Will these memories go on forever?

Death and Strawberry

Alternate Bleach Ending

Ichigo P.O.V

     It has been 15 years already but I feel like those years of my life were a lie. Long after this bloody war had ended, peace was here once again. We've mourned over the deaths of many fallen Captains and soul reapers who lost their lives to protect the soul society. Life returned back to normal for the most part. Our last year of high school passed by in a rush; by the end of it we all went our separate ways to study in college but we always found our way back to Karakura town where it all began. 

         Every morning I wake up to find next to me, bright orange eyes locked into mine with a golden smile and a "Good morning!" This has been the same routine every day for a family of three, I forgot to mention our son Kazui, he's an energetic little one- I wonder where he gets it from. "Good morning Orihime." "Have you been feeling okay lately honey you seem distressed? I can feel you tossing and turning in your sleep. You wake up sweating too..." "Erh um yeah actually just the regular nightmare as usual..." "It's been the same for the past week are you sure you don't want to get that checked out?" "No, I'm fine besides what good could anyone do to something they can't even feel." "Do you want to talk ab-" "No!... No sorry, it's not that big of a deal really." There was a brief awkward silence. "How...about I make a nice breakfast to cheer you up! Do want anything in particular?" "Anythings fine really...why don't you ask Kazui?" "Sure thing." 

The same words keep repeating over and over in my head.

"For I shall find the future, that moment in time where each of you feels the greatest amount of joy and happiness...and it is there, I shall slaughter you. So from this point forward...every time you indulge in our own happiness you shall think of my words..." 

Yhwach. It's faint but his presence is still there. 

His words have been haunting my dreams for the past couple of weeks. If I had shown him my full mercy would this feeling have never existed? He knows something that I don't, something that is making me drag myself every morning with this feeling of guilt and emptiness. 

          I feel the same way every morning, every day, every minute; just solely empty. But when my friends come over it feels rather different. Well for the most part I'm always catching up with Rukia, or you should say arguing. After the battle, she stayed a bit longer to pay respects to her Captain and everyone else who had lost their lives in the war. She was a total mess, it took her about a week to get back to her regular eating schedule; I stayed beside her to keep her comfortable until she was back on her feet. She resumed her training right after high school ended and we said our last goodbyes. I was a bit behind in my studies but I managed to graduate in time. I decided it was best to plan my life and I not soon after settled down. For some reason with Rukia, I always feel happy and calm again like I can do anything I want, it was just like the world revolved around us, like back in the old training days. I don't know why but I get an urge of feeling in my heart that makes me want this feeling to stay forever. If we get the chance we invite everyone to our home to watch some of Chad's boxing matches. Rukia likes to bring her daughter Ichika; she and Kazui get along really well. She's got her father's wild personality but she looks like Rukia all the way. It makes me sad that she can't come to see us very often, she is a Captain after all.

          "Daddy?" Ichigo lifts his head to meet bright orange eyes and a confused face. "Bud, I thought you were downstairs already?" "Yeah I was but...." "But?" "Why do you look sad?" "Me? Sad? No there's no way I'd be sad.." Ichigo chuckled a smile, lifted him up, and set him on his lap. "Mommy looked sad too.." "Well, our morning didn't start off very well, that was partially my fault." "Did you two fight?" "No. No, we didn't fight Daddy is just tired that's all." I wasn't lying these damn dreams keep me up at night but if I brought it up I'd only worry them. "What can I do to make you happy?" What am I thinking? I have the best reason in my life to keep moving forward, my son. "Hey kiddo, you being here in front of me happy, healthy, and alive is all that I could ask for. As long as you're happy I'm happy." "Okay." "Alright squirt let's go eat breakfast."