Ichigo was scowling at Rukia, and she had no expression on her face. I wasn't sure what to think. Was I one of them, or what was I? I didn't know what it meant for me but it meant that I was something entirely different than they were expecting.

"So what should we do?" Ichigo asked her.

Rukia looked flustered. "I don't know. We might have to go to Soul Society; they haven't seen anything like this before either. It's really strange."

"Do you really think going into Soul Society like that is really a good idea?" Ichigo snapped at her.

"I don't know what else we can do! If they come after her, she isn't safe. No one is for that matter when it comes to him."

"I can take him. I did last time." Ichigo look dead serious.

"You almost didn't make it last time! Don't be stupid Ichigo." She growled at him.

I just stood there and listened, not really having an opinion on what was happening, because I didn't really understand what we needed to do. I just didn't want to endanger anybody. But in reality, was anywhere safe anymore?

"I'm not being stupid. I'm just saying when it comes to her, I'm going to kill him before he can touch her!" Ichigo growled loudly.

Rukia got in his face. "When you can get stronger. Then you can take him on."

Ichigo looked frustrated. "So you think taking her to Soul Society is going to solve the problem?"

"No, I don't. But it's a temporary solution until we can figure out what the heck is going on with her!"

Listening to the them, it was as if they were speaking of somebody else. That really didn't bother me; I really wished they were talking about somebody else. This didn't seem real. It felt like I was in a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. And if I couldn't wake up, then the nightmare would never end. Sadly, it was reality. And reality really sucked.

"Rukia, we can't just flee to Soul Society because that is the easiest solution. Half the time, those end up being the wrong ones." He glared at her.

"What do you want me to do?!" She shouted. "That's the safest way right now."

"Yeah, whatever." Ichigo sighed. "I'm done arguing. If you want to take her there, fine. I can't even go. I know my dad would be upset." He just looked plain tired now.

I'm not sure what sort of expression was on my face. But Ichigo frowned when he looked at me. I must've been upset, and I was beginning to feel it. I went outside and sat down on the porch, putting my head in my hands, my elbows on my knees. If they wanted to make me go, they'd have to drag me. I didn't want to go alone.

Ichigo sat down next to me, but I didn't look up. I didn't have anything to say to him.

"Saru…I'm sorry but I really can't go with you…" He sounded flustered.

"Fine, whatever." I tried to sound like I didn't care, but it didn't work.

"It's only temporary."

I glared at him. "How long is temporary? How long am I going to have to stay in a place that I have never been to, by myself?!"

He flinched. "I don't know."

"Yet you still have to send me alone."

"I can't go. I have to stay here with my family. I have to keep an eye out for the Arrancar…" He trailed off.

"Fine. I'll go alone." I stood up and went back inside, and into the bathroom, and locked myself in.

I didn't come out, even when there was a knock on the door. I wasn't going to come out. I didn't want to talk to him. Since he couldn't come with me, I needed to adjust not being with him all the time. For all I know it could be months before I end up seeing him again, if I really do have to go to Soul Society, but at the moment I didn't care. If going somewhere without him was the only solution, then I'd have to adjust to being alone. Otherwise it would be more painful to go. I knew I was just attempting to justify my behavior.

"Saru." He said through the door, his voice muffled. "I know you're upset. I'm sorry. It's not like you're going to be alone the entire time. I just go right away. Not until I get things figured out here, because who knows how long you'll have to stay."

"Whatever." I snapped. I wasn't in the mood.

He sighed angrily. "Are you going to stay in there all day?"

"Yes."

"You're being ridiculous."

"I wasn't expecting to have to go to this place alone!" My voice cracked and I had to fight back sobs.

"I would go if I didn't have to figure stuff out."

"What stuff?!"

"Just things with my family. If I just up and disappear for who knows how long they'll freak out. I don't want to go anywhere without them knowing something-even if it's just a story."

I didn't answer. I knew that's what he needed to do, but I still didn't like it. I wanted him to come with me, even if that was really selfish. I just didn't know what to think. I finally sighed; I was being ridiculous.

"Do I really have to go?"

"It's the safest solution at the moment. Trust me, I don't want to send you there."

Suddenly Rukia could be heard. "It's not a bad place to be. You can get some 'official' training while you're there."

I huffed. "So I really have to go."

She sighed. "Yes, but I promise you it's not that bad. You can even stay with me if you want to. I can help you train which would probably help us get this weird…thing sorted out."

"Um, okay."

"I have to go call them, I'll be right back." Rukia's voice faded away.

I didn't say anything. I had nothing to say but I did get up and open the bathroom door, and ended up getting swept into Ichigo's arms. We were both completely silent. There was nothing to be said, or done. I was getting sent away, and who knew how long it would be before we saw each other again. Days…or weeks. I didn't want to think about that.

He continued to hold me, even when Rukia came back, looking a little agitated. "She's permitted to go, but not until tomorrow afternoon. My brother will be coming to get us both."

I didn't answer, but I felt relief that I'd have today with him. Even Ichigo seemed to relax. But then there was a knock on the door and he sighed, and stomped down the stairs. I trailed behind him. He opened the door, and suddenly slammed it, and grabbed my arm, and I was suddenly being dragged. Before I even knew what was going on, I was suddenly locked in the bathroom again with Rukia. Ichigo had gone back downstairs and before I could ask her, she knocked me out of my body and dragged me out the window and suddenly we were running.

"What's going on?" I asked as we got farther away.

"There was an Arrancar in a gigai at the door. Which means Ulquiorra can't be far."

My heart dropped into my stomach.