Damage
A Bleach Fanfic
By: weirdcoffeeholic
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach!
Author's Note: I just came back from dance rehearsals and, well, to put it frankly, I'm in a lot of pain. ARGH. The only part of my body I can move are my fingers, so I decided to update! (Just imagine how stupid I look.)
Another Note: The song I used in this chapter is Michael Learns to Rock's Nothing to Lose. I have this fad for the kind of stuff my parents listen to, so yeah. It's a nice song. You might want to download it in LimeWire and listen to it first before reading this so you can… enjoy the experience. ;)
-oOo-
Her name is Noelle,
I have a dream about her.
She rings my bell!
I've got gym class in half an hour.
And oh, how she rocks
In Keds and tube socks.
But she doesn't know who I am,
And she doesn't give a damn about me.
`Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby.
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby.
Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me…
- Teenage Dirtbag, Wheatus
-oOo-
THE PLAYBOY CONSTITUITION
By Renji Abarai and Ichigo Kurosaki
Article 1. Commitments will only hinder one from the sole objective of men like us, which is to make the ladies worship the ground we walk on. Do not commit to a single female unless necessary. (Necessary: e.g. Circumstances wherein one needs help with homework, when one needs a date for a dance, or when the chick is too hot to waste, etc.)
Doesn't that make us assholes?
Why?
Because that sounds like we're using them for personal benefits, you dick.
Isn't that the point? It's their problem that they want us so bad.
I can never talk some sense into you, you know that?
Whatever.
Fag.
Article 2. Always respect women, young or… younger. Always take into consideration their needs and wants (except when what they want is us). No matter how much they throw themselves at us, always remain cool and composed. Our offhand demeanor is what sets us above the others of our kind and is what makes the ladies run after us.
Young or younger?
Hey, there're some exceptions to the age limit rule, strawberry.
Like who?
What about Ms. Unohana?
She's a professor, idiot.
Exactly.
Article 3. Never let oneself feel anything other than, like and lust. Love is a complicated emotion that only stupid men are willing to feel. It can lead to commitment (which is against the first article), and commitment can lead to marriage (which is also against Article 1.)
What if it can't be helped?
Then help yourself! Never waste your time on a girl when there're tons of 'em around!
That's just stupid.
What's wrong with you? The Constitution = The Golden Rule.
Dude, the Golden Rule is to tell the truth.
Then it can be, like, the Silver Rule.
The Silver Rule?
Shut up.
Article 4. When in bed, clearly explain to partner that there are strictly no strings attached before and after the "activities." Be sure to use protection and just enjoy the moment while it lasts. We do not want random women walking up to us, asking for child support.
This one only applies to you!
Huh?
You know. I'm still… a virgin.
What?! You've gotta be kidding me.
…
(insert annoying laughter here)
Idiot.
Article 5. If one expresses verbal defiance or does a course of action that is against the aforementioned articles, he shall be dutifully punished depending on the gravity of the crime committed.
And the punishments are?
Like I'll make you walk naked to school.
Hell, no. I ain't doing that, man.
Then take the constitution to heart.
Good luck with that.
Yeah, you're gonna need it.
-oOo-
Ichigo felt like the wind was knocked out of him.
He had a lot of women. Heck, he practically lost count. (And that was not exaggeration.) But not one of them took his breath away quite like her.
She was stunning, to say the least.
And he was grateful he wore his mask and tuxedo tonight or else he would've looked shabby in comparison to this woman.
Damn. Renji would be laughing his head off if he could see me right now.
She looked just as he remembered her that night they first met – white, knee-length tube dress, white mask, dark hair, pale skin, smoky eyes, and an overall aura that threatened to undo every single thing he held on to.
Guess I'll have to set that stupid constitution aside for now, Renji.
It was almost pitch-black on the school grounds. Ichigo was leaning onto one of the unlit light posts across the courtyard when he saw her standing a few feet away from the fountain, her silky dress almost luminescent in the dark.
His jaw dropped.
Ichigo grinned behind his mask when he noted the expression of disappointment when she saw that he was nowhere to be found.
With a silent 'thank you' to one of the school janitors that graciously helped him with his little scheme, he bent down and reached for a secret circuit breaker under one of the bushes around him.
Time for the waterworks.
And the light show.
Ichigo crossed his fingers.
…
He flicked on the switch.
-oOo-
CHAPTER SIX
OMG, Definition of
-oOo-
Rukia turned around.
And sure enough, there he was, dressed in the same deadly, clean-cut tuxedo, hands in his pockets. They apparently thought alike since the guy was still hiding behind that creepy white mask of his.
But, no, she was anything but scared tonight.
Butterflies started fluttering happily in her stomach.
WHOA.
Talk about taking her breath away. Literally.
Screw this guy!
"You scared me!" she blurted out ungracefully.
KSA chuckled and took a step closer. "'Surprised' was what I expected, but that was generally the plan."
"Congratulations, then," Rukia said, smiling. It amazed her how she was so comfortable with a man she barely knew. "So…"
Wordlessly, he told her to take a seat with him on the same oh-so-memorable bench. Rukia obliged with a shudder. It was getting colder by the minute. Damn that Byakuya! If he wasn't so distracting I would've remembered bringing my sweater along—!
"Oh, hold on." He slipped off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. "You're shaking."
Rukia felt her breath getting caught in her throat at the simple yet sweet gesture. Now that's what you call a gentleman. Take that, Ichigo Kurosaki!
"Uh… Thanks," she said. His jacket fit her poorly but it was cozy (Oh, wow, wow, WOW). Rukia found herself thinking if he was still warm like she remembered him to be.
LE SQUEAL!
…
The guy decided to break the ice. "So… What've you been up to lately?"
"Uhm… well, I've been doing a lot of thinking for the past few weeks," Rukia answered, fiddling the hem of her (Orihime's) dress.
"Oh." He reclined on the bench coolly. "Why's that?"
Because for one thing, I'm having some sort of freaky relationship with a guy who I don't even know and, well, did I mention that we kissed? And that I really like him? And that I'm just dying to know who he really is? And that I'm talking to him right now?
"Uhm, school's getting kinda hectic," she lied (since there was no way she's admit that almost everything she seemed to think about was him). "You know, college apps and all that shit."
…
WTF?!
Rukia clamped a hand on her mouth. She did not just say that obscenity in front of a guy. No! No! No! That was, like, a big HELL NO when dating. No effing swearing! Now he'd probably think she's this girl who doesn't have any class at all—
KSA laughed, much to her surprise. "It's okay. I don't really mind."
Rukia could sense a smile behind his mask. "Really?" she said, relieved. Byakuya will wring my neck if we just heard what I said.
"Yeah, no big. I like girls who speak their mind and just be themselves, rather than posers and fakers, you know what I mean?"
She smiled. That was the first time she ever heard a guy say those words.
"Thanks."
"It's okay."
…
Rukia then remembered. "Nice poem, by the way," she complimented him.
"Oh, that," he said with a small laugh. (I really like the way he laughs. EEP!) "I didn't really write all of that. A friend did it for me. I mean, I appreciate poetry, but I'm not gutsy enough to actually write."
"Really?" He likes poetry. WOW. "Me too, but you don't really look like the wordy type of guy."
"Well, you don't really know what I look like, right?" he said.
She smiled again. "Well, I guess not."
"I was kind of worried that you wouldn't get the cards." He reclined on the bench.
"Well, I should, considering that you scattered at least a hundred of them across school," she joked, grinning.
He laughed. "I know, right?"
The fountain splashed in the background.
…
Silence occupied them for the next moments before the guy stood up. Rukia immediately noticed how tall he was in comparison to her (Nice one). Beneath the dimmed lampposts and night sky, his hair color was still indistinguishable, but it was a light shade of… something. He was a blonde maybe? His built wasn't too muscular but had just the right amount of angles that a teenage boy should have. She blinked when he held out a hand to her.
"Huh?" Rukia said stupidly.
"C'mon, get up." He reached out to claps his fingers around hers. KSA then tugged at her in a very gentle way that all Rukia could do was comply.
She stood up slowly, not taking her eyes off his eyes behind the mask. Hell butterflies started fluttering inside her. "Where're we going?" she asked with a giggle.
NO. WHY THE HELL AM I GIGGLING? RUKIA KUCHIKI DOES NOT GIGGLE—!
"Right here," the guy said as he slipped out a Walkman phone from inside his coat and fiddled with it. Her hand missed his contact immediately.
"Uhm…"
Great. You're, what, texting someone else while you're with me? That's just—
"I just remembered," he began as he settled down his phone on the bench. "At the BTS dance, we didn't really dance, did we?"
Rukia blinked again. And she shook her head, his coat falling loosely from her shoulders.
He bowed and twirled his hand in a very, very old-fashioned way that sent chills through her body. "So… May I have this dance?"
As if right on cue, a song sounded softly from his phone. It began with the notes of a piano, in a tune that was familiar to her somehow. It made her think about when her parents used to go on long, afternoon drives during Sundays. She was four and Byakuya was nine…
There are times
When you make me laugh.
There are moments
When you drive me mad…
"Michael Learns to Rock?" Rukia asked him a little disbelievingly when she recognized the song.
KSA remained in his position. "I have a thing for nineties music," he explained to her.
That's unusual.
But very, very sweet.
"Well, in that case…" She took his hand, not caring at all that she didn't know who this guy was. There was probably another time for that. "You have excellent taste in music, sire."
There are seconds
When I see the light,
Though many times
You've made me cry…
He planted a small kiss on her hand (with his still mask on).
"Of course you may have this dance."
Hell, I LOVE this song!
Rukia tentatively placed her hand behind his neck (standing tiptoe as she did so), thankful that her brother gave her 'noble' dance lessons when she was younger. He responded by circling his strong arm around her waist and placing his chin on the top of her head. The guy then intertwined his other hand in hers in a tight and delicate grip.
EEPGASPZOMG!
The position was just so intimate that she fought back another giggle and (dare she say it) a blush.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!
She felt like she was on cloud nine.
The words 'Oh, my God' repeated in her head like a mantra.
There's something
You don't understand.
I want to be your man…
Like what couples did on slow songs, well, they didn't really dance, but rather, started swaying to the beat. She relaxed her tense shoulders and rested her cheek against his warm chest. Rukia caught a whiff of citrus-ish cologne mixed with… soap and grass. Maybe he was a football player of sorts?
Nothing to lose,
Your love to win.
Hoping so bad
That you'll let me in…
Rukia closed her eyes and tried to memorize every sound, every smell, every touch while it lasted.
She had to leave by midnight.
"I'm at your feet, waiting for you," he started singing quietly as they swayed, his voice low and soothing.
…
"I've got time and nothing to lose."
…
The guy pulled back slowly and stopped the MP3, his other hand still holding her considerable smaller one. All Rukia could do was stand there, gaping like an idiot, looking like a stunned prey.
KSA then looked at her behind his mask. There was nothing scary or maniacal in his gaze, but Rukia felt like she was being stripped naked. It was like he was trying to commit her to his memory.
Why is it that you look so damn familiar to me—?
She jumped in surprise when her phone vibrated against her side. Her alarm had gone off. It was midnight already.
Disappointment hit her in waves. It was too soon.
Why does time fly by so fast when you're having the time of your life, damnit!
Rukia looked up, trying to figure him out.
Who was he anyway? Did he know who she was? Who knew when they would see each other again? Would he recognize her if they passed by each other in the school hallways?
"I've got to go," she whispered to him, slipping her hand away from his. "My brother will kill me."
He nodded in understanding. "Is it okay if I see you again?"
"Of course," she said with a smile. "Contact me in any way you wish."
Chuckling, KSA pocketed his hands. "You can keep the coat till then, it's still cold."
"Oh, thanks," she said, fingering the black material on her back.
My knight in shining armor…
Er, tuxedo.
…
"It's late. You want me to give you a ride home?"
"Do you want my brother to decapitate us both?"
He laughed. "Alright, take care," he reminded her.
They both just stood there, as if unwilling to leave.
…
An idea sprung up from the depths of her subconscious.
I really should stop watching romance flicks with Orihime.
And that was when the lights and the fountain went out. The school's electricity power supply probably lasted just until twelve in the morning.
YES! Thank you!
It was pitch black when Rukia ran to him, slowly took off his mask, and pressed her lips against his.
The guy felt like he was surprised at first, but returned the gesture almost immediately. He wrapped his arms around her petite body and she hooked hers around his neck, forgetting about the time, her brother, and who the hell this guy was.
They moved in a rhythm much like of that when they first kissed, only this time it was filled with something else… Passion? Want?
…
Love, maybe?
She let out a mental scream.
…
They pulled back after what felt like an eternity.
Rukia was breathless, her heart fluttering wildly against her chest.
"Goodbye," he whispered in the dark.
"'Bye."
Hesitantly, she turned her back and ran back to where she parked her bike, silently praying she wouldn't trip over something she couldn't see.
-oOo-
To: ChappyFreak88 (Kuchiki, Rukia)
From: ur_worst_nightmare (Arisawa, Tatsuki)
Sent: 05:37:43 at October 2
Subject: Ahem.
Hey, where's that number 16 of the Chem hw I asked you?! I need that this morning. Ms. Matsumoto asked me to drop it off at school today for extra credit. I will kill you if I don't get that extra credit. (Not to mention she might 'boob' me to death.)
Toods,
T.A.
To: ur_worst_nightmare (Arisawa, Tatsuki)
From: ChappyFreak88 (Kuchiki, Rukia)
Sent: 05:40:21 at October 2
Subject: Go to hell, bitch. I already took that class last year.
But since you are my best friend and all (and I'm in such a sickly peachy mood today), I took the liberty of checking your email for it and solving it for you.
The answer's 372mmHg.
Do not doubt Rukia Kuchiki and her scientific calculator.
Life is just DA BOMB.
Chappy is awesome,
Rukia
To: ChappyFreak88 (Kuchiki, Rukia)
From: ur_worst_nightmare (Arisawa, Tatsuki)
Sent: 05:42:51 at October 2
Subject: What?
Are you sick? What, did Kaien Shiba leave his wife for you or something? Or are you doing drugs without telling me?
Thanks for the answer. (BIG, BIG, BIG HUG!)
Toods,
T.A.
To: ur_worst_nightmare (Arisawa, Tatsuki)
From: ChappyFreak88 (Kuchiki, Rukia)
Sent: 05:43:39 at October 2
Subject: No, but it would be cool if that actually happened.
You'll find out in due time, my dear. (Ask anything and I swear I will NOT help you with your homework anymore.)
Anyways, you wanna go grab some ice cream before lunch? I'm been craving Coldstone since, like, forever.
Chappy is awesome,
Rukia
To: ChappyFreak88 (Kuchiki, Rukia)
From: ur_worst_nightmare (Arisawa, Tatsuki)
Sent: 05:45:26 at October 2
Subject: Whatever.
Sure. Your treat. Right after I give my dog a bath.
Toods,
T.A.
"Hey, lemme have some of that, freak."
"No way! Get your own, bitch! Bubblegum's, like, the best flavor—"
"I just wanna try it—!"
"Hell no!"
"C'mon, just one spoonful and I'll shut up forever—"
"Get away—! Aw, shit, you made me spill it, you bitch! There goes my three bucks!"
"That's what you get, freak."
"Gimme your ice cream, now."
"In your freaky little face, midget."
SPLAT.
-oOo-
Rukia always believe in something which she personally branded 'Balance in Nature,' which is an unwritten rule that ultimately governed everything on this planet. It went hand-in-hand with the 'Opposites Attract, Likes Repel' thing. Pretty girl friend, ugly boyfriend. Night and day, rain and shine, etc.
That was why she never questioned why she was stuck with an intolerable lab partner such as Ichigo Kurosaki. Sure, they got along well sometimes (emphasis on that), but they just couldn't click together so easily.
God, please help meee.
…
Rukia: Okay, let's try this again. What is, uhm, Taxonomy?
Ichigo: It's… the study of taxes?
(She hit him on the shoulder with a heavy textbook. There was a yelp of pain.)
Rukia: For Pete's sake, did you even bother reading or something? No, wait. Can you even read in the first place?
Ichigo: Well, why are you bothering to help me with this? You're wasting your time, Shortcake.
Rukia: Because in this subject, our exam, which will start in fifteen minutes, is team-graded. Sad to say, you are my team. Let's say I get an A-plus and you get a C-minus, they get our average marks, which will probably be around a B-minus, if that were the case. I cannot afford a B-minus, Ichigo Kurosaki, do you hear me?
Ichigo: You know, Shortcake, I kinda like the way you say my name.
Rukia: Screw you! Taxonomy is the biological discipline of naming and classifying organisms, okay?
Ichigo: I knew that. I was just pissing you off. I studied last night.
Rukia: Oh, really? Wow, Ichigo Kurosaki actually deflated his air-filled head to review for an exam!
(He scoffed.)
Ichigo: Okay, what's Embryology?
Rukia: The study of the development of organisms.
Ichigo: What about Immunology?
Rukia: The study of the immune system.
Ichigo: And Proteomics?
Rukia: …
Ichigo: What was that, Shortcake?
Rukia: Shut up! It's on the tip of my tongue. It's, uhm… the… study of…
(He laughed annoyingly.)
…
"Close all textbooks, handouts, and reviewers," Kurotsuchi announced from the front of the room. "The exam will commence in ten seconds."
"Hey, what's Proteomics?" she whispered to him, her voice cutting.
Ichigo grinned his playboy grin. "I thought you knew everything, Shortcake?" he teased.
"No, I don't. No one knows everything! Now tell me!" Rukia clicked her Chappy pen nervously.
"Sorry, but he doesn't allow talking during tests," he said smoothly.
Rukia gawked at him in disbelief.
Burn in hell, you stupid strawberry!
-oOo-
"Go away, Renji."
Said guy sneered. "Aw, c'mon, Rookie. How about coffee this Saturday? My treat. I know you love mocha lattes."
Argh.
"No, thanks." Rukia shoved her books into her locker. "And stop calling me that."
"How about pizza? It's Pepperoni Overload Wednesday tomorrow," he said, unfaltering.
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Renji, do you know the meaning of the word 'no'?"
"Uh… no?" he replied smoothly as he fell instep with her in the busy hallway.
"Ha ha, nice try. I can say that in sixteen different languages, by the way. Or do you really want me to just spell it out for you—?"
Renji sighed in frustration and blocked her way. "Look, all I want is to take you out. Just grab something to eat, nothing else. Why on earth won't you let me take you out?"
"The same reason why I don't wanna go out with you," Rukia snapped, putting her hands on her hips.
"And what's that reason?" he asked her.
Are you annoying me on purpose, Renji Abarai? Because congratulations! You just got a Yahtzee!
Now it was Rukia's turn to sigh. "Because I, uhm, already have a boyfriend," she lied (well, kind of lied anyway).
"What?" Renji raised a tattooed eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah, I do. We've been together for quite some time now."
More like, what, three weeks.
"Who is he then?" he pressed on, still blocking her way.
Rukia hesitated. Now would be the best time to introduce yourself, KSA… "I'd tell you, but that would be none of your effing business, Renji."
"Oh, I doubt he's sexier than the Renji-meister," he said, tapping his rock-hard abs.
She rolled her eyes in disgust. "Ugh, my friends are waiting for me, so why don't you find some other girl you'd wanna drag to your cave, huh? Bye!" Rukia sidestepped him and sprinted towards the biggest crowd of students she could see.
"Hey, Rookie! Wait up!"
"Bye, Renji!" She stuck out her tongue back at him.
Sorry, but I'm already spoken for, she thought with a smile.
-oOo-
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Zangetsu09: Hey, Shortcake.
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ChappyFreak88: Hey, Strawberry.
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Zangetsu09: Shortcake. What's up?
ChappyFreak88: Just Googling stuff.
ChappyFreak88: Where'd you get my screen name?
Zangetsu09: You gave it to me last Monday.
ChappyFreak88: Oh. I did? Sorry, lol.
…
Zangetsu09: Anyways, I gtg.
Zangetsu09: Karin's got another game, I gotta drop her off.
ChappyFreak88: Alright. See ya, Strawberry.
Zangetsu09: Take care, Shortcake.
ChappyFreak88: Strawberry Shortcake, lmao.
Zangetsu09: Whatever, Shortcake.
ChappyFreak88: Screw you!
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-oOo-
Author's Note: Hello, people of FF! And thank you for not strangling me or sending me hate mail because of the last cliffy. I hope this pathetic excuse for a chapter will make up for it. :)
Another Note: Can I hear 100 reviews? ;)
