53A/N: I was inspired to write another Ichiruki story when Urahara, in Chapter 666, said he is leaving everything to Kurosaki aaannnd Kuchiki (I'm sure he meant Rukia, right?). I'm excited to see Ichigo and Rukia fight back to back again.
Also, a big, BIG Thanks to those who reviewed and favorite'd my first story "Almost Lost Happiness", because of them I got the courage to post this one as well.
In this story, Ichigo and Rukia are less tsunderes. They are more expressive.
Disclaimer: All Kubo Tite's
Rukia is seen bustling around her kitchen, preparing a dinner. She's determined to make everything perfect. She set up her dining table and choose the wine that suits the meal.
When everything is prepared and done, she took a long bath and chose her dress a little carefully.
Kaien had called her earlier and said that he will be coming tonight, that he had something to tell her. Today is their 6th year Anniversary. She's excited about it and thought that maybe Kaien will propose tonight. She had been waiting for this for years and she already knew her answer.
She has known from the moment he had ruffled her hair and told her to be herself when they first met. This was during the time when she had her on-the-job training in Kaien's company.
They became friends and eventually fell in love with each other. It has not been hard for Rukia to fall for him. He is charming, smart and matured, not to mention his beautiful emerald eyes. He is also very supportive of her. He had taught her to freely show her emotions and she was able to gradually express her feelings more naturally. He had become her everything. In the years that they've been together, she's sure that Kaien is the only one for her and that they're meant for each other.
How very wrong she was.
When Rukia heard a knock on her door, she opened it with a big smile on her face. Kaien kissed her cheek and led her to the sofa. When they were seated, Kaien faced her and held her hands. He looked at her with the most sorrowful expression Rukia has ever seen Kaien wore, this confuses Rukia. Her smile is slowly leaving her face, her excitement subsiding.
Kaien opened his mouth and said "Rukia, please you have to forgive me for what I was about to say."
Rukia did not speak but face expectant. Her heartbeat started to race faster and faster, she's certain her heart is going to get tired soon.
"I have fallen in love with Miyako…."
His words echoed in her head. Miyako is the head of Marketing and Communication Division in Shiba Enterprise. She met her years ago, she was like a female version of Kaien. She's beautiful and kind. She looks up to her.
Rukia feels like her body is swaying, her head is in a whirlpool. Her throat feels like it's closing up. She's desperately trying to keep herself together.
"How…how long have you been together?" she managed to asked. She knew it must have been for a while considering Kaien had been distant to her for months now. She had thought this was because he had been busy.
Kaien tightened his hold of Rukia's hands and bowed his head.
"Since our business trip to China." He whispered.
When his words finally registered in Rukia's mind, she felt her tired heart gave out and plummeted to her stomach, it shattered like a broken glass, injuring her insides as well. Her insides is excruciatingly painful she wished she would just die. That had been 3 months ago.
Her face contorted in anguish, her whole body started to shake, her eyes watered and tears are threatening to fall, and nearly fall….
….but she wouldn't have that. No. She knew how to deal with this kind of situation. So, she willed her breathing to even, willed back the tears that threatened to fall with all the remaining strength she have, and just like a switch, she stilled, after a few minutes she nodded.
Kaien's still desperately gripping her hands who have gone so, so cold, it feels clutching a block of ice, an ice that even if you throw it to a molten lava it won't melt. That's how cold her hands have become.
"Rukia, please say something." Kaien begged. He doesn't want to hurt Rukia but not telling her will hurt her more. He had delayed telling her long enough.
She calmly removed her hands from his, stands and went to the door, opened it and waited.
Kaien had wanted to tell her about his change of heart from the time he realized it but didn't want to hurt her, she is still precious to him. While figuring out how to tell her, he had been postponing meeting her, had cancelled many of their dates and had not called her as usual. He knew however way he tell her would lead to the inevitable – breaking her. Now that he had finally done it, he almost regretted it.
He went to stand before her and what he saw made his heart constrict more. He would have preferred her to shout at him, hit him or curse him, anything other than this emotion less Rukia he is facing right now. It had taken him a long time for her to freely express her feelings and looks like she's going back to her cold and indifferent self.
"There's nothing left to say, is there, Kaien? You have said enough. Thank you for finally letting me know. Goodbye."
Kaien still stands there looking at her. His heart is also breaking for her. He wanted to hug her, to comfort her but he knows too he's not the best person to do that now. He knew getting through a close-off Rukia will need time. He left. He will just have come back and try to talk to her again.
Rukia locked her door and went straight to her room, she ordered herself to sleep.
When she woke up in the morning, she went to her health room and did her usual exercise, when she was done she went to her kitchen to make coffee and she was surprised to see her dining table is full of untouched food, then last night came to her.
She threw all the food and prepared herself a cup of coffee. She went to her living room and clutch her mug around her knees.
She didn't know how long she sat like that, probably long enough to have her coffee gone this cold.
When she felt her leg became numb, she slowly got up, took a shower and prepares to go to work.
This will just be a normal day, only without Kaien now in her life.
Rukia went on with her daily routine. She attended to her duties, chatted with her friends, have dinner with her brother every Friday night, in short everything appears to be normal.
Her day life that is.
But during the night inside her room is entirely different. Because it is in the night when all her walls breaks down. It is in the night when she can't help but think of Kaien. No matter how hard she tried. God, she misses him so much she could hardly bear it. She still wishes for Kaien to be there to hug her tight, to assure her she's safe, to coax her to smile even if he have to do it by pinching both her cheeks. If only he hadn't been her first love, if only he had been a terrible boyfriend, well yeah, he is a terrible boyfriend now, ex-boyfriend that is.
Rukia wonders if she will ever fall in-love again. She knew it will be the last thing she would want for she couldn't allow herself to go through this kind of torture again or it'll kill her next time.
One day, she was reviewing their Engineering Department's Report when Momo called her.
"Yes, Momo."
"Rukia, you have to come to lunch with us today, there is this new restaurant Ran and I wants to try."
"I think I'll have my lunch here, I have too many reports to review." She responded. She didn't feel like eating anytime soon.
"That won't do, you hardly ever come with us anymore and this time 'no' is not an option, we will be there shortly to drag your ass up." She declared and hang up.
When they were eating, Momo bump Rangiku's leg and when Rangiku looked at her, she point her eyes to Rukia. Rangiku understood the unsaid word.
This has taken long enough, thought Rangiku. They had been wondering if Rukia was facing some difficulties. They had noticed the difference in their friend. She laughs like it was practiced, she barely reacts, she's been so focused in her work, not that she wasn't before, only this time she barely left the office. She's the first person to come in the morning and the last person to leave.
Rangiku had to be the tack one so she asked "Rukia, is there something you want to share with us?"
Rukia looked up from her food "Nothing of big importance, why d'you ask?"
"Well, aside from the fact that you look and act like a zombie" Rangiku pointed her eyes "… you have lost weight too, I heard you've been leaving your office very late in the evening, the Janitor is now bringing a change of clothes and blanket at work." Rangiku said half teasing but concerned.
"That's just you Ran, I don't see any difference from how I look before." Replied Rukia.
"You don't see, but we do, Rukia. You have been acting like a robot for months now, we thought it is only because of the pressure from your brother but we can see that it is not the case as you've been continually achieving the targets and the company is doing better if not more."
"How is Kaien Rukia? We have not seen him for months now" Momo asked. Concern evident in her face.
They both saw Rukia stiffened but resumed eating in an instant.
"Rukia, what happened?" prodded Momo gently.
"We broke up, he fell in love with someone else." Rukia replied nonchalantly. Now that they've mentioned it, she realized it has been two months since that night. Kaien had tried to talk to her again but she avoided him. She's afraid she might not be able to maintain her composure anymore and breaks down in front of him. Again, she wouldn't have that. She thinks she might not be able to bear the pain if she allows herself.
Momo and Rangiku looked at each other, eyes wide, both are shocked and wonders what happened, they were happy the last time they saw them together, but that had been months ago. Oh Rukia, how long have you been in pain?
"Rukia….."
"I'm okay, please just drop it." Rukia said, looking at them both.
Momo and Rangiku slowly eats, their hearts breaks for their friend. They knew they should drop it, Rukia is a prideful woman, and she will not appreciate their pity.
When they went back to their offices, Momo and Rangiku tried to think of something to help or distract Rukia in any way.
"How about we go out and see a scenic spot like Mt. Fuji? That will cheer her up, right?" suggested Momo
"Yeah sure, only she went there several times on a helicopter, remember? When they were studying building a hotel around the area. I'm sure she have visited all the popular places too.. Damn rich people"
"Shall we visit her at home?" Momo again.
"Yeah she will just ask us to watch a movie while she does her work."
"How about we hang out in her office after work? Her office is too big for her anyway."
"Sure, then she will ban us from going there for a month again, remember last time?"
"Well that was your fault for bringing sake! Okay, how about a blind date then? Renji had a crush on her for a long time now."
"I'm sure you'll have to drug Rukia before she agree to it"
"Ugh I ran out of idea. Where could we possibly bring her to cheer her up even just a little?"
"We will figure it out. For now, we'll have to make sure she eats."
Week after, Rangiku decided to visit her boyfriend's club to unwind a little, besides she missed chatting with the boys there. Gin owns the Hueco Mundo's Finest, it offers normal dining and bar during the day and converted to Host Club during the night to which it was most popular for.
While Rangiku watches them prepare the place for hosting, she saw Grimmjow came out from the Kitchen and went to greet a man sitting at the bar, wearing a beanie. She waved at him just to let him know her presence, Grimmjow waved back, the man turned his head and looked at her then turned back again to his drink.
Rangiku was stunned. Because the man who had just turned was Kaien and he acted as if he didn't know her. This bastard, she thought. She feels her blood boils and before she knew it, she walked towards the man, tapped his shoulder and when he turned, she punched him in the face as hard as she can.
"That's for my friend, you bastard!" She shouted at the guy who almost fell on the bar stool had he not grabbed the bar table.
When the guy recovered, he stands up, beanie clutched in his hand and shouted "What the hell was that for?"
Rangiku looked at the guy again, now hair exposed, why did Kaien dyed his hair orange?
"Kaien?" she asked, confused.
"Who are you calling Kaien, you crazy woman!" the man said, irritated, rubbing his jaw.
"Ran, this is Ichigo, Ichigo this is the boss' girl Rangiku." Grimmjow introduced the two.
He looks so much like Kaien, she thought. Kaien who hurt her friend, the reason why her friend's eyes have become so dull. Then her mind light like a bulb, eyes shining. "Grimm, is he a new host?" she asked Grimm but eyes never leaving Ichigo's face who is still nursing his jaw.
"No, he's just a regular." Answered Grimmjow.
"Ahh that's too bad, so which of you is his favorite?" she teased.
"Wha.. what? I'm not gay!" Ichigo shouted, indignant. Grimmjow guffawed.
"You aren't? Then that's good. I want to ask a favor." Rangiku said, she grabbed Ichigo's hand and drag him to the sofa.
"Hey, first you punched me, now you want to ask a favor?" Ichigo have no idea what this woman wants. But he is curious so he went along. Grimmjow followed them and sat down as well.
Rangiku faced Ichigo and said "You see, you look so much like my friend's ex of a bastard, I will bring her here and you will post as a host and entertain her." She said, looking like it's the brightest idea in the world.
Ichigo look at her, dumbly. "What? You want me to act as a host? Moreover, you want me to entertain a depressed woman? No way!" Ichigo declared, arms crossed.
Grimmjow guffawed again. "Ran, that is impossible, Ichi here doesn't know how to please a woman even if his life depends on it."
"Then I'll have you train him" said Rangiku, still not deterred.
"Hey, I said I don't wanna!" Ichigo insisted.
"Come on Ichi, your drink's on me for a week" Rangiku said, with a wink.
"That won't do Ran, Doctor Kurosaki here is more that capable" Grimmjow said, clapping Ichigo's back. Ichigo pushed him and demand him to bring some beer.
"Hhmm so you are a doctor, which means you have pledge to cure sicknesses and diseases with the best of your ability, right? Then as cliché as it sound, can you please help mend my friend's broken heart? Because you see, she have lost weight, I'm afraid the dark around her eyes will become permanent, also she's retorting back to her old self.." Rangiku said this softly. Then "but don't tell her that, I just want you to talk to her, maybe by exposing your face too much it will make her immune and finally move on."
Rangiku wants her friend back, at least the one that smiles and laughs genuinely, scowls, gets angry, whatever, just not the Rukia from when she met her years ago- stoic and indifferent. She knows that behind that stoic face of hers, she is hurting, she is hurting so bad she didn't even realized it leaks like a badly wrapped wound.
Ichigo said nothing. Is he seriously considering it? Damn his good moral. He thinks it's not really a big deal, he could come and do as he was asked but if nothing happen then he can just walk away.
As if Rangiku read his mind, she continued. "I'm not sure if it'll work anyway, knowing Rukia, she's unpredictable, she might even hit you. Also, I'll even have to trick her to come here."
"Rukia?" Asked Ichigo
"Yeah, Rukia Kuchiki" said Rangiku, offhandedly, her mind already busy thinking of ways to drag Rukia to the club.
"What the hell! You want me to entertain the sister of the owner of the Hospital I work at? Do you know who that is? It's Byakuya! Do you want me dead?" shouted Ichigo, scooting away from Rangiku.
"Oh, you're afraid of Byakuya. Too bad, I thought you had spine" teased Rangiku.
"I have a spine, alright. I just don't want to cross with him again." Huffed Ichigo.
"Then will you do me the favor, please?" Rangiku said, expectantly.
"Tsh, if you think this set up can help your friend then so be it. I will do this one time. One time, you hear me? Just let me know when I have to be here."
"Thank you Ichi. Who knows you might even find yourself falling in love with her. That's very likely once you get to know her, you know." Rangiku said, winking at him.
Yeah right. As if that would ever happen, thought Ichigo.
Ichigo himself had never really been into a long term relationship. He had not thought about getting himself a girlfriend when he was in high school or probably no one got his attention enough for him to exert an effort. In college until last year, he had had relationships but these hadn't lasted long, if he remembers correctly, the longest one was with Senna, it had lasted almost a year, what was the cause of the break up again? Right, they all said the same thing, that he was an insensitive bastard, their words not his.
Rangiku informed Momo about her plan. Momo was reluctant, what if seeing Kaien's face again will just harden her heart more instead of the opposite? But she conceded because if this is their last resort then, they sure as hell will try it. She hoped this Kaien wanna-be can help.
After weeks of trying, Rangiku finally got Rukia agree to come with them to the club on weekend (it involves tricks and a promise to submit her report on time and never bring sake in her office again), she immediately called Grimmjow to call Ichigo and groom him and teach him the basics of hosting. She asked him to tell Ichigo to be prepared.
Late Saturday, you will find Ichigo with the scariest scowl he had ever wore in his entire life. Not only Grimm dressed him as per his own preference but he had asked Szayel to do his hair too, not that it look bad, he admitted. His usually spiky hair is now styled. He had on a black button down shirt, long sleeves pulled back to his forearms, the shirt is half tucked inside his blue jeans which are ripped at the knees. At least his sneakers retained.
"Dude, this woman you are going to entertain isn't just the usual airhead, this is Rukia Kuchiki, the Vice President of the Kuchiki Corp., do you know how big profile she is? I've seen her, she's interesting." Grimm said while shoving him the perfume to use.
"If she's so interesting, why don't you entertain her instead?" said Ichigo, scowl still prominent.
"Tried once, didn't work. I'm assuming because she was so in love with her boyfriend."Grimmjow shrugged.
"All I know is that her brother is technically my boss, so if my work got affected because of this, so help me.." threatened Ichigo.
An hour later, Outside Hueco Mundo's Finest, stood the three ladies. "Is it too late to back out?" Rukia said when they were about to enter. Rangiku held her shoulders and guided her inside.
"Welcome to Hueco Mundo's Finest" chorused by the men in the entrance, all very attractive in their own way, each one have different poses.
Rukia wanted to just turn back and run away from there had Rangiku's hand not on her.
Momo blushed but kept a determined face. This is for her friend, she thought.
Rangiku addressed them all.
"Hey Grimm, everything ok?" she gave him a pointed look. Grimmjow who's leaning against the pole on her left grinned and gave a thumbs up.
"Ulqui dear, it would be lovely to see you smile," she smiled to the guy whose back is facing her but head is tilted to the side so she can see him. He just gave her a small nod.
"Szayel you look dashing as ever," she turned to her right and winked, Szayel was standing with his hand on his chin, smile in place, one leg slightly bent, he winked at her as well
Next to Szayel is a tall man, leaning on a table, a lazy smile also in place "do you think you can outdrank me tonight, Stark?" She teased
"That would be next to impossible, my dear Ran" Stark said.
"Ichigo! How very lovely to see you," she said jovially, clapping her hands.
Ichigo was the only one rigidly standing, face to the side, scowl prominent. "Tsh!"
Rukia was not looking at any of them, she was looking straight ahead.
Ichigo did not have the chance to properly look at the two ladies, he only saw their backs. They're midgets, he thinks.
Grimmjow guided them to a somewhat private area of the club, the place was concealed with foldable blinds and brought their drinks. Grimmjow chatted with the ladies and after a little while Rangiku excuse herself to go to the bar dragging Grimmjow with her and Momo said she needs to go refresh herself.
Rukia sat there and slowly sipping her drinks when she felt someone sat beside her. She glance at the person then swiftly turn her head to fully look at the guy, she thought she might get a whiplash. When she saw the guy, she almost drop her drinks and called out Kaien's name but after a few seconds she noticed the orange hair and the difference in their features. This guy have amber eyes like a flame and not a set of cool emerald eyes she's been hoping to look at her lovingly again.
Ichigo on the other hand didn't know what happened, for an instant he was looking at a set of purple eyes wide with so much longing that his heart skip, then those eyes turned into a saddest pair he did not think anyone could ever express, the depth of its sadness couldn't be measured even if he tried, then those melancholy eyes slowly turned blank.
Ichigo blinked, he thought those emotions he had witnessed had just been his imagination. But it had not been because… because he still feels like shielding her from whatever or whoever brought that sadness in her face.
Damn, what am I thinking now?
He composed himself.
"Erm, hi! I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. What's a lovely woman such as yourself doing alone?" Ichigo wanted to bang his head for his lame greetings. Damn Grimm, I shouldn't have listened to him, thought Ichigo.
Rukia just sat there, still sipping her drinks. He shifted his body so he is now fully facing her. Grimm was right, she's interesting alright. Everything about her seems fragile though. She have a very cute face you would think she's only in her teens if he didn't know any better. Her shoulder length hair is so black it complement her white skin, her white porcelain skin, so flawless and looks smooth he supposed he could scratch her just by touching her, and her body is so tiny he's afraid he could snap her in two with just his hands.
"I hope you've been taught not to stare." Admonished Rukia.
"Then stare at me too so we'll be even." Ichigo said, smirked in place. What did Ran said? To expose his face and make her immune, or whatever.
"I supposed Rangiku bribed you with a week's drink or something similar." Rukia said, still not looking.
Ichigo inwardly snort. So she knows her friend, he give her that.
"Why? Would it be so bad? She's just concern, thinks you can't face your demon or something like that." Ichigo said. He wished she would turn, he wanted to see her face fully again.
"Even if that is the case, it is of no concern to you." Replied Rukia, she brave a glance at him again. He really does looks like him, she thinks. Her heart is beating faster than normal, so he does affect her somehow.
"Ran thinks I can help. I'll pose as your boyfriend if you want me to, if that is too much then let me escort you anywhere and anytime you want, in that way, you'll see me more often." Ichigo said without thinking. Then he faced palm, mentally.
Shit, did he just said that? What the hell is he proposing? Ichigo doesn't know where that came from. His willingness to post as her boyfriend surprised him more. His mouth is working on its own, he concluded.
"I don't require help, thank you." Rukia said, she put down her drinks and sat back, legs crossed. With this position, Ichigo have more view of her face. Ichigo noticed her similarity to her brother, both moves elegantly, faces devoid of emotions and even talks the same.
"Look, there's nothing wrong with accepting help, you know. Sometimes you have to tell if you are hurt, where it hurts and ask for comfort." Ichigo's doctor side is coming out. Again he is surprised why he is insisting. He remember saying he'll do this just once.
Yeah, I've tried that before, I've opened myself so wide that I'm now using all my strength just to close it even for just a tiny bit, she mentally answered.
Rukia said nothing.
Ichigo sighed. He reached out and took Rukia's phone on the table, Rukia's inquisitive eyes followed him. He quickly type in something and put the phone back again.
"I just added my phone number, give me a call if you change your mind." He told her, he continued observing her.
Rukia still did not say anything. Ichigo wrack his brain for anything to say but nothing interesting came to mind,
"Do you want another drink?" He asked Rukia just to hear her voice again.
"Don't waste your time entertaining me, Kurosaki, I don't require it." Rukia said.
Ichigo didn't attempt again, but he didn't move from facing Rukia. They've been silent for a minute when Rangiku and Momo finally returned. Rangiku look at Ichigo, eyes mentally asking. Ichigo shakes his head imperceptibly.
"I'm going." Rukia announced. She stands up and gathered her things.
"I'll bring you home." Ichigo offered, standing as well, surprising himself yet again. Rangiku's eyebrow was raised. Momo was surprised but face hopeful.
"I am perfectly capable of bringing myself home, I don't want to intrude with your work." Rukia said. Ichigo got confused but remembered he is a host.
"I'm sure Gin won't mind if I go off early tonight." Ichigo said, pointedly looking at Rangiku.
"Don't worry about it, I'll tell Gin. You take care." Rangiku added, ushering the two. Mentally patting herself for insisting they ride her car. Rukia had been adamant they come here in her limo.
Ichigo led her to his car. He hopes Rukia won't ask how a mere host could afford an Acura RLX.
If Rukia is curious, she did not show it. She told him her address and they rode quietly. When they were outside her penthouse, Rukia thank him and went inside.
She undresses and went to soak in her bath tub. She ponders what happened earlier. She had nearly slipped. She almost called out Kaien. That guy caught her off guard. I have to be careful, she thought, determined.
At the same time, Ichigo is seen laying at his bed, still thinking of Rukia. He couldn't forget the longing in her eyes when she first laid her eyes on him, he almost wished he were Kaien, then he supposed he knows why it turned sad when she realized he wasn't who she's hoping to be. He somehow knew why it turned blank, that's a Kuchiki's feature, and that's probably her normal look. He has seen enough of that from Byakuya from the unfortunate events of meeting him during conferences or board meetings where he was invited.
He's confused though why he suddenly feels like inserting himself into her life, why he had the sudden urge to melt that sadness in her face.
He fell asleep with a mind still full of Rukia.
"Set your phone in vibrate mode so you can stop checking it every second, it's irritating. You're acting like a teenage boy waiting for a message from his first crush." Uryuu hissed from beside him. They were in a medical conference. Both guest speakers.
"Tsh!" replied Ichigo, pocketing his phone again. His phone is already in vibrate mode, he just couldn't help but check. Weeks have passed and Ichigo have still not heard anything from Rukia. He is sure he typed in the correct number. Well, what is he expecting anyway? That Rukia will accept him to become her so-called boyfriend? He must be delusional when he had proposed that, so he shouldn't feel disappointed. Damn, who's disappointed now?
The conference lasted until late afternoon and they were asked to join for dinner. They were heading to the restaurant when Ichigo's phone vibrates. He hastily put all his things in one hand and took out his phone. Uryuu snickered beside him. Ichigo ignored him and check his inbox. It was a message from an unknown number. His heart faltered a little.
Ichi, any news yet? It's Ran here.
Ichigo sighed. Of course it's not Rukia.
He quickly typed No.
That's too bad. Guess our plan didn't work after all. Want a drink?
Kurosaki, are you coming or not?" Called Uryuu.
"No, go ahead." Ichigo replied. He might as well take up Rangiku's offer.
"So your charm didn't work huh." Rangiku teased Ichigo. They were both in the bar.
"Tsh. You didn't tell me I was dealing with a girl version of Byakuya." Replied Ichigo.
Rangiku became serious "She was like that when I first met her in college. She mostly kept everything to herself, but if you can see past that, you'll see that she have the purest soul behind that cold exterior. I've seen how kind her heart is, she's loyal to a fault to the point that she put herself last. Momo and I were very lucky to have her as our friend.
The first time I saw Rukia smile so wide, so unreserved was when we met after the first day of our OJT. Momo and I were surprised when we saw that expression on her face. That was when she first met Kaien. Kaien was a good influence on her. Gradually, we noticed the difference in Rukia, she started to smile and laugh more often, and her face have become a bit more animated. When they started going out, we can see that Rukia was happy. We were so happy for her as well, it was the first time she had let a guy into her heart. They were deeply in-love we thought they'll end up together, I'm sure Rukia thought of that as well. But the bastard cheated on her and fell in love with his subordinate. He is a good man, I give him that, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he hurt Rukia. I somehow understand why Rukia's retorting back to her old self. That has always been her defense. She's re-building up the wall around her heart again and I don't think she will allow another Kaien or any other man for that matter to thaw it for the second time."
Ichigo was silent. He's absorbing everything Rangiku said. He remembers the longing in Rukia's ayes and how it turned sad, he felt like he want to inflict pain to this Kaien. He wonders why though. Maybe it's just a generic reaction. He wouldn't want that to happen to his sisters.
As to experience being this deeply in love and then later on deeply hurt as much, fortunately for him, he was spared so far.
He suddenly feels like going home so he bids Rangiku goodnight, paid his bill and left the bar. While he was walking towards his car, his phone vibrates. He took it out and his eyes got wide when he read the message.
Is your offer still up?
He knew instantly it's from Rukia.
Where are you? He texted back, immediately.
At home.
I'll be there in twenty. He pocketed his phone and hastily went to his car. Is she seriously agreeing to his offer? What gives, midget?
A/N: Worth continuing?
Please forgive the grammar mistakes. I'm not fluent but I tried my best.
Thanks for reading. Tell me if it's worth continuing.
I actually planned for this to be just one-shot but I realized it became so long that I'm afraid you might get bored so I cut it.