Well, this is the last of the last! Have fun, and PLEASE READ my author notes at the bottom of the page. I WILL be telling more about the next possible installment of "A Story A Day!"

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or the characters.

Unknown Goodbye

It was the easiest way, I kept telling myself. Just leaving would be easiest. But it was harder than that. As I stood on the window, ready to jump out into the night, I couldn't stop myself from glancing over at him.

He was sleeping peacefully, not moving. His breath was steady, and his eyes didn't move under his eyelids. He was peaceful. And I wasn't a part of his life. I was just ... Rukia. I didn't belong here. I belonged back in the Soul Society with my friends and family. I belonged with people who loved me and people I loved.

Not here.

Not ever.

I sighed and turned my gaze, trying not to look back at him. I didn't want to; I wanted to leave.

Didn't I? I wanted to go, it was my choice and mine alone. I wanted to go home. But what was home anymore? What defined home? Was it the place you grew up in, or the place with the people you loved? I'd seen these little signs above doors saying, Home is where the heart is.

But where was my heart?

Was it here, with Ichigo, or back in Soul Society with Nii-sama and Renji and my friends? Was it with the substitute Shinigami that I had grown to admire and trust, or was it with my brother and childhood friend?

Where was home?

I shook my head. I turned around, ready to jump out of the window and into the cold night air when I felt a hand on my arm.

I turned to see Ichigo staring at me tiredly. He asked,

"Where are you going?"

My heart sped up and I gulped down a knot in my throat.

"Home," I said softly.

He got a blank look in his eyes, then he took his hand from mine.

"Please stay, Rukia. Don't go," he said. "If ... if you have to go, please, just stay with me tonight, OK?"

So I do. I lay in his arms until morning, when I untangle myself from his body. We'd never had such physical contact before, but it felt right. I had stayed up all night listening to his heart beat as I laid my head on his chest and listened to his gentle breathing.

Then, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, I left.

I had said goodbye in my own way. A silent goodbye ... an unknown goodbye.

THE END

Well ... I had fun! Yayness! This whole thing has come to an end ... again! I might do another on, so keep lookin' out for it! But you have no idea how many plot bunnies and hours of typing these things take! So don't be surprised if it takes me a month ... or two ... or five ... to start the next one.

:P Nah. Probably one-two months, less if I'm lucky. But I AM starting a new multi-chapter story soon. :D