Chapter Thirty-seven
Moving Day…
Months later on moving day Rukia sat on top of a mountain of boxes in Orihime's apartment. Marker in hand she managed to draw accompanying pictures on the sides of each box. Moving day could only be this enjoyable for someone like Rukia, Ichigo thought carrying a rather heavy box out the door.
Orihime busied herself taping up boxes. Occasionally she'd pause and recall a tale about some item or launch into a "remember the time…" story.
"We graduated…again. After this we should really celebrate," Orihime said cheerfully.
"Yeah we should," Rukia agreed.
Orihime's college career had come to an end and she considered the group of them graduates once more. They hadn't had the chance to celebrate as High School graduates with Ichigo and Rukia.
Rukia glanced at the door lost in thought. She'd been in the world of the living for too long. She knew it was only a matter of time before the Seireitei called for her again. A party before that dark time could help-
"Earth to Rukia," Orihime said waving from the bottom of 'BoxMountain.'
"Sorry I just got lost in thought," Rukia said.
"We're done with our part here. We should help the guys load up the truck," Orihime said.
"Yes," Rukia agreed jumping down from the boxes.
"Caution," a familiar voice grabbed their attention.
"Uryû?"
"Ishida?"
"I would advise caution jumping down from boxes like that Kuchiki-San," Uryû said.
Orihime and Uryû had been apart now for years they never got things right after high school. Tears started streaming freely from her eyes. Quickly she recovered swiping them from her eyes as if rejecting the emotion behind them.
"Why did you come," she asked. It sounded more like an admonishment than a real question.
"Not to make tears come to your eyes like that. I never wanted that. Hope…I guess you could say that I have hope that we can get over our differences. I heard that you were leaving this place. That means something significant in your life and I was drawn here," Uryû said.
"Talkative as every Uryû," Ichigo said breaking some of the tension in the room.
Orihime couldn't be mad and she didn't want to be sad. She could only stare, stand there and stare. Neither one of them moved they just looked at each other.
"If you want me to leave just say the word and I'll go," Uryû said.
"Orihime let the man help you move. Uryû…shut up you talk too much," Ichigo said grabbing a box.
"Actually Uryû can we talk somewhere," Orihime asked.
"We'll go," Rukia said dragging Ichigo by his arm out the room.
"What the hell Rukia," Ichigo said struggling to balance a heavy box with one hand.
000
"I guess it is silly now that Rukia is no longer my roommate. I'll be on my own again for the first time in a long time. No more everyday secrets as best friends. I guess I should come clean about everything," Orihime said.
"Yeah I guess not…the secrets part…I mean you shouldn't keep secrets. I guess I'm following you," Uryû said.
"When we broke up and you left I felt horrible. For the things I said and the way you left but the worse feeling of all is that you believed me…then you were gone," Orihime said.
"It hasn't been easy staying away from you. For the record though I never believed you. I knew what you were doing so I left because you asked me to," Uryû said.
Everything he said to her made sense. That was exactly like him to do what she asked. Uryû was a chivalrous Quincy to a fault.
"Because I asked," Orihime echoed.
"More than that I couldn't take the fact that my father approved of you when everything else he seemed…disappointed in," Uryû said.
"I'm really trying to understand that logic and it still makes no sense to me," she said.
"We can take time to heal but I'd like us to restart our friendship again. I miss just being able to talk to you like we used to do," Uryû said.
"Yes," Orihime said moving closer to him.
"I couldn't help but over hear something about throwing a party. Be sure not to leave me out. I did graduate with this group at one time as well," Uryû said.
Orihime kept moving towards him. She had an almost predatory look in her eye.
"Next time don't listen to me," Orihime said.
She leaned over and sweetly kissed him wrapping her arms around his waist. His glasses fogged with her breathing so he took them off placing them on the kitchen counter.
"You still feel this way," Uryû said.
She squeezed him a little tighter and smiled at him.
"I meant your feelings," Uryû said blushing.
"We should get going we need to get the food started if we're having a party," Orihime said.
"I thought we were helping you move," Uryû asked.
000
Tatsuki's apartment faced the river. The area was pricey but she made enough money to afford it and still live comfortably. Everyone loved hanging out at her place for the view alone. So when she got the call from her friend they were having a party she agreed to play hostess.
On warm nights a person could enjoy the rooftop Bar B Q. Spring afternoons brought the smell of riverside cherry blossoms or the blossoms of her own many porch-side flowers. The summer flowers were just not the same but the rooftop fun made up for the lack of scented florals.
Once Orihime moved into her new place there would be decorating fun and plenty of shopping trips to go on. Everything was moving quickly and Tatsuki needed a moment to take in the morning introspectively.
Today Tatsuki stood on her patio staring at the garden waterfall Renji brought her. She treasured it more than she'd ever let on. The calming waters made her relax despite all the crazy thoughts that ran through her mind.
This was the last day of the carefree summer and tonight she was entertaining a rather large group of friends. She was excited about the night and the fireworks festival to come.
Tonight she decided would be one to remember as everyone gathered here but she worried nonetheless about who wouldn't show up. She was hopelessly attached to Renji. Days went by and she could think of nothing else but to see him again.
At the risk of despair she tore herself away from the dark gloomy mood that threatened to ruin her day. She decided to go for a swim. The apartment had many perks including a small swimming pool.
Regularly she swam many laps in the pool to the point of exhaustion to stay in shape and take her mind of things. If she sat to still she would go insane.
The bedroom dresser drawers were open as she walked in to her room. Quickly looking around the room in a panic she cautiously approached the dresser. She knew she would never leave her drawers open haphazardly this way.
The contents were neatly folded and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She could sense spirits somewhat but she sensed nothing out of the ordinary today. No she wouldn't think of ghost stories she determined finding an appropriate swimsuit and shutting the drawers.
A modest green and white one piece swimsuit dangled in her hand as she locked her windows and closed the blinds. The lamp on her desk turned on automatically and she quickly changed.
Her mind briefly wandered to a shopping trip with Orihime. The suits she came back with stayed neatly in the corner of her dresser. Yes she looked good in them but no she would dare open herself up to ridicule wearing them in public.
Keys and phone in hand she jogged down the stairs. The pool was empty her neighbors were not big on swimming so she usually had the pool to herself.
On her third lap she had a chilling feeling she was being watched. She pulled herself up and looked around spotting a bit of grey fabric behind the stair well.
Climbing out of the pool she decided to check things out as her mind quickly sent her in a panic over the open drawers in her apartment.
"Stopping so soon," a strange echoing male voice made her jump as she quickly wrapped the towel around her.
Before she could whirl around Renji appeared. She was certain he didn't speak the words she just heard and she started to turn around.
"Don't turn around," Renji said and she nodded, "just stay back please."
It was hard to comply with a request when you wanted to know what was behind you.
"What's going on and who is it," she asked.
"A Shinigami appears," the echo spoke seemingly closer this time but she was unafraid looking at Renji who stood ready.
"I'll explain everything later," he told her still looking at someone else as he spoke.
"I must say I'm not surprised but I never thought they'd expect me to show up here," the voice continued.
"These guys know more about us that we gave them credit for," Renji continued speaking to her but looking away.
"The same people who took Rukia and Ichigo," she asked.
"Yes," he said simply.
"What happens if I turn around," she questioned.
"Just don't," he said.
"That's a little hard to do," she said. He looked at her this time briefly and stepped forward out of her eyesight.
"What were you planning to do with her," Renji asked.
A chill came over her but she didn't dare to move or maybe she couldn't move. It was like that time she was starting to feel weak.
"She's a good-looking girl maybe I just wanted to talk to her," the voice answered.
"Relax I'm leaving it's clear to me that accomplishing what I want isn't going to happen today. I'm no fool I'd lose to a Captain Class guy like you fairly easily. Fighting your type just isn't in my job description, heh," the voice said.
"What makes you think I'd let you leave," Renji said.
"Bye," the voice said.
The man disappeared suddenly and Renji turned his attention to Tatsuki who seemed overwhelmed by the spiritual pressure.
"He's gone," she asked supporting herself on the pool gate.
"Yeah he's gone," Renji said sheathing his sword.
"I have no idea what he looks like what if he comes back," she asked.
"Thank you Renji for coming to my rescue," he mocked.
"What do you think he wanted," she asked.
"We aren't sure but the others are watching and we think it is diversionary tactics at this point," he said.
"I didn't think much about it but my dresser drawers were open when I went into my bedroom…before I came down here I thought…never mind it was just strange," she said.
"They are searching for something," he said.
Renji had a look in his eyes that scared and excited her. Concern perhaps but she sensed he was trying to say something but held back.
"I should go get changed," she said and started to step away.
His arm impeded her progress and kept her from swaying onto the cement below her.
"That's not the only reason I came here," he said holding her up with one arm.
She returned his gaze, "Go on."
Setting her against the gate he looked in her eyes and said, "Don't waste your life thinking about me."
It was odd to hear this. She almost believed that he could somehow tell when she was thinking about him.
They don't have that power do they, she wondered.
"Renji you guys don't have that power do you," she asked.
"What power are you talking about," he asked.
"You say things like don't think of me and you magically appear when I do…it's silly but can you tell when I'm thinking about you," she asked.
"I don't have that power," he answered.
"But it could exist…I mean listen to me now I'm the oddball talking to myself in my apartment complex," she said and headed up the stairs.
It was no surprise to her he followed her.
"You know you never said you weren't thinking about me. I hoped you would so I'd have a reason to leave," he said standing behind her as she fumbled with her keys at the door to her apartment.
Frustrated that she couldn't manage the simple task as her heart pounded out of her chest she turned to face him. Determined to fight this reaction she defiantly said, "Orihime will be here soon to help me set up for tonight."
His face drew ever closer to hers, "what's tonight?"
"Fireworks," she could only get out one word as she weakly pointed up to the sky for some reason. Her legs felt as if they would sink below her and Renji suddenly took her keys opening the door to her apartment.
Renji didn't care about the party but made a mental note to be there. It would be a great excuse to be here with her. A self-satisfied grin settled on his features as he dropped the keys on the table and sat down.
No kiss he just left her leaning against the doorway. It took her a moment to follow him inside the apartment.
Their forbidden affair had continued on longer than he thought possible. No one seemed to realize it but he had devoted himself to her. There was no way out for him especially now but she couldn't see a way out either.
She sat beside him on the couch. It took less than a minute for her to wrap her arms around him. He didn't want to make a move instead allowed her to kiss him before he gave in kissing her back. It was always his belief that if she ever wanted him out of her life he would go.
To be this close to her she had to give up so much. She had a steady boyfriend after he left. A man who could take her anywhere in the world…this world anyway; could easily have been her fiancée. The man she left for him had everything that any woman would be happy with. He couldn't fear that relationship because it was crystal clear that she loved him and him alone.
Slowly his lips grazed hers. The chlorinated water still clung to her skin covered in goose bumps.
"It's a little colder now. I should go," he said rubbing her arms trying to warm her.
She had other notions about getting warm but nodded and headed for the shower to clean the pool away.
Renji quickly looked around the apartment not wanting to leave. He could easily explain his presence here to her friend Orihime but Tatsuki was right if they wanted to keep their secret the last thing they needed were questions about why he was there.
Standing outside the bathroom door he started the conversation.
"I'm still here," he said over the sound of the water.
"Well don't come in," she yelled back.
"I'm not I just…we have to talk about things," he said.
"Soap got in my eyes…thanks a lot I thought it was an emergency," she said.
"Sorry," he said reflecting on how sacred and nervous she must be given all that happened this morning.
"So talk," she said.
"Let me come help you," he asked.
He listened as the water stopped. The door opened and he came inside. She really needed no help whatsoever. She sat on the edge of the tub a towel wrapped around her.
"Stop rubbing at your eyes," he instructed and laid her head back on his lap.
Using a low setting he ran cold water over her eyes rinsing them clean of the chemicals in them. She loved the way he massaged her head and he rinsed the remains of the shampoo out of her hair. She handed him a bottle and he expertly massaged the contents into her hair as they sat in the empty tub.
Her eyes remained closed as she enjoyed the pampering.
"I think we need to tell the others about us," he said.
"Mmhumm," she muttered.
"I'm serious," he said.
"Tell them what Renji," she asked.
"About our relationship," he said.
"Tell them we're just friends," she asked.
He fell silent as he finished working the conditioner and climbed out of the tub.
"I feel that we just need to tell them is all," he said.
"We'll tell them," she said as he rinsed her hair.
"Tonight," he said.
"What do you want me to say Renji," she asked.
"I'll do all the talking if you want me to," he said.
"Ok," she said.
He held her close and she squeezed back.
"It is ok for my friends to know but I don't understand that much about your world. You can't get hurt for me or disappear…locked up somewhere or worse because of…me. Don't throw away everything for me. I'm just a stupid human girl," she muttered into his shoulder fighting against tears.
This wasn't like her at all. He didn't know what to say to ease her mind but at least now he understood some of the frustrations she felt.
"You are so much more than that to me. More than you give yourself credit for. I haven't found anyone quite like you where I'm from," he said.
She squeezed tighter when he tried to see her face she didn't want him to see her cry.
"Why do we do that," she asked.
"Do what," he asked.
"Keep up fruitless searching…I mean I end up comparing every guy to you. It is all so frustrating. I think I'm ruined for this world. I'll never find another you," she said.
"So we're stuck with each other," he reasoned.
"Looks like we are," she said turning her red teary eyes to face him, "I'm onto you by the way."
"What," he asked.
"You know what I mean," she said drying her eyes, "let me go get dressed."
"Oh, sorry," he said letting her go. His cheeks turned crimson.
"Orihime's going to be so mad at me," she said shaking her head and wrapping a towel around her hair.
"You don't think she knows about us," he asked.
"Probably not, that's hard to say I haven't really thought about it. All she does is talk about Uryû lately," she said.
"She's leaving for Australia right," he asked.
"Yeah," she said hanging her swimsuit in the shower.
"That's good," he said putting away the conditioner bottle.
"What about you are you staying," she asked.
"I haven't left yet," he didn't give a solid answer.
"How long can you stay," she pressed for an answer.
Saved by the bell…The door buzzed.
Wrapped in towels she hurried to let Orihime in as Renji left to change his clothes. The fact he had clothing there had to be observed by Orihime he was sure but Tatsuki continued to insist that she knew nothing about the two of them.