Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. It's property of Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Hey! Sorry for not updating yesterday. Honestly I was beat after work and my eyes hurt. I had absolutely no energy to write. Today, on the other hand, I managed to already write one one-shot and I will potentially be able to write a second one later today. So fingers crossed for a second update.
As for today's one-shot, it's set before that Rukia vs Inoue beat down. I wanted to write a chapter in which it is explained why Rukia has such faith that she and Ichigo belong together. And arguably she knows this in her heart, but I wanted Ichigo to reassure her so that she has the strength to confront his friends. So this one-shot is set a little bit before that. In here we see an insecure Rukia getting her strenght back due to Ichigo's support.
I really hope you enjoy it.
Also, thank you all for reading and reviewing! I'm so glad you've been enjoying this series.
We're almost at the end, guys!
i'll never stop choosing you
Prompt: promises kept
Summary: Ichigo promises her. That he will always be there for her. That he will always choose her.
Rukia is headstrong and independent and honest.
She acts with such confidence that Ichigo sometimes forgets she can get insecure too.
Moreover, she has such faith in him that he can't fathom her ever doubting him.
But she worries.
Just like him.
About messing up.
About not being good enough.
About this life they are building together coming to an end.
And in her life, more than one person has made Rukia feel like she's not worth it.
The grownups in Inuzuri.
Her teachers at the Academy.
The members of her own division.
The Kuchiki elders.
Hell, even Byakuya and Renji have hurt her like this.
So why would he be any different when everybody else has failed her?
Why would he be the one to stay when everyone else has left?
But Ichigo knows he is different.
Because Rukia is different.
Because together they are one of a kind.
Because that's how strong their bond is.
Because, no matter what, they will always be together.
It is as simple as that.
And after everything they have been through, he genuinely thought they were past this.
Or at least he's past this.
He's done feeling insecure now that Rukia's here.
He's done listening to other people's idiotic opinions.
He knows what he wants.
And that is Rukia.
That's all there is to it.
So it hurts when, one day, she questions their bond.
"Do you think we made a mistake?"
Rukia tells him and Ichigo can feel his heart cracking at the sound of her voice.
She doesn't sound regretful.
But her tone of voice is sorrowful.
She's on the verge of tears, even.
The sight breaks him.
"No."
He answers almost instantly, reassuring her.
Because this, however they want to define their bond, is not a mistake.
If anything, it is a blessing.
Ichigo's become a better person because of Rukia.
And he hopes that his presence has also had an effect on her.
That she is better somehow because he's there by her side.
"What brought this up?"
He asks then.
It is obvious to him that this issue didn't just come out from nowhere.
Something had to have happened.
"I… it's just… don't you think my presence will hurt you in the long run? Should I even be here?"
And Ichigo can quickly guess who has made her feel this way.
It makes his blood boil that his so-called friends have hurt Rukia.
He's fed up with this situation.
So this, he decides, is when he'll put an end to this.
"No." He says. "You won't ever hurt me. And listen well, you have absolutely never hurt me. In fact, you're the only person that has healed me. You're the one who has been there for me through thick and thin."
You stopped the rain, he wants to say but doesn't.
After hearing his words, Rukia is overcome with emotion.
She gasps and then hides her face in her hands.
He can hear some sniffling.
"It doesn't change the fact that maybe I shouldn't have meddled with the course of your life."
Her words terrify him.
Because what if Rukia had never come into his life?
Where would he be now?
Certainly adrift, always feeling like an outsider in his own home, without goals or dreams.
So Ichigo won't hear any more of this.
Of how hurt she sounds while trying to convince him they are somehow wrong.
When they aren't.
They will never be wrong.
He pulls her hands away and holds her in place, his arms encircling her tiny waist.
She doesn't resist him, which it is good.
And once they are face to face, he speaks again.
"Listen to me. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I wouldn't be where I am today without you. You've given the best gift I could've asked for. And that means that, yes, I want you here with me. Always. You have nothing to worry about."
Rukia lets her head drop on his chest then as she holds him back.
"So I'm not a nuisance? I'm not stopping you from moving forward?"
She all but whispers and his stomach sinks.
"You'll never be a nuisance. And without you I wouldn't be able to move forward. I'd be standing still. You drive me. You make me strive for more."
He feels Rukia cry and hates every single person that has broken her to this point.
Hates how someone can play with her emotions without caring about her feelings.
That someone would be capable of making her feel so worthless.
"Listen to me. I want you here. I will always want you here."
"But what if you don't?"
She counters.
"What if it ever comes a day when you don't want me here?"
She's frightened.
He knows.
But he knows that her fears won't come true.
Ever.
But Rukia doesn't know that.
So Ichigo promises her.
That he will always be there for her.
That he will always choose her.
"I'll always choose you.
I'll never stop choosing you.
Today, tomorrow, in a hundred years.
It's always going to be you, Rukia.
Even when I… even when I don't deserve you, I'll still be here.
And I know you will be here.
Because what we have… I can't explain it… but I know that we'll always be together.
No matter what."
She looks up at him.
And her eyes gleam under his gaze.
She gives him a watery smile and then buries her head on his chest again.
"Of course you deserve me. I believe we deserve each other. And I'll always choose you too."
Ichigo sighs in relief and holds her tight.
Their words are true.
He knows it.
That they will keep this promise.
Today, tomorrow, in a hundred years.
They won't ever stop.
Because this, however you want to define it, is the real deal.
A/N: So I took the title from Safetysuit's song "Never Stop." Sometime ago I watched an IR AMV with that song, in the "Wedding Version" and ever since I've related it to IR. Like it's so IR for me now, that when I listen to it, it always makes me think about Ichigo and Rukia. Seriously, looked up that AMV, it's so beautiful and well-done.
So here we have Ichigo in full romantic mode. But believe me he can get sappier than this. This is the side that only Rukia can bring out.
And as Rukia has been so reassuring in this collection, I wanted Ichigo to have his moment to shine too and also to show their bond is 100% equal. They both give and receive in equal amounts.
This is what IR is about, baby!
Anyway, hope you guys liked it and I'll see you guys hopefully later again today, see ya!