Chapter 3: After the Fun

Okay then, it's about time to take you home.

I have been thoroughly entertained! Miss Kuchiki, I've never visited such a wonderful place in my life!

I'm glad to hear that.

Ichigo Kurosaki. We will go ahead to inspect the house before we allow the princess inside.

Your duty as her bodyguard will be to safely escort her home in place of us. Understand?

Uh-huh. Got it.

Now, Lady Rurichiyo, we will be leaving you for a short time, but please... Please do not do anything dangerous.

Those two worry about me far too much.

You can say that again.

Don't let your guard down. Now that there are fewer people by her side, the enemy could take this chance to attack.

I know that.

Ichigo, Miss Kuchiki? Are we not leaving yet?

There's no need to rush. I'm not gonna help you up if you trip again.

The world of the living is truly a marvel. I will surely miss this when I return to the Soul Society.

There are many other places that may interest you in the world of the living.

We would love to take you around during your stay here. Right, Ichigo?

Huh? Uh, yeah, sure.

That sounds wonderful! I would be ever so grateful if you would do that for me!

Hey, Rukia. I sense another Hollow.

Yes, I felt it too. Go, but do it without letting Rurichiyo know. I will protect her while you're gone.

How do I do that without telling her?

She's having so much fun right now. We don't need to needlessly scare her.

Well, let's hope this works.

Ichigo, is something the matter?

Sorry, Rurichiyo. I think I forgot something back at school. I'm gonna go get it real quick, so stay with Rukia, all right?

You did? How forgetful can you be?

Fine, I will allow it. However, you must hurry back to my side. Understand?

Yeah, I'll be right back. Rukia, I'll leave the rest to you.

Right. You can leave it to me.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Ah, you have returned very quickly just like you said! That is praiseworthy of you, Ichigo!

Now, let us be on our way home. I dread having to listen to Kenryu nag to me about being home late.

Nothing happened here?

Nothing at all. Everything went smoothly on your end as well, I take it?

Yeah. But in all seriousness, do we really have to go this far?

Give it a rest. Lady Rurichiyo is still young. Can you really ignore their plea of help?

Well, I...

(I know Rurichiyo is from a noble family. She's not just young, she barely knows anything about the world around her.)

Wouldn't you rather see that she makes fun memories of the world of the living than leave her in the midst of all the danger?

I guess I've already accepted the job as her bodyguard. I'll see this through to the end.

What are you two doing over there? Let us hurry home!