UnWanted Chapter 16: Great To Be Home, a bleach fanfic

Author's Note: So, guess what? I'm back! Yippeee! It's chapter 16, I think. Is it? Bloody 'ell. Anywho, sorry about the delay but I have to get back to reality sooner or later. (That and I've been busy playing Final Fantasy X...Damn the Thunder Plains!) This chapter doesn't really go anywhere but I'm sure you're used to that in this fic! Okay, next chapter will definately be more IchiRuki. Not extreme, but it will have some...good stuff in it LOL. Well, then, um, enjoy!

The dreadful rain had finished it's violent outburst merely moments ago.

The exhausted male Death God turned what he presumed, and hoped to be, the last corner of the last alley. As he came around, he stopped in his tracks. A stumbling figure was slowly disappearing down in front, just a few meters away from him. There was no doubt about it, and a blissful sense of relief filtered through his body as he realized it was Rukia. Ichigo was so jaded, it was almost unbelievable. He was quite happy just to collapse where he was and sleep. However, the other part of his brain overpowered his aching legs and desperate pants. After all, he had a mission - and that was to get the little raven-haired girl back home where she belonged. He was prepared to sit by his bed all day and all night while she slept, making sure she couldn't run off again.

Ichigo noticed that she wasn't turning around or even looking in his direction, rather continuing with her journey. Obviously she hadn't felt his presence - which was pretty odd.

"Rukia!" he called, approaching her as quickly as he could, which was, needless to say, not very quick at all.

She shuddered and halted. Was that Ichigo's voice? Though, she hadn't felt even the slightest twinge of spiritual pressure. Strange. Maybe she was just imagining it. Like, sometimes when you wish for something or someone so much that you imagine that they're right there, next to you. Something to do with your brain going funny - that's what it was. That's what they said on television, anyway. Surely, it must've been that. There was no way that Ichigo just happened to be in the same place at the same time as her. Absolutely no way! Right?...

Her heart grew dark as she gradually began moving again towards the school.

Did she not hear me?...

"R-Rukia! Turn around! Rukia!"

Rukia stopped again, a confused look spreading across her face. There was no way that she could imagine it twice, right? If she was, then that meant she was going completely insane. Although, at that moment, it wasn't very hard for her to believe. She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself to face a blank alley behind her. Well, it was what she was expecting - she had grown not to trust her own brain lately.

Ichigo gathered up his fading strength and managed to jog the final steps towards her. He grasped her shoulders, spinning her around to face him. For a moment, the female Death God stumbled - but he steadied her by an embrace. His amber eyes closed as she became his universe; her racing heart beat the only sound he could hear. Ichigo's cold hands gripped her drenched school blouse. His expression softened as Rukia buried her head into his soaked jacket, her fingers hooking on it like there was no tomorrow. Ichigo barely even noticed how he was acting, but he cared very little about how he would seem. How he looked to others didn't bother him then. (Even though there was no one there to pass judgment anyway). The only person's view that counted was Rukia's. She was the only thing that mattered.

"Rukia...I'm gonna take you home, now," he began, "And, from now on, things are gonna to be different."

He was reluctant to let go. If it wasn't for the tiny girl in his arms pulling away, he could've stayed frozen like that forever.

She let out a hoarse cough as their bodies parted.

"Ichigo. I can't do this anymore." she cried, "Things are jus' gonna the same as soon as we get home, I know it!"

"Hey..." he stood limp. Despite what had just taken place, Ichigo had no idea of how to comfort someone. "...I promise things are gonna change."

Rukia wiped her eyes. It was a pointless effort, as the tears just kept on coming and coming. As did the coughs erupting from her sore throat. He felt awkward and uncomfortable. He was helpless. He couldn't just stand there and watch her fall apart in front of him. Ichigo swallowed hard as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She continued to weep, so his other hand mirrored the previous one. Now, both hands were on her shoulders but it seemed to make no difference to how she was feeling...Or crying.

Arrgh! This is stupid! What's the point of trying to cheer someone up if they don't feel any different!?

Of course, Ichigo was foolish enough to think that people cheer-up right away.

"Rukia, we need to get you home. We can talk then, alright?"

She looked up at him. Her broken violet eyes met his concerned amber ones. By just one glance, Ichigo could tell that this whole situation had cut deeper into her than he ever would've suspected.

I wish you didn't have to see me like this, Ichigo. What I've become is a shell of who I once was...

Through everything, no matter what happened, he had been safe in the knowledge that the pair of them would stay the same. Well, he never thought that Rukia would have a problem maintaining her personality. However, nor had he ever thought that she'd feel that way about him. But, against all the troubles they had faced, Ichigo would have thought that her feelings for him would be of little comparison. However, now, he stood cold, wet and corrected. A few emotions ran through his raging mind at that point. First, anger. He was actually angry because Rukia had let something so small break them up as friends.

Rukia...what has happened to you? After everything, you've fallen apart because of me? The real Rukia doesn't give in when things get a lil' rough...

After that, he felt more angry. Angry because he was angry at her for feeling this way.

This is WHY she's falling apart, you freakin' idiot. All because of you, and your stupid mouth!

Then, he felt guilt. The biggest and most disgusting feeling that ever entered his consciousness. Rukia was his friend. And he couldn't handle watching her crumble in front of him. He couldn't stand and watch her make herself ill. It was hard to see Rukia being so weak. The Rukia he knew was always strong and, even if she wasn't, would act like she was anyway. But now, there were more cracks in her than an old china mug.

"I wish I wasn't here..." Rukia mumbled, before covering her mouth as she released another cough.

"Don't say stupid things like that!"

Ichigo suddenly remembered the spare jacket and pair of pants that were no longer in his grip. He must have dropped them when he hugged her. His eyes scanned the area around him, until his gaze met a small heap of brown. Bingo.

"Rukia, here, put these on."

Rukia frowned as the orange-headed buffoon picked up the clothes from the filthy ground. If he was expecting her to wear those stinky, tatty things then he had another think coming. Ok, sure she was completely obsessed and possibly loosing her mind, but Rukia Kuchiki did have some dignity left!

She folded her arms, "You expect me to wear those!?"

Ichigo wiped them with his hands, attempting to remove the wet gravel that had attached itself to the inside if the jacket and pants. Rukia twitched with annoyance.

"Sorry, I accidentally dropped them, but-"

"But, what? They're dirty!" she coughed.

"Yeah, and your sick." he handed them to her, "They're all I have. It's better than nothin'."

"I simply refuse to wear them! There's probably bugs crawling all OVER them!"

"Look, it's perfectly fine!" the orange-headed boy turned the jacket around a series of times, showing her every possible angle, "Just a lil' dusty."

"You call that 'DUSTY'!? You mean 'absolutely disgusting'!" she turned her head away sharply, revolted by his suggestions, "I'm not even gonna touch them!"

The sun suddenly appeared from out of the paling clouds, as the pair of reapers walked silently down the empty streets of Karakura. Well, almost empty. Most of the adults were at work, while most of the kids and teenagers were at school. The only exceptions that Ichigo could see were an old lady walking her little mongrel dog, a tramp passed out on the sidewalk outside a pet store and a youngish couple with a pram. Of course, there were a few cars driving past - but even they were sparse. Ichigo thought it was quite relaxing when the street wasn't that crowded.

Rukia wore a constant scowl and frown on her face due to Ichigo putting the jacket and pants on her. It wasn't so much that he clothed her, it was the manner in which he did it that really pissed her off. Let's face it, duck tape wasn't the coolest thing to have wrapped around you, securing you to your coat, in the middle of summer now, was it?

Anyway, at least their faces matched.

"Why're we stopping?" Rukia grunted, noting Ichigo's still feet on the edge of the concrete.

"Waitin' for my dad to pick us up."

"Wha-what? You told him I ran off!?"

"I couldn't exactly keep it a secret, could I? He feeds ya medicine, like, every five minutes - he was bound to find out."

"...Hmm." she growled in response, knowing she couldn't argue.

Her eyes wandered the desolate road. She expected a piece of tumble weed to roll past it was so quiet. It wasn't so bad, actually. She spotted the homeless guy sprawled out in front of the pet store. It appeared he was gradually waking up, gaining his consciousness. For a moment Rukia wondered if the gentleman was going to buy a rabbit before the alcohol set in and he collapsed. (She'd noticed the whiskey bottle in his hand). Rukia didn't know much about alcohol, despite having the odd swig of sake off of Renji and Matsumoto when she was a little younger. Sake was foul tasting stuff in her opinion, it was only when you were drunk that you no longer could taste it. But it took her a while to become drunk - hence why she hardly ever drank.

After a few moments of weighing up the pros and cons of sake-drinking, Rukia thought that she'd like to own a rabbit. A cute, white fluffy bunny with long ears and pink eyes. She'd call it 'Chappy' for sure, but if she could give it two names, its second name would be Ichigo.

I can just imagine Ichigo as a rabbit. A orange rabbit. With little amber eyes, wearing his Death God uniform...Strangely, I don't feel so bad now. I just hope that things wont the same as soon as we get home. I can't go through this all over again. And me and Ichigo can talk properly and finally everything will just fall into place...I hope.

She looked at Ichigo, who happened to be staring off onto the opposite side of the street - presumably searching for his father. Although, if he was looking for Isshin, shouldn't he be looking in the road - for that's where most cars usually roamed...

I wonder whether if I asked him, would he...answer me? Would he lie, would he tell the truth? Either way, I'm glad he came for me. Kon must've told him where I was heading, and I was lucky enough that Ichigo chose the right route. I'm very privileged to have a friend like Ichigo, I wouldn't change him for the world. And although he has his faults; they're what make him...him. None of us are perfect, I suppose.

"How're ya feelin'?" he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

"Oh, um, better." already her voice had a cheerful tone.

"Glad to hear it." his amber eyes seemed to glow as he smiled down at her. She helplessly smiled back.

But still, the same things circle in my head. Do you love me or not? That's the one thing I'd like to know above all else. It's not like I'd hate you if you said 'no', after all, you've rejected me before...sort of. But if you just said how you truly felt, my mind would be so much clearer! I believe, well I'd like to believe, that you do love me back, and that there's supposed to be more to us than friendship, but sometimes you leave me in so much doubt that I become unsure. Maybe I imagine this special spark between us. Or perhaps we are meant for each other and you haven't yet realized it...I sure pray that it's the latter. But like I said, Ichigo, I'm not prepared to waste all my life waiting for you to do something that you're simply not brave enough to do... guess, I could always test him. Yeah! If I get him to show off his true emotions without realizing it, then surely things will work out for us. Soon enough, he'll be surprised by this sudden sensitivity and affection that he's been having towards me and he'll have no other choice but to see that he loves me! Oh Rukia Kuchiki, you ARE a clever soul!

"Ichigo, do you think that...we could..."

"'We could' what?"

"Um...go out sometime...I mean, you don't have to but I...I'd really...um, like to."

Hmm, does she mean like a date or somethin'? Oh! I was meaning to take her out some time ago, but then she got sick and so I haven't been able to do it. Well, seeing as I was planning to do so anyway, I might as well go with it.

Ichigo grinned, putting his hand on her head and scruffing her hair, "Of course we can."

"Great." she replied.

We'll see just how you feel, Ichigo Kurosaki, we'll see.

Rukia tired violet eyes flickered opened. Her throat felt sore and her whole body trembled with cold. As her blurred vision cleared, she realized that she was no longer on her way to Karakura high school, nor on the street corner waiting to be collected. A gentle vibration tingled her feet, and a burst of warm air was continuously being blown onto her lap - although it failed to solve the cold problem. It was obvious she was inside some moving contraption. As the tiny Death God stirred in her strange surroundings, the annoying sound of nylon rubbing made her stare down at her soaked outfit. The jacket, she remembered, was the cause of the aggravating noise. With this sound, though, also came the realization of why she was forced into those Ichigo-scented clothes. To keep her warm. And she was actually glad that he'd bound her to that pair of pants and that coat.

"Ah, so you woke up, huh?" Isshin's cheery voice suddenly appeared.

Rukia looked to the front of the vehicle and saw his dark eyes shinning with relief in the interior mirror. The raven-haired girl suddenly remembered the circumstances she was in, and that she'd ran out of Isshin's house after he'd treated her and given her all his good manners and kindness, with the intention of making her well again and ensuring she fully recovered. She knew it appeared as if she'd used him to heal her, just to run out without so much of a 'thank you'. Of course, that was far from the truth – and far from how Isshin saw things.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kurosaki! I didn't mean to run out an-"

"Hey, it's fine. Don't worry." he smiled, "Home's not far, now."

She nodded slowly, a relieved smile creeping across her lips. Her eyes scanned the area around her. To her right, she could see Yuzu's small head resting on the window, with Karin's resting against her sister's shoulder. The rest of their bodies covered by a dark brown blanket. They were fast asleep and dreaming sweetly. Rukia could hear them inhaling and exhaling softly as they were off in their own little world of magic. To the raven-haired girl's left; Ichigo was also sleeping. His orange head was leaned back on the head-rest and his amber orbs firmly closed. A wave of happiness came over her as she placed her own head against his chest and, shutting her eyes, listened to his rhythmic heart play a beautiful melody. Rukia interlaced her finger's with Ichigo's. This was bliss. Despite the sky being murky and scarred by lightning and thunder, despite the rattling of Isshin's old engine battling to carry on; this was heaven...But still...

Things have turned out pretty strange, huh? This morning I was so determined that I'd rid myself of these feelings and pull myself together. I was so hurt, so blinded my own foolish mind flipping over stupid stuff not even worth thinking about. Now look at me; all over you like a rash! I still feel...like I need to know. I do need to know, I guess. It's become so dramatized and pathetic - but it's so important to me. If I don't get the answer soon, I fear for my sanity...You won't tell me either way, I'm convinced. So there is only one way to find out your true intentions, Ichigo. Whether you like it or not, you're going to show me how you feel. Soon I'm going to put you to the test, and this 'date' that we've arranged seems like the perfect opportunity to pull some Rukia moves. We'll see if I can make you come around. After all, the fact that you've agreed to go out with me proves something, doesn't it?

"Ya know..." began Isshin, thinking aloud.

Isshin peered into the interior mirror once more, and couldn't help but smile at the scene that was laid out before his eyes.

"I have a feeling that my little boy is growing up."

The apathetic trio entered the classroom which was filled with the excited laughter and idle chit-chat that often occurred in Karakura on summer days. They were all hyped up thanks to the news that summer vacation was just around the corner. Orihime's fellow classmates' clothes were all soaked - other than those intelligent amongst them that remembered their umbrellas and coats. Tatsuki sighed heavily, chucking her schoolbag on her desk and slumping onto her chair. Orihime watched her friend helplessly, knowing that she wanted to be left alone. Ishida silently seated himself in his seat. The orange-haired girl noticed that the Quincy was like a ghost. An invisible person that nobody greeted nor interacted with at all. Other than herself and Rukia, no one even tried to strike a conversation with him. It was rather upsetting to be like that, Orihime thought. Of course Ishida did have friends but they were of little proportion.

Her gray eyes saddened as she looked at him.

I wish someone would talk to you, Ishida-kun. I'd talk to you all day if I could - but it's not the same, is it? You need people to acknowledge you. People don't every say 'good morning' to you, Ishida-kun, but I wish they would. You're so sweet and kind but people don't seem to notice the good qualities in you. You're probably used to not being very popular but it shouldn't be like this. Tatsuki-chan has many friends. As do I, Kuchiki-san, Sado-kun and even Kurosaki-kun. But you only have us four. And lately it appears that your friend count has dropped to a pitiful two. Even though that is enough, it's not...nice to have only two friends. Because if someone has a small amount of friends, then they begin to question themselves; thinking that they're not good enough. But you are good enough, Ishida-kun. I believe that everyone should be your friend...

"Good morning, Inoue-san."

She turned to see Chad smiling and waving from the other side of the room. "Oh, good morning, Sado-kun."

Please say 'hello' to Ishida-kun. Just a little 'hi' would be fine. Anything. Don't make him feel so alone. Please...

Surprisingly though, Orihime was not telepathic (do you love my sarcasm?) and so Chad didn't receive the messages that she was trying to send to his brain via her's. He merely didn't greet Ishida because he was wasn't in the habit of doing so and also he felt like Ishida wouldn't appreciate something like that. If Ishida had said 'good morning' to him first, then Chad would have retaliated and gladly said 'hello' back.

Well, I'll talk to you, Ishida-kun.

"Are you alright, Ishida-kun?"

The Quincy glanced up, the sun reflecting on his lenses. He pushed his glasses back and swallowed hard. "I'm fine, Inoue-san."

I see how hard it is for you, Ishida-kun. You struggle to socialize, but I don't know why. When we're not in school, when it's just you and me, you manage ok, you know? Ishida-kun, you talk to me comfortably and you seem like you're enjoying having some interaction. But when you're around others, you go inside yourself and you're so quiet. If you could just learn to talk normally around people that you're not too comfortable with, you may overcome your shyness. More people will grow to like you and know you if you become a little more confident and more...I don't know...

His gaze quickly descended downwards again. It was obvious that Ishida was struggling not to make eye-contact with anyone. Orihime's expression softened as she sat herself down at the desk beside him. It wasn't her actual seat, but as no one was in their proper seats, (other than Ishida) so it was alright. She'd soon remove herself when it was time to be registered.

"Ishida-kun?"

He turned to her once more, still surprised she was talking to him in school.

"Are you-"

"Ah! Orihime-chan!" Keigo called, interrupting her. Ishida looked away as if he had no right to be there.

"Y-yes, Asano-kun?"

"Have ya seen Ichi today?"

The orange-haired girl shook her head. Strangely, she hadn't once thought about Ichigo that morning. All that had circled round and round inside her brain was Ishida. Mizuiro suddenly appeared, and after mumbling something to Keigo, vanished as quickly as he came; dragging the hysterical brown-haired fool with him. Orihime sighed. Today was going to be a long, hard day. So strange also. What with the weather being absolutely awful, and no one hardly noticing it. Had everyone taken drugs or something? Her group of pals were depressed whilst every other person was on the highest high ever! And just where was Ichigo?...

It was around three-thirty in the afternoon, even though by the looks of things, anyone would have thought that it was nine pm in the middle of winter. The rain had dried up, but in its place was the strongest wind that had occurred in Karakura for a while. The clouds congealed into one huge mass of bleak gray, with the sky completely consumed by darkness. Other than the wind whistling through the branches of the trees, and the tapping of twigs against the window pane, outbursts of thunder erupted with fierce bangs throughout the town - preventing anyone from being eased by the sound of silence. The two Death Gods were seated at the base of Ichigo's bed. Rukia was already dressed in her pajamas, and had already taken a bath. She was officially cleansed and purified...sort of. The carrot-top had also changed, but of course he wasn't in pajamas. After all, the day was still young.

She hasn't spoken a single word about this whole situation since I found her. I promised that we'd talk, so I guess we better get this over and done with.

"Rukia, do you wanna...talk?"

Her eyes met his. And it was obvious that she had been thinking the exact same thing as him. The small Death God cleared her throat before swiveling her body around in order to face him properly.

"Might as well," she smirked nervously.

Herself and Ichigo had never sat together like this; their vision never leaving each other, their legs crossed and their feet growing numb. It was alien to them both. They'd done many things together; most over the short period of a month. They'd even kissed for Christ's sake! But this...this felt like it was in an entirely different league to all the other experiences. After all, there had been serious moments between the pair but now the situation was a little too mature to bear. Neither of the reapers spoke. Where to begin? It was something very important, something that needed to be sorted out in order for things to move forward. But what to say...

Through everything, I feel uncomfortable because of this? It's not that I'm unprepared to speak, I wanna get this finished after all. I want us to move on and be normal again - if you could ever call us normal. But I dunno what to say. I could tell her I'm sorry. But she's heard that so many times, I doubt that would cut it. I owe her everything, and there's about a million different things that I could name that she's done for me. I truly appreciate having her here. But I don't know how to put things into words without sounding stupid. She's bound to expect somethin' good, as any else would after the shit I've put her through. Damnit!

"Nee-saaaaan!!!"

With frowns on their faces, the couple turned their heads towards the open closet. The perverse stuffed animal had slid open the doors before he ran over to Rukia, with arms wide and a wide smile on his face, who was twitching with annoyance. That damn mod soul managed to interrupt important moments. She rolled her eyes and grumbled.

"Nee-san! Nee-san!" he continued, tears seeping from his tiny black eyes. "NEE-SA-"

His high-pitched squeals were sharply ended by a blow to the face, thanks to Rukia's powerful fist. The toy lion somersaulted backwards before smashing into the wall beside the closet. Several coughs and splatters later, he was rubbing his cheek furiously. Ichigo stared at him, his eyebrows still furrowed deep. Rukia chuckled to herself.

Sure is great to be home.

So...feel like Reviewin'? Ya damn right!