I got some nice feedback after my first chapter XD. Sorry… I'm really happy.

Beneath the Penumbra: Chapter 2

You'll get used to it is all I hear now a days. The first meal that I attempted to cook was dinner the following day after this horrible thing on my neck bound me to a fate I had no say in was when he said it. I burned the rice and the pot of beef had been scorched. When he ate the food his face turned pale and his eyes were tearing up. I felt horrible giving him such unsatisfying food to eat after his work. I held my head down low and he noticed my dismay telling me those forced words.

The second time was when I had tried to clean the house of all its cobs and smudges. He walked in when I had blown on an old book that had not been touched in years, dust flying everywhere. My eyes were closed as he led me to the bathroom to let me wipe my eyes. They stung a bit with bits and pieces of dust.

He kept saying this every time I would have a slipup just to make sure that I didn't feel too bad. The intension was there, but every time he would say it, I waited and stood for a minute, thinking that a slap would follow or harsh words would be spit from his mouth. It never did, but I could feel the tension that built, he really wanted to just tell me I was worthless right?

In the days I had spent in Karakura I had never been out side of the house. Unless you count the time it took for me to get from the car to the front door on the first day. Abarai-sama told me the streets were no place for a married woman. I wanted to tell him how I was still only a girl. I would spend my time looking out window when Abarai-sama wasn't home. I would wake up early in the morning just to watch the other girls who lived on our street walked to school in their uniforms.

I would also wake early so that I wouldn't have to stay in the same bed as Abarai-sama. I had never slept in the same bed as another man before and it was a strange feeling. I would always pull myself to the far edge of the bed as to be as far away as possible. I told him that it was how I liked to sleep. Some nights he would come close and wrap his arms around my waist. Some nights he would give me my space. Even then, I felt he was too near.

I found myself constantly touching the red choker on my neck and would cringe. I probably wouldn't mind it as much if I was ten years older, but I wasn't. It was only a reminder of the feeling that Nii-sama didn't want me, that I was unwanted. Even Abarai-sama couldn't put me at ease. If anything it made me feel worse. Would I ever feel wanted?

"Nii-sama!" I said in surprise.

"Rukia," he gave a pitiful smile, one you would give a long lost friend. I felt bitter inside, sad and bitter. He was the one who gave me to a man to marry and yet he was giving me that smile…that face. "Happy birthday."

Time really goes slowly; I had thought that being here had lasted for weeks at the least. It has only been a week. Abarai-sama gave me a questioning stare then burst into his burst of laughter.

"Ah, Rukia, you should have told me today was your birthday," he smiled at me, "I would have taken the time to make reservations."

"Really, I'm fine, thank you," I said giving the most convincing smile I could. Inside I was feeling uneasy, my stomach was turning and my head was pounding. The bitter taste in my mouth strengthened.

There was a moment of silence. It was uncomfortable, or maybe it was just me that felt it for Nii-sama had come into the house, set himself on the leather couch, and had already started a conversation about something. My own vertigo had taken over and I silently sat on the couch next to Nii-sama.

"How does it feel to be fourteen?" Abarai-sama asked me taking me out of my daze.

I didn't answer right away, for moment I was looking at the floor. I'm sure Nii-sama and Abarai-sama were wondering if I was going to topple over for they both put a hand on my back. It was a gesture of comfort but the palm seemed to feel as if they were burning through the skin of my body. I steadied myself and looked up with fake confidence, "It feels no different."

"Is there something you would like to do for your birthday?" Nii-sama asked me with a worried stare.

I wanted to be out of this house, I wanted to be away from Abarai-sama, I wanted to be back in my room; I wanted to hug my chappy doll, I wanted to be in Nii-sama's Sakura garden, I wanted to be back in school, I wanted to sit on my desk. I want to do many things Nii-sama, but I can't tell you what they are. "Could we go out and eat at a nice restaurant, could we do that?" I managed to choke out.

Abarai-sama laughed once again, "Of course we can! I know just the place. I can get us our own little room so it's privet."

"Alright," I said. I held my tongue and didn't tell him that was the last thing I wanted, to be in a privet room.

"You sure you're alright Rukia?" Nii-sama asked me in concern. My stomach tightened.

"Yes, I'm fine."

The restaurant was beautiful. Red velvet lined the large windows in the front while you walked in on polished bamboo flooring. Walls were painted an off white and were decorated with artworks from unheard of artist. Rukia looked around her with amazement, enjoying the noises of, how are we tonight? and would you like more bread? It was like a scene from those drama shows and romantic movies, it had that magical feel.

Byakuya was indifferent to the setting around himself while Renji felt pleased at Rukia's expression. He was proud she was finally showing a genuine face of emotion rather than the mask she had been putting on this past week. If only he could make that gleam in her eyes stay.

"Here is your privet room," A young waitress said bowing. Rukia had taken note that this girl had no choker on her neck. The feeling of resentment filled her stomach.

When they were given some water to drink and menus to read, the waitress left closing the doors behind them. The waitress let go of the shock when she saw the girl with the marriage band on her neck. She could not help but feel sad that no man had asked her yet.

"What do you feel like having Rukia?" Renji asked.

Rukia didn't answer right away. She kept staring at the door for a few more seconds before coming out of her daze. "I have no idea."

Renji was slightly taken a back at her blunt answer but regained his composure. He looked back at the menu and began to name certain items that he said were good. Rukia at this time was paying any attention to it though. She would take nervous sips from her glass till it had all been swallowed down. The waitress would come in and out asking if they were ready and every time the answer would be that they would need a few more minutes. Half an hour past and Rukia had downed four glasses. She fidgeted in her seat for a while trying to hold it in.

She no longer could and asked the next time the waitress came in, "Where is your restroom?"

The waitress smiled politely and said, "Let me take you."

Rukia got up from her seat and quickly fallowed the young waitress out the door of their privet room, relieved. The waitress motioned to a door in the back of the restaurant and bowed. Rukia thanked the waitress and entered the door only to find that it was not a door to the bathroom but a back exit. Rukia looked back to see the waitress smiling.

"I thought you might need some air, I don't think you really needed the bathroom," the waitress said.

Rukia stared at her for a moment, too shocked to answer. "Thank you," was all she could say but not summing up the feelings she had inside. The gratitude she felt for her could not be spoken, it just was something that Rukia could not manage to say.

She turned on her heal and began to run. Rukia was running in no particular direction, just running as fast as she could letting the rush of the cool evening air hit he face. Her eyes were stinging but she held back the tears that she had been holding in till this point. She told herself she would not cry.

There weren't many people out this evening. But even so, the people watched from their windows as they saw the mysterious black haired girl run down the street. Those that were out would stop to look before turning back to their business. Rukia didn't pay attention to the attention she was getting, she just kept running. She kept running till she tripped and fell onto her hands and knees against the hard pavement.

She could no longer lie to herself. She tore the wretched red choker off her neck and screamed, "I hate this."

She turned to hear a voice say, "You look pitiful."

"Ichigo! Go and take out the trash! It's your turn," Karin screamed from downstairs. I was in the middle of my homework and annoyed as hell because of what I said about a week ago. My class seemed to find it hilarious that I stated it being rainy when the sun was out. It was irritating and I was getting a lot of shit for it.

"Ichigo!"

"Yah, yah Karin, I'm going," I shouted back.

The moment I stepped out of the house I felt it again. The rain, I could feel the rain falling down. The stars showed brightly and the moon was clear as could be. I could feel the droplets coming down even as the dry Karakura air blew ever so slightly.

I turned to see a girl on the floor clutching something in her hand when she suddenly screamed out, "I hate this." My insides turned and something yanked at my chest.

"You look pitiful," I said out loud.

She turned to look at me with tear blurred violet eyes, shock apparent on her features. I couldn't stand it, the sight made my heart squeeze, looking at this girl like this. I had a mix of emotions: the anger of the sadness in her eyes, the frustration of the tension in her hand, the misery of the rain.

"If you're going to cry then just cry," I said.

"Who are you?" she questioned.

"Kurosaki Ichigo," I replied putting the trash in the dumpster. "And who would be in the middle of a residential street crying alone?"

She looked at me longer and wiped the tears from her eyes, "I didn't want to be here…"

"I don't think anyone wants to be here either," I said. I took a place leaning against our fence.

"No," she said forcefully, and then whispered, "I didn't want to be here like this. I didn't want to be here the way I came."

She wasn't making any sense. It was all like babble talk, or maybe it sounded like it because I was a disinterested party. I rubbed my orange hair a bit and made a clicking sound with my tongue."Listen, I don't know what happened to make you cry," I started, "but you shouldn't be so sad. I don't have any word to say to comfort you, nor am I going to ask you what happened because it's none of my business." I sighed and looked up at the night sky, "But I do want you to promise me that you won't cry alone. That is something I can't stand."

There was a silence, it wasn't an awkward silence but it definitely wasn't a comfortable silence either.

"Thank you," was an almost inaudible whisper that broke the natural stillness of the night. I wasn't even sure if I even heard it right. She got herself off the ground and started to walk.

"Oi," I called out, "where are you going?"

"Back to a restaurant," she called back.

"Which one?"

"Mana's Club."

"I'd get the curry, it's good."

"I'll see for myself." She kept walking, her back turned to me.

"I'll see you around?" I asked

She stopped and turned to face me again. A saddened smirk loomed across her face and a faded, "don't count on it."

I laughed a little to lighten it up a bit. It was drizzling. "See yah loner girl." I caught myself waving. I paused and slowly put my hand down.

Suddenly, the world became a little brighter, she smiled. "It's not loner girl, it's Rukia! Kuchiki Rukia!" She waved back and smiled, and for a second, I think the sun came out.

I made it back to the restaurant and came through the back door. The waitress was there smiling and lead me back to the privet room. On the way back I had put the collar back on and was once again waiting for it to choke me.

I entered and it seemed that they hadn't noticed how long I had been away for they seemed surprised at my entrance, as if they expected me to be gone longer. I took my seat once again and said I had decided on my order.

"What will it be?" The waitress smiled.

"Could we have your curry?" I asked.

"Of course," She smiled and bowed once again, giving me a sly wink.

When the waitress had left Abarai-sama placed his rough hands on my back and asked, "Rukia, would it make you happier if you were to attend school?"

End Chapter 2

Well? What'd you think about this chapter? Ichigo and Rukia meet! Hope you enjoyed and please leave a review XD