Standard disclaimer applies.
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Three months later…
"She certainly has gone loose."
The statement came from the white-haired lawyer who was leaning on his chair as he watched along with the rest of the guys including Orihime, their other friends dancing in the middle amidst the loud noise. Although the awkwardness is evident and is felt by the rest, they somehow knew that Orihime and Rukia were trying to bridge the gap between them. Or at least Orihime is doing her best to bridge the gap since Rukia is still so distant from her.
"I wonder when was the last time we saw her going wild," Renji mused, his eyes sparkling in amusement upon seeing his friend relaxing and knowing they managed to make her stay in Japan for three months without Rukia scampering back to America. "It was too long."
"That was during her seventeenth birthday," Ichigo supplied as he glanced at his friend with a worried look. Then he sighed. "I think she needed this to relax a little."
Hitsugaya face palmed at his friend's inability to understand something though it wasn't him who spoke but Grimmjaw instead. "You seem to have forgotten that Ulquiorra almost beat the crap out of ya because of this. It was your idea then and it still is your idea now."
Ichigo glared at his friend. "You also seem to have forgotten that I also know her as much as Ulquiorra did and I can tell that she's having a problem she doesn't wish to share with anyone else and the only way for me to help her is to let her loosen a bit. Besides, Ulquiorra is no longer her man."
Grimmjaw snickered as he pointed his finger towards Rukia's direction. "You still have feelings for her?" he mocked then shook his head. "You're pitiful. Rukia does not even give a damn about your feelings."
Expectedly, Ichigo stood up, causing his chair to fall down as he grabbed Grimmjaw's collar. "Why do you still hate her?"
The cooler of the two one, Grimmjaw slapped his hand away. "I do not hate her."
"Then stop being so hostile!"
"Do we have to fight because of her?" Orihime asked quietly before she sighed. She must admit, this is one thing she envied from Rukia. She's well-loved. She had so many people loving and cherishing her. Yet she doesn't understand why Rukia has to hold back, why she has to treat them with reservation.
Hitsugaya stood up and drank his remaining drink. "I'm off then. I've got to fetch my fiancé from the station."
Before anyone could stop him, he was already gone. Grimmjaw gave Ichigo a glance before he stood up as well. "I'm going. I've someone to see." He whirled then stopped without looking back once more. "Kurosaki, I knew I went overboard the first time we saw her in nine years but that's in the past. It's not like I hate her. More like I don't know which is the real her now. She's full of many faces and if you say that you know her well, then you must know that as well."
Ichigo was left watching Grimmjaw's back in confusion. He was taken from his stupor when Renji spoke. "You and Grimmjaw had been in each other's throat eh? But really, we have to take her home now. You know how she could get wild when she's too drunk. She cannot handle too much alcohol."
The orange-head nodded and stood up to go to her when he spotted Neliel and Rangiku guiding Rukia back to their table. Judging by how she moved, she is already in her drunken state. Immediately, he walked towards them to offer some help but Rukia slapped his hand away.
"I'm fine," she said in a voice that belonged to someone drunk. "I don't want any help from anybody."
"But Rukia, you really have to sit down," Neliel insisted and pushed her down to the couch across Orihime. The petite woman slouched on the couch a little before pressing her fingers to her eyes. She really is drunk.
"Damn it, you're really something when drunk," Renji mused and offered a cup of hot water which he managed to request from the waiter a little earlier. "Here, have some of this."
She ignored the offer and leaned on the couch as she closed her eyes. "Rukia?" Orihime asked worriedly which prompted the petite woman to open her eyes and stare at the one across her. Before she could say something she might regret, Rukia forced herself up, her movements swayed as she walked away from the table and intent on going home on her own.
"Hey Rukia!" Ichigo followed after her while Nel gave Orihime an apologetic look.
Orihime smiled back with bitterness. "I can put up with it," she said in a soft voice. "I guess you guys want the old group to be back judging on how much you tried to invite her everywhere we go."
Matsumoto sat down beside Renji and gave her a speculative look. "Don't you want things to be back to normal?"
The auburn-haired forced a smile. "Of course I do but still…" she trailed off, not really knowing what to say at the very least. She supposed she was feeling jealous once again that everyone is trying his best to cheer Rukia up since she had been brooding the last three months, always not in the mood and always grumpy which is very unlike her.
Neliel patted her arm gently. "Give it time, Orihime, then things will be back to normal. We only have to gain her trust."
Matsumoto nodded. "Though when it comes to that, she seems to only trust Renji, you, Ichigo and Toshirou," she pointed out with a raised brow. "I mean, she's more comfortable around you guys."
Neliel turned to her. "Doesn't that mean she's starting to warm up to all of us?" she glanced at her watch before standing up. "Oops, I really should leave as well. How about you guys?" she asked.
"I'll stay for a little while," Matsumoto said.
"Me too," Orihime seconded which earned a questioning look from Renji.
"You sure? You don't drink, remember? And you'd only be out of place since Matsumoto would surely leave you behind to catch some men," he added with a smirk towards the supermodel who smirked back.
"You're just jealous that I could get a boyfriend anytime I want to, unlike you," she countered while Renji raised his hands in mid-air and stood up.
"Right. Got to go as well," he said and left with Neliel to follow ichigo and Rukia. They were making their way out when someone grabbed Neliel's left arm.
"Hey, you're such a babe, how about staying with us for the night and leave that jerk there," he suggested which earned a growl from Renji.
Neliel tried to jerk free but the grip was too strong for her. "Let go," she demanded which made the man laugh a little before he turned to his group of friends. "She's got fire in her eyes." They laughed and Neliel once again tried to free herself as Renji held the man's hand as well.
"You can't get a woman through force," he said coldly and gripped the man's wrist as well. "Let her go."
To their surprise, Renji was pushed back by the stocky man. "Back off asshole," he snarled and Renji was about to fight back when someone grabbed him to make him stop while Neliel was suddenly pulled by the man and they were lost in the crowd.
Furious, he looked back at the one who had the guts to stop him. It was a face he vaguely recalls but the man who stopped him is quite well known around the area. His mouth split into a wide grin.
"Now, why dontcha let me do the savin'," he suggested.
Finally recalling his name, he snarled. "Jiruga!"
Said guy chuckled. "Hey glad ta kno' ya still remember me," he said and cocked his head a little, signaling his men to move around. He then left Renji without a word and the redhead debated whether to go after them or not at all. He knew Nnoitra through Ulquiorra as the two were good friends as well and had once joined their party when Ulquiorra was looking for anyone to tag along. It happened to be him. He decided to let Nnoitra do the job then, trusting the man since he knew he is decent despite his reputation. He'll have to contact Neliel later to make sure she arrived home well. On second thought, he needed to contact Ichigo.
He took out his phone and paled when he saw quite a number of missed calls coming from only one person – his fiancé, Tatsuki. "Crap! I am so doomed."
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Neliel found herself being dragged towards the back door, towards the dark lane running in between two buildings. Immediately, fear crept through her being as her feet stopped moving. The stocky man turned to her with a leery look.
"Ya got nowhere to go now, babe," he said in a lewd voice making Neliel feel disgusted. With every ounce of her strength, she yanked back her hand from his grip and turned on her heels but yelped when he grabbed her hair. "I don't want to play it rough but if you insist on doing – "
"You bastard!" she hissed and cried out in pain when the impact of the pull landed her on her bottom while he towered over her, his men only watching. Slowly, he sat on his knees as his fingers started making some move from her legs upwards. Neliel shivered in fear and her feet moved to kick him away but he slapped her face as he already anticipated that move.
"I can do you here you know," he suggested in that lewd voice once again while his men cackled. True to his words, he ripped her blouse and Neliel shrieked in fear and anger. Her hands searched for anything she could use against him but to her horror, she found nothing but pure dust.
"My, my, ya certainly kno' 'ow ta charm a lady, Yammy," a voice interrupted the fun when there was a loud cackling from near them. Neliel does not know if she's saved or what. Yammy growled at the sight of Nnoitra Jiruga leaning on the wall with his arms crossed together, a wide grin playing on his lips.
He stood up and glanced at the woman. "She's mine. I found her first," he declared while his men gulped a little, already recognizing the king of the streets.
"Hoo?" Nnoitra quirked a brow. "Ya dare do something disgusting on mah turf." He leaned away and started walking towards Yammy who remained where he stood. Jiruga pulled the woman up and pushed her behind his back. "Either ya back out or we end up in bloodshed. You can choose." To accentuate his point, his men appeared from every direction, guns pointed at them.
Yammy raised his hands, knowing when to retreat. "I'll get you for this."
"Yer welcome ta try," Nnoitra grinned manically as he watched the small group walk away before he turned to Neliel who was now busy covering her upper torso with only her arms. Shock was still evident in her face. He scratched his head and wondered why he volunteered to save this woman. Ah yes, she's Ulquiorra's friend and he'd be damned to let that filthy hands of Yammy touch someone as delicate as her. He involuntary smirked which made Neliel, who looked at him in time, to step back. Noticing the quick fear, he spoke.
"I ain't goona do anythin' stupid, woman," he growled. "Tch. It would be a hassle if Ulquiorra would learn I let his friend be harmed."
The name mentioned made Neliel look at him in surprise. "You know him?" she asked.
He shrugged as he took off his jacket. "Wear this one."
Reluctant, Neliel wore it over her body and bowed a little. "Thank you."
"Don't bother." He gave her a quick study and whistled. She's a beauty alright, a head-turner and he is not surprised if even Yammy who had no taste for women would suddenly feel attracted to her. "Want me ta ride ya home?"
She shook her head immediately which made him raise his brow towards her but shrugged afterwards. "Ah, take care then," he said gruffly and walked passed her only to feel her fingers on her arms. To his surprise, she was trembling, and her hand is cold. Must be from fear. Not knowing what she really wanted to say, he glanced at her but her head was bowed. "I see. I'll ride ya home," he said and turned to one of his men. "Go get mah bike."
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At the same moment, Rukia was trying to walk straight while holding to the wall for support. Ichigo was chasing after her in worry.
"Rukia!"
"Stay away," she yelled without looking back. "I can manage on my own."
"Look, I really can't put up with your stubbornness right now, what woman in her right mind would go home on her own, drunk and no care in the world?" he growled and grabbed her arm but she jerked free.
"I said stay away!" she hissed and swayed once more, making her stop to gather her bearings before she started taking steps again.
Annoyed, Ichigo tried once more. "What is it? Why can't you open up anymore!"
The question made her stop in shock and slowly turned to look at him. Ichigo was frustratingly raking his hair while bunching his fist. "I-Ichigo?"
He scoffed. "Hah! I am surprised you still know my name! what has got into you, midget? You've been like this the past three months. You're withdrawing further back."
Confused and angry for being confused, Rukia limply fell on her knees, making Ichigo run to her in worry. "Hey, Rukia."
Closing her eyes, she gave out a bitter smile as she leaned on the building, thankful that there are less people roaming in this hour. She sighed in defeat. Her walls had totally crumbled the moment she set foot in Japan and she knew there is no way in rebuilding it. "I'm alright," she whispered softly as she hugged her knees together.
"Ru – " he cursed when his damn mobile rang at the wrong moment. It was a call from Renji. "What is it?" he growled after answering the call.
"I need your help. Some guys had taken Neliel and although Nnoitra had volunteered to save her, I'm not sure I can sit well here and leave her fate to that guy."
"Who's Nnoitra?" Ichigo asked, worried that Neliel was in harm's way all of a sudden. He turned to Rukia whose head was now on her knees. "And where the hell are you? I'll be coming over." He doesn't want to leave Rukia here but if he does not help Renji, Neliel might be in danger. Renji answered his question and Ichigo ended the call before sitting on his heels so he could be at the same level as Rukia. Carefully, he reached for her head and gently held her there for a moment. "I have all the time to listen to it, Rukia, after I come back. I've got to help Neliel. Do not leave here okay? We'll be back shortly."
His statement did not register in her mind and she only nodded. Ichigo pushed himself up and went to see his friend.
Rukia pitied herself as she sat there, her face hidden from view as she hugged her knees together and leaned her head on them. She was known as the Ice Maiden of the Kuchiki Enterprise and many always believed that she's a person with a difficult wall to raze down. She was known as the intelligent scion of said company and had garnered lots of awards here and there. In the business world, she was known as the woman with no feelings at all, always cool, always reserved.
Yet back in Japan, the walls that she carefully built around herself slowly gave way and now she was left suddenly vulnerable at the most inopportune time. All thanks to the sudden disappearance of Ulquiorra who left her being eaten with guilt, and all thanks to Barragan as well for always calling her and reminding her that she's still powerless against her grandfather even when said grandfather was already dead for a year.
And she would admit it now – she needed to talk with Ulquiorra – to lessen her burden before she would go mad. It would be the least she could do to him. If only that guy would come back from god knows where. God, with so many things unresolved between the two of them, she doesn't know where to start.
"What in God's name do you think you're doing there?"
Her head immediately shot up at the voice – a voice held with quiet anger. To her shock, the man she was just thinking about was standing in front of her, his green eyes flashing her a look of disapproval. He was leaning on his car. When did a car stop in front of her? Was she seriously so lost in thought that she has not heard it?
Pushing herself up, she managed to stand up while gaining support from the wall behind her. To Ulquiorra's surprise, she gave a smile – the kind of smile he had missed so much, back in the old days – that goofy smile. "Ah, Ulquiorra, I was just thinking about you," she said in a slurred voice though she made no attempt to move yet, feeling her head still spinning from her sudden movement earlier.
Three months in Europe and Ulquiorra had come back with a decision – clear and final. But that would wait later since his priority now is to get the woman home. If it wasn't for Nnoitra making the call earlier while he was on his way home and planning to rest for the whole night, he would not even know of Rukia being here. "While it sounds promising that you're thinking about me at the moment, I don't think it is still proper for a well-respected woman like yourself to be sitting there in a pitiful state. Have you no thought about what might happen to you if some dangerous guys were to take interest on you?" that was perhaps one of his few longest lines to date.
Perhaps it was the tone that made Rukia suddenly look at him before she forced herself to move towards him while swaying as she took few little steps, her right hand raising in mid-air to point at him, while her lips quirked into a bitter smile. "My, you sounded like those people I hated most. Are you also one who cares more about names and reputations first?" she asked bitingly and took another step only to trip. It happened so fast but she landed on his arms, her head on his chest as he supported her. His scent registered on her mind first.
"How many times have I told you before to never drink more than you could handle?" he asked instead, ignoring her statement. He had an idea where those words came from. After all, Aleister had said the same thing a couple of times during his interaction with the kid within the three months that he spent his time in Europe.
Appearing not to have heard him, Rukia only clutched the front of his shirt. Before she realized it, tears flowed down her cheeks and she spoke of two words before she lost consciousness right into his arms.
Ulquiorra stood frozen for a fraction of second before he gathered her in his arms quietly and led her to his car.
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She woke up with the mother of all headaches and the sunlight blinded her, adding to her migraine. Massaging her temple, she stood up from the bed and walked towards the door before she stopped to have a good look around the room. Where is she? She tried to remember what happened last night but it was still too fuzzy for her and painful for her head so she decided to let it go.
She whistled at the luxurious house as she made her way downstairs.
Only to find him there. He was leaning on his couch, his eyes closed more in a meditative state, his sinewy legs were stretched on the glass table.
Confused, she only stood at the base of the stairs while deciding what to do.
"Tea is in the kitchen table," he spoke without opening his eyes.
Feeling awkward for unknown reasons, Rukia blinked and took a few steps towards him. He looked so haggard. "Uh – "
"Kurosaki and Abarai had been calling your phone a hundred times already since last night." The edge in his voice did not escape her ears and she gulped suddenly, being reminded of this scenario many years ago. He cracked one eye open. "I took the liberty of answering it for you after getting fed up. What are you still standing about there?" he asked when she did not move.
"I, ah," she found herself in an embarrassing situation especially when the events last night finally rushed back to her memories. She had just found him last night – looking like the pitiful person that she had truly become after going to America.
Without a word, he got to his feet and walked towards her, his right palm feeling her forehead before pulling her towards the kitchen. That was when she realized she was in a – wait, his polo? Without warning, her face flushed crimson red as she took a step back when he released her and she pulled the polo further down, intent on covering her thighs which of course went to no avail.
He arched his brow at the small action. "Set modesty aside," he spoke casually, his eyes focused on her face instead. "You smelled so bad last night and since I live alone, no one else can clean you up except me."
Swallowing hard, she forced a smile. "Thank you," she managed to say and sat down. He poured her mug with tea before he sat across her, making their situation quite awkward. Rukia had the feeling as if she's in an interrogation room.
"Migraine?" he asked when she rubbed her temple again.
"Yes. It will fade in no time," she answered and reached for the mug, tasting the tea and an involuntary smile made its way to her lips. Chamomile. Her favorite. The simple gesture that he would always do for her – it filled Rukia with so much warmth. He never forgot.
Scrutinizing her facial expressions, Ulquiorra sighed and leaned on his chair. There are many things now that he wanted to know from her.
Help me.
She pleaded in a soft voice last night before she lost consciousness. He had an idea about what help she needed but more importantly, he was curious to know about something he found last night – that scar on her left shoulder. A scar from a bullet wound.
"What happened to your shoulder?" as expected, he went straight to the point, not delaying anything. The loss of color from her face was palpable at the unexpected question. She set her mug down and her right hand touched her shoulder. She had forgotten about that.
"Y-You s-saw it?" she stammered.
He did not answer with words but his eyes were enough telling that he saw it. For his part, he wanted to know who hurt her.
She blinked a couple of times but was unable to answer as involuntary tears escaped her eyes. Furious at the show of such emotion, she immediately wiped them away but stop at his commanding yet biting tone.
"Don't do that," he snapped. He stood up with fists clenched. "Don't push back the tears – it's a sign that you are human after all and not the working machine believed in the businessworld." He had done his research.
For nine years, Rukia was never allowed to show any kind of emotions that constitutes weaknesses. She was trained to be hard and unemotional so she was put-off that she was suddenly given the freedom to cry if she wanted to. Gasping, she covered her mouth to prevent further noise as she quietly cried, her shoulders shaking visibly.
So suddenly, the two had forgotten that they parted on a bitter note three months ago after Ulquiorra learned she had a son. She remained seated while he leaned his hips on the table quietly, allowing her to pour out. That had been one of his missions after he decided on what to do.
For fifteen minutes, the kitchen was filled with her muffled sobs. When she finally found her voice, she spoke in whisper. "I wasn't even allowed to mourn for my brother," she admitted, owing it to Ulquiorra for the heavy burden to be lifted up.
Taking that as the sign, Ulquiorra sat on the table now, his eyes urging her to continue. Rukia smiled ruefully as she unconsciously touched her scar. "Nine years ago after learning my lineage, I was immediately introduced to elite people as the heiress of the Kuchiki, taking the place of a sister I have not met since she died due to a disease." She gulped and reached for the tea once more, downed it before she proceeded. "One man found it unacceptable that he was bypassed in favor of me so he planned for my…" she couldn't find the right words to say.
"Death," he supplied quite harshly.
She nodded. "Yes, the one paid to kill me missed me by an inch." She looked at the window, outside and beyond, her eyes suddenly filled with a faraway look. "I was making my home from school when that happened. Not leaving an opportunity, they had me abducted and thankfully, someone had called my brother and without any second thought, he and Gin rushed to my aid." It was painful to talk about it but she felt that if she could tell half of the story to Ulquiorra, she may still be able to overcome this part of her past. In her subconscious, she had always wanted Ulquiorra to know. It's only now that it dawned on her so clearly.
She tore her gaze away from the window and bowed down. "They died protecting me and I was the only one able to survive. In effect, my grandfather blamed me and gave me no right to mourn for both of them."
He uttered no word as he pondered on the story. When she realized he had no intention to speak, she shifted the topic. "I'm sorry for everything."
In the end, she lost this one. She had thrown away what little pride was left of her and apologized formally. He looked at her this time, his eyes unfathomable before he stepped down and slid his hands down his pocket. Rukia fumbled for words to say but none came to mind. She refused to look at him this time and fixed her gaze on the mug.
To her utter astonishment, he pushed her head towards his abdomen and held her there protectively. Again, involuntary tears rolled down her cheeks and her hand moved to encircle his waist.
"I love you still, Rukia," he solemnly stated and bent down to kiss the top of her head. Hearing all of it made Rukia cry even harder. They remained in that position until they were interrupted by the arrival of Neliel and Nnoitra. Ulquiorra quirked his brow and gave a warning glare towards Nnoitra, his eyes telling him that he better did nothing to Neliel or he'd beat him up.
"Why dontcha let 'er wear somethin' decent?" Nnoitra suggested, his face splitting into a wide grin, totally ruining the private moment.
Before Ulquiorra could retort back, he felt Rukia's shoulder shake a little in a soft cackle as she wiped her tears and stood up, tiptoed and kissed him full on the lips. "Give me time," she whispered with plea. "Give me time to reconcile with my past, to set things straight then I'll give my all to you."
He smirked. She still doesn't know that he already knew what her problem was. Well, he could wait and let her do things her way or he could suggest a quicker alternative. Still, he decided on the former. She needed to do this. Neliel watched with a wide smile, momentarily forgetting about her trauma last night.
This is how it should be, between Rukia and Ulquiorra – sharing one's soul to each other. This would be the first time, Rukia truly chuckled since her arrival in Japan.
"Things are bound to change," she muttered to herself.
"Man, an' I thought 'e was bluffin' tellin' me she's 'is woman," she heard Nnoitra mutter to himself as he made himself comfortable in the living room. Neliel had no choice but to join him.
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Kinda fluffy in the latter part but that's necessary. I am terribly sorry for my late updates and hopefully, this chapter isn't so bad. My thanks to Echo Uchiha, relya Schiffer, onlyluna, kejora, phobia97 and SparklyColors. Also thanks to those who read, who added this on their favorite and alert list.
Take care guys.