Leaving Town Chapter 7: My Wish, a bleach fanfic

A/N This is ridiculously short compared to my last few chapters. I'm sorry, but I felt like it needed to end there. I couldn't go into anything else if I kept going, otherwise I wouldn't know when to stop. This is named after the song, "My Wish" by the Rascal Flatts. This song plays a big part in the storyline, so when it gets to the part, really absorb the lyrics and keep in mind whose really saying them (not Ichigo). So here you go, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own this fan-based story, but nothing else.

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Chapter 7: My Wish

She ran in the house. Rangiku saw her and raised an eyebrow. "Um, Ruk?" Rukia stopped and looked at her in question. Rangiku smiled and pointed, "Your shirt is buttoned lopsided."

"What?" Rukia looked down and noticed she had missed a button hole, making her buttons, a hole off.

"I'm guessing you had quite an eventful night, huh?" Rangiku said with amusement.

"Nothing happened. I left before it got that far," Rukia said fixing her shirt.

"Awww, why?!" she asked disappointedly.

"Just because. I'm trying to go get a hollow, so will you stop interrogating me?" Rukia replied getting out of her gigai. "I'll be back soon."

She left the house, as Rangiku stood there. 'She's going to exterminate a hollow,' was the thought that processed through her mind. Then her eyes grew wide. She opened the door and yelled, "Rukia! Wait! You can't-" she stopped realizing she was gone. "Shit!"

She pulled out her phone and dialed Renji's number. It didn't answer, but she redialed it again. It was answered by yelling. "Renji!" she yelled, but he kept yelling into her ear. "Renji!" she yelled again, getting angry. He continued to yell back though.

Finally she lost it. "I don't give a damn what you're doing right now. If you're having sex, I don't give a fuck! You can do it later! Rukia's going after a hollow! She can't see him! Get your ass over there! Now!"

She was running along rooftops. The whole night was flashing through her mind. She still had no idea how Ichigo could have possibly gotten that glove, but that wasn't the main thing she was thinking about. It was that one kiss. That one kiss that led to yet another kiss, and another. She wanted him so badly, but she truly realized that this could never work. Sure, she could be with him for another week, maybe even month, but that was it. She didn't belong in this world. How could she get so attached when all it will do is cause her heartache when she has to leave? She thought of what Ichigo had told her in the car as he was driving her home.

-Flashback-

"You know you really are good at playing music. I would have never thought you had any talent," Rukia said staring out the window.

"Well, gee, thanks Rukia. That really helps my confidence. No talent whatsoever? Damn," he said laughing.

She turned her head to look at him, "No! I didn't mean I thought you were inept to anything! I was just surprised you were good at something like this. It's a difficult skill to get good at," Rukia said trying to correct her mistake.

He smirked, "So you don't think I can be good at difficult things?"

Her face showed shock, "No! Wow, this is coming out all wrong," she said closing her eyes as disappointment flowed through her due to her choice in her words.

He laughed freely, "Don't worry about it. I knew you were trying to give a compliment. It made sense, though it wasn't the best choice of words. But I couldn't help making you feel even more uncomfortable."

She sighed, "Well thanks," she said sarcastically.

"I did want to tell you that we were planning on playing tomorrow in the park. There's supposed to be a stage set up and everything. I even heard rumors of it being broadcasted on TV, but I don't know. I hate getting my hopes up. But, if you're free," he hesitated, "I'd love to see you there."

Rukia's eyes widened and then softened. She smiled, "Sounds great."

"If you don't want to, you don't have to. No pressure," he said quickly.

"I want to. I promise I'll see it. Even if I can't go, I'll catch it on television. I won't miss it," she said convincing him. She noticed he breathed out a lot of air, probably in relief of her answer.

-End Flashback-

After tonight, could she go tomorrow? She didn't want to let him down. She promised. 'Why am I thinking about this? I need to focus!' she thought.

She was determined. "I'm the only one whose frigen decent enough to actual go out and get rid of a hollow! People are pissed drunk and they need people to take care of them, and Renji, well, lets just say he's not available at the moment. But I'll be damned if I let whatever it is that's been killing them go and kill another one without so much as a fight," she said continuing to race to the position.

His feet slammed against the ground in a speed that you could easily miss if you blinked. There was no other thought going through his mind, just one: battle. Every night he fought, but it never felt enough to quench his thirst for more. But he would never pass up a chance. It was weird though, as he got closer to his target, he felt a familiar reiatsu; one he hadn't felt in a long time. It was speeding toward the same direction as him. His heart raced faster as he grew excited over the possibility of more slaughter. An eerie smile grew on his face before he moved even faster in the right direction.

Her phone began to beep even faster. "What the hell?" she said, continuing to run, but looking at her phone now. "There's definitely something else out there. It seems to making my phone go out of whack. Shit, this doesn't feel good," she said fear growing slowly through her. Then, her phone rang this time, indicating she was being called. She looked down fast, alarmed by the ringing. Renji was calling.

"What? I'm trying to get to this damn hollow, can this wait?" she said irritated.

"Rukia! I got this one, go home!" Renji said, as he was putting on his shirt with haste.

"Bullshit! I'm almost there! You're probably getting dressed as we speak and then you'll have to go back to the apartment to drop your gigai off, and it will be too late by then. I can't just let this 'thing' go around killing hollows when it could be dangerous. I got this," she said with even more determination.

"Rukia, I'm not gonna say it again, get you ass back to the house!" Renji said yelling. She couldn't go. She couldn't see. She couldn't remember.

She pulled the phone away from her ear to look at it with surprise and annoyance plastered across her face. She then brought it back to her ear, "Renji! What the hell is wrong with you? I'm not turning around, so you can just give up. I'll see you back at the house." And with that she hung up before he could make another response.

Renji yelled for her one last time realizing she had hung up, but continued to hope she didn't. "Rukia! God damn it!" Even if he left now, he couldn't make it there in time to stop her. No one could now.

Rukia had made it. The hollow was walking around in search for another soul. She smirked at the fact that she made it there before her competition. She began to walk slowly towards it. It still didn't notice her presence yet. She clutched her sheathed zanpaktou, readying her final pull and attack. Then, out of nowhere something flashed in front of her and cleaved the hollow straight in two. She looked in astonishment. She searched the figure from behind, as its back was facing her. It slowly turned around, allowing her a perfect view of the hollow mask covering its face. Something about the shape of the figure, it gave her a feeling of familiarity.

In a second, the hollow flew itself at Rukia, as she was unprepared for an attack. It flew into her, knocking her back and pinned up against a building. She pushed and tried any sort of movement that could grant her access of escape, but it failed. She looked up into the mask now, able to see black and yellow eyes staring back at her through the mask. Then, as she saw its eyes flash with excitement, she threw her hands up against its abdomen. She pronounced a well practiced ritual of kido, #99, seal. And with that, the hollow grew stiff, allowing her to shove it off her and kneeing it in the stomach. It fell forward from her knee attack. Its face slammed against the asphalt, as a loud crack was heard.

She pulled out her zanpaktou with great speed and was ready to thrust it towards her opponent. It was lying with the moon's glow now on it. She saw something that stopped her in her tracks. He was lying on his stomach, and she saw the back of his head. "Orange…" she said softly with fear growing. She leaned down slow with one hand out stretched. She grabbed a shoulder and flipped the body over. As the body landed on its back, the mask stayed on the ground, now cracked in a few pieces.

She gasped. She was staring at the face of the man that had begun to capture her heart. She stood up slowly, stepping away from the unconscious body in front of her. She shook her head back and forth, "This can't be happening. It just can't!" She looked down at her zanpaktou, then back up at him. She was filled with way too many emotions for her liking. Confusion, fear, but most of all, pain. 'Why did it have to be him?' was one of the many thoughts that ran through her mind. She looked back down at her zanpaktou, and closed her eyes tightly. She gripped her hand on her Sode no Shirayuki firmly. "I can't," she said out loud. She opened her eyes and looked at his body lying peacefully on the ground. A single tear ran down her cheek, "I can't." She turned around and ran.

Rukia entered the house quietly, trying to avoid anyone, especially Renji. She needed to be alone. She needed to absorb everything that had just happened. She needed to know how to deal with it. She was ready to break and couldn't be seen in such a weakened state.

She began to go up the stairs, when a hand wrapped around her wrist. She paused and slammed her eyes shut, holding back the tears, with all her might. She then opened her eyes, which were fillied with water now, and turned to look at Renji.

"Rukia," he said softly as he saw her pained expression.

"Why?" she said quivering, "Why did it have to be him?" she asked pleadingly.

"I," he stumbled on what to say, "You," and before he could think of a proper reply, she flew herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she started to cry into his shoulder. He could feel his shirt getting damp in a matter of seconds. All he could do right now was hold her. Answers could wait.

After awhile, Rukia had calmed down. She was able to talk now. Everyone was in the living room. Renji had just returned. After she told him what happened, he went to go bring Ichigo back to his apartment. He would end up waking up in the street not knowing how he got there, so Renji made it simple for him.

Everyone needed to give her reasons, but if she still doesn't remember, even after what she had just witnessed, they didn't need to tell her the whole truth.

Urahara spoke, "We know that his powers have awoken due to the fact of our appearance in the living world. It is strange how he has only been attacking hollows, but after what you have told us, there is no doubt that he is a threat in this form."

"This is the reason of him acting weird yesterday in the restaurant. He's not himslef in this form. He doesn't remember anything he does," Momo explained.

Rukia scowled, "Why didn't anyone tell me this? It's obvious you have known this longer than tonight!" She looked around at everyone expecting an answer.

"Yes, let's tell you that the guy you're getting comfy/cozy with is a hollow, break your heart, and feel miserable about it," Shuuhei said sarcastically.

She glared, "If anyone's gonna be sarcastic Shuuhei, its me." She huffed and buried her face in her hands, "I just can't believe this." She looked up, "Tell me there's a way to stop this," she asked hopefully.

Byakuya surprisingly spoke up, "We believe his powers will disperse if we retreat from the living world. If us coming here made him like this, then us leaving should reverse it."

"We can't just leave! We don't even know why hollows have appeared again! If we leave and his powers do go away, what's going to kill the hollows in our absence?!" Rukia asked full of emotions.

Yoruichi stood against a wall with her arms crossed over her chest, "We have to risk it. He's more powerful than any of those hollows. We'll have to figure out what to do about the hollows when we get back to Soul Society."

Rukia's chest began to tighten. She didn't want to leave. She couldn't just leave Ichigo like this. She felt like she needed to stay and somehow make everything better. But, if it meant that her leaving would make his life normal again. That it would make it safer again, she would do it.

She closed her eyes, gripping the arm of the chair she was sitting on tightly. "When are we leaving?" she said, forcing the words out of her mouth.

"Tomorrow around sunset," Toushirou said flatly.

"We have to be out of this house early though," Rangiku added.

Rukia just nodded and stood up. Everyone just watched in silence as she walked up the stairs.

Ichigo woke up easier than normal. Although when he started to move, he felt sore around his stomach like someone had punched him. He was way too excited to dwell on it though. Today he was playing in front of hundreds of people. The local park was being turned into a stadium and they were all coming to see his band play. It was still hard to believe.

He was ready. He had on his favorite diesel sneakers, a pair of dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt with white lettering, saying, "Still Alive." He had his hair in what seemed like a perfect position. He felt great. He heard his doorbell go off and he ran down the stairs to the door. He opened it and saw a letter. He picked it up nd began to read.

Ichigo,

I'm sorry that I couldn't say goodbye in person. But, I had to leave today. That's the way my business is. We're always moving. I just, wish I could have stayed longer. I'm sorry. Even if you were untalented at anything, you had the ability to make me smile. You are unlike any other. I'll always remember you.

Rukia

His supposedly sunny day, just turned grey. He ran across the street and knocked on the door to her apartment. No one answered. He looked through a window and saw it to be empty. He walked slowly back to his apartment.

'Why is it that everyone that leaves likes to leave a letter?' he thought. But one of the main things that ran through his mind was the complete admittance of one thing: he loved her. Even if he had only known her for a few days, he knew this to be true. He knew he wouldn't see her today at the show, but she promised she would see him. So he would depend on that promise and hope she was watching somehow. He walked back into his house.

Rukia stood in the far back of the park. They had put up a huge screen that allowed you to be able to see the band even from way back there. She had begged them to let her see him play. She promised to see him and she couldn't break it. Everyone except Byakuya, Unohana, Yoruichi and Urahara hesitantly allowed her to go, as they accomplanied her. They thought it best not to tell the others.

As she watched them play her heart ached more and more. "Maybe I shouldn't have come. This is making it worse," she said as a song ended.

"Do you want to leave?" Momo asked her sadly.

Rukia nodded hesitantly and turned to walk away.

"I want to move into a more serious mood now," he paused and then continued.

"There's someone out there, who I hope is watching right now," Rukia turned around to look at the man who had spoken these words.

"I told her that when the time was right, and I found that one person who I was willing to give everything I had to, I would show them this letter," he held up a piece of paper for everyone to see.

"Some time ago, someone who cared a lot for me left. I don't even remember them, but I was told they loved me very much. I found this letter lying down in my closet with this glove," he held up the red glove and then pulled it on his right hand.

All the shinigamis looked at each other, worrying about what was going to happen. They knew exactly who that letter and glove was from, and the said girl was watching Ichigo's every move now.

"This letter was filled with so much emotion that it was the very thing that got me into song writing and music. This letter was the first song I composed. All I did was take a section and make it into a chorus," he said matter-of-factly.

"I've had this letter for some time now, and I believe it represents my heart. So, right now, I want to give this letter to you," he paused and smiled straight at the camera that projected his image, "Rukia."

Her chest tightened and she could barely swallow. Part of her wanted to run to escape the pain of going through this, knowing it could never be. But the part of her that couldn't remember, kept her there. Her body was now stiff.

The music softly began and then Ichigo came in singing.

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything,

His voice became stronger as the chorus came. The passion he was putting in made everyone weak in the knees.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

Rukia's shoulders dropped. Her eyes grew wide. The words were flashing through her mind. Then an image flashed with them. The image of her hand writing them down. And as it seeped more into her mind, other images flashed. Images that she never knew existed, until now.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,

Tears were flowing down freely from her eyes now, yet she didn't make a sound. She just continued to stare at the singer as her mind was flooded from lost memories.

Ichigo was singing his heart out. He didn't even know if she was watching, he just put all his faith into the promise she made him.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

The song ended and the applause roared. Rukia didn't move. Finally, her companions started to stare at her and saw the tears falling down her cheek.

"Rukia?" Rangiku asked softly.

"I wrote that letter," Rukia said plainly, staring straight ahead still.

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Yeah, I know. Big cliffy, I'm sorry. I hate them and usually I try to end it on a good note, but this will hopefully bring you back, even though that wasn't my intention. Again sorry for the short chapter and please review. For now, later