Her Missing Piece

Summary: So she finally knew what it felt like to be broken hearted so she opted to help her friends find the right guys for them. And she vowed not to do the same mistake again or is she following the same pattern all over again.

A/N: My first Bleach AU fic…

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach... if I did... it would turn into a Shoujo manga


Chapter 2 A New Found Objective

Fuming, Rukia literally dragged her friend to the second floor.

"Rukia, I think you can relax now," Momo said. She was glad that the boy they bumped into, distracted her friend a bit, but somehow she seemed to be fussing too much over the little book incident.

"I'm sorry Momo. I guess this just isn't my day. Let's get started with the shopping shall we," Rukia said. She decided not to let the earlier events ruin the rest of her day and it would be unfair to drag her friend along with her awful mood.

"It's okay. Let's just go and get all the junk food and ice cream we need tonight. Then we can order pizza later. Forget about all the bad stuff for now. Let's focus on the task at hand," Momo exclaimed it was her turn to drag Rukia around. Rukia pushed the cart as Momo filled it with their gloating essentials. They went to each aisle raiding the chips section. Putting all the good stuff they could put in their cart. It was stuffed with Doritos, Lays and other chips. They also got some dips and salsa. They got four tubs of ice cream and 4 bottles of Soda. They went to the chocolate section and they filled their cart with every Cadbury chocolate flavor they could find. They also got some Hershey bars and other varied chocolate bars they could get their hands on. Momo just grinned at her friend. "I think we have enough medicine to cure your heart," the girl exclaimed. Rukia just rolled her eyes.

"It's more like a pig out session to me," Rukia said. Somehow she didn't feel like herself, the guy she liked was now dating a good friend of hers without her knowing it and the book she had been looking for was taken by an arrogant prick that was too full of himself. They paid for their purchases and carried four grocery bags full of junk food.

"Your driver is outside maybe we can put this in the car then go back. I called him since we can't actually go anywhere with this many groceries. I thought maybe we can get some coffee," Momo said. Rukia just nodded.

After loading the groceries in the car they went back inside the mall to drink some coffee. They went to Starbucks and both of them got Mocha Frapuccinos.

"Frapuccinos always makes me feel better," Rukia said as she sipped her frap. She and Momo were in a nice lounge chair by the window. "I almost feel guilty about kicking that orange top punk. I mean if it was any regular day I would have let it pass but I still hate him for thinking I was a middle schooler," she sighed.

"Well, maybe you won't see him again or maybe not," Momo said as she motioned Rukia to look at the guy who just entered the coffee shop. "Well, what do you know," the girl added.

Rukia just wanted to shrink in her seat. Her father always told her about proper behavior and even if it was a book she wanted so much it did not give her the right to kick someone's shin let alone assault a complete stranger. "I hope he doesn't see me," she muttered quietly.

"He's going to order something I don't think he noticed you," Momo replied as she watched what the carrot-top boy was doing. After the boy got what seemed like a cup of Venti cappuccino the boy walked out of the shop. Momo motioned Rukia to sit up properly. "He's gone now." Rukia saw the orange top disappearing in the crowd.

"That was close," she said. Momo just giggled.

"Miss, the gentleman who just left wanted to give you this," The bar attendant popped out of nowhere and handed Rukia a package.

"That is from who?" She asked. She was rather confused. Momo just eyed her mischievously.

"It was from the gentleman who just left. The teenage boy with the orange hair, he said to give this to you when he leaves," The attendant replied.

Rukia got the package and said her thanks.

"Hmm, you're receiving gifts from strangers now," Momo teased as Rukia opened the package. It showed the book that she wanted to buy inside. She opened it and found a note.

I'm sorry if I was a bit rude for not letting you have the book, not to mention calling you a middle schooler. It didn't cross my mind that maybe I should have let you have the book and asked if there were any other copies in the store. So as my apology please accept the book we fought over. I hope that if we get a chance to meet each other again it would be in a far better circumstance.

K. Ichigo

Rukia just giggled. "Is this really his name?" Rukia showed Momo the note.

"Maybe it's a pen name," her friend replied.

"Maybe, who would want to be named after a fruit though," Rukia just sighed. 'Well, that was pretty decent of him,' she thought to herself and well that made her feel worse about her behavior earlier at the book shop. But she couldn't help the smile that broke on her face.

The two girls finished their fraps and went window shopping. The two went around a number of boutiques to pass the time and Rukia ended up getting a new set of Chappy pajamas while Momo got herself a new sleeping gown.

The girls went back to Rukia's house. Momo called home to ask for clothes to be sent for her and she asked her parents for permission which was gladly given to her since Rukia was a good friend of hers ever since they were children.


Ichigo didn't exactly know what hit him. The girl he was arguing with just kicked him and it wasn't a girly kick it was like she played football or something. He smirked he didn't think he would find a tough girl like her in this town let alone someone who can match his childhood friend, Tatsuki's kicks. That girl was something.

He just came back from the US where his family lived for almost 8 years. His mom died because of some accident that he didn't want to remember and his father thought it best that they move away. For some reason though, his father with his eccentric views opted to go back to Japan. He had only been there for a week and he already met or rather bumped into some really interesting people specifically the raven haired, indigo-eyed girl that kicks like a boy.

He smirked. He knew that he definitely wanted to see her again. He was not exactly the type of guy who goes out of his way to get close to a girl in fact he had his own fan girls in his old school back in the US much to his dismay. But the girl he had the argument with totally got his interest. Of course he knew she wasn't a middle schooler. He just wanted to annoy her and annoyed she really was and his aching shin was a proof of it. So he did what he thought would be the right thing to do. He asked the sales person in the bookshop for any other copies of the book and fortunately for him there was another one available. He bought the extra and had it wrapped. He slipped in a note before the package was completely sealed. He realized that there was no point in being a complete jerk and his return to his old home may deem more interesting than he thought possible.

So off he went to look for that feisty ass-kicker of a girl he just encountered a while ago. It was stalker like of him but it helped that he put his bonnet and glasses when he followed them. It kept his noticeable spikes away from too much attention. He spotted them outside. They seem to have finished shopping and were loading bags of what seemed to be junk food in their car. The car drove off but the two girls were left and went back inside.

He spotted them in starbucks drinking some frap. 'So she's a frap person,' he thought to himself. He noticed how depressed she looked and somehow she perked a little after sipping her frap. He took his bonnet off and made his way inside the coffee shop. He noticed how she somehow shrank into her seat when he got in. 'So she noticed me coming,' he told himself. He went to the counter and ordered a hot cup of cappuccino. "Hey pal," he ask the bar attendant. "I need you to do me a favor. You see the girls seating on the lounge?" he discreetly pointed out. "Don't look. One of the girls would have black shoulder length hair and the other has brown hair tied in a bun. I want you to give this package to the girl with black hair when I get out of the shop okay. Here's your extra tip," Ichigo said as he handed the package and an extra 500¥. The attendant in return took the package and handed him his coffee. He walked out of the shop and blended in the crowd. He put on his bonnet and walked the other way and sat on a bench that was across the coffee shop. From where he sat he could easily see the two girls.

He saw her opening the package and looking at the book then reading his note. A smile showed on her face and with that he felt contented. He felt ridiculous acting like some stalker but the fact that his gesture made her smile just made him feel a lot better. He hadn't felt this good since he came to Japan. He tried to convince his father to leave him in the US because he was in his last year in high school anyway, but his father wants the whole family to be together so he ended up spending his summer vacation back in his old hometown and he would be spending the rest of his senior year there as well.

He stood up from the bench clutching the book that he now considered his favorite and walked out of the mall to his car. This was going to an interesting summer and hopefully an interesting senior year as well.


Nell, Rukia's youngest sister, greeted both girls. Momo was a regular guest in the Kuchiki estate so Nell was delight to see her visit.

"Rukia-nee! Momo-chan, I knew you were coming. I heard mama athking the houthe keeper to have the pool houthe ready. Can I join you, can I, can I huh? Pwetty Pleathe," the five year old said with her puppy dog eyes.

"Unfortunately Nell-chan. We have some important things to do tonight. So maybe we can just play tomorrow okay," Momo said and patted the little girls head.

"Hey we did get you some chocolates. Make sure that mama doesn't see you with any of this and make sure you drink lots of water and brush your teeth after," Rukia said as he handed two chocolate bars to her little sister. She couldn't help it. She adored her sister too much.

"I'll pretend I didn't see that," Ririn said as she came down the stairwell. Nell just ran pass her and was probably making her way to her room away from the prying eyes of Ririn.

"If you'll help us carry the bags we'll give you some chocolates too," Rukia said.

The almost thirteen-year-old girl grinned. "I thought you'd never asked." The brunette with long her and ice blue orbs said as she carried one of the bags.

"Ren-kun called by the way. He wanted to know if you're coming to your band practice tomorrow or he can tell the guys to postpone it for next week," Ririn said as she inspected the contents of the grocery bag she carried.

"Thanks Ririn I'll call him later," Rukia said as they got out of the house and walked around the poolside to the pool house.

"And Shuuhei-kun called too he said something about playing basketball. He said if you're coming he'll pick you up so he said don't forget to holler, ayt!" Ririn made a Shuuhei thug impression. "I can't believe you're still busy during summer. After all the stuff you do at school and you even attend Juku. You remind me so much of Dad." Ririn muttered. "Although I wouldn't mind seeing Shuhei-kun in the house," the girl added.

Rukia just rolled her eyes and she and Momo exchanged knowing looks.

"You're sister just likes to do loads of things that's all. And you said it yourself. Who wouldn't like to see Shuuhei not to mention him all sweaty from playing basketball," Momo teased.

Ririn blushed. "Whatever you say Momo-chan. I'm just going to get three bars of chocolates as payment for your sarcasm and Rukia-nee can I borrow your pink Kashmir sweater?" the girl tried diverting the conversation.

The two older girls giggled. Ririn went all red as a tomato. Rukia just hugged her little sister who was just a few inches shorter than her. "We're just pulling your leg although I have to say I better tell mom about this little crush you have on Shuuhei or better yet make sure that I get my sweater back in perfect condition or I'm gonna tell on you." The three girls just laughed. Ririn stuck her tongue out on Rukia and Momo before living the two.

"It's nice being here. I love staying with your family. Your sisters are just wonderful," Momo exclaimed. She was an only child and her parents normally went to business trips out of the country. She and Rukia often stayed in the latter girl's room however they always held their slumber parties in the pool house.

Nemu and Isane came at exactly seven thirty.

"So why the sudden invitation, and what happened in Shiba-senpai's graduation?" The two girls asked expectantly.

"I found out that Kaien is already dating someone," Rukia answered them. It was almost a whisper.

"So who the hell is the bitch," Isane said incredulously.

"Is she someone we know?" Nemu asked quietly.

"She's not a bitch Isane," Rukia muttered almost to herself. "She's a close friend of ours," she felt tears started to blur her vision. She had to stop herself for crying. She can't, she wouldn't let herself.

"It's Miyako, our Miyako. If you two haven't noticed she's not here. We didn't invite her," Momo said irritably. Momo was closest to Rukia and the whole ordeal just upsets her.

"She never told me. If she did, I should have told her to tell you Rukia. My goodness, I'm sorry to hear what happened. I can't believe Miyako could do such a thing," Isane said apologetically. She was the closest to Miyako.

"It's not your fault Isane. No one knew. I was close to Kaien-dono and he never mentioned it to me either," Rukia said.

"It's just sad that she didn't tell Rukia. It's not like Miyako, to lie to us," Nemu said disappointment was evident in her voice.

The night went on. Rukia didn't let a single tear fall, well, not in front of her friends so they sung all night and ate their hearts out. The pool house was equipped with a big plasma TV, a Karaoke machine, a refrigerator, a big king size bed that could fit all four girls but before, it actually fit in five when Miyako was with them.

Rukia hated her for what happened. She was her friend. Miyako knew what she felt for Kaien but she still dated him. The sad part of it all was the fact that she never told her. She didn't say that something was going on between the two of them. She made her look stupid in front of Momo and in front of Kaien.

Rukia knew Miyako since their freshman year. She was a nice girl. They enjoyed each other's company because they both liked music. They were both picked to be student teachers for their English subject. Rukia was the one who introduced Miyako to Nemu, Isane and Momo since she has been close friends with the three girls ever since middle school. Miyako being a new student from a different part of Japan knew no one in their school. She remembered how she met Miyako. It was their first day. She saw a girl reading a piece of paper as if she was looking for directions. She recognized the uniform to be like her own so she made the driver stop the car and got out. She spoke to Miyako and she admittedly said she was lost. She had to take a bus from their house then was suppose to walk to school but she didn't know exactly where school was. Rukia asked her to take a ride with her and everyday since first year, Miyako would wait for her in by the bus stop so she can get a ride with Rukia to school. Rukia wasn't exactly sure what hurt her most, the fact that Kaien dated Miyako or that her friend didn't tell her about their relationship.

Momo was seeing her heart out while Rukia sat in between the cheering Nemu and Isane.

"Hey guys I'm just going out for some fresh air," she stood up and got out of the pool house. She had her cellphone in hand and the book she received today.

"I can come with you," Isane offered.

"Hey you guys enjoy. I won't take long," she told them and smiled at her three friends.

She sat by the edge of the pool and called Renji. She pressed speed dial number 4. The phone rang and someone picked up. "Hey," she said.

"Oi, Rukia did you get my message. That bratty sister of yours just annoys me so much," Renji said.

"Hey, don't call my sister a brat only I can do that. I think we should postpone the practice tomorrow. I don't feel well tonight and I don't think I'll be okay tomorrow," Rukia said.

"Did you drink medicine? What's up with you?" The boy on the other line said and worry was definitely evident in his voice.

"Hey, I'm okay. Just tell Ikkaku and Yumichika that we'll practice next week," she replied. "Have a great summer. See you next week," she added.

"Alright take care of yourself. Oyasuminasai," Renji said before she disconnected the call.

She pressed speed dial number 3. It rang three times before loud party music played in the back ground and she heard Shuuhei yelling, "Rukia. How's my favorite babe."

"I see that you're partying right now. Did I call in a bad time?" she yelled back.

"Not at all. I'm just with Kira, Ikkaku and Yumichika. Renji has work tonight so he's not with us. So what do I owe the honor of hearing your voice?" Shuuhei said.

"Cut the crap Shuuhei. I just want to tell you that I can't play basketball with you tomorrow. Maybe we can do it the next day. I don't feel well," Rukia said.

"Why, did anything happen?" Shuuhei's voice was serious all of a sudden.

"I'm fine. I'm just tired. I attended the graduation with my father after all," Rukia lied.

"Take care of yourself and I'll pick you up on Wednesday at 10 alright?" Shuuhei said.

"Hai, hai. See you then," Rukia replied.

"Good night princess," Shuuhei said before the line died out.

"What kind of princess would have his prince charming running away with one of her princess friends," she muttered to herself. She stood up and went to one of the sunbathing chairs by the pool. She looked up the sky and watched the star filled sky. She placed her cellphone on her side and held the book close to her heart. "I guess I'm going to have to stop looking. From now on I'll just focus on the things I like to do and I won't let guys distract me," she vowed.


"I wonder what her name is," Ichigo was laying on his rooftop. It was a good thing that he asked his dad to let him stay in the attic. He stared at the night sky that was filled with stars.

'Funny how the night sky reminded me of her eyes," he sighed. His head rested in his hands.

To be continued…


A/N: Well, I didn't intend to make the chapter that lengthy but for some reason, I did… R/R. I'm going to try and work on the next chapter as soon as I can. Thanks to jazzjackrabbit, andraq, Biscotti, AkanaSabaru for their reviews….

Note: Juku- cram school.

Oyasuminasai- good night.

When Nell talks she replaces the S with TH