Hey, I'm back again! Chapter nine on its way.
This might be the last chance I get to update in a while and I'm sorry for that. I really hope I can make time around school to write! :)
Anyhoo, here's chapter nine!
Rukia's POV
The days flew by and before I knew it, Friday was already here. I found a babysitter for Hana again, Michiru taking a turn, and began packing her little backpack with some things she'd need. Hanajima was watching me quietly and I glanced up at her, making sure she was alright.
"You okay sweety?"
"You leave?" Her cute little eyebrows scrunched together, her expression screamed anger. She didn't like me leaving her with what she considered strangers and when she realized I was going to be with Ichigo, her anger turned into jealousy. I couldn't help but smile and nod.
"Yes sweety, I'm going out again. But if it makes you feel better, Ichigo's going to pick you up again tonight. Okay?"
"Ichigo?" Laughing slightly, I nodded again.
"Yes, Ichigo. Now calm down, Michiru's going to pick you up in a few minutes." I lightly patted her face and kissed her head before standing. I tugged on my shirt, readjusting it. I decided tonight I wouldn't wear a dress. I picked out a pair of black straight legs and a dressy purple shirt. There were a few designs swirling around on the back of the top. On my feet were black distinctive sandals, the straps laying in elaborate designs. Again, I let my hair fall naturally on my shoulders, choosing not to deal with it.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. I got up to answer it but was beaten to it by Hana. She must have thought it was Ichigo and when seeing Michiru instead, she folded her arms and pouted. Both Michiru and myself chuckled at her reaction. I handed the backpack to Hanajima and reminded her to behave. She nodded reluctantly and gave me a hug before leaving with Michiru.
I had about five minutes before Ichigo was supposed to show up and decided to relax. I sat on the couch and began reading, finding it easier than it had been all week. Lost in the book, I almost didn't hear Ichigo's sheepish knock. After registering what the sound was, I got up and opened the door. I looked up and to my surprise he was holding a small bouquet of flowers. Taking a step back, I invited him in for a minute.
"I couldn't find any patience." That was all he said, no explanation, but I knew what he was talking about. Referring to our conversation on the phone a few days ago, he said he'd bring me patience. I began laughing loudly, I couldn't help myself.
"So you get impatiens?" He shrugged and smiled down at me broadly.
"Close enough." This caused me to continue laughing, I keeled over and held my stomach as I slowly gained composure. "You okay?" He was just standing there watching me and though I was able to control my laughing, I couldn't keep the smile off my face.
"Yes, thank you." I took the flowers from him and quickly placed them in a vase full of water, ready to leave. Leading him out to the truck, this sort of became a habit, we set out on our second date. In the truck Ichigo informed me that he had planned another dinner and movie, promising some more creativity in the near future. I liked his confidence that there would be another date but made no comment.
The evening went smoothly, just like it had before. The movie was great, another thriller and in the middle of it Ichigo absently grabbed my hand. I didn't let go until after the movie was over. Dinner was good too, not at the same place, which I told him counted as his "creativity" for this date.
We were in the middle of dinner, getting to know more about each other, when Ichigo asked a question I wasn't expecting. "Hey, uh, can I ask you something?" I nodded and he continued. "Where's Hanajima's dad?"
My eyes widened and Ichigo shook his head like he was ending the conversation before it started. "It's okay, I'm just surprised you asked. I don't really know where he is. I hate to admit this but I only met him once. It was a very stupid decision and I was drunk out of my mind."
He smiled and held back a laugh. "You were drunk?"
"Yup. It was my last year of college and one of my 'friends' convinced me to go out with her. It was just a dumb choice I made."
"Do you regret it?" I shook my head before explaining.
"I regret him, but he gave me Hana and she's the best thing thats ever happened to me. I love her and I'd be all alone if it weren't for her." After a few moments of silence he spoke again.
"What's his name?"
"Kaien Shiba." I smiled at his strange curiosity. "Why?" His shoulders rose slightly and we moved on to another topic. In the middle of an unimportant conversation, a man walked up to our table, someone I didn't recognize. We both looked up confused and Ichigo strived to take control of the weird situation.
"Can we help you?" His expression was stern, he acted as though he knew the man and didn't appreciate the interuptance. Ignoring Ichigo completely, the stranger turned to me and grinned.
"Hey, your the new girl in town, right?" His hands were resting on the table and he leaned down closer to me.
"Um, I suppose you could call me that. Do you need something?" He laughed at my statement and bent down putting less distance between us.
"I'm Kon. Your name's Rukia right?" I nodded and slid back further in my seat. "Maybe we could get together sometime." Before waiting for an answer, he began scribbling down his phone number on a scrap piece of paper he pulled out of his pocket. He held it out to me, wanting me to accept it. I tried to keep my disgust to myself and when I glanced over at Ichigo I noticed how tense he was. He seemed apprehensive and didn't seem to know what to expect on my part. I thought it over and took the piece of paper, noticing the victory in Kon's eyes and the surprise in Ichigo's. Studying the paper and smiling back up at Kon, I made my decision and began ripping up his number before tossing it in Kon's direction.
"No, thanks," was all I said before turning back to my date. Ichigo turned away from Kon and held back his laughter. I glanced up at the man who was still standing there. He was glaring down at me angrily and stepped back like he was leaving.
"Stupid bit-" Ichigo cut him off before allowing him to finish.
"Leave now." His voice was threatening and after that Kon stomped off. I smiled up at him.
"Thanks." Ichigo nodded and didn't say anything else related to the topic, obviously dismissing it. The rest of the afternoon went well and before we knew it, it was time to go pick up Hanajima. The car ride over was filled with small talk and I brought up Kon and thanked him again for sticking up for me.
"No problem." He sighed. "I can't stand that guy, he's always acting like that." Nodding, I didn't add anything right away.
"Well, I thought you handled it pretty well. But you acted like you were going to kill him, it's not like I've never been called a bitch before." He shrugged and stayed silent before grabbing my hand again. I gave his hand a squeeze and leaned back in my chair. The rest of the ride was filled with comfortable silence until we reached my house, Hanajima laying over my lap asleep. I asked Ichigo if he wanted to come in for something to drink and after a moment of thinking it over he accepted my offer. He carried Hanajima in to her bed and covered her up. Then he followed me to the kitchen where I poured two glasses of juice. Ichigo made himself at home and sat on the couch. I opened a window to let some fresh air in and took a seat next to him.
For the next twenty minutes we sipped on our juice and chatted about unimportant things and when we reached another comfortable silence, I reached over and grabbed the remote, turning on some random show with the volume set low. "Am I boring you?" Ichigo asked and jokingly grabbed the button from my hand.
"No, your just so quiet." I shrugged and leaned my head back on the couch, lightly putting some of my weight on his arm as well. My eyes began to feel heavy and before I knew it I drifted off to sleep.
Ichigo's POV
Once I realized that Rukia was asleep, I thought about what I should do. I wasn't sure if I should carry her to bed or if that would be crossing a line. I didn't want to leave her on the couch and go home, so I carefully pulled her closer and layed down continuing to watch the television. I felt Rukia's small hand grab onto my shirt, like her daughter's done many times before and couldn't help but smile. I wrapped an arm around her tiny waist and rested my head against hers. I soon realized that I was falling in love with Rukia and couldn't help but stiffen at the thought. I've never been in love...I forced the thought out of my head and quickly relaxed again. With the mixture of the nights cool breeze and the sound of the windchime hanging outside, it only took me a few minutes to slowly fall asleep.
Okay here it is! :D I felt like the ending was weird but hey I'm sorta in a rush today! :P
Hope everyone liked it! Continue to review!
