Lost in love 7

Chapter 7: Spoiled plan

Rukia was in her room lying on her bed. Her brother was in the office. They've changed the guest room into an office because Byakuya needed some place to work on. His room wasn't big enough to have one inside. Byakuya did his work at home when he needed. When she came home yesterday from the park, Byakuya looked like he was mad. Apparently he saw Rukia's inhaler in her bag when he checked it to be sure that she didn't forget it. He was worried and tried a lot of times of calling her. Unfortunately, she didn't notice her phone ringing because she was occupied with everything else. After thirty minutes, finally, Byakuya's anger subsided and told her to sleep and rest.

It was past ten already but for some reasons Rukia couldn't sleep. She kept on tossing and turning around the bed and was sighing a lot. It was very quiet and little or small sounds could be heard inside her room. Even the ticking of the clock could be heard. She's very confused, confused with everything that happens when she's with Ichigo. Last Saturday night, when she bid him goodbye, she purposely held his hand one last time to figure something out. After touching him she knew that somehow what she thought was true.

She loves it when she's near Ichigo.

The warm, comfortable, and very loving feeling that was always there whenever she touches him, proved the fact that she really likes holding Ichigo. Although she knew that, she's still confused why she would want him to hold her. Why did she miss the feeling of his skin on hers?

'What's happening to me? Ichigo is just a friend. I'm not supposed to feel this way. Well, it's not like I already like him, I mean I don't feel that way towards him. But I can't stop myself from liking his presence so much. What am I gonna do? Maybe I only like being near him because I feel secured and safe. Something that I haven't felt for so long. They were feelings that has stopped coming in to me since my parents died. That's it right? It couldn't be anything else.' Rukia sighed. She did her best to sound convincing to herself but she knew that she failed.

'I never knew that I would be comfortable with someone again. I'm really glad that I confided on Ichigo and that we shared the same fate, although those were very unfortunate fates.'

'I know there is one more explanation as to why I'm like this but I shouldn't even consider it as one of the reasons. If I could, I would even stop myself from thinking that it's possible. I should forbid myself from thinking... from thinking...' Rukia sat up suddenly and with wide eyes she thought. 'that...that...I... I li-like Ichigo.

'No! It can't be! I mustn t!' She covered her ears as if she's shouting out loud and it hurt to even listen to her own thoughts.

'Right. I won't panic, yet, I don't have to.' she curled up into a ball and lied on her left side, grasping the quilt with her right hand.

'I have to know what's happening to me. I can't keep on seeing Ichigo while I'm having doubts with my feelings. I need to be sure. If I won't, I will be in big trouble.'
-

Ichigo was walking down the hallway. He had his bag on his hand and a scowl was visible on his face. Students were looking at him and were trying to get out of his way. He looked really angry and you can even say that if someone will bump onto him that person will die, literally. He was even staring or more like glaring at every student that blocked his way and it was a good thing that they got the message and scrambled away from him.

When he was near the classroom he took a peek first before going inside. The first person he saw was Inoue. She was in a deep conversation with Tatsuki and she didn't notice his head sticking out at the door. He wasn't in the mood to be kind and pretend that he's okay so he continued walking and went straight to the stairs that lead to the rooftop. When he reached it he opened the door and was shocked to find at the edge of the rooftop a certain raven haired girl that he saw last Saturday staring at the view of the field.

"Rukia? What are you doing here?"

Rukia was clearly startled. She screamed a little and sighed when she saw Ichigo. She looked at the owner of the voice and smiled.

"Good morning! Is that a new way to greet someone?" she arched her eyebrow and looked straight at him.

Ichigo rolled his eyes and answered back. "Fine then, Good morning! Happy?"

"Yes, and to answer your first question I was just spending some time alone. It's still early so I thought of going here. It's my favorite place in the whole school." Rukia turned back her gaze on to the field and leaned on the crisscrossed wired fence that was surrounding the rooftop.

"Why? It's too quiet in here. And there's nothing much to do." Ichigo walked beside Rukia. He too leaned on the fence and looked at what Rukia was looking. From the side of the rooftop where they were they could see the back of the school and the wide field where some students were walking around. Some were playing and chasing each other.

"I love it here. Look." she looked at the sky and held up her right hand like she's reaching for the clouds. "It's too high up here that when you look at the clouds it feels like you can touch them." She closed her eyes and inhaled some air.

Rukia looked back at the field and smiled. "And if you'll look down, you can see lots of people walking. They're fascinating. They're like ants but unorganized. I like looking at them it makes me feel like I'm stronger than all of them and if I'll flick my finger," Rukia flicked her fingers in the air pointing them at the students in the field. "Like ants, they will scatter all around the field." she kept on smiling and didn't see Ichigo staring at her and was listening intently with every word she said.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're weird?" Ichigo told her kiddingly. While Rukia was talking he was just looking at her. He heard everything and they all made him believe it was true. While looking at Rukia, he did feel what she was talking about. The sky really did look closer that you can actually feel the cold mist that came from it. The students looked like ants but more of an independent kind of ants because they weren't forming a line and following the other one in front of them. They have their own way of building their anthills.

"Ouch! Why did you kick me?" Ichigo was holding his right leg because Rukia had just kicked him.

"That's for calling me weird! Don't you have anything to do aside from bothering me here? Isn't Inoue here already? Why don't you go to her like a good boyfriend you're supposed to be?" Rukia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at Ichigo.

"Che! I don't want to. It's not like we're not gonna see each other later. Besides, I had a bad morning because of my family. They kept on pestering me about our dat- I mean, about me going away on a Saturday for a girl. And that's why I was such in a bad mood and I might involve anyone who talks to me. I don't want to do that to Inoue."

"So now you're here because you don't care if you're making my life miserable, is that it? Why are you even here?" Rukia glared at Ichigo and was controlling her irritation.

"I didn't know that you were here! I was just looking for a perfect place to hide from everybody. But you know what? I think what you said, making your life miserable, wasn't such a bad idea." Ichigo turned to Rukia and mocked her, even emphasizing his last words.

"Ouch! STOP KICKING ME MIDGET! AAHHH! WHY DID YOU HIT ME WITH YOUR FIST?"

Rukia kicked Ichigo again and when he called him midget she got irritated and hit him with her balled fist. "Because mister don't-look-and-talk-to-me-or-you're-dead you keep on annoying me! And you don't have plans on stopping!" she hit him again and again on his shoulder. Ichigo was feeling a bruise was coming on the spot where Rukia kept on hitting. He couldn't stop her because aside from being strong he could sense that Rukia was enjoying it.

"Ouch! Sto-stop! Cut it out! I mean it Rukia!" Rukia was still hitting Ichigo and he felt that it was getting worse and worse. He turned to Rukia and held both of her arms in order to stop her. Rukia was forced to stop but she glared her eyes at Ichigo, like sending him daggers all over his body.

"My, I didn't know you two were so close."

Renji came through the door of the rooftop but the two didn't see him come. They were preoccupied too much with one another that they didn't hear anything at all. He was standing by the doorway staring at Ichigo and Rukia looking irritated and annoyed. He crossed his arms and looked at Rukia.

"Wow, you don't feel awkward holding each other, do you? Sorry, was I interrupting something?" He arched his eyebrow at Rukia waiting for an answer.

Quickly, Rukia shook off Ichigo and stood straight. She looked at Renji and smiled at him. "Uhm... Good morning Renji! No, we were uhm... We were just goofing around. We didn't know you came."

"Yeah, I can see that." Renji glared at Ichigo and directed his next words to him. "And who're you? I don't think I've seen you before. I don't think you're a friend of Rukia because she DOESN'T talk about you." He was staring at Ichigo like he's a pest and even put an emphasis on the word doesn't.

Ichigo was staring at Renji. The moment he heard that Rukia hangs out with him, he was disgusted. He kept telling her to get away from him because he knew who Renji was. For Ichigo, Renji was nothing more than a delinquent kid who doesn't care about anything but his gang. He heard about the incident were Renji was hospitalized for two days because of some misunderstanding from their group. Ichigo even heard about a girl who helped Renji to the hospital and took care of him. He has been thinking how hard it must be for the girl to waste her time. Ichigo was sure that once Renji will be out of the hospital he will continue being a miserable kid.

"It's none of your business to know who I am." Ichigo was aware that From the moment Renji came he was looking at Ichigo like an archenemy. "I couldn't care less of what you think of us." Ichigo told Renji with a sarcastic voice and a scowl. He then turned to Rukia. "I think we should go. It's almost time for the first period."

Rukia was sweating. She hasn't had a clue as to what was happening. Renji and Ichigo looked at each other with obvious hatred and she couldn't figure out why. She knew that Ichigo doesn't like Renji but that wasn't enough for the said boy to hate the red haired one. Renji, on the other hand, didn't know Ichigo and she doubted that he even know his name.

"Why rukia? Are you going to leave me behind and act like you didn't see me?" Renji looked straight at Rukia. He was getting irritated with the two and he wanted to push Ichigo away from the girl.

Rukia became nervous when Renji talked to her for the first time with an angry voice. 'Did I do something? Why does he act like I did something wrong?' To set things right she looked at Ichigo and smiled at him. Even though she was very confused with the two she couldn't help but smile at Ichigo. "You go ahead. I'll just talk to Renji. We still had five minutes to spare."

Ichigo didn't want to leave Rukia alone with Renji but he has no right to not let her. After all Renji was her first friend at Karakura. He saw Rukia smile at him a genuine one and mimicked her action. He nodded at her and smiled. "Alright, don't be late."

"Yeesh! She's not you're property so stop telling her what to do." Renji leaned on the wall beside the door. He was waiting for Ichigo to disappear and his patience was running out. He didn't like the fact that Rukia was smiling at Ichigo. And it wasn't just an ordinary smile, there was something hidden behind those lips and Renji could sense that he won't like it once he knew what it was.

"I AM concern of her studies unlike some people who don t even care." Ichigo snapped at Renji. He was starting to feel mad.

Renji heard the remark but decided to ignore it. 'Che! If this guy won't get lost in one minute I will beat the pulp out of him. How could he imply that I don t care about Rukia? Huh! It's a good thing that Rukia's here. She's the only reason that's stopping me from hitting this carrot top!' he smirked at Ichigo while the other guy was walking towards the door. Renji thought that Ichigo was about to say or do something again when he stopped walking beside him but Ichigo only looked at him and then scowl that Renji returned with a deadly glare. Then Ichigo continued walking down the stairs and then out of sight from the two left on the rooftop.

"Rukia! Who's he? That carrot top son of a bitc-"

"Please! don't say that! Ichi-Ichigo's my friend. I'm sorry, but you don't have the right to talk about him. Espe-especially on my face." Rukia looked down. She didn't want to hurt Renji with her words but Renji had been rude with Ichigo and he was the one who started insulting the strawberry.

Renji was surprised. He didn't expect Rukia will react like that just because of some guy that she just met. He knew that whoever that Ichigo was Renji was Rukia's first friend and he definitely haven't heard her saying anything about him. 'Are they close already? She keeps on calling him Ichigo. No! Maybe their friends but I'm more special than that guy! I've been with Rukia since she came here but she never talked about him so I'm sure that Ichigo guy is not that important. Maybe she stopped me because they were friends and she doesn't like it when people say bad things about her friends. Right! She's just defending a friend. Something that I know she will also do for me.' Renji inwardly smiled contented with his own thoughts.

"Ok, I'm sorry. Let's not fight. I don't want us to do that. So, who's he? You've never mentioned him before." Renji went closer to Rukia. He leaned on the fence beside her.

"He's no one. Ichigo's my friend. He saved me when I was in trouble and needed some help. Fortunately he was there and he... Saved me." Rukia was looking down at her feet. They were making circles on the floor.

Renji grinned. He was glad that for Rukia, Ichigo was no one and was not important. 'I think I should do this now, before anybody else takes interests on her.'

Ever since Rukia saved Renji from that accident, he became closer to Rukia. He knew that when he opened his eyes, when he was at the hospital and the first one he saw was Rukia he felt something towards her. He invited her for lunch everyday just to see her. He misses her when she's not around. He even calls Rukia at night to hear her voice.

Renji knew, he knew that he's feeling something for Rukia. He likes her a lot. She was the first one to show concern to him. She was the first one that talked to him with courage. Not only that, Rukia was never influenced by anyone. Renji knew that from the start when the students saw them together they talked to Rukia to keep her away from him. He was glad when she didn't listen to them and didn't care about the rumors. Yes, Renji likes her and now he thought that it will be the best time to ask her out.

"Renji it's almost time for our class. I need to go." Rukia picked up her bag from the floor and took a step away already when Renji grabbed her arm and pulled her that forced her to look at him.

"Rukia wait. Would you like to hang out with me this Saturday?" Renji stared directly in to Rukia's eyes. He was determined to hold her gaze until she answered him in his favor.

"Renji..."

Rukia was speechless. Although Renji didn't say the word "date" she knew what he meant by asking her out. And it's not helping that he's looking straight in her eyes waiting for a good reply. She wanted to tell him no because she didn't feel like going out alone with him and was afraid of Renji hoping there will be future for them. Rukia didn't want to hurt him also. She didn't want to feel uncomfortable towards him and ruined their friendship. She thought of a way to break it to him gently and not hurt him.

"Renji, I don't really know. I'm really surprised and of course flattered that you want to go out with me but..."

"But what Rukia? Why don't you give it a try? I promise you that I won t make you feel awkward or anything like that. Please give me one chance and let me prove myself to you." Renji was still holding Rukia. He wouldn't let her go unless she'll say yes.

"Renji-"

"Are you afraid of what people might say when they see us together?" Renji could feel that Rukia was about to say no. But he wouldn't take no for an answer so he changed his approached and decided that she needs to be forced.

"No! That's not it. I'm actually ahhh... I-I have-I have plans! Yeah! I have plans this Saturday and I can't cancel it because I promised my friend that we will go out this Saturday." Rukia averted her gaze from Renji. She was lying and she knew that Renji could sense it. She had no choice but to lie because she couldn't accept him.

Renji was sad. No, saying that he was sad was putting it lightly. He didn't know why Rukia was lying. He couldn't accept it and he will do his best to prove to Rukia how much he likes her and he's willing to wait for her until she will say yes. But for now, he will give her time to think about it.

"Alright. I guess it's my fault for not asking you earlier. Let's just go out next time." He smiled at Rukia and took his hand off of her.

"Thanks. I knew you'd understand. I should go. I'm gonna be late." Rukia went to the door and stopped before going through it. She looked back at Renji who was staring at her. With a sincere look in her eyes she told him,

"Renji, I'm really sorry."

Renji smiled. He felt that Rukia was truly sorry and he couldn't get mad at someone who didn't want to hurt him. Still, he won't give up that easily.

"I know. But, I'll wait. It's not like you have plans every Saturday."

For once Rukia had nothing to say. She understood what Renji meant and she couldn't do anything about it. She nodded at him and left. She went straight to her classroom thinking of the boy left alone on the rooftop.

"Okay! We will be having our school fair two weeks from now. I want you all to plan for it and think of a booth that we can have. I will give you time for a meeting tomorrow so think about it for the whole night. Did you get that?"

"Yes Sensei!"

"Okay you can all go home now."

The students one by one left the room some were still packing their stuff and putting them in their bags. Others were chatting with their friends. Two girls were talking by the window. A short girl with raven hair and violet eyes and the other one was tall and with a bubbly attitude.

"Rukia, how was your weekend? Did you have fun last Saturday?" Inoue was smiling too much that Rukia felt Inoue's jaw were hurting already.

"Yes! We went to the amusement park and I really had fun. It's too bad that you couldn't come with us."

Inoue pouted. She crossed her arms and looked outside when suddenly an idea popped in to her head. "I know! We can go together this Saturday! The three of us! Right?"

"What?"

Rukia looked at Inoue. She didn't know why somehow she didn't like the idea of going with Inoue. She felt that she wanted to interject her but she couldn't. She was about to open her mouth when Ichigo went over them.

"Hey! What's up? What are you talking about?"

"Oh! Good you're here! I told Rukia that maybe we, I mean you and me, go some place this Saturday! I mean I want to go with you guys the next time you tour her around Karakura! It will be fun right? It's like we're going on a date and at the same time making Rukia happy!" Inoue was so enthusiastic that she kept on jumping while hugging Ichigo's arms. She liked it that she could join them on Saturday.

"Uhm... I don't know Inoue. What about we ask Rukia first? She might not approve it because it can be awkward for her to be the only one who's going without a date." Ichigo looked at Rukia.

It felt weird to go with Inoue. Ichigo knew that it was a good idea and Inoue would be happy to be with them but he on the other hand didn't like it. 'Is it wrong to not let Inoue come with us? It's not that I don't want to it's just that I'm... I'm...'

There are no words for it. Ichigo had no explanation why he didn't want Inoue to go with them. What he said that Rukia might feel uncomfortable with him and Inoue was just an excuse for him. He was the one who didn't like Inoue tagging along with them. But what could he say? Inoue is his girlfriend and it's not right to stop her from going with them. Ichigo knew that if he won't let her go she'll be sad and perhaps get jealous of Rukia. He didn't want to hurt Inoue. It's either she'll come or Ichigo will be the one to stay behind. There was nothing else to do but to wait for Rukia's answer.

Ichigo looked at Rukia and he saw her staring back at him. From what he could see, her eyes were pleading. Telling him something he couldn't understand because Rukia was doing her best to block all her emotions, something that she often did. She was staring at Ichigo like she was also waiting for him to say anything. Ichigo sensed that Rukia was going to feel uncomfortable with both Inoue and him together so he turned to the auburn haired girl beside him and said,

"Inoue, how about I stay? That way you can hang out with Rukia and she won't be uncomfortable. Let's just have our date on Sunday. Is that okay?"

"But Ichigo... It's not the same! You should come with us because you're the one who promised Kuchiki that you'll accompany her and now you're the one who's going to back out? Are you serious?" Inoue was hugging Ichigo's arm and then looked at Rukia who was in front of them. "Rukia please...? I really want to hang out with the both of you. And I also want to know how Ichigo does his job being a tour guide. Please... Please...?"

Rukia looked outside the window she couldn't decide. She didn't have a clue why she was feeling that way all of a sudden. She pretended that it was because when that happens, like what Ichigo said, she would be the only one without a date. She didn't want to look at the two lovers and be lonely. 'Come on! Why can't I just say yes? I was even the one who asked Inoue to come. There's nothing wrong with her being with them. She's just being kind and wants me to have fun but I'm refusing her. And besides, I think Ichigo will love it if I'll accept Inoue's idea. I should think about how he'll feel. he's been good to me and if I can, I should repay his kindness.'

while looking out the window Rukia saw something or rather someone. 'Wait! Is that Renji down there? It looks like him. He's the only one with that ridiculous hair style here in school. Hhhhmmmm... Yes! That's right I think I should do that!' Rukia was grinning. She has forgotten that Inoue and Ichigo were still beside her waiting and both of them were calling her name but she had ignore them. When she looked back at them the two lovers were standing at her wondering what on earth happened to her.

"Alright! I think you should come with us Inoue. It would be great to have you. I know that Ichigo will like that but, will It be also okay if I'll bring someone with me? I mean someone that you might not like?" Rukia looked at Ichigo when she said the last two words. She knew that once Ichigo will know who she was planning to bring with her he would go ballistic. But she decided already and it will be a good opportunity to give what two people wanted from her. A date from Renji, and Inoue tagging along with them.

Ichigo's eyes turned wide. He didn't expect that Rukia accepted Inoue's offer. He was hoping and wishing she will decline but no, she said yes and apparently she was planning on taking someone with her. "Who's he? Aren't you gonna tell us first?"

"Uhm... No. You have to tell me first that you'll agree with me." Rukia looked away. She couldn't tell Ichigo yet who she was planning on taking with her. She needed to confirm first that they will both agree. Especially since Ichigo didn't like Renji. Considering the fact that just this morning the two almost punch each other s nose. It might be a bad idea but it's the only way that she could satisfy Renji and Inoue at the same time. 'It will be like hitting two birds with one stone. Yeah, it's the only way for me.'

'Is she serious? Don't tell me she's planning on taking that bastard with us? How could she do that? I should stop her. That guy will just ruin our day.' Ichigo shook off Inoue's arms. He took one step closer to Rukia and leaned over her form.

"Who's he?"

"Uhm-"

"I think it is a wonderful suggestion!" Inoue cut off Rukia before she could even answer Ichigo. She was just staring at them feeling something wasn't right. When Ichigo heard that Rukia will have a date he was alert and looked like he didn't want it. She touched Ichigo's shoulder and turned him around. When he looked at her she stared in to his eyes and said,

"Our problem is solved it's the best way for all of us. And aside from that, it's Kuchiki's choice to have a date. We shouldn't interfere. Am I right, Ichigo?"

"Well then, I guess that's settled." Inoue continued speaking when her boyfriend didn't respond to what she asked. Then she looked at Rukia smiling widely,back with her usually bubbly self.

"So who's the lucky guy?"

"Are sure?" Renji asked Rukia for the tenth time. He couldn't believe it that Rukia told him they will go on a date on Saturday. Even though she said that it will be like a double date he ignored that piece of information. For him it was a chance to show Rukia how it will be like if they will be a couple, a chance to show her how much he cares for her.

"Yes Renji. I told you. I'll tell you next time where we'll meet." Rukia was doubting her decision. Asking Renji for a date is like giving him hope. But she couldn't take it back, not anymore. Inoue was glad that it happened and even Ichigo didn't complain. She was kind of disappointed when he didn't even say one word when she told him that it was Renji she was planning on taking. He only nodded and then left. 'It was like he didn't even care. How come? This morning he was warning me and kept on telling me to avoid Renji but now he accepted that I will go out with this pineapple. I don't understand.'

"Anyway, I really need to go now. I'll call you if I already know where we'll go. I have to go. My brother's waiting for me."

Rukia bowed and turned around but once again was stopped by none other than Renji. He was holding her hand and was staring at her with serious eyes. He wasn't averting his gaze anywhere it was fix on rukia's violet eyes and hypnotizing her with its power. Suddenly, he pulled Rukia onto him and wrapped his arms around her body.

"Thank you Rukia, for giving me a chance."

Slowly, he let Rukia go and ran past her. He didn't stop and even look back. He continued running until, he was out of sight.

Rukia was shocked. A moment ago she was having second thoughts but now she regrets it. The moment Renji hugged her she wanted to push him away but couldn't, because she knew it could offend the guy. 'Now what am I going to do? I shouldn't have asked Renji to come with me. I can't do this. I can't let Renji think that I like him. What have I done? It's too late. If I will cancel this it will be like adding insults to injury.

'The weekend that I was very anxious of now ruined. It's all my fault. I can't turn back time and redo everything. I can't escape it. I have to endure the whole day. I have to get through it somehow.'

Rukia went back home with a heavy heart. Wishing that somehow, Saturday wouldn't come.

A/N: thank you for reading! I deleted my A/N here because obviously someone was offended. I didn't mean that. Thank you again! ^_^