"You are the music while the music lasts."
– T.S. Eliot
Datum six: Audios of Death
The library was quiet as usual, which suited Rukia, whose entire body was enveloped by the Mainichi Shimbun daily paper. That meant no patrons required her assistance and they weren't worried about deadline or timeframes. She'll never admit to hating papers because their life was taken away to produce more life: printed words. Her only grievance was that newspapers were much bigger than her – something that she'll never voice to Ichigo because of his unoriginal attempts of calling her pint size.
Print size is more like it. Oh, my puns are so good! I need to mentally archive that one to save whenever Ichigo makes a joke about how much taller newspapers are compared to my body.
Speaking of the man, who was constantly in her thoughts since the day she met him – and perhaps even before then, not that it mattered then – he hasn't been visiting the library in two weeks. Which was fine with her since people in relationships needed space; the more space, the better.
In any way, if he couldn't physically see her, his voice would find themselves slaughtering her poor Batphone after she closed the library at 6am. The loveable and overbearing idiot would let the phone ring and ring until she answered and once she answered, usually letting it ring at least seven times to torment the idiot, before she would gift him with her voice.
"What the hell, Rukia! It's past 6am! Why didn't you answer?"
"Yes, good morning, my dear obsessive stalker. My morning, though packed with assisting patrons, dusting shelves, and restacking books, has been pleasant. I wish your morning has been pleasant so far, not to mention, you must have just woken up from dreaming about me."
Silence.
"Oh my. Your silence speaks volume. Did you in fact wake up at the climax, Ichigo?"
Silence.
She could hear him clearing his through and regulating his breathing. She just wanted to laugh at the poor man. Maybe she should give him a break.
She heard him mumbling; his entire intonation was mumbling and mangling incomprehensible words together, but she did make out, "entirely normal" and "girlfriend."
It made her laugh; he never failed to elicit laughter even if it was just to detract her from thinking about the - their - future.
"Anyway, how are you, Rukia?"
She continued to laugh and stopped to catch her breath. "I just told you about my morning, Ichigo. I am doing great, but probably not as great as you."
He wasn't going to entertain her by biting her hook. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit you. It's been busy at Seireitei."
It was Rukia's turn to be silent. In the past, he's similarly called her and apologized for not being able to visit her because of cases, but the intonation of his voice was much different. Instead of that obvious concerning tone he masked with that scowling voice of his, he was very tender and passionate in his current speech.
"I understand, Ichigo; do not stress about it. I told you in the past, worry about yourself. Those words still ring into the present."
"I know, I know." She could imagine him waving his left hand as if it was nothing, even without an audience. "But I just wanted you to know I miss you."
Rukia blinked. "I miss you, too, Ichigo." Three words she hasn't verbalized in years. She suddenly crossed her feet together like a school girl, nervously wrapping the red phone cord around her wrist.
She could picture a confused looking Ichigo; though confusion and that nasty scowl that she told herself she could overlook at times were perpetually botoxed to his face. More than anything, he was perhaps surprised because she never verbally reciprocated any affectionate sentiments to him. He always did, with actions and words. With her it was only actions because she knew words were binding.
And at times painfully true.
And the idiot was probably smiling that toothy grin like his equally idiot father.
"It looks bad on my part, huh?" He laughed nervously. "I'm the one that asked you out but we've been on the phone more than anything."
Before he could say anymore, she replied, attempting to maintain herself before more words became entwined in their lives, "That is what I call an ideal relationship, Ichigo."
"Eh?"
"A long distance relationship. We do not have to see each other's faces, just talking on the phone can sustain our relationship. I cannot think of a better relationship. I mean there is a reason why you call me in every morning after I close up, yes? Did you want to relieve that morning -"
"God dammit, Rukia!"
She laughed for several minutes before she hung up on him. While he, the idiot who never learns anything, attempted to futilely command her to stay on the line as if he was a drill sergeant. True to his stalkerish and stubborn nature, he called her back in three seconds.
That phone call was exactly a week ago.
Since being able to live in the present, it was the first time in years – perhaps a decade – that Rukia could feel something comparable to her heart fluttering, an unfamiliar feeling and sensation that she wanted to hold onto, but knew it was ephemeral. But perhaps she could hold onto that feeling until she loses it. Every connective feeling, she wanted to experience before the future arrives.
Maybe I should consider setting up an answering machine. That way he can get riled up more and allow him to make jokes about how old school I am.
She turned the page.
I am old.
Rather than entertaining that thought, which was irrelevant in the present, she focused on reading the article about Sōma Yoshino, the name instantly intriguing her as the bolded kanji called out to her.
"This is probably the most interesting read of the morning," she commented to no one in particular, eyes glued to the words.
[...]
Ichigo wasn't sure why he was checking his phone over and over again. It was as if he wished Rukia would text him randomly. But it was only a little after ten in the morning.
He wanted to snort, but couldn't. He was in the captain's meeting room with the other captains and didn't want to do anything to attract any attention. He continued to stare at his phone, not quite sure why his fingers were lingering around the screen. Only one minute has passed since he last checked the time. He highly doubted the odd woman would be awake at this hour.
Like normal people. Rukia sleeps and rises like a vampire.
Momentarily forgetting himself, he smiled. Never in a million years did he think he and Rukia were going to end up like this: together.
"May I ask why you're smiling like a creepy stalker, Kurosaki? If it's because you're happy about this case, then my theory about your is indeed correct: Kurosaki Ichigo is a disturbing, soulless thing," Byakuya commented as he firmly held his gaze on an unsuspecting Ichigo.
Ichigo gritted his teeth as he shoved his phone into his right jean pocket, struggling a bit since his pants were a bit too tight. "If anyone's a serial killer here, it would be you fucking Kuchiki Byakuya. You have all of the stereotypes down to a pat: quiet, never thoughtful, floats in the air without any sound. If anyone who needs to do another background check, it's you, you ass prick."
The meeting room became quiet; a pin drop could be heard and captains trying not to breathe, but failing as their red faces gradually became a purple shade.
Urahara had both of his hands covering his mouth, hiding his smirk as his eyes gleamed in mischief. He was always living for these big moments between the captains of Squad 6 and Squad 10. Both liked to get under each other's skin since Ichigo took over Isshin's duties as captain. Not that he directly inherited it, he had to through all the training, assessments, and physical exams, just as Byakuya did. But both preferred to stab each other to death before they admitted they were quite similar in some ways.
Just a few similarities, nothing that substantial.
"Now, now, Kuchiki Taichou. Don't be too hard on Kurosaki-kun! I bet he's just feeling lucky these days," Urahara sang.
Byakuya noted Ichigo turned red at the insinuation. Did it have something to do with Rukia-san? Even it did, he didn't care; it was their lives and if Rukia-san wanted to ruin her future, then so be it.
Or so he told his brain.
Urahara stared at Byakuya and Ichigo, his eyes daring back and forth for comedic effect to ease the tension in the room. It worked since the other captains chuckled.
"Urahara-san?"
"At your service, Kurosaki-kun!"
"I'm gonna kill you first and then my father will join you later!" Ichigo nearly flipped the table until Yoruichi opened and slammed the door shut and hit both Urahara's and Ichigo's heads with the several manilla folders that she precariously held onto.
"Owie. Yoruichi-san!" Urahara whined.
"Quiet Kisuke! And I'll wipe that smirk off your face, Ichigo if it doesn't magically morph into that scowl. And you too, Little Byakuya."
She threw the red manilla folder down, evaporating any tensions from before and the silence in the room resumed.
Yoruichi stared at all of the captains present and started spreading the folder's contents on the table, grabbing a few pictures, a pen in her mouth, and started busying herself on with technology in the room.
Everyone was deathly still.
A whispered, "Couldn't she have done that before she scheduled this meeting? Women."
Yoruichi stopped typing, her figure deathly still as Urahara smirked at the poor captain.
Without looking back, Yoruichi tossed the pen behind her with an unseen force that hit the person's face like a perfect target. Had she tried, he might have been stabbed in the face by a pen.
Urahara and Ichigo snickered, both too glad that they were not the recipients if Yoruichi's wrath.
"You bastard! How dare you criticize Yoruichi-sama!" Soi Fon screamed as she marched towards the captain and started beating him.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Soi Fon?"
"Yes, Yoruichi-sama!"
"Throw him out." Before Soi Fon executed the order, Yoruichi turned and stared at him with such authority that everyone had to wither a bit, and she continued, voice filled wicked glee, "Since you're the bigger man, you'll be responsible for all of the paper work for the next three months."
"I'm so, so sorry, Shihōin Taichou! Please forgive me! I beg you!"
"It's just paper work, nothing to be scared of."
"Shihōin Taichou -!"
"Throw him out Soi Fon!"
The poor bloke was thrown out into the next room; the room he'll be stuck in for the next three months.
Jeez. Soi Fon sure has great aim. Probably because Yoruichi-san trained her for years.
"Now, anyone has a problem with how I choose to do my reports?"
Everyone knew better than to answer her.
"That's what I thought. Go ahead, Kisuke."
For the next hour, Urahara and Yoruichi summarized the case as the latter used a stylus to make arrows and lines to map out where the bodies were found. An old man's body was found at the back of a restaurant by one of the waitresses taking out the trash. There was no evidence of foul play or any indicators of suicide, but she had blood dripping out of her ears. And another body was located three days later after a neighbor called the police for a welfare check with similar conditions. Police found him sitting on his sofa with blood also dripping out of his ears.
Byakuya closed his eyes. "So, are you saying there's another killer on the loose in Karakura?"
"There's a chance, but only two bodies have been found and Urahara reported that the two have no connections with one another. Or do you have new information?"
"Why certainly, Yoruichi Taichou! Reports only indicate that Sawatari, the first victim, was a retired sound engineer from Akari Tech and lived a quiet life and had a normal routine of going out to eat dinner with former colleagues. The second victim, Ryō Utagawa, just graduated from the Nagoyya College of Music and had aspirations of becoming the next biggest violinist. But current information continues to indicate that the two have never met prior to their deaths."
Ichigo was taking notes on his iPad and listened carefully. If being with Rukia ever taught him something is that current information might not be the most accurate because all these weird ass shit cases were somehow connected to something bigger, probably leading to something even bigger.
"Was there any evidence, Shihōin Taichou?" Tōshirō queried.
"There was. A cassette tape."
"A mixtape?" Ichigo asked, finally finding his voice again after several awkward seconds caused by the reveal."
"Yes. A cassette tape."
Urahara turned to Tōshirō and quipped, "Now, Hitsugaya Taichou. A cassette tape predated your Generation Y existence. It's an analog magnetic tape recording format -"
"I know what a mixtape is, Urahara Taichou!" Tōshirō screamed.
"Not a mixtape, Tōshirō, a cassette tape. The two are not mutually exclusive," Ichigo quipped, snickering.
"It's Hitsugaya Taichou to you, Kurosaki! And you also assumed it was a mixtape!"
"Okay, settle down. It's not a mixtape, at least nothing has verified it as being one."
"So what's the content?"
"Someone recorded music composed by Sōma Yoshino. Her first album: Unnamed Sonata, released ten years ago. It's actually rare to find it on CD, some record stores may have the vinyl in stock, but it was a universally lauded album in Japan. And before anyone can ask, yes, Kisuke and I tried to call her in for questioning, but she's been missing. When we came to her condo, we found the lady who took care of her cleaning and laundry crouching in the corner shaking, and with bruised eyes."
"Did someone murder Sōma Yoshino?"
Urahara shook his head. "No, as of now, she's our missing person of interest who mysteriously disappeared. Not even the cleaning lady knew where she went. The last time she saw her was last Sunday evening. After she came back from attending a studio meeting, she never returned home."
Ichigo glanced at Byakuya, who was absorbing the information with his eyes closed, wondering what he was thinking about.
Or maybe he's not even thinking about anything. Maybe his brain is just as blank as his face.
Reflecting back on the case, he was surprised that people still owned cassette tape players, but then again, Rukia taught him that nostalgic relics of the past were useful resources and could come back and haunt people. That or retro was coming back at full force.
"Yoruichi," Byakuya began, "Do you know if there's a chance that Sōma Yoshino knew Sawatari or Ryō Utagawa?"
"Not that we know of yet. We did ask the cleaning lady about it, but her answers indicated that she wasn't all that familiar with Sōma because she always kept to herself. But what we do know that the tape was delivered to Sōma's condo without any return address nor was it addressed to Sōma herself. The cleaning lady got curious and opened the package and it was the tape. She listened to it and for weeks, she was crouched in that corner we found her in."
"Why? Did the tapes include a message or some music?"
"The same as the other two: Unnamed Sonata."
"That's all?"
"She claims the tapes are haunted."
[…]
Eyes were straining as Ichigo forced himself to read over the files Yoruichi gave him. Since the meeting ended three hours ago, he remained in the meeting room as he attempted to understand the case, which was confounding him the more he read over the case and Urahara's many notes.
For the past hour, he was reading and re-reading. With the one and only Kuchiki Byakuya.
Perhaps for her own amusement, Yoruichi assigned Squads 6 and 10 to work on the case. Code for: let's see how long they take to solve this case before killing each other.
Dammit! Why me! Why!
"If your brain lacks the capacity to store new information, Kurosaki, I advise you to go home since you've contributed nothing in the last hour."
Ichigo was trying so hard not to seethe or do anything that would indicate that asshole was getting to him.
"I've been reading just like you, Byakuya. You haven't done anything significant that warrants any contribution to this case."
He could see that subtle eyebrow raise that only the elegant Kuchikis were able to master and perform.
"Let's just try to get through these reports, Kurosaki. So that we can solve the case and that you and I do not need to be within proximity any more than we need to."
"Deal," Ichigo agreed and muttered asshole under his breath. Something caught Ichigo's attention. "Hey, Byakuya?"
It was extremely difficult to not sigh as Byakuya said, "Yes Kurosaki, you may speak."
Immediate retaliation was Ichigo's normal response, especially if it was a snobby remark that warranted so, but Ichigo replied, "I'm checking the CCTV screenshots and look, on Sunday morning, a though it's blurry, there's a person following Sōma to her car."
Byakuya stood up and elegantly walked over to Ichigo as he tried not to scoff at the man's overly timed performance.
After staring at the blurred image, Byakuya nodded in approval. "Let's take this to Squad 12 so Urahara Taichou can provide clearer images with his technology."
"Agree. Wait, aren't you going to ask how I was able to see through all that pixelated haze?"
"No one likes a person who fishes for compliments, Kurosaki. Go do something more productive with your time."
As Byakuya walked out of the meeting room, pacing a few steps ahead of him, Ichigo wondered why he sounded like the colder version of Rukia. Thinking about it, the two seemed quite similar, from the posture and how they speak. Although he had to admit, Rukia had a way with words that intoned both a sarcastic and playful tone. The man ahead of him was just an elegant robot that walked and breathed like a human.
Oh god! I hope that image doesn't burn into my head. Just the thought of thinking that Rukia looks like Byakuya is enough to make me scream fuck me. Erase, erase, erase. Total deletion, please!
[…]
It was a little after 3am as Ichigo slowly woke up after two days of never leaving Seireitei since he and Byakuya were so absorbed with trying to solve the case. After the two interviewed the cleaning lady again, they noticed she continued to reference the music's melody, the instruments, her mood in conjunction of how each musical composition made her feel. But it was her eyes that disturbed Ichigo; he swore he saw her eyes becoming redder, as if her blood vessels were going to pop at any time, each time she described the music.
After the interview, Ichigo suggested to Byakuya, Yoruichi, and Urahara that maybe they should listen to the cassette tape, but Yoruichi rejected that idea, claiming that the cassette player stopped right when they entered Sōma's house and they theorized that it had something to do with the tape or the music.
Though Yoruichi and Urahara were considered rebels, they didn't want anyone to sacrifice their lives. That much Ichigo understood, but he wasn't sure why the cleaning lady was still alive if the other two victims were dead. Did they not listen to the music?
So the tapes were not to be listened to until Urahara discovered a way to find out a way to discover the contents without listening to it. It sounded impossible, but if there was any human being who could do it, it was probably the mad scientist himself. Even Yoruichi ordered Urahara to not listen to the tapes himself.
Years ago he would have scoffed about any ubiquitous looking cassette tape being haunted, but ever since Rukia appeared, everything was in the world was like a dream. Or something out of fantasy and magical realism.
Rukia.
Ichigo rubbed his tired eyes and yawned. He only had three or maybe four hours of sleep and probably needed at least two more to fully rejuvenate his mind and body, but he wanted to see Rukia before going back to work. Because with all the strange, unconnected parts to this case, he knew this case would take more than a few weeks to solve. Or maybe even months.
And he was not going to involve her with this particular case. Especially with haunted tapes that could potentially kill anyone after listening to it. He was going to make sure his mind came in blank, without thoughts of the case, so the little witch couldn't read his thoughts. He's pretty adamant that she was a mind reader.
Nothing was an impossibility with her.
He smiled.
After taking half an hour to decide on today's outfit: tight gray jeans with an equally tight white Henley long sleeve, accessorized with black boots, he was ready.
He went to grab some bottles of Coke from his fridge while tucking his skull necklace out for display; maybe that was going to earn him some brownie points with Rukia and hopefully take her mind off from reading his mind.
It wasn't until he was near his car that Byakuya texted him and he groaned despite knowing it was about the case.
There goes seeing Rukia today. Again.
[…]
Byakuya and Ishida were already present at the crime scene when Ichigo arrived as he and other colleagues were sharing and exchanging information.
Near the stairs that no doubt led to her apartment, laid the cleaning's lady body. Blood dripped out of her ears as she laid faced down. And their laid the tape beside her, the case opened.
"Taichou." Ishida walked towards Ichigo, his lips set in a firm line. "Forensics believed she died two hours before people living on this floor called."
Ichigo looked at the tape. "I don't understand, Ishida. Could it be possible that she died even if she didn't listen to the tape? Or did she listen to the tape prior to her death? If the latter, why would she take out the tape from her player before death?"
"Good questions, Taichou, but nothing makes sense to me. Perhaps the tape contained some sort of hidden message that listeners decoded and made them act that way prior to their deaths. But we can't know unless we listen to the tapes ourselves, which is forbidden at this time."
Byakuya was on the phone briefly. After the call ended, he informed Ichigo, "Kurosaki, Urahara just called. Two more bodies were found at different locations. One in the restroom of a gas station, about ten miles from here, and another at a factory that's about a 15-minute walking distance from here."
"Nothing different?"
"Nothing. Bleeding ears and sometimes eyes. But Urahara said the two likely died within two hours apart from each other."
"Which means there might be more than one killer."
"Exactly."
"Nothing adds up, though."
"My thoughts as well."
[…]
Fingers lingering on the black bow that she just tied, Rukia stared at the window, trying to determine whether today was a good day to walk around the city or not. The sun was shining marvelously, which was to be expected since it was the end of July. There were days where she simply wanted to remain hidden in the comfort of her large bed and sleep until the library opened, but then there were days where she had to be content with sleeping for ten hours and linger with people, blending in with them.
It wasn't as if she was actively searching for things to do. Events traveled in many intersections and they changed their course whenever they decided to. Events were like people; they're constantly redirecting themselves. Or perhaps humans were the ones directing and controlling their paths.
And if Rukia was outside, she might be able to determine where those paths may lead; their consequences, potentials, and whether they were going to affect the future.
That and she needed to leave the security of the library to determine whether humanity has changed. Or, whether it's remained the same for some people.
There is only so much that can be done to significantly change any undesired outcomes. At least that was what Shirayuki-san once told me. Humans have to change themselves. No one else can.
Everything was about choices, determining everything and what follows. As Shirayuki-san once told her, Rukia didn't have the power to change decisions. She had to remain an observer, a spectator and just be available if anyone required her presence and assistance. She established that with herself long ago. She was no longer a part of an institution that forced change and control the masses. It all goes back to the pendulum. It's difficult to control and more difficult to swing it back to the way things were.
But there was that one person she was waiting for.
Like her, he was never a part of any thing; this world; the realm he sought refuge in after Shirayuki-san cut her time short to increase time here.
His existence needed to be erased from this timeline.
Even if that meant she had to stop her own time.
[…]
These streets never stopped being busy. Rukia mused as she walked in sync with the rest of the world.
To bystanders, she walked unhurriedly, with no true purpose as their rapid footsteps reflected how busy their lives were with such little time in-between. But, she did walk with purpose, there was a destination she had in mind but she allowed herself some time for others to gather their thoughts or hide themselves away from the situation.
Rukia smiled as she noticed an older man and a little girl walking, holding hands, walking unhurriedly as she yelled "Look Jiji, that cloud looks like a horse!"
As the grandfather-granddaughter duo walked passed her, the granddaughter stopped and stared at Rukia.
She knew this was going to happen. Her height or eyes were the reason people stopped to gawk, and sometimes not in a complimentary manner. It was like Ichigo and his height and that orange mop of his head. She never told him, but though she knew they were going to meet at some point in his life, she was still baffled at that striking hair of his. It nearly blinded her on their first meeting. She should have worn sunglasses just to get a rise out of him. That would have been more fun.
"Hello."
"Nee-chan! Your eyes are so cool! Did you dye them?"
"Now, Yui, don't be rude. Eyes can't be dyed. You're born with them."
"So Nee-chan was born with big purple eyes?" Yui asked, in awe.
Rukia smiled. Children were pure and honest. And then a wave of melancholy briefly washed over her. She couldn't remember if her childhood was even real. Even if it no longer mattered to her, memories of what used to be continued to haunt her. Reconciliation and acceptance were part of her ongoing grieving process.
"Yes, unfortunately I am a weird one. Yui is that it?"
Yui gave Rukia an enthusiastic smile and nodded. "I'm sorry, Nee-chan! But I don't think you're weird! Jiji tells me that it's good to be different, right Jiji."
The old man laughed and told his granddaughter, "That's right, little Yui."
"I'm not little! I'm big!"
In many ways, Yui reminded her of Mai. Though the two had different lives, their naivety and innocence were almost too pure for this world. She always wondered if anyone can maintain those two traits as they got older and navigated in a world that continues to mask in its changes while at the same time remaining stagnant. Then again, it's already been established that changes were rooted on the person.
People changed for the better or for the worse.
"Sorry to intrude on you, miss. You probably have important things to attend to. Say bye to Nee-chan, Yui and we'll also be off."
Yui waved enthusiastically. "Bye Nee-chan! I hope we can see each other again."
"Yes, Yui, we will see each other again when the time is right. You take care of yourself and your Jiji."
"Hai!"
Rukia walked ahead, not staring back, knowing full well that she won't be seeing Yui anytime soon.
The weather was hot; she could feel herself melting from the sun's heat. She needed to find a place to cool herself down and since Ichigo hasn't been gifting her with copious amounts of Coke, she decided to stake out some potential places to see if they sold Coke.
"Yoo hoo, Rukia-chan!"
"Good afternoon, Matsumoto-san."
A deviously smiling Rangiku and another person was walking with her as they neared Rukia. The man, most likely one of Rangiku's colleagues from Seireitei had an interesting body aesthetic: three straight scars running down his left profile, a gray piece of tape, and the number 69 adorned his face.
Rangiku hug bombed Rukia, tightly squeezing her. "Long time no see, Rukia-chan! Why don't you visit me? Or have you been extra busy with Kurosaki Taichou at your library? Oh, wow, talk about hot!"
Rukia chuckled. "We haven't seen each other in over a week now, Matsumoto-san."
"Eh! So you guys already broke up?! Is he that incompetent for you to dump his weak ass?!"
Rukia wanted to laugh until she cried. This Rangiku character was just too much. She wondered how she and that short captain of his worked so effectively together. Before she could even reply, the man next to her coughed uncomfortably.
Rangiku let go of Rukia and wiped her eyes. Those tears dripped down as she laughed at her own innuendo. "Oh, sorry, Rukia-chan. This man right here is one of my colleagues, Hisagi Shūhei, forever the Lieutenant of Squad 9, who refuses to be the Captain."
Rukia stilled for a moment, but the slight shift in demeanor went unnoticed by the other two.
Squad 9.
"Hello, Hisagi-kun."
"Hello, Rukia-san," Hisagi greeted as stared at her. "I saw you at the Christmas party with Kurosaki, but didn't get a chance to introduce myself."
Rukia smiled, making him blush under her scrutiny. Was it his face?
"We were just making our usual rounds. What about you, Rukia-chan? I don't think I ever saw you out in broad daylight. There goes my theory about you being a vampire."
"Oh, I was just going to get myself a drink."
"And to the bars we go!"
Rukia sipped her Coke, quite sure that someone gave it a kick by adding rum in it, not that she minded, as she watched Rangiku force feed Hisagi some shots, but anyone could tell that he didn't want to drink, but relented because of Rangiku.
She remembered a time when Hisagi was a young, fresh-faced boy. He grew up to be a fine person. Always respecting others.
And probably waiting for that captain of his to return, though he will never.
The alcohol intake was all too much for Hisagi and after the fifth or eleventh shot, he stopped counting, really, he dropped to the floor.
"I win!" Rangiku merrily sang. "Cheers, Rukia-chan!"
"Cheers," she echoed, feeling a bit sorry for Hisagi's predicament as their glasses clinked in a pleasant chime.
Rangiku opened her mouth and hiccupped. "So, Rukia-chan, what are you doing here?"
"You forced me here, Matsumoto-san."
Rangiku responded by waving her hands dismissively. "Semiotics."
"Do you mean semantics?"
"I thought I said that? Did I? Oh whatever. I mean, I'm sure you didn't go out looking for fun or for Ichigo. He always looks for you, eh?" She nudged Rukia suggestively.
Despite her brash, sometimes drunken behavior, Rangiku was quite perceptive, something that her short captain couldn't see.
"I was actually going to visit Gō Records."
"Eh!? The underground record store."
"Yes."
"Why? Can you tell me? We're friends, right? You can tell me. I won't tell," Rangiku screamed as the bartender and other patrons looked at them, mostly at Hisagi as he kept mumbling something about pretty violets and evil colleagues.
"I am looking for a record, Matsumoto-san."
Rangiku's eyebrow perked up. She knew Rukia was intelligent and perceptive, almost scarily so, and she had a feeling it had to be something big if she was out of the library. "Which record, Rukia-chan?"
Without missing a beat, she replied, "Unnamed Sonata."
Rangiku dropped the glass she was holding. Why that one? The case had little coverage due the demands and legalities of Sōma's contract with the studio. They also didn't want anyone to know she disappeared since she was due to work on a movie's musical score later next month. And if she said that she hasn't seen Ichigo in weeks, and Rangiku knew Rukia would never lie, that much she was sure.
She chose her words carefully. "Do you know something that we don't know, Rukia-chan? It's okay, you can trust me. I might be forever drunk, but I am sober when the time calls for it."
"I do trust you, Matsumoto-san. But I'm just curious about the record after reading it's musical and cultural contributions. And I would like my ears to experiment those atmospheric sounds that critics praised."
Rangiku was sure there was more to it. "And this is just a coincidence that you suddenly developed an interest in Sōma Yoshino?"
Rukia finished her Coke, savoring the taste. "Nothing is a coincidence, Matsumoto-san. But to answer your question, I am not quite interested in Sōma Yoshino. I am more interested in her music. What is inside the music might be the most important thing."
For once, Rangiku felt a buzz and it definitely wasn't from the alcohol, but from Rukia's mysterious words. She knew she was being vague for a purpose. Maybe to protect someone? Ichigo?
Rukia walked up to the bar and paid the tab and checked on Hisagi, slapping his cheeks a bit to see if the man was still alive. "I guess you should take Hisagi-kun back to his place, Matsumoto-san. I will be on my way now. It was nice seeing you again. Take care."
"Rukia-chan, wait!"
Rukia stopped.
"Let me go with you."
Rukia just stood near the exit, contemplating.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Rukia-chan. If anything, it's the opposite. I respect and trust you completely, but you might need some protection."
Okay, maybe Rangiku shouldn't have said protection since Rukia might be strong, even if she was small. She imagined that Rukia could easily take down Ichigo. Hell, she might be able to take down Rangiku herself, but it still seemed dangerous to go alone.
"I do not mind companionship, but what about Hisagi-kun?"
"Oh, don't worry about him. No one is going to bother him." She turned and looked at the people in the bar, eyes deadly as her voice changed its tone. "If I come back and see new scars on Hisagi Shūhei's body, you'll have to answer to Seireitei. Got it?"
The bar went deathly silent as Rangiku glared at them. "Yes," they chimed.
"That's what I wanna hear. Yay! Let's go, Rukia-chan!"
[…]
As they entered the record store, Rangiku felt giddy. This type of investigation, if it's what Rukia was doing, was different from investigating as a squad member of Seireitei where there were strict orders and protocols. Rukia didn't provide clear answers to most of Rangiku's question she asked on the way here. But it seems that Rukia, in some way, knew how to act as a private investigators who operated within reasonable, respectable boundaries.
Yes, much different than Seireitei.
"Welcome to Gō Records. Can I help you find anything in particular?" a man with a spicy orange mohawk – surpassing the brightness of Ichigo's hair. Was that even possible?
Before Rangiku was able to respond, Rukia deftly responded, "No, thank you. We are just here to browse."
The man with the mohawk stared at Rukia and Rangiku, as if surveilling them. "Yes, of course. If you need help finding anything, my name is Gō Koga, the owner."
"Yes, thank you, Gō-san."
Rangiku swiftly looped arm to Rukia's and whispered, "Why didn't you just ask for Code X?"
"Code X?"
Rangiku turned to look at Koga, who was still observing them and gifted him her signature flirty smile and used her other hand to flip her hair. It was always effective. But she just wanted to be extra vigilant; they needed to be out of his ear shot.
"You know, the album."
"How on earth did you get Code X, Matsumoto-san?"
"I thought it sounded less suspicious, doesn't it?"
"Quite the opposite. If anything, it sounds like you are a part of the X-Files. That or it sounds like a code to bomb the place."
Maybe the liquor wasn't fully absorbed and out of her system as she hoped. "That bad?"
"Yes."
"Okay, well, whatever. Now answer the question."
"Do you not think it is wise to pretend we are browsing before asking for the record?"
Rangiku thought about it for a long second. "Oh. Oh!" She piped down. "I see. We're putting an act. You're so smart, Rukia-chan!" She tugged her harder.
"No, not smart. I am just trying to fulfill the role."
"Sounds kinky. We're roleplaying now?"
"No. We need to act like two innocent customers browsing."
"Oh! Gotcha!"
The two browsed, sometimes together, sometimes walking at different sections. At times, Rangiku discreetly observed Koga through her peripheral, wondering if there was anything off about the man. She never told Rukia this since it went against protocol, but the Squads had already searched and questioned most of the owners and employees at each record store, and they found nothing. But it might be different with Rukia around.
Rukia browsed at the 80s section, her fingers touching each record as she walked until she stopped and picked up the record her finger lingered on. Koga organized this store by decades, not by composer's last names, which was interesting to her. She wondered if numbers here were more significant than names. As she held up a random vinyl, she could feel eyes on her; eyes that didn't belonged to Koga or Rangiku.
Rukia knew she couldn't ignore it and knew the person would come to her anyway.
"Can I help you, miss?"
Before Rukia stared to look at the person who was staring at her since she and Rangiku walked into the store, she stared at Rangiku, her eyes signaling to not come over to her. Rangiku understood, but she moved to a nearby section just for security purposes.
When she did turn around, she saw a tall woman with green hair who had a smile that looked dangerous.
"My name is Yoshi. Can I help you?"
Her voice was a little chilling and she could see even Rangiku shivering as Koga continued to observe silently.
"Hello, Yoshi-san. No thank you, I am just browsing."
Yoshi smile got wider. "What's your name?"
"Rukia."
"I've never seen you around here before."
"I rarely go out, but decided I needed some new music in my life."
"What type?"
"I listen to a variety of genres. Actually, do you by any chance have any copies of Sōma Yoshino's Unnamed Sonata?"
It was if everyone stopped breathing. Rangiku tried very hard to not react, keeping her face still as she made it look like she didn't care about her friend's request.
"Why are you looking for that record?" Yoshi asked, her voice suddenly cold.
"I have her last five records. I just thought it was time to collect her debut record. Her musical composition and her mastery of the shamisen are both thrilling and haunting to hear."
"We don't have it in stock," was the curt reply.
"Oh?"
Okay, maybe Rangiku should walk over now. It seemed like the right time.
"Are you sure you don't have it in stock?"
Yoshi turned to look at her, but as if uninterested with her, returned her gaze back to Rukia. Something that personally offended Rangiku.
"It's been out of stock for years now. No record store carries a copy of it."
All three women were engaged in a staring match: Rangiku glaring at Yoshi for probably dismissing her like a bimbo, Yoshi giving Rukia odd, almost murderous looks, and Rukia coolly keeping her gaze on Yoshi. Koga had enough and walked over, a bit unsettled by Rukia's question if he was honest with himself.
"I'm sorry, miss. Yoshi's right. That record no longer exists."
Intrigued by Koga's interruption and his indication that the record no longer exists, she looked at him. "Oh? I guess that makes sense. It was the best-selling record. I guess we should go now, Matsumoto-san."
Rangiku didn't respond to Rukia, still glowering at Yoshi.
"Rangiku-san?"
She blinked. "What's up, Rukia-chan?"
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
Confused, Rangiku asked, "What was I looking for?"
Rukia just stared at her.
Realization kicked in. Oh, right right.
"Oh, no. I was looking for the new album from the punk group, Tokyo Underground, but they don't have it in stock."
"Um, we have several copies of that, miss," Koga replied, eyebrows raised.
Oh, boy. First time as a chic undercover with Rukia-chan and I blew it. There goes our future as Thelma and Louise.
As they walked out of the store with Rangiku begrudgingly holding the vinyl record of the latest Tokyo Underground album, which she already bought weeks ago. Talk about wasting money. Maybe she can give it to Hisagi as an apology gift.
"What next, Rukia-chan?"
"We wait."
"Wait for what."
"For whatever happens."
"Oh boo. That means you'll be at the library waiting while I have to fill out paperwork and then typing reports."
"It will be fine. Maybe something will happen at Seireitei."
"Really!?"
"I am just guessing."
"Well boo again."
"And Rangiku-san?"
Oh boy. Was she going to get lectured about being a bad undercover? She hoped Rukia wasn't like her captain. She braced for it.
"Thelma and Louise were not undercovers." She laughed.
Who are you Rukia-chan?
[…]
Ichigo was busy reading over the reports with Ishida as they after interview everyone from the apartment complex. It's been several hours and there was still no lead.
He sighed.
"Sighing won't get this case solved, Kurosaki."
"Shut up. I'm tired."
"Story of everyone's life."
Ignoring Ishida's sarcasm was for the best. "Do you think cassette tapes have significant levels of sound waves that can kill someone?"
Ishida remained quiet as he pushed his glasses upwards. "I'm not sure. Doesn't it depend on the acoustics? Or should we consider the differences in hi-fi cassettes? A range from 20 to 160,000 Hz is normal isn't it?"
"But is that enough to kill someone's ear drums? Or is it as you said, there's a hidden message in the music?"
Silence was the only answer at this time.
Ichigo stared at Ishida, who suppressed a yawn, and noted the bags under his eyes. His eyes were red as well. He was right. Everyone was tired from this case. Even if he wanted to solve it quickly and arrest the perpetrator, they needed some rest before they ended up working themselves to death.
Bad pun.
"Go home, Ishida. Rest well and return here tomorrow."
Ishida stopped reading and stared at his captain, which Ichigo ignored. Normal behavior for Ishida. Always staring and observing and trying to be right.
"Why are you so nice these days, Kurosaki?"
Was he?
"I'm not nice; I'm just not mean."
Ishida snorted. "Very original. Did something change in your life that warranted such a softer look?"
Now Ichigo did look up as Ishida stared at the documents. He knew Ishida was smirking. Ichigo touched his face with both hands. Was he softer? His skin still felt rough, mostly the shadow forming around his mouth.
"Shut up, smartass. Get your ass home and that's an order."
Ishida raised his hands up and walked out. "Tell Rukia-san I send her my condolences. I don't know what people see in you."
Ichigo responded by throwing a pen at him, screaming expletives as Ishida walked away shoving his glasses back to his nose. Nosy prick.
After his lieutenant left, Ichigo slumped back in his chair, feeling muscle tensions, especially his back. He rubbed his face again and got up, hoping to get a decent cup of coffee somewhere here. Maybe he could steal some from Squad 4. Hanatarō brewed good coffee. Byakuya did too, but he had enough of his face.
He walked out of his office and witnessed Rangiku dragging an obviously drunk Hisagi as she struggled with balancing his body and the record that was placed under her armpits. She perked up when she saw Ichigo.
"Yoo hoo, Kurosaki Taichou! Do I have some news for you!"
Ichigo's ears felt hot. Rangiku was unpredictable and he wasn't sure if he had the time to hear her squabble about getting drunk at bars or innuendos.
"We had drinks with your hot girlfriend!"
Members of Squad 10 all looked at Ichigo, wondering who his girlfriend was. Was it the librarian?
"What?!"
"And then we dumped his ass." Rangiku nodded to the side, implying it was Hisagi who was unfortunately left behind and still drunk. "And had a great girl's night."
"It's only five in the afternoon, Rangiku-san."
"Semiotics."
"You mean semantics."
"Hahahahahaha! That's what she said."
Was this another innuendo? "Who?"
"Your hot girlfriend."
Maybe it was time to visit Rukia.
[…]
True to her words, Rukia was sitting on her sofa chair, eating a strawberry ice cream cone as she read a novel, waiting for something to happen.
Since coming back to the library, she felt as if she was being watched, under surveillance as if she was the threat to whomever and whatever. Not that she minded. True, she hasn't threatened any one in years, save Ichigo, but it wasn't as if she was going to use her powers to ruin someone on purpose.
Her tongue savored the taste of the sweet frozen treat. She had to admit, part of her wanted Ichigo to be present. The ice cream was flavored with cliched jokes that she would never be tired of.
The Batphone signaled a call.
Speaking of the devil.
She let the phone ring several times until it went silent. Her priority was the ice cream, he could wait a few more rings.
The Batphone signaled a distressed call.
"Hello, Ichigo."
"You did that on purpose!" he yelled.
"I was eating."
"Right."
"The strawberry ice cream was simply too addicting to not finish."
She was used to Ichigo's stuttering by now. It was comparable to static.
"If you are finished talking to yourself, detective. The answer is yes."
The line seemed dead. She wasn't sure if this relationship was going to work.
"Yes what?"
"Oh, you were not asking me out on a date after talking to Matsumoto-san?"
More stuttering. She had to roll her eyes.
Rukia smiled as she listened to Ichigo cough out his nerves and walked over to her window – the cord was that long – and she looked below to see what was outside. Though it was nearing six in the evening, she could make out some irregular night shadows, and they did not belong to her usual patrons or people who just walked by the library.
"So, should I meet you at the regular time? I promise I'll be there."
His tone sounded so shy, so unsure of himself. Rukia cackled.
"Hey! Don't laugh."
"Ichigo, how about I come over to your place and you can cook me dinner?"
"Um…"
"Not a good night for a date night?"
"No it's not that. What about the library?"
"Oh, Ichigo, if I only stayed for dinner, which will be only for a few hours, I will be back before midnight."
"Oh." He sounded disappointed.
"Or did you expect me to sleep over? Is that not too fast?"
Mangled expletives were thrown around as he stuttered again.
[…]
Rukia walked around Ichigo's apartment, her right index finger mindlessly catching specks of dust, irritating him. He knew she was purposely doing it to rile him up.
"Oh? Am I bothering you, Ichigo?" she said, trying to hold in her fits of giggles. "This place is filthy…just like you."
His cheeks turned a red shade and attempted a lame comeback, "I've been busy…"
"With me?" that damn annoying smirk was forming.
Yes.
"No! You know I've been busy at the office!"
"Yes, I know. Which is why it took you three and a half weeks to formally ask me out on a date. Not that you asked. I had to initiate it."
Well that was a surprise. Who knew Rukia cared about dates? Weren't their midnight rendezvous considered their unofficial dates? "You counted?" His voice hopeful and somewhat elated. Maybe they were on the same page after all.
Rukia finally turned to look at him and deadpanned, "Not really. You wrote: 'Must ask Rukia out on a date since it has been three and a half weeks since we got together in your calendar.' It is right here." She pointed at his Chappy calendar. "I recognize your rather horrendous scribble, detective." That smirk widened.
Ichigo wanted to hit his head on the wall and die right there. Of course! This was Rukia! She was the careful, pragmatic observer.
And his girlfriend.
"I must say, you get points for plastering Chappy on your wall."
"It's a gift from Yuzu! I hate the damn thing. It gives me nightmares!"
"I did not convert you yet? I mean I still see that limited Chappy edition hat I loaned you months before on your nightstand. Are you waiting on some bunny hopping action? Those are some heavy content dreams you have there." She covered her mouth, but her eyes were full of unshed, humorous tears at the innuendo.
Ichigo wanted to scream. He knew she wouldn't hold back with her absurd insinuations. He didn't even get most of them! But then, his eyes focused on her twinkling eyes, his scowl turned into a half smile.
And decided to just walk over. It was their first date, he might as well make it end well.
He leaned down and captured her lips, noticing her tender touches.
Long nights in the office were worth it if he came home to these. It's been awhile since these feelings emerged and he wanted it to last.
He scowled when his lips felt Rukia's face. Her attention was diverted and it wasn't because of him.
"Ichigo, did you make me a mixtape? A special love mixtape or something? You know, for tonight?"
His face contorted into confusion? Mixtape…?
Oh. That one.
"Goddamn it, Rukia! I'm not that clichéd. It's not the 90s!"
"I love the 90s," she deadpanned. "I like retro."
"For the love…if I ever make you one, not that I ever will, it's gonna be for the sake of irony."
Rukia stared at him, observing him from top to bottom. His neck warmed at the thought of her intense scrutiny.
"Ichigo, you are full of whimsical ironies."
That warm sensation soon disappeared. And he sighed. He just wanted to get back to kissing her. It was never enough.
He looped his left arm onto her hip and tried to reconnect their bodies, but she kept staring at the tape. He could tell she was interested in it, as if it had a life of its own.
Sighing but unwilling to let her go, he revealed, "It's a copy of the mixtape that was found near the singer's body this morning. According to the reports, a similar mixtape has been found near four bodies. Ishida said the contents of the mixtape might be important to the case and might connect the recent deaths in the past week. We interrogated a suspect who knew Sōma Yoshino–"
"Oh? The global award-winning composer?"
"Yeah, her. And apparently, she's got some issues or something. Her cleaning lady believes the mixtape is haunted…" Ichigo trailed off as he caught Rukia's expression. That and her eyes never left the mixtape. He knew what she wanted.
"Oh no, Rukia. You're not going to listen to it!"
She finally turned her attention back to him. "And why not? You seemed to be in disbelief about the whole haunting mixtape hypothesis, nulling any chances of other possibilities. Now you are insinuating that poor lady is cognitively unstable. What did I tell you about pathologizing, Ichigo?" She softly nipped his lips, as if admonishing him.
Trying not to feel dazed at the burning sensation. "I didn't say that! It's police business, Rukia. I can't give you the tape."
"And since when did you followed the rules, Ichigo? Might I remind you, you have given me access to everything about your line of duty. Both non-classified and classified information included."
…
"Exactly. Now I can listen to the tape at the library or we can listen to it together right now. Some music might change the night's tempo."
Ichigo was internally panicking. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea.
Before he knew it, Rukia detached herself from him and sauntered towards the table and picked up the mixtape, scrutinizing it. She looked at him again, waving at him with the mixtape in hand.
Oh no. I knew I should have placed that thing away before our date. Why do I keep taking police shit home with me? I got a damn weird girlfriend who's into this shit.
He looked at her, eyes begging her to not do what she was about to do.
"Well, we might get lucky tonight." She winked at him and whistled.
He gulped.
After observing his apartment carefully, she went back to staring at him, a disapproving look. Really, why was she always giving him that look. He wasn't the best boyfriend these past few weeks, but he thought she understood his duties. He never once mentioned that her crazy work schedule interfered with some potential dates.
"The thing I am currently disappointed in is that you do not have a cassette player," Rukia chided. "I expected a hipster life style from the way you dressed. But everything you have here is technologically updated, where there are no indications of the past."
Oh. Heeheeheehee. They weren't going to listen to it. She was safe. They were safe. Words settled in. "Hey now! Just because I have a keen eye for fashion doesn't make me a hipster!"
No retort or witty comeback as Rukia looked at his window. It was unsettling Ichigo actually. Since she entered his apartment, she kept staring at something, as if waiting for something. Or someone.
"I guess I shall listen to this tape at the library."
In a flash, Ichigo took the tape back and shoved it in his pocket. There's no way he was going to let Rukia listen to it. Even if she had spiritual powers, something could always negate it.
Rukia whistled again. That was a smooth steal. "Ichigo, I was actually at Gō Records with Matsumoto-san this afternoon looking for a copy of Unnamed Sonata. So you would actually be fulfilling my wish to complete my Sōma Yoshino collection."
He stored the information away for now and will wait and interrogate Rangiku tomorrow about not telling him about their investigation. He was pretty sure it was an investigation because it wouldn't surprise him if Rukia already knew about the case even if it wasn't leaked. But for the first time, he didn't want to involve Rukia in the case or talk to her about it. Her insights might be needed – they were always needed actually – but for once, he just wanted them to be a normal couple, temporarily separating themselves from his cases.
"Absolutely not."
Rukia batted her eyelashes and pouted. "Please?"
"You looking all cute won't change my decision."
Again, she stopped staring at him and looked at his window, unnerving him. He marched towards his window, expecting a voyeur and saw nothing. He turned to her when he couldn't see anything besides complete darkness with a few of the lights dimming the streets for a decent view. "Why do you keep staring outside?"
"Nothing."
"Uh huh. Tell me."
"Oh? Becoming the possessive boyfriend now?"
He crossed his arms and turned away. Rukia was sure he was pout-scowling. She laughed and sauntered over where she looped her arms around his neck, having to tiptoe quite a bit even if she was in heels.
"Fine," she said, resolute.
"Yeah?"
"When it comes, it comes."
"What's coming?"
"Not you." She gave him a devilish smirk.
"Rukia!" Her hanging out with Rangiku was a bad idea. Her innuendos were nearing Rangiku-no-qualms zone.
She kissed him and he held onto her waist tighter. He wanted to remember this – their boring, dull, cliched first date that was somewhat impromptu.
Their kiss stopped, but their arms continued to be entwined.
"What is for dinner?"
He coughed, as if hiding his shame. "I didn't have time to plan a meal, so I just ordered Thai food: two house salads, spicy pineapple fried rice, jungle curry, and two orders of mango and sticky rice."
"Valiant attempt."
He hugged her tighter.
"Is something not missing from the menu?" she asked as she played with his collar bone.
"Eh?"
"Coke?" she nipped his Adam's apple.
"Coke on our date?" he squeaked as he tried to find his voice.
"Coke is good for any meal." He noticed she stopped kissing him.
"Red wine and that's my final offer."
"What brand?"
"Banfi Col di Sasso."
"I guess that will work for tonight."
Ichigo smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"You sure know how to make me feel special, you cheapskate," was her last remark and she proceeded to bite him.
He scowled.
[...]
Rukia returned to the library around 11:45pm after repeatedly telling Ichigo she had to leave, but the buffoon would not stop trying to kiss her, as if his kisses would magically make her forget she had her own responsibilities. She was right. Her boyfriend was a buffoon who thought too highly of himself.
He kissed her neck, as her back was on the door.
"We can resume this later, Ichigo. I need to go."
He bit her, probably a retaliation from the previous hour.
"You give me a hickey and I can promise that your lips will be elsewhere. Meaning this door." She had to giggle since her threat didn't sound too serious.
He stopped and proceeded to kiss her lips.
She used her shoulders to push him off. Although she liked his kisses, she wasn't going to not open the library at midnight. He wasn't going to change her schedule. She didn't even sleep before her shift like she normally would!
"Okay," she started as she chastely kissed his lips. Both of their lips were bruised, but it was only temporary. The walk back would make her lips return to their usual color. "I will see you sometime. Call me," she said in that annoying high pitched tone.
"Oh come on, Rukia. One night won't kill anyone."
"It can, Ichigo. And do not think your kisses will deter me. I have lived much longer than you and your kisses are all right. A bit above mediocre."
How dare she critique his kisses; her boyfriend's kisses! "What the hell, Rukia? Who else did you kiss?"
She hugged her stomach and laughed. "No one."
Ichigo stared at her. "Really?" Disbelief could be heard.
"What can I say? Will you be weirded out if I revealed that you are my first boyfriend?"
Amber eyes were shining in delight. "This isn't sarcasm right? I'm really your first boyfriend?"
"I mean I have been kissed." Ichigo growled and she rolled her eyes. "Oh stop it. You went out with previous women before me, so do not perpetuate the slut myth or shame me."
That worked, he backed down, disgusted with himself.
Satisfied, she continued, "As I once told you, a kiss is a form of greeting between friendly people. I have been kissed, yes, but you are my first boyfriend."
She couldn't finish her words as he hugged her and proceeded to kiss her until she shoved him away.
Before she could enter her office, Yoshi walked in, knowing that she would and why she didn't lock the doors again. There was no point. It was almost midnight.
I guess this means no more waiting.
Rukia looked at her, not smiling as she usually did to her patrons. "Good evening, or if you prefer, good morning, Yoshi-san."
Yoshi smirked and handed her a package. "You said you wanted this, right? Well, here it is. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"And what is the warning?"
"You'll die if you listen to it."
Rukia nodded as she took the package. "What makes you so sure? Oh my, am I speaking to the killer? If yes, then why go through this trouble to kill a person when you can do it without leaving a cassette trail? Will you humor me?"
Instead of answering, Yoshi opted to leave after smirking at her once more.
"I guess that means no. At least I tried to engage. Thank you for the gift."
She still had six minutes to spare, so maybe she should listen to this tape and hear what was inside it. As she walked to her office, she opened the package and found a normal looking Fuji DR-I cassette tape.
Fitting that there is not a label, since it is an unnamed sonata.
After a moment of contemplation, she placed the tape inside of her Nakamichi 582 and waited as she closed her eyes. She was about to press Play until she saw her white headphones nearby.
I might as well listen to some of this tape with noise canceling headphones to optimize on the sounds.
The enter button was finally pressed and her ears were bombarded with white noise that had an audio frequency of at least 35 Hz. She concentrated on the sound, and it was possible she was hearing people, at least a group of people screaming at each other. And then it ended with the strings of a guitar being strummed at a steady pace, driving the rhythm and setting the string into motion, creating overtones. But Rukia wanted to hear the shamisen.
The volume became much louder even as she lowered it. After the strum of the E chord, the sound separated and introduced the shamisen. But after hearing the upper bridge, the white noise reemerged and she could feel her head throbbing as she tried to blink back the tension. Booming noises entered her ear and she could no longer differentiate which string belonged to which instrument. The chaotic harmony, if one could describe it as such became too much. Was it the tremor? Did the strings separate? Her mind was drawing a blank.
She heard footsteps, it was either Yoshi coming back to finish the job or the patrons. Sound separation couldn't be distinguished.
If one could feel their eyes bleeding, it was Rukia as she saw shades of red as her ears could no longer sustain the sounds, which were rapidly decaying.
[…]
Ichigo tossed around, unable to sleep. Though short, his date night with Rukia was magical and almost perfect. Maybe he should take it slow with her instead of attempting to make it go fast, but he was afraid that their time would never be enough. She alluded to it. So he had to do what he could to maintain his time with her.
It was worth waiting for her.
Ichigo's iPhone buzzed and he looked at it, seeing it was Rangiku. Did Rukia call her about their date and now she wanted to tease him late at night?
All too sudden, Ichigo felt chills and an anxiety that could only be described as foreboding.
He swiped and answered, voice trembling, "Rangiku-san?"
"Ichigo!" She started as she sobbed uncontrollably. He could ever hear Tōshirō trying to calm her down and asking her to give her phone to him."It's Rukia-chan… Her unconscious body…tape…"
For the third time, that stupid dream included, Ichigo felt his world crashing as his inner world rained as it faded to black again. But the real world wasn't raining this time.
[…]
By the time Ichigo got there, Rukia was being lifted onto the stretcher by members of Squad 4 as Rangiku was trying to get nearer, screaming her name and apologizing as Tōshirō and Yoruichi tried to pull her away, consoling her as best as they could.
Even Byakuya and Renji were nearby, the former staring at her sympathetically, an emotion rarely seen by him.
Tears were forming in his eyes as he screamed her name. He didn't care if the Squads were here to witness his emotional outburst, he needed to be near her.
Chad and Ishida ran to Ichigo and grabbed his arms, halting him from proceeding further as if both predicted he would be here.
He knew yelling wasn't going to get him anywhere, but he was still attempting to break free.
"Ichigo –" Chad softly began. "Don't interfere with the investigation."
"You know the protocol, Taichou. Don't make it harder."
"Fuck protocol! I'm her only family –"
Rangiku broke free from her own confinements and ran to Ichigo, holding his hands and begged for forgiveness. "I'm sorry, Ichigo! I should have warned Rukia-chan! It's my fault! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Rangiku was getting hysterical, repeated apologies becoming muffled as she said something about investigating and danger.
As the Squads were trying to control Rangiku from making a scene further, Ichigo took his chance and ran to Rukia, scowling and threatening anyone from Squad 4.
Unohana, captain of Squad 4, came forward and touched Ichigo's shoulder. "Kurosaki Taichou, I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave this to my Squad."
"Unohana Taichou, please. Rukia's my girlfriend. Please…"
She sighed in understanding and relented, nodding.
Ichigo slowly walked to the stretcher and found that Rukia was really unresponsive. Her ears were bleeding, a symptom that other victims experienced. He didn't think a haunted tape would defeat her, but he guessed that even she wasn't invincible to other unseen forces. Like others, she had her limits. That mere thought caused more tears to trail down.
"Rukia, you idiot! There's a reason why I didn't want you to listen to those tapes. They're haunted, you idiot. Idiot…"
He felt another tap. It was Yoruichi. "Ichigo, let Unohana take care of this. You and Rangiku need to come inside the library with us. You might know something we don't."
"Is she dead?"
No one said anything.
"Is she dead?" he repeated.
"Her body is cold and there's no pulse or heartbeat. The library's patrons said her fingers were still moving when they found her unconscious. I can't guarantee you anything, Kurosaki Taichou, but I'll try my best," Unohana answered.
Ichigo pressed a kiss to Rukia's forehead. "Please wake up."
Squads 6 and 10 were searching for evidence as Yoruichi and Urahara interrogated Rangiku and Ichigo with Ishida, Chad, and Inoue nearby, who was trying to control her own tears because of Ichigo's predicament and that he finally acknowledged his relationship with Rukia. It was inappropriate and petty given the circumstance, but she knew she still wasn't able to fully let him go and it hurt. It hurt more than she thought.
Ichigo's dead eyes stared at Rukia's office, noting her white headphones. The patrons long gone after each were questioned, though Mai-chan was crying as her parents attempted to console her and said that everything would be alright. The patrons here all respected and cared for Rukia. Maybe Ichigo was incorrect – slightly – her other family were the patrons. This library was a community where relationships were formed once they entered and met Rukia. No one had anything bad to say about Rukia. The patrons were honest in their answers and their tones genuinely intonated how much they appreciated Rukia as their librarian.
She was special.
She is special. Don't use the past tense.
"So you're saying that you and Rukia-san went to Gō Records and met the owner, who didn't seem that suspicious and his employee who seemed off?"
Rangiku sniffled and nodded, still traumatized by the events.
"Rangiku, did you reveal the case to Rukia-san?" Yoruichi continued.
Another shake of the head.
"Did you Ichigo?"
He also shook his head.
"You two need to more responsive. We're trying to solve this case," Tōshirō commented. Yoruichi couldn't stop the last comment from being verbalized even if she wanted to. The kid really was too honest and hasn't experienced much life and the painful realities of the real world yet. No one could blame him, he basically entered the Academy and was then selected as captain shortly after graduation without much socializing. Neither did Ichigo, but he might be too passionate about someone when the time came, shattering his walls.
Ichigo glared at him, also noting that Byakuya turned to look at the young captain as if he wanted to murder him with his eyes. "Fuck you, Tōshirō! My girlfriend is almost dead and I don't need you to tell me what's more important."
Tōshirō acknowledged his pragmatic personality, but protocols existed for a reason. "I understand your emotional state, Kurosaki. But she shouldn't attempt to do our jobs. I know she's intuitive and smart, but that doesn't give her the right to try to take matters in her own hands –"
Ichigo punched him before he could finish and immediately Chad went to hold him back down again. "Don't you dare insult her! She's done more than you, than any of us here!"
"Ichigo..." Yoruichi tried to reason, also wondering if she had anything to do with the past cases he solved.
"Yoruichi-san, Rukia didn't do anything illegal."
Rangiku had enough and slammed her hands down. "Taichou, don't you dare say that about Rukia-chan! She wasn't nosy, she was simply curious about the tape. And what do you know about her! What right does any of us have to judge her! She was doing what any normal civilian would! Helping us!"
"Matsumoto –"
"Taichou, I know you're young, but it's not always about protocol. Four people are dead, and Rukia-chan might be next. Instead of caring for the dead and the almost dead, all you can think about is solving the case. What about the dead? Is solving the crime enough to bring them back? And no one had the guts to listen to the tape! We wouldn't sacrifice ourselves, but the minute someone does, you criticize her! Rukia-chan did because she's not afraid to do what's right! And she probably did it for us. Well, most likely you, Ichigo." She breathed a bit and continued, "We perform on their bodies and dissect them to look for evidence! What about afterwards? They're usually forgotten!" Rangiku thought about it for a second. "No one better operate on Rukia-chan's body! I won't promise I won't beat your asses! That includes you, Taichou!"
Tōshirō was so stunned at being yelled at Rangiku that he couldn't formulate any words. It was usually him yelling at her. All of a sudden, her words made him feel ashamed. He had gone too far, not understanding anything outside of the protocols placed by Seireitei. His age might have something to do with it too, not understanding why people did the things they did.
The ache near his mouth throbbed. "My apologies, Kurosaki. I went too far."
Ichigo didn't respond.
Clapping filled the library, which annoyed Ichigo.
"My, my. That was an impassioned speech that you two gave. Rukia-san must be a remarkable person to warrant such respect from, well, everyone, including yours truly."
Yoruichi glared at him. She was going to punish him whenever they returned home. "Why the hell did you clap for? This isn't the appropriate time or place, Kisuke."
Ichigo was about to punch Urahara, and Yoruichi sensed it. But before anything could be done, Urahara waved a piece of paper.
"What's that?"
"I'm guessing the tape was sent in this package."
"Okay?"
"Rukia-san left us a clue."
Ichigo slightly perked up.
"Packaging paper? So now we have to see who was the carrier?" Renji asked, walking to the table where all the cool people were. This library was too clean, meaning no evidence.
Urahara tipped his hat. "Of course not. I'm guessing the person who delivered the tape was someone who might have known Rukia-san?"
They all looked at Ichigo, who told them that she rarely went out to socialize.
"Okay. Just tell us, Kisuke, no fillers."
"I think before Rukia-san became unconscious, she figured out the riddle of the tape and its content." Everyone remained quiet. "She probably knew she was being watched, so she lightly wrote a word down to avoid any tampering. Brilliant one that girl. And I thought I was always one step ahead. Rukia-san was a hundred steps ahead."
That's true, and she probably knew this was going to happen. Maybe that dream was true.
They continued to wait while Ichigo continued to feel miserable.
"Does the word Bount ring any bell?"
[…]
Hello. I'm not really back, but here's a chapter. I was going to finish this case, but it got too long and I wanted to save some of the parts to expand on some of the mysteries surrounding Rukia. And Urahara's line seems like a good stopping point. I don't know when I'll finish the next chapter. I'm mean, yes, I know. But this chapter had some nice developing relationships, yes?
Cheers.
