Starry Night

Adjustment

Rukia's eyes opened slowly, taking in the light that shone through her cell's window. She had slept surprisingly well on the small cot. Stretching her arms into the air, she yawned. She ran her fingers through her hair, combing out the knots and de-frazzling it. She stood up and sighed. She'd get to leave at 5 tonight, and was counting down the hours. Although, she didn't particularly look forward to going to see her brother. That was just one talk she did not want to have. He was the only person who was still angry at her. Even after he'd been told by everyone that she was defending herself, he didn't care. Any implication toward Rukia was an implication toward him. When one Kuchiki was incriminated, the whole noble family looked bad. Or at least, in his eyes.

Sitting down on her chair, she stared up at the ceiling. "Oh, good morning," a voice called. Rukia looked forward and caught sight of Izuru. He was serious…? There's something going on. Since he's taking on the duties of his captain, he should have no free time like this. "I brought you something to eat, just in case you didn't like the jail food. I didn't," he laughed and handed her a bag of food through the bars.

She took it willingly, and found that there was nice breakfast food from the cafeteria inside. She began digging around. "So, Izuru… Are you ever going to tell me why you're really here?" she asked casually.

"Uhm… What do you…?"

Rukia stopped looking through her foods and glanced to the blond. "I don't mean to pry, but… Isn't the duty of a lieutenant without his captain hard? I'm only asking, because on the days that Captain Ukitake is sick, I have to take over his work, and… It's pretty time-consuming."

"Oh, well this week has actually gone by pretty easy. The workload is surprisingly less," he lied, imagining the stacks of paperwork while he spoke. "If you don't want me to stay…"

Rukia's eyes lit up, and she hoped she hadn't offended him. "Not at all. I could use some company actually. Might go insane." As if a month in the Repentance Cell hadn't done enough… "So, how is Hinamori Momo doing?"

"She's alright. She actually feels terrible about the whole ordeal." His smile had faded. "I know you probably don't believe me, but… She doesn't hate you. I stopped by her cell this morning to talk with her. She's just scared of losing another person. She lost Aizen, and she thinks she's losing Captain Hitsugaya. And when Ichigo showed up to her cell yesterday, she thought she might lose him, too. She looks up to him like a girl looks up to her father," he laughed. He then returned to being serious. "She wanted me to tell you something."

Rukia took everything in silently. She knew Momo had gone through a lot, and thinking back on it now, she thought that maybe she should have been more sensitive. Rukia had a short temper at times. She sighed regretfully.

"She wanted to say she's sorry, and that she realized hating you has only driven the ones she care for further away."

Rukia nodded. "Well tell her I said to forget about it, it's no big deal." She paused. "Oh, and tell her that if she punches Ichigo in the stomach when he's being unreasonable, he'll listen."

Izuru smiled and let out a short chortle. "So I gotta confess. Momo hired me to come here."

Rukia smiled back playfully. "I kind of knew that."

"But I really don't have much work." He'd spent nearly the entire night working. "So I'll stay if you don't mind."

"Nope," Rukia replied and leaned back against her chair. She sighed. "What time is it?"

"Noon."

"Five more hours," she breathed thankfully. After Izuru chuckled, and awkward silence fell between the two. A thought struck Rukia, and she didn't know whether to voice it aloud or not… "So… Gin Ichimaru… He must have been a pretty odd captain to have." She would've killed herself if he had been her captain.

"He wasn't as bad as you think he was. Just like the other two who betrayed Soul Society, he was a great captain. A little odd, though."

"How so?" She hated that she kept prying, because she could tell it struck a nerve with Izuru, but Gin…she hated that man.

"Everything he said always made you think. You could say the sky is blue, and he would reply quirkily with some kind of response that made you doubt yourself. I like him because he didn't view life as 'yes' and 'no' or 'right' and 'wrong.' He was very smart…"

Rukia shivered at how Izuru spoke of his former captain. So idolizing and adoring… How could anyone look up to a man so vile and sick… Someone who could shatter your composure with one simple question, someone who could get inside your head, make you break down and scream… She hated him so much. "You really looked up to him," she interrupted, staring into space.

"I did," he emphasized. "But I detest any traitors of Soul Society."

"Excuse me, lieutenants." Both set of eyes turned to Hitsugaya Toushiro.

"Oh, good morning, Captain." Izuru stood up.

"May I speak to Lieutenant Kuchiki in private?" he asked passionlessly.

"Of course. Uh, see ya later Rukia." With that, he left the two alone.

Rukia stared forward, from her chair, somewhat awkwardly. Why did he come back? Hadn't she made it clear last night that she was angry with him? After all, he's angry with me for no good reason. Funny that the root of the problem, Momo, was fixed, and the external variables were still out of whack. But she had been penitent of one thing - her lack of respect. She had addressed him countless times without any title, and she had disrespected her superior. No matter how much she detested the asshole, she had to uphold the Kuchiki name and act her place. "Good afternoon, Captain," she greeted reservedly.

Hitsugaya knew she was still angry, and he also knew she had realized she had been acting out of her rank in the way she spoke to him. Still, he oddly preferred her yelling and bickering than her calm, forceful politeness. It made him feel…like a jerk. But he would never voice such a thought. He had to keep telling her to address him by his title, or as sir if she slipped up. "Good afternoon."

"Did you…wish to speak with me?" she asked with mock curiosity. She knew damn well he wanted to talk to her, otherwise he wouldn't have came. But that didn't mean she could have a little fun at the dispense of his inability to engage in conversation.

He knew what game she was playing. At least she was talking to him. Though, he knew she couldn't--even if she wanted to--ignore him and give him the cold shoulder. He was in the position of power over her, and she had to comply. He sat down in the chair outside of her cell, a sense of déjà vu setting in. "I wanted to tell you that I was out of line yesterday. Well, not out of line, but…wrong. Like I said, I wasn't angry at you. I shouldn't have said some of those things."

"You've messed up everything."

"Momo was finally adjusting and getting back to normal, and you…you…"

Rukia wouldn't lie to herself. The words hurt, but only slightly. She hadn't felt sorry for messing up Momo's adjustment at the time. But she had hurt Hitsugaya… "But you meant them. And that's fine, because it was true." She didn't know if her next statement would be too bold or not. "But you must know that I didn't mess up anything intentional. It was Momo's fault."

"I agree."

"Have you gone to see her yet?"

"No. I'm going to wait until she gets out."

Rukia stared into his eyes, both pairs holding the same level of emotionlessness. "Don't be angry with her. She's already apologized."

"I knew she would once she realized what she was doing." His fist tightened. If it weren't for Aizen… If he had never walked into Momo's life…

Rukia had a pretty good idea of what was going through his head. Silence passed, and if felt like the nights under the stars. Rukia glanced down at the paper bag and picked it up. "Want some fruit?" she asked casually, plucking an apple of her own from the bag.

Hitsugaya's eyes softened slightly. "No." But his voice was still stern and authoritarian. He watched as Rukia at the apple gingerly, and as she narrowed her eyes.

"What're you looking at?" she inquired harshly before she could think about what she was saying.

Hitsugaya returned her glare. "Excuse me?"

Rukia had a thought. And this thought was…genius. Would Hitsugaya do anything? Would he go so far as to punish her? What would the repercussions be if she got an attitude with him? She stood up, dropping her apple into the bag, and walked over to the bars, standing her ground without apologizing.

Hitsugaya stood up as well and approached the bars. "Don't think that anything's changed, lieutenant. I am still your superior."

Rukia showed no sign in caring. The proximity was almost close enough to feel the breath of the person on the other side of the bars. "You're actually taller than someone for once," she mocked in an indifferent voice.

"And what does that say about you?" he asked with amusement in his eyes. The faintest of grins spread to his lips when he saw her face light up in shock and morph into anger.

Rukia gripped the bars tightly, pulling herself closer. "You're lucky there's bars between us!"

His eyebrows remained raised in entertainment. "Or what? You would attack me?"

Rukia's eyes turned to slits as her eyelids came together. She glared daggers at the white-haired Shinigami. Her grip on the metal bars tightened. Why was he so frustrating? And better yet, why couldn't anyone realize how frustrating he could be?! Everyone was so used to cold, emotionless Captain Hitsugaya. No one, except maybe Momo, saw his other side. The side that held sarcasm, humor, emotion. No one saw him as a bratty, mean little midget but her.

Hitsugaya couldn't believe this. Why wasn't anyone here to witness this? She was standing up to a captain! Where was Byakuya, who knew she was so closely in resemblance to him. Where were the other captains, who viewed her as a slightly timorous and reserved type of girl? Couldn't they see that she was a wild, evil little midget?! Maybe Ichigo and Renji were used to it, but he wasn't. The nerve she had… His hands gripped the bars above her own.

"Is there something I can help you with?" she asked with too much politeness. Neither had blinked in so long, it involuntarily became a contest.

"Could you possibly act like a lieutenant, and not a god?"

"Ha! You think I act high and mighty? And what about you?" Rukia continued to hold his stare. There was this feeling inside her… Her stomach churned, and she could feel the blood draining from her face. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and thought it sounded all too loud in the quiet jail. There was a pull…

Before either could think about what was beginning to happen, it happened. Both leaned forward simultaneously, only and inch, and their lips met. Rukia felt hands wrap around hers, pressing them even more tightly to the bars. Their lips rubs gently together at first, and then more urgently, more hungrily.

Rukia felt lost, in a swirl of blackness. She was lifted from the ground, and suddenly nothing mattered. Hitsugaya could relate. But being the person he was, he snapped from the makeshift reverie first and pulled back.

As the kiss broke, Rukia's eyes widened, and her eyeballs would have fallen from their sockets had they not been intact. She restrained herself from licking her lips, feeling that it would be inappropriate at an awkward time like this. What just happened? Moreover, why had it happened? Her chest heaved as she steadied her breath again.

Hitsugaya stared in disbelief at her, and he was angry… He was furious at himself, not for kissing her…but for not regretting it. He should be kicking himself for doing such a thing. He should be fuming that he would lose control and do something like that. But he wasn't. He enjoyed every second of it. And that wasn't right. They couldn't be together. A captain and a lieutenant just didn't… It wouldn't work. He was the first one to speak. "I think it's best if we don't…see each other outside of business." With that, he turned and left.

Rukia, instead of feeling angry, felt somewhat empty. He…left? He just left like that? She blinked a few times. Maybe he was right. It would be best. Think of the complications… Byakuya would have a fit, and Renji and Ichigo would only be more nosy than before. And Momo, what would it do to her? She couldn't…

Are you going to live your life for others, or for yourself, Kuchiki? a voice resonated against her thoughts.

"K… Kaien-dono?" she whispered in a gasp. Was it really him talking, or her own thoughts?

I thought I told you to stop worrying so much about what others think. Still too hard-headed to listen, eh?

"I'm… I don't… I'm not worried about what they think."

Then why are you happy he left?

"I'm not, but… It's better."

For who?

Rukia froze, and her thoughts were returned to her own voice. For who? She sat in her chair again, pondering. "It doesn't matter for who. He's already made up his mind." Her expression hardened. "This is stupid! Why am I sitting here like a teenage girl worrying over some guy? I don't need anybody!" she assured herself, tired with her own antics.

"You always say that, even though you know it's a lie," called a smug voice.

Rukia looked up to see Ichigo leaned against the door with his arms folded across his chest. He shrugged from the partition and walked over to the cell. "So what's all this yelling about? Something happen?"

Rukia, slightly embarrassed he heard her, wondered how much he heard. "Not really," she tried to play if off.

"Well, I passed Hitsugaya on the way here. He looked the same, but something seemed different about him…" He took a seat and stared at her through the bars. "Rukia, I know when you're lying."

Damn his ability to know her so well. She didn't want to tell him, but she didn't want to make up something either. And knowing Ichigo, he would get it out of her sooner or later… "Well…" God this felt awkward. "I swear to God, Ichigo if you tell anyone--!"

"Relax. I won't." He sat back leisurely.

Rukia stared boredly at the comfortable man and sat in her chair again. "Captain Hitsugaya stopped by." She saw Ichigo nod. "And we…"

Ichigo's eyes lit up in realization. "What!" he yelled. "You didn't… Augh, Rukia."

Rukia frowned. "He said that it would be best if we not see each other."

Ichigo could hear the faint sound of hurt in her voice. That bastard. He had warned him… He had warned him that if he ever hurt Rukia, he wouldn't let it go. But he wouldn't act up in front of Rukia. He knew she'd only get angry and throw something at him. He would wait until she got out tonight, and then he'd pay a visit to Hitsugaya.

And the last thing Hitsugaya wanted was a confrontation on top of dealing with the events and emotions that transpired with Rukia.

Author's Note: Wow, long time since my last update, huh? Sorry about that. I haven't had internet (and still don't) for a while now. And I've started up so many stories without finishing the ones I've already started - that's my bad habit. Anyway, a huge thanks to my beta, Saint Sky, 'cause she rocks.

Uhm, about this chapter: I was really, and I mean really, unsure about the kiss. I thought it was WAY too early, therefore I threw in the hole "well we shouldn't see each other" thing so they can have a little bit of distance to equal out the rush. I hope I didn't get anyone too out of character. Rukia's character is hard to nail, in my eyes. That's why I love her.

Thanks for being so patient and submitting your comments! -Ami