A/N: Fast update! Go me! Alright, so Easter break at the moment. Exciting. I did this chapter relatively fast, taking out the times when I had to leave the computer. Anyways, this is named after the song, "What Are You Looking For," by Sick Puppies. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Nay.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 7: What Are You Looking For

"So the trick is to win over the judge. Once you do that, you're golden," Kaien whispered as he leaned over to Rukia's ear.

She frowned in confusion, "How do you intend on doing that?"

"Well isn't it obvious?" he replied with a smile. Rukia just raised her eyebrow in clarification. Kaien chuckled at her clueless response. "I've been told I have a charming smile. And a wink doesn't hurt either," he said adding a wink and flashing a gorgeous smile at the end.

Rukia smiled, despite chuckling disgustedly and shaking her head. She then asked curiously, "What do you do when there is a male judge?"

"I just told you," he said looking through his folder of information.

Rukia showed shock, "You mean… they were all…" she said hesitantly.

Kaien chuckled again, "No. But once they noticed what I was doing, they were a bit tense and decided it was better if they got rid of me as fast as possible."

Rukia just shook her head again. Kaien suddenly stood up, seeing as it was time to begin. "I would like to call the victim of the assault to the stand," he said confidently. He made his way out from behind the table and walked towards the stand where the photographer had just taken a seat. Flashes from cameras continued to flood the room.

"So tell me," Kaien began as he leaned on the ledge of the platform, where the victim sat. "What is it you want?" he asked straight out as casually as possible.

The photographer gave a suspicious look. "What do you mean?" he questioned hesitantly.

"What I mean is, 'Why are you here?' I don't see any critical injuries. You don't have any head trauma or any broken limbs."

The man opened his mouth to talk, but Kaien held up his hand, "And don't give me any crap about your emotional wellbeing being put at stake. I could give two shits if you go home and cry because mommy never gave you enough love."

"Objection, your honor. He's undermining the victim," the prosecutor shouted standing for more emphases.

"I am not. I'm just saying what everyone else in this courtroom is thinking. Besides, how sad is it that he is taking a woman half his size to court for punching him? Shouldn't that hurt his pride just a little?" Kaien said with another jab.

"You can't insult the victim!" the prosecutor shouted at him with disbelief. She then turned to the judge, "Your honor, this is not suitable behavior."

Kaien gave a disgusted laugh, "Oh please. And sleeping with your client is?"

"Alright, enough! You two! I would like to have a word at my bench," the judge yelled to stop the brawl. The two had yet to move. "Now!" she added.

Kaien couldn't help but smirk from success. This was exactly what he wanted; a word with the judge. They both arrived in front of the judge.

"What is going on here? We are professionals. This is disgraceful," the judge said rubbing a temple.

"I'm sorry, your honor. But he is asking inappropriate questions. 'Why is he here?' He's here to get justice for being a victim of a cruel act!" the prosecutor said harshly.

Kaien rolled his eyes, "And you're here to support your crybaby of a boy toy."

"Alright, settle down," the judge said to stop an incoming insult fest.

Kaien sighed, "It's this simple, your honor. He wants a few million and he was willing to piss the living daylights out of a certain moneymaker to get it. Consider the possible irritation of a man throwing a deceiving picture in you face and making inaccurate accusations. Not only would it frustrate you for being told something that is false, but it would be told all over the world." He leaned in closer to the bench. "You wouldn't want the world to pair you with someone who you've had a bad history with. Come on. You understand that it would put you in a terrible state of mind and then make you act on instinct." He then flashed his convincing smile. "I bet you'd give him a slug too," he added with a wink.

"Your honor!" the prosecutor yelled in disbelief from what he had said.

The judge lowered her head calmly to hide a smile on her face. She then looked back up. "Listen, I hate these cases more than anything. I believe one hundred percent that Miss Kuchiki had every right to lay her fist in his face. But that is just me. I have to go by the law." She then leaned back so that the courtroom could hear. "I will call a short recess and give the verdict in fifteen minutes."

The prosecutor left and Kaien leaned forward and placed his hand on the judge's hand. He looked deep into her eyes. "Thank you. It's hard for people to understand the celebrities just because they're wealthy. They usually judge them for it and think they're all snobby. People forget that there are ones out there that are just like regular, common people too, ya know?" he said softly with a delicate smile.

"It's not a problem at all," she said with a meaningful smile. "I never thought it was portrayed right on television anyway."

"Ah, you have a beautiful heart," Kaien said with a kind chuckle causing her to smile. "And you have a beautiful smile as well," he added causing her cheeks to turn red.

"Do you mind doing me a favor?" the judge asked sheepishly.

"Anything," Kaien said casually.

Rukia waited patiently outside of the courtroom in a private waiting room away from all the cameras. Rukia saw Kaien walk into the room wearing a smirk with his hands behind his back. She raised an eyebrow. "What are you so happy about? From the looks of things you just got me a year in jail," Rukia said with accusation in her voice.

"Ah, the faith Kuchikis have in Kurosakis," he said with his smirk still all over his face. "I just got you a get out of jail free card."

Rukia's mouth dropped. "Are you serious!" He nodded, seeing she had gotten very excited. She then jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She then let out a small scream. After she backed a step or two away, she asked, "How did you manage to end a trial in five minutes?"

"I told you. Women find me attractive, Rukia. It's only a matter or time before you start to realize that," he said with a chuckle.

She raised another eyebrow and then shook her head. "I still can't believe it."

"Oh! Right!" Kaien said as he was reminded of something. He pulled out a book from behind his back. "She would like an autograph copy."

Rukia looked surprised for a moment, but then shrugged. "Whatever gets me out of jail…"

It had been a week and two days since she had last seen him. It was like he was avoiding her on purpose. She realized she might have overreacted about the whole television confession, which wasn't really a confession at all; at least that's what Ichigo had said. She didn't want people getting the impression that they were together after Ichigo's little sharing of feelings on national television. But she didn't want to take a step back in their relationship. They were just starting to become good friends again; a mere acquaintance was not enough for her. She admitted that.

She sat with her cell phone sitting open on the table with Ichigo's number ready to be sent, but she was hesitant; not knowing if he wanted her to call.

Rukia sat in a corner table in a local café with sunglasses on her face for concealment. She stared out the window at the cars passing on the street. She stirred her cup of coffee as her thoughts took her away. She couldn't help but think about how real he was during that interview a week ago. He wasn't fake at all. In fact, he seemed more real than what he was when he was with her. She wondered how he could have changed so drastically from two years ago. How did he climb out of that ditch he was so far in?

She continued to stare out the window with her elbow on the table and her chin being held up by her palm. Then, a motorcycle pulled up at the light next to her. She realized exactly who it was with his orange hair exposing slightly at the end of his helmet. She slowly picked her head up off of her palm and stared directly at him. And as if there was some sort of connection, he turned and saw her in the window. After staring for five seconds, Rukia stood up. Then, Ichigo immediately took off; running through a red light.

Rukia stood there in shock. Her mouth hung slightly ajar. 'Is he serious?' she thought to herself. Her chest felt heavy; she felt hurt. She bowed her head down, now looking at the table. She took a breath and silently walked out.

"Yo Ichigo!"

"Hey," the orange headed man said unenthusiastically into his cell phone.

"So it looks like Kaien pulled another victory out of his ass," Chad said, assuming Ichigo knew already.

"What?" Ichigo said in surprise. "It's already over? How did that happen?" 'That would explain why I saw her in the café earlier…' he thought to himself.

Chad was silent for a minute, "I thought you would have been told already. By like… Rukia…"

Ichigo sighed, "Why would you think that? We don't tell each other everything. We're not that close," he said bitterly.

Chad held his hand out to show no offense even though he wasn't in Ichigo's presence at the moment. "Woa, man. I didn't mean anything by it. What's up with you?"

Ichigo let out a heavier sigh. "Nothing. Just forget it. Is that all you wanted?" he said in annoyance.

"Yeah man. That's it," Chad said, now sounding distant.

"Alright. Well I've got to go. I've got some things to do," Ichigo responded as he stopped to stare into a store window in the local mall.

"Listen, Ichigo. I know you care about her, but it's not a terrible thing to just be friends. I mean-" Chad said trying to convince him.

"I never said it was a terrible thing to be friends. That's all I ever wanted. I knew that back then and I know it now. Nothing's wrong, so stop assuming. I've had enough with your assumptions today," Ichigo said with flames shooting out of his mouth.

"Fine. Whatever man. See ya," Chad said in a giving up tone. He had enough of being treated this way.

"Later," Ichigo said quickly and flipped his phone closed. He continued to look into the electronic store and then walked in.

Last week he had gone home after his little visit with Rukia. His body was drained. He felt great at the beginning of the day, but by the end, he had made it into a complete mess. It didn't go as planned- well, he didn't really have anything planned. He just kind of blurted out something confidential without thinking of the possible consequences.

Ichigo was beyond pissed. Not at her, not at Orihime, or the fan that asked him the question; he was completely angry with himself. He was so pissed he threw his motorcycle helmet at his television screen in his kitchen. Hence the reason he was in an electronic store.

He was getting so close to Rukia again. He honestly didn't even know if these feelings he had for her were of something different or just strictly platonic and he hated himself for acting so instinctively. She was furious about what he said; he could easily tell from the way she continued to yell without letting him get a word in. And the more he heard her yell, the more he felt farther away from her.

His plan was to give her space for awhile. He messed things up… again. And he had to try and fix things… again. So he would avoid any contact with her and if approached by anyone and asked about his confession, he would correct them. But until that happened, he would more or less avoid her.

He walked in wearing a red baseball hat to conceal most of his vibrant hair. So far it worked, so he wasn't too nervous about any attention being drawn. He wore a red hoody with a pair of jeans and sneakers. He wasn't aiming to dress and impress.

He looked at the screen sizes along with whether it was plasma and or flat screen. He finally found an appropriate replacement and was about to call over the clerk when the news on the screen caught his attention.

"Superstar Ichigo Kurosaki has caused quite a ruckus in the past few months with his return after a year of absence and his association with the princess of words, Rukia Kuchiki," the television reporter said while showing a clip of Ichigo playing at a recent show.

Then it quickly flashed to footage of the trial. "Kuchiki had been taken to court for assaulting a photographer, who had been asking questions of the assumed couple. The trial lasted only about fifteen minutes before the elder Kurosaki sealed the deal on her case. Why the subject was so infuriating for the princess is still a mystery, as is their relationship. We'll be sure to let you know of any updates on the possible attractive couple," the reporter finished, although Ichigo was staring relentlessly into the screen.

On the television was a view of the courtroom before the trial had started. Although the camera was not directly on them, he could see Rukia sitting at the table next to Kaien. Kaien had leaned over into Rukia's ear; whispering something that only his imagination could run miles with. Then, Kaien pulled away with a smirk while Rukia smiled and shook her head in a joking manner.

"Can I help you, sir?" the clerk said, interrupting Ichigo's trance.

He blinked a few times and stuttered as he tried to pull his mind back to the present situation. "Uh- um, no. I was just looking. Thanks," Ichigo said before walking out hastily.

He stepped out of the store and walked about ten feet before stopping to take a few deep breathes. He all of a sudden felt an enormous amount of stress placed on his chest. It felt like his body weight had just doubled and bowed his head as he tried to gain his breath. His mind kept bringing back the mental image of his own brother whispering into her ear.

'What was he saying? How did he get her to smile so easily? Why can't I get her to smile like that? I used to be able to walk into a room and her face lit up…' he thought anxiously. 'I used to be the one telling her things only she was meant to hear…'

He put his hands in his jean pockets and began to slowly walk, passing stores casually without giving them a single look. 'This is ridiculous. Why am I even freaking out over this? Why do I give two shits if Kaien was whispering something into her ear? Knowing him, it was probably a dirty joke or something. Yet knowing him, it could have been much more…' His thoughts continued to clash, going from one extreme to the other. 'I'm just looking out for her. That's all,' he finally decided as his eyes caught sight of the girl who invaded his thoughts making him stop and stare.

She was looking into the window of a shoe store. She never was a very girly girl, but what was wrong with having a weakness for shoes? And as if he was sending vibes through the air, her eye caught sight of him with her peripheral vision. She slowly turned her head as to acknowledge him. He just stood there staring at her with an unreadable look, yet he was staring into her core. Then, he walked slowly up to her, causing her to turn and face his approaching form.

"Hey," he said softly with his hands still in his pockets.

She stared up at him with disappointment, yet also with pity. "Are you seriously avoiding me?"

He sighed softly. "I'm not avoiding you-"

"So speeding through a red light after seeing me wouldn't be avoiding at all," she said sarcastically after crossing her arms over her chest.

Ichigo didn't even bother to reply. Instead, he turned his head to the side to avert his gaze.

"What is your problem?" Rukia asked exhaustedly. "I really would like to know what you are angry about. I have done nothing wrong. Nothing. In fact, I've been worrying about you for a week and two days!"

Ichigo continued to not look at her. "Well if you worried so much you could have picked up a phone to check," he mumbled.

She gave him a curious glare. "Are you okay?" she asked suspiciously.

"I'm fi-" he began unemotionally, when Rukia's phone rang.

She reached into her purse and pulled out the device which contained a text message. She read it to herself, chuckled, and then threw it back in her bag.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "What was that about?"

"Kaien sent me a text," she said casually.

"Kaien?" he questioned with surprise. "So you two are getting close, huh?" he said with a bit more bitterness than he expected.

Rukia looked at him with astonishment. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You two looked pretty cozy on tv. Maybe there's something between you two," he led on, now acting like he didn't care.

"You can't be serious?" she said in her still shocked state.

I walk the line of the disappointed
I celebrate when I'm in pain
My heart and mind can be disjointed
I built a bed in this hole I made

"Do you think it's weird because we once dated? Well if that's what this is about, do whatever you want. Doesn't matter to me," he said avoiding eye contact and looking around at the people passing by them.

"Alright, I don't know what the hell you're talking about. You're delusional as ever right now. I'm going to try to pretend we didn't just have a conversation about me dating your brother because you are just insane. Right now, I want to know why the hell you've been avoiding me," she demanded more than asked.

I recognize that I'm damaged
I sympathize that you are too
But I wanna breathe without feelin' so self-conscious
But it's hard when the world's starin' at you

"Just forget it. Don't worry about something that doesn't concern you," he said with more resentment than worry.

Rukia couldn't believe him right now. She threw her arms up into the air. "Okay you know what? This is exactly the kind of thing that didn't work two years ago. If you're not going to open up a little, I don't know what the hell I can do for you, Ichigo. Honestly, do you think this is healthy? I thought you were past this kind of thing?" she said losing patience.

Another piece of the puzzle, that doesn't fit
You throw your arms up, you're so damn sick of it
What are you working for
What are you searching for
Love

Ichigo let his annoyance out now, "Oh god! Can you stop bringing up the past already! Stop comparing things that don't even matter at the moment!"

"It does so matter! You're being as cold as the day you told me to leave! I think I have a right to compare! I have a right to compare the same feeling in my chest!" she said feeling her heart beat faster as it began to sink into her stomach.

He looked straight into her eyes immediately after she finished, "Don't compare me to that person. That person doesn't exist anymore," he said slowly with a bitter meaning.

You won't be thinking of cars when
You're on your death bed and dyin'
You'll only be thinkin' of what you are paying for,
What you are praying for
Love

Rukia felt almost frightened when he said that. It was a like a low growl came from deep in his throat. But after she collected herself, she dared to fight fire with fire. "You don't know what other people see when they look at you, Ichigo," she said in a calm tone. "For the first time in two years, I've seen that person that you claim to have lost. Right now, I feel like some sort of time warp has occurred. And now that I'm looking at you, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I feel like I'm in the same helpless state and that's all because you still don't let me in." Her voice went into a begging tone, "Tell me what I have to do. Tell me what you want from me."

You join the line of the getting richer
You keep your pace but it's movin' slow
You are defined by all that you have hoarded
But you're surprised it doesn't fill up the hole.

Silence filled the air as he again avoided her gaze. He then looked back into her eyes. They were in that same sorrowful stare that he remembered so well from the days of his 'lost years'. It pained him to see how in the past two minutes they had resorted back to something they had been trying so long to get away from. His chest ached and he couldn't take it.

"I was avoiding being seen anywhere with you until someone approached me about the interview. Then I'd be able to correct it before they went running wild with more assumptions," he spoke softly.

Another piece of the puzzle, that doesn't fit
You throw your arms up, you're so damn sick of it
What are you coping for
What are you hoping for
Love

"You've been avoiding me because of the press? Wow," she said with a disgusted chuckle. She turned and shook her head as she looked at people who passed by. She then looked back with a look of disbelief, "Don't you think it wouldn't matter? If they saw us hanging out together it would be fine. It's not like we'd be making out or having sex, Ichigo!"

"What the hell are you getting angry about?" he raised his voice. "I was doing this for you, midget! You were the one that freaked out over the interview thinking people would get the wrong impressions! I could care less!" he challenged her volume.

You won't be thinking of cars when
You're on your death bed and dyin'
You'll only be thinkin' of what you are paying for,
What you are praying for
Love

"Damn it, Ichigo! Don't you know this has nothing to do with what the world thinks! It's never been about that! This has to do with me! I don't want the world pushing on me something that's way too sensitive for me! Remember how that photographer ended up! It brings me back to something that ended up killing me everyday of my life!" she said with her voice shaking.

"Well I'm sorry it was such a terrible time for you," he added sarcastically. "I seem to remember it wasn't so good for me either."

"Don't try to make me pity you," she warned. "I'm done with that. I wasted months doing that and all it got me was a ticket out of town; one that I didn't even want by the way," she said with poison on her tongue.

I'll never be what I see on the TV screen
I just keep dreaming of what I'm never gonna be
I can't think of a better way to waste my time then try

"Oh, well I'm so sorry that I was such a disappointment to you. I mean, that's exactly what I wanted. Since my life was so miserable, I wanted to make you suffer as well. You finally figured out my secret plan!" he yelled being more sarcastic.

"You know what!" Rukia yelled leaning over and grabbing his hat off his head. She threw it about twenty feet away then shouted as loud as she could. "You only think your life was so damn miserable because you didn't know how to appreciate what you already had, Ichigo Kurosaki! You already had me!" she said causing people to gather from the sound of the celebrity's name. The flashes began to grow.

Another piece of the puzzle, that doesn't fit
You throw your arms up, you're so damn sick of it
What are you hurtin' for
What are you searching for
Love love love love

Rukia calmed herself and spoke softly, "You make it so difficult to love you, Ichigo. I care about you as a friend. But you're still too miserable to realize that this is something good in your life. Something that you are losing faster than you could ever imagine." She took a few steps backwards with water filled eyes. "So here's your chance, Ichigo. Correct your mistake, if it means that much to you. You obviously don't know what anything means to me," she finished by turning and walking through a mob that had surrounded them. Fans and reporters called out her name, but she continued to walk and then eventually jogging out of there.

You won't be thinking of cars when
You're on your death bed and dyin'
You'll only be thinkin' of what you are paying for,
What you are praying for
Love love love love

Ichigo stood in a state of shock. Everything was going on around him; fans throwing pens and paper in his face for autographs, random reporters shoving microphones at his lips, and the pushing in order to get closer to him. All of that sounded as if he was standing in a plastic tube, separated from everyone else. Their voices were distant as he watched her walk away yet again in his life.

He did this for her originally. But the more she talked, the more he realized it was for him. It was all for him. He never once thought about her. He avoided her, making her think she did something wrong. He hurt her yet again. And the whole accusation with Kaien- he had no idea what had gotten into him. He was trying to protect himself by staying away from her. But it was as if the fire reflected off his shield and burned her instead.

Suddenly, he came back to where he was.

"Kurosaki! Tell us what was all the yelling? Is the happy couple splitting so soon?" a reporter asked.

You won't be thinkin' of cars when
You're on your death bed and dyin'
You'll only be thinkin' of what are you workin' for,
What are you waitin' for

"Um, we aren't a couple. We're just friends," he said with complete exhaustion in his voice.

"But in the interview last week, you sai-"

"I know what I said and it was taken the wrong way," Ichigo began.

"What do you mean?"

"There is nothing between Rukia Kuchiki and me. That was all in the past. Move on from it already. Let us be now," he said before pushing his way out of the crowd and running out of there.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Interesting, nay? Alright. Complications, as usual. So Rukia wasn't freaking out about the world, she was thinking about her own wellbeing. Ichigo was clueless as ever. And Rukia fed him to the sharks. Fabulous. Anyways, you know what to do. Later