AN: I haven't uploaded for a week so I'll be releasing 2 chapters. My apologies again and I hope you enjoy…
Disclaimer: I own bleach….. not!
Chapter 6 Crossing Paths.
Rukia locked herself in the bathroom and opened the shower to prevent the people from hearing her sobs. She sat there, drenched in cold water, her eyes red, furious on why people were always pitying her. I don't need your pity. You're the same as everyone else, looking at me with that look. You're the same as them, you bastard. This normally wouldn't affect her very much, but it was different when he looked at her. She felt as if it was really Ichigo who was pitying her, looking at her with that sorry face she hated, and it hurts her so much. "You bastard, I hate you. I hate you. Ichigo, Ryota, I hate you…" she cried, sobbing harder. "Why did you have to leave me? I hate you."
" I'm such a fool. When I said all those things it came out all wrong. I hurt her feelings again," Ryota explained to the beautiful woman in the frame he held. "I still want to see her though. Every time I see her cry, the more I want to help her….like you once helped me." He kissed the girl in the picture. "I suppose I'll be searching again." He smiled at his luck, tomorrow's Saturday- no classes. He could search all day if he wanted to. "I'll see you again tomorrow, lady."
"Umm..Kuchiki-san, are you sure you want to leave today? You're not expected until tomorrow," Urahara questioned the girl with packed bags.
"Yes, I'm quite sure. This place holds too much memories. I want to leave after saying goodbye to my friends."
"Well, if you say so; however if you ask me, it seems like you're running away from something…..or someone." The last words was spoken barely in a whisper, yet she heard it all.
Damn! This guy's ability to read minds was really starting to freak her out.
"I—I'll be going then."
She sighed in relief to be out of his shop. You're wrong. I'm not running away. I just don't want to stay here anymore. It hurts enough as it is. Oh, wait, I promised Ichigo I'll visit him today.
She changed her direction and headed for the train station instead. It won't really take much time.
It was raining hard when Rukia reached the cemetery. Dammit, why now? It was almost impossible to see where she was going and was forced to stay at the bus stop until the rain lessens. She was dripping wet from head to toe, her favorite violet tee and blue skirt were soaked in the cold acid rain that fell in torrents from the gray sky. The coldness seeped through her shirt, causing her to shiver.
A man emerged from the rain that hung like white curtains and stopped likewise at the bus stop. He too was soaked completely. The hood of his thick, gray jacket concealed his face.
"Bloody rain," he muttered under his breath, " How will I get home now?"
Rukia looked at her companion, holding her breath at the sound of his voice.
He turned to face her, his blond hair dripping wet. "Lady!"
Oh shit. She turned and ran, running faster when she heard him shout after her. The sound of water splashing from behind meant that he was following her. He's bloody persistent, this guy! She cursed herself for being in her gigai, it was obviously slowing her down a lot. She would've outrun him in an instant by using her shunpo if she was in her spirit form.
"Lady, wait!" What is she, some kind of athlete or something? He thought frustratedly, quickening his pace a little. "Please wait! RUKIA!"
Rukia was already at the stone stairs leading to his grave when she heard him call her name.
"Ichigo—" she unintentionally slowed down and stopped. Shit! She then remembered that it was Ryota who just called out her name and was about to make another run for it, but it was too late. He caught her hand in time and held her securely in place.
"Please, Rukia, stop running."
"Why do you keep on following me? Can't you understand that I just don't want to talk? Leave me alone!"
"I didn't follow you," he panted, "Luck seems to be on my side though. We were just by chance in the same place at the same time."
"It doesn't matter. I still don't want to talk. Please, leave me alone," she cried stubbornly.
"Give me another chance to talk to you, to clear things out. Last time I was…insensitive, but I promise you, if I screw this up, I won't look for you again."
She hesitated and looked into his brown eyes. The man she loved sprang into her mind.
"Al—alright." She couldn't resist those eyes….because it was his eyes.
"Thank you." He released his hold and smiled. "Look, let's start over. My name is Kasaki Ryota."
"Kuchiki Rukia," she replied coldly.
"Err… well, I think it's best if we go to my place before we both catch a cold out here in the rain."
"I suppose, but...I still have to visit someone…"
"Sure, I can wait. I'm wet anyway."
Ryota gazed at the girl kneeling on the muddy earth muttering her prayers. He knew exactly whom the grave belonged to; as he looked at her longer, he felt as if he could see himself in her a year ago. We're much alike than I thought.