The Day I Fell In Love with My Best Friend

Ichigo Kurosaki is well known for being the university's famous heartthrob and that overshadows the fact that he's also a notorious heart-breaker. One day he makes a mistake of messing with the wrong girl causing him to lose the chance of ever being with his one true love.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach (yet, and I don't think I will any time soon :D)

Chapter 7: Run

"No."

"What?" The petite girl asked again hoping her ears had deceived her.

"You heard me."

"No" was the only response Rukia received from their captain after explaining for a very long time how beneficial Yumichi's skills would be to their team. And all that effort goes down the drain just because of a measly word...

No.

However, this is Rukia Kuchiki we are talking about, and Rukia doesn't take no for an answer, "B-but, how come? I'm telling you, Yumichi is our key to winning!" She said with her tone begging for a good enough excuse to reject her proposal. Riruka, their pink haired captain, rolled her eyes. She turned to face Rukia who was a good few inches smaller than she was.

"Key to winning huh?" Riruka repeated placing her hands on her lean hips. "Such big words coming from a measly little girl. How can we be sure that she's not just another Michiru...?" She asked nodding towards the freshman who clearly heard her words. "Or worse, just another one of you?" Her gaze turned to the petite girl with disgust while some of the girls from the team began to chuckle. Ichigo, who has been standing behind Rukia, watching it all happen in front of him couldn't find himself to stay quiet anymore.

"Hey! Watch what you're saying bitch," He countered before he turned to Rukia, "Are you just gonna let her talk to you like that?" He questioned hoping to god that she retaliates because if she doesn't, he most certainly will and he doesn't care if it was a girl, right now, he's a girl too so the rule doesn't seem to count.

Riruka waited for Rukia's respond but rolled her eyes at the familiar silence that she got.

"What? It's bad enough that we get to put up with you and now you're recruiting some allies? How pathetic, Kuchiki," She added flipping behind one of her pigtails. Finally, Rukia sighed closing her eyes as if letting go of all her tension before speaking once again but this time, she did not speak to their captain.

"You know what, sorry Yumichi. I asked you to join the track team but apparently the track team isn't around anymore. All that's left is just a bunch of bitter high school brained bitches and their sorority. It'll be a waste of talent if you join since you're way better than any of them," She spoke every word making sure that Riruka heard her. And that only fuelled the pink head's anger.

"You sure love to talk big don't you shorty?"

This time, Rukia turned to the one who spoke, "I don't talk big. I speak the truth."

"Well, since coach Unagiya is not here, I'll be the judge of that. Rui!" Riruka called out to one of the girls and a tall girl with long straight locks, closing her book in hand, stepped forward.

"One run around the tracks," Riruka explained looking only at Rukia. "First one to finish wins. If your friend manages to outrun Rui then I'll consider telling coach about her but if she doesn't win, not only will she not join, You..." She pointed her index finger at the petite girl, "You are going to run in the tracks... topless." Everyone who heard the consequence looked at Rukia and watched her reaction but she didn't seem bothered when she heard the terms.

"So what do you say? Feel like backing out?" Riruka smirked.

"No. We have a deal then," Rukia accepted with a smirk placed on her face as well in which Riruka didn't really like.

Rukia accompanied Ichigo to his position on the tracks while she explained what to do. She told him about how Rui was the third fastest in their team next to Momo and Riruka. It sort of made Ichigo nervous since just words isn't enough to assure him the measure of someone's speed unless he actually sees it for himself. They will be racing after all. He tried to calm himself down. And before Rukia went back he spoke, "You shouldn't let them get away with that, you know, you should fight back."

Rukia smiled at that and simply answered, "I don't have to fight back. When you win, it's the same as crushing them."

Rukia believes in him, which means either he's actually faster than all those bitches or Rukia was just acting tough and he's doomed. He gulped and looked at his opponent. The girl had long legs and had a determined face on. Though it felt a little intimidating, it was very unlikely for Rukia to bet on something she wasn't sure she can win so he can't let her down.

"On your mark!" Riruka shouted.

He tried to imitate his opponent's indomitable stance hoping to hell that it would add to his chances of winning.

"Get set!"

It felt like a millennium before finally, the signal was heard.

"Go!" And with it comes the sound of a whistle being blown indicating the start of the race. Both contestants began running and as expected, Ichigo was about two feet behind his opponent.

Damn it. This woman's fast. He thought.

He tried to increase his speed and managed to lessen their gap.

Alright. I can do this.

The two kept running until they were almost half around the tracks. He can feel it. He can win this. The gap between them slowly lessened until they were running side by side.

I can't lose to this chick.

Another gap is increasingly appearing but this time, it was Ichigo who was leading. He could hear the cheers of the track team for his opponent. He glanced at where they are. He saw Rukia cheering as well. He couldn't make out her words since it was overshadowed by the other cheers but he was positive that it was for him.

That's right. If he loses, not only will he not be able to fulfil his promise to her that he'll join the track team, he'll be leaving her alone with those mean bitches.

He took a deep breath and tried to focus.

Besides, if he loses, Rukia would have to...

She'll have to...

The thought flashed through his head for a moment. Rukia doing her consequence and everyone looking at the poor girl and it will all be his fault. He tried hard to shake off the thought however, remember the saying that "behind the downfall of every man is a woman"? Well, in Ichigo's case, it was a little literal because the next thing he knew, he was colliding with the ground.

One wrong step.

He cursed himself for being distracted.

"Fuck," He hissed as he got up again. He looked at his opponent who was now a few good feet away from him and he ran. He ran and ran and ran as fast as he could. And amazingly the gap between them was immediately lessened to a feet. Even the audience were speechless. Just a little more and Ichigo could have closed that gap however before he knew it, they have already reached the finish line. The girls cheered for Rui while Ichigo gasped for air and cursed through his teeth.

No. No. No. Fuck.

He wanted to hit something, most especially himself. How could he let this happened?

With a wide grin, Riruka approached Rukia who was simply stoic while a worried Michuri stood behind her.

"Well, well, Kuchiki. You know what to do," Riruka spoke with her arms crossed over her chest and her head tilted slightly upward as if looking down on the young woman.

"Tsch... Whatever..." Rukia let out. She was about to take off her shirt when someone else spoke.

"Wait!" Ichigo stepped forward. "I'll run for her," He volunteered and that got Riruka's eyebrows to furrow.

"What? No way. The deal was for HER to run!"

Ichigo smirked, "Well then why don't we make things more interesting."

"How so?"

"I'll run topless as we race," He challenged. "Just you and me. What do you say?"

Riruka looked at him sceptically and he smirked. He knew that look. He knew that the girl was uncertain if she'll win.

"No. A deal is a deal," Riruka concluded and it made Ichigo laugh.

"Oh, I see. You saw how fast I was, right?" He began. "I could have won that race if I didn't trip and you know that. Now if you raced with me, you're certain that your chance of winning is very slim and much less... zero. "

Riruka gritted her teeth. She can't possibly let this nobody insult her. She's the captain of the track team damn it. She'll teach this bitch a lesson. "Fine! I'll race!" She yelped in annoyance. Though her opponent may be faster than her, the girl's probably tired now because of the race earlier... Riruka hoped.

"Now that's more like it! If I win, it'll be you and your little friends turn to run topless, how's that?" Ichigo dared with an evil grin and it made Riruka's fists clench. "Fine, as if I'd lose, don't act so cocky. Don't forget I'm the captain of this team, there's a big possibility that you'd lose. So what happens if I win?"

"Then I won't ever join the track team," Ichigo simply answered with a shrug but Riruka didn't seem to like that. It wasn't enough.

"Psch, I don't give a fuck about that," she said trying to emphasize how insignificant that was to her.

"Then—"

"Then I'll quit the track team," Rukia cut in before Ichigo could even continue his sentence.

"Alright. That's good enough for me. Let's race," Riruka agreed before anyone could even protest. And with a wide grin she made her way to the tracks. Ichigo pulled Rukia to him for a moment.

"What the hell midget!? Why'd you do that?" He yelped trying to keep his voice down.

"What? It doesn't matter, I know you'll win," The girl simply reasoned.

"What if I don't?"

"You have to. Now go. You can do it," She said as if he didn't lose the first one then she gave Ichigo a slight push towards the tracks. When he got to his position, Riruka cleared her throat as if reminding him of something. And it occurred to him what it was.

Oh that's right. Clothes off. He reminded himself. And he simply slipped out of his shirt like it's no big deal.

"Okay, ready," He said.

"Uh-uh. Aren't you forgetting something?" His opponent then pointed to his bra. He rolled his eyes.

You have got to be kidding me.

He looked at his chest for a moment.

Oh well, as if this was something to be embarrassed about. He thought and smirked. He was pretty much blessed compared to the girl he was going to run with so what better way to intimidate his opponent than this. He took off the piece of cloth and covered his chest with one arm while the other positioned itself on the ground. He noticed that Riruka was looking at him sideways.

"On your mark!" One of the track team girls called out.

"Yeah I'm pretty proud of these. I don't mind if you're jealous, I mean you don't seem blessed in this department," He scoffed.

"Get set!"

Riruka frowned, "Hmph. As if."

"Go!" And the whistle was blown. The two girls... um... girl and half boy or whatever you get the point, began to run. You can hear the track team cheering for Riruka. Rukia felt like she was holding her breath. She believes in Yumichi. She knows that the said girl is capable of winning. Even the attention of the people around the field was caught. Well who wouldn't look at the topless orange head running around the field?

Half around the tracks, the two racers were both neck and neck.

"This is probably the best time for you to trip now," Riruka mocked and it made Ichigo smirk.

"Oh you wish that wouldn't you? Because you admit that I'm faster."

"No way!" The girl countered and ran ahead.

"What the—" Ichigo ended up saying when the girl actually ran past him. He scowled. Determination clear on his face.

There is no way...

"I want to be just like my sister. Win a track and field race and be the pride of my university," the raven haired girl spoke dreamily as she reached for the sky with her little hands.

"How will you do that if you're such a wimp?" The boy who was lying on the grass with her questioned and that comment alone earned him a punch on the shoulder from the little nine year old girl. They both sat up with the little orange head rubbing his now bruised shoulder.

"Just you wait. One day I'll—"

"Rukia! Ichigo! I made cookies! Come and get them while their still fresh," The voice of a woman calling cut off the children's conversation making them both now aware of the treat that awaits them back inside the house.

The little girl gasped in excitement, "Masaki made cookies!"

"Race yah!" The little boy yelped with a wide grin, quickly standing up and running ahead.

"Not fair! You took a head start!" The girl cried out as she caught up with the boy. The two got back inside the house with both of them claiming to be the winner to an amused and laughing Masaki.

No way...

Then I'll quit the track team...

I'd lose to this bitch...

And in a matter of seconds, the race had a winner.

"VICTORY!" The voice of the victor echoed throughout the field with one hand holding up a "v" sign. It's funny how some of the race's unintended audience also cheered for the victor before they got back to their own businesses.

Riruka walked towards her teammates huffing as her body, most especially her legs, felt the surge of exhaustion. She glared at the girl who was now being crushed to the ground by Rukia and Michiru who were both laughing.

Impossible...

I was so far ahead of her. How the fuck did she managed to run past me? She asked herself inwardly growling as the scene replayed inside her head.

"Riruka... What now?" One of the track team girls asked nervously knowing full well the consequence of the competition's result.

Ichigo stood up from the ground when he was finally fully clothed once again.

"So..." He began with a wide grin as he took a step towards the group of girls. "... I think you girls know what to do?"

The girls began to fidget and look at each other as if waiting for one of them to lead what has to be done. They fiddled with the ends of their shirts waiting for some miracle to save them from this embarrassment.

"Come on, come on. We don't have all day," Ichigo demanded rolling his eyes.

And just when they were about pull up their shirts, the miracle they've been waiting for finally arrived in the form of a word from a certain petite girl.

"Wait!" Rukia yelled stopping them from any further action.

"What?" Ichigo asked in annoyance of the hold up.

Rukia sighed, "Look, you don't really have to do it. It was just for fun, that's all."

The girls sighed in relief as their salvation spoke. However, there was one who protested.

"W-what do you mean they don't have to do it!?" Ichigo yelled back at the petite girl with a deep scowl.

"What's the point?" Rukia reasoned.

"What's the point? The point is I did it so it would be fair if they did it too!"

Rukia placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow at Yumichi, "So? You didn't seem so bothered about it, so it's fine."

"It's not fine! It's the deal."

"And I seem to recall that it was ME who was supposed to run without a top. But you bend the deal by running for me," Rukia cleared out.

"So are you saying someone should run for them?"

"No, I'm saying that..." She turned to the girls, "if you guys apologized to Michiru and Yumichi then we're all good."

There was a brief pause before the girls once again looked at each other then bowed altogether and apologized just as they were told.

"Hold on. You have to apologize to her too," Ichigo said grabbing Rukia and pointing to her.

The girls hesitated a bit but bowed once again except for one girl. Riruka stood tall with her arms crossed over her chest.

"I'd rather run than apologize to the likes of her!" She yelled in anger. Ichigo glared back at the pink haired girl. He took a step closer towards the protesting girl with Rukia pulling him back saying that it was no big deal but he just won't have that.

"If you don't apologize then you better start running," he dared and without a moment's hesitation, Riruka took her top off and began her run. For a moment all eyes were on the track and field captain who was running around the tracks without a top and with her arm covering her bare chest. When she finished she went straight to Ichigo.

"I demand to know your name!" She ordered angrily as the other girls handed her clothes to her to help cover what is there to be covered, and there wasn't much.

"My name is Yumichi... Yumichi Kurosaki," He said with much arrogance and it made Riruka freeze. She looked at the orange top's features.

"Kurosaki... Y-you mean... Could you possibly... Are you related to—" The girl stuttered but Rukia helped her out of her misery by cutting in the conversation.

"No, Riruka. She's not related to your god," Rukia spoke while rolling her eyes. Riruka's face contorted feeling relieved, disappointed and yet angry.

"Hmph. Well that's good to hear. The great Ichigo Kurosaki shouldn't be tainted by blood relatives such us her. It's already bad enough that he talks to garbage like you! Come on girls." And with that the group of girls turned their heels around and left the victors of the so called battle. Ichigo blinked his eyes twice.

Did he hear the conversation right? Or were his ears deceiving him?

"Well, I haven't had any training yet since coach Unagiya is not around but I guess there's still time for a few more rounds," Rukia said while she checked her watch for the time. Then she invited the two girls to join her. Michiru refused since she still had some stuff to do. She left after saying her welcoming words to Ichigo as a new member of the track team. In the end, Ichigo was the one who ran with the petite girl.

It was fun. Though she didn't talk much, to Ichigo it was refreshing and very nostalgic. The whole time he only ran behind her even though it was clear that he was faster, he couldn't allow himself to run past her for he was contented with just admiring her from a distance—an act that he seems to have been doing a lot lately. For some reason he felt his heart race not because of exhaustion but from watching Rukia run. She looked so free, happy and contented. Like how she did a few years back. It reminded him of how much he missed her... or them in general. He missed the time when nothing in the world mattered but them. However, that was before he ruined everything there was between them. And now, looking at this girl running ahead of him feels like the metaphor itself came to life. With him chasing after something that wasn't meant for him... someone that was never going to look back at the person running behind her and yet aware of his presence. However, she must never find out that he was running after her. Her being there is enough for him. He doesn't want to lose sight of this amazing person even for a second. Oh how he wished that she would always be like this when she was around him. Though he knew this was only all thanks to "Yumichi" because "Ichigo" doesn't deserve this kind of satisfaction. No. Not after what he did.

"Hey! Hey!" She called out to her companion who seems to be in deep thought. Ichigo noticed that they both had stopped running and Rukia has been waving a hand in front of his face.

"S-sorry. What did you say?"

"I said let's take a break," She offered with a smile and he just nodded blankly.


Rukia and Ichigo sat on the bleachers not caring if they were both sweaty from the run. It was their turn to relax so they just stayed there watching everything else that's happening in the field with both of them holding their bottle of water. Today was very tiresome and it was a good thing that everything turned out okay. But something still bothered Ichigo, so he decided to ask.

"So... what was that about? Your conversation with Riruka?"

"What was it again?" Rukia posed back as she took a sip of water.

"That part about the great Ichigo Kurosaki—" Rukia almost spit out her water as she burst into a laugh. Ichigo scowled unsure if he should feel insulted about this or what.

"Now that... is a very funny story," she began still chuckling while she closed her bottle with the cap.

"Care to elaborate?" Ichigo asked before gulping down his drink as Rukia began her tale.

"You see, Riruka Dokugamine is the president of Ichigo Kurosaki's fans club." And this time it was Ichigo's turn to spit out his water in surprise.

"W-what?"

"That's right. The woman was obsessed with the bastard. And so much so she became the president of the fan's club."

Ichigo thought for a moment and he seem to remember the girl as being familiar. Maybe it was because in a crowd of fan girls, Riruka would always be in the frontline. Maybe she even spoke to him quite a few times though it was really hard for Ichigo to remember such insignificant details.

Rukia continued, "I first met her here in the track team. She was very nice at first and then she asked me about my relationship with Ichigo, probably because she saw him talking to me, which he did a lot whenever he sees me after he found out that we're in the same university. Then I told her the truth about our relationship."

"And that was?" Ichigo asked with his heart filled with anticipation.

"And that was us being childhood friends."

"Oh..." He let out, sounding a little disappointed then tried to hide it by drinking some more but Rukia didn't seem to notice because she just went on with her story. "After that, she immediately asked me to join the fans club as a reliable source of what Ichigo was like as a kid. And... I did."

For the second time around Ichigo ended up spitting out the water in his mouth.

"You what!?"

Rukia's face remained stoic like she didn't want to remember what happened, "Yes, I joined the fans club. I know, it was pathetic but it's not like I was a member for a very long time."

"So, you quit?"

"After a month, yes."

"Why?" He can't help but ask which made her sigh.

"Well, for one, it's not like it had perks. Actually, they forbid me from talking to him unless I tell the club everything that we talked about. I tried not to talk to him but that didn't work either because he was very persistent in annoying me. Then I tried ignoring the club but that only lead to hate mails and trust me you don't want to know what they tried doing to my locker. And finally, I was so annoyed with everything that I decided to quit. Plus, I felt pathetic. Yes, I like Ichigo but not as a worshipper. Just an ordinary girl likes a boy kind of feeling," She looked down to hide her blushing face from stating her confession and Ichigo felt himself blushing as well.

"Anyway, for some reason, Riruka hated me from then on."

"And they still bully you?"

"Hmm... That doesn't really bother me. I mean those are the perks of knowing Ichigo Kurosaki."

"I'm sorry..." the words escaped his mouth before he even had time to comprehend it but Rukia just shrugged.

"Don't be. Not fighting back only annoys Riruka more and I'm really good at that."

This time he looked at her with concerned eyes. Once again, it was his fault. While he was being foolish, he didn't realize that he was already causing her a lot of trouble. She noticed the look he was giving her and she tried to let out a smile.

"Oh stop looking at me like that stupid," She said giving him a light punch on the shoulder. "I'm fine with the way things are. Not too close and not too far either but just far enough to be there when needed. Besides, Riruka's right you know. She once told me that little people shouldn't get too close to the sun. I've learned that the hard way. I couldn't stop myself because he kept drawing me in and I ended up burning myself... hard and painful," She explained closing her eyes, her voice dying down in the mention of the last three words in her statement.

Ichigo looked away guiltily. He couldn't deny the surge of pain that strike through him deep inside. Not knowing what to say or what to do, in the end, they just let the silence engulf them as the sunset viewed itself on one side of the field.


Ichigo let the sound of running water hitting the tiled floors of the shower room fill his ears and block all his thoughts. He let himself surrender to the flow of water throughout his body hoping that it would carry along all his worries and exhaustion down the drain. Alas, it didn't. He turned the tap off but the sound of flowing water didn't stop indicating the presence of another person using the showers. He sighed. They've been in the showers for awhile. Guess he should give her some privacy. He decided to walk towards his companion's cubicle. The shower curtain stood between him and the girl inside.

"Hey Rukia... I'm gonna go on ahead and change okay?" He waited for a response but got nothing.

"Rukia? You okay?" He tapped the curtain but still got nothing.

"Hey, say something," He said, feeling a little frantic.

"Rukia? I'm gonna open this if you don't answer," he warned indicating the shower curtains. When silence remained her response he decided to slowly push aside the curtain with his eyes squinted. But those squinted eyes immediately opened and his heart automatically panicked at what he saw. Rukia was sitting on the floor completely clothed and drenched with the water pouring out of the shower. Her back rested against the tiled wall while she hugged her legs close with her gaze straight ahead. Ichigo quickly got down on the floor as well not caring if he got drenched again or that the towel around him was also getting wet.

"Rukia! What the fuck? Why weren't you answering!?" He yelled in frustration. She blinked her eyes a few times before she turned to look at him.

"Oh... sorry... I didn't hear you..."

His eyebrows shot up in disbelief, "You didn't... How? I've been shouting—"

"Yeah, yeah. And you're shouting now. I can hear you perfectly," She said covering his mouth with her hand to stop him from talking. Rendering muffled sounds to come out. Irritated, he held the said hand away and continued speaking.

"Don't tell me the whole time you've just been sitting here like this!? You'll get sick if you do that!" He scolded. She stood up and assured him that she's alright.

"Stop worrying. Now get the hell out. I'm going to take a sho—" She froze when he held her face in between his palms to make her look straight at him. They looked at each other for a moment. Violet and amber trying to read each other and suddenly it hit him.

"You were... crying..." He let out in realization. He didn't like the conclusion he made or the idea of it but he was sure as fuck about it.

"No I wasn't!" She quickly denied, freeing herself from his grasp.

"Yes, you are," he argued.

"No. I was not"

"Yes you—"

"Shut up," She let out in a very frustrated and serious tone which stopped him from retorting.

"I wasn't crying," She guaranteed him. "I was simply thinking. So please... just get out and don't push it."

With that Ichigo had no choice but to comply and apologize before leaving the girl alone to her business.


The two of them were on their way back to their dorm. No one was saying a word. Ichigo was afraid to initiate the conversation because of what happened in the showers. He wants to give her space but knowing Rukia, she wasn't the kind of person who keeps a grudge, at least not on her new dorm mate.

"Hey look Ichi, I'm sorry about earlier. I told you, I was just thinking. And sometimes I tend to block everything else when I think," she explained walking ahead and facing him.

"What were you thinking about?" He had to ask. It must have been something serious for her to react that way.

"Stuff," She replied now walking backwards.

He sighed, "What kind of stuff?" He let out in an annoyed tone. He knew she was waiting for him to ask that and she chuckled.

"You see, I've decided."

"Decided?"

"Yup. From now on..." She turned her back on him to walk ahead.

"I'm going to forget about Ichigo..."

Ichigo stopped on his tracks, "What? H-how are you going to do that?"

She looked back at him with a wide grin, "Simple, I'll start dating people and you, my good friend," She took his hands and held them tightly, "...are going to help me find my prince charming."

And for the third time that day, Ichigo felt like spitting out the water he was drinking, if he were drinking any. But instead he just gulped and nodded at the young woman's request.

Oh what the fuck have I gotten myself into?

A/N: Hello my beautiful readers! It has been a while! A long, long, while hahaha XD I don't know what came over me and made me decide to write this chapter. I have been pretty busy (I still am). I didn't even have time to reread this one for errors so sorry about that. Anyway, I decided to challenge myself if I could come up with a new chapter. Surprisingly, I actually did it! You see, it's been raining hard (really HARD) here these past few days and I suddenly felt like I was in writing mode and I chose to update this one since I already have the flow of the story for this one saved in my laptop. Well my point is, here it is! Haha I know it's not much and my grammar has been rusty for not writing in so long (not that, I was any good at it in the first place) anyway, I just want you guys to know that I am still alive and if you wish for me to continue this story or any of my stories, just review and tell me what you think. You see that's the key to actually get me to write. And yes, I've read your messages and reviews and I'm very thankful to you for reading my work. I'll try to satisfy your needs by updating but I'm not sure when. It may take a very long time before I do, but rest assure that I will do it. And sadly, my favourite stories aren't being updated either. And I can't actually blame the authors for that nor can I blame FFnet. I don't know if it's just me or is FFnet going downhill hahaha and not much people are reading fanfics anymore. Maybe it's because the good ones aren't being updated. Or everybody's all busy now. Oh whatever, that's just me ranting. Thanks for reading and I really hope you review, I badly need your thoughts :D ILY guys and God bless :P

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