Disclaimer: If I ever own Bleach or Naruto, Rukia and Ichigo will be together and Orihime wouldn't even exist LOL :D And, Aizen would be the matchmaker of Rukia and Ichigo and Naruto would have been together with Sasuke. *Shrugs* Warning: OOC-ness, angst, mystery, slight romance
A/N: This is the eleventh chapter of 'Healing One's Heart'. it includes one of Rukia's flashback, Rukia and Karin's progress in training for the football tournament, Rukia's hatred for her brother and what Urahara predicted. Lastly, it has Renji and Ichigo's interactions.
xdayanarax: I was hoping to attract those who love Sasuke to review to the story :D Hm... I don't want to spoil too much, but, Sasuke will seem to be a meanie to Rukia at first, but, soon after that, he gradyually softens. :D
Rukes: I'm glad you like this story so much!
Aizawa Ayumu: We must really have some chemistry somehow lolx... :P
Special Thanks To:
Aizawa Ayumu: Reviewing 'Healing One's Heart'
Rukes: Reviewing 'Healing One's Heart' / Adding 'Healing One's Heart' to Favorite Authors list / Adding 'Healing One's Heart' to Favorite Stories List:
xdayanarax: Adding 'Healing One's Heart' to Favorite Stories List / Adding 'Healing One's Heart' to Story Alert subscriptions' List
3-year-old Rukia and 13-year-old Byakuya stood in front of their Mother, Rukia wailing loudly as she saw their Mother lying down on her bed, face as pale as a sheet. Byakuya was now trying to soothe Rukia as he patted Rukia's back in an attempt to hush her and prevent her from making any noises that may result her to waking their Father which was just next room.
"Hush, Rukia. We already ahs Mother sick, we won't want Father to worry about us too, right?" Byakuya spoke in a soft tone that was foreign to Rukia at that age.
Deciding that Byakuya was right, Rukia stopped wailing and looked at Byakuya with big eyes that made Byakuya almost melt. "Will Mommie be all wight, Nii-san?"
Putting Rukia down, Byakuya kneeled down in front of her and patted her head. "Don't forget, Rukia. When you were in Mother's womb, she suffered from a hyperactive Rukia Kuchiki." Rukia pouted at Byakuya's words. Seeing Rukia's reaction, Byakuya laughed. "If Mother can survive the pain of giving birth to you, I'm sure she can survive this on her own, Rukia. Don't ever forget, Mother is a strong woman after all…"
Rukia's eye seemed to brighten up at Byakuya's words as she smiled brightly and walked forward to hold her Mother's hand tightly in hers before she let a single tear fall. She closed her eyes. From young, Rukia had always believed that, whenever somebody closes their eyes and makes a wish, their wishes will be heard and granted truth. And, for that moment, even if it was just a useless fantasy, she wanted to believe it, just for once.
"Mommie, we need you. Father, Byakuya Nii-san and I, all three of us need you. Nii-san said you are a strong woman, and, I believe so too. Nii-san said you survived from giving birth to me and from that, you are a strong woman, but, Mommie; don't ever leave me because I need you. Promise me… Not to ever leave me…"
Rukia was snapped out of her talking by Byakuya calling. "We should go, Rukia. Mother needs her rest after all."
Rukia stepped one back backwards and let her Mother's hand slip through hers before she tried her best to stifle a gasp. This scene… It seemed so much like… "Yeah, let's go, Nii-san!" Pulling her brother's hand, she simply refused to think of the scene earlier.
"What did you say to Mother, Rukia?" Byakuya, out of curiosity, asked.
But, Rukia only smiled brightly. "I can't tell you, Byakuya Nii-san, or else, it won't come true!"
Although Rukia smiled brightly, Byakuya, being Rukia's brother, knew Rukia's inner turmoil as she had said those words. In fact, Rukia was deeply worried for their mother, he knew that much. But, in order not to worry everybody, especially, Byakuya, she smiled brightly for his sake. Just for a second, Byakuya thought he could return the favor and he smiled too. "Shall we go to the playground, Rukia?"
Instead of her enthusiastic response, Rukia only managed a nod to which Byakuya frowned. But, after a second, Rukia smiled once more. "I would be happy to see Kaien-dono! And, I miss him so much!"
Byakuya tore his gaze from Rukia and silently begged for Rukia not to give him a smile when she doesn't feel like it. Because… It hurts. It simply hurts. It is, as if, your heart is being squeezed out of the life out of you. As Rukia and Byakuya reached the playground, Kaien waved to them but neither sibling talked. Knowing that something was happening, Kaien attempted to ask Rukia.
"What's wrong, Kuchiki? You don't look to good." Kaien commented.
Rukia looked down, not speaking while Byakuya looked at Rukia. "Rukia, Mother and Father will be expecting you back at home at 7pm today. I will leave both of you alone until then."
With that, Byakuya was gone, leaving Rukia and Kaien alone. Kaien tilted her head and his mind dawned in realization that Rukia was crying. But, he didn't make a comment as he sat on the swing which was beside Rukia and stated randomly. "You know, Kuchiki, tears doesn't suit you."
Shocked by Kaien's words, Rukia glanced up at him. "W… What…?"
"That's what I said. Tears doesn't suit you." Then, a grin plastered on his face. "Moreover, we wont want a pretty lady like Kuchiki to get stained by wrinkles, will we?"
Rukia looked at Kaien first time through her tear-strained face. It was an amazing feeling, Rukia knew that, but, whenever she was in a bad mood, Kaien would cheer her up in a way or other. Rukia giggled despite her tears and glanced up at Kaien again for Kaien to wipe her tears away. Kaien, after wiping her tears away, leaned in to kiss her forehead. Neither of them had to speak about their problems, just a few words of comfort and they are over it already.
Byakuya, who was watching them from behind a tree, smiled to himself and walked away. No matter what was Rukia's mood was, Byakuya knew that, Kaien will be there to help her when the need arises.
Rukia opened her eyes at the dream that was constantly haunting her, each time, a different scenario, and this time, it was about her Mother's illness. Closing her eyes, Rukia knew it was no use getting back to sleep. Touching her own face, she realized she was crying. She remembered that, one time, her Mother had reassured her she won't be dying anytime soon. Yet, as Rukia slumped sown on the ground and laid lifelessly, tears flowed down as she tried her best to erase those memories out of her mind.
"Mother, you were wrong…"
It was another tiring day for Kurosaki Ichigo as he sighed. These few days, he was constantly getting a bad feeling that something bad had happened to his homeroom teacher. Even if you asked him why he had this bad feeling, he wouldn't know how to explain it to you. It's a feeling which just came out all of a sudden. And, these few days, he hadn't eaten lunch or dinner. In other words, he had starved himself for 2 whole days.
Sighing to himself, he didn't even realize this would be the last day whereas both Tatsuki and him will be standing in for Rukia. Shrugging and mentally reminding himself he had somewhere he must be, he walked out of the classroom with Rukia's laptop in hand. Deciding to switch the laptop on, a message came popping out which he grinned at that. In the 2 days' of Rukia's absence, through instant messaging, he had became great friends with Abarai Renji.
"Ichigo, is that you?"
Said person just rolled his eyes. Who did you expect? Tatsuki?
The reply came out a few seconds, later than usual. What? Why would I expect Tatsuki to be on Rukia's laptop?
Because you have a crush on her, duh.
Ichigo can just imagine Renji's blushing face. I SO DO NOT HAVE A FREAKING CRUSH on Tatsuki! We are just plainly the relationship between coach and Captain!
Uh-huh, keep telling yourself that.
Jeez, sometimes, you piss me off, Kurosaki Ichigo.
Ichigo smirked. Glad to know that. Oh, back to the topic, do you know what happened to Rukia-sensei?
Eh? Rukia? It's been days since we contacted. Did something happen?
Ichigo frowned and chose his words wisely. I know Rukia-sensei since she's doing some training on her own, but… I had a bad feeling recently and I have a feeling it has to do with Rukia-sensei.
Is it that serious?
Seeing that I don't know and you are her childhood friend, that's why I was asking you, bastard.
Watch your language, Kurosaki. You are talking to a teacher here.
Ichigo laughed at the irony of words which she knew Rukia used to use that tone with him too when he was being cocky. Right, right, Renji-sensei.
Touché, Kurosaki.
You are annoying, Abarai. Suddenly, Ichigo thought of something. Hey, Renji, can I ask you something?
Fire away.
I remember somebody said that, it was 13 years since Rukia-sensei last touched a football. What… What happened in the last 13 years?
The reply came out a much longer time than he had expected. I would love to tell you about it, Ichigo. But, it isn't my place to tell you her past. Whether she tells you or not, it's her decision, not mine. I'm in no position to tell you.
I got it. I'm sorry; it was way off for me to ask you about her personal matters.
Don't worry about it; I believe, in the school, she's a mystery to all of you, isn't she?
As Renji patiently waited for Ichigo's reply, he slowly got worried as Ichigo was not replying after 5 minutes. It doesn't take a person long to answer a question, right? Deciding that he had enough of waiting after another 5 minutes had gone past, he walked out of the office.
Ichigo Kurosaki stood rooted to the ground as he watch the scene before him, laptop left forgotten on the ground, the laptop dropping tot eh grass with a soft 'Plop'. As he watched his homeroom teacher going through the 10 poles with swift moves, he stared in awe. His homeroom teacher was certainly improving as the second went by, but, something stirred within Ichigo and he knew something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. Rukia had made through the 10 poles once, but, why was she going through them again. Wouldn't it be the same result?
Rukia, on the other hand, knew that she wasn't satisfied in just a pass. She wanted to outrank everybody, she wanted to be the strongest, and no matter is it in soccer or in other aspects. Rukia resumed to the starting point, her eyes burning with determination and fury while Karin, who was just behind her, glanced towards her mentor in fear. It was just 5 minutes ago when all this happened…
The lesson was going smoothly. With Rukia's help, Karin was definitely getting better as every second passed. Yet, as Karin fell down for the first time, Karin saw Rukia's face as she momentarily got stunned and backed away. It was the face… Of a monster.
"Karin, what are you thinking about…?" Rukia's voice snapped Karin out of her own thoughts.
"Nothing, I mean… I'm sorry I can't master it well." Karin spoke apologetically, deeming the face she saw as an illusion.
"Nah, don't worry, let me show you once again, all right?"
Karin nodded enthusiastically and both of them got into their stance. Rukia halted the ball with her foot and saw Karin standing just in front of the 10 poles. Figuring that she could take a bet, Rukia closed her eyes and opened them, calming herself down as she made a dash for Karin. Karin got ready her stance as she heard Rukia. "When making a dash of the ball, don't have any hesitation on whether you will bang into your opponent or not."
But, as Karin stood bravely, her hands blocking Rukia's way, Rukia spun around to avoid her. "And, when you find that your opponent is blocking you, don't panic and let your instincts guide you to victory."
Yet, as Karin shifted her feet to the left where Rukia was heading, Rukia passed the ball from her left foot to her right foot and, in the blink of an eye, got past Karin. "And, if they are still blocking you, don't hesitate to counterattack. Have faith in your abilities and nothing will go wrong. Got that?"
Through Rukia's explanation, Karin only nodded as Rukia smiled, focusing her gaze back on the 10 poles. As she stared at the 10 poles, fury began to light up in her eyes once again as she began to make a mad dash for all of the 10 poles, successfully dodging all of them. Karin stared at awe and was about to applause when Rukia glanced at her and Karin's hands stopped in midair and she gasped. The face, the eyes… They were of a monster. Momentarily backing away, Karin watched as Rukia repeated this action again and again and again.
Karin stared wide-eyed. Her eyes not taking off her gaze at her mentor. She knew clearly, something must have triggered for her to be like that. She watched helplessly as she watched Rukia going at it once more. Closing her eyes tightly, a few tears managed to make their way down her own cheeks as she saw something which she shouldn't see in Rukia's eyes. She never wanted to see that again as she backed away from Rukia, a look of fear etched on her face.
Daring herself to take a risk, she reached out to Rukia only to let herself be thrown back meters away. "Rukia-nee…" Karin muttered.
Rukia closed her eyes tightly, wanting to get rid of the emotions she had been feeling for a while. Hatred towards her brother, she wanted to do anything possible to stop him, but, she can't, she knew it. She hadn't wanted to go back home and find everybody dead in the flash of a night-time. As tears were rolling down, she realized it was all too much for her to handle. Why did she ever think it was okay to handle at the first place? As she positioned the football right at the starting point, she realized she had no answer to that and she set off at a mad dash towards the 10 poles again. But, because of exhaustion and the fact that she hadn't had a decent meal for 5 days now, her legs were weak and she had fell down even before walking a step.
Ichigo, who was still watching, saw a figure being knocked down and immediately ran to the kid's rescue, only to find it was his own sister, Karin Kurosaki. "Karin? What are you doing here?"
Karin kept silent as she looked at her mentor and closed her eyes, clinging to his brother's shirt. "Please, Ichi-nii, help Rukia-nee. Please."
In Ichigo's mind, there wasn't a time that Karin had begged, and when she did beg, normally, it meant business. Ichigo set Karin down and asked her in a stern voice. "What's going on here, Karin?"
Karin's voice came out choked. "Ichi-nii, I saw something… Which I shouldn't have seen… In Rukia-nee's eyes… The memory is haunting her right now…"
Ichigo, after hearing Karin's explanation, set her down on the soft grass. "I want a full explanation after we get home, Karin." Earning a nod from Karin, he glanced back to see that his teacher had already collapsed. Deciding that was the last matter he could tolerate, he broke into a run and placed his arms around Rukia's waist as she was about to collapse. "Rukia-sensei…"
"I'm so useless… I'm so useless… I couldn't stop…" Rukia muttered.
"Nonsense, Rukia-sensei." Ichigo said. Tears continued to pour out of Rukia's cheeks as she continued sobbing and Ichigo tried to calm her down. "Rukia-sensei…"
Rukia opened her eyes slightly and saw Ichigo hugging her, with tears pouring down his cheeks too. As she wondered silently why Ichigo was crying, she managed in a weak voice. "Kurosaki… Will you be there… When I wake up…?"
Ichigo glanced at Rukia's sad smile before a pang was in his chest and he was kissing his teacher's forehead lovingly the next moment. "I promise to be there, Rukia-sensei, I promise to always be there for you." With that said, Ichigo slipped his hands inside Rukia's.
For a mere second, Ichigo felt his hand squeezed tightly by Rukia in return.
As Renji stood behind the pillars of the building, he gazed at the scene in front of him. Smiling, he put his hands into his own pockets, keeping his head down, his hair covering his expression as he practically hummed his way to his office, clearly hiding what was on his mind.
Take care of her, Kurosaki.
Review:
"I will, Kurosaki. Thanks for your concern."
"I'm not deaf, Youruichi. You have no need to slam the door as if I'm deaf."
"Sorry, dearest Rukia-chan. I was afraid you are gonna be deaf, that's precisely why I slammed the door."
"Even if you know what I'm going to lecture to you, I would still do it anyway! Rukia Kuchiki, what the hell are you thinking when you decided to come into contact with football once again?"
"Youruichi, what happened a few moments ago was a necessity."
"NECESSITY? YOU DARE TELL ME IT'S A NECESSITY?"
"That was uncalled for, midget!"
"Who are you calling a midget, Strawberry?"
"Hm… 'One who protects'? Definitely doesn't stand to suit someone like you…"
"I needed to find my old self back. The old self who enjoyed being carefree and everything. And, I realized, getting into football was the only way."
"DAMNIT, URAHARA KISUKE, GET BACK HERE AND GIVE ME THE NEGATIVES OF YOUR CAMERA!"
"No waiiiiiieeeeeee~~~!"
"URAHARA KISUKE, I ORDER YOU TO GET BACK HERE!!"
"Trust me, Ichigo. In more than one way, you have changed Rukia's world."
"Training~~~~~!"
"Training my ass!"
"All right, wives need to go back to bed!"
"Different people have different pasts of their own. Some may be good, yet, some may be bad. And, it depends on those people; whether they chose what ways to get over the past and find themselves back."
"Highly possible, son. If they were met with a past that hurt them physically… And emotionally… Then, it's highly possible…"
"We will see about that, Youruichi. Come on, Kisuke."
A/N: Sometiems, when I reread this chapter, I feel that I made a little bit too fast for Ichigo and Rukia's relationship. LOL. What do you guys think? Is it bad? Good? Average? :D How was the review? I specially picked out the dialogue to make it full of mysteryness :DDD