10. Falling
Summary: Just a little piece about Rukia and her feelings for Ichigo.
I don't own Bleach…
note: stuff in Italics are flashbacks.
Rukia stood in front of the Kurosaki clinic. It has been a year since she was there. The last time she and Ichigo spoke was after the battle with Aizen. Some things were left unsaid but the kiss they shared before they parted was more than enough to get the message across.
"I guess this is goodbye," she said as she and Ichigo walked side by side. He was leaving soul society after they had finally defeated the forces of the Espada and the traitor captains. She smiled at him, a genuine smile of thanks.
"You can always come and visit. My windows are always open for you," he said as he touched her cheeks. Ichigo had grown mature from the past two years they have fought side by side. He still had the famous scowl but he had also started showing her his gentle side.
"I don't know if I would be allowed to go back but I will try and visit," she replied sadness was evident in her voice. She was fighting back her sobs.
For the last time he held her in his arms. Minutes maybe hours passed and she buried her head on his chest. His hand circled her back as if to calm her. She had always been tough. She never cried in front of anyone. The only times she did were the times she thought he was dead.
"If ever you do think of coming back just remember that I would be waiting. I don't care how long but I will wait for you," Ichigo said as he lifted her chin to look straight in her eyes. Brown pools bore into midnight blue. It was an understanding between the two of them.
An unspoken vow they shared, a bond that they forged the day they first met.
"I don't know," she lied. She loved him she had already fallen for him even before.
"I don't need your answer now. I told you I'll wait. I have a whole lifetime to wait for you," Ichigo said. He searched her eyes and she smiled at him again. He leaned in and kissed her. She cupped his face not wanting to let go but she knew that she had to. He had a life a head, a normal life that she would give anything to be part of.
When they parted almost gasping for air she was about to say goodbye his finger was pressed on her lips. "I don't want to hear you say goodbye. I will see you later," he said and kissed her again before letting go.
The next thing she saw was his back turned against her. His figure slowly moving towards the gates leading him back to his home.
She turned back then walked away. Tears started to run down her cheeks. She didn't care whether the whole soul society saw her cry. It wasn't a sign of weakness. It was a sign of strength. She was giving up the most important person in her life for her duty.
On months end she tried very hard to forget. She tried to keep her thoughts focused on work. Renji and the others noticed the change in her. She never spoke to anyone unless it was necessary. A lot of them thought that her being a Kuchiki kicked in but then again even Byakuya noticed the change.
"I have noticed the big change in you. It's been a year since the boy left but you still act as if he had only left yesterday. Is he really that important to you? You would normally brush away something like this after a while," Byakuya asked her while they sat by the Koi pond for tea.
"I'm sorry if I worried you nii-sama. I just want to make sure that all my duties are finished. It has nothing to do with…" she tried to say but was cut off.
"It has everything to do with that boy. In all honesty I do not want to encourage your feelings for him because for one he is human and you can't be part of his world unless you completely give up your rights as a Kuchiki. Not to mention that you will be self exiled," Byakuya answered.
Rukia looked at her brother understanding dawned in her face.
"The boy once told me that if given the choice between protecting you or following the rules there's no doubt that he would save you. He reminded me of a promise that I should have kept. Now I'm making a choice of giving you your happiness or following the rules of the family. This time I want to do the right thing. You can go to him. I'm freeing you from the responsibilities of our name. I think your sister would want that," Byakuya said as he stood up and was about to go to the drawing room.
Rukia went to him and hugged her brother, for the first time. "Nii-sama,, thank you and I'm sorry if I have to leave you," she said as she let him go.
Byakuya placed his hand on her head. "Go now and be happy. And if that brat causes you any problem don't hesitate to come back here and I'll dice him," Byakuya said and for some reason Rukia heard the slight humor in his voice.
"I will miss you," she said as she waved goodbye and ran out of the house.
She stood there waiting for any sign of him being home. Her hand was somehow sweaty. Her heart was pounding. She was scared. What if he had moved on? What if he found someone else? What if he wasn't able to keep the promise? She thought that she was probably making a big fool of herself for even coming back. She wanted to go back. Walk away. It was the sensible thing to do,
She had always been brave. She always had everything under control. Why was she scared she kept asking herself. She decided to come back. Once she decides on something it was always final. She would never go back on a decision she had already made. She had to face him whether he accepts her or not. There was no turning back.
She needed him. She felt so empty without him and for some reason she felt stupid glued in front of his home. She couldn't understand why she felt so vulnerable when it was him involved.
"Rukia?" his voice came from behind her. She turned around and saw him. He was now eighteen and was as handsome as ever. She saw it in his face the same longing she saw a year ago when they parted. He ran towards her and hugged her tightly. "What took you so long?" he asked. He was almost carrying her. She rested her head in the croak of his neck. "I almost thought you would forget about me," he added.
"I would never do that. I love you. I'm ready to say it now. I've fallen in love with you way before and I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'm sorry I made you wait for me," she muttered to his ears.
"You really are an idiot. I told you I'll wait for you. I'm just glad you're here now," he said as he planted a soft kiss on her lips.
"Who you calling idiot, idiot!" she answered back and slapped his arm hard.
Ichigo chuckled. "I even miss that bit about you," he said jokingly. Rukia just laughed.
"I'm just glad you're home," he said as he led Rukia inside the house. Her ears were filled the usual Kurosaki ramblings of Yuzu, Karin and Isshin.
Rukia was indeed home. All her fears had washed away when she saw him and felt his arms around her. She had never been that happy in all her whole existence. He completed her and she knew it. Deep in her heart she knew that being with Ichigo was something she would never regret.
That night she woke up in their new apartment. Ichigo got an apartment for the two of them and it was close to his university. He only visited the Kurosaki clinic to check whether she had already shown up and fortunately for him she actually came.
Rukia stirred from her position. Ichigo's arm was securely around her waist as the other clasped her hand.
"Are you okay?" Ichigo asked and she realized that he was awake.
"I just couldn't believe I'm here with you," she said as she turned and faced him. His face was an inch away from hers. Her hands were now pressed on his strong chest as his arms protectively embraced her.
He gently kissed the top of her head. "Believe it you're here with me and there is no way on earth or in seireitei can they keep us a part. I won't let you go this time," he said and they shared another passionate kiss. Their two bodies entwined as the bright moonlight lit their apartment bedroom.
FIN
FALLING
KERI NOBLE
Standing here outside your door
Not sure if you're home
Wondering if I'm a fool
Maybe I should go
Usually I'm fearless
But I've become undone
A clown without even a disguise
Now everyone will know that I've
Fallen fallen I've fallen in love
And I can't make sense of it
Don't know how this happened
I can't say for sure
But suddenly I'm incomplete
Sustaining on the hope
If you meet me face to face
If you could hear my heart
You might feel this terrifying something rising up and you've
Fallen fallen you've fallen in love
And you can't make sense of it
A/N: This piece was inspired by Keri noble's song Falling. Read and Review… gotta go now… I have work tomorrow so gotta hit the sack early…