Hello there, everyone. I'm back with the latest chapter to Demons, and hope you all will like it.
Life has been at the lowest point for me the last month, plenty of things happened and none of them were good (some of them were even SERIOUS bad). To top it all off, I got sick a couple of times (and still am), and I really wanted to just turn off the whole world for once. To be honest, suicide did come into mind maybe once or twice, but I guess I am not an unappreciative fool for the life given to me (and that's not a bad thing, is it?) So, now, I am just taking one step, one day at a time, and pushing when I can. :)
I thank all the readers who previously reviewed (and also PM-ed) me on the last chapter, thank you very much and I appreciate the feedback. They encourage me to write more, knowing there are people out there who pay attention to what I like doing. It's really nice, and I thank you for that (forgive the emotions, I have been rather emotional in RL lately, so it carries on but I promise no drama-queen catfights as before)
Alright, back to this story. With all the bad things whirring around me, I almost didn't want to write this chapter out but then I had a couple of free days and I just thought I wanted to use a couple of hours and do something I've always liked... I think that would help.
IMPORTANT: I apologize once again if this chapter is not well-written but I just felt like writing a bit for expression. It's the best I can do in a few hours because I need to start concentrating on other things. Then again, Fanfiction has always been like this for me, as an outlet... and I can never bring myself to use months, even if to perfect a story to top quality standard. I just write what I feel... and somehow I feel the need to apologize about it... just in case, it strained your eyes at times.
So here it is... the latest chapter... and beware... HUGE ANGSTY chapter right here. Hope you enjoy regardless.
WARNING: Major ANGST, and possible OOC-ness for Byakuya and Rukia. And some Ichigo-Rukia moments too (one-sided I'd say though).
Rukia walked along the quiet street, lost in her thoughts. The plastic bag containing the few cans of carbonated drinks dangled from her right arm. It was two in the morning and Rukia knew Byakuya wasn't around, he probably thought she would not be out so late.
Rukia didn't know how many days had passed by since the day she had walked in on Byakuya kissing another woman, and by now she didn't even know what to think about it anymore. Her tears had dried up, except for those nights when she would wake up and have the emotions overwhelm her. Nowadays, she just allowed a tear or two down her cheek before drifting off to sleep.
The scene at the office replayed itself in her mind time and again, independent of her control like a movie tape in a damaged tape player. She saw his strong hands around the woman's waist, and their lips tangled together in a lustful kiss. The woman was almost sitting in his lap and her hands were sliding down his office shirt to his trousers…
Rukia gasped as she suddenly felt herself lose her balance, her slipper striking the sharp edge of a brick jutting from the pavement. Jolted from her painful thoughts, she felt herself pitch forward. Rukia hurriedly threw her hands out to cushion her fall. She was going to fall… she was really going to-
"Gotcha."
A figure suddenly appeared in front of her, and strong arms caught her easily.
Rukia gasped and looked up. For a deceivingly pathetic moment, she almost expected to see a pair of misty grey eyes. But no, the pair of eyes she was now looking into weren't grey, they were brown amber… and very warm.
"I-Ichigo!"
Ichigo smiled at Rukia as he helped her to her feet. "Hey, I know you beat thugs up pretty decently, but it's dangerous for a little midget like you to be walking around at ungodly hours like these."
Rukia laughed as she straightened up. Sometimes, I can be so careless. "What are you doing here?"
The orange-haired boy smiled. "I was working on a class project and found myself lacking motivation in the form of energy drinks. Came out here to get myself some."
Rukia nodded.
"You okay?"
Rukia looked up at the question, and it was pure concern and worry that she saw in Ichigo's brown eyes. She had seen this look one too many times, mostly from her housemate, Nel.
"Y-Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing." Ichigo scratched the back of his head, suddenly awkward. "You know, this business with that bastard Byakuya-"
Rukia stiffened at the mention of the name. "I don't want to talk about it, Ichigo," she cut the orange-haired boy off.
"I know."
Rukia's eyes widened, and Ichigo cocked his head and gave her a kind smile. "You have always been a stubborn girl, and you don't like sharing your problems. But I just want you to know that we are all here for you. And when you are ready to pick yourself up, we will all welcome you with happiness."
Rukia smiled, swallowing the thick lump that had just sprung up in her throat. "Arigato."
Ichigo chuckled. "Shall I walk you home, my lady?"
"Okay, here we are. Get in the door." Ichigo nudged Rukia until she turned the key in the lock and stepped into her apartment.
"Thanks for walking me back, Ichigo."
"No problem." Ichigo smiled at her. "I feel a lot energetic now, I can probably tackle a few more hours till sunrise. I daresay Professor Tsuki will be pleased with the end result."
Rukia laughed.
"Be strong, Rukia."
Rukia's eyes widened and she looked up but Ichigo had already turned away, pretending that he had not uttered those words. "Good night, Rukia." His voice was soft this time.
Rukia felt a small smile curve her lips as she watched Ichigo lift up his right hand and waved to her without looking back. She took a deep breath, and felt that small wonderful feeling… that everything was going to be alright after all.
She had ran from the office that day because she was weak, because she was afraid to confront him. Because she had always been afraid of that very possibility, that he had been nothing but dishonest about his love for her. And when it proved true, she was still afraid to face the reality.
And she was till running to this day.
She was afraid that she would fall back into his arms if she ever saw him again, afraid that she would fall into his seemingly honest words and start to trust and love him once again.
Rukia watched as Ichigo disappeared around the corner.
Maybe it's really time to put it all behind me.
xXxXx
One week.
One long, bitter… lonely week.
It was the longest time that Byakuya ever had to go through without seeing or talking to her (except for the Seattle episode), and the conditions looked very dire. Rukia never picked up her phone whenever he called, even when Byakuya used multiple, random numbers to call from. All he could assume was that she was only picking up calls from numbers she knew, in order to avoid talking to him.
She also actually managed to leave the dorm without running into him, and the fact that she could outrun him like that was both unbelievable and frustrating to Byakuya. He waited everyday in the parking lot of her apartment in his free time, hoping to see her but he never did. Rukia apparently chose very strategic times to move about, as she herself knew Byakuya's work timetable as well as he did hers (and Byakuya suspected that she had reshuffled her classes to throw him off her tracks).
His appetite hadn't been good, and neither was his sleep. Byakuya couldn't concentrate on his work, and was always rushing off an hour or two before office time finished to wait outside her home. Sometimes, he did not even feel like getting out of bed, and had even started taking more alcohol than usual. The heavy feeling stayed within Byakuya like a constant stomachache, at not being able to put things right between Rukia and himself.
And then there was that incident a few days ago...
"What the hell is sitting outside your office, Byakuya?" Byakuya looked up from his desk at his red-haired assistant, who was looking at him with an expression of disbelief.
"What is it?" The young Incubus's tone was cool.
Renji pointed a finger toward the closed office door, or rather, what was sitting outside past the walls. "THAT! I walked in this morning expecting to check out your knockout secretary as usual, and THAT thing greeted me!"
When Byakuya's eyes narrowed slightly, Renji relaxed his stance but still retained the disbelieved look. "I mean, sure, she's on the cheap side, but you can't deny that that's quite a pair of legs and boobs! Why did you fire her? Just because Ruk-"
Renji stopped at the look on Byakuya's face. His young superior had been forced to tell both Matsumoto and himself about what had happened between him and Rukia, after both assistants realized that their boss frequently left the office early and seemed so bad-tempered. Even though both Renji and Matsumoto had offered to go talk to Rukia, Byakuya had forbade them with strict warnings.
"I mean… with this secretary, people are actually going to think you are gay!"
Byakuya looked up again just as a polite knock sounded on his office door. "Come in."
Renji involuntarily cringed when the door opened and the figure walked up to Byakuya's office desk before bowing to both Renij and Byakuya.
"Good morning, Mister Kuchiki. Mister Abarai. Here are the documents to be reviewed for today."
"Thank you." Byakuya nodded and retrieved the folder. "I would like a cup of coffee. Black, no milk or sugar."
"Yes, Mister Kuchiki." The figure bowed and retreated politely as Renji stared after him with a look akin to suicide. He quickly turned back to Byakuya, who had opened the folder of documents.
"Whoever heard of a MALE secretary before!"
Byakuya did not reply and took out an expensive fountain pen from his pocket.
"Look at him, Byakuya! You know what they say… you're a pretty decent-looking guy, and those are the guys people often suspect to be homosexual! And by employing a male secretary in the place of your sexy female one, tongues are going to start wagging! I'm only saying this for your own social benefit!"
'And for my own eyes every morning,' Renji added silently.
Byakuya finally looked up again. "I believe Hisagi is a very competent individual, and very efficient as a secretary. With this, I would not have to deal with any woman, or hide too much of my true nature."
'That's it, you already sound like a gay,' the readhead grouched. Renji's eyes widened slightly as he processed the last few words. "What do you mean true nature? Are you sayin-"
"I would have thought his scent was detectable. Hisagi is one of us."
Renji's eyes widened slightly. "EH! He's… an Incubus!"
Byakuya nodded as Renji folded his arms stubbornly.
"Doesn't look like one, or have the class like one. And what's with that freaky 69 tattoo on his cheek? A symbol that that's his favourite sex position?"
"You are more than welcomed to get to know him better by personally asking him all those questions," Byakuya answered as he turned back to his work, ignoring his assistant's death glare.
xXxXx
Nel sat by the classroom window, absorbed in her thoughts as she absentmindedly flicked through the torturous lecture notes. The turquoise locks fell over her eyes as she bent forward, causing the long-haired girl to sigh and sweep them away in irritation.
Hope Rukia is doing okay.
Nel had known Rukia the very second her campus life started. She had buzzed up to the apartment in her usual haphazard style, an hour left to her first class and an entire lorry-ful of belongings down on the ground floor waiting to be transferred.
The first person she had seen in the unit when she burst through the door was a white-haired man, and Nel briefly wondered if she had trespassed into his house or if she really had had the bad luck to be signed up with a housemate decades her senior. But then the man had given her an incredibly kind smile (and Nel immediately decided she liked this man) before calling out, "Rukia, I think your new housemate is here."
And then Nel had met Rukia for the very first time. Similar to the elder Ukitake, Nel had immediately taken a liking to the petite, black-haired girl who seemed kind and honest. She had laughed embarrassedly when Rukia told her that she had been in the unit since four hours ago with her father and brushing up the house. When Nel informed her about her predicament, Rukia had immediately offered her assistance to help transfer her stuff up to the dorm apartment in time to finish for Nel's first class.
And in the midst of carrying heavy dust-laden boxes through the door and hearing Rukia's lecture about punctuality and the need for good first-time impressions on lecturers (while the father made hot tea for both girls in the kitchen), Nel decided that she had found a friend for life.
Rukia was everything Nel was not. She handled things with sharp efficiency and was a very strong person and not likely to crumble under pressure or emotions. Nel was the typical late-for-class and lingerie-hanging-everywhere-in-the-dorm type of student, and Rukia often had to tidy up after her.
But in spite of all the differences, the girls grew close and sat together every night with cups of hot chocolate, be it a pillow talk or nighttime chat about boys (usually on Nel's part) or a last-minute cramming for a test in a day or two.
Nel loved her friend, and wanted the best for her.
And what Rukia was going through right now, Nel only wanted to be there for her. Rukia was indeed a very strong person and did not like sharing the sad things in her life. Nel knew of the financial and emotional hardships her housemate had to go through with her father's illness, and with her home business of the flower shop. Rukia never spoke of them and when Nel tried to talk to her about it, her housemate insisted everything was fine. And when her father seemed to have gone into remission and she found an impossibly perfect boyfriend, Nel was only too happy at the good fortune that had long been overdue for her best friend.
But now it had all turned out to be rotten luck.
Nel would have hit Byakuya the night he came to find Rukia, if not for the fact that she knew it would hurt her housemate terribly. Nel knew Rukia loved Byakuya, and probably still did. The love story of this particular couple was almost a fairy tale, and they had been through so much together.
In spite of the shock that came with Byakuya's cheating, Nel sometimes found it all a little doubtful. She had seen first-hand when Byakuya carried a sleeping Rukia back to the dorm safely. If he had been a womanizing slime, he would have ravished Rukia without the need to see her back that night. And the look he had given Rukia as he tucked her into bed… Nel would never forget that look. It was a look of pure love and adoration, like he wanted nothing more in the world than to just watch over Rukia as she slept peacefully. It was a look Nel would want her own man to have over her when she slept.
But then there was the fact that Byakuya was very rich and handsome, and this only meant two words: women magnet. Byakuya was only a man, and temptations are aplenty everywhere and everyday. Nel was just angry that he did not appreciate Rukia enough to at least have exercised some restraint, and Rukia was already one of the best women Nel decided she could ever come across.
Nel huffed again as she came back out of her thoughts to stare at the typed words on the paper. It was then that she heard footsteps echoing across the classroom floor toward her.
Nel sighed as she turned around. "Grimm, you know that I can't enjoy myself on dates when I'm worried sick thinking about-"
The turquiose eyes widened momentarily.
"Nel."
"R-Rukia!" Nel stood up hurriedly, as she looked Rukia up and down. Did something happen? These days, Rukia had not turned up for lunch with her friends, much less come to see Nel at the end of classes, only preferring to head to the library for a quiet hour.
The housemate watched as her raven-haired friend smiled at her. This time, Nel sensed the difference in Rukia's expression. Her eyes still bore sadness, but this time they were at least a little brighter, more like the usual eyes of Ukitake Rukia. Nel watched as Rukia took in a deep breath and allowed the smile to become a little wider, a little more honest.
"I was wondering… that celebratory dinner you all had planned for my conference… is it too late for me to want to have it?"
And it was that hesitant but brave resolve in Rukia's voice, the fact that Nel's eyes filled with tears, and for all the years of close friendship… that Nel wanted nothing more than the best for her best friend in that moment.
xXxXx
Byakuya sat in the driver's seat of his Porsche as he stared out through the windshield, praying for the thousandth time to catch sight of Rukia. He had once again left his office early to come here, and his new secretary was very reliable in terms of cleaning up the residual work for the day. Byakuya had also caught sight of Unohana-sensei, who had been watching him from a higher floor as he got into the elevator, but he could not be bothered.
He could not be bothered.
Not when Rukia was going through so much hurt, and it was his own fault.
Not when he had not seen her once in a week, and had not heard her happy voice or see her smiling cheekily at him.
He couldn't be bothered… not when life didn't seem like life anymore.
Byakuya glanced out of the car, looking up at the apartment unit. It appeared dark, so Rukia either had not returned or she was already sleeping. The Incubus leaned back against the head rest and closed his eyes. He would wait, he would always wait… maybe until midnight…
The grey eyes shot open as the mobile phone on the dashboard started tinkling its ringtone. Byakuya reached out and stared at the screen… and felt his heart stop beating.
Rukia.
It really was her number… calling him. Before he could even think, Byakuya pressed the 'Answer' button and put the phone to his ears, as his heart resumed its pace at an accelerated speed. He was afraid that she would hang up, maybe she had made a mistake and accidentally called him. Maybe… maybe…
"Byakuya."
Byakuya's eyes widened as he heard her utter his name as a greeting, and his heart immediately warmed at hearing her voice on the phone. How long had it been?
"Rukia." When she deliberated on the line, Byakuya felt that he had to say something. "I was trying to get you on the phone all week, or see you at the dorm. I have to tell you-"
"I would like to tell you something as well. Can we do so tomorrow?" Byakuya's eyes widened once again when he heard Rukia speak. Tomorrow? What did she mean?
Before Byakuya could speak, Rukia continued. "Are you free at one tomorrow? We should meet, maybe at the park near Inso street."
Byakuya's heart soared. Meeting Rukia tomorrow? But then, there was that unsettling feeling somewhere in his heart… at how calm Rukia's voice was, and how formal she was being. But he was going to meet her, and it was all that mattered. "Yes, Inso street it is."
"Okay."
Byakuya heard the loud, lively noises in the background and knew Rukia was not at home. Nevertheless, he tried. "Are you at home? I am waiting downstairs at your dorm."
"I am out, and will probably be till very late. You should go home."
Before Byakuya could say anything, Rukia bade him a good night and hung up the phone.
xXxXx
Byakuya stood under the shade of one of the bigger trees in the park, willing his heart to slow down. He would have paced back and forth, but he didn't think that action would help much. Byakuya was nervous, and he kept picking through possible words he could say to Rukia when she finally came.
It was the first time since she spoke to him ever since that horrible day in the office. It was the first time he was going to see her in a week.
What should he do? Say?
Byakuya had never found himself in such a predicament before, where he didn't know if the odds were against or for him. And it was so important right now, because it concerned the woman he loved, Rukia.
Byakuya hadn't been able to sleep well through the night, as he ran through the possibilities of their meeting. He had not been able to concentrate on work the next morning and even left the office three hours early in order to make sure that he would turn up ahead of time. He had also worn his better office shirts and his best coat but that was now draped over his right arm as he stood in the park.
What should he say to her? Tell her he was very sorry, and that no one mattered to him except her? Tell her he was drunk and made a very stupid mistake? Tell her that it would never happen again, and that she was honestly the center of his universe?
'How about telling her the truth?" the sneaky voice at the back of his mind whispered at him. The truth? Byakuya stopped for a while as he weighed that option. Tell her… that I really am a six hundred-year-old demon? But as Byakuya looked up at the tree leaves fluttering in the wind, the Incubus knew he was not ready to reveal such an abnormal reality to Rukia. There were so many complications already, and he could not risk losing her with a random bombshell of horrible truth.
But he was never going to touch another woman… ever again. He was going to make love to Rukia and only Rukia (and with her consent of course), and draw energy only from her. If she refused, he would starve but Byakuya decided he could happily live with that. What mattered more to the Incubus was loving Rukia, and loving her right. It was all that mattered.
Byakuya's grey eyes widened as he caught sight of a figure slowly walking up to him.
She's here.
Rukia was dressed in a white blouse and jeans with her usual slingbag over her shoulder, and carrying a rather big box with both hands. Byakuya felt his eyes soften as he watched her come closer. There really was nothing like it, nothing like the feelings she gave him, and nothing like the life he felt as he merely watched her like that.
"Rukia." The simplest of words that he spoke as a greeting, but words that meant the world to him… and more.
She finally stopped right in front of him.
Rukia looked up at Byakuya and the Incubus tried to read her emotions through her eyes. What surprised him was that he found himself unable to, because there was nothing in there. No amused glimmer, no happy twinkle, not even cloudy sadness. The familiar feeling of unsettlement returned to Byakuya's stomach.
"How have you been?" Her voice was soft but calm.
"I have been trying to contact you on the phone or in person." Byakuya stopped for a second, wondering how to make it sound best. "That night, I-"
"I was avoiding you," Rukia cut him off before he could say anything else. "I was avoiding you the whole time."
I know… I know, Rukia.
Rukia looked up at Byakuya. "I don't want to talk about that night. And if you wanted to apologize for it, you don't have to. I am done running, and am finally ready to face you."
Done running? Ready to face me?
Rukia took in a deep breath. "The game's finally finished being played."
Byakuya's eyes widened, as the reality of the situation sank in easily. That unsettled feeling, coupled with apprehension burned a hole through his stomach.
No.
"Rukia, it is not a game, I-"
"It is."
The grey eyes widened at the soft yet so very firm voice. "Maybe it did not appear that way to you, Byakuya. But I've done a lot of thinking this last week." Rukia took a deep breath. "I have probably been too different from the other girls that you found me… perhaps a little more interesting than usual."
No, it is not like that.
Rukia gave him a small smile. "We had fun. Even if I made the stupid mistake of falling in love, which wasn't in your rules."
No.
"I want to end this as peacefully, quietly and as civilized as we can manage."
Rukia walked forward, just a little closer to him. Byakuya could only stare at her as she held out the box she had been carrying to him. When he did not move to take it, she smiled serenely and bent down, placing the box at his feet.
"You will find a lot of things in there. The expensive dress you got me for your company dinner, and the one for my… science conference." Rukia fell silent for a while, as she struggled to compose herself and succeeded within a few seconds.
"Rukia-"
"There's also a fresh rose in there from my flower shop to replace the one you bought, and the money for the dinners at the French restaurant and the Nabe shop. I don't know how much it actually came up to, but I gave it an approximation. Please let me know if it falls short of the original price. Thank you for everything."
No. Why?
Rukia took a step back. "I wished many times over that you had just told me, Byakuya." This time, Rukia's voice came out strained, evident of her emotions but she succeeded in controlling them. "That you had told me… that I wasn't enough, that we weren't going to make it anyway. That would have saved us both a lot."
No. Byakuya found it all horribly surreal that the most important person in his life was telling him that he should just have told her she wasn't enough. It would have been laughable, had it not been so terrible. No…
"But unfortunately for you, I also happen to be a very strong girl and I don't wish to owe you anything anymore." Rukia looked up as she swallowed her tears resolutely, willing herself not to crumble before those heartbreakingly beautiful grey eyes. "So I'm breaking up with you."
Byakuya felt his heart drop through the ground.
The violet eyes remained firm and resolute. "Let's make it clear once and for all so we don't have to keep running anymore." Rukia's voice trembled just slightly. "I'm breaking up with you. And from this day on, I'd like it a lot if I never saw you again, Kuchiki Byakuya."
For the first time, Kuchiki Byakuya was frozen, unable to move or utter a word. The world just halted, except for the last few words Rukia had just spoken to him. Breaking up? Never see him again?
Rukia started to turn away.
Break up? The reality clicked in a few seconds and Byakuya reflexively reached out and caught Rukia's arm. They were breaking up? Everything he wanted to say, every sincere word he wanted to utter to Rukia had vanished completely from the Incubus's mind. All that overwhelmed him was the fear. And Kuchiki Byakuya had never felt the fear like this before.
"Rukia… what can I-" His deep voice swayed slightly. "Please…" He would beg, he would readily beg for all of these to just turn into a horrible nightmare.
Rukia stopped, before turning to look back at him. The look gave Byakuya a horrible feeling, it was a look he himself had frequently used, a masked expression no one was meant to read.
Then she whispered the words, "Don't touch me."
And as his grip faltered over her arm, Rukia took a deep breath and finally walked away from Byakuya.
Rukia walked one step after another, wondering if her legs would give way at any second. Her movements felt robotic and clumsy, almost as if her limbs did not belong to her. It all felt too surreal, the people walking around her, the sounds of the engine as cars roared by in the street. Rukia felt as if she was detached from all of it, as if she didn't really belong here.
She had finally done it. She had finally broken up with Byakuya.
You will be fine, Byakuya. As will I.
So many months of closeness and intimacy, so many sweet whispered nothings, so many tender kisses… she had finally put an end to it. Rukia realized she couldn't keep moping around in her sadness and hurt, it was time to move on and put it all behind her. She had always gotten up after a fall, and this one wasn't going to be an exception, even though it might be the hardest one yet. And Rukia knew the first thing to be done… was to come to terms with her relationship with Byakuya.
Rukia knew it was going to be unfair to him the minute she called him to make an appointment in the park. She knew it was going to be unfair that she came to see him only to break up with him. She knew it was going to be unfair that there wasn't even going to be room for explanation (if there even was any explanation to be done).
But Rukia had decided it would be for the best of both of them this way. At least this way, they wouldn't have to continue with the hide-and-seek game all week. This way, they would both come to terms with the finality of their relationship. All that mattered now was time… time to be taken to recover.
Rukia allowed a small shaky smile to form on her lips, as she stood out at the bus station.
You will be fine, Byakuya.
To this day, Rukia never knew if Byakuya actually loved her or not. She had wanted to ask him in the park, just to find out if he ever had, but finally her pride won out over the pathetic need to see if her love was reciprocated.
They had met and connected in the most impossible of ways, and then really tried so hard to make it work, in every single aspect. She remembered how hostile she had been when he came to her flower shop, fearful that the truth of what she had done to earn the money for Otousan's treatment would come out. She remembered when he questioned her if their first night had just been plain sex for money, or if it had been something more for her. She remembered his following attempts to get close to her, as frustrating and annoying as they had been. And she remembered finally falling in love with him.
Rukia smiled slightly as she watched the bus arrive, noting that her eyes were getting a little glassy. She hastily wiped her sleeves across them.
Rukia realized Byakuya was going to be a mysterious entity she would never ever get to know about thoroughly. He worked in mysterious, sometimes, impossible ways and was very unpredictable. Rukia herself struggled to come to terms with the aspects in their relationship, his high status so in contrast with hers and his family who did not seem to favour her, and he in turn confessed of his insecurity regarding her bonds to others. They really had been through a lot.
And of course, there was the part that Byakuya attracted women like honey's nature to bees. Rukia knew she herself was insecure about this, as evident during their dates to the night club and to the theme park (preferring to abandon him to beautiful ladies, thinking that their company was more worthy for him). And every single time, Byakuya often responded with intensity that she was the only one for him. He had made her feel like a princess each time, that she was the only woman in the world.
She had been truly happy, and she loved learning new things about Byakuya and in a way, growing in their relationship with every single day. She learned to overcome her own doubts and fears on her worth, and learned to trust him. And every moment spent with him was a haze of happiness and warmth, he was like her home.
But this time… this one time had set everything off. The sight of Byakuya kissing someone else completely threw Rukia off the track, and made her doubt all the things he had said and showed her... everything they had built upon. Had he been honest? Hadn't he told her she was the only woman he loved? Rukia had then been struck by the terrible notion that he might have been kissing women (or doing even more than that) all along, out of her knowledge. Had she been nothing more than a plaything of his, something so many people had told her before but which she had chose to dispel with her belief in their love? It had been the feeling of betrayal, like you had just been stabbed.
Was there any excusable reason for kissing another woman?
When she had finished crying all her tears, Rukia decided she did not blame Byakuya for what he had done. She blamed herself, for even falling in love in the first place. It had been like setting up a fall, and she had danced right into it.
But it was good… that they had finally broken up. This way, he did not have to tell her any more lies… and he would be free to pursue the life he wanted and probably had always lived before he first committed to her. And at the end, they would both be eventually happy somehow… in their own separate lives.
You will be fine, Byakuya.
A tear slid down Rukia's cheek as she looked out the window.
You will be fine…
… as will I.
xXxXx
Pale fingers brushed the delicate edge of the goblet before lifting it up. Byakuya lifted up the glass and downed the remainder of the amber liquid.
I'm breaking up with you.
Kuchiki Byakuya never had a woman tell him she was breaking up with him. He never had a woman he loved… tell him she was breaking up with him. He was never prepared for this… and never prepared for the terrible feeling of hurt and rejection. It hurt worse than a piercing sword through his chest, it hurt a thousand times worse.
Rukia had broken up with him.
Byakuya did not know how he made it through the journey home, how he did not just die in the park. He had placed the box Rukia had given him into his Porsche and drove home, his head and heart empty. When he arrived at his apartment suite, he finally opened the box and stared at the contents inside. The money, he left in the box. He took out the red rose from Rukia's flower shop and put it into a water-filled glass on the living room table. When he removed the two dresses from the box, Byakuya saw that Rukia had even put her half of the photo booth stickers from their time in the theme park into the box. The photos he took out and placed on the living room table next to the flower glass.
She really did not want to have anything to do with him anymore.
It hurt… so much.
Byakuya had then moved into the kitchen and took out ten bottles of his most expensive brand of alcohol from the bar before moving back to the living room. Then he had laid himself on the couch, before starting to down gulpfuls of alcohol to dull his pain. And yet, his eyes refused to leave the booth stickers on the table, of her beautiful eyes and smile as she posed happily in his arms.
And when the massive amount of alcohol slowly started to start a toll on him, night found the Incubus sprawled across the couch in an uneasy sleep with a single dried tear on his cheek.
xXxXx
"Hey, you idiot."
Byakuya did not even say a word. The young executive just closed his eyes, shutting out the blinding morning sunlight and his right-hand man hovering over him as he lay on the chaise lounge. Had Renji come to laugh at him? Byakuya would have crushed the air out of his assistant's windpipe had he not have the energy or will to do so. He did not feel like doing anything, he could not do anything.
For a moment, when the sound of his apartment elevator had sounded in the early morning and woken him from his sleep, Byakuya had felt the hope come to life in his body. Only Rukia had access to his apartment. Had she come? Had she come to see him?
But it had only been Renji.
"You look terrible, and that's saying something for an Incubus." Renji folded his arms as he looked down at his superior.
'Actually, you look vulnerable, and you have never looked this way before.' Renji thought silently.
Byakuya did not even open his eyes. "Why do you have access to my house?"
"Matsumoto has had it for as long as you lived here, I think she snagged the access card and keys for a duplicating session when you weren't looking. She might even have the house bugged, mind you." Renji stopped, before turning serious. "You weren't answering the calls, so I thought I would come to see you. You went to meet Rukia, didn't you?"
'And I think I can guess the outcome already.'
When Byakuya did not reply, Renji knew he had to say something. "From the looks of it, it didn't go too well, did it?" Renji lifted an almost empty bottle of wine and took a gulp.
"We broke up."
Renji's eyes widened. "Rukia's decision?"
Byakuya said nothing but turned his head inward.
'Look at you. One break-up and you are reduced to a tiny little thing like this. I am never falling in love for real.'
Renji took in a breath and mustered up his courage. He was never going to be able to do this, Byakuya would break his neck in normal conditions. Renji reached out one finger and poked Byakuya in the side. "Okay, that's it. Get up."
"I will not be turning in for work today. All office reviews are to be left to my secretary."
Renji shuddered at the mention of the office newcomer but he pushed on regardless. "I am not talking about work, I'm talking about Rukia."
This time, he received a response. Byakuya's eyes opened slightly.
"You need to get up, wash, and get shaved. Think there's already some stubble growing on your pretty chin. And then... you are going to go Rukia-hunting, you got me?"
Byakuya only looked back at Renji silently.
"Yeah, go win her back!" Renji pushed his superior's back a little more forcefully. "She's not going to come back to you if you just lie around and mope like a spoilt kid!"
"Abarai, she told me.." Byakuya took a small, if not, dignified sigh before he continued the painful words haunting him. "… that she was breaking up with me, and never wanted to see me again."
"So?"
Byakuya looked up slightly in surprise.
"Angry girlfriends say that to me all the time. I even had one curse me to lose my balls, after I cheated on her with a much better looking Succubus!" Renji laughed at the memory before nudging Byakuya. When his superior did not respond, Renji decided to play his trump card. "Fine then. Can you imagine living without her?"
"No." The answer came, steadfast without a second's hesitation.
"So, if we were to be logical, you need to have her back! Buy her a thousand flowers, serenade her with some corny love song below her window or something. You know, the Romeo Juliet style?"
xXxXx
Byakuya cleared his throat slightly and adjusted the folded sleeves of his beige collared shirt. It had been nothing short of excruciating to make his way here. Byakuya had been secretly grateful for his assistant's incessant nagging as he got ready, at least Renji had been annoying enough to take his painful thoughts away for some time.
But as he drove alone to Rukia's home, Byakuya began to feel the nervousness and anxiety creep in. She had specifically told him that she did not want to see him again. What was he doing now, deliberately coming to her home? But Byakuya had swallowed his pride and floored the gas pedal instead.
He would swallow his pride, swallow anything… if that was what it took to have Rukia back. He would ask her to give him another chance, to give them another chance. And if that failed, he would just keep asking everyday for the rest of his life.
Byakuya looked at the 'Closed' signboard of the floral shop, it had apparently not been opened in days. The Incubus pressed the doorbell and stood back a step, waiting for someone to come to the door.
A few minutes passed before a familiar figure materialized behind the glass. Byakuya's head shot up, before he bowed as the door opened.
"Otousan." Byakuya lifted his head and noted the hesitant, troubled eyes of the old man before him… and he immediately knew.
"Byakuya-san."
"Otousan, I am very sorry to disturb you… but is Rukia in?"
He already knew the answer before Ukitake spoke. "No, she isn't, Byakuya-san."
"I…" Byakuya deliberated slightly, wondering how he could ask. "Do you know where I might find her?"
He watched the hesitance again. "Byakuya-san…" Ukitake looked up, his face tired. "… perhaps the both of you need to take time off for a while."
Byakuya felt his heart sink a little. "I really, really need to speak to her. She doesn't pick up her phone and I am unable to find her at the usual spots. I-
"I really do not know where she is, Byakuya-san." Byakuya read the old man's eyes and knew that Ukitake was speaking the truth. It did nothing to make him feel better. Ukitake put one hand against the doorframe. "All I know is that Kurosaki-san picked her up from home."
Byakuya's eyes widened. Kurosaki Ichigo?
"She did not tell me her location, probably because she knew you'd come looking for her and she would rather not have me lie. She calls sometimes, but from a private number to let me know she is alright." Ukitake hesitated. "Byakuya-san, I will be honest with you. You have made my daughter happier than I have ever seen her be… but you have also caused her sadness like never before."
"I…" Byakuya did not know what to say. How could he anyway when what Ukitake said was true? He was completely guilty.
"Perhaps both of you need some time off to sort out things, and come to a good conclusion on how to work this out best for yourselves," Ukitake spoke.
"I will come here everyday to see if she has returned, Otousan."
Ukitake's eyes widened.
"I understand that she needs some time off and I will wait until she returns to talk to her. I might have to trouble you every evening like this, Otousan."
"Byaku-
Byakuya bowed. "I am terribly sorry for the hurt I have caused Rukia. I want to make things right now and I will wait for the time I can. Thank you so much for letting me know about her."
Ukitake sighed. "Good night, Byakuya-san."
"Good night, Otousan."
xXxXx
This is so good… this feels so fucking good.
Miko threw her head back in ecstasy as she reached her orgasm, screaming out in pleasure. She felt him thrust the last couple of times before the hot warmth poured into her core as he shuddered above her.
"You didn't use a condom?" Miko asked, breathless.
"I do not think you will be getting pregnant anyway." The voice was masculine, yet so silky at the same time.
"Why not?" Miko allowed a sexy pout to form on her lips as she stretched out below the man.
She could not believe how her bad luck... could have taken an opposite turn. Just last week, she had been fired by her boss Kuchiki Byakuya from the Azaris corportation after kissing him. Miko wondered if the reason for her removal was because she had been bad at kissing, but she highly doubted it. It was probably an angry request from that little so-called girlfriend who happened to walk in on that perfect moment. After all, Byakuya himself had initiated the kiss. But getting fired was getting fired, and Miko suddenly found herself without a job (and a high-paying one at that).
But just when she was cursing her luck, she found him.
He had met her at the bar, and quickly solicited her company and favour. He had been a very handsome man, and Miko even decided he was better than her previous boss. He seemed to be a man of some stature as well, from the way he talked and dressed. He had seemed thoroughly interested in her, and somehow very curious about her previous job. They had talked for hours. And after those hours and a couple more drinks, he whisked her away to a quiet bungalow, which she could only presume was his house.
If she had been fired only to become the wife (or mistress) of a rich man, Miko would gladly give up that secretary job any day.
"How was it?" The velvety voice jolted Miko from her thoughts, and she looked up.
"Fantastic," Miko breathed. "Round two?" She angled her head up for a kiss but the man drew back.
"Not just yet, beautiful. So you actually carry the access card for your previous company around?"
Miko frowned. Way to ruin the mood. But this man had great bed skills, so she would tolerate this… a bit more. "Well, yes. Though I don't know if they have already cancelled it, but I think I might still go back there to get the rest of my stuff."
"And you brought it with you today?"
Miko nodded, her irritation growing. "Yes, it's in my handbag. Now stop talking about random things, and let's get on to more serious stuff." She reached out for him but the man turned away, reaching out for her bag on the bedside drawer.
"Hey! That's my personal stuff, you can't just go looking in it! I mean, so we had sex, that doesn't mean you own everything of mine!"
He did not even respond to her. Miko could not see his face as his back was turned to her, but she could see how skillful his hands handled her bag. The fingers went through the articles carefully and placed them back… until they removed the silver rectangular pass card of Azaris.
"Hey, look at me when I talk to you! What is with you and my previous company! Is that why you brought me home?"
"Did you recall what you said to me in the bar just now?" Miko's eyes widened as she heard the quiet voice. The man did not turn back to her.
"What?"
"You said for a night like this, you could give your heart to me."
The next movement was a blur, a strangled cry rang out in the room and blood suddenly splattered over the white sheets. The body dropped back to the bed, eyes wide and unseeing… and a big gash in the chest.
"Thank you." The voice was just above a tone of mild amusement and the long fingers turned the silver card over. "We will see if tonight was just a waste… or not."
A loud knock sounded on the door and the man looked up. "Come in."
The door opened and four other figures moved into the room. The man got up from the bed. "Kuchiki Byakuya does indeed keep his secrets close, even his previous secretary knows nothing of his true nature. But the information she gave to me will give us leverage on the inside of Azaris… and how much of their force actually resides behind those walls. It will help with the final preparatory plans."
The four figures nodded.
"But that can wait. Now, eat up… the meat is still fresh."
xXxXx
"Hey."
Rukia looked up to see Ichigo standing in front of her, holding two glasses of white liquid.
"Hey," Rukia smiled back.
"Spot taken?" Ichigo gestured to the grassy patch next to her and Rukia chuckled, shaking her head. "The entire field is yours for the taking, Mister Kurosaki."
Ichigo laughed and sat down next to Rukia, before offering her a glass. "Soya bean milk. They made it fresh from the kitchen."
Rukia accepted the drink. "Arigato. You should stop nicking food from the chalet kitchen or Nel's aunt will have to chase us all out."
"Nel's aunt personally offered me those drinks," Ichigo pointed out and they both laughed.
"It was nice of Nel to suggest a trip like this out of the blue," Rukia mused as she sipped the soya bean milk. "You know, just get away for a few days from the city. I also know she did it for me." Rukia smiled. "All of you, actually. Arigato."
"You don't get friends like us made anywhere," Ichigo laughed, but then he became a little serious. "So… I heard what you finally did with Byakuya-"
"Ichigo, I really don't want to talk-"
Rukia's eyes widened and she stopped mid-sentence. She stared down at her hand, which had been previously lying on the grass next to her. Now, a bigger hand lay over hers.
"I know. You don't have to talk, just listen for a bit, will you?" Ichigo's voice was soft and Rukia looked up nervously at him. He was looking straight at her, but his cheeks were a little pink.
"I know you are going through a hard time now with the break-up. And I know you don't like sharing private things with us. But what I want you to know is this… that I am going to be here for you." His hand squeezed hers, just a little. "And when everything is alright again, I want to be the one to show you things he failed to show you."
Rukia looked up in surprise, her wide violet eyes meeting Ichigo's brown ones.
"I am serious, Rukia. I have been stupid enough not to realize this earlier but I think I-"
"I…" Rukia hurriedly slid her hand from Ichigo's grasp. "I don't want to think about anything else… for now." She looked out over the field. "I just want to take it one step at a time, and really work on myself for now." She turned back to the orange-haired boy with a small smile. "Just small steps, and little things to look forward to each day."
A sliver of disappointment ran through the amber eyes but Ichigo smiled and nodded. "I understand."
"Arigato… Ichigo." Rukia smiled, and then she got up. "I forgot, I have to call Otousan today! I will see you back in the chalet?"
"See… you."
Ichigo could only wave halfheartedly as he watched the black-haired petite girl run back to the building.
xXxXx
"Rukia, he's been here everyday."
Rukia's eyes widened as she held the phone to her ear. And then there it was… her stupid heart that started to beat triple its pace once again.
"Are you sure you two don't need to talk this over?"
"There's nothing to talk about anymore, Otousan. I made it clear to him that day." Rukia made her voice firm.
"He comes by every evening, just to check if you are home yet. He says he needs to see you."
"Shall I tell him not to disturb you anymore?" Rukia asked. It must be an inconvenience for Otousan if Byakuya kept coming along everyday. Rukia had not told Otousan about the nature of their misunderstanding, only telling her father that she had broken up with Byakuya. She did not want to make Otousan worry, or maybe even angry.
"No, it is not a disturbance. Rukia, I know I might not understand the hearts of young people nowadays but… both of you are unhappy, Rukia. That I can clearly see. Would it not be better to talk it over instead?"
"I have already talked with him on this matter, Otousan. I-"
"Oh, please hold on, Rukia."
Rukia stood by in the hallway as she waited for her father on the line. Why was Byakuya still coming to see her? Hadn't she made it clear? She had even told him to his face that she never wanted to see him again. Why was he making it so hard for the both of them?
After five minutes of waiting, Rukia heard someone pick up the line. "I am sorry, Rukia."
"It's okay, Otousan. I-"
"Just five minutes, for both of you in private."
Rukia's eyes widened but she had already guessed even before she heard that deep voice. He apparently had charmed her father deep to the core from the first time they had met.
"Rukia."
"Why are you calling?" Her voice was strong, it did not tremble… but it was soft. Soft, yet firm. "And why are you bothering Otousan? I thought I already made it clear."
He chose not to answer, instead asking one of his own. "When will you be coming home?" A simple question spoken in such a tender, desperate tone. Rukia suddenly felt her throat become tighter. Why? Why was he making it so hard? She was starting to stand on her own two feet, why was he coming around to try and make her fall again?
"It does not matter, we have nothing to say any more to each other."
"I need to… tell you the truth."
Byakuya's eyes widened as he heard the words that he had uttered from his mouth, almost as if they had been uttered by a stranger. It had been on the spur of the moment, and he could only say what was on his mind.
Tell her the truth.
Just tell her the truth.
Rukia remained silent on the line, and Byakuya struggled in vain to find the words.
"I… am not who you think I am, Rukia."
"I know." Byakuya's eyes widened momentarily at Rukia's answer until he realized that she had interpreted his statement in an entirely different light.
"I am… far from that, far from being a normal man." Byakuya could not think of any way to continue without frightening Rukia. I am a six hundred-year-old demon and I kill almost on a weekly basis, and my food is spiritual energy which I have to leech from other demons or humans.
Byakuya wasn't too worried about the threat of the demon community to Rukia if she ever found out of their existence. Any demon knew Byakuya was not a force to be taken lightly, and he would protect Rukia from any threat to her life. He would easily kill for the sole purpose of keeping her safe. For her, he would be willing to change the rules of the demons and overturn them.
What Byakuya was concerned with was how Rukia herself would view him, and that his identity had been a lie from the beginning. Would she be shocked that his age probably rivalled that of her ancestors so far back she never knew any connections of? Or would she see him as the person he was when he was with her, the man who loved her and who gradually earned her love in turn? Would she reel back in terror when she knew of the countless massacres he had led, of his history soaked in blood? Or would she still want his arms around her, tainted or not? Would she be able to forgive his leech-like nature toward herself and countless women in the past, even if he had not loved them?
Deep inside his heart, Byakuya already knew that his Incubus being and deeds were unforgivable. However, he knew that there were plenty of mortal women that would probably be able to overlook the fact that he was not human… the superficial and lustful ones who wanted nothing but good sex and money.
Rukia was his complete opposite, an honest and strong woman with her purity and firms ideas on life. How could he expect her to even begin to accept the real him, a demon which was everything but pure and righteous? He remembered how she had requested him in her emotionless voice to not touch her in the park, as if his touch had been nothing but dirty and unworthy. He never wanted that to be repeated, that she might ever think of him like that again.
So he could only speak the next few words, the truest words he had ever meant to a woman. He spoke them firm, loud and unresisting.
"But I love you, Rukia. I love you very much... and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life."
But I love you. I love you very much... and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Those sickening words, those so very sickening words.
They sickened Rukia, at how such shameless words could make their way from his mouth, when his actions spoke complete opposites.
They sickened her, at how sincere and heartfelt they sounded.
But what was worse, was how her heart strained out at those words like they were her lifeline, only to have the reality of the situation snap those feeble lines causing her more hurt than before.
"Do not speak words that are of no use now. It is over, we are over."
Byakuya's eyes widened before they softened in sadness. "I see."
"Man or no man, I would like it if you did not contact me anymore. Good night."
xXxXx
Okay, that's it for the new chapter. It's a pretty long one, and pretty angsty too (my own angsty mood probably added more to it actually). But there are a lot of information in here. Byakuya has a new secretary and he's a male at that - Hisagi! (I love this dork in Bleach XD) and of course, there's the lovable Renji who now plays the part of love guru. And then, there's all the emotional turmoil between Byakuya and Rukia. Break-ups are always painful but people learn from there so I chose this aspect to make her stronger (and there will be others soon, but we will have to wait for a bit :D)... even though, you might now feel pain for Byakuya instead, who's stuck between a do-or-don't situation regarding his true identity and his separation from his Rukia. And of course, the mysterious demons are closing in...
Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter... and that it wasn't too draggy for you.
Do review and let me know though, i welcome feedback/comments/suggestions... and if there are any corrections, do let me know too. :)
Till we meet again. :)