Disclaimer I don't own Bleach or any of characters, they are all property of Tite Kubo.
Buzz buzz…. Buzz buzz…Ichigo heard and lazily slapped his alarm clock and turned to his side. ….Buzz buzz….Buzz buzz… Ichigo heard again and without lifting his head, Ichigo fumbled through the things on his dresser until he felt his phone. "What?" he answered without bothering to see who called him. "Ichigo –" started the voice and Ichigo immediately sat up and said, "Rukia?! What is it? What's wrong?" There was a long pause and a knot was forming in Ichigo's stomach as he thought, 'Something must be wrong! Rukia never texts me, let alone call me!' "Rukia?!" he practically yelled into the phone.
"Hold on…I thi….bad…ception…..Is this better? Can you hear me now?"
"Yeah, so what's wrong?" Ichigo asked worriedly.
"What? Nothing's wrong. I called to check on you."
Ichigo's eyebrows knit in confusion as he asked, "Why?"
"To make sure you didn't ditch work or class because of Senna."
"I – "
Ichigo was cut off by Rukia as she said, "You can't stop living your life because of her, there will always be people in life who will try to prevent you from living your life. So just keep your head held high and do what you have to do."
Ichigo smiled at Rukia's words and he asked, "When did you become such an expert on life?"
"I'm only trying to be nice here."
Ichigo chuckled at the response and added, "I'll be sure to give my thanks on Friday."
"Friday? Why Friday?"
"I'm going to visit again."
"Really?" Rukia asked a little too eagerly.
"Yeah. I'll see you then."
"Okay, see you then Ichigo."
Later on the way to work, Ichigo had a little pep in his step. He walked into the store (where he worked) and said his usual "Mornin'," to whoever was around.
"You seem happy. Are you and her going out now?" asked Senna.
Ichigo who had been oblivious to Senna's presence turned to Senna and asked, "What?"
"You are going out with her, aren't you?" asked a now visibly irate Senna.
"Does it matter?" Ichigo asked and Senna knit her brows in confusion. Ichigo then continued, "You're not my girlfriend anymore, I don't owe you any explanations anymore. Plus, you said it yourself, you never really cared about me. So why the fuck would you suddenly care about who I am or am not dating." Ichigo then turned to walk to his designated area in the store. Senna glared at Ichigo as he walked away.
The week had seemed unbearably long for Rukia, as she was eagerly waiting for Friday. Now that it was finally Friday and the school bell rang, indicating that the day was over, Rukia quickly gathered her things and met Yuzu at her desk. "Yuzu hurry up. Karin said she would be waiting as soon as school let out.
"Rukia – chan, the bell just rang," complained Yuzu.
"Sorry," Rukia said with a nervous smile. "I'm just excited about today."
"Why? Oh, is it because tonight you leave to visit Abarai – kun?"
"Yeah," replied Rukia and then thought, 'and I want to see your brother.'
"Ready," stated Yuzu. Rukia and Yuzu then went to go find Karin so that the three could walk home together.
When the girls reached the Kurosaki residence, they were not surprised to find Ichigo was already home. "Hey," greeted Ichigo.
"Hi," the girls greeted.
"When did you get home Ichi – nii?" asked Karin.
"I don't know, around 11 this morning," answered Ichigo.
"Why so early?" asked Rukia.
"I didn't work today and only had one class, so I got on the train as soon as class was over," replied Ichigo.
"Have you been helping dad then?" asked Yuzu.
"Yeah, but he's just doing paperwork now."
"Cool, cool. We're still going to movies later right?" Karin asked as she unsubtly changed topics.
"Yeah, we're still going. You coming with Rukia?" asked Ichigo.
"Rukia – chan can't," answered Yuzu.
"Why?" Ichigo asked as he looked directly at Rukia.
Rukia suddenly feeling self conscious looked to the side and said, "I'm going to go visit Renji later. I told you about it last weekend."
"Right," replied a now annoyed Ichigo, and with that statement an awkward tension filled the room. Ichigo was obviously annoyed. Rukia wanted to apologize for Ichigo's bad mood, and Karin and Yuzu didn't know how to respond to the tension due to Ichigo's jealousy.
"How's about we play a game?" Rukia asked in effort to ease the tension.
"That's a great idea," agreed Yuzu.
"I know just the game," Karin said as she exited the living room.
Rukia and Yuzu looked at each other as Yuzu asked, "What game do you think Karin – chan is getting?"
And as if on cue, Karin re – emerged with a smile on her face and the Jenga box in her hands. "You in Ichi – nii?" Karin asked as she dangled the game in front of Ichigo.
Ichigo's competitive nature got the best of him and he replied with, "Set it up."
The four passed the time, playing a few rounds of the game. Yuzu easily won the first two games. Afterwards, Ichigo won one game, Karin won one, Ichigo won another round, and Rukia won the previous game. It was the last game and Ichigo and Rukia were the only ones still in. The tower was stacked pretty high already and it looked like it could tip over any second. It was currently Rukia's turn and she was carefully poking at the blocks, trying to figure out which block would be the least difficult to try to remove. "C'mon Rukia just pick a damn block and move it already," said an annoyed Ichigo. Rukia rolled her eyes and carefully proceeded to attempt to remove one of the blocks. Rukia was able to remove the block and carefully placed it on top of the tower. The tower wobbled a bit and Rukia held her breath, and let out a sigh of relief when the tower did not fall. "That was a close one," commented Karin.
"I don't think Onii – chan will be able to get a block out," added Yuzu.
"Yeah, Rukia's got this," agreed Karin.
"Thanks for the support," Ichigo said sarcastically. Ichigo then took a few seconds analyzing the structure and trying to find a block to move.
"Today grandpa," commented Rukia.
"Yeah, yeah shut it would ya," replied Ichigo and then he carefully started removing a block. The block came out and Ichigo let out a sigh of relief, and with that sigh of relief the tower came tumbling down. The girls laughed at Ichigo's disappointed face and Rukia declared, "I win."
"One last round?" asked Ichigo.
"Sorry, but I need to start heading home," replied Rukia.
"Want us to walk you home Rukia – chan?" asked Yuzu.
Rukia knew that Ichigo would be in a grumpy mood, so she declined Yuzu's offer. Rukia then said her goodbyes and left the Kurosaki residence.
On the train ride to Renji's apartment, Rukia kept thinking about Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu. Rukia was wondering what else the Kurosaki siblings had planned for the night. Rukia knew that they were going to go watch a movie, but she wondered if they were going to do something else after the movie, maybe get something to eat? Or maybe Yuzu would make one of her delicious meals. Rukia wondered if Ichigo would be up for trying another of her meals? Rukia sighed an turned on her ipod for the rest of the train ride, to try and distract herself from thinking of Ichigo.
When Rukia arrived at the train station, Renji was already there waiting for her. "Hey," greeted Rukia.
Renji nodded his hello to Rukia, and once Rukia was by his side, he said, "I told Rangiku you were coming. I also told her you have a boyfriend."
Rukia gave Renji a questioning look and said, "But I don't have a boyfriend."
"I know, but just tell her you do."
"Why?"
"Because if she know you're single, she'll practically throw you in to the arms of every random guy she introduces you to," explained Renji. Rukia shuddered at the thought. "Exactly," Renji responded to her actions.
As Renji and Rukia walked to Renji's apartment, they caught up on life. Renji told Rukia about the girl he was currently dating. While Rukia told Renji about the drama with Senna.
"Wow! That is one crazy bitch," Renji commented as he unlocked the door to his apartment and let Rukia in.
"I know! She's all kinds of crazy. Just glad I won't have to deal with her anymore."
"I'm sure you are."
Rukia's brows knit in confusion, "What is that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"Nothing," responded Renji, but the manner in which he said it, clearly indicated that there was something he knew and he wasn't going to tell Rukia.
"Reenjii," Rukia whined.
"You should start getting ready or we'll be late for the party," advised Renji.
Rukia huffed and replied with, "Fine." Rukia then rummaged through her things and took what she needed to get ready for tonight.
Rukia sighed for the umpteenth time that night. Renji had ditched her awhile ago, Shuuhei and Ikkaku were trying to out drink other, Yumichika was around somewhere, and Rangiku was flirting with guys she thought were cute. 'Just as Renji warned,' thought Rukia. 'I wonder what Ichigo is doing now? Is the movie they were supposed to watch over yet? Did they have anything else planned for tonight?' Rukia let out a sigh and then murmured to herself, "Only one way to find out." Rukia then pulled out her phone.
Hey, read the text message from Rukia. Ichigo was a little confused. Why was Rukia texting him? If he wanted to find out, then he might as well text her back.
Yo, how's it going?
I'm bored. At a party with Renji, the jerk ditched me! How was the movie?
Knew that guy was an asshole. I wouldn't've ditched you. Movie was good.
Rukia blushed at Ichigo's text. And then texted back. I kinda wished I would've stayed with you guys instead. Did you do anything after the movies?
Ichigo smiled at the thought of Rukia wanting to spend time with him instead of with Renji. Yea, we went to get some ice cream we were gonna go ice skating, but the movie finished kinda late.
Let me know when you plan on going. I love ice skating!
I know, I thought you were coming that's why I had planned on going ice skating.
Rukia once again blushed at Ichigo's text. Did Ichigo really have her in mind when planning today's activities? She wondered. She wanted to ask him, but felt this was a conversation they should have in person. Rukia was about to text Ichigo back, when Rukia heard, "Rukia-chan," and soon Rangiku was in front of her.
"Yes?"
"What are you doing over by yourself? Don't be a party pooper."
"Oh, I was-"
"Were you texting your boyfriend?" Rangiku interrupted with a sly grin on her face. Rukia blushed at the thought of calling Ichigo her boyfriend. The blush did not go unnoticed by Rangiku. "You can talk to him later. Let's go dance," Rangiku said as she pulled Rukia towards the dance floor.
As Rukia was being pulled away she quickly texted Ichigo, Ttyl. Rangiku wants to dance.
Ichigo was a bit disappointed when he read Rukia's text. He was frustrated not only because he couldn't keep talking to Rukia, but also because he had the suspicion that Rangiku was a bad influence. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but he was never good at remembering names and the faces that went with him.
Ichigo was in the kitchen getting a glass of water when suddenly he remembered who Rangiku was. She was that overly flirtatious girl with big breasts. "Shit," he said aloud.
"What is it Onii-chan?" asked Yuzu.
"Nothing," Ichigo replied as he hung his head in defeat at what Rangiku would try to get Rukia to do. Yuzu gave Ichigo a questioning look, but continued doing what she was doing. 'Fuck my life,' is what Ichigo thought the rest of the weekend.
Here is the next chapter. It feels a little rushed, but I did my best. Please let me know what you all think. Next chapter will hopefully be up in two weeks. Til next time!
