Unforgettable Love

Chapter Two: The Drive Back

--

Ichigo glared at the blue haired man across him, it was twelve in the morning an hour after Yume had given birth to the baby. The air was tense as the two tried to make sense of what was going on.

"So you're telling me… that the nights I would find her out of bed, was because of you?" Ichigo's eyebrow rose.

"Probably… but our relationship started way before that." Grimmjow said.

"What?" Ichigo said.

"How did we know each other? I've been her best friend all her life." Grimmjow grinned proudly. "I wouldn't be surprised that that baby is mine, because we've fucked around with each other so much."

"So… then she cheated on me?" Ichigo told nobody in particular. "We'll have to see." Ichigo pressed the nurse button and a woman with black, long hair stepped in.

"What can I do for you sir?" She said.

"Get us Dr. Ulqiuorra." Ichigo glared at Grimmjow. The nurse nodded and left the room.

"So you guys are going to do a paternity test?" Rukia said.

"I guess so. Since strawberry boy won't believe that it's my baby." Grimmjow said as he sat down.

Ichigo took his seat beside Yume, who had been quiet the whole time, with the baby sleeping in her arms. Ichigo looked at her, this was a typical thing that Yume would do… but why?

"You're wondering why… right Ichigo?" She whispered. Ichigo just looked away disappointingly. "It's because… when we started dating again, you're gaze would always lower when I called your name. When you held me, you would hesitate… and when you sleep, you mutter her name." She pointed at Rukia who looked back in surprise.

"I already told you… she's yesterday. You're the one I love now." He muttered.

"I dare you to look me in the eye and say that Ichigo." Yume said.

Ichigo looked up, he opened his mouth then his gaze shifted on the small girl behind Yume. He closed his mouth and then sighed. Tears fell from Yume's face; she knew that he hadn't gotten over Rukia yet… the whole time they dated.

Doctor Ulquiorra stepped into the room. He instructed the two men to open their mouths as he used a cotton swab to collect their saliva. He walked over to the baby and did the same.

"I will be back with the results soon. Also, you have some visitors." Ulquiorra opened the door and it revealed Uryuu and Orihime with food in their hands.

"Um… I hope we're not interrupting anything!" Orihime said, as she saw Yume's tears. They shook their heads as they walked into the room. "I got us some food, seeing how late it is and you must be hungry." The group walked over and opened the takeout that Orihime brought in. Yume simply stayed in her place, watching the baby sleep.

"Araaa! That's a beautiful baby boy!" She walked over to Yume's side.

"My baby boy." Grimmjow said. Orihime turned and saw the man in the corner, his blue eyes glinting in the light. She looked over to the baby in Yume's arms, and then back at the Grimmjow. She scowled and slapped Yume across the face. The group looked at the strawberry-blonde girl in surprise.

"You bitch! You had all of Kurosaki-kun's trust and then you go and betray it with your idiotic lust!" Yume just looked away, as she tried to calm the crying baby that was awakened by the yelling.

"Orihime… calm down!" Uryuu said as he put his arms around Orihime's waist and pulled her back.

"YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!" She yelled.

"We still don't know who the father is." Ichigo muttered.

"Don't you see the –" Orihime paused and looked at Ichigo, who was staring at his feet. She sat down quietly next to Uryuu.

There were moments of silence as they ate their late dinner. With Ichigo and Rukia constantly getting into eye contact. Finally, the doctor came in with paper in his hands. He eyed the two men and then looked at the baby.

"Mr. Kurosaki, what do you plan on doing if the baby is yours?" He asked.

"Take care of it with Yume of course…" Ichigo said.

"And you Mr. Jeagerjaques?" His gaze moved to the blue haired man.

"Take full responsibility of it… along with the mother." Grimmjow crossed his arms. Ulquiorra nodded.

"Then… the father is…" The group was so silent; that you could hear the cry of babies from the nursery down the hall. "Grimmjow Jeagerjaques."

The group's gaze moved to Ichigo, who sat there silently clenching his fists. Grimmjow stood up and nodded his head.

"That's right." He said, as he walked over to Yume, who smiled a little at him. Ichigo gritted his teeth, and made sure that the doctor left.

"Congratulations…" He muttered, and then his fist hit Grimmjow's face. Rukia, Uryuu and Orihime jumped up to hold back Ichigo, who was constantly yelling. "LET GO!" Grimmjow felt his face for blood, and then punched Ichigo across the face as well.

"That's what you get for toying with my best friend's feelings." He muttered. "Get changed Yume, and we're leaving." Yume nodded and she put the baby in the small crib placed beside the bed. Ichigo pushed his way out of his friends' grip.

"Yume…" He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Here… I think you'll be needing this." He scowled as he took off the ring. "You might as well get engaged since you have a kid right?" Trying to smile, and biting back the tears, he said a few final words. "Get your things out of my house… and good luck with life, Yume." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out of the room silently.

Orihime glared at Yume and walked up to her. "Good luck with life Yume." Orihime and Uryuu said in unison. She smiled at the two who just half smiled back.

Rukia got up from her chair, as she finished up her candy bar. She looked over at Yume who looked as if she was expecting something. "I hope you won't come back… or else I will really kill you." She dusted her hands and walked out.

--

Ichigo looked around in his pockets for his keys, he cursed and tried to think where they were. He cursed again and kicked the wheel of his car, first the baby thing and now this! And in the middle of the night too! He banged his fists on the window, and swore some more. It wasn't supposed to be this way…

"Are you done breaking your car?" Rukia said. Ichigo turned and saw the small girl hold up his keys. He scowled and tried to grab the keys but Rukia quickly pulled them away. "No! You are not sober enough to drive!" She yelled. Ichigo half smiled then scowled again as he chased her around the car.

"I don't have time for this Rukia!" He said.

"Oh you have all the time in the world Ichigo… it is a Friday after all." She grinned at him. "But you're still not sober enough to drive, you're drunk with rage. We wouldn't want you to hit a certain black car, with a certain person in it, that cheated on you, now would we?" She opened the door with the keys and in went the scowling berry. She went around and sat in the driver's seat.

She paused, and started the car. It was silent for a few minutes until Ichigo spoke up.

"Why the hell are you doing this?" He asked, looking out the window.

"Doing what?" She asked.

"Driving me home using my car." He scowled at Rukia.

"Because I need a ride and I have a few things to ask…" She said.

"Like what?" He scanned the girl from head to toe and saw that she was wearing the necklace. "You're wearing the…" Rukia looked at Ichigo then the locket on her chest.

"Well yeah… you told me to, so I might as well wear it. I found it just the other day though…" She said, and her eyes softened. "I never did forget about you… you guys I mean!" She laughed nervously. Ichigo's eyebrow rose, then he smirked.

"Are you saying you missed me the most?" He said.

"No… I didn't miss just you, I missed everyone." Her eye twitched.

"Oh c'mon… you know you missed me more." He poked her side.

"No I didn't Ichigo… stop that!" Rukia squirmed. Ichigo snickered and continued to poke her. "ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED?!" Ichigo looked at her with a blank face and then smirked.

"Jeez, touchy midget." He crossed his arms.

"You are so immature!" She said.

"You are so immature." He mimicked in a high tone.

"UGH! Whatever." She said, and the car was silent once more.

Ichigo looked at Rukia, and then back out the window. What was she trying to say?

"Um… Ichigo… why did you get back together with Yume?" She asked.

"You don't need to know." He muttered.

"I'll make you tell me." She said. Ichigo looked at the girl beside him and then looked away.

"Yeah right," He scoffed.

Then all of the sudden the car swerved to the side, and then back to their original spot. Cars honked at the ridiculously dangerous action and Rukia just smiled.

"Alright!" Ichigo said.

--

Flashback: six years ago, Ichigo was nineteen years old.

Ichigo walked down the sidewalk, his head down. Unaware of what was ahead of him, he bumped into someone. He shifted his gaze upward, and saw a familiar face, Yume. She called out his name and hugged him. He pushed her away, and walked faster. She paused and then went after him.

"Ichigo… I –" Yume struggled to follow the fast walking teen. "Ichigo!" She called out. Ichigo came to an abrupt stop and then spoke through gritted teeth.

"What the hell do you want?" Yume reached out and then sighed.

"I… want to be with you." She said. Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows.

"Don't you get it already? I don't love you! And I never will!" He yelled. Passing people looked at the two with curiosity and Ichigo glared at them. Yume looked at the ground and tears flowed down her face.

"Why… don't you love me?" She asked. Ichigo sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"You lied and betrayed me, what's there to love?" He muttered. "Now leave me alone." Turning to leave, Yume grabbed his jacket.

"Rukia didn't follow you, did she?" Yume said.

Ichigo looked away and continued to walk, Yume just followed him. Constantly asking him about Rukia.

"NO SHE DIDN'T COME, ALRIGHT! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU FUCKING STALKER!" The people turned to look at the couple and Yume bit her lip.

"You don't have to deny it. The fact that you're hurting inside… and there's no one to turn to. But there's always me Ichigo." Yume whispered, hoping he would lower down his voice when he answered. "I will do anything to make you happy… just name it… anything." Ichigo looked down the pleading hazel eyes, and saw that she wasn't lying.

"Anything eh? Go away. That will make me happy." He walked away without another word. Not bothering to turn as she called his name. He got a cab and went back to the airport, shuffling in his seat; he looked out the window and saw Yume running after the cab and then stop.

He got onto the plane and sat down, he looked out the window and a small tear down his face. This was it… he was leaving Rukia for good, and they might never see each other again. Just then he heard giggling and the sound of a person sitting down beside him. He turned and saw a tired Yume, who was huffing and puffing. She smiled.

"Didn't think I would catch up? Well I did! And in your plane too!" Grinning, she buckled up her seat belt and took her coat off.

Ichigo looked at Yume with a blank face, she was hopelessly in love with him… there was no doubt about that. And to think that she would follow him everywhere just to get him back, was crazy for Ichigo. Especially since he did the same thing to Rukia, only to be shrugged off. At that moment, unaware of the tears running down his face, he wiped them away and decided to give Yume a second chance. But it wasn't going to be easy, for the memories of him and Rukia still plagued his mind. Yume blinked and was surprised to notice that she was in Ichigo's arms seconds later.

"I'm sorry Yume…" He muttered in her ear. Her eyes softened and she hugged him back. Finally… she had reached him.

End of flashback.

--

Rukia bit her lip, Tears started to cloud her vision and she swerved the car back and forth. Ichigo yelled out in surprise and put his hands on the steering wheel. She wiped her eyes with one free hand and the slapped Ichigo's arms away.

"I can drive!" She yelled, wiping her eyes once more. Ichigo looked at Rukia with concern, as her tears continued to fall.

It looked like the day he had left her… the day she pushed him away. He put his hand up, and wiped her tears away softly. She stopped in surprise and looked up at the man beside her; said man had a look that she had never seen before.

"I think… I should drive." He smiled. She quickly wiped her tears away and nodded and they switched seats. The car stopped for a moment and then it continued on. "Why would you cry at that?" Rukia sniffed.

"Because… if I had followed you, you wouldn't have had to put up with Yume." She muttered. "It was all my fault…" Ichigo chuckled.

"No it wasn't… it was no one's fault." He said. Ichigo looked around and his eyebrows furrowed. "Where are we?"

They were driving on an empty road, with a few cars passing by them. There were a few trees here and there, with houses hidden in them.

"Stop and ask for directions." Rukia said.

"No. I know where we are… it looks like we're near the woods or something." He drove on and then the trees came to a stop, before them was the ocean. Rukia's eyes lit up as she saw the beautiful sparkling water on the horizon. The sun was rising and she noticed that they had been up all night.

"You should really ask for directions Ichigo, or else everyone will end up wondering where we are." She said.

"It was your fault for driving and not paying attention, anyway." He looked out of the windows in frustration.

"So now you're blaming it on me, is that it?" She said.

"Yes I'm blaming it on you, midget." Ichigo replied. Rukia's vein pulsed and she punched Ichigo up his chin.

"WHAT THE HELL!"

"JUST STOP AND ASK FOR DIRECTIONS!"

"THERE'S NO BUILDINGS ANYWHERE!" Ichigo stuck his tongue out as Rukia took her seat.

"Look! A gas station! Pull up there and we'll ask for directions!"

"No need to, I know where we are." Ichigo said.

"AH! Men and asking for directions! Jeez, they're chicken to admit they're wrong. Watch us get really lost." Rukia crossed her arms.

"Fine! I'll ask!" He did a U-turn and went to the gas station. He parked his car and they went into the old-fashioned looking diner.

--

Rukia sat down in one of the seats near the window and she shot a fake smile at Ichigo who went to ask for directions. Ichigo walked up to the counter and saw a busty woman with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. A pink tinge coloured his face and he gulped.

"Um… ma'am…" He said shyly.

"Call me Matsumoto –" The woman looked up from her work and her face lit up. "ICHIGO!" He hugged the surprised boy and was grinning from ear to ear. "What brings you all the way here?" She asked.

"Um… I kind of… lost direction…" Ichigo said. But Matsumoto didn't seem to pay attention when she squealed.

"Is that Rukia?" She pointed at the girl in the corner of the diner staring out of the window. Ichigo felt his face heat up and he quickly looked away.

"Uh… yeah." He said.

"So… you two married yet?" She snickered.

"N –No! We were only high school sweethearts! Nothing else!" Rukia looked over to Ichigo, surprised that he raised his voice. Their eyes met for a moment and they both looked away, blushing.

Matsumoto Rangikou was not a smart woman, she was not talented in any special way, but she was smart enough to see love, and there was something between these two.

"What the hell was that then?" She whispered in his ear. Ichigo just jumped in surprise and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"That was nothing… just give me the directions back to Kakura alright?" He glared. Matsumoto sighed and threw a road map at Ichigo.

"Have fun figuring it out with your girlfriend." She smiled. "I gave you a little hint! To help your map quest!"

Ichigo scowled as he took the map with him to the table. Rukia didn't seem to notice since she was so busy looking out the window. He blushed at the sight of her face lit up by the sunlight. Making her eyes sparkle and touching every corner of her face, her flawless skin looked even more perfect as the light shone on it. His heart started to pound crazily and his stomach twisted in knots. No, not that funny feeling again… their relationship had been over a long time ago… this was just because of how pretty she looked in the… AHH!! What the hell is wrong with me! It was over a long time ago! Stop thinking about her, Ichigo stop! 'But then you aresingle now, Ichigo'another voice said in his head. Ichigo's eyebrow rose, who the hell was that?

Rukia felt someone staring at her, and was surprised to see Ichigo. She jumped and then sighed, he seemed like he was frozen in time.

"Ichigo…" She said. "Ichigo!" She slapped him softly on the cheek. Still no response, sighing, she slapped him full force across the face. Ichigo fell onto the floor, knocked out from his stupor.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?" He yelled, rubbing his cheek.

"I KEPT CALLING YOUR NAME BUT YOU WOULDN'T ANSWER!" She yelled back.

"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO HIT ME!" Ichigo said.

"YOU COULDN'T EVEN HEAR ME!" She crossed her arms and scowled. "Besides… it freaked me out that you were staring at me." She muttered. Ichigo sighed and then went back to his seat.

"Sorry about that… here, a road map. She marked out where we are right now." He said, as he opened up the map.

Rukia swung her legs back and forth under the table, accidentally kicking Ichigo in the shin. He yelled out in pain and she put her hand to her mouth and apologized. Matsumoto giggled as she watched the two trying to work together, sure they were older now but they still acted like little kids around one another. She grinned in pride at her love matching work, as she made some coffee for the two.

Ichigo put his finger on the spot where they were and to the spot where he lived. There was a large distance between the two and Rukia laughed nervously. Ichigo scowled and told her to find a path to the other point. Rukia didn't like to be bossed around but listened anyway; she wanted to get some sleep. So she leaned over, her locket on the table and her shirt exposing a bit of her cleavage; Ichigo gulped, and tried to look away. He squirmed in his seat and Rukia looked up with a questioning look on. Ichigo looked at her necklace and Rukia shifted her gaze down. Her face heated up and she pulled her shirt up.

"So we're here…" She used her finger and traced up a road for them to go through and her finger touched Ichigo's. She quickly withdrew her hand and sank back into her seat. "At least I only followed one major road…"

Matsumoto, smiling, walked up to the pair and put a tray of coffee and pancakes before them.

"You have to pay for it." She whispered in Ichigo's ear.

"Why me? She should pay! She got us lost!" Ichigo pointed to Rukia who ignored him and greeted Matsumoto.

"Eat up lovebirds, it's going to be a long ride." She smiled once more and left to help other costumers. Ichigo looked at his watch and saw that it was eight in the morning. It had been a long night.

"I'm driving." He said to Rukia as she folded up the map. Rukia just nodded.

"I'm sleeping in the back!" She smiled evilly. Ichigo rolled his eyes as she walked ahead, map in her hand.

--

Rukia instructed Ichigo on which road to follow and left the map open on the passenger's seat beside him, just in case. They yelled at each other about whether or not Ichigo needed the map, but she punched him and pretended to sleep at the back. Ichigo rubbed his face and ran a nervous hand through his hair. Rukia had finally come back, and they were still on the same terms. He took a second look at the girl sleeping in the back seat and then started the car.

It wasn't that Ichigo was upset that she came back… it was just that he had already pushed her out of his mind, at least he thought so. When Yume said that he would say her name in his sleep, does that mean he still thought about her even though it was unconsciously? He sighed; this was all to confusing. Rukia obviously had no more feelings for him, he could tell. And he was sure he didn't have any for her… then why does she make his heart beat wildly as if he were young again?

Rukia tried to sleep, she closed her eyes and opened them, she squinted, crossed them and then sighed, and she just couldn't sleep. Too many things were on her mind. First of all, there was all this craziness about Ichigo and Yume… that had nothing to do with her, but she felt responsible for it. Second, Ichigo was single now, and he was absolutely hot. She couldn't believe how much he changed and matured. Sure, he would act like a kid at times, but there was a different tone in his voice… he would smile more and scowl less. Was it a good thing that she left? Third, she wanted to just jump on him and tell him she missed him so much and pour her heart out… but she just couldn't, she was certain that he had no more feelings for her… but why the hell did he make her feel that stupid funny thing again? She sighed once more and chewed on the end of her stray hair, too many things to think about.

"I can't sleep…" She turned over and looked at Ichigo through the mirror.

"I noticed, since you were sighing a lot." He chuckled. Rukia frowned and sat in the front.

"Are we close?" She opened up a bag of chips they had bought and munched on them.

"Almost there, just a few more minutes. Give me some." He said.

"No, you're driving." She said. Ichigo scowled and grabbed the chip bag out of her hand. "How are you going to eat now?" She crossed her arms happily.

"Like this." He tipped the bag over his mouth, still keeping his eye on the road, and the chips went into his mouth. He gave the bag to the defeated girl, and chewed. All of the sudden he made a gagging noise and Rukia looked at him in surprise. He was choking. Rukia laughed, she laughed hard, as Ichigo repeatedly hit his chest. When she saw that he was really choking, she opened a bottle of water and poured it in Ichigo's mouth. He took deep breaths and wiped his mouth. Rukia laughed again.

"You're such an idiot!!" She yelled, and fell over laughing. Ichigo scowled.

"Shut up." He muttered, and a pink tinge coloured his cheeks.

They neared the entrance to his neighbourhood and Ichigo drove in, he took a glance at Rukia, who was sitting there quietly for a change.

"So, you're place or my place first?" He asked.

"Yours, I wanna watch Yume move out." She grinned and looked back out the window. Ichigo sighed and shook his head.

"Okay." They stopped up his driveway behind the black car. They walked up the pathway into the small home. Ichigo found the door open and they walked inside. It was a mess, boxes here and there, and clothes everywhere among other things. Rukia's eyebrow rose, and Ichigo simply took off his shoes and went upstairs. Rukia did the same and followed the strawberry head.

They went into the bedroom and there was Yume and Grimmjow packing up her clothes.

"You can keep the furniture Ichigo, it was mostly from your money anyway. I'm just here to take my clothes, towels, bla bla bla." She said. Grimmjow got up and put two gold rings in Ichigo's hand.

"Don't need it, proposed to her a long time ago." He smiled evilly and he walked over to Yume and kissed her on the cheek as he helped her pack. Ichigo looked his side expecting to see Rukia and saw that she was nowhere to be found.

"Rukia." He called out as he went down the stairs.

"Kon doesn't like Yume, Ichigo." Rukia said.

"What?" At that moment, Yume came down with Grimmjow carrying boxes in their arms. Kon growled and barked at them loudly. "Wow Kon… calm down." Ichigo petted him on the head. But Kon continued to bark.

"That dog's been on my case ever since we dated Ichigo." She said. Rukia smiled and hugged Kon.

"Good dog Kon! Good dog! Yes you're a good dog aren't you? Aren't you?" She smiled as Kon let out a small yip. Yume glared at the Rukia, who just stuck her tongue out at her.

"Some people are born bitches." Yume muttered.

"Nice description of yourself Yume." Rukia said. Ichigo chuckled; it was hilarious to see how Rukia fought back.

"At least I'm not short."

"At least I'm not a slut."

"At least I'm prettier."

"At least I'm smarter."

"You think you're so smart? Only idiots would turn down a man who came for you at your wedding, barging in past security and loving you."

"I think you're even a bigger idiot for not accepting the fact that once a man says that he doesn't love you, you still follow them heedlessly like a freaking stalker."

"Since when was this about me?" Ichigo scowled. Yume's eyebrow rose and then she grabbed Grimmjow by the collar and kissed him full on the lips. Grimmjow moved into the kiss and pulled his wife closer, and it looked like a tongue war between the two. Rukia's vein pulsed and she threw a dog bone at Yume.

"GET A ROOM!" She yelled and Ichigo slapped his forehead.

"At least I can do that to the man I love." She said, and walked off with boxes in her arms, with Grimmjow following closely behind.

Rukia looked at Ichigo and he looked back, they then quickly turned away blushing.

"I think I'll go now Ichigo… thanks for the ride, and the breakfast. I'll see you at Renji's wedding tomorrow." She smiled and left.

"Yeah… see yah." He scratched the back of his head as he watched Rukia put her shoes on.

He hoped the wedding wouldn't be too boring.

--

A/N: Thanks for the reviews… from what I read; you all enjoyed the part when Grimmjow came in. :) A lot is happening, huh? Hehe… makes it more exciting. Sorry for the late update, I didn't expect it to be this long. Make sure to review!! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!