Chapter 4

Ichigo's voice rang through the entire place when he saw Rukia stood firmly with her back facing him. He was stunned to see Rukia at first but when she still held on her ground without even try to look at him, it irritates him tremendously. However, Ichigo became aware the way Hitsugaya stared at her and both seemed lost in their own world regardless other people around. Ichigo became impatient and within seconds, he ran to her, grabbed her shoulder and hauled her to face him.

Rukia was shocked with the force, breaking her gaze with Hitsugaya but when she realized Ichigo was watching her with his deep amber eyes, she let her gaze wander, refuse to look at him while Ichigo continued staring at her, dumbstruck to find her again after he thought he lost her when her reiatsu faded. Rukia eventually saw the other girl stood not far from them holding herself as if she was about to cry. With a swift move, she brushed Ichigo's hand and walk slowly towards Inoue. Ichigo was shocked and let out disbelief look when he felt rejected by Rukia as she just ignored him totally.

"Ah, Inoue. I'm glad to see you again. Are you alright?" said Rukia with a calm voice and slowly embraced Inoue tightly in her arms. Rukia somehow felt at peace when she saw Inoue safe and her previous knotted feelings dissipates when she realized that nothing is more important than to see Inoue happy with Ichigo.

"Kuchiki san…thank you. I saw you earlier when you fought the ninth espada as he pierced his Nejibana through you. Will you let me heal you?" asked Inoue sadly trying to look into Rukia's eyes.

"There is no need Inoue. Sode No Shirayuki healed me earlier and the person you see now is far better than before. But please take a look at Chado. He bled profusely and even after I tried to heal him with kidou, it's not enough. His cuts are too deep. Don't worry Inoue, after this, we will bring you back home safely," she replied and flinched slightly when she used the word 'home', remembering perfectly, that she belongs to Soul Society, while Ichigo belongs with Inoue, in the real world.

"I'm glad to hear that Rukia. I'm really glad that you are alive," said Ichigo without turning from his position.

"I'm not a weakling Ichigo. I know how to take care of myself," snapped Rukia. Ichigo scowled at her words but he remained silent. He's aware of Inoue and her sensitivity when he's with Rukia, so he kept everything to himself even he felt the urge to wrapped his arms around Rukia.

"Shirou…err...err…Hitsugaya taichou?" said Renji after he became conscious. Automatically small veins popped on the young captain's head while gripping tightly his fists.

"Abaraiiiiiii…if only you are well" replied Hitsugaya staring at Renji venomously.

"Ne, taichou, why are you here?" asked Renji quickly and with a sudden Hitsugaya turned his gaze to Inoue.

"Inoue…can you tell me where is Aizen's palace? I need to go there. There is something I need to do," said Hitsugaya slowly. Inoue just nodded her head and began picking up a stick nearby and draw beautifully the route to Aizen's palace.

"Waaahh, such a nice drawing you had there Inoue," said Nell after Inoue done with it. Hitsugaya quickly skimmed through the sand map and memorize the details. Everyone was looking at the route when Rukia noticed that Ichigo was looking at her intently. Slowly, Rukia nodded to him and turn slightly to Inoue before her gaze falls back to Ichigo. Ichigo watched in horror as Rukia gave him signed that she knew about him and Inoue. Without hesitation, Ichigo stepped in front of Rukia and pulled her away from the group. Rukia turned to see Inoue's eyes quickly averted from them.

"Let. Me. Go. Ichigo! What the hell are you doing?!" yelled Rukia when they are far from the place. She looked pissed when dragged around by Ichigo as if he can anything to her.

"Tell me Rukia. What really happened to you and why suddenly you are cold towards me? Tell me now Rukia" asked Ichigo softly. Sadness showed in her eyes but in mere second it turns to be dark cold once again. She shrugged off from Ichigo before facing him.

"Sode No Shirayuki healed me. I had gained certain level in my shikai which left one more step to achieve bankai. However, the way my power increased is different from other shinigami. I could see people with reiatsu as if I had the third eye that saw their every movement from afar. I am stronger now than before that I need you not to protect me anymore. I can protect myself Ichigo!" said Rukia.

"Then you must have seen me…and Inoue," replied Ichigo slowly realized that her power could have been used earlier to find him.

"Yes and congratulations. She is very fragile Ichigo. You need to take care of her. She is the one who need your protection…not me," said Rukia with a pain in her voice. Ichigo eyed her and tried to inch closer to her but she moved away.

"But…Rukia…I," said Ichigo but before he could finished his words Rukia walked to him and slapped his face. Hard.

"You baka! Once you made a decision, stick with it! There's nothing else you can do and there is no turning back this time. Once you said it, you said it all. There is nothing you or I can switch it back. Please Ichigo…help her. She is the only girl nakama I ever had…take care of her…please," said Rukia angrily at first but her voice soften, sounded like pleading with the last words. She smiled painly at Ichigo as if it is the last time she will ever see his face and with that she turned and march towards the others. Ichigo watched her sadly and slowly fell on the sand, buried his hands in his hair, leaving everything to his fate…

"Alright. It is settled then. Everyone should go back now and Renji…don't forget to inform Yamamoto taichou the reason I'm here. I need to investigate more on Aizen's approach for this winter war. I will be back shortly after I gained all the information," said Hitsugaya. Rukia watched him and she knew that his mission now contradict to the first time when he asked her about Hinamori Momo. When Ichigo arrived, he smiled faintly to Inoue and began grouping with others. Hitsugaya took out the key to Karakura Town and the portal began to opened in front of them.

Hitsugaya then took another key that lead to Seireitei and opened it for Renji to stepped through the portal. Rukia murmured that she will follow the others back to Karakura Town to check their safety. Slowly Ishida, Inoue, Chado, Nell and her friends, which they had agree to let them stay with Uruhara for the time being, crossed the portal to Karakura. As the portal closed to Seireitei, Ichigo began to realize that the portal to Karakura will be closing soon, so he placed one leg in the portal and called out to Rukia.

"I'm sorry Ichigo. This will be the last time we saw each other. Take care of Inoue and your family. They are the main people in your life now…," said Rukia before she pushed him hard into the portal leaving Hitsugaya shocked and Ichigo's voice protest along the way. Gripping her fist Rukia faced the young captain. She stared into his green eyes and for sometime, no words passed between them. Watching her determined face and her previous encounter with Ichigo knowing that Ichigo is with Inoue now, calmed him.

"Are you sure Rukia? I might not get the answers that I seek but I think you know this is one way route. There is no turning back and perhaps not coming back either. Are you sure?" asked Hitsugaya again.

"Taichou, perhaps I do understand your actions now. It hurts so much to be betrayed by people we trust and the one we want most. At least I found my answers and let me help you to find yours. At least either one of us should have a happy ending," said Rukia smiling faintly. He nodded and with a quick smile, his eyes shone bright green holding her hands in his.

"Then, let's go!" he said and sped through the desert with Rukia still in his hands using their shunpo to find Hinamori…and to find his answers…