A/N: Okay, so this is an idea I've had for a while now, but there have been many… distractions (Skyrim) that have been preventing me from putting it to words. I don't really know how long this is going to turn out to be, but it's definitely Multi-chap. Semi-depressing at the beginning but it'll all turn out. Read, review, and most importantly, ENJOY!

Lost Soul

Everything had happened so fast, and fallen apart even quicker. The first thing he ever said was accusing her of being a lousy thief. The trouble was, now he was right. She was a thief, but not a lousy one. She had taken everything from him in a mere few seconds. But he had been a thief as well. He had stolen her, and everything that embodied her. He had absorbed her powers, snatched her from the fiery wings of death, and stolen her heart.

Now, all the time they had spent together was unraveling faster then they could say a proper goodbye. They had to settle for a tender parting glance.

"Later, Rukia."

He let out a sigh, long and mournful. Then he blinked and looked away. This was how she knew that he could no longer see, hear, smell, touch, or even sense her. Her heart began to ache as her head fell. She began to walk away. Where she was going, she had no idea. She just felt something calling out to her. When she stopped walking, she surveyed her surroundings. The river? No, the river. The place where Ichigo's mother had died.

Rukia walked to the edge of the concrete wall that held the water in its place. She simply stood there, unseen by the rest of the world, and watched as the water flowed idly by. Rukia gave a slight jump when she felt a warm hand placed on her shoulder. She looked up to see Ishiin, Ichigo father, smiling at her. It wasn't his usual smile, so full of happiness and energy. This time, it had been traded for a faint smile meant to comfort.

"How are you, Rukia?" Ishiin asked in a low voice.

"I'm fine, Mr. Kurosaki," Rukia lied, not even bothering to use her fake, innocent voice anymore.

"Really? I find that hard to believe after what just happened not even half an hour ago."

"I'm a shinigami, remember. I've been trained to feel no emotion when facing the loss of a friend."

"But you didn't really lose him, did you? He's still there, and you can see him whenever you want. He lost you. That's what is upsetting you. That you're both still alive, relatively speaking, and yet you cannot be together."

"Mr. Kuro-"

"Ishiin."

"Why were you so kind to me? I wasn't a real part of your family."

"I do my best to make everyone feel included. However, there was a little more than that in your case. Ichigo had changed the first time I met you. We've always fought in the house. But since Masaki died, I've felt real anger in Ichigo's blows. He needed to find a release somehow. But ever since you came around, even when you were sleeping in his closet," Ishiin smirked, "from then on, it was like old times. Ichigo and I were doing it for sport, as father and son, again."

"…"

"He's going to miss you too, you know."

Rukia looked up t Ishiin. Her eyes held a look that was hopeful, and yet disbelieving at the same time.

"It's true. As soon as you walked away, I saw something I haven't seen since my wife died. There were tears I his eyes."

Rukia threw her arms around Ishiin, and buried her face into his chest as she cried the bitterest tears that had ever escaped her. Misery burrowed a hole into her heart as she let herself feel all she had been containing since she discovered that Ichigo was going to lose his powers. The hole that had been made when Kaien had died did not even compare to the abyss that had been made now. Ishiin continued to smile as he held the sorrowful soul reaper in his embrace.

When the tears had stopped streaming, Ishiin bid her farewell. Rukia returned a hoarse goodbye, but decided to stay by the river a while longer.

Rukia sat down on the unforgiving concrete. She held herself up with one arm. She felt drowsy after all the crying she had done. So, she let herself fall to the ground, where she lied and thought of better times. Some of her thoughts were memories, others only fantasies.

Why are you so sad? A childlike voice called out from nowhere.

"Who's there?" Rukia asked, rising from her current position.

Why are you so sad? It asked again.

"I-I just lost a friend. He was very important to me."

I would be sad too, if that happened.

"Anyone would," Rukia choked, on the brink of tears again.

D-don't cry again! You'll make me sad too. How about we be friends.

"Who are you, where are you?"

If you'll be my friend I can help you get your friend back. Then we can all be friends!

"You think you could bring Ichigo back?"

I know I can! Now just get some rest, we'll talk again when you're awake.

"But-"

Hey, we're friends, right?"

"Yea… we're friends." Rukia whispered, falling into a deep slumber.

Perfect. The voice said, though Rukia could no longer hear it.

So, what do you think? Sorta mysterious and sad, but it will be happier near the end. Hope you enjoyed! R&R!