Standard disclaimer applies.
Author's notes: There are two reasons why I'm updating. One, I think it's just about time I do and I actually have time to do it. And two, I'm just freakin' happy about my grades. Law is just about my best subject so far, and I'm studying Marketing, but who cares. Like I've said before, I wrote as sequel for "Encounter", though you should not have any problems understanding it if you read it by itself. Rukia's perspective, so to speak. Hope you like. Hopefully, I'll be seeing you guys soon.

Rêverie
06.09.2006

They aren't supposed change each other's lives any more than they have. Each of them walks a different path now; two paths never meant to cross.

After their last parting, Rukia had thought she'd never see him again. And yet, today she thinks she sees a boy who bears a striking resemblance to him. Her mind must be playing tricks on her, but there's also no one else with that incredibly bright ginger hair. No, no, don't even think about that.... It doesn't matter anyway, because it's time to get out of here. Though the black-haired woman wants, and feels the need, to take a break, she doubts it'll be too long before she gets another call. Thinking back, she can't deem why she has asked for this patrol mission. After all, there's not too much until her new position within her division becomes official and there's paperwork she needs to finish for it. Saying goodbye to constant field work with this last assignment seems too troublesome now.

"Rukia!"

They are supposed to live parallel lives. Parallels never touch each other.

She halts, by instinct a hand reaching for her sword. Her hair comes in the way when she turns around at the sound of a voice calling for her. Pushing dark locks away from her view with long fingers, her eyes widen when she distinguishes someone running toward her. The figure stops just in time, otherwise knocking her down, and doubles himself over his body, panting. The hunched form before her straightens up only seconds later. Her only reaction is to stifle a gasp. Oh, she's had this kind of vision before, but not once has the look in his eyes seemed so fierce.

They aren't supposed to see each other anymore. So Rukia understands right away that this must be a dream, after all.

"I found you," he murmurs in a low and tired voice, as though he's been running forever.

And Rukia wants to laugh. Really, this daydream is way too vivid. At least a thousand times more vivid than the many others she's had. She shakes her head at the notions and sighs. Now she expects to wake up any time; she's never seen the outcome of their meeting since her dream usually ends just here. But after a long pause filled with the sound of people rushing about to catch their ride and the trains whistling as they rush by, the dream doesn't break. Ichigo's intense stare now turns into something close to a glare, probably because she's so unresponsive. But how can she react to something like this in any case?

"Aren't you going to say something?" he mutters, annoyed. He must look weird talking to the air before everybody else's eyes, not that a single person stops enough to notice.

He seems slightly older. Ichigo's face is just a bit longer and his jaw looks stronger, he's a tad taller too. He'd doubtlessly look like a badass-guy with a few scrapes here and there but his face is clean and his skin as smooth as it can be with his morning bear. She guesses he hasn't shaved in a couple of days. His shoulders are broader and his muscles are well-developed, almost as if he'd been constantly training or sword fighting. Maybe he still uses that permit...? Indeed, he has changed. However, there is one thing that hasn't changed: his hair is still that loud shade of orange and it's messy as always. And his eyes… oh, his eyes are still bright amber pools.

Rukia blinks. "You are really here?"

He gazes at her and gives her a funny look. "I'm not a ghost, if that's what you're talking about," he states. He looks down at her fisted hand, clenched around the hilt of her sword. "Are you done with your job? Can we talk?"

She nods absentmindedly. What is he doing here? She thinks in haste. Byakuya-niisama is going to have a fit. The woman has never expected this; ever since that last time she has lost track of him and his life. Because it isn't allowed, because they weren't... they aren't… Ah! There are far too many things not meant to be for the two of them. Ichigo is starting to move, possibly to go somewhere else where they can speak more calmly, and everything suddenly dawns upon her. "No," she says suddenly, making him stop on his tracks and alarming the boy.

He looks confused. "What?"

"No, we can't do this," she tells him, face resolute. Ichigo walks back to her and plants himself in front of her, eyes and ear intent of her. Rukia frowns and Ichigo glares hard. They have to play by the rules and they certainly don't allow this kind of thing. He isn't supposed to see her until he's old and wrinkly and has led a good life. Only then…

She then mouths out-loud what they both know too well. "We aren't supposed to meet."

Ichigo harrumphs and crosses his arms over his chest; the frown on his face darkens considerably. "You're spouting that shit too?" he looks not only annoyed, but truly irritated. At that moment, he looks more worn-out than ever. Now than she can observe him more closely Rukia can see the bags under his eyes and how pale his cheeks are. What has he been doing lately anyway?

"Such big words," she remarks slyly, making Ichigo scowl at her implications. "Well, Ichigo, I have to get going. It was nice seeing you. Stay well!" She turns on her heel, ignoring the stiffness in her legs or the bewildered look on his face. There are people waiting for her back at home; they expect her to be there. Both of them know there is simply no way they can live in each other's worlds and that there's no middle for them either. Right?

"No!" his hand reaches out for her arm. He pulls her back and causes her to stagger. "I told myself I'd never watch you leave again," he mutters angrily. She can't tell if his anger is directed toward her or more toward himself. She is whirled around so she is facing him again and his eyes are instantly boring holes into her. He thrusts his hand toward her, giving her a more than determined glare. "I'm never going to watch you leave. Understood?"

There is a rather long pause of silence, the lights of the trains that zoom by flashing around them. At last, she allows herself a half-smirk as she takes his offered hand. There are too many obstacles between them and they seem difficult to surpass.

But maybe today they can make it.

And because she is Kuchiki Rukia and because he is Kurosaki Ichigo, they probably will.