Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ There You Are Rukia! Fallen Star and Adopted Stray ❯ Blossoms of the Academy ( Chapter 5 )

Title: There You Are Rukia

Chapter 5: Cherry Blossoms of the Past

Pairing: RenjixRukia KiraxMomo

Rating: PG13 for adult concepts

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo and Shonen Jump do.
Summary: While sitting in the cell in squad 6's jail Rukia remembers happier times in the academy.

Sunlight drifted in a square across the floor, bypassing Rukia's bare toes.  Against her back the hard cold metal of the chair back pressed, yet she found her mind drifting inwards since Renji's visit yesterday.

Those declarations of love he made were still painful, yet heartfelt.  Of course he had shared intimacy with her many times over the years as they had grown up together.  However they were still young when Renji first indicated that there could be more than just the comfortable bond they had forged to survive in Inuzuri.  Perhaps it was the separation into the two class levels that forced their relationship to change so much.  Deprived of constant contact they drifted apart.  However fate seemed to push them together as well.

Through the window she could see the courtyard of Squad 6, where a few sakura trees were planted.  How ironic that a form of sakura separated them when it had brought them together once more at the Acadamy.

Sakura blossoms had fallen then so long ago.  Rukia allowed herself to retreat once more into memories, transporting her across space and time to a more pleasant location...

Beyond a cell where she felt she needed and deserved to be.  Undeserving of redemption or hope.
***
Cherry blossoms fluttered across the lawn landing in heaps here and there before the Academy grounds. At intervals beneath the trees, an observer could spot red and blue hakama mingling and kneeling on various blankets and sheets. Laughter echoed on the afternoon breeze rustling more petals to fall in a lavender and pink rain.

It was the second year of Rukia's classes and the fact that she was still in the lower group grated on her nerves.   With two other girls and three boys, she sprawled on a blanket, glancing over at three people giggling and sharing tales enviously. She had not counted on Daisuke and Kyo wandering up to flirt with her, Kiyone and Midoriko even though they were glad of the company. Soon bored of the girls' chattering Rukia found the seclusion of a tree only yards from where Momo, Renji, and Izuru traded insults and good-natured stories.

"Sitting alone over here? Why?" asked a voice.

"Bored I guess," said she.

"Brought some sake for you," Kyo said, sitting next to her. She reached for the cup and sipped some down.

"Thanks," Rukia said, smiling sweetly at him. He was good looking in a pretty boy sort of way, even if he was full of himself ego wise. It was refreshing to be around him instead of Daisuke, who was more the playful flirt. Unfortunately witnessing their charms was getting on her nerves.

Pushing up his glasses, Kyo settled next to her. He again tipped the bottle of sake over the small cup she held out to him. Again she swigged it down even though he said, "You'd better slow down there… Rukia."

"Why? Everyone else is having 'fun'," she said with a shrug. Again, she glared over at Kira clinking cups with Renji, who had his back to her. She heard his boisterous loud laughter, and then saw him turn and glance in her direction. Smugly she leaned near Kyo, giggling as if he had said something funny.

"You don't have to e alone you know. People are worrying about you. Why don't you come back into the group?" he asked, curling his kneels under him. His fingers brushed her hair away from her cheek.

"Depends on the group. I mean I've only known you guys for a bit of time… and well…"

"Daisuke can be boorish. I think you prefer being 'one of the guys', do you not? I can appreciate that…"

Before she knew it his breath fanned her neck, and she squirmed, smelling sake on his breath. Although she felt eager to find out why being so close to a boy in a different way than rough and tumble was such a big deal, red signal flags waved in her mind. He pulled off his glasses, leaning closer. Rukia heard a loud smacking sound the instant after the boy's lips touched her cheek. Kyo yelped as a brawny hand wrapped around his arm.

"Wait just a moment!" Kyo protested.

"What do ya think yer doin', mister slick? If ya knew what was best for ya you'd get away from the lady!"

"But she was sitting with our group! Just what is your problem?"

"What the hell!" Rukia shouted, glaring at the tall redhead who twisted the boy's arm behind his back.

"Get away from her ya scum," Renji snorted. "She's off limits."

Kyo protested, "I didn't know you were together I…"

"He's lying! I am not his girlfriend! Moreover, I am not off limits. Let him go Renji or I'll kick your ass!" Rukia shouted.

"Sorry Rukia, but I'm afraid… I'm going to be missed by the others. You should have mentioned you were spoken for…" the boy yelped. Renji let go as he turned his full attention on Rukia.  

"Get back here it's not what you think… hey!"

"Forget him Rukia. He's not good enough for you," Renji shouted. Rukia dodged around him but Renji caught her by the waist.

She cried, "Let me go damn it!"

"You've been drinking an' I don't want some strange boy taking advantage of ya!" Renji protested. He swung Rukia over his shoulder and carried her out of the shadow of the sakura blossoms. She pounded on his back and yelled.

"Put me down you big jerk! HEY!"

"I'll put ya down, but not till I get ya away from those perverts," Renji mumbled, almost dropping her. He swung Rukia down when he reached the tree where he had been drinking with his classmates.

"I don't want to go over there, idiot!" Rukia continued to complain.  

"Nonsense, yer comin and joining Kira and Hinamori," Renji said with a grin on his face. "Much better company then those losers."

"Abarai where were you… oh… my word, is she all right?" Kira asked.

"Sorry for cuttin' out on ya but I figured ya wouldn't mind another friend sharing the party," Renji said, plunking Rukia down on the blanket between his two friends.

"Rukia?" asked Momo, glancing at her. The blonde young man also looked in surprise from the saucer of sake he was holding.

"Where am I… oh…?" She stopped when she laid eyes on the two classmates who she resented.  

"Rukia are you all right?" Momo asked, taking in Rukia's flushed face and angry gleaming eyes.

"Oh just FINE, thank you very much," Rukia said sarcastically, glaring at Renji who sat down next to her and pushed a cup of something into her hand.

"Wasn't that Kyo from third year that you were with?" Kira asked.  

"Yes, till HE cut in," Rukia grumbled, sipping the cup of tea and then glaring at Renji.

"Maybe you'd like some sashimi or onigiri?" Momo politely offered, moving the tray in front of Rukia.

Sighing she helped herself to it. "If you insist."

"Thanks, Momo," Renji said cheerfully, grabbing a rice cake and popping it into his mouth whole.

Frustration almost clouded around Rukia in hostile waves. Renji blocked it out even though his two friends felt on edge. "Honestly Renji you've pulled some stupid stunts but that was the worst! I came with FRIENDS…"

"And that means I'm left out? Ya were sitting alone until that creep moved in on ya with his perverted line. So's I figured you could use our company for a change," Renji said with a shrug, nudging her.

"Get lost, mister funny brows," Rukia griped back. Momo hid a giggle behind her hand.  These two always seemed so familiar around each other it reminded her a bit of her comfort level with Toushiro.  Kira poured two cups of sake, and then passed one to Rukia, which she promptly swigged down.

"Hey slow down there!" Renji urged.

"We do have plenty don't' we, Izuru?" Momo asked, sipping at her own.

"Rukia, relax, its okay. We were just worried," said Kira gently.

"That boy is a real slime ball," Renji said.

"He isn't good news at all for you, Rukia. Renji was merely acting to protect you…" Momo started.

"Oh, are you sure I'm not interrupting your GOOD time?" Rukia asked, glaring at them both. "I was fine… you didn't have to worry about me… go on and don't' concern yourself."

"Rukia, there's nothin' that says I can't be concerned is there?" Renji demanded, pressing her shoulders to the tree as she tried to squirm away.

"You have the NERVE to diss me for these two and then tear me away from MY friends because they're not GOOD enough, screw you Renji!" Rukia snapped.

"Maybe you'd like to come with me to the girl's dorm?" Momo asked. "If you want to be alone…"

"Just… just don't… please. Don't bother. I'm sorry I yelled I just…" Rukia sighed, realizing how Momo was moving closer instead of moving away.

"Rukia, we had no idea you felt so angry. You are always welcome to be around us," Kira reassured her. "Renji's friends are our friends…"

"It's just… it's just not fair," Rukia whispered.  

"Rukia, come on I'm trying to make up for it," Renji sighed.

"Rukia dear," Momo said, She reached over and touched the top of Rukia's hand laying on her thigh. "You can say anything to us. Renji's friends are our friends…"

Glancing down at Momo's hand Rukia turned hers over and gave the other girl's a small squeeze. Momo nodded, her smile warming. Rukia whispered, "Thank you. I'm sorry Momo… Kira… I just have had a lousy day and I just… wasn't expecting this big clown to come along and ruin it."

"He IS bad news. He took advantage of my former roommate and well…" Momo said.  

"If you don't trust him, then I suppose that I'm better off," Rukia 'answered, letting go of her hand. "But I'd rather not think about such things.  I'm ruining your fun."

"That's right Rukia.  We're supposed to be having fun," Renji said with a rather goofy grin.  Under her breath Rukia grumbled.

"Maybe you two need to speak alone?" Kira suggested. "We'll just take a quick walk and look at some of the other cherry blossoms?"

"I don't want to drive you two away from your own picnic blanket," Rukia despaired, rolling her eyes at Renji despite her politeness to his friends.  

"Rukia… please… We really wouldn't mind.  Stay here with Renji.  Kira and I don't mind taking a short walk.  You're welcome to spend the rest of the day here," Momo insisted, smiling sweetly.

"Let's leave them alone," Kira suggested, taking her hand and leading her away.   

"All right, see you soon Renji, Rukia…" said Momo, beaming at them.  Soon they too joined some of the other couples already strolling among the trees.

Sighing Rukia sank down to the blanket, and turned away once Renji let go of her shoulders. Kneeling next to her, he still rested a hand on hers, and sighed. "Rukia… talk to me."

"You're still a jerk. It's not your business who I want to be with considering you're always with THEM."

"If you felt left out you should have said something," Renji said. "Rukia… I can't read your mind."

"You're in the class 1 with them. You people are better than we are. Remember? You were the jerk who kicked my butt before you went off on that hollow hunt!"

"Aren't you ever gonna give me a break for that?" Renji protested, sliding into a sitting position next to her.

"You're the ass who keeps rubbing it in my face. I just wanted to stay out of your way, your highness," she snorted.

"Rukia, hey… please, you've got my attention now. I was just teasing you to make it easier ya know… get ya to lighten up. We always busted on each other before and you had no problems… so why now?"

"Because I'm lonely you idiot and I missed you," Rukia blurted out. Then she turned away and put a hand over her mouth.

Renji's eyes were wide, his dark brows creased. "What was that?"

"Never mind. Forget I said anything. I'll just go back to the dorm with Momo when she comes back."

Gently Renji's hand closed over hers. "Hey… Rukia… look at me huh?"

"What?" she asked, looking up into his concerned eyes. He leaned close, placing a hand under her cheek, and tipping her face up to his.

"Rukia… I missed you too," Renji, said quietly. "I'm sorry I'm always hanging out with Kira and Momo, but they're on my team. It's only natural to be around them ya know."

"But it was natural for you to be around me once," Rukia cut him off. "What happened?"

"You didn't have to be a stranger Rukia. You were always welcome you know…"
"You should have invited me then," Rukia mumbled.

"I'm inviting ya now," Renji answered. "C'mon, they're good people."

"I'm already sitting on their blanket," she said, and pointed to the sake and food. "You've got the better stuff."

"Kira's little present from his uncle. He's sharing it with us," Renji said.

"Nice of him," Rukia said. Her childhood friend sat closer, and slid his arm around her shoulders when he saw her glancing around at the other people.

"Here, I gotta go take care of some buisness but I'll be right back…" Renji said, releasing her. He turned away and strode off among the trees.

Rukia smiled a bit, relaxing as her head rolled against the bark of the trunk she leaned her back against.  Sakura blossoms rustled like sheaves of paper hitting the floor after she tossed her completed papers on the teacher's desk.

A shadow fell across her and she glanced up into a pair of glasses. "Rukia… I'm sorry I ran away, I just…"

"Kyo?" Rukia asked, glancing up at him. "I'm sorry. That was just Renji. He and I were childhood friends and well… he's like an overprotective big brother."

"I shouldn't have kissed you. I'm sorry I did… it's just that you looked so lonely," Kyo explained as he knelt near her. His hand extended to touch her cheek and she sighed. However, she felt a nose brush hers and another hand slid down from her shoulder.

"What are you doing," Rukia asked, grabbing him by his thumb.  Her fingers were strong like small steel pincers.

"Um… I just… well… was going to um…"

"You'd better move those hands away if you want to keep me from breaking them," Rukia said angrily as she twisted his thumbs and grabbed his other wrist and shoved it away.

"You're hurting me," he stammered.

"More of you's gonna hurt if ya don't leave her alone!" Renji shouted from behind her.

"Uh… I um… I just remembered something I had to do," Kyo babbled as Rukia released him.

"Get lost! If you ever get near her again you'll answer to me!" Renji snorted. He sat down next to Rukia as he saw the young second year scuttle away.

"Thanks," Rukia said. "But I had him under control."

"Stupid jerk doesn't' know when ta quit," she heard Renji huff. Something flat was set on her knee and she stared down at a bento box half full. Renji held a pair of chopsticks and was already lifting a piece of food to his mouth.

"Save some for me," she said. Renji shoved the food into her mouth and silenced her protest. She swallowed hard, then grabbed the cup of water he handed her. Sharing the pair of chopsticks, they soon ate the rest of the meal together.  

"Good isn't it?" he asked.

"Mmm hmm," Rukia nodded. Sighing she closed her eyes and leaned heavily against Renji's arm. One of her hands dropped onto his right thigh and rubbed absently.

Renji's arm draped around her shoulders, pulling her head to rest on his chest. Rukia drew up her knees and settled more comfortably against him, watching the other students on their blankets. Some were drinking sake while others chatted. Still more seemed to be leaning close and moving their faces to one another's.

"Rukia I'm really sorry I've been ignoring you and making you feel lonely," Renji said. She blinked up at him, noticing how close his face was to hers.

"Thank you for your apology, Renji. It means a lot," she answered, feeling the tingling of the same still in her body.  

"You're my oldest and bestest friend," Renji reminded her. "If I forget ya I'd be forgetting myself…"

"I'll just have to kick your butt to remind you once in a while," Rukia teased, as Renji's arm more heavily fell on her shoulders.

"Yeah… you do that, okay?" Renji murmured, his face leaning closer as if he was trying to get a better look at her.

"Is it me or do those eyebrows get freakier each time I see you…"

"Hey, they are not," Renji grunted, glaring down at her. "It's… well… it's part of my look."

Rukia reached up, traced a finger over them causing Renji to flinch. "Hey… what are ya…"

"You still have hair there," she giggled. "It's just black instead of red."

"Silly girl," Renji mumbled back, turning away. Rukia slipped a hand under his chin and turned him to face her. Seeing the serious probing look on his face, he cupped her chin as well. However Rukia was not looking at him the next moment, she seemed quite fixated on a nearby couple whose faces were quite intimately fused.

"They're doing THAT in public… how… crass," Rukia gasped, shocked.

"What? It's just kissing ya know," said Renji, grinning at her.

"I wouldn't know," Rukia retorted. "Since a certain someone scares the boys away I never found out… I thought I was going to, but forget that."

"Good reason for it," Renji answered, twisting his thumb so it held her chin, and his fingers wrapped around her cheek. He kept his other hand around her body, leaning in.

Rukia raised one eyebrow at him and muttered, "A big brother reason or another reason?"

"Just don't want 'em stealing something they shouldn't have," Renji, mumbled, his lips ghosting over hers. Rukia shivered at the electricity shooting through her body.

"What are they stealing?" Rukia mumbled, moving her head so their mouths were touching. Her eyes were still open at the weird sensation of his mouth moving in small pecks. At first it felt odd, but then rather pleasant. Renji's lips were chapped but warm,  alternating between tickling and barely touching. Then the crease between his lips covered hers and stayed for a longer period. His hand tightened around her waist and it registered that it was a kiss. Her first…

Unsure, Rukia stared around him to see what that other couple was doing. Past Renji's spiky ponytail, she saw a blonde young man with his arms wrapped around a young woman. It dawned on her that it was Momo and Kira sitting not far away from them, their faces touching in a similar manner. Renji's face pulled away for a brief instant, his dark lashes veiling those red eyes that seemed so exotic. His lips were parted, breath fanning her tingling cheeks. "Rukia, ya okay?"

"Uh huh… just… wondering why you did that."

"Didn't want just anyone giving ya yer first kiss," Renji smirked.

"Or you'd kick their ass?" she answered. Rukia moved so her lips collided with his and Renji shivered this time. She felt a sharp exhalation and opened her mouth slightly when his tongue touched her bottom lip. Now his top lip closed on it, nipping at her mouth insistently.  

Hot blood burned in her cheeks, roaring through her ears in a mad rush. She panted for breath and found herself blinking up at Renji with a similar astonished expression. He kissed the front of her forehead and her cheeks one moment, and then she buried her face in his chest the next, only wanting to hold onto him tightly.

"That was… different," she commented.

"You're not kidding me," Renji answered, shivering against her. His large hands clutched her body to his. Rukia tingled in places she knew about, and felt an urge to be somewhere else rather than here.

"You taste like sake. And you say I've been drinking?" Rukia smirked, grabbing his hair.

"Hey… oww!" Renji yelped.

"Idiot," Rukia laughed, her voice suddenly muffled a second later when Renji kissed her for the second time. Now his mouth opened and she felt his tongue moving more insistently on her bottom lip.

Puzzled, Rukia did the same thing, rubbing his chest between them. As her hand slipped inside to feel his muscles and how hard they were, his mouth opened completely and she felt hers invaded. Annoyed Rukia shoved back with her tongue, but realized this sensation was pleasant too. More firmly she nibbled and bit at his lips until he pulled back catching his breath.

"It isn't a contest," Renji panted.

A small giggle caught their attention and both of them stared at Momo shoving playfully at Izuru. His face was beet red as he caught sight of Renji and Rukia staring at him. "I… I'm sorry Momo I don't know what came over me."

"You two perverts," Rukia giggled back. "I guess you got back from your walk."

"I'm not a pervert I just…"

"I am not serious, I am only making light of it.  Just a joke," Rukia relented.

"Kira relax, I don't mind. Considering what everyone else is doing," Momo continued, tugging on his blond hair insistently.

"Such a cute couple," Rukia continued to tease.

"Well I er…" Kira continued to stammer.

"Not as cute as a certain other one sitting on the same blanket?" Momo grinned, nodding towards them.

"A couple… a couple of what," Rukia tossed her heads. "If you mean a couple of idiots, you're right."

"Hey!" Renji complained. Swinging her legs onto Renji's lap, Rukia tugged on his shoulder and sat down.

"I'm glad you came and joined us, Rukia. It's more fun with the four of us isn't it?" Momo said with a fond sigh.

"Well…" Rukia started, feeling like an absolute louse for what she said before.

"Sake?" Kira asked, pouring some saucers and handing them to Renji. Renji only took one, and then sipped it before he gave it to Rukia.

"You think it's poisoned?" she asked.

"Ya never know," he said, pulling her so she sat in the triangle of his legs. He repositioned her so he sat Indian style. Rukia sipped the rest of the cup, and then passed it back to Momo. Under Rukia, something felt hard, and it was not just Renji's thighs. Smirking she shifted and heard his groan.

"I'd be a lousy friend if I let anyone else make it anything but something ya can enjoy and remember," Renji continued. Rukia blushed again looking away. She then grinned at him.

By now, Kira's nose and cheeks seemed almost the same red as Momo's and Rukia's hakama. He was giddily twisting his fingers in Momo's hair and she was sitting across his lap and laughing with her own fingers tangled in his hair. They were pressing their foreheads together as Renji sang a particularly dirty ditty from Inuzuri.

"Pervert. Once a pervert always a pervert," Rukia teased.

"Says the person who's trying to get comfy in my lap?" Renji purred into her ear.

"Uh huh," Rukia answered, shifting her hips and hearing his groan. Again, she saw

Momo grabbing Kira's face to kiss it, and him leaning back so he lay with her atop him. Renji pulled Rukia at the same time she swung around in his lap so they were facing one another. She straddled his now bent knees, glad for his hands steadying her backside so she would not slide down.

"Better?" Renji asked.

"Much better," Rukia purred this time, savoring how that hard lump in his pants rubbed her in just the way she wanted. Her tongue slid along his lips and Renji eagerly swept his into her mouth so their breaths mingled. Locked together their faces moved along with their bodies trying to outdo the other. When she grabbed his topknot, she heard something snap and felt his hair falling around his face. Burying her hands in it, she yanked him so they again shared a deep kiss and her small breasts pressed between them.
***
Back in the present Rukia touched her lips and managed a small smile.  She could hide in memories even if the present was dark, and her future was nonexistant.  

Drawing her knees up to her chin she perched on the chair and stared out at the bright sun again. She squeezed her eyes shut, and hugged herself.  She missed him.  When would he visit her next?

No, it was better if he didn't.  He had his career as a vice captain after all. She deserved to be here, giving her powers to a human.  Let the past remain bright and untainted, full of promise.  There was no future for her and she welcomed the oblivion.

"I am not worth saving," she murmured, glancing down at her feet. Why did a small part of her doubt that was true?  Perhaps it was because she could hear his familiar footsteps and the sound of the guard amidst the jingling of keys.