Chapter Twenty-nine

Paperwork…

The traffic rushed beneath the overpass. A calm normality settled over the freeway despite what was happening above them. Rukia a tiny whirl of movements quickly dealt with the Hollows high above them. The unwilling spectator Ichigo glowered at her when she returned.

"Don't leave me with that crazy thing again," Ichigo said.

"Chappy's perfect for the job. So I'm glad you two enjoyed the show," Rukia grinned and continued walking the overpass.

Ichigo followed along. Watching Rukia fight the Hollows only reminded him of the inevitability of her return to the Seireitei. At the same time the show was something else and he felt like a fan watching his favorite artist walk by him. It was ridiculous but for a moment he was completely star struck by her.

"Ichigo what are you thinking about," she asked.

"There is a lot to decide but I don't really know what to do with our situation anymore," he said.

"I wanted things I never dreamed of until those moments," she said making her way down the stairwell.

"In Hawaii," he asked.

"Where else," she shrugged continuing, "At the same time we couldn't be the real Ichigo and Rukia forgetting all that made us the people we are. I don't regret anything but I don't want to look back either."

"The tradeoff is not…I just wish somehow I could have been strong enough to break their spell," Ichigo said.

"We both did and that is why our time was too foggy and dreamlike," Rukia said.

"If we take time and start our lives on our own terms-

"There is no need to explain. I get it. I understand how you feel about me leaving. Back there, that is what we do. We protect those people over there from Hollows," Rukia said waving over towards their friends.

The overpass led to a giant park area where people were busy playing soccer and enjoying the afternoon. Constant reminders of who they were trying to protect. If the Hollows were after spiritually gifted people they picked the right area.

Their friends were not far on the other side of the park. Orihime, Uryû and Sado walked towards them. Tatsuki kept her distance with Kon and Nozomi but seemed concerned as they continued setting up lunch.

Ichigo stopped Rukia before they walked any further he wanted her to hear him. He wanted to say what he had to say before they returned to the group.

"I just want to make sure we still understand each other. That you know I'm in love with you…that I'll always love you," he said.

"I know. I love you," she said and continued walking toward the group.

Nothing else needed to be said or done. All that really mattered is that she knew how he felt still. All the talk about what happened couldn't change anything. Knowing that they connected in totally different circumstances bolstered his spirits and he knew it did the same for her by her smiling eyes.

"They are still out there," she said as he caught up with her, "and they have this power none of us understand."

"We just have to deal with them," he said.

"You know what I meant by us," she said.

He knew what it meant from experience. No matter what happened or how vindicated his stance; the Central 46 and head Captain Yamamoto would never see things his way. As they walked towards his friends he knew that Rukia had been instructed to keep the humans out of things. He was confident that she also realized just what he intended to do despite her orders.

There were so many things he wanted to say to her. The months of wedding planning, the time they put into their dreams weighed heavily on her. He could see the distress no matter what show she put on or what she said.

Orihime greeted the two for the group. Seeing everyone after so much time finally together brought a smile to his face. Orihime was there for Rukia and told him the story of that day they returned.

'Rukia cried so much it became hard for her to breathe. It was shocking because I couldn't stop myself from getting emotional. I've never seen her like that…I was always the one who would cry on her shoulder,' Orihime said to him.

Rukia didn't know she would be so emotional. After all what did she loose? He still loved her and they could still joke and be comfortable around each other. But it was never that easy to wrap that time up in a neat package and throw it away in a corner.

When they decided to get married in that world nothing stood in their way. That was the explanation she gave for her tears and sadness. She didn't need to explain to him because he understood. The path was clear and they jumped in with both feet navigating the waters with certainty in their future. Now the water was murky at the very least.

000

Ichigo looked around the room of what was once the living room of his very first home. In this house if there were anything that meant more than having Rukia here he couldn't find it. Most of the items in the home he sold. Blender, microwave and all the appliances that Rukia managed to have trouble operating all sold.

The realtor's heels clicked as she approached the house.

"Well," she handed him a manila folder, "all the paperwork is done and the home is in excellent condition. It's definitely market ready…it will go fast."

"Yes it probably will," Ichigo agreed. He had long ago broken any attachment to the place itself.

"So Japan, I always thought it would be lovely to visit there especially in the springtime," she went on as Ichigo finished signing the hi-lighted pages before handing her the folder.

"If you get a chance you should," Ichigo said.

"The kids and husband…you know life just gets in the way sometimes," she poured out.

"We all get so busy sometimes," he agreed.

"Earlier you said you had to ask me something," she reminded adding the folder to her rolling attaché case.

"Yes, right," Ichigo fumbled for his wallet and handed her a photograph explaining, "This is Rukia's sister. Has she asked about us or the move?"

She smiled at the photo, "wow she's almost a carbon copy of Rukia."

"They do look very similar," Ichigo agreed.

"No I've never seen her or heard from her. You're the only one who I've dealt with about the property. Why if I may ask," she asked.

"We haven't been able to contact her. She could come here looking for us and I want here to be able to reach us. I know this is beyond your work-

"Oh no its fine I have your contact information from you so if I see her I'll make sure she knows where to find you," she said.

"Thanks again for everything," Ichigo said.

"Sure and take your time going through the house," she said.

Ichigo thanked her once more and headed back to grab the box of items upstairs. The flight back would be miserable as the realization of what the enemy accomplished started to hit him. They were psychological victors. The mind games tried his patience more than anything. He always thought he'd be stronger than that.

The other person on his mind was Hisana. What did it mean that she was here with Rukia? Furthermore was it all a part of the enemies' plan or was she a part of some illusion?

000

Nozomi and Rukia could pass for relatives. They were close in the past as friends. Of all the relationships needing repair from her five-year absence their relationship needed the least amount of work. Nozomi didn't have those human emotions that made everything so difficult.

"Can I ask you something," Nozomi asked.

"Just ask…that's not like you Nozomi," Rukia said.

So much for the absence of human emotion, she said to herself.

"What do you want to do now?"

"That's very vague. I'm not sure I want to do anything," Rukia shrugged and sat up setting the magazine she was reading aside.

"I don't believe you. Those people gave you three years of what you wanted-

"No. That's not true. I never allowed myself to wish or dream of any of that," Rukia said.

"What then," she asked. When Rukia failed to respond she added, "…it had to be something?"

"Sometimes I would daydream that we were captains in the soul society. Other times I could picture him here smiling…," Rukia drifted off lost in thought.

"That is why I don't believe you. To say you never dreamed of the two of you together in the Human World is a lie," Nozomi said.

"A lie is a pretty strong statement. But I see where you are coming from. I'll just admit it, I'm a wreck," Rukia said.

"When does his flight get back?"

"11:45 AM on Wednesday," Rukia answered.

"He better bring all your clothes and shoes," Nozomi said picking up Rukia's magazine.

"Where would you put all that stuff," Rukia asked glancing around the already crowded apartment.

"You have a cute sense of style so why would I pass up on the chance to at least look at the clothes," Nozomi asked.

"Yeah right, now who's lying," Rukia said picking up a different magazine.

Nozomi looked a little surprised that Rukia saw through her plans. She did hope Rukia would return sooner than later so she was prepared to find room for her clothes even if it meant using them as a bed. Rukia was surprised that Nozomi already knew she was headed back to the Seireitei. Rukia was just surprised that three days weren't up yet.

"I'll stay away Wednesday to give you time to say goodbye," Nozomi said.

"You don't have to do that. This has been your place for so long now. I can't force you to stay out of it," Rukia said.

"I know but I want to; besides Ichigo thinks that you've left already. It will be some pleasant surprise to see you are still here. I'll make up some excuse to get him over here," Nozomi said.

"To surprise him?"

"Why not?"

"For one thing it will give him the impression that I'm staying here," Rukia said.

"The sooner you accept that the better you will feel," Nozomi countered.

Rukia shrugged she didn't want to think long-term and she didn't want to argue about it any longer either. Ichigo could have the talk with her that he was dying to have at the very least. Having a place to stay was never an issue for her anyway.