The King's Death

Chapter 23:The Vizard Training -Two Months Later

You could say I was angry, that would be an understatement. Haruto and Kenshin followed swiftly behind me as I moved through the training grounds people moving from my path quickly.

"You are going to die Renji." I growl grabbing his shirt. He looks at my face and begins laughing. "Because of you my wife just screamed and slapped me because you told her that I said I was glad she wasn't fighting so she wouldn't be a problem! You ass hole, I'll rip you apart!" I shout pushing him against the wall.

"Kurosaki-Dono please you do not wish to harm him...you know you are over reacting out of rage...please we will need him for the upcoming battle!" Haruto says trying to calm me down while Shinji and Hiyori watch on in shock.

"Renji I do not think it wise to put stress on Kurosaki-dono at a time like this if you do not cease these action I will personally deal with you." Byakuya says from behind me. I drop Renji and turn with a huff walking away.

"Renji look at it from his perspective you are only making things harder on his mind. How much of a blow do you think he took when he found out he couldn't protect his wife in one of the most secure places in the Soul Society?" Captain Ukitake says softly making my anger deflate slightly. Kenshin sighs and pushes the doors open in my path. I take a seat in my private room and sigh softly putting my head in my hands.

"I've been trying for two months to keep those words out of my head and yet with that one phrase it's like my entire heart was surged into a depression." Kenshin sits down at my side and Haruto sits at the other side.

"Ichigo, it is a hard thing for a man to accept he failed to keep plans where he wished they would be but it is even harder for a man like you to go back and plan for the best." Haruto says softly touching my shoulder.

"Your words are meaningless...leave me be." I murmur looking away from him and straight on out the window.

"B-But why are you asking such a thing?" Haruto says shocked and becoming over emotional as always.

"I wish to be alone...I am ordering you as your King to leave me at this instant!" I say walking over to the window and looking out it. They bow under my reiatsu and sigh softly.

"As you wish Kurosaki-dono...we will leave you to yourself at this moment." Haruto murmurs before they walk out leaving me alone finally.

All this time away has left me empty almost, I feel lost to myself. Throughout all of this I haven't realized I was a king and it is hard for me to balance my free will with the chains of being a king.

My father slips into the room and sits beside me silently for a moment.

"Ichigo...Son...I think it is time I give you some advice that was left to me...I can see that you're lost and that you need some guidance. I know that being what you are is hard but you need to remember that you are the king you have the right to do what you want and no one can stop you. There is a power inside of you that your mother hinted at. Believe in yourself and respect yourself." I nod and my father slips back out.

"Respect myself..." I murmur in question leaning back and slipping into my own mind for a few moments.

What do they mean by all of this? How do I respect myself? This is useless to think so much. I will only give myself a head ache. Perhaps I should just train. I think more when I train.

I slip out of the room and toward the front doors.

"Ichigo, where are you going?" Haruto asks from his seat. I keep my head forward and sigh.

"I'm going for a run...I need...to be alone." I say before moving through the barrier. My feet carry me through the rooftops and tree branches and my mind wanders to everything in my life. This happens a lot as I run when I run everything that's been bugging me just sorts and falls into a place where I can see better. It is like that in battle too.