A/N hope you enjoy trying my best to write as much as I can :)
Chapter 3 I will protect you!
Ichigo reclines at his desk chair as he stares at the small woman on his bed who is sleeping peacefully. He runs his hands through his hair as he sighs deeply.
What am I going to do about this? I can't abandon she's vulnerable!
she needs someone… I'll try to be there for her, though, whatever she needs
Ichigo stands leaving the room, locking the door behind him.
He heads towards one of the various restaurants on campus. He chooses a curry place as he steps in, Women swoon over him, but he returns no interest as his mind's on the small woman who's slumbering on his bed.
We may not be friends anymore, but I can recognize she's broken-hearted. I understand how that feels as Rukia supported me when my mother died…
Ichigo shakes his negative thoughts off as it is his time to order his and Rukia's food.
Ichigo steps up to the counter glimpsing at his phone, seeing the time is 11:30 am.
I'll need to head to Algebra with Professor Urahara at 1 pm
"Hello, what can I get for you?" Asks a woman with short pink hair.
"Yes, I would like two beef Curries with two large misos, please."
"Okay, great!" After providing the women the money, Ichigo stands waiting for their food as he stares down at his phone as it begins to ring.
"Hello." Ichigo answers, already recognizing who it is.
"ICHIGO! How come you never call Daddy anymore! You're breaking mine and your sister's hearts."
"Shut up, old man!" He exclaims through the phone as people proceed to glare.
"I know! You've got yourself a girl, haven't you?!? Why haven't you brought her home? ARE YOU EMBARRASSED?!? Ichigo hangs up the phone. Tired of hearing his loud and annoying voice, he then clasps the food and walks back towards the dorm.
Rukia's eyelids flutter open to reveal her lying on a full-size bed. As she peers around the room, she spots a picture of Ichigo and his family. Rukia smiles weakly.
So I'm in Ichigo's dorm. I wonder where he went.
Rukia's gaze snaps to the door when it suddenly opens revaling Ichigo who steps inside holding what looks like food.
"Ichigo," Rukia calls softly.
"Hey Ruki, I brought us some food." Ichigo places the takeaway container in front of her as she slowly sits up.
"How did I end up here?" Rukia asks as she begins to dig into the curry. "Mmm, this is so good!" She rapidly shoves additional food into her mouth.
"I carried you here after you had a panic attack in the common room," Ichigo explains as Rukia stops eating to stare at him.
"Why did you do that? You don't owe me anything.." She questions as she gazes down as tears form once again in her eyes.
"I promised, remember?" Ichigo asks as the day they met rushes through her mind.
16 years ago
A five-year-old Rukia was sitting on a swing at Karakura park.
"Hey, give me the swing." said a random older kid as he grabbed the chain of the swing, which caused the swing to stop.
"No, I was here first. There's another one. Take that one!" She exclaimed as she tried to pull away.
"I said give me that one!" The boy yelled as he grabbed her by the arm and yanked her off the swing, causing Rukia to fall on the ground, "That hurt!" She cried as tears fell on her face when she saw a spot of orange and the older boy fell back and scraped his hands as he ran away crying.
Rukia wiped her eyes as she looked towards the orange blob through her tears.
She wiped them more and saw a boy her age with orange hair and amber eyes. He smiled as he held his hand out to her. Rukia took the boy's hand as he pulled her off the ground. "Thank you.." She whispered as she looked away.
"Your welcome! My name is Ichigo, it means the one who protects!" The orange-haired boy said with pride.
"I'm Rukia... Rukia Kuchiki," she said as she looked at five-year-old Ichigo.
"Rukia? Do you wanna be best friends?"
"Yes, Ichigo," Rukia replied with a slight smile.
"Okay, then we're best friends now! Do you know what that means?" Ichigo asked as he grabbed her hand.
"Yeah?"
"It means I promise to protect you forever, no matter what. Even if we drift apart, I won't give up on you!" Young Ichigo declared with a huge smile.
"Okay!" Rukia agreed, happy to have made a friend.
End of Flashback
"I remember Ichigo... You promised to protect me forever to never abandon me. Are you still maintaining that promise?"
"Of course, Rukia, I'll help you with whatever you need," Ichigo says as he settles down next to her. Rukia slowly glances up at him with a soft smile.
"Thanks, Ichigo. I've missed my best friend," she confesses as she lays her head on his arm, closing her eyes to try to contain all her emotions. Ichigo lets Rukia lean on him for support as she attempts to form words on how to tell him what happened to Hisana. "It was about a month ago… Nii-sama had sent me into the panic room and made me lock it without Hisana in it. He was going to get her, but…. He was too late. As soon as he left the panic room, I saw everything on the cameras...they.." She begins trying not to cry.
Rukia feels Ichigo stiffen as he gently shifts his arm and wraps it around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him, which brings her comfort that she's not alone.
"They ran into the room..they grabbed my sister as they snatched her out of her hiding spot… they slit her throat… Nii-sama came in then and shot them, but by then, it was too late Hisana was drying too quickly to be saved. I saw my brother run over to her. He started crying. I knew things would only get worse." Rukia cries as she's suddenly on Ichigo's lap, clutching him to her.
Holy Shit that's horrifying seeing your sister murder right in front of you! Ichigo thinks as he rubs her back comfortably. "Kami Rukia...that's horrible," he mumbles into her ear as he clenches her shivering form and hugs Rukia tighter, attempting to soothe her rising panic attack…
Rukia's breathing begins to calm as she feels Ichigo's reassuring presence around her. She peeks up to discover Ichigo's face is turning a little red, and she's confused at first, then she realizes their position.
Rukia's entirely on him, his back is on his bed, and he is holding her with one hand on her waist and another on her side.
Rukia's whole body is laid on his… her head's on his chest, she blushes and glances away.
What the hell, Is wrong with me?! Ichigo was only comforting me! Then Why do I wish I could kiss him right now!?! Ugh, I'm not a teenager; I'm 21. For Kami's sake, this is crazy!
Ichigo gazes down at Rukia, his amber eyes softening as he cuddles her close to his body.
Rukia stares off as her blush heightens. "I'm sorry, Ichigo. I don't know how I ended up like this with you…You barely know me anymore, but you still care about me. I'm lucky to have found you again." she confesses weakly.
Ichigo smiles at her as he helps them sit up again as she slips off his lap and turns back towards her coldish food.
She eats once again as Ichigo brings out his phone to check the time 12:30 pm.
Shit, I need to eat before class. Ichigo grabs his food and begins eating hastily as he glances at his phone when he receives a text message, "Protect her with your life -BK."
There's only one person with those initials…. What the hell, Byakuya!?
He quickly types a simple "I will" reply as he clasps his bag. "Hey Rukia… I've got to go to class, but if you wait for me to get back here, I'll show you your room on the girl's side of the dorms. Get some rest, okay?" Ichigo says as he begins to walk out the door locking it behind him.
Ichigo turns away from his dorm and heads downstairs to the building exit. As he passes, he notices his roommate, so he greets him.
"Yo Uryu...listen, you remember my best friend Rukia that left at the end of our freshmen year? When he nods, Ichigo quickly continues. "Well, she's in our room resting." Uryu is about to question him, but Ichigo turns away. "Can't explain now gotta get to Algebra." he says as he jogs away, leaving Uryu dumbfounded.
Ichigo races across campus and enters Sakura hall, running towards his lecture hall. He enters, and notices his friend Chad, so he take a seat next to him "Ichigo." he said quietly.
"Chad." Ichigo says back, giving him a small smile.
The classes settles when Professor Urahara arrives "My my students, you sure are excited for Algebra." The class groans, as Professor Urahara begins the lesson.
Rukia jolts awake as she hears the door unlock and open. She gazes up through sleepy eyes. "Uryu Ishida?" She questions.
"Yes, hello again. Kuchiki-San, it's nice to see you after all these years." Uryu says as he pushes up his glasses.
"Ah yes...would you like me to leave?" She questions.
"Oh no, Ichigo will kill me if I made you leave. I just came to retrieve my world history textbook." Uryu says quickly as he snatches his book and sprints out the door.
Hmm, I'm quite cold. I know me and Ichigo are not close anymore, but I'm certain he won't mind me wearing one of his sweaters.
She stands up and steps over to his dresser, pulling open one drawer at a time until she uncovers the pullovers. She grabs a grey one and slides it over her petite frame as it falls to her knees.
Rukia then slips back into Ichigo's bed and snuggles in a ball, falling back asleep.
A/N Two chapters in one day, yay! What did you think? Please review it motivates me to continue! :)