Chapter Three:
After their meal, the two went back up to Ichigo's room. Rukia casually plopped down on Ichigo's bed as Ichigo starting talking.
"Rukia…back then, when you fought that arrancar, you showed the true form of your zenpatkutoh; Sode no Shirayuki…"
Rukia looked puzzled, well, kind of, she wasn't exactly getting where Ichigo is trying to get to.
"Yeah…so? What about it?"
"Well, I, ugh…." Shit, what the hell am I doing? What was I trying to say from the start anyways? "I… just wanted to say it's nice!"
"Nice? Ichigo, what the hell are you-"
"I was worried, but now, I know you're more powerful than I thought, you don't even need my protection anymore…" He practically whispered the last few words, but, it was loud enough of a whisper for Rukia to hear what he was saying.
Protect me? I'm hearing things…yes, I'm hearing things. And Rukia continued to tell herself she didn't hear what he said when she totally knew what he was saying. Also, what was that look on Ichigo's face, he seemed…shy. Rukia was speechless, speechless because of his words, and of his expression he's wearing.
"Ah…Ichigo…"
He looked at her, it made her nervous.
"Am I powerful or not, I don't know, but I know I'll always feel better when I know someone is there for me, and Ichigo…you-" She looked at him. How am I suppose to say this…am I trying to confess something or am I just saying this to make him feel better? No, that's not it, this is the truth…and if I don't let it out soon I'm going to pull out my hair.
"You're the one who makes me feel I'm not alone, I trust you, with my whole life for you to protect."
At first Ichigo looked like he wasn't even listening, but a few seconds later, the words finally got to him.
"Rukia…" He slowly walked up to her and wrapped his arms around the petite body of Rukia's.
"Rukia, I'll always be with you, now, and always and…forever. I know this doesn't sound like me, and I might even seem like I'm kidding, but trust me, every word I say now is truth." His voice was soft yet firm with confidence in his statement; this made Rukia feel a tint of warmth growing inside her.
As she wrapped her arms around the finely built body of Ichigo's, she whispered in his ear "I trust you, so don't ever try to leave me alone."
The sky was darkening, how long did Ichigo and Rukia hold that position? No one knows.
The next morning was like those same old mornings, Ichigo went downstairs to eat breakfast while Rukia changes in her closet (well, actually Ichigo's, but Rukia likes to call it hers). After Ichigo finishes his meal, he comes up knocking harshly on Rukia's door to find no answer. Since he heard no sounds coming from the closet he thought it was alright to open the door, and inside he found no Rukia, no note, no whatsoever. He looked around and found Yuzu's pajamas already folded neatly and put away which pretty much meant Rukia went off by herself without leaving a single word.
"Damn that Rukia, she could of left a note or something at least, and I was thinking of walking to school with her." Ichigo said to himself, but after a second thought…. "Wait, what the hell, why do I care, it's not like walking her is any kind of enjoyment anyway." With that, he packed up his bag and left for school.
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Once Ichigo stepped into the classroom he was surprised no one, not even that annoying Keigo greeted him, as he looked over at his seat he saw Rukia chattering away with Orihime and Ishida, this also made him wonder why that Quincy was in his classroom, so he decided that would be a good excuse to go over and butt his head in their conversation.
"Hey Ishida" Ichigo put an arm on Ishida's shoulder as he turned around.
"Why, Kurosaki-kun, you're early today"
"Shut up, why the hell are you in my classroom?" Ichigo said as he frowned at Ishida's evil smirk, though he had no idea why he was smirking at him in the first place, so he's early, what's the big deal about it.
"I told Ishida to come over" Orihime chipped happily while standing up and linking arms with Ishida.
"Ah…erm, yeah." Said Ishida as he pushed up his glasses, trying to hide the slight shade of pink forming on his face due to Orihime's action in front of the class.
"Whatever" Ichigo was showing that face saying I-don't-give-a-shit-about-you-love-doves, and since the rather smart and fast thinking Quincy caught on to that face, he thought maybe leaving him and Rukia alone and having some more decent personal time with Orihime would do good for both couples, even thought Ichigo and Rukia isn't a couple…yet.
So with that, Ishida simply waved by to the two and walked off with Orihime leaving the other two staring blankly at each other.
Since someone had to say something, Ichigo started the conversation off in a rather rude way, yes…the Ichigo way.
"Why the hell did you just leave this morning, you wouldn't die waiting for me would you? At the least you could have left some stupid note so I don't have to look for you."
"Well, I felt like coming early to get my stuff ready and all, besides, this is the first day of school after your whatever holiday."
"It's summer holiday." Ichigo really can't keep up with his frown right now, really, how can someone be so stupid and not know it was summer holiday.
"Ah, right, summer, yea, whatever. So, why were you looking for me this morning? Are you worried about me?" Rukia asked while raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
While stuttering a little, Ichigo simply replied "I thought you were dead, just checking, because if you were, I would throw a party." He looked up at the window instead of looking down at Rukia because he really can't stand looking at her smirking due to the answer he'll come up with.
"Throw a party eh? That's funny, you almost died 4? Or 5? Times trying to save me and now you're saying you would throw a party when I die? "Rukia stood up and looked at Ichigo, she was smirking big time, she patted Ichigo on the back and said "Ichigo, you are one weird, or shall I say funny, person." And she turned around to leave the room. As for Ichigo, he was just standing there, furious at himself for giving Rukia a chance to tease him.
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The day went past quickly, nothing special happen, and to Rukia this is the best that can happen, it's like the same as before she got taken back to soul society, to her, this was what a perfect life is.
After school as Rukia walked out the door to leave for home, she saw Ichigo standing at the gate waiting.
Ichigo caught sight of Rukia right when she walked out and called out for her.
"Oi, Rukia, over here!"
So she walked up to him.
"Why are you here?"
"Nothing, I just thought we should walk back together."
"Walk back together? I thought you don't like being seen walking home with me incase it ruins the image you tried sooo hard to build over the years."
"It's because the last time I didn't walk home with you, I couldn't find you at home. So from now on, I'll make sure you get home with me, safe and sound." Ichigo said while exaggerating on the last three words when putting a rather serious look on his face.
Once Rukia hear these words coming from Ichigo, she could help but feel a tiny bit of warmth in her heart, truth is, Ichigo would rather die than admit he even cares a tiny bit for that annoying little shinigami that stepped in his life, though personally, Rukia knew he cared, for she knew he would die in order for her to live, but on the other hand, it's impossible to make him live for her, at least this is what Rukia thinks……
To Be Continued……
A/N: Short chapter and not really a great one too, gomen! """ but you know, it's Christmas holidays…lots of stuff to do like buy presents. So I promise you guys next chappie would be longer and more exciting to read, so bear with me! r&r kudasai!