"This is such a tough hill." Yuzu complains.
"Really? It's nothing to me." Karin replies.
It's June 17th, and the whole family is currently heading towards the grave sight. I was walking ahead with the girls as Isshin and Ichigo walked behind us. Nagi is currently back at home, waiting for us to return.
"Do your best, Yuzu!" Isshin cheers for her. "Don't give in! Daddy's with you! Look!"
He's suddenly doing a handstand.
"Hey look at daddy! He's climbing the hill while standing on his hands!"
"Ignore him, Yuzu."
"But Karin-"
"She's right, Yuzu." I agree. "Encourage people like that and it will never end."
"How naive... Even if you don't look..."
Isshin is suddenly chasing us while still on his hands.
"I still won't stop!"
"Run!!"
The three of us start running for our lives.
"Take that! Special daddy sliding technique!"
He slides right to us and lands next to Yuzu, looking up at her.
"...Polka dots..."
"Ahh!"
Yuzu quickly pulls her dress down more as Karin kicks her father, sending him back down the long hill.
"Scram to the ends of the earth, old man!"
He stops once he's at the bottom.
"No~... W-Why~?"
"Enjoy starting from the bottom again!" Karin shouts to him.
I sigh and shake my head.
"Can we please keep going? I would like to get there some time today."
"R-Right, let's go, Yuzu."
"Okay, Karin."
So the three of us continue walking. That was until Karin noticed someone standing I the distance.
"There's someone there."
"You're right. Is that person visiting a grave too?" Yuzu questions.
"You think? ...Oh, she's turning this way."
Rukia!?
With a big smile, we waves at us.
"She's waving... Do you know her, Ichigo?" Yuzu turns towards him.
"Nope! I utterly completely don't!" Ichigo panics a bit.
Thinking, Karin continues to stare at her.
"I've seen her before, but where...?"
"I-I'm remember! She's a classmate from my middle school days! It's all coming back to me! I'm going to go talk to her for a bit! You guys go to mom's grave ahead of me!"
With that said, Ichigo takes off towards Rukia. Once near her, he grabs her and takes off.
"...Heh heh."
Yuzu looks towards Karin.
"What was the laugh just now!?"
"Nothing... Just that it seems he's finally reached that age..."
...Oh my-
"What!? What does that mean, Karin!?"
"It might be time to let our brother go."
...I can't.
"Come on, girls."
"Right."
They continue to follow me to the grave.
"W-Wait for your dad~!"
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
With Isshin and Ichigo finally back with us, Karin and I had our hands together in a prayer.
It's an honor to see you again...mom. I hope you're doing well. Everyone is fine. Karin, Yuzu, and Ichigo are doing well. Dad's...being dad, I guess.
"Hey! It's time for this year's annual "Kurosaki Family's Tombstone Domino Rally"! A three hour game where the winner makes the loser their dog for a whole week! First up, Ichigo vs. Dad!"
"Stop it, dad!" Yuzu begs.
I tune everyone out as I continue praying.
I don't know how much more I can take of him. But I'm glad you two made me a part of your family. I wish you were still here. ...I'm doing good... I've been getting closer to finding out who my birth family is.
...I still have no idea what I'm going to say to them, though. Well, I guess my first question will be why did they abandon me. Once I know, I can finally put my search to an end and forget them. Then I can live peaceful with you guys, without any doubt in my mind.
After all... You guys are my true family.
"Emiko~! Help me stop, dad!" I hear Yuzu beg me.
I have to go. I promise to protect our family and repay you guys one day.
Opening my eyes, I stand and face Isshin who's acting like an idiot.
"Dad, stop it, please."
"...You... You...!"
He squeezes me tight as he begins to cry.
"You finally called me "Dad"~! Oh, Emikoooooooo~!
"..."
I hug him back and wait for him to finish.
At least he stopped bothering the others.
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
"Geez~, quit crying like a baby."
The twins and I were sitting on the steps that lead up to mom's grave. Ichigo is up there by himself, having some alone time.
He told me the story of how our mom died years ago. Sadly...he still blames himself.
"We're eleven, be more mature." Karin speaks, trying to console Yuzu.
She looks up at her with tears still in her eyes.
"Yeah, I know... I understand, but... Waaaaaaahhhh!"
"Understand my butt." Karin sighs.
Suddenly, a high pitched sound rings through the air. Isshin is blowing his whistle.
Standing up, Karin help Yuzu up as well.
"Come on, dad wants to gather us up. We gotta go."
"...Kay..."
"..."
Karin looks off in a different direction, staring at a cliff. Standing at the edge was a kid.
"What's that kid doing over there?"
"Huh? Where?"
Yuzu can't see them. So that kid must be a ghost. Karin walks over to it so it can hear her.
"Why ya looking over that cliff for? If ya got something you regret, the head priest lives down the hill, so go there."
The kid seemed confused.
"You can see me?"
"Yup. I go see alright, but don't go telling people. It's embarrassing."
I feel really uneasy.
"You can hear my voice as well?"
Before Karin can answer, I grab her shoulder.
"Emiko?"
"Take Yuzu and go to dad right away." I simply order.
"Wha- Why?"
"You can see me too, girl?"
I glare at the kid. The kid smirks.
"Wonderful. How very...very...tasty!"