Haunted

Review Replies- Tiramisu: I hope that I will be able to keep it suspenseful, I think it makes it so much better when I can keep the readers guessing.
Kera-Izaki: Although it’s based on the story, there are very few details that are similar and the ending is going to be WAY different =D
Kunitsu: I’m glad that I keep you captivated!
Lynzee: I hope this wasn’t too long of a wait for you =3

I really love Rukia. =D Let me explain, while I have my doubts about Orihime (sometimes she really makes me angry) Rukia is full of piss and vinegar. I don’t really like her paired up with anyone though; to me she is the character that is beyond any romantic inclination. Sometimes I’ll pair her off, but only as a very slight side pairing. I just wanted to let all of the readers know that Rukia is only a sister figure to both Ichigo and Renji in this story.

Once again, WarriorNun is very awesome for beta’ing this story for me, thank you!

Haunted: Chapter 3

Ichigo’s POV

“I don’t even know who you are!” I tried to jerk my hands out of his grasp, but they didn’t even budge. Fuck! Was he this strong when he was alive or was it a ghost thing?

“I already told ya who I am.”

With that he shoved me back onto my bed. Fear thudded in my chest and I wondered what the hell the crazy albino was doing. A second later the wind was knocked out of me as Shirosaki landed on my stomach. One of his knees pressed down on my chest while the other pinned my hand, grinding the bones together painfully. He loomed over me, looking like a powerful ivory idol with single-minded wrath. Unfortunately that rage was directed at me, and I had no way to escape it.

His hand wrapped around my throat and squeeze, his fingers digging into my skin, reminiscent of our first meeting. The pain was immediate. All I could think about was getting out from underneath the ghost. Black spots appeared in front of my eyes and a rushing sound filled my ears. I bucked my hips and squirmed frantically while clawing at him with my free hand, but to no avail. He was there, I could see him, and feel him. But it was like his very existence was slippery and I was unable to find purchase to push him off.

Just as my thoughts were slipping away and my movement began to slow, the pressure lifted and I gasped for breath. Nothing was sweeter than that air that filled my lungs. I coughed harshly as my already bruised throat protested the gasping breaths. I felt the pressure on my hand and chest disappear as Shirosaki shifted off of me. I kept my eyes tightly closed as I felt him move on the bed and cold air washed over my face His lips brushed against my ear as he whispered into it.

“I will get my revenge.” His said, mockingly soft and gently. “I want to.” Was that hesitation I heard? “But I still don’t…know anything.” This time the confusion lilted in his voice was clear. “But I do know that ya killed me.” His hands found my throat again but didn’t tighten.

“But…I don’t remember!” I pleaded, hoping for any sign of compassion. “How did I kill you!?”

“I don’t remember…” I heard the uncertainty in his voice and knew I had to use it to my advantage. “I guess when ya are dead ya don’t remember much. All I know is my name and ya.” The hands tightened slightly around my throat and then relaxed.

“You have to be mistaken. I-I’ve never killed anyone!” To my embarrassment, tears filled my eyes and trickled down my face.

Shirosaki was silent for a moment and then slid his hands up to grip my head. It was a very intimate position we were in and it set me on edge. “Don’t cry.” The albino sounded confused again and his thumbs came up to rub under my eyes, brushing away the tears. “Pussy.”

That jolted me out of the haze I was in and I snapped at him. “Fuck you! You come in here accusing me of murdering you, and you expect me not to be upset! Not to mention you claim you’re a ghost, which is impossible!” I was really pissed and I am sure my face was red, but Shirosaki didn’t show if it affected him. His face appeared to be frozen with that smirk.

“I can prove I’m a ghost, if ya want.”

I didn’t know if it was a trick he was trying to pull, so I was hesitant to take him up on his offer. He must have seen my answer on my face because his smirk widened and mirth danced in his eyes. He lifted one of his hands and then pushed it through my chest. I gasped and tried to grab at the appendage. It wasn’t painful, but there was an uncomfortable pressure that made me want it out right away.

“Okay! Okay! I believe you!” The hand pulled away and I sighed in relief.

“Why don’t ya try to find out, Berry?”

I scowled at the nickname. “But... but you said that you didn’t even know what happened!”

Shirosaki glared at me and then started to…dissolve, for lack of a better word. It was like he began to fade, except not. In a second it was like he was never there, except for the evidence of bruises on my throat which was starting to really hurt from all the abuse. Either I was crazy, or he was a ghost.

He was a fucking bastard, either way.

My body was shaking all over, like coming down from an adrenaline rush. I sat up slightly to make sure the albino was no longer in my room. Not there. I flopped back down and tried to calm my racing heart. I would know if I had killed someone. That’s not something you would just forget. Why was Shirosaki so insistent that I’m the killer? He couldn’t remember anything else, so why was he sure about that? It just didn’t make any sense.

I pressed the palm of my hand to my forehead as I tried to figure out how to deal with this. I thought about talking to old goat-face about this, but he would probably not take me seriously. Same with mom. I didn’t want to involve Karin and Yuzu, they might get hurt and that was one thing I could never take a chance on. Renji…no, I could never tell Renji. It’s not like he was close-minded, but I really didn’t want my boyfriend to think I was crazy.

Rukia. I could talk to Rukia. Rukia has always been there for me, and she doesn’t judge. Even an outlandish story such as this wouldn’t make her think I needed to be carted off to the loony bin.

Actually, it was more likely that Rukia would do something that would make me get taken away herself. Like that time Rukia managed to convince both Renji and I that vandalizing school property was something that every high school freshmen had to do. Or that time we broke into the Deep Sea Aquarium and I almost fell into the shark tank.

I shuddered at the memory.

At least I knew that Rukia wouldn’t tell others that I was crazy, probably because she was so crazy herself. Not to mention she would probably egg me on. But in this case hopefully she would help me sort through this mess so I could figure it outs without really going nuts.

I asked mom and dad if it was okay if I hung out with Rukia and they readily agreed. I called the Kuchiki household as well to make sure that Rukia actually wasn’t doing something.

“Kuchiki Byakuya speaking.” A cold voice picked up after a few rings.

“Er…” I really wasn’t expecting Byakuya to pick up, maybe a servant or Rukia, but not him. “This is Ichigo, can I talk with Rukia?”

“Hm. I don’t know, can you?”

I turned a little red, as I always did when Byakuya teased me. “May I please speak with her?”

“Yes.” There was a click as I was put on hold and then Rukia picked up the phone in her room.

“Ichigo!”

“Hey Rukia, want to hang out?”

“Sure, is Renji at work?”

“Yeah.” Thank goodness he was or else I would have had to come up with an awkward explanation as to why I wanted to talk alone.

“Meet me at the park in twenty minutes.”

“Kay.”

Short and simple. The easiest way to deal with Rukia without getting my ass kicked. After reapplying the cover up to my throat, I yelled my good byes to my family and hopped onto my bike- unfortunately not at motorcycle- and headed over to the park where I knew Rukia would soon be dropped off. Maybe we could work this thing out together.

LINE

If there was a Rukia Kuchiki in real life, I would walk very carefully around her. She’s a great friend, but she has some crazy ideas. I bet if Ichigo fell into the shark tank she would hop right in and save him- then tease him mercilessly for being clumsy enough to fall in the first place.

Hope you enjoyed, please review!