Oh, thank goodness! Now your maddening curiosity can finally be resolved :) Haha Congrats to Curio Cherry who got the closest to guessing Rukia and Renji's situation! A sexy IchiRuki oneshot will be posted in honor of this fabulous feat as a prize within a week or two. Keep an eye out for it!

Sound the bugle now, play it just for me.
As the seasons change, remember how I used to be.
Now I can't go on, I can't even start.
I've got nothing left.

Just an empty heart.

Sound the Bugle – Bryan Adams

Chapter 17: Reality Check

-Ichigo-

The room was dead silent.

Tatsuki looked from her date to Rukia and back in confusion. "Wait. You guys know each other?"

Renji looked extremely uncomfortable and Ichigo noticed that Rukia was so tense she was almost shaking.

"Well, go ahead then. Explain yourself." Rukia had assumed a cold formality that Ichigo hadn't remembering seeing since they had all been in school.

Do they have a thing or something?

"C'mon, Ru. Can't we-"

"Don't call me that!" Rukia spat, interrupting the red head's plea.

Renji rolled his eyes and looked apologetically at Tatsuki. He whispered something into her ear before walking over to Rukia and trying to lead her away from the group.

Ichigo watched Tatsuki's face, expecting her to be upset, but instead she simply sat down, looking perplexed and concerned.

Then, he turned to see Renji take Rukia's arm in an attempt to escort her back out to the porch. Ichigo bristled in jealousy but Orihime put her hand on his before he could stand up.

She shook her head to tell him to stay put and then gestured to Tatsuki, still sitting patiently, as if to say they should follow her example.

What the hell is going on?

-Rukia-

"Miss Kuchiki, then" Renji spoke through gritted teeth as he pulled on her arm. "We need to talk."

He shut the sliding glass door behind them, letting her go for just a moment, and Rukia whirled around to face him.

She drew her hand back and let it fly, connecting hard with the side of his face.

"What are you doing here?" Their position on the deck was not visible from the living room and she spoke in a hushed voice so as not to alert her friends inside but the anger was still apparent.

Renji rubbed his cheek tenderly. "I understand you're upset but please, you have to listen. Byakuya will fire me if he finds out that you know I'm here."

Rukia scoffed. "Well, isn't that just a damn shame? What the hell are you doing dating my friends if you're supposed to keep a low profile? I can't imagine that was in your job description!"

"I'm sorry, ok? It was a mistake and I shouldn't have done it but I didn't know she was with you. I didn't find out until after that night you got into the fight with that guy."

The night I got into a fight?

"Oh…" Rukia clenched her fists in an attempt to control her temper. "You fucking idiot. You were there! You can't even do your damn job right! What would you have told my brother, huh? 'Oh, sorry! I was too busy screwing around to keep your sister from getting raped!'?"

Renji ran a hand through his long hair and sighed. "I was watching you the whole time, I swear. I just looked away for a second and before I knew it these guys were charging through the house and beating the shit out of the guy. I had no idea but I never would've let him take you anywhere, Ru, really."

He looked so guilty and pathetic that Rukia almost wanted to forgive him. "Why'd you keep seeing Tatsuki? Especially after you found out she was staying with me?"

A faint smile crossed Renji's face. "I don't know. She's just… She's really great. I've never met anyone like her before."

Rukia was surprised and touched by Renji's sentimentality but she hardened her heart and spoke truthfully, "You know, you won't ever see her again."

Renji met her gaze with the same candor, "And you won't see your new boyfriend either. I haven't told Byakuya yet because he never asked directly, but if you keep this up, I'm afraid I'll have to. He won't be pleased if he finds out."

Cold fear swelled in her stomach but she didn't allow it to show on her face. "He certainly won't be pleased when he finds about your neglect and scandalous escapades. Perhaps you should hand in your resignation letter now? You're no good as a personal assistant to him if you can't even handle this simple personal matter."

A wry chuckle escaped from the man's mouth in front of her and he stared at her for a long time before answering.

"I suppose you're right, Miss Kuchiki. President Kuchiki does not enjoy being informed of trivial things. I shall report this as a successful expedition and leave it at that."

Then, he bowed slightly and turned to head back inside, looking completely defeated.

"Wait." Rukia blurted out before she had decided what she wanted to say next.

Renji looked at her expectantly, but with none of the warmth and friendship they had shared over the years.

"You shouldn't break up with Tatsuki," she said finally, "I mean, her university isn't that far from Tokyo. Just say you met her in the city or something."

Rukia's eyes brimmed with tears but she looked away. "Besides, Byakuya wouldn't care if you were in a relationship. He'd probably even be happy for you."

She didn't make it obvious, but Renji heard the bitter comparison between her and himself in regards to her brother's expectations.

"That's very kind of you but our relationship was casual and temporary. We both understood that from the beginning." Renji looked sadly at the small girl. "I'm sorry, Rukia. Once you've finished school and taken your place in the company, I'm sure Byakuya will be less strict with you."

Rukia nodded slowly in response.

"Shall we return, Miss Kuchiki? I imagine your friends are quite concerned for you." Renji said gently, the teasing lilt in his voice apparent.

Rukia was relieved that his proper manner was now merely a joke between old friends rather than a threat between a master and servant. Still internally affected by their argument, Rukia allowed him to hold the door open for her as she walked back into the house, a smile pasted on her face.

"I'm sorry about that everyone. This was… a surprise to me as well." Rukia began, trying to find the right words. Renji remained in his place to the right and one step behind Rukia but when Tatsuki got up to stand next to him, he placed an arm around her waist as if the stance was habit.

Am I… jealous of Renji?

Rukia ignored the presence of the couple and focused on the people in front of her.

"Renji works for my brother, the president of Kuchiki Inc. My brother sent him here to keep an eye on me and… I suppose he didn't realize that Tatsuki and I knew each other before he decided to ask her out."

Shock registered on Orihime and Uryuu's face and Chad seemed thoughtful. Rukia didn't look at Ichigo.

"That being said, since we only have one day left here, Renji will not interfere with our vacation again except to escort me home when we leave." She turned in Tatsuki's direction but her eyes were lowered. "I appreciate you driving me here but since I have my own car now, I will be driving myself."

Tatsuki opened her mouth to say something but Renji stopped her. Rukia was thankful that she hadn't been interrupted.

"Renji will be leaving now. I'm going to bed. I'm sorry for the disruption. Good night."

Rukia looked at Renji, as if handing him control of the situation, and quickly made her exit. Ichigo jumped up as she passed but she didn't stop, fearing the discussion that would have to occur if she faced him.

Locking the door behind her, Rukia flopped onto her bed without pausing to remove her white and blue dress from that day. She squeezed her pillow tight against her chest and pressed her face into its softness.

Realizing that her Churaumi Aquarium Chappy was still sitting on the steps of the deck outside and that she wasn't able to face her friends, even to rescue him, Rukia cried quietly for the poor bunny's loneliness and its inability to do anything about it.

-Ichigo-

Rukia practically ran out of the room before he was able to talk to her.

"She'll be fine. Just give her a little time." Renji put a hand on his shoulder as he walked out of the house with Tatsuki as if he, a total stranger, could comfort him.

Ichigo shrugged his hand off. "Whatever."

Tatsuki gave him a scolding look but continued to lead Renji towards the front door. They closed the door behind themselves but Ichigo heard faint bits of their conversation.

"… stay here?" Tatsuki's voice asked.

"Rukia wouldn't like that…" Renji's low voice was clearer.

"Thank you… fun."

"I'm glad I met you."

"Well, I… maybe I'll see you around."

"Maybe."

There was a long pause and Ichigo tried not to imagine what the pair was doing on the other side of the door.

"Good night."

"Night."

Tatsuki entered the house again and brushed her hand over her eyes before realizing Ichigo was still at the bottom of the stairs, looking at her.

She sniffed and pulled her lips into her usual smirk. "What? You want something?"

Ichigo shook his head. He wanted to say that he was sorry that Renji was leaving, even though Ichigo didn't especially like him, because he knew that Tatsuki had never developed such serious feelings for a guy before.

But he knew she wouldn't want to hear it.

So instead he said good night and headed upstairs. He stretched out on his bed and pondered Rukia's actions, comparing her warmth towards him that day with her coldness just now.

Renji and Tatsuki were ending their relationship now. Would Rukia do the same to him when they left the beach?

He remembered the feeling of her small form in his arms as they danced and how her perfectly formed lips had almost met his just hours ago.

Then, he thought of the stuffed animal that she had forgotten outside.

Ichigo got up and quickly made his way downstairs. He stepped outside and found it sitting exactly where Rukia had left it.

Poor guy…

Ichigo felt a sudden companionship with the toy rabbit, both abandoned by the women they loved and trusted to always be with them.

He tucked it under his arm and brought it back inside. Chad was the only one still in the living room as he walked past and, even though he noticed the toy, he didn't say anything.

Ichigo set the rabbit on top of his suitcase in the corner of his room.

Rukia can come get it in the morning. He figured. That is, if she still wants it.

Ichigo felt a hollowness in his chest as he realized the deeper meaning of his words and hoped with surprising ferocity that she ended up retrieving the stupid thing.

So, how did that compare to what you were expecting? :) I hope I rocked your socks!

...how does that saying go again?

Reviews? :)