Hi there! I'm kinda new here but I've been an avid reader of fanfics for years now. kekeke! anyways I hope you guys enjoy this bit I cooked up for all you ichi*ruki addicts out there. like me! xP Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The only thing that belongs to me is the story-absolutely not the characters! They are from Kubo-sensei's awesome imagination. :)
One: A Bullet for Chappy
A petite young woman casually stepped in the otherwise empty elevator and lazily pressed the P2 button. She slowly pulled off a pair of black fingerless gloves from her small hands; her large amethyst eyes fixed on the small screen displaying the continuous decreasing of floor numbers until there was a metallic 'ding' and the brocade golden doors slid open.
With a bit of a smile that turned up the corners of her pink lips, her head bobbing in time with the steady drum beat of the angry rock song blaring from a pair of dark gray skull shaped headphones she stepped out to the parking lot. Twirling her keys on her finger, her five inch boots clicking on the concrete she walked towards a black Cayman. She pointed the tiny remote and the doors unlocked with a beep and flashing of headlights. She got in, started the engine and floored it.
The phone cradled on her dashboard rang just as she was pulling into her driveway. The screen flashed the image of a buxom strawberry blonde woman. She let it ring a couple more times as she cut off the engine before grabbing it with a sigh about to answer but not before sighing yet again and placing it near her ear.
"Kibosh?" the excited tone of Matsumoto Rangiku's voice on the other end made her cringe.
"Of course. Did you think I would slip up tonight, Rangiku-san?" she replied smugly with a roll of her eyes as she reached for her key from the ignition.
"Don't be silly! From what I'm reading in the OSR right now I must say you did a pretty bang-up job with this one." There was a split second pause, "You managed it relatively easy..."
"What are you getting at Rangiku-san?" she asked with a frown as she stepped out of the car and made her way to her front door.
"It's just as expected of you, Shirayuki!" the seriousness in the woman's voice was quickly replaced with her usual flamboyance making her eye twitch involuntarily. "You dropped the guy in one try when at least a dozen others couldn't even get close. You might just get that early vacation now!"
"Yeah sure...just what I need." She didn't even have to try to make it sound convincing. She was really in need of a break. She was only a few paces from her front steps when something in her house made her glance sharply to one of the French windows to her left. She sighed again. She was already exhausted and yet...
"What is it?" Matsumoto's voice regained its business-like sobriety at once.
"Nothing I can't handle." She replied firmly as her eyes narrowed more in increased annoyance than anything else.
"But Ru-" Matsumoto's scolding voice was cut off when she ended the call and slipped her Blackberry into her coat pocket and fished for her house keys.
She put the key in and turned the knob. Her instincts tingled as she paused for a heartbeat before pushing the door open. She stepped inside the dark entry way, temporarily disregarding the warning bells going off in her head. Every cell in her body screamed danger as she took another step in.
The moment she did a bullet narrowly missed her head by an inch. She immediately dove for the marble floor as a hail of bullets showered the spot she was just standing on a second ago. Her instincts immediately kicked into high gear as she reached for her gun from her back holster.
Her eyes registered a shadow coming stealthily towards her, without stopping to think twice she blasted the guy's brains out. The other one she shot on the neck, another on the thigh and smashed the handle of her gun on his temple and used him as a shield as the rest open fired at her again.
She dropped him and kicked another on the gut hard sending him flying back to another and they both crashed down on her coffee table breaking it into bits. Another tried to take a swing at her aiming for head but she caught his leg just in time and with a grunt hauled him over her head to the glass cabinet with all the fake pottery.
At the sound of guns being cocked she dove behind the kitchen counter as her remaining assailants open fired yet again. Her hand landed awkwardly and a sharp pain shot up her arm making her wince as she pressed her back against the cabinet. Disregarding the pain she pulled out her other gun from her back holster and cocked it.
As she expected the sound alerted her assailants and they opened fire once more. Everything on the counter top and the sink was shattered including an almost faded white Chappy the Rabbit mug that broke into a dozen pieces. She watched frozen with wide eyes as the shards littered the tiled floor on her feet. For an entire second she did nothing then her eyes narrowed, her lips thinning into a hard line.
In a single fluid motion she sprung up and swung her arms both guns aimed at the surprised approaching attackers. A sickeningly sweet smile was plastered on her lips as she shot them down one by one with her practiced precision like target shooting dummies.
By the time the last body hit the ground her usually pristine house was thrashed and in total disarray. The walls were ridden with bullet holes, her furniture she handpicked herself lay scattered and in fragments. Her front door was hanging on its hinges because she kicked one of her attackers through it and shot him on the head for good measure. He landed on the driveway where he now lay on a pool of his own blood.
The ringing silence that prevailed was broken by the sudden arrival of uniform black town cars and the opening and slamming of their doors followed by hurried footsteps. When she stepped out to her front porch she was greeted by the sight of at least a dozen men in black suits lined up before her and in their midst stood her brother in all his handsome frigid glory. His steely gray eyes surveyed the damage to the house but barely gave a passing glance at the blood covered body on the pavement as he walked past it. He paused at the foot of the stairs, his cold eyes searched her unruly petite form framed by the doorway and landed on the broken mug she was cradling along with her wrist and lingered for a moment.
"Clean yourself up and pack what you need." He said in his low monotonous voice and finally looked up at her face before continuing. "You're coming home, Rukia." He said it with finality that almost made her bow in obeisance but she caught herself and merely lowered her head instead.
The caravan of black cars including her own pulled out of her driveway twenty minutes later. She didn't look back as the house she has come to know as her home for the last year went up in flames.
Her tablet propped up on the dashboard beside her phone beeped alerting her of a new message. It was from her boss. She pressed OK and the slightly blurred image of a man with premature long straight white hair appeared. His features were shadowed by the brim of his black suede fedora. She listened to the recorded message addressing her application for her 'long deserved' vacation, her very well executed job on her last assignment and the most recent attempt on her life.
The mechanical voice sounded almost soothing as her body's exertion earlier started to settle down. She kept her focus on driving as her body slowly relaxed from their wound up state. The application she submitted was approved. She plugged her iPod classic on the car stereo and for the second time that night her lips quirked into a bit of a smile.
•*•*•
The old wooden gate to the manor stood looming over her as she sat on her car waiting for it to swing back to allow her enter. The entire residence was kept from view from the outside world by a thick gray stone wall. Guarding the entrance were two ornately carved black marble dragons with ruby eyes that glowed with the faintest of light perched atop stone pillars like unblinking sentries.
Their caravan now passed through the main gate and into a spacious driveway that led to the main house.
She never liked living here in the manor where she was always surrounded by servants catering on her every whim, waiting on her hand and foot.
As she expected the entire household staff was lined up at the front of the house and the moment her car passed they all bowed to her in greeting. She couldn't help but sigh at the sight even the old butler was there to welcome her back, his white wool scarf tied around his shoulders and back like a big kerchief.
The moment she stepped out of the car he immediately went to stand before her, paused and bowed deeply. "Okaerinasai, Oujo-sama."
"Tadaima." She replied with a ghost of a smile as she took in the familiar surroundings. The garden was well tended the hiraniwa with a different wave pattern this time. Of course it would be the same for a few days because her brother just left for a business conference out of the country. Because everyday ever since she could remember her brother always rakes it every morning the moment he wakes up. Like clockwork.
She reached inside the car to the passenger seat for her things and carried the small box she brought herself ignoring the flustered looks of the servants who immediately lowered their heads as she passed by. The old butler followed closely behind her as she proceeded inside the house, heading for her old room.
The house looked exactly the same as when she left five years ago. Nothing was out of place, even the position of the rooms and its divisions were unaltered. She peered out at the veranda that opened to the relatively smaller garden with the small pond filled with koi and a wooden bridge over it for viewing. There were three ponds in the entire complex and each one was filled with extremely expensive assorted koi and each had a distinctly unique wooden bridge for viewing.
Her gaze fell on the bronze tubaki kusari-doi then to the bamboo bucket below it. The sight made her feel like she's gone back through time. And it wasn't just because of the traditional architecture of the entire Kuchiki residence. But because she practically grew up in this place and as far as she was concerned she used to call this her home. She was not likely to easily forget that fact.
"I have taken the liberty to have your room prepared beforehand so you could rest when you arrive, Oujo-sama." The old butler said as he slid open the door and bowed her enter.
"Arigato, Shonnosuke-san. Maybe in a while after..." Rukia said as she set her box down at the foot of the bed before turning to look at the old butler with a small smile.
"Of course, I understand. Should I send for something for you to eat afterwards?"
"Just tea...please." Rukia replied over her shoulder at the still bowing butler before heading to the other side of the mansion. She walked with a purpose, her back stiff and her hand cradled the pieces of the Chappy the rabbit mug nestled in a lavender brocade silk pouch.
Rukia sighed softly as she slid open the door to the shrine room. The candles and the lanterns were lit giving the dark room a warm orange glow. The strong scent of incense mixed with candle wax and the lingering smell of flowers assaulted her the moment she stepped in.
She stood before her sister's picture and now even more so than she was younger she felt as if she was staring at her own reflection. So close were their resemblance that had they been a year apart they would've looked like twins. But Hisana was at least about ten years older than her and that made all the difference.
"It's been...a while, Nee-san. I'm sorry I haven't been by more often...it's just that my work takes up most-if not all of my time. And in my free time...well let's just say they aren't the least bit relaxing or accommodating." Rukia sighed heavily while Hisana continued to smile behind the glass.
"Nii-sama has been taking very good care of me. Just about more than a person like me could ask for..." she trailed off and just went on staring silently around the room, taking it all in hungrily as if she'd forget every single detail if she didn't. She could feel the guilt coming over her yet again when her eyes landed on the picture before her making her usually emotionless eyes harden.
After a bit her gaze softened as a sad sigh escaped her lips, "That Chappy mug...you know that collector's item mug that you got me for my eleventh birthday? It's...I couldn't...I couldn't save it...It was the last thing you...the last present I got from you and I..." her voice sounded thick as she blinked back tears and found she couldn't go on. She planned on ranting in anger and instead she was reduced to tears.
She took deep steadying breaths until the blur in her sight disappeared and she can see Hisana clearly once more. This woman, her sister, her nee-chan, her mother, her best friend was the only person who could set her in the right path. So beautiful, so young, so fragile and so, so kind...gone.
They were complete opposites. Hisana has always been the one with the big heart, the person who would easily forgive anyone anything no matter what. But she was not like that. She held grudges; the kind that was bound by blood and pride. She swore that she would not rest until she has accomplished and fulfilled it. That was what she promised...the path she has chosen.
Her hands clenched tightly on her sides as she ripped her gaze from her sister's sweet smile. Tears were drying up from her eyes every other time she would do this. Someday she knew when she has achieved her goal there would only be smiles for her to offer and her heart would be at peace.
She bowed and muttered a little prayer before making her way to the library and to the grand piano on the far corner near the window. The window that overlooked the sakura tree orchard was Hisana's favourite view especially during spring. She would patiently wait for the first bloom to appear while she played hers and Byakuya's favourite song.
Rukia sat down on the piano bench running her fingertips over the keys. She remembers that the last time she played this was from before that time. It was too long ago. She had to bite on her lip to keep the nostalgia down. Such a long time ago but it won't hurt to try and play it today just to commemorate.
The sound of the piano being played resounded in the entire mansion and almost every person paused whatever they were doing in surprise. Some of them have never once heard the instrument being played even though it was kept in fine condition and was always polished and cleaned. The master of the house will not tolerate it to be in any other state otherwise.
The piece was slow and gentle like a soft breeze, like a caress. It was beautiful, the playing was mournful even yearning. It was for her after all. No one moved to get back to work until the last note whispered and reverberated. Even after the last echo disappeared some of the maids found themselves still sighing and clutching at their chests.
Rukia smiled lightly as she looked out of the window. The sun was just rising the sky was a mix of pink, gold and blue. It's been some time since she saw this much sky and such a beautiful sunrise and it left her with a feeling of awe. Oddly the sight also made her feel thankful for some reason.
Now that she was back in Karakura she knew that she'll be seeing more like it and sunsets too if she wasn't mistaken. As a child growing up here she'd always sneak out of the complex and go to the hill by the cemetery just to watch the sun setting over the horizon. She absolutely loved sunsets.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knocking sound and she inclined her head to the door just as Shonnosuke took a step inside with a bow.
"Oujo-sama, would you care for a bath before or after you've had your breakfast?"
Ah, that's right...I've reverted back to the Oujo of this household. Not to mention the fact that I haven't had any sleep yet for the last forty or so hours. Yes, of course I must choose when I would like to freakin' eat and take a bath...God I hate this shit.
"Oujo-sama?...may I suggest you take a relaxing bath first then?" the butler said with a knowing smile when she merely kept looking at him blankly.
Something clicked suddenly in her dazed mind. Maybe it was due to lack of sleep or might be even hunger but something about that curious word 'relaxing' that made her suddenly enthused. It was after all a start of a new day and she was...home now and a smile slowly made its way to her lips.
"Yes, that would be...nice." she replied the smile not leaving her lips.
So...that was the first chapter. Please review if you find it to your liking or if not...well it's up to you.
Ja! Until next time! xP