Mystification of the Moon, Chapter V

Kurosaki Ichigo was quite the different sort of man compared to what she was used to. But then again, he wasn't too far off from being like Renji. As it seemed, they were both idiots in their own interpretations. "Fool," she whispered some time after his lips left her hand and were replaced by his crown, so to that his orange hair brushed against her skin. He had not moved after apologizing, but at her reprimand his head raised and his gaze searched hers.

"Huh?" was his clever response, and his eyes clouded with confusion. Something was moving in her chest. This was a side of Ichigo she had never seen. Moreover, she wasn't sure about how to go about into it. She had never pictured him as vulnerable in anyway, as he had just presented to her. In fact, since the moment she met him really only such a short while ago, she had judged him to be always a strong individual. Someone continually standing, never unraveling. This Ichigo, however, was one she had not imagined existed, and so by default never expected to see. "Fool," she repeated again, her voice speaking on its own accord, without leave from her rational mind.

He blinked, his brow furrowed slightly and he waited for her to explain herself, not quite expecting a response like the one that had just passed her lips. Rukia smiled slightly, uncertainly and retracted her hand to cross her arms over her chest. "You heard me," she said with a quivering grin. "I clearly said 'fool' did I not?"

He nodded slowly, also indecisively, but remaining knelt before her. But then when silence took over he got back on his feet and scratched the back of his head. He looked embarrassed. "Sorry," he told her. "I didn't think about what I was doing. I'm sorry for grabbing at you like that."

Rukia said nothing and only watched as he retreated out of the room. "Ichigo," she said softly, looking at the door he had closed abruptly. "What just happened?"

***

Rukia was right. He was a fool. The biggest fool. The biggest, biggest, biggest, biggest fool in all of Soul Society. "What the hell was I thinking," he growled exasperatedly at himself. "She's not a freaking diary I can just launch all my crap to. Or even someone that could remotely understand." He sighed. "Kaien's right. She's just a kid. I can't expect her to understand me."

He scratched the back of his head, a habit born of irritation and glared into the colorful sunset before him. He sat on the roof of his home, having climbed out of his window as to let his family assume he wasn't home. "Ugh," he groaned when he thought about what his crazy goat-faced old man was going to do to him when he got back from the Human World that night. "I guess I can look forward to an early morning kick to the head," he grumbled. "Although that might not actually be too bad…I deserve it for being a fool."

"Cheer up, at least you don't have to go scrape up dry blood tomorrow," greeted a familiar voice to his left. Ichigo raised an eyebrow and watched as Shiba Kaien suddenly clambered to the roof, his feet leaving the sill of his window as he pushed off.

"Blood?" he inquired when his friend dropped his behind right next to him. "Yeah," he verified. "Yours and the kid's. It's part of my punishment…since I was the mission leader you know."

"What?" laughed Ichigo. "No paperwork?"

Kaien grinned. "None whatsoever. And as a bonus I get to go hunt down that Hollow that messed you guys up."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "It's not dead?" he demanded.

Kaien's brow dropped too in discontent. "No. I thought it had died, and reported that. But at my hearing we saw a video that proved otherwise. It turns out the Hollow merely left the Human World to regenerate again."

"To where?" asked Ichigo. "Hueco Mundo," answered Kaien and the orange-head understood then. "Ah," he breathed. "Now I understand why that bastard had that weird aura. So tell me. How much does Aizen have to do with this?"

Kaien shrugged. "We're not perfectly sure," he answered. "But Urahara thinks that he's involved quite a bit. His theory is that Aizen made really strong Dummy Hollows with the Hogyoku and mixed them in with normal pills."

Ichigo frowned more deeply. "It's going to be difficult to sort them then?" he asked. Kaien shook his head. "Nope. It's going to be easy. You didn't by any chance check the color of the pill you released did you?"

Ichigo said no and so Kaien went on. "Well, if you had then you would have seen that it was black, which Vice Captain Mayuri said is not a standard color. So the only thing that's going to impose a problem is if the pills are released during sorting. We're letting Fourth Squad deal with it, you see. But even then we're going to have Vice Captains on guard, or even Captains if the need arises. But I don't think it will," he confessed very easygoing.

Ichigo nodded slowly, digesting what his friend had just spoken. "I want to go too," he declared. "To the Human World to hunt down that Hollow. When are you leaving tomorrow?" he demanded.

Kaien pondered it. "You know what," he said at last. "…I can't remember," he finished dully. "But I'm sure Hisagi knows. Do you want to go find him?"

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah, sure. Let's go now," he said as he stood up. He offered a hand to his friend and pulled him to his feet. "Do you know where he is?" he inquired.

Kaien nodded. "Fourth Squad," he divulged. "He went to see the kid. I said I was going to check up on you and then go there afterwards. So lets go visit Rukia too while we're there, all right?" he offered jovially.

At the mention of her name he had stiffened and Kaien hadn't missed the clenching of the orange head's body. "What's up with you and her?" he demanded, his tone suddenly darkening. "Don't tell me you're going all psycho on us again…I swear I'll beat the shit out of you yet again if…"

Ichigo cut him off, waving his hands as to stop his rant. "Nah," he corrected. "I did the exact opposite. I said sorry in the corniest way possible and probably freaked her out."

Kaien raised an eyebrow and the corners of his smile quirked. "Oh? Do tell," he encouraged as he called reiatsu to his feet as to Shumpo. Ichigo did the same and cringed. "I knelt down and kissed her hand," he confessed and as soon as he said it began to run. He could hear Kaien laughing in the background, obviously too trapped in mirth to become mobile. "I really am an idiot," he muttered gravely to himself.

***

Shuuhei sat at the side of her bed and watched in sober amusement as the girl before him pulled at the bandages around her neck. "I don't see why they're so tight," she complained to him. "Could you find me some scissors, Senpai?" she asked him, her eyes seeking his earnestly.

He erased the slight smile that curved his lips and frowned. "Rukia san," he sighed. "For the third time, no. You have to keep the bandages on so that your wounds will heal."

Her gaze dropped, disappointed she obviously was, and she stopped pulling at the wrappings. She scrutinized the door directly from her. "Sorry," she apologized in a small voice. "I'll stop bothering you."

Shuuhei sighed again and she looked to him. "You're not a bother," he told her. "I just wish you'd show more concern for your well being."

She looked confused, her expression told him. "Self-preservation," she said. He nodded; glad to know they were on the same page. "Yes," he said.

She smiled suddenly. "I have a lot of that," she informed him proudly. "I learned it very well."

Shuuhei suddenly remembered her upbringing. "Right," he agreed. "Inuzuri was a place where the will to live was taught to you?"

She pondered it. "More or less," she admitted. "I never saw it as keeping me alive for myself though, but did so for the sake of my friends."

"Oh?" he marveled, curious now. "Were there more than Abarai?" he questioned. Rukia nodded. "Yes," she said. "There were three others that ran along with us." She blinked and abruptly the light in her eyes changed from wistful from memories to curious, curiosity that was directed at him. "I don't think you came to hear my childhood story, Senpai," she declared. "Was there something you wanted to say to me?"

Shuuhei nodded lightly. "Yes," he affirmed. "But I did also want to see how you were doing. Your condition when we found you in the Human World was worse than Ichigo san's. And when a Healer tried to help you your wounds would not seal…it was, so to speak…very worrying."

Rukia's eyes were wide. "Was it really like that?" she implored. He nodded and her shoulders slumped. "Ah, now I see."

Shuuhei raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked her. She looked at him dejectedly. "I was walking around a few hours ago…it made Ichigo mad but I didn't think anything of it. So now he's probably angry with me about that, apart from…" she trailed off.

But Shuuhei was curious as to what she would have said. "Apart from?" he urged covertly, trying not to seem like some sort of gossipmonger. She bit her lip. "I'd rather not say since I'm not too sure of what happened exactly."

Let down slightly, Shuuhei nodded understandingly. He took in mind that it wasn't his place to question her personal affairs too much during his stay anyway. He had business to carry out. "Whatever happened I'm sure will be corrected," he consoled. "But you were right, there is something that I came to say."

Rukia was all ears. "Yes?"

"First of all, Unohana Taichou wished for me to say to you that you will reside here in Fourth Squad for about a week," he told her, and almost smiled as her face fell. "Second, the Academy will not punish you since you really had no fault in what happened in the Human World, and as so nothing about our fiasco will be divulged outside of the knowledge of Captains, Vice Captains, The Council and the Board of Directors from the School."

Rukia looked concerned there. "What do you mean punished?" she asked. "Do you mean to say that we did something wrong?"

Shuuhei nodded sheepishly. "The fact that we took you along with us was a crime. Or really, something that wasn't in our justification to do. But you see, I didn't think we would get caught and neither did Ichigo san or Kaien-dono, so we all agreed on taking you."

Rukia nodded. "To make up for the trip I didn't attend," she noted. "You said you would have me make it up somehow, and taking me along was the somehow that would get me my grade."

He waved his hand, as if saying so-so. "You're partly right," he said to her. "You see, I had already given you a grade, the gist was you earning it."

Rukia's eyes widened once more. "Oh," she uttered. "I see."

Shuuhei coughed into his fist, clearing his throat, breaking her surprise. "Now. There was something else," he went on. "Since you'll be staying here you won't be able to attend your classes. So I was wondering if you knew anyone that might let you borrow their notes for you to study?" he asked. "Just give me their name and I'll bring them to you every day," he promised.

Rukia smiled sweetly. "That's kind of you, Senpai," she told him and his cheeks colored without his accord. "But I don't have any friends in my class," she continued. "So I can't give you a name."

Shuuhei frowned. "None?" he asked, not really sure if he had heard correctly. She nodded and his gaze hardened with spite. "Does that Shihouin girl really make it that hard for you?" he asked harshly, but it was said in rhetoric tones so Rukia didn't answer. She verified with a grimace-like smile.

"I'll ask your teachers then," he told her. "I know they'll help you out if I ask them the favor." Rukia thanked him. "It's late, Senpai," she said as well. "You should go and get some rest."

He nodded, agreeing with her. "Yes. But there's just something else I would like for you to answer me." Rukia agreed with a nod and so he continued to ask his question. "That sword, the one that you used to defend yourself and Ichigo san…how did you call it?"

Rukia blinked and thought about it. "I don't really know," she confessed in a hushed tone, her voice like a whisper. "I asked for help and suddenly there was a voice, and then another who helped me."

Shuuhei nodded. "It was your spirit and Ichigo san's as well?" Rukia's eyes were questioning. "I believe so," she agreed. His lips broke into a small smile. "What is your spirit's name?" he asked.

In a few seconds Rukia's eyes widened and she looked at him in terrified surprise. "I," she said in shock. "I can't remember."

Shuuhei's brow furrowed and he opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted as the door suddenly swung open. It was Kaien-dono, who stood at the entry with a wide smile at seeing Rukia san, and Ichigo san trailing behind him.

"Rukia!" exclaimed Kaien, rushing to the girl's side and picking up her hand with his. "So, how are we this fine night?" he asked her. Rukia's cheeks blushed red and she retreated her hand. "Kaien-dono," she said chastising. "Isn't it late for a visit?"

Kaien shrugged. "I guess so. I was actually going to come earlier, but I had to go find Ichigo," he explained, gesturing his thumb to the person behind him. Rukia's eyes lit up as she saw him. "Ichigo," she said softly. "You came to see me?"

Her gaze was hopeful, expectant, and Ichigo couldn't hold her eyes. His embarrassment and the exasperation he felt towards himself for what happened before made him unable to do so. "No," he found himself saying. "I came to ask Hisagi a question."

Shuuhei frowned as Rukia san's eyes drowned in disappointment. "Oh," she said mutedly, not to Ichigo san, but seemingly to her own self. She looked to him suddenly. "Well then, if that was all, then goodnight, Senpai," she said, smiling unconvincingly. He nodded to her and stood from his chair, going to the entry where Ichigo san hovered. "Shall we go?" he asked said man harshly, and the orange-head nodded, surprised by his tone.

Shuuhei looked to Kaien-dono who was patting Rukia's head. "Night-night, Rukia," he said brightly, smiling at her. She didn't look at him and his lips curved down slightly. "Goodnight," she said as well and without ado she lifted the covers over herself.

Kaien sighed, noting that her response was due to Ichigo pretty much snubbing her. He looked to his friend and saw as Hisagi pushed past him, bumping his shoulder harshly against the orange-head.

"The hell?" growled Ichigo and looked demandingly to Kaien, as if he had the answer. Said man shrugged as he walked out of the room. Ichigo backed out, giving him room to close the door behind him. "You deserve it," he said and as well left him behind, Shumpoing after Hisagi.

***

Ichigo hadn't been able to confirm exactly what he had done to earn Hisagi Shuuhei's scorn, but a little mental birdie told him (mainly due to Kaien's comment last night) that it was something along the lines of Rukia.

So when the gate that took them to the Human World opened and Hisagi left without a word to him, although he did tell Kaien that he was going on ahead to find the bloodied ground, he wasn't much surprised.

"What exactly did I do?" he demanded of Kaien, extremely bothered by the fact that his friend had offered no defense in his part whenever Hisagi rammed his shoulder into his, gave him the stink eye, or deliberately stepped on his foot. "Or are you pissed with me too?"

Kaien shrugged and puckered his lips to convey an exaggeratedly thoughtful expression. "Not particularly, although maybe I'd called it miffed instead." Ichigo shook his head exasperatedly. "Just tell me," he urged tiredly. "Does it have to do with Rukia? Is Hisagi mad that I wasn't able to protect her? Is that it?"

Kaien gazed at him incredulously, almost the same look that he had worn years back when Ichigo informed him about Inoue Orihime. "What?" he demanded, now self-conscious. His dark-haired friend scoffed a laugh. "No, idiot," he said slowly. "He's mad because you made her sad…last night at the hospital, I mean. I don't think Hisagi would be mad at you for any other reason."

Somehow Kaien's words failed to deliver him from feeling irritated. "Then you mean that he's angry because he likes her and I hurt her?" he sneered. Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Keep calm, buddy," he advised, amused. "And as for what Hisagi feels towards the kid, I don't know. You'd have to ask him yourself."

Ichigo laughed sardonically. "As if I'd ever do that," he muttered sourly. The blue-eyed Shiba threw an arm around his friend's shoulder. "Do you like the kid?" he asked, and in a tone that betrayed the playfulness in his eyes.

Ichigo threw the offending arm off, shrugged and continued walking in the direction Hisagi had gone. "I don't know," he told him roughly. I've never really thought about Rukia like that." Kaien nodded. "Yeah, but that might only be because you've only known the kid for about a few days?"

Ichigo's steps faltered. "Huh?" he articulated idiotically, his visage radiating disbelief. "Has it really only been that little time?" he uttered dubiously.

Kaien smiled knowingly. "It has, you love struck fool," he all but sang as he sashayed towards his friend and ruffled his hair. Ichigo swiped at him and then shook his head laughingly. "It feels as if I've known her forever," he declared contently. But in a few seconds his smile disappeared into a grim line. "But then again what I did yesterday and her response to me proves that time really hasn't passed like that. She knows nothing about me."

Kaien bopped him on the head, hard enough to separate him from his dreary musings. "Then tell her about you, ignoramus," he chided. "Or do you expect her to divine your past?"

Ichigo met eyes with his friend, his most understanding companion. "I don't know what she'd make of that," he told him. Kaien's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?' he asked. Ichigo shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she'd think that I'm making a move on her or something."

Kaien laughed. "And are you?" Ichigo glared, "No," he determined steadfastly. But the strong resolve didn't last, it broke down quickly and Ichigo's features read indecision. "I don't…know," he admitted. Kaien's lips quirked. "Well, I think that you do like her. Maybe only a little bit. And in my book that's reason enough to give it a shot."

Ichigo's forehead compacted tightly; concentration hardened the dermis there, and to Kaien that meant that he was considering his advice in a serious manner. "Fine," he said at last. "I'll train her for a bit, like I promised, without saying anything about this. And after some time, if what I feel for her isn't only gratitude or something like that, then I'll ask her to try having something with me."

Kaien whooped and patted him on the shoulder. "Hell yeah," he congratulated. "The orange monkey's going to woo little Rukia."

Ichigo turned red. "Shut up!" he growled. "And never say that again."

Kaien donned on his ridiculous pout once more. "Not even to the kid? If you're going to court her then I'm sure she'd like to know about the origins of that name?"

Ichigo suddenly grabbed Kaien arm and twisted it behind said man's back. "Don't. You. Dare," he advised through clenched teeth. "Or I'll tell Miyako who your first kiss was."

Kaien struggled in Ichigo's hold. "W…what?" he demanded. "You don't know that," he protested. Ichigo smirked. "Remember Ikkaku's birthday bash years ago? You got wasted and when I was dragging you home you were rambling/reminiscing about how unfair your first kiss was…as it was a b-"

Kaien cut him off by pushing backwards, sending Ichigo to fall on his back. The mentioned orange-head relinquished his hold and Kaien was free. The blue-eyed Shiba wasted no time and jumped away from his friend. "Fine," he conceded bitterly. "I won't say if you don't say," he compromised. Ichigo nodded. "Sounds good to me," he agreed.

"What sounds good?" said a cool voice. Ichigo turned to his right and saw Hisagi a few feet's distance from the pair. "Ah, nothing," laughed Kaien, albeit a bit nervously. "Ichigo just thought that splitting up sounded good. He'll go find the Hollow while you take me to the blood and I'll clean up with Nejibana," he explained.

Hisagi nodded and motioned for Kaien to follow him. His friend did so and began to walk away. Something pulled at Ichigo as the two moved onward, and instinctively he shouted Hisagi's name. Critical eyes surveyed him as the Sixth Year turned and waited for Ichigo to speak. "I'm going to apologize to Rukia," he informed steadily. "It wasn't my intention to have hurt her. It was just that I embarrassed myself, so to speak, before her earlier, and I wasn't sure how to act around her at the time."

Hisagi said nothing but after a moment nodded understandingly. "I see," he said. "Well then, I apologize for getting on your back about this. It was only that from what I've managed to know about Rukia san I've come to see that she's never really had it easy. It made me angry to think that you were adding more to that," he clarified.

Ichigo nodded. "I understand, there's no need for apology. No harm done. And you don't have to worry; I would never add more struggle to Rukia's life."

Hisagi walked back, and came to stand at arms-length from Ichigo. He extended his hand. "Shall we shake on it?" he proposed and Ichigo didn't falter. "Yeah."

Kaien grinned at the overly-mature reconciliation. "Is this a promise between men, or two little boys?" he catcalled. Ichigo sneered at his friend as the Shiba man laughed his butt off. "I'll leave you to smack some sense into him," he charged Hisagi as their grasp on each other forfeited. Hisagi nodded. "I'll do what I can," he pledged and with a small smile shumpoed off, leaving Kaien to scramble reiatsu to do the same despite how incapacitating his laughter was. "Catch that Hollow, Ichigo!" he called out as he left, cackling every syllable.

***

"What's bothering you, Orihime?" asked Tatsuki, concerned, as the girl had not been chatting with the usual kind of animation. "Nothing, Tatsuki chan," she assured, and her friend recognized the look in her eyes as she denied to share her trouble.

"Ichigo, huh?" she sighed. "What did that idiot do now?"

Orihime smiled and shook her head. "Nothing, Tatsuki chan," she whispered. "Nothing out of the ordinary."

She believed that. Ichigo wasn't very spontaneous "Shall I go kick his ass?" she offered, getting off the bed she and Orihime were sitting on. "No!" said girl protested immediately. "There's no point to that."

Tatsuki exhaled loudly. "I'll never understand why you're so hung up on him. It's not natural for someone as sweet as you to look at that scowling face and not be intimidated, much less be in love."

Orihime nodded. "I suppose that's true," she warranted. "But it's because I'm in love that I'm able to do so." She smiled, "I never said it was rational, Tatsuki chan."

The dark-haired girl cackled. "I agree," she snorted. Orihime hugged a fluffed-out pillow to her chest and looked forlornly out the window to her right, away from Tatsuki who sat parallel to her. "So I'm guessing that Ichigo isn't what bothering you completely?" she ventured.

Orihime smiled sadly. "When he woke up he wanted to see one of his companions," she whispered. Tatsuki sighed. "Let me guess, the companion was a girl?"

The auburn girl nodded. "Yes, her name is Rukia, I think." Tatsuki waved her hand, a gesture for her to continue. "I offered to go myself, but he wouldn't have it. He said there was no point in that. He wanted to go himself."

"And then?" urged Tatsuki. She was used to being a diary, and was glad of it as she could provide feedback to help her friend. "I asked him to try again to be with me, but he said no. He got angry, I think, and left the room."

"And after?" she asked. "Did you go after him?"

Orihime nodded and she bit her lip. "I left the room, and was going to call out to him, but I saw that he was holding someone in his arms. I suppose it was that Rukia girl."

Tatsuki crossed her own arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow quizzically. "You're serious?" she demanded skeptically. "He was carrying her?"

Orihime nodded sadly. "I see," said Tatsuki. It was surprising news to hear, she thought. But then again the information wasn't too farfetched. Ichigo had the right to be with whomever he wanted. But then again she wasn't too happy that Orihime wasn't that person. Her friend at the moment had always held hope, ever since the Academy where she met Ichigo in the first place. That hope was always steadfast, but in a lighted view that might only have been because Ichigo had never shown an interest for any other girl.

"Do you want to meet her, Orihime?" she asked. "I'll go with you if you feel like sizing up your competition?" she joked seriously, grinning encouragingly.

The auburn-head's eyes widened and she quickly nodded. A small grateful smile dashed across her lips. "Thank you, Tatsuki chan," she murmured.

***

It hadn't been hard to track down the Hollow. All that had been needed was a special kind of bait: his own reiatsu. He had let it loose and the energy encircled him, pulsed rhythmically out of every pore in his body. He had been ready this time and had donned on no mercy.

The monster came to him, like a fish with a migratory memory. And it hadn't taken Ichigo long to rip off its mask. The shrieks had been more unpleasant than usual because of that action he took, but it had been necessary as Twelfth Squad had requested a sample of the specimen.

So he dragged back the Hollow bone to where Kaien and Hisagi were located and came just in time to see Nejibana working the ground out of its gory counterpart.

"Shall we go?" he asked the two when Kaien had sheathed back his Zanpakuto into its holster. Mentioned man grinned. "In a hurry to see the kid?" he asked teasingly. Ichigo glowered. "No," he corrected testily. "I just want to get this Hollow mask to Urahara," he told.

Hisagi meanwhile had been opening the gate to take them back to Soul Society. "If you would like, I could take it for you. The sooner you apologize to Rukia san the better; she's probably still put out by last night."

Ichigo couldn't fight that and nodded. He dragged the Hollow mask and extended it to Hisagi as he entered the gate. Kaien followed suit and saluted out before the doors closed. "Bye, Human World," he thrilled. "Bye place where some of us got there asses handed to us."

Ichigo chose to ignore the statement with words but did respond by frowning a tad more deeply. The trio walked on, down the passage, and the only sound was the one of Hollow bone being grated over the ground as Hisagi dragged the mask. Thinking about him, Ichigo was glad that he had gotten the misunderstanding cleared up. But there was something that still bothered him.

Kaien, as per usual knew what was going on in his friend's mind, but unlike him decided to voice it. "So, Hisagi," he drawled. "What exactly have you come to feel for the kid as of late?"

Hisagi's steps faltered. Ichigo stopped in outrage. And Kaien ceased good-naturedly, having expected the shocked reactions. "Well?" he pried as the tattooed man gazed at him uncomfortably. "What do you mean?" he inquired nervously.

"Do you like her?" asked the Vice captain. "Would you try to make something of it if you do?"

Hisagi shook his head. "I don't think it's anything like that, Kaien-dono," he assured. "So there isn't a chance I would pursue Rukia san."

Kaien nodded, seemingly satisfied. And Ichigo's brow un-furrowed. But after a few seconds since they had started walking again tightened once more. Why had he been so on the edge when he was waiting for Hisagi to answer Kaien's questions? Was it because he really wanted Rukia in that way? He smiled dubiously to himself. But he did like the sound of that better, the notion was exciting as it made him realize than thinking about the girl with just feelings of gratitude wasn't exactly all that came to his heart when he pondered and saw her.

Ichigo came to realize then that he wanted to have something with Rukia, and sincerely hoped that she would consider him… when the time came that he would ask.

***

Yamada Hanataro sighed contently as he let the calm aroma of his afternoon tea surround him, as gently as the steam that arose from the warm drink in his hands. It was his break time at the moment, and he always liked to accompany the hour with a warm liquid. Tea preferably.

He was outside his office, beyond the shoji doors and on the small expanse of wood floor that faced Fourth Division's gardens and greenhouses. He sighed again and drank deeply from his cup, downing the warmth and enjoying the feel of it coating his throat.

"Hanataro!" someone yelled from behind him, and suddenly the shoji doors that faced his back were savagely swung open. He coughed, surprised and sipped cautiously at his drink as to calm his lungs. "Y- yes, Ichigo san?" he choked out as said orange-head ceased him by the shoulders and leveled their eyes.

"Where is Rukia?" he demanded, his own eyes narrowed and angry. "No one will answer me when I ask. They keep telling me that it's none of my business!" he raged.

Hanataro blinked and stuttered a nervous laugh. "Ichigo san," he said. "I'd be happy to find out Rukia san's whereabouts. But might you first put me down?"

Ichigo looked taken aback for an instant, but at the next complied, setting down the Sixth Seat cleanly on his feet. Hanataro smiled in thanks and went back into his office, discarded his empty drink and motioned for Ichigo san to take a seat. He did and Hanataro asked him to wait there. "I'll see what I can do," he promised earnestly. "I think I saw her yesterday. She was walking around looking for Unohana Taichou, I think. I went to get her, but by the time I had found Taichou she had somehow ended up back in her own room."

Ichigo's brow furrowed discontentedly as his friend left. "Why the hell are they not telling me where she is?" he asked himself. "Telling me it's not my business. Screw that," he muttered.

It was bothering him; not knowing her whereabouts. The secrecy the Fourth Squad personnel interposed was making him wary. "Where the hell are you, you brat?" he seethed. "I have to apologize to you."

The image of her appeared in his mind's eye then. The solemn eyes. The small figure. The sight of her holding his sword and making it her own. Was it wrong to say he reveled in that? He needed to see her. To understand himself in her presence. It was confusing to him. One second she was something for him to protect and the next she stood before him as his protector and his foolish heart couldn't help but to pump in awe, gratitude, pride. Pride was strange, it wasn't that of a teacher and a flourishing pupil. It came when he though about his command phrase forming at her lips. It was some primitive pleasure that was invoked, and he found it wickedly appealing. But he couldn't think of Rukia like that. He mustn't. He had to…see her. See her and completely sort out what he was going to do.

"It doesn't feel like it," he murmured, his tone tired and dreary. "How can it be that I've only known you for so little, you damn shrimp, and yet you've become so important in such short a span?"

He closed his eyes and cupped his forehead with his palm and pictured her again. "Rukia," he whispered softly, "You make me so tired." He smiled at that and the image of her smile assaulted him in that second. It was so trusting, eager, and he felt his heart tug to see it again. His eyelids parted, and before him, on his lap, lay a red string.

"What is this?" he puzzled. He lifted the red between his forefinger and thumb, finding that it wasn't string at all. It was like solid electricity, but mild in its power. I didn't shock him, but tingled and sizzled as he inspected it. He trailed its expanse and found that it led out of Hanataro's small office. He stood, red line still in his hold, and went outside to see where it went to.

He stepped onto the cool grass beyond his friend's workplace, lifting the charged line of red as he walked. "What the hell is this?" he mused thoughtfully. "I've never seen anything like this, or felt…"

He was cut off as Hanataro suddenly appeared by his side. "Ichigo san!" he said breathlessly, doubling over at the waist due to harsh breathing. "I," he huffed, "I couldn't…couldn't…"

Ichigo bopped him on the head, "Wait till you can breath, Hana," he advised, his lips splitting with mirth despite his efforts to no allow them to do so.

When he could fill his lungs properly, and exhale with ease, Hanataro straightened up and shook his head. "I couldn't obtain her whereabouts," he admitted with dissatisfaction. "No one would tell me either," he assured.

Ichigo frowned. "What about Unohana Taichou?" he asked, "I couldn't find her, but did you ask her?"

Hanataro shook his head. "She's on her day off," he told. "But she'll be back this evening…we could try to ask her then…?"

Ichigo nodded, contented by that prospect. "Sounds fine," he said. Hanataro sighed, and then his eyebrow raised curiously. "Are you holding something, Ichigo san?" he asked.

Ichigo was reminded of the red 'string' and lifted it to show his friend. "What do you think, Hana?" he asked. "Curious, huh?"

Hanataro frowned. "I noticed you had your fingers clasped around something, so that's why I asked…but I don't see anything," he admitted.

Ichigo waved the string in front of Hanataro's face. "Nothing?" he questioned. "You don't see it?"

He shook his head, "No," he answered. He closed his eyes. "Hmm, but I can sense energy, it's very warm too. Is what you're holding red, by any chance?"

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah. But that's weird, that you can't see it. Or maybe you can't see red?"

Hanataro shook his head. "No, I can see the color; I just can't see what you're holding."

"It's red, like you guessed," said Ichigo. "It's string-like, but it's not that since like you said, it's energy, it's kind of static too. It was on my lap when I was sitting in your office. When I followed it out I found that it lead out here."

"Does it still keep going?" asked Hanataro.

"Yeah," affirmed Ichigo. "I think I'll follow it," he said. He grinned at his friend. "I'll be back this evening," he promised.

Hanataro nodded his agreement, and Ichigo walked off, lifting the string from the ground as he kept his stride. He continued out of Fourth Squad boundaries and into the winding city until the Gotei Thirteen's buildings were far gone behind him and the Noble houses began to appear.

He realized that he was behind one of the larger estates when he saw the high walls, but continued on when he came to them and saw that the string went over them. "Nothing to it but to trespass," he shrugged, and with Shumpo in his heels made the jump.

It was there, standing on the raised surface that he saw a most peculiar sight. Rukia, the one he had been seeking, right below him, trying to climb up the steep wall. "Rukia?" he said, stunned.

Her eyes went wide. "Ichigo?" she gasped, and in that same moment lost her grasp of the wall and fell backwards.

***

She knew she had been moved even before she opened her eyes. The surface underneath her was not stiff, the sheets cocooning her legs weren't uncomfortable, and the sterilized smell had been replaced by a sweet floral one.

A small, ragged, cold hand brushed across her forehead, and instinctively Rukia's own shot out, ensnaring a delicate wrist within her grasp's vice. "Oh!" an outraged voice rang out, and Rukia's eyes opened as she quickly sat up.

An old lady in a fancy kimono graced her eyesight, and Rukia quickly let her hand fall from surprise. The old woman's eyes narrowed, and suddenly, a noise, like a clap of thunder, ricocheted around the spacious room.

Rukia's hand rose to her face, and a second later felt the sting of the blow. Her eyes widened and tears pooled as consequence of the searing mark the old woman's hand had made. "How dare you," she said lowly. "Where are your manners, child?" she demanded.

Rukia's head had turned when she had been slapped, but now she slowly turned to the old lady, her hand still cupping her abused cheek. Her eyes darkened, and she felt ire ravage her face in red. She wanted to shout at this old woman who had hit her, she wanted to retaliate too, but somehow she could not move.

The lady clicked her tongue, obliviously not pleased, and then clapped her hands together three times. At once, three young women in pretty kimonos were at her side. "Bathe her," ordered the old woman, "She smells disgusting."

Rukia felt ire flush her cheeks again, but before she could open her mouth the sheets around her were swiftly pulled away, and a second later she too was being dragged off. "Come, miss," said one of the pretty ladies, her kimono lavender. "Do as the Mistress says."

She was lead to a heavy wooden door, which another one of the ladies, a red kimono-clad girl, opened, and led in by the hand into a large bathroom. From the tub, a gentle flow of steam emerged, submerging the room in a thin veil of fog. One of the ladies was in front of her suddenly, a woman wearing a green kimono, undoing the knot that secured her robe.

Rukia gasped and stepped back quickly from the girl and right into another one of the ladies. The sash, as she had backed, had come away from her waist as the girl had not let go, and so Rukia was forced to draw closed her robe with her hands. "I - I can bathe myself," she muttered. "Please, you can go."

The all giggled, and Rukia felt warmth cover her face and creep down her throat. The three obliged and left the room in single file.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Rukia let out a sigh of relief. "What's going on?" she wondered. "Where am I?"

She touched her cheek, and felt the tell-tale tenderness that signaled a bruise coming on. "I should leave," she told herself, but eyed the warm water in the tub with interest. "Yet I suppose it wouldn't hurt to bathe," she mused.

So she tentatively got into the tub after discarding the blue robe. She sank in and sighed as she felt the water work its wonders on her tense muscles. "This feels great," she murmured.

She lounged for about half a dozen minutes, and then her muddled mind became clearer as she relaxed. "Something's weird," she said softly. "Hisagi Sempai told me I would be staying in Fourth Division, but somehow I've woken up here…there must be something wrong."

She began to feel uncomfortable with her surroundings, owing to the fact that she didn't know where she was, or why she was even there. So she grabbed at the pretty soaps lining the rim of the tub and scrubbed hurriedly. She quickly forsook the bath and stepped out, only to find one of the ladies again, the one dressed in green. She was laughing quietly. "You're very shy," she commented. Rukia gasped and made a dash for the water again, but the green-clad girl had caught her elbow. "I'll leave right now," she assured when Rukia wouldn't turn. "I just wanted to leave you your clothes, Rukia sama."

The girl laughed quietly again and let go of her elbow. "The water still looks warm, you should get back in," she advised. "I'll be back in twenty-minutes to comb your hair."

The light laughter didn't stop until after the girl closed the wooden door behind her.

Rukia was shaking, whether from anger or embarrassment she could not decipher. "Sama?" she whispered lowly, "Does she mean to mock me?"

In a wild movement, Rukia picked up the clothes she had been given and donned them on with haste, not bothering to admire the pretty patterns or silken texture. She was so angry and shocked. She felt so kicked and humiliated. Being slapped, being laughed at, being naked, being addressed in a belittling way even if the honorific was high! It was too much. Much too much.

She stopped her tirade when she reached the doors and breathed in deeply to compose herself. She needed to be calm to escape if need be. She could not stay here long enough to find out why she had been brought. The ambience of mockery was too thick for her to stand any longer.

She pushed the doors open carefully, and the peered out to see if there was anyone beyond them. She breathed with relief when she found no one. Then, she walked out and made for the large shoji doors behind the bed and opened one to find windows concealed. She opened one and climbed out slowly, glad that her barefoot feet didn't cause creaks when they met the wooden porch. She breathed, exhaled, bit her lip, looked around, and then ran towards the high wall behind the large cherry blossom trees that lined it.

Once she got to the trees she realized that they wouldn't help her climb. They were too far away from the wall. She gauged it, and to her relief saw that she could climb it if she was careful, as there were small, uneven crooks among the wall.

She began. She did well. She was calm about it. She breathed in evenly to keep steady. She tried not too blink too frequently as to not fall. She gasped when she heard her name above her. She felt her grip die as she said, "Ichigo."

Her eyes closed as she fell, but she never met the ground. Instead, she fell into the secure embrace of a certain someone. "Rukia," he heard. "What are you doing at Byakuya's place?"

She searched for his eyes when he had set her down and shook her head. "Byakuya?" she asked warily. "I don't know who that is. I don't know where this is. I don't want to stay here. I want to leave," she pleaded.

He was frowning so heavily now, it was almost comical, but she couldn't laugh. "Ichigo," she whispered, "I'm sorry."

If possible, his frown deepened. "For what?"

She shrugged. "I don't know," she wondered. "For making you mad at me? I did something wrong last night, right?"

The ground beneath her feet disappeared, and suddenly she was at the top of the wall, and in Ichigo's arms once again. "Idiot," he said, "Why were you climbing? You could have just jumped, you know?"

She looked at him again, but this time wasn't shocked, or taken aback, nor lost by his tender gaze. "I'm sorry," she choked out, and then pressed her face into his chest. "I'm sorry," she whispered as the tears fell.

"Me too, Rukia," she heard him say and she couldn't help but to let her hands grab onto his clothes.

…She had never felt so safe before.

***

It was an excuse to be close to her.

A pretense to keep physical contact.

Having brought her back to his home-away-from-home was a farce to keep her at embrace's distance.

But, he didn't feel cunning about it. Instead, he felt it was something necessary: to have her within his reach, because for some reason the crazy urge to protect her had invaded his mind again, and being so he still wanted to make sure it wasn't the only present feeling.

It wasn't.

Something else was pining to burst free from his ribcage. It buzzed, and flapped, and drummed along with his heart until the beats were too fast for him to count, and her suddenly lucid eyes ensnared his senses.

"How did you find me, Ichigo?" she asked again, a bit uneasy by his strange facial language. What did it mean when his eyes were looking through her? When his brow was furrowed as if he were mad? And why in the world was he blushing? "Ichigo?" she tried once more.

He seemed to have been brought back to the right state of mind by that attempt, opting to leave his deranged expressions for stupefied-outraged ones as he had jumped up at her voice and smashed his crown into the wood roof. "Damn it!" he cursed as he slumped back down, cradling his head. "Don't scare me like that, Rukia," he berated, wincing at her as she stifled her laughs with her fist against her mouth. "There's not enough room in here."

He glared at her, and grumbled when the effect of his eyes didn't waver her mirth. "That…," she gasped, as she held her stomach, and her laughter rose. "That, was the stupidest…"

She couldn't continue at the least, he sighed, and that was a plus he supposed. "Rukia," he said lowly as she composed herself. "Why were you at Byakuya's house?"

To that question the giggles were cut, and the light in her eyes died. She looked way from him, as if she found the winding patterns on the wood panels exceptionally interesting. "I don't know," she announced. "I woke up there."

His brow cascaded and Rukia wondered…"You asked me," she mused. "Why I was at Byakuya's place. Am I correct to assume you know that person?"

He shrugged. "I've always known him," he verified. "He's a noble too, and he's also my Godfather."

Rukia's eyes pierced him. "Then go ask him why I woke up in his home," she demanded. Ichigo scoffed. "You don't have to sound so mean; I had every intention of doing so already."

Abashed, she smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." He waved it off, "Whatever, it doesn't matter. What does is why Byakuya's place was where you woke up."

There was where conversation ended. Rukia, having no background with whatever man was Byakuya drew a blank after his name, and so she remained quiet in hopes that Ichigo's mental efforts would be enough to conjure a reason. He was puzzling quite hard, with his expression twisting as if he had caught whiff of something unpleasant. The minutes dragged on.

And then a light switched on so brightly, that she could have sworn it left her blind for two heartbeats. "I got it!" exclaimed Ichigo, a triumphant grin commandeering his face. "Retsu san!"

Rukia raised an eyebrow, lost to his conclusion. "Retsu san?"

Ichigo nodded and set his hands on his crossed legs, leaning forward he clarified: "Unohana Retsu. My Godmother. She probably brought you there."

Rukia nodded slowly, a little shocked to know that Unohana Taichou was familialy twined with him, but did so to appease him. "But why?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she thought you'd be more comfortable there instead of at Fourth Squad?"

Rukia almost snorted. "I see," she verified. "Well then, may we go see her? I'd like to ask her to let me stay in Fourth Squad."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed as they cruised over the blossoming purple on her cheek. "Did you get that bruise there?" he asked roughly. "Is that why, since it looks new?"

Rukia huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Some old lady slapped me there. And I don't take kindly to crap like that." As soon as she said those words she wished she hadn't…Ichigo's eyes had widened with surprise.

She wanted to apologize, but he beat her to speaking. By laughing. And loudly. "So there it was," he grinned, chuckling lightly when his raucous proclamation of hilarity subsided. "The Rukongai influence."

Rukia grinned back, humoring him, "Anyway," she urged. "I don't want to go back there, so can we go see Unohana Taichou about that?"

Ichigo nodded. "Sure, shrimp. But first, there are some things I'd like for us to talk about, if you don't mind?" His eyes were serious now, and so Rukia nodded, a sign for him to advance the conversation in whichever direction his inquiries would lead.

"What do you remember about going to my soul?" were those words, and to them Rukia found herself surprised. "Your soul?" she verified. Ichigo raised an eyebrow, "Tell me you remember, please," he sighed.

Rukia did, but…hadn't it been a dream? "I thought it was in my dream?" she told him. "Maybe you dreamt the same thing?" Of course not, that wasn't feasible at all.

His lips split into an amused smile. "Do you really believe that?" Rukia shook her head, "No, I guess, but it was worth a try…I mean, I can't believe I was actually in your soul."

He shrugged. "Yeah, me too I suppose. But in any case, everything is clear to you, right? Or would you like me to explain to you what I know?"

Rukia's eyes shut, and her expression morphed into a musing mask. "I don't remember my Zanpakuto's name," she said softly. "Hisagi Sempai asked me what it was last night, but I had no answer for him."

Ichigo faltered. "Hmm, I can't answer that, Rukia," he admitted. "I don't know it either. In fact, I will keep not knowing until I defeat him." Rukia nodded. "I suppose so."

"And my Zanpakuto," said Ichigo. "I'd like to ask you to earn his name the way I will yours. In a battle, instead of simply inquiring it of someone. I think that's what he would like too," he added, speaking on behalf of Zangetsu.

Rukia nodded somberly. "I promise," she swore. He grinned. "Great. And now I have something else I want to talk to you about." Rukia shook her head. "Before that," she began, and he stopped to hear her out. "How am I going to beat your sword?" she asked, and he noticed her anxious eyes when they searched his for a reassuring answer. Ichigo graced her with a look that spoke "duh." "Training, shrimp," he said as if it were the simplest thing imaginable; never mind that to Rukia it was looking less and less conceivable by the second. "The training that will serve you to leave the Academy early, will now also be to beat my sword."

Rukia suddenly sighed, and Ichigo chuckled. "You didn't think I'd let some rookie go up against my Zanpakuto's spirit without any chance at winning, did you?" he teased. Rukia looked away, on the verge of pouting, and trying hard to contain her lips from puckering. "Didn't you have something else to say," she reminded him, determined to destroy his siege on the crumbling fortress that protected her easy blushes.

Ichigo smiled, a smile unlike any Rukia had ever seen, and extended his hand out, as if reaching out to her, and wrapped his hand around the air directly in front of her chest. "This," said Ichigo as his eyes rose from his grasp and captured her own. "Is what I wanted to let you know." He abruptly pulled his hand back, and without warning, she was pulled along with the current.

There was no mind to tell her to breathe in that instant. Pressed against Ichigo's chest, that main office in her body would not let her work in any way that would take her eyes from his. Or perhaps it was that the gravity those irises possessed had become too magnetic, and made a slave of her body.

"Ichi— " she gasped, but hurriedly closed her lips, too frightened by the taste of the orange-head's breath blending with her own. This was killing her heart; it could not last, soon it would defeat the obstacle of ribs and flesh and be set free as birds vie for freedom from their cages. Rukia was scared, her body would not move, but her drumming heart made up for it all, moving so fast, pumping so loud in her ears that she was sure it would burst.

Ichigo's eyes didn't abandon hers, "Rukia," he whispered, warm brown iridescent, "Would it pain you to know, that you have become tied to me? Both in soul and body?"

He put distance between them, enough to still touch knees where they kneeled, and watched as she placed her hand over her heart, shutting her blue eyes behind heavy lids. "I don't understand you," she whispered, trying to breathe properly. "I don't get you, or what you mean."

Those words were painful. Like a slap to the face, a punch to the gut, like hollow bone cutting though body. But still, Rukia was only a child, in comparison to him. This would take time. It would mean patience. It would be the hardest thing ever. But he was so sure now, after having held her so close, after tasting her breath on his, after drowning in blue…that it would all be worth it. So he would endure every pain naïve Rukia put him through with a soldier's mien, because so it seemed that the price to pay would be in unseen blood.

His hand still grasped the red string, the colored, tangible electricity that connected them in the corporeal sense. His eyes lowered to his grip, and felt that hers had followed too. "Can you see it?" he asked. "This string?"

Her hand touched his, and her small gasp told him what he had wanted to know. "It's coming from your chest," she murmured. He pulled again and she came closer to his embrace, "And from yours, Rukia."

Her cheeks had colored, and he found it pleasantly hard to resist her. It was good to want her. It was difficult to not reach for her and kiss the rouge that graced the ivory of her skin. "Soul and body," she agreed, and her hand grasped his. "Ichigo, you and I will always find each other, then."

He smiled. "Ah. This was how I ended up at Byakuya's. This lead me to you, it will always take me to where you are."

Her forehead rested against his chest, and he could feel the tears flow from her again. "I will always be grateful to you," she whispered. "Because of you I feel so safe. I feel like nothing can hurt me. I feel…like I can fight for anything." She raised her face and it was his turn to be captive. "You are everything I could ever need."

His hand cupped her face. She remained gazing at him. He wanted so badly to kiss her. But Rukia was still a child. The words she said were those he wanted to hear, but they did not carry the same weight and meaning. He stroked her cheek instead. "Shrimp," he sighed. "Believe me when I say the words are mutual."

She smiled, and his world suddenly seemed brighter.

***

Sitting comfortably in the wicker chair that Ichigo had procured for her, Rukia closed her eyes and sighed, enjoying the sunshine and the lilting smell of the flowers that surrounded her.

"Fourth Squad has beautiful gardens," she sighed, as the perfume lulled her into a pleasant daydream. "Maybe I should become a healer? They do lots of good by healing people, after all." She though of Ichigo then, and how he had saved her in his soul with curing hands.

Abruptly her eyes snapped open; she could hear footsteps and murmurs coming her way. She sat still and closed her eyes again, deciding that it must just be some squad member looking for some herb. She wouldn't bother them.

"Rukia san?" asked a timid voice, and she obliged the inquirer with courtesy by opening her eyes. It so seemed that two women wanted something. One an auburn haired beauty, and the other a dark-haired one. "Yes?" she asked, admitting for query.

The dark haired one spoke first, sighing once she realized that the other had lost her nerve and was looking away into the shrubbery. "My name is Arisawa Tatsuki," she introduced herself. Her hand gestured to her friend. "This is Inoue Orihime."

"Hello," said the latter, a sweet unsure smile dancing on her lips. "It's nice to meet you." And Rukia, at the sound of her voice realized whom she was talking to. 'This is the girl that Ichigo was fighting with,' she thought. Her mind conjured wary suspicion. 'I wonder what she could want?'

***

The only sound came from the steam wafting in spirals from the hot tea he had been served. He took the cup in his hands and sipped with practiced ease. So soon as he had achieved the mandatory courtesy one of the men on the other side of the low table smiled. "Is the tea to your liking, Ichigo sama?"

The orange-head smiled. "It is, esteemed elder, thank you for receiving me on such short notice."

The elder nodded. "Yes. Well, on to the subject of your visit. We are very curious, since you mostly never pay a call to your Godfather."

Ichigo kept the mocking leer at bay and tried to look abashed. "He is a busy man," he offered. "I know that and I didn't wish to be a bother."

He could have sworn that said man had discreetly snorted into his teacup. "And yet you are here," he said in the low tone his voice spoke. "It must be of great importance then, Kurosaki."

Ichigo shrugged. "I suppose it is. For my friend that is," he added. The elder's eyebrow rose with curiosity. "Your friend?"

"Her name is Rukia," said Ichigo. "She woke up here this morning, I suppose Retsu san brought her here, and well, she wanted me to thank you for your hospitality, but that she would prefer to stay at Fourth Squad's Headquarters.." The elder smiled cautiously. "Oh, that is right. The child." Ichigo didn't miss the glance he had directed to his Godfather.

"You are mistaken," said Kuchiki Byakuya. "It was not on Retsu's behalf that Rukia san was brought here." His eyes were as dark as ever, as unreadable to him as always. "It was me."

Ichigo's mouth would have dropped had it not been for his years of discipline regarding proper manners. "But, why?" he asked, trying to fight demanding from his voice. "I don't think Rukia's anything to you?"

The elder chuckled. "Ichigo sama," he said. "I don't believe you ever had the chance to meet Hisana san?" Ichigo puzzled. "No, I don't…"

"My late wife," said Byakuya, setting down his teacup with a bit of an edge. "No, you did not meet her."

Ichigo remained silent, waiting for someone to continue. The elder obliged to the silence and went on. "Well you see, Rukia san bears an uncanny resemblance to Hisana san. And Byakuya san was very curious about her."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed and his eyebrow rose to his Godfather. "I see. But isn't that going too far? If you were just curious that is. What does that make her to you?"

Byakuya's eyes pierced his, and he raised his cup of tea back to his lips. "Is that your business, Kurosaki?" he asked before taking his sip.

Ichigo scowled. "She's my good friend," he declared. "It concerns me." The elder chuckled. "Well then," he said good-humouredly. "Since it concerns you, then know that Byakuya san might want to adopt her."

Ichigo was taken aback. "Because of her resemblance as basis?" he said outraged. "What kind of a reason is that?" he challenged.

His Godfather's teacup met the wood of the table sharply, and silence donned the room. "It is enough," he affirmed.

Ichigo didn't believe that. 'There's something else,' he thought. 'Something you don't want anyone to know.'

***

"It's nice to meet you, Inoue san," Rukia said uncertainly. "And you as well Arisawa san," she continued.

The auburn haired girl smiled softly at her. "There's just something I'd like to clear up," she said kindly. "It won't take long."

Rukia raised an eyebrow. "If it's something concerning you and I then I don't see why Arisawa san is here." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Unless of course she's here for intimidation purposes?" Tatsuki glowered, "You assume too much," she snapped.

"And you're butting in too much, Tatsuki," said an un-amused voice from behind her.

Rukia leaned her head to the side and saw that Kurosaki Ichigo was approaching them. And might she say that he didn't look too happy.

"Ichigo," said Tatsuki, acknowledging him. He didn't extend the mannerism, but merely brushed past her to go to Rukia. He stopped to stand at the foot of said girl's chair and gave his hand to her. "I need to speak with you," he told her as she took it. "It's about Byakuya…I found out why you woke up in his house yesterday," he finished in a whisper.

Rukia's eyes widened and she immediately stood up…and fell right into his arms due to the foot he had positioned for her to fall over. He laughed when she glared at him and scooped her up again into his arms. The auburn haired Inoue girl behind him gasped.

"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed at him. "Play along, shrimp," he quirked, "Or I won't tell you what I know."

So she let him carry her and it didn't surprise her one bit when he stopped next to Arisawa. "I know you're on Inoue's side," he told her lowly. "But don't ever try this sort of thing again or I really won't forgive you," he promised.

Tatsuki met his eyes. "You're not being fair to Orihime," she glared. He matched her gaze. "And neither of you are being fair to Rukia," he shot back. He scoffed and looked way from his friend. "Bye," he told her before Shumpoing off with Rukia in his arms.

Something told her that she perhaps might not have seen the last of Ichigo's former girlfriend, and the though didn't appeal well.

***

Within the white walls of her fourth squad room, Ichigo was pondering how to tell her the reason she had woken up at what's-his-name's-house. His frown had cascaded so far down that Rukia wanted to make a comparison about a waterfall, but decided to hold her tongue since he looked so uncertain.

"Ichigo," she said. "Just tell me. It's not like I'm going back, so it doesn't matter why Unohana Taichou decided to take me to that house."

Ichigo shook his head, and a vein throbbed in Rukia's forehead. She was officially annoyed. "Spit it out, fool," she commanded.

Ichigo scratched his head and sighed, looking defeated. "Fine," he grumbled. "It's like this: It was Kuchiki Byakuya that had you brought to the Kuchiki House, and not Retsu san. That was because apparently the video that they showed to the Captains about what happened with us in the Human World showed you, and he became interested in you because apparently you look a lot like his late wife. And because of that he might want to adopt you. Got It?"

Rukia's eyes were wide. "Come again?" she asked. "Adopt me? Because I resemble his dead wife?"

Ichigo nodded, and Rukia shook her head. "No," she said. "I don't think I'd like that. And I already said I would never go back to that house again."

Ichigo sighed. "I know that," he said. "But are you prepared to tell that to Kuchiki Byakuya yourself?" To that Rukia faltered. "He's a powerful noble?" she verified, and Ichigo nodded.

The insecurity that cloaked her angered him. "Don't worry too much," he said. "I'll be your safe-card, so don't think you can't say no…" He smiled deviously. "I'm a noble too, Rukia, I can protect you."

Rukia smiled gratefully. "Again," she told him. "Again I'll say that I am eternally thankful." He snorted and gave her a noogie.

***

She sighed heavily, and breathed in the clean open air of the woods, glad to have discovered that they revitalized her so well after the ton of cramming and make-ups she had to over the past week. It had been so much that she hadn't even had time to respond to Ichigo's messages. "Apart from the one chastising him for using Hell Butterflies," she sighed. "…That wasn't smart…the fool came in person after that…"

"Who's a fool?" demanded an obnoxious voice, and Rukia jumped up from how she had been lying on her back at the foot of a tree. "Renji," she breathed when she saw him walking towards her.

He was grinning, like always being happy. However, there was something different now. She pondered it within the seconds that he walked, but found she could not touch upon the reason his presence seemed changed. "It's been a while, Rukia," he mocked as he took a seat. "Where'd you go?"

Rukia spat out her rehearsed response. "I got sick and had to go to Fourth Division," she said. Renji whistled, "Wow, did you see any captains?" he demanded. Rukia shook her head, "None apart from Unohana Taichou."

He shrugged. "She's a great Healer from what I hear," he said. "Did you get to talk to her?" She told him no. "Too bad," Renji sighed. "But do you feel better now?" She smiled, touched by his concern. "I do, but I'll feel better when I'm done with that Kido exam I have tomorrow."

Renji raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you mean the final for the semester? I can help you with the writing, I did okay on that…unlike the practical," he winced. Rukia laughed. "Thank you, I could use some help."

As Renji explained a spell she hadn't gone over, Rukia began to realize what had changed. To her surprise it was not Renji…but herself. His presence no longer generated longing, or bubbles in her stomach. "I'm over it," she whispered. 'I'm over Renji.'

"Over what?" asked Renji, his funny eyebrows closing in in confusion. Rukia waved her hand, gesturing the lack of importance. "Nothing," she said. "What were you saying before?"

The red-head grinned and slapped his chest with one large palm. "I'm going to try out for the Sereitei Academy Inter-Class tournament," he declared. "It happens once every one-hundred years, and there are three slots for each section of every year." Rukia raised an eyebrow. "That sounds…interesting," she said uncertainly. "Do you win something?"

Renji's face fell. "Well, no not really. Not my class anyway. But it's for glory, Rukia," he defended. "The most important thing is pride. You fight for pride and to show your strength."

Rukia nodded. "Why doesn't your class get a prize?' she asked, curious. He looked annoyed by her question, it must have been her interest for prizes over pride. "Because the tournament is mostly a chance for the normals classes in every year to go up against the advanced ones," he said. "If the normals class wins, then that team gets a seat in the advanced section." He smiled cockily, "You know it's practically impossible to get into the advanced classes after you've been placed in the normals. Even the most important nobles are no exception."

Rukia shrugged, not really caring. "Well, good luck then, Renji. When do you try out? I'll come and watch." His eyes brightened at her words. "Really? That would be great, Rukia." He smiled. "Try-outs are going to be starting tomorrow. They'll go on for the two weeks we have of vacation."

Rukia nodded, and jumped when she heard a bell in the distance. "Oh no!" she cried. "My next class starts in ten minutes!" She smiled to Renji, who was put out by the fact that she had to go. "Later!" she called as she left him.

***

Rukia sat and exhaled softly, she dropped her schoolbag next to her. 'Finally,' she thought gratefully. 'I'm done with those tests…I'm glad vacation starts tomorrow.'

She turned her head to look behind her, to the pouring fountain, and traced the rippling water with her fingertips, liking how refreshing it felt. She didn't notice someone join her until they laughed quietly. Rukia turned swiftly to the person.

"Shihouin," she said, her eyes narrowing. Said girl smiled dazzlingly, "Where have you been, Rukia san," she asked nicely. "I've missed you dearly." Rukia almost scoffed to her face. "I was sick," she informed the blond noble.

The girl nodded. "Yes, I heard," she said, and held out her hand for inspection, admiring the perfection of her nails. "I have something to ask you," she told Rukia. "Would you mind responding to my question?"

There was always something about Shihouin Ayae, Rukia realized, that rendered people in complete awe or disgust. The first because she was the epitome of nobility: delicate, beautiful, cunning so she got what she wanted. And the former due to all the problems she had caused Rukia over the expanse of time she had know the girl. The combination wasn't good. You could hate this girl as much as you wanted, but always end succumbing to her whims. "What is it?"

Ayae smiled and reached out to touch Rukia's face, cupping it with her palm as in affection. Red stained her cheeks, and she drew abruptly back. "You're funny, Rukia san," laughed Ayae. "So funny."

"Your question?" interrupted Rukia, not liking the fact that her humor was derived at her personal expense. "Ah, of course," agreed Ayae.

She drew closer, much to Rukia's dismay, and wrapped an arm around the back of her shoulders, bringing her close. She leaned in to whisper in her ear: "Are you in love with Abarai Renji?" she asked sweetly.

Rukia's heart plummeted, and anger filled her. She turned sharply form the girl and pushed her hold off, standing to her feet she caught her gaze. "Stay away from Renji," she threatened. "He's done nothing to you."

Ayae laughed. "Don't be silly," she corrected. "I have no intentions of doing harm to Abarai san. It's just because he interests me that I'm asking you your feelings for him." Her smile was cunning. "We're friends aren't we, Rukia san," she asked rhetorically. "So I wanted to know you'd be okay with me making Abarai san my little…conquest?"

"No," bit out Rukia, her hands twisted into fists. "I'm not okay with it." Ayae sighed and stood up from the sill of the fountain. "Oh, that's too bad," she sighed. Her long lashes fluttered dramatically, giving her the expression of innocence, and she pushed off Rukia's bag into the water.

"Oops," she thrilled. "Looks like your bag got wet. But I suppose you won't mind the ruined pages too terribly. I'm sure you're used to far worse." Her lips formed a sneer. "I'm going to ruin you," she vowed. "I'm going to ruin you in Abarai's eyes. I'll make him believe he's better that you, and so should discard trash like you. I'm going to…"

Rukia's hand stung from where she had struck the blond noble, and dropped with satisfaction when she saw the reflex tears that formed in her yellow-green eyes. "Renji would never," she said lowly. "You don't know him."

She could see the anger burn within Shihouin, could almost feel it come off as steam as it mounted. She raised her hand too and before Rukia could make a move to defend herself someone else caught the noble before she struck.

"Hisagi sempai," whispered Rukia, surprised by his presence.

Although he had defended Rukia, his look held no contempt for Ayae. "Shihouin san," he said politely. "I'm here to inform you that your council of elders would like to see you at the visiting hall. They say it is important." With that said he dropped her hand, and Ayae glanced spitefully at Rukia. "Yes, of course," she said to Hisagi, but continued to gaze at her classmate with the promise of payback clear between the both of them. "Thank you, Sempai."

She left then, and Rukia sighed and sat on the fountain sill, her intention to retrieve her sodden bag and stuff. But her hand to fell pray to Hisagi's hold, and when her head raised in question she fell ensnared by his eyes. Never mind the color, it was the intensity which drew her in and held her there. "Hisagi, sempai…"she whispered, the color rising from her neck to her face. "What…"

He was blushing too, but didn't let go of her hand. Instead he gently pulled it away from the near vicinity of water and brought it to his level wherein he pulled down the sleeve of her uniform, revealing her bandages. "You'll get them wet," he said. "So don't."

Rukia smiled, "Thank you, sempai, I'm thankful for all your concern." He released her, and she watched as he fished around the fountain for her bag. "There's nothing you can't replace, right?" he asked. Rukia nodded. "That's right. It was just kidou notes I won't need anymore…and the textbook…but I think that if I just let it dry in the sun it will be alright…"

She took her bag from him and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Sempai," she said again, and the turned to walk off.

Shuuhei watched as she did, angry at himself. "I told Ichigo san that I wouldn't make any advances," he reminded himself. "But…" He sighed and began to walk the opposite way from Rukia san's path. "…It's going to be a bit difficult, I think."

***

Shouldn't you be resting or something?" he asked gruffly, his brow furrowed in annoyance by her blatant disregard for what should be much needed sleep.

She nodded, abashed. "Yes, I suppose so, but I just felt like taking a walk," she explained.

Ah," he said, understanding, and watched as her features drooped. Alarmed, he directed his eyes to her line of vision…and found that red-haired Abarai guy flirting with some blonde girl.

His heart pumped jealousy through his blood. "Do you love him?" he asked bitingly as he rested his forearms on the rail and leaned over, so that if Rukia cared to look at him their eyes would meet.

"Love him?" she echoed, lifting her head to indeed look at him thoughtfully. "I don't think I would say that," she uttered. 'Not any more.'

Hope almost made him float off the ground. "Then what would you say?" he asked. Searching her blue eyes for lies.

"I…I think I would say, that I feel sad that I'm not as close to him as I once was," she voiced. "But not love him…at least not in the romantic sense," she explained.

"Like a brother then?" asked Ichigo. "You love Abarai like a brother, and are feeling down because you're growing apart from each other?"

"Yes," she affirmed softly. "I see," he whispered, allowing himself to exhale with relief.

She lowered her gaze to below, finding Renji and the girl he was speaking to. "That girl," she whispered, shocked to recognize her.

"You know her?" asked Ichigo, a bit curious.

"Yes," she said in a small voice. "Her name is Shihouin Ayae."

Ichigo's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked surprised. "I know her too then," he said exuberantly. "She was…someone I knew before. I learned that she goes to any means to get what she wants. Basically, she's a spoiled princess"

He forced a smile. "You should probably warn Abarai then," he said. "Save your friend from the brat," he patted her head. "Eh, what's wrong?" he asked when he saw her eyes were downcast.

"You know," he voiced. "You sure are one gloomy girl."

She smiled sadly. "So I've been told."

She watched as Ayae offered him her hand and he took it without hesitation. 'I'm not so sure now,' she thought. 'That she won't be able to ruin me in your eyes…'

***

Umm…I type slowly? Lol, I'm sorry I took so long. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to leave a note of encouragement (a review, maybe? Wink wink) and I'll try to update sooner next time.

I got some really great reviews last time. Thank you to all 39 people!

Now, here's a preview for next time:

It was so much harder than she thought. Refusing this man was taking a strength she didn't know she could use too properly. But…she had to.

"I'm not your dead wife," she said through strained teeth and ragged tones. "How can you ask me to join your family because of such a reason?"

"You would refuse?" asked one of his elders, the scary looking one that appeared to be on the verge of a coronary. His eyes were filled with contempt, and his mouth curved with malice. "The greatest clan in Soul Society! You would refuse?" he demanded.

Rukia wanted to shrink back, but terror held her immovable even to herself. "Who do you think you are?" he growled. "How dare you even insinuate refusal!"

His hand slammed down on the paper before her, the sound like thunder splitting the desk, and her body finally reacted, letting scared tears chase each other down her cheeks.

"You will agree!" he shouted in her face, grabbing her hand, forcing her fingers to grip the pen, and pulling towards the x that signaled for a signature. She could not do anything but let the tears continue.

"Sign now!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" was the next thing she heard. It came from outside the heavy doors…which were in a second throw back as easily as if they had been screens.

Ichigo stood at the opening, his features murderous, his eyes gripping hers the moment they connected. His eyes found the man that held her so savagely. "You're going to pay," he said cynically, slowly drawing his Zanpakuto. "You'll wish you never touched her."

…oooh, what happens next? Stay tuned to find out.

Love, Luna