Hello again! :) My summer officially started today; I'm so happy! I hope you all are having a wonderful day as well!
Looking around, I can't believe that this is me,
the light that reveals what I've saved.
To give it up or give away was my old way It must be the way you moved me into your light. Summer time I've got you on my
It's gonna be all right
Summertime (Acoustic) - Eyeshine
Chapter 7: New Alliances
-Rukia-
Rukia woke up to the sun streaming in from the window, spreading light across the floor of the room and her bed.
Out of habit, she checked her phone before remembering that she didn't get service on the beach. The screen read 8:02 Monday, June 3. Rukia slowly climbed out of bed, stretching and taking a moment to admire the view from her window.
By the time she had showered and put on one of her favorite sundresses, it was only 8:47. Rukia still hadn't heard anything to suggest that the others had woken up yet and decided to head downstairs to start breakfast.
Humming quietly to herself, she pulled out a carton of eggs from the refrigerator and turned on the stove.
"Do you want any help?" The deep voice made Rukia jump and she dropped the two eggs she had been holding on the ground.
Chad had an amused look on his face. "Sorry."
Shit! Of all the goddamn spastic, motherfu-
"It's fine. I didn't realize anyone was up." Rukia composed herself and watched the tall boy get up from his seat looking out onto the beach.
"I like watching the waves when I can't sleep." He said simply before taking some paper towels and kneeling to wipe up the mess on the floor.
"Thanks." Rukia moved so she was out of his way. "I'm sorry I interrupted."
Chad shrugged. "You didn't. Can I help with anything?"
Rukia took a moment to analyze him. Out of the group, he was the one she knew the least about but strangely, she didn't feel uncomfortable around him. His pink flower patterned shirt made him seem much less intimidating than their old school uniform had and, so far, he had been more polite than Uryuu and Ichigo combined.
"Well, I was going to make a pot of miso soup and some toast after this." Rukia offered.
"I'll chop up the tofu and onions."
They worked in silence, Chad at the counter and Rukia at the stove, but the quiet companionship was enjoyable. By the time Tatsuki and Orihime entered the living room, all that was left to do was butter the toast.
-Ichigo-
Damn, the midget can cook.
Ichigo finished off his third bowl as his friends chatted about their plans for the day.
"Well, if you're interested, a friend of mine invited us to a party tonight. Her house is closer to the residential part of town but it's still on the beach." Rukia said, catching the group's attention.
"Perfect!" Tatsuki smiled. "We can finally celebrate being done with high school."
Orihime nodded, mouth full of toast, to agree with her friend.
"Sounds good to me." Uryuu's response surprised Ichigo. Uryuu wasn't exactly the partying type.
But then again, I wouldn't have predicted that Rukia was into socializing either. This week's just full of surprises.
Chad said he was in and Ichigo found his friends' attention on him, awaiting a response.
"Yeah. Whatever."
Obviously pleased, his friends resumed their conversation about what else they would do today. Rukia excused herself and began clearing the empty dishes from the table.
"Umm, Ichigo?" Orihime's voice sounded timid and quiet even though she was sitting next to him.
He pulled his gaze away from the petite girl and looked at the redhead to show that she had his attention.
"I was wondering… If, maybe, you would want to go for a walk on the beach this morning?"
The meaning of her question sunk in and Ichigo's eyes found Uryuu's quickly. His icy blue stare was more disappointed than accusatory but Ichigo still felt a chill in his stomach.
"Sure. Anyone else want to come?" Ichigo spoke hurriedly, trying to give his friend a chance to join.
"Nah. Chad and I are going to the gym in a little bit," Tatsuki said.
Ichigo waited for a reply from the raven-haired boy but he refused with a small, nonchalant shrug. "I'll probably stay here and read for a while."
What a selfish, immature-
"Hey, Rukia!" Ichigo called to the kitchen in a last attempt.
She poked her head out the doorway.
"You want to go for a walk with us?"
"Sure," she chirped. "Just let me put these dishes away and I'll be ready."
Ichigo let out a small sigh of relief. He really did like Orihime as a friend but, though he denied it for Uryuu, he had also noticed how she often sought him out for conversations or time together more than she did for her other male friends.
"Ready?" Rukia had slipped on a brown pair of sandals to match her light blue dress.
"Yeah." Ichigo stood up.
When he and Orihime stood up, Ichigo noticed a look that faintly resembled horror cross Rukia's face.
"Is it just us three?"
-Rukia-
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Rukia felt guilty for ruining Orihime's attempt to be alone with Ichigo. Of course, the point isn't for her to actually be alone with him, but to have Uryuu think that they were alone but still…
"Is something wrong?" Orihime asked, noticing the girl's sudden hesitance.
Rukia sighed inwardly. "No, I'm fine. Let's go."
Orihime donned a sandy-colored wide brimmed hat and Ichigo grabbed a pair of shoes. As the trio headed for the door to the porch, Rukia had an idea.
"You should come with us if you're not busy, Uryuu. We could use another guy to… collect firewood on our way back." Rukia smiled at her own genius.
The boy paused to adjust his glasses and, for a moment, Rukia thought he was going to refuse just to spite her.
"If you insist." Uryuu followed them out the door and walked ahead to fall in step beside Ichigo, who clapped him on the back with an odd amount of force and laughed about something.
Walking a few steps behind, Rukia spoke quietly so the boys wouldn't hear. "I thought everyone was coming. I'm sorry if-"
"You're brilliant, Rukia." The taller girl giggled. "I never would've been able to do that. Thank you."
Pride swelled in Rukia's chest. "You're welcome."
"Hey! Are you guys coming or what?" Ichigo had finally noticed the girls' slow pace.
"Hey! …Shut up!" Rukia retorted causing Orihime to laugh.
"Took you long enough." Ichigo commented when they caught up.
Rukia scoffed. "We were having a conversation. Maybe you just walk too fast."
"More like your legs are too short to keep up with us adults."
"My legs are a perfectly normal length!" Rukia spat, elbowing him in the stomach as she walked past.
He let out a grunt and string of curses. Refusing to grace the stupid oaf with her attention again, Rukia kept her eyes forward but she heard a deeper laugh accompany Ichigo's misery.
"I'm impressed. I thought Tatsuki was the only person who knew how to keep you in your place."
Orihime giggled at Uryuu's statement and Rukia smiled.
I guess we're on the same side now.
-Ichigo-
Stupid bitch.
"Bitch." Ichigo muttered, just loud enough so she could hear when they were walking alone.
Orihime had decided to walk closer to the water, letting the biggest waves reach up and swirl around her feet. Uryuu stayed well away from the water but close enough to still carry on a conversation with the redhead.
Ichigo and Rukia had taken to walking higher up on the shore in order to give the pair some privacy.
"Don't call me short." The girl walking next to him finally responded.
"Don't elbow me."
"Don't be stupid."
"Don't be so annoying."
There was silence and Ichigo grinned, pleased that he had won the argument.
"This is childish. Where are we going anyway?" Her violet eyes looked up at him curiously.
Ichigo shrugged. "This was Orihime's idea, not mine. Ask her."
He watched the girl walking beside him roll her eyes in irritation. Looking to his other side, Ichigo saw Uryuu still conversing with Orihime, laughing and obviously enjoying himself.
At least one of us is having fun…
"Uryuu certainly appears to be in a good mood." Rukia commented. Ichigo noticed her too-casual attitude but couldn't fathom why the midget would be interested in Uryuu and his mood swings.
"Orihime usually brings out the best in people. He's no exception." Ichigo responded nonchalantly. "Since when do you care?"
Rukia shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "Would you say she brings out the best in you as well?"
Ichigo paused. What kind of question is that? Does Orihime bring out the best in me? How the hell should I know?
"I don't know. I never really thought about it. You never answered my question." He snapped.
"You didn't answer mine."
Ichigo frowned at the sharp response. What's with her? He studied the face of the girl beside him, taking in her slightly furrowed eyebrows, calculating eyes, and tinged cheeks.
And then it clicked. Rukia Kuchiki was jealous.
"Orihime's a great girl. She's so positive, it's hard not let it rub off on you." Ichigo smirked as Rukia's violet eyes narrowed. "There's your answer. Now, tell me why you're so interested in Uryuu all of a sudden."
-Rukia-
If I didn't know better, I'd say he sounded jealous…
Rukia crafted her response carefully, concentration apparent on her face. "I simply want to make sure that everyone is having a good time. It's my responsibility as hostess."
Feeling smug, Rukia knew Ichigo wasn't buying her excuse but she decided she'd let him think what he wanted for now. Hopefully, Orihime would tell Uryuu of her feelings soon and she wouldn't have to keep making excuses.
But what if Ichigo really does have feelings for Orihime…
A heaviness settled in Rukia's stomach at the thought. It hadn't occurred to her before but now that she thought about it, it was possible he could honestly return Orihime's fake affections…
"Rukia! Ichigo! Look what Uryuu found!" Orihime's shout interrupted her thoughts.
Both Rukia and Ichigo stopped to witness Uryuu's discovery. In both hands, Uryuu held a thick piece of driftwood, spanning longer than his own height, with Orihime holding on to the end and waving with her other hand.
"I think we've got our firewood. Can you give me a hand, Ichigo?" Uryuu asked, pride and strain both obvious in his voice. Rukia heard a small chuckle from the man beside her and she watched him walk quickly to help his friend, giving no more than a polite glance towards the redhead.
With her previous concerns relieved, Rukia joined the trio in carrying the large object back to the beach house. As they trekked across the beach, Rukia snuck a peek down the log, briefly watching the pair at the end exchange coy glances and flirtatious comments.
Then, she looked curiously at the tall carrot-top next to her, wondering. He scowled back and Rukia automatically stuck out her tongue.
Stupid jerk. There's no way I'll ever be interested in him.
And then, his hand brushed hers as they stopped to reposition the log. Between his uncharacteristic mumbled apology and her tingling skin, Rukia almost found herself daring to doubt her earlier thoughts.
Next chapter was one of my favorites to write. :) You should be very excited. Review please!
