Chapter 15
Before they could leave the room, Toshiro entered, followed by Kon in Ichigo's gigai.
Kon tilted his head to the side. "Darn, you didn't die…I could've had your body." He smirked as Ichigo glared at him.
Toshiro rubbed a hand against his tired face. "Just get back into the gigai, Ichigo." Ichigo stiffly followed the order and shoved Kon back into the small bag around his neck.
Ichigo realized as soon as they left the room that he was back at Hogwarts, and the news of the dark lord's death had spread. He followed Harry and Toshiro through the throngs of celebrating people into the Great Hall that seemed so full of people that it was about to burst. Ichigo caught a flash of red over the heads of the crowd and wasn't surprised when Renji pushed his way through to them.
"You good now? No holes or nothing?"
"Che, I'm fine." Ichigo prodded his stomach to prove his point at which point Renji promptly threw an arm around the teen's shoulders and started guiding him through the crowd and towards the front. Harry laughed at the two of them before being swept up in the crowd as well.
Ichigo found himself at the front of the hall were the majority of the team that had raided the Manor were gathered. They all gave him strange looks as Dumbledore ushered him forward and sat him down at the long table.
"You must be famished, my boy."
Ichigo barely got a 'thanks' out before shoving food into his mouth, much to the others amusement. The stares didn't disappear during the remainder of the feast/celebration and Ichigo noticed a particular set of eyes that seemed on him more often then not.
After he finished eating and the majority of the hall was split up into several groups all conversing loudly, Ichigo stood and walked the few seats down the table to the dark haired man.
Leaning down slightly, he said quietly. "If you're curious, follow me." He didn't have to look behind him to know the dark haired man stood and left the table.
He led Snape through the crowds and found an empty classroom. Once the man entered, Ichigo closed the door behind him.
"Don't ask me why I'm doing this, I don't really know myself." He scratched the back of his neck. "Maybe I just don't want you to end up…well anyways," he locked eyes with the confused man, "Do that thing you did before…"
A raised eyebrow was his response.
Ichigo waved his hand. "You know, that thing where you get into my head…"
"I have your permission?" A dark wand was leveled at Ichigo's head.
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Obviously."
He was ready for the pain this time and instead of fighting it, he reached forward and pulled. Once he was sure he had a good grip on the foreign force, he pulled into his inner world.
He tried not to smirk too largely at the stunned expression on the normally impassive face.
"Where are we?"
Ichigo expected the question. He spread his arms wide, "Welcome to my mind." He grinned lopsided.
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Why is it sideways?" he asked dryly.
Ichigo shrugged.
"It's because he's deranged." Hitchi draped an arm over Ichigo and leered at Snape. "Did ya bring me a present, King? How kind of ya."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "No you idiot. I told you, you can't kill him."
Snape was looking back and forth between the two, identical except for color. "Who is that?"
Hitchi smirked and went to answer, but Ichigo slapped a hand over his mouth. "He's a part of my soul that turned into a Hollow. It's really hard to explain…ow! Damn you!" he turned to glare at a smug Hitchi, holding his injured hand to his chest. "Did you have to bite me?"
Hitchi's smug look grew. "Yes. Now ya wanna explain why ya brought him here if I can't kill him?"
Ichigo looked between Snape and Hitchi, a contemplative expression on his face. Understanding dawned on Hitchi's pale face.
"Ah, it's what I said earlier, it's bothering ya, ain't it?" He smirked. "Ya so soft, King."
Ichigo scowled at his counterpart while Snape showed he had a rather large store of patience and would wait.
"I am not soft."
"Yes ya are. Ya don't want him to turn into a hollow. I'm right, ain't I?"
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, now completely forgetting his 'visitor.' "So what if I don't want him to end up as a hollow? How does that make me soft?"
Hitchi laughed. "Always the hero…" His black and gold eyes flashed to the patiently waiting man. "Ya want me to show 'im? Eh…why not, got nothing better to do…"
He took a few steps forward so that he was between Ichigo and Snape. He spread his arms wide. "Look well…Holding on to guilt, pain, and sorrow after you die, leads to this." He dropped his hands and his face turned serious. "Along with the lovely complexion, ravenous hunger consumes every aspect of your mind. It's the only thing…the only emotion…"
Snape found his voice. "You think I will be like you when I die?"
Hitchi shrugged. "I ain't psychic. But guilt surrounds you like a cloud…" He turned on his heel and walked back towards Ichigo. "I'm done King, if ya need anything else, don't call." He faded away as he passed the orange haired teen.
Ichigo tried to figure out what the other man was thinking, but couldn't see passed the mask of stone.
"I'm supposed to just let go of guilt? That's easy for him to say."
Ichigo shook his head. "It's not easy for him to say. I couldn't let go of guilt, that's why he's here."
Snape sneered. "What guilt could you possibly have?"
For once, Ichigo's temper did not get the best of him and he answered calmly. "My mother died because of me. My friends were put in danger because of me. One of the kindest persons I know was dragged into the depths of hell because of me. And I dragged the others down with me to go get her back. I have plenty of guilt. I'm not here to preach, simply to inform. Take the warning, don't take the warning…" Ichigo shrugged and started to gently shove the man from his mind.
Snape took the hint and faded from view, but not without shooting him a speculative look before hand.
By the time Ichigo opened his eyes, the dark haired man had left the room. Ichigo composed his face back into his unreadable scowl before leaving and making his way back to the great hall.
Toshiro met him and explained they were leaving. Their mission was complete. The four shinigami said their goodbyes before heading out into the garden with just Dumbledore and Harry.
Shedding gigai's and shrinking them back into their pill like form, the four said their final goodbyes. Renji opened the gate while Dumbledore and Harry watched in surprise.
"Well, this was fun." Shuuhei said with a smile.
"It was a mission, now it's over. Let's go home." Toshiro responded as they waved goodbye and started through the gate.
"Home." Ichigo said it like it was best word in the dictionary.
FIN
AN: And…it's over! I know…the ending was a bit anti-climatic but this was just an idea popping around in my head, I never thought it would get so much love! I want to thank all my readers, and especially all my reviewers!
I've already got another crossover…this time FMAxHP… planned but, I've got Officially speaking, Nightwalker, A different world, a currently untitled, and Blood and tears has been stuck on the last chapter for, forever. So we'll see when it actually gets farther than just thoughts rambling around in my head…
Now I'm going to go be a good student and actually get some work done…
Cya,
chica