It saddens me that there are no Shinji and Ichigo fanfictions. So I took it upon myself to write one. I do not own Bleach. If I did, Ikkaku and Yumichika would be dating and Yachiru would have an awesome bankai!
"Ichigo, you coming to the club tonight?" called Renji as he bounced the black and white soccer ball from knee to knee.
It was four thirty and practice was almost over though Renji appeared to have the same energy he had going in to practice. His red hair was held in a leather band and the intricate black tattoos that covered his face made him appear angry even though he wasn't. Both Ichigo and Renji had a thin sheen of sweat on their skin though neither seemed bothered by it.
"I'm not one for clubs Renji. You know that," Ichigo replied as Renji let the ball begin to drop before slamming his foot into it.
The ball curved towards Ichigo and Ichigo lashed his foot into it, cursing when the ball went spinning in the wrong direction. He cursed again when a pained cry came from the left indicating he had hit someone.
He turned and ran towards his accidental victim, apologizing at a high speed rate. The man he had hit was barely eighteen as well and had extremely straight blond hair. He was rubbing his arm which was already starting to bruise.
"I'm really sorry man," Ichigo apologized again as he helped him pick up the case that had been dropped and opened onto the ground. Various wooden reeds and sheet music were strewn about and in the case, undamaged, lay a beautiful golden saxophone.
"It's fine. Don't worry," the man mumbled, quickly stuffing the reeds into the case and slamming it shut.
"What's your name?" Ichigo suddenly asked, struck by curiosity.
"Shinji. Now can I have my sheet music back?" he asked impatiently, holding his hand out for the music.
"Yeah, here," Ichigo said, handing him the music and standing up.
"Thank you. Bye."
"I am sorry!" Ichigo called after the retreating figure. He shrugged when he didn't get a response.
"You totally nailed a band nerd!" snickered Renji as Ichigo picked up the ball and sent it spiraling back at him.
"Shut up Renji. I thought you were past stupid cliques like that," Ichigo sighed.
"I am. But anyways. You should go. To the club I mean," Renji said.
"No. Get over it," Ichigo ordered. "I hate clubs and I hate it when those stupid sluts start dancing around me."
"What? Are you gay?" Renji snickered again.
"NO!" Ichigo answered defensively. Yes, his inner voice said. "Besides, is there anything wrong with gay people?"
"I didn't say that," Renji sighed. "I'd just find it weird that you, the most well known man at our college who could have any girl he wanted, would be gay."
"Yeah…" Ichigo agreed with a frown.
Renji didn't catch it. "So you won't be going?" he asked.
"No. Sorry," Ichigo told him. "I'll see you later."
Ichigo sent the ball back at Renji one last time and then turned away, glad when the wind struck his face, cooling him off with cold fingers. He picked up his bag and water bottle and continued on his way to his dorm. The sun was just setting and the city was becoming dead to the world, slowly. The people and cars grew fewer and fewer as he continued walking, head down.
What would Renji think if he knew? I mean…he should've been the first to know when I found out. But…I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Oh well.
Ichigo came to an abrupt halt when two men stumbled out of the alley way in front of him. One had a swelling black eye, the other a bloody nose and fear was alight in their eyes.
Before Ichigo could say anything however, they were running away down the road. So instead, he peeked his head around the corner to see a familiar face.
"Shinji? Is that you?"
Shinji was sitting on the grimy ground, his back against the wall, panting. In his hand he grasped his case and Ichigo realized with a wince that his other hand had bloody knuckles.
"Hey," Shinji panted, turning to face Ichigo. His face was unreadable due to the misty light over a doorway behind him.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Ichigo asked, walking closer to him.
Shinji stood up, dropping the case and dusting himself off. "Some jerks tried to steal my stuff. I'm fine."
"Who knew a scrawny kid like you could fight." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them and Ichigo winced. Before he could apologize however, he was pinned to the wall, arms twisted behind his back.
"I can fight. Don't you think for a second that I can't."
Ichigo remained calm. "So what type of karate is this?" he asked.
"Self defense. Why?"
"I only learned the offensive kind," Ichigo replied, twisting his hand and lightly resting his nails against the inside flesh of Shinji's wrist.
"Well…this has to be the weirdest way to meet someone," Shinji remarked as he released Ichigo, allowing him to turn around. "Get hit with a soccer ball and then pinning him to the wall."
"Yeah. So, what year is this for you?" Ichigo asked.
"Freshman. And you're Ichigo Kurosaki. The star. Yeah, don't even bother introducing yourself," Shinji sighed. "Everyone on campus knows who you are."
Ichigo grinned sheepishly. "Sometimes I wished they didn't. But if playing soccer gets me into college free then I'll go for it."
"So you aren't going pro?" Shinji questioned.
"Nope. I'm going into a science degree," he replied.
"Oh. Well…I should go."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ichigo asked worriedly, noticing how Shinji was starting to sway slightly.
"Just a little worn out. I'll be fine," Shinji replied. "You can go."
"I don't think so. You can come to my dorm and rest. You just fought two guys off."
Shinji finally nodded. "My dorm is another twenty blocks away. I suppose I could."
"Wow…that's a ways away. Mine is right up ahead. Come on."
Ichigo led the younger out of the alley and silently, the two headed for Ichigo's dorm. Luckily, he was on the first floor so they didn't need to climb any steps.
"I see you got one of the nice dorms," Shinji commented as Ichigo opened the door, allowing Shinji to walk inside.
"Yeah. I paid for this one though," Ichigo said, throwing his bag onto his small bed. "You can sit on that and rest. I've got homework."
Shinji moved the bag aside a bit and then sat down, setting his case at his feet. Ichigo sat down at his desk, flicking on the lamp and grabbing his backpack, rummaging through the contents. Finally, he pulled out a gigantic packet filled with complicated algebra equations.
"You can do that?" Shinji gaped, getting to his feet and walking over to look at the packet. "What is that?"
"Quantum physics," Ichigo replied. "That's my degree."
"You are really smart then, aren't you?" Shinji questioned, still staring at the packet.
"Not really. The other guys in my class can do these problems in five minutes. It takes me about ten."
Shinji didn't say anything, instead contenting himself with watching Ichigo go about solving all of the problems. After three problems or so, Ichigo dropped his pencil, flexing his fingers. "So what is your degree in?"
"Performance. I've been practicing since I was seven on the saxophone so I could get into college here. I've been playing the piano since I was ten to help," Shinji answered.
"I have no musical talent at all. Could you play something for me?" Ichigo asked, turning to look at him head on.
Shinji nodded. "I guess."
He turned around and flipped open the case, pulling out a reed and sticking it in his mouth while pulling out the gleaming instrument and quickly assembling it, his fingers nimble.
I know how I could put fingers like that to use, Ichigo thought. Wait! NO! Bad thoughts Ichigo. Bad thoughts!
Shinji turned back around, fastening the reed onto the instrument and then playing a few notes. He frowned and then readjusted the mouth piece before playing again. There we go, he thought.
"Any requests?" he asked. "Or can I just play something I know?"
"Go ahead and play whatever."
Shinji shrugged and then began playing. Ichigo recognized the song almost instantly. Sure he was a jock but he could listen to the jazz channel couldn't he? It was one of the more popular songs on the channel. He leaned back in his chair and just listened for several minutes, letting the smooth sound fill the room. He felt himself being lulled to sleep when the music stopped.
"You're falling asleep on me Ichigo," Shinji sighed in an annoyed tone.
"It was soothing. Sorry," Ichigo apologized, blushing as he sat up again.
"No problem," Shinji said, unhooking the strap around his neck. In no time at all, the instrument was put away. "I should probably get going. I don't want to impose on you or anything."
"We should hang out later," Ichigo told him.
Shinji's blond eyebrows raised in surprise. "Really? Wouldn't it ruin your image if you hung out with a freshman?"
"Do you think I care about my image? I'm a freaking science nerd and society already rejects those. That and I'm-" Ichigo stopped himself. Shit. Almost said I'm gay. That's one way to send him running.
"You're what?" Shinji asked, tilting his head to the side questioningly.
"Erm…gay…" Ichigo finished.
Gah! First chapter is done! Yay! Review please!