DIFFERENT PATHS

My first fanfic! I'm not good at summaries though. About Rukia, Ichigo, and Inoue. Please R&R…

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Rukia was forbidden to join the others in saving Inoue from Aizen. To stop her from going, she was sent back to Soul Society. She demanded to go, she even pleaded, but she couldn't change her brother's decision. Byakuya didn't tell her the reason, that's why she was so curious about it.

A few weeks have passed, but Rukia haven't received any news about Inoue. She didn't want to wait any longer. She went to the real world and asked for Urahara's help.

"Rukia-san, why are you here all of a sudden? Did you sneak out?"

"Don't mind that. I want to know some information about Ichigo and Inoue. What happened to them? Are you able to communicate with them? Where are they now? Do you know when will they return?"

"That's plenty of questions. You just ask them yourself."

"What? How could I do that??"

"They have already returned. They're inside my shop."

"Really? You should've told me earlier!" Then Rukia hurried inside Urahara's shop.

"I hope you won't be surprised," thought Urahara.

Rukia saw Inoue lying, she looked very injured. Ichigo sat beside her while Ururu was treating her; Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Matsumoto were also there but they just sat on the other side of the room. All of them looked very exhausted.

"Inoue! What happened to her?!" she asked Ichigo. But he didn't answer. "Why won't you speak? What happened?"

"Rukia," called Renji from the corner, "I'll tell you."

Rukia turned and approached him, "What's happening here? And you Renji, are you okay?" Then she sat in front of him.

"Rukia, don't talk to Ichigo for now."

"But, why?"

"I don't think this is the right time to tell you. The best thing you can do is stay quiet and let them be."

Rukia noticed that Renji was very serious. That's why she didn't ask again. While sitting beside Renji, she looked at Ichigo. She saw his sincere eyes that were gazing at her; she felt his worry for Inoue, his concern, his care… Rukia thought, "He isn't always like this… It's different this time… What happened?"

Hours later, everyone fell asleep except for Ururu who's treating Inoue, and Ichigo who's observing every little improvement in her condition.

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That's all for now... I don't know if my story is good enough.. So, please R&R... Thanks for reading...