AN: Sorry for the late update!
It's been almost two months since the last chap, and I'm really really sorry. I had a busy time in school, problems at home, writer's block and I was three times sick! I hate that! I'm usless for everything when I'm sick, especially writing. :C And I'm not so happy with this chapter; it was written between all this (weird) things that happened and I think it's kinda too much at some points. On second thought, I'm not happy with it at all. :S
Chapter 3.
Little things
"Useless…" The man smirked and grabbed her other leg with his free hand. Rukia cried; his hand bruised her. "You scream louder, I bruise you harder." Not releasing her, he stood up and pulled her. "Surely you hate your gigai right now?" He ducked and grabbed her chin. He laughed.
Tears formed in Rukia's eyes. "W-who are you?" The man frowned.
"It's a shame you don't recognise me." He sighed. "But when I'm done with you, your orange scowl boy will." She pressed her chin harder. "Call for him… Shinigami." Rukia's eyes widened; partly for pain, partly for what this man said. "Call for him, I said!" His grip slightly loosened when he started to laugh. Rukia found her chance there and she kicked his weak spot with her foot. His laughter changed into loud groan as he collapsed. Rukia acted quickly and stood up.
But after few steps she made, she was caught again. He grabbed her from behind, wrapping his large hands around her small waist. He breathed heavily onto her neck. "Not so fast… This gigai sucks, don't you agree?" He threw her on the ground and grabbed her face with his palm. His grab was increasing with every second. Rukia felt her muscles pressed hardly against her cheek bones. She felt them starting to crumble.
A fist came from nowhere and smashed the man's yaw. The man fell on the ground. Rukia was gasping for air, which was heard, because her face muscles were swollen. Her eyes contracted of pain. She moaned loudly.
"Came to the party, substitute?" The man smirked, standing up. He whipped the blood from his mouth.
I-Ichigo?
Ichigo didn't move. He stood still between the stranger and Rukia. His eyes were fixed on the man's face. He tried to recognise him. He scowled. Dark brown hair, black eyes, mid forties… I never saw this man in my whole life…
"Hard to remember? Want me to enlighten you?" He asked teasingly.
"If it pleases you." Ichigo gritted his teeth. The man cleared his throat, as he was going to perform.
"Women are so soft and they easily break. It is fun to fish…" His tone was lightly pitched. Ichigo's heart sped up. H-how? , was all he could think. The man cleared his throat again and smiled. "Enlightened?"
Ichigo growled loudly. "Die!" He ran into him; his fists were heading first. The man dodged his attack.
"You're not so quick anymore…" He laughed. "You know what? I thought when I saw this little butterfly-" He pointed at Rukia, who still hardly breathe, but its tempo was slowing. Ichigo looked at her. He completely forgot to ask her if she's alright. Their eyes met and she nodded, like she knew he felt bad for not asking her.
"I'm alright…" She said hardly.
"Darling, you won't be alright when I'm finished with him." Another smirk crept on his face. "Back to the topic… Yes, when I saw you darling, walking over here… To this place; I was excited. I couldn't believe my revenge would come up so soon. I had fate on my side!"
"Your fate is going to end soon…" Ichigo said coldly.
"First part of my revenge was killing her first" he continued, ignoring Ichigo. "Then I would play with her dead body for a while, before finding you." Ichigo was utterly furious. The man moved closer to Ichigo, smiling – "Boy, you are boiling!" He laughed, thinking of what next he would say. "Then I would mentally kill you. And your dear father would be devastated. She would be my fifth of many new victims."
Ichigo was still as a statue. He just had scowl on his face. "Grand Fisher," He smirked. "Even if I am not a Shinigami anymore, I still can bring you to justice."
Rukia gasped the air and straightened slowly because of pain. "I-Ichigo…" He turned. "You mustn't kill him, he is human now." She said carefully. "I think that's what he wants." Grand Fisher laughed and started clapping.
"Bravo, little Shinigami!"
"Don't worry." Ichigo said. "I don't even attempt to. Just a few bruises and punches." He bit his lip and smirked. "That's all I have left." Ichigo hit his face. Grand Fisher fell on the ground. Blood dropped from his mouth. He quickly got up.
"Y-you will pay for this!" He yelled and ran into Ichigo. Ichigo didn't move; he waited for him to come close enough. When that moment came, he kicked Grand Fisher in abdomen. He fell on the ground again. "I-is that all you got, boy?"
Ichigo grimaced. "Well… I wanted to ask you that." He slid his shoulders. "I'm just warming up."
Grand Fisher laughed and took out his knife. Ichigo grimaced again. Whatever makes you happy…? He ran into Ichigo again.
"Ichigo!" Rukia called his name. Ichigo just smiled as he easily disarmed Grand Fisher and kicked his abdomen again. Now harder.
"You are pathetic. Torturing weaker than yourself and killing them." Ichigo's voice was harsh. "Now you will spend this life behind prison bars. And when you die, I will watch your soul going to hell."
"You can't sense or see spirits anymore!" Grand Fisher laughed. "You don't have your Shinigami powers! I can sense it." His eyes locked Ichigo's. Ichigo grabbed him.
"I will have plenty of time to get them back. And enjoy the view in 40 years."
"Rukia…" Ichigo turned to her. He ducked down to her and lifted her chin. "It's swallen…" He carefully observed it with his fingers.
"Ouch!" Rukia moaned.
"I'm s-sorry." He quickly moved his fingers. "I whish I came earlier…"
"You were here before…" Rukia said, looking into his amber eyes which were filled with guilt.
"Err… I wasn't. Have you hit your head?" He scratched the back of his head.
Rukia hit his face with little strength that left in her. "Don't lie to me, you idiot!"
"Wha-" He played the oblivious role.
"Ichigo! I see it in your eyes!" Seems it didn't work.
"Alright, I was. Happy?" He gritted his teeth. "Yuzu sent me to go to the store for flour… When I saw you lying here and at first, I thought you were dead but you weren't, so I left." He looked aside. Rukia didn't say anything. There was silence until Ichigo broke it, scowling. "Want to go to the clinic, Rukia? My dad should check those bruises and stuff. Maybe is something broken or-" Since he was still looking aside, he couldn't see Rukia standing up. Or better, trying to stand up. She moaned loudly as she tried to stand on her right foot. Ichigo turned back to her when he heard her moan. He quickly stood up and held her hand. "Can you walk?"
"N-no… I don't think so… My ankle-"
"Don't worry." He stopped her, supporting her with his arm. "I will carry you." A slight blush appeared on Rukia's cheeks. She tried to hide it by turning her head away. Ichigo noticed that small blush and happily grinned inside himself. Then he turned slowly so Rukia wouldn't fell (his arm was still her support). The police's and ambulance's sirens were heard.
"We should go. The ambulance would be a problem if they don't find you in their database. And police too, for the same problem. You don't exist for them…" He barely expressed the last sentence. It was more like he was telling it to himself. He was afraid that would chase her away. "Let's go." He slowly turned back and lifted her from the ground carefully. His right arm was holding her upper body to her right shoulder were his hand was. His left hand was under her knees.
"Ichigo… What about him?" Ichigo remembered what he heard on the TV the other day.
"A mysterious scenario of women found in pile of blood, tortured and raped, continues. The police found a fourth victim today. It was a 20 year-old Uweda Ran, a student that lives in Karakura, but studies in Tokyo. She usually was home during the weekends and her family thought she was in Tokyo; but unfortunately, she wasn't. The police have the killer's fingerprints, but they don't have them in their database."
Ichigo was hurrying for the school, but the news caught his attention. He thought it wasn't of great importance for him. (Even though he surely felt sorry for the girl, I'm not making Ichigo emotionless -.-')
Until this day.
He began to walk with her in his arms. "I saw about his victims on the TV... He said you would be his fifth, and they said about that the killer killed four. They also have his fingerprints. I said there's the killer they've been looking for. And he's going to be unconscious 'til they get there." He smirked.
There was silence, once again. And once again Ichigo broke it.
"Rukia, do you know why he's remembered of his last life – as Hollow? Killer before he became Hollow?"
Rukia looked up at Ichigo. "I…" She sighed. "I'm stuck here."
"What?"
"When I was at Urahara's, we tried to open the Senkai gate, but we couldn't. So-" He stopped walking.
"What? You planned to leave me after I saved your life for zillionth time?" He yelled. "And what that has to do with my question, anyway?" Rukia was red of anger. She frowned.
"Baka, don't you want to listen to the rest I have to say?" She yelled back. "It's not the first, actually… Grand Fisher… I mean, some Shinigamis died but didn't reborn here. They just died and next day they were back, like they were asleep. The circle is broken." She inhaled. "And it looks like-"
"Bad souls are only coming back, without pluses." She nodded in agreement. "So this was the first reborn Hollow you saw?" Rukia nodded again.
"I tried to get to Soul Society to see the situation there. When I had left to my daily routine here in Karakura, there were ten zombie-Shinigamis in Seiretei."
"Zombie-Shinigamis?" Ichigo laughed hard. "How do you draw the non-dead-dead Shinigamis?" He laughed even harder (if it was possible) until Rukia greeted his shoulder with her fist. He groaned silently.
"Baka, you really aren't takin' this seriously?" She sighed.
They continued walking – well Ichigo did. Even though she kicked him, he didn't put her down. And he was smiling. Grinning. He missed her kicks and punches. Rukia heard his soft grinning and looked at him. She smiled too.
"Pandas." Rukia murmured.
"What?" Ichigo scowled.
"I draw them as pandas." She said louder. "I did to Urahara-sama."
"Really?" He smirked. "Care to draw me one?"
"What? Are you serious? You hate my drawings!"
"Yeah, you lack of artistic effect…" He smirked again.
Another punch. His face now.
"Damn it, I could have lost control and fell, midget!"
"If you kept your mouth shut…" She laughed and kissed his chin. "Better?" Ichigo blushed madly.
"Err, um… I-"
"Ooh, Ichigo! Rukia-chan!" Isshin voice was coming from… Somewhere? Ichigo turned and turned. No sign of the old man.
"Old man, where-" Ichigo couldn't finish his sentence; something or someone snatched Rukia off his arms.
"Aah!" Rukia cried.
"W-what?" He was confused. Then he noticed his dad with Rukia in his arms running to the Kurosaki clinic. Ichigo ran to catch them.
As he entered inside – slam. "My stupid son! Have I taught you nothing? You should know how to threat an injured person! Stay here and take care of her!" He went to get a medical kit.
Ichigo rubbed his cheek. He saw Rukia lying on the medical bed smiling. "What's so funny?" He scowled.
"You are." She smiled softly. "Come here." He growled. "Don't be so bitter. Your father is a doctor."
"It's not that." Ichigo looked away.
"Then what is?" Rukia gripped his hand. He instantly looked at her.
"Rukia…" He sighed. "None of this would happen if you never stayed in your gigai." His tone really pissed her.
"What – are – you – talking – about? Idiot!" She slapped his shoulder. "Why this sudden change of heart, Ichigo?" She stood up. "First you pop out from nowhere a week ago and almost lose your life, then you end up in hospital, then the sly Urahara-sama blocks my cover, then you throw yourself on me and cry 'oooh, Rukia, don't leavee meeee'!"
"Quit…. That…"
"And then you 'accidently' bumped into me – when I fell asleep on the shore of the river and god knows what you did to me-"
"Rukia… Quit… That…" Ichigo gritted his teeth.
"After you decided to leave me to that weirdly reborn Grand Fisher and his mercy, I was almost useless to myself with this horrible gigai-"
"Quit that, already!" Ichigo yelled his lungs out. Rukia twitched. "If it's that horrible, why are you in it?" His breathing was hard of anger. "What are you still doing here?"
"I told you already, Urahara can't open the Senkai gate!" She yelled back.
"I – don't – care!" Ichigo puffed. "You could float around like a real ghost! Which you are!"
Rukia was facing his eyes. They were full of anger. She twitched again and felt something down her knee, down to her ankle. Pain. Oh shit… In all this confusion I forgot… She lost her balance; her ankle was too weak. But before she realised, Ichigo caught her and put her onto medical bed.
"I'll go and see where old man got lost…" He muttered, not looking at her. "Don't stand up while I'm gone."
He went out with her eyes fixed on his back.
Damn it! I said too much…I should- His thoughts stopped as he heard something. He entered the room.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Ichigo asked his father who was…
"Ichigo!" He quickly turned.
"Dad, I need that kit..." Isshin threw the kit into Ichigo. "Is she okay?"
"Bruises on her abdomen, legs and yaw… Her ankle is twisted. Just swathe it."
"Thanks."
"You were attacked by Grand Fisher, right?"
"How did you know that?"
"I saw the news few days ago like you did. And I heard you two talking." Isshin smiled. "Or better said, fighting like an old married couple." Now Isshin grinned. "And-" He cleaned his throat and pointed his finger at himself. "Come closer." He whispered. Ichigo grimaced. "You should apologise to her and start on having babies…-" No. Not again. "I want some grandchildren!" Isshin said, chuckling. Ichigo's cheeks were growing redder and redder. "I already have some names in mind! Like-" Isshin's current number one dream to have grandchildren was literally scattered when Ichigo kicked his yaw with his fist.
"Old man, I will not make her pregnant at the age 18! Are you completely gone insane?" He yelled. Unfortunately, he didn't realise that Rukia very probably heard him. And anyone else in 50 kilometres circle.
"What?" Kon appeared from nowhere. Make that very probably into absolutely. What the hell? Where did he get from? I thought I locked him in my room before I left the house…? A creepy glare Kon was giving to Ichigo made Ichigo shudder and in the same time confused. What the fu-
"Don't touch nee-san!"
Kon ran into Ichigo and kicked him with his foot… Ichigo's weak spot. Ichigo cried as he fell on the floor. The kit fell next to him. "Goddamn it, Kon!" He puffed. Kon grinned. What does he has in his foot? Iron?
Kon tapped with his feet. "Now I'm sure you won't be able to-"
"You're so dead now!" Ichigo gritted with his teeth as he stood up. He was still feeling pain, but that was currently unimportant. Killing Kon was more important. "I'm going to crush your pill into dust, Kon!" He grabbed the living toy before it could run away. He pushed his hand into Kon's mouth in searching for the pill. Kon was trying to resist, but Ichigo squeezed him completely.
"Ichigo, give me Kon." Isshin said. Ichigo didn't stop. "Before you kill him… Perhaps…" Ichigo scowled and looked at his father. He squeezed him hard once more and sighed.
"Fine." He threw Kon. Isshin caught him. "I'll go to Rukia. Make sure he doesn't come near." He glued his eyes on Kon. "Or I'll kill him." He took the medical kit and went out.
"Thank you, Isshin-san." Kon said, puffing in relief. Isshin glared at him.
"You could have made my son impotent and I wouldn't have any grandkids in near future!" Isshin yelled and swirled Kon in the air. Then he threw him into the wall.
Ichigo heard all and slapped his forehead. I'm not having any children in next ten years… Part because of my idiotic father and part because Kon kicked me with his iron foot… God…
He sighed and entered the room with the gurney on which Rukia was lying. Ichigo didn't look at her, so he couldn't see a wicked smile on her face. He put the kit onto desk and opened it. He took out the gauze and turned to her. She stopped smiling as he turned.
"You don't have any cuts, so I will just swathe your ankle." Rukia lightly nodded. Ichigo sat on her bed, biting his tongue. Hell, it still hurts… I can't sit… "Which f-foot?" He barely said. Rukia practically threw her right foot on his lap. And on his manhood. He grew red as his tongue was surely blue.
"What's the matter?" She asked innocently. I never thought I would thank Kon for anything. She pleasingly smiled in herself.
"N-nothing!" He blurted out. "Everything is perfectly fine!"
"You sure?" She pressed her heel onto his lap. Moan was trapped in her throat. Forget that little pain, Rukia… He has to cry, not you. Tears were forming in Ichigo's eyes. "Um, sorry!" She acted. Oh Ichigo… You don't know how I mastered my acting skills in the last two years…
"I-it is o-okay…" He yelped and took gauze and started wrapping it around her ankle. His cheeks were burning more and more. Almost done… almost done… He repeated in his head. He accidently looked up and saw a delighted look on Rukia's face while she was looking at something outside. Her lips curved in sadistic way. Damn it, she was faking it! He quickly looked down – before she could see him observing her. Or I forgot her lame acting or she mastered it. Ichigo scowled and smiled equally sadistic as Rukia. If that's the game she wants to play… Ichigo bind the gauze firmly. Rukia moaned.
"What are you doing, Ichigo?" Rukia moved closer.
"Nothing." He bit his lip. Just as he forgot about the pain Kon gave him (thanks to Rukia), Rukia kicked his pain's source 'accidently' with her other foot, placing the weak one gently on the floor.
"Sorry!" She yelled and stood up – on one foot, of course. Ichigo was gasping for air because of her 'attack'. Then he groaned and observed her. That idiot… He grabbed her waist from the back.
"Got you." He said into her ear.
Not yet.
She smiled and kicked him with her weak foot into the same spot again – his manhood. He let his cry now and lost his balance. Unfortunately, he didn't release her from his embrace (as she thought he would) so the both fell on the floor. Rukia was lying with her back on top of him. Ichigo was moaning like a little child that scratched his knees. She quickly turned (still on top of him) and looked at his face. He was covering his eyes with his hands. Maybe I've…
"Ichigo? Are you okay?" She asked. No respond. "Ichigo?" Still no respond. Then she lowered her face to his. Her raven hair touched his cheeks. "Ichi-" He moved his hands and opened his eyes.
In a brisk of a second, Ichigo grabbed her waist and turned them both – now she was under him. He smiled viciously.
"Your little game is over, Rukia." He said mercilessly, gritting his teeth.
"Are you sure?" She smiled. "Maybe it-" She moved her left leg. Ichigo caught it with his hand.
"No more games." He lowered his head to hers. "Got that?" His scowl deepened. You don't know how glad I am…To have you here. Rukia looked into his eyes. He stopped scowling and his eyes became soft. He released her leg and moved slowly from her.
Rukia wanted to say something. But what? Then he started to laugh.
"What?" She asked, moving closer to him. They both sat on the floor.
"I just laugh at myself for not realising your acting at first." He grinned happily.
"I mastered it." She said with proud voice.
"Yeah, more like I forgot how you act, midget." He loved to tease her. He loved to watch her cheeks go red when he says 'midget' and her anger bursting at him in form of her fist. But now was something he didn't think it would happen.
"Well… Maybe…" She said and smiled softly. Ichigo felt something pressing against his shoulder – Rukia's head. He twitched lightly at this sudden situation but calmed soon after. He slowly pulled his arm (her head gently fell on his chest) around her small frame. Rukia smiled and clutched his shirt. "I never really thanked you… Thank you for saving me…" She looked up. His warm amber eyes pierced right through her.
"Always." He softly said. "I will never hesitate with your life, Rukia. You know that." Their foreheads touched.
"I know." She whispered.
"Quickly get in here!" Karin's voice was heard.
Ichigo and Rukia didn't have time to react – Karin was standing in the room and looking at them. Yuzu was behind her, holding a boy younger than her. The boy hurt his leg.
"Karin-chan, why did you-?"
"Eh…? Yuzu, get Hojima to the other room…"
"Eh? Why?"
"Just go."
Yuzu glanced and saw Ichigo and Rukia. She happily squealed in herself.
"You two got the wrong room, you know?" Karin was sarcastic, smiling low.
"K-Karin!" Ichigo scolded, getting up. "It's not-"
Isshin entered the room. He was completely serious. Urahara and Yoruichi entered too.
"Konichiwa, Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san." Urahara said. "Kuchiki-san, we're glad that Kurosaki-san was able to help you." He pointed at Yoruichi.
"Karin, go help your sister." Isshin said in a stern tone. Karin was surprised. "Now."
"Old man…" Ichigo muttered. "Urahara, Yoruichi… What are you doing here?"