A/N: So this chapter is basically a collection of important flashbacks. You've seen a few scenes before, and some you haven't. Somewhere in this chapter is a scene inspired by episode 52 or 53, with Gin and Rukia, but correct me if I'm wrong.
Warning: This chapter has a few suggestive themes/ basic you-get-the-point choice words.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. But I do own the movies so I don't know if that counts or not…
Rukia remembered… She remembered how it all started.
The small woman looked out the window. It was getting a tad bit colder, but she was used to it. Before… before Byakuya adopted her she was used to living in tiny apartments and motels. It was the only thing she knew.
Rukia was a good person, is a good person...
She didn't want it to end up like it all did… but it just happened…
Rukia walked quickly into the café. She was so late and Byakuya would be mad.
"Nii-sama…" she sighed and shook her head.
Of course he was making her show her face to the Kuchiki Brand. She had to show up with Byakuya at meetings and listen to what those greedy, old men had to say. By the end of the meeting she'd usually shake all of their hands and nod and do as Byakuya says.
But she never wanted to make Byakuya upset. She only wanted to make him proud and live up to her new family's name.
But there was so much pressure to be perfect.
The line was long and Rukia really hated her heels. If she stood in them for another second she would die.
The woman looked around the café to see if there was a free table. There were, but a certain something caught her eye.
A scruffy man hunched over a laptop and coffee tapped furiously away at the buttons. His distinctly colored hair made him an eyesore in the otherwise drab room.
"Still working hard?"
Ichigo looked up and immediately smirked. "Nah, I'm hardly working."
Rukia sat down opposite of him. "You still look the same." In a way he did. His bright hair was all disheveled and tousled and he was in the process of growing a goatee in account of his unshaven face.
"So do you." He rubbed his thumb against his orange stubble. "I would think you'd be all glamoured up since you're the new heiress."
Rukia frowned. "Why does every think that I turned into some snot-nosed prima donna. I'm still the same me." She thought for a moment. "But now I'm an heiress."
Ichigo grinned. "They have you wearing heels?"
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Shut up! Yes they have me wearing heels. It's not a crime." She grabbed his untouched coffee and twirled the straw around in its glass. "So… How's married life?"
She watched him hesitate on his typing, and then he continued. "… It's… good."
The petite woman grinned. "Should I ask?"
Her smile dropped when he scowled at his laptop. His face contorted in a way that made her a little afraid.
"Do you want to talk about this? I mean-"
"Orihime had a miscarriage."
Rukia's violet eyes enlarged. "…Ichigo… I'm so sorry…" Rukia had never met the woman before. But she tried. She even tried to make it to their wedding but Byakuya sent her on a business trip.
Orihime was a nice woman or at least Rukia had been told. She and Ichigo met in college, but Rukia knew Ichigo in high school. Rukia also heard that Orihime has long, wavy, auburn hair and really big eyes. She also heard her body would stop a truck, in the words of Keigo. But Rukia wasn't jealous.
It didn't matter who it was or who he married. No one should have to go through the hurt of a miscarriage, woman and man alike.
Ichigo's frown-scowl grew even more contorted. "Don't… please…"
"I didn't mean-"
"Rukia." His voice was warning enough for her to stop.
Rukia checked her watch. She was five minutes late and in Byakuya's time; she was already a half an hour late. Rukia bit her lip. "If you ever need anyone to talk to, please, don't hesitate." She didn't want to lose touch with him again. It had been so long since their high school years and she missed him. "Look, I have to go, but here-" Rukia scribbled her address and number on the coffee cup. "I'm in town for awhile." Rukia stood.
Ichigo didn't respond. He just stared up at her.
"Ichigo, take care." She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.
… She didn't mean for it to turn into anything else, honest!
His wife, Orihime had a miscarriage and he was torn up about it. He loved- loves his wife and Rukia had no intention of taking any of that from him.
They talked for awhile. When she found the chance, she called him on the phone. It was just like old times.
It went on like that for a week, them talking back and forth, that was all!
But she finally opened up to him and told him about her troubles and pressure. And one day he told her the same…
There was a knock at the door and Rukia looked up from her magazine in surprise. She wasn't expecting anyone.
And she definitely wasn't dressed for company, with her T-shirt and undies. Rukia threw on her robe.
When she opened the door, to her surprise, Ichigo stood there with an expression she still couldn't fathom to this day.
"Hey." He said softly.
"Hey…" She opened the door wider. "Want to come in?"
Ichigo walked past her. He stopped in the middle of the apartment's living room and slowly took off his jacket.
"This place is nice."
"Thank you." Rukia closed the door and sat down on the sofa. "Nii-sama gave it to me as a gift." She patted the cushion next to her.
Ichigo complied.
"What did you come over for?"
"…to talk." He ran his hand through his orangey hair. "I feel like you're the only one I can talk to… like you're the only one who can understand. Will understand."
Rukia looked at him. "Is this about Orihime?" Every time they talked on the phone they always avoided conversations about his wife.
After a moment, he nodded.
He finally spoke.
"I feel like… I feel so useless…" He took a breath. "I couldn't protect my mother… And now I can't even protect my wife. What good am I?"
Rukia shook her head. "You can't think like that…"
"She… I… I did that to my wife… I… I put that thing- That, that devil…inside of her... Inside of my wife… I-" He rubbed his temples and breathed deeply. Tiny drops of sweat began to appear on his forehead.
Rukia didn't know how to respond.
"I… it was me… It's been me all along, just hurting people. The people I love."
"Ichigo, you need to realize that nothing could be done…" She moved closer to him, wanting to touch him, to comfort him, but how?
"Rukia... I... I don't know what to do."
Ichigo leaned over on the sofa. His hands were folded. Eyes intense.
"Ichigo, there was nothing you could do..." Rukia placed her hand on his arm, but Ichigo roughly shrugged it off.
"No! You don't understand! His eyes started to water. "I did it to her! I ruined her! I... I..."
He began to cry and Rukia wrapped her arms around her long time friend. There she rocked him back and forth. Murmuring to him. Promising him that it'll be alright.
She kissed his sweaty forehead and rubbed his back. Ichigo's muted sobs filled the quiet room.
She kissed his face, his eyes, and his hair. And to her surprise, he was returning the kisses. He was kissing her palm, her fingers, her arms.
It was okay at first, but then his kisses became fiercer and hungrier. More demanding. He kissed up her arm until he came to her lips.
"Ichigo!" She gasped after their first lip-to-lip contact.
He didn't stop. Ichigo firmly pushed her down on her sofa and kissed her feverishly. His body enveloped hers. Everything she saw, smelled, and touched was him.
"Ichigo." She breathed in heavily. All she could see was him. "I can't... We can't..." Rukia closed her eyes and relished in the pleasure he was giving her with his lips alone. She knew this was wrong. But it felt so good. "We... we can't... do... do... this!"
Abruptly, Ichigo stopped his kissing, and love marks and whispered softly, "I... need this." He brought his hand up to her face, and brushed back a loose strand of her dark hair. "I need you..."
The look in his amber eyes was saddening. He looked so tired. So sad. So broken. She couldn't reject him. And even if she wanted to, she wouldn't have been able to leave his iron grip…
It all seemed like such a blur now, though she still remembered everything, at least his touch. She remembered the way he touched her. His large, strong hands wrapping around her like she belonged to him. She remembered him untying her robe and pulling her shirt up and over her head. She remembered making love on her couch.
And Rukia didn't like the thought of being owned, being dominated. But when it was him, when he took control of her, everything changed.
He mind went blank for once. She was able to let go, the both of them.
She could breathe, even when he stole her breath away with a kiss.
Rukia didn't have to worry about her posture or her etiquette or her manners.
She was able to act anyway she wanted, she was able to act the way she truly was.
And when Ichigo took control over her body again and again, nothing mattered.
She didn't know how, but they ended up on the floor naked.
Neither of them was smiling or even remotely happy. Because after the high, after the euphoria, after the feeling of pure, unadulterated ecstasy wore off… they had to face the facts. They cheated.
Ichigo sat up and Rukia moved off of him.
The man pulled back on his pants and clothes, pushing his jacket back up his arms.
Rukia scrambled to find her own clothes and was relieved when her small hand bunched around her robe.
"Ichigo…" She stood.
He shrugged the rest of his jacket on and opened the apartment's door.
Rukia walked closer to him. "Ichigo…?"
He looked behind him, but not Rukia, but at something far away. "This never happened," he said and slammed the door behind him.
Rukia felt terrible afterwards. She felt embarrassed and ashamed. Ashamed that they cheated. Ashamed that she slept with another woman's husband. Embarrassed that he just walked out without a thank you or anything along those lines, embarrassed that he used her.
But… she used him too. She wanted it too. Yes he was strong but if she wanted him to get off of her she could have stopped him. Nothing had ever stopped her from hitting him before.
But the thought of him moving in and out of her... The thought of him moaning her name and making love to her… The thought of him completing himself inside of her… It was all too tempting… and that was her weakness.
She thought that that was it. That that was the end of it. She thought he was ashamed too.
But the week after that he called her up again… And maybe, they thought, maybe it would all work out…
God, just thinking about it made her upset. They both took advantage of each other, and in result they began taking advantage of everyone else around them. Rukia had taken advantage of Byakuya and Ichigo of Orihime.
Byakuya hasn't spoken to her, contacted her, or anything like that since the pictures of Ichigo and Rukia came out…
Such a shame, they said…
What a scandal, they said…
I wonder how long it was going on for…
If only they knew!
Rukia walked away from the window and sat down before her legs gave way.
All she wanted to do was protect her friend, even if it meant breaking his heart.
Rukia closed her eyes momentarily. She told herself that she would stay out of his life.
But he needed to know. He had to know.
The door opened and Rukia sat up straighter.
At first, he was surprised, confused, upset, and then composed, all in a matter of ten seconds.
"Lisa... hold all of my calls for the hour." He shouted over his shoulder.
Rukia adjusted her position, crossing one leg over the other.
The orange haired man strolled into the room. "What are you doing here...?"
Rukia hopped off the desk and closed the distance until she was three feet away from him. "We need to clear up some things..."
The man pursed his lips.
The woman squint her eyes.
Rukia walked back over to his desk and pointed to his seat "Here, sit."
Ichigo closed the door behind him and locked it.
"I don't want any funny business, Rukia." He sat down.
"We have business to discuss. None of which is funny."
He finally smiled. "Alright, alright. I trust you."
Rukia leaned over him and opened his laptop. She placed an unlabeled CD into the disc player and waited for it to load.
The play button popped up and Rukia pressed it.
At first, it was a collection of snow. The fuzzy blackish-grayish haze zipping up and down on the screen
"What is this Rukia?" Ichigo looked up at her, eyebrows raised.
She took a deep breath. "Just watch…"
Then an image appeared. It was hazy at first but then it adjusted to the darkness of the room.
"…What is this? What…"
Rukia held her breath.
It was a bedroom. You could easily make out the curve of the white bed and purple and red pillows.
That's when they came bumbling in. A large form came stumbling backwards and crashing down on the edge of the bed.
It only took a moment for Ichigo to realize that it wasn't one form, but two. Two different people.
And then he knew. Rukia could see it on his face. He knew it was her. He could recognize that fiery long hair anywhere.
She didn't have on a shirt or pants, just a bra. His chest was bare too and he unlatched her last item of clothing.
He pushed her back on the bed, and she let him, she let him do those things to her. It wasn't forced but she let him…
Ichigo looked away.
By then it had gone too far. She had forgotten about everything except for the man on top of her.
Ichigo placed his hand on top of the laptop and eased it shut.
Rukia moved quickly to explain. "Ichigo, before you say anything-"
He held up a hand. His lips were a thin white line, his jaw taunt. A vein tempted to throb through his temple.
"My intentions-"
He hushed her again. "Don't," was all he said.
Rukia huffed and stomped her foot irritably. "This shouldn't be a surprise to you. Don't get mad at me because I opened your eyes to the truth!"
"I'm not mad at you..." He sighed. "But I am disappointed in myself..."
She shook her head. "But-"
"That's all there is to it." He looked up at her with this long look in his amber eyes. "What did you expect from me after watching this?"
Rukia twisted her hands into a knot. "I…I don't know…" She wasn't expecting this reaction from him… to be honest, she wasn't sure what to expect. She just thought he needed to know.
"Did you think I would leave my wife?"
Rukia shook her head immediately. "…No. No you would never leave your wife. I know this... I was just trying to open your eyes…"
"Rukia, if you ever need anything, anything at all, I'll be here. If you ever need anyone to talk to, please, don't hesitate." Ichigo stood and made for the door.
Rukia walked behind him. "Where are you going now?"
"Home. I still love her. And I still love my son." Ichigo held the door handle and smiled at her. "Goodbye Rukia." He closed the door behind him.
She was trying to help.
That's all.
It took her to this day to realize that what he said to her was the exact same thing she said to him in his time of need.
Rukia sat back completely and closed her eyes.
Byakuya shook hands with the tall man and bowed. He apparently was building this new and glorious hotel and the Kuchiki Brand wants to invest in it.
Rukia stood behind him and bowed also but kept her distance.
His name was Sousuke Aizen and everyone was saying how fantastic he was. The whole time he sat there, thinking, with this smirk on his full lips. He was very handsome, but Nii-sama says to never let looks distract you from their intentions.
The meeting had finished and from Rukia's perspective, it seemed to have gone well.
But Nii-sama says all the time that you can't always rely on the other party's word.
The duo left the room and walked down the long corridor. Rukia wanted to ask him questions about what just went on but Byakuya stopped and she almost bumped into his back.
"Good afternoon Kuchiki-san. The meet'n went well I presume. Sorry I couldn't make it 'n time…" She knew exactly who the voice belonged to.
Byakuya nodded and responded but Rukia didn't hear it.
Rukia stood still and stared at him. Stared at the silver haired man.
His fingertips.
His lips.
The way his eye never shifted.
Rukia hated this man.
Though he was speaking to her brother, it felt as though he had his hands around her neck.
She couldn't breathe.
It seemed like he could find the smallest crack of in those around him, and seek deep down into you.
Like a venom.
That's the kind of fear he aroused.
"Have a good day, Kuchiki-san!" He said cheerfully.
Rukia snapped out of it.
They walked on.
When they made it to the car, Rukia asked Byakuya why he constantly speaks to a man like that.
"Ichimaru Gin is a prestigious man. He has connections and he came from nothing. Everything he has, he has worked for."
"But-"
"Rukia." His voice was steely. "You shouldn't ridicule a man from his background or upbringing. It's an ugly trait."
"I wasn't- I didn't… That's not what I meant…" Rukia trailed off at her failed attempt to explain herself.
The car rode on.
Byakuya watched the window as he spoke his next words. "It has come to my attention that a man by the name Kurosaki Ichigo has been visiting you afterhours."
Rukia paled. "He's just a fr-"
"Our family has spent generations building the Kuchiki image. One slip up can damage that and everything our ancestors have worked for will come crumbling down."
Rukia lowered her head. "Yes, Nii-sama…."
He didn't say another word about it.
And that was all that was ever said about that.
About three years later, after her and Ichigo broke it off; someone came to visit her…
Rukia had come home after a long day of work.
Byakuya always kept her busy with the mundane jobs of running all over town.
She threw her bag on the sofa and kicked her heels off, the little devils.
Days like these, Rukia would call Ichigo up. She'd talk about how horrible her day was and they'd make a date to meet up.
"Aw! I thought ya looked rather dash'n."
Rukia looked though the dark. Someone was sitting on her sofa.
Rukia ran over to the lamp, stumbling over one of those horrid heels and stubbing her toes in the process. She pulled the trigger and light spread throughout the room.
It was a man sitting on her couch. It could have been any man but she knew that silver hair anywhere. She gasped. "Gin! What are you doing here?"
Gin drummed his long fingers against the arm of her couch. "Just check'n on na fellow investor." He smiled up at her. "Byakuya is so fun ta work with!"
Rukia stared at him incredulously then shook her head. "Get out of my apartment!"
He frowned. "But I have someth'n ta show ya!" He stood suddenly. "Please, Rukia, sit." He offered the sofa.
Rukia didn't know how, but she suddenly became the guest in her own house.
Gin walked slowly, back and forth, in front of her. "Rukia… I know."
She blinked her violet eyes in confusion. "Huh?"
"I know all about yer 'lil rendezvous with that Kurosaki boy."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"What's the matter…?" Gin cocked his head to the side and his grin widened as he continued to pace. "…Cat got yer tongue?"
Rukia gulped down the lump that formed itself in her throat. "…No. But a no good snake like you will when I arrest you for trespassing."
Gin shook his head, sighing. "There's no need for that."
Magically, Gin pulled a wad of pictures from behind him and placed them on the table. Rukia looked at them and saw that it was pictures of Ichigo walking into her apartment. Them both walking in and out of a hotel together and there was even one when they kissed in the street, it was the time when her and Ichigo broke up.
"… This…"
He strolled over to her television. "I could rescue you, you know."
She looked up from the photos. "Wha- what do you mean?"
"I will make sure that no one will find out about yer previous meet'ns and greet'ns with the Kurosaki boy…. If ya do one thing fer me…."
Rukia considered his offer. He could protect her secret… If her infidelities got out in the media then the Kuchiki Brand would be ruined… just like what Byakuya said.
Rukia placed the picture back on the table and looked back up at the silver haired man. "What is it you want exactly…?"
Gin picked up her DVD remote and tapped his nose.
Rukia growled. "If you don't speak I'll call security."
Gin pursed his lips. "A 'lil feisty today, are we?" With long, pale fingers, Gin pressed a few buttons on the remote and an image came up on her television.
It was fuzzy to begin with and then two people were suddenly in the room. On top of each other.
Rukia leaned closer. "… Is that… Is that Orihime?" She squint her eyes.
Her body was now covered by a man's brawny body. He roughly pulled her wrists above her head and rammed into her.
Rukia gasped. "And… and Sousuke Aizen…?"
The screen went blank and Gin leaned into her. "Show him." He said. "Show him this video and I'll make sure that you and Ichigo will stay a secret."
Rukia leaned away from his closeness. "You can't promise that!"
He smiled. "You're right. I can't."
Gin stood and walked to the door. "Let's just say the same man who gives, takes. He's the key and the lock. She was simply the hole to open the door…" Gin turned the knob, looked over his shoulder and smiled once more at her. "Bye bye Rukia."
Rukia closed her eyes and tried to think.
What did he mean?
"He's the key and the lock." That means whoever he was speaking of was holding all of the cards.
But who?
Rukia thought out loud. "Who would take money from the Kuchiki Brand? The future of the Kuchiki Brand… And try to control me and Ichigo… Try to control Ichigo and his future and his job… His job… the media…"
She sat up.
If someone controlled Ichigo they would have a vast control over what goes in and out of the news.
Whoever controlled the news basically controlled everything… like the pictures!
"Let's just say the same man who gives, takes"
Oh no… There was only one man that the Kuchiki Brand had invested in the past couple of years.
"She was simply the hole to open the door…"
So that meant Orihime…
"…Aizen…" Rukia whispered.
Why the hell did it take her so long to realize?
She picked up the phone in its base and dialed Ichigo's number.
"Ichigo, as soon as you get this you have to call. I have some reallt important information that I can't say on the phone..."
There was a heavy knock at the door and Rukia said to call her back and quickly hung up.
When she opened the door a familiar badge was shoved in her face.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." Her body was turned around.
"You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning." Tight handcuffs came around her wrists.
"If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense." Rukia stared up at captor with wide eyes. They were arresting her.
She was silently walked outside and into the back of a police car.
Finally the story is picking up again. Sorry it took so long. I know we were stuck for a while but now the balling is rolling again! I know you guys are Ichihime lovers so I'm sorry if you cringed through the whole lovemaking scene. I had to chop it up because I briefly forgot that this story is rated T.
And, yes. Rukia is being arrested, but for what?
Rocka.