ISYT (Jushiro/F!Reader) EPILOGUE Ch. 57
A weird switch between Jushiro & Reader's POV
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After the fight ended, everyone made peace with those who had passed except for Jushiro; he was a shell of his former self, unable to move on from losing his wife. He attended the Konso Reisai of his former comrades but didnât have the heart to participate in much else. As he had stated prior, he recommended Rukia as the captain and locked himself in his Ugendo, rejecting anyone who wanted to visit him.Â
While cleaning out the Ugendo as a way to cope with the loss of his partner, he comes across a neatly kept journal that he recognizes to be his wifeâs handwriting. Opening it, the first page said, âIf youâre reading this, âShiro, Iâve probably passed. This journal was kept in case you couldnât find closure before youâre eager to follow me. Iâd like you to do everything in this journal before you consider following me. I donât suppose dying is your wish, anyways.â As he flipped to the next page, it was outlined repeatedly, a title that was made sure that he couldnât miss: Before I die, I willâŠ
Jushiro left a note on the table where he sat with his wife to dine with every night for Shunsui to find. The note said, âDonât look for me; Iâm okay.âÂ
Jushiro had requested a Gigai from Kisuke to stay off the radar. Getting money was the hard part of his whole idea. But he managed. The Ukitake clan isnât just a noble for no reason. He had to find a way to get what he wanted as the eldest son without anyone knowing. And that he did. He spent his days sightseeing with a Polaroid and a journal.Â
ââBefore I die, I willâŠââ Jushiro read aloud, taking a beautiful sunset of a tulip field in Amsterdam; the flowery fragrant washed over him as the soft spring breeze blew past his white locks. He combed through his hair with his hand as he smiled at the small windmill spinning slowly from the breeze. He took the Polaroid picture & pinned it to the first page of the journal. âLush greenery with spotted pinks, yellows, and reds decorates the fields of Amsterdam, and I can see why you wanted to visit my love; the sunset paired with the spring breeze; I can see you in a white dress and hat, twirling in the fields. You would have loved this place,â Jushiro wrote in the journal. Every night, he had hoped he saw his wife in his dreams, but he didnât. When he visits the locations in her journal, he can almost hear her laughter as he arrives.Â
As he turned away, he could feel a warm breeze embrace him, asking him not to go, but he always shook his head, âIâve got places to go for my wife.âÂ
It used to be that whenever he did anything physical, his body would always bail out on him & cause a coughing fit. His wife popped her bankai, gave him her life & took away his illness, too. The only thing that changed was his eye colors. Everyone commented that he had pretty green eyes. But he could never bring himself to look at himself in the mirror. As he hiked the mountains of Colorado, he thought about how his wife always had so much energy. She was always running around for him, running errands, collecting medicine for him; she was never tired afterward. Even after a long day at work, she would be home cooking and cleaning for him to give him the best he deserves. Thinking back, he regretted not telling her that she was doing great. As he reached the summit, he couldnât be more grateful for his lungs working well. He took a picture from the summit of the mountains, âBefore I die, I will hike Colorado. I see why you thought this place was beautiful. The air is fresh, and I feel free & on top of the world. It would have been perfect if I could take a picture of you in your hiking gear, reaching the summit with me.â He wrote down with the polaroid before pinning it to the journal again.Â
The cool mountain breeze wiped the sweat off his forehead this time, asking him to stay. But, he shook his head again, âIâve got places to go for my wife.âÂ
His wife always told him about the books she had read while she was in the human world, and there was a series she had come across that had been turned into a set of movies. Although she never brought the books back, now that heâs visiting the set of castles in Romania, he couldnât help but wonder what the books described. He put those books on his reading list as he snapped a picture of the foggy scenery; the heavy fog placed a heavy feeling of mystery in the air. âBefore I die, I will see Draculaâs castle in Romania; the condensed water vapor in the humid air gave a sense of mystery as the skies clouded with worry above the pointed roof decorations. The many windows faced towards me, & I canât help but wonder, âdid I see someone walking in the hallways of the ancient castle?ââ Jushiro wrote down in the journal with the picture pinned in it.Â
Forest-green eyes squinted at a window from afar, and a shadowy figure waved in his wife's figure. He rubbed his eyes to refocus, but it was his grief playing tricks on him. A coat hanger around her height stood in one of the rooms. A saddened smile on his face as he whispered, âShe would have loved this place, too. But Iâve got places to see for my wife.âÂ
The smell of a summer breeze tickled his senses as he arrived in Washington state, up a hiking trail to reach the beautiful scenery before him. The reflection of the blue skies on the water with the reflection of sunlight illuminating the crest of the water. The fishes swim around, yet he fails to see a pair of carp. It left him with a smile. As he took a picture, a pair of ducks were swimming side by side. He pinned the image on the journal & wrote, âAs I closed my eyes, I can feel my nerves calm by the splashing of the water; with my eyes opened, I can see a pair of ducks swimming side by side. Oh, how I wish that were us, side-by-side, holding hands, as we reach each destination.âÂ
As he turned away, songbirds flew above him, singing a melody oh so beautiful, but, in his grieving heart, it sounded like a melody of yearning. He shook his head as his mind wondered if he should stay longer, âno, Iâve got places to go for my wife.âÂ
A massive jump in scenery, from the clear skies of Washington state to the gloomy ones in Edinburgh, Scotland, reflects his crying heart. The urge to step out from underneath his umbrella & to be pelted by the skies. The smell of rain that his wife always said gave her mixed feelings. Sometimes, it reflected the sadness in her heart; other times, it reflected the coming of a new season. âBefore I die, I will visit Edinburgh; I heard from the locals that they call it the âAthens of the North,â though I canât say Iâve been in the human world during that period. But, seeing this scenery, Iâm sure it was a place of wonder. The rain makes the roads sparkle with street lights illuminating, kids smiling & laughing, running around joyously without care. Would our family have liked this place if you were by my side?â Jushiro hummed a little, pinning the picture to the journal.Â
A few raindrops fell onto his shoulders as he headed to his hotel. It reminded him of the days you were playful, tapping him on the shoulder but acting like it wasnât you. He laughed a little at the memory, âI canât stay for long; Iâve got places to go for you, my love.âÂ
The warmth of the Blue Lagoon shocked Jushiro. The writing in the journal from his wife couldnât explain what he was saying; it was fogging from the steam of the lagoon. A view that should have been freezing thawed the ice surrounding his heart after his wife had passed away. He snapped a video and a picture on the Polaroid before writing down, âThe ice that surrounds my fragile heart thawed at the sight of the lagoon, the warmth charging at me with a warm embrace. I wish I could have visited this place with you when you were still alive.âÂ
As he turned away, the ripples of the lagoon beckoned him to stay. As much as he wanted to, all he could do was shake his head and respond quietly, âMy wife is waiting for me.âÂ
There were a few more places to go, but he had to rearrange the order of some of the ones on the list, as seasons donât pass in the order of how it was organized. Jushiro went to a desert in Morocco, traveling with a group of travelers who were there to check off a list as well. But he kept to himself as he rode on the camelâs back. The sand, once smooth, was now thoroughly plowed through by the camel. He took a few pictures of the sand and the line before him. He writes down awkwardly in his journal, âThe sand plowed through by the journey ahead of us. Iâm grateful that my journey was filled with you. I wish for more, but you must take a step first.â He smiled, realizing that most of the writing before was just him describing the scenery he saw before him. But he wasnât sure who would read it if he were to follow after his wife. Itâs not like they had kids together, and he wasnât sure anyone else in Gotei 13 would be comfortable reading through these. At one point, the writing turned into desperate pleas for his wife to return to his side. Just because the ice had thawed, it didnât change how much he still wanted to be by her side.Â
As he boarded a flight out of Morocco, the golden sand beckoned where he stayed. But he shook his head once more, âI might be back, I might not. Letâs see where my wife awaits me.âÂ
When he arrived back in Japan to pick up a few items from Uraharaâs store, he was greeted by the shopkeeper, who asked where he was going. It was rare for Kisuke to attempt to converse with him; heâs kept to himself ever since his wifeâs passing. Surprised, Jushiro smiled a little, pointing at your handwriting in the journal. âGo to Paris in the Fall. My wife thinks the theme there is romantic, so thatâll be where Iâm headed.âÂ
âWhat are your plans after youâve visited everywhere your wife wanted to go?âÂ
Jushiro blinked a few times, humming thoughtfully, âI havenât decided. She says, "If at the end of the trip, I still wanted to be with her, then she couldnât stop me from following her.â He intended to die as well, something that was out of everyoneâs control. Jushiro offered a sad smile, âdonât tell anyone, please donât try to stop me either.âÂ
Kisuke huffed, nodding at his request. As he turned away to leave, he had to squeeze out one more sentence, âBe careful, and there have been sightings of the Gate to Hell repeatedly opening in Karakura town and the town over; itâs been frequent. But the spiritual pressure near it has been too strong, and itâs nearly impossible to tell whatâs happening. The Gotei 13 is worried for you.âÂ
Jushiro understood the implications; it was because he had died only to be pulled back. Perhaps they were trying to take him back, âThank you for your warning. Iâll be careful,â with that, he left the shopkeeper. Although what he said did bother him, he didnât think much about it as he was ready to book a flight and head to the airport, a sudden spike of spiritual pressure-charged at him.Â
When Kisuke said it was strong, he didnât think it would suffocate; it was far more substantial than a captainâs spiritual pressure. He took a few steps before collapsing at the intersection. From the corner of his eye, he recognized a familiar figure with a taller figure, speaking as if the pressure was not affecting them. As he crawled a little closer to confirm his suspicion, he was right.Â
The familiar spiritual pressure, although suffocating, was that of his wife. You were standing there, leaning against the wall, dressed in black, talking to the taller man before you. The two of you had a solemn look. As much as he wanted to run up to you and hug you, his body defied his orders. All he could do was watch from afar. He was doing his best to hear what you two were talking about. For all he knew, he was sure you had died in his arms. Why you were in Karakura town with a suffocating amount of spiritual pressure is beyond him.Â
âWe have to wipe your memory,â the taller man spoke, crossing his arms, âjust because youâre a gatekeeper doesnât mean you can jump in and out of Hell to seek out your husband. He could have moved on for all we know, and you wouldnât know.â Jushiro wanted to object, and he would never move on from you. He gritted his teeth but could do nothing about it.Â
âI think you forgot,â just hearing your voice calmed Jushiro down. It made his feelings of following after your death and waiting for so long all the worth. âThis body,â he watched you point to yourself near accusingly, âwas forcibly given to me. I cannot permanently stay in Hell; it rots away. It ages far too fast.â As you explained the facts, the man nodded, âYes, I miss my husband. But, I cannot go against the wishes of the previous owner, who requested that I live for her and find her biological parents. Just because she was young back then doesnât make it any less of a sin if I went against her wishes now.â Jushiro heard of possession, but he thought that was a thing of the myths. Soul reapers cannot possess a body, yet he didnât know members of Hell could.Â
âWeâre still wiping your memory; that way, it would keep your powers in check,â the man said, placing his hand on your forehead. " Do you have any last words?âÂ
As you were about to talk, Jushiro managed to call your name, enough to catch both your and the manâs attention. "Shiro? Why are you? Your spiritual pressure is too strong, King of Hell,â you responded annoyingly.
The man shook his head lightly. " No, thatâs you. I suppressed it before coming here to meet you. Thatâs why I said we need to wipe your memory. Itâs also suffocating to those around you, not that you know it.âÂ
âYes, you can get your memory back,â the man glanced at Jushiro, who stood back up after a bit. If he can trigger them correctly, you can remember. Youâre mighty strong. I was looking forward to you joining the ranks in Hell; I didnât know she would join in your place instead.â As you were ready to object, and Jushiro was prepared to respond, the King of Hell ended up wiping your memory, leaving the memory of when you came into possession of the body. âOops, itâs not like you werenât strong; you just ended up in Soul Society instead of Hell during your first death; that was my bad. The least I can do now is give you a life back in the world of living as you deserve.âÂ
As your body collapsed from the memory wipe, Jushiro rushed to your side; his embrace around your body was to check if you were alive. Which you were, just passed out from the sudden surge.Â
âIâll be taking her back to her home. Give her a few years. In the meantime, sheâs still trying to get her degree. I do recommend you go back to Gotei 13. It would be nice not to be investigated since we have rules. " That gave Jushiro something to do while he waited for you. He nodded, reluctant to let you go, but at the end of the day, his heart calmed down, and he did.Â
Watching the man leave with your limp body, he memorized your spiritual pressure and the way you were dressed, all just to find you in the futureâhis plans of following you after your death were erased.Â
âI guess Halloween truly is the day of the dead,â Jushiro spoke quietly, recalling what he had picked up from travelers as he visited places you requested.
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Happy Halloween! I originally wrote something else as a show of power, but this would be better for the spooky season. The sequel will be posted tomorrow, but do know that the story is based on a reader who doesnât remember Jushiro. Or any knowledge of Soul Society or Hell. Itâll be explained slowly as the story progresses. Think of it as a slow burn.