CHAPTER 7 - ...

"Rukia! Ukitake-taichou wants to see you immediately!"

Sentaro says this while rushing into my quarters at the Thirteenth Division barracks.

I raise my head from some paperwork I was doing.

"Okay, Sentaro. I'm coming."

I put down my brush and get up before following Sentaro to Ukitake-taichou's office.

We arrive to see a Shinigami exiting the room.

She tilted her head to Sentaro and I before leaving with quick steps.

"That was Tama Ayako, fifth seat of First Division."

Sentaro says this hurriedly before gesturing for me to enter the room.

First Division?

I warily enter and noticed Ukitake-taichou sitting behind his desk, face towards the window to his left.

He sees me come in and smiles.

"Aa, Kuchiki!"

I bow respectfully.

"You wanted to see me, Taichou?"

"Oh, yes! Come and sit."

I seat myself across from him and watch as he gives me a gentle smile.

"I suppose Sentaro told you who it was that just left?"

I nod.

"Tama Ayako, the fifth seat of First Division."

Ukitake-taichou nods.

"You are right. We have received orders from Genryusai-soutaichou."

My eyes widen.

"Orders? What of?"

"Well, you see..."

XXXX

My body is thrust with incredible force from the gateway.

I am still in utter disbelief.

My heart beats erratically at my nervousness.

I try to calm it with futile attempts.

I land on the pavement and grip the hilt of my sword hard, finding comfort in it.

Ukitake-taichou had explained from A to Z.

The reason why I am here is because several Hollows need to be taken care of.

That is all.

So why did he allow me two weeks here? I can finish the hunt in five days at most.

I bite my lip and take a few calming breaths.

I close my eyes to locate the reiatsu of the Hollows.

I go when I find it.

XXXX

I kill two Hollows with ease during the four hours I had been here.

The evening is slowly darkening.

Night was when the Hollows were usually active.

I sit impatiently on a bench in the park, trying to home in on any Hollow reiatsu around.

Forget five days, I can finish the hunt within the night.

I sigh impatiently.

And then I see him.

XXXX

Uniform not tucked in, one hand in the pants pocket while the other hung onto the bag thrown carelessly over one shoulder.

Shadowed orange hair from the sinking sun, eyebrows furrowed in their usual way, dark eyes looking forward.

Ichigo.

My breath stops short from the sight of him, looking like he had all those months ago.

Ichigo.

My Ichigo.

Unconsciously, I stand and approach him.

So great is my relief to see him that I instinctively call him by his pet name.

"Tawake!"

When he doesn't turn around, I fume.

And it hits me that he cannot see or hear me.

It hits me hard.

I suddenly feel stupid.

What surprises me is when he stops when I do and looks in the direction of the park.

His eyes roam about, stopping just a second later on the spot I am standing at.

He frowns deeper and sighs, running a hand through his hair.

He starts to walk home.

My legs start to move on their own accord.

I force them to stop.

I am on a mission now.

Ichigo can't even sense me.

So why should I bother following him home?

I have an inkling that I would not be finding any more Hollows tonight.

But I stay put and watch him as he moves out of sight.

Inside, I feel sorrowful.

I walk back to the bench I had been sitting on and hunch forward, my arms on my legs and my face in my hands.

I stay that way till night falls.

A/N: A review came in by LinG saying 'what if berry had 'moved on'' and 'Rukia should accept 'new love'' (I'm sorry, I can't gain access to the reviews page or my email. This is generally what LinG had said). I gave a short reply and after I thought more about it, hey, what if Ichigo had moved on? Like LinG had said, it won't be good for Rukia but she'd have to accept it.

After more thought, I realized the setting of this story is two/three months after Ichigo had lost his powers. Anyone read chapter 436 of the new arc? Oh God, I loved that moment of the second-last page! I don't know why, but it seemed so significant. Okay, I don't know where I'm going at, but after 17 months of powerlessness, Ichigo still had her in his thoughts. Even just for a moment. I don't think Rukia will ever be erased from Ichigo's heart.

Umm...I think I've maybe deviated from the original topic.. Point made: I love IchiRuki and I'm a sucker for happy endings.

To LinG: Like I said, I like Ryuume too, but I like Ichigo better. I respect and welcome your review and thank you for it. I hope you'll read this to the very end, which is only 3 chapters left. Thanks again!