[✅] Ichigo & Kisuke: Forever and Always

Chapter 27

"Bankai! Kamishini no Yari‎." His sly voice slithers into your ears as you feel the piercing of his blade against your skin. As you watch Gin stumble back with a hand clasped against his wound in an attempt to stop his ruby red blood from flowing, you feel your heat skip a beat. Red slowly seeps its way down the front of his clothes until the all the white has turned a deep crimson. You step back right as a hole explodes through your your side, shredding the muscle of your off-hand arm... Your head snaps back in pain as blood pours out of your chest. Gin falls onto the ground with a heavy thud as you watch with lidded eyes. Rangiku comes flying in to reach Gin.

"Gin!" She cries out, landing roughly beside him. Tears fall down her cheeks as she grasps for his reaching hand. She clutches it to her chest as she uses her free hand to brush the hair from his forehead. She leans forward and kisses him in the area she cleared the hair from. You're now crumpled on the ground, your muscles still clenched. Ichigo and Kisuke come limping towards you as fast as they can.

"(Name)!" They call at the same time. You can't see their faces but you can feel their fear; their love. Your eyes slide closed and your hand releases the hilt of your blade as the fall beside you instantly trying to wake you up again.

Dream State (1st Person POV):

"It's cold..."  I mumble softly to myself. A hand instantly goes to grab my throat. My voice... My voice is so clear. It sounds brand new, not as if though it's been parched for days on end. I glance around with a curious glance.

"Where am I?"

"You're at the in between." I whirl around to come face to face with the person who suddenly spoke. My (color) eyes widen in surprise as I take one step towards them.

"Da... Daddy!?" I manage to squeak out as the man smiles. I step up to him and throw my arms around his neck in a hug. He laughs a little.

"Hey sport." He greets softly to me. I laugh and rolls my eyes. I step back and look at him curiously.

"You called this place the in between... What does that mean?"

"It's place where those who are given a second chance can make a choice. Live. Or die."

"Is it really as simple as that?"

"It's as simple as you want it to be Sport."

"What if I'm not ready to die?"

Silence.

"Daddy?"

"I can't answer that for you. You must find that answer yourself."

"I'd be leaving so many people behind..." I muse quietly to myself. What would happen to them if I died? If I choose not to fight for my life? The more I ponder, the more it becomes more clear. I can't die yet. Ichigo and Kisuke? They need me. Everyone needs me. And... I need them. As I begin to look up I say,

"Dad... I've made my decision." But instead of my father I come face to face with death itself. The Angel of Death.

"What happened to my father?" I deman furiously. A small single "ha" escapes from the man behind his black hood.

"Show yourself." I command him. Another single laugh eacapes him. As he pushes his hood back my mouth falls open. My gaze is met with perfect fair skin, piercing emerald green eyes and long flowing blonde hair.

"Why are you so beautiful?" I ask curiously before I madly blush. A warm smile spreads across his face like a droplet of water on a still puddle. Death is beautiful... I clear my mind and focus back on his commanding green gaze.

"Death can be beautiful. Death can be scary. And Death can be unknown. It is whatever your soul thinks it is. I am what you think I am." His voice is like a soft rain, the gentle lapping of a wave against the beach shore. I slowly look him over again before moving my gaze back to meet his.

"Are you male?" He chuckles a little but dips his head in a respectful manor of declining to answer. I nod a little before tensing as he walks towards me. The swishing of hus robes growing louder and louder. He stops a few inches away and I frown.

"Are you ready to die (Name)?" I find myself unsurprised at his question but surprised at how quick I answer.

"No."

"Then take my hand and I will lead you back to your earthly body." I reach out before I know what I'm doing and take a hold of his offered hand. A chill runs through me at how cold to the touch he is but it's a comftorable coolness. It feels as if though I am being teleported through space as heeads me back to the living world. The closer we get, the more clear the pleading of my friends has gotten as well. We stop at a white door that apparently leads me back to my earthly body.

"This door takes you back to the ones you currently love." I reach for the handle before I turn around and kiss Death on the cheek. His eyes widen in surprise as I pull back. A hand rests on his cheek as he watches me with confusion.

"Thank you for leading me to where I belong."

"You're welcome."

"One day, when I'm ready, I'll see you again my friend. But until then, I'll live my life to its fullest."

"I'll be waiting for that day friend. Always remember, love is a powerful thing. Never take it forgranted." I bow my head to him as he turns away from me. I grip the golden door handle and push the door open. I take a deep breath before stepping through the door. Instantly, I am teleported again but this time I'm flyibg towards my body at a high speed. As my spirit self slams into my body, it jerks up with a gasp before going limp again. My eyes jump around the room before they close again. It was going to be a hard battle but I wasn't going to give up yet.