A/N: Okay so it's been a while...yeah. Skipping the apologies and the dodging of bricks.; I now present a super long chapter. Happy belated New Year's everyone! Let's make it a good one this year.
Tangled Heartstrings
Chapter 14: Wildest of Woes
Rukia stared at herself in the mirror, almost laughing at her appearance. She looked like a twelve-year old playing dress up. Here she was dressed in a sleeveless aqua dress with a bodice that stuck to her like a second skin. The skirt cascaded down from below her breasts in a ruffles with rhinestones etched here and there ending just above her knees. Her hair was pinned into a bun with silver plastic flowers surrounding it while she wore chandelier earrings. She had smoky blue eyeshadow as well as a bit of black and white eyeliner.
Rukia stepped out of her room, holding a black handbag against her hip. Renji who had been dressed and alert in his tux slowly turned his neck. His eyes widened slightly before a smile quickly replaced it. He stood up and went to her, holding her hands in his much large ones.
"Rukia...you look beautiful."
The said girl blushed. "Thank you, Renji. You clean up pretty good yourself. It's just this tie..." Rukia furrowed her eyes as she got closer to adjust his tie.
She was so close that Renji could smell a feminine scent on Rukia that he couldn't seem to place. After a moment, Rukia moved away much to Renji's chagrin as she turned to watch both of her children walk in. Sachiko was wearing was wearing a light pink sleeved dress with a multitude of magenta stars. She wore her hair in a half ponytail with her bangs constantly falling into her eyes. She wore a gold necklace around her neck with a musical lyric hanging from it as well as Ichigo's ruby ring. Ichi was wearing a mini version of Renji's tux and had his hair neatly combed back much to his chagrin. He and Sachiko were holding hands as she swung them between their bodies.
"Aww...you both look charming," Rukia crooned, enveloping both of them into her arms. "Well, we musn't waste time."
The former Kuchiki princess looped her arm through Renji's as they came walking down the marble staircase with the children following a few steps behind them. A ring of Roman pillars held up a ceiling of frescoes with cherubs flying across them. Rukia was all smiles despite how out of place she felt. The music reverberated all around them just as the violins joined the grand piano in sync and rose into a crescendo of melody. That was when Rukia saw Sachiko sliding down the banister with Ichi behind her, leaving a pink and black blur in their wake.
Just as Sachiko lept off, a pair of strong arms caught her and Ichi. Uryuu smiled down at the two mischievous twins. He set them down in front of him as he patted each of their heads. Orihime stood by him wearing an elegant red halter dress that flowed behind her. She was all smiles especially when she laid eyes on Rukia's gown. She trotted up to her friend, grabbing her forearms to analyze her appearance.
"Rukia, you look gorgeous!" Orihime turned to gaze at Renji. "...And your date doesn't look half bad either."
Renji blushed, coughing slightly as he looked away in abashment. Rukia laughed lightly at this as she allowed Orihime to take her away by looping her arm through hers'
"There's plenty of food here so I hope you're working up an appetite."
Rukia smiled. "I am famished."
"Good, I was hoping you'd say that," Orihime said, eyeing the food table. "The fashion show will start in ten minutes. You're right on time." She glanced over Rukia's head. "Oh, my. Looks like Renji can't seem to keep his eyes off of you," she giggled.
Huh?"
Orihime took hold of her shoulder and made her stay facing her. "No, don't turn around!"
"What do you mean by that, though?"
"Isn't is obvious? I think Renji's in love with you," Orihime said, barely containing her excitement. "I can't believe I never realized it before."
Rukia chuckled, shaking her head. "Orihime, I think you're jumping to conclusions. Renji doesn't love me...at least not in that aspect."
Orihime sighed. "Rukia, he loves the way you walk, the way you talk, your hair- he loves everything about you. You just haven't realized it yet."
"That's not possible. Renji's just a good friend, I can't imagine a relationship with him," Rukia said off-handedly. "He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember."
Orihime hummed, unconvinced. "Well, if you so."
They drew closer to the food table, mouths watering and tongues rising up on their hind legs and begging. Rukia picked up a plate and began loading food onto it such as oden, fried rice, pickles, several slices of tonkatsu, korroke(croquette), and chawanmushi. All the while balancing of yakisoba soup on her right hand. She glanced Orihime's way to see the girl hauling two large plates of food. Sheesh...and Renji said she ate alot.
They made their way over to the table that Uryuu and Renji had picked out. The children sat at a table next to them, their food mostly played with and not eaten. Rukia sat next to Renji ignoring the raising of his eyebrow when he saw how much food she had piled on her plate. She merely sliced her fork and knife through the korroke, and began munching on the delicious mix of meat and potatoes.
"Wait 'till you see Rukia's new line of wedding dresses," Uryuu said before sipping his glass of red wine. "Ichigo has already had the pleasure of seeing them but the rest of the world will have to remain clueless a while longer."
Renji scoffed. "So secret you wouldn't even let me see it, Rukia?"
"Oh, Renji. You're not into this kind of stuff anyway so it's hardly a big deal."
"I'm still curious though."
Orihime tried to talk with her mouth full, quickly realizing no one could understand a word she said. She stabbed her fork into a thin slice of pickle and pointed in Rukia's direction.
"By the way how are the wedding plans going for Yuzu?" she asked, swallowing hard.
"They're going just fine. She's a little bit busy with mid-terms at her college so it's mostly Isshin, Ichigo and Karin taking care of the arrangements."
Orihime dreamily. "A wedding on the beach, huh? Very romantic and quite original. It's not everyday you see a couple getting married on the beach." She turned to her beloved husband with puppy dog eyes. "Uryuu, why couldn't we get married on the beach?"
"Probably because you and I were married in the church of Notre Dame...remember?" Uryuu sweat dropped.
"Oh, that's right! A very memorable occasion. I loved it, Uryuu," Orihime whispered, nuzzling her face against his arm. "You know, half the time I expected a hunchback to come swinging down in the middle of the ceremony."
A tiny smile twitched on Uryuu's lips. His arm came up to wrap around the back of Orihime's shoulder and kissed her mouth gently. He turned to Renji who wore a gag-me expression, commenting on what a strange couple they make. Meanwhile, Rukia was wolfing down every last bit- as if she had never had a decent thing to eat in her life.
"You should probably slow down. You'll stain your dress," Uryuu warned, slightly fearful that such a thing would occur to one of his creations.
Rukia sat up straight and dabbed regally at her lips with a napkin. She caged her hands together, smiling brilliantly at him. Of course, this was the demeanor, manner and over all presence of a Kuchiki. Six years hadn't erased all those years of painful practice to become clean and dignified. Even without the lessons, there was always something about Rukia- something that made her seem superior in her own right.
"Don't worry about it. I haven't eaten since this morning so can you blame me?" Rukia shrugged as she dug back into her food. "Though, I have to say it was really hard finding a dress in my size."
Renji chuckled. "Probably 'cause you don't have enough to fill out the top half. It's okay if you sometimes have to look through the children's section for clothes."
Rukia glared daggers at him, stabbing her fork into her oden, chewing audibly all the while watching him through slits.
"Say that again, Renji and I'll castrate you, got it?"
Renji shrank back at this, feeling himself sweat drop. He appeared ill at the very thought, pushing his plate of food away.
"Oh, yeah speaking of Ichigo, where is he?"
Uryuu smirked. "No one's talking about Ichigo."
"Actually, he should be here soon," Orihime said, glancing around her. "Wherever he is, he sure is missing out on some great food. Which reminds me, where's Chad? Couldn't he make it?"
"Nah, he left me a voice mail and said he was busy tonight." Renji scratched the back of his neck. "Lately it's been hard to reach that guy."
A silence came over Rukia as she avoided Uryuu's still smug face, and tried to focus on her yakisoba soup. All the while, she failed to notice Renji giving her a dirty look. She had no idea what had come over her. It wasn't even like she had gone long without seeing Ichigo. Just earlier that friday morning he had come to pick up her kids, and they had fought over something stupid once again. She didn't miss the fool...not at all. All Rukia needed was a chaffeur for her children and that was it. She was pursuing nothing else from it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Yet sometimes it became unbearable if she didn't see him for a couple of days. Though, it was quite rare for Ichigo to be absent from his duty. Wait, what was she thinking?! She shouldn't even be thinking about him after what he did to her last time. Rukia shivered inwardly at the memory of his touch spreading like wild fire against her cool skin. It was right but oh so wrong in many ways.
As she continued to sulk over this, she remembered the first time she had seen him in six years. Other images of him standing underneath the roof of the bus stop and especially the time they had hugged in front of his mother's grave. All of them...in the rain. Rukia rest her cheek on the palm of her hand, sighing lightly as she pondered this. Somehow it connected them. When their hearts had seen days of rain, they had nearly drowned in their own sorrow. She remembered how at one point, they had been each others' life line. They had always been able to talk each other out of a funk.
The thought alone brought Rukia into a depression all over again. It's not as though she missed the dope or anything. .all. Though, if she said he hadn't occupied her thoughts the last six years, she would only be lying to herself. No matter how much she kept denying it, the feelings that had started to fade away were slowly spreading and coiling around her heart like thorny vines.
It didn't matter, though. They had both moved on....or at least one of them had. It had been awkward between her and Ichigo since she had found out that he had a girlfriend. She was probably beautiful in a way she could never be. She probably had grace and the intellect to back it up too. Probably even knew how to make Ichigo laugh. Tall and lovely, she had somehow cast a spell over him. Deep down, Rukia wondered how they had met? Was she a foreigner from America? Did they meet in a bar or what?
Thinking back, Rukia remembered his irritable response when she had commented on his girlfriend during Halloween. Almost as if Ichigo didn't care if she thought he was with another woman. Rukia's eyebrows furrowed at this. Before she could further explore this, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She blinked out of her melancholy to find Renji staring down at her strangely.
"Orihime just asked you something. Get your head out of the clouds."
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, what were you saying, Orihime?"
Orihime giggled. "That's alright. I was just asking you if you knew what Ichigo's girlfriend looked like. Ever since he brought it up, I've been so curious lately."
"Ah...well, I wouldn't know anything about that," Rukia replied, chewing the inside of her mouth bitterly.
"Hmm..." Orihime placed a pensive hand on her chin before bringing out paper and drawing pencils. She brought the tip of the eraser thoughtfully against her lips, tapping against them a few times before she had a light bulb moment. Quickly scribbling away, she showed them her drawing. "What do you think? Ichigo always did seem the type to go for her type!"
The three of them gawked at her drawing. Not because it was so well drawn, anyone with eyes could see that. It was the type of woman Orihiime was talking about....
Renji pointed a finger at the woman, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "What's with the boa?"
"It's to add the finishing touch! Just look at that old-fashioned bouncy movie star hair! Very cultured and refined while the sunglasses give her a mysterious air about her. Just like Ichigo," Orihime explained, pointing her index finger at each part of her body. "Look she's even holding a shinigami badge in one hand and a Shakespeare book in the other!"
Uryuu stifled his laughter with the palm of his hand. While Orihime gazed on in confusion, Renji and Rukia appeared to be wanting to break pretty soon.
Orihime blinked. "What?"
She glanced to her left when she felt her husband thread his fingers through her hair. It was an affectionate gestured he did mostly when he found her confusion and innocence refreshing. Orihime bit her lip as she turned away, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Hmph! Well, I'd like to see you guys try."
"Alright then," Uryuu said, laughing lightly as he took out his own materials.
He drew fairly quickly much like his wife. Uryuu smirked at his own masterpiece, tilting his glasses back and letting the light reflect off them.
"Not my best work but it should suffice."
The three of them gazed at his drawing of a woman with chest bindings and leather jacket holding a wooden sword against her shoulder. Long, wavy hair blew in the wind while her deadly eyes looked straight on ahead. They all sweat dropped at this. Uryuu continued to grin at his own drawing as though he had just had an epiphany. Rukia nearly fell over but clutched at the edge of the table for support.
"Uhh...he's not a yankee, ya know?"
Uryuu snorted. "Maybe not but he was quite the rebel in high school." He laughed a bit at the memory. "That orange hair of his always got him into trouble...but the thing is he actually enjoyed fighting those bullies. That is a true masochist."
"Aww, come on! That is definitely not Ichigo's type!" Renji said, snorting.
"What do you know?" Uryuu scoffed.
Rukia groaned letting herself slump forward and lay her head on the table. What was up with this sudden development? She didn't want to keep talking about Ichigo's girlfriend. The only thing she hoped for was her falling on a rusty nail- that was her blessing. The only thing left to do was to drink and to drink fast. Rukia poured herself a glass of red wine, rapidly downing one after another.
She turned to her right to find Renji...drawing a picture now too! Just where were they getting all this paper from?! While Rukia felt like clawing her own face off, they all waited patiently as Renji finished off his drawing of what was his interpretation of Ichigo's girlfriend. Orihime blushed profusely upon his unveiling.
"Sh-she's cute....but Renji, why is she wearing a girl scout's uniform?" she asked.
Renji laughed hard, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ichigo most likely has this type of fetish seeing as he's been without a woman for a while."
"Gotten more than you have," Ichigo said smugly.
Rukia felt herself tense up at his hand on her shoulder. Although, she felt his eyes on her, she stubbornly stared at her food. Upon seeing Ichigo's entrance, the three of them chucked their drawings behind them. Uryuu and Orihime stood up simultaneously and walked around the table to greet them. Rukia refused to stand up, and Renji knew that if she didn't stand up neither would he.
The woman hanging off of Ichigo's shoulder was hardly doing it for her. Oh, Rukia would be piss-ass drunk very soon. She could almost guarantee it. The woman was beautiful, just like she had figured. She had feathered dark-bluish hair that fell just below her shoulders with golden-toned skin, almond eyes and full red lips. Her gown was a strapless, shimmery gold dress that clung to her body.
Ichigo cocked his head toward his girlfriend. "This is Park Kyu Ri."
Each of them came up to her to shake hands with her and when all eyes turned to Rukia, she masked a smile as she reached out to shake hands. Finally, she knew she would have to stand up and stand on ground level with Ichigo's girlfriend. Kyu Ri returned it with little endeavor, her attention quickly returning to Ichigo as she laid her head on his shoulder. Ichigo didn't respond to the affectionate gesture or give any special notice to it.
Rukia narrowed her eyes at this and turned away. Renji noticed her tensing next to him and slipped his hand into hers', giving it a light squeeze. Rukia glanced up at him in surprise but all he had did was a smile back.
"It's nice to meet you all," Kyu Ri said warmly.
'Yes, I'm so sure,' Rukia thought bitterly.
The music had started playing around them and they had all gathered onto the dance floor with their partners. Rukia watched Ichigo lead Kyu Ri through their dance and all she could do was watch. She felt someone tap her shoulder and she turned around to face Renji bowing illustriously and holding out a hand toward her. Rukia allowed a smile to show as she accepted his hand.
Once they had gotten caught in the middle of the dance floor, Renji gently held her hand in his as his hand traveled to the small of her back. They smiled at each other as the music swept over them. Spinning and spinning in circles, they seemed to move in syn among the throng of couples surrounding them.
"I never knew you were such a good dancer," Rukia remarked as he spun her about.
Renji grinned. "Well, you learn something new each day."
He brought her closer to him if possible, dipping her over somewhat before leading her in circles across the dance floor. Other couples had formed a circle around them as they danced.
Rukia's eyes widened. "Everyone is staring."
"They're only looking at you," Renji whispered. "Just as I am. They can't believe how beautiful a woman could look."
Rukia snorted. "Renji, you have to say that."
"I'd cut my tongue off before lying through my teeth like that," Renji swore. "I'm looking only at you. I can't believe I have you."
Rukia felt the heat rush to her cheeks. "Renji, you don't have to-
"I want to," Renji insisted.
Renji spun her away from him and quickly brought her back. Rukia bit her lip earnestly, suddenly finding the floor interesting. She had no idea what to say to that. She felt bad for making him tell her sweet nothings like that. On the inside, she knew that she was dragging Renji down with her with her behavior toward Ichigo and Kyu-Ri. Rukia glanced in Ichigo's direction, seeing him turn away just at that moment. He grabbed Kyu-Ri's hand and began dragging her away toward their table.
As soon as they sat down, Kyu-Ri placed a hand on his arm only to have Ichigo shake her off angrily. Rukia raised an eyebrow at this, absolutely puzzled by his behavior. He was worse than her. After the song ended, Rukia excused herself from Renji and went toward a pair of curtained glass doors for some alone time on the balcony.
"What're you doing out here?"
Rukia swiveled her head to see Ichigo closing the glass doors behind him standing in all his glory in a tuxedo. As her eyes swept over him, she couldn't help but wonder how any man could look that good. Ichigo walked casually up to her and leaned against the ledge.
"....Just wanted some fresh air," Rukia replied, suddenly finding that being outside now was actually more suffocating than helpful.
"Ah..." Ichigo nodded in understand. "I see."
"And you?"
Ichigo loosened his tie somewhat. "You know I've always hated these types of parties," he scoffed, a hint of disgust.
"Ah...right." Rukia swallowed. "N-nice night."
Ichigo shrugged. "It's alright. So how're things at home with the kids and...Renji?"
"Oh, we're all doing just fine." Rukia closed her eyes, wishing she could just disappear right then and there. "Renji's still waiting on that promotion which I'm sure he'll get. And Ichi's attending little league and Sachiko ballet."
"I know. I drive them, remember?"
"Oh! Oh, right." Rukia quickly turned her head away from him.
Ichigo gave her a long look. "Don't you think that the favor itself needs something in return?"
Rukia glanced it him out of the corner of her and eye and snorted. "What? You want me to pay you now? I already make you lunch."
"I don't want your money," Ichigo snarled.
"Then what do you want in return?"
Ichigo grabbed her arm and turned her around so that she was now facing him. Rukia arched an eyebrow at his forward behavior. He took a few steps toward her until they were hip to hip, and she was pinned against the rail of the balcony. Ichigo slowly leaned into Rukia much to her chagrin. This was the reason she feared being alone with him. He was now a breath away so now it was her duty to decide if she wanted this. Before she could so much as decide this split-second decision, a loud crash came from behind the curtained balcony doors.
Ichigo jerked his head around at the sound of two familiar twins echoing pain. Rukia pressed a hand to her thudding heart with overwhelming relief.
"Oh, thank god," she murmured.
Ichigo glanced back at her over his shoulder, and rose an eyebrow at her. "Huh? Whadya say?"
"Nothing!"
Rukia quickly strode past him, avoiding eye contact as she pushed the glass doors aside to see Ichi helping Sachiko onto her feet. She placed her hands on her hips and tried to look stern but couldn't hide the relief and thanks in her eyes.
"What were you two doing?"
"Umm...trying to see how long I'd last standing up on Ichi's shoulders," Sachiko said, jerking her thumb at Ichi as she bounced back and forth on the heels of her doll shoes.
"Uh-huh. I can see that," Rukia said dryly.
Ichigo chuckled as he joined Rukia's side. "Caught in the act, huh?"
Rukia felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle when she felt his chest against her back. She quickly moved away from him and approached her children.
"How should I punish you both?"
Sachiko wrapped her arms around her brother's waist, and buried her face into his tux to hide from her mother's wrath. Ichi cringed at the redness sparking across Rukia's eyes. She glanced over shoulder and winked at Ichigo.
"What do you think, Ichigo? Do you think a spanking is in order?"
Ichigo snorted. "Well, that doesn't sound like too bad of a punishment." He placed a pensive finger under his chin. "I'd say that's letting them off too easily. How about embarrassing them?"
Rukia smirked. "I've got my baby pictures of them right now."
Ichi and Sachiko's mouths were ajar with horror at the possibility. Ichigo stepped toward them and picked Sachiko up in his arms.
Ichigo chuckled. "Well, looks like you guys were lonely. Would you like to share your first dance with me, Sachiko?"
The young girl's face lit up instantly, and she shyly extended her hand toward Ichigo. She gasped quietly when she felt Ichigo's lips against her skin. Ichigo smiled into the kiss, watching her expression carefully. He wrapped his arms around her waist,and placed her feet delicately on top of his shoes. With one arm on her shoulder, he tangled his fingers with hers and began swinging her around the dance floor. As Ichi watched them with a sullen expression, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He tilted his head up to see his mother smiling down at him and offered a hand to him.
"Care for a dance with your mother?"
Ichi blushed. "Y-yeah...I wouldn't want Ichigo to steal a dance from you."
Rukia chuckled. "Oh, you. Don't worry about Ichigo, I can handle him."
She in turn, wrapped her arms around her son and set him over her heels. They swayed against the gentle music with Rukia humming in Ichi's ear.
Miss Kiryuu looked smug as she passed out the final scripts of characters. Their class was going to do a play on Sleeping Beauty. She came to stand distastefully in front of Ichi who was busy playing with a pocket video game.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to bring toys to the classroom?" Miss Kiryuu asked irritably. Before Ichigo could make a closing arguement, he stopped himself at the light weight of the script tossed onto his lap. He grabbed it before it could slip. He raised an eyebrow at the role he had gotten.
"Umm...I already told you I'm excusing myself from this play. Why the hell did you give me the prince's part?" Ichi demanded, rolling up the script.
Miss Kiryuu smirked. "Perhaps it'll teach you some self-discipline."
"Pfft, whatever. It's just a play."
"It's not just a play," Ms. Kiryuu said matter-of-factly. "I wouldn't want you to mess up on the kissing scene."
Ichi's eye twitched. "Come again?"
"Yes, you heard right. There will be a scene where you'll have to wake the princess from her slumber. Surely you've heard of that fairy tale."
"I have..." Ichi said, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm just not so cool about kissing a girl I don't even know."
"She's your classmate and this counts as two test grades if you mess this up." Miss Kiryuu turned to walk off as she said this.
Ichi gaped at her as he watched her leave in utter disbelief. She couldn't be allowed to do that! Sachiko went to stand beside Ichi as she read her script to herself. She smiled when she saw Ichi holding one as well.
"I'm playing the evil witch. What role are you playing?"
"Prince," he muttered. He paused for a moment. "Wait...the witch? I was sure you'd get a much frillier part."
Sachiko blinked. "The teacher accepted me as the witch almost immediately after I made a witch impression. Hey, why the long face?"
"I...I have to kiss a girl." Ichi blushed, his spiky bangs hiding his face.
Sachiko rolled her eyes. "Of course you do. My friend Yukari over there won the princess role."
Ichi slumped forward, cradling his face in his hands. "I...don't know how to kiss."
"Then practice on a pillow or something," Sachiko said casually.
Ichi gave her a dead-panned expression. "I haven't grown that pathetic."
Of course as soon as the kids got home television was an absolute must. While their mother was busy making dinner in the kitchen, the ardour of their admiration sat in front of them in the form of anime. They sat side by side three feet from the t.v., grinning like there was no tomorrow. If Rukia ever caught them crossing into the three feet borderline she had told them about, they didn't even wanna guess what she had in store for them. They were watching a mahou anime which have plenty of blowing up scenes for Ichi's favor and some sort of fling going on between the two main characters that was to Sachiko's.
Lately, it had just been pure re-runs of the anime but they didn't care. It was completely worth waiting another few months for the new season to come out. They even heard that there was gonna be a movie on the anime next year. There really would be so much to look forward to in the new year. But first they had to get through Christmas. Seven gifts each as was the tradition for them each year. Their lists had long since been ready.
Sachiko rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, listening to the ending theme of the anime. It was sweet and pure...the only kind of perfection you'd be able to find in a music box or even a single shard of light dancing across a diamond's facet. Her hand reached up of its own accord as if to grab onto the the lightbulb that shook by swinging of the fan. Sachiko's lilac eyes wavered as her hand closed into a fist and lowered to her side. She stared at her closed fist silently. This must be what it feels like to have the sun in the palm of your hand.
The sun...and the moon made frequent appearances in her dreams. This was something she had decided not to tell Ichi. She just didn't want him to worry about her anymore. Slowly but surely, her existence was fading to nothing. It was a bit dark for someone her age to have these thoughts but she couldn't help it. Sometimes she wondered that if maybe she tried her hardest to be a good girl, no one had to leave and get hurt. After all, no one was born evil...right?
Sachiko blinked when a shadow covered the light from above. It was Ichi leaning over her with an odd look on his face. He flicked her forehead, causing her to lurch forward and cry out. She turned to glare at him the meanest look she could muster. Ichi raised an eyebrow at her, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What's with the gloomy look on your face?" Ichi pointed his finger to the center of her forehead with a blank look. "Before you know it, you'll grow to be an ugly old hag in no time."
"Sh-shut up," Sachiko huffed, biting the insides of her cheeks. "You're one to talk with that ugly mug."
With that said, she sashayed toward the couch, her pig tails bouncing up along with her. Ichi came up behind her and flipped up her skirt. Sachiko immediately felt the heat enter her cheeks and her hands clamped down on the hem of her skirt.
"Wh-what was that for?!"
Ichi smacked her upside the head before hopping onto the couch. He patted the seat beside him impatiently. "Don't walk away while I'm still talking to you. That's rude, ya know. And what's up with the ducky underwear?"
"Hmph! Since when do you have something important to say anyway. All you ever do is bully me and try act all high and mighty, king!" Sachiko hissed out venomously. "...And for the record, duckies kick 'ass' as you might put it. Way better than ninja turtle, that's for sure."
Ichi blinked at his sister momentarily, before smiling a bit. "You've changed, ya know that?"
"Huh?"
"I'm jusy saying," he said, shrugging. "You were all goody-goody before, now it seems like you've grown a back-bone. I'm impressed, little sister."
"...Uhh...I can't tell if you're insulting or complimenting me."
Ichi scowled at her. "Will you sit down already? Isn't that lame ass anime you like so much starting soon?"
The light in Sachiko's returned in that instant. She rocked back and forth on the heels of her shoes excitedly before racing off toward the kitchen. Dragging a stool over to the fridge, she flung it open, making its contents quake from the force. As she climbed onto it and reached up for the pitcher of red Kool-Aid, she set it down on top of it as she climbed back down. She brought out three green plastic cups and poured Kool-Aid into each of them all the while humming the opening theme of her favorite anime.
Rukia cleaned her wet hands on her apron as she watched her daughter buzz around the kitchen. She watched her climb on top of the sparkling black cabinet and grab an armload of Cheese Puffs and cashews. Now watching her run back toward the living room, she realized she had been far too lenient in snacks lately. She shook her head as she returned to the tenpura and rice she was currently cooking for the three of them. She glanced up at the clock hanging above the stove. Renji should be getting out of work soon.
"Mom! Hurry it's starting!"
Rukia's eyes widened. "Y-you mean...?"
Sachiko nodded her head enthusiastically as she tugged on her mother's apron. "Yes! It's starting, come on!"
Rukia quickly untied her apron, cast it aside and ran after her daughter. Sachiko quickly flipped through the channels where a commercial had just finished and a shoujo-like opening was starting. They both lined up side by side and began doing the dance they had both done all the time whenever the anime began.
"Fighting evil by moonlight! Winning love by daylight!" they sang.
Their little dance consisted of moving side to side while jerking their elbows in opposite directions, spinning once, clapping their hands twice and shaking their left fist up three times before moving onto the right fist. Sachiko giggled as her mother spun her around in time to face the t.v. and do the signature Sailor Moon sign across their foreheads.
They heard someone cough behind them to see Ichigo sitting down beside Ichi with his hand trying to stifle his laughter. Rukia blushed a deep shade of scarlet, quickly squaring her shoulders and turning down the volume of the t.v.
"Sorry I...didn't want to interrupt you," Ichigo chortled.
He stood up and walked over to where Rukia stood glowering at him. Ichigo grinned at her as he picked Sachiko up , wrapping one arm beneath her bottom and steadying her on it. He did the Sailor Moon sign against his own forehead which earned him the finger from Rukia. She crossed her arms over her chest, her blush spreading down her neck.
"What're you doing here?" Rukia then turned to Ichi. "Why didn't you tell me he was here? And a bigger question is how did you even get in here?!"
Ichigo dangled a key above Rukia head smugly. "You gave me a spare key not long ago, remember mom?"
"I must've been piss ass drunk," she mumbled, half turning away from him.
"Nope. Quite sober and willing. Around the same time I volunteered to pick up and drop off the kids." Ichigo glanced at a sulking Ichi on the couch. "Which reminds me, what was the schedule for the kids' again? It's baseball for Ichi on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Fridays, right?"
"Right," Rukia said through clenched teeth.
"And Sachiko's are Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, right?"
"Correct. You win a prize; a quick trip out of my house," Rukia hissed.
Ichigo chuckled. "Come on, still wanna throw me out when I brought these for you guys to try."
He picked up the cardboard box he had set down and rifled through its contents. He pulled out a paper plate with powdered cookies and nuts in them with clear wrapper covering them.
"Yuzu wants you to help out in choosing the best food for her wedding." Ichigo offered her the plate to take which she took hold of reluctantly. "Karin's in charge of decorations and renting while my old man is hiring the minister."
Rukia unwrapped it and took a bite out of a cookie. Her face lit up as soon as her teeth had sunk through the delectable morsel.
"This is really good. Don't mind if I help myself to the rest of these," she said, her eyes becoming playfully territorial.
"Go ahead. These are all free samples. Yuzu just needs your opinion on them." He set the box down in the middle of the living room and waved for Ichi and Sachiko to come closer. "I know you guys aren't that shy. Dig in and tell me what you think."
Sachiko plucked out a blueberry muffin and turned it over in her hands. She sniffed it and took an experimental lick before finally biting it. She then tried the apple cinnamon, a grin spreading wide across her face. She held up the muffin with her teeth imprints and gave a thumbs up with her free hand.
"Definitely the apple cinnamon."
"No contest," Ichi scoffed. He reached into the box for a plate of of fried chicken stuffed with vegetables. "Mm...not bad. Loose the sauce and it'll work."
Ichigo sniffed the air and frowned. "Umm...is something burning?"
The petite young mother cursed under her breath, and ran to the kitchen to turn off the stove. She grabbed her apron and began swatting at the flames that had now engulfed their dinner. She shrieked and cursed and grabbed the sink's spray and let the droplets of water rain onto the burning food.
"Rukia!"
"What?!" she shouted.
She turned around simultaneously spraying Ichigo's face and clothes. Rukia dropped the spray back into the sink to cup her mouth in mortification. Ichigo gave her a black look as he stood there completely drenched and sneezing. There was no way a normal person could've forced out that much water but with Rukia's strength anything was possible. Rukia opened a drawer and reached for a hand towel. She began dabbing at Ichigo's face and neck, biting her lip in shame.
"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry!"
Ichigo caught her hand in his and stilled her hasty actions. He caught her eye and glared pointedly at her, bringing her closer to him if even possible. Rukia swallowed hard when his fingers threaded through hers', making her drop the hand towel in doing so. He gripped her hand tightly in his as he stared her down evenly.
"I think you've done enough."
Her poor, tiny heart skipped a beat- actually skipped a beat for the likes of him. Rukia lowered her gaze after a short moment, turning her head to hide her flushed face. She took a step back only to slip against the water. Ichigo's free arm wrapped around her waist and held her up steadily. They stared in bewilderment at each other before they heard a sound from behind them.
"A-hem," Ichi coughed loudly.
Rukia immediately broke apart from Ichigo, and bent down to grab the hand towel. She brought the burnt frying pans into the sink and turned on the cold water. Pointing her finger in a random direction, Rukia made a motion for them to get out.
"I'll be cleaning the kitchen. Ichi show Ichigo the bathroom as well as a change of clothes."
Ichi frowned. "All right. Follow me."
"Nah, that's ok. I'll just head back to my place. It's alright, really."
Rukia frowned. "Go take a bath. I'll have your clothes washed and prepare dinner so you can join us."
Ichigo stared for a moment before nodding and letting Ichi lead him toward the bathroom. Sachiko went into the supply closet and pulled out a mop as she began cleaning up the kitchen floor. Rukia smiled at her darling of a daughter, smoothing down her hair.
Her ex-fiancee was bathing just down the hall. Rukia just couldn't help but wonder how he could make her furious to absolutely melting near him to sympathetic and doing his laundry. As she carried the small bundle toward the washing machine, she bitterly thought how ironic life could be sometimes. Just as she was about to toss the clothes in to wash, she remembered to check the pockets for wallets and phones. Last time she tried washing Renji's clothes, they ended up two weeks without light. His hard-worked cash had been reduced to subatomic bits and pieces. That was her bad, she had to admit. She didn't want Ichigo to freak out...yet again because of her.
As Rukia rifled through his pocket, she found a black leather wallet and placed it on top a pile of clean clothes. She froze when she suddenly felt his cell phone vibrate against her palm. Letting curiousity get the best of her, she pulled it out and took a quick peek at the incoming caller's name; Park Kyu-Ri. It just kept going and going. Ichigo was in the bath, she was gonna waltz right in and hand it to him. Damn, it won't stop vibrating. And it wasn't like Rukia could just pick it up, she had no idea how jealous prone this woman was. She was hardly on Kyu-Ri's favor last time they met.
She chose to place it beside Ichigo's wallet and proceeded with emptying detergent and switching on the washing machine. It whirred to life in seconds and she gathered Ichigo's things. Kyu-Ri had stopped calling for the moment but as she glanced at the screen, Rukia noticed she had left a voice message. No! She quickly shook her head at such an idea. That's an invasion of privacy and was completely none of her business....Oh, a quick peek couldn't hurt!
Rukia flipped it open to listen to the message, only to jump up in surprise and press the wrong buttons. She pressed a hand to her heart in hopes of calming it. It was just Ichi and Sachiko playing in the living room. The phone skidded across the floor, and fell open against a basket of dirty clothes. Rukia quickly reached out for it only to falter halfway when she realized she had accidentally gone onto Ichigo's pictures. Also...there was a picture of her in her gown from Uryuu's party. It was after she had sat down after dancing with Ichi, and had chosen to engorge herself in dessert. Her cheeks were puffed up as she took large bites and there was a sauce stain at the side of her mouth.
Rukia's immediately flared up at this. How could the idiot take such a ridiculous picture of her?! Wait...now that she took a closer look at it, she had been leaning into the table a lot and she could see her own cleavage. She snatched the phone up and began looking through every picture, her eyes dilating into slits with each click of the forward button. She couldn't believe it...if she looked closely in almost every picture he had, she was in the picture somehow; in the middle of a crowd, off to the side somewhere. At the sound of Ichigo's voice coming from the living room, she quickly exited out of his pictures and clamped his phone shut just as he walked in.
"Hey, did I get any calls while I was taking a bath?"
"Y-yes, yes you did. In fact, you just missed the call a few minutes ago," Rukia choked out, handing him the phone and wallet. She made a quick escape as she made her way past him and into the kitchen.
She tried to make herself look busy so she started spraying the kitchen counter with Windex. Though, it was already sparkling clean from earlier's mess. Ichigo had closed the laundry room's door to speak privately. Rukia paid close attention to his muffled, hushed words. She could hear the frustration and annoyance clear as day in Ichigo's voice. Lover's spats, go figure. Rukia felt herself blush as she remembered the numerous pictures she had discovered only moments ago.
"Mom, Ichi needs your help with something!"
"No, I don't! Shut up! Rukia, don't pay attention to her!"
Alright so now she was curious as to exactly what her twins had been giggling about all this time. Cleaning her hands off with a clean towel, she walked into the living room to find Ichi and Sachiko sitting down and watching the movie she had rented earlier that week. They were watching the intense make out scene. Rukia shook her head as she grabbed the remote and turned the t.v. off. She calmly sat down next to Ichi, easily lifting him up and placed him onto her lap.
"Ichi, you don't have to resort to this," Rukia murmured. "I had no idea you were so worked up over this. You need to come to me more, you know I'll listen."
Ichi bowed his head. "I...just didn't want to bother you."
"Ichi, the only thing that bothers me is that you keep everything to yourself."
"I can't kiss."
"Who cares?" Rukia shrugged. "I can't kiss either."
Ichi furrowed his eyebrows. "But I've never seen you kiss any men."
"My point exactly. See how bad I am," Rukia joked. "When you're up on that stage, just image your favorite type of ice cream and at the last second, take the plunge and kiss the girl. Remember that kisses aren't always exactly the way the movies lay out for us. Take the plot of that movie for example; way over done. I gave it a try anyway, already knowing how it would end. Ichi, you make your own ending. Love, romance and kisses are an unfathomable combination of understanding and misunderstanding. So in other words-
"Suck it up and kiss her, kid."
The three of them turned around to see Ichigo standing in the kitchen doorway, a hand towel hanging around his shoulders. He scowled at Ichi as he walked over to him.
Ichi frowned. "You make it sound so easy."
"Better buck up 'cause one day, I can guarantee you will have a new perspective on girls."
"No thanks," he stated.
Rukia ruffled Ichi's hair endearingly. "He's right. You'll do just fine at the play."
"Hey, Rukia. I really have to go right now. That call just now was my dad, he needs extra help at the clinic tonight." Ichi grabbed the towel around his neck and set it down on the couch. "I'll come pick up my clothes tomorrow. I still need you guys to decide on what food would be best for the wedding so get back to me on that."
Rukia blinked. "Oh, alright then."
"What? Then you won't be joining us for dinner?!" Sachiko asked, absolutely distraught.
"Sorry, kid." Ichigo bent down and pecked her forehead gently. "Duty calls."
"You owe me," she said sullenly.
"You got it." He started walking toward the door but turned around to face Ichi. "Oh, yeah. You'd better not mess up on that little play of yours 'cause I'll be coming to watch."
"What?!"
The door had clicked shut to leave Ichi staring after the door in horror, Sachiko in glee, and Rukia in surprise. More importantly, she was also wondering why he had lied about it being his father who had called.
The weeks passed and soon came the day for the kids to perform in their play. Their parents eagerly awaited to see them on stage. They were now busy filing into the seats of the auditorium that were filling up fast.
Rukia sat down and Renji took a seat beside her, amused at how excited she was. She had taken out her camera to make sure she had enough film.
"They've all been working so hard. I can't wait to see them."
Renji smile softened. "You're so cute when you get like this."
Rukia blushed. "What?"
Renji's eyes widened. "Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to say it out loud! I was just saying what I was thinking! Oof!" He turned around to glare at Uryuu who had smacked him upside the head. "Damn you, Ishida."
Uryuu smirked. "Smooth, Abarai, very smooth."
Orihime popped up beside him, looping her arm through his. She looked more cheerful than usual with a healthy flush on her already rosy cheeks.
"Hello everyone! I've made bentos for everyone in case you get hungry." Orihime passed them around. "Isn't this so exciting? I remember my first play....may have been just a rock but a sturdy rock I was."
Uryuu smiled endearingly at her. "You're head's as thick as one too, Hime."
Orihime stopped to think about it before frowning and playfully shoving him away. "You're so mean, Uryuu!"
"I love teasing you," Uryuu breathed against her ear. He kissed her forehead gently before pulling her into the seats directly behind Renji and Rukia.
Orihime smiled as she leaned her head against her husband's shoulder. Rukia turned around to give them some privacy. She always felt a bit flustered around this two but she had to admit that she was very happy for the both of them. They didn't have to keep wandering through life, wondering who was their perfect soul mate because they had already found each other.
Rukia leaned back in her seat as she took bites of chicken out of her bento. She saw the lights dim and the red curtains being drawn away from the stage to reveal the painted scenery of a castle and rolling hills. The king, Minoru and and his queen were seated at their throne, looking regal as they gazed out at the audience.
"Oh...hey, where's Ichigo? Didn't you say he was gonna come?" Renji whispered.
Rukia rolled her eyes. "That dumb ass probably forgot."
"This dumb ass hurried immediately after his part-time job at the clinic just to make it," Ichigo hissed in her ear.
Rukia felt a shiver crawl up her spine and was grateful for the darkness as she felt her cheeks heat up. Ichigo took the seat on Rukia's left, his hands folded onto his lap as he gazed up at the stage in boredom.
As the play moved along to the climax of the story, the third and final fairy dressed in a pearly, white moon dress timidly stepped forward. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, the lights were suddenly turned off and malicious cackling soon followed it. The lights were on in the next instant, to reveal Sachiko dressed in a black obsomble with a short skirt from the front and it trailed in the back. Pink ribbons criss-crossed at the front. She had a sardonic look, far too evil a look for any child.
Sachiko smirked. "Surely, you must've lost my invitation, I take it."
The queen's lips quivered. "W-we meant to invite you. We really did."
"Of course...I believe you. It's just not a party without the queen of the fairies after all," Sachiko said off-handedly. She had an incredible air about her that made her seem years older. She stepped onto stage and reached a hand out to touch the baby's face.
"Don't you dare touch her!" Minoru barked, anger flaring up in his eyes.
Sachiko raised an eyebrow. "Why may I ask, your highness? I merely wish to bestow the gift of song upon your daughter. Yes, beauty and intellect are rare things to come across someone possessing but without a beauteous voice, there's no point to it at all."
"You are to leave here immediately. I do not fear you."
"Oh, my," Sachiko chortled. "You really do like to tempt fate, don't you, my king?"
At that instant, Sachiko froze as if she felt her heart taken hold of. Images began flying around in her head before centering on one scene. Her eyes went dull and she bowed her head. Her raven hair curtained her face from the audience but Minoru could clearly see a tear drop roll down her rosy cheek. His grey eyes widened in shock he grabbed his scepter and hit it against the ground.
Sachiko quickly snapped out of it, her tears hitting Minoru's cheek. She quickly raised her fist to wipe her eye. She smiled her thanks before resuming her mysterious, evil facade as a witch.
"In that case, I change my mind. I will present her a different gift." Sachiko smiled a smile full of venom. She raised her scepter. "On your sixteenth birthday, you will prick your finger on a spindle and....die." She tossed her head back and cackled. "You've tempted fate and for that, you will be punished."
Ichigo slowly turned his head to look at Rukia with bewildered eyes. "That's some kid you've got there."
Rukia smirked but said nothing. She rose her camera to take more pictures of her beloved daughter. They all watched the next scene unfold before them. It was Sachiko's friend, Yukari was flouncing up and down the stage in a pretty pink dress all smiles.
"Strange...I've never been to this part of the castle."
Rukia inwardly cringed when she felt Ichigo's hand on her knee. 'I can't believe he's doing this to me at a children's play!' She coughed and quickly moved her leg. She watched Ichigo's hand return to the armrest. A few moments later it was back on her knee.
Rukia grit her teeth together. 'It's MY knee! What makes him think it's HIS knee?!'
She felt him squeeze it and she had to try hard not to wheeze. She gazed at Renji out of the corner of her eye'; seeing this as an opportunity and silently apologized to him. She looped her arm through Renji's and laid her head down on his shoulder. Ichigo's hand immediately removed itself as if it had been scorched.
Renji was both pleased and confused at her actions. He wrapped an arm around her, seemingly forgetting Ichigo's presence entirely. Rukia allowed herself to relax against Renji's arm, and closed her eyes for a bit. She felt his fingers thread through hers', and she flinched when she heard Ichigo's disgruntled sigh. She sat closer to Renji if even possible; he was her security blanket. Now that she thought of it, Renji had been there for her when she lived a hard life in Rukongai. Despite her lonely years at the shinigami academy, it always gave her much relief to know Renji was near. Every mission, every tear and all through the day she gave labor, Renji had been there for her.
"Where do you think you're goin'?"
Rukia froze in her tracks at the masculine voice behind her. She saw a black blur as she saw Renji stand in front of her to block her from Ichigo's view. From what Rukia could see below Renji's arm, Ichigo had chased her from the church, dressed in his tux and everything. His bow tie had long since been discarded and his tailored acket was flapping wide open. With every heave of his chest he took, it looked like it caused him much pain. He took one step forward, his mouth forming into a deep scowl. The three of them were standing in the empty town square where not a soul resided for the tension in the air was too hard to cut.
"Stand aside, Renji. I have to speak with my so-called bride," Ichigo spat out.
Rukia cringed behind Renji, feeling herself go weak in the knees. If she hadn't grabbed onto Renji's shoulder, she would've collapsed to the floor. This was already too much. She had donned a dark cloak to hide her swollen belly.
"Asshole!" Renji shouted. "Let her be. You've done enough, just go home!"
Ichigo narrowed his eyes. "I'm not leaving without a damn good explanation." He turns his eyes to Rukia who was now standing beside Renji. "I was left standing at that fucking altar like an idiot. Like hell I want an explanation!" he hollered. Then suddenly his eyes flickered between Renji and Rukia. "Unless...this it. You're leaving with this bastard. Why? Did I not give you everything you wanted?"
Rukia grasped her arm tightly as she bowed her head. "No...that's not it."
"Then please enlighten me, Rukia," Ichigo said, his voice full of pure malice and hatred. "If you wanted to leave so badly, you should've made it clear to me before the wedding."
"I am truly, truly sorry, Ichigo," Rukia said, glancing up at him. "I can't stay...From the very beginning, it was inevitable that you and I would not be together."
"I'm not looking for an apology," Ichigo said through clenched teeth. "Because nothing you're saying is making any sense to me! I declared myself to you! But apparently, I'm a boy not worthy of you! If you mean to tell me you were just my best friend and mentor, then I guess I've been wasting all my time on you, Kuchiki Rukia!"
Rukia suddenly looked sharply up at him, looking angrier than she had ever been. She stepped closer to him, her shoulders squared and the skin around her eyes and mouth tight.
"Do not....for one second mistake admiration for love!" Rukia screamed at him.
Ichigo was taken aback by the supposed anger but could easily identify the hurt in her glassy eyes. He could also feel an undoubtable feeling of agony and perhaps...desire in her eyes. If he could've only reached out to her right then and there- she would've been his. She could've....Ichigo didn't have much of a chance to react when suddenly Renji had taken out Zabimaru and had opened up the gate to Soul Society.
"Go on, Rukia. I'll join you in a bit," Renji murmured. "This won't take long."
Rukia nodded solemnly as she turned her back on both of them and began approaching the gateway.
"Not another step!" Ichigo yelled. "You may be prepared to let it end like this but I'm not. Whatever feelings you have or don't have for me don't make a difference. I'll fight for you...this is not admiration or sympathy I feel. Don't insult my pride. Dammit, Rukia, right 'till the end, there's a curse between us."
Rukia bowed her head at the entrance of the gateway and despite Renji's warnings, she turned around to face Ichigo with a tear-streaked face.
"Goodbye, Ichigo...."
Ichigo's scream for her filled the night air as the doors closed behind her and the purple hell moths. Ichigo's face had twisted into one full of anger and agony. He slowly turned around to face Renji with a stone-like expression. Wordlessly, he pressed his skull medallion to his chest and held Zangetsu out in front of him.
"You shouldn't have come," Renji whispered.
Ichigo shook his head fiercely. "I came to reclaim her. What did you expect?"
Renji glared at him. "She is not yours to have. You have not even begun to truly understand Rukia."
"Enough with your worthless talk, shit," Ichigo scoffed. "I can't afford to lose her again."
For a moment, Renji's expression waned to that of sympathy and regret before it was quickly replaced with determination. He raised Zabimaru single-handedly over his head.
"You already lost her. If you win this fight, I'll let you proceed forward to go to Rukia but if not, you will not set foot in Soul Society."
Ichigo nodded without hesitation. "This isn't a fight I'm prepared to lose."
"You've signed your death warrant."
"Perhaps...but if death should please Rukia, who am I to reject that pleasure?" Ichigo smirked. He crossed swords with Renji, the sound of metal clinking together resounding in his ears. "I owe her my life and everything that comes with it."
Renji pushed off against Zangetsu, flying directly over Ichigo's head and slashed against Ichigo's rib cage. Ichigo neither flinched nor gave another reaction before flash stepping toward him, swinging Zangetsu high over him and slashing without mercy against Renji's chest. Renji cursed as he clutched at his blood-soaked chest. He disregarded his shihakushou, revealing his tatooed body. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at this.
"Do the tattoos give you confidence?"
Renji smirked. "You could say that. Where's your resolve, Ichigo?"
"Right here." Ichigo planted his fist over his heart. "I could lose everything in a split-second, I could even possibly lose my heart tonight." The light in his eyes seemed to dim at this.
This seemed to anger Renji greatly as he charged at Ichigo, crossing his sword against Ichigo's and pushing him away. Ichigo stumbled backward numbly, simply raising a hand in a gesture for Renji to come at him. Renji let out a howl as he let Zabimaru curl and slash through the air. Ichigo tossed Zabimaru aside, giving him a few seconds to attack its user. The moment Zangetsu penetrated through Renji, Ichigo felt a wave of regret and nostalgia come over him. He bowed his head as he quickly withdrew the sword from him. Ichigo watched Renji slowly sink to his knees, his hand still holding Zabimaru's hilt tightly in his grip.
Ichigo had also seen something when he had run his sword through Renji. It was as if he had tapped into Renji's self-consious and had washed images of him and Rukia swim in his vision. At once, he understood perfectly....the bastard was in love with Rukia. Even if Rukia had not left for the sake of leaving him for another man, the fact was that Renji loved her too. Ichigo had no idea how he was supposed to feel about facing off with the close friend he had always fought along side by side with.
"Rukia? Rukia...?"
Rukia blinked twice before turning to Renji in the dark who was holding the camera out to her. From the light on stage, she could see Renji raising an eyebrow out at her.
"What're you spacing out for? Sachiko's back on stage."
Rukia took the camera out of his hands and began snapping pictures of Sachiko's performance. She saw Ichi entering from the right and saw that both twins would now be facing off. Her shoulders stiffened at this and her hands began shaking a bit. It wasn't deja vu...but an eery feeling of recognition. She tried to recompose herself and watch the performance, all the while filming them. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake it off. Rukia felt even more exposed with Ichigo watching her closely in the darkness of the auditorium.
"It's the scene where the prince and the witch have to face off," Renji whispered, leaning off the edge of his seat.
Rukia smirked. 'He's all into it as if it were some kind of action film.'
She turned to look up, holding her camera over her eye as the curtains drew apart and revealed Ichi dressed in a green tunic with brown boots and a black feathered hat. Sachiko stepped out from behind the curtain on the right, holding her scepter high in the air. There was a glimmer of deep violet flashing before her eyes as she regarded him coldly. Ichi's expression was blank as he strode across the stage to meet her two feet away.
"What did you come here for? Did you hope to accomplish something?" Sachiko drawled.
"...I came to search for the rumored prince- erm I mean princess," Ichi stuttered, blushing profusely. "I heard she come from a rather wealthy family. I should make with the haste before another random prince comes along and beats me to it."
Renji covered his mouth with his hand, chuckling. "They weren't kidding when they said they changed the play around to suit some of the kids."
The air that hung about the twins was so high with tension that you couldn't even cut it. For several moments, the entire auditorium was filled with deathly silence. Ichi took a battle stance as he held his sword horizontal to his head. The sound of metal clashing against metal was heard all around as Sachiko crashed her scepter against his sword. They got right in each others' faces mixing orange and black like swirls. Lavender and hazel locked gazes.
"If you wish to find her, you'll have to go through me." Sachiko smirked, pushing him off of her. She twirled her sceptar around expertly before striking it hard against the floor thrice.
Ichi grimaced. "So be it."
"Those will be your last words, prince!"
Rukia felt a shiver run down her spine at those words. She clutched tightly at her armrests, her eyes unable to look away at the scene unfolding before her. Her twins were fighting in sync, their moves not skipping a beat. It was almost as if that's how they were fated to be....to fight one another. For one moment, she wanted to leap up from her seat but fought to restrain and composed herself. Renji glanced at her from the corner of his eye, furrowing his tattooed eyebrows. Meanwhile, Ichigo on her left was taking careful notice of her odd behavior. His lips pursed into a line of agitation.
After a few minutes of silently contemplating the young woman's inner turmoil, their eyes returned to the stage where Ichi was delivering the final blow to Sachiko. Her hands flew up to her eyes as she let out an ear-shattering shriek. She collapsed on a bed of flowers with her arms sprawled above her, pink flower petals flying up from her weight. Ichi stared at her for a moment before turning his back on her and sheathing his sword. The scene was suddenly switched to a back ground of rolling hills with a white castle in the center. As Ichi approached the dim light, he saw the princess laying down peacefully in her bed.
A tightening in his throat made Ichi hesitate once he was beside the princess' bed side. He coughed twice before kneeling down beside her low bed. His cheeks were ablaze with embarassment as he forced out the following lines; "It's a shame she doesn't happen to be wearing any jewels or gold. But if I were to capture her lips in just one kiss, I think that woul make up for it greatly."
Oh, he just knew his mother was paying attention to his every movement and following him with the camera. He braced one hand against the mattress as he leaned forward, his eyes shut tight and his lips puckered somewhat. As the princess partly opened her eyes to await the kiss of her prince, they widened with shock and disgust when she saw him holding a frog close to her face. Ichi grinned as he dropped the frog into her bed and watched her scream and squirm away with glee.
"Ahhh! She turned me into a frog!"
With that last word, the lights turned off with a hysterical Ichi running off stage. The auditorium was silent for a moment before Renji gets up for a standing ovation. He had his head tossed back and a loud, obnoxious laugh that resounded throughout the entire auditorium. As if catching a virus, Rukia rose to her feet and began laughing hard. Meanwhile, Ichigo is just staring up at her as if she were some foreign obect. Pretty soon, the whole auditorium is caught by the virus and laughing hard. Ichigo rolls his eyes, shaking his head, before a smile flutters across his lips.
"Well, I did say to make his own ending, didn't I?" Rukia chuckled.
"Sachiko?"
A pleased smile descended upon Sachiko's lips when she saw the six different assortment of flowers Ichigo was holding out to her. A sweepea, anemone, peony, daffodil, aster and a stargazer lily; the book of flowers Orihime had given her had helped with this knowledge. Ichigo was half-smiling as he assessed her reaction. A light of cherry red stained Sachiko's fair skin deeply, her lovely feather-like eye-lashes sweeping like wind against snow. Ichigo watched closely as she seemed to glow as she extended both hands for the flowers. Their fingers brushed together momentarily, making Sachiko eep quietly. She stared down at her flowers in utter delight, staring from them to the man before her.
"They're beautiful," she murmured, shuffling her feet a bit embarrassment. The heat at her neck was starting to spread like wild fire. Ichigo was completely oblivious to this of course.
Ichigo nodded. "Your welcome."
He offered a hand to her, Sachiko slipped her tiny hand through his large one. Her lilac eyes grew huge when she felt Ichigo swing her upward. He settled her on top of his shoulders. Sachiko immediately placed her hands in his spiky orange hair, and began matting it down. She giggled slightly when she heard him give an almost inaudible sigh. Rukia watched out of the corner of her eye, a tiny smile twitching at her lips.
''Come on, you guys. Let's go out to eat. I'm starving,'' Rukia sighed.
Renji appeared beside her, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You just ate."
"Hey, I don't mind. Let's go get some ice cream for the kids."
Just as Ichigo said this, there was a beeping sound and the kids' faces turned dreary. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out...a beeper? All of them just stared at him as he checked the number on the flashing green screen. Ichigo scowled at them and jammed the beeper into his pocket.
"What?!"
"Heh...you are sooo whipped," Renji chortled.
As Renji and Uryuu started ganging up on him about it, Orihime glanced at Rukia out of the corner of her eye. She was looking down without emotion as she held her childrens' hands. Orihime's eyes softened at this; she knew that look to well. It was the same look she had the time Ichigo and Rukia had met up for third time in the ladies' department. Right before Rukia had turned around to face her ex-fiancee, her eyes had gone dull and had abruptly reached out to grab her hand. This gesture made Orihime realize how much her friend needed support or else she really might've fallen without her.
"Okay, you guys, that's enough. We should let Ichigo go now." Orihime smiled at Ichigo. "I'll see you at work first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yeah, see ya."
Just as Ichigo turned to walk away, he felt someone tapping his shoulder. With an aggravated look, he turned to see Uryuu stand there.
"I'll be hosting a black and white affair party so be sure to come or I'll kick your ass. Also try to get Chad to come. It's hard to get that guy to go out anywhere. He's just been so busy doing who knows what lately."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Ichigo took one step forward and heard more beeping. Skull medallion. "Fuck!"
Orihime quickly covered Minoru's ears, a look of bewilderment spreading across her face. Ichigo started running down the sidewalk without so much as a backward glance. Renji smirked while Uryuu merely shook his head at the poor gluttonous shinigami. They all said their goodbyes and parted for the day soon after. As Renji, Rukia and the kids started walking to their car, they stopped when they heard a gasp emit from Sachiko.
"Mom, one of my flowers is dying!"
Rukia looked through her keys for the car key without a backward glance. "Don't worry, honey. We'll get them in some cold water when we get home."
"No! The sweetpea is dead!" Sachiko cried.
The three of them turned around to find the flower had turned completely black and disintegrating into ash. Ichi took a step back at a sudden chill crawling up his spine and sinking its claws into his skin. Renji and Rukia exchanged cautious glances. This wasn't good; this was definitely an impending omen.
A/N: Wow...longest chapter I've ever written. ^_^ Hope you guys liked it. . And ooh...what's this about an omen? Tune in next time to find out about the quickly approaching prophecy that will decide the fate of the twins! Click that pretty blue button down there and do us both a favor if you wanna find out what's going down. Also things are getting pretty steamy with Ichigo and Rukia lately, huh? Even they can't seem to understand their relationship. Plz R/R for me! T.T Don't make me cry. lol.