AUTHOR'S NOTES: I am back! I just want to thank all of you for the wonderful reviews! Thanks for encouraging me.
Reposted! I hope that the wrong grammars were solved at least! ^o^
LEGENDS:
Thinking
"Normal speaking"
Lyrics sang
Flashback
"Thinking while in flashback"
:: Day; time; date; place updates ::
You Are My Love
By: Kuchiki Yazumi 09
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_ Chapter Four: Be Friends! _
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Ichigo and Rukia were on their way home from the market, with Ichigo driving the motorcycle and Rukia sitting behind him. Ichigo wanted to say something to her and tried to gather his thoughts.
"Um…"
"Hm?" Rukia asked as she heard him murmured.
"About the thing you told me the other night…" Ichigo started. Rukia thought about it and realized that he was talking about the night she told him when she passed his training.
"What about that?" she asked again.
"Well… I thought that… you're right. Maybe I'm just overreacting. Our first meeting was not that good so I think it's just the first impression. Sorry." Ichigo explained slowly.
Rukia smiled. "That's fine. Just forget about it."
"C-can we still be friends?" Ichigo asked.
"Of course." Rukia smiled but obviously, Ichigo couldn't see it. Lucky for the both of them, Ichigo was glad that Rukia couldn't see the smile crept up his face too.
When the two finally arrived at the Coffee Shop, they were both wondering why the sign of the shop says, 'CLOSE'. Dismissing the thought aside, the both of them made their way inside the Coffee Shop.
"Ichi! Rukia! why are you late?" Rangiku asked the two of them as she walked towards them.
"Sorry." The two teens apologized in unison.
Just then, Toushirou and Momo went in from the Kurosaki living room.
"Momo? What are you doing here?" Rukia asked her younger sister.
"Nothing. Just checking up on you." Momo answered as she smiled. She turned to Ichigo and grinned at him. "Hi! Ichigo nii-chan!"
Ichigo smiled. "Hi, Momo-chan."
"You know each other?" Rukia asked, a bit shocked that it seemed like they knew each other.
Momo nodded. "Hm! Ran nee-chan introduced me to him on his first day at school, nee, nii-chan?" she asked as she turned to Ichigo again.
"That's right. She's your sister, isn't she?" Ichigo asked as Rukia nodded.
"Wow, did the two of you bumped your head on somewhere? You two seems to be closer than ever now." Rangiku said amusingly.
"Well, we thought that it'd be a waste of time if we continue to bicker with each other so we decided to end it and become friends instead." Rukia explained.
Ichigo agreed. "She's right."
Rangiku smirked widely inwardly. "That's great." She said. It's really great.
And then, Rukia finally noticed a piano placed at the end of the counter.
"Ran, why was the sign at the entrance says, 'CLOSE'?" Ichigo asked.
"Yeah, and why there's a piano here?" Rukia asked as she pointed at the piano and that was where Ichigo started to wonder about that also.
"Well… that's because…" Rangiku was cut off by the new voice that had entered the Coffee Shop.
"Ran, leave the explanation about that to me."
"Dad, you're here early? So, you bought the piano?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, I got this idea that we need to entertain our customers while they were staying in our Coffee Shop." Isshin paused, "This way, we will be having many customers like never before. Am I making sense to you?"
"Yeah, but, who do you think would play the piano?" Ichigo asked again. He knew that Rangiku didn't like playing piano but she loves listening to it. And she loves guitar more as much as he loves it. Toushirou play drums so it was really impossible for him to play the piano. So, who would be playing it?
Isshin smiled. "Don't worry, Rangiku recommended someone already."
"And who might that be?" Ichigo asked as he looked at his cousin who smiled at him.
"Isn't it obvious? Of course it's Rukia!" Isshin said, with a huge grin on his face.
Rukia was stunned. "H-HUH? M-Me?" she managed to choked out. "B-but, I didn't know how to play…"
"Rukia don't lie! You know how to play! You used to compose songs using it!" Rangiku said.
"B-But Ran, it's been 7 years since I last played. I don't know if I can do it again." Rukia tried to reason.
"Rukia don't embarrass me!"
Idiot, you're the one embarrassing me.Rukia thought as she glared at her so-called best friend.
"Come on Rukia-chan, don't be shy! You can do it! I'm sure of it!" Isshin said. "And besides, Momo-chan here told me that you are a total professional in playing different kinds of instruments." He pointed at Momo.
Rukia glared at her so-called younger sister. Even you, Momo?
"I'm sorry about that nee-chan." Momo said as she smiled shyly.
"Nee-chan, please I like to hear you play the piano again." Toushirou said as he smiled at Rukia. Her sister and Rukia had been friends since grade school and so he also saw Rukia as a sister. And he was sure that Rukia also felt the same way towards him.
"Your talent would be such a waste if you didn't use it." Ichigo finally piped in from behind her. She looked at him and saw him smiled at her.
Ichigo…
Rukia sighed. Well… this is it then…
"Okay, I accept. I'll play." She declared.
All of them wore bright smiles as Rukia slowly made her way towards the piano. She sat on the seat in front of the black piano and opened it, revealing the white and black keys. She touched the keys softly.
Brings back memories…
She closed her eyes and started to play… and sing…
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Cheeks moistened by the rain had the scent of tears
A traveler who has a kind gaze
A nostalgic music quietly echoes
Memories that I can't recall
I wander
Dreams take off with little wings
To the place where thoughts can't vanish
Together, we overcome the distant sea and sky.
In the dark night,
It is illuminating me
I want to see you
Who has a kind gaze…
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Rukia opened her eyes when she heard a round of applause. She stood up and smiled at them as she walked towards them.
"Rukia, that's great!" Rangiku said happily, hugging her best friend.
"Sis, you're still good at it!" Momo commented too.
"T-Thanks guys." Rukia stuttered, feeling a little shy.
"That was quite a show Rukia-chan. I hope you'll accept my offer to play the piano every night for our customers." Isshin said.
Rukia hesitated for a bit but… the piano. Playing the piano again after all of those years makes her so happy. She loves playing piano and she wanted to play it again. And so she said, "Yes sir. I'm gladly accepting it."
The two girls squealed in happiness while the two boys just smiled.
"Okay, so you're playing it tonight. You okay with that?"
Rukia nodded excitedly. "Yes sir."
:: November 9, 2009; 7pm ::
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There were many customers present in the Coffee Shop. While Ichigo and Toushirou were busily assisting the customers, Rangiku and Momo were with Rukia at the backstage. They were giving Rukia a slight make over.
"Is this really necessary?" Rukia asked, "I'm just playing a piano, I think this won't be needed."
"What are you saying? This IS necessary! And besides, this is the first time I'll saw you play again in crowd after seven years! I'm so excited!" Rangiku chirped excitedly.
Rukia smiled. "Oh, Ran..."
"She's right, nee-chan! I'm really excited too!" Momo said, jumping happily.
"I can't do anything about it, can I?" Rukia sighed.
The two ladies smiled triumphantly.
"Oh, nee-chan! What would you play this time?" Momo asked curiously.
"It's a secret! You'll know later." Rukia said.
"You're unfair!" Momo said.
Rukia giggled. "I will not s—"
"You must sing!" Rangiku cut her off pretty roughly.
"How did you know what I will say?" Rukia asked.
"DUH? It's obvious!" Rangiku retorted.
"I don't want to." Rukia said again.
"You will!"
"I won't!"
"You will!"
"I won't!"
"You will!"
"I won't!"
Rangiku was surrounded by a dark aura. "Kuchiki Rukia..."
Rukia was taken aback.
"Are you going to sing or not?" Rangiku asked in a threatening voice.
"A-Alright... I surrender. I'll sing." Rukia stuttered.
"That's great!" Rangiku giggled.
Rukia sighed. "She's really scary when she got mad." She murmured.
"You're saying something?" Rangiku asked.
"N-Nandemonai..." Rukia replied.
There's a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Momo asked.
"It's me! Are you guys ready?" said the voice from behind the door.
"Yes I'm ready Toushirou." Rukia replied.
Toushirou opened the door and saw Rukia.
"Wow, Rukia nee-chan, you're beautiful." He said, smiling at her.
"Thanks, Toushirou." She replied blushing.
She's wearing a white dress with black belt around her waist. The dress was up to her knees. Her short raven hair was tied up neatly in a bun and her stray bang in front of her face was clipped on the right side of her head. She had a high heel white sandals protecting her small feet.
She walked towards the door with her friends and sister.
"Good luck nee-chan!" Momo said, as she winked at her.
Rukia smiled despite of her nervousness which was trying to overcome her.
"Thanks. I'll do my best."
"Good evening everyone! Are you enjoying the night?" Isshin asked from the stage as the crowd replied a 'YES!' in a loud and happy voice.
"That's great! Tonight, we had prepared a special number for you all. Are you ready?"
After receiving a 'yes' again, he introduced her on stage.
"Here is our performer! Introducing... Kuchiki Rukia-chan!"
The crowd clapped as Rukia made her way onto the stage.
"Good evening, everyone." Rukia greeted.
"She is the one who made the coffee you're drinking right now." Isshin informed them proudly.
The people exchanged murmurs among each other and soon gave her a round of applause.
"Shall we start then? Enjoy yourselves!" Isshin said as he went towards the counter, leaving the stage all to Rukia.
Rukia sat on the chair in front of the piano and started to play...
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The wind is cold now
But I could smell the scent of that nostalgic sky
I can see the sea from the platform
It's here that I'm searching for you
That summer is surely still alive
In that surfboard, so out of place in this season
The sun surely remembers it all
Can you hear me?
You said you wouldn't show tears
And we waved to each other
We didn't say goodbye so we waved
And you disappeared into the sunset, I remember you
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Ichigo couldn't take his eyes off her.
She was... stunning...
He stared at her intently as she continued to play.
She's not just beautiful, she's talented too... I wonder why she stopped playing...
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Every time I hold my rusty guitar
That song seizes my heart
Even now, the days are still gloomy
It's here that I'm searching for you
But I think
We're surely living for someone
The sun surely remembers it all
Can you hear me?
You said you wouldn't show tears
And we waved to each other
We didn't say goodbye so we waved
And you disappeared into the sunset, I remember you
I'm still the same as I was then
But I have a little more confidence, yeah…
I'm holding back my tears, I promise
I have to be stronger than anybody
We don't need to say goodbye, when I close my eyes
I can see you right away, I remember you
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After the song, the crowd gave her a big round of applause. They were screaming with so much pleasure that Rukia was very good in playing as well in singing.
Rukia bowed before them as she made her way towards the counter.
"Rukia, sugoi!" Rangiku said as she hugged her best friend.
"That's wonderful sis!" Momo chirped happily.
"You got them out there nee-chan!" Toushirou complimented.
"Thanks you guys." Rukia replied, smiling.
Ichigo held out his right hand for a handshake towards Rukia.
"Rukia, that's very nice. You did it. Congratulations." He smiled.
Rukia smiled back at him and held his hand and gently shake it.
"Thank you, Ichigo..."
"Rukia, that's great. You're going to play tomorrow night also 'kay?" Isshin said as he put a hand on Rukia's shoulder.
"Hai!"
:: Nov. 10, 2009; 7:30AM ::
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As Rukia reached the Coffee Shop, she saw Isshin at the door.
"Ohayou Gozaimasu!" Rukia greeted.
"Ohayou, Rukia-chan." Isshinsmiled.
"Um, sir? You're going somewhere?" Rukia asked as she realized that Isshin was wearing formal outfit.
"Yes, I'm going to visit a friend of mine." He said.
"Oh, take care then." Rukia said.
"Thanks. You too." Isshin said as he left her at the shop.
"Dad, please don't push yourself any longer. It's bad for your health. Just rest now." An eighteen-year-old boy said to his father.
His father ignored his pleas. "Son, I want you to do me a favor."
"What is it?" he asked.
"Search for them. Search for my family."
"You mean, 'them'?" the boy asked, knowing fully who his father was talking about.
"I want to see them." His father said, "Please my son." He pleaded.
The boy stared at his father. He knew how his father loves his second family. Yes, he love him and his mom so much but he love them so much too and it hurts him when they left them seven years ago. Even he, he loves his stepsisters so much too. And so, he decided.
"I promise Dad. I'll find them." The boy replied.
His father smiled. "Thank you son. Thank you."
Soon, his father fell asleep. He left him in his hospital room and went towards his friend who was waiting for him outside. As they walked down the hallway...
"Kaien, are you going to search for them?" Kaien's friend asked.
Shiba Kaien nodded firmly. "Yeah Renji. I need to."
"But where?" Abarai Renji asked. "It's been a long time since you've seen them right?"
"That's right but... I need to. Besides, I want to know if they are safe in somewhere." Kaien replied at his best friend. He met Renji in abroad 3 years ago. He was 15 years old back then while Renji was 14 years old. That means, Renji was 17 years old now making Kaien 18 years of age.
"You really are a good older brother huh?" Renji teased.
"Stop that Renji." Kaien glared at him but suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, I forgot. How was your first day in your new school today?" he asked, changing the topic.
"Hmm... fine. You know, I met a good guy. He's my classmate."
"Really? And who might that be?" Kaien asked, obviously interested.
"Well... he's..."
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[FLASHBACK]
Earlier that day...
"Class, you have a new classmate." The teacher announced. She turned to the new student and told him to come in.
The new student complied and introduced himself in class.
"Ohayou! Abarai Renji desu. Hajime Mashite."
The students murmured among each other. Renji sat on his chair at the back because that was the only vacant.
The lunch break bell rang finally and he was left alone because there was no one who wants to be friends with him because he was rich and his tattoos and hair color.
"It's just same here..." Renji whispered to himself sadly.
"Hey." Renji looked up to see a guy with orange hair.
"Why?" Renji asked uneasily.
The guy smiled slightly. "You like to join us for lunch?"
"Eh?"
"Come on, let's go. Come with us." A girl with long orange curly girl said.
"Is that fine with you?" Renji asked.
"Of course. By the way, I'm Kurosaki Ichigo. Nice to meet you."
"Hitsugaya Rangiku desu! Yoroshiku ne!"
"Y-Yoroshiku... A-Arigatou..."
"That's nothing. Come on." Ichigo told him.
Renji smiled.
I made a new friend...
[END OF FLASHBACK]
"It's getting colder now, don't you think, Isshin?" a lady on a wheelchair said as she sew scarves for her daughters.
Isshin went out of his hiding place and sat near his best friend.
"Hi Yoruichi! How are you?" he asked her brightly.
"I'm fine thank you."
"That scarves, is that for your daughters?" Isshin asked again.
"Yeah." She replied.
"They're beautiful, like you." Isshin complimented.
Yoruichi stopped for a moment and looked at him.
"You've seen my daughters?"
"Yeah, your older daughter was working in my Coffee Shop and your youngest always visits her sister."
Yoruichi nodded in understanding. "What about you? I haven't seen your son since we moved."
"Oh yes, you will not recognized him because he's all grown up now. He's more handsome too. Like his father."
"You're still full of yourself Isshin." Yoruichi said. "Ichigo and Rukia were at the same age. Rukia was ten when we moved and Momo's eight. The same as Toushirou-kun's."
"Right."
Isshin took a deep breath before opening the issue.
"Yoruichi, did you hear? Your husband was in the hospital. He's sick right now."
"What?" Yoruichi's voice was full of concern. "Since when?"
"A year ago. But, his sickness was getting worst as days passed." He explained.
There was silence.
"Are you still mad at him?" Isshin said, breaking the silence.
"I've forgiven him. I still love him. Actually, I want to come back to him." She paused, bowing her head as her voice become gentle, "But, Rukia... she didn't want to do anything with his father anymore. She couldn't still forgive him."
"I understand, Rukia-chan's very close to him."
Yoruichi sighed. "That's right."
"Don't worry; I'm sure Rukia will be able to forgive his father at the right time." Isshin said with a smile.
Yoruichi smiled slightly back at him. "I hope so Isshin. I hope so."
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-END OF CHAPTER FOUR-
English Translation for Japanese Words:
Nandemonai – it's nothing
Sugoi – amazing/ wonderful
Song/s Used:
You are my love by Makino Yui
I remember you by Yoshioka Yui
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I'm finished finally again. So, Renji's finally showed here... and Kaien too. I bet you're wondering who his father might be...
That would be reveal two chapters from now!
Please Review!
Preview for the Next Chapter:
Rukia's not the only performer of the Coffee Shop? Really? This will be exciting...
Stay with me!
-Chapter Five: The Coffee Shop's Band!-