A/N: I am so sorry for updating late. It took me forever to write this, I just can't focus. School sucks btw. I am glad I actually have an education, though.
I don't own Bleach.
So, I figured out that I really suck at writing angst. R&R please, constructive critisism is much appreciated!
Karin sat on the couch fiddling with her soul chain. Rukia had an arm around her shoulders, and Isshin was lounging on the ground, hands running through his hair, making it stick up.
They were all thinking the same thing, but nobody had the guts to voice it.
What are we going to tell Ichigo?
He has enough on his mind, thought Rukia. This will tear him apart. After his mother, I'm not sure Ichigo can handle the death of another family member. With him not fully in control of his hollow side, he could lose it, and turn on Karin and the rest of us. Then, I would have to stop him without hurting him. This is not going to be easy. On a completely different note, what the hell was Captain Hitsugaya doing on the roof? Rukia found asking herself questions that were not on task helped ease her stress.
When Ichigo hears the news, it might be worse than Masaki. He'll find some way to blame himself. How are we going to tell him? Isshin thought. Isshin didn't bother wondering what the spiritual pressure was on their roof. In fact, he didn't even notice, or he didn't care.
Forget about telling Ichigo, just focus on what's here and now! We still have to find him. Wait, didn't Toshiro mention something about spiritual pressure? Could he find him by tracking him with that? Then, another thought crossed Karin's mind. Does Rukia know about all this? I mean, she noticed my soul chain, and she can see me. Does that mean she knows about soul reapers?
"Rukia, how do you know about this?" Karin asked the other dark haired girl, holding up her soul chain. "How did you know I was dead?"
Rukia's face flushed. "Um, I, uh, well…" fortunately for Rukia, Yuzu chose that time to come back downstairs.
She took no notice of Karin, instead greeted her father and Rukia with a teary smile. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she sniffled through her nose. Okay, so maybe she couldn't see Karin.
Yuzu and sat on the couch next to Rukia. Karin was on the other side.
"So," she said awkwardly. "What are we going to tell Ichigo?" This was unlike Yuzu. Usually, she beat around the bush. They sat in silence, all drowning in their own thoughts. "Any ideas?" she asked.
Rukia spoke up. "I know Ichigo is going through a really tough time right now," she started. Isshin glanced at her knowingly, but Rukia didn't notice. "I'm afraid he might lose control if we tell him straight out. But, first we need to find where he is."
"What do you mean 'lose control?'" Karin said.
"I agree," Isshin said, ignoring her. Rukia gave her a look that said I'll tell you later. "After Masaki… well, he's never really recovered. I'm not sure if he ever truly will. But Rukia is right. We need to find Ichigo first. After that..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Rukia's eyebrows scrunched together. "I don't know what to do…" They sat in silence for what seemed like hours. Finally, Isshin stood up.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to figure it out as we go. Rukia, could I speak to you for a moment?" Isshin gave Karin and Yuzu a look that said stay, and then Rukia stood up and followed him into the kitchen.
She pulled herself up onto the counter, and fixed her violet eyes on Isshin. He leaned against the counter perpendicular to where she was sitting, and sighed.
"Rukia, I don't want you to be the one to tell Ichigo." The response was immediate.
"What?! But, I'm his friend! I owe it to him!"
"No. If you tell him, then you will forever be the girl who gave him the worst news of his life, completely destroying any hope of a future you two might have together."
Rukia blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Can't you see it? You two have chemistry. You were meant for each other."
"That's not true, we're just friends."
"You're SOO in de-Nile. You'd better learn to swim. Otherwise, the crocodiles will get you!" Isshin shrieked.
"What?!" Rukia croaked.
"Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, please don't be the one to tell Ichigo about Karin. Don't tell him I told you this, but when you're gone, he gets depressed. He might not show it, but a father knows these things." Isshin winked, and Rukia blushed even more.
"But—"
"No buts. If anyone should be the one to tell him, it should be Karin. I'm not saying that you can't be there for him. Just let Karin say it for herself. Rukia, you know it's for the best."
Rukia was silent for a moment, thinking. "Yes, I suppose it is." Isshin's mouth twitched and he punched her lightly in the shoulder.
"Don't be so stubborn. Open up to Ichigo. I guarantee that he feels the same way, even if he doesn't show it. He argues with the people he loves the most." By the end of Isshin's speech, Rukia's face was as red as Renji's hair.
"I'll… try to remember that," she said, jumping off the counter and running out of the kitchen. Isshin threw his head back and laughed.
"Oh, I love playing matchmaker."
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
The crying had stopped, along with the rain. Instead, he heard muffled voices: Isshin and Rukia. He heard sniffles from Yuzu, and silence from Karin.
What's happening in there? He wondered. He wanted to peek in the window, but that would be even creepier than sitting on the roof.
Crap.
Matsumoto had finally figured out that he wasn't following her, and started coming back this way. He sighed and stood up. He ran a hand through his hair and jumped off the roof, running for Orihime's house.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Damn him, he's not even following me! I've just been wasting my energy when I could have been taunting him or poking him with a stick! Augh! He's so infuriating!
She spun 180 degrees on her heel, then sprinted/flash stepped back to where her captain's spiritual pressure was.
I am going to hurt him. She needed no more elaboration than that.
Sorry it's so short, the next chap. will be super long. There will be much Ichigo Rukia, and some Karin/Toshiro angst? not sure yet.
Reviews with constructive critisism are gladly welcomed. I know I'm moving the story fast, but I want to get it out of my head before I lose interest. Thanks so much for reviews too!