Summary: In a world where two 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
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Chapter 5
Grimmjow watched Ichigo leave. His mind is still processing what the Lieutenant said. He had said 'situation in the North' but that could very well be 'in the West'. He immediately went to his truck and drove towards their camp.
Ichigo went home and started packing immediately. His father followed him to his room. "Are you leaving already, son?"
"Yes, father. I am needed in the camp." He responded while folding his clothes and putting them back in his cargo bag.
"Son, please I want you to reconsider what I requested this morning." His father pleaded.
Ichigo stands and faced his father "There's nothing to reconsider, father. This group killed mother, they almost harm my girlfriend and now they took two of my best friends. I am not going to let them get away with this anymore."
"Son, there are things that you don't know. Things that…."
"Father, stop. If my Lieutenants hear you, they might suspect you're a member." Ichigo said and went to continue packing.
His father sighed. "Please, son, come home again and I would appreciate if you are alone."
"I will father. When I come back, expect Rukia and Renji to be with me. She still have to re-paint this blasted room. Why the hell did you give her my room, anyway?" He said without looking at his father.
"Well, she's my third daughter. Why wouldn't I?" His father said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Stop calling her that, she's not your daughter." Ichigo said stiffly.
"She might as well be. She played the role of a big sister to Karin and Yuzu as well as big brother which is supposed to be your role, Ichigo. She even played my role when I'm off somewhere. She protected them and guided them to where they are now. Your sisters looked up to her." His father told him. He hinted the accusation in his voice for leaving them when he knew his sisters needed him.
Ichigo knew he deserves those accusation. "Where do you go to anyway that you have to leave the girls alone?" He fired back.
"Of course to see the woman of my life, where else?" Isshin said nonchalantly.
"Tch! Don't you think you're old enough to have a girlfriend?" Ichigo said, annoyed.
"No one is old enough when it comes to love, Ichigo. I'm sure you'll agree with me when you and my third daughter finally get married." His father said.
"What are blubbering about? Rukia and I aren't like that. Go away already and let me pack." Ichigo ushered his father.
His father let him push him but before going down, he turned to look at Ichigo with a solemn face "Well, I won't hold you back if you still insist to go, but please come home soon, son. We have to talk. And please be careful to where you point your gun, Son."
He nodded and his father left. Ichigo sat on his bed. His guilt is palpable. He knew he owe Rukia a lot and he will make up to her. He also need to apologize to his sisters. But first, he have to take Rukia back and bring her home.
Ichigo sling his bag and was about to leave the room when his eyes landed on the drawing. He read the scribble again.
'come home already, Idiot!'
He carefully removed the paper from the wall. He then gingerly folded it and put it in his wallet.
Ichigo and his Lieutenants boarded their truck and left the 65th District. In the truck, Uryuu briefed Ichigo.
"Captain, the situation is actually in the west. I receive a report from District 56, from the covert mission you sent out. A Lefters camp has been spotted. It was in the forest of 55th. They requested a permission to attack but I told them to hold."
"Good." Ichigo said. He will have to handle all operations if he wanted to set his plans in motion and retrieve Rukia and Renji alive. He watched his Lieutenants from the corner of his eyes. So they're also being careful around his friend. He wouldn't be surprised if they're suspecting his father as well.
On the way, when he saw that they are near his childhood resting tree, he ask Sado to stop for a moment. He got off the trunk and went to the tree. He looked up and he was disappointed that it was not the tree's season to bear fruits. He remembers the time when he had said goodbye to Rukia there. When she had clung to him and cried. He almost regretted leaving her now. If he had been here, then she wouldn't be in a dire situation now. He balled his hand and punched the tree.
When his eyes landed on the trunk, he was surprise when he saw changes in the trunk where their names are carved. For below Rukia's name, two names he didn't know were added. The first name below hers is Keigo and below that is Kaien. Keigo must be the guy who chased Rukia and Kaien must be the teacher. Ichigo had the urge to erase those names there but he controlled himself.
He went back to their truck and continued travelling.
He decided to assemble his platoon in the north army base. When they arrived he immediately summoned the Platoon Sergeant along with his Lieutenants, they studied the situation and devised a plan. He then briefed his soldiers and prepare for this mission.
Ichigo checked and double checked the plan to make sure the mission is going to be a success. They're attacking the west district and chances that his friends are there is very high.
After a couple of hours, three military trucks are ready, weapons were loaded, and Soldiers have said their small prayer. All are geared up for battle. Ichigo, his Lieutenants and two dozen soldiers were dispatched. They rode towards the west, towards 55th forest to be exact. After a couple of hours they reached their destination. They stealthily started infiltrating the forest according to their data. After hours inside the forest, Ichigo's platoon halted when they heard firings ahead.
Ichigo and his team were all highly alert. Same questions are running in their heads. Who had engaged the Lefters? Were there any Army group dispatched to this mission? Why weren't they informed?
Ichigo signaled the soldiers to continue. When they are close enough, the saw two parties are still fiercely engaged in a battle. Both are firing at the other without mercy. The position of Ichigo's platoon is perfect to see the battle of the two groups.
"Captain, the group on the right, they are a Lefter's group from the North, I recognized that flag. We had once encountered them. The left are probably from the West." Hisagi, his Platoon Sergeant shouted at him.
"This is a perfect situation, Captain. We could kill two birds with one stone." His first Lieutenant said.
So, Rukia and the others might be in the West group, he thought. They position themselves to fight as well. Even though he knew it's useless, he still focus his eyes on the west group and tried to see for a black braided haired girl or a ponytailed red haired idiot. He's glad his eyes didn't land with any. He motioned his men to start firing.
And firing they did.
The two groups realized they were not battling with just one group anymore and that the military had intervened. The Lefter groups also retaliated on the Army while retreating back from their respective corners.
Ichigo realized that so he signaled half of his men to pursue the North group, Uryuu, Hisagi and twelve soldiers engaged the North group. He, Sado and the other half pursued the West group.
Firing started again. Ichigo's heart is hoping again that Rukia and Renji weren't among these group they were chasing. Minutes have passed and they were still pursuing the West Lefters.
Gun fires are exchanged relentlessly. An hour after, Ichigo noticed they were now at a disadvantage. Most of his men are now injured and incapacitated. He realized, these west group are skilled.
But so is he. He need to get at least one of them alive. He needs to know where he can find Rukia. So he continued running after his enemies. He uses the trace of blood from the leaves to track them. A gun fire was heard and Sado got engaged as well.
"Go, Captain, I have these." Sado said from crouching behind a tree. Ichigo nodded "I'm counting on you. Arranged to withdraw if I don't come back in in half an hour."
"Yes, sir." Sado acknowledged..
Ichigo could still see some trace of blood so he knows he is pursuing a wounded one. Until it stopped. He looked ahead and he saw a big tree, its trunk is wide enough to cover two people. The tree leaves nearby is still moving from being passed by. Ichigo knew they were so deep in the forest now.
Ichigo gripped his rifle tighter and position himself on the other side of the tree. He then turned fast to the other side and pointed his rifle only to see a pistol pointed at him as well. But that was not the thing that made his heart stopped beating, that made his blood run cold. For there, inches away from him is Rukia with her pistol pointed at his face.
The world faded away. The two only see, hear and sense each other. But none of them put their guns down. That's probably due to their instincts more than anything else.
Ichigo couldn't describe what he is feeling seeing her so suddenly. He was not prepared. He was completely enchanted.
He studied her face.
Her small face is full of sweat. Ichigo followed a bead of sweat cascades down her pink cheek, it didn't drop from her face because a strand of hair in her face prevented it. He followed the strand and saw it got loose from her braid. Her braid is so loose that some strands splatters her face and some are freely flying with the wind. Then he returned his eyes to her face again and focus in her eyes. He had been right, these jewel-shaped violet eyes of hers are even more beautiful from what he remembered. It has gotten more precious than anything in this world. Those eyes blink and he thought her eyelashes wouldn't go back up because they were so long and curly. When did you grow to be this beautiful, Rukia? He looked down to her lips and his brow furrowed when her pinks lips grimaced a little.
He looked down and saw her free arm was clutching her right side, blood is flowing from her fingers. He almost drop his rifle and grab her stomach to help her stop the bleeding. Almost. Ichigo mentally shook his head to get his brain to function again. He gripped his rifle tighter. But his fingers are itching to hold her.
Rukia's eyes were wide as well but slowly became determined. She eyed the rifle pointed at her face then looked up to Ichigo's face. Her eyes roved Ichigo's features. Who would have thought you would become a fine man, Ichigo, she thought. She couldn't believe that this tall and handsome man standing in front of her is the same scrawny boy she remembers as her best friend. She mentally slapped her face and focus on the situation at hand. This guy is a soldier, Rukia, regardless who he is to you, she reminded herself. She looked him straight in the eye. What will you do Ichigo?
Ichigo met her eyes. Amber to Amethyst. Rifle to pistol. Soldier to Enemy of the state.
Both guns are still firmly in each other's faces. Both eyes intense. Not one shows a sign of backing down.
A/N: Here you go.. Sorry it's a bit short. I'll make up to you with the next one.
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