SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN A WHILE I'VE BEEN SUPER BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND SPORTS. I HOPE THIS CHAPTER WAS WORTH THE WAIT!

Chapter 7

Underneath the Beauty

Ichigo couldn't have been more happy that the week was coming to an end. A lot could happen in seven days. Kenpachi had made many desperate attempts to woo Unohana, but to no avail. Naturally, Kenpachi blamed Ichigo.

"You suck at being a wingman," Kenpachi said.

"I know," Ichigo replied a matter-of-factly.

Toshiro and Ichigo had gotten into countless debates over literature.

"That is not what Shakespeare was trying to convey!" Toshiro insisted, his arms spreading apart.

"Did you even read "Romeo and Juliet?!" Of course he's trying to say that money causes chaos!"

Ichigo and Rangiku had bonded with each other over pool.

"Rematch!" Ichigo said as Rangiku effortlessly struck the 8 ball into the pocket.

Rangiku giggled. "Are you a masochist, Ichigo? Cause you seem to enjoy getting your ass whooped!"

His sessions with Urahara seemed more aggravating than usual.

"Did you often find yourself having angry sex with Miss Inoue?" Urahara asked.

"THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT ALL!" Ichigo shouted. "AND NO, I DIDN'T!"

Rukia still kept a certain distance from Ichigo, but Ichigo could see that he was slowly winning over her trust.

"You're stalking me, aren't you?" Rukia said, crossing her arms. It was gym time and Ichigo had opted to use the ellipticals instead of the treadmill. It just so happened that Rukia's favorite machine were the ellipticals.

Ichigo smirked. "You act as if that's a bad thing."

Rukia rolled her eyes, but she too smiled, amusement dancing in her violet eyes.

Ichigo's eyelids were heavy. He wanted to sleep and forget about the world, but the sun was still out and there wasn't a single sliver of darkness in the sky. Today was also visiting day, so Ichigo needed to stay awake in order to see his friends. Unfortunately, only Keigo was able to come since everyone else had to work. Ichigo loved Keigo, he really did. But the brown haired pervert could really get on his nerve sometimes.

"…So I was at the bar on Thursday night and sitting next to me was this girl with HUGE tits!" Keigo curved his arms upward over his chest. "I swear to god, they were the size of Mt. Fuji. I couldn't stop staring! Of course, the chick eventually noticed and instead of slapping me she grabbed my arm and dragged me over to the bathroom."

Ichigo clapped his hands over his ears. "I don't want to hear the details."

Keigo pulled Ichigo's arms away. "Listen! Because just as we were going to the girls' bathroom, Midori stepped out."

"You're shitting me," Ichigo said. "Midori doesn't drink."

"I shit you not! Midori was there!" Keigo beamed. His brown eyes glowed. "Midori saw us and ran away. I chased after her and after some slapping and insults, we made out and now we're back together!"

Ichigo slapped his forehead and groaned. Keigo never seemed to learn from his mistakes. "Keigo, why? Just, why? You and Midori need to stop."

"But Ichigo, I'm in love!" Keigo protested.

Before Ichigo was about to lecture Keigo, a deep voice behind him said, "Yo."

Ichigo turned around and before his eyes could find the face of the person, he heard a loud bang and felt something hot, like fire, shoot through his abdomen. Ichigo's mouth opened, but no sound escaped. He collapsed, banging his head on the cold floor. Stars twirled around in his vision. Many people around him screamed.

"Ichigo-" Keigo bent down.

"Stay away from him!" Ichigo sensed Keigo slowly backing away.

Ichigo clutched his abdomen, his hand becoming wet with blood, and grit his teeth. Fuck, it hurt. His torso felt as if a burning hand had reached into him and began twisting his innards. Ichigo's vision blurred.

Before he lost his vision, Ichigo looked up at his attacker. His eyes widened when he recognized the chiseled face and bright blue hair and eyes.

"Pay back, bitch," Grimmjow growled. He pointed a shiny black gun at Ichigo's face. "Adios," He said and pressed the trigger.

Ichigo's eyes snapped open. His breaths came out quick and ragged. Sharp pants escaped from his lips. Sweat rolled down his forehead and onto the pillow.

It was a dream. It was just a dream. Ichigo told himself that multiple times. His breathing became more even, but his body was still shaking.

The dream had seemed so real, even the area Grimmjow shot felt cold. Ichigo placed his hand on his abdomen and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt no blood.

Ichigo glanced over at the digital clock. It was 3:16 AM…and Friday. More relief washed over Ichigo. It should've been enough to calm down Ichigo, but his body refused to stay still. Strangely, his body was swaying side to side like a boat on choppy water.

That's when it hit Ichigo. It wasn't just his body that was moving, but the entire bed as well. His bed creaked after each sway.

"I'll never let you go, Jack…" Toshiro mumbled in his sleep.

Ichigo threw his blanket off and scrambled out of the bed. He stumbled as soon as his feet hit the floor.

The whole room was shaking.

"Shit!" Ichigo wobbled over to Toshiro and pulled his blanket off. Toshiro instinctively curled up.

Ichigo placed his hand on Toshiro's shoulder and shook him. "Toshiro, wake up!"

Toshiro groaned and slapped Ichigo's hand. "Stop it, Jack."

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo grabbed the collar of Toshiro's shirt. He yanked Toshiro's body up, causing Toshiro's turquoise eyes to snap open. His jaw went slack.

"What the-?"

"No time for questions!" Ichigo said. "I think we're in the middle of an earthquake!"

"An earth-" Toshiro's voice was cut off as Ichigo grabbed his arm. The two men half ran half stumbled to the door. Ichigo flung the door open.

There was chaos everywhere. Patients shoved and screamed at each other as they tried to enter the elevator. Some were smart enough to head for the stairs, but the swaying of the building caused them to crash into the walls, into other people. All of the nurses were trying to placate the mob, but their efforts were in vain.

At that very moment, Unohana's voice echoed from the loudspeaker, "ATTENTION EVERYONE! PLEASE CALM DOWN AND STAY IN YOUR ROOMS! DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON TO SOMETHING UNTIL THE EARTHQUAKE ENDS!"

A tall nurse with short lavender hair placed her hand on a hysterical man's shoulder. "Sir, please calm down and-"

The man grabbed the woman's arm and threw her against the wall. The woman's body slumped to the floor and remained motionless.

Ichigo's lip curled. Letting go of Toshiro, who was calling out for Kenpachi and Rangiku, he marched over to the man. The man's beady eyes met Ichigo's angry ones. He must've sensed a confrontation, because he began walking over to him with a fist raised. Ichigo made a fist.

Las Noches swayed to the right. The swing was more powerful than the previous ones, causing Ichigo, the man, and many others to fall into the wall. Well, technically Ichigo didn't fall into the wall.

"FUCKER!" Rukia Kuchiki shouted as Ichigo's body crashed into her much smaller one. Startled by the sound of her voice, Ichigo jerked back and landed on his butt.

"R-Rukia!" Ichigo stammered. "What are you doing here?"

Rukia got up and dusted her purple t-shirt. She shot an irritated look at him. "Unlike the morons congregating around the elevator, I know that it's much safer to take the stairs." She groaned. "Out of all the people who had to slam into me, of course it had to be your fat ass."

Ichigo shot up. The building swayed and Ichigo almost lost his balance. "Wow Rukia, you sure know how to lower someone's self-esteem," he replied dryly. "Where'd you acquire a skill like that? Law school?"

Hand against the wall, Rukia began carefully walking over to the stairs. Ichigo copied her.

"Hahaha you're soo funny!" Rukia shot back. "Who taught you such awesome comebacks? Your mom?"

Ichigo faltered and felt his entire body grow cold. He stared at Rukia with his jaw slack, unsure what to say. Rukia glanced back and raised an eyebrow. Maybe Ichigo was imagining it, but after a moment, Rukia's once hard gaze grew softer.

"Let's just keep going," Rukia murmured.

"ICHIGO!" Ichigo whirled around and saw Kenpachi racing towards them. Toshiro was lying limply on the muscular man's back, while Rangiku trailed behind.

"What happened to Toshiro?!" Ichigo sputtered. Drool was trickling out of the corner of Toshiro's mouth.

"Some fat ass fell on him," Kenpachi said, shrugging. "He's knocked out cold."

"Shit." Ichigo walked carefully behind Kenpachi and raised his hand to check for any wounds on Toshiro's body.

The building swayed again and Ichigo lost his balance. Rangiku grabbed his shoulder and helped Ichigo regain his balance.

"WE HAVE TO GET OUT NOW!" Rukia shouted. The four of them pushed through the crowd. Kenpachi ran ahead and kicked the door to the stairway open. It slammed against the wall, ricocheted back, and closed.

"DAMMIT KENPACHI!" Rangiku pushed the door open and gestured at the stairs. Kenpachi jumped over each flight, with Toshiro's legs flying around in all directions. Ichigo, Rukia, and Rangiku ran down two at a time. When they reached the 10th floor, a door connecting the stairway and the 10th floor hall opened and a mass of patients stormed out.

"OOF!" Ichigo whirled around and saw a man knock Rukia into the wall. He winced as Rukia's head snapped back.

"RUKIA!" Ichigo shoved his way back up the stairs and looped Rukia's arm around his shoulder. Damn, she was short. Ichigo had to bend down. He carefully, but quickly, made his way down the stairs.

Rukia's eyes opened halfway. She groggily looked up at Ichigo. "Hey, you're a doctor, right?" Rukia slurred. "I think I'm concussed."

"I think I better get you out of here first."

To Ichigo's surprise, the earthquake hadn't caused much destruction. All of the buildings were intact, and even though they were still swaying, none of them were toppling over each other. No one was outside either, except for him, Rukia, Rangiku, Kenpachi and Toshiro. All the other patients who had fled from Las Noches probably went back inside.

"What's your name? Where are you?" Ichigo asked as he examined Rukia's face.

Rukia stared at him, her blinks slow and heavy. "Kuchiki, Rukia. We're sitting outside of Las Noches."

"Do you know what year it is?"

"2014."

"OK, you don't have a concussion," Ichigo said, relieved.

Rukia yawned. She gazed at Ichigo in a languid manner before slowly shutting her eyes. Before Ichigo could ask if she was asleep, Rukia's body fell forward onto his lap. Ichigo sat still for a moment, unsure of what to do, before awkwardly placing his hand on Rukia's head. Her black hair was silky and faintly smelled of lavender.

"I've never seen her look so peaceful." Ichigo looked up at Rangiku, who was gazing at Rukia with a smile. Ichigo smiled. It was nice to see Rangiku look at Rukia with kindness instead of caution.

Ichigo glanced around the empty, dimly lit streets. Kenpachi was waving a hand in front of Toshiro's dazed face. "It's weird. We were in the middle of an earthquake, yet everything is so calm."

Rangiku laughed. "It's cause this earthquake wasn't very severe. Probably a 4 or 5 on the Richter scale."

"N-Not severe?!" Ichigo blurted. "Then why was everyone freaking out?!"

"It's always been like this," Rangiku explained. "Many people at Las Noches overreact in situations like this." She sighed. "Honestly, it's probably safer to run out during an earthquake than to stay in that living nightmare."

Ichigo looked up at the light purple sky. There were streaks of pink and yellow light poking out from the clouds. As a gentle breeze rolled by, Ichigo suddenly realized that for the first time in almost three weeks, he was outside.

I'm outside. I'm free. The thought caused Ichigo to laugh out loud. Rangiku laughed with him, though it was clear she had no idea why Ichigo was so happy.

Overwhelmed by glee, Ichigo gently moved Rukia's warm, light body off of him and placed her head on the road. He got up and did something Ichigo thought he never would have done.

"I too am not a bit tamed!" Ichigo shouted into the void, his arms spread apart as if about to embrace the city lights. "I too am untranslatable. I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the WORRLLDD!"

Rangiku laughed and tossed her head back, strawberry curls bouncing. She let out a long howl. Out of the corner of his eye, Ichigo could see Toshiro laughing while Kenpachi howled with Rangiku.

A brown object, probably a flower pot, flew from an apartment complex and shattered on the pavement.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" A raspy voice yelled. Ichigo, Rangiku, Kenpachi, and Toshiro laughed harder.

"You're a weird guy, you know that?" Ichigo looked down. Rukia was awake and staring up at Ichigo.

Ichigo laughed. "You have no idea."

"Take care Ichi-nii!" Yuzu called and walked into the elevator. Ichigo smiled and waved goodbye. It was a relief that the earthquake didn't affect anyone. Even Bad-Luck-Keigo was alright.

And Grimmjow wasn't here either. Ichigo thought. Recalling that nightmare still sent shivers down Ichigo's spine.

Stretching his arms, Ichigo walked out of the common room. The monster in his stomach growled, demanding to be fed. Thank god it was dinner time.

As Ichigo walked to the cafeteria, he saw from far away, a couch and window at the end of the hall. Nothing new about that, but Ichigo stopped when he saw a person he knew sitting on the couch.

Ichigo jogged to the couch. "Hey, Rangiku!"

Rangiku was sitting on the couch with her legs crossed. She was leaning her cheek against her elbow and staring contemplatively out the window. Rangiku glanced at Ichigo. She was wearing no makeup and wore a plain mint tee, white pants, and baby pink converse. Her attire was so simple, but her beauty was still a league above most women.

"Hey, Ichigo," Rangiku said with a slight smile. Ichigo could tell that the smile was to be polite. Rangiku sounded…tired.

Ichigo sat down next to her and leaned into the couch. Why were all the couches here so damn comfy?

"It's time for dinner," Ichigo said.

"I know," Rangiku replied curtly. "I'm not…hungry."

Ichigo knit his eyebrows. There was something…off about Rangiku. He wasn't used to seeing the ex-model look and act so nonchalant.

"I didn't see your friends today," Ichigo said carefully. "Did something happen to them?"

Rangiku shrugged. "I'm sure they're fine. They just don't visit that often anymore."

"Oh." Ichigo looked away and twiddled his fingers. The two of them didn't speak for what felt like hours.

"Ichigo," Rangiku said suddenly. "Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bird?"

Ichigo blinked. "A bird?" He scratched his head. "I think every kid has dreamed of flying."

"I don't mean just that," Rangiku said. She was still gazing out the window. "I wonder…what it's like to just not be human."

Ichigo tapped his chin. "Life would probably be easier," He mused.

"It probably would," Rangiku agreed. She paused. "The biggest difference between humans and animals is our ability to feel emotion. Animals can feel things, but usually not to the same extent as humans. Some animals forget their own kids." She closed her eyes. "Us humans…no matter how much we want to forget, sometimes we just can't. That's why we resort to alcohol."

"Rangiku…" Ichigo began.

"But one glass has no effect," Rangiku continued. "Even one bottle isn't always enough. So you drink more and more until little by little, the pain is dulled. But it never completely fades away."

Shining crystals streamed from Rangiku's eyes. It took Ichigo a moment to realize that they were tears. Rangiku, the woman often seen with a grin, was crying.

"You keep believing that drinking more will get rid of the pain all together," Rangiku whispered. "In the end, you drink so much that you black out and can't remember anything. But the pain always comes back and you continue to drink. You begin to rely on the alcohol to the point where it starts to control your life."

Rangiku opened her eyes. The sclera of her eyes were tinged with red. "The truth is, Ichigo, the reason why I'm still here is not because of my alcoholism. I grew out of that a while ago. I can't check myself out because the pain is still there. It's like an invisible hand is digging a knife into my chest and twisting it."

"What…happened?" Ichigo felt guilty for asking, but he couldn't stop himself and something told him that Rangiku was going to anyway.

Rangiku gazed back out the window, leaning her shoulder against the couch. "My life used to be perfect. I had lots of friends and was engaged to a man I loved." Rangiku's voice cracked when she said the last word. "Rain took that all away."

Somewhere in his head, Ichigo thought he heard the sound of rain drops splashing over the concrete sidewalk and the screams of a woman.

"It was the night before my wedding," Rangiku murmured. "My fiancee, Gin, was driving me home. We were joking and singing along to the radio." Rangiku's lips twitched upward slightly. "I still remember which song…'Eleanor Rigby.'"

The tiny smile disappeared immediately. "All of a sudden, we saw this flash of light and heard honking and tires screeching. I woke up the next morning in the hospital and Gin…" Rangiku choked. Her eyes filled with tears. "Gin didn't make it."

"Rangiku…" Ichigo pulled her close, her head resting against the crook of his neck. A rush of cold shot down his spine when her tears slid down his neck. "I'm sorry…"

Rangiku swallowed. "There's never been a day where I don't ask myself, why? Why did I survive and Gin didn't? No one has been able to tell me." She looked up at Ichigo. Her blue eyes seemed to be pleading for an answer.

Ichigo scratched his head as he decided on a response. "Life…is not fair," He said slowly. "When everything seems perfect, She has a way of ruining it." Ichigo paused. "But She doesn't have the power to destroy hope. The only ones with the power to do that, are the people themselves."

Feeling much more confident, Ichigo said, "I'm an atheist, but what if there is a place called Heaven? What if Gin is living there right now, and watching you? I bet he's thinking, 'Rangiku, don't give up! There's always hope in the future!'" Rangiku sobbed.

Ichigo took a deep breath. "I understand that your bond with Gin was strong. It's unbreakable. Nothing will be able to negate what happened in the past. I know I'm being redundant, but it's true. There is hope in the future. Always. You were given another chance to live, a chance to prove that nothing can stop you. Do you understand, what that means? If you throw that chance away, you're only giving Life the satisfaction is lusts for. Don't let that happen, fight back! If you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for Gin!"

A shadow flitted over Rangiku's face, so Ichigo couldn't see her expression. It suddenly got so quiet, a pin could drop and Ichigo would be able to hear it. The quiet discomforted Ichigo.

All of a sudden, Rangiku stood up and began walking away.

"W-Where are you going?" Ichigo asked as he got up.

Rangiku halted. Without turning around, she said, "It's dinner now, isn't it? We should go." But she didn't move.

Ichigo hesitated. "Just out of curiosity, but…why did you tell me everything just now?"

For a long moment, Rangiku didn't reply. Ichigo wondered if it was wrong for him to ask. He opened his mouth to apologize.

Rangiku glanced back and…smiled. "Because, Ichigo…the moment I met you, I felt as if I could trust you with my life."

Ichigo's jaw dropped and Rangiku laughed. Her laugh was a clear, melodic sound.

"Let's go!" Rangiku took Ichigo's hand and dragged him down the hallway. As they ran, Ichigo couldn't help but think of the famous saying, "There's more than meets the eye."

That saying couldn't have felt more true than it did now.

Surprise surprise! Rangiku's past is related to Gin.

I know some of you are wondering where this story is going. Don't worry, the next chapter will move the plot along!