Rukia came back to the TeaHouse that day. Her boss, Ganju Shiba had welcome her as if her disappearance for a week was no big deal. Probably Ichigo had something to do with it. Someone called the front desk, arranging a delivery of a meal. Rukia offered to bring it instead since she was a bit less busy than anyone around.
Less than a minute Rukia arrived at room and gave a polite knock. No one answered, as she was about to do it again, Rukia noticed the door was slightly ajar. Hmm, maybe the person inside just wants her to go in. Not seeing anything about it wrong, Rukia went and wheeled the cart in.
Looking around she raised an eyebrow at the empty place, suspicion starts to spike up within her. Where was the woman who called. Before she could answer that a loud bang jerked her towards the door and felt a hand gripping her neck tightly. Rukia tried to pull her attacker's hand but stop, eyes wide as she sees who's hand it is.
Riruka smirked. "You know Rukia, it's not really my plan to kill you, it was Momo's idea but seeing how happy you are right now while me being miserable wants me to rip you to shreds."
Rukia gasped for air as Riruka's hand on her neck tightened.
"At some point I did love Ichigo , but of course my feelings was never returned." Riruka blinked her eyes as if tears was staring to build up. "But then you showed up and ruined everything so I have to change my plan. " She barked tightening her grip. "Thanks to you nothing left for me, my money, my home , my job and I can't go back to the pack. Ichigo would never believe me again. I have nothing and it's just fair to make our Alpha miserable just like me."
Rukia's face turned already purple from the lack of air, then Riruka pulled her face closer to Rukia.
"I just have to kill you, the most important person for him. If you die, that way then we'd be even."
Rukia's heart was pounding and her vision was blurring. Somehow she knew Riruka was holding a knife. As Riruka was about to stab her with it, she heard a low dangerous growl and suddenly Rukia was on the floor, coughing, wheezing for air.
Riruka stood frozen as she watch her victim on the floor. Now Rukia was within her grasp. She could easily subdue her, even if the girl was in wolf form. Yet even as she planned her next move, a strange prickling sensation was coming over her. It was as if her wolf were trying to transform without her permission. She swallowed hard and clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
No! She couldn't do this. Not now! Didn't the stupid beast have any sense? Go away, she hissed inwardly, flicking a glance around the room.
"No." the creature insisted. Its power swelled, pushing outward. Riruka felt herself starting to tremble with the force of her inner conflict.
"Not again. I won't help you bring down another of our kind."
"You have no say in the matter." Riruka lifted her chin, her eyes almost shut and took three quick steps before a blinding pain flashed in her head. She bent over cursing, holding her head. Why are you doing this to me? This is my chance to have my revenge..
No. The wolf snarled at her.
She could feel its anger at her plans and she let her own emotions escape as well. Mentally, she screamed at the creature.
"I hate you. I've always hated you. You're nothing but a stupid, ugly animal. I wish you'd never been a part of me."
"I know." Its anger abated and it answered sadly. Riruka froze transfixed, listening to it lament. "The day of our first transformation, I was so excited. I knew you were worried and tried to tell you not to be. I'd been with you for years, watching you grow, waiting for my time. I was anxious for us to finally meet and bond. I was so sure we'd be friends, that you'd be pleased to finally see me. We'd always be there for each other, helping and supporting. Instead, you hated me. You didn't like how I looked, how I thought… I tried to please you, I really did! I helped you even when it was wrong, even when you killed our Alpha!" There was a break in the animal's voice as if it were recalling something painful. "You never changed, you were never happy with me or our life. I wanted a mate and pups, a place in the pack, nothing special just… a home, someplace where I belonged. But you never listened, never cared. In all my years, you've never once welcomed me or shown me any consideration."
Too bad! Riruka snarled. I didn't want that life. I didn't want to be scorned as a half-breed for the rest of my life. The others laughed at me behind my back, they only pretended to be my friends, I know they did—my father told me. I was never good enough, my very existence was a stain on the family's name. The only way to redeem myself was to choose a worthy mate and I refused to do that. I wasn't giving in to him and the pack's ways, no matter what. I was going to be whatever I wanted to be and you weren't part of the plan. I don't want you. I'll never want you. Just go away!
The wolf paused and then began again, its voice growing steadily stronger. "I'm tired of being pushed aside. Tired of trying to be what I'm not. Tired of hiding, tired of living a half life…
"No!" Riruka tried to yell the words out loud, but not a sound came out of her mouth. She shook her head violently. The wolf wouldn't win! It couldn't. She forced herself to move. One step, then another. She was almost close enough to catch her prey. She reached for her knife and about to stab the half - conscious Rukia just when a spasm of pain stabbed her and she pitched forward onto her knees, falling to the ground beside her victim.
Rukia jerked backwards as Riruka suddenly lunged for her. She went out to the balcony. Her heart pounded and her skin prickled. In her mind, she called out to her mate, desperate to know where he was before she met her end. And then, as if in answer to her prayers, he called out to her! In her mind. Ichigo knew she was in trouble and his voice was ringing in her ears, telling her to hang on, that he was coming.
There was a sound in front of her. She looked up expecting to see him, but found herself face to face with a grey wolf instead! Shocked by its sudden appearance, she began to walked backwards. Too late, she scrambled for a hold, but felt herself going farther and farther over the edge. A panicked gasp escaped her and then the grey wolf lunged forward. It grabbed her by the her clothes and began to pull, attempting to drag her to safety. For a moment they were both sliding closer to the edge, then the grey wolf seemed to gather its strength and gave a mighty tug.
Collapsing on the floor, she panted heavily, unable to believe she was safe. Something cold and wet nudged her. Trembling she raised her head to stare at the wolf. The creature blinked and nudged her again.
What was happening? Riruka was trying to kill her right? Why did Riruka's wolf helped her instead?
The wolf whined and licked her face, staring at her, Riruka's wolf gave a last howl then Jump off the balcony.
Rukia let out a piecing scream. "Oh my God, No!" The words weren't even out of her mouth when a sickening dull thud echoed through the concrete ground.
For a moment everyone at the teahouse stood frozen in place, then as one took off running towards the fallen figure. Mr. Shiba was slightly ahead of Rukia and tried to block her view. "You'd better stay back, it's just a dog, but if it isn't dead, it might be vicious. I'd better shoot it just to be sure."
"No! I mean, I was a… a… vet. Let me check the… er… dog first."
Relenting, her boss nodded and stepped back muttering to himself. "What the hell was a dog doing up there? This is a no pet building. I'd better call Hanataro and see if he knows anything about this." Pulling out his cell phone, he turned his back to place the call.
Ichigo and Grimmjow arrived at the scene and Ichigo talked to her boss, he was probably making some sort of excuse to hide the fact that it was a werewolf, not a dog who jumped off from the building.
Rukia gave a quiet gasp at the broken body, "Riruka." she breathed out the word as she slowly sank to her knees beside the animal. For a moment her hand hovered over the broken body, then with shaking fingers she stretched out her hand to touch the wolf's neck. A faint whimper came from the wolf in answer. It looked at her blearily and attempted to lick Rukia's hand. Then, as the light faded from its eyes, a shuddering breath signalled the end.
Grimmjow crouched to Rukia's side, soothing her back. "Shh.. Its okay.."
"Oh God!" Rukia started to cry. Shaking her head, she tried to bring her tears under control. "She apologized. Her wolf's last act was an apology. Why?"
"I don't know Ruks .." Grimmjow's jaw tightened. "I don't know."
The two Alphas and Rukia lounged comfortably on the leather sofas that flanked the fireplace in the sitting room at the Alpha House. To pass the time, they were studying a picture of Ichigo in his wolf form. Grimmjow had retrieved it from the person who bought it. It was Maki at the auto shop, the man said he'd only bought the picture because of her girlfriend 'Reeka' had liked it too much and he wanted to please her. When Grimmjow doubled the price, Maki happily gave it back.
Grimmjow hung it over the mantel where he wanted to display it. "Damned fine picture I took." Grimmjow mused as he stared at the photo through narrowed eyes.
"You had a good subject to work with." Rukia murmured from where she was tucked into Ichigo's side.
Ichigo grunted. "We're just lucky everything worked out as neatly as it did. That picture could have led to the destruction of us all."
"But it didn't. And in the end, Riruka redeemed herself." Rukia had a sad faraway look in her eye as she spoke.
"Her wolf redeemed itself, but I'll never believe that Riruka actually did." Grimmjow took a swig of his morning brew, his face set in a scowl.
"But aren't they one and the same?" Rukia looked puzzled.
"Usually, but not always." Ichigo sighed regretfully, staring at the contents of his mug. He took a sip and slowly shook his head. "I feel partly responsible. As Alpha I should know what's going on with the members of my pack, but I never realized… Little wonder Riruka never wanted to go on a run. I'm guessing she's one of those strange cases where the human half never integrates with the wolf inside. Their personalities weren't compatible. It's sort of like twins. They might look the same, have the same parents, but they turn out totally different from each other."
Seeing the sad look on Rukia's face. Ichigo stood up and scooped her into his arms. She squealed and he grinned.
"Ichigo.. what do you think you're doing?" Rukia squirmed in his arms.
"Taking you upstairs to have wild sex with you, of course. I miss sharing orgasms with you." He nuzzled her neck and nipped.
"Ichigo" Rukia shot an embarrassed look at Grimmjow.
"Great idea, Kurosaki." Grimmjow stood up leering at her playfully. "How about a threesome"
Rukia blushed a deep shade of red whilst carefully sneaking a look to her mate. Ichigo's face held no reaction, blankly staring at his friend.
A loud hysterical laugh could be heard and Grimmjow raises his hand in mock defeat. "Seriously, you guys have no sense of humor."
With Rukia in his arms, Ichigo smirked playfully at his best friend. "Fuck off Jaegerjaques." He continued towards the stairs then stopped and turned around teasing glint in his eyes. "But, it's not a bad idea."
Rukia gasped audibly and smacked Ichigo's head. The two Alphas laughed at her reaction.
Really, When is Grimmjow going leave?