Our Promise Of Eternity

Chapter 7

Through out the day I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing or if I was acting like a child on a whim. Even Orhime knew I was hiding like a coward only having the excuse that my parents had abandon me years ago to want nothing to do with them. Rangiku had said the where leaving tonight so it still gives me time to rethink everything even my decision but until then I'll have to talk to Orhime.

{*.*}

I sat in the kitchen table that had a vase of red roses in the middle along with diner plates set for six people. Knowing who those two extra people are sadness and guilt hit me for never coming to visit even once theses pass eight years. I look around the house that had nothing fancy except a big T.V. that was hanging on the wall over the fireplace with two light brown couches in front of it. The window by the door was fully open so anyone who passed by would be able to see inside the house. I slowly got up to stand in front of the window so the sun's rays would warm and tickle my cold skin. In the back I can hear her rummage through the pots and pans as the smell of food filled the air.

"Masaki… Where's Isshin?" I called out to her.

"I really don't know he left early in the morning and he hasn't called" I heard her say as she came into the living room wiping her hands on her pink apron that covered her blue long sleeve dress. "Do you need to talk him?"

I look over my shoulders to see her face starting to frown a sign that she was worried.

"Ah no I actually needed to talk to you" I informed her not knowing if I should tell her or if Isshin should be the one but then again he knew Ichigo was alive all these years and never said a thing. But to tell her Isshin was keeping it from her would break her heart even more.

"Well come my child sit" she said her voice soft as ever. She took my hand and led me to the table where she pulled out a chair for me to sit. She went back to the kitchen and came back with a small pot that she placed beside me." Now what do you want to tell me child?" she took the plate that was in front of me to pour some soup when I said it without thinking it through.

"He's not dead" but instead of hearing an answer I heard a plate break against the wooden floor shattering into pieces.

{**}

After an hour of non-stop blabbering from the teacher the belled had finally rang signing the end of school. I slowly made my way to the front of gate as other students rushed passed me playing jokes on each other. I really didn't have many friends other Orhime and Uryu who is absent today due to a family emergency. I had met him two years ago through Orhime even though we were like cats and dogs we still became friends.

"ICHIGO OVER HERE!"

I looked up to see Orhime wave her hand as she stood in front of the gate where she and Uryu always waited for me. Her long orange hair bounces as she hopped on her tippy toes once again.

"And why are you so happy about Orhime?" I asked her casually as we walked home.

"I'm happy because I don't have morning activities anymore!" she said as she squealed. "We can walk together to school again".

"I'm going to her again Orhime" I blurted out I turn to look at her reaction that was an even bigger smile than before if it was possible.

"I'm not surprised at all Ichigo …I knew you would come to your sense," she said "And anyways school is out in a month plus were done with finals so it wont interfere with our school work"

She was the only person who believed in me when one else did.

"How about I treat you to ice cream? I know you've been wanting to go to the new shop by the Kurosaki's clinic"

{**}

I heard her heart race along with her hands as they shake. I felt the pieces of the broken plate hit my feet. She mumbles something before her knees gave out almost landing on the shards of the plate but I had caught her by the arm and pulled her up to sit her in a chair. Kneeling in front of her not bother by the shards that pressed against my knees, only having the thin cloth of my skirt keep them from pressing in to my skin.

"W-When" was all she could mange to say.

"Rangiku informed me a week ago but I had to come to make sure it was him…and I did"

"My …boy i-is alive"

I looked at her face to see her close her eyes as tears came rolling down, opening them again slow. She smiled and cupped my cheek with her hand as she let out a small laugh.

"He's alive thank the spirits he's alive" she grabbed my arm to pull me into a huge "and you my child are an guardian angel"

I let out a chuckle at what she said. I'm the complete opposite of angel Masaki. She let go of me to stand up quickly. I watched her hurriedly take off her apron and throw it over the couch to put on a long purple coat. I scrunched my eyebrows not knowing what she was doing.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to see him Rukia, I want to ask him so many things," she said as she smiled at me and moved to gather things.

"Masaki…"

" I wonder if he's eating right may able I should-"

"Masaki!" I yelled so I would be able to get her attention, which I did. "He suffers from memory lost he doesn't remember anyone and doesn't want to know anyone" I waited for her reaction which was the opposite of what I expected. She smiled at me, taking off her coat and set aside the things she had been collecting. I sat down on the couch and lower my head unable to look at her. "I'm sorry" was the only thing I could tell her.

"I should have expected that much." I felt her kneel in front of me and lifted my head so that I would meet her gaze. "You shouldn't apologize you searched for him when we all lost hope Rukia and from that you came to find him. I should be saying sorry for not being strong enough to believe he was alive"

"I'll tell you everything about him" I told her.

{.}

After we ate ice cream I depart from Orhime heading the direction of Rukia's house and hope to get there before dark. Orhime had insisted to come along but I had told her it's was complicated and I should do this alone. The good part was Rukia's mansion was only five blocks away from where we were. When I got there I notice the lights weren't on and the front gate was left open. In a panic that I was already too late I ran in the house-which the front door was unlocked- only to be greeted by being slammed on the wall with so much force that I couldn't get up again.

"Who are -Ichigo?"

The voice sound distant but close at the same time

"Who are you?" I asked, slowly sitting up only feel pair of cold hands help.

"Sh it's me Rangiku. Don't make too much noise. Try to slow down your heartbeat" she whispered in my ear. I didn't know what she was doing or why she was whispering but I went along with her.

"What are we doing?" I said in a low voice that I wasn't sure she heard until she took me by the arm and shoved us in room. Even though it was dark I could see clearly.

"Were hiding"

"From who? Aren't you supposed be a tough vampire?"

"I am but still doesn't mean I'm indestructible" she said as she pulled something near the fireplace, making it reveal a secret pass way. She shoved me in first and followed after as the door closed behind her. "And were hiding from the half-breeds he ones who want her highness dead"