A/N-This is the second collection of Ichigo & Rukia one shots that I'm starting. If you're familiar with my writing, then you pretty much know what to expect, and if you're new, then prepare yourself for some major IchiRuki love from me. You can also visit the Black & White IchiRuki forum that I recently started to discuss Bleach! I always enjoy talking to fellow IchiRuki fans :) If you like You Tube slide shows, then I have two IchiRuki videos up, and the links are in my profile! Enjoy!
Thank You, Zangetsu
When Zangetsu hears thunder, he lets out a big aggravated sigh. This is always the indication that Rukia is either leaving to go to Soul Society, or she's hurt. Since Ichigo isn't in soul form, Zangetsu isn't sure which it is yet, since Ichigo's thoughts aren't even reaching him, only the thunder.
Why is your heart in pain again Ichigo? What on earth is happening out there?
Zangetsu looks in worry at the sky activity in Ichigo's inner world, and then the hollow appears.
"Something big must be happening. It's been awhile." The hollow says, even though he is as unaware of why this change is happening as Zangetsu is.
"It's because of her." Zangetsu says with a sureness in his voice.
"It's always because of her…at least that's how it's been since I got here." The hollow says in a flippant voice. "She is the key to my awakening."
"She is the key, but not to that." Zangetsu says as he turns his back on the hollow.
She is the key to the blue skies, and happiness in his heart.
"Idiot, what do you think will happen if something happens to her? Even Ichigo wouldn't be able to stand up against me then." The hollow tells him, and Zangetsu takes a few steps away before he turns back.
"Ichigo and I will never let anything happen to her." Zangetsu tells him in a hard voice.
"I know you have a soft spot for her, after all, she's the reason you woke up too." The hollow says with an amused laugh.
"That was only how things started, that is not why I want her to live." Zangetsu says, even though the hollow isn't really listening, since lightening has started to streak across the skies.
"Hmm, I wonder what is happening," The hollow says as he stares mesmerized by the constant lightning, flashing around the inner world.
"Whatever it is, it can't be good." Zangetsu says in a low voice, as he too stares at the sky. Rain hasn't started to fall yet, but Zangetsu thinks it will start anytime now.
Zangetsu can't help but to feel complete shock when Ichigo suddenly lands in his inner world with the two of them.
"Ichigo…what on earth is happening?" Zangetsu asks him, as Ichigo looks around.
"It's Inoue…" Ichigo mutters in aggravation. "She told Rukia that she loves me, and Rukia is packing to leave for Soul Society." Ichigo says in a voice filled with despair.
"What?" Zangetsu says in shock.
"I don't know how to make Rukia stop." Ichigo says softly to Zangetsu, giving him a very helpless look.
"Look around you, Ichigo. This is only going to get worse, if you let her go." Zangetsu says, in a hard voice.
Ichigo looks up at the flashing lightning, and can hear the booming thunder. It's so strong that his inner world is shaking from the tremors of it.
"She has her mind made up!" Ichigo says in a panicked voice.
"Then unmake it!" Zangetsu says, his voice nearly reaching a shout. Ichigo is taken aback by the emotion in Zangetsu's voice.
"What?" Ichigo asks, with uncertainty filling his voice.
"If you let her go…it will be something you will only be able to regret. Could you ever actually find happiness with that other girl? I don't think so. If you end up with that other girl, the rain will never stop falling in here. You'll drown me until we both die. I cannot let you just watch her walk away. You had better do something about this right now. Do whatever it takes, do you hear me?!" Zangetsu says to Ichigo, giving him a hard glare.
"How do I keep her?" Ichigo asks in a pitiful voice.
"Tell her that you love her, tell her that you'll follow her, tell her everything that you've always kept hidden. I don't know why you don't tell her anyways, it will only make your bond stronger if you do. If you had already told her how you felt, she might not be reacting the way she is right now." Zangetsu says in a steely voice.
"When did you become this pathetic anyways? If you want, I can come out and play with Rukia-chan, since you're too chicken to do it yourself," The hollow taunts, and Zangetsu is pleased to see some fire back in Ichigo's eyes.
"Shut up!" Ichigo growls at his annoying inner hollow.
"Go on, you don't have anymore time to waste here." Zangetsu says, and Ichigo nods at him, before he opens his eyes. Rukia is gathering the last of her things. Ichigo stands up and walks over to her to grab her by the shoulders.
"I'm not letting you leave." Ichigo says, more aware of the thunder rolling around in his inner world than he was before he had visited Zangetsu.
"I have to leave." Rukia mutters, and Ichigo tightens his hold on her arms.
"Then I'm coming with you." Ichigo tells her in a tight voice.
"You can't." Rukia says as she drops her bag and turns her head to look back at him.
"Try and stop me." Ichigo tells her in a hard voice.
"I can, you know. I know top notch binding spells. Is that what I have to do to leave here in peace?" Rukia asks him without wavering. Ichigo can feel himself losing what calm he had gained from Zangetsu. He quickly takes a deep breath and gives her a hard glare.
"If you pull that, then I'll just have Urahara open the gate for me. You can't get rid of me that easily." Ichigo tells her quietly, before he pulls her closer so that her back is leaning against his front.
"Don't be foolish," Rukia whispers, since all she can do is feel pain. It hurts to know that her good friend Inoue is in love with Ichigo. Rukia wants to leave because Inoue admitted that she would share her feelings for Ichigo. Rukia doesn't want to be around when that happens.
"It doesn't matter that Inoue is in love with me, I'll tell her the same thing I'm telling you…I only want to be with you, Rukia. I love you." Ichigo says before he lays his cheek against the top of her head and holds her to his body. Rukia doesn't fight to get away, instead, he can only hear her struggling to keep her breathing calm.
"You really will follow me, won't you?" Rukia asks in a small voice, and Ichigo smiles as he keeps his cheek against the silkiness of her hair.
"You'd better believe it." Ichigo tells her. Rukia lets out a big sigh.
"I can't. And you love me?" Rukia asks him next, her voice showing her disbelief. "I didn't think you'd ever actually admit that. I lost my mind a little bit at Inoue's confession." Rukia says before she moves to turn around and face him. Ichigo straightens up and lets go of her so that she can look up at him.
"You can't just leave me. Even Zangetsu knows how important you are to me. Inoue could never mean to me, what you mean to me. Hell, of all of my friends, I feel the least amount of connection to her." Ichigo tells Rukia.
"I guess I have no choice…I'll just have to stay here with you then." Rukia says, as she tries not to smile.
"I told you I love you…don't you have anything to say about that?" Ichigo asks, looking a bit like his feelings are hurt.
"You'll spend the rest of your life making me happy." Rukia informs him, and Ichigo's mouth falls open a bit at that comment.
"What?" Ichigo asks, since he was fully expecting a confession from her in return.
"I expect a lot from you." Rukia says as she stares up at him.
"I expect something from you too," Ichigo grumbles at her, and Rukia's eyes look surprised.
"Like what?" Rukia asks without a clue as to why he's getting so upset.
"When someone tells you they love you…you're supposed to tell them how you feel." Ichigo says in a tight voice. Rukia blushes at that.
"I'd prefer to show you." Rukia finally says as she looks up at him.
Ichigo can feel his heart skip a beat at the way she looks at him. Then she walks away from him to drag over his desk chair. Ichigo watches in confusion until she positions it right in front of him, and then stands on top of it and looks down at him.
Rukia's eyes seem to sparkle as she leans down to kiss him on the lips. She puts her hands into his orange hair and kisses the hell out of him. Ichigo's eyes are closed, but he can see his inner world. Rainbows have appeared everywhere.
Ichigo kisses her back and forgets all about his earlier apprehension and pain.
It's all because of you, thank you Zangetsu.