After hearing it from someone, I decided to write a bonus chapter for "When Our Two Worlds Reunite".
When It Rains, It Pours In My World
ooooOOOoooo
"Toshiro... you're sure you don't want me to stay?" Said a young teen girl. "I'm sure, besides...it's just a routine checkup, it's not as important as group studying, right?"
"Still... if you say so..." The girl said although somewhat hesitant. The girl then stood up from her sit before taking her leave.
"I'll see you later tonight, Toshiro..." And just like that, she left the room.
Toshiro smiles as she left but quickly look down at the doorway. His apparent smile although joyful on the outside, is in fact the opposite. Sighing, Toshiro look up at the clinic's ceiling. "I'm sure you would prefer to go on that study group than to sit by my side... Rukia." He said but then the doctor came back with the result from Toshiro's blood.
"Toshiro, unfortunately, there's no sign of improvement since taking the treatment. Your body will continue to fight against itself until it can stand no more. I'm afraid with what damaged already sustained and the speed in which the damage are done, you may at most have a few months to live. My guess, approximately 3 months... 4 months max. I'm sorry Toshiro, but I done everything I can. There's nothing else to try..."
The doctor said to Toshiro who, while listening and comprehending what the doctor was saying, begins to tremble. It started with a simple cough that never seems to disappear. Toshiro didn't see any need to be concern but eventually it becomes more of a hacking cough.
Then, one day Toshiro discovered blood from his hands after he experienced a sudden chest pain, followed through series of hacking cough. It was the last straw. Contacting his family personal doctor, he went in for an extensive check up. His family personal doctor owns a clinic run by himself and two daughters.
After weeks of examinations, Isshin now declares it to be unknown and worse of all, terminal. What's more, since coming to this clinic, he would sometimes bring his fiancée, who wished to be with him. As far as she knew, Toshiro is suffering from an unknown disease with the impression that it's curable.
Then one day, as they were leaving, they stumble upon Isshin's eldest child, Ichigo Kurosaki coming in with his friends. Although Toshiro did nothing about it, he did saw something in his fiancée's eyes. He could even see it in Ichigo's as well but didn't make much of it since even in their first encounter, both Rukia and Ichigo just seem to be fighting among each other. How wrong was he?
Soon, Rukia would sometime go outside and get a drink of water. Somehow, before her return, Rukia discovered that Ichigo is in the same grade as them and is attending the same school as well. Rukia seemed happy to know that as she looks over Toshiro. Although Toshiro at this point wasn't displaying any change in body mass or skin tone, he was still far from healthy. Then Rukia began to spent more time away from his assigned room. When she returns, she would talk about how rude and insensitive Ichigo would be. Seeing that as a good sign, Toshiro would reply with a simple confirmation.
"Jerk! He doesn't seem to understand that girls are very concern with their body, especially their height. I mean... me a midget? Yeah right, more like he's a freaking carrot top." Rukia retorted as she continues to rant about her encounter with Ichigo that day.
"So this Ichigo is that bad to be around with?"
Rukia look at Toshiro for a moment, eyes opened wide. Toshiro figured something must have clicked in Rukia's mind before she replies with, "No, he's not so bad. He may be rough around the edges but if you look pass that, he's overall a good guy. I mean he's protective of his sisters, and deeply care for his friends and family. Although his hair looked as if it was dyed, he got it from his mother. Even when people told him that it's dyed or to dye it black, Ichigo would say 'No.' because it one of the few things he has left of his mother. Someone who would cherish something like that can't be bad at all." Rukia ended as she looks down at her hands and began to play with them.
Toshiro looked at Rukia, realizing the tone of voice she's using to address Ichigo. "I see..."was all he said, or rather all he could say as he looks away. Not wishing to see anymore of her eyes which only seem to be interested in the 'carrot top', Toshiro closed his eyes, gripping his fist tight. Toshiro doubted that Rukia herself knew then of her sudden interest in Ichigo but it didn't seem to matter now.
Now that he knows that he would die in a matter of months. There's no point in dragging it to the end since the results would be the same.
Toshiro thanked Isshin for everything he had done before leaving to meet up with Rukia's older brother. "Better now than later..." He whispered to himself before he made his way pass the front entrance of the Kuchiki's estate. Revealing everything to Byakuya, Toshiro waits for his response.
"I'm sorry for your misfortune Toshiro. Our family been friends for generations and I wished it would have been you who would carry both family toward the next gen-" Byakuya said before being interrupted by his wife Hisana, coming in with some tea. "I prepared some tea for you and Toshiro." She didn't enter right away but instead looks at Byakuya's eyes. Toshiro figures they must share a unique bond that makes verbal communication superfluous.
"Toshiro." Said Hisana, presenting Toshiro a cup of her warm tea made by hand. Quickly returning his attention at her, Toshiro in return presents her with a small smile of gratitude. "So Toshiro, are you planning to stay the night? We don't mind an extra person for dinner, I'm sure Rukia would be trilled."
Toshiro gave her a simple 'Thank You' before taking a sip of the warm jasmine tea with a touch of honey. Placing the cup down, Toshiro replies back, "Sorry but tonight is no good. Maybe another time?" Hisana seems to accept Toshiro's answer before taking her leave.
"How long until then?" Byakuya asked, not yet taking a sip of his wife's tea. "About 3 to 4 months. I'm planning to inform my parents of the news but I wanted to come here first. I wanted to inform you of my condition and to request a favor."
Byakuya remains silent as he waits for Toshiro's final request.
"Please take consideration on my replacement that I chose to marry Rukia. I ensure you, he would be good for Rukia." Toshiro said as he bows down, his head touching the very ground.
"Who do you recommend?" Byakuya asked. Toshiro lifts his head to look at his long time friend.
"The son of Isshin Kurosaki, Ichigo Kurosaki. As you are aware, he is not educated in the sense of nobility, but his uncanny sense of protecting those he loves make him a great candidate for Rukia." Toshiro returns his head back to the ground. Byakuya has enough, as he stands up and walks over Toshiro. Placing his hand on Toshiro's shoulder, he requests Toshiro to stand up.
"I understand. I will consider this Ichigo Kurosaki but I'm not sure how Rukia will handle it." Toshiro shakes his head at his companion. "If that's all you are concern, then everything should be fine. I can also ensure you that Rukia will come to agree with this new arrangement when the time comes."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because, she already fallen in love with him."
"THAT'S A LIE!" A voice shouted from behind the door. Sliding the door open, Hisana comes toward Toshiro. "Rukia loves you dearly. You just can't give up. I'm sure if we get all the best doctors, then perhaps on-" But before Hisana could finish, Byakuya place a hand over her shoulder. "If that was the case, Toshiro wouldn't be here."
"I-It can't be..." Hisana whisper as tears begins to flow from her eyes. Her knees gave away as it drops to the floor. "Hisana!" Both men offer to help her but then she gestures them to halt. "Toshiro... you been with us since you were just a baby. No matter what happens, you will always have a place among us." With her new acquired strength from who knows where, Hisana stood up and embraces Toshiro with all her might.
"Thank you... I decided to go with what ever Rukia decides, even if it means she won't be by my side. I want her to be happy. Isn't that what you want as well, Hisana?" Toshiro said, looking at the young woman hugging him as if this may be their last. Toshiro smiles at her actions. Typical Hisana...Thank you... really, thank you...
Pulling away, Toshiro informed them that he should be heading home. After saying his farewell, Toshiro begins to make his way back home. Along the way, he received a text from Rukia.
Hey, Ichigo invited us to his house with some of his friends this Saturday? Can we go?
Toshiro look at the message before replying back. Sure, but before that, can we meet up?
Of course!. Today?
Toshiro finger twitches before working on writing his response.
If possible...
Okay! Let's meet up by the park in 10 minutes, 'k?! .
Toshiro quickly replies with a 'Sounds good..' Before walking towards the park.
The weather soon begins to pick up as it already began to snow. Arriving to the park before Rukia, Toshiro sat down on one of the swings set, thinking how he'll go about on what he plans to do in a few moments.
"Hey..." Rukia said, placing a can of hot chocolate to the side of his face. The heat from the can brought Toshiro back from his thought as he looks up at the perpetrator. Rukia gives him a smile as she giggles from what Toshiro assumes to be from his expression.
Taking the can, Toshiro thanks Rukia. Rukia then takes a seat on a swing besides him. With her own can, she opens it before taking a big sip. "Aah... it's nice to be able to drink hot chocolate at this time of year. Its seems right, you know Toshiro?"
"Yeah..." Toshiro said before opening his own and taking a small sip. "So what is it you want to discuss?" Rukia said as she let out a small smile.
Toshiro sigh before speaking. "Rukia, tell me honestly... Do you love me?"
"H-Huh?! Why would you sudden ask that?"
"Please answer the question. Do you love me?"
"I like you... isn't that enough?"
Toshiro didn't answer right away, instead he turns to look at Rukia for a moment before looking away. "I thought so too but I guess I was wrong..." Toshiro stated. "What do you me-"
"Rukia, we both were raised from our family with certain obligations to meet. One of them was to marry one another in order to provide for the new generation. I'm unable to meet that expectation, especially when I'm not the man you love."
"WHAT ARE YOU GETTING AT?!" Rukia retorted as she now stands in front of him.
"I'm saying that we are NO LONGER ENGAGED! THAT MEANS YOU ARE FREE TO LOVE WHOM EVER YOU LIKE!" Toshiro shouted. He's sure everyone in the neighborhood could hear him saying that.
An hour later, they departed. After much explanation, Rukia happily reveals to Toshiro that she might a thing for Ichigo. Toshiro, without revealing his condition, told her that he would support her. Rukia smiles when she heard that. Leaving, Rukia gave Toshiro a peck on the cheek. "Goodnight Toshiro...and thank you for this and everything you ever did for me." Rukia then turns around and quickly runs to her home.
Toshiro stood there until he's sure she left for good.
"Idiot..." Toshiro said as it slowly begins to rain from the drop of watering hitting the floor. "Idiot..." Toshiro said again but this time with a painful expression. More droplets landed on the ground, with Toshiro remembering everything sort of experience he had with Rukia.
We will always be together forever, so let make it the most of it, 'k?
"You were supposed to have stayed..."
You're my best friend, I'm glad that I'm engaged with someone like you...
"You were supposed to fight back."
Toshiro...
"You were supposed to sense something's wrong..."
TOSHIRO!
"You were supposed to be by my side...but I'm all alone..." Toshiro whispers as his falls to his knees.
"I'm alone... Everything will soon come to an end... with me by myself. The last thing I would see... won't be you..."
Toshiro continues to cry as memories of his time with Rukia continues to flow inside him, reminding him of what he felt then and what he feels now. This sudden gap...
Left his world to crumble with the sudden appearance of rain.
ooooOOOoooo
Even so, the next day, Rukia approaches Toshiro in the morning. When he left his home at morning, he finds Rukia waiting outside of the gate, her face all swollen and with tears.
"Why didn't you tell me about your condition? I was there but in the end you didn't let me in." Rukia whispers before turning to look at Toshiro. "WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU'RE DYING IN A FEW MONTHS! DIDN'T I MATTER TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT IS DYING IN FRONT OF ME! HUH?" Rukia retorted as she grabs his shirt below his chin. "AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO END OUR ENGAGEMENT! DID YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT I WOULD LIKE WHAT YOU DID FOR ME YESTERDAY, KNOWING THAT YOU ARE DYING! OR DID YOU BELIEVE I WOULD BE HAPPY NOT KNOWING?!"
"WHICH IS IT?! TOSHIRO!" Rukia shouted, tightening her grip as more tears begins to fall. "You should be more concern about yourself but in the end... you keep concerning... over me..." Rukia said, lowering her voice until it becomes just a whisper.
"Rukia..." Toshiro said before sighing, and lifting a hand to caress her face. "Even if I told you yesterday, that wouldn't change anything. I'm dying and you're in love with Ichigo." Toshiro said affectionately but stern. "I'm sorry..." Rukia said, looking at him.
"You shouldn't be..." Toshiro said before leaning in and kissing her lightly over her lips. "I want you to be happy." Toshiro said before removing his hand away from her face.
Rukia continues to cry that day but Toshiro stayed with her until she finishes. Eventually the day came when Rukia and Toshiro head over to Ichigo's place, but now as friends.
END
Hopefully you like it. I'm not as confident with it as I was with the main story. Let me know and until next time!
