Him and Her
Author: foxmagic
Rating: (Who really cares?) PG-13.
Italics: thoughts
Warnings: (maybe I should say pairings, instead. That might sound better lol). Ichigo/Rukia still going strong! Oh, and here's a warning you may like. I've added a bit more fluff in this chapter.
Disclaimer: Don't own em, don't claim em.
So here is another ficcy yep yep. More fluff in this one…because I can. And this is before the soul-society arc. Maybe ONE DAY I'll take a leap of faith and do a fic PAST that point. Until then, I'm a coward…and I can live with that.
And of COURSE I have to take a minute to praise my oh-so-faithful reviewers whom I love and adore.
Mizura Enoki- Yeah…that was suppose to be the last chapter. But ever since a couple days ago, I've switched this story from a bunch of pointless one-shots, to a collection of stories that relate to one another. This will most likely be a collection that features the gradual change of Ichigo and Rukia's relationship…(since all I seem to write is Ichi/Rukia!).
SxStrngSamurai13- Heh heh heh…I was kidding about the whole honesty thing! I want you to lie! LIE! Hahahaha….just kidding. And I'm taking your advice about the 'gradual change' type thing. Yeah…I think it'll work. ;)
Ayame Keiji the Penguin Queen- Ah! I'm so glad you think thought my last story was good!
boeboebi- Thanks a lot! I plan to write lots more!
Lain Lang- Yeah, I did want Rukia to understand the embarrassment that came with them finding her lying on top of Ichigo, but I didn't want her to get what they were really thinking about. Thought I'd save that conversation for another time!
Trinity- Aw! You're so sweet! Thank you!
Maginisha- Hee hee…you're right. (Bandages computer) it's been so faithful to me for the little time I've owned it. And yeah, it's really hard to keep the characters IC. I hope I continue to do a good job!
the aki- YAY! Look look, another chapter! WEEEEE! XD
cocoa-latte- You liked it? I'm so glad!
anime-obsession260- Yup, my favorite fics are the funny ones, that's why I write them. But once in a while I need good fluff too…hence this chapter! Thanks for the review!
And of course, how could I forget Pipp-Ork, who threatened me with bodily harm if I didn't update. Now that's a great review! Thanks so much, you're awesome!
-
His feelings and Her resolve
"You're doing it all wrong."
"Would you keep quiet! I'm trying to concentrate."
"It doesn't matter now, you've already ruined everything."
"You're such a pain in the ass, ya know that?"
"I know…I'm like that on purpose."
Ichigo sent Rukia one of his best scowls, but she didn't back down. This was serious business and the girl had no intention of letting it go so easily. They had gotten all prepared to come to the park that morning and train. She, of course, had told him it would be only a couple of hours. It was now 6:30 PM.
"Close your eyes again."
He blinked.
"DO IT!"
"…fine…" He did as he was told.
"Now…imagine the target in your head. Can you picture its vital points?" The instruction was laid carefully so as not to confuse the boy. "Tell me, what do you see?"
"I see a bunch of sparkly dots."
"GRRRRR! Are you TRYING to be a smartass!"
He replied in mock fashion, repeating the answer she, herself, had given earlier. "Yeah…I'm like that on purpose."
Rukia took a breath. It was no use getting all worked up over nothing. He was always like this, it was just his nature. That's the whole reason they had been at the park the entire day. He was so damn stubborn.
"Come on, I told you this was serious. I want you to be ready in case you encounter a more dangerous situation someday."
"More dangerous?" He huffed. "Those stupid Hollows I face every day are nothing. How could things ever get more dangerous?"
Oh how much that boy did not know. His world consisted of nothing more than what lay in front of his eyes. His home, his friends, his family and school…protecting them meant everything.
Finding no more purpose in training, Rukia turned to leave.
He is so strong…and still growing yet. He should know by now…he should be able to sense it. Why is it that he doesn't see? They will come…I can feel it in these false bones of mine. They will surely come…and he will not be ready.
"Rukia…?" Ichigo followed her gaze to the ever darkening sky. Night had fallen swiftly. How time flew…
"I wonder…" Her voice barely an audible whisper. "How long has it been since I came here?"
"I dunno, a few months?"
She tilted her head heavenward. "Really? It seems so much shorter than that."
His customary scowl grew lax. This was strange, even for Rukia. The girl was talking in circles and making no sense at all. Since when had she started to care about such things?
Her words came out again, serving only to confuse him more. "Hey, Ichigo…tell me…what will you do once I leave? Will you continue to train? Will you grow stronger in order to avenge your mother?"
"I told you…as long as I have your shinigami powers, I can defeat all the Hollows who dare cross my path. I'll find that one who killed mom…I'll find it one day and destroy it. As long as I have just a little longer…"
"That is a promise I'm not sure I can keep. My time is limited, who knows when I will be gone from this world."
Ichigo's brow furrowed at the insinuation. Leave? What was she babbling about now? They still had time…her powers hadn't even come back.
"My time…is running out."
He grabbed hold of her shoulders and twisted her around so that she had no other choice but to look into his eyes. "What the hell are you going on about? You're not making any sense."
Her expression grew soft. His face had become all too readable.
Too long…I've been here too long. This place…these people…this boy…I know it all too well. And I find myself now, so reluctant to leave.
It doesn't change the fact that some day, I will.
"Don't worry about it; it's not your concern." Rukia's tone turned cold.
"Dammit! Don't say shit like that!"
"You need to stop worrying over things you can't fix."
"I only worry because YOU say things that make me worry." He retorted.
"Oh…so you are worried…"
"Gah! Sh…shut up! Stop twisting the conversation against me!"
At that moment, Rukia let one of her rare laughs escape. It wasn't her usual snicker or leer. It was pure and honest. It was during these brief moments when she could toss aside her fears and worries and have fun at Ichigo's expense. Besides…who knew what tomorrow had in store? Training in the park tonight, fighting to the death when morning finally broke over the horizon. That was just how it was and she accepted it.
That's why every moment was golden.
"Look at the stars! That set over there looks kind of like a bunny!" She exclaimed.
Ichigo followed to where she was pointing and let a sigh escape. "You're such an idiot."
Suddenly, Rukia felt herself being lifted into the air. Her eyes quickly fell down to stare into the face of one red headed shinigami. He had hoisted the frail girl up on his shoulders and now stood, holding her steady with his hands.
"Ichigo…"
"Just enjoy the height while you can," He cut her off. "You'll be short again in a couple minutes."
Once more she let herself go; the stars continuing to captivate her senses. Her hands found themselves resting in the midst of an orange jungle of spiky hair.
"Do you think it's the same as in soul society? The stars I mean."
"I dunno, never been there. But I think that no matter where you are…everyone always has the same sky to look up to -even in soul society." He kept a straight face. "No matter where you are, Rukia…we will always be looking at the same sky."
Looking down, Rukia couldn't help but wonder at how much he really thought about her imminent departure. She would let it be, though. Now was not the time.
"Thanks, Ichigo."
He allowed himself a small smirk. "Yeah, just don't get used to it. Now let's go home."
"Alright."
Home…
"Let's go home." She agreed.
Above them that night, the stars shone brighter than ever.
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Okay…the chapter was…eh. I was so nervous about writing even this small amount of fluff. I didn't know how to handle it. And like I said to Mizura Enoki, this whole story turned into one big Ichigo/Rukia…thing. Hahahaha. Owell. Hope you enjoyed it, and please review!
-foxmagic