A/N: Okay everyone… here is the new chapter. First of all I have to warn you: most of this chapter is my improvisation. And trust me, I tried so hard to illustrate Isshin, but I came up with this… I hope my Isshin isn't OOC. And please, please remember that Kurosaki Ichigo here is 28. So, he'll be more mature than he was with 15. Another information I should tell is that I plan to make this chapter a penultimate chapter. So yes, I will end this fiction in Chapter 17 (notice the 17 in my penname?). Hope I don't disappoint you all with this chapter.
And this chapter was beta-ed by: Gee-chan. Thanks for the help _
Appreciation Corner:
Per usual, I would gladly thank all of you who have spent your time in reviewing the last chapter. I'm so sorry if I am late in replying your review. And I'm sorry if my review reply aren't satisfying -_-:
Luminous Snow – Thanks for the double reviews… :D You're the first to review the last chapter.
thesecretfromzaft – Hello, hope you don't mind that I still delaying of revealing Kurosaki's feeling. ^_^ and thanks for the compliment… :D
saiyan prince1 – you have a good analysis back then. It was almost the same I was thinking. Hope this chapter met your expectancy. :D
Romance Without Words – I will… don't worry ^_^
near-note – I'm so sorry if the last chapter made you sad… And yes, the realization on her own feeling would be the turning point of this story… And about Renji, don't worry… hehehe… I kind of like his antics too. Lol
khfan forlife – Ahahaha… don't worry about being late. I understand. Besides, you gave me double reviews. Woww…. I'm glad that you still like the last chapter even though our favorite character was in a deep trouble and not mention the last chapter was a little bit… angst. Thanks for all the info and the pictures. They are nice… :D and oh, how about your story?
falconrukichi – Guess what? You're right about the difficulty in writing this chapter. But the immediate good response from all my reviewers spurted my energy and imagination, so that I am able to upload this chapter today. ^_^ and the talk with you during the "bored-working-hour" sure helped me a lot. Thank you very much. :D
0namakiza0 – ahahaha… indeed, Kurosaki made us feel frustrating upon seeing his lack of effort. But don't be too hard on him, he just… well… such and idiot in love department. :D
sweetieebunny – another Indonesian friend I met in this site. Hope you like this chapter too. :D And I think you can give me more advice since you had gone through the similar experience once, that if you don't mind… ^_^
lavenderhorizon – Thanks for all the alert and favorites. And of course the review too… :D
kurukurupa – Well well well… looks who is eager to see this upcoming chapter. Lol… don't worry… like I said, I will finish this story. It's one chapter left. So, hope you can bear with me
SunRises – I hope you can forgive me because this chapter would be lack of Ichigo's own actions…
pamianime – wow… I never thought that the last chapter can cause a deep feeling like that. Thank you… :D
teshichan – Well, can't wait to see what your opinion after this chapter. Do you think Ichigo still deserved to be loved by Rukia?
LazierThanShika-kun – Ahahahaha… I like your style. Yeah… Berry head was frustrating, right? He could fight well (in this story in court) but he couldn't do anything to fight for his own love. Er… right, he hadn't realized that yet. Lol… and oh, about Toshiro, I did mention him once. Saying the he was Rangiku's cousin. I think I wouldn't be able to give him more role or appearance in this story, I'm so sorry…
Sae Arara – Yeah… you're right. ^_^ At least Rukia realized that she's in love. :D
ruffy – Ooooh… no wonder that I lost your review in the last two chapters. I thought that you started to feel bored in reviewing this story. Lol… no worries though, I got triple review from you. Now… now… how should I say it? About Byakuya's mistake… hehehe… glad that you like it. It's a rare occasion seeing him making such mistake, right? And I'm glad that you like the jealous Kurosaki. Yeah… he was an overprotective being. Just not realizing why he was overprotective. ^_^ Ohoho… a girl can dream, but an author still have the rights. Lol… Don't worry… I won't let you wondering too long of what action will happen between those two. :D
Gee-chan – I'm glad that you loved the last chapter. And you surprised me, I'm not good in writing angst, but then you said that the last chapter almost made you wants to cry… Uh oh… you flattered me back there. And thank you so much for your help in proof reading this chapter. I feel more confident to upload this chapter. :D Can't wait to see your doujin ^_^
dodus – Thank you… you're the first who pointed out about the kiss. Yes… the second kiss was different from the first one from many things, who initiated it first, what's the meaning behind it, and how it lingered in each others' mind. :D
snowywhite – Aaaawww… you're so kind… I would definitely wait for your review. Ahahaha… actually, it was the first time someone actually imagine the flying mouse. Hahaha… Kurosaki sure had suck in romantic things. Lol. And yeah, the tension in the last chapter was tense and all, but since you're okay with that, I think you'd be okay with this one too.
Sam – Thanks for the compliment, and yeah… I'm suck in grammar and spelling. The last chapter was uploaded without being beta-ed by my beta. J
A man called E – Aahahahaha… sorry for mentioning food again. Lol… hehehe… I'm glad that you're still hunger for more chapters. :D I promise, no more food in this chapter ^_^
gmn – Thanks for understanding… Rukia needed that for this point onward… You'll see why. ^_^
Personal Riot – Oh my God… I didn't think that the last chapter would leave such deep impression like that. Thanks for your wonderful review, I am able to upload this chapter faster than I imagined before. :D Enjoy…
buchielle – I didn't mean to make the last chapter a sad one, but I think it came out like that. L I'm so sorry… I can guarantee that Rukia would change her mind, so please just read this chapter and tell me what do you think of it. ^_^
Ichiruki95 - Yes, I agree that it was so sad reading her leaving him, but it has to happen…
darklover – of course… we all hope that would happen. But allow me to dramatize the process ^_^
ScarletRain94 – Thanks for reviewing… here comes the new chapter… ^_^
The Blue Mask-cara – Well… Ichigo must have his own reason… we'll see that now (err… perhaps)
StupidMe – I'm sorry if I kind of rushing everything in the last chapter. I didn't do it intentionally. I just kind of thinking that it was absurd to let them went through another week or month without noticing what they felt. And Rukia, being the feeling here, should just realize it first. J And yes… I agree, both of them are dense. Even in Manga and Anime. Lol
1crazedude – Wooowww…. You brought up a good point there. Yes, Rukia will still design his office. What do you think will happen? Let's figure that out together. I have few imaginations running wild in my head about that. Even though I have decided on a particular plot, please do not hesitant to tell me your analysis toward their relationship now… :D PS: I'm glad that at least one can make an ice man froze like that ^_^
pinky – thanks dearie… hope you still up to read this new chapter. ^_^
StarMeetsSkye – Uh oh… it's hard to answer right now. Your questions are really crucial to write the new chapter. Thanks for helping me out. And about the answer… hm… that's for me to know and for you to read in this and the next chapter J
kaoru240 – I can feel your frustration toward Ichiruki in your last review. And yeah… it indeed made you want to strangle both of them for ignoring the obvious :D
anime-lover-2410 – Jealous toward who? Yeah… Ichigo needed that, though. He thought that Rukia would always be there, but he didn't consider her feeling. Serve him right. :D
Starshine333 – Yeah… nice term: bittersweet kiss. That's what I intended to show. That Rukia's heart also broke when she cut their engagement. J
xbleachfanx – thanks for reviewing… glad that you like the story, even though the last chapter was kind of angst.
Cherryblossom snow – Yeah… you realized that, how hard it will be for Rukia to design his office now? What do you think she'll do? J Hoho… this is the first time I heard the term "bad" in a good way. Lol
mitsuishi – hm… I don't know whether this chapter really lack of Ichirukiness, lol. What do you think?
Next, Thank you for those of you who have added this story into your favorite list:
saiyan prince1; sweetieebunny; lavenderhorizon; kurukurupa; anika103; Himiko Areess; SnowyIceBunny; BadAyka; and fairytail3695.
And also thank you for the alert toward this story from:
Romance Without Words; sweetieebunny; lavenderhorizon; kurukurupa; lalg01; Anyone But Sasuke; Himiko Areess; KurukiXV; SnowyIceBunny; Kat-san; BadAyka; mitsuishi; Darkshinigami16; kayleeh1994; brendabond; anchoviesx7; and Part of Youth.
The last but not least, thanks for those of who have flattered me by adding me into your favorite author and/or author alert:
sweetieebunny; lavenderhorizon; kurukurupa; lalg01; StarMeetsSkye; kaoru240; mouny;
Disclaimer: Kubo-sensei owns Bleach, and Holly Jacobs still rich (maybe) from her amazing plot in the original novel.
Chapter 16
Kurosaki didn't know how long it was, but then he heard something that sounded like a car coming toward his condo's direction. Kurosaki didn't dare to raise his hope, but he listened to that sound intently.
The car stopped. Then he heard the car door open and then slam shut. He rose from his seat and almost ran toward his living room, he turned the door knob and opened the door.
"Ruki…" His voice trailed off…
Ulquiorra was about to knock at the door when suddenly the door opened in front of him. The familiar orange head was coming to his view, and he shouted something like,
"Ruki…"
Ulquiorra raised his eyebrow. His face remained stoic even though deep inside he was confused upon seeing the always-held-his-composure Kurosaki looking at him as if he … lost his trial. And that was nearly impossible.
"Won't you invite me in?" Ulquiorra stated.
Kurosaki blinked once, and then twice. He was as if he just noticed that he had a guest in front of his door. Years in court had taught him to hold up his composure no matter what happened, and this moment wasn't an exception.
Crushing down his own problem, he motioned Ulquiorra to come in and closed the door.
"So, what brings you here?" asked Kurosaki, already back to his usual tone and expression.
Ulquiorra didn't answer right away, instead he put down several books or magazines he brought earlier on the coffee table. He looked around the living room and listened intently to any sound. As if he was expecting something or rather… someone to show up.
"Oi, did you hear me?" Kurosaki snapped.
The said man remained stoic and he pointed to the pile of books and magazines.
"Nel asked me to deliver it to your fiancé, she said that your fiancé hasn't chosen the wedding dress and some decorations needed for your wedding."
Kurosaki sat himself on his usual couch and let out a weak, "Oh."
"And I believe that Nel told me that you two live together, but as I can see now, you're alone here."
"Yeah." Kurosaki replied.
His companion still stood there in silent, wondering what was going on with the house owner.
Ulquiorra wasn't the type of man who made friends easily. Not that he ever tried to. He enjoyed being alone. Nel was an exception. But marrying Nel, meant that he was also marrying her whole family. And Juushiro never let any of them be absent in their usual family gathering. Ulquiorra came late during the party where Kurosaki announced his engagement, thus he just heard from Nel about Kurosaki's fiancé.
Truth be told, Ulquiorra didn't care whom Kurosaki would marry. Nor that he wanted to know about others' personal life. However, they met often and both of them were the type of person who liked to keep everything for themselves and weren't chatty people. They matched, because they respected each other.
So because of that Ulquiorra couldn't help but ask.
"She's gone, right?"
Kurosaki just shrugged, "Since when do you pry into other's business?"
Ulquiorra shot him a cold glare, "Since you look like dead meat like this."
Kurosaki gave him a dirty look. Ulquiorra didn't budge a bit.
"I'm not a detective for nothing, Kurosaki." Ulquiorra stated, taking a seat in the long couch.
Kurosaki didn't say anything. He closed his eyes. "Yes, she's leaving."
"And you didn't pursue her. Why?"
Kurosaki shrugged again. "I don't know. I'm not sure."
Ulquiorra stood up. "Well then, don't do anything you're not sure of doing. Use your head, Kurosaki. Think what you really want. If you think you can let her go, then be it."
"Yeah." Kurosaki responded, still not moving from his stance.
"I'm leaving now." Ulquiorra stated.
"Schiffer," Kurosaki started.
Both men looked at each other, Kurosaki was about to say something when Ulquiorra beat him.
"I know, don't tell Nel yet."
Kurosaki nodded. "Thanks." He muttered that word.
Ulquiorra nodded then left.
Rukia parked her car in Karakura square, she locked it and then dragged her travel bag with her toward Shirayuki Design. Tears had stopped falling from her eyes, but her heart was still stinging in pain. She needed to do something. Anything that could distract her from this pain.
She was just a couple steps away from her store when she realized that someone was sitting on the chair just outside her store. He was about the same age as Urahara, but taller.
Rukia gave him a slight bow before she unlocked the glass door.
"Oh, you're the owner of this store, aren't you?" the man stood up from his seat.
Rukia smiled warmly, "Yes, I am."
"I hope you don't mind me sitting here? It looks so comfortable, so I can't resist myself. Haha…"
Rukia shook her head politely, "I don't mind at all, but excuse me I have to get in."
"Aaah… you open your store at times like this too? Wow… you must be a hardworking girl, then!"
Rukia, who just took a few steps inside her store, was about to respond the statement when she noticed (after she turned around) that the man had followed her inside her store. Rukia was startled.
'He could be a burglar.' Rukia thought.
Strangely, she didn't think that the man was a bad guy or something, even though his sloppiness gave her an uncomfortable feeling.
Looked like he noticed Rukia's uneasiness, because he said "Oh… I'm sorry. I was so rude to invite myself into your store."
He was about to reach the door when Rukia said, "It's okay. The weather outside is rather cold, you can warm yourself here for a moment."
Rukia cursed herself mentally of why did she say that. However, she started to turn on all the lights in her store and even served the man a cup of tea.
'At least, I can distract myself for now.' Rukia thought.
"Oh… you don't have to do this actually," he said when Rukia put the cup on the table.
"It's fine," she answered. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are you doing at such an hour here? It's very unusual."
He took a gulp on his tea and said, "I just arrived in this town. I used to live here. And used to take my family for a walk to that square," he motioned to the Karakura square.
Rukia nodded, sipping her own tea.
"I raised my family here. The same place I lost my wife." He continued.
Rukia could hear sadness in his voice. "I am so sorry to hear that."
He gave her a comforting smile. "So… let's just say that I just reminisce my past, when I noticed a new building I haven't seen before. And moreover, it has nice chairs just outside its door. Who knew I would meet with the owner herself."
Rukia smiled.
"Well… as for me, I'm wondering… why do you open your store at this hour?"
Rukia was a bit dumfounded.
'How should I answer that question? If I say this is my working hour, he might think I'm weird and he will stay here for a while. I don't mind it, but I'm really tired. But I can't just say that I live here.'
"Ah…" Rukia started. "I don't usually open the store at a time like this. But… there are piles of work that I need to do, so I decided to finish them tonight."
Rukia was satisfied with herself.
'Since when am I'm good at lying?' Rukia mentally scolded herself.
'Yeah… since I got engaged with a crazy plan of Kurosaki.' Rukia added bitterly.
"Young people nowadays, they sure have strange ways to distract themselves."
Rukia was taken aback by that statement.
"Wh… What do you mean by that?"
Her companion looked at her and chuckled, "Oh, I'm sorry. I just remember a delinquent boy I called son. He keeps blaming himself, and the way he tries to fill the empty hole in his heart is by working."
"I understand." Rukia said softly, not even realizing she said it out before the older man gave her a confuse look.
"I mean… I understand the reason your son does that."
"Oh, do you?" He looked enthusiastic.
Rukia nodded, "He just needs to do something. Anything. To prevent him from the thing that hurts him so much. He doesn't care what he does, as long as it takes his time and his mind away from that sadness."
"Is that what you do now?"
Rukia looked at her guest, and then shook her head slightly. "I'm different. I do this because I have to. I know that someday I'll have to deal with the consequences of my own mistakes, but I just want to delay it first. Right now, I just don't want to think about it."
He nodded. Rukia didn't know whether it was because he understood what she said before, or because he was buying her reasons.
Before he could ask anything about what Rukia had done wrong, Rukia felt it was best to ask about his own problem, or his own child's problem.
"So, why do you think your son…"
"Overworks to distract himself?" he finished it for her. Rukia nodded.
"Young lady, I am his father. Even so he tried his best to conceal his true feelings by acting cold and look like he doesn't care of his surroundings, I know better than that."
Rukia nodded again.
"You are a good father." She whispered.
The man smiled, "Oh… I don't think my son will agree with you."
Rukia raised her eyebrow in questioning.
"Ahahaha… let's say, we have a very unique way to show our affection. But I'm sure that I've trained him well so that he can dodge all my attacks all the time."
"Attacks?"
A red light started to appear. 'He's not too normal, then. What kind of father attacks his own son?' Rukia thought.
Luckily, she could cover her surprised expression under her façade. But unfortunately, she said the 'attack' word out loud.
However, the man in front of her didn't seem awkward or anything else. On the contrary, he happily explained about how he kicked his son every morning and every time his son went home. Rukia was more and more sweat dropped upon hearing that.
Deep inside, she pitied the boy whom this man torture. It's a wonder why social workers hadn't notice there was a child abuse in his family.
"But right now, I'm happy to know that he finally found someone who can stand him." The man continued.
Rukia glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost midnight. And this man looked like he was eager to tell her about the good news of his son. A good news of which Rukia was sure she didn't want to hear about right now.
"He is going to get married."
Jackpot! The last thing Rukia wanted to hear now was anything about marriage. Damn…
"Oh, that's a good thing." Rukia heard herself say those words.
Just a few weeks with Kurosaki made her capable of being a good liar, thought Rukia.
"Yeah." The older man nodded. His smile grew wider. "At last my idiot son can think of something sensible like marriage."
Rukia was silent, and kept looking at her tea cup as if there's something interesting there.
The older man kept rambling about his son, while Rukia's mind kept wandering about the event that happened previously.
"Ehem…" he cleared his throat.
Rukia looked up and saw that her guest was staring at her.
Rukia gave an awkward smile, "I'm sorry." She wasn't sure why she said that, but she had a feeling that his companion felt being ignored.
"No, it's okay. I just asked you whether you have married or not?"
Rukia felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
She shook her head slowly, "No, I haven't married yet."
'I was about to get married with a man who doesn't even love me, though.' She added mentally.
"Ahhh…" he nodded repeatedly.
"But you've found your love one, I see." He said, surprising Rukia.
'Am I that obvious?' Rukia thought.
Despite the hurt inside, Rukia found herself smiling upon remembering her ex-"fiancé". "Yeah. Yeah… I guess so." She managed to say.
"I hear a 'but' there." Her companion responded.
Aside from his rather… antic appearance (polka dots-full bright colors- shirt), he seemed like a very good observant.
'Maybe, pouring your heart out into a total stranger is not too bad.' Rukia said mentally.
"You're right." Rukia started, "I found my love, but sadly he doesn't love me back."
Rukia bit her lower lip, trying hard to conceal her sadness and to suppress the tears that threaten to fall again.
"Are you sure about that?"
Rukia flashed him an angry glare, but just for a split second. She lowered her head again.
"Well, young lady. Love is a beautiful thing, and not everyone is lucky enough to feel it. I have found my love, and she completed my life. Even after she died."
"You love her very much, don't you?" Rukia asked. 'That's sweet.' She muttered to herself.
He gave her a genuine smile, "Of course. I even made a big poster of her and pin it in our living room."
'Errr…. Okay, that's definitely not sweet, that's creepy.' Rukia thought.
"My children tell me that I'm crazy for doing that,"
From the look of Rukia's face, she definitely agreed with his children.
"But love makes you do the craziest thing."
Rukia was speechless, confused with this split personality man.
"Have you told him that you love him?" he asked her.
Rukia shook her head lightly.
"You should." He continued, "Maybe he's just too stupid to realize his own feeling."
"He's a smart man." Rukia defended him.
"Oh, you don't know how the smartest man can be an idiot when it comes to love. Tell him. Let him know."
Rukia was silent. She couldn't utter a single word. She couldn't even think straight.
Her guest suddenly rose from his seat. "I think I will call it a night. I'm sorry for bothering you."
Rukia rose from her seat and shook her head, "No. It's okay. It was nice to talk with you."
Then she gave him a genuine smile, the first genuine smile she could muster since today's event, "And I'm sure you're a good father." she repeated the same phrase she used before.
His eyes sparkled upon hearing her words.
"You're a very nice young lady, eh…?" he asked.
"Rukia. My name is Kuchiki Rukia." Rukia said, bowing a little.
"Called me Isshin then Rukia-chan…" He gave Rukia a wide smile.
Rukia could feel her spine ran cold. She knew that name… She knew it and she was sure she was right.
It felt like yesterday the first time she heard Kurosaki say it.
"My Father's name is Isshin. He lived in Sapporo along with my twin sisters…"
"Goodbye now, we'll meet again sometime, third daughter." Were his last words before he started running toward the parking lot. Leaving Rukia dumbfounded.
'So much for pouring my heart to a stranger,' cursed Rukia mentally.
Someone was knocking or rather pounding at his front door. Kurosaki opened his eyes lazily. 6 A.M. Who was in their right mind to pay a visit at this time of the day?
Kurosaki took his pillow and tried to ignore the cracking sounds coming from his front door.
5 minutes later, Kurosaki found himself dragging his feet toward the front door, because whoever was behind that door, sure was persistent. They didn't bother to stop pounding the door.
Kurosaki cursed his bad luck. He didn't think, or rather he didn't want to think, that Rukia was behind the door. No, he had buried that hope deep inside himself. He didn't like the feeling, but it was better than raising his hopes just to crush it when he found that it wasn't his petite raven "fiancé".
Kurosaki unlocked the door and turned the knob. As soon as the front door opened, something, or rather someone was flying toward him.
"IIIIIIIIICCCHHHHIIIGGOOOO!"
'Oh, SHIT!' cursed Kurosaki who couldn't avoid the contact between his face and his father's foot.
'What a morning!' he muttered while trying to stand up.
However, Isshin's foot was right on his stomach now, forcing him to lie down on the floor.
"You begin to become a softie, Ichigo. Just a small attack like that and you can't avoid it? Ckckck… I don't remember raising a weakling like you." Isshin said smugly.
Kurosaki's vein popped up. His father was always able to give him that effect.
Kurosaki twirled Isshin's foot and threw him across the room.
"Are you crazy, old man?" He almost shouted, "Who in their right mind would wake someone up at 6 AM and then kick the one who open the door? You could hurt someone, what if it wasn't me who opened the door but Ruki…" his voice trailed off.
He suddenly lost his mood to fight with his own father. He just stood up slowly and then made his way toward the kitchen.
Isshin noticed the sudden change in his son's mood. He followed his son slowly toward the kitchen.
"When did you arrive, dad?" Kurosaki asked while preparing coffee.
Isshin dragged the chair to sit on, but Kurosaki snapped, "That's Rukia's chair. Don't sit there. She'll know if anyone sits in that chair…"
Again, he didn't finish his sentence.
However, Isshin didn't look as if he noticed. He just took another chair to sit.
"I arrived last night." Isshin answered Kurosaki's first question.
Kurosaki served the coffee, and then took his usual seat. He sipped his coffee slowly, but couldn't tear his eyes from the chair Rukia always sat on.
He didn't realize it before that a lot of thing had changes during Rukia's stay. At first, he felt a little bit uncomfortable having someone else in his house. He used to live alone. But now, after Rukia was gone… he couldn't help but feel as if something was missing. Something, or rather someone important was missing from his house. And it made the house not as homey as before.
"So Ichigo," Isshin startled him from his daze.
"When will you tell me you're going to get married?" Isshin gave him a goofy smile.
Kurosaki tried his best to swallow his coffee without chocking; he gave his father a scowl for asking that question while he sipped his coffee.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kurosaki said.
Isshin's smirk widen, "Ahhh… so you want to keep it a secret from your own father, huh? But don't worry Ichigo, Daddy won't ask you about what you two have done. Living together under the same roof, sharing the same bed, sleeping under the same blanket, holding on to each other every…"
"BRUAK!"
Isshin didn't have time to finish his sentence because Kurosaki's fist collided with his face.
"Ugggh…. My nose… my nose…" Isshin whined.
"Serve you right, old man!" Kurosaki snapped.
Isshin excused himself to fix his nose in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Kurosaki took his time looking at the bay, thinking about the last night event.
Kurosaki couldn't sleep well that night. He kept thinking about Rukia in her small store. He couldn't stop himself from hoping that maybe she would come back, just like she did when she finally accepted his proposal.
Kurosaki was so deep in his thought that he didn't notice that Isshin was already entering the kitchen. He looked at his son, and realized something.
"So, tell me, Ichigo," Isshin started, taking his previous seat. "I don't see any sign of a woman in this house. No shampoo, conditioners, facial wash, toothbrush… or any woman stuff in bathroom. And surely, nothing in this house. What happened?"
Kurosaki was about to answer when Isshin cut him, "And don't say that you don't have any idea of what I am talking about, because I know for sure that you are about to get married."
Kurosaki shut his mouth closed.
Isshin waited. After few moments passed without a word, he took the liberty to speak again.
"You know Ichigo, I love your mom. I still love her until now." Isshin said.
Kurosaki looked up and met his father's eyes. He saw no emotion, but inside he felt confused with this sudden change of direction.
"She is the best thing that ever happened in my life," Isshin continued, not noticing Kurosaki's guilt inside.
"And I killed her." Kurosaki said darkly.
Isshin watched his son intently, "Aaaah… I see that you haven't recovered yet. How many times do I have to tell you that it was not your fault?"
"But it was!" Kurosaki said coldly. "I was the one who killed her. If it wasn't because of my carelessness she wouldn't have…"
Isshin smacked Kurosaki's head. "Don't be such an ungrateful brat!" he snapped.
Kurosaki was surprised.
"Dad," he started. "Why… why didn't you blame me? Why didn't Yuzu and Karin blame me? It would be easier that way."*
Isshin snorted, "Why blame you?"
"Huh?"
"If I were to blame Masaki's death on you, Masaki would get mad at me. It's not anyone's fault that Masaki died. It's just that the woman I fell in love with… was a woman who could die protecting her son."
Kurosaki was silent. He was dumfounded by the sudden-wise father in front of him.
"And don't forget," he continued. "You are the guy the woman that I love gave her life to protect."
"Dad…" Kurosaki said.
Isshin sipped his coffee slowly. "So stop with your ridiculous act of forcing yourself to work, even avoiding your own family. I don't blame you. No one blames you, because you didn't do anything wrong, at least about Masaki's death." Isshin stood up. "Now, I don't know what happen between you and my third daughter…"
"Third daughter?" Kurosaki cut.
"Yeah, your wife to be, remember?" Isshin smirked.
"Dad, I'm not sure there'll be a wedding." Kurosaki stated as a matter-of-factly.
"Why…? Oh my God…" Isshin took few steps backward, away from Kurosaki.
"You… ehem… have a different sexual orientation?" Isshin shouted, pointing his finger to Kurosaki.
'Talking about a wise father,' Kurosaki thought while giving Isshin a cold glare.
"NO…. Masaki…. I'm so sorry… I couldn't raise Ichigo well. He…"
"BUAK!"
"Can you not make your own crazy assumption just this once? You ruined the moment." Kurosaki said after kicking Isshin.
"Then what? Why will there be no wedding?" Isshin insisted.
"Because she left me!" Kurosaki intended to shout it, but what came out was a soft whisper. A bitter whisper.
Isshin stood up, knowing from Kurosaki's look that he was not in a mood for his antics anymore.
"What happened, Ichigo?" he asked.
Kurosaki shook his head. "I don't understand too. She just said that she couldn't marry me, and then she left."
Isshin sighed. "She loves you?"
Kurosaki looked Isshin in the eyes, and then shook his head firmly. "No. I don't think she loves me."
"Then why would she marry you in the first place?" Isshin asked.
Kurosaki was silent for a moment, thinking what he should tell his father without mentioning about their agreement. "We thought we could stand each other and that we could live together without trying to rip each other's head, so we thought it was a good reason to get married." He stopped, and then added, "Because we are friends."
Isshin shook his head, sometimes his son could be so clueless about this.
"And what about you?" Isshin asked.
Kurosaki gave him a confuse look. "Do you love her?"
That was a question Kurosaki always asked to himself. But he didn't want to admit it, so he never answered it.
"I don't know." Kurosaki said honestly. "I've got no idea why everything turned out like this."
Isshin walked pass Kurosaki, just to smack the back of his head. "I don't remember raising a weakling like you."
"Damn you, old…." Kurosaki trailed off seeing a serious look on Isshin's face.
"Listen my son, to love someone is not to find someone with whom you can live with. But rather to find someone with whom you can't live without. Now… can you live without her?"
With that, Isshin left Kurosaki alone it the kitchen. Thinking about what his father just said.
'Can I live without Rukia?' Kurosaki muttered to himself.
Rukia massaged her ache shoulders. Last night she slept on her sofa bed again, and the joint in her sofa bed seemed grew and it hurt her shoulders. She didn't intend to sleep there again tonight.
However, the lump in her sofa bed wasn't as big as the lump in her throat when she had a fight with Kurosaki the night before. However, the lump in her throat had shattered into fragments that were now left in the middle of her heart fragments.
Oh, how easily a girl can be a fool because of love.
She couldn't be anymore stupid than this.
What should she do now?
Move on with her life. She had business to be developed and…
Well, she had learned from Kurosaski. She wouldn't focus on anything else in her life but her career.
Rukia could control her career, but it looked like she couldn't control her heart. Her heart got her own will, and it tied itself to Kurosaki.
Rukia was startled with a pounding on her door.
Rukia put her head under her pillow and tried to ignore the loud sound coming from her door. It wasn't even 7 yet, so whoever pounded her door wasn't a client or a potential client. So, she didn't have to answer it.
However, the pounding continued, and if it was possible, it became louder than before.
Cursing to no one in particular, Rukia put on her sweater on her t-shirt and shorts she wore to sleep, and then dragged herself to open the door.
"What are you doing here?" Rukia asked, yawning.
"What am I doing here? What are YOU doing in here? Why aren't you in your house?"
"This is my house," Rukia answered.
Rangiku pushed Rukia inside the room. "No, it isn't. Your home is with Kurosaki."
"I ever lived with Kurosaki. But not anymore." Rukia slammed her door shut.
"I see, you didn't take a lesson from poor Senna's experience, did you?"
"No, I took a lesson from you. You are happy being single, and I'm sure I will be too. This way, I can concentrate more on my business."
"Hmmmm, that's what you said to yourself, but I don't know why I can't trust you."
"Rangiku-san, I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't care whether you trust me or not. I believe in that, and that's enough for me. Breaking up with Kurosaki was the best choice I've ever made."
"Okay, if you say so."
"Yes. I mean, he doesn't even love me. They call him 'ice man' for good reasons. His heart is frozen and I couldn't melt it."
"Kurosaki looks hot blooded when he was with you." Rangiku just looked at Rukia intently, watching her. Searching for something.
Rukia didn't know what she was searching for, but she didn't care. "What you saw in Kurosaki's eyes was just passion. I want more than that. I want…"
"What do you want, Rukia?"
"Love. I want love, and it's the only thing that Kurosaki can't give to me."
Rukia felt like she was about to cry. But she swore to herself she wouldn't cry. And she didn't. However, Rangiku could see the sadness in her eyes and the tears that were about to form. She put her arms around the petite girl's frame, and Rukia let her friend hug her.
Rukia stood in the middle of Shirayuki Design's room, hugged by Rangiku.
"Are you sure? About Kurosaki's feeling?" asked Rangiku softly.
"Yeah, I'm sure about that. He never told that he loves me."
"Ah, but did he show it? Did he try to make you happy? Did he protect you?"
"Well, yeah…"
"And I have to tell you this, I'm sure that when both of you were in the same room, you're the only woman he couldn't take his eyes off from."
Rukia snorted.
"I'm serious. And Tatsuki told me about Kurosaki's jealousy toward Renji and bentou."
"He wasn't jealous."
"No? Then what do you call it?"
"We have an agreement… a part of our prenuptial contract. We shouldn't hit on another woman or man."
"But according to Tatsuki, you didn't hit on Renji, he was the one who flirted with you."
"No. Renji just tried to make Tatsuki jealous."
"Yeah, I agree with that one," Rangiku said while laughing. "Don't think that we didn't see that coming. But Renji did that by flirting with you. Why did Kurosaki bother himself if he didn't care?"
Rukia pulled herself and took a deep breath. "Kurosaki was just…"
"Just…?"
"Oh, I don't know. But I know that he doesn't love me."
"Did I ever tell you about a big fine I got from a library last year?"
"Fine?" Oh, no… another of Rangiku's story.
"Yes, I borrowed Karakura: The History and told to myself that it was time for me to learn about the history of my town. Well, six months later that book was still in my bedside table, covered with dust. Every night I looked at it, and every night I spent my time reading a romantic novel. I love romantic stories. I love how two people try hard to look behind the mask that everyone puts on and see our true self. If I think that you have seen through Kurosaki's mask, I will keep my mouth shut. But I think you haven't."
"Rangiku-san," Rukia desperately explained, "I can assure you that even though I took off his mask, the only thing I see would be a man who focuses on his career. I'm just a stepping stone for him."
"Have you told him about what you feel?" asked Rangiku.
"No." Rukia cursed, this was the second time in less than 24 hours someone asked her that question. "He doesn't want to talk about our feelings. He just wants to talk about business and our prenuptial contract. That what we used to talk about."
"Listen, I paid the library fine and then admitted that I know what I like. That might be not a good thing for me, but I think it's a right thing for me. And you, young lady, are afraid to admit that Kurosaki is right for you."
"That's not the question. The question is: am I the right one for him?" Rukia's tears were threaten to fall. "And the answer is no."
Rangiku sighed, "Rukia, you make me think that I have ruined everything…"
"Ruined everything?" Rukia raised her eyebrow.
"Ssst…. You make me feel upset that I couldn't think of any other stories."
Rukia sighed in relief. She couldn't stand another story from Rangiku.
"Don't say it to Lisa. She always tries to find a way to make me shut my mouth. But I will tell you this, love is too precious to let go."
"Like Senna and Szayel." Rukia commented.
"Nope. Like you and Kurosaki. You both are just afraid to tell each other about what you feel inside." Rangiku said.
Rukia didn't utter a single word. She just watched as Rangiku made her way outside her store.
'You don't know Kurosaki, Rangiku-san. He doesn't love me. I know that for sure…' Rukia said mentally.
A/N: I know… depressing eh? I don't really like the ending. I'm sorry if it sucks. Any kind of review is welcome. I have prepared myself to get flames too. So… feel free to say, errr…. Write anything. ^_^
*Taken from Bleach Chapter 25