Ahh! You guys! I am SO, SO, SO, SORRY that I haven't updated in god knows when! I was just so caught up in Finals and then the ACT, work, and then I became really sick with headaches and migraines (still am) and my anemia is getting very bad as well as my anxiety and depression where all I could do was rest, I couldn't eat, couldn't drink, and am in constant pain. I really hope none of you are upset with me. (I'm upset with myself that I let it go this long without posting a chapter!)

*Okay, some people are getting confused so I'm clearing things up. I intentionally have Toshiro and Momo siblings. Also, the illness that Rukia has is in fact real but the only thing I'm not sure of is if it can cause memory loss, or if her symptoms are even completely correct. I just trusted what Google told me ^_^

I think there will only be one more chapter guys!

Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

So I've been sleeping with this silence in my mind

And all I see scares me

And no one knows it, but she, she saved me

So I've been sleeping with this silence in my brain

I wake up here everyday in this god damn place

I won't wait here anymore

It's still not quite the way it was

But you promised me this is love

So stay and watch the hospital

That's just across the street

From your apartment balcony

I'll never ever leave there

I'll never leave

Oh, no one is watching now

Sing like you just might drown

But always come back home

'Cause I never got to see you once more, no

I guess that's all I wanted

Yeah, I guess that's all I needed

Now look, we've made a fool out of love

When all we want is to be enough

When all we want is to feel enough

It's still not quite the way it was

But you promised me this is love

So stay and watch the hospital

That's just across the street

From your apartment balcony

I'll never ever leave there

I'll never leave

—Hospital by Lydia

Ichigo's POV

The doctors found me and forced me back into my hospital bed. I insisted that I was fine and all I wanted was to stay in Rukia's room even if she didn't remember me. They didn't buy it. And why would they! They were the experienced doctors here, so my pleadings went in one ear and out the other. Bastards…

I poked at the food sitting on a cheap tray propped on my lap that they brought into my room. I wasn't even hungry, my nerves were getting the best of me. How was I going to get Rukia to remember me? Unohana had said she would remember over time, but, how long was that?

I paused, my spoon half raised to my mouth. Oh no. Kenta…I had completely forgotten! Renji wanted Rukia and I to raise him, but if Rukia doesn't remember…how would she deal with that?! I sighed, dropping my head in my hands. I didn't even know where Kenta was. No one had told him anything. Authorities would know by now that Renji died in the earthquake, so perhaps Kenta was at a Children's Home. Was it even an earthquake now?

"Argh," I groaned. "Too much. I need answers."

"Hey, Ichigo. Man, you look like shit."

I froze then slowly raised my head to look at the person that just walked into my room. Black hair, green eyes, the uncanny resemblance of me…

"Nice to see you too, Kaien," I smiled, sitting up. He was leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed and a grin on his face. "What are you doing in Tokyo?"

He scoffed. "I had to make sure my little cousin was all right."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm always okay."

"I suppose. So, who's the girl?"

I blinked. "Rukia? She's…wait, how do you know about Rukia?"

He stepped forward to the foot of my bed. "I don't. But you just confirmed it

that you are actually seeing someone."

"Jerk. Then where's Miyako?"

"She's still at home with the kids."

"Good. I wouldn't want them to see all this destruction from that damn earthquake."

A serious look crossed Kaien's features. "Ichigo…I overheard some police officers talking that were outside your door," he gave me a knowing look, "I don't think I want to know WHY you have police outside your door. But, they were saying the Seireitei Building shouldn't have gone done from that earthquake."

I sighed. "I heard the rumors. They think a guy named Aizen set a bomb as revenge. I don't know what to think."

Kaien nodded, as if this was what he expected. "Aizen, huh. Interesting."

I arched an eyebrow. "Not really."

Kaien sighed and strode forward, resting his hands on the bed railing. He gazed around my room before looking at the monitors and then at me. "You're room is missing something."

I furrowed my eyebrows, confused. "W-what?"

He smiled and pointed his finger in the air. "Aha! I know who it's missing."

"Who…?" Damn Kaien and his randomness. He was making my head spin with his jumping around of topics and moods.

He leaned closer to me. "Rukia."

I froze. "I-I…well…"

"Mhmm," he nodded. "I know you well, little cousin. So I heard she doesn't remember you though. That has to suck." He pulled up a chair and swung it around, sitting in it backwards and resting his elbows on the backrest.

"Shut up," I muttered.

"I was thinking, how are you going to get her memory back?"

I sighed and looked down at my hands. "I'm not sure."

Kaien smirked. "Yup. Thought you'd say that. Well you better hurry, they're discharging her tomorrow."

"What?!" I yelled, bolting up and moving my torso in a wrong way to cause pain from my rib to shoot through my chest. I ignored it. "But she's not better! What the hell are those doctors thinking?!"

"Nothing, apparently," Kaien frowned. "Wait, I know what you're gonna do!" He stood up and placed his hands out in a stop gesture. "You're gonna sneak out of this room!"

"Of course," I growled, throwing the food tray onto the side table and throwing off the thin hospital blanket.

Kaien took a step back, giving me room to stand. "And you're gonna do that how? In case you hit your head harder than I thought, there are POLICE outside your door!"

"Kaien," I sighed. "Look at me."

He opened his mouth to protest but stared at my face. "I don't, oh. Oh. I see. You sneaky bastard."

I smirked. "Yeah. The only problem is my—"

"Ugliness."

I blinked. "I was going to say hair color…"

He crossed his arms and shook his head. "Nope. They will definitely notice your

ugliness to your hair. No way you can pull me off. Just look at me!" He smiled and posed.

I stared at him with an unamused look. "Kaien. Go get some hair dye."

"On it," he gave a thumbs up and spun around, heading out the door. I shook my head and sat back in bed. Well, I couldn't do anything now. I had to wait until Kaien came back with some orange and black hair dye. The police wouldn't look hard enough to notice our different eye color so that was good. This would be flawless!

The door to my room opened again and one of my nurses that I recognized from countless visits walked in.

"How are we doing today, Ichigo?" Isane asked, checking my vitals and blood pressure. "Actually I know you won't tell me since you want an update on Rukia's condition."

"Damn right," I said.

She smiled. "Well, she's a fighter. But…she doesn't seem to like our food here." Her gaze slid over to the bedside table where my untouched food lay. "You as well." she sighed. "You wouldn't happen to have any suggestions to what she would eat, do you?"

I thought about it. What did Rukia like? I wasn't entirely sure. I thought about back when we shared a meal together at work…I wonder…

"Isane?"

"Hm?" She blinked at me, probably surprised I was talking in a calm voice. "If I ask something of you, do you promise to follow through with it?"

"It depends, Ichigo…"

I shook my hand. "It's noting life threatening. It's about Rukia's food. To get her memory back of me faster. I need you to give her one sandwich, a cup of Ramen, and a juice box that's strawberry flavored. Got it?"

She set down her clipboard. "Sure, but, why that specifically?" she wondered.

"Trust me."

She wrote something down and nodded. "Consider it done," she smiled. "Alright, now you just relax. I'll be back to check on you shortly."

I watched her leave and sighed, settling back deeper into my pillow. I prayed this would work. It had to spark something.

Rukia's POV

I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself at this point. I stared at the hopeful face of a nurse named Isane and then back down at a tray of food that held a sandwich, a juice box, and Ramen.

"Why do you have that look on your face?" I asked the nurse.

Her eyes went wide. "O-oh, I was just seeing if you'd eat is all. Okay, Rukia Kuchiki, let me check everything and make sure you're doing okay."

I watched her go for the monitors and I frowned, staring back down at the food. My head was staring to pound so maybe food was what I needed. I sighed and unwrapped the sandwich, taking a bite. It was unbelievably dry. Wincing, I reached for the juice box, turning it to face me so I could read the flavor. It better have been something good. I peered at it. Strawberry. Wait a second…

I looked at the box of juice again. A juice box. How…how did I know the name of this…thing? I've never in my life drank one before…or seen one for that matter…

I stared at it a while longer, a crease forming between my eyebrows. Did it really matter how I knew what it was called?

"Looks like everything is going well," Isane's voice startled me.

I looked away from the strawberry drink and to her. "Thanks," I smiled.

"No problem, Rukia. Get better." She went to the door and quietly closed it with a soft click.

Ichigo's POV

"I hate you…"

I stared at Kaien…well, the temporary me for a few hours while I ran out to see Rukia. "It doesn't look bad," I told him.

He grabbed my hair. "Look! Look! You stole my beautiful midnight hair! I have your freakish orange. Orange hair and green eyes looks weird!"

I shoved his hand off my head. "You look fine. Now go lay in the bed and act injured."

He frowned and shuffled over to the bed, muttering under his breath with each step. He sat down and stared at the wall. "Ohh," he moaned and placed a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes in a dramatic way. "My name is Ichigo Kurosaki and I am in so much pain! I love Rukia Kuchiki and I'm gonna fight for her!" He cracked an eye open and looked at me, giving a thumbs up. "Good, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't sound like that."

He huffed. "Fine. Now try to talk like me, Kaien!" He sneered.

"Why? I don't have to really talk to anyone besides Rukia."

"You're no fun." He crossed his arms and sat back against the pillow.

"Thanks, Kaien, I owe you!" I called, going for the door. I opened it and, sure enough, came face-to-face with two police officers. They gave me a glance before looking over my shoulder to where Kaien laid in the bed. I froze before talking myself into walking. I brought my head down to look at my feet and hurried down the hall.

When I got a good enough distance without anyone stopping me, my nerves subsided

and I relaxed. Now to find Rukia.

Rukia's POV

I continue to stare at the juice box. How in the world do I open this? I would've thought if I knew the name I would at least know how to use it! After many failed attempts, I grew frustrated and threw the box at the tray. I moved on to the Ramen and took a bite.

Suddenly, I heard a commotion outside in the hallway. It sounded like someone was hollering outside at a doctor about being in bed. I pause. That…voice. I look back at the unopened juice box. What…

Suddenly it felt as if someone drove a knife threw my head. "Ah!" I yelled and grabbed my head with both hands. A sharp, shooting pain ran it way across my scalp and I squeezed my eyes shut. Something was almost dancing across my subconscious and I realized my brain was trying to remember something. Something…orange? A fire. A building crashing to the ground. A blinding light. A helicopter. Glass shattering. Lighting. Rain. A strawberry juice box. A person. My eyes snapped open.

Ichigo…

I gasped. "Ichigo!"

A wave of black erupted and cascaded across my eyesight. I felt weak and woozy. I felt myself falling backward onto my pillow before there was nothing at all.

Ichigo's POV

"I'm telling you!" I argued with a very stubborn doctor outside Rukia's room. "My name is Kaien Shiba. My cousin, Ichigo is in his bed back in his room! He asked me to check on Rukia!"

The doctor continued to regard me with a neutral expression. "You can't fool me, Ichigo."

"Listen," I looked at his name tag, "Ryuken Ishida," I jerked a thumb at my chest. "I'm Kaien. Don't you see my hair? It's black!"

"And your eyes are amber," he added.

My eye twitched. "Contacts!"

"Nice try, Ichigo," he frowned. "But I would know my patient anywhere."

"Come on! What's with you guys?!" I yelled. "Just let me in there!"

"I can't do that," he said, still as calm as ever.

"I'm going in there," I said, placing my hand on the door knob.

"No, you are not."

"Watch me," I smirked and turned the handle.

Rukia's POV

A rushing sound reached my ears and I groaned. I felt very uncomfortable and I tried to open my eyes. They felt heavy and tired. I moaned as harsh lighting shone down on me. Wh-where was I? I was…

I remembered. My eyes went wide and I bolted upright, clutching some blanket to my chest with white knuckles. The building! And earthquake! Ichigo!

My eyes darted around me to my surroundings. Was I in a…hospital? A glance down at my arm confirmed my suspicions. An IV was in my right hand and was connected to a monitor.

How long was I asleep? The only thing I remembered was running through the building's halls with Ichigo, trying to escape a raging fire. And then…a chunk of cement landed on my…

I swallowed hard and slowly traced my body down to my legs that were covered by the blue blanket. Slowly, I reached across me to move the blanket, afraid of what I would see. With shaking fingers, I took the blanket off and stared. My legs were covered in white bandage. I wasn't sure if they were okay or not.

The door to my room swung open and I gave a startled jump. I stared at the intruder and he stared back. My mouth parted open softly. This man…

"I-Ichigo?" I asked the man. He froze and suddenly a spark ignited inside of me. "What the hell happened to your beautiful hair? It's not orange!"

He blinked and looked confused. "Uhh—" Ichigo stepped around the door and closer to me."Wait, you think my hair is beautiful?" Ichigo asked.

I fumed and balled my fists up. "I was just shocked is all. How was I suppose to know if you had a doppelgänger?"

"He's not my doppelgänger, Kaien's my cousin," Ichigo clarified.

I frowned. "Kaien? You have a cousin?"

"Oh," he let out a breath. "You never met him. He's actually covering for me right now and dyed his hair orange. Don't worry, this is wash out."

I smiled as I stared at him. Ichigo. Was here. He was okay! "Are you okay?" I asked, needing to make sure.

He scoffed. "Of course I'm okay! It's you I'm worried about! You actually remember me now?"

I blinked. "Remember you now?" I repeated. "What do you men? I didn't know you before?"

A soft look crossed his features. "Rukia…you woke up a few days ago and you had

no idea who I was. It scared me. I thought I lost you forever."

I looked down. "I see. I-I don't remember that. Ironic, huh?" I smiled up at him.

He looked at me for a second before a smile made its way across his mouth as well. He leaned forward and suddenly wrapped his arms around my shoulders, placing his chin in the crook of my neck. "I'm just glad you're okay, Midget."

I sighed happily, entwining my arms around his torso. "Same here. I'm sorry I scared you."

I felt his chuckle vibrate through my hospital gown to my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "I missed you," I whispered. "No fair you're the one to be already out of bed and running around."

He pulled back. "It's because I'm awesome." He ruffled my hair.

"Hey!" I slapped his hand away. "Since when was it okay to do that?!"

"Sorry," he blushed. "I just didn't think you'd be back to your old self. So did my food sabotage work?" He asked, looking at a tray of food on the table.

"I don't remember ever receiving that," I told him honestly.

He grabbed the juice box. "Nah, that's okay. Looks like you didn't remember how to open this either. Cute."

I reached for it. "That's not cute! I could have died from dehydration! Now give it, I'm really thirsty."

"Sure, here." He popped the straw through and handed it to me. I took it and shoved the straw through my teeth and drank it, feeling a tad self conscious as he watched me. It was then that I noticed that Ichigo and I weren't completely alone.

"Ichigo."

He turned to the voice behind him. A woman wearing a doctor's uniform stood with her hands gently clasped in front of her.

"Ah, Unohana," he smiled.

"A word," she demanded almost…sweetly. She didn't wait for his response before walking out the door.

Ichigo watched her go then turned to me, gently resting his hand on mine. "I'll be right back."

I didn't think he would, but he gently squeezed my hand, telling me that yes, he was worried and even if everything seemed confusing to me, he knew that we would get through it. Together. I held onto that. That was all that mattered. I nodded and watched him follow out the doctor.

Ichigo's POV

Unohana was never one to go around what was on her mind. I found that out when I first met her so her next words didn't come as a surprise.

"It's her legs, Ichigo," she said bluntly. "We mended them and she is surprisingly healing remarkably fast. I know you've been itching to help her in any way so I have a proposition for you." Unohana glanced at me, making sure I was listening fully.

"What is it?"

"Walk with her, Ichigo. Now, she can't leave the premises, so take her down the halls."

"Will she be okay? Walking like that?"

"Well, she'll need someone to lean on," she smiled slyly.

"Count of it."

She nodded. "I'll leave you to it then." She rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder before smiling and walking into another hospital room.

Rukia's POV

"A walk?"

"Don't think of it the way you're thinking of it," Ichigo hurried to say. It was true. In my mind I pictured someone walking their dog. "Unohana thought it would be best to stretch your legs. So, would you like to go for a walk with me? Just down the hallway?"

I felt uneasy. "I don't know. How long have I been off my feet?"

"Awhile," he confessed. "But I think it will help. Might even make you feel better." He held his hand out to me.

"Well, okay…" I reached for his hand and he helped me out of bed. My feet touched the cold floor which was oddly comforting. I smiled and took a step forward. Ichigo held my right hand and his left was on my left shoulder, steadying me and making sure I didn't fall over. I took another step and another, and soon we were in the hallway.

"You can let go of me now," I laughed. He removed his hands immediately, but they still hovered.

"Are you positive?"

"Yes, look," I held my arms out. "Perfect balance!" I smiled.

"Okay," he said, although it was clear he wished he could still hold on to me.

We walked for a bit and I was starting to get the feeling back in my legs. At first I welcomed it. But with the feeling came the pain. It started gradual, like a little prick. But it soon turned into a tightening sensation and my head started to pulse and my vision was becoming hazy. Oh no…

"Rukia?" I heard Ichigo ask as I stopped and placed my hand on the wall with my eyes squeezed shut.

"It's okay," I whispered. "I'm—" I felt the world tilt and go dim, and with a distant feeling of surprise, I realized that I was going to fall down.

I was out before I touched the ground.

A/N: I tried to get this out as soon as possible so I am sorry for it being kind

of choppy and short, but I figured you guys waited long enough and deserved

SOMETHING to read. And I was suppose to be on bed rest and instead wrote and

posted this so…that deserves some reviews because look what I go through for you

guys ^_^

~WhiteSheWolf17