Chapter 02 – meeting

As he stood waiting in the rain, he remembered that night, 5 years ago. In the park, under the pavilion, it was raining just like this. He saw her again, running off through the rain. He hadn't chased her, but now he wished he had.

It had been 5 years, 5 long years, but somehow he couldn't forget. Everything about her still lingered in his mind, as if it was only yesterday. Since that night, she had skipped the last few days of school; she didn't even turn up for graduation. He didn't contact her, too scared to find out the truth and so they lost contact.

Tatsuki always told him, that time would heal all wounds, but for him time had stopped and the wounds remained fresh. He looked at the people walking along the streets, the cars along the road; everything seemed so distant, as if he was in a world of his own.

He stepped out into the rain, umbrella in hand, just as he was about to take a step, he bumped into someone.

He looked, tilting his umbrella so that he could see the face of the person who bumped into him.

"Ichigo?"

"Rukia."

They stared at each other.

"Rukia!" someone shouted.

She turned around to meet a red-haired guy with a smile.

"Did you wait long?" he asked.

"Nope. Let's go Renji." She said, gently taking his hand, as he took the umbrella.

The couple walked past, without a second glance at Ichigo.

As they merged with the crowd, all he was left with was the rain again. Just like that night 5 years ago.

"That was Rukia wasn't it." A voice behind him asked.

He nodded.

"Aren't you going to run after her?"

He shook his head.

"It's been 5 years, Ichigo. Are you going to let another 5 pass? It might be too late by then."

He said nothing, just turned around to face her.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sure you are. We need to talk."

She took his hand and pulled him into a nearby café. They took a window seat, and ordered their drinks. He, a mocha; her, a double espresso. They sat for awhile, absorbing the atmosphere, watching the people in the streets walk past, watching the rain fall, sipping their coffee.

She set down the cup and looked at him. She had known him for the longest time. Ever since they were children, they hung out together, so she was proud to say she knew him well. In high school she had seen him going through the whole BGR thing. She saw how that transfer student changed him. She knew before he did, the feelings that he held, and yet here he was now.

"Ichigo, how long have we known each other?"

"Forever?"

"How long have we been together?"

"For 2 years?"

"How long have you known Rukia?"

"6 years?"

"How long have you loved her?"

Ichigo didn't answer.

"How long have you loved me?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Tatsuki; I really don't know how to say this. It's…it's complicated."

"Then let me tell you. Ever since you met Rukia, you fell for her, you fell for her hard. You spent so much time with her, getting to know her better, going out on dates and deep down you knew you liked her, but you wrote it off as good friends. Everyone else could see the 2 of you liked each other, except for the 2 of you. When the time finally came and you realized your feelings, it was already nearing the end of the school year. One night after the final exams, you mustered up enough courage to ask her out for a walk. However, you still couldn't tell her how you felt. Why? Because you're scared, that's exactly who you are Ichigo. A coward. After that, when she didn't come to school, you didn't bother asking why, you just wallowed in self-pity, and denial. You were scared to come to terms with it, and you ran away from it all. A couple of years later, you decided enough was enough, and since I happened to be single and available, and you thought I wasn't bad, you decided to hook up with me. It's been 2 years Ichigo; you haven't told me a thing. What do you take me for? A fool? I know you well enough Ichigo, you have no guts to do anything. Your feelings for Rukia haven't changed; I've known that all along. I thought they might, but it's been 2 years, and they haven't. Stop living in the past and move on Ichigo. If you love her, then follow your heart and go get her. Just now, you saw her, after 5 years, and you didn't do anything. Are you a man Ichigo? Doesn't it hurt to see her leave with another guy? Are you going to let your one true love go without a fight? I may be your girlfriend Ichigo, but you don't even treat me as a friend."

Tatsuki stopped and let out a sigh. She leaned back in her chair and took another sip of coffee. Then she looked at Ichigo, waiting for a reply.

"I'm sorry."

"Well sorry doesn't cut it."

"Thank you Tatsuki." Ichigo said, getting up from his seat.

He smiled at her before leaning and down and giving her one last kiss on the cheek.

"Are you sure you're going to give me up so easily?" he whispered into her ears.

"I loved you Ichigo, but I lost even before I began." She replied.

He left the café, opening up his umbrella and stepping into the busy streets. She waved through the window, thankful that the rain masked her tears.

"Who was that back there?" Renji asked.

"An old classmate from high school."

"Sure you don't want to stop and chat, I'm sure you guys haven't met in a long time, and have a lot to talk about. After all, these kinds of meetings are rare."

"Nah, it's okay. I wasn't close to him anyway."

Back at home, Rukia lay on her bed, fresh from a bathe, her hair still damp. She could still see Ichigo's face in her mind. That orange hair and furrowed brow. He hadn't changed even after all these years.

She looked out at the rain, thinking back to that fateful night. What had he wanted to say? She had asked herself that question so many times, but he had never come back to ask her. She didn't understand, but she had tried to move on. Now here she was with Renji. He was a nice guy, caring, sensitive, ready to do anything for her, and she loved him, she really did.

And yet she had lied to him about Ichigo. Why? Was she really so scared? The strange warm feeling had coursed through her again when she had seen Ichigo; it was different from what she felt with Renji. So different.

So much had happened in these 5 years. With her older sister gone, she had moved in with Aisha, her sister's best friend. In fact, Aisha's family had been willing to adopt her, but she had refused. From time to time, she would go and see her brother in law, Byakuya. Out of the 3 of them, he had taken the loss the hardest, although this barely showed.

Just then, Aisha came in, without knocking as usual.

"Not asleep yet?"

"I'm going to."

"Something is troubling you. Renji told me."

"He did?"

"Don't look so surprised, Renji knows you quite well, you should let him in on some of your little secrets, he can handle them."

Rukia smiled, maybe be Aisha was right. Maybe she should tell him.

"I'm going to sleep now. Could you switch off the lights and close the door on your way out?"

"Chasing me out already. Very well, goodnight, sweet dreams."

"goodnight." Rukia said, pulling the covers over her.

She closed her eyes, thinking of how she was going to tell Renji about Ichigo. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

The pause in time was over; now it was going full-speed ahead.