This chapter is not yet beta'd.
To the following people who reviewed, thank you for continuing to support and be patient with FALL:
Voidy, Mari Kia Reshu Aishiteru, teshichan, Trying to change Yesterday, jenaca, Kuchiki chappy, StrawberryMoon777, xcHiiBii-RuKiiax, Fate Lowe, ceres-chan07,xwhitemoonx, Llyssa-maiden, Sora Uchiha, ayame028, Iamdeathberry, Cherrytreeintherain, hinataellis, Aizawa Ayumu Oz Vessailius,
Cactuspd: thank you for the lengthy review haha! Don't worry, they will soon get their act together, but not until Ichigo takes out his foolish card! :D hehehe thanks for the support! You are one of the few who still remained loyal and patient in this fic.
To panda: thank you for that compliment, which up till now I don't know if being a master of insults is a compliment or not… but still! Haha!
A special mention to Kazukagi – who has always and forever supported me in my writing. You are a jewel dearie. Much hugs!
I shall try to update more and faster than the effort I'm doing right now. I hope you all understand thank you so much.
As promised, Chapter 36 of Fall
Previously on chapter 35:
Lavender eyes opened to be greeted by a white ceiling and a dark room. "Wha—Where am I?" She tried standing up, holding her head in the process. "Owww… my head. Shit." She felt cold, despite the blankets on top of her. "I actually have a fever? Great!" She sighed, and felt someone sitting beside her bed, correction; someone else's bed. Whose room is this?
She narrowed her eyes to see who it is. The dark wasn't helping much with her sight. Then she saw orange.
"Ichigo?"
The boy didn't move, but instead a faint inhale and exhale came from him. He was sleeping soundly while sitting, Rukia deduced. "Were you here to guard me huh strawberry?" She chuckled lightly, pushing a strand of his hair from his face. "Well, thank you." She smiled, even if the boy is unconscious to even accept her thanks.
She stood up and unfolded a blanket to put over Ichigo, and then proceeded to grab a pillow from the bed to put under his head. The boy didn't wake up but moved to snuggle himself on the pillow. Rukia smiled at the gesture. "You know, you're really actually cute when you're asleep." She looked at his sleeping face more closely. "I don't think I have told you that yet."
Staring at his closed eyes soon became a game of tracing his jawline, his nose and then his lips.
Lips.
That's right. Before she fell Kaien kissed her. She felt bad when the dark haired man did that, but feeling and seeing how guilty and sorry he was, she knew Kaien was having an inner battle inside. She can't blame her, plus he's her friend and she completely understood what went inside his mind at that time.
But…
Tears started flowing from her eyes.
But why? Why weren't you there to stop it Ichigo?
She cried, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. She wasn't mad, but she felt really frustrated. "I called for you…"
After a few minutes of sobbing in front of a heavily sleeping Ichigo, she finally ceased and wiped her tears. She looked up to caress his face. Then it hit her. She felt very frustrated. She was disappointed that it wasn't Ichigo who kissed her.
Then, she did the most preposterous thing she could ever think of doing.
She pressed her lips against his.
It was shameful, that she's taking advantage of him and his vulnerability. But she wanted a mark. She wanted something that could erase Kaiens mark on her lips. She wanted it so much that's she's risking everything by doing this. Tears flowed from her eyes again, as she chanted 'I'm sorry" over and over in her head.
She pulls back and felt herself shiver. She loves him. She in all honesty loves this orange haired young man in front of her, and she hated it.
She has crossed the line that she promised herself to never cross again.
Disclaimer: Bleach, not mine. The story/plot is mine though.
Type: AU, may exceed to more than one chapter… Oh heck, I just exceeded more than one chapter already anyway.
Rating: M. Not because there's lemony stuff here. But there will be some adult talk and stuff so I figured; I'd make this M in rating just to be safe.
Pairing: IchigoxRukia
Summary: Rukia Kuchiki goes on fulfilling her dreams as a manga artist, and stumbles upon band vocalist and lead, Ichigo Kurosaki who makes her coordinated life become a bit more spontaneous.
Title: Fall
Chapter 36 : Say You're Sorry
There are a lot of things in this world that Kurosaki Ichigo was sure and wasn't sure of. And once he's sure, he's really sure-if that made any sense.
Take for example Karin.
When she was 4 years old and he saw her go googly eyes on a football channel and soon started kicking some footballs, he was SURE that she would definitely be into said sport. And she did, so he was mighty proud of it.
There were also the time he was sure Hisagi would take a spill on his new motorcycle; when he saw how he did some stunts he's stupid enough to do just to impress the girls. It wasn't a funny spill, and Hisagi had earned a few broken bones but still, he was proud that he made a right on-the-dot assumption.
Then come the times he wasn't sure of things…like his dad for instance.
With the way that old goat physically abuses him as a wake up call or simply when he had the chance, he wasn't so sure if his father really saw him as his son. He wasn't asking for a hug-a-lot attention from his dad, he just wants a normal father and son interaction. And his father is way beyond normal.
Then there's their manager. He's not sure if he's always serious or not… But Ichigo decided to give up on figuring it out a long time ago.
Which brings him to his current predicament that he truly insists that he's Sure of.
Kuchiki Rukia is definitely avoiding him.
The little bitch is so blatant about it, it makes his nerves pop on by one in irritation. "What the fuck…" He grumbled. Everybody seemed to ignore it –he chose the word 'ignore' because it was so obvious, it was impossible to not notice it. He didn't know what he did to deserve that kind of treatment, but here she is in all her shunning glory, walking around like he didn't exist.
And it wasn't just a usual ignoring scenario. It was a 'can't-look-directly-in-my-eyes thing'.
What the hell happened?
He would have made a temper tantrum right there and then if he hadn't noticed that she was avoiding Kaien too. "What? Does she have something against spiky hair? " Was his first thought; but the way she clung to Hisagi not only answered his question, but also irked him all the more.
It started after her fever episode back at the Mountain Mansion. He pouted; he was expecting at least her being grateful and close to him considering what he had to go through during her sickbay days. He took care of her for gosh sakes! But instead, as soon as she got healed, she bowed down and mumbled her thanks, then sprinting off behind Hisagi.
Flashback:
"Urahara-san, Yoruichi-san, Rukia and I finally finished with the concept and storyboard. I guess this means the only thing that's left is the Shinigamis' music." Miyako smiled. Yoruichi and Urahara looked up from what they were reading. "Oh goodie! You need not worry Miyako-chan, the guys will pull this off. With the amount of work and dedication they did over the week, I expect nothing less!" Urahara cooed.
"Oi. Urahara." Ichigo's grumbling voice came from the music room.
"Speak of the devil." Urahara flipped his fan. "Yes berry-chan?"
"We're just doing the finishing touches on the music… we're doing good. It's almost time for dinner right? Got any grub?" The orange haired narrowed his eyes. "And don't call me berry-chan you freak."
Yoruichi stood up. "Right, I almost forgot about that. I'll follow up on the delivery." She went towards the kitchen and Miyako followed, telling the tanned woman that she'd help in preparing their food.
Urahara looked over to Ichigo then to Rukia who was sitting on the couch, her back facing the disgruntled young man. "Oops, I forgot, I'll be the one paying for the food." He excused himself and went to follow his fiancée.
Rukia's eyes widened, her face went pale as she saw the manager stroll out of the room. "Wa—" She grumbled and sunk deeper on the couch. "Great, leave me alone with him why don't you?" She murmured to herself. Ever since the night she stole a kiss from him and admitted to herself that she loves him, she can't seem to look straight in his eyes, and always having an inner war with herself.
The orange haired young man looked down at her dark hair. "Oi Rukia…"
No answer.
"Rukia."
Pause again.
His eyes twitched. Bracing himself to snap the girl out of it and stop ignoring him, he immediately plopped on the couch beside her, earning a strangled yelp from the girl as she almost lifted from her seat.
"What the fuck Ichigo!" She seethed and turned to look at the grinning strawberry.
"Well, glad you decided to notice me."
Rukia shut her mouth and the turned to leave, face red in realization. However, Ichigo won't let this pass, he quickly shot his arm toward her and encircled it around her tiny midriff. "Oi, oi, you're not going anywhere! What the hell's the matter with you Rukia?"
Rukia felt her face grow hotter than before. No! She can't let Ichigo see her all embarrassed like this. It will elicit more questions from him, and she doesn't want to be forced to tell something she is not sure of telling.
"Ichigo…. Unhand me!" She whimpered.
"I won't. What's going on with you Rukia? Are you really avoiding me?"
"I-I'm not! I just have something to do!"
"Like hell I'd believe that! Are you okay? I didn't do anything to you right? Why are you avoiding me?"
"I said I'm not!" She almost screamed. "Please just let me go!"
"What's going on in here?" Came a voice from behind them. "You guys are bickering again? I swear to Kami you ar—oof!" Hisagi almost stumbled from the door. He looked down to see the offending thing that came ramming through his abdomen. To his surprise, it was Rukia, burying her face hard on his waist. "Rukia?"
Ichigo looked down at his hands, he didn't even notice that she was able to squirm off of him in a flash and went diving to Hisagi's arms.
He frowned, and felt a tug in his heart.
"What the fuck is going on?" He accused. Hisagi tried to pry Rukia away but she was holding on to his waist tightly, like she didn't want to show her face. "Don't look at me. I'm clueless, and I just came in here." He defended himself.
He looked back at Rukia then to Ichigo. There is something amiss around here. At first He, Hitsugaya and Chad all thought that Ichigo and Rukia just had their usual bickering and stuff, but judging how long has this been going on-Rukia's weird actions and Ichigo's confused and hurt face; not to mention Kaien who had been quiet and only speaks when he is spoken to sported that guilty look ever since the night Rukia had a fever—there seemed to be really something he had yet to decipher.
He didn't want to intervene in any of this, but seeing their leads' face in complete anguish from what the girl of his dreams is doing to him, he made a mission to find out what the hell is going on.
"Fuck this." Ichigo grumbled. "Fine, be like that Rukia. I don't give a damn what you do anymore." He stood up and left.
"Oi, Ichigo! Dinner's ready!" Urahara popped in from the kitchen. "I'm not hungry." The orange haired young man grumbled.
"Eh?" The manager's smile dropped. He hasn't seen Ichigo's face that conflicted before. Well there was one time, but that was years ago. He turned to look at Hisagi who still had Rukia in his arms. He focused his eyes on the petite girl who is now shaking.
Whatever it was that's happening, he didn't need to know.
But he wishes that it would soon be resolved.
The rest of the week had been infuriating. She was interacting with everyone except Kaien and Him. Speaking of Kaien, he carried that apologetic look on his face up until they left the mansion. It made him think that maybe, something happened and he has yet to interrogate the black haired man. But right now, he had a midget to figure out. It was obvious everyone were as clueless as he is as to why Rukia is acting strange towards him.
He lost his chance back at the music camp but he's not going to prolong this.
He parked his car in front of Hisagi's apartment. Flipping open his cellphone, he dialed their rhythm's number. "Hello?"
"Hisagi."
"Oh it's you Ichigo. I was kinda expecting you would call anytime this week… well to be honest, I didn't expect you to let it linger on this long after the music camp."
"Look, I just wanna talk about her… and what you know why she's doing this to me."
"Of course… But I'm telling you in advance, I only have limited information." Hisagi sighed, they should really be the one to decipher all of this. "You can come in here if you want so we can start."
Ichigo's eyes widened. "W-wait… she's not there?"
Hisagi paused for a bit, his eyes deadpanned. "Seriously? You're asking me if she's here? Are you crazy, she lives with you and—"
"She didn't come home for 2 weeks Hisagi. That's half a month! Didn't show her face after the camp." The sadness in Ichigo's voice was evident. "She was evidently close to you back at the camp, so I thought maybe she—"
"Hold it." Hisagi sighed loud enough for Ichigo to hear. "Yeah, she was clinging to me like a leech back at the camp, not that I hate it but… I don't think Rukia would go that far."
"Well, she bunked with me." Ichigo reasoned out.
That's the fucking thing moron! Only with you because she's that comfortable! Hisagi thought to himself. "As much as I don't care that this call is going to cost you, I'm not that comfortable talking to you about this on the phone. Just get out of the car and talk to me face to face."
"Oh right. Sorry." Then a click was heard.
Seriously, when will they just get on with it?
Flashback
"Rukia…" Hisagi tried prying her again from his waist. "Rukia, look, I'm not gonna say anything but you should at least breathe. I don't think you smothering your face in my abs is gonna help."
Rukia flushed and pushed herself gently off of Hisagi. "I-I'm sorry." She sniffed, Hisagi's eyes widened. "Are you crying?"
"I-I'm not."
"Nice try Rukia. I know tears when I see one." He ruffled her hair. "Ichigo's really pissed with what you're doing. And honestly, I really don't wanna butt in with your issues… but I kinda think this is getting out of hand."
Chad and Hitsugaya went out of the room. "Hisagi? Rukia?" The white haired inquired. "Hey, Urahara said dinner's on the table." The tattoo-faced young man grinned, ruffling Rukia's hair more as her back still faced the two. "Why don't you go ahead and save us some grub? Rukia and I, just need to talk about some things."
Hitsugaya closed his eyes and smiled. "Sure." Chad also nodded in understanding.
Rukia mumbled something, Hisagi leaning to her for him to hear. "Oh!" He called out before the two could disappear. "Ru-chan says to make sure the idiot strawberry eats."
As soon as the two left, Hisagi patted Rukia's shoulder. "Now, if you want, you could fill me in now."
Rukia looked up at him. "I…I did something horrible Hisagi."
Opening his door, he found Ichigo's form in a slump, his face frowning more than ever. "Nice. Could you kindly come in please?" Ichigo stepped in, placing himself in a vacant couch. "Do you know where she is? I've been worried sick."
"Have you tried Hinamori's?"
"oh."
"There you go Mr. Smarty Pants. You get yourself so worked up you forget she actually has relatives around here."
Ichigo grumbled at the comment his friend made, but decided not to bother with it anymore. He had something more important to waste his energy on.
"You should lighten up Ichigo, you can't be like this always." Hisagi opened a can of beer. "Last week, the shoot was a success, and you didn't even celebrate with much gusto. I couldn't boast around on my own, we always tagged team on that."
"How could I? I mean… Look, I just don't know why she's doing what she's doing." He slouched some more. "I don't even know what I did wrong to deserve this."
Hisagi sipped his beer.
"What do you mean Rukia?"
"I don't know… It's stupid… It was wrong… I can't face him at all."
"Calm down. Tell me what happened." Hisagi's face became serious. What was this all about?
"I-I.." Rukia's face went red in embarrassment. "promise you won't tell anyone!"
"I will."
"Swear on it."
"Really Rukia this is a bit child—"
"Swear!"
"Okay, okay I swear. Cross my heart."
Rukia fidgeted, still contemplating on whether she would say or not. Bt considering she already made Hisagi swear and do all that crossing hearts thing, she let it go and cursed whatever bad luck she has out there. "Fine… I" she breathed in and out "…I kissed him."
Hisagi's mouth hung open. "uhh what?"
Rukia covered her face. "I kissed him!" She groaned. "It was awful!"
Whoa. Didn't know Ichigo was a bad kisser. "That awful huh?" He asked again, trying to contain his amusement. So this is what it was about.
Rukia didn't notice the amusing misunderstanding and continued hyperventilating on the subject. "You don't understand. I stole a kiss from him! He..He was sleeping and… Shit! Why am I even telling you this?" Rukia tried to make a run for it, but Hisagi held on to her wrist. "Whoa girl, I swear I won't tell. Look, you can always tell me everything."
"You don't understand Hisagi… What I did was horrible. He was vulnerable, and… and…"
"Why? Do you regret it?"
That caught the petite girl in surprise. She did not regret it. But the though of her falling for him, is what makes all of this go haywire. She wasn't supposed to fall in love again. She's too afraid of the consequence. As much as she trusts Ichigo, she's afraid of getting hurt again. And more than that, she fears she'd be the one to hurt him this time. Like a cycle, that's what it is and she doesn't want that at all.
At least, not with him.
"But Hisagi…" She almost hiccupped. "I'm…I was not supposed to fall in love with him." Rukia's face was serious, but pain was evident in her eyes.
To be honest, Hisagi was still caught in surprise with the girl's confession. He didn't expect that he'd be the first one she would tell this, and he felt his head ache from the burden. Christ, if they just tell that to each other and not involve me, I would be very glad.
"Ichigo, Look, even I don't know what's going on." Okay, so he lied. But seeing Rukia's conflicted face in his mind made him do a back-step. He didn't want to complicate a situation that's complicated enough as it is. "But Rukia, she's just too pressured with things going on around her."
"But why is she avoiding me?"
"If it helps, she's not." He gulped on to his remaining beverage. "She just didn't want you to get involved in her pressures. You should give her the benefit of the doubt. She may have done it the wrong way, but she doesn't have any bad intentions and the same goes to you."
Ichigo contemplated for awhile. "You're probably right." He sighed, but the sadness in his eyes still not leaving him.
"Rukia, you've been cooping yourself and working in there for 2 weeks. You'd turn paler than you already are." Hinamori knocked at her own bedroom door. "It's a wonderful Saturday morning. A little sunshine won't hurt."
The lavender-eyed girl opened the door slowly, her pale face sticking out. "I don't need sunlight, as long as I'm breathing, I'm fine."
Hinamori cringed at her ghostly white cousin. "Geh!" She frowned. "I don't care what you think. You should at least eat that is more than 3 spoons of rice. Look at you, you look miserable! Getting a good paycheck isn't everything in this world."
Rukia deadpanned. "ON the contrary, it is in my world." She proceeded to close the door when Hinamori slammed her foot on it to stop her. "I swear I will drag you out there Kuchiki Rukia!" Rukia narrowed her eyes. "Hinamori, stop being like a nagging mother. I said I'm fine, geez…"
Both of them stood and held a staring contest, until the peach girl spoke.
"What happened back in the camp anyway?"
That caught Rukia off-guard. Despite the days and nights practicing her poker face, she cursed inwardly how fast she reacted with her cousin's inquiry. "N-nothing." Fuck! And she's even stuttering! "Don't give me that 'it's nothing' crap Rukia, you reacted! Your face changed, your pretty eyes widened like a saucer. Something definitely happened and you're not telling me!" Hinamori declared, her voice laced with anger.
"I said nothing Hinamori! God, Why don't you just let it go?" She yelled back, this time her eyes glazed.
Hinamori was taken aback at her cousin's sudden outburst. Plus her eyes seemed watery. What the heck happened in that camp? "Rukia…."
"Let's just drop it already Hinamori. I don't like arguing about something th-."
The peach girl hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry Rukia... But I don't like seeing you this way. Please, don't coop yourself here. Did something happen? Please, tell me." She sighed. "Does it have something to do with Kurosaki?"
Rukia felt her knees weaken. She didn't want to confront this topic, not yet. Ever since she admitted to herself and to Hisagi how she really feels for Ichigo, she had been in constant denial and trying to break free from said feelings. She felt awful, she knew Ichigo was on the verge of insanity trying to figure out her actions, but she just stood there and watch him try to figure things out which she knows he wouldn't decipher unless she tells him directly.
"Hinamori…. I'm awful. I'm an awful person." She almost sobbed. Hinamori looked at her with concerned eyes. Taking her cousins' hand, she directed both of them to enter her room and talk about this. As soon as both of them sat on the bed, the peach girl patted Rukia's hand. "Why are you saying that? What exactly happened Rukia?"
Flashback
"Why would you say that Ru-chan?" Hisagi almost frowned. "You know I can't do this Hisagi… You know I'm not ready for this. I'm afraid…"
"What are you afraid of? That Ichigo would reject you? Hurt you?"
Rukia bowed her head, Hisagi breathed out. "You know you won't know that until you tell him. Plus, since when did you Kuchiki Rukia, became a coward?"
Hisagi inquired in a way he thinks would encourage her. It took him by surprise when she answered back utterly contradicting everything positive in his declaration. "I don't want him to be someone I'm not sure of." Rukia clutched her chest "He's become too special for me to lose."
The dark haired man's eyes widened in realization; He knew those eyes, the eyes of a person in love but not willing to risk everything just because she feels this way. She wanted to be sure, not just about Ichigo returning her feelings but also to her own. It's one thing to admit, but it's also another thing to act on it and make it work.
"Rukia…" Hisagi bit his lip. He can't say Ichigo likes her back. It'll probably ruin everything. But he thinks that even if he did say Ichigo liked her a lot, he didn't think she'd accept it that fast. This conflict was within her. She experienced enough hurt on someone she thought was the 'one'. And now she loves Ichigo enough to be the 'one', but she's afraid she'd be the one to hurt him if she acts upon this quickly.
But how quick is quick and how slow is slow?
"I Love him." Rukia looked at the ceiling with hooded eyes. "I love him so much that I'm afraid I might hurt him."
Hinamori wanted to rejoice with her cousin's confession but seeing how pained Rukia is, she cried. "I know you won't hurt him Rukia! You're not that kind of person. Don't torture yourself just because of what happened in your past."
Rukia wiped a tear that had now fallen from her eyes. "Would that carrot top even accept me?"
Hinamori almost blurted out a: 'pffft' but restrained it. "I'd kill him if he doesn't." She smiled, and this made Rukia's heart a bit lighter. "It's been half a month… He's probably too tortured right now trying to figure me out." She smiled softly.
"I'm crazy aren't I?"
"You both are."
Hinamori hugged her cousin again. "Just remember Rukia, don't be discouraged about anything. Renji's a jerk and he's your past. This is now your present." She raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you the one who always lived for the present?"
Rukia chuckled lightly. "Well, a calculated present actually." Her face softened. "It's the carrot top who lived for the spontaneous present. But that's… That's what I like about him."
Then came a soft knock on the door.
"Oh there you are. I thought you two went outside." Unohana peeked inside their room, cutting their serious conversation. "Are you two okay? Have you both been crying?" She raised her eyebrow as she saw her daughter and nieces' eyes a bit watery. "Yes we are mom, we were squealing in joy with our fangirling." Hinamori teased, but Unohana brushed it off like it's a normal occurrence inside her house. "Well then, I hope I didn't disturb your 'fangirling' but there's a mail for both of you."
Hinamori quickly stood up "Eh? I rarely get mails!" She grabbed the small egg white envelope with elegant swirls adorning it. "It's a wedding invitation." She gaped. Rukia raised her eyebrow. "A what?"
"A wedding invitation. Yoruichi and Urahara." Hinamori read out aloud. "Oh my god! I am also invited!" She jumped up and down with glee. "Hitsugaya must have requested you." Rukia smirked. "He did?" Hinamori squealed.
"You know, you should just go ahead and tell him what you feel already." Rukia smirked.
"And what? Freak him out? I'm a fangirl for pete's sake, everyone knows Stars don't usually end up in a relationship with a fangirl. A fan yes, but an extreme fangirl, no."
"Then you'd be the first."
"Che, like you have the guts to tell Ichigo anyway."
Rukia pouted. "I'm not a fangirl… And, well at least I plan on telling him."
"Planning and doing is different from each other Rukia." Hinamori bent forward. "Besides, you won't even come to that conclusion if I hadn't talked you into stopping it with your emo-corner weeks."
A pillow hit the peach girl's face. "T-That was uncalled for Hinamori! I was in an emotional turmoil!"
"Yeah, and you love seeing Ichigo miserable."
"I absolutely do not!"
"Why else would you be denying him access to you for two weeks without any clue to what the hell you're doing?"
Rukia stomped her feet. "Enough! let me see my invitation!" The petite girl snatched the scented paper from her cousin's hand. She opened it with slight excitement and another paper fell off the envelope. "Eh?"
"SHUT UP! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Kurosaki Ichigo seethed. He wanted to strangle their manager and just rid of him and make the world a peaceful place. Said manager was caught in between choking and laughing.
"That was so sweet of you Ichigo. And very smart too! Who would have thought you'd be enough of a genius inside that pathetic head of yours?" Hitsugaya chuckled. "You! You shut up! I don't wanna hear comments from someone who bribed Yoruichi to invite a certain peach girl to their wedding!"
Hitsugaya sputtered, not really liking how he almost spit out his coffee—so very unlike him. "F-Fuck off berry! I didn't bribe Yoruichi, if we're going to invite Rukia, might as well invite her cousin!"
Yoruichi suddenly popped inside the living room. "Oh hey Toshiro, thanks for the cat encyclopedia. I did what you asked for by the way." The tanned girl winked and headed straight to the refrigerator.
Ichigo deadpanned. "Riight… which part of that was not bribing again?"
"Oh shut your trap, so I asked her to invite the girl! Who cares? At least it's not embarrassing as sneaking in a note on someone's invitation asking someone on a dinner!"
Ichigo almost burst out of embarrassment. "DAAAMMNNN ITTTTT! SHUT UUUUPPPP!"
"You could have asked me to give it to her personally Ichigo... no need to go sneaking about." Urahara chuckled once more, followed by a choke as Ichigo tightened his hand around his neck. "Shut up, I said shut the fuck up! Kami, why don't you just die?"
"Not too hard Ichigo. I still need him for the wedding." Yoruichi came in with a carton of milk in hand.
The orange haired guy let go of their manager. "Shit, you're not worth the effort." He scoffed and stood up. "I'm going out for awhile. Wanna come Chad?" Chad nodded and followed his citrus head friend. As soon as the door slammed closed, everyone sighed.
"Are they still not talking?" Yoruichi scratched the back of her ear. "I swear if this continues, it will be hard for us to convince at least one of them to stay during the wedding." Urahara arranged his collar. "It's their job to patch this up… I don't want to interfere, but I have a slight idea on why Rukia is like this to Ichigo."
Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Urahara raised his fan against his mouth. "Oh I don't know…Just a handsome little bird hearing things…"
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "What are you hiding Kisuke?" She stood up and grabbed the tips of her fiancé's hair. "You know something. Out with it."
Urahara cooed. "Oh alright. I guess 2 weeks of hiding it is enough.. at least to you guys." He opened his gossiping mouth as Yoruichi and Hitsugaya listened.
"What is it?" Hinamori giggled as Rukia opened the piece of paper that had fallen from the envelope. "I think it's a note… I think. And would you stop jumping up and down behind me? I'm opening it already, could you wait?" Rukia pouted.
"WELL?" Hinamori curiously demanded.
"It's a note alright… from Ichigo."
"Oh my god how romantic! He really can't live without you!" Hinamori twirled around. "You should just go hook up with him already for goodness sakes!"
"Wha—Shut up Hinamori! Stop being silly." Rukia flushed and held on to the note tightly. She had to admit, the note did give her tingles all, maybe Ichigo really did miss her. She held on to that thought for a good 3 seconds before discarding it. Nah, he'd probably bellow right at my face for ignoring him. Kurosaki Ichigo never did like being ignored.
"Well?"
"Seriously, Hinamori? I haven't even gone halfway into opening it. Stop looming over my shoulder."
"You open to slow!"
"It's my letter, I open it how I want to."
"Che."
"There." Rukia grinned at her impatient cousin and slowly unfolded the piece of paper.
"WELL?" Hinamori leaned to read the contents. Rukia sighed and gave up trying to read the darn thing for the peach girl's head was blocking her view. "Oh go ahead, for goodness sake, read it if you must."
"OH MY GOD!" Hinamori squealed. "He's asking you out to dinner! HOW BOLD!"
"He's what?" Rukia flushed. Well, that was too fast. She just decided a minute ago to confront her feelings and tell Ichigo about it no matter what, but this was going way too swift. "I can't go!"
"WHAT? WHY?" Hinamori glowered at her.
"I'm not ready!"
"What the fuck Rukia!" The peach girl cursed and Rukia was taken aback.
"Hinamori watch your language!" Unohana's voice came from downstairs. "Sorry mom!" Hinamori yelled back. She then whispered back to her cousin—but still retained her hissing tone. "What's the matter with you? I thought we already talked about this? I thought you would finally confront your feelings for him. Don't back out on this damn it… You know how the world sighed in relief saying: 'finally' when you did that?"
"Hey! That's too much! I did not linger on it for that long." Rukia defended herself. Needless to say, Hinamori gave her cousin a deadpanned look. "I'll just pretend you did not say that." She shoved the paper in front of Rukia. "In any case, you are going. I'm not saying you're going to confess right away, think about it Rukia, you avoided him for almost a month now—The two weeks you didn't go home to his place and the days back in the mountain mansion—this is an invitation for you to clear things to him so he won't go about town looking like a lost puppy.
"Like he'd actually look like a lost puppy." Rukia snorted, as an image of a scowling Ichigo came into her mind.
"Shows what you know." Hinamori mumbled. Last week, the PV was announced and a preview was shown at the TV stations. A sneak peek of the Shinigamis celebration was also displayed and Ichigo's expression went from deadpan to deject every 5 seconds. He also refused to be interviewed.
"Like I said, you're going. It'll be 2 days from now anyway, so you have all the time prepping up." Hinamori smiled.
"Yeah… Alright. But maybe I should go over and talk to him already." Rukia sighed.
Yoruichi growled; her teeth barred as she paced around the living room. Urahara tried to make her sit down but she just snarled at him, making the blond haired man take out his fan and ventilate himself.
"Where in fuck's name are they? They were supposed to be here a minute ago!" She turned to her fiancé. "You did not actually forget to tell them right?"
"Of course not my dear! I specifically told them to be here at 4pm sharp. Our wedding preparations are my topmost priority you know." Urahara cooed. "Well, then where are they?" Yoruichi stomped her feet. She disliked waiting, and what's worse was that the men in question were beyond late for their suit fitting. She gritted her teeth, if all of her plans backfire because of them, she's skinning them alive.
"Heey! Sorry we're late… We had to carry Ichigo out of his apartment." Hisagi waved. "Why do I have to do all this fitting anyway? It's not like we're wearing go—"
A vase went crashing 2 inches from his head.
Ichigo's eyes widened as he looked at the smashed jar. He then turned to Yoruichi. "What the fuck Yoruichi, you could have killed me!"
"You were supposed to be here an hour ago!"
"We're here already! I don't get why you're so uptight about this!"
Everybody tried shutting him up. A furious Yoruichi was never to be taunted with. "It's my wedding you orange freak! You promised to help me smoothen the plans for this!" She was instantly beside Ichigo and now rubbing his face on the wall. "Whaf promif? Itsh like shelling shoul foo da devilhss." Ichigo tried blurting out despite the fact that his face was kissing every inch of the wall.
"Enough. Get all your ugly butts to Mr. Tailor over there and get this done and over with." She spat out.
Urahara stood up and followed all the men who were now sprinting towards said tailor who is waiting in the guest room.
"Now, for the girls…" Yoruichi flipped her cellphone open.
Rukia decided she would go back at Ichigo's place tonight, and then maybe apologize to him without having to tell him everything. She smiled, a little happy that she's getting used to the idea of accepting these feelings. The 2 weeks away from him probably helped—especially Hinamori's lecture. "Oh and might as well thank Hisagi too." Picking up her bag, she made her way downstairs.
"Oh, Rukia-chan… going out?" Unohana asked as she placed down a bowl of pasta on the kitchen counter.
"Actually, I'm going back to Ichigo's place tonight Auntie." She smiled. "Is that so? If that's the case, bring this with you." Unohana took one bag of apples from the fridge." I could have made something for Kurosaki-kan and you if you have told me that earlier."
"You don't need to bother yourself with it Auntie, this will do, thank you." Rukia took the bag and gave her Aunt a hug.
"Say hello to Kurosaki-san for me okay?"
"I will."
"You should be going then Rukia, before it gets dark."
"Yes Auntie, I probably should. Tell Hinamori I've gone ahead. She's taking a nap and I don't want to disturb her. Rukia bowed her head and made her way towards the door.
"Oh and Rukia?" Unohana came, and Rukia turned her head to look at her. "Yes?"
"Take it easy on yourself dear. If fate gives you happiness, then it means you deserve it."
Rukia looked at her Aunt with a puzzled look. "Uh…I will.. I guess?"
With that, she waved goodbye and made her way outside.
"I'm sorry to disturb you Miyako, but could you come over here tonight?" Yoruichi peeked inside the guest room, making sure everyone was getting measured.
"I'll try… I have this meeting right now and I don't know what time we'll be finishing." Miyako stirred her coffee. "We're just on a break now."
"See if you can. The seamstress will be coming over in a while… and I have yet to call the other ladies." Yoruichi sounded stressed.
Miyako chuckled at the thought. Yoruichi hardly became stressed. She was always cool as a cucumber if not bossy. The wedding is really a big thing for her and perhaps Urahara as well. "Don't worry, I'll try doing something about the meeting so we can finish early."
"That's good!" Yoruichi grinned. "Oh and Miyako… are you okay now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I meant with you and Kaien."
Silence came on the other line before a deep sigh was heard. "Not really. I know he said he's willing to talk to me when he's ready—which of course I don't know when…It's not that I'm in a hurry for him to do so, I was the one who hurt him after all."
"But no new developments?"
"No. He's… I guess he's still not over it despite the fact that we had an understanding back at the camp. We're talking yes, but only civilly. Plus…"
"Plus?"
"I know he likes Kuchiki-san."
Yoruichi breathed out. "And if he does, would you just back out?"
Miyako placed her forehead against her right palm. "I honestly don't know. I still want to talk to him about all of what happened to us, and I know we agreed when were ready. I don't want to force him, but when is he going to be ready?"
"You still love him. That I know much."
Miyako chuckled. "It's no secret. I was stupid to let go of him in the first place." She then choked. "But I can't help it that I sometimes feel he'll drift away even further before I even get the chance to try and get him back.
Yoruichi chortled. "You know what I think? I think you shouldn't stress yourself out on that. Kaien's gonna hold on to what you and he agreed on. He'll talk to you, that I am sure. He is Kaien Shiba after all, a man of his word. And you are Miyako Asegawa, you're the woman who never gives up with what she fights for."
Miyako smiled and almost tear up. "Thank you Yoruichi. I'll drop by over there in a few."
"See ya then." Yoruichi grinned even if the other girl doesn't see her. "Now, for the next lady." She dialed again on her phone.
"Can't we just use the suits we donned when we shot the MV for 'loverboy mania?'" Ichigo complained.
"Nope. No matter how expensive those suits are, Yoruichi wants a coordinated suit for you guys." Urahara fanned himself. "I may not look like it, but I'm dead serious. I want this to be perfect for her too."
Everybody in the room went silent and stunned. Wow, their manager can be romantic at times too!
"Well, count on us then! I actually like the coordinated look were going to have." Hisagi turned to look at Ichigo "You won't hear me complain at all."
Ichigo scoffed and stepped out of the pedestal. It was now Chad's turn. The orange haired young man grinned. "Hey Chad buddy, you should thank Toshiro for the extra cloth he left for ya. His suit is toddler sized, it didn't even reach 4 yards of fabric."
Hisagi and Urahara guffawed while Chad sweatdropped—in exchange for his 'almost' snicker. Toshiro didn't like the joke at all. "Say that again strawberry head and I'll make a fruit shake out of you. "
"Touché" Ichigo defended himself as Hitsugaya chucked a shoe at him.
"You know better than to make jokes about height. You never learn, maybe that's why Rukia decided to avoid you." Hitsugaya glowered, knowing he will hit a nerve.
"Oh hell, that's going too far!" Ichigo sat down, a little hurt and now openly contemplating if it's really his insults that made Rukia act like that. He then began sulking again, remembering the 2 weeks she didn't show herself and the fact that they already confirmed they got the invitation and yet no text from Rukia about her and the dinner he proposed.
"Now look at what you did. He's sulking again." Hisagi frowned at Hitsugaya "You know how he is when he's in his emo-corner. He just doesn't sit and mope; he digs a 6 feet hole in said corner and stays there."
"Not my fault. He started it." Hitsugaya sniffed indifferently.
It was already past 5 when Rukia got Yoruichi's call. She was just about to board the train when the tanned woman told her to drop by her house. She agreed and took the bus instead to the Shinigami's manager's house.
"Ah! Rukia, glad you could come." Yoruichi greeted her.
"Good evening Yoruichi-san… uh.. are you going out?" She asked as she pointed to the tanned woman's clothing. "Oh this? Sorry, I was having my reception gown fitted for the wedding."
Rukia went 'oh' at the realization. "That's right! The wedding!"
"Yep, It'll be less than 40 days from now—which I assume you already know since you got the invitation yes?"
Rukia nodded. "Yes, I got it. Thank you for inviting me." She smiled and walked towards the living room with Yoruichi "So uhm, what did you want with me?"
Yoruichi laughed. "Don't be silly Rukia, since you're one of my bridesmaids…"
"BRIDESMAID?"
"Yes, didn't Urahara tell you?"
"N-no.."
"Damn it. I knew better than to trust him with that. But yeah, you are... Don't look like you saw a ghost. You have nothing to worry about, that's why I called you here, to have your measurements taken for the dress."
"I..I.."
"Now, don't be shy, let's go to the guest room and have it done. The seamstress came a minute ago…"
Urahara clapped his hands. "Alright boys, let's get out now, it's the seamstress' turn."
Ichigo stood up quickly to get out the room, moving towards his bag to retrieve it. Hisagi shook his head and looked over to Urahara. "Yoruichi's gonna get measured again? How many dresses does she need to wear on that day anyway?"
"Oh no, this is not for my darling wife... This is for the bridesmaids."
"Bridesmaids? Where?" Hisagi grinned.
"Pull back that perverted grin, its only 'bridesmaid'" Yoruichi announced as she went inside the room, with Rukia in tow.
"Ru-chan!" Hisagi leaped towards the girl.
Ichigo turned to their direction abruptly; he could almost snap his neck. Hitsugaya smirked at the berryheads' reaction as Chad went to greet Rukia a good evening.
"Hi everyone." Rukia waved her hand shyly. "Oh, you're going to make a beautiful bridesmaid Rukia!" Hisagi gave her thumbs up and Chad nodded.
"That's right, she's my bridesmaid and she needs to get measured so leave now!" Yoruichi narrowed her eyes at the gaping Ichigo in the corner—whom Rukia still haven't noticed. "And that includes you too Kurosaki!"
Ichigo snapped back from oogling Rukia and flushed. Rukia on the other hand now noticed Ichigo's presence and flushed also.
Everyone gave out an: 'oh geez' sigh inwardly.
Ichigo placed his bag strap on his shoulder and walked towards the door where Rukia and the others are standing. The petite woman gripped on to her bag handle tightly. Urahara and the others exited the room as Yoruichi made her way to talk to the seamstress.
As soon as he got to the doorway, he stopped, right in front of Rukia.
It took all her strength to will her blush away and raise her head up to meet Ichigo's eyes. Ichigo on the other hand was failing badly from turning into a tomato. "Rukia I.."
WHAP!
"What the fuck Yoruichi?" Ichigo growled from behind him. The bride-to-be slapped the clipboard on his head just as he was about to start a conversation with Rukia. Said girl's eyes widened at the sudden intrusion.
"I said GET OUT." Yoruichi threatened.
"A-alright already!" He stomped out, clearly irritated.
Rukia looked around confused. What the hell was that all about?
6:30 pm on the clock.
As soon as the minute hand reached 6, Rukia came into view from the guest room door.
"Finished already? That was fast." Hisagi chuckled. Yoruichi and Urahara went back inside the guest room to talk to the tailor and seamstress.
Rukia smiled and looked around the room. "Where's Hitsugaya?"
"He went on ahead, said he has a lot to finish—whatever that is. We're thinking of dinner right now…Chad and I decided on pizza.. wanna come Rukia?"
She was about to answer when Ichigo came from the kitchen, holding a glass of water. "I think I'll pass on the pizza Hisagi." He turned to look at the group and found Rukia standing there. Oh, so she's already finished.
"What? You're no fun.. you and Hitsugaya." Hisagi pouted.
"Sorry, I wanna hit the sack early." Ichigo excused himself.
"Crap. Guess that's you me and Chad then huh Rukia?" Hisagi turned to Rukia.
"Uhm… I think I'll pass on that too." Rukia apologetically smiled, grabbed her bag from the couch and quickly made her way towards the door.
Hisagi frowned. Oh well, guess it can't be helped. He turned to Chad. "Don't tell me you're backing out too." Chad smiled. "Not really, I'm actually craving for pizza."
Ichigo made his way towards his car, fumbling for his keys as he did so. He was about to slip the metal key in the slot when a voice came from behind him.
"Ichigo."
"GYAAAH!" He almost fell down on his ass. He then turned to look at the person who almost scared 15 years off his life. "What the…Rukia! Don't do that!" Rukia smirked. "I didn't even scare you on purpose. How stupid are you anyway?"
Ichigo scowled. "Well sorry for getting scared and being stupid. Not like I go around avoiding people for no reason."
Rukia frowned back. "I'm sorry okay? You didn't deserve what I did, I was stressed, I had moodswings and I threw it all on you. I'm sorry."
"What the… Moodswings? This is what it's all about midget?" Ichigo could not believe it. "You avoided me for almost a month because you had moodswings?"
Okay, technically she didn't lie about the stressed part. She was stressed. Stressed with what she's feeling towards berryhead before. And yeah, so she lied about the moodswings. She did have those, but it doesn't last for a month.
"I already said I'm sorry." She was almost into tears; she really, really felt guilty right now.
Ichigo groaned and softly slammed his forehead at the roof of his car. "I really, really don't know what to do with you. Seriously, you're like a fucking maze. I could never understand you."
She fought back her tears. "I said I'm sorry. What do you want me to do?"
Ichigo looked back at her, and seeing the guilt and sincerity in her eyes made him almost smile. "I almost went crazy trying to figure out what I did to you" He chuckled.
"Im so—"
"Enough." Ichigo shifted a little from the car. "I'm just glad you're talking to me again." He smirked.
"Ichigo…" Rukia felt her heart skip a beat. Should she tell him now? Would it be appropriate or would it be too abrupt? "Ichi—"
"So, you'd do what I say?"
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me, you offered it awhile ago." Ichigo flushed, thankful that the light was not on him but behind him. Realization hit Rukia. "Oh. Yeah." She held her head up high and closed her eyes. "Alright, one wish then… What do you want me to do? Treat you out? Cook for you? Do your laundry?"
"Give me a hug."
Rukia turned to look at Ichigo skeptically. "That's a pretty simple request. You're not tricking me are you?"
"Are you gonna do it or not?"
"Fine." She said coolly but deep inside her heart was hammering like mad. If only, she could hear that Ichigo's was also the same as hers. She then proceeded to walk towards Ichigo and wrapped her arms around his neck as she tiptoed. Ichigo quickly encircled his arms on her waist and closed the gap between them.
Ichigo dipped his nose in her hair and inhaled her scent. He missed her greatly. 2 weeks of not seeing her or talking to her really drove him on the edge. How he loves this woman, so much, that it hurts him just to be apart from her. He knows what happened during the span of two weeks was something else and he has yet to find out the real deal. He knew Rukia was trying to cover it up, but he won't force her to tell it right now. Just the fact that they're talking again is enough—for now.
Rukia relished the feel of Ichigo's warm body against hers. This, this was everything she dreamed of, but for now, this will do. Now is not the time to ruin this perfect little 'semi-reunion' with a confession.
They soon let go of each other and smiled. "Well, that was refreshing." Ichigo smirked, a little disappointed at how fast their hug ended. "Yeah…" Rukia chuckled.
"I'm actually hungry… But I'm too tired to tag along for pizza."
"I have apples."
"Great, can I have some?" Ichigo's hand dove inside Rukia's bag for some apples and grinned. "This will do until I get something on the way."
"Heading home?" Rukia inquired.
"Yeah…want me to drop you off at Hinamori's?" Ichigo tried not to sound disheartened. Just because everything's fine between them doesn't mean she decided to come back.
"A-Actually…" Rukia blushed, and held on to her bag tighter. "…I was actually going back."
Ichigo stared at her, surprised at her declaration. "Oh." Was all he could say—to which he concluded was a really stupid answer.
"Yeah. Like I said, I'm sorry for what I did before…" She looked at him straight in the eyes. "…And that I'm coming back home with you."
Ichigo gave out a genuine smile. "Well then, Okaeri Rukia."
Rukia grinned. "Tadaima."
I had to end it here because I felt that it should end here, with the beautiful reunion and the 'okaeri' and 'tadaima'. I'm sorry. In my draft, a lot happened for this chapter, but I'm trying to slow it down. The action will start next chapter, and it's either good or bad—I can at least spoil a bit of that. :D Review please! Thanks!