Title: As Long As It Matters

Rating: T

Genre: Hurt/Comfort; Crime; Romance

Pairing: IchiRuki

Summary: Kuchiki Rukia was jailed in five years in a case that she didn't do. She's hurt deep inside because no one seems to believe in her... until she met him, and gave her hope to continue moving on with her life... -AU-

Author Says: This is a two-shot story! I hope you love it!

Disclaimer: I do not own BLEACH or anything! I assure you all that fact! Of course, the plot is mine! MINE! ^.^

As Long As It Matters

First: In the darkness

"Happy birthday Miko onee-chan!" Kuchiki Rukia chirped happily towards her older sister.

"Thanks Rukia. You're so sweet for a ten-year-old kid." Miko replied with a smile.

Rukia grinned widely. "Not that much." She said shyly.

"Rukia, honey, you had a gift for your sister right?" Their mother, Kuchiki Mira said smiling.

Rukia suddenly get excited. "Oh yes mom! That's right! It's in my room!"

"Really? What is it?" Miko asked curiously.

"Rukia personally made it for you." Their father, Kuchiki Haji said.

"I'm excited! Give it to me already Rukia!"

"I'll get it now!" she called back as she ran up the stairs.

Rukia searched for her gift and found it finally. As she excitedly ran down the stairs, she was shocked when she saw them, her foster family, lying on the ground, drowning in their own blood. The front door was opened wide. She walked towards them and sat next to Hisana's body. She saw a metal thing which she recognized as a 'gun' and get it. She held the gun as if she just used it. Tears roll down her cheeks.

All of a sudden, the police ran inside of the house and saw ten-year-old Rukia holding the gun, sitting next to the dead bodies.

"Young girl, what did you do to them?" a police asked her.

Rukia's tears continuously fall down her cheeks. "I-I don't know... I didn't do this!" she exclaimed as she stood up.

A police, the same one, sighed. "Come with us and put the gun down."

Rukia obliged and she walked out with them.

"That little girl! She had every reason to kill my sister's family! Her family just adopted her! She didn't even deserve to be a Kuchiki!" a woman with long brown hair said as the lawyer asked her a question.

"How dare that stupid girl kill my brother and his family!"

"That girl deserved to die!"

Those were the words that hurt her the most. Her foster family's relatives want her to die. They really believe that a ten-year-old young girl can kill all of the members of her family. Well, they really despised her so it's not that new to her.

No one believes in her.

"She couldn't do that, your honor."

Or maybe there is one who believes in her.

"She loves that family so much and she's still so young to be in this situation. So please, let her free."

Kurosaki Isshin. Her father's best friend. He's a very good person but I don't think they'll reconsider. He's alone after all.

"Convict, Kuchiki Rukia, was judged by this court, guilty for the case of murder of the Kuchiki Household. She will be jailed for 5 years. Case adjourned."

As the police officer takes her in her new 'home', she heard the voices around her. They're very happy to know that she will be jailed for 5 years. She was on the verge of tears. But she refused to let them fall.

No, not yet.

"That's just right!"

"That girl deserved it!"

"Rot in hell, stupid little murderer!"

She saw Isshin looked at her sympathetically.

"Thank you so much, Isshin-san. This is the last time you'll hear me saying this. So, as much as I want to, I want you to know that I'm grateful for your help. Thanks a lot." she said as she smiled slightly, ignoring the pain in her chest.

"I'm sorry, I can't help, Rukia-chan."

She shook her head. "Thank you for taking care of my father." She smiled warmly this time. "Please take care always and I hope, you and your family will be happy. I wish you good luck."

"Rukia-chan..." he managed to say as the police officer took Rukia away from his sight.

Isshin sighed. "Poor child..."

"Take care, Ichigo."

"Yes Mom. I will." Kurosaki Ichigo, 15 years old, with orange hair and deep amber eyes said to her mother as he made his way to his school.

As Ichigo left their humble home, Isshin was seen by her wife sitting on the couch. It was obvious that he was thinking deeply about something.

"It's been five years since that incident happen. Are you thinking about her?" Masaki asked, worry etched on her face.

Isshin sighed. "I don't think she'll be able to live peacefully outside Masaki. She's been through a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if she had a trauma or something." He explained, still not looking at his wife.

"Do you want to take her in?"

"Would you permit it?"

"Of course, she's a sweet girl. I'm sure Yuzu and Karin will love her."

"And Ichigo might be a good friend to her. She needs someone at her age after all."

"Right. So why don't you go in there already and return with her, hm?"

Isshin smiled as he stood up and pecked his wife on the lips.

"I'll be off then."

"I'll be waiting."

"I was searching for a young lady named Kuchiki Rukia. Is she here?" Isshin asked the guard.

"That 10-year-old killer? She was freed last month."

"What? But, I thought..."

"The head released her earlier. I don't know the reason."

Isshin sighed heavily. "Okay. Thanks."

He returned home with a single thought in his mind.

Rukia-chan... Where could you be?

"I want you to meet your new classmate..." the teacher said as she gestured the new transfer student to come inside. All of them looked at her as their new teacher wrote the name of the new student on the board.

She didn't say anything. She just bowed.

"Hey, Ichigo." Abarai Renji, Ichigo's best friend, called out from behind him.

"What?" Ichigo asked.

"What do you think of her?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, she kinda weird."

"What weird?"

Their conversation was cut short when the teacher informed, "She's Kuchiki Rukia. She didn't really like to talk so don't think of her weirdly."

That girl, Kuchiki Rukia, looked at the class. And finally, deep violet met deep amber.

He couldn't pinpoint it but he knew that there's something wrong with this girl. Somehow, he could see through her eyes. Her eyes were dull and it shows only one feeling: loneliness. She's acting as if everything's fine but it seems she's dying inside and looked so fragile.

He shook his head.

Why was he thinking about her?

He sighed.

But it seems that this girl woke up something inside of him. But, what is it?

That? He didn't know yet.

But he'll search for it.

"Rukia-san, sat down at the vacant seat. The class was about to start." The teacher ordered.

Rukia bowed before her before making her way to the only vacant seat.

Ichigo's heart beat faster than before. Why my heart suddenly... he drifted off the thought as he stared at the new transfer student who sat next to him.

She didn't look at him. She focused at their teacher who was saying something but Ichigo barely paid attention. His thoughts were about a certain raven-haired midget who sat quietly next to him.

"Eh? What do you mean she's not there already?" Masaki asked her husband with a tinge of worry in her tone.

"The guard in there told me that she's been released since last month."

"But, if that's true, she's probably lurking around town alone." She said thoughtlessly.

Isshin nodded, worry etched on his face.

"What should we do? I'm worried. Something might happen to her."

"I hope not. She didn't deserve it."

Masaki nodded.

Kuchiki Rukia, after class, made her way towards the stall. She was working there as a helper for almost a month now. A week after her released, she was able to find a job immediately to start a new beginning. Or maybe not.

"Kuchiki Rukia, you're fired!" the owner of the stall said.

Rukia's eyes widened. What could be the reason behind this? She bit her lower lip when she realized it. No... no please don't let THAT be the reason now...

"I can't let a murderer work in my store."

Oh God. You really hate me do you?

She opened her mouth and tried to reason but before her voice came out, the owner cut her off as he sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry Rukia but I didn't want to do this to you. But, if my customers knew about you, and that I'm keeping you despite that, they will stop buying in my store and I will lose my business. I have a family to feed. I hope you do understand me."

Rukia sighed heavily. She understood the owner very well. So she bowed before him and thanked him by smiling and left the stall. The owner looked at her sympathetically as she walked away.

"She's so young and yet, she needs to get through this kind of pain..."

Rukia tried to search for a new job but it seems that the whole town already knew about her identity. But, she didn't know why.

And then it's just so happens that she walked near a store and she heard the news from the television. Customers were watching the news. She stopped and watched from afar.

"That girl didn't deserve to be free! She's a murderer! They shouldn't let her lurking around town!" a woman said at the reporter.

Rukia recognized her.

Kuchiki Haruka. Her father's sister.

And one of the people who despised her to death.

The woman is not alone. There are three other people with her, firmly agreeing with her.

Her picture was seen at the television.

So that's the reason why people know me already... she thought as if she really didn't care. She was used to these kinds of situations. But of course, it still hurts inside. And yet, she couldn't do anything about it.

I'm tired of this... I want to rest already... she thought tiredly. She made her way towards her apartment to rest, but she knew, she will always be tired... physically, mentally, and most of all, emotionally.

As she went to school the next morning, all of the students were murmuring among themselves. Sometimes, she caught some of them looking at her disgustingly, others sympathetically and pitifully.

She made her way towards the principal's office. She had already decided. And she knew, this is for the best.

As Ichigo reached his room, he saw his classmates murmuring among themselves about something but he didn't know what it is.

He decided to ignore them but his best friend, Renji, informed him what was his classmates were up to.

"Ichigo, did you hear?"

"What?" he didn't look at him and continued to rummage his bag as he waited for his answer.

"The new transfer student. That Kuchiki Rukia..." Renji started.

"What about her?"

"Ichigo! It's all over the news yesterday and you didn't heard of it?" Renji asked in disbelief.

"Our television busted."

Renji sighed. "Fine. You know, that girl... she's a murderer..."

Ichigo stopped on what he was doing and turned to looked at his friend with eyes wide.

"A-Are you s-serious?"

Renji's face hardened. "You think I'll joke about this? Damn it Ichigo! I don't have time for that!"

"B-But how is that..." Ichigo stammered.

"She's just released from the jail last month. She killed her family members when she's ten. She was jailed for these past five years." Renji explained seriously.

Ichigo's eyes widened even more. He couldn't believe it. That girl... she's... a murderer? He remembered her dull eyes that he recognized the day before.

Then, what's the meaning of that? Why it looks like that she's lonely deep inside. Is that because she's guilty? Or is that because she's innocent?

Ichigo let out a confused heavy sigh. And why was he concerned about her anyway? He just met her yesterday for crying out loud!

All of a sudden, one of their classmates rushed in the classroom panting as he readied himself to inform them something.

"Classmates listen! The transfer student... she dropped out of the school voluntarily!" he yelled.

Ichigo froze in place, eyes wide. He couldn't help but feel pity for her. He just stood there, ignoring his classmates' relieve sighs and happy faces.

Rukia was ready to go. She was wearing her normal dress. A blue sundress which reached up to her knee paired up with a pair of brown shoes. She got her backpack and hung it behind her. She smiled sadly as she looked around.

She was startled when the doorbell rang. She opened the door and expectedly saw the landlady.

"Can you leave the apartment now? I don't want people to think that I'm hiding a criminal in my apartment."

Rukia knew this would happen sooner or later. She smiled and bowed before her, before completely leaving the landlady in awe.

Rukia continued to walked, unable to think where exactly to go. My life sucks... she thought. She sighed and suddenly she saw where she was.

She was in front of the riverbank.

It's cold... she thought as she hugged herself tightly. She saw the space under the bridge.

I think that will be enough... she thought as she made her way towards the riverbank. She suddenly felt her chest tighten up and it seems hard to breath. She stopped and put a hand on her chest, breathing heavily, trying to reach for air.

I think it's my time... finally...

"What's wrong with you, Ichigo?" Kurosaki Masaki asked as she sat on the bed next to her son.

She noticed that Ichigo wasn't himself ever since he returned home from school. He even didn't eat dinner either. She thought that maybe something happened to him in school so he's acting that way.

Ichigo didn't answer.

"Ichigo, you know, you can always tell me everything that's bothering you..." Masaki said softly.

Ichigo hesitated for a bit and then, he saw his mother's smile; he felt relieved and decided to tell her.

"Mom... there's this... transfer student in our class yesterday..." he started. Masaki nodded as if to encourage him to continue.

"She... wasn't talking to other people. She's very quiet..." he paused and found the courage to continue.

"And there was this rumor earlier this morning in the whole school. They said that the girl was a murderer."

When Ichigo paused, Masaki's eyes widened as she suddenly thought of someone. But, she couldn't conclude that yet. And so she waited for her son to continue.

"She... they said that... she murdered her family members when she was 10. And she was imprisoned for 5 years because of that. She's just released last month..." Ichigo drifted off.

Masaki take it all in and slowly asked, "What happened to her now?"

"She dropped out a while ago..."

Masaki's eyes widened as she was afraid to ask Ichigo the most dreaded question.

"What's her name?"

Ichigo took a deep breath before answering, "Kuchiki Rukia..."

Masaki visibly cringed. Ichigo noticed.

"Mom? You okay? Did you know her?" As Masaki was ready to answer, a new voice cut in, joining the conversation.

"Yes, we know her." he said as he walked in Ichigo's room.

"Dad?" Ichigo's eyes widened with shock.

Isshin stopped in front of them and sat on the chair in front of Ichigo's desk, near his bed.

"What do you mean, you know her Dad?" Ichigo asked.

"She's the daughter of my best friend." Isshin started.

"Your best friend?"

"Yes. The man who died. But their family just adopted her. Someone left her in front of their home that is why they decided to take her in."

Ichigo's shocked was still present on his face.

"D-Did she knew that she's adopted?" he asked.

"Yes." Masaki replied this time.

Ichigo took a deep breath. "Are the rumors true? D-Did she really...?"

He wished it's not true. He didn't know why but he couldn't believe that a girl like her could do that to her family. She's not like it.

And his wish was granted.

"It's not. She didn't kill them. But, she's been suspected and jailed for 5 years." Isshin stated.

Ichigo didn't understand but he felt his heart calmed down a bit.

"If it's not true, then why she's been jailed? She's 10 that time right?"

"Yes. Because of her adoption, it doesn't mean that her family's relatives were fine with it. They're not. And so they told the judge bad things about the poor girl. I tried to help her but I failed." Isshin bowed his head down slightly, feeling ashamed of himself.

Ichigo's chest seemed to tighten up. So he was right. The one he saw through her eyes were loneliness; loneliness that she's alone and no one seems to believe in her.

"I always visit her for these past years but she won't talk. She just smiles and nods. I think, she didn't want to talk about the incident. She didn't show it to anyone but your Mom and I knew that it's very hard for her to accept her family's death. She loved them so much after all." Isshin declared sadly.

Ichigo felt pity for her again.

"Ichigo, do you know where she lives?" Masaki asked.

Ichigo shook his head. "I don't."

"How we will be able to find her?" Isshin asked thoughtlessly.

Ichigo suddenly became motivated and said, "I'll search for her now..."

He was shocked at himself that he was able to say that. He didn't even wait for his parents to say anything as he walked downstairs, put on his boots and jacket, and left the house. It's snowing outside and it's very cold.

He didn't know why but he just feels that he needs to search for her.

"What am I doing? I didn't even know where to search!" Ichigo murmured under his breath.

But he still keep walking, letting his feet bring him towards the girl. Wherever she is...

Rukia sat on the cold grass under the bridge for quite some time now. She's still trying to put some oxygen in her chest.

I think I'll not be able to keep up for so much longer. But, I think it's for the best. I don't have people to worry about me after all. I'm... alone... she cringed at the last word.

Alone...

She thought of something to do. She decided to write all of her feelings in a piece of paper she brought with her. This will be the last time. She wanted to get some of her pain off from her chest which she keep bottled deep inside of her for five years. Even if, the only one who can listen to her heart is the nature. The snow, the river, the wind...

It doesn't matter anymore.

After that, she felt her heart slowly losing its beat. She lay down on the grass with her jacket she brought with her draped all over her body. She's trembling because of the cold. She closed her eyes, hoping that it won't open again.

Goodbye... for nothing...

After a few minutes of walking, Ichigo found himself in front of the riverbank. The river was frozen because of the continuous falling of the snow.

Ichigo shook his head. This is not the right time to stop now. He thought as he continued to walk but something caught his eye.

No, not something... it's someone...

And not just someone... it's... her!

He ran towards the space under the bridge and saw her lying on the ground, a jacket draping all over the upper part of her body; her knees were curled up, trying to heat up. And she's trembling.

Ichigo had an idea.

He raised her gently in a sitting position and hugged her against him, trying to warm her up even a little bit. The girl seemed to stop trembling for a while. He sighed and saw a piece of paper near the girl's backpack. He reached for it and scanned it. He thought that it must be her who wrote it. He didn't know what to do with it so he decided to just read it.

'Hi?

I don't know if someone will be able to read this. I wasn't hoping for that after all. I just wrote this to let out all of my feelings before I leave this world...'

Ichigo's eyes twitched. Just what was she saying?

'I wanted to start as long as I remember... I was ten and my parents told me that I was adopted. I didn't say anything, but I wasn't mad at them. I was rather happy because they've love me as if I'm their own child. And I've love them as if they were my own family. And we lived happily.

It's my sister's birthday. I had a present for her and so I ran up to my room to get it. When I moved downstairs, I was shocked. There they were, on the floor, drowning in their own blood. I saw the door was open. I saw a gun near my sister's body and I held it. That's when the police came. They saw me holding the gun so they thought that I was the one who killed them.

The trial came and I was guilty because of my so-called relatives' statements. They wanted me in prison and so they did everything in their power to make sure of that. And they've succeeded.

I cried my heart out the first night. I cried for my family. And I cried out for myself. I don't know what to do. I tried to reason out but they won't believe me. So, I promised to myself that I will not cry again. And I will not speak again.

No one wants to believe me, why would I waste my energy to speak? It would be such a waste so I stopped speaking.

I remained quiet for 5 years. That is maybe the reason why the head of the prison I was in released me a month ahead.

I'm not that happy though. I have nothing left. I don't know where to go either. But, when I was released, I tried to find an apartment, and luckily, I found one. I sell the scarf which I made for my sister as a gift for her birthday and some of my valuable things to have money.

I tried to find a job either and I found one. I earned money for my living and decided to go to school after a month.

I enrolled at Karakura High school. When I was introduced in the classroom, the students murmured. I thought it's because I didn't talk.

And then, something caught my eyes. An orange-haired boy. I saw him staring at me. He looked so curious about me but I dismissed it. He continued to stare at me as I sat towards the seat next to him. I didn't pay attention to him though, for I promised myself that I won't talk to anyone and be friends with them. It'll just hurt me even more.

A day after I enrolled, I lose everything again; my work, my apartment, and my school, because of the past that I couldn't forget.

I guess this is my destiny. But, I just can't help but ask questions sometimes.

What was happening in my life? Did it have to be this way? Is this what the creator planned for me?

I really don't know what to do nor to think anymore.

It's not just that, 2 years ago, while in jail, I discovered that I have a rheumatic heart disease. I thought, maybe because of all the feelings of pain I kept in my heart. But, I'm not that surprise with it. If I'll die because of this, I don't really care.

All I wish is to have someone to believe in me and to love me. That's all I want. I longed for it for 5 years. But, I guess it'll never come true. I lose hope already ever since I discovered the heart disease.

I was born alone and I will die alone. I am grateful that I still experienced happiness in the first ten years of my life. I think it's enough.

I just hope this world would be at eternal peace as I leave it.

This is the last time. Thank you and goodbye...

-Kuchiki Rukia-'

Tears streamed down slowly on his cheeks from his eyes.

Kurosaki Ichigo felt mixed emotions right now. Pain, loneliness, pity... hopeless...

She has been through a lot much worst, she even diagnosed with heart disease and yet, she was able to fight for 5 long years. But, all people had their limits. It was the same with her. She was in her limit. She needed strength from others. And the fact that she was alone, she couldn't find the strength to continue to live anymore.

Ichigo looked at the sleeping girl in his arms. He wiped his tears away.

She looked so beautiful and peaceful while she's sleeping... he thought.

He violently shook his head to return to the reality.

What the hell am I thinking? She needs to be tended now. With her condition, I doubt she'll last. He thought as he put the piece of paper in his pocket and slowly stood up and lifted the fragile girl in his arms, bridal style. He grabbed her backpack and dashed off to the Kurosaki Household wishing and hoping that the girl in his arms will be alright.

Author: So? What do you think? The second and as well as the last part will come out soon~ Please review! Thank you! ^.^

~Mari Kia Resha Aishiteru~