Chapter 10

by: WhiteGloves

What a surprising new arc for bleach manga!

Interesting!

Enjoy reading! :)

Ishida and Chad both walked slowly along the town street. The empty cans were still inside Ishida's plastic bag.

"Do you think they will be okay?" Chad asked after a moment of silence between them.

Ishida didn't answer at once. His eyes were hidden on his glasses.

"Well…" he started after a few moments, "I don't really know… but its the two of them…I'm sure they will be fine."

Chad looked ahead of him, with one of his eyes finally showing a serene expression. Ishida remained silent for the rest of their walk.

Inoue is seen running along the street. She had been waiting for the Soul Reaper to come back. She had been waiting, she was actually ready to wait longer... and now she's here. Inoue could feel her reiatsu.

"…Kuchiki-san…" she whispered as she dashed on.

Ichigo and Rukia both stood by the riverside, watching the sunset. It was already half way down the other side, giving the sky an orange gloom and reflecting itself in the water in a startling sort of way.

The two had been silent since Ishida and Chad left. It was unusual for the two of them, but just that moment is too delicate to break. After awhile, Rukia sighed and then shook her head.

"You never change…" she muttered quietly, "you still get depress easily."

Ichigo didn't answer as his eyes reflected the water. Rukia glanced sideways at him and gave him one of her furtive look.

"Hey, aren't you going to talk to me?"

Ichigo kept his silent, but then sighed audibly as he gave her a look of deepest sincerity.

"Why did you return?" was what came out of his mouth.

Rukia was taken aback for a moment, then bursted out, "What the hell's with that attitude? I'll go here whenever I want to! You've got a problem with that, fool?"

Ichigo blinked at her. Seeing her addressing him in such away was a relief. It was also refreshing, he could just feel his heart easing. Looking down at her, he scratched his head and said, "But honestly, I really thought you wouldn't return, after what happened..."

Rukia looked away with arms crossed.

"You idiot," she murmured, "It's not like I can leave you like this, being pathetic and all. And why are you all serious? Aren't you even going to let me have it my way for awhile? I at least want to have fun with you, like the usual."

"Like the usual, you say…" Ichigo looked away. "I get it."

"Oh do you?" Rukia taunted with a smirk on her face as she crossed her arms and looked at him with a grin, "The usual would mean I beat you to crap and tell you how pathetic you are."

Ichigo smiled at this. "What are you saying? Even after we got into relationship you always tell me I'm pathetic anyway, so what's the difference?"

"Dare you answer back?"

"Beat it, Rukia, what gives?" Ichigo gave her a serious look. The Soul Reaper held his gaze.

"Well, if you really want to know... I am here to officially break our relationship."

Ichigo starred at Rukia for a whole minute. He knew it was coming. What did he expect?

After a moment, his eyes flickered and he concurred. So it was all going to end that way, after all…

"I understand." He whispered.

Rukia closed her eyes. Ichigo sighed again.

"Rukia, I'm really sorry I couldn't—" he started but as he looked at her he saw the flying swat of her hands that caught his cheek, almost making his head snap.

"What the hell-!" he cried the moment he was sure his head wasn't broken. "You trying to kill me or something?"

"Like you'll die from that," Rukia looked away pointedly, her eyes glistening a bit, "Anyways, I don't have much time... I only have a few minutes to stay more so be nicer. Nii-sama only gave me... half an hour to finally say goodbye to you."

Ichigo blinked at her, and the memory of that night's events flashed before his eyes. Byakuya appearing in that thick cloud of smoke, carrying Rukia in his arms… Byakuya seething in anger as he told Central 46 guard squad to get the hell out of his way… Byakuya telling him he had become arrogant…

"That's him being nice, I guess?" he managed to say just before Rukia could notice how his self esteem had gone low again, "How are things at your end? What's with that Central 46 thing?"

"You don't need to worry about that, nii-sama is working on it," Rukia answered as she looked back at the sun almost disappearing beyond the horizon, "He was really angry. I mean—it was just a summon and those guys... I don't think anyone can refuse nii-sama when he's like that."

Ichigo nodded as he put his hands on his deep pockets, "I think so. So you are in no trouble?"

Rukia smirked.

"I won't get into enough trouble to make you worry, you idiot."

Ichigo grinned. "I suppose you're right. You're Rukia Kuchiki after all."

"Hey, what the hell does that mean?"

"Forget it, I won't spend my last minutes quarrelling with my ex-girl friend. The least we can do is to have fun!"

"Like you're any fun at all,"

"Shut up. How many minutes do you have left?"

"Well… A couple… enough to watch the stars appear this evening."

Ichigo looked up. The sky was already dark. There was only a faint sign of the sun from the distance. It won't be long then…

"Alright," he grabbed her hand and pulled her down the grass where they sat together. "Let's watch the stars appear then."

"What? You call that fun?" Rukia frowned as she sat beside him, "You're really weird."

"Well, what do you want? Wreck havoc the city and kill all hallows?" Ichigo countered, "Your idea of fun is way twisted! Are you sure you're even a girl?"

"Don't you— "

"Kuchiki-san!"

Rukia and Ichigo both looked behind them to the upper steps before the riverside. They saw Inoue standing there, breathing very fast, with her left hand clutching her chest like she ran a marathon or something.

Rukia's eyes rounded.

"Orihime…"

Ichigo sat down by the river alone, watching the sun finally sink in. He glanced behind him and saw the two girls talking. He saw Orihime pull Rukia and embraced her tightly. Rukia embraced her back. Smiling to himself, Ichigo looked back at the river looking contented. He felt satisfied.

A few moments later, Rukia sat beside Ichigo again with a smile upon her face. Ichigo watched her, feeling her happiness flow into him that in the end made him smile too.

"You look pleased."

"I am. Very." She confirmed with a look at him.

The two of them sat beside each other, watching the stars appear slowly up the sky. It was strangely quiet for them, Karakura town. It was as if all the hallows were letting them have a break for once. Ichigo noticed Rukia's shoulder had touched his. Why can't they stay that way forever?

"Rukia?"

"Hm?"

"Can I touch your hand?"

"Tse… since when have you learned to ask for my permission?"

Ichigo took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You're right," he whispered as all the stars twinkled above them. He never hated stars before. He shouldn't have, anyway… but just now… they're just like a ticking clock for him. He closed his eyes and bowed deep, pulling his legs close up to his chest, he covered his head with his free hand and tightly curled himself, then he leaned down on her shoulder.

"Hey," Rukia's voice said, "What are you thinking just now?"

Ichigo didn't look up, but he did answer.

"Renji."

Rukia shot him a curious look.

"Renji?"

"I was just thinking how lucky he is on the other side… even if he's not here, I feel extremely jealous…isn't that stupid?"

Rukia looked up at the stars.

"Yeah… it's very stupid…" she murmured and gave his hand a squeeze. "You know, Orihime…"

Ichigo looked at her.

"Are you jealous about her?"

Rukia raised her eyebrows.

"A friend doesn't get jealous with another friend," she said, "But… I do think she's lucky to be here with you… I'm not jealous though. I just think she's a very lucky girl."

Ichigo chuckled.

"What the… that's just like you."

"Shut up."

"Who are they going to send here, by the way? I expect you won't be returning here for awhile."

"I'm not sure… but I'm sure they would send a male soul reaper… so that you won't be able to hit on him." She added the last one as a jest but it got Ichigo to uncurl and look at her.

"What does that mean?"

"Hahaha!" Rukia tinkled a laugh as she saw the incredulous look on Ichigo's face, "Right—I was kidding, you idiot…"

"Geez! Kidding about these kinds of things…"

Rukia wiped her eyes and pulled herself together. Ichigo saw her expression change.

"It's time." She said. "This is a good bye, "Ichigo."

"Yeah…"

The substitute soul reaper looked away, his hand still clutching hers. Rukia smiled sadly at him.

"Live your life, Ichigo." She whispered, touching his cheek gently, "As long as you can."

And Ichigo looked up, reached for her whole face with both his hands and pulled her close to him. Catching her lips, he gave her a deep kiss. Rukia was surprised at first, with her eyes round. But then she conceded and let their kiss cross the limit of her time.

It was the last time she was ever going to cross the boundaries.

It was their final goodbye.

Renji stood with his arms crossed while leaning on the white wall behind him. He looked at his watch and then frowned. She was late.

Just then, a Senkaimon appeared in front of him. Renji looked up to see it open. A blinding light greeted his eyes, followed by a hell butterfly circling around the soul it was guiding. Rukia emerged from the light looking calm and composed as her eyes meet Renji's. The door closed behind her.

"You sure took your time," he said, looking relieved at finally seeing her. "How did it go?"

"It's alright," Rukia answered as they walk along the hallway, "I already finished my last business in the human world."

Renji looked curiously at her.

"How did he take it?" he asked, "I bet he was sulking when you arrived, huh?"

Rukia gave him a look, and then asked, "Are you worried about him?"

Renji blinked. "Are you stupid? Why would I even worry about him?"

"Don't give me that crap. I know you are worried about him."

"Oh please! Give me a break! Who in their right mind would worry about such a pathetic guy?"

Rukia shook her head and they both walked ahead.

"Don't hate him because of me." She whispered. Renji looked away as he followed her.

"It's not like I really like him in the first place."

Rukia rolled her eyes and muttered quite soundly, "Boys..."

Renji watched her as they walk, feeling calm now that she's with him.

"Where's Nii-sama?" she suddenly asked.

"He's already at Central 46. We are to head there now as planned for the trial… Don't worry, Rukia, Captain Kuchiki is there for you. I'm sure he has already managed to do something... and don't forget, I am also here for you."

"What a way to make me feel better." Rukia teased, half smiling as she looked up at her friend. Renji didn't smile though. He thoroughly looked serious. Rukia saw his eyes filled with determination that she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

"Thank you…" she murmured.

At Central 46, however, Byakuya was already crushing the paper in his hand. The paper contained Rukia's sentence and there was little power he could do to influence it. He was able to prevent Rukia's execution this time, reduce her years of imprisonment and avoided the Maggot's Nest, but his achievement was not satisfying… it was all he was able to do. He crushed the paper more.

Inside the Central 46 Compound, the judiciary has already voiced out their sentence to Rukia who was standing in the center of the court with her eyes flickering at what she heard. The judgment of the 46 members of the judiciary were still ringing in her ears.

"Rukia Kuchiki, you are accused of felony against the law of Soul Society by committing yourself to a human being. This is an act of treason and therefore must be punished accordingly by this court. With all the evidence that have been presented, you, Rukia Kuchiki, is hereby found guilty by this court. You are sentenced a ten years imprisonment in the Second Division grounds where you shall be handed to the Detention Unit. You shall be stripped of your title as a Soul Reaper under current circumstances. The mandate from the Spirit King has been properly executed by this court! That is our final decision and it cannot be overturned henceforth."

Renji couldn't believe it the moment he heard this from Rukia who was already escorted by three guards in white. He knew her punishment wouldn't be light, but ten years was longer than he expected…

"Rukia…" he murmured through gritted teeth.

Rukia lowered her eyes on the floor.

"Good bye, Renji." She murmured as the ushered her away from him, "I'm sorry…"

Renji was left standing alone in the dark corridor with his fists clenched. She was taken from him again. How many times must that happen?

"Dammit…!" he cried loudly. Rukia heard his outburst and had to bit lips. The penalty she received was enough payment for her crime. Indeed, if there was ever something she was regretful about, it was ruining the name of her brother, Byakuya Kuchiki. If she was going to be punished because of this, then she would gladly accept her fate. But there are people who would be hurt... Renji, on top of that...

And at the same time, she was glad Central 46 wasn't going after Ichigo. Ichigo deserves to have a quiet life after all. He is better off without her in the first place.

And so, let the time flow.

~To Be Continued~

Thank you for reading this story!

Until the next chapter~