Against All Odds

Rated: T for Mild Language, Moderate Violence and Humour.

Summary:

She had everything; Fame, fortune and the perfect boyfriend. She thought she had it all until she met the orange-haired boy who's life she'd change drastically and in the process, change hers as well.

Pairing: Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki.

Prologue

I never asked god that I wanted someone like him. I never asked God to bring him into my life either. Seriously, he just appeared before me, just like that. I didn't know what this man was going to bring to my life at the time, but never would I have imagined that he would be the one to bring me up and tear me down so easily. Never would I have thought that he would be the one that would eventually find me. And never had I thought that he'd be the one to change me like this.

I tapped the window sill, impatiently waiting for our arrival. The dress I wore made it all the more irritating. A simple black number, not too fancy for a movie premiere If I do say so myself. Though I would've preferred it if this outfit wasn't giving me such an excruciating itch.

"You really didn't need to bring me." I admitted, half feeling sorry for myself.

The man beside me raised a brow before closing his eyes and relaxing his shoulders. "Don't be stupid, you need every amount of experience you can get." I groaned, folding my arms across my chest. "Well, you could've at least asked the maids to choose a more comfortable outfit." He examined me, scrutinizing my dress.

"I don't see what the problem is, it looks perfectly fine."

"Hey, don't trust your eyes. It's lying to you. This thing's squeezing every ounce of breath I have in me."

"Rukia," he began, giving me another one of his, 'you're-not-a-child-anymore-so-quit-acting-line-one' looks and continued, "This is the proper attire for an event such as the one we're attending to. What did you expect? Sweat pants and a singlet?" I gave my brother a deadly glare before slumping in my seat. We sat in silence as the limo driver carefully steered the wheel.

Byakuya Kuchiki is my older brother.

Though I'm pretty sure the whole of Japan is aware of that fact. He adopted me quite a few years back, I found out he was the man who married my sister, Hisana Kuchiki. She was killed by a gang of thugs who demanded her to tell them Byakuya's bank password. Pretty stupid, but that's just how the world goes. My brother is one of the top earning men in Japan, being an actor, singer, director and owning one of the biggest enterprises in the country, one wouldn't be surprised. He's been a household name for the past ten years, being pulled into the life of publicity at the age of seventeen.

And I've been following in his footsteps.

It was decided that when I turned the age of seventeen, like Byakuya, I would be brought into the limelight. Currently, I'm now known as the teenager dominating the music industry, no longer known as the little sister of one of Japan's leading men. Truthfully, sometimes I seriously loathe the amount of attention I get. I can't even go to a ramen store without being hoarded by the paparazzi. It's quite annoying really. Though, even though I might not admit it half the time…..

I couldn't help but feel as if do I'm missing something in life.

"We're here."

I unbuckled my seat belt and looked out the window. My eyes did a double take as the crowd outside the cinema seemed to be the whole of Japan crammed into one area. Byakuya's movie premiere looks hectic, and I seriously can't wait to see the crowd's reaction the minute he steps out the door.

"Are you coming?"

I looked up to see Byakuya staring at me over his shoulder, already halfway opening the door. I give a smile, "Yeah I am." He nodded, soon he opened the limousine's door and the crowd went wild. I gave a slight smirk before following him, flashing a huge grin for tomorrow's papers.

Byakuya sighed as I began to huff my way to the house entrance; I banged the door open before throwing my coat onto the hanger. The movie premiere was a little too much for me to handle. Besides the fact that countless immature wolf whistles was hurled at me from the crowd, the movie was overall quite good. That is, it was good until some fan girl started throwing herself at my brother. How annoying is that? When people are trying to watch a rather entertaining movie and some broad starts making such a big fuss over the lead actor? She even had the nerve to asked for my autograph as well. Seriously, old people these days.

"Do you smell that?" asked Byakuya, sniffing the air.

I soon realized a rather horrid smell swirling my senses, "Yeah, it smells like it's coming from the kitchen."

I made my way down the hall, Byakuya close behind me. Soon after passing by countless of rooms, I finally find the kitchen. Byakuya steps forward, making a hand movement which tells me to go behind him. I followed his instructions before peering over his shoulder (on my toes of course, the height difference between us is too embarrassing to explain) and he turned the knob before giving it a slight push. My eyes widened as we soon were engulfed in smoke, steaming out from the room. We start coughing, our eyes soon beginning to water. "What the- What's going on in here?" Byakuya demanded, coughing in between his sentence. I shook my head, closing my eyes tight from preventing anymore smoke to meet them. Soon, the smoke cleared, revealing a red haired man standing in the midst of all this, his face blackened.

"Renji, what do you think you're doing?"

He gave a slight pause before turning to me. His face lit up he gave a smile, revealing the only white part I could see, his teeth.

"Ah! Hey Rukia! Well, I was planning on cooking you a meal in celebration of you going for your first movie premiere and all but the results…" He frowned before stepping to the side, revealing something which I was pretty sure wasn't anything that might have been alive.

"It's supposed to be a lasagna." He admitted in a bashful tone.

I had to suppress my laughter, staring at the oven for a few seconds before running towards him. I threw my arms around him and smirked.

"That's so sweet, goofy-tattooed-eyebrows-man."

"No, it's not. It looks like I've killed a chicken and burnt it. How can you possibly be happy?"

My eyebrows furrowed, "Of course I'm happy. Usually men are total insensitive baboons who don't even think twice on celebrating something their girlfriend has achieved. So I'm pretty glad you're not one of them." He smiled. Byakuya made his way to the dining table, "Yeah that while destroying a rather important part of her house." He deadpanned. Renji laughed, "Aw, come one Byakuya! You're so rich; I bet you could afford seven more of these rooms!" The oldest amongst us all made a small grunt sound before making his way out the kitchen. I looked back at Renji in dismay before removing my hands from his neck.

"I think you've pissed him off."

"What? That easily? I wasn't planning to piss him off until later today."

"Very funny, now shut up and help clean up this mess." I threw a towel at him which he caught.

"Seriously, you're brother's so easy to tick off, it's like he PMS's or something."

"Hey," I get up, placing my hands on my hips, "that brother of mine is the one giving you a home and a job, mind you."

Renji stopped, pursing his lips. "You're right."

Renji and I have been dating for the past six months. We've known each other far longer than that. Much farther. Our parents were close friends, when mine died; I was forced into the orphanage. He would come by with his parents every once in awhile to visit, then Byakuya adopted me. We still stayed in touch; soon he began rebelling against his mum and dad, tattooing his eyebrows and staying out later than his usual curfew. Finally, a really intense fight ensued and Renji left. He asked Byakuya if he could stay with us which he agreed to. My brother's always had this interest in Renji; he thinks he's a pretty good kid. Soon Byakuya gave Renji a job under his company. Not so sure on what, I've never really bothered to ask. He asked me out about a few months later and I accepted. We've been dating ever since.

"I'm going to go and shower."

He nodded at me; I ran up the flight of stairs and made my way down the corridor. I reached my room in a matter of seconds before opening the door. I grabbed a T-shirt with the words 'Death God' on it with denim shorts. I went into my bathroom, turning on the shower and stepping into it after removing my clothes. I felt a wave of shock as the hot water rinsed itself onto my body, the thought of missing something in my life still pondering itself. After a good scrub I came out, drying myself down with a towel. As soon as I had finished changing I opened the door to be greeted by a calm and collected voice.

"You know Rukia, your bunny obsession is staring to seriously creep me out." Said the boy, lying down on my bed, flipping through one of my sketchbooks.

"Seriously Tōshirō? Again? Has anyone ever told you that people expect you to come into their room by invitation?" He shrugged one shoulder before sitting up against the headboard, placing my sketchbook onto the bedside table.

"How was the premiere?"

"Crazy."

"Define crazy."

"Ok," I started, sitting down next to him, "Boys kept checking me out, pedophiles even. The movie was ok, and then some slut started disrupting the movie and flirting with my brother. Which she epically failed at by the way." Tōshirō sighed.

"Old people these days."

"My thoughts exactly."

We sit in silence for a while. Not saying a word to one another. After a few moments Tōshirō broke the silence.

"So what's on your mind today?" he asked casually.

"Hmm?" Well he pretty much caught me off guard with that.

"You seem to be thinking about something. What are you thinking about?"

"Well," I sighed, "nothing much. Just…. Do you ever get the feeling that you're missing something in life?" He paused, no longer twirling one of my mechanical pencils.

"Sorry?"

"You know, like… you're not complete?"

He sat up, eyeing me. "Well… No, I haven't. In fact I've never actually thought about that. Why, do you?" This question. I knew he was going to ask me that.

"Well, I'm not sure, I mean, my life's great. I've got everything, fame, fortune, great friends," -He smiled at this- "So I don't think anyone in the right mind would actually think that. But… I can't help but feel that I am." Tōshirō gave a small snort, resting his right arm on his raised leg.

"If you really do feel that way about your life, then what's the point of insisting its perfect?"

This question makes me think. Why do I do that?

If you'd asked me about a year ago on whom Tōshirō Hitsugaya was, I would've guessed that he was some actor or celebrity. But now, that's far from any answer I would've given. He and I met in Ice sculpting class. Despite him being a rather tough looking guy (Minus his height) he actually had a talent for sculpting ice, a hobby he and I both share. Many people wouldn't actually be surprised by the fact that we're best friends, we both have so many things in common it's hard to list out any similarities we don't have.

Besides that fact that we're both the opposite sex of course.

After his grandmother died, Hinamori went back living with her parents who hated her, but she hadn't had much of a choice. He was left alone, so me being the ever so generous person that I am, I suggested to my ever so wonderful brother for him to allow Tōshirō to stay with us. He agreed, surprisingly. Though he never fails to mutter on how his house is close to being an orphanage for deranged teenage boys. We both jump as a phone ringing echoes through the room. I reach across my table for my IPhone. Tōshirō looked over my shoulder as I switched the screen on, only to be greeted by a rather drunk looking woman, stumbling out of a pub. The words 'Drunk Goddess' were flashing on the screen. I picked up.

"Hello?"

"RUKIA KUCHIKI GET YOUR ASS TO THE PUB DOWNTOWN! RIGHT. NOW."

"Good evening to you too, Rangiku."

"Please," she begged, "I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown here!" I gave a sigh.

"I'll be right over."

I hung up the phone; Tōshirō raised an eyebrow, "Matsumoto hopelessly drunk and demanding your presence?" I nodded. "I'm coming with you."

"What? Why? You're not my brother."

"I don't trust you, let alone Matsumoto, alone by yourself. Surrounded by men, DRUNK men."

"Wow, talk about overprotective much."

He gave a groan.

"I'll meet you down in five minutes."

The minute Tōshirō opened the doors to the pub downtown, we were greeted by an ear piercing caterwaul, obviously by none other than my drunken manager.

"Ichimaru." Said Hitsugaya, making his way to Rangiku.

He was probably right; most of the time when Rangiku was high on sake is because:

A) I've lost an acting or singing part.

B) She's been given a parking ticket for the fifth time that week.

C) Ichimaru left her again.

Most of the time it's always C.

"Rangiku? Are you okay?" I asked, approaching the strawberry blonde in a red sleeveless dress, wailing away.

"No! Can't you tell? It's because of that s-stupid f-fox faced freak!" Me and Tōshirō switch awkward glances before sitting on opposite sides of her.

"What happened this time?" he asked while I asked the bartender for two soft drinks.

"T-the stupid c-cretin! W-we got into this fight last night about him w-working so much and this morning, I e-expected him to be lying next t-to me with such a sorry-assed face but instead I wake up to f-find some note on his p-pillow about him leaving for a Europe tour for five months! Apparently t-there's this HUGE story t-that he has to cover for an article he's been asked to do." Her lip began to tremble; soon she continued her wail fest which me and Tōshirō groaned at.

Ichimaru and Rangiku have been dating for two whole years now, and most of the time it consists of him leaving her for some big news article he as to work on for a newspaper company he's working at.

"See? What did I tell you? The guy's a total jerk. No one listens to me just because I'm short." Tōshirō mumbled, but no one seemed to be listening to him.

"Yo, don't tell me Gin left again."

The three of us turned to see Izuru, Ishida and Hisagi standing behind us. Ishida pushed the rim of his glasses and shrugged.

"Of course, that's just about the only reason Miss Rangiku cries about."

Hisagi gave Ishida a quick jab in the rib, preventing him from going any further. Izuru, being Ichimaru's assistant, took a seat next to Rangiku after I had stood up.

"Don't cry Miss Rangiku," said Izuru, patting her on the back, "why don't we just have a quick drink to get your mind off of things."

This seemed to have worked for the busty figured woman sat up, wiping a tear from her eye. "You're right; I just need to cool off now." We gave a quick sigh of relief. I turned and made my way out the door, wanting to take a quick breather.

As I stood outside, I watched the cars zoom by, one after another. My hands in my jacket pocket.

"Hey."

I gave the man next to me a quick glance before looking back at the cars.

"Hey."

Hisagi shrugged his shoulders, "It's pretty cold today, ain't it?" I gave a small nod. "Yeah, something I seriously could've done without." He smiled. We stood in silence for a couple of moments.

"You really should tell her you know."

"Excuse me?"

"You know, your feelings. You should really tell Rangiku your feelings for her."

I don't have feelings for her."

"Oh you so do. Don't deny it." I countered.

"Well, even if I did…" he shrugged, "There's no way she'd actually return them. She's too into him."

"So? You saw her; you're a much better guy for her than he is."

He made a sound which I couldn't make out. A mix between a grumble and a sarcastic guffaw. Our conversation was cut short as Izuru poked his head out of the door.

"Um, Kuchiki? Hisagi? We kind of need your help, Miss Rangiku's currently hugging the life out of Hitsugaya and she's refusing to let go."

We both switch awkward glances before heading back inside.

"CURSE HIM! CURSE HIM AND EVERYTHING HE'S EVER TOUCHED!" shrieked Rangiku, pounding the table.

"Yeah! Yeah! Curse him for leaving us!" yelled Izuru in agreement, his cheeks flushed. Me, Ishida and Tōshirō watched as the other three were unmistaken ably drunk, hollering so many thing for the human ear to process.

"Um, guys? I don't mean to sound like a bore but can we all go home?" asked Ishida, his eyelids drooping.

"Yeah, It's twelve in the morning, we're not as old as you other guys yet you know. You're all like, ten years older than us." Yawned Tōshirō, resting his head on the counter.

"My brother will freak out if I'm not back in ten minutes. Can't we just go home?" I asked, half asleep myself.

It took us at least a few minutes to convince the others to go home. I watched as they stumbled out the door, all holding on to each other while singing Aud Lang Syne. Tōshirō and Ishida decided that if they let the three go home without anyone stable to guide them; they'd all probably end up in the obituaries in tomorrow's papers. I nodded, Tōshirō told me to meet him back home. We parted ways. As I made my way down the street, I sang my song that was currently at the top of the charts.

hontou no tsuyosa wo;

mitsumeru yowasa ni;

hibiku subete wo misukasu koe;

shizunda keshiki wo;

kono sode de nugui;

koe wo nazotte arukidashita;

I stopped as I heard painful gags and coughs coming from an alley. I turned towards it, there, lying in the shadows was a boy, bloodied with bruises all over.

Kawarazu.

A boy with bright orange hair.

Chapter one! I'm sorry if that was a slow chapter! But it's the prologue, what can you expect? Anyways, the song Rukia sang at the end was her very own song titled 'Echo', an Ichiruki song in the Bleach Beat album :D Hope you enjoyed, I'll try my best to keep you entertained! But for now, R&R, 'cuz you know it loves you ;D