"Heartbreak"
"It was really nice to meet you, Kurosaki-san," Rukia spoke politely, bowing her head as she bid farewell to Isshin. "You too Yuzu-chan, Karin-chan," she turned to Ichigo's two sisters. Yuzu smiled, waving as Karin simply nodded. Ichigo stood at the gate, waiting for Rukia. He gave her a look saying that if she didn't hurry up, he'd come over and drag her home if he had to.
"Be sure to visit us often," Isshin said while reaching out to shake Rukia's hand.
"Ah!" Rukia pulled away, sticking her hands into her pockets. The Kurosaki family stared at her curiously. "Er... germs, you know?" She laughed suspiciously. Even though she did wash her hand about a dozen times or more, Rukia could still feel Ichigo on her hand. There was no way she could shake Isshin's hand after what she did last night with Ichigo.
"Ah yes... Spreading germs wouldn't be ideal, right? Anyway, I don't want to burden you," Isshin whispered close to Rukia, "but please keep an eye on my son. He really is a dependent kid." Isshin let out a cackle. Honestly, Rukia saw no resemblance between Ichigo and his father.
After exchanging a few last words, Rukia left with Ichigo. "What did my old man tell you?" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms and irking a brow.
Rukia responded with a serious face, "Your father told me to remind you not to wet your bed." She smiled, pleased with Ichigo's reaction. His jaw dropped as he cursed, swearing to get back at his father. She leaned her head back, looking up at the vast blue sky. "It's amazing how fast the weather can change, isn't it?"
Ichigo looked up to see a rainbow forming across the cloudless sky. A semi-smile replaced his pout, "Yeah..." So even Ichigo could make such a face, Rukia thought. Her eyes glanced down at his hand. What would he say if she were to suddenly hold his hand? Her hand twitched, feeling the urge to touch his. "You're staring," Ichigo said. Rukia turned away, becoming stiff as she feared getting caught by him. "Ah... Am I that handsome that you can't keep your eyes off me?" He smirked.
Secretly, Rukia wanted to answer yes. It was the truth. Ichigo is quite beautiful when he isn't scowling. If Rukia was to compare, she'd say he was like a marble sculpture that had no imperfections. "Please. You just had something on your face," she lied, laughing when Ichigo began cleaning his face with his sleeve.
"You know," Ichigo said, "you're really different from the first impression I had of you."
"What was your impression of me?"
"I thought you were boring. I even wondered if you were human. Anyone would though, really."
Rukia's eyes twitched with irritation. "Asking for a deathwish eh?" She showed him her 'fearsome' fists. Ichigo gave a loud 'tch,' before asking her what her impression of him was. Rukia wondered if it was safe to say. Ichigo was always quick to get angry when someone insulted him, especially when it concerned his old profession as a prostitute. Because he seemed like he was in a good mood, Rukia didn't feel the need to lie. "A... stray dog," she quietly murmured.
Ichigo got quiet. Rukia held her breath, thinking it was best to apologize. "Ha," Ichigo chuckled. It was then that Rukia saw a hint of sorrow in his eyes, accompanied by regret. He wasn't upset because that was how Rukia saw him. Rather, he was angry that he let himself sink so low. "You know, I first lost my virginity to a friend of mine."
"Did you like her?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo shook his head. "I was 17 at the time and so was she. We both lost precious people. In my case, I lost my mom. Perhaps that night we were dreading over the past, and so we felt the need for contact... maybe we were just licking each other's wounds; I don't know, but it just happened."
"Is that the reason you sold yourself to women? It wasn't for the money; it was because you wanted company?"
"Yeah... I suppose."
That just changes everything, Rukia thought. She always thought he was just a fool for doing something so reckless. But she did admire his guts, as she confessed long ago. The man she saw under the rain near her workplace a while back wasn't a stray dog. He was a broken soul. "You know... you're different from the first impression I had of you too."
"Hn," Ichigo mused, "I hope it changed for the better." Rukia wondered if it did change for the better. Was learning that Ichigo did what he did was out of grief a good thing? Rukia wished Ichigo didn't have to experience such a painful loss. "You look depressed," he noted. Rukia hung her head low. Was she that obvious? "Maybe we can do something similar to last night to get your mind off your worries." Ichigo gave a cocky grin, holding his nose in the air- "Itai," he winced, grabbing his arm after Rukia punched him hard.
"You're really a pervert," Rukia snarled.
"I'm kidding," Ichigo said, though that was a lie. "Let's go to Dashing Diner. I don't have work today, but we can get a discount on food since I work there."
They walked towards Ichigo's workplace. "Okay, but you're paying."
"Of course I am. I'm the only one employed out of the two of us, aren't I?"
"You don't like taking care of me?" Rukia asked.
"I never said that," Ichigo said, winking to her. "We're here," he threw his arms open, revealing his 'castle.' The diner was small, but it had a cozy and nostalgic feeling to it. The aroma of coffee was faint, but it was indeed coming from the diner. Dashing Diner was painted with red stripes on the roof and on the windows were displays of food that it sold. On top the roof was a-
"Rabbit...!" Rukia's eyes twinkled at Dashing Diner's mascot. The giant rabbit stood on top of the roof beside a burger. For a second, Ichigo thought she looked like she was worshipping a God.
"Oh yeah... I almost forgot about your obsession with rabbits," Ichigo said, laughing awkwardly. "Let's hurry in before more people start coming. I'm starving." Ichigo patted his stomach while leading Rukia into the diner. The smell of breakfast filled his nostrils; it was a scent he'd never forget now. "Let's sit here." The two of them at the table nearest to the door.
"I-CHI-GO!" Both Rukia and Ichigo shuddered at the annoying voice. They both looked to the side to see a man approaching them; it was Kenji. Rukia's eyes trailed down to Kenji's apron where she saw another... rabbit. Ichigo was starting to feel a little jealous. Heck, Rukia liked the rabbit more than she liked Ichigo! How depressing this was! "Oh, who's this? Your sister?" Kenji asked.
Ichigo shot him a deathly glare. "This is Rukia."
Kenji's eyes lit up with realization. Rukia wondered what the man was doing as he studied her. "This is it? This midget is your- owww!" He held his nose in pain as his face met Ichigo's fist. Kenji rolled a tissue up and stuck it in his nose to stop his bleeding, "It was a pleasure to meet you Rukia-sama. Feel free to order whatever you want; it's on the house." He scurried away afterward with his tail between his legs.
"Sorry about that. Kenji is a little..." Ichigo swirled his finger around his ear, signalling that Kenji was a little whack in the head.
"What an interesting man," Rukia chuckled lightly before glancing over the menu. "From what it sounds like, you've been talking about me?" Ichigo gulped, seeing Rukia's raised brows. For a 'midget,' she was really intimidating. Her eyes could be so cold sometimes.
"I-It was nothing bad, I swear."
"Mhm..." Rukia slowly took her eyes off Ichigo. He sighed in relief, pulling at his collar. "Alright," she set down her menu, "I'm done. What are you ordering, Ichigo?"
Ichigo tossed his menu to the side. "I'll get whatever you're getting. It's too early in the morning to be thinking," he yawned, stretching his long arms.
"Deciding what to eat isn't something you have to think hard about. Ah, I forgot. We're talking about you here." Rukia scoffed, amused when Ichigo sneered at her.
"Are you two ready to order?"
"Yes- Inoue?" Ichigo's eyes nearly fell out of his skull at the sight of his childhood friend. She wore the Dashing Diner uniform, striking a pose in front of them. With her pretty face and long mermaid-like hair, it didn't even seem like she was working as a waitress at Dashing Diners. Rather, it seemed like she was modeling for them. "When did you start working here?"
"When it was raining that night." Orihime turned to Rukia, who was quite surprised at the beauty. "Are you Kurosaki-kun's friend? My name is Inoue Orihime," she said exuberantly. She held out her hand, expecting a handshake from Rukia.
"Ah, I'm Kuchiki Rukia. You don't want to hold my hand... Germs, y'know?" Rukia laughed, turning light pink.
"Tch... that's rude, you know? My little friend didn't give you germs- ah!" Ichigo felt Rukia kick him from beneath the table. He leaned forward, groaning.
Orihime laughed, oblivious. "Are you going to order the 'Happy Fries?' Or perhaps the 'Krispy Bacon with Eggs and Pancakes?' I recommend that one because... well I love bacon and eggs and pancakes!" Orihime rambled jubilantly. "You should really try that dish with a side of a whole bowl of mustard!"
Rukia winced at how gross that sounded. "I think I'll try that dish, but without the mustard please. Same goes for Ichigo."
Orihime nodded, "Two Krispy Bacon with Eggs and Pancakes coming your way!" She zoomed back into the kitchen at the speed of light.
Ichigo covered his eyes, knowing Rukia would dump him for having such strange friends. A strange family plus whacky friends didn't make him look too good. "They're usually not that crazy, Rukia. They're only like this on Mondays-"
"What are you babbling about?" Rukia asked. "I think your friends are... lively. I'm a little jealous of you."
"Wow..." Ichigo leaned his chin on his hand, "You're weird-"
"Kurosaki Ichigo?!" Once again, Rukia and Ichigo shuddered. This time, it wasn't Kenji nor was it Orihime. Rukia blinked a few times at the woman standing behind Ichigo. Ichigo turned around with an annoyed expression, only having it turned into a surprised look when he realized who it was. The woman had a huge rack, probably even bigger than Orihime's, and lips that had one too many injections. Her blonde hair was clearly dyed and full of extensions. She was as real as real could get. "Why so surprised darling? I haven't seen you in so long - oh," she moaned, "you don't know how many lonely nights I spent without you!"
Ichigo's eyes widened at the sight of her breasts heading straight towards him like a train going five-hundred miles per hour. The woman suffocated him with her breasts as she held him tightly without intentions of letting him go. "Mmmf!" Ichigo's voice muffled.
"Excuse me," Rukia asked with the attitude of a lioness. "Who are you?"
The blonde's eyes perked at Rukia. "The name's Ayame-chan! Are you Ichigo's sister?" Rukia was not amused. Where did they see the resemblance in Ichigo and her? "Or are you perhaps one of his clients?" she whispered curiously with eyes bulging. Clients..? That was when it struck Rukia that this Ayame girl was one of Ichigo's past clients. She laughed, embarrassed. "Whoops! I didn't mean to intrude like this! I've never seen Ichigo with a girl like you before. You must be new to his service?"
"No, that's not-"
"Oh my goodness... Wait until tonight~ Ichigo really is a..." Ayame blushed while shaking her hips, "a beast." Ah, so Ichigo wasn't lying when he said that women called him a beast in bed. "Well, once you're done with him, please let me know-"
"Ichigo isn't doing that sort of thing anymore," Rukia spoke with venom in her voice. Ayame was so surprised at the sudden aggression, she finally let Ichigo go. Ichigo collapsed, gasping for air. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak of him like he was some item."
There was a brief silence before Orihime came back with the food. "Two plates of Bacon with-... I sense malice in the air," she frowned. Orihime saw the determination in Rukia's face - her eyes softened. So Rukia was the one who saved Ichigo, Orihime realized. "Excuse me ma'am," Orihime turned to Ayame, "er..." Orihime tried her best to sound menacing, "Bad behavior will not be tolerated. I will have to excuse you if you cause further disruption."
Ayame gave a smug look at both Rukia and Orihime before she gave a loud 'hmph' and stormed out of the diner. Orihime sighed; being tough was hard work. "Thank you, Inoue-san," Rukia said.
Orihime was surprised at her own actions. "It was nothing," she kicked at the ground, flustered. "Um, I'm curious though. I'm just inferring, but it sounded like your relationship with Ichigo is more than just friendship." Rukia held an unconscious Ichigo in her arms before nodding shyly. "Oh... ah, haha," Orihime laughed to hide her sadness. "Well enjoy your food! Don't be afraid to try out the mustard with it though," she said before running back into the kitchen.
Orihime closed the door behind her before collapsing to the floor. Her eyes filled with unshed tears; she forced a smile but to no avail. She felt so hopeless. She felt terrible. The feeling of jealousy was one of the worst things to have in the heart.
A/N: Oh no! Our poor Orihime is heartbroken :'(
I know a few of you hate Orihime's guts, and I'm fine with that and I respect your opinions on her, but please don't bash on her too much. Some people call her a slut and whore, and I'm not hating on those people, but I wish you'd have more respect for her character.
Look at her from a different perspective, I guess? The girl can't help it if her genes gave her Z cups (kidding)! But yeah, she's really a happy and good person in the manga. And I plan to keep her this way in my story. There won't be an evil Orihime trying to separate Rukia and Ichigo. At all.
There might be some... problems in the future with Ichigo and Rukia's relationship that might involve Orihime, but I promise it won't be a result of Orihime's interferences. I love all Bleach characters (including Orihime. Heck, I even love Aizen despite him killing _, one of my fav. characters! I won't say who he killed because some of you might not have gotten that far into the series yet, so I don't want to spoil!) and I hope you all do too! :D
Anyway, please review! :)
