Chapter 8 Realization

Ichigo and Rukia stand outside of the Kurosaki family home on a warm sunny morning as the breeze blows across the gathered friends.

Wow, my powers are fading away. I can't sense Rukia's presence anymore... Ichigo thinks as he turns to Rukia.

Violet meets amber, and Ichigo could see the pain in Rukia's eyes as they stare at each other. "This is goodbye, Ichigo.." Rukia says sadly as she slowly begins to fade from Ichigo view.

"Looks that way, doesn't it, Rukia? Tell everyone I said hi." Ichigo says as his brown eyes shine in the morning light.

"I will, Ichigo." Rukia promises as the seconds pass, the two stare at each other.

"Thanks, Rukia. Goodbye, I will never forget you." As Ichigo says this to her, Rukia notices the light slowly fade out of his beautiful amber orbs.

"Goodbye, Ichigo." Rukia whispers as she starts after Ichigo when he turns away from her.

Excuse my language, but Why does it hurt so fucking much?! I don't understand why I am feeling this way. It's like my soul is ripping itself to shreds, Rukia thinks as she moves towards Ichigo as he walks away but is stopped by Orihime.

"I'm sorry, Rukia, but you can't help him anymore."

Rukia quickly placed her Kuchiki mask on as she pushed her emotions away. "Your right.. Goodbye, everyone," Rukia says as she turns away and runs into the awaiting Senkaimon.

9/5

Rukia wakes up with a start as her body jerks forward. Something pulls her back. She yelps as she gazes down. She notices Ichigo is hugging her in his strong embrace.

That memory was so heartbreaking…

Rukia attempts to move, but her legs are intertwined with Ichigo's.

It's no use, dammit, Ichigo! Why must you be so protective?!

"Ichigo!" she calls as she nudges his large frame.

"Mmm." Ichigo mumbles before pulling her closer, so she's now entirely against him.

Idiot! He makes it ten times worse!

"Ichigo!!" Rukia struggles against him for a moment, but he doesn't budge. Finally, she takes a deep breath then knocks him in the head.

"Stupid Midgets!" Ichigo mumbles before releasing her. He then rolls to the other side of the Queen mattress.

Rukia quickly slides out of Ichigo bed and walks to the door to go to her bedroom to find her phone ringing.

Ugh! My head hurts… as soon as I figure out what happened to my powers, I'm going to perform some healing Kido...

She makes it to her bedroom and notices her phones on her nightstand. She quickly grabs it and stares at the screen.

Oh yeah..classes, it's so strange to know I'm like 170 instead of the 21-year-old woman I was..or am?! I don't know; maybe we should see Urahara today ichigo had said he felt his spirit energy.

Rukia places her phone back down on the nightstand before walking over to her dresser and brings out a black silk top with a white flared skater skirt with black leggings.

She walks over to her closet and also snatches a black hoodie to hide her face.

She places her clothes on her bed and walks into the hallway to get a towel. Then Rukia steps into the bathroom to undress, then steps inside the large shower.

While she's in the shower, she scrubs herself using her snowy peach body wash after she rinses the body wash off, she moves onto her waist length hair to rid her locks of its tangles.

Maybe I should get it cut

After she finishes, she wraps the towel around her small body and walks back into her room. She closes the door and grabs her clothes. After putting her bra and panties on, Rukia pulls her silk top on and then pulls her hoodie over her head. She then yanks on her leggings then her skirt.

After she finishes dressing, she snatches her phone off her nightstand, glances at it, and notes that it's 8:30, so she heads into the kitchen to make some toast.

We need to go shopping for food after classes today. I don't know if Ichigo has classes today...

After the toast is ready, Rukia steps back into Ichigo's bedroom. "Hey, Ichi. Do you have classes today?" She asks as she sets the plate of toast down.

Ichigo rolls over and grabs it. "No." he replies as he takes a bite.

"Okay, well, I have a class at 9, and it's 8:35. Do you want to walk to me? She asks as a blush appears on her cheeks.

Ichigo stares at her a moment before he finishes eating his food. "Anything for the Queen." he says as he grips her hand, giving her a soft smile.

Rukia blushes further as she pushes away from him. "Has White Zangetsu gotten to you already!? It's only been one night!!" She exclaims while softly laughing.

"Hey, he's not wrong!" Ichigo defends while a blush rises on his face.

"Okay, well, we need to go. I'll get my bag!" Rukia yells as she flees his bedroom to grab her backpack from her own.

It's so strange to feel like a different person... Did I love Ichigo in our past lives?

There was too much war going on to know how I felt.

Rukia shakes herself out of it as she heads into their entranceway.

Ichigo's already standing there waiting for her; she quickly slips on her Chappy high tops.

"Let's go, Rukia." Ichigo states before taking her hand and interlocking their fingers. He then opens the door, and they walk out of their dorm.

"So what classes do you have?"

"Well,l I have creative writing with Professor Yoruichi… then at one I have Biology with Captain,...I mean Professor Kurotsuchi…" Rukia says as they begin the journey down the five flights of stairs.

Ugh, I hate that man. It's infuriating he's so creepy I can't believe he performed tests on his squad!

"Rukia… you got super pale. Are you okay?!" Ichigo exclaims in concern as they stop on the fourth floor.

"Yeah.. he just always creeped me out before the…" Rukia trails off, unaware of what to say.

Life? Timeline? Ugh, we need answers!

"I understand … Honestly, I think everyone felt that way," Ichigo says as the two make it to the bottom, then they cross the common room and walk out of their dorm building.

The cold fall air welcomes them as they step out. Rukia pulls her hood further onto her hair as they walk towards the building where Rukia's lesson is.

"Ichigo?.. Do you remember when we said goodbye after you defeated Aizen?.."

"Of course, I do! I was miserable when you left my life those 17 months.." Ichigo confesses sadly as he grips her hand tighter. "Why did you dream about it? He questions.

"Yes… I'm sorry about dragging you into that life..."

"It doesn't matter now When you gave me my powers, it was one of the happiest days of my life. Both times you changed my world. The first time If it wasn't for you that Hollow would have eaten my family and me." Rukia laughs softly.

"You sure seem to get yourself into trouble," she teases.

"Hey, shut up!" Ichigo laughs as they continue to walk.

The sunlight hits Rukia's face as ichigo stops and gazes at her while she laughs.

"The second...well, I belonged as a shinigami! That was my life... You were my life Rukia... I couldn't keep up with the world without you in it." ichigo stops for a moment and gazes down at her. "Fuck it!" He swears as he turns Rukia to face him.

"What are you doing?!" Rukia exclaims. Before she can say move, Ichigo lowers his lips to hers. Rukia stands shocked.

I've kissed boys before but nothing like this!

His lips are soft as he moves his against mine.

His taste is so overwhelming I feel my knees weaken.

It's like our souls are connecting through a simple kiss.

Ichigo pulls away. "I'm sorry… I couldn't help it. You looked so cute." Ichigo says as he places his hand on Rukia's cheek. "I won't let you go this time, Rukia, no matter what."

She beams up at him "Good, you're stuck with me." The couple continue to walk as they make it to Rukia lecture hall class.

Gosh, this boy was always a headache... But I've grown used to him after all our time together. He's still the same man...

"I'll be here to get you after class, Okay?"

"Yeah.." Rukia says while her blush deepens as their memories flood her mind both from this life and last. Ichigo cups her face with his hand. "I'll see you soon." Ichigo promises as he leans down to kiss Rukia again.

She pulls him down and meets him halfway. "Mmm."

She sighs as Ichigo pulls away. He stares into her violet orbs as the unspoken I love you pass between them.

Rukia then turns and heads into class. She sits down at a table and waits for professor Yoruichi to arrive.

After Ichigo drops Rukia off, he heads towards his old dorm room.

I hope I catch Uryu before he leaves for his morning classes.

When he arrives, he knocks. A moment later, Uryu opens the door. "Hey, Uryu got a second?"

"Sure, Ichigo." Uryu says as he steps back to let him inside.

Ichigo steps into Uryu's room and turns to him as he begins running his hands through his hair. "Do you remember anything unusual? Like weird dreams that seem so realistic?"

"Well, as a matter of fact, I had a dream about you saving Rukia from a firebird, and our friends watched as you battled Rukia's brother. Why? What's going on?"

"Not sure myself, let's meet up at Urahara's class at five pm. Sound good? Bring Chad and Orihime to. I think we are all involved."

"Got it. I will see you then, Ichigo." Uryu says as they walk out of his room and he walks off to his classes

Now, what do I do? Who else knows about these memories?. Ichigo pulls out his phone and calls Byakuya's number. After a couple of rings, he answers.

"Kurosaki." he says coldly.

Ichigo laughs nervously. "So, do you remember?"

"Yes, I remember that I saved Rukia from an Arrancar in Hueco Mundo. The rest is coming in pieces, but I remember some of our fight for Rukia's life….You never change, boy, but I'm glad my sister has you. I will be flying to Japan to get all the other captains together; then we will figure out our plan." Byakuya says.

"Okay, that sounds good Rukia and I are going to talk to Kisuke today around five pm. What time does your flight get in?"

"8 pm this evening. I will arrive at Rukia's dorm at 9 pm. Goodbye, Kurosaki; I'll see you and Rukia soon. Keep her safe." he says coldly, but Ichigo could hear a trace of gratefulness before he hung up.

He walks back up to his and Rukia's dorm before opening the door and stepping inside.

I should hang out while I wait for Rukia's class to be over.

As class began, Rukia tries to pay attention, but memories keep popping up.

6-year-old ichigo and her sitting on his family couch as his wonderful mother brought them cookies. "Here you go, my baby boy! Rukia-Chan!" She announces happily as she places the cookies down. "Now you two behave while I check on the twins, okay?"

"Yes, Mana," Ichigo replies.

"Okay." Rukia agrees as Masaki left the living room to head upstairs.

"Ichigo?"

"Yeah, Rukia?"

"Thank you.."

Young ichigo turned towards her, "For what, Rukia?"

"Being my best friend," she replies simply as she tackles her best friend into a hug. "You're the best!" She exclaims as the memories shifts again.

Ichigo and Rukia sit in their shinigami robes, on the Kurosaki clinic roof after Ichigo defeats Ginjo. "You did well, Ichigo." Rukia said with a soft smile.

"I'm just glad it's over.." Ichigo said as he leaned back and laid on the roof.

"I'm glad it is as well." Rukia agreed as she gazed up at the stars.

"Hey, Rukia?"

"Yeah?" She said as she looked over to him

"I…" he began

"Ichigo!!" They heard Yuzu call.

"We should get inside." he said, but Rukia saw in his eyes that there were unspoken words.

"I'm here, Ichigo. I won't leave again." she said as they slipped into Ichigo's bedroom.

"I know," he replied. Then the bell rings pulling her from her thoughts she sighs as she places her head down.

Great, I missed the whole lesson.

End of Chapter 8! I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter will be a full explanation of the whole time travel thing :)