CHANGING LIVES AND ROLES
Disclaimer: Bleach is not mine, either are Rukia, Ichigo (ahh if only), Isshin, Ukit.....blah blah blah! I also don't own the book I got this idea from. The only things mine are the OC's (if any) and the names of fictional locations.
Authors Note: This is an AU fan fiction and my first. In this story, Ichigo is 28 years old and Rukia is 22. The age gap will help justify Ichigos' OOC-ness. He is supposed to be very mature, cold and slightly cruel and manipulative. Rukia will probably remain in character but there will be times when she will go off the norm too. Please keep in mind this is my first fanfiction, English is not my first language (which you would probably figure out after the first paragraph) and I haven't been to any of the real places mentioned in the story (researched stuff). Also, writing is not one of my major interests; it's only because I am a huge Ichiruki fan and couldn't resist this plot. I got this idea from a book I had read a very long time ago, hope it will come out as a nice Ichiruki piece.
The story is from Rukias POV mostly in the beginning. Ichigos POV will be rare i.e. until later. This fanfic is rated M for later chapters for language and sexual..uh..stuff.
Chapter 1
Rukia Kuchiki let out a slightly annoyed sigh as she realised he had disappeared from her side for the umpteenth. Standing close to the exit, she scanned the crowded town hall anxiously trying to locate her four year old, raven haired chubby cheeked monster. There sure were a lot more people at this years' children's science fair in their little town, Meryldove. She would definitely have a serious talk with him about his wandering tendencies at these types of public places.
Ah....there he is. And of course, she should have known he'd go back to his favourite display, the soda bottle twister. She mentally ticked off all the items she will be asked for when they'd get home tonight. She was thankful for their simple requirements, two similar volume soda bottles, duct tapes, food colourings, and what nots......
She held an amused smile on her face as she watched his bent figure completely concentrating on how the designer demonstrated the whole process again. She could see him memorising every detail for later use. She had hoped he'd shown that level of attention when earlier she had directed them to a booth which displayed what type of sodas decayed teeth more and faster. Instead, he'd caught on to it and quickly made for the display which showed what brand of bubble gum produced the biggest bubble, sigh.
When he grasped the concept of 'a tornado in a bottle' design and function, he straightened up to look around the hall. Looking for her. Rukia tried to muster a slightly serious expression as she called out to him.
"I'm over here, Caleb". His eyes lit up as they met Rukias glowy violet orbs. "Sweetheart, you shouldn't wander off on your own in such crowded venues", she admonished him "Come on, if we don't hurry, we'll miss our bus home".
"I'm sorry, mommy", Caleb replied sheepishly with his toothy smile and bright beady eyes. Yup... and that was all that was needed for Rukia to smile back and forget what she was annoyed about. She was hopeless and just too easy for him. She leaned towards him, giving an affectionate kiss on his plump cheek. Then tucking his hands firmly in hers, Rukia made for the exit once again, only to........ 'gasp, what the....'
"....oh I'm terribly sor----ry", she began. Only to turn dead stiff upon looking (quite a way up) at the person she had barrelled into. Another gasp then silence. She was now staring, staring at an exact replica of what Caleb would probably look like in the next twenty years.
Well....atleast now she knew where Caleb had gotten such beautiful eyes, the same orange-y brown shades but only--more intense, same straight nose, narrow lips and.....wow....the hair was way off...wait, is that hair colour even possible, her panic-stricken brain wandered fleetingly. Focus Rukia!!!
Why was she thinking of weird hair colours when she should be bolting out of the hall with godlike speed right-about-now. Rukia already had a fair idea on who this man might be. Her startled mind cleared slightly only to be replaced with fear-bringing her back to the real world, back to this very unwanted and unpleasant encounter. Her hand holding Caleb's tightened instinctively and she turned towards the exit again with renewed vigour, aiming to get out of there as fast as possible.
"One moment, please", she heard a deep voice say. She shivered involuntarily just hearing that voice say those three words. It was from fear, she told herself. She had all the reasons to be afraid of that mans' sudden appearance. Rukia had just one thought....get out quickly, get out, get out of here RUKIA!!
She had sensed a hint of an Asian accent and a commanding seriousness in his voice but there was no way in hell she would stop.
Pretending to have not heard the man calling out (even though old habits and good manners made it a near impossible feat), Rukia pressed on toward the door nearly dragging Caleb along. But Caleb didn't want play pretend.
"Mommy, that man wans to talk to you". All Rukia did was increase her pace even more, muttering to him about catching the bus. She was sure the man had heard Caleb.
Rukia was just about to pass the door to freedom when her escape route was once again blocked by the same tall and lean bodied stranger. May not be a stranger for long her inner voice supplied. Keep trying Rukia...yes. "Um....we will miss our bus and....and it is imperative we catch it", she exaggerated. "We need to go...."How lame, Rukia. She just knew there was no getting away from this now.
"I'll personally make sure you get to your destination" he replied calmly, eyes focused on Caleb as he continued. "I really do think we have a lot to talk about, don't you". Not really, I don't really want to talk!
She really didn't have a choice because just as he had finished speaking, he grasped her arm in a light but firm hold as if he knew she was preparing to bolt. He turned her towards the hall with an authoritative - "If you would be so kind", led Rukia to the office section of the building. Be so kind, my arse. Rukia was oh so tempered to snatch her hands from his grasp just hearing his tone but she didn't want a scene especially with Caleb beside her. Just who the hell did he think he was, literally forcing and commanding her like that ....she fumed.
If only we had left earlier or better still, hadn't come to the exhibition today. We should have come yesterday or tomorrow, just not today, she whined. She kept on musing over her current situation until 'Mr. I decide what to do now' opened a door and Rukia found herself and Caleb in a spacious office. How did he manage to get an office? He didn't sound or look like he was from here. That Armani suit sure matched his attitude. Must be some rich spoilt bast-----
Why was she thinking of inconsequential things like his expensive suit when she had to pull herself together for the talk. Rukia started summoning her wits to the fore and mentally prepared herself. She had a bad feeling that whatever the outcome of the upcoming discussion, it wouldn't be in her favour.
Caleb.
No. Whatever the man would say to her, one thing was for certain, he wouldn't have any rights where Caleb was concerned. Caleb was hers since he was born and she wasn't going to just shed her responsibility and give away the one person that means everything to her. And most definitely not to the family that hadn't bothered with Caleb for the past four years of his life. Even if this man was the father, it made no difference.......he was four years late.
Caleb who hadn't once taken his eyes off of the stranger, decided it was time to voice out the curious thoughts in his head in the most embarrassing (for Rukia) and innocent of ways .
"Mom, is he my daddy?"
Rukia closed her eyes and took two deep breaths to stop the pink tints, which had always showed up even with the mildest of provocations, from forming on her pale cheeks. "Caleb" she hushed in a warning tone. The man whose hand was still around Rukia's arm, led her to the leather couch and courteously told her to take a seat. Caleb quickly climbed onto her lap not quite comfortable with a stranger near his mom.
She nearly jumped off the couch when the man knelt in front of them and placed his hands on either side of her sitting form, knees nearly touching her feet. Does this man not know what personal space is? He didn't seem to notice their proximity. His attention was wholly on Caleb.It was difficult to not notice how his stern face softened as he smiled amusedly at Caleb. No doubt he had heard his earlier query.
"I will answer that question now", the man intoned, briefing looking at Rukia over Caleb's dark head. This made Rukia's heart speed up even more than it had since seeing this man's face. She definitely didn't want to know who he was....particularly to Caleb.
"I'm not your....daddy but.." he said quietly "I do know who your dad was". Rukia could have signed in relief if the man was not so close. He wasn't the father. He wasn't the Kaien she had heard of so much before Caleb was born. Was? Did that mean Kaien is dead?
AN. This is my first story and your reviews for this chapter will help me greatly to improve for the next. I don't mind the flames...but make them constructive. I have no idea how I'm doing here so do let me know what you truly think.