Hello lovely readers! I'm so sorry this took so long to get done. My sophomore year of college just started and already I am absolutely swamped! And as I said in my profile, I'm trying to take my time with this story to make sure it's the best it can be. I know where I want this story to go it's just getting there that's been difficult. I appreciate as always all the reviews, favorites, and follows. Thanks to all who stayed with me through this. You guys are the best! Enjoy the chapter :)
"Okay, what happened today?" Orihime asked her roommate as she barged into their apartment with a huff.
"Why do you always assume that stuff happens while you're not working?" Rukia asked as she dropped her bag on the floor and flopped onto the couch.
"Because stuff always happens while I am working so stuff has to happen while I'm not."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"Yes, it does," Orihime said with a giggle. "So, did a certain eligible bachelor drop by?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Why do you always have to bring him up?" Rukia asked, irritated at the mention of the orange-haired bastard.
"Oh, so he did? What happened?"
"How the hell did you know that he came by from one question?"
"Come on, Rukia. I've known you long enough to be able to pick up on these things. Tell me what happened. Did he say anything?"
Rukia sighed and answered, "No, not really. Though I did find out he has sisters, apparently. They were with him today."
Orihime perked up at that. "Really? He has sisters? That's so sweet."
"Just because a guy has sisters, that doesn't mean he's sweet. Lots of people have siblings."
"Yeah, but not everyone spends time with their siblings. This means he really does have a soft side."
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. He probably just uses them to pick up girls."
"You really need to stop viewing him like he's the devil's son, Rukia. He could be a nice guy. You hardly know him."
"If you like him so much then why don't you go out with him?"
"What?" Orihime sputtered.
"I can tell how you really feel about the guy. And I don't want to have anything to do with him. I think you should go for it."
Orihime looked down for a moment, clearly embarrassed. Then she said, "But he obviously likes you. He doesn't even notice me when you're around."
"How many times do I have to tell you? He doesn't like me. He just likes the idea of being with me. I'm attractive to him because I'm unattainable. So typical of a chauvinistic pig like him."
"Even if that's true, which I don't think it is, there's no way he's going to notice me if you're still in his sights."
"Not necessarily. I can always get him to come around."
"What? How?"
"There are ways. I could talk you up while I'm with him. Stuff like that."
"Really? You would do that?"
"Of course! As much as that jerk annoys me, I want whatever you want. You're my friend, Orihime, and if you think he can make you happy, I'll do whatever I can to make that happen."
"Rukia, I really appreciate that. And as much as I want to take you up on your offer, I just can't."
"What? Why not? You want to date a millionaire, don't you? And it's obvious he'll listen to what I have to say."
"Yeah, but he likes you, Rukia. If you talk to him for the sole purpose of getting him to go out with me, you'll just be leading him on."
"So? It's not like he hasn't led on a hundred girls in his lifetime."
"Rukia! You seriously have to stop assuming stuff like that. You don't know what he's done. Please, give him some credit for once!"
Rukia sat up from her place on the couch, startled at Orihime's outburst. It sounded as though her roommate was actually angry.
And Orihime was never angry.
"Hime? What's wrong?"
Rukia's friend sighed and answered quietly, "I just think you've read him wrong. I don't know why, but I just feel like there's another side to him. It bugs me when you're so mean to him."
"Wow, you really must like him a lot."
Orihime averted her friend's eyes. She never wanted to tell her roommate and friend any of this, but she was too far gone now. "It's just not fair! You don't like him at all but he's head over heels for you and he's only known you for over a week. Why couldn't he have been interested in me? I would've actually been nice to him."
"I didn't realize you were so…jealous," Rukia said, surprised at the emotions she was seeing from her friend. It was like a whole other side of her.
"I don't want to be jealous. Ugh, I feel like such a horrible person," Orihime said dejectedly.
"You're not a horrible person, Hime. In fact, I'd say this makes you a pretty normal person."
"I'm sorry, Rukia. It's not right for me to be mad at you. It's not your fault."
"Don't you see, Orihime? This is why you should take advantage of Ichigo's feelings for me. I can get him to like you instead. You wouldn't be jealous anymore and I would be finally rid of that orange haired freak."
"You wouldn't be rid of him if I was dating him, Rukia. You would still see him a lot."
"Yeah, but he wouldn't be flirting with me. I can handle him if he's not being an annoying prick."
Orihime gave a slight smile and then her expression turned serious. "I still don't feel comfortable using him."
Rukia gave a sigh of exasperation. "Why not? It might sound bad now, but if it works, everyone gets what they want."
"He wouldn't," Orihime said sadly. "I'm sorry, but I don't think you should go through with this. Don't lead him on for my sake. Please."
Rukia looked at her friend's pleading expression and sighed. "Fine," she said in resignation. Orihime smiled and got up to start cooking their dinner. Rukia grimaced just thinking about what crazy concoction she was going to be forced to eat tonight.
"Go fish," Yuzu Kurosaki said slyly as she peaked above her cards across the table to her big brother.
"Dammit. I suck at this game," Ichigo said as he drew another card and slid it into his fast growing hand.
"Are you guys really playing Go Fish?" Karin asked skeptically from her spot on the couch. She was busy watching TV on the enormous flat screen up on the wall.
"Yeah, why not? It's fun!" Yuzu said with a sweet smile.
"I thought you loved this game Karin?" Ichigo asked.
"Yeah, when I was nine."
"Don't be a party pooper. Do you have any eights, Ichigo?"
"How the hell do you do that?" Ichigo asked in disbelief as he handed over three of his cards to his little sister and she placed down the group of four cards victoriously.
"I'm not telling you my secrets."
Ichigo rolled his eyes at his sister. After walking around the city some more and eating dinner, Yuzu determined for the three siblings that it was time to go back home and hang out in Ichigo's penthouse. Karin was not happy with this decision, however, and begged to stay and see the nightlife of Tokyo. But there was no way Ichigo was going to take her to a club so they ended up coming back home.
Just then a knock was heard from the door and all three Kurosaki siblings turned to it in confusion.
"Are you expecting someone, Ichigo?" Yuzu asked.
"Don't think so," he said as he got up from the table and walked across the living room to answer the door.
He was not pleased to see Ishida on the other side.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked in irritation.
"You really know how to make people feel welcome, don't you?" Ishida answered with a smirk as he moved past his friend and walked into the spacious apartment.
"Please, come in," Ichigo said sarcastically as he closed the door behind his friend.
"Ah, you must be Kurosaki's sisters," Ishida said once he noticed the two young woman making themselves comfortable in his friend's living room.
"Yes, I'm Yuzu and that's my sister Karin," Yuzu said politely as she got up to shake Ishida's hand.
"I'm Uryuu Ishida. It's nice to meet you."
"Are you one of Ichigo's friends?"
Uryuu chuckled and answered, "Somehow, yes. I also work under him at the company."
"Man, I feel sorry for you," Karin said sarcastically, not taking her eyes away from the TV.
"Shut up, Karin. What are you doing here, Ishida?" Ichigo asked as he joined in on the strange greeting between his closest friend and his sisters.
"Well, I was going to ask if you wanted to go out and get a drink but I forgot that you had company."
"Since when did you want to start getting drinks with me?" Ichigo asked skeptically.
"Since today," Ishida said with a grin. Then, he moved closer to his friend and whispered, "In all seriousness though, I do need to talk to you."
"About what?" Ichigo whispered back. It was obvious whatever Ishida wanted to talk about did not involve his sisters.
"Aizen. Some new developments."
Ichigo's expression became serious and he nodded in understanding. "Let's talk in my study."
Yuzu and Karin watched in suspicion as the two friends walked out of the living room and up the stairs to Ichigo's immense study.
Ichigo walked behind his desk and sat in his chair, Uryuu facing him. "You might want a glass of Scotch for this one."
"Crap. What happened?" Ichigo asked in concern.
"Guess who Ukitake had lunch with yesterday."
"Who?" Ichigo asked with narrowed eyes.
"Ichimaru."
"Shit."
"Tell me about it."
"What the hell is Ukitake doing with that guy? Doesn't he know he's one of Aizen's cronies?"
"I thought he did. But then he came back raving about all these plans that Ichimaru told him about."
"Man, I thought Ukitake was smarter than that."
"So did I. Either way, this is really bad. First, it's lunch. Then, it's offering him a job and then you can kiss your company goodbye, Kurosaki."
Ichigo sighed in exasperation. "I'll talk to him on Monday."
"Yeah, you better. You're my friend, Ichigo, and I'd hate for you to have to go through what Byakuya Kuchiki went through. Especially considering your sisters."
"Don't remind me, Ishida. I'm aware of what's on the line. I will provide for my sisters no matter what."
"You say that now. But Byakuya Kuchiki has a sister who I assume he vowed to provide for no matter what as well. And who knows what happened to her."
"Wait, Kuchiki has a sister?"
"Yep."
"Poor girl."
"Yeah. Do you want that to be your sisters?"
"Of course I don't!"
"Good. Then remember them when you run your company. Stay on your toes and don't trust anyone. Aizen is cunning and will use anyone to get what he wants."
Ichigo shook his head in understanding. He would never let his sisters have to fend for themselves. He would protect them no matter what. "Got it."
I know what you're thinking. When will Ichigo figure out who Rukia actually is? Don't worry, it's coming :) Also expect some more Ichiruki goodness in the next few chapters :) As always, read and review! I always love reading what you guys have to say.