What is she to you?

Ichigo really wished people would stop asking him that. At first, Rukia was the irritating prissy who had invaded his life and his closet without his permission. When he saved Inoue from the hollow that had been her brother, he learnt to accept his new role and the girl who stood by his side and shouted instructions. But it was on the day he failed to avenge his mother that he first felt gratitude towards the small woman he suddenly wanted to lean on.

Watching her being taken away was one of the worst moments of Ichigo's life. He never ever forgot it- the tears in her eyes, the tremor in her voice. What had hit him the most, what caused him the most pain was the pleading expression on her face- why was she sorry? Why was she sorry when she knew that it was his own choice to follow her, to try and save her? Did she expect him to let her run off on her own? Amidst all the resentment he felt, there was also the overwhelming sense of hopelessness and fear- she was going to die and it was all because of him.

When Urahara claimed to know a way to send him to soul society, he didn't hesitate. It had never occurred to him to hesitate, to fear. Fear was something one felt only when there was another option. There was no other choice in his heart but to save her. It didn't matter to him if there was one man against him or a thousand, nothing mattered more than saving her. And when Hanatarou had told him about the pain she was going through, the guilt that she was feeling- he didn't know what he felt like doing more; giving her a good shake and yelling or holding her in his arms and never letting go.

When he first saw her again, he had felt more shame than relief. The slender figure in the white robe was a pale shadow of the strong, confident woman he knew. The expression in her eyes, the half choked way she uttered his name had agonized him.

He had come to save her, but he could not meet her eyes.

Later, he stood with his back to the huge flaming bird that was seconds away from killing her- and he felt completely calm as he looked into her eyes and told her he was saving her, whether or not she liked it. And he did.

He had felt no regrets when he left her in Soul Society, she needed to be there and it was as simple as that. He missed her terribly, more than he would ever admit to anyone. She had changed his world and suddenly, it was empty without her. He realised just how much he needed Rukia when he faced Inoue after he failed to protect her- the way she had tried so hard to be cheerful, to pretend that it was okay. But it wasn't. At least it wasn't until Rukia showed up.

What is she to you?

Well.. what was she? How many people are lucky enough to have a companion like her? Someone who believed in him when no one else, including himself, did. Someone who defied the whole world to stand by him. Someone he could count on, come what may. Someone whose smile could light up his day. Someone whom he loved more than anyone or anything else.

He couldn't define their bond. And didn't need to. They were together, and that was enough.

Author's note: Please let me know what you think. Criticism is welcome. And the lines "He had come to save her, but he could not meet her eyes" are not mine. I saw it on a signature at Bleach Asylum. Credit to the true owner!

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