1000 Years: One Shots (Part 1)

6. Cousins

Title: Cousins

Genre: Family, Angst

Characters: The Kurosaki, Ishida families, Toshiro

Summary: Ichigo's memories from around the time his Mother died and before are somewhat vague. Even when another funeral crops up he can't remember those memories well.

Rating: K+

Date Posted: 07/28/12

Cousins

Ichigo lay on his bed with his eyes covered by his arm. He was dressed in one of his father's nice suits so that he could go to the other substitute's funeral later on. Chances are he would be the only person who would be going to this funeral as the man hurt many people without looking back. A knock came at the door and he removed his arm. "Come in."

Karin crept into the room and Ichigo saw that she was dressed in an actual dress. "Ichi-nii?"

The substitute shinigami sat up before letting out a deep sigh. "You don't need to go to the funeral Karin. You didn't know the guy."

"But you did." The small female glanced to the side, one hand reaching up to pull on the strap of her black dress.

"Is that why you are here?" Ichigo smiled at her. "You still dont..."

The girl shook her head. "Ichi-nii, do you remember Grandpa Rin?"

The boy suddenly blinked a couple of times. "I've... heard the name before. But I honestly don't remember who he is."

"He was the father of uncle's wife." Karin held her hands behind her back. "You really don't remember going to his funeral?"

"Here we are with Tsukishima's ability again. I thought they would have forgotten about him. If Yuzu and Karin think he's our cousin still..."

"I don't know who that person is. I've seen our cousin around, but I don't think he remembers us from the funeral. Not that it really matters." The girl continued to look at her brother.

"I didn't say anything..." Ichigo shook his head. "This is like the parakeet? Wouldn't you and Yuzu have been real little?"

"It's strange really, a couple of days ago Yuzu and I only remembered a few flashes of Grandpa Rin and that cousin of ours. But I'm seeing it clear as day now." Karin sat down on her brother's bed next to him.

"I honestly don't remember having any family outside mom, dad and you guys." Ichigo felt his younger sister suddenly lightly touch his hand and he found himself relaxing for a bit.

M

A lot of people stood around in black clothing. A woman with light hair held onto the hand of a small boy with orange hair. She hummed a calming tune as a girl with brown hair held onto the woman's black dress front. Next to the woman stood a man with a beard who was holding another little girl with black hair.

The girl that was held in the female's arms suddenly glanced up. "Mama... where is Grandpa Rin. Daddy said we were going to his funeral. That means we're visiting him, right?"

"While it is true that we're visiting him, we're not going to be able to see him. He's... gone on to a better place." The woman let out a soft chuckle. "Everything will be all right you know."

"There have been a lot of funerals of late." The man standing next to the woman spoke up."

"Now papa, you don't need to be so pessimistic. What happened to your usual optimistic spirit."