Characters: Ichigo, Tatsuki
Summary: Ichigo can't help but notice when Tatsuki starts to grow her hair out, except he doesn't.
Pairings: Ichigo x Tatsuki
Warnings/Spoilers: Spoilers for Lost Shinigami Badge arc
Timeline: During time-skip
Author's Note: Tatsuki looks surprisingly good with long hair; that's all I'm going to say.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Ichigo's mouth falls open the first time he notices, genuinely lost for words for one of the few times in his life. "Tatsuki…" he chokes out, voice barely audible "…your hair…"
Tatsuki glares at him as she pushes a tendril of wavy dark hair out of her face and behind her ear, whole body tensing up as if preparing to attack, and knowing Tatsuki, she probably will. "Yeah, Ichigo, this is my hair." Her voice drips sarcasm, the way one would speak to an especially dim child. "What about it?"
It's a dangerous question, but Ichigo, normally much more cautious and possessed of common sense about these things, is too astonished to notice.
He gesticulates wildly to her hair with one hand, which, wavy and close to her skull, has grown and extended well past her shoulders. "It's…it's…" He's stammering; why is he stammering… "…it's long!"
Ichigo has never seen Tatsuki with hair any longer than a boy's; to see it any different is just beyond his belief. She actually looks feminine now!
Somewhat.
Maybe.
Tatsuki sighs in the manner of one dealing with an idiot and used to dealing with an idiot. "How kind of you to point this out. Yes, I have long hair now, Ichigo. I swear I've said this a thousand times; my mom is making me grow it out." Her eyes narrow dangerously. "What, you're just now noticing?"
Too dumbfounded to see the trap in front of him, Ichigo makes a fatal mistake. "Yes…"
"You bastard! It's been like this for two months!"
"I—"
All of the arguments Ichigo might have presented in his defense are abruptly and effectively cut off by Tatsuki decking him. She stalks off down the sidewalk, muttering under her breath.
After a moment, Ichigo sits up, sucking in a deep breath and holding his hands over his bleeding nose. She didn't give him a chance to say anything.
He was going to tell Tatsuki that he thought her hair looked good long, but somehow can't see that that's a very good idea anymore.
She'd probably just punch his lights out again.