Long Way Home: A Desperate Tale of Survival
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any characters. We should know this by now.
Two Paths
"Answer me, Rukia. I will not ask again."
Byakuya's icy glare penetrated her soul as the raven haired woman held her grip on the sheathed hilt of her sword. The Kuchiki Head's eyes shifted to glance at the boy chained the wall behind her, narrowing his gaze at the very sight of the thief. However, his glare was obstructed almost instantly as Rukia stepped in front of her partner.
"Brother…What are you doing here?"
It was a foolish question but one that needed to be answered regardless. Returning his gaze to his sister, the Kuchiki Head briefly closed his eyes and answered, "This castle is under my care, why then would I not investigate a disturbance so late at night? Now, answer my question."
His cold grey eyes snapped open and bore into her once more. Against her will, Rukia flinched under his powerful aura, gripping her blade's hilt tighter. Narrowing her eyes to match her brother's gaze, she defiantly replied, "I believe that my actions speak for themselves."
"You are correct. Your actions have opened my eyes to many things," Byakuya abruptly replied, slightly tilting his head to glance toward the entrance to the cell block. "The men outside, the guard posted in this block, it was you that attacked them."
It was not a question, but a certainty. The Kuchiki Head was merely relaying her crimes to her and waiting for her inevitable acceptance. Rukia felt her insides churn as she was forced to acknowledge her betrayal of the clan. Unable to find the words to justify herself to him, she silently and shamefully nodded to him.
Only now did Byakuya icy expression change, furrowing his brows and glaring.
"It seems that I underestimated your foolishness," he said calmly, slowly reaching one hand to his own sword. "I should have expected as much. And as such, I will take responsibility."
A shaky breath found its way into Rukia's lungs as her brother's words reverberated off the walls. The words hung heavy in her mind as she realized exactly what he meant. It was the task of any member of their clan to dispose of anyone that betrayed them. By taking responsibility himself, her brother was acknowledging that it was his duty to end her life…personally.
Lifting her gaze up and meeting his icy gaze, she answered, "…Do what you must, Brother."
Although her voice was fierce and determined, it failed to move the Kuchiki Head a single inch. It was unsurprising but still unsettling. Rukia was resolute in her decision to free her partner and she was confident that if she could release him of his shackles, they could easily escape. However, staring down her adoptive brother was another matter altogether.
As much as she hated to admit it, her determination wavered merely at his presence. She had been prepared to fight her clansmen, the Elders, even her own companions if she had to…but not her brother. He was the man who took her in and gave her a place in these chaotic times. What made it all the more heart-wrenching was that, despite how much she wanted to disregard it, she owed him almost as much as Ichigo.
Byakuya had taken her from the streets, provided a righteous path for her to follow, and even planned to entrust her with their Clan and its safety! And how did she repay him? By forsaking all he'd done and choosing the life of her partner over her brother's wishes. If she and Ichigo had been able to slip past him, then her betrayal would have been easier to stomach, but with him directly standing before her, refusing to move, it caused her to hesitate.
Just as she felt her strength begin to waver as well, a stubborn voice shouted from behind her.
"I'll take responsibility! This was all my doing to begin with!"
Violet eyes widened and Rukia jerked her head around to see Ichigo had moved to the other side of her and was staring, almost pleadingly, at her brother. The raven haired woman's breath caught in her throat and she felt a mixture of anger and humiliation. What hurt even more was the fact that she could see the guilt ridden expression that had overtaken her partners features.
Despite how much he loathed it, Ichigo bowed his head and said, "I offer my life in exchange for—".
"Idiot! What do you think you're doing?!" she almost screamed at him, infuriated that he still wanted to trade his life for hers. "I already told you that I'm not going to let you die here! So stop trying to sacrifice yourself for me!"
"I'm not sacrificing myself! I'm taking responsibility, like I should have done in the first place!"
"You damned fool!" she reprimanded, earning his attention, "It's too late for that!"
"Indeed it is," Byakuya interrupted, making them both jerk their heads toward him. As they did, the Kuchiki Head shifted his gaze down to Ichigo's level. "Rukia has committed a serious crime against our clan and it falls to her to accept responsibility for it."
Fury coursed through Ichigo and he lunged forward, held by back the shackles on his hands. "How can you abandon your own sister like—?!"
"Just stop, Ichigo."
The orange haired man froze as Rukia's stern voice reached him. As he lifted his head up to retort, he saw her slowly turn back to him, finally getting a good look at her eyes. The violet irises that held so much strength and determination had softened and were almost begging him for understanding. Struck silent by her wordless plea, he was forced to sit there as she turned to completely face him.
"I appreciate what you're trying to do, really. But enough is enough. It's time that we accept our fates and do what needs to be done."
"But Rukia—!"
"Don't take me for a fool," she interrupted him, dropping to one knee to be eye-level with him. "I knew the risk I was taking coming down here and I am prepared to accept the consequences of my actions."
Meeting his stubborn gaze, she smiled gently before reaching out and placing a hand on the back of his head. Stunned by her actions, Ichigo couldn't resist when she abruptly pulled his head forward and slammed their foreheads together. Grunting from the sudden impact, the orange haired samurai glared at his partner as she smirked at him.
"Even so, I plan to stubbornly defy that fate until the bitter end," she told him defiantly, drawing strength from his resolve once again. "I'm going to get us out of here. We are going to get you home. And no matter what happens, I won't allow either of us to die!"
Her words washed over him and as much as he tried to deny it, Ichigo felt that familiar feeling of courage rising up within him. Her boldness was practically infectious and a sense of calm suddenly overtook him. Her determined declaration, that confident smirk, and her unbending will to live seemed to flow into his soul through their connected foreheads.
And in response, the orange haired samurai couldn't help but feel his resolve returning.
"That's quite a commitment. Sure you can handle it all on your own?" he said as a sly grin crept over his lips, earning a small chuckle from her.
Closing her eyes and truly smiling for him, she said, "But I'm not alone. After all, you're here with me."
Pressing her forehead even tighter against his own, the two of them shared a breath, letting it revitalize them for what needed to be done. Then, as quickly as she had connected them, Rukia pushed back and instantly rose to her feet. Looking down, she saw Ichigo smirking confidently up at her, placing his life in her hands once more.
Filled with strength and prepared to do what she must, Rukia turned around to see her brother silently watching them, his stoic visage seemingly unfazed by their affections. Hardening her heart and grasping her blade, the raven haired woman gazed directly into her brother's cold gray eyes and said, "I'm taking Ichigo from here. Stand aside."
Without a hint of emotion in his voice, the Kuchiki Head answered, "I cannot let you leave."
"…Then you leave me no choice, Brother!"
In a brilliant flash of white, Rukia withdrew her ivory blade from his sheath. Angling the tip of her blade toward him, she took a defensive stance and prepared for the most difficult battle of her life. Narrowing her eyes, she made a choice that was clearer to her than any other she'd made before.
"As of this moment, I am no longer a Kuchiki. I have chosen to do what I know, in my heart, is the right thing to do. And I won't let anyone, not even you, obstruct my path any longer! Face me!"
Taking a bold step forward, Rukia prepared to deliver the first blow the instant her brother unsheathed his blade. She was not so much a coward that she would attack an unarmed man, and so she would patiently wait for him while he prepared to face her.
Oddly enough, Byakuya made no move to draw his own blade, continuing to stare at her, almost passively.
"You realize what it means to draw your sword on me, do you not?" he asked quietly, ensuring she understood her choice.
A mocking scoff escaped her lips as she adjusted her footing. "Of course I do. Don't underestimate me."
Although it appeared that his stoic visage didn't shift, Rukia could see something in his eyes change. She couldn't be sure, but for a fraction of an instant, she swore that a hint of respect had flashed over her brother's eyes. And as strange as that was, it gave the raven haired woman a burst of confidence.
Even though it was momentary, Byakuya had looked at her as if she was a person that stood on equal ground as him. Very few had ever received that privilege and it was something she thought was reserved for the greatest of warriors. She never imagined that she would see that look from him, especially in this most dire of situations.
At last, she had no regrets. Sneaking a quick look at Ichigo, who wore a fearsome expression of courage, she raised her head high and said, "Draw your sword, Byakuya Kuchiki!"
As those words echoed in his ears, for the first time in what seemed like decades, Byakuya felt a sense of apprehension overtake him. Seeing his adoptive sister standing there, her blade angled at him and prepared to cut him down for the sake of her partner, he realized something that he had always known but refused to acknowledge…until now.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," he called out, sending a quick glare to the restrained boy. "Rukia has told me that she hold more respect for you than anyone else in this entire world…even myself. But what of you? Do you trust her as much as she trusts you?"
A slight look of shock overtook Ichigo for a brief moment but it quickly evaporated. With no hesitation, he glanced up at his partner just in time to meet her eyes as she looked back to him. A smile tugged at his lips before he hardened his features and they both glared back at the Kuchiki Head.
"Of course I do. I wouldn't be here if I didn't!" Ichigo declaration rang out and echoed in the small cell.
Hearing those fateful words, Byakuya briefly closed his eyes, accepting that response.
Opening his eyes and gazing into his sister's violet irises, the Kuchiki Head saw a determination and strength that he had once possessed, when he defied had the Elders and married Hisana. And as much as he hated to admit it, Rukia had been right when she insisted that, if it were Hisana in Ichigo's place, he would have moved heaven and earth to rescue her. Little had he realized that Rukia was more than willing to do the same for the orange haired samurai.
Shifting his gaze down to the boy she so fervently defended, Byakuya almost chuckled. The fearsome scowl the boy now bore was fiercer than it had been that morning, and it was filled with a fiery will to survive this desperate situation.
It was clear now, how these two had managed to survive being hunted like dogs, with only themselves to rely on. It was no mere bond of trust, but a dedication to each other that had enabled their survival. And if nothing else, he had immense respect for it.
Even so, Byakuya's pride and honor dictated that he must do what he believed to be right and he would see it through…no matter the cost.
Hardening his gaze, the Kuchiki Head lifted his hand and rested it on the hilt of his sword. He watched as his sister tensed and reaffirmed her defensive stance. Painfully slowly, Byakuya pulled his blade from its sheath and rested it as his side. It was his usual stance before he engaged in battle, and it instantly put Rukia on guard.
Knowing that this moment was the only chance she would to break through his defenses, the raven haired woman adjusted her footing and was about to rush him when Byakuya surprised her.
Extending his sword outward, the Kuchiki Head abruptly dropped his blade, letting it clatter the ground noisily. Rukia's eyes widened and she thought he might be trying to trick her when he suddenly kicked their family's ancestral sword over to her. Reacting immediately, she slapped a foot down on the sword to stop it before kicking it aside.
Returning her perplexed gaze to her brother, shock settled into her as she found him giving her a gentle smile that she had never witness before.
"Lay down your sword, Rukia. I have not come here to fight you."
Ichigo and Rukia's eyes widened as he stepped back and withdrew the sheath from his side, tossing it over next to his discarded blade. Ichigo was the first to recover from the shock and his gaze shot up to his partner. Utter disbelief had settled on her face and she had visibly paled, as if she might lose consciousness at any moment.
For a moment, Rukia thought this might have been a ploy to get her to lower her guard. However, she knew her brother would never lower himself to such trickery, especially when he could easily subdue her, whether he was armed or not. If he had wanted to, he could have cut her down before she even realized what had happened.
Did that mean that her brother truly was being sincere?
Taking in a deep breath, Rukia managed to regain some of her composure as she continued to stare at her brother.
"Then…what have you come here for, Brother?" she almost had to force herself to ask, having difficulty finding the words.
Although his gentle smile faded, Byakuya maintained a soft gaze as he answered, "I came to speak with the boy and discover the truth of his actions for myself. However, that is no longer necessary."
"And why's that?" Ichigo abruptly asked, still wary of the Kuchiki Head.
Although slightly displeased at being interrupted, Byakuya only gave the boy a slight glare before continuing, "I overheard the two of you speaking before I made my presence known. I heard you admit that your confession was a lie and as such, there is a dilemma that I now must settle. As it seems, for now, the boy has committed no crimes against our clan."
Only now did Rukia fully regain composure, furrowing her brows as she tried to grasp her brother's meaning.
"What do you mean he has committed no crime against the clan?" she questioned, desperate to understand.
"It is exactly as I said," Byakuya reaffirmed, folding his arms. "This boy has not violated the laws of our clan, and as such we have wrongfully imprisoned him."
Although it pleased her to hear such things, Rukia was not foolish enough to believe it to be so.
"How can that be right? Even if Ichigo hadn't admitted to stealing the seal, he was forever exiled by our clan." She paused for a moment, steeling herself before she continued, "And the punishment for returning…is death."
Closing his eyes and holding a firm frown, Byakuya answered, "That would be correct, if the law had been broken."
A confused glance was shared between Ichigo and Rukia, giving the Kuchiki Head time to continue.
"The law merely states that if one who is exiled returns voluntarily, then they shall face punishment. However, as I recall, the boy did not return of his own volition. He was dragged, unconscious, across our border and into our land. Therefore, the boy cannot be held accountable for this crime."
Although relief came over both Rukia and Ichigo, they quickly realized that this merely meant that the fault of the crime was now passed to someone else. In an instant, the orange haired samurai looked to his partner, remembering that it was her who had been carrying him across the border. Looking at Rukia's guilt ridden face, he saw that she had come to the same conclusion.
Apprehensively, Rukia spoke, "Then…that means that, the one responsible for bringing him to our lands would be me—".
"I am the one at fault," Byakuya's stern voice cut her off, leaving both her and Ichigo utterly stunned. "After all, it was I who ordered you to take the boy across the border and into our lands."
Rukia's violet irises widened as her brother's words rang out. The Elders would be furious to hear him say such things and they would surely protest but as Head of the Clan, her brother could use his position and demand that he be the one at fault. But that was utter foolishness! Did he really intend to take responsibility for all of this?
Even if it would give Ichigo a chance at freedom, it would cost Byakuya his own in exchange!
"B-Brother! You can't—!" she tried to shout but Byakuya held up a hand and silenced her.
"Rukia, you asked me to reconsider my judgment of Ichigo Kurosaki. And I have done as you requested, have I not?" the Kuchiki Head said to her.
Hearing this, Rukia felt even more guilt than she had before, now believing herself to have damned her brother in place of her partner. At the same time, Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the Kuchiki Head, gritting his teeth and seething.
"We all know this isn't what she wanted!" he shouted at Byakuya, who turned his head toward him. "Do you really think that either of us would let you sacrifice yourself, just to have us both go free?! We're not so petty that we'd let you take our place because you feel guilty over—!"
"Who said anything about sacrifice, boy?" Byakuya's harsh words silenced him, but earned a glare instead. However, the Kuchiki Head ignored it and continued, "As my crime was done unintentionally, it does not warrant any such severe punishment. However, I doubt that I will be allowed to keep my position as Head of the Clan."
"And you don't consider that a sacrifice?" Ichigo questioned just as fiercely, not comprehending the Kuchiki Head's plans.
Huffing in annoyance, Byakuya scowled slightly as he answered, "Although it is regrettable, I will more than likely be removed from my position." Shifting his gaze, the Kuchiki Head turned his attention to his sister. "As such, Rukia, you would be called upon to take my place as the Head of the Kuchiki Clan."
Realization came down hard on both Ichigo and Rukia. It seemed that Byakuya wasn't merely offering to take their place, he was proposing a trade. His admission would clear Ichigo of his crimes and spare his life, Rukia would be made to take his place and Byakuya himself would merely lose his rank.
All in all, it was a trade they all profited from. And even though it was slightly underhanded, there was mercy in it as well.
"…I see now, so this is why you came here," Rukia said carefully, again tense with suspicion. "If I am called upon to take your place, I will never be allowed to leave the castle, unless I am given permission by the Elders. I will be forced to give up my life as a warrior and live as the Head of the Clan."
"That is correct," Byakuya confirmed, meeting the angry gaze she focused on him. "You will begin learning the ways of our clan's council and in time, take my place. That is what you agreed to when I decided to name you my heir. It would only be happening sooner than we expected."
A heavy silence hung between all of them as they were forced to consider this new venture. It seemed to be the best option, as none of them would lose their lives. It would require a lot of negotiation with the Elders but that was preferable to having to be on the run from the entire Kuchiki Clan.
However, that didn't help repress the rage Ichigo felt boiling up inside.
"You bastard! You knew this would happen, didn't you?!" a furious Ichigo shouted at Byakuya, his chains rattling as he tried to lung forward. "I'll bet you purposefully let her come down her so that she wouldn't have any choice but to accept your terms!"
Rukia opened her mouth to defend her brother's integrity but found herself unable to speak. She grimaced as she realized that this very well may have been her brother's plan. After she had outright refused her brother's wishes to let Ichigo sacrifice himself, he may have devised this entire affair. And though she didn't want to believe that he would, Byakuya had proven time and again that he would always do what was best for the clan. Regardless of anyone's personal feelings.
A dark look overtook her eyes as she furrowed her brows and glared at her brother.
"Is it true, Byakuya? Did you allow me the opportunity to come here, with this plan in mind?"
For a few long moments, the pair merely glared at the Kuchiki Head as he stoically stared back at them. He showed no hint of emotion and but also made no move to defend against their accusations. After what seemed like ages, Rukia scoffed and was about to question him again when she heard her brother sigh deeply. Her gaze shot to him and saw him slowly close his eyes, almost in shame.
"I never intended for it to come to this. In fact, Rukia, I had planned on speaking with you privately to discuss this venture." His eyes slowly opened and he spoke softly as he continued, "It was never meant to be a form of coercion, merely an opportunity to please all parties."
"And when exactly did you plan to speak with me about this arrangement?" Rukia harshly question, feeling her anger rising. For a moment, the Kuchiki Head was silent but it didn't take long for him to resume his hardened visage as he prepared to explain.
"After you left my study earlier this evening, I truly did consider if there was any way to prolong the boy's fate. Realizing that taking responsibility for the crime would resolve this issue, if only temporarily, I decided to visit you in your room to discuss the matter in private."
Shock overcame Rukia as she began to understand how her brother had known of her rescue attempt. Seeing her stunned visage, Byakuya waited a moment for her to speak but she merely remained silent. Viewing it as a sign to continue, he pressed onward.
"However, when I arrived, I witness a shadow-like figure departing your room and toward the courtyard. Fearing for your safety, I quickly investigated your room to find both you and your sword missing. It was then that I realized whom that dark figure had been and I gave chase soon after."
A light grunt escaped Rukia as she lowered her head and allowed her brother to finish his recollection.
"As you can imagine, when I found the men I had stationed to guard the boy's cell unconscious in the courtyard, I knew that the situation had taken a grim turn. Considering I had only placed them there to ensure that the Elders did not make any attempts on his life, as he would need to be questioned further."
Hearing this, both Ichigo and Rukia tensed. Words failed them and it soon became clear that Byakuya had not been as ruthless as he had appeared.
"You mean to say that the reason you had so many guards around me was because you thought the Elders might try to kill me?" the orange haired samurai asked suspiciously, not prepared to accept such a bold statement.
"Considering that you might have become a liability to them, it was not out of the real of speculation," Byakuya confirmed, slightly glaring at the boy for interrupting, "As such, I felt that such precautions were necessary. But it seems that my efforts were wasted, as my hand-picked unit was so easily defeated by a single warrior."
"…I suppose that makes sense," Ichigo regretfully admitted, sneaking a painful look at his partner.
Standing in front of him with her bangs covering her eyes, Rukia hung her head. Her knuckles whiten as her fists clenched, self-loathing coursing through her as she realized how much she had unintentionally complicated matters. Although she didn't regret coming to rescue her partner, it hurt that she had essentially attacked her clansmen that were only there to keep him safe.
She had been so focused on her mission that she had been blinded to her brother's good intentions. And now she would have to pay the price for it.
"I see," Rukia slowly said aloud, shame replacing her momentary anger. Replacing her blade into her sheath and lifting her head, she angled her gaze up at the ceiling and let out a breath she'd held for too long. "Then we've already made our choice".
Sighing heavily, Byakuya folded his arms and said, "And as such, it is too late for recompense. We must all accept the consequences for our actions…and I am no exception."
A confused look warped Ichigo's face as he asked, "Recompense? What the hell do you mean by that?"
He glanced to Rukia and was surprised when she didn't respond to him. Instead, she lowered her gaze and met her brother's steely gray eyes. Unlike before, there was no anger or shame in her eyes, only a powerful determination burned in her violet eyes.
"And what will happen to Ichigo? Will he be imprisoned here for the rest of his life?" she forcefully asked, shocking her partner.
However, before he could answer, Byakuya spoke up. "Because our laws were not broken, he will not be punished for his return. However, as one branded as a criminal of our clan, he must be exiled from our lands once more."
Ichigo's amber eyes shot between the Kuchiki siblings as they discussed his fate, a look of pure perplexion overtaking him. He watched as Rukia's eyes softened and her gaze fell slightly. A melancholy expression overtook her features for an instant and it instantly sent waves of concern through her orange haired partner.
"Hey…what are you two talking about?!" he demanded, trying to get between them only to be jerked back by the chain. His words prompted no response from either of them which only infuriated him more. "Answer me! What are you—?!"
"Will you guarantee him safe passage back to his home?"
Rukia voice cut him off sharply, her voice almost pleading. Ichigo was so stunned by her soft voice and change in demeanor that he lost the ability to speak. He tried to form words but only succeeded in letting his mouth hang open slightly. All the while, he was beginning to understand what his partner was trying to do for him.
During that time, Byakuya seized the opportunity to answer the question. "That is what I intended from the start. I will even send a unit of my most trusted men to ensure that he crosses the border safely. This I guarantee. "
"Then I want to be one of them…as you promised before," she defiantly proclaimed, her eyes suddenly hardening. Her violet eyes shone with a determined gaze and it was obvious that she would not relent, no matter how hard her brother may try.
Taking in her fierce glare, the Kuchiki Head gave a light sigh before answering, "…Very well. But upon your return, you will hand over your sword and agree to be confined in the castle until further notice."
"…Fine," Rukia replied with a relieved sigh, feeling a bit of weight leaving her shoulders as her brother gave his word.
"Hey! It's not fine at all, dammit!"
The raven haired woman almost gasped as her partner shouted at her. It was obvious that he had pieced together what she intended, and he most certainly disagreed. And she didn't blame him. However, she was unable to force herself to turn around and meet the fury that she knew awaited her. Instead, she hung her head and listened as he continued to protest.
"I'm not the fool you seem to think I am," he said persistently, obviously trying to keep his temper at bay. "I know that things aren't going the way you wanted but how is what you're doing anything different than what I was trying to do by turning myself in?!"
As Rukia kept silent, despite his accusations, the orange haired samurai felt his anger boiling over and he couldn't stop himself from shouting.
"You lectured me about how you'd never leave me behind! Well, what the hell do you call having me sent home while you're forced to stay here and make amends with those damned old bastards for letting me go!"
He watched as Rukia gripped her gripped her robes tightly, her body slightly shaking. And although he felt a bit guilty for being such a bastard, he wasn't about to let her make such an unfair decision without at least hearing his side of it.
"I understand why you're doing it but just tell me this…How the hell am I supposed to support you when I can't even get into your land to help you?! Or do you expect me to just abandon you to—?!"
"That's not it at all, you damned idiot! So shut up and listen to me!" Rukia abruptly shouted, whirling around and glaring down at him.
Only now did he see that it wasn't fear or guilt that had made her body shake, but raw anger. Her knuckles were starch white and her eyes held such fury in them that it made him press against the wall in terror. It seems that he had misread the situation and once again, when he thought he was doing what was best, he'd only made matters worse.
Still shocked by her sudden change in demeanor, Ichigo was forced into silence as she continued, "I'm not sacrificing myself or abandoning you! I'm keeping my promise to be there for you so that I can keep you and your family safe!"
Looking down at him, watching as confusion warped her partner's features as he tried to understand, Rukia suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. She hadn't meant to yell but this situation was stressful enough without Ichigo jumping to conclusions and complicating everything.
Taking a few deep breaths, she gave herself a moment to calm down before she knelt next to her partner and said, "Regardless of what we do here, the Elders will never forgive you for bringing shame to them and they will undoubtedly send assassins after you."
Gasping slightly, Ichigo finally realized just how far the Elders might go for their schemes and he gritted his teeth angrily.
"Then I may as well stay in this cell and not give them a chance to get to my family," he said plainly. Even though his intentions were noble, it was still a foolish thing to say and it earned a small chuckle from Rukia.
"Trust me, when I'm the head of the clan, they'll have far more to contend with than a simple thief. And with their eyes focused on me, I know that you and your family will be safe…because I'm going to make sure the Elders won't get the chance to hurt any of you."
Amber eyes snapped up and met shimmering violets. Ichigo was overcome with a mixture of relief and awe as he saw the strength and determination that Rukia had burning within her irises. It was more than mere confidence, she looked as if she was absolutely certain that as long as she was head of the clan, she would never allow any such tragedy to befall him or his own.
And though that brought a sense of peace, it also stirred sensations of concern in Ichigo.
"And what about you?" he quickly questioned, earning a raised eyebrow from his partner. "What about the promise we made to each other? How the hell am I supposed to support you when I can't even cross the border into your lands?"
Rukia raised both brows for a moment before she let another chuckle overtake her. "Idiot, will you ever take a moment to just think for yourself?"
Ichigo scowled and was about to protest when she abruptly pushing her finger into the center of his chest. Taken back by the strange action, the orange haired samurai was only a confused for a moment before he saw Rukia jab her thumb toward her own chest. Despite how silly it may have looked, the action slowly upturned the hard scowl on Ichigo's face.
A bright smile overtook Rukia's lips as she declared, "We're partners, now and forever. No matter where we go, no matter if we have to part ways. Even if one of us dies, we'll always be with each other. We swore that to ourselves and even if others will never understand it, it won't stop either of us from being there for each other."
She paused for only a moment, letting her smile widen into a grin.
"Isn't that right, Ichigo?"
Foolishness washed over Ichigo as Rukia finally made him realize what he'd kept forgetting. He had been so fixated on finding a way to help her that he couldn't see that he already was. Distance would never matter to them. After all, they had planned to separate before he'd admitted to his crimes anyway. What mattered was that they always carried each other with them, in their hearts and minds.
The bond that had been formed between them was not some trivial connection that would vanish with the passage of time.
He was certain that even if they did not see each other for many years, they would still be connected to each other for all time. They didn't need to display affection or be near each other to show that they were connected. They knew it and it was more than enough for them. And although he felt ashamed for forgetting something so important, he was pleased that Rukia had been the one to force him to remember it.
With that resolve in his heart, Ichigo couldn't help but firmly nod and reply. "Yeah, that's exactly right, Rukia."
Hearing those words, the raven haired woman let a gentle smile grace her lips as she took in the bright grin that he had flashed her. It had taken time, but at last, they felt as though peace had finally come for both of them, in a way they would both accept. For some time, they stayed like this, simply staring into each other's eyes without a care in the world.
That is, until Byakuya approached and said, "Then, do we have an accord?"
The pair slightly jumped at his sudden question and they both turned to look up at him. He had retrieved his sword and sheath, replacing the blade and slipping it into his sash. Patiently, he waited for an answer, a somewhat peaceful aura about him.
Rukia gave an amused huff at seeing this and was the first to say, "Yes, I believe we have. Right, Ichigo?"
She gave her partner a light grin, which he instantly reciprocated as he replied, "Yeah, for now we'll go with your plan, Byakuya."
"That is good. I was beginning to wonder if I would have to knock you unconscious and have you tossed across the border," the Kuchiki Head blatantly admitted, not caring whom he offended.
Unfortunately, the one whom took offense was Ichigo. "Wait, you mean you would have gone through with it no matter what I chose?"
"Of course, this plan is too delicate to have been left in the hands of such an unruly man," Byakuya answered swiftly.
"Why you—!"
An abrupt smack ceased Ichigo's protest and caused him to slightly grunt. Amber eyes shot over to see Rukia shaking her head and retracting her hand.
"Give it a rest, Ichigo. We need to get out of here and get ready to depart."
"Indeed," Byakuya agreed, turning back toward the door. "We have much to do before the sun rises. And I will still need to speak with the guards once they awaken. Come."
As the Kuchiki Head began walking toward the door, the rattling of chains echoed in his ears moment before he heard the boy shout, "Hey! What about me?! You can't just leave me here!"
Glancing over his shoulder, Byakuya frowned and replied, "And why not?"
"Because I don't want to be stuck in this dark and dirty cell anymore, you bastard!" Ichigo shouted, before continue to rattle the chains.
A heavy sigh left the Kuchiki Head as he turned around and commanded, "Free the boy, Rukia. His chattering is becoming insufferable."
"Hey!"
"I would like to do that, Brother. However, the key is broken in the lock and I can't seem to unlatch it," Rukia notified him, while lightly rapping Ichigo upside the head for his rudeness.
"…I see. Stand back."
Ichigo and Rukia raised an eyebrow as the Kuchiki Head slowly approached them. Just before he stood over them, he reached to his side and slowly drew his blade. Violet and amber eyes widened as Byakuya took his sword in both hands.
Giving his sister a confident gaze, he said, "Move aside, Rukia. I will take care of this."
"Yes, Brother." Rukia answered immediately, leaving a continually panicking Ichigo's side. The instant she was gone, the orange haired samurai began to struggle furiously, looking between both Rukia and her brother.
"C-Come on, you two! You can't be serious!" His eyes shot between them but both of them seemed quite serious about this. "You've gotta be kidding me, Rukia! You're really gonna let him do this?!"
Holding in her own apprehension, she did her best to confidently reply, "I have faith that my brother will leave you unharmed…I hope."
"You hope?!" the orange haired samurai shouted before Byakuya's shadow cast over him.
"Do not squirm. Or I might accidentally sever an artery."
As he gave his final warning, a tiny grin crept over Byakuya's lips as he raised his blade high into the air. Unfortunately, his visage was completely visible to the still panicking Ichigo, whose face contorted in both anger and fear.
"Oh, you son of a—!"
A flash of brilliant steel suddenly cleaved through layers of iron.
The carriage bumped along the road, not stopping for anything as it headed for the border between the Kuchiki and Yamamoto territory. Ichigo and Rukia, the only occupants of the transport, sat opposite each other.
Ichigo was glaring fiercely out the window while Rukia stared at her partner with a slightly disappointed gaze.
"I don't know why you're still so upset," she muttered and unfortunately was overheard by her partner.
Throwing up his hands, which were covered in white bandages around his palms, Ichigo defiantly retorted, "He cut through my hands! They still hurt, dammit!"
Groaning as she pressed a hand to her face, Rukia replied, "He barely cut the fleshy part of your palms. You can still wield a sword, so why are you complaining?"
"Because it hurts every time I try to grasp the hilt! Dammit, he could have at least tried getting another key!"
"You should be grateful that we were able to free you at all. Or did you want to spend the rest of your life in that cell?"
"Yeah, well, I still think that leaving everything to Byakuya will only make things more difficult for you," the orange haired samurai quipped, folding his arms. "We should have just left on our own instead of taking this carriage."
"I'll be needed back at the castle as soon as possible. So like it or not, this was the only way we were getting out of the castle alive," Rukia countered, leaning her head back and groaning again.
Seeing her stressed visage, Ichigo huffed in annoyance knowing that there was nothing he could do to help her with that problem. Instead, he said, "I know, I know. I just wish there was more I could have done."
"You need to stop worrying about others so much," the raven haired woman insisted, letting her head fall back down. "Focus on getting home and seeing your family again. That's what you need to do now."
Growling to himself and resuming his angry glaring out the window, Ichigo decided to remain silent as the carriage continued on. Rukia sighed and hung her head slightly, this was not going as she had expected. Neither of them had spoken much since they had departed, opting to sit in silence for most of the trip.
Whether that was due to the precariousness of their situation or the apprehension at being forced to go their separate ways after being together for so long…neither could say.
Once Ichigo had been freed of the shackles, and bandaged, Byakuya led them to the back to the main castle and had them stay in Rukia's room until the sun rose. When it did, neither of them knew if it would be the last sunrise they would ever see and were pleasantly surprised when the Kuchiki Head fetched them personally and led them toward the main gate.
There had been no time to gather any of their companions, as they needed to depart quickly, so Byakuya informed them that he would personally notify Rangiku, Momo, Tatsuki, Orihime and even Uryu himself. It was a small consolation but a welcome one.
The Kuchiki Head arranged for the carriage to take them to the border and decided that he would confront the Elders alone. That way, no matter how much those old bastards persisted, there would be nothing they could do to stop the plan that Byakuya had set in motion. By the time Rukia returned to the castle that evening, hopefully her brother would have settled everyone down and convinced them that it was time for her to begin leading the clan.
Byakuya knew that the Elders believed they could manipulate Rukia, as they had regretfully done with all her predecessors, and he would use that to his advantage when he explained how he wanted the seemingly naïve warrior woman to take his place. The Elders would not be prepared for Rukia's fierce determination, especially now that her partner would be well out of harm's way.
A heavy sigh escaped Rukia as she considered how much work lay ahead of her, none of it being pleasant. Reforming her clan was going to be the most dangerous undertaking of her life, aside from the grueling journey she had survived with Ichigo. And she wasn't even sure if she'd be able to handle it alone…
"Don't look so down," Ichigo suddenly said, making her head shoot up and looked to him in slight confusion. In return, he grinned at her and continued, "You're going to make one hell of a Lord. We both know it."
At first, Rukia was surprised that Ichigo knew what was bothering her but an instant later, she realized how foolish that notion was. They had been together long enough to know exactly what the other was thinking or feeling. She couldn't hide anything from him, just as he couldn't hide anything from her.
That was comforting in its own respect but also meant that both of them could easily see how disheartening their immanent separation would be.
Deciding to push that negative notion away for the moment, Rukia truly did appreciate his comment and couldn't help but smirk back at him and say, "I'm used to surviving dangerous situations. I can handle dealing with a few stubborn old fools all on my own, thank you very much."
Grinning at her confidence, the orange haired samurai quickly replied, "Yeah, because you did so well with that during our meeting with them before."
"It would have gone better if someone hadn't of made a scene and complicated matters."
"How many times are you going to bring that up?"
"Until you admit to your own idiocy."
"Get ready to wait until forever then."
A playful sigh escaped Rukia as she smiled at her partner, feeling at ease for the first time since they departed.
"I don't know why I bother arguing with a fool like you," she said with false irritation.
"Yeah, you should know how stubborn I am by now," he instantly retorted, flashing her a cocky grin.
Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a halt and the voice of the driver called out, "We've arrived."
Turning to look out the window, Ichigo and Rukia stared at the large gate that led into the border between the two lands. Briefly glancing at each other, the door to the carriage was opened by the carriage driver, eager for them to depart.
Hesitantly, the pair gathered their respective blades and exited the wooden transport.
As the two of them approached, the guards pulled open the large gate that led to Ichigo's homeland. The pair drew a quick inhale as the gate fully opened and they saw the vast plains of Yamamoto's land stretching out in front of them.
Ichigo's eyes widened as memories of his homeland came flooding back to him. He found his feet unconsciously carrying him toward the other side of the border, feeling a sense of peace he'd missed for the last fifteen years. Rukia allowed Ichigo to walk in front of her as they approached the very edge of the border between their lands.
Staring at Ichigo's back, with his black sword and the large pack of food and supplies hanging off his shoulder, Rukia couldn't stop herself from recalling all that had transpired since she'd met the orange haired samurai.
She remembering him sneaking into her dark and dismal cell, telling her of his brand and the reason for his arrival, and then barely trusting him as they snuck out of the castle. She recalled learning to place her faith in him, when they had finally arrived at the eastern border and she left him to rescue Renji. And she couldn't forget the pain they both endured as they lost Kaien and Miyako.
Continuing to let her memories speak to her, she remembered finding Uryu again and realizing that they needed to stay strong together to endure the suffering caused by their inability to save the Shiba's. She recalled meeting with Komamura and his wolves, and accepting his aid as they ran toward their destination. And she couldn't forget being captured by Kenpachi and his bandits, fighting for their lives against both them and Muramasa's cunning tricks.
Finally, she remembered going to the brothel, their night together, and their daring escape before being 'caught' by Ginjo. She recalled Ichigo's daring attempted rescue and then their difficult escape from their enemies clutches, with the help of the bandits. And she would never forget crossing the border with her partner, refusing to leave him behind and accepting their fate…together.
As all of those memories flowed into her, she hung her head, closed her eyes solemnly and gently whispered, "Thank you…"
In front of her, Ichigo came to a halt just before crossing over the border.
"Well, it looks like this is it," he said carefully before turning back to face her. "This is where we part ways..."
Stopping abruptly, Rukia opened her eyes and looked up at him. Although he bore a strong expression, she could see the loneliness building up in his eyes. Seeing it made her realize that she was feeling the same and so she plastered a cheeky grin on her face before walking closer to him.
"Why the long face, huh?" she teased, tapping his chest playfully with her hand. "Just because you can't come and see me doesn't mean I won't be able to come and see you."
A slight look of shock overtook Ichigo before he felt a great deal of relief, giving a fake sigh as he pretended to be perturbed.
"Oh and I suppose you think that's fair? Geez, now I have to worry about you surprising me and embarrassing me in front of my family," he said as mockingly as he could, forcing a scowl to hide a light smile.
"I do think it's fair, actually," Rukia replied, folding her arms and grinning. "Because the only thing I can be certain about in this world…is that you'll always be there when I need you. Just like you know I'll be there for you as well."
Hearing that, both of them let the smiles fade slightly as they looked at each other one last time. Amber orbs met shimmering violet irises and the two of them felt as if time itself had stopped, giving them just a fraction of a second longer before they had to part. It was then that Ichigo let out a huff and turned to fully face his partner.
"You know, I never believed in fate before but…perhaps I should start," he said out of the blue, earning a raised eyebrow from his partner.
"And why's that?" she asked, truly interested.
Taking a deep breath, Ichigo explained, "Well, it may just be me but…I think that once a bond is formed between two people, they're always connected from that moment on. And even if life takes them away from each other, they'll never truly lose the bond. And if that isn't fate, then I'm not sure what is."
Rukia silently listened to him speak, feeling a warmth spread through her as she took in the meaning of his words.
"Then, if that's that case, we're destined to meet each other again, is that what you're saying?" she finished for him, smiling up at him warmly.
Returning that warm smile, he nodded and replied, "Without a doubt."
Time seemed to pass by slowly as the two of them stared at each other, letting the warmth of each other's smiles rejuvenate them for that tasks they had awaiting them in the future. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Rukia took a step back from him and continued to smile gently up at him.
"Well then, I'll hold you to that, Ichigo."
"You can count on it, Rukia."
Flashing her the brightest smile she'd ever seen in her life, Ichigo held up a hand and gave a single wave before turning around and finally crossing the border into Yamamoto's territory. As he began walking off into the distance, the large gate of the border began to close in front of Rukia. However, she continued to stare at her departing partner, wanting to wait until he wasn't visible before she left.
And then, just before the gates closed, the orange haired samurai spun around and shouted, "If you ever need me, just send for me! I'll come running!"
Shock overtook Rukia for a brief moment before she smiled gently at his declaration. She didn't have time to shout back before the large gate closed and separated them. However, as she stood there, staring up toward the top of the wooden border, she managed to whisper something to herself.
"You earned far more than just my trust…Ichigo Kurosaki."
To Be Concluded…
This has been one of the most challenging chapter to write but has also been the most rewarding! I have been tired and sick lately, plus had a huge workload at my job which slowed down writing but I'm glad I finally got this out to you all!
What's going to happen in the conclusion?! Will Ichigo and Rukia be reunited? How is everything go to wrap up in the end? Will there be even a hint of romance beyond the mutual trust of our protagonists?
Well to answer that last one right away, I know that some readers probably wanted more feelings between them in this chapter I think that having it here would have premature. Therefore, I always save the best for the last chapter so look forward to some IchiRuki goodness next time!
As for the end of this chapter, I wanted to blend three great IchiRuki scenes into one, mainly all their farewells. The one in the movie Fade to Black, the one when Ichigo lost his powers, and of course that absolutely beautiful scene at the end of the anime. I think it came together rather well but please let me know what you thought of it!
As always leave a review to tell me what you think of the story and I will have the final chapter of this story out as soon as I can! Thank you all for being such great readers and supporting my story as much as you have!
Have a great evening and keep on smiling my beautiful readers! :D