A/N: Ok guys, so does anyone else notice that the number 7 is a lucky number? Do you guys know what that means? eh? do you? Wink ; ]

...

No. This isn't a lucky Chapter -_-

do you hate me now? =P lol

Kasia-chan:

Worry not, about the whole Byakuya situation, I will make that clear later on. However alot of it is just teasing. A hell lot of it, though things change a bit in this chapter. If you are like "WTF" Imagine how I was when I actually watched the anime. In this story I am going to give Byakuya a bit of a reason. But in the real show, it seemed the guy was a fucking asshole for the simple fact of being an asshole! I was literally punching myself in every episode. Like, What (punch) the (punch) Fuck (punch) is (punch) Going on here! (triple punch) Yeap I finished that series with a slight concussion. But all is well. ^_^ glad you are enjoying the story !

Moonlight and Tangerines:

You make me so giddy!

Oh yes he sure can attest to that. (wink) LOL

Unfortunately I will not be able to pair Shuuhei up with Kaien, thus my little Kaien has a very important role to play later on in the story in the form of "interference". Let's see what we can do with our little Shuuhei bear. Because I am totally confused!

Btw the Ulqui and Orihime bit. I didn't really mean much by it. Just that well Ulqui's a weird effin character all dark and what not and Orihime is like a fluttery angelic little butterfly. so them being a couple is like WTF? Ichigo's gay but not clueless lol Plus I was basing it more on their character relationships. He has no idea who this dark character is and for Orihime he does have some sort of relationship to her, as slim as may be.

I absolutely adore stark. But I was thinking more along the lines of a certain gangly raven-haired male with an eye-patch, any idea as to who that may be? LOL Since Nel is in Highschool there's no way Stark could pass off as one. That sexy , sleepy fellow. grrr

Nyahh! I know right isn't he the most adorable little berry ever! Let's devour him!

Ichigo: You're both sick.

Hahaha he's so cwanky. ^_^ . He'll hate me even more after this chapter though.

Ok guy's so I absolutely love this pairing, so I decided to bring them back in. ( I wonder who?) lol

Enjoy my lovies!

Disclaimer: Do not own Bleach or Itazura na kiss. But yumi-chan is mine! (in my dreams...but that is fine with me.)


Playful Kiss: Paradise Bliss

Chapter 7: Mismatched hearts

Ichigo POV

"Ichigo-Kun!"

I slit my eyes partially open and groan in distaste. The sun's rays are piercing and making my vision blur.

"Ichigo-kun!"

I quickly pull my hand to my eyes and rub away harshly. What time is it?

Hisana calls out to me once more and I finally resolve to get up from my morning grogginess. Lifting myself to a sitting position atop my bed, I pull my hands out in front of me and stretch the tense muscles, hearing the snaps and pops of my joints realigning and releasing the built up tension. I am exhausted. Yesterday, Tatsuki and I had to accompany our little "kitten" to his family get-together because as he had put it "If I have to go to this bullshit reunion so do you, assholes!" And of course after a blunt NO and a bit of a sucker punch by wonderful Tat's, he quickly changed his gimmick. "Guy's please I'm begging you! Don't make me go through this alone! They're fucking horrible! Last year my cousins were playing pin the tail on the donkey, and THE DONKEY WAS ME! PLEASEE!" After a bit more groveling we finally gave in and decided to accompany our sweet little Grimm. If we had known what crazy fucking bastards these people were we would have easily denied the proposal. I didn't think his family could be any more eccentric than he was but boy was I wrong. What I thought to be a woman turned out to be a cross-dressing man, maybe his uncle? Don't Know. Six younger cousins who were each bigger pains in the asses than Grimmjow himself, I thought that was impossible. A fifty year old aunt who thought she was eighteen, exposing blubber and gunk that I swear I still can't believe I had the misfortune of being a witness to. Poor Tatsuki became the target of a multitude of sling shots and I became the prey for his horny cousin. The kid looked like he was ten! Yet his horny remarks and frisky curious hands indicated otherwise. What was his name? Di Roy…I think? Whatever, Next time I see that little turd I'll pummel him! Little Bastard.

"ICHIGO-KUN!"

Quickly snapping out of my horrendous thoughts, I turn over to face the bed beside mine and notice it is empty. Again. Where could he be?

It's been a month now since Byakuya and I shared our first kiss… well…second technically and I my stomach continues to flutter as though it'd just occurred yesterday. But the guy is as unreadable as ever. If anyone cares to know what has happened since the kiss, well, here it goes, NOTHING. Nothing at all. Things continue to be the same as always, only for some reason seemingly worst. I hardly see him anymore and seeing as how we live together you'd think otherwise. He has been coming home unbelievably late and when he is home he barely gives me the time of day. Lately I haven't noticed him home in the mornings as well. Every weekend seems to go by with Byakuya out of sight and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to it completely burning me from the inside.

Things are weird not only with him but with Rukia as well. I don't know why but recently she seems a bit hesitant when around me. I feel something might be bothering her. I wonder if I did something wrong? But then again I don't bother her much about it. Perhaps it has something to do with Renji? They began dating shortly after the Halloween festival, but I truly doubt it has anything to do with him. For Christ sakes the girl turns into pudding whenever he's around, which now, is practically all the time. Perhaps I am thinking too much into things, dwelling in negativity, but I can't help the growing feeling deep in the pit of my stomach that is saying something is going on and I seem to be the only one oblivious to it. But I'm determined to find out what the hell it is.

"ICHIGO-KUN!"

I shake my head loosely and turn my gaze to the bedroom door and see Hisana , arms crossed, foot tapping and eyebrow raised.

"Uh…Good morning Hisana-san," I say sheepishly, as I bring my hand behind my head and scratch at the nape of my neck.

"Ichigo, weren't you going to do the groceries with me today?"

Ah Crap I completely forgot.

After releasing a nervous chuckle I respond. "Sorry Hisana, I guess I forgot. I'll get ready."

"Hmm, Ok then, I'll see you downstairs!" She chirped and shut the bedroom door.

How anyone could be so energetic so early in the morning is beyond me. Oh yeah, what time is it anyway?

I turn my head to my bedside drawer. Oh shit it's 12:00 P.M.! Since when do I ever wake up so late?

I quickly scramble off the bed and shiver when I step foot on the tiled floor. Damn its cold!

After grabbing my towel, I hastily make my way to the bathroom.


"Ichigo-kun, would you like anything?" Hisana calls out to me from the frozen section.

"No thanks" I answer back as I tug my hands inside my jacket. It is cold as hell, even in here.

"Come on Ichigo! Ice-cream?" she continues as he points to the various small tubs of ice-cream on the refrigerator aisles.

I sigh and nod my head. It's best not argue with her.

"Ice-cream!" she chirps and my eyes pop open when I see her bombarding our cart with what seems like a dozen cartons of ice-cream.

"H-Hisana! Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?"

"Nonsense! Everyone loves ice-cream!" she explains excitedly before her eyes widen and begin to twitch uncontrollably. She points to her far left when she seems to catch a glimpse of something. "I-Is that…"

"Huh?"

"BARGAIN!" She yells and before I know it, she has left me behind and is now tackling another female for a pack of meat. "Mine! I saw it first!"

Oh boy. The great thing about Hisana, every day was like an adventure…well…I guess that could also be considered the not so great thing.

"Ichigo-kun! TELL HER! TELL HER I SAW IT FIRST!" She yells out to me once more.

Oh no. I wonder if I turn away now, would I be able to make my speedy exit?

"Ichigo!"

Aw fuck.

"She saw it first," I mutter in such an inaudible voice, I doubt I even heard it myself.

The other female, one with long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, tugs away at the small package. I wish I could tell her it was useless. Hisana never lost. Never. After a few seconds of struggling the young female finally released her grip and sighed in defeat.

"AHA! MINE!" Hisana chirps as she runs towards me with the package in her hands, flailing it around as though she's just won a marathon. Housewives… gotta love 'em.

"Nemu! You incompetent brat!"

I turn back to face the girl and see a male beside her with blue hair and deathly pale skin.

"She clearly saw it first!" he yells out to her and grabs her by her ear, beginning to tug her away. "Let's go! We need more training on your perceptive skills!"

"Yes, Mayuri-sama." The female responds obediently and follows after him.

Weird.

"There is no way in hell we're getting such an ugly looking vegetable!"

"It's a fucking squash babe! Besides technically it's a fruit,"

"WHO CARES WHAT IT IS? A person as beautiful as me cannot eat such an ugly thing!"

Let me guess…

I turn to face the source of the very familiar bickering and to no surprise I see Ikkaku and Yumichika. Yumi is tugging a squash out of their basket while Ikkaku's shoving it back inside.

"I like squash!" Ikkaku bellowed as he grabbed yet another squash and attempted to shove it in, only to have Yumichika snatch it away and toss it back on their display.

"NO!"

"There's no way in hell you're telling me what to eat! I'm getting it!"

Yumichika snarled and sighed. "Very well. Then you better hope that that squash can give you some good sex because I sure as hell won't!" Yumichika leers at the male before turning to face me and grinning wildly. "Ahh Ichigo! Hi Hi!" he wails out excitedly and runs towards me. My gaze however is stuck on Ikkaku who was standing wide-mouthed and had dropped the squash on the floor.

"Oh um, Hey Yumi," I reply and have to hold back a giggle when I see Ikkaku pick up the squash and promptly situates it atop its display. Guess we can see who holds the control in this relationship.

"Come on babe you didn't mean that right?" He murmurs as he tugs on Yumi's arm who grins back at me triumphantly.

"Hm? Did you put it back?"

"Yes! What the fuck!"

"Good," Yumichika giggles and gives him a quick peck.

"So what are you doing here Ichigo?" Ikkaku asks me as he wraps his arm around his cheery mate.

"Groceries with Byakuya's mom,"

"Oh yes, I heard you both live together now. How's it going?" Yumichika asks and I have to hold back a frown. Why are things so difficult with us? These two don't seem to have a problem, heck they're one of the happiest couples I know. It stings to know that Byakuya and I may never get to have that.

My silence answers their question and Ikkaku quickly jumps in.

"Hey listen, me and Yumi are going to see that new movie that came out yesterday," he begins but pauses when Yumichika interrupts.

"Metal hearts!" He chimes while sticking his index finger in the air. "We've been waiting for weeks now until it's release!"

"Yeah...whatever…that." Ikkaku mutters and continues. "Why don't you invite him and come with us? "

"It's a romance movie! You know what that means!" Yumichika winks and gives me a quick poke in the abdomen.

Hm. Me and Byakuya, romantic movie? Sounds great! Now the problem would be asking him? I wonder if he'd actually go. I mean I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask? Though in Byakuya's case I have a feeling it just might.


"A romance movie? You and Mr. Prick?" Grimmjow mutters as he tosses one of his pillows into the air and looks over at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah…Well, who knows he might say yeah,"

"Yeah right, or stomp you, kick you and spit on you while he's at it,"

"Do you always have to go there?"

"What the fuck do you mean? Isn't that what he's doing to you anyway? You're just too fucking blind to see it!"

I have to take a step back at his tone, dripping with disgust and aggravation. I really didn't expect him to put it so bluntly, but then again what did I expect from him? Besides, I know he is right. I know he is. But I can't help myself. I've become Byakuya's little rag doll and he is having one hell of a time ripping me to shreds and apparently I'm enjoying it. I don't know what he's doing to me. But it's driving me insane! I no longer know what the fuck to do with myself! I feel like a joke, a joke that he takes full enjoyment in. And yet, though I know this, I can't help the way I feel.

I plant myself down on Grimmjow's desk and stare down at my intertwining fingers.

Is that what I am? His toy? I don't understand. I truly feel that he must somehow feel something for me. Everything that has happened, what was it all? Or perhaps I truly am blind and continue putting up this wonderful façade to somehow find a way of holding myself up because the thought of not having him is too much to bear. He treats me like dirt. He ignores me. He might even hate me. But I love him. I love him so much it hurts.

Damn it! What the hell am I? A fucking masochist? He is ruining me and all I can think about is how much I fucking love him?

"Hey…Ichi…I'm sorry ok. I didn't mean to say that," Grimmjow tries to soothe me but we both know its bullshit. He meant what he said. And I can't blame him.

"It's fine," I mutter back and lean my head against the desk.

That kiss, that damn kiss. It made me feel as though in heaven. Corny right? But it's true! How could there have been nothing there? The way he kissed me…it was…argh damn it. I really am turning into a little bitch. This is just great.

I turn my gaze over to Grimm who has now commenced in rubbing my back soothingly. God I love this guy. As much of an idiot he may think I am being, he's always there.


I quickly pull my jacket's zipper as high as it could go because it is frigid and the unbelievably cool fall breeze is not helping in the slightest bit. The leaves crunch loudly beneath my sneakers and the sun has come down considerably since I left Grimmjow's place.

I wonder how to ask him. Will he even be there? Where has he been lately?

I sigh in contempt. My head hurts.

My eyes suddenly flicker back to life when I notice strawberry blonde hair flowing briskly in the autumn air, walking down the same block I am currently on. Rangiku? And friend?

"Rangiku! Hey there!" I wave out to her and I could've sworn I saw the slightest bit of panic run through her face. Nah, must be imagining things.

"Ichigo! Hi!" She calls out to me and rushes over with her friend in tow. She quickly wraps me up in a quick embrace. "How have you been?"

"Everything's good," Bullshit.

"That's great, that's great!" She chimes and I swear it sounds like she's literally craping her pants. Why the hell is she so nervous?

"Did you just come from the house?"

"Ah..y-yeah..uhuh.." she replies as she begins to scratch at the back of her neck.

"So that means Byakuya's home right?" I ask hopeful.

"Y-yeah," she stammers before her friend joins in.

"You know Byakuya?" The girl beside her asks as she shoots me a gentle smile and I finish realizing just how breathtaking she is. She has a beautiful creamy brown skin color. Long purple hair tied back in a high ponytail and beautiful golden eyes that were enticing and inviting. Whoa, she could seriously make a person reconsider their sexuality...not me of course…someone else…someone who's not completely obsessed with a cold-hearted bastard.

"Uh, Yeah," I reply and smile back at her. "My name's Ichigo,"

"Nice to meet you Ichigo. I'm Yoruichi," she responds and holds a hand out to greet me. I quickly take hold of it and have to hold in a gasp. She is so soft and warm. "So you know Byakuya?"

"Y-yeah, yup, he does, he does," Rangiku joined in before I was able to respond. What the hell is wrong with her?

"Yeah, my family and I have been staying there for the past few months,"

"I see. Well it is fantastic to meet friends of Byakuya's!" she says kindly as she runs her hand through her bangs, pushing the stray hairs out of her eyes.

"Are you friends with Byakuya?" I ask her, wondering why I haven't met her before.

"Yeah, actually I'm Byakuya's g―!"

"Ahhh ha ha ha ha. Oh my goodness Yoruichi I completely forgot that I didn't leave fluffy anything to eat!" Rangiku quickly intervenes and is fidgeting her hands with such ferocity I feel she might soon have a heart attack.

"Fluffy?"

"Y-yeah, my cat! Of course, yes. Come on Yoruichi," She grabs onto the female's arm and begins to tug her away. "I'll see you later Ichigo!"

"It was nice meeting you!" Yoruichi calls back to me, following after the blonde and almost stumbling on a rock with the speed Rangiku was pulling her in.

That was weird.

Whatever.

Ok so how am I going to ask him? Hmm…


When I walk into the house I am greeted with none other than Byakuya, sitting calmly on the living room couch, reading a book. He looks so wonderful… sitting there…with a book…in hand… I really need a hobby.

How should I ask him?

My insides begin to flutter wildly as I slowly inch my way towards him. He hardly noticed me come in and I can't help but feel a bit glad because I am fucking terrified.

"B-Byakuya…"

He looks up to stare at me and I feel like I'm about to melt. How many months has it been with us living together? Yet he always manages to make me feel like this.

"What?" he replies before switching his gaze back to his book.

"I-I was wondering if maybe…um…I don't know if maybe you'd be interested in going to the movies with me tomorrow?" I say and hold back the snarl desperately trying to escape my throat when he neither replies nor looks up at me.

"It's the new one. Metal hearts, I think that is what it was called? So… if you want…we can…" I continue and again he refuses to acknowledge me.

"BYAKUYA!"

"If you want to go see it…" he begins and I swear my heart feels like it is melting. I can't believe this. I can't believe this. Finally! "Then go see it by yourself."

FUCKING BASTARD!

"B-But…"

"You are bothering me." He answers back coldly, stands from the couch, his book still at hand and walks past me.

And I stand there, feeling like a complete idiot for the umpteenth time.


I throw myself atop my bed and slam my face against the pillow. I feel like a complete fool. How the hell couldn't I have seen that coming? Did I truly think that that kiss would change anything between us? Of course it wouldn't. He doesn't care. He never has.

"Ichigo…"

I lift my head from the pillow and face the door. Rukia is standing there with an unconvincing smile.

"Yeah?"

She walks inside and towards me. I stifle a giggle when I see that she is wearing princess pajamas. Oh yeah, definitely Renji's doing.

"What?" She asks when she apparently catches the small smile that I couldn't hold in.

"Nothing," I reply and shake my head. Seeing her like this is too good, can't believe she's the same person I met when I first moved in here.

Rukia plopped herself down on my bed and stared at her shuffling feet.

"You ok?" I ask her, she clearly seems to be bothered by something, maybe the reason for her strangeness lately.

"I-I…I have to talk to you about something," she murmurs silently and her tone is enough to make me aware that something is wrong. I quickly pick myself up and sit beside her.

"What's the matter?"

A frown begins to form on her face and worry creeps into mine.

"R-Rukia, what's the matter? Is everything ok? Are you alright?" I bombard her with questions because her face is truly frightening me. I quickly lift my hand towards her shoulder and shake her gently. "Rukia?"

"I-It's about…" she says quietly and begins to fidget with her fingers.

Her eyes widen when the bedroom door hinges open and from it, Byakuya steps inside. And I swear her eyes are glaring at him, literally glaring at him. What the hell?

Of all things I have come to understand while living here in the kuchiki household is that Byakuya holds much of Rukia's adoration, if not all of it. The girl worships at her "Nii-sans" feet. So seeing her like this is now making me panic.

"Rukia?" I call out to her once more, only to have her stand and shake her head loosely.

"I'm sorry. I'll talk to you later," she said softly and began to exit the room.

Byakuya raised his eyebrow slightly when his younger sister walked past him, almost shoving him along the way.

What the hell is going on?


"Come on Ichigo! You have to come with us! It'll be fun!" Yumichika begs from the other line.

"Be the third wheel? No thanks,"

"No! Find someone to come with you,"

"It's fine, you two go and have fun."

"NOO! But you have to come!" Yumichika whines. "If you don't come… then… I'm not going!" he yells out and I have to hold the phone away from my ears for a few seconds. Damn that kid has some good vocals. "Ikkaku!"

"Listen Ichigo Damn it! You're fucking going with us and that's that!" Ikkaku apparently snatched the phone away from Yumi and is now barking at me. Great, how the hell did I get myself into this?

"You fucking listen to me! We've had plans to see this bullshit movie for the past two weeks now! You think I wanted to sit through this crap?"

"Hey!" I hear Yumi from the other line, before Ikkaku continues hollering.

"No I didn't! But my babe wants to see the fucking movie so fucking damn it we're gonna see the fucking movie! And if the only way to do that is you coming along then you better get your frilly ass dressed and come the fuck down here! I'LL BE THERE IN 20 MINUTES!"

*click*

He hung up. This bastard just hung up on me and expects me to go to the movies with them?

No way in hell! He can bite me!


"So glad you could come!" Yumichika chirps as I step inside the bastard's car. So I came. What?

"So, no date?" Ikkaku asked as he stares behind at me from the front mirror and begins driving. Asshole.

"No."

"Why didn't you just ask Tatsuki?"

"I did. She couldn't come,"

I was heated! Of all the times for Tatsuki to not have time for me, today had to be the day? The girl practically grovels daily for us to spend some time together and when I need her she flakes! So what if it's your mom's birthday? ARHGHH!

"This is gonna be so much fun! " Yumi wails out in joy. I should punch him.

I feel my eye twitch when I catch a glimpse of Yumi's hand running over towards Ikkaku.

What the fuck is going on over there?

We're in a damn car! He wouldn't be. He can't be…right?

Well, I get the answer in the form of the slightest moan released by Ikkaku. NO FUCKING WAY IN HELL!

"CUT IT OUT!" I yell out in utter disgust. You've got to be kidding me.

Yumichika looks over at me and giggles before pulling his hand back towards his own lap and I catch Ikkaku glaring daggers at me from the side-view mirror.

"Party pooper," Yumichika says and pouts.

WHAT THE FUCK DID I GET MYSELF INTO?


"Where do we sit?" Ikkaku mumbles as he shoves a handful of popcorn into his mouth. And Yumichika quickly points over to a pair of seats in the direct middle of the theatre.

"Over there, over there!" he chirps and Ikkaku gives a subtle frown before leaning into Yumi and whispering something to him. Too fucking bad I'm not deaf and I heard everything they said!

"But babe, we always sit in the back, what if we want to…you know?"

"Like that has stopped us before,"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course love, I'll make you feel good," Yumichika purrs and I swear I can feel the bile begin to rise in my throat.

Just kill me now.

I cringe and walk beside the horny couple as they shove their way into their pre-ordained seats.

"Ichigo? Aren't you sitting beside us?"

"Uh..no..Thanks…I'll be here." I call out to them and sit three rows behind. I came for a movie not a "show."


"That was awful!" I mutter as we exit the theatre. If there was a prize for corniest, most predictable piece of trash ever created that would definitely take the prize.

"Really? I found it very good," Ikkaku sighs as he stares lovingly at Yumichika who is grinning victoriously.

Not elaborating on that.

But I will say…that the movie seemed to be watching them, rather than the other way around.

"So what do we do now?" Ikkaku asks as he surveys the surroundings. There are quite a bit of entertainment options around here.

"Arcade?" Yumi offers but I quickly decline.

The only thing I want to do right now is go home. I'm exhausted, depressed and I swear if I have to be around Mr. and "Mrs." Mc. Horny any longer I'll kill myself.

I cock an eyebrow when I notice Yumichika's eyes widen dramatically.

"What's wrong?" I ask and begin to turn around towards the direction of his gaze when Ikkaku quickly pulls me back to face them.

"N-No..let's go to the arcade, come on Ichi it'll be fun,"

"I wanna go home."

"Fine, fine, Home, let's take you home, let's go." He stammers and begins to tug me with him. What the hell is seriously going on?

I quickly snatch my hand away and turn around only to stand agape in my spot. Because what I see seems to choke the life out of me.

"I-Is that…"

Byakuya and the girl that had been with Rangiku yesterday, what was her name? Yoruichi? Are both exiting the theatre together. Together. Their hands intertwined in each other. And before I can react to what it is I am seeing, she leans into him and kisses him. She kisses him. My Byakuya.

And I feel every bit of strength I had at that very moment completely vanish.

"Ichigo?" I hear someone say, but I don't know who. Everything is a blur because he's there with her and…I think I have to barf.


"Ichigo…" Yumichika whispers soothingly to me as he rubs my back. My face is dug into his shoulder blade.

Ikkaku is driving me back home, Yumi is in the back seat with me, trying to somehow calm me. But he can't, nothing can. My heart is shredding to bits at this very moment. Because he's with her.


I feel dizzy, nauseous and my head hurts as I walk past the houses gates and up the few steps leading up to the door as I force my mind to remain as blank as possible, trying desperately to push back everything I'd just witnessed.

I grab ahold of the knob and take a few deep breathes. I need to calm myself.

I hear voices from inside and the voices…it sounds like…no…it can't be.

I pull the door open and step inside. The first face I see is Rukia who's staring back at me, her eyebrows scrunched and a frown mixed in with surprise plastered on her face.

I finish swiveling my face to view the rest of the living room and see Hisana staring back at me with the same expression, only hers hurts more. My sisters are on the floor playing what I am assuming to be some sort of game. Dad and Sojun are on the couch, staring at both individuals before them. Byakuya and Yoruichi.

"I-Ichigo…" Rukia says softly and something in me burns even harder.

"Oh my boy! Come over here and meet this beautiful young lady!"

That was dad. I didn't have to look at him to know.

My feet carry me hesitantly towards the living room, where all eyes turn to face me. But my eyes are stuck on one person, one person only and his steel grey eyes are staring back at me but there's nothing in them. Nothing at all.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and give a quick startled look to Hisana who is now behind me.

"Oh, I've met him before,"

It was her.

"Hi there Ichigo," she says sweetly and I feel like a complete bastard because her voice disgusts me and I find myself utterly despising her.

"You guys know each other?" Hisana asked softly and "she" nods. "She" nods and sends a loving smile towards "my" Byakuya.

"Ichigo, this here is …" Hisana begins but is abruptly cut off.

"My girlfriend." Byakuya finishes her statement bluntly. His eyes are still fixed on mine. And I can feel them mocking me. I know they're mocking me. They are empty but I know they are mocking me. Inside, he is laughing at me. He is laughing at me like he's been doing for the past nine months.

My eyes are burning furiously, threatening to burst in any given minute. But I don't let them. I simply stare back at the source of all my pain. I stare back praying, praying to dear god that somehow all the fucking pain I feel can transfer off too him. I want him to feel it. I want him to suffer and feel this hurt that is flowing through my veins, the hell that he is making me go through at this very moment and the hell that I've been going through since moving here.

His eyes move away from mine and face the girl beside him, his hand drapes her shoulder and he moves his other hand beneath her chin and…he kisses her. He kisses her again. Only this time, I know it was meant for me.

The kiss said everything. It told me he hated me. It told me I was a joke. And it told me to leave him alone.

It hurts. It hurts so fucking bad.

"Ichigo…" I hear Rukia and that's my queue because I know I'm going to burst. My insides are no longer able to hold it in. So I run. I run out of there. And I don't give a fuck about what any of them may think because they don't know. They know nothing.


I collapse as soon as I step foot in the bedroom. And I don't give a fuck anymore. I let everything out because it was eating at me. My throat feels like it's clawing itself out. My vision too obscured to make out anything other than blurry shapes.

It hurts.

"Ichigo!" Rukia bursts in through the door and sees me, her eyes wide and filled with sorrow…or pity…I don't know the difference anymore. But I deserve both.

"Ichigo…" she breathes and holds out a hand to me, but I push it away. Because I know.

"Ichigo, what ar―!"

"Don't fucking touch me Rukia!" I bellow out and throw every bit of the anger I currently possess towards her.

"Ichigo…I just w―"

"You're a fucking liar! You knew didn't you! DIDN'T YOU?" I yell and my voice is leaving in heavy rasps. I don't know whose voice that is anymore.

Her eyes are watering and I see the pain in her eyes. But it is nothing. Because she doesn't know what I feel. It doesn't compare.

"I wanted to tell you. I really did, I just…I didn't know how to…" she sobbed, her tears running freely. But she's not crying for me. She's crying for herself. Even if they were for me, they'd be tears of pity. I don't need them.

"You're a liar! Leave me the hell alone!"

"Please, please listen, Ichigo…"

How could she do this to me? I shouldn't have expected much from her anyways. She always hated me. I can't believe I thought she was someone I could trust. They're fucking related. They're the same.

But I need to know, because it's killing me.

"How long…" I ask quietly. I need to know.

Rukia stares at me for a few seconds then her gaze switches back to the floor before she answers me.

"Three weeks now,"

Three weeks. Three fucking weeks.

"You're just as cold-hearted as he is," I half-whisper because I no longer have the energy.

"Ichigo I really di―"

"Please, please, Rukia, I'm begging you. Leave." I say with the remaining strength I have and she knows it because she shoots me one last pleading look and begins to make her way out.

"I'm so sorry Ichigo," she whispers as she exits the room but I no longer have the energy. None.

I stand from the floor, my limbs shaking as I walk towards my bed and throw myself atop it. I drape the covers over me and try to disappear as I feel myself spiraling into my own rut of self-pity.

After what feels like hours, sleep finally takes over me.


I feel his hands running by my neck. His fingers trace it ever so tenderly as he leans into me.

Byakuya…

His hands are so soft…so soothing…I wish they were mine, but they're not. They're hers. And it hurts. It hurts like hell.

His lips brush past mines airily almost teasingly, before pressing themselves firmly against my own, their warmth quickly enveloping my own frigid ones. Everything's fine again.

They remain there for a few seconds, simply pressed against mine. But I relish it; I relish those marvelous lips against my own. The ones I craved for so long. The ones I dreamed of for so long.

He pulls away and stares down at me.

"I'm sorry Ichigo. I'm so sorry,"

Why are you sorry Byakuya?

You don't have to be sorry for anything. I love you.

His beautiful lips delicately lean into mines again, they've been waiting for him.

They're so warm. I want them forever.

But I can't keep them.

Because they don't belong to me.

They've never belonged to me.

They belong to her.


A/N: *Sigh* I know. I hate me too.

Guys the last bit is part of a dream Ichigo had. (or was it?) You'll find out soon.

Oh god, I was literally singing N sync's Bye Bye Bye all day while writing this (Blush) What? I was watching 100 greatest songs of the 00's lol Silence! Don't act like you weren't once obssessed with it! lol

Ok Guys next Chapter may be up either next monday or sooner. I might be feeling inspired, thus next two chapters will be doozys. (squeel) can't wait!

Please review!

Love you guys see you on the next one!