Continued
Ichigo knew Byakuya's name because Rukia told him a lot about her life, and most of it involved her noble, foster brother. The next day, after finding out about his visit, Ichigo was busy searching online about Byakuya and his business trip to Karakura. He phoned Ikkaku and Yumichika to help him find out where the older man was staying at. Ichigo didn't know until now how great it was to have friends that made regular trips to the police station for their internship, and how they could easily hack into the computers.
Byakuya was enjoying his breakfast in a hotel suite when a phone call came. "Hello?'
"Kuchiki-sama? A man wishes to speak to you. He is here in the lobby."
Byakuya knew that he didn't have any meetings today so thought this was strange. "Did he give you his name?"
"No sir," the lobbyist responded, "but he mentioned the name 'Rukia,' saying you'll understand."
And understand he did.
"Send him up."
Byakuya hanged up the phone and sat in his office, waiting for the mysterious man to show up to talk about his sister.
He heard a knock. "Come in," he coldly replied. He stood up and was slightly taken back (although he hid it very well) by the appearance of a teenager with orange hair, walking into his room. "May I help you?" he asked.
Ichigo walked up to the tall man with long black hair. He took in one long breath and bowed almost 90 degrees. "Konnichiwa. Watashi Kurosaki Ichigo desu," he said, "I'm the man Rukia is currently living with."
He swore that he could hear a pin drop from the other room. That's how silent Rukia's brother was.
Then, as soon as Ichigo stood up straight, Byakuya grabbed one of his wooden swords and brought it down at the citrus head.
"WOAH!" Ichigo cried as he clapped his hands together and stopped the weapon before it could hit him. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!"
"How dare you violate my sister," Byakuya spoke in a threatening voice.
"I didn't do anything to her!" Ichigo lied (to save his ass, none the less… but who wouldn't at this point?), "She just lives with me and my family sinceYume-san was still alive!"
Byakuya slowly retracted his sword and sat down. "Yume-san?" He asked in a calm, yet cold voice.
Ichigo let out a sigh of relief and sat in front of him. "Yes. Yume-san was a nice old lady who couldn't pay the rent of her house. So I agreed to take them in because she had been kind to me. AND I was the only one that she could depend on."
"Then why are you here? Surely you should know that now that Yume-san had passed away, Rukia should return home," Byakuya said.
Ichigo shook his head. "I promised Yume-san that I'll take care of Rukia. And I'm planning on upholding the words I gave to the woman on her deathbed." Ichigo glared at Byakuya, no longer afraid of the emotionless man in front of him.
Byakuya was still having a hard time believing the teenager in front of him (and oh! how right he is). But he didn't feel like asking anymore of Rukia's reason for staying at his house. Instead, he wanted to know his reasons. "Then what is your intention for my sister?"
"Huh?"
"Surely there must be a reason as to why you agreed to Yume-san's request."
Ichigo stared back at Byakuya as he gathered his strength to answer him. "I love her."
"…" Byakuya was able to maintain his cool but his insides were exploding. "And why might your love for my sister do for her? Is she even aware of your feelings?"
Ichigo shook his head. "I haven't told her yet… but that doesn't mean that I can't take care of her—"
"And just how does your love for my sister be enough to provide for her?" Byakuya interrupted, "Do you even know what you're going to do after you graduate from high school?"
Ichigo didn't say anything. He really haven't thought much about the future because he was always busy thinking about the present.
Noticing the silence Byakuya nodded his head. "Just as I suspected. There is nothing you can do for my sister. Thus she has no reason to stay. Afterall, it seems that she doesn't think of you the same way."
Don't mention Takeshi. Don't mention Takeshi. Don't mention Takeshi. Ichigo kept chanting in his head.
"Kozo," Byakuya leaned forward, "Tell me. Do you have a plan to provide for my sister?"
"Not at the moment—"
"Then don't think you have a say in my sister's life."
"Then I'll prove to you that I can take care of her!" Ichigo slammed both fists on the table and glared at Byakuya.
"How?"
"I'll go to a good university and get a job that can provide for her," Ichigo smirked.
"… Can you prove this to me in a few years?"
"Yeah. Give me at least ten years—"
"Five—"
"What? It takes four years to finish college—"
"Fine, six then—"
"Seven!" Ichigo stood up, "That's my final offer."
"Deal," Byakuya stood up and held out his arm. Ichigo took it and shook it.
He turned around to leave when Byakuya called out to him.
"Do this without my sister's knowledge."
"What?"
Byakuya walked to the window. "I'm serious. Leave this town and look for a better place that'll provide a better source of education and career. And if in seven years my sister continues to wait for you, then I'll accept your importance in her life."
"You mean… stay away from her for seven full years? Are you nuts?" Ichigo couldn't believe his ears.
"Are you not up to the challenge?"
Ichigo had to think about this. If he agreed, then not only was he leaving Rukia, but his father, his sisters… and not to mention his son! But the very fact that Byakuya was trying to persuade him to back down made him want to play the game.
"If not, then I shall take my sister home with me—"
"Just a second," Ichigo interrupted, "… Do I have to answer you now?"
Byakuya looked at Ichigo's reflection from the window. "… Then I shall await your answer. Contact me through this number," he handed Ichigo a business card that had a private number on the back, "Make a decision by next week."
Ichigo took the card and without another word left the room.
"Ichigo? Where have you been?"
Ichigo looked up and saw Rukia standing by the stairs with a sleepy Takeshi in her arms. He smiled. "Nowhere really. Where's everyone else?"
"They all went camping," she replied as she handed Takeshi over to Ichigo, "They're going to be gone for a week. We were supposed to go too, but because you were out Takeshi and I decided to stay here."
"I see," Ichigo whispered as he walked up the stairs with Takeshi.
Rukia held the door open for Ichigo as he walked into Takeshi's room and set him on the bed. When they walked out Ichigo grabbed her wrist and walked into his room.
"What is it this time?" Rukia complained.
Ichigo grabbed her by the shoulder and held her at arms length, staring straight into her violet eyes. "Do you like it here?"
"Nani?"
"Do you like living here with me and my family?"
Rukia looked at him with confusion. She placed one of her hands against his forehead. "Are you okay?"
"Just answer the damn question, bitch!"
She slapped him with the hand that was already on his forehead. "Don't curse at me when I'm trying to show you some form of sympathy."
Ichigo sighed. He pushed himself away from Rukia to lie on his bed. Rukia watched him and lied next to him, both looking up at the ceiling.
"You know very well that I love it here."
Ichigo smirked.
A/N: Silly Ichigo. Well, now you know why Ichigo left, but the next chapter (end of the three part special) tells you how he makes the final decision. WARNING: maybe some lime... or lemon. Depending whether or not I'm in a perverted mood, lol
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