When You Left
Girl of Light Writter- Aniecä
Guide:
∆ (Location Change) ∆ Viewpoint ◊ (Chapter) ◊ Ж (Flashback) Ж
∞ (Dream) ∞ (Time Change) - (Special) -
◊ (The People of Needing) ◊
∆ (Soul Society) ∆
"She's gone, I can't believe she left." Byakuya said. "I thought she said she wouldn't return with him, you told me that didn't you?"
"She did but she was useless without the poor boy. I told her, her suffering was useless and sulking wasn't any better." Renji explained.
"So you let her go?" He asked.
"Yep, she made up her mind after I called her useless. Then she..."
"What?"
"She left her key with me, she meant to do it but she knew she wouldn't come back."
"So she can't leave if we bring her back?" He asked.
"Yes, it seems so."
"So you think we'd best benefit by bringing her back by force then by her own choice."
"Yes, if she won't come, we'll bring her back without her own opinion." Renji added.
"I don't think that's wise."
"Why, because of the boy?" Renji said smirking.
"Yes, of course."
"Then there is no fear of the girl?"
"She can't leave, give me the key!"
"I wouldn't dare, I'm supposed to give it to her if she ever needed my assistance. I'm her friend after all, you do know this right."
"So who shall we send to do this job?"
"We will of course; we will not show her any dishonor since she is spear heading the new division. We will go and retrieve her and bring her back ourselves."
"I swear that if you hurt either of them in anyway, I won't hesitate to kill you off." Renji added.
"Fine boy, we will definitely not harm those two but only if the girl comes peacefully. If there isn't complete peace then we won't hesitate."
"Allow me the honor of dealing the man; I am going to be her partner when she returns. I would like to try and live as a Gigai. Only until you two have taken her then I will return."
"Very well, Ichimaru Gin."
"Ichimaru Gin, Third Captain; Hai, if you wish to help." Renji bowed to his superior.
"Of course, the precious gift of a female Shinigami with is much talent and rare power is she has is something we of course need to protect and not let go free. She is your sister; you are in change of her correct?"
"No, without her key she isn't a member of this world, she's human." Byakuya answered.
"So we are hunting her down correct?" He asked smiling about a hunt.
"No, you are to leave handing my sister to me alone. If you see her, act as a normal person, not anything else. Don't even give her a clue as to your identity. We are going to kidnap her while she's asleep."
"Fine, but that's no fun. When are we leaving?"
"You must go now, in three days time we'll come." He nodded and walked away.
∆ (Park, Earth) ∆
"Ichigo, why in the world could you be having such a problem with channeling your energy. I've seen you do it before. It isn't that hard." Rukia said sighing sitting in a park bench.
"I can only do it involuntary; it gets out of hand then. I can't control it."
"Then what should we do?"
"Do you have to know dark demon arts to be Shinigami?"
"Not really but it's smart if you can because it makes it easier to deal with the hollows if they are stunned, our bound, and some spells can destroy them. It just makes them easy."
"So it's not necessary?"
"It's not necessary but if you want to make it harder on yourself, be my guest."
"I think I will, if you train me a lot more than it should be good to do." He answered.
"Do you think I'll always be here to save your butt Ichigo?" She asked.
"Yeah you will because you're not leaving, are you?"
"No but I'm not going to stay by your side forever. I'd like to live a life and not limit myself because of your incapability to do demon arts." She said walking and leaning against a tree.
"So you plan to live like a normal person, grow up, have a family and whatever; it sounds boring to me."
"Ichigo you are such a nut. I never had a first chance, everything is a first to me, I take everything as a huge opportunity, a new chance to be different and you are not helping."
"I'm just saying that it's not a good life to have to grow up and stuff." He said.
"You are so small minded, you want to be a child forever huh?"
"No, I just don't want any more responsibility than I have. I have two sisters, my dad and you to take care of. It's enough I don't even care about dating worrying about another person who I've just met is just more unneeded problems."
"I on the other hand think dating is going to be exciting, I've never dated anyone."
"Well good for you, I find it extremely hard. I hope you can easier."
"It's doubtful since I'm horrible at it. Will you help me?" She asked.
"Help you date someone, that's kind of where I cross the line Rukia."
"Come on, please help me."
"Rukia, what do you want me to do practice with you."
"Would you?" She asked seriously.
"You're serious aren't you?" Ichigo said.
"Yeah, I'll like to have a life here, and that is part of it. Plus, it wouldn't be that horrible to spend a night with me would it?"
"No, of course not Rukia, I'm just surprised."
"What kind of stupid person would struggle if they know they can't do it? I'd rather just ask for help." She said.
"That's a good way to see it. I'll tell everyone that I'm taking you out for dinner tonight, okay." She nodded.
"Okay, then I am going to go back to Orihime's to drop of Kon." He nodded as she walked off.
When she was far enough off, "I'm going out with Rukia. I'm going out with Rukia." He laughed to himself. "I'm going out with Rukia, this is hilarious."
In the shadows, "So our newest member Shinigami is taking my playmate out on a date, this will make things more interesting."
"Gin, stick to the program, we'll be back. Just make sure he's away from her when we come. Do anything you have to, to get him away." Renji corrected him from the Soul Society.
∆ (Orihime's Home) ∆
"Are we almost there yet, nee-chan?" Kon asked Rukia.
"Yes almost, but be quiet." She scolded. They arrived and Rukia answered the door.
"Hello Rukia, come on in."
"Sorry but I can't Orihime, I have to get home; But… I guess I could talk to you. I do have until dinner and its only lunch now."
"Oh, good; I'm glad you can eat with me." Rukia gulped but nodded.
"Oh and here's Kon." Rukia said tossing Kon at her. "He was itching to get back to you."
"Poor Kon, I'll put you in your bed." Rukia sighed but smiled that he was being treated well here. "So Rukia, do you have plans for tonight. I seem to be different somehow today."
"No, it's really nothing; it's just that Ichigo is helping me out with something important and it wouldn't be nice for me to keep him waiting right." Orihime nodded happily.
"Yep, that wouldn't be polite at all. So what is he helping you with?"
"Dating," Rukia said like it was disgraceful to ask for his help. Orihime burst out in laughing.
"Ichigo helping you is one thing, but helping you with dating. That's hilarious. He's never dated a girl in his life and he's helping you. I wish you luck and hope you do have a good time."
"Okay, well I got to go." She said leaving.
"Okay well bye." Orihime said. Rukia was honestly happy to leave; she would have to find someone to get advice from but whom? Orihime wasn't guy oriented honestly she only knew three other girls besides Orihime that was Tatsuki. She wouldn't talk to her because her thing wasn't exactly guys and she'd be the one to thing she was insane for asking him in the first place. The other two girls were Yuzu and Karin.
∆ (Kurosaki Home) ∆
"Yuzu, Karin can you help me out with something?" Rukia called.
"Karin's at practice but I can help you Kuchiki-chan; what do you need?" Yuzu responded from her room, coming into the living room.
"Do you know the basics of proper etiquette here? Back home it's quite different."
"Oh, if that's all then I had nothing to worry about, sure."
"I need like if I was going out to dinner with someone, that etiquette."
"Oh, do you have a date? That's so great. I'm sure nii-san is happy for you."
"I'm not so sure about that but if you could help me be ready, I'd appreciate it Yuzu." Rukia answered rubbing her head and smiling.
"You have wonderful manners, from the way you talk about your home, you'd think that it's barbaric but everything is the same but you wear a traditional kimono usually pink, white or red because it signifies beauty and it's proper for you never to meet your date, they come to pick you home. Its horrible etiquette to meet them at the meal, while ladies are to be escorted and the man takes care of everything."
"How do you know so much about etiquette?" Rukia asked.
"They teach us in school its basic stuff, like you learned it in school right."
"Actually only the highest of the noble families go to school, I was adopted later in my years to a noble family where I learned."
"So you'll do fine, see." Yuzu said. "I'll take care of dinner, don't worry. So do I know him?"
"I'm pretty sure you do but I'm meeting him at the park so he can take me since I wouldn't want him to bother you guys. I need to go get a kimono."
"Then we need to go to the department store, to get one, let's go."
∆ (Department Store) ∆
"I don't get it Orihime; why did you bring me to the department store? I don't need anything, do you?" Tatsuki said complaining.
"No, I don't but Rukia does; and she'll need our help. I saw her coming here with Ichigo's little sister a few minutes ago."
"Why would she be with Ichigo's little sister? Why does she need to go shopping, and why are we helping her?"
"Because she needs help with her date, so we have to help." Orihime said, yelling at Tatsuki.
"Okay, Okay; let's find them." Tatsuki said in her own defense.
"Good, there she is."
"Rukia, Ichigo's little sister; hey!" Orihime said. Rukia sunk to the ground. 'Why me?' She asked herself.
"Rukia, do you need any help." Tatsuki asked making sure Rukia really did need help.
"No not really, I have Yuzu here to help me, I'll do fine."
"I know you two; you were in Ichigo's yearbook he brought home, Inoue Orihime and Arisawa Tatsuki." Yuzu said bowing. "It's a pleasure; I'm sure you could help us."
'Someone please save me; that's all I ask.' Rukia said to herself in her mind.
"I honestly think that Rukia can handle buying anything she needs by herself, come on Orihime. Oh, by the way who is the date with?" Tatsuki asked letting her curiosity get the best of her.
"Orihime!" Rukia said.
"I didn't say who, I just brought her here to help."
"I'm fine with Yuzu here, really. Bye." Tatsuki shrugged and walked off pulling Orihime beside her.
After they left Rukia bought a red, blood colored kimono and took it home to wear and prepare. She wanted to make sure she got everything as perfect as she could, her first time.
∆ (Kurosaki Home) ∆
"You look really pretty Kuchiki-chan. I'm sure whoever he is will be speechless."
"Let's hope not, I'd like to talk with him during the date and if he can't talk then it won't' be of any use, right?" Rukia said being happy for the first time.
"Right, well I have to go start dinner, bye."
"Thanks for your help." Rukia said to herself. She went to the park to walk around before Ichigo arrives.
(10 Minutes Later)
"Hey Yuzu, Karin, have you seen Rukia?"
"Yes Nii-san, she said she had to go out with someone and that she wasn't eating with us."
"Oh, she is, is she?" He said acting like he didn't know what was going on. "Well I'm not either; I'm going to go watch her on her date."
"Nii-san, I don't think that's the smartest thing to do." Karin advised.
"I don't care; I'm going to watch her. Tell dad I'm going out and won't be back until late. I'll be back with Rukia late okay. Don't wait for me." He said running into his room putting on a suit and running out.
"I feel bad for Kuchiki-chan; don't you Karin?" Yuzu asked.
"Nah, she'll be fine. She knows what's he'll do because he's jealous." Karin explained.
"Jealous?" Yuzu asked.
"Isn't it obvious, Rukia's going out with another guy and Ichigo likes her so he's following her to ruin her date?"
"Ichi-nii-san likes Rukia?" Yuzu asked.
"It's obvious, that's why they do everything together. I think he should just tell her. That's also why he was so upset because she left."
"Now I get it," Yuzu said.
"Let's go stop him from making a fool of him." Karin said.
"Okay, I'll just leave a note for dad." Karin nodded as Yuzu left a note for her dad with the other notes from the family.
- (Notes) -
Dear Dad,
I'm going out to stop Nii-san from spying on Kuchiki-chan on her first date. She's very nervous and he can't ruin her first date so that's where Karin and I are if you're wondering.
Yuzu and Karin
-----
Dad, I'm off tonight to do something. I'll be back with Rukia since she is going to be staying out late too, don't wait up because it's going to be late tonight. Ichigo
---
Dear Mr. Kurosaki,
I'm out on a date tonight and I'll be later tonight, Yuzu will have prepared dinner. I'm going to be back late so don't worry that I'm not there. I promise to be back.
Kuchiki Rukia
---
∆ (Park) ∆ Ichigo Kurosaki
I had been running a bit late, I hope that she hadn't been waiting too long. I was supposed to be showing her etiquette not her showing me up. She was adopted into royalty so she should know this stuff but I guess some things are quite different from Soul Society. I'm glad to help her.
I walked out to the spot I always meet her at and there she was with her hair up in a bun with sticks and in a traditional Japanese kimono on. She was beautiful. I don't think I could get away with saying it without getting smacked but it's rude not to compliment your date so I guess I don't have a choice.
"You definitely look extra beautiful tonight, Rukia." She turned around and gave me one of her smiles. Her smiles said it all, some times they're false, others they say that it's okay or that she's doing okay but this one says that I made a good move.
"Thanks Ichigo, you look nice yourself." She said smiling.
"You're welcome and thanks; I heard you asked Yuzu for a little help. I'm glad it worked out."
"It definitely wasn't the easiest thing I've done but it was well worth it. Orihime and Tatsuki made it difficult." I was surprised she told them.
"They know?" I said calmly.
"Orihime thinks that it's just a meeting to help me with etiquette and dating; Tatsuki thinks I'm on a date but she doesn't know who."
"Oh, well it would have been okay if you did tell them; I don't mind. I'm glad to be helping you." I said. I really was glad. I can't show any fear or tensing up even though I am.
"I'm glad you're helping me. I'm sure I would have messed up if not for you and Yuzu's guidance. Thanks a lot Ichigo."
"It's my pleasure." I was glad to be the one to help her, I still owe her so much, and this is only a tiny mark to meet up with her. "Shall we?" She smiled and nodded.
∆ (Behind Them) ∆ Normal
"Rukia's on a date with Ichigo!" Tatsuki yelled.
"I told you that you couldn't handle the truth." Orihime said crossing her arms.
"I didn't think that it would be something so crazy and insane. What is she thinking?"
"Don't you see it, Tatsuki? They're in love with one another. How he was depressed when we came back, how he missed her so much, how he was at the point of tears so many times when he heard people, how protective he is of her, it was obvious."
"I have to say that she has weird taste in guys."
"No she doesn't, she just likes Ichigo, and it's not that weird. Plus, they really aren't seriously going out."
"What do you mean Orihime?"
"See, for right now Ichigo is just taking her out so she can learn proper etiquette, it's not really a date yet."
"So you're sure that this will turn into really dating." Tatsuki asked.
"Yep, almost 100 chance; unless they both suddenly decide they don't like each other. After being the most important thing and sacrificing themselves for the last 6 months, you'd think they'd fall in love. It's like a fairy tale."
"Ah Orihime, you're so pathetic. Well I hope they have a good date-thing and let's go home."
"Fine Tatsuki but I can't wait until they date, I'll show you." Orihime answered.
"Sure, but if they don't you'll be surprised."
"I will but I'm sure they will get together." Orihime said confidently.
"I sort of do too, you're right they need each other. It so better happen."
"See you see my point."
"I do, now let's leave them and go home."
∆ (Close Behind the Couple) ∆
"Ichigo's on a date with Rukia. I wouldn't have suspected that. But I guess that was the reason he got dressed up, he was covering up the fact they were going out." Karin said crossing her arms.
"I'm so happy for Nii-chan. No wonder she was so nervous, he knows her so well that she's afraid that it will be awkward; it's so sweet." Yuzu said happily.
"You're hopeless you know that. We shouldn't interfere with their lives." Karin suggested.
"I know but I just wanted to make sure he didn't mess it up but I know he won't if it's his date with her. We can go if you want." They turned around and walked home.
There were four people sitting there. "Inoue-san, Tatsuki-san and two others, hi?" Yuzu greeted.
"It's Ichigo's other little sister!" Chad pointed out.
" Chad it's not polite to call her by her relation to Ichigo, her name is Yuzu or Karin is it?" Ishida said.
"I'm Kurosaki Karin. And you must be Ishida Uryuu, I suppose." Karin inferred.
"Yes, you know of me?" He asked her.
"Rukia says that you went to school with her and Ichigo. Ichigo doesn't talk about any of his friends while Rukia will share stories from school and about Ichigo. You are his competitor."
"Correct, so if you're Karin, the girl who was talking must be Yuzu, am I correct?" Ishida responded.
"No Sherlock Homes, she's Ichigo's other sister Marie." Tatsuki said highly sarcastically.
"According to Rukia and the records Ichigo only has two sisters, his father and Rukia living with him."
"Rukia is living with Ichigo too?" Tatsuki asked.
"Yes, they have been for a while, I've been tracking their signatures back to his house. So that was sarcasm correct?" Tatsuki sighed giving up on helping him.
"Why are you all here?" Yuzu asked.
"I was checking to make sure Nii-chan didn't mess up Kuchiki-Chan's date but it turns out that he's the one dating her." There was a gasp from Chad and Ishida.
"I had no clue that they were dating."
"Neither did I." Chad added.
"How long?" Ishida asked.
"This is the first time." Karin pointed out.
"It's not really a real date, Ichigo is teaching Rukia proper etiquette while they're on a date so if she ever needed it, she'd know how." He answered.
"I happen to believe that they're definitely going to get together, its destiny." Orihime said.
"How so?" Ishida asked.
"Nii-san was a mess without her even for that little time, it drove him insane every day he lost himself and she became depressed the only sign of happiness was when the other was mentioned. How could they not be in love if they can't live without the other?" Orihime asked.
"It's true; Ichigo was useless without her, that Diary really seemed to cheer him up." Yuzu said.
"What Diary?"
"Kuchiki-Chan's personal diary, she left it for Ichigo and he returned it to her."
"I say we go find out from their personal notes and diary if they do." Chad suggested.
"That would be rude but let's do it anyway, they won't know." They others said leaving and going to read the entry.
∆ (Restaurant) ∆ Ichigo
"Shall we begin?" I asked, she nodded, still smiling. She has constantly been smiling since she returned, usually she only does when she's acting but this is real. I'd do anything to keep that smile on her face. "Well when at a restaurant, the guy will reserve a table for himself and you like I did, and then we'll order. What would you like, Rukia?"
"I'll have a salad to begin and chicken as a main course, and water as a drink." She said handing the waiter her menu and she looked at me.
"I'll have the same." I said handing my menu to the attendant.
"You seem like you've done this before, I thought they don't sleep or eat in Soul Society."
"In most cases they don't but Soul Reapers do because we use soul energy and we need to regain it so we have very fine restaurants there."
"So you've ordered at fancy restaurants but never been on a date."
"Excuse me for not living a noble family where dating anyone other than other noble families was acceptable." She said pouting.
"Sorry it's just funny that you've never been on a date; out of curiosity, have you ever kissed anyone?" I asked.
"No." She said very simply and plainly. "Out of curiosity have you ever been on a date before or kissed someone; just for my records."
"No." He said, she smiled.
"See we're on the same page, we're both starting a new chapter of our life and doing new things. I'm glad to have you helping me though." She said smiling still.
If only you knew how glad I am to see you smiling, from what Renji says about you in that tower you were morning my death. I knew you'd do anything to let me live, that's a sign of true love; you wanted to let me live as long as I could. You cried for my death, and you missed me.
You weren't the only one who missed someone. I missed you, I couldn't believe they took you away from me, almost killed me. They wanted to kill you. I cried to, as did you. It caused us bother to suffer when you were taken away. Your words haunt me to this day.
Ж (Flashback) Ж
"If you take one more step… I'll… I'll never forgive you." She was crying at this point and she turned around. "You're going to die, so lie there as long as you can and prologue your life as long as you can."
Ж (Flashback Over) Ж
I didn't want to forgive you, for leaving me but I somehow understood. If you touched me you'd be punished more, you would have been killed anyway. You didn't care for yourself but for me, even at the cost of your life you'd come to my side. I don't think I could ever pay you back. You sit there and smile like you've never suffered and you just wipe away my pain. I will never forgive you for leaving me but somehow you make it okay by coming back.
"Ichigo, is something wrong?" There you go again with your concerns.
"No, I'm just thinking. Well what do you want to talk about?"
"Um, well. There is something I wanted to warn you about." Now it seems it's my turn to be concerned for her. "Renji said they are spear heading a new division, division 14 and they want me to lead it."
"Oh, that's good. I guess. Why should I worry?" I said staying calm; she'd be back, wouldn't she? Don't even worry yourself, right Ichigo.
"I said no, I told him that I made my life here and I left my key and life source there for a reason. I can't come back ever without that key, they are going to try and kidnap me, and take me away." She said frowning and looking at the table.
"Then just protect yourself, and I'll protect you. If you don't want to leave no one can make you, that key signs you as part of that world without it you belong here, right?" She smiled and nodded; see I have the answers to all her worries, who knew.
"Thanks, I feel better now."
"Hey you've done so much for me; I have to be there so you can save my butt a few million more times. I mean you've never left my side and even without your powers your risked your life for me."
"It's my job, of course I had to. You're my friend, of course I would."
"Rukia…"
"Yeah Ichigo," She answered.
"I forgot, sorry." She smacked him.
"You're so forgetful. No wonder I have to help you so much." It was worth it, I couldn't bring up how much suffering I caused you while you were so happy, I wanted to say that I can't stand you being unhappy but that will wait until you are so you can see how miserable it makes me.
"You look pretty when you smile." She just smiled, when we first met, you would have smacked me for making such a sappy comment but it's true, and I have always been honest even if you hit me for doing it.
"Thanks Ichigo, I enjoyed this date." She said.
"Me too, we should do it again some time." She nodded and kept smiling.
The dinner finally arrived and we ate it and talked a bit about how the training was going and what was going on. She was really happy, compared to when I got her out of that tower it was a much needed improvement and I was glad to be the one to bring that to her.
∆ (Park) ∆
"It's pretty common after dinner to go to a walk some place romantic, a park, to a lake or something like that." He said walking side by side next to her when they go to a bench he casually sat down and grabbed her wrist and pulled her down next to him.
"What was that about?"
"Actions speak louder than words and I was trying to communicate to you that I wanted you to sit down."
"Okay if that's how it's going to be and you're going to play then I'm going to play too." She said moving closer to me and resting her head on my shoulder.
"You don't make any sense."
"I'm tired and I don't want to leave so I'm going to rest on you, okay?" She said smiling and closing her eyes.
"Okay," I said understanding her reasoning. After a long day she was tired. I should have taken her back at that moment but she was sleeping peacefully.
I don't understand how I feel right now, I feel so happy and peaceful. I'm relaxed and I just want to stay like this forever so no one ever bothers us and she can be happy and rested forever.
"It's love, that's what it is." A man came out of the mist. I carefully stood up and stepped in front of the Rukia. I recognized him as Ichimaru Gin.
"Don't worry I won't harm her, I was warned that I'd be killed if I laid even a finger on her. I can do this one of two ways, you return her to the soul society and go home or I beat you down so they can take her back. I can't touch her but he can."
"Who, Renji?" Gin nodded and smiled.
"You can't take her back, she came back, and if she goes she can't come back." He tossed a key at me, it has engraved in it. 'Kuchiki Rukia', it was her key to the other world. "I still won't let anyone take her back."
"I'm sorry about this Rukia, I really am."
"I'm going to have to beat you to the point you can't come back at me to fight me so she'll be left defenseless so they can take her." I was trying to focus my energy to become a soul reaper but since she's asleep, Kon is with Orihime and I don't know how to separate my energy I'd have to fight normally.
She had begun to wake up. He disappeared and I carefully picked her up and she went back to sleep, I carried her home. He'll be back for her; I'll have to get Ishida to help me with these soul reapers since I have to watch her.
A note fell to the ground in my room.
Dear Kurosaki Ichigo,
There is no way to keep her safe, she has to discuss it with Renji her plans, and she can't stay until she uses the new program to go freely. Like I was saying, I read your mind, you feelings, they're love. You love her; the need to keep her happy, protect her, make sure she's never hurt and be with her; that's love for sure. If you love her do what's best for her, not what she needs. I would recommend making it easiest by turning her over to us.
Ichimaru Gin
Love, eh. I guess that's how I feel. I love Kuchiki Rukia. I guess since I owe her my life loving her isn't that bad plus she's the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. I guess it's worth it that I love her after all she's done for me and my family. It's a worth reason. I love her; I guess I've known that since I saw her give up her powers for me.