"Lost in Love"
Chapter 11: Keeping a promise
Disclaimer: I do no own Bleach.
Hours have passed. Sleep was hard to get when a certain person with bright orange hair kept on invading your mind. Rukia has been tossing and turning for the whole night. She couldn't sleep at all. Her mind was plagued by one person who might also be thinking of her.
Ichigo.
He came in the middle of the night. He came and almost confessed his feelings for her but she stopped him. She couldn't let him. Not when there were things at stake.
But for a bit, she felt sad. She felt that maybe even a bit, a small part of her has been telling her that she regretted it.
She likes him. That was for sure and last night Ichigo showed her he likes her too. Could she be selfish enough and think of her self for once? Could she hurt Inoue and take the boy that completed Inoue's life? Could she forget any righteous act and let her heart do all the actions? Could she really do that?
"Hhhhmmm... I need to get out. I have to go somewhere."
Rukia got ready to take a walk outside. She decided she needed a break from all of the confusion she has been going through. After checking her brother if he has gone for work already she took her keys and went straight to the park.
She hasn't eaten any breakfast yet so she decided to grab a meal on one of the fast-food she saw on her way to the park. She entered the store and ordered food from the counter. Some pancakes with hot chocolate and then took a seat beside the glass wall.
She was staring at nothing in particular when a familiar voice caught her attention.
"Kuchiki? What are you doing here?" A smiling girl with auburn hair was looking at Rukia with curious eyes. The girl that Rukia felt she was betraying. Inoue was holding a tray with pancakes and coffee. Evidently she was having breakfast at the same place.
"I-Inoue?"
"Wow! Are you here for breakfast as well?" Inoue looked at the empty seat opposite Rukia. "Can I join you?"
"Su-sure. No problem." 'Why am I nervous? It's just Inoue! Oh yeah right. Because last night I almost took her boyfriend for myself! God! Why does she have to be here?"
After being seated Inoue started eating unaware of the awkwardness that she was giving the other girl. She was oblivious to the fact that Rukia was actually fidgetting and uncomfortable being in her presence. "So, why are you eating here? Shouldn't you be home by now?"
"We-well my brother has left when I woke up and I wanted to take a walk. Then I stop at this place. What about you? How are you?" Rukia couldn't even look at Inoue in fear that the said girl would see right through her and accuse her of stealing her boyfriend.
"Nothing in particular. I always come here whenever I feel like it. This is where my brother and I used to eat. We came here often." She didn't need to tell the nightmares that haunted her for the whole night and that it was the cause of waking up too early.
Rukia saw a sad smile crept along Inoue's face. "You must be really close with your brother."
Inoue's grin was from ear to ear. "Yeah! He was the only family I had. I lived my best days with him. but of course all dreams has to end and unfortunately ours ended too early."
"What do you mean that it ended early?"
"We-well my brother died when I was thirteen. A car crashed onto him. He saw a kid crossing the street and instinct told him to save the poor child. He pushed the kid out of the way and he ended up getting hit by the car." The story was finished with teary eyes. Inoue looked away from Rukia. She couldn't bear facing the past. Talking about her brother made her feel uneasy and she tried as hard as she could to forget what happened.
"Your brother sounds like a hero. I think he didn't regret what he did. I know that If he could bring back the time, he would have done it again. He would save that kid again." Rukia felt sad for Inoue. She knew what it was like to lose someone precious and someone you love with all your heart. It must have been worse for Inoue since her brother was the only one left. 'At least Byakuya is still with me. He still protects me and takes care of me.'
"I know. He's one in a million. The only reason that's keeping me sane is Kurosaki. If it wasn't for him, i would have done something stupid by now. Do you understand what I mean?"
Inoue's gaze was intent. For the first time since Rukia met her, she saw fear in the usually bubbly girl's eyes. There was another meaning hidden behind Inoue's words.
'Inoue, couldn't live without Ichigo. Is that what she is telling me?' "You really love Ichigo so much, don't you?"
The auburn haired girl wondered how Rukia understood what she felt. She smiled at the petite girl and nodded. With an appreciative smile she answered the petite girl with a warm voice ending the topic.
"Yes, I love him. And I will do everything to be with him forever."
Inoue stared at Rukia. She studied the girl's face and noticed how pretty the other girl was. Silky smooth and shiny hair, Soft skin that looked like cream, big violet eyes that shines whenever she smiles, a cute button nose and pouty lips that had the perfect shape. Rukia was beautiful no doubt about that. Inoue could see that any man could easily fall for the othe girl's charm. Not only was Rukia pretty, she also has a kind heart. Yes, anyone could fall for her and that included...
"Rukia, Is something wrong between you and Kurosaki?"
Shocked by the next words that came from Inoue, Rukia's heart started beating fast. 'I hope this isn't about what I think it is.'
"Why d'you ask?"
Inoue's fingers were fidgeting visible to the occupants of the table. "W-well y-ou have been ignoring each other this past week. I was just wondering whether you two fought or not. I'm just worried."
This question has been bugging Inoue for the past week. Rukia wasn't talking to Ichigo. It wasn't an oblivious fact to her. A week had passed and not one of them utter a single word to each other. Inoue thought perhaps Ichigo was the one who ignored the raven haired girl but as she observed more closely, he was actually the one trying to get Rukia's attention. The other girl was very determined not look or even glance at the boy. she knew something was up. But she didn't want to interfere with the two so Inoue tried ignoring them. But how could someone pretend nothing was happening when the other party was doing the opposite?
(flashback)
It was Wednesday, lunch break. Everyone was outside enjoying their packed lunch and chatting with friends. Two groups divided by boys and girls were under a tree doing same things as others.
A sigh was once again heard from Ichigo who was beside Chad and Keigo. It didn't go unnoticed by the latter boy.
"Ichigo! That was the tenth time I heard you sighing! What's wrong with you? Hhmmm... Whenever a boy sighs it's because of a... A GIRL!" an idiotic suggestion came from keigo. Inoue who was sitting beside Tatsuki and Chizuru snapped her head at the center of attention. She saw Ichigo already breaking the stupid boy's head and threw him on the ground.
Ichigo stood up and walked away from the group telling them he would go to the bathroom. Inoue stared at the retreating boy and decided to follow him. When they were back inside the building she stopped Ichigo by holding his left arm and turned him to face her.
"What's wrong?" She knew something was up. Ichigo has been totally distressed for the last two days.
Ichigo turned and saw Inoue's eyes. For a moment he thought they were violet ones looking back at him. Shaking his head to clear his mind he sighed and looked away. He knew why Inoue followed him. She was worried of what Keigo said. "Inoue, nothing's wrong. Don't let what that idiot said get into you."
"I know that. I'm just worried. You've been anxious this past few days. What's bugging you?"
"Look Inou-"
"Hahaha! That's hilarious Ren-"
Just then a petite girl walked passed the two. Renji was beside her and they were talking. Rukia looked like she was enjoying and having fun while Renji was trying hard to make the girl laugh. Rukia stopped laughing automatically after sensing the other two looking at them. The laughed vanished quickly replaced by a small smile towards the two.
"Inoue! I-Kurosaki!" She nodded to acknowledge them.
"Kuchiki! What are you doing here?"
"Well! I didn't know this place is exclusive for just the two of you!" Renji retorted at Inoue's remark.
"Renji! Stop that! Inoue didn't mean anything. She's just asking." Rukia was pleading inside for Renji to just let it go and continue walking. She could feel Ichigo's intense glare at her and it made her feel uncomfortable. What she didn't know was that the other girl could also see Ichigo looking at her.
Inoue was staring between Rukia and Ichigo. She could see Ichigo looking at Rukia but the girl was avoiding his gaze. 'What's happening here? Why are they acting like this?' she was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Rukia calling her.
"I'm sorry if we disturbed you. We'll go. See you later." and with that, Renji and Rukia moved away from them without even glancing at the orange haired boy. She had completely ignored him.
As the two walked away Ichigo's eyes were on Rukia. His gaze followed her until she was out of sight. The look that he gave Rukia broke Inoue's heart. There was unidentified sadness in his eyes and it didn't go unnoticed by Inoue. She was certain. It was longing she saw in his eyes.
With wide eyes and trembling hands Inoue shook Ichigo's arms that she was still holding.
"Ichigo, look at me!"
"What?" Inoue's voice was louder than Ichigo expected. It made him narrow his eyes.
When Inoue saw his gaze turned irritated she fixed her composure and continued with a much softer voice. "I mean, we should go. We're gonna be late for class. Let's go."
With a final look from the girl that had pretended he didn't exist, he sighed once more and then nodded. But instead of taking Inoue's hand which she offered, he shook his arm and walked straight back to their room. The action didn't comfort Inoue but had made her more uneased.
(end of flashback)
"So, did the two of you fight?"
"N-no! Of course not!" Rukia stuttered. She could feel the other girl pinning her down with her gaze. She couldn't lie to anyone. Even when she was a kid she was not good at telling lies. Anybody could see right through her. When she took a peek at Inoue she knew Inoue didn't believe her.
"Kuchiki, why not just tell me the truth? Maybe I can help you if you'll tell me what's going on."
Avoiding Inoue's gaze Rukia took a bite of the pancakes she had and then swallowed. Giving herself enough time to compose her expression. "We're fine. Nothing's wrong. Please trust me."
"Kuchiki, I trust you okay. And please know that what I'm doing now only has my concern over Kurosaki, for the both of you. I'm really worried and it bothers me that I can't do anything to help him. What ever he's going through." Inoue stopped for a while and took a sip of her coffee. "I'm going to ask you again. Is something going on between the two of you?"
The petite girl knew how much Inoue was bothered by their actions. Even if she was trying to hide it as much as possible, she was observing Rukia and Ichigo this past week. It struck Rukia that Inoue was indeed noticing the difference. She knew something was wrong. she might not say it directly but Rukia was certain.
Inoue was starting to get jealous.
Doubts were starting to invade the girl's thoughts. Even if she tried masking it as being worried over her boyfriend. it was clear as water what she really meant. It was like reading between the lines.
with sincere eyes and strong voice Rukia told Inoue what she thought the voluptuous woman wanted to hear emphasizing each word with clarity.
"I promise you, nothing is happening and will ever happen between the two of us."
'The sun is too hot. It's burning. Who would think about meeting someone during this time of the day? oh yeah. Me!'
Ichigo was on his way to the river. It was noon. Just like what he told Rukia.
He told her last night he would go to the river and wait for her. For as long as could. He didn't sleep or couldn't sleep for the whole night. How could he? He just confessed to the small girl he liked her. Well, not totally since she didn't let him say the words but it's the same.
'What now? Will she show up? I told her we could just be friends if she doesn't want to be more than that. But, what about me? Is that what I really want? Could I refrain myself from asking more? I asked her to show up if she wants to stay by my side. But as my what? My friend?'
Sighing for the umpteenth time, Ichigo kicked a stone blocking his way with frustration. He has been thinking for the whole night about what he would do. And before he knew, it was morning already. And that's when he decided to just wait for Rukia's own decision.
All throughout the night he weighed every options he got. He could stay with Inoue and let go of the one person he had ever liked or he could hurt Inoue and love someone with guilt. Somehow the last option sounded much more tempting than he ever thought. And that's when he concluded he was willing to hurt his three months girlfriend for a girl he just met two weeks ago. If Rukia would show up, he would convince her to stay with him as her boyfriend. Inoue was young, beautiful, and everybody liked her. She could have anybody she wanted just... not... him...
'Inoue. Can I really hurt her?'
Ichigo saw the calls she made but didn't bother answering. He was tired and completely fucked up. He didn't want to think about her last night. He needed to clear his mind and think what he should do and what he wanted to do. He needed time to think what was right and wrong.
When he reached the river It was past twelve. He looked around the place for any signs of Rukia being there earlier but he found none. He lied down on the grass and decided he would just wait for Rukia and they would talk again. For now, he just hoped she would show up.
It wasn't long before he heard two sets of feet moving behind him. He smiled and sat up and waited for the person to come nearer.
"I knew you would come. I didn't doubt that. I'm glad you're he...re..." He turned around and looked at the person standing right beside him.
"I-Ino...ue...?"
A/N: wew! Sorry for all the spelling and grammar mistakes. I don't really have time to reread this and rewrite.
Thank you for reading! ^_^