A/N: A few clarifications! Okay!! Orihime isn't gone quite yet from the lives of the two lovers... I mean JUST FRIENDS (remember... how stupid they decided to be... Jesus why can't they see they're meant for one another!?) don't understand why you IchiRukia fans are so hateful towards Orihime! I mean sure she's in love with Ichigo... but it's like you feel threatened by her!! She has no chances with Ichigo... it's abundantly clear... (at least to me) Still... She plays a role in all this.. everyone does.. ...(however when I say everyone I generally mean whomever I wish to mention!) This chapter is kid full... we have I think... four kids in this chapter that show up... instead of the three..
xXx.:."The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough.".:.xXx
Rukia awoke to the sun blaring through her opened curtains. The sun shone brightly for once in her mornings. Things seemed to be looking up on her end. She swung her tiny feet over the bed and felt the cool hardwood beneath. She sighed and walked to her bathroom, turning on the hot water in the tub. She picked up her cell phone from her purse and dialed a number while the bath filled.
"Byakuya!" She grinned, "I was wondering, since It's the weekend.. if I could take my favourite niece and her best friend to the festival with me today!"
"Why?" Byakuya asked, taking a seat at the breakfast table next to his wife.
"Well, some one invited me to come.. and he's bringing his daughter.. I thought it would be more fun if she had some girls her age to hang out with..." Rukia stated, balancing the phone on her shoulder while she removed her pajama pants.
"I'll ask Hisana..." Byakuya stated coldly. He turned to his wife who was beaming next to him. "Rukia would like to take Ururu and Ririn out to the festival today.."
"That sounds splendid!" Hisana stated, "ask her who the person is she's going with!!"
"Who are you going with?" Byakuya asked before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Kurosaki Ichigo.." She stated happily.
Byakuya choked on his coffee.
"Nii-sama?" Rukia asked, hearing the choking.
Hisana grabbed the phone. "Just having trouble with his coffee. So who're you going with?"
"Ichigo.." She muttered.
"Oh, that lovely man! I didn't know you two knew each other!" She lied, grinning ear to ear.
"His dad sort of set us up.." Rukia muttered, "We're going as friends... keep that in mind. I don't want to come back with a thousand calls on my voice mail asking when the wedding is!" Rukia slipped off her shirt while her sister muttered about how cute it was.
"He has a daughter.." Hisana stated. "I hope you know that.."
"I know, and I'm fine with being FRIENDS with a guy with a kid.." Rukia stated, trying to make her point clear. She removed the rest of her clothing and turned off the bath tap.
"He has a lot of emotional baggage.." Hisana added.
"I know.." Rukia dipped her toe in the hot water.
"Good, because if you break that poor boy's heart I'll never forgive you.." Hisana growled.
Rukia felt shocked for a moment. "I won't break his heart! We're just friends.."
"Well then, perhaps you're succeeding at breaking it faster than anticipated.." Hisana muttered, hanging up.
Rukia had never known her sister to act in such a way, must've been hormones. Rukia slid into the soothing water and sighed. The hot water soothed her nerves and loosened her muscles. She enjoyed her time in the bath because it brought a sense of personal time. She could say anything she wanted when she was locked up tight in the bathroom, all to herself with no one to listen. It was a time for reflection.
"I'm such an idiot!" She shouted, sinking into the water, hoping to drown herself and her sorrows. She threw her hands in the air and sent water splashing. "I cannot believe I asked to be 'just friends' how fucking cliche and stupid was that!!"
She grumbled and picked up her peach shampoo, pouring it into her hand then rubbing it through her long black locks. "I can't believe you! What were you hoping for?? For him to pull over and jump your bones and claim you as his?! To tell you that you cannot possibly be friends because he's too madly in love with you!!"
She scowled and rinsed her hair in the clear water, sending bubbles in the water. She came back up for air, her violet eyes sad. "That was exactly what I was hoping for.. UGH!!" She threw herself back under the water, hoping to drown. She sat up, gasping for air before grabbing her hair conditioner. She poured it from the bottle and then ran it though her hair. She pinned up her hair with a bobby pin and let the conditioner set in. She poured the bath gel onto her body scrub and quickly cleaned herself before submerging once again. She shook her hair quickly from her eyes after she came up for air and sighed. She stepped from the bath, clean and groomed and ready for the day.
she wrapped a towel around her hair and a bathrobe around her slim body before walking to her mirror. She dried her face completely before putting a thin layer of lotion to keep her skin smooth and well nourished. She grabbed her tooth brush
and quickly brushed before flossing. She grinned at her face in the mirror, showing off her pearly whites, before grabbing her hair dryer and removing the towel. She turned it on, filling the room with noise and dried her hair quickly. She ran a brush through it several times before finally pinning her reluctant bang from her face. She moved into her closet and looked for something to wear. She turned on the TV while she looked, to hear the weather report.
the woman on the screen grinned cheerily. "Looks like another sunny day for Karkura! We'll of course be expecting rain later on this evening, just a light shower.. nothing to worry about. Springs merry weather may finally be on our doorsteps and not a moment too soon! Today marks the first day of the Karkura festival! We hope to see your smiling faces today and the remainder of the week as we celebrate Karakura's founding! The channel fifteen weather crew will be reporting live this afternoon from the scene! Hope to see you there!"
Rukia rolled her eyes and picked a three-quarters length turquoise sweater with a scoop neck from her closet along with a white cami tank. She wondered whether or not to wear a skirt or pants. She grumbled.
"Back to you Ryuki!" The woman cheered.
"Thank you Misa.." He stated, grinning just as sickly sweet. "In other news there has been strange occurrences popping up in the small area in the Karakura suburban shopping district out by Karakura high... little is known about the spike in seismic activity or the amount of people reporting a feeling of intense pressure on their chests. A local Doctor had this to say."
Isshin Kurosaki's smiling face grinned in greeting to the camera. Rukia paused to watch. "Not much can be said in what is causing this, all I can really say is that we just have to wait for this to all blow over. I doubt it has anything to do with the water or the air in Karakura, I just think it's spring fever hitting." He smiled, before looking serious. "You just have to remember, nothing is as bad as it seems, if you think it is then it will only get worse. I promise each person suffering from this will get better, I know some people who can help, they just have to remember how.."
The woman holding the microphone looked confused. "Are you saying that there maybe some one here who can stop the problems hitting this town?"
"I know a couple who know a little about how the human heart works... " Isshin stated, "I'm sure they can find out what's happening. As for the Earth quakes, well I'm not a seismologist... so I really can't comment."
"What do you have to say to the men, women, and children suffering?" The woman asked.
"Well if it gets worse my clinic will be reopening. I don't want any fatalities to occur that I could stop.." Isshin smiled, "I've assembled a small team of people from the hospital to come work with us on not only solving, but treating cases in the area. My own son included! Come here son!!"
"Dad, I don't-"
Ichigo was shoved on screen, his eyes dark and angry, but none the less he refrained from beating his father senseless. Rukia's heart leapt at the sight of him.
"What do you think, Mister Kurosaki?" the woman asked, moving the mic to Ichigo.
"My father, Ryuken Ishida, Uryuu Ishida, myself, Kenpachi Zachari, Kisuke Urahara, Yuroichi Urahara, and a few others from the hospital will be working closely at my father's clinic until we can find out what needs to be done." Ichigo commented.
"I understand you're a med student still, do you think this will cause some question as to the reliability of your work?" The woman asked, moving a little closer.
"With all medical research there is some one ready to point out the flaws in the team or in the person. We will try out best and I hope to learn a great deal while we sort this issue out.." Ichigo stated.
"This is Kaze reporting from Karakura, just outside the newly re-opened Kurosaki clinic!" the woman stated, smiling. "Back to you Ryuk!"
Rukia turned off the TV and picked a simple pair of blue skinny jeans and a pair of turquoise slip on flats. She pulled the clothes on and went to the bathroom to apply a bit of make up. Foundation, light turquoise eye shadow, black mascara, and a light pink gloss. She smiled and put the turquoise hoop earrings in.
She grabbed her purse and opened the door to see her niece, brother, and Ririn standing before her.
"Nii-sama!" She quickly bowed.
"Take care of them, and be wary of the Kurosaki boy.." Byakuya stated, leaving without another word. Rukia shrugged and looked down at the two.
Ririn was wearing a light blue jacket and pink dress, her blonde hair framing her face. Ururu wore a matching pink jacket and a white dress, her deep purpley hair shrouding her face. Rukia got to her knees and sighed.
"Ururu, why do you wear your hair like this?" Rukia plucked the bobby pin from her hair and moved the bangs from her niece's face to a spot behind her ear and pinned it securely. "Now we can all see your pretty eyes. Black bangs fell across Rukia's face as she smiled.
"You look beautiful today.." Ichigo stated. Rukia looked up through the bangs over her eyes and smiled. She stood and smoothed out her sweater.
"Ichigo." She grinned.
"Rukia.." He nodded. He looked down at the two girls before him.
Rukia gasped. "Oh, this is my niece, Ururu, and this is Ririn, her friend."
Ichigo nodded to the two, taking note the smaller of the two seemed awestruck. Her blonde hair masking her face and blush crossing her cheeks.
"Ready to go?" He asked Rukia. She nodded.
"I'm have to warn you, I brought my cousin too, they both want to take the subway.." Ichigo said, "Yachiru hasn't ever ridden on one.. so.. I agreed to let her try it out.. I hope you don't mind."
She smiled and shut the door behind her. "I don't mind at all."
Rukia slid her arm through Ichigo's and he smiled, gently grasping her hand in his. Nel and Yachiru stood on the walk fighting over something trivial. Rukia smiled at Nel who dropped the conversation as soon as Rukia entered her line of sight.
"Rukia!!" Nel launched herself at Rukia's legs, tackling her. "I missed you!!"
Rukia patted the girl on the head. Nel was wearing a green rain coat and green rain boots with a soft blue spring dress. Yachiru stood wide eyed at the purple eyed Rukia. Yachiru's pink hair was pulled into two braided pigtails hanging lazily at the side of her head. She wore a white rain coat and a yellow summer dress.
"Are you Rukia??" Yachiru asked, grinning.
"Uh, yeah.." Rukia asked, scared.
"My uncle murmurs about you in his sleep.." Yachiru stated before skipping off towards the subway. Rukia looked at Ichigo who blushed and pulled his hand from hers.
"I trust it's all good things..." Rukia grinned before lifting Nel into her arms and beckoning her niece and friend to follow. Ichigo scowled and took off after them.
They all boarded the subway, the four girls taking seats, Ichigo and Rukia opting to stand. There were few seats left open so they thought it was best to leave them for the people who really needed them. Ichigo grabbed the horizontal bar, Rukia the vertical. Ichigo looked down and grinned.
"This situation seems familiar.." He grinned even wider as she blushed.
"I recall you were undressing me with your eyes.." Rukia stated, smiling through the blush. He blushed to match hers.
The train jerked, sending Rukia into his chest again. She grinned, it seemed fate liked to laugh at them. She buried her face into his chest and began to shake. His arm wrapped around her waist, he looked down on her in worry. "You alright?"
Rukia looked up, wiping tears from her eyes, looking very serious before bursting into another fit of laughter. Ichigo laughed too. Her violet eyes locked with his amber ones and she smiled sweetly. She tried to pull loose but he only tightened his hold. "I think it would be best if I never let you go.."
Rukia blushed. He slowly let go, recalling the conversation from the night before. She nodded and tightened her grip on the bar. The sub came to a stop and the two ushered the children off the sub and onto the platform. Rukia pulled Nel into her arms and lead the other three whilst Ichigo lagged behind. He felt like Rukia loved her family more than him.
'just friends..remember.'
He sighed and ran to catch up. They skipped merrily into the festival, eyes wide. Yachiru grabbed the younger ones and ran off. "We'll be back!!"
"Don't wander too far!!" Rukia shouted, setting Nel down to join them. She turned and smiled at Ichigo, shoving her hands into her pockets. "Thanks for this. I've never done this before you know.."
"Really?" Ichigo asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of his brown coat. Rukia nodded, smiling. "Wow! then you have a lot to do today!!" He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along, origin her threats. She giggled the whole way as he brought her to a stand.
"Two please... blue for me, pink for her.." Ichigo stated, grinning. Rukia looked confused.
"What is this?" She asked, being handed the stick pink fluff.
"Ahh let me show you.." he grabbed the cone from the woman and picked fluff from the top. "open up."
Rukia opened her mouth and he shoved it in. She grinned. "cotton candy..."
She smiled, "Ahh. so this is what it looks and tastes like.."
he nodded and pulled her along again, through the twists and turns of tents and lights. He stopped before a stall with pain filled balloons. He grinned. "I'll win you something.."
Rukia smiled, "Really now? I doubt you have good enough aim.."
Ichigo smirked, "Oh don't count me out just yet, little miss.."
He gave the man ten dollars and began throwing darts. Popping the paint balloons by colour. Yellow, blue, green, then red. The red pain spattered across his face. He turned and grinned at her. "Which one do you want?"
Rukia's eyes went blank, the same sickly grin filling her head. Ichigo's face covered in deep red, amber standing out against black. He had lost control. He licked his teeth and sat up.
"Rukia.."
"RUKIA!!" Ichigo snapped his fingers and she flew back to reality. "Which one?"
She shook her head and looked at the prizes. She plucked a large Chappi doll from the prize bin and shoved it on his arms. "Carry it.."
Ichigo nodded, "Okay.."
They walked in silence, Rukia finishing her candy and throwing it away. Ichigo noticed the far off look in her violet eyes. "Rukia, are you okay?"
She nodded, "Just thinking.."
"About?" Ichigo asked.
She looked up at the slowly appearing stars. "Do you believe in past lives?"
Ichigo shrugged, "I don't know, why?"
She stopped and looked at him square in the eyes. "No reason.."
He shrugged and they continued their walk. Silence filled the air. Rukia sighed.
"I feel like I've known you forever.." Rukia muttered.
"Same here.." Ichigo replied.
Rukia smiled and so did he.
"Uncle ICHI!!" Yachiru came running up, her eyes wide.
"What what is it?" Ichigo asked, scared as to why his niece looked scared.
"It's Nel!!" Yachiru nearly screamed.
Ichigo looked to Rukia who looked to him. They both took off after Yachiru. They came onto a scene with a weeping Nel at an icecream stand. Ichigo ran to her side, touching her arm.
"Nel..Whats wrong?" Ichigo asked. Nel continued to weep.
"She just started crying.." Yachiru stated, scared.
Ichigo pulled the girl into a hug but she pushed him away. "I want MOMMY!!"
Ichigo ran a hand through his orange hair, "I'm sorry... I don't know where mommy is.."
"I WANT MY MOMMY AND DADDY!!" She shouted, tears pouring down her face.
"Nel, It's me, daddy.." Ichigo tried to sooth the sobbing child.
"no... no you're Itsugo.. you aren't my daddy.. and she.." Nel pointed at Rukia, "She isn't my MOMMY!!"
Rukia looked away, feeling ashamed.
Ichigo sighed, "Nel, Please..."
"NO!! I WANT HER!!" Nel sobbed even louder. "I want my daddy and my mommy!!"
Ichigo sighed, and hugged the girl, not letting her squirm from his grasp. "Listen Nel, I'm your dad now.."
She pushed him back from her, "No Itsugo my daddy is dead!!"
Ichigo held her head and body against him, trying to comfort her. He looked to Rukia apologetically. She nodded and knelt to Nel's level.
"Nel," Rukia whispered, "I'm not trying to be your mother."
Nel sniffled and looked up slightly.
"I just want to be your friend.." Rukia picked up the large Chappi that had been lain on the ground. She handed it to Nel who was still sniffling and pushing back tears. "I like your dad a lot, I want to be his friend too. But if me being here hurts you this much, I think your dad and I can both agree that it would be best if I didn't come here anymore.."
Nel let another wave of tears run down her face. "No, Rukia..."
Rukia smiled softly, and ran a hand comfortingly through the child's hair. "I only want what is best for the both of you..."
Nel nodded, letting go of Ichigo and grasping the child-sized doll.
"If I make you sad, I don't want to be here, because I really just want to see that toothy smile of yours. The thought that I could make you cry, it breaks my heart.." Rukia stated, bringing the girl in for a hug.
Ichigo was in awe at how Rukia was handling Nel. Orihime had run away in tears when Nel had attacks like this. She talked to Nel in such a sweet and gentle voice, her eyes full of understanding, her touch was light and comforting, and her words were pure. He loved her twice as much in that moment as she calmed the child.
Nel sniffed and looked up, "You know, you can marry Itsugo if you'd like to, her ins't my daddy..."
Rukia smiled softly but spoke in a slightly more stern voice. "Nel, Ichigo is your father now. What do daddies do Nel?"
"They hug you, and love you, and tell you stories, and tuck you in, and kiss you, and tell you everything is going to be fine.." Nel sniffed.
Rukia grinned, "can you name some one here that does that for you..?"
Nel paused, sniffing on the occasion. She looked up wide eyed. "Rukia, are you my daddy?"
Ichigo and Rukia both laughed and Rukia pulled the girl into a tight hugs, kissing her forehead. "sure kid, as long as Ichigo doesn't mind being the mommy.."
Ichigo smiled. "Guess we'll have to get married now.."
Rukia laughed again. "I suppose we will!"
Nel held up a hand. "Let's not rush things here guys.."
Rukia smiled and pulled Nel to her, soothing her a bit more. Rukia stood with the girl in her arms and rocked her slowly. Ichigo got to his feet and smiled at Rukia. For a moment they shared a silent understanding. Ichigo turned to the three remaining girls. "Yachiru, Ururu, Ririn, go get some cotton candy.. I need to talk to Rukia alone." He handed the kids money and they ran off, all understood it was grown up time. Nel was already fast asleep in Rukia's arms.
Ichigo turned to Rukia, a sad smile on his face. "I suppose it's time I become entirely honest with you about this situation I'm in.."
Rukia nodded, "Let's go somewhere more private then.."
Ichigo agreed and they both walked towards the Ferris wheel. Ichigo took a seat and Rukia handed Nel to him so she could take hers. Nel sat, sleeping, next to Ichigo, her head on his shoulder. Rukia sat on Ichigo's other side. Slowly they made their way up Ichigo staying silent before looking out at the orange, pinks, and purple of the setting sunlit sky.
"When I met Senna, Nel's mother, we were both in high school still. We dated until I was about nineteen. I asked her to marry me and she said yes. We got into a fight about a week before the wedding... and she went and got drunk and slept with her ex-boyfriend. She came clean the next day, begging for me to take her back. I did, because I loved her more than anything. Nel was the child born from that night. I never hated Nel, nor Senna. It was an honest mistake... that brought and still brings so much happiness in my life. When Nel was around three... she died. They never found out how she died. MY father says it was an aneurysm, She just seemed too young. She left Nel under my protection. I'm not a good father, but I try.."
"Hush!" Rukia nearly slapped him. "I would've killed to have a father like you Ichigo.."
Ichigo sighed and gently patted his daughter's head. Rukia gently rested her head on his shoulder and he wound his arm behind her back. It was just a friendly gesture. Rukia sighed and moved her hand upwards to lace with his. He smiled. The rid finished and reluctantly the two separated, Rukia picking up Nel.
"I suppose we find the others then?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo nodded and went where he knew they'd be. "Yachiru has no sense of direction, Judging by the location I sent her to, she'll be about ten feet south and forty east of the real location. So around the dunk tanks."
They two strolled to the dunk tanks and found a rather confused Yachiru. "I swear this si where they sell cotton candy.."
Ichigo raised a hand adn smiled. "Let's get going then.."
The ride back to Rukia's home for a light dinner was uneventful. They got in and Rukia's made some sandwiches and Ichigo made a salad. The girls ate quickly and then passed out in Rukia's spare bedroom. She smiled at Ichigo before they closed the door on their sleeping pack of kids.
He walked with her to the couch and they both collapsed. Rukia grinned and Ichigo did as well.
"Quite a day, wasn't it?" Ichigo asked, playing with a lock of her hair. Rukia sighed and leaned against his chest, listening to his heart slowly beat. She heard it speed up quickly when her hand grasped his free one and she laced her fingers with his. She bit her lower lip in thought.
"Yes..It was." Rukia muttered.
Did she love him already?
Was it a bad idea for her to ask about a simple friendship, no strings attached?
Her violet eyes looked up at him, full of wonder. He smiled lightly and ran his hand down the length of her hair, stopping at the neck.
"Rukia.." He whispered, eyes heavy.
"Hmm?" She asked, unable to find hr voice.
"Can I..."He paused, trying not to sound stupid.
"Hmm?" Rukia asked, still under his heavy influence.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked, his voice slightly unsure.
Rukia's eyes flew open, violet connecting with amber. Her breath caught and she froze.
Did she want this?
"Yes..." She whispered, in response to her own question. Ichigo leant forward, his lip lingering over hers, gripping the back of her neck to pull her ever closer. Gently his lips fell on hers, soft and sweet. Her mind few away and she relaxed against him. Her lips moving to his beat. It lasted only a moment but it felt like she had lived through forever.
She looked at him through heavily lidded eyes.
He sighed. "I'm sorry," He stood, letting her fall onto the couch. "That wasn't something friends do.." He ran a hand through his orange mane. "I should go."
Rukia grasped his arm and stood, never letting go. Her Violet eyes locked with his amber once more. "No.." Her hand rested on his chest. "stay.."
"Just friends.." Ichigo stated, his voice slightly venomous.
She grasped his shirt in her small fists. "Screw just friends." She pulled him down into a fierce kiss. Her small lips locking with his own, her teeth nipping at his lower lip. She pushed him back onto the couch and stradeled him, their lips enver leaving. His hadn went around her waist to hold her in place while his other rested on her arm, Her hands were still connected with his shirt. She bit his lip and slipped into his mouth when he cried out in pain. He went silent moment later as her tongue licked the isnides of his mouth. He groaned softly, pulling her closer.
She pulled out and back, her breathing heavy, she smiled at Ichigo. "I love you."
"You said this would work... Kisuke.."
"I said it could work.. not would."
"Well it didn't.. do you have a plan b?"
"We could always force it.."
"No, my son would never.."
"Either way he'll suffer the effects a hundred times greater than we ever did!"
"I know..."
"The effects will be harmful, but we all know Ichigo and Rukia... they would want this."
"The whole reason Orihime sacrificed her power was so they could live happily ever after, are you really willing to take her sacrifice and their happiness?"
"Our fate and the fate of two worlds depend on it.."
"What if these memories aren't ours?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if, like Kisuke stated earlier... the thing about two worlds.."
"You mean that the two worlds are colliding.."
"Yeah... what if these memories aren't ours at all. If our world is merging with the other, it's possible that their souls are merging with ours.. and with that their memories.."
A/N: WTFBBQ!! :D hehe long chapter... I pride myself in such a lengthy thing. I'm sorry a large part was Rukia's boring bath scene... but really I didn't intend for that to happen. Same with the uhm... news story.. I intended that to be brief like Rukia hears the first sentence adn turns off the TV. But yeah I wanted to set things up. Also shocker ending no? Yeah... and more of my plot revealed.. now you know kinda whats going on.. for now.. hehehe he... Next chapter could be rated higher.. or it could be IshidaHime... kinda with a dash of other characters.. like Renji... and such.. depends on me mood..