Disclaimer: I wouldn't even dare owning it.
Author's Pleads to survive: It's been sooooooo long! I'm so sorry!! I've been so busy!! Please forgive me. I have more work now. -cry- I would have to end this in the next chapter.
Chapter 6
Don't Let Me Fall Again
She watched the gradual downpour from the leaden tinted sky. She reminisced through memoirs of grief and agony. The day before, the sky wasn't gray; it was dyed with a happy, jovial blue overriding the entire sky vicinity only obscured by slight white clouds, bejeweled and perfected by the dazzling golden sun. Funny how a perfect day can turn into a fate turning, painstaking experience.
She watched from the sidelines of the wreak havoc that occurred yesterday. It played on the canvas of her sanity as if some horror film she was condemned to watch for eternity. Her façade grimaced when she saw Ichigo's dumbfounded expression. They paced nearer and nearer to each other then finally touching, as time, for Rukia, froze at the momentum. All positive emotions drenched out of her existence as it was replaced by envy, rage, loathing, and pain. It seemed as though her soul was sucked out of her body down to the deepest depths of hell. She blinked back her betraying tears as time went back to it's customary pace. Yes, she was so damn excited to see Senna again, but that was before she became her most horrific, reviled, and dreaded nightmare.
The storm tossed ocean seemed to replicate her agitate emotions as the wave clashed to the shore as if hammering on her broken heart. The rain danced through the malevolent waves creating minor ripples making the scene more thespian and more out of control. The shore was the only obstacle keeping the ocean from devastating the whole house akin to her pride that was the only thing keeping her from ripping off Senna into tiny little shreds of human sushi and sashimi, only a little more sinister.
How dim-witted can she possibly be, to consider that Ichigo might like her back? She created a hushed mirth at her own futility. Of course, he was Ichigo after-all. The bathroom episode was not anything but a gag for him. He was just playing along like his typical self, trying to annoy the crap out of her. Her tiny grimaced smile went void as she felt a dull ache in her heart. After that bathroom incident he spaced himself farther from her. He was scowling more than usual, and never looked her in the eye since then. He was giving her cold shoulders which irate her more.
What the hell was wrong with her? She was so in love with Kaien, and was so broken hearted when he left her. He was her original love, her prince charming per se. It resembled a fairy-tale love story for her. She lived in a bitter, impassive household with her older brother, and then Kaien befriended her, as if a prince coming from another realm, she allowed a lithe giggle to escape her lips, thinking about her juvenile behavior. She was so damn broken hearted for what seemed like forever, acted as if she was undead. She waited excruciatingly for the day when Kaien would come back without prior notice, take her in his arms, and declare her as his possession. After about a year, Renji was finally able to knock some sagacity back into her, slapping her with reality at hand. Kaien left her and chose his own future. He did it for his own good. Reality struck her as prompt as lightning thus she broke down to let out one more cry and swearing to herself that this is the very last time that she is going to cry for some guy. But look where she is now, she is sitting at the veranda of her colossal hollow bedroom, watching the storm tossed ocean diametrically opposed with it, thinking about some guy who looked a lot similar to Kaien. The day she utterly waited for came, when Kaien said he sought to seize her back, her wish came true, it was right in front of her, all she needs to do is acknowledge it, she could have, yet she didn't. She could love any other guy, but why Ichigo? Why does it have to be this orange-headed bastard who apparently has his heart kept back for some other girl? Why does the girl have to be Senna? Why does she have to be friends with Senna? Why did she become ever so modest to propose on sharing this room with Senna? Why?! Why?! Why?! All Hells be damned. No one could blame her if she accidentally does something unlawful to the girl.
Currently prompting on her scheme to dispatch Senna a recognizable voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Rukia. Rukia. Hey midget!" Kaien waved his arms in front of the face of the stoic Rukia.
She started to get troubled and watched Kaien with baffled eyes. When did he get here?!
"Hey! When did you get here?!"
"Oh, I don't know, about 3 minutes ago after I thought no one was inside because I have been knocking– wait, correction, pounding in front of your door for about 5 minutes and not even a single soul heard me." He stated with irritation and sarcasm perceptible in his tone.
She rolled her eyes. He's such a bad liar. It's impossible not to hear someone who's pounding in your door bearing in mind it's only about 15 feet from her spot.
"No, you haven't." she chuckled- then still, it could be possible. She never noticed how he came in. But he was Kaien; he was always so sneaky, scaring the crap out of her.
"Oh yes I have." It was now his turn to roll his eyes.
She gave a grief-stricken sigh finalizing her defeat. He watched her figure sprawl back in her chair and pull her petite arms transversely her chest.
"So. What's wrong?" He started to inquire.
"Nothing."
"Yeah, I can see that from your pissed expression, and your tensed body awhile ago as if flaring with anger and ready to kill. Seriously Rukia, what's going on?" The sarcasm and mockery in his tone faded and replaced it by sincerity and concern.
She gave another lengthy, doleful sigh, and he scowled at her gesture. He understood her too well; he could've given himself a pat at the back at how well he knows her. Then he felt a pair of diminutive arms wrapped itself in his chest rather quietly.
She didn't realize what she was doing until it was done. It just seemed right at the moment. She stood off her chair swiftly and silently, and then she wrapped her arms around Kaien thinking about the ease this man gave her. She placed her head in his chest when she felt him adjust on the situation. He handed back her gesture knowing it was what she needed the most. There was no necessitating for words. He understands her sorrow; he doesn't want her to face it alone.
She feels filthy and aghast of herself. How can she be so egocentric? After she broke Kaien's heart, how can she still accept his help? Is she really doing the right thing? Does she really love Ichigo that much? The answer is quite simple, yes. It was so pathetic at how feeble she seemed. It was as if her world came crushing down, she imagined it akin to the collapse of the twin towers during 9/11. Seriously, what's the big deal?
She knows that Ichigo doesn't even love her. Unrequited love hurts like hell. She knows it, Kaien knows it, and everybody knows it.
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She ran down and dipped to receive the ball. The ball torpidly bounced up and Tatsuki received it swiftly tossing it just a few feet above air in their court and Senna quickly jumped up and reached the ball smashing it to the ground in their opponent's court. Renji dumbly stared at his partner in front of him. He watched as the ball fell flaccidly on the sand. He gathered the ball into his arms unhurriedly, looking at it as if some hobo just gave him a hundred bucks, and- "Oof! What the hell was that for?!" Ichigo yelled furiously whilst tending the back of his head, he was hit, BAD.
"Congratulations Kurosaki, you have just bluntly proved that you are in fact a disturb pervert." Tatsuki commented at how dumb Ichigo was. The ball was right in front of him, what? He was too petrified to accept a ball from Senna?
"Yeah, nice one Kurosaki." Renji added in charade.
"Finally acting as a couple now aren't we?" Ichigo bit back. Deep inside him grimaced. He really didn't want to play this stupid beach volleyball, so why was he here again? Oh right, it was those dim-witted bastards who brought him into it. Just anything that would take his mind off the incident he witnessed yesterday that would hound him down perpetually. It was like a nightmare brought to verve. Yes, that was his intention, to take his mind off everything, just like his first intention in this trip. Yet that stupid midget was sitting right in front of him, right when he was just getting into the game. She unexpectedly shows up in this bathing suit and sits right in front of him. At the girl's side of the court of course, she keeps that bogus, sick, girly attitude which he just hates a lot. But why the hell would she do that? To annoy him of course, just like what she did with that little bathroom incident, but then he hears that ludicrously sugary, girly, bothersome giggle that he would love to be the cause for it to emit, and he sees her absconder with her cell phone at her ears and a smug grin.
"O.M.G.! Really?! He finally did it?" Rukia giggled excitedly. The girl from the opposed line blushed so furiously that it was as if she bear a resemblance to a cherry.
"Sis! Don't tease me!" Momo giggled these words through the embarrassment and blushing she is presently experiencing.
"Oh my effing God Momo! You MUST go to Yoruichi's party!"
"But Yoruichi is Shiro-kun's cousin!"
"You call him Shiro-kun?! This is so psyche!"
"Sis! Stop it!" Momo flushed even more into 12 shades of red, if that was even possible.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop… BUT you will bring him as your date to the party."
"I don't think he is much of the party person nee-san."
"Oh my God Momo! You can tell him to get a tattoo of your face in his chest and he'll do it faster than the speed of light!"
"No he will not!"
"Wanna bet about it?"
"Nee-san! This is not a good joke!"
"I am so not kidding!"
"Fine, I'll try to bring him to the party."
Rukia screamed in an annoying, girly, piercing voice.
"What the hell Kaien!? I told you never to do that!" A sudden fleeting pain shot to her ribs a few moments before but was now relieved.
She then permitted for her foot to be in contact with his chin.
"Hmm.. you never learn Kuchiki." He said between actions of nursing his aching chin.
"Damn, you kick hard." He continued which earned him another death glare.
"Whatever." She turned ever so graciously and picked up the discarded phone on the sand only to find out the person she was talking to was gone already.
"Great, you ruined my conversation with my sister!"
"Well sorry! You can just call her back!" She dusted the sand off her cell phone and glared at Kaien one more time.
"And that is what I am going to do! Now get lost!"
"Jeez, talk about mood swings. You have them even when you don't have your monthly visit."
"Argh! You are so rude. Get lost Kaien." He rubbed the back of his neck and walked away mutely from her with a foolish grin. He saw the cause of all the sounds and shrieks, some people are playing volleyball. And it was too obvious that the girls are kicking the boy's asses.
Oblivious of how the scene would look behind, Rukia dialed her sister's number. Ichigo scowled at the forthcoming figure.
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Ichigo watched as Rukia half-talked, half-giggled eagerly on her phone. He heard a piercing annoying scream from the petite girl and noticed how Renji rolled his eyes, possibly in annoyance, but he saw him flash his grin, so it might be because he was half expecting it to discharge. He scowled deeper.
He wanted to stop in the middle of the game now. The girls were 6 points ahead of them. A very disgraceful state indeed. He tried to bring his deliberation back on the game when he noticed an all too familiar outline retreating from the shadows and creeping silently behind Rukia and hugged her. He heard muffled voices of their conversation and saw how Rukia flawlessly placed her foot on his chin. Pays him well, he thought.
For the second time the ball fell limply on the ground as he eyed Kaien vigorously.
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Kaien saw resentment and rage in Ichigo's eyes as he approached. He saw how his body tensed and how his gaze bore in him. Actually, he is quite astonished that his body is still in tact besides the intensity of Ichigo's fiery glare. If he really wanted Rukia that much why wouldn't he do anything? To be frank, he believes that in a flick of a finger, Ichigo could own Rukia. He ran his hand through his dark locks and softly chuckled at his obscenity. It's impossible not to notice how Rukia feels for him not only if he was that stupid. Well, taking it in from his actions, Ichigo is unquestionably ignorant. It was his fault though, if only he didn't look for Rukia, he wouldn't have found them together almost half-naked. But it's just that, jealousy got the better of him. Something told him to go and run after her and just keep her. He pondered that maybe if he didn't walk through them, they could've been together now. He realized how much dilemma he caused to them. It really sucks to be him. How can Rukia possibly love this bastard? Look at him, he has that stupid scowl on his face, he has boisterous orange hair, and most of all, he looked like an exact replica of Kaien. But what if Rukia thought she loved Kaien because he looked like Ichigo? What if it's the other way around? No, he thought. Rukia would never do that. Rukia was Rukia. She has dignity and a pure heart. She just doesn't show it, but inside, most of the people know she is a softy. Deep inside, she is as defenseless as an infant child. He doesn't know if he's doing this only for the reason that he feels accountable on how he made Rukia feel, or he is just doing this because she was his friend and that he still cares for her. Either way, he is going to be there for Rukia. He'll catch her when she falls, hold her hand in the darkness, wipe her tears when she cries, and fight her fears with her. Not unless someone else does it. Rukia Kuchiki never cries. She was always strong willed and opinionated. But he, Shiba Kaien made her break down entirely, fall to her knees and beg. He made her cry her eyes out, suck her sanity out of her soul, and break her heart into shards and pieces.
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Everyone said their good nights and retreated to their designated rooms. Rukia shifted uncomfortably at the slumbering figure of a woman beside her. She gave a pliable grunt of disgust and moved the blanket at a snail's pace from her own body. She swiftly grabbed her sweater and shifted from her pink Chappy slippers to her Chappy flip flops. Oh, for the love of Chappy. She flawlessly sneaked out of the house while everyone is under the lulling spell.
Ichigo moved from side to side in the anticipation of getting a comfortable position. He gave a bottomless, wistful sigh. It seems like the Goddess of Slumber forgot to lull him to sleep again. He withdrew himself from the bed and changed from his pajamas into some jogging pants and got himself a sweater. He looked back again at the motionless body of his friend and shifted his gaze on the door.
The night breeze was cold and it seemed as if kissing her pallid cheeks. She sat on the sand and looked straight at the horizon. It was calm again. The sight was perfect for two lovers. The half moon grazed on her diminutive figure as if a boy peeking on his childhood crush secretly. The radiance of her raven locks looked even more beautiful with the gleam of the moon. She inhaled a full breeze of fresh, beach, night air and smiled. She stood herself up and started to hear an imaginary music. She started to pick up it's tempo and her body swayed with grace. She closed her eyelids and allowed the air to lead her through the dance. She danced in the rhythm of the song Sode no Shirayuki. She remembered performing the dance about 10 years ago with her twin sister, Hisana. As she danced and swayed into the void of nothingness, memories flooded back to her mind.
The stage was set, the audience was settled, and the curtain started to reveal a painted castle made of snow and ice. The song started to play in a soft tune as an 8 year old Rukia unveiled herself from the side lines. Her short hair was laid back in a bun while her signature bangs remained stubborn and stayed in her face. A small diamond tiara adorned her pretty little head. Her untainted white tutu dress covered her incredibly small frame as she graced herself. She paused for a moment and her twin sister who looked exactly the same as her showed up herself. They look so alike you couldn't tell who's who. Hisana started dancing and after a few more moments their movements collided so perfectly. Then six more girls in pink tutu dresses showed up with white silk ribbon on their hands. They circled and twirled around Rukia and her siste-
"Sode No Shirayuki." A gruff voice murmured from the back ground and she paused. Her right hand hanging in the mid-air and her left in a trancelike position. Her closed eyelids shot up, her left foot pointed in the most gracious way any left foot could ever be pointed possible, her right in a steady pose and her chin in the air. The voice was all too familiar. It was the voice that belonged to the one she loved. She felt goose bumps at the back of her neck.
The more he walked the more he dreaded. With every step he took, he could feel his heart thumping faster and faster. She gradually turned to face him, her hair moved with the breeze in a slow fluid motion, and then she straightened herself.
"Why are you still awake?" She queried.
"Why are you still awake?" He threw the question back,
"I asked first, bastard." He smirked and she let out a low giggle.
"Tsugi no Mae?" He held out his hand to her with his head bowed. She giggled again.
"You are not made for dancing Ichigo."
"Come on, girls would kill just to be in your situation right now." His ego got the best of him, and he smirked while he looked at her mischievously.
"Well I'm sorry; I'm not one of them." She rolled her eyes and closed her diminutive arms across her chest.
"Once in a lifetime chance Rukia Kuchiki, or are you just afraid that I'm a better dancer than you are?"
"Shut up idiot! You sound so gay."
"I thought asking a girl to dance is what a gentleman does? Oh yeah, that is what gentleman does to a lady, and I doubt you are one." He straightened himself up and gazed at her furious figure.
"Is that a challenge Mr. Kurosaki?"
"It is a fact, Rukia."
"Ugh, Tsugi no Mae you say? Come on then, show me what you got, baka." She raised one of her slender eye brows. He smirked and recopied the same position he did awhile ago, and she rolled her eyes. She then placed her pearl soft, lithe hands on his bigger ones. She laughed inside at how perfectly her hands fit on his and he did the same.
She watched as the wind blew on her hair. It was akin to a perfect panorama in an enchanted story. If Rukia only wore a gown, and Ichigo wore a tux, it would look perfect. A dance at the beach, under the moonlit sky and the gazing stars. She was happy and gloomy at the same time. She almost fell in-love with him again. But she was able to thwart it before it was too late. She let out a breath that she never thought she had and smiled. Their silent giggles echoed as the wind carried it to her ears as if a soft whisper. They look so perfect together. So perfect it is almost mind-boggling, they are different individuals that have diverse point of views that causes them to argue more than anyone could ever argue. Yet there they are. They're dancing in each other's arms in a perfect rhythm, melody, and harmony. Almost as if it was rehearsed into precision. She decided it was time to abscond before she sees something she isn't suppose to see. She slowly sank back into the room and made herself at ease in the soft bed, smiled, and lastly closed her eyes and allowed the mantra of the night wind to lull her to siesta.
As for the dancers, they finished the dance in a swift move and chuckled. They departed without a sound as Ichigo imprudently scratched the back of his head and grinned like a madman before he turned the cold door knob of his designated room. Rukia took a deep breathe, smirked and giggled. She then felt the icy door knob and gradually turned it to find her rival sound asleep. She ignored the fact and allowed herself to enter the realm of dreams where she would have another dance with her prince.
Charming.murderess's Blabs: I am going to end this story in the next chapter so it might be dramatic. I'm so sorry for the long wait, school, the newspaper, the student body, everything is keeping me busy. Please forgive me, but i sure do hope u enjoyed this chapter and reviews are welcomed! This chapter may seem crappy because I did it during break times and was written in a hurry. Sorry people... I'll see all of you in the next chapter!