Rukia's Hollow Ch. 4

     Rukia heard the door slam downstairs. She propped herself up as Ichigo walked into the room. "So you're awake now?" Ichigo questioned, Rukia exhaling sharply.

     "What does it look like, fool?" She retorted. "It's not like I sleep with my eyes open!" Ichigo's eye twitched as he sat down on his desk chair.

     "I was just asking, no need to get irritated." He swirled around in his chair, his hands behind his head. "You should be a little nicer to me, you know. I did save you after all!" Rukia snorted in amusement and threw a pillow at him.

     "You saved me? Try watched as I mercilessly killed a bunch of hollows and took control over my own." She looked down, knowing this control would most likely be temporary. "I think we need to see Urahara about this." She sighed.

     "I already went and talked to Shinji about it. He says that he and the rest of the vizards will do all they can to help you, but-" Ichigo frowned. "He says there's no way to get rid of it completely." He furrowed his brow. Rukia looked up at him in despair. Ichigo's eyes widened and he immediately looked away. He had only seen her give him that look one other time, which was when she refused to be rescued by him on Sokyoku hill. Rukia looked down, trying to suppress any emotions that were trying to worm their way out of her. However, Ichigo could see her trembling a bit. "Hey." He put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump a little and look up at him. "Everything's gonna be alright. The Vizards are going to help, along with Urahara. I'll help you too. I know about this kind of thing from experience, plus it might be better to have a friend with you, right?" He smiled softly at her, as if that alone could comfort her. She looked him in the eyes and smiled weakly.

     "Y-yeah. I guess." She sighed. "I don't know what everyone in Soul Society will think, though." She buried her face in her hands. "I don't know how Nii-sama will react." She groaned.

     "Well, his baby sister is now part hollow, so I don't think he'll take it too well." Ichigo chuckled. Rukia looked up and scowled at him.

     "I'm being serious here! Stop acting like this is all a joke!" She growled.

     "Alright, alright! Jeez, you really need to calm down about this." Ichigo knitted his eyebrows.

     "Calm down? CALM DOWN?! I've got a hollow living in my soul that could take control over me at any moment and destroy my sanity bit by bit until I'm left as an empty shell of what I once was, devouring the souls of the ones I once loved to fill the void where my heart used to be!" She grabbed his shirt collar and stared him down with bloodshot eyes. "SO DON'T TELL ME TO FREAKING CALM DOWN." She sat back down and sighed in frustration. "I swear, you're so dense sometimes!" Ichigo sank down in his chair for a moment, surprised at her huge outburst.
     "Alright, Rukia!" He raised his hands in surrender. "I just think you shouldn't worry yourself sick, that's all. You're injured, and you should just get some rest for now." He looked at her with concern.

     "It's just…" Rukia looked down.

     "It's just what?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

     "Nothing, never mind." She responded.

     "Damn it, Rukia! If something is bothering you, tell me." He furrowed his eyebrows.

     "I don't have to tell you if I don't want to." She looked away.

     "You shouldn't keep your emotions bottled up inside! It's unhealthy! Just tell me, please." Ichigo pleaded. "I won't judge you, I never will. You're my nakama, you're supposed to be able to confide in me." He frowned.

     "W-well, it's just…it's just that…I'm afraid, Ichigo!" She yelled down at the floor. "I didn't want to seem weak, that's why I didn't want to tell you." She stood up, trying to leave the room, Ichigo immediately pushed her back down.

     "I thought I told you not to move, you'll just open your wounds back up." Ichigo looked down with concern. "Also, I don't think you're weak." He smiled. Rukia looked up at him, surprised. "I think admitting that your afraid makes you stronger than the people who don't. It takes true bravery to admit fear or admit defeat, and back down." He reassured her. She stared at him for a moment, taking in his little speech.

     "I see, but then why don't you ever back down?" She raised an eyebrow.

     "Because I'm too stubborn too which shows in a sense you're stronger than me. It's not just brute strength, its mental strength that makes one truly strong." Ichigo poked her forehead. "So cheer up, you're gonna depress me if you keep acting like this." He smirked. Rukia scoffed and smacked him in the back of the head. "Heh, now you're back to your old self." Ichigo chuckled.