Part Time

Summary: Believing she does not know the value of a dollar, Rukia's father, Byakuya, sets her up with a job as a waitress. But her falling for the college aged bartender was not apart of the plan.

Rating: M (for later chappies)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, though I own a bottle to keep my whites pearly white :D

(A/N): Next chapter! I know last chapter was a big shocker...come on I need drama to stir it up a bit. Flat story=boring. Anyway, this chapter is more light on the drama, but trust me it's still there. Ichigo and Rukia reconcile, well I think you guys will like it. I have a special guest in the chapter, I think it will spike the interest of you loyal readers. Not a long chapter though, I still hope you enjoy. OH, do you like my new avatar, I got a few compliments one the last one, this one is more sweet- and it took 4ever to find, but I love it.

Black Envelop

She was sitting down on a bench under the cherry blossom tree in the same park by the same lake. Today it was not windy, it was peaceful and serene. She alternately kicked her feet in the air even though she was in that white elegant gown she wore the previous night, the dark veil was still upon her head. Her action made her appear childish, but the way she was dressed and spoke exerted a more mature aura. Ichigo began to slowly walk towards her direction.

"I see you decided to join me, what changed your mind?" She asked as he began to take a seat next to her.

"You seem to be wherever I go," he answered to her.

There was a brief silence before she decided to speak, "I was, but not for long. In fact, if you don't make a move quick I might disappear completely. See, I'm like water, I change form and flow, but I want to be strong like ice forever, can you make my dream come true, Ichigo?"

"Yes, I'll do anything for you," Ichigo told her holding her hand.

"Why?" she turned her head away from him.

Ichigo sighed, "Because I want to, is that bad? I want you, show me your face when you want, tell me your name when you want. But, right now I just want you."

He slowly lifted the veil up, only to show her lips, which he gently leaned into. The way it felt with her lips against his was like fire and ice. He wanted more, so when her lips parted slightly, he allowed his tongue to enter her mouth, the action elicited a sweet moan from her beautiful throat. The kiss was full of intensity, but it was not rough, it was gentle and passionate, something that triggered a lust that Ichigo had no idea he possessed.

Somehow she was on her back in the grass and he was hovering over her. When they broke the connection of their lips for oxygen she looked up at him, though her eyes were still hidden, "Please don't stop."

"Huh?" Ichigo said, he looked down to notice that her porcelain skin was bare of any article of clothing, he found he was in the same condition.

"Don't be shy, I don't bite..." she intertwined her small fingers into is orange mane and brought his head down so their lips were barely touching, "...hard."

"F-Fumio," Rukia spoke with half lidded eyes, it was the next morning and she had just woken up. They were both naked under her sheets facing one another.

"Good morning, little bunny," He gave her a smile, he must have been awake for a while because his voice was clearer than hers and his eyes didn't appear sleepy.

Rukia stretched her limbs rolling on her back, "What time is it?"

Fumio let out a chuckle and began to rub her flat sheet covered belly, "It's only about five in the morning, I'll go make you breakfast if you want."

Rukia nodded as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Another part of town Ichigo woke up in a cold sweat, his breathing was heavy, and his heart rate was erratic, 'What was that? A dream, in a way it felt so real yet surreal at the same time. Who is that girl? She was in my dream yesterday too, what is this suppose to mean?'

Ichigo sighed and got out of bed, it was a quarter til six, "Rukia," he thought out loud, yesterday ended on another bad note, it seemed as though the past three days have all ended on a bad note, it seemed peculiar. He knew what she said was wrong, it opened so many wounds that he thought were sealed, but she was under emotional distress and he promised that he would always protect her, "I need to talk to her."

Ichigo could not believe himself at this point, this really wasn't him. What Rukia said pained him so much, so why was he driving to her house? Why was this the first thing he wanted to do when he got up this morning? None of it made sense, but he knew he wanted to mend together the pieces that were broken in their companionship. He was not just going to abandon her friendship over one fight. Though the words exchanged were harsh, was it a real reason to discard the friendship that they had built and shared in these past few months?

So here he was, the gates of the mansion were left open and he was in front of the French doors contemplating whether or not to knock. He brought his knuckles to the door, but stopped before he knocked, 'What is she going to say? I'm showing up to her house at six in the morning after an argument.' He knocked, 'I must be the craziest man alive.'

He watched as the door open, it was Fumio in nothing but a pair of low rise jeans, his arms were folded and his brow was cocked, "What do you want?"

"Rukia," Ichigo spoke with a defiant tone though he appeared quite relaxed with his hands snug in his pockets in the natural contrapposto pose.

After a few seconds of an awkward silence and an intense staring contest, Fumio sighed and ran his hand into his silky smooth chestnut tresses, "Of course you do." He turned around and began walking into the Kuchiki residence, leaving a very perplexed Ichigo at the door way. When he heard no foot steps, he turned his head so about a fourth of his face was visible to the man currently on the other side of the threshold, "Are you coming?"

Ichigo eyes were slightly wide with flabbergast, "You're okay with me talking to her? You aren't even going to ask her if she wants to to talk to me?"

Fumio leaned against the wall with a foot up against the surface as well, then he let out a perturbed sigh, "Ichigo, just close the door already."

The twenty-three year old obeyed and quietly closed the entrance door, and began to walk in Fumio's direction. "I know Rukia, a lot more than she may even know and a lot more than I let onto. And right now I know that she wants talk to you, I know if she answered the door she wouldn't have sent you away. Unlike what you think I'm not so cold hearted to send you away. Let me guess, you thought I'd tell you she didn't want to be bothered, and when she asked who was at the door I'd tell her it was some Jehovah Witnesses or something like that?"

Ichigo began to scratch the back of his head and began to chuckle, "Well...to be honest, ya, something like that."

"On contrary to what you might think, Ichigo Kurosaki, I actually look out for Rukia. I don't like to lie to her about anything because I wish for her absolute trust," Fumio replied.

"Is that so?" Ichigo stated more than he asked.

"Who was at the door?" Rukia turned the corner, only for her eyes to answer the question before the man in question, "Ichigo...I-"

"I'll leave you two to talk," Fumio told her with a kiss on her forehead.

Ichigo looked down at the petite girl for a second, her expression was a mixture of abashment, sorrow, and...hope. Was there really hope in her eyes, what could she be hoping for? He quickly turned his face away not able to look into her dark irises, "I came here...because of yesterday. I really shouldn't have said those things knowing the situation you were in. I gone through the pain you have...many times. So I know right now nothing else going on can really matter, maybe...I think, the agitation of waiting for an answer is more painful than actual death. Waiting and not knowing the outcome is nerve wacking as it is. I shouldn't have agitated you like that...so I guess I just wanted to apologize about my behavior yesterday...I understand if you're still pissed at me, but I just wanted to sa-"

"SHUT UP!" Rukia yelled in an outburst.

"Wha-R-Rukia?" Ichigo asked surprised.

"I said shut up," She looked straight in his eyes with her arms folded in front of her chest, her tone changed to a softer one, "Listen, Ichigo, what happened yesterday was not your fault, so stop trying to apologize for it with that pathetic look on your face."

"Rukia..." he was to baffled to respond.

Rukia looked away, "The things I said, there really isn't a good excuse for me to say them. No person, no matter what kind of grief they are going through, has the right to undermine the deaths of another person's loved ones. I was in no way justified to bash you for your pain, I was irrational and unsympathetic. I mean you finally told me about those heart wrenching moments and I...I..."

"Rukia...are you...crying?" Ichigo asked, it was a stupid question and he knew that, but why was she crying?

"I was a bitch, I said those insensitive things to you like I'm the only person that matters," Her voice was croaking in sentiment and self-disgust, "I really don't deserve someone like you. You take care of me when there is really no reason to. You came to apologize to me about something I did. Ichigo, you're too good for me, I'm not worthy of your friendship. I don't help you, I only hurt you and cause troubles for you."

"Uh.... Rukia please...um can you stop crying," Ichigo spoke in an inept voice, "Really, I'm not that great of a person."

But all that did was make the tears spill from her cheeks at a more rapid pace, "Rukia, come on." Nothing seemed to stop her from crying. What was he suppose to do? He wasn't good with crying girls, okay so two days ago it made sense to hold her in his arms, but today? He didn't even really know the source of the tears. So what his mind couldn't do, his body did for him. He pulled her towards him with his left arm around her waist, and used his right hand to push her head up so he and she were face to face. And may you ask what he did next? Well, Ichigo Kurosaki did probably one of the dumbest things he ever did in his life. Staring at those vulnerable eyes ignited some unknown instinct within the young man, and this unknown instinct caused him to mold his lips with hers. The sensation was like no other, it felt like nothing was around them, like a swirling wind encompassed the pair and everything from the outside world would never be able to break through the barrier their lips created. Rukia clutched onto the fabric of his shirt in an attempt to stand herself steady, for she could no longer feel her legs. Her lips parted slightly and Ichigo didn't miss a second when he brought his tongue into her mouth, as he did this his grasp on her tiny waist tightened significantly. The stroke of his tongue moving in her mouth triggered an ecstasy like no other, he wasn't just kissing her he was lavishing her with more sensitivity than she could ever fathom. When the kiss finally broke both were breathing at a capricious rate.

Ichigo's went wide, "I...uh-I shouldn't have done that. You were vulnerable, I took advantage of you," he whispered the second sentence to himself. "I-I've gotta go," he ran out of the door, not knowing what exactly to do.

Rukia was too dazed to even respond, was that suppose to be a kiss? Why did it feel like so much more? Her body leaned against the wall as she attempted to control her breathing pattern and the rate of her heart, "Wow."

Later that day, Rukia and Fumio had made a trip to the hospital, Rukia was sitting with her father with Hisana's still unconscious body. Fumio however, was with Mr. Ukitake in the room, having a conversation.

"Fumio, is there a problem?" Ukitake asked in concern. He was in his hospital bed with white sheets, sitting up. Fumio had pulled up a seat near the man so he could better converse with the older male.

The brunette shook his head with the sound of his former teacher's voice, he was staring off into space and he wasn't even aware of it, "Uh, why do you ask?"

He smiled, "Your mind seems to be drifting in the clouds today, that's all. I see Kurosaki isn't here today, are you and Rukia together again?"

The eighteen year old cringed at the sound of his name, "I-uh, I don't know, Mr. Ukitake. I really don't know if we are together again...maybe...I wish, I don't think so. No, we aren't together again... I think."

Ukitake gave one of the most confused looks of his life, "What?"

"This morning," he sighed, it was a sigh that said he didn't want to continue the sentence, "This morning, before she woke up, she was murmuring his name, it wasn't a clear sentence, but with words like want, take me, love, murmured as well... I don't think it was difficult to piece together."

"W-Who's name?" Ukitake asked, though he was afraid he already knew the answer.

"Kurosaki, no, Ichigo. She kept saying Ichigo over and over again," Fumio didn't look at the older man's face.

"Look Fumio, as long as they aren't doing anything...Rukia, she's just going through a phase, it's a crush, Kurosaki made it clear a couple of days ago that he had no interests in her, so you don't need to be bothered by it." Ukitake explained.

The eighteen year old gave a smirk in disgust and nearly laughed, "He said that, really that's real funny."

Ukitake's brown eyes squinted in concern, "What are you talking about?"

"He kissed her!" Fumio fumed, "I know it was wrong, I shouldn't have been spying on their private conversation, but I wanted to make sure she was okay. And he kissed her, Ukitake, and she kissed him back, the both of them..."

The white haired man's brown eyes were wide, "He...he didn't."

Fumio scoffed, "I wish, unless their lips and tongue moving against each other doesn't classify as a kiss."

"No, that's more of a make-out session," Ukitake thought, he held his chin in a contemplative position, "I don't know what to say about this."

"Just don't tell anyone," Fumio spoke a bit too eagerly.

Ukitake looked more confused, "Why?"

"Because," he let out a breath, "I don't want their lives any worse than they already are. Besides, I hate seeing Rukia hurt in any way. She doesn't derserve that, Ukitake. Kurosaki, he's not a bad guy, though it kills me to admit it. He's not going to take advantage of her."

"Are you insinuating they are going to have a serious relationship?" Ukitake's voice was that of disbelief.

Fumio nodded and gave a bittersweet smile that was faint, "Maybe, I don't know. Rukia, she's never been your average girl. I'm not sure how this will work thus far in their relationship...I thought things were going to be different when I left here in September, but I didn't know it was going to change so much for everyone else as well."

"Fumi-" Ukitake began.

He smiled, "Don't worry about me, I can deal. However, I have to be somewhere right now, you having anyone over to keep you company?"

"Kisuke and Yoruichi are dropping by, along with Shunsui. If I'm not mistaken, Orihime, Renji, Tatsuki, and Uryuu should be stopping by after school, so don't worry about leaving me alone. I probably need a nap before all their craziness starts to wear me out."

"That's good, try to rest up, Ukitake." he spoke sincerely.

In his apartment, Ichigo had some company. So his company wasn't exactly the most pleasant person one would have over, but it was something that was inevitable, and he liked to have these visits end as soon as they began anyway. The good thing about this though was it got his mind off of a lot of insane things he was experiencing lately, if he thought was hectic and miserable before, well then Rukia Kuchiki found a way to really complicate his life- especially when it was just becoming normal. Then again this visit reminded him exactly why Ichigo Kurosaki did not live a conventional lifestyle.

A man with silver hair and a grey suit was in his living room, grinning that signature smile of his, "Kurosaki, what's got you down in the dumps?"

"Shut up, Gin. You know you don't prick into my personal life. You're here for business under Aizen's orders, so don't try to dig into my social life," Ichigo shot down the pale male.

His grin grew wider, if possible, "I wasn't aware you had a social life, Ichigo. Besides we've known each other for awhile, I was hoping that by now our bond was strong enough to be defined as a friendship. Don't you agree? You know after all these years."

"You know damn well this isn't a friendship by any means," His eyes narrowed intently.

"Is it another girl?" Gin asked with a slight slyness in his tone.

Ichigo slammed his front door open, "Just take this and leave!"

"My, my, isn't someone pushy today, you better watch that tongue of yours," He looked the orange haired male in the eyes and grabbed the black envelop, "Or I'll just have to cut it out." He let out a laugh as he walked down the hallway, "Have a nice day, Ichigo!"

Ichigo growled and slammed the door but it stopped a three-quarters of the way, "Hey wait a minute!"

He slowly opened the door, "Fumio? What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" He said dusting the non existent dirt from his clothing, "This place kinda creeps me out."

Ichigo nodded and allowed the younger male to enter and closed the door behind his second guest, "How'd you get this address?"

"I have my sources," the brunette replied, "Who was that, the albino guy that just left?"

"No one," Ichigo replied.

"Ah, of course. He's no one, you're handing a mysterious black envelop to just 'no one'" He replied with a raised brow.

Ichigo smirked in return, "Oh did I say 'no one', I meant to say that it was none of your business. Moving onto a more relevant subject, what is your business? Here, in my apartment, that is. Shouldn't you be with Rukia?"

Fumio looked down his bangs casted a shadow upon his face, "Ah, being with Rukia, which one of us do you think is suppose to be with Rukia, Ichigo?"

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked a bit shaken.

"You know, when I left all those months ago I never even gave another woman a second glance, Rukia was the only woman I let my thoughts trail to. From the day I met her til this day, she has captivated me. When I met her I knew I had to have her. Even now I want her, but she doesn't feel the same."

"I thought you two were ba-"

"Back together?" Fumio scoffed, "She's using me, right now she's using me. I know that, I understand that perfectly. It's clearer to me than a perfect summer day. But, I'll let her have her way, because I know, she knows, that I can't say no to her. I guess with Rukia I'll never be able to turn her down. You like her, right?"

"Why does everyone keep asking that question?" Ichigo replied irritated.

"Are you really so stupid you can't understand your own feelings? Are you so blind that you can't see what I see?" Fumio spoke bitterly, "I saw you this morning, when you and Rukia were 'talking', can you seriously still deny your feelings after that?"

"You saw that?" Ichigo asked in a ghostly whisper.

"I did," his answer was detached intentionally, "All I ever wanted from the moment I met her was for Rukia to be happy. Even if it's not with me, promise me, Ichigo. Promise me you will never hurt her, you will protect her with your pride and your life."

Ichigo looked at him with wide eyes, then he let out of sigh of understanding, "I promise."

"Good," He opened the door to see himself out, "And that guy, from earlier. I don't know how you are affiliated with him, but he's not a good man, I hope it's not anything that could harm Rukia."

"You sure are concerned with observering other people," Ichigo spoke casually.

"I like psychology and I enjoy writing, both require a keen observation of people and their behavior." Fumio closed the door behind him without another word.

(A/N): WOW I got a lot of reviews last chapters- 31, :). Anyway I think the reason behind it was everyone was shocked with Rukia's behavior- and/or mad. Oh well, I just hope people enjoyed this chapter. Major hurt for Fumio, :(, but maybe some of you feel a bit :) after the kiss. IDK, any Gin lovers? Personally, I don't like the guy at all but he's apart of the plot line, I hope I wrote him in character, I think I did. Anyway what's the deal with Gin? I bet you're all dieing to know ;)- it's my secret...Anywho, I would like some reviews for this little (yes I know its short) chapter... tell me whatcha thinkin. :)

Thanks for reviews: Blatantly Anonymous, ObviouslyObsessed, The Guardian White Wolf, xxxChaosQueenxxx, may, ThierryMyst, K, XxdaniXx, Whitecloud1, Garrett-Is-Mine, Uchizaki, PiScEs-GiRl-01, MrsKurosaki x, Chappy9, Ichi-Ruki4Eva, Sorrowxdarkness, mahappydance, PerfumedLilys, 1blackcat, Lady Spezz, TremelyMaddest, happyfacez, Eula Marie, AvaLuna, forever fallen angel, YoursFornever., DancingBuffy, Yopoko, and xKumaBearx

-spidergoth must say goodbye no :) (And she knows she used way too many smilelys today :)- REVIEW again PLZ)