MORE THAN JUST ACQUAINTANCES
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don't own Bleach or its characters, nor do I own any of songs I use in my story. But I do share the feelings they express, and the story I've written comes from my own personal imagination and experiences.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'd just like to take a little time to say thanks to all you readers! But I'd like to send an Extra Special Thanks to all the reviewers!
TWISTED GIRL
KARUSAN YOKO
CHEESE MAIDEN
GRIZZLY BISCUIT
You guys rocked my world! I dedicate this chapter to you! I hope you enjoy it!
CHAPTER 2: WHAT'S THIS FEELING?
And then there were two...
Ichigo and Rukia made their way over to the movie theater. Looking at the marquee, Rukia noticed the name of the movie Orihime wanted to see.
"That's it! In honor of Hime-san I insist that we see THE MESSENGERS!" she chimed out excitedly.
'Uh huh, you're gonna pass out within the first 15 minutes" Ichigo mused to himself.
"The Messengers it is. And good timing too it starts in 6 minutes" he informed Rukia.
The still intoxicated girl clapped and giggled as they made there way up to the ticket booth.
"Of course monkey boy! That's cause it was meant to be! I've got to watch every second of it so I can tell Hime-san all about it tomorrow" she stated matter-of-factly.
Ichigo smiled and nodded in response, knowing fully well it was curtains for her once they got settled in their seats.
"Two for the next showing of The Messengers, please" he politely requested.
With tickets in hand, the two friends set off to the find the room where their movie was showing.
"This is it, Screen # 17. Let's go in and get some good seats" he said, taking Rukia by the hand and leading her into the theater.
"Yah I want to sit all the way up top in the back! It' the best place to see the movie from." She pulled away from him and began to climb the stairs to her desired seating.
Still looking a little uneasy on her feet, Ichigo grabbed onto Rukia's arm and once again continued to guide her, lending his support so she wouldn't trip (especially with the dimmed lights of the theater).
It was like if they were playing musical chairs, while Rukia tried to find what she said has to be the perfect seat. Being the last showing of the night there were only a handful of people seated through out the expansive room.
"AH HA! Perfect!" Rukia said conquering her goal as she sat down. Ichigo took the seat to her right.
"You need anything before the movie starts, Rukia?"
"Yah, you to be quiet; the previews are about to start, baka" she teased, while adjusting herself in the seat.
He just laughed in reply as he kept quiet to her request. With a sudden vibration, Ichigo was startled as his phone alarmed him of a message.
'It must be Inoue' he thought to himself as he reached into his pocket and took out the phone so that he could check the text.
Rukia, with her nose scrunched up in curiosity, leaned over to see what Ichigo was doing.
"Inoue got home safely. She said to enjoy the movie" he whispered in response to her questioning look.
Rukia scooted back over to her seat and nodded with a smile and a finger on her lips shushing him.
After responding to the text he put away his phone and stretched in his chair, as he tried to work out a kink in his neck.
Ichigo took advantage of this opportunity and glanced over at Rukia. He saw signs of her beginning to ware down.
The already low lights began to dim-out alerting that the movie was about to start. Her eyes, on their own accord, began to follow suite to the lights in the room and she slowly closed them. She gently eased her head to rest on Ichigo's shoulder for support. Stirring slightly in her seat, Rukia tried to position her body as comfortable as possible. Finally holding on to his arm for some warmth, she settled herself.
After a few minutes Ichigo could tell she had completely fallen asleep. Her breathing had slowed; and with the rise and fall of her chest, she had started a steady natural rhythm.
He smiled to himself with a knowing look on his face. For some weird reason, something felt right to him. But he couldn't say what nor why.
Rukia resting peacefully next to him, and not really being interested in the movie at the moment, (since they would probably come and see it again with Inoue) Ichigo began to reflect on the events of the day.
It had started out pretty much normal; the usual routine, morning classes followed by helping out at his father's clinic.
--- FLASH BACK TO EARLIER TODAY ---
It was around a quarter past four when Ichigo's phone rang. He decided to let it go to voicemail since he wanted to finish up the documentation he was working on before his shift ended at 5.
GRRRRR
'Damn I need some food!' he thought as his stomach demanded with a growl.
Ichigo continued to work diligently for the last Forty-five minutes of his shift; but as the end drew near he packed up his things submitted his timesheet and headed out.
Stepping out of the clinic and into the warmth of the late afternoon sun, he squinted as he raised his hands to shelter his eyes, allowing them to adjust. He decided to head home, grab some food and take a shower. The mid-spring day had been a bit muggy, so the shower was a must.
He took the usual route home. It was a brisk 10 minute walk from the clinic. Ichigo had always like taking walks. It reminded him of times he spent with his mother; the walks they would take as she picked him up after school.
Approaching the walkway that leads to his home, Ichigo stopped at the mail box before heading inside. He retrieved the mail and took his keys out while heading over to the door.
As he flipped through the mail he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "Same old junk! Mail and bills" he grumbled before placing his books and the mail on the small table next to the coat rack.
Ichigo looked at his watch and realized, 'That's right no one is home yet.' His dad was still at work, Karin was at soccer practice and Yuzu usually waits with her. He had the place all to himself.
GRRRRRR
His stomach reminded him of his dire need to get some food. Hastily, he headed over to the kitchen. Rummaging through the fridge, he didn't see anything that was ready to eat.
"Crap! I guess I'll make a sandwich" he said aloud, as if admitting defeat. He grabbed the ingredients and a drink since he was already standing in front of the fridge. On his way over to the counter he snatched up the bread and laid out the ingredients in an assembly line fashion.
Talking to no one but himself, as he made his snack Ichigo said, "This will have to do."
Moments after devouring the sandwich along with a tall glass of iced tea, he declared victory with a pat to his stomach.
"That hit the spot."
His need of food satisfied, Ichigo exited the kitchen and quickly rounded the corner into the hallway. His path laid out ahead of him, he padded his way up the stairs and into his bedroom. Following his daily rituals, he emptied his pockets and then went over to the closet.
Not really concerned with what it was he grabbed the nearest clean change of clothes, along with his towel, before making his way to the bathroom.
'I wonder if this weekend will be as muggy as the week that passed.' He thought to himself as he locked the bathroom door behind. Ichigo turned as he set his clothes and towel on the near by stand.
As he was accustomed to doing, he leaned in and turned the shower on so that it would be just the right temperature when he stepped in.
The remnants of the muggy day left his usually crisp white shirt a little damp and his skin feeling sticky. Quickly shedding the rest of his clothes Ichigo stretched lazily before jumping in the shower.
The foreign feel of the water against his sticky hot skin startled him, at first, causing him to step back from the shock. Slowly he began to submerge himself under the constant flow of water, allowing his body to adjust to the cool shower. As his body became accustomed he titled his head up towards the showerhead, so that he could feel the coolness of the water directly on his face. He stood still for several minutes allowing the water to run down his body. It massaged the muscles on his back and shoulder relieving a slight soreness that he hadn't noticed.
After a few minutes of enjoying the feel of the water, Ichigo reached over for the soap and began the task of washing away the filth of the day's activities.
Minutes later, having finished his shower he emerged dripping wet but feeling replenished. He reached over to the rack for his towel and quickly yet effectively began drying off his saturated skin. He threw the towel aside as he grabbed and pulled on his boxers followed by a pair of navy blue cargos.
Upon exiting the bathroom Ichigo swiped up his dirty laundry and slung the towel over his bare shoulders. Taking up one end into his hand he continued to dry off some excess water that still dampened his hair.
He strolled into his bedroom, threw his towel over the back of the wooden desk chair and put his dirty clothes into the hamper.
Sluggishly moving across the room, Ichigo turned as he stretched his arms and arched his back, slowly allowing himself to fall back onto the soft and inviting full sized bed.
'Hmm…wonder what the girls are up to? That's right…' he remembered the call he had received while at work. He reached for the cell phone that rested on the nightstand next to where he was lying.
"Let's see who called" he declared, flipping it open and proceeded to retrieve his voicemail.
"You have one new message" the automatic voice recorder informed before playing it.
"HEY, DON'T YOU KNOW TO ANSWER YOUR PHONE WHEN I'M CALLLING YOU!" Rukia's familiar voice came over the receiver before she gave a slight giggle.
"Anyways you baka, please give me a call as soon as you get this."
"End of message." The recorder informed before ending the call.
'Hmm weird,' Ichigo contorted is face in a perplexed manner 'for some reason she sounded a bit distraught at the end there.'
He promptly punched in her number on the key pad and waited for the call to be placed.
"Hey clown, what you up to?" Rukia teased as she greeted him.
"Well I'm talking to you, you lil midget. I checked my phone and saw that you called?"
"Haha" she laughed "yah I did call you earlier. I wanted to know if you wanna come hang out with me and Inoue-san? I'm thinking we can head over to the pool hall or something."
"Well I've got nothing to do for the rest of my evening so it sounds like a plan."
"Yah, maybe we can all catch a movie and some dinner after. I just feel like I need to get out right now."
"Hmm, something the matter Rukia?"
"No, no I'm fine. We can drive by and pick you up. I'll tell you guys what happened then."
"Alright. See you guys in a bit then."
"K, be there in about 15 minutes" she added before hanging up the call.
Sitting up on the edge of the bed Ichigo wondered what was going on with Rukia. 'I bet anything it's that jerk!' he huffed. Pushing the matter to the back of his mind he got up and finished getting ready for his evening out with his two best friends.
--- END FLASH BACK ---
Yes, the day had started routinely as usual; that was until that call.
'I knew it was that fucking jerk. I can't say I'm the least bit sorry that they broke up. She deserves way better than someone like that. Ever since that day he had raised his hands to her, I wanted to fucking knock his lights out. He's lucky that his senses came to him and he stopped before he did. God knows if he had laid a single finger on her like that, he would be good and buried by now.'
Ichigo had always thought that Rukia should be with someone that would treat her better than Renji did. He knew though, that it was her life and her choice, and so he never interfered with giving her advice on that end of things.
Today, he couldn't believe his ears when Rukia told them that she and Renji had broken up. After it sunk in, he was sorry to see his friend hurting, but he strongly believed that it is all for her better.
The three friends had tried their best to salvage the evening, and he thought so far it was going well.
He slightly glanced to the left to look at Rukia resting peacefully with her head on his shoulder.
'The movie should be over in about 15 minutes. This rest should have helped her sober up a bit.
He glanced down at his watch before returning her eyes to the sleeping girl.
'It's pretty late and the trains are slow at this time of the night. It will be better if we take a cab back to her car by the pool hall. I think I'll let her sleep until the movie is over.'
'She looks so…' he couldn't think of a word to perfectly describe her.
She was one of the two people that he's ever been able to open up to. Before meeting them, sure he had close friends, but he always kept his distance. Something about these two girls that he's grown so close to, over the past two years, has allowed him to feel at ease with them.
He laughed to himself. He can't think of the last time he's been in an intimate setting with a girl like this. Actually, he can't think of ever having been in a situation like this where he feels so comfortable with a girl.
'Being with her right now, right here, like this…' he thought to himself, 'what's this feeling?'
It was something he wasn't familiar with. Somehow he felt drawn to her. All he wanted to do was protect her and never allow anything to hurt. He never wanted to see the hurt in her eyes they way it looked today, those big soft brown eyes.
He glanced over at her once again as he felt a sudden movement. Her hand slowly slid down his arm and somewhat impulsively took hold of his own.
'Sh-she's still sleeping…' he told himself while staring at her hands. They were so soft and so tiny compared to his.
He turned his eyes up looking back at her face.
'She's probably dreaming. But,' he paused his thoughts '…something about this feels so right…'
He mentally shook his thoughts.
'No she's just a friend. Of course you care about her and don't want to see her hurt. And besides, you baka, she just got out of a 5 year relationship, TODAY! Come on pull yourself together Ichigo! She's one of the two people you have actually been able to open up to. Of course you feel at ease around her. You don't want to ruin your friendship over something like this. She's just a really good friend. THAT'S ALL!'
Gently taking up her hand, he decides to coax her awake.
"Hey sleeping beauty, wake up. The movie is almost over and it's pretty late. We should get you home" he said softly so as not to scare the serenely resting girl.
'She looks so peaceful, but I have to wake her up.'
Rukia stirred in her seat and slowly starts to open her eyes. Blinking several times she moves her hands to rub away the sleepiness.
GROAN
"Ku- Kurosaki-kun, where are we?" She asked; obviously still gathering her senses from just waking up.
"Silly girl" he teased. "We're at the movies; you had one too many shots of tequila tonight. We need to get you home and should get you some water on our way out."
"Oh yeah, that's right. Fuck, my head hurts" she cursed as she hung her throbbing head.
"Whoa, where did the happy drunk go?"
"She's still sleeping. Crap it is late!"
"Aww, well lets get going. The water and some fresh air will do you some good. Tomorrow you can just sleep in since it's Saturday."
"Yah, let's go" she groaned, feeling the lingering effects of her drinking. The two friends slowly rise out of their seats and made there way out of the theater.
"DAMN IT, MY CAR" Rukia began to curse again as she remembered.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa calm down" he couldn't help laughing.
'It's like Dr Jekyll and Mrs Hyde. She switches from giddy when she's drunk to raging when she's sobering up.'
"We'll take a cab back to your car and then I'll drive you home" he tried to settle her worries.
"Okay. Sorry for snapping. I just need to crawl into bed and sleep!"
As they exited the theater Ichigo spotted a kiosk stand and headed over in its direction.
"Let's get you some water."
"Yes, please. I'm so thirsty."
As Ichigo got the water, Rukia started to look around for a cab. "It's still pretty busy out here we should be able to catch a taxicab quickly."
Ichigo walked over to her and handed her the water. "Yah I'll flag one down. You drink up. You've always got to keep hydrated after drinking."
"Thank you, Ichigo" she said smiling gratefully.
'Good she's smiling' he thought to himself.
The city this time of night was still buzzing with life. It wasn't long until Ichigo got a cab and they were on their way.
Both friends were quiet on the ride over to Rukia's car.
On one end Ichigo sat in silence, not wanting to disturb his friend knowing how she must be feeling. He stared out his window looking up into the moon lit late night sky.
Turning his head he slightly glimpsed her way.
On the adjacent end, still feeling the effects of their night out, Rukia sat with her eyes closed. The wind gently blowing through the window soothed her.
As it played tenderly with her hair Ichigo thought to himself, 'Wow she looks so radiant in this moonlight.' He couldn't help but smiling. He had never really seen her like this before.
Shaking the thoughts from his head, again he thought 'What is this feeling? Come on pull yourself together.'
The taxi started to decelerate as it pulled up to the corner of pool hall parking lot.
"That will be 15 dollars" the driver informed them.
Ichigo, turning away from Rukia, took out his wallet and paid the driver. The two friends stepped out of the car and started to make their way over to the car.
"Why do you always do that?" Rukia asked.
"What?" he inquired puzzled at her question.
"You're always paying."
"Well it's just how I was raised" he shrugged.
"Uh huh… guys usually only do that when they are on dates and hope that it might get them something in return" she teased.
"Ahh…" he chuckled trying to hide his blushing. "Nah, I'm not like other guys. My mom just raised me to be a gentleman. And I've got two sisters, so I'm usually paying when it comes to them too. It's the same with you and Inoue."
"AWW, we are like your sisters? That's soooo cute" she teased as she let out a giggle.
'YAH SISTERS' he said inwardly, thinking back on his thoughts of earlier.
"Ahh I'm not cute! No way am I CUTE! Like I said before I'm just a gentleman. Oh keys missy. I don't think you should be driving yet" he tried to rebound as they approached the car.
"Kay" she said as she took out her keys and passed it to him.
'She's definitely tired. Not even putting up a fight over the keys.'
As they got into the car and buckled their seat belts Rukia glanced over at the radio and saw the time.
"Geesh almost one, I think I'm gonna text Hime-san now before it gets any later. I'll tell her that I'm on my way home now and that I'll just call her tomorrow" Rukia said.
Ichigo nodded his concurrence as they pulled out of the drive way. "She has that meeting with Yamamoto-Dono tomorrow morning at 8; so it's a good idea to just text her."
Once having messaged Inoue, Rukia put away her phone and reached over as she turned on the radio so that they wouldn't be sitting in an awkward silence. She sat back and closed her eyes to rest.
For the third time today, the song coming over the radio seemed to reflect the pain in her heart.
"One Last Breath"
Please come now I think I'm falling
I'm holding on to all I think is safe
It seems I found the road to nowhere
And I'm trying to escape
I yelled back when I heard thunder
But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say
Let me say
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
That maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
I'm looking down now that it's over
Reflecting on all of my mistakes
I thought I found the road to somewhere
Somewhere in His grace
I cried out heaven save me
But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say
Let me say
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
That maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
Sad eyes follow me
But I still believe there's something left for me
So please come stay with me
'Cause I still believe there's something left for you and me
For you and me
For you and me
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking...
Ichigo drove on for a few minutes before finally looking over to steal a momentary look her way.
She was crying silently. Her eyes were closed, lashes matted wet as tears ran down her checks. But she made no sound.
'What should I do? Damn it. I know she's thinking about him!'
"Ru-Rukia? Are you okay?" he asked looking at the road and then back at her.
'Damn it, stupid question of course she's not you baka! She's crying' he cursed to himself.
"…"
No reply came as the girl began to completely break down.
'Shit what should I do?!?! I'm never good at this sort of stuff. FUCK!'
Ichigo feeling clueless, his instincts started to take over as he pulled to the side of the road.
She sat there, her face now buried in her hands, trembling, crying uncontrollably.
'DAMNIT ICHIGO, DO SOMETHING!' He was at a complete lost.
Hesitantly, not knowing if he should, but not being able to think of anything else, he leaned over and embraced the seemingly inconsolable girl.
"Ih-Ih-Ihcy … why?" she sobbed, clutching on to him as if for dear life.
Her question was not one that expected an answer. It was born of her anxiety and pain, from her heartbreak.
He could feel her hot tears starting to soak through his shirt. Her skin was cold, her body shivering. Feeling totally helpless, his own heart was breaking, seeing her like this. Gently he drew her closer as he tired to give warmth to her body by lightly rubbing her arm.
He could do nothing more but to hold her and try to sooth her. Minutes passed as he was at a lost for words. He would do anything to take away her pain. If only he knew what that was.
Slowly her breathing began to steady and her tears began to subside.
"Here drink some water." He said as he grabbed the bottle resting in the cup holder with one hand, still holding her with the other.
Meekly she accepted the water as she wiped away the remainder of hear tears with the back of one hand.
"Slowly" he told her as she began to take a sip.
Remembering where his hand was he withdraw it from around her, but stopped and rested it on her shoulder.
As she turned to look up into his face, he saw her reddened amber eyes, remnants of the tears that stung her heart. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her cheeks stained from those tears.
Not knowing why he was doing what he was doing, his hands moved to her face. There was a strand of her hair loosely matted down by her tears. Tenderly he moved it away from her face.
"Ichigo, I'm sorry but …"
Realizing what he was doing, he pulled away his hand, "N-no no, I'm s…"
"I think I've ruined your shirt" she finished.
"Oh no, no that's ok" he assured her. 'Shit what was I doing?!? I thought she meant…'
"Argh… really I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you in a situation like that. All the emotions of the day just caught up with me" she apologized for breaking down in front of him.
"No don't apologize. It's just, I didn't know what to do."
"Yeah I know, girls and our silly emotions. But no worries, kay? I'll be fine. I am tired though, and we are almost there…"
"Yah, we should get you home. It's getting later by the minute" he said, and without any delay he started the car and pulled back onto the road.
Ten minutes passed and Rukia's black 2003 Nissan Altima pulled up to the walkway of her residence.
"Is this okay, or do you want me to pull it up into the driveway?"
Looking back as she was getting out of the car, "No, that's fine. Byakuya is going to use it in the morning anyways."
Ichigo exited the car, locking and alarming it as he walked over and handed her the keys.
"Are you sure, you don't need a ride home? I know the trains are only about a 5 minute walk from here. But it's late, and you wouldn't get home for at least another 45 minutes."
"I'm not afraid of things that go bump in the night; and I can take care of myself mommy dearest" he joked trying to lighten the mood.
She couldn't help laughing, "Okay monkey boy, just don't call me when you're lying in a gutter somewhere, crying for me to come save you from a big scary ghostly creature wearing a frightening mask and yelling that it's going to eat you. Cause then you'll never hear the end of it" she retorted.
Gradually she began to make her way up to her front door. As she took out her keys and was unlocking her door she turned around one last time and said, "Oh and Ichigo, as for tonight, Arigato."
From the sidewalk, Ichigo watched as the faintly smiling Rukia turned to face her door. She slowly opened it and stepped inside disappearing from his sight.
'And to think, this day started off as just any other normal day.'
He turned on his way and began his journey home, guided by the silver moonlight. Ichigo was startled as a cool breeze came up from behind him. It sent a forlorn feeling trickling down his spine as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
Little did he know that it was a forewarning of events that were beginning to unfold, as they slowly began to unravel his life, his world, and his friendship as he knew it.
"Keh" he huffed aloud as the orange-haired guy went on his way. 'Hmph, and it was a muggy day too, to think it would be such a windy night.'
END CHAPTER!
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! WE'VE SEEN A LITTLE ICHIxXxRUKIA POSSIBLTY BUT DON'T WORRY ICHIxXxHIME FANS SOMETHING MAYBE BE IN THE MIST!
BUT! YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO READ MORE TO FIND OUT!
AN: I worked really hadr because I wanted to get this out before Valentine's Day, and since I'm going to be a little busy this week. It's my little gift to you all. SO:
♥ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ♥
KK! NOW ON TO THE STORY, HOW WAS IT?! Please be so gracious as to leave me a review! It really helps to motivate me to whip out the next chapter. AND, it also let's me know if you guys like how the story is going. If I get no feedback, I'll sit and wonder forever if I should even attempt another chapter.
So PLEASE! If you have a little free time, drop me a review, neh???
It's much appreciated!
Oh forgive me for any obvious spelling and grammar errors, kay!
Arigato, mina-san! (See you guys next week!)
♥ -Complex Girl- ♥
