Rukia is the only one who knows about Ichigo's parents. For the time being, he plans to keep it that way. He took very little from the box they found before putting it back in the floor.
Despite how Uryū proclaims to be the last Quincy, Ichigo is well aware his father is still alive. So, to get more information, Ichigo takes the cross, an ancient textbook in German, and a polaroid photo to Ishida Ryuuken's work after school. Ryuuken is famous enough for his work at the Karakura Hospital to be on Google, so plus for Ichigo.
"Excuse me, ma'am," Ichigo starts. He had just gone up to the front desk on the floor Ryuuken performs surgeries on. "I'm looking for Dr. Ishida. Is he here?"
"He's taking his smoke break right now. I'll direct you to him." the nurse states.
After some twists and turns, a couple of dead ends, Ichigo finds the man. His hair is white, eyes startling blue, glasses clean and black - according to the polaroid, anyway. Oh yeah, definitely related to Ishida Uryū.
Ryuuken is on a balcony in a smoking zone. He's leaning against the railing, and watching Karakura from above. The cigarette in his hand is almost gone.
"Tell me, Kurosaki, when did you learn to hide your Reiatsu?" Ryuuken takes a puff.
"A while ago."
"Did you teach yourself?"
"It's not like anyone wanted to help."
An impressed grunt comes from him. He flicks the cigarette off the balcony, and turns to Ichigo.
"I wish my son was more like you in that. He's hung over his grandfather, and insists I have to return to the Quincy ways to help his training."
"I actually learned that from Ishida, sir."
A humorous grin pulls at Ryuuken's lips. "No you didn't."
"Did I get it from my mother then? Like my Quincy heritage?"
"So Isshin finally told you."
"No he didn't."
They watch each other for a moment, eyes scanning the other, looking for something that's not really there. Aside from the brighter hair, this man is an older copy of Uryū. His smart ass of a friend must get his darker hair from his mother. Ichigo guesses he could say the same about his mother and her ginger hair. Then again, he doesn't really look like his dad.
"I should be getting back," Ryuuken decides.
"Wait," Ichigo intercepts the doctor's path. "Please, wait."
"Kurosaki, I made a promise to not tell you about your mother. I don't plan on breaking that promise."
"What about my mother?" Ichigo studies Ryuuken's expression. "You know something I don't. What is it?"
"I can't-"
"Please," Ichigo begs without knowing. "Do you know what's it's like to watch someone die with no understanding as to why? Why them? Why me? Why not me?"
Ryuuken tries for an indifferent look, but his eyes become suspiciously haunted. Ichigo isn't one to read emotions, yet that is a tall tale sign he can't ignore.
"If you do, please. Help me understand," Ichigo says lowly.
Ryuuken fishes into his white coat for something. He pulls it out to reveal a card.
"This isn't the time for this conversation. Meet me at the park closest to this hospital at midnight. I'll answer all your questions then."
"What's this for?" Ichigo takes the card.
"Future reference. Something tells me you'll need it. Now, if we're done here-"
"Oh, hang on. I want you to look at something for me real quick." Ichigo pockets the card, and starts to rummage in his bag.
"Surely this can wait."
"It's just a one question." He pulls out the textbook, and flips to the saved page. "I found this in my dad's room. I looked through it earlier." He points to a picture. "Who is this?"
Ryuuken takes the textbook to get a better look. "It's worn, but if I had to guess, I'd say it's the Quincy King, Yhwach. Why the interest?"
"No reason," Ichigo lies. "I just - he looks a little familiar, and it's been nagging at me. But thank you, sir, for this. You're the only one who's told me the truth in a long time."
Ryuuken regards him for a short moment. "I'll see you tonight."
"Thanks again."
The doctor gives Ichigo the book back before leaving. He lingers on the balcony, staring at the one picture he showed Ryuuken. He lied about it being nothing, but he was honest when he said Yhwach looks familiar. Painfully familiar. He's been locking his zanpakuto out since he found out about his mother, and now he's going to have to confront him. Fan-fucking-tastic.
Ichigo gets home when the sun starts to set. Isshin is out of town, so no surprise attacks. Even then, they're not surprising. He greets his sisters, and then locks himself in his room. He feels bad for ignoring them earlier. Kon is gone and Rukia, too, leaving his room to himself. Sitting cross legged, Ichigo enters his inner world.
Dark clouds hover, the gray reflecting off the skyscrapers. The whole aura of the world is gloomy and betrayed. Good because that's how he feels. Ichigo follows the chilling breeze to Zangetsu, who is on his flag pole. His black coat flaps in the wind as if he is the flag itself.
"Ichigo," Zangetsu nods, his face set in solemn.
"Zangetsu," Ichigo growls. "Or should I call you Yhwach?"
Genuinely frightened shock causes "Zangetsu" to choke and widen his eyes. "How do you know of that name?"
"Does it matter?"
"No. I... I suppose not."
"You're not Zangetsu," Ichigo states.
"I am not."
"Then are you Yhwach?"
"It's not that simple. My image is a mixture of you and the king. I am him, but only a portion. I am what represents the more human part of your soul."
"So you fucking are Yhwach," Ichigo scoffs. "If that's true, where's Zangetsu?"
"Don't you remember, Ichigo? He confessed it to you before."
He narrows his eyes. "Where's the Hollow?"
"Around."
Call him paranoid, but he doesn't like how that sounds. Where is Shiro? Why hasn't he threatened him yet?
"If the Hollow is Zangetsu, does that make you my Quincy powers?"
"I am, yes."
"Then what do I call you?" Ichigo tilts his head in wonder.
The old man floats his happy ass down to see Ichigo a little more eye-to-eye. Not that it matters. He's really tall.
"I do not know."
They stand there in the terrible weather, having said all they need to. Where does it go from here? Ichigo is slowly uncovering the mystery that is his existence, and the next truth is more heart breaking than the last. Will his life ever be the same?
Will he ever trust again?
Another row of dark clouds roll in, these ones darker than the last. Thunder booms, lightning flashes. With every strike of light, sparks dance and threaten. The glass of skyscrapers shudder at the roaring of the clouds.
"Ichigo," the old man murmurs loud enough. "I'm sorry. I was only trying to keep you safe."
"I don't need a lie," he whispers. "I need my family. And you were it."
His eyes open then to the real world, not having the energy to wait for the old man's answer. Lightning strikes his chest, leaving a gaping hole that was his heart. At least, that's what it feels like happened. His chest aches in a damaging pain that no medication can cover.
Why is he so broken up over this? He's lying to everyone just as much. Maybe because he has a tactful reason for it? Maybe because it's not made to hurt or protect them? Maybe it's because he's trying to protect himself.
He falls to his back and glares at the ceiling like it was the one who hurt him. The open curtains let in the orange light of the sunset, and the creaking of the house reminds him of the bad winds in his inner world. A soft thud brings his attention to his desk. There, sitting on his homework, is a black cat.
"Not now, Yoruichi."
"I wasn't going to say anything," she defends in her man voice.
"You only show up when you want something from me. You and everybody else." He shifts on his bed, putting his back to her.
"That's not true!"
"Then why are you here?"
Her silence only confirms it. He laughs bitterly at the fact. She hops onto his bed, only irking him further. The lithe animal drops herself in his sight, her big yellow eyes worried.
"What's wrong?"
He grinds his teeth, shifting once again onto his back. Yoruichi moves to sit on his chest. She really wants him to talk, it would seem.
"I won't leave until you talk to me."
Their eyes meet for a split second before he closes his eyes and sighs. He sits up, his entire body itching for movement. Ichigo decides to pace, his body feeling stiff. His muscles scream for no reason, and he wants to lay back down and cry. But he doesn't have the energy for that so he keeps pacing.
Yoruichi waits impossibly patient for him to finish his fit. She's always patient when he gets like this, and right now, he's grateful for her. He finally stops to sit down, but his leg won't stop bouncing. He wants to get up, but can't find the energy. He racks his hands through his hair, trying so hard to calm himself down. God, he's just frustrating himself more.
"Are you ready or..."
Ichigo takes a cleansing breath. "Might as well."
"Great. Now, talk to me. What's bothering you this much?" Yoruichi, staying in her cat form, leans against his leg. Is it bad he sees her as a therapy animal? She purrs as he pets her.
"Something's wrong."
"What?"
"I - I don't want to tell you everything until I know everything. But..."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm just sad," he admits.
"Ichigo, please talk to me."
"I will. Just - let me me figure it out first. I need to understand what's happening with me before I say anything."
"Look, I didn't have anything to do with it, and I disagreed with it completely, but I did know the Vizard had you. Before you blow up on me, let me explain. The Vizard are victims of Aizen. He used his latest experiment on them when they were close to finding out about his traitorous plan. Central 46 pinned it on Kisuke and Tessai, and they and the Vizard were going to be executed. I helped them escape into exile."
He realizes with a start she's telling him how they ended up in the World of the Living. He had always wondered why they were here - how they got here.
"They were captains?" He guesses.
"Some. The rest were lieutenants. Tessai and Hachi specialized in kidō."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I trust that they are truly doing this to help you. They want to help you tame your Hollow. They got the hint you want them to stay away, so they won't do anything until you ask. But Ichigo, please, ask them. I'm worried what will happen if you don't figure it out," Yoruichi confesses.
"That's the thing. I don't need their help. My Hollow hasn't bothered me in days."
"That doesn't worry you?"
"No, it does, but only because that's not like him. I wonder if he's okay," he trails off.
Yoruichi doesn't comment. "Think about it, okay?"
"Okay."