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Chapter 9

**World of the Living**

After Ichigo and Rukia left the beach they went back to Karakura Town. They walked hand in hand to the train as the new feelings in their hearts stirred up. Since it was later in the evening, there were plenty of seats available since the train was almost empty.

"So what do you think your father will say when we tell him?" Rukia said a bit nervous.

"Baaaka! He seems to like you more than he likes me! Besides, he did the same thing back when he was younger so he has no room to talk!" Ichigo said with his usual scowl.

"I guess you're right. I never really thought about your father's situation…" She said completely ignoring the insult.

"It's kind of late already, after we go home you have to say your goodbyes kind of quick and then we have to go to Urahara's as fast as we can so you can go back…I'm sure Byakuya's going to be pissed off that you're so late…That's right! You haven't even got in touch with Renji!" Ichigo was going on when Rukia said,

"Ichigo, is it ok if instead of saying goodbye at Urahara's store I go alone after we get to your house?" she asked.
"B-but why?" He said a little offended.
"Well knowing that you can't see me in my shinigami form might make it a bit harder on us both…I haven't told you this but when you woke up after the Aizen battle, knowing that you wouldn't be able to see me anymore was one of the worst feelings I've ever experienced, it felt as if someone was telling me I didn't exist…that I was nothing." She said as she held his hand a little tighter.

"Rukia…" He took her to his chest and hugged her so intensely that it hurt a bit. They remained like that for a few minutes when suddenly a tiny warm drop hit her shoulder.

He was crying…

He was crying for her. It wasn't the first time Rukia had seen a man cry, but the fact that the man who was crying was the strongest man she'd ever met, and also the only man she'd ever truly loved put this act on a very different level.

"There is no way you could be nothing when you've been everything to me." He said softly as he hugged her.

Their relationship was not an easy one. They had never been your average couple to begin with. She was from another world, and he was not the norm in his world. Nevertheless, destiny brought them together with such intense force that after meeting they could no longer stay away. Their lives would be forever intertwined between this life and the next. Young in both shinigami age and human age, you could say their stubbornness to be together could be blamed on age. It could be blamed on many things, and even if they themselves could not understand the deepness of their bond, they felt. That's all they needed. The feeling of being around each other and of being together was so strong it overshadowed everything else.

**Kurosaki household**

"…and so our plan is for Rukia to go back to Soul Society and put things on the table instead of running away and becoming a fugitive. We're thinking she should be able to come back in one week." Ichigo said with his trademark scowl as he filled in Isshin on their plan.

"Excellent plan! There's nothing like being upfront when it comes to matters of the heart!" Isshin said winking at Ichigo as Rukia laughed nervously.

Before Ichigo could retort…

**ring ring**

The phone rang and Karin went to answer. 'Oh, it's that weirdo with the red hair' she thought before handing the phone to Rukia. She was on the phone for a few minutes and then she hung up.

"It was Renji. He said we should get going because the senkaimon is ready." Rukia said a little sad.

"Bye Rukia-chan!" Yuzu said as she went to give the shinigami a big hug.

"Bye, Yuzu. Thanks for everything." Rukia said staring tenderly at the girl.

"See you soon!" Karin said waving her hand but Yuzu dragged her to Rukia.

"Don't be so mean Karin! Give Rukia-chan a goodbye hug!" Karin gave Rukia a hug but quickly wiggled away from the display of affection.

"Good bye Rukia-chan! We'll miss you so hurry and come back!" As usual, Isshin tried to go for a hug but he was stopped when Ichigo grabbed his doctor's coat, making him land on his face.

"You perverted old man!" Ichigo said letting go of his father's coat.

"Bye everyone!" Rukia said as her and Ichigo made their way out the door.

Ichigo closed the door and lead them by the gate. His head moved frantically in all directions as he scanned his house for any of his meddling family members. Content at the fact that no one appeared to be snooping, he let his guard down a bit.

"So this is it again." He said a little sad now.

"Don't be so sad, it's not as if you didn't convince me to come back." She said playfully.

"Rukia…I'm sorry I can't be there for you…the only thing I can do is wait…" He said looking down. As she was about to hit him on the head something tugged at her heart. He looked so cute like that, like a little boy after he's been reprimanded for something bad he did. She couldn't help herself and wrapped her arms around the orange haired boy.

"Baka, it's not like you can come. You gave that ability up from something greater than this…that's why we're all still here." she said but then she couldn't resist and her hand went from his back to his hair, yanking at the orange mane. "So don't you tell me that you're sorry! Besides, it's a little insulting that you think I wouldn't be able to handle things on my own."

Even after yanking on his hair he was still holding her. He had only been with her for two days and now she had to leave again.

"Don't do anything stupid." He finally said.

They pulled away slightly to look into each other's eyes, the moonlight shining on them as they said goodbye. Slowly, their lips met. She played with his hair as he held her tightly.

She was so happy. The feeling of his strong arms around her and his gentle lips was so exhilarating. She knew after this she wouldn't be able to stay away from him again. Her life would be incomplete. This would give her the strength to persevere regardless of whatever obstacles would be thrown at her.

Likewise, he was also lost in the moment. He was so new at this and yet it came so natural. Being with her was never forced. The feeling in his heart was so strong he wondered if he would have been able to let go of his powers if they had been close in this way before. He would do anything for her.

A pair of probing eyes started out from the window, his eyes wide in awe not because of his son's loving nature but because of the glowing badge inside the pocket of his son's jeans. Isshin smiled as he walked away. History sure had a funny way of repeating itself…

"I'll see you in a week." She said as they broke their embrace.

"Ok. Be careful." He said.

"I will. See ya!" She said as she took off running. Who would have thought saying goodbye to Ichigo could take this long?

Ichigo made his way back inside. He knew it would be a very long week.

**Urahara's store**

"Kuchiki-san you're back! And here I was thinking you had forgotten how to make your way back here." Urahara said teasingly.

"Yo, Rukia! Everything ok?" Renji said with a smirk.

Rukia wasn't sure what the pair of men were implying but she simply brushed it off.

"Urahara-san is everything ready?" she asked and he nodded.

"Ok, let's go Renji!" she said.

"What about Ichigo? That bastard has some damned bad manners to not come and say goodbye." Renji said with an arched eyebrow.

"I told him not to come. Urahara-san, I will be coming back in a week or less, please don't let Ichigo do something dumb if he tries." Rukia said looking at the blond man.

"Don't you worry Kuchiki-san, Kurosaki-kun is always in good hands." He said with his usual creepy sweet voice.

**Soul Society**

Rukia filled Renji in on her and Ichigo's plan on their way back home. He was a little nervous but would help her friend in any way he could. They finally made it back and proceeded to head to the Kuchiki mansion.

Byakuya was in his home office. He expected Rukia to be late but not this late. He was staring at a picture of Hisana like he usually did when he secretly wished he had the comfort of his deceased wife.

"Nii-sama" Rukia said as she knelt to sit by him and bowed.

"Kuchiki taichou!" Renji did the same.

"Abarai…I send you to the world of the living with Rukia and you allow her to defy my orders?" Byakuya said putting the picture of Hisana away.

"Nii-sama, it is not Renji's fault. I'm sorry I delayed us. He was very helpful through the trip." Rukia said trying to spare his friend.

"I did not ask if he was helpful or not, I asked why he allowed you to defy my orders." He said with his usual monotone tone.

"My apologies taichou." Was the only response he could conjure.

"You are dismissed." He said to Renji unwilling to waste his time with trivial matters any further.

Renji sent Rukia a worried look but she gave him a reassuring smile as the red-haired fukutaichou left the room.

"I have to say, I was afraid you might defy my wishes altogether by being unwilling to return, Rukia. I am pleased to see you back. Putting this matter aside, there are a few others we need to discuss." Byakuya said surprisingly talkative. "I was surprised to hear that you had been regarded as a well-rounded prospect by many even before they heard of you becoming ready to wed. Usually the nobles tend to be bery hesitant and judgamental of these matters but it appears that your adoption to the family did not discourage anyone from thinking otherwise. They fully accept you as a noble member of the clan. Your prospects are many and up to par with what you would expect in the union of a Kuchiki member to another noble." Byakuya said, a little excitement seeping through, this only making it more difficult for Rukia to speak.

"Nii-sama there is something I wish to discuss with you as well." She said

"Go on." He gave her an inquisitive look as he tensed. He hoped it wasn't what he thought it was.


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