Thank you to everyone who reviewed so far! Finals were… stressful… haha! -_- thank you to everyone who wished me luck :)

Beneath the Penumbra: Chapter 10

…One month…

…Two months…

…Three months…

…Four months…

…Too many to count…

I looked up into the sky through the windows of my classroom. The teacher was dull and the lesson was boring, besides, I knew the information already. It was always sunny here, often not rainy at all. The sun shone brightly on this town of Karakura.

"Oi, Kurosaki," the teacher said irritated, "mind to share your daydreams with the class?"

I turned lazily to the teacher, paused for a moment, and said seriously, "Will the rain ever stop?"

The class looked at me impassively, they were not fazed, they were used to it now. What words have I said these long and passing times? The teacher turned herself back around to the board and began to write more notes. They all seemed to fall off the edge, too tired and unwilling to hold on, or was it just my imagination?

"It seems to always be raining for you huh Kurosaki," Keigo said under his breath, thinking I couldn't hear him.

The bell for lunch rang as the teacher abruptly stopped and allowed the class to dismiss themselves from the room. I waited for everyone to leave before getting up and heading up for the roof. Yuzu just stopped packing me lunch after the first four months of me not really eating it. I just, couldn't seem to taste anything. My apatite had run away with it as well.

I took a seat against the railing and just looked up to the sky. Could she be looking at the sky too? I mean, there really is only one sky in the world. I smirked at the thought that maybe she was looking at the same blue Karakura sky. I tried many times after that to go and see her. Every time he was there, ready to reject me and once even threatened to call the police, which was when I stopped. I wouldn't do any good if I was in jail.

I could have spent the past… year… or was it more? Anyways, it doesn't really matter how long it was but I could have spent that time with my friends. I tried, but, it just didn't feel right anymore.

I couldn't seem to make my new thoughts fit with any of theirs and soon, Keigo stopped calling me by my first name. Chad will sometimes give me a nod of recognition when I enter the classroom and Mizuiro will tend to give me a wary smile. Other than that, I found myself drifting. Drifting away from them, and I guess it really was my fault that it happened.

I leaned back and continued to watch the clouds go by. Maybe my mom could see me here too, and then maybe she could see what a mess her little boy had become. 'One who protects', what an ironic name mom.

Orihime sat with her friends in the field. Under the shaded tree, the warm early spring air filled the area with high spirits. Her friends were chattering about plans for break before the new school year came in April and wishing each other luck with final exams. Laughter could be heard from a mile away as they poked each other in the sides playfully or snuck a bite of someone's food.

Although Orihime's mind was losing focus of the main point of the conversation she did not fail to provide short and in character answers. For a while, her friends did not notice her eyes as they drifted to the sight of shocking orange at the top of the school building.

"Orihime," Tatsuki waved a hand in front of her friends face. "What are you looking at?"

Taken out of her reverie, Orihime frantically shook and gave an awkward laugh. "I was just… I was-," her stammering indicated her embarrassment.

Tatsuki turned her head to face the top of the building. He hand was against her forehead to shade the sun from her eyes. It was Ichigo sitting there alone and solemn as always. "Are you worried about him?" she asked blankly.

Orihime gave a slight blush and dismissed her friends comment. He hands gripped her school uniform tightly. "He seems so lonely," she said, "Without Kuchiki-san," her voice soft and sad, "he isn't being Kurosaki-kun."

Tatsuki looked at Orihime with worried eyes. Her friend was a kind hearted person, someone who would think of others before herself. In end, her crush for Ichigo was a downfall and weakness that would easily hurt her.

The day had dragged on long and slow. Ichigo was laying half dead on his desk waiting for the students to all leave. He sat there looking as they all walked out of the building like army ants. He didn't notice when Orihime had pranced up behind him, taking a look over his shoulder. When he finally did, his face dropped in pure shock.

"Inoue!" he said in surprise and fell of his chair. Orihime in return was also startled by the sudden recognition and yelped.

"S-sorry Kurosaki-kun," she said pulling and stretching the hem of her sweater.

Ichigo looked at her and pulled himself up, "uh, no it was my fault."

Orihime looked up and did her best to suppress a blush but to no prevail. She quickly turned her head away and Ichigo cocked his head to the side in wonder of what she was doing. "If you don't mind Inoue," he said gathering his things, "I have to get going." Throwing his book bag over his shoulder he brushed past the auburn haired girl and headed for the door.

Orihime realizing again why she stayed at school for so long turned on her heel and reached out to grab Ichigo's uniform. He turned in surprise, almost knocking the poor girl off her feet. She staggered back a bit but caught her balance on a nearby desk.

"Ah," Ichigo looked at her with guilt, "sorry, I wasn't expecting that."

Orihime straightened herself out frantically, "No, no. No need to apologize."

Ichigo stood there for a little bit, waiting for a follow up to her actions. None came. He turned again to leave but this time Orihime had gathered her courage once again. She took in a breath, For Kurosaki-kun. She tightened her grip onto the table and bit the innards of her mouth."You want to see Kuchiki-san right?"

At this, Ichigo turned his head and was now listening intently. Orihime was a little hurt at his change in attitude just but the name of their long gone classmate. His eyes were wide open and mouth hard in a line. His eyes brows were no longer nit in a tight scowl and were now lifted up with surprise.

"Inoue," Ichigo said cautiously, "do you know a way I can see her?"

Orihime fidgeted under his gaze, "I- well I-," biting her lip she was having trouble keeping her emotions in check.

Ichigo, without thinking, grabbed Orihime's arms and looked her in eyes. His were filled with determination, an unmoving stone hard emotion. "Inoue, if you know a way," he said forcefully, "you need to tell me."

She winced at the pain of his hands on hers; the pure, raw willpower in his words were enough to move an army. Orihime opened her mouth, and found a way to tell what she felt she needed to. "Tonight, you can see her. Be at the gates to her house at midnight tonight."

Ichigo let go of her, leaving a burning sensation where he had touched. He ran out the door yelling a single, "Thank you Inoue."

From behind the door, Tatsuki emerged from her hiding spot. She saw her friend standing there frozen. She made her way over and placed a single hand on Orihime's back. Tatsuki could feel her shaking, trying to keep the emotions in.

"You know it's not too late to tell him how you feel," Tatsuki said. She was doing her best at trying to comfort her friend. Orihime's feet had been paralyzed to the floor in pure shock, they dare not move. She stood, savoring to tingle in her arms.

Orihime shook her head and began to rock back and forth on her heels. Tatsuki was getting worried and had made a resolve to find that orange haired bastard. She quickly turned and was about to head out the door when Orihime grabbed onto her skirt. "Don't Tatsuki."

Tatsuki looked at the shivering girl with sympathetic eyes. Her grip was tightening on her skirt, but she let it happen if it would help calm the girl's nerves. "I'm fine," Orihime finally uttered. "I'm okay. If K-Kurosaki-kun is fine then I'm fine too." Her words were shaky and fragile, able to break with the touch of a feather. It was a hollow statement, one she wished beyond belief she could believe.

"Orihime," Tatsuki breathed placing her hand on the girl's beautiful auburn colored hair. She began to slowly pat it. Orihime's hold on her skirt was loosening as she slid onto the floor. Her right hand was gripping onto her left arm as she began to squeeze it tight.

"If Kurosaki-kun is happy then I'm happy," she began to chant, each time getting louder and louder till it was on the edge of an agonizing scream. "If Kurosaki-kun is happy then-…I'm-…I-," she couldn't finish it. Her words broke down into teary sobs and her nails were digging into the flesh of her arm. The bottled up emotions had finally been spilled out and Tatsuki bent down to hold her broken hearted friend.

"Your hair is beautiful Rukia-chan," Nemu-san, my tutor said. Her hands felt good at they ran through my hair. I had woken up, not long after I had fallen asleep. Despite Nemu's mostly quiet and impassive nature, she was a very kind hearted and took care of me like I wished a mother would. She had insisted she stayed with me tonight while Abarai-sama was out drinking with his friends again. Times like these that I could spend with Nemu-san really helped me get through another year.

"How can you tell? It's dark," I said looking up at the rising moon. Thinking to me: could he be looking at the same Karakura sky as me?

"If you don't believe me," she said as I felt her beginning to braid it, "We have to get you ready Rukia-chan."

I stayed still but didn't hesitate to ask, "Why, it's almost midnight."

She didn't say word as she finished my braid and tied it. Her elegant hands patted my back as she silently opened the doors of the dresser. He finger running through the hanging clothing till she pulled out one she found to be the most 'fitting' for me. She held it in front of me and told me to go put it on.

Following her order, I slipped out of my night gown. I stopped to look at my foreign body, mentally scrutinizing its non-femininity. I was pulled out of myself loathing when Nemu called for me to hurry. I quickly slipped on the pale yellow dress that Nemu-san had pulled out for me. When I exited the bathroom, there she was standing with a royal purple cardigan in hand.

"Nemu-san," I said looking at her in a confused manor, "what is all this about."

She helped me put on the cardigan but remained silent the whole time. He face was impassive, hard to read. But when she had buttoned the front of the sweater, she walked over to the window, unhinged it and opened it. She looked out before motioning me to come over and see for myself.

I hesitantly looked over the sill, but then my eyes widened at the sight I saw. There, leaning against the gate, was that orange haired freak of a boy. There he was a full smirk on his face and looking up at me with that cocky face of his. Unbelievable joy over whelmed me as I looked down.

"Yo," was his casual reply. Just with that my eyes began to glaze over with tears. I didn't know why, but, that feeling of wanting to be closer to him filled me to the brim. I couldn't take it anymore, and my actions just took over. I jumped…out the window.

End Chapter 10

Wowz! Rukia… bold there aren't we? . Orihime's scene… oh god… I wanted to cry with her :'( It really does hurt when someone can't give you back your feelings and it hurts when you have to watch helplessly as they break.

I WANNA KNOW WHO THE SHINIGAMI IS! Kubo… you Meany…xD