How it is
~a Bleach fan-fiction~
Disclaimer: I don't own these guys.. I wish I did, though..
Warnings: Language.. Uh, violence..? Some boy love in the later chapter. I do believe that I'll not post lemons this time, if you're reading this on dA or FF. I'll put up a link with the AFF version for those of you who enjoy lemons. If you don't, then don't read. It's that simple.
Characters/Pairings: Most of them eventually, for twists, conversations, and drama and what not. But the main pairing will be IchixIshi. As I go, I might add other side pairings, but IchixIshi is my focus here.
Break down: AU. I originally wrote the first chapter following the Bleach plot, and I had the focal point originally being a hollow fight, where Ichigo had to help Ishida. But I decided that my writing skills in the hollow scene department weren't as.. flow-y. Also, I didn't want to have to deal with the whole Quincy Archer hates Shinigami business. Even though Ishida is a sexy-ass archer.. -shiver-. Perhaps I'll have him still do archery as a hobby.
"Uryuu-san~~..."
Ichigo flinched at the voice behind him.
Every since he'd learned of Uryuu Ishida's existence, he could never understand why the female population was so damn attracted to him.
"Yes..?"
"I tore my skirt getting off the bus. I don't want my underwear to show all day, so.. Could you fix it for me..?"
It didn't make sense. The guy was an asshole. Creepy. Pale. He wore ridiculous glasses. He was pretty scrawny..
And he had that ridiculous haircut.
Ichigo knew that he himself was far more attractive that Ishida.. Yet, he could barely get a girls attention, let alone have her drooling over him..
"Thank you, Uryuu-san..!"
"No need for gratitude. I merely repaired a few torn stitches.."
Ichigo balled his fists up against his desk.
"Kurosaki..? Are you alright..?" A voice came from next to him.
It was Orohime. "Yeah.. Can I ask you a question..?"
The orange-haired girl nodded, smiling at him. "Sure."
"If Ishida asked you on a date, would you agree..?"
Her smile wavered, her brows furrowing slightly. Why was he concerned about Uryuu-san..? "I guess. But I don't think Ishida-san would ask me out.."
Ichigo shook his head. "Orohime, he's an asshole. But you're pretty. Even a guy like him would be attracted to a girl like you.."
Orohime giggled, leaning closer to Ichigo's desk. "That's very nice, Kurosaki-kun. But still, Ishida would never ask me out. Even if I asked him, he would say no."
The older teen turned slightly in his desk. "Why's that..?"
She laughed softly again, turning back to glance at Ishida, and then back at Ichigo. "Can't you tell..?"
He was beginning to get frustrated. What wasn't he understanding..? "Tell what, Orohime..?
"Think about it. He's sixteen years old. He's never shown an obvious interest in females. Every time we see him out of school, he's alone, and shopping for things for his sewing projects.. Put all that together, and what does it spell, Ichigo..?"
His brows knit together in thought. "He's gay...?"
Orohime's eyes widened, and she suddenly looked back down at her desk, while everyone else in the classroom looked straight at Ichigo.
Uh, oh.
He'd forgotten to whisper. His brain had been working so hard to figure it out, that he'd raised his voice to normal tone. Oops.
-
'Milk, carrots, bread, leeks.'
'Milk, carrots, bread, leeks.'
'Milk, carrots, bread, leeks.'
'Milk, carrots, bread, leeks.'
"Hey, Ichigo..!"
He waved casually to the girl at the cash register.
'Milk, carrots, bread, and... what was that last one..? Oh yeah. Leeks..'
The orange-haired teen grabbed one of the hand baskets from the front, sliding the handles over his arm. Vegetable section came first. He passed the leeks, grabbing the freshest looking bundle. He hated leeks...
Next came carrots, they were more of his kind of vegetable. He grabbed a bundle, throwing them into the basket next to the leeks. Right down the isle was the milk. Making sure that the expiration date was still good, Ichigo set the jug into his basket. It was heavier, but nothing too annoying.
He turned, heading towards the bread isle. It was on the entire other side of the grocery store.
"Fresh bread, Ichigo..!" His Dad had yelled at him as he left. Bread was bread..
Ichigo turned around a corner, his gaze directed towards the ground. Which was why he didn't see the person turning the same corner from the other side.
The two collided, causing the other male to drop his things.
"S-sorry.." Ichigo said, leaning down to pick up the items, which was a roll of paper towels and a can of soup.
"No need for apologies. It was an accidental collision that could not have been avoided.."
Ichigo's brows furrowed at the other's voice, standing up straight to hand him the things he'd dropped.
"Ah. Its you, Kurosaki-san. Are you planning on having another one of your... Out bursts..?"
The older teen glared at him. "Out of my way, Uryuu.."
Ishida took a single step to the side, bowing only a few inches, mockingly. "The isle belongs to you, Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo considered kicking him in the face, but refused to take a cheap shot.. Mumbling under his breath, the orange-haired teen walked passed him, heading towards the bakery. He grabbed the freshest looking loaf he saw, throwing it in with the rest of his groceries.
He set his basket down at the register, making brief eye contact with the female. She was a class mate of his, but he didn't know her name...
"You doing anything this weekend, Ichigo..?" She asked, her tone hopeful.
Ichigo shrugged. "Studying.. Trying for the number one spot on this years exams.."
"Ah.." She replied, her face showing the rejection she felt. "Good luck, Kurosaki-san.."
"Yeah, thanks.." He said, paying her for his groceries. He took the two bags, heading out to his car. He had to lean the bags against his vehicle in order to fish his keys out of his pocket.
Pressing the unlock button, he managed to open the back passenger door, dropping the bags down on the seat. He slammed it shut, almost covering up a muffled cry, but not quite. His ears trained themselves in the direction of the noise, an ominous feeling settled over him.
He pocketed his keys, his feet guiding him to walk around the building, to the alley beside the store. He swallowed.. Why did he just know he was getting himself into stupid shit..?
As he turned around the corner, his eyes fell on a limp figure, curled up in the fetal position in front of two males, the taller of the two just finishing a kick to the fallen one's ribs. "Think you can just walk away from a fight with us..?"
There was no response from the male on the ground.
"What do you assholes think you're doing..? He's unconscious, so leave him alone." Ichigo said, his fists clenched by his side.
"Mind your own business." Said the one who'd just kicked, turning to face him. His dark bangs clung to his forehead with sweat. "Unless you want to get your ass kicked, too."
Ichigo snorted. "You think you could beat me..?"
The dark-haired one stepped towards Ichigo, as the other turned to see if he'd have to help. "I've got this.. You just make sure he doesn't wake up and try to go anywhere.." He balled his fist, aiming it at Ichigo.
The orange-haired teen dodged it, catching the other's fist and using his weight against him to push him to the ground. His elbow connected firmly with the back of his neck, his other hand tangling itself in his dark hair. Ichigo jerked him back up, slamming the side of his face into the concrete of the building. He let the other's body slide down to the ground. "He isn't dead, but you should still get his injuries tended to."
The other male, a blond, glared at Ichigo, taking a single step forward.
"What, you wanna get knocked out, too? Take your friend, and get out of here." He said, his tone menacing. Once they were both out of sight, Ichigo turned to the male on the ground..
What was this..? Karma for being rude to him..? Now he had to help him..? He sighed.. "Ishida.. What were these guys messing with you for..?" He asked, though he knew he wouldn't get a reply.. Uryuu was out cold. His fingers moved to his neck, searching for a pulse.
He breathed a sigh of relief. At least it was strong.. His arms slid under the other's pale body, lifting him up easily. He noted that the dark-haired teen didn't weigh a whole lot as he carried him back to his car, easily sliding him down in the passenger seat. He lowered the chair back, so he wouldn't slip out, making sure to fasten his seat belt.
The older male moved around to the driver's side, settling down into his own seat and starting his car. The trip home was short, which was good. Ishida needed medical attention..
"Dad..!" He called into his house, walking briskly through the front door.
"Quiet, Ichi.. You'll wake your sisters.."
"I don't care about that. My friend needs help.."
His father stood from his chair, walking towards the front of the house. "What's wrong..?"
"I dunno, some assholes at the store jumped him.." Ichigo turned back outside, leaving the door open. He yanked open the passenger side door, unfastened the seat-belt, and lifted Ishida's body out. By now, he'd regained some consciousness, but he wasn't in full focus yet.
"Wh-..." Ishida groaned, his face leaning into the warm body holding him. His head hurt.. What was going on..? He heard a door slam, and the noise sent his ears ringing, before he allowed himself to black out again.. He was in too much pain right now..
-
Ichigo was sitting at the kitchen table, annoyed with himself for caring about how Ishida was.. The guy was an asshole.. He got what was coming to him... right?
He shook his head. No. Sure, he was an asshole, but he was generally a good guy.. He didn't go out of his way to hurt someone's feelings, like the majority of the world..
"Ichigo.."
He almost jumped at his dad's sudden voice behind him. "Yeah..?"
"He's okay. But he needs some good rest, and he sure as hell won't get it on that flimsy mattress in there.."
He nodded. "I'll let him have my bed."
"He needs support walking. Still a little dizzy, so don't let his pride tell you otherwise."
Ichigo nodded again, standing up and turning to head into the examination room down the hall way. He knocked, waiting a moment before opening the door. Ishida was seated on the bed, leaning against the wall, his eyes half opened.
"Can you stand..?" Ichigo asked, moving next to the bed in case the other needed help standing..
Ishida nodded, carefully pushing himself up. But he stumbled, thankful that the older teen was there next to him to catch him.
"Here.. Put your arm around my shoulder.." He said, his own arm sliding around Uryuu's waist. In the end, he had to help Ishida get his arm around his shoulder, but eventually, he was able to help him walk out of the room. He led him down the hallway, and then slowly up the stairs, and into his room. He was glad he'd cleaned up earlier that day..
He helped the younger teen into his bed. "If you need anything, just.. I dunno. I won't be far, get my attention somehow." Ichigo said, turning and flipping off the light. He shut the door softly, heading down stairs to find a spare pillow and a blanket. He planned on sleeping outside of his bedroom door...
Ishida pulled off his glasses, noticing how the frame was bent.. He'd have to get them repaired soon. He set them down on the lamp-table next to Ichigo's bed, laying himself back carefully. His ribs were sore, scraped from when he'd hit the ground, and bruised from the multiple kicks he'd received. His shirt was off already, downstairs with his shoes, belt and cell phone. They were in the exam room, still..
Ishida carefully pulled the blankets up over his chest, taking a deep breath before letting his eyes shut. He'd wished he'd have been able to go home, but he wasn't in the mood for the long walk, and besides, Ichigo's father wanted to have another look at him in the morning. It'd keep him from having to walk all the way back here tomorrow. It was easier this way, however, he felt slightly uncomfortable outside of his home.
The orange-haired teen wasn't too pleased about sleeping on the ground outside, but it was fine for one night. Besides, he was a manner some person, despite what people thought of him. Even though he wasn't comfortable, he fell asleep easily, keeping his ears trained to his bedroom in case Ishida needed anything.
-
"Ichi.. Why are you asleep in the hallway..?" Yuzu asked, kneeling down next to her brother.
His eyes cracked open. "A friends using my room, Yuzu.."
"So.. Why aren't you asleep downstairs on the couch..?"
Ichigo yawned, sitting up on the ground. "He got hurt. I was staying here so I could hear him if something was wrong."
Yuzu smiled at her brother. "How nice. Anyway, I'm gonna fix breakfast. I should make more since we have company, right..?"
He nodded, patting her on the head. "Generous portions, Yuzu. I'm hungry."
"Yeah, yeah. Dad says your hormones are raging now, so you'll be hungry more."
The older teen's brows twitched. "That old man doesn't know what he's talkin' about. I skipped dinner last night."
"Oh.." She said, putting a finger to her chin. "You shouldn't do that, Ichi.. It's not good for you." The girl added, turning to head down the stairs.
Ichigo stood up, gathering his pillow and blanket up in this arms and knocking on his door.
"Come in.."
He pushed it open, tossing the items on a chair in his room. "My sister's fixing breakfast downstairs, if you're hungry."
"I'm gracious for your kindness, Kurosaki-san.." Ishida said, sitting on the edge of Ichigo's bed. His glasses were in his hands, attempting to bend the metal right.
"I'm sure my dad can fix those for you.." He offered, heading into his closet. He peeled off the shirt he was wearing, tossing it in the clothing hamper on the ground.
"It would be much appreciated. I cannot see well without them." He said, placing the bent frames on his face regardless.
"So.. About last night.. Those guys.. Did you know them or anything? Have they messed with you before..?" Ichigo asked, grabbing a white shirt from a hanger, some band label painted on the front. He slid it easily over his head, yanking it down over his abs.
"I.. I do not know them.. They were outside by my car when I left the store." Ishida looked down at his abs, the bruises were worse this morning..
Ichigo turned to face him. "Yeah, well I knocked one of them out. I don't forgive people like that for picking on someone for no reason.." He was getting mad again just thinking about it.
Ishida was doing all he could to avoid eye contact with the older teen. He was feeling a bit self conscious, after having had to have help from him. Someone who he'd never really got along with, some who he'd never intended on getting along with. "I'm grateful that you showed up.. Who knows what condition I would be in now if you hadn't have.."
Ichigo shrugged. He didn't really want to think about it. He didn't like that he was concerned about the other. Just that fact was annoying.. He unfastened his pants, pushing them down and grabbing a pair of jeans from his closet. He put the clean ones on, buttoning them and heading to his door. "You can borrow some of my clothes, if you want.. Your shirt was pretty torn up.." As he turned the handle, he looked back at Ishida. "Come downstairs when you're ready for breakfast. My sister's a pretty good cook.."
Ishida nodded, standing up as Ichigo left. His head still hurt badly, but he wasn't dizzy anymore.. He must've hit the ground pretty hard.. He kept on the pants he was wearing, only grabbing a plain black shirt from the other's closet. It was tight, but it seemed that Ichigo preferred that fit.
He left the room, his hand gripping the handrail on the stairs as he headed down for breakfast. There was a table in the center of the kitchen and Ichigo was seated there, a plate in front of him, along with a glass of juice. His two sister's and his father were also seated, and there was an extra space set, obviously for him. He sat down, next to Ichigo, glancing at the girl who seemed to be the one who cooked, as she was wearing an apron..
"I'd like to express my gratitude for this meal. Thank you.."
Yuzu smiled, picking up her chopsticks. "No problem.."
Ishida picked his chopsticks up also, cautiously taking a bite of eggs. He didn't usually eat like this, as he didn't care to spend the time fixing a large meal.
"How does your head feel this morning, Uryuu-san..?" Ichigo's father asked after everyone was finished eating.
"It's fine, sir. I'm just a little sore, that's all.."
Yuzu and Karin stood, placing their dishes in the sink and disappearing. Ichigo stood, too, grabbing up everyone's plates and setting them down in the sink, also. "I can give you a ride to your car whenever you're ready." He said, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"I'm ready, now.. If you don't mind." The dark-haired teen answered.
"I'll go get your stuff.."
"Ishida. If you have any problems in the next few days, call me and let me now. Nausea, any vomiting. If your headaches don't go away, I'd like to know also. If you have any problems with coordination, or if you begin to feel dizzy, tell me. And if you have any problems besides the norm with your vision, make sure to inform me."
He nodded. "Yes, sir."
Ichigo came back at that time, Ishida's torn shirt folded with his belt around it, and his cell phone on top. He had his shoes tucked under his arm. "You ready..?"
The pale teen stood, offering a bow to the man at the table. "Thank you for your kindness, Kurosaki-sama.." He stated, before raising and turning to the front door with Ichigo. He took his shoes, slipping them over his feet, and taking the rest of his belongings from Ichigo. He put on his belt, and pocketed his cell phone.
Ichigo opened the door, his car keys in his hand. He pressed the unlock button, sliding down into the driver's seat.
Uryuu sat down in the passenger side, pulling the seat belt across his lap. He kept his gaze directed out of the window as the older teen backed out, heading in the direction of the grocery store. "Which car is your's..?" He asked, as he pulled into the parking lot.
"The black one by the corner.."
Ichigo pulled into the empty space next to it, putting his car in park.
"I'll return your shirt to you at school on Monday.." He said as he started to open the door.
"Wait a second.."
Ishida paused, shutting the door again and turning to face him. "Hm..?"
"I put my number in your phone.. If.. Listen, I don't normally do this, but if someone tries this shit with you again, call me.. Alright..? I'll protect you.."
The pale teen's eye brows furrowed slightly.. He hated that he even needed protection.. He knew how to fight.. But he was jumped that time, taken by surprise. And those guys were bigger than him, too.. "Thank you, Kurosaki-san.."
"Keep that shirt, by the way. It makes you look less.. scrawny." He said. "I don't wear it, anyway.."
Ishida nodded, opening the door. "See you around.." He stepped out, and got back into his own car, where his keys were still located. He was surprised his vehicle hadn't gotten stolen over night..
Ichigo backed out of the parking lot, driving back to his house. When he got there, his went to his room, and remained there for most of the day, watching television.
-
"Ichigo.. You wanna sit with us at lunch today? Or you wanna eat outside..?" Tatsuki asked, her sack lunch in her hand.
"I'm eating outside. You guys can come if you'd like."
"Too hot. Sorry, Ichigo. No one wants to get all sweaty." She said, sliding down into her usual chair at the lunch table.
"It's fine. I sorta need the quiet." He answered, heading out the door, almost bumping into Ishida. "Oh.. Sorry."
"No need for an apology, Kurosaki-san.."
"Yeah, whatever.." He said, stepping around him and heading to the door. He couldn't help but watch Ishida slide down into a chair by himself.. Like everyday. Eating alone was depressing for him, so.. He knew it must be depressing for Uryuu. Groaning inwardly at this sudden side of kindness, he turned to walk back over to the table the younger teen was at. "Come eat lunch with me. No reason to eat all by yourself.."
"It's fine, Kurosaki. I don't mind.."
"Yeah, well I do. You owe me, anyway.. Right..?"
Ishida quirked a single, elegant brow. "I was under the impression that your services were free, Kurosaki. However, I will humor you this once, and grace you with my presence during this meal." He replaced his food items back in his bag, throwing his backpack over his shoulder again. "Lead the way.."
Ichigo turned and walked back towards the door, the pale teen not far behind. He held the door open, waiting for Ishida to pass before following suit. He headed around the back of the building where him and his friends always sat, sitting down and leaning against the wall. Ishida sat a few feet across from him, his lunch bag in front of him.
"Why is it you eat out here..? The view is bland.."
Ichigo took a sip from his juice box. "I like it. It's quiet and nobody else really comes out here. I can think about stuff, or just relax.."
"I wouldn't pin you as the type of person that enjoyed silence." Uryuu responded, breaking a piece of apple in half and popping it into his mouth.
"I like quiet more than people think."
Ishida nodded. He understood the whole enjoying time to himself thing.
"How have you been feeling since Friday..?" Ichigo asked, before taking a bite of his sandwich.
"I'm still sore, but I'm healing."
"Good.." He took a long drink from his juice box, crossing his feet underneath him. "Hey.. Can I ask you a personal question..?"
"Depends.."
"Someone pointed something out to me the other day.. I just wanted to ask you about it.."
Ishida glanced down at the cement. "Does this have anything to do with your outburst in class Friday..?"
Ichigo looked away, too. Sure, it was kind of.. rude of him to ask. But he was just curious.
"Are you..?"
The pale teen shrugged. "I don't know.. I'm just indifferent, I guess." He picked at a piece of fuzz on his pants, tossing it away. "Does it bother you..?"
The orange-haired male shook his head. "No.. Your sexuality is your business. I just wanted to know.." He tossed his sandwich back into his lunch bag, not really hungry. It was too hot to eat.. "It's not going to effect our friendship, if you're worried about that.."
"I didn't know you even considered us friends."
Ichigo shrugged. "I guess.. I mean, if I'm going to keep your ass out of trouble, we should at least be friends, right..?" He said with a smirk, teasing the other to lighten up the mood.
Ishida let a smirk grace his lips, also. "Does this mean we'll hang out and... stuff..?" The word 'stuff' sounded weird coming from him, but there wasn't really any way else to describe it..
"Sure.. I guess. You should come over sometime. It's unhealthy for you to sit at your house by yourself."
The younger teen nodded. "Sure, but I doubt it'll happen much during the week."
"Studying..?" Ichigo asked, throwing his empty juice box into his lunch sack.
"Yeah.."
"Same for me. I'm trying to get the number one stop for this year's exams."
Ishida's brow quirked again. "I've had that spot for years now.."
Ichigo met his gaze. "Yeah. I'll take it from you this year."
"If you can.."
"Is that a challenge..?"
The younger male chuckled softly. "Only if you're accepting."
"Alright, then. Prepare to have your brains handed to you, Uryuu." He said, standing up to toss his lunch bag away. "See you this weekend. Study hard, or you'll be number two this year."
Ishida stood as well. "I hardly think I'll have to study hard."
"Yeah. You will." Ichigo gave him a gentle shoulder push, carefully avoiding anything that he remembered to be injured. "See ya.."
Ishida stayed where he was standing for a moment, suddenly feeling sick. It wasn't his injuries, no.. It was the fact that he had a friend now. Someone more than an acquaintance that he said 'hi' to at school.. Was this how it was supposed to feel..? He didn't think so.. He supposed it was just.. a new feeling, that he'd have to get used to.