The surgery was a major, the doctors and nurses gathered around the small frame of Rukia Kuchiki, whom lost a vass amount of her sight when hit by a car a few hours before.
The surgery's purpose, save and give back her sight that her brother demanded they surgical do for her.
-x-
Ichigo wasn't really an early bird, anyone and everyone that knew him could tell you that. But when he received a call from Byakuya saying Rukia was in critical condition, well, he jumped out of bed and rush to the hospital she was being kept in. And now, here they were, Byakuya and himself sitting in a waiting room that consisted of only himself, one sobbing woman, and Rukia's brother.
"You can go home, Kurosaki." Whispered Byakuya from his seat in the waiting room.
Funny, Ichigo and Byakuya were there but not Kaien, Rukia's boyfriend. Ichigo called him more than ten times before arriving, but he hasn't answer his phone.
"I can, but I won't." Ichigo had his hands over his face, tears clearly visible. Just the fact that she could have died almost gave him a heart attack. "I need to be here for her."
Byakuya kept his eyes on Ichigo, then smirked "How I wish she choose you and not that other man." Ichigo's head snapped up, looking over at Byakuya. "You care more for her then he ever would."
"Thank you, Byakuya." Ichigo found himself smiling, liking the feeling of being accepted by him.
"Can you tell me something, Kurosaki?" his voice become firm, as if to hide the kindness he was giving the so called rebel, as he use to call him. Ichigo simple nodded, "Why is it that when Rukia is even slightly hurt, you rush to her aid?"
Ichigo grinned, his hand slipping throws his orange locks, "I don't know." His answer made Byakuya chuckle lightly.
"I see." And just as he was about to keep their conversation going, his phone rang.
"Where are you, I've called you more than three times!" Byakuya was on the verge of yelling to the little device in his hand. Ichigo never saw him lose his composure so fast; it usually took himself hours just to crack him. "What do you mean is she ok, get over here!" he got up, turning away from Ichigo whom only stared at the man. "You can't come! She's your girlfriend!" a moment of silence, then Byakuya simple hung-up. Ichigo was sure Kaien was still talking since the faint voice was cut off when he pressed end.
"Is he coming?" Ichigo asked him, but he knew the answer already.
"No." And he sat down, crossing his legs. That was the last words spoken for another hour until a nurse walked in, clipboard in hand.
"How's Rukia?" Byakuya immediately asked, getting up from his seat and standing in front of the nurse. She smiled and handed him a paper.
"She's fine," the nurse looked over at Ichigo once he finally walked over to them "She has another surgery scheduled for tomorrow so she can rest. Would you like to see her?"
"Of course." Byakuya said, walking with the nurse to Rukia's room. He stooped and looked back once he notice Ichigo wasn't moving "Are you not coming?"
"I wanna see her alone, go ahead." Ichigo confessed, stretching the back of his head. Byakuya simply nodded and kept walking with the nurse.
Ichigo, once he saw that they had left, took out his phone and dialed Kaien's number.
"Hello?" the voice on the other line sounded tired, as if annoyed.
"Where the fuck are you? Aren't you coming to see her?" Ichigo's voice almost cracked as he held back the urge to yell and curse him out.
"I got to work tomorrow, anyways, aren't you and Byakuya bitch ass already there?" he yawned.
"Aren't you her boyfriend?" Ichigo barked out the question, feeling his annoyance raise with his carelessness.
"Well, who told her to get in the car's way." His voice sounded annoyed as well. "Anyways wha-" the voice stopped once Ichigo slammed the phone on the ground. He was outraged at his lack of concern for his own girl.
"Ichigo, you may see her." The voice came suddenly. Ichigo looked up to see Byakuya putting on his jacket. "I'll be back in the afternoon to see her again." He gave a small smirk before walking with another nurse to the exist.
"I'll walk you to her room." The nurse smiled as she began walking the other way. Ichigo followed behind.
They walked down the long hall before stopping in front of a door. "Here you go." And she left with a smile.
-x-
Hearing the door open, she spoke softly. "Kaien?"
Ichigo felt his smile disappear; he felt something inside him begin hurting.
Does she really think Kaien will be here, visiting her when she needed him most?
He took a deep breath.
Telling her Kaien isn't here will surely upset her.
He walked over to the bed, sitting beside her and taking her hand. She jumped slightly; he guessed she didn't hear him walk over to her.
He didn't make any voice. He knew she will recognize his voice instantly if he said something to her.
Turning Rukia's hand so that his fingers were touching the surface of her palm, he wrote each letter with on his finger.
'I'm here.'
He could see Rukia smile.
He looked around the room, spotting a food tray that was left aside. He silently cursed the nurses for not doing their jobs and feeding Rukia.
Stretching his arm and grabbing the tray, he laid it on his lap and held up her hand again. His finger moved slowly on her palm.
'I'll feed you.' She blushed lightly, her smile never fading as he sat up with Ichigo's help. He scooped up a spoonful of rice and, with his other hand, squeezed her cheeks, telling her to open up.
"It taste good." She blushed, her hands grabbing on to the sheets.
After a couple more scoops, three or more grains of rice laid around her mouth and cheek. Ichigo, at first nerves, leaned in and gently thumbed the grains of rice away, making her blush more deeply.
"Just like at home." she said.
She frowned, feeling a slight sense of jealousy.
-x-
"The operation was a success, Rukia will be fine. All she needs now is to stay here for a month or so to recover and her bandage will not be removed until three weeks prior to the surgery." The nurse informed Byakuya, whom arrived to the hospital after work.
She will be ok.
-x-
One month has gone by and Kaien has yet to come and visit Rukia, which made Byakuya angry. Ichigo, on the other hand, has been there since day one, being believed by Rukia that he was Kaien.
Ichigo looked over at his clock.
Nine.
Rukia's bandage will be removed today, and she will be taken home by Kaien whom was forced by Byakuya to come and take her home. Ichigo got up and changed.
To where you may ask?
To his second home for the last month, the hospital.
A/N: Whatcha think? It's only gonna be a three part fic, so not that big of a story.
Review?
Pretty Pretty Please..!