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Left Behind But Not Forgotten	By : Polymer Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 5127 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Tite Kubo and Shonen Jump own Bleach, I don't. I make no money from the writing of this fanfiction story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
That day in school, she and Orihime seemed to avoid any discussion of the conversation before. Tatsuki had managed to get a decent night’s sleep and joked it was that of the dead. Rukia had actually shown up in class and Tatsuki acted as if she had not seen her spying the night before. Except she kept her distance and hid her true irritation under a veneer of politeness.
Underneath the tree, she sat at lunch that day, shoving Chizuro out of the way before she could grope Orihime yet again. “Can’t you get a CLUE?”
“I can’t help it! She just looks so cute!” Chizuro drooled.
Orihime eagerly tucked away mouthfuls of her newest concoction Tatsuki suspected Ishida must have been struggling to eat. The cluster of boys sitting on top of the school was difficult to see but she recognized the Quincy sitting off to the side nearest to Chad while Keigo and Mizuiro chatted on with the other boys.
“She IS dating someone unless you’re BLIND!” Tatsuki growled at Chizuro, putting aside her lacquer bento box with custom fitted lid.
“One can only dream,” Chizuro replied finally getting the hint. “And anyway you’re looking cuter than usual? Letting your hair grow?”
“Don’t even START with me,” Tatsuki glared at her and settled down again next to Orihime. She poked at her bento to get another few mouthfuls of savory beef. Ryuuken wasn’t a bad cook when he actually put his mind to it. She cringed thinking of how early he must have risen to make the two box lunches he insisted she take one of.
“We should all come to Tatsuki’s house and have a slumber party like old times,” Chizuru joked.
“That’s so sophomore,” Michiru mumbled through a mouthful of rice from a Tupperware container more like the other girls all had.
Orihime met Tatsuki’s gaze once more and murmured, “Thank you.”
Chopsticks poised before her lips Tatsuki asked, “What for?”
“I figured you were not talking about last night so I didn’t bring it up, and then I realized I needed to thank you for being there for us when… Uryuu kun and I…” she trailed off.
“No problem. Ryuuken was just being a pain as usual,” Tatsuki mumbled.
“Don’t tell me… you both have boyfriends?” Michiru teased.
“Someone actually DOES want you to grow your hair out, Arisawa Kun,” Chizuro teased the former tomboy.
“Shut up,” Tatsuki growled, clocking her with a raised fist the same way Ichigo would with Keigo. Not nearly enough to hurt but sufficient to ward off the pink haired classmate.
“Who’s Ryuuken san?” Mahana asked. Tatsuki coughed loudly almost spewing her food, hand around her throat.
“Oh dear, are you okay?” Orihime asked and moved behind Tatsuki with both hands wrapped around her. Tatsuki almost gagged from the fist and hand shoving up into her diaphragm.
“Go Orihime!” Chizuru cheered on while the other girls gathered around in worry. Almost blue Tatsuki finally coughed up the offending bit of food and relaxed into Orihime’s arms.
“Th… thanks,” she mumbled wearily.
“Uryuu kun just taught me that last night,” said Orihime. Chizuro passed her a cup of water while Mahana fanned Tatsuki’s face.
“You okay?” Chizuro asked. “I didn’t want you to choke! Mahana just asked a question.”
“I think… I’m done with lunch,” Tatsuki mumbled rubbing her face. At least she could blame the fierce blush lingering on her face to almost choking to death on lunch. Orihime gave everyone a weak but reassuring smile to appease his or her concerns Tatsuki was all right. She then helped gather their emptied lunch bundles and carry them so Tatsuki could walk unimpeded leaning on Mahana.
Once they were back in the classroom early Orihime sat in the desk in front of Tatsuki. She murmured, “I hope you’re okay. I’m sure Chizuro…”
“She’s a busybody as well as a pain in the neck,” mumbled Tatsuki darkly, her eyes fixed on the floor.
“Even so…” Orihime said softly. “She only meant well…”
“Like she means well grabbing you even though she knows you’re with Uryuu kun?” Tatsuki quipped. Orihime gave her a tentative disarming smile. Her eyes honed in on the small bracelet Orihime wore around her wrist. She unconsciously rested her hand over her necklace tucked under her shirt.
“You don’t have to tell her anything you don’t want to, but if you would like I could help you come up with a story,” Orihime offered, squeezing Tatsuki’s hand supportively.
“I guess she’s even noticed how I’m getting to school this last week?” Tatsuki asked glancing back and forth as if Chizuro were there watching.

**
Together Tatsuki and Orihime stood outside the Kurosaki clinic, knocking on the front door. Yuzu answered it, giving them both a warm smile. “Orihime san, Tatsuki san! You’re here to see Ichi nii?”
“Brought him some flowers,” said Tatsuki holding up a bouquet.
“How is Kurosaki kun?” murmured Orihime as Yuzu let them in.
“No change?” asked Tatsuki giving Yuzu a reassuring hug. She shook her head and leaned into the touch.
“What’s this? Two beautiful girls coming to visit! My day is complete!” Isshin crowed as he appeared out of nowhere and rested his hand on both their shoulders. “Hello, hello hello!”
“Kurosaki san, hi!” Orihime said cheerfully.
“Is he STILL lying around while we’re in class again?” Tatsuki griped.
“Come upstairs and see for yourself,” said Isshin as he urged them upstairs.
“I’ll put these in water so you can take them up,” Yuzu said. “Ichi nii will love them.”
Once they had the bouquet of flowers in a nice yet chipped vase they joined Ishida and Chad upstairs who were already clustered around Ichigo’s bed. Next to him sat Rukia, pushing hair aside from his face. The friends each exchanged looks of worry.
“He said something before, but he didn’t open his eyes,” Rukia murmured. “I’m glad you both got here…”
“Any sign of waking up?” Tatsuki asked craning her head over her friend’s shoulders.
“Just flutters of his eyelids, but…” Ishida began as he checked Ichigo’s pulse. From the doorway Isshin watched letting Ichigo’s friends fuss over him.
A small moan and a flicker of eyes beneath closed lids drew their full attention. Each friend tensed in anticipation of those orange lashed lids cracking open just a bit. Whispers filled the tense silence room Ichigo remained perfectly statue still. Tatsuki frowned and murmured, “Oi, Ichigo, wake up already…”
“Kurosaki kun please,” Orihime said softly.
Another moan reached their ears accompanied by two eyes twitching the slightest bit open. From side to side, he tossed his head nestled in that pillow. Rukia nearest his shoulder tapped it and whispered, “Come on you fool please open your eyes!”
“Ichigo, wake up,” Chad murmured.
Dark brown eyes slowly swung fully open clouded and blurry. Tatsuki and Orihime guessed from the wrinkling of his brow he just registered what was going on. They flickered closed again but unopened once more after another round of name-calling and shoulder tapping. Fingers in his hands twitched held by Chad and Rukia.
His lips parted the slightest bit with the next moan, eyes staying open for much longer this time. A puzzled expression twisted his features in the scowl they knew so well quickening their pulses in expectation. He had opened his eyes before on other visits but it was as if he could not see them. “E… every…” he murmured.
“Ichigo,” Tatsuki snapped. “You’d better wake up! We’re worried SICK!”
“T… tatsuki… stop… yelling…” Ichigo managed to croak out. “I…”
“Kurosaki kun!” Orihime pleaded.
“Ch... chad… R… Rukia… Tatsuki…” he croaked, blinking up at them. “Is... Ishida…”
“That’s right. We’re all here, idiot,” Rukia insisted, voice catching in her throat. Orihime and Tatsuki felt the tension twisting the muscles in her slim shoulders.
“Everyone… here… what…”
“You’ve been asleep on and off for a month, Kurosaki,” Ishida informed him.
“A whole month, Ichigo. You worried us SICK,” Tatsuki scolded though Orihime squeezed her shoulder.
“Ichigo, do you know where you are?” Rukia asked.
“What the hell kind of question is that, midget?” Ichigo asked, turning his gaze to her. His dull eyes twinkled into life.
Tatsuki swallowed the lump in her throat. All the words she wanted to hurl at him would have to wait. Instead she said, “You stupid idiot. You worried us to death. What the hell were you thinking?”
“S… sorry Tatsuki,” Ichigo whispered as he looked up at her soberly. “I… shouldn’t have…”
“Just shut up. I’ll kill you later,” Tatsuki found herself babbling.
“Shouldn’t have shut you out,” Ichigo murmured as he shakily lifted a hand in her direction. Tatsuki grabbed it and squeezed it.
“We’ll have a long talk later, promise me,” she said, hating how her voice cracked. Hearing that apology soothed a horrible aching knot enough for now.
“You bet,” Ichigo said nodding to her. Then glancing up at Rukia and his other friends he sighed.
“Kurosaki kun…” Orihime whispered. Around her neck gleamed a silver cross, not unlike the one Tatsuki wore.
“Hi Inoue. Is Ishida making sure you’re okay?” Ichigo asked.
“Yes, yes he is,” said Orihime nodding, eyes gleaming with unshed tears.
“Good,” Ichigo said, relaxing. He turned his head to Ishida. “I’m sorry I stabbed you…”
“Kurosaki, enough,” said Ishida. “It’s all over now.”
“Ichigo…” Chad murmured.
“Chad is everyone okay?” he murmured. Chad nodded, smiling only slightly but his brown eyes telling the rest of the story.
The tips of Rukia’s lips twitched up discernibly. She squeezed his hand in hers, murmuring, “It’s been okay for a while, idiot.”
“It isn’t okay now,” mumbled Ichigo. “I… I can’t feel any of you…”
“Feel…” Tatsuki began but stopped once she realized what he meant. Several anxious pairs of eyes met in a common appraisal. Some felt the sting of oncoming tears joining the collective lumps knotting their throats.
“Nothing?” Ishida asked.
“Not a thing. I can see you and hear you but… can’t… sense…” Ichigo choked out. His eyes blurred over with tears glancing in Rukia’s direction.
“Shh,” Tatsuki sighed, squeezing the hand she still held. “It will be okay, Ichigo. Promise you that.”
Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut, turning his head to face the wall. A sad smile came over his face a minute later when he glanced back at everyone clustered around his bed. “I know it will. It’s gonna be fine.”
None of them had to ask whether that was the case. Each knew the implications they did not dare voice aloud. Among them all Rukia said the least and let Ichigo’s friends do the bulk of the questions they had later until Isshin had to urge them downstairs to eat the dinner Yuzu had prepared so Ichigo could rest.

***
Tatsuki gave Ichigo another day to recuperate before she decided to confront him about how angry she was. The emotions festered for long enough and she was damned if she would let them simmer longer. It had to be said and the sooner the better.
Therefore, two days after he recovered she arrived with Orihime after school, bringing books in hand. Rukia was nowhere to be seen at that moment and Tatsuki guessed the shinigami was out patrolling Karakura town for Hollows. Ishida had left them a block from the building to go off and have words with Ryuuken, something that made both women a bit nervous.
“I hope they don’t hurt each other or fight,” Orihime mumbled as Tatsuki knocked on Ichigo’s door.
“If they do, maybe it’s for the best. They need a good old-fashioned brawl to work out the kinks and get on speaking terms again. I know it works for Ichigo and his old man,” Tatsuki said.
Karin poked her head out and said, “If you’re looking for my idiot brother he’s in the living room.”
“Thanks Karin chan,” said Orihime.
“Thank you. You still going out for Soccer?” asked Tatsuki.
“Ask a silly question,” Karin said. “By the way don’t’ beat the hell out of him Tatsuki san. Leave some for Dad to put back together.”
“I’ll try to keep from making him a smear on the street,” joked Tatsuki as Orihime winced. Both girls entered the house and entered the living room. Glancing up from the video game he played Ichigo said, “Oi…”
“Hi Kurosaki kun!” Orihime said. “I think I’ll just see if Yuzu needs help in the kitchen…”
“Sure,” Ichigo said. Tatsuki mouthed a thank you to Orihime who waved and hastily departed for the kitchen.
Left alone with Ichigo, Tatsuki sat down. Ichigo turned off the video game and looked at her, as if he expected her to punch him. Sure enough her fist did fly, but only hard enough to knock him to the floor.

He glanced sadly up at her rubbing his cheek. “I deserved that,” he muttered.
“I held back,” Tatsuki said angrily, hands on her hips. “You realize I had to hold back till you got your ass better you moron!”
“I’m sorry,” Ichigo said.
“You’d BETTER BE SORRY!” Tatsuki snapped, her eyes gleaming with all the anger and frustration she kept to herself. “God Ichigo, you couldn’t even tell your own friends where you were going?”
Ichigo looked up at her with hurt in his brown eyes, simply letting Tatsuki get it out of her system. There was nothing he could think of to say to justify what he would done except what he had said at the time. Yet he knew he had to be honest. “I was trying to protect you guys from Aizen….”
“You could have TOLD US! Don’t our feelings matter to you, jerk?” Tatsuki continued, voice catching.
“I’m sorry Tatsuki. I was an insensitive prick. I should have known better because you’re one of my oldest friends,” Ichigo said quietly as he sat up.
Tatsuki sighed. “If you’d put on a dumb macho act I’d have put you through that wall. I guess the fact you had the sense to let me talk and apologized shows you have some sense in that thick head of yours.”
Eyes hidden in shadow Ichigo hung his head. He murmured, “I really screwed up didn’t I Tatsuki.”
“You sure did. Now get up,” Tatsuki said as she extended a hand to him. He took it and let her pull him up.
“Friends?” Ichigo asked quietly.
“Yeah, I guess someone has to keep an eye on your stubborn butt,” Tatsuki said with a wry smile. “I forgive you but don’t let it happen again.”
“Keigo told me that you were able to stand up to Aizen,” mumbled Ichigo shaking his head. “That was something else. If I’d known…”
“You didn’t bother to ask,” Tatsuki said sadly. “About the rest of us having spirit powers.”
“It was because of me wasn’t it?” Ichigo said.
“Dumbass,” Tatsuki sighed sitting down next to him on the sofa.
“If it wasn’t for me you’d never had had the powers to begin with,” Ichigo said to her soberly.
“You can’t change what happened, but it is what it is,” Tatsuki said philosophically fingering the necklace she wore. “I guess I should thank you because we were able to put up a good fight here.”
“Yeah. I heard you kicked ass,” he chuckled. “But you can still see ghosts?”
“Won’t go away,” Tatsuki said to him.
“I can’t,” Ichigo said and reached over to squeeze her shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re stuck with it.”
“Can’t be helped. I’m just glad you can’t anymore,” Tatsuki said.
“One hell of a way to get what I wished for,” Ichigo muttered as he looked at the floor sadly. Then he reached over and hugged Tatsuki tightly. She returned the embrace, shaking a bit as he buried his face in her shoulder.
“Ichigo?” she asked worriedly, rubbing his back as he started to sniffle.
“I can’t see Rukia anymore,” he whispered. “Or any of them. That’s the one part that sucks.”
“Ichigo… oh man,” Tatsuki sighed. “But she was in school…”
“I know she can wear a gigai, but it’s not the same. I mean I can’t see her unless I do, and…” Ichigo trailed off. She drew back to regard him at arm’s length, still rubbing his shoulder supportively.
“Have you two talked this out?” Tatsuki asked him as Ichigo hung his head.
The former substitute rubbed his hand violently through his spiky orange mane. “Not really. Rukia isn’t the sort of person who has long talks. It’s more like arguments.”
“Then argue it out. Do something. Just don’t leave it bottled up inside,” Tatsuki advised her old friend who interlaced his fingers resting his elbows on his bend knees hunched over. She edged away to put space between them so Ichigo could pause and reflect.
Five minutes of tense silence passed. Eventually Ichigo straightened up with renewed determination in his brown eyes. Turning to his friend he said, “Thanks Tatsuki.”
“Don’t mention it,” she replied, patting him on the back. For the rest of the afternoon the duo caught up on their busy lives sipping iced tea that Yuzu slipped in to hand to them. Though she tried to sidestep a bit around Ryuuken Ichigo eventually caught on.
Raising his glass frosty with condensation Ichigo sipped the tangy brown liquid. “So I heard that you’re seeing someone steady?”
Tatsuki gripped her glass between two hands mindful not to break it into fragments. She quickly said, “Yeah that’s right. Though he doesn’t go to Karakura High.”
“College student? Can you tell me his name so I can kick his ass if he doesn’t treat you right?” he half joked.
With a clunk, Tatsuki set her glass down before rubbing her face. “Don’t get me started. First Ishida then you. How many times do you have to hear me say I can handle this sort of thing?”
Towards her Ichigo leaned slightly, raising a hand. He said, “Whoa, wait a minute. Easy. I guess it’s just the overprotective part of me. Don’t take it so seriously. If there’s one thing I know you CAN take care of yourself. I just wanted to know if it’s anyone I know?”
“Well, your family knows him,” Tatsuki said evasively biting her lip.
“An older guy?” Ichigo guessed, scrunching his brows. He gulped another mouthful of liquid.
Again, Tatsuki picked up her iced tea to quench her suddenly dry mouth. Her sandpapery tongue almost rasped the roof of her mouth saying, “You could say that. It’s complicated.”
“Tatsuki, it isn’t that Enjo Kosai stuff is it? Don’t hit me it’s just a question!” he said holding a pillow in front of his face in case she let another left hook fly.
“No,” Tatsuki blurted out seeing him peer around the pillow. “It’s just that he’s a widower and well…”
“Ah, well as long as you can handle it,” Ichigo said doubtfully, lowering the pillow. “Just remember I’m here if you need… someone to talk to him…”
Tatsuki sighed again. “That’s the problem. I wrote and told my parents I’m seeing someone, and they want me to invite him to dinner.”
“So what’s the problem then? There has to be one problem if you can’t even tell me who it is…” Ichigo frowned lowering the pillow.
“Don’t get all ballistic, but he’s a friend of your family. In fact your dad knows him…” she began but trailed off seeing Ichigo’s eyes widen and his jaw clench.
“My dad? Do you mean he’s someone old enough to be your…” Ichigo started to rant. He backed off once Tatsuki grabbed him by the front of his shirt and slapped a hand over his mouth.
“I TOLD you not to get ballistic,” she hissed, glaring at him. “He’s Ryuuken Ishida. Now you know. And before you go freaking out, he’s good to me and I care about him.”
When she realized Ichigo’s shirt and mouth he grumbled, “You’re nuts Tatsuki. That guy’s so stiff he has fabric softener in his veins. What do you see in a person like that? Does Ishida know?”
“He does in fact and gave me the same sort of speech,” Tatsuki sighed in disgust. “So go ahead and cry me a river about how he’s old enough to be my father and how it’s indecent. I don’t really care.”
“You do if you’re dancing around admitting it,” Ichigo said behind his iced tea glass.
“So what?” she mumbled, swigging another gulp of tea. From the way her shoulders tensed and her lip twitched Ichigo figured pushing her more was a bad idea. He had already suffered pulled punch without a broken jaw.
“All right. I trust that you’re gonna do what’s right, Tatsuki. What I said before still goes…” he said finally, shaking his head.
- 10
- 11
- 12
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Left Behind But Not Forgotten