Chapter 4: Call Me Irresponsible
~Ichigo~
He hated lying to her because:
A) He hated liars and hypocrites as much as he hated the 'Don Kanonji Show'.
B) Friends, best friends especially- just don't lie to each other. Period.
C) It was a waste of efforts anyway. She knew him too well. One twitch of his lips, one flinch upon contact and she would've known he was lying.
But still, an occasional white lie or two never hurts, right?
"How the fuck did you guys let this happen?"
Ichigo fixed his fiercest glare at the three nervously-twitching interns in front of him and noted how they were all refusing to make eye contact with him. They were all afraid of him and they should be.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Bailey was going to murder him and that was if Rukia didn't get to him first.
"Bubbly girl," he called out and the intern in question squeaked, almost giving herself whiplash with the speed she raised her head up to meet his gaze. Ichigo felt bad for the girl- truly he did, but for the love of God, how could she have missed the headache and fixed pupils?
"You were supposed to be in charge so what happened? The patient was stable when I left. Two hours later I get the call that she's having seizures with her intracranial pressure shot through the roof and a shunt had to be drilled through her skull. Care to explain?"
"W-Well, the seizure is a complication of her intracranial hypertension."
He snorted. "Yeah no shit, Sherlock- I'm asking you what caused her ICP to go up?"
Ichigo could see the girl tearing up and instantly felt bad, shifting his attention to short stack with glasses and mousey boy instead.
"Well what do you two think?"
Bubbly girl was team leader but it wasn't fair to just roast her when all three shared equal responsibilities. One for all and all for one- the two shouldn't be left off the hook because they obviously weren't playing their parts as team member either. He wouldn't be going easy on any of them because they were all equally in the wrong, besides he's been told that it built camaraderie.
"Meningitis!"
"Brain aneurysm!"
Both interns called out at the same time and for the moment the team was redeemed in his eyes. They weren't complete idiots- at least they didn't lose their heads in a situation like this.
"Well which is it?" he demanded. All three visibly shrank from his glare.
"We don't know," the girl whispered and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was scary and his scowl had already achieved the intended effect- they knew they fucked up and they were trying to recover from their mistake. Despite popular belief, he wasn't actually heartless enough to scare them shitless nor did it give him any pleasure to watch them crash and burn.
"So you do what you can to find out," he pointed at the bespectacled intern and barked, "You! Lumbar puncture and get our patient started on broad spectrum antibiotics. Bubbly girl and mousey boy, CT scan. Be back in 20 minutes."
He growled, "Remember, I don't want excuses. I want results and a diagnosis!"
Like a true despot, he let the ominous or else hang in the air, the proverbial noose on all three of their necks as they stood on the gallows.
"Now GO!"
The interns flew into action, disappearing from his line of vision like dust in the wind.
Heaving a weary sigh, he ducked into one of the deserted meeting rooms. He could catch up with the chief resident and his attending later and the lecture that was most definitely coming his way can wait, right now he needed to defuse the ticking time bomb that was his best friend.
XXX
Ichigo: Hey.
Ichigo: Come on, midget. I am sorry.
…
Rukia: 'Sorry' doesn't cut it! Berry! Start prepping yourself for take-outs!
…
Ichigo: Rukia.
Ichigo: Rukiaaa.
XXX
He tapped his finger against his chin as he reclined against the plush cushion, brown eyes never leaving the tiny screen.
He sighed. So maybe it was his fault for leaving a mess in her kitchen before he went out, but seriously what did she expect? He was paged while he was cooking. It was a miracle that he remembered to turn off the stove in his rush to get back to the hospital.
He had called her earlier, explaining the situation and literally groveling because he knew how much of a neat freak the midget was but she still wouldn't budge.
For crying out loud, it wasn't even his fault! The whole thing could have been prevented if the interns did their jobs right.
He ran a hand through his tousled orange locks before taking in deep breath.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
Ichigo: I'm sorry.
…
Rukia: Stop spamming! : (
Ichigo: (T.T) What do I have to do to make it up to you?
XXX
There was still no reply from his best friend. He frowned- desperate time called for desperate measures.
Ichigo: I'll do anything you want!
XXX
He kept his eyes on the clock. Fingers twiddling somewhat nervously as he waited for her reply. It took her exactly 4 minutes 57 seconds to do that.
Rukia: Anything?
XXX
He gulped. There was that spine-tingling feeling crawling all over him right now. It made his hair stand and gave him goosebumps.
Ichigo: Within certain reasons…
Rukia: I just saw the most gorgeous pair of Vivienne Westwood stilettos yesterday. I wonder if…
XXX
His fingers were shaking slightly as he typed his reply. Considering the average price of a pair of Vivienne Westwood, his face paled as the gravity of the figures finally rested their weight on his shoulders.
But, he bit his tongue, it was necessary; he reminded himself that the sacrifice was not in vain. The consequences of him not meeting her 'demands' were a hell lot worse.
Ichigo: Ok.
Rukia: That's so nice of you. :D
Rukia: Now about that life size Chappy doll I saw…
XXX
He cringed. How she could incorporate that sick, sugary act of hers through the phone lines and internet and still manage to make him shudder was beyond him.
Ichigo: It's yours! Take it!
Rukia: You shouldn't…
Rukia: But I accept.
Rukia: I'm also thinking about that red dress I saw at Versace.
Ichigo: As much as I hate to burst your little bubble.
Ichigo: I am NOT a millionaire, so can we please just skip to the part where you decide to forgive me before my wallet bleeds to death.
Rukia: I was going to ask if red is a good colour for me…
XXX
He scowled. His fingers began to tighten uncharacteristically on the arm-rest as he dug them into the soft flesh of the plushy cushion. Rukia and her little games- would it kill her to not have the last word?
Ichigo: Fine but that black cocktail dress looks better.
Rukia: But you said I need to have more colour in my wardrobe. I'll go with the red one.
XXX
He bit his tongue.
Ichigo: Nevermind. So…
Ichigo: Does that mean I'm forgiven?
…
Rukia: Do you really need to ask?
XXX
He heaved a sigh of relief. A tiny, almost non-existent smile curled upon his lips, but he quickly wiped it from existence. The man had a reputation to up hold. He's the Ichigo Kurosaki or Kurosaki Ichigo if you're Oriental and into the whole 'surname-in-front-of-given-names' thing- the half part brilliant, half part brazen, overall badass doc with an attitude, complete with the must-have permanent scowl.
They, meaning the hospital staffs in Seattle Grace Mercy West who have known him since his internship three years ago- would never let him live it down if they ever found him smiling like an idiot at his phone.
Ichigo: So how's the job hunt going?
Rukia: Honestly. Not so good. The minute everyone hears the name 'Rukia Kuchiki', they go crazy.
Rukia: One guy even got down on one knee for me and professed his undying love for me.
Ichigo: Who's the idiot?
Rukia: Kon Luosdom.
Rukia: Oops, probably shouldn't have told you that…
Ichigo: Why not?
Rukia: Who knows what you are going to do to him!
XXX
The doctor bristled- why did she always automatically assume that he's out to cause bodily harm? He's a doctor now; not his younger college self who rushed into situations faster than anyone could blink.
Well, he's a somewhat reformed version of his college self but hey at least he's not shoving a punch at the nearest pervert's face anymore.
Ichigo: Nothing.
Rukia: You mean 'nothing' short of making him piss in his pants & losing your job? o.O
Ichigo: Of course not! Like I would want to lose my job over you!
Rukia: I wouldn't want that either. So don't worry about it.
Rukia: He's just a fan. No big deal.
XXX
It was a wonder he didn't book an appointment for her with the nearest psychiatrist available in his vicinity which in this case happened to be Ishida.
Just another fan?
Well, Chapman used to be 'just another fan'. Look what he did to John Lennon! As her best friend, there was no way he was going to let her take that risk.
Nope, the first thing he's going to do when his shift ends would be to find Chad and have the stocky Mexican P.I. run a background check on that guy.
For crying out loud, who in the world has a surname called 'Luosdom'? This reeked of fishiness. What if he's some sort of wanted fugitive or psychopath in some unheard-of country!
Rukia: Don't go around asking Chad to do a background check on him. I mean it!
XXX
He swore vehemently under his breath. How did she do that?
Ichigo: Fine.
Rukia: :)
Ichigo: Can you do me a favour?
XXX
Delicate fingers stilled on the keyboard as she read the sentence repeatedly in her mind. She took in a deep breath, ready for whatever wild chases and crazy pleas he might have as she typed in her reply.
Rukia: Sure, as long as it doesn't involve murder.
Ichigo: I got this patient named Yoruichi Shihoin. She left her jacket here.
Ichigo: I have her name card and I was going to return her stuff but I'm on call, so …
XXX
A distinct frown on her lips as she mulled over his so-called favour. In all the years they've known each other, he had never thrown in an explanation for a favour. Maybe she was overreacting, but normally Ichigo wouldn't have bothered to call it a favour.
He'd just ask her to take it to the patient. And she would be the one asking 'why'- he never volunteered information. Whoever this Shihoin lady is, she must be pretty important to him.
And that thought, that silly notion of his new patient being important to him just caused something surprisingly painful to erupt in her chest, like a sharp sting that settled on there and wouldn't let go. It's not like he's saying that this Shihoin lady was his 'new best friend'.
She snorted. That would have been so juvenile, childish and well, let's face it neither of them were growing any younger.
But still, the thought of him implying that his patient was more important to him than she was- just hurt.
Period.
She gave herself a whole minute to compose herself but felt oddly numb and cold as she typed in her next reply.
Just what in the world was wrong with her?
Rukia: Personal delivery?
Rukia: This Shihoin lady must be pretty special to you.
Special?
XXX
He snorted. The word couldn't even begin to describe that woman. Oh she was a modern-day high society lady alright if her old money inheritance was any indication, but her behavior would never have given you the time to entertain the thought.
To put it mildly, Yoruichi Shihoin had no qualms for modesty at all. With her mocha tanned skin and gleaming golden flecks for eyes, she was a seductively exotic creature with the figure of a runway supermodel.
Tight, revealing clothes were casually worn like a second skin, her figure flaunted in the open air without care and did he mention that she loved shopping.
XXX
With a fierce scowl and a dozen or so heavily loaded shopping bags from several high-end designer stores, it was evident as Ichigo Kurosaki emerged from the Versace outlet, trailing behind a certain voluptuous beauty, that he was less than pleased with the shopping 'expedition'.
Trudging grudgingly while mumbling, he had his eyes glued to the front, glaring daggers at the woman and eying her angrily as she sashayed seductively through the mob. Her purplish-black ponytail was swinging to the tempo of her lithe figure as she maneuvered both of them through the crowd.
Her tight leather capris and sleeveless black halter top complimented her figure wonderfully with those gravity-defying killer stilettos. Unsurprisingly, it earned her several appreciative looks and whistles along the way.
He clenched his jaw as the scowl intensified. A bead of sweat dripped from his brow as he shifted the weight of the heavy purchases as best as he could. He was only doing it for Rukia. That's right. He bit the tip of his tongue.
Remember the consequences, think of Rukia.
A few more minutes to go and the ordeal ends, he could go home while Rukia gets a new job.
Deep breaths, inhale, exhale- he told himself as he took up the breathing exercises.
Yoruichi merely rolled her eyes. "Will you please stop doing that? You're acting like a freaking pregnant cow ready to give birth."
His eyebrow twitched. 'Pregnant cow'? Try 'pissed-off-as-hell bull'!
"Maybe it will help if you would be so kind as to carry some of your own bags." He gritted through his clenched jaw.
She scoffed.
"As if! Why else did you think I accepted Kisuke's offer any way? I needed a guy to help me carry my goods and you need a job. It's a good deal and-" she smirked-"it spares me from going through the interview process."
"Okay, let's get this straight. First of all, I DO NOT need a job. My friend, Rukia does," came his snarky reply as they got into the elevator. He grimaced as he saw the amount of people crammed inside the metal contraption, shooting another pointed glare at Yoruichi standing beside him who was busy attending to her painted fingernails.
"Details," came her lazy drawl as they traveled upwards. "Anyway, if your friend needs a job as bad as you said she does, why didn't she apply for the job herself? 'Meow!Meow!' is a high-end fashion magazines. We've had several world-renowned authors applying for a job position over the years. How is this Rukia of yours any different? "
"Because she's not supposed to know."
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow- her attention piqued as she tore her eyes away from the sight of her fingernails.
"What exactly do you mean by 'she's not supposed to know'?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair before answering, "Rukia is a very proud person. And no, I don't mean to say that she's vain- there's a difference between those two- but rather she-" he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly-"she takes pride in a lot of things. She takes pride in her work, her family name, and her abilities. And that's why she would never accept the job if I recommended it to her or personally took it upon myself to secure the job for her, especially if she thinks I'm doing this out of pity. She hates being anyone's charity case."
"And that's why, she must never know."
He gave her a pointed look. "Promise me you won't tell her about this."
She pondered over his statement before asking. "But isn't this-" she glanced at the hefty bags around her- "a tad bit too hypocritical? I mean- the only reason you're doing this is because you want to help her but isn't this helpful gesture an indirect way of saying you doubt her abilities? You doubt her pride in her friends. You doubt her capacity in accepting a gift from her friend."
He growled. "I trust Rukia with my life. The only reason I'm doing this is because I also know she hates changes. She's just too-" he struggled to find the right word- "Too rigid and well, she's not a gambler. If she stands at a crossroad and there are two roads: one a new paved path and the other the worn path she always takes, she'll always stick to the old one; no matter how uneven the road is and how bad it had deteriorated, she would stick to it."
He took a deep breath before continuing in the same manner. "It's the same thing with her job. She's so well-known in her own line of work that everyone either blatantly ignores her or just plain worships her. She'll never get another job if she does it her way."
The doctor turned to give a meaningful glance at Yoruichi before finishing. "She's smart but sometimes she just thinks too much. She's less likely to reject new ideas if they smack her right in the face. If you give her time to sort out her thoughts, she'll eventually just draw out too many scenes in that midget little head that by some bizarre, macabre fashion just convinces her that the old way is the best way."
Yoruichi stood perfectly aloof beside him, giving no indication at all whether she had heard him.
He shrugged. It didn't matter any way. Her opinion of his actions meant zilch to him.
The pair rode in absolute silence for the rest of the journey.
It was only when they finally exited the elevator and managed to load all the expensive items into the trunk of Yoruichi's ocean blue Porsche, that she broke the overwhelming silence.
Rummaging her way through the assortment of shopping bags, she finally broke into a grin when she managed to find a denim jacket. With the jacket at hand, she sauntered up to Ichigo, beckoning him to hold out his hands before depositing said garment in his hands.
He raised an eyebrow, evidently surprised by the sudden gesture.
"It's for Rukia, you dolt." She answered before he had the chance of even opening his mouth. "You probably hadn't thought about how you're supposed to convince her to go to Meow!Meow! HQ, did you?"
She took the involuntary rubbing at the back of his neck as 'yes' and quickly flashed him another Cheshire grin.
"Thought so. And you might need this-" she calmly fished out one of her name cards from her pocket and handed it to him- "Tell her that I'm your patient and I left my jacket there. Give her my name card and ask her to return it to the office. I'll take care of things once she gets there."
He didn't know for how long he just stood there with a mixture of shock and gratitude before he finally managed to croak out, "Thank you."
Nodding, she nimbly climbed into the driver seat, sparing him only a mild glance as she sped off.
XXX
To that extent, Yoruichi Shihoin was actually a great help. And now all that's left was to convince Rukia to accept and carry out the 'favour'.
She didn't disappoint.
Rukia: Fine.
XXX
He unwittingly released a breath he had been holding.
Ichigo: Thanks. Where are you now?
Rukia: Just a few blocks away from Grace. Be there in 20?
Ichigo: Ok.
XXX
He quickly pocketed the phone. He stretched, popping his knuckles before he made his way out of the room.
His phone buzzed almost like an afterthought and he saw Rukia's final message.
Rukia: Go easy on the interns.
XXX
His lips twitched.
Ichigo: Can't promise anything.
Rukia: Liar. :P
XXX
They were waiting for him when he exited the room. Bubbly girl seemed to have recovered from her earlier nervousness but short stack with glasses was literally sweating buckets.
"I-I-I'm sorry but the lab results aren't back yet."
Fine- Rukia had a point. He remembered being a hapless intern once and who didn't fuck up at least once on something?
He sighed. "It's okay. I was being too harsh anyway. It's a lot of pressure to be under. I get it- just don't let this happen again."
Ichigo's eyes suddenly brightened as the girl's name came to him. And it was such an easy name too.
"Sara-" the girl's eyes widened, as did the other interns as they gave a collective suspicious look at the notoriously grumpy resident- "make sure you brush up on signs of high ICP and guys, there are different types of shock- study them as part of your USMLE preparation."
Ichigo glanced at the clock. He still had to grab the jacket from his locker.
"Right, I have something I need to do. We'll meet outside the patient's room. The results better be in by then."
XXX
With him gone, all three interns regarded each other with amazement, too stunned to even speak.
"Did that just happen?" asked Anna (a.k.a. Bubbly girl). She didn't even bother correcting the resident- too surprised that he had actually made an effort to even remember her name in the first place and to be perfectly honest, this might be the closest Ichigo was ever going to get in getting her name right.
"I feel like we just stepped into some crazy Twilight zone. Are we sure it's not April's Fool today?"
Her fellow interns shook their heads and Anna let out a low whistle as she whispered conspiratorially.
"Guys- it worked!"
One of the nurses had told them about the secret to dealing with the grumpy resident and at first all three of them had laughed it off as a hoax of some sort designed to dupe gullible interns. How different can a guy be after one phone call anyway?
They knew better now though.
The secret to dealing with Dr. Grumpy-ass Kurosaki was catching him immediately after he got off the phone. Nurses said they once heard a woman's voice on the other line, assuming it to be the grouch's girlfriend. Of course no one was actually bold enough to say it to his face or pry the identity of the woman out from him- the resident was fastidious in keeping her identity hidden and his notorious scowl was enough of a deterrent to say the least.
Well whoever the mystery woman was, Anna was extremely thankful- the man was almost nice (in a rude, tough love kind of way) after the sessions.
She turned to look at her friends, still barely recovering from the disbelief and said.
"We are so dedicating a shrine to her."
Angels, it seemed- do exist and on Earth, they sometimes came in the form of Dr. Kurosaki's girlfriend.
XXX
Ichigo waited for her outside the hospital. The distant rumble of thunder was heard as the wind grew stronger. Around him, people were glancing warily at the grey overcast as they hurried to their own destinations as fast as possible. He tucked his hands into his white coat pockets and frowned.
It was definitely going to rain soon. Summers in Seattle are anything but sunny. It rained, it poured and it never stopped.
He smiled when he caught sight of his best friend as she arrived. There was something about the sight of her that always warmed him, like coming home at the end of a shift and just instinctively feeling relaxed.
Frowning, Rukia's eyes were peering untrustingly towards the gloomy sky, ready to reach into her bag and pull out her limited edition pink Chappy umbrella should it so much as drizzle.
The doctor smirked. It was evident that his best friend was less than pleased by the approaching storm. Knowing her, she probably couldn't wait for autumn and winter- her two favourite seasons, to set in.
Rukia hated summer and rainy days with a vengeance. He recalled the time when they went to California for a short break to visit the twins and fought hard to hide his amusement. She had complained day in, day out about the sizzling temperature, opting to instead escape to the beach during the heated season, under the protection of her trusty friend, Mr. Sunblock of course or simply stay indoors with the air conditioners on 24/7- not very environmental friendly at all- which was probably why she was so pale to begin with.
It was therefore ironic, that he thought that the afternoon sun brought out the woman in Rukia Kuchiki. In his humble opinion, summer holidays and afternoons with a sizzling hot temperature always brought out the best of her feminine beauty.
During their vacation, the beach became their second temporary residence. Rukia wore flowing, loose sun dresses, tied her hair into a sloppy ponytail with a colourful bandana or foulard and wore none of those hideous high heels she adored to death, opting instead for plain flip flops as they walked on the sandy shores of the beach, stopping only for the occasional ice-cream- because she claimed, and he quoted 'that the weather was too damn hot for anyone to be acting pretty'.
Well, he personally begged to differ because he thought that she was the prettiest when she didn't bother to dress up. The glaring sun and the high temperature brought out the best of her. Under the hot sun, Rukia isn't the untouchable ice statue of a Kuchiki princess- emotionless and aloof. She's just human. Hot, sweaty, and just a tad bit, to do his best friend justice, sexy.
Besides, his best friend wasn't just 'acting' pretty. Rukia Kuchiki was plain beautiful to begin with- inside and out- even if she was a pain at times.
XXX
"Ichigo, are you okay?"
Rukia was standing in front of him, hands on her hips as she regarded him with concern. He cleared his throat loudly, slightly uncomfortable with the look she was giving him and his previous train of thoughts.
Thank God, human beings couldn't read minds. Just imagine the awkwardness between him and Rukia if they could.
Ichigo held out the jacket and name card to her.
"I'm fine," he told her. Rukia nodded somewhat absent-mindedly at his reply with her attention focused solely on the address on the name card.
"Well, her office didn't seem to be too far from here," she mumbled as she pocketed the card into her hand bag. "Join me for dinner later?"
"Sorry I can't. I'm on call."
She shrugged. "It's okay. I understand."
Rukia had scarcely made 10 steps away from him before she suddenly whirled around and met his gaze.
"Ichigo?"
He raised his eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Biting her lips, she hesitated before drawing in a deep breath. And then in a calm voice she said, "I just want you to know that I approve of her."
"What?" he asked as he frowned. What exactly did the midget approved of? As far as he's concerned, he never needed her approval in anything.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about Yoruichi Shihoin, space cadet."
He grew even more puzzled. "Why would she need your approval? It's not like we're da- Oh."
The pointed look on her face finally made the last puzzle fit into place as he realized what his best friend was implying.
He couldn't help but roll his eyes and scoff at her brilliant deductions.
"Yoruichi and I are not dating," he said.
"But then why did you- why did she- I mean the jacket and you were acting weird-"
The rest of her mumbling trailed away as he walked over to her and lifted her chin up, tilting her heart-shaped face towards his gaze.
He sighed, tucking her signature stray bang behind her ear.
"Rukia," he began- his voice soft and lulling. "Yoruichi is a friend," he frowned and then added, "Scratch that, make her an associate of an associate. But you?"
He stared deep into her eyes.
"You are my best friend, my nakama," he continued in the same tone, never once shirking away from her gaze. "And as Cristina would have said, you're my person. How can anybody in the world, no- in the entire universe compete with that?"
Despite her best guarded expression and the years of drama-acting she had been subjected to in the Kuchiki household, she couldn't help but feel the corners of her lips twitching upwards. Her best friend can be so sweet at times.
How exactly was she supposed to steel her heart and not feel touched by such an honest and sweet statement?
And more importantly, how exactly was anyone going to come up with an answer for that?
Being the innovative heiress that she was, Rukia settled for whacking him lightly on the chest. Instinctively, Ichigo flinched upon contact, yelping slightly. He scowled, jumping away from her as he did.
"What the heck was that for, midget?!"
"For being an idiot."
Sniffing haughtily, she made a dramatic show of turning her heels and marching confidently towards the opposite direction as she walked away. The familiar click-clacks against pavement however paused as soon as she was out from his line of vision. Turning the suspicious jacket around, she gave it a thorough examination, ignoring the curious stares coming from several passer-bys.
There was a comical 'Aha!' moment for her when she finally found what she was looking for.
Smirking, it took all of her willpower not to just throw her head back and guffaw as she continued her journey. Some would say that she was glowing- her smile radiating like the perfect beacon of happiness.
Her heart was so light and free that her body felt practically weightless as she sashayed her way towards her car- a big ear-to-ear grin plastered on her lips that was so wide and beamish that it made her cheeks hurt.
That baka forgot to cut off the price tag!
Hese's corner:
Edited.
She's my person. If I murdered someone, she's the person I'd call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. She's my person. – Dr. Cristina Yang
I forgot how much I love Grey's Anatomy and the inaccuracies in the show vs real life. Still- fun times.