Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor the cover picture.

Chapter 10: Unwanted

"Ruks, what is wrong with you?" Renji studied his best friend returning from the beach still in her sexy bathing suit. His eyes narrowed at her seductive look to which he wrapped his towel around her petite body. "Didn't I tell you not to look like this public?" He growled into her surprise face.

He led her to the saunas, "Go shower Ruks. You smell."

"I do not Renji!" She blushed embarrassed as she was sniffed herself. Renji laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Hey, let's go on a date tomorrow. I hear there is a festival to start the summer," Renji eyes sparkled at her when she looked up at him at the sudden offer.

"O-okay then…" Rukis sputtered. Renji flashed a charming smile as he started to walk away from her towards the elevators.

"Meet me down here at 10 sharp after you eat breakfast. I am serious Ruks, you smell," He laughed out loud as he imagined the small girl fuming behind his back.

He was wrong.

Rukia stood there frozen in place as she watched him disappeared in the elevator. Her feelings were conflicted and torn from the kiss with Ichigo to the confusion of her best friend.

…

Rukia tossed and turned throughout the night as she stared up at the dark ceiling. She glanced at the alarm clock on the night stand and saw that it was a little passed 2am. She pulled off her blankets and got out of her bed. She went to her luggage to pull out the plush Chappy doll Ichigo has given her on Christmas Eve. She went back to the bed and cuddled with Chappy as she proceeded to pull the blankets back over her.

She glanced at Chappy sharing her large pillow, "That stupid stupid strawberry! Why is he always mocking me like this?" She sighed as she pulled the plush toy to her chest and closed her eyes.

She reminisced staring up at his handsome face as it lowered down to hers. How soft his lips were on hers. How she could smell the sweet musk emitting from his skin. His soft yet sandy locks… How she was bold and tried to invite herself into his mouth but to only be denied.

Her heart was pounding out of her chest as she gazed up at the dark celling once again. Thoughts of him confused her.

Was that two kisses now or three? Does the first kiss not count at all?

She ruffled her hair in frustration with her small hands. She relaxed her breathing as she tried to not focus on the orange head. Instead her mind drifted to thoughts of her best friend.

Is it really a date?

She played with her hair and pulled it straight to take a good look at the view which was hard being that it was dark.

My hair has never been this long before… Renji always calls me beautiful so often now because of it…

She buried her face into the soft pillow squeezing Chappy.

Does Renji like Ryo…? Will I lose him if he does?

She groaned as she gave up on sleeping in it's entirely. She got out of her bed once more and pulled on a large sweater and sandals before heading out of her room to go for a late night walk after she figured the teachers would be asleep by now. She noticed a sign that had rooftop access and went up the stairs for it. She perceived a piece of thick wood wedged between the frame and door, blocking from closing to the roof. She peeked out the door to see the auburn haired girl talking with the orange haired boy.

Ichigo and Orihime?

The voices confirmed her thoughts.

"Inoue, why did you call me out of bed so early in the morning?" Ichigo scowled slightly irritated. He ruffled his hair and stretched out his arms with a tired yawn.

"Ah… Kurosaki… I couldn't sleep…" Orihime said quietly with clear thoughts in her mind.

Ichigo sighed as he stared at Orihime, "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well later today… I was wondering if you wanted to check out the festival at the pier …with me…" Orihime quietly proposed to him. Rukia could tell she was nervous by the way she was picking at her sleeve.

"Today? Don't you want to go with Tatsuki?"

"Kurosaki… I…"

Rukia turned around not wanting to eavesdrop onto a private conversation. She slowly walked quietly down the stairs through the hallway back to her room. She shut her hotel room door with her back leaning against it. She clenched her first as she hated Ichigo for messing with her prior to before he was alone with Orihime.

She raised her hand to her chest wondering what the aching feeling was as her breathing tried to level itself from hearing Orihime about to confess to Ichigo. She walked back to her bed and drowned herself into the blankets as well as her thoughts. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to push any thoughts to the back of her mind.

…

Rukia stood in the forest watching a waterfall cascade down with the sunlight peeking through the high trees overhead. The calmness of hearing the running water placed a tranquility vibe that relaxed her. She felt strong warm arms encircle around her waist and a chin being placed on the curve oh her neck.

"Yo midget, should we finished what we started earlier?"

Rukia jumped when she heard the whisper in her ear from the one that irritates her the most.

"What are you talking about-"Her eyes widen in surprised as she felt his fingers silenced her lips. She brought her mouth and clamped down on his index finger preparing to bite down but instead moaned when she felt a soft biting on the nape of her neck that his neck was resting on.

"You like that midget?" The voice whispered seductively into her ear.

Rukia couldn't help but let her body betray her as she nodded; her mouth was still biting his finger softly. She melted and moaned more when the biting turned into soft kisses. Her mind became blank as she was lost in his touch. When the kisses suddenly stop she pulled the hand away from her mouth and turned to see that orange hair that she was expecting. Instead she was surprise to see her best friend standing there still grasping the hand.

Renji smiled as he caressed her face, "That bastard went to go on a date with Inoue… Don't worry, you have me Ruks."

"W-what about Ryo?" Rukia eyes were glistening with the tears she was holding back. "I don't want to lose you Renji!" Tears were falling.

"Shhhh," Renji calmly said as he brought his face to hers and gently kissed the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. He stared into her eyes which made her heart stop. His eyes lowered at her lips as he slowly lowered his own to them.

'Knock Knock'

Rukia quickly rose up from her bed to see that her room was dimly lit by the sunlight. Her heart was beating fast as she lowered herself back into her bed from the blood rushing to her head. She ruffled her hair annoyed at the random dream she had regarding the two.

'Knock Knock'

She glanced lazily over at the door wondering who would be knocking so early in the morning.

"Ruks! Are you okay? Open up!"

Rukia jumped up from her bed to open the door in surprised to see her best friend standing there with an alarm look on his face.

"R-Renji? What are you doing? If one of the teachers catches you here they will kill us for sure!" Rukia stuttered as she pulled him into the room and closed the door. She found it hard to calm her nerves as she was staring at her best friend she just dreamt about. He was wearing slim beige shorts with stylish tears in them as well as a simple white t-shirt with his hair down to one side. His dog tags hang from his neck and the smell of nice cologne wafted to her nose. "W-Why do you look so…" Good…

"Ruks, you aren't ready yet? I was waiting for you for half an hour downstairs," Renji interrupted her disregarding her nervousness.

"What are you talking about?" She froze when he raised his cellphone which read 1040am. She let out a shriek not knowing she overslept as she ran to the restroom to wash up and to brush her teeth.

Renji sighed at her as he let himself further into her room. He opened up the curtains to let the sun shine through, lighting the room more.

"Renji help me pick something to wear!" She called out from the bathroom. He sighed once more and chuckled to himself as he opened the closet door. He smiled at the fact that her clothes do not look so childish as usually but more girlish. He picked out a blue sundress and laid it onto her bed. His eyes narrowed after setting down the dress to the familiar Chappy doll scrambled within the sheets. He lifted the doll slowly up to his face, recognizing where it came from.

This is the doll from the vending machine I tried to win…

"Did you pick something out Renji?" Rukia came out in a towel as she caught Renji staring at Chappy in his hand.

"Ruks, how did you get this?" He asked her quietly as he continued to stare at the doll that made him look uncool in front of her.

"Oh, Ichigo got it for me. You picked this blue dress?" She held up the dress in her hands not noticing Renji squeezing Chappy out of frustration.

Fucking Kurosaki, son of a bitch…

Renji threw down the doll back onto the bed and turned to look at his best friend but his heart fluttered when he noted she was just in a towel looking at the dress he had chosen.

"What is wrong Renji?" Rukia asked as she approached him closely. She peered closely to his face as she lifted her hand to his forehead, "You feeling alright today?"

Renji glared and swiped her hand from his head, "Ruks why are you in a fucking towel? Don't you know I am a man as well, Ruks?"

"What do you mean? You are my best friend," Rukia stated confusingly. She slowly backed up as she noticed he was approaching her precariously. She fell completely back onto the bed while gripping her towel shut and looked up apprehensively at Renji as he rested both hands between the sides of her head and looking down at her intimately.

"Ruks, I want you to view me as a man. Don't let anyone not even me see you in just a towel unless you want to pursue…further," He sighed as he pushed himself up from the bed an headed towards the door, "I will see you down stairs…"

The door closed behind him as he left. Her face flushed red as she remembered to breathe for air. She slowly rose up with her hand grasping the towel she had on. She closed her eyes and the dream with him came into view. She brought her finger to her lips remembering the kiss that never came from him.

…

Renji leaned back against the wall as he waited for Rukia to come down from her hotel room. He ran his hand through his hair as he blushed remembering the view of Rukia in a small towel.

"Hi Abarai."

Renji opened his eyes to see Ryo standing in front of him with a small smile on her face.

"Yo Kunieda," he smiled back. He glanced down at the books in her hand. "You are going to be reading again today?"

She nodded, "Yes. I will go on a run later as well. You are more than welcomed to join me." Her eyes smiled at his praying for a hopeful answer.

"The track and field star? No thanks, I get enough of a workout from Kenpanchi," He laughed out loud not noticing the disappointment. He stopped laughing when he noticed Rukia coming out of the elevators in the blue sundress he had picked out with a light brown sun hat on with matching wedges.

"Yo Ruks!" He called out to her while waving his hand in the air. Rukia smiled as she ran towards him but to only trip on her wedges.

"Be careful midget! Can you even walk in those?"

Renji halted from his run towards her to watch her being caught by Ichigo before she hit the ground.

She pushed herself out of his hold rather quickly. She wanted to go and hide rather than to look into those ambers that played with her the night prior.

"Thank you Ichigo," She muttered quietly without making eye contact. She glanced passed him to notice Orhime standing with a weary smile on her face. Her heart felt heavy seeing the smiling face.

"Be careful Rukia! Wedges can be hard to walk in if you aren't used to them," She pointed to her own feet wearing white wedges as well.

"Ruks, are you okay?" Renji brushed Ichigo's hand off her arm and looked down at her with a worried look. "We can postpone our date if you are hurt."

Ichigo scowled with irritation, "Come on Orihime." He started to walk for the hotel exit as Orihime looked over at the two with an apologetic look before she hurried to catch up with Ichigo.

"Why are you wearing wedges Ruks? Won't your feet hurt?" He glanced down at the sandals.

She shook her head, "No these are really comfortable. I will be okay…" She gave him a confident smile to which he pinched her cheeks.

"You look quite pretty today Ruks," He commented before turning his head not catching the blush that erupted on her cheeks. He glanced through the walking crowd to see where Ryo had gone to but she was not standing at the spot where he had left her. He made a mental note to apologize for leaving her alone amidst of their conversation.

Renji clapped his hands together, "Let's go Ruks."

Rukia looked up curiously at her best friend, "What got you all excited? You never get this excited to go out before."

He stared at her with a hint of irritation, "Let's just go Ruks." He grabbed her hand and led her out the exit of the hotel.

"What are you staring at Kunieda?" Tatsuki said to her as she approached the long hair girl staring blankly at the exit.

"Nothing, I was just about to leave to go read some books," She gave her a small smile as she started to walk away.

Tatsuki eyes glimmered at her, "I am thinking of doing track and field next year." She crossed her arms waiting to see how Ryo will take this new information.

Ryo eyes lit in surprised, "Will be looking forward to competing together then. I heard you were one of the best before." Tatsuki was amazed when she gave her a kind smile as she turned and exit out of the building before Tatsuki could get another word out to her.

Tatsuki couldn't help but glare in frustration at the girl that seems much closer to Renji than her.

…

Renji and Rukia strolled through the busy boardwalk lining the popular beach. Several other students were busy walking down the pier and checking out the vendors along the way as well as random performances.

They stopped to observe the group of guys' break dancing. Rukia cheered loudly as one of the guys spun on his head in one smooth motion. Renji peeked down at the smiling girl and couldn't help but grin at the excitement that produced on her face. His cheeks flushed as she turned and caught him staring at her intently.

"Is there something on my face Renji?" Rukia asked while feeling her face to see if she had an embarrassing blemish.

Renji took advantaged.

"Not sure, let me take a closer look," he bent down flirtatiously and stared attentively at her face fomr being mere inches from it. Rukia held her breath as she followed the rhythm of his eyes dancing around her face.

His eyes returned to the violet, "Nope, nothing on your face." He smiled and stood back up as he pushed his hands in his front jean pockets. Rukia blinked several times startled as she brought her hands to both side of her expression hiding the warm cheeks.

"Rukia!"

Rukia jumped when she heard her name and turned her head to see a girl with her hair in a high elegant bun went running over to her.

"Rukia! It has been a while! Are you walking the pier as well today?" Momo asked with a big smile on her face, she glanced over at Renji standing behind her. "Ah hi Abarai! I see you guys are together. I didn't know you were dating."

"N-no we are not-"

Renji slid his arms around the small shoulders, "Oh stop babe you do not need to hide our love." His eyes sparkled at her wide eyes. Rukia blushed as she elbowed him hard in the stomach causing his to release her.

"W-why are you calling me babe!"

Momo giggled as she watched Renji doubled over and Rukia blushing red from his comment as she pat his back from regretting elbowing him so hard.

"Hinamori, why did you leave without letting me know?"

The three of them looked over to see the white haired boy walking casually over to them with a stern look on his face.

"So sorry Hitsugaya! I was just so happy to see Rukia here," Momo apologized and rushed over to his side before turning back to the two. "What are you guys planning on doing?"

Renji rubbed the back of his neck, "I am sure Ruks is hungry so we are going to go grab something to eat."

Rukia nodded, "I am terribly hungry. I still can't believe I overslept…"

Momo smiled, "There will be fireworks tonight to start of the summer. You should definitely take her Abarai!" She winked at the red head.

"Come on Hinamori, there are lots to see," Toshiro calmly said as he turned around and started walking. Momo smiled at the two of them and waved goodbye before chasing after Toshiro.

Rukia felt a larger hand wrapped around hers and pulled her to an open café nearby overlooking the ocean.

They were greeted by a hostess that clearly could not keep her eyes off of Renji as she led them to the shaded balcony hanging over the ocean. They were seated near the railing so they could view down into the sparkling clear blue water at the small fishes hanging below. The hostess quickly set the lunch menu in front of Rukia but lingered a little longer in front of Renji.

She leaned down towards him where he could get a clear view down her opened blouse as she went over the lunch specials with him. Renji became flustered as he nodded and kept his eyes focused only on the menu to avoid being caught looking down an open blouse. When the hostess finally retreated back to the podium in front of the café, Rukia let out a giggle.

Renji eyed her curiously as she giggle uncontrollably, "Why are you giggling?"

"It was so obvious she was totally into you Renji!" She smirked at the handsome face that dropped all of a sudden. She laughed harder when she saw the red building up on his cheeks as he tried to use the menu to cover them.

"She was not Ruks, she was just being helpful that's all," he was flustered as he stared out into the ocean.

"You don't have to deny it Renji, you have gotten pretty handsome since we started Seretei High School together," Rukia commented with a smile.

Renji casually glanced at the raven hair girl, "Handsome?" He leaned forward on the table and propped his chin onto his hands boyishly.

Rukia leaned back against the chair and crossed her arms at his obliviousness but yet does not know she is more oblivious herself, "Please Renji, you are being eyed at all the time since we got here to Okinawa."

"Am I sensing the jealousy?" Renji couldn't hide his smirk and excitement.

"Why would I be jealous of my best friend be eyed at?" Rukia remarked with a frown. "Besides lately it seems you are interested in Kunieda."

He raised his eyebrows in startled but could not respond since their server approached their table to take their order.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

Rukia got a bit scared as her phone unexpectedly vibrated in her large cross body she was wearing. She searched through her purse to find a message waiting for her. She squeezed her phone to be surprised to find a message from 'Strawberry'.

'R u enjoying ur date?'

Rukia scrunched her face and glided her fingers.

'What do u mean by date =(?'

She looked up to see Renji asking questions about the lunch specials.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

'Don't tell me u don't know what a date is midget'

She thought for a moment as she narrowed her eyes to the screen.

'I know what a freaking date is! Why r u bothering me? U r on one with Orihime ur new gf. I saw u 2 on the roof.'

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

"Something wrong Ruks?"

Rukia looked up to see Renji staring curiously at her while he glanced at her phone in her hand.

"N-nothing Renji," She quickly responded but he was quick to grab the phone from her hands. "Hey! Give that back to me!"

Renji frowned as he moved his fingers along the screen. His jawline tightened as he read the message Ichigo had sent. He looked away as the message had clearly bothered him. His fingers moved once again. He sighed with a small smile and tossed it back to her before taking a sip of the ice water.

Rukia eyed him peculiarly before staring down at the screen lit.

'Leave me alone u fucking bastard. I am on a date with the most handsome man ever.'

Her jaw dropped as she glanced back up at her smirking best friend, "Renji! How could you send that to him!" She continued to scroll up but did not see the message he had sent after she sent the message about him and Orihime. She was about to fume at him but her heart instead fluttered as he reached across the table to hold her chin.

"When you are with me, think of only me and not the fucking bastard Ruks…" He calmly whispered to her. He followed the curves of her face with his index finger before pulling back and looking down at the ocean. Rukia took a quick drink of her cold water since she was feeling rather hot.

Her phone remained emotionless as Ichigo was not texting her back.

…

"Damn Ruks, you have been eating all fucking day long," Renji perceived in amazement as he watched her stuffed her face with cotton candy. He leaned against the wooden railing chuckling at the raven hair girl as she looked so damn cute.

She looked up at him with innocent eyes and sugar coated lips which were pouted, "The food here is so good and it's not my fault they are giving me all these free goodies to eat."

"It's because I am fucking giving them money after you take it from them!" Renji fumed but couldn't help but smile. He couldn't be upset with the cute girl especially with blue and pink sugar all over her lips.

"Ruks…"

"Hmm?" Rukia said after she took another bite of the cotton candy from the stick and turned towards him to only view him getting closer. Her wide eyes crossed as she felt his warm breath and tongue licking the heart of her lips which caused her to jump back.

"W-what the hell Renji!" She managed to stammer.

Renji turned to the sunset which the orange rays cascade across his red cheeks intertwining each other.

"You had cotton candy on your lips… you weren't sharing with me so how else am I supposed to get any?" He chuckled as he ran his hand through his hair.

"You didn't even ask!" She tossed the cotton candy stick at him which hit him on the side of his face. It caught him by surprised as he gaze at the blushing beauty with teasing eyes but soften as he continued to look at her. The wind was softly blowing her hair and dress to the side with her skin kissed by the orange magnificent glow. Her face was innocent yet anguished as she stared up at her best friend.

"Sorry Ruks…I don't mean to tease you," He exhaled to which he leaned his back against the railing while propping his elbows on the top. His eyes faltered to the ground which worried her. She walked slowly to him and reached her hand up to the face of her best friend.

"I am sorry I threw that at you Renji…" She quietly said while looking now at the disorderly red head flabbergasted at her elusive touch. He smiled and placed his hand over hers as he continued to look down at those innocent violet eyes.

How he yearned to take her into his arms and embrace her to which he can't ever let go.

How he yearns for those lips on his…

How he yearns for those beautiful eyes only on him…

How he yearns for her love as a man and not just her bestfriend…

But she just doesn't see it yet. She doesn't see the line he wants to stop treading between friends and lovers. He took her hand down from her face and grasped it tightly in his hand as he checked his watch.

"The fireworks about to start, shall we go find a seat?" Renji insisted standing up from the railing. She nodded as she allowed herself to be led to the white sands where others were sitting awaiting. They found a small spot on the warm sand to which Renji sat down on first. Rukia was about to sit next to him when he pulled her petite waste to sit in front of him in between his legs.

She was startled as he leaned forward and encircled his arms around her body while resting his chin on her shoulder. Their faces were besides each other as his cheek leaned softly against hers.

Rukia had a hard time stabling her breath as his warms arms tightened around her.

"Please don't look at me just only as your best friend..." Renji whispered.

Rukia cheeks burned in the darkness as she allowed him to be close to her. Something caught her eye as she twisted her head to see Ichigo staring right at her in the distance. His eyes narrowed in a glare as he shoved his hands in his pockets not relinquishing his hold on her eyes. Orihime appeared beside him as she looked up at his face confused. She held her hand up to his arm wondering where this thickness in the air was coming from.

As they held their eye contact, his cold glare became soft as the fireworks had started and glittered colorfully in the sky. She watched him look down and then looking back up at her as he nodded his head as if he gave up. He turned around and walked away with the confused auburn hair girl walking behind him.

Rukia returned her eyes to the lit sky. She blinked a few times until she realized the tears were burning her eyes as her heart was caving in. Renji was telling her how beautiful the fireworks were in Okinawa but she could not hear his voice in her head.

All she could think about was him.

Rukia stood up abruptly and search through the dark crowd for the signature orange mane. She started stepping forward to only be stopped by a warm hand around hers. She turned around to view Renji standing with her as well.

"Renji?" She looked up at him then looked back over her shoulder wondering what to do at that moment.

He stepped forward to her and stared at the colors reflecting off her face as he brushed that long fringe from her conflicting face.

"Rukia, please be my girlfriend... I love you."

Her heart started to turn into a twisted knot as her mouth slightly opened at her best friend confession knowing she will have to make a decision that will lose either one.

To be continued…

'R u enjoying ur date?'

'What do u mean by date =(?

'Don't tell me u don't know what a date is midget'

'Why r u bothering me? U r on one with Orihime ur new gf. I saw u 2 on the roof.'

'My gf? I wouldn't have kissed u if I wanted her to be my gf… don't u get my feelings by now?'

There you have it. Renji wants to cross the line now.

I thought it was heart wrenching he deleted that text. But

what is a good story without the drama? Don't worry.

It's a love story of Rukia and Ichigo.

They just aren't there yet.

Thanks for reading again my friends.

I heart the reviews and follows I get! I hope you continue your support for me.

Summer is now starting for them.

Until next time my fellow bleachers!

Chinkie: Little Ichigo will make an official appearance much later! =3

Distswim13: I just love stirring up drama! Please don't stop reading although Ichigo and Rukia are not together yet! This is a slow romance building up!

Flyinglamb: Thank you for the huge compliment. This story has been fun to write so far!

Nuno-oki: That was quite a scene wasn't it! Thank you again.

BlackDiamondRukia: Thank you for your love! I hope you continue reading!

Guest: Thank you for your kind review!

Achalida: Hehehe I knew it was you =3! Whaaaaaa what to do Rukia!

Blissbeat: I am glad you are still loving my story! I just love Renji for some reason too so I had to make him extra hot. But I am still an Ichigo fan!

FunnyEasyMe: I knew the next few chapters might be heavy so I like to lighten the mood with little hilarious scenes. (Least hilarious to me!)

Hinataellis: He was so embarrassed =]

Aquilawind: I feel Rukia has been conflicted with her feelings that she didn't know what she was feeling since she is young and naive. At the end it became more apparent but now she has to make a huge decision. What do you think about this cliffhanger? hahaha

JoTerry: Thank you for your review! I know it's already 10 chapters now but I have to build up feelings for each of the main characters. I just really like Renji and wanted him to be just as cool as Ichigo! Please continue to read, it will be worth it!

Kristina: Thank you for the review, I much appreciate it! I am not sure if they will be friends or not after this!

xoxoxo-iheartkiwi