WELCOME BACK!

I am SO SORRY for the wait, BUT you can't rush perfection, right?! Haha, well, this is Chapter 11 of The Stray! What you've all been waiting for and just DYING to read!

I am terribly sorry for the delay. Life got in the way. I'm just happy I had the holiday off the finally finish it! Next one is in about three weeks! 10 days! Whoo!

Now, back to business!

Will Ichigo survive? Or die? What will become of Rukia and her family and friends? READ TO FIND OUT!

"What do you mean 20%?" Renji asked in clear and utter disbelief. Yoruichi looked to the floor while rubbing her arm.

"It's exactly what it sounds like, Renji. They said Ichigo was affected greatly by the fire and may not make it to tomorrow morning." she looked up at them. Her eyes were so sad-looking. "He can stop breathing at any moment. They said to be prepared in case... you know..." Yoruichi ended.

"Oh my God..." Renji gasped. Allison grabbed Renji's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"They can't do anything else?" she asked. Yoruichi shrugged her shoulders.

"We asked... they said the only thing they can do is wait for one of those chambers to open... already sixteen people died from this fire..." Yoruichi said sadly.

"Sixteen?" Allison repeated. Yoruichi nodded.

"What about Rukia? How is she handling it?" Renji asked. "And where is she?"

"She's at Ichigo's room."

It was dark. The entire room was cascaded in a black blanket. The only source of light coming from the many colorful blinking lights on the machines that were turned on and making a soft commotion of beeping, clicking, a low whirl sound.

Rukia was very apprehensive upon turning the doorknob and entering the room. She could only assume how Ichigo was by what the nurse told her.

"It doesn't appear that he's making any progress…" nurse Isane said with a sad face. Rukia felt tears once again form in her eyes. This couldn't be. Ichigo was strong. He couldn't die. Not Ichigo. Not now!

"What do you mean not making progress? I don't understand. Ichigo has to be fine! He has to get better." Rukia began to cry again, and Byakuya felt his own heart begin to ache again…

"He needs a chamber to get better, but we still don't have any open." Isane said shyly as a reaction to Rukia's frantic tone. "He currently has an endotracheal tube down his throat to help him breathe, but his lungs have received significant damage from the smoke that the tube may not cut it…" Isane's explanation only made Rukia even more upset.

'A tube down his throat? He must be in pain… he shouldn't be going through this…'

She took more steps towards the bed on the far end of the room. She saw the mass under the sheets, and spiky orange locks at the end.

With her heart beating faster, she approached the bed, avoiding the ever flowing river of wires and tubes that connected to the multiple machines keeping Ichigo alive.

As she reached the edge of the bed, she got a closer look at his face. Ichigo, though lying in near complete darkness, was pale. He had no color to his face what-so-ever. Scarier yet–there was a tube that was sticking out of his mouth, a thicker one connected to it, which attached to a machine just inches away from the bed. Rukia covered her mouth with her hand. She was stunned. Her throat closed at the sight of him. She couldn't fathom the fact that Ichigo had a tube down his throat, and that it was keeping him breathing, but didn't know for how much longer.

There were bandages wrapped tightly around his head. Along with a single strip over his face. The rest of his body was covered with a sheet, but Rukia knew there was some sort of further damage caused by the fire. The only other part of him not covered was his ankle. The one which he had skinned badly. It was wrapped in red-stained gauze and propped up on a pillow, but Rukia knew the real trauma lied on the inside.

"His lungs may collapse…"

She remembered Isane's words. None of them good. How he may not make it through the night. How they should prepare for the worst, just in case. Rukia couldn't. She simply couldn't. Not with Ichigo. He was strong. Stronger than anything. He can pull through. She knows he can make it. She just know because… because she loves him.

"Ichigo?" she whispered softly to him. She knew he couldn't respond, even if he wanted to. "Ichigo? Can you hear me?" she picked up his hand. It felt chafed. As if the heat singed his skin to a rough, scaly surface. "Ichigo, it's me, Rukia. I'm right here. Can you hear me?" she whispered, stroking his hand. She looked to his diaphragm. She saw how his chest rose and fell slowly in time with the beeps and clicks of the machines. It wasn't really him breathing…

"Ichigo, if you can hear me, or feel me, please, squeeze my hand. Show me a sign that you're there." Rukia pleaded. As she expected, he didn't move an inch, and remained still. "It's okay, Ichigo. I'll still hold your hand. I'm still here." Rukia's grip got tighter. She looked to the beeping heart monitor and saw how slow his heart beat was. Was it because of the drugs? Or was it because of his body failing…

That thought… the thought of Ichigo's fight to stay alive just abruptly ending and his body giving up… no, that couldn't…

A sob escaped her mouth, tears streaming down Rukia's face again. This was reality. Ichigo was lying in front of her; dying.

"You should've ran," Rukia sobbed, clinging to his hand tighter. "You should've just left. You should've never came back to find me. You're like this now because of me. Yet it was like you knew of the consequences of your actions and went through with them anyway. This is all my fault…" Rukia cried harder. She couldn't help but blame herself for all of this. It was her who went out that cold winter day to find him. It was her that convinced him to stay and convinced Byakuya to let him stay. It was her who caused him to come back for her when she was stuck in the middle of life or death. It was her he tried to save. It was her that killed him…

"Ichigo, I'm sorry…" she whimpered. Her grip got tighter on his hand. Her heart started to stab in her chest. "I don't know how or why this happened… but I'll keep my promise. I'll keep my promise and not leave your side. I'll stay by you until the end. Just like we promised, right?" Rukia's voice began to crack with tears as she looked at Ichigo. His face was still, yet peaceful. For the first time, Rukia saw true contentment in Ichigo. And for a moment she thought… maybe this was for the better… maybe if he went in his sleep... he'll be happy. He'll be back with his family he so dearly loved and... just be happy.

"You told me your story, and I couldn't help but feel terrible… I had always thought that my life was bad, but then I met you and saw that not everything is as bad as it seems. And that, even the worst situations can make great people. Like you, Ichigo." Rukia was flopping back and forth of what she was saying. She was still so tired. She herself couldn't win the battle of staying awake. She felt pathetic. Here she is wanting a little bit of sleep, while the person she loves is fighting for his life. How selfish can she get?

"Goddamnit all…" Rukia cursed, wincing hard as she couldn't control all her feelings at once. She felt anger, resentment, hatred, confusion, and most of all–fear. She was terrified of what might become of Ichigo and herself. What was she going to do if he dies? How would she feel about herself? And Byakuya? How would her personality change? How would she act and treat everyone else? All these questions were raging through her head and she felt like the world was spinning around her. What would become of Ichigo? Will he die? What will she do with his body? Bury him? Cremate him? He was too young to die! Not this way! Not in a hospital. She didn't want him to become of the many that died here tonight. He couldn't. It was hard enough imagining what he went through as a child and seeing him suffer through countless nightmares and anxiety. To watch him go through torturous pain during the fire and then some. No way could she picture him lying dead in a casket and all because of her.

"Ichigo, please forgive me…" Rukia cried. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to end up this way. Please don't hate me for what I've done." her grip got so tight that Ichigo's hand began to turn white. Rukia didn't know her own strength. In her mind, she couldn't control anything right now. Especially the thought of Ichigo dying right in front of her eyes.

"Ichigo, I just want you to know…" Rukia sniffed, tears dripping from her chin. "That I love you… and you'll always be in my heart no matter where you are. Whether you're here, or not, nothing will change. I love you!" she cried out, dropping her head and sobbing loudly. As she cried, her tears spilled from her eyes and fell from her chin. One in particular which landed on Ichigo's hand. It splashed and miniscule droplets splatter around his knuckles and puddled for a second before evaporating into his skin.

Rukia put her head down on the bed and bawled silently, not noticing the heart monitor begin to slowly, but steadily beep faster and faster, until it was a continuous pace. As she choked on her own cries, she squeezed Ichigo's hand tighter and tighter. And then, all of a sudden, she got a tiny movement from him. Ichigo squeezed her hand.

Rukia ceased at her crying and her head sprang straight up at his touch. "Ichigo?" Rukia called to him. She turned her teary eyes to the heart monitor. It had quickened its pace. Did that mean he was…?

"Ichigo, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand!" Rukia picked up his hand, and though Ichigo's eyes were still closed and his body was still motionless, he squeezed Rukia's hand with very little of his might. And that was all Rukia needed to know that Ichigo was still alive. "Ichigo! I knew you would pull through. I just knew it!" Rukia exclaimed, tears of joy falling from her face.

And after a few minutes of constricting Ichigo's hand, she saw another good sign. Ichigo was wincing. He was waking up.

"Ichigo, open your eyes, honey." Rukia encouraged him. For a second he stopped, but Rukia wasn't giving up. "Ichigo, open your eyes and look at me, please." if it was one thing Rukia needed to see , it was his beautiful set of russet eyes. "Come on, Ichigo. I know you can do it. If you can squeeze my hand, you can definitely open your eyes." Rukia gripped his hand tighter to try to encourage him, but he only winced harder.

"… perhaps squeezing his hand so hard isn't the best idea?" a soft, yet chilling tone came from behind Rukia. Rukia whipped her head around to see a slim woman with a long braid of dark-chocolate hair in a white coat standing behind her. She looked like a doctor. Rukia could only stare at the tall woman with an eerily soft smile. "You might be hurting him." she said, and Rukia gasped as she realized she was holding Ichigo's hand rather too hard. And as soon as Rukia let go, Ichigo's face softened to relief.

"Sorry…" Rukia apologized, stroking Ichigo's hair away from his face.

"It's all right," said the woman. "My name is Unohana. I was treating Ichigo a while back and came to check up on him. I am very pleased, and surprised, to see how much he has improved." Unohana finished, walking over to one of the monitors. Rukia watched her with hopeful eyes.

"You mean, he's getting better?" Rukia asked, praying he was. Unohana nodded.

"Yes. Better than I predicted actually. It's always amazing to see a patient's comeback. Especially from the brink of death." Unohana commented. Rukia didn't know if she should've taken that as a good thing or a bad thing, but then Unohana pointing to the heart monitor. "Look. He's trying to breathe on his own now." she said. She then walked over to the machine on the opposite side of the bed and put her finger on a red switch. "Well, Ichigo? Are you ready to get that tube out of your throat for good?" Unohana asked. Rukia blinked at the doctor before looking to Ichigo. He had opened his eyes, and was looking straight at Rukia.

"Ichigo! You're awake!" Rukia cheered, picking up his hand again. He was getting color back to his skin again. Rukia was never so happy to see someone in her entire life more than this moment right now.

"Isane. Please come here. I need your assistance." Unohana called. A few moments later, the tall nurse came rushing into the room.

"Yes, Unohana?"

"We'll be removing his breathing tube now." the older woman responded.

"He's awake?" Isane said in surprise. "Right." she agreed and motioned Rukia to move out of the way. Complying, Rukia took a few steps back and watched the two professionals at work, without taking her eyes off of Ichigo.

Tilting Ichigo's head back gently, Unohana whispered, "We're going to remove the tube now, Ichigo. Don't try to talk yet, Okay?" he only blinked at her with drowsy, half-lidded eyes.

"Okay, Ichigo. Take a deep breath on the count of three." Isane said next, grasping the tube. Rukia felt her own throat close. "One… two… three…" Ichigo barely had time to inhale before he felt the long tube slowly being pulled from his throat. He winced his eyes shut and bucked his chest with a loud and bloody gag, and within seconds, it was over. He started to cough hard, feeling mucous build up again in the back of his throat. Not to mention the severe burning in his esophagus and a heavy weight on his chest. It still hurt to breathe. He still felt pain pulsing through his body. He was in agony.

"Put him on oxygen." Unohana ordered. Isane nodded and moved to place an oxygen mask over Ichigo's face. Ichigo resisted at first, turning his head away, but little did he know, Isane has dealt with many difficult patients, and Ichigo was no match. Rukia sought her chance to get closer to Ichigo. He had shut his eyes tightly again. He was still in pain, and he was writhing uncomfortably on the bed.

"Ichigo…" Rukia breathed. She knew he was scared and confused and hurting. But she could do little to help him.

"We'll give him more pain killers." Unohana said. Rukia looked up at her. She was frowning. "He must be in a world of pain. His lungs are still heavy and he sustained multiple contusions all over his body. And his ankle is probably hurting the most of all."

"What can we do about his ankle?" Rukia asked.

"Lots of ice and pain killers. He has to keep off of it for a while and keep it propped up. A bandage change once a day will keep the wound clean and free from infection." Unohana said. Rukia nodded, looking at Ichigo. He began to shiver and flinch at Isane's touch as she took his blood pressure. "He needs lots of rest and cold water to some of his burns will help with some of the pain." Unohana continued. "He has a minor concussion. That'll heal in a week or so. Other than that, all we need to work on is his airways and lungs."

"Unohana," Isane looked up from treating the squirming Ichigo. "I was actually on my way to tell you that a chamber has opened for Ichigo. He was next on the list." Isane said, and Rukia's face brightened.

"That's the thing he needs, right?" she asked. Unohana nodded with a smile.

"Very well. We'll transport him immediately." Unohana walked to the back of the bed and pushed as Isane pulled. Ichigo was still shaking in pain. He started to moan, but ended up coughing hard. Rukia walked alongside of the bed out to the hallway, holding Ichigo's banded and needled hand. He gripped hers tightly as she did with his and hung on. It was clear to Rukia he was scared and in pain.

"R-Ruuukii…" Ichigo rasped. He couldn't even say her name… He turned his head towards Rukia with a grimace of pain. His voice… it was so broken and shattered with anguish. Rukia struggled to keep herself from crying. All she could do was hold onto his singed hand and walk with him. And Rukia walked with him until Isane stopped in front of two giant double-doors, and gave Rukia a saddened look.

"I am sorry, Rukia, but I'm afraid you can't come beyond this point." Isane said. Rukia's heart sank, and she frowned.

"O-oh…" she looked to Ichigo. He was struggling for a breath, but she couldn't hold him back. With a hesitant sigh, Rukia let go of Ichigo's hand. "All right… understood." Rukia looked at Ichigo one last time before Isane pressed a red button that opened the doors.

"Thank-you, Rukia. Unohana said. "We'll inform you in about an hour or so about his condition." Rukia forced a relieved smile. "And don't worry. I know how special he is to you. I won't allow him to die." she reassured her before disappear behind the closing double-doors, leaving Rukia alone in the middle of the hallway, holding her hand and thinking of Ichigo.

Outside in the waiting room, Byakuya sat along with Yoruichi, Renji and Allison. They had been waiting a long time for Rukia to come back from Ichigo's room, all wondering if Ichigo was still alive or not…

Byakuya wondered if Rukia was all right… he couldn't bear seeing Rukia so distraught when Isane told her Ichigo had a high possibility of passing away during the night… to see her face so drained and scared. So fearful and sad. And he had no one to blame but himself.

"Where is she?" Renji suddenly growled from the adjacent chair of Byakuya. It was clear he was growing impatient and irritated.

"Relax, Renji." Yoruichi said tiredly. "It's Rukia. She probably wants to spend as much time as she can before visiting hours are over. And with Ichigo the way he is, all the more time, the better."

"I know, but… I guess I'm just anxious to hear about Ichigo." Renji frowned. Allison patted his shoulder.

"I am too, Renji…" she said.

"We all are." Yoruichi said. There was a slight, awkward pause and silence hit them hard once again. Every little sound sent everyone's hearts in a tizzy. Footsteps made their heart rates sky-rocket, thinking it was someone coming in to talk about Ichigo's condition–whether it being that he's made progress, or died…

'Where is Rukia?' Byakuya wondered. It's been nearly two hours now since she was escorted to Ichigo's room. Byakuya felt it best that only she went. He hated to say it, but he was afraid to see, Ichigo. He didn't want to see him lying in a hospital bed, covered in wounds, blood, and bandages. With a white sheet up to his neck. It reminded him so much of Hisana and how she looked when he found her.

The day was dark. Ominous clouds loomed over the old town, threatening to bring down a brine of rain water. Byakuya was unphased by this. There was a joke in the office about how it always rains when they deal with a homicide. In this case, it was right. It looked like it was going to storm any minute.

"Surprised this isn't a cold case, Byakuya?" an older man said from the driver's seat. Byakuya glanced to him from the back.

"Not really… people around here leave evidence in the open all the time. Like dimwitted fools." he growled. Byakuya knew this town all too well. This town was where he grew up in. But instead of living in the nasty part, full of crime and negativity, Byakuya lived the fortunate life on the edge of this depressing town, in a rural area in a very large house. He was lucky to be away from all of this, not having to step foot in the alleys and smell the foul stench of poverty and sickness. He and Rukia lived a happy life. They were wealthy, got what they both wanted and needed, and learned how to live life for when they had to go out on their own.

Byakuya was a snotty little thing, and even today, as he looked back at his childhood, he knew damn well he was. Though stoic, on the inside he laughed at how cocky he was. Always losing his temper, bossing little Rukia around teaching her how to be "noble", and throwing his weight around. Only until when he reached his teens did he straighten up. And all thanks to one person in his life.

'Hisana…' Byakuya thought about her as the white-haired man turned down another street. He had caught glimpse of a dying tree on the edge of the sidewalk, protected by a deteriorating and broken metal gate around it's thin trunk. Hisana grew up in these parts, and despite them being on opposite sides of the world, he couldn't help but fall in love with her.

Maybe because she had a sort of grace to her step. A petite and tiny frame; such a gentle and kind nature to go with her quiet demeanor. She was perfect in his eyes. He had retired from his daily spitting of "street rats" for her. She was no street rat, and she didn't deserve to live in an area full of them. She was too beautiful. It wasn't fair, so he offered her a better life as soon as she got out of school. She had gone to live with him in his manor. She got her own room, new clothes, and a better life. That is until then years later when Byakuya was forced to take Rukia and leave his lovely home, and his lovely partner. He was devastated, wondering how she would cope with being on her own in the dangerous world. He had wished so badly he could take her with, but the home he had bought was not fit for more than two people, and so he had to leave her behind.

"I wonder how she's doing…" Byakuya wondered. He hadn't noticed the car came to a stop.

"Byakuya? We're here." the man said. Byakuya flinched as he looked to him.

"Oh… right." Byakuya leaned forward to take off his belt, embarrassed he spaced off like that.

"You all right, Byakuya?" he asked. Byakuya opened his door.

"I'm fine, Jushiro." Byakuya said as he exited the car. As Byakuya stood up and laid his eyes on the house, he couldn't help but feel that this was a familiar place… but he couldn't put his finger on it…

"This would be a place someone would commit a murder." Jushiro said as he walked up to the door. Byakuya barely paid attention. The haunting-like structure of this old, perishing building just… "Place is old, run-down, crumbling, deserted, on the border of town. No wonder they chose this spot." Jushiro said. Sometimes Byakuya hated the way his colleague talked. He described things way to precisely. Sometimes it was best if he just kept his mouth shut. "Well, the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get back home." Jushiro said as he started up the creaky stairs. Byakuya nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off of the old building.

"Right..." he muttered as he followed Jushiro's lead. There was something inside of him that was telling him that something bad was lying ahead.

"Boy, what a mess." Jushiro commented as he entered the doorway of the home. The entrance of the home immediately led to the living room. The couch, torn; the upholstery hanging by strands, stuffing falling from large cut marks that could only have been made by some sort of a knife. Along the old green and brown-stained carpet lied shards of broken glass and other miscellaneous items such as chunks of wood, empty plastic bottles and broken picture frames. Holes littered the walls, the ceiling was crumbling, and the floor seemed to be rotting. This house looked to be in shambles before all of this even happened. It was as if the owner of this house was either extremely old, or poor as hell. Nonetheless, the two men had an investigation to solve.

'The smell is unbearable...' Byakuya thought, bringing his jacket to his nose as he followed Jushiro down a thin hallway that led into the kitchen. The smell was like a bitter, heavy musk of dust and blood. The office claimed the body was located there. And by the smell of it, had been there for a good few days. Probably a week.

Before even reaching the kitchen, the first sign of blood was clearly seen splattered around the entrance of the kitchen. The old, rotting tiles were torn up and stained with blood. Byakuya's seen blood pools before, but this attack looked brutal.

"Watch your step." Jushiro warned as he stepped over a puddle. Byakuya grimaced as he stepped over multiple puddles of red, making sure not to slip in it and slide around. "Good Lord..." Byakuya heard Jushiro gasp. He looked up at the white-haired man to see his face shocked and in dismay. He then looked to Jushiro's direction and saw the body.

The woman's body was curled up against the lower cabinets of the sink, one of the doors off its hinges and hanging over the deceased body. The woman's neck was slashed open, blood pooling around her body, trickling out of her mouth and nose. The clothes were torn and drenched in blood from a large and deep laceration to her abdomen, parts of her entrails poking through the cut skin. The scene was a mess. In the darkened light, blood was everywhere. On the walls, the windows, the knocked over furniture, the worn curtains hanging over the smeared windows, the floor; everywhere. There wasn't a surface not covered in blood.

"Poor thing... looks like she put up a fight to no avail..." Jushiro said sympathetically as he took a step towards her. She looked so weak and feeble. "How do you justify, Byakuya?" Jushiro asked, kneeling down next to her. Her eyes were wide open, screaming in terror from the attack, yet no sign of life remained. Her skin was white as chalk and a tad greenish. She was definitely dead. It was then that Jushiro noticed that Byakuya didn't answer his question. "Byakuya?" Jushiro looked back to the younger man and flinched when he saw how... horrified Byakuya was. It was like he seen a ghost. Standing up, Jushiro turned to him. "Byakuya, are you all right? What's wrong?" he asked. Byakuya took a step back.

'That's... that's..!' Byakuya felt his stomach suddenly rise to his throat and he gagged, grasping his stomach and planting a hand over his mouth, Byakuya turned and bolted out of the room. Jushiro was stumped and shocked all at the same time. What just happened?

"Byakuya, wait!" Jushiro yelled. Byakuya didn't listen. He ran out of the house, jumped of the porch and came to a stop just in front of the car. He fell to his knees, heaving uncontrollably. The sight of her... it was her... that was-

"Hisana..." Byakuya choked out. He didn't know she was the homicide victim. He didn't bother to check the report of the victim's name. He didn't know. Now he knew. It was Hisana. The love of his life. The woman he hadn't seen for over five years; dead and left to rot in a cold, disintegrating old building. How could anyone have killed her? His Hisana... his lovely Hisana. Murdered so brutally like that. And seeing her; gutted and slashed apart, covered in blood and just... left there...

Byakuya felt his heart began to get a stabbing sensation. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't see. He felt like vomiting. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be real. This had to be a dream, or some sick, cruel prank. This can't be fucking real!

"Byakuya!" Jushiro yelled as he came running out of the house. Byakuya was still heaving. He had his hand on the side of the car to support himself as he felt light-headed. "Byakuya, what's wrong? Why did you run like that?" Jushiro was confused as to why Byakuya suddenly got sick. He's seen bodies torn and cut up before, so why did he all of a sudden get so ill?

"That's Hisana..." Byakuya barely said. Jushiro only got out a mumble. "That's my Hisana... he... he killed her..." he panted. He couldn't believe it. The lover of his life; the woman who made him a man, was gone. She was dead.

"Hey..." Byakuya opened his eyes in surprise when he felt something push on his shoulder. "You all right?" Yoruichi asked worriedly. Byakuya looked at her for a bit before nodding slightly.

"Yes," he replied, sitting up straight in his chair and letting out a stressed sigh.

"You dozed off a few minutes ago. Just making sure you're okay." Yoruichi sat back. They were all exauhsted. What was it now? 2? 3 in te morning? It was late and everyone needed sleep, but they couldn't until Rukia came back.

"Thank-you for your concern. I'll be fine." Byakuya lied to himself. On the inside, he was still burning from that day. When he found Hisana dead as a rock on the floor of that old, tattered house. If only he could've given her the life she deserved... then she would still be here with him and possibly... his own family.

Yoruichi put a hand to his back to comfort him. "Just know that'll I'll always be here for you. And Rukia." she smiled. Byakuya smiled back, but just a little. He was too tired to show happiness. But he most certainly was grateful.

"Since when did they get so touchy?"

Across the room, another conversation was going on. Renji and Allison both had suspicious looks on their faces.

"Last time I checked, Byakuya didn't even like hugs from his own sister let alone a pat on the back by another woman." Renji whispered loudly. Allison got a devilish smirk to her face.

"Maybe it's a "thing", ya know what I mean?" Renji snickered.

"Oo, la, la!" they laughed. Byakuya and Yoruichi glared at the two. Looks like they were back no normal.

"What are you two laughing at?" Rukia's voice came. They all turned to see her standing in the doorway of the waiting room.

"Rukia! You're okay!" Allison exclaimed. Rukia smiled and nodded.

"Yes." she looked to Byakuya. They all had worried and curious expressions. Most likely because they wanted to know how Ichigo was doing.

"Well? How's Ichigo doing? Spit it out!" Renji demanded.

"He's getting better." Rukia said, and everyone gave sigh of relief. Especially Byakuya. He's glad he wasn't responsible for the death of a kid. "They finally put him in a chamber. They said with this, his breathing will get back to normal, and if he has no further complications, he can come home with us tomorrow." Everyone smiled.

"That's great to hear. But..." Yoruichi paused. Rukia turned her head.

"What's wrong, Yoruichi?" Rukia asked.

"Do we even have a home anymore?" her question made everyone go quiet. That was a good question. For all they know, the fire could've swallowed up the entire area and burned everything in sight to ashes. If that's the case, where's everyone going to go?

"I guess we'll find out tomorrow..." Byakuya said regretfully. Everyone looked down. Now that Byakuya thought of it, everyone would have to split up. He wouldn't have enough money to buy another house to keep Yoruichi and Ichigo in. Yoruichi would have to find somewhere else to stay, and have a difficult time doing so because of Kon, Renji and Allison have their own places, and Rukia is with him. As for Ichigo... that was a whole other story. He wasn't physically or mentally capable of holding down a job, he didn't have experience with anything besides theiving, and he was so shy around strangers. He'd have no other option than running away again. And all of Rukia's hard work of persuading him he doesn't need to run anymore would be thrown out the window. He'd be on his own again. And he wouldn't survive another time. Rukia just knew it...

"So, when can we go back to see him?" Allison suddenly asked. Rukia looked to her in surprise. It's best she was changing the subject.

"In a little while. They said it's best for us to rest until we can." Rukia answered.

"That sounds like a great idea." Renji said. He was dying for a good sleep. And that idea didn't sound too bad for everyone else and so they all got up and retired to their rooms. Renji and Allison in one, and Byakuya, Rukia, and Yoruichi in the other. And they slept until it was time to wake up and visit Ichigo.

"Rukia..."

Her eyes were tremendously heavy, and her mind was spinning.

"Rukia... wake up."

She didn't want to open her eyes. She was so tired. All she wanted to do was stay in this balled position, under the warm blanket.

"Wake up, Rukia."

It was her damn brother again, wasn't it? How she hated how he woke her up early for no reason what so ever.

"Go away, Byakuya Kuchiki..." she grumbled, pulling the sheet over her head.

"I do not look like Byakuya!" the voice yelled. And Rukia then felt a swat to her shoulder. Now fully away, Rukia jerked and bolted upright in bed with a startled yelp. With a scared breath, she came face-to-face with a pissed-off Allison. "Do I have black hair? No! Am I a six-foot tall black-haired guy? No!" she shouted, before stomping out of the room. Rukia was in complete and utter confusion. What the hell just happened? She looked around the room and looked at Renji whom was standing in the doorway, just as confused as Rukia.

"Eh... she's a bit cranky because she's tired..." Renji said uneasily. He walked to the side of the bed Rukia was lying in and looked down at her. Rukia was still confused.

"Why did you wake me up?" she asked.

"We went to see Ichigo." Renji said. Rukia's eyes went wide. She totally forgot! "He's awake and just down the hall from us." and Rukia sprang to her feet.

"I can't believe I forgot!" Rukia yelled as she ran for the door, but a second later she was jerked back. Renji had grabbed her arm. She looked back at him with a furious glare. "Renji! Let me go!" she yelled.

"Wait a minute, Rukia." Renji said. Rukia stopped thrashing and looked at her friend with sincerity. "There's something wrong with Ichigo." he said. Rukia's heart began to flutter. Did he relapse? Was he dying? In a little more than an hour?!

"What? What do you mean? What's wrong with him?!" she began to tear up, fearing the worst.

"He's getting better, just like they said," Renji reassured, seeing how badly he upset her. "But he's not acting right." he said. Rukia didn't understand what he meant.

"Huh?"

"We went in there to see him a few minutes ago, and he won't talk. He won't even look at us. That's why Allison's so upset. He completely ignored us and everything we said and we think he's mad at us in a way." Rukia was stunned. That didn't sound like Ichigo at all. Are they sure it was Ichigo they were talking to? "Just expect him to act weird, okay?" Renji warned. Rukia nodded, understanding. She knew Renji wasn't lying. He was too serious to be lying. So what he's saying must be true.

"How did he seem to you?" Rukia asked.

"I can't really tell to be honest." Renji answered honestly. "He was just silent. He didn't talk. He just... wasn't himself." Rukia didn't answer.

"What room is he in?" she asked next.

"Sixth door down. The one with the white tag on the doorknob." Renji answered, and without another word, Rukia left the room.

Upon walking down the hallway, Rukia saw Byakuya and Yoruichi coming towards her. Both of them had a worried look on their faces. Byakuya caught her eye and stopped as she walked towards him.

"How is he?" Rukia asked. Byakuya didn't answer. It was clear to Rukia that Renji was right.

"He's different..." was all Yoruichi said. Rukia couldn't believe it. What was wrong with Ichigo? "Maybe you can talk to him. After all, you're closest to him. Maybe he'll talk for you. Good luck." Yoruichi said before walking back to their room, Byakuya following suit. For a minute, Rukia stood there, a tad afraid to see Ichigo. How would he treat her? Why was he acting this way? Maybe he really did want to see her. She'll have to find out.

Sixth door down; white tag dangling from the handle.

This was Ichigo's room. Rukia tentatively grasped the steel handle and pulled down, hearing the click! and pushed open the door. The room was illuminated softly by the light on the ceiling. It was a calming atmosphere in the room. Probably meant to make whomever was occupying in he room sleepy and comfortable. And that person was lying in the bed near the window.

"Ichigo?" Rukia said softly. He opened his eyes and looked at her, watching her close the door and step closer nervously with a warm smile. "How ya doing?" she asked. He blinked, and turned his head away towards the window. Rukia felt shot down. Why was Ichigo giving her the cold shoulder? What did she do? "Ichigo, what's wrong?" she asked, but didn't get an answer. Rukia's heart began to shatter.

She decided to face Ichigo at a close distance and walked to the other side of the bed. He couldn't possibly ignore her that close. When she reached the side of his bed, his eyes were closed. But she knew he wasn't asleep. The tiny tubes just hovering below his nostrils were supplying him with fresh oxygen. She's surprised he didn't take them off since they snake up and behind his ears. Another sign he wasn't acting right.

"Ichigo, what's wrong? You can tell me." she whispered. He opened his eyes again and stared at her. He didn't look scared. He didn't look angry. He didn't look sad or depressed. He looked... he didn't look like anything. But then his eyes drooped, and he transitioned his gaze to the window. Why wouldn't he talk to her? Did he lose his voice? Maybe it was the medicine making him act funny, but Ichigo's been medicated before and he never acted so... different. What was going on.

Giving up, Rukia sighed and sat down in a chair at the corner of the room and looked down. The silence was painful and Ichigo not talking to her was heart-breaking. She could understand him not talking to Byakuya, but her? Why her? Out of everyone? But then... maybe there was a reason.

"I can understand if you're mad, Ichigo..." Rukia whispered. Ichigo didn't reply, nor did he look at her. "I'd be mad if someone raised their weapon to me and sent me into a typhoon of fire... but Byakuya didn't mean it." Rukia figured he was mad at her and her family for some reason, but couldn't figure out why. So she decided to name every single thing that happened that may have made him angry. "Byakuya couldn't kill anyone. Not a single soul. He wouldn't have the heart to unless he felt his life was in danger. I'm surprised he didn't kill me for losing his knife... but he never wanted what happened to happen." Rukia continued. Ichigo blinked tiredly, but continued to stare at the window. "And then there's me..." Ichigo blinked, casting his glance towards her. She still had her head down; she wouldn't look up. "I was the cause for all of this. Hadn't I gone out to find you that one day, you wouldn't be suffering any of this." Ichigo kept a steady gaze on her. "You wouldn't have gotten sick, you wouldn't have suffered countless nightmares, you wouldn't have felt like a stranger, you wouldn't have ever been caught in that fire, and you sure as hell wouldn't be lying here in a hospital." Rukia stopped. Ichigo went back to looking out the window. "I'm sorry, Ichigo... it's all my fault you're like this now. If I would've just stayed home, you wouldn't be so badly hurt. You would've been safe from everything. The fire, the smoke, the fall to the river. You should've ran and left me. You should've saved yourself. It was my own fault. I deserved to die." Ichigo winced at her words. He didn't want to hear that. His stomach flopped upon hearing that.

Rukia sighed once more and stood from her chair. She looked to Ichigo. He was still looking at the window. She got nowhere. "I don't blame you for being mad at us. Me specifically. And I don't blame you and if you no longer want to live with us. In fact, if you leave, it's completely understandable." she began to walk towards the door when Ichigo looked to her. She opened the door and stepped out, and Ichigo turned completely to get one last desperate glance at her.

"Good night, Ichigo..."

The next morning was cloudy, dreary, and dark. The smoke still lingered in the clouds and the air smelled foul. The atmosphere was depressing as the day became eerily chill. The hospital was still busy with treating patients for burns, smoke inhalation, and other injuries. They were even labeling those dead and sending bodies to the morgue or funeral homes. Rukia was thankful that none of them, who lied on their death beds, were her friends. She was thankful that Ichigo and Renji and her and Byakuya survived the massive fire. She wondered if her home did. The last she saw of it was last night when she ran away to find Ichigo. She regretted it... she didn't savor the sight or the feel of being home the proper way. For all she knew, it could be in ashes. Just one big pile of black ruins.

Rukia sighed as she walked down the hallway. She had been told to spend the night in her room with Byakuya and Yoruichi. Renji was still with Allison. She was on her way to Ichigo's room. On her way there, she saw, at the end of the hallway leading to the elevator, a woman, about Yoruichi's age. She was in a wheelchair, dressed in loose clothing, her entire right arm wrapped in bandages, along with some adhesives on her face and around her head. Rukia stopped and watched as a man, no older than Byakuya pushed her chair down the hall. The woman looked up at him and the surrounding people (about 3 or so) and smiled. A balloon was tied to the handle bar that Rukia could barely read that said "Get Better Soon" on it. She was going home. With her family that loved her and obviously cared for her a great deal. And for some reason, Rukia didn't feel that way. She felt like her family... wasn't a family at all. Just by looking, Rukia could point out the woman, whom had to be married to the man pushing her chair, and the elders walking beside her. They've had to be her parents and his parent-in-laws. Then again, that could be her brother or other family member who was obviously close to them. Rukia didn't feel that way towards her brother or Yoruichi...

Rukia ignored the feelings she felt as she continued down the hall. She was almost to Ichigo's room. She wondered if he slept well dring the night. Probably not. She knew he didn't like to be alone. She was more than thankful that he was safe from any further harm.

Rukia finally reached the door and worked up a smile. It was difficult since she wasn't exactly feeling to well, but knew that it would do better if Ichigo saw her in a good mood. Especially after all they went through.

Rukia knocked on the door. "Ichigo?" she called. She heard nothing and knocked louder. 'Maybe he's asleep.' she thought. "Ichigo, I'm here. Can I come in?" she asked. There was still no reply. Getting a bit worried, Rukia opened the door and walked in. "Ichigo, I'm here..." Rukia's voice trailed off and paused as she laid her eyes on the room in front of her.

Back in their room, Byakuya rubbed his shoulder. He was a lot more sore than he imagined. Then again... what did he expect from getting rammed from Renji. The six-foot Goliath... he'll have to remember not to allow him to stay over at his house the next time he asks.

It was then that Byakuya was distracted by the sound of footsteps softly entering the room. He turned to see Rukia in the doorway, her head hung low and her eyes red.

"Rukia?" Byakuya whispered. Why did she look so sad? Maybe it was...

"Ichigo..." she whispered. Byakuya went cold. Did he... "He's gone..." Byakuya stood up and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her.

"Rukia, I'm so sorry... I didn't know he was going to..."

"No, I mean, he's gone... he left." she said next, perplexing Byakuya. He pulled away and looked at Rukia. He was so confused. What did she mean... left? "Isane told me she didn't find him anywhere in the hospital and figures he went out the window because it was wide open when I walked in... he left, Byakuya... he's gone." Rukia turned her head away. She didn't mean it when she told him he could leave. She didn't mean it at all! She wanted him to stay. She regretted what she said... how the hell could she be so stupid? Now he really was gone... and it was all her fault...

Byakuya didn't know what to say. He expected Ichigo to act a little strange for a while, but not to just up and leave like that... this was unfortunate... but the question was... where did he go?

Not knowing what to say, Byakuya hugged Rukia tightly again, feeling her shiver in an attempt to stop crying again. "I'm sorry Rukia..." was all he could say.

Byakuya walked down the hallways of the hospital to find Yoruichi and Renji. They were being discharged this afternoon and they should at least know that Ichigo was gone and wasn't going to be coming home with them. It was a sad thought. Especially since Rukia loved being around Ichigo. She did love him... and this probably broke her heart more than anything.

'I thought he was acting odd last night...' Byakuya thought to himself. He's read the minds of people before. He saw that Ichigo had a strange look to his face last night. A face of hard and prolonged thought. 'Is this what he was planning last night? Was he really planning on running away like this? But why...?'

"Hey." Byakuya nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard that voice. Was that...?

Byakuya turned and felt his eyes go wide at whom he was staring at. "Izuru?" he gasped when he saw the tall blonde in front of him. Izuru smiled half-heartedly at him.

"Came to see you to make sure you were all okay." he said. Byakuya couldn't believe what he was hearing. Izuru really came to see him?

"Yes... we're all okay." Byakuya replied, still surprised to hear what Izuru said.

"Also," Izuru started. Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "I came to tell you your house is spared from being destroyed from the fire." Byakuya's jaw dropped.

"R-really?" Byakuya stuttered. How unprofessional of him. Izuru nodded.

"Mhm." he smiled again. "I kinda asked the fire company to go to your house after I realized you weren't home. I also got your car repaired." he said. Byakuya was stunned to say the least. Izuru did all of this for him? But... why? Also...

"Uh, Izuru... that car didn't happen to be red, was it?" Byakuya asked. Izuru gave him a curious look.

"Yeah, why?"

Byakuya chuckled. "That's not my car. That's Renji's." Izuru blushed and cleared his throat.

"O-oh... I thought your car was darker the last time I saw it..." Izuru said. Byakuya smiled.

"I appreciate it though. I'm sure Renji will too." Byakuya said.

"So, how's everyone? Is Ichigo all right? I can only presume that he got hurt too." Izuru asked, but regretted it when Byakuya's face went dark. Giving an unsure, horrified look, Izuru whispered, "Byakuya... he didn't die, did he?" Byakuya looked at him and shook his head.

"No," he answered, relieving Izuru, "But he is gone." Izuru blinked.

"Gone? I don't understand." Izuru was just as confused as Byakuya when Rukia first told him.

"Rukia told me he ran away last night... we have no clue where he went or why he even left... but I figured he was going to do something strange. It's just that, we didn't expect him to do this." Byakuya turned away.

"What did you expect him to do?" Izuru asked.

"I don't know. Be depressed or something, but not just vanish the way he did." Izuru nodded, seeing where Byakuya was getting at. Then again, he's seen people do more than just run off like this after a tragedy. Lots of the time people commit suicide. Which Izuru hoped Ichigo wasn't planning.

"I heard you were being discharged today. I'm sorry Ichigo won't be coming back with you guys." Izuru apologized.

"Not your fault," Byakuya replied. "He probably left because of me... after all, I did almost get him killed..." Byakuya said. Izuru shook his head.

"No," he said, but paused, prompting Byakuya to look at him. Izuru blushed. "I mean, we all make mistakes and we learn from them. I guess that Ichigo was a life lesson in some way..." Izuru trailed off. Byakuya nodded. He never would've thought he would need a complete stranger in his life. Mainly for his sister's sake.

"Hey, Byakuya!" the two men looked around and saw Renji and Yoruichi walking down the hallway towards them. Izuru stepped back as they got closer. "We're getting ready to leave." Renji said. "Allison'll be back soon. She wanted to go back to my place to get me some clothes so we can go." Renji said. "Though, I can't help but think she's going to do more than just get me clothes..." Yoruichi rolled her eyes.

"Ignore him. So, is Ichigo and Rukia ready to go?" she asked. Byakuya froze at the question and looked to Izuru. Izuru gave him a helpless look.

"It's best if you tell them. I'll leave you two alone." Izuru dismissed himself and walked away silently, getting a pissed-off look from Renji.

"Byakuya, what did he mean by that? And who the hell was that! I don't remember inviting a blonde-haired guy here!" Renji yelled back at Izuru. Byakuya put his hand to Renji's shoulder to stop him from attacking Izuru.

"He's my ex-co-worker." Byakuya answered. Renji's face changed to surprise. "And I wouldn't yell at him like that. After all, he did save your car from total destruction from the fire." Byakuya warned.

"R-really?" Renji stuttered. Byakuya nodded approvingly. "My baby is alive! Woo-hoo!" Renji cheered. Yoruichi elbowed him in the side hard, making Renji groan loudly in pain.

"Renji, knock it off. Why did he walk away when I mentioned Ichigo? Is he all right?" Yoruichi said on the defense. Byakuya sighed. He dreaded having to do this... "Byakuya? What's going on!" Yoruichi raised her voice. Byakuya looked to her.

"Ichigo left the hospital some time during the night while we were asleep yesterday." their eyes went wide in astonishment. "He's gone. And we'll have to return home without him." he finished. Yoruichi's jaw dropped.

"Left?" she repeated.

"What do you mean left?" Renji cut in. "How the hell can somebody just leave the damn hospital? And especially Ichigo! What's his deal? And what about Rukia?" he yelled.

"We think he escaped through the window. Don't forget, we are on the first floor. It's only a two-foot drop to the ground and you're out." Byakuya said. Renji was in disbelief. He couldn't fucking believe this.

"This is bullshit! I can't believe he just ran off like that! What a pussy!" Renji yelled. Yoruichi glared at him.

"Renji!" she yelled. "He was probably scared, Renji. Maybe he wanted to leave. Don't forget, he's also an adult. We can't force him to stay in one place. Even if it is for his own good." Yoruichi frowned and looked away. "And maybe he really wanted to run, but came back just to save Rukia. There's a number of reasons, but unfortunately, we'll never know Ichigo's reason... and we'll have to leave it at that." she sighed and Renji figured she was right. After all, he just appeared out of the blue one day. Just like a common stray...

"I guess you're right... but it's sure as hell wrong of him to do that to Rukia." Renji growled. Byakuya's eyes narrowed.

"I agree. She isn't taking this well. And I'm not sure if she'll cope with this well at all when we get home." Byakuya looked to them. "No matter. We leave in twenty minutes. Renji, go and tell Izuru your thanks for saving your car." Byakuya ordered. Renji nodded.

"Of course." he said and turned and went out to the waiting room. He then turned to Yoruichi. "You go get Rukia. It's best if you talk to her. I'm no good at it..." Byakuya groaned.

"You're damn straight you're no good at talking to girls." Yoruichi laughed, walking away. Byakuya felt irritated now. That damn woman... she's lucky his house was rescued by the fire. But other matters aside, he had to go check him and Rukia out of the hospital, and return home. Without Ichigo.

Gee, I bet THAT was a punch to the face, huh? You sit through a long, torturous wait to see if Ichigo survives and you finally find out he does and then BAM! HE'S GONE! BYE-BYE! HASTA LA VISTA, ICHIGO! I love torturing you guys. Damn, that was a lot of heart-break in THAT chapter, huh? Between Byakuya's finding of a dead Hisana, and Rukia and Ichigo. Too much to bear! But DON'T FRET! This is NOT the last chapter! Not at all! Next chapter, and the final chapter, will reveal the ending to The Stray! Yes, I'm sorry, but it was a good story, right? I hope so. I spent practically a year on it!

So our lovable Ichigo survived! But, he's vanished! *le gasp!* where did he go? Will Rukia ever see him again? Or will she have to live life without him, only having the memories of the beloved ginger to cling to? Find out in the next, and last, chapter of The Stray!

*Thanks to all of the awesome reviewers and favourites and followers and those who patiently waited for the chapters to come out. You guys are awesome. I couldn't do it without you!

*Also, sorry for any mistakes! Thanks, guys!