My Life is a big "What If"

AU What if they lived a so called "normal" life? With a twist… hahaha… Did you ever think of what might have happened after years passed? A story of serendipity… The love between a girl who has never believed in love and a guy who once made her see its magic... Only to prove that years and obstacles are not enough to separate true love and that no matter how far apart you may be, you will always find each other… Ichiruki :D

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach :P ( I wish I did XD)

Chapter 53: Best Friends

Searching...

Everywhere...

Every corner...

Where could he be?

Day and night... No time for rest... Need to keep searching for him...

Don't give up... He can't be that far...

It has been four days since the little boy disappeared. Everyone is working together and yet the results of their search had been the same since they started. Ichigo panted for a moment, his one hand on his knee while the other held on to a picture of the little boy in the zoo. Ishida ran to him to see if he was alright.

"Hey—" He was immediately cut off when Ichigo raised his hand.

"I'm fine. We'll find him." He said. All Ishida could do was scowl and watch Ichigo try to catch his breath.

He hasn't slept for days. If this goes on, he might collapse. He thought in worry.

"Here." Someone from behind said. She held out bottles of water to offer the two men.

"Thank you." They said in unison as they took the offered beverage.

"Sorry for the trouble Nanao." Ichigo said apologetically before gulping down the water.

"Mmm. It's alright. I'd do anything to help. And I'm sure tweedledee and tweedledum really don't mind helping out as well." She said referring to Ikkaku and Yumichika.

"Thanks, well I'm off." He said running off after finishing up the water. He didn't even turn back to look at them. Nanao sighed as she stared at Ichigo from behind.

"Today's the third day. Do you think he even knows that?" She asked.

"Well, I don't think he even cares actually." Ishida replied sighing as well.

It's amazing what a father would do for his son.


Rukia slammed the phone down and let out a sharp sigh.

Nothing...

How is that possible? She asked herself gritting her teeth and clenching her fists at her sides.

"Just relax and calm down Rukia." Momo said putting a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder but it was immediately shrugged away and Rukia snapped.

She has had it with everyone saying things will be okay if in fact it is getting worse by the minute. First, Ichigo had to go through hell just to force her to stay home and wait. That pissed her off big time. She should be out there looking too but no. No matter how hard she argued, there was no point. He just won't budge. The guy was as stubborn as she was. And all the argument just meant losing more search time so she had to let go. Sure, she agreed to stay and rot but with what? Not even a single fucking lead. It was killing her, literally. Every single second that passed by with no news and no progress is not something to calm down about.

"Calm down Rukia, Calm down Rukia, you've been saying that again and again. Calm down Momo? How do you expect me to calm down when my son is—"

"Yes! He's missing! I know. And you've been saying that ever since it happened. Look, I know you're stressing, we all are! We want to find him yes! But yelling and stressing isn't really helping!"

Momo was never the yelling type. She rarely shows herself being really mad or stressed but now wasn't really the time to choose what type of person to be.

"Oh yeah? Well I'm sorry for worrying about my son." Rukia said sarcastically walking past Momo. Momo on the other hand sighed and tried to regain cool.

"Rukia, look I know how you feel—"

That comment alone made Rukia turn back to Momo with a deep scowl. "No. None of you knows how I feel. None of you has the right to say that you know how I feel because you don't."

Momo was a bit struck by that comment but still she felt that she had to speak her mind, "But I do, because even if he's not my son, I treat him like one. And every time I see him, it makes me feel like I want a family of my own, a child of my own. And you know what, yeah, maybe I don't know how you feel but as he's aunt, who practically raised him too, I think I do have the right to say that I know how it feels to be stressed and be worried about him."

"Shut up! Just shut up okay? You want the right, fine. I give you all the right to yell and be worried. Are you happy now? So did that help find him Momo? Did it? You practically raised him too right? Did you really Momo? Or would it really make a difference if you were goddamn there or not?"

"Rukia!" Toshiro who had been listening to the two women argument couldn't help but butt in the conversation. That was a low blow on Momo's part, that much he knew and he was sure Rukia knew that too.

"So you finally said it." Momo began in low tone. "Yeah, you're right." She looked up tears falling down from her eyes as she continued to speak. "I wasn't much of a help I guess. I'm just some stupid girl trying to force herself in someone else's life. You know Rukia, I envy you." She was sobbing now. Toshiro was about to comfort her when she raised a hand to stop him. This was something she wanted to tell Rukia for a very long time. She wasn't just going to let Toshiro's comforting stop her.

"I was so jealous of you. You know why? You practically have everything. Everything I wanted myself to be. I didn't think you'd even give a damn about me but when we became friends, I was so happy that I swore to myself that I'll stick with you forever. So now, if you really think that I'm just a burden then I'll just go." She wiped her tears with her palms although they continued to fall. "Sorry if you had to waste your time with me," She bowed. "...not really worth it especially for a Kuchiki I guess." Momo ended her statement without even looking back at the woman she spoke to. She then dashed out of the house and Toshiro immediately ran after her.


"Are you alright?" Toshiro asked while he walked beside Momo who continued to wipe her tears. She tried to smile and nod but she continued to sob.

"You sure?" Her boyfriend didn't seem convinced by her answer.

"Yup. I guess the stress has gone to our heads." She chuckled but tears still pour.

"About what Rukia said—"

She immediately shook her head, "It's alright, I'm sure she doesn't mean those things. That's just how she is. She tends to say mean things to others when she's stressed out but she's a really nice person."

"How is that possible?" Toshiro scowled in disbelief.

"What?"

"How could you still be so nice to her after she said those things?"

"Well yes, those words hurt but I told you, she didn't mean them."

"How would you know?"

"Look Shiro, I spent half of my life with her, I think I know better. I mean, you should see her in council meetings, when everything goes wrong she'd yell "Why do people vote you idiots? You can't even do your jobs properly! Are you sure you people are worthy to be in those positions?" She chuckled a little after trying to imitate her best friend. Toshiro smiled feeling relieved after seeing Momo's imitation of Rukia.

"Amazing, how can you be best friends if you're like the total opposite of each other?"

I really have no idea myself but...

"You must be Rukia? Congratulations on winning secretary of the student council." Momo said with a cheerful tone.

"Thank you." The other simply replied like she'd heard that line a thousand times.

"So... do you want to get some ice cream later, I mean I know this really cool place—"

The petite girl stood up and bowed apologetically, "Sorry, I have to go home early, maybe next time okay?"

Momo, a little disappointed just said, "Oh... alright."

"And your name is?"

"Momo, Hinamori Momo."

"Hinamori? Did you mean—"

"Yes! But call me Momo okay?"

"Alright." The petite girl replied with a nod.

That was the first time I've ever talked to her—first year high school. She was famous because she won as the secretary and of course her family's status.

"Hi Rukia!"

"Good morning Rukia!"

"Bye Rukia!"

I thought she was getting tired of me. I was pretty loud back then. But she on the other hand would just occasionally smile and bow whenever I greeted her. And I always ask her out for ice cream, but just like the first time, she'd always decline. Until one day...

"Momo? Is that you?" Rukia asked when she saw a girl sitting outside the classroom with her head buried to her knees. "What are you doing here? Aren't you going home yet?"

Momo looked up with tear filled eyes. She was sobbing. She wanted to tell her everything but she didn't know how. Instead, she stood up and hugged her classmate tightly. Rukia was a bit surprised at the other person's actions but she ended up stroking the crying girl's hair.

"Oh Rukia..." She sobbed.

"Hey..." Rukia began in a calm tone. "What happened?"

"I-I hate him... H-he was... cheating... on me..." Momo replied in between sobs.

"Hmm? I don't understand. Cheating? A test?" Rukia replied a bit confused. Momo chuckled at hearing that innocent come back. They broke from their hug. "Test? No... It was Ginji... from the basketball... team... I saw him with... another girl even though he... he said that he was s-sick..." Momo explained with each sob.

"Ginji from the basketball team huh?" Rukia asked and the other person nodded tears forming in her eyes. Momo then noticed that Rukia was in deep thought.

"Rukia? Is there something wrong?"

"Huh? Uh... n-nothing." She replied chuckling a little.

"Oh... what do I do?"

"Tell you what, why don't you go home for now and I'll take care of it."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Huh? And what will you do?"

"Can't tell you. You'll just gonna have to find out tomorrow." She said with a wink.

And I guess that was how it started.

"You two have been through a lot huh?" Toshiro ask when he noticed that Momo seems to feel a little better.

"Yup, Rukia is my guardian angel." Momo said with a wide and sure smile.

"Really? Isn't it the opposite?"

"Nope. She pushed a guy in a pool for me. (A/N: Chapter 24 :P If you can remember that question. Well I did hehe XD)."

"Rukia!" Momo called out immediately pulling her friend to one corner. "What happened yesterday? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."She assured her.

"B-but, I heard the news! Ginji was suspended for a month for trying to do something to a girl by the pool... wait! ARE YOU THE GIRL?" Momo exclaimed.

"Sssshhh! Geez, Momo, keep it down."

"What did he do to you? Oh my god, I will never forgive him!" Momo said while she put on her really angry face.

"No wait! Listen, I called him there, alright? I wanted him to apologize to you but he refused. I got pissed and I pushed him off the pool. Poor dude doesn't even know how to swim. Tsch." Rukia said disgustedly. Momo's jaw dropped at what the girl said. " B-but the rumours? How?"

"Well, I wasn't going to rescue him so I just had to do this..." She sat on the floor and... "HELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! AAAH! HELP!" she yelled trying to re-enact what she did then she stood up as if nothing happened "...And soon the swim team came, I explained that the guy drowning tried to grope me and thus rendering your ex-boyfriend into a whole month suspension."

"Oh Rukia..." Momo began to cry again.

"I-I'm sorry, was it too much?" Then she was once again hugged by the girl. Momo laughed and cried at the same time. "Thank you so much..." Rukia hugged the girl back and chuckled as well. "No problem."

"How can I ever repay you?"

"Ice cream would be nice."

Momo's face brightened. "Ah! Let's go!"

"And from now on, if any guy made you cry again, just tell me and I'll make them cry." Rukia said proudly.

And that was it. Everything changed from then on.

"Hi Rukia!" "Hello Momo."

"Good morning Rukia!" "Good morning to you too."

"Bye Rukia!" "I'll see you tomorrow."

I was sure that I found a true friend.

"Momo?" Shiro asked. The woman seemed to be caught up in her memories. She shook her head then smiled.

"Nothing. Come on, Shiro. We have to continue searching now." She said standing up.


He sat on a swing and rocked it a bit. He stopped then watched his own breath form a small fog in front of his face.

This is for the best.

This would be the fourth day that he hasn't come home. He sighed and checked his backpack. Yup, he was running low on food supply (a.k.a. packs of pretzels and bottles of water). He was beginning to doubt if he was right to have made his decision but he just shook his head and tried to shove the thought away.

This is for the best.

He was scared, yes but he figured that whatever decision he just made, he has to stick with it.

Is this really for the best?

It was cold, dark and he was alone. The only lights were coming from the bright moon and the lamp posts which automatically open every night. The pavement was covered in snow that is pure, white and icy. There weren't much people there either; actually, there wasn't anyone there at all as far as he can see. Well, considering that it is night time you can't blame them but even in the morning there were rarely any passers thus, the place was pretty much abandoned. It was an old playground that he found near an old abandoned clinic. He arrived there on the second day after deciding that he was going to live on his own, away from everything, so he walked for hours and hours until he arrived here. When he saw the abandoned clinic it felt like he would be safe there... weird, like the place was calling to him saying that if he just stayed there everything would be alright and his confusions would be answered.

This is really for the best.

He sighed.

Not much money left. Not much food left. He misses his bed, his toys, his friends, his house, his mom and dad—

Tears began to form on the edge of his eyes at the thought of them. They must really be mad at him right now. Especially his mom. They must really hate him. He'll really be scolded if ever he goes back. He can never go back. He began to sob.

"I don't even know where I am." He mumbled rubbing his eyes to wipe the tears. In the quietness of the atmosphere he didn't expect someone to answer.

"Well, you're in the playground, if that's what you're crying about."

The little boy immediately looked up to see the person who just spoke. She took a step closer observing the boy.

"You're on a swing—"

"I know that." He said cutting her off then he scowled.

"So... why are you crying?" She asked innocently tilting her head slightly.

"I'm not crying." He replied wiping his face some more.

"Yes you are."

"No, I just got something in my eyes." He reasoned.

"Well, whatever." She simply said not wanting to argue anymore. She sat down on the other swing and began to rock herself back and forth. Ken'ichi watched as the little girl's brown pigtails flew swiftly following her body as the swing rocked her back and forth. Just the creaking sound of the chains of the swing was heard for a moment until the little girl's voice broke the silence.

"So do you live around here cry baby?"

Ken'ichi scowled at the insult.

This girl is annoying. He told himself.

"I am NOT a cry baby!" He retorted.

"Well do you?" She asked again ignoring the comment.

"Yeah, I live here." Suddenly, she stopped swinging to look at the boy with surprise.

"Really? You live here? Haven't seen you around here before."

"I haven't seen you before either."

"Hmm." The girl stood up and looked around as if searching for something. Ken'ichi got a chance to observe the kid better. She was wearing a pink jacket, and a nice and cosy blue scarf. It made him remember the scarf he made Hiro wear when he left and that made him want to regret doing so. He noticed the girl frown as if she was confused and her hazel eyes caught his purple ones.

"I give up. I don't see any houses near here, where exactly do you live?"

"Oh, I live there." He said pointing at the old abandoned clinic. Yes, the clinic was old and abandoned, full of dust and webs, but it was warmer inside and that was a better deal than just sleeping out in the snow.

"No way." The little girl raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Who the heck would want to live in that dump? You're lying!"

"Hey! That's my house you're talking about!" He countered.

"Look here, that place has been abandoned for years that much I know. After the nurse there married a very rich man, she and her little sister moved out. Anyway, that was years ago more than ten I guess, so no one's been there for years! And now you're telling me that you live there? I'm not stupid to fall for that you know." She said crossing her arms over her chest.

"But it's true! I live there!" Ken'ichi stood up this time still scowling.

"Oh yeah? Since when?"

"A few days ago."

"With who?"

"Just me."

"No way. I don't believe you."

"Well, I'm not going to force you. Just get out of here little girl. Shoo and leave me alone." He mumbled walking back to his "house". She watched as the boy passed by her then she shook her head.

"But you're just a little kid, plus you're a cry baby, you can't live alone!"

"I said I'm NOT a cry baby! I'm not just a kid I'm seven years old, and I can live by myself so just leave me alone!" He yelled out before going inside the abandoned clinic and sliding the glass door behind him shut but since it was old and rusty, it didn't fully close and he gave up trying. Ken'ichi sat down and sulk at the side of the door where his back rested on the wall and his blanket was placed on the floor. All of a sudden he heard a knock on the glass sliding door.

"Go away!" He cried out hugging his legs. This time he heard the door being slid open.

"H-hey! You're trespassing!" He accused pointing a finger at her. She didn't seem to care though.

"I did knock." She simply reasoned.

"I never said you can come in." He retorted and she paused just staring at him as if waiting for him to say the magic words. Ken'ichi got the message and sighed. Well, she was already inside, might as well say it.

"Fine, you can come in, but you can't insult me or my house or else, you're going out, got it?" She simply nodded and tried to close the door behind her. She took careful steps inside then looked around.

"Wow, I've never been in here before." She said sounding so fascinated then she looked back at Ken'ichi and smiled. "Nice place."

"Thanks." He smirked. She walked back and sat beside him.

"So... no electricity?"

"Well, I can't pay for electricity so..."

"I get it. We get that a lot too. I mean at my house, our electricity's been cut off the third time this week."

"Oh... That's too bad." He said even feeling worse for the girl.

"Yeah, well life is hard, that's what my sister always say. So, you're seven? I'm seven too. How long have you been living alone? Must be hard huh?"

"This would be the fourth day, I guess."

Since he ran away, he wanted to add.

"Wow. Four days. I don't think I'll be able to last that long, I mean I struggle with my sister everyday, I don't think I'll survive on my own. Good for you though." She praised.

"Not really, actually, I've been running low on food." He said bringing out his backpack and showing her the set of pretzels and bottles of water. "I need to make this last for the rest of my life if I want to survive." The girl peeked inside the bag and observed the goods.

"You're right, this won't last long."

"That's what I was afraid of." She dug her hand inside the bag and pulled out something that caught her eye.

"What's this?" She asked holding the item out.

"Oh, that's a shell. My dad gave it to me. He says I have to look after it until he... comes back..." There was a pause before he said the last to words like a whisper. The girl noticed the sudden change of mood.

"Hey, don't cry again, you cry baby, don't worry I was planning on giving it back." She chuckled handing back the shell.

"I'm not crying! And stop calling me cry baby!" He scolded getting really annoyed.

"Then what do you want me to call you?" She asked. He looked up at her and once he saw her warm smile he quickly looked away then murmured "Ken'ichi."

"Ken'ichi... Ken'ichi..." She let her tongue get used to the name then she smiled. "Well it has the same three syllables as cry baby. Ken'ichi the cry baby." She said chuckling at the thought although Ken'ichi didn't seem so fond of it, he just shot the girl a glare.

"Oh that's right, you can call me Yumi." She let out as an introduction.

"Yumi..." He whispered back unknowingly but she heard it.

"Hmm?" She asked observing the shell that she was still holding.

"N-nothing." He ended up saying.

"So where are your parents?" She posed looking at the shell.

"They're..." There was a pause as he thought about how to complete that sentence and he ended it by saying "...not here."

"Oh... are they dead?" She asked innocently.

"What? No!" Ken'ichi yelled frantically as the idea crossed his mind. It was a scary thought. Yumi stared at his reaction for a moment.

"I-I'm sorry... I just thought... you were like me." She said in a soft tone while gently stroking the shell. Ken'ichi noticed the sad expression on Yumi's face. It definitely hurt him to see that. Those bright hazel eyes now felt lifeless.

"You see my parents died, in a car accident..." She began handing him back his precious shell.

"I'm sorry." Was all that Ken'ichi could say as he took the shell back but Yumi shook her head and carried on with her story. She told him everything. She said that she has been living with her sister for a whole year now. She told him the stories of how they moved from town to town because her big sister couldn't find a stable job and how she couldn't make many friends because of the many moves. She also told him that she stopped school and Ken'ichi commented that it was a good thing since no one really wants to go to school but Yumi shook her head. She said that she wants to make lots of friends but she couldn't. She said that she wants to go to school so that she could finish and help her sister. Ken'ichi listened carefully to everything this little girl said. He found it very entertaining since he hasn't seen people in a while and all he had been doing was playing in the snow and talking to himself. But now that Yumi is here, it felt less lonely. Hell, this girl beats the crap out of a TV in helping you keep your mind out of stuff. Truth be told, Ken'ichi didn't have girls as friends. Classmates yes, but not friends. He thinks girls are icky because they're afraid of him since they think he's a troublemaker for he always gets in a mess with other kids and they always cry and whine. But this girl, she was definitely different from the others... maybe even a friend... right? She was his friend. He just wished that she'd stay a little longer to keep him company.

"Now, tell me yours. I mean, how did you end up living in this small clinic?" She asked waiting for him to do his part of the sharing.

"Well I—" Suddenly somewhere outside someone called for the name "Yumi". The little girl gasped and quickly stood up. "Oh no! My sister's here now."

"Oh... so you have to go?" Ken'ichi asked hopeful that she won't but he already knows that it's not going to happen. It was pretty obvious that both of them didn't want to be away from each other yet but the calling of the girl's name kept on telling them that time is up and it's time to go. Someone had to make the decision and break the silence. "You should go." Ken'ichi said with a weak smile.

"Oh, then just come with us. You can bring your pretzels and we can eat them at home." Ken'ichi's expression brightened at the idea but... no. It took everything for him to decline the offer. He reasoned that he needs to look after his house. Yumi let out a low "Oh..." after hearing the boy's answer.

"Yumi! Where are you? Yumi!" The voice of the woman kept calling. Yumi clenched her fists at her sides. The first friend she ever had in a long time and she had to leave him already? That was pretty quick and it pretty much sucks too.

"Then..." Yumi began, Ken'ichi looked up to hear what she has to say. "Then... tomorrow. I'll come back here and you'll tell me your story okay?" She kneeled to be levelled with him.

"You will be here right? Tomorrow morning?" She asked with pleading eyes hoping with all her heart that he'll say yes. Ken'ichi just stared at her for a moment. He was trying to figure her out. Her hazel eyes begging him to stay put. He had no choice. He could never say no to those eyes. He nodded. Yumi let out a relieved smile then she took off her blue scarf and placed it around Ken'ichi's neck.

"Here. Even though you have your jacket and blanket, it gets pretty cold here too so..." She said a bit lost for words and this time Ken'ichi smiled. An actual genuine smile as he said the words "Thank you." She blushed and looked away "I-I'm not giving it to you. I'll come back for that tomorrow so you better be here. Got it?"

"Ah."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"And don't cry on it!" She added while she slides open the glass door.

"Hey!" He scowled at that last comment. She chuckled at seeing his reaction. "Well goodnight." She said running off to her big sister.

"Good... night..." He whispered back but she was gone. Ken'ichi closed the glass windows, this time actually closing it shut. Then from there he watched as his new friend walked further and further away with a woman with the same color of hair as the little girl. He sighed and sat back on his spot. He was alone again. He missed her voice already. He observed the old clinic and it felt gloomier this time. Now, he misses his bed, his room, his mom and dad—

He held himself closer.

This isn't for the best. Is it?

The next morning he opened his eyes, sat up and looked around. For some reason everything that happened felt like a dream. Deep inside him he was hoping that he'd wake up finding himself back in his room with his dad sleeping next to him and his mother would open the door in a few minutes to say good bye and head to work. But instead he found himself once again sitting on the cold pavement of the old abandoned clinic... alone.

He sighed. He was beginning to feel lonely again so he hugged his legs closer and buried his face on his knees then that's when he noticed the blue scarf around his neck. He ran his hand on the edge of the scarf then got up from the floor. He dusts himself, his jacket and hair for a moment. He then placed his blanket back inside his backpack and from there he took out a box of pretzels and went outside. The sun was up, he looked at his wristwatch.

7:30am.

He opened the box and began chewing on a piece of pretzel. He sat on the swing where he sat last night, and waited.

Then... tomorrow. I'll come back here and you'll tell me your story okay?

He began chewing on another piece of pretzel.

You will be here right? Tomorrow morning?

He brought out a bottle of water, opened it, took a sip and put it back inside the backpack.

That's right, I just have to wait.

A cold breeze blew on his cheeks. He tried to cover it with the scarf. He looked down on his box of pretzels. He had finished half and there was still no sign of her. Then from a far he saw a pink figure moving closer. He waited. And as it went nearer, the figure became clearer slowly turning into a person—a little girl. Her brown hair was still tied up to two ponytails with slight curls at each end and she was still wearing her pink jacket from last night but this time her outfit was lacking the blue scarf, oh that's right, he was wearing it. Should he give it back now? Or he could just give it back when she asks for it back? He decided to go with the latter. The girl stopped in front of the boy. Hands in her jacket pockets, she greeted "Hi" with a slight nod.

"Hi." Ken'ichi replied then the girl just took a seat on the other swing. There was silence. Neither one of them knew how to start the conversation and the soundlessness surrounded the place until one of them finally broke it.

"I thought you weren't coming." Ken'ichi said looking at the box of pretzels.

"I'm here now." There was a pause before she added, "I thought you left."

"I'm still here. And, I promised that I'll be here."

"Mmm." Yumi just nodded this time. It was quiet again until Ken'ichi offered her some pretzels. She got a stick of pretzel, said "thank you" then took a bite.

"So..." She began while observing the chocolate coated pretzel. "...is this your breakfast?"

"Mmm. Pretzels are food too you know." He reasoned.

"They're not very healthy though."

"This isn't really the time to be picky though." He simply replied. Well, he does have a point. It was all that he had. So much for making them last the rest of his life, it looks like it would last just maybe until lunch time? Was that all he has left in his life?

Yumi noticed Ken'ichi intently observing what's left of his pretzels.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken the pretzel."

"Oh it's okay, I wanted to give you some."

"But you were supposed to make it last the rest of your life." She reasoned feeling a little guilty that she might end up being the reason of his friend's death.

I know. Ken'ichi told himself.

Yumi then walked towards the boy and handed him something that she got out of her pocket. It was a fresh bun inside a brown paper bag. She reasoned that she doesn't need to make the bun last the rest of her life in order to survive that's why she's giving it to him instead. He didn't argue and accepted the offered food then put it inside his bag.

"Oh and you still owe me your story." She reminded him as she walked back to her seat.

"My story?"

"Yup, I mean I told you mine, it's just fair that you tell me yours, so how did you end up living in the clinic?"

Ken'ichi let out a big sigh of defeat. "The truth is... I... I ran away from home..."

"Ran away? Why? Don't your parents love you?"

"Th-they do..." He replied stuttering a bit after hearing the girl's sudden outburst.

"Then just go home." She advised.

"No you don't understand. You see it's because of me that my parents are splitting up."

"Why? What'd you do?"

"I exist." He simply said.

"Wow. Was that why you were crying last night?"

"I-I wasn't crying!" He countered feeling really annoyed again.

"I would. I'd cry if I were in your shoes. I mean, they threw you out because you exist? Harsh."

"N-no they didn't throw me out. You don't understand, I ran away because it's for the best."

"You mean you went away without them knowing?" She asked like she still couldn't believe it.

"Well, that is what running away means—"

"Then you have to go home! Now!" Her sudden change of tone surprised Ken'ichi.

"W-what?"

"Your parents are probably worried sick by now looking for you!" She said standing up and pointing a finger at him.

"No they're not."

"Yes they are!"

"No they're not."

"Why wouldn't they?"

Ken'ichi let out another big sigh. Then he began to tell her everything, from the very beginning. How he was raised by his mom and aunt. How he met his father. How he found out he was his father. How everything went well on Christmas. How his dad left the house. How his uncle sent guards to make sure his dad stays away. And how he wanted to look for his dad and used his best friend as his bait in order to escape the body guards.

Yumi blinked her eyes at everything that Ken'ichi said. It was incredible what this little kid had to go through. He didn't seem like he was lying. She trusted him.

"But if you were looking for your dad, how did you end up here in the Least?"

"Least? Don't you mean east?"

"No, that's what my sister calls this place. Least town. As in with the LEAST number of people, buildings, and pretty much abandoned as you can see?" She said pointing around. "You're from Karakura right? So this place is hours away from where you were before."

"I know. On my way to look for my dad, I rode a bus. I thought it would take me to his old house. I think I fell asleep and I don't know where I was when I woke up. That's when I thought that maybe this is where I was supposed to be. Far away from—"

"You're wrong. Again, I told you, you should go home, I know a bus that will take you back to Karakura."

"I'm not going back. Why should I listen to you, you don't even understand—"

"No Ken'ichi. You're the one who doesn't understand." Her tone changed into a calm and caring one. "The way you told me your story, it sounded like your parents really love you and that they would do anything for you. Don't do this to them Ken'ichi. You have to go home."

"Why? I'm the one who—"

"Brought them together. Why can't you see that? They're still alive... for you... and you ran away from them? If I was in your position, I'd spend every second with my parents for as long as I can. You are very lucky that you have them, Ken'ichi." She had that look again—the sad one.

Her words and expression struck him. She was right. Everything she said was right. The clinic was right too. He just needs to wait and he'll get his answer. Now, here she is... his ticket home.

"Yumi." He called out this time in a serious voice.

"Hmm?"

"I need to go home." He said standing up with a determined expression.

"Okay, the bus station is right—"

"Wait!" He cried out when he remembered something.

Oops, another flaw in the plan.

"I-I don't think I have enough money left for a bus ride." He said pulling out whatever he has left in his pockets and surely, it really wasn't enough. Yumi thought for a moment then she dug her hands inside her own pockets and held out what money she had left but unfortunately even both their moneys combined were still not enough to pay for a ride home. Curse what little change seven year olds have.

"Hmm... The bus to Karakura probably leaves before noon... I know where we can get some more money!" She yelped as the bright idea struck her. "Come on!" She pulled his hand and they both ran.

Ken'ichi tried his best to catch his breath. He had his hands on his knees. It was weird, running what they just ran surely wasn't that long to make him huff this much. But why?

"Hey, are you okay?" Yumi asked worriedly.

"Y-yeah."

"Well we're here." She said. When Ken'ichi looked up he saw her pointing to a fountain—a very old one too. It had cracks but still the cement seems to pull itself together keeping the design and shape of the fountain still visible.

"What are we doing here?" He asked really confused.

"We came here to get money."

"How? By throwing coins in the fountain and wishing for money?"

"Actually, the opposite." She said with a grin. Yumi approached the fountain. It wasn't working anymore and instead of water, it had snow inside it. She carefully dug her hands under the snow as if looking for something.

"W-what are you doing?" The boy asked really confused and surprised by the girl's behaviour.

"Ssshh! Hmm... Ah! I got one!" She cheered and when she raised her hand, she was holding a coin. "Here, catch." She said throwing it to the boy.

"W-w-wait! Isn't this stealing? People threw these coins wishing for something."

"Wishing? You don't wish. You work hard if you want something. So the idiots who threw their money here are people who are either wasting their money or just plain lazy to do anything in their lives. That's what my sister told me. She told me to remember it well. So are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me?" She said as she continued to pick and throw coins at Ken'ichi. The boy looked at the coins then back at Yumi.

"No. This is wrong. You're wrong. What's wrong with wishes? Anyone is free to make a wish."

"I never said it was bad. I just mean that no one is listening to those wishes. They never come true." She simply stated.

"Yes they do."

"No they don't."

"Yes they do. I made a wish before and it came true." Ken'ichi argued.

"Oh yeah?" Yumi rolled her eyes.

"Yes, on a shooting star, I wished that my parents would be together—"

"So are they together..." She gasped and covered her mouth at the sudden realization of what she just said. She didn't dare continue. She looked at Ken'ichi who was simply staring at the coins in his hands.

"I still think it's true. I know it's going to happen sooner or later." He said clenching his fist around the coins. Yumi got off the fountain holding some more coins herself.

"Let me see what you have." She said checking Ken'ichi's coins. "Hmm... I guess we have more than enough for you to get a ride home."

"Do you always do this?" He asked unbelievably.

"Do what?"

"You know, steal wishes? Crush hopes? Yumi the wish stealer and hope crusher—"

"Hey! You see stupid wishes, I see wasted money. At least now we can use them for something worthwhile and not just let them freeze to death in that abandoned fountain!"

"They're coins, they don't freeze to death." He countered and she just rolled her eyes at that comment.

"Whatever. Here." She handed him two extra coins. "There were some left. You can throw them back if you want."

"Or we can both make a wish then I'll prove to you that magic exists."

She raised an eyebrow, "Look, I've made wishes before and none ever came true so..."

"Then wish for something simple. Come on. Are you scared that I'll prove you wrong?"

"No way. Give me that coin." She said holding on to one of the coins.

Make a simple wish. She told herself.

"Ready?" He asked and she nodded. They closed their eyes and made their wish then at the same time threw the two coins back in the fountain. They can see the coins on top of the snow since there wasn't any water in it but that didn't matter.

"So what did you wish for?" Yumi asked.

"I can't tell you until it comes true."

"Oh... alright. I doubt mine will come true though." She said a bit sure about it.

"Did you wish for something simple?"

"I guess it was simple." She tried to measure the possibility of it ever happening.

"I wonder if I'll find that out."

"If you found out what it is then it means it came true, right?"

"Right."

And so they walked their way to the bus station. In there they can hear a man calling for more passengers to go in the red bus.

"There. That's the one. The red one. It is the only bus that travels from here to Karakura and back, I'm sure this will stop at the same bus station you rode on before."

"Are you really sure about this?" He asked his voice a little doubtful.

"Yup. I told you that my sister and I move a lot. So I know a lot of ways to go to places."

"Hey..." His voice softened. "...thank you."

"Mmm." She nodded. He began to walk the rest of the way towards the bus. He was about a few steps away when...

"Ken'ichi wait!" He then looked back and the sudden clash of another body to his made him froze. She couldn't help it. She might never see him again so she had to do it. The first friend she had in a long time is about to leave forever. She hugged him tightly and whispered, "Thank you and good luck with your family." Of course, he hugged her back thinking the same thing that he might never see her again.

"Good luck with yours too." They broke free from their hug and Ken'ichi went inside the bus. From the window seat he still waved good bye and the little girl waved back as well with both hands. The bus began to move, further and further away but Ken'ichi just kept looking outside. This is it. He's finally going home. The bus entered a tunnel and from the window he saw a reflection of himself and that's when he noticed that he was still wearing Yumi's scarf.

Well, she never did ask for it back.

A/N: Not really good with kid romance, but the little boy is going home. Yey? The search will be over! Btw, if you didn't know, he was in Hisana's clinic. Yes, that was where Rukia grew up if you can still remember that in chapter 23 I think... omogosh I don't know my own story hahaha XD Anyweiz, the playground became abandoned hehe so that no one will ever find Kichi. So I think there would be three or four chapters left including the epilogue... I think haha XD The next chapter will be shorter. Oh God please give me the strength to finish this story :D Thank you so much... everyone for reading this far :D You might be wondering why Ken'ichi is soo adventurous even though he's only seven, hey I've been through more adventures when I was SIX years old. I always get lost and you can basically find me in the most unexpected places hahahaha XD I am that adventurous. Well, going back... wah! I know this chapter ain't much but guys, it's almost finish and I know you guys can tell that too sooo please (konting tiis na lang ito!) REVIEW! I am begging you to urge me to go on! I really want to write but I want to write for others too and not just for myself mm'kay? Sorry for the errors, oh come on people 53 chapters of flooding errors, aren't you used to it? Haha XD just kidding, I'm still trying to work on it. So bye for now. Advance Happy Mother's day to all your mothers out there :** ILY guys and God bless :P

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