Rain

" Oh no... it's raining! And I didn't bring an umbrella today..."

Inoue sighed as she gazed out of the windows of Karakura High,

' Well, that shouldn't be a problem...no. It's not a problem at all. Today is the day. Rain or shine, I'm going to tell Kurosaki-kun that I--'

"GOOD MORNING, 'HIME!"

The honey-haired girl gasped as a pair of feminine arms wrapped themselves around her waist. She glanced back, smiling a little to see Chizuru's head resting on her shoulder,

"O-Oh hi, Chizuru! When did you get here?"

The red head stepped back and grinned, Inoue turning to face her,

"Just a few minutes ago. You know..."

She pushed the girl up against the wall, a nearly evil smirk on her face,

"Since Tatsuki's out of town...we can finally have some time to ourselves..."

She then proceeded to make kissy-face lips at the girl, and was surprised when she was suddenly pushed away,

"O-Orihime?"

Inoue gulped as he walked through the door. It was Ichigo. He was here. Taking a deep breath, she started over to him, a multitude of scenarios running through her mind,

'Kurosaki-kun...there's something I want to tell you. I've been thinking about this for a long time... and I... I can't help it anymore. I can't change how I feel. I lo--'

"IIIIICHIGOOOO!"

Inoue stopped short as a blur known as Asano rushed past her, nearly knocking her over. The wild boy then smashed straight into one of Ichigo's fists. The bright-haired boy walked on past in annoyance,

"I told you not to do that shit anymore."

He then stepped over to Inoue, sighing,

"You okay, Inoue?"

She glanced up at him, turning bright red as she nodded,

"Y-yeah! I'm okay..."

Nervously, she dusted off her skirt, swallowing hard,

"K-Kurosaki-kun... can I talk to you a minute?"

Ichigo nodded, scratching his head as he set his stuff down on his desk,

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Inoue lowered her head, peeking glances up at him,

"Well, I... I...I just...there's something...I..."

"Good morning, class!"

They both turned at the sound of their teacher, Ochi Misato's, voice as she promptly stepped on Asano to get into the room. Asano let out a wail and she glanced down, laughing a little,

"Oh, sorry. Didn't see you there."

Shrugging, Ochi continued on to her podium, letting out an exasperated sigh,

"Oh, well. Take your seats everyone."

Ichigo glanced down at Inoue, proceeding to sit down,

"We can talk after class okay, Inoue?"

Hesitantly, she nodded and headed to her desk by the window. Ochi sighed, thumbing through her roll book in annoyance,

"Now, let's see...who's missing today?"

She scanned the room, checking names as she went,

"Arisawa...Ogawa...Natsui..."

Inoue glanced nervously over at Ichigo, sighing inwardly,

'This is bad... by the time class is over I might lose my nerve... No! I can't do that! I have nothing to be afraid of! Ishida-kun said so--'

"Huh? What's this? Ishida's gone today as well? Jeez if that punk doesn't get his act together he'll never make it out of high school. Oh well, his loss..."

"Did she just say 'His loss'?"

"I think she called him a punk..."

"Ha, that's a funny thought."

Inoue gasped, glancing over at Ishida's desk. Sure enough, it was empty.

'Ishida-kun isn't here today? I wonder if he is getting sick... or maybe he stayed home because he doesn't want to get wet. I hope he's okay... I'm sure he is.'

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Soaked from head to toe, he stepped into the subway car, taking a seat by the door. The rain was surprisingly cold for this time of the year... not that he could really feel it. The overwhelming numbness in his limbs was all he could feel at this point. Leaning back, he gazed blankly at the ceiling of the car. He would never see this town again... he would never see his friends again. He would never see Inoue...

Gulping hard, he took off his glasses and wiped them of fog,

'It doesn't matter anymore. I don't belong here. This town...full of shingami...is somewhere I can't be. It doesn't matter...It doesn't...'

Leaving his glasses on his lap, he buried his face in his hands and shuddered as the train began moving. His face burned... as did the tears streaming down his cheeks,

'It doesn't matter anymore...It doesn't matter...'

I don't matter.

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Inoue sighed as she packed up her briefcase, glancing out the window. The sun, had it been shining this day, would be setting now. But it wasn't. It was nothing but grey skies and rumbling thunder outside. Taking a deep breath, she walked down the row and out of the classroom, jogging down the hall,

'Kurosaki-kun should be outside waiting for me...I should hurry.'

As she stepped outside, she smiled, spotting him by the street. He had a red umbrella in hand, and his blue-and-white bag slung over his shoulder. He turned as she walked up, smiling warmly at her,

"So, you wanted to talk to me about something?"

The honey-haired girl gasped, her cheeks turning a soft pink colour,

"Well, yes... you see... I-I've been needing to...well...there's something I...I need to tell you..."

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

Poking her fingers together, she shook her head,

"No... it's nothing like that."

"Then what is it?"

Biting her lip, she lowered her head, silencing a moment. Her face...no, her entire body was burning. This was harder than Ishida-kun had made it sound.

'Just do it, Inoue...you've got nothing to lose...'

"Kurosaki-kun... I..."

'Say it...'

"I..."

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, refusing to bring her head up,

"I love you!"

As if acting against her own will, she brought her gaze up to meet his, her heart beginning to crack at the sight of his face. He was obviously taken aback by her words. Beginning to panic, she swallowed hard, stuttering,

"I-I love you...ever since we met last school year...I...I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I tried hard not to...but I couldn't stop myself...it just happened...I...I love you."

There was a long silence between them, the only sound being that of the pattering rain on Ichigo's umbrella. It seemed like it lasted forever, and Inoue's was sure by this point her face was melting off.

"I'm sorry."

She gasped, her eyes beginning to well up with tears as she turned her gaze to the orange-haired boy. He looked sad, almost guilty as he turned his gaze away from her,

"I don't--"

"No, I'M sorry..."

He straightened, glancing down at her in surprise. Her shoulders were shuddering violently, and her voice trembled as she continued,

"I'm so silly...I knew Kuchiki-san..."

The girl then looked up at him, forcing a painful smile as she clonked herself on the head,

"So stupid! So stupid, huh? I know that...I don't know what I was thinking..."

"Inoue--"

"Kurosaki-kun, please... just forget I said anything. I'm sorry..."

She then turned away from him, running as fast as she could down the street. Ichigo straightened, reaching for her as she ran,

"Inoue! Wait a minute! Come back!"

"Ichigo..."

He turned then, spotting a diminutive, dark-haired female behind him,

"Let her go."

He blinked, surprised by her sudden appearance,

"Rukia..."

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She ran as fast as she could, tears streaming down her face as the cold rains of March pelted against her. She splashed through deep puddles as she went, uncaring about how wet her clothes became.

'"Inoue--"'

'"So stupid! So stupid, huh? I know that... I don't know what I was thinking..."'

' Tatsuki-chan... I wish you were here... I need you... I need someone... someone to tell me it'll all be okay!'

'"If he rejects you, he's a fool!"'

She stopped in her tracks, glancing to the apartment complex beside her. She hadn't realised it, but she'd run all the way here... to him. To Ishida-kun. She started up the walk, her eyes streaming with tears,

'"Inoue-san..."'

She headed up the steps, hiccupping softly,

"...you're beautiful and smart...you're the strongest of us all..."

Reaching his door, she raised her hand, hesitating to knock,

'"and Kurosaki would be a fool..."'

Gulping, she wiped away her tears and knocked softly on the door, gasping as it slowly creaked open,

'"...if he said no to such a wonderful person."'

Inoue gasped as she peeked inside, pushing the door open all the way. No one was inside. Stepping through the door way, she hiccuped again, glancing about the tiny apartment. The first thing she noticed was the grey table by the door. On it was a sewing machine, and an empty basket labeled 'sewing supplies'. As she walked in further, she glanced to her left to see his bed. A jade-coloured sheet adorned with embroidered crosses served as a blanket. There were no pillows on it, and it looked as though it hadn't even been slept in. Glancing to her right, was his desk. A dark blue swivel chair served as his desk chair, and a goose neck lamp served as his reading lamp. There were books neatly aligned along the left corner of the desktop. This was were he did his homework.

It was then that the little slip of paper caught her eye. She gasped, lifting it carefully from it's spot with trembling hands. She hiccupped again as she opened it, gasping. Only one word was written. Goodbye.

Bringing the little slip of paper to her heart, she squeezed her eyes shut, running for the door,

'I have to tell them...I have to tell Kurosaki-kun...'

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'Ishida-kun...'

He stepped off of the train, not even bothering to look up as he followed the crowd toward the exit. He wasn't even sure where he'd gotten off... but he knew it was the farthest stop from Karakura Town. If he needed to... he'd go farther. But this would do for now.

'...he may be hurt...'

Starting up the steps to the street, he lowered his head, his eyes drooped in shame.

'Oh, Ishida-kun...where are you!?'

Ishida stopped as he reached the top, turning his gaze toward the sky as the crowd behind him pushed on past. Rain pattered lightly on his glasses, and he sighed deeply,

"No matter where I go..."

"It's always raining."