The Trouble with Love-games
Eventually, you are going to lose…
Yo. So guys, I feel like this story is starting to be a little lack-lustre, so I am thinking of wrapping it up fairly soon. I do however, have plans for a sort of sequel, although I don't know if I will ever write it, it is about them all going away on vacation together, so I would like to know if people would read something like that? That is all.
Moochy mooch.
…..
Rukia had just finished explaining the morning's events to Rangiku, Momo, Urahara and Yoruichi.
She sat there, on the sofa next to Rangiku, who had a supportive arm around her. She did not know what to do.
They were all very supportive, offering her financial aid if she needed it and offering their couches as beds, making her tea etc, however, she did not feel any less numb than she had since the minute her brother had slammed the door of his participation in her life, never to open it again.
Despite being surrounded by friends, she had never felt so alone. It wasn't helped by Ichigo's temporary absence, but he was the captain of the soccer team, she could hardly have asked him to miss practice. He had of course offered to cancel it, but the last thing she wanted was to seem like a burden.
…
An hour later, Rukia stepped out of the large gleaming white tub that was located in the fancy bathroom at the end of the corridor in Ichigo's flat, the same as the one she had previously visited in Rangiku's flat.
It had indeed been Rangiku, who had persuaded her that she would feel much better if she had a nice hot bath with lots of bubbles. Whilst this hardly solved Rukia's problems, she could not deny that the warm water felt like just what she needed at that moment.
She dried herself off gently, walked to the couch in the corner, and began to dress herself for work.
Rangiku and Momo had tried to insist that she should call in sick, and that Shunsui and Jyushiro would totally understand and let her off this afternoon. However, Rukia, to the support of Yoruichi and Urahara, had told them she would much rather go to work and have something occupy her mind, than stay at home doing nothing. Besides, if she was somehow going to afford her own place, she needed every penny she could get.
….
"Rukia, I can't help but notice that you look a little down today, is there anything wrong?" Her concerned manager, Ukitake questioned her about an hour into her shift.
"Well er actually, Ukitake, there is quite a lot wrong. My brother hates me and I have no where to live."
"Are you serious!"
"Wouldn't be a very funny joke would it?" She replied darkly.
"I am going to have words with Kuchiki! How dare he throw you out! After everything you have been through! What disgusting behaviour!"
"No, please, I am almost glad to not be living with him any longer, it is just, well, I don't really know where I CAN live. I don't have much saved up, so finding a place is going to be tricky."
"Well, if you need any help, or extra shifts to help out financially, you just let me know Rukia."
As he walked away, she couldn't help but sile to herself. She was really touched by how concerned everyone seemed, and how much they were all willing to help her, most of them she had only known a few weeks!
It had only strengthened her resolve that she would be happier living no longer in the shadow of her older brother.
As 4.50pm came around, Rukia's best friend Isane appeared at the bar, wanting to grab a coffee to take to her seminar, complaining about how she had been up since early this morning preparing a presentation on the history of anatomy.
"Bet I can top that" Rukia told her friend grimly.
She explained.
"He called you a what! That is horrible Rukes, what a dousche!"
"Mmm" she sighed to herself.
"Well, if it is any help to you, a room just became free in my flat, a guy drunkenly flooded his ensuite and subsequently the whole flat, so they kicked him out. The room is being re-done, they said it will be another week before they look for a tenant, but I will totally recommend you!"
"Really? You would do that!" Rukia smiled for the first time all day.
"Yeah of course silly, what could be better than living with my besty!"
"Thank you so much! By the way, its 5, shouldn't you be…"
"Oh CRAP! I have to go, see you Rukes, I'll text you about the room later!"
And Rukia's smile stayed there on her face until the end of her shift, when Ichigo came to meet her, complete with jacket, tie, and an outfit for her to change into, announcing he was taking her to dinner whether she like it or not. That just made the smile even bigger.
….
"Wow Rukia, that is fantastic, you could be living like two blocks away!"
"It would be convenient yes, and I do love your flats! But they are so expensive… I just don't know how I will afford the rent, and food, and books, and…"
"Stop right there, Rukia, this is going to make me sound like a prick, but hear me out."
She looked at him across the table, as the waiter came and took away their empty starter plates. As the waiter moved away, Ichigo continued.
"I have more money than I even know what to do with"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Hey don't do that, I did warn you! As I was saying. My dad is a top doctor at the most expensive private hospital in Japan, who by the way, is practically chewing my ear off about meeting you, I actually think he cares about you more than me already… anyway, the point is, I'm not offering to pay. I understand that this is something you want to do for yourself, but, seeing as I missed Christmas and your birthday this year, anytime you want it, there is a blank rent cheque waiting for you."
"Ichigo, I can't take that kind of money from you"
"Don't be silly, I know to you it seems a lot, and here I go sounding like a twat again, but one semesters rent cost less than one month of insurance for my car."
"What is it secretly a rocketship or something? That is insane!"
He ignored her mocking.
"I want you to live nearby, and be happy there. If you ask me, a semesters worth of rent is a very small price to pay for such a special thing" He put her hand in his, stroking it gently, reminding her that he was there.
Rukia found herself welling up as her main course was placed in front of her.
Luckily, the arrival of more food had meant that Ichigo was too busy stuffing his face to notice.
The fact that he cared so much for her made her realise it all over again. He loved her, and he had never meant to hurt her. In that moment, she could not believe they had almost lost everything over a childish bet. No. Nothing would ever come in between them again.
He reached over to her plate attempting to steal a mouthful of her seabass.
Slap.
"No greedy, this is my food!" She said with a fake reprimanding look.
"Mean midget"
She grinned evilly, licking her lips as she ate.
"God that is so hot."
"What this?" She said innocently, licking her full lips slowly and deliberately.
"You have never looked sexier, you better eat fast, cos I can't wait to leave so I can claim those damn sexy lips for myself"
…..
As soon as they had gotten out of Ichigo's car in the car park at the base of his building, they were making out.
"Rukia, I, cant, wait, for you, to live, this close," Ichigo got out between breaths.
"Well" she said, pulling back momentarily, "For the next week or so, I don't have a bed to sleep in"
"Fishing for an invatation?" He said, wiggling his eyebrows
"Come idiot, it's cold out here!"
And they ran inside, holding hands, passion racing through their bodies, impatient to get started on this new chapter of their relationship.
And tonight, Rukia was going to personally see to it, she had decided at dinner, that they were united as one forever.
…..
Btw, the next chapter will not contain lemons, just to throw it out there. I have decided this will continue lemon free.
Let me know what you think of a potential sequel once this is over. Or if you want me to continue this so as to include the vacation storyline, that could work too.
Next chapter will contain more characters, since the last few have been very IchiRuki-centric.