"Lost in Love"
Chapter 13: Tug-of-War
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach!
"What am I doing here? I'm fucking bored!"
Ichigo was standing in the middle of a mall. He has been walking inside for an hour and so far the only thing that entertained him was... Nothing!
Inoue had asked him, again, to go to the mall together. He didn't want to but the girl was so persuasive. She has been constant on bothering him until he would agree. She even had the courage to call him in the middle of the night just to annoy him. Threatening him that she wouldn't stop if he wouldn't say yes.
"I can't take it anymore! This is so fucking frustrating! Why does she need me to go with her? She's obviously the only one enjoying this!" Ichigo kept on cursing over and over. He has been in a grumpy mood ever since he stepped foot inside the mall.
"Kurosaki! Is something wrong?"
The auburn haired girl emerged from a store after buying some girl stuff. She had observed him for the whole hour that he was with her and he wasn't having fun. It's so obvious that he was in a sour mood. He might think that he was hiding his irritation but it was bright as day. Not to mention the fact that his scowl was portraying it.
His eyes snapped at the girl who spoke. She was really concerned and worried. He sighed at her question and decided that he couldn't take anymore of the 'shopping date' they were having, might as well tell her the truth.
"Inoue, I'm sorry. Can I just go home now? I don't think I'm in the mood right now."
Honestly speaking, he wasn't in the mood for the whole week. Another week had passed, he and Rukia hadn't talked at all. He was still mad at her for sending Inoue and he couldn't do anything about it. He just didn't have the heart to dismiss her. Why couldn't he just forget about Rukia and move on with Inoue?
He knew the answer to that. He liked Rukia. He was totally into her. He was mad at her not because she sent Inoue but because she didn't show up. He was eagerly waiting for her and hoping to spend the whole afternoon with no one else but her. Unfortunately he was forced to be with the auburn haired girl.
His thoughts were interrupted by the mumbling of Inoue. "Why? Are you sick?"
"No! I'm fine. I just don't think that I can last for the day."
"Please, just let me go..."
Ichigo's words rang in Inoue's ears. If she didn't know any better she would think there was a deeper meaning in them. It made her feel uncomfortable. But why would she stop him when he so obviously wanted to be alone?
"I understand, do you want me to go with you?"
"No! That's fine. I can manage on my own. I'll see at school."
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"Rukia, are you sure you're gonna be fine alone here?"
Worry and conscience was so clear in Byakuya's icy voice. He and Rukia have been spending the whole morning together doing what a brother and sister would do. They ate breakfast at a restaurant and have shopped after that. Byakuya has bought everything Rukia wanted. From shoes to hats. Even promising her new chappy stuff toys after having lunch and watching a movie. But his secretary had called to inform him about some work problems that caused him to cancel their plans for the afternoon.
"I'm fine. Just tell Kenpachi to send all of these at home." Rukia was referring to all of her clothes. "I want to watch a movie. It's a bother carrying them around."
"Alright, just becareful and don't be late. I'll see you when I get home." Byakuya took the bags from his little sister and brought them.
When Byakuya was too far to see already, Rukia decided to have coffee first before watching a movie. She walked around the mall looking at every shop she passed by and even buying when she spotted things she liked.
She found a store where only girls' stuff were in it. She thought of entering when her eyes caught two figures talking in front of the said store. A boy and a girl with the same color of hair. The same boy and girl she has been trying to avoid the past week.
She stared at them. Ichigo was talking to Inoue but Rukia couldn't understand what he was telling the girl. Rukia was quite far but she could see their faces. The boy looked tired and bored while the girl looked simply sad.
While observing the two, she noticed how perfect they looked together. This was one of the reason why she avoided Ichigo before her feelings run too deep. How could she compete herself with the other girl when everybody thought Inoue and Ichigo were meant to be? It made her feel little of herself and sink low on the ground. 'I'm so stupid. How could I even tell him I like him? I only caused him problems. Get a hold of yourself Rukia! Even if I like him, he's better with Inoue. Even if this sight tears me apart, I can't let my emotions get into me!'
With a sigh she turned around and walked away. Leaving her heart hurting once more.
Rukia has only taken four steps when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her abruptly inside a waiting lift. Inside the elevator, her eyes traveled at the young man whose grip was so tight it almost blocked the blood flowing inside her. Her eyes were wide as saucers when she saw who it was. His back was facing her but his hand was still holding her arm. When the lift opened they were in the parking lot. He pulled Rukia out and slowly turned to face her. His mouth opened but the small girl held her hand to stop him.
"What are you doing?"
"Wha-"
"Why are you doing this? Go back to Inoue, Ichigo!" Rukia pressed the button of the elevator and waited for it to open.
Ichigo's fist clenched at her words. He didn't leave Inoue and ran to her. When he told Inoue he wanted to go home, he saw Rukia looking at them but she didn't look like she saw him staring at her. And when Rukia started walking away he immediately bid goodbye to Inoue and waited for the girl to move before he ran to Rukia and pulled them inside the elevator to hide from his girlfriend.
He only wanted to talk but why did Rukia always wanted it to be difficult?
"Stop! You're not going anywhere until we're finish!" Ichigo took big steps forward and forced the petite girl to look at him.
"I'm fucking tired of your games!"
"Huh-?" Rukia was beginning to get scared of the boy. Now she knew why almost every boy in their school respected him. He could be scary when he wanted to.
"YOU were the first one to confess what you feel for me! We were good as friends but you told me you like me! You ruined it! And then what? You walked away like nothing happened and gave me a hell out of it!" Ichigo was furious. Every word he's spitting was a knife that cut through Rukia. He made her flinch at every word.
"After that, you were also the annoying one pushing me to Inoue! Why? And now it's even you who showed up first in front of me! To confuse me once more! I don't get it! I don't know what to do! I don't know what you really want me to do! I'm fucking sick of it! If this is some kind of YOUR games, then I'm sorry! But I don't wanna play!"
Rukia couldn't say anything. Not a word escaped her mouth. Ichigo said it all. It was true. She started this whole mess and she was the one running from it. She never knew how much of a coward she really was. She was embarrassed from everything.
"When I said that I like you, I didn't tell you that just because I pity you! I LIKE YOU!"
Rukia was slightly trembling and Ichigo could feel it. Realization dawned on him and he released the girl from his was totally out of control. He faced the floor and continued in a much calmer tone. "I'm sorry. It's just that, you're making me fucking frustrated! You said you like me but you don't want us to be together? Then why bother telling me that?"
"I tried to forget you but, I just... I just couldn't do it. You're always showing up in front of me! I see your eyes everywhere. And to make matters worst, I'm starting to... Starting to hate my own girlfriend for thinking... For thinking she's the reason why we can't be together..."
Ichigo was starting to have a headache. He rubbed his nape and sighed. He just didn't know what to do anymore. Why, in the first place, did he even bother running after Rukia? Did he really want to dump Inoue and be with this girl who did nothing but make a mess in his perfect but unreal world?
"Forget it! I'm sorry. If this is what you want, then I won't bother you anymore."
Ichigo sarcastically smirked at Rukia making the girl flinch once more. He waited for her to move or at least say something but when a full minute had passed, he defeatedly sighed and turned back. Rukia was not planning to change her mind and would never ever choose between what was right and what was wrong. Pain struck his heart again. Something that always happened whenever he's with the raven haired girl.
It was a never ending cycle. She chased him and he chased her back. But then she pushed him and he pushed her back. Nothing progressed between them. It was often an endless round of tug-of-war.
But then, as if by a miracle that he wouldn't even believed it if it weren't for the two small arms encircled on his waist, Rukia stopped him. She actually stopped him from moving and pushing her. Ending their silly game.
"I'm sorry... Ichigo, I'm sorry... I only did it to set things right. I didn't know I was hurting you. I never meant to do that. I'm sorry Ichigo. I'm sorry..."
Rukia was crying. She was shaking and sobbing terribly. It was a good thing she's holding onto Ichigo to keep her steady. Everything he said was right. She was always trying to catch him and when she did, she would drop him, hurting the boy. And every time she dropped him it was higher than the last time that made the pain more unbearable to handle. Probably the reason why he snapped at her. Pouring a bucket of cold water on her. She was such an idiot. She knew what she felt. She was holding onto him, secretly wishing he would take bold actions for the both of them. Something she was afraid to do.
She didn't want him to leave. She wanted to stop hiding from him. And if he would allow her, she would stay by his side for as long as he liked. No more pretenses and no more running. She would do whatever made him happy.
She almost thought he hated her already until she felt his own arms encircled hers. She tightened her hold and squeezed him more making him inhale deeply.
"I'll forgive you just promise me one thing."
Rukia's reply was nothing more than a nod.
Ichigo slowly turned and faced her. She was in a mess. Her hat was on the edge of her head almost falling and tears were rolling continuously like pouring rain. He held her with his strong big hands and cupped her face with both of them. He was rubbing his thumbs on her cheeks wiping her tears away while promising it would be the last time he would make the girl cry.
"Promise me you won't run nor push me again. Promise me, that whatever or whoever comes between us, you'll stay with me."
Rukia smiled. A smile that for two to three weeks was hidden from Ichigo. At long last, he saw those lips formed into a beautiful wide smile. It was one of the things he missed from her.
"As long as you want me to be with you, I'll stay."
And with that, Ichigo's lips met Rukia's forehead while wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Kissing and hugging her longer than necessary.
For the first time, he was with somebody he truly liked.
'I'm sorry Inoue...'
A/N: There you have it! After a couple of chapters! I hope this will satisfy Ichiruki lovers out there who always reviews and tells me to make Ichigo break up with Inoue. So... What do you think?
Review if you think it's worth it! ^_^