A/N: . Sorry, guys. So so sorry. Especially since it's not as long as it should be. I hope the IchiRuki moments will make up for that. Well, I've kept you waiting long enough. If it'll make things any easier, I'm already working on chapter eleven.

Tangled Heartstrings

Chapter 7: Frozen in Time

"Who else would like to share a story of their own?" Ms. Kiryuu asked, her hands clasped behind her back as she waited expectantly.

They were all gathered around their magic circle on their story time carpet. Several hands rose up and Ms. Kiryuu scanned amongst the sea of children.

Ichi raised his hand to which Ms. Kiryuu waved off. "Ichi, you know you always have plenty of time to go to the restroom before lunch."

"That's not it. I have a story to tell. It happened a little more than a month ago," Ichi said, his eyes full of mock innocence.

Ms. Kiryuu knew she probably shouldn't but she was obligated as a teacher. She sighed deeply as she gestured for him to speak, slightly turning her body away.

"So I was walking around with this friend of my mom's late one night and that's when we meet these women wearing really skimpy clothes out in the cold. I figured out recently that they're hookers. Now I finally understand why teachers like you are single."

Ms. Kiryuu adjusted her glasses. "Excuse me?!"

"Oh, no offense though," Ichi said, nodding apologetically.

Several kids burst out laughing while the rest turned around to stare at Ichi on his bean bag chair. He had his arms folded behind his head as he made himself comfortable. Sachiko sat beside him, groaning as she placed a hand over her eyes to shield her away from the mean look their teacher was giving Ichi.

"...What's a hooker?" one person asked.

"Does it involve fishing?"

"That's enough!! Ichi, I want your mother's number right now," Ms. Kiryuu shouted, slamming her palms down on her desk.

"She changed it," he said, off-handedly.

"Oh, well, isn't that convenient?" she mumbled sarcastically. "Fine then. I won't force you. Your last chance of today, Ichi. Hold your tongue until the bell rings. For now why don't you guys have free time while I grade your work."

Sachiko felt herself slide from her chair and sink to her knees in relief. Ichi had recently been on thin ice with their teacher. She didn't think she'd find it in her heart to let her brother off so easily. She went to the toy chest and brought out a box of blocks. She waved for Ichi, Yukari and Minoru to come join her in their usual corner.

"Let's play jenga." Sachiko turned sharply to Ichi. "How long do you think you can last before mom finds out?"

Ichi gave her a sardonic look. "What, are you gonna snitch on me? Quit yapping and start playing already."


"Mom, can we go to the carnival today?" Sachiko begged. "It's only in town for one day."

"I have to go to work to look over some designs with Uryuu. Renji, could you take them?" Rukia asked., turning her eyes briefl on him. Renji smiled. "For you, I'd do anything. Come meet us afterward."

Rukia smiled at him. "Thanks, it should only take me about an hour or so."

Sachiko silently cheered to herself in the back seat, her cheeks flushed pink from excitement. Rukia smiled at reflection of her smile in her rear view mirror. Ichi sat beside her playing with his DS, his eyebrows arching together at the mention of a carnival.

"You know they only tell you stuff like that so that they can win you out of their money. Carnivals usually last up to three days," Ichi muttered.

"I still wanna go," Sachiko insisted, her tiny hands forming into fists at her sides.

Rukia dropped all three of them off at the parking lot, and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek. They waved as she drove off in the opposite direction. Sachiko began tugging on Renji's wrist for them to go on some rides. Ichi lagged behind, still playing his game while still keeping the visual of where his sister and Renji were headed. He followed them this way and that until he got hungry. He went up to Renji and kicked his shin lightly to grab his attention.

"Hey...get me some icecream," he muttered, his mouth forming into a scowl.

"What flavor do you guys want?" Renji asked, reaching into his wallet. He was sure to keep it as far from Ichi as possible.

"Chocolate," Sachiko replied, licking her lips in anticipation.

"Vanilla."

"Alright, then. Wait right here."

Sachiko leaned back and forth on the heels of her shoes with her hands clasped behind her back. Ichi finally turned off his game, and stuffed it into his back pocket. His eyes then glanced at the ruby ring that hung on a chain around her dainty neck.

"I say we pawn that."

Sachiko frowned. "No way. I promised Ichigo I would hold onto it for him."

Just as she said this, she caught a glimpse of orange in the crowd and began running off toward it. Ichi gave her a bewildered expression.

"You can't go running off after every orange head you see!!"

He began running off after her evading people's shoes and ducking between their legs. He could've sworn he stepped on some gum, and was finally knocked against someones leg. His hands instinctively wrapped around the leg to stop his fall. He slowly looked up to see Ichigo staring down at him. A slow smile started on his face on his sour-looking face.

"Yo. Well, if it isn't Ichi. What're you doing by yourself?"

Ichi immediately straightened his back and stepped away from him. "Don't refer to me in the familiar. It's Ichirou," he mumbled, his flushing.

"Well, Ichirou, where's your sister?" Ichigo asked, his eyes amused.

"She ran off to someone she thought was you. Waita go." Ichi glanced this way and that for his sister. "She's an impressionable child."

Ichigo sweatdropped. "I see...yeah, well let's go find her."

Ichi joined Ichigo by his side, scanning amongst the crowds for his little sister. He looked up at Ichigo but immediately turned away. He didn't like his face. It was weird...it was almost like looking back in a mirror. Sure, he had heard of maybe one out of four people in the world would happen to meet someone with a similar face but this was just crazy. Ichigo lanced down at him and Ichi turned away sharply.

"S-so...what's someone like you doing here?"

Ichigo frowned. "Someone like me, eh? I'm just trying to enjoy my vacation here."

"Vacation? Why in the world would anybody want to come to Karakura for vacation??" Ichi asked, honestly bemused at such an idea.

"Well, it's sort of a vacation from my work back in America," Ichigo said, his eyes narrowing at the memory. "I have family here so I figured I'd come back and stay a while. I haven't seen them for four years."

Ichi nodded in understanding, his hands slipping into his pockets. Sachiko knew very well they were never to separate for long so he was worried. It was actually a surprise that they had found her as soon as they had...well, not really, with her shouting Ichigo's name like that. As soon as she laid eyes on him, Sachiko lept up and clung to Ichigo's neck in a vise-like grip. He immediately wrapped his arms around her lest he choke. She turned to face him with a smile so angelic, it would've scared off any hollow who would dare to hurt her.

"Ichigo, will you go on some rides with me?" she pleaded, her lilac irises pouring into his brown ones.

Before Ichigo could answer, he could see Renji from over her head. He saw saw him holding a pair of ice cream cones that were starting to melt.

"Yo, Renji." Ichigo grinned.

Renji look puzzled for a moment before grinning back. "Hey, who would've thought we'd run into each other here?"

"Small world." He shrugged.

Ichigo then turned to Sachiko. "Will you?" she asked.

"Only if it's okay with your Uncle Renji," Ichigo said, smirking somewhat. He adjusted Sachiko in his arms, making sure to hold her up steadily.

"Go right ahead. Take good care of her or you'll have an angry mother coming after you." Renji glanced down at Ichi who was licking his ice cream up. "You going too Ichi?"

Ichi narrowed his eyes. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? It depends on who has more cash right now."

He turned his gaze to Ichigo who muttered, "Not much."

"I just got my pay check," Renji replied.

"Hello, Uncle Renji," Ichi grinned.

Ichigo set Sachiko down on her feet and allowed her to drag him to the nearest ride. She pointed up at the ferris wheel, the many rainbow-like neon lights glimmering from her eyes.

"Let's go. I love the view from there!"


"Ichigo, do you have a wife or kids?" Sachiko asked innocently. She was sitting beside him, twiddling with her thumbs in her lap.

Ichigo's eyes widened a bit. "No, I don't get those kinds of pleasures."

"What about work?"

"I'm a doctor who works in America. I'm here on...vacation, so to speak," he said, clearing his throat. He looked away and tried to focus his attention on the ground below them.

"A doctor...that's so cool. You get to save people's lives everyday. I really want to be a ballerina and I want to hold onto that dream."

Ichigo gave her a soft, tender smile. "You'd make a cute ballerina. Are you attending classes?"

"I'm going to start soon now that mommy has a nice paying job."

"I wish you luck."

"You too," Sachiko said sweetly.

Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "For what?"

"One day you can experience having a wife and kids too," Sachiko said, nodding. "Doesn't anyone ever tell you how handsome you are?"

Ichigo was taken aback. "Whata thing to say...erm- and no way to respond." Ichigo placed a hand over his eyes, laughing a bit. "No, not really. I think you're the first one but thanks."

"You're really, really handsome like movie star handsome," Sachiko said, squealing. "Speaking of which, what kind of women are you into?"

"You're quite straightforward, ya know. Well...I don't know. I guess someone who has a temper equal to mine...knows how to have fun and just someone I'm comfortable with."

"And someone who's beautiful on the inside," Sachiko pointed out. "If you someone you like for their looks, you'll get distracted and not notice her inner beauty."

Ichigo chuckled. "Yes, of course. That's absolutely necessary."

"Someone who can make you lunch even when she's busy," Sachiko said, biting her lip in thought.

"Well, that doesn't sound like a bad attribute," Ichigo said, nodding.

"And has an aura that emits things like, 'love me'!" Sachiko giggled.

"Well, I suppose that pretty much covers the perfect woman. What would you think the perfect man would be like?" Ichigo asked, placing his arm behind the seat.

"You," Sachiko said straight up. "I think you and this fairy tale woman are a good match."

"I'm a cynical bastard, Sachiko. I pity the woman I end up with," Ichigo said, not ashamed of his use of bold language around a child.

"That's not true. You're handsome, you're sweet, strong and smart. All the qualities in a man a woman needs."

Ichigo brought Sachiko close and gave her a noogie. "When did a kid like you get so damn smart?"

Sachiko giggled, placing both hands on the large one on top of her head. She wiggled away from him, and leaned over the side to peek and her eyes brightened in excitement.

"We're so high up. I can see our apartment from here," Sachiko murmured to herself, wisps of hair kissing her cheeks as a sudden breeze passed.

Ichigo looked up to see where she was looking. "Ah...so that's where you guys live. That's pretty far across the city."

"But I love it," Sachiko giggled. "We get the best ocean view from there. And there's very few street lamps there so at night we can see so many stars. Do you see it? The bright blue one? That's my star," she chirped, pointing up.

Ichigo squinted. "Yeah...I think so."

Sachiko rolled her eyes. "And of course Ichi chose the North Star as his. That's so like him."

Ichigo nodded as he listened to her stories of her and Ichi's wishing stars and their lives at home. In her mind, Sachiko thought she was boring him but she could tell by sincerity in his eyes that he was listening to ever word. The thought relieved her, and even touched her a little bit. She suddenly felt excitement fill her senses as she peeked over the side of the ride.

"L-let's ride that next!"

Ichigo looked to see where she was pointing. He saw a mini carousel with dozens of kids riding horses from black and white to cotton candy colors.

"I'll take you there and watch over you but I'm afraid I can't ride with you," Ichigo said with a chuckle.

Sachiko looked confused. "Huh? Oh, no. I was talking about the big one behind it."

Ichigo looked against and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She was pointing at a roller coaster that guaranteed death for those faint of heart. He looked from Sachiko to the massive ride all the way across the carnival. For a fragile and docile-looking little girl, she was pretty extreme when it came to her rides.


Ichi was pissed. The front line of the Cliff-Hanger was packed with lovey dovey couples. What was up with that? There were so many of them that it was just ridiculous!

"What's going on, Renji? They're everywhere," he grumbled.

Renji looked at where he was staring at and laughed. "Ichi, you talk as if they're parasites or something. It's normal to see plenty of couples together at events like this."

Ichi narrowed his eyes. "Why do men look at women and vice versa?"

Oh, whata question and where to begin. Renji had to think for a moment.

"Well...erm- there comes a time in someones' life when they face an attraction to a certain person. Then eventually both people have mutual feelings and decide to date. Dating could lead to marriage sometimes."

"Then why aren't you married?"

Renji's face fell. "...I'm not married because I chose not to for your mom's sake. I promised I would take care of her so that's what I'm going to do. Getting involved with another woman would make setbacks and cause too much distraction. One day you'll understand."

"Adults always say that," Ichi muttered. "How can someone just suddenly turn around and gawk at someone you don't even know?"

Renji sweatdropped, forcing a smile. "Well...that's just the way things work, kid. It doesn't always have to make sense, it's the feeling that counts. Anyway, you suddenly brought the subject up. Could it be little Ichi has a crush on someone?" he teased.

Ichi glared daggers in his direction. "No such thing. I'm just curious." He glanced around the crowds around them. His gazed settled on a woman sitting down on a bench. "Do you think you could talk to that woman?"

Renji stared at him. "What for?"

"It's time to find you a woman. You could fall for her, couldn't you?"

Renji sighed, his shoulders sagging in frustration. He understood what Ichi was up to but he just hoped Rukia didn't show up if he got caught up his twisted little game. Ichi held up a finger, a confident smirk on his face. Renji felt like reaching out, and pulling him back but he was already walking up toward the woman. He turned away when he saw Ichi take a seat next to her. He dangled his legs from side to side and Renji watched in horror as Ichi scooted closer to the woman. He saw her earrings had her name on them. Hikari.

He leaned close to Hikari. "Whatcha readin'?"

Hikari turned to him and smiled. "I think it's a little boring for kids your age. It's Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte."

Ichi nodded. "Whata coincidence. I know someone who likes to read old boring books like that. He's also not a bad looker and has fair pay for his job."

Hikari smiled warily. "What're you-

"I can't forget the best bit...he likes long walks on the beach and cooks like a dream," he blurted. He was having some trouble remembering that from the bachelorette show Rukia and Sachiko liked to watch.

"Oh, really?" Hikari giggled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Yeah, in fact, he's my dad. You see that guy over there?" Hikari looked at where he was pointing and nodded. "Well, he says he wants to get to know you better," Ichi said with a wink.

"Oh my. Aren't you adorable!"

She reached over and began patting his head gently. Ichi smiled at her and turned to Renji with a satisfied grin. He curled one finger and beckoned at him. Renji knew he probably shouldn't but it's not as thought he could leave the kid unattended for long. With a disgruntled look, he went to stand in front of Ichi and his new lady friend. The woman tucked a strand of hair behind her hair as she stared shyly at him from the veil of her lashes.

Renji closed his eyes momentarily. 'Oh, man...' He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"You have a cute son and I'm even more pleased to see that his father is easy on the eyes too," Hikari said, her eyes sweeping over him.

Renji frowned, trying to suppress a blush. "Umm...my son tends to exaggerate on some things. Forgive me, my son and I should go."

"Oh, no. I would really like it if you'd stayed," she insisted. She gave a friendly smile and offered her hand. "I find a man with a child very...sweet."

Ichi turned from one adult to the other, watching curiously as they spoke to one another. They reminded him of the animal channel he had watched several weeks earlier. Something about the male ignoring the female lion and playing hard to get. He watched with mild interest as Renji flushed and fumbled around with his words. It seemed he was trying to choose his words carefully, and let Hikari know that he wasn't looking for a woman.

"Come on, dad, let's stay longer. I like her, don't you?" Ichigo asked, a strange air of innocence around him.

Hikari stood up, a mischievous look on her face asking, 'Don't you?'. Before Renji could make any defense, he saw another man coming toward them. By the panicky look on Hikari's face, she had seen him too. Before Renji could register the pain, the woman had slapped him across the face.

"You pervert! How dare you?! I'm married!!" she screeched, running toward her husband. She encased him in a large embrace while he glared at Renji over his shoulder.

Renji cupped his stinging cheek while he gave Ichi a look laced with venom. Ichi merely grinned back a toothy grin and made a peace sign.


"Renji, what happened to your cheek?" Rukia asked, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. She reached out to gently cup his cheek.

Before Renji could begin to explain, she saw Ichigo walking with Sachiko. She smiled at seeing her tiny hand interwoven with Ichigo's.

Rukia suddenly screamed and Ichigo turned his head sharply at the sound. He had been ready to leap into action when his face suddenly fell at what she was looking at. She had broke into a run and was by a bunny man's side instantly.

"Chappy!!"

All three males sweatdropped at this while Sachiko grinned. She went up to her mother, grabbing onto the hem of her skirt as she stared up at the bunny. He patted her head and offered her a red balloon. She squealed with glee as she accepted it.

Rukia tossed her camera to Ichi. "Quick! Ichi, take a picture."

"Yeah, yeah."

Ichi zoomed in on his mother's face flushed with excitement. Sachiko then grabbed Ichigo by the arm and hauled him over to where Rukia stood. Both gave her questioning looks. Especially Renji who was holding up all the prizes he had won for Ichi.

"Let's make this a memorable day," Sachiko suggested. "I would really like to have my hero and my mommy take a picture together."

Ichigo and Rukia exchanged glances, smiling after a moment and shrugging. They stood shoulder to shoulder as the camera zoomed. Rukia looped her arm through Ichigo's and Chappy, a smile spreading across her face. Ichigo stood stiff and unsmiling. The camera flashed and Ichi tossed the camera back to his mom. She smiled as she checked out how it turned out.

She hit Ichigo's chest. "Ichigo, what's this? We're at a carnival not a funeral!"

Ichigo scoffed. "I don't like taking pictures. You know that."

Sachiko slipped her hand into Ichigo's shyly, and began walking off with him once again. Renji, Rukia and Ichi followed close behind. While Renji and Ichi argued over the amount of prizes won, Rukia's eyes followed her ex-lover and daughter. A soft smile tugged at the edge of her mouth.

'At least she has a taste of what it's like to have a father. I've denied her that much so I won't try to separate them.'

Rukia clutched at the camera, her nails digging into it as she stared at the picture of them together. It felt so strange. For a moment, she wondered what the hell she was doing at a carnival with Ichigo. And once again she was reminded of how much of a munchkin she looked like next to him. But for once in her life, she didn't want to have to worry or wonder; to let things be as they may.


"Oh, that's so cute," Rukia said, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the stuffed sheep hanging over head.

The whole group had gathered around in front of a stand where you had to knock down metal bottles with a baseball. She placed a few bills on the counter. She closed one eye as she prepared to toss it. She waited for a moment, encouraged by Sachiko's cheering in the background. She hurled the ball forward only to duck as it came bouncing back. It went flying toward the dunking booth and actually hit the button, putting the annoying clown out of his misery.

"Still another try left," the woman said, holding out a baseball.

Rukia took it and aimed it right at the center only to have it bounce back. Ichigo ducked and turned his head in time to see it hit a choking person. They immediately spit up what they had been choking on. Ichigo sweatdropped at this.

"Face it, Rukia. You suck."

Rukia squared her shoulders, seething silently as she stared up at the sheep that hung from above her, tormenting her. The woman in the stand smiled, holding out another ball.

"This one's for free. How about asking one of these handsome men you've got with you to give it try?"

"Huh?" they echoed.

The stand lady smirked. "That's if you guys think you're man enough to win this pretty lady a stuffed sheep."

A vein throbbed on Ichigo's neck. "Alright, I'm in."

"Me too," Renji grumbled, stepping forward.

They each accepted a ball. Ichigo aimed the ball but only managed to knock down the bottle on top and likewise for Renji. They got right up in each others face and began arguing about who was making the other lose concentration.

Ichi rolled his eyes as he stepped up to the plate, not paying attention to the bickering adults. He placed two bills he had erm- borrowed from Renji. He raised his arm and threw. All three bottles collapsed on top of one another. Ichi stood back to admire his work, hands at his hips. Ichigo and Renji stopped arguing long enough to see what Ichi had done. He turned around to face both men, placing one finger beneath his eye lid and pulled down on it. He stuck his tongue out before turning to present his mom with her prize.

Rukia squealed as she wrapped her arm around both the sheep and Ichi.

Renji's face fell at this. 'Agh...that could've been me.'


Ring! Ring! Ring!

Ichigo glanced down at the persistent ringing from his jean pocket. He pulled out his spirit phone, and turned apologetically to everyone.

"Sorry...duty calls."

Rukia smiled. "Of course. It was nice seeing you again, Ichigo."

"Likewise," he grinned. He turned to Renji. "I take I'll be seeing you in the ladies' department more?" he laughed.

Renji chuckled. "Maybe."

They both raised their hands into a very manly handshake. He looked down at the tugging of his pants. He saw Sachiko blushing as she played with the chain around her neck. She bowed her head and offered his ruby thumb ring back.

"It's important to you, right? I took care of it for you."

A slow smile started on Ichigo's face. "That's okay...you can keep it."

Sachiko beamed. "Really?!"

"Sure. It looks you've already taken good care of it so, why not?" Ichigo said, tucking her chin up. He turned to Ichi. "See ya later, big guy."

Ichi nodded his head before turning away from him, parking it beside Rukia. Ichigo turned in his bench seat, and pressed his medallion to his chest. He fazed out of his body and began running shunpo-style to the source of the hollow's screeching that only Rukia and her family were aware of.

"D-don't forget to visit!" Sachiko yelled. "You saw where we live, right?"

Rukia turned to give Sachiko a stern look on her lap. "Sachiko, that's up to him."

"I know but I want to see him a lot more," Sachiko said, sighing heavily as she watched his retreating back.

A/N: . There you have it. Father-daughter time and even some IchiRuki. I promise, PROMISE if i get enough reviews, I'll upload very quick this time. More IchiRukiness coming up but only if you review! R/R or I'll cry! lol. :P