Chapter Four: The Mock Dance
The day when Inoue asked Ichigo to the charity dance was Monday, and the dance takes place that following Friday. On Tuesday, Ichigo found himself reading books about dancing. Reading them does help, thought the teenager, though if I can practice with someone is even better. Unable to find a partner to practice with, he dwelled in his books once more.
On Thursday afternoon, Rukia walked back alone again. Slowly, a little at a time, she'll get use to the feeling of pain that struck every time she looks at Ichigo. The tears had long dried out from her attractive eyes. For two days now she had been walking home by herself. She felt empty. The last grasp of this male shinigami slipped out of her hand and she lost him completely. In the beginning he would at least tell her if he's not going to walk with her. But now, the teen didn't even bother.
This calming afternoon was different. On Ichigo's desk laid a note that was for her. On it says:
"Dear Baka Rukia,
Meet me in the front door of the nearest hotel at six sharp. PLEASE dress properly.
Ichigo
Why does he want to meet me in the hotel? Rukia's eyes lit up slightly. It had been a long time since they've spends time alone. Taking out a pure white dress that reached down to her knees, she putted it on along with high heel shoes. She looked absolutely adoring in that outfit. Though her feet ached from just a few casual steps walking with those complicated shoes, the tiny girl cared less.
When Rukia arrived, she spotted Ichigo immediately. He was wearing a black suit with a dark red tie. Taking steps carefully, she smiled upon her approach and greeted Ichigo.
"You look nice," he complimented. He saw vaguely how Rukia's eyes seemed a little different from before. Maybe it's always like that, he thought. He seemed to see that her eyes were not dancing like theywere before. When she asked him whathe wasup to, the taller only smiled slightly and led her into the hotel's most fancy restaurant. Inside the little dance floor located in the restaurant, the lights were dimmed. Lit by different tints ofvarious colored candles, the candle lights shone on all the dancers there and gave out a romantic atmosphere. The chandelier descended itself from the ceiling, casting charismatic soft lights upon different pairs. Stretching out his hand, Ichigo invited the girl to dance. Half doubtingly, she lifted her tiny one and touched his with her fingers. Grabbing her hand in his, the young man led her into the dance floor and laid his other hand on her waist. They danced along with the soothing music that was flowing in the air.
Soon, the song ended and another played itself spontaneously. This one being a song for slow dance, Rukia looked up expectantly at Ichigo. He replied with the same thoughtful eyes that she had seen before. He slowly pulled Rukia close to him and slowed down the pace. Her feet were already hurting terribly, but she continued to dance disregarding the pain. She would like this moment to freeze and stay like this forever.
"You are truly, shockingly, beautiful today…" he said looking at her. She didn't reply. Somehow, she felt that if she ask or say anything at all, this dream bubble that she's in would burst. But it did burst not too long after. Ichigo, looking deep into Rukia's eyes, lowered his head as if to kiss her. Rukia stood there, puzzled. When the two's lips were barely and inch apart, Rukia closed her eyes. Nothing happened when she thought their lips would meet. Opening her eyes in a confounded manner, she saw Ichigo backing up. The ephemeral romance soon splitted into many different pieces. Pulling away from her, the uncaring shnigami asked.
"How do you think I did?" he asked.
Rukia stood there stunned. How do you think I did, she thought. She smiled bitterly at her own stupid ness. "Do you think Inoue will fall for me?" Biting her lower lips until blood began to flow, her eyebrows grew tensely together. Refusing to look up, she mumbled things that sounded like "yea" or "good job". She kept her head down again. She didn't want Ichigo to see that pathetic look on her face now; she knew that her eyes must be filled with tears.
"WOOOOHOOOO Ichigo!" a bunch of boys from the back stepped out to the light. Rukia realized that they must be from her class. Continuing, they said his performance was great.
The truth was that Ichigo was planning to practice dancing with Rukia from the beginning. But wanting to foresee Inoue's reaction, he decided to take his male classmates' opinion and tried it on the little girl first. Rukia shuddered at how cruel he can be. This is one of cruelest things; giving the girl hope and passionate moments, and later crushing themwith his own hands. Though hurt deep down, she found that no tears would fall. On the outside, she would not shed a tear. She knew that would signal weakness to him and reveal her hidden feelings. But trust me, it's not possible for even the toughest person to not break down at all. Noticing that she wasleaving without another word, Ichigo ran after her.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Of course idiot..." she said, forcing out her usual smirk. "What gave you the idea that I'm not?'
Under her fake mask, he thought he saw a saddened Rukia. The couple walked on the same old path once more. The little girl's foot was already swollen and throbbing with pain. Holding back tears from both the outside and the inside, she began to stumble when walking. Under the shining glamour of the moon, the teenager thought he saw trails of tear-stains on her face. He dared not ask. Somehow, he felt that he went over the border by using his friend like that. He stopped and turned to Rukia while frowning with concern. At the very same moment,the girl tripped over her own high heels. Catching her in his arms, he supported her from falling again. Realizing that her ankles were swollen, Ichigo felt ashamed in the inside.
"Rukia, I'm sorry for using you like that…" The female felt tingly feelings in her nose, she felt like crying again. Kneeling down to rub her ankles, she pulled away from him abruptly. Kneeling along with her, he saw that she sprang her ankle. "Let me see it, you idiot..." Rukia didn't protest, and gasped slightly when he helped her remove her tight shoes. She shook her head when the boy asked whether she can walk or not. Turning around, the orange haired gestured for her to climb onto his back. The girl hesitated at first, but climbed on at the end. It was just like the first times when we hunt after hollows, she said to herself.
Gripping onto his shirt tightly, the teen carried her steadily on his back. Memories of times that they spent together came flowing to the both of them. Resting her head against his back, the path seemed to stretch itself forever.
"Arigatou, Rukia.."
"Hmm? Why?" She said, lifting her head up at the words.
"You're always beside me and helping me with everything. All the support that you've given me, thank you. I'm sorry for what ha-,"
"It's okay," while laying her head back down, she added. Enjoying their special moment together, she smiled sweetly and buried her face in his broad shoulder. She closed her eyes.
"You are a special one, Rukia. You're always there when I need you. If you're not a girl," Ichigo said, "I'll call you brother." He said those words softly. She opened her lonely eyes at the words he said. Brother? , thought Rukia. Tears began to flow out uncontrollably.
Brother, so we are only like brothers? She thought in her little head. By saying that, he stated the impossibility between the two of them. She felt her soul leaving her body. I am patheitc... she thought. At the end of the path, Ichigo's back was stained with her very tears. Since he didn't know that those were the tears that sprung from his own words, he thought it was simply because of the pain from her ankle. Still carrying her on his back, Rukia would stop him from turning his head to look at her. She really didn't want him to see her crying.
That day in her closet, she ate at least a dozen of lollipops.
The next one is going to lead to the climax of the story. Please review... thanks! Sneaky preview:
"The little girl knew that it was Inoue who called. She sat back down, trying to pretend nothing happened. So is this how it is? The importance and significance of me… is rated even lower than a phone call from Inoue, she thought. "We're not going right?" she asked, trying to cover up her disappointed face. Looking at her, Ichigo felt a special feeling in his heart that he never felt before. Just how can he describe it? The feeling soon faded away and an idea crossed the teenager's mind."