The Junk Industry Blues

Chapter 8: Embrace Your Hell

It was as if God was taunting her, torturing her with each passing second. She felt so light that if the wind blew she knew that she would tumble over. Her chapped lips were being crushed by her gnawing teeth.

After a heavy silence with only the sound of rain daring to make its presence known, Rukia chuckled softly to herself and clenched her eyes shut.

"What," her voice fluctuated between the tones of a whisper and a screech.

Shuuhei lifted himself from the ground in the next passing moments and he softly looked at the stiff Rukia.

He sighed as he recalled their past. He knew that he deserved an ass kicking, hell he wanted to get beaten so badly that he would have to live in a vegetable state forever. Never see the light of day—anything to get rid of this guilt that had been plaguing him for what seemed like ever. He was happy that that orange headed boy was able to land a few punches on him and Rukia made him see the stars with the trashcan lid. In fact, he noted to himself to thank them both.

"I'm leavi—"

Rukia grabbed his shirt and slammed him against the closest wall as she snarled, "I thought that was what you said!"

Shuuhei looked into Rukia's blazing eyes and felt his heart lunge at what he saw. Hurt, distress, betrayal, confusion, but what surprised him the most was what he could only decipher as concern. Rukia felt her body burn with rage as she held the man before her against the wall.

They were going to kill him, they were going to drag those around him that weren't involved with the gang down with him. Somehow, through all her murderous thoughts she was scared for him, he might be an ass but the ones he loved don't deserve her fate.

In the end, she could only say what was screaming the most prominent in her mind, "You… fucking—"

Shuuhei cringed.

"hypocrite."

Ichigo watched the intense scene before him. He had seen Rukia mad, but this was a side of her that he had never seen. Albeit he had only known her for a short time, he instantly knew that this type of rage was foreign to Rukia as she seemed unable to process her feelings let alone her actions. She was unsure of herself; her mind was battling with itself making her entire body shake violently.

Rukia's voice betrayed her body as her mind continued screaming different things simultaneously at her and she repeated stonily, "You fucking hypocrite."

God was definitely taunting her, if not then why was Shuuhei before her? Why was he talking to her about deserting? Why would he have to rub everything in her face?—as if he was some sort of untouchable force that can do whatever the hell pleased him. Renji wasn't allowed to desert, but Shuuhei suddenly decides to do the same action that he condemned Renji for?—and now it was alright? Was it alright? Who knows…?

Shuuhei's eyes searched her face, there were so many emotions that flashed that he became dizzy trying to read her. At one moment it seemed as if she was about to kill him, then the next cry. It was too much for Shuuhei, he tortured the girl before him too much to put her through another second of this hell, "Rukia."

Her fingers clenched his shirt tighter, she knew what he was going to do and she didn't want it.

"Don't…" her voice was dangerous and low.

"I'm," Shuuhei trailed as he let his guilt wash over him, "sorry."

Rukia snorted and started chuckling again. Yep, God wanted to watch her suffer. Her chuckling started to become harder and her shoulders were now shaking not with rage but with laughter.

This was a joke, right? It was like some sort of twisted nightmare where she was the spotlight victim. Screw all other people; let's just fuck with this girl to see if she loses it. Hell, even if it is her dream let's see if she screams when you pour burning oil on her. Hey, how about seeing if she likes it when you stab her!

Now how can she hate him? She groaned inwardly, obviously he was "sorry". Rukia snorted through her nose as her mood swings were battling one another to see who would become victorious and show up on her face. Hate or forgiveness? Contempt or rage? How about revenge? That seemed like a good option.

Shuuhei then saw something that confused and terrified him at the same time; Rukia looked up at him and smiled.

"Sorry won't take anything back," her voice was drenched is sweet sickness, "now will it?"

"Ru—"

"Will it?" She screamed into his face. She brought one of her hands back to slap him, it stopped in mid-slap as her other hand slowly let go of Shuuhei's shirt. Shuuhei looked up at Rukia to see her looking at Ichigo.

"Rukia," his voice was soft and warm as his hand never left her shoulder, "this piece of shit ain't worth it."

Rukia swallowed against her dry mouth and she brought both of her hands down limply at her side, "You're right."

It felt as if she was going to faint, she wanted to vomit, scream do anything to get rid of the suffocating feeling of confusion, rage, whatever it was. All it took was Ichigo to place his hand on her shoulder to make her feel a welcoming sense of calm that was now overwhelming her rage.

"Let's go," those two words were music to Rukia's ringing ears and she nodded her head and placed her hand in Ichigo's outstretched hand. Its warmth reminded her of her numb and stinging body compliments from the rain. They started walking Ichigo leading Rukia, but before they left the alley she stopped abruptly making Ichigo jolt, "Wh—"

Rukia looked over her shoulder at Shuuhei who was staring at the ground, "Shuuhei—"

He looked up at her.

"Don't leave. It will hurt the ones you love."

Shuuhei could only look at the retreating teens' backs. He smiled and looked up at the falling rain, "I have no one I love, but I'm gonna make it up to ya'."

He looked back at their retreating backs, "Promise."

Ichigo knew where he was going and dammit after this hell of a night he was more determined to go now more than ever. He softly tightened his grip on Rukia's hand and increased his speed. His long strides were followed by short jogging steps, but he didn't care. He just wanted to leave this suffocating atmosphere before he turned back and kicked that bastard's ass again until Ichigo had the satisfaction of seeing blood came out of his ears. Yeah, that would be satisfying.

Whatever happened between Rukia and him pissed Ichigo off. He was confused, but that confusion wouldn't stop Ichigo from feeling rage for Rukia's pain. It was as if Rukia's rage transitioned to Ichigo through their hands, he was somewhat glad of that though. He could handle those types of feelings. He didn't want Rukia to go through them. He knew that if Rukia slapped Shuuhei out of such powerful fit of rage then she would hate herself for losing control over her emotions. She didn't need that.

He growled at the thought of what ever happened between Rukia and the asshole, which he so lovingly dubbed, to produce such hatred. Various scenarios played through his mind and he let out another growl.

He stopped as he let his surroundings sink in. They were close. He let Rukia rest for a moment as she softly panted and looked at Ichigo, obviously worn out from the events of that night.

"I hate this city."

Rukia nodded at Ichigo's statement and replied, "Me too."

"I know." Rukia looked up to see Ichigo smirking playfully at her and her brows furrowed in confusion.

"So we're going to take a little vacation," Ichigo didn't bother to see her expression as he grabbed her hand again and started walking quicker than before.

"Wait what?" Rukia said as she jogged after the leading carrot.

"Are you stupid," Ichigo glanced over his shoulder at Rukia and his eyebrow shot up playfully, "I said vacation."

"But wait," Rukia retorted, her mind swimming with thoughts of what vacations were supposed to be. Didn't you usually go to some ridiculously over priced place and take lots of pictures? At least that's what advertisements usually showed. That and pink flowered shirts accompanied by a straw hat.

"Shudup," Ichigo called back, "we'll be back sometime near noon. Don't worry."

And with that Rukia's mind filled with vacations went silent and pondered this simple command. Don't worry… she never stopped worrying for a moment in her life. Hell, she couldn't stop worrying about worrying. Did she worry too much? It wasn't as if she would call herself a worrier, but she never could afford the luxury of peace of mind. Worrying, as far as she was concerned, was the only way to survive. If you worry then that meant that you cared about yourself and those around you. It meant that you were alive.

Ichigo stopped and Rukia blinked as she let her surroundings sink in. His hand left her hand and she instantly missed its warmth.

"Two for Karakura Town," Ichigo snorted as he placed money on the counter to the sleepy eyed man.

The man in return took the money and handed him the tickets and the change, "The bus will be here in ten minutes."

Ichigo turned on his heel to Rukia and smirked as she processed the information.

"Karakura Town?" Rukia tilted her head in confusion, "What's there?"

"My hometown," Ichigo said as he poked her forehead, he then walked off to the nearest bench leaving a stunned Rukia behind.

"Hometown?" Rukia mused to herself as she slowly made her way to Ichigo and sat down next to him.

They didn't speak a word to each other even while the bus slowly rolled its way to the curb in front of them, they remained silent. It wasn't suffocating or awkward, they were just comfortable enjoying one another's presence. They quickly got onto the bus and Ichigo lead the way to the back seat. He sat next to the window and Rukia sat next to him.

They were the only ones on the bus besides the driver who was gently humming to himself and glancing back at them through the rearview mirror and smirking. Ichigo sighed and he felt strangely calm as he watched the trails of gathered rain roll down the window. Usually his mind would never stop racing with stupid thoughts that would always fill him with panic whenever it rained, but he felt completely content.

He stole a glance at Rukia from the corner of his eyes and smirked when he saw her eyes closed and her chest slowly rising up and down. He couldn't blame her, Rukia had one chaotic night. That was why he instantly knew that he had to take her away from the city, if only for a moment. That place gave him the impression that it constantly reminded Rukia of something she didn't want to remember.

His mind instantly stopped and his heart stopped momentarily when he heard a small whimper next to him. His eyes instantly returned to Rukia and narrowed while he searched her face for the cause of the whimper. He scowled when he realized that it was caused from a dream, and then scowled and mentally punched himself for getting worried over a little whimper.

He was never one to worry this much over a girl that wasn't one of his sisters. It must be because she was as tall as them… or… that she still owed him money over that freaking Yakitori.

"Yep, it's must be the money…" he assured himself with a nod of the head.

He looked over again at Rukia, who in returned turned over in her sleep and wrapped her arms around an astonished Ichigo's arm. She nuzzled her head into his shoulder and sighed a breath of content. Ichigo scowled, rested his head in his free hand, and looked out of the window. His cheeks tinted pink, he muttered to himself, "I'll let the money slide, Midget."

"We're here," the bus driver singsonged as he smiled at the teens through his rearview mirror which Ichigo wanted to break. How can someone be so perky from lack of sleep?

Rukia's eyes snapped opened and she released her hold of Ichigo's arm without noticing their position. She quickly stretched her arms above her head and looked out of the windows only to pout, "It's still raining!"

"Nice observation there," Ichigo drawled sarcastically.

Rukia decided to ignore that comment and quickly shot up from her seat and ran out of the bus. Ichigo sighed as he slowly walked down the bus aisle and pass the driver who smiled and flashed him a thumbs up.

"Saw you two back there, I approve."

"I don't need your approval," Ichigo glared as he said without thinking. He started walking down the steps, but instantly froze in mid-step, "Wait a minute, if you think we're together then you're crazy!"

The bus driver smile grew wider as he drew a heart in the air while saying, "You can't deny the chemistry!"

"What are you?—my father?" Ichigo shrieked a very un-Ichigo-like shriek his eyes practically bulging out of his sockets.

The bus driver just blinked then said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I'm a bus driver."

"What the hell?—I know that! I am not retarded!" Ichigo's scowl could have rivaled all other scowls at that moment for being the scowliest.

"Ichigo, quit yelling at the bus driver," Rukia sighed as she grabbed the back of Ichigo's shirt and yanked him off of the bus while the bus driver called out to them, "Have fun!"

Ichigo shook a fist at the bus driver in frustration as he drove off and Rukia released her hold of his shirt.

"Jeez, must you embarrass me everywhere we go," Rukia asked as she dusted the imaginary dust off her hands.

"The only one embarrassed is me for being followed around by a dwarf all day," Ichigo brows clenched tightly together.

"Me following you?" Rukia's voice was a mixture between false disbelief and surprise, "says the one who dragged me here."

Point for Rukia, Ichigo lost the score of this constant bickering game. He scowled as he thrusted his hands in his jeans and lamely retorted, "Shudup."

He started walking away, knowing that Rukia would follow him when he froze and turned around to look at Rukia with skeptical eyes, "You didn't hear what we were talking about, did you?"

"Nope, why?"

"No reason," Ichigo snapped quickly and continued walking, hoping that she wouldn't ask any questions about his and the bus driver's previous argument.

"Where are we going," Rukia glanced at Ichigo from the corner of her eyes.

"To see someone from my family," Ichigo answered emotionlessly.

Rukia's mouth formed an 'o' and she continued to follow Ichigo blindly. After a few more moments of silence, Rukia said, "This must be a nice place to grow up in."

"Yeah," Ichigo said while sighing, "the people here are nothing like the ones in Tokyo."

Rukia could only answer with an "hmm" in agreement. She then took a moment to let the surroundings sink in, from what she could tell it was early morning although it was hard to decipher what time exactly because of the murky rain filled clouds that "graced" the sky. Karakura gave a feeling of peace, the streets weren't filled with cars and the sidewalks were empty and not filled with chaos. She knew instantly that she liked it here.

Rukia then noticed that they stopped in front of a gate and saw what laid behind it, "A cemetery?"

"Yep," Ichigo said as he held the gate open for Rukia.

Ichigo then continued walking with a trailing Rukia who was watching his back carefully. After what seemed like forever, he stopped in front of one grave and looked down at the gravestone erected for the person. Rukia joined his side and read the gravestone breathlessly, "Kurosaki Masaki."

Ichigo eyes never left the marker, "My mom."

Rukia swallowed oncoming saliva and looked up at Ichigo's face which was unreadable, she finally softly said, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Ichigo replied nonchalantly.

Rukia stayed silently as she looked at the grave through solemn eyes. She never knew her mother or anyone that could even amount to a mother figure, maybe Oba-chan could be considered one. Although that old woman died before, Rukia could form any real memories of her. The only thing she had because of that woman was the ability to read and write, which she would be eternally thankful for. But she knew that she would never be able to know the pain of losing one's mother. And somehow she was glad; she had a feeling that it must be one of the hardest things to live through.

"She must have been a great woman," Rukia said with a soft smile.

"How do you figure," Ichigo glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

"To be able to put up with your father and you," Rukia joked softly, "she must have been a saint."

Ichigo chuckled, his eyes glazed with memories, "I still can't believe she ever fell in love with that idiot of a man."

Ichigo abruptly turned on his foot and started walking away from the grave as he sighed, "Come on, you height challenged demon."

Rukia clicked her tongue in disapproval, "Really you need to come up with better insults than that. You would think that my impressive verbal abuse abilities would rub off on a hair product reject such as yourself, but yet again you fail to be original."

Ichigo rolled his eyes and feigned hurt, "You really got me there."

"I'm glad that you finally admit that I am superior to you," Rukia joked with her chin held up.

"You are as superior as a box of cereal," Ichigo drawled enjoying the light banter. Rukia smiled as she continued walking with Ichigo, the comfortable silence made them both glad that for a moment they were in their own little world.

BAM! Ichiruki is too good for the soul! Sigh, they make me giddy.

For all Shuuhei Hisagi lovers don't fear, he is vital to the story! I decided to make Shuuhei the gang member that 'betrays' Renji and Rukia because to me he just reeks of loyalty to whatever group he belongs to.

Why Ichigo took Rukia to his mom's grave will become clearer in the next chapter.

Read, Review, and Enjoy!

Hayden Days