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Comatose	By : ShadowedEcho Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2442 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, no money is being made by me, this was written purely for entertainment purposes

Chapter List
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Chapter Two
Say Goodbye
Ichigo had a few days to absorb and understand the information given to him. They were all a little worried that if they attempted to take him to Heuco Mundo before he got his mind wrapped around this than there was no chance of him overcoming his Hollow. He had to find the will to fight that had kept him moving forward during his invasion of the Soul Society.
He was worried about what he would be leaving behind, his family and his friends, yes they could still see him, but things would never be the same. To everyone else he would be dead, no matter how many times he visited he would never be acknowledged. However, when he returned to his room, he did remember something. Kon, the mod soul that occasionally took care of his body while Ichigo was off fighting Hollows with Rukia, he wondered if maybe the mod soul couldn't keep his body, after all Ichigo wouldn't be using it, and it would give the soul a chance at a life as more than a stuffed lion.
The friends aware of his change into a Shinigami would know the truth, but to everyone else, Ichigo would still be around. Granted a heck of a lot more perverted, but the mod wasn't too bad of a guy once you got to know him.
Chad, he was going to be the hardest to tell, but would be the least combative about it. They had been watching each others' back for so long, something this big was going to change things, hopefully not for the worse. Maybe with Ichigo out of the way, Chad could grow in his own strength, it might be good for them to spend some time not constantly looking out for someone else.
Tatsuki, he should probably tell her the truth, even if she couldn't see spirits. She would know Kon was an imposter in a heartbeat, he couldn't hide the change from her. In addition, Tatsuki would be needed to calm Orihime, which was a whole other problem. Yes, he figured he owed Tatsuki the truth.
Orihime, that would be difficult. He wasn't blind to her attentions, it was kind of hard to miss, but he just didn't see her like that. His leaving would hurt her in a way it wouldn't hurt others. He was the reason she got dragged into this in the first place, her brother turning up as a Hollow not helping matters, but she fought because of him. He only hoped Tatsuki could be there for her when he couldn't, maybe she could be the rock Orihime needed in this life.
Uryu, the two of them were going to need to talk. The Quincy had disappeared off them map as soon as they returned. He was probably off training somewhere, attempting to regain the powers he had given up fighting Captain Kurotsuchi. Knowing Uryu, he was too stubborn not to find a way to succeed. If his little sister was going to be a Quincy there was no one else that could help her train, but Ichigo needed to make sure Uryu would do right by Yuzu.
He would be switching bodies with Kon before he went with the Arrancar to Heuco Mundo, and if things worked out, he wouldn't be coming back to it. Though he wasn't sure if he wanted to explain things before or after the trip, he supposed it would have to be before if he was including Tatsuki in the explanation.
As he waited for his friends to arrive at his place, Isshin agreeing to leave them alone for this, he thought over what the people from Soul Society were going to say about this. The only one he knew well was Rukia, and he guessed he'd spent some time with Renji during Bankai training, also a bit with Ikkaku at the squad 11 barracks after Aizen's defeat. No one really knew him though, so would they treat him as a friend, or a monster?
Chad was the first one there, his quiet presence a comfort to Ichigo, neither one needed to speak to know there was something big happening. Fighting together so many times had taught them to communicate without words. Chad sat quietly in the chair, while Ichigo was sprawled across the bed, yes there was more room in the living room, but Ichigo wanted the comfort of his own space for this talk. Orihime and Tatsuki showed up together, no one liked the thought of Orihime walking alone, she got lost in thought too easily. They didn't want to see her get hurt. Ichigo sat up in the bed, giving Orihime room to sit at the foot, with Tatsuki on the floor leaning against the bed. He hadn't gotten a hold of Uryu so he was ready to begin when he heard the next knock on his door. Knowing what he would find, he called out and his sisters peeked inside, Karin in the lead.
"All right Ichi, you gonna tell us the truth now or what? We know there is something going on." The older, more demanding twin asked, while Yuzu nodded in agreement with her sister.
Ichigo figured they deserved the truth too, so he allowed them to come inside. Yuzu curled up next to him on the bed, while Karin sat on the floor across from Tatsuki. "This is going to take awhile, Chad, Orihime, you already know some of this, these three don't, help me if I forget something." He started out, launching into the story of Rukia transferring her power to him, and all that happened after that. He spoke as quickly as he dared, not wanting to stop incase he couldn't find the nerve to start up again.
"So now I have to go to Heuco Mundo with Ulquiorra and Grimmjow, once I leave for there I won't be back for longer than a visit here and there, most people won't even be able to see me when I do." He said finishing his explanation, both his sisters now burrowed into his side Yuzu crying quietly, Karin teetering on the edge of tears herself. Looking around, Chad looked grave, but nodded softly in his direction, he understood, that was good. Tatsuki had the same shell-shocked look on her face he had worn for the first day or two after learning his heritage; he wondered how long it would take her to snap out of it. Orihime, well, she wasn't fairing any better than Yuzu.
"This is something you need to do, isn't it Ichigo?" Orihime asked quietly, her voice softened with emotion.
"Yes, if I don't so this I will be a danger, and if I tried to stay here once I regained control it would be a waste. I am needed in the Soul Society, it is the only reason I wasn't locked up or executed right away. The head-Captain is giving me a chance at control, if I manage it, he will keep me around. I can help a lot more people that way, than if I stayed the way I am now." He responded softly, but firmly, he had made his choice to do what was asked of him. She needed to know he was going because it was the best choice for him, not because he was forced to.
"You really are something special Momma's Boy," Tatsuki teased, the pet name losing some of its impact with the echoes of her shock. "Will I be able to see you when you visit?"
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, think on it, "I don't know. There is one way to check, but if that doesn't work Urahara did suggest a possible way for me to let people see me who normally wouldn't. It would take awhile to learn that though." He explained, nudging his sisters away for a second.
The twins clung to each other without him to support them as he drew out the soul candy in his pocket, Kon could hear them, but he hadn't wanted the Mod to interrupt him in his enthusiasm causing Ichigo to stall in telling the story. Swallowing the candy, he was soon a separate entity from his body, Kon looking on with unabashed glee at the chance at having a life free from stuffing and frilly dresses courtesy of Yuzu.
"Tatsuki can you see or hear me?" The real Ichigo asked.
"I can hear you," Tatsuki answered, looking hard at where he stood, "You're not very clear but I can tell something is there."
"It's the same for me," Yuzu told Tatsuki, still clinging to her sister.
"Hmmm, maybe I will get clearer as time passes, or learn that technique Kisuke was talking about. At least I will be able to talk to you." Ichigo mused, "Kon, can I have my body back for a little bit longer? I want to finish up with my friends before you take over for good. Hopefully it works out for you, as I honestly have no idea whether a mod soul can maintain a real body for so long. You have a better chance at lasting longer than I do anyway from the way the others were talking." Ichigo eventually persuaded the mod to return to his lion plushy, causing Yuzu to giggle lightly as she realized the toy she had been dressing up was conscious about it.
Ichigo was happy to hear Yuzu giggle, it meant she would come around soon, though Karin had yet to weigh in. That was quick to change though, because as he returned to his body Karin wacked him upside the head. "You could have told us sooner! You didn't have to wait so long. As long as you come back to see us, we get it, you're strong, they need you. We will be back together eventually."
Ichigo could tell it was all she could do to act so tough, so he cuddled her gently despite her violent outburst. "That's my sister, you have to keep old Goat Face in line for me. Who knows what he will do if I'm not here for him to use up some of his energy on."
"Chad, Orihime," Ichigo said, looking up from his black haired sister, "You two are both very strong, keep training. Karakura still needs protecting, and I won't be here to do it. You have already helped so much, but you will still be needed with all this happening. Also, keep trying to contact Uryu, once he regains his powers he will be the strongest one left willing and able to fight, call on him when you get up against a tough one. Yuzu, Karin, you should talk to him, he may not even know he still has family around. Don't push too hard, but he may like to meet his cousins. Tatsuki, look after these guys for me, make sure they come through in one piece." Ichigo hated saying goodbye; it only made him remember that he never got the chance to say it to his mother.
"Ichigo, quit worrying about us, you are the one in the most danger." Chad put a stop to Ichigo's orders. His simple confidence in his words enough to make people listen without much effort, "Go, take care of yourself, get stronger, and protect those you were meant to protect. This is what you were meant for, not the life you had before, but the one you will have now."
Ichigo listened to his deep voice, never forgetting this was the person who saved his life a number of times, "I will get stronger, and I will protect those who need protecting. I'm still not sure about a lot of things, but those two facts will never change."
"Good," Chad replied as he nodded in agreement.
"When do you leave?" Orihime asked quietly, resigned to a reality she couldn't reject.
Ichigo looked over his friends, and sisters, before replying, "Grimmjow and Ulquiorra will be here tonight to collect me."
"Well we are going to make sure to take tonight to make sure you never forget us!" Tatsuki told him, stubbornly forcing the atmosphere in the room to lighten. With that, they all started telling stories from their childhoods growing up together. Laughing as much as they were crying in some cases, even Chad's eyes grew misty by the end. They had been through a lot in fifteen years, what would happen now?
Grimmjow was the one to collect him, "Ready to go whelp?" He asked briskly, looking over the room full of humans like a delicious treat sitting on the counter.
"Yeah," Ichigo nodded, much more relaxed thanks to the story session, "Guys this is Grimmjow, I guess I need to go now." He informed them unnecessarily, hugging each sister before letting them go and rising off the bed. He gave a hug each to Tatsuki and Orihime, threw an arm around Chad, switched his body with Kon, and finally turned to trail behind Grimmjow. The blue haired Arrancar didn't know he was witness to an unusual event. Ichigo cared deeply about his friends, but was rarely physical in his affections, it was the first time he had given Tatsuki a hug since they were in middle school.
"Urahara wanted us to meet at the shop, your father is there too," Grimmjow ground out, disliking being an errand boy, but he hated being cooped up even more.
"Fine," Ichigo responded shortly, not caring to talk right now. This really was the beginning of a new life, he didn't want to fake small talk when something this big was happening.
The familiar path to the shop didn't take long at all. No sight or sound of a Hollow bothered them along the route, not even a Plus soul wandered by. From all accounts this was just another sleepy town with nothing spiritual about it, boy was that wrong.
Once they got to the shop he noticed all the adults that had been present for the talk a few days prior were there with the exception of Ulquiorra, they had probably decided picking up Ichigo was a simple enough task for a single Arrancar.
Yoruichi approached him first, "Remember how far you have come Ichigo, anyone who can achieve Bankai in two days can succeed at this. Remember your will to protect, let it bring you through. Show these Arrancar a thing or two about power." She told him with a teasing smile despite the care hidden behind her words.
"Oh I will," Ichigo looked challengingly at Grimmjow, "I made my choice to follow through with this, so that is what I will do. I won't have everyone's hard work go to waste." He finished off speaking to his second teacher, without her he would have never succeeded in his rescue mission.
"Don't let your ego get in the way," She chastised with the same teasing grin, "You will end up bleeding in the sand before it's all over, but you will come out stronger for it. Welcome the pain, open yourself to it, and let it push you to higher limits of endurance." Yoruichi lost the grin for that part, even she couldn't make that sound any less harsh than it was so she didn't ruin it by trying.
Ichigo nodded seriously, not doubting her in the slightest, "I won't back down, no matter how many times I land in the dust I will always stand back up and fight." He promised.
"That's the Ichigo I know." Yoruichi's feline grin returned she was never one to stay serious for too long.
Ichigo turned to the next person, Tessai, who could be as quiet as Chad, or as energetic as Orihime, he never knew what it was going to be. "Thank you for patching me up so many times, I appreciate it." He offered sincerely. Tessai nodded shortly, apparently in one of his quiet moods, the look of old pain still visible in his eyes.
Next was Kisuke, his first teacher, and the one that saved his life by giving him a new one. "I'm not sure if I should praise you or hit you. I'm not even sure I can forgive you, as you definitely have a problem with respecting people right to a choice. Granted I would have made this choice had I been in a condition to say it, but I haven't forgotten Rukia. It was you who put her in danger." Ichigo spoke slowly, without anger, he was stating facts, not yelling.
On his part Kisuke withstood the relentless speech. "You have every right to be mad at me, but I don't regret what I did. The choices I made were the right ones, even if they caused strife in the end. I wouldn't make a different choice knowing what I do now. Think if I hadn't done it, Aizen wouldn't have been exposed as the traitor he was, and you Rukia survived the ordeal. Does hearing that help you make up your mind?" Kisuke spoke with a blunt edge to his voice, a serious tone Ichigo had only heard a few times, the most memorable one being when he told Ichigo he would kill him before attacking with Benehime.
Everyone was expecting Ichigo to bristle with rage, or take a swing at Urahara, what they got was an indulgent look and a hint of a smile. "I expected nothing different. You would never admit to making a bad choice, and I will concede that Rukia did survive. So I will settle for thanking you for saving my life, but next time ask me, I might just surprise you and go along with it." Ichigo told him, the smile leaving as quick as it came, he smiled even less than he hugged after his mother passed away.
Kisuke tilted his head back, uncovering a bit of his eyes, "Come back with your Hollow under control and we will see how strong you have gotten. Benehime gets lonely without someone to hunt." The joke covered his seriousness, much like Yoruichi.
"Sure, Zangetsu might want a fight by then," Ichigo conceded, knowing Heuco Mundo was about his Hollow side not Shinigami, he didn't know how much fighting he would be doing with his Zanpakuto.
"Hold it, you have a moon based Zanpakuto?" Grimmjow broke in, not bothering to cover up his eavesdropping this had just gotten interesting.
"Yeah," Ichigo replied warily, "Why does it matter?"
Grimmjow laughed, not a comforting sound at all, "You don't know anything about Heuco Mundo do you?" At Ichigo's reluctant shake of his head, Grimmjow continued, "Its endless night there. A moon based Zanpakuto could make things very interesting for us."
"It hasn't made a difference before," Ichigo protested.
Grimmjow lifted an eyebrow, "Oh, and exactly how much fighting have you done at night since you started using your own power?"
He caught Ichigo with that one, "Well, not much, but does it really give that big of a boost?"
"Sometimes yes, and sometimes no, we won't know until we get out there and fight." Grimmjow looked like the cat that caught the canary, and with him that wasn't far from the truth.
Shaking his head slightly in exasperation at Grimmjow's excitement at the thought of fighting, Ichigo turned to the last person in the room, his father.
"Son, I don't care what happens, you just come back safe you hear," Isshin warned, pulling Ichigo into a hug, the teen allowing it for a few moments. "Come back here before going to Soul Society, there is something I would like you to do." Isshin requested.
Ichigo pulled out of the hold, looking at his father with distrust, "I thought we were done with secrets, and I asked if there was anything more I needed to know. What is it and why didn't you tell me then?"
"This isn't a bad thing," Isshin spoke quickly, knowing he would have to work hard to earn Ichigo's trust back. "This is a very good thing, that if you succeed, you can rightfully be proud of. It doesn't involve violence, and for once it's about stalling death, not causing it."
Ichigo was curious now, "Okay, so you want me to help heal someone, who, and why me?"
"You met Captain Ukitake right?" Ichigo nodded, catching on quickly, "He has a particularly nasty strain of Tuberculosis. I have been working ever since I learned of it at finding a way that might cure him. You wouldn't know this yet, but before I was made a Captain, I was the Lieutenant of the 4th division. I was a healer long before I joined Masaki here in the living world. I found a way to isolate the infection in his lungs, and if I charge the isolated particles correctly the person with the matching spiritual pressure could scoop, for lack of a better word, the infection out a little over time. Have you followed so far?"
"Yes, but I am still wondering why you need me, wouldn't the Fourth squad be able to handle it?" Ichigo wouldn't mind helping the kind man, but didn't know why his father picked him.
"Well, there is a problem with this cure, I came up with the theory awhile ago, but until you came along there was no way to make it work. You see to scoop out the infection the person would have to get their spiritual pressure to push passed Ukitake's, meaning the person doing it would have to have greater Spiritual Pressure than he does. Captain Unohana matches him, but doesn't surpass him, same with Kyouraku. Yamamoto is strong enough, but he is fire based, his Spiritual Pressure is chaotic and unruly, plus Ukitake is storm based, fire and water don't mix. Your Spiritual Pressure, despite its strength and if you keep that temper of yours, is calm and flows smoothly like the tides, you could do this without causing as much interruption as Yamamoto." Isshin explained, proud both that he came up with the cure, and that his son was the solution. Ichigo didn't know yet what it meant to be stronger than Jyushiro, but he would soon. It was one hell of a compliment.
"Are you sure I'm strong enough to do this? Will it hurt him?" He didn't want to put an ill man in pain only for the cure to fail.
Isshin liked his son's caring side, it would keep him human in the coming struggle, "You have the relatively easy part. Isolating the infection will be the tricky part, especially getting it attuned to you, that's why I need you here after your battle. I don't want to set up this part without knowing if your power might change with the outcome. If I do it right though it will probably tire him out since his power will be subconsciously fighting yours the whole time, but no, it shouldn't hurt him. Yes you are strong enough, even with how raw your power is, you have enough to do this already."
Ichigo listened happily at being told it shouldn't hurt Ukitake, coughing up blood had to be painful enough without this adding to it. "All right, when I get back we will work on getting it right. I didn't speak with him much, but I did like him."
"Keep safe, but you need to go now, Grimmjow looks bored and that's never a good thing," Isshin finished off, whispering the last part just loud enough Grimmjow heard him and bristled, he loved teasing the hot-headed Arrancar, he was an awful lot like Ichigo.
"Come on Whelp, that's enough mushy stuff for one day. One of us will bring him back when he is ready." Grimmjow growled, pulling Ichigo with him, preparing to open a Garganta.
"How long will it take?" Ichigo asked, covering his unease at a hole appearing in thin air.
"Depends on how long it takes us to beat your Hollow out of you and train you up. You didn't think it was gonna be an easy one time battle did you? Once you conquer him, and you better, you have to learn how to fight with him." Grimmjow lazily explained, walking through the opening in space without a care.
Ichigo took a deep breath and stepped onto the new path his life was taking.
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