1Disclaimer: Kubo Tite owns Bleach. Coldplay owns Fix You. Grand Fantasia is Aeria's.
Summary: When Ichigo heard Coldplay's 'Fix You' on YouTube. This is Ichigo's POV.
Author's notes: One of the chapters from my random Bleach-fics. Not canon IchiRuki stuff though. Please point out any grammatical mistakes or spelling errors kindly, if any. :)
Warning: None. Suitable for all ages. This might be really sloppy, so watch out!
I entered my bedroom on the second floor with a simple turn of the door knob, and dropped my school bag unceremoniously on the floor next to my study desk. I grunted. The window was wide open. I have always left it that way. It's good to keep the ventilation going in the room, I know that all of you must know about this. But to be honest, there's a far more important reason as to why I have always left my bedroom window open all the time.
Yes, by all the time I do mean all the time. Even during the coldest weather, the window will always be left open.
It's her special path, road, whatever you call it; to come here. The midget's red carpet.
Rukia.
Speaking of which, she's not here with me today.
She had gone back to Soul Society yesterday evening, leaving me an untidy, small note scribbled in her writing with her stupid bunnies as decoration.
'Hey, Ichigo. I gotta go. Sorry for rushing back.
I'll be back as soon as I can.'
-Rukia
At this reminder, I grunted again and flung myself on top of my bed.
'As soon as I can my ass. Soonest she'll be able to come back is probably four days.' Soul Society had been dead busy.
Breathing deeply, I let myself feel the cottony material of the bed covers with my open palm. A gust of wind blew in, tickling my sun-kissed skin. I forced myself to a sitting position, letting my eyes roam the white clouds that hung across the blue sky in the far distance.
'Good weather,' I thought to myself wearily. Too bad the midget's not here to enjoy it. Instinctively, my amber eyes darted to a sleek, black electronic device that occupied a small part of my study desk.
My laptop. I grinned a little, an idea coming to mind. 'She's probably online,' I thought as I switched my laptop on.
I logged in into the game, Grand Fantasia. It was the midget's current favourite online MMO. I huffed and decided to use my level 45 character of Beserker class. I remembered that I've gotten the full, new Orange set. Stupid crafting system failed me more than six times, but in the end I got all five pieces of armor.
"This crafting system is stupid, midget," I complained in exasperation as my stupid sprite had failed crafting my head piece yet again. The other female Priest character only cheered my way. I scowled.
"Yeah, thanks for the congratulatory cheer, shorty," I typed.
"Don't mention it. Anyway, how could your sprite failed that many tries?" she responded in a bubble. In reality, I shrugged.
"Who knows? The little guy's a pain in the ass."
"Or maybe you're not treating him well enough," Rukia had typed back. Even in the virtual world she would never let go of the chance to annoy the Hell out of me.
"Oh yeah? Then please share with me your secret to your crafting successes, oh Kuchiki-sama!" I typed quickly, mostly mocking her. But truth was that she's not too bad with crafting. She got her full Orange set with only one try for her body armor, feet armor as well as her gloves. Only her head gear and leggings were a pain. Still, she got both after three tries each.
Did she make a shrine for her little slaves?
"Fufufu. It's easy, idiot," she began, and I swear she must be grinning from ear to ear as she typed. "You feed them cookies and a soda before crafting. Make sure to get their stamina at least over 60% to secure a better chance for success," she wrote. I was still a little bit skeptical.
"Seriously?" the female Priest only pointed at me. "See it for yourself."
I tried her formula, and it worked. Which is amazing, but I would never tell her that. Not over my dead body.
"See? I'm really awesome," and she let her character dance that stupid dance routine again. I made my character laugh at hers loudly. "Nope, lucky strike," I responded, although very secretly, I do approve of her claim.
The midget's not on. I sighed in frustration. I decided to complete a few quests anyway. I logged off in an hour.
I stretched my arms a little, trying to feel my muscles. Sitting still for a good one hour can make your muscles "fall asleep". I know you lot out there who play tons of online games know of this. I surfed the Internet, and finally decided to check out some songs on YouTube after a few minutes of mindless browsing. The site recommended several songs as I surfed. Coldplay. I recalled their song 'The Scientist', a good one too, and clicked on 'Fix You' out of curiosity.
When you try your best, but you don't succeed...
I froze in my place, watching the words appear on the screen one by one.
My mind took me to that time back then, when Rukia told me of her decision to stay behind in Soul Society after the failure of her execution attempt. I had tried so hard to rescue her, even going as far as to achieve Bankai in three days just to protect her. In the end, I still didn't get her to come back with me. Truth be told, it was like a nail had been hammered into my chest, the moment when she had chosen to stay in Soul Society - over Karakura, my home, her home.
But I understood that she needed space, time, and most of all; to finally gain a sense of peace with her guilt over murdering her former fukutaichou, Kaien-dono.
When you get what you want, but not what you need...
I wanted her to be safe, to be alive. To be breathing, to be here. I need her with me. But she's not.
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep...stuck in reverse...
I leaned behind in my chair.
My name meant "to protect", and certainly not strawberry. So that's what I wanted to do, to protect everyone, to protect as many as I could. When Kenpachi nearly had me killed, I was so tired. But my mind screamed to me to be alert, to not give up.
I still need to protect the one who changed my world.
And the tears come streaming down your face...
I remembered it. You had a tear running down your already frozen cheek, as you steeled yourself, whispering your final farewells. I came to save you just in time, and even though I acted like I didn't see it, I did. I saw how that pure drop of tear glistened brightly in the light of the fiery monster who was supposed to kill you.
I was determined to not let you down. Not then, not now, not for as long as I can help it.
I had sworn it on my soul.
When you lose something you can't replace...
I wanted to protect everyone. My family. The first person I ever promised to protect was her, my mother...she was kind, loving and most of all, she makes me happy. So ever since I learned about the true meaning of my name from my dad, I wanted to be the one who will protect her from all kinds of harm, and not the other way around.
I was barely eleven, but I learned that Fate was a cruel thing.
I swallowed hard.
She was the center of our lives; my dad's, and my sisters', as well as mine. But I selfishly took her away from them. She died in order to protect me. I still remember her unmoving form, lying in a pool of crimson blood in the cold, heavy rain. And starting from there, it had always been raining for me.
It was like time had stopped, and there was nothing I can do about it. My world was dark and gloomy.
Until you came...and stopped the rain.
My world had finally seen light.
When you love someone but it goes to waste...
You didn't tell me precisely how, or why, or when...but I knew there was something between you and Renji. I'm certainly not a girl, so I don't have any girl antennas and I'm not as sensitive, but I do have my own way of seeing, reading...unspoken things. Between you two, there were always unnecessary but obvious exchange of glances, always coming from him; but quite surprisingly, none from you.
I can't say that didn't bother me at all, because it really bothered me sometimes; but I won't ask you about it. Not until you're ready.
In this whole world there is one thing that I do know, and you will too, if you dare ask; and that is I will never let you down.
Could it be worse?
It could, if I lost you.
Lights will guide you home...
I will never let you walk alone. I will always, always welcome you back.
And ignite your bones...
You don't only bring death, because you have brought me light. And joy. In fact, you have given me a lot.
And I will try to fix you...
I sighed. I let my right hand rest on my chest, directly on the spot where my heart was beating. I have my dark side, my Hollow. In this case, it'll probably be you who will fix me whenever I fall apart.
'Thank you, Rukia. And come back soon,' I typed. I was going to send her an email. I may not have a Hell butterfly to send her a message, but there's always technology.
'I miss you, midget.'
And I hit the button, 'Send'.
Announcement: For those of you who have read 'Iris', yes, I am still working on it. I am so sorry for the huge delay, but the next chapter is up and still in progress. Please accept this story/series as a compensation and/or apology from my part. ^^;
Also, please leave a review. I would love to hear your comments.