A/N: Chapter 9! I've had no inspiration lately and I think my creativity died! So, here it is! I hope you all enjoy it! Remember to review! Oh and the song that is played, you'll see when, was "1000 words" piano version.
I don't own bleach and its characters.
When did Saturday show up? Rukia had no idea, but she was working! Earlier that morning Ichigo had stepped in just to get his coffee to go. They barely exchanged more than three words, and somehow that made Rukia have a longing feeling in the pit of her stomach. Every time the soft 'ding' of the bell would sound, Rukia would catch herself looking over at the door, hoping to see orange. Congratulations Rukia! You are now acting like a lovesick teenager! Ugh.
"Look at you, sexy little thing!" Rangiku said ruffling Rukia's hair.
"What are you talking about?"
"Seriously honey, I've played the game before. You got your hair up…" Rukia unconsciously smoothed the top of her raven locks. "Tight jeans…" Rangiku said pointing, "and a red top that shows off your little vall—" Rangiku's mouth was clamped down by Rukia's hand as a vein popped from her forehead. Rangiku smiled behind Rukia's hand.
"It's not like that…it's just…" Rukia said as she pulled her hand away. Rangiku sighed but the smile was still on her lips coated with a shimmering gloss. "You like him, why not make a little move?" Rangiku said and Rukia turned crimson.
"I have to go clean my tables…the crowd will be coming in soon." Rukia said quickly before dashing out of the kitchen. Rangiku chuckled quietly to herself, "Oh this is too much fun. Next…I think I'll tell her how red is the color of love…hmm..." Rangiku rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she took her notebook out to seat the incoming customers.
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As the soft ding on the door was her cue, Rukia looked up to see orange and she felt a surge rush from her toes to the top of her head. Butterflies dance in her stomach and she had to look away to compose herself. "Yo Rukia!" Ichigo greeted weaving through the fast coming crowd.
Rukia motioned him to follow her and he followed the top of her head to the back of the café. For two reasons, one there was much less noise and she could hear him. The second reason was so that Rangiku couldn't seem them and that would save Rukia hours of teasing…or perhaps cause more. Either way, Ichigo was here at nighttime, which was a first but that didn't mean it was a bad thing. She could admit it at least to herself, Ichigo was good company and she enjoyed having him around.
"Hey, why is it so busy?" Ichigo asked as they sat down at a table in the back. Rukia pointed to the stage, "the famous piano player…Yoruichi." Ichigo's face was blank and Rukia wanted to slap him, which she did.
"Idiot." Rukia huffed as Ichigo rubbed his now sore forehead.
"So she's really that famous?" Rukia nodded in response.
A man with blond hair wearing a dark green jacket and jeans stepped on stage. "Is that Yoruichi?" Ichigo asked and that earned him another smack from Rukia.
Rukia two points
Ichigo zero.
"That's Urahara, my boss." Rukia said folding her arms across her chest. The said man tapped on the microphone, he cleared his throat but his posture was relaxed. "Welcome! I'm not gonna stand up here and talk about how great my gorgeous, charming, and lovely Yoruichi is---"
"I'm not yours!" Was a yell from offstage.
Urahara grinned, "without further ado…Yoruichi." Urahara said with a bow and leaving the stage, a woman with dark skin stepped on stage when he stepped off. The woman moved with grace as she sat down at the black piano bench.
"Is she really that great?" Ichigo whispered and Rukia just nodded, Yoruichi was an inspiration and to be able to hear her music and be so close…it was like a dream. Her fingers danced along the white keys of the piano and the café was dead silent, as the music seemed to flow through their very cores. Yoruichi's dark indigo hair flowed past her shoulders and reached her mid-back.
Rukia wished she could dance like all the other couples now on the floor. She couldn't dance though, no it wasn't that she could but wouldn't. The memory of that night at the dance club rushed through her mind. The blaring techno music, flashing neon lights, just the two of them and Ichigo with his arms encircled around her waist. That memory was enough to make even the ever-proud Kuchiki blush. Rukia peeked at Ichigo through her raven strands that were falling in front of her face. He sat there, leaning back in his chair with his arms resting on his stomach. Rukia moved her eyes back to the stage.
"You seemed the type that would be into piano…" Ichigo said in a whisper, leaning sideways and tilting his head so she could hear him. Rukia copied his pose, leaning sideways to whisper in his ear or at least get close to it.
"It's lovely, only the mind of someone not as barbaric as you would understand." Rukia said with a light chuckle. Ichigo glared, "look who's talking you abusive midget!" he said watching Yoruichi stand. Then they both turned their heads to look at one another, Ichigo gulped and Rukia could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. Lost in each other's eyes would be an understatement. Ichigo's mind went blank...he leaned in just a little closer…then the loud sound of clapping made the two quickly turn their heads away. He and Rukia quickly joined in clapping as the whole café erupted with applause. Ichigo watched Rukia from the corner of his eye as she stood.
"I have to go…" Rukia said standing and tying back on her apron, the blush still wouldn't go away. How close were they to kissing? Way too close in Rukia's opinion. "I'll wait for you." Ichigo said with a smirk, what possessed him to say that he had no idea but he didn't like the idea of Rukia being here alone. There could be creeps at this time and what if she got hurt? There, that was his reason and it was totally logical. Rukia's violet orbs widened and she told him no.
"Why not?" Ichigo demanded as his brown furrowed and arms crossed over his chest.
"Ichigo, really…you don't have to!" Rukia said holding her hands up and Ichigo to this only grinned wider. "Aren't you supposed to be working?" He asked placing an innocent look in his eyes. Rukia huffed and kicked his leg before heading off to clean up, empty glasses, and help Rangiku with the cash register. 'That moment was so perfect! Why didn't you do or…say something! You idiot!' Ichigo chastised himself for the whole period of time that Rukia was away. Often she would look over at his table and he would just grin like the stupid fool he was. He hated this feeling, why was their friendship so complicated?
At exactly midnight Rukia placed her apron up on the wall, she was thankful that tomorrow was her day off. She let down her hair and took her gray hooded sweatshirt, zipping it to cover herself. It was cold outside, she could already see that and feel it every time the door opened when some one left.
"You're still here." Rukia breathed as she saw Ichigo sitting in his same spot. He had taken all the packets of sugar and made a very-unstable sugar packet…house. "Yeah, I wanted to take you out."
"What?" Rukia practically screamed before she was able to stop herself, her heart raced widely. "I wanted to walk you outside, I mean!" Ichigo quickly said standing and sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Oh…" Rukia turned away flustered, "Thank you." She was overwhelmed by his gracious offer.
"So uh…let's go." He said leading the way. Rukia waved to Rangiku who gave her thumbs up. Rukia rolled her eyes stepping out into the brisk air of the night. She led the way to the back of the café, where her car was parked.
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Rangiku smiled at Yoruichi, "Can I ask you a question?" She said to the famous pianist. The woman gave a cat like grin and nodded. "My friend Rukia…she used to love playing piano and dancing. She loved it…and then she stopped. It tore her heart but she had good reason to stop. I won't go into detail…but please…you are her biggest hero…um heroine. If you could help me get her to play again…I'd be eternally grateful." Rangiku said clasping her hands in front of her large chest. Yoruichi was Rukia's idol and Rangiku had only heard Rukia play piano a few times but something that she loved so passionately shouldn't just be thrown away.
Yoruichi nodded, "I can help…and it may involve that orange haired punk." She said and Rangiku grinned before giving Yoruichi a big bear hug. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!" She said swinging the other woman back and forth in her arms. Yoruichi laughed and Urahara who was standing in the background decided it was time to take out the trash.
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She stopped and looked up at the moon, she sighed contently and Ichigo could only look at her in awe. "Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon. Who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou, her maid, art far more fair than she." Rukia said and Ichigo felt as if he was punched in the gut.
"That was from Romeo and Juliet…" Ichigo said holding his chest as if someone just stabbed him.
"It was. Literature was my minor in college." Rukia said watching his reaction. Oh my god! She knows Shakespeare. Ichigo, whatever you do. Do not faint! Ichigo just stood there with his mouth wide, he quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat.
"Aww, Ichigo has a soft spot for romantic poems now does he?" Rukia teased and Ichigo glared.
"It's not like that." He said placing both hands on his hips. Rukia laughed and took a step forward. "I had fun, thanks Ichigo." She said before wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him, Ichigo instinctively encircle his arms around her waist only one hand was on top of her soft hair. He held her that probably more than necessary but since when was there a limit to how long you should hug a friend? He couldn't help it, Ichigo moved his hand down her hair, and stroked her beautiful hair. He wanted this moment to last…Rukia on the other hand immediately felt she was getting too close to him. Flirting and beating him up was one thing…oh why oh why did she hug him? Why did it have to feel so nice? She hated having this crush, because crushes always end the same. People get crushed.
Ichigo and Rukia broke the hug, she smiled awkwardly, "See you later Ichigo." She said and Ichigo nodded, "Yeah." Rukia got into her car and watched from her rear view mirror as he walked to where his car was parked near the café.
Meanwhile, a man with a stripped white and green hat, with a garbage bag in his hand was grinning. "Oh my, has Rukia got a little boyfriend?" A million thoughts went through Urahara's head. Wedding plans, baby showers, and bachelor parties…not in that order of course. He always looked upon his employees' like family and he often viewed his life like a book. He wanted happy endings for everyone. He tossed the garbage away, "Oh my lovely Yoruichi! I have an idea!" He called out walking back inside. Yoruichi responded with an "I'm not yours!"
"Yet!" Urahara retorted waving his fan in front of his face.
A/N: This chapter was actually short but it had a lot of Ichiruki…so I guess that's a plus right? Remember to review! See you guys next time :hugs:
