Part Time

Summary: Believing she does not know the value of a dollar, Rukia's father, Byakuya, sets her up with a job as a waitress. But her falling for the college aged bartender was not apart of the plan.

Rating: M (for later chappies)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, the thought of owning it makes me want to jump like Chappy.

(A/N): I'd like to dedicate this chapter the best entertainer of them all: Micheal Jackson. He was amazing in his music videos, he helped so many people in need. I still cannot believe that he has passed away. He was the first artist ever introduced to me, because the earliest music video I can recall is 'Do you rember' which I remember when I was barely passed toddler years. Ever since I was little I loved 'thriller' which is still my favorite of all, of course 'bad', 'Dirty Diana', and 'beat it' were also great but nothing beats 'thriller'. For a man truly talented of whom I think was incredible, I think we've concentrated on the bad things and forgotten the legacy that the King of Pop created. His birthday was a day after mine (of course a big year gap) and he died a day after my sister's birthday. I grew up listening to Micheal Jackson, thanks to my parents who were fanatics. My father who is African American grew up to those songs, and my mother was listening to him when she was a little girl across the ocean in Turkey- which demonstrates the heavy influence and extensive fame he had. I remember when my sister had a crush on him, I remember my brother, my sister, and I attempting the moon walk in the basement. No one will ever replace Micheal Jackson, and my condolences go out for his family, friends, and fans.


The Rain

"Rukia are you even listening to me?" Tatsuki asked with an annoyed tone as she glanced at her petite companion who appeared to be in a far away land as she stared blankly into space. It was first period in March and Mr. Ukitake instructed the students to discuss the doppelganger characters of Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. However, the adolescents were very much disinterested in the love rivals of Lucie Manette and more concerned in their own love affairs. Rukia on the other hand was in a whole other world entirely; one that did not involve the love triangle in Dickens' land of A Tale of Two Cities nor in the boundaries of Yammoto Academy.

"Huh?" Rukia asked startled as she broke her staring contest with side window of the classroom.

Tatsuki rolled her chocolate eyes in aggravation as she delivered the following in a harsh whisper, "I cannot believe you were ignoring me, this is something serious, I haven't even told Orihime yet."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just daydreaming, my mind hasn't been so clear lately," Rukia honestly admitted with a sigh of defeat.

Tatsuki nodded, "Well, that was obvious, Rukia. Ever since your dad made you start that job earlier in the school year, you've been out of it. You were so stoic on your birthday, I mean you turned seventeen , and you weren't even jumping up and done in elate. You didn't even notice Valentine's day last month. Monday was White's day and you weren't even overjoyed with the number of gifts you received. If you need someone to talk to, I'm her for you."

"Thanks Tatsuki, but it's really nothing. Besides what were you saying before I zoned out?" the petite girl gave a faint smile.

The spiky haired girl cleared her throat and blushed, "Well, I know I don't usually talk about these things, but school's going to be out in a few weeks and we are going to be seniors. So I think it's about time to...ugh, I'm so bad at this. There's this guy I like, actually I've like him for a while and I wanted to tell him before the end of the year." Tatsuki sighed with relief.

Rukia smirked, "This guy, Tatsuki, he doesn't happen to be tall, brown eyes, red hair, and covered with tattoos?"

"What?" Tatsuki asked with a blush brighter than any known to man. "Is it really that obvious?" she asked in a whisper that seemed to be more for herself than it was to her shorter friend.

"Nah, not really, I'd only assume because he's been our friend for so long, and if I know you, you'd have to really know someone to develop romantic feelings for them, not like Orihime who falls for the first hot guy in a two meter radius. And I only hoped you did because for the past thirteen years the only person that Renji even talks about is you. The guy's got it bad for over a decade." Rukia gave a sly grin.

Tatsuki's mouth was hanging open in shock, "you're not serious are you?"

Rukia looked at the dark haired girl intently in the eye and wore a warm smile, "Even I, a Kuchiki, am not that heartless. How could I possibly make something like that up?"

"Okay class, it appears that none of you are taking this class exercise very seriously, Rukia, can you tell me something about Lucie, Carton, or Darnay?" It was from Mr. Ukitake and her wore a displeased expression upon his pale face.

All eyes turned to the small Kuchiki, when Mr. Ukitake was upset he assigned a three page essay on the topic of which no one knew about. The raven haired adolescent nodded, "Lucie is pretty much the epitome of the ideal European woman at this time period. She is beautiful, kind, and nurturing. Her name means light, which makes sense because she was the one able to pull Dr. Manette out of his repetitive world of darkness when he was 'recalled to life'. She was the shimmering light or 'golden thread,' as Dickens refers to it, in Dr. Manette's life. So Darnay and Carton are both infatuated with this extraordinary woman. Coincidentally, they possess an identical appearance, yet ironically, polar opposite personalities. Darnay is full of confidence and is optimistic, which is why he wins Lucie's heart. Carton, however, has a low self esteem and is very much a pessimist. He's just as hard working as Darnay but lacks the confidence to shine, so he is the shadow, the jackel for the lazy but better presented lion, C.j. Stryver."

"Excellent, it appears at least one person has been reading." Mr. Ukitake smiled and began lecturing more on the symbols incorporated by Dickens.

"Hey Rukia." Renji whispered.

"What?" the petite girl asked startled, wondering why her three closest friend s were staring at her as if she was an alien with a third eye.

"How did you know all of that? I mean I thought you wouldn't of had much time, especially while working at Urahara's. Orihime spoke partly amazed and partly perplexed.

"Oh, Ichi-Mr. Kurosaki has been helping me with a lot of my homework. Apparently he really enjoys English Literature.

"Well, I don't care who or what your sources are as long as it saves my ass from having to write a long and boring essay, I am thankful." Renji blurted out in a rapid and rash manner.

"Why do you even complain, Renji? You are one of the smartest students in the junior class." Tatsuki inquired.

The male of the group blushed at the compliment and directed his attention the opposite direction of the speaker while scratching the back of his hair insistently, "Well, that doesn't mean I have to like school."

Orihime smiled at her petite companion, "Rukia, you're so lucky you get to spend so much time with Mr. Kurosaki. I always bump into him at the library, and I get so nervous and run out in a hurry. I don't know, I mean he's a faculty member so I shouldn't be thinking like this, but..." Orihime turned to face the window attempting to hide a flushed face, "I mean..."

The bell rang, signaling the end of the first period of the day. Students rapidly stuffed their school supplies into their bags, while pulling out cellphones, Ipods, and other materials to keep themselves amused during the six minute passing period. Rukia dreaded her next period class, gym class with Coach Zaraki, so she was not in much to reach the destination that was the girl's locker room.

While placing her last notebook into her brown bag she was interrupted by a warm masculine voice, "Rukia, could I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure Mr. Ukitake," Rukia gave a sincere smile and pulled up a chair by the arbor teacher desk, "What was it you wanted to discuss?"

"I was particularly amazed at your eloquent answer today in class, Rukia." He complimented her sincerely.

Rukia answered humbly, "Oh, Mr. Ukitake, I've just been receiving help in my studies from Ichigo. It's really nothing."

The white haired male frowned at the way she addressed a faculty member by the first name, "You mean Mr. Kurosaki? Well, I'm glad to see this employment is actually helping you in literature rather than penalizing you."

The teacher dismissed his student from their short conversation. Though, it would have appeared to be a simple casual conversation between a student and a teacher from any outsider observer, it had actually given Mr. Ukitake a great deal of insight. He was hit was something and needed the perspective of another person to confirm his suspicion. 'I guess it's off to the library.' he thought to himself. The literature teacher had a free hour during second period, which did enable him to have more time than necessary to validate his opinion in the fastest time possible. On his journey through the glistening hallways of the academy, he witnessed two students still in the hallway making out outside of a World History classroom. The male he recognized, the female was an unidentifiable freshman with chestnut hair.

"Shuuhei, what are you doing? Get to class." Mr. Ukitake sternly spoke shaking his head into his right palm, partly for he was disappointed and partly for the awkward feeling of the situation.

Upon hearing his voice the two teens ripped their lips and bodies from one another and the male spoke nervously, "Uh, sorry Mr. Ukitake. Come on Reiko," he grabbed the girl's hand and began speed walking in the opposite direction.

The white haired male continued his stride until he reached the library. He scanned the room until he spotted orange, "Oh, Mr. Kurosaki."

Ichigo looked up from the novel he was currently reading, "Mr. Ukitake? Do you want me to get Mr. Kyoraku?" He took off his reading glasses as a gesture to get up from his position.

The elder male fanned his hand in the air in disagreement, "No, I'm not here to see Shunsui. I actually wanted to discuss something with you, Mr. Kurosaki." Ukitake took a seat across from the young male.

"Is that so?" Ichigo asked with a raised eyebrow in curiosity.

"Well, it's actually pertaining to of my students you see," Mr. Ukitake hinted.

"Rukia, what about her?" Ichigo presumed. After all, it was not as if Ichigo socialized with the students of the school so the only person associated with him was none other than Rukia Kuchiki.

He nodded, "Yes, it appears you've aided her in her homework assignments of late, which is great don't get me wrong. Look, you seem to be a bright and reasonable young man, but I hope you know your boundaries. I've known Rukia for a long time, much longer than you might know, and I know when she's infatuated by another person. I know when she opens her heart it can be easily broken."

"Not to be rude, Mr. Ukitake, but what the hell are you talking about? Rukia is seventeen and I'm twenty-three, there is nothing like 'infatuation' that is going on between us. I work at her school, and I work with her at a club, I help her with homework, and that's about as far as our relationship extends. I have two younger sisters, nineteen years old, trust me when I say Rukia is like a younger sister to me."

"I suppose I must take your word on that, but tough you may not harbor any romantic affections for her I do not believe it's a mutual feeling." Mr. Ukitake explained.

Ichigo cleared his throat, "With all due respect, I really doubt Rukia likes me in that way- heck I'd be surprised if she even likes me as a friend."

Mr. Ukitake sighed in defeat, "I'm not one to argue, Mr. Kurosaki, and I won't do it in this situation. Nevertheless, I still believe my opinion prevails over yours. Sill if you insist Rukia has no romantic interest in you, I'll let it be. I'd like to believe that I am a very kind man, Mr. Kurosaki, and I'm sure those closest to me believe that I am often too nice to others. However, Rukia is my favorite student and is like a daughter to me, if you lead her on and hurt her severely, I will not remain so amiable. If later you discover she indeed possesses such feelings, let her know their is no hope for a relationship immediately, because the longer you wait the more heart broken she will be."

Mr. Ukitake got off from his seat and began his way to the exit of the library, "Ukitake, I'm glad to see Rukia has someone who cares enough about her. Though I want to swear to you that I would never hurt her and that I will protect in every aspect, as well as her heart."

With his hand upon the door handle, Mr. Ukitake answered, "Don't make a promise in which you can't keep, Mr. Kurosaki. Rukia isn't the type of girl you may believe she is." and with that he left Ichigo along.

After school, but prior to the opening of the club, Ichigo was busy with the task of helping Rukia with her calculus homework at Urahara's. "What?! This makes no sense!" Rukia yelled aggravated as she stared at the answer in the back of the text book. "How is it that I did all that work and I got the wrong answer, and you did no work and you have the correct answer? You're a cheater." she pointed at him with a slender finger accusingly and stuck her tongue out as if she were a child.

"Wrong Rukia, do you want to know the secret to finding derivatives?" The orange haired male asked wearing his signature smirk upon his firm lips.

Rukia's amethyst eyes grew with eagerness, "There's a secret?

Ichigo scratched the back of his head, "Well, it isn't exactly a secret. But, never use this in place of the limit method on your assignments and tests, just to check your answer because you have to show you're work. It's a simple formula: nx raised to the n-1 power. 'n' is equivalent to the exponent , and use the formula for each term to solve the entire derivative.

"What's the point of using the limit method if it's that simple? Rukia asked irritated.

"You'll see once you get more in depth with calculus." Ichigo sighed.

"Then finals are coming up and I'm totally not prepared, Ichigo!" Rukia started banging her head on the marble counter top of the bar, "Stupid chemistry, stupid Gregor Mendel, stupid me!"

"Gregor Mendel is more biology." Ichigo pointed out in a matter-of-factly demeanor.

"See, I'm ruined!" The petite adolescent wailed before continuing the previous rhythm of her head and the marble colliding, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"

This when Rukia felt large hands grip her slender shoulder that began a miraculous motion upon her muscles, "Relax, Rukia," he whispered to her, and she began to blush, "You're not going to be able to perform well if you don't relax, you're shoulders are so tense right now." Rukia's lids began to close on their own free will as he continued the massage, he face growing more heated as she let out a moan of satisfaction, "Okay now, tell me what other subject?"

Rukia had to bite back another moan, "E-European H-history."

"Good, think Julius Cesar, Brutus, Octavian, yes Cleopatra." Ichigo spoke in a soothing and husky song.

"My, this would actually be sexy if it wasn't for all the academics," it was a voice that could only belong to the one and only Kisuke Urahara. Both Ichigo and Rukia gave him a death glare that would send Napoleon Bonaparte trembling to the other direction.

"Well now, don't look at me like that, I'm not the one seducing a minor nor am I the one being so easily persuaded." Urahara continued with a grin, "Besides, I believe you have a guest, Ichigo."

In less than a second the orange haired male was attacked in a lock around his waist and pillows suffocating his face and blocking the necessary oxygen.

"Ichigo! I'm so happy to see you! I've haven't seen you since graduation!" It was a high pitched voice. Rukia was astonished someone's voice could actually be at a higher octave than Orihime's. The female was also more curvy than Orihime as well.

"N-Nel?" Ichigo asked as he was finally allowed to breath, "What are you doing here?" he got a good look at her now that they were standing far enough from one another. She was amicable and upbeat, he was glad to see she kept her overjoyed disposition. Her hair was a bit longer now and she wore less make up around her almond colored eyes. She work a tight long sleeved black shirt with a subtle v-neck and fitted flared jeans- Nel was never one to flaunt her assets.

Nel gave a warm smile, "I'm here on a business trip and I thought I'd drop by and say hello. But I'm just so happy to see you!"

Ichigo returned the smile, a real sincere smile, "I'm happy to see you too Nel, you haven't change a bit."

The rest of the night followed a long conversation between the two old high school peers. It was a Wednesday so the club wasn't too busy, but instead of engaging in their conversation, Rukia watched intently from the sidelines. They were laughing together, Ichigo was not suppose to be a laughing type of guy, certainly not Ichigo Kurosaki. He was a workaholic, he scowled every moment of the day, and he never laughed uncontrollably, he'd smirk let or let out a single laugh of amusement that was always under control. So why then?? Why was it that this girl could make him so out of character. Rukia narrowed her eyes in disgust, she didn't want to go there, but someone wanted a bottle of brandy- life sucked.

"Keigo never go to put a move on Rangiku." Ichigo and Nel laughed in unison.

Rukia rolled her purple eyes, "Ichigo I need a bottle of brandy."

"Oh, ya sorry Rukia, um this is Ne, by the way." Ichigo said pulling out a bottle of branding a two glasses.

"No kidding," the seventeen year old replied in an apathetic tone.

Nel grinned, "Ichigo told me a lot about you."

Rukia answered with a disinterested, bored Kuchiki eyes, "Really, cause he hasn't mentioned you once prior to tonight?"

Nel ruffled the adolescents hair despite he petite girl's dismay, "You're just so cute, Ichigo, don't you think she's just so cute?"

"If I was delusional." Ichigo answered with a tray in his right hand topped with the brandy and cups. Rukia quickly grabbed it out of his hands and stormed away from the bar, leaving two very confused twenty-three year old's at the bar. For the remainder of the night there were no words exchanged between Rukia and Ichigo. Even when the club closed, it was complete vacant silence, and Rukia spoke no words while they cleaned. When they entered his car not a word was spoken not an exchange. Ichigo pulled up into her house and drove to the front, and all that was heard was were the tires against the pavement of the driveway. Rukia didn't even give him a glance in his direction, and it was causing him the most irritation. 'What the hell is the matter with her, is she on her period?' The petite girl pulled the handle of the passenger door only to find it lock.

"Ichigo unlock the door," her voice was strong yet flat, lacking emotion.

"Oh, so you can talk, I thought you had laryngitis or worse you went dumb," Ichigo spat bitterly.

"Ha, ha very funny," Rukia rolled her irises, "Now, unlock the damn door."

They were faced to face, Ichigo's head tilted down a bit while Rukia's head up. Orange and ebony eyebrows furrowed, fiery amber burning into the icy intensity of amethyst. "First tell me, what the hell is your issue?"

"I don't have a problem, Mr. Kurosaki," she didn't break the stare and gritted her teeth, "You're the one who won't let me get inside the safety of my own home."

"Why are you so fucking pissed at me today? I didn't even do anything to you. So why are you acting like a bitch?!"

Slap!

That was all that was heard for a good ten seconds. Rukia had slapped him, it didn't hurt and she'd hit him before but this was different. His eyes were brown wide in shock.

"Don't ever call me that!" her voice was low and passionless, "You were the one who wasn't doing your job properly today, just flirting with some big boobed bimbo!"

"Wha-What?" he stared at her trying to take in her words, because he was still stunned at the actions she took. "What?!" he yelled when he finally comprehended her words, "First off, Rukia, Nel is no t a bimbo, she happens to be a close friend from high school. Secondly, I was not flirting with her, I was discussing old times,. Thirdly when does it concern you whether or not I was performing my job well. Finally, if I wasn't doing my job right, Urahara would have told me, but he wasn't even bothered by it, so why are you so concerned who I talk to!" he crossed his arms but no more than a second later did he com with a realization 'I've known Rukia for a long time, much longer than you may know, and I know when she is infatuated by another person.' Ichigo didn't dare make eye contact with the young girl, his bangs casted a shadow over his orbs, and his hand were grasping the steering wheel, "Unless, Rukia, you don't, you don't have a crush on me, do you?"

Silence.

"Rukia, you are seventeen, I am twenty-three. I'm an adult you're a teenager. Rukia, I don't know how or why you have these feelings for me, but you should really start trying to find someone your own age. To me, you're nothing more than a child, you're like a younger sister. So let go of any feelings or interest you had for me and abandon any hope of romance, because that is never going to happen." He knew he was harsh, but that was the most sufficient approach to the situation.

Silence.

"Rukia," he grabbed her face with his right hand and forced her to look at him.

Never before did he see her appear so vulnerable and fragile. The icy mist that was the usual in her irises had melted and threatened to spill, but the didn't, "I don't know what you're talking about. You're a co-worker, nothing more, you mean nothing more to me so unlock the door." He could tell she was trying to be strong, but she was failing, her voice was croaking in melancholy.

He let go of her face and she quickly turned away, "Rukia, I..."

"Now!" she screamed and he complied without question. She quickly left the car and rushed into the house. She slammed her door, she didn't care, she just didn't care. It wasn't until she was in the solitary of her room did the first tear touch her porcelain cheek. 'Kuchiki's don't cry, a Kuchiki never cries.' she repeated in her head.

So why did it seem like the rain would never stop?


(A/N): Thank you for reading the chapter, so it appears we have a storm. Originally this chapter was not in my story, the ending was at the beginning of the following chapter, yet I thought that it progressed too fast and didn't seem to flow that way so I created this whole new chapter. It's a lot more dialogue than usual, but I had a lot of things to say, next chapter will not be too heavy on dialogue so don't worry. PLZ REVIEW! And for my previous A/N, I'd appreciate if no one would flame M.J., I find that very rude, on youtube someone commented on 'thriller' that he was 'stupeid', they didn't even spell stupid right. Anyway I hoped you enjoyed!

Thanks for the review from last chapter: happyfacez, ThierryMyst, K, forever fallen angel, BleachFan4ever, Chappy9, mahappydance, XxdaniXx, DancingBuffy, Jigoku-HI, Swisz Phantom, Lady Spezz, star133, Ichi-Ruki4Eva, TremelyMaddest, marii, DanceOfTheWhiteMoon, Whitecloud1, rR, Garrett-Is-Mine, HollowZangetsu, and xKumaBearx

XxdaniXx: loved this chapter!
the ending was really cute!
can't wait for the next chapter!

p.s. your welcome! it is my duty as a reader to review! *salute* ^_^

-you set a wonderful example it totally is the readers' duty to review lol :)

----- Anyway spidergoth is out of hear. I appreaciate you're loyalty, and long live the King!