Hello! :3 I'm back with chapter six! I know it's been awhile since I've last updated, sorry. I usually do a chapter of this and then a chapter of my IchiRuki fic, but I struggled with the latest chapter of my other fic. So I apologize. :)
Anyway, here's chapter six.
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Mina's POV:
The day after I went to the movies with Ichigo and Rukia I woke up early, finding that my mother had gone grocery shopping. Seeing that my room was pretty trashed I decided to clean up a little. I turned on some music and quickly got dressed. Afterwords I made the bed and started picking up the dirty clothes off of my floor, having trouble bending down.
After picking up my room I moved to the living room and kitchen, the music flowing from my CD player following me down the hall and into the open space. When both rooms were rid of mess I was ready to sit on the couch and relax. I wasn't really used to getting tired so easily, but I made sure I didn't over-do anything.
As I took my place on the couch and leaned against the cushions, I heard my phone going off over the hushed music and quickly stood to retrieve it from my bedroom. After picking it up off of my night stand and clicking the green button, I held the phone up to my ear and walked back into the living room. "Hello?"
"Mina, is that you?" Rukia's frantic voice asked on the other line, causing me to worry immediately. I started pacing around the living room, circling the coffee table before going to the table, repeating my steps.
"Yeah, Rukia, this is me. What's up?" I questioned, keeping my tone calm.
"Mina, this is horrible, I can't tell him, I just don't know what I'm going to do! You have to help me, I'm freaking out, please Mina! You-"
"Rukia, Rukia," I said sternly, getting her to quiet down. "Calm. Down. Now, tell me what's going on. I'm not understanding what you're trying to get across."
I heard her inhale sharply a few times on the other line, her breathes sounding like gasps. Finally she stopped and fell silent, only for a moment. "I think I'm pregnant," she stated. I stopped dead in my tracks, a hand going to my forehead absently.
"But...I...Rukia, you need to talk to a doctor. To make sure-"
"No! No, I can't!" she responded loudly, her voice shaking as it grew in volume.
"Okay, calm down. Just...so did you at least take a test? Or are you just assuming?" I asked, leaning against the wall for support. I was surprised how it felt being on the other side of this conversation. I felt just as panicked as I did when I found out I was pregnant, and I wanted this to happen. I felt horrible for ever wishing this upon anyone, let alone one of my best friends.
"I took one of those test things," she answered.
"And it came out positive, right?"
"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be freaking out!" she exclaimed, her words displaying her agitation.
"Okay, okay, sorry. Still, Rukia, you need to talk to a doctor. They'll make sure for you," I said, trying to be reassuring.
"No, then I'll have to tell Ichigo!" she exclaimed, her voice whiny. "There's no point in freaking him out if the test was a flook."
"Good point. I'd give you a ride, but my mom's gone. Hm...What about Isshin? He could-" I started before Rukia's loud answer interrupted me.
"Are you kidding me? No way! Do you know how uncomfortable that would be? He doesn't know how to take anything serious, I am not talking to him about it! Besides, he'd never be able to keep it to himself, Ichigo would know before we could get to the door!"
"Alright, sorry, just calm down," I said, a little irritated with her anger. I forced myself to be patient, I knew how she felt. "How about you wait until my mom gets home. I can call you and we'll come pick you up."
"Fine, but you have to help me. What am I supposed to tell Ichigo, I can't tell him about this-" Her voice cut off as she got distracted.
"Rukia?" I asked, but she didn't answer me.
"Ichigo...," I heard her voice trail off.
"What can't you tell me?" Ichigo's voice was faint and I had a hard time deciphering his question.
"I...Uh...," she said, her nerves fraying. "I...Can we go to Mina's? Please?"
I couldn't hear Ichigo's reply, but I could imagine his worried expression. "O-okay, Mina, we're coming over. We'll be there in a few," she said.
"Okay, but Rukia, are you going to tell hi-" She didn't answer. The line went dead and I sighed, closing my phone and walking to the couch, taking a seat.
I waited and after five minutes I heard the door open, positive it wasn't Ichigo and Rukia. "Mom, is that you?" I asked, still leaning back against the couch.
"Nope," he said, his tall stature appearing at the top of the steps. Holding a finger up, Renji walked back to my room and closed the door, getting in his gigai. When he reappeared he was in clean jeans and and a long sleeved shirt.
The sight of him calmed me considerably. I was really happy he was home and I couldn't hide my excitement to see him again, even if he'd only been gone for a few days.
Noticing my grin, he smiled also and sat next to me on the couch, laying an arm on the couch behind my shoulders. "What? You already missed me?" he asked, teasing me.
My smile widened and I nodded, leaning my head against his arm. "Yeah," I answered, grabbing his hand.
Leaning back against the back of the couch, Renji laid his legs on the coffee table. As he did this, something on the table caught his eye and caused him to pull his legs back and sit up. He grabbed the picture from my sonogram and studied it. I smiled and waited for his reaction, sitting up as well.
He turned to look at me and asked, "What is this?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "You've never seen a sonogram picture before?" I questioned, getting a nod. "Well," I started, leaning closer to him and pointing at the photo in his hands. "That's our baby, Renji." Again, I looked up at him to see his reaction. His tattooed eyebrows rose as he continued to stare at the dark picture.
"I don't...see how this is a baby," he said, looking more perplexed.
His answer earned another chuckle. "It's hard to tell, but she's not fully developed. Her features aren't-"
"Wait, she?" he asked, color seeming to drain from his face.
"Oh, Renji, I'm sorry! I didn't even ask if you wanted to know!" I said frantically, forgetting that he didn't know about the sex of our baby.
"No, it's okay...I just...I didn't expect to know so soon...," he answered, his voice growing quiet.
I watched him, my worry getting the better of me. "You okay?" I asked, placing a hand on his knee and slightly shaking it to get his attention.
He nodded and opened his mouth, about to speak when the door flew open, getting both of our attention.
"I told you, It's nothing, just leave me alone!" I heard Rukia scream as she stomped up the stairs.
"It's obviously something if you're so freaked out about it! You were practically crying when I came in my room!" Ichigo's voice sounded, anger and concern clear in his tone. They both appeared at the top of the staircase, Rukia leading as she walked across the living room and turned to look at him, a glare on her face and her arms crossed over her chest.
Dropping the picture back onto the coffee table, Renji asked, "What's going on?"
"Nothing!"Rukia hissed back at him.
"What the hell's your problem?" Renji questioned, glaring back at her. "Excuse me for caring!"
"Sh, Renji, don't," I said, grabbing his arm and standing, using him for support. "Rukia, calm down, okay?"
"No!" she screamed, tears building up in her eyes as she maintained her scowl. "I can't do this! And I can't do it to Ichigo, I can't! I c-ca-" she stuttered, cutting herself off by hiding her face in her hands. Ichigo crossed the room and hugged her, pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around his waist and cried loudly, her small hands clutching the back of his T-shirt. Everyone was startled by her outburst, crying like that wasn't like Rukia. But it was expected.
"Rukia, tell me what's going on," he said calmly, not seeming to notice mine or Renji's stares.
Shaking her head, she pulled away and wiped stray tears off of her face. "I c-can't."
"Yes, you can," he insisted, his arms still loosely wrapped around her slim frame.
"Maybe," I started, getting their attention. "Maybe you should tell him, Rukia. You'll feel better, I promise."
"Wait, you know?" Ichigo asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Nodding, I said, "Yeah. I was the one she was talking to on the phone earlier."
"Mina, I can't, really. I-" Rukia started again.
I shook my head as I answered. "Yes you can, Rukia. Just say it. He needs to know."
Sighing quietly, she took a step away from Ichigo and looked up at him, her expression stern as a small glare returned to her face."Ichigo, I think I'm pregnant."
His eyes grew wide and his hands fell from her shoulders suddenly. His mouth hung open as we all stayed in place, completely silent. Ichigo was staring off, his gaze floating over Rukia's head. He finally re-focused and looked back at her, about to say something when Renji interrupted him.
"What?" he questioned, anger clear in his tone. I didn't really think much of it, but it was expected that Renji behave as such.
Rukia directed her gaze at him as her glare deepened. "Shut up, Renji," she said, managing to keep her voice calm.
"No!" he shouted back, glaring also. He turned to Ichigo before continuing. "What the hell did you do to her?"
Ichigo's anger appeared on his face suddenly, his blank stare replaced with a deep glare at Renji's words. "Shut the fuck up, you really have no reason to be pissed off at me!"
"Yes I do! You knocked Rukia up!"
"And you knocked Mina up, you idiot!"
"Shut up! Both of you!" Rukia demanded, her tone stronger. "You are not fighting right now!" At her words they both quieted down but continued to glare at each other. "Ichigo," her voice got his attention again, his glare fading to his usual, mild scowl. "I need you to take me to the doctor, to make sure."
"Sure," he answered quietly.
"Uh, do you want me to go with you, Rukia?" I asked, absently taking a step closer to her.
Shaking her head she said, "No, thanks. Ichigo will be there, I'll be fine." Stepping closer to him, Rukia grabbed Ichigo's hands and tugged on them, letting him know she was ready to leave. He noticed and headed toward the stairs with Rukia in tow.
"Good luck, Rukia. Maybe you're not," I said, causing her to stop before descending the staircase.
"Thanks, Mina. For all your help," she said, smiling at me slightly.
"No problem. If you need anything, you can always call me."
"You better call when you find out," Renji said, his voice demanding.
She nodded and continued down the stairs with Ichigo, the door quietly clicking shut. I turned and looked at Renji, noticing his deep glare still present. I had to hold back a sigh. He was finally home for good and he was in a terrible mood. Of course.
"Are you alright, Renji?" I questioned calmly, not letting my agitation seep into my voice.
"I'm fine," he retorted, standing and heading toward the stairs also.
"Wait, Renji, where are you going?" I asked, a frown crossing my features.
"I'm taking a walk." He stomped down the staircase loudly and slammed the door, leaving me alone in the apartment.
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I waited in the living room for Renji to come back, expecting him only to be gone for a half an hour. But he didn't. He never called and didn't pick up an hour after he left when I called him.
It was about an hour and a half after both the worried couple and Renji left the apartment when I heard the door open. Sure it was Renji, I sat on the couch and waited for him to come up the stairs. When Ichigo's bright orange mop popped up over the small wall dividing the stairs and the living room floor I stood and cocked an eyebrow. Rukia wasn't with him.
He stared at me, his expression full of terror. I knew that Rukia was pregnant before he could tell me. "She is," he stated weakly, a hand reaching out and grabbing the small dividing wall for support as he seemed to be shaky on his feet.
"Ichigo, where's Rukia?" I asked, concerned about why he wasn't with her when I knew she needed him.
"She's home. She told me to leave," he said, his voice shaking slightly.
"Why? What happened?" I questioned, walking up to him and grabbing his arm, leading him to the couch carefully.
After we sat he spoke up again. "When we got home she was all quiet and I didn't know what to say. So I said that she could have told me right away. Well, that just pissed her off. She started screaming, saying she was scared and it wasn't her fault. I tried to tell her that it was okay, but she told me to leave. She said she didn't want to see me, so I just left," he said, staring ahead of himself with his horrified expression still plastered onto his face.
"Ichigo, don't worry. She really is just scared. She'll realize that she was overreacting, just give her time to cool off," I answered calmly.
He slowly started shaking his head. "I know, that's not what I'm worried about..."
Cocking an eyebrow slightly, I asked, "Then what is it?"
"I'm scared," he admitted, his hands nervously balling into fists. "I'm seventeen, I can't do this!"
I nodded, realizing how obvious it was. And of course he had every reason to be afraid, but the last thing I wanted was for him to bail out. I didn't really think Ichigo was capable of doing something so horrible, especially when he loved Rukia as much as he did. But the way he was talking, it worried me.
"Ichigo, you're going to be fine," I said, grabbing on of his hands lightly. "I know it seems really scary now, but don't worry. You have tons of people to help you and Rukia out, including me. Just calm down, alright?" I placed a hand on his back as he laid his head in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees.
Nodding he continued to hold his head in his hands. I put my arm around his shoulders and slightly pulled him closer. He leaned his head toward me, allowing me to comfort him. His hands retreated as he laid his head on my shoulder.
I hadn't heard the door open before seeing Renji at the top of the stairs, I had been too wrapped up in my conversation with Ichigo. He gave us a skeptical look, obviously not happy with our contact, but I ignored his petty jealousy and had no intention of pushing Ichigo away.
"So, she's pregnant?" Renji's voice boomed, killing the silence. He was demanding an answer more than asking a question.
Ichigo nodded, not looking up at him. I turned my gaze to Renji and felt a small glare cross my features, warning him to behave. He rolled his eyes, understanding and just went down the hall, not saying another word.
Ichigo pulled away from me after a few more minutes, looking more exhausted than scared now. He stood and said, "I better get back home."
Nodding, I walked him to the top of the staircase. "If you need anything, Ichigo, just let me know. Okay?" I asked, deeply concerned for them. Rukia was obviously not in the best emotional state, that was expected. But Ichigo seemed to be panicking also, I just prayed he could at least act strong for Rukia. I understood what he was going through, though.
"Yeah. Thanks, Mina. Sorry to just drop by," he said, his usual scowl suddenly reappearing on his face. That relieved some of my worries.
"No problem. Bye Ichigo, be careful on your way home." With that, he left.
I felt my glare from earlier return as I headed down the hallway. I entered my room and found Renji laying on the small bed tucked in the corner, his long legs hanging over the edge. He was lying on his stomach, his face burried in his crossed arms and he didn't seem to notice my entrance. I forced myself to calm down and my glare quickly faded.
"Renji, are you okay?" I asked, my voice collected.
He didn't answer. He just laid there, not moving at all. I crossed the room and sat down next to him on the bed, absently laying a hand on his back. "Renji?"
Sighing quietly, he sat up on his elbows and looked over at me. "What?"
"Are you alright?"
He looked ahead of himself again, focusing on the wall of my bedroom. Slowly he nodded his reply, still averting my gaze.
I grabbed one of his hands and scooted closer to him carefully, sliding down so I was laying on my back next to him. He wrapped an arm around my waist just as carefully and laid his head on my shoulder. "Look," I began, absently messing with his hair. "I know you're upset Renji. Rukia's you're best friend, I get it. But you can't just get mad at Ichigo. The last thing he needs is to be screamed at, he's anxious enough. Besides, he's right, you really have no right to be mad about something like this," I said, teasing him lightly. He didn't answer, not finding it amusing.
"You know I'm right," I stated, serious again. "Just back off a little, alright? And don't worry, Rukia's strong. She'll be alright."
He stayed quiet for another moment before asking, "Since when did you get sensible?" His tone told me he was teasing me, calm.
Smiling widely, I shrugged lightly. "I don't know. I've had a long time to think about their situation, just not about them."
He nodded again, seeming to get serious again. "You're pretty calm about this, aren't you?" he asked, talking about our own situation, I knew.
Nodding I said, "Yeah, pretty much. I know it's going to be hard, but I feel a lot better with you here." He seemed to tense up at my statement, confusing me. "What?" I asked, squeezing his hand lightly.
"You just...have too much faith in me," he stated.
Laughing quietly, I asked, "You think so?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't," I answered absently, leaning my head against his. I looked down at him and waited for a response, but he just stared off, his face not giving away what he was thinking at all. I decided to drop it, not feeling like getting into another serious conversation tonight. I was just glad he was home and that he was calmed down again.
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Okay, so there's chapter six! :D
I'm so glad I finally finished writing this! :3 It only took me two or three days, but still. Too long, lol. :P
Ha ah, I hope you all enjoyed Rukia's little surprise, lol! ;3
Hope you all enjoyed, please review!