Summary

The Kuchiki siblings are beginning to truly understand what it means to not have Kagome's prescence in their lives. Then, Rukia gets the call to arms...

A/N: I really need to smack myself really good for being so damn late on this... Other than that, don't really have much to say other than moving the plot along. Something of a filler, but a necessary one. Enjoy!

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Life resumed normalcy for most everyone. At least, everyone that hadn't been, in some way, affected by Kagome's absence. Those that knew the priestess felt the loss. Had the woman been privy to how many visitors she got a day, she would have been shocked, and maybe a little embarrassed. Members from not just her own squad, but several others came by to murmur a few words of encouragement, some of them more often than others. Her room in the coma recovery ward was usually filled with flowers, small trinkets, and get well cards. Miroku had become surprisingly adapt at accepting the gifts for his friend.

Waving goodbye to the quirky blonde Lieutenant from Squad 10 and her small highly irritable Captain, the monk slid the door shut and began changing out the dried out bouquets around the room. Smiling to himself, the perverted man glanced at his sleeping friend and shook his head.

"My friend, you have, once again, managed to blow my mind. Just how many lives have you changed here? You have been visited by what I'm sure is nearly everyone in the Sereitei. I seem to meet a new face whenever I turn around." Reaching out, Miroku patted Kagome's hand and continued to babble about nothing in general.

It was a quiet day ultimately.

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The return to routine was especially difficult for the Kuchiki siblings.

'Were things really this dull before I met Kagome?' Rukia wondered, slowly making her way to the wing of the Medical Ward the former school girl was situated in. There were rarely comatose patients in the squads, so the only other occupant she knew was there was Lieutenant Hinamori, whom was recovering from Aizen's betrayal. 'I wonder how Nii-sama is faring... I'm sure he's taking this especially hard.'

If her brother had been considered cold before, he was downright frigid now. He didn't really speak to anyone, and he was usually in a foul mood when he had to. It had caused tensions in his squad to run high, and several members made sure to stop by and complain to the only female in their squad. Rukia sighed quietly to herself and absently nodded at Sango as they passed in the hallway.

After getting into Kagome's room and taking a seat, she started talking about her day and everything that had been going on recently. A few hours into her visit, the small noble sighed and leaned back in her chair.

"They're actually going to be sending me back to the World of the Living. Apparently there is a new type of Hollow making a ruckus in Karakura Town and Ichigo's going to need some actual help there. I won't be able to visit for a little while, Kagome." Reaching out, she touched the sleeping priestess's hand and smiled. "I really hope you wake up soon. We all miss you." A dark fluttering at the window made her glance up and hold out her hand to allow the Hell Butterfly to rest on her fingertips.

"... I see. I will report at the Senkaimon tomorrow morning, then. Thank you." This tiny creature rippled its' wings and left. After a moment of silence, Rukia stood up with a grim determination lining her features. "I'll see you soon, Kagome."

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Byakuya slid the door closed with a soft click, allowing his vision to adjust to the deepening shadows of the evening. It was after visiting hours, but he knew Captain Unohana understood his schedule perfectly well. Silent footfalls carried the Captain to the edge of the bed and he took a seat next to the quiet girl sleeping in the bed. A few moments later, he finally spoke.

"Rukia left this morning. It's quiet at the manor again." He received no response, though he wasn't expecting one either. "I hate it. I never realized how badly the solitude affected me." He gave Kagome a considering look, reaching out to brush his fingers through her bangs. "You've changed me. Or, perhaps, you fixed me. I no longer know." His hand trailed down her cheek, so still in sleep that it actually made him stop to check the pulse fluttering steadily under her chin to ensure she was breathing.

Taking a deep breath, the normally put-together noble put his head in his hands resorted to begging. No one would hear the desperation in his voice. "Please come back. Please... Wake up..."

Outside the door, Miroku clenched his fists as he stared up at the ceiling, unconsciously asking the same things.

'Kagome... We need you.'

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A/N: Guh! I don't know why this chapter gave me fits so badly. I swear I never meant to take this long. Everything's been so crazy in the real world, I just simply haven't had the time I've been needing to sit down and get this done. As I type, it's 12:30 in the morning where I am and I'm so exhausted. Anyways, sorry about the shortness, but that's about all there is for this one. Next chapter will hopefully be up soon. Bear with me guys.

Also, I'm thinking of doing a little extra aside. An amusing one where Kagome tells the story about the first bar fight she got into. I don't know, just babbling at this point. Okay! Sleep! Me! Now!

Reviews and comments are always welcome. Thanks!