Just a short IchiRuki fic I wrote based on the prompt “I’m nothing but a ghost to you”.
AO3 -> https://archiveofourown.org/works/37998352
‘Why are you doing this to yourself?
A Senkaimon opened in the middle of the sky, and after a moment, one that felt too long, Rukia stepped out of it.
In front of her was a field of green grass with flowers of every color, and beyond that lay the place that drastically changed her life forever, Karakura Town.
Soft breezes embraced her body and warm, faint sunlight bathed her skin. The sun had set not long ago and warm colors painted the sky.
There, in the distance, she saw him.
He was standing by the rail on the mountain that overlooked the town. His orange hair looked a tone darker because of the sun and his uniform lapels moved with the wind.
He didn’t react to her arrival.
It wasn’t the first time she’d decided to visit him. She always knew where to find him. But he never reacted to her.
The idea of asking Urahara for her gigai occurred to her several times in the past. But Rukia always convinced herself out of it.
Ichigo was finally able to live the normal human life he deserved. No more ghosts, no more enemies, no more Shinigami... No more Rukia.
However, she couldn’t help the need to see him, see that he’s doing well.
See if he missed her the same way she missed him…
Or was she nothing but a ghost to him, now?
With a sigh escaping her lips, she moved closer. She’d kept her distance on every other visit.
She knew he didn’t know she was there.
She knew he couldn’t see her.
She knew he couldn’t sense her.
And she also knew she was only tormenting herself.
As she slowly approached him, an unusual sensation started to develop inside her. A strange feeling she couldn’t name.
Rukia was now leaning on the railing next to Ichigo, barely at arms length. It was the closest they’d been in 15 months. But Ichigo’s eyes kept staring at the landscape before them.
And to think he used to be so good at sensing her presence. He used to be able to find her even when she was miles away.
Deep down she couldn’t help wanting him to find her once again, to turn around and see his face light up, see the way he’d look straight into her eyes the moment he felt her reiatsu nearby.
Her hand moved on its own before she noticed, and placed itself right on top of his. From the corner of her eye Rukia saw his body tense up. Ichigo’s gaze moved to where their hands were touching, he didn’t say anything, but Rukia saw a flash of wonder and disbelief across his face. And she was sure her own face was mirroring his.
The sensation she had felt inside her was now pulsating.
Aware of what she was doing now, her hand squeezed his bigger one, and her thumb caressed his skin. His eyes were still locked on his hand.
Without moving his hand from where it was, he turned his body towards her and raised his head, brown eyes frantically trying to find hers, but failing.
Her heart skipped a beat.
He couldn’t see her or hear her, but somehow he felt her touch.
Rukia squeezed his hand again as a response.
“Am I dreaming again?” Ichigo wondered under his breath.
“No, you’re not,” she replied to him, even though she knew he couldn’t hear her.
Seeing him wearing a dazed expression on his face, and the way his eyes lit up made Rukia feel warm inside.
Deep down something told her she needed to do something to fix this. The bond they’d had— no, the bond still had, deserved to be saved. And she was determined to find a way.
“I promise I’ll figure this out, Ichigo.” Rukia caressed his hand one last time.
She moved away from him and opened a new Senkaimon. Ichigo was now looking at the darkening sky, slightly shaking his head. Before Rukia walked through the door, she glanced at him and smiled.
She knew: somewhere, somehow they’d be together.
Two months later, she kept her promise.
