A/N: This is a Rukia x Ichigo NelX NNor fic . Also, OOC and A/U warning, first time writing Nel x NNoi so...yea.
A/N: As always please read and review, flames are welcome, critiques greatly appreciated!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, or the series
"Rukia wake up, we're leaving." He shook her gently trying to rouse her, she shifted rolling over glancing at the clock on the bedside table, it was only five in the morning.
"Let me sleep for a little longer please." She groaned crossly. It was too early for this. She sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I'm up." She sighed finally.
"Ok good we're leaving, in thirty minutes. "
She started to say something but he was already gone. Thirty minutes later she sat in the back of his car staring out at the scenery. She had thought they would spend the day there and leave a bit later. Was it because of what happened yesterday that he wanted to leave early?
She took a peek at him as he was busying himself on his laptop. He hadn't said a word to her about anything since this morning.
She fished out her cell phone, she should have told Rangiku to collaborate on her story earlier but now was good a time as any. She sent her a quick text and then sat back in her seat. This was too unpleasant. She yawned, turning around in her seat to face the window. It was fine, if he was going to ignore her she could do the same. ~
"Wake up Rukia. We're here." She blinked, opening her eyes, they were parked outside her house.
She really must have been tired. "Ah OK." She sat up stretching as best as she could inside the vehicle. She glanced at him unsure what she should say. "Well thanks Ichigo. I'll see you later." She exited the car not waiting for a response.
The driver had left her luggage in front of the house, but she hadn't even brought anything with her. She sighed whatever and unlocked the door as quietly as she could. It was still early maybe her family was still sleeping, well at least she hoped they were. She dragged the luggage upstairs, opening it up.
It was the clothes that had been in the closet in the cabin and on top of it was an envelope. She picked it up, it was unexpectedly heavier than usual. She opened it slowly, the stacks of crisp hundred dollar bills surprised her. She counted it diligently. It was sixteen thousand dollars. But why? She went to her stash counting it, there was nine thousand there, so all the twenty-five thousand was there. But once again why? She hadn't done enough days. Was this because of what had happened, he was feeling guilty about touching her?
She stuffed the money back into the envelope, she would return it to him. The next time she saw him, she wasn't going to accept it for free. It didn't matter how much she wanted to get her own place or get away from this. *
She tip-toed down the stairs, trying not to wake anyone up, she wanted to leave early so she didn't have to deal with Byakuya.
"Rukia."
She stilled turning around slowly, "good morning Byakuya-Sama." Rukia said with the best smile she could muster. Hisana stood next to him, a frown on her face mirroring his.
"Where have you been? Two days without a call or text what the hell were you thinking?"
"I don't know, it was an impromptu sleepover at Rangiku's house." She shrugged, not really wanting to deal with them at the moment.
"I'm tired of the lies Rukia. I have a few simple rules yet, you fail to follow any of them. From now on you go to school and then come straight here. You are grounded for two weeks."
"What! That's unfair Byakuya-Sama!" How was she supposed to see him now? In no way was she stupid enough to not do as he said. She glanced at her sister, hoping for some leniency, but she shook her head, her expression stern.
"Do you know how worried we were about you?" Hisana was rarely mad but it was evident how much she was now. "Do you know what kind of things could have happened to you Rukia?"
Rukia sighed, "I'm sorry, I didn't think about it like that. I should have let you know what I was doing, but Rangiku broke up with her boyfriend and she needed support. I just didn't want to take the chance of you guys saying no."
"Rukia, Sometimes you need to trust us, we love you and if it's something important like that we won't say no. We know she's your best friend, but we also want to know that you're safe." Hisana smiled reassuringly, "but you're still grounded. I'll pick you up so wait for me ok."
She nodded her shoulders slumped, following behind Byakuya as they went to the car. ~
She set down her backpack and entered her room, It had been the most boring two weeks possible. She had busied herself cleaning her room and looking for apartments. But most of her time was spent thinking about Ichigo. He hadn't reached out to her at all in that time span. Maybe he had just decided that was it. It's not like there had been anything tying her to him. He could find anyone to tell him a story.
Rukia sighed, pushing those thoughts out of her head. Tomorrow she would be done with her punishment, and she could maybe go look at apartments. When she finally graduated she would leave and start her life anew. The nine thousand would last her a few months hopefully, and then she could get a job and support herself. Her phone rang and she reached for it.
"Hello?"
"Rukia, my dear, how have you been?"
It was Isshin. She kind of felt bad that she hadn't gone to see him in the cabin as she had promised, but how could she after what had happened? "Hey Isshin, how's it going?" she felt a bit weird talking to him.
"Just checking up on you, you haven't been coming here lately have you?"
Did he know what happened? What could she say, school kept her busy, she had work?
"Did Ichigo do something to you? Tell me Rukia."
"No, I've just been busy, that's all." She lied.
"Ah schools almost out right, I should have guessed."
"Yea its ok, I'm pretty much done now."
He chuckled, "I was wondering why Ichigo was walking around like a zombie, but I understand you not being able to come by finals and the like. Oh I brought you a cake so whenever you're ready you can come by and pick it up."
"Thanks, Isshin, you're the best."
"If only we could convince Ichigo of that. Anyways it was nice talking to you Rukia."
"Same here. Thanks for checking up on me."
"A parent's job is never done. Bye Rukia."
"Bye Isshin." He was a great guy, being worried about her even when he didn't have to. Now she had a reason to go over there and talk to Ichigo tomorrow and clear things up.
~~~~Next day~~~~
She waited for him to answer the door. She had rehearsed exactly what she would say to him so many times.
"Rukia?" he asked surprised.
"Yea, hey…"
He ran a hand through his hair, "What are you doing here?" He made no move to let her in.
"Your dad said he left a cake for me, also I'm returning this," she held out the envelope. "I can't accept it. I didn't earn it."
He made no move to take it back, "It's yours I don't want it. I really don't need you anymore so I felt it would be best to pay out all that I had advertise to be fair."
Her eyes roamed over him, He looked haggard, just like the first time she had met him. He looked pale with bags under his eyes his hair disheveled and his clothes sloppy. "You don't need me? Or are you saying you got what you wanted and felt guilty about it so you're paying me off? Which one is?" her voice rose her anger now apparent. The thought had crossed her mind it made her feel cheap, like some high priced prostitute or something.
"Calm down" he groaned, "just come in I don't need my neighbors in my business."
She followed in behind him, still upset. How could he be so inconsiderate? It didn't matter that she was mad, but that his neighbors might hear them. "And what part of you doesn't need me? You look like shit."
He frowned, the last two weeks had been terrible, he couldn't focus on his work and worse yet his insomnia had come back. He had kinda given up on sleep and he did feel like shit. But he couldn't drag her back into it. After what happened at the lake, it was only a matter of time before he couldn't control himself around her and he would do it again. He didn't want to go through it. This was the only way he could think of. "Works just been busy. As I said before it's not paying you off, it's what I had promised at the beginning so just take it, and forget about the job."
"The job or you Ichigo?" He really had no feelings for her, had she been the only one falling in love?
"What is it you want me to say Rukia? I messed around too much and gave you some hope but, I could never love you."
The words chilled her to the core; how could he say that with such conviction? But she should have known, he never said anything about liking her but she had fully committed her heart to him. She was a fool, "no I already know that, but I need to finish this. I want the money but I will not just take it without properly working for it. So if you do not want me to tell you stories any more that's fine take the money back and I will be on my way." She could do it too. There was no point in letting him see how much those words had hurt her. She just had to focus on her original goal, getting a brand new start on life.
"Your pretty fucking stubborn aren't you? Arggh…" he grumbled. "I guess then we'll continue. Why don't you go have some cake and give me a few minutes to finish up my work."
She nodded, saying nothing else and going to the kitchen.
A little while later she sat at the edge of his bed as he settled in. It felt weird being back there after the extended absence, but she could do this. " I almost forgot where I was." She giggled she hadn't really had time to think about the story "Oh yea…ready Ichigo?"
"I would have thought you had plenty of time to think about it since you haven't been coming here."
She glanced at him, snuggled under the covers and a bout of nostalgia rolled through her. as before he looked defenseless and not at all like the cruel jerk he was, "I told you I would get grounded for that little stunt you pulled. Even my sister was mad."
"I'm sorry I got you in trouble Rukia. Won't happen again I promise."
"Ok…on with the story…" she didn't want to talk about it anymore, his promises weren't what she wanted.
"What the fuck are you doing?" His voice was hoarse with sleep. In the dark of the night, she knew he was angry. Maybe she had hurt him in some way, but she thought she was being gentle, if not cautious.
"You're still doing it," he grounded out through clenched teeth. Even though her touches were light and barely there they were driving him crazy.
"So…sorry," she said withdrawing her fingers from his throbbing cock, she had messed up again.
He caught his breath, as best as he could. " Why are you in my room? Touching my cock?"
She sat there unable to speak, why had she come in here? Now her earlier thought process had seemed stupid. "I...thought it's what you wanted…" She trailed off suddenly losing her voice.
"When did I say anything remotely close to that?" Did Tesra put her up to this? If he had he would kill him, as slowly and painfully as possible.
"You…you…" She was crying again. She felt useless beyond measure. She couldn't cook and she couldn't do basic housework and now she couldn't even satisfy him sexually.
"Earlier…at dinner." How stupid did she feel, she scrubbed her eyes wiping away the tears, what was wrong with her? "I guess… I…misunderstood." She got out of the bed as quickly as she could, grabbing her robe and running to her room. Only then when her door was closed and locked did she break down crying again.
He woke up to a knock at his bedroom, he groaned getting out of bed. He really wasn't in the mood right now. If it was Nel he would give her a good talking to about boundaries. How in the hell was he supposed to control himself when she had basically presented herself to him on a silver platter? He hadn't been able to sleep at all after that, he could still feel her fingers wrapped around his cock.
"Good morning, Master." Tesra stood dressed impeccably as usual, his face set in a pleasant smile.
"What do you want?"
"I've taken the liberty of setting up your day for you." He said handing him an envelope. "Please follow it as best as you can." His pleasant smile seemed to turn up just a bit more into a smirk.
Nnoitra glared at him, "Did you tell her to come to my room last night?"
His façade cracked a bit and he let out a chuckle. "What was she doing in there?"
"What the fuck do you think?"
His chuckle became full blown laughter, "this one is a little more daring isn't she?"
"You son of a bitch I'm going to kill you."
"Anyways you are already behind schedule Master, please try and keep up." Tesra walked away trying to hide his grin.
He sighed, going back to his room and showered. Finally, when he was done, he opened the envelope. He wanted to laugh at the contents. What kind of shit had Tesra been studying to come up with this? No matter how he looked at it, everything seemed foolish. Whatever he would follow it for now, what could it hurt? Besides so far, she hadn't run away and had even snuck into his room. Maybe he was on to something. ~
He sat across from her at the table she wasn't in her usual maid outfit but some fashionable ensemble he was sure Tesra picked out. She picked at her food, glancing at him every now and then. Her shyness now was driving him crazy. How had she been so audacious last night but couldn't even look him in the eyes now.
"Nelliel."
"Yes Master?" She still didn't look at him, how could she face him after last night? He had seen her naked, and on top of that she had been touching him. Just thinking about how his cock had felt in her hands brought a blush to her cheeks.
"You may call me Nnoitra."
She nodded.
"Should I feed you?" his breath tickled her ear startling her. When had he come up beside her? She turned to face him their noses touching.
"No… no I'm just not…" her words died in her throat he was too close, she was sure he could hear her heart beating.
He smirked then at the blush on her face, "then if you're done. We have things to do. Follow me."
"But shouldn't I clean up first?" She stood shakily, her legs feeling like jelly.
"Do you want me to yell at you? Do you get off on that? You should do as your told."
"Yes ma…yes Nnoitra."
"Good girl." He took her hand, leading her outside to his car.
She was surprised, this was the first time in weeks she would be off his property. Just as she thought the neighborhood was beyond upscale, beautifully manicured lawns and well taken care of mansions.
He was driving today, she would have thought he would be chauffeured around as usual. Nel glanced at him, "where are we going?"
"Be patient, you'll see."
A little while later they pulled up to a clothing boutique. The valet opened the door for her and she stepped out nervously. Of course, she had heard of it before, it was famous, the designs they carried were beyond magnificent. She never shopped there, it wasn't because it had been beyond her means but she hadn't ever been the extravagant type. She was more into ordinary things. She'd rather go out with her friends than go out and party.
"What are we doing here?" She asked him when he finally came to stand by her.
"You need new clothes for your new role so today you may get whatever you want." He had really just planned to send her in alone and wait in the car but Tesra's note specifically mentioned him escorting her in and paying her compliments. He sighed this might be tougher than he thought.
"How does this look?" She stepped out of the dressing stall into the larger room where he sat on the couch looking as if he would die of boredom. It wasn't her usual style, but the consultant had picked out numerous outfits to try on and this was the last. In truth all the clothes were gorgeous.
He glanced up at her and the dress she was wearing. It accentuated her big bust, and clung to her body like a second skin. He stood walking around her slowly taking her all in, what he wouldn't do to rip off the dress and take her right there, "I like this one."
She blushed under his scrutiny, she felt naked under his gaze. He turned her around to face the full length mirror, one hand resting on her thigh. Their eyes met in the mirror and his smirk intimidated her. It wasn't the usual look of disapproval or frustration but something entirely unfamiliar to her. It sent chills down her back.
"How is everything?" the consultant walked in interrupting then.
She pulled away suddenly feeling shy. "I…I guess I should change."
Nnoitra frowned at her, "We'll take everything and she'll wear this one out."
The consultant nodded. "I'm happy you found something you liked," she said to Nel as she rolled out the rack of clothes.
She followed him out of the room, wondering how she should thank him. The prices on the clothes were nothing to laugh at, but more importantly what was it that he wanted her to do now. A maid didn't wear clothes like these.
Next was lunch at some place he no never really heard of. He sighed this was kind of boring, was this what dating was? They pulled up and exited the car. He took her hand leading her inside, her hand tightened around his and he glanced down at her and her reddened face. "Not hungry?" He stopped.
"No, not really…can…can we go?" She felt embarrassed, the outfit he had picked out was not appropriate for someplace like this, she looked out of place.
"What's wrong now woman?" he sighed in annoyance.
"Every…everyone's looking…"
Only then did he even notice the other occupants of the restaurant, he had been so busy in his thoughts. And in truth their eyes were on them. Her more specifically, but it wasn't stares of curiosity, but ones that were really improper. Nnoitra glanced down at her then and it seemed as if she shrunk away from him. "Ok we'll eat later," he said leading her back outside.
She should apologize to him for the embarrassing scene she just pulled, but she had felt so disgusting under their gazes, as if her naked body was on full display. It was different than when he looked at her. "I'm sorry about that…I was just a little nervous. It's been a while since I've been to a place like that. I shouldn't have said anything."
Nnoitra frowned, now when they were almost to their destination did she say that. "Its fine," was all he said. He wasn't going to tell her how bothered he had been when he noticed the looks on their faces.
He pulled up to their destination a little while later. He had been surprised when he seen the address on his 'to do list' but now was just as good a time as any.
Nel stared at the house they had pulled up to; it was a quaint little single family house kind of out of the way. What were they doing here? She wanted to ask but instead let him lead her to the front door. He hadn't even knocked when the door opened.
"Nelliel!" She was pulled into a hug before she could even register it.
"Mo…mom?" she hugged her back tentatively, she pulled away to look at her better, yea it was her. "I've missed you so much."
"We have too. I'm sorry your dad isn't home yet, he should be here any minute. Come in let's catch up." She followed her to the living room, it was nice and welcoming inside, "I wasn't sure when you guys would be here, so I haven't finished cooking yet."
"Its fine, is everything…ok?" Nel took the seat her mom offered her and glanced in Nnoitra's direction, he looked uninterested as usual.
"Yes of course my dear. It might not look like much compared to before, but I have absolutely fallen in love with it. It's so cozy, and now that it's just the two of us it feels like home."
Nel smiled at her mom. This is what she had wanted to make sure of that she was good, but even though she looked happy, she could see the sadness in her eyes. She must of already known she wasn't going to be coming back. "I'm glad mom, I was so worried…"
"It's in the past dear, let's not drag it up ok?" she said with a small smile, then glanced to Nnoitra "You're welcome to sit wherever."
"I have a call to make, excuse me." He left out the front door taking a seat on one of the chairs. He had spoken to them before, not that he really gave a fuck what happened to them, but Tesra had thought it would be better to be on good terms with them, just in case.
He sat there for a while giving them time to talk. His cell rang and he ignored it. He didn't have anything to say to him. It rang again and he answered, "what do you want?"
"Just checking up on how everything is going. I see you took her shopping, when I said a new wardrobe, I didn't mean the whole store."
Why did he feel the need to provoke him, "She wanted it so I got it, isn't that what your stupid little list said? And why the fuck did we have to come to her parents' home?"
"An act of goodwill. Besides I'm sure she was happy to see them."
"Yea yea, if that's all I'm sure you have things to do."
"No, it's not." The mirth that had been in his voice disappeared, "there might be trouble."
"Oh, don't start with your bullshit now Tesra."
"It's Ōmaeda, apparently the second highest bid had been by him. And the whole reason her father lost his money was him. He wants Nelliel. She turned down his proposal and he ruined her family in retaliation."
"So, what does that have to do with me?" Nnoitra sighed, Ōmaeda was never a match for him.
"Just giving you a heads up, here at the mansion we are well guarded but he might try and make this an opportunity to grab her."
"I'd like to see him try. You sure are worried over trivial shit."
"Not worried, it's been a few times he's killed her right? I feel like this is going too well to let something like that happen. I'm sure by the end of your little date…"
He hung up on him. He didn't have time to listen to that nonsense. In truth he hadn't seen her smile this much in a long time and he could say he was actually really enjoying this. And the Ōmaeda business wasn't anything he was concerned about. He could protect her if anything did come up. ~
"How have you been doing Nelliel?" She took her daughter's hand in hers. When he had come to talk to them about having purchased their daughter it had sounded ridiculous. They hadn't known that Nel had went through with such an absurd idea as putting herself up for auction. He had handed them the money and practically told them they wouldn't ever see her again.
"It's not bad honestly."
"Really?" But would she even tell her the truth? That was something that she always dislike, Nelliel kept things bottled up too much.
"Yea, I know what it might sound like, but he's treated me very nicely. It's almost like I'm a kept woman, I guess. The only thing I might say is it's a little boring." Nel chuckled, "but I don't hate it…I think I..." She stopped, "you don't have to worry about me mom, is all I'm trying to say."
Her mom nodded, feeling a little better about the situation. "I should finish up dinner, tell Nnoitra its almost ready, ok?"
She nodded; this was exactly what she needed. She had been so worried but seeing her mom now put her mind at ease. They were healthy and that's what mattered the most. She made her way to the front door ready to call him but stopped as she heard her name.
"It's not as if I need your permission or anything," he said calmly eyeing him, "but its tradition so."
"Understandable, but in this kind of situation do you think that it's really necessary?"
It was her father, but what could they be talking about? She heard Nnoitra laugh. "She is still a woman and you know they are very sentimental."
"True, but what kind of father would I be if I did allow it. You've probably already had your fill of her. We'll gladly take her back with open arms."
He snickered, "my fill of her? What do you think I've been doing to your daughter?"
Nel's father frowned, not at all liking the smirk on his face, "I'm old fashioned not stupid. You don't pay that kind of money for a 'friend'. If this was your goal from the beginning, why not do it the proper way?"
"If I had, would you have accepted me?" Why was he bothering with this kind of talk, it didn't matter if he said yes or no, she already belonged to him.
"You aren't worthy of her." Her father said honestly. His daughter was his only child, she was smart, beautiful, and she meant the world to him. No one really could be good enough for her.
He wanted to laugh, worthy, did this idiot know how much shit he'd been through for her.
"Nnoitra…" Nel had to cut off the conversation because her mother had called them. She had been so engrossed in the conversation, "oh father, you're here." She hugged him tightly, he looked well also, like this regular life was really doing wonders for them. "Mom said dinners ready, she wants you guys inside now." She smiled leading the way inside. ~
Dinner had been awkward, her parents were cordial with Nnoitra without ever being too unpleasant. They talked about random things without really talking. It was almost unbearable, but when would she be able to see them again? She just tried to enjoy it as much as she could. They had finished the dishes and now they were saying good bye.
"You're more than welcome to come back whenever you two want, our home is always open." Her mother said as she hugged her.
"I promise I will." Even though she wasn't really sure if he would ever bring her back or this was a one-time thing. "Goodnight, love you guys."
"Love you too Hunny, be safe."
They sat in his car and he glanced back at the house, he hadn't gotten a yes or no, but whatever it's not like he had to bring her back.
He went to start the car but she stopped him, "Nnoitra. Thank you for today, I really appreciate you bringing me here, the clothes, everything. I know that you're extremely busy and you didn't have to do any of it. You've already spent so much I don't know how I can ever repay you." Her hand dropped from his, but she smiled as brightly as she could.
"Marry me."
"Wh..what?" she was surprised, was this what today was about? "W…why? I'm useless, I can't cook I can't clean…I can't…even…"she stopped feeling foolish, she couldn't even say no could she? She belonged to him.
He laughed, "so you feel the same as your father? Am I not worthy enough for you Princess?" he frowned starting the car.
"You're wrong!" her voice rose not really meaning for it to, "I'm not good enough." She wasn't wife material. There was nothing she could do for him, that he couldn't do himself. She didn't want to just be a trophy wife, to stand around and look pretty. "I can't accept it because I'll just be trouble for you…no matter how much I've messed up you've never raised a hand to me, never made me go without food, or treated me any different. I don't…"
Her words were cut off by his lips on hers. She stilled but then let go, opening up to him. His kiss took her breath away and she pulled back, catching it. "I…I don't unde…" her words were cut off at the sudden impact of another car into theirs. The loud crash echoed out through the silent night.
Her head was spinning as she was violently yanked out of the car. She was being held up, but she couldn't seem to focus, "You bitch." She felt a sharp sting in her side and then another, "remember this is all your fault. I would have given you anything." She still couldn't get her eyes to work properly, she could hear his words faintly but it was as if everything was shrouded in darkness. He threw her to the ground staring at her body, "What a fucking waste. Tainted by such trash."
Ōmaeda looked towards the driver's side where the impact had been, and stilled he was no longer seated there.
"Ow…" she sat up from the ground the best she could but her side was killing her and she was bleeding. What happened? It was like the whole world had lost color, her ears were ringing and everything was bright. She blinked trying to focus. She stared around, slowly like a building crescendo everything began to come into focus.
Her parents laid a few feet away from her, her father's body on top, blood gushed from his back. She tried to move but the pain was excruciating…
She searched frantically for Nnoitra her eyes finally landing on him, a group of bloody bodies strewn on the ground about him. He had a man grasped by the neck, a fierce glint in his eye. He was saying something but she couldn't make out the words. Suddenly everything was drowned out by an abrupt, blood-curdling scream as the guy was beheaded. Nnoitra dropped the body unceremoniously and turned to glance in her direction.
She willed herself to get up, to run, to move, to crawl, to do something other than just wait there for him to come and get her. For the first time she felt fear overwhelm her when she looked at him. "Nnot.." her voice died, she could only muster enough strength to glance once more to her parents bodies before everything went black.
A/N: So I had tried to make Nnoitra a little nicer in these last few chapters, and it was kinda funny for me, cause Nel was such an idiot its hard to not have him yell at her.