Ichigo arrived at the school early and look around the class for Rukia, but she's nowhere to be found.
"Good morning Ichigo!" Keigo rushed towards him.
"Have you seen Rukia?"
"No..she's not here yet.." Keigo stared at him suspiciously."Why are you looking for her?"
"None of your business.." he said and left Keigo.
He goes at the front gate, sat on the bench and waited for Rukia to come, after a few minutes of waiting he saw Rukia approaching with Inoue, his heart started to beat rapidly and he's nervous suddenly upon seeing her. Ichigo's eyes landed on her elbow it has a white bandage on it and she's slightly limping. "What happened to her..?"
"Kuchiki-san..you should've just stay at home.." Says Inoue clearly worried.
Rukia smiles at her."I'm fine Inoue, thank you for worrying.."
Inoue smiled back." Of coures I am..you are my sister.."
The both of them enjoying each other's company, when they entered the gate someone block their path and they stopped walking, Inoue glared at the orange haired man in front of them and Rukia looks away.
Ichigo cleared his throat." Uhm..Rukia can we talk?.." he said hopefully, staring at the raven haired girl in front of him.
"No..! you dont have any right to talk to her.." said Inoue and grabbed Rukia carefully away from him.
but Ichigo block their way again, and pleaded." Please..just for a few minutes.." even if he had to beg, he'll do it. Rukia turned her head slowly and met his gaze, he found her violet eyes looking back at him.
"Fine lets talk.." She turned to Inoue." go to class first I'll be right there.."
He sighed in relief after hearing her.
"But Kuchiki-
Rukia cuts her off and smiled." I'll be fine..go.."
Inoue nods slowly and throw a warning glare at Ichigo, he seems to understand it and nods to her and then she left.
"Lets talk somewhere else..how about the rooftop?" he asked her. Rukia just nods without looking at him. Ichigo felt a slight pain the way Rukia acts towards him now. They made their way to the rooftop, he stands near the fence hands in his pocket while Rukia standing behind him, he's nervous and his hand is sweaty. He took a long deep breath and turned around fully facing her.
"I'm sorry.."
Rukia kept her eyes on the ground.
"I'm very sorry about what I said..I was upset because me and my mom had a fight before the party, I just want to let my frustration out..and you were there, I used you..I'm so sorry.." He said sincerely. " I was wrong..everything I said was wrong..so please forgive me.. its just- (sighs) forgive me.." he said bowing his head, he felt ashamed for what he did and guilt for hurting Rukia.
" Apology accepted.."
Ichigo eyes snapped back at her. "What?" he asked softly.
Rukia smiled which surprise him." I forgive you.."
He stared at her." you forgive me that easily..aren't you mad at me?"
"Well at first I admit I was mad, but after thinking about it..it wasnt just your fault, it was mine as well.." she paused and then continue." if i hadnt been an arrogant bitch, i think you wouldnt say those words to me..so clearly it was my fault too..."
Ichigo just stared at her, this isnt he thought the way she would react..she's being so nice..too nice..
Their eyes locked for a few minutes while Rukia still smiling at him but her smile fade and her face turned into a serious hard one. "from now on I will never ever bother you again..I promise.." she said coldly, turned away and left.
Ichigo is left standing, staring at the ground.." She said she wont bother me anymore..I should be happy, that's what I want right? but...why do I feel different? what is this heavy feeling?.." He heard the bell rings and he forced himself to walk down the stairs.
Rukia walked slowly to their classroom, she's still limping slightly and her elbow hurt a little, she stops walking when she heard someone call her.
"Kuchiki-san.." a marooned haired guy came to her. " are you alright now?"
"Umm..do I know you?" She asked.
The guy chuckled.'' Ah..no but i was the one who brought you to the Hospital, that saturday night when you almost hit by a car..I was there i saw the whole thing.."
"Really?..thank you for helping me and you were the one who called my dad right?" she smiles at him.
"Yeah I did..the name's Ashido by the way.." he offered his hand and Rukia took it.
"Kuchiki Rukia..you can call me Rukia if you like..thanks for your help Ashido.." She smiles gratefully at him.
" Dont mention it Rukia..you have injuries? does it hurt?"
"A little.."
" Give me your bag, I''ll carry it for you.."
Rukia nods."Okay, if you insist.." Ashido took her bag and help her walk to their classroom.
Ichigo walks towards their classroom but stopped halfway, he saw Rukia talking to a guy. He doesnt remember seeing the guy before but he wears the same uniform like everybody else, so he must be a student here..
He saw the guy took her bag and helped her walk, he scoffs at the scene." who does he think he is touching Rukia like that.." when he saw Rukia smiled gratefully at the guy, he gripped his bag tighter, suddenly he wants hurt and kill someone. "That's the smile she always wore towards me..that's smile is just for me.." for a second,he stopped breathing, confusion evident in his eyes. "Why did I think of that?"
"What are you doing?"
He turned around pretty startled and found Tatsuki staring at him. "Nothing.." he said avoiding her gaze.
"Well come on, class is starting.." she said and walks past him but Ichigo stop her.
"Tatsuki do you know who that guy is?" He asked.
"Ahh..you mean Ashido..he's our classmate.."
"Really, since when?" he asked curiously.
Tatsuki snickered. "since junior high.."
"What?! why dont I remember him.."
she smirked at him. " Because your a stupid idiot.."
Ichigo glared at his bestfriend and sighed, " She's right, I am an idiot.."
and they goes inside their room, he found Rukia already in her seat talking to Inoue..he goes over to his seat as well, after a minute their teacher arrived.
Ichigo didnt pay attention to class, he kept glancing at his side ..at Rukia who is listening intently at their teacher. His eyes landed on her elbow again. "Damn..i forgot to ask her what happened..Does it hurt bad?" and he stared at her worriedly but his eyes caught something, that Ashido guy kept glancing at Rukia too, and smiling like an idiot.
Ichigo felt his blood boil, he clenched his fist hard under his desk.."why am I feeling like this.." he tried to calm himself, these emotions are new to him..And was thankful when Lunchtime came.
" Ichigo lets eat lunch with the girls again.." Keigo asked him excitedly. He was about to answer him when he heard someone called her.
"Rukia..!" says Ashido while smiling at her.
Ichigo scoffs." Rukia?! Rukia?! He barely even knew her...! he should call her by her last name"
"Lets eat lunch together Rukia.."
"sure..I would love that.." she said and follows Ashido outside.
"Kuchiki-san found a new friend..No! she'll forget about me because of that guy!" Keigo said dramatically. " lets make a bet Ichigo, Ashido will be Rukia's boyfriend next week! how about you? what do you think..?"
Ichigo glared at his friend, Kiego starts backing away seeing that killing intent in his eyes.
He walks past at his frightened friend. " I want to eat alone.." and left, leaving Kiego in shock...
"What did I do..?''
Rangiku was doing laundry that day, she saw the dress Rukia wore at the party , it has blood on it ..she washed it and scrubbed it hard hoping that the blood will come off. She remembered that night on the hospital.
Saturday Night: at the Hospital
Rangiku with Toshiro and Orihime came to the Hospital, they starts looking for Rukia's room, a nurse helped them and they found her room, but Rangiku heard Byakuya voice inside Rukia's room, she told Orihime they just wait outside. The door was opened slightly and she saw Byakuya hugging his daughter, and Rukia crying on his chest, then Rangiku heard Rukia says something..
"I remembered everything..I am so sorry dad..i-if I just listened to you..Mommy wont die, i-if I just stayed home that day..she would still be here.."
Rangiku stared wide eyes at her stepdaughter." she remembers everything.."
Rukia sobs." I-I wish..I wish i was the one who died.."
Rangiku almost cried after hearing Rukia's words..she look so fragile, so inoccent, and scared, not the spoiled little troublemaker she thought, she is..
" No Rukia..i should be the one saying sorry to you.." Byakuya said. " I'm sorry for blaming you for your mother's death..I know it was an accident but I got blind because of hatred when I lose Hisana..i just love her too much, it was hard for me to let go.." He said closing his eyes " but because of my foolishness I lost you..I am so sorry.."
Rukia looked up and saw a tear escaped her father's eyes, she wipe it with her own hand..and stared at his eyes." Dad.."
Byakuya caressed his daughter's cheeks." Rukia I will never ignore you again, I promise from now on I will be a good father to you..I promise.."
Rukia starts to cry again but this time it's tears of joy. "I love you daddy.."
" I love you my princess.."
Present Time
Rangiku stared at the dress she was washing, the blood is gone and a smile graced her lips, she stood up and goes to his son's room. Little toshiro is playing with his toys when she approached him.
"Baby..Mommy wants to say something to you.." She said while staring at his son's blue eyes.
"What is it mommy?.."
" from now on I want you to be nice to Rukia..and call her Nee-san okay?"
"But you said she was dangerous.."
"No she's not..I was wrong she is a nice person, so be nice to her Shiro, she is after all one of our family..understand?"She put Toshiro on her lap.
" Yes mommy.." Little toshiro kissed his mother's cheeks, and Rangiku kissed him as well.
" That's my good boy.."
Rukia found herself sitting on a swing at the playground, she rock herself slowly.
"This is it..the place where I first met him.." she thought.
"Who are you..?" she asked softly.
"Huh? I'm Ichigo.."
(giggles) "It's sounds like a strawberry.."
"no it's not, it means He Who protects.." he said pouting.
"That's why you save me?.." she asked curiously and he smiled at her.
"Yeah, my Mom taught me that all girls..should be respected and protected.."
Rukia smiled at the memory, she does remember everything including him..everything she said at the rooftop was true, she's not mad at him and she wants to forgive him..because Rukia knows that he's a good guy and he didnt mean to hurt her..
she wants to tell him everything about the past and thanks him for saving her before but she realized that none of it matters now, he doesnt even remember..maybe because it was nothing to him.
Rukia touched her lips...she kissed him that night, she liked him before that's why it was soo easy for her to like him now or..love him...
Rukia took a deep breath." I can't be with him anymore..I forgive him but its still hurts..I have to move on and this is the only way..from now on I have to pretend that he doesnt even exist.." She said, punching her chest lightly..hoping that the pain would go away..she knew now that she in not the one for him.
Ichigo arrived at Tatsuki's house and he saw a figure standing at the front door..he walked closer, its his stepfather.
"Ichigo..I'm here to take you home.." says Isshin seriously.
"No..i dont want to.."
"Please..your Mom needs you, she didnt mean to hurt you..she loves you.."
Ichigo faced him." Why would she wants me..she already have you.." he said in a hard voice and turned away.
"Your mom is pregnant Ichigo..and she needs you, she's depressed, something bad might happen to the baby..Please your her only son.. please ..come home with me..she's waiting.."
He stared at his stepfather for a long time. " Do you really love my Mom?"
Isshin smiled." More than my life son.." he smiled back and walks towards him.
"Fine..i'm coming with you..I miss my Mom too.."
After a few minutes, they arrived at the Kurosaki Residence.
Ichigo walks inside the front door , his mom approach him and embrace him tightly.
"Oh I'm so sorry Ichigo..I didnt mean to hurt you..please forgive me my son.."
"Mom..I'm sorry too I was a jerk.." He said wiping his Mom's tears.
" I love you my Ichigo..."
"I love you too Mom.."
Yuzu saw her brother and her mom hugging at the front door, she goes over and wants a hug too..Ichigo smiles and hug his little sister, Karin came downstairs and saw her Dad, sister, mother and her brother hugging each other.."
"What's this?" Karin asked.
"A family hug.." Isshin says excitedly." Come on join us.." he said and grabbed Karin towards them.
Ichigo smiled.. for the first time he thought, that having a family is not a bad thing after all.
Their dinner was much more lively that night, no more scowls..just smiles, happy face all over..it was fun..the family saw Ichigo smiled for the first time. He was happy but there's still something missing in his heart that he cant tell.
"Goodnight Mom.." he kissed his mom on her cheeks.
"Goodnight.."
Ichigo touched his mom's belly trying to feel the baby inside.." Do you know if its a girl or a boy?"
"No..we dont know yet..but what do you like.."
He smiled.." I like it if its a boy..I want to have a little brother.."
Isshin grinned behind them. " You know Masaki.. if its a girl, we can always make again.."
Masaki hit his head hard." Ow!"
"goodnight guys.." says Ichigo and goes to his room. " goodnight son.." he heard before closing the door.
Ichigo stared at the ceiling again, he took his phone out and opened it..no texts or calls today,, no message from Rukia..he felt this longing inside his heart. Everyday she would text him unimportant stuff and he hates it..she was so annoying..but..but..Why does it feels like this? Why does it feels like he lost someone so important..? Maybe I just miss her..she was a good friend after all..
He stared at his phone..scribbled through the contacts list. Annoying Midget. he pressed it and typed a message..
I miss you..
He just stared at it for hours..he cant send it..he wont send it..
But his phone rings suddenly , startled he press the send accidentally.
Ichigo stared wide eyes, at his phone.
Message: I miss you
Send to: Annoying Midget
Oh god..
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