Chapter 7

In the wake of the scars removal, Rukia was so relieved, that she felt almost embarrassed. After all, it was foolish for a Shinigami to concern themselves over scars. Such things were simply a part of life, and were often useful and valuable reminders of past battles fought. But those scars, left not by honorable battle, but by the twisted perversions of Ichigo's inner hollow had felt not like badges of honor, but like individual invaders of her flesh. As Rukia raised her arm to examine the now unblemished flesh in the sunlight, she noticed that more than the hollow's words were missing. An older scar that had run down her hand was also gone. She eyed her scar-free arm ruefully, willing to bet that all of her battle-wounds would similarly prove to be missing.

Since leaving Orihime's Rukia had tracked a beeline towards Karakura High, with Ichigo trailing uncomplaining and unquestioningly behind. It wasn't that Rukia wanted or felt obligated to attend classes. If she'd thought about it at all, she would have decided that both she and Ichigo deserved a break. But Rukia knew that she and Ichigo needed to talk, and with classes in session, the school's roof would provide the necessary privacy, as well as providing a location that was sufficiently elevated to satisfy Rukia's current desire to indulge her love of heights. As they approached the school, however, Ichigo finally seemed to snap out of his prior state of blind obedience. Catching Rukia's arm, he stooped her in her tracks. "What are you doing?" he asked, in a tone that implied he was dealing with either a mental incompetent or a five-year old child "we can't go to school dressed like this."

"Idiot. We're not going to class" Rukia shot back, yanking her arm from his grip. "We're going up to the roof."

"Why the hell are we going up to the roof?"

"We need to talk"

Ichigo crossed his arms and planted his feet, "You're not making any sense," he accused.

"Just come on" grumbled Rukia, eying the nearby school. "The longer we stand here arguing the more likely it is someone will see us and wonder what we're doing here." She grabbed his wrist and started pulling him towards the side entrance that led to the back staircase.

"What are we doing here?" grumbled Ichigo, not really expecting an answer, and allowing himself to be dragged along.

When they reached the roof, Rukia released Ichigo. Turning away from him she faced the edge of the roof and turned her face up towards the sun that was finally peeking from behind the clouds. The breeze ruffled her hair, and she mentally fortified herself for the coming conversation. Ichigo, observing her, was struck with a sense of guilt so profound that he was almost staggered by the weight of it. How could he have caused her pain? He wanted to apologize, hell, he wanted to leave her here and never again force her to be subjected to the danger or taint of his presence, but she wanted him here, and he could never purposefully disappoint her.

"We need to talk" she said for the second time, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the subjects they needed to address.

Ichigo was tempted to use the opening as an opportunity to apologize, but he didn't think that would be particularly helpful or desirable at this time, so he remained silent, allowing Rukia to, once again take the lead.

"We have a serious problem."

"I have a serious problem." Ichigo interrupted

"No," replied Rukia bluntly, " you can't pretend that I'm not involved."

"I don't want you to be."

"You're acting like a child," chastised Rukia coldly. "I am involved. You can't change that. Your hollow made that fact abundantly clear."

"Rukia, . . ."

"Ichigo," she interrupted, her voice softer, "can you really ask me to abandon you when you need help?"

"I don't want you hurt."

"I don't want you hurt either, " she replied, "but even if I didn't care for you, even if you hadn't saved my life, even if you were a stranger to me, that doesn't change who I am," said Rukia, stepping close and forcing him to meet her eyes. "I'm a Shinigami. It's my responsibility to protect the world from hollows, and for now that means finding a way for you to defeat and control your inner hollow."

"It can't be done" cried Ichigo, grabbing her shoulders, desperate to make her see reason, to make her leave him, "I can't control him, I can't protect you. Just …"

"You're just going to give up?" she asked, her voice full of scorn.

"Wouldn't it be better that way?" replied Ichigo, bitterly. "If I die then, . . ."

Rukia's fist moved so fast that Ichigo felt the punch before he saw her move. "Don't ever say something like that." She shouted, her voice increasing in volume with every statement. "Don't even think it. I am not your executioner and I won't be cast in that role."

"Stop." He cried, catching her fists in his hand, "I didn't mean it, I'm sorry."

But Rukia was frantic, suddenly cast back to a terrible night many years ago when she had been forced to kill another man who she had cared for. "I need you to be strong. You have to be strong. I won't kill you, I can't." She shook of his hands, grabbing him, hitting her fists against his chest. "I love you" she whispered, sounding lost and afraid.

Ichigo grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her small frame and holding her tight. "I'm sorry," he murmured into her hair "I love … well you know" he finished awkwardly.

"Idiot" choked Rukia.

"Yes," agreed Ichigo. They stood there for a moment, drawing strength from one another. "What are we going to do?"

Rukia sighed into his chest, and wrapped her arms around his back, satisfied that she had finally broken through the idiot's thick skull, and temporarily satisfied to remain in Ichigo's embrace. "You'll have to get some training on how to control or eliminate it, and it would be better to not bring in Soul Society. Do you think Urahara could help?"

Ichigo shook his head, slightly distracted by the vibrations he could feel against his chest each time she spoke. He forced himself to concentrate, "Urahara said I should go to the Vaizard" he said tentatively, unsure how Rukia would react to the mention of this particular group of rogue Shinigami.

"Then we'll go to the Vaizard" said Rukia easily. She sighed, burrowing deeper into his chest. "Are you really upset about the idea of marrying me?"

Ichigo, blindsided by the sudden change of topic, searched desperately for an answer that wouldn't result in him getting beaten up again. He was well aware that, having failed to properly say the all-important 'three little words' he was likely already skating on thin ice. "I'm a little young to get married," he replied lamely.

"That didn't answer my question."

"I haven't really though about it," replied Ichigo honestly, unused to examining or discussing his feelings, "If I have to get married I'm glad it's you." He added, knowing that he must have said the right thing because he felt Rukia relaxing against him.

"I can try to insist on a long engagement" offered Rukia, "Nii-sama might agree to that."

"I bet my father won't" muttered Ichigo, " and if Byakuya does agree for a delay it'll just be because he'll be hoping that he can find a way to surreptitiously kill me before the wedding."

Rukia laughed. "Idiot. If he kills you you'll just wind up in Soul Society."

"So?"

"Well if we get married in Soul Society, and you die and wind up in Soul Society..."

"We'll be married even after I die?" asked Ichigo, sounding horrified and fascinated all at once.

"Pretty much," grinned Rukia, "Even if I'm killed I'll just be reincarnated. Short of one of us having our souls completely destroyed, you're stuck with me, especially since I'm sure Nii-sama will insist on a ceremony in Seireitei."

"And my idiot father will insist on a ceremony here," groaned Ichigo. He clenched his hand, attempting to resist the urge to touch her, before finally giving in and stroking her hair. "I'm glad that you'll be mine," he said finally

Rukia's head whipped up so fast she narrowly missed hitting her head against Ichigo's chin. She examined his eyes anxiously, but they were clear with no sign of the inner invader.

"What's wrong?" asked Ichigo.

Rukia suppressed a shiver. She wondered just how deeply entwined the two were. "Nothing" she replied, pulling away. Her mood was instantly changed, the sun and summer breeze no longer seemed pleasant, and were now oppressive. The problems they faced were once again bearing down and, as was so often the case, she could see no clear way to solve or avoid the troubles at hand. She turned from Ichigo and faced the edge of the building, looking out over the school grounds and surrounding area, trying to regain her equilibrium.

Ichigo unconsciously rubbed his hand against the back of his head, troubled by Rukia's sudden change in mood. He was fairly certain that he had said or done something stupid, but he had no idea what that might have been. "Rukia . . ." he began,

Rukia was paying no attention to him; she seemed focused on something in the distance.

"What is it?" asked Ichigo, coming to stand beside her, and straining to decipher the identity of the barely visible black speck that Rukia seemed so intent on.

"A Hell butterfly," replied Rukia, watching as it drew close enough for Ichigo to recognize the small creature. She held out her hand, and it perched on her fingers. Rukia listened intently and then with a quick motion launched the butterfly into the air and grabbed Ichigo's arm, dragging him towards the stairs with such determination and speed that Ichigo was surprised she didn't dislocate his arm.

"What did it say? What's going on?" asked Ichigo, recovering his footing and running along behind Rukia.

"Nii-sama is at your house."

Ichigo stopped dead in his tracks, pulling Rukia to a halt. 'What!?" he yelled.

"Shut up" hissed Rukia, glancing around, "Do you want someone to come up here?"

"Now you're worried about the noise we're making?" he yelled incredulously. "Did you just say that your brother is at my house right now?"

"Yes"

"With my family?"

"Presumably"

Ichigo glanced at the stairs, at Rukia, and back across the roof. "Get on" he ordered turning his back to her. As soon as Rukia was situated he took a running leap off the roof. "Idiot" he muttered "Buyakua is at my house with my father and you want to take the stairs?!"

"Shut up and run," replied Rukia.

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Author's Note: I'm so sorry for the delay in this chapter (I started back at Law School two weeks ago and I've been swamped with school work). I promise to try to do better on responding to reviews (and updating ). Please keep reviewing and/or reading. Your comments really help motivate me to keep writing and I really appreciate every review. Thank you everyone who's stuck with me so far.

P.S. If you like my writing check out my oneshot "Frozen Rage"