Happy Easter.
Thank you to everyone for reading, and to everyone that reviewed or added a story alert, I appreciate your thoughts and consideration. A special thank you goes out to Apocalyxtic98 for beta-reading.
Legend: Italics– Flashback
Contains Mild Language
With his thumb and index finger, Renji rubbed his eyes then dropped his hand back on the steering wheel. He was having a hard time adjusting to every light blinding him so early in the morning. The sun had hardly kissed the sky and it was already causing him problems. The sun was blinding, the red, yellow and green street lights were flashing, and the oncoming drivers who foolishly thought using high beams was a smart thing to do really pissed him off. Angry, but not deterred, Renji sped down the street looking irritated and extremely exhausted.
He raised his right arm in the air and slapped the velvet interior above his head out of habit and frustration. His mouth opened and a tired yawn developed from deep in his lungs. As with previous nights, sleep was something he vaguely remembered. Last night was no exception. Renji awoke with hardly two hours of sleep beneath his belt. Tossing and turning was a regular occurrence while the fresh stain of sake crusted along his mouth. Some had even found its way down the side of his neck, sloppy drinking at its best.
Turning into the parking lot of a dimly lit restaurant, Renji cut the engine off and sat back, staring at the building. It was a medium size facility with brown wood outlying the outside. Above the structure was a large white banner with the word Utsusemi written in dark penmanship. The sign on the front led one to believe that the building was closed but the light illuminating from one of the back rooms provided another view.
Renji left his car, remembering to pocket his keys, and walked toward the front of the building. Pulling on the door, he was surprised to find it was locked from the opposite side. He took a step back and scanned the building again. From first glance it appeared his eyes were playing tricks on him. The area was desolate. There wasn't a single person on the street nor any other car besides his own taking up a parking spot. He walked around to the back and stopped at the sight of a maroon 2010 BMW. He mumbled incoherently while pulling back the second door leading inside. He knew who was waiting for him inside.
Stepping through the back door, Renji ignored the main dining area with tables lined against the wall and in the center of the room covered with thin white table cloth, small plates and empty sake bottles in need of filling. Four three tier lights hung above his head waiting to illuminate the room. Renji didn't need the light to find his way to the back room. The shadow along the floor gave him all he needed to find the early bird that beat him to work. He pushed aside a blue curtain that separated the main house from the back and stepped into the kitchen. The silence was a welcomed change from the sound of boiling pots, overflowing water and workers shouting orders over one another. Renji walked further back until he stood in front of the employee room. He slid the white paper door aside and stepped inside without hesitation.
"Hey, Renji," The red head was greeted with a smile. "What are you doing here so early?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Ichigo? Your shift doesn't start until the afternoon, right?"
Sitting at a small wooden table in the corner of the room, Ichigo shrugged his shoulder. "Yeah, but I had some studying to do. I didn't want to wake up Yuzu, Karin or the old man so I came here."
"I see." Renji eyes the papers sitting on the table top. They were strewn about but still appeared to be in some sort of order. Two textbooks sat on either side of the table, one open and one closed. There was also an abundance of pens and pencils in the middle of it all.
"I'll be glad when finals are over. All of this studying is wearing me out." Ichigo yawned and rubbed the temple on the right side of his head gently.
Renji yawned and walked toward his locker positioned on the opposite side of the room. "What're you studyin' for?"
"Anthropology. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I picked this elective."
Renji slid his shirt above his head and retrieved a white button down collared shirt from his locker. "I told you that class was hard." His tone was smug.
"Save the 'I told you so' for someone else, okay?"
"You're the one who wanted to take that class." Renji sucked his teeth. "I know you're into the whole human body nonsense but that class is advanced."
"Since when has my interest in the human body become 'nonsense'?"
"That's not what I mean." Renji fixed the last button on his shirt and began unbuckling his pants. "I'm just saying that's one class you need to spend a lot of time and energy on."
"I know." Ichigo casually flipped through the open text book as Renji continued changing into his uniform. "With all the studying I've done I know I'll pass."
"That's good. Well, good luck to you, man." Zipping his pants, Renji wrapped a black apron around his waist and affixed a small notepad and two pens to the front.
"Thanks," There was a slight pause as Ichigo watched Renji fold the clothes he wore originally. "Since you're here, you mind if I ask you something?"
"About Rukia?" Renji replied bluntly.
"Well, yes, I went to see her yesterday. My sister's and I went to her estate to offer our condolences and our services." Ichigo spoke while doing his best to cover his emotions with his casual reply.
"That was considerate of you and your family. So I take it you and Rukia finally spoke to each other?" Renji inquired although he knew the answer to that question.
"No," Ichigo sighed. "I didn't speak to her but I did get a glimpse of her in the hallway. She was wearing that silk white robe I gave her a few years ago for Christmas."
Renji couldn't hide the look of surprise in his eyes. "Silk robe? You mean she was..?"
Ichigo shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes. "From where I was standing I could tell she just came from a bath. The material clung to her body like a second skin in places, hugging her womanly curves tightly and even giving her breasts a hug as well." He settled back and smiled. "I gotta say she has grown since the last time I saw her."
Renji glared at the smirk on Ichigo's face. Before his annoyance could force him to snatch Ichigo bald, he turned his back and began to fidget with his locker. He had no idea Ichigo had gotten so close to Rukia and hearing it now made his blood boil.
"I did accidentally see her naked once, you know."Ichigo remarked with a chuckle.
The red color of Renji's hair was no match for the similar color in his eyes. The one sided conversation in the room was overtaken by the sound of Renji's hand slamming into the locker beside his, incidentally Ichigo's locker. Even Ichigo's eyes snapped open, and he turned toward Renji, bewildered. It was clear he didn't expect that type of reaction.
"You-" Renji's shoulders began to shake. "You saw Rukia naked?"
"It was only for a few seconds, if that. She was standing in her window when my sisters and I walked toward her front door. I think she was going to draw her curtains closed when I happened to look up."
The nails on Renji's hand scratched against the chipped paint of the locker like a rusty nail on a chalkboard. In his mind he could see the imagery as beautifully as if it was he, and not Ichigo, who stumbled upon Rukia's accidental risqué position. His cheeks grew heated on the thought alone.
"It was no big deal." Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. "I've seen her naked before, not on purpose of course, but what's done is done, right?"
Renji hissed. "She was partially nude then, if you can even call it that. This time it sounds as if she was completely in the buff."
The smirk on Ichigo's face began to fade. "That she was, but, when I saw her in the hall none of what I saw earlier mattered."
"What?" Renji's head snapped toward Ichigo's direction.
Ichigo glanced down at his notes, his eyes growing stiff with sadness. "I saw her standing there and I—I don't know what I was even feeling." On the one hand, I wanted to run to her, scoop her up and welcome her home but, instead, I think my real emotions came out on my face before I ever had a chance to do as I wanted. I couldn't hide the fact that she pissed me off by ignoring me for four years for something I had no control over."
"You had no control over kissing Orihime Inoue?" Renji remarked coldly. His tone was very cut and dry.
"I DID NOT kiss her!" Ichigo's anger was seething. "She kissed me. What the hell was I supposed to do?"
"Beats me," Renji shrugged his indifference. "But from what I heard you didn't push her away once her pink lips were on yours."
"From what you heard, huh? Well, your sources are never wrong. I didn't push her away, I couldn't do that to her." Ichigo sighed remorsefully.
"So in the end you chose to hurt Rukia, instead?" Renji sternly questioned.
"Of course not." Ichigo stared off into the distance. "It wasn't like Orihime or I were dating at the time. I wasn't even dating Rukia exclusively. We just happened to go out a few times and other times you tagged along. I didn't know Orihime felt that way. I didn't know Rukia would react the way she did and leave. I didn't know that seeing her standing there yesterday would make me appear angry with her, but in reality..." His voice trailed off into silence.
Renji stared at the sullen man in the corner becoming nothing more than a crumpled shadow of his former self. Sorrow and regret lined the undertone of his face. His eyes wavered indecisively as if he was doing battle with his own thoughts and feelings. Despite what his eyes were seeing, Renji couldn't ignore the satisfying smile that forcefully found its way onto his lips.
"So you admit you're the reason she left?"
Ichigo studied the look on Renji's face. "Are you enjoying this or something?" He asked bitterly, glaring.
"I could never enjoy Rukia being harmed, intentional or not."
"You sound like she belongs to you or something." Ichigo scoffed. "I would never hurt Rukia intentionally."
"No, but you did do so unintentionally." Renji fired back.
The two stared at one another in silence before Ichigo turned his focus to his notes. He began shuffling his various papers and gathering them in one spot. The atmosphere was thick, so thick one could eventually suffocate. His belongings in order and put away, Ichigo rose and stretched as far as he could.
"So, you have class this afternoon?" Ichigo averted looking in Renji's vicinity.
"Yeah," Renji replied. "One class. It's not important."
"What class is it?"
"Soccer." Renji responded with a smug grin and a thumbs up.
Ichigo blinked his eyes in shock. "You idiot," he muttered. "That's not an actual class. That's practice."
"My joke lightened the mood a little though, didn't it?"
Ichigo couldn't hide the smile on his face. "I guess so. You're the one who got all serious in the first place."
"If it concerns Rukia you know I don't play around." Renji walked over to Ichigo and pulled up another chair to sit in.
"She's been your friend longer than mine, I get that, but my feelings for her are different than yours."
Renji scoffed and turned his head to the right. His dark eyes looked for anything to focus on, something that could keep his attention. The last thing he wanted was to give any tell-tale signs about the true nature of his feelings.
"If I would have known things would get this messed up I never would've gone to that party." Ichigo remarked.
"So, tell me-" A curious look flashed over Renji's eyes. "Do you still see Orihime around?"
Ichigo nodded. "I run into her every once in a while."
"Every once in a while my ass," Renji sucked his teeth. "You have class with her."
"Had class with her. I haven't had any classes with her for two semesters."
Renji turned back toward Ichigo and rolled his eyes. "You both are going into the medical profession, aren't you?"
"Yes, but she's going to be a nurse. I haven't fully decided the path I'm going to take." Ichigo's eyes caught a fleeting look at the cover of his textbook. He truly had no idea of the path he wanted to take in life.
"Become a doctor." Renji leaned forward in his seat and held a single finger in the air as if an idea had just struck him. "A doctor and a nurse make a perfect couple."
Ichigo shook his head almost immediately and held up his hand, palm side toward Renji. "Not interested."
"Not interested? Who are you interested in?" Renji sat back in his seat at the hard glare Ichigo was giving him. The answer was obvious. "Right...I would've thought you'd gotten the hint when she left and didn't say two words to you."
"You really know how to keep bringing up the past, don't you?" Ichigo's shoulders sank as low as his moderately beating heart.
"I don't mean to but you remember how angry you were when the fifteen letters you sent her were all returned to you. The only thing darker then the red words, Return to Sender, stamped in the envelope was the color of your face. You were madder than I've ever seen you."
"I had every right to be. She didn't even give me a chance to explain my side of the story." Ichigo's hands slowly formed into fists.
"Explain?" Renji threw back a laugh and launched into an imitation of Ichigo. "Oh Rukia, it's not what it looks like. She slipped and I caught her with my lips."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "You really are a bastard."
"And you need to face facts. There is no explanation you can give that can make up for that night."
Ichigo could feel his heart sinking deeper and deeper in his chest. It was painful and unbearable at the same time. His body ached and he winced at the overall feeling of regret. He couldn't help it. One night, one kiss, left him with more questions than answers and a past that continued to haunt him.
The crowd was growing, the heat was overwhelming and the air conditioner blowing air through the vents was doing its best to keep up with it all. Exhausted from parting through the crowd, Ichigo excused himself only to wind up in the first vacant room he could find. He flipped the switch on the nearest wall and looked at his new surroundings. The room was spacious, with moderately high, white ceilings and equally white painted walls that would make anyone think they stepped in a hospital. One whiff of the air and Ichigo was forced into a coughing fit. The mixture of paint and spackle made his stomach churn. He rushed to the open balcony and inhaled a deep soothing breath. There was a chill in the air but that wasn't important. Under the full moon and stars scattered in the night sky Ichigo felt relief that he could finally breathe again.
No longer feeling the effects of a wet painted wall, Ichigo's forearms fell over the balcony rail and he slouched his posture. The bristled ends of his hair swayed lightly with the wind. His eyes closed and his mind wandered toward the future, his future. Wrapped up in his own cognitive desires, he failed to realize he was no longer alone. It wasn't until the hobbled sound of heels striking cement reached his ears that he acknowledged his new companion.
"Here you are, Ichigo. I was afraid you left the party."
Ichigo positioned his body upright and smile genuinely at his company. "Hey, Orihime. I just wanted some fresh air. It seems I stumbled into the wrong room though."
"Wrong room?" Orihime glanced at the bare room over her shoulder. "Is something wrong with it?"
Ichigo glanced at Orihime, skeptical that she didn't notice the stench of paint in the air. He decided to let the matter go. "So what brings you out here?"
"I was hoping I could share a soda with you." Orihime surprised Ichigo with two cans of soda from behind her back. "Are you thirsty?"
Ichigo extended a hand and received the cold beverage against his skin. He glanced at Orihime, taking her presence in entirely. Her long waist-length burnt orange hair picked up with the wind, wafting a few strands onto her face but she didn't seem to mind, or notice. A pair of blue hair clips was keeping any remaining strands from finding their way into her eyes. Around her neck was a thin chained choker, wrapped twice to shorten the length. Her body was wrapped in a long flowing thin layered red dress with black rose imprints stenciled throughout the fabric and equally thin spaghetti straps to hold it against her thin frame. The dress accentuated her large breasts but concealed them from prying eyes. It wasn't his intention but Ichigo couldn't help but stare.
"Is something the matter, Ichigo?" Orihime questioned in concern, oblivious to where Ichigo's eyes were trained on.
A light blush warmed Ichigo's cheeks. Embarrassed for staring, he popped the cap on his can of soda and threw it in quick, heavy gulps. He regretted drinking so quickly when he felt the acidity bubbling in his throat. A violent cough ensued follow by a belch that mortified him more.
"Ichigo!" Orihime dropped her soda and rushed to his side. She placed one hand gently on his back. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I just drink the soda too fast." Ichigo composed himself. "You look nice."
Now it was Orihime's turn to blush. "Oh, this?" She gave herself a once over. "I borrowed it from a friend. I could never afford something this nice on my own."
"Well tonight marks the end of high school and the beginning of our future. You might be able to buy dozens of dresses like that one in a few years," encouraged Ichigo.
"Thank you, Ichigo. Do you mind if I ask what college you're going to?"
"I'm going to stay local and attend Karakura University. I finally received my acceptance letter last week." Ichigo replied.
Orihime smiled. "That's a great idea. I'm still waiting for confirmation of financial aid before applying anywhere. Maybe I will see you at the University."
"It's possible. Renji and I are going to share a room. Rukia is attending the university too. She hasn't decided if she wanted to live on campus or at home with her sister and brother in law."
"So you three will be together throughout college." Orihime's smile started to fade. "That's great. I know you're very excited."
Ichigo shrugged. "It's not excitement, per say. It will be nice to see a familiar face on campus, though."
Orihime's smile lingered in the small creases in her cheeks but it looked forced and out of place beneath the drooping of her brown eyes. She stepped away from Ichigo, her back toward him, and observed the bare room.
"Is something wrong?" Ichigo asked, his eyes fixated on the back of Orihime's head.
"It's just that...you all are so lucky." Orihime raised her right arm and gently laid her fingers against the bone just above her breasts. "You, Rukia and Renji know where you are going after high school. You don't need help from anyone. I don't even have a foot through any college doors."
Without hesitation, Ichigo placed his hands on Orihime's shoulders. He ignored the shiver that traveled along her spine or the heat that was radiating in his direction. "We all don't have it so easy as you might think."
"What do you mean?" Orihime gently wiped the underside of her eye with the side of her right index finger.
"Renji works part time to pay for any books and other items he may need. His tuition is covered but he hasn't gone into specifics as to how that's possible. My guess is his guardian Mr. Urahara is the cash cow behind Renji's paid tuition, but, really, it's not my place to guess. Rukia may have her tuition and books paid for in advanced thanks to her brother in law's wealth but she's confused on what she wants to do with her life. She has her own fears as well."
Orihime turned toward Ichigo, looking up into his brown eyes while trying to keep her tears from falling. "What about you?"
"Me?" Ichigo wasn't sure what to say at first, but simply went with the truth. "I'm considering getting some part time jobs so my old man doesn't have to contribute too much. The life insurance from my mother is also being used but to be honest I'd rather not use that money for school."
"That's very kind of you, Ichigo, wanting to save the money your mother set up for you."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Why is that kind? Lots of people would preserve some memory of their mother's love for them."
"Yes, of course." Orihime jumped and tried to correct herself. "I just meant you are very considerate."
"I guess so." Ichigo lifted one hand from Orihime's shoulder and scratched the back of his head. "We all have our own crosses to bear but we aren't letting any of it stop us. You shouldn't let anything stop you either."
"You're so kind, I mean, thank you." Orihime tore her eyes away. She grabbed the hem of her knee- length dress to stop her hands from fidgeting. "Um, Ichigo, can I...I want to..."
"Hm?" Ichigo was puzzled. "What is it, Orihime?"
Swallowing a lump of saliva lodged in her throat, Orihime shook her head nervously but caught his eyes with her own. "I want to..." She shook off her nerves again and flashed a firm, determined stare. "I want to ask you something, Ichigo..."
"Ichigo? Hey, Ichigo, where is your mind at?"
Blinking in rapid successions, Ichigo's vision focused solely on a voluptuous set of breasts that smashed into his face. Caught off guard, Ichigo screamed and fell backwards off his chair, landing on the cold hard floor. He had a little time to rub his bruised rear end before the same big breasted woman was once again in his face, this time with her finger pointed directly in between his eyes.
"And what were you daydreaming about, hm?" The feisty woman arched her back and slid her arms up until her fingers lightly touched the base of her neck just below a few strands of purple hair. Her large, seductive golden eyes flickered with a desire beyond Ichigo's youth.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Yoruichi?!" Ichigo shouted, his pride more bruised than anything else.
"Are you embarrassed because you fell over or because I caught you staring?"
Ichigo watched Yoruichi turn her body to the right and arch her back more, stretching out a few stiff spots. A mischievous grin soon followed.
"I wasn't staring. You're the one who put your...those things in my face." Ichigo rose to his feet and dusted himself off. "Do you have nothing else better to do?"
"I should ask you the same thing, Ichigo." She said his name in a sing song tone while plopping her behind on the table. "You and Renji were just sitting back here in silence. Were you both just waiting for your hot manager to show up?"
Ichigo's eyes focused on his crumbled notes beneath Yoruichi's ass. "I got here early to study. Would you mind getting off my study materials?"
"Study materials?" Yoruichi didn't bat an eye at what she was told. She just kicked her legs back and forth. "Don't change the subject. Tell me, how old are you now? 29? 30?"
"...22." Ichigo responded flatly.
Yoruichi playfully pouted. "Awe, you're out of my league then, junior. I'm much too mature and older than you." She laughed.
Flustered, Ichigo attempted to grab his notes and yank them free from being a cushion to Yoruichi's posterior. He managed to grab a few sheets of paper without destroying them, all under the watchful eyes of his manager.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Ichigo caught her eyes on him.
"Of course I am." Yoruichi's grin widened and remained that way as a loud howl echoed off the walls.
Manager and co-worker looked at the back door as it swung open and Renji rushed in with a black cat affixed to his shoulder and a white cat on his right ankle. Their claws were fastened into the skin beneath Renji's black slacks providing them a base to cling to. Furious tears welled in the red head's eyes.
"Awe, it looks like my little pets love you, Renji." Yoruichi teased.
"Damn you, Yoruichi! How in the hell is feeding these alley cats part of my duties? This is ridiculous." Renji snapped. He shook his leg to free the beast attached to his lower extremity.
"If you want a paycheck at the end of the week then you won't talk that way about my pets. They're homeless. We should care for them."
Renji blew a raspberry. "So that's why they are always out there, howling like they don't have any common sense. You keep feeding them fish and milk!" Renji pointed an accusing, yet shaking finger at Yoruichi. "If you like them so much then why don't you take these flea bags home with you?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Yoruichi hopped off the table and swayed her body to the right, her hand gently resting on her hip. "But lest you forget, it's your home too."
The color drained from Renji's face. In his outburst he hadn't realized that he invited his enemies into the sanctity of his home.
"Dammit..." He cursed himself for thinking so rashly. His eyes developed a hazy glare toward Yoruichi as she chuckled not too far from him.
"You hear that, my little babies? That means Renji can care for you all the time." She continued to tease.
"If you two are done taunting each other I'm out of here." Ichigo stated with his blue bag draped over his left shoulder.
"I see." Yoruichi glanced at the table that no longer held Ichigo's belongings. "How much longer do you have with school?"
"This is my last year. Taking a year off after high school set me back but I'll graduate soon." Ichigo replied.
"Well then, get out of here. Don't let us stop you." Yoruichi casually waved goodbye. "I'll see you for your shift this afternoon."
Ichigo threw up a lazy wave. "Yeah. Later, Renji."
He parted the curtain separating the back room from the kitchen and left without another word. He felt frazzled by his conversation with Renji and dealing with Yoruichi but he had to put all of that behind him.
There was still the matter of his final exam left to contend with.
Time was never something Rukia paid much attention to, whether she lived in Japan or over in the States. If she needed to be somewhere, she was there. If she sat in the middle of a lecture it was over when the teacher dismissed the class. Keeping track of time wasn't her forte. She ignored it every chance she got. However, right now, she couldn't take her eyes off the dime size watch affixed to her brother's right wrist. She watched the second hand tick-tock its way from twelve to three to six and nine then back to twelve again. Her shoulders slumped as she sighed. Time was obviously not on her side.
"Rukia, sit up." Byakuya directed, although the tone softened the order into a request. He glanced at her through the corner of his eye. "Is something wrong?"
Rukia sat up but her head remain lowered. "No, brother. I was just wondering how long we would have to sit in this room."
It wasn't really the room that bothered Rukia. As far as the decorum went, Rukia couldn't find a reason to complain. There were wall mounted antique three tiered lights all around the room, a plush carpeted floor that was well maintained and even a small table that held up a small waterfall display. The center of the room wasn't half bad either. The large wooden table was aligned with pillows on all four sides, two of which were occupied. Rukia felt comfort in her surroundings but it wasn't enough to calm her nerves completely.
"Are you cold?" Byakuya noticed Rukia's hands shaking against her lap.
"No, I'm fine." The quiver in her hands continued much to her displeasure. She became startled as Byakuya started to remove the black blazer that went with his three piece suit. "Brother, you don't have to-"
The blazer was on her shoulders faster then she could finish her sentence. It was warm and after a few seconds she welcomed the heavy drab that was placed on her. Her fingers touched the dark gray velvet lining which was softer than any material she owned. Even her silk robe couldn't compare. She drew the blazer around her body completely, not intimidated by its sheer size. It engulfed her petite frame with its soft material. If it wasn't for the top of her head peeking out one would question who or what was sitting beside the head of the Kuchiki family.
"Thank you," She finally managed to say. Rukia inhaled sharply, the smell of her brother's cherry blossom cologne tingling in her nose.
Byakuya held back his response. The sound of the door to the room opening grabbed his attention. He started to rise but was asked to remain seated.
"You shouldn't stand for me, sir. I am the one who arraigned this meeting." Hatori spoke as he closed the door was walked further into the room. He noticed the bundle seated next to Byakuya. "Is it cold in here? I'll have the temperature adjusted."
Rukia sat up and slid the blazer lower around her shoulders. "The temperature is fine." She started to remove the garment but felt Byakuya's hand lingering on her lower back.
"I don't want it back." His response once again sounded like a direct order. "Let's proceed."
Hatori nodded. "As you wish. Let me begin by saying it is nice to see you both here today given the premise of this meeting. During the initial call this morning I asked that you bring some ideas that you'd like to see at the funeral and after."
Rukia slowly reached for her purse. She hated having to write down anything related to her sister. Not because of anything negative, of course, but it just reminded her that her dear sister was no longer amongst the living. She pulled a small folded piece of white paper from her purse and reluctantly slid it over the table. She watched Hatori unfold and read the contents quickly.
"White and pink?" Hatori looked up at Rukia for clarification.
"Growing up I remember those being her favorite colors. Can we use them?" she spoke as clear as she could.
Hatori gave a genuine smile. "Yes, we can incorporate these colors if you'd like. I brought a book of different flower arrangements and caskets you can look through. As with traditional funerals I take it she will be cremated afterward. Have you both discussed where she will be buried?"
Rukia's head was spinning. She unintentionally sank inside Byakuya's blazer. Hearing the words buried, casket and flower arrangements made her ill. It was all becoming too real. Her eyes glanced upward at Byakuya but he was still, his eyes as shut as his mouth was. He didn't appear as if he was going to say a single word through the whole meeting, Rukia sadly realized.
Her purple orbs lowered to the two books placed in front of her, both for flower arrangements. She simultaneously thumbed through the pages of both, waiting for something to click. She stopped abruptly on two pages in particular. On the left was an all-white casket with polished gold handles. It was opened, revealing a plush white material stitched into the casket as well as a large pink banner to write words about or for the deceased. On the right was a large floral arrangement of leafy green leaves on the bottom and blooming pink flowers on top. There were so many flowers Rukia couldn't count them all. She pictured the arrangement sitting atop the white casket and knew she had to have both.
"Is this what you'd like to use for your sister?" Hatori asked, noticing Rukia's failed attempt to turn to any other page.
"Yes," was all Rukia could say while sliding the books back to the funeral director.
"Then I will get this ordered for you immediately. I can arrange a plethora of flowers for the alter. Can I take it that cost does not matter?" Hatori looked from Rukia to Byakuya.
"We are burying someone very dear to us. Why would we care about the cost?" Byakuya questioned, his gray eyes staring daggers at Hatori. His look brought a chill down Rukia's spine. She snuggled deeper inside her brother's blazer.
"Forgive my ignorance, sir. I always make it a habit to ask. I understand. I will make sure everything is in order. The wake will be in two days, the funeral and cremation immediately following the next day. Will she be buried anywhere in particular?"
"Your ignorance is showing again, Mr. Hatori." Byakuya said sternly. "We have a large family grave that will be used."
Rukia could see Hatori's nerves growing like mold on the outer layer of his skin. Her brother was obviously making him uncomfortable by the look in his eyes and the words he spoke. She had to admit that she also felt uncomfortable by the harsh banter going back and forth.
Hatori was frazzled, bowing like there was no tomorrow. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm so sorry." He would repeat again and again.
His words fell on deaths ears as Byakuya rose to his feet, a surprised Rukia doing the same. "I trust we will hear from you sooner rather than later?"
"Yes," Hatori stood up quickly with an apologetic and sympathetic look on his face. "I will call your manor tonight with all the details."
Byakuya offered a stern nod and left without as much as a thank you. Rukia bowed respectively and thanked Hatori for his time. She shuffled after her brother with his blazer still hanging over her shoulders. Once they were alone in the elevator she finally handed him his coat which he reluctantly accepted.
"Brother, don't you think you could have been nicer to Mr. Hatori?" she asked in a general tone. She didn't expect an answer.
"As professional as he seems on the outside he is incompetent on the inside." Byakuya cast his eyes toward Rukia. "This is a delicate matter. I will not tolerate a man trusted with helping us honor Hisana act so flippantly."
"I understand," was Rukia's curt reply. She really did understand, however, she silently wished he wouldn't come off so harshly. This was, after all, a difficult time for both of them.
The chime of the elevator bell alerted the pair that they reached the first floor. Byakuya's blazer rested comfortably back on his shoulders, fitting as well as a custom tailored jacket should. Rukia was close behind, the light ruffle of the yellow, spaghetti-strap spring dress she wore swaying with every step she took. They were outside the building within seconds. Rukia shielded her eyes as best she could from the rays of the late morning sun. She followed Byakuya toward the blue Rolls Royce parked outside with a well-dressed man in a black hat and matching suit holding the door open.
"Rukia," Byakuya stopped abruptly almost causing Rukia to slam into him. "Are you hungry?"
Rukia's eyes wavered. She was caught by surprise, but she smiled all the same. "Yes, I am."
Byakuya started to walk again, climbing into the vehicle and taking his seat on the right side behind the driver. Rukia smiled and took a single step toward the car. She could move no further, however, once her sun-ridden eyes caught a sight she wasn't expecting. Just a few feet away on the opposite side of the street were a man and a woman walking side by side.
The man was casual, walking with his right arm over his shoulder, holding something she couldn't see. He was smiling and talking by the movement of his lips. The woman was on his left, carrying a small black bag in front of her waist. She looked at the man and smiled. The look on the woman's face was familiar; It was a look Rukia experienced whenever she would to see the same man. It was a look of lust shadowed by desire and love.
She followed the duo with her eyes only, a tingling sensation in her chest. Unable to look any further, she climbed into the car and sat on the backseat opposite her brother. Through the window she could see the pair walking side by side, their matching orange hair glistening in the wind.
It was at that moment her smile turned upside down...