Ch. 4

Aftershock

Ichigo's bedroom door opened revealing him still carrying Rukia in his arms, she was silent the whole trip besides a slight whimper halfway back. He gently laid her on his bed, his sheets became a little wet but that wasn't worthy of his worries right now, Rukia sat up and stared at him.

"Are you alright? Anything serious?" he asked. She didn't respond, unless you count lowering your head and staring at your feet a response. Ichigo's gut suddenly felt heavy as he looked at the poor girl on his bed, he decided not to show it.

"I'm getting a pair of P.J.s for you." Ichigo dug through the laundry room for her sisters' P.J.s

It's a good thing may family's gone for the week, I'm not sure Rukia can tolerate my father right now.

While Rukia was changing, he took the time to call the police and inform them of what went down and where. Afterwards he waited outside his room; Rukia didn't make a sound for a while. He opened the door a crack and peeked in, there she was in P.J.s, on his bed, forehead resting on her knees, head tucked under her arms, shaking almost uncontrollably, and tears painting her face. After seeing this, Ichigo nearly let a whimper escape his throat, but he still managed to look strong and resolute on the outside. He sat next to the short soul reaper and put an arm around her, her head snapped up and their eyes met, after a few seconds of silence, she suddenly buried her face in his chest, griped his shirt, and began sobbing. Ichigo hugged her and held her close.

"Don't worry, Rukia, I'll protect you, I swear this won't happen again." He said calmingly. Rukia continued to cry for a little while, sleep took her when she finally calmed down, Ichigo laid her next to him and pulled the covers over both of them. After a while, he fell asleep too.

…..

Byakuya Kuchiki sat at his desk writing non-stop, he absolutely hated filling out raises for his subordinates, but it seemed fair now that hollows were practically flying out there asses. A knock at the door pulled him from his work.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Lieutenant Abarai, sir."

"Come in." The door opened to reveal Renji Abarai, who looked quite tired.

"I've finished my rounds, Captain, just punching out." He said.

"Alright, and get plenty of sleep tonight, the squad is being evaluated tomorrow." Said Byakuya.

"Aye, sir." Renji walked out the door, minutes later he charged back in, he looked like he'd seen a ghost… or whatever soul reapers consider bizarre.

"Captain, I… I just got a text message from Ichigo, you'd better read it!" He handed the

nobleman his soul pager. Byakuya's eyes widened as they scanned the text…

….

Ichigo began to stir as sunlight smacked him in the face, after letting his eyes adjust he looked

down at Rukia, she was still asleep in his arms. The bruise on her neck was now clearly visible in daylight;

the deputy soul reaper cringed as he was reminded of last night's ordeal. He quietly got out of bed and

left to change and make breakfast, his cooking wasn't as good as Yuzu's, but at least it didn't cause

seizures like is father's cooking… although the reports from their neighbor's autopsy were

questionable. He made pancakes for himself and waffles for Rukia.

He came back carrying a plate just as Rukia awoke. She rubbed her eyes as Ichigo pulled

the chair from his desk to the bedside, a smile, however small, found its way on her face when she saw

her savior. Ichigo's heart warmed when he saw it.

"Morning, Rukia, here's your breakfast." He said as he set the plate next to her. Before she could

take a bite, a strong spiritual pressure filled the room, Byakuya and Renji climbed in through the window

seconds later.

"Kurosaki," said Byakuya, "if you're joking about Rukia, I'll kill you for wasting my-"

"Captain!" said Renji while gesturing towards Rukia. The two officers saw the bruise on her neck.

"Would I lie just to drag you out to behead me? Rukia's been hurt in a big way, Byakuya." Said

Ichigo.

"We can see that, Ichigo, but thanks for saving her, we'll have to take her back now." Said Renji.

Byakuya held is hand out to Rukia and said, "Come on, Rukia, I'll take you home now." But she shrank

from his reach and stared at him fearfully.

"What are you doing? You'll be safe in Soul Society." Said Byakuya. He stepped closer and she

scrambled to Ichigo, clutched his shirt, and stared at her brother. This caught Ichigo completely off

guard.

She's choosing me over Byakuya? Oh shit! He's going to kill me!

All he could do was comfort her while giving the two officers a look that told him he was

just as baffled as they were. Byakuya just looked at the pair with amazement, he felt hurt at Rukia's

rejection but she seemed to trust Ichigo completely.

"It looks like there's no changing your mind, Rukia." Said the captain. Ichigo tensed, waiting for

Senbonzakura to decapitate him… it never came.

"Come, lieutenant, our time here is spent."

Both Ichigo and Renji said, "Your/our time here is what?"

"But sir! What about Rukia?" asked Renji.

"I have full confidence in Ichigo's ability to keep her safe." Ichigo couldn't believe what he was

hearing.

"You're just going to let me have her?" the deputy soul reaper asked. Byakuya glared at him.

"You seem to be the only one she'll trust right now, it would be best if you took care of her

rather than someone she doesn't trust." Byakuya explained. "Say your goodbyes, Renji, it's time to go."

Renji walked near Rukia, who was still clutching Ichigo's shirt, and knelt by the bed. He looked at

Ichigo.

"You better keep her out of trouble, or I'll have Hihio Zabimaru charge down your throat and

out your ass." He warned. Ichigo just nodded. Renji reached out to Rukia, but she turned away,

whimpered a bit, and buried her face in Ichigo's shirt. He sighed and followed his superior out the

window.

Ichigo gently pushed Rukia away to face her and asked, "What gives, Rukia? They wanted to

help you. Why didn't you go with them?" She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as if she

remembered that she was mute. The deputy soul reaper looked at her worryingly.

Why won't she speak? Is she afraid to talk or something?

"Hey, don't sweat it. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to." He said. "Now eat

up and get dressed, we've got to leave for school soon."