A/N: Ok. Next chapter. It's named after the song, "Make-Up Smeared Eyes," by Automatic Loveletter. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Nope.

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Chapter 9: Make-Up Smeared Eyes

"Do you think it's really necessary that I go?" Rukia moaned as she sat in her comfortable chair in front of her laptop.

"I think it's necessary that you think about it," Shuuhei said packing his bag on the bed.

"Why?" she groaned again. "I'm not even going to have you there with me," she added with a puppy dog face.

He smirked and dropped the clothes he was about to put into the bag. He walked over to her sitting form in the chair and bent down on his knees to be at eye level. He looked into her violets with gentle eyes.

"Ever since we started dating you have seen your friends less and less. Two weeks ago at the premiere, you looked at all of them as if they were foreign or something. I don't want that to be because of me," he said sweetly with his hand cupping her chin.

She sighed, "Don't take the blame for that. That's just me being… well, stupid," she said in an irritated tone.

"You? Stupid? Please, you're definitely the brain for the two of us," he said smirking and pecking her lips.

She scoffed at his remark, "You're being too nice."

"Ah, think what you want," he said with a smile as he got back up and went towards his bag again.

She took a deep breath and sat back, "I mean it's not that big a deal, right? I can just show up for a bit; say 'Happy Birthday' and then I'll leave. I mean Kaien has helped me out in the past. It's the least I could do."

Shuuhei zipped up the bag and looked at her curiously. "Why are you trying so hard to convince yourself to go? They're your friends."

Rukia looked at him with her mouth hanging open. 'How do I reply to that?' she thought to herself. "Well, I just… I'll feel awkward being there. I feel a little distant from them now."

He gave her a sad smile, "That's why you need to go. I bet you won't regret it," he said with a wink before grabbing his bag and walking out of the door.

Rukia frowned as he exited the room, "I bet you have no idea," she mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?" he said coming back into the room.

Rukia's eyes shot open, "I said, I bet you have no idea how much I'm going to miss you!" She finished with a smile and stood up from her chair.

He smiled back at her as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. "I bet I'll miss you even more," he smirked and kissed her.

She continued to kiss back, while she exhaled from succeeding in her cover-up. He then pulled away. "Okay, I've got to go or I'll miss my flight,"

She moaned, "Nooooo."

He laughed, "Yesssss."

She pouted, "Are you sure you don't want me to see you off at the airport?"

"Yes. I'm more than capable of getting on an airplane," he said with a smirk. "Besides, I don't want you to miss this party thing and use me as the excuse," he said with a knowing smirk and a raised eyebrow.

She sighed and looked away from him. He made his voice more serious, "You better go to it."

She put on another childish pout, "Make me."

He smirked, "Believe me, I'd love to. But I really have to go," he said kissing her forehead and pulling away from her.

"Fine," she said in an agitated tone.

He looked back at her at the door, "I'll fly back whenever I get the chance. Have fun tonight," he said with a kind smile and then disappearing.

Rukia sat back down in her chair and looked at her laptop. She bowed her head down and gently banged her head on the keyboard a few times, finally resting it there. She then took a few deep breathes and sat up; now seeing her face had typed a series of words that were in need of some serious spellchecking. She sighed one more time and exited without saving.

'I guess I'll get ready,' she thought with provocation as she pulled herself out of the chair again.

"So how old are you exactly now? Ten? Eleven?" Ichigo asked sarcastically as Kaien walked by him with a piñata in his hand.

Kaien faked a gasp. "Brother! How dare you accuse me of such a thing?! If you're going to degrade me, at least let me have gone through puberty!" he said turning and winking to Tatsuki who was standing next to Ichigo.

Ichigo rolled his eyes while Tatsuki laughed and shook her head. She spoke to Ichigo so the birthday boy couldn't hear, "Well it beats having him walk around his party in his 'birthday suit' like last year."

Ichigo grimaced, "Oh god, don't remind me." He twitched from the memory.

"You weren't even there!" she yelled.

"Oh, believe me. It felt like I was. My damn father video taped the whole thing. I was out of the door by the time I saw Kaien made his… appearance." He grimaced.

Tatsuki chuckled. "Hey, at least you're a man. I can only sympathize for your sisters who had to see their own brother…" she said in a pitied voice, not needing to finish the sentence.

"Ugh," Ichigo said with disgust. "He's so damn cocky sometimes."

Tatsuki laughed, "Pun intended?"

Ichigo gave a disgusted chuckle. She then looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Well that's one trait you two have in common."

He looked at her in disbelief. "I don't go walking around naked for everyone to see!"

"Well maybe you should, Kurosaki. It might boost your fan girl rate by double," Rangiku said walking in with Gin by her side.

"Or damage it," Uryuu added with a laugh.

"Screw you, twinkle toes," Ichigo responded with a scowl. Uryuu just laughed.

Suddenly, Ichigo felt himself stuck in a headlock while a fist began to rub into his hair. "Well if it isn't my little orange headed son!"

Ichigo yelled in annoyance, "Dad! What the hell? Get off me!" His father laughed at his irritated son.

"I know you are only pretending to reject daddy's love. Don't worry. I understand," he said letting go finally. "Where's that girl of yours?"

Ichigo was still fuming from irritation, but began to calm down as he avoided looking at his father. "She couldn't make it today."

"Ah," he said as if he clearly understood. "And where is this Senna who I have yet to meet?"

Ichigo quickly turned his head to look at him as if he had three heads. He frowned in confusion. "Are you going senile, old man?"

Isshin gave a curious look at his son. "What are you talking about?"

"I just said she couldn't make it today," Ichigo replied in agitation.

"I know. And then I asked about Senna…" Isshin added, replaying their conversation.

Uryuu leaned on one leg towards Ichigo's ear, "I think he was referring to a certain petit raven haired woman…" and then he leaned away.

Ichigo's eyes widened for a moment. "Why the hell would she be here?" he asked in his annoyance.

"Well, numb-nuts, she was invited to my party for the past two years. She never could make it though. This year she said she would be here though," Kaien said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice as he passed by again into another room.

Ichigo watched him with a glare until he was out of sight. "Why?" he asked somewhat childish.

Yuzu and Karen came up after greeting their oldest brother. They had heard the last bit of the conversation.

"'Why?' What kind of question is that?" Karin asked in return with as much an attitude as Ichigo gave.

Ichigo glared at her as Yuzu hugged him and then answered him with an answer. "Because she's always been close with us. Just because you are on the rocks with her doesn't mean we have to be," she said in a gentle tone.

"Why are you so uptight about it?" Rangiku asked with a knowing smile, in which he glared at her for even thinking what she was thinking.

"I'm not uptight about it," he denied childishly.

Kaien made his way back through the room. He walked through the room, but replied as he passed by. "Stop being such a pansy. You're bringing down the atmosphere in this room," he said with a smirk, despite the insult.

Ichigo glared and began to walk out of the room. Orihime came walking in the room with a drink in her hand, "Ichigo, where are you going?"

"For a walk," he said bitterly without looking at her and marching into the next room.

Everyone just kind of looked at each other as if they new the subject had hit a nerve. Uryuu and Rangiku were the only two who smirked at the situation.

'Why the hell would I be uptight? Dumb asses,' he thought shaking his head as he made it towards the hallway leading towards the front door. He then paused as he came face to face with the unexpected.

"Hi," she said softly with an awkward smile. She just came through the door and was already welcomed with what she desperately didn't want to meet.

"Hey," he said shortly; not being able to move at the moment.

There was silence between them; not a comfortable one. After a few seconds, Ichigo said the first thing he thought of. "Nice weather out there, huh?"

Rukia replied quickly, "Yeah. Very nice," she said in agreement. In her mind, she wanted to run out of that awkward moment as fast as possible.

She searched for something to say. Finally, her mind found it and she let it fly out of her mouth quickly. "Do you know where I can find Kaien? I want to wish him a happy birthday," she said holding up a present.

"Uh, I saw him head towards the kitchen," he said pointing over his shoulder with his thumb.

"Thanks," she said awkwardly and then passing by him. She smelt his distinct scent when she brushed by him and her senses went haywire. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She shook her head slightly as she continued towards the kitchen.

Ichigo just stood there for a moment trying to piece together the events that just happened. 'That wasn't weird at all…' he thought sarcastically. He exhaled through his nose and marched out of the front door.

"Rukia!" Yuzu yelled as she threw her arms around the raven haired woman.

She was shocked but then quickly gave a large smile. She hadn't seen them in a long time… it felt good. "Hey!" she said in excitement. "How are you? You look so much older!" she said seeing Karin behind Yuzu, smiling. "So do you, Karin! Oh my god!" she said pulling the reserved twin into a hug as well. The two never looked alike and aging only kept it that way.

Karin gave a chuckle. "It's been awhile."

Rukia leaned back and gave the two a look and then a sad smile. "I know. I'm sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it, Rukia. We understand," Yuzu said kindly. Rukia gave her a smile of appreciation.

"Well if it isn't Miss Kuchiki. How have you been? Still beautiful as ever, I see," Isshin said holding a drink in his hand.

Rukia smiled and slightly blushed. "I've been doing good, Mr. Kurosaki and thank you. How have you been doing?"

"Ah Rukia! How many times have I told you to call me Isshin?" he corrected with a smirk.

She chuckled, "I'm sorry. I forgot."

"But if you're fine with calling me Dad now, I'm willing to accept that as well," he added, smirking even more.

"Dad," Karin warned him with a glare.

He held his hands up in defense, "I'm just putting it out there." Karin rolled her eyes.

"Rukia! I'm glad you made it!" Kaien yelled pulling her into a tight embrace. Rukia was too shocked to hug him back, but it was a quick embrace anyway.

She smiled up at him. "Happy Birthday, Kaien," she said holding out the gift.

He smirked and took it. "Thanks. I think I might have an idea what it is," he said with chuckle from the wrapping job. It was pretty clear that it was a mug.

"Ah, but the surprise lies in what is on the mug," she said with a sly smile.

He looked at her in agreement. "This is true." He tore off the wrapping and read the mug. 'What you're staring at isn't a dream. I'm for real.' He laughed. "You got me pinned, Kuchiki. Nice job," he said giving her a hug with one arm as he stared at his gift.

"Thank you," she said bowing her head.

"I'll go fill this with some of my own refreshments," he said with a glint in his eye before walking off.

Rukia shook her head and saw Toushirou leaning against the wall talking to Renji. "Hey, where's Momo?" she asked curiously.

"She started shooting her next movie today. She might show up later," Toushirou said casually.

Rukia then peaked over and saw Rangiku laughing at something Gin had said to her. She looked back towards Toushirou and Renji. "Okay, someone needs to fill me in on Rangiku and Gin. When the hell did that start up again?" she asked in annoyance, not being able to believe the fact.

Renji sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "About a month ago. She told us he's changed so we didn't push it. She really wants to be with him… for some damn reason."

"I don't understand it at all. Fucking bastard…" Toushirou added with ice in his voice. Rangiku had been friends with Toushirou for about five years. She had been his secretary in his towering skyscraper when one day, she took it upon herself to plan out his wardrobe, despite his bickering. And after months of this, he invested into a fashion industry that he would have her take charge of. Even though he made it seem purely as an act of business, he was doing his secretary a favor. Eventually, Rangiku introduced him to Momo; they were considered even now.

"You haven't said anything about it?" Rukia said with complete surprise at Toushirou.

He shrugged his shoulders with his arms crossed over his chest, "What am I supposed to do? She says she's happy to be with him again… even though everyone wants to shank him every time she turns her back."

Rukia furrowed her eyebrows. "Well this sucks," she said watching Gin smirk in his creepy way at Rangiku. "He gives me the creeps," she added as a shiver ran up her spine.

"Tell me about it," Renji added taking a chug of his beer.

"Rukia!" Orihime yelled from about twenty feet away. She waved her hand to tell her to come over.

"I'll talk to you guys later," Rukia excused herself from the two men and went towards Uryuu and Orihime.

"Hey, where's Shuuhei?" Orihime asked the raven haired woman.

"He left for his next movie today," Rukia said with a disappointed face.

"Ah. Well I'm glad you came," the perky woman said in return.

"Yeah," Rukia said with a sigh.

"So," Uryuu began. "You ran into him, didn't you?"

Rukia's eyes widened from surprise. She then squinted curiously at the man wearing glasses. "How did you-"

"You look frazzled," he cut in with a knowing smile.

Rukia exhaled. "Glad to know I can be so easily read, Ishida."

"Well, not necessarily. I'm assuming only because Kurosaki said he was going for a walk and he still hasn't come back yet. He gave it away; not you," he corrected.

"Oh. Well I guess that's a little more comforting," she said looking off at Renji surprisingly smirking at Tatsuki in a flirtatious way. She began to smile, but was pulled back into the conversation.

"You two are so damn complicated," Uryuu said. "We're all close friends with both of you, yet it's so awkward to all hang out in the same place."

Rukia frowned, "I'm sorry it's such an inconvenience for you."

"I didn't mean it like that," he quickly added. "I'm just saying that we shouldn't have to lose you as a friend just because of what's going on between you two."

"There's nothing going on between us," she said quickly and sternly.

"Then why haven't we seen you in over a month?" he asked with a frown.

Rukia opened her mouth to speak, but it was true. She distanced herself from her friends because of him. It wasn't right. She looked down to the floor and then looked back into his eyes, "You're right." She then looked between the two of them. "I'm sorry."

"Rukia, I didn't mean it like-" he added in an apologetic tone.

She smiled softly, "I know. Thanks for telling me. You make sense. I just… I need some air," she said before turning around and making her way for the door.

He leaned against the railing of the small bridge over the pond. It was off to the side of Kaien's house; a short walk from the front lawn.

He looked down at the colorful fish beneath him. Everything was so calm. It was even quite, regardless of the party going on inside.

'I can't believe she was actually invited. I don't know. I figured they wouldn't, considering I'd be here. But I'm kind of glad they did. They shouldn't take her out of their life just because of what happens between her and I,' he thought taking a deep breath.

"I guess the party was a bit stuffy for someone else, huh?" he heard from behind. He turned his head and saw her smiling sweetly at him as she walked onto the wooden bridge. He watched as she walked next to him and leaned in the same manner as him.

He blinked a few times before he could completely register what had happened. "Yeah, I guess so," he finally said.

There was a bit of silence. He felt like he needed to say something; anything. "I haven't heard anything about your next book. How's that going?" he asked surprisingly curious.

"Um," she was speechless. "Well, I guess… it's not going," she ended with a single chuckle and a sigh.

"What? Are you serious?" he asked somewhat shocked. "But you never get writer's block."

She sighed, "Tell me about it. The past two months I haven't written anything except the keys typed when I smashed my face into the keyboard…"

"Spell-check must have been working overtime," he added.

"Weird how you would say that…" she said knowing she had thought the same thing earlier.

The raven haired woman looked down at the fish and smiled. She actually started laughing, which surprised Ichigo.

"What?" he finally said. She then turned and looked into his amber eyes. He was taken aback by the way her violet eyes shined in the summer sun. He had to swallow in order to regain his normal breathing.

"I just thought about something. Nevermind," she said looking back down at the water.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You can't just openly laugh about something and then keep it to yourself," he said trying to get it out of her.

She looked at him with a surprised look, but also a smile gracing her lips. "You actually care what I was thinking?"

Left your t-shirt in my room, still smells of you
And the picture you hung on the door lay smashed
Picture perfect

It was a truthful statement; he knew that. And it did sting a little, but the conversation was so casual. He chose not to dwell on it. "Yes, I do. It shouldn't be that damn surprising. Besides, I'd like something to laugh about at the moment."

Rukia brought her hand to her chin. She held it and tapped her index finger on her lips, pretending to think about what she should do: tell him or not tell him. "Nah, it's probably not even that funny."

Explains now, clearly nothing left but a memory
We only made out, you never kissed me
That's how I learned to hold back all feeling

He squinted at her as he tried to hide a smile on his lips. "Alright, spill it, midget."

"You're attempt at flattery sucks, Kurosaki," she said with a chuckle.

"Fine. Don't tell me," he said looking back at the pond in front of him in silence. Rukia looked at him with a smirk. She then looked back at the pond like him, but spoke.

"Remember when you bought me that fish after I complained about never having a pet before?" she said causing him to look at her from the corner of his eye.

Wait, please don't go
I won't stay
All these words on replay
I'm ok, It's alright
Good to know that your fine

She didn't wait for him to reply. "I named it Chappy, despite your protests," she said with a smirk as she continued to stare at the fish. Ichigo was now fully staring at her.

Rukia continued. "Then, two days later… it died." It was a sad subject, yet she was still smiling. "I told you it looked hungry every time I went near it, so I fed it… every time I went near," she even chuckled at that point.

Pretending everything is right
To make it better
I'll hide my make up smeared eyes
To show that I'm fine

Ichigo turned his head to the pond. He cut in. "You came running over to my house. You were crying your eyes out," he said causing her to turn and look at him with wide eyes. She then relaxed and smiled at him.

He continued to tell the story. "You kept saying that I was right; that you weren't ready to have a pet because I said you couldn't remember to take care of yourself." He smiled softly at that point and then turned to look into her violet eyes.

Some how you have managed to get under my skin
More than anyone ever did
And if every whole makes a scar
And every scar marks its place
Then I will never live freely without your trace

Rukia continued, "You then told me it wasn't that I couldn't take care of it, but that I took too much care of it. You said my heart was too big," she said with a thankful smile. "And then you gave me your sleeve. You looked away from me and held your arm out as to pretend you weren't being so nice to me. You called me midget a few times, if I recall."

Ichigo gave a single chuckle. "Couldn't let you see I cared that much."

She smiled. "Such a manly man," she said in mocking tone. He chuckled.

And it'll never be fair
I wrote my songs for you and you never even cared
So I'll forget you, I'll wish your t-shirt
Kill the pillow and cut you out of pictures

Rukia looked down at her arms leaning on the railing. "I think… I should get going," she said pushing away from the railing. Ichigo frowned slightly from her action, but quickly put his facial expression back to neutral. It was so casual; so normal. It felt so good... But was it so foolish for him to want it to continue?

She took two steps away, but before she made it off the small bridge, he grabbed her wrist.

Wait, please don't go
I won't stay
All these words on replay
I'm ok, It's alright
Good to know that your fine

"Wait," he said, which surprised her and even him.

She looked down at his hand on her wrist before looking up slowly into his amber eyes. She spoke in a soft tone that wasn't confused for an answer, but instead needing for an answer. "Why?"

He looked into her pleading eyes and found himself speechless. "I… I don't know." He slowly slid his hand off of her wrist; his skin sliding across hers made her skin tingle.

Pretending everything is right
To make it better
I'll hide my make up smeared eyes

He exhaled silently, "I just want you to know that… I have a feeling you'll get out of this hole soon. You'll be writing in no time."

She forced a smile. "Let's hope you're right." She then turned and walked away, leaving him watching her disappear out of sight.

This drama sat shot gun
My eyes rained like autumn
Only the glove box knows
How the story goes

He bowed his head and then looked back at the pond. He smiled as a fish caught his sight.

She made her way back inside to say goodbye, but the more steps she took the more a grin grew on her face. She stepped inside and was met with Orihime.

Now that this bandage is broken and the cuts left in open
I'll tell you just one thing, this wasn't worth the sting

"What are you smiling about?" she asked curiously.

Rukia smiled even more when she said that. "I've finally got some inspiration."

"Really?! What happened?" Orihime said with excitement; knowing she had been in a writing slump.

"Well nothing good and nothing bad!" Rukia responded, which confused her friend.

"What? I don't understand."

This drama sat shot gun
My eyes rained like autumn
Only the glove box knows
How the story goes

Rukia shook her head and hugged her friend. "Not all inspiration comes from positive things. It was neither positive nor negative, actually. Well does it really matter? I've chipped away my block!" she said with excitement. "I'll see you later!" she said going to say goodbye to more people.

Now that this bandage is broken and the cuts left in open
I'll tell you just one thing, this wasn't worth the sting

Orihime smiled and shook her head. "Thank goodness."

Only the glove box knows
How the story goes…

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So that is where we are. I don't know if you can say anything really happened in this chapter… well. I hope you liked it none the less. So tell me what you think. Later