N/A: Hello everyone. Nica-chan here (or whatever you want to call me though I prefer being called this.. or being called Nicaruu which is also my twitter username). I have a few more days before I start attending college and well I'm on the dental medicine course. Just saying.
Clearly, the above paragraph does not have anything to do about me writing a new fic and yes, neglecting my other fanfics. I stopped writing fanfics for about three years or two but this time I hope to start anew and so here's a new ByaRuki mushiness from me. I doubt this will be as good as the others out there, but people have different ways of writing, different methods of extending their thought and imagination to others. So I hope you guys bear with my still-as-crappy-as-ever type of writing and leave me some critics or reviews for improvement.
Also, regarding my other fanfics, I'm still contemplating on either deleting or continuing them seeing as no one will probably read them since they are all rusty due to the passage of time. But I'm still thinking so if I have more ideas, I'll update them one of these days.
Here's the first chapter. Enjoy!
The clatter of plates and the sound of gushing water can be heard in the entire household. It was not much of a house, just a simple apartment that contains a bedroom, a living room, a working kitchen and a good ol' bathroom. It was enough for one person or two and in her case, this was more than enough accommodation for a high school girl like her.
Placing the sponge on a little wooden compartment on the upper right side of the sink, she quickly washed the remaining plates before placing them on a basket-shaped container with a pink cloth on it. A cup and some spoons and forks were placed there, too.
I'll just leave these here. They'll be dry when I return home later.
In an instant, she went to the living room and grabbed her bag. Using her free hand, she brushed her hair to make the strands not stand out oddly. She reached for the door and put her black shoes on. She was about to leave when she remembered that she had forgotten to lock the door. She held the knob and secured it.
She started walking briskly and soon it turned into an all-out marathon run since she knew that the train would arrive soon and at this rate, she is liable to be left behind and it takes half an hour for a new train to arrive. Her apartment might be near the train station but her early morning activities of cooking and cleaning only leaves her ample amount of time to reach the station.
I should just try to wake up early. This just keeps happening. And it's my last year, too. I hate this.
"-leaving in 10 seconds. Everyone, please make sure to step behind the red line on the platform to avoid accidents."
"Ugh!" she responded angrily at the announcement as she pushed her way through the crowds of people walking here and there. She did not even look back to apologize to the elder people that she bumped to. She needs to board on that train and nothing else matters.
"- 8, 7, 6.."
The doors of the train were closing off and she knew she had to resort doing a simple trick to reach that damn entrance. In a quick moment, she took a huge jump, worried whether she reach the entrance or just end up ahead of the red platform line yet a few centimetres away from the closing doors. She closed her eyes and hoped for the first when she felt two arms grab her, touching her waist gently yet firmly.
"- 2, 1." A loud beep was heard as a signal for the train's departure.
"Whew," she breathed a sigh of relief. It was unbelievable how doing that crazy trick made her reach this one train. She swore to herself never to do it again because it could bring her to instant danger. Deep down, she was thankful for those arms that grabbed her.
"A-ah, uhmp.." She tried her best to turn around as to feel less pain if the passengers ever made contact with her body. But as usual, the train was insanely packed like any other day. It was useless to struggle for more space and luckily for her, she has a small body and someone could easily recognize her as a middle school girl. She was already sweating and she can feel her back and neck getting wet. Not only was the train packed, it was also hot and it bothered her a lot. At this rate, she would look so haggard once she enters her school.
Whatever. As if anyone would notice. No one would even bother talking to me since my last school year.
But the wet sensation bothers her and so she started fumbling around, trying to snatch her handkerchief inside her school bag. That's when she felt it. Someone was having the time of their life feeling a bit of her buttocks. Her eyebrows furrowed and yet she could not resist that move on her due to the sardine-like arrangement of people in the said train. She bowed her head in defeat as she try to shout or even say something to the one causing the assault on her. But she can't. For years, she had taken this train and no such thing ever happened, that is, until this cursed day.
She can't even speak out afraid that it would cause her embarrassment. The hand on her lower rear moved and she felt her skirt getting unzipped.
"Enjoying it, aren't ya, li'l lady?" she heard a whisper behind her. She could feel her tears threatening to fall as she bit her lower lip. This was too much for her. If only someone would come to help her but who?
"Well?" she heard that dirty whisper again. This time, she felt the hand tugging her skirt down slowly. Another hand was on her right thigh and she could feel it travelling up and down, as if to seduce her but all she felt was disgust and fear. She shut her eyes and thought of happy things but she couldn't. Not in this situation, maybe not even in this lifetime.
The ministrations on her thigh and buttocks came to a halt as she heard a slap from behind. It was as if she escaped a trance and the color went back to her body. She pulled her skirt up and zipped it. She could not even look at the perverted attacker or at her savior. She dare not turn around, scared of getting the spot light. She chose to stay in that very same position but now, with a hand on her behind.
"Are you hoping for more of those dirty holds on you?"
It was just a whisper but it gave her chills. If voices could be compared to flavours, then this one was surely on the minty section. It was a sentence spoken out nonchalantly but that kind of voice should not be missed out on. It was really appealing in some way and yet a bit forbidding. She did not know whether to look up at the owner of that husky whisper that almost brought a blush on her cheeks. All she did was shake her head, hoping for that person to understand that she would not welcome any other pervert.
"Good, then how about turning around so you could see the other passengers? It would be better than turning your back on them and anticipating another grabbing."
"A-ah, yes," she finally said. Her voice found its way back to her and she was glad for that. She turned around to thank the person when the train stopped and the doors opened. They were at the next station and she was glad for that. Since her school was just nearby, she could just walk or run (again) and she would be in time for her first class. But she felt a longing to thank that person.
"I-I just wanna say thank—"
She saw the people scurrying off here and there. Everybody's going about their own ways and she found it difficult to find the man who saved her. And yet the person she seeks was just the nearest one to her.
"—you."
The last thing she saw were the strands of long, black hair belonging to a man of astounding stature who was wearing a white long-sleeved top, dark brown pants and black shoes. And then the said man quickly stepped out and went to who knows where.
What a mystery. Long hair…
She dismissed her thought and started to run off to her school. Hopefully, she would be able to arrive before her first lecture starts.
"Would you look at that, there she is.. Finally had some courage to go back huh."
"If I were her, I would never step in this school again. Man, how bothersome."
"Hey, hold it in. She might hear, you know."
"Ah well isn't that my purpose.."
"Yeah, and anyway, wasn't it enough to do one bad thing before starting another? How great of her to do it twice!"
"And she still walks around as if she's some kind of lovely tramp or whatever."
"Anyway, I still think it's much better not to see her here ever again!"
Some girls were talking non-stop about her. I would stop going here, too. Only if this is not my chance for a better future you cheap talkers!
She tried to stop listening to their chatters about her. She tried to reason to herself that she was much better than them but it was true, everything they say hits her straight to the heart. Any more and she might just faint from the things they say. But she wouldn't, she decided to be strong. She wanted to start again.
She was surprised to see most of her old classmates in her homeroom. It was as if the teachers did not even bother thinking about re-sectioning the students.
She reached an empty seat at the back of the classroom. She decided to sit there for the rest of this year until she graduates. It was another seat away from the window and she could already feel the wind enter the room.
"Good morning everyone!" a sweet, chirpy voice chimed amidst the noisy class. A girl with huge melons entered the room. She was a new classmate. Her strawberry blond hair swayed with her every move. She was quite a tall one and almost looks like a goddess to all the other males in the room. Seeing as she knows nobody, she walked quite awkwardly at the back while the boys feast their eyes on her.
Everyone knew that she was going to take the empty desk beside the window when a girl suddenly pulled her and tried to talk to her.
"Orihime-chan! You can't sit there!"
"Why not?" she was dumb-founded at what she heard. The girl talking to her almost sweat dropped and found it difficult to answer. Instead, she persuaded Orihime to a corner.
"You can't sit beside that girl. She has a bad reputation. Moreover, she might take your boyfriend, you know! Or you'll end up being like her, like a sort of curse!" she was evidently trying to get Orihime to choose another seat but Orihime wanted to sit near the said girl.
"She couldn't be that bad", she kindly spoke.
"But you just can't!" The girl was desperately telling her to not put herself in trouble. And yet Orihime would not listen. Everyone in the class was equally appalled at her action but nobody dared to call her off.
"Is this seat taken?" she smiled vibrantly while asking the female beside the desk she had pointed out to.
"No", was the short reply.
"Oh, alright. I'll take this one then. Uhm, thank you so much uhh—"
Orihime tried to figure out the name of her seat neighbour. But her neighbour won't even look at her. She seems to be looking at the board or anything in front of her. That's when Orihime read the name stitched on her neighbor's bag. She faked a cough and repeated her words.
"Thank you so much, Shiba-san! Let's get along well from now on!"
That's when the girl beside her turned to look at her. "I might get your boyfriend though."
Orihime let out a cute laugh. She couldn't believe that her classmate would be so funny and serious at the same time. "But I don't even have one. And besides, why do you say that? I don't think you're a bad person.."
"Just saying. I thought you might be bothered by those rumors."
"No, of course not! Who am I to judge you anyway? Oh, also, you can call me Orihime."
"I already heard your name. Seems like all the guys have their eyes on you."
Another laugh from Orihime. "You're so funny Shiba-san! I'm just like any other girl you know."
The Shiba girl did not give out any reply after that. A pregnant pause filled the atmosphere and Orihime sadly turned away. She was wondering whether her seatmate thinks stupidly of her. Well, she can be a dunce at times without her knowing but at the same time, that's what makes her look so amiable to others. She decided to just silently observed the boring clouds when she heard an almost feather-like whisper.
"You can stop calling me Shiba... My name's Rukia."
Rukia let out a faint smile and Orihime was shocked to see her seriousness fade away. She smiled back in return before their homeroom teacher arrived, insisting that everyone be quiet and not speak a single word.
A few more minutes before the end of their last subject and Rukia could not hold back the eagerness to leave. One hand was already prepared to instantly unhook her bag from her desk and she kept on glancing to the door.
After some more dull words from the teacher, the bell rung and Rukia knew it's best to leave early. She had another matter to attend to. In her haste, she was undoubtedly the first to arrive out, and she was glad for that little accomplishment.
"Rukia-chan, wait for me!" She turned around and saw Orihime trying to catch up with her.
"What for? I have to go", came her smug reply.
"Eeh, can't we just go take a look at the faculty room? Didn't you hear our teacher's words? There's a new person in the facility! And it's a guy."
"So? Look, I have to leave now or else I won't be able to-"
"To what?"
"I have a part-time job, and it's been a while since I showed up so I have to make up for the times I was gone" Rukia spoke rather softly. She looked down as Orihime grasped on her wrist.
"Ah, oh. Oh! Okay then, go now Rukia. Uhm, do you best!" Orihime let go of Rukia's wrist and waved her friend goodbye.
Rukia started running off but she looked back and shouted to Orihime. "Thanks! See ya!"
"Excuse me. What did your classmate say about a part-time job?"
Orihime looked behind her and saw a tall man with extremely outstanding features and jet-black hair that reached a little past his shoulders.
"Uhh, it was uhm.. About Rukia's job?"
"Yes."
"Eeh.. well she did not specifically tell me where but she just told me she has one.."
The man did not respond and simply walked off. Orihime was left to think about who that person was. She was left a bit scared after their encounter. In the middle of her curious thoughts, she wondered if that man might harm her or Rukia.
"Woah Orihime-chan! What did the new teacher talk to you about?"
Orihime's eyes went a bit wider showing how surprised she was. So that man was the new teacher? And why does he have to ask her about Rukia? Do they have a sort of connection? As fas as she knew, they allow the students in their last year to take on part-time jobs so Rukia having a job isn't a bad thing. Most of them have part-time jobs since they are already about eighteen or nineteen years of age.
"So that was him! How cool. He seems quite scary though!" she nervously answered back her classmate.
"Well, yeah that's true. But you know what, seems like he's from a notable family line or something. He's a grand person so isn't it a bother for him to teach here?"
"Why? What's his name anyway?"
"You don't know! He's called Byakuya Kuchiki. I'm surprised you don't know him. They even said he saved a sexually-harassed student this morning."
"What a great guy!" Orihime brightly replied to her classmate before waving them off good bye. Her thoughts were killing her and she wanted to let Rukia know that the new teacher was asking about her.
As she was walking out of the school building, she couldn't help thinking about Rukia. She was somewhat strange but her company was good enough for Orihime. What were their classmates saying about her? Rukia, a bad person? How come? She could not even think of other ways to see her in that light. She was nice to her and yet she could feel that Rukia was keeping something deep inside her. She wanted to ask her so much, wanted to know things about her. But she was afraid she might hurt Rukia's feelings.
Well, it's just day one and I'm sure we can talk about heaps of stuff the next days! Orihime decided to push away her doubts and to just think positively. Besides, it's better to wait than keep on pushing someone.
She was walking rather slowly when she saw a boy she recognized a lot. From the hair to the way he wore clothes, Orihime could spot this person anywhere.
He has short bluish hair that stands out from all the crowds. He was taller than Orihime and he was wearing a green shirt with different words written on it like a sort of logo. He has several black bracelets on his right wrist and a gold watch on the other. Besides that, he has a golden chain necklace on. His pants were buckled securely with a rather large golden brown belt. As for his shoes, he was wearing a pair of neat converse given to him by Orihime.
Orihime ran to the guy and gave him a hug. "Grimmjow!"
He, in turn, embraced back the girl before they start walking off and talking about all sorts of things.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble, but I'll be working here again. Thank you for this chance Urahara-san", Rukia bowed as she spoke with the shop manager.
The manager let out a small laugh. "No problem Rukia. I'll be honoured to welcome you anytime, my dear. Now go and wear your uniform. We don't want the customers waiting, right?"
At that, Rukia scampered away to another room. After a few minutes, she came out wearing a cute maid costume. It's not as if she was working in a maid café. It was just a simple sweets shop but the manager insisted on his employees to wear such type of clothing. The men employees were required to wear butler suits. The manager sure has an odd taste..
Rukia walked out and reached the counter. She saw her best friend reading a magazine as he waited for customers to pay.
"Oh, Rukia! Good to see ya back!" he grinned.
"Right, so what am I supposed to do now Ichigo?"
The boy then rummaged around for a box and held it out to Rukia.
"Here", he said. "You can give these out to the passers-by before the end of your shift."
Rukia opened the box and took a few coupon-like flyers. "Sure. Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
She was about to go when she noticed a certain person missing in the picture. "Where's Renji? I thought for sure I'd see him here today."
Ichigo looked at her before answering. "Well... He called in sick, that's what I heard from the manager. Wanna go see him?"
"Hmm.. Maybe, maybe not. I'll think about it later after my shift."
"Aah whatever. Now get going, do your job!" Ichigo laughed as he spoke.
"What the-! I could certainly tell you the same thing! Better get off that magazine before the line starts." Rukia looked around at the customers who were busy picking out chocolates and candies.
"Yeah, yeah."
Rukia turned to the door and walked out. She stood in front of the shop and handed the flyers to the people passing by. Some girls would stop and look at her, some would even take their pictures with her, thinking that she was in some sort of play or something all the while making her job easier to pass out the papers. At some point, a few boys would go and gaze at her longingly. Rukia suddenly remembered the incident this morning.
Deep in her thoughts, she wondered just who the man who saved her might be. Moreover, the person who pulled her in the train was still a mystery to her. So much for today. But I'm glad to be back here. Working had always made me feel at ease more than when I'm in school.. Oh but today I made a friend and she's really nice..
Rukia couldn't help but smile at the thought of her friend. The one called Orihime. She was such a nice girl and Rukia couldn't believe she would even approach a girl like her.
As she was deliberately trying to think of other things, she did not even feel the touch of someone on her shoulder.
"Do you remember me?"
That was when she froze. She heard that person's voice again. That's right. The one who saved her this morning. She slowly moved to a better position until she had a good view of that person. As she thought, not only was his back view attractive. Just the sight of his stoic face could leave you in a desirable daze. That was uncalled for, and Rukia couldn't stop staring at the man's misty grey eyes. His was the face of an angel, if ever angels exist, she thought. But Rukia knew that what she was seeing was better than any angel. His defined jawline, chiselled nose, unfaltering stare and lovely lips did nothing to suppress Rukia's longing of knowing more about him. Her mouth was left gaping and she does not even know what to say. But what she knew was that she definitely looked dumber than any animal by the minute.
"Pardon me but you have yet to answer me, Rukia Shiba, if I'm right." And his voice. It was so delightful to hear his deep voice. It was void of any feeling but Rukia wants to hear him speak again. She specifically wants him to say her name once more.
That's when her logic kicked in. Why is she getting carried away by this person? What if he's not a good guy in any way and she might be mistaking him for someone else?
"A-ah," she stuttered. "Who are you? I'm sorry. Oh and also, would you mind taking a flyer?"
Rukia could not believe she was actually blushing in all this.
"No need. I shall wait for you for the time being then."
Before she could respond, the said man already entered the shop and had already taken position on a comfortable couch near the glass wall wherein he could clearly see Rukia.
Rukia was too confused to say anything at all but after everything, she still hoped to finish her job for tonight so she could know more about this sudden turn of events. Besides that, that enigma of a person suddenly dashed out of the blue, all the more giving her an excuse to be interested in him. Why would this person be waiting for her? Heck, she was yet to know his name.
She glanced back to the throng of people passing here and there and tried to suppress her agitation over the earlier matter.
Still, isn't this too odd? And to think that he even knows my name. Should I be scared or-?
A/N: Oh well, was that enough for a first chapter? I promise to do more soon since I really like how I started this fanfic. Anyhow and anyway, I just got to apologize if I made anyone here so out-of-character. I will try to avoid this in my future chapters so I hope you will continue reading this. And frankly speaking, this might just be the longest chapter I've written.
I will then be waiting for your reactions. See ya next chapter! :)