"A Flower in the Attic"

Chapter Nine: The Ghost of the Night

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

"Where the heck is that lake? I've been going in circles! Fuck! I shouldn't have come here!"

After supper Ichigo went back to his room to get ready to go to the river. He only took his jacket and then waited for his father to arrive and retire to their room before going to the lake. Nel gave him the duplicate keys in order for him to get back inside the Mansion. He met her at eleven o'clock in the living room and then she bid him goodnight. Telling him she needed to sleep early feeling tired.

Ichigo has been walking in the forest for almost an hour. He followed Nel's instruction to go straight in the east part of the woods but he still hadn't found the lake. He was totally lost and he felt really tired, annoyed and stupid. Most of all stupid.

After ten more minutes of walking he finally found a pathway. The trees were scattered farther from each other and were getting thinner and thinner.

"Wew! At long last! Note to self, never go anywhere I'm not familiar!"

He saw the lake shining from the moonlight. Just like what Nel said it was really clean and beautiful. It was a sight. Everything about the lake seemed calm and inviting. It looked like he could stay and sit beside it all day or for a long time. It was a good thing Nel forced him to bring some snacks to pass the time eating.

"I must be insane having picnic in the forest, in the middle of the night. I look stu-"

A naked girl.

There was a naked girl emerging from the water. Her back was facing him and he could see the entire of it. Even if he couldn't see her front he knew she was wearing nothing based on the view. Her body was of the purest white Ichigo has ever seen. It was easy to see that it was as smooth as cream and seemed to glow in the moonlight. The girl's body was so small it looked so fragile. She looked sick and pale which made Ichigo wonder if she would break once he touched her. Her legs looked long and soft the same as her neck and her best asset looked firm and very round. It was evident that she had a body of a woman. A simple sexy woman. Before he knew it he was already behind her.

He was careful enough to not startle the young girl and was silent with every steps he made. But once he was nearer, he saw her back upclose and it shocked him to find an unwanted sight. There were cuts on her skin. Deep reddish and fresh cuts on her lovely skin. The wounds haven't healed yet and they all shined after being cleaned in the lake.

She came out of the water and bent to pick up the pieces of clothing she apparently left on the ground. Her head turned sideways searching for anyone around. When she found none she turned around to search more but was shocked to find Ichigo behind her.

Her eyes were wide with disbelief. She was looking straight at Ichigo who in turn did nothing but stare at her. He recognized the girl who mysteriously disappeared two nights ago. He was once again captivated by the intensity her big violet eyes were giving.

Both of them weren't moving. they were both waiting for the other one to make a sudden movement.

Mesmerized by her. Ichigo took a step forward and lean over the girl which cause the young one to move away from him. Afraid of the girl running away again Ichigo's instinct told him to grab her and stop her. It abruptly halted the girl from getting away and dropped her clothes. Ichigo noticed that there was that familiar fear he saw before in her eyes.

"Don't run. I'll let you go but promise me you're not gonna run."

Ichigo showed nothing but sincerity. He would show the girl that she could trust him. "I just want to talk. I not gonna hurt you."

Nothing seemed to get in to the girl. She still looked frightened and wouldn't stop fighting his grip. She was looking everywhere for some source of an escape so Ichigo decided to convince her more before letting go.

"I want you to know that you can trust me. Now, if you won't do anything foolish I will loosen my hold."

He saw the girl nodded. He smiled a little and slowly put down her arm that he was holding. His hand opened and released the girl. She stopped moving and was holding her breath.

It was the wrong move. When he retreated his arm the girl dashed away from him as fast as she could leaving him cursing his stupidity. She even left her dress on the ground and was running without anything on.

But before she could hide again he tried calling her attention and begged her.

"Please! Don't go! I want to know you!"

His words sounded desperate and loud in the deserted forest. But it worked. The girl stopped her legs and was now facing him. Her eyes were full of nothing but curiosity. To his amazement she opened her mouth and utter a single word.

"W-Why?"

Now Ichigo was certain. It was indeed the girl before in the kitchen. He wouldn't forget the voice of that girl. It was surely one of a kind. Tough and very beautiful. The one he accidentally found sneaking inside the Mansion. She was in front of him once more, speaking and was giving him a chance to converse with her.

"I want to know you. Please don't go. Wh-who are you?"

"If you want me to stay then don't ask questions!"

Ichigo couldn't stop smirking. The girl got some nerves. She was the one caught before and was the one standing naked but she was also the one who was commanding orders. It amused him to see her irritated or annoyed. And to test the water first, he decided to remind the girl of her current state.

"Wow! You really are something. But before we get to know each other, you might wanna start putting on your clothes." A smirk ended Ichigo's remark.

The girl was red on the face. She looked down at her own body and saw that she was wearing nothing. Totally exposed. She tried covering herself by crouching low on the ground.

"Fuck! Then why are you staring at me? Turn around and stop looking!"

Ichigo did what he was told but not before having doubts that she wouldn't take the chance to leave. He only did it because he figured that if she really wanted to run she could have done it already. He became anxious to turn back and face her again and couldn't wait for her to finish dressing up so he decided to talk to her while she put on her dress.

"So, you're really not gonna tell me who you are?" a few seconds passed before he heard the woman making some noises behind him.

"No! I still don't trust you! But, who are YOU?"

"You're stubborn! Name's Ichigo. Ichigo Kurosaki. This is the second time I've seen you. Tell me, why were you in the Mansion?"

"I CAN'T tell you that. I told you, no questions! But just out of curiosity, why were you in the Mansion? Do you live in that... That place?"

Now Ichigo was sure the girl won't try to escape anymore. She seemed intrigued by him and he got her attention. "Fine! Do what you want! Don't answer any of my questions! But before I answer yours can I turn around now?"

There was no answer and Ichigo took it as a yes. He saw her all dressed up and was now covering her body with a long white dress. It was a very thin piece of clothing and he could see through it. His face became hot from the view she was giving him and it didn't help that she wasn't wearing anything beneath her dress. His face was becoming even redder with each time his eyes averted to her breast. And being a man, it was just natural for his gaze to roam her entire body.

"He-here, take this. It's cold out here you might get sick." He gave the girl his jacket to add more clothing covering her. It was big enough for her that it reached below her thighs. And when Ichigo saw her body hidden already he relaxed more and let out a breath he was holding.

"Th-thanks."

"No problem." The girl didn't seem on planning to leave him so he took the opportunity to be with her. "Would you like something to eat? I brought food with me. I could share them with you if you want." 'Please say yes. Please say yes!'

The girl looked at the basket on the ground beside a tree. Ichigo could see that she was having second thoughts so he wished harder and prayed that the girl would agree.

"Fine. But don't do anything funny!"

A smiled crept along Ichigo's face. He nodded and absentmindedly took the girl's hand and pulled her to the spot where the basket was. So eager to have someone with him to sit by the lake that he didn't notice how it stunned the girl that he held her for the second time but the gesture was nothing like the first. it was softer and warmer. Her hand fitted in his perfectly and when he looked at their joined hands he saw how they matched together. It made him feel empty when the girl suddenly retrieved her own from his grasp. And sat on the grass beside the basket without looking at Ichigo.

Ichigo did the same and sat beside her. He looked inside the basket at the food that Nel prepared for him silently thanking the green haired girl for the concern. He saw sandwiches, apples, and two juice boxes. They weren't many but it was enough for him and the girl. "Feel free to get anything you want. Here," He passed her a juice box but not before opening it for her first. She was hesitating at and it gave her a very cute expression that Ichigo found funny and let out a chuckle.

"I'm sorry I didn't get the joke!"

"Wh-? Ah! No no no no! I just think that you look so cute when you're pouting."

The girl blushed from his comment but disregarded it easily. "I don't care! Answer my question first! Who are you and why were you in the Mansion two nights ago?"

"Hhhmmm... Alright! I live in the Mansion. I mean, I live in the Mansion for now. My father is a doctor and he takes care of the oldest Kuchiki. I'm just accompanying him and we'll be here for, I don't know perhaps a month. Does that satisfy you?" his eyebrows arched at his last sentence.

"Is something wrong with gr- with the Kuchiki? Is he getting any better?" Her eyes were wide as saucers, inquiring him.

"My father said he is really sick. He said he might not survive long. And why are you worried? Do you know him?"

"Huh? Ah- n-no! Th-the Kuc-Kuchikis are quite famous around here. Because of their donations to different organizations and their help to the community. I-I'm ju-just a b-bit wo-worried. That's all."

"Alright. Can I really not ask you questions?" Ichigo took two sandwiches and gave her one. He tore the packaging first for her and then passed it which she grabbed eagerly and took a bite. She seemed to be thinking for a while analyzing what he said.

"Fine! But don't expect me to answer everything!"

"Geez! Are you always like this? You're irritated even when I'm not doing anything!"

"What? Look who's talking! Excuse me, you're the one with a scowl planted firmly on your face!" the girl shouted a bit loud that she startled a few birds nesting by.

"Okay! Okay! Just answer my questions then cause I have a lot! First, how old are you? You look small and young and, small."

"Ouch! Why the fuck did you do that?" Ichigo was rubbing his aching head.

"You don't need to emphasize the word SMALL! I know it. You don't need to rub it on my face! You deserved it! You're very arrogant and obnoxious! I'm fifteen turning sixteen in a few months."

"Look who's talking! Whatever! Che! Where do you live by the way?" Ichigo was still rubbing his head where he was hit hard.

"I-I live ne-near here. Just outside the forest..." the girl took a sip from the juice box and looked away from the boy beside her.

"Hhhmmm... Alright! Next, what are you doing here? Isn't it late to go swimming? Especially in a forest where it's dangerous? not to mention the fact that you're alone."

The girl looked away from him staring in the direction of the Mansion before replying. "It's the only time I could do this and my brother can't come. He needs to take care of our sister and brother."

"Your brother? Oh! Now I know who hit me the other night! It was that brother of yours! Tell me where he is and it's payback time! That son of a bitch!"

Ichigo was mumbling too much that he didn't even notice the girl moving her arm and hit him on the head again.

"Urgh! That's the second time you hit me!"

"Well like i've said, THAT son of a bitch is MY brother! Why would I do something that could harm him? You are such an idiot!"

Such a strong girl for a very small body. He looked at her and saw how petite and unhealthy she really was. It bothered him to see her like that. She was still eating quickly like there was no tomorrow. Completely unaware or didn't care that a boy was next to her. A girl usually eats like a princess when sitting beside a boy or someone she doesn't know. But maybe she was only acting normal. Perhaps she was the kind of person that didn't care about what others think of her.

"Are you... Okay? I mean, you look sick. You're very pale and your skin looks like it hasn't seen the sun before. Are you okay?"

The girl fidgeted beside him. Her violet orbs averted everywhere but on him. She stood up abruptly and smoothened her dress. She was preparing to go all of a sudden. Ichigo noticed her actions. He too stood up and with wide eyes asked the girl what she was doing. Worry was evident in his tone. Thinking perhaps he offended the young girl.

"What's wrong? Did I say something?"

"Huh? Ah! No, it-it's late. I have to go. My brother's waiting. I promised him I wouldn't take long."

"Oh! We-well then, I-I guess y-you should go." His tone was far from glad nor really willing to let her go.

"Uhm, can I ask for a favor?"

"Sure. What is it?"

Her eyes were full of concern. It was easy to see how much it bothered her what ever it was that she needed to ask.

She took Ichigo's hand and gripped it tight with her own. "Please, I beg you. I would do anything. Please, don't EVER tell anyone you saw me. Not even your father or the Kuchikis ESPECIALLY them. Please..."

'Her eyes might be the most beautiful pair I've ever seen.' "I won't tell anyone but you have to do something for me."

She was still holding his hand and even held it tighter. And when she heard his last words she stiffen for a second. "I would do anything."

"Meet me here tomorrow night. The same time." Ichigo was having too much fun. And he wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon. If the mysterious girl could accompany him on the days to come it would surely be as interesting as their first night together. The girl smiled. A true smile. Very sincere and loving. It suited her so much because it was as lovely as her face. With her violet eyes shining reflecting the moon.

"I promise."

She dropped Ichigo's hand and once again for him it felt empty missing the warmth the girl gave. He stared at her while she took off his jacket and offered it to him.

"No! You tak-"

"I can't! I want to, believe me. But, my brother would be furious! He- he doesn't like me talking to strangers. I'm sorry."

"Oh, tha-that's fine I guess." He took the jacket from her and sighed. Without the jacket, he could see her entire body once more. It made him feel hot. It was so hard for him to ignore her. But her skin made him remember what he saw before when she emerged from the water.

"Can you do something about your wounds? I don't think it's a good idea to just leave it alone."

The girl's eyes snapped at his words. It had meant that Ichigo was observing her. "Don't worry I would treat them later. I have to go. Bye, Ichigo..."

It was the first time he heard her speak his name. And he realized that he still haven't asked her name yet. But the girl already took off so he had no choice but to shout for her. "What's your name? I want to know. Tell me."

The girl looked back at him and smiled for the last time.

"Rukia! Just call me, Rukia!"

She ran faster this time and vanished from his sight.

'Rukia... I definitely remember that one.'

A/N: I want to finish this as soon as possible. Sorry for any mistakes!

Thank you for reading! ^_^