83. it's lonely out there
Title: Lonely Walk
Word Count: 340
Rating: PG (language)
Kon was wet, dirty, lost, and temporarily homeless.
"Stupid Ichigo…"
How dare that bastard kick him out. He wanted to spend time with Nee-san too. He couldn't hog her, dammit!
"Who does he think he is…orange-haired bastard."
Everything was cold and grey, unfriendly and threatening. He was Kon! King of New York! He would not be scared!
But he was, alone on the street where any dog or axeman or Yuzu could grab him and torture him for all of eternity.
Kon paused. If it wasn't him out on this dangerous street, it could be Rukia-nee-san out here. She may have her powers back, but she should never be out here alone where an axeman or Yuzu or hollow could grab her and make her helpless again.
So that, Kon decided, was why he was here. So nee-san wouldn't have to, and would never see those horrors ever again. Perhaps Ichigo was looking after her like he promised after all.
Later that night when he was home, and Rukia-nee-san had dunked him hurriedly in hot water before escaping upstairs to wring him out with a towel, he felt better. The fight the two Shingaimi had earlier seemed to be forgotten, and their ease with each other was a relief.
"Nee-san…" He glanced up at her as she ruffled the towel and squeezed the dampness out of his stuffing.
"What?"
"You shouldn't fight with Ichigo." That got him a raised eyebrow and a bemused look
"Why?"
He shifted some to look at her properly. "Because it's cold and lonely out there." One paw went to point at the window. "You don't deserve to be left alone like that. But he's enough of an idiot to toss you out anyway."
She was thoughtful as she finished with the towel and began to fold it. "That's true," she told him, slow and careful, "It is lonely. But," At that moment, Ichigo walked in and looked at them. Rukia-nee just smiled. "But there's no need to worry. He's just good at picking up strays."
