AN: Ahh, another chapter done (I know, I said I wouldn't update every day anymore, but I finished this one up, so I figured I would post it for you). I know you probably have questions about what will happen now that Ichigo remembers Rukia, such as 'will he become a shinigami again?', or 'does he remember everything now?', but those answers are going to be answered in time. I'm sorry if it seems to be a little slow, but I promise, it does not remain that way.
Also, thanks to those of you how continue reading this story. I love the fact that I have people who are loyal to this fic. To those of you who have reviewed, I thank you, especially IchigoMoonCutter and hitsugayatoushirou1220 for their multiple reviews and support. :)
Disclaimer: I do not, nor ever have, owned any part of Bleach except for my drawings (they just don't compare to the real thing T_T)
Chapter 5: Warring Allies
Kohaku stared down at the girl as a mix of joy and relief passed over her face. A solitary tear escaped the corner of her eye, gliding down her cheek. "Rukia," he said. He wasn't sure how he knew who she was, but he knew, and he also knew that she was probably the closest person to him. She laughed and embraced him again, nuzzling into his shirt. This time he returned the embrace, feeling a slight warmth come to his cheeks.
The captains just looked at the pair in a mix of pity and amazement. Rukia pulled back and looked up into his eyes, seeing the warmth that she knew so well.
"Ichigo…"
Kohaku reached out, wiping the tear from her face. He hadn't even noticed that she kept calling him Ichigo. She gazed up at him, and the relief began to turn to annoyance.
"How could you do this to me! I waited for you for years! I thought maybe once you died you would come straight here, but you never did!"
"Wait, what are you tal—" He was cut off when Rukia's elbow caught him in the gut.
"Wh-what the hell was that for!"
"You know perfectly well what that was for!"
"What!"
"Stop acting stupid, Ichigo!"
"What are you talking about you freaky little nut job!And why do you keep calling me Ichigo?"
Rukia suddenly stopped glaring at him as realization hit her. She turned toward the captains, noticing their looks of pity. "How much?" she asked.
"He doesn't remember anything except you," Hitsugaya answered.
"Not even his name?"
"No."
Rukia turned back to Kohaku, who now looked completely confused. "You know who I am?" "Yeah, you're Kuchiki Rukia. And would someone please explain why you are talking about me like I don't even know my own name?" Rukia turned back to the captains, trying to figure out what they were planning.
"Kohaku, I must ask that that you leave us for the moment. Step outside and await further orders," the old man said, looking at Kohaku. Kohaku glanced at Rukia, but turned back to the old man and bowed, reluctantly stepping through the large doors.
After the boy had stepped out and the doors closed behind him, the captains all turned back to Yamamoto-soutaicho. Rukia stepped back to where her captain stood, eyes still glued on the doors where her old friend had just disappeared behind.
"As you can see, this is a difficult situation. He obviously remembers nothing from the past other than Kuchiki Rukia, and cannot even control his own power. It is of the utmost importance that we do not allow his hollow to take over. Therefore, we will send a shinigami of the Gotei 13 to protect the boy. It is also important that he regain that which he has lost, the past. As of this moment, there is nothing more we can do to bring back the boys memories, but there is one who might be able to. Kuchiki Rukia, you will accompany Kurosaki Ichigo and guard him against hollows and himself. In the process, you will attempt to help him regain his memories."
"I will not approve of this. I do not wish for my sister to remain near Kurosaki any longer than she has to," Kuchiki-taicho stated flatly.
"It is not a matter that requires your approval, Kuchiki-taicho," Yamamoto-soutaicho said.
"Yama-jii has a point, Kuchiki-taicho. She might be the only one that can get him to remember," Shunsui supported, causing Byakuya to stiffen and glare at him.
"They are right, Byakuya. I believe Rukia is the only one that can help Ichigo," Ukitake said, looking at the large doors.
"Your soft spot for Kurosaki is well known, Ukitake-taicho. But I will not have Rukia hurt by that ryoka again."
"He is not a ryoka; he is the hero of Soul Society and one of my closest friends. I will accompany him until ordered otherwise."
"I declare the matter settled," Yamamoto said. "Kuchiki Rukia, you may now leave us, we have other matters to discuss."
Rukia bowed and walked out of the room, looking around for Kohaku. She found him gazing out across the Seireitei with a blank expression on his face. She walked closer to him, putting a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn to look down at her. When he did, she gasped. His eyes were not his normal amber color, nor were they black and yellow like when he lost control of his body, instead his irises had turned a swirling cream color, and they held no emotion or recognition.
"I-Ichigo?" Rukia watched as the color slowly came back to his eyes, and he blinked like he was waking up from some sort of trance.
"Ichigo, are you alright?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Um-no reason," she said, pushing the troubled feeling welling up inside her away. She made note to inform the captains of his eyes later. "I have been assigned to guard you from any future hollow attacks, and will be accompanying you to where you live."
"Oh, umm, okay. Are you people expecting me to be attacked again?" Rukia cringed slightly when he said this. You people? You really don't remember, do you Ichigo?
"It is a strong possibility."
"Great, something to look forward to."
Rukia smiled sadly. He's isn't the same as he used to be, but he is still Ichigo. She looked back up at him to find that he was looking out across the Seireitei again, and seemed to be looking for something in particular.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing, you wouldn't be able to see it from down there anyway." Wait, why did I just pick on somebody I just met?
"I'm not that short, baka!" she yelled, stepping on his foot.
"What the hell Rukia?"
"That's what you get for calling me short!"
"I never said you were short! I implied you were short, which you are!" he retaliated, earning him and hit to the head.
"Would you stop doing that?"
"Then stop calling me short!"
"Fine, just stop hitting me!" Rukia smirked in triumph, happy that not everything about Ichigo had changed.
"We should get going. You need to take me to where you live Ichigo."
"Fine, but when we are around Amaterasu, you need to call me Kohaku, not Ichigo. She gave me my name, and I plan on keeping it. It sounds less girly than 'strawberry'."
"It means the one who defends," Rukia said, smirking at the fact that he admitted his name meant strawberry.
"Whatever, I'm going to stick with Kohaku."
"Hmm, Kohaku, huh. It matches your eyes," Rukia said, turning slightly pink.
"Yeah, that's why she gave me that name."
"Fine, I'll agree to call you Kohaku as long as you agree to not call me short."
"Fine."
They turned to leave, not sure what to make of their companion. 'He's changed, but I'm not sure if it's for the better or worse' Rukia thought glancing at Kohaku from the corner of her eye. 'I feel like I know her, and yet I don't ever remember meeting her. It feels natural to be around her, but I can't shake this feeling that this is going to end badly.'
AN: Not the most exciting reunion, I know, but Ichigo and Rukia were never really big on outright displays of emotions other than anger and annoyance. Be prepared for some awkward moments in the next chapter, just as a warning. ;)
Okay, so I'm curious as to what you think will happen now that Rukia has entered the picture along with Ichigo and Amaterasu. I already have an idea, but I want to know if you have an idea of what is to come.
And as always, please review to let me know how I'm doing and to give me any suggestions or advice for the story. Arigatou!