WAHH I'M SO STUPID!!! TT____________TT
I'm reallyreallyreally sorry!! I screwed up the first chapter when I wrote it. I wasn't thinking straight at all!! Pleasepleaseplease forgive me D: ~! I rewrote it and I hope you still like it...It's just, I wasn't thinking about the ACTUAL storyline when I wrote it... :[
thanks for everyone who commented about how they were happy that I was creating a sequel and I hope that I can surpass your expectations but I might've screwed that up ^^;
anyways, I apologize AGAIN. D:
The Return.
His hands traveled up her thigh, a faint hum on his lips as he nipped the skin on her neck lightly. She moaned as his cool fingers traced intangible patterns on her stomach and his tongue slid playfully into her mouth…
She woke up with a start, her heart racing, and her mind cloudy. She was used to these dreams. Before, she'd wake up crying, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably and a huge pain in her chest. Then the tears faded and she'd wake up with only the pain. But eventually the pain faded as well until she was left with only a miserable hollowness inside when she awoke from such dreams.
"Tsukiko-chan~!" A voice called out and she dragged herself up. She scratched the back of her head and stumbled out into the living room. "Oh~! So you are awake!" Urahara said cheerily and she dropped onto the cushion across from him. She folded her arms on the table and rested her head on them. "Don't fall asleep again, Tsukiko-chan~!" Urahara chided and she felt him tap her head with his fan. She looked up and glared at him. He recoiled with a nervous smile. "Making such a scary face so late in the morning," he grumbled before Tessai set a cup of tea in front of her. She welcomed it gratefully and began to drink it greedily.
"Thanks," she said and smiled at Tessai. He nodded and moved back into the shop.
"Ne, Tsukiko-chan~!" Urahara said excitedly and she looked to him suspiciously. She didn't trust that tone.
"I have a new job for you!" He said and clapped his hands together.
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Yup!" He reached under the table and pulled out a plastic bag and threw it at her, a mischievous smile hidden behind his open fan. She eyed him suspiciously before peeking into the bag. It was a uniform, a high school uniform to be exact. She looked at him wondering if she should be scared. This wasn't a kind of fetish, was it? She wouldn't be surprised if it was either. "I need you to look into something for me," he said and his fan snapped shut, "a boy named Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Kurosaki Ichigo? Who's that?"
"He recently took the powers from a shinigami and I need that shinigami protected," Urahara explained.
"So you want me there to look after the shinigami?"
"Exactly," Urahara said with a smile.
"Why?"
"Oh, she's very special," he said secretively.
"I thought you didn't mess in Soul Society affairs anymore?"
"You're a Soul Society affair and I helped you," he said with a grin and ruffled her hair. She sighed.
"I know and I'm grateful for it. But you know what I meant," she said and leaned back with her tea.
"It concerns Aizen," he said grimly and she stiffened. Her eyes opened and she looked at Urahara.
"How, Kisuke?"
He sighed. "The less you know, the better," he said and her eyes narrowed.
"Kisuke," she said dangerously.
"Hollowfication," he said softly and she saw a flash of guilt in his eyes. She didn't need it spelled out to know it was a difficult topic for him.
"So all I need to do is protect the shinigami at school?" she asked and he looked up. She saw he was grateful that she'd accepted his feelings on the matter and nodded. She sighed and rose to her feet, bag in hand, and walked back to her room. "Which school is it?"
"Karakura High School."
"Okay class, we have a new student~!" The teacher chimed happily and attention turned to her. Ichigo, however, pretended to ignore her and looked out the window. "Come on in," the teacher called. He looked over when the door slid open revealing the blue-eyed blonde. She looked bored but when she saw everyone's eyes on her she grinned widely. He glanced over at Rukia when he heard her sharp intake of breath. "This is-"
"Matsuyaki Tsukiko?!" Rukia cried cutting off the teacher, getting over her initial shock, and shot up from her seat. The blonde blinked and her eyes settled on Rukia. She seemed surprised to see the short girl but her lips pulled into a slow grin.
"Yo, Rukia," she said with a small wave. Rukia began to tremble.
"W-what-"
"Oh good! You two know each other!" The teacher exclaimed and pushed Tsukiko towards the absent desk beside Rukia. As Tsukiko settled into the desk Rukia also sat down, stiffly. Ichigo watched, his eyes narrowed, as she pulled out her communicator under the desk. He saw Tsukiko's eyes catch the movement and when the teacher wasn't paying attention she reached over and folded the communicator shut. Rukia's eyes widened and Ichigo could tell she was restraining herself from slapping the girl's hand away.
When Tsukiko leaned back she scribbled something on her hand.
"It's good to see you, again, Rukia," she said cheerily and held out her hand. Rukia's eyes caught the message written on her hand. 'Don't contact Soul Society. I'll explain later.'
"It's nice to see you too!" Rukia said and Ichigo marveled at how fake her cheeriness was. The girls shook hands stiffly before both faced straight. Rukia sat, perfectly straight, while Tsukiko reclined in her chair lazily. She chanced a look at Tsukiko but the blonde wasn't watching her. She was lost in her thoughts, a smile toying with her lips.
Rukia sat on the tree branch. She loved to sit in trees. It reminded her of old times when she used to hang out with Renji. Her face saddened. Saido's face appeared in her mind and she frowned. She'd have to leave before another shinigami showed up to take her back to Soul Society. She had no doubt that they'd try and kill Ichigo to get her powers back. Then there was Tsukiko. The name carried anger with it as it drifted through her mind. Rukia sighed.
"I was suspicious to begin with," her eyes closed slightly with sadness, "I probably don't have any time left…"
"Oh! There she is!" Rukia's eyes widened when she heard the voice behind her. She turned and saw Orihime, Tatsuki, and Mahana standing below her.
"Kuchiki-san, wanna eat lunch together?" Mahana called.
Rukia forced a smile onto her lips. "Okay!" she called and jumped down from the branch and landed nimbly on her feet. Together they walked over to the spot where the other girls had already sat down and begun to eat. Orihime pulled out a piece of cake and the others laughed about how all the fat went to her breasts. Tatsuki sighed and Rukia began to drink from her juice box.
"Kuchiki-san, do you have the hots for Kurosaki?" the shock of the question caused Rukia to spit out her drink. Oddly enough, it created a rainbow.
"Excuse me?" she stammered.
"More to the point, what's your current relationship with him, honestly?" Mahana asked.
"Relationship…we're just-"
"Hey, Mahana! That question was too straight-forward!" A Michiru cried.
"What're you talking about? I was asking because you were wondering, but couldn't ask!" Mahana argued and Rukia wiped the juice from her face quietly. The girls began to talk amongst themselves about how some thought Ichigo was scary before Mahana turned back to Rukia, her face serious. "So?" she asked and Rukia shifted uncomfortably. "When it comes down to it, what's the deal?"
Rukia looked to each curious face before bowing her head. She, herself, was unsure of their relationship. "Kurosaki-kun is…" she trailed off, wondering how she should word it. Finally she forced a smile onto her face. "Kurosaki-kun is just a friend," she said finally.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"No romantic feelings?"
"Not even a litte?"
"Yes, not even a little," Rukia said firmly.
"Aww, that's too bad," Orihime pouted and moved onto a short ramble on how if Rukia started liking Ichigo, all the girls would start to like Ichigo, but Rukia was no longer paying attention. A shadow had fallen over her and she sensed the familiar reiatsu. The group fell silent in the newcomer's presence.
"Oh, you're Matsuyaki Tsukiko, correct?" Mahana commented politely.
"Yeah, nice to meet you," Tsukiko said smiling, "do you mind if I borrow Rukia for a minute?"
A few eyes widened at the completely informal use of Rukia's name.
"You guys are friends?" Orihime asked.
"We used to be," Rukia said shortly but made no move to get up.
"Aw, don't be so cold. Honestly, you've been hanging out with Byakuya way too much," Tsukiko said and rolled her eyes. Rukia turned to chastise her on the far to casual use of her brother's name when Tsukiko's hand grabbed her arm and dragged her to her feet. "C'mon, we need to get this sorted out," she mumbled and proceeded to drag Rukia away from the group of girls.
"W-what do you think you're doing?! Let me go this instant!" Rukia demanded but the taller girl was much stronger. When Tsukiko finally released Rukia's writhing form, they were in a completely secluded area.
"What is the meaning of this? Why are you here?!" Rukia demanded but her voice shook. Tsukiko couldn't tell if it was happiness or sadness that caused Rukia's anger to waver.
"I'm here to make sure you don't get yourself killed," Tsukiko said softly and Rukia's eyes widened.
"Shut up! You're a traitor! A renegade shinigami!" Rukia yelled, but even in her own ears, she sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
"I'm sorry," Tsukiko whispered and hugged Rukia tightly. Rukia stiffened at the abrupt embrace and fought down the urge to hug her back. "I have no right to ask your forgiveness," Tsukiko murmured sadly.
"W-why didn't you tell me…you were leaving?" Rukia whispered and her arms hung limply at her sides.
"I had no time," Tsukiko said and moved to pull away. Against her will, Rukia's arms wrapped around Tsukiko's waist and pulled her close.
"Why did you leave?" Rukia's resolve to hate the woman was cracking.
"I…" Tsukiko couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Does it involve Gin?" Rukia asked softly and Tsukiko barely heard it.
"Yeah…it does."
"Did he ask you to leave?" Rukia asked bitterly, remembering how Tsukiko would do anything that cursed man asked.
"NO! God no, I wouldn't have left if that was all there was to it," Tsukiko exclaimed.
"Then what?!" Rukia demanded, pulling out of the hug. Tsukiko looked away for a moment.
"It's really hard to explain, Rukia…"
"Why? Why is it so hard?"
"Do you think I wanted to leave for forty years?" Tsukiko snapped and Rukia flinched. "I would've taken you if you'd wanted to, but I wasn't given the chance to ask!" Tsukiko murmured and her voice pained. Rukia's eyes widened.
"You didn't tell anyone…did you?"
Tsukiko took a calming breath. "No. Not even Gin." Rukia's eyes widened. Not even Gin?! Just the thought shocked her and she began to wonder just what had forced her friend to leave Soul Society. "Can we…put all of that behind us?" Tsukiko whispered pleadingly. Rukia hesitated. She realized that it must've been something big that forced Tsukiko to leave and maybe it would just be better if she knew less.
"Tell me first…why are you here, now? Where have you been all these years?"
"I've been living with Kisuke…he told me a shinigami had lost their powers and that he needed me to make sure they didn't get hurt…he didn't tell me it was you…"
"Why now? Why not before when I first gave my powers to Ichigo?"
"I only got back yesterday," Tsukiko said with a shrug, "I haven't been a total freeloader. I run errands for him every now and then…"
"Did he…tell you about the menos?"
"There was a menos?" Tsukiko asked, somewhat surprised.
"Yeah, Ichigo fought it back by himself," Rukia said. Tsukiko whistled, a grin stretched across her lips.
"That's some raw powers, no wonder Kisuke's got his eye on him," Tsukiko mused.
"But you know what that means," Rukia said and her voice softened with sadness. Tsukiko watched her and sighed.
"It's going to draw Soul Society's attention," Tsukiko said.
"Yeah. I have to leave. I'm already past my time limit. No doubt they're going to send someone to get me and-"
"They'll probably kill Ichigo in the process," Tsukiko finished and Rukia nodded numbly. "Sit down," Tsukiko ordered gently and sat down. Rukia nodded and sat down beside Tsukiko. They fell into silence.
"I've missed you…Rukia," Tsukiko said, breaking the silence. She felt Rukia's eyes on her but she kept her face turned to the sky.
"I-We've all missed you, Tsukiko. I think…Gin the most…"
Tsukiko's eyes closed and she felt a sigh whisper past her lips. "I'll be surprised if he even looks my way when I get back…"
"So you are going back?" Rukia asked and Tsukiko's smile widened when she heard the hope in her friend's voice.
"How about this? We'll go back together?" Tsukiko asked and looked at Rukia who'd fallen silent. There was a sad smile on the shorter woman's face. "What?" Tsukiko's face scrunched up in false hurt. "You don't want me to come home?"
Rukia shook her head. "I thought you'd never ask." Tsukiko's eyes widened before she grinned. Both girls looked towards the sky and basked in the warmth of the sun. With a yawn, Tsukiko stretched before shifting her position and folding her arms on Rukia's lap and resting her cheek on them. Rukia stiffened and glanced down at the familiar pose and a smile tugged at her lips. "Such a disgraceful habit," Rukia sniffed teasingly.
"But you're soo comfortable, Rukia-chan~!" Tsukiko whined and curled her body into fetal position. "Where have you been staying?" Tsukiko asked, suddenly curious.
"Ichigo's closet," Rukia said casually. Tsukiko burst out laughing.
"How noble!" she teased and a faint blush dusted Rukia's cheeks.
"Shutup!" She snapped and folded her arms with her nose in the air. Tsukiko ceased her laughing and snuggled closer to Rukia. A content smile graced her face.
"What else did Urahara ask you to do?" Rukia asked and hid the curiosity from her voice.
"The only thing he asked me to do is make sure you don't get yourself killed while at school."
"Why does he care?"
"Cause it'll bring shinigami raining down on us," I lied, using the excuse that we didn't want to move.
"Oh."
"Of course, if I'd known it was you then I would've come anyways. He just said," she pulled a mocking voice, "'I need you to look into something for me~!' and yeah.."
Rukia chuckled and Tsukiko felt it through her arms.
"You know," Rukia began and Tsukiko felt her small fingers trail through her hair, "Ukitake-taicho said something to me…just before I left."
"Oh?" Tsukiko murmured and enjoyed the feeling of her hair being played with.
"He said," she paused and Tsukiko heard the smile in her voice, "'Keep an eye out for Tsukiko-chan when you're there…it'd be nice to have her back.'"
Tsukiko smiled. "It'd be nice to be back."
They fell into silence again and Rukia was putting Tsukiko to sleep as she fiddled with the long blonde strands.
"Does this mean you forgive me, then?" Tsukiko mumbled and Rukia smiled.
"Perhaps."