"Leave me alone Ichigo!" Rukia had said that night seven years ago. She'd walked in on Orihime confessing to Ichigo. He didn't need to reply because Rukia looked into his amber eyes and saw how they didn't waver at Orihime's words. Rukia had gone there to surprise Orihime of her arrival and found Ichigo with her.
"Rukia it's not what you think…" Ichigo's voice trailed off noticing the tears falling down her cheeks. He stopped in the centre of the road and she stopped just before the curb when he whispered her name.
"I can't do this anymore Ichigo. Every time I come back I pray that you finally have the courage to admit your feelings but now I know that your feelings don't have anything to do with me…" Rukia said as calmly as she could.
"Rukia listen…" Ichigo interrupted.
"I hope you two are happy together but please don't expect me to act like I'm fine because I'm not." Rukia interrupted. Ichigo let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair before smiling to himself. Stupid midget didn't even want to hear it.
"Rukia I don't like Orihime," Ichigo promised. "Honestly you are the only person I have truly…" His voice trailed off and despite her anger Rukia turned to see what had cut him off.
Her eyes widened in horror as light brightened one side of his face. Tires screeched and something in his amber eyes seemed to recognise what was happening but instead of jumping out of the way he started to walk towards her. He body froze as the car smashed into his side and sent him flying down the road. The car stopped a few meters in front of him but in the second it stopped she ran towards his limp body screaming his name. If she'd had known this was going to happen she wouldn't have been so angry. If she'd had known he was going to die that night she would have told him that she loved him.
"Rukia-Chan get up!" A playful and yet motherly voice chimes while prodding Rukia in the side. Rukia squirms before sitting up to find Rangiku smiling down at her from the side of her bed. Rukia yawns while stretching and then tips her head up to look at Rangiku.
"What is it?" She wonders.
"Lieutenant meeting." Rangiku says and Rukia shoots up and begins to change into her Shinigami uniform. Rangiku waits for her before handing Rukia her lieutenant badge and they both leave Rukia's small room and head towards the meeting area.
Rukia didn't find it odd that the lieutenant meeting would also be held with the Captains present because she'd learnt that the Soul Society was an odd place and that she just had to deal with it. She never regretted anything she did anymore apart from one thing. She had never gone back to that town since that night seven years ago.
On the way they meet up with Renji, Izuru and Shuhei who all ask about how the two of the girls have been doing. Rangiku replying happily that she had been visiting Gin every day. That was another odd thing, despite everyone thinking Gin was dead, he came back. He was still badly injured and could barely walk but even so Rangiku welcomed him home with open arms (as well as a rather romantic kiss) and then begged for Yamamoto to let him stay. It was agreed upon and ever since Rangiku has been happily visiting Gin every day.
They step into the room to find all the Captains apart from two leaning against the walls. The first missing Captain is Gin who was awkwardly but happily welcomed back by his squad. The second was empty because there is no Captain currently of Squad nine. Though squad five had been filled by Ikkaku taking position of Captain and making Yumichika his lieutenant. Though Kenpachi was disappointed at losing the two he was also finally glad to be able to have another squad that enjoyed fighting.
Each lieutenant goes to stand in front of their Captain with Yamamoto at the end of the room casually waiting for everyone's attention. Rukia blinks at the notice of Tatsuki stood by Yamamoto. Tatsuki had soon become a Soul Reaper in Ikkaku's squad and was the link between Rukia and that town. She would tell the others how Rukia was doing and to Rukia's surprise she now knew that Orihime and Uryuu were married and Orihime was currently expecting a baby while Yuzu is training to be a chef and Karin is thinking about becoming a lawyer for a big company in Tokyo.
"I have gathered you all here today for a very important meeting involving some changes that are going to take place." Yamamoto says calmly. He scans over all the lieutenants in the room and then the Captains knowing the changes may shock them all.
"May I ask if it was needed for us Captains to be here?" Shunsui asks and receives a glare from Nanao.
"Yes it is…" Yamamoto sighs. "I would first like to point out that for some time now we have had an empty slot for Captain and Lieutenant in Squad Nine. I am hoping to solve that situation soon. Heading back to the main reason I summoned you all is that I would like to now declare the Rukia Kuchiki will no longer be Lieutenant of Squad Thirteen." He finishes and everyone stares at him in shock.
"What do you mean Yamamoto? Rukia is definitely capable of being a Lieutenant. It isn't right to demote her to a lower rank." Ukitake says stepping forward. Rukia smiles to herself at the support they all seem to be showing towards her but she just nods.
"Tatsuki Arisawa will be taking over the role as Lieutenant in Squad Thirteen from here on out." Yamamoto declares and Tatsuki blinks in shock and then glances at Rukia but then just stares as Rukia steps forward.
"I would like the thank you Captain Ukitake and Captain Yamamoto for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to ask Tatsuki to take good care over this Squad with Captain Ukitake's help. I care for each member in that Squad dearly and I hope you can do the same as well as taking care of me." Rukia says looking up and giving Tatsuki a small smile before heading towards her. She puts a hand on her shoulder and then pushes her gently towards Ukitake. She slides her Lieutenant badge off her arm and throws it into Tatsuki's hands with an encouraging smile.
"Ukitake do not worry for I am not demoting Rukia Kuchiki. I would like to present you with this…" Yamamoto says holding the Squad Nine's Lieutenant Badge towards her. "You will become the Lieutenant of Squad Nine from here on out." Yamamoto says and Rukia blinks down at the badge with shock in her eyes.
"But Yamamoto there is no Captain for Squad Nine." Shunsui says nodding towards the empty space between Toushiro and himself. Yamamoto sighs before nodding towards the closed door. Everyone turns towards it with confused expressions on their faces.
"That is why I called you all here. I would like to introduce are newest Captain to you all." Yamamoto says and the Captains can't help but notice the slight teasing and yet angry tone to his voice.
The door starts to slowly open and the light beaming into the room reveals just the dark shape of a person. Their Captains Coat blowing behind them in the wind. Their spiky hair blowing messily as they stand in a casually way with their hands hanging at their sides. As everyone's eyes adjust to the light their eyes begin to open in shock. Rukia stiffens as the figure comes into full view.
"Hi my name is Ichigo Kurosaki, I'm the new Captain of Squad Nine and I'm looking forward to working with you all." He says in a young tone. Rukia's eyes scan over his face and her body trembles. This is impossible, she thinks taking a small step back. Byakuya notices the step and glances at Yamamoto with a look of betrayal in his eyes. Everyone knew the situation with Rukia and Ichigo Kurosaki. She was unable to even be happy for two years after his death and now this was like a sick joke.
"Head Captain are you serious about this?" Byakuya speaks up but no one takes their eyes of Ichigo apart from Yamamoto.
"I am deadly serious about the changes that have been made." Yamamoto says meeting Byakuya's glare with a calm expression.
"Rukia, are you ok?" Renji asks in barley a whisper and suddenly Ichigo walks forward smiling brightly.
Everyone's eyes follow his swift movements and can't help but notice they are the same as from before. His Shinigami abilities seem to be at an even stronger level then before though. All of them watch as even Zangetsu is slung over his shoulder as usual but only its hilt viable while the sheaf is under his Captains Coat. He stops around a meter away from Rukia and smiles down at her warmly. He doesn't notice the way she stiffens even more.
"So you're Rukia Kuchiki huh?" He smiles. "I've heard so much about you from people in Squad Thirteen. I've been so looking forward to meeting you." He extends a strong hand forward and she blinks down at it.
"Thank you Captain." She murmurs looking down at her feet.
"No one mentioned you were this shy. It must come as a shock to suddenly be put in a new Squad and with a new Captain." Ichigo tells her with an understanding nod. "No one mentioned you were this cute either." He grins and Rukia looks up with her cheeks turning pink.
"How has this happened?" Rangiku finally whispers to Nanao who just shakes her head.
"Ichi isn't the same." Yachiru sighs looking the new Captain up and down.
"Well he certainly won't remember anything from his human life." Nanao points out and all three of the girls nod and sigh.
"How could Yamamoto do this to Rukia though?" Rangiku wonders.
"She looks like she may pass out." Nanao says and right on cue Rukia stumbles back and then drops to her knees. Ichigo bends down but Byakuya flash steps behind her and lifts her up before she can hit the floor. Byakuya looks down at his sister and then glances up at Ichigo's worried face.
Byakuya looks at Unohanna who nods before her and Isane head out of the door followed shortly by Kenpachi and Yachiru. Ikkaku and Yumichika leave a few seconds after them but the other Captain's and Lieutenants follow behind as Byakuya carries Rukia towards the Squad Four barracks. Ichigo keeps in stride with him the whole time while nervously glancing down at Rukia. He was sure she looked familiar but he couldn't tell where from. It felt like a dream that she'd been in but it wasn't clear at all.
Byakuya kept his eyes focused ahead of him. He couldn't look at Ichigo now because he wasn't the same Ichigo. He wasn't the same Ichigo which had won his respect by always protecting his sister as well as his own family and friends. This man was just a copy of the real Ichigo who was also annoyingly now allowed to call all the Captains by their first names. Toushiro for one will be unhappy about this factor.
Rukia opens her eyes slowly and stares up at the white ceiling dazed. She yawns before turning her head to the side to fin Byakuya blinking at her. He's become so worried since the patch she went through after Ichigo's death. He's been watching out for her for the past seven years a lot more openly.
"Nii-Sama?" She murmurs and something in his eye slight up.
"Rukia you're ok now. You passed out but I brought you here and Unohanna has been taking good care of you but she thinks you should rest here for a few days." Byakuya explains and Rukia just nods.
"This is a nice room." Rukia notices looking around the long room. Her own bed is pushed against the wall by the window but there are two other beds at either end of the room. One she notices Gin sitting in. He gives her a small nod and she smiles in return before realising she's never really felt comfortable around Gin before but now he's almost like a brotherly figure.
"It's where most Lieutenants and Captains stay for recoveries which re slightly longer than others." Byakuya explains before smiling softly.
"Thank you Nii-Sama, but I'm not a Lieutenant anymore." Rukia says remembering handing her badge to Tatsuki. Byakuya tenses visibly and then unwillingly hands her another badge. She blinks down at the Squad Nine badge and shakes her head.
"But Shuhei…" She manages to say before the door opens and everyone looks towards it.
"Oh, you're awake huh? You scared me a little you know?" Ichigo asks strolling towards Rukia's bed with two cups in hand. He hands one to her and she takes a gulp of the cold water before he takes the cup off her again. She stares up at him with tears in her eyes but she blinks them away.
"Do you remember now?" Byakuya whispers and she just nods in reply. Byakuya gives a small nod before standing up from the chair by her bed and then heading towards the door. He glances at Gin before he leaves and can't help but feel amused by Gin's mouth hanging open. Byakuya nods towards Gin who just stares at Ichigo before Byakuya leaves the room and Gin watches in silence as the new Captain sits in the chair by Rukia's bed.
Ichigo runs his fingers through his hair and looks at his Lieutenant. He smiles lightly at her simple beauty. The thick black strand of hair between her eyes indigo eyes tinted with violet. The rest of her black hair pooling around her shoulders in different wavy chunks. She just blinks at him nervously before looking down at her hands.
"What has happened to Shuhei?" She finally asks and Ichigo is surprised at how soft her voice is. From what he heard she had become quite cold like her brother other the past few years and only showed emotion to close friends.
"Oh the last Lieutenant, he has moved to Squad five and Yumichika became a third seat." Ichigo explains casually. Rukia nods slowly before biting down onto her tongue. She is a Kuchiki and Kuchiki's don't need emotions. He is her Captain and he deserves respect from her at the very least.
"Have you seen your Squad yet?" She asks and Ichigo sighs before smiling.
"Firstly Squad Nine belongs to everyone in it. I am just the shield and if you like, you are the heart of the Squad. If the shield ever fails you have to make it your job to protect the rest of our members." Ichigo tells her kindly. "To answer your question though, no I haven't met our Squad yet. I was kinda hoping we could do it together as a team because we're both new to the Squad."
"I may not be out of here for a while." Rukia says trying to signal he should meet the squad without her. He just gives a small sigh and she looks at him.
"Rukia Kuchiki, I am sorry." He says and her eyes widen in shock.
"For what?" She manages to whisper.
"I have a feeling that you are upset and it is my fault so I'm sorry. Whatever it is I have done I'm begging you to forgive me." He says with pleading eyes. Her own indigo eyes lock onto his amber eyes and she can't look away.
"There is no need to apologise. You have done nothing wrong. How could you have?" Rukia lies. She can't tell him that she is really angry with herself as well as him. It's selfish of her to be angry at him but she has never understood why he walked towards her instead of getting out of the way. He never even finished what he was going to tell her.
"There is because otherwise this would be easier. I understand that you liked being in Squad Thirteen. I know you once loved the Lieutenant of that Squad before he died. I have been filled in on how you overcame that." Ichigo says while trying to keep his tone calm. For some reason just her presence made him feel uneasy. "I have heard your story Rukia Kuchiki so many times but there is a gap that no one seems to fill. Who rescued you from the execution? Who did you following into Hueco Mundo to save Orihime Inoue? Who nearly died fighting Aizen in the Winter War? No one will give me a name or even an image of this person but all these stories link back to you giving him your Shinigami powers." Ichigo finishes and Rukia just shrugs.
"I don't know what to say." Rukia admits and Ichigo just nods.
"Don't say anything just know that I want us to be a team and I want to be a good Captain so I'm waiting for you so we can meet our Squad together. I also want to be your friend Rukia Kuchiki." Ichigo says, his tone turning soft and playful.
"Yes Captain Kurosaki." Rukia says with a small but meaningful smile.
"Great, I mean thanks Rukia." He says getting up and heading towards the door. He stops as he opens the door and looks back at her over his shoulder with a grin. "And call me Ichigo." He says before leaving the room.