IchiRuki - Sayonara

"Goodbye….Rukia. Thank you."

Those were the last words he said to me. I remember the look on his face, the miserable gleam in his eyes, and the indistinguishable tone in his voice that bordered on the line of hopelessness and cautious happiness. It's one moment of my life I can never forget. How could I?

It's been one month since that day, and even now, he still can not see or hear me. Sometimes it makes me wonder if he's forgotten about me, but it's those nights where he whispers my name in his sleep that tells me otherwise. I couldn't help but watch him as he slept. He looked so peaceful, yet at the same time, he still wore that troubled look on his face. I wanted to touch him, to reach out and smooth his furrowed brow, but I knew that by doing so, I would want to prolong my stay here. But I can't stay here in the world of the living. I have to return to the soul society, and there's no telling when I would eer step foot in this world again.

There's no telling if I will ever see Ichigo again.

And that thought alone is enough to torment me.

I can only imagine how he's feeling.

I myself am torn to pieces, but have been hiding it to the best of my ability. It's worked so far, but I can only keep this up for so long. And knowing Ichigo, he'll hide his true feelings too, but it's only a matter of time before the rain in his heart returns.

It's only a matter of time before we both crack.

It will happen…sooner or later.

But now is not the time for this. I have to go.

I kneeled down beside his bed and squeezed his hand in mine before leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Goodbye…Ichigo." I whispered. "I'll never forget you."