The Outside Looking In

Chapter 1

Summary: The Soul Society does not exist, and all of our favorite main Bleach characters are what they appear to be, normal hyperactive and hormonal teenagers. Rukia Kuchiki Renji Aburai, and their small group are in a band and it's how they make a living. They have very little but have such great talent. Rukia is the lead singer, and Renji plays the guitar as well as backup singer. Hikaru is the youngest and he plays the drums. Ryuu plays the base and Naoto is a backup dancer. They are close-knit and as long as they have each other, nothing else matters that is until a certain adoption may split the band apart. What happens when Rukia, now of high status and without her band stumbles upon a majoring doctor but has a beautiful voice? Will sparks fly? When her friends walk away on her and her new brother is none the less comforting and forbids her to sing, will the orange haired youth find they key to her heart and help her find the courage to decide what is best for her? Well you sure as hell wont know unless you read!

A/N: I know this chapter maybe short, but it will get longer I pwomise! (hehehe, Pyon talk)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and other non-bleach names, Bleach rocks, Ichigox Rukia forever! And all of the songs used here are not mine, but I'd thought they would be cool to use! Oops, I forgot, this is a onesided RenjixRukia and future IchigoxRukia! K, now that I got all that crap out of the way, ONWARD HO!

Rating: Teen for language, and suggestive themes

oh and heres a little key for you guys,

This means what the character is thinking or is a flashback. Most of the time, its what the character's thoughts are. If it is a flashback, I will point out so directly

This is what the character is saying, or is the second person singing in a song. Again if its someone singing, you will know

Flashback...

"Rukia-chan! You are so smart, you should go to school like all the other kids" chirped an excited Hikaru.

Rukia taught herself how to read and write at a very young age and excelled in the fine arts of stealing. She herself regretted taking stuff that wasn't hers, but she was poor and everyday it was a fight for survival, so technically she was stealing out of desperation.

"Hikaru, I would never want to leave, you, Renji and the others. You guys are just too fun and we are a family."

Renji was not in the circle of kids who were jumping up and down around Rukia as she was reading them a book; he was not sure about Rukia's decision. He did not want a beautiful girl like her to have a life like this forever. She showed promise where as they did not.

So why was he smiling? Maybe deep, deep down he really did like Rukia and the gang. Nothing could split them apart, she was right; they were a family. All of them were orphans with no memory of ever having parents. They mate out of coincidence, but Renji convinced himself that it was fate that brought him to meeting Rukia. When all the other boys left to go find dinner, Renji found Rukia in her "bed" space. She was writing down something Renji could not understand, but what came out of her mouth was harmonious. Every word came together smoothly and pronunciated. Her voice was filled with emotion and truth. He did not know how long he had been standing there, but when he saw Rukia turn around and saw him staring at her, her face grew as red as a tomato. Renji was perplexed by this action. Why was she embarrassed? She was an amazing singer, and every bone in his body tingled as she sang. He felt like he had crossed into a different world, and there was only him and her.

"Rukia-san! Why did you look so ashamed and embarrassed like that?" Rukia was in a field position, with her arms tucked neatly underneath her legs. At first when she did not answer, it made Renji mad and he wanted to hit her for it but he didn't.

"Renji, just forget it. It's stupid really. I bet you think Im a pansy or something. I suck too at it."

It was Renji's turn to go red, as he pivoted his eyes to his feet. "No in fact, you are really good. I wish I could be that good, hell I wish I could be good at something."

He could tell from Rukia's face that she was surprised by what he said.

"Renji…" then Rukia did another thing that startled him. She threw his arms around him into an embracive hug. Renji felt awkard at first but then he accepted it and held her tightly.

"Thank you Renji." Renji smiled.

"Baka, don't get all soft on me you hear? You crazy little midget."

He ruined the moment and Rukia sent a kick to his shins. "What was that for?!"

Rukia gave him a smug look. "For being a moron that's what, weirdo!" Rukia laughed.

"Hey, you are the one that's weird."

Present Time...

Rukia did not stop singing since that day and even didn't feel embarrassed anymore to sing in front of them. She had her first real audience and judges. The boys hooted and hollered their support and whenever Rukia finished a song, she would bow and say thanks. Renji would be the critic and have to say something stupid but Rukia did'nt mind. She found something she could work at, and she loved it.

Renji found his talent when he found a thrown out guitar in a dumpster. It was only a base, but the strings were still there and the guitar itself was still intact. He tried at it. At first she was frustrated because he could'nt get it right, as much to Rukia's amusement. Somehow though he couldn't quit because Rukia's voice and smile encouraged him and inspired him somewhat. In less than 8 months, he had figured out the basic cords and had put together his own little tunes.

He didn't though learn all of it by himself. One day, he strolled into a guitar and instrument shop. When the clerk wasn't looking, he snagged a book that taught you how to play properly and had a bunch of songs to play with. Once he finished the book and successfully played each song well enough, he began to think up his own songs. Rukia taught him how to write sheet music, and in no time he was playing like a pro. Rukia and him would practice every night together and the other boys would applaud and give oohs and ahhs. Renji swelled with pride that he finally found his niche. Years had passed and after about 3 years, Renji had enough money from playing on the streets with Rukia singing, to buy an electric guitar. It was used because he could not afford a brand new one, but it played just as well as any other one. Rukia had not changed much but her singing got better and better. The other boys joined in too on the fun. They all found instruments they could play but Naoto who could not sing or play. Instead, he did backup dancer.

When that was settled, they formed a band and named themselves "Inuzuri Pride." Don't ask why, they just thought it would sound cool. (Hahaha) Their band began to play at local cafes and clubs. They still weren't that big in popularity, but to those who have seen them perform, they became instant fans. Rukia bought herself with her money share; an apartment. The apartment wasn't too big but provided two beds and a couch. Since the other's could not afford their own place to stay, just like when they were little; they shared the living space. To someone of average class, this would be inconvenient and cozy but to Rukia and company, it was huge and wonderful. Everything was new to them, like TV, showers(eww), and other simple stuff.

Today wasn't any different to them. This was their schedule,

1.Grab Breakfast

2.Band practice for 3 hours or so

3.Play at Starbucks for the home to rest for second gig

5.Go downtown to perform at a night back home around 3 in the morning.

Their time slots were tight but they managed. Renji was the first to get up. He walked into the living room that was connected to both his and Rukia's bedroom and the kitchen. The boys were piled on top of each other, restling for sleeping space in their sleep. Renji groaned in annoyance but he couldn't blame them. He couldn't just send them out in the cold but it bothered him so much to walk in to that! They were all in positions that stripped him of his innocence. He walked around the bedraggled boys and into the kitchen. He pulled out a carton of Orange Juice and drank from the carton. He then found some bread and popped it in the toaster. At the smell of food, the boys awoke and were at the kitchen in an orderly line with their hands open for donations. Renji rolled his eyes and threw projectiled fruit at them all. The boys scurried away, clutching their prizes greedily. He ate his toast and popped in a second for Rukia in case she was hungry. The lazy and sleep deprived fool, thought Renji. Whenever he and the gang were asleep, Rukia was awake still practicing and memorizing her lyrics that she wrote. She is too stubborn sometimes.

He was too busy thinking about Rukia that he didn't notice that he had burnt her toast. He cursed himself for the stupidity but also Rukia for not being awake, so he had to make this happen. "You wench, you are going to pay!" he mumbled to himself.

"What did you call me Renji?" Renji stopped talking in his tracks when he heard a familiar, yet cold voice behind him. It sent chills all throughout his body, but he held his face and threw her an indignant look.

"You heard me! Because you are too worried about your stupid songs, you get too tired and sleep in. Now we are going to be late." Renji checked his watch. "Look!" He pointed to his watch and put it in Rukia's face. "It reads 10:30. We need to play in less than 2 hours and you have not even eaten breakfast yet. We are behind schedule." He was even more furious to see a smile was spreading across Rukia's face from cheek to cheek.

"Why Renji, you softy, I would say you actually care about my wellbeing" she cooed, teasingly.

"It's not that! We are going to be late and it's all your fault!!"

Rukia shushed him. "Ok, ok I get it. I heard you the first time. Let's get going then. I will meet you down in the main lobby in a few minutes with everyone." When she meant the lobby, she meant the lobby of their apartment complex. The landlord doesn't mind them practicing there, in fact she likes it.

Renji huffed as she left. Does she always have to act like that? She doesn't even apologize for making him wait, accuses him of actually caring about her and finally dismissing him as if nothing happened. Bitch! That was all Renji thought as he riled up his friends to go downstairs.