Ichigo!" Rukia ran over to the tall, orange-haired man who was making his way to the Eleventh Division barracks.

Ichigo stopped in his tracks, turning around to see Division 13's captain making her way towards him. "Oh hey, Rukia," he greeted her in a flat tone.

Rukia frowned slightly when she heard the lack of emotion in his voice. It has been a month now. A month since Ichigo's death… and it finally seemed to be sinking in. When they first arrived in the Soul Society, he seemed to handle the situation well. That, however, has changed. He was grieving, grieving for the family he had to leave behind, for his father, his sisters, his son and… his wife. And Rukia felt horrible, not just because he was in pain, but because she wasn't – she was happy, and it disgusted her. How could she be so selfish? Ichigo was hurting, his family was hurting but all she cared about was that they were together again.

"How have you been, Ichigo?" Her eyes studied him swiftly, noting how he had dark circles under his eyes and how he looked so much thinner. She didn't like him staying at the Eleventh Division, but he refused to stay with her and Renji, or even at the Kuchiki Manor.

"I'm okay."

"No, you're not. Come on." She took his hand and pulled him towards her division. "You know you can't lie to me, so you're gonna tell me everything over a cup of coffee." When Ichigo trailed behind her without putting up a fight or telling her she was being too bossy, it was just another sign to her that Ichigo was broken.

A little while later, Rukia placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of Ichigo. She had developed quite a taste for it while she was in the world of the living… "Now what's up?"

Ichigo ran the tip of his finger across the rim of the mug before speaking. "I went to see Kyaroku…" Rukia already had an idea where this was going, "I wanted permission to go to the world of the living…" He sniffed slightly, clearing his throat before going on. "…to go see Kazui, but he said he couldn't allow that. I mean, why the hell not?!" Ichigo started sobbing. "I want to see my son, Rukia. I miss him so much…and he must be so confused and mad at me." Rukia moved over to sit next to him, pulling him into a hug. He rested his head on her chest as he cried. Gently stroking his hair, she held him until he calmed down. After his tears dried up, he lay with his head on her lap before continuing the story. "Apparently Soul Reapers aren't allowed to go to the World of the living for at least 10 years after they joined the Gotei 13. Although Kyaroku assured me I only had to wait one year. One year! That's too long."

"Can't they come here?"

"No. Kazui will be able to when he's older, but not now. And Orihime isn't allowed to."

"I see. If you like, I could go talk to them…Or you could write a letter explaining everything and I'll make sure they get it."

Ichigo abruptly sat upright, turning to face her. "Do you mean it Rukia? You would do that?"

"Of course, you fool. I'd do anything for you." When his eyes locked into hers, she realised what she had said. Blushing she changed the subject. "Just write down everything you want to say, and I'll go as soon as possible."

His eyes didn't leave her own. "Thank you, Rukia."

There was a sign on the entrance of the silent clinic which said it would be closed until further notice. Rukia shivered slightly when she looked up at the dead silent place. It's almost if you could feel the grief radiating from every crack and opening. She was scared. Why did she offer to do this? Did she think it would be easy? Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep breath and finally reached out her hand to knock.

Orihime placed a cup in front of Rukia before taking a seat across from her. She stared at the other woman silently, waiting for her to speak. Rukia didn't know what to say… what could she say that would comfort her friend? What would she want to hear if she lost Ich- Renji? Orihime was the first one to speak.

"What do you want?" Her swollen, red eyes were glaring at Rukia. She didn't understand why the usually gentle Orihime was being so hostile towards her. "Did you come to bring Ichigo back?"

"What? You know that's not possible. I'm sorry, Orihime."

"Then I don't have anything to say to you."

"Orihime! Please… you're being unreasonable. It's not in my power to bring Ichigo back and you know that. If I could, I would."

"Would you, Rukia?!" The Shinigami was taken aback by the sharp tone in Orihime's voice. What had gotten into her? "Be honest. Would you bring him back, or would you keep him all to yourself?"

"Orihime…"

"Stop! I don't want to hear your lies and excuses. There's no use denying it… I've always known. And now you don't want to give him back? How selfish can you be?"

"Known? Known what? You're not making any sense!"

"That you love him! But I got him in the end, didn't I, Rukia?" She laughed bitterly. "Do you know how it feels to be someone's second choice? You'll never understand the pain of knowing you're not enough for your husband… of hearing him say another woman's name in his sleep or the way he barely looked at me while he was inside me…but still. I'd take all of that over no Ichigo any day."

"I'm sorry. I don't want to – "

"Just go." Orihime stood from the table and made her way to the door.

"Wait, Orihime!" Orihime paused but did not turn around. "Ichigo wanted you to have this." Rukia reached into her pocket and pulled out two envelopes which she gingerly placed on the table. "I'm sorry about everything. Please forgive me…I never wanted any of this. Goodbye, Orihime."

When Rukia made her way out of the Kurosaki Clinic, she knew she would not see the beloved old place again any time soon…