Hello there! I apologise for taking such a long break. Here's the next chapter!
Once again, reviews will be replied either by PM or below! Thank you all for your support (:
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. But like, what's with the crazily strong quincies. And and, so is Toushirou still alive or what.
To: Senna
From: Ichigo
Sent: 2:35pm
It's fine, I know you're busy. Just promise me that you'll take care of yourself alright. Remember to drink lots of water and please get enough sleep. You're sleeping so little these days. I'm good, actually working on a new collaboration which I'm really excited about. Will tell you more about it when you have the chance to Skype again. Love you always.
-ooo-
"Oi, hold up!"
She spun herself around to meet eye-to-sunglasses with her landlord. It was one of those days where all she wanted was to just get through the day without having too much human contact. This man was clearly not getting the memo.
"That." She couldn't really tell where he was looking but he gestured towards the mailboxes. "If you're not going to collect it by today, I'm taking it."
It wasn't even the beginning of the month, when her bills normally arrive, why would she have mail? The metal lid creaked as she open to reveal a parcel sitting in her mailbox. Sporting a quizzical frown, she took the parcel before leaving the apartment building.
Does she have so much bills this time that it came to her in a parcel?
-ooo-
"You have an hour, starting from... now." The petite girl announced, standing in the front of the classroom of the cramp school she worked in.
The sounds of students fumbling around, flipping their papers, and scribbling filled the air while she slumped onto the chair before them. This was her favourite part of this job. She didn't have to do anything at all, apart from the occasional walk down the aisle to make sure that none of the students were cheating. But most of the time, she could just relax behind her teacher's desk. And the best part is, she was still paid.
After marking the papers of her previous class and finishing up her homework, she gave a curious side-stare at the parcel she received earlier which was left at the corner of the table when she first stepped into the classroom. She had planned to open it at home but... she didn't really have anything to do now. And, seriously, who in the world would send her a parcel? She had checked thoroughly before and there were no indications on whom the sender was.
Could it be him?
She was excited for a bit and reached for the box. As silently as she could, she quickly ripped apart the brown postage wrapping. And there it was, the source of her curiousity. Sitting on her desk. In another packaging. But it was clear what it was.
A cellphone?
As a natural reflex, she looked around her before opening the tabs of the box to reveal the device. She picked it up cautiously, inspecting it, before turning it on.
Was it hers?
After the usual starting animation, she stared at the homepage screen for a good minute before the phone vibrated and rang violently, signifying an incoming call. The fumbling and scribbling stopped as the whole class looked up at her. Giving an apologetic wave, she hurriedly swiped on the phone's surface to pick up the call.
Not really sure of what she would hear from the other side, she whispered, "H-he-hello?"
"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?!" Violet eyes narrowed with annoyance as she recognised that putrid voice.
"What are you talking about. I picked up the phone within half a ring."
"I CALLED YOU AT LEAST A THOUSAND TIMES. AND YOU ONLY PICK UP NOW?! ARE YOU DEAF?"
"If you keep screaming like that, I might as well be."
"What rude wordsssss! Who is that you're calling?" Rukia heard another familiar voice say at the background.
"It's Rukia."
Loud crashing sounds ensued.
"HOW COULD YOU TALK TO YOUR FIANCEE IN THAT MANNER. WHO TAUGHT YOU. YOU'RE MAKING ME EMBARRASSED THAT WE'RE RELATED. DON'T CALL ME DADDY."
"WHAT?! I'M EMBARRASSED BY YOU ALL THE TIME."
"Rr-rukia-chan? Are you still there?"
"Y-yes, Mr Kurosaki?"
"HEY! Give me back my phone." Ichigo was heard yelling.
"Hold on one sec, dear." A punch was heard, "How are you today, lovely? Daddy misses you very much!"
Rukia silently thanked the heavens that she wasn't physically there to witness that crazy scene. "I'm good. Uhh, I hope Ichigo is alright?"
"He's fine, he's fine. Don't worry about it. We're at Hong Kong now, at the new resort location, but you probably already know. It's looking great! It's a pity that you have school. Daddy would love to have you here with us. You love birds must have missed each other so much! No wonder my boy is so agitated by you not picking up the phone!"
"Uhhh..." Truth be told, Rukia didn't even realise Ichigo was gone. How long has it been? Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Yes, I do m-miss him."
Isshin let out a hearty laugh while stating that he wouldn't be holding up their time any longer and asking her to take care of herself.
"Hello." Ichigo simply stated once he got hold of his phone.
"Hi."
"So, I just wanted to know if you received the phone."
Her hands instinctively reached out to the box, "It's from you? Wait, do I have to pay for this?"
"It's a gift. You're welcome."
"Oh-"
"So you have no stupid excuses when I can't find you." Rukia frowned at this.
Isshin: "WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE."
"WHY ARE YOU STILL IN MY ROOM?" Ichigo yelled at his father before correcting himself, and saying begrudgingly, "So I can better find you."
"Well, thank you." Rukia replied with a slight smile.
"Yep, so uh bye."
Isshin: "That's all?"
"And I wish you a good night." He added.
Isshin: "Annnndddd?"
"And sleep tight."
Isshin: "ANNNDDDDD?"
"And love you, bye." Click.
Rukia let out a small laugh before something else in the box caught her eye. She put down the call and picked out a smiling rabbit trinket. "Wrong one, idiot." She smiles and placed the trinket on her phone anyway.
-ooo-
To: Ichigo
From: Senna
Sent: 3:05am
OMGOSH I'm really sorry for missing out on our Skype session again. I know I promised you we will have a "meal" together today but something caught up. I'm not ignoring your texts, it's just that work has been really hectic today. I could barely even catch my breath, and have not eaten at all today. I'm so sorry darling... I hope you're not mad at me.
-ooo-
Do you know the one thing Rukia doesn't get? Guys when they're eating. Well sure, she didn't really get males in general. But when they're eating. She really didn't get.
It has been two weeks since that day at the cramp school and, so far, she had been to four of Ichigo's appointments. They normally start with him texting her prior about the event, picking her up, dropping her off at some public washroom so she could change into one of those dresses that Shuuhei had so painstakingly handpicked, and they will both go to some fancy restaurant where Ichigo will introduce her and then go on with those long business talks. And they were ALL males. Meaning hardly ever any small talks. It was as if she didn't exist past the introduction.
She tried her best to understand what they were saying, or at least pretend to look interested. But the words they were spewing made no sense to her. And she was left bored to tears. At one point, she managed to figure out how to download games on her phone but was promptly given the disapproving stare by one Mr Kurosaki.
Then food is served! Which is pretty much her sole reason for even being here. Normal Rukia would have just wolfed down everything on her plate; but Dainty Rukia eats her food slowly, chews with her mouth closed and only takes a bit at a time. But no matter how slow she eats, those men would barely even touch their food as they continue to talk about their statistics and jargons and algebra. So she eats slower. And slower.
Just as she thought she was finally matching up to their speed, of lack thereof, she turns over and those bastards are already calling the waiter to clear up their empty plates.
What?
When the hell did they?
And she has to subtlety wolf down her food anyway.
So yeah, she didn't get men and how they ate.
-ooo-
And why has it all been just males?
One could only imagine the thrill in Rukia's eyes during her fifth appointment when there was actually another female.
They were at another of these ritzy restaurants with totally couture names that meant nothing at all. This one was called "Sketch". She was, as usual, introduced by Ichigo to his clients and one of his clients brought his wife. Her eyes brightened. This time, she wouldn't have to endure three hours of boredom. This time, she could, at least, be listening to words that she would understand. This time, she would finally have someone that would eat at her speed. Rukia had went on to give her a hearty handshake that lasted two seconds too long and proceeded to gape at the lady every move before she decided to speak to her. And she envisioned an evening of light-hearted chats while the men go at their business stuff.
"I thought you hit it off with Himeko-san, what happened?" Ichigo asked after a rather silent ride as he heads to her house. It had seriously puzzled the businessman when, at mid-dinner, the two had suddenly begun staring at their food or phones instead of talking to each other.
Rukia let out a exasperated sigh before answering, "I don't know. It was as if she was speaking in another language. Or maybe I was speaking a different language?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Slumping her shoulders, Rukia went on to explain how her night went.
"You thought Ferragamo was a FOOD?!"
"How was I supposed to know what it was?! She just asked me if I liked it, and we were in an Italian restaurant with dishes more than five syllables long that sounded almost like Ferragamo!"
"But you were WEARING a Ferragamo. I can't believe you."
"Then she talked about like plays and musicals and stuff. Which I could mildly understand from what I remembered in school, until she asked me who my favourite musical actor or actress was."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes at her, "Please don't tell me you said Anne Hathaway or something stupid like that."
"I'm not an idiot." Rukia snapped, "I told her it was Channing Tatum from the musical Magic Mike."
"WHAT."
"I'm kidding." Ichigo allowed himself to breathe properly before hearing her continue, "So she asked about hobbies and hers were flower arranging and riding horses. And I can't possibly tell her I like doing part-time jobs or collecting store coupons. And I bet there aren't any Ferragamo coupons either."
He chuckled at her antics. "You know, those things can be arranged. I could get Hisagi to sign you up for some classes-"
"NO. Thank you. But no." Rukia shot up from her previous slouching position. "I'm busy enough as it is. I really don't need another thing to eat into my precious time."
"Alright alright. But you're definitely going to an Etiquette Class. Seeing you wolf down your food all the time, how unsightly."
Rukia made a face at him.
-ooo-
"Hisagi. Have all the rooms searched. I would not allow a single of these fake flowers in my hotel." Ichigo said, cringing at the word "fake" as he held up a plastic flower in his hand.
While walking past the lobby this morning, he had immediately noticed a particular set of red tulips sticking out like an eyesore among its more legitimate counterparts. Apparently, the florist company Shiba Hotel was in partnership with had ran out of the hotel's signature red tulips and had sneaked in a few fake ones in order to cover up the error. Imagine Ichigo's horror when he found out that some of the hydrangeas were fake as well.
How long has this been going on?
"I can't accept this. Please note that we will not be renewing your contract when it ends in two month." He spoke calmly into the receiver as he sat down by his table. Speed-reading through a couple of documents on his table and signing some, he continued, "Yes, I do understand that we had been working together for a long time now, which further puzzles me on how you can let this happen."
"No. This call is not to negotiate any terms. It is just to notify you that I won't be renewing the contract. Thank you, Mr Takada. Have a nice day." The male hung up the phone before looking through the long list of florist companies that his staff had prepared for him.
He didn't even know why he was looking at the list when he already has someone in mind.
-ooo-
It was a quiet night at the cafe with only two tables of customers and a petite waitress cleaning glassware at the corner while reading an Economics textbook borrowed from the school library. Apart from the light clinking of the glasses and soft murmurs of the customers, the cafe was surrounded in a peaceful atmosphere with the OST of Spirited Away playing in the background.
Until...
"WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE, DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO GET READY?!" And in comes a tuft of fiery orange hair.
Startled, Rukia almost dropped the glass she was holding. "WHAT THE HELL- I almost broke that!"
"I told you to get ready an hour ago! Are you even reading your texts?! Why the hell did I get you a phone when you don't even check it?!"
"What's going on?" the store's manager asked as he came out of the kitchen with his long white hair tied up in a ponytail and suddenly the cafe was back to its previous peacefulness. Ukitake just had something about him that had the ability to make any raging beast calm. Ichigo reckons it was his pale skin, he wasn't too sure when exactly this man would suddenly collapse and die or something if he had spoke too loud.
"I was just looking for-"
"I apologise for this ruckus, Manager. I will sort this out." The waitress interrupted as she pushed Ichigo towards the storeroom.
"No no! Hold up! I don't have the time! I can't wait any longer." Ichigo exclaimed. Pushing past Rukia, he stomped his way in front of Ukitake and pulled out a cheque book before scribbling something on it and handing a single cheque to the manager. "This should cover the cost for the night. I need Rukia now."
"Uh, Mister. I-"
"Let's go." He merely said before grabbing Rukia and walking hurriedly out of the cafe.
"Stay safe!" Ukitake called.
It didn't seem to faze Ichigo when he literally bumped into every single passerby while scurrying to his car. Still holding on to her kitchen towel from before, Rukia felt her arms losing feeling due to Ichigo's death grip. He was walking so fast and pulling so hard that she could barely even feel her feet on the ground. "WAIT! Where are we going? Why the hell are you in such a hurry?"
"I've been waiting for this for so long. And I can't wait any longer."
"What?"
"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. I almost - almost - succumb to the urge to get a cheaper and easier solution way out. They were just coming to me anyway. But no. I still have my pride."
"What the hell are you blabbing about?!" Rukia screamed, now in shear panic. The words "succumb" and "urge" rang danger sirens in her head. He wasn't talking about what she thinks he's talking about, right? Using her free hand to grasp her top close, she summoned all the courage she had and announced, "I-I'm a person with pride as well. I don't go around giving... giving it. Where are we going?"
"To one of my hotels."
"WHAT?!"
-ooo-
"Stargazing. The term is stargazing."
After her huge outburst, Ichigo had to silence her by pushing her into the passenger seat of the car before speeding off to their destination. The whole time she was yelling and screaming, he had struggled to text Hisagi about his arrival while pushing her away from his face and trying to drive the vehicle. Upon reaching his hotel, which was really a villa, at the top of Sokyoku Hill, they head straight for the room already prepared for him. Thank God for personal assistants. He couldn't imagine the scene if he had to do a regular check-in with her shrieking beside him. He didn't even know what the hell her outbreak was about.
And here they were, in the balcony of his suite, as he looked intently into a telescope.
"We're not star-gazing. I'm looking for someone. He should be here somewhere."
Changing into fresh clothes, courtesy of Hisagi, Rukia sat on one of the daybeds provided and stared out at the magnificent view before her. From the balcony, they could see the lights of the nearby city as well as the coast of the sea on the other end. "So you're stalking him. Or her. Who is this person anyway?"
"He's the owner of Katen Kyokotsu, a company that provides gardening needs, including flower arrangements and holiday decorations. We recently ended a contract with the company that usually provides us our plants. And though I have many companies bidding to work with us, he's really the one I want." Sighing and taking a break from spying, Ichigo stood up and rubbed his eyes with the end of his palms. "But I've tried contacting him in every way I know possible. He's really temperamental, to say the least. So I thought, perhaps, I could somehow purposely accidentally bump into him or something. And the best way is to make him think I'm on a staycation as well!"
"Staycation? If this goes on after midnight, I'm charging for another day."
-ooo-
"You've been staring into that thing for two hours now. Are you sure he is out there?" Sitting up straight from her previous fetal position, she added, "The truth is out there."
"Haha. Funny. And he is, he checked in with his wife this afternoon. I just really hope they're not actually planning to stay in their room for the whole duration they're here."
"Yeah? I'm bored. Come, let me help you!" Rukia jumped out of the daybed and started wrestling the man, who was almost two times bigger than her, for the telescope.
"You don't even know how he looks like!" He argued while pulling her arm away from the device.
"Then, describe him to me!"
Deciding that his eyes were pretty tired anyway, Ichigo slumped down on the nearby chair and recalled, "He has long brown curly and unkempt hair. A really cool stubble that goes around his chin. Dead fish-eyes. And... an overall dishevelled look about him."
"Sounds like every guy in my neighbourhood. This should be pretty easy."
Scoffing at her, he continued, "Oh, and the previous few times I met him, he seem to have a liking for bright clothes."
"Bright clothes?"
"You'll know it when you see it."
"Uhh.. okay."
Apart from a few rare finds of some squirrels, a colourful bird, some couples making out, her search for this Shunsui Kyoraku was going nowhere. It wasn't long before the girl got bored at surveying every nook and cranny of the villa's outdoor area.
"Hey HEY! You're supposed to watch the grounds! Seriously, I just shut my eyes for like one minute-"
"I have my hands on a telescope and this is such a beautiful night! Come on, a few minutes isn't going to hurt. The stars are really pretty tonight!" He sighed at her excitement.
"Alright. Just a few minutes! And I'm taking back spying duty."
Still looking into the telescope eagerly, she waved at him and said, "Yeah yeah alright. I appreciate it. You're becoming kinder. That's a good sign."
"WHAT. I'm always kind!"
-ooo-
It was almost 10pm, and four hours since they started their surveillance. Rukia is back on the daybed, fiddling with her half-eaten dinner from the Room Service they called earlier while Ichigo stares out from the edge of the balcony, with his own plate on hand, and occasionally checking on the telescope. There weren't any news from his staff members that the couple left their room either. It really does seem that they're just planning to stay in the room.
"Oi. Ichigo."
"Hmm?"
"I've been thinking. You never mention this ex of yours. Did you guys broke up?"
"I'm not answering that."
"Hah! You didn't!" Rukia exclaimed as she sat up and pointed a finger at him.
"I didn't say anything! What's it to you anyway. Can we maintain a strictly employer-employee relationship? This is invading my private life."
"Pfft. Just so you know, I'm kinda engaged to you. I am your private life." She exhaled as she laid back down on the bed, her feet nowhere near the edge. "By the way, I'm totally cool with your choice anyway. I don't judge."
"My choice of what- what are you saying."
"Your choice of partners."
"I'm totally not cool with my current choice. And you don't get to judge who I choose anyway." He made a sudden move to face her. "Wait. You know who I'm dating?"
"No? How would I know?" Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm just saying I'm pretty open when it comes to sexual preferences."
"Sexual preferences?!" He almost flipped the plate he had on his hand. What the hell, did she think he was g-gay?! "I am not gay! And I don't think I even want to know how you came up with that conclusion."
She felt her cheeks heat up as they turned pink from embarrassment. She sputtered an apology before continuing, "A-anyway, when you proposed, you mentioned that she blew you off."
"Yeah." Ichigo felt himself being brought back to that moment when Senna called him on the phone to tell him that she had decided to fly away that very night for some movie. He had never felt so betrayed in his life. Filled with rage, he went on to propose to this very girl before him on impulse. In a way, he was grateful Rukia was so money-minded, he wouldn't know what to do if she had accepted based on feelings when, in his heart, he still loved Senna. That being said, he still haven't found the courage to tell Senna anything...
"Maybe she isn't ready."
"She's never ready. OW! What was that for?!" He yelled while nursing his head.
"Marriage is a huge thing! Especially to us, girls!"
"You accepted my proposal in 30 minutes."
Giving him a deadpanned look, she continued, "To you, marriage might just be a tool for you to get ahead in your business. But, to her, it's a whole lot more. Don't get me wrong, I'm not underestimating your love for her. I believe you both were truly in love. It's just that girls always have this romanticised versions of marriage in our heads, that sometimes, we have to... you know, reevaluate stuff. We have to make sure the person we're marrying is really the one, our other half, our soulmate."
"... yeah, I guess. But we've been together so long, you'd think she'd know, you know?"
She watched as he squirmed and fiddled with his shirt. It was an odd sight since, to her, he was always firm and stoic. "Where is she now?"
"In New York. She accepted a job offer there and she won't be back for close to a year. But, my family couldn't wait that long."
"I know. But you both still love each other, and if it's really meant to be, you'll be together some day."
He let out a small smile as he looked at the petite girl beside him. It was the first time he was really looking at her and there was just something peaceful in her eyes that made every fibre of his body felt calm. "Yeah."
"And when she's back, you'll go find her, right?"
"You bet."
"That's good." Rukia let out a smile as well as she stretched her arms above her head. "I just realise, this is probably the first time we ever actually talked to each other."
Letting out a soft chuckle, Ichigo replied, "Yup. And it wasn't so bad."
They spent the next 20 minutes in comfortable silence before Ichigo excused himself to use the bathroom. On the way there, he picked up his phone and stared at a number all too familiar to him. Pondering if he should call her, or even send her a text. She had been so busy lately that it's been days since they've had a good chat. He missed her. Placing the phone down beside the sink, he took a quick shower before deciding he should leave her with something to let her know he's been thinking about her, missing her.
He typed out, "Hey lovely, how have you been doing? It's been two days since we last texted. Just thinking about you. Has it turned cold yet? The leaves are starting to turn yellow here. I remembered how much you love autumn-"
"Hey, does this guy of yours have a wife that wears glasses because..."
And, her voice fizzled out as she stared at a very naked Ichigo standing in the middle of the bathroom, which she had so unceremoniously barged in, with his phone on his hand. They stayed staring at each other for five more seconds before a scream was heard.
"OMG I'M SO SO SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO. I MEAN, WHY ARE YOU IN THE BATHROOM WITHOUT YOUR CLOTHES." Rukia exclaimed with her face as red as a tomato.
"HOW ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO BATHE?!"
"YOU LOCK YOUR DAMN DOOR WHEN YOU BATHE. THAT'S HOW. ANYWAY, I SAW YOUR GUY. I'M JUST GONNA WAIT OUT HERE. MAKE SURE YOU'RE APPROPRIATELY DRESSED."
"You're the one who barged into the bathroom. I'm coming out soon, just give me a minute. God Dammit."
That's all I have for now! I don't know about this chapter, not entirely happy with it. But I would do my best for the following ones. Reviews are greatly appreciated!
Replies
Guest: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked their interactions! It is always fun to write about the Kurosaki household.
Astalina: Thank you for taking the time to review. And I really hope I do too. It's always nice to hear that someone appreciates your work. Thank you once again!
Fer: Thank you! Hahahah! True that. Canon Ichigo is as clueless and oblivious too. Hahahah. I hope you enjoy this one too. And since, it's way after Christmas... erm Happy New Year? (:
1234567: Hey! Thank you so much for the review. I really appreciate it. Yeah, they've been together for a considerable time so Ichigo still loves her. And yes! Just like canon Rukia, she will be the light of his life somewhere later on in this story. Thank you so much for your support!