Chapter Three:

I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. The sun hasn't risen and it's still way too early for me to be up. But I guess I'm used to it. After all I never sleep on this dark day.

'Today's the day.'

Sitting up I swung my feet over the side of my bed and rubbed my eyes. There's really no point for me to lay back down and even attempt to close my eyes. I felt the flutter of my shoulder strap slide down my shoulder. Looking over at my bare left shoulder I thought of the scar I received on this day, the one that could only be seen in my spirit form. I thought of the ugly angry tissue and felt it pulse within my being. Grasping it softly I sighed.

"Damn, this thing still hurts. Even after all of these years, and even after it's healed. But I guess it's not completely healed. My reiatsu still hasn't completely healed on that shoulder." I glared at my hands imagining the blood staining them from that day.

Hours passed like minutes and a knock on the door pulled me from the nightmares of my past. Going down the stairs I glanced around my apartment and sighed again. Whoever was knocking was definitely not coming in.

'I haven't cleaned in awhile it seems.'

Opening the door I was met with the smiling face of Yuzu. It took me a second to get over her giant sparkly smile before I returned a smile of my own.

"Good morning Izumi-chan!" She said brightly still smiling. I glanced down at her cute dress then realized I was still in my sleep wear. Inwardly I sighed and fell to the ground in defeat.

"G-good morning Zu-Zu. What can I do for you?" I smiled brightly but pulled my door a small bit more closed. She'd kill me if she saw how messy my house is.

"Well, we were actually wondering if you wanted to come visit mom's grave with us today." She smiled more and turned slightly revealing the rest of her family. I felt my mouth slack a little bit before I mustered up another smile and nodded.

"Just let me get ready yeah?" I patted her head slightly and nodded at Ichi who nodded in return. I shut my door and leaned against it sliding down till my butt touched the floor and I hugged my knees.

'That's right, today's not only a nightmare for me, but one for my dear friends as well. The day I brought an end to their mother.'

....

"Fuwaa! This hill is so rough!" Yuzu whined as she was breathing heavily.

I snickered slightly when her dad roared about her doing her best then proceeded to climb the hill on his hands. How that was supposed to make her feel better is beyond me. But then suddenly he slid underneath Yuzu and called out her pantie color which got him kicked in the face. Ichigo and I both stared in disbelief at the man he calls father.

"W-well that was unexpected." I laughed nervously trying to lighten the mood. He just sighed and shook his head.

"Anyway, it sure is hot out for it only being June. Even though it's the same June 17th, things are a hell of a lot different." Ichigo said darkly having a lost look in his eyes. I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed slightly. He put his hand on top of mine and sighed slightly.

"Ichi lets-" I started but was cut off by his little sisters.

"There's someone else there too! Do you think she's visiting a grave too?"

We turned together and saw the bitch herself standing with a pathetic fake smile on her face.

A growl came from my throat but I was completely ignored as Ichigo rushed to her side. I followed silently while the others went ahead.

"You told me your mother was killed." She said without any emotion catching my attention and hitting a nerve. I clenched my fist and listened quietly.

"That's not what I said." He denied shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Who killed her?" She pushed again meeting my heavy glare with an even stare.

"I said, I didn't say that she was killed. Forget it." Ichi growled out attempting to end the conversation. I took a step forwards and put my hand on his shoulder showing that I was here for him.

"You told me that you could see ghosts for as long as you can remember. If that's so, answer one question for me." She pushed even more.

"You're stepping over your boundaries bitch." I snarled out feeling the emotions of this day and the pain of his mothers death hitting me hard.

"Wasn't the thing that killed your mother a Hollow?" She ignored me and finished her picking. Ichi was completely silent holding onto my hand tightly. I felt his body freeze up.

'She hit a nerve.'

"It's possible! Hollows could have targeted you! And mistaken your mother for-" she cut herself off when she noticed we were both trembling. Ichi out of fear and conflicting emotions, while I was trying to not let my anger out.

"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!" Ichigo exploded, veins popped out on his forehead and he squeezed my hand so tight it turned red.

"This isn't a joke. You truly are a pathetic excuse for a Shinigami. How you survived within the Gotei 13 is beyond me. I am going home." I growled feeling my spiritual pressure rise till it almost knocked her off her feet. Ichi grabbed hold of my hand calming me.

"But what about mom? You told Yuzu you'd go." He whispered out to me. I grabbed hold of his hand with my other one and looked into his eyes.

"If I stay I'll kill your new friend. And I can't reel in my spiritual pressure enough to conceal it. I'll end up hurting them. Say hello to mom for me yea?" I smiled sadly and started to walk away.

"Just what are you!?" Rukia screamed after me.

"Wouldn't you like to know." I grumbled finding my way down the hill and towards the Urahara shop to calm myself down.