Bleach: Manipulated Fate- Chapter 2

Chapter 2
“KUROSAKI! Wait up!” Orihime Inoue yells to his schoolmate, Ichigo Kurosaki.

“What is it, Inoue?” Asks Ichigo as he walks past the school yard, heading in the direction of his house.

“Oh…It’s nothing, I just wanted to see if you wanted to walk home together.” Orhime states.
“I’ve got no problem with that, but what about Tatsuki?” Asks Ichigo.

“Oh she has her training with the dojo.” Orhime walks aside with her close friend.

The walk together between the two was rather silent for the most part. Ichigo wanted to ask Orihime if she still was suffering mentally from the incident with the Fullbringers but he felt it would have been best to bring up that subject at a more appropriate time.

“So how are Yuzu and Karin doing? Orhime tries to come up with a subject to break the awkward silence.

“Their holding up rather well, they are excited especially Yuzu. She is enjoying that I’ve been able to be home more often. I can’t complain either. So much has gone on these past couple of months.” Ichigo begins to think of Rukia and how she appeared before him when he was at his worst. Being betrayed by Kugo Ginjo and feeling a sense of helplessness that no words could describe. How she saved and helped him restore his Shinigami powers.

“So Kurosaki, what do you think Rukia has been up too? You think she will come back to see us soon?” Asks Orhime.

Ichigo takes a moment to think of Rukia. Despite her small stature, Ichigo couldn’t help but feel like Rukia was like a big sister to him. But deep down he felt something more.

Ever since he saved her from death when he first invaded Soul Society, he always felt more at ease with himself with her around. At times he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

He tried to shrug it off but his connection with her seemed to be something more than just friendship. As he looked at Orhime, he couldn’t muster any words that would come off as normal. He wanted to see her again but at the same time he didn’t have any idea how he would react if he saw her again, which made him feel uncomfortable on the inside.

“You look so cute, Rukia! I’m glad my dress fits you. It doesn’t exactly fit me anymore.” Yuzu states as she pours some lemonade for her sister, Rukia, and herself.

“So, how long are you exactly going to be here for?” Karin states as takes a seat on the dining room chair, relieved that her day of school was over with.

“Rukia took a moment to look at Karin, while she wasn’t fully aware about her real identity; she understood that Kisuke had told her a few things about what Ichigo did during his time off from school.

“HOW CAN YOU SAY SUCH A THING? RUKIA IS AN HONORED GUEST OF OURS! She can stay as long as she wants!” Isshin states as she pat’s Karin’s head rather hard.

“I hope you are not thinking of anything perverted, old man.” Karin takes the glass of lemonade handed to her by Yuzu before exiting to her room.

Isshin gives off a shocked look that was obviously not serious.

“She’s just worried about Ichigo’s well-being.” Rukia states while giving off a warm smile.
“Speaking of which, Big brother, should be on his way home from school.” Yuzu states as she hands Rukia her glass of lemonade.

Rukia gives Yuzu a nod of thanks before  heading off into the hallway.

“I’ll be in shortly, feel free to make yourself home!” Yuzu states as she heads to wash up some of the dishes.

Isshin simply smirks to himself, he decided that he wasn’t needed at the moment and started walking to his office to works on some of his paperwork regarding the clinic.

Rukia put her hand on the door handle, but before turning it, she turned her head towards Ichigo’s room.

“It won’t hurt anyone if I were to just take a look.” Rukia walks towards Ichigo’s door and opens slowly. She knew that no one was inside but she was still cautious.

“It’s been a while…”Rukia takes her time to browse around her friend’s room. She takes a moment to look at the closet she resided back when she first resided in the Kurosaki residence.

“I would love to stay here again. Just for old times’ sake.” Rukia Begins to walk around the bedroom before her eyes focused on Ichigo’s drawers.

She found herself standing right next to it. She felt conflicted for what she was about to do. She quickly turned her head just to make sure that no one was around before opening one of the drawers.

“So this is Ichigo’s…”Rukia begins to blush slightly as she holds up a pair of the substitute shinigami’s boxers.

“AHH! What am I doing!?” I’m acting weird. I’m out of here!” Rukia quickly places the boxers back into its original resting place before quickly exiting the room.

Rukia begins to slap both her cheeks a bit before returning to Yuzu’s room and letting the front of her body hit the soft mattress in front of her.

“What am I doing here? I may be in charge of this district but it doesn’t mean I have to stay here and be a bother to Ichigo and his family.

Rukia began to think of the moment when she pierced him with the sword of Reiatsu which helped reclaim his shinigami powers.

“He looked so fragile, like a lost child.” Rukia mutters to himself as she turns her body so her view was directed towards the ceiling.

Rukia began to feel guilty, after reappearing before his friend, she wanted so much to hug him tightly and let him know that he wasn’t alone but she couldn’t. She wasn’t in the position or mindset to do something that was out of character for her especially with some many others looking on. She could only do what came normal to her; she dropkicked him in the face.

“I’m such a fool.” Rukia states with a smirk as places left arm over her eyes.

After waiving his goodbyes to Inoue, Ichigo resumed on his path to his house, with the sun beginning to set, his thought process began focus on what he was going to have for dinner and before he knew it he found himself outside his front door.

“I’m home.” Ichigo slowly walks inside the house; he could smell the aroma of something delicious being cooked. He knew it was Yuzu’s doing; only she could conjure something that could excite his taste buds.

“Welcome home big brother!” Yuzu turned her attention from the oven to see her older sibling walking in the kitchen.

“How was your day, Yuzu? Ichigo grabs an empty cup and pours himself a cold glass of water.

“Oh you know… the same!” Ichigo could tell that Yuzu was joking around. Her cheerful smile and attitude could always brighten his mood no matter how dreary his day was.

“I’m going to change. I’ll be back to help prepare the supper. Tell the old man to get his butt off the computer.” Ichigo states as he takes the glass of water off to his room.

“Hmm, I knew there was something important I was going to say to big brother… What was it?” Yuzu states before noticing that the pasta she was making was beginning to smoke.

“A perfect masterpiece!” Rukia states as she puts down one of her crayon like drawings.

“I guess I should change, it’s starting to get dark out. Rukia states as she begins to strip herself of the sundress she was wearing.

As he entered his room, Ichigo took notice that the light to Yuzu’s room was still on. He put his school bag into his room before walking towards his younger sister’s room to turn off the light since it didn’t serve any purpose being on at the moment.

As he turned the doorknob, he took a large gulp of water but it quickly spewed out of his mouth at what he was just witnessing.

As she was just about to put on a night shirt, Rukia turned her head slightly to see what the noise was.

“Ichigo!” Rukia states with a surprised look.

…Ruk…RUKIA!...”Ichigo was coughing pretty badly since he accidently breathed in some of the water.

It felt like an eternity for Rukia as she kept her focus on Ichigo who was coughing up bits of water. But her attention quickly turned to her appearance, finding out she was wearing nothing than the undergarments she had on.

“You…YOU…IDIOT!” With her quick reflexes, Rukia quickly drop kicks Ichigo which sent a roaring sound throughout the house.

“Oh that’s right! Big Brother, Rukia has come back and will be staying with us for a while.” Yells Yuzu.

“Ugh, thanks for the heads up.” Ichigo tries to regain his composure after the force of Rukia’s attack sent him hurling into the wall.

Ichigo looks up to find that Yuzu’s door was closed. He took the opportunity to stand up on his feet. But as soon as he did, the door quickly opened with Rukia standing in front of him wearing a pair of blue pajamas that had the pictures of rabbits on them.

“WHAT do you think you were doing, pervert!” Rukia states as she looks up to the Orange haired boy with a furious look on her face.

“How was I supposed to know you were here!? Also there is a lock on the door, feel free to use it next time, ugh.” Ichigo walks past the girl into his room while holding the back of his head.

“What’s all the noise, jeez I’m studying here. Karin opens the door to her room see Ichigo walking into his room with Rukia standing firm with her arms crossed.

“I probably shouldn’t ask.” Karin raises her left eyebrow before heading out of her room and then into the kitchen.

“That’s some way to say hello. Then again that’s how you always are.” Ichigo put’s his jacket away before taking a seat on his bed.

“It’s not my fault that you’re a peeping tom!” Rukia states she walks over to where Ichigo was, with her hands on her waist.

“Heh…It’s still good to see you again…Rukia.” Ichigo states as he tries to change the subject.

“Well…Umm…It’s…I’m glad to be back.” Rukia turns her body away from Ichigo as her faces blushes a bit.

“So what exactly brings you back? I hope it’s nothing serious. I don’t think I’m ready for anything like the Espada or Fullbringers.” Ichigo states

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ve been reassigned to this district. And besides the usual Hollow activity, there is nothing out of the ordinary going on.” Rukia states as she keeps her back to Ichigo.

“Is that so? The Gotei thirteen still don’t think of me as a threat?” Asks Ichigo.

“Of course not! What would make you think that?” Rukia turns her body so her eyesight was on Ichigo’s.

“Then why are you staying here?” Ichigo’s expression became more serious.

“Well…It’s just…I thought it would be nice to relive old times…Do you have a problem with that?” Rukia’s gave a worried expression that caught Ichigo off guard.

Ichigo noticed how insensitive he was being and hopped off his bed and put his hand on Rukia’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I’ve just got a lot going on in my head. Shall we go eat?” Ichigo states as he heads for the door but stops waiting for Rukia’s decision.

Rukia smiles and nods her head as she walks beside Ichigo as they head to the dining room.

In Hueco Mundo, Ryujin found himself on the top floor; he takes a moment to look up at the very wide gated door that stood before him. He took a deep breath, ready to give out his report on his findings.

As he put his hand on the door, he released a bit of Reiatsu which allowed him to open the heavy door without any difficulty.

As he entered, he found himself in a very spacious area with very little light on either end. But near the middle of the room, there was a short staircase that led to his destination.

Ryujin looked up at the sky; there was no ceiling in the area he was walking up too which caused the light of the moon to reveal two figures bathed in its aura. One was sitting in a rocking chair wearing a dark red silky gown, her violet colored hair shimmered but it was her piercing crimson eyes that Ryujin first took notice of before he knelt down to one knee to show his respect and allegiance.

“You may stand, my son.” The woman states while she was cradling Idaten in her arms, her right breast was exposed but she slowly cover’s it up before making eye contact with Ryujin.

“My baby boy was a little upset. More so than usual, but it looks he has calmed down after his little meal. Could you put him down for his nap?” The young woman states as she hands Idaten who was sleeping at the moment to Ryujin.

“I’ve have made visual contact with the target.” Ryujin states as he holds Idaten in his arms.

“Is that so…I trust that the preparations are going smoothly as planned?” Asks the woman.
“Yes, I will check with Megumi and see the progress of the device. I’m sure it won’t be long now.” Ryujin states.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve anticipated this day for quite some time. My dear sweet Rukia, it won’t be long until you are back in your mother’s arms where you belong.” The woman states as she slowly stands up.

“Mother! You should rest; you still are not in a position to walk about just yet.” Ryujin states with a sense of urgency.

“It’s all right, my son. I can at least do this. It would be a lie to say that I’m not feeling very anxious about what is going to take place soon.” The woman states as she looks up at the full moon that covered all of Hueco Mundo.