A/N: Hopefully you're enjoying the story! Onwards!


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Previously:

Looking around for some modest PJ's, I settle on a set of thin material with paints and long roomy sleeves. Oh! and the sure has a cute cat skull on it with ears!

Good pick me. Good pick.

I slip on my choice and some gym shoes and take up my beasts in my arms before breaking out into the dead of night in a sprint.


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Chapter 8: Everything ends

Almost there.

Almost there.

I'm so close, and honestly, despite my earlier reluctance, itching to get out of this night.

As soon as I left the comfort of my home, the night drops a heavy atmosphere onto my shoulders. At first I thought I could bare it, at least until I made it. But it's weight is heavier than I anticipate, crushing my confidence into a lead-like anxiety in my gut.

The feeling inflates into a dizzy relief when the shop appears into view.

Safety.

I find myself speeding up rather than slowing down. I'm pretty sure I'm planning to come crashing through the doors, if that didn't open and birth a certain hatter.

skiiiiiid!

I barely catch myself, stopping just a few feet from his composed form.

. . .

He only shows me his eyes, and their sharpness cuts through me and my resolve to drop my irrational crush, riling up an unfathomable fire inside me that I hate so much.

. . .

Why isn't he saying anything? Is he waiting on me?

"You've been avoiding me, Shiro," he pins me.

My breaths rattle from my lungs.

He's right, I have been.

"I came for my stuff that you have threatened to burn, Do you even have a fire-pit? I also gotta say I'm shocked you even have a phone, you seem too old school for that, where's my stuff?" I bounce around topics, any topic that isn't the one he picked.

But he watches me.

Calculating some formula I can't see.

The equations seem to thunder behind his pupils and each incorrect output is struck down like lightening and it makes my gut quiver.

My quakes seem to awaken him. He blinks his thought cloud from his eyes and readjusts to me.

"You haven't even been coming to your training sessions,"

Because I was afraid you'd look at me like that again.

Ugh. Me and my stupid crush!

I make my way pass him, and I'm equally thankful and disappointed when he lets me by.

Entering the building, I take a moment to ponder where my things might be.

Hmm...

I know it's not where I left it, I would have seen the bed in the background of the photo... Yet I'm pretty sure the smug hatter would have been certain to keep it out of sight of the other residences.

So an empty room?

hmm...

It would be easier to figure it out if every nook and cranky of this place didn't look identical.

Maybe in the empty room with the TV and VCR player?

I widen my strides towards the room in question, and sliding open it's more traditional door shows me the glossy white rectangle of my shopping bag. I walk over to it and pick up it's thin rope like handles.

In and out.

Turning on my toes, I swing the bag behind me in a model pose I've practiced in the mirror before and head out. That once prominent fear curls in my gut the closer I get to the exit, but it's shoved to the side by something else when emerald weathers grey.

As soon as we lock, I snatch away, searching his outline for a way around him, but he's blocking the only exit effectively.

Is this his thing? Does he like to block off the only routes of people often? He did it in the bedroom too, but that door had been too big for him to keep me captive. Now he's found the perfect threshold to fit his broad frame.

My gosh someone help me.

"Can you move? It's Thursday and I was sleeping. I kinda need to get home so I can get up for school tomorrow, it's the last day, yeah, but I don't want to be groggy and stuff for it," I reason, shifting around him to find an angle, but he doesn't budge.

"You feel it, don't you? Tonight is different." the feign jovial is gone, leaving only his tortured tone behind. My eyes widen. So it isn't just my paranoia running rapid in the darkness. He shows me a smirk-less face, "An important battle is taking place, and its inevitable outcome is going to change things as you know it," he warns, ominously, might I add.

"O...k?" my sight narrows suspiciously

"I can't allow you to leave yet," he expresses his point bluntly.

Oh my gosh...

I don't know what to do with that..

On TV it usually leads to the speaker either trapping the other person against a wall and kissing them, or the speaker ends up trying to kill the other person.

Honestly, with the Smug hatter, both of those options are very possible.

"... If you didn't want me outside, why make me come over? I wasn't going to leave the house anyway..." I furrow my brows.

"Because you've been avoiding me, and I can't figure out what you are if you avoid me," he steps closer, and I feel my posture submit to him, my chin tucking in, doeish eyes looking up, and hands holding each other.

"Well... even when I'm with you I can't figure who or what you are.." I murmur to myself, but he responds anyway.

"You're just not paying attention," he taps his hat. "We have a bit of time, so we'll catch up on your training,"

Huffing, I concede to the activity and request bandages from my captor.

I go back into the empty room to change. I guess I'm wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt to training.

When Urahara brings the bandages I use them to hold my breasts in place and I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

We head down to the usual area, and he's quick to begin, but its different. He doesn't unsheathe benehime once, instead he allows her to remain dormant as he battles, permitting me to get in close.

His strategy appears to have changed too; no longer is he attempting to push my limits or break my spirit, instead he seems to be conducting a serious of experiments: Doing actions and noting my reactions.

He's observing me.

CLAK!

it's a easier to see and counter attack; it's almost natural. I'm slowly sinking into my mind as we synchronize our blows with one another.

CLAK! CLACK!

"You're just not paying attention,"

Maybe this is my opportunity to examine him too?

So I do.

CLK!

I notice how he strikes, practiced and disciplined, how his stance is innate and his strategies are perfected, how his clothing his lose and his stride is efficient. His untold history seems to come to life before me, each strike tells of a man who has mastered his craft, and a man who has walked the earth long enough to perfect his very being. The sway of his fabric whispers about his origins and his longing to return to them, and his gaze shouts his undying craving to do what it is he's known he is meant to do since first breaths.

CLACK!

He pins me to a bolder, my elbows planted against the rocky surface to prevent his weapon from crushing my wind pipe. And our faces meet in the middle of the struggle, my laborious breaths mingling with his collected ones, and I speak my findings.

"You're a soul reaper,"

A smirk appears just as I rush him.

"Is that really all you've figured out?" his voice is even, but I still feel like he's mocking me.

He comes for me, and I let him, allowing him to take this battle to the ground. There we attempt to establish dominance, but neither of us can seem to gain the upper hand. We shove each other down but we both refuse to be bested just yet.

We refuse to submit.

"No... You're not like Ichigo. You're more like Rukia I think, you came from that Soul whatever place," I barely huff out.

I flee, but he won't let me go. Not that easily. He pulls me back into our struggle, and I meet him with the same strength as before, though it's quickly depleting. I have to switch tactics or something, that or push myself beyond my limits.

"I'm not sure why you left, but you miss it. You still dress like one, and act kinda like one. Yet you don't go into spirit form to do it... Are you hiding?"

I'm not sure if I'm close or really far off, all I am sure about is the unadulterated view of Benehime's blade pointing right between my eyes.

"You're smarter than I gave you credit for," He... insults and praises. "You're relatively close." he lowers his weapon to his side.

I sway my hip, placing my hand on it "Anyway-"

"It's time," Urahara perks up before taking off., "Tess! You ready?" he springs up the length of the latter.

I blink.

I'm sleepy...

yawn!

I make up the couch in the private sitting room because fuck sleeping on the floor.

Fuck sleeping on this couch too.

It's a freaking love seat! while it's cozy at first, blanket tucked around my chin and the comfy structure cradling me, it's very short lived.

Soon the thin layer of cushion isn't enough to stop the wood from biting into my neck and back of my knees. It also doesn't help that the blanket can't wrap around my feet, so the surrounding air sneaks under, chilling my toes and keeping me up.

I can't sleep.

This is stupid.

I was at home, comfortably curled up, butt naked in my bed, about to head off to dreamland. THEN! The smug hatter decides 'No! I'mma burn your stuff if you don't come by so I can beat the stuffing out of you!'

Now, I'm stuck worming around the on this uncomfy dream killer because of him!

Wait a second.

If he's the reason why I'm here, shouldn't his ass be the one feeling the repercussions of this?

. . .

I jog for the exit.

Once within Urahara's bed room, I make sure all my belongings are with me so that he wont be able to hold anything for ransom. When everything is present and accounted for, emeralds look around his door for a way to keep it closed.

Ah!

There's a little latch I can push one into the floor and another into the ceiling.

"Hell yeah, Bed time!" I trade in my pants and t-shirt for just my large pajama shirt, and I'm decent enough to tie a knot between my legs so it's like shorts. I throw the covers out of my way and onto my body.


~X~


I barely awaken at the sound of a commotion.

And I do mean barely, all the interruption does is get me to roll over and re-situate myself. Then I'm back to sleep.

I'm sure whatever it is they can handle it just fine.


~X~


In the Morning I awaken with a lightness in my chest. The duvet rises up around me in fluffs of cotton, and I've sunken into it.

The sun breaks through the veil encasing my cloud, and mix of cilantro and peach beckons me from my slumber. Emerald eyes are revealed to the world, and I am ready for the day!

Shuffling to the end of the bed, I get to my feet but they're not reliable. I groan when my thighs and calves ache. All that running and blocking a cane with only flesh and muscle has left my legs worn and my arms throbbing.

I'm sure It'll be fine if I just ignore it...

Putting my pants on, I ponder if I should go look for food or go home...

Maybe I should look for food AT home?

That's a good Idea.

I'm glad I had it.

Unlocking the door, I pick up my shopping bag and head out.

Should I get patched up a bit before leaving?

Barely paying attention to the disheveled tuff of blonde hair that emerges from behind the couch, A pang of guilt hits me when I see the no-so-well rested face.

I'm such a jerk.

Look at those tired lines before his eyes!

Sleepy Shiro is such a bad person...

Exhausted greys capture me in their storm.

yawn!

"That wasn't very nice," his even tone chastises me. "To think you're heartless enough to lock an old man out his bedroom," even his smile is tired, and yet somehow goofier that usual.

"Sorry... You know that commercial that says 'you're not you when you're hungry'? Well, I'm not me when I'm sleepy," I tap my thumbs together.

Another yawn slurs his words, "That's ok, Tessai, and I were up all night tending to Ichigo anyway so he could go to school without so many bandages raising suspicions," He gets to his feet.

"Speaking of which, Shouldn't you be getting to school? I know you're not planning to skip your last day," he presses pale hands into his back and arches into the palms.

Oh shit!

"What time is it!? I have to go!"

I turn, dropping down into a sprint stance, even though my legs are begging me not to.

And- "Ichigo?" I look up to the red headed tower.

brown eyes bare such intensity and self-loathing.

"...Ichigo?" brown lips frown; he seems to registrar me finally, despite the fact he's been looking into my eyes this entire time.

"Oh, Shiro, what are you doing here?" he inquires, but bewilderment is nowhere to be found in his tone... It's just... empty, or far off in the distance, much like his gaze.

I'll deal with that when we get to class.

"Come on! We can't be late for school! It's the last day, sure, but still!" I take his hand. "We gotta get home and get dressed!"

I take off for our homes. I still don't know what time it is, though since it's summer, and the sun's light hasn't beaten us here; I'm guessing it's like 6?

Good, we have time.

. . .

I feel like I'm dragging dead weight. . .

What's wrong with Ichigo? He isn't protesting or trying to keep up or anything. . .

"A very important battle is going on right now, and it's inevitable outcome is going to change everything as you know it,"

I hate it, but the ominous wording echos in my skull, trapped and not going away. I hate vague phrases like that, you can apply them to anything and it'll make the speaker seem brilliant...

But Smug hatter really is brilliant..

I skid to a stop, and Ichigo almost lets himself fall forward. Despite the great distance we've traveled, his gaze is still much further ahead, and I'm tired of trying to keep up with it..

"Hey, Forget school man, are you alright?" White brows furrow.

I don't know why I'm opening this can of worms. I know I'm terrible with emotions, no matter who they belong to.

But something in me calls for what's inside him.

It begs for his anguish, for half of his burden, anything that'll stop his mind from leaving me here outside his walls.

"It's nothing," he lies, and my face snaps into a snarl.

"Hey! I don't give a shit about your bad boy facade. If you don't want to talk about it then fine! Just say that! Don't stand here and lie to my face! What the is wrong with you?" I jab a frustrated digit into his chest.

Ichigo seems to snap to life. His eyes regaining their shine but none of their happiness, and he seems to realize what he's just done.

"Sorry, Shiro. It's just... Rukia was taken," he looks down.

I relax my face. "Well, do you know where to?" I ask, starting us back to walking.

"Back to the soul society,"

I raise a brow, "Isn't that where she came from? So isn't that good?"

"No... She's going to be punished when she gets back because she save me and my family. That's why I have to go save her," Determination rules his words.

Something cracks inside me.

The Soul Society? The place that breeds fighters like Urahara? He wants to break into some unknown world where swords men are three times our age and 25 times as experienced? Is he insane? He can't do that! He'll die.

Without question!

I understands that he doesn't know of the blonde's origins or of his prowess, but still. Yes, if Ichigo employs the Smug hatter, he'll have a powerful ally, but the soul society ran Urahara out! So either there's a shit ton of them or a few that are even stronger than him.

This is insane...

"Oh..."

Ugly selfishness blossoms in my gut.

Plus, Rukia has been avoiding him for an entire month! Meanwhile myself, Udyu, Sado, and Orohime have been here for him, making him laugh and enjoy himself. And here he is wanting to leave us for her? Wanting to go die for her instead of living for us?

It irritates me to my very soul.

But I also know that if he doesn't do it. He wont be the Ichigo I know and love...

"Good Luck,"

I mean it, but not the way I wish I did. I want so badly for him to leave Rukia in the past and to move forward with us. I wish that when I wished him luck it's because I want him to go forth and accomplish what he desires. I wish I wanted what he wanted as much as he does.

But I can't.

I'm disgusting and greedy and am hoping he'll come to his senses before he goes through with this idea.

I can't try to stop him, he'll just end up hating me for it.

And that would be worse.

"Thanks," he smiles the tiniest bit for me.

Making it to our homes, we rush through our morning routines. I make sure to grab my sketchbook for my friends project before heading out.

I hope I-go-chi made it out in time.

The classroom envelops me, Kahi shorts in place and blouse in tip-top shape!

Ready for the day.

The first person I see is Oreo.

"Shi-shiro!" she waves her arms, and I beam at her.

"O-reo!" I wiggle back.

"Shiro! What's going on with your legs and arms! There's so many bruises!" she observes.

What now?

I look down.

How did I not notice?!

All these bruises! Did he really hit me that much and that hard?!

Dude!

"The smug hatter beat me with his cane a few times," I murmur, barely talking to anyone but the air around me.

"Wow, I didn't think you'd be into that Shiro, you're a wild one,"

A redness burns my face as Tatsuki comes from behind me to stand beside Oreo.

Great, now people think I'm into caning...

I mean... I might be.

"Oh look at that! School is starting, we should take our seats." I plant my butt in my chair.

"Oh! Hi Ichigo!" Oreo turns to greet the fellow red head, but he's retreated into himself again.

"Hey... Orohime,"

. . .

I can't help but notice the subtle aura of concern that wafts from Udyu, Oro, and Sado.

I clutch my sketchbook underneath my desk. It's probably best not to do the drawing today... I'd hate for the memory attached to it to be the mental absence of Ichigo and the concern of us three.

A sigh presses pass my brown and pink lips, and I shove the book into my desk.

Welp.

Class creeps by in the background, but I'm just barely able to pick up that no one even mentions Rukia's name all day.

Not even for role call.

It's like she never existed.

And if I'm honest, I kinda wish she hadn't

After school I meet up with Ichigo. We walk home, and we're accompanied by more silence.

All of this for Rukia...

Really?

"Ichigo? Shiro?" We come back to ourselves to regard Orohime. who stands before us.

"Yeah? What is it Orohime?" Ichigo speaks first.

"Where's Rukia?" and we're both shocked. Ichigo pleasantly so, but me not so much.

How could someone like Rukia who abandoned their friendship stick to them so well? When I had to fight for it so valiantly...

It's not fair.

"Why is everyone pretending like she didn't exist?

...

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she's ok over the summer, I promise," Ichigo beams like the sun I know he is.


~X~


The rest of the way home is quiet again, but the air around him is back to being the breath I live off of.

"So uh... How are you planning to to execute this plan of yours mr. crazy?" I ask. I don't want to talk about it, but maybe he'll be able to at least perfect the dumb thing.

If I'm lucky he'll realize how crazy it is.

"Mr. Hat and clogs has a way to the soul society." I inwardly groan when he mentions the man. Of course the king of the asylum is going to help Ichigo... He continues regardless of my inner disdain. "He wants to help me get my Soul Reaper powers back, and it'll take ten days, then it'll take another seven more to open the gateway. After that I'm going to go in there and kick ass till Rukia is out of danger!"

Ugh...

I love and hate his passion so much.

"Cool.. Do you know how many you'll have to fight?" I peak over at him, but not a sliver of hope has left him.

"It doesn't matter! I'll keep fighting until they let Rukia go! And she's safe! Though and I am hoping to go against her brother once more, he makes me sick to call him her older brother," he growls.

I smile and sigh sadly.

Nothing will dissuade him. Not Logic. Not odds. Not even the fear of death.

He's going to save her.

"Why are you such an amazing person, Ichigo?" I whisper. "This is where we split," I wave.

"Are you coming to watch the fireworks with us in a couple weeks?" he calls after me.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" I promise just before I leave ear shot.

Alone again.

He didn't even walk me to my house like he usually does...

Oh well.

My home comes into sight and I almost groan at it. It feels like me and the big ol' place are on the outs lately. I used to love coming home, because at least then I didn't have to be surrounded with people who didn't seem to know I existed.

Now I have to spend the summer in this contraption with no Ichigo I can go down the way and bother...

Getting up to the door I take a look at the seal Rukia left behind. After Uydu mentioned it, I found it the next day without meaning to. It sticks out the like a sour thumb and it's on eye-level with me just besides the door way. When I saw it I just wondered how I hadn't before.

"It's not here anymore," I frown. The seal is missing. It was a simple slip of paper and now there is no such thing... "So they took everything with her, huh?" I shrug and push my door open, heading inside.

If I'm lucky tomorrow will be a little better...


A/N: Thanks for reading Please comment to let me know how you're enjoying the story!