Memories of a Broken Soul

Chapter 2: Matsuri

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. I don’t even own the majority of my stuff - I think it would be highly impossible to own such a famous manga/anime.

“Normal Speaking”

‘Thoughts’

Flashbacks

#2#

“Matsuri (1)?”

The orange head glanced to arch an eyebrow at the over enthusiastic Shiba that almost looked like she was jumping in her seat. Her amber eyes were wide and held the puppy look that made him want to soften up but of course being who he was he took nothing of it and hardened his scowl along with his resolve as to not fall by the illusion.

“Yeah! Let’s go to the Tōrō nagashi Matsuri! (2)”

And here was the disaster to come. After been residing in the Shiba manor for 3 days –awake- he now knew how hard it was to say no to the Shiba princess, not because she always got away with everything or that she was overly spoiled, no nothing like that. The reason being that it was better to go with her flow than fall victim to the cute puppy dog eyes or just –putting it plainly- gain a broken nose.

So here he was now, suppressing the urge to throw his hands up to show his exasperation. He really didn’t feel like doing well… anything. Sure his injuries didn’t hurt anymore so long as he didn’t strain himself or stuff like that but he still didn’t quite feel at 100%.

Now back in his time he would have said screw this and would have thrown himself into battle as soon as he was able to hold his sword but now –even if he wanted to- he couldn’t. Number one being he really had no hurry to defeat enemies or protect comrades and secondly being that the Shibas just didn’t let him. Ichigo had known how stubborn Shibas were –he should know, he is one after all- but this was just ridiculous. The moment he had mentioned that he help around the manor or do something the Shiba head and the Shiba princess –as he had dubbed her- started to make a fuss like mother hens and had stubbornly prohibited him from doing anything more than stand, walk, sleep, eat or change and that was just driving him insane. He wasn’t one to be fawned over, heck he was the one that always did the fawning so not only having one but two being over him was slightly weird if not odd.

“I can’t do anything remember. Princess’s orders.”

She sent a glare his way, obviously unamused by the fact that he was now throwing her own words against her and the fact that he kept calling her by that name. She seriously would have given him a through and all beating if he wasn’t recuperating, so instead she satisfied herself by sending a smug smirk his way, one that held a hidden message that sent a sudden chill down Ichigo’s spine.

“Going to the festival isn’t tiring. You only walk, eat from the stands, look at the fireworks and send out the lanterns. Nothing special that can make you strain yourself.”

Ichigo in return scoffed, seeing where the conversation was going but not quite ready to lose the debate so instead he satisfied himself with trying one last time to beat her and maybe, just maybe not fall victim and say yes in the end.

“If I’m good enough to go to the Tōrō nagashi Matsuri I should be good enough to get back to my life and leave don’t you think?”

This got him a reaction, though not the one he wanted but he guessed it was something because the raven head flattered even if just for a second. After she composed herself a thoughtful expression marred her face, one that held hesitation before it was replaced by pure warmth a small smile slowly curling up her lips.