◊ (The Purification of Rukia and Ichigo ▫Part 1▫) ◊
Kurosaki Ichigo ∆ (Ichigo's Place) ∆
I held her hands, she seemed worried. As if she was nervous. Nevertheless, I guess I honestly couldn't blame her; if I was she, I would be nervous too. "Rukia, I know this isn't the smartest thing but it is the best."
"How so?" She asked.
"Because the smartest thing is not to face something you're terrified of until your ready; but the best is for you to face this and understand it." I said reassuringly.
"Okay, but what's your plan?" She asked.
"I'm taking you to see, Kaien Shiba's current self."
"What!" She yelled, jumping back.
She tried to pull away but I held her strong. "No, you are doing this whether you like it or not." I told her, as I pulled her along with me.
"But, I…" She murmured. She didn't get it; she didn't understand what his life meant to everyone, to so many people.
"We're moving to slow." I picked her bridal style and flash stepped to his house, and knocked on the door.
"Hello, may I help?" A lady asked looking at us happily.
"Yes you can, can we talk to your son; we're assistants that work with child aid and we'd like to talk with him."
"Absolutely not sir, you can not talk to my son." I sighed, not as easy as I thought.
"Ichigo let me handle this. Ice, Water, steam; kudo 16, freeze ray." She pointed my hand at the women, and she was frozen. "Let's go."
"I like your behavior now." I responded.
"Whatever, I just don't like this." She said.
I saw a small child sitting on the kitchen floor. "Past Life Remission, release." She said looking at him. Then a spirit came out of him.
"Kuchiki, nice to see you again." He said.
"Your human too, I thought you lived through it?"
"I did and about 20 years after that but I live on earth as a Gigai too."
"Ah, so how are my family and you?" He asked.
"Ganji and your sister are both fine; Ganji's hard to forgive me, but he's working on it. Your sister is as crazy minded as ever." She told him.
"That's good, so what's up with him." Kaien said pointing to me.
"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo, and you are." I said rightfully knowing who is but that's improper.
"I'm Shiba Kaien. Nice to meet you, Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Likewise,"
"What's your relationship with Kuchiki there?" He said. He had a funny way of addressing Rukia.
"I'm her boyfriend." I stated simply.
"That's good for both of you, I knew you weren't stupid Kuchiki; you found someone for you." I was confused for sure, he had only known her for two days, and how could he know so much about her?
"Kuchiki there was always someone who saw herself unworthy of anything. It was like she was… a stick or something. I thought that she'd never take an interest in people. She was very shy and separated herself from everyone. She was a good Shinigami and all but when it came to being a person, she just wouldn't."
"She was like that with me when I met her."
"How long ago was that?" He asked.
"10 S. years or 1 E. year," She responded.
"That's not very long to know someone and start dating them; but what do I know."
"Ichigo saved my life." Rukia stated.
Kaien broke out in laughter. "Man, that's a good one. You being anywhere near someone who has ever cared about you that's funny."
"Rukia has become more reachable in terms of letting people care about her. From what you say I think it was just being new there that caused her to be shy and then you dying just pushed her over the edge."
"True, good point," He said. "So what happened to her that she needed saving?" He asked.
"Ichigo's family was attacked and I was beaten down by a hollow. I transferred my energy to him, he took all of it and I couldn't return. I couldn't get it back so I had to stay but I stayed too long and I was put on the death line, and almost killed until Renji and Ichigo saved me." She said quickly. I put my hand on her on hers, and looked at her.
"That explains it, you're one sacrificial girl; but you won't anyone sacrifice themselves for you, because…"
"I'm not worth it." She practically yelled.
"Calm it down, Rukia." I said.
"Man, you haven't changed in that aspect; you, like all people are extremely valuable." He said.
"But I, I'm just not worth it."
"You have no reason to be worthless. You have done nothing wrong. You're innocent, and perfect. Don't you get it?" I yelled at her.
She started crying into my chest, she didn't understand. And I don't think she would understand ever. But I was never going to give up on making her see her worth. It was something that was too important for not to understand.
"Kuchiki, listen up." Kaien commanded. She slowly sat up and looked at him.
"Yes sir," She replied.
"I killed myself to save everyone. I choose this, you just haven't to have the sword I died by, understand." She nodded. "Ichigo saves you because you are important to him, you have worth, got it." He said, and she nodded again. "I forgave you to begin with so now forgive yourself and stop dwelling on the past already. It's over, you may have owned the sword I died by but you by no means killed me, got it. Now get over it. I can't forgive you of something you didn't do, now take of yourself and stop worrying."
"Alright," She said crying. I tightened my grip on her.
"Take care of her Kurosaki, she's important to everyone whether she knows it or not. Her worth is so great." He answered. "Now I have to return to my life, and please unfreeze my mother."
"Okay," She responded.
"I'll take care of Rukia for you, Kaien; and nice meeting you and talking to you." She said.
"Likewise, and try to help her with her problems; they are so many I could name."
"Understood, bye," He disappeared and changed back into the child.
"Bye, Kaien, and thank you." She whispered crying. Then we walked to the park, and we sat there.
∆ (Ishida's Room) ∆
"You know where they went?" Orihime asked.
"No, like I care." She sighed.
"You could pretend you care." She replied.
"But I honestly don't, and I probably never will."
"You have to care," She said.
"I don't really care, but I guess I could care a bit more. Where'd they go?" She sighed and walked into the kitchen.
"Yuzu, Karin, you know where your brother and Rukia went?" Orihime asked.
"No, brother had a surprise for her and that's it." Karin answered.
"Oh, when will they be back?" Orihime asked.
"Like we know the details on all of their dates," Yuzu responded.
"Just tell them I need to talk to them, when I get back." They nodded and Orihime returned to taking care of Ishida.
∆ (Meanwhile, W/Ichigo and Rukia) ∆
"You feel better?" He asked.
"Yeah, thanks." She said
"I'm glad, now I'm going to take you out to dinner. Now that you know how it's supposed to go, I'm sure this will be quite interesting." He replied.
"This is going to be very exciting, I can't wait," she said happily returning home changing into a dress and she walked outside to meet up with Ichigo.
"You ready?" He asked. She nodded happily and they walked hand-and-hand to the place and they were seated. "Waiter," Ichigo called, ushering him to them.
"Hello Sir, and mam, what would you like to drink?" He asked.
"I'll have an ice tea, and Rukia?" He asked.
"I'll have Orange Juice," Ichigo smiled at this and the waiter looked at Ichigo baffled as to why his date was acting like a child.
"So Rukia, what would like to do tomorrow?" He asked.
"I don't know, I was thinking that we throw a party." She said very maturely.
"Why would you like to do that?" He asked wondering what she was thinking.
"Don't you know what a week from tomorrow is?" She asked.
"No, it's August 14, nothing special about that on Earth." She laughed.
"Of course not silly, not on Earth but it's the day before the celebration of Obon."
"That's the holiday of the returned souls right?" Ichigo asked.
"Of course, it the most beautiful time of year in Soul Society and I wanted to invite everyone especially Hinamori and Hitsuguya."
"Why them?"
"Because Hinamori is my closest friend and Hitsuguya is her boyfriend and I want to congratulate them. Everyone must come." Rukia said happily.
"That sounds good but why is it such a big thing in Soul Society?" He asked.
"No one is in Soul Society for those 24 hours." Rukia answered.
"Where are they?" He asked.
"During the day of Oban all souls that are deceased return and can be seen. I'm surprised you've never noticed all the souls everywhere but it's wonderful to see everyone who has died again. It gives you a chance to learn more about how you died. It's a great holiday. The problem is that you're sent back to the place you died. The humans who celebrate Oban they go to the place that they buried the body but the body doesn't matter and the soul returns to the place where the soul died."
"So… I get to…" He stopped himself to stop himself from possibly crying in a public restaurant.
"Yeah, you get to see your mom again; I'd recommend taking your entire family again." She told him.
"Thanks for sharing this with me," He said smiling.
"You're welcome, many don't celebrate it anymore but it's an extremely important holiday because if we are blessed with some family of ours that still remembers us, then we can live until the equinox as a human. It's never happened to be but some have, and it's great to be back in your old body she said."
"I get it since it celebrates the departed souls that made it the holiday that is the most important one in Soul Society." She nodded in agreement.
"I can't believe that dad being so close to Soul Society and everything, never told us." Ichigo said sadly.
"Your dad lost a lot of him memories of Soul Society, don't forget." She reminded him.
"Yeah but it's a major Japanese holiday, shouldn't we celebrate at all?"
"You should but barely anyone does, that's while most people can't return to being human for a month." She responded. "Since my soul is bonded to this body I'm going to stay and hang out with your family, I really want to see your mom." She said smiling.
"I'm sure that would mean a lot to me and my family." Ichigo said placing his hand on hers causing her to blush.
The date went, as it should have, for never being on a real dinner date except for that one where she was taught Rukia went with everything extremely well, they ordered, received their food ate it and Ichigo paid the bill and they left.
"That was wonderful Ichigo." Rukia said happily. She was finally complete or as he saw it. She was acting like a normal teenager, giddy, in love, happy, cheerful and over all, innocent. This day he had take a great guilt off of her shoulders and thanks to her, he would in 1 week and one day, he would have his guilt removed also. "Ichigo?" She asked looking in his eyes.
"Yeah Rukia?" He asked.
"You zoned out there, so what do you want to do now?"
"I saw we make preparations for that party you're throwing." He said smiling giving her a reason to be even more cheerful.
"Thank you," She said.
"Hey, I mean I wouldn't mind seeing a few people from Soul Society too. I mean, Renji and a few others, they're cool." He said shrugging.
"Thank you regardless." She responded walking hope happily.
They arrived home and sat at the dinning room table, Rukia had collected many names from her diary of people to invite, her captain: Ukitake, Renji, Hinamori, Hitsuguya, Yuzu, Karin, his dad, Orihime, Chad, Ishida, Urahara, Hantaru, Ganji, Urura, Kiyono, Sentaru, Jinta, as well as many other people. Rukia had made an extremely long list.
"Where are we going to have it?" Ichigo asked leaning against a wall behind the working Rukia.
"I was thinking the park, what about you?" She asked.
"I was thinking the park too. It's a great location, open and very party friendly." She nodded.
"Then it's settled, we'll through it at the park." She answered.
"Okay, so who are some of these people?" He asked.
"Anyone who I'm inviting, and if you think about it, they're all people you know, well people you should know." She corrected herself.
"I know a lot of them but some of them I don't remember their names. Like these three Ukitake, Kiyono and Sentaru." She laughed.
"Ukitake is my captain and Kiyono and Sentaru are his third seats." She answered.
"Oh yeah, he's the one who helped me rescue you, I should remember him." She nodded sadly. "What's wrong with him?" She asked.
"He has tuberculosis." She answered sadly.
"What is that?"
"It's a lung disease that causes you to be extremely weak, it messes up your brain, and your breathing, if you over exert yourself, you cough up blood." She explained to him.
"That's horrible." He exclaimed and she nodded.
"Yeah it is, I wish there was something we can do for him, but there isn't. He'll return to the earth where he began and we'll be short 3 captains." She answered sadly.
"Don't be so negative, he's lived this long with it, he'll be fine."
"He'll eventually die, it worsens as the days go by and he suffers more." She said, and then she started crying. He sat in the chair next to her and held her.
"He'll be fine, don't worry, he's stronger then we give him credit for, don't worry." He said comforting her.
¤ (September 14th) ¤ ∆ (Park) ∆ VP: Rukia
It is finally the party, we, meaning Ichigo and I have been working extremely hard to prepare for this party, I can tell that Ichigo is extremely happy to see his mother again, if I remembered mine, so would I if she was dead and I was alive, or vise versa.
It was early morning and I was out at the park, Ichigo told me for safety purposes since souls, even hallow could return to their bodies in an e-mail mind state that he should be there to protect me. I told him that I'm a Shinigami but he insisted he protect me. I don't mind though.
"Hey Rukia," Hinamori said running over to me happily. I hugged her. "You look great and positively happy, I'm glad you're doing well."
"You look happy too, I'm glad." I said back. "Hey, where's Hitsuguya?" I asked looking around.
"And Ichigo?" She asked. I looked around and so did she and we couldn't find either of them.
"Ichigo, Hitsuguya!" We called together.
The guys fell from the sky and landed and came to their feet. "What?" Ichigo asked me.
"Where'd you two go?" I asked. "The party guests are going to be here soon."
"Really I thought you told them 8pm." Everyone started laughing, except Hitsuguya who smirked and Ichigo who was confused.
"Ichigo, Soul Society is at the opposite time as us, and their time flies faster." He sighed; he was going to be eternally confused.
"Whatever," Ichigo said.
"Don't be like that Ichigo." I said.
"So how have you two been?" I asked Hinamori and Hitsuguya.
"We've been great Rukia; but sadly, Soul Society is falling apart though." She said sadly.
"For once, Hinamori isn't over reacting. The place is a mess." If I didn't know better, I'd think they were trying to guilt me into coming back.
"Oh and Captain Ukitake told me to give this to you." Hitsuguya said handing a note to me.
Dear Rukia and Ichigo, due to my sadly decreasing condition I'm unable to make it to your party, I know how much this means to you and I'm extremely sorry but everyone else will be going sorry I can't. Ichigo, take care of Rukia since I'm clearly unable to and Rukia, keep smiling and working hard. Your skills may be quite useful one day no matter what world you end up in be in Soul Society or Earth. Your Captain, Joshiro Ukitake
"How much longer?" I asked Hitsuguya.
"Unohana says a few days at the very most." I felt myself slipping and Ichigo pulled me into his chest and walked me over to the bench and held me. I felt their spirit energies move away from me.
"What will Soul Society do?" I cried out.
(I know this is a bit different but for the first time ever, in the middle of these scenes I'm changing characters. I don't do this because it's confusing but here it's necessary.)
(VP: Ichigo)
I felt my heart hurt when she cried out like that. She was suffering. Her captain had always been gone, but had always taken care of it when she needed it. She couldn't see such a good man die, neither could I? However, there was nothing I could do.
"Rukia?" I asked.
"Yes," She replied still upset.
"You and I are going back, no matter what, we're staying."
"No Ichigo, you have to see your mom." She begged for me to be logical but she of all people should know that I'm not.
"Rukia, I've got every year from now on. You gave me the key to finding her. It's only a year, the person who saves you is going to be gone, and I know how hard death of souls is for you but you need to say good-bye." I forced her.
"No, please don't. Talk to your mom first, then we'll go, we've got three days, maybe more." She answered me. "I wouldn't forgive myself if I stopped you." She said. "You should be with your family."
"Rukia, everyone in my family considers you family too so I'm sure they'd understand." I responded.
"Just please," She said.
"Fine, but as soon as it hits midnight on that day we transfer over and you say good-bye. Okay?" I asked.
"Okay," She answered.
"Plus, I'd like you to meet my mom." She smiled and nodded. She didn't know the second part of the plan; I was planning on leaving her there so she can take care of Soul Society. It's her home after all. That's what Ukitake was trying to get through to her in that note. She didn't catch it or get it either.
"Hello, Ichigo, Rukia, you there?" A voice called from the forest, it was Orihime.
"Orihime, can I talk to Rukia for a few minutes please?" I asked her calmly.
"Oh sure, I'll keep the others over there." She said walking off, that was easier then I thought.
"Rukia, you're not coming back." I stated as seriously and as calmly as I could to make sure, she didn't mistake one word of it.
"What, of course I am, why wouldn't I?" She asked confused.
"I'm not letting you." I answered her.
"What, why wouldn't you?" She asked sadly, she was devastated.
"You need to take care of Soul Society."
"I don't think they'd let me, I mean what do I have to offer them? I didn't even have a seat during all my time with them."
"Wrong," A voice said from the forest. "You achieved your shikai by then and you have achieved materialization, have you not?" She nodded. "Then clearly you're at least a lieutenant level, and you could possibly be a captain at what levels our captains are at now. We desperately need new leadership. I'm sure they'd be honored to have your help." She answered.
"It's Matsumomo, if you forgot Rukia." She said to Rukia. Rukia looked up at her and smiled.
"I didn't forget I just didn't know how to respond."
"Well that's okay then, if your wondering why I'm here it's because I'm protecting Hinamori." She said.
"Why, she's with Hitsuguya?" I asked.
"I know but what she doesn't know is that Hitsuguya is strong and forceful so I'm protecting her from him. Though, I don't think anything will happen, I'm making sure of it." She said forcefully.
"Well you're invited to attend none the less," Rukia said happily.
"Well thank you, Rukia." She said happily walking around.
"Rukia, Ichigo, I'm here." I cheerful male voice said with power and authority.
A figure in captain's robes came towards us. "Renji?" I asked.
"You bet I'm a captain now, nice huh?" Rukia nodded feeling quite inferior.
"Don't tell him but they make anyone captains these days." Matsumomo said.
"Hey then why aren't you, huh?" Renji questioned. I sighed, they were argumentative more so then Rukia and I usually are.
"I haven't reached materialization unlike you three." She answered pouting.
"You reached it Rukia, wait a go!" He said smacking Rukia on the back make her fall to the ground.
"What you do that for?" I asked him.
"How was I supposed to know she'd so easily be taken down?" Rukia sat up and rubbed her back.
"Be more gently with people, man, you need to learn your own strength and how to control it." Rukia complained. I laughed, I use to do the same thing to her but she accepted it and I got better.
I helped Rukia off her feet. "Rukia archived materialization after we returned I forgot exactly how all I know is she can." I stated helping Rukia to her feet.
"I was able to by focusing everything on achieving it." Rukia explained.
"That's how I achieved it, by focusing my energy and mind on the purpose for my fight with Byakuya, Rukia." Rukia smiled and I held her close to me. "That's how I defeated him, by using my anger toward Rukia's abuse and pain to fuel my energy and power at Byakuya. I have her to thank for her rescue really." Everyone was confused.
"So in theory, Rukia saved herself?" Matsumomo asked confused.
"No, he's saying that because he was angry at Byakuya for hurting Rukia he was able to defeat Byakuya which still is confusing. Isn't that right Ichigo?" I rubbed my head.
"Not exactly but pretty close; because I felt with all my mind and soul that I needed to protect Rukia and save her from the abuse and pain she was feeling I used my feelings for Rukia and anger I felt toward her being taken away from me to fuel the Bankai." I explained.
"So if not for Rukia, you wouldn't have achieved Bankai, right?" Renji questioned.
"Right, because if Rukia hadn't shown up in the first place then I wouldn't have stated mettling with being a Shinigami, she'd be safe, miserable, abused and used and Soul Society would go down the toilet because I didn't meet Rukia."
"Man, thinking about it, it's either totally your fault for all the trouble Rukia or you're our savior." Renji said thinking it over.
"Soul Society would have fallen apart no matter if Rukia hadn't met me or not but the reason it was saved was because of her. She definitely saved Soul Society, well indirectly because I did it by using her influence on me." He answered.
"It's confusing." Renji said.
"True, but what in our lives aren't?" Rukia asked.
"She's right; I don't understand anything about soul society." I said laughing.
(A/N: Okay, I finally got this done, I know that it's slightly on time only by minutes but be glad I actually did it in the first place. Also, I hope you enjoy it, this chapter was all over the place but you have to pay close attention to details to understand what's going on in these next chapters, k, bye.)