teshichan : Yup! I like it too! Thank you! And yeah, Senna's single. But! Don't worry! They're not going to be together in this fic! XD
Topaz Skye : Haha! Sorry for being late! Well, Rukia really is stubborn ne? XD You'll know the answer in this chapter… A hint at least~ and revealing at that! Thanks for reviewing!
kyurikochan : Thanks! XD
deadpoolhulk : Thank you! Have a nice day! You like Senna? I like her too as Ichigo's friend I mean. XD Good thing is she's not in the original manga and only in the movie. *laughs* Thank you for reviewing! Have a nice day!
kiyari817 : IchiRuki-ness will be showed soon don't worry! And there's some in this chapter but only a little, I think. Though, I hope you will like it. And yes! Your guess is right. How could you! Haha…. Kidding! But what really happened between them will be explained in later chapters. XD Thanks for reviewing!~
kirstenskittles : Really? I'm one of them? I'm glad! Thank you! I'm glad you like the last chapter and well, Senna and Ichigo will not be together! XD so be relief. ^.^
khfan forlife : You're right! Haha… Thank you for the review! I'm glad that you love this fic so far! ^.^
anime-lover-2410 : I will continue this don't worry! Thanks! I hope you like this one too~
Tsukishiro15 : How Rukia's mom died? You'll be surprised. XD It will be interesting. It's still a few chapters away before I reveal the truth. But it will be worth it. Believe me! XD Thanks for the review!
Ruu-Nyaa Furusawa : Ruuuu-chaaaan~! You're so sweet! XD I will! Thanks for the review!
ashezo : Well, Isshin didn't want Rukia to move away from the mansion and Rukia didn't want to leave her father after what happened with her late mom. The next chapter will be the challenges Masaki will face in Rukia's wrath. That will be funny and childish of Rukia, really. XD I'm really glad you like the last chapter. I hope you will love this one too! Take care! ^.^
You guys were so bothered by Senna being near Ichigo~ Feel at ease! I don't plan on making them together but! Senna will play a big role in Ichigo's life! That's all there is to it! ^O^
Thank you so much for the great reviews! You made my day! I love you all!
IchiRuki: The Destined Tale
Tale 4 – The Destined Mutual Understanding
Seven-year-old little girl laid down on her bed as she struggled to breathe some air. A strong hand gripped her throat tightly and so, she found it hard to breathe. She tried to pry the hand out away from her throat but she was not that strong enough to do so. And so she did what she knew the only option she had.
To beg.
"P-Plea…se s…top… I ca…n't bre…athe…" she choked helplessly.
The other person ignored her cries and instead, yelled at her. "You deserved it you bitch!"
Suddenly, without hesitation, she threw her at the nearest hard wall. The little girl's back collided with the wall with a loud thud and she slid all the way on the cold floor. She trembled but controlled her sobs.
"That's the punishment that you'll be facing when you attempted to tell you father about this! If you do that again, I'll give you worse than that! You hear me?" she exclaimed as she trudged towards the trembling girl. When she didn't hear any answer from her, she kicked her at her stomach, hard. She coughed between sobs.
"Do you hear me?" she asked sending hard kicks at the same spot. "I don't like repeating myself!"
"H-Hai…" she whispered painfully but loud enough to be heard. She gave a final hard kick and a "Good you understand" before walking out of the room. The little girl stayed still as she heard the door closed. She didn't move. It was too painful. She didn't think of anything. She was tired of it and so she stayed like that, eyes closed and let the darkness claimed her heavy body and heart…
Rukia's eyes shot open. She lifted her heavy body slowly as she breathed heavily.
"A dream…" she shook her head. "No it's not…"
It's real… tomorrow is the day.
Every year was the same. And this year too. This is why she hated that day of year.
She tried to calm her heavy breathing. After that, she rose up from her bed and took a cold shower. That helped her ease the feeling she felt. The feeling of pain.
She put a clenched hand on her chest as she trembled. She didn't know if it was because of the coldness of the water from the shower or the coldness of her heart.
She always thought that her best friend, boyfriend and her father were enough to make her happy but she couldn't help but think that they were something missing, missing in her heart. For her, her life was still incomplete and she didn't know what the missing piece was. She didn't even know herself if she desired to know what it was. She lived as if everything was alright, as if she was happy. But inside, she refused to let anyone reached to her heart. The real her. She was afraid that no one will accept her, like in the past…
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Past is past. It will never be redone. Nothing will change. Everything will stay the same. And her life will stay the same.
She sighed heavily.
Enough of this guilt trip, will you Rukia?
She closed the shower and dried herself up with a towel. She went to her room and changed into her gray uniform. After fixing herself up, she then proceeded in front of the mirror and combed her raven hair. She decided to tie her shoulder length hair in a white ribbon. When she finished, she grabbed her bag but as she opened her door, she was greeted by the form of the none other than her father.
"Dad?"
Isshin's hand stopped mid-air when he heard the door opened from inside. He thought to surprise her but that was an understatement now. She stared at him intently.
"Good morning, Rukia-chan!" he greeted in a cheerful voice and a goofy smile.
"Yeah, good morning to you too." Rukia greeted back in a straight voice and curious expression. "Why are you still here? Are you not going to work?"
Isshin actually wanted to talk to her. But, seeing her as she was right now, he can tell that she was not ready, still. As much as he wanted to know the truth from her, he didn't want to force on her the things she didn't want to do so like what Masaki said, they should wait and at the same time, stay by her side, so he will wait until she was ready to tell them, tell him.
"Are you ready to go now to school?" he asked ignoring her previous questions.
Rukia tilted her head at the side with a confused face. "Uh… yeah… I'm on my way now. Why do you ask? Are you going to see me off?"
"Not only that, I'm planning to drive you to school today." He replied with a gentle grin. He expected her to smile widely and thank him like she always does when she was young when they would go somewhere she liked such as the amusement park but she laughed at him, hard.
"D-Dad…" she said between laughs. "A-Are you okay? You're not sick or something, are you?" she asked clutching her stomach because of laughing so hard.
Isshin stared at her shock but regained his composure and simply gave a guilty smile. He could tell why she was acting that way.
I never give her a ride to school or anywhere else since her mother died… I disappointed her as a father. He sighed mentally.
"I'm not sick Rukia. Is it that bad for a father to drive his daughter to school?"
Rukia stopped from her laughing and took a big deep breathe. She turned to her father and put a finger at her chin, looking like in deep thought. "Well, I think it's not that bad. I'm just surprised you'd say that that's all. Sorry for laughing at you, Dad." She chuckled.
"Sorry about that."
Rukia shook her head. "It's okay, I understand. You need to handle the business. It's for my own good. I know."
Yeah, that is why you don't know everything that happened in the past… You never know…
Suddenly, the past she tried her best to forget swirled in her head like a whirlwind. The sobs, the screams, the blood.
"Rukia?" her thoughts were interrupted by the worried voice of her father. "Huh?"
"You okay? You spaced out."
"I'm okay, sorry about that. You know me, always spacing out." She mumbled. Isshin sighed mentally.
"Dad, you don't need to drive me to school. It's walking distance. I can walk you know."
"But I don't want you to walk today. I want to drive you to school and that's final." He said playfully.
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Why don't you drive your son to school instead of me?"
Isshin rolled his eyes back at her. "Rukia… this is not the time to be sarcastic."
"Yeah right now come on, if you want to drive me to school, let's get going already." She said as she walked ahead of him after closing the door of her room. "You know I hate being late." She added.
Isshin followed her. Rukia felt the presence of her father behind her and deep inside her, she was actually happy to know that her father wanted to drive her to school. He never did this, this is the first time. And she felt at peace.
For the first time ever since the death of her former mother, she let a true happy smile tugged her lips.
Ichigo saw the father and daughter came downstairs together. But, like yesterday, Rukia passed the dining room where his mother and him where in. Isshin went to them though.
"Good morning." He greeted Masaki as he pecked her lips.
"Good morning to you too." Masaki smiled at him. Isshin turned to Ichigo and grinned. "Morning Ichigo."
"Morning." He greeted with a smile.
"You're going to work now?" Masaki asked Isshin.
Isshin nodded. "Yup, but I'll drop Rukia first to school."
"Oh." Masaki smiled knowingly at him. Isshin returned the gesture.
"Sorry Ichigo. I couldn't drive you to school with Rukia. She will…"
"Don't worry about it. I will just walk to school like yesterday." Ichigo said politely. "And besides, I know you want to have some time with her."
"Thank you."
Ichigo nodded.
"Isshin, give this to Rukia. She forgot this again." Masaki said as she handed him a bentou. Isshin took it from her with a grateful smile.
"I don't think she forgot it Mom. She didn't want to face us so she always hurriedly went out of the mansion."
"Ichigo!"
"It's true." Ichigo pouted as he took a last bite on his sandwich.
"It's okay Masaki. I think Ichigo's right. Rukia can be stubborn at times. No, she's always stubborn." He chuckled.
Masaki glared at Ichigo. The said guy visibly cringed. He stood up and grabbed his bag on the chair next to him.
"Bye Mom, Dad. See you later!" he said as he took off.
"Ichigo!" Masaki called out but Isshin patted her shoulder.
"Let him go."
Masaki pouted. "Sorry. He's mean at times but he didn't mean to be that mean."
Isshin grinned. "I told you it's okay. Now, I'm going. Rukia will throw tantrums if I won't go to her right away."
"Okay, see you later. Take care."
"Yeah. Bye."
After a passionate kiss, Isshin trudged out of the mansion as Masaki stared at his retreating back.
Rukia got out of her father's black car and went inside the school. Nothing major happened in their ride. Just the same old random things they used to talk about when they were alone at home. The times when he still didn't have a girlfriend. Speaking of that, she was so much grateful that her father didn't open up that topic.
Maybe he knew that I will be mad if he do that. She lightly smiled. Even if she disobeyed her father, he was still sweet, kind and understanding to her. That was probably one reason out of all the many reasons why she loves him deeply.
She slowly walked at the hallway of the school premises. She saw him meet her halfway. When he was in front of her, he pecked her lips.
"Morning beautiful."
She rolled her eyes. "Tsch. Sweet words again? Still not tired of it, Renji?"
"Well, I never spoke of lie you know especially to my girlfriend." He grinned. Those words made her smile.
They continued to walk together up to their classroom.
"I'm surprised that you're here early. What happened to you?" Rukia asked him.
Renji frowned. "What do you mean? Is it that bad for as student to go to school early?" he asked.
Rukia paused and laughed. Renji gave her a confused expression. "What's funny?"
"N-Nothing." Rukia said as she wiped the tears of laughing in her eyes. "I just… well, my father asked me the same thing. Well, not really the same…"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"He asked, 'Is it that bad for a father to drive his daughter to school?' I just find it funny."
"Hmm…" Renji replied. "So, your father drove you to school today?"
"Yup." Rukia nodded.
"That's a first."
"Yeah, that's why I'm happy."
"Rukia…" he smiled softly at her peaceful face. It was been such a long time since he saw that kind of expression of her. But then he remembered that it will not stay for a long time.
"Rukia, about tomorrow…"
"Yeah I know." She interrupted him. "I will not go and no one can make me go. Even you."
Renji pouted. "Do you think it's time to visit your mother? I know she'll be glad."
"Yeah, she will be glad." She replied sarcastically but in deeper meaning, her voice gave out her true feelings.
She will just taunt me… she will just make me feel that I was the one who should be in that grave all those years ago…
"Rukia?" Renji asked as he saw her distant face. He frowned deeper. She's spacing out again. She's always like that every time that day comes. I hope I can help her. But I don't know how because I don't know what happened between her and her mother that made her mad. All that I knew was… she was mad, really mad at her own mother.
"Rukia-chan! Renji-kun!"
A voice both brought them out of their trance. They both turned to the source. They saw Inoue Orihime leaned on the door of their classroom waving at them.
"The class will start soon! Come on!" she called out.
Both nodding, they walked simultaneously in their classroom and took their respective seats.
Like yesterday, Ichigo and his new friends formed a circle at Hisagi's desk. He sat at the back of the class so it was a nice place to have their lunch at, like they were goes unnoticed.
"Ne Ichigo-kun?" Senna approached as she drank her water bottle.
"What is it, Senna-san?" Ichigo asked.
Senna pouted at him. "Mou! Dropped the suffix, will you? Call me Senna!"
"Then call me Ichigo." Ichigo retorted with a smirk.
Senna grinned in return and gave him a thumbs-up. "Deal!"
"Well, what is it that you want to say?"
"I want to ask if you're going to school tomorrow."
Ichigo paused and stared at her weirdly. "How did you know?"
"Oh, you know Kurosaki-kun, Kuchiki-san is always absent every year that day comes." Momo replied for Senna.
"Really?" Ichigo asked and then remember what had happened last night at dinner.
"I don't want to come." She whispered as she continued to eat again.
"Dad? What is it?" Ichigo asked in curiosity. Isshin turned to him.
"Well, this coming Wednesday is the death anniversary of my late wife."
Ichigo guiltily nodded. "I see."
"No need to be guilty Ichigo." Isshin said as he chuckled. "It's okay. Actually, I want to bring you guys with me and Rukia."
"I said I don't want to come." Rukia's voice caused them to look at her.
"Rukia, every time this day comes, you're always staying here. What's with you?" Isshin asked. "Don't you want to visit your mother?"
Rukia suddenly stood up. "No." she said in a firm voice as she left the dining room.
She said she didn't want to go. She's not going to the grave but she's not going to school either. Does that mean that… she was going somewhere else in that particular day? Ichigo pondered deeply.
"Ichigo?" Senna called out. Ichigo was brought out of his reverie to see his friend waving her hand in front of his face.
"Eh?"
"You okay Ichigo? You seemed to space out there…" Hisagi said.
"Oh, I'm fine. Sorry." he replied with a smile.
"So, you're going to absent tomorrow I assumed?" Toushirou asked this time.
"Yeah."
"Can we know the reason behind it? The whole school did know that Kuchiki-san was always absent at that particular day but we didn't really know the reason. The teachers certainly knew because they didn't even waste their time to call on her in attendance." Momo explained.
"That's true. It's like Kuchiki-san doesn't exist." Senna added.
"Yeah…" Momo nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry guys but I…"
"Don't worry, we understand~ we aren't forcing you to tell us the reason behind it." Senna declared as she smiled warmly.
"That's right and besides, it's not your privacy, it's Rukia's so you don't have the right to tell us either." Toushirou declared.
Ichigo nodded at him. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks for understanding."
Hisagi shook his head with a grin. "It's nothing! We're buddies!"
Ichigo felt himself grinning with him. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Aww… we're going to miss you Ichigo~" Momo whined.
"Momo, it's not like he's going to go somewhere far. He's just going to be absent for a day."
Momo pouted at her boyfriend. "You're so mean Shirou-chan~" she clung at his arm as she wailed.
"I told you that don't ever call me that in here!" he hissed as he glared at her. However, Momo just ignored him.
"Anyways Kurosaki-kun, does it mean that you and Kuchiki-san will be together tomorrow?" she asked Ichigo rather innocently.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
"Uh… yeah." Ichigo replied while scratching his orange hair.
I couldn't tell them that Rukia wasn't going to come with us…
"Oh, well... good luck on Kuchiki-san." Senna winked at him.
He had told them Rukia's attitude problem and the fact that she didn't like him and his mother to be part of the family.
"Thanks I guess." He replied awkwardly.
"I'm sure Ichigo will be able to put up with her. But on the other hand, If I were you, I would keep an eye on her. She might do something bad." Hisagi said seriously.
Ichigo nodded. "Thanks for the advice. I'll remember it."
Suddenly, the bell rang indicating that the lunch break was over. They stood up and went back to their respective seats as they hid their bentous in their bags.
That night, they were all settled at the dining table waiting for a certain raven haired kuchiki girl to start the dinner. A maid was ordered to fetch her.
"Isshin-sama." The said maid bowed next to Isshin and as she rose up, apology was clear across her face.
"What is it? Where's Rukia?"
"Rukia-sama refused to have dinner and she won't let anyone go inside her room." She explained politely.
Isshin sighed but thanked the maid before dismissing her. He turned to the mother and son with him and looked apologetically. "I'm sorry that Rukia can't join in for dinner tonight. She's always doing that every year when… that particular day comes along."
"It's okay, no worries." Masaki consoled him with a smile. "She needs her space like any other teenagers."
"Like Ichigo?" Isshin asked as he turned to Ichigo.
Masaki giggled. "Yup. Especially when he was alone in his room. I almost thought that he was thinking about a girl and…"
"Mom! It's not true!" Ichigo cut off as he choked on his food. There was no way he was thinking about girls when he was alone in his room. There was no any other girl who he was interested with, at least.
"Okay okay." Masaki said between giggles.
As they ate in silence, Ichigo couldn't help but contemplate about his stepsister. If she won't go with them, what would she do? Stay in the mansion the whole day? That would be so boring. But, it's possible that she's going somewhere else other than the grave and the school. He unconsciously bit his tongue. He didn't even realize the pain until it came. He drank the glass of water in front of him. When the pain subsided, he continued his eating, as well as his contemplation.
I have so many questions… and I don't know what is true and false. What can I do? He thought of it for a while until he made his decision.
"Uh… Dad, can I ask for a favor?" Ichigo suddenly asked uncertainty as he looked at him.
The two adults exchanged curious looks before turning to him. "What is it?"
"Well I'm just wondering if…"
The next day, Rukia woke up with a start. She rose up from her bed and went straight to her veranda. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at the view before her. The sky was blue in color and the weather looked great. She took a deep breath as the cool wind morning caressed her pale cheeks and waved her hair. She closed her eyes to feel it.
I couldn't still believe that it's been 5 years since that day… she thought. I wonder if that didn't happen, what was happening to me right now? Will Dad meet that Kurosaki Masaki and her son? Probably not. Or if yes, they will just be friends of sort. Maybe that son of hers can be her friend too. But the situation is different. And it will never happen. We will never be friends. And she will never be my mother.
Rukia sighed heavily. She turned away from the veranda and into her room. She glanced at the clock on her desk. It read, 8AM.
They're probably gone by now. Dad always goes there at 7AM. He didn't even wake me up. She shrugged. She decided to take a hot shower first before doing her 'own' ritual for that day. Going out of the shower after a few minutes, she wore an arm sleeve light brown blouse with long ruffles around the circular collar, black jeans and an inch heel brown leathered boots. She tied up her hair in a high ponytail while her stubborn bang across her face stayed in place. When she was done, she rummaged her wardrobe to find a black guitar case. Once satisfied at her form and the things that were needed to bring was with her, Rukia left her room.
It was awfully quiet when she reached downstairs. That was expected. Whenever this day came, the maids and the other helpers in the house were in their day-off where they can visit their family and be with them. Rukia smiled sadly. Sometimes, no scratch that, always. She was always envied the other people. Even though they were just poor and they have nothing to eat, they were still happy just being together. And she always wished that she was in the same position as them. But… she shook her head.
This is not the time to be dwindling like that! I need to get going.
She went to the kitchen to drink the carton of milk. It was her routine. And after that, she left the house.
They stood next to each other in front her grave.
Kuchiki Miyuki
December 21, 1968 - June 8, 2006
A loving daughter, sister, mother and friend…
After putting down the bouquet of red roses before her grave, they closed their eyes and prayed silently for her soul as the wind gushed silently as if listening.
"Miyuki, I want you to meet Masaki. She'll be my wife after five years."
Masaki bowed down shortly. She gave a warm smile. "A pleasure to meet you. I hope you are in favor of our marriage. Your blessings for us will be very much appreciated."
The wind gushed mildly, making her hair went in the other side. Isshin smiled at Masaki as if saying, 'she agrees.'
"Thank you."
They held hands and walked away from the grave. They sat on the bench close to the grave though.
"Isshin, why did you agree on Ichigo's favor?" Masaki asked silently. Isshin smiled at her.
"Rukia might be happy with a companion."
~Flashback – At dinner~
"Uh… Dad, can I ask for a favor?" Ichigo suddenly asked uncertainty as he looked at him.
The two adults exchanged curious looks before turning to him. "What is it?"
"Well I'm just wondering if…" Ichigo stared at him seriously. "… if I can stay here tomorrow."
The two adults seemed shocked but they both regained composures and smiled at each other. Masaki nodded at Isshin as they turned their attention to Ichigo once again.
"Why do you not want to go with us?" he asked.
Ichigo smiled slightly. "I don't want to get in the way of the both of you."
Isshin knew that that was not the main reason behind it.
He wants to console Rukia or something like that. Either way, I'm glad that he was trying to help her in his own way.
"Sure. It's fine with me."
"Just be good here while we're gone 'kay?" Masaki asked her son.
"Hai hai." Ichigo replied as he continued his eating.
Isshin and Masaki stole glances at each other and smiled knowingly.
I can't wait for tomorrow. It will be interesting.
~End of Flashback~
They laughed together softly. "You're right."
"Ichigo is special. I know that he can melt Rukia's heart little by little." Isshin said.
"He has a characteristic that even he didn't know himself." Masaki declared. "And I've always love that hidden kindness within him."
Isshin nodded. "Yeah, he's a great kid. That is why I believe in him about Rukia."
"Thank you for believing in him." she looked in his eyes.
"No worries." He held her hands in his. Masaki leaned her head on his shoulder.
Someday, Rukia will be able to embrace the future… and everything will go just fine. I believe…
They both mused with closed eyes as they feel the cold wind surrounded them.
Without her noticing anything, Ichigo found himself following her. He couldn't help it. He was curious. He wanted to know where she was going. He followed her as she board the train to Nagano. A few minutes later, he was climbing a mountain behind her. It was steep, but she didn't seem to mind.
I think she always comes here….
When he finally reached the top, he panted as he looked around. The top of the hill was full of flowers and a big cherry blossom tree located at the near cliff. He saw her sat under the tree. Wind came gushing around. It was peaceful and the only thing you could hear was the blasting wind and the waving grasses. He slowly walked towards her, careful so that she won't see him. He now stood a few meters from the cherry blossom tree. He saw her opened the guitar case and revealed a white acoustic guitar. It was full white but the thin portion was shaded black. She adjusted it on her lap.
Ichigo looked at her weirdly.
What's with this girl? First the harp, and now the guitar? Is she really that talented? If she was, I won't be surprise if I saw her play a French horn. He smirked at himself. He stopped his musings when he heard her checked her guitar. He saw her smiled slightly and heard her play a certain melody. And his eyes widened in surprise when he actually heard her sing…
.
"Find me, Chase me, I'm always lonely.
The feelings of that sad night, long ago they melted into the twilight. My soul feels like it's fading away too...
Like everybody I see is taking a piece of it...
.
Her voice was soft and beautiful in his ears. He had never heard a voice like hers before. He certainly liked it.
.
I've always believed someone will save me,
But using my own legs, I'll just be myself.
.
He closed his eyes to feel her voice. He decided to note that voice in his mind and in his heart.
.
Bye my weakness, bye my sorrow,
I'll find the courage within me.
From here on out, bye my weakness
I'll hold that shining future in my hands
Good Day... Oh Myself...
.
He saw her closed her eyes. And he was amazed at how she was playing the guitar with her eyes closed. It was as if she knew the chords by heart.
.
I need you here
I've searched and searched for you.
Every night when I didn't stand still,
Before sunrise, I embraced the sky.
.
The flowers danced with the wind as well as the cherry blossom tree. Even though that it was not still in full bloom, it was still a beautiful sight. Petals from the ground flowers fluttered in the air, enjoying the music that he was too enjoying.
.
I'll never forget the songs that you sang and gave to me.
I can get stronger. I'll just be myself.
.
He stared at her. It felt strange but he found her… beautiful.
He shook his head violently with closed eyes. What am I thinking? Baka baka baka Ichigo! But…
He opened his eyes and gazed at her again.
… I couldn't help myself to stare at her. She is… stunning in her own way.
.
Bye my weakness, bye my sorrow,
I'll find the courage within me.
From here on out, bye my weakness,
I'll hold that shining future in my hands.
.
She opened her eyes and he saw something in her amethyst orbs. She… I can feel it in her voice, and as I saw her eyes just now… she looks so… vulnerable… she's in pain.
He bit his lip as he clenched his fists. He didn't know why but he felt mad to the one responsible for her vulnerability. And as he looked at her now...
He sighed. This girl… she's acting strong and independent even though she actually seeking for someone to comfort her.
.
Bye my weakness, bye my sorrow,
from here on out, bye my weakness,
I'll hold that shining future in my hands…"
.
The song ended and before Ichigo could even register what he was doing, he found himself clapping. This caused Rukia to turn to him in shock. Despite of his initial panic of being found out, he was very amused of her reaction.
Her jaw dropped and her mouth moved but couldn't form any coherent words. She pointed an accusing finger at him after she put away her guitar on her lap and onto the spot next to her.
"W-What a-are yo-you doing h-here?" she asked in complete bewilderment, stuttering.
Ichigo smirked at her reaction as he folded his arms against his chest. "It's very amusing to see you completely shock. It's refreshing to see you different other than your bitchy expression."
Like a slap to the face, Rukia glared at him deadly. "You fool! How dare you say that to me?"
"Are you not happy that I just clapped for you a while ago?"
"Why would be happy? I'm not that ignorant!"
"Oh?"
"Yes strawberry idiot stupid baka!" Rukia yelled at him as she stood up, facing him.
Ichigo's right eye twitched. "You have a loud mouth for a chibi."
"I'm not chibi!" she insisted.
"Yeah you're not, chibi." Ichigo said with a mocking tone as he emphasized the last word.
"You bastard!" she clenched her fists. Ichigo stayed calm as Rukia glared at him dreadfully.
Suddenly, Ichigo sighed. He didn't want it to be like this. He was here to check up on her and know what her problem was not bicker with her.
"So, what the hell are you doing here? And how did you know I'm here in the first place?" Rukia asked again with the same glare intensity in her amethyst orbs.
"As for your first question, I'm here to give you some company. And for the second, I followed you here." Ichigo replied nonchalantly.
Rukia's eyes widened. "WHAT! YOU FOLLOWED ME?" she shrieked at him. Ichigo flinched at her voice.
Totally different from earlier. I like her voice better in singing than yelling.
"How dare you stalked me?" Rukia continued as she breathed heavily from her fuming.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "I didn't stalk you, I followed you. That's completely different."
"That's completely the same idiot! You bastard!"
"Will you stop verbally harassing me?"
Rukia fumed at him but complied, then asked. "So, you said you're here to give me company. Well, I will say this to you right now. I don't want your 'company'. I don't even want to be friends with you. I don't want to see you. How would I be with a person whom I don't want to see?" she inquired with venom dripping in her voice.
This bitch is really hard to understand.
"What do you think you are doing right now? You're looking at me right?" he countered. Rukia trembled with rage.
Looks like I hit the spot.
"You. Arrogant. Asshole. Idiot. Stupid. Bastard!" she emphasized each word with complete raged. "I hate you!"
"Yeah yeah I know. You hate me. Just let me be here with you, will you?" Ichigo asked. "Seriously?"
"You made me mad and now you still have the nerve to ask me that? You really are a bastard." She said in a low voice.
"I'm not a bastard. Now, will you just shut up and do what you want to do? I will just act like I'm not here."
"You're strawberry hair attracts attention so I'll get distracted." Rukia smirked triumphantly when she saw Ichigo glared at her.
"Stop it midget. I'm not here to fight with you." Ichigo said as he sat under the tree and leaned on its trunk.
Rukia crossed her arms against her chest with a 'hmphed' and sat down on her previous position.
They sat in silence. Rukia stared at the view before her while Ichigo closed his eyes with his hands folded at the back of his head. He sat on the other side of the tree so he couldn't see Rukia as well as her to him.
Rukia felt at ease at Ichigo's company. It was the first time in her life that she felt comfortable in the silence around her. It was a different silence when you are alone and when you have someone with you. Rukia was thinking mysteriously of herself on why would she feel like that towards her supposedly stepbrother. Didn't she hate him to death? She sighed. She stole a glance at his direction and saw his eyes closed with the normal rise and fall of his chest. She thought he had fallen asleep so she spoke…
"Ne strawberry-kun?"
She saw him opened his eyes and looked at her. She smirked when he scowled.
"The meaning of my name isn't the fruit!" he told her with irritation.
Rukia grinned. "Oh yeah right. One who protects isn't it?" she smirked evilly. "Strawberry."
Ichigo felt a vein popped on his forehead. "Midget bitch…" he mumbled under his breath. "Why did you call out?" he asked to change the topic. He still didn't want to get her mad when he bickered back with her.
Rukia's smirked faded as her face wore a serious expression. Ichigo noticed it as she stared back at the view before them.
"I want to know something."
Ichigo studied her suspiciously. "Then… ask away."
"Why did you want to keep me company?" she asked quietly.
He thought about it. Honestly, he didn't know the reason either. He just did what he felt was right but now that she asked it from him…
He leaned on the tree once again.
"Well?" Rukia asked again.
"I want to make you feel that you're not alone." He replied finally with a sigh.
Rukia's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
"I don't want you to feel that you're alone. Because I know you're sad and lonely about something." He declared as he looked at her again. She fixed her gaze on him, waiting for something of him to ask.
I know he'll ask that…
But, to her surprise, he didn't. He just stared at her. Ichigo seemed to notice that she was staring at him like she was waiting for him to say or ask something from her.
"What?" he asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Rukia shook her head in bewilderment. "You're not going to ask me?"
"Ask you what?" he asked confused.
"Ask me why am I… like this. Why am I acting all bitchy and such…"
Ichigo smirked. "You finally admit that you are certainly acting like a bitch."
Rukia's cheeks reddened. "Shut up!"
Silence engulfed them until Ichigo spoke.
"If I ask you… would you tell me?" he asked softly. Rukia faced him.
"It's your problem. A deep, deep problem." He sighed. "I have no elegant way to ask you that without stepping in your heart." Rukia bowed her head to refuse to look at him. But the next words slipped past his lips made her stared at him in complete surprise and shock.
"So, I will wait. If you're ready to tell me then do so. I will wait until then." He finished with a soft genuine smile at her.
"You…" Rukia was speechless. She never expected him of all people to tell that to her. It was just unbelievable. She couldn't believe it. She didn't know what to feel that time.
This guy is… very strange.
"Do you really mean that?"
"Of course."
And he answered without hesitation. Had this guy really gone mad?
"Why are you saying these things?"
Ichigo shrugged. "Because that's what in my mind. It's only natural to tell people what you think."
Rukia turned away from him. I wish I can do that too… without hesitation.
"I… envy you, Kurosaki Ichigo." She whispered but Ichigo clearly heard it.
"What are you—"
She looked at him hard as if silencing him. Ichigo shut his mouth. She looked at the view again.
There were no words exchanged after that. They stayed still with the comfortable silence.
But what Ichigo didn't saw was a tiny smile formed in Rukia's lips.
"So Ichigo, what happened today?" Masaki asked her son as he read one of his favorite Shakespeare books on his bed. Ichigo glanced at his mother and smiled slightly. "It's good."
"Oh?" Masaki raised an eyebrow and sat down on the chair next to Ichigo's bed.
"Tell me, what you and Rukia talked about?" she asked eagerly.
"Mom, we didn't really talk to each other. We're in silence." He replied as he flipped to the next page of the book.
Masaki pouted. "Why didn't you talk to her? I thought you're going to make friends with her."
"It's not that easy. She's a bitch I tell you."
"Ichigo…" she said in a threatening voice.
"Sorry."
She sighed. "Okay, sleep now. You have class tomorrow."
"Hai." He obliged as he put away his book.
"Good night." Masaki said as she stood up and kissed his cheeks.
"'Night mom."
Masaki smiled and walked out of the room. Ichigo lay down on his bed as thoughts of earlier moment with Rukia filled his mind. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
I don't know what to think about that guy. I hate to admit it but he certainly made me feel… happy. But I still won't talk to him. Rukia thought stubbornly as she stared at her ceiling with her lying on her bed and quilt covered her body except her face.
But today became interesting... indeed.
And she didn't even realize that she fell into the world called unconsciousness.
"So, how did it go?" Isshin asked Masaki outside her room.
"He said they didn't talk to each other." Masaki replied back.
"That's okay. I think they came into mutual understanding." Isshin smiled. "Ichigo's presence is what Rukia need."
"I guess you're right. That would be great."
"Yeah." Isshin smiled. "Now you go to bed too."
"Okay, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
They kissed and then both went into their rooms to rest.
Information: The song used is entitled 'Why Me?' by YUI. I love this song! XD
Author: Sorry for the late update. I became sick. My brother and I got a high fever. I felt very dizzy these past few days, but now I'm okay, I guess. My brother got well ahead of me. How mean ne? XD I'm really sorry!
Please Read and Review! I will be happy for that. I hope you like this one!
~Mari Kia Resha Aishiteru~