Chapter 2: A Voice In His Dreams

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach!!

Ichigo stared at the piece of paper, shocked. His eyes skimmed over it once again, checking to make sure it wasn't just him hallucinating.

Kuchiki Byakuya? Writing to him? Impossible.

On the letter, it said:

Ichigo, how are you? Yes, I do know what you are thinking; you are wondering why I would be writing to you. I've been quite worried about Rukia lately. Day and night…she thinks of you, she talks about you. I am not the uncaring person you think I am, especially towards my own sister. I expect you to return to Soul Society within the next month. You will be allowed to stay at the Kuchiki household, and you may come back to the human world to visit a few times every two months. I expect to see you in Soul Society soon.

Kuchiki Byakuya

Wow. So Rukia…had missed him. Was he ever in her dreams?

A month passed quickly. Explaining to his sisters and father the position he was in, they "understood completely." Of course, Isshin made a big display of how his son was now "grown up" and "moving out".

Ichigo walked…slowly. Although his heart was excited and anxious to see Rukia, he wanted to soak up Karakura town as much as possible before leaving. Turning a corner, he came face to face with none other than Urahara.

"Ah, Ichigo. You are finally going to Soul Society!"

Ichigo grunted, "Yeah…I guess. So I assume you're bringing me to the portal?"

"Smart. Yes, I am. I will walk you there." The two had light conversation about how their lives have been so far, and before they knew it, they had reached the portal.

"Ichigo, beware. You will see Kuchiki Byakuya the moment you exit the portal. Now go!", commanded Urahara, pushing Ichigo in. "What? BYAKUYA'S ON THE OTHER SIDE?"

Realizing he had not been facing the correct direction, he turned around, only to hit the mud type of ground in Soul Society. Ugh. What a wonderful exit.

He stood up, and looked around. The place hadn't changed.

"You know, I do expect to be called Kuchiki taichou by people I am not fond of." Ichigo whirled around, and saw Byakuya's familiar, steely stare boring into him. "Oh…uh…of course, Kuchiki taichou."

"Let us proceed. Rukia has no idea that you are here. You may go into her garden or room to find her later if you must." Byakuya instructed Ichigo calmly, yet Ichigo somehow got the feeling that Byakuya was feeling less than friendly with Ichigo. At least he's being civil.

"So…uh….how has Rukia been?," Ichigo awkwardly asked, "I mean…she's been good, I guess? Healthy? Happy?"

"Yes…she's healthy. Happy? I'm not sure it's possible without you."

Ichigo sighed. Walking through the mansion, he was not surprised. The Kuchiki clan…a noble family's home should be like this. Large gardens with blossoming cherry trees and a pond here and there, different small buildings.

"Here is your room. Do not…ahem, abuse it. And do not break the vases and antiques, they have been in the household for more than a thousand years," Byakuya briefly outlined him before walking out. Ichigo dropped everything and sat outside his room. The Japanese styled house was quite nice, as he sat, observing the garden and its' beauty.

Suddenly, a voice spoke. A voice that Ichigo only heard in his dreams.

"Ichigo?"

A/N: sorry for the crappy chapter. I've been busy with school lately, I'm so sorry for the lack of updates! Reviews please…they mean a lot to me!