Hey! It's me again...
I'm in the middle of a massive English exam...and I was panicking about my writing skills... so I thought what better a way is there to practice them then with an Ichi/Ruki fic!?
I do ask that you comment this, just so I know that in the last month or so my writing has not deteriorated :D
Anyway! do enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Ichigo! Did you hear that Ichigo?" The raven-haired girl began prancing around the room in an unusual state of childish glee. When Ichigo didn't reply she stared at him, "Ichigo are you even listening to me?!"
Ichigo slammed his study book shut, getting up from his bedroom desk. It was way to early in the morning for this. He turned to face the little midget, "How couldn't I hear you? You've been bouncing around my room shouting for the last ten minutes!"
"Shut up Carrot-top! You just don't get it!" she retorted, still smiling happily. She sat herself down on his bed, swinging her legs over the edge. Ichigo gave in, "What's got you so happy then?"
"Not tellin'." the raven-haired girl replied with a mock pout. She then began fixing the red ribbon on her uniform.
Ichigo shook his head, "Fine."
"Fine."
They sat in silence. Rukia was looking out the window, Ichigo sitting back at his desk. He was pretending to be interested in his book, but truthfully he was now interested in what had her so hyped up. He decided to wait it out; she was bound to crack eventually. This is Rukia we're talking about.
The silence continued for a few minutes more, then Rukia stood up and stretched, "It's such a nice day outside. I think I'll go for a walk before school starts!"
She's bluffing, he told himself; she wants to tell me. She just wants me to ask again, and that's not happening.
She walked over to the window, avoiding his gaze and opened it. It was then that Ichigo realized she wasn't bluffing, "Where the hell do you think you're going?" he called over.
Kneeling on the sill, she turned to look back at him, "I'm going for a walk. You should really listen Ichigo."
He said no more. She turned forward again and was about to hop out, when a pair of firm but gentle hands grabbed her hips, "Ichigo!" she roared, "Lemme go!"
"Tell me!"
Rukia grinned, What a fool… he's so easy! "What's the magic word?"
Without any other word, let alone a 'magic one', Ichigo tossed Rukia back on to the floor. She landed with an 'oomph', "You asshole!" she hissed, rubbing her sore backside.
"You gonna tell me or not?" he continued with his typical scowl.
Rukia sighed, "Does it really matter that much?"
"Just tell me." He replied in a low voice.
"Fine," she got up to her feet, "If you must know your dad said he's taking Yuzu and Karin to this father-daughter camping trip with the girls' school."
Ichigo stared at her blankly, "That's it?"
She smacked his head, "Idiot! Don't you see what this means?!"
Rubbing his aching head Ichigo glared at her, "Ah… nothing."
She smacked him again, "Ugh! It means that I get the whole weekend where I can watch T.V. and use kitchen, and hang around the house all day!" her smile returned as she jumped around.
"That's sad."
She stopped jumping, "Excuse me?"
Ichigo picked his school bag off the floor and hung it over his shoulder, "You're delighted over a couple of hours of hanging around the house… that's just sad." He shook his head turning to the window. He looked back and sighed, "Pathetic…" he hopped out the window, narrowly missing the shoe she threw at him. He smirked while walking off to school.
Ichigo could feel her spirit pressure a mile off, but when Rukia Kuchiki walked into class, he didn't bother to acknowledge her. Meh, she gets a relaxing weekend, so what? He tried to focus on the book in his hands, What's wrong?! This is Rukia we're talking about! She'll drive you nuts, that's what's wrong!He argued with himself. Ichigo closed his book, sighing. It was pretty hot today. The sun blazed in through the window.
Looking up he saw Inoue standing in front of him, a smile plastered on her face, "Good morning Kurosaki-Kun!" she greeted with a small wave.
"Heh, morning Inoue. How are you?"
The red-haired girl blushed lightly, "Oh… I'm fine actually. Just thought I'd come over and say good morning, that's all."
Ichigo nodded. There was silence for a moment before Inoue said she'd see him later and walked off to talk to Tatsuki. His eyes followed her as she skipped off hurriedly, 'I just... don't get her...'
Just then the teacher decided to make her grand entrance, and the lecture of useless and boring nonsense begun. Ichigo spent most of the time taking notes, not bothering to notice Rukia looking rather distant. Her gaze wasn't focused on anything as the sun shone down through the window on to her.
"Rukia, can you please focus!" the teacher snapped.
Both Ichigo and Rukia looked around in surprise. Ichigo never thought Rukia would get in trouble. She was the student all the teachers seemed to adore. He knew something was wrong.
"S-sorry." Rukia replied, leaning over her book to take down the notes on the board. The teacher nodded and turned her back to the class again, continuing to write up on the blackboard. Once her back was turned Ichigo leaned over to Rukia, "You Ok?"
Rukia shook her head slightly, "I've got a headache."
Rukia was sitting in the desk beside the window and, knowing immediately that the blaring sun was giving her the migraine, Ichigo put up his hand. The teacher spotted him, "Yes Kurosaki."
"Miss, Kuchiki can't see the board from her place can we swap seats?" he asked in his most polite tone.
She gave a curt nod and Ichigo stood up transferring his books to her desk. Rukia gave Ichigo a curious look before moving over to his seat. After about twenty minutes Rukia seemed to be fully back to normal. Ichigohated to see Rukia, or indeed any of his friends in pain… especially when he could prevent it. He was glad to see that she was better.
Ichigo smiled to himself, he didn't really mind the sun. The only problem was that, in Karakura town especially, when it's really sunny for a long time… the next thing you know…
It's raining.
They had gotten about halfway home when the sky opened. Sending both Ichigo and Rukia sprinting to the shelter of a tree. Soaked to the skin, Ichigo sighed, "Great…" he breathed sarcastically.
Rukia made no response. Ichigo looked over to see that she was shaking with cold. Taking off his Jacket he placed it over her shoulders. Rukia looked up at him, her eyes filled with question. He shrugged under her gaze, "You looked cold. Besides I'm not the one wearing a skirt. I'm fine."
"Thanks…" Rukia replied softly.
"You don't have to thank me, idiot."
They stood there for a while watching as the rain didn't seem like it was ever going to stop. Ichigo was freezing at that stage, but he hid it from Rukia. His wet hair was flattened on top of his head and his arms were covered in goose bumps as his uniform dripped with the wet. Shivers traveled along his spine as cold drops of water slowly trickled down his neck...
Rukia didn't seem too cold.
Then… Lightening.
Rukia jumped at the flash of light, and let out a small squeak when she heard the thunder. Ichigo did his best to smile at her, "It's just a little lightning… and thunder. Nothing to worry about."
Rukia agreed in such a way that it seemed as if she wasn't listening to a word he said, and immediately jumped again when the thunder and lightning repeated. Ichigo laughed, "Relax." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "I promise it won't hurt you."
Rukia looked up at him, as if trying to confirm that Ichigo's word was true, she nodded slowly. The next time it came around, Rukia didn't budge. Ichigo smiled to himself, at least she trusts me…
The rain continued and Ichigo began to get impatient, "Ok Rukia, the house is about two blocks from here," he put the hood of his jacket up over her head, "We're going to run to it."
Rukia gave a small whimper at the thought of bracing the rain. Ichigo heard her, and grabbed her hand reassuringly, "On the count of three, Ok? One… Two… THREE!"
Both teens ran out into the rain, Rukia shrieked as it poured down on them. Still holding on to her hand, Ichigo practically dragged her along the street. Running as fast as their legs could take them, Ichigo wishing he were able to use shunpō in his human form.
The two rounded the last corner and sprinted for the house. Once they were sheltered on the patio both stopped, gasping for breath. Ichigo was about to get the house keys from his pocket when he realized that he had not yet let go of Rukia's hand. Rukia seemed to just notice it then too because both looked at each other with the same expression. Why the hell don't I just let go?! His mind hissed.
Ichigo did let go, but gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. He saw Rukia look up at him, but had himself turned away. He then unlocked the door, letting the two in. Ichigo found a note on the hall table:
My son,
I am not home as I have taken the girls to the camp early. We will be back Monday morning. Until then don't do anything I wouldn't do and have a good weekend.
Your Amazing, Wonderful, Loving Father,
Isshin Kurosaki!
Rukia smirked as she walked in; "This is like one of the first times I have ever been able to just waltz in here through the front door!" she skipped off to the living room.
Ichigo had just enough time to throw down his bag before Rukia had started, "Ichigo! How do you use this thing?!"
Ichigo walked in to see Rukia standing in front of the T.V. pushing buttons at random. Ichigo took the remote from her and gently pushed her out of the living room, "You have to get out of those wet clothes first, unless you want to catch a cold!" he stated as they walked upstairs.
Rukia walked into his room first, she looked into the closet for her pajamas, "Dammit!" she hissed.
"What?" Ichigo walked into the room looking curiously as the raven-haired girl searched through the closet.
She sighed, "Yuzu must have found my… her pajamas, and taken them with her camping!" she looked through the closet again, "All that's left are these shorts…" she held up the pair of Chappy pajama shorts.
"I'll find you a top, Ok." Ichigo, ignoring the fact that he was still soaking himself, walked over to his drawers, rooting through them in search of something to give her, "Here," he said, tossing a spare t-shirt over to her.
Rukia nodded thanks before walking out to the bathroom to change. Ichigo then went to get out of his wet clothes. He pulled out a pair of tracksuit pants and a hoodie. He picked up a towel and dried off his hair.
Feeling a little off, Ichigo lay back on his bed. He was freezing, but the room was warm. Groaning, the oranged-haired boy closed his eyes, resting his aching head on the pillow.
Rukia walked back into the room in her shorts and Ichigo's shirt, "Thanks Ichigo, this will do just fine." She stated. When she got no reply she looked over to see Ichigo lying on his bed, his face covered with a towel, "Ichigo?"
Rukia walked over to him. His hands were shaking. She stood at the bedside and reached over to gently move the towel, revealing Ichigo's pale face.
"Ichigo…" Rukia sat on the bed. She assumed he was sleeping as his eyes were completely shut. A cold sweat was prominent on his forehead. Rukia placed her hand on his brow, "You're burning up."
Ichigo let out a weak groan, "That feels nice…"he mumbled dryly. Rukia realised her hands were quiet cold, and used them to cool Ichigo's forehead.
"What happened to you Ichigo?" she asked quietly.
Ichigo gave a small shrug, "I… don't feel well…"
Ichigo opened his eyes slightly, and for a split second he saw what she really felt. She looked worried, unsure and a little scared… but she quickly masked this with a sigh and a small smile. Ichigo reached up and rubbed her arm, "I'm fine." He tried to assure her.
She scoffed, "Sure!" she replied sarcastically, "This is all because you gave me your stupid jacket, you fool." She raised a hand to hit him, but thought against it in his current condition. She sighed, "I'll go get you something for your fever."
"You don't have-" he began but Rukia cut him off.
"Just shut up and rest."
Ichigo sighed laying back on the pillow once more.
Rukia soon returned with asprin and a glass of water. Without a word she kneeled on the bed and helped ichigo into an upright position, sitting behind him to support him. She handed him the tablets and the glass of water. Ichigo slowly took the medicine and drank back the contents of the glass.
"Thanks." He mumbled groggily.
"Don't mention it." She replied, waving off the matter. Ichigo sighed, leaning back. Rukia shifted slightly, allowing so his head come to rest on her lap. She brushed a hand through his hair, gently playing with the orange mess, hoping to relax her ill friend.
"You know… my mom used to do that when I was sick…" he spoke softly.
Rukia immediately stopped, removing her hands from his head, "I'm so sorry, Ichigo I-"
Ichigo half raised his hand, stopping Rukia mid-sentence, "I remembered it there. I just thought I might share it with you… I mean nothing by it."
She was honoured… and shocked, that Ichigo would tell her something so personal, "Thank you for telling me."
He smirked, "Baka… You know I'd tell you anything."
It took Rukia a moment to transmit what he said, and when she looked down at him, Ichigo was fast asleep. His usual scowl was gone and a peaceful expression played across his features. She remained there for a while longer… playing with his hair.