In My Life Chapter 2, a bleach fanfic

In My Life
Agatha Midnite

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. If I did, then Ishida won't be wearing glasses! (he'd look more handsome if he didn't wear it, wouldn't he?)

Author's Note: Before anything else, I'd like to thank Kohryu, A.D.D.Vengance, A Tear Behind Every Smile and skwon2. Your reviews are really appreciated! So ok, enough of the talk, here's chapter 2!

Chapter 2

Orihime was merrily humming in the kitchen as she continued to chop the freshly slaughtered squid. She went to the stove and checked the pan if it was already simmering. Goodbye, Mr. Squid…She halfheartedly dropped the unfortunate sea mortal. She grabbed the cooking ladle and stirred the bubbling liquid in the pot. She had always loved cooking although sometimes―I mean often, cooking seemed to dislike her. She would always surprise people in the house with her exotic cuisines.

Ichigo-kun said he'll be dropping by today. She remembered her conversation with him last night. She decided to move faster so that her special 'chocolate-filled squid with shredded oranges and garlic' will be ready before he comes. Little did she knew, Ishida was watching her the whole time from afar. He was so drawn by her innocence and pure nature that he wasn't able to start reading the book he was holding. He would inwardly smile when he caught her pouting… which he found very pretty of her. He was about to leave the area he was at when suddenly, he heard something crashed on the floor. He immediately went to Orihime to see what happened.

"Umm… sorry for the noise…" Orihime went to the faucet to wash her now bleeding finger. Uryuu gently took her hand and examined it. "…the knife slipped and I accidentally pushed the plate that's why it fell…" she explained.

"I'll just get some first aid."

"No, no! I'm alright Uryuu-kun…" Before she could even complete her sentence, Uryuu was already out of sight. Orihime sighed and cleaned the cut on her finger.

It didn't take too long until he returned with a first aid kit. He pulled out some cotton, isopropyl alcohol and band aid. He took again her hand and silently treated it. Orihime stared at his soft and caring touches but was distracted when Uryuu unintentionally touched a sensitive spot. When he was done, Orihime smiled at him. "Thank you, Uryuu-kun."

"I-it's nothing. Please be careful next time…"

Minutes had already passed until they realized that his hand was still holding hers. Uryuu immediately pulled out his hand and pushed up his glasses, trying to hide the sudden tint of blush that crept on his cheeks. As for Orihime, she slightly turned her face away from him to cover her pinked face.

"I… I'll just be outside, Orihime-san."

"H-hai… Arigato, Uryuu-kun."

Sora was signing papers at his office when he decided to take a break for a while. He rested his back on the chair and closed his eyes. It was stressing for him to handle all these things―the company, properties… but he had no choice. He had to manage them for their parents. He reached for his pants' pocket and revealed a folded paper.

(Start of flashback)

Sora was in the middle of his work when his secretary came in with a letter. She handed it to him and when he looked for the sender, no name was written. The only printed name on the white envelope was 'SORA INOUE'. He curiously opened it and read the message.

'Two of your precious loved ones were already gone. Care to make it three?
If I were you, I'll be keeping an eye on her. Watch your back.'

Sora called his secretary and told her to cancel all his appointments. He believed that this wasn't something to be taken for granted. He immediately went to his car. He needed to talk to someone about this matter.

He reached the 30-story building in less than an hour. He went inside and reached for the elevator. He pressed the 25th floor button and waited patiently for the elevator to take him there.

From the moment the secretary saw him, she politely greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Inoue. Please wait here for a while." The secretary went to her boss's office to tell him that he had a visitor. Sora sat on the vacant chair near the secretary's table and waited. As soon as the secretary returned and said that he may come in, he immediately stood up and went inside.

"Sora, what a pleasant surprise."

"Aizen," He pulled out the letter he received a while ago. "Someone sent me this."

Aizen took the letter and read it. "When did you receive this?"

"This morning."

Aizen relaxed his back on his chair and started to light a cigarette. The Inoue's had known him ever since Sora's late parents were young. He had always been the adviser of his father and the Rika Corporation that was why Sora thought that the only person he could ask about this matter was him. Aizen had proven his trustworthiness when their company had a dilemma. "I'll send security for your sister and to you as well. At the same time, I'll help you find the person who sent this."

Sora felt somehow relieved. "Thank you, Aizen. I always thought you were the right person to talk about this."

Aizen smirked and stood up from his chair. He faced the window, which was his usual habit, and continued to puff his cigarette. "Just tell me if you need anything else. You know that I'm always willing to help your family."

(End of flashback)

A petite young lady went outside a store feeling very pleased with her current situation. She pulled out a small brown envelope and gently tugged out some cash. She giddily counted it and inhaled the smell of money. Ahhh… finally! This is what you get after a month long work!! She embraced the envelope on her face and was about to put it in her bag when somebody called her. "Oi! Rukia!"

As she turned her head, a young boy suddenly bumped on her and it wasn't just a bump, the boy even stomped on her feet. Ouch!! "Hey! Watch where you're going!"

The boy simply ignored her and continued to walk. Rukia made an irritated bored look on the boy and faced her red-haired friend.

"What's with the temper?"

Rukia just felt more irritated. "Won't you get annoyed when someone bumped on you and even stomped on your feet? Geez, Renji!" (You could see hot air coming out from her nose.)

"Okay! Okay! So, how's your month-long work output?"

"I finally got it. I was actually counting them when you called me and―" She was searching for the envelope in her bag. "Where is it?" She started to feel panic and continued to desperately look for it. She suddenly remembered the incidents which made her pause hastily. "My MONEY! THE BOY!! Renji! The stupid boy a while ago took my money!"

"He wouldn't be stupid if he was able to take your money."

"Shut up! Let's split and look for him." The two of them took the opposite paths and hunted the kid. She scolded herself for being so careless. It was her one month work outcome! It was very difficult to find money and now, when it was already in her grasp, here she goes so idiotic and let it fly away just like that. She needed the money badly because her older sister was in the hospital and has to be operated. Renji had always helped her in her finances but it wasn't still enough.

Rukia searched desperately as she went from one street to another. She asked some people around the area if they had seen the boy but none of them knew. She was starting to lose hope when suddenly she heard noise from a distant narrow street. She quietly went to it and to her luck, she finally saw the boy she was looking for. "Hey you!" She immediately grabbed the boy's collar and prevented him from escaping. "Give me back my money!"

The boy grinned and to her surprise, he bit her hand and ran away from her. She followed him as fast as she could. She could not afford to let him get away again. The boy made different turns, trying to lose her. He increased his run to maximum speed and without second thought; he went to the main road and crossed. He recklessly avoided the bicycles and cars that were passing. Rukia continued to follow him, not realizing how dangerous they where at right now.

Ichigo was contentedly listening in his car. He was following the music of Incubus' 'Southern Girl'. He wasn't really singing it, he was somewhat humming it. (if he considers it a hum) He told Orihime that he'll drop by her house before going to work; anyway he was the boss in their company so he holds his own time. All of a sudden, he saw a boy, who was two cars away from him, running across the street. "That boy should be cautious." He looked at the boy and grabbed the cambio, boosting his car speed from segunda to tertiera. As he turned his head back to the road, he didn't notice someone was running in front of his car. He was so surprised, he instantly made a full stop, making his face jerk forward then back on his seat's head rest. What had just happened?

Rukia didn't leave her eyes on the boy. She was so preoccupied catching the kid that she didn't become aware of the car approaching her. She slowly turned her head to see the advancing vehicle as if she was already seeing death. She felt her breath skip for a moment. She wasn't able to move a single muscle because of the tension and shock. As soon as the car stopped in front of her, all she could do was to faint. She fell on the ground and lay like a lifeless doll. Am I dead?

Ichigo immediately got out from his car and checked if she was alive. "Miss? Miss?" She gently tapped her cheek. When no response was heard, he picked her up and took her inside the car. He brought her to the nearest hospital to check if there were injuries.

Orihime worriedly put down the telephone. Ichigo just called her and said he had an accident that's why he won't be able to drop by today. She was thankful it was not him who was hurt but of course, she was also worried with the person Ichigo almost ran into. Honestly, it saddened her a little bit knowing that he won't be able to taste the food she prepared for him but then again, it would be very selfish of her if she would feel that way that's why she told herself that she could always cook for him next time. She went outside and saw Uryuu. She walked near him and softly read the title of the book he was reading, "Mr. White's Confession by Robert Clark…"

Uryuu looked at her. "Is something wrong, Orihime-san?"

She put her hands on her back and smiled at him. "Ano… Ichigo-kun won't be coming today. He had to bring someone at the hospital."

"I see."

"Would you…like to eat with me, Uryuu-kun? My brother left early so I don't have anyone to eat breakfast with."

"Of course." Who was he to decline? Besides, he might even taste the food she was cooking a while ago.

"I'll also call Nanao-san and Nemu-san! Please wait for us in the dining area."

Uryuu sat patiently in the wide dining table. He remembered what she was preparing this morning―squid, oranges, chocolate… He swallowed a big lump on his throat, feeling slightly nervous about the things that will happen next. He wondered why Nanao and Nemu weren't still here.

After a couple of minutes, Orihime appeared with two assistants who brought a bowl and plates. She sat in front of him. "Nanao-san and Nemu-san weren't here because they were asked to do something outside."

The two of them ate silently until Orihime broke the silence. "Umm… would you like to taste this?" She offered him her specially made chocolate-filled squid with shredded oranges and garlic.

He inhaled deeply as he eyed the poor squid slide on his plate. He took his utensils and made his first bite. Orihime waited for him to say something.

"I-it's… crunchy…" It was all he could say. He felt his face starting to feel cold.

Orihime started to look worried. "Are you alright, Uryuu-kun?"

"Y-yess…" He started to feel his stomach twitch for a while. He placed a hand on his stomach and pressed it. "I'm fine."

"You look… blue." Orihime reached for his plate. "Uryuu-kun, I think you should stop eating that."

"No, Orihime-san. I'm… I'm fine." He gave her an assuring smile.

"But…"

Uryuu just continued to eat it. Orihime lowered her head. She felt grateful and at the same time sorry because he was only forced to taste it. She wondered what would Ichigo do if he was in the position of Uryuu but she immediately shove off those thoughts. It wasn't proper to compare people. She told herself that she would do her best to improve her cooking. "Arigatoo, Uryuu-kun."

Rukia gently opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling and it was all white. She slowly sat herself on the bed and scanned the area to know where she was. "Am I dead?"

"Not yet."

She turned her head to see who it was. "Renji…"

"Are you out of your mind? You almost killed yourself."

She looked at the blankets and realized she was on a hospital bed. She then recalled the incidents that happened a while ago. She remembered a road, a car, screaming ladies and a guy with orange hair talking to her.

"Were you thinking of the guy that brought you here? He already left."

"Ohh…" She wondered who he was. His face was vague to her mind. "So… how did you find me?"

"I saw him bringing you to his car so I followed."

She relaxed her back on the pillow and frowned. "We didn't find the boy, right?"

"I'm sorry."

Rukia got out from the bed. She didn't really acquire any injuries so she was fine. She looked for her bag and told Renji they could go. Before she reached the door, Renji handed her a card.

"He gave this to me and said you can call him if you need anything else. He said he was sorry to what happened."

She took the card and read, "Kurosaki Ichigo. Executive of Mukoo Corporation."

Author's Notes: Hope you liked this chappie. I wasn't able to type and post this as soon as I planned because there were so many things I had to do. Reviews are always highly welcomed! It also gives me inspiration to update faster. Heehee. Anyhoo, thank you guys for read this.

Some terminologies I used in this chapter that you might want to know:

Cambio – shifting gear in the car, the one with numbers 1-5 and R for reverse.

Segunda and Tertiera – represents 2 and 3 of the cambio.