Belonging

Ch.29 Feeling Down?

It's currently the next day, and I was just getting out of bed.

"Good morning, Rukia."

She was sitting at my desk, reading a book of mine.

"Oh, good morning, Emiko..."

"The book you're reading is a good one."

She nods.

"It's very interesting..."

"...Are you okay? Do you feel well?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine." she smiles at me.

I could tell it was fake.

"I'm just waiting until it's time to go to school."

"...Well, okay... Say, what's your favorite food?"

"Huh, why?"

"I'll make it for dinner tonight."

That should cheer her up.

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

"Okay...and done."

"Thank you."

"Welcome, have a good day, Miss."

I leave the little store with a small brown bag in hand. Walking over to my bike, I hop on, and make sure to tie the bag down so it doesn't go flying off. That would suck. It took the store owner all morning to make this.

Once secured, I take off for home and begin cooking dinner.

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

"This tastes amazing! You should open your own restaurant when you're older, Emiko." Isshin smiles big as he eats the food I place in front of him.

It's dinner time and the family was eating at the table together. Sitting down, I reply.

"You're only saying that so you could get free food from me."

"Yep." Karin agrees.

"What, you're going to make your dad pay for his meals?"

"Yes."

"She should start charging you now."

"How mean. Yuzu, you wouldn't charge daddy for your cooking, would you?"

"Hmm~. Well, I'd be finally be able to get that cute new dress if I did."

Isshin's mouth, full of food, falls open as he stares at the three of us.

"Ew, gross! Close your mouth! That's nasty! People are trying to eat, you know!" Karin bosses him around.

"Ichigo~." he cries to his son.

Ichigo looked annoyed as he tries to eat in peace.

"You're sisters are being so cruel~!"

"If you keep spraying instead of talking, I'll be billing you my dry cleaning!"

"Waaaaahhhhh! Why are my kids so mean to me~?!"

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

"You're still hungry, Emiko?" Yuzu questions me as I bring a plate of food up the stairs.

"I've skipped breakfast and lunch today. So this is in case I wake up feeling hungry."

"Okay, but don't skip any more meals. That's not good for you."

"I understand. I won't."

"Okay."

"Do you need help cleaning up the dishes?"

"No, Karin's helping me. You just go and relax."

"Okay. I promise to clean up tomorrow night."

"It's fine." she smiles.

I nod and head up stairs. Once at my bedroom door, I open it and close it behind me.

"Rukia, I've brought you some food." I call out to her.

...Silence.

I open the closest to see it empty.

"Rukia?"

Maybe she went to the restroom?

Placing the plate on my desk, it was only then I noticed the note sitting on it. There was some writing with a picture of a bunny on it.

"Thank you for everything, you two. Do not look for me or worry. Burn this letter after you finishing reading it. And if you can, go into hiding, Ichigo."
-Rukia Kuchiki

I quickly turn on my heel and bolted out of my room, gripping the letter tight. Passing Ichigo's room, I drop the letter off right outside his door.

I don't have time to explain right now, but I know he'll see it.

Rushing down the stairs, I head for the front door. I quickly throw my shoes on and grab the keys to my bike. Exiting my house, I jump on my bike, start it up, and take off.

I have no idea where she could've gone, but I'll find her. She's clearly in danger and doesn't want to involve us. However...

"You clearly underestimate us Kurosaki's."

I'll find you Rukia, and help you out.

~~~~Time Skip~~~~

I've been riding around for about ten minutes. I know that's not long, but a lot can happen in that time frame. I just hope she's okay.

Turning onto an empty road, close to the edge of the town, I find someone running in the dark. Narrowing my eyes, I spot the person I was looking for.

"Rukia!"

She stops and turns towards me, just as I pull up next to her.

"Emiko?!"

"Are you alright? You just suddenly vanished without saying a word?"

...Eyes.

She gives me a meek smile.

"I'm fine, promise."

Somewhere...there are eyes... I feel like we're being watched... No, I know we're being watched...but where?

"If you're fine, then let's go home."

We shouldn't stay out here.

"I...can't..." she looks towards the ground, sad.

I have to be careful what I say.

"...Are you sure-"

"Looks like we got some pretty girls in our territory, boys."

We turn our heads to watch as a group of thugs emerge from a dark alleyway near us. Wielding metal bats, iron pipes, and some other stuff, they smirk at us.