Stars
Ichigo began to speak.
"Eh, Rukia? What--?"
"SSHH!" she said abruptly and promptly tucked her knees and sat in contemplation, her eyes gazing solemnly to the sky.
Ichigo figured she wanted to share some deep wisdom, something he'd not be able to understand, something so, well, Rukia that the fact she wanted to share it at all caused him to wonder.
He furrowed his brow, even further than it was before, and looked at her instead. She looked to be in deep thought, almost angelic in form, a little ethereal, a little sad.
He didn't profess to know her, to know what she was thinking, yet he was so sure she wouldn't tell him if he asked, anyway.
When she spoke, it caught him completely off guard.
"Ichigo."
He jumped and stared at her, those eyes closed, masking what's been going through her mind.
"Look at the stars, Ichigo."
He thought this was one hell've a weird thing to say.
But this was Rukia. He didn't understand her but damned if he didn't want a kick in his ribs to further her point.
He looked at the stars.
--
When she was gone, he noticed their brilliance, their ethereal calmness… and he didn't feel so alone.