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Falling Together
Chapter Fifteen- Let Us Dance
RELIEF NOTE: Yeah…something is wrong with the e-mail thing. I can't see your replies…Oh well. Here's the new chapter! Enjoy!
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Matsumoto stood behind the small oak tree carefully examining Byakuya. He was sitting down on a stone built bench, pondering peacefully to himself. She checked for any signs of his assigned bodyguards, and luckily enough none were hiding amongst the shadows. Great! Now all I have to do is…Oh god! I'm going to die! She thought to herself, as she backed away from the tree and into the blueberry bushes. Byakuya's eyes opened suddenly and he quietly gazed at the moving vegetation around him.
"I thought you were going to show yourself…" He sighed weakly and stood up. He took out the hilt of his sword and pointed it directly at the bush Matsumoto hid in. "You should hide your reiatsu, Matsumoto-san, before you attempt to ambush me." The man murmured softly and sheathed his sword back in it's place. The woman came out scratching the back of her head.
"You've changed significantly." She managed to muster and sat beside him. He ignored her comment and asked her politely why she was stalking him. Not wanting to make any more trouble for herself, she clearly stated that she was hiding behind the bushes because she spotted such a suspicious thing and it turned out to be just a harmless squirrel.
"Very well. Keep up the work." Byakuya murmured and stood up. He then passed by her and slid open the shoji. She gazed up at him and saw his mouth move. "But don't think me as a child. I know what you're up to." He added and walked inside the mansion. She let out a relieved gasp and rustled her hair with frustration.
"Jeez. So stiff…" She muttered and stared at the sky above.
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She was tired just by looking at the cloudless sky, and so she found it interesting to doodle on a small piece of parchment. "Rukia-chan, are you hungry?" A woman plopped into the room carrying freshly baked bread and a glass of milk. "This is just a snack, dinner will be held in exactly two hours." The woman flustered, clearly embarrassed. She nodded and watched her walk out. Do I really belong here? In such a place? Rukia asked herself, upset and disgusted.
She lay there, placing her head on a soft cushion. She was depressed, and weak. "Such a stupid world we live in." Rukia muttered and closed her eyes. The paper that was grasped in her hands quickly slid down to the floor. Of course not…I don't belong anywhere. Closing her eyes she stood up and lightly pressed her heal against the parchment. She then walked out of her room.
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He could have sworn he saw her pass by. At first he thought it was some stupid dream that he was in, but after repeatedly whacking himself with his palm - he knew it was her. Ichigo shook his head and found Rukia silently strolling downstairs. For some reason, he knew that she was up to something. Her eyes seemed to be lifeless and her movement was rather lethargic. "What are you up to?" Ichigo asked himself and hopped out of his bed, even though he knew he was too injured to move he decided that it was best to see what that brat was going to do.
Of course, he knew she would be utterly disappointed after finding out his relationship with Orihime. He had heard it all the way from across his room, every word Ishida blurted out and it really ticked him off. Damn! What a day. The orange-haired man grumbled angrily to himself and silently followed the petite girl. It was then, he found her entering the banquet hall. "O-Oi. Rukia!" He called for her, and she looked at him.
At first he swore to himself she was crying, but after blinking once she seemed perfectly fine. "What do you want?" She asked in a rather disgusted tone. He froze and realized that she was acting foolishly cold towards him. "Well?" Rukia asked clearly annoyed by his presence. Ichigo had no words then, and he let her walk away. Gomen. She spoke to herself and opened the wide doors.
Everyone was there. Orihime, Ishida, and all the soldiers that had served under Ichigo. She felt incredibly timid when she felt all eyes fall upon her. "…Eh…K-Konnich-" She stuttered and was embarrassed greatly. Orihime let out a small smile and motioned her to sit next to her. Rukia nodded and sat beside Orihime, uncomfortably.
"We're all glad that you're alright!" Orihime smiled cheerfully, Ishida nodded in response. "Ne? Where's Kurosaki-kun?" The orange-haired woman questioned staring all over the place.
"He's over there, darling." Ishida replied pointing at a rather miserable man. He was slumped against his chair and seemed to be in deep thought. Orihime sighed and let out a frustrated giggle. Ishida patted her on the head for comfort. "Rukia-san…may you? May you accompany your husband at the main table?" He asked staring at her. She seemed to be bothered by that thought. "I assure you, after this night…you two will both be happy with each other." Ishida reassured her and forced her to sit next to the depressed king.
Silence befell the two as they continuously ignored each other's existence. But as time passed they would temporarily glance at each other, and would struggle to talk. "…I'm…sorry, about not telling you…" Ichigo finally replied looking away from Rukia. He knew she was upset, and he knew she would never really trust or forgive him, but it was a try.
When she heard him say that, she was filled with a mixture of emotions. Anger, for how dare he thought she would forgive him. Shock, for the strange feeling that clung onto her heart as he gave her his first apology. And guilt, for ever staying by his side with the intent to kill. "…I-It's alright." She whispered finally and looked up at him. They seemed, for once, at one peace together. A smile brought upon his face, as he thought she had approved of him.
"Ladies…Gentlemen…thank you for your performance earlier on." A voice boomed, and the two stared at the entrance. It was Urahara who apparently seemed drunk. His face was a bright scarlet and he seemed to have been waving an empty bottle around his head. "Now…no further…a-HIC-due! Let us hear from our rulers! HIC." He exclaimed clapping like a silly child. Yoruichi appeared behind him and whacked some sense into his temporary empty skull.
"Ichigo and Rukia don't need to say anything yet!" Yoruichi corrected the unconscious Urahara. "First. Eat. Dance. And then hear them." She smiled and everyone roared with excitement.
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Renji stared angrily at the happy crowd. Soldiers dancing with maids, Nobility with Nobility. It truly angered him. "Bah! What a stupid thing to do!" He grumbled and crossed his arms. Shuuhei who was beside him nodded, and stared at Rukia and Ichigo carefully. He could feel some strange aura leaking somewhere around the room. "What's up?" Renji asked looking at the serious man.
"Nothing." Shuuhei muttered and had a big fake smile plastered onto his face. "Now let's just go get a drink." He pulled Renji's arms and hauled him over to the banquet.
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Hitsugaya stared uncomfortably at the ballroom. Everyone seemed too happy. Well…Maybe it was just him, but something felt strange. "What's wrong, Shiro-chan?" Ukitake replied smiling widely and freakishly. Hitsugaya let out a sigh and shrugged. "Aw…you feel terrible not having to fight? Don't you?" Ukitake asked, clearly annoying the hell out of the boy.
"No! I just…feel something bad is going to happen." He answered truthfully. Ukitake stared at him quietly, he too could sense something awful. "Maybe it's just me." The boy answered scratching the back of his head.
"No…I feel it too." Kyouraku replied, entering the scene. Ukitake nodded and the three stared absentmindedly at Rukia and Ichigo.
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They danced together. For once it seemed right to be next to him. To be with him, for one part. A small smile slowly crept up as she stared at his eyes. Amber flaring with such mystery and love. It felt good to be with him. She even admitted that fact. But…But even so. She knew that she didn't belong anywhere. And the only right path for her, was to leave and be forgotten. She didn't need him. He didn't need her. She cried to herself. How much she'd miss his stupid orange hair.
"What's wrong?" He asked staring at her. She was in deep thought, and it was easily read in her eyes that she was deeply hurt. Rukia turned around and let out a small laugh. Innocent yet fake. He hated that. He hated how she was so stubborn to reveal her own emotions. But…maybe it was because of him? Was it he who had caused her to be so heartless? No. It was her brother. Of course. "Rukia?" He asked feeling irritated.
"Let's just keep dancing." She replied and started to ignore him. Her words, even though they meant no harm, gave him a feeling that she wasn't going to be with him.
"Is it because you're still mad about me and Ori-" She suddenly stopped and took her hands away from him. He wanted to slap himself for ever bringing that subject up. But it was too late. "Rukia…I." He watched her staring at him with an exhausted expression.
"No. It's not about you and Orihime-san…" She whispered quietly. He was relieved at that thought. "I know how you still love her." Rukia let a small cry, and he froze.
"W-What are you talking about?" He questioned, agitated. The dancers stopped abruptly and everyone began staring at the two.
"You're still in love with Inoue-san…I heard." She murmured quietly. Even though she was crying she still had a small smile across her pale face. "You're just telling me this…so I would stay." She added.
He was shocked, and of course he was still in love with that woman. But for some reason, Rukia's crying seemed to make him angry and he opposed his love for Orihime. "You're kidding me!" He growled and took her arm. She let out a small frown as he pulled her wrist towards him.
Expecting more pain to arrive, she felt none. Instead a relaxing sensation came, and she opened her eyes. He was there…embracing her. And she cried. Why? Why was this so complex? She hated it. She hated the world for giving her a reason to stay with him and a reason to kill him. "…Rukia…" She heard him breath gently, and she tightly embraced him tightly as well.
"I'm…really…sorry." She whispered, and let go.
Everyone was shocked as they found her retreating from him. A smile or regret was on her face as she stared at everyone with sympathy. "I must announce something." She spoke clearly and forced everyone to see her speak. "I, Rukia Kurosaki, of the Kuchiki main clan, annul my marriage with Ichigo Kurosaki of the Kurosaki kin." She bowed apologetically as everyone stared at her as if she was crazy.
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"It's time…Ichimaru." Aizen whispered at his subordinate. The white-haired soldier nodded and pulled out his sword, aiming it at Rukia.
"Aim to Kill, Shinsou." Ichimaru blurted out with glee, and the sword lengthened out of it's sheath.
"Kuchiki Rukia…you will be a great experiment…" Aizen smiled thoughtfully as the crowd of people gazed horrifically at the upcoming scene.