{A/N: This chapter is longer than the others. I don't know why but I guess I got carried away with typing/writing. Well anyways, I'm not gonna update everyday. I just had a moment of ideas exploding into my brain. Soon I'm going to a trip so I won't be able to update or anything. So in that time, tell your friends to read this and my other stories! Reviews are welcomed! So are ideas and constructive criticism!
As dusk approached, Rukia was walking home from school thinking about her first day and the other time she enrolled into the Karakura High School. How she was the first one to introduce herself; how she was the one to offer a handshake; how Ichigo freaked out at the sight of her. The memory made Rukia giggle. Though today, he didn't seemed that freaked out about her return. Did he really forget his best friend? How could he forget her? She wondered if Ichigo heard her mumble "You weren't like that before."
Soon, she reached her home. Well, temporary home for the time being. Rukia walked into the Urahara Shop and instantly smelled food. The aroma almost made her drool. Even if she did have lunch, Rukia was too busy thinking about what the others were thinking and if they remembered her at least. But then again, she suspected that no one should anyways. She sighed in disappointment.
Rukia walked into the eating area and saw the familiar red spikey pineapple-like hair stuffing his face in a bowl of rice. "You could at least save me some Renji," Rukia teased. Renji stopped eating and cleaned his face with his sleeve. He was smiling from ear to ear.
"It wasn't my fault that today we were infested with Hollow. You know I have to eat in order to keep my strength up!" he exclaimed putting the bowl down.
Back in Soul Society, Rukia asked the captains if she could do part time Hollow duty in Karakura Town. During the day, she would be in a school learning "what the world of the living do" while another Shinigami could do with the Hollow. At night, she would take full responsibility with the Hollow and yet still do the schoolwork. This seemed quite odd but thankfully, Captain Kurotsuchi and the Shinigami Research and Development Institute needed more information about the world of the living and sent Rukia and Renji to record data.
"Well I'm sorry that I couldn't help out and be there but-"
"Yea, yea, yea. I know. Because of the deal, you gotta go to a school and learn about the world of the living but I know what you're really up to." Rukia felt bad for Renji as she noticed a hint of jealousy in his voice. Was he still jealous of her relationship with Ichigo?
"But don't worry about it. I'm over it," he insisted saying it quickly as he noticed her feeling guilty. Renji knew that Rukia hated guilt, and making her feel guilty even with the guilt she already has from the incident wasn't gonna help her at all. He thought she didn't need any more guilt than what she has now.
"Well anyways," Rukia sighed changing the subject, "I'm going to get out of this gigai and start my shift." Rukia stood up and started walking out the room.
"Wait!" yelled Renji. "Don't you wanna eat first? It gets pretty tiring after a while…"" He held up his bowl of rice as in offering.
"Right after seeing you eat like a pig from that thing? I don't think so," refused Rukia as she exited the eating area.
Renji smiled when she disappeared and signed. "She's totally not over it is she?" he asked himself while staring into the half eaten bowl of rice. When he heard Rukia leave the shop he continued eating, getting the table and himself messed up again.
The wind blew into her hair making it flow and cover her face. It was nice out and so far, no Hollows have appeared. Rukia took a deep breath and sighed. If only Ichigo was here helping her out with protecting the town she knows he loves. Standing on a telephone pole, Rukia could see most of the town below her making it easy to spot an unexpected Hollow. Nothing felt weird so she decided to check on Ichigo. Knowing his spiritual, it didn't confuse her like it did before. Rukia focused her mind and felt it, strong but not as strong as it used to be. She wondered if Ichigo could see her.
Well let's find out, she thought. Bouncing on the rooftops of other houses, she made her way to the Kurosaki residents. Rukia stood outside on the road looking into his bedroom window. Ichigo still had his light on, possibly reading a magazine or cramming for a test. Rukia remembered those nights. She would snap at him to turn off the light if she was there. Rukia chuckled and shook her head. It's never gonna happen ever again, she thought.
