Summary: The rain sometimes reminds me of things I wish not to. But when my hope has been broken, trampled, and cut into pieces, he is always there. Why does he show kindness toward my shattered soul? Ichigo, you are a fool for that which I do not understand. Rukia/Ichigo - Bleach series.
Disclaimer: This goes for the whole story so I do not have to repeatedly post it; I do not own, by any means, the Bleach series, characters, or anything else relating to Bleach.
Authors's Note: Sorry to all who have me on alert for my Inuyasha stories, but I felt the need to expand my writing and step out of my safety zone.
Into the Rain
Chapter One: She's Crying for You
The rain drops fell to the Earth, dampening the soil, creating puddles of muddy water, washing the dirt from the streets. Clouds consumed the skies and her world was dark. Why was it that she felt like the rain? Someone once told her that it only rained when the Heavens cried.
Her slender figure shivered in the cold, wind whipping at her face. Her body was turning numb from the feeling, but she liked it. No one can tell when you cry in the rain. No one can see your weakness. She walked over to the swing set and sat atop one of the wet swings. The wind pushed her, giving her body a slow rocking motion.
The rain was the place that she loathed, the place that brought up so many memories wanting to hide in the corner of her mind, yet…She couldn't resist her body's urge to sit under the sky's tears.
She let an inhale welcome itself into her lungs, the cold air making her throat feel a sharp pain. Her foot dragged in a puddle beneath the swing, her toes instantly freezing at the touch. She stood up and walked away from the park, making her way down the empty city streets. Thunder now clapped in the clouds, lightening shooting across the sky.
She felt sleepy, the lulling sound of rain pounding against the concrete and the drowned out noise of thunder in the background tiring her mind. Through the rain, she could see a figure in the distance; the only thing she could make out was a distinctive orange color.
"No, why is he out here?" were the words passed through her pale blue lips. She jerked her body around and ran to wherever her legs would take her, turning corners and going through alleys. She was quiet about it, too, the only sound made being her feet slapping against the wet streets. Water splashed up as her foot dipped into a pool of water. Her eyes reflexively closed as water went over her body, and that's when she ran into something.
Hands rested on her shoulders. "Hey, Rukia, what do you think you're doing out here? It's raining if you haven't noticed."
Rukia stared up disbelievingly and tried to form words, but her lips were heavy, and her throat tightened. Butterflies fluttered in the pit of her stomach. "I'm fine, Ichigo." she said and pushed against his chest, causing him to drop his arms.
"You're going to get sick, ya know." he said nonchalantly.
"I will be fine Ichigo. Just please leave."
Ichigo bent down and stared into her eyes. "You're crying." he remarked with a sigh. He became annoyed when girls turned emotional, however, she was different. She was always strong, her exterior always hard and never unflinching. She never cried, she never sought after pity or comfort.
"Just leave me be Ichigo!" she said sternly and turned away from him, clenching her eyelids closed tightly, trying to prevent any further tears from falling.
"I won't leave you alone until you tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing, I am fine. Go back home."
"It must be something, you don't get upset over nothing."
Rukia's temper was now growing as her patience was thinning. "Fine, I'll leave." she said and opened her eyes, stepping forward, only to see Ichigo standing in front of her again. She moved to the side in attempt to get around him, but he just moved as well. She moved to the other side, him following.
Ichigo's arms crossed, waiting for an explanation.
"It has nothing to do with you! So just leave!" she pleaded. She fell to a knee as coughs started coming violently from her throat. Her head felt bigger than it was and her fatigue was showing. That was when she felt masculine arms come under her back and knees, lifting her up. She was now at the point where she felt too weak to even protest. 'No…Why is he taking me away from the rain?'
Her eyes closed as she felt her body slowly going up and down with each of his steps. "Ichigo." she said in a low whisper, her body begging her for sleep. "Why are you always here?"
Ichigo stared down at her and let out a small "Hm?" then thought for a moment. His shoulders shrugged. "I'm not just going to abandon a friend. That's not really who I am."
Satisfied with that answer, Rukia allowed a deep slumber to overcome her, and her head lay limp against his chest.
- - - - - - - - - -
Her eyes peeked open as sunlight poked through the blinds. She quickly squinted as the rays beamed over her face. "Where am I?" she mumbled, sniffling. Her throat tickled as she fought the urge to cough, but lost the battle. She slid off the bed she was on and shakily stood up. Why was the house freezing so much?
She saw Ichigo come in through the door and guide her back to the bed. "Ichigo, your house is cold." she said, coughing.
"No, you are. I'm not letting you out of bed so don't even try your stubborn crap with me."
Rukia's eyes narrowed as she shot him a glare. If she didn't feel weak and tired, she would've given him a good beating. Her eyes closed without consent, sleep trying to consume her body and mind again.
"You hungry?" Ichigo asked casually. "My dad is down stairs going soup-crazy. Says it's supposed to help you when you're sick."
"Soup would be nice." she said softly, covering up under the thick blankets.
After a few more minutes, Ichigo had brought up two bowls of soup. He handed one to Rukia who sat up and began sipping down some of the broth. Ichigo carelessly slurped down the noodles, not even tasting what was in his mouth. "So what were you doin' last night." he said with a mouth full of food. After he swallowed, he continued. "You never told me."
Rukia smiled and stared down into her bowl. "I like the rain."
Ichigo stared at her dumbly. "You like the rain…That's why you were out in the freezing cold…At night…In the rain…?"
"Yes."
Ichigo looked at her curiously, setting his empty bowl down on his desk as he leaned back on the legs of his chair. "I know you stay at Orihime's house."
Rukia's eyes widened slightly. "Who told you that?"
"Orihime. She's pretty worried about you. You've been acting up lately…Oh yeah, and you'll be staying here while you're sick."
"Says who?" Rukia said, attitude making its entrance.
"Says me." Ichigo retorted and crossed his arms, staring her in the eye.
"I'm not a little kid, I can do whatever I want."
"You can try to do whatever you want; I'm not letting you leave here until you get better. Knowing you, you'll just do something stupid and weaken yourself even more."
"I'm not weak Ichigo." she said sternly, holding in a cough and removing her covers. She'd leave one way or another, just to prove him wrong. Her hopes, however, were crushed as Ichigo put his index finger on her forehead and pushed her down to the bed. There was a smirk on his face.
"Why you--"
"Just get some rest." he said and sat back down in his chair, opening a book and starting his homework.
"Hey."
"What?" Ichigo asked, still reading through his book.
"I left my homework at Orihime's."
"You think you're going to school tomorrow?" Ichigo said with raised eyebrows.
"Of course I am! I can't ruin my perfect attendance."
"You'll be out the whole week. I'll get the week's work from your teachers, don't worry."
Rukia sighed. Great, she'd be stuck in a house for a week. Lovely.
- - - - - -
Author's Note: So? What'd you think? I loved it, but then again, I'm a little conceited when it comes to my writing. I'd really like to know what you all think :D
THANKS SO MUCH to my beta, Tracy (intoxication). Whenever my muse tries to run away, she'll be there to lasso it back to me. -Ami