Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

Chapter 21

Rukia had never run so fast in her entire life. Patients watched in surprise as the woman rolled passed them. After finding out that she had been discharged from the hospital, Rukia just knew that he was waiting for her.

After Aizen was immobilized, the Hollows completely crumbled. Without their fearless leader, many simply fled, only to find a squad of officers waiting for them with cuffs in their hands. After that, the press flooded the area with flashing camera and large microphones. Hitsugaya had to direct the media away after a pesky reporter from The Seireitei Tribune attempted to get a quote from Rukia. Rukia never got the chance to thank him since he didn't get treatment for his wound in order to protect her privacy.

"Miss Kuchiki!" shouted a young nurse fresh out of medical school. "Please don't run in the halls!"

Normally, Rukia would have listened to the poor nurse, but she hadn't seen him in a long time. The elevator was much to slow, so Rukia launched herself down the fight of stairs to the bottom floor. She dodged a few unsuspecting visitors and a doctor to reach the floor.

Once reaching the bottom floor, she saw his outline. "Byakuya!" Rukia shouted while rushing to hug him.

Rukia hardly ever referred to him by his first name, but this was a special occasion. His thin lips curved into a small, yet tender smile. Byakuya's pressed gray suit didn't seem to move an inch as he returned the hug professionally, his breath sucked in. Rukia never hugged anyone, so Byakuya was surprised, to say the least.

"It is good to see you, Rukia. I am glad that you are safe," Byakuya said firmly.

"I missed you," Rukia whispered.

Byakuya paused in shock. What had happened during those months? Rukia always remained unfeeling after Hisana passed away. The last time that Rukia had hugged him was at the funeral. "I missed you too," he whispered back softly.

The hug ended as quickly as it had started. Byakuya could never tell Rukia how worried he was when he had found out that Aizen had taken her from Karakura. She was Hisana's treasure, so therefore she was his treasure. Rukia was his sister after all. They were family, so he had to do whatever he could. Byakuya would have to explain later that the police refused to allow contact between them, even while she was in the hospital. Rukia would be freed once she was discharged from the hospital.

"It seems that a mob boss can't even take me down," Rukia joked.

"It seems you are as resilient as Hisana used to say you were," Byakuya responded, looking off. "I remember when Hisana first introduced me to you after she found you in Rukongai. You stood in front of me with that glare of yours. I knew right away that you were a tough girl. Your hair was all in your face like, and you refused to fix it when we went out."

"I was quite the pipsqueak," Rukia laughed.

Byakuya held back a smile. "It first I thought that was so, but now I know it was tenacity."

Rukia smiled sadly to the ground. For the first time, she realized that things would be going back to normal. Would she grow her hair out? Would work suddenly become more interesting? These were things that only time could tell.

Would she see Ichigo again? That was something that sent a ping of pain through her body. She surely couldn't go to Karakura Town that often with her job, and he was in charge of the protection of an entire town. It could never work under the current circumstances.

She should be happy. At least that was what she kept telling herself. There was no mortal danger looming over her anymore, so why did Rukia feel so… indifferent? It was time to move one, but something was holding her back. Well… it was more like someone.

"Is something the matter?" Byakuya asked after seeing Rukia's glum face.

Rukia raised her head and gave the best smile she could, which happened to be pretty realistic. "Nothing's wrong. I'm happy." That was a dirty lie.

Byakuya raised his thin eyebrow and turned away. "The trial is next week. Detective Hitsugaya told me that you shouldn't be worried about any attacks since Aizen was arrested. No one is brave enough to even try."

"What will happen after the trial?" Rukia asked him.

"It is simple. Life will go on. Your job is safe. Quite honestly, I'd prefer if you returned because the work that has been given to me is not satisfactory."

"To what extent will life go on?" Rukia pushed on. "Sorry, that question is kind of… weird."

"Indeed it is," Byakuya said with suspicion. "I don't quite understand exactly what is going on, so I trust that you can work it out. Perhaps it is none of my business to know."

"No, it's… not that," she whispered, eyes trailing away from him in a sheepish manner. In all seriousness, Rukia was afraid to say what was on her mind because Byakuya might brush it off as something silly. That was completely possible.

"We have a lot to discuss," he explained. "Let's just try to forget that this inconvenience."

Rukia was about to respond, but a buzzing in her pocket caused her to pause. It was Momo calling. Rukia had half a mind to ignore it and leave with Byakuya, yet she decided to answer. She knew what Momo was calling about, so she turned around and rushed back in his direction.

It was much too bright for this. If he wasn't trapped in that hospital bed, he'd probably close the blinds. Ichigo's dry eyes started to glaze at his younger sister, Karin scolded him.

"First, you keep your mouth shut about some top secret mission. I don't understand why you were so agreeable since those idiots over in Seireitei condemned you for no damn reason. Seriously, why did you owe them any favors?"

"Karin, your voice is getting louder," Yuzu, her twin sister, said meekly.

Karin completely ignored her and continued her tangent. "You have a family and a pretty cool job, so I don't understand why you felt the need to take this job."

"Easy, Karin," Isshin said while standing back.

Karin was leaning over Ichigo with a single finger pointing at him, accusing him. Her gray eyes pierced him with an intensity that rivaled his own. "I mean seriously! You came back looking like a mummy in all those bandages! Hell, you got shot with anesthesia! It's kind of badass, but you have to know how dangerous that is!"

Ichigo finally decided to face his little sister after she blew off some steam. Unlike Yuzu, who choose to express herself through a few tears, and his father, who simply let out a sigh of relief, Karin was much more violent and required a screaming fit. It wasn't really a tantrum, but a severe scolding.

"Are you done with that?" Ichigo said while glancing at her.

"Yes."

"I know you only do that because you care," he said with a smile.

Karin's face twisted in disgust and turned her nose up in a scoff. She crossed her arms and said, "Just because I don't want you to get hurt doesn't mean you get to be all mushy with me. That smile is creeping me out. I mean seriously… Who was so important that you came back looking like a band-aid ad?"

Once Karin said that a small whirlwind rushed to Ichigo's side. The whirlwind happened to be Rukia Kuchiki who had been waiting to see him for the two days that he had been asleep. She was worried sick and just wanted to see him, but the nurses said that only family members could visit. Rukia asked that Chappy the bunny could stay in his room to make sure he was safe. The only reason Rukia could visit was because Momo gave special permission since Ichigo had woken up.

For some reason, Rukia didn't even think to notice the family. She simply wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his neck.

"Ichigo, I am so glad you are alright. I was so worried," Rukia whispered.

"Um, I'm glad you're alright too, but… um, I have visitors," he explained, a blush rising to his cheeks as Karin and Yuzu both gave him a cheeky grin.

Ichigo felt Rukia's body tense as she slowly raised her head from the crook of his neck. "H-Hello."

"Are you my son's girlfriend?" Isshin asked expectantly.

The two choked and turned away from each other. "This is Rukia Kuchiki… the one I was in charge of…"

"I knew that… but still… are you my son's girlfriend," Isshin said with a knowing smile. "That would explain why Ichigo seems so much happier."

"Ichigo!" Karin said shortly. "Why didn't you tell me that you knew Rukia Kuchiki? She is one of the top female corporate figures."

Yuzu clapped her hands. "Yes, Rukia Kuchiki is very well known. Karin and I look up to her you, Miss Kuchiki."

"Please, call me Rukia."

Ichigo turned to Rukia and said quietly. "Those two are my little sisters. They are twins even though they look nothing alike. That is Karin and that is Yuzu," Ichigo explained by pointing to them.

Rukia could help but feel intimidated by the girls. They had to be graduating college soon. The two girls were both taller than her and quite pretty too. Karin had thick black hair in a ponytail with bangs that framed her face. She seemed very womanly and mature. Yuzu had a rounder and cuter face with fair features but was smaller than the long-legged Karin. Either way, Rukia felt surprised that the two girls idolized her like that. In all honesty, Rukia didn't know that she was even a top figure.

"It's nice to meet you," Rukia said professionally. "Ichigo mentioned you guys to me."

"You never answered the question," Karin said slyly. "Are you and Ichigo dating? Even though he can be kind of grumpy, my brother is a really good guy. I promise he has manners."

"I think you would like Ichigo once you get to know him," Yuzu added.

"You know," Ichigo finally added. "Rukia and I have some things to discuss." When he finished, his family all stared at him with a smile. "...In private…"

"Eh," Karin groaned. "Yuzu, it seems that they are on a first name basis. You know what that means."

Yuzu giggled and followed Karin and Isshin out. "I'm glad."

Karin was practically dragging Isshin out, hold him back from whatever he was going to do. He let out a whimper and said, "Karin, you are so mean. I just wanted to hug my third daughter."

"T-Third daughter," Rukia repeated.

Ichigo waited for this family to funnel out of the room before he grabbed her small hand in his, noticing her distress. He gave her a small smile, but her head remained facing the ground.

"Your sisters are very pretty," Rukia said, seeming as if she had tried to force a conversation.

He rubbed her hand with his rough thumb. "Aren't they? I don't remember when they grew up."

"What will happen?" Rukia suddenly said, finally reaching his eyes. She couldn't help but notice his long, full lashes.

"What do you mean?"

"What will happen to you? What will happen to me? What will happen to us? I just can't wrap my head around it, you know. I don't want to miss you, but I will. Oh my god, I will miss you way too much. I hate that you got hurt. I hate that I couldn't see you. Can't you see that I was worried sick? I couldn't sleep without wondering when you'd wake up. I hate that I got you in this situation."

"Rukia, calm down. I'm alright," Ichigo said in a quiet voice. "You didn't do this to me."

A stray tear fell down her porcelain cheek. She couldn't help it. The words just wouldn't come out anymore. The only way she could communicate was by kissing him hard on the lips, feeling him feel her frustration. That kiss wasn't short and sweet, but a rush of pent up emotions.

She broke the kiss, both of them at a loss of breath and words. Rukia was always better than communicating with her actions anyway. They stayed in that position for what felt like minutes, eyes closed, foreheads pressing.

"Rukia, I… feel something special for you, more than an attraction. I hope you feel that too, but life goes on," Ichigo whispered, sending shivers down her spine as she leaned over him with her hands gripping his firm shoulders.

"I know…" she whispered back.

The words become heavy in his throat. "You live in Seireitei as a head of a multimillion dollar corporation. I-I could never ask you to leave your life behind and stay with me."

"Just like how I could never ask you to leave your job as Sheriff to stay with me," Rukia continued. She rested her head on his chest. "You know, I don't really know romantic love all that well, but if I did, I'd probably say that I love you. I can't really think of anyone but you."

Ichigo swallowed hard as he played with the tips of her hair with his fingers. "I don't really know… you know, romantic love all that well either… so I'd probably say that I love you too. I get this aching feeling whenever I think of our situation. I feel like I'd lay anything on the line for you."

Rukia smiled softly. "I'm glad that we have that settled. I just want to stay with you for a little before I have to go."

Hitsugaya and Momo watched with smug smiles as Rukia scurried out of Ichigo's room with Chappy's cage in her hand. Her eyes stayed down on the ground to avoid confrontation. Momo would have teased her about it, but she had just been teased for holding Hitsugaya's hand while he was recovering from his gun wound. Momo simply suppressed her laugh and followed Hitsugaya into the room.

Ichigo looked up at Hitsugaya and then looked out the window. Momo stood by the door and watched as Hitsugaya took a seat next to a bandaged Ichigo with his arms crossed. He was finding the words to say.

"You… did a good job, Ichigo," Hitsugaya said after a few moments. "I'd like to say that I'm sorry for doubting you. I'm also sorry for saying the things I did about the Kanisawa case."

"You had every right to say that," Ichigo added.

"No, I really didn't. I had no right to say that. Ichigo, you were young at the time, so it was easy for the department to pin all of the blame on you. The problem with the Seireitei Police Department is that the people on top like to push the blame on other people and you happened to be that person. I didn't notice at the time, but I see that now."

"What are you getting at Detective Hitsugaya?" Ichigo said in shock, not quite believing his ears.

Hitsugaya chuckled. "I aim to become the Commissioner and clean up this city and department. There is too much crime in this city. It is unsafe for the future. Quite frankly, there are too many officers in the department that cannot be trusted. I want to get as many honest, trustworthy officers working for me as possible, so… Ichigo, I'm offering you a position at the Seireitei Police Department as a Detective."

Ichigo just gaped at Hitsugaya. He would have never believed this if it didn't just happen right in front of his eyes. "B-but, people at the department despise me. For example, Sargeant Hisagi just mentioned it last time I was there."

"I must have forgotten to mention that Momo and I have spoken to Commissioner Kyoraku and he has agreed to pardon you. No one will hang it over your head anymore."

"Detective Hitsugaya, Detective Hinamori, this is too much," Ichigo gasped.

"It is going to be Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Hinamori soon. We have been promoted," Hitsugaya explained.

"Congratulations, but seriously…"

Hitsugaya stood up and fixed his green tie. "Sheriff Kurosaki, this is just my way of thanking you. Plus, Detective Kurosaki would outrank Sergeant Hisagi, so you shouldn't worry about that."

"I'd like to thank you for this opportunity, but…"

"But?"

Ichigo paused. This was so hard for him to say, but it was what he had to do. If he took the job, he would be closer to reaching his goals and Rukia, but he couldn't leave Karakura Town. They needed him there.

"I can't take the job. I'm honored that you picked me and cleared my name, but I have a duty to protect Karakura Town."

Momo took a step closer to the two. "Ichigo, I beg that you take more time to think about this."

"Personally, I would love to take the job. Professionally, I need to uphold my position as Sheriff. My four-year term is coming to an end in four months, so I need to focus on my reappointment."

"I understand your commitment," Hitsugaya explained while turning to leave. "If you ever change your mind, I would be honored to have you work for me. I will see you at the trial. Speedy recovery."

Hello

Sorry that this chapter took forever. Well, maybe it seemed like that only to me. I was on spring break in Alabama with my softball team, so I didn't really have time to type. Next chapter is the trial and then there will be a time skip. That was just a heads up for you.

I know some of you will be bummed that Ichigo didn't take the job, but I wanted to be true to his character. I seriously don't believe that Ichigo would drop everything and leave Karakura Town. That also adds to the reality of the story that I am trying to achieve.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Peace ( ͡° ᴥ ͡°)