~Reminiscence~

This is my series of Yumikkaku fics chronicling the lives of Ikkaku and Yumichika as they become entangled with each other's from their first meeting in Rukongai to their lives in the Gotei 13.

Each story contains a memory, a reminiscence, of a past event relating to or triggered by an event in the present. Although the chapters are technically one-shots, they belong to the same "universe" and use the same literary technique, so I decided to umbrella them all under one title based on the common theme they shared, reminiscing about the past.

Because of the flashback technique in use, the link between chapters seems non existent, and the order completely random. However there is a subtle method to this madness. The chapters are labeled "Memories" because it is precisely the flashbacks contained therein which decide their order. Each consecutive "Memory" further reveals an aspect of the past triggered by an event in the present, which fluctuates greatly between chapters. Therefore one "Memory" may contain a flashback of an event in Rukongai, while being presently set in the Gotei 13; while the next may contain a memory of some later occurring events in Rukongai, while still presently set in Rukongai. For a thorough breakdown and chronology of the events featured in this time-hopping, please see the Timeline below the Chapter Index.

Thank you and enjoy!!

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Memory 01 - Meeting:
When Ikkaku starts reminiscing with Yumichika about how they first met over a round of sake, he gets a little more than he bargained for.

Memory 02 - Selfless:
Despite his brash and sometimes barbaric exterior, Ikkaku was a rather selfless person. For all his pomp and circumstance, Yumichika could be quite selfless too.

Memory 03 - Fight Dirty:
Throughout the centuries, Ikkaku had learned all of Yumichika's buttons; and knew just how to push them, to get the most out of a spar.

Memory 04 - Fret:
There was just no way he could imagine continuing on without the other's boisterous, slightly arrogant, incredibly irritating at times, but always strong and protective presence anymore.

Memory 05 - Blemished:
Over the years, Ikkaku's eye markings became his namesake; and it was Yumichika's secret pride that he was the one responsible . . .

Memory 06 - Hush:
After countless decades, Ikkaku could only blame himself for letting Yumichika develop the childish habit of crawling into his bed after a nightmare . . .

Memory 07 - Gift:
All souls remembered their birthdays; it was an odd fact of Soul Society. But that didn't mean that all souls recalled another's birthday after only being told once, nearly a year beforehand at that.

Interlude 01 - Burning Bridges:
Ikkaku had been unable to shake the tenseness from his shoulders with his thoughts dwelling constantly on the voice he kept hearing. He was no longer sure he was just imagining it. Was he simply going insane?

Memory 08 - Promises:
Ikkaku always kept his promises, but for once, Yumichika wished he wouldn't . . .

Memory 09 - Home:
Without a place or family to call one's own, where is home?

Interlude 02 ~Part I - Please Don't Say You're Sorry:
Ikkaku was no longer around; he should therefore stop thinking about him, but it was insanely difficult to kill over three decades of habit.

Interlude 02 ~Part II - Don't Explain 'Cause Talk Is Cheap:
Ikkaku hated how long it was taking to adjust, and how wrong it still felt to travel down a road without the soft clack of geta to accompany the hard slap of his bare feet on the ground.

Interlude 02 ~Part III - Forgive Me:
If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, then it is truly yours

Memory 10 - Snow:
If asked where he saw himself after graduation, he would have answered with a stoic look that screamed ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Everyone knew that wherever Madarame Ikkaku went, Ayasegawa Yumichika was sure to follow.

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~Series Timeline~

Herein follows a chronological list of events in Reminiscence canon, to be updated with each additional chapter. The final number indicates the chapter they are located in; those without a number have not yet been written into canon and are subject to change. Italized numbers indicate the event to be the flashback portion of the chapter:

In Rukongai:
~ Ikkaku meets and saves Yumi -- 01

~ Yumi follows Ikkaku and faints from hunger -- 02

~ Ikkaku teaches Yumi how to fight -- 03

~ Ikkaku suffers from a serious infection -- 04

~ Yumi sells his kimono -- 02

~ Ikkaku acquires his eye tattoos and the name Madarame -- 05

~ Ikkaku decides to do something about Yumi's nightmares -- 06

~ Ikkaku gives Yumi a kimono for his birthday -- 07

~ Ikkaku starts getting flashes from his past life -- Inter~ 01

~ Ikkaku makes a promise to Yumi -- 08

~ Ikkaku makes Yumi a comb box -- 09

~ Yumikkaku fight and split up for several months -- Inter~ 02

~ Yumi is mugged and his combs get stolen

~ Ikkaku finds comes across combs at a gambling parlor

~ Ikkaku is attacked by hollow and they reconcile

~ Yumi experiences his first snow -- 10



During Academy Years In Seireitei:
~ Zaraki becomes Captain of the 11th, Yumikkaku enter Shinigami Academy

~ Yumikkaku get caught in the rain after school -- 08

~ Yumikkaku's academy trip to the human world goes awry -- 04

~ Yumi goes to Ikkaku after a nightmare -- 06



After Graduation In Seireitei:
~Yumikkaku graduate and are assigned to different divisions

~Ikkaku takes Yumi to North Gate -- 10



In 11th Division:
~ Ikkaku gains the 3rd seat, fixes Yachiru's zanpaktoh -- 09

~ Yumikkaku spar -- 03

~ Yumikkaku drink together on the veranda -- 01

~ Ikkaku surprises Yumi with another kimono -- 07

*~ Ryoka enter Seireitei; Rukia is rescued; Aizen, Tousen, & Gin defect

~ Yumikkaku cuddle in the morning -- 05

*~ Yumikkaku travel to human world and Ikkaku uses his bankai

*~ Inoue is kindnapped; Ichigo & Co. attempt rescue; Arrancar war begins



*This event is Bleach Canon

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