Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
"Are you here to see Inoue-san?" asked the host as he recognized Rukia as Orihime's friend.
"Yes,"
"Her break is in a few minutes, but I will let her know she has a guest."
"Thank you," Rukia said as she sat herself.
After a minutes Rukia heard, "Kuchiki-san I didn't know you were stopping by today," Orihime said as she sat opposite of Rukia.
"Well, you kept surprising me with lunch while I was studying for finals so now that I have some free time, I thought that I would surprise you with lunch," Rukia said with a smile.
"That's so nice. Did Abarai-kun make lunch?"
"No, I made it."
Orihime's composure became rigid because it was a well known fact that Rukia did not know her way around the kitchen. She wore a forced smile and said, "Yummy."
"Don't worry. I've been taking cooking lessons from Yuzu," Rukia said as if reading Orihime's concerns.
"Yuzu-chan?" Orihime asked as she took on a solemn expression. "So you've seen Kurosaki-kun?"
"Yeah, he was there sometimes when I would do my internship. He also saw how stressed I've been and took me out last night for drinks," admitted Rukia.
"I see. So how is he?"
"He's doing well. He asked about you too."
"When I confessed he told me he still wanted to be friends, but I don't think he meant it. I think he only said that to try and lessen the pain."
Rukia reached out and placed her hand on Orihime's and said, "That's not true. Ichigo meant it. He's worried about you. He wants to help you through the pain, he just doesn't how to do it without causing you more pain. Trust me Inoue, Ichigo still wants you in his life."
"Mhm," Orihime said as she shook her head indicating she heard what Rukia said but wasn't entirely convinced.
"Anyways, why are we talking about that idiot? I came to share my delicious lunch with you and to see how you are doing. What's new? I heard that you and Ishida have been hanging out."
"There's nothing going on between us," Orihime practically shouted. Rukia was confused by Orihime's sudden outburst. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get upset, it's just that not that long ago Tatsuki-chan kept saying that I should give Ishida-kun a chance even though I told her we were only friends. I thought you were trying to say that we were dating or should be dating."
"I wasn't trying to imply anything. It's just that Ishida told me that he's been seeing you because his company contracted you for one of their banquets and I guess since he referred you they put him in charge of catering or something like that."
"Oh," Orihime replied feeling rather embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I came here to catch up, but I've only been upsetting you."
"Nonsense, let's try your delicious lunch," Orihime said as she took a bite of her lunch. Orihime's eyes widened in delight. "This is so tasty!"
"Really?" Rukia asked in disbelief. Orihime nodded and took another bite of her lunch. Rukia also took a bite of her lunch and she let out a sigh of relief.
"Yuzu-chan is a good teacher," Orihime said.
"She's so good at cooking and loves doing it, I keep telling Yuzu she should become a chef, but she wants to pursue a different career."
"It's because she loves doing it, that she doesn't want to become a chef."
"What do you mean? If she loves doing something and is passionate about it then why not do it professionally?" asked Rukia.
"Well, when you love doing something, you want to do it for you and for those you care about. Not necessarily for money. Now when you're passionate about something I think you should pursue a career in it because that is something that you would do regardless of whether or not you were getting a paycheck out of it. So even though Yuzu-chan loves cooking, I don't think she's passionate about it."
"Makes sense I guess."
"What do you love to do Kuchiki-san? Or what is something you're naturally good at?" asked Orihime.
"Hmm...I'm not really sure. I'm great at choosing men that are no good for me, but that isn't something I enjoy," Rukia said as she let out a sigh. "But what about you Inoue, what do you love to do?"
"I love telling stories about dreams I've had. When I'm stressed or upset about something I sit down and I tell Sora those stories. I think it helps me because it feels like Sora is really there with me, like he's telling me it will all work out. But one time I told brother a story about a dream that scared me."
"A nightmare? Why what happened?"
"Well in the dream I told him how I was kidnapped and taken to a place where it was always night, the castle we were in was surrounded by sand. And in that place there were several people there, they were like people but not exactly because they were kind of fused with animals. I mean they looked like ordinary humans but when they fought, that's when their animal characteristic showed up. Anyways there was this guy who was fused with a panther, and he liked to act like he was really tough. But he only acted like that because he wanted to earn the respect of those around him. He was rather rude, but he wouldn't just sit around and let some innocent person get hurt. Then there was this other guy who was fused with a bat-"
"Like a vampire?" questioned Rukia.
"Not exactly, he didn't have fangs or anything. But he was very pale and when he fought he would get wings. This guy basically just followed orders and did what he was told. When confronted by others he was pretty aloof, he wouldn't stand down, but he also wouldn't give in to taunts. The others hated that he showed no emotions. They said he had no emotions but I could tell that he was sad and lonely. But then I met the king of the castle. When I saw him, he was very handsome, he looked so kind. At first I thought that was why all these strange people were here. I thought the king had rescued them all so that they wouldn't be alone anymore. But I was wrong. The moment the king greeted me with that smile of his, I sensed nothing but evil. I could not sense an ounce of good in him. I was terrified because I believe that everyone has some good in them. I mean don't you think everyone has some good in them?" asked Orihime.
Rukia looked down at her food and said, "No," as she thought about Kaien. "No, I don't."
Here is another chapter. It is way longer than my usual chapters and to be honest I kind of feel like I rambled on. But my brain was working so I just typed what flowed. I am working on the next chapter. But I am going on vacation for a few weeks so I do not know when I will be updating again. Please R&R
Til Next Time!
