi! What are you doing?" Rukia shouted.

"Thank you, Naomi." Ichigo said to her. Naomi nodded and leapt over to Rukia. Ichigo reengaged Grand Fisher in battle. A few moments after he did, it started to rain.

"I cannot believe you just did that." Rukia said.

"Rukia, surely you're not as blind as to realize who that really is?" Naomi asked. She had decided that Ichigo had to be who she believed he was.

"What are you talking about Naomi?" Rukia asked.

"Tell me Rukia, have you met that boy's father?" Naomi asked.

"You mean to tell me that that's Kurosaki Isshin's—"

"Yes, that is the son of the black phantom." Naomi said. "Lamperouge-taicho said a source of his told him that Ichigo had obtained Soul Reaper powers. Rukia, do you have any idea if there are other Soul Reapers stationed here?"

"There's this woman Ichigo referred to as 'Fon-sensei' that's supposedly an exiled Soul Reaper." Rukia said. "He called her Fon Shaolin one time."

"Soifon-senpai." Naomi knew who it was.

"So she is who I thought she was after all!" Rukia stated.

"Ichigo cannot know, not unless she reveals herself to him." Naomi said.

"She revealed herself to a classmate of his." Rukia stated. "If that's all some grand part of sensei's mad scheme I'd certainly like to know."

"Lamperouge-taicho has been operating a lot differently as of late. He only tells people things on a need to know basis. I don't get it. He's also been acting really cold to people. I didn't think losing Kurosaki-taicho would demoralize him that much." Naomi rubbed her head.

"Well if it is some crazy scheme of sensei's I'm sure everything will be fine." Rukia said.

"Speaking of which, I have to tell at least him about what you did." Naomi responded.

Rukia sighed. "Fair enough, with all the stunts we pulled as phantoms I guess I can hope to expect sensei to remain quiet for a little longer."

"Just how long do you intend to overstay your welcome?" Naomi asked.

"Until my power restores itself then I can make it look like nothing happened." Rukia stated.

"You don't mean that at all do you?" Naomi asked.

Rukia looked to the side. "I wish Nee-san were here or Kaien-dono."

"Speaking of Shiba-fukutaicho, shouldn't the fact that he and that Ichigo kid look a lot alike and that Kurosaki-taicho is Shiba-fukutaicho's cousin been your first clue?" Naomi asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be the ditzy one? Since when did you get so figurative?" Rukia asked.

Naomi shrugged. "People change over a course of time. I'll be more shocked if no one else starts making the connection."

"Still, are you sure it was a good idea to let him fight Grand Fisher alone? Even Kaien-dono needed help defeating Metastacia." Rukia stated.

"That kid seems a lot more thickheaded than Kaien. He'd be all 'don't tell me how to fight' if either of us gave him pointers." Naomi stated.

"And don't you think I know it." Rukia rolled her eyes. "At any rate we should at least keep an eye on him." Naomi agreed. The two chased after Ichigo and watched him fight the hollow that had been avoiding exorcism for a little more than 50 years. By the time they caught up with him though, both had just enough time to see Grand Fisher skewer Ichigo like a kabob with his nails. "Well…shit." Naomi cursed. She got her sword back out. "Okay, screw it I'm going in!"

"Stay back!" Ichigo shouted. Naomi paused. "I don't need…anyone's help. I can…win on my own. No matter…what it takes…even if I die…I'm going to finish this."

Once again Naomi put her weapon away without hesitation. "Naomi!" Rukia cried out.

"Substitute or not, he has the proper mentality of a true Soul Reaper. Fighting to his last breath, that is our creed." Naomi stated.

"But what if he dies?" Rukia asked.

"If he dies, problem solved, we can all go back home and at best you get a slap on the wrist, and I can try my hand against hamster fish before we go. However, if he succeeds, it will be exactly what Lamperouge-taicho and our enemy want." Naomi stated.

Rukia took a deep breath and stood next to her friend. Ichigo got his act together and prepared to face against Grand Fisher, but the jerkass hollow decided to play dirty and changed the face of his lure to that of Ichigo's mother.

Naomi got her blade ready. "Wait." Rukia put her arm in front of Naomi.

"What for?" Naomi asked. A difference in skill and an injury were grounds to give Ichigo a disadvantage, but Naomi believed this was just too much for an amateur like him to handle.

"What about his honor?" Rukia asked. "If you assist him now, he probably might live, but in doing so you will have forever destroyed his honor."

"There are two different kinds of battles." Naomi remembered Ukitake and Kaien's lecture very vividly. While she had never been a part of Squad 13 herself, she had heard Lelouch use it once before.

"Battle to protect the innocent." Rukia stated.

"And battle to protect one's honor." Naomi said and let go of her blade. She understood. "Ichigo, defend your honor. Fight."

"You don't…have to tell me that." Ichigo righted himself and picked up his blade. He charged, but Grand Fisher's lure got in the way. He then stabbed Ichigo in the shoulder.

"Didn't I tell you earlier, Soul Reaper? Your rage only serves to blind you and dull your blade." Grand Fisher sharpened his nails. "Now with my next blow I shall finish you off. I must say that of all the Soul Reapers you are by far the weakest and most pathetic of them all!" However, as the giant hollow struck forward, Masaki, manifested in his lure, protected her son. Her dying thoughts were transmitted to him.

Ichigo found his second wind. He gripped Grand Fisher's fur that was jutted into his shoulder. "You say anger dulls the blade and you may be right about that, but there's something else. To kill a slimy scumbag like you, to kill a slimy scumbag is all that I need!" Ichigo stabbed forward and jutted his large Zanpakuto into Grand Fisher's shoulder. He then put both hands on his blade and slashed it sideways, tearing a huge gash into Grand Fisher's body. Grand Fisher retreated.

"Coward!" Ichigo shouted and made to pursue, but his wounds prevented him from doing so.

"Ichigo, relax. He's gone. It's over." Naomi told him.

"No it isn't!" Ichigo returned. "It won't be over until I've killed him. I have to! I will avenge my mother!" He worked himself up so much he passed out. Rukia prevented him from hitting the ground and brought Ichigo down to lying on his back. Naomi looked up at the sky.

"Are you going to pursue him?" Rukia asked.

Naomi shook her head. "No, I think I'll head back."

"Huh? But why?" Rukia asked.

"Lamperouge-taicho needs to know about Ichigo." Naomi said.

"And just what do you plan to tell Lusca-taicho?" Rukia asked.

"I'll just say that more investigating needs to be done and it does." Naomi said. "You're not going to be able to hold out forever Rukia." Naomi began to walk away. "Oh and about wanting your Nee-san and Shiba-fukutaicho to show up…you might just get your wish." Naomi used Shunpo to leave.

A little while later the rain finally stopped. Ichigo found himself in front of his mother's grave, apologizing that he couldn't avenge her.

"Well, your Mom can see that you're taking care of yourself. I think that'll make her happy on the other side." Isshin stated.

"Dad those were private thoughts. You shouldn't eavesdrop." Ichigo said casually. He saw his dad take out a cigarette and lighter. "I thought you quit smoking."

Isshin lit up and explained. "Your mom told me once, back when we first started dating, that she thought I looked cool holding a cigarette. Now that I think about it that might've been the first compliment she ever gave me. It might've been the last one too. That's why I always smoke one when I come here on this one day of the year."

Ichigo tensed. "How can you smile about anything here? Why doesn't anyone blame me for causing Mom's death? It'd be so much easier to understand if you all blamed me. I can't take it. I can't."

"Why should we blame you Ichigo?" Isshin asked. "If I were ever to blame you for causing your mother's death she'd never forgive me. It's no one's fault that she died." Isshin knew the truth of course, but he had to make it seem to Ichigo like he knew nothing. "Sometimes in life bad things just happen and she knew that. She was the woman I loved, a woman with so much love in her heart that she would do anything to protect her family. And remember this. That woman who I loved was willing to give up her life to protect yours." Ichigo was amazed that his father could say something kind for once. Of course Isshin killed the mood by kneeing Ichigo in the back.

"What was that for?" Ichigo said as he clutched his body.

"Can't have you going soft on me boy." Isshin said. "Be strong Ichigo. Live well, grow old well, grow bald well and then die long after I've died. And if possible die with a smile on your face. Otherwise I'll never be able to face Masaki. Try to shake off that gloom and depression son. You're way too young to carry around such a heavy burden. I'll meet you at the bottom of the hill." Isshin said and walked over to a more private area of the cemetery. He stood in front of a tombstone with no date marked on it just a name and a few tribunal lines of text, both of which were covered by the moss and dust. Isshin put out his cigarette and put away his lighter and brushed away part of the moss to make sure he was in front of the right grave. He saw the memorial text beneath: "Valiant lover, friend, leader and tai—" the rest of the text was cut off by the remaining moss, but Isshin knew he was in front of the right grave. "Wherever you've gone," he said as if the person whose grave he was in front of could hear him, "know that everything's going just fine. We haven't gotten Aizen yet, but we…well…Lelouch will. That boy is doing just fine without you, took your old position after I did. If only you could see him now, you'd be really proud of him." Isshin paused. "I'm a father now. Bet you never would've thought that would ever happen huh?" He paused again. "If you're out there somewhere, you might want to find Lelouch and tell him you're all right. Of course…you probably don't remember him at all." Isshin sighed and left the graveyard. The wind blew fiercely, blowing away the dust and revealed the name on the tombstone: Homura Yuna.

End of Chapter 37

(A/N: I'm going to say this right now: that tombstone is in tribute to Yuna, hence why there's no date marked on the tombstone. And yay for OCs changing canon stuffs. Next chapter I'm hoping to have Soifon back in the picture and perhaps give Uryu his Soul Chess debut. Buh bye everyone)