reesen555 - Yeah, it had nowhere to go other than Ichigo's hostility for Rukia. Still trying to figure out how that would go down, but yeah. :3 Calling by his last name... That's a nice suggestion and I might go for it but the question is: They are supposed to act though, wouldn't others find it weird that she's calling him by his last name? Like: Kurosaki-kun? That sounds weird as hell seeing how she's supposed to act lovey-dovey with him. If she calls him like that, I honestly think people will get suspicious though. :3 That is why I say to take off the character traits. I wanna cry but from how Rukia is now, she is weak. T_T We will see whether she's able to stand up against Ichigo in the future though. :3
Ichirukitrash4ever - If I were in Ichigo's position, I probably would have done the same too, actually. :3 Yeah, it's understandable. For now, he is determined to make Rukia's life a living hell but we will see how she fights back. If she even fights back at all. T_T I combined 2 chapters into 1 this time around, I don't know whether it helped in the lengths of the story because I have a feeling it doesn't. T_T Precisely because I know how short the chapters are, I make it a point to update everyday, knowing that people would probably get annoyed with such short chapters. XD You take care as well. :3
FafaCute - Honestly, well... You have to read to know her thoughts about Ichigo's comments. :3 I enjoy writing a lot and thinking how the story plot goes, spending a few hours in the morning and then posting a update always makes me smile. :3
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters.
Getting home and taking a scalding hot shower, Rukia didn't know whether to be angered or guilty at the comment Ichigo gave her. Calling her a 'Gold-digging slut' crossed her boundaries. The very thought of using someone like that made her sick. If she hadn't thought of the contract she just signed on and the kindness Isshin had showed her throughout these few days, she would have done something to hurt him. Yet, as Rukia stepped out of the shower, a towel covering her body, she couldn't help but sigh. Despite what Ichigo said, she couldn't condemn him entirely. In a smaller extent, Rukia definitely was after his money. It was the Kurosakis' money that had allowed Ukitake to be discharged from the hospital after signing the contract.
Looking at the framed photo across the bookshelf, Rukia caressed it. It was a picture of her whole family, consisting of Ukitake, Shuuhei, Yumichika and last but not least, herself. A year ago when they had taken this photo, Ukitake was the healthiest man alive. On that day, 4 of them had gathered, watching football as it was the favourite hobby of Yumichika's, without a worry of what the future might bring. It was a few weeks later that Ukitake was diagnosed with ALS, an incurable disease which affected the muscles and nerves as time passed. Up till then, Ukitake hadn't gotten symptoms of it just yet and everyone was hopeful, hopeful that Ukitake would be the exception of the victims. Yet, all hopes were dashed seeing that within the month, Ukitake had begun to lose all feelings in his limbs. His legs began to give out, Shuuhei and Yumichika had taken Ukitake's driver license away for his own safety. It was a rough time for Ukitake as he was used to being in charge, being the one in control of the family. Yet, at that time, he had to rely on his family for a minor task such as grocery shopping. A year later, at this exact date, Ukitake was home again as the doctors, seeing him stable for a few days, declared him ready to go home.
Placing the framed photo back at it's original position, Rukia sat down on the bed, thinking about her predicament. Unohana had died since she was young so, it was up to Ukitake to assume the role of both parents to Rukia. To Rukia, Ukitake succeeded in her role. She had always relied on Ukitake whenever tough times were coming her way. But currently, Ukitake was sick and Rukia was depressed by the fact that she could do nothing about it. Yet, on the other hand, she was doing something, wasn't she?
She reminded herself of Ichigo's comment as she sunk her face in her hands. It only depressed Rukia more as she realized how right Ichigo's words were. She was using Isshin and at a smaller extent, using Ichigo to get Ukitake healthy again. What would Ukitake say if he ever knows of it?
Are you home? Shall we go out for dinner after I close my shop?
The beeping of her phone snapped her out of her depressed thoughts.
I have plans with Nii-San. Sorry, Ino. Next time?
Sighing once more, Rukia knew the message was a lie and she felt guilty. Ino was her best friend since they were 13 as Ino was the only one who could have gotten Rukia outside her family, with Rukia being an introvert and all. An incident happened in the old company of Rukia's, causing Rukia to revert back to her introvert self. It was at that moment that Ino barged into her life once again, offering Rukia her spare bedroom and flower shop without even waiting for Rukia's approval, giving her the escape that she needed. Ino had always been there for Rukia and knowing that this arrangement required Rukia to lie to Ino, Rukia felt more guilty than ever. Even if she could lie her way around Ino, could she successfully put the guilt she felt towards Ichigo behind her? Knowing that she wouldn't be able to say the truth of what she was feeling, she settled for a fake excuse before changing into her jogging clothes, heading out for a jog.
Do you know what day it is today?
Come on. You think I would forget?
Who knows?
You annoy me so much, Nii-San. Give me more credit than that, would you?
See you.
Ukitake had always had a tradition for the whole family to be gathered together in Thanksgiving. Throughout the past messages with Shuuhei and Yumichika, Rukia had been hearing that Ukitake was doing much more better now and she couldn't wait to see it for herself. As she was on the way back, it suddenly dawned on her that taking her mind off of the contract and Ichigo's comments might be good for her after all. With these few days, a distraction at the very least, it would give her time to breathe and to at least come up with a plan of how to proceed with her life and with the lie. Finally reaching the door and knocking on it, the door instantly opened and she was hugged by none other than Shuuhei. As siblings, Rukia was closer than Shuuhei as compared to Yumichika. Therefore, not being able to tell Shuuhei about the arrangement also meant that she was hesitant to tell him about the marriage at all. Even if she was able to lie, she also knew that Shuuhei, knowing her, was able to see through the lie. "You smell like flowers."
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you too, Nii-San."
Walking inside the house, Rukia smiled as memory lane began working inside her brain. The DVD player where Ino and her used to sneak M-rated movies and pillow forts where Shuuhei and her used to build as kids. For some reasons, being back now felt... Different. "Is that her? Rukia?"
Rolling into view was Ukitake, sitting in a wheelchair. Although Shuuhei and Yumichika had been telling her that he had been better, personally confirming it did wonders. "Otou-San!"
"Okay, okay, Rukia, I'm here." Ukitake ruffled her hair, laughing as he did so. "I'm not going anywhere, Darling. Unless you roll me there."
" I know." Trust Ukitake to make such a joke in his condition and for some reason, it brought Rukia to tears. "I'm just happy to see you. You look great."
As compared to the pale form lying in the hospital bed days ago, Ukitake had regained some colour in his cheeks and some life back in his eyes. Ukitake had always been different from everybody else Rukia had seen. While in the restaurant business, everybody had aimed to dress nice for customers, with ties and business suits, giving the idea of prim and proper, Ukitake had always been more concentrated on the food and the restaurant's ambience for customers. One of the reasons why Rukia was so thankful to have Ukitake as her Dad, really. "You ready to have some gathering with us?"
Rukia giggled. "You mean, is Yumichika ready to have some gathering with us. God knows he is always stuck to that television."
Okay, this house isn't as soundproof as you might think, my dearest sister." Yumichika grumbled.
"Darling, I have something to talk to you about." Ukitake's face grew serious all of a sudden.
"What's up?"
Ukitake gazed at Rukia, as if expecting something and Rukia gulped in response. Could Ukitake have found out about the arrangement already? "Shuuhei told me that you are still working at Ino's." Well, that was one crisis averted although Rukia still had to decide whether she wanted to murder Shuuhei in cold blood. She doubted he would mind, really. "Rukia, you have a Major. Can you tell me why you are still selling flowers?"
"It's just temporary." Rukia explained. "I'm still interviewing, but nothing's set in stone yet." It's not as if Rukia could tell Ukitake about the failed interview or the contract, judging that she hadn't gotten over the failed interview herself. Bringing it up would only involve pity glances from both Shuuhei and Yumichika, that's the last thing she needed from them.
"You know you can always come home, Darling." Ukitake looked at Rukia with a worried expression. From the surface, the look was coming from a Dad who worries about his daughter but Rukia knew better than that. If it wasn't for that incident...
"Otou-San, I'm fine. Really." Motioning for Rukia to bend down, she did just that and Ukitake kissed her cheeks, causing Rukia to smile. "Now, enough about me. How are you?"
"The doctor said that it's impressive that I improved the way I did. That they don't see that often."
"That's great."
"Yeah, well, I'm not exerting myself. I'm not doing too much too fast and staying away from the whisky, just as Shuuhei and Yumichiki take the time to remind me everyday."
Rukia could detect a hint of annoyance but soft grumble as she giggled. "Good."
"For who?"
"You."
Ukitake smiled for a moment. "Quite the way to live, stuck drinking water in this damn thing."
"I think it makes you look distinguished." Rukia nodded, stifling another giggle.
"You know it makes me look old." Ukitake pouted before rolling out of the hallway. "Nature's calling. See you later, Darling."
As Rukia's gaze shifted from Ukitake to Yumichika, who had walk towards her with narrowed eyes gazing at his phone, Rukia tilted her head. It wasn't like Yumichika to miss the game before gathering. "Hey, Rukia."
"Okay, something is wrong with you."
The action lasted for a few second before he turned his phone towards Rukia. "This is what's wrong."The picture consisted of a woman wearing a elegant white lace dress, standing beside her fiance, in his black suit. They were smiling at each other, like they had no care to what was happening around them. A magic-hour sky, with lit up trees in the background. "You wanna explain this?"
"Explain what?" Shuuhei came walking over.
Yumichika passed the phone over to Shuuhei and his jaws nearly dropped as to what he's seeing. "What the fuck, Rukia?"
Honestly, she had expected that reaction. She just didn't think that it would blast out right in her face simply days after the wedding photo shoot! Where did this photo even come from?! The colour drained from Rukia's face as she gazed at the photo, still as a statue. There was simply no hiding anymore, Rukia knew that much. "This is real?"
Yumichika's question snapped her out of her thoughts. Closing her eyes, she nodded. "I'm getting married."
"Hold on." Shuuhei began. "Hold the fuck on. I would recognize that face anywhere. You are getting married to a Kurosaki?" Shuuhei was very close to losing it. "How do you even know the guy?"
"I think it's a prank." Yumichika tilted his head. "I think she's pranking us."
"I'm not pranking you."
"You have about a million questions to answer."
Hearing a noise from the bathroom, Rukia panicked, knowing that Ukitake was about to exit the bathroom. "I know it looks bad, I even know it sounds bad. I will answer any questions you have but please... Please, don't tell Otou-San yet." Rukia's gaze was fixated on both Shuuhei and Yumichika. "I want to tell him myself, on my terms."
Yumichika, after thinking for a moment, nodded. Rukia's gaze travelled to Shuuhei, begging Shuuhei to listen to her. Oblivious to the fact that Ukitake was out, both Shuuhei and Rukia were having a staring contest of their own. Yumichika, seeing that Ukitake was out from the bathroom, gave both Shuuhei and Rukia a last look before assisting Ukitake. "Come on, the food's gotten cold and it would be for nothing if we eat cold food in our yearly gathering."
"You never know what will happen when you turn your eyes away for a minute, huh?" Shuuhei's gaze was fixated on Rukia when he said that, almost making it a rhetorical question. But, Rukia knew better.