Lost in Love

Chapter 6: first stop; Haunted by the past

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach

Saturday morning. Ichigo was getting ready. He woke up at 6 o'clock. Usually he wakes up at ten in the morning every Saturday but today it was different. He took a bath and was on his way back to his room. When he went to his closet he picked out his clothes properly. He looked at them and searched for something to wear. He chose his black jeans, ironed already, so he took them and wore them. Next he saw a plain colored white shirt. He matched it with a jacket that has a 'KUROSAKI' written on the back. He also took his black sneaker and wore them. He combed his hair with the usual style and then checked his self at the mirror.

Today is the day that he and Rukia will go to a place of his choice. They talked yesterday about it but he didn't tell her where they were going. Rukia bugged him all day even making up excuses, catching him off guard and a lot more but they didn't work. Rukia got frustrated and even told him that she won't come if he won't tell her. Ichigo, being the stubborn guy he is, didn't even pity the short girl with her feeble attempts.

"Oh well, guess I'm decent enough. Hhhmm I wonder if Rukia's ready. I think I better call her first."Ichigo went to his study table and picked up his phone on it. He dialed Rukia's number and waited for an answer. It rang for quite a while then someone from the other end spoke.

"Hello? Ichigo?"

"Hey! Are you ready?" ichigo was getting anxious.

"I'm almost done. Are you gonna pick me up?"Rukia was drying her hair while talking on the phone.

"Yeah, I called just to tell you I'm on my way. Please don't make me wait for you in that house so you better be ready when I get there."Ichigo hates waiting too long for someone. He doesn't like it when Inoue is late on their dates and it always happen. Inoue's not just late for ten minutes nor fifteen, it's always thirty minutes and it annoyed him so much.

"Hey just get your ass here and you can see that I'm done. Or if you want we can just meet in that mysterious place your so proud of."anticipation was oblivious in Rukia's voice and Ichigo could sense it.

"Wow! You really are one of a kind! You're so stubborn! We're on our way already to that place and yet you still haven't given up asking me. That's a record Rukia."Even though Rukia couldn't see Ichigo she could feel him rolling his eyes and narrowing them.

"Just trying. Alright. I'll wait for you. Be careful. See ya!"Rukia hung up the phone and went back to tying her hair. She was wearing skinny jeans with boots and a blouse that has row of buttons that was tucked in her jeans. She tied up her hair in a ponytail so it sways from side to side when she walks. She looked at the mirror and took a picture of herself using her phone's camera.

"Oh right I almost forgot."Rukia went over her table's drawer and took out a black box. Inside the box there was a necklace. Byakuya gave it to her on the night that he returned. She took the necklace out of the box and put it on her. The necklace was a silver one with a star as a pendant. She likes it so much because it was given to her by her brother. Although he always gives her souvenirs from the place he's been to, this necklace was her favorite because she can wear it anytime and bring it with her.

"Hhhmmm... I wonder where we'll go. I can't wait!"Suddenly she remembered Inoue. Yesterday she asked Inoue whether she wanted to come with them. But Inoue refused and told her she will be busy.

(FLASHBACK)

"Uhm... Inoue I just want to ask, are you sure you can't come with us? Maybe you can visit your aunt next Saturday?" Rukia kept on asking Inoue to come with them since She and Ichigo told her about going away for the weekend but Inoue had other plans already and she told them she couldn't be with them. they were sitting and talking in their classroom discussing about the wonderful places in Karakura when rukia asked Inoue for the fifteenth time that day to accompany her and Ichigo.

Inoue smiled at rukia. She looked down and sighed. "Kuchiki, I know you're trying to be nice and I really appreciate it." She looked at Rukia's eyes. She saw sincerity of concern for her so Inoue touched Rukia's hand and leaned closer to her and continued. "So much, that it makes me happy knowing that you care about what I think of this. But please trust me, Ichigo and I, well, we trust each other. He hasn't done anything to hurt me and I won't even think about hurting him. Just enjoy tomorrow and tell me on monday where you went. Ichigo doesn't want to tell me also. He said I will just blab it to you." Inoue laughed at the thought. "Well he's right! Even if I promised him I won't, I will tell you eventually." She smiled back at Rukia and let go of Rukia's hand.

"Inoue you're so kind. Ichigo is lucky to be your boyfriend. I can also see that you really love him. He will be an idiot if he'll hurt you!"Rukia smacked her fist on her hand then looked at Ichigo who was chatting with his best buddy Chad.

Rukia was getting anxious. Excitement can be seen on her face. She was in the living room waiting for Ichigo to arrive. Her brother was with her using his laptop.

"Rukia stop fidgeting. A girl should act like a proper lady and be patient." Byakuya told his sister without taking his eyes away from what he's doing.

Rukia sat properly and even put her hands on her lap. "I'm sorry. Can't stop it. I'm really excited!"

Byakuya sighed. He stopped his face from an approaching scowl by touching the sides of his head and massaged them. "I know that you like to go out with this guy and I'm happy that you're hanging out with some friends, but does it really have to be a guy? You barely know him."

"I know! But I think he's really nice. I told you he saved me before without even thinking of the consequences. Give him a chance I'm sure you'll like Ichigo."Rukia looked at her brother with pleading eyes.

Byakuya stopped his fingers from typing and then he slowly turned his eyes from the laptop to Rukia. Rukia saw it and swallowed. Obviously she said something that was unnecessary and made her brother irritated.

"I don't think I need to like your friend. I'm very grateful of him for saving you but that's it and nothing more. If he won't make it on time and will be late even by just a minute then I suggest you call him and cancel going out with him."Byakuya was looking at his sister straight. He wasn't blinking or moving any muscles. He even had a serious face while talking to her.

Rukia sighed. "Brother!"she couldn't do anything about her brother's behavior. She hopes that Ichigo will come as early as possible because she knows that when Byakuya says something he wants he will surely get it.

Ding dong!

Rukia almost jumped from the couch. She was delighted that Ichigo wasn't late. Before going to the door she smirked at her brother which Byakuya found childish.

"Ichigo! It's a good thing you came early. Let's go." Rukia looked back at the living room which can be seen by the main door. She shouted to Byakuya, "I'll go now I'll see you at dinner!"And then she pulled Ichigo by the arm and not giving him a chance to say anything to her brother.

"Whew! That was close."Rukia was panting. She looked like she has a problem breathing so she needed time to relax first. She was too focused on herself that Ichigo noticed she's ignoring him completely.

"Ahem! Rukia. Rukia. RUKIA!"

"Huh! Wha- what?" Rukia was red on the face when Ichigo shouted.

"I said can you let go of my arms now? You- you're kind of gripping it too tight." Ichigo inhaled deeply to ease his embarrassment. Rukia was still holding him even after they stopped running.

Rukia looked at her hands and saw that Ichigo was right. She immediately dropped Ichigo's arm and stared at the ground. "I'm sorry I didn't notice."she still was breathing hard. Ichigo noticed it and a concerned look for Rukia was visible on him.

"Are you okay? You look sick. Is something wrong?"Ichigo touched Rukia's shoulder. She was clutching her chest and was trying hard to even her breath. Ichigo swept his gaze around. He checked where they were. They were on a bus stop not too far from Rukia's house. He saw a bench behind them used by the waiting passengers. He thought that in Rukia's action there's definitely not right. Still holding Rukia's shoulder he shook her and asked her if she was fine. Rukia was still trying to breathe properly but unable to.

"Rukia let's sit." Ichigo told her pointing at the bench. "It will be better for you."he helped Rukia on the seat and was still holding her shoulder.

Once seated, Rukia looked at Ichigo. It was the first time she looked at him in the eyes. He was worried and it was totally clear on his face. She felt shy and embarrassed at what happened so Rukia looked down because she couldn't look straight at him. She wanted to take off her ponytailed hair to hide her face from Ichigo.

"Ichigo, I'm sorry I forgot to bring my inhaler."

"An inhaler? Wait does that mean you have asthma?" Ichigo relaxed a little bit when he saw Rukia getting better.

"Well yeah. When I was a child I was always sick. I was unhealthy and most of the time I was at the hospital. But eventually going to the hospital got less and less, still I had asthma and my doctor said it can't be cured anymore. So now I live with an inhaler in my bag for the rest of my life. I forgot to take it with me today because it was still inside my school bag."Rukia looked at Ichigo. She didn't want to sound weird and different but that's the truth.

Rukia was sitting on the bench and Ichigo was in front of her. Ichigo touched Rukia's chin with his right hand and lifted up Rukia's face so she had no choice but to look at him. He was once again mesmerized by her lovely violet eyes. They shine like sparkles and looked like they had power over him. He stared at them for a moment and then his gaze went all over her face. She wasn't wearing heavy makeup but very light one only. It was just foundation with pink lip-gloss aside from that nothing else. Her eyes were her best feature. Ichigo thought they were very beautiful and made her look more gorgeous. Even though she's not using makeup her eyes were enough to bring out her beauty.

"Rukia, there's nothing wrong with that. I can feel that you don't feel good about yourself but trust me when I say that there's no problem. A lot of people get sick. I was worried but it doesn't mean I'm mad or anything. I just want to make sure that you'll be fine." Ichigo let go of Rukia's chin then looked away from her and then he added, "By the way, you have very beautiful eyes."

A tint of red was on Rukia's cheeks. She looked down one more time and smiled. "Thank you. I'll remember that."

Ichigo looked back at her and smiled. He stood up and then offered his hand to Rukia. "Come, the bus is here. If we won't take this one it will take another hour for the next bus to arrive."

Rukia looked at the approaching bus and when Ichigo held out his hand to her she smiled and took it. Ichigo helped her get up from the bench and get on the bus.

"Seriously? An amusement park?"Rukia stared at the main gate of a big amusement park. It was wide and had a big bright colored letters engraved on it. The words held the name of the park.

"Yup! Don't you like it? This will be fun."Ichigo was grinning. He was glad that he's back in the place that's so important for him.

"You do kno-" Rukia averted her gaze from the entrance of the park to Ichigo. She stopped talking when she saw him smiling warmly and looked really happy about something. She sighed and looked back at the park. "Let's go buy tickets."

"What? You mean you're not going to complain anymore and just accept this?" Ichigo voiced out his own suspicions. "Weren't you going to tell me something first?"Ichigo asked rukia again to be certain. Although he wanted to go to the park but since this visit is all for Rukia he will oblige to what she likes and go other places.

"How can I refuse you if it's so obvious how much you like this place." Rukia pointed her hand at the gate. "Tell me something first, why did you pick this place? It might have something unusual but I'm pretty sure all parks are just the same. You've been in one, you've been in all of them. Isn't that right?"Rukia was still curious of why Ichigo will bring her here but she couldn't say no to him, not when he looked like a five year old because of the grin plastered on his lips.

Ichigo sighed. He was still looking at the park. A lot of memories came stirring back to him. Joyful ones. Memories that were involve with his family. The smile that was planted on his face slowly disappeared and a scowl replaced it. "I don't know if you've heard about my mother but I doubt you had. Our classmates avoid the topic as much as they can. Even Chad my best friend, Tatsuki, and Inoue tried not to say anything close to it and they have been successful for the past years. Well, my mother she died when I was ten. And I remember my whole family comes here once every two months to have fun. My mom was the one who insisted that."

"Ah... Ichigo, I don't... I dont... I dont really know what to say."to say that Rukia was shocked was an understatement. She didn't expect to hear this kind of conversation from Ichigo. When she saw him looking like a kid feeling happy about something so simple she thought that maybe the place was special but she didn't think that it was related with Ichigo's mom.

"Why don't we buy tickets first then let's go inside? Don't worry I'm fine. You don't need to say anything. It's time to have fun!"Ichigo looked back at Rukia and smiled.

"Okay! Let's go."Rukia pulled him on his arm towards the ticket booth. The queue wasn't long since it was still early. Most people like going to the parks past lunch. When they were supposed to get for the tickets Ichigo offered to pay insisting that he was the man.

"Come on! Just let me. I don't mind."

"Well I do! I'm the one who asked you of this deal, the least I can do is pay for everything."Rukia pouted at Ichigo. He wouldn't let her pay even for her tickets. Something about man ego that she really hates in times like this.

"Look, I'm the man so it's only natural that I pay for. And also my dad won't let me hear the end of this if I'll let a girl pay for a date." Ichigo stopped suddenly and felt nervous. "Not that we're on a date."he continued blushing because of embarrassment.

"Uhm... Yeah, of course."Rukia felt heat on her face.

"Uhm... Excuse me, if you're not going to buy please move away from the line. People are waiting."the man in the ticket booth said. Patience was running out of him. Ichigo and Rukia were at the booth for quite a while now and other people were already annoyed.

"Oh, sorry. Here, two please."Ichigo paid the man. Rukia rolled her eyes him.

They went inside the park and saw lots of people. They decided to spend time walking first. At the booth the man gave them a map of the park to for an easy navigation. It was big and a few dangerous rides can be seen from their spot. Some were quite huge and others were small, definitely for kids. The biggest ride and most noticeable was the Ferris wheel. It looked really high and very dangerous. It looked like it was surrounded with small lights but it was almost noon and the sun was high above the sky so the lights were turned off. Every compartment looked big enough for six people and the walls were made of glass so you can even see clearly the outside of the park when the person riding the Ferris wheel will be on top.

"So, what shall we do first? Wait, I know since it's not yet lunch time why don't we ride first everything that's scary then will have lunch and ride the others that will be left."Rukia was excited but didn't even hide that fact from Ichigo.

"Rukia, you have asthma right? Are you sure you'll be okay even if we get on those extreme rides? I don't wanna spoil your fun but it will be best to take care of yourself first. Don't you think so?" Ichigo remembered what happened earlier. He forgot that they were going to an amusement park and it might be a bad idea for someone like Rukia who is sick to go to these kinds of places.

"Ichigo. That's why I bought an inhaler on our way here since I forgot to bring the one at home. Don't worry. I'm not scared of these things so it can't harm me. It's not like we're going to run around."Rukia explained. She could sense that Ichigo will limit the fun because of her illness.

"Rukia, I'm just being careful. Something might happen to you and it will be my fault."

"Okay, I will be careful and I promise that I will tell you once I'm having a hard time breathing. Will that be enough?"

"Alright. Let's go."Ichigo agreed with Rukia. He didn't want Rukia to feel bad because of him so he will just be careful also and be alert if something's wrong.

The two went all around the park and rode everything they saw even the ones for kids. Rukia was caught up with a skeet shooting booth, where if you can hit the made up birds you'll win a prize surprisingly she was good at that kind of game because apparently her and Byakuya's hobby was shooting and archery.

One more thing that Ichigo didn't expect about Rukia was her fondness for bunnies. Everything she bought was all bunny characters. When he asked why she liked bunnies Rukia told him that she had a pet rabbit before in Tokyo but it died because she couldn't take care of it well. She didn't feed the rabbit for one week when she had to go to Kyoto for a vacation and forgot to ask someone to look after her pet, therefore it died. After that incident she felt guilty and thought that the only way she can ease the guilt was to love rabbits for the rest of her life. She was very young when she made that promise but now she only thought that bunnies were very cute and cuddly.

It was six o'clock. They've been in the park for almost six hours. During lunch they spend three hours of bickering while eating and talked about different things. They were in a line for the Ferris wheel. This was their last stop before going home. Rukia was holding a big stuffed bunny.

"Wow, I didn't know a midget like you can actually hold a big doll."Ichigo jested at Rukia something that Rukia didn't let him get away. She held the bunny by her right arm hugging it.

"Ouch! Why did you kick me!"Ichigo was kicked on shin by Rukia with her right foot and it seems like it did hurt because when they needed to move Ichigo limped away.

"Why do you keep on calling me midget? I'm not that small! Stupid!"Snapped Rukia at Ichigo.

"Oh really? Well I'm sorry unless you'll grow taller and your head will be able to reach my shoulder then I will accept that."

Rukia as irritated as she'll ever be kicked Ichigo again. More powerful than the first one.

"AHHHHHH! Stop kicking me! God I swear if you weren't a girl I would have punched you already!"Ichigo was rubbing the spot Rukia kicked.

"Listen here you one big of a strawberry! Im not a midget an unless you'll stop saying that and say you're sorry then I'll continue hitting you!" Rukia slammed her fist on Ichigo and kept on doing it all over his body. She ignored all the people watching her. She didn't see them because she only had her attention on making Ichigo say he's sorry.

"Ouch! Sto- ow! Cut it out! Stop! Damn midget ouch!"ichigo caught Rukia's arms with both of his hands and pulled her closer to him to stop her from hitting him again. The bunny that Rukia was holding fell on the ground. Ichigo ignored the toy and looked at Rukia. He was practically hugging her. He had put her arms around her back which made his arms encircled around Rukia. He stared at Rukia and saw that she was blushing a little bit but he ignored that also. He was just staring at her face looking at her violet eyes that he admires a lot.

"Ahem! Excuse me, I hate to break up this sweet moment but you're up."a sarcastic voice behind Ichigo told him. The voice informed Ichigo and Rukia of their current situation. Ichigo let go of Rukia's arm and apologized to her. Rukia on the other hand just nodded and didn't even utter a sound. She picked up the bunny from the ground and then went inside the compartment of the Ferris wheel that has been held open for her and Ichigo.

Rukia sat near the door and put the bunny beside her while Ichigo sat in front of Rukia. Once they were settled the door closed and they moved to allow the next passenger in another compartment.

Rukia was gazing outside uncomfortably. She kept on thinking of a best topic for a continuous conversation when Ichigo spoke up.

"Uhm... Are you tired?"Ichigo asked Rukia but he was looking outside.

"Ex... Exc... Excuse me, what did you say?"Rukia stuttered.

Ichigo finally looked at Rukia and repeated his question. "I said whether you're tired, aren't you?"

"Ahhh.. Just a little bit. I enjoyed this place so much. The last time I went to an amusement park was when my parents were still alive." Rukia told Ichigo. She was looking outside looking at some people. They were getting higher and higher but the Ferris wheel was pretty big and needed time to fill it with passengers.

"When they WERE alive? Then that means..."Ichigo trailed off.

"Yeah, they died when I was just a ten year old kid. They were on their way to Hawaii on a plane when it crashed. Rescuers tried to find them but no one could. Apparently their bodies drifted off the sea and were never found." Rukia was still looking outside. She didn't want to see the pity look that Ichigo was giving but she wanted to relate her story to him. The only way to continue was try to ignore that Ichigo was with her and that she was just telling a very sad story to someone. "I was only young when I we were together but I can still remember all the things we did. Every night my father comes home looking very tired but he never pushed me away when I bugged him to play with me. It was my mother who'll divert my attention to other things so dad can take a rest. My mother stays at home and was a good housewife like how a woman should be. Sundays were the best days. We call it a family time. Even though my father is busy with our family business he never works on that day. My brother, Byakuya will come home from his dormitory to spend time with us. We will play games, go to the mall, park, or have dinner at a fine restaurant. They were simple but very memorable for me."

Rukia looked down and stared at her feet. She could still feel the happiness she felt when her family was together. Simple things really were the best in life. She thought that if she were given a chance to go back in time she will choose those days with her family. Even though Ichigo wasn't asking her about her parents she felt she needed to tell him because this will be a chance to let out everything she hid from herself. The reason why she excluded herself from the world and became a loner. The reason why she didn't trust people and preferred to be alone.

"It was their wedding anniversary. My father thought it will be best to go on a vacation in Hawaii. He wanted me and Byakuya to be with them but Byakuya said it was the right time for them be alone and like go on a honeymoon." Rukia touched her necklace absentmindedly. "I didn't know what happened but when I came back from school there were lawyers, my father's lawyers. They were talking with my brother. When Byakuya saw me the lawyers left us. When I asked Byakuya what was wrong he hugged me. That was the last time he hugged me. He didn't explain everything to me. He only told me that our parents won't be back anymore. I asked him why but he didn't answer me instead he just kept quiet. His shoulder were shaking and I could feel he was having a hard time breathing." Rukia was clutching the necklace to tight that it was leaving a mark on her palm.

"A few days past and I was still innocent with what happened. One day I heard my brother and uncle Aizen talking. I heard my brother shouting at the top of his lungs. He was so mad that he looked like he could kill anyone who will cross his path. I heard him accusing our uncle of sabotaging the plane and bombed it. He said he had evidence and he will sue uncle. He shouted that it was my uncle's fault that our parents died." Rukia sighed. She couldn't forget that moment. Even though her brother thought that she didn't understand what happened between her uncle and Byakuya she knew from that time that her parents died and she will never see them again forever.

Finally after telling Ichigo of the worst part she had the courage to look at him in the eyes and show how strong she had tried to be. In her eyes Ichigo saw all the pain and heartaches she took for the past years. How the memories of the past became miserable and how she hated all of them. He didn't know how a ten year old kid survived those very unpleasant memories. Still he understood what she had been through. He too had some locked up past that he held in his heart for a very long time and up until now he couldn't release them. He wasn't ready to free his self from the burden that he has carried for seven years.

"After that day my brother did his best to take care of me. He became a mother and a father, filling the space in my heart with his love. Sometimes I wish that I can do something for him. When I first heard that our parents were dead I had cried for a long time and It was a problem for my brother. Eventually I saw him not giving up and still taking care of me." Rukia once again smiled sadly at the distant memory. "I felt sorry that I acted like I was the only one sad of what happened so I hugged my brother and promised him that together we will be strong and I won't be a problem anymore. But because I learned that it was my uncle who killed my parents I became suspicious of every people. It was the main reason why I don't trust anyone easily. I was shocked to find that even a family can stab you behind your back." Rukia snapped at her last sentence. She was very mad with her uncle. They trusted him and yet her uncle failed them.

"I'm sorry. I got carried away."Rukia remembered that Ichigo was listening intently with her. She looked at him and bowed and head.

"Don't say that. I'm glad that you trust me, enough to tell me about your secrets. I'm sure it was hard getting them all out." Ichigo smiled a genuinely smile at Rukia. "I think you're really over with the fact that your parents are dead. I mean, I can seeit in you that you got over their deaths."Ichigo sighed a heavy one and now it's his turn to gaze out the glass wall.

"Ichigo is something wrong? Did I say something bad?"Rukia arched her eyebrows a Ichigo.

Ichigo was still staring outside the ferris wheel. It was already moving continuously and they were nearing the ground. He didn't talk yet and waited until the ride went up again. There were thoughts in his head. Thoughts that he wanted to share with Rukia. 'Why can't I just tell Rukia what's bugging me? She didn't hesitate to tell me hers. She's really a kind person and was really honest with everything. She told me when she had doubts about my intention towards her. She told me everything that has haunted her since she was a kid, so why can't I just come out clean and tell her?' Ichigo was ranting with his self whether to be as open as Rukia did. He never talked with anyone as serious as this before and he surely never intended to. But one look at Rukia he felt that he could tell her everything that he wants.

"I told you, didn't I? This place was very special to me. My mom, dad, and my twin sisters, we always go here. This place has held lots of memories of my mom. They were also the best ones. But as i have said before she's dead. My mom died when I was nine years old." the sun was setting. They could see it beside them and the light hit their faces. Ichigo was staring at Rukia and couldn't move his eyes away from her. They shone like beautiful diamonds that sparkled when the light from the sun hit them. Rukia's eyes gave him all the encouragement he needed to continue talking.

"But she wasn't murdered. She died trying to save me."he could still remember it. The time his mother died. He was hugging his mother trying to wake her up but she wouldn't. He kept on calling her again and again until he lost conscious. When he woke up he was at a hospital bed. His father and sisters were beside him. Yuzu was crying all her heart out. She was beside Ichigo and when she saw him awaken she cried harder. Karin onthe other hand wasn't crying, in fact she wasn't moving at all. She was staring in space pretending that she's strong but deep inside she was broken. Ichigo could see it in Karin's eyes how hard it was for her. The twins were just five years old that time but they could sadness surrounding them, especially when their father told them that their mother's dead.

Their world revolved around their mother and to know that she won't be coming back was too difficult to accept. She won't be coming back and they won't see her anymore. Their mother's caring, loving and most beautiful smile they always see on their mother's face wont show up anymore. Happiness was replaced with grief and sadness. They didn't know until when the whole family will feel that way, lost and incomplete.

When Ichigo woke up that time his father didn't tell him about his mother but he didn't need to because Ichigo could see it in his father's eyes. That was the only time that he saw them very lonely without pretenses. He looked like he hadn't taken a shower yet and looked tired. There were even bags under his eyes.

"The river where we first met it was where she died. When I saw you being held by two men I got nervous. All thoughts about the past came back to me. I couldn't forget forget it I mean how could I? She died instead of me..."ichigo looked away from Rukia. He couldn't face her when he admitted he was the cause of his mother's death. He felt ashamed with himself. Nonetheless he continued speaking.

"I asked my mother if we could go by the river to spend some time she agreed and we went there. We played for a while and lost track of the time. It was almost dark and we decided to go home what we didn't know there were two men approaching us. They demanded to give them money and my mom complied with them. I thought they were going to leave then after giving them what they wanted but I was wrong. They tried to touch my mother."Ichigo was furious. He could see it, the face of the culprit trying to have fun with his mother. If only he could find them and kill them he would.

"One of the men noticed me kicking him. He punched me and kicked me on the ground. He took out a gun and then shot me with a gun. Fortunately it wasn't a heavy wound. When the man saw me still moving and trying to stand up he pointed his gun at me and fired another one. But..." Ichigo didn't know how to continue. This was the heaviest part of the story. He stared at the floor and touched his forehead using his palm. While he was rubbing his temples using his fingers he felt a hand touched his shoulder.

He looked up at the owner of the hand and saw a pair of violet eyes looking at him. Rukia smiled and nodded slowly at Ichigo. "Ichigo, it's okay. I'm sure that one day you'll have the courage to face the past. When my parents died I thought it won't be long and I will follow their fate but every time I looked at my brother it encourages me to live longer if it's for my brother. He became my willpower."

Ichigo was shocked. He stared at Rukia for a long time. Slowly, he lifted up his hand and put it on Rukia's, the one on his shoulder. He took Rukia's hand and enclosed it with both of his. He noticed that it was a little bit cold so absentmindedly he played with her hand rubbing it warmly. He kept on doing it forgetting whose hand he was touching. Rukia understood him. She didn't pushed him into telling her what happened to him before. She gave him enough courage to believe that she was right. It might hurt for now how his mother died but sooner or later he will be able to face the past and stop living in it and that will be because of his family or friends, or perhaps because of Rukia.

The strange feeling Rukia had when Ichigo first held her hand was back. Her eyes were wide when Ichigo started becoming warm and caring to her. She liked the feeling of his hand against hers and she has forgotten where they were and what they were talking about. Just enjoy the presence of the other person.

"I'm glad that you liked it. It was very nice to finally be able to go back to that place."Ichigo was kicking a stone as he walked. They were headed to Rukia's house. Rukia didn't want Ichigo to drop her off but he insisted. Telling him he will be worried for the rest of his way home and that it's dangerous for a girl go home alone. Now that she knew why he acted that way, she agreed.

"Yeah, I liked it so much."They were now in front of Rukia's gate and the two stopped walking facing each other.

"Uhm... Rukia, about what happened in the-"

"We were just comforting one another. I understand that. We did get carried away but it was just because of what we felt that time." Rukia was obviously referring to what happened in the Ferris wheel. Although she knew that it was the reason they held each other for a long time somehow she couldn't help but feel sad that she made an excuse for their actions. All she knew was she didn't want to make a big deal of something simple and basically nothing. thats what she forced into her mind. They were just holding each other's hand and there's nothing wrong with that. 'Friends hold hand and there definitely no problem with it.' she kept on thinking those words over and over on the way home. 'How come I don't think feel bad about it? Every time he touched me I feel weird things. Weird, but very warm. My hand also looked like it fits his, like mine were made together with his hand. Why is it that I feel like I wanted to touch his hand again? I have to stop these thoughts I'm so confused now. There's only one way to know if my hunches are correct.'

"Alright, I guess I should go."Ichigo looked straight at Rukia. He didn't know what to do next. He waited for Rukia to say something first.

"Uhm... Yeah. I'll see in school. Bye, Ichigo."she held one more time her hand to shake hand with him. She waited for a little while but Ichigo looked like he was going to refuse. She was about to drop her hand when a strong and muscular one took it. She looked at Ichigo and saw that he was smiling. She smiled at him and then let go of his hand slowly.

Ichigo waved his hand at her. "Bye! I'll see you on Monday."he turned around and walked away. Headed back to his own home.

Rukia stared at her hand. 'I do have a weird feeling when I touch him. It's comforting, secured and... and... No! I can't! I should not tolerate this anymore.' one last time she looked at Ichigo's retreating form.

"Thank you Ichigo, being with me in my past and letting me in yours."

A/N: Thank you so much for reading. hope you liked it! ^_^