A/N: 1,530 words (exclude A/Ns)… I'm not sure on how many words the previous chapter was; I think it was longer than this one. I'm quite grateful that I managed to write this, I'm bust for the week, next week and next, next week. So, I'm still trying to write on my vacant time, if possible. It maybe short but I'm okay with the turnout of this one.
For those who reviewed, thanks so much!
Here you go!
Wane
A shadow appeared beyond a dark alley. As the said shadow continued to move, stray cats and rats scrammed away for safety as if it was emanating a dark aura. Another shadow appeared and an outline of a hand extending toward the other was seen by the half-moon showering a speck of light above them. A sound was heard:
"It's done. I made sure everything won't be suspected." The figure answered as it receives a small object with a shape of a rectangle.
The other figure replied, "Good. Remember, this conversation never existed between us, understood?"
"Yes."
The silhouette took a bow and left in a jiffy. The remaining one was immobile for a minute before calmly walked out and it disappeared soon enough as well.
Ichigo's gaze met with the darkness.
Is it the end of the world? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Rukia's gone anyway; I might as well die right now…
He then heard a giggling sound that's always been familiar to him. It's what he always to hear… from her.
"Rukia? Where are you?"
The laughter continued but she was nowhere in sight. He just kept on walking and walking, trying his best to find the voice but from the obscurity, he doesn't know which direction he's heading or where he exactly was. Suddenly, he can see a light. He ran without a care; if he stumbles, at least he can stumble himself towards Rukia's open arms. He knows that she's there. As he had approached the light, he saw her back facing near him and then…
"Rukia!"
He's breathing rapidly and sweating a lot.
Shit.
Just a dream; however, this dream had happened a couple of times lately. It's been two days since her death. He still can't believe it: she had passed away.
-Flashback-
A black braided-haired woman wearing a white coat appeared before Ichigo and his friends. He got the impression that she's nice and seemed to be serene; he hopes that the body's not her. He was both tense and nervous as he stood by Inoue, Ishida, Chad and Renji, who came with the same purpose.
The woman then spoke, "I'm Retsu Unohana, the main head of the Karakura hospital."
Her amused expression then changed into a serious one. "Because of the period of the recent fire incident, her body was burnt too much that we can't conduct several tests for further confirmation; nevertheless, we had managed to keep track of the body's dental condition and compare them to Kuchiki Rukia's dental records. The results would be brought soon enough."
As she finished her sentence, another woman, with gray hair this time, approached the said head doctor and gave what appears to be the "results". She replied at her at a motherly tone, "Thank you, Isane." Isane bowed at her, to Ichigo and the others and then left.
As her eyes continued to scan the papers, Ichigo spoke hoarsely, "Docotr, what does it say?"
Her moving pupils stopped and then looked at him in disappointment, , "My sincerest apologies, they match."
Everyone gasped. Inoue was the first person to sprout tears, "Kuchiki-san…" Ishida hugged her back to ease the pain she's feeling as he fixed the rim of his glasses to hide the sadness in his eyes. Chad remained silent but his face also expressed the same feeling.
On the other hand, Ichigo's head hang down and began to saunter, slowly passing all of his friends and the doctor. He heard Renji bang his fist on the tiled floor, "Damn it! Why Rukia?" he screamed in agony.
He stopped before his tattooed pal, "Renji, please tell Byakuya about this, I'm going out for awhile."
Renji was about to retort back on why should he be like this when their most precious someone died but, "Renji!" Ichigo shouted back.
"Please."
The man gasped in shock but clearly understood. Ichigo isn't really the kind of person who would plead so he guessed that he just needed time to think; probably like him, he can't think straight anymore. He let out a long sigh and silently and headed for the hospital's telephone. Byakuya will not like what he'd tell him byut there's no helping it.
Ichigo walked beside the river, and then headed to the bridge where he first confessed his love for Rukia. He can still remember how surprised she was but then her face softened and simply hugged him telling that he's an idiot and that she also feels the same way. That day was the most memorable moment of his life. Despite the fact that they've only known each other in a short time, both of them were able to be themselves around each other, they bicker sometimes, but it always end up okay at the end of the day and frankly put, it's just the way on how their relationship goes and he's pleased with it: that's how they show their affection.
It was almost midnight and no one is around; he can only hear the cold wind rustling behind him and slowly brushing his skin as he stared blankly at the not-so-starry night sky with crescent moon beneath the thick clouds. His emotions are not bottled up in actuality, but rather, it was overflowing that all he wanted to do is to stop them.
He can't. The pain is etched within his heart and it will never go away.
After wandering so deeply and endlessly, he shouted, echoing his rough voice filled with so much hurt throughout the river, "Rukia!!!"
He punched the stoned ground continuously until crimson blood slowly began to come out from his knuckles. He continued to say her name –her lovely name– over and over again. He did that for some time until he had all let it out. Or at least, a little of it.
-End of Flashback-
He ruffled his spiky hair once again and heave out a sigh. He's not going to the funeral, too many people. In addition, he doesn't want to watch Rukia's now cold body inside a coffin, brought inside a hearse and drove it down to the cemetery where the Kuchiki mausoleum is located.
He had discussed a few things with Byakuya; he was still frigid as ever but he noticed that his eyes seemed to be heavy and it's like he nearly slouch as he told him what happened. Renji might've told him but he presumed Byakuya needed more information.
The head noble only reacted when he finished, "Kurosaki Ichigo, we were all saddened by what had just occurred to Rukia; though I'm sure that she's happy wherever she is with her sister, Hisana."
Ichigo began to collect the syllables of his name in a slow manner since he was somewhat surprised at his answer but he interrupted him, "this would be our last conversation; if our paths may cross again, it better be something of an important matter."
He went ahead of him and carried on, "I'm not blaming you for everything – for if I did, Rukia would get at me."
Ichigo took his words as a sign of keeping himself at arm's length and followed suit as Byakuya took off. He thinks that the aristocrat is blaming him; he swore in front of her brother that he'll take care of her but he didn't.
Maybe it's my fault that you died Rukia. He sag his head in guilt.
Hours later:
He was at the Karakura town memorial park. He was in front of a gravestone inside a mausoleum. He didn't attend the ceremony and just stayed at home and waited for the time to pass for a moment. The formal procedure was over as he arrived here; he did that on purpose, he'd rather be alone with Rukia at this time. His thoughts began to talk, hoping he can reach Rukia and maybe be able to hear him:
Perhaps you're still angry at me but I was about to go after you back then to apologize but I guess it's too late. You are really fast, you know that? I always teased you that this is one of the reasons why you aren't getting tall somehow.
He smiled ruefully as his train of thought went on,
I'm sorry. I should've been jealous; you know how possessive I can be, right? Even so, I know and you know how I much I love you Rukia and no other woman in this world could replace you. Someday, we'll probably meet again and when that time comes… I'll fix everything.
He began to his eyes under his orange locks of hair and stammered, "G-great. Now, it's raining."
Tears flowed down his cheeks.
Afterwards, he held a piece of paper; a travel ticket somewhere in the west to congratulate him as he'll be promoted to a higher seat of a company he's working on. Stupid as it sounds but things should still be moving the way it should be although she's not here. He might not handle this easily, for he'll not be able to visit her everyday but somehow, he can deal with this. Consequently, letting the pain subside even for just a bit.
I'll be out for awhile, okay? I'll make sure to visit you once I arrive or maybe…
Wait…
I love you, Rukia…
A/N: Hope you enjoyed that! Sorry, if Rukia does not have a part here yet; I just wanted to write Ichigo's weak will to carry on but will still try to move on with his life (and not to forget Rukia). Please don't forget to review! ^____^