First of all, I want to thank all the readers that took a minute of their time to express their thoughts and feelings on this fanfic. Your ideas and feelings mean a lot to me and fuel me to write more to this.

- Zerolr -

Chapter 5 – That One Thing

Rukia dashed into the kitchen with a wild look in her eyes screeching like a banshee.

"Give back the money! Give it back! I will have no part in it!!!"

After saying this, she threw a stack of hundreds she found underneath the pillow when she woke up.

"Relax, Hun, I didn't steal anything," Gin replied coolly while eating scrambled eggs he made with iced tea.

Rukia nervously settled into her chair, "How can I believe you?" she asked noticing that he prepared a plate for her as well.

"I borrowed this from a friend."

"Borrowed without asking."

"No, borrowed after asking, but never returning," he corrected with that never ending smile.

Rukia huffed as she stood from the table. Gin looked up at her with curiosity.

"I'm going to work," Rukia proclaimed.

"…"

She turned and walked to her room to change. Gin moved his gaze towards her plate and saw it untouched. Rukia opened the drawers and started to pull out the clothes she needed to wear.

There is no way I can quit my job. He's probably worried that he might be discovered through me. But in fact, if I quit now, wouldn't it be obvious that I played a hand in his discharge? It would look too suspicious. Besides, I like my job. The pay is not outstanding—but I enjoy working with Dr. Urahara, he's witty funny and very understanding. Nemu is a strange woman but she's sweet as well and we have nice conversations. We're always covering for each other.

That place is the only reprieve I have from the outside world. My only chance to think about anything besides what I'm going through.

"Rukia-chan," spoke a voice.

Rukia was half dress in only her underwear when the door had unknowingly been pushed open. Gin stood at the entrance his arms resting on the frames of the door. The kitsune eyes were slightly open; a crimson color seeped out of them. Rukia flushed embarrassed and anger swept through her veins.

"Listen—you don't know me when I fuckin get pissed. Get the fuck out of my room."

Gin lowered his arms from where they rested and reached for the doorknob.

"I did you a favor—you're free, anyway you're supposed to help me—not take control of my life."

The sliver haired man's face remained expressionless as he slowly began to close the door.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, as the door slowly closed. Rukia huffed grabbing her shirt to put it on. Gin rested his back on the door, slowly thinking.

I was mistaken—she's not as weak-minded as I originally thought she'd be. I only started to see that when I started to live with her. I gotta say that's an unexpected surprise… But I can still work around that.

But before all that there is one thing I'd like to take care of first.

"A—choo! Excuse me!"

"Are you sure you're okay Matsu?" Renji asked.

"Oh of course, silly," Matsumoto teased.

"He held her hand tightly as they continued to walk through the park. It was quite hot but the breeze continually blew making it somewhat chilly. Matsumoto wore a sexy sleeveless top, a mini skirt and strapped heels.

"I think you might have a cold."

"A cold—oh come on," she laughed clinging on to his arm, "Who gets a cold in the middle of the summer?" she giggled as she looked straight into his eyes.

He leaned towards her and kissed her lightly, his lips just savoring hers.

She giggled again and they both stood still in the mist of trees and passerbys.

"I love you, Matsu."

"I love you too," she whispered before they kissed again.

End Chapter

Notes: Urgh… this chapter was kinda dry—I have future plans but I have trouble building the bridge to connect to those plans. Please bear with me…

Preview

Later on in the evening, the phone rang and Gin picked it up, _______ answered on the other line.

"So when are you going to make a move, Ichimaru?"

"Not so much a hello? I don't think I'll do it till you say pretty please…"