Disclaimer: The only kind of bleach I own keeps my underwear nice and white.
Summary: At a masquerade ball held for the company she works for, Rukia meets her prince charming, who she soon discovers is her boss from hell. When she begins to learn more about him, she quickly falls for the orange haired jerk. (IchiRuki).
Ugggh, I'm soo annoyed. I figured out how to write this chapter when I was at work (yah I kind of do that a lot haha) and I got home and started writing and I basically forgot it all!! I hate it!! So, I tried my best here, and hopefully it sounds ok.
Hierarchy
Ch.10 A New Perspective
Rukia walked out of Aizen's office with a feeling she could not quite point out. She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize a person in front her, running straight into the person.
"Oh, sorry." Rukia mumbled, not glancing back at who ever it was. She pushed the door opened that led to the stairs and began taking each step slowly.
Aizen's words floated through her brain, and she knew the man could be very persuasive, but she just didn't see how it was possible. "Why did he even tell me that anyways?" She whispered rather loudly, suddenly feeling frustrated.
Rukia shouldn't have cared, she shouldn't have been bothered by it, but it was eating at her sides too deeply. She finally stopped after nearly tripping on a step and sat down, placing her head in her hands.
"I don't know if I ever said it before, but Ichigo-san was the one to recommend you to be his secretary."
Rukia closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hoping it would help to relax her.
It didn't.
She clenched onto the corners of her hair, wanting to just about scream.
"Kurosaki Ichigo is the most frustrating person in the world." Rukia muttered. Why would he recommend her to be his secretary anyways? Wasn't he the one who made her do a report all over because she misplaced one flipping comma?
Rukia groaned, not wanting to think about all the other times he made her do insane tasks, which she did manage to get done at the nick of time, usually. So what was his deal?
"I should have never agreed to be his secretary. Stupid Aizen-san." She whispered, hoping Aizen wouldn't pop out from behind the corner.
Rukia should have ignored Aizen's last comment, and left Seireitei Inc. then and there, but there she was, sitting on the steps, thinking about her career choices.
It wasn't even possible to go back anyways. Minus going insane from what Ichigo had thrown at her, she utterly humiliated herself in front of him.
Rukia refused to let her echoing words speak even in her mind, or she really would scream. Just knowing that he knew that she kissed him literally made her sick to her stomach. How could she ever face him again? Why would she even want to?
"Why did Aizen-san say it?" She repeated. Did Aizen lie to her for some reason? Rukia was pretty sure he wouldn't, but who knew. The comment was so out of the ordinary for a man like him that it just didn't seem possible, and Rukia had this gut feeling that he wasn't lying.
She was really getting irritated that it was bothering her so much. "Kurosaki-san's been nice once." Rukia thought, remembering everything she went through on the elevator. He made sure she was safe, which did surprise her, and she thought maybe things would change between them.
Almost instantaneously following, he acted colder than before. It was if the whole thing never happened on the elevator. Comparing the masquerade ball to how he acted almost felt impossible.
"Again, why am I thinking about it so much?" Rukia cried. She was sick of thinking about him, but no matter what she did, the orange haired jerk wouldn't leave her alone. Was it because he tortured her so much?
She needed to talk to someone and get advice from a different point of view. "Hinamori-san." Rukia whispered, standing up slowly so she wouldn't risk getting dizzy. Fainting on a bunch of stairs probably wouldn't be a good thing. With her luck, Ichigo would probably be the one to save her…
Rukia stared down at the steps, took a deep breath, and started moving again. She walked even slower than before, not minding to take her time. "Hopefully she's in her office." Rukia mumbled, glancing at the exit doors as she passed. Hinamori wasn't too far away from her office, or rather, her old office.
Though going to Hinamori's office meant a higher risk of running into Kurosaki Ichigo, she tried to ignore that small detail, and prayed that by some miracle he wouldn't come in sight of her.
Five minutes later, Rukia was standing outside Hinamori's office knocking lightly. When nobody responded, Rukia started to walk away, feeling embarrassed for some reason. Then again, there were people walking around her, some smirking while others glared. She should have been used to the rude looks by then, and she instead glared back. The door opened from behind.
"Hello? Rukia-san?" Hinamori asked. Rukia turned around slowly, smirking just slightly. Hinamori looked extremely tired for some reason, but smiled at seeing Rukia. "Come in!" She exclaimed, grabbing Rukia's arm to pull her in her office.
"You know? I don't think I've ever been in here." Rukia mumbled, glancing around at some pictures of Hinamori.
"It's not too different from yours." Hinamori replied, sitting down at her desk. Rukia took a seat by a small table, setting her purse down.
"Are you busy?" Rukia asked. Hinamori grinned. "Actually, no. I'm on my lunch break." She replied.
"Oh, well if you want me to leave that's fine." Rukia stated, glancing at her purse. Hinamori shook her head quickly. "No I can eat in here is what I was implying, sorry. So, have you told Aizen-san yet?" She asked, pulling her lunch out of the small fridge by her desk.
"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk about." Rukia muttered, sitting up a little taller. She felt nervous for some reason, as if she were afraid to tell Hinamori, the girl that currently knew a lot of her not so intimate secrets.
"What happened? Is everything alright?" Hinamori asked with a bit of concern. Before Rukia could continue, she looked down at her lap, clenching her hands into fists. She was still irritated, and hoped she didn't sound rude as to what Aizen had said to her.
"Well, I went to Aizen-san and told him that I was leaving, and he was very understanding and nice, but —" Rukia squeezed the skirt she wore with her tight hands, and continued on.
"What?" Hinamori asked, looking really concerned.
"I told him I wasn't comfortable with my secretary job, and he brought up Kurosaki-san and how he knew Kurosaki-san could be tough. I was kind of confused that he suddenly brought him up, but after I shook his hand and started to leave, he told me that Kurosaki-san was the one to recommend me to being his secretary in the first place."
For once, Hinamori didn't look surprised.
"I know." She responded, looking a bit shameful. Rukia stood from her chair.
"What do you mean you know?" Rukia muttered angrily. Hinamori laughed nervously. "Calm down, I just found out a little while ago, so don't get all angry at me." Hinamori replied.
"Did Aizen-san tell you?" Rukia asked, now utterly confused. Hinamori shook her head.
"Renji told me, so if you want to be mad at anyone, it should be him."
Rukia groaned, slumping back into her chair. "I don't get it Hinamori-san. Kurosaki-san acted so cold, and then it turns out he was the one to recommend me? Wait! How did Renji know?" Rukia suddenly exclaimed.
Hinamori shrugged her shoulders, smiling lightly. "For your first question Rukia-san, I really don't know. It is rather odd, considering how he has been towards you, and as for Renji, I'm not sure, but I knew he wasn't lying. I've told you how jealous he's sounded before, but this time, it was crazy. He was fuming at me about it."
Rukia didn't care at the moment to hear about how jealous Renji was for there was another person on her mind.
"What do I do Hinamori-san? When Aizen-san told me that about Kurosaki-san, I felt lost all of the sudden, guilty even. After everything Kurosaki-san did to me, I felt guilty!"
Hinamori smiled. "Then don't quit." Her words were simple, and yet they brought something so controversial to Rukia's at the moment one-track mind.
"Don't quit? Hinamori-san! How can I not? I mean, I didn't even survive one full day as his secretary!" Rukia said much louder than before.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe you're the one being rude to him?" Hinamori asked. Rukia's eyes widened.
"What? I've always been as nice as I can to him! Yes, I know the last time I sort of lost it, but he was being a total jerk!" Rukia replied, trying her best to defend herself.
"I understand, but Kurosaki-san wouldn't just for any reason recommend you, and only you, to be his new secretary. He must see something good in you, and I really think you should give it a second shot." Hinamori told her, taking a bite of her lunch.
Rukia looked down back at her lap again. Was Hinamori right? Rukia was never disrespectful to Ichigo, minus her last talk with him, but she suddenly felt blame. She knew Kurosaki Ichigo wouldn't just recommend her to be his secretary unless he knew that Rukia was worth it.
"Just try again Rukia-san, really. Aizen-san is really understanding, and if he said all that about Kurosaki-san suddenly, then he knows good and well that Kurosaki-san is tough. I know it's hard for you, but I really have this feeling that you should. And who knows, maybe Kurosaki-san will come to his senses and be a little less cold."
"But what about everything I said to him? What about the ball?" Rukia asked. Hinamori shook her head.
"Just forget it ever happened Rukia. It was a while ago and people were drinking. Just don't make it awkward. Like I said, if it doesn't work out, then quit, but half a day is not enough time to get a real feel for the job. Who knows? Maybe Kurosaki-san will eventually soften up on you." Hinamori stated, laughing a little towards the end.
Rukia rolled her eyes smirking. "I doubt that last part, but I don't know Hinamori-san. It is something I'll have to think about."
Hinamori threw her lunch bag away. "Yes, it is definitely something you should consider. I know it's been rough for you, and I know you've been trying, but try a little more, and you never know what could happen."
Rukia smiled finally, glad to know how serious Hinamori was about Rukia's situation.
"I know I probably sound mean right now, but I've really gotten to know you Rukia-san, and seeing you every day and what you and everyone else has to put up with, I think you can do it."
"I don't know Hinamori-san, but I think I'll go ask Renji more about Kurosaki-san." Rukia told her. Hinamori walked Rukia to the door.
"Be careful how you word things. Like I said, Renji was extremely jealous." Hinamori replied, giggling slightly. Rukia grinned, and opened the door.
"You can do it Rukia-san!" Hinamori cheered loudly, causing people around to glance at her strangely. Rukia waved at her weakly, saying goodbye, and headed towards the stairs.
Rukia found that even though the stairs could be tiresome, they calmed her, giving her time to think, unlike on the elevator, where she solely concentrated on getting to and from the floors in one piece…
Renji was standing outside his office, looking over what looked like a file when Rukia approached him, feeling rather nervous.
"Oi Rukia!" Renji nearly shouted in surprise. He nearly dropped his files causing Rukia to roll her eyes. She shook her head humorously and looked at him.
"I wanted to ask you about something that you've apparently known about for some time and not bothered to say anything to me about it." Rukia muttered, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
Renji looked confused for a second, but something seemed to dawn on his as he pulled Rukia into his office.
"What're you talkin about?" Renji asked, eyeing Rukia suspiciously as he shut his door behind him.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, and how he apparently recommended me to be his secretary." Rukia shot back, glaring back just as intensely.
Renji's sharp gaze dropped slightly, and he scratched the back of his head.
"Did Hinamori tell you?" Renji asked, looking confused. Rukia rolled her eyes and couldn't help smacking his arm.
"No, actually, Aizen-san himself told me!" Rukia replied, inching closer to make her evil glare look even scarier. Renji didn't look affected by it.
"So what was the point of you comin here to tell me this?" Renji asked with an irritated voice. Rukia was surprised at finding how similar he sounded to Ichigo…
"Look, I just wanted to know how you found out about it, you know, Kurosaki-san saying what he said to Aizen-san." Rukia mumbled. It was a rather uncomfortable question to ask him.
Renji sighed, and took a seat at his desk. "I just happened to come into Aizen-san's office one day, and Kurosaki-san was in there. They were discussing you and you're files. Kurosaki-san was saying how well written one of your reports was, and Aizen-san looked pretty happy, though he's always smiling…"
Rukia was shocked. Kurosaki Ichigo, the person who was always cold, emotionless, a monster at times, had complimented her. She smiled after that, not fully understanding why.
"He really said something nice about me?" Rukia asked in more of a whisper. Renji looked really annoyed at that point, but Rukia didn't care.
"You deserve it after all. You work so freakin hard." Renji said with a much softer voice. Rukia suddenly froze, feeling warmth at Renji's words.
"Thanks Renji." She said to him kindly. Renji rolled his eyes and walked to his desk.
"Whatever, it's no big deal. So I'm guessing you told Aizen-san that you were quitting?" Renji asked sounding annoyed once again. Rukia nodded, clutching onto the side of her purse.
"Yah, but you know, I talked to Hinamori-san, and I don't know if I want to quit just yet." Rukia mumbled. She looked at Renji to see him staring at her.
"What?" She asked, a little embarrassed. Renji sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess Hinamori's right. You should give it another shot. Really, Kurosaki-san was saying some really nice things about you, at least for some one like him." Renji replied.
Rukia turned to head out the door. "I'm guessing Hinamori-san told you the whole story now right? About the ball?" She asked, not daring to face him.
"Yah, she did." He replied. His voice held no humor once so ever, but something much more serious.
"I don't know how to act around him if I do come back." Rukia said softly. She nearly jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Just give it a go." He told her staring down at her rather closely. Rukia smiled and scooted back quickly.
"I-I guess I could, and if it doesn't work out, then I could just quit. Aizen-san did say I was welcome back." Rukia stated, beaming a little.
"Well hey, if you are coming back then how about going to the dinner party with me?" Renji asked. Rukia rolled her eyes grinning.
"Yes Renji, if I come back, then I'll go with you, but even if I do agree to come back, I don't know how soon." She muttered. Rukia said her goodbyes to Renji and left the building, wanting to talk to one more person.
Rukia quickly remembered that Hisana was coming into town, and that brightened her mood even more.
That was all she needed at the moment.
Going home didn't sound very soothing, so she went to the café by her apartment, deciding to finally spend the gift card Renji had given her for her birthday.
She sat at a table near a window, watching the different people of Karakura town walk by. Rukia smiled when she saw two little girls holding hands, skipping, as they followed who appeared to be their mother down the side walk. "I really want to see Hisana." Rukia whispered, pulling out her cell phone to call her.
Hisana didn't answer, and Rukia rolled her eyes. When her food was ready, she brought it back to her table, and began eating slowly. At the moment, she felt peaceful.
Renji would never lie to her about something like Ichigo complimenting her, and she could see it was hard for him to say it as she stood in his office, wanting answers.
"Then why does he act so mean?" Rukia asked herself. She couldn't even enjoy her food because of the big question in her head.
Should she stay at Seireitei Inc.? Hinamori and Renji sure thought she should, but it was her decision. Could Rukia handle seeing Ichigo everyday after knowing what she admitted to him?
Her thoughts came to a stop when her phone rang.
"Hisana! Hey are you here yet? Ok cool. Yah I'm at that café by my apartment, you know the only one. I already got my food but I haven't really started eating yet. Ok, come on. I'll see you in a little while, bye!"
Hisana was at the café in seven minutes, and Rukia pushed some of her food out of the way so she had a little more room.
"Aren't you going to get some food?" Rukia asked. Hisana shook her head. "No it's ok. I have a strict diet." She replied, pulling out a sandwich and a bottle of water. Hisana still looked thin, and her face looked much paler than last time.
"Are you alright Hisana?" Rukia asked. Hisana looked aggravated by the question.
"Yah, I'm fine." She replied shortly, dropping her purse onto the ground. Rukia raised an eyebrow, but let Hisana's words pass. She never snapped at Rukia in such a way.
"Alright, so tell me about why you're leaving Seireitei Inc." Hisana asked, taking a small bite from her disgusting looking sandwich.
Rukia went into girl talk mode, giving Hisana every detail she could think of in ten minutes. She started all the way from finding out who her mystery prince was, all the way to wanting to quit. Hisana was laughing at the end.
"I told you that finding out who the guy was would be awkward!" Hisana cried, laughing some more. Rukia rolled her eyes, not daring to admit that her sister had won the stupid argument from a month ago.
"And the worst part is that I told him! Hisana, some people were telling me not to quit, to stay at Seireitei Inc., but I just don't know anymore. How can I really face him again?"
Hisana rolled her eyes. "Rukia Rukia Rukia," She began, patting her sister on the head. "Do you know how many people that I work with have slept with each other and have faced each other every single day? It's a normal thing. Just don't think about it."
"Ok yah, I know that people do that kind of thing, but I think my situation is a little different considering it was my boss at the time and I had no idea! It wasn't like a mutual thing where we knew we were going to wake up to nothing being different. That one stupid kiss has totally messed up everything!" Rukia exclaimed.
"Then quit Rukia. Either way, it's your decision. Finding a job right now is going to be a nightmare, but if you really don't think you can handle it, then don't. But I know you better than anyone Rukia, and I think you can do it. Just try." Hisana told her, not looking sympathetic at all.
She could hear Hinamori and Renji's words echoing in her brain, saying almost the exact same thing as her sister. Was Rukia just being a wimp? Was she a coward for not wanting to face him?
Hisana glanced at her watch and stood up. "Oh crap! I forgot about a meeting I have! I'm sorry but I have to go!" Hisana said quickly, stuffing her drink in her purse. Rukia chuckled lightly, not surprised.
"Well when will you be back in town?" Rukia asked, following her sister out the door. Hisana called for a taxi, and turned to her sister.
"How come I always have to be the one to visit you?"
"Because sometimes you're in Paris France, and I can't exactly take time off to go there any time soon." Rukia replied to her sister's teasing comment.
Hisana laughed and waved goodbye to her twin. "Anyways, I don't know the next time I'll be back, but I'll call you when I know. Love you bye!" Hisana yelled as the taxi pulled away.
Rukia grinned to herself and turned into the other direction, deciding she wanted to walk to her apartment.
She felt a little selfish for ranting on and on about her pathetic life. "I really hope Hisana is ok." Rukia whispered, turning a corner.
The rest of the walk home was spent thinking about what everyone had said to her. Aizen, Renji, Hinamori, and even her sister Hisana, had told her the same thing. Rukia was a big girl and could make her own decisions, but for once, she was siding with everyone was telling her.
And it looked like someone else was going to be giving their opinion as Rukia walked up to her stairs, finding Kurosaki Ichigo standing next to her door, hands shoved in his pocket.
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A/N: This is by far the worst cliffhanger yet right? HAHA. Ok, so what on Earth is Ichigo going to say to her? Is he going to be nice? Or brutally mean, like almost always? How will Rukia react to seeing him? Will she be able to handle it? You'll know by the next chapter!!!!
REVIEW!! I love you guys! I've been struggling with writing this, not because of what I know what I want to happen, but I'm trying to keep it flowing and good, so I apologize if I'm failing, I go back and edit this stuff so much!!
