Summary: These people are all I have. My family might be there for me, but I could never go home to that house. Too many memories. -Ichigo Why does life have to be so simple? Do this, not that, that's all. For once, I want to break the rules. Tonight, I'm leaving my perfect world. –Rukia. IchiRuki AU fanfic.
Chapter 1: True family
The streets were one of the few places Ichigo felt comfortable. In fact, it was the only place he felt he even belonged. The coarse brick made his back as he leaned against the rain soaked wall. The back of his skull leaned against the red material. His standard katana lay next to him, stored in a plain black sheath. Who was he to care that sharpened blades were not allowed to be carried around in public? That blade had been one of the few things that kept him alive.
His gang sat around him, equally stoic and silent. They all pretty much had the same past as him. Everyone had experienced something that had made them feel life wasn't worth living.
Kaa-san? Kaa-san, Please, please wake up!
Otou-san, stop! Otou-san please, don't hurt okaa-san! Ow, otou-san, please stop, that hurts otou-san!
No, don't hurt him he's my friend! Leave him alone, leave him alone!
Kaa-san, please don't leave me! Don't leave tou-san and me! Tou-san, why are you drinking that? No, tou-san, no! Tou-san, please stop, I don't like that!
Wh-why do you have a knife nee-chan? Okaa-san said we weren't supposed to touch those… Ow! Why did you cut me?! Keep that needle away from me… OW!
You guys…don't...don't leave… me… Shit… I'm… gonna die…
Something had happened to every single one of them, and it bonded them together, closer than blood. They had become siblings, a brotherhood of sorts, except for their one sister of course. Ichigo looked around at his siblings one more time. His two closest brothers sat next to him, Toushirou in his right left and Renji on his left. Renji stood, looking out to the end of the alleyway in case they were ambushed by another gang during the night. The sheath of his sword was tied to a loop on his pants with a simple piece of cord; the sword was gripped naked in his hand, ready for anything. Toushirou sat next to him, head bowed, his sheathed blade clasped tightly in his hand. He looked to be dozing, but he was thinking, like he always did.
His one "sister" and childhood friend, Tatsuki, was sitting directly across from him, staring into his amber eyes. They needed no words to communicate with each other. Too long had they been suffering together, too long had they been fighting. Tatsuki had opted out of the traditional blade, and instead hid a knife in her tall socks. She said that it helped her appear more womanly, and that helped when she tried to rob someone. Ichigo believed it was because she didn't want to have to constantly look at something that reminded her of who she and everyone else had become.
Shuuhei stood across from Renji, in the exact same position as well. He also was looking for any signs of danger that could come from the alleyway entrance. His eyes were almost glazed over, but his body was tensed and alert. His sword was also clasped in his hand, tensed and ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. His head was turned so his scar and tattoo were clearly visible. The testaments to his past.
The last member of their brotherhood was Ikkaku, who stood on the other side of Tatsuki. He looked up to the sky, as though someone might jump down and attack from above. His sword was held across his shoulders supported by his arms.
Ichigo sighed. This was his family. Sure, he had a place where he could go. His two sisters, his father, they would welcome him back. Most of the people gathered here had another house to go to, with a bed and food waiting for them. It was their decision to stay out on the wet nights, in the ripped up denim jeans and stained cotton T-shirts. Everyone was wearing the same basic outfit. Same denim, same white t-shirts. The only thing different at all was their shoes, and those themselves were full of holes and falling apart. The sneakers clung to their feet with a hope of staying alive. The members also hung onto the shoes for dear life. If they completely disintegrated, they would be out of footwear until they had the money for it. Ichigo refused to steal, and his group would follow his law in this area. His brotherhood would have dignity, would be able to hold something over the common riff-raff out there.
He stood. He was the only one that had a difference in his clothing. He wore a sleeveless haori, one that was of the purest white at one point in time. It was detailed with vertical lines and diamonds at the bottom, the back of the cape like jacket simply stated in vertical kanji "Shinigami". The second Ichigo even stood, everyone's eyes snapped towards him. When he began to exit the alleyway, the group followed like a flock of lemmings. Where he went, they he went.
They exited the entryway to the alley cautiously, not wanting to be spotted. They had rested in another, much larger gang's territory. But when your comrades had been walking and running with you for about twenty four hours, there wasn't much else to do.
As they walked the sidewalks briskly, Ichigo looked back at his family. The clothing was getting worse, and everyone looked like a half-starved dog. He knew that probably looked worse, he usually would give any food to whoever was worse off that day. A new leader could always be elected by the people, but the leader couldn't truly choose who he wanted to rule if they didn't want to be helped. Well, it was time to find some work.
Yeah, life sucked.
Rukia felt comfortable in pretty much anywhere. She enjoyed parties, dances, and attention. It made her feel good to be the center of something.
She observed her friends with her always critical eye and was glad with what she saw.
Her best friend, Hinamori Momo, was sitting on her left, right next to the door of the sleek car. Her eyes were bright and happy as she chatted with Kira Izuru, who was sitting on the right elongated side of the vehicle. They both held a can of soda in their hands while they talked about nonsense. Well, Momo did most of the talking. Izuru listened intently to whatever the girl was blathering on about. The two had been friends long before Rukia had even met Momo. They had met in elementary school, and were pretty much inseparable.
On her right- next to the other door- sat her newest friend Yamada Hanatarou. A large medical book was laid across his lap, which he read intently. The young boy was extremely shy; he would often step back and allow the others to talk.
Sitting next to Izuru was Shiba Kaien. He was two years senior to everyone. She blushed just looking at him. His messy mop of hair, casual yet dominating demeanor, that soft smile that could easily turn into a teasing smirk… her blush grew a shade deeper, as her smile grew. She couldn't help it. Even though she knew his biggest secret, she couldn't help it.
They were all seventeen, so that made Kaien nineteen. Not only that, but he was engaged. His parents had set up the marriage when the two had been children. Her name was Miyako, and Kaien was completely and totally infatuated with her. Rukia knew that she would never get a chance with him. But she dreamed.
The young man was talking to the last person limo, Matsumoto Rangiku. She was just a year older than Rukia, but the woman could have easily passed as twenty five. She was laughing at whatever Kaien had just said.
That completed their entourage. This was their posse, their clique, their group. Nothing changed and no one changed. Everyone in this car came from wealthy or noble families and had promising futures. Most were destined to take over the family business, mostly dominating families that had controlled stocks and power for years.
But it was Saturday, and they had the next day off. Everyone was heading to Rukia's place for the next party. The most coveted invite of the year, and only the best were invited. Every year, Rukia would host a party at her brother's mansion, the largest in all of the upside Karakura district. Even her closest friends would suck up a little to try to make sure they would get an invite. Rukia always laughed at this. But they were on their way now, about to ready themselves for the biggest night of the year.
Rukia leaned her head back on the seat of the limo, smiling. There was this tiny little nagging feeling in the back of her mind, one that she could not identify. She wasn't going to let that ruin her night though. She was going to have a blast, dancing and partying all night long.
Yes, life was good.
Okay, so this is my first Bleach fanfiction right now. I have published some from Naruto, but I am now completely and totally immersed in the world of Bleach. So, please leave a comment! I'll give you a cookie!