Knight in Shining Armor
A/N: This fic is dedicated to Kelsey, or, as she is known on this site, Insertsomethingclever. It's a small drabble but all things considered, I think I did okay. And without further delay let the story commence...
Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga Bleach by whatshisface. See? I don't even know the creator!
"Your total will be 15.93 yen. Paper of plastic?" Hanatarou asked, smiling heartwarmingly at his latest customer. Human jobs sure were easy.
"Um… I hope you don't mind but this is all I have right now."
That being said, the man dropped little more than a handful of various coins onto the counter, looking apologetic with just a hint of shame.
"Not at all! 'We're here to serve you!'" Hanatarou answered, quoting the store's motto, "I'll just take a minute."
Swiftly sliding each coin towards him, muttering under his breath as he tallied up the total, Hanatarou's heart sunk and inwardly he wept for the man in front of him.
"Sir.. I'm afraid you're short 3.23 yen. Perhaps I can remove the milk…"
"No! It's fine. I'll just be on my way." The man said quickly, scooping up his coins and briskly stuffing them down his pocket.
"Hey," a rough voice said, "Where do you think you're going, pickpocket?"
"Wha…? Hey, not cool man let me down!"
Hanataro watched, dumbfounded as his customer was lifted into the air by a pair of strong arms, and flipped upside down so that a variety of snacks fell from his pocket.
"Now you'll leave without a word, or I'll beat you the next time you feel the need to steal from someone."
Ichigo carelessly dropped the guy, and watched him as he hustled out of the store before turning around at the end of the block and yelling "Stupid punk!" before taking off again.
"Ungrateful bastard. I should've just knocked the crap outta him when I had the chance. Man, Hanatarou, you gotta learn how to spot them before they swindle the life out of this store and make you lose your job! I can't always be savin' you."
Hanatarou bowed his head and accepted his scolding silently for the umpteenth time that week.
Ichigo sighed. "Look, I'm not saying this to get mad at you or anything, it's just that I worry about you."
Unbiddingly, Hanatarou blushed.
"Ah! That came out wrong! It's just that I live with Rukia, or rather, Rukia lives with me and I know how hard it can be for a soul reaper to adjust and"
As quickly as it came, the blush faded away, Ichigo's excuses (and mentioning of a certain female soul reaper) somehow depressed Hanatarou and caused a lump in his throat that he forcefully swallowed away as he smiled.
"I understand Ichigo-san, so what will you be purchasing today?"
Ichigo stopped midrange and handed over three lollipops.
"For my sisters and dad," Ichigo explained, as if embarrassed to be caught buying such things, "Apparently today lollipop day, but I have a dentist appointment later on so I'm holding back on the sweets. They're probably just doing this to rub it in my face."
Hanatarou laughed at Ichigo's family antics. He wished he could be a part of that family.
"Well, you're total is 2.93 yen."
Ichigo handed over a bill, with just a hint of red tingeing his cheeks for some reason.
"Here's your change, hope to see you again."
"Yeah, you too," Ichigo replied, "I just hope next time I don't have to be you knight-in-shining-armor again. Bye."
Hanatarou blamed Ichigo's words of chivalry for his temporary lapse of brain function.
"Um, Ichigo! Maybe after your dentist appointment we can suck lollipops together!"
Ichigo froze as Hanatarou realized what he had just implied. Kami, kill him now.
"Uh… why not? It'll be… fun" Ichigo said awkwardly and walked on.
Hanataro sighed. Knight in shining armor indeed.
So... What did you think?