Rukia's POV
"Don't be sad. Even if she doesn't forgive you, even if they don't forgive you, I'll always be there, right next to you. You just have to tell me... what can I do to make you forgive me?"
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
Who is that? Who's apologizing? Is it me? ...It might be, but I don't know... It... it's foggy. I can't see straight. I can barely hear. "I'm so sorry. So, so, sorry..." I've heard this voice before... It's not comforting, but it's familiar. And... just who is willing to forgive this person?
"No matter what you do, just know, I'll forgive you no matter what. So stop crying already! It just doesn't suit you and your know-it-all attitude!"
Crying? Who's crying? Then, I felt it. The hot burning in my eyes, the wetness of my cheeks, and the weak little whimpers I was making. "I'm n-not..." I tried to speak, but my throat was plugged up. It felt like I was choking on air.
"I'm sorry!" The weak voice sobbed again. It was then that I realized it was me. I was crying, begging whoever this other person was for forgiveness.
"Didn't I tell you to stop crying? No matter what happens, there's no mistake you can't take back. And if there is, I'll still forgive you. Just know, you'll never need a reason to apologize to me. Okay? I never want to hear you say 'I'm sorry', again"
I felt a warm, comforting hand cup my cheek. "Ichigo?" I finally asked, my tears subsiding. Is it really him? It sounds so much like him.
"I have to go now. But don't worry. I'll be back for you soon! So please... stop... crying..."
My eyes snapped open, but I stayed completely still. My cheeks were sticky with hot tears.
What the hell was that? That last sentence... it sounded like Ichigo, but at the same time, it didn't. The voice was hoarse. And it echoed. It was disturbing... like the voice from a monster from a terrible nightmare. I felt movement next to me, and I stiffened.
"Mom?" It was Mikoto. She was dreaming again.
"Yeah, sweetheart. It's mommy. Go back to sleep. I'm... I'm not going anywhere." I said in the best impersonation of Hisana I could. But no matter how hard I tried, I could never get my voice so soft. I just prayed Mikoto was too tired to notice.
"That's great..." She let out a soft sigh of relief. "I don't want to be alone... again..." And with that, she fell back asleep, back into her subconscious.
I relaxed. After Mitsuki found Mikoto, Yoruichi agreed that I would take care of her, since I knew more about her. Mitsuki would babysit, maybe even take her off my hands for a week or so sometimes. We had learned from Miki that she was living with Byakuya and Mitsuki's father, but he had been admitted into Tokyo's psych ward.
Apparently, he had been in some sort of psychotic depression since Byakuya went to college. You know, hallucinations, delusions... all that jazz. So, yeah. To be completely honest, I don't even know how he got custody rights over her, considering he had been diagnosed when Byakuya was twenty-one. That brings up another question... how the hell did he find her?
Well, maybe some things are better left unanswered.
I looked at the TV screen in front of me, which showed multi-coloured dancing dinosaurs. Then again, I just assumed they were multi-coloured. Nothing's really colourful if the screen's always in black and white. Anyway, back to the dinosaurs.
What. The. Hell.
Then, I remembered. Mikoto had insisted that I put it on some stupid kitty-show. She was pretty demanding for a seven year old.
That's my girl!
I changed the channel to the news. How boring. Well, it was better than sitting on a lumpy couch for three hours, waiting for Mikoto to wake up. This is why I hated staying awake at home, at night.
There was absolutely NOTHING on TV!
I looked at the screen blankly, watching the balding, chubby, greasy weather man drone on and on and on about the natural weather occurrences. Just get to the forecasts, already!
"Alright, for the rest of the week, prepare for a few days of scalding weather, and then..."
Okay, I get it. Mother Nature's gonna be a bitch for the next month and a half. Alright... let's see if I got this right. Monday through Wednesday's going to be sunny, Thursday and Friday will be cloudy, and these guys are suspecting rain on the weekend. Perfect.
Just perfect.
[End POV]
[Matsumoto's POV]
"Hitsugaya-sama?" I called out nervously. He had been unusually distraught over that Slayer girl... don't get me wrong, she was a sweet girl, but why did master wish to have her on our side? Sure, a Slayer servant is praised upon in the Underworld, but master seems unusually upset about it.
He turned to face me, his icy blue eyes downcast. "Yes, Matsumoto?"
"Are you alright?" I smiled warmly at him. He was so much like the little brother I never had.
He looked back down, at his wine. "I'm fine, don't worry yourself. You'll just end up sick." he said stoically, but I couldn't help but feel something bigger was going on. I fingered the stem of my own wine glass, and sat down next to him, on the large bench in the mansion. We were seated in the attic, which really didn't look like an attic. It looked more like a fifteenth century dining hall.
"The Elders... really should have known better." He sighed, and kept looking out the window.
It was in that moment I finally understood. The visions. I went to the council meeting for him, to meet with the Elders. They had told me that Hitsugaya's next servant was to inherit the Visions of the Turok-Han. They may be monsters, even among us, but their blood runs through our veins, weather we like it or not. Some Vampires, though, like Mitsuki-chan, just have more than others. She wasn't even a Vampire. She was barely half! It looks like all the DNA she got was from the Hans, though. Otherwise, she wouldn't be showing any powers. Just light cases of blood lust and that fang.
He was worried. Mitsuki-chan couldn't handle these visions. She would either go crazy from the stress and take her own life, or go insane and shut off everyone around her. In a way, it was sweet. He may have brought this curse upon her, but he still cared for her the way a brother would his little sister. He had admitted he had felt more towards her once, but he knew that relationship would never come to be. Just like his relationship with that other girl... Hinamori, was it? Well, he had Karin and I to look after him. But anyways, back to the situation of Mitsuki-chan and the Elders. She would crack eventually.
It was common sense.
Humans, even if converted cannot handle the natural stress taken from the Turok Han's primitive manner. I should know. I was almost thrown into the deep, dark, cold, abyss of insanity, and I'm a full, flesh and blood Vampire.
And she was only half.
I looked at the deep, mystical, blue moon. It was a tranquil night. I sighed contentedly. The Hans. The Scourge. They were closing in.
It was only a matter of time.
I smiled slightly, bowed, and strode out of the large room, heading for my quarters, one floor down. I had been so afraid that something, like a Slayer, would come in in the middle of the night, and kill him. Like I said before Hitsugaya-sama was like a brother to me. I couldn't let anything happen to him.
"Rangiku-chan." I heard a cold voice echo, and I stiffened. I hadn't heard that voice in over three hundred years.
"Gin... Ichimaru."
[End POV]
[Ichigo's POV]
Why do Vampires adore red wine so much? Is it just because it reminds us of the hunt, when killing humans was so simple, around three hundred years back? Or is it just because we love the taste? The intoxicating aroma? The colour?
Even I don't know.
Karin had been unusually happy for the past few weeks. Well, aside from my little all-night-er last week, that is. She had this glow... and I knew why. She had drunken human blood. It had been over two centuries since either of us had felt the lovely taste that came with mortal blood.
That man... Hitsugaya Toshirou. It's not that I hated him; no, he was, in a weird sort of way, like a little brother. It's just that... he seems like a better person to take care of Karin than me. Her own brother! I sighed audibly, thinking of that woman.
Rukia Kuchiki.
I had known her brother, Byakuya. Not a very nice guy, to tell you the truth. He was... so cold, so intimidating. I would have killed him, but he had a sick wife, a baby daughter, and a little sister to look after. I couldn't do that. Not that it mattered, anyway. He was killed two months later, only three weeks after his wife died.
But Rukia was so... unlike him. She wasn't icy like him, she was just... cold. Not cold as in mean, but... something about her reminds me of snow. She was unusual. No one made me feel the way I did when I was around her. To be honest, our 'date' on Friday was... fun.
I smiled as I sipped the red wine in my hand. We'll have to do it again sometime.
[Yoruichi's POV]
How long did she think she could fool me?
I had known for over three weeks now. About Mitsuki-chan's... condition. Urahara had told me. It's horrible. How could something like this happen to her? If it were to happen to anyone, I just wish it were Inoue-san. I know, that's a horrible thing to think. But come on, the girl is seriously mental!
Okay... maybe not mental. She's just a little... out of it, you know? But she's so sweet, too. Kind of like... the crazy, deranged little sister I never had.
Okay... wrong choice of words.
I don't even know how Urahara found out. I already knew, but was denying it until Urahara told me he knew. Mitsuki was paler, her gray eyes looked duller. Her black hair was darker. So dark, it was almost blue. She had stopped Rukia's French and Latin lessons, and spaced out all the time.
But what really got me into believing she was one of them, was her right canine. It was... considerably longer. And sharper.
I wouldn't turn her in to Yamamoto, though. If I did, she'd be killed, even if she isonly half. That bastard... he's the one who executed my best friend, and former partner, Soi Fon, for the exact same reason! My fists clench just thinking about it.
I'm in my study right now, in my home, two blocks away from Kaze.
I'm silently re-reading Rukia's report from her latest Demon extermination. Scourge. Almost twenty of 'em.
I groan, slamming my head on the large oak desk in front of me. What the hell was with all these demons lately?
I knew. All. Hell. Has. Broken. Through.
[Unknown POV]
[Present Day, 2009]
Dreams. I never dreamt much. I had nightmares. Horrible, blood-filled nightmares, where screams echoed everywhere you turned. I had nightmares of my past. My terror-filled past. My one love... my best friend, died. Right there in front of me.
We were in the woods. He was talking. But not to me. No... there was someone else with us. But who? All I want to know is who. It was... it was peaceful. Then, I heard a shriek, a shout of 'run away, get out of here,' and then... red.
There was so much blood.
I couldn't even tell if it was his or my own. Was it both of ours?
Was it... that other person's?
I had been hiding not too far away, in the trunk of a fallen tree. I thought I was safe, until I heard her singing... in such a dreadful voice. It was a hoarse voice, like it hadn't been used in years.
"Little kitty, little kitty, little lost cat. Where in the world are you..."
Even now, years later, I can hear that haunting voice... I lay, alone on my bed, lightly singing the song.
"Little kitty, little kitty, little lost cat. Why in the world did you run away from me?"
[Normal POV]
Orihime giggled at Rukia. With the dark circles under her eyes, messy hair, and Mikoto's backpack, she really did look like an overworked mother.
It was funny. Imagining Rukia as a mother.
"Don't laugh, or I'll kill you with the stuffed rabbit I have stashed away in this stupid backpack." Rukia threatened with a dark growl.
Orihime smirked at her exhausted-looking friend. "You've used threats like that on me for nearly ten years, Rukia. It doesn't faze me anymore." Rukia growled louder. "Sis is taking Miki-chan today. I have a mission."
Orihime smiled. But then, realizing something, she frowned. "Ah... Rukia, do you think that's really such a good idea? After all, your sister hasn't really been... with it, you know? She's been pretty spacey, do you think she can handle a seven year old child in her state?" Orihime sounded like she thought Mitsuki was crazy.
Then again, the black-haired girl really did change a lot in the past month. She had spaced out almost every second of the day, and had this strange light in her eyes. Almost like she was happy, yet very afraid. It was weird. Many of the other members of the HQ (Orihime included) suggested Karakura's Psych Ward. After all, the insanity could have been hereditary.
Yeah, right.
Rukia glared at her roommate. "I'm sure. Orihime, come on, you're not trying to tell me you actually believe these damn rumors, do you?" She looked at her friend with a stony amethyst gaze. Orihime looked down, obviously uncomfortable. "It... it seems quite possible that she... you know."
"She isn't crazy." Rukia stated simply, no anger showing in her words. "Mikoto, let's go! I have to report to the gates in one hour!" Mikoto jumped from Rukia's bedroom, holding a small, pink ribbon. "Sorry, auntie!" She apologized breathlessly. "Can you fix my hair? Ponytail please!" She grinned hugely and held out the silky ribbon. "Please?" She asked again.
Rukia smiled and gently took the ribbon, proceeding to tie up Mikoto's hair.
"Alright! Let's move!" Mikoto laughed out about two minutes later.
Rukia let a small giggle escape her throat. Orihime laughed.
Were they sure this was Byakuya's kid?
Two hours later...
Rukia Kuchiki hated reconnaissance missions. The lengths she had to go through to get information sometimes... were just repulsive.
Luckily, all she had to do this time, was sing, and flirt with a couple bar patrons. She wasn't in Kaze, no, she was in the richer section of Karakura, in a flashy club known throughout Japan as Sereitei. So far, everything was going well. The owner, Shunsui Kyōraku, was good friends with one of Rukia's senseis, Ukitake Jyushiro, so he immediately gave her all the details as soon as he saw her.
There was a Demon here. Somewhere. According to Shunsui, it was a Shifter. So Rukia stayed on her toes. Last time she faced a Shifter, she had ended up fighting Orihime. Oh, yes. Those things were tricky.
Nanao Ise, Seretei's co-owner (Much like Yoruichi is with Urahara at Kaze), cleared her throat, signaling for the pianist to stop playing. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special guest tonight." She smiled at Rukia. "I'd like to introduce a veteran singer from another club, Kaze, and I'm sure most of you have heard of it," She smiled wider as the audience clapped. "Rukia Kuchiki!"
The audience clapped louder, and Rukia sighed, standing up. A few guys looked at her with shining eyes. She nodded at Nanao. "Thank you, Nanao-san." She smiled, and turned to the pianist. "Do you know 'Halo'?" He nodded, smiling brightly.
She cleared her throat, and began singing, the piano playing in the background.
"Remember those walls I built? Well, baby they're tumbling down."
"And they didn't even put up a fight, They didn't even make a sound"
She let her amethyst eyes glide over the club patrons. Even if Rukia would never admit it, she was nervous. Recon missions always made her nervous. She was barely twenty-three, and she had seen more things than a World War I soldier should have.
She took in a deep breath, calming herself. These guys had to love her... love her to trust her.
"I found a way to let you in... But I never really had a doubt."
"Standing in the light of your Halo... Oh, I got my Angel now."
Ichigo Kurosaki glared at the young woman with auburn hair and big, green eyes who was so desperatly clinging to him. Her name was Grace, from what she had slurred when she first sat down next to him.
"Kurosaki- kun..." She whined, tugging his shirt sleeve. "Come on... just talk wif me for... a wile..." She was so obviously drunk from the way her words slurred. "Oh... or better yet... let's dance!" She laughed and tried to pull him up. "Come on! I wuuuv this song!" She whined more, trying to get him up. He glared harder, then pushed himself away from the young woman. He had half a mind to drag her behind the club by the hair and snap her neck in two.
But that would look suspicious.
"It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out!"
He growled when she tried to get up and follow him, but as soon as he did, she sat down, almost completely sober again.
He looked straight ahead, determined to get out of that damn place. The girls were whores, and the guys were jerks. Kaze was almost the exact same, with one special difference.
Rukia Kuchiki.
"Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby, I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace"
He hadn't been able to get that Slayer's face out of his head. But he firmly told himself it was because she could lead him to what she and the rest of the Slayer's Union were hiding. The Chosen One. Urahara knew who it was. So did Yoruichi. But the rest of the Slayers didn't even know what the Chosen One was, let alone who.
All of them, but Rukia.
"Do you like her, Ichi-nii?" Karin's voice rang in his head. "Don't let her shirk you away from your work. She's a human."
He scoffed.
She is my work.
"You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby, I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away"
Who was singing that song? It sounded so familiar...
He turned at the door, and his eyes widened.
"...Rukia."
"I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
Halo, ooh ooh..."
What the hell is he doing here? She screamed in her mind, looking somewhat longingly at the orange-haired man. She couldn't stop thinking of him... even now, when she had a mission, Yoruichi, and Mikoto to worry about.
He was so cute, standing there with that stupid grin on his face.
"Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't forget
To pull me back to the ground again"
"Do you love him, Rukia?"
"Love is a bit strong, don't you think so, Orihime? But... he is cute. And really nice too." Rukia smiled, a dreamy look in her eyes.
"... I know." Orihime said, a bittersweet smile crossing her features.
"It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm taking
I'm never gonna shut you out!"
Ichigo couldn't tear his eyes away from her. That dress... was beautiful on her.
It was a flowing, purple dress that reached a little past her knee.
"Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby, I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby, I can feel your halo
I pray it won't fade away"
He smirked. If only she knew the irony behind her words... if that song was for him, it was a joke.
He was no angel.
"I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
Halo, ooh ooh..."
He was staring at her with slightly shocked amber eyes. She fought to hide a blush.
She knew, someone, somewhere, was laughing at her situation.
"I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
Halo, ooh oh..."
She leapt off stage, ignoring the cheers and cat-calls.
She was right in front of him now, panting ever so slightly.
"Hey." He smirked.
"Hi," She grinned.
A/N: Yeah, yeah, rant and scream all you want. I'M ENDING IT HERE!
Oh, and sorry Orihime lovers. I'm just not a very big fan of her. She's pretty useful in the series, I admit, but quite honestly... she annoys me. Sorry! I'll try to go easy on the Inoue- bashing, though. Kay? Is that okay?
Anyway, if you must know, I'll be doing that through the course of the story. Mixing up the names... Some English, some Japanese, some... some other language! But come on, I really don't have a knack for Japanese names... all though I do admit I like Mikoto's name.
PLEASE REVIEW!
-TMU
 | Review this Chapter |
No comments:
Post a Comment