Note: No, I haven't forgotten. I just had a difficult time writing this chapter since I was torn between two angles: Rukia as a real Kuchiki or Rukia as an adopted Kuchiki. I had two separate backstories for whichever one I'll end up choosing but since I'm not a fan of too much angst, I took creative liberty in this AU. There were a lot of scenes that got scraped in this chapter. Some cute, some funny but in the end, unnecessary to move the story and the scenes reeked of filler episodes lol so they got thrown.
Please review and tell me the good and the bad and the ugly~ :D Thanks for reading.
to J'aime Manga: You're right that Rukia's chosen to carry on with her responsibilities. It's true that she wouldn't have had a choice in the long run, anyway, but her decision to stay is a struggle for balance that she can't put on anyone else's shoulder that she's willing to put up with. She's still nowhere near that point of calm and I've been tempted more than once to write in her POV lol but I still refuse to.
to gadez: Thank you for seeing all the parallels and symbolisms I shove in once in a while XD I try to refrain from too much layering becuase I worry that I'm going to lose the readers somewhere in between. I'm glad that things are still clear, thus far.
to PureIntentions: Ichigo doesn't know it, but he's already working for them ;p lol although I implied it in this chapter.
to Star Garden and JointVW: I still haven't replied to either of you and I'm sorry. The week's been busy and I pushed it to the side (and kept pushing it aside D: ). But I'll get to it, eventually.
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Chapter 35: Butterfly
Tsukushi lets out a long and tired groan as she stretches her arms above her head. She's been up all night working the shift and it's not doing well to her body. She worries what'll happen should her health finally give up. Sighing, she forces her mind to think of better things.
Rukia's birthday is today. It's hard to find a nice gift for someone who probably has everything already. Tsukasa loved the cookies, though. So something she made is likely to be more appreciated than if she breaks her bones gathering up enough money in such a short time just to buy something Rukia probably has already. Unfortunately, she can't think of anything to make either. Another sigh escapes her lips as she drags her feet home.
A rumble from her stomach reminds her she's not eaten anything for dinner. She checks her wallet to see if she has enough and debates whether she can afford to treat herself something to eat. She doesn't have the time to prepare food when she gets home. As much as possible, she just wants to collapse the moment she sees her beddings.
Just this once.
She enters the first twenty-four hour convenience store she sees and beelines towards the instant meals. They're cheap enough and will do to bridge the hunger between now and a proper breakfast with her brother. She takes her time to choose a flavor, more awake now than she was earlier. She picks up the cup noodle and turns to head for the counter when something catches her eye. There, amidst the colorful collection of charms and key-chains, is a pearly white charm shaped like a rabbit's head.
Her hand reaches out for it and is suddenly reminded of Rukia. The girl is so light-footed and agile that there's an actual bounce to her steps when she walks. It doesn't seem like Rukia's conscious of her own movement when she does that. Not to mention the more violent she gets, the lesser her feet stay on the ground. Tsukushi laughs quietly and picks up the simple charm, tiny bells clink a rhythm as she does so. It's not much, but her experiences with Tsukasa have been insightful. The simplest and most common things are the ones people of their standing have likely never seen.
Tsukushi never received an invitation from Rukia to attend tonight's celebration. Despite that, Tsukushi doesn't feel slighted. If it's anything like Tsukasa's birthday, she prefers to be elsewhere more relaxing or productive. Like work. And it's possible that Rukia has no control over who are invited. She's the celebrant and it seems she's the last to know that there's an actual celebration, judging from what she's said the other day.
She quickly pays for everything and heats her instant ramen up in the available microwave. It doesn't take long before she's back on the streets, slurping her instant ramen cup as she walks home.
=====[][][][][]=====
Tsukasa flips open his phone and checks the time once more. He's been here since eleven. It's almost two and she's still nowhere. He closes his eyes and leans against the wall, fighting off sleep.
A pat on his head jolts him awake and he stands up, ready to break the wrist of whoever dared to touch him in his sleep. His fogged mind clears in a few seconds when he recognizes Tsukushi's amused face. "What took you so long?"
"Huh. I didn't know we were supposed to meet." She shakes her head and pushes him aside so she can have access to the door. "What are you doing here, anyway? It's really late."
"Exactly and you just got home?" Tsukasa frowns and observes how she struggles to get the key inside properly. He grabs it and does it himself. "Does your work always last this long?"
"No. I move shifts," she sighs and goes inside, after yanking her keys back from Tsukasa. "It really depends on where I'm needed and my timetable moves according to that."
"You can't keep doing this." Tsukasa's fist clenches. He doesn't know how long she's been working like this. They went to Hokkaido just after the party and his friends said the shitstorm his mother created started while they were in Hokkaido.
She sighs again. "It's something I have to do. I'm strong, don't worry. Now go home and get some sleep. You don't look well."
"It's okay. This won't last," he tells her, grabbing hold of her arms. "Things will get better. I promise that."
"Don't make promises, Tsukasa." She shakes her head and forces his grip to loosen.
"No," Tsukasa shakes his head. "This time, I can actually do something. It's just…" His words fail him as he struggles to explain things. He drops his hands on his sides. "Let's go out for lunch later. How's that?"
Tsukushi blinks at him, surprised. "What were you about to say?"
"It's nothing. Let's just go out for lunch. Bet you haven't eaten like a normal person so I'll treat you." He shoves his hands inside his pockets and raises both eyebrows up at her. "I don't accept no for an answer. Just saying it now so you don't waste any more time."
She snorts and then laughs. "Fine. Now I'd like to get some sleep. I'm really tired."
He can't stop the grin from his face. This has to be the first time she's agreed without an argument. He still has time. He just needs to convince Rukia to see it his way. "Oh, hey, hold it." He fishes out a phone from his other pocket and gives it to her. "Here, take it. Don't worry about the monthly bill."
"I can't accept this, Tsukasa." Her lips curve into a stubborn frown that he's so used to seeing so he turns his face away.
"You need a phone so I can call you. I don't care whose numbers you want to put in there as long as you pick up if it's me." He closes his eyes and starts walking towards his car. "If you try to give that back to me, I will just throw it. Good night."
He hears her whisper of gratitude and smiles to himself. But, he sobers up immediately as he thinks of what today is and what's set to happen.
=====[][][][][]=====
"You know, I don't get it." Ichigo snorts and passes the washed plate to Rukia, who then wipes it with a dry cloth. "You're going to be here all day, and then I'm not invited in your birthday party. What? Am I the only one who thinks that doesn't make sense? What kind of bo…"
She elbows him hard and he loses his breath in a grunt. All in a single pass while she wipes the plate in her hands. She tilts her head to the right, in the direction of his sisters who are still in the process of cleaning up the dining table.
"But you know what I mean."
"You can't hover over me. It's already annoying enough as it is without including you," here, she gives Ichigo a pointed look that puts him in that cage with the tag 'bodyguard'. She carefully places the dry plate on the stack next to her and wipes her hands. "It also blows your cover to be so overprotective. Friends don't hover like they're waiting for an attack."
"All the more that I should be in that damned party."
She sighs and lifts the stack of plates off the counter. Ichigo takes it from her before the weight of it cause an accident. He sorts them in their proper places in the cupboard himself.
"I've been allowed to 'hang out' with you when everyone else is busy. It's the only reason why I was dropped off here today and you can drop me off at my house later or I can call for someone to pick me up before the event."
Ichigo doesn't look at her and meticulously sorts out saucers, glasses and utensils in each drawer and rack. He says nothing. He's not in the guest list because he's not an important enough person in high society. And he's not the real bodyguard, either. Not on the papers anyway so there's no required attendance for one Kurosaki Ichigo.
The silence rests uncomfortably between them. In the distance, he hears his sisters talking about school as they wrap up what little mess there are left on the table. The running water tells him they've done cleaning. Suzu goes as far as to tell Rukia it's been a pleasant surprise to have her for lunch once more before leaving.
"Anyway, what's there to do around here?" she asks lightly and when he turns around to look at her, she's sitting on the counter and wagging her feet like a little girl. "Do you want to spar?"
"No."
She looks taken aback, and offended as if he's just slapped her. Her brows meet and her lips curl in an unhappy snarl. He's momentarily confused as to what he's done wrong until she says, "I am a capable sparring partner, Ichigo."
"I know that." And he does. He's seen her, fought with her and he doesn't wish to fight against her for any reason, even in a spar. He knows his own temper and limits. Most of all, he doesn't like losing and he might end up hurting her just to put the advantage in his hands. "There's no space around here to spar in the first place. Besides, it's your day off so we might as well do something else that has nothing to do with a katana."
She scowls at him and he waits. When her stiff shoulders relax, he also breathes a little easier. "Is there a carnival again?"
"It only happens once a year." He shakes his head and leans against the counter she's on. "Sometimes I go out with Keigo and Mizuiro when they plan to watch a movie. It's usually just Keigo trying to drag us wherever he wants."
"Did I keep you from going out today? I know it's short notice. Ukitake-sensei said he has an errand today and the dojo is off limits to me unless someone else is with me." She hops off the counter and straightens her dress. "They didn't want me at the manor either when people are going back and forth from the restaurant to prepare. Nii-sama's worried that someone will manage to slip through the parade of people."
"Your brother thinks you're five. If you think I'm overprotective, what do you call him? Paranoid." Ichigo snorts. "I'm a big brother, too. You don't see me trying to strangle my two sisters. And no, I don't mind. I was just at Zangetsu's helping the shop when you showed up. Let's go patrol instead."
He pushes away from the counter and starts to head out to the backdoor. When he feels she's not behind him, he turns to ask why and stops short when he sees the grin on her face.
"Didn't think I'd see the day where you'll be the one to suggest it," she says as she walks past him. She picks up the sword bag from behind the door and heads out.
"Don't people wonder when you walk around carrying that?"
She adjusts the buckle and length of the strap so it doesn't need to be on her back. She stops fiddling with it when it's now dangling just under her left arm like a duffel bag might. "That's why the bags are usually decorative." She pats the blue silk and linen fabric with white and gold embroidery. "People just assume it's a gift, or a souvenir. Few will think it's a deadly weapon when packed like this."
He ponders about bringing his. The black katana is longer than Rukia's and he doesn't have a bag for it yet.
"There's no need to bring yours." She waves her hand in front of his face and he blinks, refocusing his eyes on her. "Do you honestly believe I can't protect myself?"
Based from experience, he shouldn't really answer that. And so he doesn't. They leave the house after he yells at his family that they're going out. He also shuts the door before his father can yell anything embarrassing all the way from the clinic.
They walk silently for a while and he's not sure where they're going. Probably at the café or maybe at the ramen house, he's not sure. He only knew of two bases, but according to Shinji there are more scattered throughout the city.
Hm.
He takes a mental note to check the board thorougly when he next sees it. He's never bothered before but the board might be their means of communication and advertisement for that Vizard PI they run. He now remembers that rabbit post it looking for a bokken, and next thing he knows Sodeno's barged in Ichigo's room. Then again, Sodeno might've seen it during that duel with Renji.
Ichigo glances down at Rukia. She's so hard to guess, and everyone else around her. The moment he believes he's finally grasped the world to keep from tilting over, something just comes up and doesn't just tilt his world. His world turns inside out.
"Nii-sama lost me when I was four," Rukia says suddenly and his mental rant comes to an abrupt halt to backtrack.
"What?"
Rukia clasps both hands behind her back as she walks, eyes set forward but looking into the past. "Nee-sama died on that year and I remember nii-sama telling me to stay outside while he goes in the ICU. Children aren't really allowed inside and I was very young. There were so many people running around the ER and eventually, I ended up lost when I tried to stay out of people's way and followed others to a bigger space."
She was four.
Those three words echo continuously in Ichigo's mind.
"He found me when I was six."
Ichigo stops walking and Rukia's hand reaches out to take his arm, forcing him to walk with her. This new information adds up to something nasty in Ichigo's mind and a sound makes him realize that he's grinding his teeth. She only lets go when he's calmed down enough to listen more.
"I look like her. When nii-sama looks at me, I feel that he's staring death in the face," she finishes in a subdued tone.
They've stopped walking. "I just don't want you to continue to hate nii-sama. I understand why he wants me where he can see me, but his work keeps him busy."
"So keeping you watched at all times is the next best thing," Ichigo finishes that train of thought out loud. He doesn't change his mind, however. Byakuya is still an asshole. How can anyone lose their own little sister in an ER, of all places, the busiest nook in the hospital with too emotional people in it.
"He has his reasons. And in a way, it lets me know that he cares so I don't mind half as much." A small smile tugs at her lips but it never reaches into full bloom, a heavier weight keeping it down. He's curious, but he doesn't wish to pry. He'll wait until she's ready to let go.
=====[][][][][]=====
"Geh, that movie sucked. The first one was so much better. What were they thinking!?" Keigo waves a fist at the cinema house they just left. "To think I was so excited to see it."
Mizuiro shakes his head and stops by a stall to buy some snacks. "Aren't you glad Ichigo cancelled? He would've strangled you for wasting his money."
"Why'd he cancel anyway? We even got Ishida to go along and you know that's rare." Tatsuki turns to Ishida and raises a hand, "No offense."
"Understandable," Ishida returns nonchalantly. "I wasn't planning to go until Asano-san mentioned which movie it was. The first movie won the Oscars for Best Costume Design and I was curious to see the sequel and get ideas for myself."
He is answered with silence.
"Ishida-kun helps us with our projects in the club. He's really good at what he does," Orihime states in an attempt to prevent anyone from making a comment that might hurt Ishida. Keigo certainly looks like he has something to say about it and only held his tongue due to the glare Tatsuki has set on him.
"Thank you, Inoue-san." Ishida tips his head forward and she smiles brightly.
Tatsuki sighs, glad when everyone starts to move again. This is all Keigo's idea. He can be real persistent when he wants to and even managed to get Ichigo to agree. It's because Ichigo actually agreed that Tatsuki dragged herself out of the house for the weekend. She needs to apologize to him, even though he might not understand unless she exposes everything. And she's not too sure about herself, and the strength of their friendship lately, to completely confess.
"That dog," Keigo suddenly exclaims. "He's on a date! He should've just brought her along. Damn Kurosaki, hogging a girl all to himself without even telling me." He jogs ahead of their group waving his hands, and screaming "Rukia-chan, how have you been?"
The girl in the distance looks up after she's given the meatballs on a stick to a little boy with light brown hair holding her hand. Rukia waves also and returns the greeting just as enthusiastically, "Hello, Asano-kun."
The pleasant smile on her face doesn't falter when their group manages to catch up.
"Are you finally dating?" asks Mizuiro, curiosity in his tone and a gleam in his eyes.
Ichigo is immediately irritated. "What the hell are you on about now?"
"We're on patrol," Rukia easily states, her voice going well above Ichigo's rising tone. She lifts a tiny hand up and gestures with her free hand, "This is Shibata. His mom needs to finish her groceries so she left him with me to watch. I was on my way back to meet up with her."
The kid looks up and up and up and then let's go of Rukia's hand, "Mister Sado!"
"Hello."
Tatsuki turns to Chad who has stepped forward and picked up the little boy. Shibata climbs on Chad's shoulders and rests his chin on the unruly hair. "You two know each other?"
Chad nods and he looks at Rukia. She also nods then looks at the boy who is now much taller than her. "Are you okay up there?"
"Of course. It's Mister Sado." Shibata giggles and looks down at Chad. "I didn't find my mother or father, but I have new ones who promised to take me to my family when I am old enough to understand. They promised."
"I will go, too."
Shibata nods even though Chad won't be able to see him. He lifts his chin up and starts to eat.
Keigo and Mizuiro smoothly move on each side of Ichigo as they badger him with all the information from the movie he missed. Rukia, after she's greeted everyone a polite hello, walks side by side with Chad leading their parade. Occasionally, she will look up and speak with the little boy but for most of the time she's silent.
At some point, even Ishida's managed to walk ahead of everyone else and is beside Rukia. They seem to be talking but Tatsuki's too far at the back to hear. Keigo, Mizuiro and Ichigo arguing are of no help.
Beside Tatsuki, Orihime is also silent. When she turns to check her friend, she's surprised to see the worried eyes of Orihime directed at her. "Are you okay, Tatsuki-chan?"
Tatsuki raises her eyebrows. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that?"
"There's nothing to worry about me, Tatsuki-chan. I'm actually a bit happy." Orihime punctuates that with an honest smile and a tilt of her head, her eyes sliding in the direction of a loud Ichigo vehemently arguing his point about what a good movie is.
Ichigo. Acting like his usual self, among friends and not the boy they've seen of late who's always been occupied with his mind elsewhere. In front of all of them is the one girl whom Tatsuki vented her anger on but it seems that Ichigo knows nothing about the encounter. Rukia doesn't even bother to fight for Ichigo's attention when Keigo and Mizuiro moved in. But her silent presence brings back memories of the first few months in school, during lunch break where everyone is lively and carefree and Ichigo is just Ichigo with his friends. All the girl's ever done is be there.
Tatsuki watches Ichigo's back, quiet in her contemplation.
"Ichigo."
"Yeah?" Ichigo turns his head so he can look at Tatsuki. Keigo does, too, and for once Tatsuki can't read Keigo's face.
Tatsuki stops walking and she feels Orihime do the same. She doesn't look at her best friend, however. Instead, she keeps her eyes on Ichigo and then at the ground as she bows low, "I'm sorry."
By now, everyone's also halted their steps. She doesn't need to look up to know that Ichigo has a confused scowl on his face. "What for?"
"Come, Shibata. Time to go find your mom," Rukia's soft voice reaches Tatsuki's ears. "I'll go on ahead, Ichigo."
"Hey, wait a minute…"
"Nah, Chad will go with me. I'm sure Shibata wants to introduce his mom. Right, Shibata?"
"I'll go with them, Kurosaki."
"You know what, we'll all go! Wait for me, Ishida." Keigo's shoes leave Tatsuki's line of sight and she assumes Mizuiro went along with the rest of the group.
"Please don't be too angry, Kurosaki-kun." With that parting shot, Tatsuki knows that even Orihime has left to give Tatsuki all the time and space she needs to resolve this. She is silently grateful to all of them, even Rukia.
"Okay, something must be up. I'm not that dense," Ichigo mutters to himself. "What's this about, Tatsuki?"
Tatsuki's hands clench as tight as she shuts her eyes. The blackness of her vision a literal reminder of what she's seen in the past: absolutely nothing. She takes a deep breath and lifts her torso up, and opens her eyes. Ichigo's expression has remained neutral. He must've finally remembered the last argument they've had days or perhaps weeks ago. It feels longer.
"I don't know where to start," Tatsuki mutters under her breath, feeling the pressure of his gaze. The way Ichigo's expression tightened and his entire posture stiffen as if bracing for war threaten to pound her resolve into nothing. He's already expecting the worst, without even a slight hint of what she's about to say. The strain in their friendship has escalated this far, festering in the silence she herself has brought upon since she's tagged Rukia as the enemy.
"Well, I might as well make it short. I confronted Rukia-san…" Tatsuki's eyes stray down to Ichigo's chin, "and told her off, to stay away from you."
Ichigo doesn't move and doesn't breathe a word out either. Tatsuki forces herself to look up, to see if his forgiveness is this easily attainable and she begins to hope that perhaps she's the only one who's thought the worst over this matter. She swallows the lump that has formed in her throat as soon as she's met his cold eyes. He's waiting.
It's almost like that time when they were younger, when he's given enough reason for people to be afraid of him. A wrong word thrown his way means bruises and blood. And the only reason she's managed to stay by his side is because she's known him before the smile left his face. He's trusted her enough to watch his back.
"I…" Tatsuki falters and looks down again, her eyes as heavy as her heart. She takes another deep breath to calm the rambling thoughts in her mind before continuing. "People were hurting, and I felt useless. You have to admit, you've ignored your friends because of her," Tatsuki looks up just as she finishes, bitter and angry at herself and at Ichigo.
"What did she do to any of you?"
Tatsuki flinches more from the hardened glare than the implied accusation of her misdirected anger. "Do you really want me to answer that?"
"Let me hear it." Again, Ichigo's face closes down. A glimpse of anger bled out from his features earlier, which is easier to deal with than this calmness.
"She took you away." Now that Tatsuki has said it out loud, she feels rather childish. Ichigo's right here. He's always been here. He goes to school with them, talks to them, eats lunch with and even walks home with them until they reach the street where he must turn and go to that shop. She can say more, about Orihime in particular and it might actually guilt trip Ichigo into seeing the quiet girl for once. If she does that, it might be Orihime who may be angry next.
Tatsuki finds the will to hold her tongue.
A long drawn out sigh escapes Ichigo's lips and his defensive stance finally relaxes, bringing down his crossed arms to his sides. "I'm still here, Tatsuki."
But for how long?
"Yeah, I know," Tatsuki nods with a weary smile on her face. "It's why I'm apologizing."
"Let's catch up with the others." Ichigo shoves his hands in his pockets and starts walking. Tatsuki sprints the small distance so they can walk side by side.
=====[][][][][]=====
Unbelievable.
Unfuckingbelievable.
Tsukasa walks after Tsukushi as they trek all over the shopping district for new food stalls, and their free-tastes. So far, they've gone through five and received a bite-sized food of varying strangeness. He can barely remember what the last one's name is. He didn't know people can actually go on a date penniless.
"I'll pay you when I get some money," he says as he accepts yet another freebie from yet another food stall.
"Don't worry about it. I just got paid last night so consider it my treat." She plops the small meatball into her mouth and swallows.
"I still can't believe that old hag will do this to me." He stares at the weird roll of meat in a tiny paper cup and shrugs. He copies her and takes a big swallow. "It actually tastes good." He looks up at the name of the food stall and notes it down for future reference.
"It doesn't need to be expensive to taste good, you know. You enjoyed what we ate so far." She pokes his arm. "Admit it."
"Yeah, yeah. But today was supposed to be a date and I haven't paid a single thing," he grouses and finishes with a scowl. "And I can't believe they'd cut my credit cards like that. It's a black card for fuck's sake. They didn't even acknowledge me when I said I'm Domyouji Tsukasa."
"Apparently a lot of people pretend to be you to get things for free." She pats his arm to try and calm him down.
Tsukushi has had to pay everything off with coins from her purse. Her entire pay must've gone to what trash they ate in that expensive restaurant. Brilliant plan on his part to not bring a tiny amount of cash, he mentally berates. He should have known his bitch of a mother isn't above cutting everything despite what they've already agreed on.
The waiters and manager already came out to placate Tsukasa earlier, but nothing he said swayed the decision of the staff about the charge. He might've broken the table and plates in his fit but Tsukushi might end up paying more. And she probably used up every single cent she has.
He continues to mutter, "Ruined our date."
In a rare show of affection, she slips an arm around his which makes him smile. She's done her best to cheer him up today and his foul mood isn't helping. "So this is how common people spend their day, huh?"
She snorts and shoves him with her shoulder. "Not everything has to cost an arm and a leg. It makes everything we buy mean so much more, because we have so little."
"I guess. Where else do you want to go? That's also free." He pokes her temple with an index finger and laughs when she elbows him.
She closes her eyes and he watches her, memorizing her face and her easy grin. "I like going to the park, especially during spring time. The Karakura Park's pretty big so nearer the center, you can barely hear the cars. You can even forget you're in a city."
"I've never been to the park. Where is it?"
Her eyes snap open to gawk at him. "No, really. That's just impossible."
He shrugs, remembering his childhood past time. "I have computer games to keep me busy. Or I hang out at Rui's, or Akira's or Soujiro's. We don't really get to go out until we were older and by then, who the hell goes to the park?"
"Normal people do." She begins to drag him by the arm and he tries to pull her back. "Come on. We're going to the park." She turns and grabs his wrist with both hands.
Yeah, normal people. He nods and grabs her hand, causing her to blush. "Alright, let's walk like normal couples do."
Even just once.
Because after tonight, everything will change.
=====[][][][][]=====
"That was really nice of her to treat us." Mizuiro nods and shoves his table napkin underneath the plate. "I only bring my dates to expensive restaurants like this. Never my friends."
Keigo shifts and glares at Mizuiro. "Thank you for being such a good friend."
"It's unfortunate that she's not here to actually enjoy the food she paid for." Ishida adjusts his glasses up his nose and looks around their table.
Ichigo does the same and stares at all the food he and his friends consumed. It was getting a bit late in the afternoon and just before Rukia left, she led everyone in this classy restaurant. They all felt underdressed, even Ichigo and he hardly feels uncomfortable with how he dresses.
The receptionist even rudely told them the boys should be wearing ties. So Rukia pulled the poor guy's tie off and tossed it to Ichigo. She asked to see four more waiters, and took all of their ties as well, giving each to Keigo, Mizuiro, Chad and Ishida.
"It's her way of apologizing." Ichigo stares down at his unfinished meal and then at the other plates. He's the only one who didn't have the appetite to taste everything on the table.
"For what?" Tatsuki asks as she takes a slice off her cake.
"Her birthday." Ichigo sets down his fork, not up to taking anything sweet tonight. His stomach's feeling a bit queasy and he can only blame the exotic foods presented to them. Rukia did go all out, asking for the house specialties off the bat as soon as they've been seated. She's a whirlwind of activity since that point. She's never sat once and left to "speak with the manager" and by the time she's back, all she said was to enjoy the meal and not to worry because it's on the house.
"Why would she apologize for her birthday?" Inoue asks but her attention is on the variety of cake slices she's put together on her plate. Tatsuki's looking a bit sick from beside Inoue, so does the silent Chad from the other side.
He can still remember her light hand on his shoulder when she forcibly sat him down when he tried to go after her. Her touch still lingers just as her words do when she leant over from behind his chair earlier, murmuring in his ear that she has to go.
"Sorry, I wish I could do more. You can stay here with your friends. Renji is on his way to pick me up."
He knows the schedule. He's seen it on the invitation that Urahara showed him, and even joked that he can fake one for Ichigo if he truly wants to go. The formal event starts at eight, but guests are expected to start trickling in before seven so Rukia needs to be there prior to that.
"… her a gift," Inoue suddenly says punctuated by a loud clap of her hands and succeeds to break Ichigo out of his thoughts.
"What?"
"She gave us all these and we should thank her, right?" Inoue stares at him with wide innocent eyes and Ichigo blinks at her, not comprehending exactly where that came from. Has he zoned out that long that he's missed the entire conversation that went around the table?
"We all agreed to buy something nice for her," Tatsuki explains, slowly. "When is her birthday?"
He blinks at them. "Today…"
He didn't even think of a gift.
Almost all of them yell except Chad, "Today!" Inoue and Keigo even stood up, rattling the chair, table and the dishes and causing quite the stir as other people give their table a look. They're the youngest people in the entire restaurant, and not even dressed well. What a sight, truly.
"We have to go!" Inoue takes Tatsuki's arm. "Are you going to see her again, Kurosaki-kun?"
"No…"
Somehow, that's an unacceptable answer as they all frown at him.
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It's even more boring than his own birthday, Tsukasa thinks.
This was supposed to be a smaller event. Nothing as exposed and publicized as the one held last year but all the same, it's the same boring program with the same boring and familiar people. Just lesser in number. There are none of the outliers of society, where their only reason for attendance is to brush shoulders with those in the higher tier of society.
The usual absentees are still absent, although he thinks both the Emperor and the Prime Minister are bound to show up on Rukia's eighteenth which is rumored to be celebrated along with Hitsugaya and Soifon in a single day. Politicians to the right; Business tycoons to the left; The most influential on both sides, nearer the long table at the center.
Different layout, but still the same arrangement. They might as well have copied the top five hundred of the guest list from his birthday to attend this "private gathering of friends and family."
He rolls his eyes as he continues to silently mock the event. The only compensation he has are his friends, who look equally bored. Rui actually looks like he's sleeping with eyes wide open.
Why do people keep attending these things? Older people are so busy, Tsukasa is sure these formal events are more of a chore and a discrepancy to their tight schedules. Young people like him obviously would rather be elsewhere. They're only a handful in this room, but every single one of them has sightless eyes. Occasionally, wandering eyes will cross and meet in silent understanding but nothing happens afterwards. They just turn away, proceed with the mundane activity of staring at nothing and waiting for this to end.
None of Eitoku's loud and obnoxious braggarts are here. The few that look familiar to Tsukasa are those he's also seen in several functions he's been forced to attend. They're usually the silent ones; the ones who know their place, and their purpose. When it's time to mingle, they mingle. These are the youths who can work a room when asked to and it's hard to tell how much of that enthusiasm is real.
He leans against his chair and closes his eyes. He's one of them now.
The soft squeak of a chair being dragged on his right forces him to open an eye and he sees Rukia flop on it tiredly. It's the only break to her perfect demeanor in the past three hours. The entire time, she's been with her brother as he introduces her to several people and have pictures taken per table. At times, she's been left with guests her age and the other half of that, she's with people twice her age no doubt being bombarded with questions and requests.
Tsukasa's foul attitude and reputation in public has given him some peace in events like this. People like to leave him alone. But there are those thick enough to approach him, and discuss 'business' because he will run it one day and some would like to 'pass pleasantries' with his father. Annoys the fuck out of him whenever that happens.
"Congratulations." He snorts. "Done making false promises yet?"
"I don't make promises I can't keep. Unlike someone." She has her eyes closed also, taking a break from the glare of lights and camera flashes that have been pointed her way the entire night. Every inch the perfect porcelain from the moment she's stepped in the room to this form of respite. She sits with her back straight against the chair. She shouldn't be leaning, but her fatigue shows. Other than that, there's not a single wrinkle on her black and pink ensemble.
The engagement hasn't been announced yet, but his place of honor in the seating arrangement is already an indication of what's to come. Everyone in the room probably expects it and he wonders if anyone here still remembers what he's announced less than a month ago.
"It's almost done. After the dance, everyone's free to do as they wish," she murmurs, and he doesn't know who she's talking to. The length of their table is empty since the people on his left side are still on the floor. It's rare that his father is in Japan, so everyone who feels the need to talk to him have flocked around him. His mother has her own crowd. Even his sister has her little followers, old friends and acquaintances who hardly saw her since she was married.
He was surprised that there's only Byakuya and her grandfather who sat with Rukia on their table. She has no parents. His mother mentioned once that she had a sister, but there's no 'sister' on that side of the table and Rukia's never mentioned one either.
This is the only reason he's behaved this evening. He would have made a scene, which was his original plan after that date with Tsukushi. But after seeing the entirety of her "family", he can't find the strength to bludgeon the fragile balance she maintains.
She has nobody to see to her when she's down.
He feels that strange kinship again, a reminder of that little break in Hokkaido. And his sympathy is a gift.
They'll deal with shit after this particular hell is over.
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Kisuke finishes his glass of red wine in one gulp. The person next to him gives him a disapproving frown, which he parries with a smile. "Come now, Ukitake-san. I like to show my hosts how I appreciate such a wonderful evening."
Jushirou sighs and turns away from Kisuke, his green eyes returning to the center table where Rukia and the Domyouji heir sat. Kisuke follows the gaze and watches also. He's actually expected some disturbance, considering the reputation of that boy and what happened before. The night has gone on smoothly, and peacefully.
Which is disturbing.
The boy has behaved all evening, although he barely moved from his seat. Rukia is everywhere but on that table. She's stayed away from Domyouji as much as possible, using Byakuya's itinerary for her to her advantage. She's dropped by every table, lingered long enough to greet everybody, exchange small talk and thank everyone for attending before she moves on to the next. Kisuke is reminded of a fickle butterfly, fluttering from one flower to another all its short life.
When she reached their table earlier, Jushirou's first question was to ask her how she's doing. Her answer was a smile and the staple, "I'm doing fine."
"She's growing up fast." Kisuke observes Rukia, trying to place her side by side with the little girl in his memory who tried to beat Renji in everything, and failed at all the physical contests against Renji.
"Isn't she? I feel so old." Jushirou sighs again and begins to cough. Kisuke worriedly glances at his old friend who raises a hand to stop him from reaching over to help. "I'm fine."
"Of course." Kisuke shakes his head. Everyone's fine this fine evening.
Byakuya approaches Rukia with an outstretched hand, which she takes as she stands up in a fluid motion. Any sign of the fatigue she's worn when she sat earlier is gone as soon as the spotlight is back on her in the form of her brother. He brings her to the center of the dance floor and there's the almost unnoticeable nod if Kisuke wasn't looking for it.
She smiles briefly at the approval. Kisuke and Jushirou share a look, mirroring each other although Jushirou's sad eyes are more expressive.
Sometimes, Kisuke wonders if Byakuya really is heartless. He knows that the young man does care, but there are times when the line between true affection and obsession becomes a blur. In wanting the best for her, Byakuya has used and controlled her with invisible strings. She's so starved for his approval that she's willing to do everything for him.
It's unhealthy in Kisuke's opinion but who is he to say these things to someone like Byakuya? Byakuya doesn't even listen to Yoruichi.
The first dance of the evening is given to the jewel of the night and her father, as tradition goes. Even Kisuke doesn't know who the closest thing for a father Rukia has. Byakuya is there simply because he's the brother, closest of kin by blood but certainly not the father figure in her life. Has there been one?
Byakuya leads Rukia in a practiced waltz, as if they've done this before. Kisuke knows better. It's ironic, that this first dance is also likely to be the last in the history between Kuchiki siblings.
Their moment is short. The small smile on her face doesn't last, either. Before that dance is over, she's already ducked her head in a show of deference. Byakuya, for the moment which causes Kisuke to blink several times, has broken protocol and leans forward to place a light kiss on Rukia's crown. And then he leads her to the side, where Domyouji Tsukasa waits.
He's too tall for her, is the immediate thought in Kisuke's mind as soon as he's recovered from the surprise. Even the three inches on her heels did not help to raise her above Domyouji's shoulders.
They don't enter into a dance as soon as they reach the center. The music continues to play from Byakuya's first dance, but neither participant seems inclined to continue. They've actually let go of each other and are simply staring.
Kisuke takes this moment to observe the people closest to the floor. There's the popular Domyouji Kaede with her husband next to her, with her thin lips stretched in an almost frown as she observes the unmoving couple. Byakuya is next to the elder Kuchiki, engaged in a conversation with the old man. Further in the back are the infamous F4 who grace the magazines Yoruichi likes to buy once in a while, mere children with old faces that continue to age as they watch the floor.
The stillness has lasted too long and people have begun to murmur, wondering and speculating. Domyouji Kaede's face takes a shade of red and her foot moves forward to enter the floor herself.
Kisuke props an elbow on the table, leaning closer to watch what will happen. The night might become interesting yet.
He is taken out of his element when Domyouji Tsukasa raises his left hand, palm up. With a nod, Rukia moves closer and rests her right on the waiting hand. And suddenly, Kisuke notices small and usually insignificant things like their clothes which are now glaringly obvious that they were made by the same designer and specifically to complement each other. Rukia's strapless pale pink dress is wrapped by a traditional black obi, which plays in contrast to Domyouji's black tux. And what Kisuke originally thought as a white vest underneath is apparently the same shade as Rukia's dress. The red rose on the lapel is the exact same shade as the thin red ribbon that wraps around Rukia's obi, both of which play the same role as accents to their overall attire.
Separated, they're nothing but models to whichever designer, but together, it's yet another statement for the crowd where what you wear is who you are. And the message is clear. They're a couple.
Kisuke jumps out of his skin as the entire room erupts into cheers and tinkles of silverware clinking against glasses. Jushirou gives him a look and Kisuke waves his fan, realizing his lack of attention. He actually thought Byakuya will not push through with the engagement since the party's about to end and there has been no announcement. But here it is, loud and clear.
He looks away just as Domyouji leans down to kiss Rukia in compliance to the request of the guests. And Kisuke is met with another surprise in this late night. His fake invitation has been used, after all.
Ichigo, leaning against the wall with his hands shoved in his pockets.
Kisuke thinks of the time when Ichigo was left in the rain, bloody and broken. And now he begins to regret picking up that boy and encouraging him to push forward. He's still a valuable addition to the ranks, which was Kisuke's main purpose at the beginning and Rukia has been a wonderful lure. But he's forgotten to take into consideration the unpredictable factors, humans. Now, so many other things have sprung up that Kisuke feels the crippling emotion of guilt.
In the end, he's no different than Byakuya. Kurosaki Isshin is a great swordsman and refused to allow his family into the business. He's succeeded, despite Kisuke's insistence of the potential of his children, until fate got in the way. Or better yet, until a meddling man came along. Kisuke stares at his paper fan in contemplation. What a lousy godfather he's become.
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To be continued...