He had no idea where he was heading.
He only knew that he was heading somewhere.
Somewhere away from his 'family'.
What a pathetic excuse for one, anyway.
Treating him as though he was nothing but scum!
He'd like to see where they'd be without him...
"Ichigo Kurosaki, you're here."
Hearing his name, Ichigo looked up to see Kisuke Urahara staring straight at him beneath the brim of his striped hat. He didn't reply but just stood still, muscles tensed, jaw set.
"Hey, it's not like I'm about to threaten you, or anything. Just calm down and come in. I have something to tell you."
"Not right now, Urahara." Ichigo growled.
"Oh? Why not?" He asked as Yoruichi leapt into her best friend's arms. Caressing the sleek, black cat's fur, Kisuke continued, "Ichigo, there's something important you need to know."
"I just told you: Not right now." Ichigo's voice was soft but dangerous.
"Where were you going, anyway?"
"I – I don't know. Just anywhere. Anywhere away from here. I can't take it, anymore."
"Hmm... something has happened, huh? Well, you could go to the Soul Society. I'm sure they have work for you there. I'll go and let them know."
Ichigo hesitated, "What about my body?"
Urahara picked up the cat in his hands and spoke to her, "Will you go and fetch Kon from Ichigo's house, please?"
"Yes, of course. Ichigo, is everything alright?"
When he didn't reply, Yoruichi scrambled onto the ground and brushed past his legs, "If you need to talk, just let us know."
He nodded, slowly, before turning to follow Urahara into the store.
…
"So, Yamamoto seemed quite shocked that you were so willing to go back, but they accept. He'll be giving you your old squad back... and your old Lieutenant."
Rukia.
Ichigo felt himself feel a glimmer of happiness which was quickly distinguished when Kisuke continued, "Although... I'm not too sure Miss Kuchiki will be happy to see you."
"What? Why?" Ichigo straightened up.
"Well–"
"–Hey! Watch where you put those paws, will ya?!" Kon's voice yelled.
"Shut up, Kon. We may not have use for you, but we need to keep Ichigo's body in tact, should he need to return. We don't want it rotting, or anything..." Yoruichi replied with a mouthful of Kon's stuffing.
"Well, the chances of his body rotting or unlikely, even if he's gone for something like a year. But we never know." Urahara informed the stuffed lion who folded his arms and clamped his mouth shut, stubbornly.
"You don't really have a choice. I'll get you another friend, if you want."
"If it's a hot girl with big boobs then you can count me in, right awa–"
Kisuke used the minor distraction to force his hand into Kon's mouth and pluck out the pill, "Gotcha. Now, Ichigo... we can keep him here, or he can come with you. I have some emergency pills, but I think it would be safe not to keep him at home without you there, you know?"
Ichigo studied the pill for a second, "Well, he won't be much use as a pill in the Soul Society, will he? You'd best keep him here. But.. take good care of him, okay? I mean... I don't really care too much about his personality, but I'd rather he stayed in tact. He is one of my best pals, after all." After a moment, Ichigo furrowed his brow, "That sounds pathetic. A stuffed lion is one of my best friends..."
"Actually, it's a pill." Yoruichi corrected.
Immediately, Ichigo was reminded of the argument with his family and he could feel his blood boil, "Whatever, just open the damn portal, already."
Urahara nodded, "I expect I'll see you soon enough. And..." He deliberated, "...just... just be... be good, okay?"
Ichigo shrugged, half-heartedly, "Yeah. See you around."
...
There he was.
Walking those familiar streets again. Seretei really seemed to enjoy bringing him back for one reason or another.
That was either really good or really bad.
He was willing to bet it wasn't the former.
As several thoughts flew through his exhausted mind, he felt something else fly into him, too.
Something small.
Something with spiky, black hair.
Something that looked suspiciously like a little boy.
It stopped, looked up and stared at the huge Captain in front of him, amber eyes widening, "I'm so sorry, Sir!"
"Uh... don't worry about it, kid." Ichigo scratched the back of his neck, "But... what are you doing here? Aren't you a little... young to be a Soul Reaper?"
The boy paused, nervously. Ichigo crouched down so he was level with the boy, "Hey, don't be scared. I'm not mean like all the other Captains."
The boy looked doubtful and Ichigo had no idea why he did it, but he crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out. In a silly, high-pitched voice he said, "See? Would other Captains do this?"
The boy laughed, "No! You're funny!"
Ichigo grinned, "So, how come you're here?"
"I'm... looking for my mama."
"Your mama, huh? What does she look like?" Ichigo asked, smiling. There was something about this boy that brought out the sentimental part of him.
"Well, she's... small."
"Right. She's small. What else?"
The boy pointed to his hair, "She has black hair like me. But she has purple eyes."
Ichigo felt a twang within his chest at the image that was forming in his mind. In a dry voice, he asked, "What's... what's her name?"
"Rukia Kuchiki."
It was a dream.
It had to be a dream.
There was no way this boy could be Rukia's son.
Well, it was possible. Her and Renji had been together for quite a while.
But why had she kept him a secret from him? Her own Captain? She didn't even make him a Godfather, or anything!
Or did you have to be catholic to do that?
Oh, what did it matter?!
"Well, how about we go find her, huh?" He strained to keep his voice even and grinned unsteadily down at the little boy.
"Really?" He asked, amazed.
" Sure."
The boy gave a small shy smile identical to his Mother's.
"Can you carry me?"
"I don't see why not." He held his arms open and scooped the boy up, "So, what's your name, kid?"
"My mama says I'm not allowed to tell strangers my name."
Ichigo laughed at the irony, "So if that's the case, do you think she'd let me pick you up?"
The boy gave a little mischievous smirk, "She never said you couldn't."
Ichigo laughed, in shock. He was quick-witted.
Just like his Mother...
As he studied the kid's face, Ichigo spoke, "You don't look much like your Dad, you know."
His eyes widened, dramatically, "Huh?"
"I said: You don't look much like your–"
"–How do you know my Dad?"
"I used to work with him." Ichigo shrugged as they began walking steadily forwards.
"Really? Who is he?"
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked, a little confused at the boy's sudden outburst.
Rolling his eyes, impatiently, he said, "Who is my Dad?"
"You... don't know your own Dad's name?"
The boy shook his head, sadly, "No."
"How come? Surely, you know the guy with the red spiky hair, weird eyebrows and tattoos?"
"You mean Renji Abarai?"
"See! You knew his name all along!" Ichigo chuckled, "You were just playing. Little joker, you are."
"He's not my Dad."
The Captain stopped in his tracks.
Well, this information was new.
"He's just Uncle Bya's friend. Well, he's his Lieu."
"Right..." He replied, faintly, wondering exactly what went on in this boy's head, "So, what does your Dad look like?"
The boy shrugged, "I don't know."
"Uh... you don't know?"
"I've never seen him."
Ichigo continued walking, slowly, pondering the boy's words. How could Rukia do this to her own son? Did she just sleep with some random guy years ago and block him out entirely from her world?
It couldn't have been that long ago, right?
For goodness sake – he didn't even know she had a son!
Well, it confirmed his suspicions that she definitely wasn't a virgin.
The thought sort of tugged at a few nerves within himself.
Not that he was jealous, of course!
Oh, no. It's just...
"You're jealous. Admit it."
He ground his teeth in aggravation, practically forgetting that he was carrying the small boy.
"Are you okay, Mr?" The boy asked, concerned.
"Do you know anything about your Dad?" Ichigo couldn't work it out. This wasn't Rukia behaviour.
"Only that he's a lying, stupid prick."
The Captain nearly dropped the boy in his arms, "He's a what? You know... you shouldn't really say that word."
"It's what my mama was telling Rangiku."
"She probably said: lying, stupid and thick." Despite Rukia's mistake, Ichigo felt it wouldn't be right to let the kid swear at such a young age, "I guess he cheated, huh?" He mused as they headed towards Ukitake's barracks.
"Oh... she doesn't tell me anything about him. She only tells me that if I ever see him, I'm to give him a punch on the nose. So I've been practising!"
Ichigo laughed, "Wow. You'll have to show me."
"I will! I'm really strong and fast!"
"I bet you are."
"My Dad doesn't even live in Seretei, anyway. That's what she said when I asked her where he was."
"Did he get kicked out?"
"No. He just left."
"What an idiot..." Ichigo growled at the thought of someone hurting Rukia.
If he ever discovered who it was, he'd chop the guy's balls off.
That'd teach him.
"Yeah, that's what she says, too."
He chuckled as he strode into Ukitake's barracks.
Then all pairs of eyes fell on him and everything was silent.
However, he was very well aware of one particular pair of eyes. They were wide, violet... and furious.
This couldn't be good.
Ukitake nodded for Rukia to leave and she made her way brusquely towards them and it got Ichigo wondering to himself exactly why had he come here, again?
Maybe he should just... go.
She grabbed him by the arm and slammed the door closed before he had the chance, "Hiro, what are you doing with that stranger?"
Hiro? Ichigo took a liking to the name immediately and he was all happy and stuff for a moment before two violent purple orbs brought him back to reality.
Or, as Ichigo hoped, brought him back to the dream.
"I was lost and he helped me find you." Hiro told his mother.
"I thought I told you to stay with Uncle Byakuya." Her voice was even and steady.
"He was in a meeting." The boy replied, defensively.
"Hiro, go inside."
Ichigo set Hiro down and he hesitated, "But–"
"–Now."
The boy knew better than to argue with that tone of voice and obediently he made his way over to the barracks. Once he had disappeared from view, Rukia's cold eyes landed on Ichigo, "Would you care to tell me why you're here?"
The Captain was too confused to reply.
Well, thought Rukia, a whack around the head ought to jog his memory.
As if reading her thoughts, Ichigo opened his mouth, quickly, "I – I thought Yamamoto would have told you. I'm here for a visit... and you'll be my Lieutenant, again."
Evidently, that was the wrong answer.
Ichigo stumbled back as Rukia's fist collided with his jaw.
"Wh-what is with you, woman?!" He exclaimed, backing away from the small, advancing woman.
"If you dare come near my son again, it will be the last thing you ever do, understood?"
"Wh–"
"–Understood?"
"I was helping him find you! It's not like it's a capital offence, is it?!"
"I think you ought to leave. Whatever reason you're back here, I think you may as well just give it up and go back home." She folded her arms across her chest, angrily.
"I... I can't."
"Oh? And why not?" She shot back, coldly.
Ichigo hesitated before answering, "I have nowhere to go."
"And why's that?"
"My family... hates me." It took every effort to keep a straight tone.
"What did you do this time?"
Ichigo felt himself snap.
Striding towards Rukia, he leaned down and yelled, "What the heck is with you?!"
"Answer the question."
"Hey, quit giving me orders! I'm a Captain, you know?"
"I said: answer the question."
"No. Not until you stop being ridiculous, and tell me what's wrong!" Ichigo straightened up, grinding his teeth.
"You really have no idea?"
"Hence why I'm asking, midget!"
That may have been the wrong thing to s–
WHACK.
Ichigo blinked dizzily up at Rukia and felt his back against the ground and her foot on his chest.
Managing to push her off, he pulled himself up. But apparently, she didn't want him to be on two feet. He flash-stepped from her livid grasp and reappeared behind her, "Care to–"
Flash-step.
"–tell me–"
Back-flip.
"–what the hell–"
Face-to-floor.
"–you're doing?" The ground muffled his speech, but he was sure Rukia knew what he was saying.
"Don't you dare play dumb with me, Ichigo Kurosaki!"
Rangiku strolled past and stopped when she saw a cloud of dust and then a small boy appear at the door of the barracks.
Hello?
"What's going on, Hiro?" She asked leaning against the wall.
Hiro shrugged, "I think mama's beating up that orange-haired man."
"The orange-haired man?" Realisation crossed her features, "Ah, Ichigo Kurosaki. He's back, huh? Well, it's only a matter of time before they stop fighting and realise they're actually madly in love with each other..."
"I don't know... She looks too angry."
"She's always angry with him."
"She's nice sometimes. But she scares me when she's angry."
Ichigo stood up and shook Rukia away, "What you talking about? She's even scarier when she's nice!"
This earned him a lovely, hearty punch in the face.
"Do they really love each other If so... I've never seen love be so... painful." Hiro took an automatic step back, reminding himself to never fall in love ever.
"Well, that's your Mother for you." She replied, cheerfully.
"So... they already know each other then?" Hiro asked, appraising the fighting couple.
"Hiro – I told you to wait inside! Stop interfering!" Rukia shouted before turning back to the spot where Ichigo was.
Now, he was balancing on the roof, glancing anxiously at the mental, psychopathic Rukia below him.
"Well, I think they've met once or twice before." Rangiku replied, uneasily.
What was with her?
What had he done wrong to deserve all that?
"Was this the welcome you were hoping for?" His inner Hollow taunted, cackling.
"Shut up." He muttered quietly.
Then he found himself falling off the roof after Rukia had delivered a good-old kick to his head.
He grunted and landed helplessly on the floor.
There was no point in trying to run.
He'd just take his beating and leave.
Rukia landed on two feet and kicked him, again.
"Ichigo, you could have easily dodged that!" Rangiku shouted.
"Yeah, I know, but I'm letting her get it out of her system and when she's ready, she can tell me what she's so angry about." Ichigo sighed, waiting for Rukia to hit him again.
But she didn't.
She just glared at him, "You really have no idea, do you?"
"Of course I don't!" He picked himself up, "I'd love to stay and chat – but I have to go reacquaint myself with the squad. Aren't you coming?"
"N–"
"Yes. She is."
The four turned around.
"Captain Ukitake!" Rukia raised her eyebrows, "What did you just say?"
"I just said that you will be going, Lieutenant. Is there a problem?"
"Ye- No. Of course, that will be fine." She bowed her head and turned to face Ichigo, darkly, "Come on, Hiro. Let's get you back to Uncle Byakuya."
"I'm on break, if you want me to take him." Rangiku suggested and Rukia considered this for a moment.
"I guess so. If you wouldn't mind."
"You're always on break..." Ichigo muttered and Rangiku laughed.
"Sure. Me and Hiro get on well, don't we?"
The small boy nodded and smiled, happily, "Bye, Mama!"
"Be a good boy, now." He ran to her and she enveloped him in a loving embrace.
Ichigo watched, his eyes softening at the sight. Rukia looked so beautiful and her son was undoubtedly, a spitting image of her.
Damn, his stay here was going to be painful.
Ha! If he only knew just how painful it was going to be, he would have stayed at home...
"Bye, Ichi!" He let go of his mother and ran towards Ichigo, dodging out of Rukia's reflexive lurch towards him. He grabbed hold of the Captain's leg and Ichigo paused as Rukia sent him a terrifying death glare.
Unfortunately, there was no way she could do anything to him as he was now her official Captain and Ukitake was watching.
Ichigo crouched down and pulled Hiro into a one-armed hug, "See ya, Hiro. It was nice meeting you. No doubt you'll run into me again soon."
Hiro laughed, "I don't think Mama would like that – but I would. Bye, Mr."
"See ya, kiddo." He let Hiro go and watched him run towards Rangiku who picked him up.
"Come on then, trouble. Let's be having you."
Rukia stood up and joined Ichigo's side.
However, the walk to the barracks not only was very silent, but very tense. Ichigo was waiting for the moment where Rukia would turn around and hit him.
But she hadn't touched him.
Not once.
Thank goodness for that.
But then... he was sort of hoping she would, just to break the tension.
"Right, you lazy idiots, did you miss me?" Ichigo stepped in the room and the squad laughed before saluting their Captain.
"Today, I'mma give you all the day off – let's face it. We've only got about three hours left, anyway. Just tell me how you've all been getting on."
There was a short silence before someone piped up, "Absolutely crap, to be honest, Captain. We were sent back to the academy where we did nothing. We didn't learn half as much there as we did when you were teaching us."
Ichigo half-smiled, "Great. Well, I cant assure you that we'll be getting to business tomorrow. We'll be going down to Earth to kick some Hollow ass. We're no longer a temporary squad. At least, not for now. Dismissed."
Rukia strode towards the door along with the rest of the squad, but Ichigo called, "Lieutenant Kuchiki, I need to see you for a moment."
Rukia stopped at the door frame and allowed the other members to pass by. Once they had all filed out of the room, she spoke, "What?"
"Come here, please." Her Captain instructed, and unwillingly she swivelled round before making her way towards him, her eyes cast towards the floor.
"Yes, Captain?"
Sitting down on the floor, he indicated for her to join.
"I'm alright standing, Captain."
"Sit the hell down, Rukia."
She bit back a cascade of insults before joining him on the floor, "What?"
"Tomorrow, I need you to stick with me, okay? Just because we haven't seen each other in a while, it doesn't mean my promise to Byakuya will change. I'm going to keep you protected, alright?"
"Fine. Will that be all?" She stood up and Ichigo copied her.
"Yes." His answer was short and it took her by surprise but she quickly hardened her expression.
"Really?"
"Why didn't you tell me you had a son?" Ichigo ran a hand frustratedly through his hair.
"You never asked."
He pondered on what he was going to say next for a moment before he blurted out, "What the hell is with you?"
"Nothing. I'm fine... Captain." She replied, coldly.
"Right... I'll see you tomorrow." He swept past her before she had chance to react and he was out of the door in seconds.
He would get it out of her, eventually. He swore to it.
Whatever it was bothering her, he would nag and nag and nag until she told him everything.
Then things could go back to the way they were, right?
Right.
…
Captain Kurosaki opened his office door and stepped inside.
Oh.
Papers.
Papers?
Damn! As if he had to paperwork! He thought he'd already done enough of that at High School.
Oh, he'd do it tomorrow...
But now, he'd get some rest.
It had been more than just a trying day.
He'd lost all his family and friends in one day.
Everyone...
As the thoughts circulating his mind slowed down, he felt himself drift off into an uneasy sleep.
…
He was there again.
By the same tree. With the same anonymous figure pressing against his frame.
He murmured something against her soft skin and she pulled his head down so his lips were level with hers.
He could feel her cool breath kissing his nose and after a moment, he shortened the distance between them, capturing her lips with his own.
She let out a weak moan as he slid his tongue into her mouth.
He was barely aware of anything except the fact that they had somehow managed to fall over onto the ground, coated in damp pine leaves, their mouths still connected.
The woman beneath him grasped his shirt and tugged at the fabric as he pushed his body down on top of hers. Their lips and tongues battled in an infuriating fight and Ichigo could barely keep quiet at the way her hips rolled against his. Dragging his lips across her jaw and down her neck, he cursed, "Dammit... I want you." His fingers pressed carefully against her shoulders, tugging at her clothes, questioningly, "I want you so, so bad."
She sighed into his hair, tipping her head back, "Then take me."
…
"Captain, I believe it's time you got up." There was a knock on the door and Ichigo leapt up.
Crap. What time was it?
"Right – coming!" He grabbed his robe and forced it on, hopping towards the door.
Attempting to smooth down his hair, he stepped outside where Rukia was waiting for him, looking away.
"You ready, Lieutenant?" He smiled, ruffling her hair.
He had no idea why, but he was in a brilliant mood.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that he was about to get laid last night.
"In your dream, douche bag."
"Yeah, so what?" He shrugged and Rukia arched an eyebrow, "I never caught you complaining once."
She looked as though she were about to ask why he was talking to himself but suddenly remembered that she was angry with him.
"So, you ready to go, midget?" Grinning, Ichigo nudged Rukia's arm and she bristled, "Oh, come on! Lighten up!"
"Lighten up? You expect me to–"
Ichigo raised his eyebrows at her and she smoothed her angry expression out.
"–Yes, Captain."
"Excellent. Now, I have one rule for you today, okay?"
"What's that?" She asked, coldly.
"Be nice. Simple as."
"Huh?" She looked up at Ichigo and when his amber gaze connected with hers, she dropped her eyes to the floor again.
"Listen, I know you're mad with me and I don't know why. If you aren't going to tell me, then I want you to grow up a bit and put aside all hatred."
Rukia was affronted, "How dare you tell me to grow up? If you knew why I was angry, you wouldn't be so cocky, Sir! In fact, you'd be off home with your tail between your stupid-ass long legs! So, don't tell me to–"
Ichigo placed a finger on her lips, silencing her immediately. Her eyes widened in shock but he didn't seem to think anything of it, "Look, Rukia, the fact of the matter is, I have no idea why you're mad so I have every right to be as cocky as I am. Secondly, it doesn't seem to bother you that I want to know what I've done wrong, so you can quit with this mental business. You either tell me what's wrong, or you be nice to me. The choice is yours."
Rukia didn't reply and Ichigo removed his finger from her lips, keeping her eyes locked with his, "I'd suggest being nice seeing as though I don't have a great deal of time for you to tell me what I've done wrong. Plus that, if the Captain and Lieutenant are angry with each other, it will make the whole squad weak, wouldn't you agree?"
"If I promise to tolerate you in front of the squad, will that keep you satisfied?" She asked, attempting to keep her voice calm and even.
Her Captain smirked, "For now."
For now.
But later... she would tell him.
He would make sure of that.
…
"Right, squad, I'm pretty sure you're all pretty decent at killing Hollows now. So, let's get to it. Split yourselves up into groups of about five and scope out the area. Your Lieutenant and I will move around and make sure everything's alright, got that?"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Well, get lost, then."
As the squad went scarpering off, Ichigo folded his arms, "We'll give them chance to get started before we set off, okay?"
"Mm-hmm." Rukia turned away and headed towards a small grove of trees where she sat down on a stump, letting loose a soft sigh.
"What you doing?"
"Sitting down." She replied, "Isn't it obvious?"
"Whatever..." He was fed up of being polite and he sat down on the grass, staring ahead of him.
He was so close to his family.
He wondered what they were doing.
Probably just carrying on with their lives as if he never existed.
What about Yuzu? Maybe he shouldn't have left.
Isshin would have killed him if he'd stayed...
After a moment of reminiscing and trying desperately to relive the past and change what had happened that night, Ichigo stood up and called to Rukia, "Reckon we should set off now?"
"Mm." She stood up and made her way towards him, not looking at his face.
"Rukia, I understand you're mad right now, but..." The Captain hesitated as they began walking, a great distance between them, "...could you please tell me what's wrong?"
No reply.
"Rukia?" Glancing down, Ichigo saw his Lieutenant fixing her violet eyes ahead.
He sighed when she remained silent once again.
"When you're ready, tell me, Rukia. I'm always willing to listen. You can take as long as you want – it's not like I'm wanted anywhere else. I'm gonna bug you until the day I die. Then once I'm dead, I'll come back and haunt you again. Sound fun?"
"I'm trying ever so hard to tolerate you right now, Kurosaki. Don't push your luck." She quickened her pace and stalked off ahead.
In all fairness, he was surprised she lasted that long without hitting him.
One thing was clear: There would be lots of fun times ahead!
