The Truth
Chapter Three: Day Three
Note: Rukia is in Orihime's body and Orihime is in Rukia's body as you imagine the scenes. Also, after either of them say anything I usually state the real person who said it (the person in the body).
Ichigo had that dream again. It was the dream where he recalled Rukia's death, the instant that her rieatsu dropped significantly causing him to literally turn around and head back. Would anything have changed if he followed after that drop of rieatsu? He always wondered if he could have saved her. He sat up, panting and sweating intensely from the dream. Why would that come back now? It's not like he lost her, right? She's still there, in his sisters' room probably sleeping soundly without a care in the world.
Though it wouldn't hurt to check.
Rukia sat up in Orihime's bed; she looked around with a yawn, still adjusting to the new environment around her. She checked the calendar of her cell phone, and widened her eyes in surprise. It was training day. That meant that everyone had to meet up to train together, as she and Ichigo always planned. Though if she did go, it meant that she had to get out of Orihime's body… but what about Orihime? She couldn't leave Rukia's body for she was a live soul.
Rukia grabbed her head; she felt a headache forming from the stress of the situation. She wearily stood up and made herself some breakfast. She decided that she could always skip training and tell Orihime to do so as well. But if Ichigo heard about it, she didn't know what he would do.
She picked up the phone and called the Kurosaki house.
The phone rang suddenly which caused Ichigo to jump as he attempted to sneak a check on Rukia sleeping. He quickly ran back to his room to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Ah… ohayo Kurosaki-kun!"
"Oh, what is it Inoue?" Ichigo asked, his voice gentle.
"I'd like to talk to Kuchiki-san, is she up?" She noticed Ichigo's change of voice whenever Orihime talked, she felt a stab of pain in her chest.
"I'm actually not sure, let me go check." Ichigo placed the phone on his desk and then walked down the hall to see if Rukia was awake. He opened his sisters' door and saw her there, reading a book.
"Rukia, Inoue's on the phone, she wants to talk to you," Ichigo said. Rukia looked at him in surprise and quickly got up, following behind him.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Inoue listen carefully, we can't go to training today and I need you to tell Ichigo that okay? If he doesn't let you do what you want just run off and meet me here at your house."
"Okay," Orihime replied, Ichigo looked at her, wondering what Orihime had to say.
"If he asks what the conversation was about, tell him that you don't have to tell him squat."
A look of worry formed on Rukia's face, "Ah but…" Orihime said.
"No buts, you'll have to do this if you don't want anyone to find out."
Orihime put the phone down afterward and let out a sigh.
"So what was that?" Ichigo asked, his trademark scowl etched on his face.
"Nothing," Orihime managed to mutter. Ichigo's eyebrow rose in suspicion.
"Something you're not telling me?" He stood up, looking down at her. At this point Orihime was actually afraid of what to say.
She decided to run.
"Hey!" Ichigo called out.
Rukia zoomed out of his room and down the stairs. She ran out the front door after grabbing her shoes, and put them on as she jogged slightly. She let out a relieved sigh as she began jogging back to her actual house.
Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her, she turned around and saw Ichigo speeding after her. She let out a little squeal and started pumping her legs quicker.
"OI! Rukia! Where are you going?" Ichigo yelled. Orihime didn't answer, she just continued running.
"Damn it! You do know that you can't run faster than me, right?" At this, Ichigo literally jumped a few meters and was right behind Rukia.
"STOP DAMN IT!" Ichigo tackled her to the ground. "Jeeze you-"
Rukia's face was red, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Ichigo blushed slightly, realizing the scene he made, and got up, dusting himself.
"I just wanted to walk with Inoue to the training grounds," Orihime said, trying to keep her 'Rukia' composure.
"Then why were you running?" Ichigo asked.
"I just didn't want to be late." Orihime answered, not looking at Ichigo.
Rukia stared at the large cavern in worry. She didn't know what to expect at this training session. Beside her, Orihime in her body was worried as well. They glanced at Urahara who was obviously smiling behind his fan.
"Off you kids go to training, though this time Rukia and Inoue-san won't be joining you," Urahara said.
Ichigo looked at the pair and shrugged. It wasn't hard to get them to go with him.
"Come with me you two," Urahara said.
"Why should we follow you? You might experiment on us again," Rukia teased as she stepped behind Urahara up the stairs.
"Now Kuchiki-san, it is not the time for satire, I am merely checking on you," he replied.
They sat down in one of Urahara's large rooms.
"So," Urahara began, as he picked up a notebook lying beside him and opened it to a fresh page. "How are you two feeling?"
"Pretty good actually, despite the fact that our souls were switched," Rukia replied.
"Souls?" Urahara asked without looking up, scribbling notes down.
"Yeah, I can get out of this body using Chappy but I can't get back into Inoue's because she's a live soul."
"Hmm, interesting…"
"I can use her Shun Shun Rikka too," Rukia said.
"Really?" Orihime asked.
"Yeah they let me use them as long as it was for protecting your body," Rukia replied.
"Ah I see!"
"Very good, and have you guys felt any headaches of sorts?"
"No not at all," Orihime replied this time.
"That's excellent," Urahara said, as he continued writing.
"I hope you don't mind me asking but, why did you make this candy?" Orihime asked.
"Well Inoue-san, it's for Soul Society's use and maybe even for humans. I tested it on you two because Kuchiki is dead and you are alive, the worst that could have happened was eternally getting you both stuck in the middle of the switch."
Rukia glared at him.
"But it all worked out, right?" Urahara laughed awkwardly. "I suggest you both return to the training grounds, Rukia can still train your Shun Shun Rikka for you Inoue, just sit this one out this time."
"It's weird, I don't know if it's just me but Orihime doesn't seem like her usual self," Tatsuki said to Renji and Uryu.
"What do you mean?" Uryu asked, pretending not to know what was going on.
"It's like Inoue-chan became more uptight and sort of… mature?" Keigo added. He regularly attended training as well; he didn't feel like running around scared anymore.
"Yeah, like Orihime's childish bubbly side sort of toned down," Tatsuki said.
There was a brief silence as the group stared at Orihime.
"Then there's Kuchiki-san," Keigo said, "it's like she's become ditsy and stammers more."
"I even heard her almost say 'Kurosaki-kun' a lot," Tatsuki whispered.
"Maybe that's just Rukia's way of making fun of Ichigo," Renji said, clearing his throat.
"Really?" Tatsuki said, "Because the only person I know that calls Ichigo that is Orihime."
"Something is going on," Keigo said.
"Oi! You four! Get back to training!" Urahara exclaimed.
They scuttled away, and Renji sparred with Uryu. Tatsuki continued teaching Keigo some basic hand to hand combat, though she was frustrated at how weak he was.
"What's even stranger, Kuchiki's just sitting there and not training, she and Ichigo were the ones who put this together." Tatsuki added, Keigo turned to look at Rukia but was punched across the face. "Pay attention!" Tatsuki exclaimed.
"Woah, that chick's going at it," Renji said, as he and Uryu turned to watch the strawberry haired teen.
Orihime stood there, her Shun Shun Rikka cutting a target in half. She sent fairies flying towards Renji who cut the string that was holding up his hair and surrounded him in a shield. Orihime suddenly realized that she was having too much fun with the fairies and quickly dropped the training. She walked up to Rukia who was sitting on one of the rocks as everyone stared on.
"Kuchiki!" Tatsuki yelled, at this, Orihime whipped her head around. Tatsuki looked at her in confusion as she turned back, muttering something and hiding her face.
"What is it Tatsuki?" Rukia (Orihime) called out.
"Nothing!" Tatsuki exclaimed, suspicion clear on her face.
Renji walked out of the store with Tatsuki beside him. She was unexpectedly quiet.
"What's on your mind?" Renji asked, looking over at her.
"Huh? Oh, I think Orihime and Rukia switched bodies," Tatsuki said, looking at the two girls walking beside Ichigo. Renji looked at her in shock.
"What-"
"Their rieatsu, it switched. I get that they don't wanna say anything 'cus of Ichigo but a little heads up would have been nice," Tatsuki said.
"Rukia, Inoue!" Renji called out.
The two turned towards him, along with Ichigo who had an annoyed look on. Orihime ran towards Renji, with Rukia following behind her.
"What is it Abarai-san?" Rukia asked in an Orihime fashion.
"Wow, she's good," Tatsuki said.
"What?" Orihime asked in Rukia's body.
"She knows," Renji said, "So does Keigo and Uryu, the only person left is Ichigo."
Orihime looked at Renji in shock, "You absolutely cannot tell Ichigo," Rukia said.
"Of course not," Tatsuki said, "I know what you're planning Kuchiki, and it's okay, I'll follow along."
There was an awkward silence.
"Oh! That means Ishida-kun meant to give those cupcakes to me!" Orihime exclaimed.
"I heard my name," Uryu chimed in, merging with the group.
"Ah nothing Ishida-kun… I just realized that you gave me the cupcakes so… thank you," she smiled at him. Uryu blushed slightly and cleared his throat as he pushed up his glasses.
"No problem Inoue," he smiled back.
"What's going on?" Ichigo butt in with an annoyed look on.
"Nothing," Tatsuki said, "Renji and I are going now, coming Uryu?" Ishida nodded.
"I'll go with them too," Rukia said and she followed Tatsuki, "I'll see you tomorrow Kuchiki-san! Kurosaki-kun!" She waved at them as she jogged towards the rest of the group.
Ichigo just put a hand up, and turned to walk away. Rukia quickly followed behind him, her head down and staring at her feet.
Orihime and the rest of her friends walked down the street together. Renji was arguing with Rukia about how much stronger he was compared to her, while Uryu and Tatsuki listened intently, laughing every so often.
"So, are you alright with this situation Kuchiki?" Tatsuki asked. Orihime sighed.
"I guess so, Inoue's liked Ichigo for a long time and I guess this won't hurt," she said.
"Though I don't think this will help," Uryu said, pushing up his glasses.
"What do you mean?"
"Ichigo still thinks it's you, she'll realize it sooner or later... she'll only get hurt." Uryu explained.
"On the other hand, Orihime will get to spend time with Ichigo," Tatsuki added, "I guess we'll have to see how it works out."
Rukia nodded, her face grim.
"What if they're like kissing and stuff?" Renji asked, staring at Rukia.
"I doubt that, Ichigo's dense about anything related to like or love," Rukia said.
"Who knows," Renji said, "have you ever asked him?"
"No," Rukia said, "but if he can't see Orihime's feelings for him after all this time..."
"As I said, we'll have to see how it turns out," Tatsuki said, punching Renji in the shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Ichigo asked, turning around to look at her.
"Huh? N-nothing's wrong!" Orihime replied.
"Then walk beside me at least," Ichigo said, and he watched as the petite shinigami walked to his side.
They shared an awkward silence as they continued home.
"Hey uh-" Ichigo started, he scratched the back of his head, "wanna go out for dinner again?"
"What?" Rukia looked up in surprise at Ichigo, "but why?" Orihime asked.
"What do you mean why? You're the one who always demands me to take you out for dinner after training!" Ichigo said, glaring.
"Ah! Oh okay… let's go eat!" Orihime answered, smiling Rukia's smile.
After taking nearly half an hour to decide, they ended up eating at a nearby McDonald's. Rukia sat down with Ichigo at one of the tables near the window. The sun was setting and Orihime just stared dreamily outside. It felt like a dream being able to go out to have dinner with Ichigo.
"What do you want to eat?" Ichigo asked, sitting across her and pulling out his wallet. Rukia looked up at the menu and then turned to Ichigo with a shrug.
"I don't know, what should I eat?" Orihime asked, not really knowing what Rukia's preferences were.
"Are you okay? You usually decide what you want really quickly, especially concerning food." Ichigo said. Orihime didn't know what to say.
"Just get me what you're getting!" Orihime said and that earned her another confused look.
"But you don't like what I usually get at McDonald's… Rukia are you okay?" He was worried now, it was clear on his face. Orihime was trapped; she really didn't know what to do. Ichigo sighed in frustration, "I'll just get you the usual then, there was no point in asking." He got up to leave.
Orihime watched him order, her heart racing from what just happened. She still wasn't used to being stared in the eyes by him, let alone sitting across from him and sharing a meal!
"And yet Kuchiki-san does so almost every single day…" Orihime muttered to herself.
"What?" Ichigo said, carrying the tray of food and sitting down.
"Nothing!" Orihime answered, caught off guard.
"Heh okay, well dig in," Ichigo said, and he opened his box. Orihime grabbed hers and began to eat.
They didn't say much at the table, Orihime though had butterflies in her stomach and her heart was racing a thousand miles per hour. She tried her best hiding it, which was hard, for her emotions usually showed clearly on her face.
They finished a few minutes later and threw out the garbage left on their trays. Ichigo opened the door for her and she muttered a small thank you, trying her best not to blush. They were met by the cool night, it was around seven p.m. and the darkness was catching up to them. Ichigo sidestepped a little closer to Rukia as he saw a group of men loitering at a bus stop.
"You've been quiet these days," Ichigo said, not looking at the woman beside him. "You're usually noisy, loud and annoying." He laughed and turned to Rukia, half expecting a punch. He was surprised that he wasn't met with a punch but a sort of flustered face. He cleared his throat.
"Well that's okay I guess, silence is good," he finished. More silence again.
"I've been thinking a lot lately… Inoue asked me a really weird question yesterday."
Orihime didn't know what to say at that either so she continued to stay silent.
"She asked me what I thought about you," he continued, "Honestly, that question threw me off."
Rukia had a slight look of shock on.
"No it's not a bad thing!" Ichigo said, looking her in the eyes. "It's that…"
"You don't have to explain," Orihime answered, please don't answer the question.
"But I need to," he scratched the back of his head and looked to the side, a habit he picked up from his dad.
Orihime stayed silent and looking down, not wanting to make eye contact. She already knew what he was going to say.
"You're… really important to me…" Ichigo started, his voice softer than usual, "you've changed my life for the better," he turned to her with a smile, "and no one can ever take your place, Rukia."
Rukia looked up, her eyes wet, portraying Orihime's emotions. Ichigo looked at her in surprise.
"Kurosaki-kun I-" Orihime suddenly realized the words she used, and covered her mouth with her hands. He looked at her with hurt eyes.
"I see… I realized that you've been calling me that. Why? It's not a joke anymore is it?"
"No it's-"
"If you wanted to push me away you can at least say so," Ichigo muttered, trying his best to hide the pain in his voice.
"That's not it!" Orihime exclaimed.
"Then what? I literally told you what I felt about you and you call me 'Kurosaki-kun'? Inoue's the only one who calls me that!" Ichigo yelled.
Rukia clutched her dress, biting her lip as tears fell. She turned and began walking past him, Ichigo grabbed her by the arm but she pulled away. She then ran away as fast as she possibly could.
"Rukia!" Ichigo called out, he watched as the girl ran with all her might. He sighed. "I should think my feelings through before acting upon them," Ichigo said in almost a whisper.
He began to walk home and punched a nearby cement pole. He grazed his knuckles, but he ignored it, and punched the pole once more. Without realizing it, his rieatsu rose with his rage, and a few minutes later a hollow cried out.
He was not in the mood for this. He popped out of his body and made his way towards the hollow, his heart confused.
Tears welled up in Rukia's eyes. She was a fool; a fool for thinking that by agreeing not to tell Ichigo about the body switch would make her feel better. That being by Ichigo's side for only a few days would make her happier. Instead it only made her feel worse... it just made her see the truth even more.
She forgot that Ichigo wasn't seeing Inoue Orihime at all - he was seeing Kuchiki Rukia.
The Kuchiki Rukia that saved his family.
The Kuchiki Rukia that gave him powers.
The Kuchiki Rukia that stopped the rain.
What was she thinking? She wasn't Kuchiki Rukia at all. She was nothing like her. She wasn't strong or beautiful; she was nothing like the girl who permanently had a place by Ichigo's side.
"A girl that no one can replace," she repeated.
She ran all the way back to her apartment to find Rukia. She didn't know how she would explain her tears or how to tell her about Ichigo's confession, but she decided that she should. Inoue Orihime wasn't the kind of girl who would destroy love.
She knocked insanely at her own door and was greeted by her own surprised face.
"Inoue what happened?" Rukia asked, bringing her into the apartment.
"Kurosaki-kun…" She panted from the long run.
"Here, I'll get you some water, sit down," Rukia said, and she ran to the kitchen.
Orihime looked around, the house seemed cleaner than usual, and the faint smell of vanilla wafted around her. Rukia gave her the glass of water and Orihime finished it within a few gulps.
"So tell me, what happened?" Rukia looked at Orihime worriedly.
"Kurosaki-kun he…" Orihime stared at Rukia and then said, "Kurosaki-kun confessed that he…"
A/N: So… what's Hime going to say? Is she gonna lie? Or is she going to tell the truth? P.S. I apologize for any mistakes!
And LOL, I can never seem to formulate a decent conversation between Ichigo and Orihime.
Please leave your comments, suggestions or concerns in a review! Chow for now!