Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. The fabulous Kubo Taito does.
Author's Notes: Ichigo/Rukia. Finally got around to reading the manga. Read up to ch. 144 (thanks to the people in Manga Rain, despite their attitude. I appreciate what they do, I respect their desire not to be distributed… I just don't understand their almost freakish desire to control what people do after they download it. Let's face it, everyone makes choices. You can't dictate people's choices. My only real beef with them is the use of IRC as their downloading system). Up to date with the anime, episode 8.
And yes, this will be a multi-chaptered story. Yes, this will be I/R. Yes, it will have angst and romance as appropriate for a 15 year old boy and a death spirit. It's a shame. There should be more Bleach fanfics out there. But perhaps, those are just the feverish imaginings of this particular author.
To everyone: Thanks for the patience. It's been a rough month. I don't need pity reviews so I'll just apologize for the delay. Given what I know, I decided to change what chapter 4 was going to be about and the perspective it was written in.
Beware SPOILERS: I have read up to the manga ch. 144. I don't know how this will affect everything. It's hard to "unlearn" what you know. Especially when you want to throw the characters into an introspective look. If something doesn't make sense or if it seems a little strange, or if it spoils something, I'm sorry. But in my head, it makes sense.
Chapter 4: In the Sanctuary
Ordinarily, she would listen to what Keigo-san was jabbering about if only to be on the lookout against one of his passes. Normally, it would amuse her and although she would never admit it even if outnumbered by Hollows, she was mildly flattered. After all, Keigo-san thought she was pretty enough to flirt with.
But today, she had no patience to follow the conversation of the boys. She had not meant to be eating lunch with the boys again but she had needed a word with Ichigo and before she knew it, they had been swarmed by Keigo-san, Mizuiro-san and Sado-san. She had tried to excuse herself politely but Keigo-san had basically manhandled her into staying. Even going as far as trying to sit next to her. He almost succeeded but Ichigo wedged himself between them and Mizuiro-san sat on her other side before Keigo had the chance to get up and move.
So she sat there, a small smile on her face but with her mind turned inwards. There were many things to think about. Rukia simply wasn't used to having to contemplate any problem for long. Usually, most of her problems involved a Hollow or how to best perform her Shinigami duties. And for these problems, there was a protocol to be followed, a ready answer had been supplied. She merely had to execute it, flawlessly.
Now, she was stuck.
Literally. Trapped inside a Gigai body. It was supposed to recharge her Shinigami powers. However, that was not happening. If anything, it seemed like her powers were weakening. There were times where she found it hard to move this artificial body. She had been trying to increase the synchronization rate between her spirit and this shell she had to inhabit, despite the risks.
There was going to be hell to pay when she got back. No Shinigami was gone from the Soul Society so long without permission.
But that was not the explanation she was dreading. How was she going to explain to her captain about Kon? How was she going to explain Ichigo? A simple 'it seemed like a good idea at the moment' was not going to cut it. 'I could not kill them' was not acceptable either.
And she would bring disgrace upon the Kuchiki name through her actions.
Someone placing an open can of soda in front of her brought Rukia out of her reverie. Ichigo said "Here" brusquely and even popped the soda open for her. He didn't look at her but she looked at him. For the sake of everyone else, she offered him a small smile and took the soda between her two small hands.
Her two small hands that have been dealing in steel and death for centuries. Her two hands that didn't even know how to pop open a soda can.
She looked at the boy next to her, who seemed too busy stuffing the food his sister prepared so lovingly for him into his mouth in less than six seconds. She looked at her own lunch that he had smuggled out of his house as a 'double' ration. She looked at the soda that he had spent his money on. His orange hair was brilliant against the blue sky and his gray uniform. This human boy with his arrogance and his cockiness. With his bellowing voice, who yelled back regardless of the circumstances. Who defended those he had sworn to protect, recklessly and with passion. Who tried to act tough, with poorly concealed concern. Who tried to convince everyone he didn't care with a scowl and a few caustic words. Who acted nonchalant if something was too important to talk about.
This human boy made her think.
She had seen his face when Urahara had taken Kon's spirit pill. She knew what Kon was, a modified soul. A failed experiment that had outlived its purpose. A soul that needed to be done away with. She knew the disgust that Ichigo had for the entire deal, the creation and destruction of a being simply for Shinigami convenience.
Urahara would have refunded her money. And Kon would have been dealt with. And Ichigo would have hated her for it.
She made a decision and saved Kon.
Rukia wondered why she did. The little bugger was annoying as hell. Although it was nice to be respected, nice to be looked up at. But not like this morning, taking a look up her skirt. The freshness of it all.
It made her self conscious of her appearance. She thought nothing climbing out of Ichigo's closet. She wondered if she had somehow 'flashed' Ichigo as well. She had become acutely aware of just how short her skirt was. And her uniform was form fitting as well, unlike her flowing Shinigami robes. Granted, she did not have the 'assets' that Orihime-chan did.
Did Ichigo like that? she wondered.
And then suddenly, Rukia couldn't breathe. Why was she thinking about Ichigo like that? She didn't want Ichigo to be interested in her. She really didn't care what Ichigo thought at all! She was Rukia Kuchiki, Shinigami. She really didn't care what an arrogant troublemaker human boy thought.
"Kuchiki-san? Are you alright? You seem a bit flushed," Mizuiro asked concerned.
Rukia reacted almost instantly. "Oh, Mizuiro-san, it's nothing. It's just so hot today," she said with the sweetest voice she could muster, while making a show of fanning herself.
"Che," Ichigo said disdainfully, but with a raised eyebrow. He yawned and stood up, stretching his legs.
"Do you want me to bring you some water, Kuchiki-san?" Keigo asked eagerly.
"Oh no, don't go through all that trouble on my account," Rukia demurred. And wondered briefly why Ichigo hadn't offered to do so. And then she immediately berated herself for that.
"Drink your soda, you should feel better," Ichigo said, his voice booming behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know he was leaning against the protection bars, casting a shadow upon her.
Author's Note: I will probably be writing about Ichigo and the death of his mother, so spoiler alert for up to anime episode 8 and possibly some Rukia introspection, possible spoiler alert for manga chapters 130-something.
