Chapter Thirty-two
Bake Me A Cake...
Things had normalized to a degree with Ichigo and Rukia. The two of them had more power than they realized. The Sereitei began to focus more on the enemy as Rukia's sentence came to an end. They had strong leads on Mark and Pearl but they really wanted to catch the leader above all.
000
A trip to the beach was a welcome distraction to everyone but also a change of pace from Urahara's shop. Tatsuki was happy to go just because she missed the West Coast beaches of California. The others found other reasons to enjoy the ocean environment.
The sand was hot and the warmth radiated a visible pattern along the ground. Vendors lined the walk way selling every matter of knickknacks and food. The sky was clear and the sun was on its decent in the sky.
This late afternoon would be the beginning of a plan conceived beneath the rock of a cave. Rukia took a deep breath of salty sea air pausing on the edge of the boardwalk next to Ichigo. His eyes met hers as her hand slipped comfortably in his out stretched palm. Observing the pair Urahara slowly made his way over to discuss the group.
Tatsuki listened to the conversation forcing her unspoken resignations away. Would it be wrong to hate the idea that Renji would leave to join the fight, she wondered. The battle was inevitable everyone knew their role.
After the long conversation and commitment to plans Tatsuki took a walk. She heard the footsteps in the sand and turned to acknowledge the source. With the sun lower in the sky Renji's hair matched the sunset quite nice. A joke came to her but the mood escaped her and it was played out enough with Ichigo. She kept moving despite his presence and water rushed over her bare feet. Various creatures popped up in the sand and her eyes dropped to them.
"Am I interfering," Renji finally spoke a question to her.
"Yes but I shouldn't complain. Spending time with you is what I wanted," Tatsuki answered still studying the moving creatures that looked like miniature hollows.
"Would it help to say-
"No don't," she raised her hand and stood her ground before continuing, "We walk in silence. I'm really not upset or anything."
"I can see you're not upset," he shrugged and rolled his eyes as they continued to walk.
"What we've become…all of us are happier it just feels like this could all slip away," Tatsuki said.
"That confident I'll fail huh," Renji asked halfheartedly.
"I tried to hold my tongue but I wish the fighting was over. This is coming from me of all people so you know I'm worried."
"You hate the plan and you fear I'll never come back…to you," he asked.
"Is that even possible," she asked.
"We both know the answer to that," he said kicking up sand as they continued to walk.
"I know that is why I just want to keep walking for a while. Yes I'm worried I just don't want to talk about it," she answered.
"I'll distract you. Tell me about this place," he requested.
They walked for a while. She pointed out landmarks and rock formations they stopped at a vendor booth where she purchased fireworks and rejoined the group.
"Sparklers," Tatsuki cheerfully exclaimed to the group passing them out.
"Why I love summer," Ichigo said twirling one in his hand.
The open jawed stare of everyone made it clear that Ichigo was not himself.
"Hey I promised to enjoy this and I'm keeping my word," Ichigo shrugged.
000
The meeting continued after all the sparklers died out. The discussion shifted to Hisana.
"Actually we can't say for sure she's human. Although we know her mind was manipulated we cannot interfere," Kisuke said.
"You can. You said it yourself that you are not one of them," Ichigo said speaking up.
"Perhaps we don't need to interfere either. There is no reason to interfere-
"Are you saying that she won't remember anything and she'll go back to her life as if nothing happened," Rukia asked.
"Not necessarily. If she's looking for her lost sister it is likely she retained the memories you made together. She will not give up looking even if she doesn't know the reason behind her drive to do so. That is her personality. If that is not the case the question is not if we can find her but should we interfere. The soul society would definitely say no," Kisuke said.
"We can't be sure of that," Rukia said.
"No use talking about it then," Ichigo said.
"Using what we know you plan to track her down then," Kisuke asked.
"I won't be alone," Ichigo replied.
"I expected nothing less," Kisuke said.
Byakuya had his own way of searching but Kisuke was sure that Ichigo would get father with his approach. Rukia had allies as well and in the Sereitei she came up with plans and strategies with Ashido.
"Ashido was there during my sentence so he knows and can witness everything that we were able to find out," Rukia said.
"We," Ichigo asked.
"Don't make this personal now is not the time," she admonished.
"Fine what did you find out," he asked looking towards Ashido.
"The fact that Central 46 allowed both of us in the room during her sentence tipped me off," Ashido said.
"Then we noticed that I was allowed to argue pled and even bargain my case. Something that is never allowed," Rukia said.
"Captain Kuchiki wouldn't even make a difference to the Central 46. I'm sure that rules haven't changed all the much since they were restored. They really should have no interest at all in her case since she is an assistant captain," Ashido added.
"Her superiors should have been first to deal with her actions is what you are saying essentially," Ichigo asked.
"Exactly," Ashido agreed.
"So you two figured all this out and what of it," Ichigo asked.
"We know where to find Mark and Pearl. That is a start," Rukia said.
"The people in charge want to keep you out of it and we are telling you this because we think they are wrong. Either way we leave soon and I have to go now," Ashido said.
000
Rukia took the time to try out some cooking skills. The conversation about plans to go after the enemy painted her in a bad light and she wanted to do something to make up for it. Ichigo was still someone she wanted to impress from time to time. Their relationship wasn't at a dead-end because of what happened. Instead it was almost like nothing negative happened at all between the two of them.
"On a scale of 1 to 10 how upset are you," Rukia asked.
"It doesn't matter. We just have to do the job and move on from there," he said.
"There is another problem," she said.
"What else," he asked.
"Orihime," Rukia said.
"Why is she a problem," he asked.
"She's not Uryû is," she answered.
"Understatement," he replied.
"Maybe you should see for yourself…It's called Black Forest Cake," Rukia said as she held up the cookbook pointing out a photo that matched the cake in front of him exactly.
"What's the occasion," Ichigo asked. And why are you being so strange?
"My apology for all the mean, cruel things I've done," she replied.
"Accepted," he said deciding not to press the issue and instead enjoy the cake.
"Good, now we can discuss what really matters," she said.
He took a bite of cake, "it's actually good."
"The Visoreds that you trained with-
"Forget it. I'm grateful for what they did but we've mutually agreed to leave each other alone," Ichigo said enjoying more of the cake.
"Really when was this exactly," she asked.
"It was unspoken," he replied. The cake was too good he didn't want to talk he wanted to eat more cake.
"Then you didn't agree to anything. They are Lieutenant and Captain level allies and I think we need them," she said.
"No," he mumbled through another bite.
"I'm the one who should be thinking this way. You should be telling me that you're going to get together help," she said.
"That doesn't sound like me at all," he countered.
"You're right you would have found the Visoreds and gone on to work with them," she said crossing her arms.
"Let's not be desperate grasping for impossible things. Remember what you said about unhappy people. It feels like we were living in a dream looking back," he said.
"I know these nine years or so have made me different. With everything that has happened how can I just pretend like nothing happened," she said.
"I'm not asking you to do that. I've caused enough trouble with the Seireitei's finest," he said.
"Time to surrender then," she asked.
"For now I think it is," he answered.
"Then I'll just blame it on the cake, next time I'll use less sugar," she said taking the cake away.
"Are you seriously upset," Ichigo asked putting aside the plastic fork he needlessly wielded.
Rukia said nothing their conversation turned quickly and he was unsure about why.
"Don't take my cake away," he tried as she continued to walk away pastry box in hand.
"If you don't share it you'll get fat," she turned and smiled at him, "you'll never be able to take down Hollows at such a slow speed."
Ichigo laughed at the mental picture. So we are alright.
"Don't underestimate me," he said quickly recovering his cake from her hand.
"Maybe you could abandon medicine for Sumo," Rukia teased from a safe distance, "you'd earn as many belts as Tatsuki."
Ichigo stopped mid bite to counter saying, "Those guys are no joke and Tatsuki will likely be an Olympic Medalist. I'd never catch up to her accolades."
"We missed so much time with everyone and the changed so much," she said returning to sit on the couch next to him.
"Yes they have and it's harder for everyone to get together again. People rushing here and there going on with their lives; that out of the loop feeling is so bizarre," he said.
The phone rang and Rukia answered with a few quick responses before pocketing it.
"The shopping trip," Ichigo asked remembering that she was supposed to spend time shopping with Orihime and some of her friends.
"Yes," she stood up, "you're welcome to come if you like."
"No thanks," he replied.
000
Going shopping and acting normal helped distract from the major issues floating over everyone's head. Hisana was out there somewhere. Mark and Pearl had yet to be found. Athen whatever he had planned was also missing. The women were discussing these things on their shopping trip. Most of the time they just questioned Rukia about her time with Ichigo.
"To everyone they were our enemies. To us they were our friends. It's hard to move on when you think of things that way," Rukia said.
"Well at least you got important stuff out-of-the-way," Orihime said.
"What do you mean by important stuff," Rukia asked.
"Nothing…I mean you don't have to wonder if he likes lots of pillows on the bed or what kind of breakfast he eats…stuff like that," Orihime said.
"Someone's fishing for information," Nozomi said.
"It's not like that…I just-
"Forget it. I already know that stuff long ago and I really don't think there's much to fish for," Rukia said but her bright red face betrayed her casual way.
"That will only encourage her to fish for more," Tatsuki said.
"Whose side are you on Tatsuki," Orihime accused.
"It doesn't matter its normal for everyone to wonder. I mean we were husband and wife after all," Rukia said determined to push the conversation elsewhere.
"But that doesn't mean our curiosity needs answers. Let's just leave it alone," Nozomi said.
"Forget Ichigo I'm far more interested in you-
"Don't even say it," Tatsuki warned.
"Well Uryû and I have separated and so I'm simple. I don't mind sharing anything because there's nothing to share now," Orihime said.
"I don't buy that and I know enough about Kon, Nozomi so don't bother," Rukia said smiling.
"Tatsuki isn't talking," Orihime said.
"That's right," Tatsuki simply answered.
"Neither is Rukia so let's go," Nozomi said.
"Nozomi's right let's go before all the shops close for the evening," Tatsuki said unable to believe what she was saying.
Window shopping was enough of a distraction for Rukia. The sooner she was out of this apartment the better. It was no good to sit around wasting time in a place that held so many memories.
Negative thoughts seemed to overwhelm her now. She wanted no part of what Ichigo was discussing at Kisuke's shop. For now she was content to hang out with and reconnect with her friends. Talking about Pearl and Mark was the last thing she wanted to do.