A Simple Love Story

Summary: AU. They were from different worlds, yet they managed to collide because of fate. But would that be enough to keep them together?

Disclaimer: Does it look like I'm the author? Obviously not.


'Life is never perfecct, and love is never what you want it to be.'


Chapter 1: Garden of Eden

It was just like any other regular day when it happened. No, we're not talking about comets colliding, world peace finally being achieved, or a cure for cancer was finally discovered. It was nothing as major----or stunning as that. But it was a day to remember.

Under any other circumstances, he would not have gone to the library. In fact, he would not be caught dead ten meters near the library, if it wasn't for a certain teacher that had given him a certain assignment. And if he had not entered the library, he would've never met her, because the library is the only place that she would ever spend her free time at.

But on that day, he had to go, and as usual, she was there. So they met.

Who are we talking about? Of course about the infamous individuals of Karakura High, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki.

The male, a jock and the king of the senior class. He is widely known, and only moves around in an exclusive group, the 'it' group. The popular kids. He had more fan girls than all his other male friends combined, yet he has never had a girlfriend before. He has more admirers than anyone else, yet he has never truly loved someone other than his sisters (and okay, his crazy father and godfather as well…But they were still am embarrassment to him.)

The female, an outspoken individual of the school. Captain of the debate team, vice-captain of the science club, and the president of the student council, she was the teachers' darling. On top of that, she is sister of the CEO of Kuchiki Corporations, a company that employed half of the town's adult population. She hangs out with interesting individuals (no one dares to call them weird, queer, or different), her closest friend being a nerd (no surprise there) and a very normal girl. (Again, no surprise)

Their worlds could not be more different. Despite being at the same school for 3 years, they've never talked to each other. Never even greeted each other. And never even truly set eyes on each other. But on that day, they did.

It started when Ichigo was staring at the endless rows of books, muttering something about the damn library doesn't need to be so big, and that he cannot locate where the books on Einstein were. Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thinking.

"Are you lost? This is a li-brar-y, not the basketball court, nor the field." She enunciated the words, speaking slowly as if he was a toddler who should still be in the nursery. He couldn't see her at first; he hadn't expected anyone to talk back to him.

When he finally did spot her, he gave one of his trademark expressions, a smirk. (the other would be a scowl) "Aren't you a bit too young to be at high school? Middle school is on the other end of the road." His reply was a kick in the shins. Hard. It left a purple bruise for several days.

The girl smiled. That ought to teach him not to make fun of her height anymore. "And I thought you were the King of sports, the champion of our school. And yet you're defeated someone like me." He glared at her, but she only matched his glare. A glare for a glare.

"Speak for yourself, midget." Another kick. Two bruises. That was a real record.

"Damn it, bitch. What's wrong with you?" He screeched at her just a bit too loudly. The librarian gave him the evil glare. Great, another teacher to avoid.

"Thanks for getting me into trouble." He muttered. She gave a hundred-watt smile in return. "No need. It was my pleasure." She started to walk away, but turned to tell him "The books on Einstein are located behind those shelves."

He was shocked for once. Well, probably a third time within the last 5 minutes. First, there was a girl at school (how come he didn't recognize her, he should've, he's the KING of the school, god-dammit) who didn't ogle at him like he was some kind of display. In fact, she had so much self-assurance that she could've cared less what he looked like. She didn't care that she was talking to THE Ichigo Kurosaki, and instead of stammering and staring at the ground like all the other girls (with the exception of Tatsuki and Rangiku), she spoke to him like a normal person. She treated him like a normal person.

And she manage to outwit him every time. It is shocking that there an individual at school that thinks for themselves instead of listening to what everyone else is saying.

Finally, to think that he actually enjoyed her company…

By the time he realized that he should've asked for his name, she was already long gone. "Dammit." He swore once again. This time, the librarian wasn't so nice. She asked him to leave because 'your noise level is disturbing the others, and please beware of the language that you're using at a public area'.

To think that he's been humiliated by her, once again. No other person has managed to do that, not even Tatsuki, his childhood friend. Who was that exclusive girl?

That was the starting point of their relationship.

After Ichigo finished his report on Einstein (with a bare minimum pass), he started looking for her. He would turn his head around during classes, trying to find a petite raven head. He would stare at the bleachers during practices and games, hoping to catch a glimpse of that girl. This resulted him in getting detentions and extra practices (thanks to Coach Kenpachi), but he didn't care. He was only determined to find the girl.

This change of behaviour aroused his friends' attentions. They asked him what's wrong, and what the heck is he doing. One even asked "Looking for Hime? Give up already, she's with Uryuu after last time." Orihime is the most popular girl of the school, his on-and-off girlfriend. Well, he only agreed because they were king and queen of the school, and it made sense for them to be a couple. He only viewed her as a friend.

He would either scowl or tell them to 'Back off'. All decided to listen to his advice, except for one childhood friend who managed to pummel him every time.

"Ichigo, we're only concerned. Just say what the heck is wrong." A third class glare directed at Tatsuki, but she didn't care. She only folded her arm, returning the gaze. "I'm not stopping until you tell."

"Well, keep it up. There's nothing to tell." Ichigo said gruffly.

Tatsuki knew him too well, she knows that he's lying. "You're never this concerned. I know you Ichigo, you're like a brother to me."

In the end, of course he cracked and told her in front of all his friends. They all laughed and whistled. "Ichigo Kurosaki, looking for a girl. A girl at our school."

"Shut up guys." He threatened, but all ignored him. To think that there was someone that can reduce Ichigo Kurosaki to a whelping puppy…well, that was definitely something worth gossiping about.

"What's she like?"

"Short, really short. About here." He used his hand to show the height. "Raven hair, pale skin. And oh, really large eyes. They're like amethyst. Liquid amethyst." Renji gasped.

"You mean you're looking for Rukia Kuchiki, that weird girl?"

A confused look was found on Ichigo's face. "Huh?"

"You don't know who she is? You know, sister of that big shot CEO of Kuchiki Corporations. Our student council president, the nerd girl?" Despite the description from Hisagi, Ichigo still had no idea. He gave a blank stare to his friends.

"You're hopeless man. Thank god the fan girls don't know what you're really like." Ikkaku snickered. Another glare was aimed at the bald student's direction, and his laughing fell short.

He ignored them for the rest of the lunch period. At least she has a name now. Rukia Kuchiki. He was determined to find her again.

A few days after that, he finally has all the material that he needs. It didn't take much work to find out about her schedule, her friends, and her patterns during school. All he had to do was submit to his fan girls and humbly asking them for their help, and assuring them with a sickening sweet voice that he is not interested in Rukia, merely trying to settle a score with her. They all pounced on the job right away, after realizing that he'll give them a kiss in return. God, he disgusted himself sometimes.

But at least he found her. 'She'd better appreciate it. I'm doing all these damn stuff just to find her.'

After her science block, he stepped out from the shadows, blocking Rukia's pathway.

She was not in a good mood, and kicked the person in the shins without looking at them. "Ouch." She stared at the person.

"Oh, its you, dandelion. What do you want this time?"

"What? Dandelion!" It took him a moment to make the connection. After realizing what she was implying, he exploded. "Stop insulting my hair colour, dwarf."

He expected her to kick him in the shins again and was prepare to dodge, but she punched him instead. "Oh, Ichigo, are you alright?" She said in this fake high pitched voice. He wanted to kill her. She just smirked back, as if saying 'you dare to mess with me, I'll kill you'.

Everyone is starting to stare. After all, it wasn't every day that you'd see the most popular (and sought after) guy talking to a social pariah. Rukia started to walk away, but then Ichigo grabbed her arm.

She turned around, giving him another look. He refused to flinch though.

"Let go…People are staring." She hissed at him. He smirked. He didn't care, he was used to it. Besides, this would only boost his reputation for being sociable, even to an outcast. "I don't care."

"Well, I do." And she pulled herself out of his grasp, and ran away, holding her books close to her chest, as if creating a shield between her and the rest of the world.

'Rukia Kuchiki, you can't run away from me' was inside Ichigo's head when he saw her running across the hallway, as if he was a disease. 'I will catch you someday.'

For the rest of the day, he hid and greeted her at the end of every block, popping up at random intervals. But apparently, she was immune to his words and actions. She simply threw a curt 'Hello' and walked quickly away from him. The only time she had paid any attention was during last block, and that was only because she needed someone to hold the model for her.

"Can't stand the weight eh, midget?" A hand descended on his head and karate chop it before snatching the model and leaving him dazed at the hallway.

That pattern lasted for a whole week. It was amusing at first, hitting someone (and getting the target every time), insulting them to sharpen her wits, and there was someone to help her carry things. But by the third day, people were starting to give her weird stares. Why would she, practically a social outcast, be always found with the most popular guy at school?

Originally, Rukia could've cared less. Still though, when people started passing notes to her in class inquiring about her relationship with Kurosaki (as if they had one!) and finding threat notes in her locker to stay away from 'their precious Kurosaki' (obviously from the mindless fan girls), she had enough.

"Excuse me, do you have anything better to do than be a stalker?" She asked him when she saw him in the morning. He was surprised. Not once had he made her uncomfortable, why would she say such a thing?

"What? I was only trying to be nice. Seeing you didn't have much friends and all…" Another whack on his face. Man, Rukia is starting to kick him even more than his old man, and that was already crazy enough.

"Well, stop it. I'm sure The Ichigo Kurosaki of Karakura High has many things better to do than hang out with someone like me. For example, like your fan girls." He grimaced. They were vicious people, who would do anything to get his attention. But why didn't they get the fact that he had no remote feelings for them? Heck, he didn't even know their names! Yet they'd still throw themselves at him.

"Were they threatening you?"

"Whatever. Just stop it. I don't need a bodyguard anyways, seeing that I can always beat you." He stopped at that. It was true. The humiliation was still smarting every time she had to remind him.

"Midget, you should be grateful that you're receiving attention from me." The last tactic, to sell his charm.

"Oh, totally. I am so grateful to the point that I can't help but thank the gods every time I wake up in the morning, and every night before I go to sleep. In fact, I chant out 'Thank you for giving Ichigo Kurosaki to me, because I was just DYING to have him.'. Pleased now?" His eyes twitched. Was he really that much of an inconvenience to Rukia that sarcasm had to ooze out of every sentence, no, every syllable that she directed at him?

Meanwhile, Rukia was secretly laughing at his expression when she told him exactly how much she hated him. It wasn't that she disliked him, it was fun to have someone as her punching bag, but it was just rather…a nuisance. Still…if he was that desperate, well, she could always give it a try.

"How about this, you'll stop following me like I'm a toddler," She was sure he muttered something along the lines of 'Hard to, look at your height', but she graciously ignored him and continued, "and I'll be your friend. Since you want it that badly." That was the only concession that she'll make for him.

Ichigo wasn't thrilled (he was still baffled on why the girl didn't want him as a friend, heck, any other person would've jumped at the chance right away), but it was the only thing that she would offer. So he would take it. Only because her eyes are so mesmerising.

"Alright, now leave me alone. I don't want to see your carrot top hair for the rest of the day." Rukia commanded him.

"How am I suppose to find you then?" He refused to budge, despite the petite girl trying to push him away.

"Gosh," she scribbled something on a piece of paper and thrust it to him. "Here's my number. Now leave!" She shooed him away like she was a mother hen. He grinned at the thought. Rukia Kuchiki, being maternal. Now that was an amusing thought.

That was how they had maintained contact. During the day, they did not acknowledge each other again, walking their separate paths as if they were strangers. At night though, one would call another, and they would usually chat for the whole night.

Through their conversations, they soon became very comfortable with each other. It was like finding a new best friend in kindergarten all over again.

Indeed, Ichigo found it more comfortable to talk to her than any of his other friends. Instead of worrying about an image to keep up, he can talk to her freely (about almost everything.) And there were a few surprises to be made.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, would like Shakespeare. You've got to be kidding me." She said one night, as he mentioned that Romeo & Juliet was one of his favourite plays.

"Oh yes. And you are the poorest kid in town." He retorted, knowing that Rukia would be annoyed by any reference to her wealth and to her family connections with the Kuchiki.

"So you're being serious for once?" She questioned in amazement, as if not believing him. He sighed, why did no one trust him when he confided he liked English literature? It wasn't like it was the end of the world.

On the other side of the phone line, Rukia did feel like that the sky was about to fall down. Seriously, the jock of the school would like Shakespeare. Especially a sappy romantic tragic play like Romeo and Juliet.

"Oi, midget, you still there? For a second, I almost thought you died. It's too quiet."

Still, she was thrown in a shock that it had taken her more than a few seconds to reply, and it wasn't a very good retort.

Another incident was when Ichigo managed to stumble on what a horrible drawer Rukia was. He spotted her hunched over a tiny notebook, using her whole body to cover it, as if there was some great secret. Curiosity got better of him, so he went for a closer look.

Noting that there was an open spot and that the Kuchiki was so absorbed her in secret that she cannot sense Ichigo, he quickly snatched the notebook in one fluid motion and held it high above his head. "Come and get it if you want." He taunted.

Rukia only glared at him with her eyes that became blacker than the night. "Give it back to me." She said in a low voice, one that was no doubt to frighten people into submission. "Now. Strawberry,." she gritted the next words.

But Ichigo only laughed and kept telling her "you should grow taller, then maybe you can reach for it." Frustrated and flustered, Rukia lost her patience. She resorted to her most effective weapon; kicking him in the shins.

"Ow." One hand rubbed his throbbing shin while the other was still holding hostage of Rukia's precious notebook. "What's in there anyways, top classified information to bring the end days?"

He took a look, and he furrowed his brows. "What the heck is that?" He emphasized every word, to make the shame and embarrassment wash over Rukia once again. She just blushed before swiftly dealing another blow that made him relinquish her notebook.

"Drawings." She reluctantly told him, knowing that the tall male was going to bug her if she didn't divulge him in the ever so important information.

"Drawings?" He repeated. "Are you sure they aren't some random shapes that you just scribbled down because you were bored?" Drawings indeed. Why, they looked nothing better than doodles of a 3 year old!

"Yes, Ichigo. Drawings. I like to draw." She gritted out each word, as if it was worse than torture to enclose such information. Although it probably was, considering she was holding the little notebook against her chest and her face was redder than a tomato.

He burst into laughter. "Seriously…" He said between gasps. '…Drawings. Drawings…" Ichigo was laughing like a maniac, and others were turning to stare. He didn't care though; that was too funny. "Rukia, you should be a comedian someday."

"Thanks for insulting my talent and hard work." She said sarcastically.

"No problem." For once, he was being sincere with her. Although that just made her more mad.

"What's wrong with you? I know I'm no Da Vinci, but it doesn't give you the right to laugh about my drawings. I worked hard on them." She told him.

His laughter just started to subdue, and he was staring at her if she had grew an extra head. "What are they suppose to be, aliens?" Ichigo started laughing again. It was too funny.

"No, they're not. They're rabbits!" Rukia flipped to the page where she was drawing, and pointed to it. "See, a rabbit!"

By this time, tears were coming out of Ichigo's eyes. "I'm sorry…but they look like aliens." He wiped his eyes; the situation was just too hilarious.

Despite Rukia trying to convince him that they were rabbits, he just laughed it off, like it was some great joke. Rukia vowed for revenge.

That day came very quick. Several weeks later, she saw a battered badge hanging on Ichigo's cell phone. It was always there, but on that day, it was just annoying her to no end. It looked like it was chewed up, why couldn't he just get a new one? The egoistical boy certainly wasn't that poor.

"Why do you have that thing?" She pointed to the badge.

He looked surprised and wouldn't tell her at first, but she bugged him to the point where he wanted to scream his head off. Finally, he decided to relent just to get Rukia off his back.

"Something my mom gave me, before she died. It has sentimental value." He said gruffly before brushing off the topic. "Don't you tell anyone, midget."

Rukia smiled innocently; he knew that there was something fishy going on. But she assured him with her sweetest voice that she "won't do anything to your badge. After all, who would want it? It looks like it could belong to an antique shop."

Before he could retort that antiques were actually valuable and that most likely her mansion was full of them, she left. He waited for something to happen; yet nothing was amiss for a few weeks.

Until he noted that the badge was missing from his cell phone one day. "Rukia." He growled under his breath. Only that minx would dared to have play such a trick on him.

He found a note in his locker, signed with Rukia Kuchiki's signature all over it. Not to mention a horrible drawing of goodness who knows what. Your favourite memento is with me right now. Come for coffee at the Urahara Café if you want it back.' He growled at her randomness, knowing that he shouldn't have told her about the importance of the badge. But at the same time, he was looking forward to having a drink with her. It almost seemed like a date, a date that the girl initiated. He smirked, he found something to tease her again.

"Hello, dwarf," he greeted as he slid into his seat. She didn't punch him, but merely kicked him again underneath the table. He winced, but didn't dare voice out his thoughts. They were in public, and as seniors, they should have some kind of common sense and respect for themselves if nothing else.

"Hello, Ichigo." Rukia replied sweetly, complete with a smile showing all her teeth. There was something up.

"So, where's the badge?" He got straight to the point while he was skimming through the menu, trying to decide on something that he'd actually want.

"Here." She dangled it before his eyes, but snatched it away just before he could grab it from her hands. If only he can slowly snake his hands to her long elegant neck, and squeeze ever so slowly…Maybe that would get him what he wanted. Then again, public image was more important, right?

"Bitch." He growled under his breathe, yet Rukia caught it and raised her eyebrow. "Pardon me?"

He only glared in response. She smiled.

They drank their drinks, sipping slowly. For one, it was agonizing, while the other thought it was fun to torture her companion. By that time, Ichigo had pretty much lost it and started kicking Rukia under the table.

No surprise, he missed his target. Instead, he got the table's leg, and it hurt his foot terribly. Rukia took another sip of her hot chocolate, but Ichigo knew---don't ask how he knew, he just did----that she was merely trying to cover her laughter.

"Are you alright, Ichigo? Is the drink not to your liking?" She asked in honeyed tones, and took it as an opportunity to kick his shins once again.

He smiled politely. "Oh no, the drink is alright. Its just a bit hot." He then successfully stepped on Rukia's foot. Her eyes widened, completely shocked at the fact that he can hurt her for once.

"I'm sorry, Rukia, but it seems like I've ran out of time. Now, where's my stuff?" She smirked. So he didn't want everyone to know about it.

"Ichigo…I'm sure you don't want everyone to know about your badge, right?" What could he say? It was quite obvious. Sentimental values and the school population do not mix.

"So…don't you think you should treat me to this meal? I mean, its only fair that the guy pays for the girl, don't you think so, Ichigo?" Rukia asked in this sickeningly sweet voice, making sure that everyone around them can hear it. Ichigo's eyes twitched. Did he really have to pay for the girl before him?

Before he can answer, Rukia changed into a completely different person. "Its alright…if you really can't…I can pay for myself, Ichigo. Don't stress yourself out." Tears came out of nowhere, and she made her voice deliberately loud enough so that everyone around them could hear how her "boyfriend" 'decided to be cheap and not pay for the poor girl.' He was getting very embarrassed.

One guy even had the guts to walk up to him and say "You are one mean boyfriend. Why don't you come with me, girl? I'll pay for everything."

Ichigo was left with the option to pay, and that's what he did. And to his astonishment, that midget had drank 5 drinks, ate 6 slices of cake, 8 cookies, 3 sandwiches, and asked for 10 pastries as takeout. Who would've guessed that one tiny girl needed so much food? His wallet was sobbing madly, but the terror only smiled beside him.

"Thank you, Ichigo," she continued in that very fake high school girl voice. "I had loads of fun today. Thanks for paying everything." She even giggled for a greater effect. People around them thought that she was the cutest thing ever, but the strawberry wanted to barf.

"Oh please…as if no one can see through that acting." He muttered to himself, but made sure not to say anything out loud this time. He learned his lessons well.

Once they were outside the café though, Ichigo finally got his macho identity back. "Give it back to me, midget. I'd already suffered more of your humiliation and bad acting, plus I had to pay for the heftiest bill I've ever seen. Can I please get that back now, Satan?"

That speech earned him a kick near his groin. He was howling in pain, but Rukia only stared at him coldly. "That ought to teach you more about manners. No one messes with Rukia Kuchiki."

"What do you want anyways?"

She snorted. "Ichigo, I'd never thought you'd be that stupid."

"What?" He seriously didn't know what she wanted. It wasn't his badge.

"Here, you can have it." She threw the shinigami badge, the last thing that his mother had gave him, back at him.

"That's it?" Ichigo said dumbly. He cannot believe he was getting away with it that easily. Just what the heck did Rukia want with him, if it wasn't to humiliate him and to use him as a bank machine.

"Uh huh." She said while glaring at him, expecting something from him. But he didn't know what she wanted! Why must she stare at him (with those gorgeous violet eyes) like he was the one that was wrong?

"Woman, just state your point. It's quite obvious you didn't call me out on this date for me to pay the bill."

"And did you not just answer your own question, Einstein? I'm glad you figured it out in the end though, I'd thought it would take you a century." Rukia snapped right back, looking flushed and irritated.

"Huh?" Ichigo was back into his jock mode again, where he couldn't use his brain to save his life. Rukia sighed for the billionth time.

"What did you just say to me?" She said warily. "Think about what you just said, and maybe you would get your answer. See you around, Ichigo." She walked away.

Ichigo was trying to recall what he said to her. They said many things, didn't they? How did she expect him to remember every word? Why can't she just tell him, for god sakes! He's not a mind reader. First she takes his badge, then forces him to a so-call date, than acts weirdly after he pays the bill. What the heck is going on?

'It's quite obvious you didn't call me out on this date for me to pay the bill..' Ichigo finally knew what was going on. He looked both ways, trying to find the petite girl. When he spotted her, he sprinted down the street, trying to catch up with her. For a midget, she sure walked fast!

"Hey, Rukia! Rukia!" The girl didn't turn to acknowledge him, but she did walk faster. "Dammit, stop there right now, midget! Oi!" At last he was able to catch up with her. "Rukia", he said for a third time, gripping on her shoulder, "stop running away from me."

She at last turned around. "I'm sorry…" Ichigo just blurted out. "I didn't know that you, Rukia Kuchiki, would ask me out on a date." He said with a grin, which earned him another bruised shin. He didn't care though. He only had attention for the scowling angel before him.

"Thought we'd knew each other enough. Evidently, you didn't catch the hint, Ichigo. God, how dense can you be?" Rukia complained.

"Sorry." Ichigo said sheepishly. For the truth was Ichigo was never perceptive at these things, and he never knew how to interpret signals that other females send him. "I'll make it up to you though. A proper date, on Friday night. At the movies."

Rukia finally bestowed him one of her true smiles. "Took you long enough." She replied before slipping out of his grasp again.

Damn midget…Ichigo groaned inwardly.

Somewhere down the street, Rukia was smiling to herself. She managed to get what she wanted, and it seems like that she would be able to eat the cake as well. It was a good day.

Plus…she did manage to cheat Ichigo of $200. That was always another highlight. It was a good day indeed.


'What a great thing, to be loved! What a greater thing still, to love!'


A/N: Ahh...Here' s the first part to my three-shot, based on a Chicken Soup for the Soul. I of course tweaked some stuff, but the beginning on how they met was the same. But more about that later, I will post the liberities that I took with the story (or better yet, the actual Chicken Soup story) for you after the three shot.

Not much to comment right now about this story. But writing the first chapter was my favourite part. Rukia and Ichigo, if I'm in a good mood, just has this chemistry that no one else can break off.

Extra note: Got any good ideas for the date? I'm stuck on that. Otherwise, I'm done the second chapter. Please give me your ideas for a good date scene...not experienced in writing that.

Next chapter: Trouble in Eden