A/N: Sorry for the long wait and procrastination. Hope you like it. PLEASE REVIEW!
Chapter 5: First Mission
It had been a week since they have started their 'job'. They were both ecstatic when they were called upon to receive their work, although the joy was short-lived. They were so disappointed when they were told to patrol around the town to hunt for hollows. It wasn't really hard work, for hollows only show up around town every once in a while and sometimes, other guardians would beat them to getting to it first. Sure, it was peace of cake but that was better done nothing.
Then, Rukia's excitement was up again when she and Ichigo were called forth to receive their new real assignment, and it was something going out of town. And then her anticipation crumbled again when Unohana had given her a parchment of a letter and asked her to deliver it to the Head Priestess at the temple of Kyoto. So much for her to get all worked up for their 'big' mission. But then maybe this isn't such a bad idea, they're just novice servers of the temple after all.
BORING. That was the plainest adjective that she thinks best to describe their mission. It's just very uneventful. After handing the letter they stayed by the inn and slept to get rest for the long walk they would have to venture the following day. Kami-sama! Rukia just wish for something to happen. Anything! She wouldn't live another hour of sighing.
Just then they heard a scream a couple of meters away. Both their ears perked up because of the sound. They glanced at each other then ran to the direction of the scared creature.
They hid behind the trees when they discovered that the scream came from a little girl surrounded by five bandits. Ichigo waited for a chance to charge at the thugs while Rukia concentrated on planning how to get to the child. The little girl was crying a lot, almost like wailing. One of the men came nearer and unsheathed his sword. He was about to strike when Ichigo rushed forward and attacked. All of the bandits were startled so was the girl who suddenly stopped crying. Rukia took her chance and went to take the child while Ichigo was busy fighting.
"Are you alright? It's okay now. We're here to save you." Rukia told the little girl who just nodded. The child wiped away the tears on her eyes. Fear suddenly reflected again from her green orbs. When the priestess saw this she turned her head and saw that a guy was about to cut her. She grabbed the girl then rolled to her side to dodge the blow. Ichigo attacked the offending man who was surprisingly strong. Rukia was clutching the little girl when she was held captive. The man pulled her long hair and placed his sword at her nape. "Don't move or I'll chop her head off." Ichigo came to a halt. The little shabby girl was shaking. Rukia was just still as she watched her Guardian Spirit let go off his sword. The two other thugs took this opportunity to beat the orange-haired man into a pulp. He received a lot of cuts and was profusely bleeding. She couldn't watch any longer. He wasn't fighting so he could protect her. But couldn't he think of any way to save them all without getting hurt. She suddenly let go of the child then stood which shocked everyone. Her long raven-black hair that was clutched by the man fell to the ground. She then turned with outstretched hand and chanted a spell. "Bakudo # 1: First Restraint!" The arms were bonded by an invisible power that made her captor kneel down. She grabbed the sword from the ground and smacked his head with the hilt which made the man fall unconscious. Rukia turned and stretched her arms again towards the two other bandits who stood their stance to charge at her. "Hadodo kyu! Byakurai!" Lightning came out of her palms and struck her enemies who were immediately knocked out. The priestess threw the sword aside and held out her hands to the girl then went towards the wounded Ichigo. He was frowning very hard. And even though he was always scowling she could tell that he was mad. Rukia helped her guardian sit and rest his back on the tree then started healing his wounds. The little girl watched silently amazed with the light coming out of Rukia's palms.
"You shouldn't have done that. It was dangerous." Ichigo said glaring at her.
"If I didn't made a move then we would all probably end up dead." She replied while concentrating on the cuts.
He sighed. "It's just I can't afford to let you get hurt."
Her expression softened. "I know."
"It's my job, right." He stared at her intently.
"Of course." But she couldn't understand the sting she felt when he reasoned that it's about duty. Their relationship was all about duty and faith, right? She's beginning to get confused now. She sighed to clear her head. "There, you're all patched up. Now little girl, are you hurt?"
"No." the green-eyed girl with green locks answered.
"Good. What's your name? And what are you doing here alone in the forest?" Rukia asked.
"I'm Nell. I wath pthaying wit my brotherth anth goth loth. Then the badth guyth came anth athked me to givth tem money buth I have none tho they theatened to kill Nell-chan!" (I was playing with my brothers and got lost. Then the bad guys asked me to give them money but I have none so they threatened to kill me.)
"Next time don't play around here again. It's not safe." Ichigo said.
"Othay! Thanth thyu for thaving me! You're a pritheth right?"
(Okay! Thank you for saving me! You're a priestess right?)
"Yes I am. My name's Rukia. And this is my Guardian Spirit, Ichigo."
"Oh…I thoughth you were a thouple." (couple) The two blushed at the statement.
"No we're not. Uhm…where do you live?" Rukia asked.
"Ath the other villagth. Karakura." (At the other village.)
"We'll take you there. Right, Ichigo?"
"Mm. Of course we will. But I think we should return to Seretei tomorrow, we won't probably get back before nightfall." The carrot-top replied. "Yeah. We definitely should. I'll just tell them we had to do something along the way." Rukia agreed and started to walk and headed to the direction of Karakura town.
Half of the travel Nell fell asleep at Ichigo's back. Which caused them to find the village harder than expected because Rukia wasn't very familiar with the place. She has just visited the town two times and she was still a child back then. Luckily Nell woke up and directed them the way.
It was only a simple little community with a small wood gate compared to the huge seki-seki gates of Seretei that is used to guard against hollows and enemies. They looked for the house that Nell described and when they found it a lot of children ran towards the bubbly little girl. She ran back to them and grabbed their hands to drag them inside.
"Nell-chan! Thank goodness your fine! We were all so worried about you!" Said a very cheerful woman with rather large 'blessings'. "Mm. Itsugo and Thukia savth and helpth Nell-chan go back." (Ichigo and Rukia saved and helped) The cheerful lady turned to them. "Oh! Thank you very much for saving Nell-chan! I'm Inoue Orihime." "Your welcome." Rukia smiled."It's nothing really." Ichigo scratched his head which made Rukia's eyebrow raise."And as a token of gratitude you may share dinner with us and stay over for the night." The auburn-haired girl beamed. "We could really use the invitation. Thank you." The priestess replied. "Yay! Itsugo! Play with us!" Nell dragged him towards the other playmates. "A-ano!" He didn't really want to play with brats if they'll just make him as their pony. "May I help you in making dinner Inoue-san." "Yes. That would be nice." They started preparing the ingredients, boiling the water and chopping vegetables. "So, how come there are a lot of children here. I mean you can't possibly be all siblings." Rukia asked. "No. This is an orphanage. I lived here since my brother died. Unfortunately you can't meet the Head Director, he isn't here." Orihime replied. "Head Director? Is this supported by the Capital." She asked again. "Uhm…no. You see we just call him that when people from the temple or the army asks. We want them to think that it is through sponsored charity that this exists. He solely keeps this orphanage going by selling some stuff to the townsfolk. I can't tell you why we do that. Actually I shouldn't have told you some of the details but you saved Nell-chan so I think you're really kind." The woman gave her a toothy smile. "I see. It was because we came from Seretei. I understand." Rukia replied. But honestly, she doesn't. An orphanage is for the welfare of the people. Why would they have to lie? Is there something she doesn't know about how the empire works? And the temple, its duties is not only to serve the Spirit King but also to help people. She is going to have a headache by thinking a lot of this. Orihime called everyone to eat after she finished making dinner. Rukia was glad that she was able to help by fixing the table for she didn't really got to do house work because they have servants. Everyone was very happy eating their meals and chatting around the long table.
Orihime offered them a spare room which was owned by someone out with the 'head director'. She was very tired but glad because she had a lot of fun. Rukia was lying on the futon while Ichigo was staring at the moon outside the window. She sat up and tried to start a conversation. "Don't you really sleep? I mean, even a little?" Ichigo turned to look at her. "Well, somehow. Just a little. If we're really very very tired. Why?" he replied.
"Nothing. Just curious."
"Mm"
"You were staring at her chest earlier."
"Huh? WHAT!?! No I wasn't!"
"Geez! You are a Shinigami right, but you're still a man. I understand."
"Hey! I'm not like that! Wait! Oh I know! You're jealous because I don't look at you and you have no breasts! Haha!"
"What did you say?" She glared at him hard. "So you admit it. You were looking."
"No"
"But you just said it."
"I was just teasing you."
"Don't worry I won't tell her."
"Rukia…."
"What?"
"About earlier, I'm sorry I failed to protect you. I was supposed to ensure your safety but I got careless. I promise that I won't let anything happen to you. But you should also promise that you'd never endanger yourself again like that. It's just I don't want to lose you. You're the only one I have, my friend, and my priestess. And I owe my life to you."
She gave him a soft smile. "It's okay. Don't worry I swear. But that was a funny thing to promise. If you won't let anything happen to me, then nothing would ever happen to me. That would be boring!" He smirked and shook his head. A sarcastic comeback from her again.
"But your hair…"
"Oh that? Never mind that, I'll just have a proper haircut tomorrow so they would be less suspicious. Its just hair you know."
He just nodded.
"Ichigo...what does the other realm looked like?"
He glanced at the floor then back at her. "There was nothing but sand, no, they were more like gray ash. There was no sun or moon so there is no way of distinguishing day from night. The fruits don't have taste and the water was never warm or cool. And all I got to do there is walk, sit, talk to my zanpaktou and dally around."
"It's dull then, and lonely and boring." He nodded to her.
"Aren't you very very tired? Don't you want to sleep?"
"Not really. I'm fine."
"I have an idea!" She stood up and looked for another set of futon, pillow and blanket. She laid them beside her fixed futon and tapped it. "Try something new. Even though you don't feel like sleeping, just lie and rest. She laid and made herself comfortable at her own made up bed. "Come on." She repeated her gesture. "Fine." The carrot top obliged and lay down beside Rukia. "You don't live there anymore. At least adapt to this world 'cause you're living with me now." She smiled at him and closed her eyes. "Goodnight Ichigo." He smiled. "Goodnight Rukia" But he didn't close his eyes. He just watched her sleep and realized he liked staring at her peaceful face than the moon outside.