"A Flower in the Attic"
Chapter Eleven: Selfishness
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor Flowers in the Attic.
Everything looked perfect.
The lake was so beautiful. Breathtaking. Peaceful, quiet and undisturbed. The moon was shining so bright in the night sky you could see everything in the forest. A perfect night.
But why was Ichigo feeling empty?
Was it because of a certain girl with dark raven locks wasn't with him?
'She promised to be here! Where is she?'
The hour was almost up. The mysterious girl didn't appear before him. He desired to see her and talk to her, know more about her. But his hopes were disappearing when exactly after an hour had passed and still no sign of a petite girl emerging from the trees. This annoyed him so much that he hit the tree he was leaning on and gave himself a small cut on his knuckles.
Deciding that the night was over, Ichigo picked up the food basket he brought with him. Even the quilt lying on the grass was folded neatly once more inside the basket. He was utterly annoyed and a bit mad at the girl for not showing up when he clearly said he wanted to see her again. He accusingly thought perhaps the girl only said she'd come back to stop him from disturbing her. She had no plans at all to see him or be with him.
It was supposed to be one of the best nights he would have, while living in the Mansion. But everything turned it out to be the worst one.
Ichigo walked back to the gate. He avoided Nel the whole night and didn't show up for dinner. His father said that the old Kuchiki woman was furious at him for the lack of appreciation for the blessing but he didn't care. He couldn't give the keys back to Nel in fear of having no way to get to the lake.
If he had known Rukia wouldn't show up, he would have just returned the damn keys to Nel.
He was nearing the gate all frustrated and mad, stomping his big feet on the ground while at the same time cursing for being an idiot to believe in someone he just met. Ten feet from the huge monster gate, he saw someone that made his heart beat faster than ever. Stopped him mid tracks and caused him to lose his breath.
"Ru...kia?"
The petite girl was opening the gate that looked fifty times her size. She looked so small compared to the metal bars she was holding, but it wasn't this issue that needed to be solved.
'Why was she inside the Mansion? Again?'
Rukia stopped dead in her tracks when she heard her name being called. There, in front of her, ten feet apart from her was the boy that haunted her mind ever since she laid eyes on him. Ever since she had spent time conversing with. Her eyes drifted to the boy as stunned as she was, and then back to the place she was running from. Her eyes were wide as saucers as she realized she has been caught.
Her feet quickly dragged her away from the boy but Ichigo was much faster than she was. He held her arm with his hand and turned her to face him.
"What the fuck are you doing? You're not supposed to be here! Is this the reason why you didn't show up tonight? To steal? God Rukia! You shouldn't do that! Why did you promise you'll meet me when you weren't intending to do otherwise? How can you let me wait for you!"
To say that Rukia was shocked was an understatement. She didn't know what to tell the furious boy. She knew she had to ask for forgiveness but for what? For entering a private ground, or for not showing up? Either way she was in a big trouble. Clearly, Ichigo was really mad at her.
"Ichigo... I... I-i'm sorry... I-I d-don't know wh-what to s-say..."
"Why are yo-"
Before Ichigo could finish his words, a creak of a door opening was heard from the Mansion. Instinct told him to pull Rukia away and take her back to the lake to talk well. He didn't let go of her arm and held it as tight as he possibly could. Rukia flinched from the pain she was receiving from Ichigo's grip.
Rukia was panting as well as Ichigo. He took one last swept of his eyes around the area before deciding they weren't followed. He let go of the girl fidgeting beside him and crossed his arms. He gave her a look of disappointment and aggravation.
"Now, tell me! What exactly are you doing in the Mansion! This is the second time I caught you sneaking in!"
Rukia was exhausted, so much and Ichigo could see it with the way she moved. Was it even possible to find her weaker than yesterday? She was so thin she might break if Ichigo would 'accidentally' hit her.
Before he could even react, Rukia suddenly grabbed his shirt and clutched it with deathly grip. Her head was on his chest leaning onto him.
"Rukia? Wh-what's wrong?"
She was holding onto him like her life depended on him. After a few seconds, Ichigo heard her sobbing. A soft cry came out from her frustrating Ichigo even more from the fact that he couldn't do anything to stop her from her miserable state.
Finally accepting he shouldn't do anything to comfort the little woman, Ichigo settled on letting Rukia used his shirt as a handkerchief and a life support, wiping her eyes and continued pouring her heart out to him. But he didn't stop his hands from encircling her shoulders to comfort the petite girl even a little.
It took Rukia a complete ten minutes before calming down and for both of them to get settled on the ground. Rukia was leaning on a tree while Ichigo was facing her. Her breathing was steady with the occasional deep intake of breath.
"I'm sorry, you didn't need to see that. You didn't even have to see me sneaking from the mansion. I'm sorry."
"Rukia, what's wrong? Don't worry, I'm not mad anymore. Just... Just tell me what's going on and I promise I'll do my best to understand. "
Rukia took in a breath before calmly speaking. "Do you have any siblings?"
"Huh? Uhm... Yeah... Twin sisters actually." Answered a confused Ichigo while rubbing the back of his head.
"How's your relationship with them?"
"Well, I guess you could say, okay. I love them and I try to protect them as best as I could. I mean, who wouldn't take care of their own sisters? And what exactly has this got to do with your problems?"
Rukia bent her knees and hugged them. She looked away from Ichigo indicating she refused to answer his questions.
"Fine! But, what about you, where's your brother?"
"My brother's at... Home... Yeah I guess you could say he's at 'home'."
Rukia was mumbling to herself. Ichigo haven't got a clue as to what she was actually saying. He doubted what she uttered was even for him to hear. Everything Rukia was saying didn't make any sense.
"What about you and your brother? What kind of relationship do you have?"
"My brother and I have a very... Different kind of... Relationship. We... We are very... Clo...se... Closer, than you can imagine."
"Huh?" Confused, irritated and a bit mad. Rukia was making everything complicated as hell.
"Nothing. Never mind. I'm sorry for making you wait too long. I fought with my brother and it was the first we did... that. It was... Shocking. Sorry.."
Relieved, a bit, that the topic was changed into something he knew and could comprehend to, he smiled back at her and decided to just go with the flow and answer the girl, forgiving her and abandoning the issue.
"Nah! It's cool. I thought you weren't coming. I'm glad you did. Sorry I yelled at you. I was just, disappointed and I thought you won't keep your promise. Sorry."
"No, it really is my fault. I understand you were thinking i only agreed to see you to keep your mouth shut."
Ichigo cleared his throat. Feeling bothered by what he was about to tell her. "Uhm, Rukia, can I ask you a favor?"
Rukia nodded back and a small smile crept along her face.
"If you don't feel comfortable telling me the truth then I won't force you. Maybe someday you'll reveal everything or you'll have the courage to tell me what's happening. I understand. I can wait. I will wait for you to be ready but can you please promise me you'll never ever go back to the Mansion? You don't know what kinds of people live there. You might be shock if you'll meet anyone of the Kuchikis. They're... not the most... Pleasant people." Ichigo emphasized the last two words to prove his point.
Another swept of the gaze to the forest was done by Rukia. No word came out of her precious mouth. Her eyes looked too far and distant. Unreachable.
"Rukia?" Ichigo moved closer to the girl avoiding his brown orbs. But nonetheless he continued. "Please, I don't want you to get hurt. The old hag might do things, I'm not sure how or what but it wouldn't be wonderful." He moved closer, almost touching Rukia's pale white body, and slowly held his hand on her right cheek, forcing the girl to see his honest eyes.
Rukia was starled at the contact but refrain from moving from his warm skin.
"I don't know why but, I care about you. Huh! Funny right? I only met you yesterday! It's just that when I look at you, I feel like I want to protect you. You're so frail, thin, and honestly, it bothers me so much that you don't look healthy. I'm sorry if I'm offending you in any way."
Sincerity was covering his face. Concern for someone who was a total stranger and yet, he couldn't stop himself from caring. He continued caressing Rukia's smooth skin and looked straight into her piercing shade of violet eyes.
"Trust me. You won't like those people. They might be famous for being generous in charities, foundations and helping other people, but even their own granddaughter despises them. Rukia, don't mess with this family. They won't take it lightly."
To Ichigo's surprise, he saw Rukia moved her skinny arms and touched his hand on her cheek. She took his big hand and enveloped it on both of hers. Slowly, she pressed her pale lips on his palm, kissing him on his hand.
For Rukia, It was a simple action yet she didn't know how much it meant. A gesture to give her gratitude to the young man and translate the words she couldn't speak.
He cared for her. Much more than her own… family… He cared for her although it has only been a day since they met and as simple as that was, he didn't know how it affected the girl. How much it meant to Rukia the concern he was giving her. But, how could she answer him a promise she knew she must break?
Sighing due to disappointment, Ichigo knew he would see Rukia back in the Mansion once again. For some reasons, she wouldn't stay away from the dreaded place. He was about to argue but stopped when he saw Rukia's lips moved.
"Ichigo, I envy you. You have everything you wanted and could have. A perfect family and... Liberty. Liberty to do everything you want. You have no idea how much my brother wants those. Perhaps it is the reason why he doesn't like you. I'm absolutely thrilled I have met you. But, right now, I don't think you should spend your time with me. Meeting me here by the lake, you shouldn't do that. It is not right. I don't want you to waste any precious time talking with me. I am not worth it."
A sound of protest came out from Ichigo but this time it was Rukia who stopped him indicating she wasn't finished.
"But, it might be too selfish of me, still I want to be your... Friend. I want you to stay with me. Meet me at late hours. Wait for me until I show up and talk to me about useless and nonsense topics. I want you to look at me and comfort me the way you're doing at this moment. Help me..."
At the end of her last sentence Rukia's hand was pulled away from her. Both of her hands were grasped by Ichigo's very own and in an instant, it was his lips pressed on her opened palms. He knew how much Rukia needed him. Whatever the reason was, he was oblivious to it. As long as Rukia wanted him to be with her, he would stay. He was her vitamins for her weak condition, he would do his best to heal her and make her stronger.
"I'll do everything I can to help you. I will help you."
A/N: Thank you to the wonderful Lilikap for "Beta"ing (is that even a word?) this chapter and for all the help he/she gave me! I totally appreciate them! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! You're AWESOME! ^_^
to everyone who was bothered by the Renji/Rukia scene in the previous chapter, sorry. It was really necessary. sorry...
And thank you to all who reads this story! I hope you liked this one!