Long awaited reunions

In a small town store, where few knew its contents, behind the counter a bright light formed in the middle of the backroom. The bright light grew in size until it seemed just big enough to fit a group of teenagers and one shopkeeper into the room— and that's exactly what happened.

Hopping out in twos mostly, one supporting the other, Ishida and Chad were the first to return through the gate. Following them were, Inoue, Kisuke, and Hanatarou. The squad four member tagged along back to the real world to help Inoue heal up their friends. Inoue had accepted his help gratefully, feeling a little weak after the events that had unfolded because of her.

Close behind Hanatarou came the last two in the group to enter the room before the portal closed. Kuchiki Rukia was doing her best to hold up a badly wounded Kurosaki Ichigo. Sure, he had been patched up, but he still had at least two broken ribs anda leg out of commission. When they had limped through the gate Rukia helped her partner on to one of the makeshift beds.

Inoue immediately went to heal him up, but Ichigo insisted that the others get looked at first— much to the frustration of the raven-haired girl at his side. So while Inoue reluctantly patched up Chad and Hanatarou checked out a wound on Rukia's upper arm, the latter decided to begin a healing Kidou on Ichigo, without his permission.

Ichigo slowly turned to glare at her, "Stop." He demanded, though his voice was much too weak for it to sound commanding, "You're just as exhausted as the rest of us."

"In your dreams, Kurosaki." She retorted, not moving her hand from the gash across his stomach, "You'll be lucky if I don't beat you myself for refusing treatment first. I mean look at you! You're the biggest mess here."

He coughed, looking up at her and obviously not impressed, "Thanks…"

To anybody else in that room, what he had said would have been a sarcastic remark, but not to Rukia. She knew him far too well. He watched as her eyes seemed to soften, "You're welcome."

When Inoue eventually healed their friends and got to work on Ichigo, it didn't take long for him to be able to move around under his own steam again, which he insisted on doing, stating that he needed to walk amongst the living for a while.

"But Ichigo," he heard Rukia and stopped at the store door, "You've only just got fixed up! You should be resting. What if you start to feel weak?"

Ichigo made a face to suggest he was thoughtful before dramatically snapping his fingers, "In that case I guess I'll need someone to tag along and keep an eye on me," a smirk played at the corners of his lips as he held a hand out to the raven haired girl, "Care to join me?"

Rukia couldn't hide how her mouth fell open a little. He rarely smiles, and she wished he would do it more frequently, because the look he was giving her now was nothing short of dazzling. She slowly came to her senses again however and nodded her head, "I suppose I could… if you'll buy us ice-cream."

His smile returned full force, "We just saved the world, and all you can worry about is the ice-cream." He shook his head while she watched his new found good mood a little warily. It had just occurred to her that he may have lost his mind.

Without another word Ichigo turned to exit the store, but before Rukia could call him back.

"Kurosaki-kun!"

Ichigo stopped again, but Rukia swore she saw him tense slightly this time. By the time he turned round again however his expression was soft, though nothing compared to the look Rukia had seen only moments ago. The bronze-haired girl dashed past Rukia coming to a halt in front of Ichigo.

"Kurosaki-kun…" she began, her face reddening as she seemed lost for words, "I… T-thank you for saving me."

He looked a little surprised at her gratitude, as if it went without saying, "It's no problem, Inoue. I'll always try to protect the people close to me," his gaze fell over to the raven-haired girl as he continued; "Rukia knows what I'm talking about."

He winked.

Ichigo winked.

In a daze Rukia quickly made to regain her composure. Then placed her hands on her hips as she smartly replied, "Pfft, Ichigo I think the whole of Soul Society knows what you're talking about."

Ichigo smirked and shrugged his shoulders looking a little dismissive as he plainly said, "Then they know I'd do it again, in a heartbeat."

She couldn't hide the blush that fought its way to her cheeks. Was he doing this on purpose? Before Rukia could respond however, Ichigo turned back to Inoue, "So really, Inoue. You don't need to thank me." He gave her a small smile before gesturing for Rukia to come on, and then he finally left the store.

Once outside Rukia almost gasped at the cold. It had been so warm in Hueco Mundo; she had forgotten it was in fact winter. Ichigo seemed to be in unusually high spirits however as they rounded the corner from the alley-way onto the busy town street.

Rukia had also forgotten, "Oh, it must be Christmas soon." She gazed around at the lights that decorated the streets.

The orange-haired boy beside her chuckled, "And you wanted ice-cream."

She fought the urge to huff as she indignantly replied, "Well, in case you've forgotten, it wasn't exactly cold back in Hueco Mundo."

Ichigo nodded solemnly, "No… I suppose you're right." His voice wasn't light anymore, and Rukia immediately regretted mentioning the war.

"Ichigo…" she began, trying to pull him from this sober state of thought.

"What was the hardest part?" he asked suddenly, stopping her in her tracks.

"The hardest part?"

Ichigo nodded, "Yeah."

Rukia was a little confused that he would ask her the question, but she wouldn't deny him an answer, "I suppose… Kaien…" she knew she would have to explain this sometime, but it was still too fresh to be spoken of plainly, Rukia squeezed her eyes shut to keep any tears from falling.

Ichigo's mouth fell open a little, the he bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Rukia…" He knew about Kaien. How close Rukia had been to her old Lieutenant. He regretted asking the second he saw pain in her eyes.

She shook her head, smiling a little, "It's fine."

He could have sighed in relief. He needed everything to be fine today. He doubted he could take anymore pain this moment. Though he doubted he could feel any pain worse than he did on that day…

It was like a blip on a radar. Ichigo hadn't realised just how carefully he had been watching that blip…

Until it faded, and disappeared.

He hadn't noticed himself stopping. His eyes widened in disbelief, "Rukia…?!"

Then he came.

"Where are you going?"

"To save Rukia."

"Kuchiki Rukia is dead."

No blade would ever cut deeper than those words had.

But after…

When he faced that army, it seemed all hope was lost.

Exequias. Lots of them, and all they wanted was to see him dead.

"Damn it! Just how many of you are there?!" The words had just left Ichigo's lips when the shrill sound of a zanpakuto's release blessed his ears.

"Zabimaru!"

Ichigo watched in disbelief as Renji and Chad appeared to help him.

A surprise attacker came up behind him. It could have been an easy kill for the enemy, except…

"Hakuren!"

That voice. That voice that he was sure he'd never hear again…

"Rukia!"

Then she spoke words that he had forgotten… until now.

"Ichigo! Save the reunion for later!"

They had made their way into the park, and Rukia watched him warily as he gazed off in thought.

"Ahh… Ichigo?" her curiosity had finally gotten the better of her, "Something on your mind?"

He blinked, and his gaze returned to the present as he looked down at his partner, "Just thinking…"

There was something in the way he was watching her; that made her wonder if the next question she had was a safe one. But this was Ichigo, and she always felt safe with him for some reason. So she dared to ask,

"Thinking about what?"

He stopped in his tracks and Rukia turned round to look back at him. His expression took her by surprise, he truly looked on with the most whole, sparkling eyes she had ever seen, "You scared me. You terrified me." His voice was low, strained. He laughed a little coldly, "When I couldn't feel you there anymore… I wasn't able to breathe. I thought I'd never get to see you again, to apologise for being such an idiot. I thought… I'd never get the chance to hold you…"

Her eyes widened in shock, "Ichigo…"

He came closer, close enough for her to feel the heat from his body, to feel his breath on her face as he looked into her eyes. A smile came to his face as he continued, "Then, when I saw you again. You have no idea how desperately I wanted to just forget…" he trailed off, losing himself in her gaze.

"Forget w-what, Ichigo?" Rukia was surprised by just how soft her voice sounded. He really was having a severe effect on her. Does he even realise?

He didn't respond right away, and she gasped as he brought his hand up to touch her cheek. He felt so warm, it was all in her power not to lean into his touch, but she wouldn't look away from his eyes. She couldn't. He trailed his finger across her jaw line, "Everything. The war… Aizen. At that moment… all I wanted to do was take you in my arms and run. Never looking back."

"Ichigo…" she couldn't believe his words. They were so surreal. He was trying to tell her this… but…

She couldn't say anymore though. At that he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him as he pressed his lips down on hers. Rukia's eyes widened and she tensed against all her will.

Ichigo… This can't happen… This can't…

You want this…

If you do this… Ichigo will die for you… maybe not today, but someday!

You need this!

Her mind fought out her options, and Ichigo's life won. She felt her body move without proper command, pushing against Ichigo's chest; putting space between them. She didn't have to push very long however. Ichigo quickly took a step back, she met his gaze. He looked surprised, confused…

Hurt.

"Ichigo…" she stammered, trying to clear her thoughts from just how good it had felt to be in his arms. Trying not to think about his scent, his taste, how warm he felt, "We can't… we can't…" she ignored the tear that rolled down her cheek at that moment.

Her eyes flashed back to the agonised look on his face for a split second, and even that was too much. Without another word Rukia ran off through the trees. Ichigo stood there, not moving an inch.

The steps where she sat were stained by the frequent tears that fell from her cheeks. She couldn't get the image of his broken, hurt face from her mind.

He'll thank me… One day… When he's married to a beautiful human woman, and has a kid with those eyes of his…He'll thank me…

She didn't believe a word of it. She didn't want to believe a word of it.

"Ichigo… I'm so sorry…" her body shook as tears streamed from her eyes, "So sorry…"

"Then why?"

A gasp broke through her sobs. She twisted rapidly to see Ichigo standing behind her. He wasn't angry, and his face didn't show as much hurt as before. He just looked… confused.

He had a right to that look.

"Because we can't be together Ichigo!" her own pain was getting the better of her, and she couldn't seem to stop crying, "You save me! You can't help but risk your life to help us, Ichigo! If you died for me— and don't say it can't happen— I couldn't… I'd…"

She didn't watch— blinded by her own tears— as Ichigo took a seat on the step beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, though in no way was he trying to force her to change what she had just said; to change her mind. As far as the orange-haired teen thought, Rukia needed to be comforted, and he'd do anything not to see her in pain. He did not however expect the Shinigami beside him to dive into his chest, clinging to his shirt as she sobbed.

I can't make her… I can't make her feel for me like I do for her.

He began to rub circles on her back, rocking her as he would a child, "Shh… It's okay, Rukia." He didn't believe a word out of his mouth, but he hoped she did.

She shocked him by the power she put behind her next words, "I want it, Ichigo! Never doubt that! But… we can't… this, us, my love for you… it's impossible!"

He froze.

Love?

She loves me?

Something seemed to lift inside him. All worry, anxiety, pain, regret…

Vanished.

She loved him!

"Rukia…" his voice was filled with all the positivity he could muster; he prayed he could make her understand, "I live for the impossible!" He planted a small kiss on the top of her head, he whispered softly in her ear, "I live for you…"

She pulled away from his chest, directly meeting his gaze now, not daring to look away. And she saw it…

Her future.

In the eyes of the man who gave her a life.

His thumb was on her cheek now, brushing away her tears. She held his hand there as she leaned up, brushing her lips against Ichigo's before pulling away. When he opened his eyes, they held the purest emotions.

Joy…

Relief…

Love.

He tightened his grip around Rukia, pulling her against him as he crashed his lips against hers once more. She didn't fight this time. She owed him everything, and all he wanted was her. She would never deny him. She could never want to. This man… was her everything.

Save the reunions for later, Ichigo…

The sun began to set over Karakura town that winter's eve, and though it was the end of another day…

It was the beginning of a relationship that would make a mark on two very different worlds…

On eternity.

A/N: I did this under a friend's request, just to see how it's turn out. Hope You liked it Missus!

Hmmm I missed writing IchiRuki fics! The manga is depressing for us IchiRuki fans, hehe. They're never together!
That said; I cannot wait for the movie to come out subbed! ^^

I hope this was worth reading, and that I didn't wast anybody's time!
If you liked it, please review!
Thanks,
Kami 3