Title: Death, a new beginning
Series: 50scenes challenge #002-Grave
Author: HeukYa
Genre: General/Romance
Rating: G
Pairing: Kurosaki Ichigo/Hitsugaya Toshiro
Disclaimer: Bleach sovereigns over me, not the other way round.
Distribution: Fanfiction and LJ
Summary: Kurosaki Ichigo visits his own grave, accompanied by Hitsugaya Toshiro and the two have a conversation.
Spoilers: None, or at least I think.
Warning: None

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-IchiHitsu-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Author's Note:

This is purely conversation-based fic, starting with Ichigo. I guess it doesn't have much connection with grave except that they are talking in front of one but I hope it still counts as appropriate.

Death, a new beginning by HeukYa

"How… odd."

"You're so eloquent in front of your own grave."

"I can't help it if it feels strange to be looking at my own name on that slab."

"Imagine what it's like for your family."

"True. They weren't quite sure how to react when they saw me in shihakushou just next to my dead body. My funeral was pretty funny, though."

"Ahou. It came near to disaster and it would have become one if I hadn't bashed you over your head and stopped you from pulling stupid faces at your family and friends. Quincy looked ready to shoot about 10,000 arrows up your ass. You were lucky that Inoue Orihime had his hands held down the whole time."

"It was bloody hilarious though, the looks on their faces. Was well worth it."

"So you saying you had fun on your funeral?"

"Kinda. I guess. What's the point getting all sad when I'm not really dead?"

"You are."

"You know what I mean."

"Ahou. You are physically dead for real."

"Fine, I'm the biggest idiot. What were you like, then?"

"…Me?"

"Yeah. Your death. Your funeral. Whatever."

"Kurosaki, not everyone was already a shinigami before their death."

"So?"

"I don't know what on earth made me go with you here when you are such an idiot."

"'Cuz you love me and you were worried that your thick-headed boyfriend would get all upset?"

"Shut up."

"Love you too."

"I said, shut up."

"So you saying you don't remember?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to look for it?"

"Huh?"

"You know. Your grave. The one that would have Hitsugaya Toshiro written on it."

"…No."

"Why?"

"I don't need to."

"Don't you wanna know? Where you belonged to?"

"It's not going to change anything."

"Still. Don't you want to know where you come from?"

"I come from Rukongai. My life restarted from that point. Unlike you, ours is a brand new, clear cut start."

"…That's kinda sad."

"Sad?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'm guessing you died pretty young, maybe 10, 12 years old? You must have had a family that loved you, somewhere in this world. And yours friends that had to cope with a violent brat. Ouch! That's exactly what I mean."

"Past life is not something we linger on nor should we, and Kurosaki, you're soon going to learn how to do it as well. Things are going to be different from now on even if they have ability to see you."

"Why not? They are my family whether I'm a shinigami or not."

"…This is precisely why sotaichou is making you fukutaichou even though there are three divisions lacking taichous. Kurosaki, if you heard something happened in Karakura, what are you going to do?"

"Check on my family? Is that a crime?"

"How, you're just going to jump through Senkaimon, leaving behind your division? Once you become familiar enough with Gotei 13's system, you're going to have a division to lead yourself. And that should be your priority, not your family in the real world."

"Are you telling me to just forget about my family? Because I'm not doing that."

"No, idiot. You're a special case so it can't be helped but you'll have to learn the ways of a shinigami; a full-fledged one, not a substitute one."

"…I just realised I won't be a substitute anymore. Does that mean I have to learn kidou as well?! Man, I'm gonna suck at it!"

"…What am I going to do with you, you dimwit…"

"Give me a nice kiss?"

"How the hell does your mind just jump from one thing to another in a flash like that, never mind the irrelevance?!"

"Because it's you."

"Bakayaro."

"…I can't just dump my family, you know."

"And I said that's not the case. It probably doesn't make much sense right now but you'll soon understand. I'll just say this. Right now, you might see your position as 'only' a fukutaichou but the position holds a lot of responsibility. Contrary to the popular belief, it's something even Matsumoto takes quite seriously. It only amounts when you become a taichou. Your whole division is on you; your action, your decision could be what decides the life and death of your subordinates."

"I know that but…"

"No, you don't. Or at least, you don't know the true weight of it. So far, all you had to do was follow your heart, going all out without a single thought, simply to save your friends and family. Your actions rarely had any grave consequences afterwards except the return of your friends, some major healing, and a few lies you had to present to your school. But your subordinates are not Abarai or Kuchiki, and there will certainly be more than just four or five. With hundreds under your command, you need to trust them but not overestimate their abilities, learn to lead the mass."

"Now you're giving me a headache. Maybe a bit sick as well."

"Every taichou has own method of leading a division, own view on battles and subordinates. Ukitake goes by battles to protect pride and battles to protect life. Zaraki's is even simpler, life or death. And in near future, you'll find your own."

"I'm surprised. You sound very sure."

"That's because I am."

"…You really believe I'd do well in the end, don't you?"

"Shouldn't I? You're possibly the biggest blockhead I've been most unfortunate to come across but save the uncontrollable impulsiveness and unbelievable stupidity, which you will keep in check from now on and I'll make sure you do, you possess all the qualities for a taichou."

"…Despite all the insults, that means a lot, Toshiro, especially coming from you."

"I'm only stating what I see. But then I do feel a little sorry for whatever division that's going to fall under your hands. They'll be seeing the doom for a while one way or the other."

"And you've just crushed that little nice, warm feeling inside."

"Aren't I glad to hear that."

"Ah, I know how much you love me."

"Shut up."

"…Let's go."

"Now?"

"Yeah. Back to Soul Society. I guess you're right in that things will be different from now on. It's about time that I face it and find out exactly what has changed how."

"…Kurosaki."

"Hmm?"

"…It may not be right now but you will make a good taichou."

"…With you trusting me like that, how can I fail? I'll do you proud, my yuki hime."