Him and Her

Him and Her

Author: foxmagic07

Rating: R in later chapters, PG and PG-13 for now.

Italics: thoughts and emphasis

Warnings: (maybe I should say pairings, instead. That might sound better lol). Ichigo/Rukia still going strong! Oh, and here’s a warning you may like. I’ve added a bit more fluff in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Don’t own em, don’t claim em.

So here is another chapter to my fic yep yep. This whole ‘story’ is really a collection of smaller fics that mesh together. Even though they are different ‘stories’, they will all relate to one another.

More fluff in this one…because I can. And this is before the soul-society arc. Maybe ONE DAY I’ll take a leap of faith and do a fic PAST that point. Until then, I’m a coward…and I can live with that.

Thanks to all my reviewers!

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--His feelings and Her resolve

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“You’re doing it all wrong.”

“Would you keep quiet?! I’m trying to concentrate.”

“It doesn’t matter now, you’ve already ruined everything.”

“You’re such a pain in the ass, ya know that?”

“I know…I’m like that on purpose.”

Ichigo sent Rukia one of his best scowls, but she didn’t back down. This was serious business and the girl had no intention of letting it go so easily. They had gotten all prepared to come to the park that morning and train. She, of course, had told him it would be only a couple of hours. It was now 6:30 PM.

“Close your eyes again.”

He blinked.

“DO IT!”

“…fine…” He did as he was told.

“Now…imagine the target in your head. Can you picture its vital points?” The instruction was laid carefully so as not to confuse the boy. “Tell me, what do you see?”

“I see a bunch of sparkly dots.”

“GRRRRR! Are you TRYING to be a smartass?!”

He replied in mock fashion, repeating the answer she, herself, had given earlier. “Yeah…I’m like that on purpose.”

Rukia took a breath. It was no use getting all worked up over nothing. He was always like this, it was just his nature. That’s the whole reason they had been at the park the entire day. He was so damn stubborn.

“Come on, I told you this was serious. I want you to be ready in case you encounter a more dangerous situation someday.”

“More dangerous?” He huffed. “Those stupid Hollows I face every day are nothing. How could things ever get more dangerous?”

Oh how much that boy did not know. His world consisted of nothing more than what lay in front of his eyes. His home, his friends, his family and school…protecting them meant everything.

Finding no more purpose in training, Rukia turned to leave.

He is so strong…and still growing yet. He should know by now…he should be able to sense it. Why is it that he doesn’t see? They will come…I can feel it in these false bones of mine. They will surely come…and he will not be ready.

“Rukia…?” Ichigo followed her gaze to the ever darkening sky. Night had fallen swiftly. How time flew…

“I wonder…” Her voice barely an audible whisper. “How long has it been since I came here?”

“I dunno, a few months?”

She tilted her head heavenward. “Really? It seems so much shorter than that.”

His customary scowl grew lax. This was strange, even for Rukia. The girl was talking in circles and making no sense at all. Since when had she started to care about such things?

Her words came out again, serving only to confuse him more. “Hey, Ichigo…tell me…what will you do once I leave? Will you continue to train? Will you grow stronger in order to avenge your mother?”

“I told you…as long as I have your shinigami powers, I can defeat all the Hollows who dare cross my path. I’ll find that one who killed mom…I’ll find it one day and destroy it. As long as I have just a little longer…”

“That is a promise I’m not sure I can keep. My time is limited, who knows when I will be gone from this world.”

Ichigo’s brow furrowed at the insinuation. Leave? What was she babbling about now? They still had time…her powers hadn’t even come back.

“My time…is running out.”

He grabbed hold of her shoulders and twisted her around so that she had no other choice but to look into his eyes. “What the hell are you going on about? You’re not making any sense.”

Her expression grew soft. His face had become all too readable.

Too long…I’ve been here too long. This place…these people…this boy…I know it all too well. And I find myself now, so reluctant to leave.

It doesn’t change the fact that some day, I will.

“Don’t worry about it; it’s not your concern.” Rukia’s tone turned cold.

“Dammit! Don’t say shit like that!”

“You need to stop worrying over things you can’t fix.”

“I only worry because YOU say things that make me worry.” He retorted.

“Oh…so you are worried…”

“Gah! Sh…shut up! Stop twisting the conversation against me!”

At that moment, Rukia let one of her rare laughs escape. It wasn’t her usual snicker or leer. It was pure and honest. It was during these brief moments when she could toss aside her fears and worries and have fun at Ichigo’s expense. Besides…who knew what tomorrow had in store? Training in the park tonight, fighting to the death when morning finally broke over the horizon. That was just how it was and she accepted it.

That’s why every moment was golden.

“Look at the stars! That set over there looks kind of like a bunny!” She exclaimed.

Ichigo followed to where she was pointing and let a sigh escape. “You’re such an idiot.”

She dropped her hands to her sides and continued to watch the night sky.“Do you think it’s the same as in soul society? The stars I mean.”

“I dunno, never been there.” He kept a straight face. “But I think that no matter where you are…everyone always has the same sky to look up to -even in soul society.”

Her eyes met his briefly.

“No matter where you are, Rukia…we will always be looking at the same sky.”

Looking down, the girl couldn’t help but wonder at how much he really thought about her imminent departure. She would let it be, though. Now was not the time.

“Thanks, Ichigo.”

He allowed himself a small smirk. “Yeah, just don’t get used to it. Now let’s go home.”

“Alright.”

Home…

“Let’s go home.” She agreed.

Above them that night, the stars shone brighter than ever.

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--FIN--

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Okay…the chapter was…eh. I was so nervous about writing even this small amount of fluff. I didn’t know how to handle it. I’m just attempting to build a relationship for them so that I don’t rush into a lemon later on that doesn’t make sense. ><

Thanks for reading and please review!

-foxmagic07