Potential, Epilogue.
A Bleach Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Kubo does.
A routine day finished in the routine way. Rukia disappearing inside of the closet and Ichigo scowling ever so slightly with his hands behind his head, slowly drifting off to sleep.
HOLLOW HOLLOW HOLLOW.
Apparently, the Hollow didn't feel like ceasing their attacks, even with the downfall of Aizen.
Ichigo sighed, pulling himself out of bed and using his Substitute Badge to remove himself from his body, yawning and stretching, he paused to look back at the closet, from which Rukia was emerging, in Shinigami form.
"C'mon, midget."
It had been like this since after Aizen's defeat, ever since then, it had been…normal between the two. Ichigo noted this when she kicked him in the shins and stepped out the window, toward the familiar musky reiatsu of the hollow.
He followed silently, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, in no hurry. The hollow was a small fry, Rukia could handle it without a problem. And while he knew he had to protect her, he knew she didn't always need his help.
As he expected, the lizard-like hollow was slain by Sode No Shirayuki in no time at all.
The hollow disintegrated, leaving behind only a small splatter of blood on the concrete. Rukia sheathed her sword, stepping toward Ichigo.
"Good job." he said, scratching his head.
She kept walking, right into him, pulling him into a hug.
"Thank you, Ichigo." her voice was muffled, pressed into his shirt.
Ichigo's eyes widened slightly for a second, before returning to their deep amber. He smiled, wrapping her in his much larger arms.
"For what, midget?" he asked, grinning.
"For understanding, Strawberry." she held tighter, pulling herself into him; feeling his smothering reiatsu. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me, Rukia,"
She looked up, amethyst met amber. He was smiling.
"just stay by my side." he finished simply.
She punched him in the side, but he didn't miss the blush on her cheeks.
"I have to anyways, I was stationed here by the Captain Commander, and I'm definitely not staying with Urahara." she said gruffly, turning away and walking toward Ichigo's house.
"Let's go home, it was only that one." she called out. It was then Ichigo realized he'd been standing still, watching her.
"Yeah yeah. Home." he said, jogging to catch up with her.
It was then, he decided, that the Captain Commander was not as cruel as he seemed. The old man definitely did this on purpose.
"Ah….ah….ACHOO!" Captain Commander Yamamoto sneezed. A chorus of several "Bless you"'s came from several of the Captains in the meeting.
"Yes yes. Now, all in favor of Ichigo Kurosaki become fifth squad Captain." the Commander announced.
A matching chorus of I's came next, and the commander nodded.
"Unanimous, then. Very well, recall Kurosaki and Kuchiki from the real world."
It was then Ichigo had a bad feeling in his gut, and not from Rukia's punch, either. Something bad had just happened. Something very bad.
Fin.
Blarggy's Rant: And that's the end of Potential. I may or may not begin work on a Sequel, for which I have some pretty good ideas. If enough people review and like this story, I'll work on the next, which will focus more on Ichigo and Rukia's relationship, as well as a new story and probably a new enemy.
At any rate, thank you for reading Potential, and as always, Review to make me happy! Who knows what I'll do if I don't get reviews. I might hang myself.
(/internet)
Nah, not gonna happen.
Blarggy