Chapter Thirty-one

Just Close Your Eyes…

The six months Rukia spent locked up felt like an eternity. During that time she made herself focus on getting stronger. It was a different type of strength training. She couldn't practice her skills in a traditional way because the makeup of the prison weakened her spiritual powers. That and she was asleep most of her sentence.

Mercifully prisoners slept instead of going insane with thoughts. It was a completely different sentence than the time she spent on Sôkyoku Hill.

The bargain made with Central 46 allowed her to return with the condition that if Ichigo still felt the same she could return. It was a stupid game they played. She never understood it.

Ichigo was made to believe that the sentence was sixty years. It was part of the game. Of course any young man would have to admit they wouldn't wait until they were a senior citizen to be with the woman they loved. That was what the Central 46 believed anyway.

By underestimating Ichigo's faith in his love for Rukia they misjudged what would happen. The problem was he would never give up. Rukia knew it and held that faith. There was no way she could talk him out of anything and she was the subject of that affection.

Staying in the human world presented all sorts of challenges. With a stronger grasp on her spirit body without powers she thought herself stronger than ever. After six months she was pretty sure that she could take on any challenge. If they thought her weakened they were mistaken.

Outside the prison walls her powers would gradually increase. Although she wanted to be by Ichigo's side she knew staying in the Seireitei could only help her powers return.

The problem was that Central 46's deal had specific clauses. Her Gigai was decommissioned so she could only return to the human world in spirit form. As part of her sentence she couldn't have contact with Ichigo in spirit form until all the conditions of her sentence were met.

This day Rukia was ordered to an assignment in the human world. She wasn't surprised that they sent her to KarakuraTown. The game was back on, she thought. Her phone rang as she passed by the shopping district.

Ishida.

"How long are you here," Uryû's voice asked.

"You don't waist anytime do you. I'm on a mission. There isn't much to discuss. I don't mind if you tag along but it may be better if you don't try to involve him," Rukia said.

"Just because he can't see you that won't stop him from wanting to be involved you know that," Uryû said.

"I know," Rukia said.

The longer she stayed in the world of the living the slower her powers would come back and the more likely she'd be stuck with busy work assignments like these. She didn't want to make it harder by staying here hanging around to do what…torture Ichigo with her presence. He couldn't even see her.

"So what is this assignment," Uryû asked.

"Standard surveillance on a site, nothing major...They wouldn't send someone like me with such low spiritual pressure for anything dangerous. You really don't even need to bother," Rukia said.

"The surveillance wouldn't be detected by the enemy as easily so perhaps that enemy is dangerous and that makes you the perfect person to send," Uryû said.

"I doubt that but like I said you can come along," Rukia said.

"I'm calling Kurosaki," Uryû said.

"Noted, I have to go," Rukia hung up the phone and continued moving towards her target.

000

Seconds later Rukia picked up the phone. She looked over the site noticing nothing out of the ordinary. She listened as Ichigo screamed at her for calling Uryû.

"I didn't call Ishida. Ishida is the nosy one who noticed my spiritual pressure as low as it is," Rukia said.

"So why would they send you out on an assignment knowing your condition…what the hell," Ichigo said angrily into the phone.

Rukia finished gathering her samples. She observed what she could but could sense noting out of the ordinary and left shortly after. The assignment was probably busy work but they also knew that she knew this place fairly well. In fact almost all her missions as of late were focused in KarakuraTown. Whatever their motives and reasons didn't matter she just tried to focus on the job at hand.

"Why'd you call you know this only makes it harder," Rukia said on the phone.

"I can't sleep…I miss hearing your voice and I'm going crazy talking to myself," Ichigo said.

"You're not."

"Not what," he asked.

"Alone," she said.

He looked around the room. He tried to feel her presence. Nothing, never felt so painful.

"Where," he asked for directions.

"It's easier not to-

"Just let me know where you are," he said cutting her off.

"Fine. I'm right here beside you," Rukia said staring at his face as his hand went through her. She actually surprised herself a little the speed in which she made it there.

Rukia looked around at the unchanged room. The immaculate desk. The gold alarm clock. A turquoise and white Fender guitar. Strange to think he'd end up staying back here again. He finally put their home in Hawaii up for sale. With their memories regained this place felt more like home to them now.

Silence.

"Ichigo?"

"I'm still here," he said falling back on the bed and feeling stupid she could still see him lying there looking miserable.

"I have to go now. This is breaking the rules," Rukia said.

"I know."

His senses were cut off from her. No matter she was there and she could see him. So she stared at his profile. The features etched in her brain. How many times did she gaze upon that look on his face? It was so alike and yet so different.

"You haven't hung up yet," Ichigo said.

"I'm looking at you," Rukia said.

"Staring huh so rude," Ichigo covered his face in mock shame.

She smiled at him and stood up.

"Close your eyes," she requested.

"Why?"

"No why just do it," she demanded.

He complied. Nothing happened.

"I'm hanging up keep your eyes closed," Rukia said.

"Rukia what's going on?"

"Alright I'm hanging up for real talk to you later Ichigo-

"Rukia?"

"Go on open your eyes."

A small mural of sorts covered his closet door. It reminded him of Kisuke's message to him. Except this was all Rukia. Her art work was truly…bad, he thought.

"Thank you," he said and hung up the phone.

000

The hardest part was that Byakuya, leader of his noble family and a Captain, did not know. The knowledge of Hisana's whereabouts escaped him. The lack of knowledge drove him crazy.

His peace shattered like the blades of Senbonzakura. The shards of his heart threatened to come undone and burst through his chest. Bonded together by years of fragile threads of pride…no he was stronger than this he determined standing up.

"Captain Kuchiki," a voice of one of his men interrupted. Rikichi's voice meant that Renji was away and his men were likely waiting for orders.

"Come in," Byakuya waited for Rikichi to enter then asked, "What is it?"

"The men are awaiting orders at the East Gate and Lieutenant Abarai is still out should I-

"No, I'll go talk to them myself," Byakuya said already exiting the room.

"But Sir you don't have to do that. We are perfectly capable of acting on your behalf," Rikichi said.

"What would you have me do," Byakuya turned to ask, "I am uninjured and as a captain of this squad I will do my duties. Otherwise I don't deserve to be in this position."

"Yes sir," Rikichi said the commanding aura of the Captain sent a clear signal not to question him. Rikichi was concerned but sensed the Captain need to do this for his sanity more so than his duty.

Rikichi walked behind the Captain thinking of his conversation with Renji. He now understood a little more why Renji respected this man so much.

'Renji you should be a Captain by now so why aren't you,' Rikichi said to Renji so long ago.

'Someday,' Renji said but wasn't sure that was his goal.

I hope you do make Captain someday Renji.