The Outside Looking In Chapter 6
A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for the lurvely reviews and thanks to those who favorite my stories, it makes me touched (wipes tear out of eye) So here you go, finally your two lovebirds connect and I thought that a HM song might fit considering hers and Ichigo's age back then and with Ichigo's feelings of remorse, I thought it would fit, and it even made me cry as I was writing it. I hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own bleach or the people who made Ramen noodles….it is a sad, cruel world
The alarm clock read Midnight. Everyone across Karakura was in their homes resting peacefully with the exception of one scowling child. Aroused from a dream, the restless teen could do anything but sleep. Ichigo got up from his bed and walked over to his bed. One hand outstretched and slid open the door. In front of him was what appeared to be a normal closet. However he was not looking in his closet to just stare at it and observe thoughtfully. Something bothered him. Rummaging through his closet, his hand reached contact with what he was looking for. Ichigo had to scrunch his eyes. It was a long red ribbon. His hand closed tightly around it and he closed his eyes thinking about the importance of it.
1 hour earlier while Ichigo was asleep
flashback
The air was saturated and the sky threatened to rain. The sun tried it's best to show through but it did nothing to ruin the day festivities. A special gathering was taking place. People gathered from all over Karakura and other nearby regions. It was the cherry blossom festival. Kids ran all over, sweet treats in their hands, their mouths sticky with sugar. Parents would try to calm them down and find their places where to view the fireworks best.
One boy in particular stood out the most with his brilliant orange hair. His hands were in his pockets. He stared boredly in front of him. His family however was ecstatic. Kurosaki Isshin was screaming like a little boy during Christmas. Yuzu was squealing along with his father, just as pumped as her father. Karin smiled but she did not jump with them. Ichigo ignored his family's antics. If it was the previous year, he might have a spark of excitement of seeing the fireworks, enjoying the excitement but he could not bring himself to be happy. His mother had died only two weeks ago and his heart was still raw with emotion that boy his age should not endure. As such, the young child tried to suppress it as best as he could for his family's sake.
Karin could not bear to see her older brother so sad. He said nothing to anyone and locked himself in his room but he did not cry. They finally got him out of the house but still Ichigo was a shell of his former smiley self and it bugged her as younger sister to see her brother in so much despair.
Ichigo walked ahead of everyone while his father bought Karin and Yuzu dressy kimonos to wear in highlight of the festival. Karakura had burst into life as the sun set. He strayed away, lost in his own thoughts. All he could think about was his right hand and how it would never touch with his mother's hand anymore. No longer would her everlasting smile brighten his world. He thought he would turn and go back home when something interrupted his sulking. The sound belonged to that of a girl around his age. She was a little shorter than him and had raven black hair. She was not alone, with her was a red haired boy whose hair was pulled up and three other boys. They were standing in a gazebo. The Girl was holding a mike and the red haired boy had a guitar. One random boy in the back had drums. All of which that were provided by the residents of Karakura.
"Must be some charitable band," thought Ichigo. It was then that Ichigo remembered that he lost his family in the crowd. "Darn it!" Ichigo was still too short to see over the large crowds.
"Hello there little boy, are you lost?" The voice was friendly and sounded like that of a girl but had a distinct manly ring to it. At that point, he just wanted help finding his idiotic father. Ichigo looked up and saw that it was the girl he saw earlier.
"No, I am just walking around…" Ichigo tried to cover up his growing fear. He did not want to be seen as weak in front of a girl. Expecting her to back off, he began to walk away when the dark haired girl rested a hand on his shoulder.
"No need to be shy, tell me is your mother anywhere around here?" The very question pierced Ichigo.
"No….you won't find her here." Ichigo felt tears well up in his eyes. Unlucky for him, she saw them.
"Don't worry, we will be able to find her!" She sounded confident. The red haired kid snorted.
"Forget it Rukia, we are on in 5 and this kid seems hopeless." Rukia looked weary at Renji.
Ichigo looked up, trying to seem tough but the trembling in his legs was still there. "No, he's right miss, I will be ok."
Rukia sighed. "Listen, why don't you sit near us and when we are done, we will help look for your parents, that sound ok?"
Ichigo made a fist with his hands and rubbed his eyes until they were sore. "Fine."
Rukia nodded with Renji and they stood up. This was their first time in public but they had practiced for this for weeks. Rukia was a little shaky.
Renji noticed Rukia's nervousness and kicked her in the butt. "Cheer up! Who cares if we suck, no one is here listening anyway!" Rukia glared at him but it did cause her anxious thoughts to fade away as she put the mike to her mouth.
Ichigo sighed, but felt his spirits lift up a bit when Rukia started to sing.
Don't let no small frustration
Ever bring you down...
No, no, no, no!
Just take a situation
And turn it all around!
With a new attitude, everything can change
Make it how ya want it to be
Staying mad, why do that... give yourself a break
Laugh about it and you'll see!
go looked up at Rukia, his eyes searching hers. Her voice was so pure and unlike any other band he had heard. It was as if her very voice calmed him down.
More people started to come, finally acknowledging Rukia's band at last. Little kids crowded around trying to sing along with Rukia.
Rukia felt her breath suddenly get caught as more people came. Renji was too busy playing to comfort her. It was then that she saw ichigo sitting in the middle of the kids, being quiet but his eyes shone with a new found confidence. Seeing him not as worried made her feel better. She continued singing into the second verse.
aye aye aye oh aye aye, aaaaaye
Why be sad, broken hearted
There's so much to do...
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Life is hard or it's a party
The choice is up to you
Renji stopped playing for a moment as this was his guitar break. The drummer kept playing. Rukia raised her hands into the air, clapping and the kids joined in. Renji grinned when Rukia seemed to be enjoying herself. When he followed her gaze, her eyes were on Ichigo.
Life's what you make it
So Let's make it rock
Life's what you make it so come on, come on, come on
Everybody now
Let's celebrate it, join in everyone
You Decide
Cause life's...what you make it!
Rukia was now going right into the bridge and now she had full attention of those from the park, even some news channel camera men were interested. Ichigo even began mumbling the lyrics.
come on everybody
Do do do do it now!
Aaaaaaah ow!
Alright!
lets get this party started
Yeah yeah yeah
now thats a party
yeah yeah.
Life's what you make it
So Let's make it rock
(Lets make it rock!)
Life's what you make it
So come on, come on, come on
EVERYBODY NOW!
Lets celebrate it
Join in everyone
You decide cause life's... what you make it
The band finished strongly and the kids squealed with happiness. Parents had to hold back their children from trying to tackle Rukia and the others to the ground. Rukia looked out at the crowd. But only one kid stood out to her, and just his very small smile made her feel better. She would have to thank him later.
"Oh That's right! We need to find his family." Rukia said to Renji next to her. He sighed but nodded.
But the minute Rukia leapt off the stage, his father had picked Ichigo up. Following him was Karin and Yuzu. Yuzu was crying but Karin kept her distance, but still looked happy that they found Ichigo.
Rukia then realized that someone was missing, his mother. She assumed that she could not come.
"Ichigo, you reckless son! It's hard enough without your mom with us to look after you. You are grounded when we get home!" Isshin's voice boomed. Ichigo did not look away and stared his father straight in the eye.
"No Father! I can do what I want, you don't have to baby me you know. I can take care of myself!" Ichigo did not drop his face.
It then made sense to Rukia why Ichigo's mother had not come and why he had cried. "I am such an idiot," Rukia said quietly. Renji patted Rukia on the shoulder.
"It's ok Rukia, we wouldn't have known. Now let's go, the fireworks are starting soon, and I want to get us some rock candy." Rukia nodded reluctantly, taking one last glance back at Ichigo before going. Little did Rukia know that her red ribbon that hung loosely around her waist fell off and wandered over to Ichigo.
Ichigo was released from his father's grip, and he reached down for the ribbon. His family did not see it, and he stuffed it in his pocket.
The fireworks had started. Karin and Yuzu yelled out sounds excitedly as the fireworks blasted into the sky. Isshin followed suit. Ichigo could care less about the fireworks as his mind wandered to the girl he had met. He wondered if he would ever see her again.
End Flashback
He furrowed his eyes into a scowl. His dream was not that clear but that dark haired short girl had something to do with that ribbon. Growling with frustration, Ichigo let go of the ribbon, sending it graciously to the ground. Deciding to let off some steam, he opened his window that was near his bed. He grinned when a cool air brushed on his face, his hair was frazzled from bed hair. Looking down, he realized that he was not alone.
Rukia could not sleep so she went into the kitchen to make herself some Coffee. She was tossing and turning all night due to a dream she had not dreamed in years. It was about her first performance on the night of the cherry blossom festival. Her vision was foggy but she swore she saw a child with bright orange hair but then she woke up. Rukia sipped on some coffee, relaxing in her chair. The moon was full and stars were out. Rukia was on the first floor so she could walk outside. That was what she did. The silence of the night calmed her down. Crickets chirped.
"Hey coffee can stunt your growth you know!" It was a familiar voice. Rukia looked around and then up. Sure enough it was Ichigo.
"That is only a myth." Rukia retorted.
"Maybe it is. Are you always outside this late?" ichigo observed Rukia.
"That is none of your business strawberry," Rukia said icely but with some amusement.
Ichigo snorted. "That was uncalled for shrimpy!" Ichigo took in a deep breath to calm down. "Have you always lived next door? I have no memory of you ever moving in," said Ichigo aloud to himself.
"Baka! I have only lived here for three years. You go to highschool right?" Inquired Rukia.
"Y-yeah, don't you?" Ichigo was confused.
An awkward silence passed over them and Ichigo tried to interpret what Rukia meant. "I know I am bad at people's faces and names, but I know I have not seen you around."
Rukia bowed her head, closing her eyes. Covering up well, she looked up at him making a fake smile. "Of course I go to highschool carrot top, I just have…special classes!" Ichigo looked skeptical of Rukia's reasoning but left it at that.
"So do special stand for special ED?" Ichigo smirked when he saw that Rukia wanted to climb up to his room and put him in his place. She shot dagger looks at him. Ichigo only smiled.
Ichigo looked away from Rukia. "Call me crazy-" he was cut off as Rukia was about to respond. Ichigo beat her to it. "It's just an expression." He waited until Rukia gave him the signal to continue. "I just had the craziest dream."
"Can't be any weirder than mine. I don't know why I had it too." Rukia brooded on the topic with Ichigo.
"For some reason I have this image about a girl around ten years old. She had medium length dark hair and was short. Along with her was this boy with red hair. The rest is fady but when I woke up, I vaguely smelled cherry blossom trees."
Rukia gasped at what Ichigo told her. It seemed so similar to hers as well. As for Ichigo's dream, she could not pick up anything about it but still, she had an eerie feeling that Ichigo and her had some unspoken connection.
"Well I am actually getting tired so, I think I am going to go to bed now. Thanks for the company." Ichigo raised an eye, wondering how she could have so much coffee and yet be tired. Ichigo was about to wave goodbye when he stopped her from going inside.
"Wait! Umm, if you don't mind, I don't have school tomorrow. We are having like a mini vacation and I was sorta wondering if you would like to accompany me to the beach with my friends. Chances are, me and my band might play there. So what do you say?"
Rukia now was raising an eye. "And you just assume I am not busy and I have time to fit you into my schedule. Let me check…" she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well maybe I can squeeze you in. I am sure my band would like a break as well. It's a date!" Rukia said cheerfully.
Ichigo flushed instantly at the words, when Rukia saw this she sighed irritated. "Listen boy, just because I say it's a date does not mean anything more than a significance that it is an agreement that we both decide on. Got it?" Rukia though was just as flushed as ichigo was, and the words she said was a mere pathetic attempt to cover up her own insecurities. Get yourself together Rukia! This is not a date, and he asked you! All you need to do is play cool like you always do. It is not like Rukia
Ichigo nodded in a nervous manner. What the fuck is wrong with you Ichigo! You are never nervous about anything, and don't let some obnoxious midget have you whipped!
Ichigo took his hands and put him deep into his pant pockets. His face became more relaxed and he motioned with his hand behind him to Rukia in farewell. "See you outside around noon?"
Rukia nodded in the same cool demeanor, trying to show him and herself that it was no big deal but both of them were trying their hardest not to break so before they could each say another word, they went back into their respective bed rooms and fell asleep with a wave of happiness and anxiety wash over them.
A/N: sorry for another one, but I am willing to take song suggestions from everyone, if you would like a certain song put into the next few chapters or so, go right ahead.