It's been a long, long while since I last updated this story... sorry, sorry! Freed was always in a corner of my mind, but I could never find the time to finish my chapter. Between other stories, no time whatsoever... well, here is something a lot of you didn't wait for anymore, uh? XD For those who are hoping for more Normality, duh, sorry, but this is like my bottom priority? XD I don't think I'll have anytime anymore soon for it, but I'll try to write Freed more often XD If you want to know about Normality and have more questions about the plot, just ask me, I'll try to reply to them XD

The format is a bit different than usual, because usually I separate only with ---------------------- -- like that, but in longer format to differentiate the places and --- to differentiate the POVs. This time, we're staying at the same place, so I just put an xxx to differentiate the POVs.

Well then, enjoy! :)

Rukia had really had a moment where she flipped out. It had been close, because a few minutes before Ichigo had called her ‘Rukia’ and she had to remind him to not do that. We are very lucky that that guy showed up only now, she thought darkly. The boy looked about their age, and wore a serious look on his face. His white hair was probably the most surprising thing but for now, she couldn’t care less. She felt that this guy was an intelligent one and they had to be very careful to not unveil who she truly was.

“So, what do you want with him?” he asked again once they were all sat around a table.

Rukia eyed Ichigo quickly, wondering for a moment if she should speak up or let him explain himself. I guess I’ll just let him talk and back him up…

“I am looking for precious information about an object; and I received the confirmation that this giant knew where it was,” explained Ichigo, very calmly. We just need to know where it is.”

“Of course, because I’m going to trust you just because you say so,” retorted the young male.

Rukia could almost see the vein popping out on Ichigo’s forehead. “I know it must be hard to trust, but what can I say or do to make you believe in us?”

“It’s not my problem,” snorted the boy.

She was actually surprised; usually, by now, Ichigo would have already started yelling at the other. “If you don’t explain yourselves a bit more,” said the busty woman, “of course we cannot trust you. Trust cannot be one-sided.”

“But–” started Ichigo.

She put a hand on his arm. “I understand. In fact, we are looking for cameos,” she explained. “With butterflies on them. And we know for sure that the giant knows where one of these is. It’s very important for us,” she smiled.

“Butterflies, uh?” asked Rangiku, a bit thoughtful. “Do the cameos look great?”

“They do. They are chefs d’oeuvre, exquisite cameos, done when the artisan was at his best. And he was amongst the best artisans himself,” she said calmly.

She caught Ichigo’s glance – he was a bit surprised, she could tell. He didn’t know those details?

“Then, Toushirou, we have to go!” exclaimed Rangiku while clasping her hands.

“You are so easy to manipulate Rangiku,” protested said Toushirou. “What proves me that you didn’t make it up?”

“Promise me you won’t say a word about us, or those cameos,” she replied, “and I’ll show you.”

“Alright, we swear. Both of us. But I don’t know what–”

She made him stop by taking off her bracelet. “Like this one. This one is mine, actually. I want the others to return to my family.”

Rangiku’s eyes widened, while she stared at the bracelet and Toushirou whistled. “I think, Toushirou, that they deserved it.” Her tone was serious now, as she was presenting a fact.

“I don’t see how he could have heard of it though… but we’ll show you the way. And if you dare attack him, know that we will be there to protect him. We won’t hesitate to retaliate,” the boy dealt with the issue.

“It’s alright,” grinned Ichigo. “We don’t plan to attack him at all. So, when can we go?”

“We need to take care of things here,” explained Toushirou. “We can begin our travel today or tomorrow, but we’ll have to sleep outside. Maybe we’ll arrive at an inn, but if we go today, we probably will be too far away for this, and if we have to fight, then maybe it’ll slow us.”

“We want this to be done the fastest possible. So we’ll go today,” decided Ichigo. “I’ll speak with Uryuu for the boat, and we’ll take what we need for a short travel.”

“It’s settled then,” said Rangiku, looking cheerful again.

xxx

Uryuu sighed, hesitating to agree on the terms of the deal Ichigo and Rukia had with the guy who looked a bit too young and the woman who looked a bit too seductive. I guess though that they don’t look that dangerous, but who knows?

“So, when will you go?” he asked, hitching his glasses up.

“Well it’s noon. I guess in two hours then,” said Rangiku. I’ll have some stuff packed and I’ll ask Nanao to help here while we’re both away.”

“Be sure to bring one tent, warm clothes and food. Maybe we’ll have to stay out and it’s the rainy season right now. So we should be sure to take everything.”

“I’ll make sure they’ll take everything on their trip,” replied Ishida. “And I’ll also take care of the boat,” he added. I’m kind of forced to wait for those two anyway so… Might as well check the maps and gather more information. If we stay long enough, maybe they’ll talk, all those scared rats…

“So you don’t have any objection, Uryuu?” asked Ichigo, frowning a bit.

“No. I think it’s good as it is. So, good luck taking care of those two,” he added, smirking a bit and bowing to Rangiku and Toushirou.

xxx

Ichigo couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The sky was as gray as it could get; they had one donkey to help carry the two tents; it was a hard worker animal, even though it could be very stubborn. They also had blankets, food, clothes. Rukia and Rangiku both opted for pants and they all wore long jackets to protect them from the rain that would inexorably fall from the sky later on.

It was three o’clock when they finally bid their goodbyes to their friends.

“I’ll count on you, Uryuu! I hope the boat won’t have sunk when I’ll be back!” he grinned.

“Don’t get killed stupidly, or if you do, please make sure that Rue will be safe,” retorted Uryuu, grinning back.

Ichigo groaned, before flippantly knocking down Keigo who was beginning to cry in Rukia’s shirt, telling her to be careful. “Alright. Let’s go, Rue!”

Rukia waved to everyone and Toushirou sighed, visibly relieved to finally go.

“Where are we going exactly?” asked Rukia, following the pace tranquilly.

“A small village, hidden near the mountain where Jidanbou lives. I know a shortcut, but I’m not sure if we should use it, because it passes through the forest and it’s more an unpractical track path than anything. But with the shortcut, we might be able to be at the inn for the night…”

“Why don’t you let them chose, Toushirou?” asked Rangiku. “Isn’t it their choice?”

He sighed. “I guess so. Let’s take the road up until the shortcut, and see what you guys think about it?” he proposed.

“Seems ok to me,” he approved, wondering if Rukia could walk that much, or through difficult paths. After all, wasn’t she a noble – even though a tough one? But, as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he caught her gaze, full of determination, and found his worries stupid. If Rukia thought she could walk this much, then he definitely shouldn’t worry because he knew she could.

He wasn’t sure how much time they tramped until Toushirou stopped and decided to halt. “We are nearing the shortcut,” he informed them. “So now’s the time to take the decision.”

Ichigo and Rukia exchanged a glance. “I think we should take it,” she decided.

“Ok. Let’s pause, drink a bit and go on,” Ichigo agreed.

The shortcut was at most a track, barely visible. If they want to drop us off there, there’s no way we’ll find our way back, thought Ichigo. Luckily, they did look nice; Rangiku was chatting with Rukia, brightening up the atmosphere. Or maybe I think that because the sky is really dark now. The trees didn’t help either; they were so tall that they hid a large part of any light that could come through. He brushed off his worries.

xxx

Toushirou knew the way by heart, and it was a good thing, because sometimes it was so dark that he could barely tell where the track was – and he didn’t want to use his magic so soon, when the night was still long away. He was wary too, because something was off, without being able to know what.

“Isn’t it odd, Toushirou?” suddenly asked Rangiku. “The path seemed livelier last time we took it.”

That was it. He frowned. “You’re right. It shouldn’t be so silent.”

Now that they noticed it, their normal chat seemed to resonate in the forest. He didn’t like it. Everyone went silent almost immediately, as if they all felt the necessity to remain silent and lessen the noises they were making to the lowest possible.

“Am I becoming paranoid, or are there people watching us?” asked Rue in a nervous tone.

“No, I can feel eyes following us,” replied Rangiku. “But maybe it’s just animals.”

“I doubt it,” groaned Ichigo, who took out his sword. The forged steel made a long grating noise, making Toushirou cringe.

He glanced at the man he was supposed to help; the sword that he was holding was humongous – how did he not fall under its weight? He carried it so easily, it was a pure non-sense. He hadn’t been paying attention because Ichigo had been holding sheathed it in his back, but he was happy that he wasn’t his enemy. For now. After all, maybe he really wanted to just fight Jidanbou. But his instinct told him to trust that weird orange-haired guy, so he’d follow through.

Lost in his thoughts, Toushirou was forgetting about his fears when a sharp cry resounded in his back. Surprised, he turned on his heels, his sword already in his hands, only to find a masked man attacking Ichigo. Shit! He jumped in to help Ichigo, swearing some more when a second man popped up. Ichigo, he noticed, didn’t really need his help, and himself found the second masked man an easy target.

“Ichigo!” shouted suddenly Rue.

He looked over his shoulder and felt the blood being drained out of his body. Rue was taken away by brute force, and a last man was standing there, restraining Rangiku and pointing a knife towards her throat.

“Rukia!” cried Ichigo, starting to run after them.

Rangiku, though, was not panicking. She was looking at him intently and he understood that she was up to something. The two other men were now pointing their swords at him, but he didn’t move. He knew that he couldn’t afford it.

“Who are you and what do you want?” he asked calmly.

Money, probably. They always wanted that, but for them to hide in such a spot… that was definitely odd, as it wasn’t really well-known and taken.

The man holding Rangiku laughed. “That doesn’t concern you,” he retorted.

It was the moment of inattention that Rangiku needed. She bit his arm to free herself from his grip, turned on herself and kicked him hard. In the crotch. Toushirou cringed inwardly while the man fell on the floor, passing out. Glad that one didn’t hit me, he thought, while turning again to face his two opponents. Those were small fries though.

xxx

Ichigo couldn’t believe that he had lost them. He stopped, trying to hear the tiniest movement, but aside the noises that came from the fight behind him, there was nothing. He frowned. If they’re hiding somewhere, there’s just no way I’m going to catch them… it’s too dark and I don’t know the place…

He couldn’t move though; moving would mean abandoning Rukia and there was no way he’d ever do that. He was the one who threw her into that shit, so he would definitely make sure she’d get out of it unscratched. Definitely.

The sky began to pour a heavy rain that was barely stopped by the trees, seeping through his clothes and his skin. He felt cold.

xxx

Rukia cringed as the rain wet her clothes. The man with a fox mask had put a gag on her mouth – he probably didn’t appreciate when she had called out Ichigo. He was strong too – he carried her with such easiness that she wondered for a moment if she was really that light. She didn’t think so. Her kicks didn’t seem to bother him the slightest too. However, at some point, he made her sit down on the cold ground, in the middle of shrubs, to hide from Ichigo who was dangerously approaching their spot.

She froze and her heart skipped a beat when she felt the man’s free hand groped her breast. Gross, her mind screamed! However, that was also an opportunity: he was not paying attention to what she was doing. She couldn’t chant her spells, so there was only one thing she could do. Furtively, she brushed her bracelet with a hand, praying that it would work.

xxx

A purple and black butterfly flew right under his eyes. Ichigo blinked. It was the first animal he saw since he entered the forest, and it didn’t seem to be scared like the others who hid well. The butterfly flew away, waited and came back. And repeated its dance. What is it doing? He decided to follow it, silently, when he saw a dark droop amongst the bushes. He grit his teeth and ran, forgetting about being cautious.

Rukia was there, a gag on her mouth, looking both furious and grossed out. He immediately understood why. The fox-masked man who was seizing her was busy groping her breast. Ichigo saw red and before he knew it his fist crashed onto the guy’s head. Hard. The mask cracked and he knocked him out immediately, but the urge to continue to hit him restlessly was strong. However, Rukia immediately stood up and got rid of her gag.

“You were so slow! What took you so long to figure out why there was a butterfly there!” she exclaimed, shaking a bit.

He understood only then how scared she had been and felt stupid. “I’m sorry,” he replied softly. “I should have understood immediately.”

She shook her head, as if she was slowly getting back to her old self. “No,” she said. “I’m sorry, I’m unfair. Thank you.” He blinked, a bit surprised, but before he could say anything, she went on. “Say, do you have a rope?”

“Uh, no, why?”

“We might as well figure out who they are, shouldn’t we?”

“Right.” Although, he still wanted to continue to punch him until he dropped dead. “Maybe he has a belt,” he suggested, looking at his pants.

“Oh, good idea,” approved Rukia. She knelt down to snatch the belt, but he stopped her.

“Let me do it.” She nodded, looking a bit relieved, while he took his belt to bind the man’s wrists, making sure he wouldn’t be able to free himself. And then, he took the mask off. The guy looked perfectly normal – what did he think exactly? He wasn’t sure. Brown hair with a roundish face, quite young, there was nothing scary about him once he was knocked out.

“Ah, you found her,” said Toushirou’s voice. Ichigo jolted, surprised – he didn’t hear Toushirou coming there. Rangiku wasn’t here yet though, he noticed. “Rangiku is after the donkey,” explained the white-haired boy. “It was scared and ran away. You caught him alive?”

“Yeah. I knocked him out though,” he replied.

“It’s ok. There’s something I wanted to ask you though.”

“Yeah?”

“Rukia,” he simply said, looking at her.

–

He felt Rukia’s gaze on him – yes, it was his fault, he remembered it clearly.

“So, what. Rue is my nickname,” she said calmly, putting on a poker face.

“So you have nothing to do with Lady Kuchiki Rukia?” he insisted.

Rukia frowned. “Do I look like a lady?”

“Maybe,” he replied.

“That’s just because she didn’t hit you yet,” grinned Ichigo.

They were interrupted by Rangiku showing up with the donkey, right when the man opened up his eyes.

“Right,” said Toushirou. “It’s time to get some answers.” His eyes lingered on him and Rukia though, and Ichigo felt that the boy still had suspicions. Not that I can blame him, after all…

xxx

Toushirou thought that he’d have to ask them again later on. For now, it wasn’t the most important thing.

“Who are you?” asked Ichigo, taking the guy by his collar and shaking him violently. He was looking really angry, he thought. Maybe they are telling the truth, he reconsidered.

The guy though didn’t reply. Instead, he laughed.

“Why did you take Rue?” shouted Ichigo, more and more pissed off.

“Because,” said the man, “she looks like the girl we need to have a name.”

“Uh?” Rue – or Rukia, whatever her name was – had perfectly summed up his own feelings.

“What do you mean?” he asked, frowning as Ichigo was shaking the guy even more.

“That was what we had, as a promise if we brought her back. A name.”

“If you brought her back to whom?” It was Rangiku, with a calm and collected voice. But he knew that when she talked like this, she was really dangerous.

The man stayed silent, but he could almost sense the fear. Yes, the man was smelling fear.

Suddenly, Ichigo let go of the collar. He couldn’t see his face, as it was bent towards the man at his feet. “Is that so?” That was all that he said, but in his tone was a menace that no one could brush off.

“Gin!” screamed the guy. “It was Gin!” But, as he said the name, the man writhed in pain. Toushirou noticed immediately a black sign on his hand extending rapidly to his whole body, making his flesh rot on the spot. Such a deadly spell, he thought, shivering a bit, as the man died under their eyes. Rue had put her hands at her mouth, watching in horror, and Ichigo was stunned.

“What was that…” It wasn’t even a question, as it was quite obvious, but Ichigo still talked, as if he wanted to have a reply.

However… The name had been pronounced. He glanced at Rangiku, whose lips were tightly closed, an almost white line.

“A dark spell,” breathed Rue. “That guy placed a dark spell on him if he were to talk. I guess that man had no clue as to what this spell truly did… or maybe he didn’t even know he had such a spell put on him… It is said that those who were killed by a dark spell can never find their path to the Gates. They become lost souls. I’ve never imagined that someone would use such a spell for a rather trivial matter…”

“Unless,” Toushirou said, “he’s tracking the ones who died. Because they’re likely to be close to his goal.”

Rue became paler and Ichigo clenched his teeth.

xxx

Rain was pouring from the sky, drenching them as Toushirou’s words hit them. Rangiku knew that it was totally something Gin could do. That he’d definitely do that, because he was the kind of man who would do anything to reach his goals. If his heart is so dark, then why has he always been nice to me? She frowned, annoyed at her self pity. It wasn’t like her, to be like that.

Ichigo and Rue were staring at each other, as if some silent words were uttered between them.

“We should go,” said Ichigo, leading Rue by the shoulders and turning her gaze away from the decayed body.

“Yeah…” she muttered, still horrified by Gin’s act. Just when she thought that he couldn’t get darker, he did. He truly lives fully his dark path, she thought. She spotted Toushirou’s eyes on her, showing an unnatural concern. Not so unnatural, she corrected herself, as she remembered that he always had that kind of gaze whenever Gin popped up.

“Yes. The donkey is already scared to death. I don’t want to run after it again. Next time, Toushirou, you’ll be the one who’ll chase it,” she grinned.

“Ô, joy,” he snorted. “Let’s go then. We’ve already lost too much time and the rain won’t make it easy.”

xxx

Walking under the rain was sure a pain. Not only it was cold and made you struggle with the clothes and the mud, but Rukia hated being reminded of the rain that poured on that day. She shivered, feeling the rain piercing through her clothes and even her skin icing her bones. As for her hair, she had wished long ago that she could dry it, but gave up as the inn seemed nowhere near. Since then, the rain didn’t stop, and they were still walking.

“I hate rain,” grumbled Ichigo.

“So do I,” she replied.

He looked as if he was about to reply something, but held his tongue. He looks a bit odd, she thought, glancing more frequently at him now. What was happening? She didn’t have a clue, and Ichigo’s face was kept closed. No one was talking, each one struggling with their own thoughts, and that made the travel gloomy, as if an oppressing atmosphere was put around them. Maybe it’s just because of the rain, she thought, trying to cheer up.

When the night began to fall, Toushirou made a thoughtful face.

“We can definitely make it.” His pendant glowed while he murmured a light spell. A tiny dragon was illuminating their path, light emitting from his wings.

“Nice!” she couldn’t help but exclaim. “A dragon!”

Toushirou and Rangiku grinned. “Yes, his focus is a dragon. Doesn’t it look cool?” asked Rangiku, blinking at them while she hugged Toushirou.

He managed to get away from her, trying to catch his breath. “Rangiku! I told you to not do that!” he protested.

She and Ichigo chuckled at the same time. The mood did brighten up suddenly.

“Alright then!” exclaimed Ichigo, looking forward with determination glinting in his eyes. “Let’s go!”

xxx

Ichigo couldn’t deny it, he was glad that they could joke and chuckle. It felt best to travel that way, while chatting happily. They weren’t that far from the inn – it took them less than one hour to reach it. He felt really tired and cold when they finally saw it from afar. It was tiny, with two floors a roof made of red tiles, windows hiding what was happening inside with light curtains… it did look cosy, merrily spreading its lights in the glade. A small river was winding near it, almost hidden in the night. If it hadn’t been for Toushirou’s magic, he’d have missed it for sure.

They put the donkey in the stables and then headed towards the main building. When Toushirou pushed the door, there was the smell of food attacking his nostrils, and warmth too.

“Hello! Welcome to my inn!” a round woman greeted them, all laughs and cheers with her bright smile and her chestnut hair. “Come in, come in!”

The owner invited them to follow her, as she served some patrons. Ichigo was surprised; he thought it’d be tinier, with less people, but he had been mistaken. The inn was nearly full and no one seemed to pay attention to them when they entered.

“How come are there so many people?” inquired Rukia, her curiosity cut to the quick.

“Because the three next villages don’t have any alcohol, of course! You didn’t know? So people come here to drink,” explained the woman, quite amused. “Very few people are actually travellers… how may I help you?”

“No alcohol?” he asked, quite surprised.

“Yeah... because of the troubles some people created with the giants after getting drunk, it was decided that drinking would be prohibited on the giants’ territory,” said Toushirou, looking a bit angry.

“Don’t worry too much about that! Now, they have to get through my magic, so troubles can’t really happen, right?” grinned the owner.

“Yeah... thank you, Misa,” smiled Rangiku. “I’m glad to see you again! It’s been a while, right?”

Said Misa fell into Rangiku’s arms, boasting about how she was her best customer. She gave them two rooms and promised a hot bath in each soon enough. For now, all they had to do was get rid of their clothes and dry themselves with the towels. Except, there was one little thing he hadn’t thought about and that he couldn’t fight against. Rukia was his roommate. In a one bed room, once again. Please, don’t tell me I’ll have this dream again!

Said Rukia was looking in her belongings, wearing only a shirt and her underwear, a slight frown showing that something was not right. Yes, something is not right. Why are you wearing only this, he couldn’t help but think? “Hey, Ichigo,” she called him, a faint blush across her cheeks.

“What?” he asked back, taking lazily his shirt off. Getting rid of wet clothes was still one of the best things, after all.

“Do you have any dry shirt or something I could wear? All my clothes are–”

She was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

“Yeah?” Maybe someone was bringing hot water. But he was wrong. Three men were standing there, their eyes roaming on Rukia’s body. Feeling annoyed, he stood between them and her. “And who may you be?” he asked dryly.

“You see, we had friends,” one began, “who never came back. And we know that they definitely met up with you… Maybe it’s as he said… this young miss over there is quite a young lady,” he said, looking at him right in the eyes, insisting on the lady part.

“What the hell are you saying?” retorted Rukia, half hiding behind him. “Did you even notice how I’m dressed right now? I don’t think a lady would do that!”

“You resemble her though, and even if you’re hiding behind commoners’ words, your accent can’t really deceive anybody!”

“Until what extent are you ready to play that deceptive game of yours?” Uryuu’s question came back in his mind, ringing loudly as he pushed Rukia against the wall. He didn’t say anything – he didn’t have to, he knew she was thinking about those words too when he fixed his gaze in her violet eyes.

There was something he knew.

He couldn’t fake that one.

So, he bent down, his mouth slightly opened urging her to imitate him. Which she did, just in time before he crashed down onto her lips, his tongue seeking hers to dance with it.

Ichigo had already been kissed, several times, by girls who wanted to bed him. None had ever reached that stage, because no one had been able to make him the slightest interested in them, although he’d always been OK to be kissed.

And now that the kiss was one forced by the events, this?

He pressed against the wall with his forearm, not sure just how long he’d be able to stand up. He didn’t even cared about the other men, hell he didn’t even know if they were still there. All he knew was that there was Rukia, right there, replying to his kiss, first shyly, before being, like him, consumed by a deeper need.

His free hand travelled from her thigh – her skin was so soft it drove him nearly crazy just by the touch of it – to under her shirt, earning some moans while a pair of arms locked themselves around his neck.

xxx

Rukia had never kissed nor been kissed. So, when she saw Ichigo ready to steal her first kiss – not that it held a deep importance but damn it, that was still her first one after all – she had felt a bit apprehensive.

A feeling that had been dispelled as soon as she felt his tongue, first gently playing with hers before a hot dance began, tantalizing her. It was good, maybe a bit too much, and soon enough she felt both of their bodies heating up, needing the feel of each other’s skin, while their kiss never seemed to end. His hand was under her shirt when she put her arms around his neck – she didn’t want this to end.

When his fingers toyed with her nipple, a moan escaped her throat. She felt something hard against her belly, but she didn’t have the time to ponder on it as someone exclaimed “Oh, excuse me!”

It broke the spell. Her legs felt a bit weak as Ichigo turned around. She blinked. What the–?

xxx

He didn’t know if he should feel relieved or angry to have been interrupted. He wasn’t sure that without anyone, he could have stopped and that would have definitely be a bad idea. On the other hand, damn! It almost felt like one of his dreams. The woman who intruded was all blushing, a hot water bucket in her hands. Behind her, he saw Toushirou kind of surprised.

“Sorry to interrupt,” grinned the white haired boy. “but she brings the water for the bath. Unless you don’t want to take one, after all?”

“It’s okay!” he replied. “Come in!” He turned back to Rukia, to tell her to get in the bath first, when he caught her fixing something on his shoulder. “Is there something wrong, Rue?”

“No,” she breathed, “nothing at all!”

He looked behind him, where the girl was putting hot water in the bathtub. Maybe she knows her? Impossible… The girl was pretty ordinary, but maybe she resembled someone she knew? He’d had to ask later.

xxx

Toushirou had been surprised. After all, what they were saying was true. There was no way such a kiss was a fake – either that or they had to be damn good at lying. And the dinner that followed had the two of them being a bit awkward – maybe because they remembered in what position he just saw them. Nonetheless, it did dispel his fears.

Rangiku was sat on a chair in their room, looking outside. He cleared his throat, not sure if she had heard him coming back.

“Say, Toushirou,” she spoke, her eyes still fixed outside, “why does Gin want that girl? The one that resembles Rue.”

“I don’t know… Nothing good can come out from it, I’m afraid.”

She chewed her bottom lip. “That’s what I think too. I can’t figure it out… he’s up to something, I can tell.”

“Yeah…”

She turned her head to finally look at him and he was surprised by her determination. “We should try to find out, once we’ll be back in town. Someone must know something!”

He nodded. “We will,” he promised her.

xxx

Rukia was between two phases of sleep, semi-conscious and feeling oddly well. Someone held her in his arms, and she felt safe and… at the right place. There was no other way to describe it. In her semi-consciousness, she could feel a breath in her hair, an arm pillowing her head and another one locked around her waist. And another body right next to her. It should be like this, yet… it shouldn’t! The oddity of the thought made her open her eyes. Ichigo was right there, sleeping soundly, entangled with her. How did this happen? She was sure that they were perfectly away from each other a few hours before, when they began to sleep. She tried to free herself from his grasp, but he groaned and strengthened his grip.

The butterfly on his shoulder glowed.

A/N: I hope you liked it XD Thanks to debbiechan who betaed this, even though she never read Freed (although now she wants to read it, lol XD). Feel free to review, me like reviewsss XD