Amarte es mi pecado CH.11: No te vayas (Don't go)
Stitches were needed as Ulquiorra's original assessment had proclaimed. Rukia took it all with a brave face, wincing only with the slightly tight feeling along her scalp once they were in. Unohana had said she would be able to resume duties in a few days which her brother quietly seconded. Another could always take her place with the Arrancars; Byakuya had glared meaningfully toward Renji, who quickly agreed. She wasn't needed as far as those two were concerned, besides that, everyone had managed to get along just fine...before Ichigo had shown up.
~*~
"How was she?"
He expressed no surprise. Grimmjow sat on his bed, his back against the wall. Though the lights were dimmed and the few rays of sunlight filtering through the open window cast more shadow than illumination, the worry etched into his ex comrade's face was undeniable. "You should have gone to see for yourself," Ulquiorra finally answered tiredly.
Grimmjow frowned slightly, "well, I didn't. I'm asking you."
The other recognized the lack of patience in the bite present at the end of the sentence.
"It would've made her happy if you had gone."
Silence followed as the teal-haired Arrancar digested this.
Finally after a time, Grimmjow began quietly, his usual roughness departing and in its place, a tentative softness that Ulquiorra had never heard before; "do ya think so?"
Ulquiorra closed his eyes briefly, lowering himself down onto the edge of the bed, "yes."
It was true, this inescapable fact. The petite Shinigami had kept looking around, glancing expectantly toward the door in a most peculiar fashion that made him assume she was waiting for someone to show.
Someone whom the ex Cuatro was sure was not Ichigo Kurosaki.
And whom never did anyway.
~*~
He hadn't come.
Turning over in her bed, she made a face into the neck roll.
She had been foolish to expect it. Grimmjow, that is, showing up at the healing center. At least Ulquiorra had gone, carried her there-actually. Rukia felt a faint heat creep up her cheeks at this remembrance. He had smelled...kind of nice. It had been rather pleasant to be transported in such a way, let alone that, have him be so attentive to everything Captain Unohana had said.
Rukia smiled, snuggling into her blankets. Such progress they had made! To think Ulquiorra had gone from calling her trash-sama--she still hadn't forgotten that! To near respect and concern. He had called her by name! A rush of warmth filled her chest and she squirmed a little, flushing furiously. She had not thought her name falling from his lips was agreeable-even comfortable...now had she?
Chastising herself for reasons she wasn't even halfway sure of; Rukia huffed at her own foolishness. Here she was acting like a silly...teenage girl...with a crush. Her thought process screeched to a halt. A crush?! Where had that come from?! She was only doing her duty...
Frowning now up at the crossbeam ceiling, she still recalled how nice it was being in Ulquiorra's arms and hearing Grimmjow and Ichigo fighting over her.
With those recollections in mind, she soon fell into a deep, restful sleep and not even Byakuya's entry to check on her every so often, disturbed her.
~*~
Grimmjow wasn't having a good day.
By Renji-surprisingly and Ulquiorra's advice; well, the former Cuatro had intimated so in a few words. They suggested he should drop by the Kuchiki manor and ask to see Rukia.
He had planned previously to do so from the moment of learning: she had wanted him to be there. He hadn't come across Kurosaki yet since yesterday and was feeling rather confident. His ego had been stoked instead of being battered as it had been ever since he had become a prisoner of the Shinigami.
So, it was with a lighter mind and a smirk on his face that he had first come to the outer gate of the Kuchiki residence and learned an Ichigo Kurosaki was visiting at the moment.
Somewhat irritated by this, but straining not to show it; Grimmjow had asked in a considerably polite tone if he might be admitted anyway and see Rukia after Kurosaki had left?
To which the steward had looked promptly horrified at the suggestion of even allowing an Arrancar entry into the palatial residence without Byakuya-sama home.
With an emphatic no.
The door was slammed in his face.
Hoity-toity bastards! Grimmjow's first inclination was to slam his fist into the wall and gain entry by force. His second, was to rein in such murderous thoughts particularly those of murdering Kurosaki in front of Rukia's innocent violet-blue eyes. She would not be pleased...he repeated to himself...if he broke into her brother's home and slaughtered her friend. That thought made a sneer twist his lips. Damn Strawberry bastard had better keep his hands off what wasn't his. Anymore...
And that was just the start of Grimm's bad day.
It could only get worse.
Discerning by his expression the non admittance, Renji had innocently suggested he talk to Captain Kuchiki. After yesterday for sure, Rukia's brother would consent to the visit. Even though Ulquiorra said nothing, bright green eyes trained on the instruction Lieutenant Hisagi was giving to some newer recruits out in the field; Grimmjow could sense he too approved of this by the slight glance sent his way.
But he refused. His pride wouldn't let him lower himself to begging to see Rukia from the mighty Byakuya Kuchiki! Scoffing, Grimmjow said as much. Too much trouble and not at all worth it! In fact he was almost glad they had been able to ditch the loud-mouthed midget and get someone else capable!
Renji had been surprised by his vehemence and though Grimmjow himself didn't realize it; had just complimented the redheaded Lieutenant in his own roundabout way. That, whether Grimm comprehended it or not, earned he and Ulquiorra both showers at the Sixth Division stalls behind the barracks before lunch.
~*~
At eight sharp; Ichigo had come.
They had exchanged their usual banter but with less feeling, Rukia noticed, somewhat disturbed with herself that she hadn't felt the usual rush of warmth or joy at seeing him then she had before.
Soon silence fell.
An awkwardness that had never been present between them stole in.
Ichigo sat near her, legs and arms crossed, a seriousness about his face and attitude that she didn't like.
Like the awkwardness of quarreling lovers. Rukia found herself startled at the comparison. She and Ichigo weren't lovers! Friends. Closer than most, yes. But never with the kind of intimacy shared by two in love.
"Ichigo--" She began.
"Rukia--" they stared at one another.
The discomfiture grew as his amber eyes narrowed, lowering to the floor.
"No.." he conceded slowly, "you go first."
In the longest time she hadn't felt real fear. Now she did. His tone was too quiet, too submissive to be that of the boy she knew. Desperate to gain the understanding for his current somberness and if possible to recover the easiness in which they had previously spoken in. She baited him, "what? So, you finally admit I'm superior to you, human?"
His gaze rose to her face; with a sinking feeling in her chest, she saw that he hadn't been fooled. "Rukia..what do you feel toward Grimmjow?"
This stunned her momentarily. Further proof that they were more connected then most, he had guessed the object of her reverie the past night and during wakening, her first thoughts had turned to the teal-haired Arrancar and wondering if he might show up later that day.
But she couldn't answer. To buy time, she said instead, "why do you care? Jealous, hmm?" A smirk had played about her mouth yet had faltered at the expression on his face. The scowl had been replaced by another more thoughtful, deeper expression than that of simple annoyance.
Her heart started pounding.
"I don't know." Ichigo said truthfully, reaching up to run his fingers through the spikes of his bright hair. The ghost of a scowl flitted about his mouth out of habit, "it seems..almost ridiculous that I should be." He fully smirked, "about any attentions paid to a midget."
"Hey!" she had cried, shoving at his arm. Ichigo let himself be pushed back, his expression once again almost unreadable. Don't. His amber eyes sought hers, and drawn into them, she found the maturity of a man staring back at her. Gone was the recklessness of youth, tamped down by sense and experience. It was like she didn't even know who he was anymore.
"Rukia..." she felt herself being pulled closer until she was on her knees before him, his hands clasping hers. "Tell me truthfully, how do you feel about Grimmjow?"
She couldn't meet his eyes. Not when he was staring so intently, so burningly into hers. "Don't...don't draw it." She was barely aware of the words slipping past her numb lips, "don't draw a line between us, Ichigo."
He left soon after without another word.
~*~
The cut was healing fast. Grimmjow had to thank that gawky silvery -blond haired Lieutenant from Fourth. Even though the hot water still stung it a little. he flexed his wrist, clasping it below the bone with the other. Today had been an especially demanding session. Hisagi, after noticing them watching had called them over for a trial with the recruits.
Little pansies hadn't ever seen an Arrancar before, being in the academy during the war, so they had been gawking more than sparring. Grimmjow had sent quite a few flying before Hisagi had challenged him one on one, saying that he wanted to see how well Kuchiki had been teaching them.
It was then that Grimmjow knew he had to defend Rukia's honor.
Even without the narrowing of that bastard Ulquiorra's eyes and his quiet warning not to make an idiot out of himself.
Grimmjow had sneered at this and even landed a blow or two before executing the move he had seen Rukia perform on Ulquiorra with slightly less than her grace.
Hisagi had been floored-not literally.
But, shocked most certainly.
"Hawatari?" the spiky-haired Lieutenant had asked of Renji. The redhead shrugged and said it was a move Ulquiorra was being taught, then with a grin and the quirking of a wild brow, he added, maybe Grimmjow had learned from just watching.
Hisagi though slightly doubtful, shrugged and admitted it was possible. The Arrancars were pretty intelligent and fast learners; just look at Ulquiorra. Grimmjow later learned this was praise and a rather rarer one at that, from the Ninth Company Lieutenant. But he still didn't like being compared to Ulquiorra.
Purring softly in contentment as the steam wrapped around his body; Grimmjow stepped from the stall only to hear a slight gasp from the dimply lit entrance way. Looking up, he met the wide violet-blue eyes of Rukia clad in a light purple flowered yukata and sandals.
Then abruptly she spun on her heel, her pale cheeks reddening.
"Ru--" a moment later he realized he had neglected to grab a towel from the shelf. The steam didn't do much to cover his lower half. "-kia...wait." Placing a hand on the low shower wall, Grimmjow briefly closed his eyes against the assault of feeling stirring in his chest at the sight of her. "Don't...go."
~*~
She needed a walk
Anywhere. Anything. Just to get out of the smothering confines of the Kuchiki mansion and the servants whom at Byakuya's behest by Hell butterfly; wouldn't leave her alone for even a moment to get her thoughts in order.
Flattering as it was, to be cared for in such a manner; though Rukia detested it in actuality, she simply needed to get out. Be by herself for a time to think clearly and sensibly about what she had said to Ichigo.
Don't draw a line between us.
Dressing in a plain yukata taken from a chest in the next room; she wondered what she had meant by saying that.
A line? The line that would irrevocably put up a wall between them if she-but no! That was just too preposterous! Her and...Grimmjow. If they...
She couldn't continue. Staring at herself in the reflection of a small hand mirror lying among the various other articles of clothing, Rukia rejected her silly notions. If she and Grimmjow would become--her cheek turned pink, she blamed the warmth of the day. -A couple.
Stopping beside the sliding door, she listened for the approach of footsteps. Hearing none, she slipped out, glancing up then down the veranda for any servants who might be on their way to check on her again.
That...
Heading across the garden, she made straight for a conveniently planted Cherry-Blossom tree near the high wall. Swinging one foot up then the other, she clambered up and over.
...no matter how ridiculous or unseemly it was...
Wandering for a time, she saw no one as she avoided the more populated areas.
... was the one thing.
Without knowing why exactly she came to the barracks outside her brother's division. Were Grimmjow and Ulquiorra around? Lost in her thoughts, she nearly collided into a chest, only his hands on her shoulders halted the collision.
"Rukia," Ulquiorra said in the deep voice of his that caused strange little shivers to go up her spine. Looking up into his dark green eyes, Rukia found herself without a thought in her mind and even less able to form a coherent greeting. "H-hello, Ulquiorra."
He acknowledged this with a slight dip of his raven head, "should you be up so soon?"
Shifting her eyes away from his green ones, she bit her lip a little embarrassed. "Not really..."
"Hmm. So, you snuck away then." He surmised, observing her for a moment longer, "any reason you might endanger your health so?"
"Please!" Rukia scoffed, finally feeling as if she had air in her lungs again, "I'm not endangering my health by taking a little walk outside!"
"Ah...then are you perhaps looking for Grimmjow?"
Her eyes flew open.
"This morning he was turned away when he went to visit you."
"Today?!"
If Ulquiorra was surprised by her outrage, he didn't show it. "Yes. Abarai suggested that he speak with Captain Kuchiki about it-but ah-his foolish pride refused to allow it."
Rukia opened and closed her mouth several times. Each time sure that those words were the wrong ones until she finally came to a conclusion. "I have to apologize."
Ulquiorra rolled his shoulders elegantly, "he's over there."
She glanced.
"I'm sure he's done by now."
The place where he had indicated was the small building where the Sixth Division officers took their showers.
That could drive she and Ichigo apart.
~To be continued~
AN: sorry (^^; for the long wait! Hopefully I still have readers! Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter!
No flames-haters-stupid comments!
Reviews appreciated :)
