First off let me apologize for the long wait, I was the head coordinator for a fashion show, plus I had three papers due after I last updated, then finals week popped up and I have been so focused on school but now I'm free for a month and I'm hoping to squeeze in about five new chapters before classes begin again. I decided to make this chapter much longer since you have all patiently waited.
One thing I felt I had to address is the "shipping wars" I am a die hard Ichiruki ran. I am praying that they end up together in the end. And yes I don't believe in Ichihime mainly because I feel like Ichigo needs a woman who can kick his butt when he needs it. So I'm not a huge fan of when people make Orihime out to be some horrible person. Yes she can be annoying but I think she is such a sweet character. I have tried to make her a bad guy in my stories but it never feels right.
Next thing, I hate when people review stories and assume that Ichigo and Rukia can do NO wrong. I think people forget that in real life and even in the manga/anime, they make mistakes all the time. They act out of character sometimes. Bashing people's stories because they do not fit YOUR idea of Ichiruki, is sad and pathetic. I was recently reading on of my favorite fics and the author felt as if she had to change her fic because of someone else's view on relationships. You don't like a fic...DONT READ IT!
Lastly, THIS fic is ICHIRUKI, don't have doubts about that!
Chapter 26: The Aftermath
The rain came down harder than before and Rukia was still aimlessly walking in it. She was freezing and drenched but that didn't seem to faze her. Right now, her tears and rain was what engulfed her face. But the rain felt good, she welcomed the misery.
She was trying to make sense of everything, and it was slowly coming together. Her conversation with Orihime was making so much sense now. Karin's words about Toshiro being the truthful one finally clicked. Everyone had known. Ichigo's friends and family knew about his infidelity. Rukia had felt like such an idiot.
Rukia seemed to attract men who were already taken. Rukia suddenly felt her baby kick her harder than usual, causing Rukia to pause and clutch her stomach. The baby could feel her distress. Rukia cried harder. She was pregnant; she couldn't just decide her fate with Ichigo based on her feelings. She had a child to think about, which made things even harder for her.
Soon the rain started to come down even harder causing a downpour. Rukia looked around for cover. The rain was so heavy that it made it hard to see. She finally caught sight of a flower shop with an awning. Rukia ran as fast as she could to find shelter under the awning. Once she finally was under the awning, she sighed. It wasn't too smart of her to run away in the middle of the rain, but she didn't want to hear any more lies. Kaien, Ulquiorra and now Ichigo. All these men who claimed to love her or loved her at some point have lied to her.
Was she that gullible or was she never worth the truth?
Rukia sat down on the step in front of the flower shop and hugged her knees and she let more tears fall. She was cold and alone, a feeling she thought she had left behind a long time ago.
Suddenly Rukia heard a car honk and tires splashing through puddles. Rukia looked up and saw a black car pull up on the street, in front of the flower shop. With the massive downpour, it was hard to see who was actually in the car. Rukia squinted in order to see better but it didn't help her vision.
Soon the window rolled down and the driver called out to her. "Rukia, it's me Shuhei"
Rukia eyes widened. What was he doing out here, could he have been looking for her? She stood up, unsure of why he was there.
Shuhei could see her. He was scared for her to be outside in the cold like this.
"Rukia, please come in my car" Shuhei called to her. Rukia didn't want Shuhei to see her like this. She felt low. Her makeup was running, she was soaked from head to toe and her eyes were probably red.
When Rukia didn't move, Shuhei pleaded again. "Rukia, you don't have to tell me what's going on, just let me take you to where ever you wanna go."
Rukia couldn't help but start to move her feet after that. That's all she wanted was to go. No talking, no listening, just go.
Shuhei sighed in relief as she saw her emerge from the awning. He quickly got out the car with his umbrella and shielded her. He covered her until she entered the passenger seat in his car.
He made sure she was comfortable before he closed her door and returned to the driver's seat. Once inside he leaned over and grabbed a blue blanket from the back seat and covered her. Rukia who was freezing thanked Shuhei and forced a smile as she shivered.
"It's no problem Rukia, just don't end up out here in this weather again, especially without an umbrella." Shuhei said. Rukia smiled slightly at his protective manner.
Shuhei sighed as he looked forward, they weren't moving, he didn't know what he should or could say to her.
All he knew is that he saw her talking to her brother at the gallery, then he saw that college friend of hers but it looked like they had a fight. Then he was told by one of his tenants that there was a couple arguing outside, and they assumed it was delinquent couple because the man had orange hair. Shuhei was worried so he decided that he could look for Rukia, because he had a bad feeling.
Looking at Rukia now, he was glad he decided to find her. She could have caught hypothermia.
Once Rukia stopped shivering and seemed to enjoy the heat in the car, Shuhei spoke, "Anywhere you want me to take you?"
Rukia looked at him and nodded, "Kurosaki Clinic" she requested. "I'll show you the way"
Shuhei nodded. He put his car in drive and continued down the road.
"Thank you Shuhei" Rukia said in a low voice. Shuhei smiled at her, "Like I said it's no problem."
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Yuzu walked towards the family area as she dried her hands. She just finished cleaning the whole kitchen, Dinner was over and she was feeling a bit tired.
Yuzu walked into the family room, to see her father cleaning up the toys that Mamoru had been playing with. Mamoru was asleep on the couch covered with a small yellow blanket.
Yuzu smiled at the small boy. He was one of the brightest children she had ever met. He was sweet and always thinking about his mother, for a boy his age, he was so ahead of his time.
Isshin looked up to see Yuzu, "Did you need help in the kitchen Yuzu?"
"Oh no, I'm done dad, I see you and Mamoru had fun, you must have tired him out." Yuzu joked.
"He tired me out, that kid has way too much energy!" Isshin replied.
"Well, I'm about to take a bath then go to sleep, I can carry Mamoru up stairs so he can sleep comfortably." Yuzu offered
"Nonsense, I'm almost done here, I'll take him up in a second." Isshin said. Yuzu nodded and wished her father good night. As Yuzu turned around to head toward the stairs, the doorbell had rung. Yuzu looked at her watch. It was kind of late for any patients or visitors and too early for Ichigo and Rukia to be back.
"I'll get it" Yuzu called out. Yuzu quickly walked to the door and looked into the peephole. She was surprised to see Rukia, but she was by herself. Yuzu however, happily opened the door. The happiness quickly went away once she saw Rukia drenched from head to toe.
"Rukia? Are you okay? Where Is Ichigo?" Yuzu asked. Rukia however ignored her questions and walked in slowly, once Rukia realized no one was behind her, she called out for Shuhei.
Shuhei quickly emerged and followed behind. He felt weird entering someone else's home.
"Good evening" Shuhei greeted Yuzu who seems slightly shocked that her brother's fiancée had walked in with a man other than her brother.
"Uh Hello, my name is Yuzu Kurosaki"
"Shuhei Hisagi, nice to meet you" Shuhei said politely. Yuzu gave him a quick smile then turned to Rukia who was looking around.
"Where is Mamoru?" Rukia asked as she finally turned to Yuzu. Yuzu was confused by how cold Rukia was being, and where was ICHIGO?!
"He is sleeping in the family room" Yuzu answered; before Rukia could make a move to go get him, Yuzu's voice stopped her. "Rukia, is everything okay?"
"No Yuzu, it's not" Rukia said. She didn't want to be cold to the young woman. Yuzu had been nothing but sweet and caring since the day they had met but her heart was broken.
"Did something happen with you and my brother?" Yuzu asked.
"Look Yuzu, I just want to pick up my child and go home" Rukia breathed. Yuzu wanted say something more but was interrupted by the sound of her father's voice.
"I got him" Rukia turned to see Isshin carrying a sleeping Mamoru. Rukia smiled as she saw him protectively holding her son. She then remembered that she had to take him out of Isshin's arms. She had to leave before Ichigo got back. She was nowhere near ready to face him yet.
Rukia was going to take him for Isshin when Shuhei put his hand on Rukia's shoulder.
"I'll carry him for you" Shuhei offered. He walked up to Isshin and bowed, "Hello I'm Shuhei Hisagi, it's nice to meet you, and you must be Mr. Isshin Kurosaki"
"Yes, I am, it's nice to meet you son" Isshin said, he then reluctantly handed Mamoru over to the man.
Shuhei held on to Mamoru gently so he wouldn't wake him and started to walk towards the door. He stopped once he was next to Rukia, "I'll wait in the car" he said before making his way out the door.
"Rukia" Isshin started, but Rukia stopped him.
"I want to believe that you guys didn't know." Rukia said, "I really want to believe that I was truly apart of this family, but there in no way in hell you guys didn't know that Ichigo was engaged when me and him started our relationship!"
Yuzu eyes widened and began to tear. Rukia had finally found out. She was so scared of this moment and seeing how hurt Rukia was, she was right to be scared.
"Rukia, it wasn't my truth to tell" Isshin said. Rukia sighed, realizing her anger was toward the wrong people.
"I know, and I apologize for my tone just now" Rukia said sadly.
"Rukia, we love you, we love your son as well. No matter the decisions my son made, you still felt like family to us."
"It really hurts be lied to. I mean didn't you ever think how I would feel knowing you guys could have thought I was a home wrecker."
"No, we aren't those type of people. We weren't happy with the way things happened but we knew Ichigo really loved you"
"Not enough to tell me the truth." Rukia added.
"Rukia, who is that guy you are-"
"He is just a friend, he helped me get my job at the gallery and went to high school together, and he was just helping me out"
Isshin sighed in relief, "Rukia, I'm not saying what Ichigo did wasn't wrong but he does love you, and Mamoru"
"Sometimes love isn't enough. It wasn't enough to keep Mamoru's father around and it's not enough to make me forget about the dishonesty." Rukia said firmly.
"Rukia, think about his, just talk to my son. You are carrying his child, don't make any rash decisions."
Rukia decided to walk away. She didn't want to be told what to do. She didn't want to hear anyone defend Ichigo right now, she was hurt and upset.
"Rukia" Yuzu called out, Rukia could hear the sadness in her voice. "Please, know that we are so sorry"
Rukia could feel tears coming again, she didn't face Yuzu after that, she just walked out of the house slowly closing the door behind her. Yuzu let her tears fall as she looked at the door. She prayed that her brother could fix this.
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Tatsuki walked into Billy's Joes American Restaurant and Bar. She hadn't been there in a while, since she had been so busy with work. She, Keigo, Orihime, Chad, Chizuru and Mizuro used to come there religiously. Ichigo and Ishida used to hang out with them a lot but once they started their residency they stopped coming.
Tatsuki looked over to the bar and saw the bartender waving her down. The bartender was an older man, with a black mustache. Tatsuki quickly walked over to the bar, happy to see her favorite bartender.
"Hey Giriko!" Tatsuki greeted.
"Good evening Miss Tatsuki" he said giving her a small smile.
"Thanks for calling me, where is he?" Tatsuki asked.
"Over there by the end" Giriko pointed. Tatsuki looked to see a mop of orange hair. Ichigo Kurosaki had his head down with his arms crossed, surrounded by empty glasses. Tatsuki knew this couldn't be good.
A few men whistled as they saw Tatsuki walk by, she forgot she was wearing the man trap that her girlfriend made her wear. Tatsuki finally reached Ichigo and slapped him in the back of the head. Ichigo's head shot up and glared at his attacker. His expression soften when he saw his childhood best friend looking at him but then gave her the finger and looked away.
"Did you know Giriko had to call me to come get you" Tatsuki said to him, she wasn't angry nor was she happy, she was just attempting to be a friend. She knew Ichigo didn't binge drink, he only did it when he was depressed. So he usually drank on June 18th, the day after his mother's death anniversary.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Tatsuki asked.
"Giriko, if you were going to snitch on me, I would have preferred Chad!" Ichigo yelled out. Giriko gave Ichigo a thumbs up, which caused Ichigo to mumble curses under his breath.
"Chad wouldn't tear you an new asshole for being pissy drunk, you need me for situations like this"
"No what I need is Rukia" Ichigo said looking at his empty glass. "Can I get another one of these" Ichigo shouted out as he held up his empty cup.
"No you can't" Tatsuki said as she brought Ichigo hand down. "Drinking isn't going to help"
"Does this have to do with Senna finding out?" Tatsuki finally asked.
"How did you know she found out?" Ichigo said finally giving Tatsuki his attention.
"She called me, saying that I am a bad friend because I knew all along. I mean I didn't tell her I knew but she said, there is no way you kept that from me"
"Does she know that Orihime knows?"
"I doubt it, she was only mad at me. It was the longest phone call I have ever had and it was just about how I am a terrible friend and how I made her look like an idiot"
Ichigo suddenly felt bad, he made Senna's friends keep a secret from her because he was too scared.
"I'm sorry Tatsuki, for putting you in that situation" Ichigo apologized. Tatsuki was surprised by this.
"It's okay Ichigo, I chose to keep the secret" Tatsuki said ruffling his hair. She was always amazed about how composed Ichigo could be even after so much alcohol could have entered his system.
"Did she tell you that Rukia overheard the conversation" Ichigo added, Tatsuki looked at Ichigo with her mouth opened.
He saw Tatsuki's reaction and laughed bitterly.
"I tried to protect both their feelings and ended up hurting both of them." Ichigo said more to himself.
"Ichigo, I'm sorry." Tatsuki said to him,. "What did she say?"
"Everything I knew she would, but never did I expect her to leave me, but the look on her face was enough to break my heart." Ichigo said, he was looking forward, not at anything particular, just looking as he thought about what happen about an hour ago.
"I fucked up big time. I lied to Senna, someone who I actually care about. She has been there for me since I was 14. She was loved me through everything. Even though I didn't feel the same way, she was still good to me. Then there is Rukia, the woman I don't want to live without. I hurt her so deeply. How could I hurt the woman I love? Can I really be just like that idiot Kaien?"
Tatsuki sighed, she hated to see her best friend like this. Although she was angry at him for the lies, she never wanted him to suffer like this.
"Ichigo, you aren't a bad person, you just made some bad choices" Tatsuki said. "But you can fix it this"
"I don't know Tatsuki, you didn't see the look on her face." Ichigo said shaking his head, he as on the verge of tears.
"I may not have seen the look on her face when she found out the truth but I have seen the look that she gives you and the look on your face when she is around. You guys love each other. It's a love that can't easily disappear." Tatsuki explained.
"I mean I was so mad at you for cheating on Senna, but once I realized that you and Rukia had a bond and she puts a smile on your face. The smile, I haven't seen since your mother was still alive." Ichigo looked at Tatsuki surprised. Had he changed that much since meeting Rukia?
"Tatsuki, how do I fix this" Ichigo asked feeling a bit lost.
"First, you sleep off the alcohol" Tatsuki said as she playfully pushed him. "Then you go talk to your family"
"My family?"
"I think you and Karin need to talk. Karin has had to deal with heartbreak recently. Listen to her, find out how she felt so you can understand, how Senna and Rukia feel."
"Oh, I almost forgot about what happened with Karin"
"Well get reacquainted with it, then after you spend the day with them and Rukia has a had a full 24 hours to calm down then you go to her and you fight for her" Tatsuki said, "You make sure she understands that you will not give up on her!"
Ichigo was surprised by Tatsuki's determination but smiled. Although he never admitted it, he trusted Tatsuki's opinion.
"Thanks Tatsuki" Ichigo said, he attempted to stand up but once he did the alcohol hit him hard and he stumbled. Tatsuki quickly got up and helped him keep his balance.
"Maybe you should stay at my place. My couch isn't a king size bed but its comfortable" Tatsuki suggested.
"But my car is parked here"
"Don't worry Ichigo" Giriko said as he approached Ichigo and Tatsuki, "I don't need you driving drunk, just leave your car here and pick it up tomorrow"
"Thanks old man" Ichigo said. Tatsuki mouthed a thank you, before she helped her childhood best friend out of the bar.
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Rukia stirred in the bed as she felt warmth next to her. She could feel sunlight hitting her face. She opened her eyes and it hurt as the sunlight touched them.
She wasn't too sure why her eyes were hurting. She attempted to sit up but couldn't when she realized she had something hugging her waist. Rukia removed the blanket and smiled when she saw her son wrapped around her waist possessively. Rukia realized she was in her bedroom with her son.
Rukia admired his peaceful state for a while. He was always so protective of her. She slowly removed his arms making sure not to wake him. Rukia pulled away and stood up. She paused when she realized she was in the dress she wore last night.
That's when last night events came back to her. She remembered the gallery party, talking to her brother, yelling at Ulquiorra and finding out about Ichigo's previous engagement. Rukia could feel her heart beating fast. All the emotions were crashing down at once. But the one that she felt the hardest was heartbreak.
Ichigo had been engaged to another woman when she had met him. All this time she had been falling love with someone else's fiancé! Why did she always fall for men who were taken? Rukia suddenly felt a kick. Rukia looked to her baby bump and wondered why this had to happen to her again. Was it too much to get some honesty?
Rukia rubbed her stomach. She really didn't know if she could forgive Ichigo for this. He had lied to her and deceived her then had his family and friends keep it a secret from her. She must have looked like a complete idiot. What scared her the most was the fact that he could be with someone for seven years and leave her for someone new.
Rukia was brought out of her thoughts when she heard pots being shuffled. The sound was definitely coming from her kitchen. Rukia looked to the bed to see Mamoru still fast asleep. She was now scared, she couldn't think of who could still be here. She prayed it wasn't Ichigo. She wasn't ready to face him. She would surely lose her sanity seeing him.
Rukia tiptoed to the door and opened the bedroom door. As soon as she opened the door, she could smell sausages being cooked. Who could be making breakfast? She was even more worried that Ichigo was here.
Rukia slowly made her way to the kitchen and saw a man with black hair with his back to her. Suddenly the man turned to reach for something on the counter and saw Rukia looking at him.
"Morning Rukia"
"Hey Shuhei" Rukia said, still slightly surprised to see him. Then she remembered how she got home. Shuhei had found her in the rain and picked her up.
Shuhei noticed that Rukia eyes were red and she was still in the dress she wore the night before. "How did you sleep?"
Rukia noticed that Shuhei was referring to her crazy look at the moment. "Oh, I slept okay I guess"
"Where did you end up sleeping?" Rukia asked, wondering why he never went home.
"You don't remember much of last night huh?" Shuhei asked, as he smiled. Shuhei turned to turn off the stove and looked back to Rukia as he leaned on the counter.
"I carried Mamoru in then you asked me to stay until you could fall asleep" Shuhei reminded her. Rukia gasped in embarrassment as she remembered this.
"You cried yourself to sleep and I decided to sleep on your couch, just to make sure you were okay." Shuhei finished.
Rukia rubbed the back of her neck, she felt so pathetic for crying to Shuhei like that.
"I don't know what to say but thanks for saving me" Rukia said forcing a smile. Shuhei gave her a half smile then handed her a plate.
"No need to thank me, I like saving you" He said to her. Rukia felt awkward after that statement, she simply took the food and sat down at her kitchen table. Shuhei decided to make himself a plate and join Rukia.
It was quiet at first at the table. Rukia didn't really want to talk and Shuhei wasn't sure of what to say.
"Do you like it?" He asked, he felt like a foolish school kid.
"Its good, thank you" Rukia replied. Shuhei felt slightly discouraged. Here he was with Rukia, he had finally saved her but he couldn't talk to her. They had been friends for over a year, why was he tongue tied now.
"You really don't have to stay" Rukia said, "I already inconvenienced you enough"
"Rukia shut up, I don't mind, I mean you needed a friend yesterday" He said
Rukia looked away, Shuhei noticed this, "May I ask, what got you so upset yesterday?"
Rukia sighed, she hadn't told anyone and she knew she could trust Shuhei. Plus if she told Renji right now, he would flip out and hop on the next plane to Karakura. But she didn't want Shuhei to think he had an opening because of what happened between her and Ichigo.
"Shuhei, I want to tell you but I can't, I'm just not ready to tell you!" Rukia confessed. Shuhei took Rukia's hand which slightly shocked her.
"Rukia, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to. I just want to be there for you Rukia. If you only saw how scared you looked." Shuhei said looking into Rukia's eyes.
Rukia attempted to look away, she knew where this was headed. Shuhei however took her chin and made her look at him.
"Rukia, I care so much about you. I have since we met again in Yoruichi's café, I just wanted to be there for you." Shuhei began. "All I wanted was be the man you needed, Rukia I-"
Shuhei was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He cursed as he pulled out the phone. He looked to see it was one of his tenants. "Sorry I have to get this."
Rukia nodded, secretly happy that the phone rang. If he was to have confessed his love, she didn't know how she would have turned him down.
"I'm sorry, it must have slipped my mind" Shuhei said on the phone. Rukia took her plate and went to the kitchen. If he didn't leave, she would have to make herself busy.
"Ok, ok, I'm on my way" Shuhei said as he got off the phone. Rukia was relieved to hear that he would have to leave. Shuhei sighed and walked over to Rukia.
"About what I was saying" Shuhei started, Rukia panicked and stopped him, "It seemed it important" Rukia said suddenly.
Shuhei was confused, "I mean, what you were going to say seemed it important and I don't want to to have to rush, so just handle what you have to handle then you can tell me again after"
It was the best thing she could think to say on the spot. Shuhei looked at her then smiled. She was happy that he took her excuse.
"Okay, well that was a tenant, I was supposed to fix her sink and hour ago, I'll call you when I'm done, maybe I can take you and Mamoru to the park" He suggested. Rukia simply smiled at him and nodded.
"Ok, well I left some food for Mamoru, just warm it up when he wakes up." Shuhei said as he went to grab his jacket, "I'll be back as soon as I can"
Rukia nodded and watched as he rushed out her apartment. Rukia felt so much better once he left. She felt bad for wanting him to leave but she didn't want anyone else to feel heartbreak right now.
Rukia however did need to talk to someone, she really needed her best friend but it wouldn't be fair to Jackie to have Renji be worried about another woman. Rukia decided she needed some girl talk.
Rukia went to her phone and found Rangiku's name.
The phone rang several times then Rukia heard the other line open. "Rangiku, I need to talk to you" Rukia blurted out.
"This isn't Rangiku" a male voice said on the other line. Rukia looked at the phone confused. She called the right number, so who was this man picking up the phone.
"I'm sorry, I was looking for my friend Rangiku"
"Well obviously, you did call her phone" Rukia realized that the voice was somewhat familiar. "She's asleep"
"Oh well, can you have her call me back" Rukia said disappointed, she was about to hang up when heard the man laugh. Rukia put the phone back to her ear. "I'm sorry but did I say something funny?"
"Rukia, you really can't tell who this is?" the man said as he laughed. Rukia knew she recognized the voice but she still couldn't put a finger on who it was.
"My princess has forgotten me" the man had said and Rukia realized who was on the phone.
"Grimmjow?!" Rukia yelled.
"Bingo! I knew the 'princess' thing would give it away" Grimmjow replied.
"What the hell, how did you end up with Rangiku's phone?" Rukia questioned
"Well you called, it started ringing, she was still asleep so I picked it up, so she could sleep" Grimmjow answered. Rukia soon realized that Grimmjow and Rangiku must have spent the night together.
"You had sex with Rangiku? You're such a pig!"
"Hey hey hey! It takes two to tango. She wanted it just as much as I did, and I have to tell you Rukia, your friend is an animal"
"I don't want to hear this!" Rukia shouted, "You must have lied your way into her bed because she is my friend and would never sleep with someone like you"
"Calm down Rukia, you make me out to be some evil guy" he said sounding a bit more serious.
"I'm sorry, You're not evil, you are a liar and a traitor" Rukia snapped. "You and Ulquiorra had the nerve to lie to me multiple times. Plus you have sex with anything with a pulse so forgive me if I don't think you are good enough for Rangiku!"
"Look Rukia, I know you are mad at us right now, but we did not do any of this to hurt you. We care about about you"
"Sorry If I don't believe shit you have to say"
"Rukia, you can be so hard headed, yes we work for your brother but we have never told him about you. If we did, he would have known about Mamoru long ago. And yes we came to Karakura and had that gallery party in order to get you to come back to Tokyo but Rukia, if you don't want to come back and if you are truly happy, I won't interfere."
Rukia couldn't believe what she was hearing, Grimmjow actually sounded sincere. However Rukia didn't want to listen, she was so tired of being lied to.
"Grimmjow, that sounds all nice and wonderful but the fact is that I still don't trust you" Rukia stated.
"I know, I know! It will take a lot for you to trust again but all I ask from is one thing" Grimmjow asked
"What's that?"
"Forgive Ulquiorra"
"No" Rukia said quickly, she was about to hang up when Grimmjow spoke again.
"Rukia please, you should have seen him when you left. He feels terrible for lying to you"
"Well maybe he should have told me the truth."
"Rukia, I don't know if you noticed but Ulquiorra is IN LOVE with you and when he tried to be truthful he got his heart torn out" Grimmjow explained. "First Kaien took your heart now this Ichigo guy. He tried to be a nice guy and got his heart stomped on"
Rukia let what Grimmjow said sink in. Of Course she knew how Ulquiorra felt for her. He had voiced it multiple times but she couldn't love him.
Why did this always happen to her. Grimmjow noticed that Rukia still hadn't spoke. He knew his words were finally hitting her.
"Look, we fucked up, but we still care about you. I mean Ulquiorra's care for you borderlines obsessive but hey, you can't help the way you feel"
"I guess" was all Rukia could think to say.
"Just call him Rukia, give him a chance to talk to you. If you talk to him and decide you still hate us, then so be it." Grimmjow suggested. Rukia hung up without replying and sighed. Ichigo, Shuhei and Ulquiorra, why were they throwing her mind for a loop. She looked at her phone. Who could she call? Who SHOULD she call?
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Ichigo took a deep breathe as he walked up to the wooden front door. He really didn't know what to expect when the door opened. He just wanted to know what was going to happen.
Ichigo decided to just ring the doorbell and sighed. "Coming" he heard a familiar male voice call out as he heard footsteps approach the door. The door opened and Ichigo saw his dad standing there with an indifferent look.
Isshin tired to smile for his son, "Welcome home son, come in"
Ichigo could tell that his father knew what had happened, but that makes sesnse since Rukia had to have come there for Mamoru. Ichigo walked into the Kurosaki clinic and stood right by the doorway with his hands in his pocket.
Isshin closed the door behind him and noticed how different Ichigo seemed, it was almost eerie.
"How did you know I was coming over?" Ichigo asked, Isshin seemed way too relaxed.
"Tatsuki called me once you left her place" Isshin confessed. He didn't understand why everyone felt the need to try and call other to deal with him. "Was it necessary to get that drunk last night"
"It was dumb, Dad, I just didn't know what to do with myself" Ichigo confessed. He looked around as much as he could trying not to look his dad in the eye.
"Did she look okay when she came here?" Ichigo asked worriedly. Isshin looked at his son, he was about to answer but Yuzu's presence distracted him.
"Oh Ichigo, you're here" Yuzu said as she run into her brother's arms. Ichigo smiled as he hugged Yuzu back. She was shaking and he could hear her sniffling.
She pulled away and looked at him with teary eyes.
"I'm so sorry Ichigo, I tried to make her stay so she can talk to you but she looked so angry." Yuzu explained, "Do you think she hates us"
"Yuzu," Isshin warned, "Rukia could never hate you"
"Dad is right, Rukia's just mad at me. I'm sure she doesn't hate you" Ichigo said trying to smile for his sister. Yuzu realized she looked like a little kid, crying to her brother like that. He stood up straight and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry Ichigo, are you okay atleast?" she asked.
"I don't know, I feel kind of numb" Ichigo answered honestly.
"I called Karin over" Isshin confessed suddenly. "She should be here in an hour"
Yuzu perked up hearing this. "Karin's coming, oh, well I'll make Ichigo's favorite and Karin's favorite foods."
"Oh you don't have to" Ichigo said waving his hand.
"Oh no, I do, we will not have a pity party without food!" Yuzu said with a determined look in her face. Ichigo and Isshin eyed the girl's new found determination as she quickly returned to the kitchen.
"Yuzu is something else" Ichigo said a genuine smile came across his face.
"Yeah she is" Isshin said before turning to Ichigo, "So why don't you tell me exactly what happened"
Ichigo sighed, the mood returned to a serious one. "Want the long version or the short one?"
"Welp if we are waiting on Karin and food then the long one will do" Isshin said as he lead Ichigo to the family room.
Isshin and Ichigo sat on the couch and Ichigo wasted no time.
"Well, Rukia has been slightly distant lately and it didn't help that she had asked about Senna and my relationship with her. At first I lied, I said she was nothing more than a classmate. I mean I could have just said she is an ex but I didn't want her asking more questions so I lied."
Isshin could see why this story was only going to get much worse.
"Then last night me and Rukia got into an argument about her being distant and she said she couldn't tell me why she was upset. I'm beginning to think that she knew that Senna was more than a classmate because she made a comment about how I don't tell her everything"
"Ichigo" Isshin said deciding to momentarily interrupt his son, "I didn't tell you, but Rukia came here one day, feeling insecure about her relationship with you."
"Dad why didn't you tell me?" Ichigo asked feeling slightly upset.
"What would you have done? Make up a secret to tell her so that she wouldn't feel that way? She just wanted the truth and I knew you weren't going to tell her, at least not yet" Isshin stated.
Ichigo sighed realizing his father was probably right. He pulled on his orange hair and decided to finish his story. "Well after arguing in the car, we got to the party and saw Tasuki with Orihime. I was nervous at first but Orihime and Rukia seemed to be okay. They even talked privately. I started to feel a bit better and me and Rukia were acting more normal but that changed within a few minutes. It turns out the party was hosted by Byakuya Kuchiki himself"
Isshin eyes widened. He had no idea that this event turned into an episode of a family drama.
"We knew that he had planned it since two of his employees had been in Karakura for a while but the craziest part is that Nel was with one his employees and Senna was the date of Mr. Kuchiki himself."
Isshin gaped at his son. "Not my daughter Nel, how did she get mixed up in that."
"I don't know dad, but when Nel approached us, I'm pretty sure she didn't even know what was going on. And that's partly my fault since I don't like to tell her stuff. Anyway, me and Rukia tried to make a break for it but Byakuya stopped us. Rukia decided she wanted to speak, leaving me with Senna. Senna and I started arguing and she got upset and ran away. I wanted to go after Senna but I was scared of leaving Rukia. But I noticed she was doing pretty well against her brother, so I went after Senna. Once I caught up to her, I confessed to cheating on her but I had no idea that Rukia was there to overhear the confession."
Isshin looked at his son, knowing that Ichigo didn't want to say anymore. He was happy that Ichigo decided to be truthful and he knew his son was heartbroken but it wasn't too late.
"Well Rukia looked plenty pissed, she came to get Mamoru with some guy" Isshin said, knowing this would get Ichigo's attention.
"What guy?!" Ichigo said jumping out his seat.
"A Shuhei Hisagi" Isshin replied. Ichigo calmed down and sat. Isshin noticed that Ichigo no longer seemed threaten.
"Oh, he's just her friend that she works with. He helped her get her job at the gallery" Ichigo said trying to dispel the negative thoughts in his father's head.
"Well Ichigo, you may not notice this but that man has more than friendship on his mind when it comes to Rukia" Isshin warned.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because, no man looks at a woman like he looks at her if he wasn't in love" Isshin said getting up. Ichigo thought to himself. Could this be true? He had never paid any real attention to Shuhei. He just knew that he was a good to friend Rukia through her time in Karakura and he had been having sex with with Rukia's co worker.
"Ichigo" Isshin called to him. Ichigo looked at his dad, "You can get her back, a love like yours doesn't just fade away"
"Dad, you saw how upset she was, I don't know what I'm going to do or say to make this right"
"You first need to forgive yourself before you beg for someone else's forgiveness"Isshin advised, "For now, lets spend the day together, me, you and the girls. I think you need some family time. Rukia should be much calmer tomorrow. You can try and talk then"
Ichigo nodded and watched as his dad left the room. Ichigo closed his eyes and he silently prayed that things would be okay. He couldn't bare losing Rukia.
.
.
.
The Next Day
Ichigo closed the clinic front door behind him and walked to his car. He spent the night at the clinic in his old room. It was the perfect time for reflection.
Ichigo got into his car and quickly started it. He was going to attempt to make things right with Rukia. Ichigo pulled out the driveway and was en route to Rukia's apartment.
During the drive he turned the radio off. He was trying to think of what he was going to say.
It had been 36 hours since Rukia found out. He hoped she would at least hear him out because after talking to Karin, he wouldn't be surprised if it took 36 years to calm Rukia down.
Karin visited the Kurosaki clinic and the whole family sat and talk for hours. Karin expressed how she felt when Toshiro confessed to cheating on her. She even told Ichigo how upset she was that she didn't support the marriage from the beginning. Karin talked about how much Toshiro was fighting to be with her.
Ichigo felt ashamed that he never realized this before. His sister was no longer a little girl but a young woman with emotions that was almost too complex for him to ever understand. Talking to Karin made him realize the weight of his actions. He didn't just hurt Senna and Rukia but everyone around them. Yuzu and Karin felt like so bad about having to lie to Senna and Rukia. He thought about how much Tatsuki had to keep from Senna in order to preserve his relationship with Rukia. He thought about the fact that he had everyone keep secrets from Rukia and she must have felt as if she was an idiot. He hated that he put everyone is such a difficult position just because he didn't tell the truth and was unfaithful.
Ichigo had finally pulled into the parking lot of the apartment. He closed his car door and looked up at Rukia's window. The blinds were down. He hoped that she was home. Ichigo walked up the steps slowly practicing how he would start off the conversation. Should he apologize first or ask her how she was doing?
It wasn't long until he was in front of her door, just staring at the door, hoping it would magically open. What if she didn't answer? What if she told him to leave.
Ichigo shook those thoughts out his head, took a deep breath and knocked firmly on her door. If she told him to go away, he would stay. He would fight.
Ichigo waited a few seconds then heard someone approaching the door. He was feeling relieved to know she was home. He heard shuffling by the door then heard nothing He waited for a while for the door but it didn't open.
Ichigo felt slightly frustrated now. He knocked much harder and called out to her "Rukia, please open the door, we need to talk about this"
Still no movement and he didn't hear anything by the door.
"Rukia, I'm not leaving, I will bang on this door until you open it and talk to me!" he warned.
Still nothing.
"Rukia Kuchiki, I fight for you until the day I die, so if you don't want your neighbors to know what's going on, just open the damn door!" Ichigo threatened. He didn't know what else to say at this point.
"Please can we just talk" He asked sounding a bit defeated but still knocking.
Suddenly he heard the door unlocking. Ichigo felt some hope once he realized she was going to open the door. The door opened and Ichigo was surprised to see no one in front of him. Unexpectedly he felt something grab his leg.
"Mr. Ichigo" a familiar voice said to him. Ichigo looked down to see Mamoru hugging his leg tightly. Mamoru looked at him with his blue eyes filled with tears.
"Mamoru what's wrong?" Ichigo asked worried,as he bent down to be on the same level as the little boy. "Where's your mother?"
"You have to help her! Mr. Ichigo, she need you!" Mamoru cried out. Ichigo's heart dropped, he prayed that she was okay.
"Mamoru, you have to tell me what happened and where she is?"
"She's not here, but you have to find her, she won't stop crying, she was crying all day yesterday. My mommy is sad and you are the only one who can make her happy again"
Ichigo suddenly felt worse. He was the reason for Rukia's sadness and now her son is begging him for help.
"Do you have any idea where you're mother went or why she left you here?" Ichigo asked. He knew Rukia wasn't irresponsible. How is it possible she left her son here unsupervised?
"I don't know" Mamour said as he tried to stop crying, "Mommy's friend came over and tried to help her but it didn't work. We need you Ichigo, Mommy needs you"
Ichigo sighed as he picked up Mamoru in his arms. He walked into the apartment and closed the door.
"Its okay Mamoru, I will find your mom and make things right" Ichigo said trying calm the small boy. It seemed to work because Mamoru seemed to be less frantic in Ichigo's hold.
"Mamoru" a stoic voice called out. Ichigo looked up and his blood began to boil and he looked into the emerald eyes of Ulquiorra Cifer.
Mamoru looked to Ulquiorra hearing his name being called.
"You shouldn't open the door for strangers" Ulquiorra said to Mamoru.
"You arrogant asshole" Ichigo snapped as he put Mamoru down. Mamoru panicked sensing the hostility between the two men.
"Mr. Cifer, he isn't a stranger" Mamoru defended, "He loves my mommy and he is going to help us"
Ichigo was surprised that Mamoru seemed to know Ulquiorra. How the hell did Ulquiorra get into Rukia's house?
"What did you do with Rukia?" Ichigo questioned.
"Rukia is no longer your concern" Ulquiorra replied. Ichigo growled and made a step towards but Mamoru shouted out.
"Mr. Ichigo, he didn't hurt my mom, he is my mommy's friend, he came here yesterday" Mamoru explained, Ulquiorra smirked at this while Ichigo seemed confused. Last thing he remembered is that Rukia was mad at him for lying to her once again, why would she allow him into her home?
"Yes, Rukia invited me, now I think its best that you leave" Ulquiorra stated.
"I'm not going anywhere until I see Rukia" Ichigo growled.
"You won't be seeing her" Ulquiorra said to him, then looked to Mamoru, "Get the last of your stuff Mamoru so we can go". That's when Ichigo noticed that there were suitcases packed in the living room.
Ichigo lost all control of his temper and now had Ulquiorra yoked up and against the wall. If looks could kill Ulquiorra would be six feet under.
"Where are you taking her?!" Ichigo asked forcefully. Mamoru was crying out for Ichigo to stop but he couldn't hear him all he saw was red.
"I have done nothing to her, she has asked me to come here of her own free will" Ulquiorra answered.
"I don't believe you"
"Kurosaki, why would she stay here, all you have done is cause her pain and made her lose something precious."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean"
"I shouldn't tell you this, since you don't deserve any truth in your life but Rukia had to go to the hospital, she…lost the baby" Ulquiorra confessed quietly not wanting Mamoru to hear it. Ichigo's body went numb hearing this. His hold on Ulquiorra loosen and Ulquiorra easily pushed Ichigo off him.
Ulquiorra smirked noticing that Ichigo looked defeated. "You caused this, with your lies and deception. This all your fault"
"You're lying" Ichigo said with his voice low and his head low.
"You won't believe me?" Ulquiorra asked with eyebrow raised.
"You're a fucking liar!" Ichigo yelled.
Out of the blue, there were several loud bangs at the door.
"KARAKURA POLICE, ICHIGO KUROSAKI, PLEASE EXIT THE APARTMENT NOW!"
Ichigo couldn't believe this, the police? Who the hell could have called the police, was he really that loud? But how did they know his name?
"I called them once I saw you were knocking on the door" Ulquiorra told Ichigo as he noticed the man's confusion. Ichigo realized that Ulquiorra was the one who came towards the door at first.
"I didn't do anything wrong!" Ichigo snapped at Ulquiorra.
"I am an invited guest, you were causing a ruckus and trespassing" Ulquiorra explained with a smirk.
"I am not going anywhere until you tell me where Rukia is!"
"As I said she is no longer your concern, she is mine now" Ichigo lost complete control once those words left Ulquiorra's mouth. Ichigo swung his right hand and landed a clean blow on Ulquiorra causing him to fall hard and Mamoru to scream out for them to stop fighting. Within a few seconds the police and busted the front door opened and saw Ichigo getting ready to attack Ulquiorra.
Three officers grabbed Ichigo and held him back. Ichigo attempted to get out their hold but to no avail.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, you are under arrest for aggravated assault" one of the officers announced.
"NOOO!" Mamoru cried out, "You can't arrest him, my mommy needs him"
Ichigo realized that Mamoru was there and regretted his actions. He didn't want Mamoru to see him like this. Mamoru looked up to him and now he was getting arrested after attacking someone.
"LET ME GO" Ichigo said trying to reach for Mamoru. Mamoru attempted to run to Ichigo but Ulquiorra grabbed him.
"Mamoru, stay away from him" Ulquiorra warned. Ichigo struggled but the police officers started to drag him out the apartment.
"NO NO, GET OFF OF ME, I CAN'T LEAVE MAMORU!" Ichigo screamed out.
"No, please, Mr. Cifer, he has to help my mom" Mamoru pleaded.
Ulquiorra frowned hearing this, "He is the reason your mommy is sad"
Mamoru looked at him confused then looked at the officers pull Ichigo who was still calling out for him. Mamoru wasn't sure what to do or say now. Ichigo couldn't help? He refused to believe it.
Ichigo tried again and again to try and explain that he didn't do anything wrong but the officers ignored him soon Mamoru was out of sight and he was being cuffed and thrown into a police car.
Mamoru watched from the window with teary eyes. "My mom is going to be so upset when she finds out."
"So lets not tell her" Ulquiorra said looking at the young boy. Mamoru didn't like the idea of keeping that from his mother. "I will handle everything, just keep this to yourself, you wouldn't want your mom to cry anymore would you?"
Mamoru realized Ulquiorra had a valid point and just sighed. He watched as the cop car pulled off with Ichigo inside. He hoped that Ulquiorra would really make everything ok.
End of Chapter 26
I know it was pretty long and a lot of drama but I felt bad that I hadn't updated in a while. I thank you all for your messages and reviews.
Some of you must hate me for this chapter but I promise you won't hate me for long.
Next Chapter Preview: Renji, Jackie and Kaien are back. A friend bails Ichigo out.