4. Dig up the Past
Rukia finally had an appetite and was disappointed to only receive a slice of bread and a foul smelling broth that looked like wet concrete. She gagged and set the plate far from herself. She took a bite from the bread and spat it out immediately as it was stale.
Ichigo furrowed his brow and studied his meal. He had a sandwich with some kind of synthetic meat and a drink of water. He slid the tray over to Rukia and smiled. "You can have mine, you need to eat something."
Rukia looked down at the food and then up at Ichigo, then back down, and up. "No, I couldn't..."
"Please. I'm not hungry and I don't want to waste anything." He lied. His stomach knotted and growled but he ignored it.
"Thank you. You're so kind. I owe you big time." Rukia hugged him again.
"You don't owe me anything! I simply couldn't let a innocent girl get attack-" Ichigo froze. The night he met Rukia began to flash in his mind. He could only vaguely make out what happened. A cop was about to beat her when he had intervened and knocked the guard down, then he helped Rukia up and...
"No! You saved me! I owe you my life!" Rukia placed a hand on her chest, above her heart.
Ichigo frowned. "Um...Excuse me a moment." He rose from his seat and hastily exited.
"Ooh, something happened." Tatsuke took Ichigo's place and sat next to Rukia.
"He was the guy who saved me. I would have been beaten to a bloody pulp if he wasn't there!"
"Well, if he saved you, why are you both here?" Tatsuke looked around. "You know, Tosen gets to return today. He might take out Ikkaku for you."
"Ikkaku?"
"Bald one." Tatsuke explained. "Tosen has always been the one to stand up for the little guy...or girl in your case."
Rukia sighed. "If I ever find the person who framed me...I would...I would commit a real murder!" Rukia clenched a fist. "The bastard won't get away with sending me to this hell-hole!"
*****
"Renji, Chad, I need to ask you something. Did you see me save that girl at the robbery?"
Renji, a heavily tattooed man with dull red hair shook his head. Chad grunted.
"I...I helped her but...I think I did something wrong..." Ichigo anxiously scratched at his arm. He had never acted like this before.
"Ichigo, you're starting to crack already. You wont last long here." Renji turned away and started to leave.
"I am not going crazy! Something happened on that night and it could have serious consequences! I need your help."
Renji scowled. "We already helped you. It was good for a while but you fucked things up and now we are stuck here! We'll probably get the death penalty because of you!" Renji stabbed his finger into Ichigo's shoulder.
"Me?! I wasn't the one who wiped out a whole bank and then shot down three cops in a 'non-violent' theft!" Ichigo pushed Renji back and then ducked as Renji retaliated with a high punch. Ichigo's low position gave him a free shot at Renji's ribs...and he took it. Renji crumpled into a heap and Ichigo trudged to the doorway.
"Fine! If you don't want to help me, then consider yourselves even lower than shit!" Ichigo spat at Renji's feet.
"Wait!" Chad ran after him but Ichigo was gone.
*****
MID-DAY
The sky revealed it's hidden beauty, a perfect, cloudless sky. Rukia rested her head against Ichigo's stomach, using him as a pillow. Ichigo could feel a sharp rock poking his lower back, but Rukia's warmth removed all negative emotions, except for one. The sinister mystery around their first meeting. Although only good moments were in his mind, he was certain that something awful was being covered up.
"I want you to raid this store tonight. It is only small, but there is a big reward if you can make it back here with the loot." A man said. His face was concealed in a shadow created by his hat. His hand stretched out. In his palm was a small piece of paper containing an address for the store.
Ichigo bolted upright, accidentally throwing Rukia off of him. She gave him a look of concern and asked him if he was alright. "Yeah, it's nothing...sorry about that." Ichigo lay back down, allowing Rukia to rest against him again.
What was that?! Who was that guy?!
Luckily, Rukia couldn't see the fear in Ichigo's eyes.
*****
TWELVE MINUTES LATER
"Wake up!! Wake up!!"
Rukia opened her eyes and gazed into Ichigo's deep brown eyes. He was worried, really worried. Ichigo never met her gaze, instead looking over her shoulder at something else. Rukia craned her neck to see Ikkaku and the campy man, Yumichika, according to Tatsuke. Both were holding Tosen, ensuring he could not move.
"Good! You're awake to see your friend here die!" Ikkaku spat.
"Rukia..." Ichigo whispered in a low growl. "Stay behind me at all times, but watch your back!"
Yumichika took a strange weapon out of his uniform. It looked like four knives stuck together in the centre, each blade sticking out like a deadly fan.
"NO!! DON'T!!!" Rukia ran forward but Ichigo held her back.
"Stay back! I'll help him!" Ichigo darted forward and leapt into the air. He performed an aerial roundhouse kick on Yumichika, throwing him back into the wall. He dropped his strange weapon and it landed near Ichigo. Ikkaku flattened his hand and attempted a chop into Ichigo's collar bone. Ichigo snatched up the bladed weapon and held it out in front of him, Ikkaku's hand passing straight into the blades.
Ikkaku howled in agony and backed away grasping his lacerated hand.
As Ichigo went in to finish the fight, a blur of white passed in front of him. He followed the blurry shape until it hit him full force in his centre mass. His ribs quaked from the earth shattering blow.
He collapsed in the dirt and looked up, squinting against the sun. He watched as a guard in a white coat approached him. His gaze cut through him like a sword, this man was powerful beyond belief.
"Byakuya!" Rukia screamed at the guard. "Don't hurt him! He was saving Tosen! They were going to kill him!" Rukia grabbed Byakuya's arms as she wailed.
Byakuya regarded her for a moment and then wrenched his arms away, followed by a forearm smash into her face. Rukia stumbled backwards and fell. Byakuya turned his attention to Ichigo. "So, you are the one responsible for corrupting my sister. Mr Ichigo Kurosaki. I know what you did, we all do. You sent her here to cover for yourself!" He pointed an accusing finger which sent waves of burning hatred into Ichigo.
"No, I would never do that! I lo-"
"Love her? What a joke! You framed her, how is that a show of affection?!" Byakuya scowled, his eyes narrowing and his face contorting into a snarl. "Though I have no feeling towards my former sister, such an act on an innocent person cannot be permitted. Prepare to face judgement for your crimes."
Ichigo tensed and bared his fists, ready to fight.
Byakuya laughed, the sound was awkward and deep. "A fight?! No. Your judgement will come when you face execution." He laughed again.
The words stung like acid, fire and lightning striking all at once in the same spot...Ichigo's heart.
The death penalty...No...NO...NOOOOO!!!
Although he was screaming in his mind, Ichigo couldn't express anger, only pain, regret, sorrow, loss. Byakuya's insidious laughter echoed even when he was gone. Ikkaku and Yumichika had risen again, but Ichigo was unaware. He couldn't even breathe. His body shut down except for his mind and heart.
Ikkaku raised a sharp rock and stalked behind Ichigo. Yumichika charged at Rukia. Ichigo failed to notice both. The rock slammed into his head and Ichigo barely flinched. It wasn't until 30 seconds later, when blood poured into his eyes, that he recognised he had been struck. He doubled over and went limp. He didn't know if he was imagining it or not, but he could hear Rukia calling his name.
*****
KARAKURA PUB
A young woman with chestnut locks sat alone at the bar. Two regulars at the pub had gone missing, Chad and Ichigo. She missed them. She wished they could have another round of drinks, get blind and laugh until they wet themselves literally, like they used to. It was strange, but they disappeared the same night, the infamous thieves got arrested, only a week ago.
She sighed and took another sip from her glass.
The TV displayed a story about the thieves, apparently they had found discarded clothes in a bin and they were studying them.
#We have found several objects in the pocket in the jacket. There is a mobile phone, a picture of two young girls, alleged family members. And lastly, a phone number written on a napkin.#
As the number came into view, the girl dropped her glass.
*****
"So, what's your name? We've hung out for so long, I can't believe we don't know each other." Ichigo said. He wore a black jacket.
An attractive girl with brown hair smiled. "I'm Orihime! I tell you every time, you're just too drunk to remember." She laughed and Ichigo joined in. The two stared into each others eyes, but Ichigo knew he only wanted to be friends, even if Orihime aimed for something else.
"You want to go back to my place?" Orihime smiled seductively, sliding her top down slightly, exposing her bra and cleavage.
Ichigo couldn't help but stare. He eventually shook his head and fought the temptation. "Sorry. I have a...really important meeting. Maybe next time." He waved and turned to leave.
"Wait! At least let me give you my number, so you can call me." She took a pen from her bag and scribbled her number down on a napkin. "Don't forget to call me!" She yelled as Ichigo departed.
Outside, Ichigo frowned and looked up at the sky. "I will come back! I promise!"
Then all was blackness.
Then, Ichigo was in the store. He scanned the horizon and picked out several flashing lights. He walked confidently behind a wall and took off his jacket. He folded it and threw it into a bin at his side. He also discarded his black pants and stole a pair of jeans from a clothes stall in front of him. He placed the old pants in the bin and strolled off, his head held high. "Now to get rid of the knife!"
Ichigo woke up covered in sweat. He wiped his brow and stared at a startled guard, it was Kiyone.
"Geez, you scared me! At least you're awake. You got a real nasty wound from that rock."
"Rock?" Ichigo cocked his head.
"Oh yeah. Someone snuck up on you and hit you with a rock. You lost a lot of blood, but you are faring better than Rukia..." Kiyone trailed off.
"Rukia? What happened to her?! Tell me!" Ichigo roared.
"She was...assaulted...she isn't wounded but...she will be scarred." Kiyone lowered her head. "Byakuya was right there and he didn't do anything until it was over! That bastard!"
Ichigo gripped the railing on the bed next to him so hard that it split and broke. "Byakuya! I'll kill him!!" Ichigo growled so fiercely that Kiyone stepped back in fear. "When is my date with death?" Ichigo asked in a surprisingly calm manner.
Kiyone blinked, unsure if this was the same man she had just heard wish death upon someone. "It's in two weeks. I'm dreadfully sorry. I know you killed people but...You are nice. You don't seem like a sadistic creep."
"I did it all to help feed my family!" Ichigo whispered. "When my mom died, Our family went broke. Dad had to start work at a hospital to pay the bills. I had to put food on the table. I tried to get a job, but no-one would hire me. Then I met someone who wanted a fourth member to help raid a bank. We were told that we could keep a percentage of the profits. I took the job and began robbing banks to keep my family alive."
Outside the small room, Rukia listened. She was in a medical room, despite not having any physical injuries. She had to fight back tears as she heard Ichigo's story.
"Eventually, we got into a sticky situation. People were shot, people were stabbed. Hostages were taken and We evolved from petty thieves to murderers. I knew I had to stop before I lost control, but...here I am." Ichigo searched his pockets for something but couldn't find it. He began to cry.
Rukia wept as well. She closed her eyes and imagined lying next to Ichigo, the two of them sharing their grief.
*****
An hour later, Ichigo and Rukia reunited in a shower of tears. Both voiced their concern and fears. Afterwards, they lay together in their cell. The bed was small so their bodies were very close. As they felt their flesh rub against each other, their desires slowly consumed them. Ichigo began to caress Rukia, his hand gently stroking her lower back.
Rukia moaned and she wrapped a leg around Ichigo's, tying them together. Their tongues met in an increasingly intimate embrace. Clothes were loosened, hands wandered over each others privates and eventually Rukia was undressed by Ichigo.
Ichigo stared at her naked body and felt temptation take over. But he was interrupted by his thoughts.
A cop approached Rukia who raised her arms and protested. The cop shot her with a taser and then took out a baton.
Ichigo dashed forwards and jumped into the air. His leg shot out and caught the cop in the jaw, throwing him aside. Ichigo picked up Rukia and asked her if she was alright. She smiled sweetly.
"Fine, Who are you?"
Ichigo answered and removed something from his pocket. He ran a hand along her thigh with the one holding the object. When he brought his hand back, the object was gone.
The vision ended there, but a voice echoed over and over again saying: "Now to get rid of the knife"
Ichigo jolted and he jumped off of the bed. His shirt was wide open revealing his muscle bound chest.
Rukia frowned. "What's wrong?!"
Ichigo looked down at himself and realised he was shaking. His legs trembled and he had to hold the bars to support himself.
I couldn't have...
"Ichigo, what's the problem? Why are you shaking?"
I never...I wouldn't...
"Ichigo, you're scaring me! Say something please!" Rukia stared at him, worry etched into her petite face.
Why...It can't be...I
Ichigo slid to the floor. His eyes were almost popping out of his head. Sweat poured down his face staining his collar.
"Ichigo.."
Planted a knife on her!
Ichigo knows of his monstrous deed on that fateful night and now he must decide whether to come clean or keep his terrible secret. Also, revenge must be had for Byakuya's negligence and Ikkaku's evil acts...will Ichigo be denied vengeance or will there be another blood stain in the cage? All in the next chapter!
I hope you're enjoying this as much as me! Please review.