When You Left
Girl of Light Writter- Aniecä
Guide:
∆ (Location Change) ∆ Viewpoint ◊ (Chapter) ◊ Ж (Flashback) Ж
∞ (Dream) ∞ (Time Change) - (Special) -
◊ (Resolve of Staying) ◊
(A Few Weeks Later)
"Kuchiki-chan is the best, isn't she nii-san?" Yuzu said, praising her new friend.
'You are a piece of work Rukia, doing this to my family. They were already basket cases and now they have completely gown insane with praising you.' Ichigo thought laughing to himself. "Rukia is very nice and friendly isn't she?" He said.
"Yep, I've actually got to have fun this summer, play with Karin, play sports and make friends. Since she came everything has been just great." Yuzu said happily.
"I guess she's done a lot for you. I never saw her like that."
"Yuzu is right; everything in our life has been going smother since she came to live with us from her home." Karin added. "Yuzu has finally stopped being mom and acting her age. Dad is finally having time to buy us things and take care of family stuff. You're the only one whose life hasn't drastically improved because of her."
"You're wrong about that Karin. I'm glad that Yuzu is acting her age and relaxing. I'm also dad gets a break but she's the one out of all of us who gets the most out of it. I'm just glad she didn't leave me." He said thinking about her.
Ж (Flashback) Ж
Rukia was sitting on her bed and Ichigo was leaning against the wall in her room. "So what roles to each of you play in your family?" She asked trying to get the feel for normal life.
"Yuzu takes care of cleaning, cooking, and being the nurse at the hospital. Karin sits around and gives advice and is also a nurse. Dad is the main doctor and takes care of bills and things."
"I feel really bad for Yuzu, she's practically taking over for you mother. That isn't at all fair to her. What is your family thinking making her take care of that?" She contradicted his lifestyle.
"It's not like we had a choice there Rukia, dad is the doctor and most nights he doesn't get to sleep because he's out at the hospital."
"Hm, then I guess I'm going to have to a major share in this house to make everyone's lives better than ever."
"Why?"
"Because I owe you and I owe it to your family to take down some of the burden that has been put on your family because of your mom's death. It's my fault anyway."
"How so, that hollow killed her not you."
"No but it's my job to save people from hollows, it's also my job to train those with high spiritual energy which I didn't do and caused your family so many problems because of that."
"No it's not, if you didn't then you probably didn't know how, you couldn't do it. You couldn't do anything."
"As a soul reaper anyone who is killed by hollow is my responsibility especially someone who has high spiritual energy like you do." She said being depressed.
"So…"
"I'm a top medic I'm sure I could help out at the hospital giving your dad breaks at night, I could cook and clean for Yuzu and let her be normal. And with my ability it would make everything easier on you guys."
"You know you don't have to."
"I know but it's decided. I'm not going to be useless to anyone. I owe it to you guys and myself to be a part of this family no matter what. It's something I never got the chance to do."
"Whatever but if that's how you want to spend your time, then whatever."
"Thanks for the support but I'll still have time during the day to go to school, schoolwork, hang out and stuff. There is nothing that I can't do." Rukia said happily wanting to be the best person she could be. Who would blame her, she never got a chance the first time, and she wouldn't miss a great opportunity like this. Maybe her good deeds would clear her crimes in the soul society by the time she died.
Ж (Flashback Over) Ж
"Kids I'm back, hey Ichigo where is Rukia?" His father asked.
"She's over at Orihime's helping her out with schoolwork of some sort. Orihime is smart but she does need help with some of the newer stuff." Ichigo answered.
"That girl Rukia, is an angel isn't she?" He answered. Ichigo laughed. 'Soul Reaper, Angel; they're the same thing, right? They aren't oops. I'll have to tell Rukia that one.'
"You have no clue about Rukia."
"What do you mean? Rukia is the nicest girl I've ever met and she so helpful. She has nothing to hide."
"No she has a past she hides from everyone except a few chosen but maybe she'll trust you with it one day Yuzu but for now you can think that she's great because she is. She taught me things I'd never even think of thinking about before. I'm the shadow of my past self, before she came into my life."
"nii-san, that's so sweet." Yuzu said.
"She had a great effect on everyone it seems. She does everything because she owes it to me she says, I told her she didn't have to. It turns out I already owe her much more than she owes me. Saving her life would be what she needed, I was afraid to get her because I thought that she'd hate me for saving her but she didn't, and I'm glad she's back."
"I'm glad she came."
"Everyone is okay, now that we know this, can we all just go do something." Karin complained.
"Okay, I'm going to go get Rukia for dinner, okay?" The all agreed and he left the house.
∆ (Orihime's House) ∆
"I'm glad you decided to come back Rukia, I really am."
"I am too Orihime."
"So… how is it living with Ichigo?" Orihime asked.
"It's great; I'm doing a lot of good for their family. Yuzu and Karin really don't have anyone to look up to since their mother died and Yuzu took care of cooking and cleaning; she practically became her mother. I felt it was horrible to put that load on her so I make all the dinners for them, and clean the house. I've encouraged Yuzu to just be a normal girl and stop acting grown up but she's having a hard time trying to stop doing things she's used to but it's good I'm able to help."
"So you're cleaning and cooking for his family?"
"Yeah, but it's no big deal at all. They need someone to do it, why not me since me living with them. I'm also giving their dad time off so he can spend time with his family and sleep by me taking care of patients at night."
"Rukia, you are such a good person. I don't think I could do that. Ichigo would probably tell me not to do it because that's how it's always been or something."
"He did but I didn't listen, he knew that they needed help so after I automatically did it and he saw how happy everyone was about he never said another word about it."
"So are you staying for good?"
"It seems so."
"Do you like staying there with them, because if you ever need a place to stay you could always stay here, I like company."
"No, sorry; I don't mean any offense or anything but you're nice and all but you can take care of yourself. Ichigo and his family need me much more then I noticed when I was staying before."
"Before," She asked.
"Yeah, remember when I first came to the school for those three months I was living with him in his room."
"In his room," She asked.
"Actually I was living in his closet." She answered.
"Oh, so how do you feel there?"
"I feel so amazing there. I'm a part of something where I can be happy and love and cry and feel. It's so different from living my false life."
"I'm glad that your happy your back. I was just wondering how you felt about living here."
"I'm extremely happy about living here; I can feel things that I never imagined I'd feel."
"That's good, I'm happy for you." Orihime says.
There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it, I'm going anyway." Rukia opened the door.
"Hey Rukia, we need you back home."
"I was coming back anyway." She said grabbing her coat and walking out the door. "Bye Orihime."
"Bye Kuchiki-chan, Kurosaki-kun."
"Bye Orihime."
∆ (Ichigo's Home) ∆
"Rukia, nii-san, welcome back," Yuzu greeted, Ichigo nodded and Rukia smiled at the girl and went into the kitchen to make a meal.
Rukia walked into the kitchen and randomly picked three dishes to make for dinner, it turned to be chicken, rice, and strawberry shortcake which were made quickly by Rukia and brought out.
After that everyone went to their respective rooms to retire for the night. Rukia was sitting on her bed reading more about Japanese Culture from Mangas which Ichigo walked in her room.
"Ever think about knocking, I could be dressing you know."
"I could but I don't, and yes you could but you don't at this time of night, you change in the bathroom."
"Do you study me or something?" Rukia asked confused as to know he knew this.
"I know because after you go to the bathroom at night you come out with a different pair of clothes then you were wearing previously so as I was about to say before… you have any plans for the rest of the week?"
"No, why?"
"I was wondering if you could train me some more, you did say that you would didn't you?"
"Somehow I don't remember that." She answered.
"You don't well I do, seeing as it's only a month ago." He said laughing.
Ж (Flashback) Ж
"Are you a Soul Reaper?" He asked.
"Not exactly, I regained my strength when he took it away but my sword needs help. It'll take a while before I'm back and as strong as I was before."
"Ah, good; it would be hard to be one without you. I don't have the natural skill that you do. I haven't learned all the magic you have."
"You will because when I'm back to strength, I'll teach you. I was a top student at the academy."
"Thanks," She was just standing there in front of him with her hands behind her back, and he was just looking at her. After a few minutes everything went dark and she fell back to the ground.
Ж (Flashback Over) Ж
"Oh yeah, I guess I did forget. I've been busy lately; with getting set up here and all." She said rubbing her head.
"Its fine I just want to see if you were able to, I know you've been busy with everyone. I just wanted to see if you had time to train me."
"Of course, I will always have time to show you a thing or two Ichigo." She said smiling.
"By the way, where's Kon?" He asked looking around. She tossed a bag at him. "He's been staying with Orihime for a while; it seems we forgot about him."
"Oh yeah, well I haven't done much with Soul Reaping while you've been gone, Renji has stopped by a few times not only while you were gone, but now that your back."
"Huh, I haven't sensed him at all. It seems I'll still pretty weak at sensing anymore. I'll have to work up my spirit energy."
"I know how, but we'll wait until tomorrow to train, good-night Rukia." Ichigo said walking out.
"Good-night Ichigo," She said going to the bathroom to change before she went to bed laughing about this last night.
∞ (Dream) ∞
"Hello Rukia," Renji said.
"Renji, this is quite a surprise. I forgot about contact through the dream realm. So what is the reason for contacting me?"
"I wanted to tell you that you, and the boy are being thought of as great enlightened people for thinking that he easiest thing for soul reapers is to stay on earth for the time of their work, though they don't agree with you living as a normal person Gigai, just a place established here to stay and live here and take care of hollows. The hassle of gates makes it harder to saves lives, that's where the Quincy were right, I guess."
"Yep; that is definitely where they had it right, but why tell me."
"They want you back, as a helper in the project, a leader of the new Earth-Soul Society Alliance program. Will you?"
"I'm sorry, no. I'm not going back Renji. I don't care what they do for me. Don't forget I gave up my place there, no key remember."
"I still have it, just promise me that you'll think about it." Renji begged.
"I'll talk it over with Ichigo but I really don't want to go back. Maybe if I could run the alliance here, then maybe but I want to have the chance to live a normal life, not be part of the soul society anymore."
"Your chain was cut, Rukia. Whether you remember or not, you're dead. There is nothing we can do for you, to make you human."
"I'm completely fine in my Gigai form. I'm the most human that I've ever been. You don't understand me Renji, I never had a chance to live and grow up like I always wanted to."
"You do know that without a key at all, if you die you can't return."
"I know."
"You'll stop being a Shinigami, and you'll never reunite with him again; no matter what." She answered.
"I know, but I don't fear. Soul Reapers don't fear. I don't care about the rules anymore; I'm free to be human now. To feel things I never did before."
"Fine if you want to be human and live than that's fine but don't forget my offer."
"I won't forget it but I don't want to agree." She answered.
"A wanted to also tell you that it's been a long time since I've seen a human expression as clear as that one is on your face. It's obvious so maybe you should be more open to using expression if you're going to be human." She nodded.
"Bye," Renji finished.
∞ (She Wakes Up) ∞
"Rukia, time to wake up!" Ichigo's dad yelled.
"Okay, thanks." She answered changing into her clothes and walking out of her room.
"You're spiritual energy is higher than it was last night, anything happen."
"Renji contacted me through the dream realm. They say they are going to put a whole bunch of soul reapers in this world to protect humans 24-7 here on earth. Since it's through me it was thought of me, they want me to run it." She told him.
"Oh, so you are going to go." She hit him hard atop the head.
"Of course I'm not going because I don't have my key, I'd have to kill my Gigai form to get there and I don't plan on leaving here ever!" She said pouting.
"Man, I didn't know it was so bad there. It seemed fairly okay there when I visited. They people were happy in the outer city, and you seemed happy with your family."
"I can act pretty well huh; well I had never known anything but that so I didn't know any better. Compared to live in the outer city, it's great but not enjoyable because everyone is a soul reaper, they don't feel or care for one another. I didn't like it. My own best friend and brother wanted to kill me; that's how much they care." She said looking at her feet. "I have to start breakfast."
"I see, well then good. What are you making?" He asked.
"French Toast, and Bacon," She answered from the kitchen.
"Okay, that's a good breakfast to fill us up for training this morning." He said.
"Yeah, you should go wake up Yuzu and Karin." He nodded and walked off.
∆ (Yuzu and Karin's Room) ∆
"Nii-chan, do you think I should thank her?"
"For what Yuzu?" Ichigo asked.
"For all the wonderful things she did for me, she saved our life, took care of our family, took care of you, helped you, she made you a better person didn't she."
"Yeah; but why would you thank her for that?" He asked.
"She was the one that did it for us; she's a spirit from the other world isn't she. I can't see them but I can hear them so shouldn't I thank her for saving us." Yuzu said.
"Rukia isn't one to take thanks for doing her job Yuzu, but you can thank her regardless."
"Thanks Nii-chan, Karin is in the bathroom, I'll be out soon." He left her alone.
He pulled out an empty scroll and addressed in to Rukia. He couldn't tell her up front it wasn't his style to do this but she deserved to be appreciated not only while she was gone and he was talking with friends and family but to her face.
Dear Rukia: It's me Ichigo. I know I'm being stupid by writing this to you but I wanted to tell you some things that are just too hard to say to your face. I first wanted to thank you for saving my family and I. I know it was your job to save everyone but it was personal to me and I wanted to thank you for doing such. I wanted to thank you for clearing my conscious about my mom. I want to thank you for unlocking my ability to be a soul reaper. I also wanted to say that I'm the one who truly owes you for saving my family, friends and everyone around here. I know we aren't related to you in a way but your family and I wanted to tell you much. I also wanted to say I'm sorry for being so tough to deal with; it was hard for me to except fate because in all honesty, I hadn't ever met a girl I got along with until I met you. I never felt like any of the girls I met were real and I was able to understand but you were so real to me. I wanted to thank you for everything, and for being my friend and changing me. Kurosaki Ichigo
He set it on her bed so that she could find it at night and appreciates his words then. He returned to set the table and help Rukia finish up. Rukia and he had taken care of most of the responsibilities around the house while the others took a well needed break. After they ate the headed to the underground training area at Urahara's Shop.
∆ (Urahara's Shop) ∆
"Ah, you are more beautiful than ever Kuchiki Rukia. What do I owe this visit for?" Urahara said charming the female soul reaper.
"I'm going to be training Ichigo here, so clear the way and area." Ururu came out and walked over to the female soul reaper.
"I cleaned it up as you asked me to Kuchiki-san. I also retrieved the items you requested." Ururu said to her.
"Thanks, ready Ichigo." He nodded and they went below ground to train.
"Kon, you ready?" Ichigo asked.
"NO DON'T!" He said but Ichigo did anyway.
"How do I change into my soul reaper form as a Gigai?" She asked.
"Focus your energy out into the air around you or use the glove." She slipped on her glove and pulled her own soul out of her body.
"You have to teach me how to do that; it may come in handy when he's not around." Ichigo said.
"Urahara, can you order a glove for me?" He nodded and walked away. "These gloves are strictly items from the society but they take complete control on working with them, we'll train on Kon to make sure you don't damage the soul."
"What, you can't do that; I'm still a soul too. You can't damage me!" Kon yelled.
"Yes but he has to be able to go through the body and take the soul without smashing it, and practicing on your soul globe is good practice, plus it can't break." She informed him.
"Whatever, let's go Rukia." Ichigo said pulling out his Zapakuto. Within seconds she had him pinned to the ground. "How'd you do that?"
"It's a trick of mine. See your sword is mostly offense only a little defense but it's enough on normal times. I used a defensive position so your defensive position was cancelled out and I hit you."
"Smart thinking but you won't catch me again." Once again she won, he was horrible at predicting her movements, she was light a light flower floating through the air, faster than he could see. He had to go offensive. She blocked every attack, and fought if off.
"Pretty good, let's go into magic." He nodded. He couldn't believe how ahead she was he was one of the top people around but she out smarted him and pulled him down to the level she was on.
"So what are you going to teach me?"
"Basics, duh!" She said laughing. She pulled out a drawing. "Magic is done by using the bend in between the two worlds to bind a hollow so you must use only pure magic to do this."
"Fine, now go." She nodded; she walked over to him and put her hands together, "Binding Ritual One, Kudoh." He had broken through this before; souls with extreme spiritual energy could easily do this.
"Binding Ritual One, Kudoh," He focused on binding her but it didn't work.
"Hm, it seems that your energy isn't exactly pure."
"How do you make it pure?"
"You can't, it's one of those you have or you don't. If it's a pure cause the energy will be pure enough to bind. I remember a few times where you did it but you can't force it."
"Fine, well let's work on powering up your spirit energy some more." They put away their Zapakuto. They were fighting one on one and once again her agility along with gentle light punches was beating him. Girls were quite stronger than men on this point because little hits all over will weaken your enemy easier then waiting for a break for a big one which makes fight a girl with a man harder since she's doing little hits and staying on guard.
They decided to train mid-day for the next week every day and she would gain back her energy back to where it was before he stole it so he wouldn't feel at fault for making her weak.
(Training a Week Later)
"You're definitely getting better Ichigo but so many years of solid training surpass you on that level but your spiritual energy far exceeds mine so it's a good even match." She said.
"Yeah it is. Hey, are you coming to the back to school party?" He asked.
"I don't know, are you?"
"I'm not big on these things but if you're going I might as well stay and see how you act at a party to entertain myself." She smiled.
"I bet I can handle it fine Ichigo. I'm not a child. I can go to a party and hold myself with the utmost dignity and respect." He laughed, he knew she could it was just another meaning less argument.
"Did I ever tell you that I'm glad you're back and staying?" He asked just to be funny.
"Yep, and I've answered you every time. I'm glad I'm back too." She said smiling.
For the last month, every day had been spent doing something for someone else on either of their parts, not much about themselves but even when it was for them, it always had something to do with helping the other out as well. They were so unselfish to the point it was crazy.