Rukia's POV
Summary: Rukia contemplates on the meaning of the word 'home' and wonders where that place is for her.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Home is where the heart is, at least, that's what people always tell me. Kaien-dono told me that a 'heart' is formed between two people, so by simple analysis, home would be a place where people who you love gather.
Earlier, I tried to show Ichigo a diagram I drew about home, he seemed to understand it, his criticism of my drawings aside, he told me that I was missing the whole point. He told me that home is where you can come back to and feel welcome. It's where you be yourself and nobody cares if you're being crazy. It's where you live, and where the people who love you live too.
After he told me that, I left for Soul Society. I had to go to the Kuchiki Mansion to get something, and after that, I had to go to the 13th Division to hand in a report. As I was walking I thought about what Ichigo said a bit. When I got to the Kuchiki Mansion's front gate I realized something: the Kuchiki Mansion is not my home.
In this mansion, I had to watch my attitude, my manners, my posture, my everything, just to make sure that I don't do something wrong. That place is stifling and cold, not warm like a home is supposed to be like. As I exited the front gate I knew it. Yes, the Kuchiki Mansion is not my home.
I walked to the 13th Division's barracks, my mind still too preoccupied with finding out where my home is to try and flash step there. Along the way, I knew that the 13th Division's barracks isn't my home either. Passing through the halls of the barracks I saw that as in the Kuchiki mansion, I had to watch my every step, so that I don't dishonor the family name. I had to work hard so nobody would question my presence at the division. Even though Ukitake-taichou, Sentaro-san, and Kiyone-san do make me feel welcome, the others at the barracks still keep me at arms length. As I left to head to the Senkai gate I confirmed it. No, 13th Division's barracks isn't my home either.
Oddly enough, Ichigo's room was home. Even though he told me that his closet isn't mine, he kept my space there when I was gone, as if he was making sure that I had a place to go back to in case I decided to stay in the real world. It was a nice gesture, and I came back just like he thought I would.
Ichigo was right. So were the people who believed in that cliché saying. Ichigo's room was home, it's where I feel welcome, though Ichigo says I'm not. It's where I can be myself. It's where I live and where the person I love lives too.
Every time I went out for an errand, I'd leave a coded note, every time I came back I'd always say 'I'm back'. As I came in, he looked up.
"I'm home," I announced. It felt nice to say that.
"Welcome back," he acknowledged.
I smiled to myself and then entered my closet. As I was closing the door, I heard him whisper:
"It's about time you realized it."
I know it's short and I'm sorry, but I'm new at this so please bear with me.
Anyway, plesae review!