xX Forty-for Hours Earlier Xx

Rukia looked at her watch. "Eleven A.M.? He's a half hour late."

Rukia tapped her foot against the ground impatiently as she waited for Ichigo to arrive. A sudden breeze moved Rukia's hair in her face.

Just as sudden as it appeared, it was gone.

She turned to see Ichigo Kurosaki. There was a soft warm breeze blowing.

His daylily hair swayed back and forth with the wind and his brown eyes seemed deep and vast. Rukia looked at him and couldn't help but smile for some strange reason. Ichigo turned his head and raised an eyebrow.

"Rukia, why are you smiling like that? You're scaring me a little"

Rukia's smile disappeared.

Her face turned a little red. "Why are you asking?! Can't I smile?! Is it illegal for Soul Reapers to smile?!" Rukia shouted, annoyed. Ichigo was quiet for a moment.

Rukia said angrily, "Well?" Ichigo smiled a little too. "No it's not. I've just never your smile. It's nice. I like it…" he said quietly.

Rukia turned around so Ichigo wouldn't see her face turning completely red as a tomato. "Yeah, well…" she was silent. " Thanks." She murmured.

Ichigo put his hand on her shoulder. "So, what's it you needed Rukia? Hollow? Or what?" Rukia slid his hand off of her shoulder and turned toward Ichigo.

"If there was a hollow, a poor innocent soul would have been eaten by now. Luckily it wasn't what I needed from you." She said angrily.

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Look, I'm sorry I'm late ok? I had complications getting here." He turned his head to the side grumbled under his breath, "Damn dad always attacking me."

Rukia looked at him. "I have some bad news. I'd like you to tell Inoue, Chad, and everyone else." Ichigo looked confused.

"Bad news? What? Did something bad happen?! Is someone hurt?!" Ichigo was always the type to jump to conclusions when it came to his friends. Rukia looked down sadly.

"I got a call earlier today. I've been made Captain of the 13th division. I'm to report to the Soul Society at 7:00 A.M. two days from now. I, I don't know how long I'll be gone. I may never come back with my duties as captain."

They were both silent for a moment. Ichigo didn't know hat to say. Should he be happy for her, or beg her not to leave him and they're friends?

Rukia managed to mumble, "I know we've been partners since our freshman year, and now that we're out of high school, I think we should move on with our lives."

Ichigo put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes sternly. "Stop actin' like we're never gonna see each other again! I'm you're friend! Not a partner! If you've been made captain then that's great! Stop actin' like its depressin' and be happy! That's awesome you're a captain! Cheer up! Or I'll beat happiness into you if I hafta!" Ichigo crossed his arms and looked at her as if she had did something wrong.

Rukia was silent. "Yes, I suppose your right. I should. Thank you Ichigo." She whispered softly.

Ichigo motioned for her to follow him. "C'mon. I'm sure everyone else wants to hear the news." Rukia followed him like he was a magnet. She couldn't help but feel happy listening to his voice talk on about how he and everyone else will try to visit frequently or try to contact and what not.

She wondered in her mind what was going to occur when the time came for her to leave. What would everyone say to her as a goodbye? How would she say goodbye to everyone. More importantly, how would she say goodbye to the orange haired shinigami?

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yeah yeah, I know, short chapter. I'm sorry. My chapters are sorta short. It will get funnier in the next chapter. Ichigo and Urahara fight. Well, Ichigo yells while Urahara mocks him anyway. We get to hear some of Rukia's personal feelings too. Something exciting happens next chapter. (no not an ichiXruki scene, that comes in the chapter AFTER next. )