Dedicating this to my IG followers, readers, thanks for your patience, and thanks for the friendly nudge to update this haha.
Chapter 14
(That afternoon)
"Did you feel that?"
"Aa," the taller companion pointed towards the skyscraper in the central business district of Karakura. "It's coming from there,"
The two figures disappeared. But for 2 seconds apart where they re-emerged, closer to the source of the reiatsu, watching intently through the glass of the office tower.
"That's him, ain't it?"
"..."
"What is he doing there?"
"I wonder..."
"Shall we wait for back up or head back?
"Tch... in case you've forgotten, I'm a captain now,"
"Hai, hai, Taichou. I should hurry back to report this,"
"I'll stick around, and pay a visit to our old friend,"
"Thought so. Be safe."
The taller figure kissed his companion on the forehead before vanishing into thin air.
(Several hours later)
Staring at her mobile phone, her stomach let out a loud rumble. That's right, she had skipped lunch given the whirl wind day of drama - the morning rush to the office, the shocking news, the brawl involving her husband. Since then the auburn haired had been anxiously, but, patiently waiting for her husband to come home.
She remembered the look of disappointment and frustration in his face earlier today as he stormed out of Blut Tower.
Ichigo clearly wasn't in the mood for a chat, as her last few phone calls went unanswered.
It would be wise to leave him alone. To give him space.
The rain finally stopped.
Phew.
After all, her husband hated the rain.
She wasn't in the mood to cook, but she was starting to feel hungry... guess it was time to order in.
Mildly pleased with herself after ordering a whole heap of food. Not able to decide between Indian or Chinese, she ordered both (leftovers could be for tomorrow). Her ears perked when she heard the front door open and headed towards the sound.
"Ichigo?"
"Ah, Orihime, I'm home."
To her relief, Ichigo sounded cheerful again.
"Welcome back anat-?"
"Guess who is with me?"
Orihime tilted her head in question.
Eh? Who could it be?
Ichigo stepped away from the big door to their mansion, to reveal a petite figure.
The figure had long straight dark purple hair, almost waist length, flying in the air as the night breeze whooshed by. That figure was unmistakably the first shinigami from Soul Society they knew.
"Hello Orihime, it's been awhile, hasn't it?"
She's back.
She's goddamn back.
The popping sound of champagne bottle being opened followed by fizzes as the goldish liquid filled up expensive glass flutes.
"Congratulations, my boy!"
"Thanks Father, it was all credit to your wisdom and foresight that got me where I am today,"
"Soon... everything will return to its rightful owner," Yhwach took a gulp of champagne, and continued blabbering on.
The older man has been planning to get Blut empire back in his hands, he took Ginjo under his wing and groomed his over the last few years and everything panned out perfectly.
Now, one last push to get rid of Masaki's boy forever…the older man thought as he fell into slumber.
Tsukishima nudged the old man who snored in response.
"Finally. This old man just wouldn't shut up,"
"Well, how do you feel, Mr. CEO?" Tsukishima joked as he spread himself on the couch.
"You know that's not our end game," Ginjo laughed.
Indeed, being Blut CEO was not his goal. He was a mere pawn in his father's game. But that's not what Ginjo really wanted. Being CEO and having money and powers made life easier. So Ginjo has no complains there.
His best friend, Tsukishima, has very special abilities. With his powers, he was able to alter Yhwach's memories, believing that Ginjo was a son he never had, thereby adopting him as a son and moulding him as an heir, to achieve the elder's grand plan of getting the Blut empire back.
"You were right about Ichigo. I felt it earlier, with that punch,"
It came as no surprise, as Ginjo suspected Ichigo didn't lose his powers completely, they're just resting beneath the surface.
Just one more push, something to make him regain his powers.
Then, all power shall be mine again.
Yes… that was Ginjo's true intentions. He is after Ichigo for an entirely different reason to Yhwach Kurosaki. He wanted his powers back, using the most powerful substitute Shinigami, his successor, the one soul society tossed him away for, so he could exert his revenge on Gotei 13.
"We need to find his weak spot,"
"I think we already have found it,"
The two men raised their glasses to toast to their impending success.
Saying Ichigo was in better spirits was an understatement. He was always cool and calm, and nothing could excite him enough to bother reacting, or to lose his composure (except when provoked or when in battle mode). When he became an adult and joined Blut Corp he became all mature, business serious, and cold.
But seeing Ichigo now, was like seeing him as a teenager again. Correction, even as a teenager he was a moody scowling punk. This was like when he first became a shinigami, all energetic and full of drive.
He was stoked to see Rukia. It was completely opposite from the nervous edgy and angry version of him who Orihime had witness earlier.
Because Rukia was able to kick his sorry butt and get him out of his foul mood.
It was just like that time when they first encountered the arrancars. Ichigo was beating himself up for not being able to protect his friends. But it was Rukia who snapped him out of it.
"What brings you back, Rukia?" Orihime asked as she served tea.
"I was in town for business... And saw this one" Rukia pointed to Ichigo, "-mopping around so I thought I give him a kick in the bum."
"Geez, I'm not a kid anymore. More importantly, what business do you have in Karakura?"
"Well, since a few weeks ago, we have detected a strange reiatsu."
Ichigo went silent, not sure how to react to the news.
"It must be something significant seeing they sent a captain!" Orihime exclaimed.
Ichigo followed his wife's line of sight and stared at the captain's haori sticking out of Rukia's tote bag.
"You were promoted? Wow. Congrats Rukia!" Ichigo smiled at her, proud of her, happy for her. "But don't expect me to call you Kuchiki-taichou,"
"Well, you don't. It's Abarai-taichou."
Both orange-haired couple stared dorkily, finger on their chin, and almost at the same time, their eyes widened in realisation at the A-HA moment.
"Congrats Kuchiki-san, wait I mean Abarai-san? Uuh, Abarai-taichou!"
"Please Orihime, please, I'd like you to call me Rukia,"
"Alright, R-Rukia, when did you and Renji got married?"
"Let's see... In human years, it would be 3 years ago. You?"
"Ano, almost 2 years,"
"Ha, so we are your seniors!"
"Who cares? It's not a competition," Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I guess Renji finally grew a pair o-ouch!"
Whack.
"Ouch! Damn you Rukia!"
Rukia ignored him and turned to the healer.
"I'm so happy for you! How did this loser propose to you Orihime?"
"Ano, it's not like that... " Orihime went on to briefly explained the circumstances surrounding their marriage of convenience.
Ichigo fidgeted.
"Ah?" Rukia smiled at the auburn haired, and turned towards the orange head with a death glare.
Ichigo ignored the violet haired noble, so she elbowed him.
"Good one Ichigo!"
"What's your problem midget?"
Their exchange were hushed, sign languages and eye contact. Like they always have been. it was without a doubt they cared deeply for each other.
And Orihime realised, that no matter how close she and Ichigo becomes, it will never be like theirs.
Just like all those years ago, Orihime watched from the sidelines - the jokes, the teasing, the loud squabble between them had not changed.
After mopping around all day, Ichigo was finally smiling again.
Thanks Rukia... because of you, the rain stopped falling...
If Rukia didn't fall in love with Renji, would she make a better couple with Ichigo?
Perhaps the reason for her anxious stare of mind, stems from her insecurities.
The distant memory of her wedding night haunted her. For the last few months, she had let it go and gave Ichigo and herself and their marriage a new chance. But she suddenly felt small, like she was the third wheel. She was thrown back to high school when they were only 15. She was jealous of Rukia's relationship with Ichigo then, she still was jealous now, as an adult.
The more Ichigo and Rukia continued their banter, the more she felt suffocated. Orihime stood to leave, but neither noticed her, which irritated her even more.
"Well," she announced abruptly, her voice shaky. "It seems you two have a lot to catch up on so I'll head back to my room,"
Ichigo and Rukia stopped and turned to her in surprise.
"But Orihime - I prefer chatting with you over this dummy," Rukia smiled.
"Yeah Orihime, dinner will arrive soon, you're hungry right?" Ichigo said and turned back to Rukia. "Oi! Who were you calling dummy?"
"I'm fine!" The gentle healer snapped and stood from her seat, but she was instantly mortified with herself.
Both of them stared at her, but she avoided eye contact, or she would seen very confused violet eyes, and even more confused brown ones.
"...I'm not that hungry, so..." by now she was hoping the earth would open up and swallow her, to save her from that embarrassing outburst. "Excuse me,"
Ding Dong.
.
Rukia stealthily disappeared to greet whoever was at the door, gratefully escaping the awkwardness.
.
Orihime took her chance to flee and disappeared into the stairways.
.
Ichigo contemplated going after her, but he was too worried about her response to do anything.
.
A loud slam sounded through the house when his wife shut her bedroom door.
.
They shared a house, once again he felt like he's living with a stranger.
.
.
End.
.
Blitch out xoxo