Disclaimer: Yes yes, bleach is not mine
Disclaimer: Yes yes, bleach is not mine. Kubo made it, yeah..sniff..I don't own any bleach manga too. T-T
25/4/09 EDIT-Please note, I have done quite a few changes to this chapter as of this date. Please do read it again because these developments are crucial for later chapters.
Reviews are love
Previous chapter
"I'll open the inbetween dimension soon so that you two can go." Ukitake interfere their argument before it gets out of hand. "Get everything you need packed and come down in 10 minutes." With that, he flash stepped his way out.
"Ugh, I can't believe you are my partner seriously." Rukia said with distaste.
"Me too" Ichigo said and they both parted ways.
"Argh, where could she go to?" Ichigo thought to himself, growing impatient every minute. The inbetween dimension is going to open soon and Rukia wasn't anywhere to be found. Now that he thought of how he shouted at Rukia and how he say harsh things to her when she didn't offend him. Fucking Keigo for playing a prank on him just now. Just thinking about Keigo pisses him off. Still, it was hard for Ichigo to say sorry, it'll hurt his pride and reputation! But…
"Ukitake, I'll go and look for Rukia." Ichigo said, without explaining why, he left.
"But Ichigo," Ukitake called after him but Ichigo was already out of sight. Oh that kid Ukitake sighed, scratching his head. It would be interesting to see how their friendship goes.
Meanwhile, Rukia is in front of her brother's door she hesitated a little before knocking. There wasn't any answer.
"Nii sama must be out." Rukia thought to herself. She quickly scribble a note telling her brother that she'll be going to the Karakura to kill some hollows and will not be back for a few days.
"I'll be off nii-sama." She said to the front of his door and she stuck the note onto the door. She looks at the door for the last moment; she is quite disappointed that she couldn't see brother before she leaves but she didn't think he probably wants to see her. Sighing, she turns around to only see Ichigo's chest, she looks up and gives him the annoyed look.
"What is it now?" Rukia said.
"Nothing." Ichigo mumbled and looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
"What the..what's the hell wrong with you?" Rukia asked, trying to hide the concern in her tone. Seeing Ichigo character change suddenly is really shocking.
He hesitates, he didn't feel that is was the right time to say he's sorry and quickly change the subject. Turning to face her, he said, "Now look! How late is it? You know we are suppose to get there before 10 minutes."
"Who are you to reprimand at? I'm probably 10 times older than you and you're telling what to do? I not a child Kurosaki Ichigo, I know when to go."
"Gah!" Ichigo said as he scratches the back of his head.
"Whatever."
Without explaining, Rukia started walking away.
"Hey, where're you going?"
"To where Ukitake is you idiot, we got to reach there before 10 minutes right?" Rukia replied with her back facing him as she started flash stepping away.
"Argh." Ichigo said as he follows her.
"We're here. Sorry we are late." Rukia said, panting, following closing behind is Ichigo, also catching his breath.
"Ah, just in time, the opening is done now, you may go." Ukitake mildly said, waving his arm.
Rukia and Ichigo was about to step in when they heard a high pitched voice.
"Ah! Wait for a moment Kurosaki kun!!" A feminine voice called after him"
He turned around to see Inoue.
"Inoue?"
"I…I wanted to say goodbye and - give – you - this - before you go." Inoue said, gasping for breath and blushing at the same time.
"Oh, thanks Inoue." Ichigo said as he accepted the gift.
"Have a safe trip Kurosaki kun!" Inoue said, smiling.
Ichigo nodded and motioned Rukia to follow her.
"Wait kuchiki! I need to speak to you for a moment please." Ukitake called after her.
"Wait here Ichigo. Yes Ukitake taichou?" Rukia inquired, unsure why her captain would call her.
"Have you told your brother about your mission yet?" Ukitake asked.
"Eh, no.." Rukia said, her eyes downcast.
Ukitake, seeing Rukia's reaction, smiled.
"Don't worry Kuchiki, I will do it for you." He said, smiling. When he said that, Rukia instantly bowed.
"Thank you very much Captain Ukitake."
Ukitake chuckled. "Don't worry too much Kuchiki, just do your best."
"Right!"
They entered the Inbetween Dimension with two hell butterflies in front of them.
"Good luck." Ukitake said as they began to fade away.
Inbetween dimension
"Ichigo, who is that girl just now? Your girlfriend?" Rukia teased.
"You mean Inoue? She's just a classmate. Why? Concerned?"
"Hmph. Why should I be jealous? I'm just surprised when I saw her. I didn't believe Strawberry has a girlfriend. I was right then."
"What did you just call me?" Ichigo said, fuming.
"A Strawberry." Rukia said, emphasizing on the word Strawberry.
"Don't you every call me that bitch." Ichigo said venomously.
"Whatever you say Strawberry." Rukia mischievously smiled.
"Gah! Can't be bothered with you." Ichigo said, feeling defeated. He hated the being called a Strawberry.
They soon reached the end of the tunnel and exited into a bright place.
Karakura City
Rukia gasped as she shields her eyes from the bright light. She slowly takes in the beautiful view of the city. There are lots of buildings that never seem to end and cars swiftly passing by them. Mothers with their children walking around viewing the toys on display and couples walking together with their hands intertwined with each other. Her eyes shine brightly and a small smile started to grace her lips as she continues to take in the view of the wonderful city that is so strange to her and fascinating at the same time.
"Geez, you don't need to get all excited." Ichigo said in a bored tone.
"Ichigo, what's that big, blue thing? Wow! It's so fast!" Rukia said, completely ignoring Ichigo comment and pointing to the thing.
"It's a car you idiot." Ichigo said, slightly bemused at Rukia's reaction. "Have not seen one before?"
"Oh..no, it's been years since I've been here." Rukia said with her voice drifting, still looking at the things that are called cars.
Ichigo was amused by her reaction. How she changed quickly and to think just a few minutes ago she was serious. Maybe she's just fascinated by the view. He thought to himself.
"Oh please, don't act like a 4 year old child. So much for being 10 times older than me. Anyway, we better get going." Ichigo said, walking in front of her.
"Hey! Don't you go ahead of me and who are you calling a four year old child!" Rukia said finally taking her eyes off some cars and tries to keep up with his big steps.
"Then hurry up and act like a mature young lady you idiot." Ichigo said though he thinks that Rukia will never be a young lady.
"Who are you calling an idiot!" Rukia shouted as she rushes to Ichigo and steps hard on his foot.
"Bitch!!" Ichigo said, rubbing his sore foot.
"That's for calling me an idiot!" Rukia said as she stuck her tongue out at him and began walking in front of him, humming a tune.
She's so unique, in her own way. Ichigo couldn't help but think of it. Still, he can't help being amused at her child-like side of her. He left a small smile escape his lips before he could stop it.
"Argh, there's no hollows around. We had been waiting for years!" Ichigo said, with an irritated tone.
"Be patient you fool, and only an hour passed by. Hollows will turn up soon." Rukia said. 'It takes time, don't tell me you never waited when you went hollow hunting.'
"Che!" Was all Ichigo replied.
After a comfortable companion silence, Ichigo decided it's time.
"Hey," Ichigo started to say, not looking at her.
"What now?" Rukia replied, still keeping a lookout for Hollows and checking her phone every now and then.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Rukia confused, as she turns and looks at him.
"Gah! I'm just sorry! Don't ask so many questions." Ichigo said, scratching the back of his head, feeling uncomfortable.
"Huh." Rukia said, still confused.
"What's with that reply?" Ichigo said, feeling his ego being burst.
"Nothing."
"Argh!" Ichigo said, frustrated. "If you got something to say, spit it out."
"I got nothing to spit out you idiot!" Rukia said, also in an irritate tone to match his. She went back to checking her phone again.
She changes her mood really fast, Ichigo thought, confused. He decided to keep quiet about it. He made a mental note to himself about Rukia strange personality.
"Hey." Rukia said, after a long pause.
"What?" Ichigo replied, saying in a harsh voice, harsher than intended.
"I'm sorry too." She said, and she went back checking her phone again.
Ichigo wanted to resort back but it got caught in his throat instead. He cleared his throat but decided that it's not a right time to say anything, he somehow understands what Rukia meant. Still he knew they have this mutual understanding between them. Expressing without words is what she does.He made a mental note to himself. It's only the first day you know her and you're already quite close to her. Ichigo couldn't help but think of it. It's because you are attracted to her personality and looks. After all, she's pretty.. His inner voice snickered. Shut up, what do you know? Ichigo said it in his mind.
"Beep! Beep!" Ichigo and Rukia's phones started ringing.
"2 km South from here and the hollow will be appearing in 10 minutes, let's go Ichigo!" Rukia said as he dragged Ichigo.
"Hey! Wait Rukia! Stop dragging me!" Ichigo said.
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A/N Hmm, I hope this will clear thing up why Ichigo was harsher than he is in chapter one. I hope it wasn't out of charater. . Please review!! It really keeps me going.
Replies!!
Tarame – Thanks for your review! I really appreciated it. I hope that I improved for this chapter.
Kaoro Tsumi – Thanks!! I'm really glad with your comment! I noticed quite a number of mistakes too. ;)
TeZukAb0ch0u – Thanks for your review! I really hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. Also, thanks for telling me how to enable anon readers. )
To anon readers, I already enabled anon reviews so I hope that you could leave a review. XD