4. Imbedded in Dialogue
Pairing: IchigoxRukia
AN: Language warnings. This a companion piece to my other fic While the Blade Rusts. 2/09/06
There were days when you were relentless...
"Sulking is not a very good expression for your face."
"I'm not sulking." Then after a breath, "And I didn't ask you."
"Is that so?"
"You're pestering me again. Are you bored or something?"
"A little. Why the bad mood?"
"This isn't a bad mood."
"Oh, so this is your good mood then?"
"It won't be if you keep at it."
"Keep at what?"
"I know what you're trying to do."
"What am I trying to do?"
"STOP. IT. RUKIA."
"Marvelous. Didn't know your face could match your hair. Well, more like it matches Renji's hair."
"Alright! Alright! I'll say it! I was jealous! Will you quit it now?"
"Ha. Too easy."
Days when you wavered...
"Tell him. The truth will come out sooner or later."
"At the moment...I'll opt for later."
"Why? What are you so afraid of, Rukia?"
"You know exactly what I'm afraid of."
"Does it make a difference? Being this way, this isn't like you."
"And you think this is like me? To...With..."
"To be involved with me. There. I finished your sentence."
"You're being—"
"Callous. Because you still can't admit it. Just say it aloud! You want to be with me. You are with me, right? Rukia? For god's sake! Even with just the two of us...After all this time, you still can't say it."
"This isn't easy, Ichigo."
"And this is?"
"Maybe we can turn back while it's still not too late."
"Don't say shit like that to me."
"Ichi—"
"Do you want to turn back? I sure as hell don't."
"But—"
"Besides, I think he already knows."
Often, you worried...
"I think. Maybe. She loves you."
"You can't dissuade me."
"She understands this world better. She isn't an outsider."
"I won't be dissuaded from being near you."
"You're so thick headed!"
"Keh! The same can be said about you."
"You know, with me, you always end up scowling."
"I'm always scowling anyway."
"So you do admit it."
"Shut up. You trapped me into saying it." A long pause. "Rukia."
"Hmm?"
"It doesn't have to be perfect."
"...I can't help thinking perfect is what you deserve."
But occasionally you allowed yourself happiness...
"That one! That one looks—"
"Like Chappy."
"You didn't even look."
"I didn't have to—Aggghh! What'd you hit me for?"
"Look again."
"What for? They're just a bunch of stinkin' clouds floating about. They all look the same."
"Look. Now."
"Okay, I'm looking."
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Well what do you see?"
"A bunch of stinkin' clouds—masses of vapor essentially. Completely ordinary. Hey! Quit hitting me already, you violent bitch!"
"That one! See? It's a strawberry you fool. A strawberry."
"That blob right there's a strawberry?"
"Okay, so a partially bitten one."
"Your point of view..."
"What about it?"
"That explains your crappy drawings."
Only to go back to your harsh sense of duty...
"Did you tell them yet?"
"I.."
"Guess you didn't."
"I'm sorry, Ichigo."
"What are you saying sorry for? Just be sure to tell them next time, or else I'll do it."
"Sorry."
"I just said you didn't have to—"
"It won't work out. I'm going back, Ichigo."
But because I know where you truly want to be...
"I have no intention of letting you go."