Summary: In a world where opposite ideology clashes

A/N: Not so modern AU. Characters are normal human, no powers.

Please note that English is not my first language and my vocabulary is limited, so please forgive the grammar and or spelling mistakes.

Disclaimer: All Kubo Tite's


Chapter 3

Rukia and Renji turned their backs to Ichigo with a heavy heart. They both knew a time will come when they have to exchange bullets with him. It was inevitable, actually, unless they get to Ichigo first.

The group continued running towards the forest. Renji keep looking back at Rukia to make sure she's still with them. They ran for almost an hour and when he's sure that they have made a considerable distance, he slows down to Rukia's level and asked her "That was really him, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." Rukia replied.

"Did he know it was you?" He asked again, gauging her emotion. He knows that Rukia and Ichigo are closer to each other more than anyone else.

"Not at first. That idiot even hit me in the face. But I'm sure he recognized me when we were running." She chuckled. "Hell, even I didn't recognize his voice. Did you see him? He's gotten very tall. And the soldiers called him Captain." Rukia added with a hint of pride.

"We need to talk to him before one of us kills the other." Renji said. Rukia nodded.

Back at the army camp, Ichigo lay down in his bed. His mind is full of questions. His heart is still painful. He analyzes what happened earlier. So, Rukia and Renji are Lefters. His gut had been right when it told him that the woman he had punched earlier was Rukia.

Shit, I punched Rukia, he thought. Well to his defense, he had never imagined she would grow taller. That even with a blindfold, he could see a beautiful woman is behind it. Not that Rukia isn't beautiful. And her body, her abs. He wouldn't have thought those were Rukia's. Not to mention that he had never, even in his wildest dream thought that Rukia would ever betray him. His heart clenched hard again.

He thought hard if there is even a chance he could take his childhood friends back, a way to enlighten them. What could have made them cross over to the bad side? What could have made them join a vile group? For sure, Uncle Jushiro did not ask them to join them. He knows him to be the most impartial person in their district, that's why he is their District Representative. Surely he will never allow his children to become violent?

Then what?

Maybe the group holds uncle Ju as hostage and they were forced to join? That is the only reason he could think of.

What about Grimm, did he joined them as well?

Ichigo felt a tremendous guilt now for not contacting them in the last 10 years. He had tried, believe him he had tried but it was strictly prohibited to get in contact with anyone once you entered the military academy. Even letters are not allowed. So, he had told himself to be patient for just a year, when Renji and Grimm will follow him there, but after a year, no Renji nor Grimm appeared.

Another years have passed and still no Grimm or Renji. To be honest, he was actually relieved. He had thought they stayed to protect the girls.

Renji did that just now.

He remembers the time when he finally got news from them for the first time.


After 5 years, when he graduated from the academy, when he was finally allowed to go outside, he went straight to the school administration and asked if he has any messages from his family and friends. He was so happy when he was handed all the letters sent to him while he was inside the Academy. He ran back to his dorm and excitedly sorted them in his bed.

He counted his letters. Ten of them are from Orihime and three from Rukia. This earned a scowl in his face. The rest are from his father and sisters. When he checked the dates of Rukia's letters, he saw two were dated during his first year stay and the last one was sent a year after, then none afterwards.

She stopped writing him after two years only? What the hell, Rukia?

Rukia's letters are actually 3-in-1, as it includes messages from Renji and Grimmjow. He sat aside all the other letters and reads Rukia's first letter. While reading it, he couldn't helped but scowl, smile or laugh.

...

Hey there, Ichi-poo. How's it going? Are you still alive? I hope so.

So, it's been two months since you left. Sorry I wrote you late. We were waiting for Uncle Gin to come so it will reach you faster but it took him this long to come home.

You know that you owe me a lot for dumping your shit on me, right? Hime did not stop crying for a whole week. We had to constantly console her. After few days of dealing with that, Renji and Grimm magically disappears every time they saw Hime is about to cry again, leaving me to deal with her. Those idiots.

After you left, Renji and Grimm made it their hobby to guilt me for not telling them right away. The moment I told them, they immediately started packing but father saw Renji and he both did not let them go. He strictly forbidden them to come after you. He also scolded me for letting you go, said I should have tied you or something. As if tying you to a tree could stop you. They don't know you like I do.

Yuzu keeps crying as well (I swear she's like Hime, they don't run out of tears!), I'm thankful Karin did not. I think she understands you.

Your father is still goofy as usual though I know it's an act. I sometimes caught him crying and I know he still carries the guilt in his heart.

But don't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine in the long run.

School is fine, Karakura is fine, same old, same old. Nothing much to say.

Don't worry about your sisters, we'll look out for them. I look out for them so much that your father started calling me his third daughter already haha!

Father and Renji had started visiting Miss Unohana more than usual, so I stayed at your house when they aren't home. Yuzu's cooking is getting better and better. Guess what we had last night?... Yep, you guessed right, we had spicy Chicken Curry, yummy! (wipe your drool, idiot.)

Grimm and Renji sent their hellos as well, said you were a prick for not bringing them with you. They also said to wait for them. They're actually very excited, I had to remind them they still have a year to finish. But you know already.. no one is excited more than me. So you better keep yourself alive because I will be there to beat your scrawny ass after two years.

I will send you a letter again but you have to respond first. You know, just to make sure you receive this.

I have to go. Our firewood stock is empty. Yeah.. yeah.. Renji's with me, and yeah I won't carry too much.. quit nagging already, sunflower-head…

See yah soon, Ichi.

Rukia

P.S. Oh and by the way, I claimed your room.

…...


He had scowled at her insults and he doesn't like the sound of her being the third daughter, or whatever, but he smiled when she said she's eager to join him.

That was Rukia's first letter. The second letter is dated 5 months after.


...

Dummy Ichi,

Hey, it's been ages since I sent you a letter and until now I haven't heard anything from you.

Are you okay? You have to tell us if you're still alive, idiot.

Well, father did said that you might not be able to receive your letters immediately. So I was still hoping my letters will reach you eventually.

So Hime and I are now in second grade and Renji and Grimmjow in their last year in high school.

School's is still the same. Hime still aces her exams. Me, not too far behind (don't be so surprise, you know I can do it too, especially now I have more time to study, because a certain orange-headed idiot is so far away to drag me to go hunting or whatnot).

That's reminds me, Karin's taking your place, she loves hunting too. We didn't caught any on her first try but guess what our trap caught last week? An eagle! A freaking monkey-eating eagle! It's so big and beautiful. We're so relieved it wasn't hurt aside from its leg but Hime took care of it. We're taking care of it in our backyard, I mean in your backyard (huh I feel like your house is my house already). Karin named it Bagwis. It's badass, isn't? I bet you wish you didn't left.

Well, uh-, Renji and Grimm weren't around when we went hunting but I promised we're careful and we'll ask both or one of them next time. So there, happy?

Going and back to school is now livelier because your sisters are also now in the same school. Jeez, you made my job more difficult now that I have two pretty ladies to protect from boys. Especially they both doesn't know how to firmly say "No". I had to do it for them all the time! What a pain… Oh well, Renji and Grimm are still here but the girls are mostly with me so… Don't worry, I could take bullies on by myself. I've been training you know. Don't think you can beat me when we met..

I hope you are doing fine. Don't worry about us, we're fine. Well, father is still sick but I'm sure Miss Unohana is doing her best.

Everyone says Hi, even your father. They said they miss you. Me? Not so much.

I hope you're taking care of yourself.

Write me already, you dummy!

Rukia

P.S. I painted your room pink and put lots of bunny pictures and stickers (huh I'm sure you're itching to come home now, or at least you'll write me now).

PPS: So, Uncle Gin came and when I give him this letter he told us that military students aren't allowed to receive or send letters or to communicate outside at all. That explains your silence. Heh you're off the hook.

Anyway, it will be useless now to write you but I will still send this seeing that I have already written and all. I guess you will hear from us in a few months anyway as Renji and Grimm will be joining you soon. Then after another year, Hime and I will join you too. I'm so excited to beat your ass.

So till then, Ichi.

…...


So that explains the lack of letter from her. The third letter, he remembers, has made him anxious to go home. It was sent a year after her second letter.


...…...

Ichigo,

I hope you are doing fine.

I don't know if you'll still going to receive this but I will try anyway. So here goes…

If by any chance you will receive this sooner than you graduate, then all of us including your family wants you to come home as soon as you receive this letter. Actually, it is imperative that you come home.

Listen, Ichigo. Something had happened. We were told things we never thought were possible. Things I couldn't put in this letter.

But trust me, you will be happy to know these things too. So come home immediately.

We'll be waiting.

Rukia

…...


Now that he remembers it, his father's letters are similar to Rukia's last, they were all asking him to come home. What would have made Rukia happy? She said also that he would be happy too. For sure, Rukia wasn't talking about joining the Lefters, was she? He still hoped it wasn't.

He had tried asking to go home first before going on missions but he was always denied. So he sent letters to his friends and family especially Rukia but only Orihime and his family had responded to him. His family's letters contains the same thing, they wanted him to come home. With what happened earlier, it is more likely that Rukia and Renji have received his letters but they chose not to respond.

After few exchange of letters with Orihime, he was finally able to meet with her. He had learned that when she graduated from high school, she followed him but was not accepted in the military academy so she studied medicine instead. Orihime is now a certified nurse.


Five years ago, when he was able to contact Orihime, he had asked her to meet him in a restaurant.

At the time of their meeting, Ichigo arrived early, he's excited to see his friend and to know how the others are doing.

When Orihime arrived, Ichigo was surprised to see her. She became even more beautiful, she grew too and still carry that bubbly attitude.

He was really happy to see her.

Orihime is also very excited to see Ichigo again. She had been very disappointed when she failed the military test and she didn't even get to see Ichigo there, but Ichigo is now in front of her.

When Ichigo stood to greet her, she saw that he grew taller, his body is ripped with muscles and have become even more handsome. He exudes confidence. Orihime reached for Ichigo and hugged him. Ichigo hugged her back. Both happy to see each other.

"How are you, Hime?" Ichigo started after settling themselves.

I'm fine, as I told you in my letter, I'm studying medicine, three more years though before I graduate. I live near here. I worked part time." Orihime said happily.

"How about you? Tell me everything." Orihime asked.

Ichigo told her about his life inside the academy, the rigorous trainings he had, the hardships he had encountered, and that he's glad he finally graduated a month ago. After that, he asked Orihime about his family, if she know why they are insisting him to go home.

"They were fine two years ago and I'm sure they still are. Your father still dotes on your sisters but of course only Yuzu tolerates him, haha! Karin was always with Rukia, sometimes I went hunting with them but you know, I can't keep up always. Well, they wanted you to come home because they're probably worried about you."

Ichigo just nodded. Yes, that's probably it. Then "Hime, how's Rukia and Renji and Grimm?" Ichigo asked eagerly.

Orihime's face became sad "The last time I spoke with them personally was when I left to come here. We exchanged letters afterwards. They said they're fine and to let them know if I need their help. I sent them a letter last week telling them I'm meeting you. Before I left, I had asked them to come with me but they said that they had enough education and that their life is there in our district. But they had urge me to come here to pursue my education. I felt that they were very eager for me leave. I know I shouldn't think of them that way but I have noticed that they have been distant with me. Rukia and Renji are always accompanying uncle Ju in going to Miss Unohana for his treatment, I know it's difficult to go to her place seeing that she lives in the mountain but I could have gone with them too but they never took me. Grimm is always busy with his work as well, he work as a porter that's why he's always travelling. When I asked them why they have been distancing themselves with me, they just told me to trust them and that they only want me to be safe. I have no idea what they meant though.

'Hime, you're too precious for what we are doing. We can't bear to see you get hurt. Go and be safe in the capitol, okay?' Is what Renji told me."

Ichigo was confused. What have they been doing that they're not involving Orihime? For the life of him, he couldn't think of anything.

Orihime looked at his anxious face. "I'm sure they're fine Ichigo. Even Rukia, Renji and Grimm are with her."

Ichigo prayed she's right.


Now he understands Orihime's words that time.

Rukia and Renji have joined the Lefters years after he left them. It was probably during the time when he was told that his father was in the capitol and had been begging his officers to see him. He's guessing his father sought him to talk his friends out.

He had failed his father. He had failed to protect his friends. If only he had come home immediately.

He remembers why he didn't come home at all.


He had wanted to go home after he met Orihime but when he reported for duty, he was instantly assigned a mission and it had lasted almost a year. He had been so determined in his first mission that his squad were able to eradicate the lefters and returned districts 35 to the government. His officers had been very impressed with him that he was assigned missions after another. If all his mission is to destroy this organization then he would be all willing to do this all his life.

And in these years, he and Orihime continued to see each other during the time when he was at the capitol reporting, these only lasted days though. During his meeting with her, he never ceased to ask about their other friends only to get the same reply.

"No, Ichigo, I have not received any news from them. They did not respond to my last letter."

So he fulfill his duties and he was gradually promoted until he became Captain after three years of non-stop missions.

When he got promoted, he called Orihime to meet with him and that he have a great news.

She asked him to come to her flat instead of a coffee shop or restaurant. And there in her living room, he told her that he was granted to go home after he delivers his newest mission and asked if she wants to go home with him. He is confident that he will complete this mission in a couple of months. Orihime agreed enthusiastically.

When Orihime asked why the sudden approval, Ichigo scratched his neck and told her he had been promoted to Captain and that he have leeway now in choosing missions.

Orihime had been so happy for him that she hugged him tightly and kissed him right in the lips. Both were surprised and Ichigo brushed this off as accident, but Orihime squared her shoulder and told him she love him. She told him that she had loved him even when they were still in high school, that he's the reason why she's here, that she's willing to wait for him every time.

Ichigo stands there for few minutes contemplating. He knows Orihime, his family knows her. She's beautiful and kind and he cares for her, so he nodded. He swatted an image of a violet eyes in his mind.

"Okay" he said, and soon they were kissing. He spends the remaining days with her.

He completed his mission after a couple of months, as he anticipated. He had been so excited leaving his superior's office and his mind is already planning what gifts to buy his sisters and his friends.

He picked up Orihime in the hospital and they went to buy gifts. After checking thoroughly that they had bought everything they need, they walked home.

In the near deserted area, Orihime was suddenly shoved in the corner with Ichigo's back in front of her, his gun is out and was firing here and there.

Orihime covered her head and prayed fervently for their safety.

After few minutes, the firing ceased, Ichigo went to inspect the men, his face hardened. With the men's clothing and with their improvised guns, he knew they were Lefters.

Orihime gasped when she saw the men on the ground, she told Ichigo that she recognized them, that she have noticed these two men have been tailing her for a month now.

Ichigo's jaw clenched, fury is visible in his eyes. A finger flashed in his mind. They were targeting her because of her association to him.

He will not let them hurt anyone that is close to him anymore, especially his family and friends. He assigned one of his men to keep an eye on Orihime. He arranged for her house to be near the hospital and he instructed her to be vigilant that if she felt someone is tailing her to let him know or his office immediately.

As to his family, he can't let them know of them. In order to do that, he will have to control himself from seeing them. He decided he will not go home, he will just have to arrange to meet with them in a safer place, to protect them.


Ichigo chuckled bitterly. To protect them or so he thought. He wasn't able to do even that. The exact opposite happened to his friends as proven today. They had joined them. They fucking joined them.

Ichigo's heart ached. He had never imagined in his life that the time will come when he had to fight his friends, and not just a petty fight but the type where you have to kill or you'll be killed.

What had become of us? He asked himself. He sleeps fitfully.

The next day, Ichigo sighed. He eyed the papers in front of him. How in the hell is he going to report this? Will he put Rukia and Renji's names? If he do that they will be branded as animals as well. Their faces will be plastered in all the districts camps.

But he swore his loyalty to the army, to the government, and friends or not they have chosen their paths. They have chosen the side that clashes with what he's been fighting for.

His fingers works on the papers.

The next day he travelled back to the capitol with his report beside him.

After a week, he reached the Capitol. Ichigo went immediately to report. Inside Ichigo's Superior's office, he saluted his greetings. "At ease, soldier." The Major said. Ichigo then handed his report to him.

"So the squad still couldn't neutralize the west? His major asked after reading his report.

"Sir, all squad that pursued them are either killed or retreated."

"Well, what is your suggestion?" The Major asked again. His eyes boring into Ichigo.

"Sir, I request you to assign me there indefinitely until we claimed these districts back."

His major regarded him for few minutes, then "Granted. Arrange for your men to dispatch immidiately. I suggest you take your lieutenants with you and utilize the North and West armies."

"Sir, Thank you very much sir."

Ichigo left his Major's office with a determined face. He knew, this will be the hardest mission he is going to face and he swore to his mother's name he will get to the bottom of this or he die trying. He couldn't accept his friends chosen paths. He will dragged them back to the light if he have to.

.

.

-X-X

A/N: I'm sure this should have been better but I wanted to give you something already so. I promise I will try to make the next chapter better.

Thank you again for your reviews and those who favorite'd and following my story. You guys made me so happy, really.

Sayuri: Wow, I have a French fan (visualize me dancing a happy dance, haha). I'm so glad I helped you with your exams and that you had a nice rest. I'm sure you'll ace your exams. Don't worry about your English, I am not good myself haha. Please keep reviewing, I love hearing from you.

Bleachman: Thank you. As you wish, here's the next chapter.

alaa199881: Thank you. I had thought that the title is so lame. I'm glad you didn't think so :)

yeahbuddy2256, Guests, 409, BigNickDiggers: Thank you. Hope you enjoy this chapter too.