Into the Rain

Chapter 3: Tell Me

Damn. How could I allow myself to become so weak? So weak that I get so sick. I have no will to move. I have no will to do anything. I just want sleep. Damn Ichigo for making me stay here. Damn this cold. Damn the rain.

Ichigo lazily sat on his chair, leaning back on the hind legs of it. He stared to the sleeping girl, not noticing he had been doing just that for an hour now. She was different when she slept. She was quiet. She looked peaceful. But one thing remained the same. 'She still looks sad.' he thought. Why couldn't she tell him what was bothering her? He had half a mind to just wake her up right now and yell at her until she told him. Though, his rational side (which hardly ever made its appearance) decided otherwise.

So, he would wait. He would wait for her to wake up so he could ask her. And he'd get it out of her one way or another.

Another twenty minutes went by and he stared at her softly breathing form. He saw her eyes flutter open and stare up at the ceiling for a moment, as if she didn't know where she was.

Rukia's eyes softened as her senses came to her -- what little the cold left her, anyway -- and turned her head, glancing at Ichigo. "What the Hell are you looking at?" she remarked with attitude. She swore, Ichigo could be so weird sometimes.

"Tell me. Why were you really out there in the rain." his inquiry hung like a deadly command.

A bit thrown off her game by his question -- not to mention the cold -- her eyes widened. Why did he keep insisting on bringing up such horrible memories? Why couldn't he let things go? She sighed and looked at him lovingly, a sparkle in her eye. She opened her mouth slightly and inhaled deeply. "WHY THE HELL DO YOU KEEP ASKING ME THAT?! DAMNIT ICHIGO YOU CAN NEVER LET THINGS BE!" she shouted, consequently ensuing a bunch of hoarse coughs that scratched at her throat.

Ichigo's expression didn't falter. "Tell me -- now."

This was the only time Rukia felt fear course through her veins. When Ichigo stayed so calm, yet so threatening, he caused fear to arise. He was the only one who could do that…Well, him and one other person, but she knew she wouldn't be seeing that other person for a very long time.

Ichigo glared at her expectantly.

She sighed, knowing he'd get it out of her sooner or later. Better now than later. Her eyes closed softly. She never dreamt she would tell someone her story. She never thought…But then again, Ichigo was practically her best friend. They knew each other inside and out. She knew him. And he knew her. Maybe that's why he was one of the only ones able to cause uneasiness in her. She was so used to being able to hide behind a wall of no emotions, but Ichigo seemingly knew how to break through. He knew how to peer over and spot her emotions.

And for that, she appreciated him on some level. Maybe that's why she would tell him her story.

- - - - - - - - - -

The two sat in silence. Nothing had been said since Rukia had explained her story. She could see an unnamed emotion in Ichigo's eyes.

Rukia fought with all her drained energy to refrain from crying.

To show your tears in front of someone other than family will result in the assumption you are weak. Kuchikis are not weak.

That's what her brother told her, and that's what she would believe. Her eyes switched over to Ichigo, who was staring into space.

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner." he said in a low tone. His fists were clenched and all he could do was swear to himself. "Damnit Rukia, why didn't you tell me! I would've been there, I would have saved you."

Rukia narrowed her eyes at him. "It was none of your business--"

"The Hell it isn't!"

"I don't see how this concerned you at --"

"Because, Rukia, you're a friend, and your troubles are my troubles."

Rukia closed her eyes and took in a breath. She opened them again and stared at him seriously. "The past is over and done with, and there's no changing it. I've learned to forget what happened and move on. If I have, so should you. It was my fault I got into such a situation, and…Stop looking at me like that!"

Ichigo stared to here, a solid expression of solemnity was held, with a hint of worry.

"Don't give me that sappy look!"

"You honestly think it was your fault." he stated.

Rukia jumped from the bed and stood to her full height, which wasn't very tall, but since Ichigo was sitting, she was taller. "Can we just drop this whole thing!"

Ichigo stood up, taking away all of her hopes on intimidating him. He towered over her with crossed arms over his chest. "How can you be so sure it won't happen again."

Rukia flinched slightly. "Be…Because, I can take care of myself. And besides, I know it won't happen--"

"Rukia!" said a loud voice as someone crashed through Ichigo's door.

"Renji?" Rukia asked as she saw the distinct red-colored haired man standing in front of her.

"Hey, I heard you were sick and came over to the idiot's house as soon as I heard."

"What do you mean "idiot"?!" Ichigo yelled, a vein pulsing in his forehead.

"Well you are, I mean look at you, you have Rukia out of bed when she should be resting!" Renji shouted back.

"It wasn't my fault, she got out herself!"

"Oh, so handling a girl is pretty hard for you I see!"

"What! Shuttup before I make you!"

"Ha, I'd like to see you try!" Renji said cockily.

"Enough!" Rukia yelled hoarsely, a headache throbbing now because of them. She put her fingertips to her temples as she started feeling light-headed, causing her to wobble slightly.

"Whoa, Rukia, you okay?" Renji asked with a relaxed facial expression now.

"I'm fine." she replied sternly. She glanced over to Ichigo and caught his stare.

The stare that told her "We'll finish our little chat later" which she did not look forward to.

"Go back to bed and get some sleep." Ichigo told her. Ichigo looked over to Renji. "Come on, let's leave her be."

Renji looked over to the petite form walking to the bed and nodded.

Renji and Ichigo sat outside on the porch. "Did you know about…What happened?" Ichigo asked.

"What do you mean? What happened when?" Renji asked.

Ichigo grumbled. "To Rukia, stupid."

Renji now looked to him seriously. "What do you mean."

Ichigo sighed. Renji deserved to know, he wanted to protect Rukia just as much as he did.

After a few moments of silence and after Ichigo hesitantly explained to him, Renji finally stood up.

"Where are you going?" Ichigo asked.

"To talk to Rukia--"

"No, leave her alone. I'm not sure she wanted you to know. She didn't even want me to know."

Renji sighed and sat back down. "How the Hell did this happen? Where were we when this happened? How…I'm gonna kill the bastard."

"Calm down. We don't even know who he is. Rukia thinks he'd never return back to Karakura Town, but something inside me says otherwise."

"All I know is that if he shows his face around here again, I'll kill him." Renji said through ground teeth.

"Heh, this is the first time we've had something in common."

- - - - - - - - - -

Thursday rolled around, and Rukia was starting to feel better. She didn't cough as much, didn't feel so weak anymore, and she wasn't so tired. She had snuck out of Ichigo's house while he was at school and headed down to Urahara's Shop. She stepped in and was greeted by him.

"Well, hello there Miss Kuchiki. How can I help you today?" he asked in his normal tone.

"I need something for this cold so I can go back to school finally." she explained.

"Ah, we just received a shipment of cold remedies, let me see, where did I put it…" he began looking through boxes. "Ahh, try this." he said and handed her a brown bottle. "It's said to cure the common cold instantly upon drinking it."

Rukia eyed it curiously. "Thanks" she said and paid, then headed home. Home? That wasn't her home. It was Ichigo's. She had to get out of the habit of calling it hers. She went up to his room and sat on the bed, then downed the tiny bottle. She sat there for a second. "Well, I feel a lot better." she said and decided to test it. She breathed in deeply through her nose. No stuffy nose, and no runny nose. It worked.

Ichigo returned home a few hours later and went to his room. "What the Hell are you doing up…And dressed?! You can't think you're going anywhere."

Rukia smirked and stared up to him. "I am all better now."

"Is that so?" he looked at her disbelievingly.

"Yes. I got a remedy and it worked."

"How do I know you're not just making this up." Ichigo retorted.

Rukia gave him a kick swift to the shin. "Because I said so, stupid!"

Ichigo grabbed his leg in pain. "I believe you." he winced.

- - - - - - - - - -

Rukia returned to school the next day, feeling fine. She ran into Orihime on her way to her next class.

"Oh, Rukia! You're back! I'm so glad!" she said with a large smile. "You're staying at my house still, right?" she asked.

"I don't know--"

"Oh please oh please oh please!" Orihime begged with her hands together.

Rukia nodded with a slight smile, causing a giant hug from Orihime.

"Great! I'll see you there." Orihime added and then ran off . "See you later, Rukia!" she yelled back to her.

Rukia couldn't help but smile. She turned around to head to her next class and bumped into something.

No, someone.

"Hello Rukia Kuchiki."

Rukia looked up to the speaker and her eyes widened. "No…"

- - - - - - - - - -

Author's Note: Eh, so this story doesn't get as much feedback as possible, but it's still my favorite one to write and gives me a break from my Inuyasha-ness. Yay for cliff hangers.

I know, I know I keep not telling you the whole big secret of Rukia, but what fun would that be? The basis of the story surrounds just that :D -Ami