There you are, as usual.
I can hear you, being loud, somewhat rude, and unnecessarily violent…just like you always are.
I like it this way.
I don't know why, but just being near you fills me with this sense of peace…I seem to worry less when I walk with you. Maybe it's because I can't focus on certain things because of your presence in this world. I cannot say for sure.
I remember seeing you just a while ago…you really saved me. You saved my life.
I asked myself why, because even though everyone told me why, I could not grasp it, could not comprehend it. But seeing you again these past few days, I finally understood.
It was because I was precious to you.
That was the only reason…not just for pride, or for power…no matter what you say, I know that I was important enough…that you fought with your life on the line in every battle.
I know about what you went through to try to save me. The pain you endured to gain your strength. The irreversible effects of the power that run through you. The insanity that threatens to consume you every moment.
But you did that for me. You did all of that for me.
I owe my existence to your sacrifices…I am more than grateful to you.
That is why I cannot let you stumble or fall. That is why I have to walk down this path with you.
That is why you and I must fight.
That is why you and I must win.
I refuse to let you down, because you have done too much. The feeling I get from being near you…my soul feels like it's on fire, and burning hotter and hotter…
I want to keep feeling that, I don't want you to hold back. I don't want you to be afraid of your own strength, because you fill me with so much strength…so much passion and determination that I never thought I had before.
You have to keep going…for all of our sakes. Keep going, keep fighting as hard as you can. I'll be right behind you.
And there's nowhere else I'd rather be.
"Hey, Rukia! Come on, will you?"
Rukia Kuchiki snapped out of her daze, looking over at the young man walking beside her, one Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Hmph…the nerve," she said mockingly. "Honestly, why are you always so impatient, Ichigo?"
"Impatient? Whatever. I'm freaking Buddha compared to some of the people I see."
"You're Buddha? So what does that make me?"
"Annoying, that's what."
"How rude!"
"Well, you asked."
Rukia pouted at Ichigo before walking off ahead of him.
"Hey, hey! Don't get all mad all of a sudden!"
She turned to face him. "I'm not mad at all!"
"Hah! You sure sound like it. By the way…what were you zoning out about?"
She smiled at him softly. "Someone special."
"Yeah, who?"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "You won't get anything from me, Strawberry."
"You-!"
She ran off as he gave chase, laughing the entire way.
Ichigo…don't you ever change.
