Hey, everyone here, is the first chapter of my new IchiRuki story 'This is us.'
At first, there will be snippets of RenRuki and IchiHime but only for story purpose and to play homage to the canon. But this will be mainly IchiRuki. I hope I have kept in character and have not made them too OOC.
Disclaimer:
I am not in any way shape or form Tite Kubo. Trust me things probably would be different. Not in a good way.
I hope you enjoy this first chapter.
New beginnings and stressful breakfasts. Part 1
It has been a long, long journey of unending pain and suffering to get to this point in time. After the painful victory against the Quincy's came the time of healing. Today marks the one year anniversary of the final battle against substitute soul reaper Ichigo Kurosaki and the man leading the Quincy army, Yhwach. The soul society is still doing their best to rebuild after the devastating war, but there is only so much that new buildings and filled positions can do to replace the people and morale that were lost.
Somewhere in the heart of the Soul Society stands a young soul reaper lieutenant who stands guard watching the new squad thirteen underlings. Ever since the loss of the beloved captain Ukitake Rukia has been looking after the division and playing the part of both captain and lieutenant which has been anything but easy. Things have been very hectic since the war ended and even though she is very grateful for finally being given the acknowledgment she's long fought for, this wasn't how she pictures her life going.
Knock knock knock
"Enter," Rukia said to the visitor at her office door. All week she's been stuck doing paperwork for the new academy graduates that were being placed into her squad and now that she's finally given herself a break she's a little less than pleased when someone has shown up out of the blue. Thinking it's just another squad member with more paperwork for her she is pleasantly surprised when the person turns out to be Lieutenant Renji Abarai who just so happens to have graduated from being a long-time friend to someone close to her heart. After decades Renji has finally been able to warm his way into the Kuchiki's heart and has become her boyfriend and lover.
"Is it safe to enter ma'am?" He asks jokingly when he sees his girlfriend's annoyed facial expression. Once she sees who it is it visibly weakens.
"Oh, hey Renji. It depends, do you have any paperwork for me to sign?" She asks apprehensively.
"Nope, I'm off the clock and wanted to stop by. It's been a while since we've done anything besides talk about work. Why don't we do something tonight?" He asks as he comes to stand beside her at the window, placing an arm around her waist.
"Sure, I'd love to. I think I am at a good stopping point for the night." She said as she looks over her piles of paperwork, both the completed and the to be filled out. Happy that the completed pile topples the latter.
"Great how about we go to that place in the first district? I've heard a shit ton about it from the guys." Renji asked enthusiastically.
"Kay." She said. "Let me just go home and get freshened up I feel like I need it after the day I've had." She laughs.
"Alrighty, then I'll stop by your barracks at around eight." He said before kissing his girlfriend on the forehead and exiting the office.
Later that night.
At around eight that night after having a quick shower and dressing up a tad after spending the past twelve hours in her office doing nothing but paperwork Renji came by to pick Rukia up for their date.
"Wow, babe you look much better." Renji whistled before wanting to smack himself upside the head for that comment. He still hasn't gotten that knight in shining armor thing down in terms of his mannerisms.
"Ha-ha its okay," Rukia said knowing that he meant well. "I do feel much better after getting washed up though. So where are we going again?" She asks as she locks her door after giving him a peck on the cheek.
"The place is called 'Hope Restored' I think. It was established just after the war and the Soul Society was being repaired. I've never been there, but I hear it all the rave." He said smiling down at his girl and taking her hand in his.
"Awesome. Should be fun." She said. But all Rukia felt like doing was staying home and curling up on the couch with him while eating take out, because after all its been so long since either of them had time for themselves let alone each other. The last thing she wanted was to spend her first night off in what felt like forever in a loud and noisy, smelly bar. Not that she was going to say anything after seeing Renji all stoked about sharing this new place and experience with her.
After walking around the first district for a while, enjoying the sights, they come to the spot.
"Hey well look, who the monkey dragged out!" Called a certain familiar red-headed lieutenant.
"Hey, Matsumoto." The couple greeted.
"It's been a while Kuchiki. We thought you got swallowed up in all that paperwork long ago." She said walking over to them.
"Yeah, well it is what it is. I decided that I needed a break." Rukia said with a show of her hands gesturing to her body as if saying 'here I am.'
"Ha-ha, why don't you guys join us? It's been a while since all of us hung out." She asked pulling the couple inside.
"Oh…" Rukia said as she looked at her boyfriend for advice.
"Sure, why not, the more, the merrier," Renji said not getting the clue that she wanted it to be just them.
"Great!" Rangiku said with great enthusiasm.
Ever since the end of the war, everyone has gotten a lot closer seeing as how they survived not only one but two wars in a matter of a few short years. But that doesn't necessarily mean that Rukia wanted to spend her one free night this week with the overly enthusiastic Rangiku and her band of merry men.
"Hey, guys look, who I found lurking in the shadows!" Rangiku yelled at her group which as always consisted of Yumichika, Shuhei, Ikkaku and the ever forced to play along Captain Hitsugaya.
"Hey everyone!" Renji said has he greeted his long-time friends and drinking buddies.
"Hello." Rukia greeted less enthusiastically but still polite given her nature as a noble.
"Hey! Well, well it's been a while you love birds." Hisagi said looking over at the newcomers.
After everyone said their greetings, Rukia sat in between Renji and the other less than pleased to be here Hitsugaya.
"How's work going Lieutenant? Getting used to the hustle and bustle of leading a division?" Toshiro asked Rukia after they got comfortable.
"Oh, you know there's still lots to do with all the new graduates coming from the academy and trying to rebuild it gets quite hectic," Rukia said after taking a sip of ice cold water from her glass. "Not that I'm complaining. It's just an adjustment" She quickly added hastily after she saw the look on the young captain's face.
"I see." He said. "Although I have heard nothing but positive things coming from the other captains. You are making quite the impression, especially on a certain squad six members. I have a feeling it won't be long before there is talk of promoting you to captain seeing as though you're practically one already." Hitsugaya told her. And it's true a lot has happened and quickly since the resolution of the war and the young lieutenant has proven herself more than capable.
"Oh, I don't know about that. I don't think I am quite ready yet." She said although she's delighted that the effort and time she puts into her division is not going unnoticed.
"Yes, well eventually." He said giving her a small smile. Ever since Rukia was promoted to lieutenant, her rapport with her fellow soul reapers has improved. After their conversation ended Hitsugaya excused himself much to the dismay of his lieutenant.
It wasn't until midnight that the impromptu party broke up leaving everyone but the young Kuchiki half-drunk out of their mind much to her dismay.
"Get'em 'ome safely Kuchiki-san!" Rangiku slurred out to the girl who was trying to keep her drunken boyfriend upright while walking home which wasn't easy seeing as how he was a good foot and a half taller than her.
"Good night." She called out in reply. Trying her best not to fall under the dead weight. She didn't know whether it was because Renji has lost weight since the last time or that she has just gotten stronger but before there was no way she would've been able to carry Renji all the way home.
It took twice as long to get back to her barracks this time around. Once she got inside, she dropped Renji off on the couch thinking to herself that this wasn't exactly how she imagined her night going. Although she was disappointed and a tad bit upset that the whole night her boyfriend ignored her in favor of spending time catching up with the guys than with her she grabbed a blanket, a bucket and a glass of water with aspirin for when he got up, knowing the hangover would not be pleasant. After making sure her boyfriend was all good she went to the bathroom to get ready for bed.
When Rukia woke up the next morning, she smelled something delicious and mouth-watering coming from outside. After she got dressed, she left her room with the intent on finding out where that smell was coming from.
"Morning." She said to the back facing her near the stove.
"Morning babe." Renji greeted as he was finishing up their breakfast. Knowing that the number one way to get back into the good graces of his girlfriend and childhood partner was through food and seeing as how it usually worked, he thought he was in the clear for how he acted last night.
"Breakfast is almost ready. Why don't you take the coffee and bring it to the table?" He asked her.
"Mmm." She said quietly.
After about five minutes of waiting, out came Renji with two plates full of a traditional Japanese hangover breakfast thinking all was good.
"So, last night was nice, wasn't it? It's been a long time since the ol' gang has gotten together." Renji said trying to start a conversation with his girlfriend who hasn't said anything since they started eating besides thanking him for the food.
Rukia didn't know how to respond to what he said. The night he remembers was not the same night she had. No, the only person who she had any conversation with last night was captain Hitsugaya, and the waitress after Ikkaku tried hitting on her and Yumichika insulted her. Not only did she spend the whole night alone, practically invisible which brought up some less than pleasant memories of years ago but the comment he made about the gang back together didn't sit right with her either. To her the people she spent the night with wasn't who she considered her 'gang' no, her gang was back in the world of the living, and it just made her realize how much she missed them and longed for their company. Especially a certain red-headed substitute soul reaper.
It's been a whole year since she has had any contact with any of them, mostly because she's been so busy running her division and hadn't had time to visit. But regardless the loneliness she was feeling was taking a toll on her this morning, which might've attributed to the sudden outburst she was about to display.
"Yeah, last night was so much fun." She said sarcastically, putting her utensils down.
"Huh, you didn't enjoy yourself?" Renji asked surprised.
"Of course, not you idiot! How could I enjoy myself while watching you and everyone get so drunk you couldn't see straight? I had to carry you home last night you were that out of it. I wouldn't call that a highlight of my day." She replied back getting more than a little annoyed at her lover's ignorance.
"Well, you didn't have to come with!" He yelled getting up from his seat. Renji is still the same brash and hot-headed individual he always was so getting caught up in the moment was something that was second nature to him.
"What do you mean I didn't have to come with baka! This was supposed to be a date between us and not four other people!" She said as she was starting to get more and more annoyed with him. How dare he say that when it was his idea to go in the first place.
"Yeah it was supposed to be a date but I didn't think you would object to hanging out with friends seeing as how you're always caught up in work these days." He said as he told her his reasoning.
"Our friends Renji, they were never really my friends, and there was not a lot of talking going on mostly just everyone stuffing their faces with food and alcohol!" She said.
"My god Rukia you need to learn to lighten up! The war is over; the fighting is done. You need to learn to enjoy yourself more!" He told her urgently.
"How can I lighten up when I have so much on my shoulders! You have no idea what it's like to be in my position right now Renji! You have an amazing and dedicated captain to help shoulder the burden of operating a squad while it is just me doing all the work! You don't understand what it's like for me! All I wanted yesterday was to spend time with the guy I love and relax and forget all the stress I am under." She told him breathlessly.
"Well then why didn't you say so, and you damn well know you can talk to me about anything Rukia that's what I am here for!" He told her.
"I try to Renji I do, but every time I try to tell you what is on my mind all you do is kiss my forehead and say don't worry you'll figure it all out." She said trying to get her feelings in check before they all rush out and she says something she knows she will regret.
Right then at that minute, Renji realized that she was right. He couldn't understand, not because he doesn't care, of course, but it's because he can no longer relate to what's she's going through, and as a boyfriend that's incredibly difficult. Although he hates to admit it, he knows that there is only one person in the whole world who would understand how she is feeling and who would know what to say and he hates that it's not him.
"He would know what to say wouldn't he," Renji said solemnly after what felt like hours but was only about a minute.
"Wha-" Rukia said trying to figure out how he knew who she needed right then and there.
"He hasn't visited since the final battle and the memorial service, has he?" Renji asked even though he knew the answer. It's been a year since Ichigo has been in the Soul Society and that was the last time anyone had seen him or his group. After they were healed and a service was organized for the ones they lost in the war they all left to resume their normal human lives.
Rukia wasn't an idiot, and she knew that Renji wasn't either. Ever since the war ended and Ichigo and the rest of them returned to the world of the living, it's been tough because all she wanted was to talk to him and ask for his advice on what to do now that all this responsibility has been thrust upon her shoulders. She knew he was the only person who could help her make sense of everything. She needed him, and even though she has tried denying it, she knows that she misses more than just his advice. She misses him. She misses Ichigo.
"Why don't you ask for some leave to go and visit, it will do you a world of good," Renji said in a smooth voice as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I can't just leave my squad unattended. It'll fall to ruin." She told him. If only there was a way.
"Captain and I can watch over it for a couple of days. Besides Captain Kuchiki has been worried about you and he will be more than happy to help you for a few days." He said reassuringly. He wasn't lying when he said that his captain was worried about his younger sister. He was. They all were. Ever since Rukia has stepped up to the plate of leadership, she's run herself ragged, and she always looks so tired and worn out. The fact that she was able to carry him home last night was only because of the adrenalin she was feeling due to stress and exhaustion.
"I don't know Renji. I would feel bad leaving all of a sudden." She said worriedly.
"Listen Rukia you're on the verge of burnout and if you do, then you're no good to anyone. You need time off to get your head together. It's best for everyone." Renji told her.
"I'll think about it." She said.
"Good," Renji said with a smile. Hopefully, when she comes back they will be able to make things right between them and things will be okay. He was worried and not just about their relationship, but he about her and how much she is pushing herself. In the end, he fears she'll work herself to an early grave, and that wasn't something he could live with.
Hey again. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and you forgive me for the RenRuki.
Next chapter will be about Rukia's visit to the World of the living and her talk with Ichigo. To me, the only person who would really be able to help Rukia would be Ichigo considering he was placed in charge on Karakura town and the residents all by himself (apart from Ishida) and that is a lot of responsibility.
Next chapter will also have some IchiHime. You have been warned ;)
Reviews will be greatly appreciated. Any and all are welcome.
Chao,
FB