Chapter One: Is That All There Is?
"Meow" a pure black cat staggered across the porch. Rukia gave the cat a mean look but it only rubbed itself against her bare leg. She bark but the cat responded with a purr.
"So cat what is your name? You don't have a name do you? Well you should. No one should go without a name. From now on, your name is Mr. Cat… I know not very original but it's the best I could come up with." Mr. Cat purr as Rukia scratch him behind his ear.
It was the beginning of spring. The air bloomed with life and for some reason this depressed Rukia deeply. A breeze floated by ruffling her white dress and flipped the pages of her open book.
"Mr. Cat did you know that everyone falls in love during the spring? I hope that a nice lady cat walks on by and you two fall in love and have little kittens."
"Talking to cats now?"
Rukia look up to see her soon to be former sister-in-law walking up the driveway.
"Karin? What are you doing here?"
"Am I no longer invited here? I didn't know the divorce was going that bad" Karin was hurt. Rukia immediately held her arms open out for Karin giving her a warm hug.
"Don't say things like that. You are my family no matter what happens between your brother and me. Your welcome here anytime. Would you like something to drink?"
"No thanks. I was in the neighborhood and I just wanted to say hello. When did you get a cat?"
"Oh it's not mine. Even though I named him already but he just showed up out of nowhere"
"Where is your mother kid?" Ichigo sternly asked the sobbing little girl. The girl was the spitting image of her mother. Her mother just happened to be his new receptionist. Ichigo felt a little guilty. He was only looking for a file and did not mean to step on the little girl's hand.
"I don't know! I can't find my mom!" she yelled sobbing harder.
"Kurosaki-sama, please forgive me for bringing my daughter to work today but the babysitter cancelled." Orihime ran to her daughter. Ichigo bend down in front of the little girl giving her a bright smile. At first the girl was terrified. Only a second ago he had a deep frown and his amber eyes shot daggers. Now he was giving her smile.
"It's fine Inoue. It was really my fault for stepping on her hand. Would this lovely young lady accept my offer of ice cream as an apology" holding out his hand Orihime's daughter declined by hiding behind her mother. She peek out at Ichigo who was still smiling.
"What is her name Inoue? I've never met a lady who refused ice cream before. I doubt this one would too"
Before Orihime could answer her daughter spoke up. "My name is Inoue Sora pleasure to meet you!" She gave Ichigo a huge smile and hugged him. This threw Ichigo off guard and Orihime pull the child off him.
"I'm sorry Kurosaki-Sama she's a little too um what's the word for it? Friendly a little too friendly"
Ichigo stood up turning to Orihime.
"Well she better be friendly when I take her to my favorite ice cream shop. You can come too Inoue"
"Oh no thank you I'm lactose intolerant"
It was a lie and Ichigo knew it. Immediately she regretted her words. Sora was confused to why her mother would reject such an offer. It was free ice cream.
"…since when? Just yesterday I saw you eating yogurt on top of your cereal," Ichigo said.
"You caught me in a lie…I guess I can't refuse now" Orihime said blushing.
A large man push the small raven hair woman down to the ground and instead of helping her up continues to walk down the street. Rukia look to see that her coffee spilled on top of her book ruining the cover.
"HEY! Watch where you're going fatass! People are trying to walk here!" she yelled waving her fist in the air.
"I wonder what your brother would say if he saw this?"
Rukia turn around recognizing a head full of red hair. She couldn't help but smile when she saw him.
"Re-Renji! You're back! Oh, my god you're back! How was it? Europe I mean how wonderful was it?!"
They hugged and Renji could not believe how amazing she looked. Her eyes were still bright and violet and her body was slim and petite. The only thing that was different about her was her hair. It was long reaching down past her elbows.
"It was great. Lots of beautiful gals lusting over me of course" Renji boasted.
"Lusting over you? With those eyebrows?"
"Shut up! Besides ladies dig the tattoos"
"Dig? Gals? Did your vocabulary shorten during the last three years?"
"You're one to talk. So this is it eh? Not bad I was expecting it to close down after one year but it's still here"
He eyed the small bookstore. The large display windows held posters and newly released books. There was nothing special about it but Rukia consider it her whole world.
"Yea she's beautiful. Come in I have all your photography laminated and on a wall. My customers loved the photo of the poor women helping the rich man up from the ground. If they hadn't read the article they would've thought the two fell in love"
Walking into the bookstore Renji realized why Rukia was in love with it. Although it looked small on the outside it was large on the inside. Large bookshelves clearly labeled the many different sections. Rukia had dedicated a large wall to articles and photos that she found interesting. It was mostly covered by the colorful photos Renji took. It was a perfect place for Rukia the bookworm only the large chandelier in the center of the store was out of place. It suspended above the register and the display of different chocolates. Renji worried that if an earthquake were to hit the large chandelier would crush Rukia.
"They did" he responded.
"That's not what the article said! It said the rich man snubbed the young lady and left her for another wealthy woman"
"Well that article was lie. That's why I left most of those articles were lies" Rukia was surprise but once she saw Renji's angry face decided against asking him for specifics.
"So what happened to the couple?"
"They fell in love but she…was killed by his wealthy parents who opposed the union. So he abandoned the family and all the money and went to live with her people"
"How sad"
"It is…well speaking of happy endings how's yours?"
"Not so happy. You haven't heard have you. Ichigo and I are in the midst of a divorce," she said miserably. For a split second her face was sad but quickly disappeared.
"SLOW DOWN! I just get back in town and I was expecting a miniature Ichigo running around here and you're telling me you are getting a divorce?!"
"Renji lets not talk about it right now"
"Oh I get it you don't want to relive the painful moments. It's all right Rukia the pain would end and you'll find an even better man then Ichigo"
"Umm that's not it…it's just that I have customers right now. How about we meet for lunch?"
"All right. Same old place?"
"Where else would I eat?" she said smiling. After Renji left and Rukia bagged her customer's purchases, she couldn't help but think of Ichigo. She imagined him walking into the bookstore with a bouquet of red roses and then carrying her out with her employees and customers cheering in the background.
"Ugh I need to get out more!" she cried hiding her head in her hands.
" I can't pick a flavor!" Sora breathe hard onto the glass display. All the colors of the candy reminded her of the rainbow.
"Well you can always have a taste before deciding which one to pick" Ichigo said. Sora couldn't stop herself from smiling and asking for a taste of six flavors before finally choosing Coconut.
"Kurosaki-Sama you don't have to do this you know. It was an accident" Orihime sat next to Ichigo waiting for Sora to return from the ice cream counter.
"Don't be foolish Inoue. I step on your kid's hand! I could have broken it. The least I could do is offer some ice cream. Besides, I wouldn't want to be remembered as the mean doctor who stepped on her hand. Don't tell me you don't enjoy ice cream"
"I do enjoy ice cream it's just…you are my boss and it feels strange being with you outside of the clinic"
"You don't enjoy my company?"
"OH NO Kurosaki-Sama it's nothing like that. I enjoy your company very much but-"
"Don't worry about explaining Inoue I understand what you mean." Ichigo let out a light laugh. Orihime liked the way he looked when he laughed. When she began working for him, he always had a scowl that slightly frightened her. All day long, he was relaxed except he would casually glance at his expensive gold watch.
"You keep looking at your watch. Do you have an important appointment today?"
"You can say it's important. It's more that I'm dreading it "
"If you don't mind me asking Kurosaki-Sama but what is so bad about it?"
"I'll be signing my divorce papers today"
The diner was unusually empty. Rukia found it strange since lunch was usually the busiest time for the wannabe 1950's diner.
"So what happened?" Renji asked leaning in.
"Nothing happened really" Renji was surprised. He was expecting a long story on how Ichigo ruined the relationship.
"Did the idiot have an affair? I told him at the wedding if he hurt you I'll kill him"
"Yea you and my brother were very clear about that. No he did not have an affair although I wish he did" She looked depressed again.
"Why would you wish for something like that?"
"Because then everything would be a lot simpler. I could easily blame our failed relationship on his affair and move on. I could easily tell myself that he was not the right man for me and that his affair proved it. Yes, an affair would have made things a lot simpler. No, our relationship just failed I don't know how. There were always fights… We would fight all the time and we wouldn't speak for days until another fight erupted. I started sleeping alone, he started sleeping in the guest's bedroom. The inept counselor said it was a failure of communication. I don't know we just we just fell out of love. Maybe we should have dated others before getting married… On the other hand, maybe it was wrong ever since I pushed him out of the tree house. I just don't know"
Rukia force herself to listen to the clings and clanks strolling from the kitchen. This was her favorite diner and although she came often, she came often with Ichigo. They would usually sit on the left side of the diner in the corner booth. Today she sat in the right section with Renji. She wonders how long it would take before she would be able to sit on the left side again. Renji saw her sad face and playfully threw his straw wrapper at her.
"Hey cheer up. I know it's bad but perhaps this is the best thing to happen to you"
"Huh? How?"
"Well now you can be independent and you can go out and date and do what you want. No more checking in with your husband or waiting for him to return from work. I think it's for the best really"
"Thanks Renji…so where are you working at now? I mean what could possibly tear you away from Europe?"
"Well other then the lying and scheming assholes I worked for, I caught up with an old friend from high school who just inherited a magazine. He offered me a job there. The pay is great and he's a pretty honest guy so I know that I'm not photographing just any bullshit"
Their order arrived and Renji was amazed what he saw on Rukia's plate. She ordered a large double cheeseburger with everything on it, French fries, onion rings, and a side salad. He had forgotten the appetite the petite woman had. He had forgotten many things.
"Whub magbabine?"Rukia asked with her mouth full of onion rings.
"That new political magazine called Seiretei. Remember Hisagi Shuhei? Yea he's my new boss."
"I remember Shuhei from high school. He was a colorful character"
"He was a ladies' man with a bright language."
"Yea I remember him. You know he once asked me out but I turned him down to go to the dance with Ichigo. Someone told me that Shuhei almost drank himself to death that night"
"You were a real heartbreaker back then. Hey, why don't you come with me to see him today? We can relive old memories and now that you're single maybe, you can give him another shot?"
"Yea it'll be nice to say hi. Besides I'm too lazy to work today"
Rukia let out a large belched which drew the waitresses and the other customer's attention.
When Orihime, Sora and Ichigo returned to the clinic Uryu was waiting for them. He stood in front of Orihime's desk obviously irritated that Ichigo left him alone to handle the patients.
"Where have you been Kurosaki? Inoue? I thought I told you that this is not a daycare so what is your daughter doing here?" Uryu asked giving Orihime a stern look. Sora was intimidated by the large man wearing the white coat. The way his eyes looked at her through his glasses made her feel small.
"Calm down Uryu. Inoue couldn't find a babysitter so I told her to bring her daughter in for the day. Besides, she is a good kid and doesn't cause any trouble. Actually I didn't even notice her until I stepped on her hand."
"I don't like children Kurosaki. They get in the way and they have sticky fingers"
The people sitting in the waiting room couldn't help but turn their heads. Sora looks down at her fingers. They weren't sticky and she didn't like sticky foods so why would Uryu hate her?
"What's your deal with sticky fingers? Are you afraid of sticky fingers?"
"No I'm not afraid of sticky fingers! It's that we're in a clinic and we need it to be clean. Sticky fingers have germs and germs make people sick."
"And we get paid when there are sick people"
"It doesn't matter I don't like children. Keep the girl out of my office and Inoue please bring me a cup of coffee. Four sugars two creams." He stormed off into his office slamming the door loud enough. Ichigo turn towards Orihime giving her a casual smile.
"Don't worry Inoue you won't get fired I would never let that happen. Uryu well Uryu is just being Uryu. Let him know that I'll be back later. I need to go handle some things"
"Kurosaki-Sama…thanks for the ice cream it was nice."
"No problem. And don't hesitate to bring Sora around here again. Uryu may hate kids but I'm a partner here and I just happen to like kids" Ichigo waved leaving the clinic once again. For a while, Orihime just stood there watching the door Ichigo left through, until a sick patient vomited all over her daughter.
"Abarai? Hey I thought I told you not to come in until Monday. What are you doing here?" Shuhei said loudly looking up at an article his reporter wrote.
Renji slap Shuhei on his back "Well I wanted to show off my new office to an old friend of mine"
"Well your friend is going to be disappointed you only have a cubicle"
"What a shame and didn't you say you had a hot secretary waiting on you hands and foot? Hello Hisagi-kun" Rukia smile at Shuhei who instantly dropped his coffee and the article he was reading.
"Ru-Kuchiki-san? Is that really you?" He was in awe. The girl he was in love with during high school was standing right in front of him. Sixteen years later he was finally seeing the girl of his dreams.
"In the flesh"
"Wow I haven't seen you since high school. How have you been?"
"Pretty good. This is some amazing place you have here."
"Stop you're making me blush. Hey, how about we grab some lunch? As a sort of a reunion lunch? I took Renji out to lunch the day he returned to this great place down by the beach"
"The best burger I've ever tasted" Renji said. Renji couldn't help smile. He saw the spark in Shuhei's eyes and the blush Rukia was trying to hide. He saw himself as a genius. Obviously, Ichigo was the wrong guy for Rukia and now Shuhei finally had a shot. Renji always thought that Shuhei was better than Ichigo.
"I'm sure someone as beautiful as Kuchiki-san wouldn't want some burgers. They also have some great salads and pastas it'll be great! What do you say Kuchiki-san?"
"I would love to but it would have to be some other time. I just had lunch with Renji and I have an appointment in an hour. Well I had better head off. Renji don't be a stranger stop by any time. It was nice seeing you again Hisagi-kun. Sayonara!" Rukia wave her hand flashing her smile at Shuhei who could have sworn his heart stop. When she left Shuhei glared at Renji in disbelief.
"Renji I didn't know she was still in town. I assumed she would move somewhere else with Ichigo"
"Believe it or not she was always here in town and Ichigo is no longer in the picture"
"What happened?"
"They got married and now they are getting it over with. She's signing the papers today"
"You mean after all this time I could have another chance with her?"
"Go for it" Renji scratch his head as Shuhei gave him the weirdest smile he had ever seen.
"Ichigo is a really idiot. To let someone like Rukia go…"
"If you just sign here you will be officially divorce" Ichigo's lawyer said passing him a pen.
At first Ichigo hesitated. The blank line stared at him. Thoughts ran through his mind of ways to stop the divorce. It was his final shot to declare his love to her and hopefully she would return the feelings.
Ichigo's hesitance made Rukia uneasy. If he hesitated then obviously he was doubting their divorce. This made her doubt the divorce. She reminded herself that this was for the best and the sooner it happened the sooner she could go back to reading her coffee covered book.
"What are you waiting for you idiot? Sign the papers so I can return to the store," she said.
Ichigo gave her one last look before giving his signature. Then Rukia gave her signature.
That was it, they were no longer Mr. and Mrs. Kurosaki. Actually, Rukia wasn't sure what she was anymore.
A/N: Just so we're clear, Rukia and Ichigo do not end up together…or do they? Hmmm I guess the only way to find out is leave me tons of reviews to keep me motivated. And when I'm motivated, I write instead of sitting on the couch eating smores and watching G.I. Jane.
Josie