Song of the Sky
Broken Quill and Scattered Ink
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in any way.
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"Ichigo," Rukia shifted the backpack on her shoulder more firmly. Glancing down at the shorter soul-reaper, Ichigo frowned and reached to pull her backpack off of her bandaged arm. Rukia sighed, crossing her arms. She stopped in her path as Ichigo continued walking.
"Ichigo," she called once more. It was Ichigo's turn to sigh. He pivoted on his heels, turning to face her.
"What?"
Her palm opened towards him. "First, gimme back my bag."
"What did you want to tell me before I stole your bag?" Ichigo asked irritably.
Rukia's palm didn't budge. "The bag first."
"I thought I told you yesterday that I wouldn't let you hold it 'cuz your shoulder—ow, Rukia!"
A surging pain ran from his shin up his leg. He quickly reached down to rub his lower pant-leg, tending to his new bruise. Rukia retracted her leg from his shin and grabbed her bag that he had dropped onto the sidewalk.
"She-demon," he hissed.
Rukia straightened, smirking in triumph. "You should learn to do what I tell you."
Ichigo scowled at her as he straightened. "Well. Spit it out. What'd you want earlier?"
Rukia drew a serious face and began walking towards Karakura High. Ichigo followed, listening intently.
"Do you think that Keigo will…I don't know. Do you think he'll blurt everything out before we can replace his memory?" She did not look back at her companion.
"That'd be real stupid." Ichigo muttered. "But then again, this is Keigo we're talking about. But what's the big deal? If everyone hears about the Hollow, we'll replace their memories too."
Ichigo crossed his arms behind his head, staring at Rukia's tiny back.
"I…I have to be honest." Rukia paused in her path. Ichigo walked until he stood beside her, catching a glance of her face. She looked forward, eyebrows furrowed, lips tight, and her pure violets swirling with deep thoughts. Ichigo waited, trying to understand what she was thinking. He failed miserably, and continued to wait for her explanation.
"To be honest, I'm a bit hesitant to wipe away his memories."
"Why's that?" Ichigo widened his eyes. "It's only Keigo."
"The way he yelled yesterday…and the way he was so desperate into holding onto those memories…it frightens me to see Keigo that way. But at the same time, I really want him to keep those memories…if he wants them that badly."
Ichigo tore his eyes away from her and stared at the quiet traffic to his right. He exhaled deeply through his nose. "You think we should just…let him go then?"
Rukia frowned deeper. "I don't know."
Ichigo snorted. "You're the soul reaper. You should know the rules."
"Well I broke the rules with you, and look how you turned out." Rukia pointed out. "You're one of the most famous in the Soul Society now."
"So you want to make Keigo a soul reaper too?"
"That's not what I meant."
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Keigo wanted to get to school early. Just to practice talking.
He wasn't sure if he hated her, or was even more attracted to her now. He wasn't sure of anything anymore.
So he sat at his desk in the empty classroom, bearing a hole into the polished wood of his desk. He straightened, getting a bit more comfy in his seat.
"Kuchiki-san." Keigo wanted to practice saying her name. No. It had to be firmer. "Rukia, I don't want my memories to be replaced, okay?"
He sighed, running a hand down his face. "I sound like a pansy."
Keigo sighed again, watching as other students took their seats around him as the first bell rang.
Where's Rukia?
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"A Hollow, now?" Ichigo complained. "School's gonna start in two minutes!"
"Since when do you care about being late to class, Ichigo?" Rukia countered, running ahead of him towards the signal. The cell phone in her hand was glowing blue, flashing across her face.
"I…I don't." he replied, running faster to catch up with Rukia. "Do you think my body's okay, just lying on the sidewalk?"
"Let a few kids poke at you. It's no big deal." Rukia threw over her shoulder. "And think about the Hollow. It should be here somewhere."
Ichigo came to a stop, watching as Rukia walked around the sidewalk, her eyes still on the Hollow signal beeping from her phone.
A roar shook the ground they stood on.
A grin slid over Ichigo's face. "There it is." He jumped over a few passing cars, crossing the busy street.
"Ichigo! Be careful! There's a lot of cars here! If the Hollow crushes one car, it can cause an accident! Don't be foolish!"
"Yeah, yeah." Ichigo muttered, jumping over another small car as it drove by him.
It was a simple Hollow. It was in the form of a wolf; complete with a bushy tail (Hollows could have fur?). Ichigo sneaked up on it and quickly bashed it on the head, smiling triumphantly as the Hollow crushed into dust and flew off with the wind. It was easy, even with a broken arm.
"Idiot! Don't stand there, let's go! School, remember?" Rukia yelled across the street.
"Right. Coming!"
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The glorious school bell rang. Teenagers ran out of the classroom, scattering once they made it through the door.
As usual, Ichigo and Rukia made it out last. They did not care much about getting out first; it would only mean more Hollows to get to.
Keigo approached them once he was sure there was nobody left in the classroom.
"Kuchiki—uh, Rukia." Pansy.
She turned around. "Keigo?"
Ichigo also turned around, his good arm holding his bag over his shoulder. A look of annoyance fell over his face.
Keigo looked down, unsure of how to bring up the subject. "You—you didn't—I mean…today you didn't say anything about…that monster and…my memory—"
"She knows that." Ichigo bit out irritably. "We're still not sure of what to do with you, okay? You're like an annoying thorn in my foot, man."
"Compare me to a thorn, Ichigo?" Keigo quickly whined out of habit. It earned him a chuckle from Rukia.
Keigo's face drew a smile. "Kuchiki-san, I can keep my memory?"
Rukia gave him a sad smile. "You may have it for the few days Ichigo and I can figure out what to do."
Keigo's eyes bulged. "Thank you so much!"
He made a move to hug Rukia, but Ichigo's arm stopped him. The brunette looked up at his lanky friend.
"Don't. She's still a little hurt from the Hollow the other day."
"I'm fine, Ichigo—"
"No. You really aren't." Ichigo threatened, scowling at her. Rukia didn't even budge.
"A hug is merely his way of thanks. What's the big deal?"
Keigo watched the scene unfold, completely interested.
"The big deal is that we have to get home before my dad freaks."
"Whatever. Good-bye, Keigo!" Rukia called, running out after the orange-headed teen.
"See you tomorrow, Kuchiki-san." Keigo whispered, a smile adorning his face.
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Author's Notes: Yep. Finally was able to put this chapter up. I have so many fics to be working on…and I just uploaded another one….sigh. Can't help it. Pathetically in love with Bleach right now.