Disclaimer- I don't own anything of any significance.
A/N: I'm sorry guys I was a bit late on this one, you see I had to go on this trip with a couple of classmates and that took a lot of my time so I couldn't write, but now I'm home and bored again so I'm gonna write much more. I hope you guys enjoy this one.
Chapter 4- Old Man
And on that faithful day Rukia had spent her entire day with Ichigo and his gang. They had caused so much ruckus that Rukia questioned the fact that they were actually college students, well except Urahara because he's a bit loony. They all sat down on the food court table and discussed what they were going to do.
"Well we should watch a movie." Ishida said repositioning his glasses.
"I prefer comedy." Urahara chirped in.
Rukia thought the group were very funny, she liked watching them quarrel, but after they quarrel they act as if nothing ever happened. She felt they had reached a level of friendship that was very strong. She thought Ichigo was very lucky as she looked up at him taking a huge bite of his chicken leg.
"Eat slowly, you'll get it stuck in your throat." Rukia suggested with care.
"No it wont." Ichigo shrugged, "Come on, lets go take our seats."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they abandoned their chairs. Ishida as usual paid the bill, he didn't mind doing that because Sado was buying the ticket for him.
Rukia felt at ease, she always felt that way with Ichigo. As each day went by she felt herself being attracted to him even more. The harsh reality was that she had no idea what he thought of her, it made her feel so empty. What if the love she has for him never gets repaid? What if Ichigo only saw her as a junior friend? These thoughts had plagued her mind, she then tugged on Ichigo's sleeve.
"What movie are we watching?" she asked.
"It's comedy don't worry" Ichigo replied, "We'll have fun." He finished with a smile.
Rukia smiled back at him. They all walked towards the movie theater and with no warning someone grasped Rukia's shoulder.
"Well I had guessed it was you!" yelled a really frustrated looking Tatsuki.
Renji had accompanied her and was glaring at Rukia behind Tatsuki's back.
Rukia was astonished, she hadn't expected seeing them here, she had kept her secret hidden from her best friends for far too long and now it looked like she was caught red handed. Rukia quickly thought of a solution that would help her in this situation, one of the few traits she had learned from her elder brother.
"Can we please talk somewhere else, Tatsuki?" pleaded Rukia.
Tatsuki didn't want to listen to her but she was about to give in when someone else chimed in.
"Is something wrong?" asked an ignorant Ichigo, "oi you're Tatsuki and Renji!"
Ichigo had just realized that fact, while the crew were looking on from behind him.
"Ichigo it's nothing… let me handl-" Rukia was cut off when Ichigo interrupted her.
"Why don't you guys join us? I think we're seeing the same movie." Said Ichigo casually.
"I think that's a great idea!" Tatsuki announced as she dug her nails into Rukia's forearm, Rukia grimaced in pain but she could understand where Tatsuki was coming from.
The only person who was still confused was the baboon Renji, the only reason he came was because Tatsuki kicked him out of bed at twelve in the afternoon. He now knew why Rukia was avoiding him, it was all because of their weird substitute teacher? A fueling rage was building inside Renji at the thought of this. They were childhood friends, he cared for her so much and yet she decided to keep her weird relationship with her teacher a secret.
They all sat down on their respective theater seats.
"I better get a good explanation." Renji demanded Rukia.
"Fine, Renji. It's not even that big of a deal." Rukia rolled her eyes at him.
Renji was scoping out the scene, he sat sandwiched in between Tatsuki and Rukia, he looked and saw a huge latin guy with quite an impressive figure, a skinny pale nerd, and a famous candy shop keeper. He didn't mind all the unknown company but one thing that was ticking him off was the fact that Rukia was giggling as she talked with Ichigo. He thought the sight was disgusting, he crunched his hand into a fist and twitched up an eyebrow in severe annoyance.
"Well isn't this jolly?" he muttered with a lame expression.
"I know what's bothering you" Tatsuki chirped in with a grin on her face.
"Oh please Tatsuki don't make a fool out of yourself." Renji said in a hushed tone so Rukia and the other's couldn't hear him.
Tatsuki giggled at this response and whispered, "You truly are a bafoon, you just can't stand Rukia being happy with another guy can you?"
Renji expression was as if he had seen a ghost, was it that obvious? She really was poking at him at a really soft spot. It didn't feel nice, it felt humiliating. He wanted to be a substitute teacher so bad now. He knew Tatsuki was as forward as anything, that didn't surprise him. The thing that surprised him was he really really didn't like seeing her with another guy.
"Please shut up for once you dirty bitch" Renji whispered with a robotic smile on his face.
Tatsuki sighed in victory as she looked over to the screen to see the movie that everyone was ignoring a bit. You don't actually watch a movie at the movie theater now do you? Sado and Ishida were in deep conversation on why they brought Urahara to the get together, Urahara was having the time of his life listening to the entire conversation.
Rukia was looking straight at Ichigo's eyes as they talked about their common interest in small puppies.
"You know the one that fit into drinking glasses?" Rukia asked.
"You have to be kidding me, there is no such thing." Ichigo said as he crossed his arms.
"Ughh there is too! Their that small!" Rukia pleaded her case as she indicated with her fingers how small they were.
"Yeah and I have a pet ogre." Ichigo said with a smug smile on his face.
"Don't teacher's actually need to be smart nowadays?" Rukia asked with a grin on her face.
Ichigo chuckled at what just came out of Rukia's mouth, "Fine you brat, I'll search it online. Now could you please let me watch the movie?"
Rukia did not like the comeback, she felt that Ichigo had just won the whole battle.
"Oh please you started the conve-" Rukia was about to finish the sentence but was cut off by her best friend.
"Shut up will you?" Tatsuki said with an irritated face.
Rukia slumped into her chair and gave out a slight pout, her cheeks red in embarrassing defeat. Ichigo thought that was the best scene he had ever seen and burst out laughing at Rukia.
"Stooop it…" Rukia pleaded as she pretended to be hurt.
Ichigo took this opportunity and placed an arm on her shoulder, " Oh I am so very sorry miss" he finished with a sly grin.
Rukia was still frowning but as two seconds went by she couldn't resist but smile at the orange- haired teacher.
The group had somehow managed to finish the entire movie on this holy Christmas evening. Sado the person who had chosen the movie ironically did laugh once in the entire seating. Ishida thought the movie was dull and needed more effort from the highly paid actors. Urahara had the time of his life, sadly.
Renji was just waiting to go home, he didn't feel so good. The bottled up rage would only foreshadow things to come. Rukia exited the movie theater and was halted by Ichigo.
"Oi Rukia!" he yelled for no particular reason, and she wasn't that far away from him.
"Tell me." Rukia said as she still gave him a smile.
"If you're free on the 31st you should come with us." Ichigo said as he crossed his arms again.
Rukia was trying very hard to hide the sudden happiness that had consumed her, she really didn't care where she went as long as she went with Ichigo. But a 31st night out? Where could it be? What were they going to do? These thoughts had entered her mind before Ichigo answered her.
Ichigo had this strange smile on his face, somewhat of an evil sly smile. Ichigo pulled her closer and whispered something in her ears.
"We're going to a bar." Was all the devious educator said.
Rukia's face immediately lit up, she had expected something like this. She softly placed her forehead on his hard chest and said, "You're the devil."
-x-
The 30th of December. Not a very special date. People from around the world waited in anticipation for the day to end, it was natural. It was a cold night in Karakura that day. However, no wind had accompanied this cold weather, an empty coldness enveloped the town. An uncomfortable silence in the streets was frightening. Thirty minutes for the clock to strike midnight, it surely wasn't safe to walk alone. But nonetheless our hero was quietly prodding along the clean pavement. A scarf snuggly wrapped around his neck, a good cigarette in between his fingers, it couldn't have been better.
Ichigo let out one last sigh as the fog escaped his mouth, he pushed the door and entered the place he was called to. He was at the local pub, people here were usually merry but it wasn't a game night. He scanned the horizon and saw only a few customers and an old bartender. He went over to the ascended chairs and took his seat.
"What could I get you, sir?" asked an old man.
He was shriveled up, had dusty long white hair and a black moustache to express his longing youth. There was only dullness in his eyes, he had worked his entire life, earned his measly salary and went home with no questions. Ichigo could only sympathize, nothing more.
"What's your name old man?" Ichigo asked as looked into the old man's eyes.
"Ahh no one has ever asked me that boy, in all my years." He was astonished, "It is sad isn't it, so many years I've worked and no one has ever asked me my name."
As the man was about to continue he was halted by a playful act. Someone had put their hands on Ichigo's eyes to cut off his vision.
"Guess who?" said a childish voice.
"You're late" Ichigo said in a bored tone.
Ichigo removed the hands from his face and turned around to see a beautiful girl with hair akin to his own. He knew this girl very well.
"Why are you so sour Kurosaki kuun!" asked the girl.
"Orihime stop acting like a child and sit down." Ichigo said.
"Fine" Orihime said as she promptly sat down on Ichigo's lap.
Ichigo shrugged at this public display of affection, but it was a pub after all. He repositioned her to sit more comfortably.
"Yo get us two bloody mary's" Orihime ordered the bartender.
"Right away!" and with that the man fled to his store room to get the liquor.
Ichigo and Orihime were dating. They had gotten together two months ago. Ichigo never liked Orihime that way, until the night Orihime actually confessed her feelings towards Ichigo in college. Ichigo is the type of person that can never say "no" to a girl, and when this said girl had god given cleavage like hers, all men can understand Ichigo's dilemma. Still Ichigo looked at the bright side and prodded along with the relationship. He started to regret it though, he was about to take the initiative.
"Umm Orihime there was some-" before Ichigo could even finish his sentence Orihime had forced her toungue down his throat. The lustful kiss had lasted for a few seconds and then Orihime pulled back.
"What is it Kurosaki?" she asked in an annoyed tone.
"Nothing, it's not important" he said with a strained smile.
Ichigo could feel his soul being consumed by an entity such as Medussa. He felt strangled, forced. He simply did not have the heart to end it. He cursed himself in his mind for being such a wimp. He started thinking about Rukia, they could talk so freely. He was missing that. But these sweet thoughts were quickly erased when Orihime wiggled a little on his lap and Ichigo could feel his trousers getting tighter.
"Orihime you're crazy" Ichigo whispered to her.
"What do you say we go back to my place huh?" Orihime said in a very seductive tone.
"How could I say no?" Ichigo said with an idiotic smile.
They had finished their drinks in haste. Only enough to get a bit tipsy, but Orihime was still stone cold sober, God bless her.
Orihime grasped Ichigo's hand and went for the exit leaving the damp and dull bar.
"I forgot my wallet, wait here." Ichigo said as he went inside the pub again in search of his precious wallet which had no money inside of it.
He went to the drinking bar and scanned the entire area, and suddenly a man spoke up.
"Here's your wallet, sir." Said the familiar old man as he handed the wallet back to Ichigo.
"Thanks so much" Ichigo replied gratefully, " I'm Kurosaki Ichigo."
"What a wonderful name, sir" said the old man, " The one who protects" he finished with a chuckle.
"Now I would like to know yours." Ichigo finally said.
"My name is Zangetsu, sir" replied the old man.
"That's a strange name" Ichigo laughed.
-x-
A certain raven haired girl was looking over the view of Karakura in her balcony. A cold mist had fallen over the town, foggy weather with a slight breeze. She had dressed for the occasion, something she doesn't often do. A beautiful red dress her brother had gifted her on her recent seventeenth birthday, this was the first time she was wearing it. Three hours till midnight the small girl was anxiously looking at her phone from time to time, waiting for that special someone to ring her. She was all alone at her apartment, Byakuya obviously had plans of his own.
She was growing impatient and suddenly her phone beeped, looking at the screen her favourite name popped out. Trying not sound too excited she picked up the phone.
"Where are you?!" Rukia asked.
"Should I pick you up? Or can you make it on your own?" Ichigo asked over the phone.
"Pick me up asshole! I don't know where your bar is!" Rukia yelled at the device.
"Alright jeez! I'm coming over, give me like twenty minutes." Ichigo said and he hung up the phone.
Rukia stared at her cell phone and said, " He could've said bye."
Rukia never really thought about what their current relationship was. They were just teacher and student who would hang out from time to time, nothing more. That was the harsh reality. She so badly wanted something more than that but it would endanger their current relationship which was already going so well. Even the thought of Ichigo rejecting her would send her into depression, there was really nothing she could do.
She wandered around their living room and she picked up a photo frame. It was a picture of her deceased sister.
"Looks like I'm getting drunk tonight nee-san" she said, " I'm really excited to know what it'll feel like."
She looked at the photo for a couple of minutes before a door bell interrupted her reminiscing.
"Ahh that must be Ichigo" She said to herself as she went over to the entrance.
She opened her door and when she did it took her breath away, the person certainly wasn't Ichigo. It was some she knew far too well.
"Renji? What're you doing here?" she asked curiously.
Renji looked as if he was possessed, he looked at the raven haired girl with great intent. It looked like it he was shaking, shaking with anger.
"Rukia! May I please know why you're not coming with us!" Renji barked at her.
"Renji please don't do this. You know I have other plans" Rukia said as she looked away from him.
With no hesitation Renji made his way inside the apartment and yelled at her again, "Don't ditch us to be with that stupid teacher!"
Rukia did not take the insult lightly and she retaliated, " First off, his not stupid. Second, I didn't ditch you guys, he asked first and that's just the way it is."
This clearly angered Renji even more. Everything he was bottling inside of him was about to erupt in the most ugliest of ways. How could Rukia never acknowledge the obvious love he felt for her. He had enough, he could not control himself any longer. He did something he would regret for the rest of his life, he pulled Rukia's hand and kissed her full on the mouth.
Rukia's eyes widened in utter shock, mid way through the forced kiss Rukia pushed him hard against the wall.
"Renji!" Ruikia yelled in confusion.
Renji wiped his lips and could feel the emotional cement clutching his throat.
"How could you be so stupid!" Renji yelled back, " I have fallen in love with you don't you get it!"
All Rukia could do was stare at him in utter bewilderment, she just could not comprehend what was happening.
"I have a long time ago, it's nothing to be that surprised about. We're childhood friends for God sake! And you leave me in the dust for some guy you barely know! I do love you and I don't think it's gonna change." Renji took a deep breath and continued.
"I will put aside my pride. Please just for this night come with us?" he said as stretched out a welcoming hand to Rukia.
"I'm sorry Renji. I cannot return your feelings. My heart belongs to another." Rukia said as tears fell from her pale cheeks. She looked away from him, she did not have the heart to look at him.
A spear had dug a painful hole in Renji's heart, it was suffocating. The sheer pain and hurt were far beyond imaginations. The depths of his inner self were being ripped apart, his mind went blank. He was crumbling.
But still the brave man put up a fake strained smile, never would you imagine a person's smile could look so sad.
"It's fine, Rukia." Renji said slowly, "I'll be okay."
And that was all he had to say. He turned back around hands in pocket and quietly left the premises. Rukia was left alone to ponder at her thoughts silently.
She sat their and closed her tear filled eyes, memories of her and Renji exploding in her mind. It was too overwhelming, he was a part of her life. And now he was gone. She couldn't handle it. She could only cry.
"I'm so sorry, Renji." She said to herself , "Please forgive me someday."
And with that the bell rang. Rukia jumped up in shock, she had totally forgot. She looked like she had just seen the Titanic, there was no way she could handle had just gone through a life changing event. She rubbed her eyes and went to the door.
She opened the door and was greeted by the man himself.
"Rukiaaaaa!" he cried out with a warm smile.
Rukia looked up at him with her puffy red eyes and slightly swollen lips and said, "You're here."
Ichigo immediately understood something was wrong . With a step forward he carefully place his hand on her cheek and felt the tear stains. He looked at her red eyes with concern and asked,
"What's wrong, Rukia?"
"It's nothing, really" she replied looking away from him.
Without any further warning Ichigo pulled Rukia closer and gave her a comforting hug, the sudden embrace electrified Rukia. Ichigo's mere fragrance had sent her crazy. She hugged him back holding onto the back of his shirt, pushing her face into his chest. The embrace was refreshing, cleansing all her worries away. That was the effect he had on her.
"I don't know what's wrong and it's fine if you don't wanna tell me, I'll still be here for you." Ichigo said as he patted her head.
Rukia didn't know what to do. She was still mesmerized, her pain for Renji was still there but her heart were feeling things they never felt before. Ichigo's warmth had cleansed her, it had rejuvenated her.
"Thank you" she whispered for no apparent reason.
A sudden phone call had interrupted them, Ichigo's phone was buzzing. With great reluctance he had let go of her and picked up the phone. Rukia stood there and watched like a child as Ichigo talked to the phone.
"Yeah were almost there Ishida, can you please get that pole out of your ass?!" Ichigo said in utter annoyance.
"Kurosaki I know you have lost a lot of brain cells in your lifetime but please atleast try to act like a civilized person, would you get here already! We're not going to save the drinks later!" Ishida bellowed as Sado watched him.
"I'M GONNA SKEWER YOU ALIVE!" Ichigo shouted and hung up the phone, "Rukia please come with me, you're gonna have a great time.
"Yeah lemme put on my heels" Rukia said.
They both descended from the elevator and when they went to the basement Rukia was stunned. A small blue Mitsubishi motorcycle was parked along their apartments parking lane.
"Yup that's my baby." Ichigo grinned at Rukia.
"Oh my god! I've never been on a motorcycle before, Ichigo!" Rukia said worriedly.
"Oh you haven't. Then you haven't lived your life to the fullest." Ichigo replied.
"What are you saying?" Rukia asked.
"just hold on tight, and don't worry at all" Ichigo said as he hopped on his miniature vehicle.
Rukia was a bit hesitant at first but she quietly prodded along and hopped on the passenger seat and tightly wrapped her arms around Ichigo's waist.
"Don't let go." Ichigo gave his final warning as he coolly put on his blue helmet.
He gave the gear a good old twist and the vicious engine growled in anger. The sheer pace at which the motorcycle flew off was unbelievable and all our poor raven haired girl could manage to say was,
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
-X-
A/N: PLEASE GUYS REVIEW IT MEANS A LOT TO ME! THEN I'LL KNOW IF I'M ACTUALLY DOING GOOD OR NOT. THANK YOU AND KEEP TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.
