Chapter Ten

Dreaming…

The room was bright and filled with light from the blue sky. Ichigo sat looking out at the immaculate gardens surrounding Rukia's place. The place was amazing compared to what he knew of the Hanging Dog Rukon district where she grew up an orphan with Renji.

The place was nice but the cold life that she led growing up with Byakuya might not have been worth the trade. But Rukia loved Byakuya and he had to admit he admired the guy too. She could be happy here with Renji and Byakuya. They were her family.

"Ichigo," Rukia's voice questioned cutting short his thoughts.

"Good morning Rukia," he turned and faced her.

"What are you doing here," she pushed up from the futon.

"That's an awful greeting. I was hoping for something a bit more like: 'good to see you' or 'good morning Ichigo," he said.

"Keep your voice down then at least. Unless you want to get caught fool," Rukia said. Folding her arms and scowling at him trying to stay upset at him.

"It's cool. I'm allowed to be here I got permission," Ichigo said.

"Permission?"

"Yeah I did some pretty good convincing to the big shots and they allowed it. I saved them on more than one occasion so I think I deserve a little respect," Ichigo grinned.

"I don't believe-

"Whatever we made a promise," Ichigo said getting up and coming towards her.

"A promise-

"I said I'd just have to find a way to be wherever you were," he sat on the mat beside her.

"That's impossible and you know it," she looked away. There was no way she would tearfully face him again.

So Ichigo waited in silence until she turned her head to face him. They started at each other for some time. She had changed from what he knew. Her hair was longer and tied back. There were subtle differences about her that he started to notice just now.

"Dreaming," she questioned reluctantly because she didn't want to wake up.

"This feels real to me," he said softly and looked around.

They both stopped questioning the reality of the place they were in. If they were dreaming, neither one wanted to wake up.

"Everyone is willing to admit what they want from me but you," Ichigo said wiping away her tears with his thumbs.

"What do you want me to admit," Rukia asked unsure of what to even say.

"My mother told me to live smiling, and keep my family together. My father told me to live and die after him with a smile on my face. I'm not afraid to admit that I can't smile without you in my life Rukia," Ichigo said holding her hand.

"That's not-

"It is true. That is what I decided. I decided to become a Shinigami to protect everyone. I'll never stop protecting those I love," Ichigo said.

"You really want to know what I think," Rukia said looking in his eyes.

"For once yes," Ichigo grinned.

"Fine, I think you're a fool. A complete idiot and stupid for falling in love with me and coming here and putting yourself through all kinds of torture…but the worst part is I love that fool. I admit that I'm the bigger fool for loving you and believing that I could be happy in your world," Rukia pulled him close.

"We have the day to spend together and you said enough now. I'm taking you back eventually but for now we'll just shut out the rest of the world today," Ichigo said holding her.

"Ichigo what do you mean spend the day together," Rukia said looking up at him.

"Don't look so happy about it geese," Ichigo said.

"I just don't understand how they are letting you see me if they are the ones who separated us in the first place," Rukia said.

"You worry too much," Ichigo said. He was afraid to answer that if they started thinking too much wouldn't this dream be over.

She kissed him.

They kissed.

Rukia woke up and looked around the room. Everything seemed normal enough. It felt too real to be just a dream. Why dream something so intimate and real, she asked herself. Stretching she got on her feet searching the compound. It was time to return.

She was ready to go whatever else happened they'd deal with it. All she had to do was say those words Ichigo wanted to hear. To be fair he didn't ask for that and he never would. He already knew how she felt; one look and he could see her soul. This was important it had to happen today she decided. She couldn't risk losing him he was like no one else and their love was like no other.

000

A smile meant only for her; those words played over in Rukia's head as she walked around Karakura Town. The day was perfect and everything was going smoothly for her. No Hollows, Espada, Arrancar or any other enemies to distract her from where she was headed.

The sky was that bright blue you'd come to expect when the weather was good. As she walked closer to the group familiar feelings welled up inside her. Memories of the past she replayed over in her mind.

They could always sense each other's Reiatsu…OK no, she corrected, she could always sense Ichigo's Reiatsu. Today though she could sense it he knew she was there; it was the same as being greeted with a hug.

Slowing her pace she looked at the chatting group in front of her. His warm brown eyes searched out her deep indigo ones. Happiness, joy and wonder spread across his face in an instant. Orihime stood close to his side but he was only looking at Rukia.

Ichigo could only see Rukia in this moment. The others looked at him and followed his gaze. Whatever words or observations they threw out seemed to go unheard.

'O that she knew she were,' Ichigo thought walking towards her the effects of literature class on him. Romeo and Juliet…

Rukia couldn't move closer something weakened her resolve. Standing there self-consciously pushing her hair out of her face she just smiled. Ichigo was still coming towards her. His smile made no sense to her. Did I get it all wrong, she thought.

The smile could easily belong to Kon at this point.

Ichigo paused in front of Rukia she was speaking. Her words came out something like a whisper….more Shakespeare he grinned.

"Say that again," Ichigo settled for trying his best to not to laugh at the strange way his mind worked today.

"I just didn't know what to say," she stared up at him.

"Rukia," Ichigo said.

"Stop staring at me…stop that. You're making me feel foolish," she halfheartedly complained. The color in her cheeks betrayed her.

"Foolish huh," he moved closer his arms wrapped around her, holding her.

"W-what are you doing," Rukia said wide-eyed and nervous.

This wasn't the sort of greeting that Rukia expected. She was floating as he picked her up in his arms.

"Put me down fool," she protested weakly.

"Rukia," he simply whispered.

"I-I just came over to say hello," Rukia stated trying to keep a hold of her emotions.

"It's you…I just need to be sure it was you," Ichigo said.

"Of course it's me fool," she said as she relaxed and squeezed him back.

"You're back and I'm not dreaming," Ichigo said his voice went strange on him not sure if it should have been a question or not.

Rukia thought about his words. She'd have to ask him about the dream that she had. Now she wondered if it really was only a dream or something more.

The presence of their uncomfortable friends separated their embrace. Ichigo gently set her to her feet and reluctantly let her go.

"You just came over to say hello. After all this time you've been gone all you can say is that," Uryû scolded.

Rukia turned her head to him. He was standing up for his friend no doubt about it. Rukia knew that Uryû wanted her to apologize but not to him. Uryû wanted her to apologize to…

"Ichigo I-

"We can talk about all that baggage latter," he said.

"Is it really you," a small voice croaked out.

Rukia turned her head to the overly emotional Orihime whose tears were running like a faucet. She braced herself as Orihime squeezed her like a stuffed doll.

"What's with all the hugs suddenly," Rukia asked fighting tears.

Only Sado and Uryû were restrained. Neither seemed mad at her and Ichigo's reaction only confused her more. He wasn't the type to react like this and yet he was.

"Well are we going to class or what," Keigo asked.

Rukia had barely noticed the others until now. Too focused on how she was going to apologize for her absence and too worried about how he might react to her presence.

Were they really O.K.? It seems like we are, Rukia thought.

"I'd love to go to class," Rukia said smiling.

"What," Keigo exclaimed.

"I think it would be fun," Rukia sang out. If anything it was something she somewhat enjoyed in the world of the living.

"You're the one who asked," Mizuiro said speaking up.

"But I was thinking we could all ditch and go spend the day having fun in this awesome weather," Keigo said.

"Shut up Keigo," Tatsuki said pushing him out-of-the-way.

"Keigo's right it's a nice day. But I can't skip class. Academic probation," Uryû said his goodbyes and walked to class.

"Let's go to class Rukia," Orihime added pulling at Rukia's arm.

How was Uryû on Academic probation? The last time Rukia could recall Uryû was the top of the class.

"Um sure, Ichigo?"

"I'll see you later," Ichigo said.

The old familiar look was back; that nonchalant look of someone disinterested or too cool to care. Rukia wanted to ask where he was going but said nothing. She wanted to face Uryû but only watched as Uryû and Mizuiro walked up ahead. Orihime pulling her along followed after them.

Maybe she was wrong, she thought.

The others hung around saying something to each other. Tatsuki, Sado and Ichigo all left in one direction. Rukia glanced over her shoulder as Keigo and the others hurried towards her.

"I thought the day was too nice Asano-san," Mizuiro questioned.

"Some other time," Keigo answered.

"Left behind then," Mizuiro dogged.

Rukia tuned out the back and forth between those two. She half listened as Orihime described all the changes to the school. Her mind was focused on Ichigo.

Ichigo's embrace lingered she touched her cheek where he traced his hand. She couldn't help but smile the way to class. This wasn't what she expected.

The dream that she had felt real but was it that. Why didn't he get angry at her or ignore her…or something? Why was this feeling so difficult to deal with?

More than everything she realized she was really too much into this. This was all too human for her. Then her mind continued to race with questions.

What if he was just welcoming back a friend and I am over thinking things?

But he's never held me that way as a friend.

No never this way did that mean he waited for her this whole time …What did that mean? Was she holding him back? What about Orihime, she seemed happy? Where did the others take off to?

They had to straighten these things out or she'd go mad.

000

Rukia branched off from the group after one class. In pursuit of her interests; the others conjectured those interests likely involved whatever Ichigo was up to. The gossip mill was back in full gear again.

Riruka and Haida joined Orihime at a bench during a class break. Haida and Riruka shared a writing class so occasionally the two would join Orihime. Most days Haida split to hang out with another group of friends but Orihime was certain she was interested in Rukia's return.

The wind picked up whipping papers around the campus. Haida picked up a few loose flyers and made a comment about school elections. It was small talk and since none of them would be here she had little interest in elections. Perhaps Uryû had an interest in who would take over as President and just thinking this had her feeling guilty.

Orihime had to admit that Rukia and Ichigo were off somewhere discussing all the Hollows or maybe even reconnecting after all this time. Orihime was lost in her own thoughts. After all this time Ichigo and Rukia looked like perfection to Orihime. Secretly she envied the two. She wondered if the feelings would ever pass.

Haida interrupted her thoughts, "you think they'll ever realize just what they are together."

This was much worse if even Haida commented on it, Orihime thought. Bad enough that Haida was barely in their friend circle.

"Yeah. I think they already do," Orihime said. She didn't think they did she knew they did but small talk always went like this.

"In their own way I guess they do," Haida commented.

Riruka remained silent listening to Haida. She still felt somewhat on the outside since the events that brought their group together. Ichigo was quite popular among all these girls. But she also understood that you couldn't force the affections of another.

"Orihime did something else happen," Riruka asked.

"Don't bother to drag me into this," Haida said and stood up and walked a safe distance from Riruka and Orihime's conversation.

Haida wasn't there for Rukia and Ichigo's reunion. From what she heard apparently she missed some heavy-duty fireworks. It didn't matter much to her since she was so far removed from that group. Most of the time she felt like a third wheel among this group.

Now that High School was coming to an end she seriously wondered if she would even speak to any of these people again when she graduated. Not that they weren't worth hanging around; she just felt out-of-place in such a tight-knit group.

Amongst the group Haida's shining ability was clairvoyance. Useless in battle it remained a neat parlor trick. To be honest it had been years since she felt like she saw anything at all. If only her ability to see worked the way she wanted. Then again she was glad to not have the vision of her future laid out for her.

Haida also had no affinity for Riruka. She saw how close the others were to her and was instantly jealous. They all talked to her pleasantly but she was out of the loop on things. She knew there were enemies out there but they didn't bother to tell her anything.

When Ichigo lost his abilities to fight Hollows their group changed. She began to hang out with them as friends but lately drifted away. Now an outsider she knew the dimensions of the group had changed. She moved towards the normalcy of others.

One thing Haida knew for certain was that she was being watched. She speculated that her abilities were of some value. Perhaps when her life was done here in the land of the living these abilities would be of some use to those Shinigami.

"Where is everyone else," Riruka asked. Sado, Ichigo and Tatsuki seemed to have ditched class for whatever unknown reason.

"Who knows," Orihime said.

"Somber Orihime uh-oh," Haida teased returning to the benches.

"No…no. I'm not somber, just thinking about things you know," Orihime replied smiling.

"Something's changed with you since Rukia returned. Do you still have feelings for Ichigo," Haida asked.

"Oh. It's not that Haida. I can't talk about it," Orihime said.

"More problems with those other worlds," Haida said staring out the window at the sky.

"There's always something," Orihime said.

"Then I don't want to know. Its lunch time anyway," Haida bounced up just as the bell rang.

Orihime watched the groups leave the classroom. She then turned her attention back to the others as they left for lunch.

"Oh look here's Sado and Uryû," Orihime announced.

Riruka who was silently lost in her own thoughts lifted her eyes towards the others who arrived. Sado shared a connection with her that went back to a time before Orihime. She didn't like him with Haida and couldn't see what he saw in her.

"We didn't know you'd be here," Uryû said looking at Haida.

"Chad give my soda to Haida. I am fine not thirsty at all," Riruka said.

Sado looked at Riruka briefly their gaze held a moment too long and Orihime took notice. Not only did she notice but things began to get uncomfortable around the table. Ever observant Uryû broke their line of sight purposefully setting his own drink in front of Riruka.

"They only had grape," Sado held out a soda for Haida.

"You ditched and this is the best you could do," Haida replied.

"Yes," Sado replied.

"Not even a diet cola," Haida asked.

"No," Sado said taking a seat. Sado was a man of few words even among Haida.

The parents' council got together and decided…no demanded that soda be kept off the campus. Maybe the parents needed an explanation for all the strange occurrences at Karakura High School and soda was an easy thing to point a finger at. Haida knew that they didn't just ditch to get sodas but in keeping with her wish for normalcy she didn't press the issue.

Orihime smiled and took a Lemon-Lime from Uryû. He had a look like he wanted to say something and she guessed eventually they would have to talk about Rukia's return.

It was hard to be around Haida because at any moment she could regain her strongest visions. Orihime often worried what would happen if Haida knew the secrets she kept. What would happen to her in the eyes of her friends? Then again she was grateful that Haida wanted to be normal so much that she never asked or sought out information about these other worlds.