"A Flower in the Attic"

Chapter Eight: Pure Chance

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor Flowers in the Attic.

"I want to be out of here! I can't take it anymore!"

A girl with dark shoulder length hair was screaming with all her might, arguing with her older brother. A topic they frequently talked about. It has been the most usual thing they always do whenever the younger one was struck with boredom.

"You know that can't happen right?" The boy answered with less enthusiasm. Pleasing his sister was what made him happy unfortunately what she demanded was something out of his reach.

"Why? Just because that old hag said so? I hate this!"

The boy put down the book he was reading. It was the only thing that took his interest. The book was about medicine and he has memorized the whole content in his heart. Wanting to be a doctor in the future was his dream and it was the sole reason he was surviving and keeping him sane.

"Have you forgotten the trouble you put us into? Was it not your fault for being careless and got us caught? We're lucky enough that the boy didn't tell anyone. Otherwise we'll be facing another punishment. I can't bear seeing the twins get hurt once more."

Guilt was evident in the girl's eyes. She looked away from embarrassment and replied. "I know. How many times are you going to blame me? I was not careful enough. But how was I supposed to know there was that orange haired boy in the kitchen? We were starving! The twins hadn't eaten for days and it was the best time to sneak in to find food!"

The boy smiled at his sister. He stood up from bed and hugged her. Comforting her as best as he could. He could feel the pain she was going through and felt her shaking from his touch.

"I'm not blaming you. It was an accident. Let's just be thankful we weren't caught. Calm down."

He looked at the girl inside his arms and saw how sad she was. "Alright, you can go to the lake tonight. But I have to stay here. We need someone to watch over the twins. We're not yet sure whether that boy said anything or didn't. Can you take care of yourself? Promise me you won't do anything foolish."

"Don't worry. I won't make you worry. That ugly old hag won't hurt us again!"

"Apparently you haven't learn a thing from me. It seems you still need to be 'educated' more. I don't tolerate people speaking in that kind of manner."

An old woman wearing a long dress barged in the room unexpectedly. The four people who were risiding inside abandoned what they were doing and stared at the woman. The twins playing on the floor abruptly sprinted to where their brother and sister were and hugged them tightly who hugged them back obscuring them from the view of the old woman. They all cowered in the corner backing away from the person invading their own little time. They all stared at the woman with fear and trembling bodies as she reached inside a box on the floor and took out a long black whip. It seemed to shine from the light of a lit lamp giving it more frightening look it could have.

"Let's see... Who shall go first...?"

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"What happened to you? Your father said you were sick."

Nel was walking in the garden with Ichigo in the afternoon. The sun was about to set and the forest was starting to get dark. Ichigo and Nel decided to take a walk in the garden to entertain themselves before dinner.

"Yeah, I was sick. Just a little."

Nobody knew what happened to Ichigo two nights ago. Fortunately it was his father who found him unconscious on the floor with blood spilling on his face. He tended to him quickly and cleaned up the spot with blood in the kitchen before Ichigo even woke up.

He told his father what he saw and who he saw. They thought of telling the Kuchikis what happened but it might cause distress to the oldest Kuchiki and affect his health so they both decided to just ignore the whole incident and forget whatever happened. Ichigo hid in his room for two days to avoid anyone seeing his wounds. His head was bandaged and it was very visible to the eyes.

The two continued strolling not talking for a while but just enjoying the scenery surrounding them. They saw the huge gate in front of the Mansion and some birds flying around the forest.

"Wow! I can't believe it." a curious Ichigo breathed out.

"Huh? What is it that you can't believe?"

"I can't believe that I've been stuck here for a few days now! I'm so bored! This," Ichigo pointed out in his surroundings to emphasize his point. "Isn't exactly my kind of life!"

"Wow! You are that bored! Tell me, do you miss your old life or someone in your life?" Nel was arching her eyebrows at Ichigo waiting for a reply.

"Wha-? Are you serious! If you're asking me whether I have a girlfriend then, no! I don't have one."

"Really?" Nel suddenly fidgeted. Feeling her heart skipped a beat but whatever the cause was she didn't know. All she knew was how much she wanted to hear the boy's assurance to her.

"Yup! I don't have a girlfriend."

Relief washed through her for some reason she didn't know. She smiled at Ichigo and nodded. Motioning him she understood well.
An idea popped in Nel's mind. She knew how much it bothered Ichigo that he was stuck in a place he wasn't accustomed to.

"Why not venture in the woods? Tonight? I am certain the forest will give you the thrill you are looking for."

Ichigo gave a thought of what Nel said. It would be a change of scenery and he could have the privilege to be away from the creepy Mansion for at least a few hours.

"Isn't it kind of dangerous to stroll in the forest? It isn't exactly a stroll in the park right?"

Nel smirked at the worried Kurosaki. "Don't tell me a boy like you is afraid of a little challenge? Can't you go by yourself without your father by your side for a little while?" Her tone was sincere but the meaning was in full jest.

Accepting the challenge the voluptuous woman is giving him, Ichigo showed her a smirked of his own. "I am not scared of being alone. I am just making sure no one will get angry if I am going in the woods. Tell me, since you've been living here ever since you were a child, is there any particular place inside the forest that I should visit? Some place that would catch my eyes?"

"Of course! Why not try the lake. There is a lake deep inside the forest. If you'll go straight to the east from the Mansion you will find it. You could go swimming it has the purest and cleanest water here in Karakura."

Ichigo thought of what to do. This is something he needed. He could spend a few hours outside the Mansion even if it isn't outside the forest. At least he would be alone and his father wouldn't be able to bother him for a while.

"Alright then, but why not accompany me?"

Nel sighed feeling disappointed of the situation. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere during night and the old Kuchikis would go balistic once they heard she was gone. As their only heir they make sure she was always safe. They always watch her where she's going and kept an eye on her at all times. The forest is forbidden for her. "Hhhmmm... I'm sorry but I can't. I don't think I could risk my life getting caught. Just be safe and come back before it gets too late. They lock the Mansion's doors and gate at exactly ten o'clock. I would give you spare keys to help you get back inside."

Ichigo stood up and looked around them. It was dark already and supper was to be served in less than thirty minutes. It was time for them to break up their chitchat. "Alright, I'll be careful and be back by midnight. Let's go. They must be waiting for us by now."

The two of them went back to the Mansion and had dinner. For the first time in three days Ichigo was looking forward to something. Although it was just a simple river still, he couldn't stop the feeling he was having.

'Hmp! I'm like this because of a lake? Che! It better be good.'

A/N: Consider this chapter as part 1. I will update it after two days.

Once again, THANK YOU FOR READING! ^_^