Chapter 7
Behind Me, Behind You
-WHAT?
Rukia stood up briskly shoving Ichigo's hand away from her. The doctor, who had been putting stitches on the back of her head until a moment ago, tried to catch her unstable form with no success.
-Rukia, let me… - Ichigo was trying to catch her to stop her from falling but Rukia kept shoving him away slapping his chest with rage.
- YOU LIER! YOU LIED TO MY FACE!
-It is not what it looks…
- DON'T! Don't say a word. You have fooled me enough for the past months…Did you think that I was dumb?
-Rukia, listen to me, I had to do it, but I did not lie to you about everything. The rest of what I said to you was genuinely true.
-I don't believe you. You have been toying with me long enough, treating me with your sweet manners…-Her eyes were moisturized with anger. – You must have had a good laugh seeing how I fell head over heels for your tricks.
-That's not true; I truly respect you, and I never lied to you in anything that was not related to our job.
-Respect, you say? And what part of it was not work? You needed my trust in order to use me for your investigation!
Rukia's eyes were filled with dread. She turned around not wanting to listen to another word that he had to say and pulled her cell out. Ichigo shut his eyes hard regretting the mess he had created.
-…Taxi?
-What? No, stop it! – He said pulling her cell away from her.
-Give it back, I want to go home! - She demanded desperately trying to reach for her phone.
-You can't bring a Taxi here, this operation is a secret. I'll drive you home now if you want.
-I would never climb on a car next to you, you make me sick.
Ichigo's shocked expression froze on his face for a moment. Then his jaw set and his instance tensed, creating an overwhelming aura of authority around him.
Pulling away from her effectively, he commanded.
-Agent Yasutora!
Said man, who was busy inside the car she had been trapped in before, approached them immediately.
-Captain.
-Drive Miss Kuchiki back home. Ordinary procedure. –The agent gave a curt nod. With a slight gesture he leaded her to the car.
Ichigo remained still as they passed by. He kept his hard gaze on the horizon and did not spare a single glance to the pair as he turned back to the investigation perimeter, where police officers with Tokyo's distinctive where profusely working.
Rukia did not stop feeling for a moment the stabs on her chest as they drove away. She had seen how he had transformed before her eyes in such an authoritarian agent, devoid of any emotion. That's the person he was, instead of the kind-amber-eyes man that she had believed him to be until today. A cop nonetheless, the same kind as the ones that would chase and lock her away when she was a helpless orphan.
He even had said straight to her face that he was not such thing, that he only wanted to make collaboration for her newspaper. What journalist would ever want to do that, for God's sake! But she had been fooled by his friendly manners, his trips to see the turtles under the moonlight and those limpid amber eyes. What exactly had been the matter? She had never let herself been fooled before. She could smell a colleague trying to get advantage of her from the other side of her office's door. The bulldog was the nickname she knew she had secretly earned between her colleagues. Yet she had not been able to tell that he was lying to her all along. His family had been a fake one too? Probably not, his cute sisters were too adorable to lie, and his weird father must have been genuine. Then he had had no shame to mix them in this deception.
-Miss Kuchiki? – She was brought up to the reality.
-Agent?
-Ah, good. You were so silent I thought you were dismayed.
-I'm fine, don't worry.
-In any case I think you should stay under someone's surveillance for a few hours. In case you lose consciousness or feel bad. You received a pretty hard hit on your head.
She was silent for a few moments.
-You might be right, but I don't feel like explaining what happened to my brother.
-You can't tell what you just witnessed. This is a top secret operation. You cannot even reveal what is Kurosaki's real identity. Otherwise you could put him in real danger.
Rukia gave a soft snort that Chad did not fail to hear.
-Not telling you the truth has been also a way to protect you… - Chad hesitated for a moment before continuing. - Miss, I'm sorry to admit that I may have overheard bits of your conversation with him earlier. - Rukia blushed, she truly had been shouting. – He has always placed your safety first, and has valued your help foremost, but there were things that he could not tell you for the sake of this investigation. I have witnessed his struggles all along these past months in what was related to you. Especially earlier, when you were cornered in that street, I had to force him to not intervene in it, for the sake of the investigation. He was willing to jump in the middle of those thugs bare-chested, even knowing that he had no chance to save you. He honestly cares for your well-being, but he is also a splendid professional and could not let himself be driven by his feelings for you Miss.
Her heart gave a slight jump at this; but recalling time and again what Yasutora had just told her about how he had witnessed her struggle and staid back, kept the fluttering down.
-Then, could you drive me to this address instead, please? – She said handing him a card. - It's a friend's home.
-Sure, just remember not to disclosure anything vital.
Chad saw her nodding through the rear-view mirror.
Back at Ichigo's apartment, Ishida entered the room where Chad and Ichigo worked silently.
-I just talked to Tokio's headquarters. They will make your identity disappear immediately. You will only keep the name; the rest of your profile will be according to your cover for the past months.
Ichigo nodded satisfied.
-Did they get any more information from the guys we arrested?
-Not yet, they will give us a call as soon as they find something that helps us follow any lead.
-Good.
Ishida started dialing again while Chad searched incessantly the Internet for traces of the operation. Ichigo was checking the ballistic report but kept nervously brushing his forehead. Chad noticed his lack of concentration.
-Buddy, you look very tired. You should take a nap for a few hours. We can continue later.
-I'm ok; I really need to get this done before I can't focus on the rest of the stuff.
Chad overlooked his notes and noticed several mistakes.
-Kurosaki, It will take you longer if you have to check everything back later…
-What...? Oh. – Looking back at his notes he noticed them too. He threw himself back on the sofa and gave a long sigh.
Ishida offered.
-I don't think you are tired either. This has been a stressful day; I think you should solve whatever is distracting you.
Ichigo looked away.
-I agree Ichigo. Now we are stepping into a dangerous stage and we need to be fully concentrated on it. If your quarrel with her is what makes you lose focus you should go talk to her. – Ichigo shook his head.
-She won't talk to me now. Couldn't Hanataro have found a better time for asking me to sign that?
-It would have happened at some point, I'm actually impressed that you could avoid it for so long. If I may say, it's not Hanataro's fault, it was yours from the moment you decided to go behind her car instead of letting it to our reinforcements.
-But I couldn't leave her!
-You could have, but I understand why you didn't, and if you were more honest with yourself you would not try to find more excuses for what you did. - Ichigo's scowl deepened.
-You have reminded me several times why it can't be, and now you call it my excuses.
Ishida intervened in a brief moment between calls.
-What you say is true, and I would advise you to stay away from her for her safety, but I don't reckon that she's part of the investigation anymore. - The phone rang again and picking it up he went into another room, Chad insisted.
-So do I, Ichigo. – Ichigo looked back at his old pale.
-Well, maybe you are right and it was bound to happen. But I should have known better not to get involved with her.
-As your friend, I think it was a good thing for you. It had been a long time since I last heard you laughing so carefree. And I'm sure that if you explain it to her, she'll understand why you had to do it.
-Perhaps. But I don't know if I would like to go any further with this.
-Why? I think she's perfect for you!
-I don't want her to drag me back to Karakura for good. When I finish this I'll return to Tokyo.
Chad shook his head disappointed. Ichigo's cell started ringing.
-Hello?
-… - Ichigo's brow furrowed.
-Who are you?
Rukia's complaints were being muffled by the sheets on Momo's bed.
-And then I discover that he's not a journalist. And he said that he was one to me, he lied to my face Momo! It's outrageous...!
-I know honey, what a jerk. - She said patting her head.
-…He totally is, and he did all of this sweet things just to get my help.
-Well you know… there are worse things to fool a girl for…
-Momo! – Momo lifted her hands defensively.
-I know, I know. ..He's such an asshole.
-He even introduced me to his family; what kind of faker does that? He's a nightmare! - Rukia bit his tongue before telling Momo what his real job was. That would make Momo understand better her aversion to what he had done. Her friend was aware of her terrible past going from orphanage to orphanage thanks to the police. This was so messed up. The story she had made up about having an accident on a colleague's car, did not help to explain her frustration with her friend.
-He did? Maybe he has a split personality? Like an inner monster, that comes out to torture you…!
-Momo! Why are you making fun of me? What he did was terrible.
-Ok, you are right, he did not behave ok. But I reckon you are making too much of a fuss about this. Normally you wouldn't be whining here but planning on how to strike back at him. Maybe it is not only a professional matter?
-Yes it is!
-Really? I have listened to you telling me about this guy ever since you guys met, and I think you are not being honest with yourself. And maybe he did it because he was actually interested in you.
-I don't think so… - she said in a small voice, remembering the soft feeling of his lips on top of hers, which made Momo raise an eyebrow.
-Rukia, I know you too well. - Rukia lowered her eyes. – And you probably haven't been honest with him either. Or does he know that you have a fiancé?
Rukia shook her head. – That's revealing enough, there must be a reason to conceal that.
-No! There's no weird reason behind it, it just never came up.
-But you should have brought it up when he asked you out… - Rukia was going to protest but Momo chastised her. – I think it's time for you to talk to Aizen and to Kurosaki. You are not as indifferent to him as you pretend to be.
-I can't do such thing. - She said out of breath, and lowering her voice she confessed to her friend. - Actually Momo, we are going to set the wedding date tonight, as soon as Sousuke comes back from his trip.
-What? Rukia don't! That's a mistake!
-I thought you believed he was the best for me.
-I did, but I believed that you were in love with him too.
-We will be fine.
-Fine is not enough, Rukia. I won't let you make such a mistake in front of my eyes...And no, I don't give a damn about what you brother prefers; this is your life Rukia.
-Argh! Whatever! Momo, you have completely misunderstood.
Momo sighed shaking her head.
-Rukia will you excuse me? I'm really sorry to say this after you have had an accident but I was going to meet with Shiro and I'm already late. Would you mind if I leave you here? I promise it won't take long. If your head hurts, call me.
-Sure, don't worry about me, have fun.
-Great, I'm going to give him a call and I'll be leaving soon. – She said going for the phone. -Oops, I'm running out of battery, would you lend me yours please?
-Sure. – Said Rukia handing hers over.
Rukia was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine when the door bell rang.
-Momo, what have you forgotten? – She said approaching the door.
When she opened the door she had not expected to see him.
-What are you doing here?
-Your friend…she called me… - Rukia rolled her eyes suppressing a groan. Ichigo scratched the back of his neck. – I brought you this. – He said handing her a Chappy chocolate bunny.
Rukia looked up at him from under a deep scowl.
-I know it is lame. I needed an excuse.
-You did a poor job, it is lame, but come on in. –He closed the door behind him. – Remind me to kill Momo afterwards.
-Right.
-Do you want anything? Tea?
-Sure.
The silence fell between them like a gravestone. Ichigo nervously walked around the living room pretending to be admiring the art in the shelves but actually keeping an eye on her.
Rukia made tea in the kitchen for a little longer than what was necessary. Taking a long breath she came out to the living room carrying a tray with the drinks.
Before Rukia could take a seat, Ichigo blurted out.
-Rukia, I'm sorry, I was forced to keep the truth from you.
-Were you? I don't quite remember seeing anyone pointing at you with a gun.
-Rukia, you know what my job is. There are things that surpass my will. But I can assure you that I never lied to you in anything else, because I never intended to take advantage of you.
-Then what do you say making use of my investigation is?
-I was at a huge dead end, and you were my only chance, but I always meant it as collaboration.
-That's how you cops call it?
-Why such bitterness against the police? Besides, that's the way it happened. When I collected my own clues I could easily have let you out of it, but instead I looked out for you to tell you what I got.
Rukia uncrossed her arms, softening a bit.
-So tell me, what else is a lie?
-Nothing else, I promise. Ask me what you want to know and I'll answer honestly.
-Really? What is your investigation about?
-I can't tell you that, and you know it.
-Then…Am I a suspect?
Ichigo hesitated. He looked away uncomfortably thinking of a getaway. Rukia tapped the floor intently with her feet and he realized that this was a matter of trust. It was probably his last chance to make her believe in him again, so he decided against it and answered truthfully.
-You were. –Rukia crossed her arms indignant. - I never believed it possible! – Rukia arched an eyebrow disbelieving. –I'm serious! Maybe this is not very professional but…someone as sweet and pure as you could have never done anything bad.
Both of them blushed, and Ichigo turned around embarrassed, briskly walking away towards the window, with his back towards her.
Rukia slowly approached him from behind.
-Then…your family is not a fake?
-What? – Ichigo turned around alarmed. – Why would I ever pick such nuts people to pretend they were my family?
Rukia chuckled. Looking at her, Ichigo started chuckling too. Rukia very carefully lifted a hand and intertwined her fingers with his.
-I'm not going to ask you anything else for today. But, I won't let you walk away that easily. – She said pointing a finger of her free hand to his chest. Ichigo was looking back at her intrigued. – When you finish this investigation, I want to have the exclusive of it. – She said this as she propped herself up on her toes to reach for Ichigo's lips.
Feeling her lips burning on his, his arms, with a mind of their own, surrounded her petite body tightly, and stumbling around the room they ended up falling on the coach. Ichigo landed on top of her, imprisoning her between his arms. Rukia tried to fight from her position, laughing cheerily, but she didn't last long on her quest. Soon she surrendered to his firm arms and chest's cage and awaited her penalty with closed eyelids.
Ichigo delighted himself with his view from above of the surrendered kitten. He slowly lowered his mouth towards her parted lips. Before he could reach her skin the door bell rang and her eyes fluttered open, breaking the spell.
They kept looking at each other for a minute wondering whether they should go to open the door or not.
- Don't go, there's nobody at home. - Rukia laughed at this.
- I can't, it's probably Momo that has forgotten the keys, and I can't keep her waiting.
Reluctantly she freed herself from his grip and the moment she was about to stand up, she felt a quick nip on her collar. She stood up briskly, surprised by his move. Giggling at her own awkwardness she headed to the door.
When the door opened, Renki was standing at the other side.
-Finally. - He said relieved.
-Finally what? Why are you here, Renji?
-Your brother has been trying to get in touch with you the whole afternoon, and finally he has asked me to search for you. I've been everywhere looking for you until I remembered Momo's address.
-Who is it Rukia? – Ichigo called from the living room. Renji turned livid.
-A man?
-Yeah, well…- Rukia tried to hinder his way towards the living room. But Renji tossed her away and went in. From behind he could see her friend's back stiffen in front of a defiant Ichigo, who was standing in the middle of the room.
-What's the meaning of this Rukia? – Inquired Renji menacingly.
-I don't have to explain myself to you, Renji. – He clenched his fists silently.
-Fair enough. –But turning around to look at Rukia he announced. - I'm here because your brother and your fiancé are waiting for you. – He had said the word fiancé with sarcastic tone while keeping an eye on Ichigo. Renji smiled internally watching his shocked expression.
Rukia answered in a cold voice.
-Thank you Renji. I'll give them a call.
-No, they asked me to take you there…
-I don't need a nanny.
-…and that if you refused I should remind you…
-What?
Renji gave a tired sigh. –Don't make me do it, you know I hate being in the middle of this.
Rukia's stance softened.
-I know, but please, tell me what he said to you.
-That you already gave your word.
Ichigo saw how Rukia lowered her face biting her lower lip. She seemed more surprised than angered, but soon it turned into a mortified expression. After seeing this behavior his hopes of it being a sick joke were blown away, and her silence only contributed to increase his uneasiness. What was the meaning of this? She was engaged and she had been acting around him as if she was free. It pained him to realize that they had been lying to each other all along in what each other valued the most.
He saw how the baboon lamely reached out to pat her shoulder, but she carefully tossed it away not bothering to look up to him. She remained like that for a bit more.
Then she raised her head pridefully, but not a phantom of a smile showed on it. She was deadly serious when she spoke to Ichigo looking away from him.
-You need to leave.
These words ran through his chest as if it was a dagger. Slowly, without a word, he picked up his jacket from the sofa and looking to the front he walked past them.
When he was passing by Rukia's side, she posed her hand over his arm, and said in a faint voice.
-Take care.
His pace imperceptibly faltered, but not sparing a glance towards her, he resumed his way towards the exit.
Ichigo slammed the door on his way out. When he was gone Rukia's determination shattered and she collapsed on the armchair.
Hello everyone!
Sorry I'm late this week but I have been really busy, and I hate to admit that because my course begins this week, the load of work that I'll have to do will only increase. I want to keep updating regularly so you don't go crazy checking for updates. The problem is that since I don't have more chapters written ahead I will update once every two weeks and try to stick to it.
Thanks again to you, readers for reading my story every week. Specially to EmpressMinea ( Ichigo and Rukia are so unlucky, whenever they get close to the interesting parts someone interrupts…) and to Batosaix (was this reaction what you were expecting?)
Well I'll keep working hard on this story, please check for the updates and review!
…Continues in two weeks!
