Questions
"I'm Rukia Kuchiki," I'm a Soul Reaper, and I have been sent here to protect this town from Hollows." she said.
Ichigo looked at Rukia with surprise. "What do you mean?" he inquired, not understanding her sudden admission. Stepping forward, squaring his shoulders, glaring at Rukia once more: "Once again, let me ask: what are you doing here Rukia?"
Rukia gazed up into his face, her expression unreadable "I am here on the orders of my superiors."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "What kind of orders?"
"I can't tell you that Ichigo, It's a classified mission."
"Classified mission or not, I think you owe me an explanation. After arriving here and acting strange in class, Sayuri suddenly recalls memories which she couldn't remember before seeing you. What's going on?"
Rukia shrugged. "I can only tell you this much: I am here to investigate a matter that is of great significance to the Soul Society."
"What does this have to do with Sayuri?"
Rukia hesitated for a moment before responding: "The matter is somehow connected with her past."
"Her past? What does that mean?"
Rukia hesitated. "I'm not sure. All I know is that she is connected to the situation in some way."
Ichigo frowned. "How? What is she involved in?" he asked.
"Look all I know is that she must be linked to the situation somehow."
Ichigo shook his head, exasperated. "So, you're telling me Sayuri is in trouble, and you don't know why or how?" he demanded.
Rukia nodded. "That is correct. Unfortunately, I can't give any more details than what has already been provided here; all I can promise you is that I will try my best to discover what has transpired here."
Ichigo looked at her with distrust. "How can I trust you?" he inquired.
Rukia met his gaze steadily. "I don't owe you anything. All I can promise you is that I will honor my word and do my best to assist.
Ichigo knew it was only fair for him to accept her offer; without guidance or help he couldn't figure out where to begin on his own.
"Fine. I'll take your word for it; however, you need to understand that should you ever betray me I won't forgive."
Rukia nodded. "Understood. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and investigate this matter further."
Ichigo watched as Rukia moved away, dissipating into the shadows. He sighed and shook his head. He had no idea what was going on, but one thing was certain: he needed to find out more about this "situation", and fast. And to do that, he would need to find out more about Rukia's mission.
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Ichigo had planned a date with Sayuri at a public park to ensure no one outside their relationship knew about what information he had just acquired.
He noticed Sayuri had already arrived, waiting patiently. Her eyes twinkled with excitement as the sun illuminated them; long waves of her dark hair cascading down her back into soft waves as her long locks fell towards the floor. As he approached, Sayuri smiled shyly.
"Hey Ichigo! How are you?"
He smiled back, relieved that she seemed relatively calm after what had transpired recently.
As they gazed upon one another, he gave her a small half-smile. A sudden warmth filled his chest as they exchanged glances.
"I'm fine," he hesitantly responded. "I just needed to speak to you about something."
Sayuri asked in an approachable voice "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"
Ichigo took a deep breath before looking away, uncertain where or how to start. But then he felt something touch his arm; when he turned around, he saw Sayuri staring into his eyes with understanding and patience in her expression.
"I… Rukia...is a Soul Reaper..." Ichigo stated casually. His words came flowing out easily as they made their way from his lips.
Sayuri gasped, her eyes widening.
"A Soul Reaper? How…" Ichigo shook his head, unable to explain.
"I don't know. All I know is that we spoke and that she was fighting a hollow when I approached. She informed me she was here for some reason."
Sayuri inquired as she looked directly into Ichigo's eyes, her mind racing with thoughts. "What kind of reason could there be?" Sayuri inquired with concern in her tone.
Ichigo didn't have an answer. "I don't Know. But I think she has something to do with your past." Ichigo suggested.
Sayuri's face softened as she nodded.
As they conversed, neither one noticed a figure lurking in the shadows.
Orihime had been watching them with great curiosity after following Ichigo here to ask what was going on after their display in class, yet the conversation she overheard was completely unexpected.
Orihime had never heard of Soul Reapers before, yet she found them endlessly captivating. While she did not understand exactly what Sayuri's encounter with Rukia meant, she knew it was something important.
It was a single moment of raw, vulnerable emotion. Ichigo, her best friend, and confidante was speaking quietly but with a strength that resounded in Orihime's chest.
"Sayuri, I love you with all my heart and will do whatever is necessary to protect you."
Orihime felt as though she'd been struck by lightning. She wanted to look away and run, yet her feet remained planted firmly on the ground. Her heart began beating wildly within her chest with pain she'd never known before.
Sayuri stood there, speechless at Ichigo's sudden confession. They looked into each other's eyes and Orihime realized how much they shared together.
Sayuri nodded her head as Ichigo admitted his confessions.
Orihime was too close, too close to this confession which should have stayed concealed from public knowledge.
Yet she simply could not move, even if that meant witnessing someone she had secretly and silently loved confess their feelings to another.
Orihime found herself helpless against shock. Attempts at controlling her breathing failed her as all she could do was stand still in silence, stunned.
Sayuri and Ichigo exchanged an embrace, an act of love that Orihime could never hope to duplicate. She watched in admiration as they shared an intimate kiss too beautiful for words.
Orihime felt an overwhelming sadness set in. She felt she was being privy to an intimate secret she wasn't supposed to know about.
The moment seemed to stretch on forever, and then it was over. The two of them parted, Sayuri with a wide smile on her face and Ichigo looking a little embarrassed.
Orihime couldn't help feeling jealous as she watched Sayuri receive such sweet words from someone close to her heart and share this momentous moment together.
She found herself standing alone and forgotten in the shadows, longing to tell Ichigo how she felt.
Orihime was about to leave when she heard Sayuri bid farewell to Ichigo and watched as he hugged her tightly - Orihime silently wished it could have been her instead.
