Chapter Forty-five

Worlds…

Trapped between two worlds, constantly moving forward, shattering fate and changing things… These were all powerful descriptions of Ichigo that floated in his mind as he woke up to his quiet room...not his room.

"Where the hell is this," Ichigo shouted out.

The room was darkened and he heard voices outside the door. Standing he felt his way around for a door. Oh right he was still here in the Seireitei.

He listened making his way down the hall as Rukia talked on and on to someone.

"…oh the dreams thing. He does that a lot. I've gotten used to it over time. The crying out and the waking up screaming; It's all old habit to me," Rukia said.

"Rukia," Ichigo said staring angrily at her obvious description of him. Byakuya continued eating unaffected by Ichigo's sudden outburst.

"Actually if-

"Rukia can I speak to you a second," Ichigo said.

"What I'm just telling it like it is," Rukia said turning blameless eyes up at him.

"Such rudeness trampling in here as a guest in my home," Byakuya said.

"I apologize for interrupting," Ichigo said.

"Humph," Byakuya exclaimed as if shooing away an irritating pest.

"Rukia," Ichigo questioned.

"You'll have to excuse us brother," Rukia apologized following after Ichigo.

After they figured to be a safe distance away Ichigo started with the questions he wanted answers to. He wasn't truly angry Rukia reasoned since she saw him when he definitely was angry.

"Why is the room so dark and what is Byakuya doing here," Ichigo asked.

"That's not a room…I had to store you somewhere and I didn't know Byakuya was planning on paying me a visit," Rukia answered.

"Store me somewhere? I'm not furniture," Ichigo glowered.

"I don't know why I thought it would work. He knew you were there the whole time," Rukia said.

"Great so my reputation is tarnished once again," Ichigo sighed in on the joke about himself this time.

"Sorry," Rukia apologized missing the humor.

Ichigo figured now was the time to head back to the world of the living. He didn't want to cross paths with Byakuya. Given everything found out about during this visit he didn't want to stay to hear about Rukia's potential suitor any longer.

"If I head back I can still manage to get to the hospital on time," Ichigo said.

"I wish you could stay," Rukia said looking down at the floor.

"I wish you could come back with me," Ichigo said tilting her chin up to face him.

"These are not tears so you can just forget any romantic notion that I-

Ichigo took the opportunity to kiss her in that moment. If allowed to Rukia would talk on and on. He didn't want to waste his last moments arguing over whether she was crying over him. Turns out she didn't mind kissing him instead either.

000

The thought of how Renji gave up on Rukia letting her go to the Kuchiki clan unabated played over in Ichigo's mind. He pictured some grand epic scene of the two of them saying goodbye in a hall similar to where he stood with Byakuya standing around looking superior. Between the potential suitor and Renji, Ichigo would choose Renji. He knew where he stood with Renji.

Ichigo couldn't be intimidated and he took this moment to let him know it, "I'm not letting her go."

"This isn't about you or what you want," Byakuya said as if swatting away his words, "If I thought you'd give up on her you wouldn't be allowed this close to her now, understand."

Ichigo looked perplexed but said, "I understand."

Byakuya waited for the impact of his words to reach Ichigo.

"Then that means you are alright with me…hey you really like me," Ichigo smiled.

"You have a job to do please leave me now," Byakuya said seeming irritated.

"I think you're alright too," Ichigo said.

"Don't push your luck Ichigo just leave," Byakuya suggested.

"What about Hisana," Ichigo asked, "what will happen to her if she returns?"

"Don't worry about her," Byakuya said not wanting to discuss his wife.

Ichigo couldn't help but see the look of concern on Byakuya's face. He wanted to say something to him but sensed he wanted to be left alone. Leaving the room he felt at ease that Byakuya seemed to give him his blessing albeit in his own way. All thoughts about the potential suitor flew from his mind as he left whoever he was it didn't matter now.

000

The barracks of squad ten were quiet and Rangiku poured another measure of saké for a surprise guest.

"I consider myself lucky in all honesty," Byakuya said a wide grin spread across his features.

"How's that," Rangiku said.

The tipsy instigator was having more than enough fun with the otherwise seemingly uptight Captain.

"That kid is strong enough to protect her. Then there is Renji who is dedicated as well. All of this makes my promise easy to keep…cheers to that," Byakuya drank more of the alcohol.

"Not to mention she's quite capable in her own right," Captain Ukitake said.

"Exactly," Byakuya hiccupped.

"I don't know what possessed you to come drinking tonight but it's been fun we should do it more often," Captain Kyoraku said grinning.

"There's no one I trust more than Ichigo…cheers," Byakuya smiled.

"It's time to get you back now," Captain Kyoraku said pulling him to his feet. Ukitake grabbed the other arm and they started back to the Kuchiki compound.

"Oh let him stay," Rangiku insisted shuffling along behind them.

"Are you kidding he'll take us all out if we encourage this further," Kyoraku laughed.

Byakuya's head lolled to one side. Kyoraku knew Byakuya's temper well. He also respected the man he became as head of the Kuchiki house.

"No fun at all," Rangiku said going after her next victim, "Shuhei."

"You are right we need to get him back before he sobers up and realizes what he's doing. Poor kid," Ukitake said.

"Kid, don't let him hear you say that," Kyoraku said.

"Would we win in a fight against him," Ukitake asked jokingly.

"Are you trying to get us killed," Kyoraku said picturing the destructive results of Senbonzakura on his handsome features.