Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
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After an hour wandering through the streets, Rukia finally managed to calm down a little bit. The memory of Ichigo and Orihime kissing still haunted her but wasn't as painful as before.
'Guess my feelings for you are a little more then I thought, right, Ichigo?' She sighted and lowered her head.
Without paying attention to the road ahead she stepped of the sidewalk to cross the street. Suddenly there was a loud sound of squealing tires and people shouting. Rukia only had time to catch a sight of a car dashing towards her and the time stood still for a second.
A pair of arms grabbing her waist returned her to reality as she was tossed away from the car's track. She landed heavily, still quite shocked.
"Are you alright?"
The voice sounded familiar. She turned her head towards the speaker.
"Renji..."
"What the HELL are you doing! Trying to kill yourself?" After two hours running around and looking for her, here he found her nearly getting hit by a car. It was pure coincidence that he was there to save her. Still he was wondering how come she didn't see the car in time and didn't avoid it. She was a shinigami, after all.
Not her usual self, Rukia just sighted and said in a low voice:
"I'm sorry."
Most of the anger he felt was replaced with worry and mild curiosity at her strange behavior.
"Are you ok?" he asked but she didn't seem to notice. To get her attention or rather to release a bit of his anger, he whapped her on the head. Not so gently.
That worked.
"Hey, what was that for?" she shouted and kicked him, catching him off guard.
'God dammit! Why did I save her?' he bent down and massaged the sore place.
There wasn't even a slightest piece of guilt in her eyes as she continued to look at him and she asked:
"What are you actually doing here, Renji?" With all the mess after Aizen's betrayal she would have thought that Soul Society would need al of it's lieutenants and captains taking care of ... things and stuff like training and planning what to do and such.
"Kuchiki-taichou asked me to come and check on you. He was worried and his absence would be more undesirable then mine."
Rukia's eyes blinked with surprise and another unknown emotion. She seemed taken aback.
"Onii-sama..."
It was true that the captain had asked him directly to check on her, however, knowing him for quite a while now, Renji could see he cared and was worried for his 'little' step sister indeed. So he asked for permission which was granted without further questions. And this small lie seemed to have a grateful effect on his friend.
"So. Will you explain to me what happened? It's not like you to space out in the middle of the street and get hit by a car."
"Ah. It's nothing. I'd rather not talk about it right now. But don't worry I'm already fine as you can see." She gave him a little smile although couldn't hide the sad eyes from him.
Renji didn't want to push her into replying - no wanting to irritate his best friend. Instead he suggested:
"Ok. So why don't we go someplace warm and get something to drink and talk about old times? We haven't talked in longtime..."
It was already getting dark and remarkably colder and Rukia shivered. 'Going someplace where's warmer would be nice'
"Let's go."
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They found a little cozy cafe bar just few blocks ahead. Right after they got there, Rukia ordered sake for both and was currently at her fifth bottle. Renji stopped at his third and his curiosity and worries have by now reached a very high level.
'I really wonder what happened. One more bottle and I'll ask again... unless she won't be unconscious by then.'
They talked about old friends at Rokungai, about academy and about current situation. With higher amount of alcohol the smaller shinigami was less and less talkative until it was only Renji talking. After almost 15 minutes without any reaction he sighted and gave up.
"Rukia. Tell me what it is. I'm your friend."
Rukia fidgeted and averted her gaze from the window to Renji. She stared at him emotionless and then gave him a half-drunken smile.
"Yeah, a friend. That's what I need right now. Thanks Renji for caring." Her eyes seemed a bit watery.
Renji smirked.
"You give an impression like you don't have any friends here. What about Ichigo and..."
The redhead didn't fail to notice Rukia's twitch at the mention of the name and that caught his attention.
"Rukia? Is something wrong with Ichigo? Don't you two get along?"
Rukia growled.
"Nothing's wrong with that moron. And we get along just fine."
'Right. Like I believe you...' The change in her tone was obvious – from slightly apathic to angry and irritated.
"Where is he, by the way? I thought I would find you two together. You seemed pretty close..."
Rukia gave him a bitter laughter and finished her drink.
"I don't care about his whereabouts. He's probably with Orihime."
"Orihime? That's the long-haired chick? Quite pretty with large... ehm... physic qualities?"
Another twitch. And her voice lowered.
"Yeah, that's her. Apparently you're not the only one appreciating her physic qualities."
A bit o jealousy was now recognizable in her voice which seemed weird to Renji as he knew Rukia didn't give a damn about looks or physical appearance.
"They're going out." The phrase wasn't louder than a whisper. Rukia's gaze was locked on her cup; she was playing with it – stroking it with thumbs and moving it around.
Surprise made Renji forgot for a moment about her strange behavior.
"They're going out! Haha ... That bastard's got a girlfriend? Now that's unexpected, he doesn't seem like a guy who's into dating and stuff. Also, I would have thought that if he'll be dating someone it would be you, as I said, you seem pretty cl-"
The rest of the sentence was interrupted by sound o breaking glass. The cup in Rukia's hand was shattered and she was bleeding a little. She looked at her palms, then at Renji and then on her palms again. Confusion in her eyes changed to weariness. She clenched her fists and sighted. Neither one o them commented what happened.
"I'm tired. I'm going home." She rose from her chair and immediately tripped as the effect of the sake manifested themselves. She would have fallen if not for her friend.
"Oi, oi. You've got enough for today. I'll accompany you to the shop." 'Kuchiki-taichou would chop my head off if I let you wander like this alone. And at least I'm finally getting a picture what's wrong.'
He paid for their drinks, excused for the broken cup and left with arms wrapped around Rukia's shoulder.
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Ichigo was beginning to panic. He was running around the city for almost five hours now and there was no sign of Rukia whatsoever. Moreover, nobody has seen her after the school either. He stopped by the shop an hour ago, but she still hasn't been there. Urahara told him to calm down and that she can take care of herself.
'Take care, heh? I know she's not powerless and she's pretty strong, but what if...' And these what ifs were driving him crazy.
All he now wanted was to see her, know she's safe and preferably in his arms.
Few meters ahead his wish came true. Partially.
He saw her and she seemed to be safe, with a small smile playing on her lips. And she was definitely in somebody's arms. But not his.
With great relief came also a sharp sting in his chest as he watched the scene in front of him.
Their voices were merely louder than whisper so he couldn't say what they were talking about. He watched as Rukia's hand reached to cup Renji's cheek (for Ichigo now knew it was the red-haired shinigami who held her). He clenched his fists as the other man tightened his grip and she leaned closer.
'What the hell is HE doing here? And what is he doing with (my) Rukia!' Somewhat mad and puzzled he stepped forward until the two noticed him. Rukia's smile disappeared and her look turned colder. 'I can't face him now, not yet.' She turned away and hoped Renji will get the hint. He did.
"Yo, Ichigo. Sorry, I don't have time to talk to you right now; I'm taking Rukia back to Soul Society. "At this words Ichigo stopped dead in his tracks. 'What!'
"Rukia?" Confusion was clearly present in his voice.
She didn't turn to him as she spoke up.
"I asked him to take me. I need to sort some things up."
"But..."
"Leave it Ichigo." She turned to her companion. "Renji, can you...?"
The red-headed shinigami nodded and opened the gate.
As they both stepped in they heard Ichigo's angry voice behind them.
"Oi, wait, you can't-"
He was once again stopped this time by Renji as he scowled at him.
"You heard what she said." And without any further words they disappeared in the light.
'I didn't even get tell her. And now she's gone. And this time I'm not supposed to follow... What will I do?'
As he was staring at the place where she stood just few moments ago he realized she didn't say anything about when she'll be back. Or if she will come back.
And he knew he desperately wanted... needed to know what happened, why did she so suddenly decided to go back.
'I hope Urahara or Yoruichi would know something.'
Lost in his thought he then walked away.
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AN: Sorry for not updating sooner, actually I wrote this piece of story month ago but wasn't too content (I changed the ending like 10 times and it still isn't what I wanted, however it should suffice)
Hope you like it, and thanks for reviews :)))))
And another sorry for my English though I think it's at least readable.
