Rain Rain Go Away: Chapter 9

A gift from the heart

A/N: Sorry that I have not been updating as fast as I want to, this is a very short chapter, but it is more of a filler chapter so that way chapter 10 will be the actual you know, action. I am so glad that several of you like my story. To be honest, as this is not because I am trying to be like every writer when I say this, but I do not think I am that good of a writer, but I try my hardest to please, so please review and tell me your thoughts, maybe even ideas as to what you want me to do with Ichigo and Rukia. I am the kind of writer who has the basic outline of the story, and then when I type it up, I just keep writing and do whatever comes to mind. I guess you can say that I am an impulsive writer v well anyway, I thought this was a cute chapter. Enjoy! And remember to review!

The sun was rising just above the horizon when the loose light filtered inside Ichigo's little house. Birds were chirping, and the sounds of horses carrying people around Inuzuri awoke Ichigo from his sleep. He groaned, and placed a hand weakly over his alarm clock. Having a hard time finding the snooze button, he sat up impatiently with a sigh. It took him about a minute or two to process where he was. He made sure it was his house, because Ichigo seemed to have bad luck with falling asleep and waking up in different houses. This time though, he can't say he was drunk or anything so he had no alibi. Kurosaki got up sleepily from his sleeping quarters and found his robes that he was given ever so kindly from a vender in thanks from slaying that hollow earlier.

After he was situated and awake, it was time for him to find the material necessary for his first training lesson tonight with Rukia. He would need a wooden katana or pole. He was still surprised that he was so close to becoming a Shinigami, let alone the fact that he was dead was a lot to take in. He couldn't explain why, but he was already counting the minutes until he saw Rukia again. She was going to train him so that way when he went back to school, he would hopefully graduate with ease. He could already feel the zanpaktou in his hands, its glistening metallic blade, the power surging through it. He wonder curiously what element he would get. He personally wanted a fire type, but Ichigo would let fate decide which zanpaktou he would have. It was when Ichigo stepped outside his house that a man bumped into him clumsily, dropping whatever it was that he had in his hands.

"Gomen-nasai!" Replied a meek man. Ichigo looked down at the man who seemed to be trembling.

"Oh uh, don't worry about it, it happens." Ichigo bent down and picked up the bag that the man dropped with its contents inside. His eyes wandered curiously to a mysterious object hidden in the bag. It was a necklace with a violet gem that hung in the center. It certainly was like eye candy to him.

"How much for it?"

The man seemed confused. "What do you mean? this stuff is not for sale."

Kurosaki's eyes furrowed with disappointment. "Oh, you see this necklace is not for me…"

The man caught Ichigo's faint color rising in his cheeks. At this, the man smirked. "Is it for a special lady?"

Ichigo scrunched his face up. "No! No, it is not, I mean…maybe, I don't know. I just like it."

The stranger just smiled. "It was my grandmother's, when I was still living. She gave it to me before she died, so you see it's a very precious artifact."

Ichigo looked embarrassed now. "Oh I see, well if it is that important, how can I ask of it. Sorry for me being rude."

"You did not let me finish, it is precious to me, but I can see that you will put it to good use my boy," this he said with a wink. "I will sell it to you for 2000 yen."

Kurosaki was baffled. "Only that much? I can give you more for that you know."

"No need, just take it before I change my mind."

Ichigo nodded, and reached into his robes. He looked at the coins and counted to make sure it was enough. "There you go and thank you sir."

The man continued on, this time with a smile on his face. Grandma, I apologize, but this boy needs it more than I do, so please forgive me, but I am a sucker for young love.

Ichigo looked at the sky to determine the time of day and it must have been around noon because the sun was at its highest peak. He still had around five hours or so until he had to meet Rukia.

Rubbing the back of his head, he tried to remember what it was he was doing before he ran into that weird man. Ahh! He was on his way to find a practice weapon. Luckily there was a local shop that sold tons of martial arts supplys. Ichigo walked on in, with a pocket in his robe, with the remaining money he had left. He would say that he atleast had 4,000 or so yen to spare. Until he found a job of some sort, he had about a week with that much. Sighing, he took a wooden pole that would substitute as a sword when him and Rukia practiced swordsmanship. Then, Ichigo slapped down the money to the clerk and exited the shop. Looking at the horizon again, he had about 3 hours left now. Hurrying towards the direction that he last met Rukia, his subconscious mind told him something. Rukia would not be at home. If Ichigo recalled, Rukia said something about it being too risky for them to meet close to home, so she found them a spot outside Seireretei's walls. That way, her reiatsu would be harder to locate. Concentrating hard enough, somehow he was able to find Rukia's spirit ribbons amongst the many soul reapers and used it to track her down. "Gotcha!" He yelled triumphantly. With a smile on his face once more, and his eyes towards the sky, he could not help but feel happy. This time he had a purpose, but also in his hands was a necklace that swung from side to side as he ran.