I don't own Bleach. I don't own Ellie.
Reminder: Ichigo's IMs are in BOLD. Rukia's are italics. Everyone's thoughts are also in italics."What's with the sad face, Kurosaki?" Rukia asked, as she brought him another drink. "You don't seem very happy today, like you usually are. What's going on?"
He picked it up and sipped it a bit before answering. After letting the bitter liquid run down his throat he replied, "You wouldn't want to know."
Rukia giggled. "Try me."
Ichigo sighed and set down his drink. In the distance he could hear the faint sound of a sports announcer, broadcasting the latest update on some miscellaneous game. There were flashing lights behind the bar, promoting several different types of alcoholic beverages. He could hear the regulars talking in the background. And there was Rukia, her face etched with worry, standing in front of him.
He had never really noticed how pretty Rukia was until now. She had longer, black hair that was pulled up in a ponytail; one thick strand of hair that fell in front of her face, giving her a mysterious aura. She was very short; if he stood up, she would probably only go to his mid-chest or so. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a collared, dark-green t-shirt which had the bar's logo printed across it. The most enticing thing about her was her eyes. They were bright violet with just a hint of blue.
He felt guilty that he hadn't really paid much attention to her before. It was like Chapp14 had some kind of weird affect on her. Well, besides wanting to meet her more than anything and thinking about her 24/7, Ichigo really hadn't looked at anyone.
He had never wanted to be in a relationship; therefore, he never really paid much attention to girls. Now, that he was head over heels 'in love' with a girl, he couldn't help himself to the one aspect, among many, that he had been missing.
Right now, he was fully enjoying it.
"Kurosaki?!" he yelled, throwing a rag at him. He broke away from his useless thoughts to look back up at her. She was glaring at him mysteriously and he chuckled.
"I'm sorry, but did you say you wanted to hear my problems?" he teased lightly. She blushed lightly and playfully hit him across the arm.
"You wish, Kurosaki," she retorted, crossing her arms. "I never said I wanted to hear your problems, I merely suggested that you let me help you. I don't know about you, but you're kinda a downer tonight. And that's, what, your third beer? I'm going to have to throw you out soon." She stuck her tongue out at him and he grinned sheepishly.
"Yeah, fine. I'll tell you," he gave in. She leaned over the counter in anticipation. He smirked at her and then tried to explain his problem without letting on that he didn't actually know his problem in person. "Well…uh, it's a girl."
"Ooo," Rukia immediately interrupted. "So, you finally took my advice and got laid! Nice, Kurosaki. So, who is she?"
He glared at her, trying to suppress a blush that seemed to creep up on him. "No, I haven't gotten laid nor laid anyone. You're such a pervert!" She giggled but didn't speak. "Anyway, I think I
said something to upset her. I just—I really wanted to, um, take her to meet my family and she wasn't too cool with the idea. She wanted to…she just has a lot of school work and crap right now. Lately, she hasn't been talking to me as much as she used to. I-I'm not sure what I did wrong. You're a girl, maybe you can help."
Rukia lifted a finger to her chin as she pretended to think of the right words to tell him her advice. Truthfully, she had already figured out the answer to his problem; but watching him squirm like a fish separated from water proved to be most entertaining.
"Hm," she finally answered. Ichigo leaned forward, eager to find out her solution. "I think that you should slow things down a bit," she said seriously. "I bet the girl thinks you're going too fast and she just wants you to calm down a bit and relax. She just wants you to enjoy the ride."
It was easy for Rukia to solve such a problem because of a certain SoulSlayer. Over the past few weeks, he had tried to get things back to normal, she knew, but it was somehow – different between them now. It was harder to find things to talk about, which seemed odd considering that they would be up half the night, talking about little random things. Now, Rukia went to bed regularly at around ten-thirty rather than three in the morning.
Rukia wanted it to go back to where it was. But she couldn't help but to feel uncomfortable around the guy now. She knew how much he wanted to meet her. She wanted to meet him to, badly…but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want her fantasy SoulSlayer617 to be corrupted by some ugly, greasy, forty-year-old man. She wanted to keep her image and she wanted him to be perfect like a knight in shining armor.
Rukia knew she was being silly and unrealistic, but she couldn't help but dream. She truly enjoyed SoulSlayer617's company, but, in the end, she knew if she met him, he'd be a huge disappointment.
Was it selfish of her to not want another disappointment in her life? Was she just plain stupid for thinking there was someone out there who cared about her opinions, her life, her goals, her dreams? Was she really that stupid?
Several times before, Rukia had opened herself up to disappointment; she had taken that risk to be happy, even if just for a few days, months, or years longer. First, she had let her sister get married to Byakuya; Hisana had told her if she didn't like Byakuya, even though she was only six at the time, she wouldn't get married to him. Seeing how happy her sister looked when she looked at Byakuya was good enough for Rukia. She had yes; her sister died three years later. Byakuya had closed up, shut every good thing off from her, and she had been miserable.
Then, there had been the two years of her rebellion. That sure had been the hardest and saddest two years of her life. She had lived in her car and then, finally, into a shabby apartment ran by the two nicest and hard-working people; Kaien and Miyako Shiba. But, then…on that night, when they had both been—murdered, Rukia couldn't help but to pack her heart away.
No, she didn't want to ever be disappointed; not after she had lost so much when she tried to be happy.
"I guess you're right," he sighed, brining Rukia out of her raging thoughts. "I'll just—give her some time. I really hope she realizes how crazy I am though, right now."
Rukia smiled. "I bet she does. She's a girl after all, we know everything."
Ichigo got up and smiled kindly back at her. He set a twenty dollar bill on the counter. Rukia was about to say that his bill was only twelve dollars when he said it was for the quick therapy lesson.
"Thanks, Kurosaki," Rukia said.
"No problem."
He was walking to the door when Rukia called out to him. "Hey, Kurosaki!" He turned around, waiting for her to continue. "If you want more of my advice, I'd say, do something or take a class that she likes doing or is taking. If she likes fishing, take her fishing. What is her major?"
"She loves writing," was his immediate answer.
"Then take a writing class, it might make help you understand her better, not to mention, it'll get your head out of those damn biology books." She grinned after him.
He said is thanks and raised a hand, saying goodbye. Rukia watched him go and went over to the cash register to get her tip. Suddenly, she was eloped in a huge hug from behind. Knowing exactly who it was, she gasped, "Can't…breathe—Rangiku-san…"
"Oh, sorry!" the strawberry-blonde manager said and let her go. Rukia turned around to face her boss who was dressed in a pair of tight-fitting jeans and very revealing shirt. "I just have to know," the woman said, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Who is that hottie? You two seemed to be getting pretty comfy over there."
Rukia was confused. "You mean Kurosaki Ichigo? Oh, he's just a regular. He only comes in on Mondays because that's supposedly the worst day of the week to him. We talk; he's pretty cool." Rukia could see the mischievous look in Matsumoto's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I think he likes you."
"Oh, please, he has a girlfriend."
"Hey, what happens at 'Drink with Matsu' stays at 'Drink with Matsu.' Hey, and I think, you think he's pretty sexy yourself. Am I right?"
Rukia blushed. "No," she said immediately. Matsumoto gave her a stern look and Rukia broke eye-contact. "Okay, he's pretty cute. There, happy?"
Matsumoto clasped her hands together. "Yes, now I'm very happy!"
They had decided to meet at the same diner they had mistakenly met nearly two weeks ago. The time they were assembling was 7 p.m. They were going to discuss what was to come next in their plans to get Ichigo and Rukia together; the plan that had brought them closer together. After all, Inoue now had Ishida, Ellie had Renji, and even Ishida and Renji were not fighting as normally as they usually did. Now, if only their lonely, pitiful-idiotic friends would do the same.
"Why are we here exactly?" Ishida asked lowly, glaring over at Renji. He had planned to take Inoue out on a date tonight, their very first date. But, when Inoue got the call from Ellie, she had immediately wanted to go help. Rukia was her friend after all, he couldn't deny that. Rukia was a close acquaintance to Ishida as well, but, still, he had wanted to go on that date!
"Well," Renji glared right back. "We're going on our next step of: Get the Two Idiots Together plan. I know that Ellie now has a class with Ichigo and you, Ishida, have a class with Kuchiki. Yesterday, I came up with the perfect plan to get them together quicker. After all, Ichigo still wants to go to America for the rest of his life. Who knows when he'll actually pack up and go?"
Ellie was not watching Renji. Instead, she was looking out the window, staring at the rain falling down from the weeping heavens. For the past few weeks or so, she had Ichigo partnered up and all he could ever talk about was leaving for America. Never had he mention Chappi14, never had he mentioned anything except science and America. Ellie didn't really want to see him go, because, if he did, goodbye went the brother she never had, and her lab partner.
Inoue and Ishida scrunched their faces in confusion. "What is it?" Inoue asked, leaning forward. "I mean, the plan, Renji. What are we going to do next?"
Renji smirked. "Alright, here's the plan…"
Professor Yamamoto rose from his seat like a hibernating bear from a long winter break. It sounded almost as if his bones creaked as his still posture was straightened. Rukia passed a glance at Ishida, whom was sitting next to her, hoping that maybe, he too, had heard the noise as well.
He was staring at her in the corner of his eye, smirking.
She shook her head, trying to stifle a laugh. Before she had any time to make a witty comment, her professor spoke, "Today, you will beginning a project to help you comprehend the latest material, which most of you have been having problems with." He glared at Rukia; she bit her lip and looked away.
The truth was Yamamoto had been glaring ever since the day she had been caught IMing SoulSlayer617. He even glared at Ishida when Rukia had started working and sitting by him. Rukia used to tease Ishida about not being teacher's pet anymore but he wouldn't get all riled up like Kurosaki usually did; he just smirked a pushed his glasses up.
"The purpose of this paper is to facilitate a deeper understanding of utilitarianism and to provide a way for students to apply this ethical theory to real life situations," he explained. Alarmed, Rukia looked over to Ishida for help. Though she loved writing, trying to understand an old geezer like Yamamoto was next to impossible to understand. He talked like a text book and looked like an old, evil Santa Claus.
Rukia sighed.
"You may work with one partner. This assignment will be due by Friday, February 16. There are information packets on the end of my desk. Pick one up as you leave. Class dismissed."
Rukia and Ishida picked up their books as well as a packet on the way out of class. Walking together, they headed toward the parking lot right outside the building. "So," Rukia said, staring down at her paper. "Do you want to work on this together?"
Ishida moved his glasses up the bridge of his nose, so the sun reflected off the lenses. "Sure," he replied.
"Good. So, we have to … do what now? Something with utilitarianism … I realize that much; besides that—I've got nothing."
"Ah, so you're cheating off of me."
Rukia blushed. "No," she replied harshly. "We can work in partners and, considering the fact that you've probably never had a partner before in your life, I thought I would be the selfless one and ask you to be my partner."
Ishida smirked and shook his head. "Yeah right, Kuchiki." He paused. "But, for the lack of my attention span to such trivial arguments, I say fine. I'll be happy to work with you."
She snorted. "You better be," she said.
By this time, they had reached their parking lot. Rukia's car was over two cars from Ishida's car. They stood right in the middle of their parting destinations and stood in awkward silence. "So, when should we start working?" Rukia asked, not being able to stand the silence any longer.
"Well," Ishida mused. "I can't work tonight … I have – um, something else I have to do"—Rukia was about to tease him about what he had to do but decided against it because he went right on—"So, how about I give you my phone number and you give me yours, then, I can call you tomorrow to figure about a schedule."
Rukia agreed. She handed her cell phone over to him and he did the same. After typing in their phone numbers, they reversed the action—handing them back to each other.
"Well, I guess I'll see you soon," Rukia stated, walking backwards toward her car. "See ya, Ishida." She waved a bit and then turned around fully, heading off to her car.
"You too, Rukia," Ishida said, smirking. "You too."
Ellie hit the 'send' button on her phone, while trying to pay attention to the new group project that her class was getting. Renji continuously texted her, asking when she was about ready to start the plan. Her phone was vibrating off the hook and she was just about to boiling point.
When her phone vibrated again, she growled. Ichigo, whom was sitting next to her and was fully paying attention, even looked away from the fury in her snarl.
"What's up?" he asked in concern, leaning over to her.
"Nothing—just, stuff," she replied.
He snorted. "As in Renji-stuff, or other-stuff?" he smirked and she turned bright red. He chuckled. "I'll take that as a Renji-stuff. Is he being an idiot again?"
"You could say that …"
They rolled their eyes at each other and then returned their attention back to Professor Kurotsuchi. After another twenty minutes of lecturing/babbling, he passed out a packet to every student in the class. He was explaining the same project he had been for an hour, and, since Ellie knew it was a partner-thing, she hoped Ichigo was taking notes on what they were going to do.
After class, they headed toward the exit together, engulfed in a comfortable silence. Too bad it didn't last any longer than the trip out the door. "So," Ellie said. "When do we need to start working on this project?"
"Well, it's due Friday," he replied. "We should start working on it soon. Who knows what more homework we'll get this week. How about we start working on it tomorrow?"
Ellie nodded. "Sure," she said. "Here, give me your phone. I'll put my number in here just in case something happens and either you or I can't make it." Ichigo handed his over and she handed hers. "You can put your number in mine … then, we can, well, you know, contact one another."
Ichigo nodded. She seemed really weird today. First, with the whole, "I'm-going-kill-Renji-if-he-doesn't-stop-texting-me" thing and now, she was being all jittery with the whole phone thing. What was the big deal anyway? It's not like they were going out or something … it was just a project.
Ellie finished and handed Ichigo back his phone and he did the same. "See ya," she said quickly, already backing up toward her car. "I have something I have to do tonight. So, I'll talk to you later!" She turned around and started jogging toward her car.
Ichigo raised a hand and waved. Then, he headed back to his own car, still wondering why Ellie was acting so strangely.
"So, how did the plan go?" Inoue asked, as soon as Ellie had gotten comfortable on her side of the booth. "It was today, right? When did the plan become 'in action'?"
Ellie sighed and sipped her water. "Well," she said. "After class Ichigo and I were walking back to our cars and I told him that I couldn't work on our project together but I said that we should swap phone numbers, you know, just in case. So we did."
Inoue squealed in delight and Ellie smiled lightly. Ishida had already told them that his side of the scheme and, now, they were waiting for the mastermind of the plan to speak.
They all looked toward Renji.
"It's perfect!" he yelped. "Ellie, Ishida, you guys were great! This plan has to work now!"
The next day, in Rukia's journalism class, she was trying to pay attention. For some reason, maybe because it was Tuesday or something, but, she really didn't feel like paying attention. So, she amused herself with doodling on her paper. She already knew all this stuff anyway. What was the point of paying attention now?
She yawned; those late nights talking to SoulSlayer617 were really hitting her all of a sudden. She was exhausted, part of the reason why she was willingly not paying attention to her Professor.
Professor Shihōin coughed and Rukia looked up; she was staring straight at her. Blushing, Rukia looked away. She thought that Professor Shihōin would continue her lesson, but she didn't. Instead, she said, "Okay, now, I want to introduce a new student to our class. He is hoping to become a doctor, but he decided to take this class for experience."
Rukia's head perked up. If they had a new student, that meant she wouldn't be considered the freak anymore. The New Girl.
She would be just another normal, low-life of the class. She grinned.
"Class, meet Ichigo Kurosaki, our new student!" said Professor Shihōin. Rukia's eyes widened as she watched him and his trademark scowl; he raised a hand and then, searched the room for a vacant seat.
When his eyes met Rukia's, he smiled and waved. She managed to smile back and motion for him to sit down next to her.
He came and, when he was finally settled in his seat and Professor Shihōin returned to her lecture on profiles, Rukia leaned over and whispered, "When I said go find a class that she would probably take, I meant like an English class! Not Intro to Newspaper!"He grinned.
"Get used to it Kuchiki. I'm going to be here for a while."
He smirked.
She glared.
Rukia was about ready to go to bed when her phone vibrated. She looked up from her soft and comfortable pillow, and looked over to her phone. Confused as to why someone would want to talk to so late, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Groaning, she rolled out of bed. Hitting the floor with a 'thud' she crawled over to her desk and picked up her phone. Like she had suspected, someone had texted her. Opening up her phone, she gasped, her eyes went wide.
The person sending her the text was SoulSlayer617. "Oh my God," she whispered. Hitting the 'receive' button, she looked at the message.
Hey, somehow, I got this number on my phone. Is this really Chappi14?
Rukia gasped. How had he gotten her number? What had happened? She never gave it to him. What if he found out who she was and raped her? What if … "Oh God," she whispered again. Should I reply? She thought. Well … I know that I trust him, oh, what the hell?
She hit the 'reply' button and quickly texted. Yeah, it's me. Somehow, I got your number on here as well. I'm not really sure how … You don't know who I am right?
The next message came not two minutes later.
No, I don't know who you are. I just was looking for a friend of mine's number in my phone book and I saw your name. It was weird … do you know who I am?
No way! I wouldn't do that! She replied.
I didn't think so. What do you want to do? I mean, I can delete your number if you don't like this … it's no big deal.
Rukia didn't want that. No way. Though she was terrified and a bit hysteric, she was pretty excited that she could talk to him any time she wanted.
No. Let's keep our numbers. But, you have to promise me that you won't try and go find me somewhere. Promise?
She was lying in her bed by now, waiting for his last text. She knew that she was getting in too deep with this guy/rapist, but, she could not help it. It was so exciting giving her number to a complete stranger; even if she didn't actually give it away.
Yeah. Sounds good. It's a promise then.
A/N: Again, sorry about the late update! I want to thank all my reviewers! You guys rock! ! I hope to hear from you soon!
By the way, I have a poll now in my profile! Please please PLEASE check it out! Well on that note I have to say,
PLEASE REVIEW & see ya!
