Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Note: I'm sorry about the grammatical and typographical errors and the OOCness of the characters. This is an AU with Drama and Family Genres.
Note: Future Chapter Spoilers in my profile. Not only for this story but also for my other two ongoing fics.(You Are My Love and The Promise of Origami) Thanks.
Please Read and Review after. Thank you.

And finally, two chapters left after this.

—IchiRuki: The Destined Tale—
A Bleach AU Fanfiction
Written By: Mari Kia Aishiteru

Last time in IchiRuki: The Destined Tale…

Masaki and Isshin had Ichigo explained the relationship between them and seeing the young boy's resolve and determination, the couple let the two continued what they have and gave them their blessing.

"It isn't important that you are step siblings, the most important thing here is that you are happy with each other and that you are ready to risk everything just to protect the feelings you have for each other, the bond that you created between the two of you."

Tale 21
The Destined Departure

It had been a week since their parents learnt of their relationship and Ichigo and Rukia was grateful for their parents' understanding. They had been very supportive of them, even leaving them alone to be with each other.

They both thought that they understood them because of their own experience when Rukia first disagreed for them to marry. And besides, they wanted them to be happy.

And it was one thing that now, their only focus was Rukia's chemotherapy.

Three days ago, the doctor had finally told them that he already contacted the doctor he was talking about in the hospital in England who specialized in Rukia's case.

Ichigo could still remember talk they had with the doctor.

Ichigo, Rukia, who sat on the bed, with Masaki and Isshin stared at the doctor in surprise. "Miss Kuchiki, I advised you to go in England as soon as possible. I already contacted my friend in England. And I already sent him the documents and you vitals. He said that he would be expecting you anytime you want." The doctor had explained with a small smile.

Rukia glanced at her parents, who were staring, back at her. "What do you want to do, Rukia?" Masaki asked her with a small smile.

"We will let you decide." Her father said.

The young girl nodded and faced the doctor again. "I want to go there next week."

The doctor nodded. "Okay then, you had to prepare everything."

"Don't worry," Isshin piped in, "I will take care of everything she might need."

"Okay then, that's all."

And the doctor left the room.

"Rukia, I'm saying this now. As much as I want to come with you… I…" Isshin began but Rukia cut him off. "I know, Dad. I know you can't come because of the business. Besides, I don't want to bother you with your work, now that we will be needing it for my chemotherapy and all…" she said with a smile.

"Rukia…"

"I can come though." Masaki offered. Rukia shook her head. "If Mom comes with me, who knows what could happen to Dad. I know he's hopeless without someone looking out for him." she said with a light giggle. Isshin had pouted from her declaration and Masaki nodded with a grin of her own. "You're right." She said. "Then… Ichigo will be the only one who can come with you."

"I'm more than willing to go with her." Ichigo spoke, with a sideway glance at Rukia.

"Great." Isshin said. "I will take care of the preparations then."

The orange haired young man stared at the ceiling of his own bedroom. It has been a while since he slept in his own room. He was there because Rukia was discharged that morning. The next day, they were going to fly to England. Their father bought a house just near to the hospital that Rukia will be having the chemotherapy in. If ever they needed a house to go home in, they could go there. Despite from that, the hospital had a guest room that can be stayed in. Ichigo chose to stay there to stay close to Rukia of course. The house was an alternative though. Their father was very thoughtful.

Rukia had been a little restless but excited to go to another place with only her and Ichigo. The young man couldn't help but smile when he remembered her face. She looked like a child who was given her favorite ice cream. She was adorable. Not that he would tell her that. Her ego would go up.

He sighed. He wished that Rukia would be cured there. He didn't want to lose her just like that. He never felt anything like it before. He loved her with all of his heart.

She was his everything.

And he would be damned if he lose his everything.

Rukia couldn't sleep. Tomorrow, they will finally leave. The chemotherapy in England scared her like hell. She just couldn't show it to the others, to her parents, to Ichigo, because she knew they would be so worried about her and she didn't want them to worry any further. They were worried enough as it was.

But, despite being scared of what could have been waiting for her, her resolve stayed strong. Her courage brought her up from the darkness that she knew nothing good will ever happened to her there. She wanted to embrace the courage the others had brought her, as if it would cure her sickness.

And she believed in that.

With those thoughts, Rukia didn't notice that she had fallen asleep.

The day finally came as they stood in front of the admission gate, which would take them to the plane they would be in.

Saying goodbye was really a hard thing to do as Rukia embraced her friends one at a time. They would truly miss them because they became her first friends ever, with the exception of Orihime and Renji. They had accepted her without any doubt and regret. And she had been so grateful to them for that. They had always been there for her and Ichigo.

And most of all, now that she needed support to fight her illness.

"Rukia-chan, we will miss you very much."

"Me too, Momo. Me too." Rukia said, tears gathering in her eyes.

Momo let go of her as Hisagi took the opportunity to be next to hug their friend. "Just call us if you need anything and we will be there at the speed of the light." He had whispered to her making Rukia smile.

"Yeah, you got it."

He let her go as Toushirou simply patted her head. "You know, I'm not fond of hugs but I can tell you this. Take care of yourself, Rukia."

"Toushirou-kun, thank you very much." She replied. "I will, don't worry."

"Rukia," Senna began, as their other three friends said their goodbyes to Ichigo. "I know you can past through this. Ichigo will be with you so I'm not worried. But, always remember that, we will all be here, waiting for you to come back."

The raven haired girl didn't have to hold back tears anymore. She sobbed as she embraced her purple haired friend tightly. "Thank you, Senna. Thank you."

"Baka, stop crying." She said as she rubbed her back.

Rukia, however, continued to cry as she clung to Senna. "I will be back."

"I know. We believe."

Rukia stared at Senna with a bright grin. "Yeah!"

Ichigo interrupted them and smiled at Senna. "Thanks for everything, Senna."

"Hm. It's nothing." She replied. "Though, I want you to update us every once in a while alright?"

"Sure, no problem."

"I know we will meet again."

"Yeah, that's for sure."

The four friends stayed behind as Masaki and Isshin went back to the young couple who were waiting for them.

"Mom, Dad." Rukia embraced her parents as she tightly as she could. "Thank you."

"Rukia, you'll be alright. I know you'll be back before we know it." Isshin said, his goofy grin showing.

"Dad, I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, my princess." He kissed his daughter's forehead.

"Rukia, be good and don't forget to take care of yourself."

"Hai, I will, Mom."

"Ichigo, take care of her, will you?"

"Yes, Mom. I will. I will call you guys if anything happen."

"Good, then." Masaki nodded at his son. "And take care of yourself too, Ichigo." The blonde haired lady embraced his son. "This will be the first time you'll be out of my sight. I'm going to miss your presence."

"Me too, Mom. Me too. Please take care of yourself."

"I will. I don't want to worry you."

"You know me well."

"Because you are my son."

"That's true too."

They both laughed softly.

The intercom spoke and it was the cue for the young couple to go now to England.

"Now, this is it. Bye Mom, Dad."

"Bye, you two."

"Take care you two!"

As Rukia and Ichigo held each other's hands towards the plane that will change everything, they hoped that miracle will surely happen to them one more time.

A/N: Okay, finally I've finished another one. Two chapters in one day. But this one is really short for me. I'm in hurry, didn't you notice? :) I just haven't updated last week because I want to update one every week. And so, this is surely finished at the end of April because the FINAL chapter is already DONE...! Isn't that great? :) I hope you are all looking forward to that.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS LAST CHAPTER! I'M SO HAPPY TO KNOW THAT YOU LIKE THE STORY, BECAUSE I DO. I hope you'll all be with me until the very end. XD

Next Chapter: And there was another problem, or is good news? Can their love accept this truth?—Tale 22: The Destined Hope.

Don't forget to Review! :D

Word Count: 1,582

April 4, 2014 —Mari Kia Aishiteru