AN

Oh my gosh, you guys are just too good to me! All of your reviews were awesome and so fast! It sure made my Monday to wake up and see all of your wonderful comments, favs and follows. I was going to update sooner but I caught a cold. Anyway, on with the story!

Disclaimer-I own nothing.

No Escape

Chapter 35

Ichigo lay on the couch, unable to sleep. Thoughts of what he'd do and where he'd go now that he was leaving Rukia filled his head. It should have been an easy decision for him. He'd spent years dreaming about what he'd do after he left the army. And now he could do anything he wanted. Except stay here.

Sunlight filtered through the living-room curtains. It wasn't even six, but Chad had always been an early riser.

It was selfish of him to make the call, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. He felt too alone not to reach out to his friends.

Chad answered on the second ring. "Hey, Ichigo. Hold on a sec," he said in a whisper.

Ichigo heard Tatsuki make a sleepy, contented sound in the background, then the click of a door closing. "What's up?" asked Chad.

"I was calling to see how Tatsuki was." It was only partly the truth, but it made him feel like less of a jerk for interrupting his friends' rest.

"Uryu didn't tell you our good news?"

"No, but I could sure use some of that right now."

"Tatsuki's pregnant." Ichigo could hear the proud smile in Chad's voice.

"Congratulations, man. That's fantastic. Is she feeling better?"

"The flu is gone, thank God. Morning sickness made it worse, which is probably why she had a tough time of it, but they got the dehydration under control and she's home now. If I'd known she was pregnant, I wouldn't have freaked out quite so much."

"You didn't know? I thought you were going through fertility treatments."

"We'd saved up for them but hadn't actually started the process. Now we can use that money to get a house. Fix up a nursery."

"I'm so happy for you." And he was. The tension in his body had started to ease at the sound of his friend's happiness.

"I just wish you were going to be around, man. Have you got a job lined up yet?"

"Not yet."

"I'm sure you'll find something. Hell, you could be a recruiter from the way Uryu tells it. Shinji is working out great. I don't think the man ever sleeps for all the work he gets done."

Ichigo's hand tightened against a stab of jealousy. "Good to hear. Think Uryu will need any more help?"

"Not with Shinji around. That man does the job of three people."

A gaping hole opened up in Ichigo's chest, and his last shred of hope flew out of it. "Sounds like it's really working out, then."

"I've never seen Uryu happier."

"He deserves it. You do, too."

"How are things on your end?" asked Chad. "How's it working with your lady?"

Ichigo forced his voice to a careless tone. "Didn't work out."

"Sorry, man. I bet the rest of the single female population is thrilled, though. Think of all those women you'll get to enjoy now that you're a free man."

Somehow, the prospect of hanging out with women he cared nothing about wasn't as appealing as it had always been. Maybe it was just a passing thing. He sure as hell hoped so.

"I was thinking I'd come for a visit," said Ichigo.

"I'd love to see you, but can we hold off for a few weeks? Tatsuki's still feeling sick, and whatever time I'm not taking care of her, I'm working. There wouldn't be any time to spare right now, and I don't want to have you come out just to ignore you."

"Oh, sure. No problem. We'll do it another time." He had nothing but time.

"Sounds great."

Ichigo heard Tatsuki say something in the background he couldn't quite make out.

Chad said, "Gotta go, man. Tatsuki pukes if she sits up before eating some crackers, and she's all out."

"Take care," said Ichigo.

"You, too."

Chad hung up, leaving Ichigo in the same place he'd been before he'd bothered his friend. No sense in bothering Uryu, too. It was only five there, anyway.

Ichigo was just going to have to suck it up and move on. He'd find something to do. His military background would help him land a decent job, even if it wasn't near anyone he cared about. It wasn't like they needed him, anyway. All his friends were doing great, and that was what really mattered.

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When Rukia got up the next morning, Ichigo's things were already in his car. He was really leaving.

She knew sending him away now was the right thing to do. Better now than when they could no longer live without him-when everyone around her loved him as much as she did.

The heavy weight of grief settled in her chest. This was worse than losing Hanataro, though she thought that feeling that way somehow made her a smaller person. She couldn't bring herself to care. The man she loved was walking out of her life, and he was never coming back. He'd said he meant to cut their ties, and she knew Ichigo was a man of his word. This was the last time she'd ever see him.

Rukia wiped her tears on her sleeve before she went into the kitchen. She could hear Ichigo's deep voice speaking to Natsuki, though she couldn't hear if the girl responded. With a bright smile plastered on her face, she pushed through the kitchen door.

"Morning," she greeted them.

"Morning," said Ichigo. "There's more French toast if you want some."

"Thanks."

Rukia would eat because it was the right thing to do, even though she already felt sick knowing what she had to face today. How could she smile and wish Ichigo farewell? How was she going to stay strong knowing she'd no longer wake up to his gorgeous smile and teasing banter? How was she going to sleep without reaching out for him?

Renji was bringing Momo here soon, and she had to pull herself together. There was too much to do, and everyone was depending on her. She had to be strong. Later, she promised herself, she'd mourn Ichigo. Later. Not today.

Rukia had barely slept last night, and the need for caffeine pulled at her. She poured herself a cup of coffee and filled it up to the brim with milk so she could stand to drink it. She sat at the table.

Natsuki's French toast was dotted with melted chocolate chips in the shape of a happy face. Ichigo's doing, no doubt.

The girl lifted her mug. "Ichigo gave me coffee, too."

Rukia peered into the mug and saw only milk. She gave Ichigo a questioning look.

"Just a teaspoon," he explained.

"I want to be wide awake when Mommy gets here. When is she coming?"

"As soon as the doctors check her out, they'll let her come home. It shouldn't be too long."

"Renji called," said Ichigo. "They're actually on their way now."

Rukia gulped her coffee down. "I've got to get clean sheets on my bed before she gets here."

"You're giving her your bed?" he asked.

"Stairs will be hard for her for a few more days. I'll sleep upstairs, and Natsuki can sleep with her mom."

"Yay!" shouted Natsuki.

Rukia's mouth curved in a real smile. Making Natsuki happy again was going to be therapeutic.

"Can I help you with the bed?" Natsuki asked.

"Sure. Go brush your teeth and get dressed. I'll wait for you."

Natsuki raced off, leaving Rukia alone in the kitchen with Ichigo. An uncomfortable silence clogged the air between them.

Rukia cleared her throat, hoping to break the awkward quiet. "When you get settled, will you send me your new address? I'd hate to miss sending you a birthday card."

"I don't know if that's a good idea."

"Why not?"

He reached up and smoothed a hand over her hair. Rukia couldn't stop herself from leaning into his touch.

"Because I don't want to be reminded of how I feel right now on my birthday. I know you and I can never work, but that doesn't mean this is any fun. Leaving you hurts."

She wanted to tell him to stay if it hurt so bad, even if his leaving had been her idea. The words pounded at her heart, trying to get out, but she held them back. She was an adult. Sometimes the hardest decision was the right one. She knew that. All she had to do now was accept it-hold out just a little longer until he drove away.

"I understand," was all she said.

"I'll send you my contact information so if you need me again, you'll know where to reach me. But please, don't call just to catch up on old times. Don't write to ask how I'm doing. Just let this be a clean break. Please."

Rukia nodded. Tears burned her eyes, and she had to get out. She didn't want him to see her cry. Not again.

She jumped up from the table and left him sitting there alone.

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