Chapter Eleven

Fall from That Place…

Yoruichi sat back listening to Rukia. They were all in the dark about why she returned and what she did in the missing time. It seemed Rukia was either compelled to not say much about the time or made to forget it as if it never happened. But she clearly remembered everything else before her abduction or forced return to the Seireitei.

Because the earlier time Rukia went missing lasted 17 months for Ichigo he likely noticed the absence more than Yoruichi. The way Yoruichi thought about things that amount of time seemed expected of a Shinigami. Something else bothered her about the situation. She would have to try to drag the truth from Byakuya some time. For now she tuned back into Rukia's conversation.

"He acts as if I'm some great force of change in his life and-

"You're not…sure that's such a good thing now given all he's gone through blah, blah, blah…You know what I think," Yoruichi asked.

"What?"

"You feel the same way he does."

"That's it that's your advice-

"That is my observation. I wouldn't call it advice. It is quite strange that you would say advice. Isn't it odd that you of all people would come to me instead of some of your human friends?"

"I-I-

"Humph! Anyone with eyes to see knows that you and that girl both care about Ichigo. He's clueless like all idiot men are. Don't let him come between your friendships. That's my advice. Everything else will fall into place beyond that.

He'll just have to accept that the world doesn't revolve around him…sure it will hurt his ego a bit but it will be worth it. Let him chase you around until he wears himself out. The chase is so much fun," Yoruichi laughed working on another Teriyaki bowl.

"Oh," was all Rukia could say.

"Nothing anyone says or does will change either of your stubborn minds, geese," Yoruichi snickered.

"Thanks for doing this," Rukia said. This wasn't like her to open up to someone so easily. At least there was someone out there who understood all the madness in her life.

What she really wanted was answers. Blocks of her memory were erased and the only reason she knew was people like Yoruichi who stood on the outside looking in. Those people were people she could trust who knew she didn't just spend all this time apart from Ichigo relaxing in the Seireitei.

Yoruichi interrupted the silence saying, "Oh don't thank me. I'm having too much fun with this entire hide and seek game. The minute you leave he'll be after you and I really want to see this reunion play out. You're definitely a Kuchiki, fun to toy with."

Yoruichi thought of Byakuya and her endless rivalry.

"He could have just moved on. I always thought Orihime would end up with him when I left," Rukia said.

Yoruichi paused with the bowl up to her chin and roared with laughter. The clear picture of miserable Ichigo in her head conflicted with any image of him happy with Orihime.

"How foolish of you," Yoruichi said when she calmed down, "let him fall from that place in her heart. Let the girl be, she'll figure out her true feeling for him in time."

"If he has moved on I shouldn't still be here when he comes looking for me," Rukia said disregarding Yoruichi's message.

"Fool."

"That's my line. You tell me I'm a fool but how do I assume anything else is true," Rukia was tiring of the laughter and wondered just what she expected from Yoruichi.

"I'm staying silent about it all. Besides you saw the girl with Quincy boy and they seemed quite happy, no?"

Rukia did recall seeing them together, but weren't they always. They did seem quite awkward but she couldn't point a finger on why. She really didn't want to be made a fool or worse hurt anyone. For now the distance between she and him would be best.

None of this was what she wanted to talk about but somehow she ended up telling Yoruichi all about Ichigo. She came to discuss the situation with the Hollows. If the humans were aware of the Hollows she figured the Shinigami were not doing their jobs.

Yoruichi wasn't interested in discussing the Hollows much. Rukia knew that she would get even less from Kisuke.

"Well I should go anyway. Thanks," Rukia said getting up to leave.

Did things really change that much?

000

Uryû stood looking over one of his training grounds. Ichigo caught up pausing at his side.

"So why drag me all the way out here," Ichigo asked.

"When we were young we would come here sometimes," Uryû said looking out as if staring out into the past.

"Huh, who are you talking about I don't remember that," Ichigo said.

"Orihime," Uryû walked a little ways picking up a rock by the side of the stream.

"You two did," Ichigo asked.

"She found it easy to just talk to someone and I just happened to be here a lot," Uryû said.

"What did she think of you then I wonder," Ichigo asked trying to imagine a younger version of Uryû hanging out with Orihime.

"It is hard to know. I thought she was the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. She had this long beautiful hair that I always wanted to touch," Uryû threw another rock. This started an unofficial rock throwing competition to hit an unofficial target on the tree across from them.

"I've never heard any mention of her knowing you before," Ichigo said.

"Of course you wouldn't. You never have been one to pay attention to anything have you," Uryû said with a little more bite than he intended.

"So why bring me out here to insult me," Ichigo asked.

"She probably doesn't even remember it…you know I wanted to get stronger Quincy powers so I could fight her parents. They were horrible…her brother would always be there watching out for her. He was always watching out for her and taking care of her. She never really complained about her parents but I just knew what was happening even at that early of an age," Uryû said.

Ichigo didn't fully understand what he was doing here so he just listened patiently as Uryû told his story. Something that was extremely difficult for him. All he wanted to do was find Rukia already. He had too many questions that needed answers.

"As much as I loved her hair she cut it. I didn't love her new hair but that spirit that remained the same. I still feel the same.

Back then she only saw her brother as her protector and hero. Now she only sees you. Maybe it will always be like that. So I'm asking you to make up your mind about Rukia because no matter how strong I become or how much I want to protect her she only sees you," Uryû said tossing a stone and turning to leave.

So that was what this was all about.

"Wait," Ichigo jogged to catch up, "it's easier to know what you don't want to happen than to make what you want to happen actually happen. You want Orihime to see you and you know that's what you want. But you can't make her see you. I don't know what it is that you expect me to do about any of this but Orihime is just my friend.

If I'm a hero to her it is only because I won't sit on my ass and watch as my friends get hurt. That goes for any of them and I think you know that. As for Rukia…you can't even begin to comprehend what I've made my mind up about her."

Ichigo kept walking on ahead of Uryû angered by the conversation. They walked the rest of the way to the meeting in silence.

All that Ichigo said to him was true. He couldn't help how Orihime felt. If she sought unrequited love that was up to her just what could he do to change that?

000

At Urahara Shop everyone was still fussing over Rukia's return. Apparently an unusual attack of Hollows preceded her arrival. Rukia could only wonder about what was going on.

Everyone seemed to welcome her with open arms. If there was any anger or resentment the only thing she could point to was Uryû's behavior earlier.

For Ichigo it was difficult to concentrate on the mission ahead. As the group gathered in the tea room of the Urahara Shop his mind kept wandering.

He was aware that Rukia was there stealing worried glances at him now and then. They hadn't talked all day. He thought it was best to give her the space she needed. In time he would find out the what, where, why's and when's.

The only thing she knew was his words as she nearly died in his arms. Everything since this morning went as if she never left.

It wasn't just her he observed. Everyone seemed preoccupied with something. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Ichigo wondered just what was going on with Renji and Orihime.