Memories of a Broken Soul

Chapter 6: When?

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. I doubt I can become Tite Kubo.

“Normal speech”

‘Thoughts’

Flashback/Dream

Previously:

“Because… Nice words and nice appearance doesn't conclude that someone is nice, I believe that the nicer you look, the more deceptive you appear…therefore…”

Ichigo turned to look at their shocked expressions, not in the least caring that he was saying something quiet weird and at the same time true. It was their call if they understood.

“…I did nothing to stop Kei… there was nothing to do about it, the result would be the same either way… You would always have undesired people around you but desired one’s are least likely… fake is a trend lately anyway… a trend that hides those that only come home because they want a hot meal to eat… nothing else…”

#6#

After those rather truthful yet cold words were said the clearing settled in a more silent atmosphere, the sound of nature being the only thing heard as Ichigo had his back to his two piers as he tried rather successfully to settle his thoughts; act that was rather easy with his zanpaktou encasing him in their presence.

It served to ground him to the present rather than the past.

He was well aware of the unease in the two’s emotions. He really was. But he still couldn’t find it in himself to care. It was the truth of the world no matter how cruel it was and he should know this better than anyone else. It was a part of this cruel game called life.

But even if all the hardships and harsh experiences caused a gigantic scar in his soul, even as he almost gave up on life and everyone around him he still hoped for a better tomorrow. Still yearned for a new today. Still enjoyed his lessons learnt. Even then he still walked forward.

Even if his reality might as well be fake.

“You know… Life is nothing but cruel and unfair… but… but even then we all strive forward to counter all that which says we’re wrong… That is what it means to be alive.”

His new statement might as well had eased the whole situation even as he had called life cruel. His words held a truth that made the two innocent souls think of how deep their new friend thought even as he was their age. It just made them want to understand the orange head further. Discover new frontiers to their world and learn more from the boy that seemed to master the world.

It was majestic and it might as well be thrilling.

Ichigo turned to look at the two boys in the eyes. Trying with the best of his abilities to convey his very soul and emotions in his next words as his frown turned into a full blown smile that just looked breathe taking and blessing.

“But even as this cruel game called life tries to hold me down I will still smile through it all and not waste time in unfruitful people. All that matters is that which is in front of me.”

“Striving towards the future, right?”

The orange haired shinigami didn’t dare say he was not surprised by Ryōtarō’s intrusion. But at the same time he just couldn’t say he was truly expecting the man to be nearby and much less ease dropping. But going by Jūshirō’s and Shunsui’s expression they were more than a little surprised if not shocked.

“I cannot say I agree with your way of seeing life… But at the same time I cannot find it in myself to disagree… Your view of the world is rather farfetched and maybe even vague.”