"Gomen," Takeshi looked down at his feet.
"But still," Karin stepped in, "I never would have guessed you live in such a fancy apartment, let alone work at the best hospital in Japan.
Ichigo sighed and sat back on his couch. He looked at Takeshi who was sitting next to him. Not wanting to see his son in such a sad state, Ichigo patted the top of Takeshi's head and smiled. "Sorry for keeping this from you guys."
"Ne, otousan," Takeshi looked at his father, "WHY did you hide this from us?"
Ichigo frowned. "Will you ever stop asking?
"No."
Karin nodded her head in agreement with Takeshi. "And I'm not leaving until you tell us. Besides, we have still have three hours left before we have to go back to Rukia-nee."
It was already the middle of the day. Ichigo tried to kick Takeshi and Karin out of his apartment but they literally glued themselves onto his couch. He had no choice but make a quick trip to the hospital and return home. He was half-hoping that they would be gone but life just hated him.
"Fine, I'll tell you… BUT! You must NOT tell anyone else."
"Why—"
"Just don't Takeshi!"
Takeshi closed his mouth and scooted closer to Ichigo to get all the detail.
"This is what happened…"
Ichigo's Reason—7 Years Ago
"KUROSAKI!"
The said man dropped his pencil and squinted. He looked over to the door and noticed three thugs standing by it.
"Who are you guys?" Ichigo asked as he stooped over to grab his fallen pencil.
The three men smirked. "We graduated from this school three years ago and now we're back to gain our revenge from the last time we met."
"And when was that?" Ichigo quickly asked without interest.
"NANI?"
"Oi."
Ichigo turned around and saw Chad standing behind him.
"You might not remember but they're the first guys you beaten up in this high school."
"I see," Ichigo yawned, "But what are they doing here— Oh! You guys dropped back to high school?"
"NANI?" The three men yelled again. They ran towards him with fists raised in the air. "Die, Citrus head—AUGH!"
Before any of their fists could reach him, Ichigo rushed over and kicked each men once, knocking them straight out.
"I don't remember them but they sure are weak," Ichigo snorted, "I didn't even break a sweat—"
"KUROSAKI ICHIGO!"
Ichigo turned around and saw Ochi-sensei standing in front of him. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
"Getting rid of some idiots," he pointed down.
"Oh! Well, clean them up," She responded with a calm voice. Her students looked at her with confusion. Was she really a teacher? Just as she was walking out to take her lunch break she looked back one more time. "And don't forget to get the report! If you don't turn it in before school ends today you'll get a zero."
Ichigo nodded his head as Chad tossed the thugs over his shoulder and walked out of class.
"Looks like you're in deeper trouble with the school than those three idiots," Uryuu patted Ichigo's shoulder.
"I know," he responded, "I just can't wait to graduate."
Ichigo sat back on his desk and slumped in it. Lunch just started but he had no bento or money to eat. AND he forgot his all-too-important report at home. Today seemed like a bad day.
"So, how are you going to turn in your assignment?" Takeshi asked as she and Orihime walked over to Ichigo's desk.
He scratched his orange hair and furrowed his eyebrows even more. "I called home. Thankfully Rukia was still there. Of course after today I need to go home with a new Chappy toy."
His friends laughed around him, but Ichigo didn't see the humor in it. Three years ago, while at Matsumoto's birthday party, somebody spike the punch. They didn't know how or why it happened but Ichigo and Rukia woke up the next day in one of Matusumoto's guestrooms… naked… in each other's embrace. Apparently they weren't the only ones in that state. Everyone else (who was drunk that is) got pushed into a guestroom with their boyfriend/girlfriend/whatever-friend and had a steamy night. But there were some people who were able to resist the teenage hormones, like Uryuu and Orihime. But they did make things official after that night.
Anyways, Rukia was so pissed that she refused to speak to Ichigo, blaming him when he was as innocent as her. This 'silent treatment' went on for about seven weeks and it was starting to irritate Ichigo to no end. Not only that, but she had caught a bad case of 'stomach-flu' that prevented her from coming to school for several days. Ichigo didn't know what to do until Yume-san called, saying she wanted to see him. When he got to their house, Rukia was visiting the doctor so Ichigo had time to talk with Yume-san. That day Ichigo felt a ton of 'responsibility' fall on his shoulder because Yume-san told him, with a big smile, that Rukia was pregnant. One drunken night and the two became expecting-parents. Rukia didn't want Ichigo to know because she didn't want him to think of something stupid, like get married (which he did suggest but she rejected). When Rukia got home, Ichigo and Yume-san were packing up most of their possessions. Apparently, Yume-san could not longer pay the rent of the house so she was being forced out. Ichigo thought that he should take care of them so proposed that they move into his family clinic. Rukia thought he was insane, bringing two strangers to live in his home… but Isshin loved the thought of having a bigger family, let alone the fact that he was literally bouncing off the walls with joy upon finding out that a beautiful, young lady was having his grandchild.
So for the next six and a half months Rukia lived in the Kurosaki clinic, along with her grandmother. Of course she had to drop out of school (while Ichigo had to deal with the annoying and painful death glares, comments, the "talks," etc. from students and teachers), but it was more difficult for Rukia to persuade her 'niisama' to allow her to move in with her grandmother, permanently. She didn't want the father of her child killed so she never mentioned to her brother about the pregnancy.
Takeshi was born in the middle of February. A healthy baby boy and Ichigo was thrilled to have a son. Yume-san was also a major support for Rukia and Ichigo, but when Takeshi was seven months old, she passed away. Rukia barely ate for days and spent most of her time cooped in her room that was next to Ichigo (they didn't like Isshin's idea of sharing the bed together). Ichigo was able to get her out of the trance when Takeshi started to get sick from the lack of care from his mother.
Three years later, Ichigo was only a few months away from graduating and Rukia was still with him, taking care of the house while everyone else was busy.
"Yo, Ichigo!" Mizuiro called out.
"What?"
"A guest is here to see you!"
"OTOUSAN!"
Ichigo yelped when something jumped on him and he fell off his chair. He looked up and saw a three year old, raven-haired, Ichigo replica smiling down at him. Ichigo no longer felt any pain or anger as he smiled back at Takeshi.
"What do you think you're doing here?" Ichigo asked as he ruffled Takeshi's hair.
"Protecting me from anyone that might attack."
Ichigo sat up and saw Rukia walking into the classroom with a large bag hanging on her shoulder.
"That's because he is a good boy," Ichigo patted Takeshi's head while the kid was giggling like crazy.
"No," Rukia responded, "it's because you filled his head with stupid antics of protecting me from anyone and anything."
"Rukia-san!"
"Kuchiki-san!"
"Kuchiki!"
Rukia was greeted by many of her former classmates. Although she thought it was a hassle to come to school just to drop off something that Ichigo left behind, she love seeing her old friend.
She smiled at everyone and walked back to Ichigo who sat back on his chair and Takeshi was placed on his lap. "Here is your report—" she handed him a manila envelop, "And your lunch, stupid Strawberry," she said as she pulled out a large bento from her bag.
Ichigo took all the things that Rukia gave him with a glare. He mumbled curses under his breath, careful not to let Takeshi hear it. The boy was too busy doodling to care anyways.
"Hey you guys!"
Ichigo looked over Rukia's shoulder and saw… well, three people he really didn't want to see. Matsumoto walked in, waving her hand, as Ikkaku and Yumichika followed.
"What the hell are you three doing here?" Renji asked as he stood up.
Matusmoto punched the red head without even looking. "We were bored so when we saw Rukia we decided to tag along."
"You three are weird 'senpais.' Who would want to come back to this dump after graduating?" Tatsuki asked.
Yumichika flipped his 'glossy' hair (according to him, that is) and looked at the tomboy. "At least we graduated."
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" She asked with her angry fist slowly rising up.
"You shouldn't talk like that. Afterall, you almost didn't graduate," Matsumoto commented.
Yumichika turned around and looked at her with a shocked face. "What are you talking about?"
Ikkaku rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me you've forgotten how you threatened the school board if they didn't let you graduate."
Yumichika's face was flaring. "How dare you!"
"Yes, yes," Matsumoto said as she started to pat Ikkaku's bald head, "And not to forget how you actually did do those things when you were told you couldn't graduate."
"Shut your mouth, woman!"
Ichigo looked at his three friends who were literally trying to rip the other's throat out. "Oi. If you're going to argue amongst each other, then leave."
"What are you saying," Ikkaku stepped up to Ichigo with his angry face, nearly touching the orange head's own face, and electricity coming out of his eyes, "You think you're doing any better?"
Ichigo backed off with a disgusted look.
Uryuu pushed up his glasses as he began to talk. "Unlike you three, our class has been doing well, that is except for Abarai."
"Oi!" The red head shouted (but didn't fight back).
"Why am I involved with these two?" Matsumoto pouted.
"Don't tell me you forgot how you walked around school with extra buttons open," Tatsuki pointed out. "The sensei's only let you graduate before any scandals about the school started."
Matsumoto pouted even more and crossed her arms under her "goddess of valley"-ness (as Keigo puts it).
"Ok guys!" Orihime popped in and clapped her hands, "Let's go have lunch!"
"Great idea, Orhime," Tatsuki patted her friend's head, "I really want to steal some of Rukia's food. They're too good for Ichigo to have all by himself."
"They only taste good because Yuzu taught her," Ichigo murmured.
Chad (when did he get back?) patted his friend's shoulder. "You shouldn't be disrespectful when she made all of that for you."
Ichigo grunted as he stood up. "Com'on kiddo. Let's go eat," he told Takeshi as he lifted his son away from his 'masterpiece' and placed him on his shoulders.
Orihime turned around and hugged her short friend with her usual bubbly attitude. "Ne, Kuchiki-san! Come join us for lunch on the roof! Just like old times!"
Rukia was about to agree when she suddenly remembered the phone call that she received just before she left the house. "I really wish I could but I have to go somewhere. Ichigo," she turned around to face the man who was bouncing their son up and down his shoudlers, "Watch Takeshi today. I have to go somewhere and he can't tag along."
Ichigo looked down at Rukia. "You mean, watch him here? In the middle of school?"
"Of course!" She snapped back, "Just be thankful that Ochi-sensei likes this kid. She might even forgive you for turning in the report late."
"Fine!" Ichigo snorted as he turned away.
Rukia said her goodbyes and left Karakura High School. Takeshi was very thrilled about staying with his father. Ichigo's classmates were also happy because Ochi-sensei and the other teachers soon forgot about the day's lessons, so instead got everyone else to play with the happy little boy who was totally unlike his sadistic father.
Rukia got on the bus and rode it to the mall in Karakura. There was a café inside where she was meeting someone. She hasn't met this person in years so she was feeling very nervous.
She sat down on a table near the door so her guest could easily find her. Her throat was getting immensely dry so she ordered an orange juice to quench it.
"Rukia," said a strong, cold voice.
The said woman stood up and bowed at the kenseikan-wearing man in front of her.
"Konnichiwa, Byakuya niisama."
Ichigo looked behind him and saw Rukia walking in. "Oi Rukia! How'd your thing go?"
Rukia kicked off her shoes and sat on the couch next to Ichigo. "Not bad. But I'm tired."
Takeshi was sitting in front of them, kneeling by the coffee table as he was drawing and watching some cartoons with his dad.
"What exactly did you do?" Ichigo asked.
"Why? Are you jealous that I might have met with some other man?" Rukia grinned at him.
Ichigo could feel his cheeks turning red. "Bitch," he mumbled as he focused on the T.V again.
Rukia rolled her eyes.
"Nee-san!" Yuzu called from the kitchen, "Dinner is almost ready!"
"Okay!" Rukia responded. She got on her feet and was getting ready to go upstairs when she turned around and whispered into Ichigo's ear, "By the way… I DID meet another man today."
Ichigo's eyes widen. He was about to ask for more when Rukia ran to her room. Ichigo had to wait after dinner to ask Rukia who she met. He didn't want anyone to get involved in this because he was just probably making a big deal out of nothing… or so he was trying to convince himself.
After the Friday-night movie, Rukia gathered Takeshi in her arms and took him to their room. Ichigo followed and watched as Rukia placed him on his bed.
"Now let's talk," Ichigo said as he grabbed her wrist and walked back to his room. Isshin, Karin and Yuzu were already asleep so he knew nobody was going to disturb them.
"Ichigo. Let go of my arm," Rukia snapped.
When he finally released her, she sat on his bed and checked to make sure Ichigo didn't leave any bruises on her wrist from his strong grasp.
"So," Ichigo started, "Who exactly did you meet?"
Rukia gave him a glare. "What's it to you?"
"Just answer me midget!"
"Why should I?"
"Because!"
"Because what?"
"Arhg!" Ichigo grunted. He could feel multiple veins popping in his head.
Rukia, although annoyed, was enjoying the pissed off look on his face. But she knew she couldn't continue with this argument because then they would resort to violence. Not a good thing to show in front of a three year old son.
"I meet niisama," she whispered.
Ichigo no longer felt pissed, but felt a chill run down his spin. "Your nii—"
Rukia nodded. "He wants me to return home."
"Wha—" Ichigo was feeling nervous. "And are you?"
"No!" Rukia snapped at him, "Why should I?"
Thank god, Ichigo thought to himself. He let out a sigh of relief and sat next to Rukia on his bed. "Tell me everything."
Rukia allowed Ichigo to wrap his arms around her. She knew, after living with him for three years, that whenever he felt insecure, especially when it came to her and their son, he had a tendency to show his protectiveness.
"He thought, now that Yume-san had passed away almost two years ago, there was no need for me to stay here any longer."
Ichigo nodded a sign for her to continue.
Rukia leaned against him as she thought back to the conversation she had with Byakuya. "Apparently, the other nobles didn't like the fact that I was living outside my brother's home. They never really liked me anyways."
Ichigo grunted. He hated hearing about all these nobles from Rukia's past home, who treated her badly and with no acknowledgement of her existence.
Rukia smiled, liking his reaction whenever she talked about the 'stupid nobles,' as he would call them. "I told him that I knew that I overstayed my visit here. Besides, I would have thought that there really was no reason for me to stay longer if I didn't have Takeshi."
Realization suddenly hit him. "Did—did you tell him—a—ab—about Takeshi?" He stammered.
Rukia shook her head. "I don't know about you but I'm not planning on dieing any time soon. I just told him that I was more comfortable here and that I had a lot of plans for my future that involved this town."
"Did he buy it?" Ichigo asked.
Again, Rukia shook her head. "He said he'll meet with me again after the weekend. He's a persistent person."
The two didn't say anything else. Rukia slowly fell asleep but Ichigo was busy thinking. He should meet up with this brother to defend Rukia. Besides, there was no way he was letting her go when he finally figured something out between them.
A/N: CLIFFHANGER! i really don't know what is up with me and these cliffhangers... but i do believe it is one of the reasons many of you guys are still sticking with
The next two chapters are continuation of Why?:Ichigo's Reason and pretty much everything gets revealed. I might be able to post them tomorrow or the day after.
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