Belonging

Ch.76 Going Home

"Emiko! What took you so long?!" Ichigo spots me.

I walk up to him and the others.

"I'm sorry." I apologize.

"...Well, as long as you're alright."

"Ichigo."

Ukitake walks up to us. He holds something out to him.

"This is for you."

Ichigo takes the wooden object and looks it over.

"What is this?"

"A Substitute Soul Reaper Combat Pass. It's our old custom to give this to a substitute soul reaper who is deemed useful to the Soul Society. If you use this, you can become a soul reaper whenever you want. Of course, this won't make up for what you've done for us, but..."

"That's all right. I did it because I wanted to. But, I'll gladly accept this."

Ukitake smiles. I bow to him.

"Thank you. Captain Hitsugaya told me what you did."

"Well, of course. It wouldn't be right to force you to stay in such a strange place, now is it?"

"...What are you two talking about?" Ichigo questions us.

"That's none of your concern." I simply reply.

"Fine...geez."

"It's time. Open the gate." Ukitake orders the soul reapers.

All five of us stood in front of it. Ichigo and I look back at Rukia, who was smiling at us.

"See ya, Rukia."

"Yeah. Thank you, Ichigo. Emiko."

"Let's go~!"

"Wait, Orihime!"

Uryu runs after Orihime. They enter the gate first. Chad simply follows them.

"...Come on, Emiko. We don't want to come in last, do we?"

I shake my head.

"It's not a competition, but...I guess not."

Ichigo nods and we begin running towards the gate. Just as Ichigo passes through, I stop in my tracks.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot."

Turning around, I head back to Rukia and Byakuya.

"Here. This is for you."

Taking the small brown bag out of my bag, I hand it to Rukia.

"What is this?"

"It was a gift I bought to cheer you up. I was supposed to give it to you...but then you ran away."

"...Sorry."

"It's fine."

"Byakuya told me about you. So you're my little sister, huh?" she asks with a smile.

I nod.

"I'm actually glad to have older siblings who aren't like Ichigo for once. But don't tell him I said that."

"Your secret's safe with us."

I face Byakuya and smile.

"Thank you for convincing the Head Captain. I owe you."

"It was nothing."

I hug him before Rukia.

"Take care you two. I promise to visit real soon."

"See you, Emiko."

Facing the gate, I run through it. A white light surrounds my vision once I do.

~~~~Rukia's P.O.V.~~~~

The gate closes once they all pass through. The soul reapers around me leave as I continue to stare at it.

"Rukia."

Looking up behind me, I face Byakuya.

"Right."

"What did she give you?" Renji asks as he makes his way up to us.

Looking down at the bag, I open it. Pulling out the wooden item, I smile. It was a handmade rabbit keychain.

"It's cute."

"Aw~, I overslept~."

Turning towards the whining voice, we find Nagi.

"You missed them." I inform her.

"Yeah, that's the last time I go drinking with Shunsui."

"...Emiko said goodbye."

"Don't you lie to me. I know she completely forgot about me."

"Sorry, I was trying to make you feel better."

"It's fine, but thanks anyways. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to sleep off my hangover."

"Is that what you think?"

Nagi stops and faces Byakuya.

"Well, little Byakuya, that's what I know."

"Did you not hear what the Head Captain called you the other day?"

"Yeah, he called me a third seat. That means I got my old job back. I'm the third seat of squad one."

"..."

Having made his point, Byakuya says no more. That's when Nagi realizes.

"Crap! I'm the third seat of squad one!"

"Nagi-"

"No time, Rukia! I'm late! Grandpa's really going to kill me this time!"

She begins running in the direction of squad one's barracks.

"She's...an odd one." Renji watches her leave.

"That she is." I agree with him.

"Though odd... She's been watching over Kazu- Emiko for a few years. She has my graduate for that."

I nod, agreeing with my brother. Watching her fleeing form grow smaller, I smile.

"Thanks, Nagi."