Bleach One-Shot-ish
Genre: General/Friendship/Romance
Rating: G. Maybe a bit PG.
Pairing: Ichigo/Rukia, one sided Ori/Ichi
Implication Of The Moment
"Due to the number of injuries, not a person shall be allowed to step foot into Hueco Mundo until further notice" Yamamoto Genryuusai announced, rather bitterly in the presence of Captain and Vice captain of Gotei 13, Rukia, the 'ryokas' along with Urahara Kisuke and Shihouin Yoruichi. Urahara hid behind his hat as the bearded man gave him a sharp, intent glare.
"We succeeded on retrieving Inoue Orihime. However, Aizen still has grasp over Hougyouku and no doubt, he'll use it to expand his minion at a terrifying pace"
Ichigo grunted. He doesn't need to be reminded of this.
"Until then, ALL shinigamis in Court Of Pure Souls shall be constantly armed. Training would be doubled. Be on guard. I'll assign two captain and vice-captain to regularly check the living world. You," Yamamoto shifted his attention to Ichigo and the other living world occupants, "Kurosaki Ichigo, Quincy Ishida Uruu and Sado Yasutora, I will leave the living world's safety to you. You will also make sure of Inoue Orihime's safety, am I clear?"
The three nodded. Inoue gulped, feeling slightly self-consciouss over the precautions taken for her.
"Kuchiki Rukia.." Yamamoto continued. Rukia met his gaze, feeling uneasiness coming. "You're the only shinigami having no rank that got involved deeply into this. Because of this, you will train to develop your skill for the upcoming battle in Soul Society and nowhere else." As he said this, his gaze flickered to Byakuya, then Renji.
Rukia's eyes widened slightly, but wasn't surprised much. She opened her mouth to say something when Yamamoto cut her off. "No comment."
She flinched, but quickly returned to a solemn state. "Yes, sir.." she murmured.
Inoue looked at her friend, sympathetically then looked at Ichigo. He was gazing away from the crowd, looking at an emptiness. He slowly, reluctantly, returned his attention to the crowd as Yamamoto started instructing once more. However, Inoue didn't miss his gaze slowly set on the petite, raven-haired shinigami with eyes filled with various emotions, it's almost indescribable yet at the same time captivating. She grabbed her chest, begging the odd throb growing in it to stop.
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"Ano, what would you like to drink?" Inoue asked cheerfully to the four guest sitting around her dining table.
Ichigo sets his brown jacket onto the table. "Ah, no thanks. We're not gonna be long," he replied.
"Yeah, we just want to make sure you arrived at your home safely," Ishida flashed a gentle smile at the auburn haired girl. She returned it.
Rukia nodded in agreement.
"Oh..." the shinigami girl muttered, rummaging the backpack she got with her, "Urahara told me to give you these. It's a special phone that's similar to mine. It can detect hollows, espadas and others. But he also made certain adjustments. Your reiatus would be displayed differently on the phone," she explained as she displayed four phones on the table. It all dissappeared before she could say "Go ahead, pick one."
"Oh, I must be the arrow." Ishida commented as he stared at the phone screen.
"This cross is me..."
"Oooh, that flower must be me!!"
"Please tell me I'm NOT the strawberry on the screen...."
Rukia chuckled at the last comment. "Who else in here is named ICHIGO, baka-mono." This received a glare from Ichigo. The said boy finally gave up and sighed, "Urahara bastard..". Everyboy laughed softly.
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"Ja ne, Inoue," Ichigo nodded at the girl, as Chad and Ishida went out of sight. Inoue waved at the orange haired teen.
"Ano...Kuchiki-san..."Inoue mumbled at the raven-haired girl standing in front of her beside Ichigo.
"Hai?" she smiled. A sincere smile.
Inoue closed her eyes tightly, trying to contemplate the feeling inside her. It was a mixture of sadness and guilt along with gratitude blended together. She suddenly flung herself at the petite girl and gave her the biggest bear hug.
Rukia was most definitely surprised. .."Inoue....?"
One minute passed.
"Aaaah, gomen..." Inoue yelped, backing away. Rukia was still left puzzled, her mind filled with thousands of 'wth?'
"It's just that....," Inoue looked at the ground. Looking strainght to her eyes. THEIR eyes were just too difficult. "Arigatou..." she broke off...."I hope you come back soon." Inoue found that she really meant it.
Rukia was definitely surprised by this, but the most gentle expression on her face soon replaced that. She patted Inoue's shoulder. "It's a promise." she nodded.
Ichigo, who was watching the whole time, found himself begging for the same thing inside. He subconscously curled his lip upward by a bit.
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Ichigo opened his room door and was greeted with darkness. Inside, he found that the only source of light was lit by the full moon from his window, where a certain raven-haired female sat by it on the bed, gazing toward the shimmering white object.
On HIS freakin bed. In the darkness.
Dear lord...the implication...
"Oi, Rukia. Turn on the lights," he growled, pressing the switch on the wall. The room was immediately lit, and Ichigo found himself staring at a pair of angry violet eyes.
BAM.
His face collided abruptly with a very hard object. Ichigo guessed that it would be one of her sketch pads. "Rukia! What the hell..."
"Turn off the light, Ichigo."
"Eh..?" Ichigo muttered, slightly taken aback. Rukia had turned back to the window, a solemn emotion playing on her face. It's not the surprise of her ordering him what to do. Heck, she've been taking control over him (or try to) ever since they met.
Ichigo was surprised that the tone of Rukia's voice was commanding yet gentle, which didn't match her eyes a few minutes ago. And which she barely use on him, especially when demanding something from him.
"The moon looks more elegant in the darkness." Rukia explained softly.
Ichigo contemplated this and sighed, reaching out for the switch and the room was pooled with darkness once more. Ichigo walked over towards his study chair and laughed softly.
"What?" Rukia asked, slight annoyance was implied in her tone.
"Nothing ,really," Ichigo scooted his chair towards the bed and sat on it. He just found it amusing how quickly he can link the moon to Rukia in his mind.
"Moron." Rukia gumbled, turning her attention towards the window once more. Silence danced over them as they gazed at the same full moon in the tranquil night.
"I've told my dad and the twins that you finally found a relative to stay." Ichigo broke the silence. Rukia nodded. "He and Yuzu was ballistic about it," he grinned. This made the petite girl smiled softly.
"When do you think they'll start another big attack?" Ichigo asked, not really expecting a lengthy answer.
"I don't know. Aizen's unexpected but he's always prepared. I'm going for two weeks at the least." Rukia replied, an uneasiness pooled inside her as she imagines a war as horrifying as the last breaking out. The same also goes for Ichigo, yet there's an excitement that he couldn't comprehend exists as he heard her reply.
"Not a long wait huh..." he muttered. So that's the reason for the excitement...
"Soul Society will join forces with you once it started." Rukia looked straight at him and smiled, "until then train hard to control your hollow, Ichigo."
"Ah," Ichigo nodded, grinning. "You'd better be back soon or you'll make Inoue dissappointed." Especially me....
Rukia grinned cockily. " I don't break promises, baka."
They stayed like that, looking at each other amiably in the darkness, bathed in the saccharine light of the moon. Their conversations were short, but implied many promises that they couldn't say to each other in reality.
Rukia moved to the edge of the bed to the space by Ichigo's side, her feet dangled down the bed. "Ichigo. Once the war started...I have a feeling the enemies would be far more stronger and trickier. But even then.." she looked straight into his brown orbs,"let me fight by your side."
Ichigo's eyes widened slightly by her request, filled with dignity and pride. He was overwhelmed by her determination and felt proud of her wanting to fight by him. Yet he found it extremely difficult to say yes or merely nod at her. He looked away from her gaze. The memory of the previous war, of what happened to her after she had fought the Espada returned, which terrified him greatly, if not most. He couldn't comprehend it. Sure, he'd let Renji and Ishida to fight alone, but he trust their powers would protect them. He'd also let Chad but he would prefer that Chad fight with him than being alone. He would allow Inoue but Inoue wasn't the type to fight and Ichigo'll make sure that the enemy was weak. So why doesn't he want Rukia out of all people to get hurt.
She has the power to defend herself.. he repeated to himself over and over again.
Yet even though Rukia's quite a powerful shinigami, and he knows it, he couldn't bear to let her go in the battlefield. Why?
"Ichigo?" Rukia grasped his shoulder. He looked at her. Violet eyes brimmed with determination. He knew the answer right away.
Because she's the one who changed his fate and his world. She became the catalyst in the process of fulfilling his want , protecting a mountain of innocent beings from harm. The girl who gave him her power, which became his friend. Yet, the fact that she changed his world had created a special place in his heart and world for her. One that he'd eternally vow to protect and never let go.
"You'd better train damn hard," he grumbled, looking away. "If you end up in a screwed up state, I'll personally kill you myself...."
Rukia smiled at his response. "Arigatou, Ichigo..."
Ichigo, still staring intently at nothingness nodded.
Showing concern for a warrior's life is an insult to the warrior...
He kept reminding himsef of Renji's words in Las Noches, and the hurt look on Rukia's face. He never wanted to insult or offend her in anyway. Although her drawing skill is an exception.
"I'm going to spend a few moments with your family, for the last time…" said Rukia, she stood up from the bed and headed to the door. "Wanna join us?" she asked.
"Ah. I'll come down soon."
Rukia nodded and exited his room. Ichigo, alone in the darkness in his room, looked at the moon once more. This is how he imagined his world to be with Rukia, dark, but with her as the light, pushing him to see the day.
He WILL get stronger. He WILL protect his precious friends. He WILL dominate his hollow. He WILL use the hope given by Rukia to get stronger and to protect her. And he WILL damn make sure Shinji and the other Vaizards doesn't get any break during his training session.
Owari.
That...was...HORRIBLY...long to write T.T. Not so much romance but in IchigoxRukia scale, this is redish/orange (quite stong moment). Title is also irrelevant for some reason o.O. It's also weird. Owwh x(.
