◊ (21: Heart of the Fallen) ◊
∆ (Apartment) ∆ - ¤ (4 More Months) ¤ - Φ (Rukia) Φ
I can't believe it. I still don't. It's been 6 months. HE's been gone 6 months. I need HIM back. HE's been gone to long. I can't even sense HIS presence anymore. We'll be graduating soon. What am I going to do? I need HIS.
Karla was almost a year old now. She walked and mumbled inaudible words. I moved away from HIS family. It hurt me too much to see their faces. Hitsuguya purposed to Hinamori. They're happy together. They of course won't get married anytime soon. My age is increasing in my body but not my soul. I'll live forever as a soul. Having to fake my death.
Renji is taking HIS's part in the play. He's the only person who could stand to work with me. Hitsuguya and Hinamori are afraid that I'm loosing touch with the world. I think it's that I'm loosing touch with myself. I hurt so much. It's indescribable.
The idiots at the school think that I should date someone else. If HE is missing, who cares? I do, that's why I was suspended, 2x for 2 weeks. One time after the other. Hinamori taught me how to block out everything, except the teachers. I've never gotten anything wrong again. I spend all my time caring for Karla, and doing schoolwork.
Today I'm taking Karla to Soul Society. Nii-san believes it would be best for me to try to live as normal a life as I can, without HE or with HIM. He found a family for Karla to live with happily. A new family, a better family. It's best this way.
There was a knock at the door. I opened it. "Rukia, come on. Do we have to change your clothes every time I'm over to go some place." Hitsuguya stepped out. Hinamori closed the door taking an outfit out of her bag.
"I'm hopeless aren't I?"
"No… you have plenty of hope. You're just extremely depressed. But even make up and how you dress can confuse people, not your brother but others are what's important. Come on." Hinamori said tossing me the clothes.
"What's wrong with what I have on, and my hair style?"
"Your hairs fine Rukia." She rolled here eyes. "Your look is just so depressing, after wearing only black and life I thought you'd be beyond sick of it. HE's not dead. You look like you're attending a funeral. Black boots, a black long sleeve shirt, a black sweater, a black skirt, and your eyes have no glow and excitement. I'm surprised that you even bother to go to school anymore."
"It keeps my mind off HIM. I think my way of dress is fine by the way." I responded.
"I'm surprised you have the will to do anything anymore. It's so sad how much you've changed without him. He'll pay for this. Every time HE leaves you, though it's only happened twice, it pains you both. I can't believe HE hasn't returned."
"Can we drop it?"
"If you agree to change."
"Fine." I said taking the clothes and going into the bathroom.
My complexion was extremely pale and there was no red to my cheeks and I desperately missed HIM. That was no lie. I couldn't cry anymore. I was just like the character from the play. I would end up different from her. I'd live for all eternity alone, until HE returned.
I was dressed in a long light blue cross over shirt that was like a long dress with a black underlay, my choice and black jeans. It was all right, I rather liked what I was wearing before. She put my make up on, to darken my complexion. It was a rather sickly color, the nurse had told me.
I opened the door, carrying Karla. Walked in, through the city to the mansion where I once resided. I went straight to my closet and tossed on the uniform I had worn for so many years. I adored it now. Someone was knocking on the door, Karla walked their, tumbling as she went. The door opened. Nii-san stepped in.
"Rukia, your behavior is… disgraceful."
"Your face is hiding the lies and pain you are suffering." He said.
"I was trained to hide my emotions. I guess that I'm failing aren't I?"
"You have been free from battle for a while. Only in battle can and should emotions be hidden." He reprimanded me.
"I'm not in the mood. There's Karla. Take her to her family. I can't stand to…"
"Be alone, or lose something that has become close to you, or both. I'm tired of your behavior. I don't care. Do you want to be gone to end your suffering?" He asked, directly.
"No. I just want him back."
"You can't get what you want. You can't always just say it and it happens. He may have always done that for you. This time HE can't. You'll learn that the whole world doesn't work like HE did."
"Present Tense."
"He does wouldn't make sense. He hasn't done that for you in a while, am I correct?" I sighed, but nodded.
"Hai, Nii-san. I'm sorry for my disgracefulness."
"You should be, now that you're suitable for walking around town, don't. Put on the clothes of earth and go outside of Soul Society, and go to the smaller cities. Then you will understand what I mean."
"Hai, Nii-san. I will." I said dawning on my old clothes Hinamori picked out, and left the main gates of Soul Society to the smaller areas. I needed to visit someone, in particular.
"It's been a while hasn't it?" I heard her voice. "Kuchiki Rukia."
"Hai, Kukaku." I said stepping into her place, sitting on a cushion.
"Man you are one big wreck."
"Am I?" I asked her.
"Yes you are. I'm sure that if you had a choice in what you were wearing today it would be all black. Wouldn't it. I'm also sure that if I took off that make-up you were wearing that you'd be a horribly sickly color."
"I was earlier, someone told me to change. I was told by a nurse that I was."
"I figured. Well get over it. He's gone for now. All you can do is hope for his return."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think HE'd want you like this, because of HIM?"
"No." I answered.
"Then you know what you have to do. You have to dress as if nothing changed, and get some muscle on your body and color in your cheeks. We're going to put you back together again." She said with the same confidence she always had. Why had I come here?
She took my hair out of its ponytail. She stuck me in a light blue tube top and a matching skirt, regular white sandals and tossed me a new matching phone. My old one was lost along the way. She knew that, somehow.
After a lot of eating, running, and training. We also tanned in the sun for a while. I felt better, my skin wasn't a sickly color, and it was just as it was 6 months ago. She did my make-up to compliment my complexion, not create it like we had earlier. I felt great and was happy to be better. I wasn't happy but I was happy to be better than before. I was still depressed but I felt anew.
"Ichigo would be glad you're heading back to normal. He wouldn't want to see you like that Rukia. Take care of yourself. I'm not going to hold your hand and make sure you keep that behavior up. You know better."
"I know I do."
"I miss my brother too, but I don't go around wishing HE were here. I know it's not the same because I know he's in a better place, and I know where HE is but it's equal because you can have Ichigo back, eventually, he'll return to you. In a few decades, my brother will return."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Bye Kuchiki."
"Bye Kukaku, thank you." She nodded and I went on my way into the city smiling with all the people there.
I met up with Hitsuguya and Hinamori who were happy to see my happier outlook on everything. We headed home. Everything hit me hard when my apartment felt empty without Karla to keep me company. I wish someone was there.
¤ (Morning) ¤
The play's start was coming up, and everyone was excited. It's been a while since I had to practice. I was normally in such an empty mood that it came naturally. People were laughing and glad to see me struggling a bit with staying in character as other messed up. I was naturally skilled at being depressed when depressed but with a happier outlook on life, it was difficult.
I had a nagging sense to check on HIS family. He would want me to. I just didn't want to face them. I hope they weren't nearly as depressed as I had been two months ago. It's March and He's been gone since September. 6 months, I missed him but I'd be okay. I promised myself I had to be, for him.
Before I knew it, I was at their house, knocking on their door. I had a key but I hadn't used it so long, I figured it was best not to impose after everything. Yuzu opened the door, I knew her to always be the first one there. As soon as the door was opened, it hit me, everything was back again. Except the depression.
She had ran out the door and she hugged me. She hugged me as if all her pain needed to be released into someone who couldn't cry anymore, to save her. I guess that's why I had gone to Kukaku so long ago. I wrapped my arms around the girl that was like a sister to me. They had lost their mother, and their brother. I didn't want them to lose anything else. I guess I made a mistake. They missed me.
"Onee-chan, you're back. I missed you so. Are you well? I heard you weren't doing well? Is Karla okay? Has anything happened to you? What's going on anymore?" Yuzu cried. I knelt down and held her. For the first time in 6 months, I too cried. Not for my pain, for hers. I understood, the smothering, undeniable, unbearable pain that was her depression. I knew.
"I'm fine. I've been depressed but well. She's with a real family now. Not much has happened except I'm deciding to live, even if it means I hurt, without him. I learned that my life will not stop because he's gone, I'll move on. If HE was able to, so can I. Nothing's going on anymore, the world is spinning, and now I'm just moving with it." I said with a smile that pleased me, I was happy to see them.
I looked to the door to see Karin standing there. She was hiding her pain. I could see it. If she was talking, she would be saying. "It's no use crying for him. He'll be back. We just need to be patient, extremely patient." I nodded, and at first, she was confused. Then she understood.
I walked in the house. It was the same as always. I sat down and cooked the family a meal. Yuzu hadn't had a break in almost 8 months. I think I'll come back and live with them. All my stuff besides a few outfits, were here. I had left one night, telling them that I wouldn't return.
I hadn't even told them I was leaving. I had left a note. It hurt me to write it, but they knew that I did what was best. At least that's probably what they told myself. That or that I needed space, time to heal. I wondered how their father was doing without my help in healing. He was probably busy, extremely busy.
Guilt hit me harder than pain ever had. I had been selfish in leaving his family to fend without HIM or I. I had abandoned them when HE was taken from them. For my own selfish cause. I was so horrible. I did the only thing I could in this situation. I asked for forgiveness.
I called HIS dad out."Please Forgive Me." I said with my head on the floor, bowing as elegantly and politely as I could manage.
"For what? He's not gone because of you. If that's why you left then I'd say that was stupid."
"No. I'm sorry because I left you to take care of yourselves because I was selfish. I hated seeing your pain. I could only feel mine. I didn't want to see anyone elses. It hurt me. And because of that weakness I separated myself from you and you had hard time without me. So please, forgive me?"
"No you are not."
"I understand."
"You are not because I cannot rightfully accept that apology."
"What?"
"In all honorable things a girlfriend of any man would not enter his household, care for his family and live with them, helping his father with his job, cooking and cleaning for his family, while they were still unmarried. You had no purpose to be with us. We had no reason to expect you to stay with us if not for Ichigo. It makes me happy you'd stay with us even if he isn't."
"What do you mean?"
"A man's job is to care for his family. On occasion, when a family can't care for themselves the wife of a son would come to assist his family with him. However, you weren't Ichigo's wife; you had no reason to be here. It wasn't your job to be here. You came here and helped because you felt indebted to us for letting you stay, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, you never were. Why did you stay? We were informed that you were given money to care for yourself, and have a home. Why stay?"
"I wanted to stay."
"Why?"
"I never had a family. I wanted to be a part of one. That's why."
"Yes, but why did you do all those things, if you wanted to be part of the family. You would have been accepted, even if you did nothing. Karin and Ichigo did much less than Yuzu did. You did everything that Yuzu did, and helped out at the hospital. You cared for them like their mother would have."
"They were like family to me, I cared."
"Yes, so you can't apologize for leaving if you were family to us. Even family sometimes separates if that's what's best. I'm just glad to have you back. You don't have to do those things though."
"I want to. I think it's what set everything back out of balance, beyond what was lost. Maybe everything can start to maintain balance again if I stop being alone and by myself, and become a person, family… again. If you'll have me."
"Of course we will."
"Thank you. I'll take care of you guys again because that's all I'll need to do to maintain what was and what is."
"You overcame and conquered, didn't you?"
"With help, yes." I said with a smile.
Ichigo, just because I'm trying to find balance again doesn't mean I don't want you back. I do, right now and every moment forever and always. I just want to finally fill my pain, and live beyond it. I want you to return and heal me, just not fill my aching soul. Please return Ichigo, Please.
¤ (End of School Year – 3 more months) ¤
"And the valedictorian from the Sophomore Class is… Kuchiki Rukia." I smiled, standing up in front of my classmates. HE hadn't returned but I could still be happy. It was sufficient in the balance. If I filled my life, I would miss him all the same. I just would feel the pain less. I would stop aching, but I'd know it was missing.
"Konichiwa everyone. My name is Kuchiki Rukia. I'm going to keep this short because it's just the end of the year, not graduation for us like the seniors. My placement is just a result of an unfortunate accident. I did a lot of stuff to keep my mind off of that, and this is the result. I wouldn't recommend using that to get where I am, or even move up in the stats. I would just work hard because trust me. You don't want my pain. So strive to be better and obtain it with work because that is the only way. How you reach dedication to that is a entirely different matter. Sayonara." I said getting off the podium.
We partied for a long time, until nightfall. I sat up in a tree. "Do you really live your character?" A voice asked from below me. I used my arms to hold the branch and swug down. My face was upside down, looking at Renji's.
"No. She copied me, really." I said with a smile.
"Sure. What are you doing tonight?" I froze. "I didn't mean it like that, man Rukia, I know better. Snap out of it." I nodded.
"Sorry." I mumbled.
"You don't have to apologize. I was just wondering if you wanted to help me do something."
"What?"
"We think we found a clue to Ichigo's disappearance. The orb. If you haven't forgotten the orb is what they want, maybe it can locate someone who has an attachment to the orb. With your abilities…"
"I'll be there. Of course I will. Any chance."
"Calm down, it's just a guess. It could be…"
"Totally wrong, but even a tiny chance is better than waiting for him to hit me while I'm sitting in a tree. It's best to try to find him instead of waiting." I said.
"Man you're surprisingly happy now. It's a good thing though." I smiled.
"I'm glad. But aren't you jealous that I outranked you?" I asked with a smirk.
"Nah. I got over that a while ago. You were always powerful and book smart."
"Thanks for not being jealous." I said. "Now where to?"
"Midnight, go to Urahara's place. He'll be ecstatic to see you. You've been out of commission for what… 9 months now."
'Yeah, everyone is. I hope Ichigo go is too."
"I'm sure he will. Just sleep before you get there. We'll be up all night." I nodded, heading to the house. I was staying with HIS – my family.
I made dinner, a kept up the house, I checked on a few patients and then I left them a note.
Family, we have a new clue on Ichigo. They think that using the orb I told you about, I can sense his location. It's just a guess but we have to try it, if we can. I know it's risky and all but I have to find him. I know you miss him too. I'll be sure to tell him that, if we find him. I'll do anything I can to bring him back. You can be sure of that. I made dinner for you guys. It's in the fridge. Take care until I return. – Rukia
Rukia arrived directly on time. She walked in; Urahara greeted her. "Rukia, a pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise, so you think it will really work."
"Yes, also we think we should be able to locate any Vizard in the area, using this tracking machine." He said pulling a cloth out from over it.
"Really?"
"As long as he's alive, in either world. It will work as long as he's in existence, in short." Urahara said.
"He has to be. Have you tested it?"
"Yes, we need his DNA though."
"Be right back, I'll grab his brush from the house." He nodded, as I went, grabbed the brush and returned. "So his hair should work, right?"
"Yes." Urahara said, putting the hair into the machine. "It's tracking his signature. There it is." He said pointing to a spot on the green map. "He's in the Hollow World. And Rukia, don't be foolish."
"I don't know what you're saying." I responded.
"Make sure you know that it's him before you do something stupid and put yourself in danger. He's been gone from you for a while, who knows how clouded your judgement has become. The orb is the only thing that knows for sure."
"I want to fuse it with myself." I said.
"Why? It will endanger you."
"I think not. I trust it."
"No, don't. Just hold in close enough to tell." Urahara said. "We don't know what kinds of affects it will have on you. So don't do it. Whatever you do."
"Alright, I get it."
I held the orb in my arms. I had to reach, farther than I ever had. I had to reach out and find Ichigo. Orb? Take me to Ichigo. I know you can help me. So help me, please.
Why should I? You may be who I belong to, and who I'm controlled by but I don't have to listen to your pleads. I'm better than that. You can't make me find your lover because of love, I'm not for that.
Do it, I beg of you. Please. I need you to help me. Why can't you just help.
I awoke in a room it was weird. I saw a person, black hair in pigtails with read highlights. It was really weird. I want to take a human form for a while, is that alright with you. A fair enough trade. I take a human form, just to live and help you out for a while, and you get the guy?
No destruction or anything because of it. No one will get hurt in the time that your human, promise.
Fine, neither you, the boy, me or anyone else, besides those guys who took your guy will get hurt as long as I'm in human form, or afterward, if it makes you feel better. Just help me take on a human form, please.
Yeah, I will. I focused my energy and she appeared, just as I had seen her. Her hair was actually down and her bangs were covering a large amount of her face. She wore a red tank top and jeans along with a black jacket. She was just as human as I was.
"Name's Onyx." She said stretching out here hand. Renji stood there. I pushed her out of the way, hugging her.
"Glad you could make it, Onyx. I didn't know you could."
"Of course I'd come to help you Onee-chan." I stared at her, sister?
"Sister?" She looked at me.
"I'm Onyx, the creation of her parents so it's only right I'd be her sister. I'm the orb, and I'll be hanging around a while."
"Oh, very well then." Urahara said. "Can you help us?"
"But of course, I know where my sister's boyfriend is. It's in the hollow realm. Come along she said waving her hand and ripping a whole between the worlds. No need for extra precautions."
"Alright, if you can seal it again." I said.
"Of course."
"And you're 100 sure it's him."
"Yes, his signature can't be copied. The only person who has the same code is his hollow self and his body which usually aren't dependant of him. Except when you interfere. Anyway, he's too weak, if they separated those parts now, he'd die." I gulped. "Calm down. We'll be fine."
"You're cool minded." Renji said, pouting.
"And you aren't?" She countered.
"I'm not because this is my friend who is in danger."
"I don't have friends. Except for Rukia there, but she's there cause she has to, like a sister." I scoffed. That wasn't nice. I know she had to stay with me, but she could sound nicer.
We climbed in through the portal. This place was destroyed. It was a mess of the dead place it was. It was as though it had been attack. Surely Soul Society was safe, right? I'm sure they can handle it. I had to find Ichigo.
"Hinamori, Hitsuguya, Urahara, head to Soul Society, they'll need you. They're coming."
"But Rukia." Hinamori said.
"Come along Hinamori. Onyx, stay with her, along with Renji."
I had no clue why I would ask Renji to stay but he should protect Onyx. "Renji, protect Onyx. I'm going to find Ichigo."
"You have no clue where to look." Onyx said.
"I can find him. I know he's here, right?" She nodded. "With that much hope, there's no way we can't." I said. "Stay and protect yourselves."
I ran off because had I stayed longer, Renji would have opted for us all going but Onyx couldn't fight, she needed protection. He'd say I was being foolish.
I ran off into the midst of the wreckage and closed my eyes. Ichigo, where are you? I ran without reason, or meaning. I kept running for the longest time until I stopped. I had got through all of that without falling or getting hurt, surprising but now there was something, no someone, Ichigo.
I was in the midst of the ruins of a castle. Then I saw it, it would be described as the Suyokyo. It was a giant torture device in short. One that Ichigo had saved me from.
"Ichigo!" I called running up to the stage. It didn't seem as strong as the other. Only captains could stand to be near it because of the pressure it gave off, which is why the usually carried the prisoner there, or dragged them as the case may be.
His body was destroyed. It was ripped and cut everywhere. Even his face was bloodied and cut. He was left there, to die. He couldn't die; I couldn't believe it. Had it worked, he'd be gone. We wouldn't be able to find him. Nevertheless, he had to be, I knew it.
Every inch there was a cut, at least one, or two in a one square inch space. It was so horrible to see, but after having missed him for so long, I couldn't remove my eyes from him. All I could do was cry, the tears falling down my face. I couldn't help but kneel down beside him and stroke his blood-clotted hair.
Ichigo, why? That's all that came to mind. "Rukia!" I voice called from a far. Very far off, it was Renji and Onyx. "Where are you?"
"Here." I said in a shallow voice. I stayed there for a long time, until they arrived beside me. "Wait a second, I'm going to heal him and numb his body."
"Alright." Renji said. I numbed his entire body, so he couldn't feel any pain anymore then began healing him. I was exhausted quickly. I was pumping everything I had to save him. Until it was gone. I fell forward. "Rukia, no." He was about to catch me until I hit something, something warm.
"Ichigo?" I questioned, my eyes too tired to open.
"Weakling, wake up." Onyx touched my back and I had strength again. I opened my eyes, slowly. I looked up to see the less tattered face of Ichigo. He was holding me against him, my head resting in his chest; his arms and body against mine, how I missed them so.
"You didn't miss me, did you?" He said with his normal smile, that showed that he was just joking but it didn't help him.
"Of course I did. Do you know how long you've been gone?" I cried, hugging him tightly.
"No, like a day or two right?"
"9… months." I whispered quietly. "It's July 12th."
"Man! It's been that long!" He yelled.
I rested my head in his chest. "Yeah, that long."
"I feel like I took a nap for a second, maybe a day at the most but not 9 months. Rukia, I'm so sorry. I'm sure you were okay, right?"
"As if, she was a mess without you stupid. Everything has been, since you left. You're not allowed to leave."
"When You Left, everything fell apart, I was lonely, all by myself. There was everyone there, but I felt so alone without you. It hurt so much."
"I'm sure you did but I'm glad that nothing changed while I was gone."
"Everything did really." Renji said. "She lived by herself, wearing only black all the time. She didn't talk to anyone ever. Then her brother took the baby away when it was about one to a real family and it shattered her, but she's okay now. With you. I swear though, if you heart her again."
"No." I said, tears still falling, burying my face into his chest. "It's okay. He's back with me, that's all that matters."
"Rukia…"
"No!" I yelled at him. Holding him as tight as I could manage. "Don't apologize, it wasn't your fault."
"Alright, I won't. Come on, let's go home." He said. I wouldn't and couldn't move. He sighed, picking me up. "I've got you."
"Thank you Ichigo." He stood up, and looked around.
"Who's the girl with Renji? She knew around here."
"I am. Name's Onyx. I'm the orb." Ichigo looked at me.
"Yeah, she's my sister. She helped me find you. I'm going to keep around."
"Really?"
"On one condition," I said.
"What?" She asked.
"You have to go stay with Renji." I said.
"What!" They both yelled.
"I'm not staying with him. He think he's so much more skilled than me."
"And she thinks that she's so much smarter than me." Renji said.
"Good then between you two, you'll make a person. Renji, teach her how to protect herself from attacks. If she's going to hang around it's your duty to protect her, got it. You're going to teach her. And Renji, don't take it personally but she is like a living computer, that's what she came from. She should be smarter than you." I said giggling resting my head against Ichigo.
"We need to go see how everything is in Soul Society." Renji said.
"Onyx, head back with Ichigo. He can help you with anything you need. Can you do me a favor and make sure he gets his wounds taken care of?" I asked her.
"Sure, Rukia." Onyx said sighing. "Troublesome boyfriend of my sister, come along."
"Ichigo." I corrected her.
"Yeah Rukia's right, my name is Ichigo." Ichigo said.
"Alright Ichigo, come along." She tore a portal for us, then one for Ichigo and herself, and we separated so we could help with the fight. We entered the portal as it closed behind us.
It was desolate. She could have put us to the wrong place, but the entire place seemed empty as if nothing was there. I looked around trying to find someone. I did. At the farest end of blank area I saw Hitsuguya on the ground, Hinamori tending to his wounds.
"Stupid soul wouldn't fight." He mumbled. "I took care of it though. But the body took some damage from ripping the soul clear out."
"Hinamori?"
"Kon came and helped me before I could do damage. Hitsuguya will be alright, won't he?" She asked.
"He should." I answered. "What happened?"
"The devastation was that caused by the large scale fight. It only wiped out the main gates. They've all been moved, but we finished them up, staying here. He escaped again Rukia." Hinamori mumbled.
"It's alright, another day. Ichigo and Onyx will be sure to help." I said, helping her heal him and Renji was to his side. "I think you grew some."
"Yeah, I'm sure I did." He said closing his eyes. "Night."
"Hitsuguya?"
He turned to look at her. "I'm fine Hinamori. I'm just tired, so much fighting. You rest as well." She nodded, not that he could see as he lost consciousness.
We arrived in the real world. Time was moving the same between the worlds now. The balance had been lost during the fight, how weird. Which means that I would age the same no matter where I was. That was definitely weird.
Renji put Hitsuguya on his bed, Hinamori curled up in his arms. Resting to the constant beating of his heart, the reassurance that he was alright, and with her. I wanted to do the same. However, I had to much work to do. I had to deal with Ichigo. I went into his room. It was the same as always. I sighed, the sight was hilarious. Onyx was trying to bandage Ichigo. Ichigo refused, opting to look at me as I walked in. She walked pasting me, mumbling stuff about Ichigo incoherently.
"Ichigo, why wouldn't you let her do anything for you?" I asked him. "She's just trying to help."
"She doesn't have spiritual powers to help heal me. I can't do anything with mine myself. That's how you're supposed to help me. She can't bandage me until that's taken care of."
"True enough. I'll get the bandages." I walked out and he followed me, falling back on my bed.
"Your room is weird now." He mumbled with his head in my pillow, having turned over.
'How so?" I asked him. I sat beside him, healing him, focusing on moving his spiritual energy to those spots. He wouldn't need the access for a while.
"Normally your room has a peaceful calming feeling to it, like you. It has a gentle free yet strong nature to it, like wind. However it is disturbed my something." I mumbled the word you under my breath. "What?"
"Your absence, it deeply affected me of course, so as I grieved and missed you, my room felt like that, and for so long. Of course it would stay like that, but the good outweighs the bad, easily." I said.
I finished up healing him. I then began to take out the bandages; he tossed of his shirt and pulled off his pants. "Ichigo." I said. He sighed. I tossed a pair of shorts at him, sighing. I turned around, he had them on, good. He can't walk around like that anyway.
"You're ridiculous Rukia."
"No you are." I replied. "Now stay still." I slowly wrapped all his many scars. I was about to sit up from leaning over him when he just grabbed my waist, pulling him next to me.
"Stay." He mumbled. "I'm tired and I want you to be here with me."
"This is my room." I said.
"All the more reason to stay." He said. I nodded; I was tired. It had been a long, seemingly not, but extensive day. It was just noon a few hours ago, it was only 8 and I was so exhausted, everyone was. I climbed over him, so that I could rest against him, my head leaning on his chest. My fingers flowing through his hair. It was clean, he having probably taken a shower while Hinamori, Renji and I took care of those casualties of the war for many hours. "What are you doing?"
"Reassurance." I mumbled.
"Of what?" He asked.
"Your existence, with me." I said. "I missed you so much. I can't believe your back… so long. I'm so tired, as if I haven't rested in all the time you were gone."
"No offense Rukia, but you look it."
"Really? Then I'll sleep good into tomorrow for sure." I said.
"Yeah, you can do that; no one will wake us up. Yuzu and Karin wouldn't dare, it's summer."
"Is it really?" I asked.
"Yeah but I'm going a lot of classes to take in summer school to catch up to you. Then again Ms. Valedictorian, I don't think I can without your help. Do you mind?"
"I'll file a police report that you were found in an alley, I had filed a missing report so you should be excused, but a few classes would be mandatory, nothing that I can't help with." I said.
"Yeah, there's nothing you can't do." He said. Playing with my hair, his hands running down my skin. "Even though my mind felt like it was just a day or two apart, my body knows it's been much longer. I miss your touch. You feel so wonderful compared to how I feel."
"How do I feel?" I asked.
"Like silk, gentle, clean and pure. Like you always do." He said. Rubbing his face against mine. I couldn't stand anymore. I missed him so much. So even though it was probably quite painful for him, or not, I pressed my body against him, to kiss him, and he didn't complain. He just kissed me back. "You know what?" He asked me.
"No." I replied.
"You taste nice too." I rolled my eyes. "You really do." He wrapped his arms around me, holding me there next to him, against him, on top of him. He seemed to have no complaints. "Would you mind if I stayed with you, forever?" He asked.
"No, that would make me happy." I said, my eyes closed.
"So if I asked you to marry me, like at the end of our senior year, would you?"
"Gladly, but you'd have to talk to my brother and Renji. They're protective of me."
"Yeah, but I think they'd be okay with that. I'm pretty sure the would be. Especially if you agree to it, they have that, anything to make my little sister happy attitude. So is that a yes?'
I sighed. "Yes it is. I would gladly marry you." I said.
"Then we're engaged." I nodded. "Good, cause I've been wanting that for a while now."
"Me too. I'm glad you asked."
"Me too, me too." He said. We closed our eyes, and slept. Both of us, in peace and tranquility, not with nightmares, or unconscious sleep. Just peace. Wonderful happy peace.
¤ (Noon) ¤
I woke up with Ichigo was there beside me. "Glad to see you're awake." He said. "I thought you had died being so happy and all."
"No such luck." I said. "I'm here to be with you as long as I possibly can, forever and always."
"Good, now… I've got to go with Renji to do something, he said this morning. You have plans?"
"Yeah actually, a welcome back party for you. Get something nice while you're out. It's going to be a huge party, everyone knows about your absence and missed you."
"Really, that's nice." He said.
"I have to go get a dress okay?" He nodded. I went into the bathroom, slipped into a black skirt and a black top, just as everything was before he returned. "I'll get some new clothes while I'm out, don't worry. I was depressed and had a wardrobe to match."
"K, see you later."
"6, that's what time the party will start. See you then." We went our separate ways, for now.