i got so carried away with my work that i had neither the time nor the mindset to update the story sooner as planned...anyway i hope you all enjoy reading it though it would be full of grammatical errors and such...

i dont know if you will like the abrupt changes i made in the flow of story but i just did it so that i can get on with the other plot i had in mind for the story...so here you go...

The Aftermath

The clock ticking was the only sound in the room as the two refused to acknowledge each other's presence. Ichigo was sitting in the chair while Rukia leaned against the wall lost in her thoughts. He thought that it was hours since they were locked inside by their two stupid friends but to his surprise only 30 minutes had passed since the whole fiasco. Sighing he scratched his head and wished the time would fly by. Absentmindedly he strummed his fingers on the chair's arms.

"Will you please stop doing that…its annoying," a cold voice shattered the silence.

"What?" he exclaimed in dazed. He was wrapped up with his thoughts that her voice startled him. "Stop doing whatever you are doing with your fingers," she looked at him as if he was a fool.

"Forgive me for disturbing you with my actions…princess Kuchiki," he coldly replied bowing his head.

"You don't need to be sarcastic."

"Really? Well I was being just polite."

"I didn't know the word polite existed in your dictionary,"

"Ah…and here I was thinking that you don't know the word please."

"Anyway you always lacked in the etiquette department," she mocked him. "If you are using the Kuchiki family as the example, then I rather be a country pumpkin than an uptight ass," he retorted with a smirk. The two of them locked eyes. "Ichigo…I am warning you…stop bringing my family in between," she cautioned him.

"I'll…only if you stop unleashing your freaking attitude everytime," he shot back.

"It's always has to be me…what about you? Like you don't have any attitude problem."

"Maybe I have but it's not like you…everything has to go your way…you don't care about others."

"Oh please…you are just describing yourself."

"Is that so…do you know just how much you hurt Tatsuki with that attitude of yours. Forget about Renji and me but to Tatsuki you are an irreplaceable friend. You were the only close friend she had and she never kept any since you impromptu disappearance," he gripped the chair's arm to control his rising temper.

His words caught her off guard and she was lost for words. Coming to her senses she said, "Then I guess it was better for her if she had forgotten about me and moved on."

Anything Rukia related never ceased to get to his nerves and right now, being locked in a room with his worst nightmare was doing wonders for his temper. With a groan, he answered, "That's what I meant…anyways do us all a favor. After this project, leave and never come back into our lives again. I just had enough of your goddamn attitude."

"It will be my pleasure…as soon as the movie wraps up, I'm taking a flight home and don't worry. You will never see or hear from me again."

"I hope it gets over soon then." He leaned back on the chair and closed his eyes.

She didn't answer him instead she looked at the watch and took out her iphone. To her dismay, there was no network. She switched off her phone and turned it on but it was the same. Left with no other option she was forced to ask him. "Hey orange buffoon, do you have network on your phone?"

Opening just one eye, he said, "I have a name…and if you want something ask properly."

"Fine…Kurosaki Kun…can I use your phone once…I don't have any network on mine," she responded with a fake sweet voice. He flipped his phone open only to find that it was in the same state, "Just your luck, no network."

"What the hell…I swear I am going to strangle those two idiots with my bare hands," she screamed. "And it's all your fault," she pointed a finger accusingly.

"How is it my fault…I didn't ask them to locked me in a room with you of all people," he nonchalantly stated.

"If you had chosen not to do the movie then all this won't have happen," she answered fuming.

"You could have done the same thing."

"You know how my brother is…I had to do it but you on the other hand…you just did it 'coz Yoruichi knows something about your past…big deal," she moved from the wall and focused all her attention on him.

"Your brother isn't your master…you can do whatever you like…and I did it coz I liked the script."

"Cut the crap…we both know you did it just because you were scared the truth might surface…and who gives a rats ass about the past? No one…I repeat no one."

"Shut up…you are the only one who doesn't care about the past…" he shouted getting up from the chair.

"Is that so…then tell me what is it that you made you make such a huge sacrifice and work with me…let me decide if it matters or not."

"You are not the one to decide…it's my life I can do whatever I damn feel like doing."

"So you are scared of the past? How lame…"

"Don't try my patience Rukia," he warned towering over her.

"Or what? You will strangle me? Don't kid me…let me guess…does it have something to do with a girl…wait…I know…you have a love child with a woman?" she boldly stood her ground.

"You are really getting on my nerves…" he said through gritted teeth.

Their eyes were locked on like magnets, each daring the other to break it off. "You want to hit me? Go on then…hit me," she offered.

"I just might…so just shut up."

"What is it about the past you want to hide so badly?" she asked again not backing off. "I said shut up," he shouted angrily.

"Not until you tell me…is it that you really have a child?"

"That's absurd…stop making stories…I am warning you Rukia…"

"And I'll tell you again…I am not scared of you…what's so precious about the past…huh, Ichigo?" she sardonically replied.

"Just leave me alone," he turned his back on her. He was scared that he might really hit her. His temper was escalating and she was only heightening it.

"Why? It's your fault I am stuck with you so I might as well know the reason."

"You really want to know?" he faced her.

"Then why would I ask."

"Fine…it's about you…there I said it…you want to know the reason?" he exploded. His hands were shaking in a palsy of rage. His words left her dumbfounded and she couldn't answer. "So now you don't want to know the story behind the past…you have nothing to say?" he hissed.

The only thing inside her head was everything was her fault. She had accused him but in reality it was her fault. Moving on was easy but the hardest part was forgetting it. No matter how many times she had said that the past doesn't matter, she was the one who was scared that the past might catch up with her one of these days and now it has.

"Cat got your tongue, huh? So now when you know it's about you…you have nothing to say?" he yelled. When there was no response, he grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Still nothing? Now you know that everything is your fault," he stretched out the words.

She had to take responsibility for her action but she didn't know how or where to start and it hurt to think that she was the one responsible for most of the changes in Ichigo. All the years of masking her emotions took a toll on her and she could no longer take it. "Alright…I admit it…it's my fault," she said aloud looking him in the eye. The tears started to fall on its own and she couldn't stop it.

Ichigo was taken aback when he saw her crying. He was fine with her yelling, screaming or fuming but seeing her cry was different. Only once had he seen her cry and that time too he couldn't do anything and even now he had no clue how to deal with it. "You are crying?" he softly asked.

"No…I squirted my eyes with water…yes you fool…I am crying…what did you think?" she responded in a cracked voice.

"But why cry?"

"Because you are right it's all my fault…I ruined everyone's life especially yours…"

"Technically you didn't ruin anyone life…and my decision lead me to here…so it's not your fault."

She started crying even more. "You are still the same…everytime you see me in pain or tears, you take back you words."

"Maybe I was a bit harsh on you…it's not anyone's fault and that's the truth." He was still holding on to her shoulders rattled by the sudden change in her.

"No…it's my fault…I tried my best to stay away from you all because I didn't want to make you all go through the same pain again…I thought it would be for the best…so I severed ties with you all but I couldn't forget…you don't know how much I missed you all...I was all alone…" she sobbed.

"It's alright…I understand…you don't need to say anymore," he gently insisted.

"No…let me finish…I can't do this anymore…I can't see you all being hurt because of me again…I am sorry for acting like a total ass…I thought…I thought," she paused between sobs, "I thought keeping a distance was the best but I was wrong…I needed you more than you guys needed me…" she paused again and continued, "And more than anything, I realized that I needed my best friend back in my life…I am so sorry for everything…please forgive…"

He enveloped her in a hug, "Sshh…we all have been acting like kids but that's how we have always been…guess we all need to grow up…now stop crying."

She hugged him back and cried. He let her cry as much as she wanted. After sometime he asked, "All better now?"

She just nodded her head and slowly took a few spaces back. The reality of the situation finally hit her and she blushed. "Oi…Rukia…are you alright? Look at me," he said. Without looking at him she replied, "I am fine."

"Then look at me."

"No."

"What's wrong with you again?"

"Nothing I am fine."

Not taking her words, he bent to get a look at her face. "You could have just said that you were embarrassed," he teased.

Rukia turned her head to find herself face to face with Ichigo. "You bakamon…you want to give me a heart attack," she hastily stepped away from him. "Jeez…like you will die anytime soon," he responded.

"Hmmm…I am sorry…I got your shirt wet," she mumbled going red.

Ichigo looked down at his shirt, "It's ok…but am shocked that a girl of your stature can cry that much."

"And what's that suppose to mean…petite girls can't cry that much?"

"Well you are different…you ain't petite…you are a midget."

"You want your ass kicked?"

They locked eyes in a shared understanding and both of them started laughing. "It's been a while…I have to admit I missed having you around," Ichigo said grinning. "Yes…I wonder how you been able to survive this long without me," Rukia declared.

"Don't overdo it."

"I can't believe I cried in front of you…yet again…," she lamented. "Well don't look at me…I didn't ask you to cry," he retaliated.

"I know…anyway why don't you change…there are lots of clothes out here."

"Nah…m fine…it's going to try up in an instant."

"Well then…we still have 6 hours to go until someone shows up…what do u wanna do?"

"What can we do out here…" he complained scowling.

"Always the pessimist," she chuckled, "But you are right…anyway can you help me move the chairs." She started to push the chair towards one side of the room. "What are you planning to do?" he questioned helping her move the chair.

"You will find out," she grinned. After moving all the chairs, she ran to the adjoining room which was the changing room. She came out with some clothes and again she started rummaging the closet. Ichigo was just watching her ran around without the slightest clue what she was upto. Finding what she was searching for, she turned and motioned to Ichigo, "Help me out Ichigo…take these and spread them on the floor."

"These are the curtains in the changing room…" he said picking up the clothes, "What are going to do with it…make a makeshift bed?" he joked.

"Yes you are right…all we have here are the costumes and bits and pieces of clothes…so have to make use of the curtains and these robes…" she showed him a red robe.

"I was just kidding about the makeshift bed…" he let go of the curtain piece as if it was on fire and took a few steps back.

"That's why I didn't tell you…I knew you would be against it," she stated with arms akimbo. "Look you are an actor and you need your rest…whether we like it or not, we won't be able to head home either to change or rest tomorrow…and you know very well that Urahara isn't happy with the amount of work done…"

Scratching his head he said, "Well you didn't have to go through all the trouble…the chair was comfortable enough and even without moving the chairs, the space is sufficient to make one."

"For me yes but for you no…it will be too cramped for you…as for the chair, it won't be comfortable for a man you stature," she pointed out. When she saw him waver a bit she added, "Don't worry…we won't be sharing the bed…I was making it for you."

"What about you?" he asked.

"Well people like me can adjust anywhere…the chair will do just fine for me."

"Huh…no way…you take the bed…"

"Not happening…anyway let's make the makeshift bed with a twist," she threw him the curtains. "What's the use…it will be like sleeping on the floor itself…" he mentioned spreading the curtains as told.

"I told you there's a twist," she started taking the costumes out and laying them one after the other on top of the curtains. "Need help?" he asked looking down at her.

"I'll handle it, thanks". She grabbed the robes and laid them on top of the costumes. "On second thought you can help me…can you give me your overcoat?"

Without a word he took of his coat and hand it to her, "Here…"

"Thanks," she laid the coat down in the same way as the robes. "Was short of one robe to cover the length of the bed…so what do you think," she looked up at him.

It was the most horrendous bed he had ever seen and not to mention colorful because all the robes were of different colors. "It will suffice," he replied.

"Ichigo…I know what you are thinking but this is the best I can do…why don't you try it."

Don't wanting to disappoint her, he slowly sit down on the bed. To his relief it wasn't as hard as he thought it would be. "Not bad…but won't the costumes be ruined?"

"Who cares…just iron it and it will be good as new," she answered with a wink. Ichigo chuckled, "So you are still the same old Rukia that we know."

"Yes…I just got carried away…now let's see…" she suddenly got up and opened the cabinet near the closet. "Found it," she spun around and showed him two chocolate bars, "Momo can't resist sweets… she hides them everywhere so that she can have it anytime she wants."

Coming back to the bed, she handed him one. "You sure know a lot about your friends,' he commented taking the chocolate bar. "Of course…that's one thing I like about us Kuchikis…we always make it a norm to know everything about the people we care about," she said opening the wrapper.

"You can just say know everything about all the people that you come in contact with."

"That's one way to put it…if you are not going to eat it then I'm taking it," she said eyeing the unwrapped bar at his hand. "Always the glutton…I'm having it," he responded removing the cover.

"Food are meant to be eaten…not to be kept as show pieces," she chowed down the chocolate. He followed suit. "It's been a while but do you remember that time when you stole Renji's lunch box?" he asked throwing the wrapper in the dustbin.

"I remember everything like it was yesterday…and what only me…even you were there helping me out," she corrected him. "It was because you forced me since you were so short to reach it," he scowled.

"I wasn't short…it was on top of the shelf…even you couldn't reach it…so I had to get on top of you."

"I could have but like always you wanted to do everything…you were the one who literally dragged me by the ear and forced me to stoop so that you can get on top of me."

"That's not true…it was your idea…you were the one who said get on top of me, then we can reach it," she said authoritatively. "You are just running away from the truth as usual…everytime I had to take the fall for you," he responded folding his arms across the chest.

And just like that she started laughing. "I am so sorry," she managed to say between the burst of laughter. "And what's so funny?" he asked with a raised eyebrow when she won't stop laughing.

"I just remembered…the teacher caught you with Renji's lunchbox…she made you eat everyone's lunch…you were so stuffed but still she forced you…and then you started crying…" she couldn't finish the sentence as the laughter took hold of her again. Ichigo watched her rolling on the bed laughing.

"Yes…and you were nowhere to be found…though I told the teacher it was your fault yet she didn't believe me coz of your fake innocent act…and the worse was you even started to cry saying I was a bully," he stated bluntly.

Composing herself, she said, "I guess I might have over did a little…but it was really funny, you were crying and your mother had to come and take you home."

"Yes…but if I do remember correctly…even you had your share of fun…the teacher caught you red-handed…you got spanked in front of the whole class," he started laughing.

"You don't need to act…if you can't laugh then don't," she said getting annoyed. "Wow…someone just doesn't want to hear her stories…and I can laugh if I want to…I don't need your permission," he replied haughtily and began to laugh.

"Ouch…that hurt you midget," he yelled. Rukia had hurled her phone and it struck him on his shoulder. "Oh please…just be happy it wasn't your face," she replied coolly.

"Well how do you fell now," he threw her phone back at her. Unfortunately for him, she was able to catch it. "I was always the fast one," she said smugly. Their eyes meet and locked for sometime but she looked away with a sigh, "One of these days, we should learn the meaning of compromise."

With a toothy grin he replied, "We were always like this…don't think we will change anytime soon." She looked at him and smiled, "You are right…but we need to put others first…our arguments can come later." She stood up abruptly, "It's sort of late and we need to rest…so let's call it a night for now."

"Why are you standing then, you take the bed…I'll take the chair instead," he said hastily getting to his feet. "No…Ichigo I don't want your male chauvinism kicking in now…look if I put two chairs face to face, I can easily make a bed for myself," she stated waving her hands.

"I admit you are a midget but even you can't squeeze in that space," he protested. "Ichigo it's already 1: 30 am…the crew will be here by 6…we can't go on arguing…" she said only to have him interrupt her, "Ok fine then…let's share the bed."

"Excuse me?" she exclaimed. "You said it yourself…we will just keep arguing…so better to compromise…when I said share the bed…I didn't mean it that way…I'll put a dividing wall between us," he said focusing on an empty space in the air between them.

Rukia chuckled, "You put the idea and you are the one who's uncomfortable with it…alright…it's not like we haven't slept together." Realizing the impression her choice of words gave, she corrected it, "I mean slept as in sharing a bed."

"I got it," he responded quickly. Though they were back on good terms there was still an awkwardness between them. "I'll take the left side," she said and run to the bed, "You turned the lights off."

"Midget…so that was your plan," he grinned and switching the lights off he made his way to their makeshift bed. Gawkily, he slowly laid down next to her making sure there was a lot of space between them. "Goodnight," he mumbled turning the other side.

"Goodnight," she whispered. They both had their backs towards each other. After ten minutes had passed she softly asked, "Ichigo you asleep?"

"No…what's wrong?" he responded not moving from his position. "I was just wandering…why didn't you try to contact me all those years," she asked in a husky whisper. The question made his heart go numb, softly he answered, "Because you never tried to contact me."

To his surprise, he heard her chuckle. "How funny…I didn't keep in touch because you never did…what an irony," she paused and then added, "That's fate, I guess…anyway goodnight."

"Goodnight," he said but her words made his mind wander. Getting a hold of his thoughts, he closed his eyes and tired to sleep.

XxxXXxxX

"I am sorry but we had to come early…Momo forgot to make some alterations for today's costumes," Nel explained their early arrival to the security guard.

"It's not a problem…I was going to unlock all the doors anyway," the guard answered.

"Thank you…you can get on with your works…we'll take it from here," Momo said with a slight bow.

"It's ok miss…not need to thank me," saying so the guard left.

"Thanks to you, we had to come an hour early," Nel complained opening the door. "I am sorry but you know Rukia doesn't like any mishaps at work," Momo entered the room and switch the lights.

"I know…Rukia shouldn't know about…what's happening here?" Nel exclaimed. Seeing her friend in shock, Momo turned to look at what she was pointing at.

Ichigo and Rukia were sleeping peacefully on the floor. Most of the costumes were scattered around them. She was facing him and he had his arm around her.

"I don't know but don't you think they look adorable…" Momo commented. "Yes…hey did you bring along your camera with you today also…please say yes," Nel begged.

"You should thank me…all the time you were complaining that I shouldn't take my camera wherever I go," she said handing the camera to her friend. "I'll treat you for this….now hush…" Nel tip-toed towards the innocent couple and took a picture.

The noise and the lights roused Ichigo but somehow he again went back to sleep. "That was close," Nel mumbled giving the camera back to Momo and added, "Not a word of this to anyone…we'll surprise them with the picture."

"That would be fun," Momo squealed. "Sssh!" Nel cautioned her.

"Who's there?" Rukia asked slowly opening her eyes. She looked surprise to find herself cuddled with a man and then as the reality dawned on her, she screamed.

"What?" Ichigo exclaimed fully awake by the scream. He quickly let go of his arm when he noticed it was around Rukia and said, "I am sorry…I didn't know how that happen". But they realized they weren't alone when they heard some sniggers.

"When did you two get here?" Rukia asked quickly sitting up. Even Ichigo sit up and moved to the end of the bed far away from her. "Long enough to see you two getting all cozy," Nel said laughing aloud.

"It's not what you think it is…we can explain…our two stupid friends locked us up inside this room so as to let us work through our differences," Ichigo explained the situation. "And I guess it really worked seeing you two all cuddled up," Momo teased and the two of them laughed.

"Yes…it might look like that but…listen to me," Rukia yelled as her two friends won't stop laughing. She continued, "And there was no other option, all we had was this, so we ended up sharing the bed."

"No wonder we couldn't contact you…it's hard to get network from this room," Nel said suppressing the laughter. "We are sorry…I guess you two must be hungry a well…anyways the cast and crew won't be here for another 30 minutes or so…so why don't you head home, freshen up, have something and come back," Momo added.

"I would love that," Ichigo said standing up, "Coming Rukia?"

She got up and warned her friends, "No one should know about this…do I make myself clear?" Both of her friends gave her a salute and said, "Yes boss." Rukia chuckled, "Very funny and thanks…let's go Ichigo."

Picking up his coat, he smirked, "Even your friends are sacred of you."

"You want your ass kicked in front of them," she warned with a grin. "Will go to my place since we don't have time…mom and dad should be up by now," Ichigo said going out of the room. "I have my own car…I'll go home straight," Rukia responded following him.

"Don't be so stubborn…you know that no one will be awake at that mansion of yours…and if you are worried about change of clothes…you can always borrow from Yuzu or Karin…" he stated with a smirk. "What? And who made you the boss of me…I just can't come to your place at 5: 30 in the morning…what will your parents think," she argued back.

"You know that my place is as much as yours as it is mine and mom and dad will be more than happy to have you," Ichigo insisted.

Nel and Momo couldn't hear any more of the conversation as the two were out of earshot. "Wonder who will win…" Momo smirked. She wanted to eavesdrop on their exchange but she had her work cut off for her. "When they gel, they really can gel," Nel paused and then added, "You start with the alteration…I'll clean the mess our boss made."

"I can't believe she used the costumes as a mattress," Momo whined looking at the clutter.

XxxXXxxX

"Where's Ichigo and Rukia?" Urahara enquired. He was about to make his intentions clear to the cast and crew but without the key members he couldn't start.

"We are sorry…we got late coz someone as usual was too difficult to handle," Ichigo said coming to a stop near the director. "Don't put the blame on me…I look like a kid," his partner complained.

Every head turned towards his companion. She was just like any other teenager wearing a skirt, knee length socks, shoes and a pullover with hood. "Wait…is that you Rukia?" Nel asked.

"I told you…" Rukia groaned. "It won't have been a problem if you had just worn the clothes I gave you," Ichigo responded raising his eyebrow. "It was too big for me…I looked like a clown," she disagreed.

"Well then you are wearing the clothes that you picked…so stop complaining," he growled. "If you had just let me go to my place, this won't have happen…and you were complaining the whole time so I had to wear whatever I could lay my hands on…" she argued.

"You were in the room for 20 minutes…" he shot back. Just as she was about to reply, Yoruichi intervened, "You love birds should leave your domestic problem for later… we have a move to shoot."

The two of them realized their follies and apologized to the crowd gathered around who were looking at them as if they had just landed from mars. Rukia and Ichigo both went red at the close scrutiny.

"That's a sudden development…I don't know what happened last night to have made you two so inseparable," Urahara grinned and continued, " But as I said yesterday we have to make some changes." Yourichi nudged him. "As I was saying…I thought about it last night and I think we should all give it our best starting from today onwards till the movie wraps…so let's get started," he added with a smile.

The crowd enthusiastically cheered and went on to do their own work. The cast headed to the dressing room except for Ichigo who had to get his makeup first. All the way to the dressing room, Rukia was the butt of the joke, mostly because of her attire.

XxxXXxxX

The whole shoot went perfectly without any hitch. The sudden change in Ichigo and Rukia was a relief to all. The only complain they had was the two acted like school kids whenever they crossed paths.

Urahara and Youruichi were relaxing in his office after the shoot ended for the day. "I have to congratulate you…you know how to pull the strings," Urahara complimented her with a toast.

She was sitting in the chair with a drink, "Thank you…but to be honest…I had no hand in it…Renji just told me to ignore any calls if Ichigo and Rukia called…I asked but he just said he had something planned for them." Urahara chuckled and going over to his table, he picked up the cigarette case and said, "Well I guess I owe him then…have you seen Ichigo's acting today…it was as if he was a totally different person…it was so good that it startled me too," he paused and light a cigarette, "I guess he let his defenses down…now I know what you meant when you said she brings the best in him."

"I am just grateful that those two realized their follies sooner than later…but remind me to ask Renji what really happened…this will be a really tantalizing scope for the magazine," she responded with a twinkle in her eyes.

"You will never change…always about the ratings…" he commented smirking. "One thing you should know about me by now is I am full of surprises..." she replied with a sly smile.

XxxXXxxX

"I was wondering when you would be calling," Byakuya said over the phone. He was about to leave his office for a meeting when his secretary came in saying that there was a call for him. Without asking her for details, he took the call and signaled her to leave.

"Then you would know why I called," the voice coldly answered.

"Yes…and I agree it will be good for our business."

"I assume that's your way of saying yes."

"You don't need my permission to proceed with it."

"All business venture needs to go through the proper channel."

"I see…it's a business venture as well?" he asked.

"You know what I meant…you will be there I presume?" the voice dryly replied.

"I'll be there," he said and ended the call. Looking at the portrait of his family, which was the only picture in the room, he closed his eyes and then got to his feet. As he crossed the portrait, he mumbled, "It's for the best," and left the room.

XxxXXxxX

the review:- Good, bad or really dreadful?

do leave behind your reviews...i need your thoughts in order to proceed with the story...thanks...