AN: :D Yes yes, I am finally updating this fanfiction, so please excuse the long wait. I honestly have no half-assed answer to give you all, so I must just apologize. *hands everyone who has been patiently waiting freshly baked cupcakes* It will be short and sweet, because I need to work a couple of one-shots and maybe a brand new multi-shot IchiRuki or yaoi.

Warnings: Swearing, AU, OOC, extreme flaming on a certain character, and a bit of violence.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. That is all.

Chapter 12: Behind the Sweet Mask

Rukia P.O.V

To say I wasn't feeling like crap would be saying that Shirayuki's complexion isn't white. Here I was, sitting in my favorite little café, Sung Sun Bakery Goods Shop, that was a couple of blocks away from my apartment. Gripping the porcelain coffee mug tighter in my small hands, a frown made way to my face. The transparent clouds of steam puffing up from the dark colored liquid made me feel slightly mesmerized. After crying for what felt like a hundred hours into Ichigo's soothing warm chest, I fell asleep on him. I woke up to an empty bed, shivering as I missed his warmth already. After taking a luke warm shower, I changed and went out of the comfort of my room, noticing that Ichigo had left. Slowly letting go of my death grip on the mug, my slim fingers trailed the smooth surface of it. Turning to the side, I reached into my jean pocket, taking out my Iphone. Opening to the bright screen, I slid my finger over a app that opened up. Pressing another small icon, a picture popped up.

Here was a picture of Hisana, sitting up on a white bed, large pillows propping up her frail form, the white yukata looking baggy on her slim body, and there was a bundle in her arms. Looking up at her face, she had the largest smile that she had ever sported in her life, from what Nii-sama had said. Her eyes were closed, though I could see the tears streaming down her pale cheeks. This was my most beloved picture, besides the ones Ichigo and I shared. Nii-sama had this tucked away from everyone, till it was my thirteenth birthday, and he gave the old, tattered black and white photo as a present. It was the best present I would've ever gotten from him.

"Rukia-chan?" a familiar voice pipped up behind me. Unable to hide my smile, I turn around to find Tsuki, wearing her long silky brown hair in twin low ponytails, her magenta eyes searching my face.

"Tsuki!" I said happily, getting up from my seat abruptly to go and wrap my skinny arms around her body in a friendly embrace. After meeting Tsuki, I completely felt like she was like the sister or closest to a loving guardian I never had. Feeling a hand pet my head lovingly, she laughed lightheartedly, the warm soothing sound making me feel a bit better. Letting go, I straightened myself, beaming at her. She blinked innocently, a smile soon dawning upon her face.

"What's gotten into you Rukia? You seem a lot more cheerful than the last time I visited." Tsuki giggled lightly.

"Well, I guess things have happened in making me do so." a uncharacteristic sly grin made way onto Tsuki's face.

"Oh? So Kurosaki finally grew a pair eh?" she chuckled, mainly to herself. Repressing the will to shudder, I stared at her baffled.

"T-Tsuki? What are you talking about?" I stuttered. She merely blinked innocently, tilting her head to the side.

"What do you mean Rukia-chan?" I felt the need to sweat drop, this woman seriously confused me to no end. Sighing to myself, I caught her staring at me, magenta eyes soft and loving again.

"But seriously Rukia, what has gotten you so cheerful? Not that I mind, but I just want to thank that person or something for doing so." I looked away, staring straight out the clear glass walls of the shop, everything appearing grey due to the cloudy sky.

"I guess I've done some thinking. And the fact that I have Ichigo and you to have to help comfort me." I said, turning back to smile at Tsuki. She returned it fully, nodding.

"I gues–" an annoying chime broke Tsuki off. I blinked. Wait, was that the theme song for the anime The Seaweed Ambassador? Taking out her phone from her small dark red velvet clutch in her hands, she tapped the screen before placing it delicately next to her ear.

"Hello Bya~kun~! What is it? Do you need Tsuki to get you something for your tummy-aches?~" I sweatdropped. Che, I thought so... "Ok~! Tsuki will get you some nice hot coffee! Do you want whipped cream and chocolate chips like last time?~" after waiting for a moment she "mm-hmm-ed" and with that she hung up, placing it back into her purse. She turned to smile at me sweetly.

"Sorry Rukia-chan. I'm going to have to cut this visit short. Bya-kun needs his coffee! Maybe next time all right?" I was utterly speechless, so all I could muster up was a quick nod. She beamed before– for the love of dear Kami – skipping towards the counter like a giddy high school girl, her aura of sweetness and innocence rolling off in waves. Most likely on purpose too. After happily telling what the cashier what she wanted, and before I knew it, she held two regular-sized coffee cups in between her small hands, walking towards me with a large smile still plastered on her pretty face. Doesn't her face get numb from smiling like that all the time?

"Come on Rukia, I'll walk with you until I reach my car. I parked it quite a ways from here." I nodded, grabbing my belongings and leaving a tip on the table before joining Tsuki outside the door. Walking along side her, I noticed a couple of men who were walking past us or were on the other side of the street looking at us. Or should I say they were ogling Tsuki. I had many good-looking and beautiful women as friends, I work at a magazine company that only talks about hot models and the newest trends after all. But Tsuki was this type of other-worldly beauty that many women would kill for, getting distracted, I suddenly bumped into Tsuki's back softly as she abruptly stopped. Looking up, I noticed Tsuki staring heatedly at a gruesome looking guy, smirking at her.

"Well well, well ain't you a looker. Come on sweetheart, I'll show ya all the fun places I know." he chuckled while his eyes bluntly traveled over her body appreciatively. I glared at the man in disgust, and apparently he caught me staring.

"What're you looking at brat? Stay out of this, this is some adults business ya hear?" he said, stepping forward in order to try to intimidate me. I inwardly scoffed, just some scum, all talk but no show. But my eye twitched at the "brat" part. I was fucking twenty-two.And the last time I checked, twenty-two doesn't count as a child anymore. So the bastard was making fun of my height eh?

"'Brat?' I'm twenty-two now you ugly bastard. Now I suggest you get out of our way." I glared menacingly. The man seemed to falter at my attitude, but soon enough that ignorant smirk came back. Walking quickly towards me, he harshly grabbed my arm, and I winced from the tight hold. Gripping it tighter, he chuckled, the smell of alcohol and the pungent smell of drugs filling my nose. I gagged and turned away from him, but he tugged me back using his other hand to grip my chin.

"Oh? So you want to have some fun too eh? Well you can–" with a grunt, I felt his hands release me as he collapses beside me. Blinking, I looked up to meet eyes with a very pissed-off looking Tsuki and alongside her was Ichigo who was sporting the same exact look. Well about 200 times more angry.

"Listen you ugly ass-faced bastard, I didn't care that you were spewing your garbage towards me, but if threaten my dear Rukia-chan, well, let's just say you won't be having a happy ending." Tsuki smiled menacingly, the dark aura spreading all around. She cracked her knuckles, the sound making the man gulp. Ichigo stepped towards the man, bending down and grabbing him by the front of his shirt. The man started trembling madly like he was having a stroke. Deep brown eyes glared heatedly at him.

"Care explaining to me what the fuck you're doing to my girlfriend?" I inwardly shuddered at possessive tone he was using. The man merely made what sounded like a squeaking noise. Glaring once more, Ichigo stood back up at his full height, bringing the man up with him. Raising a fist, he punched the man square in the cheek, sending him flying a couple of feet into the air before falling down hard onto the gray pavement. After a while of not showing any signs of consciousness, Ichigo turned to face me, and gave me one of those genuine smiles that made my heart practically jump out of my rib cage.

"Hey Rukia, you all right?" I managed a nod, and he sighed with relief. I looked over at Tsuki, who was talking on the phone. I couldn't help but overhear her conversation, and let's just say it wasn't a friendly 'Let's have a coffee'.

"Hello? Yeah, this is Gekko. I need you to pick up this scum bag that pissed me off. Where? On Yukimura street. Make sure he gets a nice welcome from Harribel. Right. See you later." she spoke in a authoritative, gruff voice that didn't sound like her whatsoever. I sweatdropped. Was she a part of theYakuza? Noticing me again, she blinked, magenta eyes gleaming before she beamed.

"Oh Rukia-chan~! Are you all right? I thought that man was going to hurt you badly!" she started, putting back on that facade of a sweet girl. I sighed.

Guess I found out what's truly behind that sweet mask of hers...

That's it for now! Hope you all enjoyed it and please review!

Ja ne!