Rukia rushed back to the Urahara Shop. She wanted to stop before heading to the Kurosaki Clinic. Yes, she decided, she would take Dr. Kurosaki up on his offer for dinner. And an explanation, even if he didn't know he was offering one. She slid across the wooden planks of the shop's front porch; she could feel the heat on her feet from the friction.
"Kisuke!" she bellowed. She quickly entered the front doorway, finding him seated on the floor, shoveling food into his mouth.
"Hmm?" he mumbled, any words muffled by his cold noodles. He chewed thoughtfully for a few moments before speaking. "Back so soon, Rukia-chan?" he smiled. So, she had handled the Arrancar situation nicely, he thought, pleased with her hard-earned progress.
She ignored his light approach to their conversation. "I need you to send me to Hueco Mundo," she said between breaths, her chest heaving heavily. She hadn't recuperated from her recent fight. Her muscles were already beginning to ache from exhaustion.
"Wha?" he said, chewing--despite his confusion. She couldn't be serious!
"You heard me correctly," her tone was thick with her intent. She wasn't in the mood for his games. "You can prepare. I have somewhere to, er…be, for the next few hours" she offered, turning to leave.
"Rukia!" the shopkeeper bellowed, watching the young woman incredulously. So, she was serious after all! His bucket hat hid his face from her view, masking his disbelief. "I see your fight with the Arrancar was not as difficult as I had expected. Any news on why it was here or how it came here?"
She shook her head. "He was not fully transformed," she shrugged, "I thought it possible that it was a natural evolver. Nothing to worry about."
He studied her for a few moments, something about her was…more animated. "What happened, exactly?" he said, rubbing his chin in consideration. What had happened? Why was she suddenly so quick to demand his help and leave so soon after?
"I found the Arrancar, and as predicted, it was strong. It was chasing Karin," she replied. He didn't utter a word, so she responded quickly, "Ichigo's younger sister!"
"Ahhh, I see," he said, a slight smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.
"Don't even…" she began, her eyes flashing.
"What I want to know is why Hueco Mundo?" his tone was serious and his face betrayed nothing of his thoughts.
"I…," she began, dropping her gaze to the hardwood floor. She said nothing more, allowing her voice to trail off.
"If you want me to do something for you, Rukia, you should at least be able to provide an explanation," he calmly replied. He was analyzing her sudden need to return to a place that had almost killed her. She wrung her hands nervously, her eyes still avoiding his determined glare. "Rukia!" he barked, quite out of the ordinary for the usually lazy, self-absorbed man.
"There's someone…I promised," she murmured.
He could barely hear her. Someone? "Who is…this someone?" he asked cautiously. Had someone been left behind? This would be the first time he had heard mention of such a thing.
Her face turned slightly pink, "A Shinigami....he saved me." It was all she could offer. When it appeared it wasn't enough of an explanation for the former captain, she quickly blurted, "I know that you are familiar with Garganta! You sent Ichigo, Ishida, and Sado to Hueco Mundo using it!"
He was impressed by her reasonable intuition. "Quite the thinker," he said smoothly, his tone calm. He would not allow her to offer such a trite reason for traveling to a dangerous place. "But that does not mean I'm willing to help you. I have, after all, trained you for these past few months without asking for repayment."
"Fine," she muttered, her hands clenching in frustration and slight anger. "If you do not wish to help me, then I will find my own way there," she replied coldly. She raised her eyes to meet his, "I know the incantation; I can send myself." It felt satisfying to hear his sharp intake of breath. He had not expected her to know such an incantation. But she had learned it after she watched Tosen, Aizen, and Gin disappear after gravely injuring her brother. She had been angry at their disloyalty as well as their attempt to have her executed. And for Urahara's invention, no less! She held her head high, challenging the former Second Division Lieutenant.
He blinked, still taken aback from what Rukia had confessed. It was not a well-known or practiced kido. Perhaps he had grossly underestimated the young shinigami and her devotion to those closest to her. He tried to put himself in her position...what would he do? He sighed. He would do the same thing. "I see," he replied softly. "So this…er, person..he helped you in…Hueco Mundo? And is still there, I presume?"
She looked curiously at Kisuke, suspicious of his sudden interest. She thought carefully before answering, "Yes. And I promised to come back for him—to bring him home to Soul Society. And, instead, I left him there." She felt ashamed at her neglect and inabilty to keep her word. Everything had happened so quickly--she had instantly found herself back in Seretei. From there, she was assigned to her current position in Karakura. She had forgotten his altruism, leaving Ashido behind in that wretched place, battling various Hollows while allowing her and her friends the chance to escape to search for Orihime. She had sworn to return for him. She would live up to that promise, no matter the cost.
Kisuke studied her while she silently reminisced. Something about the way she remained quiet spoke a million words that she could not find the courage for. Urahara risked a smirk, shrugging as he opened his fan. "Fine."
She looked at him, surprised at his sudden change of heart, "Really? You'll help me? Again?"
"Again," he replied from behind his fan. "Though, honestly, I have no reason to help you, Rukia. You haven't given me a good enough explanation. But," he replied carefully, "I expect a full debriefing when you return. Do you understand? This is no easy task. It's very dangerous for me to send you there. And alone. Do you know what Byakuya will do to me if he finds out?"
She risked a small grin, "I can imagine. But he won't find out. And I promise to tell you everything when I return."
"No matter the outcome?" he replied seriously.
"No matter the outcome," she confirmed.
"Good! I expect you to return in one piece. With this mysterious friend of yours. I'm sure Ichigo—" he began.
"Don't start!" she growled.
"Fine, fine," he waved, half-heartedly. "Have it your way. You ask for my help and then you leave me hanging," he pouted.
"You're truly evil," she rolled her eyes. "Do you know that?"
"So I'm told," he agreed. "Anyway, it appears that you had something you wished to do. I will have everything prepared in a matter of hours."
"Thanks, Kisuke! I'll be back here by then," she promised.
"Oh, and Rukia?" his deep voice interrupted her exit. She turned her head slightly, waiting for him to continue--her back to him.
"What should I tell Renji—since he is living here?" he mused.
"Nothing."
"What if Ichigo comes to look for you? I expect that he will at some point or another."
"Nothing," she repeated, more quietly than before.
"You can't hide forever, you know," he watched her back tense in recognition of her avoidance.
"I'm not hiding," she whispered, "I'm trying to find…myself." She suddenly disappeared, utilizing her new shunpo abilities. Urahara resumed eating, but more thoughtfully this time. Soon, he thought, it would definitely be soon.
Rukia lightly rapped on the door. Before she could remove her hand from entrance to the Kurosaki household, the door flew open. Isshin stood there, sporting a wide grin and an apron—two sizes too small. "Rukia!" he smiled exuberantly. "The guest of honor! Yuzu! Karin!"
"Shut it, Old Man!" he heard Karin grumble. She hobbled toward the door, glaring at Rukia. She had felt Rukia's presence in Ichigo's room moments before, and studied the gigai as she stood in her floating yellow dress. She said nothing, using her crutches to hobble toward her room.
"Karin! Aren't you happy Rukia-chan is here? Where are you going?" he asked hurrying after his daughter.
She yelled a few profanities before her bedroom door slammed shut. "Rukia?" she heard the quiet girl call her name. She turned her attention ot the younger lighter-haired twin. "Please come in, the food is ready," Yuzu said softly, her eyes betraying her nervousness at her sister's behavior.
Dinner had been awkward. Isshin asked Rukia many questions about her 'trip'. Rukia cast a worried glance in the direct of Karin's room as she silently chewed. She didn't want Ichigo's sister to be upset at her. She could tell that Karin's anger affected her twin sister, as well. Yuzu looked more tired than usual, barely speaking during dinner as pushed the food around her plate.
"Ahh, I'm sorry Ichigo is on a class trip at the moment," Isshin explained. "You haven't seen him in forever. I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do," he smiled innocently. His eyes watered as Rukia kicked his shin with her pointy shoes. Yuzu interrupted Rukia's murderous glare as the young girl stood, carrying the empty dishes toward the sink. Rukia attempted help her, as Isshin quietly escaped outside to watch the sunset.
"I'm sorry," Rukia whispered, as Yuzu rinsed the dishes in the sink.
"For what, Rukia?" Yuzu replied, her eyes wide with confusion.
"For…leaving and not telling you or Karin. I can see that she is angry," she responded as she handed a dirty plate to Ichigo's younger sister.
"Karin is…Karin," she sighed. "She will be alright. She always is," Yuzu replied, a half-smile forming on her lips. "She knows that you care about us Rukia."
"That's why I should have told you I was leaving," Rukia answered, feeling even more guilty.
"You had a trip, it is none of our business," Yuzu said, her eyes meeting Rukia's. Her eyes told much more than the young girl ever spoke of. She preferred to keep those thoughts to herself, burrowing them into her soul with the rest of hurtful memories that she held so close to her heart. Rukia knew, from experience, that it was a dangerous game. She nodded solemnly, gently patting Yuzu's shoulder. She wordlessly walked past the young housekeeper, towards Karin's room.
She lightly tapped on the door. "Karin?" she asked, though she knew the young girl could feel her presence. When she heard no answer, she softly turned the knob, pushing the door open and peering into the dark room. In that darkness, she could see the silhouette of Karin's back facing her as she pretended to sleep. Rukia silently walked across the wooden floor, her feet barely touching the ground. She stood next to Karin's bed, hesitantly.
"I owe you an apology, out of everyone, you are the one whom I should apologize to first," Rukia spoke, her voice soft and remorseful. Karin remained silent, listening to the shinigami. "I know that you may not understand, but I have come to like this family. To think of them as my own," she whispered.
"Then why do you keep leaving?" Karin wailed as she rolled over to glare at Rukia, hot tears falling down her cheeks. Rukia was caught off-guard by Karin's sudden display of emotion. Karin took advantage of the silence and continued, "You leave us and you leave Ichigo! He hurts so much when you leave, and you cannot see it! And what's worse, is that both of you sneak around here as if we can't see what you are...and he has become!"
Rukia's heart stopped as she realized what Karin was insinuating. She was right, after all. Rukia had made Ichigo into what he is…a shinigami. A soul reaper. A Death God. She dropped her head in defeat," You are right. I should have never done as he wished. He wanted to save his family, and was willing to do so by any means," she whispered, thinking back to that night when she transferred her powers to him. "In the end," she continued, "They tried to execute me. For giving my powers to Ichigo. To save you and Yuzu."
It was a serious confession, and it was Karin's turn to be surprised. "Y-you were almost k-killed?" her teeth chattered at the thought. She had no idea! "That's why he was gone for so long!" she gasped at the sudden realization. "I'm sorry, I didn't know!" Karin said, her voice raspy from crying.
"No, Karin. I'm sorry. I have not been honest with you or Yuzu. You are both old enough to understand. We thought we were protecting you by hiding our secret. To answer your question from earlier: it was me that had been there that night. It was me that turned Ichigo into a shinigami. I'm sorry for making you feel abandoned at any point. I have come to care for both of you. You, especially, remind me of my own sister," she confided, tears blurring her vision.
"You had a sister?" she heard Yuzu ask from the doorway.
Rukia nodded, "I did. She died when I was very young. I never knew her, but a promise her husband made to her has protected me since I became a shinigami." She thought about Hisana—the sister she would never have the chance to talk to, laugh with, or hug.
"I didn't know…" Karin replied softly.
"You wouldn't," Rukia confirmed. "I hadn't shared it." She reached out to touch Karin's soft black locks. Yuzu seated at the foot of Karin's bed, her hand covering her sister's. "I know you two have been through so much," Rukia spoke earnestly. "But I want you to know how much you two mean to me. How much your father means to me. How much Ichigo means to me.."
Yuzu smiled knowingly, "You mean a lot to Ichigo, too. Oh, and to us as well!"
Rukia blushed at her words, "Thank you," she replied.
"Rukia...did you, heal my face?" Karin said, her hand tracing where the gash had been on her forehead. Rukia nodded."T-thank you," she whispered, glad that she had confirmation of the memory. She thought she remembered someone else there, also.... Something about Rukia's posture and nervous glances told her that there was more to this story,"But you still aren't telling us something," Karin said, eyeing Rukia warily.
Rukia sighed, "You are right." She looked at her hands, "I have to leave again."
"I knew it!" Karin grumbled. Her anger rising again. "Why?"
"I made a promise to someone who saved my life. I have to bring him home," was all she offered. She stared at the floor, waiting for Karin's rebound of anger. Instead, she was met with a pair of soft arms around her waist. She was surprised to find Yuzu embracing her. She squeezed the young girl in return. Suddenly, another pair of arms wrapped around her, though more hesitantly. Rukia's eyes grew wide as she realized that Karin was also saying her silent goodbye. The shinigami sniffled as a few tears escaped down her cheeks.
"Be safe, Rukia. Come back to us," Yuzu whispered. "Come back to Ichigo," she said, more softly.
"Please," Karin said, barely audible over Rukia's heart beat.
"I will. I promise," she replied. "I keep my promises."
She left the two girls as the fell asleep in Karin's bed. She closed the door quietly behind her, shedding her gigai in Ichigo's closet. She found Isshin on the front porch, staring at the sky. She sat, drawing her knees to her chest. "You are lucky," she whispered, rocking back and forth as she held her knees, stifling the sobs that threatened her body.
"I tell myself that every day," Isshin answered, his eyes closed as he imagined his late-wife's face. "She would be proud," he responded. He didn't need to say more, as Rukia knew who he had meant. It was always her.
"You have a story to tell me," she told him as she studied the stars in the sky.
"I do," Isshin murmured, "Where should I begin?"
She looked at her watch, "I have thirty minutes."
"What? That's all I get? I'm offended!" he grinned.
"Can it! You can tell me the rest later, just start spilling!"
"You drive a hard bargain, Rukia!" he sighed, as he tried to decide where to begin. He looked at the starry sky, hoping that somewhere, Masaki was watching him, smiling down on her family.
Rukia arrived ten minutes late, clambering into the tiny shop. She found Urahara and Tessai drinking tea and playing cards.
"Let's get this over with," she said, tired from her evening a the Kurosaki household.
"You sure you do not want a good night's rest?" Tessai asked, worried about Rukia's well-being as he warily looked over the young woman.
She was touched by the burly man's concern, "No, I am fine. Thank you, Tessai-san." He nodded, looking nervously at Urahara.
The shop owner stood, "Well, are you ready?"
"I am," she confirmed, preparing herself for the new adventure on which she would embark.
"Unfortunately, we have, er, encountered some minor setbacks," the blond man replied, nodding past her. Before she could respond, she heard the door slide open. Her eyes widened in surprise, though her back was still facing the newcomers.
"Wherever you intend to go, you aren't going it alone," came the familiar voice—the voice she had been avoiding these past few months.
She spun around "Ichigo!" she wailed. "How did you find out?" she asked, furious at his sudden appearance. Why must he always interfere? Her answer was an ashamed-looking Renji, who exited the room behind the orange-haired man. "Renji! Is this your doing?" she fumed at her childhood friend.
He avoided her gaze, "He found me and demanded I tell him where you were!" He knew he had betrayed Rukia's trust, but he had tried to imagine how Ichigo felt—as the human boy had so fervently pleaded with him. He knew that if he were Ichigo, he would be very upset at Rukia's disappearance as well. He couldn't lie to his friend, no matter the wrath Rukia would cast down upon him. He knew how the young shinigami felt.
Ichigo looked down on Rukia as he approached the shorter shinigami, anger flickering in his eyes. He would ask for an explanation later, she was sure. "Ready, midget?" he grumbled. His eyes reflected his deep hurt and unnecessary concern for his cherished friend. He had been tortured by thoughts of her coming to harm. Part of his was content that she was safe, the other was furious that she had left him without so much as an explanation.
Rukia opened her mouth to argue. When she found herself at a loss for words, she looked to Urahara.
"Reunion over?" he cooed, enjoying Rukia's discomfort. Rukia glared at him in response. "I will open the gate," he confirmed.
"What do we do once the gate is open?" Renji asked, nervous about the forbidden kido.
Urahara's tone was serious as he answered: "Run like hell."