Update: Handed in my written assignment which rendered the necessity for me to sleep at 3.a.m for the past five days.
Break: Wrote 2nd chapter of "Demons from My Past" in 30 minutes.
Hello, it's the 2nd chapter update for this fic, which I find myself writing completely with ease now. :D Thank you to the first 21 reviewers of my third official ByaRuki fic: Pope Benedict XVI, NIXAMATORIS, BlackBurningHeart, Sepsis, Icicleriver22, snickerslol04, sagittariusleo, YuzurihaNoRyuu, rukiharem, Electra Red, Voidy, Sakimi1014, ceiyn, crystaldiemond12, Saij Spellhart, Yuniee, CJ, mandapanda13, vicky, Kichou and Christine. I dedicate this second chapter to all 21 of you, thank you so much!
I also dedicate this chapter to Sean, my laboratory teammate who somehow brilliantly hunted down my FF account and embarrassed me by reading the first few lines of the first chapter of Demons from My Past OUT LOUD. *dies from humiliation*
I might or might not update in a while after this, because my workload's gotten heavier and heavier with each day. But I hope you enjoy this second chapter.
Rukia dashed through the heavy swinging doors, her heart pounding. She hurried through the long hallway, and her footsteps echoed with each hurried step she took.
Rukia had always hated hospitals. The white-washed walls, the smell of sterile antiseptic in the air, the smart clink of lethal silver instruments… she hated them all. But she hated the hospital most because it was the place where the moustached doctor told her that the most her Otousan could live on was for another five more years. Rukia hated it so much. Hated the doctor for divulging the news with such a calm expression. Hated herself for not being able to do anything. Hated it when Otousan turned to her with his usual kind smile and told her he wanted to go home and taste her sweet-and-sour pork dish. It had been almost six years since then, and Otousan still lived and breathed at her side. That just showed how much doctors knew. But ever since five years had passed, Rukia had always worried… always feared that one day, God was going to snatch Otousan away from her side, leaving her all alone again.
She never wanted to be alone ever again in her life.
She wanted to be by Otousan's side.
Rukia remembered the painful years of growing up in an orphanage. She never knew her parents, having lived in the orphanage for as long as she could remember. She did not know where she came from and how she came to be there. But one thing she did know and that life in the orphanage was… hell. Everyone was rude and rough, and fought with you to take things that were rightfully yours. And then when any childless couple came with the possibility of adoption, all the dirty behaviour was covered up with cute smiles and clean etiquette.
Rukia hated it.
She soon learned how to fight and fend for herself, even going so far as to bloody the noses of every single boy who ever fought with her. She was frequently punished, as she was never one to run away from her actions. And she never put on fake fronts in front of possible adopting couples, resulting in stagnant years in the orphanage.
And then one day, it all changed.
Rukia had been excited that day, because that day was her "free" day in which she was allowed to go to the street opposite the orphanage, to the row of shops and buy whatever she wanted to with her pocket money. Rukia had been saving up for it, because she had badly wanted a tube of candies in the shape of a rabbit.
Rukia had always loved bunnies, and was particularly fierce whenever other children tried to take any of her possession in that nature.
She remembered seeing the candy shop as she got beyond the gates of her orphanage. She also remembered dashing across the street happily, unable to wait to get her hands on the bunny candy. She also remembered the hard painful impact of fast steel on her small body, and the asphalt grazing her skin painfully, opening up wounds everywhere on her body. She remembered the sound of a car door opening and the worried face of a man with long white hair looking down at her, as shouts and screams erupted all around her.
No one had ever looked at Rukia that way.
"B-Bunny… s-sweets…" was all she could whisper before darkness overcame her.
And when her eyes opened, the first thing she saw was the white lined ceiling. She groggily shifted slightly on the bed and tried to take in her surroundings. Where was she? As she looked around, she gasped and immediately got up from bed. A gigantic rabbit plushie stood at the foot of the bed, smiling so adorably at her. Whose toy was this? Rukia wanted badly to touch it, to hug it, but she would not do so without permission. So she stared hungrily at the cute fluffy toy, until the door opened.
It was the man whose face was the last thing Rukia saw, and his face split into a happy grin as he saw her. Rukia liked this man, she liked him a lot. He did not look like someone who would beat her (or beat anyone for that matter) and she briefly wondered how it would feel to hug him.
"I'm glad you are okay!" The man had said and settled at the bedside.
Rukia nodded silently but she could not resist much longer. "M-Mister… w-whose rabbit is that?" She pointed to the heaven before her eyes.
The man smiled again.
"It's yours."
"H-Huh?"
"I bought it for you."
The man lifted the toy rabbit and gave it to her. Knowing it be rude, Rukia still snatched the rabbit from his hand and hugged it happily in her arms. The man watched her with his kind smile.
After nuzzling her cheek into the fur, Rukia looked up and remembered her manners. "T-Thank you. B-But why?"
"Because small girls who don't cry after getting hit by a car deserve presents."
"Then I want to get hit by a car everyday. Because I don't cry easily."
"Oh no, that won't be good!" The man chuckled. "You don't cry easily?"
Rukia shook her head.
The man smiled at her. This time, Rukia could not help it. She smiled back.
That man's name was Ukitake Jushiro. He later frequented the orphanage a lot, just to play with her. He worked in a printing company, and had no wife or children. Rukia started looking forward so much to his days of visit, almost like the air she breathed. The other children and administrators of the orphanage often puzzled over what he saw in the cold and hostile little girl. And then, after just three months, he adopted her.
Ukitake Rukia.
Rukia then grew up under his care, and loved her Otousan more than her own life. Otousan was a gentle and good-natured man, who never harboured any bad intentions to anyone. He was very well-liked amongst the people, be it his neighbours or work colleagues. He made sure she went to a proper school, where she made friends. He took her on occasional trips to the country, taught her gardening (his favourite pastime) and watched as she grew into the university student she now was. Rukia loved spending time with him, it didn't matter where or what they were doing. She enjoyed their bonding time over meals a lot, whenever he teased her about Ichigo (where Rukia would then blush) or ask her how her studies were coming along. And so many years back, they had bonded for the very first time… in a hospital.
Hospitals.
She had been to the hospital every week for the last few months. Otousan had frequent coughing fits now with blood… and she was so scared. Her next-door neighbour and close friend from school days, Yamada Hanataro, a rather cute and clumsy boy often helped her look out for her Otousan and Rukia was grateful. She trusted Hanataro with her father's care whenever she was busy, even going so far as to provide him her bank account number and PIN in case her father ever needed emergency medication or hospital admission.
Money. That was also one thing Rukia had been struggling with for the past few years. Otousan was of middle-class socioeconomic status before he adopted her, and he had spent so much over her for her food, education and small things to to make her happy. Rukia had not realized this until she was older. And when he got sicker, he could only go in to work occasionally, cutting his pay into half. Rukia was still studying in the university and despite taking up part-time jobs and setting up a florist shop just over their house, she could not really make the ends meet whenever Otousan lapsed into a seriously ill period.
She had been borrowing heavily from banks, loans that she might not be able to repay back. She borrowed occasionally from friends as well but she kept that to a minimal, not wanting Ichigo and the others to catch on that she was in a financial crisis. They would certainly pitch in and help but they weren't all that rich and Rukia preferred not to burden them.
But this time… this time was the worst. Rukia walked on fast, despite the sinking feeling in her stomach. She had not had any part-time jobs in two weeks, which meant the current savings in her bank account would be miniscule. She swallowed and walked on.
xXxXx
"Otousan!" Rukia anxiously walked over to the bed, as Jushiro Ukitake smiled at her.
"Rukia."
He looked so pale it pained Rukia to see him like this. He always smiled whenever he saw her, regardless of whatever condition he was in.
"How are you?" Rukia sat by his bedside and placed her hand over his.
"I am good, still strong, Rukia." He patted her hand affectionately. "Shall we go now?" He smiled and tried to swing his legs over the bed, but was overcomed by yet another coughing fit. Rukia ran her hands slowly over his back to soothe him as she pushed him back gently into his original position.
"Otousan, you will have to stay here for a few days. Let the doctors take care of you for a while and then we can go home."
"Rukia, it's okay."
He knew, knew that they were hopelessly deficient in the financial aspects. Rukia knew Otousan wanted to work more so he could earn more money but she would often override his protests in favour of his health. It always pained her when he tried to put money first before his well being.
"It's alright, Otousan." Rukia put up a hand to stop him. "It will be alright. And if you are good and stay put in the hospital, I will cook you something really nice when you come home." She smiled at him.
"It's the other way around now, isn't it?" Ukitake laughed as Rukia lowered her head down to their hands. "So many years have passed, and my little girl has grown up."
"Yeah, Otousan." She closed her eyes and smiled in contentment as she felt her father stroke her hair like he used to when she was a kid.
xXxXx
"Sign him in for admission, Hanataro."
"But the money, Rukia-san…"
"I will deal with it. There will be money in my bank account by six in the evening. Do withdraw it out and make the payments then. I am sorry for troubling you, Hanataro." Rukia tried to smile but she could only manage a very faint and weak one. Despite telling her Otousan that everything was going to be alright, she did not know if it would. How was she going to get more money this time? How was she going to make it all pull through again, as she did so many times before?
Without another word, she exited the hospital with only the sole determination of her father's smile fixed in her heart.
I can do this.
I can do this...
xXxXx
5 p.m.
How could I ever do this?
Rukia walked on, trying to keep the spirit alive in her heart. Didn't they say willpower and integrity would finally pave the way in the end? Didn't they say good things always happen to good people? Otousan was a human angel, he certainly was. Why couldn't God provide him the same goodness in his life as the one he carried around in his soul?
She had been going around random streets and shops for three hours now, looking for a fast-pay job that she could take up for money. Any menial work would do. She could even get down and scrub dirty floors or lift heavy bags of rice if it came down to it.
But every single shop had turned her down. Rukia was physically strong, she knew she was. But all the shop proprietors clearly did not think along the same lines. All they did was take one long look at her before shaking their heads and brushing her off. The desperation was growing in Rukia's heart. She had less than an hour to get the payment money for Otousan's hospital admission.
She was Ukitake Rukia, she must come up with something.
She had begged at the last five shops, but to no avail. Sooner or later, she would not need to act teary or pathetic, the waterworks were threatening to overwhelm her for real. Why was the world so against her, what had she done wrong? What had Otousan done wrong? Rukia felt the weight in her heart further constrict her, making it hard to breathe, hard to move. Everything needed money, just about everything. Soon, every breath she took was going to cause her a cent each time.
She was just a girl, she could not handle this much on her shoulders. But she had to, she wanted to… because she loved Otousan. Rukia would even crawl over sharp shards of glass if it meant keeping Otousan happy and healthy, and by her side for always. She would do anything.
Money…
Anything…
Anything for money…
"Preoccupied, my dear?"
Rukia's eyes widened and she turned at the sultry voice.
"Love problems, perhaps? Maybe you need to get some physical outlet to vent your frustration." The woman near her forties sporting fake penciled brows and extravagant make-up smiled knowingly at her, leaning against a wall as she smoked a cigarette between her many-ringed fingers.
Rukia looked up at the shop sign and felt her stomach twist into a hundred knots. She turned back to the woman, who was now observing her from head to toe.
"D-Do you have a job vacancy?"
"My dear, we always have job vacancies here... for centuries now." The woman blew a ring of smoke at Rukia, who smothered the cough threatening to leap into her mouth.
"I… was thinking menial work or cleaning or perhaps…"
The woman looked at her and smiled. "Beggars can't be choosers, my dear."
"Madam Aiko!" A shrill, high-pitched voice called out from the inside of the building and the woman dropped the cigarette to the pavement. She smiled a last time at Rukia and went in through the glass doors.
Rukia's hands clenched slightly at her sides. She looked at the fading amber of the cigarette tip on the asphalt and up again at the bright shop's sign. It wasn't a shop. It was a parlor.
Madam Aiko's Parlor.
And Rukia was no fool. She knew what it really was.
A brothel.
That much was obvious from the shrill giggles she could faintly catch from inside the parlor and the few strange men milling around near the entrance. Rukia's hands clenched again.
It was also the only place that did not turn her away.
Steeling herself, she marched up to the door and pushed it open.
xXxXx
Rukia felt her heart pound fast as she stepped into the heavily-perfumed foyer. The rich carpet sunk underneath her sandals as she approached the gold and red counter, where the woman was sitting as she flipped pages in a recording book.
"Mimi, get into room 305. Master Sato is coming along anytime soon," she spoke into a white cordless phone.
Rukia felt her cheeks heat up as she heard the words.
It really was a brothel.
The woman looked up as she noticed Rukia and smiled in surprise. "Interested in a job, my dear?"
"I…" Rukia's hands twisted the ends of her dress. "I was hoping I could find a job like a cleaner or something here. I can really work hard, and I am strong despite how I look! Your money will be worth it!" The words came out in a nervous rush from Rukia's mouth.
The woman had been observing her silently as she talked. Now, she lowered the record book and fixed Rukia with her eyes.
"I do not doubt it that you may be strong but we do not have need for cleaners or manual labour here. The only jobs we have here are for those who can provide us the fine services... of a female body."
Rukia felt her face turn red.
"We pay very well, being a distinguished institution in this trade." The woman looked up at her. "There is no cheating, no scam or compromise. You give, and we give in return. You cross us, and that will be the last thing you ever do. I, Madam Aiko, pride myself on the honesty and code with which I carry my job, and that has brought this parlor to the success it is having right now."
"I…"
She should leave, this was bad.
"Interested? You don't look much, but the plain-looking ones are always the ones who keep customers coming back for more."
"I… N-No!" Rukia was mortified. "I… do not have experience, and I want a one-time job! Maybe cleaning or..."
She should leave, she really should.
"No experience… at all?" Madam Aiko raised one penciled brow at her.
Rukia shook her head.
"You are a virgin?"
Turning even redder, Rukia nodded.
Leave.
"Hmm… there are not many girls who come here to offer their virginities for only a one-time job, as you say. You having financial trouble somewhere?"
The same nod again.
"Hmmm…" Madam Aiko tapped her chin with her finger. "I am sorry but we rarely take in virgins, especially those not interested in learning the trade long-term. We strive on the satisfaction of customers and virgins are, shall I say, a little inadequate in that area. Perhaps you could come back… after you have learned?"
xXxXx
"Phew! Tiring week, I'm going to reward myself with… a nurse theme at the parlor tonight," Renji laughed, and flexed his powerful arms.
"You better make the call then," Yumichika smiled elegantly. "Or maybe you would like a threesome?"
Renji's eyes widened. "Good idea! It would be good if we could ask Byakuya to join us in one! But I'm feeling egotistical tonight…" Renji tapped his chin. "Maybe a student-teacher theme instead?"
"When you both have decided how you want to play your twisted fantasies, you might want to get started on your work reports before you are allowed to do so." Both demons turned around at the deep voice as Byakuya stepped into the office tearoom and poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Hey, Byakuya! Today's your diet day as well right? Where are you going?"
Byakuya closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh Cuban coffee smell. "The usual." He walked off with the cup in one hand, leaving his assistants staring at him in confusion.
Byakuya opened the sleek glass door of his office suite and walked up to his desk. He took a sip of hot coffee and put it down before reaching for the phone.
The usual.
His diet day. He had been running low on human energy spirit for two weeks now. He was going to feed today.
Byakuya had always patroned Madame Aiko's Parlor, the famous feeding nest for Incubi owned by the haughty demon mistress. The girls there were not bad though the quality had been declining slightly.
But today, he had something else in mind. Byakuya lifted the silver handle of his office telephone and dialed the number.
xXxXx
The ringing phone cut the conversation short.
"Hold on a second." Giving a hopeless look at Rukia, the woman picked up the phone.
"Code 22211837."
"Oh hello, Byakuya-san! How are you doing?"
"I'm good," Byakuya answered crisply at the flirtatious older Succubus's voice. He sometimes thought this old hag ought to retire in the business. After all, this job line focuses a lot on looks and sexual gratification, which he doubted she had neither to provide. "I was wondering if I could have some company tonight?"
"Certainly, certainly. Which would you like, my dearest? Would you like the ones with a recorded 1-month time apart, or the 2-months?"
"Actually, I was wondering if I could have a new one tonight."
"New?" He heard the surprise in the older demoness's voice and could practically see her lifting her heavily penciled brows.
"Yes, possibly a virgin. But I understand if it's really hard to find one at this time-
"But of course, Byakuya. You are in luck, we do have someone new, really new if you know what I mean…" The woman looked over at the nervous, petite girl in front of her. "How about that?"
The old hag had someone new? He must be in luck. Byakuya had suddenly decided on this on the spur of the moment. Over the years, he had found the sex horribly starting to be a routine for him, instead of a need to release sexual frustration and to derive erotic pleasure. He had not felt those in months. He needed a virgin. Virgins were always harder to go about, and perhaps that would arouse him again.
At least, that was plan A. Plan B was just to turn homosexual, though he doubted this would also work. The only passion he felt for Renji and all the other male Incubi was passion for bloody violence, whenever they drove him up the wall with all their incessant complaints and office work.
"Good. I will come along in two hours' time."
xXxXx
Rukia watched nervously as the woman placed the phone down on its handle and turned to her slowly.
"You are in luck. There is a customer desiring…" The woman looked her up and down. "… fresh services for today. He will be coming along in two hours. Would you still like to take up the job?"
Rukia's hands reflexively fisted in fear as her eyes widened in shock.
A customer?
Two hours?
She should leave… this was bad. So bad…
I regret to inform you this but your father can only live for a maximum of five years from now.
No, she had to do this. There were no other jobs, no other escape. She couldn't go on borrowing money forever. It was just one night… maybe just a few painful hours. They would be the worst hours of her life… but then she would be free to breathe for at least a month and getting a head start on expenses. Maybe even repaying some of the loans.
5.50 p.m.
There was a first time for everything… no one else would know and she would never see the man again. She would take this dark secret of hers to the grave. She had heard of students in her class having sexual encounters with strangers they did not even know in nightclubs, and this would not be very far from it.
Otousan…
Rukia took a deep breath and looked the woman in the eye.
"I would like to know the deals of payment."
xXxXx
And there you have it, a buildup to the next chapter! :D Hope you like it! It could have done with a bit more descriptions in the parlor setting but I just decided to not be a perfectionist for this one! :D I did elaborate on the Rukia-Ukitake relationship here and I hope it was good enough for you to feel touched at their bond. :D And at the lengths Rukia would go to for her Otto-san... which led to... a potential "customer" in two hours. :)
I will be very busy from now till May, as a whole boulder-sized workload has just been dumped on my shoulders today right after the assignment due date so... yeah. Full steam ahead, I guess. XD XD Gambatte!
The poll for the fic I should focus on after my hiatus is still up on my profile, and I see that DFMP has garnered readers of its own as well! Though not to worry, "To Win You Back" shall not be laid to rest after my hiatus is over, but I just did the poll to see where my readers' preferences lie (IchiRuki and GrimmRuki fans, thanks as well!).
Oh, and do please review this chapter and tell me what you think! :D