bleach drabble
sado yasutora (chad)
things are clearer when you're on the outside looking in
note : spoilers to the end of the soul society arc, set some time after that, and truly, i don't own bleach (535 words)
From The Outside Looking In
Ichigo is very important to Chad. That is how he understands vaguely why Ichigo is being more moody than usual these days, since Rukia was more than just important to Ichigo. She was, simply put, vital to him. Rukia had become Ichigo's most important person even though it was just two months since they had first met.
So it was of no surprise that when she left, Ichigo followed and Chad in turn, had followed him. Because that was simply how it was with people who are important to you.
But what Chad couldn't really comprehend was why, when Ichigo had returned, Rukia hadn't come with him. Ichigo was after all, just as vital to Rukia as she was to him. And he had marveled at the way Ichigo had just walked away without looking back, even though it was obvious to Chad that was what he badly wanted to do.
From the moment the two had met, even though Chad didn't know about it then, he already noticed changes in his friend's attitude.
Ichigo's trademark scowl, though still there, wasn't as intense as before. His brash attitude had lessened in scale. It was as though everything about him had softened the moment he met Rukia. And even though Chad didn't know Rukia all that well, he felt that it was the same way for her. And really, Chad was rather thankful since he would prefer not to have known Rukia before if she was more sardonic than she was now.
But all that had changed when they had returned without her. Ichigo seemed to have hardened himself against her absence, re-building all his barriers to keep everyone out. And his attitude, back in full force, had gotten them into more fights now then ever before.
That was fine with Chad, since they had a promise to protect each other's back. And he fully intends to do just that. Ichigo is very important to Chad, after all.
But what really makes Chad worry about his friend, and makes him secretly question Ichigo's mental health, was the way he got angry at the most irrational things. Fluttering red ribbons, innocent black butterflies, and especially their stuffed lion mascot Kon was always subjected to his sudden bouts of unprovoked fury.
A recent art class was totally disrupted when Ichigo started breaking every crayon he could lay his hands on. It took both Chad and the sensei to finally restrain him. Ishida had, of course, smirked silently in a corner and refused to help. It finally got to a point where their art classes now concentrates more on sculpting than anything else these days.
But what was most disturbing was the way Ichigo had to pick up every stray bunny-like item that he sees, from stuffed toys to rabbit bookmarks, and insists that he must find them a good home. Most of the items ended up with either Yuzu or Karin, so it wasn't too bad since Chad himself didn't have to keep them. But it was still disturbing.
That is why, even though Ichigo was very important to him, Chad fervently hopes, for his own psychological well-being if nothing else, that he never, ever falls in love.
end
a true friend would know your heart even if you yourself are clueless about your own feelings. but seriously, how much more in denial can ichigo get? ;)