A/N Heyy, hard to stay inspired :P I need feedback peeps! Anyways, this isn't the last chapter (not if I can help it XD) and yeah..just enjoy :P

Theme for this one (thinks)

Boston by Augustana (shrugs)

dunno lol hope u like it :P

~Months After the Flood~

White haori trailing behind him, the number 14 etched onto the back, Ichigo walked down the Seireitei halls. Off to yet another Captains meeting…about the sixth today. He had no breaks, as soon as he left one, he was called to another.

"All captains report to the meeting, immediately!" A hell butterfly announced, message being carried all across the Seireitei.

And then a familiar feeling manifested itself behind his eyes. It felt like a huge headache, trying to crack his head open from the inside. He shook it off, priorities first. Again and again, the announcements went off…We don't need a constant reminder! Ichigo was sick and tired of this. He didn't want this, there were too many responsibilities and a never ending to-do list.

Note to Self: Resign soon

He burst in the front doors of the meeting room and it was unbearable. He felt like someone was tearing his head apart and smashing it with a hammer. He clamped his mouth shut so he wouldn't get sick right in front of the Gotei 13…well 14 now I guess. He stumbled forward blearily, taking his place beside the 13th Company Captain.

"The Seireitei…" the Head Captain began, all heads turning turning in his direction.

This is going to be a long one…Ichigo thought, bored. When wasn't it different. But this time he wasn't so sure he could hold out for as long. He gritted his teeth together….he didn't want to have to show any weakness…not in front of these people anyways. He would make it…and then resign.

~A Few Hours Later~

A cold sweat ran down Ichigo's face, hands shaking and clenching. What's happening to me…this has never happened before…. He just wanted to stop holding back and scream his lungs out. Until he lost his voice. He didn't give a crap if it was disrespectful or screwed his name as Captain.

He opened his eyes, not noticing that he had closed them, finding himself on his hands and knees, gaze fixed on the floor. What the hell… And before he knew it warm tears stung his eyes, running down his now pale face, and dropping onto the wooden floor, one after another.

Memories flashed before his mind. Times with her. He couldn't stand to even mention her name anymore. The Captains were all looking at him, not sure what to make of the situation.

"I'm not crazy…" Ichigo mumbled, not sure why. "I…" He began to explain, until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He wasn't sure who it was, and he didn't care.

He was alone.

~Through The Halls Of The Seireitei~

"Kuchiki…"

"Rukia…"

"Traitor…"

All these words stung Rukia's ears. She had come back. It wasn't what she had intended but she felt that she had made a mistake. Leaving did nothing for her or anyone else, and neither did coming back. So what was the difference?

The halls were very empty, hardly a Shinigami populated it. Only those who remained threw out remarks about her return. Unappreciated remarks. The Squads were all on a mission in the World of the Living. Seemed important so they might be there for a while. She searched for him. The one she left. Who she couldn't even…she couldn't even say his name. Think it. Her throat felt closed up, the familiar feeling. It's been familiar for the past few months. She shook her head, now wasn't the time for trivial emotions.

Searching for his spiritual pressure, the familiar heavy and stifling energy, she began to run. Fast as she possibly could. Where was he?

And there it was…a sudden crash in her senses. She could feel it. He was close.

She wiped a tear from her eyes, and looked up at the sky.

She was coming for him.

~Somewhere in the Seireitei~

He stumbled forward, legs like rubber, hammer still cracking against his head. They had dismissed him. Great, that just made my rep…Ichigo thought sourly. His body gave an involuntary shudder. Bad things have been happening to me ever since she left…only after she left. Time and time again… Ichigo acknowledged. And I…He couldn't finish the thought.

He felt it. She was here. But things had changed…he didn't need her. He had grown off of her. It was her fault she left. Her fault she lost him.

But he didn't have it in him to lie to himself. He needed her.

And he wasn't going to deny it.

He could barely stand upright, but for her. For her he could.

With a sharp intake of breath he ran. Flash step. Not now. He passed the barracks, the Central 46, and the repentance tower. He would find her. He could feel her.

And then it all happened so fast.

A lithe, short and raven haired form slammed into him, holding him in a tight embrace. He couldn't believe it…How…when? He could feel his body shaking. But he wasn't in tears. Rukia...

And they stayed there…together.

Together at last.