A/N: Ok, this is an experiment we made, so I´m not saying anything else until you´re done reading. Hope you enjoy!!!

I REALLY don´t own Bleach, if I did, it would be filled with IchiRukiness!!!!

HADO CH 9

"Cuando un hombre sabe a dónde va, el mundo se aparta para dejarlo pasar."

Marden.

Rukia stayed glued to the ground, her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in disbelief. Amethyst orbs were locked with cerulean ones, and she couldn´t recover her composure while staring at the lean, small figure in front of her.

"Is that...?" She cleared her throat, her fingers twitching in anticipation. "Ellie! Is it you? Is that really you?"

Rukia straightened her pose, relieved and happy to see her old-time friend. That is, until she felt the weight of the blonde's cold stare. She hadn't even acknowledged her words.

Instinct took over before she could contemplate the situation. A cold shill shot up her spine, screaming for her body to move. It was confusing. What was this girl to her? An enemy... or merely an old opponent?

Truthfully, she didn't know which was worse.

Dragging herself to her feet, she warily regarded her opponent while doing her best to watch the small boy in her peripheral vision.

There was no way to know where the next attack would come from or when it would occur.

"Ellie", Rukia said, a bit too soft, a little bit too apprehensively. "I´m glad to know you´re alive." Though she was genuinely happy to reunite with such an old friend, she found herself a little reluctant to show it.

The blonde scoffed, a smirk still playing at her lips. "Funny, you didn't concern yourself with my wellbeing before this." She dropped into a lower stance, a few rogue bangs obstructing her vision.

Rukia's eyes narrowed, taking in the obvious intention in the other woman's stance. Her eerily collected words spoke of unseen rage.

"Well, sorry for that, pal." Was Rukia´s cheeky retort. "Too busy in the Academy, you see? Not much time left for chit-chat." She knew it was mean to say it that way, but her patience wore thin. With the week she had, there was no way that she could accept being scolded for no reason.

Ellie´s demeanor changed in that instant as the slightest hurt crossed her features. "Forgive me. I didn't realize it was so tough livin' the good life of a..." She leapt into the air, spinning to deliver a well-aimed kick. "...wannabe shinigami!"

Rukia grit her teeth at the insult, bowing her head and torso to avoid the kick. Immediately recovering and, with one fluid motion, she shoved off the offending leg, aiming to throw the blonde off balance

'Aahh... finally... some adrenaline release.' Rukia jumped backward instinctively, gripping her shoulder as she moved it in small circles.

The blonde pivoted, recovering her balance in a low crouch. Her eyes darkened as she seemed to assess the situation, figuring the odds. "Go back, Daisuke!" she ordered in a soft voice, straightening to her full height; admittedly, it wasn't very intimidating. "This isn't your fight." The boy snapped to attention at the sound of his name, blinking in surprise. Needless to say, he didn't budge an inch.

Rukia smirked, thrusting a fist into the air to test her strength. She looked in pride at her arm, a rush of warmth passing through her being. Yes, she was ready.

"Get ready, blondey." A wide, evil smile played at her lips as she eyed her opponent.

Her movements seemed to blur as she pushed forward. She appeared before the blonde, aiming a kick straight up toward the chin. Without missing a beat, she pivoted around to deliver a follow-up kick to the abdomen.

Ellie sprang backward, narrowly avoiding both attacks by mere fractions of an inch. She skidded to a halt, kicking up a cloud of dust as she locked eyes with her opponent. Resentment clouded her narrowed, cerulean gaze.

Rukia scoffed at the blonde girl, her eyes ablaze with emotion. She was feeling so alive...

"So, blondey, is this wannabe shinigami doing good so far?" The petite girl snickered, resuming a defensive stance.

It was the blonde´s time to attack.

Ellie grinned, shaking her head at the weak attempt of humor. "I've seen better. Guess you've grown -soft- over the years, Ru-ki-a..." Her voice was mocking as she emphasized each syllable. "What are they teachin' you at that place anyway?" She rushed forward, this time honing in on her upper body strength as she tried to catch the other woman with a stiff right hook.

Rukia's eyebrow twitched. Leaning back, she narrowly avoided a fist that sent the slightest breeze past her cheek.

Not wasting the opportunity, she used the momentum of the punch to her advantage. Grasping the blonde's wrist, she pushed upward, redirecting the force and gaining a valuable opening. She threw out a punch, catching Ellie in the ribs. The attack lacked the strength she intended, but it served its purpose.

Ellie stumbled back, clutching her sides as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Her eyes took on a defensive, feral glint as she held her arm up to block any possibility of a second attack. Coughing, she allowed her shoulders to rise and fall for a few moments as she caught her breath. "You..."

Rukia took a step backwards, allowing her to catch her breath

"Well? Enough already?" Her smirk widened as she taunted the girl, pushing her limits. "I might be a wannabe shinigami, but at least I don't wet the bed. Would you happen to know someone that does?" Her eyes took on a mischievous glint, well aware that it was a low blow. She could barely stifle a giggle, recalling memories that should have been long since buried. It would bound to strike a nerve...

HEY!" The blonde´s face flushed pink with an odd combination of embarrassment and fury. She gritted her teeth and rushed forward, raising her fist as if she would strike. Then, at the last moment, she dropped down to the ground and shot her leg out for a sweep.

"Gah!!" Rukia hadn't seen that coming at all. Her back slammed against the ground with a shuddering impact. Wincing, she rolled over and pushed with stinging palms. "That was low!" She forced herself up, leaping into a hasty kick.

"WELCOME TO RUKONGAI!" The blonde shouted, her voice cracking. "We ARE low." She crossed her arms and blocked the kick, skidding back a few feet.

Rukia shoved off the blocked attempt, regaining her balance with a lowered gaze. A slight growl emanated from her throat. She HAD lived in Rukongai! Obviously, her friend was purposefully provoking her now. With rage clouding her eyes, she rushed forward. Feeling provoked, she pushed off of the other girl's crossed arms and arched her back, sending her other leg forward.

Ellie leaned back on instinct, feeling the breeze of something miss her chin by a mere fraction of an inch. That set her heart ablaze with new rhythm as she darted forward, taking advantage of the lapse between attacks. "Did that strike a nerve, Rukia?" she called out, hastily grasping the material of the other woman's kimono. Using opposing force, she pulled her close while jerking up with her knee and connecting on Rukia´s middle.

The raven-haired girl doubled over, the air ripped from her lungs. Her legs wavered as she stumbled, refusing to fall to her knees. Blindly forcing her tight muscles to move, she rounded on her assailant, her expression mirrored the pain that shot through her body as she dropped down low, thrusting her leg out.

"Not a… chance... mimbo."

Ellie felt something connect with her legs and then the world tilted. Without thinking, she reached back to break her own fall. Pain shot up from her wrists as she made contact with the ground in an awkward position. Cursing to herself, she forced her body up and retreated a few feet.

She growled. "What's your problem, anyway? Why did you show up here after all these years?!"

Rukia straightened, clenching her teeth. The thin line between pain and anger had been lost, leaving her emotions unchecked. "MY problem?! What's YOURS? It's not like you own the freaking place!" She huffed, gasping for air. "Why did you attack me in the first place, shrimp? You started it!"

Ellie´s eyes widened. "Shrimp?! You're smaller than I am! You haven't grown at all since you left!" She huffed, crossing her arms. "Besides, unlike some people, I stuck around to take care of the kids that can't take care of themselves. Ya know... until those greedy bastards from Seireitei come out here, chasin' them for candy."

The throbbing in her temple began to synchronize with the twitching of her eye. "G-Greedy bastards?! Watch who you're talking to!" She was already screaming. "And who asked you to stay around, anyway?! It's not like some little girl can protect them. You haven't grown since you were FIVE!"

Ellie´s face explored new shades of red as she stalked toward the other girl. "What else am I supposed to do?! I saw how things went when you left. I wouldn't do that to them." She jabbed her finger out accusingly. "Not now; not ever."

Rukia felt blood rushing to her face as the accusation struck a nerve, rendering her motionless for a moment. She was right. They HAD left them to fend for themselves, after all.

After swearing to protect them, they had left them as strays. The anger slowly dissipated, leaving her exhausted and close to defeat. ....She really -was- intruding.

She huffed once more, trying to catch a grip on the turmoil of emotions that washed over her.

It was then that the slightest breath of laughter escaped her lips, seemingly out of nowhere. The circumstances melted away as a broad smile pulled at her lips; it was like the best joke ever had just occurred to her. Her body convulsed with the intensity of the simmering amusement. Soon, she was bent over, gripping her stomach to control the laughter that wracked her body

Though confused as to how it originated, she couldn't deny the thrill of such a release.

Ellie blinked, taking a leery step backward. "...the hell's your problem?"

After a few moments, Rukia recovered enough to take a step toward the blonde, pointing at her and still giggling. "I... just called you... shrimp!" She lost it again, striking herself on the knee in an effort to gain control.

One of the ridiculous properties of laughter is that it is highly contagious.

The corners of Ellie's mouth twitched upward as she knit her brows in a struggle to remain serious. "You..." She shook her head, feeling it well up within her. "You..." Her petite frame shook as she gave into the giggles. "Damn it, Rukia!"

Both girls were laughing so hard they couldn´t even talk. Rukia, still shaking with laughter, placed a hand on Ellie's shoulder in an effort to support herself. Without warning, she slipped to the ground, giggling wildly.

Ellie felt tears of laughter sting her eyes. "W-What.... what are we doing?" She shook her head, unable to grasp the situation.

Rukia was at the breaking point, about to resort to begging. "I-I... I don't... know!" She held her sides in an effort to contain her laughter, stifling it. "I think... y-you... you were insulting me and I... I was insulting you back." She giggled, realizing how ridiculous it all sounded. "Do you even... remember why?

Ellie blinked. "Well..." Taking a deep breath, she tried to keep the tickling sensation subdued in her chest. "I... I don't know."

Rukia inhaled deeply many times, fighting the painful urge to release the laughter all over again. She knew her body would not resist it.

"Well... being that the case..." she inhaled deeply once more and raised into a sitting position, facing the blonde, the giggling still dangerously close to the surface. "I suggest we make it even and you tell me how you´re doing. How does that sound?" Her smile was still playful, not all the laughter had dissipated out of her glinting eyes. But she was sincere. She had missed her friend.

"I know we weren´t that close, Ellie." She pressed on. "And I really feel sorry for abandoning you and all the kids. But..." the girl hesitated a bit, memories of all the things she had been through washing over her, a dark cloud involuntarily covering her eyes.

The blonde sank to her knees, sitting opposite the other girl. "Don't apologize."

Surprised by the sudden response, Rukia looked straight into the cerulean orbs and smiled. This time sincerely.

"Thank you." She whispered, a bit uncomfortable at the awkward situation.

Ellie looked down, heaving a wary sigh. "Ya know... I never thought I'd see you again."

"What??" This took Rukia by surprise. "Why? It´s not like we were dead or anything."

The other girl shrugged. "You and that annoying kid just rode off into the sunset. It's not like you bothered to give a reason. I mean, I know we were never that close... but still..."

Rukia blinked, this time confused, raising a delicate eyebrow. "That... annoying..." and then she spoke outloud, finally grasping it. "You mean Renji?"

She scrunched up her face, trying to recall. "Yeah, the scrawny boy you hung out with. That was Renji, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, yes he is..." it was time for Rukia to look away, a heavy pain finding its way on her chest. And she knew it wasn´t for the fight. After some moments, she finally spoke, not daring to meet the girl´s stare.

"We had to... leave... this place." Now her eyes were downcast. She still refused to acknowledge those feelings, especially in front of the girl, but she thought that the blonde deserved at least some sincerity. "It was... too painful to bear. Too hard to forget. We... we tried to hide it on our strength, on our training but..."

A sad smile played on her lips, remembering her dear friend. "Renji did. He´s very strong, and he´s got many friends and has become one of the best students on our year."

Ellie rubbed the back of her head and averted her gaze. "Seriously? The scrawny kid's gonna be a hot shot shinigami, huh? Who knew..." There was a lengthy pause as she stiffened, sensing the girl's discomfort. "Look, I didn't mean to conjure up bad memories. I remember when... they died. I know you were close."

That brought Rukia back from the realms of memories, turning to address the girl and smiling again. "Don´t worry, Ellie, that´s on the past and I already got over it, really. I still believe that being a shinigami is the best thing we could´ve done with our lives. Or at least that´s what I´ve thought so far." Then an idea hit her, impressed that she hadn´t realized earlier. "Hey! Now that I think of it, you´re really very strong!! We should´ve brought you with us on that time!! You should become a shinigami! Like us!! "

Ellie blinked, leaning back. "W-What? No, I... I couldn't... no...."

"Noooooo!!!" the girls heard a terrifying cry, and suddenly Ellie felt her neck enwrapped by tiny and lanky arms that were almost chocking her.

Both girls had let the child, Daisuke, slip to the back of their minds. He had watched their sparring, completely motionless, and listened intently to every word exchanged. His expression had changed as realization hit him. That raven haired girl... the older boys still spoke about her. She was the one that abandoned them and now... now she wanted to take Ellie with her.

Ellie's eyes softened as she gently pried his arms apart. "Hey now..." She pulled him around, slinging an arm over his shoulders. "What's the problem here?"

The kid was already sobbing, his nose all dampened. "P-please Ellie! don´t leave us... Don´t l-leave us!!"

Her brows knit as she studied him, seeing the past repeat itself in the eeriest of manners. "Look..." She pulled him back, giving his shoulders a squeeze. "Hey, look... I'm still here." It was strange. Her rough exterior was shed, replaced with something almost maternal. "No tears."

The kid tried as hard as he could to hide his face on her neck, but the girl, as usual, was too strong for him. He sniffed soundly, eliciting a small chuckle from Rukia. "S-seriously? y-you won´t abandon us?"

Ellie grinned, ruffling his hair. "Have I ever abandoned you before?"

This brought a shining smile on his face, his eyes opening wide, eager, almost proud. "No! You have never! You´re always protecting us! You´re our hero!!" He was close to screaming, and his fists were hard on his sides, as if stressing his words.

She shook her head, eyes rolling to the heavens. "Yeah, somethin' like that..."

Hesitantly, the kid turned to look at Rukia. "B-but…"

Her head tilted as she followed his gaze. "She left a long time ago... to help all of us. You see, we can hardly support ourselves. So, she and her friend went to the city to train for... jobs. That's all."

Rukia blushed fiercely at being addressed with such tenderness, and gripped the grass tightly, trying to ignore the lump that was forming on her throat.

The kid looked intently at Rukia and then back at Ellie, an unbelieving stare on his eyes. "Really?" Ellie saw his eyebrow rising and almost smirked.

"Mhm..." She nodded. "And one day, when she gets a good job, maybe she and her friend can come back here and help fix things up a little. Wouldn't that be cool?"

The boy chirped in happiness, opening his eyes wide with hope flashing on them. "And they would protect us all from the mean guys?" Rukia lowered her gaze at the ground at his question, this time ashamed. That idea had never crossed her mind.

Ellie felt herself grin at his reaction. "Pfft... you don't need them to protect you. You're gonna be a tough guy, right?"

"Yeah!" the boy growled in response, as if hardening his voice, "look Ellie!" and then rolled over his sleeve, showing her what he thought was a very big biceps muscle. "I´m gonna be as strong as you are!!"

She feigned shock, gasping at his muscles. "Whoa! Ya see that, Rukia?"

Rukia broke free of her reverie, feeling the daggers that Ellie was glaring in her direction, willing her to understand. When Rukia looked at the boy and his stance, she immediately grasped it.

"Ooh yeah! Look at that! You´re a very tough guy! I´m sure hollows would be afraid of you!"

The boy opened his eyes wide in surprise and fear at the same time, which made Rukia mirror his expression. Had she said something wrong?

"H-hollows?" the kid turned to look at Ellie, fear ablaze on his dark eyes. "Will you face hollows, Ellie?"

She blinked, somewhat taken aback. "Hollows... well, yeah! If a hollow showed up here, I'd kick 'em in the face!" Her eyes sparked with enthusiasm as she grinned, making a fist.

This time Rukia kicked in. "That´s why she´s gonna become a shinigami." and then locked eyes with the blonde. "Because she wants to protect all of you from hollows, which are stronger than the bad guys at Inuzuri."

The boy opened his eyes wide in surprise at hearing Rukia, then turned around to Ellie for reassurance. "Really??"

Her eyes cut to Rukia and she pursed her lips. "...Maybe someday."

But Rukia didn´t flinch. She didn´t know why she cared, but she knew Ellie had no future if she stayed with the kids. And even worse, the girl was prone to die sooner. "That would be the best thing you could do for them, you know it."

"I can't just leave." Her expression had darkened, leaving her eyes cold and listless.

Rukia forgot all about the kid that was clinging again to Ellie´s neck, watching them talk, and kept her grasp on the blue-sky eyes.

"You wouldn´t be leaving them, Ellie. We did. We didn´t want to return, didn´t feel like we had a home to return to. But you do. And I have seen many students coming back to Rukongai on the resting periods. That´s perfectly allowed..."

"...So, we weren't your home?"

That took Rukia by surprise and, for the second time in a day, felt frozen in her place, completely at a loss of words.

Ellie collected the boy in her arms, moving to stand. "We should head back. We'll need to scavage for food before it gets dark."

The raven-haired girl got up fast, taking the blonde´s arm and then retrieving it back, as if ashamed, as if she had done something insulting. She then sighed, not wanting to meet the other girl´s eyes

Ellie´s eyes burned like blue flames at the touch. "What?"

Rukia inhaled deeply before answering the blonde. "Yes... you were our home but… that time, coming back would bring memories of... too hard to remember." then she looked back at her, fire in her amethyst orbs. "I´m sure you can understand that." Rukia crossed her arms a bit hesitant, but taking the decision of undressing herself in front of this person, this one that she knew so well... and didn´t know at all.

"Ellie… I´m not... we might not be as strong as you are but... it IS nice to have an objective to reach, it´s good to have something to live for. We not only want to protect these children. We want to protect everyone. Or at least the most." She then gave a step backwards. "You don´t have to understand that. But please believe me that we never meant to abandon you. To leave you behind. It just... happened."

The blonde sighed, looking too tired for her years. "...I want to be angry, but it's so hard to hold onto." Her shoulders slumped a little as she adjusted her grip on the child in her arms. "I understand where you're comin' from. It -did- hurt when you left, but time sealed those wounds. I don't care that you didn't want me to come with you; we weren't that close. So, don't feel like you have to make up for it now. I don't have some big future ahead of me, alright? Just go back to your world."

She took a few steps forward. "Just work hard for me, okay?"

Rukia smiled at that. "That I can do. Shrimp."

Her eye twitched. "Rukia," she began in a warning tone. "Careful. I only have so much of this tolerance shit to go around."

The raven haired girl chuckled at that. "Yeah, I do remember that much." then she placed her hands on her hips, the smile never leaving her face. "But if I recall correctly, that didn´t stop me from teasing you, right?" Before the blonde could respond, she extended a hand towards her. "So. Friends?"

She sighed, resigning herself to the fate that lied ahead of her. "Friends." She took her hand and gave it a shake, feeling the weight of the other girl's stare. "You're... not giving up, are you?"

"On teasing you? no way. It´s on my blood." She smirked.

Ellie raised an eyebrow, shaking her head in disbelief. "The other thing."

Rukia chuckled lightly this time. "Of course not. But I´m not giving up on you either. Not now that I´ve found you again, I mean." She spoke the last words without blinking, trying to make her believe the truth in her eyes.

The blonde shifted her weight again, looking uncomfortable. "What you said kinda made sense..."

Rukia was taken aback "Uh? What do you mean?"

Ellie kicked at the dirt as the boy squirmed in her arms and she let him down. "About protecting them and stuff..."

Rukia smiled tenderly at her and then sadly, shifting her weight... as if it would ease the memories and the guilt. "Look. We did run away, not with an idea of protecting and all. But now that we´re there, and after some... things... happening to me, I believe that we both are there for a reason."

She shuffled the little boy´s head, smiling at him as well, but still addressing Ellie.

"And I think the reason is to protect." She then looked at Ellie, amethyst eyes ablaze in determination. "To protect as many as we can."

The blonde stood solid as a statue for a moment, contemplating her words as she watched the child play. "...Come with me."

Rukia hesitated a bit, and then followed the girl two steps behind, still wary of it.

They walked in silence for the better part of the half hour, finally stopping outside a downtrodden shack on the outskirts of Inuzuri. There were tatted, dirtied sheets hung in the openings. Kids played around outside, while others peered out from the darkened windows. Ellie stopped, pointing to the scene playing out before them. "Convince me they don't NEED me here."

Third time. In a day. As she felt her body frozen in place, Rukia had to acknowledge the girl WAS something. Then again, she always knew that.

But the raven haired girl smiled at the challenge, since she already had the answer to that. She turned around to look at Ellie straight into her eyes, rubbing her left, once injured shoulder. "I would show you what I have, if someone hadn´t helped me before." Her eyes lit on fire and emotion as she spoke. "But mere weeks from today I was close to give my life to a bunch of rich kids. I had decided I would die for them. And you know why? Because I didn´t think at the moment whether they deserved to die or not. Whether they were rich or poor. Or if they had lived a good, although short life. I just knew they were kids, and didn´t matter who they were, and what had they done. Not a single kid deserves to die. And if my life is the price it takes to protect them," she turned around and made a sweep motion, addressing every children around them, "ANY of them, I would give it gladly. I would fight to protect them, as many as I can."

Ellie found herself speechless, unable to form coherent words. The color drained from her face.

Rukia smiled, and placed a hand on her friend´s shoulder. "Yes, my thoughts exactly. It was a surprise for me as well. Until I saw myself inside that hollow´s jaws."

She squeezed the girl´s shoulder and turned away to leave. It was already late, she had to return to the manor or she would be in big trouble. And she knew she wasn´t allowed to stay in that place too much. Inuzuri was hers no more, and maybe they saw her as an outsider. She wouldn´t be able to stand those looks on the children´s faces.

Ellie's features twisted in confliction. "W-Wait!"

"Mh?" the petit girl turned half around.

The blonde hesitated, put on the spot suddenly. "...Did you mean it? You think I could do that?"

Ellie glanced over her shoulder. Even with her gone most of the day, the other kids had survived. Some were playing while others were preparing a fire. A few had just run over the hill with the carcass of a dead animal, beaming with triumph. Behind them, a few of the boys around her age looked after the younger ones. She might be what they considered the leader, but she wasn't what held them together anymore. They could rely on their own strengths, for the most part, now. Her chest welled up with pride. They had taken her lessons and the lessons of her peers well.

Rukia tilted her head, and then addressed the children as well. Without the blonde noticing, she gave a step forward, and slapped Ellie on the back, smirking evilly. "Yes, I think they´re ready for their leader to reach higher mountains. Wouldn´t you think?" Then she looked back at her. "And yes, you should feel proud. You have given them a lot more than what anyone could ever give them."

The blonde blinked, lurching forward from the unexpected impact. "Well, I..."

A few of the kids looked up and nudged their friends, finally noticing the return of their leader with a new companion. It was as if they had an audience now, awaiting some kind of announcement.

Rukia gave a step backwards, allowing her some space, "And thank you, Ellie. You´ve given me a lot today." She then soothed her back, playfully. "And I mean more than just a back pain."

Ellie returned the smile. "Yeah, you too." She tugged on the loose, ratty material of her clothes, revealing a bruise, and then grinned. "You sure you can find your way back after all these years?" She poked her tongue out, making light of the situation.

Rukia threw one of her shoes at the other girl´s face, and poked her tongue as well. "Yeah, well, maybe some help would work."

The blonde caught it with a fierce smirk, unfazed by the display. "I can walk you back to the market, if you want. Seems like they don't need help with dinner after all." She tossed the shoe back.

Rukia caught it easily in the air, and raised an eyebrow noticing how tightly the blonde was clenching her fist, as if struggling with a thought. Or a decision. She then smirked, understanding her situation and came back to the girl´s level, taking her hand and pulling at her. "Oh, C´mon! Geez! It´s hard to believe you have to be dragged this way! You´re such a baby!" But her lips were graced by a wide smile.

Ellie rolled her eyes, letting herself follow. "I'm not the one that can't find my way out of a paper sack!"

Together, they left the wrenching shack, and after some feet away, Rukia decided to give it a final shot. "So, Ellie," the girl talked as nonchalantly as she could, keeping her eyes fixed ahead of her "what if you accompany me, stay with me, until you do your exams?" she knew that, leaving Ellie with the children would give her enough time to mull it over... and maybe discarding the idea.

The blonde stopped dead in her tracks, blinking to process the statement. "...What?"

"It´s a good idea, you know? This way you can even borrow my notes, and practice a bit." she then turned towards the blonde, flashing a smile. "I can help you with that!"

The blinking continued as she fluttered her eyelashes, seemingly overwhelmed. "W-Wait... what are you talking about? You mean... leave? Like, right now?"

Rukia stopped in front of the girl, trying as hard as she could to transmit all the weight of her amethyst eyes. "What I said back there was no joke. You know you can do it, Ellie. You know it´s the best thing you can do for them and for yourself. Plus, you know you´re strong enough. Please, let me help you with that, because you know it´s now or never." She then turned to see the little, crumbling house, behind the blonde´s back

"Or tell me, honestly, that you´ll be able to go and take the exams after you´re back with the little guys." she paused, and inhaled deeply. "You know that, once you´re back into that house again, you´ll find a reason not to."

She felt a strange heaviness in her chest as she stood there, the wind tousling her matted blonde tresses. "I..." She turned back, glancing over her shoulder with fondness in her eyes. "It's so soon..."

Rukia grabbed her shoulders and force the girl to lock eyes with her, determination blazing on her amethyst orbs.

"It´s now or never, Ellie. Please. It´s your best way of protecting them and you know it´s true. Think of it." She shook her a bit by the shoulders. "Not only you would be strong enough, but you would also have some money to ensure the younger ones could eat properly." The girl then straightened to her full height... which didn´t made much difference, and she almost laughed at that. "Renji and I could help you with that. You know we would."

The blonde blinked, temporarily. "You still keep in touch with that brat?"

Rukia tried to hide the hurt in her eyes. "Some." She didn´t want to acknowledge that the separation actually made her chest ache. "We chat from time to time."

She sighed, her shoulders sagging. "I know what you're saying is the truth... but it's..." Her eyes closed as she grimaced, struggling to force herself to act.

Rukia let her go and placed both hands on her hips, trying to stress her words. "I know it´s hard, but it´s harder if you do it slowly."

Ellie let out a deep breath and squared her shoulders. With an abrupt movement, she pivoted on her heel and took quick strides back toward the decrepit shack.

The movement took Rukia by surprise, but recovered quickly, following her closely, in case she needed some support.

"OI! LISTEN UP!" the blonde called out, cupping her mouth as she approached.

Children, literally, came out of the woodwork. Some appeared in the broken windowed gaps, others peered from behind the ragged curtains. A few ran down the hill, and others looked up from the fire.

Ellie clenched and unclenched her fist, taking a deep breath. This was no time to be sentimental. She had only a few moments to leave on a strong front. "I just want to say, that I will be gone for a while..." She spared a look back at Rukia for reinforcement, and found her right behind her, a reassuring smile on her lips. Ellie smiled back, straightened her shoulders and tapped her foot on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dirt. "I'm going..." Her head snapped up, eyes fierce as ever. "I'm going to become a shinigami!"

A stunned silence fell over the ground. Well, all save for Daisuke, who held a painful look on his eyes. He knew this was coming.

"What does that mean?" a little boy, who seemed a tad taller than Daisuke, called out, looking on the verge of panic. "You're going away forever?"

She shook her head. "No, not forever. I'm leaving to become stronger." She held her arm up, squeezing her bicep for emphasis. "I'm going to become strong enough to look out for all of us. I need to go live in Sereitei for a while and save up some money. Think of the things we could do around here!"

One by one, they were swayed by her words. It was like the previous fever that spread like wildfire was being doused in each of their eyes. Minds changed, hearts turned, and idle chatter filled the grounds.

The blonde looked back at Rukia once more, hoping she could add something to help them understand.

The raven haired girl turned red at meeting the cerulean stare, realizing immediately the implications of those looks. "M-me?" she mouthed, then saw the blonde nodding, prompting her with her eyes. Rukia sighed. She had stayed behind because she wanted to respect that moment of union among them. But Ellie was probably right. Her voice would help to reassure the older ones.

However, before she could take a single step forward, a girl, maybe two years younger than Daisuke, cut her off. She ran towards the blonde and possessively clung to her leg.

"Lile-nee!!" the little girl was sobbing rather loudly, calling out Ellie´s name as best as she could, making the older girl´s chest tight at hearing her nickname being called so desperately. "You going? you going away?" The kid rubbed her dampened nose on the blonde´s thigh and shook her head, grasping tightly to Ellie´s ragged robes. "No go, Lile-nee!! stay!! I´ll be good!! Mina will be good!!"

Cerulean eyes searched amethyst for reassurance, but Rukia was so touched by the child´s behavior, that the lump in her throat prevented her from talking, tears threatening to form.

Ellie´s strong mask cracked, leaving her brows knit and her lip trembling. "Mina..." She knelt down in the dirt, holding the girl at arm's length to stare at her in the eye. "I have to go away for a while... but it's not forever. You see... I...." She swallowed hard, looking paler than usual. "I need to help that woman over there." She nodded behind her. "Don't we help people when they need it?"

But the girl cried louder, clenching one of Ellie´s hand, and wiping her tears with it. "Mina needs help." she almost pleaded. "Mina wants Lile-nee to stay! We love you, Lile-nee!!" and, finding a gap on the tall girl´s grasp, the little one buried her face on Ellie´s neck, enveloping her on a tight embrace. As tight as her small arms would allow.

"Ellie... I..." Rukia tried to mutter, but as she moved a foot forward, Daisuke flashed past her and grasped Ellie from behind, holding both girls and crying with them.

The young woman´s shoulders shook as she took deep breaths and lifted her head, a smile plastered on her features. "I love you guys too. You know that..." but her voice was lost, and the blonde clenched her teeth, fighting to regain control.

Rukia watched her friend struggle with both words and emotions. It seemed that, whatever she had intended to tell the children, died unuttered on her lips. Clenching her chest with a deep sigh, she took a decisive step toward the small group.

This was going to be difficult.

The two young women walked silently through the forest, finally reaching a small hill without trees that allowed them a clear view of the Rukongai, although still many yards from reaching the small houses of district 41st.

Even though they were walking together, ever since they left Inuzuri´s small, wretched houses neither of them spoke, nor looked at each other, each girl´s train of thought lost on its own dimension. And some of them converging on the torn houses, as well as on the small forms they had just left behind.

The two girls were finally allowed to leave after several minutes of cries, promises and even some begging from the children, and a greater set of oaths from the older ones, who, to the girls´ surprise, had supported Ellie´s departure (after getting themselves their share of pledges, of course).

Rukia felt happy that she could take the blonde with her, although felt a little bit guilty as well. The kids needed their leader. But the raven haired girl knew that it was the best course of action. For Ellie´s well being.

Although still there was one issue left. Where would she stay? The meeting day for the exams to the Academy was still two weeks away. What would she do in the meantime? She knew that, if the blonde were to come back to Rukongai, this time she would not left, no matter what she say or do.

Rukia had been pondering over where. She really wanted her to stay together at the Kuchiki manor, but wasn´t sure whether her brother would approve of it. She also pondered at the fact that the Kurosaki boy was practicing to get into the Academy as well, so staying with him would be very good for Ellie´s own preparation. But Rukia already owed them too much, and to make that debt bigger than it already was, wasn´t among her priorities.

The girl sighed quite loudly, almost feeling a headache about to reach her.

"Hope you´re not feeling guilty for what happened back there."

The rough voice brought her back from her reverie with a jump.

"Uh?"

"You know what I mean." The blonde was eyeing her quite suspiciously, and Rukia just chuckled at the concern hidden so fiercely behind her mask of annoyment.

"Thank you for worrying about me, but I wasn´t thinking on that."

"Pffft! Who would worry about you!?" the girl turned away from her, this time clearly annoyed.

Rukia chuckled once more and, without a warning, pushed the girl with one hand. This almost sent Ellie to the ground, and then pierced Rukia fiercely with her eyes.

"What the fuck was that for!?"

"For that stupid joke about my height!"

Both girls were facing each other, fists tight on their sides, but with an amusement look on their eyes.

"Hey! It wasn´t me the one who said it!"

"But you made it even bigger!!"

"Say what?" the blonde smirked, placing both hands on her hips, "it´s not like we were lying or anything!"

Rukia´s eyebrow twitched. "Should I remind you that you´re the same height as me?" before she finished the sentence, Ellie had kicked the ground, sending towards the other girl´s face a small cloud of dust, which made her give a step backwards, surprised. "Hey!!! That was cheap!!"

But the girl merely laughed, and rushed away from her partner, screaming. "I already told you the answer to that!!"

"Oh yeah?" after cleaning the dirt from her face, and with a huge smirk plastered on her lips, Rukia sprang towards her friend. Both girls were laughing and chasing one another, sending some fruit and dust around, in a small and very dirty battle that helped them to release the tension.

But after tackling Ellie, and fighting to get some tickles in the petite form lying on the ground, Rukia stopped suddenly, looked up and remained motionless.

Ellie´s laughter finally reached a halt, catching on that Rukia had stopped tickling her.

"Uh? What´s wrong?"

"Shhh!" the raven haired girl hushed her, and, still looking around, as if searching for something, she got up and helped Ellie to do the same.

"Rukia! What is…?"

But before she could finish, both girls found themselves surrounded by five men, all wearing black hakamas, with a grave expression on their eyes. Rukia could see that, although each blade was sheathed and resting on the men´s waist, the look in their eyes held a murderous intention. 'Oh, no!' Rukia felt the blood on her body falling almost to the ground, and she would´ve welcomed fainting. Only that it would leave them both at the mercy of those men.

"Umh…" the blonde, without taking her eyes from the figures, spoke from behind Rukia, each back against the other, in a protective and fighting stance. "Are they… acquaintances of yours?"

The petite girl shook her head slowly, her eyes never leaving the figures as well. "Worse. They´re shinigamis from the 6th squad recognizance patrol."

"What? How can that be worse?"

Rukia gulped, the implications making her want to disappear somewhere underground. "They´re shinigami from nii-sama´s squad."

A/N: So? What do you think? I´m sure you all noticed a lot of change here, because this time Carrie helped me A LOT in correcting (and rewriting) many things on this chapter. THIS IS TOTALLY DEDICATED TO YOU, CARRIE!!!!

I really hope you guys enjoyed this experiment of us! Because it ROCKED!! XDDDD. And hope to see you on next chappy!! It´s going to be intense!!!

Thank you SO much for all your support!! And I´m really sorry for the delay! Be good!!