He sat in the waiting room jus outside the ER; everything about his being was dark and eerie. The only thing that seemed bright in the room was Ichigo's hair. His orange mop was like the sun peeking from behind storm clouds, but that didn't matter to him. Nothing mattered to him in that moment of darkness. All he cared for was his girlfriends to wake up from her loss of consciousness.
Damn Hollow, he cursed in his mind. I'll kill that ugly bastard myself!
Ichigo never once moved; his head never lifted from the floor since entering the death filled hospital.
"I wasn't strong enough," the teen's scowl grew darker and his hands were now fists. "I'LL KILL HIM!" Ichigo then found himself suddenly on his feet with a cherry red face; unable to tell if it was from his anger or embarrassment. The other patrons shot glares at the enraged boy. After shooting an even eviler glare back at the people, he shoved his hands in his pockets and entered a dark, narrow hallway.
"Ichigo!" a familiar voice called from the front desk. Looking up from his depression, Kurosaki spotted his father and two younger sisters. The twins, Yuzu and Karin, ran up to the orange-topped boy, with terrified faces.
"What happened Ichigo?" Karin spat out. Her short, dark hair stuck to her forehead; obviously from running from the family clinic to the hospital.
"Is Rukia alright?" Ichigo's other sister, Yuzu, called. Her hair, shorter and lighter than her sister's, was just as messy as her twin's.
Their father, Isshin Kurosaki, caught up from behind the girls. With yet another concerned expression, he stared at his son for his answer.
Looking away, Ichigo finally answers his apprehensive family. "It was a Hollow. They haven't told me anything about her condition."
Isshin looked towards the sealed ER doors. "What did you tell them?" he questioned in a strangely serious voice.
"That she was mugged." Ichigo informs the three, his eyes never parting from the floor. "Like I said, they haven't told me anything yet." The family stood in silence.
"Have you contacted the Soul Society?" Isshin destroyed the awkward moment.
"I called Renji with her Soul Pager… he said he'd take care of it." The teen replied, holding up a small, blue cell phone-like device. Time seemed frozen around the family of four.
Yuzu fell down into a chair and began to cry. Her tears were cold to the touch as the left her cheeks. As Karin comforted her sister, a woman in a white coat walked up to the foursome. "You may go in and visit now. We have her asleep in bed now, but she should wake up soon."
Sign: "Room 15"
Upon entering the room, the scowling faced teen spotted his petite friend on a large, padded bed. Seeing the bandages wrapped around her body brought grief to Ichigo's heart. A light glimmer peeked through her eyelids as they opened.
The boy rushed to her side and embraced her hand with his own. "Rukia?" he rubbed her soft, but icy, hand. "Rukia, are you alright?" he felt stupid asking such a question. Just looking at her, he knew she wasn't alright.
Rukia nodded as she slowly sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes. The raven-haired girl examined her surroundings. Seeing the now semi happy faces of her friends that surrounded her in the cramped room, she laughs.
The warm expression on Ichigo's face disappeared. "Rukia? What the hell are you laughing about you idiot? You're in a fucking hospital!" the girl stopped laughing after her friend's outburst. The couple looked fairly confused about the situation.
Locating a distraction, the small girl locates the IV stuck in her left arm. The injured Shinigami wraps her slender fingers around the needle and stars moving it. With the point scraping the inside of her pale skin, trying to take it out, Rukia cried in pain. "Shag!" small tears form in her eyes as she held out her arm to her partner. "Shag." She says again, motioning to the needle.
Lightly forcing her arms down, Ichigo releases on of his "Death Glares". His eyes were intense and murderous, "Ru…" he stopped in the middle of his comrade's name. Her face looked frightened and her body was venerable. Taking her eyes away from his "weapons", Rukia started to sob.
What the hell is this? This can't be the Rukia Kuchiki I know! Gently touching her shoulders, Ichigo brings her chest to his. The two sat silently as Isshin called for the nurse.
7:00 p.m.
After taking the girls home, Karin and Yuzu, Ichigo was left, once again, in the eerie waiting room. Ichigo sulked in a rickety chair in the corner of the waiting area; letting his head meet his hands, the troubled boy whispers, "What have I done?"
He sat there in silence until a familiar voice beckoned him. "Ichigo!" finally looking up from his newly found depression, Ichigo spots the owner of the voice.
A muscular man with bright, spiky red hair ran towards the orange-headed man. Renji Abarai, Lieutenant of 6th company of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. He wore clothes that represented the 80's Two persons followed the loud greeter. One lean, diminutive, silver haired boy, looking about the age of 13. His clothing was much unadorned. Toushiro Hitsugaya, Captain of 10th company and a child prodigy. The other was a lofty, strapping man wearing very elegant clothing. His hair matched the shade of Rukia's. Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of 6th company and Rukia's adoptive brother.
Finally reaching Ichigo's secluded corner, Renji starts his questioning, "How's Rukia? Is she okay? Have you seen her?" Both Hitsugaya and Byakuya stood in silence, calmly awaiting Ichigo's reply.
Just as Ichigo opens his mouth to speak, a dumpy and round doctor steps between the parties. "Yes. Are you the friends of ?" with all eyes focused on the man, each Shinigami nods. The sound of his next words caused them each to stiffen. "We've gotten a few updates on her condition." Lifting his medical clipboard, the man summarizes its listings. "Physically, she should be fine after a couple days rest at home."
A tremendous weight was taken off of Ichigo's shoulders. Home… that means she's coming with us.
"But…" the man wasn't finished. "She's at the mental level of a young child." Ichigo's heart just burst. It felt as if his very own Zanpakuto was run through his chest.
Renji's face was almost the same hue as his hair. He glowered over the doctor and asked in a very threatening tone, "What the hell is that suppose to mean?" at that moment, the silver-haired captain stepped between the redhead and doctor. Considering his height, he wasn't very intimidating.
"Please Abarai. This isn't the time or place." Shooting his icy blue eyes towards his tattooed subordinate.
Taking a large step back, the man continues, "Umm… Well, she can't seem to remember most, if anything. She is able to understand simple words and meanings, and she can complete simple tasks. Though she can speak plainly, she isn't at the standard level for a girl her age."
Shooting his cinder eyes towards Byakuya, Ichigo noticed a familiar look in his eyes. He knew the news of Rukia's condition would jeopardize the Kuchiki name. "That bastard better not lay a finger on her." Ichigo snarled to himself.
" is permitted to return home tonight, but keep a close eye on her. She no longer remembers the difference between right and wrong." Sharing gazes with all four men, the man explains, "Until she regains her previous state of mind, you'll have to treat her as if she was a child." The doctor quickly spun around and entered Rukia's room.
Ichigo let himself fall against the wall with a small thud. "What am I gonna do? This is a huge mess."
He pinched the ridge of his nose as the stubby doctor walked out once again. The man held out a small, white bottle. "These are pills that will keep her focused. Hopefully she can regain herself soon."
After taking the bottle, Ichigo notices a harsh look in Byakuya's eyes. After shooting the noble a glare back, Byakuya stepped towards his sister. "Come Rukia." He ordered in his unruffled voice.
Rukia's childish smile disappeared as the dignified man approached her. Wide-eyed, the small girl hides herself behind Ichigo. "Rukia?" both her human shield and brother questioned.
The silent man stepped towards her once again; only causing her to hide herself even more. The dark-haired captain nodded toward his silver-haired equal.
As the Kuchiki stepped back, Hitsugaya stepped forwards. Rukia just held on tighter to Ichigo's side like a child and parent.
The room was dead-silent.
A/N: If I actually finish this Fanfiction (which relies on your reviews) I will name everyone who has supported me through this!
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