Author's Disclaimer
I do not create/own Bleach (Anime) and/or this characters.
Though, I wished I did own the below;
Abarai Renji, Kuchiki Byakuya, Kurosaki Ichigo, Hisagi Shuhei, Sosuke Aizen (bad-boy looks), Kurotsuchi Mayuri (maskless of-course).
Chapter 29 – Food For The Soul
Rukia sat down alone in the spacious dining room. There lay food fit for a kind and enough to feed an entire army. There were all types of tropical fruits cut and cubbed and mixed in a large crystal bowl. There were mountains of pancakes drizzled with generous amounts of maple syrup, just the way she liked it. There were strawberries dipped in rich thick sweetened cream. And tons of bacons and sausages and eggs. There were also trays of sweet, oven hot pastries. She smiled at the sight of it all, her large amethyst eyes sparkled like a kid on the Christmas morning.
Greedily she picked out a strawberry with her bare hands, and popped it into her mouth. Suddenly, she missed being at home. This home. The same home in which she thought wasn't worth calling home to. Making worth its while, she worked her way through the mountains of food. Unfortunately, her greed was short lived for two reasons. One she was already quite full and the second a head peaked in interrupting her.
"Uh ... Forgive me for interrupting your breakfast, ma'am," a man said, his voice bounce from the high ceiling back to the ground. "I just wanted to let you know the car is ready."
"Oh really?" Rukia replied, getting up from her seat, putting aside her white napkin. "That's great!"
"Please, ma'am," the man said, while he positioned his round spectacles higher on the bridge of his nose. "The car will wait for you. Please continue your breakfast." He bowed his head.
"Oh, no. I'm quite full actually," Rukia said with a smile, looking from the man to mountains of her untouched food. "Oh! Would you like some?"
"Oh no, thank you, ma'am," the man stammered his words. "Whenever you are ready, the car will be waiting for you. Please excuse me, ma'am." His head disappeared almost as immediately as he peaked in.
Rukia shrugged, giving up on trying to befriend the workers here. As much as she tried, they held back. But Rukia knew it wasn't their fault. Gracefully hooking her backpack on her shoulders, she followed the said man out.
As he had said, a black limousine waited for her outside, ready to go. As soon as she settled herself in the backseat and as soon the car moved out of their compounds, she clicked the button that lowered the mirror that separated her and the driver.
"What can I do for you Miss Kuchiki, ma'am?" the man said and Rukia realised it was the man who interrupted her already done breakfast.
"Uh," Rukia started, unsure on how to address the man. "Can I know your name sir?" Rukia asked finally.
He was driving really slow, waiting for Rukia to give her orders. He hesitated to answer her question but this was the boss's daughter and would it be OK if he didn't answer her question?
"Don't worry," Rukia said, soothingly but more reassuringly. "This is just between us." She added a smile.
He sighed, but kept it to a minimum before answering. "My name is Kuroud Modso but you can call me Kuroud." He, too, added a small grin. "And please, no 'sir'."
Rukia settled happily behind, with the fact he isn't as closed minded as the rest could be. Rukia grinned before replying, "OK, Kuroud, if it is just the two of us, just call me Rukia."
"Oh, no! I could never do that ma'am," Kuroud said, shaking his head.
"Please..." Rukia repeated. "I really would prefer it if you just called me by name and without the 'ma'am'."
Kuroud grinned from the review view mirror looking at Rukia.
"Thank you, Kuroud," Rukia replied the grinning with one matching his own.
"Now, where would you like to go..." Kuroud asked. "Rukia?"
Rukia smiled. "Can we go to a florist first?"
"Which florist, Rukia?" Kuroud asked again.
"Hmm... Anywhere, I guess," Rukia replied thoughtfully.
"Sure thing," Kuroud said, picking up his speed now that he has a destination.
All the way Rukia talked about where she and Amari lived, as it was her main destination. Kuroud had suggested somewhere nearer. They soon arrived at at small florist just fifteen minutes drive away from their place. Kuroud stopped the limo exactly in front of the entrance and started to open his door. Rukia watched him as he went down from the car. Did he wanted to come into the florist with her? She wondered. But she almost immediately raced with Kuroud as she realized he wanted to open the door for her. To her annoyance, he won and held the door for her.
"You know, Kuroud..." Rukia said. "This really isn't necessary. I am, big enough I'm sure, to open my own door."
"Oh but it is my duty Rukia," Kuroud said.
This time the both of them raced for the florist's glass door, and this time Rukia won and smugly opened the door for herself. But Kuroud, nevertheless, held it for her.
"Really..." Rukia started but stopped short in what she wanted to say.
"Morning, Rukia!" Orihime sang, cutting in Rukia's conversation with Kuroud.
"Oh? Orihime?" Rukia said, surprised. "Good morning!"
"Forgive me for interrupting, but I will we waiting in the car," Kuroud announced to the two teenage girls.
"Uh okay, Kuroud," Rukia replied. "I won't be long."
"Oh please, take your time," Kuroud said, excusing himself, smiled at both Rukia and Orihime then walked out the glass door.
Rukia and Orihime stared until Kuroud actually went into the limo until they started talking again. Rukia started first, saying, "So what are you doing here, Orihime?"
"Oh I was actually planning to go to your place this morning, y'know visit Amari and all," Orihime said quite cheerfully. "But I thought I'd get her some flowers to, hopefully, cheer her up!"
"What a coincidence," Rukia claimed. "I wanted to get her something to brighten up her day too. Hey, you can join us."
"Really?" Orihime chirpped. "But I don't want to be a hassle."
"Oh, nonsense. How did you think you were gonna go there?" Rukia chuckled. "You weren't planning to walk, were you?"
"Well..." Orihime hesitated. "I was gonna ask Uryuu but I haven't planned anything with him yet."
"Then just come with us," Rukia insisted.
"Okay then!"
"So, what were you planning to get her?" Rukia asked, walking her way to browse at difference flowers available.
Orihime watched as Rukia walked in front of her. She looked really pretty in the blue dress. Somehow it brings out the color of her eyes, she thought. Suddenly, she felt a twang of jealousy hit her right in the head. She could see why Ichigo liked her.
"I love your dress," Orihime blurted out as she walked up to the petite girl ahead of her. "I think it brings out the color of your eyes."
"Thank you, but it's an oldie," Rukia replied, smiling. "You know, Amari loves lilies."
"Which color?" Orihime asked, smiling back.
"I guess any would do," Rukia said, raising her hand to get the florist's attention.
"Yes ladies? How may I help you?" a woman who's probably just a couple of years older than them asked.
"Hello, we would like two bouquet of Lilies please," Rukia responded. "Well, I'd like those white ones and uh... Orihime?" Rukia turned her attention to her friend.
"Oh, I don't know..." Orihime said, biting on the nail of her right index finger. "I guess I'll go with pink. She does like pink, doesn't she?"
"Yea, I think so," Rukia nodded, then turning her attention back to the florist. "Yes. OK. So two bouquet of lilies. One white and the other pink and uh, make it nine stalks each."
"Why nine?" Orihime asked, curious.
"I don't know, she seems to like that number," Rukia shrugged.
&&&
Shuhei woke up from his sleep with a jump. He had only managed to catch a couple hours of sleep, minus times when he woke up in between them. He was a light sleeper and even the littlest noise could wake him up. But it's even easier to be disturbed when he's hungry and has a lot of things on his mind. But this time, the talking voices of two teenage girls woke him up. Sitting up straight on the sofa, he yawned quite loudly. The talking stopped, he realized. But as he turned, he knew why. The two girls were standing there, their eyes quite fixated on him – and he was sure it wasn't in a good way. Each had a bouquet of Amari's favorite flowers in their hands, he smiled.
"Hello girls," Shuhei greeted, but didn't budge from where he was standing.
"Hello, Mr. Tanabe," Rukia greeted back.
"Good morning, Mr. Tanabe," Orihime greeted.
"Good morning," Shuhei replied, trying to remember their names. "Uh, Orihime... Rukia..."
Both of them still standing in place. Awkwardness hung around a moment longer until Rukia tried to shoo it away.
"How is Amari, Mr. Tanabe?" Rukia asked. "Is she up already?"
"I don't know," Shuhei said, truthfully. "I left her with Renji. I'm going check up on her, if you guys want to join me?" He offered.
"OK!" Orihime grinned.
"Alright then," Shuhei smiled back. "But let's be quick for now, until were are definitely sure she's awake."
The both of them nodded then followed Shuhei up the stairs. They tip-toed to Amari's room and saw that the door was still open. Not widely, but enough for them to peak in. The three of them positioned their head on top of other, with Shuhei at the top, Rukia in the middle and Orihime and the bottom.
They saw Renji and Amari asleep, but now in a totally different position from when Shuhei had left them. Renji had his back leaning on the bed-head and his legs stretched out on the bed, crossed. His head tilted lifelessly to his right shoulder. He had his left arm draped over Amari's waist who curled up next to him, using his thigh as her pillow.
"I guess we'd better not disturb them yet," Orihime suggested in a whisper.
Rukia nodded and pulled herself out. Awkwardness played it's role again as the three of them stood in silence, looking at each other, outside of Amari's room.
"I think I'm going to go out for a while," Shuhei said finally but still silently. "Can you two look out for them while I'm gone? I won't be long though."
"Sure, Mr. Tanabe."
&&&
"Big brother!" Yuzu's soft voice seeped into the small gap underneath Ichigo's door. "Breakfast!"
"OK!" Ichigo shouted his replied.
He stretched himself before pulling himself out of bed. "I wonder how Amari's doing. I think I'll go see them after breakfast."
Taking of his t-shirt, he dragged his body to the bathroom. Ichigo had himself a quick shower, letting the warm water wake him up. After choosing a purple t-shirt and a pair of torn jeans, Ichigo ran down the stairs for breakfast. Just when Ichigo was just a steps away from the ground, a leg appeared out of nowhere, in hopes of making him trip and fall. But the orange haired boy was quick on his feet and managed to avoid the waiting mishap.
"What the hell are you trying to do?" Ichigo snapped as his father snickered from the bottom of the stairs.
"I swear to God, dad," Karin said, joining in the conversation. "Make one more noise and I'll kick your ass!"
"Oh!" Isshin said dramatically, still wearing his pajamas. "Oh, the horror of it all! My children... they HATE ME!" Isshin raised his hand, his palm facing outwards and slapped his forehead with it.
"You know I love you daddy," Yuzu chimed from behind the scene.
Isshin's eyes looked as if they were going to cry those happy tears but Karin had taken the opportunity to kick her father in the shin.
"Ow!" Isshin cried out, jumping on one foot outside the dining room.
"Now that he's gone," Karin said, settling herself comfortably on one of the dining chair. "Where are you going brother?"
"Huh?" Ichigo said, sitting across her. "I think I'm going to go visit Amari and maybe get my clothes back." Narrowing his eyes to her.
"Brother!" Yuzu said, in shock and horror. "That wouldn't be nice. Besides, she's hurt and she had no clothes. Ours are too small and yours, well, they're usable."
"I kidding," Ichigo said, raising his hands in a surrendering manner. "But it would be nice if you guys told me first."
"We would've told you or even asked your permission," Karin started. "But you were too busy with that girl."
Ichigo choked on his tea. "Wh – what?!"
Yuzu nodded.
"You heard me right," Karin said, grinning slyly, enjoying the reaction of Ichigo's face.
"OOH!" Isshin squealed with delight. Popping his head back in the dining room. "My son has a girlfriend now, eh?" Skipping around the dinner table.
Annoyed, it was Ichigo's turn to suddenly put his feet out, resulting in a fallen down father.
"Brother," Yuzu started. "Is, she..."
"Yes she is, Yuzu," Karin said, grinning still.
"Why is everybody on my case today?" Ichigo said, standing up. "I'm full, thank you, Yuzu. And I'm off."
Author's Note
To Shell, I know it doesn't seem like an IchiRuki fanfic for now but I hope you will still keep on reading (and reviewing) for their spotlight will surely come. I have something in stored for the special Rukia. Hee. Although, I don't think Ichigo will like it. LOL. But this won't happen now. Later... Still long to go. In reality no kid can really flying kick their father, unless their Anime. LOL. So they just kick the shin. And thank you to all who read and, even better, reviewed. I love you all. ..kisses..
