The Spaces In Between

AN: I miss Rukia in the manga. I just need my Ichiruki fix. Because there's none in the manga currently. Tite Kubo is a meanie head like that:p

He was almost finished with high school. And he was probably still friends with Chad, Uryu and Orihime. He and his dad still probably fought every morning. He was still affectionate to his little sisters, and stubborn about everything. He was probably trying to get his powers back, and training himself into the ground.

It wasn't that she was wondering what he was doing, it was not being there to see it that made her ache. Ichigo was such a strange creature, and she missed being a part of his life. Did he even think about her? Was she still important to him? Would he still come to her rescue if her life depended on it, like he had done a million times before? Of course he would. But would it be out of duty? Out of friendship?

She had always felt close to him. Always. She remembered watching him as she faded away, remembered all the battles, remembered watching his powers strengthen, grow and fade away. They had known each other all of a few years, and already they had become connected. They didn't need to speak. They always knew what the other was thinking.

Was that something their months apart could undo? They had been separated before, and always they went into the synch of being friends again effortlessly. They were comrades, and close ones at that. But when she saw him next, would they smile and continue as they usually did, or would it be awkward?

She wished she could go back and see him. She needed to see him. But that wasn't possible. Not right now.

She probably still drew weird, and dorky pictures with lots of rabbits. She was still a member of the Thirteenth Division with a white sword. She was still stubborn and tiny and good at kicking when she was angry. She was still adopted into the Kuchki family. Still friends with Renji, and in the Shinigami Women's Association.

He knew what she was up to, but he still wondered how she was. Did she ever think about him? It had been quite a while since he had last seen her. She had sparked his powers, taught him everything about hollows. When he got stronger, she was proud of him. When he was weak she kicked him into shape. He knew he could get his powers back, but he wished she was the one helping him do it.

She had lived in his closet, followed him to Hueco Mundo, and saved his ass a million times. Would he ever see her again? And when he did would she be glad to see him? Would it be hard talking to her? They led two very separate lives, but they had never not seen each other for such a long time.

But until he saw her again, there wasn't anything he could do. He needed to get his powers back so he could protect his family and friends again. He had to.

He just wished he could talk to Rukia.

AN: I like this oneshot. Maybe I'll add to it, but it depends.