Vertigo

AN: I can't believe how many reviews I've gotten for this story! Y'all are just too kind.

Ichigo woke up the next morning to the smell of bagels and coffee. It was a damn fine way to wake up. He and Rukia had walked back to the hotel fairly late, but had gotten in okay, and fallen right asleep. He allowed himself a tiny smile.

Padding to the kitchen, he saw Yuzu rushing about, seemingly balancing the tasks of cooking their breakfasts while simultaneously catering to every whine of their no doubt hung over father. Karin gave him a half hearted smile. She looked a bit tired.

"What's with her?" He mumbled to Rukia.

"PMS'ing. Don't you remember? Oh and Yuzu won't say anything, being as sweet as she is, but she's furious that Karin got it first." Rukia revealed as she spread cream cheese on half a toasted bagel.

'Yuzu! C'mere!" Ichigo called. Said girl abandoned her post at her father's side and skipped over. She was about to ask him what he needed when he swung her up and perched her on his knee.

"Brother!" Yuzu squeaked, snuggling up to him anyways.

"What? It's been forever since you sat on me, eh? You're almost too big now!" He pretended to almost drop her for emphasis, like she was too heavy for him to hold. Yuzu squealed and happily scolded her brother for his antics.

Rukia knew he was paying her attention so she didn't feel so jealous of Karin for developing faster. She ate her bagel, smiling so hard that her teeth hurt. Ichigo really was a good guy.

Sometimes it just seemed to be ironic to her that he had an inner hollow and that there was the slightest demonic twinge to his reitsu. His powers didn't completely fit someone like him who cared so much about almost everyone.

Karin sat beside her, and Rukia found herself throwing an arm around the girl without even thinking about it. She was so surprised by how much she had come to care for the girls. She had been protective of her siblings in Hanging Dog, but they had been alone in the world. Yuzu and Karin had a wonderful family, but she still had that intense urge to take care of them. Rukia was broken out of her train of thought by Ichigo's phone ringing.

"Hello?" he answered. Yuzu, who was a little bit of a gossip, looked up from his lap to listen.

"Why what happened?" Rukia watched his brow furrow. Then his face dropped.

"What Hospital is she at? Are you hurt too Chad?" he demanded.

"What happened Ichigo?" Rukia released Karin and they walked to him. Yuzu darted off his lap and ran to the kitchen to tell Goat Face.

Ichigo looked straight up at Rukia. He looked completely lost. It chilled her.

"Tatsuki and Chad were driving to a gig with their band. They got in a wreck. Chad's sturdy as all hell, but the nurse won't tell him how Tatsuki is because he's not family. Her parents are on their second honeymoon in America, and he called them, but it'll be awhile 'til they get there."

"Ichigo." Rukia had no idea what to say.

"Ichigo. Girls. Get your cases packed." Isshin instructed with an uncharacteristic somberness.

"Dad, we can't just leave the vacation!"Ichigo shouted, his hands twisting in a fit.

"Would any of you enjoy yourselves if we didn't check on them?" Isshin countered.

Silence.

"Our next stops were the super mall in Roppongi, the museum and park in Mitaka and the amusement park in Tama," Isshin said. "All those places would make for nice day trips. I can even get my money back for the hotels I've booked in those cities. If you guys want to go home and check on Chad and Tatsuki, I'd be happy to drive you."

They all agreed, and packed back up. They were checked out of the hotel by the following hour. The ride there had been tedious because it had been so long, but this early one back was hell.

"Yuzu. Karin. You guys upset about leaving early?" asked Ichigo guiltily.

"Would I have agreed if I was?" murmured Karin.

"I like Chad and Tatsuki. And I can't try any new recipes from my cookbooks in a hotel kitchen. Maybe I could make Tatsuki something. Hospital food isn't very good." Yuzu mused thoughtfully.

"We're all okay with heading back early. I got you and Rukia on a date and got my beer. That's all I wanted out of this trip. "Isshin chuckled.

"Alright then." Ichigo murmured. He sat restlessly back down. Rukia grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. He held back just as tightly.

Chad called back awhile later, and it seemed that Tatsuki's parents were on the fastest plane back to Japan, having cut their trip short too. Chad had finally got some news, and told Ichigo that Tatsuki had been in surgery for 3 hours, and that her collarbone and left femur had been shattered.

They ended the call and Ichigo pressed his head on Rukia's shoulder. She knew that Tatsuki was one of the best friends he had. Chad too. To see them in pain must be unbearable.

She combed his orange locks absentmindedly. His hair was considerably softer than its spikiness implied. He didn't relax immediately, and she didn't blame him. But after a few minutes he did, and she was elated. Six hours later they were back home. Chad and Tatsuki were at Ishida's father's hospital.

Chad, Ishida, and Orihime were already in the waiting room. Ichigo noted with slight happiness that Ishida was holding Orihime. He was an arrogant ass, but he had enough chivalry to be good for Orihime. Chad was in another seat, looking tired and a little confused.

"Hey." Ichigo mumbled, sitting down. Rukia sat next to him.

So they waited that way. Chad with Isshin on his left and Karin on the right, Yuzu promising to bring Tatsuki home cooked meals everyday. Ishida hugging Orihime, who was completely freaked out. Not only was her best friend injured, but by a car wreck, just like Sora had been. The Quincy consoled her the best he could.

Rukia sat silently watching Ichigo, who was pacing. He looked like a mad dog backed into a corner.

"I hate this!" he growled, "Why can't we see her?"

"She's in surgery." Rukia answered calmly.

"I KNOW! Why haven't the doctors stabilized her yet?" He continued pacing. A disgruntled nurse slunk away from the vicinity.

"Come here idiot." With defeat he followed her orders. Rukia rested his head on her neck, her arms wrapping around the breadth of her shoulders.

Nothing else needed to be said.

AN: With all the fluff, there needed to be drama somewhere! I'm for Ishihime and Chadsuki. Thought I'd mention that. R/R and please don't hate me. I'm killing no one off. And they will go on the vacation again in later chapters! Promise:]