Chapter two: On old lovers, new lessons, and things lost and found.

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Ichigo was dying.

It had been a long time coming, but when the news reached her division, Rukia had to sit back for several minutes to absorb it. It wasn't that she hadn't expected this day to come; for all the rules he'd broken in his lifetime, not even Ichigo could cheat death forever. It was just that she'd never realized what it would feel like to know that he would soon be a part of her world. She was thankful for the advance notice. Soul Society had always kept an eye on Ichigo and the humans who had once fought with him. They had seen him live out his natural life, and while the power of his spirit seemed like it would go on forever, his body would not.

He was an old man. What hair was left on his head was white and thin. And he was dying. Soul Society would finally have a place for the man who could have been a captain when he was just a boy.

They kept him under constant watch for the last weeks of his life, even as plans were made for his death. Then one day, not long before sunset, Captain Ukitake had asked her to join him outside his private office. Unusual, given that all of their professional interaction normally took place in the proper place, but he did have a sentimental side. He seemed relaxed when she joined him in strolling along the koi pond. In the newly fine weather of the blooming spring, even the fish seemed more energetic, darting about in the water.

"I thought you should know that Ichigo will soon be dead," Ukitake said without preamble. "Reports are that he has days, at most. We'll bring him to Seireitei immediately, of course, but there's the matter of his soul burial..."

"I will do it," Rukia said immediately.

Ukitake nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "I thought you would. But there is another matter. I suppose you don't know that Captain Hisagi has been asked to join the Central 46."

"I hadn't heard."

"It was a surprise to me as well," he said. "I believe he will excel in the position. But that leaves us with an opening."

"For Ichigo." She understood immediately. "You want him to be a captain."

Ukitake nodded. "There are a number of things that must be done first—he will need an adjustment period, and it will be some weeks before Shuuhei takes up his new position."

"When was this decided?"

"Just today, but it's been under discussion for a while now," he said. "Captain Zaraki was especially enthusiastic."

She bit back a smile. "That should help Ichigo get back to fighting fitness quickly."

"I thought so." Ukitake smiled. "As I said, there are a number of things to deal with, but I thought you should know immediately, considering your history."

At the moment, Rukia felt that history bearing down on her. "Thank you, sir."

Soon after, word came that it was time. She stepped through the gate to the living world, Shirayuki at her side, and went to him.

The man who lay in bed was weak, but his reiatsu still pulsed strongly around him. He slept deeply, his breath shallow and growing shallower. She watched and waited for the end to come. Just before it did, around an hour later, he opened his eyes and focused on her. He smiled, before closing them one last time.

The morning after Ichigo died, Rukia delayed getting up as long as possible. It could have been called dawdling, save that Kuchiki did not dawdle. She could have told herself she had an excuse. She'd slept poorly, drifting in and out of dreams that she remembered only a little and wasn't sure she wanted to recall further. But that would be lying to herself, and she tried to do less of that these days.

She didn't want to see Ichigo—and she did. It had been years since they'd talked, longer since they'd said anything worth the air it took to form the words. But here in Soul Society, his soul's form was not the man she'd watched grow up, grow old. Ichigo was young again, intense and vital. It shook her in ways she thought she'd put behind her.

No. That was long over. Whatever had passed between them years ago, he was her friend now and like any new soul, he'd need to adjust to Soul Society. It was her duty to help with that, not think about...whatever she was not going to think about.

She stood and left for the baths. A cold rinse would do her good.

Ichigo was lurking about the hall when she emerged, clean and dressed. "Hey," he said. "Morning."

She swallowed heavily. Speech should not be difficult. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

A wry expression flickered across his face for an instant. "Fine," he said. He turned slightly so she could see Zangetsu strapped to his back. "Look who showed up overnight."

"You won't need him today," she said.

"Oh?"

"I'll explain shortly. Are you hungry?"

"Starved."

"Follow me, then."

They didn't speak much on the way to the dining room, and little more when the servants brought them breakfast. Every time Rukia tried to say anything beyond small talk, she'd look up to see him watching her. Something about it affected her stomach unpleasantly. He looked like he expected her to say or do something, but what that something was, she had no idea. Maybe he expected them to return to their easy banter of long ago. Maybe he expected something entirely different.

Rukia felt as if there were some script she was supposed to follow, but she hadn't been allowed to read it. It had been easier yesterday, when her happiness at seeing him for the first time in so long had been enough. Now she kept stopping to think before she spoke, and everything that came out of her mouth felt wrong.

"So," he said, when the servants took the plates away. "What's new in Soul Society?"

She smiled into her teacup. "That's an awfully general question."

"Well, what do you expect? A guy wants to know these things."

"Perhaps you could be more specific?"

He scratched his head. "Well...how is everything going? When did you make vice-captain? How are Ganju and Kuukaku and Hanataro?"

"Things are going well, some time ago, and they are fine," she said. "The Shiba have moved—again—but you should visit when you can. I'm sure they'd like to see you."

"Yeah, maybe." He shrugged. "How's Renji?"

"He's fine, too."

Ichigo made a face. "So he's fine, everyone's fine. I feel all up to date now."

"Do you want me to go over every detail? It has only been five years since last we spoke."

"Six," he corrected. "And it was the rest of my life, so it felt kinda long." He looked away.

"I suppose so," she said quietly.

He sipped his tea. "Hey, this is really good stuff. Byakuya springs for the best, huh?"

"Since when are you such a connoisseur of tea?"

He shrugged. "I got old. Tastes change."

She gave him a long, measuring look. "You are not old now."

That was a lie. He was old, now—older than he looked, and far older than the clueless boy she'd once known. It showed in his eyes, a little, and she wondered about all he'd experienced in the time since she'd last seen him, and in the years before that, when their brief visits were reduced to words that sounded friendly and spoke of nothing that mattered.

"Hurry and finish," she said. "We have to leave soon."

She led him away from the Kuchiki grounds and through several blocks of Seireitei before curiosity got the best of him. "Where are we going?"

She glanced at him, but didn't stop walking. "It will be some time before you officially become captain. Captain Hisagi has his own preparations to make before he takes up his new position, and you must learn about running a division. You will have assistance. But now that you are here, a reception has been arranged following this morning's weekly assembly of the current captains."

Captain Ukitake was there to greet them as they entered the meeting room.

"Welcome, Ichigo-kun." He smiled warmly. "It is good to have you finally with us."

Captain Kyouraku was right behind him. "Kurosaki!" he crowed. "Please tell me that big friend of yours will be next."

"Sorry, but last I heard Chad was still hale and hearty," Ichigo said. "I think he'll live forever."

"Pity." He pouted. "I owe that boy a drink. He has to be legal now."

Rukia hung back as they drew Ichigo further into the group. She was the only vice-captain in attendance, and it was not her place to escort him further. She watched with apprehension as Yamamoto moved forward to greet his latest captain-to-be, but Ichigo shook the man's hand with no more than a hint of coolness on his face. It seemed that some wounds really did heal.

From Ichigo's perspective, she supposed, it must appear that not much had changed in the Gotei 13 since his first...visit, as a ryoka. Few changes in lineup since the great war, though the battle itself had changed them all. But from the inside, Rukia had seen other differences. Things had had to change. She watched his guarded expression, and wondered how long it would take Ichigo to understand.

"Hey." She turned around to see Renji. "Looks like I'm late."

"Only a little," she replied, tensing.

"He looks...okay. Less wrinkly." He nodded at Ichigo. "Guess I should say hello."

"Renji...you don't have to."

"Relax, Rukia," he said quietly. "I'm just saying hello to an old friend. Oi, Ichigo!" He raised a hand in greeting as Ichigo turned.

"Renji." He grinned. "And here I thought they'd have kicked your ass out by now."

"Che, you wish. Though maybe I should run now that they're letting you in." He was smiling evenly, and Rukia relaxed a little.

"You've got some time. I've gotta get trained, apparently," Ichigo said. "What's that gonna be? Do I have to kick your ass one more time?"

Renji snorted. "You wish. No, Yamamoto will talk to you about it more later, but you're going to spend some time with each division—see how things are done, see how you might wanna do things in yours. And you'll take some classes at the Academy, maybe see if they can finally teach you some kidou."

"Back to school, huh?" Ichigo sounded more amused than annoyed. Apparently his patience had grown since she'd seen him. "I'll just tell myself it's like going to grad school."

Rukia frowned. She wanted to ask what that was, but they almost seemed to have forgotten she was there. Ichigo looked more at ease than he had since he'd arrived.

"You better not do a crappy job," Renji said. "That's my old vice-captain you have to follow."

"He made vice-captain before you did," Rukia pointed out.

"Yeah, and I made captain first, so what?"

Ichigo smirked. "Shouldn't you be asking me to live up to you, then?"

Renji paused for a moment. "Maybe. If you think you can."

"I guess we'll see."

The gathering broke up before long. There was plenty of work for the other captains to be doing, despite Kyouraku's invitation to a lovely little bar he knew nearby, and once everyone had had a chance to talk with Ichigo—her brother had used very few words—people began to disperse. Renji nodded goodbye to her on his way out. Ichigo drifted over to her. "So what now?"

"They didn't tell you?"

"No, I just figured you'd know."

"I see," she said. "I suppose I can assist you. But I am not your minder, remember."

"Yeah, whatever."

"I don't believe you have any more official obligations today," she said. "But I can escort you to your guest quarters."

He nodded. "Lead on, then. Not like I got much luggage."

The winding path she took led them by another set of buildings. "This is the academy," she said. "I thought you might like to see it."

"Sure." He looked around as they walked. "So this is where you went to school?"

"Yes. A long time ago." Very long. The would-be shinigami walking by in their crisp uniforms looked so young to her, despite the fact that her physical appearance was no older than most of theirs. It was something else, in their expressions, perhaps, that made them look, to her, almost like children. She could remember being that young, the turmoil of being more than a child but not quite an adult, but it seemed like the memory was from another life.

"What was it like? Tough?"

"I suppose," she said. "It will be easier for you. You will not have a full curriculum."

"What, don't want to tell me about your school days? Did you do as bad as when you went to my school?" He smirked.

"There's nothing to tell." She glared. "But—"

"Ichigo!"

They both swung around in the direction of the voice. Who on earth would know him here? She squinted against the sunlight. A figure was dashing towards them, and he almost looked familiar.

"Keigo?" Ichigo gaped.

Rukia felt a distinct sense of déjà vu as she watched Asano Keigo leap at Ichigo in full-on glomp position. Ichigo dodged and sent Keigo crashing to the ground with a kick to the head. She couldn't help but be pleased that his reflexes were intact.

"Ah, it's just like the old days!" Keigo grinned from his prone position.

"When were you going to tell me about this, Rukia?" Ichigo demanded.

"I didn't know! You think I keep track of every new student in the academy? And don't be so rude." She extended a hand to Keigo to help him up.

"Ah, Kuchiki-san, as kind and beautiful as always." He grinned. "I wanted to come say hello to you when I enrolled, but they keep us so busy, and well...no one believed I knew a vice-captain."

"That's very sweet of you, Asano-kun. I'm sure I would have loved to say hello." She beamed. It had been a while since she'd gotten to practice her best sparkle.

"Right," Ichigo mumbled. "I can't believe you're here, Keigo. You want to be a shinigami?"

He shrugged. "Why not? I had some power when I was alive—thanks to you—but never got a chance to use it after that first time. And being dead is a lot more boring than I thought." He smirked. "Rumor has it that the new captain will be going to school, too. Don't worry—since we're old friends, I'll only make you call me sempai' in front of cute girls."

Ichigo turned to her. "I want another afterlife."

"Hey!"

"Perhaps I should leave you two to get re-acquainted." She turned to Keigo. "Keigo, do you know where the guest barracks are?" He nodded. "Good. If you could escort Ichigo there when you two are finished, I would appreciate it."

"Where are you going?" Ichigo asked, frowning.

"I do have things to do, Ichigo." She raised a hand in farewell. "It was good to see you again, Asano-kun. Ichigo, I'll see you later."

She felt a pang as she left them behind. For all his complaints, she'd sensed a bond of friendship that still remained between the two men. Keigo, she had no doubt, would know how to talk to Ichigo even after all this time.

She used to think she always would, too. But while some things never changed, others did.

A little over fifty years ago

"What do you want to do now?"

"I have nothing in mind."

"Ah, come on. There has to be something better than just sitting around here."

"I am the guest, Ichigo. You are the one familiar with the area."

"There's not that much going on now. End of the weekend, people are recovering."

"Ah. Sounds like Eleventh division after one of their parties."

"Ugh, don't make me think of them now. Want to get something to eat?"

"Is it dinnertime already?"

"Time flies, I guess. Anyway, I could eat if you wanted to. Or not. I'm good for whatever."

"We would have to get up."

"Not necessarily. There's delivery."

"You would have to answer the door."

"Ah. True. So...no food then. Any other suggestions?"

"Well..." Rukia ran a finger down his side. "We could...again."

Ichigo paused to consider. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good."

Rukia smiled smugly and climbed on top of him, kissing his neck as her weight pressed him into the sheets. He responded eagerly, running his hands up her thighs. She was rather impressed with how quickly he'd adapted to sex. There was something to be said for positive reinforcement.

The two days they'd spent together had passed in a blur, for all that they hadn't done much. Or rather, their activities hadn't had much variety from an outsider's perspective. They'd spent hours in Ichigo's bed, not minding that its small size forced them to be close in order to fit on it...for a while, anyway. A university student's bed wasn't the most comfortable place Rukia had rested, but she'd been reluctant to leave it, despite the way the sheets would end up twisted around them from all the motion. Ichigo had seemed equally content until the loud gurgles of his empty stomach had prompted her to demand he eat—watching him faint of hunger would hardly be attractive. When they'd returned, the much-used bed seemed...less cozy, somehow, and they'd experimented with enjoying each other in other locations. His desk. The shower. Once, the floor. For once, fate had smiled on them—Ichigo's badge alerted them to only one hollow the whole time. She'd never seen him defeat one so quickly; she'd barely had time to draw her own sword!

She was learning all sorts of things about Ichigo that she'd never expected to know. She learned how he liked to be touched, the sounds he made when she found certain places like his hips, the tender spot just under the curve of his jaw, and one or two of the scars that ran down his chest. There was also the fact that for a recent virgin, he was pretty damn good in bed. He took her instruction well, and she supposed all that endurance training had paid off. She'd thoroughly enjoyed her visit, even if it meant she would walk awkwardly for a time. She couldn't recall the last time she'd come so frequently, much less from anything but her own hand.

Afterward, she watched him doze for a while, resisting the urge to touch his face. Finally, she rolled over and sat up, waking him in the process. "Eh? What's up?"

"I have to go back," she said quietly.

"What, right now? You just got here!"

She smiled. "I got here two days ago, Ichigo. Time goes by quickly. But I shouldn't take more time away from my duties."

He reached up to stroke her shoulder. "I bet Ukitake would give you more time off if you asked."

"And what reason would you have me give?"

"Oh." He made a face—the idiot still never thought more than five minutes into the future. "Good point. Well, I could come with you."

She shook her head. "I know you have other commitments. I've taken enough of your time as it is." She leaned down to kiss him. "It's been a wonderful weekend," she murmured. "But we both have things we must do."

"Will you come back soon?"

Her smile slipped away. "Ichigo..."

"Aa." He looked away, and her stomach flopped unpleasantly at the sight.

"It's not a matter of not wanting to," she said. "But I have many responsibilities. My time is not my own."

"Yeah, I got it. It's just...after almost killing you, you'd think they could cut you some slack."

"It is not that simple."

"Never is."

They dressed in silence. Ichigo had some trouble locating his boxers, which some time ago she had flung who knew where, and finally settled on pulling a new pair out of his bureau. Back in her uniform, she tried to straighten out her hair, but it was a lost cause after spending so much time pressed against Ichigo's pillow.

He walked with her to the window. She looked up at him. "Ichigo, I want to tell you..."

"Yeah?"

He looked so happy. Less scowly, anyway, which was almost the same thing. She hated herself for what she was about to say—in truth, it would have been better if this entire weekend had never happened. But they'd held back for years—if Ichigo's self-conscious admission after their first time was to be believed, then they'd both had these feelings for quite some time, even if they hadn't consciously acknowledged them. There was only so much temptation she could stand.

"I want to tell you…that you don't have to wait for me."

He blinked. "What?"

She huffed impatiently. "Do I need to use smaller words?"

"I guess. What do you mean, I don't have to wait?"

She struggled to find the words that would make sense to him. She sometimes forgot how young he was, but how could she forget that he would not see the consequences of their actions as she did? "I mean that you don't need to feel...obligated...to me after our time together. I did not plan it, and I cannot hold you to any promises because of it."

"So you're ravishing and running, huh? I feel so used." He smirked. She fought the desire to punch him in the arm, then decided she didn't have to and did it anyway.

"I'm saying you are young. You have a life here, one for which I am not and will not be around to participate in or even see. You'll have the chance to...date, do other things. I don't want you to hold back out of any sense of obligation towards me."

"Rukia, don't be an idiot." Before she could protest, he wrapped his arms around her. "After what we just did, you really think I want to run out and date some other girl?"

"No." She smiled, wishing she had his certainty. "But you will."

He dropped his arms from her waist. "So should we just say this is it, then? Forget what happened!"

"No, Ichigo, that's not what I said." She frowned. As if she could forget it. "I'm saying...I treasure this time we've spent together. I...would not be unhappy if it happened again. But in between, while I'm gone, you're free to do as you will."

"Yeah, whatever." He rolled his eyes. "Do I at least get a kiss goodbye?"

He did, and more. Rukia didn't bother to try and explain it to him further. Eventually, he would understand.

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NEXT CHAPTER: "I need to tell you something."