-1It's Only Love
By Ryukansen
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Chapter 4: The Growth of the World
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Author's Notes: You guys! Sorry, if you've been waiting for this chapter. I was focused on the other one (a little too much, I suppose). Well, please enjoy this chapter, as much as I strained myself thinking of what happens next.
Barely audible footsteps were finally heard, as Hitsugaya turned around feeling that familiar reiatsu. "Byakuya…" The boy murmured as Unohana commenced the operation. Hanatarou and Isane were behind her, carefully analyzing each move to put into account, and then froze as Byakuya's name came up. Hitsugaya could easily tell the 6th division captain, wasn't at all in a happy mood upon seeing the sight. Yamamato was carelessly and freakishly jolting his chest up, as if he was being electrified from the 4th Captain's surgery.
"…What are you doing?" The noble asked quite emotionless, but a hint of rage was peaking up from his tone as Hitsugaya stared at him with the same cold glare.
"We're saving the commander's life." Hanatarou spoke up, but Isane quickly shut his mouth, by clasping her hand over him.
"I can see that." Byakuya grumbled, and glared at the trembling Shinigami. Isane smiled nervously, pulling Hanatarou away from Byakuya's stare and Hitsugaya continued to look worried at the man. "…Why are you doing it?" He finally spoke. The 10th captain could feel his reiatsu waver with worry, as Byakuya looked at Yamamoto with unexplained feelings.
"To save him of course." Unohana whispered, sweating. Never, had she experienced such reiatsu pouring from one body. It was too tremendous to take out, no wonder the old man was in such pain! "He will not last long, if you continue to delay me." She replied rather harshly, and sped her pace up by pulling large fragments of spirit energy out of the old battered man.
"…Let him be." The emotionless one replied. Unohana and Hitsugaya stared at him shocked. "If he dies, he will take most of Ichigo's memories away from him. Soul Society can not bear to be burdened again with him." His voice sounded with anger, and he turned around. "If you do save Yamamoto, though, I'll be happy of his health…but I will make sure Rukia will take no more part in the living world." He left Hitsugaya and Unohana speechless.
"Actually…" The 4th captain looked thoughtfully at Byakuya. "When we remove Kurosaki-san's reiatsu, his memory will only gradually return." She whispered. Byakuya gazed at her.
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They were too late. Ishida could plainly see it, but Rukia was a little confused at to why she was there watching a couple be all strangely in love with each other. A orange haired girl, named Orihime, was kissing Ichigo , whom was struggling to reach out of her grasp (apparently he wasn't ready for it). Rukia smirked at the scene, as the couple finally noticed their intruders. "I-Ishida!" Ichigo got up and tried to explain himself. Ishida pushed the rims of his glasses.
"Kurosaki." The Quincy sighed, and pushed Rukia in front of him. Ichigo just gazed at Rukia with small fragments of memories coming into play. But he still didn't remember her.
"Who's the shorty?" Ichigo asked, and received a kick from the girl who growled at him. Orihime stared surprised but smiled nonetheless. She was too happy with what just happened. Well…not too happy that Ishida and the new girl appeared quite too soon. But she was happy. "What the hell!" He shouted angrily, and Rukia grumbled while sticking her tongue out. Ichigo wanted to wipe that smug look on her face, but Ishida prevented him by pulling Rukia back behind him with anxiety.
"Remember her?" He asked, and Ichigo (unfortunately) shook his head.
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"We're almost done!" Unohana exclaimed and pulled out the last excess fragment of energy from Yamomoto's body. Now Ichigo would gain his memories back slowly and surely, but…along with Orihime's.
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"God, you little punk!" Ichigo wanted to wipe that small little grin off of her face, but she was being defended by the annoying Quincy. "Oh, I'll get you soon, Rukia." He grumbled, shoving his sleeves upward and bawling his fists. Rukia battered her eyes with mischief and stuck out her tongue. Yes, he vowed to himself, he would kill her.
"Kurosaki!" Ishida shouted angrily, after Ichigo's failed attempts to pommel the young girl. Ichigo glared at the girl, who continued to make fun of him. "Please, behave like an adult." The Quincy grumbled, and kept Rukia behind him. The said Shinigami poked her head out to see the orange-haired fool's expression.
"Kuchiki-san…the same to you." Ishida sighed, and she nodded.
When Ishida finally allowed the two to get together…well, to just get to know each other, Orihime made a frown. It was strange, but she felt a little sad to see Ichigo with her, regardless of his confession. She stared, completely depressed but Uryuu had assured her that everything was alright.
"You, sure?" Orihime asked weakly, and Ishida nodded while his eyes gleamed. He wanted those two to finally remember each other. Well, a little. No way in hell would he let Ichigo just forget the most important person in the world to him. No way. "I mean…well…I know how they are so dense…and…" She paused and Ishida stared at her with some hope.
"…You…remember…?" He asked incredulous. Orihime flinched and she could feel the pain growing.
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"Not like that you idiot!" Ichigo grumbled as she tried sticking a straw in the juice box. He was getting annoyed by her stupidity, and decided to just help her out. "You do it like this…" He whispered, and grabbed hold of her arms. Her heart raced, when his arms coiled around her, and when he finished his task, a small grin traced upon his face. "How many times do I have to tell you?" He asked, while sighing.
"Excuse me?" Rukia asked while sipping the contents out of the box. Ichigo gazed at her steadily. "This is the first time we've met." She replied. "How could you have told me?" She asked, and Ichigo had to think about that.
"Uh…" He replied. "I guess that just came out weird." He whispered and scratched the back of his head. Rukia grunted, and after finishing her drink she tossed it carefully into the waste basket.
"RIIIIGHT." She grumbled and patted her skirt down. Ichigo just gazed at her with a frown. "Anyways. What am I doing here?" She grumbled. "I have stuff to do." She replied and took off to say farewell to Ishida and Inoue. "See ya." She let out a sly grin and walked away.
Ichigo just gazed at her. She was slowly disappearing from him. Again. Again? No, this was the first time! He shook his head and decided he was hungry so he unwrapped his hamburger, and bit a chunk of it.
"Well. I don't know what that was about, Quincy." Rukia smiled as they walked out of the hotel. "But. It was nice." She turned around, and grinned. Ishida sighed. "Hope to see you soon, though." She chirped and disappeared.
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Renji was ecstatic when he found Rukia coming up from the North Side of the city. A small smile was visible on her naturally emotionless face. "So, how was it?" He asked. She shrugged and stuck her hands in her long black sleeves.
"Eh. Nothing really." She scoffed and turned red recalling what had happened. Renji was relieved and asked if they should return to Soul Society. "Yea. Nii-sama, probably might be worried." She whispered and looked at the blue skies. Renji put his arms around her, and she could feel her heart flutter with strange emotion.
"Let's go then." He smiled.
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"Ano…Kurosaki-kun." Orihime gazed at Ichigo who was packing his stuff to head home. Ishida was waiting outside, as he decided upon himself to fully make Ichigo recognize who Rukia really was during their trip back.
"Yeah?" He asked slinging his school bag, and gazing at her.
"Remember…that I'll still be your friend, no matter what." She blurted out. That is not what she meant to say. But Ichigo just nodded and left. She sighed and slumped against the wall, shielding her face with her palms. "Ah, Orihime! You're acting stupid again!" She replied to herself and let out a sigh. "I wish I could talk to someone….maybe Matsumoto…" She turned pink. Who was Matsumoto?
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"Byakuya-nii-sama." Rukia bowed down after she had found her brother sitting in the dining room. He nodded, accepting her presence and she sat before him with a placid façade.
"How was your mission?" He asked, solemnly and sipped his tea. Rukia bowed her head and explained all her accomplishments. Around three hollows were detected and eliminated, and one Menos Grande was sent back to Hueco Mundo (with the help of Renji of course). "…Good." He only replied, and she could feel herself shiver with his icy tone. "You are dismissed."
"Thank you." She whispered.
"By the way…" Byakuya's voice rose with a little irritation. "Have you been near anyone, other than Renji, lately?" Her brother asked, and she froze.
"…Ah…No." She lied, and he dismissed her.
When she left, he could feel her voice quiver with fear. He could hear the lies she was spitting out, but he knew how she truly was. So he let that one lie slip.
"Renji." Byakuya whispered. The red-haired man appeared from around the corner of the mansion. "Take care of Rukia." He stated blandly and left to do some paperwork.
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When Ichigo arrived home, the only person he was thinking about was the little midget. There was something about her that made him…(as much as he hated to admit it) possibly attracted to her. He found himself strangely attracted to her violet eyes, and he found her irresistible with her strange laughter and ways of interacting with human devices. Human…devices….What other devices were there, besides humans? He rolled his eyes, and thought himself to be crazy.
"Rukia…" He whispered. He liked the sound of her name, especially the "R" which rolled down his tongue with ease. "…Hmm…" He completely forgot the hellish years he had spent with that name. "…I guess I'll have to get to know you more." He sighed, and tossed himself on his bed. He stared at the ceiling wall….a familiar feeling.