Bleach: Rukia's Requiem

Chapter 1

 Rukia stepped from the Senkaimon, anticipating the smell of the human world; she missed it, a lot actually. There was something about it that made her nostalgic, but she couldn't pinpoint the source.

Once the gates closed behind her, Rukia rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath. The brisk autumn air filled her lungs, almost feeling like it was flooding her veins. She had gotten used to overwhelming heat, used to the feeling of drowning in an ocean of fire.

Rukia pushed the memories from her head, refusing to let it take over again.

Quietly she started walking, tugging at her scarf until it covered her mouth, before shoving her hands into her jacket's pockets.

She made quick work of the park, not bothering to take her time since she wanted to get the greetings over.

Her first stop was supposed to be Urahara, but she figured it would be quicker to just stop by any one's house on the way there.

Needless to say, there were quite a few places to stop by.

The sun was sitting low in the sky, throwing shadows over Rukia's path. She watched them as they passed by her, occasionally looking at her own over her shoulder. It was another thing she had seen rarely on her last mission.

The first person's house was Orihime's. The quaint little flat didn't look any different than before she had left.

She walked up the stairs and quickly found for Orihime's room number; standing in front of it for a little while. Finally she mustered up some courage and knocked three times. There was a loud shuffling from inside and the sound of someone colliding with something.

Rukia heard the safety chain being put into place before the door was unlocked. It swung opened just enough for Orihime to try and see through, a few strands of bright orange hair slipping through the crack.

There was a moment before her eye widened, and Rukia took it to mutter "Hello."

The door slammed shut, followed by the noise of metal against metal.

Seconds later Orihime opened the door and threw her arms around Rukia.

"Rukia!" she exclaimed along with this motion, practically suffocating the smaller girl with her... um... assets.

Rukia smiled to herself before Orihime let go, glad that she was at least missed.

The orange-haired girl pulled away, standing awkwardly in front of Rukia.

"Wanna come in?" she asked, stepping back to give Rukia space.

Rukia thanked her politely before stepping into the small apartment, taking off her scarf and starting to unbutton her jacket.

"O, here, let me help" Orihime said before reaching out to pull Rukia's jacket down over her shoulders.   

Rukia spun around quickly, putting her hands up over her chest, "O, no, I'd like to keep it on if you don't mind" she said.

Orihime looked at her strangely for a moment, but didn't pursue her curiosity.

They both sat down on the couch, trying to get over the already awkward situation.

"So, how have you been?" Rukia asked, hoping that talking would loosen Orihime up a little. It seemed to work, because Orihime's features seemed to soften a bit.

"Things have been fine, but two years sure can change your life" Orihime said, observing the wall in front of them.

"Can you even believe it's been a little over two years since you left?" she asked Rukia, well more like stated it.