Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Tite Kubo rightfully owns it.


Unorthodox Teaching

Chapter 2

Rukia looked up at the man before her with silent contempt. Furrowing her brows, she gripped the shaft of her pen angrily. She took in a deep breath to calm her nerves down before looking back at the sheets of paper which contained her English/Literature exam. She was about to start answering again when the giant of a man in front of her snickered discretely.

"Oh why, Ms. Kuchiki, do you find my exam beyond the levelof your understanding?" the man said emotionally, placing his hand against his heart before sniffing and wiping away the fake tears with his embroidered handkerchief. "… And here I was thinking I've been a very good tutor. What will Kuchiki-sama say then? Oh heavens, please forgive me for I do not know what I will do anymore to improve this child!"

Rukia seriously wanted to leap from her chair and shred the man's head into tiny little pieces. She needed to cool herself or else she'd end up doing something reckless. Only a few minutes left, she reminded herself as she glanced at the grandfather clock. Groaning mentally, the small woman forced a fake smile in response to her professor. "As far as I can remember, translating French phrases into German hasn't been discussed yet, Mr. Omaeda." Narrowing her eyes, she gave him the deadliest Kuchiki glare she could muster. And it's not even included in your syllabus, you moron! She wanted to add but only kept it to herself.

Mr. Omaeda had a smug look on his face. "It's technically saying you do not know how to, Ms. Kuchiki. All you have to do is admit it." Unaffected by her ominous glare, he smirked at the small woman before taking the set of exams and putting it back inside his briefcase. "You've failed all my exams today. Do you want me to give you an advice, or do you want me to come to your brother straight and inform him how brainless his little sister is?"

You bastard! Rukia was really tempted to kill him! All the warning bells inside her head were ringing. Why did he hate her so much? For all she knew she hadn't done anything wrong to him! She hated him as much as she hated Ms. Soi Fon and her other professors!

"What, Ms. Kuchiki? Cat got your tongue?" Mr. Omaeda mocked gleefully, leaning onto the table and tilting his head to the side. "You can't say anything? Afraid that your brother will send you out from his house? C'mon, say something! I know you want to!"

Rukia was about to stand from her chair and kill the living daylights out of him when he suddenly jumped from his own seat and grabbed her arm harshly.

"You know what? You don't deserve to be here, you bitch!" His eyes were wide and deadly as his grip on her hand tightened. Rukia felt her circulation halting. She cringed when he shouted even louder, droplets of his saliva coating her face. "You don't deserve all of these because you're just a freaking lowlife who's taking advantage of a great man!" He lifted his hand up and Rukia closed her eyes as she readied herself for the inevitable strike.

.

.

.

You don't deserve all of these, Rukia. You don't…

.

.

.

But she never had the blow. All she felt was the air breezing past her as the grip on her hand suddenly loosened. Opening her eyes, she gasped in shock as she saw Mr. Omaeda being manhandled by Mr. Kurosaki. Mr. Omaeda's face was beet red as he struggled to break free from Mr. Kurosaki's iron grip. In return, the orange haired teacher twisted Mr. Omaeda's arms and pushed him back onto the ground with his knee.

"Mr. Kurosaki!" she shrieked. "What are you doing?"

But Mr. Kurosaki chose to ignore her. He looked down at the giant man below him with blazing amber eyes. "What the fuck do you think you're doing to her, you monster?!" Mr. Omaeda could only groan as his arms were stretched beyond their reach. "You're hurting a fucking woman! What kind of a scoundrel are you?!"

"Mr. Kurosaki!" she tried again. "You're killing him!"

"If you want to hurt someone, then take someone who's big and disgusting as you!" Mr. Kurosaki freed the man's arms only to turn him around and punch him square in the face.

Rukia, seeing the killing intent in her History teacher's eyes, rushed forward and caught his fist in the air. She looked at him pleadingly. "Please stop it." Her heart was thumping harshly against her ribcage. The thought of blood being shed because of her was terrifying. Ichigo's trembling fist slackened as he freed the man and stood on his feet. He turned to Rukia and opened his mouth to say something only to feel the air in his lungs being knocked out when Mr. Omaeda tackled him and punched him in the stomach.

"NO!" Rukia yelled loudly. "STOP IT PLEASE! STOP IT!" Fear was evident in her eyes as she shook Mr. Omaeda by the shoulders and tried to push him off from the struggling orange head. Mr. Omaeda, oblivious to anything and anyone other than the history professor, pushed her away roughly. Quickly recovering, Rukia rushed back to stop him.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?!" a loud voice said as all three heads turned to the newcomer on the doorstep.

"Renji!" Rukia cried, relief flooding her system as the thought of someone helping them finally came to existence. Renji quickly pushed the giant teacher away from the beaten orange haired man.

"YOU!" he shouted pointing his finger at Mr. Omaeda, "AND YOU!" he pointed to Mr. Kurosaki, "COME TO THE OFFICE WITH ME NOW!" The said men glared at each other before stomping their way towards the exit. He then turned to Rukia and held her hands. "Are you okay, Rukia? Did they hurt you?"

Rukia sniffled. "No. Mr. Kurosaki was just trying to protect me." She looked at Renji with sad eyes. "Please make sure they're fine."

Renji nodded. "But you need to come with us, too. You are the witness. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes." She glanced at the door and saw her history teacher looking intently at them.

Thank you, Mr. Kurosaki.

Thank you.

-xXx-

"This. is. trouble," Renji said through gritted teeth while massaging his temples. He glanced at the petite girl beside him before glaring at the two tall men across them. Currently they were all waiting for the head of the house to come, as Renji had just informed him of what had occurred. He had already asked for a doctor to check upon the three earlier that day but Rukia refused to be examined stating she was fine.

Renji could see the fear in his friend's eyes. Although she was acting tough, Renji knew better than anyone else how hard it was for Rukia to take in all that had occurred. His hand was itching to take her much smaller hand in his and encase her in a warm embrace to protect her from everything. He was her friend and brother—he was supposed to protect her but he had failed to do so.

He felt like being drowned in the Arctic Ocean when he saw those two men fighting like ruffians and Rukia holding on for dear life. He couldn't even imagine what could have happened if he did not arrive there on time.

"Renji." He heard Rukia call beside him. He forced a grin as he ruffled her hair and patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Did nii-sama say anything?"

"We'll just have to wait for him, Rukia," he croaked, his voice sounding strained.

Rukia nodded and silence enveloped the office once again. Renji wished he could say something better to comfort his friend. Sighing, the red head could only hide his face from shame from what he had done—or rather, what he wasn't able to do.

It didn't take long before the wide doors opened and a man with raven hair, gray eyes, pale skin, and as tall as Renji, stepped inside and regarded each individual in the room with the simple narrowing of his eyes. He breezed past the four and sat on the majestic chair behind the desk, settling himself with such grace and confidence.

"Renji," his voice was silky smooth, but behind it was a deadly tone enough to bring chills down the red head's spine. "I came here as soon as I learned of what happened." He then turned to Mr. Marechiyo Omaeda and furrowed his eyebrows. "Tell me, is it true?"

Marechiyo jumped from his seat, his eyes darting to and fro as he fumbled for words. "A-Ah… I-I… Y-You're mistaken, M-Mr. Kuchiki. I-I did not do anything wrong. I was… I was just tutoring y-your little sister when this man just suddenly a-attacked me out of nowhere!"

Ichigo was livid as he grabbed Marechiyo by the collar and spat out, "How dare you turn this against me?! Why don't you tell them the truth, huh?! I was waiting outside Rukia's room for our scheduled lesson when I suddenly heard you shouting!"

"I-I swear I did not do anything! I swear!" Marechiyo squeaked as he waved his hands in front of him frantically, his eyes wide with fear as Ichigo continued to shake him.

"You freaking bastard!" Ichigo was about to give him a lesson enough to knock him for at least a week when Byakuya's voice made him stop.

"That's enough, Mr. Kurosaki." Although his words were intended to stop the orange haired man, Byakuya's gray eyes were focused on his sister's form. "Rukia," he spoke icily, making Rukia jump from her haunches and turn to him. "Tell me, what really happened?"

"I-I…" From her peripheral, Rukia could see Mr. Omaeda looking at her pleadingly. She wanted to tell the truth, yet she didn't want another person to suffer because of her. "Nothi—"

"Mr. Marechiyo Omaeda was trying to hurt Rukia, sir." Renji's words abruptly cut her from finishing her own sentence. Rukia's eyes widened as her head whipped around to face the red head beside her. Renji, what the heck?! "I can attest to that. If it wasn't for Mr. Kurosaki, Mr. Omaeda would have caused more damage than this."And to prove his point, he snatched Rukia's hand and showed to them the forming bruise on her wrist.

Byakuya's slate eyes narrowed. "Mr. Omaeda," He stared impassively at the man, "we've already discussed what repercussions would be made once something like this happened, correct?"

"S-Sir…"

Rukia quickly interjected, "Nii-sama, look I'm fine. I—"

But Byakuya wasn't listening. "I do not need to discuss them again with you, Mr. Omaeda. But for now, all I can confirm is that you are no longer Rukia's teacher starting today. We will discuss everything by tomorrow morning in my office. Now you are dismissed."

Marechiyo stood from his seat and bowed to Byakuya. He then threw Rukia a nasty glare before silently leaving the room as all three pairs of eyes followed his retreating figure.

"Nii-sama, what are you going to do to him?" Rukia asked, genuinely afraid for the man and his life. Byakuya could bend anything at his will. He wasn't the head of the Kuchiki clan for nothing!

"It is none of your concern, Rukia." Byakuya shifted in his seat and opened his drawer while pulling a manila envelope and sifting through its contents. "Mr. Kurosaki, as much as I appreciate your concern for my sister's safety, the manner in which you talk is still inappropriate."

Ichigo frowned. "I don't care. But from my own perspective, when a man hits a woman, then that's enough reason to punish him."

Violet eyes widening, Rukia felt lightheaded as his words sunk in. Is he really concerned for me? For the first time in her life, she felt genuinely happy.

Byakuya seemed to accept Ichigo's words as he forgone the matter. "Mr. Kurosaki, your profile states you were a History teacher in a notable public high school before. But aside from that, you were also an experienced teacher in different subjects such as Science, Geography, Math, Literature, and even English." He dropped the papers back onto the desk and continued, "Then, seeing as looking for another teacher would waste a lot of time, would you accept my offer if I am to tell you I'd like you to be Rukia's teacher in the subjects which Mr. Omaeda had taught previously? Of course, your salary and benefits would be increased."

Rukia glanced at Mr. Kurosaki while her heart did wild flips as she awaited for his answer.

"Well, seeing as this will surely side to my advantage…" He grinned. "…then how can I say no to such an offer, Mr. Kuchiki?"

Rukia swore her heart just leapt out from her chest.

-xXx-

Renji quietly closed the door behind him as he followed his friend. They were just ordered by Byakuya to leave the office so that he may discuss with Mr. Kurosaki his new contract. Just as they were turning to a corner, Renji finally built up enough courage and decided to break the silence. "Rukia."

The petite girl stopped in her tracks. Behind her, Renji stopped as well. "Renji, you know better than anyone else how much I want to avoid that." Her voice was low like a whisper.

Renji could not even find the guts to gaze at her small figure even if he was facing her back. His eyes glazed over as he tried to search for the right words. "I just want you to be safe, Rukia. You were trying to protect the man who wanted to hurt you! How… How can I just keep my mouth shut?"

Rukia faced him with livid eyes. "You know how much people have already suffered because of me, Renji! I made so many people suffer from being black-listed because of me! Cooks that could never cook; teachers that could never teach; maids that could never help their families—all because of me! I don't want any of those again, Renji!"

"It was all their fault, Rukia!" Renji retorted back as his hands balled into fists. "They tried to hurt you because they were too envious of what you have!"

"I never wished any of it, dammit!" she cried out exasperatedly.

"That's exactly the point!" Renji was inching closer and closer to her as he reached out and took a hold of her shoulders. "They're too envious because you have all these while they don't."

Rukia looked away as the red head stared straight into her eyes. "I had these without even laying a finger or breaking a sweat. Is that it, Renji?"

"Rukia…"

"Yes, I know. I know why those people envy me. I am nothing, and yet here I am in the Kuchiki mansion indulging myself with bliss. I was born a nobody, and yet I am a Kuchiki." She smiled sadly. "They don't think I deserve anything because I am adopted. They kill themselves with work just to earn money; they eat garbage just to live for a day; they sacrifice a lot in order to survive; and yet, here I am, a nobody, living like a princess."

"Rukia," Renji said softly. "They don't understand because they're not in your shoes. They don't know how hard it is to be you. But I know how strong you are. You're one hell of a fighter!" He laughed sheepishly, hoping it would somehow lighten the atmosphere.

"You know, sometimes I wish I can fly… so that I can run away from here and live my life the way I want."

"Rukia…"

"I'm being kept like a prisoner here. Nii-sama doesn't even want to show me in public because he's too ashamed of what I am."

Forlornly, Renji cut in. "Rukia, please don't think that way."

She smiled sadly in response.

Little did they know, hidden amongst the shadow, was a man listening intently at them.

-xXx-

Run.

Run.

Run.

Ruuuuuuuuuuuun!

Rukia dashed forward as both of her feet pumped vigorously with speed. Her lungs were constricting from lack of oxygen, her feet were aching from running so long, and her heart was thumping wildly against her ribcage as it supplied more blood to sustain her system. Biting her lower lip, she gulped the lump in her throat and gathered enough courage to look back at the people chasing her.

"Bitch! Come back here!"

"We're going to get you and throw you to a place where you really deserve to be!"

"Filth!"

Rukia forced the tears back as she continued running. Just as she saw a small light emerging from the shadows, she suddenly stopped in her tracks when somebody appeared in front of her. Her eyes widened.

"Nii-sama!" she cried with hope, her fingers spreading outwards to grasp him.

But Byakuya just stood there impassively, his stare as cold as ice. Rukia felt all of her resolve breaking when he finally muttered, "You're nothing without me."

"W-what…?"

"I tried to stop him… but Father was adamant in having you. But now you can be gone forever in my life." As the last words escaped his lips, several hands clasped Rukia and engulfed her back into the darkness. Rukia continued to fight back but the monsters holding here were too strong. As black continued to eat her and nii-sama began to walk away far beyond her reach, Rukia could only scream in panic.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

He never looked back.

Not even once.

Rukia shot up in bed, her whole body drenched in sweat. "That dream…" she murmured, her hands covering her face as fear wracked her body. "Again… I had that dream again."


First of all I want to apologize for the lack of updates. After the board exam, I suddenly lost my muse.

Hn. Some nasty people, huh? Poor Rukia. I wonder what some of them tried to do to her that cost them their jobs?

I sensed a lot of angst in here. Most of you were not expecting that. Well, who wouldn't envy a nobody kid who has been adopted by one of the wealthiest men in the World for no apparent reason? Lol.

So I want to thank everyone who has read, faved, alerted, and reviewed my story so far.

Here are my replies to my lovely reviewers:

yagami rin: Thank you very much! I don't think my writing is that great lol. I also think it's best to keep characters as close to their original natures as much as possible. I'll do my best in updating!

AdilaRain: Thanks for having interest! I hope you continue reading!

xTwistedCupidx: Oh she does have a temper lol. But she has a soft spot in her heart too, especially for a certain someone who has orange hair and amber eyes. *snickers* I hope my story continues to brighten your day.

Cisusi: Thank you very much! I'm happy you liked it. Been a long time since I last wrote something so I actually feel that my writing skills are getting rusty.

ILoveSnakes: Hey! You're welcome I actually had the Ikebana searched in the internet then I did a bit of self-understanding. The three stages can also mean Earth, Heaven, and Man but I used Sun and Moon because it describes the IchiRuki relationship better. I'll do my best in updating!

Guest: I wouldn't take your comment the wrong way. I'd like to view it as positive since it seemed like you were reading my other stories as well.

avvrilstar: I think this chap is sour! Lol.

Thanks again everyone. Please don't forget to review.