Leaving again for summer vacation! I'm going to the Akon in Texas! I'm so excited, I can't wait! And then we will be heading up to Vegas where my family lives (: I'll be there all summer but don't worry, I'm getting a lap top so I can still update!
Summary: Rukia stopped believing in love after an uneventful accident that killed her lover, Kaien. As an outcast she wants nothing more than to be alone. But, after years of avoiding human contact, a certain orange headed kid comes into her life and changes her view on this thing called love. IchiRuki
Warning: This kind of focuses on Hisana and Byakuya. And Tatsuki and Renji, and Orihime and Ishida, and Isshin and the twins, and I don't even think Rukia and Ichigo are even in this chapter haha.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything! In fact, the new character that I'm making up, I don't even own her! It belongs to Mikazuki Mitsukai (: so be sure to give her props! In fact, this chapter is dedicated to her :D
"HIYA!" The dark haired girl screamed as she thrust her foot violently into her opponent's stomach. He yelped and fell back on his butt with a thud and a painful expression on his face as he gripped his abdomen.
"I win again!" Tatsuki cheered victoriously as she pumped her powerful fist into the air. She had won at least for the 13th time that day. And it was only 10:00am.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, don't get too cocky Arisawa-san. We have someone else to introduce to you. I think she might actually be up to your standards," her teacher commented as he helped up Tatsuki's opponent, back to his feet. He stumbled away, clutching his stomach and grumbling something about an unfair match.
Her teacher was a young boy in college, about to graduate and paying off his tuition with the money he got from teaching at a karate school. He was laid back, handsome, and fun to hang around with. His sense of fight or flight was perfect. He knew exactly when to do what. He was one of the only teachers that Tatsuki could not beat in a match. She liked that he was calm and cool, yet aggressive and his instincts were always right and on time. He had a long scar going down the side of his left cheek that he had gotten in a match that went too far. That student never returned to the school. On the opposite cheek, a tattoo; 69.
Giving his student a sympathetic thumbs up, Hisagi turned back towards Tatsuki.
"Che, I doubt it. I haven't been beaten in a match since last January. Who could possibly be up to my standards?" Tatsuki bragged, crossing her arms over her chest and smirking at her teacher. "Come on Shuhei-sensei, who's the new meat?"
Hisagi laughed and pointed past Tatsuki's head as he cocked an eyebrow in her direction. Tatsuki turned around abruptly, suddenly feeling the presence of the "new meat."
She smirked.
"That's who's up to my standards! She's the one who's going to fight me! And win!" Tatsuki laughed, turning back to her sensei to see if he was kidding as she thrust her thumb back in the girl's direction. Hisagi nodded. "Oh! This is rich!"
"Come on, Arisawa-san, she's got some spunk! Don't turn her down without seeing what she can do. The girl is good."
"She looks like a dwarf, Shuhei-sensei! How old is she! I think if I stood on my knees, I would still be taller…"
"Arisawa-san…" Hisagi grumbled warily.
"Can I step on her..?"
"Arisawa-san!"
"Does she fight on her tip-toes or use stilts or something?"
"Tatsuki-san!"
"Maybe if you lifted her up as we fought!"
"TATSUKI!"
"OK! OK! Haha I'm sorry! I'll fight her, jeez, whatever floats your boat! But don't blame me when I kick her tiny ass…" Tatsuki bellowed as Hisagi rolled his eyes and walked past her to get to the new student. She stood far away at the entrance door, her bags in her hands and a back pack on her back. She was out of ear shot so she couldn't hear what Tatsuki was saying or how much she was laughing. She watched as Hisagi approached her with a smile on his handsome face. She blushed deeply and smiled back.
"Good morning Mikazuki Megumi!" Hisagi grinned brightly. Mikazuki smiled back, moving the loose piece of strand hair away from her face. Her long black, waist length hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and a single clip held back her swoop bangs. Her bright violet eyes were shining as she giggled happily to be in the presence of a teacher who seemed to be so experienced.
She had on a loose white tank top with a pair of tight red shorts and sneakers. She looked ready to fight, although her smile said otherwise.
"Good morning Shuhei-sensei!" Mikazuki bowed respectfully.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes sensei!"
"Well come on, your first opponent of the day is the second strongest girl in Japan, you think you can handle her?" Hisagi wrapped his arm around Mikazuki's shoulder as he led her towards an awaiting Tatsuki who was still snickering.
Mikazuki laughed.
"Oh, Shuhei-sensei! Maybe you forgot who the first strongest girl was!"
Hisagi grinned and pushed Mikazuki forward.
"Alright, Arisawa Tatsuki and Megumi Mikazuki, are you ready to fight?" Both girls nodded. "Ready, go!"
Tatsuki got in her stance, a wide a grin on her face because, really, she wasn't taking this seriously. The girl had to be at least a whole foot shorter then her. Her beauty rivaled that of Orihime's, her height made Rukia look 6 feet tall, her hair had to be as dark charcoal and as long as Repunzal's! How could she take her seriously?
With the next move, she wish she would have.
Mikazuki stepped forward quickly and swiftly, thrusting her fist into Tatsuki's face and using her slender legs to side step away from her before she could strike back. She kicked her legs out from under Tatsuki and caught her by the arms and swung herself around so that she was behind Tatsuki. Tatsuki cringed as Mikazuki pinned her arms behind her back. As much as she struggled to get out of the bind, she could not get loose and was starting to lose her strength. Tatsuki yelled out in frustration before thrusting over, flipping Mikazuki over her back so that her opponent faced her once again. Tatsuki kicked forward, driving her foot into Mikazuki's stomach so that the shock would loosen her grip on her arms. Once her arms were free, Tatsuki took her chance to make some distance between herself and this new meat.
She was breathing heavily and her anger was starting to boil. This new girl wasn't even sweating and she was breathing like nothing had even happened! No one had ever put her into a bind like that! Who was she?
Tatsuki yelled out of habit and ran forward, her body ready to fight. She striked and striked, only to have every hit blocked. Her legs moved in a rhythm as she kicked them in the air and past Mikazuki's swift body. It felt like dancing as she moved just inches away from Mikazuki's strikes. This new girl's body moved like a snake and was as swift as a cheetah. She moved with grace but yet she was so aggressive with every blow.
Tatsuki fell backwards with a pained yell as Mikazuki's foot slammed into her chest, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to stumble and land on her back. She stared up at the ceiling in a shocked daze. She felt weak and out of breath. It was like someone had taken the very substance of Tatsuki out of her and ate it up right in front of her face. She was angry.
She was pissed beyond words.
She was about to pass out.
"A-Arisawa-san! Are you okay! Can you hear me!" She heard her teacher call from above her almost unconscious body. She closed her eyes tighter as her face went pale. "Arisawa-san! Come on, get up!" She felt him grab her arm and use his other hand to hoist her up. She stood to her feet but fell against his hard chest. The strong smell of college boy sweat brought her back to Earth.
"Blegh! Shuhei-sensei! Take a bath!" Tatsuki yelled, turning away from her teacher and facing the girl who had just beat her in a match. Tatsuki scowled and balled her fist as she gritted her teeth together. It took all of her will power not to punch this girl's face in. She glared daggers into Mikazuki's face before turning to stomp away angrily.
Hisagi caught her by her strong arm.
"Oh no you don't!"
"What do you want!"
"Don't snap at me Arisawa! You know the rules!" Hisagi scolded, turning Tatsuki towards Mikazuki. Mikazuki blushed and held out her hand, familiar with this tradition. Tatsuki stuck out her hand and grasped Mikazuki's tightly to the point that her nails were digging into her skin. She didn't even flinch.
"Congratulation Megumi-kun," Tatsuki growled through clenched teeth, her clutch tightening. Mikazuki only smiled, not even noticing Tatsuki's death grip on her hand.
"Thank you, Arisawa-san! Maybe next time!" Mikazuki laughed as she shook Tatsuki's hand and yanked it away before the tomboy could break it. "It was really nice fighting with someone so experienced and talented! You live up to your name!"
Tatsuki crossed her arms over her chest and cocked an eyebrow at the midget.
"My name?" Tatsuki questioned, her teeth still clenched.
"Oh yes, I heard you were the 2nd strongest girl in Japan! I could feel it in every step and strike, you're very good!"
Tatsuki's eyes widened. She was taken aback by the compliment. She unfolded her arms and unclenched her teeth. A light blush splashed across her face as she scratched at a non-existent itch on the back of her neck.
"Oh, ah uhm thanks, I guess. You're good too, you know, for a newbie and all." She felt like she was apologizing to a 10 year old. Jeez, why couldn't this girl be taller?
"I'm not that new, really! So don't feel bad! I've been training since I was 5 and plus I take dance so I might be a little more flexible then you! And I run in track so I might be faster! And I train everyday for 3 hours and I take swim lessons! Oh, and I play volleyball and soccer for my school, so I guess I'm a little more athletic too… oh wow, I guess this match was a little unfair after all!" Mikazuki turned towards Hisagi with a worried look on her face and her finger on her lip. He only shrugged with a blank look on his face.
Mikazuki laughed nervously.
"Oh darn, maybe I'm just better then you!"
And suddenly Tatsuki only saw red.
Her fist suddenly controlled her mind as she lunged for Mikazuki with all the intent on killing her and shutting her bragging mouth. All she remembered was getting a few hits in before she was being pulled away and hoisted up on Hisagi's shoulder. He carried her away quickly before she could cause anymore damage. And even as she was being towed away, her mouth wasn't just spitting out a string of very colourful words, but saliva was mixed in there too.
"I- I really didn't mean to upset her, Hitsugaya-kun! Sometimes I just say what's on my mind without thinking! I didn't know she would hit me!" A frantic Mikazuki apologized. After word got out that Tatsuki had finally been beaten, almost the entire school body had come to meet the new champion. All the attention caused Mikazuki to go into panic and she ran out of the match room in a frenzy. She hadn't expected so much attention from her first fight and it had caught her off guard. As she ran out, she ran into the ever so handsome Hitsugaya Toshiro. He too had heard the news, but of course he just couldn't believe it. It couldn't be true. There was no way someone could've possibly beaten the one girl he couldn't. But there she was, right in front of his face.
And I mean, right exactly in front of his face. Her height made it hard to believe that she was the one who had defeated the undefeated. He couldn't believe they were the same age; finally, someone his age who was practically his height. If he didn't know any better, he would say she was actually shorter then him.
How was that possible?
Mikazuki had run into him and the impact caused both of them to fall back on their butts. The sudden hit put her into daze, but the sound of his soothing voice brought her out of her shock. He asked her if she was okay and helped her up and onto the bench right outside of the Dojo.
She thanked him and he asked her who she was, and why she was running away so frantically. Mikazuki explained as calmly as she could what had happened. Her black eye was kind of hard not to question.
"Damn Shuhei. He should have warned you how short tempered Tatsuki-san is. She's unpredictable," Toshiro laughed nervously, giving Mikazuki a sympathetic smile.
"And I never even had a chance to apologize to her because she hit me too quickly! It was all so fast!" Mikazuki explained, pointing at her bruised eye.
"Don't worry; you don't have to apologize to her. Everybody is on your side, but they'll all pretend to be on Tatsuki-san's because their afraid of her. . ."
Mikazuki had to laugh at that. Suddenly, something inside of Toshiro's mind clicked and he realized how beautiful her smile was.
"Wow. . ."
"W-what?" Mikazuki asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious by the way Toshiro was staring at her.
"N-nothing." Toshiro looked away sheepishly.
"You can tell me, I won't care! It's my eye, isn't it?" Mikazuki pointed to her black eye with a knowing look on her face.
"What! No, that's not it!" Toshiro tried, his face becoming red. He looked away again.
"Hmph! If that's not it, then why can't you look at me!"
Toshiro sighed and rubbed his fore head with his thumb and index finger. He hadn't planned on going through all of this today. He just wanted to show his sensei the new technique that he had finally perfected. It was only a coincident that he had managed to ram right into this beautiful girl right outside the Dojo.
"Ah, is it really that bad?" Mikazuki felt for her eye, cringing when her touch stung.
"Don't touch it, stupid." Toshiro swatted Mikazuki's hand away, just in case she didn't listen to him. "They didn't give you any ice packs or anything?"
"Er, no, I ran out too fast before the coaches or teachers could get to me," Mikazuki laughed nervously as she sweat dropped and scratched at the back of her head. "I didn't think it was that bad until now. . ."
"It's really not that horrific, you know," Toshiro mumbled with a shrug.
"Y-you think so?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Toshiro shrugged again, staring at the small bruise under Mikazuki's eye. It really wasn't all that bad if you didn't look at it for too long.
"Are you blind or something!"
"Excuse me!" A vein popped in Toshiro's head as he scowled at this girl he had just met. Mikazuki giggled and patted his white fluff of hair.
"Hehe, you over-react easily Shiro-kun!"
"D-don't touch me! And don't call me that!" Toshiro shouted annoyed as he swatted Mikazuki's hand away from his hair. She only laughed.
"C'mon, loosen up some Hitsugaya-kun! You're so uptight!"
"Am not. . ."
"Are too!"
"Listen, I don't know what you want from me, but I gotta go," Toshiro grumbled as he stood to his feet and began to walk away. His face met cement as he tripped over Mikazuki's outstretched foot. He heard her laugh whole heartedly from her seat above him and his face turned red with anger.
He flipped himself over and sat up on his hands.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!" Several veins popped in his head as Mikazuki proceeded to laugh like there was no tomorrow.
"W-what, phahahahah, what do y-you mean S-Shiro-kun!" Tears spilled out from the corners of her eyes as she laughed harder at his reaction. She held her stomach and toppled over in laughter. Mikazuki landed on the ground, on her back and kicked her legs in the air in her fits of laughter. She stopped laughing when Toshiro kicked her head with his foot.
"OWIE!" Mikazuki exclaimed, holding her head and pouting.
Toshiro laughed at her suddenly sad face and pointed accusingly.
"That's what you get for tripping me!"
"You meanie!"
"You had it coming!"
"Your face had it coming!"
Toshiro laughed harder, his face lighting up. She hadn't known him for long, but she could somehow tell that he hadn't laughed like that in a long time.
"What's so funny?" She was smiling now.
"That made no sense, you idiot," Toshiro chuckled.
"You confuse me greatly, Hitsugaya-kun," Mikazuki giggled with a sweat smile and Toshiro dared not notice the butterflies in his gut.
"Like-wise, Megumi-san," he retorted with a smirk.
"Really? Well then, I want to play a game!" Mikazuki grinned and crawled over to Toshiro and sat on her knees, right in between his legs. Toshiro's face turned red and he stammered for a few seconds before words finally came out.
"W-what the hell are you doing!"
"Playing a game!"
"What kind of game is this!"
"What am I thinking?" Mikazuki exclaimed as she leaned in closer, her violet eyes wide and excited.
"Ah well. . !" Toshiro stuttered and looked away in contemplation.
"You can't read someone if you don't look at them silly!" Mikazuki took the sides of his face in her hands and turned his head so that he was looking directly at her. She smiled at the blush that splashed across his face. "What am I thinking?"
Toshiro stammered and scowled at the fact that he was lost for words. He hadn't been this flustered since . . . her.
"I. . . I don't know. . ."
"Ah, that's too bad!" Mikazuki let go of his face and pouted. "Can't you at least try?"
"No," Toshiro spat coldly. Mikazuki was thrown off by his sudden bitter response. She stared at him for a few seconds before scowling herself. She balled her fist and put them in her lap, looking away.
"Oh. . ." She bit her lip and leaned back, disappointed. For a few seconds there, she thought they were having fun. His sudden anger threw her off and it made her feel weird inside; angry but sad. Normally she was calmer and laid back. She was usually easy going about things, but right now, and she didn't understand this feeling, but she felt empty. It kind of made her angry.
She huffed and motioned to stand up and leave but he put his hand on her shoulder and it stilled her.
"Sorry, I'll guess what you're thinking!" Toshiro smiled apologetically. Mikazuki scowled and jerked away from his grasp. She folded her arms over her petite chest and looked him dead in the face.
"I don't really think you want to know what I'm thinking now," Mikazuki grumbled, cocking a sharp eyebrow. Toshiro scratched at the back of his head as he mumbled an apology. She rolled her indigo eyes and stood to leave, fed up with this game.
"Wait!" Toshiro pulled her back down to the ground and Mikazuki yelped as she flopped down in front of his lap.
"What do you want! I have to get back to the Dojo, okay!" Mikazuki didn't know where all of this anger was coming from; she was just getting really pissed off at the moment. But something in Toshiro's eyes were begging her to stay and she suddenly couldn't leave anymore. "Please, just tell me what you want to say so I can get back to my class."
"Read my mind," Toshiro blurted hurriedly.
"Hitsugaya-kun, I don't have time-"
"Just try!"
"But I-"
"Try!"
Mikazuki stared at Toshiro, puzzled.
"Ok, I'll try," Mikazuki whispered softly, leaning forward and taking his face into her warm hands. His eyes were moving all across her face in a frantic motion and she suddenly became lost in his sea green orbs and it felt like the ocean was washing over her body in a swift and overwhelming motion.
"You're mysterious. You don't always speak your mind, but when you do, you know when to shut up. You shut people out but aren't afraid to let them in, yet not afraid to let them go either. You're. . . you're hiding something about your past and you're not going to tell me, are you? That's why you want me to read your mind because you're too afraid to actually say it, but you want me to know at the same time." Mikazuki leaned back and let go of her new companion's face. She stared him down and placed her hand on her chin and the other holding her elbow.
"What are you hiding from me Hitsugaya Toshiro?"
Toshiro smirked and leaned in closer.
"You're good," he chuckled, not taking his eyes off of Mikazuki's face for a second.
"One of my many talents," Mikazuki smiled, her good mood suddenly returning.
"What else are good at besides beating up the second strongest girl in Japan?"
"I love to dance!" Mikazuki's eyes suddenly glistened as she mentioned her love for the art. She clasped her hands together and looked dreamily into the sky. "It's my passion, if I could, I would quit this stupid karate thing and do dance 24/7! I would quit track, the swim team, and volleyball and soccer! All I want to do it dance!"
"So why don't you just quit?"
Mikazuki's face fell.
"Because my mother took karate when she was younger and insisted I take it too. I can't say no to her, even though I'm 17."
"Why not?"
"She would disown me."
"That's not fair."
"I told her that, she kicked me out and didn't let me back in for two days. I never brought it up again." Mikazuki played with the hem of her shorts.
"I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry," Toshiro apologized as he stood up to his feet. He held out his hand and she gladly took it. Standing up, Toshiro realized that he was right. He was taller then her.
"No no, it's okay," Mikazuki smiled at him and motioned that they start walking and they slowly strode off towards the entrance of the Dojo.
"So, if you don't mind me asking; why don't you quit the other sports?"
"Daddy's side of the family took track all their lives, its tradition. I have to follow tradition or he will take mother's side and kick me out again. And I really like being inside my home." Mikazuki smiled bitterly. Toshiro chocked down the lump in his throat. How cruel.
"And besides from what you're thinking, I actually enjoy swimming. It gives me freedom and the water and I, kind of become one. It feels like dancing; only in water!" Her smile returned. Some birds in the distance began to chirp. "And both of my parents think that the only way I can stay fit for track and karate is if I take part in more sports. They forced me to try out for my school's soccer and volleyball team. And again, I couldn't say no," Mikazuki mumbled with a small sigh.
"I didn't mean to upset you Megumi-san-"
"Don't worry about it! I've learned how to stay on the positive side! I'm just glad I have parents!" Mikazuki laughed happily with a smile that seamed to ease her pain and she was suddenly giggling like nothing was wrong.
"Oi, Hitsugaya-kun!"
"Hmmm?"
"You never read my mind!" Mikazuki winked at him, folding her arms behind her back and leaned forward as they got closer and closer to the entrance.
"Uhm well,"
"Ah, don't worry! I'll just tell you," Mikazuki straightened her back and wrapped her slender arms around Toshiro's neck, stopping him dead in his tracks. She brought her lips inches away from his ear and her cool breath sent shivers up and down his spine.
"W-What are you doing!"
"Hehe, telling you what I'm thinking!" She giggled and whispered sweetly into his ear, "I really like you!"
And with that, she skipped off towards the Dojo and threw a flustered Toshiro a wink.
"AHHH OH MY GOSH, TATSUKI-CHAN, ARE YOU OKAY! WHO DID THIS TO YOU! WERE YOU CORNERED AND BEATEN OR WERE YOU KIDNAPPED AND-"
"Orihime will you shut up and listen to what I'm saying, already!" Tatsuki yelled in frustration. "And will you stop crying! I'm fine!"
"I can't h-help it! I was so worried when Abarai-kun called me to tell me that you had gotten b-beaten up and that you were bleeding and crying and dying-"
"What the fuck Renji! What did you tell her!" Renji backed away with a nervous laugh.
"I may have gotten a little carried away with the story. . ."
"Jeez, I lose one fight, Shuhei opens his big mouth and suddenly the whole school knows! And then everyone calls their friends to tell them! What! Am I suddenly Jesus or something!"
"More like Satan," Renji commented, getting himself snickers from his best friend that was standing beside him. That's right, even Ichigo came along.
"Shut your faces before I rip them off and you won't have faces to shut!" And then there was silence.
Well, beside Orihime's silent sobs.
"So you're not dying. . ?"
"No, Orihime! I'm not dying! Or even bleeding! Ok, so you guys can go home now! Do ya hear that Shuhei! You didn't have to stop classes just so everyone could come and mock me!" Tatsuki bellowed angrily.
"YES I DID!"
"You bastard!" Tatsuki made a move to lunge for her teacher but Renji managed to catch her from behind. His strong arms wrapped around her slim waist before she could get anywhere. Tatsuki huffed as her faced heated. "Let me go Abarai."
Renji smirked and brought his lips to the tomboy's ear and whispered a husky "no"
Ignoring her shivers and goose bumps, Tatsuki gritted her teeth.
"Or I will brake your arms," she growled angrily. Renji hesitated but let go. She missed the warmth for some reason. That bothered her greatly. Both Ichigo and Orihime noticed something in Tatsuki's face change and they both exchanged a knowing glance.
'Gasp! I'm sharing a moment with Kurosaki-kun! We both understand how Tatsuki-chan feels! Oh wow, this is so amazing! I wonder if that works all the time! He knows what I'm thinking and I know what he's thinking! This. . . this is wonderful! Oh! I know! I'll try it again!'
Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at Orihime as she scrunched up her face in his direction for a long time as though she were concentrating on something. He waved his hand in front of her face. "You okay Princess?"
A dark blush appeared on her face and she stammered and stuttered. She was once again lost for words and completely speechless.
"Orihime-san?"
"What? Ah! Oh, heh yes! I- I'm fine!" Orihime quickly returned her attention back to her best friend before she became anymore flustered. "S-so you're okay then? Because I should really be getting back to school. But I'll stay if you need me!"
"Orihime, just go. Please, I'll be fine," Tatsuki ordered with a reassuring smile and a wave of her hand. Orihime nodded happily and turned to leave as she waved goodbye to her friends. Her heart skipped a beat when Ichigo smiled at her and waved while the others shooed her away with a flick of their wrist.
She was so focused on his beautiful face that she never noticed the girl she had slammed into on her way out.
"OW!" Both girls said in unison as they fell back onto their butts.
"How many times am I going to do this in one day?" Mikazuki whined, rubbing her sore head. Toshiro followed after her, almost tripping over her body.
"What the hell are you guys doing on the floor?" Toshiro held out his hand to both girls who kindly took it as they hoisted themselves up with his strength. They stood to their feet and looked to see who they had ran into.
Mikazuki blinked rapidly at the beauty in front of her. Never in her life had she seen someone so gorgeous and perfect. Her long auburn hair was as long as hers and her grey eyes were so bright and pretty! She was wearing a yellow dress that stopped just above her knees with short sleeves and brown sandals. And somehow, she seemed to work it. There was no way this girl could have been as clumsy as herself. Mikazuki blushed deeply and bowed out of habit.
Orihime stared at the beautiful girl in front of her. Her hair was longer then hers and it was so black and majestic! Her violet eyes reminded her of Rukia and her height was so cute and petite! Orihime bowed as well, unfortunately she bowed at the same time Mikazuki did and they ended up bumping heads.
"OW!"
"Two klutz in one room, oh God," Toshiro groaned as he crossed his arms over his chest. Mikazuki laughed nervously as she rose and held out her hand.
"I'm sorry! My name is Megumi Mikazuki. I didn't mean to run into you like that!"
Orihime laughed as well and held her hand out to Mikazuki.
"I'm Inoue Orihime! Nice to meet you! I'm sorry for my hard head!" The two girls laughed and shook hands. Mikazuki loved the gentleness of her grasp, unlike Tatsuki's. "Ah, I don't mean to be rude, but uhm, are you the one who beat up Tatsuki?" Orihime whispered the last part so to save her best friend the embarrassment, although she whispered pretty loud.
"It's okay, Orihime." Tatsuki stepped towards Mikazuki, causing everyone in the room to pause and stare at what she was going to do next. Tatsuki rolled her eyes and held out her hand. "I shouldn't have attacked you, you won fair and square. Sorry," Tatsuki managed through clenched teeth.
The room full of people groaned and made their way for the door, not catching Tatsuki tense stance and glaring eyes. No fight; no audience.
Mikazuki grinned; not noticing the hostile glare Tatsuki was giving her either and took Tatsuki's hand in her own.
"It's okay." Mikazuki yanked her hand away from Tatsuki when she felt her grip suddenly tighten. She chuckled nervously and backed away with an uneasy smile.
The air was thick with the awkwardness.
"Aaaaaaaaaawkwaaaaarrrrrd," Both Ichigo and Renji interjected with wide grins. A whap to the back of the head shut them up. Mikazuki took this distraction as her opportunity to leave. She quietly snuck out the door, but not without giving Toshiro a quick peck to the cheek. His face turned scarlet as he watched her run off to her next class. Orihime ran out as well. She was going to be late for third period if she didn't get back. Lunch break couldn't last forever.
"What are you doing here anyway, dimwit? Don't you have, oh I don't know, school?" Tatsuki cocked an eyebrow at Ichigo. He chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"I was on my lunch break when Renji called me to tell me that you were beaten in a match. I couldn't believe it, so I had to come see for myself." Ichigo grinned and patted Tatsuki's mess of black hair. "Poor little Suki, couldn't take defeat all alone!" Ichigo teased, causing Renji to bellow in laughter and Toshiro to roll his eyes at their foolish-ness.
Veins popped in Tatsuki's head as her face flushed and her blood boiled. This was her best friend; she wasn't allowed to beat him up, was she? Renji on the other hand. . . no, she wasn't allowed to him up either. He had taken her abuse too many times before. . .
"Good one Ichigo! I'm sure our little Suki was in tears!" Renji pinched Tatsuki's red cheeks. He and Ichigo laughed as they both each took a cheek in between their fingers and wiggled it out.
Tatsuki clenched her teeth.
"Yeah, she probably wanted us here to dry here tears!" Ichigo let go of his best friend's cheek to high five his other best friend's hand.
Tatsuki began to grind her teeth together.
Renji let go of her cheek and snickered at his next comment.
"Maybe she needs a diaper for when she shit herself out of excitement when she saw us!"
Screw not beating up her best friends!
Hisana hummed softly as she chopped the carrots into tiny little pieces with the silver kitchen knife. She swayed her hips softly, mixing a bowl of vegetables with closed eyes, becoming lost in her own music.
It was just a few hours before Rukia would be home from school, and Hisana had wanted to prepare a nice meal for her younger sister to come home to. Her day had gone well so far. She woke up to her handsome husband, staring at her with the utmost love in his eyes and his arm wrapped around her tiny waist. He laid butterfly kisses all over her face before telling her how much he loved her, and then getting up to leave for work.
She smiled at the thought.
She had hugged Rukia and kissed her on the fore head as she handed her little sister her lunch and watched as she left for school. She relaxed for the rest of the day, watching her soaps and taking a bubble bath just a few minutes ago.
She swayed back and forth in her loose night gown as she turned on the stove. Hisana smiled at her wedding ring as it sparkled beautifully and glistened when she held it up to the light. Oh, how much she loved her husband.
Speaking of which, he was walking through the door right now.
Hisana gasped happily and ran over to him with a wide smile. She tackled him in a hug and kissed his cheek lovingly. He caught her and balanced himself so he wouldn't fall over and smiled into the kiss she pecked him with.
"Why are you home so early!" Hisana exclaimed with a loud and hearty laugh. She nuzzled her nose into his neck and breathed in deeply, becoming engulfed in his sweet cherry blossom cologne.
"I wanted to surprise you, love," Byakuya breathed coolly. Hisana leaned back and smiled.
"You're too good to me." Hisana leaned up on her toes and pecked Byakuya one more on the lips before turning around to go back to the kitchen. She knelt down to a cabinet and pulled out a pan and placed it on the hot stove.
Byakuya placed his suit case down beside the counter and sat on the stool at the counter top. He slowly untied his tie, his face expressionless but his eyes saying everything it needed to; I love you.
Hisana smiled lovingly at her husband as she set a plate of leftovers from last night in front of him. He hadn't been home for dinner. He came home around 5 in the morning and snuck into bed to cuddle his slowly dying wife. She hadn't seen the tears he shed when she subconsciously rolled away from him. He had scooted closer to her and wrapped his arms around her petite waist with all the intent on keeping them there.
"I made your favourite last night," Hisana sighed, putting her elbows on the counter and leaning her chin on her closed fist. "Chicken curry with steamed broccoli."
"Thank you," Byakuya picked up his fork and placed the piece of curry covered chicken in his mouth. His eyes glistened in gratitude.
"Mmm, you're always welcome." Hisana smiled and turned around to her pan of vegetables. She stirred as it simmered and sizzled. Her hips swung in rhythm to the music in her head and the humming of her lips.
The room held a peaceful silence as Byakuya sipped the coffee Hisana put out for him, besides the sizzling of the cooking vegetables and the gentle hums of his beautiful wife.
"So, how was your day, love?" Byakuya stirred around his chicken curry. Hisana smiled and turned around to grab some seasoning from the seasoning rack.
"It was lovely," Hisana spoke softly, her smile never leaving her angelic face. "I woke up to you, which was probably the best part." Byakuya managed a smile of his own and stilled his stirring fork. "I made Rukia's lunch, and after I watched her walk off to school, I relaxed in the living room before taking a bubble bath. That lasted for about an hour," Hisana laughed lightly as she sprinkled the seasoning over the vegetables.
"You could use the break."
"Thank you, Byakuya, but I have a family to keep in order," Hisana winked at him and put the seasoning back onto the rack.
"True, but I think Rukia can handle herself. She's growing up fast . . . don't you think she's old enough to know?"
Hisana paused, looked down at the pan of sizzling vegetables, and turned off the stove. Oh right. Rukia didn't know yet. Of course she knew that she was dying, but she had yet to be told how much longer her older sister had. The time had seemed so long before it would actually happen, but time moved in mysterious ways. Years seemed like months, months seemed liked weeks, weeks seemed like days, and days felt like hours. She was getting weaker. Her body was rejecting her food. Her eye sight would get blurry at random moments of the day. Sometimes her whole body would just shut down and she couldn't even move her limbs anymore. But Rukia wasn't around to see any of that. And Hisana made sure of it. Her baby sister wasn't going to see how frail she had gotten.
Nobody had told Rukia what the doctor had said at the last visit.
Nobody had told Rukia how little time Hisana had.
"No."
"Hisana, she needs to know," Byakuya tried, putting down his cup of coffee and staring at the back of his wife's head.
"She can't handle it."
"Hisana, look at me."
Hisana turned around, though her eyes were cast down.
"Love, look at me," Byakuya was almost pleading as he outstretched his hand towards the love of his wife. Hisana looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She extended her hand and Byakuya grasped it firmly. "Rukia needs to know the truth."
"Byakuya, she can't know!" Hisana protested through blurry eyes.
"You have to tell her, she's a strong girl."
Hisana gently took her hand away from her husband's grasp and held it to her heart.
"She can't know how long I have left! I'm all she has, Byakuya! Do you know what this will do to her! S-she was so traumatized by our father's death, she completely shut down. I can't bare to see her like that again. Oh, Byakuya! I love her so much, I just don't want to cause her anymore pain then she's already going to feel when the day actually comes! I-I can't tell her!" Hisana objected, her tears stinging her indigo eyes.
"If not now, Hisana, then when?" Byakuya took on a worried look. His eyes became sad and his eyebrows furrowed in a distressing manner.
"I-I don't know! Just not now!"
"Love, you only have a month left! Don't wait until it's too late." Byakuya shook his head as he whispered the last part. His cold exterior had completely melted away. Seeing the love of his life like this, did that to him. She was the only one who could love him for all he was, and see past his shell to get to that soft part of him. He loved her like the sun to the moon, and no one could ever replace her. She was beautiful and the sight of her every morning, made his day.
He would be lost without her.
He couldn't fathom how Rukia was going to take it, but she needed to know.
"You have to tell her."
"But I'm so scared that she won't be able to handle it." Hisana was crying now, full on tears pouring down her face. Byakuya jumped out of his chair and went over to Hisana to hold her in his arms. He wrapped himself around her fragile body and didn't let go, even when his brand new suit became soaked in his wife's tears.
"My sweet, sweet love, I love your strength and your kindness. You're so selfless. I'm so in love with everything about you, and I hate to see you cry like this. Please, ease the pain on both of us. Tell Rukia," Byakuya whispered gently into Hisana's ear while he held her and ran his fingers through her matted hair. He kissed the top of her head and let his lips linger there.
Hisana looked up at her husband's face and she saw reassurance and felt a weight release from her shoulders. His eyes held so much love and wisdom. She knew he was right.
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"Ok."
Byakuya grabbed the sides of his wife's face in his large hands and brought her lips to his. He kissed her lovingly and felt her smile against his lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him feverishly. Byakuya moved his lips with hers with a familiar passion. But this one felt needier, like it was going to be the last time he would ever kiss her like this. Hisana pulled away for breath and immediately missed the warmth of his lips. She smiled at him and pecked his lips one more time.
Byakuya kissed away her tears.
"I love you."
"I love you too, my sweet, sweet Hisana."
Suddenly, the front door creaked as it opened and Rukia stepped through. Hisana felt Byakuya leave her grasp and whined as he motioned to leave. If she was going to do this, she had to do it on her own. He pecked her on the cheek and grabbed his plate of food. "I love you, tell her."
Hisana nodded at him. He walked into his office and closed the door. If she needed his strength, he was only a hallway away.
Rukia's head shot up when she smelt the spicy aroma of seasoned vegetables. She grinned and walked towards her awaiting sister.
"You've been cooking!" Rukia hugged Hisana and Hisana basked in her little sister's warmth as if it would be the last hug she would ever get. She didn't want to let go.
But Rukia pulled away and sat down at the counter where her food waited for her mouth.
"Oh, Nee-san, it looks delicious!" Rukia shoved the vegetables in her mouth and smiled in delight. "What would I do without you?"
Hisana cringed at the thought and bit her lip. She managed a smile when Rukia looked up at her.
"Nee-san?"
"Yes, RuRu?"
"What's wrong?"
Hisana looked away and closed her eyes. This was going to be hard. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Just when she was thinking of backing out, she felt a warm hand land on hers and she opened her eyes to see Byakuya. His eyes were encouraging her to be strong and Hisana found her strength. She squeezed his hand and looked at Rukia with a determined look in her eyes.
"Guys? What's going? Is this some intervention or something?"
"Rukia, my sweet little baby sister," Hisana breathed a shuddery sigh. She felt Byakuya squeeze her hand.
"You can do this," he whispered into her ear and Hisana's eyes watered.
"Do what?" Rukia scowled, feeling as though she were being left out the loop.
"Rukia, I have to tell you something," Hisana managed through shaky breaths and blurry eyes as her tears ran down her pale face.
Soooooo , what do you think ! Was it any good ! How did you like how I portrayed Hitsugaya and Shuhei ! I tried to keep them in character as much as possible , and I apologize if they didn't seem in character enough ! And to Mikazuki Mitsukai , did your character turn out how you hoped ? I would like to say sorry if she wasn't how you imagined but just know that I tried my best and that it was fun making her interact with the real characters !
And how did you guys like this new side of Byakuya ? Wasn't expected that , were you ? I like this other side of Byakuya , cause we all know he's actually pretty loving and caring if you look past his cold exterior (: And sorry , but no IchiRuki in this chapter ! I wanted to introduce Mikazuki and Toshiro's relationship and develop Tatsuki's feeling , just a little bit . AND I really needed to have that little Byakuya/Hisana scene ! Everything will soon piece together ! Muwahahahahahahahahaha !
Haha ! Ok , so this might be my last update for awhile because on Friday , I'm traveling to Texas for AKON and then going to Vegas right after that for the summer , so I most likely won't be by the computer for awhile . But no worries , it won't last long ! I will have a LAP TOP! :D
Sorry about spelling and grammar and punctuation !
P.S. Can you guys see my page breaks ? Because when I update , it doesn't show them and goes straight to the next scene and it looks funny . Let me if it's just my computer being stupid or if it's everybody so I can change it ! Ok , I'm tired haha so goodnight ! Che , more like good morning !
REVIEW ! Flames or IceFlakes!
XOXO~Chappy-Is-Mine