Saturday.
I like Saturday.
Mhmmmm Saturday.
"WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?"
The voice screeched at Rukia through the small phone.
"Orihime, just wear the sundress you bought."
"What are you talking about? I didn't buy a sundress. I remember looking at one, but I put it aside, anyway Uryu wouldn't want a short..."
As her friend rambled on about the outfit she was preparing, a pang of sadness hurt the shinigami. She had also wanted to attend the Spring Dance Festival. It was something new to her, they never had parties in the Soul Society. She knew that a social outing would be fun, but in the state of her appearance, could not have been worse. In a way it would be smart to just wear a long dress and gloves, but she wasn't known to be overly-elegant.
"Rukia? You there?"
"Um..yes. Inoue I think you should wear a white ballroom dress. That way you'll match Ishida."
There was silence. And then a loud...
"OF COURSE! THANK YOU!"
The line went dead.
Ichigo was standing near the doors of his class. He had been called here to help the dance committee. He smiled at the warmth and happiness that radiated from the room. His eyes wandered to his left side, where she should have been standing. He outlined the curve of her short body. The hair that poked at the top of her scalp. The large, cloudy eyes. He swore that her laughter rang in the hallway. Then again it was gone because the truth was: She wasn't next to him.
Twisting the handle, he found himself in a busy coroll of people. The bustling noise of chattering girls and chuckling boys. He sauntered over to Chad. His friends head was resting on the desk and he seemed lost in thought.
"What is going on here on a SATURDAY?"
"The Spring Ball is today."
The flyer came back to his mind, this was what all the commotion was about?
"Why do they need us?"
"We are strong enough to carry the tables and pick up the girls"
"Oh."
The hours began to pass and the Kuchiki was tired of being alone. She slouched against the window and listened to a small radio she had been given by Isshin. It was called an i-pod and some of her favorite human songs were installed onto it. Humming to the tune of Moonlight Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto By Beethoven she searched the streets for familiar faces. Loneliness was troublesome. It was so quiet that she couldn't help talking aloud to herself.
"Ichigo where are you?"
At school, helping out.
"Does he care about me?"
Of course.
"Then why won't he stay with me?"
That's selfish Rukia.
"But I hate being alone. I've been alone my entire life and now I'm shunned when I'm dead?"
Stop with the self pity.
There was a lack of answers. And the oxygen around her began to disappear. Choking on the glossed overair. Blackness enveloped her and she realized she was having a panic attack. Her heartbeat against the fragile rib cage. Asking to be released. She dropped to the floor and threw herself around, trying to win over the pain that circulated through her veins. The spars of stabs wrung inside her. And when she looked up for someone's help. No one was reaching out.
So the tears began to form and endangered the Earth.
Ichigo crashed throughthe front door. His legs carrying him up the stairs. A mix of concern and rage pouring into his brain. He had been helping Michiru Ogawa hang flowers from the ceiling of the cafeteria, when a sudden impulse caused him to drop the girl from his hands and start sprinting in the direction of his home. All he could think was about her.
"RUKIA?"
There was no answer, which caused him to turn even more frightened. Was she ok? What could have happened? He swung the opening of his room, and tumbled inside. Beside his bed lay a wide-eyed, twitching girl. Her small mouth was trembling, and the hem of her shirt was covered in blood.
"What's wrong? Rukia? RUKIA?"
He placed her into his arms and rocked her back and forth.
She managed out a word.
"...no one..."
As she spoke, small amounts of DNA spit out of the corner of her dry lips. He wiped it off with his collar and continued to focus on her speech.
"..wa..was...th..there...for...m..me... I'm...s...sorry.."
"No, no. I am here for you. Always. Understand me? Forever"
His fingers grazed over her mouth. As if he was magically locking them closed. She sniffled back the want to cry at his peaceful words and gripped onto his wrist for support. She peeked at the clock. The festival was already starting. The Kurosaki caught her glance and left her side for a second. She protested with a groan, but he smiled. Under his bed was a blue box. He opened it and unraveled the cloth. It was the snow-like dress Rukia had spotted in the mall.
"Orihime told me where to fin it. She said that it would look perfect on you."
"I...I...thought...she was going to.."
"Try it on."
Pulling herself up, she carefully placed the dress into her unseen arms. Hurrying into the bathroom she shed of her pajama's and looked at herself. She bit her lip. Her waist, stomach, and chest were gone. That was 3 major parts. The next time she would want to cry, there would be no more Rukia. Her arms lifted the clothing and she slipped it on. Twirling around, she admitted it was cute on her. Stepping out she breathed in and walked toward Ichigo.
"..."
His response was not what was hoped for.
"It's horrendous!"
She turned to escape, a hand caught her waist.
"Your stunning."
Suddenly the room was filled with soft, wordless music. The strawberry extended his palm out to the female. He had a loose tie around his neck and a lopsided smile on his face. He was expecting her to laugh.
"May I have this dance me'lady.
"Of course you may, prince"
They laughed at their attempt at British accents and began to turn to the melody. Her arms were on his shoulders and his on her tiny hips.
"Why did you do this?"
"Today was the Spring Dance, I didn't want you to miss out."
She stopped and blushed at his actions. He had done this all for her. That was so..nice. She giggled at the thought of Ichigo being a gentleman and looked up to find the dream to be true. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her nose, corner of her lips, and then a slight peck on the chin. The girl frowned and pulled him straight to her lips. That was what she wanted.
