Author's Note: I know this chapter is kinda eh...and confusing, but DON'T WORRY! There is a reason for that. No, I was not drunk (okay, maybe a little) when writing this. I'm having a bad week and my moos heavily impacts my writing. I'm just so exhausted and I'm uber nervous bc of some shit that's going on. But, on the upside, I'm making a NARUTO fanfic. Yus, you read correctly, my friend. I'll post it sometime this or next week.
~Kanita 3
P.S. Oh, and 'boze mili' literally means 'dear god'. If I forget any other translations, lemme know.
*EDIT*: fixed some of the confusion in the chapter. Sorry about that. *bows deeply*
The morning after…wasn't the best one I could've woken up to. I felt hung-over, cranky, and hungry. A triple threat. Despite the nauseous feeling in my stomach, I had a lot of energy when I woke up and when I did, I found out that I had fallen asleep on the stairs and how I got there was beyond me.
"Well, g'morning Sleeping Beauty!" Caleb said as he saw me get up.
"Howdy to you too," I grumbled with a yawn as I stretched out my arms and let out a content sigh. "Just wondering, what-"
"A-hem," He said quietly as he turned his head the other way while he patted his breast repeatedly. I stared at him, dumbfounded in response.
"It's showing," Caleb said, clearing his throat loudly.
"Huh?" I asked as I looked at myself and awkwardly find a part of my bra showing from a giant hole (which I had no idea how it got there). I cross my arms over my chest and stare down at the ground.
"Uh, Caleb? Can I wear your jacket?"
"Just wear the shirt backwards."
"Bossy," I muttered as I quickly turned the shirt around and headed down the stairs, "Anyways, you mind explaining just what the hell how I ended up on the stairs?"
"Sure, but let's see how much you do remember. So, I heard you talked with Boss over the phone, right?"
"Yeah, he wasn't so bad."
"See? You got all worked up over nothing, you idiot. Now, what do you remember after that?"
"Uhm, I remember me, Cherry, you, and a couple of the others went into this giant theatre room where we watched Titanic-"
"Which I refused to watch," He grumbled.
"But Candï and I made you watch it since it was your first time-"
"And last."
"You liar, there was a rerun on TBS last night, so we watched it again."
"But I snuck out because I needed some alcohol in my system since it was a Friday."
"Okay, but that's all I can remember. Come to think of it, I couldn't remember what happened the night before that either. Weird," I said with a slight frown.
"It's because you're getting old," The grey-haired male chuckled as he licked his ebony lip ring.
"Shut up, you moron. Now, go on."
"So, while I ran out to get a few beers, I heard that everybody was having fun without me. Candï tells me that people were all over the place. From drinking and getting high as the fucking birds to uh, dancing? I dunno, that's what she said. She also said that's were she, you, and the gang were."
"So, I passed out from dancing? How lame. I thought I would at least have a drink or something," I sighed in disappointment.
"I never said you didn't. I just said you weren't one of the drunkies in the kitchen drinking their hearts out in someone else's kitchen."
"Eh, to each his own," I shrugged, trying to recall anything else from last night. "Oh! What about Cherry?"
"I'm right here," The cheery female voice piped up from behind. I turn around and saw the woman's teal hair dance as she walked.
"Buenos dias," She grinned. "Did you sleep well?"
"More or less. I fell asleep on the stairs."
"…What?"
"I don't even know myself, so don't ask. I just asked Caleb here what happened and apparently, I passed out from dancing."
"I'll say. You were up 'til three o' clock dancing your tush off with the girls."
"Wait, what time is it now?"
"Uh," Cherry said, looking at her watch while she scratched her crimson birthmark across the bridge of her nose, "3:06. Holy crap! I just remembered!"
"What?"
"Boss called earlier and he said he wanted you to come around 2."
"Why the hell didn't you wake me up then?" I yelled as I ran up the stairs and to my room to get my stuff.
"Because I didn't know where you were sleeping!" She hollered back and in no time, I was already out the front door.
"Hurry up!" I whined.
"Let me put on my dang heels first!" The woman whined.
"I might as well go with you two," Caleb shrugged. "I have to meet with somebody and better late than never."
"Whatever, just don't get in my way. You're taking your stuff with you, Rukia?"
"I can't leave it here at your house."
"No, I mean to work."
"Who cares if she brings a bag?" The man asked as we all crammed into the elevator once again. "If anything, the only thing I'd be worried about is someone trying to steal something. That is, if they haven't already."
"They better not have," I said as I started digging through my purse, but the shaft had already reached the bottom and we were on our way to 'work'.
"I have a question for ya, Caleb," I said once I had triple-checked everything was there in my handbag.
"Go ahead."
"Just what exactly is your job?"
"He's a-"
"Tattoo artist," Caleb said, interrupting Cherry. "I am indeed a tattoo artist. Who do you think gave everybody their tattoos?"
"Everybody? You mean, everybody in TR?"
"No, I mean everybody at the retirement home. Yes, I mean everyone at work! And yes, they all have to get a tattoo. Kind of like an unspoken rule, really."
"Why?" I asked skeptically.
"One, because he won't charge,-"
"Unless you're being a pain," The male piped.
"And two, the numbers he tattoo are all in his style, so it's like a verification code, if you will. We wouldn't want any fakes, right?" She said as she parked into the parking lot tower and made her way up to the very top.
"I guess not…" I mumbled.
"Tch, it's not like they could mimic us. We aren't the easiest people to copy, ya know," The man quipped.
"But don't forget they have professionals for that," Cherry stated.
"They?" I ask as she parked and watched Caleb get my stuff out of the car.
"People who want to find out what's going on down here. Being as it's 'illegal' and all. Now, c'mon, let's go," The ivy-haired female said hurriedly as we all rushed in the elevator and once it got going, I noticed that Caleb did the exact same thing Shuhei did. From the opening of the cover to entering the pin, he did everything exactly like him. Except I forgot one tiny detail.
When the shaft dinged open, the lights immediately shut off and I felt a sharp edge rest on the edge of my neck,
"Lozinka?" A man asked. But this time, I could sense that it was a different voice this time.
"Držite ga tajna, now move outta the way, Dylan, I haven't got the time to mess with you," Cherry said as she pushed him to the side and passed through the pair of double doors with the lights turning on to illuminate her path with every step she took.
And when they all lit up, they revealed a blonde man with half his face covered by a scarf and in his hand, was a long knife whose blade was right on my throat, which made me scream in fear and hide behind Caleb.
"Did you really have to pull the Freddy Krueger on her, Dylan? I mean, come on," The silver-haired male grumbled.
The strange man groaned as he tucked the weapon away and pulled down his scarf, revealing a rather large stitched up wound on the side of his face.
"Don't be a joy kill. After all, I was just doing my job."
"And is that to scare the living hell outta me?" I hissed as I caught my breath, noticing the particularly familiar appearance of the intimidating man.
He was quite attractive up close, but that was because of his fiery streak that was written all over his face. His golden hair was very similar to Strawberry's hair except that it was a shade or two darker and some strands reached all the way to his shoulder. That, and his body was a bit more wiry, but still muscular.
"Wait, what's your name?" He asked.
"Uh, Rukia?"
Unlike Caleb's reaction, he just chuckled as he put the scarf over his mouth and said, "I figured as much. Strawberry told me on the lookout for you. He's waitin' inside, ya know."
I tried not to grin once I heard that, so I just crossed my arms while I walked on ahead.
"I have no time for him. I have to meet with Boss and I'm already late."
"What do you mean? Boss isn't here."
I could've sworn my eye twitched as I turned around to look at the blonde.
"You better not be fucking around," I growled.
"I'm not, I swear. Strawberry told me to tell a Rukia Boss wants her to meet with Strawberry instead since Boss-"
"That bastard," I hissed as I stomped off and slammed open the double doors, leaving him and Caleb behind. I started searching for the Berry, but I was too frustrated at the time to even focus.
"You're late."
My mouth dropped the instant I heard his voice and as soon as I tried to put up my walls, he just easily broke them by giving me a simple look.
"I know," I mumbled under my breath.
"And exactly why are you late?" The auburn-haired male asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Because I…overslept."
"Yeah, your hair told me as much. Come with me, we'll talk in my office," He said as he took my hand and opened a door which led to a staircase and we climbed a couple of stories before we finally reached to the final floor, where a strange, ivory door was waiting for us.
I opened it and it led to a small room with three more doors and John took me to the one that was all the way to the right and my breath was taken away by the sight in front of me. It was a room covered painted in crème and the shade of blue that exactly like the jewel from my necklace. I walked on my own and took a personal tour. Even though it was just a sunroom all the way up, it felt like it was so down-to-earth and I felt some of my previous stress melt off just by being there.
"Welcome to my office," The man said as he grabbed my shoulders and chuckled.
"This is your office?" I asked bewilderedly.
"Technically, yes. It's the only place where I can focus and actually get something done. That, plus I think I did a rather nice job with the interior decorating, wouldn't you agree?"
"Y-Yeah," I agreed, still amazed.
"Now, onto our meeting," He said as he took a seat on the cushion on the floor and pulled out a folder from the drawer of the small table across from him. "Well? Aren't you coming?"
"Uh, s-sure," I stuttered as I took a seat and analyzed the contents of the papers he pulled out.
"So, let me go over some of the main things of your job, but before I do," He said suddenly getting up again, "You want a drink, or a bite to eat?"
"I'm fine, thanks," I mumbled, seeing that the not-so-upbeat Strawberry who used to keep me on my toes was a bit troubled, and I couldn't figure out why. I really wanted to ask what the problem was, but I figured that I shouldn't get involved in it, whatever it was.
He came back with an entire liquor bottle and a glass, but judging from the smell, it was something that I had never tried before. Something strong. Very strong. And expensive, too.
"Now," John said as he poured a cup, "Let's get to business. You'll be working Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 'til 1 and Sunday from 7 'til 12. Now, we need to go over what you'll do. So, other than your basic 'serve and enjoy' there are other things you need to do as well. One of them is keeping an eye on the stock. You need to make a list of what to get and yadda yadda and we'll have someone go out and get them the next day…"
While he was rambling on and on about every other important, tiny detail of my job requirement, I was thinking about what Renji and Boss had said. I knew that sometime today, I would have to confront the redhead about it, but until then, I had to think of what to say since I was horrible at these kind of things.
"Rukia!"
"What?"
"What did I just say?"
"I need to tell someone to get the groceries when I run out."
"I mentioned that ten minutes ago," He sighed disappointedly as he put away the papers. "What's up?"
"Nothing, I'm just really sleepy."
"Mhmm," John said as he poured another glass and handed it to me. "Drink it."
I took it up to my nose and sniffed it, not recognizing the strong scent.
"What is it?" I ask.
"A special kind of alcohol. Now, drink up. It'll wake you up."
"I dunno-"
"Just drink it," He said with a bored look on his face.
"Fine," I grumbled as I gulped it down, feeling the strong aftertaste a second later. "Yeah, that definitely did the trick. So, I'll just have another sip," I giggled as I poured my glass and quickly refilled it, repeating the cycle until he took the alcohol away from me.
"It sure doesn't look like it, so, you must be lying. You're not sleepy, something's wrong. And you promised you would tell me what's wrong so why aren't you?"
"John-"
"How come you would tell other people but not me? That's not right."
"Whaddaya…ya know whut?" I said as I got up and steadied myself. "I rully dun have a time fo dis so-"
The impact of the liquor got to me and I lost my balance (on a flat surface) but the Strawberry got up just in time to break my fall and catch me in his arms.
"Alright, whether you like it or not, you're going to be with me for a while. You're beyond wasted and you only drunk-"
"6 glasses," I hiccupped with glee.
"Yeah, you definitely need some rest," He said as he carried me to the sofa and set me down.
"Whatshuu doin? Imma purrrrrfeck-a-tally foin!"
"Shut up and get some sleep," He growled as he covered me with a blanket. I started to lose my consciousness by the second and before I knew it, I had passed out and once I woke up, I had such a hangover. And a painful one at that.
"Umph," I said as I got up from the floor, forgetting that I usually move a lot in my sleep. Once my eyes caught sight of the sleeping man across from me, I covered my mouth like the idiot I was, hoping that I didn't wake him up, but he only shifted slightly, and I let out a sigh of relief.
I decided now was a good time to take a bath so I could have some peace and quiet.
While I stripped myself free of all of my clothes and waited for my bath to fill up, I glanced at the clock on the wall, reading '7:42'. I turned the faucet and slid myself in, enjoying the warm temperature gradually unwinding the tensed muscles in my back and shoulders releasing, before coming up to the surface once again, and then, I heard a knock.
"Oi, Rukia?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Can I come in?"
"Sure," I said as I sunk into the water so my breasts would be covered by the foam of the bath as he walked in with a somewhat solemn look on his face and took a seat on the toilet across from me as he rested his elbows on his knees and stared me down.
"Do you feel any better now, lutko?" He asked with a concerned look on his face.
"Yeah, now that I slept a bit, I feel great," I said with a subtle smile. "I'm sorry about the whole alcohol thing. I just..."
"It's fine, don't worry. Just wondering, do you want to spend the night?"
I stared down at the sea of bubbles while I held my chin with my palm and debated on the decision.
"I mean, it's totally up to you, but it's getting kinda late and I didn't know what'd you want to do."
"Uhm, I'll think it over," I said as I ducked underwater for a second and then rose back up, seeing the auburn-haired man slightly worried.
"I'll just go out and get some stuff and you can tell me your decision then. That's plenty of time, right?"
"Mhmm," I grinned, as I closed my eyes to enjoy the warm water, but once I opened them up again, I saw that Strawberry was leaning over so he could give me a quick peck, so I raised myself a little higher so his lips met mine for a short moment before we broke, and I giggled as he walked away with a grin and left the apartment/living space or whatever the hell it was.
A couple of minutes later, I was done with cleaning myself up and grabbed a towel to cover myself up when I just realized—I couldn't find my clothes.
I went into the bedroom in search of my luggage, but it was right then that I remembered that Caleb had my luggage and I groaned in agitation and opened up the closet to see if John had any clothes and I picked out a wrinkled, crimson, long-sleeved polo that was tossed to the shelf on the side and slid it on and buttoned it all the way up to the notch right above the breasts I didn't have.
My eyes looked at the mirror to the side and saw that the shirt reached right above my knees, which was fine with me.
Even though my clothing dilemma was solved, something was still bothering me. When I was in the tub, I had been trying to figure out what could've possibly been behind those two other doors.
I quickly rushed out of the room and to the one with the three doors due to the excitement building up inside of me. However, instead of rushing straight to the one in the middle, I chose the one to the left, but to my disappointment, it was locked, so I had no choice but to go to the last remaining door.
And once I went in and turned the lights on, it felt as if every detail, every color, and every scent was perfect. Even though there was nobody there, I could sense that this place used to be someplace big, where the whole place used to filled with people being entertained by the performer on the giant stage in front of them.
I slowly walked toward the piano and took a seat opened the case and blew off the dust that had gathered on the ivory keys. The second I took a seat on that bench, I heard a familiar piano piece ring through my ears and my body was urging me to play it out loud through my fingertips. I started playing with the precise ease and tempo and I soon started to feel the music flow through me.
And in the middle of the song, I saw my tears hit the keys, but I didn't know what it was from. It was then when it hit me that the piece I had been playing was Renji's favorite piece that he said he remembered his mother singing to him when he was little and the thought of that red-haired bastard made me furious.
"What the fuck is his problem?" I yelled in frustration as I slammed on the keys.
"You know, I paid good money for that piano," a voice said from the shadows and it was none other than John himself. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't take your anger out on it."
"I'm sorry," I muttered embarrassedly as he made his way over to where I was.
"So, who's 'he?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around my neck while standing behind me and tugging at the polo I was wearing. "Is this my shirt?"
"Uh, yeah, haha," I chuckled nervously as I turned around. "I forgot my luggage. I'm sorry."
"It's fine, you really need to stop apologizing. Rukia, listen to me," The man said as he grabbed my arms and took a seat next to me. "I'm telling you this because I care about you, okay? You haven't been acting like yourself lately, and frankly, it's worrying me deeply. You aren't on anything, are you?"
"Wha? No, that's not it. It's nothing, really," I said as I got up, but he wouldn't let go of the shirt I was wearing.
"Rukia, please," He said softly as he looked up at me with those deep, chocolate eyes of his.
"Can we talk somewhere else?" I mumbled.
"Mhmm," He said as he swooped me up and I quickly dried the tears that had escaped from my eye before the man could notice. I rested my head against his chest, my arms around his neck while he took me to the bedroom, which made me highly suspicious. I wasn't ready for that kind of action.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Uh, the bed-"
And I jumped off of him and glared at him sternly, as those tears stubbornly began to fall again.
"Listen to me and listen to me good," I said as I swallowed my tears and caught a breath of air. "I…am not having a good day, you h-hear me? And just because I'm emotionally weak right now, I won't let you take advantage o-of me and screw me and-"
"Who said I would do that in the first place?" The man asked sternly.
"Oh, don't give me that shit! Why else would you take me to a bedroom?"
"Because it's somewhere else, as you requested, and I thought this place would be ideal for you to…let go. Rukia," he said as he grabbed both of my hands, "I promise I wouldn't do such a thing. Just trust me. I swear to you right here and now, I won't make you cry. Ever."
"And if you do?" I sniffled.
"Then you'll never see me again. I'd be too ashamed to see your face again… so I would run. I'd run as far away as possible-and that there is my just reward for making you cry. I promise you, I will never do something like that," He said in barely a whisper as he squeezed my hands. "So, don't cry, okay?"
"Mhmm," I said as I dried my eye with the sleeve of the polo as we took a seat on the bed. I let out a sigh as I laid back with my hands behind my head and closed my eyes for a moment to think where to begin.
"Just relax," he said as he laid next to me and pulled me up against his chest. "I have all the time in the world."
I open my eyes, and I'm shocked to see that there is a giant, circular window on the ceiling and all of the stars were out, shining as if there was no tomorrow.
"I really don't know where to begin," I mumbled as I chewed on my nail, but John moved my hand away from my mouth.
"Don't do that. It makes people think you're weak. Now," John said as he wrapped an arm around me, which made me feel like this was the safest place I would ever be, right there in his arms. "Tell me, who's 'he?"
I exhale a deep sigh before speaking.
"You see, when I was playing the piano, it kinda reminded me of Renji and just the very thought of him makes me angry."
"Why?"
I told him everything just as it happened and I occasionally glanced up at his face to see his reaction, but it was solid as a stone.
"So, he wants you to just completely forget about me and pretend as if you didn't meet me?"
"Pretty much."
"Tch," He growled.
"It's…it's all my fault."
He looked up at me with eyes wide open.
"It's my fault for getting involved and-"
"You didn't do anything," He said as he moved a stray strand out of my face while continuing to stare back at me with those eyes I loved so much. "So, don't blame yourself. The only one he's mad at is me and if he's as mad as you say he is, then he needs to come talk to me about it, not bitch at you for something you-"
"But that's the thing. If I hadn't gotten so attached to you as he said, then, he wouldn't have-"
"It's not his place to judge your relationship with me."
I felt really guilty about not telling the man about the part where I told Renji he and I were nothing, but here we are, laying on the same bed and talking crap about him. I felt horrible, as if knives were stabbing my heart, but I knew I couldn't tell him. I just couldn't.
"He's just…worried."
"A bit too worried if you ask me," John growled with a slightly curled lip. "Besides, why would he be in the first place?"
I looked away awkwardly in response, thinking that he should very well know why.
"Because I don't know a single thing about you."
"And I don't either."
"Then this is a fucked up relationship if you ask me," I joked.
"I'd definitely say this one will be remembered."
From the way he said it, it almost made me feel as if he was going to sever all ties with me, but then he lifted me chin and analyzed every inch of my face.
"But this one will definitely last," He grinned.
"But it won't, knowing Renji. After all, he is my best friend. Knowing that he doesn't quite 'approve' bothers me."
"Well, if he wasn't such a bitch, then everything'd be just fine."
"But it's not like that. I know. I've known that man almost all of my life. And he's been with me through a lot of…difficult…experiences and he just doesn't want to see me get hurt again. That's all."
"But-"
"End of discussion."
"But I-"
"Nope."
"You-"
"I'm not listening."
"Je-sus!" He said as he grabbed my shoulders and flipped me onto the bed, so that he was right on top of me and his face was inches away from mine with his deep brown eyes locked onto mine.
"Can I talk now?"
I didn't know whether to be impressed, scared, or both at the ability to turn me over in less than three seconds.
"Holy crap," I said in a whisper.
"Now," John said as he looked down at me. "What did you mean 'get hurt again'? What happened?"
"It's nothing, don't worry about it."
"Why are you avoiding the question?"
"Because I don't want to bring up the past!" I hissed.
"You're going to have to get over it one day!"
"Well, that day isn't today," I growled as I snaked out of his grasp, but he had a grip on my shirt and wouldn't let me move.
"You said you had all the time in the world," I said, not even turning my face to look at him. "So, just wait. Wait until I've become strong enough to tell you what happened. This time, I'm making you a promise. I give my word that once I gather up the courage, I will tell you. Everything. But right now," I said, shutting my eyes so the tear could finally fall out of my eye, "I'm weak. I can't do it."
He let go of my shirt as I walked to the door, leaving him with the words, 'Excuse me' before I closed the door but surprisingly, I felt no guilt. I just knew that I needed some space. So, the only place I could go while wearing only a shirt would be the piano room and once I got there, I turned on the lights once again and took a look around the room, seeing some major renovations that were direly needed, but back then, I could only do a little at a time, so I got to work.
I got the tables that were stacked on top of another and arranged them while I quickly dusted them off and got the candles that were hidden behind the piano and put one on each table, lighting them up with a cracked BIC lighter I found next to them and with a few lighting adjustments and the moving of some furniture, it almost looked as if it were a small lounge. I was finally content with how the place looked and the only thing that bothered me was the piano. It seemed so dull and out-of-place.
I went over with a candle to examine it, and put it down on its back while I put some more lights on it, and then I was a bit happier. But when I took a seat on the black bench, I felt so at ease that I started singing out loud (which is something I normally wouldn't do) and then, I had the song playing in my head, and I couldn't help but bring the notes to life as I started to speak louder with each second.
"Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry,
You don't know how lovely you are.
I had to find you,
tell you I need you.
Tell you I've set you apart.
Tell me your secrets,
And ask me your questions.
Oh, let's go back to the start
Running in circles,
coming up tails.
Heads on the science apart
Nobody said it was easy," I said as I wiped away a tear before letting out a breath that had been kept in for far too long.
"It's such a shame for us to part," he said.
My jaw dropped at the sound of the voice in utter disbelief and I froze there on the seat, afraid to look around and see the face that I feared so much.
"It's been a long time, Rukia."
I closed my eyes and exhaled a nervous sigh.
"What are you doing here, Kaien?"
"Now, now, I'd thought you'd be happy to see me," He laughed.
"Why would I ever want to see you?"
"Awh, come on, babe, you know you miss me."
I scoffed.
"How cute. You're still playing hard-to-get. You haven't changed a bit, Rukia."
I turned around and scowled at the man, who was looking back at me with that classical devious grin of his that used to make me swoon over him, but now, it only made my blood boil.
"So, how's Renji and Shuhei?"
"Much better now that you left."
"Eh, I don't think you're telling me the whole truth now," He said as he scratched his dark indigo-hued hair and I noticed that not a single detail had changed in his appearance since the last I saw him.
"So, what's this I hear about your boyfriend? He looks a lot like me, don't you think?" Kaien smirked.
"He isn't my boyfriend. He's just a friend. And he's nothing like you."
"A friend that you happened to fall head-over-heels for, right?"
"Don't be absurd," I scowled. "I've only known him for a couple of days-"
"And you're already thinking of sleeping with him. You've gotten quite pathetic, my dear."
"That was the farthest thing from my mind. You don't know anything."
"I know that you're about to go insane from all of this 'secret' business, right?"
"I said you don't know anything!"
"You seriously think I don't know you, do you, Rukia? I've known you for years. You seriously can't expect that I can't tell what you're thinking after all this time. For example, you avoided that question because you're afraid to admit I'm right. You know, it seems like ever since I left, you've went into this huge slump."
"Shut up," I hissed.
"Face it. You can't even think straight. And why is that, you ask? It's because I'm back, baby. And maybe not now, but soon, you'll come back. You'll see."
"Shut up!"
"See, you're driving yourself crazy because you can't decide whether to go with the guy who's hiding secrets from you or me, the one who made your life worth living."
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I yelled,
"My point is proven. You've gone crazy now that you know I'm back. But you'll never know where or when I'll be. I might be in the same store, or at your work, disguised as someone else, or even in your house."
"GET OUT!" I shrieked. "Get out, get out, get out!"
"Ah, those words ring a bell or two," He grinned. "Good times."
"Why can't you just leave me alone? You ruined my life enough already!"
"The only reason why I'm here is because sooner or later, you'll leave that piece of shit and come back to me, like it's supposed to be, because in reality, you are practically yearning for me. And he is just my replacement. Now, am I right…or am I right?"
I was so infuriated at this joke that I went over and slapped him across the face, which made him growl in anger, but instead of striking back like I had expected, he only let me off with a fierce scowl.
"Hmph, you've gotten a bit stronger, Rukia. Seems like you really care about this one."
"That's none of your business. Just get out," I growled, pointing to the door with my outstretched arm.
"Not until I tell you why I came here in the first place," Kaien said as he walked closer towards me, but I backed up in apprehension.
"Easy now, I promise I won't try anything."
"Heh, since when's the last time you kept a promise?" I inquired with a cocked eyebrow.
"Rukia."
I look up at him, seeing the same expression that Strawberry wore once he made his promise.
"Go on."
"I came here to tell you to be careful with this one. Sure, he may not be as handsome as yours truly, but this one is trouble."
"You were quite the handful yourself, if I recall correctly."
"My point is, you're clearly not ready to handle this kind of shit. So, that's why I'm giving you this opportunity to come back."
"Pft, like I'd ever go back to you!"
"Really? Come on, now. I was the one who made your life worth living, not him!"
"That isn't a good enough excuse."
"Anyways," He said, avoiding the topic, as he waved around his hand, "I'm giving you the opportunity to leave him for a better, non-drama-filled life with me."
"You had your chance and you screwed it up big-time, Kaien. But I'm surprised at how calmly I'm taking all of this in."
"Oh, that? There's a logical explanation for that."
"And just what is that?"
"You missed me."
"As if," I hissed.
"Then why are you so cautious around Strawberry boy? Hmm? And what a pathetic name at that. I mean, this man has a codename after a fuckin' fruit! Come on now!"
"Wait, what do you mean I'm being 'cautious'?
"It's exactly what you think it is. Your sense or instincts or whatever you want to refer to them are always acting up when you're around him, correct? Like he's hiding something?"
"Yeah, but I thought that was because he had some stuff going on with Boss and stuff and-"
"Okay, sure, keep on believing that," The man said as he started to fade away.
"Wait! What do you mean?"
"If I say anything else, I'll ruin the surprise and we both know how much you hate having those ruined, right, Rukia?"
"Rukia?"
"Rukia!"
"Rukia!"
"Byakuya, lemme sleep five more minutes!" I grumbled as I turned over on my stomach and folded the pillow over my head.
"Are you going to keep on talking? Because it's getting annoying."
I sit up, finding that I had fallen asleep on the bed, but I didn't find the person who the voice belonged to until I turned around and saw the auburn-haired man sitting on a loveseat across from the couch with his legs outstretched and a pair of solid black frames on him that made the man look quite business-like.
"How long was I out?" I yawned.
"About 4 or 5 hours."
"Well, what time is it now?"
"'Round midnight."
"Well, why are you still up?"
"I have to finish this paperwork that I need to turn in by tomorrow."
"Huh, look at you, getting to business."
"I told you, this place is the only place where I can get anything done."
"So, is this like, your actual home or something?" I asked as I sat up and pulled the blanket over my knees since I felt a cold chill.
"Of course not."
"Then why don't you go home?"
"I can't just leave a guest here. Besides, I told you already, I need to get stuff done."
"You've got a lot crankier, you know? You're getting old."
Almost instantly, I saw one of his eye twitch once I said that.
"I'm not old, and that's that."
"Says the geezer who's in denial," I teased.
"You know what?" He said as he took off his frames and shook his pen at me, "At least I'm not a snotty brat."
"Oh, please. I'm 21 years old! I think it's too late to be calling me by that name, don't you think?"
"Age is just a number. Just look at Clinton. He's a senior and he has the libido of a 20-year-old."
"If that was supposed to be a joke, you failed miserably."
"Who ever said it was one in the first place?" The man said as he wrote down some stuff on the papers, "I was just proving my point, after all."
"Okay, gramps," I said as I laid back onto the comfy bed and looked up at the window above me, seeing the sea of stars greeting me with their shine.
"Hey, John?"
"Hmm?"
"Just wondering, what happened?"
"What do you mean what happened? You were here. You got upset that I kept asking about your past so you walked out of the room and then I heard a 'thud', so I checked it out. Turns out you collapsed near the doorway, so I picked you up and brought you here 'gain."
"I…collapsed? From what? How?"
"That's what I should be asking you. I figured that it was the alcohol that's probably still in your system."
"I suppose," I said as I sat up and tried to get a peek at what he was working at. "What kinda paperwork are ya doing?"
"Scheduling, events, crap like that. I have a life away from that, you know? I can't deal with all of that every waking moment."
"I thought Strawberry could handle anything," I teased.
"Tch, yeah right. Why do you think Boss is out so often? He needs some R&R now and then too, ya know?"
"Yeah," I mumbled as I stared up at the sky once again out of hesitation at the thoughts that were running all over the place in my mind. "I've been thinking. You remember me mentioning about my brother, Byakuya?"
"Yeah, what about him?"
"Jeez, uh," I said as I tapped my fingers nervously. "Well, you see-"
"You want me to meet him, right?"
"…Please? I felt bad about telling him about you and him not knowing and it just bothers me. BUT, but, but, but, if he likes you, then Renji will have nothing to worry about, right?"
"I dunno, Rukia. I'm not a big fan of people," He grumbled.
"Oh, come on! Please?" I asked as I turned to face him and pouted a little.
"Pouting won't do you any good," The auburn-haired man said nonchalantly as he continued to work on his stupid paperwork.
"Pretty please? It would mean a lot to me," I said, smiling subtly as he looked up and stared at me for a moment before returning to his papers.
"Fine, but-"
"Thank you so much!" I squealed with excitement as I jumped off that bed and practically choked the man because I was hugging him so tightly. He was surprised at first, but then he smiled and then put his arms around me as he chuckled softly, but then I heard the sound of a paper crinkling and I looked to the side, seeing that my knee had accidentally wrinkled a paper he was working on.
"I'm sorry about your paperwork, I didn't mean to-"
"Fuck the paperwork. I'd much rather focus on you," He smirked as he brought me closer, until our noses bumped into each other and we were eye-to-eye, and a devious smile unraveled on his face, which told me that he had something up his sleeve. But it wasn't anything what I had been expecting.
Instead, he swooped me up and took me to the small space with the three doors and opened the door all the way to the right, which led to one more flight of stairs and when we climbed it, he set me down so he could unlock the door and open it for me as I walked on ahead with my mouth hanging open in awe. It was the roof of the building and the view above was just spectacular. They were better than the ceiling window by a tenfold.
I felt the wind dance in my hair as I let it go, and felt the cold rush on my skin, which made every single one of its hairs stand up. I walk closer to the edge (with John watching behind me with a slight worry of caution) and saw one of New York's main streets crowded with taxis and the busy lights were so bright, I could barely see the man because of their luminance.
"Beautiful view, ain't it?" Strawberry asked as he grabbed me from behind and rested his chin on my collarbone.
"It's amazing," I gushed, as I held onto his hands that were around my abdomen.
"This is why I like it over here better than my home. It never fails to amaze me and best of all, I'm the only one who knows about it. Well, I guess you do too, as of today."
"What do you mean nobody else knows?" I asked curiously as I look back at him. "What about Cherry and-"
"Nope. Nobody else. Not even those who I'm close with."
"But…why?"
"I need somewhere to get away from people. I told you I'm not a fan of them, you know? Hey, we need to get you back inside, you're gonna catch a cold by only wearing a shirt," John nagged.
"It's fine. I'm not cold," I giggled. "Just stay like this and I'll be fine."
"I dunno, I have a lot of stamina and I could stay like this all night, but you, however, are gonna freeze your ass off."
And right then, I had to sneeze, which completely contradicted what I had just said.
"Told you so."
"Fine, we'll go back inside," I sniffled. And we went back to the bedroom, where I was back to doing nothing and he was almost done with the stack of papers, but I read on his face that something was troubling him, but when he looked up at me, I quickly darted his gaze and looked up at the ceiling as my cover.
"Rukia?"
"Yes?"
"You mind if I ask a question?"
I lowered my eyes at him as a warning not to go where I told him not to, but he shook his head.
"It's not that, it's about something you said."
"Well, c'mere and tell me. You feel so far away when you're on that couch."
"Okay, well," He mumbled as he took off his shirt and tossed it to the side while he shrugged in his wifebeater and approached me with an uneasy look on his face as he sat next to me.
"I know it's not my place to 'stick my big nose in your business', but…" John said, looking straight at me with those big brown eyes of his.
"Who's Kaien?"
"Uh, I-I'm sorry, what?" I blundered, caught totally of guard at the question (and in the process, ended up looking like a complete idiot).
"While you were dreaming, you kept on talking and whatever kind of backwater dream you were having this time, you kept on mentioning a guy named Kaien."
"Uhm," I stalled, rolling over on my stomach so I could hide my face from his view, "He was my ex."
"Oh?" He asked with a bit of interest in his voice. "Having sexual fantasies, are you?"
"It wasn't that kind of dream, you pervert. It was a very odd one. I hadn't talked or even thought of that man in a couple of years."
"How many specifically?"
"I'd say two or three."
"Why'd you two stop talking?"
I stared down at my feet while I fidgeted with my hands nervously,not wanting to answer that question.
"Well, are you-"
"He left me."
"Oh." He said quietly, looking away in the opposite direction awkwardly.
"But it's whatever," I shrugged and smiled, hoping that he would buy it, because in reality, the wound Kaien left on my heart was still fresh and open, and I hadn't entirely recovered since that 'incident'.
"You loved him a lot, didn't you?"
I only chewed my lip and looked at my hands in front of me and fidgeted with my fingers.
"Yeah," I finally said. "Don't take this the wrong way, but he was my everything," I sighed, "But people change. And that's what eventually led to the downfall of our relationship."
I felt his hand creep under mine and squeeze it. I look to my left, seeing a subtle smile on his face.
"I'm sorry to hear that but just so you know, you can come here whenever and tell me what's wrong. You know that, right?"
"Yeah, I kinda figured when you kept on asking me questions all of the sudden," I smiled, then giving him a quick peck on the cheek, seeing the innocent face of a boy when I did so.
"Thank you."
He nodded, then pulling me to his chest so that we were laying side-by-side and kissed me on the nose while his arms were still around me, making me feel safer than I have ever felt before.
"So, I guess you're spending the night?" The auburn-haired man asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I have no choice, remember?" I ask, pinching the fabric of the wrinkly shirt I was wearing. "But I'd much rather stay here anyways."
"You know," He says, messing with my hair. "I'm extremely glad you stayed. It made this night a hell of a lot better."
And this time, I really couldn't stop my wide grin from showing, because it made me feel…wanted.
"Thank you," I said in barely a whisper.
"You idiot, why are you thanking me? I should be thanking you and-"
"For listening. I appreciate it. It seems that I was about to open a bit more about my past because of you."
"What about Renji?"
"He knows, but I never had a one-on-one talk about it with him. And whenever he brought it up, it didn't end too well. But don't tell him I've told you about Kaien. I just want this whole stupid fight to be over with him, but if he hears, then he's going to hold a grudge and-
And he stopped my words with a single kiss, which made me feel as if I was walking on air. He and I broke for a short moment and in the short space between us, I looked up at him hesitantly with a bit of fear, since I didn't know why he had stopped.
"Sorry to interrupt ya," He grinned, showing off his dimples for a moment before pulling me towards him once again for a quick embrace, but I couldn't help but think that he reminded me so much of Kaien…and I didn't know whether I should loathe it or love it.
The thought of it made me think, and if I really did like it, then wouldn't it be better to settle for the real thing instead? I felt so guilty at the realization that I hated myself for it. I didn't know what I what do if I ever saw him again except for break down in pathetic sob fest/tantrum.
Although I was with Strawberry over here, I couldn't prevent that one, single tear from falling once I reminisced about the past and he just had to notice it.
He broke away and looked at me, almost in fear, while I dried it off. But one tear led to another and soon, I was a crying fool. I must've cried so much that week that I could've made an ocean out of those salty drops.
He didn't say anything. Instead, he drew me near his chest and put his head over mine and cradling me as if I was a newborn while I just lost it. I couldn't handle even thinking of what would happen if Kaien came back.
"Bože mili," He mumbled as he held me close and kissed the back of my neck, "You didn't have to push yourself so hard, lutko. I'm sorry that I brought it up in the first place. I'm sorry that I made you go through that pain again."
But I only sobbed even more while I gripped onto his undershirt, and with time, it was completely soaked with my tears, but he didn't mind.
I felt so weak, always needing a shoulder to cry on and I couldn't even get up on my own two legs without some help from someone. I felt so pathetic and useless. I wanted to change how I was, but I didn't know how. I wanted to change for myself, so I wouldn't need to count on others to catch my fall and the only thing that could comfort me was the man's warm touch that within minutes it eased my pain, but he couldn't entirely erase that feeling of disgust within me for being such a coward. Only I could change that.
And we stayed like that the entire night and to help time pass, he'd tell me some stories of his past and how he met a few of the people I knew, like Nel and Grimmjow, and his words were so soothing, that I had fallen asleep listening to him talk, but I still felt his warm body right next to mine, and he hadn't loosen his grip on me for a single second and kept me close, as if he was afraid to lose me or something.
So, when I woke up, I was surprised to see that I was alone, but not for long.
"Good mornin', lutko," A voice growled behind me and pounced with a surprise tackle.
"Ha-ha-hey!" I said, barely managing to get out the words because he was handling me by the sides of my stomach, which were very ticklish. We rolled until he was on top of me, and then he stopped, examining every inch of my body with slow and careful precision and then smiled.
"You sleep good?"
"Yeah, thanks for letting me spend the night. I really enjoyed it," I gushed.
"In that case, you should spend the night more often, ne?" He mumbled as he lowered his head and kissed me on the neck, which immediately gave me goosebumps. I moved my head to the side so he could have more space, and I felt his warm mouth slowly make its way upwards until he moved to my bottom lip and nipped it for a second before gently sucking on it but then, I put a finger to his lips, surprising him deeply.
"If you have the whole thing in one sitting, then there won't be anything to look forward to, right?" I winked.
His jaw dropped and the corners of his mouth to let out a laugh in disbelief.
"Tch, and you call me perverted," The auburn-haired man chuckled.
"Oh, shut up," I giggled as I got off the bed but all of the sudden, I smelled something delicious in the air.
"What's that smell?" I asked curiously.
"Palačinke."
"Huh?"
"Pancakes. C'mon, they're getting cold."
"You cooked?"
"Uh…yes? Is that such a big deal?" He asked confusedly.
"No, no, no, not at all! I just didn't expect you to make food."
"Expect the unexpected, lutko. You won't be surprised as much. Now, come on, let's eat."
"Okay, but first of all," I said, watching him stop at the doorway to look at me.
"I need pants!" I whined.
"You know, you're one of the few who can pull the pants-less look very well," The man winked as he went into the dinner room, leaving me a face as red as a tomato at the comment.
"Pants-less my ass," I grumbled as I followed him and took a seat and got the floppy pancakes, looking at him with a lost expression
"What?" He said as bit into his meal.
"How do I eat it?"
He covered his mouth to stifle his laughter, but then stopped once he realized I wasn't as jolly as he was.
"Here, I'll make you want. Whaddaya want in it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Think of it as a sweet burrito. But longer and not as thick."
Now it was my turn to laugh at the comment, feeling so giddy after hearing that come out of his mouth.
"You really are a pervert," He grumbled.
"I can't believe you didn't see that coming," I hooted.
"Shuddup," He said as he got some jelly from his plate (and I didn't know where that came from) and wiped it on my mouth, leaving it open in disbelief.
"'I can't believe you didn't see that coming'", He mocked.
"Shut up and eat," I growled, still trying to figure out how the hell I was supposed to eat the circular and ridiculously thin pancake.
"I can't when you look like an idiot."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Just stay still," He said as he got closer and kissed me suddenly, gently sucking on my lips for a moment. I was surprised by such a bold move out of the blue, but I went with it. And right as it ended, his tongue traced along my lower lip and stayed at a particular spot for a moment until he broke, looking at me with a slight grin.
"I got it."
"Got what?"
"Sometimes, you're so unbelievably slow, it's not even funny."
"Shut up and tell me how the heck to eat this already!" I hissed, changing the subject.
And then he told me, and it turns out it was fairly simple and I made a big deal out of nothing, like usual. When we were done, we had cleaned up and I was at the door, waiting for him to get ready, but he looked at me with a funny look on his face.
"No way in hell am I letting you walk out the door like that," John nodded disapprovingly. "Take off that shirt and go get changed."
"But I can't go in the clothes I was in yesterday! That's icky, and gross, and people are gonna think that-"
"Yeah, I know how that road goes. That's why I went to your house and got some clothes for you. It's in the closet."
"But-"
"That guy, Starrk, gave me a spare. I told him that I was close."
"Oh. Well, I guess I better get changed. And you?" I asked as we walked to the bedroom and I got out my stuff, turning around so he wouldn't see.
"Of course Imma get changed."
I heard some hangers clashing as he got out a couple of things and once I got the undergarments on, I unbuttoned the polo and tossed it over my head, hearing that he had caught it, but he gave it back.
"Keep it."
"Why should I?"
"Don't you wanna keep a bit of me with you when I'm not there?"
"You dumbass, I don't want your stinky clothing."
"I literally just washed that one when you picked it up. So if it's stinky, it's because of you."
"Shuddup," I said as I clutched it close to my chest. "But what good does it do you?"
"Oh, believe me, I didn't go unrewarded."
"Huh? What do you-"
I gaped as I turned around, seeing that he was twirling a piece of my 'special' underwear, and I dived for it, embarrassed that he had such a thing.
"You're the king of all perverts!" I hissed as I got up and snatched the garment from his hands.
"What am I supposed to have now?" He whined.
"Oh, gee, I dunno. Something normal like a picture maybe?"
"That's too boring. Besides, we don't have a camera, case you haven't noticed.
"Then it sucks for you," I said as I slipped on my jeans and secured my jacket while I laced up my boots.
"You better wait for me," He growled as he took off his wifebeater, and I couldn't help but stare at his rock-hard abs, but I tried to look away.
"They never disappoint you, do they?"
"Shut up," I growled, waiting impatiently for his to finish up. I felt one arm snake around my waist and pull me, and I felt his hot breath trickle on the surface on my ear.
"You know, you're absolutely irresistible when you make that face."
My cheeks flushed at least ten shades and I slowly look up at him and his brown eyes, that were so gentle all of the sudden. I felt the hairs on my skin rise and the butterflies in my stomach wouldn't stop. Ididn't know whether it was his embrace or his eyes that drove me wild but either way, I didn't want to move.
"John."
"Hm?" He asked, raising innocent eyebrows.
"Thank you. For last night."
"I told you, I should be the one thanking you. Now, hush and-"
"Wait a second," I said as I got closer toward him and examined the wound that I missed earlier, and then I looked up at him.
"It's fine."
I unpeeled the giant bandage, seeing that it had somewhat healed last time I saw it, but not by a lot. It made me feel anxious, even a bit angry, knowing that he had gotten hurt. I don't know why, but it made me kind of mad.
I put my hands on his chest for support as I stand up on my tip-toes and stare at it, feeling a tiny bit bothered by seeing that the wound had yet to go away. My fingers start from the bottom up, slowly tracing over every curve and every nook and cranny possible on his toned abdomen. The digits stayed in the middle of his torso and carefully made their way up on the wounded path, until they stopped at each collarbone, while the thumbs were rubbing the skin on it in circles.
"You're bothered by the wound, aren't you?" He said in almost a whisper, but I said nothing and only stared at with close examination while my hands slowly went back down the chest and stopped right above his nipples, and then I sighed before I finally looked up.
"I don't want to see you getting hurt…because of me."
"You idiot," The man chuckled, and then gasped in pain as the wound started opening up again.
"Goddammit," I hissed as I ran to the bathroom and searched for a first-aid kit and rushed back, seeing the man sprawled out on the floor in pain, barely managing to breathe while clutching his chest. I kneeled towards him and tried holding his arm down from the side, but he easily flung them off with ease and went back to his chest. I had no choice.
I had to straddle him and I could see on his face that the pain was still aching as he had just got it. I wasted no time in getting out the gauze and everything else to make sure that this wound wouldn't open (again).
But then real trouble came was when I had to put alcohol on his wound, and he grabbed my wrist right as I was about to pat it down.
"Don't you dare," He hissed.
"It's needs to get disinfected."
"I. Don't. Care. That-"
"Too late," I said as I swiftly switched to the other hand and got the spot, making him groan in pain and all of the sudden, I feel hands yank my shirt and pull my downwards and my lips landed on his. He put so much raw emotion and force into the kiss, that I could barely think, much less breathe. But then I figured it out—he was hurting.
My mind flashed back to the time when his wound opened up in the park, and he held onto my wrists while the pain was stinging him like a thousand needles. I remember clearly how guilty he looked and he was ashamed that he had left a bruise without even realizing it. So, I guess the kiss was a way to save me from getting hurt. Weird, but considerate.
I could faintly hear him shudder under me as I lifted my head and shot him a look.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Uhm, yeah," He said grinning, at then looking at the position I was in. "Forward much?"
"You know, you really need to stop picking on me. It's because of these unexpected situations that I need to do what needs to be done."
"Oh, really?" The auburn-haired man, flashing me a wide, mischievous grin. "Your face says so otherwise."
"What?" I said, turning around and looking at the mirror that hung on the wardrobe's door and glanced at it, seeing that my face was completely flushed.
"But," John said, sitting up, "I'm not complaining."
"You better not," I chuckled as I got up and pulled him up and as I started to walk away, he pulled me back and wrapped his arms around me so that his back was against mine and his mouth was right next to my ear.
"I still don't see why you're doing all of this."
I was silent, asking myself the same question in my head.
"But you have no idea how grateful I am," He whispered in my ear.
"Just promise me something."
"What?"
"Try not to get hurt."